r.
Dangerfield, who was in great force, and, indeed, in particularly
pleasant spirits, except when unfortunate Nutter was actually under
discussion--when he grew grave and properly saddened--told, in his
clear, biting way, a curious rosary of Newgate stories--of highwaymen's
disguises--of clever constables--of circumstantial evidence,
marvellously elicited, and exquisitely put together--of monsters, long
concealed, drawn from the deep by the finest tackle, into upper light,
and dropped deftly into the landing-net of Justice. These curious
anecdotes of Bow-street dexterity and Bagshot dodges--thrust and
parry--mine and counter-mine--ending, for the most part, in the triumph
of Bow-street, Justice crowned, and a Tyburn speech--tickled Lowe
mightily, who quite enjoyed himself, and laughed more than his friend
Colonel Stafford ever remembered to have heard him before, over some of
the ingenious stratagems described so neatly by Dangerfield, and the gay
irony with which he pointed his catastrophes. And Lowe actually, having
obtained Colonel Stafford's leave, proposed that gallant officer's
health in a bumper, and took occasion to mention their obligations to
him for having afforded them the opportunity of enjoying Mr.
Dangerfield's sprightly and instructive sallies; and hoped, with all his
heart, that the neighbourhood was long to enjoy the advantage and
pleasure of his residence among them. And Mr. Dangerfield replied gaily,
that all that was needed to make such sweet scenery and charming company
as the place commanded absolutely irresistible, was the sense of safety
conferred by the presence of such a magistrate as Mr. Lowe, and the
convivial inspiration of such wine as their gallant host provided; and
that, for his part, being somewhat of an old boy, and having had enough
of rambling, nothing would better please him than to spend the residue
of his days amidst the lively quietude of their virtuous and hilarious
neighbourhood; and some more to the like purpose, which pleased the good
company highly, who all agreed that the white gentleman--fluent, easy,
and pointed in his delivery--was a mighty fine speaker, indeed. Though
there was a lurking consciousness in each, which none cared to publish,
that there was, at times, an indefinable flavour of burlesque and irony
in Mr. Dangerfield's compliments, which excited momentary suspicions and
qualms, which the speaker waived off, however, easily with his jewelled
fingers, and smil