There are few families more ancient, more generally known, or more widely diffused throughout the known world, than that of Under: indeed, in every nation, though bearing different names, some branch of this family is extant; and there is no doubt that the _Dessous_ of France, the _Unters_ of Germany, and the _Onders_ of the Land-_under_-water, belong to the same ancient and venerable house. The founders of the house, however, were of _low_ origin, and generally _down_ in the world. _Undergo_ was the job of the family, as patient as a lamb: he encouraged the blessed martyrs in times of yore, and is still in existence, though his patience has somewhat diminished. _Underhand_ is a far different character to the preceding, a double-dealing rascal, and as sly as a fox; he greets you with a smiling countenance, and while one hand is employed in shaking yours, he is disembarrassing you of the contents of your pocket with the other. _Underline_ is a gentleman of some literary attainments, though not entirely divested of quackery; he is particularly noted for the emphasis he gives to certain points in his discourse, and though in some cases, perhaps, he is a little too prodigal of this kind of effect, yet we could not well do without him. _Undermine_ is a greater rascal than Underhand, and had it not been for the counter-acting influence of _Underproof_, our house had fallen to the ground; to the ground it might have fallen, but had it gone farther, it would have been only to be revived in the person of _Underground_, a gentleman well known in the kitchens and pantries of the metropolis, the pantries in particular, he being a constant companion to the _Under-butler_. _Understand_ is the pride of the house, and by his shining qualities, has raised himself to an eminence never reached by any other member of the family. He is a conspicuous exception to the downcast looks of so many of his relations. _Undertake_ is an enterprising fellow, but he is often deceived and fails in his schemes; not so Undertaker, (whose similarity in name would make some folks believe there was some connexion;) no, _his_ affairs are calculated to a wonderful nicety, and every tear is priced. _Underwriter_ is a speculative genius, and--but the less we say of him the better. _Underrate_ is a character I cannot avoid mentioning, though I wish with all my heart he was dead: his greatest pleasure consists in detracting from the good qualities of his neighbours.