'From this moment I cease to be the commander-in-chief. Livy adoresEngland, can speak the language, understands the money, and knows allabout London; so she shall be leader, and I will repose after my longlabour.' With this remark Amanda retired from office covered with glory,and her mates voted to erect a statue in her honour as a token of theirundying gratitude.
Lavinia took the lead from the moment they landed at St. Catherine'sWarf; and though somewhat demoralized by a rough passage of eighteenhours from Antwerp, was equal to the occasion. She did love England, andthought London the most delightful city in the world, next to Boston.Its mud and fog were dear to her; its beef and beer were nectar andambrosia, after the continental slops and messes; its steady-going,respectable citizens, beautiful in her eyes, and the words 'home' and'comfort' were not an idle mockery here.
Therefore the old lady joyfully sniffed the smoky air, gazed withtenderness on the grimy houses, and cast herself, metaphoricallyspeaking, into the arms of a stout, ruddy-faced porter, as if at lastshe had found a man and a brother.
Nobly did the burly Briton repay her confidence and earn the shillingwhich in England makes all things possible. He bore them to the station,got tickets, checked luggage, put the ladies in a first-classcompartment, gave them all necessary directions about the hotel theywere after, and when the bell rang touched his cap with a smile upon hisdear, red face, which caused Lavinia to add a sixpence to the shillingshe gave him with a mental blessing.
'This is truly a decent country. See how well one is cared for, howcivil everybody is, how honest, how manly,' began Livy, as she mountedher hobby, and prepared for a canter over the prejudices of her friend;for Amanda detested England because she knew nothing of it.
'The cabman cheated us, asking double fares,' replied the dear girl,wrapping herself in many cloaks and refusing to admire the fog.
'Not at all,' cried Livy; 'the trunks were immense, and you'll find weshall have to pay extra for them everywhere. It is the same as havingthem weighed and paying for the pounds, only this saves much time andtrouble. Look at the handsome guard in his silver-plated harness. Howmuch nicer he is than a gabbling Italian, or a Frenchman who complimentsyou one minute and behaves like a brute the next! It does my soul goodto see the clean, rosy faces, and hear good English instead ofgibberish.'
'Never in my life have I seen such tall, fine-looking men, only they areall fair, which isn't my style,' observed Matilda, with a secret sighfor the dark-eyed heroes from Turin.
Thus conversing, they soon came to the G---- Hotel just at the end of therailway, and without going out of the station found themselves settledin comfortable rooms.
'Regard, if you please, these toilette arrangements--two sorts ofbath-pan, two cans of cold water, one of hot, two big pitchers, muchsoap, and six towels about the size of table-cloths. I call that animprovement on the continental cup, saucer, and napkin accommodation,'said Lavinia, proudly displaying a wash-stand that looked like adinner-table laid for a dozen, such was the display of glass, china, andnapery.
'The English certainly are a clean people,' replied Amanda, softening alittle as she remembered her fruitless efforts to find a bath-pan inBrittany, where the people said the drought was caused by the Englishusing so much water.
'They need more appliances for cleanliness than any other race, becausethey live in such a dirty country,' began Matilda, removing the sootfrom her face in flakes.
What more she might have said is unknown; for Livy closed her mouth witha big sponge, and all retired to repose after the trials of the pastnight.
'Now, my dears, you shall have food fit for Christian women to eat. Noweak soup, no sour wine, no veal stewed with raisins, nor greasy saladmade of all the weeds that grow. Beef that will make you feel likegiants, and beer that will cheer the cockles of your hearts; not tomention cheese which will make you wink, and bread with a little roundbutton atop of the loaf like the grand Panjandrum in the old story.'
Thus Lavinia enthusiastically, as she led her flock of two into theeating-room at luncheon time. Being seated at a little table by one ofthe great windows, the old lady continued to sing the praises ofBritannia while wafting for the repast.
'Isn't this better than a stone-floored caf?with nine clocks allwrong, seven mirrors all cracked, much drapery all dirty, a flock ofgar鏾ns who fly about like lunatics, and food which I shudder tothink of? Look at this lofty room; this grave thick carpet; thatcheerful coal-fire; these neat little tables; these large, cleanwindows; these quiet, ministerial waiters, who seem to take a paternalinterest in your wants, and best of all in this simple, wholesome,well-cooked food.'
Here the arrival of a glorified beefsteak and a shining pint-pot offoaming ale give an appropriate finish to Livy's lecture. She fell uponher lunch like a famished woman, and was speechless till much meat hadvanished, and the ale was low in the pot.
'It is good,' admitted Amanda, who took to her beer like a bornEnglishwoman, and swallowed some of her prejudices with her deliciousbeef.
'It's such a comfort to know that I am not eating a calf's brains or apig's feet, that I can enjoy it with a free mind, and the sight ofthose two beautiful old gentlemen gives it an added relish,' saidMatilda, who had been watching a pair of hale old fellows eat theirlunch in a solid, leisurely way that would have been impossible to anAmerican.
'It is so restful to see people take things calmly, and not bolt theirmeals, or rush about like runaway steam-engines. It is this moderationthat keeps Englishmen so hearty, jolly, and long-lived. They don't tearthemselves to pieces as we do, but take time for rest, exercise, food,and recreation, like sensible people as they are. It is like reposing ona feather-bed to live here, and my tired nerves rejoice in it,' saidLavinia, eating bread and cheese as if that was her mission in life.
'A slight amount of haste will be advisable, my Granny, unless we intendto spend all our substance on these restful comforts of yours. Thishotel is delightfully cosy, but expensive; so the quicker we go intolodgings the better for us,' suggested the thrifty Amanda, seeing thatLivy was too infatuated to care for cost.
'I'll go the first thing to-morrow and look at the rooms Mrs. Blankrecommended to us. This afternoon we will rest and write letters, unlesssome one comes to call,' said Livy, leading her girls to thereading-room, where sleep-inviting chairs, tables supplied withwriting-materials, and groves of newspapers, wooed the stranger torepose.
Hardly were they seated, however, than Jeames brought in the card of afriend who had been told when they would arrive, and hastened at once tomeet them. How pleasant is the first familiar face one sees in a strangeland! Doubly pleasant was Mr. C.'s, because he brought hospitableinvitations from other friends, kind welcomes, and tickets to several ofthe art exhibitions then open.
Hardly had he gone, after a half-hour's chat, than another card washanded, and the name it bore caused a slight flutter in the dove-cot. Afriend of Miss Livy's, in Boston, had sent orders to his brother inLondon to devote himself to the wandering ladies when they came. Theyhad never met; the poor man didn't care to have his quiet invaded bystrange women, and to do the honours of London is no small task: yetthis heroic gentleman obeyed orders without a murmur; and, leaving hisartistic seclusion, shouldered his burden with the silent courage of aSpartan.
A grave, dark, little man, with fine eyes, quiet manners, and astraight-forward way with him that suited blunt Livy excellently. Howhe dared to face the three unknown women so calmly, listen to theirimpossible suggestions so politely, and offer himself as a slave socheerfully, will for ever remain a mystery to those grateful souls.
His first service was to pack them into a cab and bear them safely tothe bankers for letters and money; and this he followed up by severalweeks of servitude, which must have been worse than Egyptian bondage.
Two more large ladies joined the party after they were settled inlodgings at Kensington; but, undaunted by the fact, this long-sufferingman escorted the whole five to galleries and theatres, trips into thecity, and picnics in the country; went shopping with them, luggedparcels, ran errands, paid bills, and was in fact the sheet-anchor ofthe whole party. Imagine the emotions of one shy man when called uponto lead a flock of somewhat imposing ladies everywhere; to have two cabsfull on all occasions; to be obliged to support the invalids to followthe caprices of the giddy, to gratify the demands of the curious, and tohear the gabble of the whole five day after day.
B黵ger's Brave Man was a coward compared to him; for he not only gavehis days, but his evenings also, joining in endless games of whist,drinking much weak tea, and listening to any amount of twaddle on allsubjects.
The society was not such as intelligent men enjoy, being composed of twoEgyptian boys and three fussy old ladies. One of them was immenselystout, wore a bright green cap, with half-a-pint of scarlet cherriesbobbing on her brow. She talked on all subjects, and handed round analbum full of her own poems on all occasions. The second must have beena sister of 'Mr. T.'s Aunt,' so grim and incoherent was she. Sitting inthe corner, she stared at the world around her with an utterlyexpressionless countenance, and when least expected broke out with somestartling remark, such as, 'If that fence had been painted green weshould get to heaven sooner,' or 'Before I had fits my memory was asgood as anybody's, but my daughter married a clergyman, and took it withher.'
The third antiquity was the hostess, a buxom lady, much given to gayattire and reminiscences of past glory, 'Before me 'usband went intopublic life.' The strangers innocently supposed the departed Mr. K. tohave been an M.P. at least, and were rather taken aback on learning thathe had been a pawnbroker.
The Egyptian youths were handsome, dark lads, with melodious voices,lustrous eyes, and such fiery tempers that one never knew whether theywere going to pass the bread or stab one with the carving-knife.
As a slight mitigation of this slow society, the Russian from PensionParadis appeared with his broadcloth more resplendent than ever. Theladies had seen him in Rome; but the fever scared him away, and he wasnow fleeing from another lodging-house, where the hostess evidentlyintended to marry him to her daughter, in the MacStinger fashion.
In this varied circle did the devoted being afore-mentioned pass manyhours after the day's hard labour was happily over, and when anyonepitied him for leading the life of a galley-slave, he hid his anguishand answered with a smile,--
'My brother told me to do it, and I never disobey Tom. In fact, I find Irather like it.'
That last fib was truly sublime, and the name of Cassabianca palesbefore that of one who obeyed fraternal commands to the letter, andtried to love his duty, heavy as it was. If, as has been sometimespredicted, England had gone under just then, it might truly have beensaid,--
Though prince and peer and poet rare Were sunk among the piles, The noblest man who perished there Was faithful W. N----s.
The sight-seeing fever raged fiercely at first, and the flock ofAmericans went from Windsor Castle to the Tower of London, fromWestminster Abbey to Madame Taussaud's Waxwork Show, with a vigour thatappalled the natives. They would visit two or three galleries in themorning, lunch at Dolly's (the dark little chop-house which Johnson,Goldsmith, and the other worthies used to frequent in the good oldtimes), go to Richmond in the afternoon and dine at the 'Star andGarter,' or to Greenwich and eat 'white baits fish,' as the Russiancalled that celebrated dish, and finish off the evening at some theatre,getting home at midnight, in a procession of two cabs and a hansom.
When the first excitement was over, Lavinia and Matilda took a turn atsociety, having friends in London. Amanda could not conquer herprejudices sufficiently to accompany them, and, falling back on theclimate as her excuse, stayed at home and improved her mind.
'I feel now like girls in novels. You are the Duchess of Devonshire andI am Lady Maud Plantagenet, going to a ball at Buckingham Palace. I knowthat I was made to sit in the lap of luxury: it agrees with me so well,'said Matilda, as the two rolled away to Aubrey House in a brougham, alllamps, glass, and satin. Her long blue train lay piled up before her,the light flashed on her best Roman ear-rings, her curls were in theirmost picturesque array, and--crowning joy of all--cream-coloured gloves,with six buttons, covered her arms, and filled her soul with happiness,because they were so elegant and cost so little, being bought in Romejust after the flood.
Dowager Livy responded gravely from the depths of her silver-grey silk,enlivened with pink azaleas,--
'My child, thank your stars that you are a free-born Yankee, and have nogreat name or state to keep up. Buckingham Palace is all very well, andI shouldn't mind calling on Mrs. Guelph, or Saxe Coburg, whichever itis, but I much prefer to be going to the house of a Radical M.P., who islending a hand to all good works. Mrs. T. is a far more interestingwoman to me than Victoria, for her life is spent in helping herfellow-creatures. I consider her a model Englishwoman--simple, sincere,and accomplished; full of good sense, intelligence, and energy. Herhouse is open to all, friend and stranger, black and white, rich andpoor. Great men and earnest women meet there; Mazzini and Frances PowerCobbe, John Bright and Jean Ingelow, Rossetti the poet, and ElizabethGarrett the brave little doctor. Though wealthy and living in anhistorical mansion, the host is the most unassuming man in it, and thehostess the simplest dressed lady. Their money goes in other ways, andthe chief ornament of that lovely spot is a school, where poor girls mayget an education. Mrs. T. gave a piece of her own garden for it, andteaches there herself, aided by her friends, who serve the poor girlslike mothers and sisters, and help to lift them up from the slough ofdespond in which so many sink. That beats anything you'll find inBuckingham Palace, sister Mat.'
'If they want a drawing-teacher I'll offer myself, for I think that isregularly splendid,' said Matilda warmly, as Livy paused for breathafter her harangue.
With these new ideas in her head, Lady Maud enjoyed her party, while theDuchess revelled in radicals to her heart's content; for Aubrey Housewas their head-quarters, and all were out in full force. It was cheeringto our spinster to find that things had moved a good deal since a formervisit, five or six years before, when Mill had carried into the House ofCommons a Woman's Rights petition that filled both arms. People laughedthen, and the stout-hearted women laughed also, but said, 'Our nextpetition shall be so big it will have to go in a wheel-barrow.' Now thesame people talked over the question soberly, and began to thinksomething besides fun might come of it. The pioneers rejoiced overseveral hard-won battles, and the scoffers came to see that the truestglory was won by those who did the hard work, and stood by a good causewhen most unpopular; not by those who kept out of the field till thefight was over, and then came in to wave the flags and beat the drumsover victories they had not helped to win.
'It seems to me that these Englishwomen make less noise and do more workthan we Americans. I shouldn't dare to say so in public; but theirquiet, orderly ways suits me better than the more demonstrativeperformances of my friends at home. Slow coaches as we call them, Ishould not be surprised if they got the suffrage before we did, as thetortoise won in the fable,' was Lavinia's secret thought as they droveaway, after a very charming evening.
Perhaps the fact that reforms of all sorts had been poured into her earstill her head was like a hive of bees, may account for this unpatrioticthought. Or it may be the pleasant effect of the healthful aspect ofthese English workers. Old or young, all seemed to have cheerful,well-balanced minds, in strong, healthy bodies. No one complained of hernerves, or let them unconsciously put a sharp edge to her tongue, give ablue tinge to the world, or sour the milk of human kindness in herheart. Less quick and bright, perhaps, than the ladies over the sea, butmore womanly, and full of a quiet tenacity of purpose better thaneloquence.
Miss Livy's tastes being of a peculiar sort, and pictures having palledupon her to such a degree that she couldn't even look at an ornamentalsign-board without disgust, she often left her more artistic friends andwent forth on excursions of her own. As she never used either map orguide book, it was a wonder how she found her way; and the infants wereoften on the point of sending for the city crier, if there is such afunctionary, to find the lost duenna. But old Livy always turned up atlast, mud to the eyes, tired out, and more deeply impressed than everwith the charms of London.
One day she set forth to hear Spurgeon. Being told that Lambeth was awretched quarter of the city, that the Tabernacle was two or three milesaway, and very difficult to enter when found, only added zest to thething, and she departed, sure of finding adventures, if not Spurgeon.
If an omnibus conductor had not befriended her, she would probably havefound herself at Hampstead or Chelsea, for London busses are asbewildering as London streets. Thanks to this amiable man, who evidentlyfelt that the stranger in his gates needed all his care, the old ladysafely reached the Elephant and Castle, and was dismissed with a mossrose-bud from the lips of her friend, a reassuring pat on the shoulder,and a paternal ''Ere yer are, my dear,' which unexpected attentionscaused her to depart with speed.
There certainly was need of a Tabernacle in that quarter, for thepoverty and wickedness were very dreadful. Boys not yet in their teensstaggered by half-tipsy, or lounged at the doors of gin-shops.Bonnetless girls roamed about singing and squabbling. Forlorn babiesplayed in the gutter, and men and women in every stage of raggednessand degradation marred the beauty of that fair Sunday morning.
Crowds were swarming into the Tabernacle: but, thanks to the order afriend had given her, Miss Livy was handed to a comfortable seat, with ahaggard Magdalen on one side and a palsy-stricken old man on the other.Staring about her, she saw an immense building with two galleriesextending round three sides, and a double sort of platform behind andbelow the pulpit, which was a little pen lifted high that all might seeand hear.
Every seat, aisle, window-ledge, step, and door-way, was packed with astrange congregation; all nations, all colours, all ages, and nearly allbearing the sad marks of poverty or sin. They all sung, cried out ifanything affected or pleased them in the sermon, and listened withinterest to the plain yet fervent words of the man who has gatheredtogether this flock of black sheep and is so faithful a shepherd tothem.
Every one knows how Spurgeon looks in pictures, but in the pulpit hereminded Livy of Martin Luther. A square, florid face, stout figure, afine keen eye, and a natural, decided manner, very impressive. A strong,clear voice of much dramatic power, and a way of walking the pulpit likeFather Taylor.
His sermon was on 'Small Temptations,' and he illustrated it by factsand examples taken from real life, pointing out several of hiscongregation, and calling them by name, which original proceeding seemedto find favour with his people. He used no notes, but talked rather thanpreached; and leaning over the railing, urged, argued, prayed, and sangwith a hearty eloquence, very effective, and decidedly refreshing afterHigh Church mummery abroad, and drowsy Unitarianism at home. Now andthen he stopped to give directions for the comfort of his flock in afree and easy manner, which called up irresistible smiles on the facesof strangers.
'Mrs. Flacker, you'd better take that child into the ante-room: he'stired.' 'Come this way, friends: there's plenty of room.' 'Open all thewindows, Manning: it's very warm.' And when a sad sort of cryinterrupted him, he looked down at an old woman shaking with epilepsy,and mildly remarked, 'Don't be troubled, brethren: our sister is subjectto fits,' and preached tranquilly on.
For two hours he held that great gathering, in spite of heat,discomfort, and other afflictions of the flesh, and ended by saying, ina paternal way,--
'Now remember what I've said through the week, and next Sunday show methat I haven't talked in vain.'
He read a list of meetings for every night in the week. One especiallystruck Livy, as it was for mothers to meet and talk over with him thebest ways of teaching and training their children. Spurgeon evidentlydoes not spare his own time and strength; and whatever his creed may be,he is a good Christian in loving his neighbour better than himself,and doing the work his hand finds to do with all his might.
'That is a better church than most of those I enter where respectablesaints have the best seats, and there is no place for sinners,' saidLivy when she got home. 'Spurgeon's congregation preached moreeloquently to me than he did. The Magdalen cried as if her heart wasbroken, and I am sure those tears washed some of her sins away. Thefeeble old man looked as if he had found a staff for his trembling handsto lay hold upon, and the forlorn souls all about me, for a time atleast, laid down their burdens and found rest and comfort in theirFather's house. It did me more good than the preaching of all thebishops in London, or the finest pageant at St. Paul's; and I am trulyglad I went, though the saucy conductor did smirk at me over therosebud.'
In contrast to this serious expedition, the old lady had a very jollyone not long afterward. A certain congenial Professor asked her one daywhat person, place, or thing in London she most desired to see.
Clasping her hands with the energy of deep emotion, she replied,--
'The home of the immortal Sairy Gamp. Long ago I made a vow, if I evercame to London I'd visit that spot. Let me keep my vow.'
'You shall!' responded the Professor with a responsive ardour, whichcaused Livy to dive into her waterproof without another word.
Away they went in a pouring rain, and what people thought of the dampbut enthusiastic couple who pervaded the city that day I can't say; Ionly know a merrier pair of pilgrims never visited those grimy shrines.They met several old friends, and passed several familiar spots by theway. Major Bagstock and Cousin Phenix stared at them from a club-housewindow. Tigg Montague's cab dashed by them in Regent Street, moregorgeous than ever. The brothers Cheeryble went trotting cityward arm inarm, with a smile and ha'penny for all the beggars they met; and theMicawber family passed them in a bus, going, I suppose, to accompanythe blighted Wilkins to gaol.
In a certain grimly genteel street they paused to stare up at a row ofgrimly respectable houses; for, though the name wasn't on any of thedoors, they were sure Mr. Dombey still lived there. A rough dog lay onone of the doorsteps, and a curtain fluttered at an open upper window.Poor Di was growling in his sleep, and above there little Paul waswatching for the golden water on the wall, while faithful Florence sungto him, and Susan Nipper put away derisive sniffs and winks in closetsand behind doors for the benefit of 'them Pipchinses.'
Coming to a poorer part of the city, they met Tiny Tim tapping along onhis little crutch, passed Toby Veck at a windy street-corner, and sawall the little Tetterbys playing in the mud.
'Come down this street, and take a glimpse at St. Giles's, the worstpart of London,' said the Professor; and, following, Livy saw miseryenough in five minutes to make her heart ache for the day. A policemankept near them, saying it wasn't safe to go far there alone.
Vice, poverty, dirt, and suffering reigned supreme within a stone'sthrow of one of the great thoroughfares, and made Alsatia dangerousground for respectable feet. Here, too, they saw familiar phantoms: poorJo, perpetually moving on; and little Oliver led by Nancy, with a shawlover her head and a black eye; Bill Sykes, lounging in a doorway,looking more ruffianly than ever; and the Artful Dodger, who kept hiseye on them as two hopeful 'plants' with profitable pockets ready forhim.
They soon had enough of this, and hurried on along High Holborn, tillthey came to Kingsgate Street, so like the description that I am sureDickens must have been there and taken notes. They knew the house in amoment: there were the two dingy windows over the bird-shop; the checkedcurtains were drawn, but of course the bottomless bandboxes, the woodenpippins, green umbrella, and portrait of Miss Harris were all behindthem. It seemed so real that they quite expected to see a red, snuffyold face appear, and to hear a drowsy voice exclaim: 'Drat that bell:I'm a coming. Don't tell me it's Mrs. Wilkins, without even a pincushionprepared.'
While Livy stood gazing in silent satisfaction (merely regretting thatthe name on the door was Pendergast, not Sweedle-pipes), the Professorturned to a woman, and asked with admirable gravity, 'Can you tell mewhere Mrs. Gamp lives?'
'What's her business?' demanded the matron, with interest.
'A nurse, ma'am.'
'Is she a little fat woman?'
'Fat, decidedly, and old,' returned the Professor, without a smile onhis somewhat cherubic countenance.
'Well, she lives No. 5, round the corner.'
On receiving this unexpected reply, they looked at one another in comicdismay; but would certainly have gone to No. 5, and taken a look at themodern Sairy, if the woman hadn't called out as they moved on--
'I b'lieve that nuss's name is Britiain, not Gamp; but you can ask.'
Murmuring a hasty 'thank you,' they fled precipitately round the corner,and there enjoyed a glorious laugh under an umbrella, to the greatamazement of all beholders.
Being on a Dickens pilgrimage, they went to Furnival's Inn, where hewrote 'Pickwick' in a three-story room, and read it to the old porter.The same old porter told them all about it, and quite revelled in theremembrance. It did one's heart good to see the stiff, dried-up oldfellow thaw and glow with the recollection of the handsome young man whowas kind to him long ago, before the world had found him out.
'Did you think the book would be famous when he read it to you in 1834,as you say?' asked the Professor, beaming at him in a way that wouldhave melted the heart of the stiff-tailed lion of the Northumberlands,if he'd possessed such an organ.
'O dear, yes, sir; I felt sure it would be summat good, it made me laughso. He didn't think much of it; but I know a good thing when I seeit;' and the old man gave an important nod, as if all the credit of theblessed 'Pickwick' belonged to him. 'He married Miss Hogarth whilelivin' here; and you can see the room, if you like,' he added, with aburst of hospitality, as the almighty sixpence touched his palm.
Up they went, over the worn stairs; and, finding the door locked,solemnly touched the brass knob, read the name 'Ed Peck' on the plate,and wiped their feet on a very dirty mat. It was ridiculous, of course;but hero-worship is not the worst of modern follies, and when one's herohas won from the world some of its heartiest smiles and tears, one maybe forgiven for a little sentiment in a dark entry.
Next they went to the Saracen's Head, where Mr. Squeers stopped when inLondon. The odd old place looked as if it hadn't changed a particle.There was the wooden gallery outside, where the chamber-maids stood tosee the coach off; the archway under which poor Nicholas drove that coldmorning; the office, or bar, where the miserable little boys shiveredwhile they took alternate sips out of one mug, and bolted hunches ofbread and butter as Squeers 'nagged' them in private and talked to themlike a father in public. Livy was tempted to bring away a littleporter-pot hanging outside the door, as a trophy; but fearing Squeers'ssquint eye was upon her, she refrained, and took a muddy pebble instead.
They took a peep at the Temple and its garden. The fountain was notplaying, but it looked very pleasant, nevertheless; and as they stoodthere the sun came out, as if anxious that they should see it at itsbest. It was all very well to know that Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'was played in Middle Temple Hall, that the York and Lancaster roses grewhere, that Dr. Johnson lived No. 1 Inner Temple Lane, and that Goldsmithdied No. 2 Brick Court, Middle Temple; these actual events and peopleseemed far less real than the scenes between Pendennis and Fanny, JohnWestlock and little Ruth Pinch. For their sakes Livy went to see theplace; and for their sakes she still remembers that green spot in theheart of London, with the June sunshine falling on it as it fell thatday.
The pilgrimage ended with a breathless climb up the Monument, whencethey got a fine view of London, and better still of Todgerses. Livyfound the house by instinct; and saw Cherry Pecksniff, now a sharp-nosedold woman, sitting at the back window. A gaunt, anxious-looking lady, ina massive bonnet, crossed the yard, with a basket in her hand; and theProfessor said at once, 'That's Mrs. Todgers, and the amount of gravysingle gentlemen eat is still weighing heavy on her mind.' As if tomake the thing quite perfect, they discovered fitful glimpses of atousled-looking boy, cleaning knives or boots, in a cellar-kitchen; andall the lawyers in London couldn't have argued them out of their firmbelief that it was young Bailey, undergoing his daily torment in companywith the black beetles and the mouldy bottles.
That nothing might be wanting to finish off the rainy-day ramble in anappropriate manner, when Livy's companion asked what she'd have forlunch, she boldly replied,--
'Weal pie and a pot of porter.'
As she was not fond of either, it was a sure proof of the sincerity ofher regard for the persons who have made them immortal. They went intoan eating-house, and ordered the lunch, finding themselves objects ofinterest to the other guests. But, though a walking doormat in point ofmud, and somewhat flushed and excited by the hustling, climbing, andadoring, it is certain there wasn't a happier spinster in this 'PiljinProjess of a wale,' than the one who partook of 'weal pie' in memory ofSam Weller, and drank 'a modest quencher' to the health of DickSwiveller at the end of that delightful Dickens day.
Much might be written about the domestic pleasures of English people,but as the compiler of this interesting work believes in the sacrednessof private life, and has a holy horror of the dreadful people whooutrage hospitality by basely reporting all they have seen and heard,she will practise what she preaches, and firmly resist the temptation todescribe the delights of country strolls with poets, cosey five-o'clockteas in famous drawing-rooms, and interviews with persons whose namesare household words.
This virtuous reticence leaves the best untold, and brings the story oftwo of our travellers to a speedy end. Matilda decided to remain andstudy art, spending her days copying Turner at the National Gallery, andher evenings in the society of the eight agreeable gentlemen who adornedthe house where she abode.
Amanda hurried home with friends to enjoy a festive summer among theverdant plains of Cape Cod. With deep regret did her mates bid heradieu, and nothing but the certainty of soon embracing her again wouldhave reconciled Livy to the parting; for in Amanda she had found thatrare and precious treasure, a friend.
'Addio, my beloved Granny; take care of your dear bones and come homesoon,' said Amanda, in the little back entry, while her luggage wasbeing precipitated downstairs.
'Heaven bless and keep you safe, my own Possum. I shall not stay longbecause I can't possibly get on without you,' moaned Livy, clinging tothe departing treasure as Diogenes might have clung to his honest man,if he ever found him; for, with better luck than the old philosopher,Livy had searched long years for a friend to her mind, and got one atlast.
'Don't be sentimental, girls' said Matilda, with tears in her eyes, asshe hugged her Mandy, and bore her to the cab.
'Rome and Raphael for ever!' cried Amanda, as a cheerful parting salute.
'London and Turner!' shouted Matilda with her answering war-cry.
'Boston and Emerson!' sobbed Lavinia, true to her idols even in thedeepest woe.
Then three damp pocket-handkerchiefs waved wildly till the dingy cabwith the dear Egyptian nose at the window, and the little bath-panclattering frantically up aloft, vanished round the corner, leaving avoid behind that all Europe could not fill.
A few weeks later Livy followed, leaving Mat to enjoy the liberty withwhich American girls may be trusted when they have a purpose or aprofession to keep them steady. And so ended the travels of the trio,travels which had filled a year with valuable experiences, memorabledays, and that culture which a larger knowledge of the world, ourfellow-men, and ourselves gives to the fortunate souls to whom thispleasure is permitted.
One point was satisfactorily proved by the successful issue of thispartnership; for, in spite of many prophecies to the contrary, threewomen, utterly unlike in every respect, had lived happily together fortwelve long months, had travelled unprotected safely over land and sea,had experienced two revolutions, an earthquake, an eclipse, and a flood,yet met with no loss, no mishap, no quarrel, and no disappointment worthmentioning.
With this triumphant statement as a moral to our tale, we wouldrespectfully advise all timid sisters now lingering doubtfully on theshore, to strap up their bundles in light marching order, and pushboldly off. They will need no protector but their own courage, no guidebut their own good sense and Yankee wit, and no interpreter, if thatwoman's best gift, the tongue, has a little French polish on it.
Dear Amandas, Matildas, and Lavinias, why delay? Wait on no man, buttake your little store and invest it in something far better than Parisfinery, Geneva jewellery, or Roman relics. Bring home empty trunks, ifyou will, but heads full of new and larger ideas, hearts richer in thesympathy that makes the whole world kin, hands readier to help on thegreat work God gives humanity, and souls elevated by the wonders of artand the diviner miracles of Nature.
Leave ennui and discontent, frivolity and feebleness, among the ruinsof the Old World, and bring home to the New the grace, the culture, andthe health which will make American women what now they just fail ofbeing, the bravest, brightest, happiest, and handsomest women in theworld.
THE END.
* * * * * * * * * * * *