OF THE MANNER BY WHICH GENTS ARE KNOWN.
EXPERIENCE proves that pictures are the best media for conveying
information at the outset of tuition. Hence, in the study of Natural
History, for instance, tyros learn the animals with their letters: their
hornbooks have zoological alphabets, coloured in tints more or less
eccentric; and, although led away by the representations, they sometimes
read “A for donkey, B for great cow, C for poor puss,” yet, on the
whole, the way is a good one.
So, we will teach those not yet well up in the manner, by pictures, how
they may know the Gents.
The finest specimens may be seen in the coloured “Fashions,” with which
certain comically-disposed tailors adorn their windows. In these
presumed representations of prevalent style, some favourite west-end
locality is taken for the background; and, in front, are many Gents, in
such attitudes as may display their figures and little boots to the best
advantage. Some are supposed to be arrayed for an evening party, in
green dress-coats and puce tights. Some, again, are represented as
sportsmen, with pinched-in waists, that the shock of the first leap, or
the kick of the first shot, would knock in half; and others are
promenade Gents, in frock coats and corded trowsers, bowing to one
another with much grace, or leading little Gents by the hand, who look
like animated daguerreotypes of themselves. Well, then, these are Gents,
_pur sang_. Observe, as the showman says, observe their
fashionably-shaped hats, their Lilliputian boots, their tiny gloves.
There is no deception. Observe that all their positions are evidently
the result of much study; and that the greater part of them have one arm
elevated, and the palm open, with the air of a conjurer when he
says,—“You will perceive I have nothing in my hand.”
[Illustration]
Of the same family as these Gents, are the fashionable loungers in
pantomimes, who walk about with the distinguished females in the scanty
_visites_ of pink glazed calico, trimmed with ermine; and the lovers in
the blue coats and white trowsers on the sixpenny valentines, who direct
the attention of the adored one to the distant village church.
[Illustration]
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