登陆注册
5169600000001

第1章 PREFATORY REMARKS(1)

(The necessity of a work on Snobs, demonstrated from History, and proved by felicitous illustrations:-- I am the individual destined to write that work--My vocation is announced in terms of great eloquence--I show that the world has been gradually preparing itself for the WORKand the MAN--Snobs are to be studied like other objects of Natural Science, and are a part of the Beautiful (with a large B).They pervade all classes--Affecting instance of Colonel Snobley.)We have all read a statement, (the authenticity of which I take leave to doubt entirely, for upon what calculations I should like to know is it founded?)--we have all, I say, been favoured by perusing a remark, that when the times and necessities of the world call for a Man, that individual is found.Thus at the French Revolution (which the reader will be pleased to have introduced so early), when it was requisite to administer a corrective dose to the nation, Robespierre was found; a most foul and nauseous dose indeed, and swallowed eagerly by the patient, greatly to the latter's ultimate advantage: thus, when it became necessary to kick John Bull out of America, Mr.Washington stepped forward, and performed that job to satisfaction: thus, when the Earl of Aldborough was unwell, Professor Holloway appeared with his pills, and cured his lordship, as per advertisement, &c.&c..Numberless instances might be adduced to show that when a nation is in great want, the relief is at hand; just as in the Pantomime (that microcosm) where when CLOWN wants anything--a warming-pan, a pump-handle, a goose, or a lady's tippet--a fellow comes sauntering out from behind the side-scenes with the very article in question.

Again, when men commence an undertaking, they always are prepared to show that the absolute necessities of the world demanded its completion.--Say it is a railroad: the directors begin by stating that 'A more intimate communication between Bathershins and Derrynane Beg is necessary for the advancement of civilization, and demanded by the multitudinous acclamations of the great Irish people.' Or suppose it is a newspaper: the prospectus states that 'At a time when the Church is in danger, threatened from without by savage fanaticism and miscreant unbelief, and undermined from within by dangerous Jesuitism, and suicidal Schism, a Want has been universally felt--a suffering people has looked abroad--for an Ecclesiastical Champion and Guardian.A body of Prelates and Gentlemen have therefore stepped forward in this our hour of danger, and determined on establishing the BEADLE newspaper,' &c.&c.One or other of these points at least is incontrovertible: the public wants a thing, therefore it is supplied with it; or the public is supplied with a thing, therefore it wants it.

同类推荐
  • 損齋備忘錄

    損齋備忘錄

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 父师善诱法

    父师善诱法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 罗织经

    罗织经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton

    Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 悟真直指

    悟真直指

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 卿归天下

    卿归天下

    我十三岁那年,我十八岁的侄子当上了皇帝。现在的我是皇宫食物链最顶端的女人,呵呵,人生真是寂寞如雪!本文讲诉的是一个深井冰公主扮猪吃虎的故事。
  • 他日待我君临天下

    他日待我君临天下

    君临天下,看众生,千万大世界,我就是唯一。
  • 给未知的爱情写一封情书

    给未知的爱情写一封情书

    时尚暖男吉良先生诚意力作《给未知的爱情写一封情书》,写给所有期待遇见爱情的人。书中撰写情书的R先生,无论多么繁忙多么辛苦,也都每天坚持写一封情书,给他远在海外的恋人Z先生。把满腔的情绪融入其中,通过一封封温暖的书信传递给大洋彼岸的Z先生,然后在时间的流逝中小小地期待着Z先生的回复。关于血型和个性,关于信用卡和爱情信用度,关于速冻食品和快要过期的保鲜食品的爱情思考……这些人人都会经历的生活细节,总能被情书里的风趣文字诠释得充满温情。
  • 云起京华:倾世废后三生恋

    云起京华:倾世废后三生恋

    直接看新书——《邪帝放狠招:请妃进宫》:白发少帝水木良缘——宁可负了兲下,唯不负卿;借我一生一世,暖一朵铃兰花开。
  • 诛仙斗神

    诛仙斗神

    “这片天空,属于万物。” 我祈求和平,我希望万物共存。 我毁坏秩序,我希望主宰世界。 我隐居江山,我希望回归自然。ps:新人作品,希望大家多多指教,即使不能签约,我也会完本。????
  • 重修福建台湾府志

    重修福建台湾府志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 谜语实用集锦(中国民间文化丛书)

    谜语实用集锦(中国民间文化丛书)

    本书主要从以下几方面介绍中国的谜语文化:自然谜、植物谜、动物谜、常用物谜、工矿交通谜、军事武器谜、商业贸易谜、海外港台谜、文化体育谜、书报刊谜、字谜、词语谜、歇后语谜等。
  • 绝代风华

    绝代风华

    2013年度,最为女性读者热衷的精品读物!收录民国最全最完备知识女性生平事迹的畅销力作!揭开民国时期那些神秘莫测的女性们面纱下的真实容颜。讲述民国时期具有影响的知识女性,讲述其事迹、著述及影响。从萧红到林徽因,从关露到张爱玲…….阐述光鲜表面背后那些不为人知的女性故事。
  • 几暇格物编

    几暇格物编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 西顿动物小说全集:公鹿的脚印

    西顿动物小说全集:公鹿的脚印

    本系列收录“动物小说之父”西顿全部四十六篇动物故事,重现了原汁原味的西顿动物世界。书中不仅收录了动物文学作家黑鹤所作的独家点评,还特别设置了由知名语文教师薛瑞萍撰写的“名师导读”“名师点金”“回味与思考”等板块,紧扣中小学语文教学,让读者更深入地了解名著,读懂经典。