Catherine: A Story

every lover of literature, in the present day knows the value; and as that remarkable work totally discards all the unities in its narratives, and

e reader from the penultimate chapter of this work unto the last chapter, we were compelled to make him leap over a g

of four years should not know his letters, and should have had a great disinclination to learn them; but when a young man of fifteen showed the same creditable ignorance, the same undeviating dislike, it was easy to see that he possessed much resolution and perseverance. When it was remarked, too, that, in case of any difference, he not only beat the usher, but by no means disdained to torment and bully the very smallest boys of the school, it was easy to see that his mind was comprehensive and careful, as well as courageous and grasping. As it was said of the Duke of Wellington, in the Peninsula, that he had a thought for everybody-from Lord Hill to the smallest drummer in the army-in like manner Tom Billings bestowed HIS attention on high and low; but in the shape of blows: he wou

o try his fortune in the metropolis; where he lived, flourished, and died. Oxford Road, Saint Giles's, and Tottenham Court were, at various periods of his residence in town, inhabited by him. At one place he carried on the business of g

nd Paul Clifford may have crossed legs under Hayes's dinner-table? But why pause to speculate on things that might have been? why desert reality for fond imagination, or call up from their honoured graves the sacred dead? I know not: and yet, in sooth, I can never pass Cumberland Gate without a sigh, as I think of the gallant cavaliers who traversed that road in old time. Pious priests accompanied their triumphs; their chariots were surrounded by hosts of glittering javelin-men. As the slave at the car of the Roman conqueror shouted, "Remember thou art mortal!", before the eyes of the British warrior rode the undertaker and his coffin, telling him that he too must die! Mark well the spot! A hundred years ago

ing Mrs. Hayes's friendship and table: all returned, smiling and rosy, at about half-past ten o'clock, from a walk which they had taken to Bayswater. Many thousands of people were likewise seen flocking down the Oxford Road;

tite to breakfast, braced by the walk, and tickled into hunger, as it were, by the spectacle. I can recollect, when I was a gyp at Cambridge, that the "men" used to have

ite merrily from her walk, and entered the back-parlour, which looked into a pleasant yard, or garden, whereon the sun was shining very gaily; and where, at a table

penny tract, which to this day is sold at the gallows-foot upon the death of every offender. "I've se

ctor, "he was as cool and as brave as steel,

k that ruined hi

. Ah, why, my love, will men continue such dangerous courses," continued the Doctor, with a sigh, "and jeopardy their lives for a miserable watch

bearing with him a tolerably large jug of small-beer. To this repast the Doctor, Mrs. Springatt (the other lodger), and Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, proceeded with great alacrity

business; of which the present head was one Beinkleider, a German. Beinkleider was skilful in his trade (after the manner of his nation, which in breeches and metaphysics-in inexpressibles and incomprehensibles-may instruct all Europe), but too fond of his pleasure. Some promissory notes of his had found their way into Hayes's hands, and had given him the means not only o

panions of both sexes, at plays, bull-baitings, fairs, jolly parties on the river, and such-like innocent amusements. He could throw a

d curses, to let his stepfather know the opinion which he had of him. Why did not Hayes discard the boy altogether? Because, if he did so, he was really afraid of his life, and because he trembled before Mrs. Hayes, his lady, as the leaf trembles before the tempest in October. His breath was not his own, but hers; his money, too, had been chiefly of her getting,-for though he was as stingy and mean as mortal man can be, and so likely to save much, he had not the genius for GETTING which Mrs. Hayes possessed. She kept his books (for she had learned to read and write by this time), she made his bargains, and she directed the operations of the poor-spirited little capitalist. When bills became due, and debtors pressed for time, then she brought Hayes's own professional merits into play. The man was as deaf and cold as a rock; never did poor tradesmen

company except the few friends whom he met at the coffee-house. He had an income of about one hundred pounds, which he promised to leave to young Billings. He was amused with the lad, and fond

y-how many a brave fellow have they ruined!-had pulled Brock down as often as his merit had carried him up. When a man's passion for play has brought him to be a scoundrel, it at once ceases to be hurtful to him in a worldly point of view; he cheats, and wins. It is only for the idle and luxurious that women retain their fascinations to a

he purchased an annuity of seventy-two pounds, and gave out-why should he not?-that he had the capital as well as the interest. After leaving the Hayes family in the country, he found them again in London: he took up his abode with them, and was attached to the mother and the son. Do you suppose that rasc

fits of calm would last too long; he used to warm up the disputes between wife and husband, mother and son, and enjoy them beyond expression: they served him for daily amusement; and he us

octor with much gravity said grace, Master Tom entered. Doctor Wood, who had before been rather gl

o saying, he seized eagerly upon the jug of beer which Mr. Hayes had drawn, and from w

of pewter measures which held precisely that quantity.-"Ah!" said Mr. Billings, drawing breath, and wiping his mouth with his sl

dear?" said Mrs. Hayes, tha

tor Wood. "Your papa will run down

first!" cried Mr. Hay

unnatural father!

ut Mr. Hayes in a fury. "I'm not

body else's

y muttered "B

an of spirit; no cowardly sneak of a carpenter, Mr Hayes! Tom has noble blood in his veins, for all he

well in a coach-and-six." Tom fancied that if his father was a count at the time of his birth

ld," cried his mother,

and feather there's never a lord at

latter retired to his occupations; the lodger, Mrs. Springatt, who had never said a word all this time, retired to her apartment on the second floor; and, pulling out their pipes a

Wood. "There were six of 'em besides Mac: two for sheep,

said Wood, archly. "R

d of his inches in England, reading was not among his accomplishments. "I tell you what, Doctor," said he, "-- you! have no

ther there over her books: she keeps them as neat as a sc

west that I have promised thee a gold-headed cane and periwig on

tily. "Let my godfather read the pape

top, contained the biographies of the seven unlucky individuals who had that morning suffered the penalty of the law. With the six heroes who came firs

IN MAC

s the famous highwayman, Captain Macshan

ghtcap; and, being a Papist in his religion, was attended by Fath

the kings in that country. He had the honour of serving their Majesties King William and Queen Mary, and Her Majesty

sign Macshane took to evil courses; and, frequenting th

them, they went into the west, where they were unknown. Here, however, the day of retribution arrived; for, having stolen three pewter-pots from a public-house, they, under fal

od in a combat that took place between them near to the town of Bristol; but a waggon coming up, Macs

lived together for seven years in the town of Eddenboro, in Scotland,-he passing under the name of Colonel Geraldine. The lady dying, and Macshane having expended all her wealth, he was obliged to resume his former evil courses, in order

Envoy's coach on Blackheath, coming from Dover, and robbed his Excellency and his chaplain; taking from the former his money, watches, st

was his Lordship's regimental tailor in Germany, and is now making a Cour

um-hum! A Romish missal, out of whi

iminal was brought to justice, and the case-bottle

of having killed his commanding officer. For this Wood he pretended an excessive sorrow, and vowed that usquebaugh had been

ther O'Flaherty, before mentioned, who attended him likewise in his last moments (if that idolatrous worship may be called

ese words, he paused t

Hayes, letting her ink-bo

it ben't my father!

name, and unless the scoundrel is hanged," said the Docto

we'll have the coach now, Mother," says he; "and I'm bles

cellency's son. Oh, fie! You must be a gentleman now, sirrah; and I doubt

s. Briggs before alluded to, the young gentleman was much attached to

of me, why, of course, the shop may go to the deuce, for what I care; but we had better wai

e Solomon," sa

want any money, Tom? for a lord's son must not go about without a few pieces in his pocket. And I tell thee, Tommy, thou must go and see his Lordship; and thou shalt have a piece of brocade

her, I must have a reason for it; and instead of going wi

Madam Cat: did you not hear what he said about Beinkleider and the clothes? Tommy will just wait on the C

he course of the day, was fashioned into a smart waistcoat (for Beinkleider's shop was close by, in Cavendish Square). Mrs. Gretel, with many blushes, tied

r-want to know if your mother is alive, you can say she is, and well, and often talks of old times. A

not an honour to a country lass that such a noble gentleman should look at her for a moment? Had he not some charm about him that she must needs obey when he whispered in her ear, "Come, follow me!" As she walked towards the lane that morning, how well she remembered each spot as she passed it, and the look it wore for the last time! How the smoke was rising from the pastures, how the fish were jumping and plashing in the mill-stream! There was the church, with all its window

tain, alias Doctor Wood, "here's the meat a-ge

irl? I've been watching you these five minutes, Cat; and be hanged but I think

ot shoulder of mutton and onion-sauce-Mrs. Catherin

with his personal appearance, made an early visit to Mrs. Briggs, who lived in the neighbourhood of Swallow Street; and who, after expressing herself with much enthusiasm regarding her Tommy's good looks, immediately asked him what he would stand to drink? Raspberry gin being suggested, a pint of that liquor was sent for; and so great was the confidence and intimacy subsisting between these