Part 101 (2/2)
”With all my heart,” said Sparkle, twitching Dashall by the arm, ”it is quite new since my departure from town; ”and joining arms, they proceeded towards the Park.
”Been out of town,” continued Gayfield,--”thought so--lost you all at once--glad you have not lost yourself. Any thing new in the country--always inquire--can't live without novelty--go to see every thing and every body, every where. Nothing new in the papers--Irish distresses old, but very distressing for a time: how the devil can you live in the country--can't imagine.”
”And I apprehend,” replied Sparkle, ”it will be of little use to explain; for a gentleman of so much information as yourself must know every thing.”
”Good, but severe--never mind, I never trouble my head with other people's thoughts--always think for myself, let others do as they like.
Hate inquisitive people, don't choose to satisfy all inquirers. Never ask questions of any one, don't expect answers. Have you seen the celebrated ventriloquist, Alexandre,--the Egyptian Tomb,--the------”
Sparkle could hold no longer: the vanity and egotism of this everlasting prater, this rambler from subject to subject, without manner, method, or even thought, was too much; and he could not resist the temptation to laugh, in which he was joined by Tom and Bob.
~~347~~~ ”What is the matter,” inquired Gayfield, unconscious of being the cause of their risibility. ”I see nothing to laugh at, d------me, but I do love laughing, so I'll enjoy a little with you at all events; ”and immediately he became a partic.i.p.ator in their mirth, to the inexpressible delight of his companions; ”but,” continued he, ”I see nothing to laugh at, and it is beneath the character of a philosopher to laugh at any thing.”
”Never mind,” said Dashall, ”we are not of that description--and we sometimes laugh at nothing, which I apprehend is the case in the present instance.”
”I perfectly agree with the observation,” rejoined Sparkle; ”it is a case in point, and very well pointed too.”
”Nothing could be better timed,” said Tallyho.
”What than a horse laugh in the public streets! D------d vulgar really---quite _outre_, as we say. No, no, you ought to consider where you are, what company you are in, and never laugh without a good motive--what is the use of laughing.”
”A philosopher,” said Tom Dashall, ”need scarcely ask such a question.
The superiority of his mind ought to furnish a sufficient answer.”
”Then I perceive you are not communicative, and I always like to be informed; but never mind, here we shall have something to entertain us.”
”And at least,” said Sparkle, ”that is better than nothing.”
The observation, however, was lost upon the incorrigible fribble, who produced his snuff-box, and took a pinch, with an air that discovered the diamond ring upon his finger--pulled up his s.h.i.+rt collar--and at the same time forced down his waistcoat; conceiving no doubt that by such means he increased his consequence, which however was wholly lost upon his companions.
”And this,” said Sparkle, ”is the so much talked of statue of Achilles--The Wellington Trophy--it is placed in a very conspicuous situation, however--and what says the pedestal--
TO ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON, AND HIS BRAVE COMPANIONS IN ARMS, THIS STATUE OF ACHILLES, CAST FROM CANNON TAKEN IN THE VICTORIES OF SALAMANCA, VITTORIA, TOULOUSE, AND WATERLOO IS INSCRIBED BY THEIR COUNTRYWOMEN.
~~348~~~ ”Beautiful,” said Gayfield--”Elegant--superb.” ”Bold,” said Dashall, ”but not very delicate.” ”A naked figure, truly,” continued Bob, ”in a situation visited by the first circles of rank and fas.h.i.+on, is not to be considered as one of the greatest proofs either of modesty or propriety; but perhaps these ideas, as in many other instances, are exploded, or they are differently understood to what they were originally. A mantle might have been thought of by the ladies, if not the artist.”
”For my part,” said Sparkle, ”I see but little in it to admire.”
During this conversation, Gayfield was dancing round the figure with his quizzing gla.s.s in his hand, examining it at all points, and appearing to be highly amused and delighted.
”It affords opportunities for a variety of observations,” said Dashall, ”and, like many other things, may perhaps be a nine days wonder. The public prints have been occupied upon the subject for a few days, and I know of but one but what condemns it upon some ground or other.”{1}
1 In all probability the following remarks will be sufficient to make our readers acquainted with this so much talked of statue:--
Kensington Gardens and the Park.--From three to seven o'clock on Sunday, the gardens were literally crowded to an over-How with the _elite_ of the fas.h.i.+onable world. The infinite variety of shape and colour displayed in the female costume, the loveliness and dignity of mult.i.tudes of the fair wearers, and the serene brilliancy of the day, altogether surpa.s.sed any thing we have hitherto witnessed there.
There was nothing on the drive in the Park except carriages and hors.e.m.e.n, das.h.i.+ng along to the gardens; and as to the 'Wellington promenade,' it was altogether neglected. Whether it was that the 'naked majesty' of Achilles frightened the people away, or whether the place and its accompaniments were too garish for such weather, we know not, but certainly it seemed to be avoided most cautiously; with the exception of some two or three dozen Sunday-strollers, yawning upon the Anglo-Greco-Pimlico-hightopoltical statue above mentioned. It was curious enough to hear the remarks made by some of these good folks upon this giant exotic--this Greek prototype of British prowess. 'Well, I declare!' said a blooming young Miss, as she endeavoured to scan its brawny proportions, 'Well, I declare! did ever any body see the like!'--'Come along, Martha, love,' rejoined her scarlet- faced mamma; 'Come along, I say!--I wonder they pulled the tarpoling off before the trowsers were ready.' 'What a great green monster of a man it is,' exclaimed a meagre elderly lady, with a strong northern accent, to a tall bony red-whiskered man, who seemed to be her husband--'Do na ye think 'twad a looked mair dedicate in a kilt?' 'Whist!'
replied the man; and, without uttering another syllable, he turned upon his heel and dragged the wonder-ing matron away.
'La, ma, is that the Dook O' Vellunton vat stand up there in the suns.h.i.+ne?' 'Hold your tongue, Miss--little girls must not ask questions about them sort of things.' 'Be th'
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