Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-11-13
A CHAPTER ON KNOCKERS.

~
II is astonishing how much inlorma-
ton may be conveyed to a sensitive ear,
through the simple medium Of a knock at
the street door: of course this doctrine is
not predicated of such obtuse appenda-
ges to the human head as can discern IN
| the rat-tat-tat Of a fashionable footman
nothing more than the simple announce
ment, Here we are make haste and
| open the door," but to ears of mind, and
nice discrimination. In London the art
Of knocking is reduced to science-an
elaborate system--and involves as many
my steries as a state negotiation or IL the
atrical engagement There, as every
body knows, peculiar meaning is con-
veyed in every touch of the polished
brass; and the Thomas within, provided
lie be reasonably acute and experienced,
| can read in the "damnable iteration" of
John without, according to the rapldity
| Of his touches, almost as many slgnltica-
tions as the capricious fancy of his lady
can suggest from the impcrious clatter
that says, "Her high mightness the
duchess condescends to leave her patri-
clan name with your insignificant mis-
tress--hy wretch and receive the card,
for we are in haste," down to the more
modest hammering that conveys " we
hope you will not deny yourself to an old
friend, for we are come to chat away the
morning." In short, as many bob-ma-
iors may be rung upon the knocker OF
fashionable door as in the beliry of
country church and the various peals
are fully as expressive as the cracking
of French postillon's whip, or the mu-
sic of well bred hound to the ears of an
experienced huntsman.
To bring this fact home at once to the
understandings Of our readers-the post
mans knock Who has not at some
time or other thrilled to his very hearts
core at its brief and authoritative sum
mons Can any thing be more eloquent
than its appeal to the heart and ear of an
expecting correspondent F! Does it not
express, con with your spectacles," as
plain as knock can speak
Then the knock imperative {; the sin
gle knock, awful as the sound of the toll
ing bell TO the sentenced criminal doe:
it not say ga person with small account
who waits for an answer 2" Does it no
foreshow dun IL not the eloQuence
Of its one harsh heavy blow, sufficient tC
make one
"Burst all Ger
Into moist anguish never felt before"
Then the knock deprec ecatory-the gen
tie application Of the mantuam. .er, o
the humble friend who comes once
week for his chance of an invitation T.
dinner, or Of the druggists apprentice
has it not a plausible gentleness in it
tone that bespcaks iorbearance
Then the " double, double, double
laundering beat" Of Mrs. Alonzo Mont
morency Higgins whose saucy footma
is well aware that she wishes everybod
to think she is somebody, and is afrai
that somebody will fancy she is nobod
does it not proclaim, "desire Law
renee to spare no expense in my carriag
it is lined with purple velvet, my ho
ses are thoroughbred, and the noun
ings are solid silver-it is wonderful ho
much we all cost -
The knock domestic on the other han
is as amiable as verse from Mrs. S
Courtney, or a tortoise-shell cat purrin
in the sunshine. 1t connects itself b
association with the husband returnir
from his counting -room--with the smt
Of roast mutton-the conjugal work-b,
half closed, with the needle hastily thr,
into the unfinished cambric, and the NJ
. sery maids "be quiet, Miss Julia here
your papa !"
an. The knock-cordial proceeds from
friend from the country, or cousin j,
returned from long sea-voyage.
mot The knock-jocose or lamiliar-the @
ndi- Grafton Of good fellow Of a bache
lom friend, sounds pun-ike alarum for
ava ries Of horse-laughs.
The knock amatory has gentle, ht
'' itating sort Of murmur, as if intercept
oon by the delicate kid glove of the enact,
the at the sound Laura flies in an attitude
erer her harp, and Sophia to the mirror to S
erer that her ringlets are in order.
-, The knock-mportunate says, ooh y
sun I'll walk in-he's always at home
- me-"
t in The protracted lazy knock Of the 10,
no 90 ger drawls out prayer for admittance
:, for as much as it is a better diversion
I'll yawn in company than alone.
ne The knock-ag agi.ated announces
e, at fdgety retailer Of morning gossip fly
gish- from house to house in that busiest
,o ia Of idleness, gathering news and keep
. up an acquaintance.
70 ~ The knock-solemn proclaims the
be- veterate proser, with "iew ihought
make his own on the bank question"
,,r;aI'l The knock pert. the dapper yo,