The Comic Almanack, Volume 1: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and OdditiesThackeray, William Makepeace
Philosophy
The Comic Almanack, Volume 1: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities
Thackeray, William Makepeace
Almanacs, English -- England -- London; English wit and humor
Never refuse a pinch of snuff, but do not become a snuff-taker: it is
paying through the nose for a little pleasure.
Avoid argument with Ladies. In spinning a yarn among Silks and Satins, a
man is sure to be _Worsted_.
It is common to speak contemptuously of tailors and dress-makers. This
is bad taste; none but a rat would run down the sewers.
When a lady sits down to the pianoforte, always volunteer to turn over
the leaves. To be able to read music is of no consequence, as you will
know that she is at the bottom of a page when she stops short. If you
turn over two leaves at once, you will probably have the secret thanks
of most of the company.
When your friend enters the room instantly rise, and, though there may
be half a dozen unoccupied chairs at hand, draw him with gentle force
into your own. You will thus show the warmth of your friendship; for a
damp seat may be as bad as a damp bed.
In driving out never make a lady treasurer of the turnpike trusts;—or,
when you want twopence for a toll, you have to wait while the reticule
string is snapped in two; then, out comes a lace-edged white muslin
worked pocket-handkerchief, a pair of lemon-coloured kid-gloves, a
smelling-bottle, a bunch of keys, and, to crown all, a five-shilling
piece to change. All this time you are stuck fast in the jaws of a
turnpike gate, the Brighton Quicksilver in your rear, driver raving at
your back, leaders snorting over your shoulder.
Never plan a pic-nic, on pain of skulking about the town for six months
after, dreading to meet, at every turn, the infuriated looks of the
bereaved parents of half a dozen little innocents in white frocks and
trousers, who have been washed away by an inundation; or to encounter
the menacing glances of budding heroes, fierce in the rudiments of
moustaches and chin-tufts, whose Celias and Delias have dropped into a
decline through sitting on the damp grass at your instigation.
Never hesitate to take a friend with you when you go out to dinner.
Disappointments are so frequent that the lady of the house may perhaps
be glad of a spare gentleman to fill up a gap.
In carving, remember that "'twere well it were done quickly." He must
be, therefore, the best carver who soonest fills the greatest number of
plates. Waste no time in asking if people like a wing or a leg, this bit
or that—many do not know their minds on any subject. Besides, as they
cannot all have the prime cuts, nothing but discontent can ensue from
giving them the choice.
As too much of a good thing is morally impossible, fill the plates well—
the delicate can leave half, and the modest are saved the unpleasantness
of a second application; besides making the hostess your eternal friend,
if, through your management in the outset, some of the dishes go away
uncut for another day.
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