212520_The_Adve ... _Way_Through_The_World.pdf - OUDL Home

ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 515
had no secrets from us. We had astonishing intelligence at most
European courts ; exclusive reports of the Emperor of Russia's last
joke—his last ? his next, very likely. We knew the most secret
designs of the Austrian Privy Council ; the views which the Pope
had in his eye ; who was the latest favourite of the Grand Turk,
and so on. The Upper Ten Thousand at New York were supplied
with a quantity of information which I trust profited them. It
was "Palmerston remarked yesterday at dinner," or, "The good
old Duke said last night at Apsley House to the French Ambassador,"
and the rest. The letters were signed " Philalethes;"
and, as nobody was wounded by the shafts of our long-bow, I trust
Mr. Philip and his friends may be pardoned for twanging it. By
information procured from learned female personages, we even
managed to give accounts, more or less correct, of the latest ladies'
fashions. We were members of all the clubs; we were present
at the routs and assemblies of the political leaders of both sides.
We had little doubt that Philalethes would be successful at New
York, and looked forward to an increased payment for his labours.
At the end of the first year of Philip Firmin's married life, we
made a calculation by which it was clear that he had actually saved
money. His expenses, to bo sure, were increased. There was a
baby in the nursery : but there was a little bag of sovereigns in
the cupboard, and the thrifty young fellow hoped to add still
more to his store.
We were relieved at finding that Firmin and his wife were not
invited to repeat their visit to their employer's house at Hampstead.
An occasional invitation to dinner was still sent to the
young people; but Mugford, a haughty man in his way, with a
proper spirit of his own, had the good sense to see that much
intimacy could not arise between him and his sub-editor, and
magnanimously declined to be angry at the young fellow's easy
superciliousness. I think that indefatigable Little Sister was
the peacemaker between the houses of Mugford and Firmin
junior, and that she kept both Philip and his master on their
good behaviour. At all events, and when a quarrel did arise
between them, I grieve to have to own it was poor Philip who
was in the wrong.
You know in the old old days the young king and queen never
gave any christening entertainment without neglecting to invite
some old fairy, who was furious at the omission. I am sorry to
say Charlotte's mother was so angry at not being appointed godmother
to the new baby, that she omitted to make her little
quarterly payment of £12, 10s.; and has altogether discontinued that
payment from that remote period up to the present time ; so that