mp, made
their appearance;--bidding, we say, the musicians and the universe to be
silent, F. B. rose, and made the citizens of Newcome a splendid speech.
Good old unconscious Mrs. Mason was the theme of it, and the Colonel's
virtues and faithful gratitude in tending her. "She was his father's old
friend. She was Sir Barnes Newcome's grandfather's old friend. She had
lived for more than forty years at Sir Barnes Newcome's door, and how
often had he been to see her? Did he go every week? No. Every month?
No. Every year? No. Never in the whole course of his life had he set his
foot into her doors!" (Loud yells, and cries of 'Shame!') "Never had he
done her one single act of kindness. Whereas for years and years past,
when he was away in India, heroically fighting the battles of
his country, when he was distinguishing himself at Assaye,
and--and--Mulligatawny, and Seringapatam, in the hottest of the fight
and the fiercest of the danger, in the most terrible moment of the
conflict, and the crowning glory of the victory, the good, the brave,
the kind old Colonel,--why should he say Colonel? why should he not say
Old Tom at once?" (immense roars of applause) "always remembered his
dear old nurse and friend. Look at that shawl, boys, which she has got
on! My belief is that Colonel Newcome took that shawl in single combat,
and on horseback, from the prime minister of Tippoo Sahib." (Immense
cheers and cries of 'Bravo, Bayham!') "Look at that brooch the dear old
thing wears!" (he kissed her hand whilst so apostrophising her). "Tom
Newcome never brags about his military achievements, he is the most
modest as well as the bravest man in the world. What if I were to tell
you that he cut that brooch from the throat of an Indian rajah? He's man
enough to do it." ('He is! he is!' from all parts of the crowd.) "What,
you want to take the horses out, do you?" (to the crowd, who were
removing those quadrupeds). "I ain't agoing to prevent you; I expected
as much of you. Men of Newcome, I expected as much of you, for I know
you! Sit still, old lady; don't be frightened, ma'am: they are only
going to pull you to the King's Arms, and show you to the Colonel."

This, indeed, was the direction in which the mob (whether inflamed by
spontaneous enthusiasm, or excited by cunning agents placed amongst the
populace by F. B., I cannot say), now took the barouche and its three
occupants. With a myriad roar and shout the carriage was dragged up
in front