The Fitz-Boodle PapersThackeray, William Makepeace
General
The Fitz-Boodle Papers
Thackeray, William Makepeace
Imaginary letters; Satire, English
And how happy might such a man be, and cause others to be! He should go
through the world laughing, merry, observant, kind-hearted. He should
love everything in the world, because his profession regards everything.
With books of lighter literature (for I do not recommend the genteel
auctioneer to meddle with heavy antiquarian and philological works) he
should be elegantly conversant, being able to give a neat history of
the author, a pretty sparkling kind criticism of the work, and an
appropriate eulogium upon the binding, which would make those people
read who never read before; or buy, at least, which is his first
consideration. Of pictures we have already spoken. Of china, of jewelry,
of gold-headed canes, valuable arms, picturesque antiquities, with what
eloquent entrainement might he not speak! He feels every one of these
things in his heart. He has all the tastes of the fashionable world. Dr.
Meyrick cannot be more enthusiastic about an old suit of armor than
he; Sir Harris Nicolas not more eloquent regarding the gallant times in
which it was worn, and the brave histories connected with it. He takes
up a pearl necklace with as much delight as any beauty who was sighing
to wear it round her own snowy throat, and hugs a china monster with
as much joy as the oldest duchess could do. Nor must he affect these
things; he must feel them. He is a glass in which all the tastes of
fashion are reflected. He must be every one of the characters to whom
he addresses himself--a genteel Goethe or Shakspeare, a fashionable
world-spirit.
How can a man be all this and not be a gentleman; and not have had an
education in the midst of the best company--an insight into the most
delicate feelings, and wants, and usages? The pulpit oratory of such a
man would be invaluable; people would flock to listen to him from
far and near. He might out of a single teacup cause streams of
world-philosophy to flow, which would be drunk in by grateful thousands;
and draw out of an old pincushion points of wit, morals, and experience,
that would make a nation wise.
Look round, examine THE ANNALS OF AUCTIONS, as Mr. Robins remarks,
and (with every respect for him and his brethren) say, is there in the
profession SUCH A MAN? Do we want such a man? Is such a man likely or
not likely to make an immense fortune? Can we get such a man except out
of the very best society, and among the most favored there?
Everybody answers “No!” I knew you would answer no. And now, gentlemen
who have laughed at my pretension to discover a profession, say, have
I not? I have laid my finger upon the spot where the social deficit
exists. I have shown that we labor under a want; and when the world
wants, do we not know that a man will step forth to fill the vacant
space that Fate has left for him? Pass we now to the--
SECOND PROFESSION.
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