Part 80 (1/2)
It was but a few steps from the Shades to the Monument, to which our adventurers were now pursuing their way, when they met with an incident not unworthy of observation. Do not leave your goods, is the friendly admonition generally inscribed, in large characters, over the resting place for porters, throughout the metropolis. Opposite the church of Saint Magnus, close by London Bridge, a porter having pitched his load, turned his back upon it, and reclined himself against the post in careless ease, and security. It was just as our heroes approached, that the porter had turned himself round to resume his burden, when lo! it had vanished; in what manner no one can tell! without doubt, one of those numerous street-prowlers who are continually on the look out for prey, observing the remissness of the porter, had availed himself of the favourable opportunity, and quietly walked off with his booty. A crowd collected round the sufferer, but it afforded him neither sympathy nor relief. Our a.s.sociates, however, contributed in mitigation of his loss, and proceeding up Fish-street Hill, were, in a few moments, shrouded under the towering column of the Monument.
Ascending the spiral stair-case of black marble, consisting of three hundred and forty-five steps, winding like a cork-screw, to the summit, our aspirants reached their aerial station in the gallery of this lofty edifice, and enjoyed one of the most variegated and extensively ~173~~ interesting prospects of any in the metropolis. Far as the eye could reach, skirting itself down the river, a forest of tall masts appeared, and the colours of all nations, waving gaily in the breeze, gave a splendid idea of the opulence and industry of the first commercial city in the universe. The moving panorama, far beneath the giddy height, resembled the flitting figures of a _camera obscura_; the s.p.a.cious Thames was reduced to a brook; the stately vessels riding on its undulating wave seemed the dwarfish boats of the school-boy navigator; and glancing on the streets and along London Bridge, horses dwindled in appearance to mice, and carriages to children's toys! after having enjoyed, during several minutes, the prospects afforded by their elevated position, the two friends descended, and with a feeling of relief again trod the safer and less difficult path of _terra firma_.
Our observers now turned their direction westward, and pa.s.sed into Lombard Street, chiefly formed of banking-houses and other public edifices. ”This street,” said Dashall, ”is noted as the focus of wealth, the point of convergence of civic riches, and its respectable bankers are not more dignified by the possession of superabundant property than enhanced in the estimation of their fellow-citizens by strictly conscientious honour and integrity.
”And of these not the least important in self-consequence is the jolly civic Baronet,” continued Dashall, ”who has already come more than once within the scope of our observation.”
”Ecce h.o.m.o! behold the man!” responded the Squire, and the Baronet was descried rolling his ponderous form from the opposite alley to his banking-house.
”It is rather unfortunate,” observed Dashall, ”that nature has not kept pace with fortune, in liberality to the Baronet. Profuse in giving him a colossal magnitude of person, he exhibits a most disproportionable endowment of intellect. Unlike his great prototype Sir John, in one sense, but yet resembling him in another, 'He is not witty himself, but he occasions wit in others.'”
”You are very fond of making a b.u.t.t of me,” observed the Baronet to a brother Alderman.--”By no means,” rejoined the latter, ”I never was fond of an empty b.u.t.t in my life.” ”Is the worthy Baronet inclined at times, (asked the Squire) in his capacity of M.P. to irradiate the gloom of St.
Stephens?”
~174~~ ”O yes, frequently, particularly so when in the plenitude of his wisdom he conceives that he can enlighten the house with a modic.u.m of information. The last time I heard him hold forth was as an apologist for the tumultuary loyalists at the Mansion House Meeting, when he delivered himself in a manner so heterogeneal of commonsense, and so completely in a style of egotism, as to excite the ridicule and risibility of the whole house, and discompose the gravity of even the speaker himself.”{1}
1 The following is a strictly literal versification of the Speech alluded to:
THE MANSION-HOUSE ROW, AND APOLOGY FOR THE LOYALISTS.
Being a literal versification of the eloquent Speech of Sir W--ll--m C--RT--s, Baronet, in the House of Commons, Friday, February 2, on the presentation, by Mr. John Smith, of the Pet.i.tion of the Merchants of London.
I rise, Mr. Speaker, indulgence entreating A Speech while I make on the Mansion-house Meeting.
The prior Requisition was certainly signed By men of good substance, with pockets well lin'd!
With such I am ever good humour'd and civil, But worth, without wealth, I would pitch to the devil'.
The Lord Mayor, I think, then, a.s.sum'd a position Of duty, in yielding to said Requisition; For may my oration be given to scorn, If ever I saw, from the day I was born, A list of more honoured, more propertied men, And probably never may see such again.
Now high as I prize both the merits and station, Of loyalists signing the first declaration; Permit me to say, it was too mild by half, Too much milk and water--Some Members may laugh-- I care not;--I say that it did not inherit The tythe of a loyal and time serving spirit.
I'm charged too with signing it, nevertheless, I DID,--for I knew not how else to express My zeal, in supporting, with firm resolution, The Crown,--and Old England's decay'd Const.i.tution!
Who they are, Const.i.tution and Crown that sustain, The people should now,--else we labour in vain!
And, therefore, I sign'd the fore-named declaration.
Altho' such a weak milk and water potation!
For why should the loyalists smother their cause, And lose the high gain,--ministerial applause.
'Pon honour,--aye, even in detractions despite-- In corners and holes, Sir, I take no delight; And, never on any pursuit do I go, Of which 1 don't want the Almighty to know!
I signed, Sir, the loyal, luke-warm declaration, To bring to its senses a turbulent nation!
To cheer up His Majesty,--win his good graces, And keep his lov'd Ministers still in their places!
The hon'rable member, my friend, who spoke last, Is not quite correct in detailing what pa.s.s'd At the Mansion-house Meeting; for patiently heard He was, until symptoms of riot appear'd.
At last it broke out, with a vengeance 'tis true, And dire was the fracas! but what could we do, Where adverse opinion so warmly prevail'd, And each with revilings his neighbour a.s.sail'd?
Why, Sir, to this house, I could prove in a minute, That greater majorities out than now in it, Of sound thinking persons, in these fair dominions, Are scouting the hon'rable member's opinions.
Well-bred, Sir, believe me, and good-looking people, Were wedg'd in the Mansion-house quite of a heap all; Whilst I, most politely, besought their attention, But no,--not a word was I suffer'd to mention!
A party oppos'd me, altho' no long speeches I make,--(a kind lesson that prudence still teaches;) And waiting a hearing an hour, perhaps longer, The dissonant clamour grew fiercer and stronger!
In fact, when I open'd my mouth, the commotion Exceeded in fury the storms of the ocean!
Some hale stout young men, who had mix'd with the throng, And press'd, the conflicting addressers among, Escap'd from the Meeting in tumult and smother, And swore that they never would visit another!