But why multiply instances when every accurate pourtrayer of character
furnishes abundant examples?
The only authority which we have consulted on the subject of Noses, is
one from whose works we have already quoted. It never can be forgotten
that the inimitable Tristram Shandy has slightly touched upon the
subject when describing the unhappy catastrophe which, even in his very
earliest years, demolished his Nose.
It appears that Mr. Shandy, senior, was a sagacious, an observant, and a
learned man. We need not add, therefore, that he was deeply impressed
with the importance of his son having a good Nose; and most pathetic was
his sorrow when the bridge of it was broken. His own family had suffered
through several generations from a defect in the length of an ancestor’s
Nose. His great-grandfather, when tendering his hand and heart to the
lady who afterwards consented to make him “the happiest of men,” was
forced to capitulate to her terms, owing to the brevity of his Nose.
“It is most unconscionable, Madam,” said he, “that you, who have only
two thousand pounds to your fortune, should demand from me an allowance
of three hundred pounds a year.”
“Because you have no Nose, Sir.”
“’Sdeath! Madam, ’tis a very good Nose.”
“’Tis for all the world like an ace-of-clubs.”
“My great-grandfather was silenced:” and for many years after the Shandy
family was burdened with the payment of this large annuity out of a
small estate, because his great-grandfather had a Snub Nose. Well might
Mr. Shandy (the father of Tristram) say, “that no family, however high,
could stand against a succession of short Noses!”
In lack of other instances, we have introduced those of fictitious
writers; for they corroborate our views, and serve to thicken other
proofs which in this Class do demonstrate thinly. And this necessarily
so. For we have determined to refrain from giving examples from our
personal acquaintance, and the Snubs have never any of them won such
eminence, as to have their names handed down by fame, or their portraits
limned for the benefit of posterity. The evidence in these two last
Classes is necessarily negative.
Their best proof lies in their want of proofs. They will, however,
receive some general illustration when we come to speak of national
Noses.
It now only remains to treat of some obstinate Noses which will not come
within our classification.
One of these is that curious formation, a compound of Roman, Greek,
Cogitative, and Celestial, with the addition of a button at the end,
prefixed to the front of my Lord Brougham. We are bound from its
situation to admit that it is a Nose, and we must, therefore, treat of
it; but it’s a queer one. “Sure such a Nose was never seen.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account