The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

. @ female whom he knew ad a ‘ ‘. . | every | spirit and honour to refuse, soe re n were to decide. 3 * 7 sived as an honour; and ; the ee i ee country, come to town upon a holiday trip—most likely a marriage one, as several of the ladies wore love-knots on their stomachers, : Bowing with that exquisite grace which distin- guished him from his royal brothers, all of whom, with the exception of the Duke of York, were rather clumsy in their bearing, the prince advanced to the foremost lady of the party —a dove-like, plump, modest-looking beauty, leaning on the arm of a tall, stout gentleman, whose determined look showed that he was ready to protect his charge—and, ra‘sing his hat, informed her that he was deputed by the choice Spirits in the garden to present their homage to the iest women in it in the form of a salute.” “ Sir!” faltered the lady, almost too much asto- nished at his impudence to perfectly comprehond him. “ And therefore,” resumed the intruder, “in the due exercise of the judgment, which must be blind to make another choice, and by virtue of the commission entrusted to me, permit me te—nay, do not start.” As the speaker advanced the lady drew back; her companion at first seemed almost struck dumb by the intruder’s impudence, or too much astonished to com- } prehend it. Suddenly, however, recollecting himself, he interposed between the fair one—who, indeed, turned out to be no other than his bride—and her flushed assailant, demanding if he took them for people of low condition, that he presumed to insult them. “Low condition!” hiceuped the prince; “sir, you are in devilish fine condition, if you are, as I suppose, the h of that lady, whose ruby lips I positively “Back, sir! Iam a gentleman and a magistrate,” y “Andcan understand a case of conscience, I am ‘Sorry to annoy you, but really I must.” Several parties, amongst others the Duchess of G mag U and hie companions, had advanced to the spot, highly amused by the scene; their laughing encouraged the half-drunken prince to | persevere; he dreaded the bitter, sarcastic humour of the witty poeress, who would not fail to blazon his 7 — ee ee LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE. fered himself to be foiled. Accustomed to the pro- tection which his high rank and personal strength generally afforded, he perseveringly advanced, till checked by a violent blow on ~ chest from the fist of the lady’s protector, There was a general enclbign tte. mA a whisper of “He has struck the prince,” who, with all his vice, had too much manlie ness to asrail a man while a female hung upon his to be dying of a disorder that was incurable. ‘Ihe device succeeded, and in ght of his wife he became the sole heir of the family estates. It is said that he afterwards procured the cre of his victim’s widow, the lovely Princess de 1é, to secure her jointure, which was large, as related to the reigning houte of Savoy, cing, perhaps, that a time might come when a in England would be necessary, he sought, by means, to ingratiate himself with the heir- pparent; and even offered, it is said, to advance him money to pay his debts—a proposal which the *kless prince, with all his extravagance and folly, ‘the terms of the wager, his royal highness was ery female whom he met, unless she hap- or ugly,—a point which the madcaps those who recognised him the salute was re- many a grandmother of the beasts of having been kissed at the Prince of Wales, The scruples of DOs t inclined to resist were generally silenced by the whispered name of the prince—the prince! ) A party of three ladies, escorted by several gentle. men, approached, By their dress and manner it was evident that they were good, simple people from the ’ arm. The affair, however, began to look serious. “Serve him right,” thought Burley to himself. “Does he think to ride rough-shod over the people?” Colonel Hamiltot: looked on, as if highly amused at the ridiculous position in which the prince had placed himself, “Damnation!” exclaimed the royal libertine—* if you are a gentleman, sir, give me your card.” “Gentleman enough, my fine spark, thrashing,” replied the not off directly.” “Leave him to have shut 4im up in the Bastile for life.” “ Bastile be damned!” exclaimed the prince. “The fellow has struck me, and I'll thrash him within an inch of his life. That will give me ten times more satisfaction than having him locked up for life, unless, indeed, he left me in charge of his wife to console her ip his absence. Now, my fine fellow,” he added, “ for fear of an accident, resign that lady to one of your friends, eably,” But the lady did not choose to be resigned. With that we may settle this little difference ami- the usual embarrassing obstinacy of females when they see their husbands in a quarrel, she increased his difficulty by clinging to his arm the tighter. “T shall do nothing of the kind,” replied the gentle- man. “IT regret your resolution,” said the prince, blandly, “since it places mein an unpleasant situation ; for the touch of a cur dishonours a man of courage.” With these werds, much to the amusement; of hig companions and the by-standers, his royal highness took his richly embroidered handkerchief from his pocket, and wrapped it round his hand, deliberately and carefully, as thongh he were bandaging a limb, No sooner was it arranged to his satisfaction than he seized his antagonist by the nose, severely, grace and courtesy to the‘lady. The laugh of the ladies and the applause of the gentlemen who witnessed the act inflamed the slug- gish temper of the party thus publicly dishonoured, almost to madness, Dropping the arm of the lady, he drew his sword, and rushed npon the prince, who, being unarmed, might have suffered severely in hig fury, had not Colonel Hamilton thrust hitmselt be. tween, and with a blow of his hand dashed the weapon aside as it was within an inch of the royal breast. The cheek of the fature monarch had not blenched, for with all his faults he possessed the high courage of an English gentleman. Bowing gracefully, he thanked the colonel for the service he bad rendered him. The screams of the ladies, the ery of “The prince | the prince!” which was repeated trom mouth to mouth, soon collected an inconvenient crowd to the spot, and in the confusion many of the parties got separated from their friends; amongst others, the masculine Duchess of Gordon, Lt 'Gomichoo “ at half the tea-tables in St. James's, if he suf- —————————— < -_—— to give you a husband, misconstruing the forbearance of the prince into cowardice, “if you are your minions, a8 we say in France,” whispered the Duke of Orleansin his companion’s ear; “he is no gent'eman to tefase his card when called upon. Had such a thing occurred in Paris, we should which he pulled apologising all the while with inimitable S (CO) im at, Sipe ee ee ee — -s