Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 2.

Subtle, as arm-in-arm with Mr. Lynx, he quitted the Castle-gates, each of th

work enough; and I must say, it's been a capital se

x, that was a good hit of yours about the erasure-I ought, really, if it had occurred to m

was a mere accident my lighting on it;

d a-year turning on that

round, Mr. Subtle? Do you think Lord Widdr

that the estate had once been vested, and could not be subsequently de-vested by an alteration o

only where the defect was proved to exist after a

deed is disgraced in the first instance; no proof, in fa

ssion has gone alo

who has altered it, to benefit himself and his heirs, keeps it snug

arising from long-continued and consistent possession!-On the other hand, however, it is certainly a general rule that the party producing an inst

very interesting cau

oints-that of Mortmai

t! I meant the cause itself has b

stood still. "God bless my so

E

ever did such a thing sinc

t is it?" inquired Lynx, br

to ask Widdrington for the certificate for the costs of the special jury. I prote

n, I turned towards Quicksilver to get him to ask for the certificate-but he had seen a man with the new 'Times' containing the Division on the Catholic

gle point missed!-And in a good

l keep the verdict,

iddrington's notes that we need be afraid of-but of course the

es hands," replied Lynx, with a complacent air; for he saw a few pleasant pickings in store

ever in all your life witness such a scene

xquisite turn you gave the thing-it was worth

ied air; "knack-mere knack-nothing more. My

ed you were for the moment ove

enly ceased and squeezed his companion's arm, motioning him thereby to silence. They had come up with two gentlemen, walking slowly, and conversing in a low tone, but with much earnestness of manner. They were, in fact, Mr. Aubrey and Lord De la Zouch. Mr. Subtle and Mr. Lynx crossed over to the other side of the narrow street, and quickened their pace, so as soon to be ou

the Aubreys-isn't it?" quo

hich showed how deeply he felt what he uttered. "And it's not only what Mr. Aubrey

uld be difficult to describe. "Well"-continued the impenetrable Lynx-"at all events, I'll look into it." He felt about as much sentiment in the matter as a

n't you with me in Hi

ds first for to-

we've a consultation fixed for ten o'

clergyman. They've slandered him most abominably: they say he entered the church a

ttle like substantial dam

pleaded not

s for the

uicksi

minutes before the sitting of the court. I'm rather tired to-night." With this the great

cause it was "his case" that was going on. His eyes were red and swollen with weeping; and his little breast throbbed violently as he walked to and fro from one door of the court to the other. "Oh, gents, will you get me in again?" said he, in passionate tones, approaching two gentlemen, who, with a very anxious and oppressed air, were st

d De la Zouch, haughtily: so coldly and sternly as

no more right to be present in court, or get others into cour

Lord De la Zouch, towards Mr. Aubrey, "Know quite well who you are, sir! 'Pon my solemn

De la Zouch's servants, who, with a great thick silver-headed cane in his hand, was standing at a little distance behind, in attendance on the carriage, which was in the Castle-yard. This man's face looked so ready for mischief, that Titmouse slowly walked off. There were a good many standers-by, who seemed all to look with dislike and distrust at Titmouse. He made many ineffectual attempts to persuade the doorkeeper, who had assisted in his extrusion, to readmit him; but

!-Mr. Titmous

e back, on some pretence or other had quitted his seat between Quirk and Snap, in order, if the verdict should be for the plaintiff, to be the very first to communicate it to him. In a moment or two Mr. Gammon had grasped both Mr. Titmouse's hands. "My dear, dear Mr. Titmouse, I congratulate you! You are victorio

Honor bright?" at

e at length crowned with success

use, with quickly increasing excitement, and a joyous express

will last your life. Thank God, Mr. Titmouse, th

u now-'pon my life!-turned the tables!-that for you!" said he, snapping his fingers; but I need hardly say that he did so with perfect impunity, as far as tho

Zouch, in a hurried agitated whisper, as he grasped the hand of Mr. Aubrey, whom he had qu

rather in a faint murmur. More than a dozen gentlemen, wh

d several voices, their speakers wringing h

rm in his own, and leading him away from a scene of distr

which they had just before suffered;-"I am nothing of a fatalist, but I ought not to feel the least surprise at this issue, for I have long had a settled conviction th

it does not follow that the

how much I owe to your kindness and sympathy!" sa

me Heaven! I would not lose your friendship for the world; I feel it a greater ho

De la Zouch, as far as worldly circumstances ar

that way; I am hurt beyond measure at your supp

lue of your friendship-more val

s, indeed, is safe from such a calamity? But who would bear it with

, with an air of mingled melancholy and resolution. "I feel an inexpressible consolation in the reflection, that I cannot charge myself with

so desponding

ack as midnight-but what is it to the valley of the shadow of death, dear Lord De la Zouch, which is before all of us, and at but a littl

brey!" exclaimed Lord De la

tive city, glittering in the soft sunlight of evening, where are the cherished objects of all his tenderest thoughts and feelings; while his vessel is rapidly bearing him from it, amid the rising wind, the increasing and ominous swell of the waters, the thickening gloom of night-whither? The Minster clock struck ten as he passed one of the corners of the vast majestic structure, gray-glistening in the faint moonlight. The melodious chimes echoed in his ear, and smote his subdued soul with a sense of peculiar solemnity and awe; they forced upon him a reflection upon the transient littleness of earthly things. Then he thought of those dear beings who were awaiting his return, and a gush of grief and tenderness overflowed his heart, as he quickened his steps, with an inward and fervent prayer that Heaven would support them under the misfortune which had befallen them. As he neared the retired row of houses where his lodgings were situated, he imagined that he saw some one near the door, as if on the look-out for his approach; and who, as he drew nearer, suddenly entered them, and closed the door. This was a person whom Mr. Aubrey did not at all suspect-it was his worthy friend Dr. Tatham; who, unable to qu

laimed in a breath. "Thank God, it is over at last-and we know the worst

with which you bear the result. And how are you, my excellent friend?" continued he, addressing Dr. Tatham, and grasping his hands; "my venerable and pious friend-h

ends in view, though we see not nor comprehend them! Faint not when you are rebuked of Him! If ye faint in the day of adversity, your

blessed am I in such a wife and sister!" A heavenly smile irradiated his pale features-and he cla

l enable us, if we pray for His assistance, to bear with equanimity our presen

Mr. Aubrey gave them a general account of what had occurred at the tr

g on the table?" inquired Mr. Aubrey

of each was beginning to give way before sheer bodily and mental exhaustion; and Dr. Tatham, observing it, rose to take his departure. It was arranged that the carriage should be at the door by eight o'clock in the morning, to convey them back to Yatton-and that Dr. Tatham should breakfast with them, and afterwards accompany

ind Gammon beforehand with him-bustled out of court, leaving Snap to pay the jury, settle the court-fees, collect the papers, and so forth. Both Quirk and Snap (as soon as the latter was at liberty) exhibited a courtesy towards Titmouse which had

ornered hat in his hand,) with a wearied air; and passing close by Titmouse, was honored by him with a very fine bow indeed-his Lordship not being, however, in the least aware of the fact-as he passed on to his carriage. The steps were drawn up; the door was closed; and amid a sharp blast of trumpets, the carriage drove slowly off, preceded and followed by the usual attendants. All this pomp and ceremony made a very deep impression upon the mind of Titmouse. "Ah," thought he, with a sudden sigh of mingled excitement and exhaustion-"who knows but I may be a judge some day? It's a devilish pleasant thing, I'm sure! What a fuss he must make wherever he goes! 'Pon my life, quite delightful!" As there was no coach to be had, Mr. Titmouse was forced to walk home, arm-in-arm with Mr. Quirk and Mr. Gammon, and followed, at a little distance, by a knot of persons, acquainted with his name and person, and feeling to

id Mr. Titmouse; and cold beef, sausages, fowl, ham, beefsteaks, and mutton-chops, were ordered to be in

get them," said she, as she set his candle on the drawe

d off, and walked about; then sat down; then danced about; then took off his coat; then threw himself on the bed again; hummed, whistled, and jumped up again-in a sort of wild ecstasy, or delirium. In short, it was plain that he was not master of himself. In fact, his little mind was agitated by the day's event, like as wou

5th Apr

chief gentlemen of the county, have within this last hour returned a verdict in favor of our friend, Mr. Titmouse-thereby declaring him entitled to the whole of the estates at Yatton, (ten thousand a-year rent-roll, at least,) and, by consequence, to an immense accumulation of bygone rents, which must be made up to him by his predecessor, who, with all his

persuaded, must ever feel a warm interest in our client's welfare. He is now, naturally enough, much excited with his extraordinary good fortune, to which we are only too proud and happy to have contributed by our humble, but strenuous and long-continued exertions. He begs me to e

y Ga

Tag-Ra

&c.

husiasm. At length old Mr. Quirk, after by turns laughing, crying, singing, and talking, leaned back in his chair, with his half-emptied tumbler of brandy and water in his hand, and fell fast asleep. Gammon also, in spite of all he could do, began-the deuce take it!-to feel and exhibit the effects of a hasty and hearty meal, and his very unusual potations, especially after such long abstinence and intense anxiety as he had experienced during the previous two days. He had intended to have seen all his companions under the table; but he began gradually to feel a want of control over himself, his thoughts, and feelings, which a little disquieted him, as he now and then caught glimpses of the extent to which it was proceeding. "In vino veritas," properly translated, means-that when a man is fairly under the influence of liquor, you see a strong manifestation of his real character. The vain man is vainer; the voluble, more voluble; the morose, more morose; the passionate, more passionate; the detractor, more detracting; the sycophant, more sycophantic, and so forth. Now Mr. Gammon was a cold, cautious, long-headed schemer, and as the fumes of liquor mounted up into his head, they did but increase the action and intensity of those qualities for which, when sober, he was so pre-eminently distinguished; only that there was a half-conscious want of coherency and subordination. The impulse and the habit were present; but there seemed also a strange disturbing force: in short-what is the use of disguising matters?-Mr. Gammon was getting very drunk;

, as soon as Gammon had quitted the room in the manner above described-"Mr. Qu

t he was so soon to have the command of unlimited means, unless indeed the envious fates should in the mean time interpose to dash the brimful cup from his eager lips,) he was becoming more and more accustomed to the effects of drink; which had, up to the moment

ed the rattle out of the poor creature's hand, and sprang it loudly. This brought several other old watchmen from different quarters; and aged numbers prevailing against youthful spirit-the two gentlemen, after a considerable scuffle, were overpowered and conveyed to the cage. Snap having muttered something about demanding to look at the warrant, and then about an action for malicious arrest and false imprisonment, sank on a form, and then down upon the floor, and fell fast asleep. Titmouse for a while showed a very resolute front, and swore a great many oaths, that he would fight the Boots at the inn for five shillings, if he dared show himself; but all of a sudden, his spirit collapsed, as it were, and he sank on the floor, and was grievously indisposed for some hours. About nine o'clock, the contents of the cage-viz. Snap, Titmouse, two farmers' boys who had been caught stealing cakes, an old beggar, and a young pickpocket-were conveyed before the Lord Mayor to answer for their several misdeeds. Snap was wofully crestfallen. He had sent for the landlord of the inn where they had put up, to come, on their behalf, to the Mansion-house; but he told Quirk of the message he had received. Mr. Quirk, finding that Gammon could not leave his room through severe indisposition-the very first time that Mr. Quirk had ever seen or heard of his being so overtaken-set off, in a very mortified and angry mood, in quest of his hopeful client and junior partner. They were in a truly dismal pickle. Titmouse pale as death, his clothes disordered, and a part of his shirt-collar torn off; Snap sat beside him with a sheepish air, seeming scarce able to keep his eyes open. At him Mr. Quirk looked with keen indignation, but spoke neither to him, nor on his behalf. For Titmouse, however, he expressed great commiseration, and entreated his Lordship to overlook the little misconduct of which he (Titmouse) in a moment of extreme excitement, had been guilty, on condition of his making amends for the injury, both to person and property, of which

er inside, the latter outside-having paid most of the witnesses, leaving the remainder, together with their own expenses at the inn, to be settled by Mr. Gammon-set off for town by the two o'clock coach. It was, indeed, high time for them to return; for the oppressed inmates of Newgate were getting wild on account of the protracted absence of their kind and confidential advisers. When they left, both Gammon and Titmouse were in bed. The former, however, began to revive, shortly after the wheels of the coach which conveyed away his respected copartners, and the sound of the guard's horn, had ceased to be heard; and about an hour afterwards he descended from his room, a great deal the better for the duties of the toilet, and a bottle of soda-water with a little brandy in it. A cup of strong tea, and a slice or two of dry toast, set him entirely to rights-and then

towards the river; along whose quiet and pleasing banks they walked for nearly a couple of hours in close conversation; during which, Gammon, by repeated and various efforts, succeeded in producing an impression on Titmouse's mind, that the good fortune which seemed now within his reach, had been secured for him by the enterprise, skill, and caution of him, Mr. Gammon, only; who would, moreover, continue to devote himself to Mr. Titmo

duals now walking slowly, arm-in-arm, beside the sweet Ouse; and supposing one to have designs upon the other-disposed to

tly after their return from their walk, they sat down to dinner; and Gammon, with a cheerful air, ordered a bottle of champagne, of which he drank about a glass and a half, and Titmouse the remainder. That put him into a humor to take more wine, without much pressing; and he swallowed, in rapid succession, a glass of ale, and seven or eight glasses of red-hot port and fiery sherry. By this time, he had forgotten all about the ball, and clamored for brandy and water. Gammon, however, saw that his end was answered. Poor Titmouse was soon reduced to a state of helplessness

great lion there, exhibiting for a short time only, who also had wished to see the little lion, and expressed keen regrets that it was not there according to appointment. The great lion was Mr. Quicksilver, who had stepped in for about half an hour, merely to show himself; and when he heard of the expected arrival of his little client, it occurred to Mr. Quicksilver, who could see several inches beyond by no means a short nose, that Mr. Titmouse had gained a verdict which would very soon make him patron of the borough of Yatton-that he probably would not think of sitting for the borough himself, and that a little public civility bestowed upon Mr. Titmouse, by the great Mr. Quicksilver, one of the counsel to whose splendid exertions he was indebted for his all, might be, as it were, bread thrown upon the waters, to be found after many days. It was true that Mr. Quicksilver, in a bitter stream of eloquent invective, had repeatedly denounced the system of close and "r

y, they will disappear utterly, and that on which your eye is fixed will seem alone in its glory-sole star in the firmament. Something of this kind happened to Mr. Gammon when on the walls of York-now slowly, then rapidly walking, now standing, then sitting; all the objects which generally occupied his thoughts faded away, before one on which his mind's eye was then fixed with unwavering intensity-the image of Miss Aubrey. The golden fruit that was on the eve of dropping into the hands of the firm-ten thousand pounds-the indefinite and varied advantages to himself, personally, to which their recent successes might be turned, all vanis

tay-he really is in love with Miss Aubrey-that I know;-ah! I can turn it to good purpose; it will give me, by the way, a hold upon the little fool; I will make him believe that through my means he may obtain Miss Aubrey! Misery may make her accessible; I can easily bring myself into contact with them, in their distress; for there are the mesne profits-the mesne profits! Heavens! how glorious, but how dreadful an engine are they! They will help to batter down the high wall of pride that surrounds them and her; but it will require infinite care and tact in the use of such an engine! I will be all delicacy-gentleness-generosity; I will appear friendly to her, and to her brother; and, if needs must be, why he must be crushed. There is no help for it. He looks