The Old Chelsea Bun-House: A Tale of the Last Century

The Bed and Night-Clothes were soon prepared; and as I helped Mrs. _Gatty_ to undress, I could not help noting, that though her Gown was of the plainest black Stuff, her under G...

I have his Face before me this Minute! My _Mother_ was wont to say, "Mr. _Fenwick_ had smiling Eyes," but I protest I found they could cut me to the Heart. I ran up-Stairs as so...

It is a sad Thing when a Lady of Quality, who has been a Toast in her Youth, and has seen the white-gloved Beaux, as Mr. _Pope_ calls them, bowing to her from the Pit, and kissi...

I think a dismaller Thing can scarce be cited, than a lone dismal House on a dismal lone Moor, in dismal inclement Weather, without anything passing or like to pass on Horse or...

Mrs. _Gatty's_ Fever having now turned, 'tis incredible the Gratitude she expressed to me for all my Care of her during the course of it. I may say that during the whole Term, t...

Mrs. Gatty was circumspect not to occupy my _Father's_ Arm-Chair this Evening, whether he came to claim it or no. When the Tea-Things were set, I stept up to Mr. _Fenwick_ to le...

That same Evening, at Dusk, as we sat round the Fire, roasting Chestnuts and Raisins, in comes young Mr. _Heavitree_, buttoned to the Chin; and his Eyes and Cheeks in such a Glo...

As the dreaded Day approached, the public Panic increased to that Degree, that even the Sceptics with a Scoff on their Lips thought it would be as well to "keep out of Harm's Wa...

"But we do," said she, "in _Larkfield_ Parish. We live in the Foreign, though not in the Borough. Didn't I ever tell you that? When my _Father_ died, we gave up our Town-House,...

Though the Sun had not yet risen, I found a bright little Fire already kindled in the Parlour, and the little oval Table drawn close to it, and spread for Breakfast, with strong...

When _Prue_ and I made up our Books at the Year's End, we found to our great Thankfulness and Satisfaction, that in spite of our having paid many heavy Bills of my _Father's_, w...

"Do so, young Gentleman, and welcome. You see, we have quality Lodgers in the House, who keep late Hours; and as they require a good Deal of waiting on, we think it best to sit...

I do not much like to look back on that Time:--I was under a Cloud; a very dark one; and saw, heard, and felt Everything under its Shadow. I did not seem to love _Prue_ much, no...

In the Course of the Evening, Dr. _Elwes_ called. He said, "What could that young Baggage mean by sending me her three Pounds? I give them in Charge to you, Mrs. _Patty_, to rem...

Prudence was mighty pleased to hear of our Engagement, as it would afford her a near View of the gay World, which was what she had long been desiring. After the Shop was closed,...

"However that may be, _Gatty_," said I, "'tis certain you and I have not the Power of rectifying Abuses, and must take Things as we find them; but you must console yourself with...

I was sitting behind the Counter, when a smart-looking, sunburnt young Man of about two-and-twenty, attired as a Sailor, came into the Shop. He said, "Hallo, _Patty_! how are yo...

"I can't fancy myself in your Place, _Prudence_! I would not have done such a Thing for the World! Certainly, I could not consider myself free! Nor _him_ secure! Fleet Marriages...

Next Morning, my _Father_ at his Breakfast questioned us straitly as to what had been going on during his Absence, and seemed scarcely to know whether to take Offence at it or n...

Ah! how sorry a Thing is it, when a Man's Absence from his own Home is felt by all the Household to be a Relief! My poor _Father_ kept his Word, of not coming nigh us, for a goo...