第 10 节
作者:
天马行空 更新:2021-02-21 14:56 字数:9322
followed it were all over; and we were going down to supper; the
inexhaustible Mr。 Griggins produced a small sprig of mistletoe from his
waistcoat pocket; and commenced a general kissing of the assembled
females; which occasioned great commotion and much excitement。 We
observed that several young gentlemen … including the young gentleman
with the pale countenance … were greatly scandalised at this indecorous
proceeding; and talked very big among themselves in corners; and we
observed too; that several young ladies when remonstrated with by the
aforesaid young gentlemen; called each other to witness how they had
struggled; and protested vehemently that it was very rude; and that they
were surprised at Mrs。 Brown's allowing it; and that they couldn't bear it;
and had no patience with such impertinence。 But such is the gentle and
forgiving nature of woman; that although we looked very narrowly for it;
we could not detect the slightest harshness in the subsequent treatment of
Mr。 Griggins。 Indeed; upon the whole; it struck us that among the ladies
he seemed rather more popular than before!
To recount all the drollery of Mr。 Griggins at supper; would fill such a
tiny volume as this; to the very bottom of the outside cover。 How he
drank out of other people's glasses; and ate of other people's bread; how he
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frightened into screaming convulsions a little boy who was sitting up to
supper in a high chair; by sinking below the table and suddenly
reappearing with a mask on; how the hostess was really surprised that
anybody could find a pleasure in tormenting children; and how the host
frowned at the hostess; and felt convinced that Mr。 Griggins had done it
with the very best intentions; how Mr。 Griggins explained; and how
everybody's good…humour was restored but the child's; … to tell these and a
hundred other things ever so briefly; would occupy more of our room and
our readers' patience; than either they or we can conveniently spare。
Therefore we change the subject; merely observing that we have offered
no description of the funny young gentleman's personal appearance;
believing that almost every society has a Griggins of its own; and leaving
all readers to supply the deficiency; according to the particular
circumstances of their particular case。
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SKETCHES OF YOUNG GENTLEMEN
THE THEATRICAL YOUNG
GENTLEMAN
All gentlemen who love the drama … and there are few gentlemen who
are not attached to the most intellectual and rational of all our amusements
… do not come within this definition。 As we have no mean relish for
theatrical entertainments ourself; we are disinterestedly anxious that this
should be perfectly understood。
The theatrical young gentleman has early and important information
on all theatrical topics。 'Well;' says he; abruptly; when you meet him in
the street; 'here's a pretty to…do。 Flimkins has thrown up his part in the
melodrama at the Surrey。' … 'And what's to be done?' you inquire with as
much gravity as you can counterfeit。 'Ah; that's the point;' replies the
theatrical young gentleman; looking very serious; 'Boozle declines it;
positively declines it。 From all I am told; I should say it was decidedly in
Boozle's line; and that he would be very likely to make a great hit in it; but
he objects on the ground of Flimkins having been put up in the part first;
and says no earthly power shall induce him to take the character。 It's a
fine part; too … excellent business; I'm told。 He has to kill six people in the
course of the piece; and to fight over a bridge in red fire; which is as safe a
card; you know; as can be。 Don't mention it; but I hear that the last scene;
when he is first poisoned; and then stabbed; by Mrs。 Flimkins as
Vengedora; will be the greatest thing that has been done these many years。'
With this piece of news; and laying his finger on his lips as a caution for
you not to excite the town with it; the theatrical young gentleman hurries
away。
The theatrical young gentleman; from often frequenting the different
theatrical establishments; has pet and familiar names for them all。 Thus
Covent…Garden is the garden; Drury…Lane the lane; the Victoria the vic;
and the Olympic the pic。 Actresses; too; are always designated by their
surnames only; as Taylor; Nisbett; Faucit; Honey; that talented and lady…
like girl Sheriff; that clever little creature Horton; and so on。 In the same
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manner he prefixes Christian names when he mentions actors; as Charley
Young; Jemmy Buckstone; Fred。 Yates; Paul Bedford。 When he is at a
loss for a Christian name; the word 'old' applied indiscriminately answers
quite as well: as old Charley Matthews at Vestris's; old Harley; and old
Braham。 He has a great knowledge of the private proceedings of
actresses; especially of their getting married; and can tell you in a breath
half…a…dozen who have changed their names without avowing it。
Whenever an alteration of this kind is made in the playbills; he will remind
you that he let you into the secret six months ago。
The theatrical young gentleman has a great reverence for all that is
connected with the stage department of the different theatres。 He would; at
any time; prefer going a street or two out of his way; to omitting to pass a
stage…entrance; into which he always looks with a curious and searching
eye。 If he can only identify a popular actor in the street; he is in a perfect
transport of delight; and no sooner meets him; than he hurries back; and
walks a few paces in front of him; so that he can turn round from time to
time; and have a good stare at his features。 He looks upon a theatrical…
fund dinner as one of the most enchanting festivities ever known; and
thinks that to be a member of the Garrick Club; and see so many actors in
their plain clothes; must be one of the highest gratifications the world can
bestow。
The theatrical young gentleman is a constant half…price visitor at one
or other of the theatres; and has an infinite relish for all pieces which
display the fullest resources of the establishment。 He likes to place implicit
reliance upon the play…bills when he goes to see a show…piece; and works
himself up to such a pitch of enthusiasm; as not only to believe (if the bills
say so) that there are three hundred and seventy…five people on the stage at
one time in the last scene; but is highly indignant with you; unless you
believe it also。 He considers that if the stage be opened from the foot…
lights to the back wall; in any new play; the piece is a triumph of dramatic
writing; and applauds accordingly。 He has a great notion of trap…doors
too; and thinks any character going down or coming up a trap (no matter
whether he be an angel or a demon … they both do it occasionally) one of
the most interesting feats in the whole range of scenic illusion。
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Besides these acquirements; he has several veracious accounts to
communicate of the private manners and customs of different actors;
which; during the pauses of a quadrille; he usually communicates to his
partner; or imparts to his neighbour at a supper table。 Thus he is advised;
that Mr。 Liston always had a footman in gorgeous livery waiting at the
side…scene with a brandy bottle and tumbler; to administer half a pint or so
of spirit to him every time he came off; without which assistance he must
infallibly have fainted。 He knows for a