The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-05-07


mankind-or the travelling part of it-with
sone trivial changes ofdress will answer very
well for this country. Itis from Chambers
Edinburg Journal, and is Of course intended for
the travelling British man:
Mankind from a Railway Bar.nTaid's
Point of View.
Marknd is composed of great herds Of rough
looking persons, who occasionally rush with
tighitul impetuosity into our refreshments
rooms, calling for cups OF coffee, and hot bran
DIV and water, which they tumble into them.
selves scalding, and pay for in furious haste;
after which they rush out again, without es.
changing civil word with anybody. Man
kind, even ofthe first class, are dressed queer.
" in pea coats, paletots, closss, and caps,
with no sort of attention TO elegance. They
indulge much in comforters, and green and
red landkerchieis, and sometimes little is seen
OF their visages beyond the mouth and the
point Of the nose. While they stand at the
bar eating or drinking, they look much like
set Of wild beasts IN a menagerle, taking huge
bites and mOnstrous gulps, and often glaring
wildly askance at eaci. other, as If each dread
ed that his neighbor would rob him of what
ne was deyouFiBg. 1t is q very unamiable
sight and has given me very mean opinion
of mankind. They appear TO me Il set Of
beings devoid of courtesy and Tehnement.-
None of them ever takes off hat or cap when
eating, and not one Of even those whom sup
pose 10 be ciergvmen, ever SAYS grace before
the meat hich hand him. A soup or a sand
vich is 20 better in this respect than brandy
and water.
When a lady comes in amongst these rude,
ungraci0us ANNALS unless she has husband
or other friend TO take some care OF her, she is
left 10 forage for herself; and have seen some
torlOrn examples Of the sex come very poorly
of, while gentlemen were helping themselves
20 veal and ham pies, and slices of the cold
round. | don't know any difference on man
kind for great number OF years. They are
Just the same muffied up, confused looking,
muuChing, garing, boiling crew, az when |
FIRST became acquainted with them at the sta
ton. They are not conyersable creatures.
They seem to have no idea Of using the mouth
and tongue for any other purpose but that of
eating. They can only ask for the things they
wish to eat or drink, and what they have to
pay fer them. Now and then, hear some one
making remark 10 another, but il seldom goes
beyond such subjects as the cojdness of the
night; nnd this, by a curious coinc Idence, |
always find TO De alluded TO just before | am
asked for iumbler of punch, as if there were
necessary connection between the two ideas.
Sometimes gentleman, when the bell sud-
denly rings for seats, and he only begun to his
cup Of coffee and biscuit, will allow a naughty
expression 10 escape him. Beyond this, man.
kind are a taciturn, stupid set for though |
hear of speeches, and lectures, and co7Versa-
zones, never hear or am present at any, and
len hardly believe that such things exist
| am, indeed, rather al loss TO understand
how all those things that one hears Of in the
newspapers come about. We are told there
OF statesmen who conduct public affairs, OF
soldiers who fight gallantly Tor their country,
OF great poets and noVelists who charm their
Gel.Ow creatures, aud of philosophers and di-
vines who instruct them. few will lay their
heuds together and raise Crystal Palace
Some will combine, and throw tubular bridge
across u strait of the These things are a
complete mystery TO me, for see nothing of
mankind but coarse eating and drinking, and
most undignIhed runnings off when the bell
rings. There must surely be another mankind
who DO all the fine things.
One detestable thing about the mankind that
comes under my observation, is their glutiony.
Every two or three hours they rush in, de-
manding new refreshments, and eating them
with as much voracIty as if they had not seen
victuals for a week. They eat eight times d
day on our line, and the last train is always
the hungnest, besides taking the most drink
II Is perfect "earlness TO me, this constant
Misunderstanding. What with the quantity
they eat, and what with the haste of the eat
ing, We must send out hundreds OF inGigestons
from our rooms every day.
On account Of these shocking habits on the
part OF mankind. have for some time past en-.
tertalued ID great contempt for them, insomuch,
that almost wish 10 see them scald them
selves with my cups of tea, and choke upon
my pies. For ne to think of marrying any
specimen OF so coarse a crew, is entirely out of
the question, so il is quite as well that Tom
Coliard, the guard, left me for Betsy last sum-
ner, and THAI, as yet, no other follower has
come forward. 1t will be best for them all TO
Keep their dstance-so assure 8 them their obe
dent humble servant,
SOPHIA TANKARD.