And then Francis Ardry proceeded to make me his confidant.It appeared that he had had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of the most delightful young Frenchwoman imaginable,Annette La Noire by name,who had just arrived from her native country with the intention of obtaining the situation of governess in some English family;a position which,on account of her many accomplishments,she was eminently qualified to fill.Francis Ardry had,however,persuaded her to relinquish her intention for the present,on the ground that,until she had become acclimated in England,her health would probably suffer from the confinement inseparable from the occupation in which she was desirous of engaging;he had,moreover-for it appeared that she was the most frank and confiding creature in the world-succeeded in persuading her to permit him to hire for her a very handsome first floor in his own neighbourhood,and to accept a few inconsiderable presents in money and jewellery.'I am looking out for a handsome gig and horse,'said Francis Ardry,at the conclusion of his narration;'it were a burning shame that so divine a creature should have to go about a place like London on foot,or in a paltry hackney coach.'
'But,'said I,'will not the pursuit of politics prevent your devoting much time to this fair lady?'
'It will prevent me devoting all my time,'said Francis Ardry,'as I gladly would;but what can I do?My guardians wish me to qualify myself for a political orator,and I dare not offend them by a refusal.If I offend my guardians,I should find it impossible-unless I have recourse to Jews and money-lenders-to support Annette;present her with articles of dress and jewellery,and purchase a horse and cabriolet worthy of conveying her angelic person through the streets of London.'
After a pause,in which Francis Ardry appeared lost in thought,his mind being probably occupied with the subject of Annette,I broke silence by observing,'So your fellow-religionists are really going to make a serious attempt to procure their emancipation?'
'Yes,'said Francis Ardry,starting from his reverie;'everything has been arranged;even a leader has been chosen,at least for us of Ireland,upon the whole the most suitable man in the world for the occasion-a barrister of considerable talent,mighty voice,and magnificent impudence.With emancipation,liberty,and redress for the wrongs of Ireland in his mouth,he is to force his way into the British House of Commons,dragging myself and others behind him-he will succeed,and when he is in he will cut a figure;I have heard-himself,who has heard him speak,say that he will cut a figure.'
'And is-competent to judge?'I demanded.
'Who but he?'said Francis Ardry;'no one questions his judgment concerning what relates to elocution.His fame on that point is so well established,that the greatest orators do not disdain occasionally to consult him;C-himself,as I have been told,when anxious to produce any particular effect in the House,is in the habit of calling in-for a consultation.'
'As to matter,or manner?'said I.
'Chiefly the latter,'said Francis Ardry,'though he is competent to give advice as to both,for he has been an orator in his day,and a leader of the people;though he confessed to me that he was not exactly qualified to play the latter part-"I want paunch,"said he.'
'It is not always indispensable,'said I;'there is an orator in my town,a hunchback and watchmaker,without it,who not only leads the people,but the mayor too;perhaps he has a succedaneum in his hunch:but,tell me,is the leader of your movement in possession of that which-wants?'
'No more deficient in it than in brass,'said Francis Ardry.
'Well,'said I,'whatever his qualifications may be,I wish him success in the cause which he has taken up-I love religious liberty.'
'We shall succeed,'said Francis Ardry;'John Bull upon the whole is rather indifferent on the subject,and then we are sure to be backed by the Radical party,who,to gratify their political prejudices,would join with Satan himself.'
'There is one thing,'said I,'connected with this matter which surprises me-your own lukewarmness.Yes,making every allowance for your natural predilection for dog-fighting,and your present enamoured state of mind,your apathy at the commencement of such a movement is to me unaccountable.'
'You would not have cause to complain of my indifference,'said Frank,'provided I thought my country would be benefited by this movement;but I happen to know the origin of it.The priests are the originators,'and what country was ever benefited by a movement which owed its origin to them?'so says Voltaire,a page of whom I occasionally read.By the present move they hope to increase their influence,and to further certain designs which they entertain both with regard to this country and Ireland.I do not speak rashly or unadvisedly.A strange fellow-a half-Italian,half-English priest,-who was recommended to me by my guardians,partly as a spiritual,partly as a temporal guide,has let me into a secret or two;he is fond of a glass of gin and water-and over a glass of gin and water cold,with a lump of sugar in it,he has been more communicative,perhaps,than was altogether prudent.Were I my own master,I would kick him,politics,and religious movements,to a considerable distance.And now,if you are going away,do so quickly;I have an appointment with Annette,and must make myself fit to appear before her.'