OF THE GENT, AFTER THE PLAY, AT A TAVERN.
BY the following signs may the Gent at this period be known: He walketh
six abreast under the Piazza, singing a negro air in chorus; and,
perchance, danceth a lively measure to the _refrain_, until he arriveth
at the entrance of Evans’s Grand Hotel. He descendeth the stairs, and,
on entering the room, he goeth to the upper end thereof; and, having
greeted the singers with a wink, calleth out “Charles!” No response
being made by the waiter, he rappeth with his stick upon the table,
until the peppercastor falleth on the floor; for which unseemly conduct
Evans mildly reproveth him. He taketh a sight at Evans in return, when
he can do so unobserved, and saith that he liketh him not so well as
Rhodes: and then he calleth “Henry!” Being served with the rabbit of
Wales, he saith to the funny singer,—“How are you, old feller!” and
presseth him to partake of his grog. He proffereth a prayer that the
funny singer will oblige him with a particular song. The funny singer
complieth; and the Gent singeth the chorus, prolonging it far beyond the
proper length, to the indignation of Evans. At its conclusion, his
animal spirits and enthusiastic approbation impel him to call
out—“Bravo, Rouse!” which promoteth political dissension amongst the
guests. Evans telleth him “that he cannot have the harmony of the room
disturbed by one individual”—a sentiment which the Gent applaudeth
lustily, and ordereth some champagne, which he drinketh, with the
singers, from a tankard. The anger of Evans is in a measure appeased.
The Gent joineth in a glee at the wrong time; but turneth away wrath by
buying a copy of it when finished. He ordereth more champagne, and
believeth that he is taken by the room for a “Lord about town.” He saith
he hath a pony that he will back against every other to do every thing.
He talketh of actresses, and winketh mysteriously. He telleth the funny
singer that if he will come and see him at his little place in the city,
he will put him up to a thing or two. At last he getteth troublesome,
and is coaxed away by his companions. The next morning he saith what a
spree he had, and that he sat opposite to an officer who knew one of the
ballet, and had spoken to her once behind the scenes; and so he thinketh
that he hath a link with the great world. But yet, upon reflection, he
hath not.
[Illustration]
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