Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 373, November 1846Various
History
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 373, November 1846
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
A week has elapsed since I penned the foregoing sentences, and during
that week only two things have occurred to me worthy of noticing. First,
a couple (apparently newly married) put up for a few hours at the little
inn in the village. They were both of a certain age. _He_ wore a
ponderous watch-chain and seals; she also was sufficiently bedizened
after the same fashion. Twice I encountered them. First, on the
seashore, where they took their seat very coolly on the rock next
adjoining _my_ old perch, which I was then occupying. After some
considerable swagger, my gentleman produced a newspaper from his pocket,
and distinctly said to his fair companion--"What an uncommon good thing
the Illus_trious London News_ is for the lower classes!" Second, the
worthy couple were walking together, at a subsequent period of the day,
laden with provender for an open-air lunch--with sandwiches and a black
bottle, and with a matter-of-fact air, turned into a beautifully
disposed rustic walk, having palpable _indicia_ of privacy--it
belonging, in fact, to the residence of a nobleman. My lord's gentleman,
or gentleman's gentleman, happening to meet them, (I passing at the
time,) asked them, with great courtesy of manner, if they were aware
"that that was private property?" "Well," replied our male friend
angrily, "and what if it is? I thought an Englishman might go any where
he pleased in his own country, _provided he didn't do any mischief_. But
come along, my dear," giving his arm to his flustered companion, "times
are come to a pretty pass, aren't they?" With this, the offended
dignities retraced their steps, but prodigiously slowly, and I saw no
more of them.--The other occurrence was a dream, as odd, as obstinate in
adherence to my memory. Methought I went one day to church to hear a
revered elderly relative of mine preach. The church was crammed with an
attentive and solemnly-disposed audience, whom the preacher was
addressing very calmly but seriously, without gown or bands, but wearing
two neckerchiefs, one resting upon the topmost edge of the other, and
being of blue silk, with white spots! Though aware of this slight
departure from clerical costume, it occasioned me no surprise, but I
listened with serious attention. 'Twas only when I had awoke that the
fantastic absurdity of the thing became apparent.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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