The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 382: what you’re looking at

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878 znatalment the buildings may be commenced forth- with; and when the funds are exhausted, you will be convoked to give up a further portion of the Lord’s money. Yea—verily do I repeat that I'am no longe. ashamed of you: on the contrary, my hexrt is exceeding glad—and my soul is proud of the conduct you have just displayed. Dear Christian brethren—beloved Christian sisters—let the kiss of peace pass amongst ye!” “he word being thus given, the congregation ~wsitened to testify their devotion to their spiritual feader by obeying his commands with the utmost alacrity. For heaven knows the kiss of peace did indeed pass amongst the assembled New Lights; and such a hugging, smacking of lips, and mur- muring of pious joy arose throughout the chapel that the scene must have hugely delighted the Rev. Nathaniel Sneaksby, as he surveyed it from the dignified height of the rostrum. Old men em- braced young women—young men bestowed their caresses on ancient dames—and we need hardly eay that in those cases where both parties were young, the kissing was in every respect as enthu- siastio as the best friends of the New Lights could have possibly wished it to be. A few bonnets were crushed — some wigs were thrust away — and the ringlets of one or two false fronts were pushed over the eyes of the wearers: but these trifling mishaps occasioned not the slightest mar- mur—so acceptable was the kiss of peace wherever it, was received! Mr. Ichabod Paxwax, in his capacity of Senior Elder of Salem, now read a Report, which the con- clave had cooked up in the vestry-room previously to the meeting, and which set forth the precise state of the funds as already glanced at by Mr. Sneaksby. The document proceeded to recommend an un- wearied agitation in the cause of the New Light doctrines, and insisted on the necessity of obtaining ample pecuniary means for this blessed religious militancy. The Report accordingly suggested that _ each member of the Congregation of Salem should have a Subscription Card, ruled in columns for £. 2. d., 80 that the names of donors and the amounts of donations might be readily entered. The Rev. Mr. Unthank Snag now gave out the pleasing intelligence that a love-feast would be holden in the chapel on that day three weeks, at six o'clock in the eveuing, on which oocasion it was hoped that the New Lights would muster in great strength. This announcement was received with a iow hum of applause: the doxology was then sung —and, the old sextoness having abandoned her post at the door, the congregation were suffered to depart. CHAPTER CVIL ZHE BOYAL GEOBGE. Tew days had elapsed since the Magsman and Big Beggarman embarked on board the brig in the Mersey ; and during that interval the ship had pur- sued its way towards the western hemisphere. At first a favourable wind and tolerably fine weather had attended spon the course of the Royal George ; and thus for a week considerable progress had been made in the voyage. But » ohange then took place: the steady breese broke vere" into fitful gasts of violent fary—the heavens grew black and menacing—the ocean rolled in dark and sombre waves—and every sign familiar to the sea- man’s experience denoted the coming storm. Over the surface of the troubled main swept the screaming bird ;—and on the tenth evening the sun went down a deep blood-red colour, like a lamp of evil omen extinguishing beneath the mighty arch of heaven which now overhung the boundless ocean like a tremendous sheet of lead. In the captain’s cabin the Magsman and the Big Beggarman were seated at the table, upon which stood the drinking materials that were pre- vented from falling off by a rim running above the surface all around the board: for the vessel was now tossing up and down on the undulating bosom of the Atlantic. A lamp was suspended to the ceiling of the cabin: but through the stern windows the white crests of the billows could be discerned like moving masses of snow gleaming in the obscurity—and from time te timo the spray dashed against the thick glass. The rapid trampling of the sailors upon deck— the responses which they gave to the commands which the captain thundered forth—the rattling of the cordage—the shaking of masts and spars~the frequent fluttering of the sails-——the din of the rudder beating occasionally against the stern of the vessel— the tremendous oscillation of the tiller—the straining of the timbers from one end of the vessel to the other—the changing voices in which the gale spoke—now dull, low, and mournful as if with subdued moanings—then loud, bursting, gushing, roaring, raging, as it swept over the Atlantic_— these were the sounds which fell upon the ears of the two men as they sate smoking, drinking, and conversing alone together in the oabin. And although their discourse was of a private and particular nature, no neceasity was there to speak in whispers: for so great was the din without—in the ship, upon the ocean, and in the air—that there were intervals when the two men could not hear themselves speak ;—and thus, even if a listener had been stationed on the other side of the door, with his ear to the panels, he could not have overheard a syllable that was uttered in that cabin. It was now about eight o'clock on this memorable evening—and the anger of the storm was rapidly increasing to a perfect fury. But, comparatively unmoved by the elemental war, the Magsman and the Big Beggarmanp were deliberately digesting projects well suited to the ap- palling nature of the night that was heralded by a blood-red sunset and an evening of tempestuous heavens. “Well, then—you’re decided on doing it without any unn delay” said the Big as he refilled his pipe and pressed down the tobacoo with his thumb. “ This very night, Stephen,” reeponded the Mags- man. “There’s no use in waiting any longer— and since our plans are pretty well decided on——*” Here the gale drowned the remainder of his sentence. “Now let us look the whole thing calmly ang coolly in the face once more,” said the Big Beggar- man, after along pause: “se that we may calcu- late all the chances that’s for us and ail that’s against as.” “Good!” exclaimed Joe Warren: ® there’ no- ——-— ce NOG) SS co