Lebeau glanced through the Morning Chronicle and the Gentleman's Magazine, and several other gazettes of the same description, which included magazines both matrimonial and sentimental.
"Let us see," said he; "'In a certain house in the neighborhood of the Thames—' Your lordship knows that this has reference to the House of Commons."
"Pass over politics."
"Here is a book announced from the pen of Mr. Bryant, the antiquarian, who is so well informed concerning events from the origin of the world to the Deluge. Fancy considering nothing of importance after the Deluge! His work is disposed of in three words,—'Heavy, tiresome, pedantic.' Cumberland's romance is also treated in three words,—'Refined, sensible, and tender.'"
"Pass over literature."
"The condemned of the week: 'Sarah Hoggs, to be hanged for stealing a piece of cloth that was spread out to dry; Laurence Williamson, to the same penalty for having cut down sundry young trees; item, Annie Smith, to one year's imprisonment for having taken forty shillings in the presence of witnesses; item, Florence Dunk, to be hanged for having taken five shillings privately; item, William Morton, to transportation for having assassinated his father.'"
"Pass over all that. What society news is there?"
"'Major T—— has again been detected in cheating at cards; he has been requested not to appear at Almack's again.'"
"That's Topham, the editor of the World!" exclaimed his lordship. "Bah! in a week's time he will be back again and everybody will be shaking hands with him."
"'Lady B—— has eloped with her husband's groom; his lordship will be consoled by the society of Mlle. Annette, the little French dancer.'"