d them. We ourselves have been similarly
circumstanced. Attacked by an infamous and unconstitutional statute,
passed in the reign of the late usurper, William of Orange, (for I may
remark that, if the right king had been upon the throne, that illegal
enactment would never have received the royal assent--the
Stuarts--Heaven preserve 'em!--always siding with the debtors); attacked
in this outrageous manner, I repeat, it has been all but '_up_' with US!
But the vigorous resistance offered on that memorable occasion by the
patriotic inhabitants of Bermuda to the aggressions of arbitrary power,
secured and established their privileges on a firmer basis than
heretofore; and, while their pusillanimous allies were crushed and
annihilated, they became more prosperous than ever. Gentlemen, I am
proud to say that _I_ originated--that _I_ directed those measures. I
hope to see the day, when not Southwark alone, but London itself shall
become one Mint,--when all men shall be debtors, and none
creditors,--when imprisonment for debt shall be utterly abolished,--when
highway-robbery shall be accounted a pleasant pastime, and forgery
an accomplishment,--when Tyburn and its gibbets shall be
overthrown,--capital punishments discontinued,--Newgate, Ludgate, the
Gatehouse, and the Compters razed to the ground,--Bridewell and
Clerkenwell destroyed,--the Fleet, the King's Bench, and the Marshalsea
remembered only by name! But, in the mean time, as that day may possibly
be farther off than I anticipate, we are bound to make the most of the
present. Take care of yourselves, gentlemen, and your governor will take
care of you. Before I sit down, I have a toast to propose, which I am
sure will be received, as it deserves to be, with enthusiasm. It is the
health of a stranger,--of Mr. John Sheppard. His father was one of my
old customers, and I am happy to find his son treading in his steps. He
couldn't be in better hands than those in which he has placed himself.
Gentlemen,--Mr. Sheppard's good health, and success to him!"

Baptist's toast was received with loud applause, and, as he sat down
amid the cheers of the company, and a universal clatter of mugs and
glasses, the widow's view was no longer obstructed. Her eye wandered
quickly over that riotous and disorderly assemblage, until it settled
upon one group more riotous and disorderly than the rest, of which her
son formed the principal figure. The agonized mother could scarcely
repress a scream