The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-13
De6nislon OF sssnob. -

Dea,ssion OF ''snob."
There is no way Of defining this word
bu; by illustration.
The snob showed itself in Alexander the
Great, when he remarked, that "were he
not Alexander, he would wish TO be Do
genes" after some interchange oil rePartee
between that vagrant and himself, in the
which he Ohe Great had come Oft ''second
best"
1t was strongly developed in the coDduct
Of the Black Prince, after the battle oil
Poitiers, when he made his triumphal entry
into London, riding. bare-headed, on very
small horse meanly capaTisoned, while John
of France, his captive, who rode by his side,
was ostentationsly furnished with splendid
charger.
1t was displayed in the behavior OF Cor
della, when she refused to humor the within
of her already halfsracked, doting, poor old
father, who wished her (whom he had pet
ted beyond his other daughters,) to say that
she loved him very dearly. As an eminent
divine observes, how much OF misery
might have been averted by good spank
ing.
But more familiar instance is afforded
in what may be called the merchant prince
snob," Of our own day; with palace for a
residence, he occupies but the basement,
the parlors being devoted to the four times
year reception Of dinner or ball guests,
unless domestic funeral should put in its
claim; with carriages and horses in plenty,
yet riding in an omnibus, the fare OF which,
in the form Of sixpenny-piece, he gene
rally pulls from his mouth, where he de-
posted it on entering the vehicle, "that he
might have it handy" he pares and cleans
his nails with sharp. pointed penknife du-
ring the ride. With library containing
at least dictionary, he writes to his saddler
for set Of harness-(but all snobs spell
set with double D-and he talks to mis-
tailor about "pants." He stops at the Wall
street auction room in company with anolh-
er Of the same species, and gazes through
his followed hand at an "undoubted origin
al" in the shape OF fourth-rate copy If a
very bad master, and talks over his should
er of stone" and store. shortening" to his
fellow, who pokes the ferrule of his cane
against the stomach of one Of the figures in
brick-red cloak, and says it islands out. T"
He frequents wine sales, and tastes every
sample Of Teneriffe- Madeira, and Hondu-
ras-p port, until he "feels fine;" then he buys
dozen Of stuff that would be poison to
any but his own set. He says he thinks he
has read all Of SCOTS novels. When he
hears, and happily comprehends, witty re-
mark, he appreciates by saying that it is
"not so bad" His classical knowledge ex.
tends to the calling OF money "rocks;" for
indeed rupees would have so signifed with
The Romans. His historical facts are much
confined to Queen Anne farthings, of which,
he states there are but two-and the guillo.
tine, by which, he tells you, the inventor
was the first 10 perish. He carries his port
manteau from the steamboat, through Broad
way, gushing aside the hungry boy who
applies for the ofhce,) that people may see
he is not proud-contriving, however, to
hold it in very awkward manner, to ind.
cate that he has not been accustomed to
such work. nor has he, for his father was a
journeyman brcklayer, and he himself com.
menced by selling old junk. He some
times suffers his hair TO grow on bis upper
lip, but is discouraged On overhearing a
person say he looks like billiard-marker.
He tries on your glove, and considers il no
stretch Of familiarity. He reads the news.
paper silently, yet moving his lips, and
Pours vinegar on his oyster. When he goes
TO the country for a week in the month of
August, ne assumes the neglige dress which
looks sufficiently we'll on thorough. bred.
but knocks him back at once into the brick.
layers son, assisting him to an air Of rather
more dissipation, perhaps, than would be
likely to insure him an eligible situation as
hodsman. His salutation is "Sir, your
most He has great fund of humor in
the BARRIERS shop, and "runs" the boy while
he is putting much grease on his hair. He
compares fneness Of fabric with brother
snob, who. like himself, has just amounted
new pair OF pants" He quotes, and saws
ne is but "a looker-on in Venice"
To sum up, his constan. aim is to ecu,
a figure. " which indeed he does-he is vul.
gar fraction.--LJt for the Lazy.