To this reply MR. CHAMBERS rejoins, reiterating his statements as to the imputation of fraud and duplicity, and concluding in the following polite terms:--
"My duty, therefore, as her (his sister's) protector, is simply to tell you, in plain words, that as such your accusations are false."
Everybody, of course, knows that the Sisters of Mercy form that celebrated community which rejoices under the superintendance of a single lady, writing herself "Y^e Mother Sup^r;" not being a mother, or even a mother-in-law, or a mother in any sense known to the law, or in any sense whatever except a Roman Catholic one.
MR. PHINN merely expresses an opinion about the Sisters of Mercy, which is entertained by most other people, saving Puseyites at a temperature of red heat. The charge against him of making false accusations is itself an accusation that is untrue.
The convent, or whatever it calls itself, of the Sisters of Mercy, is no doubt a highly respectable, though a pseudo-Roman Catholic concern. Before MR. CHAMBERS figures again as the "big brother," he should not only make sure that the honour of his relative has been impugned, but it will be well for him to consider whether he does her quasi-nunnery much good by constituting himself a bully to the establishment.
[Illustration: A STARTLING NOVELTY IN SHIRTS.]
OR, THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY AND THE JUVENILE MENDICANT.
Who lurks in the slums? Who goes ragged and wild? A villanous father and vagabond child; That urchin roams prowling, of swag in pursuit, By begging and stealing to keep the old brute.
"Oh father! oh father! that rum cove d'ye twig? He looks so hard at me--he knows I'm a Prig! To hook it, and mizzle, my best way would be." "No, stoopid, that cove ain't no crusher--not he."
"Oh father! oh father! he keeps looking here; He's coming to nab me--that 'ere blessed Peer; It is the Earl-King with his Book and his School." "No, no, 'tis some pantiler only, you fool."
"Hi! wilt thou come with me, neglected young wretch? I'll shield thee, I'll save thee, from gaol and JACK KETCH, In work and in study thy time I'll employ, And feed thee, and clothe thee, and teach thee, my boy."
"Oh father! oh father! you'd best let me go; There's the Earl-King's new Hact; and they'll take me, I know: And you'll have to fork out too, yourself, by and by." "Oh gammon, oh gammon! that 'ere's all my eye."'