第19章

Tell Mrs.Glibbans that I have not heard of no sound preacher as yet in London--the want of which is no doubt the great cause of the crying sins of the place.What would she think to hear of newspapers selling by tout of horn on the Lord's day? and on the Sabbath night, the change-houses are more throng than on the Saturday! I am told, but as yet I cannot say that I have seen the evil myself with my own eyes, that in the summer time there are tea- gardens, where the tradesmen go to smoke their pipes of tobacco, and to entertain their wives and children, which can be nothing less than a bringing of them to an untimely end.But you will besurprised to hear, that no such thing as whusky is to be had in the public- houses, where they drink only a dead sort of beer; and that a bottle of true jennyinn London porter is rarely to be seen in the whole town--all kinds of piple getting their porter in pewter cans, and a laddie calls for in the morning to take away what has been yoused over night.But what I most miss is the want of creem.The milk here is just skimm, and I doot not, likewise well watered--as for the water, a drink of clear wholesome good water is not within the bounds of London; and truly, now may I say, that I have learnt what the blessing of a cup of cold water is.

Tell Miss Nanny Eydent, that the day of the burial is now settled, when we are going to Windsor Castle to see the precesson--and that, by the end of the wick, she may expect the fashions from me, with all the particulars.Till then, I am, my dear Miss Mally, your friend and well-wisher,JANET PRINGLE.

NOTO BENY.--Give my kind compliments to Mrs.Glibbans, and let her know, that I will, after Sunday, give her an account of the state of the Gospel in London.

Miss Mally paused when she had read the letter, and it was unanimously agreed, that Mrs.Pringle gave a more full account of London than either father, son, or daughter.

By this time the night was far advanced, and Mrs.Glibbans was rising to go away, apprehensive, as she observed, that they were going to bring "the carts" into the room.Upon Miss Mally, however, assuring her that no such transgression was meditated, but that she intended to treat them with a bit nice Highland mutton ham, and eggs, of her own laying, that worthy pillar of the Relief Kirk consented to remain.

It was past eleven o'clock when the party broke up; Mr.Snodgrass and Mr.Micklewham walked home together, and as they were crossing the Red Burn Bridge, at the entrance of Eglintoun Wood,--a place well noted from ancient times for preternatural appearances, Mr.Micklewham declared that he thought he heard something purring among the bushes; upon which Mr.Snodgrass made a jocose observation, stating, that it could be nothing but the effect of Lord North's strong ale in his head; and we should add, by way of explanation, that the Lord North here spoken of wasWilly Grieve, celebrated in Irvine for the strength and flavour of his brewing, and that, in addition to a plentiful supply of his best, Miss Mally had entertained them with tamarind punch, constituting a natural cause adequate to produce all the preternatural purring that terrified the dominie.