The Old Chelsea Bun-House: A Tale of the Last Century

Chapter XVII. Chapter XVII. Mr. Honeywood's Convalescence. When Prue and I made up our Books at the Year's End, we found to our great Thankfulness and Satisfaction, that in spite of our having paid many heavy Bills of my Father's , we were on the right Side the Post, and had cleared a good Year's Income. And this I told my Father in so many Words, thinking it would please him as well as ourselves. "Humph!" said he; "'In spite of having paid many of your Father's heavy Bills.' This carries an ill Sound with it. And the Sense is worse. Many a Father grudges paying his thoughtless Son's bills: well may industrious Daughters grudge paying the Bills of a thoughtless Father—" "Dear Father ! I'm sure we don't grudge—" "Silence, Mrs. Patty ! If I'm falling into a profitable and penitent State of Mind, why should you hinder me? Do you want Nobody to be good but yourself? That's your Pride. I've got my Share of Self-Knowledge and Humiliation, I hope, as well as other People; and when I say I've been thoughtless, Madam , (smiting the Table with his Fist,) I seriously mean it!" As Mr. Fenwick had just been talking with him, I attributed this virtuous Self-Indignation to his Influence, and only hoped it might last. My Father and he were now mighty Friends: although we were so far from Shoreditch , Mr. Fenwick stepped over to us at least once a Week, saying he could not forget our Attentions to himself during his Illness, and considered us as a kind of Out-Parishioners. On these Occasions he frequently spent an Hour alone with my Father , and then joined us at the Tea-Table, which was profitable to the one Party and pleasant to the other. At Length, it became practicable to remove my Father down Stairs. But before this was accomplished, he beckoned to my Mother and said, " Delia , I prithee cover up or hide away all the China Figures down Stairs before I come into the Chinese Parlour, or they will bring my Dream to Mind, and set me fancying I see 'em all dancing. Anything but that! I loathe the very Thought of them!—You may sell them if you will—send them to Dick Harper with my Card, and they'll fetch a pretty Figure at the next Auction, especially if you throw in the Five Senses. Idle Baggages! they led me astray, as they've led many a better Man before me. Happy he who can disembarrass himself from their Extravagancies thus easily!" My Mother did, in Fact, get a pretty little Sum for them; and my Father never bought another Piece of China nor attended another Auction from that Day to this. But this by the Way. We were sitting very comfortably about the Fire, congratulating ourselves upon being thus re-united,—and my Father was enjoying a Basin of strong Gravy Soup, (for it was a little before Noon,) and wishing my Mother would have a little of it, when all at once down fell a Smelling-Bottle from the Chimney-Piece; a Water-Caraffe on the Table upset; Doors banged, Bells rang without being pulled, the Walls shook, and the Ground sank and rose under us like a Ship at Sea. We shrieked out, and clung to one another; and I, in addition to my Terror, experienced great Nausea, as if I were on Shipboard. My Father immediately exclaimed, "Heyday! there's a Powder-Mill blown up at Hounslow !" "God pity the poor Creatures in and about it," cries my Mother . The next Moment, in rushes Peter , as white as a Sheet. "An Earthquake! an Earthquake!" cries he, "Did you feel the Earthquake?" "Earthquake? you Dolt," says my Father ; "'tis a Powder-Mill blown up at Hounslow , I tell ye; and so you'll find before To-morrow." "Well, Sir," says Peter , "all the Neighbours say as I do, and are scared out of their Wits, expecting another Shock presently, which, for Aught we know, may swallow us up alive." " Peter , you're an Oaf—a Lubber!" says my Father contemptuously; on which Peter retired; but Prue , who was much frightened, began to cry. "What's the use of crying, Chit?" says my Father , "is that a Cure for an Earthquake?" "No, Father , but it's so very awful—" "Very awful," said my Mother , seriously. "Very awful indeed," said I. "Well, of course it would be, if it were an Earthquake," says my Father ; "but I say 'twas only a Powder-Mill blowing up somewhere, and so you'll see." When the Apothecary who had set Father's Leg came in, however, he confirmed the general Opinion that there had been a smart Shock of an Earthquake, and added that it had been accompanied by what we had not noticed, namely, a loud crashing or crackling Noise. Everybody that came into the Shop spoke about it; and there was a general Uncomfortableness and Sense of Insecurity. In the Dusk of Evening, Dr. Elwes looked in on us; and while he remained, Mr. Fenwick came in. Both spoke of the Earthquake, though my Father would not entirely give into it till it was positively ascertained that no Mill had blown up. Dr. Elwes said that the Shock had been felt on both Sides of the River, as far as Greenwich , and remarked that the natural Phenomena of the last Month had surely been such as to awaken the careless and solemnize the thoughtful Mind. "For Instance," says he, "the new Year was ushered in by a very remarkable Appearance in the Heavens, of a dusky red Light that seemed to gather into a Focus southward, emitting brilliant Coruscations. I was warm in Bed and asleep at the Time, but I heard it from those who saw it, and it was in the public Prints." I here put in that I had seen it; being on Watch over my Father at the Time, who was then in his Deliration. I had seen a red Light glowing through the white Window-Curtains, and on going to look out, perceived such a ruddy Glow in the Sky that I had surmised a dreadful, distant Fire somewhere. And again, a few Weeks after, Prue and I were wakened in the Night by such an awful Storm of Thunder, Lightning, Rain, Sleet, and Hail, accompanied by terrific Blasts of Wind, as seemed to go nigh to shake the House to Pieces. "I slept through it all," said my Father .—"However, Patty does not exaggerate, for the Mischief done by that Tempest at Bristol was immense, and filled the Inhabitants with Consternation." "I wonder what it all means," said Prudence ruefully. "Means!" repeated my Father , with Contempt. "It means that we should watch," said Mr. Fenwick , mildly, "since our Lord will come at an Hour we know not of. Many poor People in Shoreditch came to me in great Alarm, to ask me if I thought the End of the World was coming. I told them I knew no more then they did, for that of that Hour knoweth no Man; no, not the Angels in Heaven, but only the Father ; but that what our Saviour had said to his own Disciples, he had said unto all—'Watch!'" And he went on to speak of the Desirableness and Duty of a continual State of Preparedness for whatever might happen to us from within or without, and the Confidence with which Believers might repose on the Care of their heavenly Father , with such Feeling and Power, that all of us went to Bed that Night in a State of chastened Composure, widely apart from ungodly Indifference or slavish Fear. There was more Solemnity and Affection than usual in our Parting for the Night; since we knew not but we might be swallowed up quick like Dathan and Abiram ere Morning Light, though we humbly hoped, in that Case, to reopen our Eyes in a better World. This being our State of Mind, it was with Disgust that I learnt on the following Day, that the reckless Men of Fashion and Quality who had supped Overnight at Bedford House , had gone about the Town on their Way Home, betwixt four and five o'Clock in the Morning, knocking at Doors and mischievously frightening timid harmless People, by bawling out, "Past four o'Clock, and a dreadful Earthquake!" "The Fool hath said in his Heart, There is no God !" During the Remainder of this Month we went on quietly enough, seeing few Persons except in the Way of Business, which, by Reason of the Severity of the Season, was much slacker than in fine Weather. My Father progressed so slowly that we had our private Doubts whether he were not invalided for Life. However, from being one of the most impatient, he had now become the most patient of Men; so that 'twas quite a Pleasure to nurse him. His gay Companions having altogether forsook him in his Illness, he was now grown totally indifferent to them, and if one or other of them dropped in on him, he treated them with so much sardonic Irony that they were unlikely to intrude very soon on him again. He missed 'em very little, having now taken a great Fancy to reading, and to the Company of my Mother , both of which were very safe and inexpensive Luxuries. He had grown singularly fond of Mr. Fenwick and of Dr. Elwes , the latter of whom frequently honoured us by dropping in to play a Rubber—they were Men of two different Worlds, but yet neither of them so unacquainted with the World that was characteristically the other's, as to be wholly unable to make Allowances:—one brought my Father worldly Wisdom and Wit, the other heavenly Wisdom and innocent Pleasantry; one supplied him with humorous Books, the other, with profitable Reading; so that, between 'em both, he fared not badly. He was now getting through the History of Don Quixote de la Mancha , which he read Snatches of with infinite Gusto to my Mother ; and was continually quoting the Proverbs of Sancho Panza . Thus we went peacefully on, and were losing all Fear or even Memory of the Earthquake; when, on the very same Day of the very next Month, which is to say, February 1750 , we were affrighted out of our Senses by a worse Shock and abundantly more terrifical, between Five and Six o'Clock in the Morning. Oh! how Prue and I shrieked out, and rushed down, half dressed, to my Father and Mother . They were sitting up in Bed, having been woke out of Sleep by a loud, rumbling Noise, accompanied by thick, low Flashes of Lightning. The House was still rocking and the Ground heaving all about us, Bells ringing, Clocks striking, Glass and China jingling, and Furniture shifting from one Place to another. My Father was this Time seriously frightened, and cried, "Come to my Arms, my Children, and let us die together—we heeded not the first Warning. 'Tis as well to meet our Fate here, all together, as anywhere else, since whither could we flee from Danger? even if I were an able-bodied Man, which I am not. Good Lord , deliver us. Because there is none other that can help us, but only thou, O Lord !" So I remained folded in his Arms, and Prue in my Mother's , while we heard Persons in wild Affright loudly shrieking in the open Air. I have often thought since, that had Death indeed come upon us at that Moment, it would have been attended with much Mitigation of its Bitterness. By-and-by, the Vibration having ceased, we slowly withdrew from one another's Arms, with deep-drawn Breaths; and set about dressing and resuming the Occupations of the Day in strange Discomfort and Sadness. I have since read, in Books of Travellers, that in Countries where Earthquakes are prevalent, the Natives are in many Instances far more consternated by them than Strangers, who being unaccustomed to them do not in one View concentrate all their disastrous Consequences. This I can well believe; for certainly all London was infinitely more appalled by this second Shock than by the first. How can I convey any Figure of the Impressions of Fear and Superstition? how describe the alarmed Consciences of Sinners, the Perturbation of grave Men, the Distress of tender Mothers , the Cries of affrighted Children at a Danger so novel and Stupendous? To increase the general Panic, while godly Preachers like Bishop Sherlock and Bishop Secker were endeavouring to improve the Judgment to Purposes of Penitence and Piety among the upper Ranks, and good Ministers like Mr. Fenwick were calling on the lower Orders to repent and be saved, a fanatic Itinerant began preaching in the Streets, and boldly prophesying another Shock on the same Day of April , which would swallow up all London . The Impression produced by this Prediction was such as that Churches now filled to overflowing, Public-Houses were deserted, good Books were read, Alms liberally bestowed on the Poor, and the Sick and them that lay in Prison visited. O that such Deeds of Humanity had sprung from some better Principle than selfish Fear! "Ah," says one poor Man lying in Newgate , "I expect that when the next Earthquake occurs, my Chains, like those of St. Paul , will fall off." "Let us eat and drink," cries another tipsily, "for To-morrow we die!"—"I can't help fearing this next Shock that is to happen in April ," says a poor Wretch in the Hospital that is sure not to live out the Week. "Ah," says a meek Patient in the next Bed, placidly smiling, "I shall be out of Harm's Way before that comes!" Others combated their Neighbours' Fears with Reason and Ridicule; others drowned Thought altogether in additional Excess of Riot. I understood from Gatty that many smart Things were said about the Earthquake in the upper Circles; and every fresh Instance of a fine Lady caring for her Soul and going to Prayers elicited Fits of modish Laughter. And yet, who deserved the Judgment of Heaven to fall upon them, if the Rich did not? whose Dissoluteness and Disregard of Decency and Order had now come to that Pass as quite to paravaunt over the Vices and Crimes of the common Orders. God's sacred Name habitually blasphemed, Christ and the Holy Spirit ignored, the Devil disbelieved, Chastity laughed at, Ribaldry approved, Drunkenness considered Good-Breeding, Servants treated as if not of the same Flesh and Blood with themselves, Sabbaths desecrated, Gambling carried to an incredible Extent, the Hanging of poor Wretches at Tyburn counted a Spectacle worthy to recreate Noblemen, public Honour a mere Name, Patriotism the Synonyme for revolutionary Principle, no Truth, nor Honour, nor Justice, in Court nor in public Offices ... who, then, had Reason to dread the just Judgments of God ? At the very Time the Earth was rocking with the first Shock, there were profane Scoffers in Club-houses who would bet, whether it were an Earthquake or the Explosion of a Gunpowder Magazine. At the very Time two-thirds of London were on their Knees, observing a general Fast and Day of Humiliation, the Gambling-houses were filled with Members of Parliament, who found themselves with a Day of Leisure on their Hands. A Man dropped down Dead at the Door of White's Coffee-house: he was carried in; the Club immediately made Bets whether he were dead or not; a Surgeon came in to bleed him; the Wagerers interposed, saying it would affect the Fairness of the Bet! O Madness of mortal Men! O Hardness, past Belief, of impenitent Sinners! Chapter XVIII. The Night of Terror. As the dreaded Day approached, the public Panic increased to that Degree, that even the Sceptics with a Scoff on their Lips thought it would be as well to "keep out of Harm's Way," and "Follow the Fashion." Not that they intended Penitence and Self-recollection, no, no; but since London was to be swallowed up, they would take Lodgings, that Night, in the Country. In Consequence of this, every one that had a Room or Bed to let, in Chelsea , Hammersmith , Kensington , Kew , Richmond , or anywhere within a moderate Distance of the Metropolis, raised their Prices to an immoderate Height; and in every little Shop or Parlour Window a Card or Paper, ill writ and ill spelt, might be seen pasted or wafered, notifying that "Hear might be had a Bedd or Bedds on the ensewing Nite of the Erthquak." Nay, Women whose Fortunes or Occupations did not admit of their leaving their City Homes, quilted themselves warm "Earthquake Bedgowns," in which to take Flight in the Night, if their Houses should tumble about their Ears. It might be about a Week before the Event was expected, and while the Churches were daily filled to overflowing, that Gatty came to inquire whether her Lady could have the Sitting-room and Bed-chamber formerly occupied by Mr. Fenwick , for "the Earthquake Night." Though the Apartments were unlet, my Mother did not much relish Lady Betty for her Guest, even for twenty-four Hours, and said she did not know she was minded to let the Rooms at all; she was sure we could not do Things to my Lady's liking. However, Gatty , who was to be Lady Betty's Companion, and had a great Fancy for coming to us on her own Account, said she was instructed to offer us any Price within Reason, and of her own Head offered so handsome a Sum, that my Mother said she should be ashamed of taking it for one Night. There was Nothing in that, Gatty said; Lady Betty never grudged any Money on herself, and could well afford to pay it, and would rather like boasting beforehand and afterwards, how much her Earthquake Lodgings cost her. So, as we well knew all our Neighbours were making the same Market, and we should really be disaccommodated by having her Ladyship and finding a Lodging for Mr. James , we would not be so nice as to hold out, but accepted the Terms in consideration of the Trouble. I should, indeed, have put in a Proviso for Mr. Fenwick , whose Safety was infinitely more important than my Lady's , had I believed there was the least Chance of his consenting to occupy his old Quarters; but I knew already that he would by no Means forsake his poor People in Shoreditch , even on the Supposal of any especial Dangerousness on that Night, which he did not, averring the mysterious Intentions of Providence to be altogether hidden out of Sight, in spite of the Presagings of Impostors and Fanatics. Gatty joyfully left us therefore, having, she owned, been a little infected by the Fears of those around her, which were especially prevalent in the Servants' Hall, where the poor Maids and Men were to be left in their ordinary Charge; my Lady not entertaining the same Fear of their being swallowed up alive as of herself. And was it not strange, now, that a Lady who might have commanded the Use of various Country Seats, or have hired an entire House somewhere in the remoter Parts by the Week, for about the same Sum she was to pay for a single Night, should prefer her own selfish Accommodation before that of her whole Household? But, I am sorry to say, hers was not a singular Case. The Bustle into which we and our Neighbours were put, by the Expectance of our Quality-Lodgers, had Something in it strangely dissonant to the Occasion. Here were Carts arriving at the Door with my Lady's own Feather-Bed and Blankets, my Lady's own Linen and Toilette, my Lady's own Cushions and Foot-stool, even my Lady's own Parrot: and Wine, and Cordials, and Sweetmeats, and Packs of Cards ; though the Supper was to be provided by us, "for the good of the House." It seemed that though my Lady intended to be only a Mile or two beyond the Prospect of burying alive, and within Sound and Sight of an engulfed City, she by no Means purposed a reflective Watch and Pause while the Crisis impended, but rather thought to kill Time and drown Fear by Jollity and Entertainment. To this End, she invited certain of her Intimates, including Mr. Paul Caryl , (for she had got tired of keeping the Men at a Distance,) who had likewise secured Lodgings in Chelsea , to spend the Evening with her, and pursue their Diversions far into the Night. We were not to expect her till the Afternoon previous to the Occasion; but however, shoals of poor, terrified People who had engaged Lodgings in remoter and less expensive Parts, could not be hindered of pouring into the Country for two or three Days beforehand; and as every imaginable Vehicle was pressed into the Service, all the Highroads and leading Thoroughfares of London were absolutely blockaded with Coaches, Chaises, and Chairs, as well as innumerable Foot-Passengers, often inextricably wedged together for ten or fifteen Minutes. One Family, I understood, even took Flight in a Hearse: indeed, Dr. Elwes said it could be likened to Nothing but the consternated Flight that took place at the Beginning of the Great Plague. He added, that the Fields were full of People preparing to Camp out for the Night; just as they were constrained to do after the Fire of London ; and finished by observing with an ironical Laugh, "There's a good Time coming for the Doctors; for plenty of Colds will be caught to-night in the wet Fields, to say Nothing of damp Lodgings." About five o'Clock in the Afternoon, my Lady arrived in her Coach. She was handed out by her Nephew, Mr. Sandys , and her Physician Dr. Plumptree ; and Gatty followed with the Lap-Dog. Her Ladyship wore a cherry-colour Sacque and large Straw Hat; but neither the Shadow of the one nor the hue of the other could conceal how her Beauty was ruinated by her sad Complaint. She was no longer even ordinarily comely; all her fine red and white and smooth Skin lost, and her Eyes bleared and spoilt. With much Fuss we got her settled in the upper Parlour; but to say Nothing of her own two Servants, she contrived, the whole of the Time she was under our Roof, to keep Prue and me continually on the Trot. Inquiry soon was made for Mr. Caryl ; he had not appeared: my Lady was disappointed; she had expected him to be the Life of the Party. By-and-by, in spite of her Shawls and Cushions, she fancied a Draught from the Window; I was summoned to cure it, and had to cobble an additional Breadth of Dimity to the Curtain as quickly as I could; while my Lady stroked her Lap-Dog at the Fire, and chatted with her two Companions. "Awfully cold," says the Doctor . "Screaming cold," says the Nephew . "These inferior Houses always have thin Walls; one might think it was January . To-night, all London's out of Town—Lady Frances Arundel , and Lord and Lady Galway have gone ten Miles into the Country, to play Brag till five in the Morning, and then come back." "A good many will play Brag," said the Doctor , simpering—"the real Braggarts, I think, are those that stay behind." "Then you really are afraid, Doctor ?" says Lady Betty . "Well, my Lady , I think it would be a Tempting of Providence to incur any Risk needlessly." Just then, in came Mr. Caryl . "A thousand Excuses," says he. "I was coming along the Five Fields , when a couple of crazy old Houses tumbled down and blocked up the Way, so I was obliged to come round." "A lucky Escape for you, Paul ," says Mr. Sandys , "it might have been as bad for you as an Earthquake." "Why, yes," says Mr. Caryl , "though not easily fluttered, it did give me a Qualm, I confess. Besides, it might have been a premonitory Quake that brought the Houses down." "My Salts, Gatty !" cries Lady Betty . "Any Casualties?" says the Doctor carelessly. "To tell you the Truth," says Mr. Caryl , "I was so rejoiced to save my own Bones that I did not stop to inquire whether anyone else had theirs broken." And lightly laughed. "Feeling!" mutters Mr. Sandys . "Quack!" responds Mr. Caryl softly. And then I knew them, that Moment, for the Fox and the Goose! "Whereabouts in the Five Fields did it happen?" resumes the Doctor . "Just by that old, empty House, Doctor , wherein two Women were found starved to Death with Cold and Hunger, somewhere about Christmas ." "I'm sure such Things as that ought not to occur," says Lady Betty , dabbing her Forehead with some Essence, "so well as the Poor are provided for." "Oh yes, especially this Christmas ," says Mr. Sandys carelessly—"for, you know, a great many Hogs were seized by the Church-wardens and Overseers of St. George's Parish, that were kept in private Houses and Yards contrary to the Statute made and provided; whereby the Poor, of that Parish at least, if they had not their Christmas Beef, had their Christmas Pork; for it was distributed among them." "Not gratis, though," said the Doctor . "No, but very cheap;" said Mr. Sandys . "So I understood." "I wonder you should understand or hear Anything about it, Harry ," says Lady Betty contemptuously. "Well, Aunt , I happened to hear it named by Mr. Arbuthnot ." "When is Mr. Arbuthnot to marry Lady Grace ?" says Mr. Caryl . "After Lent, I believe," said the Doctor ,—"They that marry in Lent will live to repent." "Why so?" says Lady Betty . "Nay, Madam, ask your Chaplain. I suppose People should not be feasting when they ought to be fasting." "Ah, that's it, no Doubt," says Lady Betty —"Let us have Tea now, Gatty ; and Plenty of Genoa Macaroons." The next Time I went up Stairs, which was not till after Dark, they were all playing at Brag. As I went down, a sudden Blast of Wind from the front Door of the House blew my Candle out, and I groped along into the Shop, muttering, "Who on Earth can be standing in the Draught such a cold Night as this?" At the same Moment I caught a Glimpse of a Couple of dusky Figures standing in the Doorway, and heard, in earnest Under-tones, the Words, " Gatty! is that you?" "Mr. Heavitree ! can it be you? What in the World can have brought you here, and at this Time of Night?"—"To be with you, dearest Gatty , in case of your being alarmed, and—and—in case of Anything happening...." I would not overhear another Word, but went straight into the Parlour and lit my Candle, saying quietly to my Mother , "There's Mr. Heavitree outside, talking to Gatty ." "Have him in!" cries my Father , whose Ears were quicker than I thought, "I want to see what the young Chap is like."—"Hush, Father , he'll overhear you—Maybe he will prefer saying a few Words to Gatty by herself first." "Very likely, very likely," says my Father chuckling—"but I hope he won't go away without coming in, for all that." I now thought I might go out again with the Candle, and set it in the Shop; but the Current of Air from the Door again nearly blew it out, though I screened it with my Hand. The Stream of Light fell upon Gatty , who turned about and said, " Patty , here's an old Acquaintance,—I'm sure I may ask him in, may not I?" "And welcome," said I. "I am almost too dirty to be seen," says Mr. Heavitree , coming in. "Why, you are all muddy from Head to Foot," cries Gatty , "What can you have been doing?" Just then, Lady Betty's Bell was pulled pretty sharply, and Gatty was obliged to run off. I could see, by Mr. Heavitree's wincing, that he could not abide the Remembrance of her menial Position, and that it would not be his Fault if she long retained it. I ushered him into the Parlour. My Father , in his easy Chair, stretches out his Hand to him. "Mr. Heavitree ," says he heartily, "I'm glad to see you." "You see a very dirty Fellow, Sir," says Mr. Heavitree laughing. "Why, you are dirty, indeed," says my Father , surveying him; "is this the Way you come a-courting? I should say you had been rolling in the Gutter." "Something like it," says Mr. Heavitree ; "we Country Folks got feared by this Talk of the Earthquake, so I thought I'd just come up to Town and look after Gatty ; but, Sir, what a Place this London is! My Danger along the Road, of being attacked by the Fellow they call the Flying Highwayman, was nothing to what it was when I got into the Streets. I put up my Horse at an Inn, and then set forth, as clean as you'd wish to see me, to Lady Betty's , where I expected to find Gatty ; but it was already getting dark, and by Reason of the Panic the Town was almost deserted except by the very worst Sort, who care neither for Heaven nor Earth, and who seemed minded to make the Desertion of Houses an Occasion for pretty general Plunder. Here and there twinkled a miserable little solitary Oil Lamp; here and there a Lantern flitted across, or a Ray of a Tallow Candle streamed from some Window, but with these Exceptions, which only seemed to make Darkness more dismal, there was Nothing to prevent one from breaking one's Shins against Posts and Door-Steps, or walking straight into the Gutters. I was hustled once or twice, and began to think Affairs were not much mended since my Lord Mayor and the Aldermen went up to the King . Suddenly I was pounced on by three disorderly Fellows, who collared me and dragged me into a dark Cellar. One of them held a Lantern to my Face and said, ' Jem , this isn't our Man,' on which I was pushed out pretty near as roughly as I was pulled in. This did not hinder me of taking to my Heels, which occasioned my stumbling into an enormous Heap of wet Mud by the Side of the Foot-Path, with ne'er a Lamp near it, which made me in the Pickle you see. However, I got to Lady Betty's , where I found the Mansion deserted by all save one poor Maid, who sate reading of her Bible by the Light of a Kitchen Candle; all the rest having decamped as soon as my Lady was off, in the Opinion that their Safety was quite as dear to them as hers to her. I asked the poor Creature if she were not afeared to be alone at such a Crisis; but she seemed to be Something of a Predestinarian, and said her Time could come but once, and when the Lord would; she could trust herself in his Hands. I obtained from her that Gatty and my Lady had gone to the Chelsea Bun-House ; so then I knew they were with you , Mrs. Patty ; and having got a Direction to Chelsea , I soon made out, when I reached it, my Way here. But oh, what a State all the Fields and waste Grounds about you are in! People in Tents, Booths, Carts, Coaches, and Caravans; awaiting the Morning Light. The Field Preachers are busy among them, and are exhorting attentive Multitudes: but will the Impression survive To-morrow?—I think, Sir, my Mud is dry now; and if you will lend me a Clothes-Brush, I'll step out and groom myself a little." Chapter XIX. The Vigil. "That's as good-looking a young Man," says my Father , "as ever I saw—quite a Mate for Gatty ." "Hush, Father , he'll hear you," says Prue softly. "He can't," says Father , lowering his Voice, however. "How provoking it must be to Gatty ," says Prue , "to know he is here, and yet be kept in attendance on my Lady!" "Tush, Child, she'd rather know he was here than not.... Well, Mr. Heavitree ," (when our Visitor returned,) "have you considered where you are to get a Bed to-night?" "Why, no, Sir, really I have not." "Then I'll tell you! You may take your Choice of all the Beds in this House except Lady Betty's ; for we are all going to sit up!" "Why, then, Sir, with your Leave, I'll sit up too!" "Do so, young Gentleman, and welcome. You see, we have quality Lodgers in the House, who keep late Hours; and as they require a good Deal of waiting on, we think it best to sit up—'Tis but for one Night." "Besides which," put in my Mother , "though we are not ourselves apprehensive of an Earthquake this Night any more than any other, yet having such a fresh Recollection of the Terror we experienced during the last Shock, and knowing that so many Thousands of People are in distressing Apprehension of a similar and more terrible Occurrence, it seems unfeeling to think of sleeping and taking one's natural Rest, instead of watching with others, and sympathising with them." "I think precisely as you do, Madam," said Mr. Heavitree ; "I assure you that though I am not of those who expect the Earthquake, I am disposed for Anything but Levity, and feel this to be an impressive Occasion." So, this being his acknowledged Feeling, we sate about the Fire and fell into a somewhat graver Strain of Conversation than usual; and I was glad to find that the young Man could talk seriously as well as pleasantly. Though he had not let fall a Word about want of Refreshment, I knew he must have been fasting for some Time, and therefore helped him plentifully to cold Beef with his Tea and Bread and Butter, which he pronounced very acceptable. While he was eating, Gatty returned, all Smiles, and said, "I am glad to see you doing so well, Mr. Heavitree !" but just as he had made Room for her beside him, tinkle went the Bell, and away she was obliged to run again. "Can't we muffle that Bell?" says he, somewhat impatiently. "Then my Lady would hammer on the Floor," said I, "and would keep her up-Stairs altogether." "Yes," says Father , "that would answer as ill as the two Housemaids in Æsop's Fables, that killed the Cock for waking their Mistress." "Well," says Mr. Heavitree , "it won't be for long, that's one Blessing. Her Time's up on Monday, and I shall stay in Town till then, and take her down with me in the old Coach." "I hope you won't have so many overturns this Time," said my Mother . "Why, no," said he smiling, "we can dispense with them now; but I protest that Snow-Journey was the pleasantest I ever had in my Life." "You are going to possess a Treasure, Sir," said my Father energetically. "Indeed I think so, Sir! I was not aware you so well knew her Value." "Always took to her, Mr. Heavitree , from the very first; Didn't I, Girls?" "Indeed you did, Father ." "And when is it to be?" says my Father significantly. "Nay, Sir," said Mr. Heavitree with a little Embarrassment, "I've not got Gatty to name the Day yet, but I hope it will be before long; and as my Sister Clarissa is shortly to be married, which will deprive Roaring House of its present Mistress, perhaps we may arrange to have two Weddings on the same Day." "Was that poor Wayfarer found under the Snow?" said my Mother . "Oh no, Ma'am, we conclude she accomplished her Journey in Safety." By-and-by, Gatty joined us again; and we all sate chatting till Twelve o'Clock. Then my Lady's Supper went up, and then we had our own; a pretty substantial one, as watching makes People hungry. After Supper, we, according to Custom, had Prayers; and I thought it not amiss to select for our Evening Portion the twenty-fourth Chapter of St. Matthew , which speaks of Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes. After this, we again drew round the Fire; for Watching makes people chilly: and Mr. Heavitree began to repeat some Reports he had gathered, of the wretched State our Gaols were in, at that Time, overflowing with the Refuse of our Army and Navy, who, for Want of honest Employment, were perishing miserably amidst the Stench and Horrors of noisome Dungeons. "That they are," says my Father ; "and as for Newgate , it is now in so pestilential a State of Infection from the overcrowding together of dirty, starving Felons, that the Effluvium they have brought into Court on their Trials hath cost us the Lives of a Lord Mayor, an Alderman, two Judges, divers Lawyers, the greater Part of the Jury, and I know not how many of the Bystanders. This Spread of the Gaol Fever among the upper Classes will do more to get the Abuse remedied than the Deaths of Hundreds of Criminals in their Cells; but yet I can't for the Life of me help regretting that so many able-bodied Men, whose Labour might be serviceable to the Community, should be idling at the public Expense in Prison." Mr. Heavitree was silent, and Gatty presently asked him what he was musing about. He said, "Those Rogues who pulled me into the dark Cellar said I was not the right Man. I was wondering if they have found him yet, and what they have done to him." This led to sundry dismal Stories, of Footpads and Street-Assassins; and of Lord Harborough's being beset by Robbers in Piccadilly in broad Daylight, and one of the Chairmen pulling a Pole out of his Lordship's Chair and knocking down one of the Villains, while the Earl, leaping out, and drawing his Sword, put the Rest to flight. Then we wondered whether Times could get worse, and whether they would ever mend, and whether the next Generation would listen to such Facts as idle Tales, or whether Abuses would increase to that Degree as to bring down a Providential Judgment on the City, like that which overtook Gomorrah , or like that which we were now expecting. Soon after this, my Father fell fast asleep, and my Mother began to nod. Prudence was knitting with all her Might, and I took up my Mother's Knotting, and on Pretence of getting nearer the Light, edged my Chair further off from Gatty , who continued conversing with Mr. Heavitree in an under Tone, which became lower and lower. I am persuaded neither of them felt in the least sleepy, nor had the smallest Apprehensions of the Earthquake; but Prue yawned awfully from Time to Time, and I was profoundly silent and very serious. All at once, Lady Betty's Bell rang violently, and Gatty ran up Stairs. The Wax Lights had burned out, and at first it seemed that there were no others, which put my Lady into a sad Taking. The Idea of her being left in the Dark with an Earthquake ! Happily, another Pacquet of Wax Candles was found, and, after Ratafia had been served round, they fell to their Card-playing again; but Gatty affirmed that my Lady changed Colour, and laid down her Hand on Mr. Sandys's roguishly shaking the Table. At Length, all the Clocks struck Five; at which Hour everybody conceived themselves safe, as witlessly as they had previously held themselves to be in Danger. The Card-Party now broke up; Gatty went to undress my Lady , and I went to lock out the Gentlemen, who departed in a Body, looking fagged and haggard enough. Just as Mr. Caryl was going forth, he paused for a Moment and said, "By-the-bye, this is where Mr.—Mr. what's his Name? Mr. Fenwick lodged—Can you tell me where he is at present, Mrs. Patty ?" I coolly answered, "With his poor People in Shoreditch , Sir." " Shoreditch? Shoreditch? Ha, I'll try to remember that," says he carelessly; and turned on his Heel. I thought to myself, I don't believe you will; your Cue is to forget. Then I went to get my Father and Mother to Bed, and send off Prue , and lastly, to go to Bed myself. As for Mr. Heavitree , he was content with a couple of Chairs by the Fire. Gatty slept with my Lady , who did not feel brave enough to be alone. The Watch made us all latish, and arise yawnish. Peter told me the Roads were all astir before Light, with People returning to their Homes; and that the Preachers were trying to enforce on their Penitents that they had had an Answer to Prayer. Lady Betty did not rise till Noon; what with her Vapours, her Whims, and her Breakfast, she did not depart till two o'Clock. We had scarcely a Word of Gatty , but she ran in to us just at last, and kissed us all round, taking Leave of us once for all, and receiving our good Wishes for her future Happiness with many Blushes and Smiles. Mr. Heavitree had already gone off; and as soon as we had tidied my Lady's Rooms, we all subsided into our usual Quiet. The following Day, about Noon, I was behind the Counter, when I received a great Shock by hearing a Customer say casually, "Dr. Elwes is dead—he went off quite suddenly at six this Morning." I could hardly go on weighing some Comfits, the Tears crowded so fast into my Eyes at the unexpected Loss of our old Friend. I remained but to have the ill News confirmed and gather the Particulars, and then went up to break them to my Mother , who was sitting with my Father in their own Chamber. She was a good deal affected, and my Father undertook the Office of Consoler with great Kindliness. After a While I went down and asked Prue , who felt less Concern than I did for the Doctor , to take my Place a little While in the Shop. Then I went and sate down in the Parlour, and thought over his various Acts of Kindness to me, and shed some Tears of unaffected Regret. He had never been a decidedly religious Character, but was much liked by his Patients, deservedly loved by the Poor, and to us had been a tried and valued Friend. While I was in this sorrowful Mood, in comes Mr. Fenwick , so flushed with Exercise and good Spirits as to look quite handsome. Feeling so low as I did just then, I did not reciprocate his Salutation quite so cheerfully as he seemed to expect; and he, on his Part, on finding that my Father and Mother were well, paid less Attention to my Depression than he might have done; and, for the first Time in my Life, I thought him a little selfish. "I have some good News," said he. "I am glad to hear it," said I, "for I have some bad News." "What's that?" said he. "Our dear Friend Dr. Elwes is dead;" and I put the Corner of my Apron to my Eyes. "Well,—I am sorry to hear it," resumes he, after a Pause; "he was not, I fear, a very thoughtful Man." "A very good Man," said I, warming. "A very kindly, attentive Man in a Sick-room," says he, "and a pleasant Companion, which is all I know about him." " We knew a good Deal more," said I, "and know that his Loss won't be soon supplied. We shall miss him very much. He was truly benevolent, whatever you may think." "I don't deny it, I assure you," said he, looking surprised at my Heat, "I only wished there had been a more Christian Basis for his many good Qualities." "It is not very Christian, I think, to depreciate them, especially at a Time like this." "My dear Patty , I stand reproved. I did not sufficiently consider, nor, indeed, sufficiently know the Wound your Feelings had just experienced." This touched me, and I said, "We will speak of it no more, Sir. I am glad to see you looking so well. You told me, I think, you had heard some good News." "Yes, from Mr. Caryl ." "Quack!" said I hastily; losing my Temper and good Manners in my revived Impression of that Gentleman's Duplicity and Hollowness. " Patty! " said Mr. Fenwick , in a Tone of mild Surprise. "I beg your Pardon, Sir," said I, ashamed of myself, "but you know I never can hear that Gentleman's Name with Patience." "I do know it," said he, smiling very pleasantly, "and should retort on you the Accusation of Uncharitableness, or else endeavour to laugh you out of your singular Prejudice against him, but that I feel Something in it so flattering to myself, that I am disarmed. However, I have that to tell you of him now, which will, I fancy, alter your Opinion." "Nothing will alter my Opinion of him," persisted I, "no Good will ever come to you from that Quarter." "Why not?" "Because I know him better than you do." He laughed. "You may laugh, Sir," said I, "but you'll see in Time that I am right. Have you seen him lately?" "Not since I was in this House." "Ah, well, I have seen him more than once—I've seen him and heard him among his own Set, when he didn't know I was by, and he said Things that ... convinced me he was a false Friend to you." "What were those Things?" "I'm not clear that I have a Right to repeat them." "An accused Party has always a Right to have the Charge against him substantiated. You are silent?—Well, Mrs. Patty , since you are so inveterate against this poor Gentleman, I shall only irritate you, I am afraid, by acquainting you with Anything in his Favour, and therefore I'll keep my News to myself—" "Just tell me one Thing—Has he sent you back your Poem?" "My Poem! No—you know he accidently burnt that, Months ago." "Pshaw!" "You never will believe it," continued he laughing, "nor forgive him for it. Why, I have forgiven him, this long While; and if I have, can't you ?" "No." "Well, Patty , this Interest in the Fate of my unlucky Manuscript is, as I have before told you, very gratifying to me; but still, I should be more gratified if you would do Justice to an innocent Man." "Why, he was here, the Night before last, Sir! and from the careless Way in which he inquired for you, I could see he did not value you a Straw! I really wonder at you, Mr. Fenwick ." "Nay, I must say I wonder at you , Mrs. Patty ; but since we are getting rather too warm upon it, I'll wish you Good-bye for the Present, and converse with you some other Time on what is in my Mind, but which I fear would just now meet with an unfavourable Hearing." Saying which, he took up his Hat, and was going away quite formally, when, turning short about, he looked full into my Face for a Minute, and said with an inexpressible Sweetness of Reproach: "Why, Patty ! I didn't think you could be so cross!"

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