第7章
Inthepress-roombelow，werethreemen，thenatureofwhose，offencerendereditnecessarytoseparatethem，evenfromtheir，companionsinguilt。Itisalong，sombreroom，withtwowindows，sunkintothestonewall，andherethewretchedmenarepinionedon，themorningoftheirexecution，beforemovingtowardsthescaffold。
Thefateofoneoftheseprisonerswasuncertain;somemitigatory，circumstanceshavingcometolightsincehistrial，whichhadbeen，humanelyrepresentedintheproperquarter。Theothertwohad，nothingtoexpectfromthemercyofthecrown;theirdoomwas，sealed;nopleacouldbeurgedinextenuationoftheircrime，and，theywellknewthatforthemtherewasnohopeinthisworld。’The，twoshortones，’theturnkeywhispered，’weredeadmen。’
Themantowhomwehavealludedasentertainingsomehopesof，escape，waslounging，atthegreatestdistancehecouldplace，betweenhimselfandhiscompanions，inthewindownearesttothe，door。Hewasprobablyawareofourapproach，andhadassumedan，airofcourageousindifference;hisfacewaspurposelyaverted，towardsthewindow，andhestirrednotaninchwhilewewere，present。Theothertwomenwereattheupperendoftheroom。One，ofthem，whowasimperfectlyseeninthedimlight，hadhisback，towardsus，andwasstoopingoverthefire，withhisrightarmon，themantel-piece，andhisheadsunkuponit。Theotherwasleaning，onthesillofthefarthestwindow。Thelightfellfulluponhim，andcommunicatedtohispale，haggardface，anddisorderedhair，an，appearancewhich，atthatdistance，wasghastly。Hischeekrested，uponhishand;and，withhisfacealittleraised，andhiseyes，wildlystaringbeforehim，heseemedtobeunconsciouslyintenton，countingthechinksintheoppositewall。Wepassedthisroom，againafterwards。Thefirstmanwaspacingupanddownthecourt，withafirmmilitarystep-hehadbeenasoldierinthefoot-
guards-andaclothcapjauntilythrownononesideofhishead。
Hebowedrespectfullytoourconductor，andthesalutewas，returned。Theothertwostillremainedinthepositionswehave，described，andwereasmotionlessasstatues。(3)
Afewpacesuptheyard，andformingacontinuationofthe，building，inwhicharethetworoomswehavejustquitted，liethe，condemnedcells。Theentranceisbyanarrowandobscurestair-
caseleadingtoadarkpassage，inwhichacharcoalstovecastsa，luridtintovertheobjectsinitsimmediatevicinity，anddiffuses，somethinglikewarmtharound。Fromtheleft-handsideofthis，passage，themassivedoorofeverycellonthestoryopens;and，fromitalonecantheybeapproached。Therearethreeofthese，passages，andthreeoftheserangesofcells，oneabovetheother;
butinsize，furnitureandappearance，theyareallprecisely，alike。Priortotherecorder’sreportbeingmade，allthe，prisonersundersentenceofdeathareremovedfromtheday-roomat，fiveo’clockintheafternoon，andlockedupinthesecells，where，theyareallowedacandleuntilteno’clock;andheretheyremain，untilsevennextmorning。Whenthewarrantforaprisoner’s，executionarrives，heisremovedtothecellsandconfinedinone，ofthemuntilheleavesitforthescaffold。Heisatlibertyto，walkintheyard;but，bothinhiswalksandinhiscell，heis，constantlyattendedbyaturnkeywhoneverleaveshimonany，pretence。
Weenteredthefirstcell。Itwasastonedungeon，eightfeetlong，bysixwide，withabenchattheupperend，underwhichwerea，commonrug，abible，andprayer-book。Anironcandlestickwas，fixedintothewallattheside;andasmallhighwindowinthe，backadmittedasmuchairandlightascouldstruggleinbetweena，doublerowofheavy，crossedironbars。Itcontainednoother，furnitureofanydescription。
Conceivethesituationofaman，spendinghislastnightonearth，inthiscell。Buoyedupwithsomevagueandundefinedhopeof，reprieve，heknewnotwhy-indulginginsomewildandvisionary，ideaofescaping，heknewnothow-hourafterhourofthethree，precedingdaysallowedhimforpreparation，hasfledwithaspeed，whichnomanlivingwoulddeempossible，fornonebutthisdying，mancanknow。Hehasweariedhisfriendswithentreaties，exhaustedtheattendantswithimportunities，neglectedinhis，feverishrestlessnessthetimelywarningsofhisspiritual，consoler;and，nowthattheillusionisatlastdispelled，nowthat，eternityisbeforehimandguiltbehind，nowthathisfearsof，deathamountalmosttomadness，andanoverwhelmingsenseofhis，helpless，hopelessstaterushesuponhim，heislostandstupefied，andhasneitherthoughtstoturnto，norpowertocallupon，the，AlmightyBeing，fromwhomalonehecanseekmercyandforgiveness，andbeforewhomhisrepentancecanaloneavail。
Hourshaveglidedby，andstillhesitsuponthesamestonebench，withfoldedarms，heedlessalikeofthefastdecreasingtimebefore，him，andtheurgententreatiesofthegoodmanathisside。The，feeblelightiswastinggradually，andthedeathlikestillnessof，thestreetwithout，brokenonlybytherumblingofsomepassing，vehiclewhichechoesmournfullythroughtheemptyyards，warnshim，thatthenightiswaningfastaway。ThedeepbellofSt。Paul’s，strikes-one！，Heheardit;ithasrousedhim。Sevenhoursleft！
Hepacesthenarrowlimitsofhiscellwithrapidstrides，cold，dropsofterrorstartingonhisforehead，andeverymuscleofhis，framequiveringwithagony。Sevenhours！，Hesuffershimselftobe，ledtohisseat，mechanicallytakesthebiblewhichisplacedin，hishand，andtriestoreadandlisten。No：，histhoughtswill，wander。Thebookistornandsoiledbyuse-andlikethebookhe，readhislessonsin，atschool，justfortyyearsago！，Hehasnever，bestowedathoughtuponit，perhaps，sinceheleftitasachild：
andyettheplace，thetime，theroom-nay，theveryboyshe，playedwith，crowdasvividlybeforehimasiftheywerescenesof，yesterday;andsomeforgottenphrase，somechildishword，ringsin，hisearsliketheechoofoneutteredbutaminutesince。The，voiceoftheclergymanrecallshimtohimself。Heisreadingfrom，thesacredbookitssolemnpromisesofpardonforrepentance，and，itsawfuldenunciationofobduratemen。Hefallsuponhisknees，andclaspshishandstopray。Hush！whatsoundwasthat？，He，startsuponhisfeet。Itcannotbetwoyet。Hark！，Twoquarters，havestruck;，-thethird-thefourth。Itis！，Sixhoursleft。
Tellhimnotofrepentance！，Sixhours’repentanceforeighttimes，sixyearsofguiltandsin！，Heburieshisfaceinhishands，and，throwshimselfonthebench。
Wornwithwatchingandexcitement，hesleeps，andthesame，unsettledstateofmindpursueshiminhisdreams。An，insupportableloadistakenfromhisbreast;heiswalkingwithhis，wifeinapleasantfield，withthebrightskyabovethem，anda，freshandboundlessprospectoneveryside-howdifferentfromthe，stonewallsofNewgate！，Sheislooking-notasshedidwhenhe，sawherforthelasttimeinthatdreadfulplace，butassheused，whenhelovedher-long，longago，beforemiseryandill-treatment，hadalteredherlooks，andvicehadchangedhisnature，andsheis，leaninguponhisarm，andlookingupintohisfacewithtenderness，andaffection-andhedoesNOTstrikehernow，norrudelyshake，herfromhim。Andoh！howgladheistotellherallhehad，forgotteninthatlasthurriedinterview，andtofallonhisknees，beforeherandferventlybeseechherpardonforalltheunkindness，andcrueltythatwastedherformandbrokeherheart！，Thescene，suddenlychanges。Heisonhistrialagain：，therearethejudge，andjury，andprosecutors，andwitnesses，justastheywerebefore。
Howfullthecourtis-whataseaofheads-withagallows，too，andascaffold-andhowallthosepeoplestareatHIM！，Verdict，’Guilty。’，Nomatter;hewillescape。
Thenightisdarkandcold，thegateshavebeenleftopen，andin，aninstantheisinthestreet，flyingfromthesceneofhis，imprisonmentlikethewind。Thestreetsarecleared，theopen，fieldsaregainedandthebroad，widecountryliesbeforehim。
Onwardhedashesinthemidstofdarkness，overhedgeandditch，throughmudandpool，boundingfromspottospotwithaspeedand，lightness，astonishingeventohimself。Atlengthhepauses;he，mustbesafefrompursuitnow;hewillstretchhimselfonthatbank，andsleeptillsunrise。
Aperiodofunconsciousnesssucceeds。Hewakes，coldandwretched。
Thedull，graylightofmorningisstealingintothecell，and，fallsupontheformoftheattendantturnkey。Confusedbyhis，dreams，hestartsfromhisuneasybedinmomentaryuncertainty。It，isbutmomentary。Everyobjectinthenarrowcellistoo，frightfullyrealtoadmitofdoubtormistake。Heisthecondemned，felonagain，guiltyanddespairing;andintwohoursmorewillbe，dead。
CHARACTERS
CHAPTERI-THOUGHTSABOUTPEOPLE
Itisstrangewithhowlittlenotice，good，bad，orindifferent，a，manmayliveanddieinLondon。Heawakensnosympathyinthe，breastofanysingleperson;hisexistenceisamatterofinterest，tonoonesavehimself;hecannotbesaidtobeforgottenwhenhe，dies，fornoonerememberedhimwhenhewasalive。Thereisa，numerousclassofpeopleinthisgreatmetropoliswhoseemnotto，possessasinglefriend，andwhomnobodyappearstocarefor。
Urgedbyimperativenecessityinthefirstinstance，theyhave，resortedtoLondoninsearchofemployment，andthemeansof，subsistence。Itishard，weknow，tobreakthetieswhichbindus，toourhomesandfriends，andharderstilltoeffacethethousand，recollectionsofhappydaysandoldtimes，whichhavebeen，slumberinginourbosomsforyears，andonlyrushuponthemind，to，bringbeforeitassociationsconnectedwiththefriendswehave，left，thesceneswehavebeheldtooprobablyforthelasttime，and，thehopesweoncecherished，butmayentertainnomore。Thesemen，however，happilyforthemselves，havelongforgottensuchthoughts。
Oldcountryfriendshavediedoremigrated;formercorrespondents，havebecomelost，likethemselves，inthecrowdandturmoilofsome，busycity;andtheyhavegraduallysettleddownintomerepassive，creaturesofhabitandendurance。
WewereseatedintheenclosureofSt。James’sParktheotherday，whenourattentionwasattractedbyamanwhomweimmediatelyput，downinourownmindasoneofthisclass。Hewasatall，thin，paleperson，inablackcoat，scantygraytrousers，littlepinched-
upgaiters，andbrownbeavergloves。Hehadanumbrellainhis，hand-notforuse，forthedaywasfine-but，evidently，because，healwayscarriedonetotheofficeinthemorning。Hewalkedup，anddownbeforethelittlepatchofgrassonwhichthechairsare，placedforhire，notasifheweredoingitforpleasureor，recreation，butasifitwereamatterofcompulsion，justashe，wouldwalktotheofficeeverymorningfromthebacksettlementsof，Islington。ItwasMonday;hehadescapedforfour-and-twentyhours，fromthethraldomofthedesk;andwaswalkinghereforexercise，andamusement-perhapsforthefirsttimeinhislife。Wewere，inclinedtothinkhehadneverhadaholidaybefore，andthathe，didnotknowwhattodowithhimself。Childrenwereplayingonthe，grass;groupsofpeoplewereloiteringabout，chattingand，laughing;butthemanwalkedsteadilyupanddown，unheedingand，unheededhisspare，palefacelookingasifitwereincapableof，bearingtheexpressionofcuriosityorinterest。
Therewassomethingintheman’smannerandappearancewhichtold，us，wefancied，hiswholelife，orratherhiswholeday，foraman，ofthissorthasnovarietyofdays。Wethoughtwealmostsawthe，dingylittlebackofficeintowhichhewalkseverymorning，hanging，hishatonthesamepeg，andplacinghislegsbeneaththesame，desk：，first，takingoffthatblackcoatwhichlaststheyear，through，andputtingontheonewhichdiddutylastyear，andwhich，hekeepsinhisdesktosavetheother。Therehesitstillfive，o’clock，workingon，allday，asregularlyasthedialoverthe，mantel-piece，whoseloudtickingisasmonotonousashiswhole，existence：，onlyraisinghisheadwhensomeoneentersthe，counting-house，orwhen，inthemidstofsomedifficult，calculation，helooksuptotheceilingasiftherewere，inspirationinthedustyskylightwithagreenknotinthecentre，ofeverypaneofglass。Aboutfive，orhalf-past，heslowly，dismountsfromhisaccustomedstool，andagainchanginghiscoat，proceedstohisusualdining-place，somewherenearBucklersbury。
Thewaiterrecitesthebilloffareinaratherconfidentialmanner，-forheisaregularcustomer-andafterinquiring’What’sinthe，bestcut？’and’Whatwasuplast？’heordersasmallplateofroast，beef，withgreens，andhalf-a-pintofporter。Hehasasmallplate，to-day，becausegreensareapennymorethanpotatoes，andhehad，’twobreads’yesterday，withtheadditionalenormityof’acheese’
thedaybefore。Thisimportantpointsettled，hehangsuphishat，-hetookitoffthemomenthesatdown-andbespeaksthepaper，afterthenextgentleman。Ifhecangetitwhileheisatdinner，heeatswithmuchgreaterzest;balancingitagainstthewater-
bottle，andeatingabitofbeef，andreadingalineortwo，alternately。Exactlyatfiveminutesbeforethehourisup，he，producesashilling，paysthereckoning，carefullydepositsthe，changeinhiswaistcoat-pocket(firstdeductingapennyforthe，waiter)，andreturnstotheoffice，fromwhich，ifitisnot，foreignpostnight，heagainsalliesforth，inabouthalfanhour。
Hethenwalkshome，athisusualpace，tohislittlebackroomat，Islington，wherehehashistea;perhapssolacinghimselfduring，themealwiththeconversationofhislandlady’slittleboy，whom，heoccasionallyrewardswithapenny，forsolvingproblemsin，simpleaddition。Sometimes，thereisaletterortwototakeupto，hisemployer’s，inRussell-square;andthen，thewealthymanof，business，hearinghisvoice，callsoutfromthedining-parlour，-
’Comein，Mr。Smith：’andMr。Smith，puttinghishatatthefeetof，oneofthehallchairs，walkstimidlyin，andbeingcondescendingly，desiredtositdown，carefullytuckshislegsunderhischair，and，sitsataconsiderabledistancefromthetablewhilehedrinksthe，glassofsherrywhichispouredoutforhimbytheeldestboy，and，afterdrinkingwhich，hebacksandslidesoutoftheroom，ina，stateofnervousagitationfromwhichhedoesnotperfectly，recover，untilhefindshimselfoncemoreintheIslington-road。
Poor，harmlesscreaturessuchmenare;contentedbutnothappy;
broken-spiritedandhumbled，theymayfeelnopain，buttheynever，knowpleasure。
Comparethesemenwithanotherclassofbeingswho，likethem，have，neitherfriendnorcompanion，butwhosepositioninsocietyisthe，resultoftheirownchoice。Thesearegenerallyoldfellowswith，whiteheadsandredfaces，addictedtoportwineandHessianboots，whofromsomecause，realorimaginary-generallytheformer，the，excellentreasonbeingthattheyarerich，andtheirrelationspoor，-growsuspiciousofeverybody，anddothemisanthropicalin，chambers，takinggreatdelightinthinkingthemselvesunhappy，and，makingeverybodytheycomenear，miserable。Youmayseesuchmen，asthese，anywhere;youwillknowthematcoffee-housesbytheir，discontentedexclamationsandtheluxuryoftheirdinners;at，theatres，bytheiralwayssittinginthesameplaceandlooking，withajaundicedeyeonalltheyoungpeoplenearthem;atchurch，bythepompositywithwhichtheyenter，andtheloudtoneinwhich，theyrepeattheresponses;atparties，bytheirgettingcrossat，whistandhatingmusic。Anoldfellowofthiskindwillhavehis，chamberssplendidlyfurnished，andcollectbooks，plate，and，picturesabouthiminprofusion;notsomuchforhisown，gratification，astobesuperiortothosewhohavethedesire，but，notthemeans，tocompetewithhim。Hebelongstotwoorthree，clubs，andisenvied，andflattered，andhatedbythemembersof，themall。Sometimeshewillbeappealedtobyapoorrelation-a，marriednephewperhaps-forsomelittleassistance：，andthenhe，willdeclaimwithhonestindignationontheimprovidenceofyoung，marriedpeople，theworthlessnessofawife，theinsolenceof，havingafamily，theatrocityofgettingintodebtwithahundred，andtwenty-fivepoundsayear，andotherunpardonablecrimes;
windinguphisexhortationswithacomplacentreviewofhisown，conduct，andadelicateallusiontoparochialrelief。Hedies，somedayafterdinner，ofapoplexy，havingbequeathedhisproperty，toaPublicSociety，andtheInstitutionerectsatablettohis，memory，expressiveoftheiradmirationofhisChristianconductin，thisworld，andtheircomfortableconvictionofhishappinessin，thenext。
But，nexttoourveryparticularfriends，hackney-coachmen，cabmen，andcads，whomweadmireinproportiontotheextentoftheircool，impudenceandperfectself-possession，thereisnoclassofpeople，whoamuseusmorethanLondonapprentices。Theyarenolongeran，organisedbody，bounddownbysolemncompacttoterrifyhis，Majesty’ssubjectswheneveritpleasesthemtotakeoffencein，theirheadsandstavesintheirhands。Theyareonlybound，now，byindentures，and，astotheirvalour，itiseasilyrestrainedby，thewholesomedreadoftheNewPolice，andaperspectiveviewofa，dampstation-house，terminatinginapolice-officeandareprimand。
Theyarestill，however，apeculiarclass，andnottheless，pleasantforbeinginoffensive。Cananyonefailtohavenoticed，theminthestreetsonSunday？，Andwerethereeversuchharmless，effortsatthegrandandmagnificentastheyoungfellowsdisplay！
WewalkeddowntheStrand，aSundayortwoago，behindalittle，group;andtheyfurnishedfoodforouramusementthewholeway。
Theyhadcomeoutofsomepartofthecity;itwasbetweenthree，andfouro’clockintheafternoon;andtheywereontheirwayto，thePark。Therewerefourofthem，allarm-in-arm，withwhitekid，gloveslikesomanybridegrooms，lighttrousersofunprecedented，patterns，andcoatsforwhichtheEnglishlanguagehasyetnoname，-akindofcrossbetweenagreat-coatandasurtout，withthe，collaroftheone，theskirtsoftheother，andpocketspeculiarto，themselves。
Eachofthegentlemencarriedathickstick，withalargetasselat，thetop，whichheoccasionallytwirledgracefullyround;andthe，wholefour，bywayoflookingeasyandunconcerned，werewalking，withaparalyticswaggerirresistiblyludicrous。Oneoftheparty，hadawatchaboutthesizeandshapeofareasonableRibstone，pippin，jammedintohiswaistcoat-pocket，whichhecarefully，comparedwiththeclocksatSt。Clement’sandtheNewChurch，the，illuminatedclockatExeter’Change，theclockofSt。Martin’s，Church，andtheclockoftheHorseGuards。Whentheyatlast，arrivedinSt。James’sPark，thememberofthepartywhohadthe，best-madebootson，hiredasecondchairexpresslyforhisfeet，andflunghimselfonthistwo-pennyworthofsylvanluxurywithan，airwhichlevelledalldistinctionsbetweenBrookes’sandSnooks’s，Crockford’sandBagniggeWells。
Wemaysmileatsuchpeople，buttheycanneverexciteouranger。
Theyareusuallyonthebesttermswiththemselves，anditfollows，almostasamatterofcourse，ingoodhumourwitheveryoneabout，them。Besides，theyarealwaysthefaintreflectionofhigher，lights;and，iftheydodisplayalittleoccasionalfooleryin，theirownproperpersons，itissurelymoretolerablethan，precociouspuppyismintheQuadrant，whiskereddandyisminRegent-
streetandPall-mall，orgallantryinitsdotageanywhere。
CHAPTERII-ACHRISTMASDINNER
Christmastime！，Thatmanmustbeamisanthropeindeed，inwhose，breastsomethinglikeajovialfeelingisnotroused-inwhose，mindsomepleasantassociationsarenotawakened-bythe，recurrenceofChristmas。Therearepeoplewhowilltellyouthat，Christmasisnottothemwhatitusedtobe;thateachsucceeding，Christmashasfoundsomecherishedhope，orhappyprospect，ofthe，yearbefore，dimmedorpassedaway;thatthepresentonlyservesto，remindthemofreducedcircumstancesandstraitenedincomes-of，thefeaststheyoncebestowedonhollowfriends，andofthecold，looksthatmeetthemnow，inadversityandmisfortune。Neverheed，suchdismalreminiscences。Therearefewmenwhohavelivedlong，enoughintheworld，whocannotcallupsuchthoughtsanydayin，theyear。Thendonotselectthemerriestofthethreehundredand，sixty-fiveforyourdolefulrecollections，butdrawyourchair，nearertheblazingfire-filltheglassandsendroundthesong-
andifyourroombesmallerthanitwasadozenyearsago，orif，yourglassbefilledwithreekingpunch，insteadofsparklingwine，putagoodfaceonthematter，andemptyitoff-hand，andfill，another，andtrollofftheolddittyyouusedtosing，andthank，Godit’snoworse。Lookonthemerryfacesofyourchildren(if，youhaveany)astheysitroundthefire。Onelittleseatmaybe，empty;oneslightformthatgladdenedthefather’sheart，and，rousedthemother’spridetolookupon，maynotbethere。Dwell，notuponthepast;thinknotthatoneshortyearago，thefair，childnowresolvingintodust，satbeforeyou，withthebloomof，healthuponitscheek，andthegaietyofinfancyinitsjoyouseye。
Reflectuponyourpresentblessings-ofwhicheverymanhasmany-
notonyourpastmisfortunes，ofwhichallmenhavesome。Fill，yourglassagain，withamerryfaceandcontentedheart。Ourlife，onit，butyourChristmasshallbemerry，andyournewyearahappy，one！
Whocanbeinsensibletotheoutpouringsofgoodfeeling，andthe，honestinterchangeofaffectionateattachment，whichaboundatthis，seasonoftheyear？，AChristmasfamily-party！，Weknownothingin，naturemoredelightful！，Thereseemsamagicintheverynameof，Christmas。Pettyjealousiesanddiscordsareforgotten;social，feelingsareawakened，inbosomstowhichtheyhavelongbeen，strangers;fatherandson，orbrotherandsister，whohavemetand，passedwithavertedgaze，oralookofcoldrecognition，formonths，before，profferandreturnthecordialembrace，andburytheirpast，animositiesintheirpresenthappiness。Kindlyheartsthathave，yearnedtowardseachother，buthavebeenwithheldbyfalsenotions，ofprideandself-dignity，areagainreunited，andalliskindness，andbenevolence！，WouldthatChristmaslastedthewholeyear，through(asitought)，andthattheprejudicesandpassionswhich，deformourbetternature，werenevercalledintoactionamongthose，towhomtheyshouldeverbestrangers！
TheChristmasfamily-partythatwemean，isnotamereassemblage，ofrelations，gotupataweekortwo’snotice，originatingthis，year，havingnofamilyprecedentinthelast，andnotlikelytobe，repeatedinthenext。No。Itisanannualgatheringofallthe，accessiblemembersofthefamily，youngorold，richorpoor;and，allthechildrenlookforwardtoit，fortwomonthsbeforehand，in，afeverofanticipation。Formerly，itwasheldatgrandpapa’s;but，grandpapagettingold，andgrandmammagettingoldtoo，andrather，infirm，theyhavegivenuphouse-keeping，anddomesticated，themselveswithuncleGeorge;so，thepartyalwaystakesplaceat，uncleGeorge’shouse，butgrandmammasendsinmostofthegood，things，andgrandpapaalwaysWILLtoddledown，allthewayto，Newgate-market，tobuytheturkey，whichheengagesaporterto，bringhomebehindhimintriumph，alwaysinsistingontheman’s，beingrewardedwithaglassofspirits，overandabovehishire，to，drink’amerryChristmasandahappynewyear’toauntGeorge。As，tograndmamma，sheisverysecretandmysteriousfortwoorthree，daysbeforehand，butnotsufficientlyso，topreventrumours，gettingafloatthatshehaspurchasedabeautifulnewcapwithpink，ribbonsforeachoftheservants，togetherwithsundrybooks，and，pen-knives，andpencil-cases，fortheyoungerbranches;tosay，nothingofdiverssecretadditionstotheorderoriginallygivenby，auntGeorgeatthepastry-cook’s，suchasanotherdozenofmince-
piesforthedinner，andalargeplum-cakeforthechildren。
OnChristmas-eve，grandmammaisalwaysinexcellentspirits，and，afteremployingallthechildren，duringtheday，instoningthe，plums，andallthat，insists，regularlyeveryyear，onuncleGeorge，comingdownintothekitchen，takingoffhiscoat，andstirringthe，puddingforhalfanhourorso，whichuncleGeorgegood-humouredly，does，tothevociferousdelightofthechildrenandservants。The，eveningconcludeswithagloriousgameofblind-man’s-buff，inan，earlystageofwhichgrandpapatakesgreatcaretobecaught，in，orderthathemayhaveanopportunityofdisplayinghisdexterity。
Onthefollowingmorning，theoldcouple，withasmanyofthe，childrenasthepewwillhold，gotochurchingreatstate：
leavingauntGeorgeathomedustingdecantersandfillingcasters，anduncleGeorgecarryingbottlesintothedining-parlour，and，callingforcorkscrews，andgettingintoeverybody’sway。
Whenthechurch-partyreturntolunch，grandpapaproducesasmall，sprigofmistletoefromhispocket，andtemptstheboystokiss，theirlittlecousinsunderit-aproceedingwhichaffordsboththe，boysandtheoldgentlemanunlimitedsatisfaction，butwhichrather，outragesgrandmamma’sideasofdecorum，untilgrandpapasays，that，whenhewasjustthirteenyearsandthreemonthsold，HEkissed，grandmammaunderamistletoetoo，onwhichthechildrenclaptheir，hands，andlaughveryheartily，asdoauntGeorgeanduncleGeorge;
andgrandmammalookspleased，andsays，withabenevolentsmile，thatgrandpapawasanimpudentyoungdog，onwhichthechildren，laughveryheartilyagain，andgrandpapamoreheartilythananyof，them。
Butallthesediversionsarenothingtothesubsequentexcitement，whengrandmammainahighcap，andslate-colouredsilkgown;and，grandpapawithabeautifullyplaitedshirt-frill，andwhite，neckerchief;seatthemselvesononesideofthedrawing-roomfire，withuncleGeorge’schildrenandlittlecousinsinnumerable，seated，inthefront，waitingthearrivaloftheexpectedvisitors。
Suddenlyahackney-coachisheardtostop，anduncleGeorge，who，hasbeenlookingoutofthewindow，exclaims’Here’sJane！’on，whichthechildrenrushtothedoor，andhelter-skelterdown-
stairs;anduncleRobertandauntJane，andthedearlittlebaby，andthenurse，andthewholeparty，areusheredup-stairsamidst，tumultuousshoutsof’Oh，my！’fromthechildren，andfrequently，repeatedwarningsnottohurtbabyfromthenurse。Andgrandpapa，takesthechild，andgrandmammakissesherdaughter，andthe，confusionofthisfirstentryhasscarcelysubsided，whensome，otherauntsanduncleswithmorecousinsarrive，andthegrown-up，cousinsflirtwitheachother，andsodothelittlecousinstoo，forthatmatter，andnothingistobeheardbutaconfuseddinof，talking，laughing，andmerriment。
Ahesitatingdoubleknockatthestreet-door，heardduringa，momentarypauseintheconversation，excitesageneralinquiryof，’Who’sthat？’andtwoorthreechildren，whohavebeenstandingat，thewindow，announceinalowvoice，thatit’s’pooraunt，Margaret。’，Uponwhich，auntGeorgeleavestheroomtowelcomethe，new-comer;andgrandmammadrawsherselfup，ratherstiffand，stately;forMargaretmarriedapoormanwithoutherconsent，and，povertynotbeingasufficientlyweightypunishmentforher，offence，hasbeendiscardedbyherfriends，anddebarredthe，societyofherdearestrelatives。ButChristmashascomeround，andtheunkindfeelingsthathavestruggledagainstbetter，dispositionsduringtheyear，havemeltedawaybeforeitsgenial，influence，likehalf-formedicebeneaththemorningsun。Itisnot，difficultinamomentofangryfeelingforaparenttodenouncea，disobedientchild;but，tobanishherataperiodofgeneralgood-
willandhilarity，fromthehearth，roundwhichshehassatonso，manyanniversariesofthesameday，expandingbyslowdegreesfrom，infancytogirlhood，andthenbursting，almostimperceptibly，into，awoman，iswidelydifferent。Theairofconsciousrectitude，and，coldforgiveness，whichtheoldladyhasassumed，sitsillupon，her;andwhenthepoorgirlisledinbyhersister，paleinlooks，andbrokeninhope-notfrompoverty，forthatshecouldbear，but，fromtheconsciousnessofundeservedneglect，andunmerited，unkindness-itiseasytoseehowmuchofitisassumed。A
momentarypausesucceeds;thegirlbreakssuddenlyfromhersister，andthrowsherself，sobbing，onhermother’sneck。Thefather，stepshastilyforward，andtakesherhusband’shand。Friendscrowd，roundtooffertheirheartycongratulations，andhappinessand，harmonyagainprevail。
Astothedinner，it’sperfectlydelightful-nothinggoeswrong，andeverybodyisintheverybestofspirits，anddisposedto，pleaseandbepleased。Grandpaparelatesacircumstantialaccount，ofthepurchaseoftheturkey，withaslightdigressionrelativeto，thepurchaseofpreviousturkeys，onformerChristmas-days，which，grandmammacorroboratesintheminutestparticular。UncleGeorge，tellsstories，andcarvespoultry，andtakeswine，andjokeswith，thechildrenattheside-table，andwinksatthecousinsthatare，makinglove，orbeingmadeloveto，andexhilarateseverybodywith，hisgoodhumourandhospitality;andwhen，atlast，astoutservant，staggersinwithagiganticpudding，withasprigofhollyinthe，top，thereissuchalaughing，andshouting，andclappingoflittle，chubbyhands，andkickingupoffatdumpylegs，ascanonlybe，equalledbytheapplausewithwhichtheastonishingfeatofpouring，lightedbrandyintomince-pies，isreceivedbytheyounger，visitors。Thenthedessert！-andthewine！-andthefun！，Such，beautifulspeeches，andSUCHsongs，fromauntMargaret’shusband，whoturnsouttobesuchaniceman，andSOattentiveto，grandmamma！，Evengrandpapanotonlysingshisannualsongwith，unprecedentedvigour，butonbeinghonouredwithanunanimous，ENCORE，accordingtoannualcustom，actuallycomesoutwithanew，onewhichnobodybutgrandmammaeverheardbefore;andayoung，scapegraceofacousin，whohasbeeninsomedisgracewiththeold，people，forcertainheinoussinsofomissionandcommission-
neglectingtocall，andpersistingindrinkingBurtonAle-
astonisheseverybodyintoconvulsionsoflaughterbyvolunteering，themostextraordinarycomicsongsthateverwereheard。Andthus，theeveningpasses，inastrainofrationalgood-willand，cheerfulness，doingmoretoawakenthesympathiesofeverymember，ofthepartyinbehalfofhisneighbour，andtoperpetuatetheir，goodfeelingduringtheensuingyear，thanhalfthehomiliesthat，haveeverbeenwritten，byhalftheDivinesthathaveeverlived。
CHAPTERIII-THENEWYEAR
NexttoChristmas-day，themostpleasantannualepochinexistence，istheadventoftheNewYear。Therearealachrymosesetof，peoplewhousherintheNewYearwithwatchingandfasting，asif，theywereboundtoattendaschiefmournersattheobsequiesofthe，oldone。Now，wecannotbutthinkitagreatdealmore，complimentary，bothtotheoldyearthathasrolledaway，andto，theNewYearthatisjustbeginningtodawnuponus，toseetheold，fellowout，andthenewonein，withgaietyandglee。
Theremusthavebeensomefewoccurrencesinthepastyeartowhich，wecanlookback，withasmileofcheerfulrecollection，ifnot，withafeelingofheartfeltthankfulness。Andweareboundby，everyruleofjusticeandequitytogivetheNewYearcreditfor，beingagoodone，untilheproveshimselfunworthytheconfidence，wereposeinhim。
Thisisourviewofthematter;andentertainingit，notwithstandingourrespectfortheoldyear，oneofthefew，remainingmomentsofwhoseexistencepassesawaywitheverywordwe，write，hereweare，seatedbyourfiresideonthislastnightof，theoldyear，onethousandeighthundredandthirty-six，penning，thisarticlewithasjovialafaceasifnothingextraordinaryhad，happened，orwasabouttohappen，todisturbourgoodhumour。
Hackney-coachesandcarriageskeeprattlingupthestreetanddown，thestreetinrapidsuccession，conveying，doubtless，smartly-
dressedcoachfulstocrowdedparties;loudandrepeateddouble，knocksatthehousewithgreenblinds，opposite，announcetothe，wholeneighbourhoodthatthere’sonelargepartyinthestreetat，allevents;andwesawthroughthewindow，andthroughthefogtoo，tillitgrewsothickthatwerungforcandles，anddrewour，curtains，pastry-cooks’menwithgreenboxesontheirheads，and，rout-furniture-warehouse-carts，withcaneseatsandFrenchlamps，hurryingtothenumeroushouseswhereanannualfestivalisheldin，honouroftheoccasion。
Wecanfancyoneoftheseparties，wethink，aswellasifwewere，dulydress-coatedandpumped，andhadjustbeenannouncedatthe，drawing-roomdoor。
Takethehousewiththegreenblindsforinstance。Weknowitisa，quadrilleparty，becausewesawsomementakingupthefront，drawing-roomcarpetwhilewesatatbreakfastthismorning，andif，furtherevidenceberequired，andwemusttellthetruth，wejust，nowsawoneoftheyoungladies’doing’anotheroftheyoung，ladies’hair，nearoneofthebedroomwindows，inanunusualstyle，ofsplendour，whichnothingelsebutaquadrillepartycould，possiblyjustify。
Themasterofthehousewiththegreenblindsisinapublic，office;weknowthefactbythecutofhiscoat，thetieofhis，neckcloth，andtheself-satisfactionofhisgait-theverygreen，blindsthemselveshaveaSomersetHouseairaboutthem。
Hark！-acab！，That’sajuniorclerkinthesameoffice;atidy，sortofyoungman，withatendencytocoldandcorns，whocomesin，apairofbootswithblackclothfronts，andbringshisshoesin，hiscoat-pocket，whichshoesheisatthisverymomentputtingon，inthehall。Nowheisannouncedbythemaninthepassageto，anothermaninabluecoat，whoisadisguisedmessengerfromthe，office。
Themanonthefirstlandingprecedeshimtothedrawing-roomdoor。
’Mr。Tupple！’shoutsthemessenger。’HowAREyou，Tupple？’says，themasterofthehouse，advancingfromthefire，beforewhichhe，hasbeentalkingpoliticsandairinghimself。’Mydear，thisis，Mr。Tupple(acourteoussalutefromtheladyofthehouse);Tupple，myeldestdaughter;Julia，mydear，Mr。Tupple;Tupple，myother，daughters;myson，sir;’Tupplerubshishandsveryhard，and，smilesasifitwereallcapitalfun，andkeepsconstantlybowing，andturninghimselfround，tillthewholefamilyhavebeen，introduced，whenheglidesintoachairatthecornerofthesofa，andopensamiscellaneousconversationwiththeyoungladiesupon，theweather，andthetheatres，andtheoldyear，andthelastnew，murder，andtheballoon，andtheladies’sleeves，andthe，festivitiesoftheseason，andagreatmanyothertopicsofsmall，talk。
Moredoubleknocks！whatanextensiveparty！whatanincessanthum，ofconversationandgeneralsippingofcoffee！，WeseeTupplenow，inourmind’seye，intheheightofhisglory。Hehasjusthanded，thatstoutoldlady’scuptotheservant;andnow，hedivesamong，thecrowdofyoungmenbythedoor，tointercepttheotherservant，andsecurethemuffin-platefortheoldlady’sdaughter，beforehe，leavestheroom;andnow，ashepassesthesofaonhiswayback，he，bestowsaglanceofrecognitionandpatronageupontheyoungladies，ascondescendingandfamiliarasifhehadknownthemfrominfancy。
CharmingpersonMr。Tupple-perfectladies’man-，sucha，delightfulcompanion，too！，Laugh！-nobodyeverunderstoodpapa’s，jokeshalfsowellasMr。Tupple，wholaughshimselfinto，convulsionsateveryfreshburstoffacetiousness。Mostdelightful，partner！talksthroughthewholeset！andalthoughhedoesseemat，firstrathergayandfrivolous，soromanticandwithsoMUCH
feeling！，Quitealove。Nogreatfavouritewiththeyoungmen，certainly，whosneerat，andaffecttodespisehim;buteverybody，knowsthat’sonlyenvy，andtheyneedn’tgivethemselvesthe，troubletodepreciatehismeritsatanyrate，forMasaysheshall，beaskedtoeveryfuturedinner-party，ifit’sonlytotalkto，peoplebetweenthecourses，anddistracttheirattentionwhen，there’sanyunexpecteddelayinthekitchen。
Atsupper，Mr。Tuppleshowstostillgreateradvantagethanhehas，donethroughouttheevening，andwhenParequestseveryonetofill，theirglassesforthepurposeofdrinkinghappinessthroughoutthe，year，Mr。TuppleisSOdroll：，insistingonalltheyoungladies，havingtheirglassesfilled，notwithstandingtheirrepeated，assurancesthattheynevercan，byanypossibility，thinkof，emptyingthemandsubsequentlybeggingpermissiontosayafew，wordsonthesentimentwhichhasjustbeenutteredbyPa-whenhe，makesoneofthemostbrilliantandpoeticalspeechesthatcan，possiblybeimagined，abouttheoldyearandthenewone。After，thetoasthasbeendrunk，andwhentheladieshaveretired，Mr。
Tupplerequeststhateverygentlemanwilldohimthefavourof，fillinghisglass，forhehasatoasttopropose：，onwhichallthe，gentlemencry’Hear！hear！’andpassthedecantersaccordingly：
andMr。Tupplebeinginformedbythemasterofthehousethatthey，areallcharged，andwaitingforhistoast，rises，andbegsto，remindthegentlemenpresent，howmuchtheyhavebeendelightedby，thedazzlingarrayofeleganceandbeautywhichthedrawing-room，hasexhibitedthatnight，andhowtheirsenseshavebeencharmed，andtheirheartscaptivated，bythebewitchingconcentrationof，femalelovelinesswhichthatveryroomhassorecentlydisplayed。
(Loudcriesof’Hear！’)，Muchashe(Tupple)wouldbedisposedto，deploretheabsenceoftheladies，onothergrounds，hecannotbut，derivesomeconsolationfromthereflectionthatthevery，circumstanceoftheirnotbeingpresent，enableshimtoproposea，toast，whichhewouldhaveotherwisebeenpreventedfromgiving-
thattoasthebegstosayis-’TheLadies！’，(Greatapplause。)
TheLadies！amongwhomthefascinatingdaughtersoftheirexcellent，host，arealikeconspicuousfortheirbeauty，their，accomplishments，andtheirelegance。Hebegsthemtodraina，bumperto’TheLadies，andahappynewyeartothem！’，(Prolonged，approbation;abovewhichthenoiseoftheladiesdancingthe，Spanishdanceamongthemselves，overhead，isdistinctlyaudible。)
Theapplauseconsequentonthistoast，hasscarcelysubsided，when，ayounggentlemaninapinkunder-waistcoat，sittingtowardsthe，bottomofthetable，isobservedtogrowveryrestlessandfidgety，andtoevincestrongindicationsofsomelatentdesiretogivevent，tohisfeelingsinaspeech，whichthewaryTuppleatonce，perceiving，determinestoforestallbyspeakinghimself。He，therefore，risesagain，withanairofsolemnimportance，and，trustshemaybepermittedtoproposeanothertoast(unqualified，approbation，andMr。Tuppleproceeds)。Heissuretheymustallbe，deeplyimpressedwiththehospitality-hemaysaythesplendour-
withwhichtheyhavebeenthatnightreceivedbytheirworthyhost，andhostess。(Unboundedapplause。)，Althoughthisisthefirst，occasiononwhichhehashadthepleasureanddelightofsittingat，thatboard，hehasknownhisfriendDobblelongandintimately;he，hasbeenconnectedwithhiminbusiness-hewisheseverybody，presentknewDobbleaswellashedoes。(Acoughfromthehost。)
He(Tupple)canlayhishanduponhis(Tupple’s)heart，anddeclare，hisconfidentbeliefthatabetterman，abetterhusband，abetter，father，abetterbrother，abetterson，abetterrelationinany，relationoflife，thanDobble，neverexisted。(Loudcriesof，’Hear！’)，Theyhaveseenhimto-nightinthepeacefulbosomofhis，family;theyshouldseehiminthemorning，inthetryingdutiesof，hisoffice。Calmintheperusalofthemorningpapers，uncompromisinginthesignatureofhisname，dignifiedinhis，repliestotheinquiriesofstrangerapplicants，deferentialinhis，behaviourtohissuperiors，majesticinhisdeportmenttothe，messengers。(Cheers。)，Whenhebearsthismeritedtestimonytothe，excellentqualitiesofhisfriendDobble，whatcanhesayin，approachingsuchasubjectasMrs。Dobble？，Isitrequisiteforhim，toexpatiateonthequalitiesofthatamiablewoman？，No;hewill，sparehisfriendDobble’sfeelings;hewillsparethefeelingsof，hisfriend-ifhewillallowhimtohavethehonourofcallinghim，so-Mr。Dobble，junior。(HereMr。Dobble，junior，whohasbeen，previouslydistendinghismouthtoaconsiderablewidth，by，thrustingaparticularlyfineorangeintothatfeature，suspends，operations，andassumesaproperappearanceofintensemelancholy)。
Hewillsimplysay-andheisquitecertainitisasentimentin，whichallwhohearhimwillreadilyconcur-thathisfriendDobble，isassuperiortoanymanheeverknew，asMrs。Dobbleisfar，beyondanywomanheeversaw(exceptherdaughters);andhewill，concludebyproposingtheirworthy’HostandHostess，andmaythey，livetoenjoymanymorenewyears！’
Thetoastisdrunkwithacclamation;Dobblereturnsthanks，andthe，wholepartyrejointheladiesinthedrawing-room。Youngmenwho，weretoobashfultodancebeforesupper，findtonguesandpartners;
themusiciansexhibitunequivocalsymptomsofhavingdrunkthenew，yearin，whilethecompanywereout;anddancingiskeptup，until，farinthefirstmorningofthenewyear。
Wehavescarcelywrittenthelastwordoftheprevioussentence，whenthefirststrokeoftwelve，pealsfromtheneighbouring，churches。Therecertainly-wemustconfessitnow-issomething，awfulinthesound。Strictlyspeaking，itmaynotbemore，impressivenow，thanatanyothertime;forthehoursstealas，swiftlyon，atotherperiods，andtheirflightislittleheeded。
But，wemeasureman’slifebyyears，anditisasolemnknellthat，warnsuswehavepassedanotherofthelandmarkswhichstands，betweenusandthegrave。Disguiseitaswemay，thereflection，willforceitselfonourminds，thatwhenthenextbellannounces，thearrivalofanewyear，wemaybeinsensiblealikeofthetimely，warningwehavesooftenneglected，andofallthewarmfeelings，thatglowwithinusnow。
CHAPTERIV-MISSEVANSANDTHEEAGLE
Mr。SamuelWilkinswasacarpenter，ajourneymancarpenterofsmall，dimensions，decidedlybelowthemiddlesize-bordering，perhaps，uponthedwarfish。Hisfacewasroundandshining，andhishair，carefullytwistedintotheoutercornerofeacheye，tillitformed，avarietyofthatdescriptionofsemi-curls，usuallyknownas，’aggerawators。’，Hisearningswereall-sufficientforhiswants，varyingfromeighteenshillingstoonepoundfive，weekly-his，mannerundeniable-hissabbathwaistcoatsdazzling。Nowonder，that，withthesequalifications，SamuelWilkinsfoundfavourinthe，eyesoftheothersex：，manywomenhavebeencaptivatedbyfarless，substantialqualifications。But，Samuelwasproofagainsttheir，blandishments，untilatlengthhiseyesrestedonthoseofaBeing，forwhom，fromthattimeforth，hefeltfatehaddestinedhim。He，came，andconquered-proposed，andwasaccepted-loved，andwas，beloved。Mr。Wilkins’keptcompany’withJemimaEvans。
MissEvans(orIvins，toadoptthepronunciationmostinvoguewith，hercircleofacquaintance)hadadoptedinearlylifetheuseful，pursuitofshoe-binding，towhichshehadafterwardssuperaddedthe，occupationofastraw-bonnetmaker。Herself，hermaternalparent，andtwosisters，formedanharmoniousquartettinthemostsecluded，portionofCamden-town;andhereitwasthatMr。Wilkinspresented，himself，oneMondayafternoon，inhisbestattire，withhisface，moreshiningandhiswaistcoatmorebrightthaneitherhadever，appearedbefore。Thefamilywerejustgoingtotea，andwereSO
gladtoseehim。Itwasquitealittlefeast;twoouncesofseven-
and-sixpennygreen，andaquarterofapoundofthebestfresh;and，Mr。Wilkinshadbroughtapintofshrimps，neatlyfoldedupina，cleanbelcher，togiveazesttothemeal，andpropitiateMrs。
Ivins。Jemimawas’cleaningherself’up-stairs;soMr。Samuel，WilkinssatdownandtalkeddomesticeconomywithMrs。Ivins，whilstthetwoyoungestMissIvinsespokedbitsoflightedbrown，paperbetweenthebarsunderthekettle，tomakethewaterboilfor，tea。
’Iwosathinking，’saidMr。SamuelWilkins，duringapauseinthe，conversation-’IwosathinkingoftakingJ’mimatotheEagleto-
night。’-’Omy！’exclaimedMrs。Ivins。’Lor！hownice！’saidthe，youngestMissIvins。’Well，Ideclare！’addedtheyoungestMiss，Ivinsbutone。’TellJ’mimatoputonherwhitemuslin，Tilly，’
screamedMrs。Ivins，withmotherlyanxiety;anddowncameJ’mima，herselfsoonafterwardsinawhitemuslingowncarefullyhookedand，eyed，alittleredshawl，plentifullypinned，awhitestrawbonnet，trimmedwithredribbons，asmallnecklace，alargepairof，bracelets，Denmarksatinshoes，andopen-workedstockings;white，cottonglovesonherfingers，andacambricpocket-handkerchief，carefullyfoldedup，inherhand-allquitegenteelandladylike。
AndawaywentMissJ’mimaIvinsandMr。SamuelWilkins，anda，dress-cane，withagiltknobatthetop，totheadmirationandenvy，ofthestreetingeneral，andtothehighgratificationofMrs。
Ivins，andthetwoyoungestMissIvinsesinparticular。Theyhad，nosoonerturnedintothePancras-road，thanwhoshouldMissJ’mima，Ivinsstumbleupon，bythemostfortunateaccidentintheworld，butayoungladyassheknew，withHERyoungman！-Anditisso，strangehowthingsdoturnoutsometimes-theywereactuallygoing，totheEagletoo。SoMr。SamuelWilkinswasintroducedtoMiss，J’mimaIvins’sfriend’syoungman，andtheyallwalkedontogether，talking，andlaughing，andjokingawaylikeanything;andwhenthey，gotasfarasPentonville，MissIvins’sfriend’syoungmanWOULD
havetheladiesgointotheCrown，totastesomeshrub，which，afteragreatblushingandgiggling，andhidingoffacesin，elaboratepocket-handkerchiefs，theyconsentedtodo。Having，tasteditonce，theywereeasilyprevailedupontotasteitagain;
andtheysatoutinthegardentastingshrub，andlookingatthe，Bussesalternately，tillitwasjustthepropertimetogotothe，Eagle;andthentheyresumedtheirjourney，andwalkedveryfast，forfeartheyshouldlosethebeginningoftheconcertinthe，Rotunda。
’Howev’nly！’saidMissJ’mimaIvins，andMissJ’mimaIvins’s，friend，bothatonce，whentheyhadpassedthegateandwerefairly，insidethegardens。Therewerethewalks，beautifullygravelled，andplanted-andtherefreshment-boxes，paintedandornamented，likesomanysnuff-boxes-andthevariegatedlampssheddingtheir，richlightuponthecompany’sheads-andtheplacefordancing，readychalkedforthecompany’sfeet-andaMoorishbandplaying，atoneendofthegardens-andanoppositionmilitarybandplaying，awayattheother。Then，thewaiterswererushingtoandfrowith，glassesofnegus，andglassesofbrandy-and-water，andbottlesof，ale，andbottlesofstout;andginger-beerwasgoingoffinone，place，andpracticaljokesweregoingoninanother;andpeople，werecrowdingtothedooroftheRotunda;andinshortthewhole，scenewas，asMissJ’mimaIvins，inspiredbythenovelty，orthe，shrub，orboth，observed-’oneofdazzlingexcitement。’，Astothe，concert-room，neverwasanythinghalfsosplendid。Therewasan，orchestraforthesingers，allpaint，gilding，andplate-glass;and，suchanorgan！，MissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend’syoungmanwhisperedit，hadcost’fourhundredpound，’whichMr。SamuelWilkinssaidwas，’notdearneither;’anopinioninwhichtheladiesperfectly，coincided。Theaudiencewereseatedonelevatedbenchesroundthe，room，andcrowdedintoeverypartofit;andeverybodywaseating，anddrinkingascomfortablyaspossible。Justbeforetheconcert，commenced，Mr。SamuelWilkinsorderedtwoglassesofrum-and-water，’warmwith-’andtwoslicesoflemon，forhimselfandtheother，youngman，togetherwith’apinto’sherrywinefortheladies，and，somesweetcarraway-seedbiscuits;’andtheywouldhavebeenquite，comfortableandhappy，onlyastrangegentlemanwithlargewhiskers，WOULDstareatMissJ’mimaIvins，andanothergentlemaninaplaid，waistcoatWOULDwinkatMissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend;onwhichMiss，JemimaIvins’sfriend’syoungmanexhibitedsymptomsofboiling，over，andbegantomutterabout’people’simperence，’and’swells，outo’luck;’andtointimate，inobliqueterms，avagueintention，ofknockingsomebody’sheadoff;whichhewasonlypreventedfrom，announcingmoreemphatically，bybothMissJ’mimaIvinsandher，friendthreateningtofaintawayonthespotifhesaidanother，word。
Theconcertcommenced-overtureontheorgan。’Howsolemn！’
exclaimedMissJ’mimaIvins，glancing，perhapsunconsciously，at，thegentlemanwiththewhiskers。Mr。SamuelWilkins，whohadbeen，mutteringapartforsometimepast，asifhewereholdinga，confidentialconversationwiththegiltknobofthedress-cane，breathedhard-breathingvengeance，perhaps，-butsaidnothing。
’Thesoldiertired，’MissSomebodyinwhitesatin。’Ancore！’cried，MissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend。’Ancore！’shoutedthegentlemaninthe，plaidwaistcoatimmediately，hammeringthetablewithastout-
bottle。MissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend’syoungmaneyedthemanbehind，thewaistcoatfromheadtofoot，andcastalookofinterrogative，contempttowardsMr。SamuelWilkins。Comicsong，accompaniedon，theorgan。MissJ’mimaIvinswasconvulsedwithlaughter-sowas，themanwiththewhiskers。Everythingtheladiesdid，theplaid，waistcoatandwhiskersdid，bywayofexpressingunityofsentiment，andcongenialityofsoul;andMissJ’mimaIvins，andMissJ’mima，Ivins’sfriend，grewlivelyandtalkative，asMr。SamuelWilkins，andMissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend’syoungman，grewmoroseandsurly，ininverseproportion。
Now，ifthematterhadendedhere，thelittlepartymightsoonhave，recoveredtheirformerequanimity;butMr。SamuelWilkinsandhis，friendbegantothrowlooksofdefianceuponthewaistcoatand，whiskers。Andthewaistcoatandwhiskers，bywayofintimatingthe，slightdegreeinwhichtheywereaffectedbythelooksaforesaid，bestowedglancesofincreasedadmirationuponMissJ’mimaIvinsand，friend。Theconcertandvaudevilleconcluded，theypromenadedthe，gardens。Thewaistcoatandwhiskersdidthesame;andmadedivers，remarkscomplimentarytotheanklesofMissJ’mimaIvinsand，friend，inanaudibletone。Atlength，notsatisfiedwiththese，numerousatrocities，theyactuallycameupandaskedMissJ’mima，Ivins，andMissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend，todance，withouttakingno，morenoticeofMr。SamuelWilkins，andMissJ’mimaIvins’sfriend’s，youngman，thaniftheywasnobody！
’Whatdoyoumeanbythat，scoundrel！’exclaimedMr。Samuel，Wilkins，graspingthegilt-knobbeddress-canefirmlyinhisright，hand。’What’sthematterwithYOU，youlittlehumbug？’repliedthe，whiskers。’Howdareyouinsultmeandmyfriend？’inquiredthe，friend’syoungman。’Youandyourfriendbehanged！’respondedthe，waistcoat。’Takethat，’exclaimedMr。SamuelWilkins。Theferrule，ofthegilt-knobbeddress-canewasvisibleforaninstant，andthen，thelightofthevariegatedlampsshonebrightlyuponitasit，whirledintotheair，caneandall。’Giveithim，’saidthe，waistcoat。’Horficer！’screamedtheladies。MissJ’mimaIvins’s，beau，andthefriend’syoungman，laygaspingonthegravel，and，thewaistcoatandwhiskerswereseennomore。
MissJ’mimaIvinsandfriendbeingconsciousthattheaffraywasin，noslightdegreeattributabletothemselves，ofcoursewentinto，hystericsforthwith;declaredthemselvesthemostinjuredofwomen;
exclaimed，inincoherentravings，thattheyhadbeensuspected-
wrongfullysuspected-oh！thattheyshouldeverhavelivedtosee，theday-andsoforth;sufferedarelapseeverytimetheyopened，theireyesandsawtheirunfortunatelittleadmirers;andwere，carriedtotheirrespectiveabodesinahackney-coach，andastate，ofinsensibility，compoundedofshrub，sherry，andexcitement。
CHAPTERV-THEPARLOURORATOR
Wehadbeenloungingoneevening，downOxford-street，Holborn，Cheapside，Coleman-street，Finsbury-square，andsoon，withthe，intentionofreturningwestward，byPentonvilleandtheNew-road，whenwebegantofeelratherthirsty，anddisposedtorestforfive，ortenminutes。So，weturnedbacktowardsanold，quiet，decent，public-house，whichwerememberedtohavepassedbutamoment，before(itwasnotfarfromtheCity-road)，forthepurposeof，solacingourselfwithaglassofale。Thehousewasnoneofyour，stuccoed，French-polished，illuminatedpalaces，butamodest，public-houseoftheoldschool，withalittleoldbar，andalittle，oldlandlord，who，withawifeanddaughterofthesamepattern，wascomfortablyseatedinthebaraforesaid-asnuglittleroom，withacheerfulfire，protectedbyalargescreen：，frombehind，whichtheyoungladyemergedonourrepresentingourinclination，foraglassofale。
’Won’tyouwalkintotheparlour，sir？’saidtheyounglady，in，seductivetones。
’Youhadbetterwalkintotheparlour，sir，’saidthelittleold，landlord，throwinghischairback，andlookingroundonesideof，thescreen，tosurveyourappearance。
’Youhadmuchbetterstepintotheparlour，sir，’saidthelittle，oldlady，poppingoutherhead，ontheothersideofthescreen。
Wecastaslightglancearound，asiftoexpressourignoranceof，thelocalitysomuchrecommended。Thelittleoldlandlordobserved，it;bustledoutofthesmalldoorofthesmallbar;andforthwith，usheredusintotheparlouritself。
Itwasanancient，dark-lookingroom，withoakenwainscoting，a，sandedfloor，andahighmantel-piece。Thewallswereornamented，withthreeorfouroldcolouredprintsinblackframes，eachprint，representinganavalengagement，withacoupleofmen-of-war，bangingawayateachothermostvigorously，whileanothervesselor，twowereblowingupinthedistance，andtheforegroundpresenteda，miscellaneouscollectionofbrokenmastsandbluelegsstickingup，outofthewater。Dependingfromtheceilinginthecentreofthe，room，wereagas-lightandbell-pull;oneachsidewerethreeor，fourlongnarrowtables，behindwhichwasathickly-plantedrowof，thoseslippery，shiny-lookingwoodenchairs，peculiartohostelries，ofthisdescription。Themonotonousappearanceofthesanded，boardswasrelievedbyanoccasionalspittoon;andatriangular，pileofthoseusefularticlesadornedthetwouppercornersofthe，apartment。
Atthefurthesttable，nearestthefire，withhisfacetowardsthe，dooratthebottomoftheroom，satastoutishmanofaboutforty，whoseshort，stiff，blackhaircurledcloselyroundabroadhigh，forehead，andafacetowhichsomethingbesideswaterandexercise，hadcommunicatedaratherinflamedappearance。Hewassmokinga，cigar，withhiseyesfixedontheceiling，andhadthatconfident，oracularairwhichmarkedhimastheleadingpolitician，general，authority，anduniversalanecdote-relater，oftheplace。Hehad，evidentlyjustdeliveredhimselfofsomethingveryweighty;forthe，remainderofthecompanywerepuffingattheirrespectivepipesand，cigarsinakindofsolemnabstraction，asifquiteoverwhelmed，withthemagnitudeofthesubjectrecentlyunderdiscussion。
Onhisrighthandsatanelderlygentlemanwithawhitehead，and，broad-brimmedbrownhat;onhisleft，asharp-nosed，light-haired，maninabrownsurtoutreachingnearlytohisheels，whotooka，whiffathispipe，andanadmiringglanceatthered-facedman，alternately。
’Veryextraordinary！’saidthelight-hairedmanafterapauseof，fiveminutes。Amurmurofassentranthroughthecompany。
’Notatallextraordinary-notatall，’saidthered-facedman，awakeningsuddenlyfromhisreverie，andturninguponthelight-
hairedman，themomenthehadspoken。
’Whyshoulditbeextraordinary？-whyisitextraordinary？-prove，ittobeextraordinary！’
’Oh，ifyoucometothat-’saidthelight-hairedman，meekly。
’Cometothat！’ejaculatedthemanwiththeredface;’butweMUST
cometothat。Westand，inthesetimes，uponacalmelevationof，intellectualattainment，andnotinthedarkrecessofmental，deprivation。Proof，iswhatIrequire-proof，andnotassertions，inthesestirringtimes。Everygen’lem’nthatknowsme，knowswhat，wasthenatureandeffectofmyobservations，whenitwasinthe，contemplationoftheOld-streetSuburbanRepresentativeDiscovery，Society，torecommendacandidateforthatplaceinCornwallthere，-Iforgetthenameofit。”Mr。Snobee，“saidMr。Wilson，“isa，fitandproperpersontorepresenttheboroughinParliament。”
“Proveit，“saysI。”HeisafriendtoReform，“saysMr。Wilson。
“Proveit，“saysI。”Theabolitionistofthenationaldebt，the，unflinchingopponentofpensions，theuncompromisingadvocateof，thenegro，thereducerofsinecuresandthedurationof，Parliaments;theextenderofnothingbutthesuffragesofthe，people，“saysMr。Wilson。”Proveit，“saysI。”Hisactsprove，it，“sayshe。”ProveTHEM，“saysI。
’Andhecouldnotprovethem，’saidthered-facedman，looking，roundtriumphantly;’andtheboroughdidn’thavehim;andifyou，carriedthisprincipletothefullextent，you’dhavenodebt，no，pensions，nosinecures，nonegroes，nonothing。Andthen，standing，uponanelevationofintellectualattainment，andhavingreached，thesummitofpopularprosperity，youmightbiddefiancetothe，nationsoftheearth，anderectyourselvesintheproudconfidence，ofwisdomandsuperiority。Thisismyargument-thisalwayshas，beenmyargument-andifIwasaMemberoftheHouseofCommons，to-morrow，I’dmake’emshakeintheirshoeswithit。Andthered-
facedman，havingstruckthetableveryhardwithhisclenched，fist，toaddweighttothedeclaration，smokedawaylikeabrewery。
’Well！’saidthesharp-nosedman，inaveryslowandsoftvoice，addressingthecompanyingeneral，’Ialwaysdosay，thatofall，thegentlemenIhavethepleasureofmeetinginthisroom，thereis，notonewhoseconversationIliketohearsomuchasMr。Rogers’s，orwhoissuchimprovingcompany。’
’Improvingcompany！’saidMr。Rogers，forthat，itseemed，wasthe，nameofthered-facedman。’YoumaysayIamimprovingcompany，forI’veimprovedyoualltosomepurpose;thoughastomy，conversationbeingasmyfriendMr。Ellisheredescribesit，that，isnotformetosayanythingabout。You，gentlemen，arethebest，judgesonthatpoint;butthisIwillsay，whenIcameintothis，parish，andfirstusedthisroom，tenyearsago，Idon’tbelieve，therewasonemaninit，whoknewhewasaslave-andnowyouall，knowit，andwritheunderit。Inscribethatuponmytomb，andIam，satisfied。’
’Why，astoinscribingitonyourtomb，’saidalittlegreengrocer，withachubbyface，’ofcourseyoucanhaveanythingchalkedup，as，youlikestopayfor，sofarasitrelatestoyourselfandyour，affairs;but，whenyoucometotalkaboutslaves，andthatthere，abuse，you’dbetterkeepitinthefamily，’cosIforonedon’t，liketobecalledthemnames，nightafternight。’
’YouAREaslave，’saidthered-facedman，’andthemostpitiable，ofallslaves。’
’WerryhardifIam，’interruptedthegreengrocer，’forIgotno，goodoutofthetwentymillionthatwaspaidfor’mancipation，anyhow。’
’Awillingslave，’ejaculatedthered-facedman，gettingmorered，witheloquence，andcontradiction-’resigningthedearest，birthrightofyourchildren-neglectingthesacredcallofLiberty，-who，standingimploringlybeforeyou，appealstothewarmest，feelingsofyourheart，andpointstoyourhelplessinfants，butin，vain。’
’Proveit，’saidthegreengrocer。
’Proveit！’sneeredthemanwiththeredface。’What！bending，beneaththeyokeofaninsolentandfactiousoligarchy;boweddown，bythedominationofcruellaws;groaningbeneathtyrannyand，oppressiononeveryhand，ateveryside，andineverycorner。
Proveit！-’，Thered-facedmanabruptlybrokeoff，sneeredmelo-
dramatically，andburiedhiscountenanceandhisindignation，together，inaquartpot。
’Ah，tobesure，Mr。Rogers，’saidastoutbrokerinalarge，waistcoat，whohadkepthiseyesfixedonthisluminaryallthe，timehewasspeaking。’Ah，tobesure，’saidthebrokerwitha，sigh，’that’sthepoint。’
’Ofcourse，ofcourse，’saiddiversmembersofthecompany，who，understoodalmostasmuchaboutthematterasthebrokerhimself。
’Youhadbetterlethimalone，Tommy，’saidthebroker，bywayof，advicetothelittlegreengrocer;’hecantellwhat’so’clockbyan，eight-day，withoutlookingattheminutehand，hecan。Tryiton，onsomeothersuit;itwon’tdowithhim，Tommy。’
’Whatisaman？’continuedthered-facedspecimenofthespecies，jerkinghishatindignantlyfromitspegonthewall。’Whatisan，Englishman？，Ishetobetrampleduponbyeveryoppressor？，Ishe，tobeknockeddownateverybody’sbidding？，What’sfreedom？，Nota，standingarmy。What’sastandingarmy？，Notfreedom。What’s，generalhappiness？，Notuniversalmisery。Libertyain’tthe，window-tax，isit？，TheLordsain’ttheCommons，arethey？’，And，thered-facedman，graduallyburstingintoaradiatingsentence，in，whichsuchadjectivesas’dastardly，’’oppressive，’’violent，’and，’sanguinary，’formedthemostconspicuouswords，knockedhishat，indignantlyoverhiseyes，lefttheroom，andslammedthedoor，afterhim。
’Wonderfulman！’saidheofthesharpnose。
’Splendidspeaker！’addedthebroker。
’Greatpower！’saideverybodybutthegreengrocer。Andasthey，saidit，thewholepartyshooktheirheadsmysteriously，andoneby，oneretired，leavingusaloneintheoldparlour。
Ifwehadfollowedtheestablishedprecedentinallsuchinstances，weshouldhavefallenintoafitofmusing，withoutdelay。The，ancientappearanceoftheroom-theoldpanellingofthewall-
thechimneyblackenedwithsmokeandage-wouldhavecarriedus，backahundredyearsatleast，andweshouldhavegonedreamingon，untilthepewter-potonthetable，orthelittlebeer-chilleron，thefire，hadstartedintolife，andaddressedtousalongstory，ofdaysgoneby。But，bysomemeansorother，wewerenotina，romantichumour;andalthoughwetriedveryhardtoinvestthe，furniturewithvitality，itremainedperfectlyunmoved，obstinate，andsullen。Beingthusreducedtotheunpleasantnecessityof，musingaboutordinarymatters，ourthoughtsrevertedtothered-
facedman，andhisoratoricaldisplay。
Anumerousracearethesered-facedmen;thereisnotaparlour，or，club-room，orbenefitsociety，orhumblepartyofanykind，without，itsred-facedman。Weak-pateddoltstheyare，andagreatdealof，mischieftheydototheircause，howevergood。So，justtoholda，patternoneup，toknowtheothersby，wetookhislikenessat，once，andputhiminhere。Andthatisthereasonwhywehave，writtenthispaper。
CHAPTERVI-THEHOSPITALPATIENT
InourramblesthroughthestreetsofLondonaftereveninghasset，in，weoftenpausebeneaththewindowsofsomepublichospital，and，picturetoourselfthegloomyandmournfulscenesthatarepassing，within。Thesuddenmovingofataperasitsfeeblerayshootsfrom，windowtowindow，untilitslightgraduallydisappears，asifit，werecarriedfartherbackintotheroomtothebedsideofsome，sufferingpatient，isenoughtoawakenawholecrowdof，reflections;themereglimmeringofthelow-burninglamps，which，whenallotherhabitationsarewrappedindarknessandslumber，denotethechamberwheresomanyformsarewrithingwithpain，or，wastingwithdisease，issufficienttocheckthemostboisterous，merriment。
Whocantelltheanguishofthosewearyhours，whentheonlysound，thesickmanhears，isthedisjointedwanderingsofsomefeverish，slumberernearhim，thelowmoanofpain，orperhapsthemuttered，long-forgottenprayerofadyingman？，Who，buttheywhohavefelt，it，canimaginethesenseoflonelinessanddesolationwhichmust，betheportionofthosewhointhehourofdangerousillnessare，lefttobetendedbystrangers;forwhathands，betheyeverso，gentle，canwipetheclammybrow，orsmooththerestlessbed，like，thoseofmother，wife，orchild？
Impressedwiththesethoughts，wehaveturnedaway，throughthe，nearly-desertedstreets;andthesightofthefewmiserable，creaturesstillhoveringaboutthem，hasnottendedtolessenthe，painwhichsuchmeditationsawaken。Thehospitalisarefugeand，resting-placeforhundreds，whobutforsuchinstitutionsmustdie，inthestreetsanddoorways;butwhatcanbethefeelingsofsome，outcastswhentheyarestretchedonthebedofsicknesswith，scarcelyahopeofrecovery？，Thewretchedwomanwholingersabout，thepavement，hoursaftermidnight，andthemiserableshadowofa，man-theghastlyremnantthatwantanddrunkennesshaveleft-
whichcrouchesbeneathawindow-ledge，tosleepwherethereissome，shelterfromtherain，havelittletobindthemtolife，butwhat，havetheytolookbackupon，indeath？，Whataretheunwonted，comfortsofaroofandabed，tothem，whentherecollectionsofa，wholelifeofdebasementstalkbeforethem;whenrepentanceseemsa，mockery，andsorrowcomestoolate？
Aboutatwelvemonthago，aswewerestrollingthroughCovent-garden，(wehadbeenthinkingaboutthesethingsover-night)，wewere，attractedbytheveryprepossessingappearanceofapickpocket，who，havingdeclinedtotakethetroubleofwalkingtothePolice-
office，onthegroundthathehadn’ttheslightestwishtogothere，atall，wasbeingconveyedthitherinawheelbarrow，tothehuge，delightofacrowd。
Somehow，wenevercanresistjoiningacrowd，soweturnedback，withthemob，andenteredtheoffice，incompanywithourfriend，thepickpocket，acoupleofpolicemen，andasmanydirty-faced，spectatorsascouldsqueezetheirwayin。
Therewasapowerful，ill-lookingyoungfellowatthebar，whowas，undergoinganexamination，ontheverycommonchargeofhaving，on，thepreviousnight，ill-treatedawoman，withwhomhelivedinsome，courthardby。Severalwitnessesboretestimonytoactsofthe，grossestbrutality;andacertificatewasreadfromthehouse-
surgeonofaneighbouringhospital，describingthenatureofthe，injuriesthewomanhadreceived，andintimatingthatherrecovery，wasextremelydoubtful。
Somequestionappearedtohavebeenraisedabouttheidentityof，theprisoner;forwhenitwasagreedthatthetwomagistrates，shouldvisitthehospitalateighto’clockthatevening，totake，herdeposition，itwassettledthatthemanshouldbetakenthere，also。Heturnedpaleatthis，andwesawhimclenchthebarvery，hardwhentheorderwasgiven。Hewasremoveddirectlyafterwards，andhespokenotaword。
Wefeltanirrepressiblecuriositytowitnessthisinterview，althoughitishardtotellwhy，atthisinstant，forweknewit，mustbeapainfulone。Itwasnoverydifficultmatterforusto，gainpermission，andweobtainedit。
Theprisoner，andtheofficerwhohadhimincustody，werealready，atthehospitalwhenwereachedit，andwaitingthearrivalofthe，magistratesinasmallroombelowstairs。Themanwashandcuffed，andhishatwaspulledforwardoverhiseyes。Itwaseasytosee，though，bythewhitenessofhiscountenance，andtheconstant，twitchingofthemusclesofhisface，thathedreadedwhatwasto，come。Afterashortinterval，themagistratesandclerkwerebowed，inbythehouse-surgeonandacoupleofyoungmenwhosmeltvery，strongoftobacco-smoke-theywereintroducedas’dressers’-and，afteronemagistratehadcomplainedbitterlyofthecold，andthe，otheroftheabsenceofanynewsintheeveningpaper，itwas，announcedthatthepatientwasprepared;andwewereconductedto，the’casualtyward’inwhichshewaslying。
Thedimlightwhichburntinthespaciousroom，increasedrather，thandiminishedtheghastlyappearanceofthehaplesscreaturesin，thebeds，whichwererangedintwolongrowsoneitherside。In，onebed，layachildenvelopedinbandages，withitsbodyhalf-
consumedbyfire;inanother，afemale，renderedhideousbysome，dreadfulaccident，waswildlybeatingherclenchedfistsonthe，coverlet，inpain;onathird，therelaystretchedayounggirl，apparentlyintheheavystuporoftentheimmediateprecursorof，death：，herfacewasstainedwithblood，andherbreastandarms，wereboundupinfoldsoflinen。Twoorthreeofthebedswere，empty，andtheirrecentoccupantsweresittingbesidethem，but，withfacessowan，andeyessobrightandglassy，thatitwas，fearfultomeettheirgaze。Oneveryfacewasstampedthe，expressionofanguishandsuffering。
Theobjectofthevisitwaslyingattheupperendoftheroom。
Shewasafineyoungwomanofabouttwoorthreeandtwenty。Her，longblackhair，whichhadbeenhastilycutfromnearthewoundson，herhead，streamedoverthepillowinjaggedandmattedlocks。Her，faceboredeepmarksoftheill-usageshehadreceived：，herhand，waspresseduponherside，asifherchiefpainwerethere;her，breathingwasshortandheavy;anditwasplaintoseethatshewas，dyingfast。Shemurmuredafewwordsinreplytothemagistrate’s，inquirywhethershewasingreatpain;and，havingbeenraisedon，thepillowbythenurse，lookedvacantlyuponthestrange，countenancesthatsurroundedherbed。Themagistratenoddedtothe，officer，tobringthemanforward。Hedidso，andstationedhimat，thebedside。Thegirllookedonwithawildandtroubled，expressionofface;buthersightwasdim，andshedidnotknow，him。
’Takeoffhishat，’saidthemagistrate。Theofficerdidashewas，desired，andtheman’sfeaturesweredisclosed。
Thegirlstartedup，withanenergyquitepreternatural;thefire，gleamedinherheavyeyes，andthebloodrushedtoherpaleand，sunkencheeks。Itwasaconvulsiveeffort。Shefellbackuponher，pillow，andcoveringherscarredandbruisedfacewithherhands，burstintotears。Themancastananxiouslooktowardsher，but，otherwiseappearedwhollyunmoved。Afterabriefpausethenature，oftheerrandwasexplained，andtheoathtendered。
’Oh，no，gentlemen，’saidthegirl，raisingherselfoncemore，and，foldingherhandstogether;’no，gentlemen，forGod’ssake！，Idid，itmyself-itwasnobody’sfault-itwasanaccident。Hedidn’t，hurtme;hewouldn’tforalltheworld。Jack，dearJack，youknow，youwouldn’t！’
Hersightwasfastfailingher，andherhandgropedoverthe，bedclothesinsearchofhis。Bruteasthemanwas，hewasnot，preparedforthis。Heturnedhisfacefromthebed，andsobbed。
Thegirl’scolourchanged，andherbreathinggrewmoredifficult。
Shewasevidentlydying。
’Werespectthefeelingswhichpromptyoutothis，’saidthe，gentlemanwhohadspokenfirst，’butletmewarnyou，notto，persistinwhatyouknowtobeuntrue，untilitistoolate。It，cannotsavehim。’
’Jack，’murmuredthegirl，layingherhanduponhisarm，’they，shallnotpersuademetoswearyourlifeaway。Hedidn’tdoit，gentlemen。Heneverhurtme。’，Shegraspedhisarmtightly，and，added，inabrokenwhisper，’IhopeGodAlmightywillforgiveme，allthewrongIhavedone，andthelifeIhaveled。Godblessyou，Jack。Somekindgentlemantakemylovetomypooroldfather。
Fiveyearsago，hesaidhewishedIhaddiedachild。Oh，IwishI
had！，IwishIhad！’
Thenursebentoverthegirlforafewseconds，andthendrewthe，sheetoverherface。Itcoveredacorpse。
CHAPTERVII-THEMISPLACEDATTACHMENTOFMR。JOHNDOUNCE
Ifwehadtomakeaclassificationofsociety，thereisa，particularkindofmenwhomweshouldimmediatelysetdownunder，theheadof’OldBoys;’andacolumnofmostextensivedimensions，theoldboyswouldrequire。Towhatprecisecausestherapid，advanceofold-boypopulationistobetraced，weareunableto，determine。Itwouldbeaninterestingandcuriousspeculation，but，aswehavenotsufficientspacetodevotetoithere，we，simplystatethefactthatthenumbersoftheoldboyshavebeen，graduallyaugmentingwithinthelastfewyears，andthattheyare，atthismomentalarminglyontheincrease。
Uponageneralreviewofthesubject，andwithoutconsideringit，minutelyindetail，weshouldbedisposedtosubdividetheoldboys，intotwodistinctclasses-thegayoldboys，andthesteadyold，boys。Thegayoldboys，arepaunchyoldmeninthedisguiseof，youngones，whofrequenttheQuadrantandRegent-streetintheday-
time：，thetheatres(especiallytheatresunderladymanagement)at，night;andwhoassumeallthefoppishnessandlevityofboys，withouttheexcuseofyouthorinexperience。Thesteadyoldboys，arecertainstoutoldgentlemenofcleanappearance，whoarealways，tobeseeninthesametaverns，atthesamehourseveryevening，smokinganddrinkinginthesamecompany。
Therewasonceafinecollectionofoldboystobeseenroundthe，circulartableatOffley’severynight，betweenthehoursofhalf-
pasteightandhalf-pasteleven。Wehavelostsightofthemfor，sometime。Therewere，andmaybestill，foraughtweknow，two，splendidspecimensinfullblossomattheRainbowTaverninFleet-
street，whoalwaysusedtositintheboxnearestthefireplace，andsmokedlongcherry-stickpipeswhichwentunderthetable，with，thebowlsrestingonthefloor。Grandoldboystheywere-fat，red-faced，white-headedoldfellows-alwaysthere-oneonone，sidethetable，andtheotheropposite-puffinganddrinkingaway，ingreatstate。Everybodyknewthem，anditwassupposedbysome，peoplethattheywerebothimmortal。
Mr。JohnDouncewasanoldboyofthelatterclass(wedon’tmean，immortal，butsteady)，aretiredgloveandbracesmaker，awidower，residentwiththreedaughters-allgrownup，andallunmarried-
inCursitor-street，Chancery-lane。Hewasashort，round，large-
faced，tubbishsortofman，withabroad-brimmedhat，andasquare，coat;andhadthatgrave，butconfident，kindofroll，peculiarto，oldboysingeneral。Regularasclockwork-breakfastatnine-
dressandtittivatealittle-downtotheSirSomebody’sHead-a，glassofaleandthepaper-comebackagain，andtakedaughters，outforawalk-dinneratthree-glassofgrogandpipe-nap-
tea-littlewalk-SirSomebody’sHeadagain-capitalhouse-
delightfulevenings。TherewereMr。Harris，thelaw-stationer，and，Mr。Jennings，therobe-maker(twojollyyoungfellowslike，himself)，andJones，thebarrister’sclerk-rumfellowthatJones，-capitalcompany-fullofanecdote！-andtheretheysatevery，nighttilljusttenminutesbeforetwelve，drinkingtheirbrandy-
and-water，andsmokingtheirpipes，andtellingstories，and，enjoyingthemselveswithakindofsolemnjovialityparticularly，edifying。
SometimesJoneswouldproposeahalf-pricevisittoDruryLaneor，CoventGarden，toseetwoactsofafive-actplay，andanewfarce，perhaps，oraballet，onwhichoccasionsthewholefourofthem，wenttogether：，noneofyourhurryingandnonsense，buthaving，theirbrandy-and-waterfirst，comfortably，andorderingasteakand，someoystersfortheirsupperagainsttheycameback，andthen，walkingcoollyintothepit，whenthe’rush’hadgonein，asall，sensiblepeopledo，anddidwhenMr。Douncewasayoungman，except，whenthecelebratedMasterBettywasattheheightofhis，popularity，andthen，sir，-then-Mr。Dounceperfectlywell，rememberedgettingaholidayfrombusiness;andgoingtothepit，doorsateleveno’clockintheforenoon，andwaitingthere，till，sixintheafternoon，withsomesandwichesinapocket-handkerchief，andsomewineinaphial;andfaintingafterall，withtheheatand，fatigue，beforetheplaybegan;inwhichsituationhewaslifted，outofthepit，intooneofthedressboxes，sir，byfiveofthe，finestwomenofthatday，sir，whocompassionatedhissituationand，administeredrestoratives，andsentablackservant，sixfoothigh，inblueandsilverlivery，nextmorningwiththeircompliments，and，toknowhowhefoundhimself，sir-byG-！，BetweentheactsMr。
DounceandMr。Harris，andMr。Jennings，usedtostandup，andlook，roundthehouse，andJones-knowingfellowthatJones-knew，everybody-pointedoutthefashionableandcelebratedLadySo-and-
Sointheboxes，atthementionofwhosenameMr。Dounce，after，brushinguphishair，andadjustinghisneckerchief，wouldinspect，theaforesaidLadySo-and-Sothroughanimmenseglass，andremark，either，thatshewasa’finewoman-veryfinewoman，indeed，’or，that’theremightbealittlemoreofher，eh，Jones？’，Justasthe，casemighthappentobe。Whenthedancingbegan，JohnDounceand，theotheroldboyswereparticularlyanxioustoseewhatwasgoing，forwardonthestage，andJones-wickeddogthatJones-whispered，littlecriticalremarksintotheearsofJohnDounce，whichJohn，DounceretailedtoMr。HarrisandMr。HarristoMr。Jennings;and，thentheyallfourlaughed，untilthetearsrandownoutoftheir，eyes。