New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-08-21

floor still more sonorousIy announced the pro-
longation of the TerpsichOrean rites. There
has been nothing like this since Jonathan
Wild the Great had his celebrated converse
ton with the Chaplain. Wicked John was
hoisted into hero; but knowing ones are be-
ginning to be doubtful about that abdication
on the First of May, 1860.
1t is not necessary for us to impeach the good
faith and the simple sincerity with which the
wel-meaning missionary received John Aliens
professions and promises; but the mistake was
in supposng that "The Wickedest Man in
"New-YOrk' could be changed into model
penitent in quarter of an hour Men of the
John Allen stamp are not sometimes without
good qualities but it seems to be forgotten
that, if they had the least conception Of the
enormous mischief of their daily and nightly
avocations, they would call upon the mountains
to cover them, or at any rate would not wait
until some First of May before commencing a
new and better career. That John Allen has
had any such conception, there has never been
the least reason to believe. He went swearing
and staggering about, most blasphemous and
boisterous neophyte. He nursed the humbug
of his conversion with all the cunning Of
sharlish nature. No doubt keen sense OF
the waggery of the whole affair occasion
ally fllod him with cOarsely goOd-humOred
chuckles, which he seems to have taken
no great pains to suppress. 1t was Artful
Dodging with q vengeance, and very keenly he
relished the tendercOnfdenceof his newly found
friends. He was a phenomenon. He was
sudden celebrity He had awakened to find
himself famous, and he bore his blushing hon
ors with an eye to business. Nothing was
easier than repentance; except, indeed, back
sliding There are thousands of rough, shout
der-hitting, gn-dispensing scamps in the city
who think him delightfully."- cool fellow, and
who, with perfect magnanimity, glory in his
luck The pictorial newspapers can find con-
scientious prOcurers, and repentant rutlians
and the keepers of underground dens and
dance-halls above ground, who will at any
time be ready to profess profound sorrow for
their sin, and to submit themselves to the photo
grapher and the wood-engrayer We are as far
from desiring to discourage kind-hearted be-
neyolence as possible; but we are obliged to
assure our readers that, while there are Pick
wcks still living, the race of Jingles and Job
Trotter3 is by no means extinct. The Vicar OF
Wakefield was a very good man, but he was
no match in a horse-trade for Mr. Ephraim
JcnknsOn.
We have no wish to speak lightly of phlan-
thropists who seek to win their fellow-creatures
from evil courses; but we heartily recommend
them not to have too much confidence in con-
verts who make it the condition Of their
reformation that they shall be licensed to con-
tinue miserable sinners until the first of next
May. AS well might pickpocket promise to
suspend his enterprises after having Sc
cured handsome provision for his
aged and destitute grandmother. 81
cam very sorry said Mr.. John Allen;
every sorry indeed; but | can't quit this
business (of harboring prostitutes and drunk
cards. until next May" "At this moment"
the report before us says, che was powerfully
affected" and Immediately "he rushed from
"the ROOM" What powerfully affected" him.
and what he did after his exit, are not stated.
There is, however, such thing as suppressed
laughter, and it is sometimes, rs the younger
Weller warned his venerable parent productive
of cerebral difficulties. We promise not Co
laugh ourselves, either inwardly or otherwise,
if we hear next Spring, upon good authority,
that John Allen has joined the church and
actually retired from business"