Cliancellor cannot he hard on Mr. Guppy, associated as he is with Kenge
and Carboy, Jarndyce and Jarndyce, and other famous claims on his pro-
fessional consideration — and it is agreed that Mr. Weevle shall take
possession on the morrow. Mr. Weevle and Mr. Guppy then repair to
Cook's Coui't, Cursitor Street, where the personal introduction of the former
to Mr. Snagsby is effected, and (more important) the vote and interest of
Mrs. Snagsby are secured. They then report progress to the eminent
Smallweed, waiting at the office in his tall hat for that purpose, and
separate; Mr. Guppy explaining that he would terminate his little
entertainment by standing treat at the play, but that there are chords
in the human mind which would render it a hollow mockery.
On the morrow, in the dusk of evening, Mr. Weevle modestly appears
at Krook's, by no means incommoded with luggage, and establishes
himself in his new lodging ; Avhere the two eyes in the shutters stare at
him in his sleep, as if they were fidl of wonder. On the following day
Mr. Weevle, who is a handy good-for-nothing kind of young fellow, borrows
a needle and thread of Miss Elite, and a hammer of his landlord, and
goes to work devising apologies for window-curtains, and knocking up
apologies for shelves, and hanging up his two teacups, milkpot, and
crockery sundries on a pennyworth of little hooks, like a shipwrecked
sailor making the best of it.
But what Mr. Weevle prizes most, of all his few possessions (next after
his light whiskers, for which he has an attachment that only whiskers can
awaken in the breast of man), is a choice collection of copper-plate im-
pressions from that truly national work. The Divinities of Albion, or
Galaxy Gallery of British Beauty, representing ladies of title and
fashion in every variety of smirk that art, combined with capital, is
capable of producing. With these magnificent portraits, unworthily con-
fined in a band-box during his seclusion among the market-gardens, he
decorates his apartment ; and as the Galaxy Gallery of British Beauty wears
every variety of fancy-dress, plays every variety of musical instrument,
fondles every variety of dog, ogles every variety of prospect, and is backed up
by every variety of flower-pot and l)alustrade, the result is very imposing.
But, fashion is Mr. Weevle's, as it was Tony Jobling's weakness. To
boiTow yesterday's paper from the Sol's Arms of an evening, and read
about the brilliant and distinguished meteors that are shooting across the
fashionable sky in every direction, is unspeakable consolation to him. To
know what member of what brilliant and distinguished circle accomplished
the brilliant and distinguished feat of joining it yesterday, or contemplates
the no less brilliant and distinguished feat of leaving it to-morrow, gives
him a thrill of joy. To be informed what the Galaxy Gallery of British
Beauty is about, and means to be about, and what Galaxy marriages are
on the tapis, and what Galaxy rumours are in circulation, is to become
acquainted with the most glorious destinies of mankind. Mr. Weevle
reverts from this intelligence, to the Galaxy portraits implicated ; and
seems to know the originals, and to be known of them.
For the rest he is a quiet lodger, full of handy shifts and devices as
before mentioned, able to cook and clean for himself as well as to car-
penter, and developing social inclinations after the shades of evening have
fallen on the court. At those times, when he is not visited by
Mr. Guppy, or by a small light in his likeness quenched in a dark hat.
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