Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II.
qualifications of either. He is shrewd, industrious, manly,
and independent; and as he is too much in earnest for the
slightest affectation, he shews his character in his dress,
his carriage, and his general appearance. His dress is at
once plain and neat; and if his coat should accidentally
exhibit the cut of a more genteel manufacturer, the
interstice between his boot (he wears top boots) and small
clothes, the fashion of his cravat, which is rolled round a
stiffner two inches in diameter, and tied in a bow, besides
a variety of other more minute characteristics, decidedly
refute all suspicion of an attempt at attaining the
appearance of a man of fashion. The end of a Spitalfields
silk-handkerchief just appearing from the pocket hole at the
top of his skirt, shews at once his regard for good things
and native manufactures; while the dignity of his tread
declares his consciousness of his own importance, the
importance of “a very respectable man,” and to attribute it
to any other than such an “honest pride,” would be
derogatory to his reputation and feelings. If he meets a
business acquaintance of an higher rank than his own, his
respectful yet unembarrassed salutation at once sufficiently
expresses the disparity of their two conditions, and his
consciousness of the respectability of his own, while the
respectfully condescending notice of the Peer exhibits the
reversed flow of the same feelings. The very respect-able
man is always accurately acquainted with the hackney coach
fares to the different parts of London, and any attempt at
imposition on the part of the coachman is sure to be
detected and punished. He is never to be caught walking to
the Bank on a public holiday; and the wind must have shifted
very fast indeed, if it should happen to be in the north,
when he believes it to be in the south. The state of the
stocks is familiar to him; and as he watches their
fluctuations with an attentive eye, their history, for weeks
or even for months, is often in his memory. The very
respectable man is always employed, but never in a hurry;
and he perhaps is never better pleased than when he meets a
congenial friend, who interrupts the current of business by
the introduction of a mutual discussion of some important
failure: Mr. Such-a-one's rapid acquirement of fortune,--the
rise or fall of the funds, &c,--of all which the causes or
consequences are importantly whispered or significantly
prophesied. At home the government of the very respectable
man's family is arbitrary, but the governor is not a tyrant;
his wife has not, like the woman of fashion, any distinct
rights, but she enjoys extensive indulgencies; she has
power, but it flows from him, and though she is a
responsible, she is not a discretional, agent. The table is
to correspond with the moderation of the master, and the
matron will be scolded or reproved as it varies from the
proper medium between meanness and profusion.
The very respectable man is never less in his element than
when he is in the centre of his wife's parties, for here he
must resign the reins into her hands, and, alas! there is no
such character as the very respectable woman. All our women
would be women of fashion; and in dress and expense, in the
numbers of their card tables, and the splendour of their
parties, in every thing but manners, they are. Here, at his
own fireside, the very respectable man may be considered as
not at home till a rubber, a genial rubber, which is
provided him as soon as possible, renders him blind to the
folly and deaf to the clamour of the scene. The very
respect-able man shews to least advantage as a politician;
as his opinions are derived less from reading than
experience, they are apt to be dogmatical and contracted. In
political philosophy he is too frequently half a century
behind his age; is still in the habit of considering specie
as wealth, and talks loudly of the commercial benefits of
the late war. Such is the “very respectable man,” a
character decidedly inferior to that of many individuals in
the class of society immediately above him; but which,
considered as the character of a class, appears to be
superior at once to that above and that below it--on a
comparison with that above too, it more than makes up in the
mass of its virtues for the deficiency in their quality, and
appears to be like Solon's laws, if not the very best that
might be, at least the best of which the state of society
admits. In the lower orders, the social character is in its
mineral state; in the higher, the fineness of the gold is
prejudicial to its durability. In the “very respectable man
“it is found mixed with some portion of alloy, but in
greater quantity, and adapted to all the uses and purposes
for which it is designed. As a civil member of society, if
his theoretical politics are defective, the advantages
derived to society from his industry and integrity, more
than counterbalance those defects in his theory. As a
religious member of society, if his religion might be more
refined, if his attendance at church is considered rather as
a parochial than a spiritual duty, and his appearance in his
own pew is at least as much regarded as his devotions there;
the regularity of his attendance, the harmony of his
principles and practice, his exemplary manner of filling his
different relations, more than make up for the inferiority
in the tone of his religion. The commercial and religious
capital of society are, in short, continually advancing by
his exertions, though they don't advance so fast as they
otherwise would if those exertions were directed by more
intellect.
CHAPTER XXIV
“Vainly bountiful nature shall fill up Life's measure,
If we're not to enjoyment awake;
Churls that cautiously filtrate and analyze pleasure,
Deserve not the little they take.
I hate all those pleasures where angling and squaring.
And fitting and cutting by rules,
And ----- me--dear me, I beg pardon for swearing,
All that follow such fashions are fools.
For let who may be undone,
I say Life in London,
Of pleasure's the prop and the staff,
That sets ev'ry muscle
In a comical bustle
And tickles one into a laugh.”
~~334~~~
The long protracted visit to Vauxhall being at length finally arranged,
our party soon found themselves in the midst of this gay and fascinating
scene of amusement.
“These charming gardens,” said the Hon. Tom Dashall, “which you may
perhaps have some recollection of upon a masquerade occasion, having
lately fallen into new hands, have assumed, under their direction and
management, a new appearance of additional splendour and magnificence
perhaps scarcely ever surpassed, and the present proprietors appear to
have studied the comfort and gratification of their visitors as well as
their own advantage; but of this we shall be better judges before the
night is spent.”
“Right,” replied Sparkle, “I am not fond of far fetched descriptions,
which may upon investigation prove to have originated more in the
imagination of the author than in reality to exist.”
“At all events,” continued Tom, “the Gardens themselves are beautiful
and extensive, and contain a variety of walks, which, if but tastefully
illuminated, and attended by rank, fashion, and beauty, can never fail
to be attractive.”
~~335~~~ Our heroes rushed forward to the splendid scene of enchantment,
which had drawn forth the previous observations, mingling with the
crowds of well dressed persons, who like themselves were upon the alert
to witness this delightful place of summer amusement in the new form
which it has recently assumed: the virandas tastefully festooned with
painted canvass--the brilliantly illuminated orchestra, and the animated
countenances of the company, conspired to produce an effect almost
inconceivable, while new objects of delight were continually bursting
upon their view. The illuminated colonade newly decorated with carved
and painted flowers, fruit, and foliage, and Mr. Singleton's original
whole length transparent portrait of his Majesty in his coronation
robes, alternately attracted attention, as well as the four cosmoramas
constructed in various parts of the gardens, consisting of some very
pretty views of the New Exchange at Paris, scenes in Switzerland, &c. In
the musical department, Sparkle was much pleased to find some of the old
favourites, particularly Mr. Charles Taylor and Mrs. Bland, as well as
with the performance of a Miss Graddon, who possesses a rich voice,
with considerable power and flexibility, and of Madame Georgina, an
East Indian Lady, who afterwards sung very charmingly in the Rotunda,
accompanying herself on the piano forte, in a style which proved her to
be a most skilful performer.
But the grand subject of their admiration was what is rather affectedly
called “The Heptaplasiesoptron,” or fancy reflective proscenium, which
is placed in the long room fronting the orchestra of the Rotunda.
It is entirely lined with looking glass, and has in all probability
originated in the curious effect produced by the kaleidoscope, and the
looking glass curtains lately exhibited at our theatres. This splendid
exhibition is fitted up with ornamented draperies, and presents a
fountain of real water illuminated, revolving pillars, palm trees,
serpents, foliage, and variegated lamps; and the mirrors are so placed
as to reflect each object seven times. This novelty appeared to excite
universal admiration, inspiring the company with ideas of refreshing
coolness. The bubbling of water, the waving of the foliage, and the
seven times reflected effulgence of the lamps, gave the whole an
appearance of enchantment, which sets all description at defiance.
~~336~~~ Having taken a complete circle through this round of delights,
interrupted only by the congratulations and inquiries of friends, the
appointed hour for exhibiting the fire-works arrived, when they were
additionally gratified by a display of the most splendid description,
and the famous ascent _a la Saqui_ was admirably executed by Longuemarc;
after witnessing which, they quickly retired to a box, where they gave
directions for supper. It is but justice to say, that upon this being
furnished, they found the refreshments to be of the best quality, and
supplied upon moderate terms; the wines by the London Wine Company, and
the viands by Mr. Wayte.
About two o'clock in the morning, our friends took their departure
from this romantic spot, after an excursion fraught with pleasure and
delight.
On the following morning, Sparkle received a letter from Merrywell,
with information of the death of his uncle, and of his succession to
the estate, having arrived just in time to prevent his decease without a
will. This was a subject of exultation to all the party, though to none
more so than Sparkle, particularly as the estate alluded to was situated
in the neighbourhood of his own residence.
“Merrywell,” said Dashall, “will become a gay fellow now, as he will
have ample means, as well as inclination (which I know he has never been
wanting of) to sport his figure in good style, without resorting to any
scheme to keep the game alive.”