, 1872-03-28
An Hour Of Agony.

| An Hour Of Agony.
Has the reader ever had tussle with
a Bengal tiger in full vigor and appetite? ?
Has it CHANGED him to be in balloon
when perforated with Prussian bullets ?
Has it occurred to him to have been in
dulging q commendable curiosity in the
remoter recesses of coal-mine, when an
explosion suddenly severed the connec-
ton between himself and the world
without? These are forms of, uneasi-
ness not to be lightly treated of. They
shrink into nothing beside that supreme
commingling of grief, astonishment and
horror it was my lot to experience on a
certain never-to-be-forgotten evening of
January, 40.
Times soothing influence has wrought
its accustomed effect. All bitterness, all
self-reproach have died gradually away.
In place of that mental tumult which,
for long period attended the remem-
brance of the incident in question, I now
find myself able to narrate with indiffer-
ence, nay, even with smile, the cir
cumstance to which, but recently, my
most intimate friends burst hardly haz.
ard an allusion.
The Guild of Lumpeters represents
one of the most ancient and honored Il
London's civic institutions. What they
are, why they are, have not the remot-
est idea. They have hall, solely, il
would seem, for purposes of hospitality
They give dinners Of uncomfortable sue.
culency and toothsomeness. They in
vite mayors. nay, kings, who don't al.
ways come, and princes, who generally
do, and they invite me. I go, for like
them.
Pretexts were never wanting for a
Lumpeter feed. The recovery of the
chief city magistrate from bilious at
tack, the breaking up of the frost, the
birth of a son and heir to the Ban OF
Croatia, the arrival of u piebald elephant
at the Geological Society, such were
among the events could recall as hav-
ing suggested feastful rejoicings. Bu'
that to which have now to refer was to
be regarded as q private and peculiar
gathering, almost, in point Of fact, a
corporate family feed, comprising no
more than ninety-five guests, selected
with discrimination, for the purpose of
testing the merits of new head-cook.
There were to be no speeches, no mu-
sic. The usual loyal toasts, no more.
Above all, no ladies'. e- -
The Lumpeters were particular-and
a thought conservative in matters of
attire. They themselves. to man. ad-
hered to the fashion, moribund. but not
defunct, of ankle-buttoned pantaloons,
figured silk stockings. buckled shoes,
expansive white waistcoats, and the
mighty cravat patronized by his late
majesty the fourth George. It was well
understood that the adoption of simi-
lar costume on the part of their guests
would be interpreted by Lumpeters as
the most delicate return that could be
offered for their hospitality. I, myself,
invariably sported the fancy dress in
question.
On the eventful day have mention.
ed, it happened that l had been detain-
ed at chambers later than usuA, and on
reaching home had barely time to dress.
While doing so, received an anxious
message from friend who was to have
accompanied me to the banquet, but
who, being late. and himself a stranger
to the guild, begged me to secure fol-
him seat next my own.
With increased expedition I finished
my toilet, and the dining-hall being but
five minutes walk from my residence, !
quickly buttoned on o pair of rough
overalls, threw on my cloak, and hur-
ried to the spot.
To my astonishment, crowd, dense
and still augmenting, was gathered
about the door. 1t was only through
the aid of a friendly policeman that
was enabled to make my way. "What
was the matter?"
It was presentely announced that the
renowned French iion-slayer, the Baron
Bobadil de Bete-Fauve. had, at the last
moment, accepted an invitation to dine
at Lumpeters' Hall.
The character of the assembly had
undergone change. Not only had a
little reinforcement of hundred and
twenty guests been hastily invited. but
q dense mass of spectators lined the
hall, the passages, and the ante chamber
and even fiothed over into the ban
queting-room itself, the spacious gal
lery of which was already filled with
ladies whom the chivalrous guild had
found it impossible to dream Of exclud-
ing.
was late but dinner had been defer
red half an hour. There would be
inst time to rush into the room. secure
INV friends seat, and then deposit my