English essays -- 19th century; Great Britain -- Social life and customs; London (England) -- Description and travel
Now, suppose that all through that 9th of November his lordship has
had a racking rheumatism, or a toothache, let us say, during all
dinner-time--through which he has been obliged to grin and mumble his
poor old speeches. Is he enviable? Would you like to change with his
lordship? Suppose that bumper which his golden footman brings him,
instead i'fackins of ypocras or canary, contains some abomination of
senna? Away! Remove the golden goblet, insidious cupbearer! You now
begin to perceive the gloomy moral which I am about to draw.
Last month we sang the song of glorification, and rode in the chariot of
triumph. It was all very well. It was right to huzza, and be thankful,
and cry, Bravo, our side! and besides, you know, there was the enjoyment
of thinking how pleased Brown, and Jones, and Robinson (our dear
friends) would be at this announcement of success. But now that the
performance is over, my good sir, just step into my private room, and
see that it is not all pleasure--this winning of successes. Cast your
eye over those newspapers, over those letters. See what the critics say
of your harmless jokes, neat little trim sentences, and pet waggeries!
Why, you are no better than an idiot; you are drivelling; your powers
have left you; this always overrated writer is rapidly sinking to, &c.
This is not pleasant; but neither is this the point. It may be the
critic is right, and the author wrong. It may be that the archbishop's
sermon is not so fine as some of those discourses twenty years ago
which used to delight the faithful in Granada. Or it may be (pleasing
thought!) that the critic is a dullard, and does not understand what
he is writing about. Everybody who has been to an exhibition has heard
visitors discoursing about the pictures before their faces. One says,
“This is very well;” another says, “This is stuff and rubbish;” another
cries, “Bravo! this is a masterpiece:” and each has a right to his
opinion. For example, one of the pictures I admired most at the Royal
Academy is by a gentleman on whom I never, to my knowledge, set eyes.
This picture is No. 346, “Moses,” by Mr. S. Solomon. I thought it had
a great intention, I thought it finely drawn and composed. It nobly
represented, to my mind, the dark children of the Egyptian bondage, and
suggested the touching story. My newspaper says: “Two ludicrously ugly
women, looking at a dingy baby, do not form a pleasing object;” and so
good-by, Mr. Solomon. Are not most of our babies served so in life?
and doesn't Mr. Robinson consider Mr. Brown's cherub an ugly, squalling
little brat? So cheer up, Mr. S. S. It may be the critic who discoursed
on your baby is a bad judge of babies. When Pharaoh's kind daughter
found the child, and cherished and loved it, and took it home, and found
a nurse for it, too, I dare say there were grim, brick-dust colored
chamberlains, or some of the tough, old, meagre, yellow princesses at
court, who never had children themselves, who cried out, “Faugh! the
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