The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

226 . REYNOLDS’ WORKS atmosphere. Lord Charles Meredith and Captain Stanley, protected by their paletots, and smoking their cigars, boldly faced the inclement night. The lieutenant-colonel was not unlike his brother Octavian, being of the middle height and of slender figure; he likewise wore a moustache, but his hair was somewhat darker. He had a military look, and was altogether a personage of prepossessing appearance. Such was the companion whom Captain Stanley had found for his present excursion. Having crossed Westminster Bridge and passed some little way down the Waterloo Road, they plunged into the maze of close streets, alleys, and courts which lie in that neigh- bourhood. Presently they encountered a police constable, and him they accosted. Captain Stanley acquainted the officer in a few words with the business which they had in hand, and desired his succour. The request was backed by a piece of gold, and an affirmative answer was at once returned. ‘“‘ Follow me, gentlemen,” said the constable, ‘‘ and I will soon show you a little of low life in London.” He led them along two or three narrow and obscure streets; then he turned into a court, which was but feebly lighted by the rays struggling through the dingy window-panes of the sombre-looking houses. Two or three of the front doors stood open, and women loosely apparelled, and with looks of brazen immodesty, stood upon the thresholds. They flung forth filthy gibes and obscene jests at the passers-by, and when the policeman roughly bade them hold their tongues, they vomited forth torrents of abuse, closing their doors at length, but only to open their windows and continue their hideous outpouring. The constable led the two officers to the extremity of the court, and knocked sharply at a door which was shut. It was speedily opened by a wretched-looking old man, and without the slightest ceremony the police officer entered, followed by Lord Charles Meredith and Captain Stanley. Pushing open a side door, and abruptly drawing forth his bull’s-eye, or lantern, the constable threw the light into the room, but there was no one there. An inner door however immediately opened, and it vomited forth so loathsome a flood of human nature that the two officers gazed with mingled horror and dismay on those hideous specimens of the lowest of both sexes. GOmichdoo