The Adventures of My Cousin SmoothTempleton, Timothy
General
The Adventures of My Cousin Smooth
Templeton, Timothy
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 -- Humor; United States -- Politics and government -- 1853-1857
"And, too, there was, all reserve, smiling and dignified, Sir
Memberman Plenat, who wore no toy of rank, that article being largely
developed in his manly bearing. There were also, be it known, other
barons and baronets, some of whom were equally imbued with their own
importance, others quite modest and gentlemanly in their demeanor.
But, to make the greatness of the occasion complete, there was the
little Lord Mayor, who, like a mirror reflecting a sun-shower, loomed
forth in all the greatness of his own light. Of ladies there was no
lack. Some were of well established celebrity; others were decked in
costly fabrics to create a celebrity; a third were fair to look
upon. The English ladies seemed round of person, buoyant and joyous of
soul: the American queens of beauty (their faces sparkling of love and
gentleness) moved to and fro, like sylphs of some fairy land, making
splendid the scene. The dashing New Yorker, her smiles, unerring
arrows, piercing whither she shot them; the vivacious and intelligent
daughter of Massachusetts, all sensitive, modest, and graceful; the
placid _belle_ of Pennsylvania, whose fair complexion drew upon her
all admiration; the bright-eyed Buckeye, with face so oval, than whom
none was more coy, nor ever shot a glance or stole a heart so well;
the rustic daughter of Down East, who affected great contempt for all
superior people, and declared the queen not a whit better than anybody
else; the buxom Green-mountain girl, whose motion was as crude as her
cheeks were rosy; the New Hampshire prude, lisping, regardless of
Murray; the statue-like Baltimorean, with queenly figure and all
lovely face, dazzling in her beauty, like a diamond among stones less
brilliant; the flirting blonde of Washington; the gracious Virginian,
with features so classic and serene; the daisy-like daughter of
Connecticut, ever ready to give out her wild unmeasured laugh--all
were there. And then there came the imperious Carolinian, whose
stately step, Grecian face, dark, languishing eyes, and thoughtful
countenance, drew upon her the admiration of many an envious eye. And,
to make complete the group, there moved haughtily along the proud
Madame of Alabama, affecting the possession of each good and gentle
attribute of womankind. She would have us know how much attention she
drew upon her while being presented to 'England's queen,' forgetting
that it was merely the effect of her badly arranged lace. Indeed, the
conclave mingled most socially. My Lady Flippington seemed not above a
modest and very sensible condescension to the very level of the vulgar
who surrounded her, and whose friendship she seemed to court.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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