The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-27
DEALINGS
WITH THE FIRM OF
DO NJ B Z Y A N D SON.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.
DEALINGS
NO. X.-CHAP. xxx.
BY CHARLES DICKENS .

The opening of the eyes of Mrs. Chick.
Miss Tox, all unconscious Of any such
rare appearances in connexion with Mr..
Dombey's house, as scaffodings and lad
ders, and men with their heads tied up in
pocket handkerchiels, glazing in at the win
dows, like flying geni or strange birds
having breakfasted one morning at about
this eventful period of time, on her Gus
lomary viands, to wit: one French roll
rasped, one egg new laid Cor warranted to
beg, and one little pot of tea, wherein was
infused one little silver scoopful Of that
herb on behalf of Miss Tox, and one little
silver scoopful on behalf OF the teapot-a
flight Of fancy in which good house-keep-
ers delight: went up stairs 10 set forth the
bird waltz on the harpsichord, TO water and
arrange the plants, to dust the nick-nacks,
and, according to her daily custom, TO make
her little drawing-room the garland Of Priu-
cess's Place.
Miss Tox endued herself with the pair
of ancient gloves, like dead leaves, 10 which
she was accustomed to perform these avo-
catlons-hldden from human sight at other
times III table -drawer-and went method
ically TO work ), beginning with the bird
waltz; passing, by natural association of
ideas, to her bird-a very high=shouldered
canary, stricken in years, and much rum
Piled, but piercing singer, as Princess's
Place well knew; taking, next in order,
the little china ornaments, paper ny-cages,
and so forth; and coming round, in good
time, to the plants, which generally requi-
red to be shipped here and there with a
pair of scissors, for some botanical reason
that was very powerful with Miss Tox.
Miss Tox was slow in coming to the
plants this morning. The weather was
warm, the wind southerly; and there was
sigh of the summer time in Princess's
Place that turned Miss Tox's thoughts upon
the country. The pol-boy attached to the
Prlncess's Arms had come out with a can,
and trickled water, in a flowing pattern, all
over Plincess's Place, and il gave the weedy
ground fresh scent-qute a growing
scent, Miss Tox said. There was a tiny
blink of sun peeping in from the great street
| round the corner, and the smoky sparrows
hoped over it and back again, Frightening
as they passed; or bathed in il, like stream,
and became glorified sparrows, unconnect-
ed with chimneys. Legends in praise Of
Ginger Beer, with pictorial representations
of thirsty customers submerged in the effer-
vescence, or stunned by the flying corks,
were conspicuous in the window of the
Princess's Arms. They were making late
hay, somewhere out of town; and though
the fragrance had a long way TO come, and
many counter fragrances TO contend with
among the dwellings Of the poor (may God
reward the worthy gentlemen who sickle
for the Plague as part and parcel of the
wisdom Of our ancestors, and do their little
best TO keep those dwellings miserable !! J,
yet it was waited family into Princess's
Place, whispering Of nature and her whole
some air, as such things will, even unto
prisoners and captives, and those who are
desolate and oppressed, in very spite oil
aldermen and knights to boot; at whose
sage nod-and how they nod-the rolling
world stands still
seat, aud thought of her good papa deceas-
ed-Mr. Tox, of the Customs Department
of the public service and Of her childhood,
passed at a seaport, among considerable
quantity of cold tar, and some rusticity.
She fell into soGtened remembrance OF
meadows, in old time, cleaning with but
tercups, like SO many inverted ornaments
of golden stars and how she had made
chains of dandelon-sla for youthful VOW
ers of eternal consistency, dressed chiefly in
Dankeen; and how soon those letters had
wilhered and broken.
Sitting OIL the window scat, and looking
out upon the sparrows and the blink of sun,
Miss Tox thought likewise of her good
mamma deceased sister TO the owner of
the pow tered head and pgtail-of her vir
tues and her rheumatism. And when man
with bulgy legs, and rough voice, and a
heavy basket on his head that crushed his
ha, into mere black muffin, came crying
flowers down Princess's Place, making his
vibration of every yell he gave, as though
he had been an ogre, hawking little child
rem, summer iecolections were SO strong
upon Miss Tox, that she shook her head,
and murmur.d she would be comparatively
old before she knew (which seemed
likely.
In her rensive mood, Miss Tox's thoughts
went wandering on Mr.. Dombey's track
probably because the Major had returned
home TO his lodgings opposite, and had just
bowed TO her from his window. Wha,
other reason could Miss Tox have for con-
Meeting Mr.. Dombey with her summer
days and dandelion letters Was be more
cheerful : though, Miss Tox. Was he re-
conciled to the DEGREES of fates Would
he ever marry again; and if yes, whom /;
What sort of person now
A fush--it was warm weather-over-
spread Miss Tox's face, as, while enter
tanning these meditations, she turned her
head, and was surprised by the reflection
Of her thoughtful image in the chimney
glass. Another flush succeeded when she
saw little carriage drive into Princess's
Place, and make straight for her own door.
Miss Toy arose took mn hpr Scissnrs baS