Real Life In London Part 5

"Hills over hills, and Alps on Alps arise."

The key of his portmanteau was missing; he rummaged all his pockets in vain--he turned them inside out--it was not here--it was not there; enraged at the multiplicity of disappointments to which he was subjected, he cut open the leathern carriage of his wardrobe with a penknife; undressed, and re-dressed himself; by which time it was half-past eight o'clock. His Cousin Tom, who had hurried down according to promise, had in the mean time been making enquiry after him, and now entered the room, singing,

"And all with attention would eagerly mark: When he cheer'd up the pack--Hark! to Rockwood hark! hark!"

At the sight of Dashall, he recovered himself from his embarra.s.sment, and descended with him to the breakfast-parlour.

"Did you send to Robinson's?" enquired Tom of one of the servants, as they entered the room. "Yes, Sir," was the reply; "and Weston's too?"

continued he; being answered in the affirmative, "then let us have breakfast directly." Then turning to Bob, "Sparkle," said he, "promised to be with us about eleven, for the purpose of taking a stroll; in the mean time we must dress and make ready."--"Dress," said Bob, "Egad!

I have dressed and made ready twice already this morning." He then ~51~~recounted the adventures above recorded; at which Dashall repeatedly burst into fits of immoderate laughter. Breakfast being over, a person from Mr. Robinson's was announced, and ushered into the room.

A more prepossessing appearance had scarcely met Bob's eye--a tall, elegant young man, dressed in black, cut in the extreme of fashion, whose features bespoke intelligence, and whose air and manner were indicative of a something which to him was quite new. He arose upon his entrance, and made a formal bow; which was returned by the youth. "Good morning, gentlemen."--"Good morning, Mr. R----," said Tom, mentioning a name celebrated by

Pope in the following lines:

"But all my praises, why should lords engross?

Bise, honest Muse, and sing the man of Boss."

"I am happy to have the honour of seeing you in town again, Sir!

The fashionables are mustering very strong, and the prospect of the approaching coronation appears to be very attractive." During this time he was occupied in opening a leathern case, which contained combs, brushes, &c.; then taking off his coat, he appeared in a jacket with an ap.r.o.n, which, like a fashionable _pinafore_ of the present day, nearly concealed his person, from his chin to his toes. "Yes," replied Dashall, "the coronation is a subject of deep importance just now in the circles of fashion," seating himself in his chair, in readiness for the operator,{1} who, Bob now discovered, was no other than the _Peruquier_.

1 The progress of taste and refinement is visible in all situations, and the language of putting has become so well understood by all ranks of society, that it is made use of by the most humble and obscure tradesmen of the metropolis.

One remarkable instance ought not to be omitted here. In a narrow dirty street, leading from the Temple towards Blackfriars, over a small triangular-fronted shop, scarcely big enough to hold three persons at a time, the eye of the pa.s.sing traveller is greeted with the following welcome information, painted in large and legible characters, the letters being each nearly a foot in size:--

HAIR CUT AND MODERNIZED!!!

This is the true "_Multum in parvo_ "--a combination of the "_Utile et dulce_," the very acme of perfection.

Surely, after this, to Robinson, Vickery, Boss, and Cryer, we may say--"Ye lesser stars, hide your diminished heads."

The art of puffing may be further ill.u.s.trated by the following specimen of the Sublime, which is inserted here for the information of such persons as, residing in the country, have had no opportunity of seeing the original.

"R---- makes gentlemen's and ladies' perukes on an entire new system; which for lightness, taste, and ease, are superior to any other in Europe. He has exerted the genius and abilities of the first artists to complete his exhibition of ornamental hair, in all its luxuriant varieties, where the elegance of nature and convenience of art are so blended, as at once to rival and ameliorate each other. Here his fair patrons may uninterruptedly examine the effects of artificial tresses, or toupees of all complexions, and, in a trial on themselves, blend the different tints with their own!"

The strife for pre-eminence in this art is not however confined to this country; for we find an instance recorded in an American newspaper, which may perhaps be equally amusing and acceptable:--

"A. C. D. La vigne, having heard of the envious expressions uttered by certain common barbers, miserable chin-sc.r.a.pers, and frizulary quacks, tending to depreciate that superiority which genius is ent.i.tled to, and talents will invariably command, hereby puts them and their vulgar arts at defiance; and, scorning to hold parley with such sneaking imps, proposes to any gentleman to defend and maintain, at his shop, the head quarters of fashion, No. 6, South Gay Street, against all persons whomsoever, his t.i.tle to supremacy in curlery, wiggery, and razory, to the amount of one hundred dollars and upwards. As hostile as he is to that low style of puffery adopted by a certain adventurer, 'yclept Higgins, Lavigne cannot avoid declaring, in the face of the world, that his education has been scientifical; that after having finished his studies at Paris, he took the tour of the universe, having had the rare fortune of regulating the heads of Catherine the Second, and the Grand Turk; the King of Prussia, and the Emperor of China; the Mamelukes of Egypt, and the Dey of Algiers; together with all the ladies of their respective Courts. He has visited the Cape of Good Hope, India, Java, Madagascar, Tartary, and Kamschatka, whence he reached the United States by the way of Cape Horn.

In England he had previously tarried, where he delivered Lectures on Heads in great style. He has at last settled in Baltimore, determined to devote the remainder of his days to the high profession to which his des-tiny has called him; inviting all the literati, the lovers of the arts and sciences, to visit him at his laboratory of beauty, where he has separate rooms for accommodating ladies and gentlemen, who desire to adorn their heads with _hair_udition. "Can France, England--nay, the world itself, produce such another specimen of puffing and barberism?

~53~~"And pray," continued Tom, "what is there new in the haut ton?

Has there been any thing of importance to attract attention since my absence? "Nothing very particular," was the reply--"all very dull and flat. Rumour however, as usual, has not been inactive; two or three trifling faux pas, and--oh!--yes--two duels--one in the literary world: two authors, who, after attacking each other with the quill, chose to decide their quarrel with the pistol, and poor Scot lost his life! But how should authors understand such things? The other has made a great noise in the world--You like the Corinthian cut, I believe, Sir?"

"I believe so too," said Tom--"but don't you cut the duel so short--who were the parties?"

"Oh! aye, why one, Sir, was a celebrated leader of ton, no other than Lord Shampetre, and the other Mr. Webb, a gentleman well known: it was a sort of family affair. His lordship's gallantry and courage, however, were put to the test, and the result bids fair to increase his popularity. The cause was nothing very extraordinary, but the effect had nearly proved fatal to his Lordship."

"What, was he wounded?" enquired Tom.

"It was thought so at first," replied the _Peruquier_, "but it was afterwards discovered that his Lordship had only fainted at the report of his opponent's pistol."

"Ha! ha! ha!" said Tom, "then it was a bloodless battle--but I should like to know more of the particulars."

"Hold your head a little more this way, Sir, if you please--that will do, I thank you, Sir;--why, it appears, that in attempting to fulfil an a.s.signation with Mr. Webb's wife, the husband, who had got scent of the appointment, as to place and time, l.u.s.tily cudgelled the dandy Lord Whiskerphiz, and rescued his own brows from certain other fashionable appendages, for which he had no relish. His Lordship's whiskers were injured, by which circ.u.mstance some people might conceive his features and appearance must have been improved, however that was not his opinion; his bones were sore, and his mind (that is to say, as the public supposed) hurt. The subject became a general theme of conversation, a Commoner had thrashed a Lord!--flesh and blood could not bear it--but then such flesh and blood could as little bear the thought of a duel--Lord Polly was made the bearer of a challenge--a meeting took place, and at the first fire his Lordship fell. A fine subject for the caricaturists, and they have not failed to make a good use of it. The fire of his Lordship's features ~54~~was so completely obscured by his whiskers and mustachios, that it was immediately concluded the shot had proved mortal, till Lord Polly (who had taken refuge for safety behind a neighbouring tree) advancing, drew a bottle from his pocket, which, upon application to his nose, had the desired effect of restoring the half-dead duellist to life and light. The Seconds interfered, and succeeded in bringing the matter to a conclusion, and preventing the expected dissolution of Shampetre, who, report says, has determined not to place himself in such a perilous situation again. The fright caused him a severe illness, from which he has scarcely yet recovered sufficiently to appear in public--I believe that will do, Sir; will you look in the gla.s.s--can I make any alteration?"

"Perhaps not in your story," replied Tom; "and as to my head, so as you do not make it like the one you have been speaking of, I rely solely on your taste and judgment."

The Peruquier made his bow--"Sir, your politeness is well known!" then turning to Tallyho, "Will you allow me the honour of officiating for you, Sir?"

"Certainly," replied Bob, who by this time had seen the alteration made in his Cousin's appearance, as well as been delighted with the account of the duel, at which they all laughed during the narration--and immediately prepared for action, while Dashall continued his enquiries as to the fashionable occurrences during his absence.

"There have been some other circ.u.mstances, of minor importance,"

continued the Peruquier--"it is said that a certain Lord, of high military character, has lost considerable sums of money, and seriously impaired his fortune--Lord ---- and a friend are completely ruined at hazard--there was a most excellent mill at Moulsey Hurst on Thursday last, between the Gas-light man, who appears to be a game chicken, and a prime hammerer--he can give and take with any man--and Oliver--Gas beat him hollow, it was all Lombard-street to a china orange. The Masked Festival on the 18th is a subject of considerable attraction, and wigs of every nature, style, and fashion, are in high request for the occasion--The Bob, the Tye, the Natural Scratch, the Full Bottom, the Queue, the Curl, the Clerical, the Narcissus, the Auricula, the Capital, the Corinthian, the Roman, the Spanish, the French, the Dutch--oh! we are full of business just now. Speaking of the art, by the by, reminds me of a circ.u.mstance which occurred a very ~55~~short time back, and which shows such a striking contrast between the low-bred citizens, and the True Blues of the West!--have the kindness to hold your head a little on one side, Sir, if you please--a little more towards the light, if you please--that will do excellently--why you'll look quite another thing!--From the country, I presume?" "You are right," said Bob, "but I don't want a wig just yet."

"Shall be happy to fit you upon all occasions--masquerade, ball, or supper, Sir: you may perhaps wish to go out, as we say in the West, in coy.--happy to receive your commands at any time, prompt attention and dispatch."

"Zounds! you are clipping the wig too close," said Tom, impatient to hear the story, "and if you go on at this rate, you won't leave us even the _tail_ (tale)."

"Right, Sir, I take--'and thereby hangs a tale.' The observation is in point, _verb.u.m sat_, as the latinist would say. Well, Sir, as I was saying, a citizen, with a design to outdo his neighbours, called at one of the first shops in London a very short time since, and gave particular orders to have his _pericranium_ fitted with a wig of the true royal cut. The dimensions of his upper story were taken--the order executed to the very letter of the instructions--it fitted like wax--it was nature--nay it soared beyond nature--it was the perfection of art--the very acme of science! Conception was outdone, and there is no power in language to describe it. He was delighted; his wife was charmed with the idea of a new husband, and he with his new wig; but

"Now comes the pleasant joke of all, 'Tis when too close attack'd we fall."

The account was produced---would you believe it, he refused to have it--he objected to the price."

"The devil take it!" said Tom, "object to pay for the acme of perfection; this unnaturally natural wig would have fetched any money among the collectors of curiosities."

"What was the price?" enquired Bob.

"Trifling, Sir, very trifling, to an artist 'of the first water,' as a jeweller would say by his diamonds--only thirty guineas!!!"

"Thirty guineas!" exclaimed Bob, starting from his seat, and almost overturning the _modernizer_ of his head.

~56~~Then, recollecting Sparkle's account of Living in Style, and Good Breeding, falling gently into his seat again.

"Did I hurt you, Sir?" exclaimed the Peruquier.

Dashall bit his lip, and smiled at the surprise of his Cousin, which was now so visibly depicted in his countenance.

"Not at all," replied Tallyho.

"In two minutes more, Sir, your head will be a grace to; Bond Street or St. James's; it cuts well, and looks well; and if you will allow me to attend you once a month, it will continue so."

Tom hummed a tune, and looked out of the window; the other two were silent till Bob was released. Tom _tip'd the blunt_, and the interesting young man made his conge, and departed.

"A very interesting and amusing sort of person," said Bob.

"Yes," replied Tom, "he is a walking volume of information: he knows something of every thing, and almost of every body. He has been in better circ.u.mstances, and seen a great deal of life; his history is somewhat remarkable, and some particulars, not generally known, have excited a considerable portion of interest in his fate among those who are acquainted with them. He is the son, before marriage, of a respectable and worthy tradesman, a celebrated vender of bear's grease,{1} lately deceased, who

1 The infallibility of this specimen cannot possibly be doubted, after reading the following