The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 299: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

284 afterwards she arrived in a hackney-coach, and had a long interview with Brother Sneaksby. Alone were they together for several hours; and those hours, Brother Sneaksby assures us, were passed in strenuous endeavours to bring her to a state of grace. He was successful ; and the Committee, at once acceding to our reverend pastor’s recommendations, took arespect- able and comfortable lodging for the poor young woman. Brother Sneaksby continued to visit her frequently, remaining long with her each time, and regaling her with the most refreshing discourse. She told him her history; and he, with that laudable anxiety which ever animates him to forward the in- terests of the Society, proceeded at once to the Bishop who had originally seduced her, and menaced that wicked prelate with exposure. ‘To avoid such a catas- trophe, the Bishop gavea cheque upon his banker fora thousand guineas, whereof one-half was duly paid to the young woman and the other half into the treasury of the Society. Susan Bridewell is now living in comfort, happiness, and the practice of all Christian virtues; and she never thinks of the Tract headed Come unto my Arms, without feeling a deep sense of gratitude towards the Reverend Nathaniel Sneaksby.” It would be impossible to convey an idea of the tremendous enthusiasm with which these examples were received. Every one present, the Amazon alone excepted, appeared completely satisfied with such proofs of the beneficial influence and salutary ten- dency of the New Light Tract Distribution Society ; and the last case, especially, enhanced almost into a worship the admiration already experienced towards the Reverend Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby. Silence having been restored, it was moved, seconded, and carried that the Report be adopted; and the chairman then announced that “their very excellent, staunch, and well-tried friend, Mr. Blarney Gloze, would address the meeting.” ** Christian friends,” said the gentleman thus in- troduced, and who was a thin, dapper-looking, con- sequential personage,—* you will believe me when I declare that this Chewsday is the most se-uper- latively happy one I ever passed in all my life. It will pre-uve delightful ne-use for me to send to our Christian friends in the country,—ne-use informing them that this blessed jeu-bilee has placed the Ne-u Lights in so enjeuring a position. For do we not feel like men who, having fought a jewel against infidelity, have come off with no jubious victory— but with acertain triumph? The case of that poor ge-irl, S-eusan Bridewell, hath deeply touched my beu-zim; and I beg to propose a ve-ote of thanks and gratiteude to our dear friend whose ke-ounsel pre-uved so saleutary in her behalf.” “ Christian friends,” vociferated a stout, vulgar- looking, dogmatical man, suddenly springing up from his seat on theeplatform,—*“ I beg leave to second that motion. I conceive it a dooty we owe to our cheerman to testify our gratitood towards him. He has pursood a virtoous career; andevery attriboot combines to render him sootable to the high post he okkipies amung us. A wote of thanks is his doo. Our friend Mr. Gloze has rightly said that this is a Toosday sooperlatively happy; and ] agree with him that such a joobilee will constitoot glorious noose to send our brothren in the country. Like Mr. Gloze, too, do [look on this Toosday’s proceedings as calquilated to place the Noo Lights in an endooring position : and, in the same way as our friend has so bootifully expressed his-self, armas a ee THE MYSTERIES. do I feel like a man who has fout a dooel against infidelity, and come off with no doobious wictory. As for that poor gurl, Soosan Bridewell, I knoe her when fust Brother Sneaksby brought her to a state of grace ; and my boo-zim melts when I think of allshe has endoored. Christian friends, L beg to conclood by seconding the motion of thanks to the cheerman.” Both these speeches which we have recorded, were received with rapturous applause; and the Rey. Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby rose to deliver an Oration in acknowledgment of the honour which had been done him. But scarcely had the first nasal twang of his elocutionary style begun to vibrate through the air, when the Amazon felt a hand suddenly placed upon her shoulder. She started—looked up—and beheld Tim Mea- gles behind her. “Come, my beauty,” he whispered, bending down his head towards her ear: “you must follow me away from this hombugging scene at once. There is better sport for us in view.” The beautiful huntress accordingly rose from her seat and accompanied Tim Meagles from the hall. On reaching the street, he handed her into his gig: then, taking his own seat in the vehicle, he drove at a rapid rate towards Jermyn Street. ———e CHAPTER LXXXI. THE EXPEDITION. During the drive to his lodgings, Tim Meagles ex- plained in a few hasty words that he was compelled to repair forthwith to Windsor Castle, upon very pressing business in behalf of the Prince of Wales; aud he invited the Amazon to accompany him. “The truth is, my beauty,” he said, with a merry laugh, “Iam going to pay my respects to his Ma- jesty King George the Third: and as you and I are now rowing in the same boat with regard to certain little plans and intrigues of our own, I think it will be as well for you to go with me.” “ Are youin earnest, Tim ?” demanded the Ama- zon, with a smile which displayed her brilliant teeth between the moist red lips. “ Never more so in my life, Letitia,’ responded Meagles. “The moment we get to Jermyn Street, you will send for your horse—and you can also forward at the same time anote to Sir John, telling him that you will not be home until to-morrow afternoon or evening. You can do this — can’t you 2?” “ Most assuredly,’ answered the huntress. “ But is it your intention that I should merely accompany you to Windsor——” “Not only to Windsor, my charmer,” inter- rupted Meagles,—“ but likewise into the very pre- sence of George the Third himself.” “Then I must take a change of garments with me,” observed Lady Lade: “and in order to select an appropriate attire, it is absolutely necessary that I should go home first——” “No such thing !” exclaimed Meagles. “ We wil! have some fun with the old King, depend upon it —and therefore you shall appear before him in your Amazonian garb. The instant he knows what (C(O) nn) Cc 6)(0)(©) <F (C(O)