Parson Kelly Read online

  Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books

  Transcriber's Notes:

  1. Page scan source: https://books.google.com/books?id=dNMjAAAAMAAJ

  2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].

  [Frontispiece: "BUT I AM GRIEVED I HAVE NO VIRGIL." P. 160]

  PARSON KELLY

  BY

  A. E. W. MASON

  AND

  ANDREW LANG

  NEW YORK LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. LONDON AND BOMBAY 1899

  _Copyright, 1899_, By Longmans, Green, And Co. * * * _All rights reserved_

  First Edition, September, 1899 Reprinted October, 1899

  University Press John Wilson And Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.

  TO THE BARON TANNEGUY DE WOGAN

  _The Representative of a House illustrious for its Antiquity:_ _In Prosperity splendid: in Exile and Poverty gay_ _and constant: of Loyalty unshaken;_

  Is Dedicated

  _This Narrative, founded on the deeds of his Ancestor_,

  The Chevalier Nicholas De Wogan.

  A. E. W. M. A. L.

  PREFACE

  The authors wish to say that the proceedings of Lady Oxford areunhistorical. Swift mentions a rumour that there was such a lady, butleaves her anonymous.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter

  I. The Parson expresses Irreproachable Sentiments at the Mazarin Palace.

  II. Mr. Wogan refuses to Acknowledge an Undesirable Acquaintance in St. James's Street.

  III. Mr. Wogan instructs the Ignorant Parson in the Ways of Women.

  IV. Shows the Extreme Danger of knowing Latin.

  V. A Literary Discussion in which a Critic, not for the first time, turns the tables upon an Author.

  VI. Mr. Nicholas Wogan reminds the Parson of a Night at the Mazarin Palace.

  VII. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu has a word to say about Smilinda.

  VIII. Mr. Kelly has an Adventure at a Masquerade Ball.

  IX. Wherein the Chivalrous Mr. Kelly behaves with Deplorable Folly.

  X. What came of Mr. Kelly's Winnings from the South Sea.

  XI. The Parson departs from Smilinda and learns a number of Unpalatable Truths.

  XII. The Parson meets Scrope for the Third Time, and what came of the Meeting.

  XIII. Of the Rose and the Rose-Garden in Avignon.

  XIV. Of the Great Confusion produced by a Ballad and a Drunken Crow.

  XV. At the Deanery of Westminster.

  XVI. Mr. Wogan acts as Lightning Conductor at Lady Oxford's Rout.

  XVII. Lady Oxford's 'Coup De Theatre'.

  XVIII. Wherein a New Fly discourses on the innocence of the Spider's Web.

  XIX. Stroke and Counter-stroke.

  XX. Mr. Scrope bathes by Moonlight and in his Peruke.

  XXI. In which Mr. Kelly surprises Smilinda.

  XXII. An Eclogue which demonstrates the Pastoral Simplicity of Corydon and Strephon.

  XXIII. How the Messengers captured the wrong Gentleman; and of what Letters the Colonel burned.

  XXIV. Mr. Wogan wears Lady Oxford's Livery, but does not remain in her Service.

  XXV. How the Miniature of Lady Oxford came by a Mischance.

  XXVI. Mr. Wogan Traduces his Friend, with the Happiest Consequences.

  XXVII. How, by keeping Parole, Mr. Kelly broke Prison.

  XXVIII. Mr. Wogan again invades England, meets the elect Lady, and bears witness to her Perfections.

  PARSON KELLY