The Mysteries of London; or, Revelations of the British Metropolis — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

330 MYSTERIES that before? Well sir, the thing goes on slowly Dublin was not built in a day. But how does the mine get on? The mine, sir, did yousay the mine? I suppose you are speaking of the hole. Faith, here it is, under your feet ard mine. Cannot I go down into it with you? Is it if you can go down? Faith I suppose you can; yet nobody ever put a nose into it but my- selfin general. What say you, Mr, Smith? This gentleman comes from his Honour, replied Mr. Smith. Ahi may Satan’s imps sleep with me! cried Paddy, respectfully taking off his hat. Iam the gentleman’s humble servant. I suppose, as you come from his Honour, the order for not admit- ting any one cannot apply to you: andif you have a fancy to see the hole, I will shew it. Bembo could not restrain the impulse of his excited curiosity. I shall be able to give my lord a more positive answer, said he; I accept your offer, sir. Paddy O’Chrane drew himself up to his full height, uttering a tremendous oath, which made Mr. Jedediah start violently, and then with slow steps moved toward the hole, in which his long body disappeared, inch byinch. Bembo followed him. At the bottom of the staircase was a cellar, in every respect like one in which a real trade was carried on. Captain Paddy walked across it without stopping, and at the farther end of it removed:a large vat, which served to conceal a door. It was here that the hole excavated by Saunders, the elephant began, comicbhooks.com