Polynesian., 1851-03-29
SHOPS, SHOPKEEPERS, SHOPMEN
AND SHOP MORALITY.


Under this head Chambers Journal gives
an interesting account Of the devices Of the
London tradesmen to attract custom to their
shops.
Chance custom being the main support Of
the great majority Of shopkeepers, Of course
it becomes of the first importance to catch
the eye of the passer-by. The width. Of from
tage, therefore, is one grand element OF sue
cess. To secure this Of the utmost possible
extent the persons interested have recourse
to every possible device. The party-wall of
the house is often shaved as thin rs is con-.
sistent with the safety of the fabric, and is
sometimes cut away in front till the window
touches the neighbors premises on either
side, and the whole stock is multiplied in ap-
pearance by the insertion Of mirrors at both
ends. Sometimes the stOck-in trade travels
up siairs from room to room, monOpoliZing
every front window, and even peeping over
the parapet level with the roof. Not content
with this, some will paint their houses, from
the chimney downward, of a blood-red, OF
emerald-green, or in parti-colored checkers.
Others are eternally 'selling off, and keep
their promise for seven years together, COW
cred with enormous placards, stuck on length
ways, sideways, or with their heads down.
ward. Some-the slop-selers in particular
keep band Of music in perpetual pay,
which during the day, perambulates the
streets and suburbs in a huge van, swathed
all over with the announcement of Terrific
bargains" and stops al dusk in Eons Of the
"mart, p" emporium, 'pantaFoonron, or
whatever it may be, where the blatant
brass is heard believing far into the night,
while faring illumination in gas lig hts up
the surrounding district. Others resort to
the well-known sandwich dodge. by which
the public thoroughfares are crowded with
miserables wedged fast between two heavy
placarded boards These poor fellows
whose bread, sandwiches as they are, can,
harply be said to be we'll huttered-receive
invariably shilling day for carrying their
Sinbad load, from which they are only re-
leased when it becomes too dark to read
Somewhat analogous to the sandwich,
though on much genteeer footing, is the
"gazer" This leisure employee, whose
very existence is hardly known to one in
thousand, is genteely dressed, complacent-
looking individual, having much the appear
ance and manners of an aristocratic ''gen.
tleman about town." It is but rarely that
his services are monopelized by single
firm, unless they are the proprietors nf seve-
raj shops in different quarters Of the town.
1t more frequently happens that he is the
joint property Of several individuals, whose
occupations and interests do not clash with
each other. They manage to rig him out
in fashionable trim by general contribution:
halter takes charge of his head; tailor of
his back the proprietor Of the ''pantalooni-
con" contributes the trousers; the boot-ma-
kers Undue him in pair of the genteelest of
boots he sports gold-headed cane or a
handsome umbrella, supplied by the manu-
facturer Of these articles; neck-tie and
handkerchief of irreproachable style and pat
tern are bestowed by the haberdasber; while
the jeweler finds him gold watch, snowy
ring, and a handsome double eye glass.
Thus equipped, he "goes forth to his labor, F"
whenever the state of the weather is such as
to support the state Of his genuineness. ALL.
he has to do is to walk leisurely from the
shop of one of his patrons to that OF another,
stopping in front Of the window, and scrutin-
izing with much apparent interest and COM
placency the various objects displayed to
public view. In so doing he handles his
gold eye glass with aristocratic grace-taps
his model boot with his splendid eane-drops
a monsyllable ejaculation of surprise or COM
mendauon, and when half score of simple
tons have gathered round to admire the as
tonshing cheapness and perfection Of the
ware, he pops into the shop, gives an order
in loud and pompous tone for dozen oe
the articles which the tradesman wants to
push off, desires that they may be sent 10
May Fair before dark and leaving his card
with the shopman, who bows him revsren-
tally out, walks leisurely off to the next shop
oD hoot fo he fnfS
esting ceremony.
He contrivcs 10 arrive al the tailor's at the
fashionable hour when that functionary IS,
engaged with customers there he may per-
haps give a concise order for a couple Of
coats, paletot, or an Oxonian. ''You have
my measure-no immediate hurry !; this-day
week will do :" and he is off again on his
way to the jewelers.. He accomplishes his
easy round in the course Of the day, and be-
takes himself to his scurvy lodgings, and
doffs his ''show-togs" before dark after.
which he is perhaps 'touter" in some gold.
or silver ''hell' in the purlieus of st. James.
street, or master OF the ceremonies at one OF,
the hundred casinos open for midnight folly
and debauchery
His pay varies from halEa-crown 10 three
and sixpence day, according to his hgure
and effrontery; and he considers il easily and
pleasantly earned, inasmuch as he is, ac-
cording TO his own notions, to all Intent and
purposes gentleman during the hours Of
duty.
LEARSISs.-Although urlearniDg raiseth
up against many enemies among the low
and more among the powerful, yet doth it in
vest us with grand and glorious privileges and
grant to US a largess ofbeatitude. We enter
our studies and enjoy a society which we a
lone can bring together, We raise no jeaI-
ousy by conversing with one in preference to
another; we give no offence to the most H.
lustrious, by questioning him as long as he
will and leaving as abruptly. Diversity Of
opinion raises no tumult in our presence