The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-15
THE OUT-AND-oUT YOUNG GENTLE
MAN

N''A WI yOuuS Sthuop'oh h'ey 70 ~
yided into two classes-those who have some
thing to do, and those who have nothing.
shall commence with the former, because that
species come more frequently under the no.
tice Of young ladies', whom il is our province
to warn and TO instruct.
The out-and-out young gentleman is usual
ly no great dresser. his Instructions to his tai
lor being all comprehended in the one gene
raj direction TO make that whats-a-name a
regular bang up sort Of thing" For some
years past, the favorite costume Of the out
and-out young gentleman has been rough
pilot-coat, with two gilt hooks-and-eyes to
the velvet collar buttons somewhat larger
than crown pieces black or fancy necker-
chief, loosely tied widebrimmed hat, with a
low crown; tightish inexpressibles, and IRON
shod boots. Out Of doors he sometimes has
a large ash stick, but on special occasions,
for he prefers keeping his hands in his coat
pockets. He smokes al all hours, Of course,
and swcars considerably.
The out-snd-oot young gentleman is em-
ployed in city counting house or solicitors
office, in which he does as little as he possi-
bly, can his chief places of resort are, the
streets, the taverns, and the theatres. In the
ouCCtS NJ OSUutuS Out-duU-Out young
gentlemen have pleasant custom Of walking
six or eight abreast, thus driving females and
other inoffcnsive persons into the road, which
never fails to afford them the highest satsfac-
ton, especially if there be any immediate dan
ger Of their being run over, which enhances
the fun OF the thing materially. In all places
Of public resort, the out-and-outers are careful
to select each a seat to himself, upon which he
lies at full length and (if the streets be very
muddy, but not in any other casey he lies
with his knees up, and the soles Of his boots
planted firmly on the cushions Of the seat, and
ifa lady should ask him to make room, the
fellow would take ample revenge upon her
dress, without going at all out Of his way to
do it He always sits with his hat on, and
fourshes his stick in the air, while the play is
proceeding, with dignifed contempt Of the
performance fit be possible for one or two
out-and-out young gentlemen to get up little
crowding in the passages, they are quite in
their element, squeezing, pushing, whooping,
and shouting in the most humorous manner
possible. II they can only succeed in irritat-
ing the old gentleman who has family Of
daughters under his charge, they are like to
die with laughing, and boast Of il among their
companions for week afterwards, adding
that one or two Of them were /" devilish fine
girls" and that they really thought the youn-
gest would have tainted, which was the only
thing wanted to render the joke complete.
All the out-and-out young gentleman is by
no means at his ease in ladies' society. he
shrinks into a corner Of the drawing room
when they reach the friends, and unless one
of tris ~i~.ers 10 hind enough talk 10 him,
remains without being much troubled by the
attention Of other people, unless he espies,
lingering outside the door, another gentleman,
whom he at once knows by his air and man
ner, (for there is kind of freemasonry in the
CRAFTY to be brother out-and-o uter, and to-
wards whom he &c cordingly makes his way.
Conversation being soon opened by some
casual remark. the second out-and -outer con-
fdentially informs the first that he is one of
the rough sort and hates that kind Of thing,
only he couldn't very well be off coming to
which the other replies, that that's just his
case" and III tell you what" continues the
out-and-outer in whisper, 81 should like
glass Of warm brandy land. water just now
I" Or a pint of stout and pipe," suggests the
other oui-and-ouier.
The discovery is at once made that they are
sympathetic souls; each Of them says at the
same moment that he sees the other under
stands what's what; and they become fast
friends at once, more especially when it APP
pears that the second out-and-outer is no other
than gentleman, long favorably known to
his familiars.
At supper these gentlemen greatly distin-
guished themselves Frightening up very much
when the ladies leave the table, and proclaim
ing aloud their intention Of beginning to spend
the evening" process which is generally
understood to be satisfactorily performed when
great deal Of wine is drunk and great
deal OF noise made, both Of which feats the
out-and.out young gentleman execute to per-
Acknowledging protracted their sitting until
long after the hosts and other guests had ad
iourned to the drawing-room, and finding that
they had drained the decanters empty, they
follow them thithcr with compilations rather
heightened, and faces rather bloated with
wine; and The agitated lady Of the house
whispers her friends as they waltz together,
to the great terror of the whole room, that
"both Mr.. Blake aud Mr.. Dummins are very
nice sort OF men in their way, only they are
eccentric persons, and unfortunately rather
too mid ;"
The remaining class Of out-andout young
gentlemen is composed Of persons who, hav-
ing no money of their own and soul above
earning any, enjoy similar pleasures, nobody
knows how. These respectable gentlemen,
without aiming quite SO much at the out-and-
out in external appearance, are distinguished
by all the same amiable and attractive char
acteristics, in an equal or perhaps greater de-
gree and now and then find their way into
society through the medium Of the other class
of out-and-out young gentlemen, who will
sometimes carry them home, and who usually
pay their tavern bills. AS they are equally
gentlemanly, clever, witty, intelligent, wise,