The Fortunes of Nigel

Chapter 17

"Your lordship," said Reginald Lowestoffe, "must be content to

exchange your decent and court-beseeming rapier, which I will retain

in safe keeping, for this broadsword, with an hundredweight of rusty

iron about the hilt, and to wear these huge-paned slops, instead of

your civil and moderate hose. We allow no cloak, for your ruffian

always walks in _cuerpo_; and the tarnished doublet of bald velvet,

with its discoloured embroidery, and--I grieve to speak it--a few

stains from the blood of the grape, will best suit the garb of a

roaring boy. I will leave you to change your suit for an instant, till

I can help to truss you."

Lowestoffe retired, while slowly, and with hesitation, Nigel obeyed

his instructions. He felt displeasure and disgust at the scoundrelly

disguise which he was under the necessity of assuming; but when he

considered the bloody consequences which law attached to his rash act

of violence, the easy and indifferent temper of James, the prejudices

of his son, the overbearing influence of the Duke of Buckingham, which

was sure to be thrown into the scale against him; and, above all, when

he reflected that he must now look upon the active, assiduous, and

insinuating Lord Dalgarno, as a bitter enemy, reason told him he was

in a situation of peril which authorised all honest means, even the

most unseemly in outward appearance, to extricate himself from so

dangerous a predicament.

While he was changing his dress, and musing on these particulars, his

friendly host re-entered the sleeping apartment--"Zounds!" he said,

"my lord, it was well you went not straight into that same Alsatia of

ours at the time you proposed, for the hawks have stooped upon it.

Here is Jem come back with tidings, that he saw a pursuivant there

with a privy-council warrant, and half a score of yeomen assistants,

armed to the teeth, and the horn which we heard was sounded to call

out the posse of the Friars. Indeed, when old Duke Hildebrod saw that

the quest was after some one of whom he knew nothing, he permitted,

out of courtesy, the man-catcher to search through his dominions,

quite certain that they would take little by their motions; for Duke

Hildebrod is a most judicious potentate.--Go back, you bastard, and

bring us word when all is quiet."

"And who may Duke Hildebrod be?" said Lord Glenvarloch.

"Nouns! my lord," said the Templar, "have you lived so long on the

town, and never heard of the valiant, and as wise and politic as

valiant, Duke Hildebrod, grand protector of the liberties of Alsatia?

I thought the man had never whirled a die but was familiar with his

fame."

"Yet I have never heard of him, Master Lowestoffe," said Lord

Glenvarloch; "or, what is the same thing, I have paid no attention to

aught that may have passed in conversation respecting him."

"Why, then," said Lowestoffe--"but, first, let me have the honour of

trussing you. Now, observe, I have left several of the points untied,

of set purpose; and if it please you to let a small portion of your

shirt be seen betwixt your doublet and the band of your upper stock,

it will have so much the more rakish effect, and will attract you

respect in Alsatia, where linen is something scarce. Now, I tie some

of the points carefully asquint, for your ruffianly gallant never

appears too accurately trussed--so."

"Arrange it as you will, sir," said Nigel; "but let me hear at least

something of the conditions of the unhappy district into which, with

other wretches, I am compelled to retreat."

"Why, my lord," replied the Templar, "our neighbouring state of

Alsatia, which the law calls the Sanctuary of White-friars, has had

its mutations and revolutions like greater kingdoms; and, being in

some sort a lawless, arbitrary government, it follows, of course, that

these have been more frequent than our own better regulated

commonwealth of the Templars, that of Gray's Inn, and other similar

associations, have had the fortune to witness. Our traditions and

records speak of twenty revolutions within the last twelve years, in

which the aforesaid state has repeatedly changed from absolute

despotism to republicanism, not forgetting the intermediate stages of

oligarchy, limited monarchy, and even gynocracy; for I myself remember

Alsatia governed for nearly nine months by an old fish-woman. 'I hen

it fell under the dominion of a broken attorney, who was dethroned by

a reformado captain, who, proving tyrannical, was deposed by a

hedgeparson, who was succeeded, upon resignation of his power, by Duke

Jacob Hildebrod, of that name the first, whom Heaven long preserve."

"And is this potentate's government," said Lord Glenvarloch, forcing

himself to take some interest in the conversation, "of a despotic

character?"

"Pardon me, my lord," said the Templar; "this said sovereign is too

wise to incur, like many of his predecessors, the odium of wielding so

important an authority by his own sole will. He has established a

council of state, who regularly meet for their morning's draught at

seven o'clock; convene a second time at eleven for their _ante-

meridiem_, or whet; and, assembling in solemn conclave at the hour of

two afternoon, for the purpose of consulting for the good of the

commonwealth, are so prodigal of their labour in the service of the

state, that they seldom separate before midnight. Into this worthy

senate, composed partly of Duke Hildebrod's predecessors in his high

office, whom he has associated with him to prevent the envy attending

sovereign and sole authority, I must presently introduce your

lordship, that they may admit you to the immunities of the Friars, and

assign you a place of residence."

"Does their authority extend to such regulation?" said Lord

Glenvarloch.

"The council account it a main point of their privileges, my lord,"

answered Lowestoffe; "and, in fact, it is one of the most powerful

means by which they support their authority. For when Duke Ilildebrod

and his senate find a topping householder in the Friars becomes

discontented and factious, it is but assigning him, for a lodger, some

fat bankrupt, or new lesidenter, whose circumstances require refuge,

and whose purse can pay for it, and the malecontent becomes as

tractable as a lamb. As for the poorer refugees, they let them shift

as they can; but the registration of their names in the Duke's entry-

book, and the p*****t of garnish conforming to their circumstances, is

never dispensed with; and the Friars would be a very unsafe residence

for the stranger who should dispute these points of jurisdiction."

"Well, Master Lowestoffe," said Lord Glenvarloch, "I must be

controlled by the circumstances which dictate to me this state of

concealment--of course, I am desirous not to betray my name and rank."

"It will be highly advisable, my lord," said Lowestoffe; "and is a

case thus provided for in the statutes of the republic, or monarchy,

or whatsoever you call it.--He who desires that no questions shall be

asked him concerning his name, cause of refuge, and the like, may

escape the usual interrogations upon p*****t of double the garnish

otherwise belonging to his condition. Complying with this essential

stipulation, your lordship may register yourself as King of Bantam if

you will, for not a question will be asked of you.--But here comes our

scout, with news of peace and tranquillity. Now, I will go with your

lordship myself, and present you to the council of Alsatia, with all

the influence which I have over them as an office-bearer in the

Temple, which is not slight; for they have come halting off upon all

occasions when we have taken part against them, and that they well

know. The time is propitious, for as the council is now met in

Alsatia, so the Temple walks are quiet. Now, my lord, throw your cloak

about you, to hide your present exterior. You shall give it to the boy

at the foot of the stairs that go down to the Sanctuary; and as the

ballad says that Queen Eleanor sunk at Charing Cross and rose at

Queenhithe, so you shall sink a nobleman in the Temple Gardens, and

rise an Alsatian at Whitefriars."

They went out accordingly, attended by the little scout, traversed the

gardens, descended the stairs, and at the bottom the young Templar

exclaimed,--"And now let us sing, with Ovid,

'In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas--'

Off, off, ye lendings!" he continued, in the same vein. "Via, the

curtain that shadowed Borgia!--But how now, my lord?" he continued,

when he observed Lord Glenvarloch was really distressed at the

degrading change in his situation, "I trust you are not offended at my

rattling folly? I would but reconcile you to your present

circumstances, and give you the tone of this strange place. Come,

cheer up; I trust it will only be your residence for a very few days."

Nigel was only able to press his hand, and reply in a whisper, "I am

sensible of your kindness. I know I must drink the cup which my own

folly has filled for me. Pardon me, that, at the first taste, I feel

its bitterness."

Reginald Lowestoffe was bustlingly officious and good-natured; but,

used to live a scrambling, rakish course of life himself, he had not

the least idea of the extent of Lord Glenvarloch's mental sufferings,

and thought of his temporary concealment as if it were merely the

trick of a wanton boy, who plays at hide-and-seek with his tutor. With

the appearance of the place, too, he was familiar--but on his

companion it produced a deep sensation.

The ancient Sanctuary at Whitefriars lay considerably lower than the

elevated terraces and gardens of the Temple, and was therefore

generally involved in the damps and fogs arising from the Thames. The

brick buildings by which it was occupied, crowded closely on each

other, for, in a place so rarely privileged, every foot of ground was

valuable; but, erected in many cases by persons whose funds were

inadequate to their speculations, the houses were generally

insufficient, and exhibited the lamentable signs of having become

ruinous while they were yet new. The wailing of children, the scolding

of their mothers, the miserable exhibition of ragged linens hung from

the windows to dry, spoke the wants and distresses of the wretched

inhabitants; while the sounds of complaint were mocked and overwhelmed

in the riotous shouts, oaths, profane songs, and boisterous laughter,

that issued from the alehouses and taverns, which, as the signs

indicated, were equal in number to all the other houses; and, that the

full character of the place might be evident, several faded, tinselled

and painted females, looked boldly at the strangers from their open

lattices, or more modestly seemed busied with the cracked flower-pots,

filled with mignonette and rosemary, which were disposed in front of

the windows, to the great risk of the passengers.

"_Semi-reducta Venus_," said the Templar, pointing to one of these

nymphs, who seemed afraid of observation, and partly concealed herself

behind the casement, as she chirped to a miserable blackbird, the

tenant of a wicker prison, which hung outside on the black brick

wall.--"I know the face of yonder waistcoateer," continued the guide;

"and I could wager a rose-noble, from the posture she stands in, that

she has clean head-gear and a soiled night-rail.--But here come two of

the male inhabitants, smoking like moving volcanoes! These are roaring

blades, whom Nicotia and Trinidado serve, I dare swear, in lieu of

beef and pudding; for be it known to you, my lord, that the king's

counter-blast against the Indian weed will no more pass current in

Alsatia than will his writ of _capias_."

As he spoke, the two smokers approached; shaggy, uncombed ruffians,

whose enormous mustaches were turned back over their ears, and mingled

with the wild elf-locks of their hair, much of which was seen under

the old beavers which they wore aside upon their heads, while some

straggling portion escaped through the rents of the hats aforesaid.

Their tarnished plush jerkins, large slops, or trunk-breeches, their

broad greasy shoulder-belts, and discoloured scarfs, and, above all,

the ostentatious manner in which the one wore a broad-sword and the

other an extravagantly long rapier and poniard, marked the true

Alsatian bully, then, and for a hundred years afterwards, a well-known

character.

"Tour out," said the one ruffian to the other; "tour the bien mort

twiring at the gentry cove!" [Footnote: Look sharp. See how the girl

is coquetting with the strange gallants!]

"I smell a spy," replied the other, looking at Nigel. "Chalk him

across the peepers with your cheery." [Footnote: s***h him over the

eyes with your dagger.]

"Bing avast, bing avast!" replied his companion; "yon other is

rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple--I know him; he is a good

boy, and free of the province."

So saying, and enveloping themselves in another thick cloud of smoke,

they went on without farther greeting.

"_Grasso in aere_!" said the Templar. "You hear what a character the

impudent knave gives me; but, so it serves your lordship's turn, I

care not.--And, now, let me ask your lordship what name you will

assume, for we are near the ducal palace of Duke Hildebrod."

"I will be called Grahame," said Nigel; "it was my mother's name."

"Grime," repeated the Templar, "will suit Alsatia well enough--both a

grim and grimy place of refuge."

"I said Grahame, sir, not Grime," said Nigel, something shortly, and

laying an emphasis on the vowel--for few Scotsmen understand raillery

upon the subject of their names.

"I beg pardon, my lord," answered the undisconcerted punster; "but

_Graam_ will suit the circumstance, too--it signifies tribulation in

the High Dutch, and your lordship must be considered as a man under

trouble."

Nigel laughed at the pertinacity of the Templar; who, proceeding to

point out a sign representing, or believed to represent, a dog

attacking a bull, and running at his head, in the true scientific

style of onset,--"There," said he, "doth faithful Duke Hildebrod deal

forth laws, as well as ale and strong waters, to his faithful

Alsatians. Being a determined champion of Paris Garden, he has chosen

a sign corresponding to his habits; and he deals in giving drink to

the thirsty, that he himself may drink without paying, and receive pay

for what is drunken by others.--Let us enter the ever-open gate of

this second Axylus."

As they spoke, they entered the dilapidated tavern, which was,

nevertheless, more ample in dimensions, and less ruinous, than many

houses in the same evil neighbourhood. Two or three haggard, ragged

drawers, ran to and fro, whose looks, like those of owls, seemed only

adapted for midnight, when other creatures sleep, and who by day

seemed bleared, stupid, and only half awake. Guided by one of these

blinking Ganymedes, they entered a room, where the feeble rays of the

sun were almost wholly eclipsed by volumes of tobacco-smoke, rolled

from the tubes of the company, while out of the cloudy sanctuary arose

the old chant of--

The well-beloved counsellors who surrounded the ducal throne, incensed

it with tobacco, pledged its occupier in thick clammy ale, and echoed

back his choral songs, were Satraps worthy of such a Soldan. The buff

jerkin, broad belt, and long sword of one, showed him to be a Low

Country soldier, whose look of scowling importance, and drunken

impudence, were designed to sustain his title to call himself a Roving

Blade. It seemed to Nigel that he had seen this fellow somewhere or

other. A hedge-parson, or buckle-beggar, as that order of priesthood

has been irreverently termed, sat on the Duke's left, and was easily

distinguished by his torn band, flapped hat, and the remnants of a

rusty cassock. Beside the parson sat a most wretched and meagre-

looking old man, with a threadbare hood of coarse kersey upon his

head, and buttoned about his neck, while his pinched features, like

those of old Daniel, were illuminated by

--"an eye,

Through the last look of dotage still cunning and sly."

On his left was placed a broken attorney, who, for some malpractices,

had been struck from the roll of practitioners, and who had nothing

left of his profession, except its roguery. One or two persons of less

figure, amongst whom there was one face, which, like that of the

soldier, seemed not unknown to Nigel, though he could not recollect

where he had seen it, completed the council-board of Jacob Duke

Hildebrod.

The strangers had full time to observe all this; for his grace the

Duke, whether irresistibly carried on by the full tide of harmony, or

whether to impress the strangers with a proper idea of his

consequence, chose to sing his ditty to an end before addressing them,

though, during the whole time, he closely scrutinized them with his

single optic.

When Duke Hildebrod had ended his song, he informed his Peers that a

worthy officer of the Temple attended them, and commanded the captain

and parson to abandon their easy chairs in behalf of the two

strangers, whom he placed on his right and left hand. The worthy

representative of the army and the church of Alsatia went to place

themselves on a crazy form at the bottom of the table, which, ill

calculated to sustain men of such weight, gave way under them, and the

man of the sword and man of the gown were rolled over each other on

the floor, amidst the exulting shouts of the company. They arose in

wrath, contending which should vent his displeasure in the loudest and

deepest oaths, a strife in which the parson's superior acquaintance

with theology enabled him greatly to excel the captain, and were at

length with difficulty tranquillised by the arrival of the alarmed

waiters with more stable chairs, and by a long draught of the cooling

tankard. When this commotion was appeased, and the strangers

courteously accommodated with flagons, after the fashion of the others

present, the Duke drank prosperity to the Temple in the most gracious

manner, together with a cup of welcome to Master Reginald Lowestoffe;

and, this courtesy having been thankfully accepted, the party honoured

prayed permission to call for a gallon of Rhenish, over which he

proposed to open his business.

The mention of a liquor so superior to their usual potations had an

instant and most favourable effect upon the little senate; and its

immediate appearance might be said to secure a favourable reception of

Master Lowestoffe's proposition, which, after a round or two had

circulated, he explained to be the admission of his friend Master

Nigel Grahame to the benefit of the sanctuary and other immunities of

Alsatia, in the character of a grand compounder; for so were those

termed who paid a double fee at their matriculation, in order to avoid

laying before the senate the peculiar circumstances which compelled

them to take refuge there.

The worthy Duke heard the proposition with glee, which glittered in

his single eye; and no wonder, as it was a rare occurrence, and of

peculiar advantage to his private revenue. Accordingly, he commanded

his ducal register to be brought him, a huge book, secured with brass

clasps like a merchant's ledger, and whose leaves, stained with wine,

and slabbered with tobacco juice, bore the names probably of as many

rogues as are to be found in the Calendar of Newgate.

Nigel was then directed to lay down two nobles as his ransom, and to

claim privilege by reciting the following doggerel verses, which were

dictated to him by the Duke:--

As Duke Hildebrod with a tremulous hand began to make the entry, and

had already, with superfluous generosity, spelled Nigel with two g's

instead of one, he was interrupted by the parson. [Footnote: This

curious register is still in existence, being in possession of that

eminent antiquary, Dr. Dryasdust, who liberally offered the author

permission to have the autograph of Duke Hildebrod engraved as an

illustration of this passage. Unhappily, being rigorous as Ritson

himself in adhering to the very letter of his copy, the worthy Doctor

clogged his munificence with the condition that we should adopt the

Duke's orthography, and entitle the work "The Fortunes of Niggle,"

with which stipulation we did not think it necessary to comply.] This

reverend gentleman had been whispering for a minute or two, not with

the captain, but with that other individual, who dwelt imperfectly, as

we have already mentioned, in Nigel's memory, and being, perhaps,

still something malecontent on account of the late accident, he now

requested to be heard before the registration took place.

"The person," he said, "who hath now had the assurance to propose

himself as a candidate for the privileges and immunities of this

honourable society, is, in plain terms, a beggarly Scot, and we have

enough of these locusts in London already--if we admit such palmer-

worms and caterpillars to the Sanctuary, we shall soon have the whole

nation."

"We are not entitled to inquire," said Duke Hildebrod, "whether he be

Scot, or French, or English; seeing he has honourably laid down his

garnish, he is entitled to our protection."

"Word of denial, most Sovereign Duke," replied the parson, "I ask him

no questions--his speech betrayeth him--he is a Galilean--and his

garnish is forfeited for his assurance in coming within this our

realm; and I call on you, Sir Duke, to put the laws in force against

him!"

The Templar here rose, and was about to interrupt the deliberations of

the court, when the Duke gravely assured him that he should be heard

in behalf of his friend, so soon as the council had finished their

deliberations.

The attorney next rose, and, intimating that he was to speak to the

point of law, said--"It was easy to be seen that this gentleman did

not come here in any civil case, and that he believed it to be the

story they had already heard of concerning a blow given within the

verge of the Park--that the Sanctuary would not bear out the offender

in such case--and that the queer old Chief would send down a broom

which would sweep the streets of Alsatia from the Strand to the

Stairs; and it was even policy to think what evil might come to their

republic, by sheltering an alien in such circumstances."

The captain, who had sat impatiently while these opinions were

expressed, now sprung on his feet with the vehemence of a cork

bouncing from a bottle of brisk beer, and, turning up his mustaches

with a martial air, cast a glance of contempt on the lawyer and

churchman, while he thus expressed his opinion.

"Most noble Duke Hildebrod! When I hear such base, skeldering,

coistril propositions come from the counsellors of your grace, and

when I remember the Huffs, the Muns, and the Tityretu's by whom your

grace's ancestors and predecessors were advised on such occasions, I

begin to think the spirit of action is as dead in Alsatia as in my old

grannam; and yet who thinks so thinks a lie, since I will find as many

roaring boys in the Friars as shall keep the liberties against all the

scavengers of Westminster. And, if we should be overborne for a turn,

death and darkness! have we not time to send the gentleman off by

water, either to Paris Garden or to the bankside? and, if he is a

gallant of true breed, will he not make us full amends for all the

trouble we have? Let other societies exist by the law, I say that we

brisk boys of the Fleet live in spite of it; and thrive best when we

are in right opposition to sign and seal, writ and warrant, sergeant

and tipstaff, catchpoll, and bum-bailey."

This speech was followed by a murmur of approbation, and Lowestoffe,

striking in before the favourable sound had subsided, reminded the

Duke and his council how much the security of their state depended

upon the amity of the Templars, who, by closing their gates, could at

pleasure shut against the Alsatians the communication betwixt the

Friars and the Temple, and that as they conducted themselves on this

occasion, so would they secure or lose the benefit of his interest

with his own body, which they knew not to be inconsiderable. "And, in

respect of my friend being a Scotsman and alien, as has been observed

by the reverend divine and learned lawyer, you are to consider," said

Lowestoffe, "for what he is pursued hither--why, for giving the

bastinado, not to an Englishman, but to one of his own countrymen. And

for my own simple part," he continued, touching Lord Glenvarloch at

the same time, to make him understand he spoke but in jest, "if all

the Scots in London were to fight a Welsh main, and kill each other to

a man, the survivor would, in my humble opinion, be entitled to our

gratitude, as having done a most acceptable service to poor Old

England."

A shout of laughter and applause followed this ingenious apology for

the client's state of alienage; and the Templar followed up his plea

with the following pithy proposition:--"I know well," said he, "it is

the custom of the fathers of this old and honourable republic, ripely

and well to consider all their proceedings over a proper allowance of

liquor; and far be it from me to propose the breach of so laudable a

custom, or to pretend that such an affair as the present can be well

and constitutionally considered during the discussion of a pitiful

gallon of Rhenish. But, as it is the same thing to this honourable

conclave whether they drink first and determine afterwards, or whether

they determine first and drink afterwards, I propose your grace, with

the advice of your wise and potent senators, shall pass your edict,

granting to mine honourable friend the immunities of the place, and

assigning him a lodging, according to your wise forms, to which he

will presently retire, being somewhat spent with this day's action;

whereupon I will presently order you a rundlet of Rhenish, with a

corresponding quantity of neats' tongues and pickled herrings, to make

you all as glorious as George-a-Green."

This overture was received with a general shout of applause, which

altogether drowned the voice of the dissidents, if any there were

amongst the Alsatian senate who could have resisted a proposal so

popular. The words of, kind heart! noble gentleman! generous gallant!

flew from mouth to mouth; the inscription of the petitioner's name in

the great book was hastily completed, and the oath administered to him

by the worthy Doge. Like the Laws of the Twelve Tables, of the ancient

Cambro-Britons, and other primitive nations, it was couched in poetry,

and ran as follows:-

Nigel felt, and indeed exhibited, some disgust at this mummery; but,

the Templar reminding him that he was too far advanced to draw back,

he repeated the words, or rather assented as they were repeated by

Duke Hildebrod, who concluded the ceremony by allowing him the

privilege of sanctuary, in the following form of prescriptive

doggerel:--

This homily being performed, a dispute arose concerning the special

residence to be assigned the new brother of the Sanctuary; for, as the

Alsatians held it a maxim in their commonwealth, that ass's milk

fattens, there was usually a competition among the inhabitants which

should have the managing, as it was termed, of a new member of the

society.

The Hector who had spoken so warmly and critically in Nigel's behalf,

stood out now chivalrously in behalf of a certain Blowselinda, or

Bonstrops, who had, it seems, a room to hire, once the occasional

residence of Slicing d**k of Paddington, who lately suffered at

Tyburn, and whose untimely exit had been hitherto mourned by the

damsel in solitary widowhood, after the fashion of the turtle-dove.

The captain's interest was, however, overruled, in behalf of the old

gentleman in the kersey hood, who was believed, even at his extreme

age, to understand the plucking of a pigeon, as well, or better, than

any man in Alsatia.

This venerable personage was an usurer of notoriety, called Trapbois,

and had very lately done the state considerable service in advancing a

subsidy necessary to secure a fresh importation of liquors to the

Duke's cellars, the wine-merchant at the Vintry being scrupulous to

deal with so great a man for any thing but ready money.

When, therefore, the old gentleman arose, and with much coughing,

reminded the Duke that he had a poor apartment to let, the claims of

all others were set aside, and Nigel was assigned to Trapbois as his

guest.

No sooner was this arrangement made, than Lord Glenvarloch expressed

to Lowestoffe his impatience to leave this discreditable assembly, and

took his leave with a careless haste, which, but for the rundlet of

Rhenish wine that entered just as he left the apartment, might have

been taken in bad part. The young Templar accompanied his friend to

the house of the old usurer, with the road to which he and some other

youngsters about the Temple were even but too well acquainted. On the

way, he assured Lord Glenvarloch that he was going to the only clean

house in Whitefriars; a property which it owed solely to the exertions

of the old man's only daughter, an elderly damsel, ugly enough to

frighten sin, yet likely to be wealthy enough to tempt a puritan, so

soon as the devil had got her old dad for his due. As Lowestoffe spoke

thus, they knocked at the door of the house, and the sour stern

countenance of the female by whom it was opened, fully confirmed all

that the Templar had said of the hostess. She heard with an ungracious

and discontented air the young Templar's information, that the

gentleman, his companion, was to be her father's lodger, muttered

something about the trouble it was likely to occasion, but ended by

showing the stranger's apartment, which was better than could have

been augured from the general appearance of the place, and much larger

in extent than that which he occupied at Paul's Wharf, though inferior

to it in neatness.

Lowestoffe, having thus seen his friend fairly installed in his new

apartment, and having obtained for him a note of the rate at which he

could be accommodated with victuals from a neighbouring cook's shop,

now took his leave, offering, at the same time, to send the whole, or

any part of Lord Glenvarloch's baggage, from his former place of

residence to his new lodging. Nigel mentioned so few articles, that

the Templar could not help observing, that his lordship, it would

seem, did not intend to enjoy his new privileges long.

"They are too little suited to my habits and taste, that I should do

so," replied Lord Glenvarloch.

"You may change your opinion to-morrow," said Lowestoffe; "and so I

wish you a good even. To-morrow I will visit you betimes."

The morning came, but instead of the Templar, it brought only a letter

from him. The epistle stated, that Lowestoffe's visit to Alsatia had

drawn down the animadversions of some crabbed old pantaloons among the

benchers, and that he judged it wise not to come hither at present,

for fear of attracting too much attention to Lord Glenvarloch's place

of residence. He stated, that he had taken measures for the safety of

his baggage, and would send him, by a safe hand, his money-casket, and

what articles he wanted. Then followed some sage advices, dictated by

Lowestoffe's acquaintance with Alsatia and its manners. He advised him

to keep the usurer in the most absolute uncertainty concerning the

state of his funds-never to throw a main with the captain, who was in

the habit of playing dry-fisted, and paying his losses with three

vowels; and, finally, to beware of Duke Hildebrod, who was as sharp,

he said, as a needle, though he had no more eyes than are possessed by

that necessary implement of female industry.