The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-09-09
CHARLES DICKENS.
A New sketch by the Great English Now
e1ist--" Some Particulars Concerning q
Lton."

/
| Lion"
| The following sketch Is one of a series
of six called the "Mudfog Papers" !"
written in his younger days for Bentley's
Miscellany by Charles Dickens. These
sketches are entirely unknown to the
reading public of to-day, never having
appeared in any of Dickens published
| works, and as literary curiosity alone
they are well worth perusal. The
sketch which follows is called "Some
Particulars Concerning q Lion"
We have a great respect for lions in
the abstract In common with most
other people, we have heard and read of
many instances of their bravery and
| generosity. We have duly admired that
heroic self-denial and charming philan-
thropy which prompts them never to
eat people except when they are hum
| cry, and we have been deeply impressed
with becoming sense of the politeness
they are said to display toward unmar-
rled ladies ofa certain state. All natu
raj histories TEEN with anecdotes illus
trative of their excellent qualities; and
one old spelling-bcok in particular re-
counts touching instance of an old
lion, of high moral dignity and stern
principle, who felt it his imperative
to devour a young man who had con-
| tracted habit of swearing, as q strik-
ing example to the rising generation.
| All this is extremely pleasant to re-
| fleet upon, and, indeed, says very
| great deal In favor of lions as mass.
We are bound to state, however, that
| such Individual lions rs we have hap
pened to fall in with have not put forth
any very striking characteristics, and
have not acted up to the chivalrous
character assigned them by their chron-
iclers. We never saw lion in what is
called his natural state, certainly; that
is to say, we have never met lion out
walking in forest, or crouching in his
lair under a tropical sun, waiting till
his dinner should happen to come by,
hot from the bakers. But we have seen
some under the influence of captivity,
and the pressure OF misfortune; and we
must say that they appeared to us very
apathetic, heavy-headed fellows.
The lion at the Geological gardens, for
instance. He is all very well; he has
an undeniable name, and looks very
fierce; but, Lord bless us! what of thatP
The lions of the fashionable world look
just rs ferocious, and are the most
| harmless creatures breathing. A box
lobby lion or Regent street animal will
| put on most terrible aspect, and roar
| fearfully, if you affront him; but he
will never bite, and, if you offer to
attack him mantully, will fairly turn
tail and sneak off. Doubtless these
creatures roam about sometimes in
herds, and, if they meet any especially
meek-looking ,and peaceably disposed
lellow. will endeavor to frighten him;
but the faintest show of vigorous re-
sistance is sufficient to scare them even
then. These are pleasant characteristics,
whereas we make it matter of distinct
charge against the Geological lion and
his brethren al the fairs, that they are
sleepy, dreamy, sluggish qua6rupeds.
We do not remember to have ever
seen one of them perfectly awake, ex-
cept at feeding time. In every respect
we uphold the biped lions against their
iour footed namesakes. and we boldly
challenge controversy upon the subject.
With these opinions, it may be easily
imagined that our curiosity and interest
were very much excited the other day,
when a lady of our acquaintance called
on us and resolutely declined TO accept
our refusal of our invitation to an even.
ing party; 4" for" said she, 81 have got
a lion coming" We at once retracted
our plea OF a prior engagement, and be-
c'LuIe as anAlOuS 10 70 us we uau pre-
viously been to stay away.
We went early, and posted ourselves
in an eligible part of the drawing-room,
from whence we could hope to obtain
full view of the interesting animal. Two
or three hours passed. quadrilles began,
the room filled; but no lion appeared.
The lady of the house became incon-
soiale, ,-ior it is one of the peculiar privi-
leges of these lions to make solemn ap-
pointments and never keep them,-when
all of a sudden there came tremendous
double rap at the street door, and the
master of the house, after gliding out
(unobscrved as he flattered himselD to
peep over the balusters, came into the
room, rubbing his hands together with
great glee, and cried out in very i'm
Dortant voice, my dear Mr.. -
rnaming the lion] has this moment
arrived"
Upon this, all eyes were turned to-
ward the door, and we observed several
Young ladies, who had been laughing
and conversing previously with great
gayety and good-humor, grow extremely
quiet and sentimental; while some
young gentl 4men, who had been cutting
great figure in the facetious and small
talk way, suddenlyssank very obviously
III lilC csIlHltlllOu Va GuC COlupuuy, anu
were looked upon with great coldness
| and indifference. Even the young man
who had bcen ordered from the music
shop to play the piano-forte was visibly
affected, and struck several false notes
in the excitement.
All this time there was q great talk
ing outside, more than once accom-
panied by loud laugh, and a cry of
"Oh! capital excellent" from which
We inferred that the lion was jocose,
and that these exclamations were oc-
caSioned by the transports of his keeper
and our host. Nor were we deceived
for when the lion at last appeared, we
overheard his keeper, who was q little
prim man, whisper to several gentlemen
of his acquaintance, with uplifted
hands, and every expression of half
suppressed admiration. that (nam-
ing. the lion again) was in such cue to-
night!
The lion was literary one. OF
course there were vast number of peO-
pie present who had admired his roar
ings, and were anxious to be intro
duccd TO him; and very pleasant il was
to see them brought up for the purpose,
and to observe the patient dignity with
which lie received all their patting and
caressing. This brought forcibly to our
mind what we had so often witnessed at
country fairs, where the other lions are
compelled to go through as many forms
of courtesy as they chance to be ac-
quainted with, just as often as admiring
parties happen to drop in upon them.