Of music, pictures, books, and
poetry, the censorious young gentleman has an equally fine
conception. As to men and women, he can tell all about them at a
glance. 'Now let us hear your opinion of young Mrs. Barker,' says
some great believer in the powers of Mr. Fairfax, 'but don't be too
severe.' 'I never am severe,' replies the censorious young
gentleman. 'Well, never mind that now. She is very lady-like, is
she not?' 'Lady-like!' repeats the censorious young gentleman (for
he always repeats when he is at a loss for anything to say). 'Did
you observe her manner? Bless my heart and soul, Mrs. Thompson,
did you observe her manner?-that's all I ask.' 'I thought I had
done so,' rejoins the poor lady, much perplexed; 'I did not observe
it very closely perhaps.' 'Oh, not very closely,' rejoins the
censorious young gentleman, triumphantly. 'Very good; then _I_
did. Let us talk no more about her.' The censorious young
gentleman purses up his lips, and nods his head sagely, as he says
this; and it is forthwith whispered about, that Mr. Fairfax (who,
though he is a little prejudiced, must be admitted to be a very
excellent judge) has observed something exceedingly odd in Mrs.
Barker's manner.
THE FUNNY YOUNG GENTLEMAN
As one funny young gentleman will serve as a sample of all funny
young Gentlemen we purpose merely to note down the conduct and
behaviour of an individual specimen of this class, whom we happened
to meet at an annual family Christmas party in the course of this
very last Christmas that ever came.
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