Now all good youths and maidens, pray,
Who this true story scan,
Remember what I'm going to say.
And act on't—if you can;
Still on life's chequered strange highway,
Whatever path you cross,
Don't be too greedy, or you may
Make sure to win—_a loss_.
WHAT A GENTLEMAN MAY DO, AND
WHAT HE MAY NOT DO.
He may carry a brace of partridges, but not a leg of mutton.
He may be seen in the omnibus-box at the Opera, but not on the box of an
omnibus.
He may be seen in a stall inside a theatre, but not at a stall outside
one.
He may dust another person's jacket, but mustn't brush his own.
He may kill a man in a duel, but he mustn't eat peas with his knife.
He may thrash a coalheaver, but he mustn't ask twice for soup.
He must pay his debts of honour, but he needn't trouble himself about
his tradesmen's bills.
He may drive a stage-coach, but he mustn't take or carry coppers.
He may ride a horse as a jockey, but he mustn't exert himself in the
least to get his living.
He must never forget what he owes to himself as a gentleman, but he need
not mind what he owes as a gentleman to his tailor.
He may do anything, or anybody, in fact, within the range of a
gentleman—go through the Insolvent Debtors Court, or turn
billiard-marker; but he must never on any account carry a brown paper
parcel, or appear in the streets without a pair of gloves.
[Illustration:
THE GENEALOGICAL SHIRT.
]
[Illustration]