Chapter XIV

They gain an audience of His Excellency the British Minister, and ask his interference in behalf of a persecuted countryman.

We are happy to add that the interference was quite successful. Jones was liberated immediately, and shortly afterwards the British Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a despatch to the German Minister for the same, expressed his conviction that "The whole civilised world reprobated, with one voice, a system at once tyrannical and cruel, a remnant of the darkest ages of man's history, and utterly unworthy of the present era of progress and enlightenment."

Our friends were advised, however, to leave the country as soon and as quietly as possible. They departed accordingly.

[BADEN TO BASLE.]

Head-dresses of peasantry. A sketch on the road to Basle.

How Brown and Jones went in a third class carriage (Robinson would not; it did not seem "respectable"), that they might see the natives, and how B. drew the portrait of one, to her evident dissatisfaction.

The omnibus besieged and taken by storm.

[BASLE.]

"The height of the omnibusses is quite disgusting." --_Extract from unpublished documents in possession of ROBINSON, who himself fell in the mud, while climbing from the roof of one of those vehicles._

Scene from the road, near Basle.

Storks' nest, Basle.

[SWITZERLAND.]

BOAT STATION ON THE LAKE OF LUCERNE; AS SKETCHED BY BROWN FROM THE STEAMER.

According to the guide-book, the paintings on the wall represent Furst, Stauffach, and Melchthal, swearing to liberate their country; but Jones said he believed them to be portraits of a medieval Swiss Brown, Jones, and Robinson, in the act of vowing eternal friendship.

The safest way of coming down a mountain.

"We got out of the diligence (at a time when it was obliged to go very slowly), in order to make an excursion on foot in search of the picturesque, being told that we might meet the carriage at a certain point, about a mile further on. We saw many magnificent views, and did a great deal of what might be called rough walking; but perhaps the thing that struck us most was, that on emerging at the appointed spot for rejoining the diligence, we beheld it a speck in the distance, just departing out of sight." --_Extract from Jones's Journal._

The seven ages of Robinson's beard.

What are they to do now?

DESCENT OF THE ST. GOTHARD.

Having taken their places on the outside of the diligence, Brown, Jones, and Robinson can the better enjoy the grandeur of the scenery.

They see Italy in the distance.

A meeting on the mountain.

Pilgrims coming _down_ the "Hill of Difficulty."

[ITALY.]

BREAKFAST AT BELLINZONA.

It was their first day in Italy, and how they did enjoy it! The repast was served in a stone summer-house attached to the hotel. The sun was so bright, and so hot; the sky was so blue, the vegetation so green, the mountains so purple, the grapes so large, and everything so beautiful, that Brown and Jones both decided that the scene fully realised all their imaginings of Italy. Robinson was enthusiastic, too, at first, and was beginning to say something about "Italia, O Italia," when his eye lit upon a green lizard running up the wall. From that moment he was more subdued.

How they got Robinson up the hills.

[ITALIAN LAKES.]

They land upon Austrian territory en route for Milan. While the "proper officer" takes possession of their passports, the whole available population pounces upon the luggage, and, after apportioning it into "small allotments," carries it off to the custom house.

The official here is seen "pointing" on the scent (as he thinks) of contraband goods in one of Robinson's portmanteaus. He did not "find," but in the hunt, tossed R.'s "things" dreadfully. Brown revenged the wrongs of self and friends, by taking a full length, on the spot, of that imposing administrator, who stands over there, with the passports in his hand.

"Excelsior!"

An Italian view.

"Buon giorno."

EVENING ON THE LAGO MAGGIORE.

"'Knowest thou the land' where the grapes are as plentiful as blackberries in England; and where one has only to stop a minute at the roadside, and pull no end of 'em. O 'tis there! 'tis there! etc." --_Robinson's letters to his kinsfolk._

MARIE.

Oh! Marie of the Lago d'Orta, maid of the inn, and most beautiful of waitresses, how well do I remember thee! How graceful were all thy movements; what natural ease, together with what a dignified reserve; --How truly a lady wert thou! You did not know it, but when you waited upon us, I always felt inclined to jump up from my chair, and open the door for you-- to take the dishes from your hands, to ask you respectfully to be seated, to wait upon you in fact. And O! How I did detest that wicked old landlady, your mistress, who used to bully and scold you. And I wonder whether you remember me. --_From a MS., very rare, in possession of Brown._

This picture represents Brown as he appeared, his feelings being "too many for him," on hearing that elderly she-dragon, the landlady, venting her ill-humour upon the gentle Marie. He stole out of the dining-room, looked over into the yard, and there beheld the furious old female shaking her fist, and pouring forth a torrent of abuse. Brown was not naturally of a savage temperament, but at that moment he felt that he could have--but it is best not to say what he could have done--it was too terrible for publication in these pages.

A BOAT AT ORTA.

A MOUNTAIN WALK.

Robinson, with warmth, and some distance behind,-- "What is the use of going on at that rate?"

Poor Jones! Who would have thought he could ever be tired!

Pleasant.

The accident that befell Robinson. --No. 1.

The accident that befell Robinson. --No. 2.

[ORTA.]

ROBINSON RETIRES FOR THE NIGHT.

To prevent anxiety, we had better state that he is tired--nothing else.

"Now do, Robinson, jump up like a good fellow; we ought to be starting now--and think how pleasant it will be, once you are up!"

[VARALLO.]

THE INN.

How Brown, returning from sketching, was beset by beggars in a lonely place.

[MILAN.]

They pay a visit to the marionette theatre.

A snob they saw writing his name upon roof of Milan cathedral.

ENLIGHTENED BEHAVIOUR IN A FOREIGN CHURCH.

We are happy to say, that B. J. and R. had no connection with the above party.

Robinson's determination to let his beard grow "naturally," had an absurd result, the hair growing in violent and abrupt crops in some places, and not at all in others; so that Jones, who was sensitive about appearances, (and whose own moustache was doing beautifully,) insisted at last upon R.'s being shaved, which event accordingly took place in the city of Milan. It was well that Robinson consented, for the barber eyed him eagerly, and as if he would spring upon him and shave him by force.

CAFÉ MILAN.--SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL OF DISTINGUISHED FOREIGNERS.

The moment we seated ourselves in a café, an awful group of beggars stood before us--so suddenly that they appeared to have come up through a trap-door--and demanded alms. They would not go without money, and when they got it they took it as a right. It would not do for one of us to "settle" with them for the whole party, for no sooner had I given them a coin than they turned to Jones, and when done with him, coolly set upon Robinson. The instant one tribe departed, a fresh relais arrived, so that there was a constant supply (of beggars) and demand (on our purses).

No place seemed safe: in the most magnificent and luxuriously-decorated cafés they had perfect right of way, the contrast between the rich gilding, glass, fountains, etc., of the one, and the rags, dirt, and dramatically got-up horrors of the other being picturesque, but certainly not pleasant; and yet, as Jones remarked, they say this country has not free institutions.

[VERONA.]

THE AMPHITHEATRE, VERONA.

Jones asks Robinson, whether he "Sees before him the gladiator die?" but Robinson maintains a dignified silence.

Austrian detective stops Brown to examine his sketching stool. It puzzles him. There is an air of mystery about it. It might possibly be a weapon to be used for political purposes, or an infernal machine! Who knows? On the whole, he thinks he had better detain it.

SCENE--DISCOVERS BROWN SKETCHING.

Enter the Austrian army. They advance upon him, they think he is taking the fortifications.

Robinson, who is much given to quotation, is, at the very moment, languidly reciting the lines:--

"Am I in Italy? Is this the Mincius?
And those the distant turrets of Verona?
And shall I sup where Juliet at the masque
Saw her loved Montague?" --etc., etc.

Not being familiar with the German, or the Croatian language, Brown is helpless. He protests his innocence, but the military don't understand him. They see treason in his hat, which is of an illegal shape, and they arrest him.

Jones and Robinson appear, to the surprise of the military, and relief of Brown.

Brown, quite resigned, walks quietly to meet his fate. Jones plunges violently, but is finally overcome. Robinson resists passively, and is accordingly dragged along.

SKETCHES FOUND UPON BROWN.

They are brought before the Governor. That is he seated at the table, the soldiers showing him the libellous representations of the Croats found in Brown's portfolio. The latter expects to be ordered for instant execution; but Jones assumes an air of great dignity, and says, "_Civis Romanus sum_."

The Governor, Field-Marshal Lieutenant Count Brown, of the Imperial service, discovers in his prisoner a near relation of his own; and our friend is instantly locked in the embrace of that distinguished warrior. Jones remarked "All's well that ends well;" and Robinson, greatly relieved, broke out with:--

"Thus may each" nephew "whom chance directs,
Find an" uncle "when he least expects."

[VENICE.]

EXAMINATION OF PASSPORTS.

HOTEL.

MODERN VENETIAN TROUBADOURS.

An evening scene before the Café Florian, Piazza San Marco.

Brown at this period undertook, at the urgent request of Jones and Robinson, to settle the accounts of the party, which had become complicated owing to that perplexing "medium," to those unused to it, the Austrian paper money.

This is a faithful picture of the unfortunate man as he sat, in the solitude of his chamber, until a late hour of the night, drawing up the "financial" statement.

Robinson (_solo_). --"I stood in Venice," etc.; Jones and Brown, having heard something like it before, have walked on a little way.

_Reflection made by BROWN._ --Why do people when repeating poetry always look unhappy?

ENJOYMENT!

A scene upon the Grand Canal.

THE THEATRE MALIBRAN.

The entertainment commenced at 5 P.M., and lasted till 7. It consisted of a melodrama, full of awful crimes, and the most pathetic sentiment. The audience, chiefly composed of "the people," was, from beginning to end, in an extraordinary state of excitement, fizzing, like the perpetual going off of soda-water. The theatre was lighted (?) by about four oil lamps; and such was the darkness, that our travellers--who may be seen, perhaps, through the "dim obscure," up in a private box--could scarcely discern anything but the white uniform and glittering bayonet of an Austrian sentinel in the pit.

[A NIGHT IN VENICE.]

BROWN RETIRED TO REST.

MISERY.

NOTE.-- If the Musquitos appear rather large in this and the following scenes, let it be remembered that in the "Heroic" it was a principle of many of the great painters to exaggerate the "parts."

DESPERATION.

MOMENTARY RELIEF.

MADNESS!

BELL!!

BOOTS!!

DESPAIR!!!!

[VENICE.]

THE ACCADEMIA.

GONDOLA ON THE LAGOON.

Sentiment spoken by Robinson, with marks of adhesion from Brown and Jones. "Oh, if there be an Elysium on earth, it is this, it is this!!"

+The Accademia.+

Scene I.

Brown (soliloquy). --"This is pleasant! To be quite alone here (dab), surrounded by these magnificent works (dab, dab, dab), and everything so quiet too--nothing to disturb one." (Dab) after a pause. "I wonder what Jones and Robinson are doing (dab, splash)--lying at full length in a gondola, I dare say--smoking (dab), I think I could spend my life in this place" (dab, dab).

"It is difficult to say which is the greatest pleasure, (another dab,) copying these splendid pictures, or painting from nature, those beautiful blue skies and crumbling old picturesque palaces, outside."

(Sings) --"'How happy could I be with either.'" (Prolonged pause, and great play with brush) --"Oh! That sunset last evening! As we lay out in our gondola upon the perfectly calm waters, by the Armenian convent, and watched the sun slowly going down behind the distant towers and spires of the 'City of the sea'--one mass of gold spreading all over the west!" * * "Oh! Those clouds! (Another pause) Ah! That was happiness. One such hour is worth--let me see--how many years of one's life? * * and yet this is--"

Scene II.

He is set upon and surrounded by an English family, and the following dialogue ensues:--

The Mamma. --"What a delightful occupation, to be sure."

Young Lady (in a whisper). --"He is copying the Tintoret."

Youthful Son and Heir (with confidence). --"No, he ain't; he's doing that stunning big one with the rainbow, and three river gods."

Second Young Lady. --"It's sweetly pretty, isn't it!"

Papa (a British merchant, and of a practical turn). --"Very good--v-e-r-y good. Ahem! Now I wonder what one could make a year by that kind of thing."

Young Man (with glass in his eye). --"Slow, I should think."

At this point Brown's attention was attracted to a scuffle going on behind him amongst the junior members of the party. Two of the little innocents had taken a fancy to the same drawing (a copy of his favourite John Bellino), and after a brief, but fierce struggle for possession, had settled the difficulty by tearing it in two. (Party retires rather precipitately.)

[TRIESTE TO VIENNA.]

SKETCH MADE BY BROWN AT TRIESTE.

NOTE.--If any one doubts the fact, Jones and Robinson are ready to make affidavit of it.

ROBINSON SEARCHED AND INDIGNANT.

Such things never happen anywhere else.

[VIENNA.]

Arrived at Vienna, they visit the theatre. A gentleman there, unobtrusively pays them great attention.

SCENE--SHOP, VIENNA.

Jones to Brown-- "What do you say?"

Brown (who sees that Robinson is bent upon making a "magnificent addition" to himself, and that it is useless to expostulate). --"Oh, I think it is splendid; and if you will only appear in it in Pall Mall, when we get home again, you will make a sensation."

THEY VISIT THE PICTURE GALLERIES.

That man in the doorway seems to take a great interest in their movements.

THE PROMENADE.

Brown thinks it is the same man! What can he want?

THE PUBLIC GARDEN.

There he was again! Jones suggested that perhaps it was a government official, who took them for liberty, equality, and fraternity.

No sooner did they take their places at the Table d'Hote to dine, than Brown fell back in his chair. There could be no doubt about it--he was better dressed than before--but it was the same man! He must be a spy!

Jones at the opera abroad.

How unlike Jones at the opera at home.

[VIENNA TO PRAGUE.]

"Just ten minutes to dress, breakfast, and get to the train."

[PRAGUE.]

WALLENSTEIN'S HORSE.

"The head, neck, legs, and part of the body have been repaired--all the rest is the real horse." --_From speech of the young woman who showed the animal._

A "KNEIPE" AT PRAGUE.

Robinson is so confused with rapid travelling, that he addresses a waiter in three languages at once. "Kellner!-- Mittags-essen pour trois-- Presto presto-- and-- waiter!-- Soda water-- col cognac-- geschwind!"

TABLE D'HOTE, PRAGUE.

[PRAGUE TO COLOGNE.]

"Passports!" --"That's the sixth time we have been woke up," groaned Robinson.

[RHINELAND AGAIN.]

DUSSELDORF.

Brown _loq._ --I have left my bag behind!

MINDEN.

Here is the bag.

How Brown was seated between two soldiers, and how they would examine each other's swords, and how those fearful weapons were flashing about, often within an inch of B.'S nose: and how (being of a mild and peaceful disposition), B. was kept thereby in a constant state of uneasiness.

[BELGIUM.]

Eye of the government; as kept upon the travellers, during their stay in the Austrian dominions. --_Drawn from the haunted imagination of Brown._

THEIR LAST REPAST IN FOREIGN PARTS.

Time and train wait for no man.

ARTICLES PURCHASED BY ROBINSON.

1. Eau de Cologne. 2. Pipe; (never smoked.) 3. Hat; (never worn, and found decidedly in the way.) 4. Cigars; (stopped at Custom House.) 5. Tauchnitz editions; (also seized.) 6. Cornet à pistons; (bought in Germany with the intention of learning to play upon it some day.) 7. Gloves; (purchased at Venice, a great bargain, and found utterly worthless.)

[OLD ENGLAND.]

+Sic(k) Transit+

+Gloria Mundi!+

* * * * *
* * * *

BRADBURY AND EVANS,

Printers extraordinary to the queen,

Whitefriars.

* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *

Errors and Iconsistencies (noted by transcriber):

They both wore a perpetual grin and stare of surprise,
[comma in original: error for period (full stop)?]
3. "Conclude you go toe Frankfort?" [text unchanged]
An evening scene before the Café Florain [error for Florian]
If the Musquitos appear rather large [variant spelling unchanged]
+Of the Adventure that befel Jones.+
The accident that befell Robinson.
[inconsistent spelling unchanged]