Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-15

mice in the change;-a flavor OF smoke ana SPIT
yts proceeding from his dress, seemed to accuse
him of having passed the morning in bad compa-
nv and ungentemanly pursuits. | tried to per-
s4ade myself that the effects ola preceding nights
debauch still clung to his person; and my atten-
t;on was soon engrossed from the subject by the
interest of my purchases. Not so that OF my com
nan;on: his yawns and expressions of lasstude be-
came so unceremoniously and ungraciously, re-
heated. that was at length provoked to rally HIM
mon his WEAKNESS. II have seen you IN York
shire. less fatigued BY six hours run after the
Tstton packs. or by long September flag over
the stubble," said |; ''yet you must have been
in bed by twelve
..Me2-I seldom see my pillow till daylight
struggles through the smoke and haze OF this
cursed atmosphere.-I did not turn IN this morn
ing till past eight
Frank exclaimed with very uneasy
presentimeut, ..where did you pass the night
"Where my days and nights are chiefly pas
sed-iaa HeHr' -.
He uttered these words with horrid chnckllng
laugh. involuntarily impellingme to drop his arm'
but | quickly resumed it:-Pity for my OLD COM
panion superseding even my disgust. MY COM
missions were now nearly executed: and was
forced to take leave of him, being engaged to dine
in Red Lon-square with my Solicitor, to make
arrangements for accompanying him to the BanS
on the following day; on which, by the way, en-
gaeed Morton to meet me again, at dinner, at the
BIenheim. Twas anxious to demonstrate with
him at leisure. on the pernicious tendency OF the
horrible pursuitin which he avowed himself to be
engaged. Iresoved too, to offer him more val
uable aid than circumstances, and on the follow
inc morning, having placed the proceeds of Ma
rvs portion in the hands of my Solicitor for Sc
curitv, till my departure for Warrington, with
drew from sum of $500, which received from
nv private balance with view to my recent
purchases, a bank note Of g50-with which
trusted to enable Morton to pay off his Loadon
lodgings, and accompany me to the provincial
town, the hereditary residence OF his own res
pectable family. After our cofee-room dinner,
we once more agreed to adjourn to the Theatre;
and | deposited the pocket book containing the
intended loan securely within my waistcoat; m
tending to accompany him home at night, IN Or
der to unfold my projects and interrupt his own.
We Glanced to place ourselves, at the thea
tire, in the sans box with remarkably gentle
manlike looking man, whom Morton presented
to me as his intimate friend; and previous to the
conclusion of the performance, we determined to
sup together at the Piazza. Morton was in ex-
ceilent spirits; his friend lively and entertaining;
and in defiance of NY general habits, was indu-
ced in the course of two convivial hours, to drink
more deeply than suited with my intentions of
sage admoniton to my imprudent friend.-Still,
however, did not loose sight of my object; and
when on our return to the West End, Morton
insisted with half drunken pertinacity, OH follow
ing his course of the former night, persuaded
his friend to join me in vigilance, and enter the
den of perdltion to which he seemed thus deter
mined to resort in the hope of restraining him by
our presence and our counsels.
! have said that was exhiirated by intern
perance; but the horrors of the scene into which
was now initiated, withdrew the veil from my
| eyes;-I was sobered in minute. Shall ever
forget the wonder-the loathing-with which
perused the haggard visages and lowering brows,
congregated around that fatal table? Such scenes,
and their first shocks upon an uninterrupted mind,
have often been described; but no graphic elo-
quence has vet delineated, or will ever define
ate, the embodied misery that presented itself
| to my eyes.
will not prolong my narrative by unnecessa-
nv details. Suffice it to say that an almost mi
raculous run of luck on Mortons side, gradually
induced his friend and myself to relax from our
pre-conceived severity; that we were at length
persuaded. by his earnest entreaties to share in
his success; that devoted the contents of the
pocket book destined TO his eXtricaion, to part
nership in his fatal folly; and that at five O'Clock
in the morning regained my apartment, with
flushed cheeks, throbbing head, and an increase
! of ESQ to my former funds.
Well do remember the feversh visions super
seding my usual calm repose on the first night of
my infatuation;-the intoxication produced by o.
plum is mere insensibility, compared with the
mental excitement ola successful gambler! Be-
fore reflection and soda water had restored my
frame to its usual temperature, proceeded on a
mornings lounge with Morton; and it is astonish-
ing with what altered feeling Of self-importance
entered Nugee's shop to hasten his operations;
and discussed at Elvey's the merit of rival dress
ing cases. At Oranges we drawled away an
hour with Maraschino and Parafait Amour; but
still our morning was only half extinguished; and
| at length consented to follow my experienced
friend into house in Duke's-palace, where he said
we might amuse ourselves with Chequin Hazard
till dinner. At seven we adjourned to a French
restaurateur's in Leicester square, whose most ex-
quisite viands, refresed with Burgundy and Ep-
ernay, appeared unworthy to crafty our thrice re-
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