The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-05-31
SnObs~.Squirts~NOodles.

These somewhat contemptuous epithets
are, nevertheless, good strong dictionary
words" and f,rcibly descriptive of certain
weak specimens of the GEMS homo, chiefly to
be be found among the fashionable purlieus
of metropolitan society. The term "snob'
has been immortalized by Thackeray; and
from all the varieties of the snob family so
graphically depicted by the pen that wrote
''Pendennis," we gather the true definition of
the word, VIA vulgar person who apes
gentility. "Squirt," says Webster, is an ac-
tive verb, which to throw QUITO throw out
words, and the inconsiderate babbler who
elects volleys of words without knowledge
of their application or meaning, is very prop
erly called, in vulgar parlance, "a squirt. p
A " noodle," we take it for granted, without
reference to Webster or Walker, is simple
ton.
Having come to an understanding as to
terms, and estimated the force of the epithets
used, let us look around for practical illus
tration of the things they signify. We will
select character who embraces and embod-
les in his exquisite person-in his individual
Ego-aIl the three sioaples we have named-
making up that fashionable compound OF
vanity and ignorance New York dandy
Ia sublimated, snobbish squit-a genuine
Fifth-Avenoodle. We met him just now in
that popular resort-the Academy Of De
sign" and our attention is arrested by his
lfoppish dress, efferninate air, his halfimpu-
dent, halfamorous stare at the ladies, and
the yawning disdain with which he glances
at the paintings and denounces the whole
exhibition as not worthy to be looked at 10y
one who has q been abwawd."
Who is this dainty, supercilious, demni
ton fine'' fellow that squirts out his sweep
ing condemnation of everything in the shape
Of Art this side of the Vatican? What art
his natural qualifications and acquired abili
ties that make him so much wiser than othe,
men of less spretensions, but of wider reputa
ton for talent and intellectual cultivation
In word, to use a popular phrase, what ar,
his antecedentsa Where did he. come from
where has he been, and what has he been do
ing to make him so much wiser or finer il
his taste and Judgment than the critics Who's
opinions he so indiscriminately condemns
He was born, perhaps, Of respectable, hare
working parents, and to an inheritance it ma,
be. of small fortune But like too man,
fathers who have had to drudge for living
the son is brought up in idleness, looks upol
labor as ignoble, and flatters himself tha
his porcelain person was ordained for orna
nent rather than for use.
/ He dospises the vulgar clay Of whicl
common men are made, depreciates the Re
publican country that has done itself the hon
or to give hisbody birth, and at an earl
age, shaking the dirty dust Of democrac
from his little feet, takes himself with all th
caro- due to a brittle flower pot. to the ga
salons of Paris, where, before he emerge
from technical babyhood, he runs throug
his little all, !" and the whole ganlut Of COZ
+ Inaopolitan vices. Returning home empty ]
purse, emaeiated in person, with no intellec
tual capital to fall back upon but the memo
| Try Of a vicious experience, he becomes
rnisanthropc Of the & Used-Upn class, an
vents his hunaors BY railing at eTeIythin
i American, in Nature as well as Art.
81 Such an one, with soul 50 dead" can !
course see no merit in one Of ElIiott's head
. no beauty in one Of Durand's landscapes
lie has had the run Of the picture galleri'
IF Europe; and after Paul Delaroche an
Horace vernet, he has no eye for the yulgi