Household words, No. 26, September 21, 1850 : $b A weekly journal
General
Household words, No. 26, September 21, 1850 : $b A weekly journal
English literature -- Periodicals
We were introduced to Lord Pudding, as he appeared while indulging
in the singular fancy of taking a lesson in Elocution from a German
actor! His personal appearance was wonderful to behold. He was much
stuffed out with wadding to increase his natural proportions, and his
dress was such as the tailors--not only of Pall-Mall and St. James’s
Street, but of any English extraction or habitation whatsoever--would
see with amaze. It was composed of a blue dress coat, with white
buttons, a red waistcoat, nankeen tights, shoes of polished leather,
and long brass spurs. His neck-kerchief was a bright blue, carrying
the eye pleasantly up to a very white hat with an imperceptible brim.
The author appeared to have studied the manners of our aristocracy
with exceeding diligence; for, to the usual peculiarities which may
be considered the “stock” of Foreign theatricals, he added some
strikingly original features. Lord Pudding was, of course, a lover,
and of course an unsuccessful one: he was jilted by the French dancer.
When he danced he was made to tumble; when he saluted a lady he gave
his lips a loud smack. He entered a room like a whirlwind, and between
his paroxysms of “fuss” our usual friendly salutation “_Gottam_”
was repeated many times; to the enthusiastic delight of the audience,
who believed it to be a polished sort of “How-d’ ye-do?” He was
quite the Clown to the Ring; and had the long pockets--in which that
gentleman usually searches for the chalk when it is required for the
tight-rope--well-filled. Nor was Pudding stingy with his money. Despite
his hard usage by the ballet-lady, he was liberal to the manager.
Though wrathful, he was of easy faith; being readily imposed upon,
and peculiarly sensible to flattery, by which means he was induced to
take three boxes for the benefit, viz., one for himself; one for the
policeman who had been in constant attendance on him since his arrival,
to restrain his inveterate propensity for knocking down the lieges
of the city (so intense was his love for “the boaks;”) the third for
the exclusive occupation of ----, his boulle-dog! One or two little
touches, which distinguished his lordship, showed that the actor was,
at least, an observer. Such were, the hat pushed back from the crimson
forehead, the heavy rolling walk, and a strenuous objection to be
kissed--all particularly English.
Other specimens of the genus we had previously seen, however, showed
that Lord Pudding was a very fair example of an English gentleman on
the German stage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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