The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

268 — The necessary papers were signed and the cheque given. That very day, Colonel Hamilton drove in one of the royal earriages to Coutts, and opened an account there for one thousand pounds. It was not more than half the value of the Duchess of Gordon's lost jewels. ee CC - CHAPTER XX, The thing pursued oft worthless seems when won: The chase yields all the pleasure. Tue sudden and unexpected dissolution of parlia- ment, in consequence of a defeat of the ministry, sent most of those who were connected with the political world into the country, to prepare for the coming elections, to secure their seats, talk of patriotism and purity of election, to prove their sincerity by ruining the honest tenant who ventured to oppose his land- lord’s will, and to buy the votes of all who were pre- pared to sell them. Amongst those whem it oeca- sioned to leave town was Burley—an opposition to his return had been commenced, and he hastened person~ ally to canvass the electors. “Do you wish me to see the marquis before I leave town?” demanded Lord Erringcourt, who had been summoned to Paris to attend his dying sister. “ At such a moment -to request it, my dear lord,” replied the young man, “‘ would be unfeeling ; ; besides, I am not altogether sure that the conduct of Lady Georgina has been ingenuous towards me — she has positively been encouraging the attentions of the dean. I will, therefore, await your return.” The quivering lip and agitated tone in which he spake showed how deeply his feelings were at stake in the sincerity of the object upon whom he had placed his affections, “ As you will, Burley,” replied the earl; “ but, my dear boy, let me entreat of you not to trifle with your happiness, if any thing occurs, write to me in Paris, and I will communicate with the marquis by letter. God bless you!” With these words the kind-hearted peer and his ward parted—the former to proceed upon his melan- choly journey to Paris, and the latter into the north to canvass his late constituents. “ We are fortunate!” exclaimed the marquis, one morning, a few days after the dissolution had taken | place. “How so, my lord?” demanded Fitzgerald, who had not yet seen the papers. “There is a vacancy upon the episcopal bench—the Bishop of Tythetail died yesterday. It is true the see is one of the poorest; but that, I imagine, ean be no objection: we can easily add a prebendal stall or a fat rectory to it. I wish, however, for your sake, it had been better,” His guest assured the speaker that the revenue was a matter of perfect indifference; all that he aimed at was the episcopal rank, which would give him the long-coveted seat in the House of Lords. “Well, then,” resumed the marquis, “I will wait upon the premier without loss of time; for no sooner does a loaf or a fish fall to the disposal of government than there are a thousand applications for it. Your recent elevation to the deanery,” he added, “ will be against yuu, the king is so ridiculously fastidious ing church preferment. But, as I have said before, three boreughs and my own vote in the upper house are not to be treated slightingly, You will hear news from me at dinner.” ee mn atm 1 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. — With these words the speaker ordered hig and departed for the residence of the prime minister. Fitzgerald meanwhile walked into the park to spe- culate upon bis chances of success, and to await the return of his patron, The peer was at once admitted to the minister, whom he found invelved in the business of the elections upon’ which the continuance of his party in office depended ; for, although he had the determined sup- port of his majesty, who was one of the most obstinate men in the three kingdoms, he felt that it would be unsafe as well as unconstitutional to resist the will of the nation, should it be decidedly expressed against him through their new representatives. “Thank you, Sourton—very kind,” exclaimed the statesman, extending his hand, “ to visit me in this state of things. Nothing of consequence has happened —no rebellion, I hope, has occurred in any of your boroughs? The returns there, I trust, are all secure?” “Perfectly so, my lord,’ said the peer; “not a voter dares dream of any other choice than mine,” was the constitutional reply. ‘ No, no—they know me teo well; besides, not a tenant has a lease upon the strength of which he can brave me. A vile invention those leases, my lord—a vile invention; they make voters independent. A fortunate affair that, the death of the Bishop of Tythetail,” he added; “ just in the nick of time, since it enables you to serve @ friend.” ‘Rather say, to disoblige ;’ was the reply; “for | am sure I have had fifty applications Luckily it is one of the poorest sees—had it been Durham or York I should have been overwhelmed, First, the’ primate, who has. great influence with the king ; next the universities ;—these political friends are all eager to recommend their candidate, I am at a loss where to find seats, too, for Plausible and Subtle; no chance of their old ones... Lord Slippery, has ratted, and the opposition is too strong.” The gentlemen in auestion were usefal to the minister—the former being his private secretary, and the latter an admirable debater. “I think they might be accommodated,” replied his visitor, significantly ; “I have three seats at my disposal,” “ My dear Sourton, this is indeed kind!” exclaimed the delighted premier. “1 know of no serviee more acceptable that could be rendered either to bis majesty or the government at the present crisis; and any thing in the power of the crown or cabinet to confer you may rely-——” The speaker stopped abruptly, for he was aware that he was treading upon dangerous ground, He knew that the marquis had upon most occasions supported government, but had invariably retained the nominations to his boroughs in his own hands— filled the seats by men of straw—poor, crouching, needy dependants—so that he could at any time turn | round upon the ministry if he chose, } “ Sourton,” resumed the premier, after a pause, “let | us be candid with each other. I have known you too well to expect that you will resign so great an influence without an equivalent. Be frank with me, and let me know at once what you expect.” “The elevation of my friend and future son-in-law | to the vacant see,” coelly answered the “ What the new dean of Hereford!” exclaimed the | astonished minister; “why he has but just kissed | hands upen bis last appointment. The thing is un- | precedented.” “So is my offer—three members for a bishop are no bad,exchange.” Gomicbooks.cor |