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horrible kind of admiration； such as that with which a cannibal
might regard his intimate friend； when hungry；—‘did you ever—
and here he drew still closer to his ear； and fenced his mouth with
both his open bands—‘see such a throat as his？ Do but cast your
eye upon it。 There’s a neck for stretching； Muster Gashford！’
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The secretary assented to this proposition with the best grace
he could assume—it is difficult to feign a true professional relish：
which is eccentric sometimes—and after asking the candidate a
few unimportant questions； proceeded to enrol him a member of
the Great Protestant Association of England。 If anything could
have exceeded Mr Dennis’s joy on the happy conclusion of this
ceremony； it would have been the rapture with which he received
the announcement that the new member could neither read nor
write： those two arts being （as Mr Dennis swore） the greatest
possible curse a civilised community could know； and militating
more against the professional emoluments and usefulness of the
great constitutional office he had the honour to hold； than any
adverse circumstances that could present themselves to his
imagination。
The enrolment being completed； and Hugh having been
informed by Gashford； in his peculiar manner； of the peaceful and
strictly lawful objects contemplated by the body to which he now
belonged—during which recital Mr Dennis nudged him very much
with his elbow； and made divers remarkable faces—the secretary
gave them both to understand that he desired to be alone。
Therefore they took their leaves without delay； and came out of
the house together。
‘Are you walking； brother？’ said Dennis。
‘Ay！’ returned Hugh。 ‘Where you will。’
‘That’s social；’ said his new friend。 ‘Which way shall we take？
Shall we go and have a look at doors that we shall make a pretty
good clattering at； before long—eh； brother？’
Hugh answering in the affirmative； they went slowly down to
Westminster； where both houses of Parliament were then sitting。
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Mingling in the crowd of carriages； horses； servants； chairmen；
link…boys； porters； and idlers of all kinds； they lounged about；
while Hugh’s new friend pointed out to him significantly the weak
parts of the building； how easy it was to get into the lobby； and so
to the very door of the House of Commons； and how plainly； when
they marched down there in grand array； their roars and shouts
would be heard by the members inside； with a great deal more to
the same purpose； all of which Hugh received with manifest
delight。
He told him； too； who some of the Lords and Commons were； by
name； as they came in and out； whether they were friendly to the
Papists or otherwise； and bade him take notice of their liveries and
equipages； that he might be sure of them； in case of need。
Sometimes he drew him close to the windows of a passing
carriage； that he might see its master’s face by the light of the
lamps； and； both in respect of people and localities； he showed so
much acquaintance with everything around； that it was plain he
had often studied there before； as indeed； when they grew a little
more confidential； he confessed he had。
Perhaps the most striking part of all this was； the number of
people—never in groups of more than two or three together—who
seemed to be skulking about the crowd for the same purpose。 To
the greater part of these； a slight nod or a look from Hugh’s
companion was sufficient greeting； but； now and then； some man
would come and stand beside him in the throng； and； without
turning his head or appearing to communicate with him； would
say a word or two in a low voice； which he would answer in the
same cautious manner。 Then they would part； like strangers。
Some of these men often reappeared again unexpectedly in the
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crowd close to Hugh； and； as they passed by； pressed his hand； or
looked him sternly in the face； but they never spoke to him； nor he
to them； no； not a word。
It was remarkable； too； that whenever they happened to stand
where there was any press of people； and Hugh chanced to be
looking downward； he was sure to see an arm stretched out—
under his own perhaps； or perhaps across him—which thrust
some paper into the hand or pocket of a bystander； and was so
suddenly withdrawn that it was impossible to tell from whom it
came； nor could he see in any face； on glancing quickly round； the
least confusion or surprise。 They often trod upon a paper like the
one he carried in his breast； but his companion whispered him not
to touch it or to take it up；—not even to look towards it；—so there
they let them lie； and passed on。
When they had paraded the street and all the avenues of the
building in this manner for near two hours； they turned away； and
his friend asked him what he thought of what he had seen； and
whether he was prepared for a good hot piece of work if it should
come to that。 The hotter the better；’ said Hugh； ‘I’m prepared for
anything。’—‘So am I；’ said his friend； ‘and so are many of us； and
they shook hands upon it with a great oath； and with many terrible
imprecations on the Papists。
As they were thirsty by this time； Dennis proposed that they
should repair together to The Boot； where there was good
company and strong liquor。 Hugh yielding a ready assent； they
bent their steps that way with no loss of time。
This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment； situated in
the fields at the back of the Foundling Hospital； a very solitary
spot at that period； and quite deserted after dark。 The tavern stood
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at some distance from any high road； and was approachable only
by a dark and narrow lane； so that Hugh was much surprised to
find several people drinking there； and great merriment going on。
He was still more surprised to find among them almost every face
that had caught his attention in the crowd； but his companion
having whispered him outside the door； that it was not considered
good manners at The Boot to appear at all curious about the
company； he kept his own counsel； and made no show of
recognition。
Before putting his lips to the liquor which was brought for
them； Dennis drank in a loud voice the health of Lord George
Gordon； President of the Great Protestant Association； which toast
Hugh pledged likewise； with corresponding enthusiasm。 A fiddler
who was present； and who appeared to act as the appointed
minstrel of the company； forthwith struck up a Scotch reel； and
that in tones so invigorating； that Hugh and his friend （who had
both been drinking before） rose from their seats as by previous
concert； and； to the great admiration of the assembled guests；
performed an extemporaneous No…Popery Dance。
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