Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

From the Knickerbocker Magazine.

Rouge et Noir.

A PENCIL SKETCH OF A NIGHT SCENE IN
LONDON.

[ocr errors]

ner of the brass rimmed fender, luxuriously commenced its perusal. It is impossi ble for me to say how long I had been thus occupied-for I was too much absorbed in my subject to take note of time -when I was interrupted by a light hesi The motives which induced me, in the tating tap at the door of my room. Supyear 18, to embark in the good ship posing that my landlady, who occasionalThunderbolt, Captain Driver, bound from ly called to have a chat and a glass of New Orleans to London, as they in no brandy toddy with me as she 'progressed' way bear upon what I have to relate, to her domitory in the fourth story, was would be of little interest to the reader. doubtfully speculating on the possibility of To detail the occurrences of the voyage, my being awake, and the contingency of would be supererogatory, as well as ir- the brandy toddy, I immediately respondrelevant--for the regular routine of squalls, ed with a loud sonorous, "Come in!" calms, and head winds-the heaving of Straightway the latch was noiselessly turnthe vessel, and the corresponding and sym-ed, the hinges, guiltless of their usual dis pathetic heavings of the passenger's dia- cordant creak, oleaginously revolved, and phragms-the glories of a marine sunset slowly entered-not my bustling lady, nor, the scintilating magnificence of Ocean's alas! any other lady but a tall, pale, eleconstellated mirror, when, on a calm, moon- gant elderly man, with hat in hand, and light, and starlight night, the tall bark, that perfect self-possession and consumwith her drooping drapery unstitred by a mate tact of manner, which enable a man single zephyr, seemed as if floating on an of the world to cloak the most infernal inverted firmament, with all its gems un-impudence of act, with the semblance of fixed and quivering-the various devices polite and friendly attention.. More inte for expelling sea ennui-the first sight of resting particulars, connected with this inland, and the last sight of water-are they dividual, have blotted from my memory not all written in the journal of-every all reminiscences of the minutiae of his emigrating individual who has committed costume. I can only partially enlighten the sin of print? the curious in such matters, by stating,

[ocr errors]

Referring the reader, therefore, who is that it was either black, or invisible green, fond of sentimental yarns, and cockney and as decidedly recherche and tonnish, as descriptions, to the pages of such journal- if Baron Stultz had turned out the coat, ists, I beg he will substitute their reminis- and that noble and his fashionable artiste, cences for mine, and do me the favor to the Earl of Harrington, had shaped' the make his first acquaintance with me on unspeakables. Advancing to the table solid land. near which I sat, the stranger bowed

I do not recollect precisely the time I gracefully, and in a voice, whose tones had been in London--probably about a were indescribably musical and insinuafortnight-when one night, on returning ting, observed: from the King's Theatre, where I had been

I believe I have the pleasure of seeing to witness the opera of Der Freischutz, I Major Goethe Mysticott, of the U. States found, on entering the little parlor of my Army?'

snug lodgings in Northampton Square, a You have, Sir,' I replied, wondering late number of an English Magazine lying where the deuce he got his information: upon the table. Not feeling bedward in-pray, may I inquire whom I have the clined, I took it up, and finding it contain-pleasure of addressing?'

ed an article entitled Hells of London,' Oh! I am a very obscure individual,' which had caused a considerable sensa- said he, with an odd sort of emphasis on tion, but which I had not before seen, I the word 'obscure'-my name is of little. revivified the fire, (it was in November,) consequence.'.

snuffed the candles, swung the back of my In the Church, I presume?' said I, glancold-fashioned easy chair against the wall, ing at the clerical color of his garments, in the manner depreciated by Mrs. Trol- and thinking him for the moment some relope, and in placing my feet on one cor

ligious enthusiast, on' a crusade against a You are perfectly correct,' said the depravity of the age. stranger, calmly laying his hand on my Ahem-why not exactly, though arm, as, uttering the above elegant expleI feel a warm interest in some of its af tive, I was about to seize the poker: you fairs--the collection of tithes, for in-are perfectly correct.'

stance.'

Then leaning the table over, he whis Ah in the law perhaps?' suggested I, pered in my ear-no matter what-it was imagining from the significance of his last sufficient. observation that he came to serve a tithe process on my hostess.

Reader, have you ever been much at sea? If you have, you probably under'No, I never take, though I have been stand the meaning of the term 'taken accused of sometimes giving a retaining aback,' and are aware that the predicafee.' ment it denotes, is caused by a sudden and 'Of my own profession?' directly retrogade change of wind, which 'No, Sir; but I can well appreciate the sends the vessel, with a startling revulsion, glowing ardor of the spirit that burns for on her haunches, as it were, while every glory,' returned the stranger, with a slight sail, beam, plank, spar, and rope in her twitching of the corners of his mouth.. fabric, is quivering beneath the sudden 'Will your permit me to ask you what shock of the counteracting impulses. I is your profession?' I inquired, tartly, for was in a similar situation, on receiving the I felt nettled at the manner in which he stranger's whispered information, and sat evaded my leading questions, and deter for some moments with every nerve and mined to assume the tone peremptory. sinew paralysed,-every artery beating 'I'm Surveyor General,' said the stran- like the hammer of a fulling mill,-and ger, with a quiet smile. each 'particular hair twisting like a young ?' (my black snake, with exquisite horror. The bland tones of the intruder's voice, however, soon, in some measure, re-assured

'Do you wish to see Mrs. landlady.)

'No, Sir.'

I presume you have business with some me; and I ventured to steal a look toward

of my fellow lodgers?'

'Yes, Sir.'

'May I inquire with whom?"

'With all, Sir.'

his lower extremities, in order to ascertain if his feet had any little peculiarities' about them.

[ocr errors]

The D-1,I mean the stranger,'Well, have the goodness to despatch laughed, as he observed the direction of any you may have with me, as expedi- my eyes, and tapping his exquisitely potiously as possible.' lished boots with a long, tapering, flexible Humph!-few people who deal with black cane, which he held in his hand exme are in such a hurry, Major Mysticott; claimed: but you'll perhaps not be so impatient, • Pshaw!--you'll see nothing of that. when you know me better.' Hob, made these Wellington's. I asked I say stranger,' exclaimed I, waxing him, when he was measuring me, if he wroth at his cool, imperturable, though could hide the deformity of a club-foot. still courteous demeanor: I suppose you Yes,' said the fashionable artiste, with think it's a devilish fine joke to walk into confident nonchalance, though it was the a gentleman's private apartment, at this D-l's own.' He little thought-but no hour of the night, without stating who you matter. The boots are sans reproche.' are, or where you come from.'

'Devilish fine.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

That's a neat cane you have,' said I, in a tremulous' semi-tone, more for the sake

You do, hey? Well, then, if you don't of trying if my tongue would perform its enlighten me on these two points, within office, than any thing else.

6

as many minutes, I shall take the liberty Yes, he replied, handing me the beforeof kicking you down stairs:' mentioned long, black, flexible, tapering Where do I come from? I think you riding rod: but, Yankee as you are said, Major: now don't you think you could mean no disrespect-I don't think you'll ever guess what it's made of.".

guess?'

'Dn! Sir.'

Whalebone?'

Hippotamus hide?'

'No.'

'No.'

'India rnbber?'.

'No.

What is it then?'.

My tail.'

Ishow you how the most bare-faced villainy flourishes almost within the precints of a court."

During the last few moments, I had been invigorating, and bracing my somewhat relaxed courage, with two regular Northwesters,' from a decanter of brandy which stood on the table, and I now felt fully

Your t-t-ta-tail" stammered I, drop- primed for any thing.. ping it with precipitation.

Allons, strånger,' I exclaimed,' as I threw Yes,' said the narrator of this extra- a huge Spanish cloak carelessly over my ordinary fact, gravely. Yes: I found it shoulders, and snatching up my hat; stood inconvenient in society. Old habits are ready to attend him-allons, my old boy,' difficult to eradicate, and I had been so I continued, putting on my. chapeau, with long accustomed to wag it at my ease in an emphasis, and giving it a 'devil-mayown dominions, that I was unable to care' slap on the crown, as much as, resist the propensity here. It had an odd say, Who's afraid?-d-me, let's to effect in company, and frequently led to go!

my

[ocr errors]

unpleasant eclaircissements;--so I deter- Having reached the street, we proceed mined to divest myself of so annoying an ed to the nearest hackney-coach station. appendage. Unwilling, however, to part There was but one vehicle on the stand. It with an old friend, I had it, as you per- was a miserable, broken-springed affair, ceive, mounted with gold, and it really to which were attached two shadowy makes a very stylish rattan.' caricatures of horses, whose locomotive"

[ocr errors]

At this point of the colloquy, St. Paul's power, compared to the vis inertia of the clock struck one, and was immediately unwieldly, shattered machine behind them, responded to, in every variety of tone, seemed as nothing to infinity. Their heads, from the innumerable steeples that seem divested of bridles, were turned toward to take their cue from his patriarchal the empty seat of the driver, and there' was a touching expression of hopeless

chime."

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

It's getting late,' observed the gentle-hunger in their countenances, as they gazed man, and that reminds me of the object wistfully on the loose hay which formed of my visit. Do you feel any inclination its cushion: it was a Canaan they might to see one of the establishments of which not attain. My companion, however, you have been reading, in actual opera- displayed no sympathy for their sorrows. tion? If so, it will give me pleasure to be Hastily slipping on the bridles, he seized your cicerone.' the reins, motioned me to ascend the box, 'I should like it, of all things.' replied I, leaped up after me, and then taking a hesitatingly: that is, I should-I mean, it heavy whip from the top of the carriage, would give me pleasure-but-are there began to apply it with singular energy, per any-ahem!-any' severance and effect. Had any member Oh! make yourself easy,' said my visi- of the Society for the Suppression of tor, (who of course every body has by this Cruelty to. Animals' seen the infliction, his time discovered to be a branch of the Sa- Infernalship would probably have had a, .tanic family,) make yourself, perfectly taste of Martin's act.' 'Tis said they easy; there are no conditions-my offer needs, must go that the d drives: is disinterested quite uninfluenced by any be that as it may, the belabored quadru mercenary motives, I assure you. As a peds dashed on at a rate that promised to 'talented' stranger, coming trom a coun-bring us expeditiously to our destination. try, I respect, (I bowed to the double com- On reaching the Haymarket, my compa pliment,) I shall be happy to show you nion suggested the propriety of alighting, some of the happy institutions of this fa- alleging, reasonably enough, that if seen voured land-to lionize you, in my par- by any of his quality friends 'tooling' such ticular department. Now is the time to a shabby 'drag,' he should lose his reputa inspect it to advantage; and if you will tion. We consequently drew up, and de accompany me to St. James street, I will

[ocr errors]

ceeded onward on foot.

scending from our bad eminence,' pro-that seemed a necessary appendage to every fashionable English establishment.' It's scarcely worth while to pay old Arived on the first floor, we were ushered Crockford a visit to-night,' observed my along a short corridor, and through a door guide, as we paused in front of that mag- similar to the one below, into a large saloon nificent Pandemonium in St. James' street, fitted up in a style of the most luxurious which bears his name: the house is sit- splendour. From the centre of a circular fing, and we should find his saloons almost group of figures in bas-relief, forming the deserted. The lordly roues and titled de-middle compartment of the richly decora-. bauchees who frequent them are amusing ted ceiling, was suspended an immense themselves with a game at legislation, in- and costly chandelier, the pendents of stead of hazard, or rouge et noir, and per- which were as large as eggs, and-as if haps gambling away the resources of their the blaze of light it afforded were insufficountry with as much recklessness as they cient-bronze candelabra, supported on exhibited in the dissipation of their own. brackets of Italian marble, were arranged Have you ever been within the walls of along the walls. The floor was carpeted St. Stephen's?'

No-but I purpose witnessing some of the debates before I leave London.'

[ocr errors]

with the richest wool of Persia, and pictures and statues of the most voluptuous cast met the eye on every side. Otto'Do so, by all means; but first see the mans, covered with rose-coloured damask interior of Crockford's, that you may be occupied two series of draperied recesses able to appreciate and admire the consis- extending the whole length of the saloon. tency with which men, who having mort- At short intervals, tables where set out, gaged every entailed rood of land, and with every variety of refreshments, while forestalled the income from every rever- at either end, large mirrors doubled the sionary acre, go to the Senate house, and seeming extent of the vista of profusion. prate in good set terms,' about the dis- But the few guests who were here and tresses of the nation,' and 'the necessity for there lounged upon ottomans, or languidly financial reform.' partook of the ostentatious banquet, were As he concluded this cynical tirade, we little in keeping with the scene around were again moving on our progress, occa- them. Jaded, haggard, and in one or two sionally impeded by the intrusive blandish- instances stupified by intoxication, they ments of gaily dressed Cyprians-those looked more like the misplaced tenants of painted palaces, inhabited by Disease and a mad-house, than legitimate guests in Death-who, even at that untimely hour, such a place of enchantment. were promenading. the well-lighted side-presence there was a proof that the 'fickle walks. We had not proceeded far, when goddess' had been unkind, for where is the my conductor stopped before a massive, gambler who would linger even among : gloomy-looking building, the outer door of the bowers of Paradise, while within hearwhich was a jar. Within, as we could ing of the dice-box, if he had the whereperceive through the opening, was a long withal to stake on the hazard of the die?' passage, terminated by a second door, co- Declining the refreshments offered to us vered with green baize, and containing à by the waiters, we walked to the upper small glass panel, through which a discre-end of the apartment, and Signor Diavolo tionary view was taken, previous to the throwing aside the curtains from a recess admission of a visiter. in the wall, unclosed a door which they

Their

This,' said my guide, is the famous had concealed, and, followed by me, en- street, Club house,-secondly only tered another apartment. It was a large in notoriety and splendor to the Great square, or rather octagon hall, futed up Fishmonger's. Follow me.' less gaudily, but scarcely less expensively,

A tap at the inner door, and a glance than the one we had quitted, and filled from the porter at my companion's card, with. the paraphernalia, the harpies and and we were on our way up a magnificent the victims of play. Rouge Et Noir was circular staircase, bowed along, with sick-the game. In the middle of the room, ening servility, by half a dozen of those surrounded by twenty or thirty players, powdered, frizzed, liveried automatons, stood a long oval table, covered with green

[ocr errors]

cloth. Each end was divided into twofgroom-porter, as he laid down a second compartments, and the centre of each line of cards under the first:' draw the compartment was occupied by a small red.'

piece of red or black cloth, to mark the "Hurrah! shouted he of the rouleaudistinction between the divisions of rouge hurra! ha ha! ha!--and he laughed and noir. On each side of the table, mid-hysterically.

way its length, sat two men upon raised

Fire and fury-it's not possible!'seats, called, as my familiar informed me, said a trembling punter, who had ventured the groom-porter and croupier-the office his all on rouge.

of one being to deal and call the game

'Shall I count the cards again?' said the that of the other to draw or pay the stakes. dealer, with a supercilious sneer, as he For this purpose, the latter was furnished separated them, with a hand glittering with an instrument shaped like a hoe, with with jewels. which he pulled the money towards him

'Lend me a hundred and fifty pounds on in the one case, and pushed it over to the that,' said a young exquisite, in an under players, in the other. Lamps with circu- tone, as he passed a richly chased gold lar reflecting shades, hung overhead, snuff box to the banker. throwing the full blaze of their lustre on

'With pleasure, captain-two hundred

Will you let me have ten pounds?'

the glittering piles of gold and silver, in-if you like,' was the soft reply. termingled with bank notes, which lay immediately beneath, while they left the re- asked a carelessly dressed but gentlemanly looking young man, addressing the moter space in comparative gloom. A confusion of execrations and exulta- same individual. I have lost my last shiltions, mingled with a sharp, inotonous, and ling.' often repeated cry of Make your game

What have you to leave security?' re

gent'men, make your game,' 'Game is turned the harpy, coldly.

made,' etc., now assailed my ears.

'Nothing but my word of honor that I

A coup has just been dealt,' observed will repay you; but you may trust to my companion, and you hear the usual that..': accompaniments of cursing and self-grat

"Tis n't negotiable,' said the wretch,

ulation which mark its sesult, together with with a grin. 'For God's sake, don't trifle with me! the accustomed technical warning of the dealer to the players to make their bets exclaimed the applicant, in a voice chokbefore the commencement of the next. ing with emotion. It is-it is-to buy my We will see this event, which, as it is the wife and children bread. I have lost a last in the deal, will be a heavy one, and quarter's salary to night, and I have not a friend in the world who would assist me then sit down.' 'Game made?' repeated the dealer:--for alas! who will assist a gambler?" 'Cant help it,' said the former speaking; Game is made,'-and he commenced dealyou should have had more prudence: we ing. Thirty-nine black,' said he, naming the don't force gentlemen to play. number of pips in a fine of six or seven a gentleman continued he, pointing to a cards, which he spread out, face upwards man on the opposite side of the table, whose military dress, splendid gold watch before him.

There's

The countenances of those. whose mo- chain, rings, etc. seemed little in keeping ney was on the red where far the heaviest with the coarseness of his countenance, stakes lay, broadened and brightened, speech and manners, who has won while the visages of such as had backed thousand of us to-night, and we don't ask black, became proportionately elongated; him for a loan. Every body can't win and one man who had thrown a rouleau sorry for you, sir, but-really-can't as of notes on the latter, gave a deep groan, sist you.' 'God help me!' said the unfortunate man, and pressed his hands over his ears and eyes, as if to avoid hearing or seeing the as, dashing his hat over his eyes, he turn ed to leave the room. Ged help expected catastrophe.

Forty-black wins!' exclaimed the The words were simple, but the tone

of

« ElőzőTovább »