Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-08
lFrom All the Year Round
A MISPLACED ATTACHMENT.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.


If we had to make classification of So
ciety, there is q particular kind of men
whom we should Immediately set down un-
der the head Of Old Boys;" and column
of most extensive dimensions the old boys
would require. To what precise causes the
rapid advance Of old boy population is to be
Traced, we are unable to determine; it would
be an interesting and curious speculation,
but as we have not sufficient space to de-
vote to it here, we simply state the fact that
the numbers of the old boys have been grad
ually augmenting within the last few years,
and that they are at this moment alarm
ingly on the increase.
Upon a general review Of the subject,
and without considering it minutely in de-
tail, we should be disposed to subdivide the
old men into two distinct classes-the gay
old boys and the steady old boys. The gay
old men are paunchy old men in the dis
guise Of young ones, who frequent the Quad
rant and Regent-sreet in the daytime, the
theaters especially the theaters under lady
management at night, and who assume all
the foppishness and levity Of boys, without
the use Of youth or inexperience. The
steady old boys are certain stout old gentle
men Of clean appearance, who are always to
be seen in the same tGVerns at the same
hours every evening, smoking and drinking
in the same company.
There was once fine collection Of old
boys 10 be seen round the circular table at
Dtleys every night between the hours Of
halfpast eight and half-past eleven. We
have lost sight of them for some time. There
were, and may be still, for aught we know,
Two splendid specimens in full blossom at
the Rainbow Tavern in Fleet-street who al
ways used TO sit III the box nearest the fire.
place, and smoked long cherry-stick pipes
which went under the table, with the bowls
resting upon the floor. Grand old boys they
were-fat, red-faced, white-headed old fel-
lows; always there-One on one side the
table, and the other pPosite-puiiing and
drinking away IN great state; every body
knew them, and it was supposed by some
people that they were both immortal.
MIR. John Dounce was an old boy Of the
latter class, 1--WE don't mean immortal, but
steady)-a retired glove and braces maker,
a widower, resident with three daughters
all grown up, and all unmarried-in Cursi-
tor-street, Chancery-lane. lie was short
round, large-faced, tubbish sort Of man,
with O broad-brimmed hat, and square
coat and had the grave, but confident kind
of Ioll, peculiar to old boys in general.
Regular as clock work-breakfas at nine
dress and titivate a httle-down to the Sir
Somebody's Head-glass of ale and the
paper-come back again, and take the
daughters out for a walk-dinner at three
glass Of grog and a ipe-nap-tea-little
walk-Sir Somebody's Head again--cap.
ital house delightful evenings There
were Mr.. Harris the law-stationer, and
MIR. Jennings, the robe-maker, two jolly
young fellows like HIMSELF and Jones, the
barrlsters clerk-rum fellow, tha Jones
capital compaTy-full of anecdote and
there they sat every night till Just ten min
utes before twelve, drinking their brandy
and water, and smoking their pipes, and
telling stories, and enjoying themselves,
with kind Of solemn jOViality particularly
ediying
Sometimes Jones would propose half
price visit to Drury Lane OF Covent Gar
den to see two acts of a five-act play, and
new farce, perhaps, or ballet, on which
occasions the whole four of them went 10.
gether none of your hurrying and non
sense but having their brandy and water
first, comfortably, and ordering a steak and
oysters for their supper against they canC
back, and then walking coolly into the pit
when the "rush" had gone in, rs all sensible
people do, and did when Mr.. Dounce was Q