The native American., 1838-02-24
MY NEW COAT.

rather handsome fgure-at least so my tailor
tells me. / had been reading Miss Landon's
"Improuisafrice;' but the moment put on my
new coat, found that my thoughts wandered to
Princes street, and | could no longer participate
in the of her heroine. | buttoned my
new coat, for the greatest natural philosophers
inform US, that we should always wear new coat
snttoned, that it may get habit of setting close
to the body. | buttoned my new coat and sal
lied forth. / passed through the western divs-
ions OF George street. 1t struck me that there
was an unusual number of ladies at the windows.
l did not care: was sure that my new coat had
fashionable cut: so said to myself g they may
look if they please" / resolved, however, not
to walk as if | were conscious that | wore new
coat. | assumed an easy, good-humored, conde-
scending kind of air. and the expression of my
countenance seemed benevolently to Indicate that
| would have addressed few words to an old
friend, even although he appeared in coat that
had seen him in six months before. | did not
wear my Indian handkerchief in my breast, for |
look upon that as stratagem to which men
should resort only when the front part of their
coat gets threadbare. | put my handkerchief Git
is real India, and have only one of the sor into
my coat pocket, and allowed one of the yellow
corners to hang out as if by accident. | occa-
sionally conveyed it from my pocket to my. nose,
but when replaced it, yellow corner, by the
same accident always hung out.
AT the corner Of Castle street. several porters
touched their hats to me; and two maid servants,
who were standing at the top of their arena stair,
looked after me till was out of sight. When |
came to where the coaches are, opposite the As
sembly room, three or four men asked if / want
ed coach; but though the compliment rather
pleased me, declined their offers. Just as
passed Gardner's shop, or between that and
PC an duol 81,
ed, whispered in my ear, "Any old clothes to sell,
sir?' | answered ''No!'' rather gruffly, for my
first impression was that kind Of sneer was in
tended at my new coat; but on reflection | felt
convinced that these old clothes men only address
persons OF gentlemanly appearance, and there
fore take this opportunity of publicly expressing
my regret for severity to the individual in ques-
ton, who, | am sorry to repeat, rather shah
billy dressed Hitherto had met with little to
ruffle me.
Just | turned into South Hanover street, l
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 ruthless barbarity worthy only of lineal
descendant of the murderer Heggart, he had at
tempted to destroy forever my coat and my hap
pness. Fortunately, an obliging fooman, who
was near me at the time, seeing my distress lifted
his hand, and by pretty violent application of it
to my back and side, succeeded in restoring me
to comparative peace Of fmind. got into Princes
street.
The sun was shining brightly all the world
was abroad; but | did not meet with one whose
coat was SO new my own. felt my superb
ority; perceived that was an object of univer-
sal attention. l don't know how many black
eyes glanced sunshine into mine; cannot recol-
tba IF fhatc
at every step. Opposite Blackwood's shop, a
gentleman in blue surtout and green spectacles,
stopped me, and addressing me in French, gave
me to understand that he was Spanish refugee,
very poor and very miserable-and that, as he
had been informed was celebrated for my cha
ritabe actions, he hoped l would afford him
little assistance. | was rather pleased at the
strangers address; but how he came to be in
formed that / was celebrated for my charitable
actions, confess l cannot very well comprehend;
for, with the exception of penny ! threw to
little boy who continued scraping on the fiddle
under nv window one day after dinner when Il
was falling to sleep, do not think have given
away farthng in charity for the last six months.
The Spanish refugee, however, in green specta-
cles, had done me the honor to single me out,
probably in consequence of the air of distinction
which my new coat gave me, and it would have
been very inhuman in me not to have presented
him with half a crown. He received it with
much gratitude, and went on towards the Cation
Hill.
Passing the Waterloo Hotel, encountered a
cloud of dust, which ] did not at all like, but
which was philosopher enough to submit to in
silence Severer evils were awaiting me. After
had ascended the hill, the day suddenly over
cast; big, heavy drops Of rain began to lalfaster
and faster-till thunder shower came tumbling
with irresistible violence. Good heaven! rain,
chamberlain upon new coat--the very first
day had ever put it on! turned back | ran,
flew, but in van Before | could reach the
nearest place Of shelter, was completely drench-
ed. could have wept, but was in too great
an agony to think of weeping. When | got to
the east end Of Princes street, there was not |
coach on the stand. | might get into Barry's or
Mackay's, but it would have been of no use, L
was as wet as / could be. / walked straight
home through the splashing streets. do not
think / was in my right reason. was to have
dined out in my new coat, and now it would never
look new again! 1t was soaked in water. put
my hand in my pocket mechanically to take out
my silk handkerchief-I don't know why; Hea-
ven and earth it was gone; my pocket had been
,>;c bod I had nv w silk handk kPrchie1