Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 68, No. 421, November 1850. Various

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ to the inner world of sentiment and feeling. But perhaps, after all, the man has no sentiment and feeling! How can you expect that a steady personage in practical life, whose mornings are spent in Downing Street, and whose nights are consumed in watching Government bills through a committee, can write in the same style as an idle dreamer amidst the pines of Ravenna or on the banks of Como.

      Audley had just finished this epistle, such as it was, when the attendant in waiting announced the arrival of a deputation from a provincial trading town, the members of which deputation he had appointed to meet at two o'clock. There was no office in London at which deputations were kept waiting less than at that over which Mr Egerton presided.

      The deputation entered – some score or so of middle-aged, comfortable-looking persons, who nevertheless had their grievance – and considered their own interests, and those of the country, menaced by a certain clause in a bill brought in by Mr Egerton.

      The Mayor of the town was the chief spokesman, and he spoke well – but in a style to which the dignified official was not accustomed. It was a slap-dash style – unceremonious, free, and easy – an American style. And, indeed, there was something altogether in the appearance and bearing of the Mayor which savoured of residence in the Great Republic. He was a very handsome man, but with a look sharp and domineering – the look of a man who did not care a straw for president or monarch, and who enjoyed the liberty to speak his mind, and "wallop his own nigger!"

      His fellow-burghers evidently regarded him with great respect; and Mr Egerton had penetration enough to perceive that Mr Mayor must be a rich man, as well as an eloquent one, to have overcome those impressions of soreness or jealousy which his tone was calculated to create in the self-love of his equals.

      Mr Egerton was far too wise to be easily offended by mere manner; and, though he stared somewhat haughtily when he found his observations actually pooh-poohed, he was not above being convinced. There was much sense and much justice in Mr Mayor's arguments, and the statesman civilly promised to take them into full consideration.

      He then bowed out the deputation; but scarcely had the door closed before it opened again, and Mr Mayor presented himself alone, saying aloud to his companions in the passage, "I forgot something I had to say to Mr Egerton; wait below for me."

      "Well, Mr Mayor," said Audley, pointing to a seat, "what else would you suggest?"

      The Mayor looked round to see that the door was closed; and then, drawing his chair close to Mr Egerton's, laid his forefinger on that gentleman's arm, and said, "I think I speak to a man of the world, sir."

      Mr Egerton bowed, and made no reply by word, but he gently removed his arm from the touch of the forefinger.

      Mr Mayor. – "You observe, sir, that I did not ask the members whom we return to Parliament to accompany us. Do better without 'em. You know they are both in Opposition – out-and-outers."

      Mr Egerton. – "It is a misfortune which the Government cannot remember, when the question is whether the trade of the town itself is to be served or injured."

      Mr Mayor. – "Well, I guess you speak handsome, sir. But you'd be glad to have two members to support Ministers after the next election."

      Mr Egerton, smiling. – "Unquestionably, Mr Mayor."

      Mr Mayor. – "And I can do it, Mr Egerton. I may say I have the town in my pocket; so I ought, I spend a great deal of money in it. Now, you see, Mr Egerton, I have passed a part of my life in a land of liberty – the United States – and I come to the point when I speak to a man of the world. I'm a man of the world myself, sir. And if so be the Government will do something for me, why, I'll do something for the Government. Two votes for a free and independent town like ours – that's something, isn't it?"

      Mr Egerton, taken by surprise. – "Really, I – "

      Mr Mayor, advancing his chair still nearer, and interrupting the official. – "No nonsense, you see, on one side or the other. The fact is that I've taken it into my head that I should be knighted. You may well look surprised, Mr Egerton – trumpery thing enough, I dare say; still, every man has his weakness, and I should like to be Sir Richard. Well, if you can get me made Sir Richard, you may just name your two members for the next election – that is, if they belong to your own set, enlightened men, up to the times. That's speaking fair and manful, isn't it?"

      Mr Egerton, drawing himself up. – "I am at a loss to guess why you should select me, sir, for this very extraordinary proposition."

      Mr Mayor, nodding good-humouredly. – "Why, you see, I don't go all along with the Government; you're the best of the bunch. And maybe you'd like to strengthen your own party. This is quite between you and me, you understand; honour's a jewel!"

      Mr Egerton, with great gravity. – "Sir, I am obliged by your good opinion; but I agree with my colleagues in all the great questions that affect the government of the country, and – "

      Mr Mayor, interrupting him. – "Ah, of course, you must say so; very right. But I guess things would go differently if you were Prime Minister. However, I have another reason for speaking to you about my little job. You see you were member for Lansmere once, and I think you came in but by two majority, eh?"

      Mr Egerton. – "I know nothing of the particulars of that election; I was not present."

      Mr Mayor. – "No; but, luckily for you, two relatives of mine were, and they voted for you. Two votes, and you came in by two! Since then, you have got into very snug quarters here, and I think we have a claim on you – "

      Mr Egerton. – "Sir, I acknowledge no such claim; I was and am a stranger to Lansmere; and, if the electors did me the honour to return me to Parliament, it was in compliment rather to – "

      Mr Mayor, again interrupting the official. – "Rather to Lord Lansmere, you were going to say; unconstitutional doctrine that, I fancy. Peer of the realm. But, never mind, I know the world; and I'd ask Lord Lansmere to do my affair for me, only I hear he is as proud as Lucifer."

      Mr Egerton, in great disgust, and settling his papers before him. – "Sir, it is not in my department to recommend to his Majesty candidates for the honour of knighthood, and it is still less in my department to make bargains for seats in Parliament."

      Mr Mayor. – "Oh, if that's the case, you'll excuse me; I don't know much of the etiquette in these matters. But I thought that, if I put two seats in your hands, for your own friends, you might contrive to take the affair into your department, whatever it was. But, since you say you agree with your colleagues, perhaps it comes to the same thing. Now, you must not suppose I want to sell the town, and that I can change and chop my politics for my own purpose. No such thing! I don't like the sitting members; I'm all for progressing, but they go too much a-head for me; and, since the Government is disposed to move a little, why I'd as lief support them as not. But, in common gratitude, you see, (added the Mayor, coaxingly,) I ought to be knighted! I can keep up the dignity, and do credit to his Majesty."

      Mr Egerton, without looking up from his papers. – "I can only refer you, sir, to the proper quarter."

      Mr Mayor, impatiently. – "Proper quarter! Well, since there is so much humbug in this old country of ours, that one must go through all the forms and get at the job regularly, just tell me whom I ought to go to."

      Mr Egerton, beginning to be amused as well as indignant. – "If you want a knighthood, Mr Mayor, you must ask the Prime Minister; if you want to give the Government information relative to seats in Parliament, you must introduce yourself to Mr – the Secretary of the Treasury."

      Mr СКАЧАТЬ