The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-05-13


In geological classification the Mooner
evidently belongs to the Tumindntia. He
lounges and strays about, taking four times
the period allotted TO walk any distance,
6ddle-faddling the space Of time away in a
lamentably improbable manner, and find
ing intense amusement in objects which the
Regent Street ldler, or even the Gent, would
pass by in contempt. The layingdown
Of wooden blocks to form a new pavement
detains him a sure hal[hour The opening
Of Waterman or course Of gas-pipes is
another riveting spectacle; but the attraction
of both these is exceeded by the elevation
OF fresh block Of stone to the top Of an
embryo building-which is process Of 81
absorbing nature as to make him unmind-
ful Of everything else in the world, until il
is properly fixed. Ii is lucky for him that
the view Of the river has 5een shut out on
the palace side Of Westminster Bridge, OF
his head would certainly grow between the
balustrades whilst he watched the laying OF
each successive piece of masonry hereafter
to form the new Houses Of Parliament
The Mooner, like other idleIs. is exceeding
ly fond Of the shops--more especially those
where some mechanical performance is going
on in the windows. In this respect cork
cutters ranks very high; he wonders what
the men do with the bits they take off, and
how it is they never slice their fingers. He
also admires the grstuitous exhibition in
natural philosophy afforded by the working
Of the coifee-shop steam-engine in Rathbone
Place, and thinks what quantity Of coffee
the people in the neighborhood must get
through, if the mill is obliged to work all
day to grind il for them. He is again much
grati6ed at the table-knives, and teapots re-
volving on the bottle-jack in the windows oil
the cheap ironmongers; which attractive dis
play is only exceeded in interest by gold
beater's or paper-stainer's, where the ar
cana of those trades are displayed to the
passeTs-by; and he especially delights in an
exhibition Of filters, fountains, and gold fish.
If the Mooner patIonizes other shoP.win-
dows, they are never the usualIy-Gequented
ones. He cultivates cheap literature in the
secondhand bOok-stalls; or otherwise stops
at that undressing class Of shops which
only gains our attention when we are loiter-
ing about for coach to arrive or start. In
deed, the Mooner, in his common appear.
ance, has the air Of person perpetually
waiting for something that never arrives.
We have, however, no right to find fault
with his occupation, or rather with his entire
want ofany, for every man has the privilege
of amusing himself in the manner most con-
genial to his own feelings but we must OBJ
ject to entering into any conversation with
the Mooner. lie possesses that diverting
property which some people appear to cult
waite with such care, Of totally losing the
point Of any anecdote he relates; and str,lls
and wanders Just as much in his conversa-
ton as he does in his peregrinations, linger-
ing IS long on the way as Charing Cross
omnibus. II you meet him, you cannot
mention word but it puts him in mind of
a story that has no connexion al all with
the subject in question. But there appears
To exist an imaginary link in his brain; and
you had better see friend on the other side
OF the street whom you wish to speak to-
or suffer and be silent until he has conclud-
ed.-Albert Smith. .lsnsiaasa s