The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-10-04

| uaIistlc fauIsTTylbm
1t is extremely difficult to give pre-
cise definition of what we mean by the
word "Jenkinsism," although every one
is well acquainted with the article. IL
might be called finical pews-gathering,
in which the news was told, not as news,
but as means OF minlstering 10 some
ones vanity. You might say il was
minute Paul Pryism, where Paul was
invited to the banquet board and then
expected to tell all the world what
great people wore and what they said, ,
OF the manner in which Mss A. toyed
with her soup, and the way in which
Miss b. ate her fish, of the bushes
which mantled the virgin cheeks of
Miss G. when her neighbor, "who dis
| tinguished Himself in the late fratricidal
war;" asked her if he might give her
some more of the fruit, and kindred
| disgusting details. In short, it was
srobbism run mad about very vulgar
people.
1t must be confessed, however, that
Jenkins did his diudgery with an air.
He was pretty youth, and wore his
livery like a duke. He peeped in at
drawing-roo rs though he owned the
mansion; he prattled about the guests
as though they were so many pieces of
calico which he was selling off at auc.
ton; he noticed the tapestry, and
counted the hairs in my ladys false
braIds he marked the equipages and
| could tell you 10 a traction how many
times each carriage wheel went round
in minute; he detected the number
of bank bills IL each gentleman's
| pocket book, and measured out his Hat
terry in due proportion; and he did all
this in a cheerful, unconstrained aud
unconscious fashion, which was very
diverting, in spite of its vulgarity.
Jenkins, moreover, exhibited discreet
indifference as to the character of the
fish that came into his net. He was
always a true democrat, and gave us
The news o. princes, dukes and earls,
| Pimps, sharpers, bawds, and opera girls"
in the same blithesome strains. Often,
indee'', he went further than this, and
recounted with extra particularly the
appearance and manners OF those whose
regulations were not, in respect to
cleanness, like the driven snow. Those
who were notorious he made more noto-
rious, and he was not careful about the
cause of their notoriety.
OF courSe, in this indiscriminate re-
search into private affairs he sometimes
fell foul OF ladies and gentlemen from
whom his inquisitiveness met with
merited contumely, and from whose
houses his graceful form was elected
he was favorite among those upon
whom, cannibal-like, he fed, and as
they read his glowing periods they
smiled complacently, and confessed
that the pen was mightier than the
sword.
But Jenkins has fallen. All the
summer through we have looked for his
elegant letters in vain. Once or twice
we have tlattered ourselves that we de.
tected the familiar style in the verbose
letters of ELI Perkins )" but a closer
examination undeceived us. The airy
humor, the graceful manner, and the
Inconsistencies of Jenkins were all
lacking, and we were forced to the con.
clusion that Jenkinsism was no longer
in the market.
There are several reasons for this
gracious taking-otf. The public has
been interested all summer in more i'm.
portant affairs. The trial of the cor
rupt judges of this city, an exciting
political canvass for the Preside ncy, and
kindred matters have fixed the public
attention.
But what has been more Influential
our watering-place society has changed
in character within the year. jenkins
finds no Jim Fisk or Helmbold to fur
nish food for his stomach and pen now
People Of notoriety have not been il
good odor this summer, and it has beer
discovered here and there that decen
reputation is Of more value than abun
dant shekels. Those who love to max,
display and to be talked about hav,
accordingly simulated modesty, anC
poor Jenkins has been denied even The
crumbs from under the tables of hi
, former patrons.
In addition to all this, Mr.. and Mrs
Shoddy and all the little Shoddies hav,
gone TO Europe. Whether this was be
cause the same expenditure OF none,
, would make greater show there thar
here, or because it was the modisl
o thing to DO, we do not attempt to de
!, eide. The fact remains that many O
, the new rich have sought foreign pee
!. pie among whom to display their album
e dant jewels and their superfiuou
0 ducats. The result has been that tn
). prey has slipped from Jenkins clutch
J. and the poor fellow died of starvation
r We hope that no one will weep a
}. his death. He was low, vulgar cre'
, ture, parasite and pest. 1t is to b
e remembered, however, that the doctrin
e of the resurrection is not yet out {
e date, and he may come to life, althoug
g we sincerely hope that our merely fasl
e ionable people have outgrown his imam
a babbling, and that they will not call
r physician.-Ne,o York EOtning Post.
t Funny Mistake of n Funny Man.