The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-06-01
IuW tae rbura,asiztl J-urml
THE NAN AunuF TOWN.

ia every town OF three thousand iuhabi
tauts. IN large places his number Is in.
creased In an equal ratio. Such ncu are
not an Of one temperament, or one style
Of mental development, but seem 10 be
,laok-twistcd pieces all Compartments
aud mental constitutions combined.
Their general characteristics, however
run in the same groove. They are pleas.
ed with the same tHugs, adopt similar
habits. and when one Of them il well
known, the general traits Of any other
one may be anticipated TO a certainty.
The physiology Of the "mau about
towu" is indicated 10y an easy, good
naturcd bearing, with q slightly florid
complexion, plump features, oily eyes,
which have a facility for giving salacious
alauces aud knowing wiuks, and also for
going to sleep at amy time. The mouth
| is rather large, and smiles easily; the lips
are plump, and generally soicd with to-
bacco, stale jokes, and smutchy stories.
/ His brow is prominent, his forehead low
and retreating indicating more obserya-
tion than reflection; greater tendency to
! live in the present than in the past or tu-
ture and has more to DO with daily facts
than sound philosophy. lie lives wholly
on the surface and is superficial IN all his
plans and purposes.
The mau about town has large Ian
guage, indicated by a full, prominenteyc
and a swollen, sack-likc appearance uu-
der it. He generally does much more
than his share Of the talking; viii tell
tales and comic stories WELL aud can
make one on occasion, ayerring It's truth
on his "houor." He has the latest news,
hears all the gossip, aud il comes 10 his
morbid appetite with equal zcst from tae
parlor, the kitchen, the bar-room, or the
stable. He knows every body, at least by
sight manages to be in the front row OF
spectators at all prominent arrivals, re-
ceptious, and departures, lie is at the
depot at each arrival and departure OF
trains, and generally rides up from the
depot on the seat with the hack-dryer.
At the hotel he notes the guests, and af.
ter they have entered their names, he
looks over the register. # important
names appear, he lounges around unit
he obtains a good view Of the persons, ol
gets chance conversation, which is eyei
after spoken ofas can acquaintance" liz
; is social, and likes to make friends; il {
genius at shaking hands, has something
to say to men Of note who good-naturedls
listen to his complimentary aud volubl'
conversation. lie has the first and las
word with them, and they generally re
member pre-engagement, and hurri
away as soon as may be; but the MAJ
about town has talked ,cHh them, and h
will ever after talk about them; vii
speak Of them as his friend General so
and-so, or Governor this, or Judge that
He thus affects familiarity Of Acquaintance
! with important persons, who would re
member him, il at all, chiefly for his shah
by-genteel looks, his unwclcome obtru
, sive familiarity and his odorOus breath.
e lie generally keeps posted as to en-
! gagemcnts, weddings, elopemcuts, di
- vorces, and dinner-parties; attends hors'
, races, baseball and billiard matches, tar
get excursions, clam-bakes, prizc-jghts-
. not to fight nor TO bet, but to be there t
] see, and hear, aud eat and drink, an,
have something rich to talk about AM
p make loungers stare. He has great fond
q ness for dinners, domiuoes, and dogs, aut
q would be a sportsman if lie were no
too lazy. He is strongly social, feel
friendly, and when he has money b
''treats:" and when bard up because b
can not borrow, sails into the conyiyia
circle on hs friendly familiarity wit
those who have money, aud praises til
liquor and fatters those who pay for il
>, He has great fondncss for all the gossiI
good and bad; knows a little Of eyery
thing and not much Of anything, lie
-, willing to be useful, but is too lazy TO b
very helpful. Having large Alimeutiyc
~ ness, he does not object TO assist at goo
dinners, nor 10 test wine and cigars; au
if there Is 10 be "chowder' or wiu'
y. supper, he will manage to "dCad-hcad
himself into IT,.
al lle has not much Acqaisitiycnes
. hence he H. not inclined to work hard f
. money. lie engages Ia no regular bus
ness, because be likes bis liberty, an
thinks it is degrading 70 him 10 do har
y work. When a boy, If put to d usefi
, trade, be did not stay hi- time ont, pl
preferred to set up ten-pins or assist
bar-r3om, for bis board aud spendin
e money; aud 90 reaching mans estate, {
= rather stature, De has nothing but chez
and tongue, sad good-natured aequaii
le ianees, aud perhaps an occasional polii
cal sop, 70 depead on for a living.
p Ifhe ha. had any reputable rcIalyss,l
thrusts the threa1-bare story upon ever
Is body, and seek. thereby to borrow eo
70 sequence from their espeetabIIily j
] doe. not seek 10 initiate their virtue !
y their honorable lhfift, nor seem to e.
- condemned by d contrast Of their w0r
with Bis own worthIersuess.
p lie has not CombatiYeucss enough
a make him spirited, earnest, energetic, q
dastrious 0r courageous. he may "a
be much, and loud oi bravery and man
81 deeds. but De i internally poIiroo
~ Ills seIEEsteem 81 too small % give b
10 much dignity "a strength of eharaele
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