The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-11-12
From tho Edinburgh Literary Journall
MY NEW COAT.-A Fragment.

m NAV LOh s--St EFhS Hfh'
Iaevcr was 80 miserable in all my life,
ns the day | put on my new cont. Ny
misery was heightened by the circumstance
that expected to be particularly happy.
! put it on after breakfast Ii fitted me
exceedingly wolI, and have rather
handsome fgurc-at lenGt, so my tailor
tells me. 1 had been reading Miss Ian
don's "imprOvisatice;" but the moment |
put on my new coat, found that my
thoughts wandered to Princo's-street, and
| could no longer participate in the SORROWS
of her heroine. ! buttonod my new cont;
for the greatest natural philosophers in
forms US, that we should always wear a
now cont buttonod, that it mny get hab.
1t Ursittlng closo to tho body. buttonod
my now coat. ana sailed forth. passed
through tho western divisions Of George
street. II struck me that there was an
unusual number of ladies' at tho windows
| did not care: ! was sure that my new
coat had fashionable cnt; so | said TO
myself, 'They may look at it they please.
| resolved however not to walk ns if were
conscious that wore a new coat. as
sumed an easy good humorcd, condescend-
ing kind Of nir; and the expression of my
countonunce seemed bcnovolently TO indi-
cate that would have addressed few
words to nm old friend, even although no
appeared in Coat that I Ind seen him in
six months before. did not wear my In
dian handkerchief in my breast; for look
upon that as a stratagem TO which men
should resort only when tho front parts of
their coat get tbrcadbare. Iput my hand
kerchief Gt is real India, and have on.
ly one Of the sort into my coat pocket, and
l allowed one ofthc yellow corners TO hang
out as if by accident, occasionally con-
voyed it from my pocket to my nose; but,
when replaced it, yellow corner by the
same accident always hung out.
At tho corner of Castle street, several
porters touched their hats to me; and two
maid servants, who were standing at the
top Of their area stair, looked nftcr me till
] was out Of sight. When came to where
tho coaches arc, opposite the Assembly
rooms, three or four men asked me if
wanted coach; but though the compli-
mcnt rather pleased me, ] declined their
offers in dignifed and gcntlemanly man.
ner. Just as passed Gnrdner's shop; or
between that and M'Diarmid's and iudi.
viduol, rather shabbily dressed, whispered
IN my ear, "Any old clothes to sell, Sir?"
| answered, "No!" rather gruny, for my
first impression was, that kind of sneer
was intended at my new coat; but, on re.
fection | fell convinced that these old
clothes men only address persons of gen.
tlemonly appearance; and therefore take
this opportunity of publicly expressing my
regret for my severity to the individual
IN question, who, am to repeat, was rath-
or shabbi!y dressed. Hitherto had met
with little to rufllo me.
Just as turned into South Hanover ST.
] rubbed against white phantom, who
passed on as if nothing had happened, but
who left the whole Of my right arm and
shoulder covered with flour and dust. The
daring villain was baker,and with ruth.
less barbariiy worthy only Of lincal de-
oendcnt of the murderer Huggort, he had
attempted to destroy forever my coat
and my happiness. Fortunately, IN oblig-
ing foot.man, who was near me at tho time
geoing my distress, lifted his hand and By