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ILLUSTRATIONS OF HUMANITY.

No. XXVIII.-THE LINEN DRAPER'S

ASSISTANT.

OUR picture exhibits what Hood, with his verbal felicity, designates "counter irritation." It acts in two ways. The cool, quiet, self-possessed (shall we say impudent?) lady, who can order roll after roll to be unrolled, and pattern after pattern to be exhibited, and then walks off with a sixpennyworth, is unquestionably a provoking customer. No wonder that Mr. Assistant sends after her a subdued anathema. But then he is amply compensated, when he gets hold of a nice easily persuaded fairy, over whom his spells and blandishments act with the power of fascination, until her purse is emptied into the draper's drawer. "Any thing else, Ma'am-just permit me to show you -it is exceedingly beautiful-quite new-it is perfectly charming-permit me, Ma'am." Permit you, Mr. Assistant? Are you going to rob the lady? She only entered your shop for a pair of gloves, and here you are sending her home two new dresses, a shawl, a scarf, half a dozen pair silk stockings, &c. enough to start a bride into church, or stock a village shop in a small way.

who would only eat one tart, if served by Mr. Batch in his nightcap, will eat two, when they are handed to him by a pretty girl!

ON FEMALE CHARACTER.*
However we do praise ourselves,

Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm,
More longing, wavering, sooner lost and won,
Than women's are.
SHAKSPEARE.

Ir is only when nations, emerging from a state of barbarism to civilisation and refinement, begin to cultivate the peaceful arts of life, that woman attains her true position in society, and exerts so beneficial an influence over it by the gentle purity of her character. In illustration of this, we need only point to those countries where render her merely the instrument of man's tyranny, or the the chains of slavery, and the trammels of superstition, object of administering to his passions. There, so long as she remains in her degraded position, the light of civilisation can make but little progress; whereas in those countries where she is recognised in her pristine rights, civilisation advances in the same ratio as her character is allowed its full development, and her virtues truly appre

ciated.

If woman possesses such an influence over society, it may not be void of interest to inquire by what peculiar formation of character she has gained this ascendancy; and to arrive at any just appreciation of her distinctive merits, we should require to contrast her character with that of man's.

characterised by that solidity of understanding and depth of thought, which it is the boast of man more particularly to enjoy; but if she yield the palm of superiority to him in sublimity of genius, and the power of philosophical research, she gains the ascendancy over him in acuteness of perception-readiness of expression, and a more intimate knowledge of the human heart. Her peculiar avocations mind, should receive the most attention at her hands; and require that the more gentle and graceful attributes of accordingly we find that gentleness in mind and manner is so much her distinctive trait, that in it she appears in greater contrast to her companion, man, than in any other.

In her intellectual powers, woman is not so much

It is perfectly astounding to think what a host of young men are now training up, in the United Kingdom, to act as decoy ducks and lady traps. People may despise a tailor: but a tailor belongs to a more ancient fraternity than the freemasons; whereas a Draper's Assistant is a mere modern invention, a mushroom of modern civilisation. We do declare that | we would sooner by far be a tailor than a Draper's Assistant. We are perfectly aware that there are not a few intelligent young men amongst the host of youths who call themselves Drapers' Assistants. But the profession is an unmanly one. To be immured in a draper's barracks-to be obliged to dress like a puppy at a raree show-to spend the day, under the severe The formation of mind in woman, does not lead her to eye of Mr. Shopwalker, wheedling, coaxing, persuad- an abstruse study of philosophy and science;--it does not ing, and entrapping-oh, it is a pitiful occupation for teach her to roam through the wide fields of reason, disa manly mind! In fact, the office of Draper's Assist-playing to the eyes of the less gifted any great or truly sublime effort of thought; but it leads her to mental purant is a female one, and should only be occupied by a suits more in unison with her moral feelings and actions. female-but here lies the secret. Females cannot per- In short, her intellectual character is more portrayed in suade their own sex so successfully as a young man the pleasures, the cares, the trials and adversities of everywhose hair is glistening with Macassar oil, his "fair day life, than in exercising her powers in literature, science, white neckerchief" wound in ample folds round his or art, to make for herself a name in their glittering neck, his vest of a magnificent pattern, and his face horizon, or "Climb dimpled and wreathed with smiles. Manly ladies despise all this but the greater portion of ladies are not manly; and the proud damsel who would shrink with perfect horror at the idea of a Draper's Assistant making love to her, nevertheless is easier persuaded to enlarge her stock of purchases, when the persuasion is addressed to her by a young man, than by a young woman. The same rule is observed in all those places where men are the purchasers. At the counter of a bazaar a young woman will sell more than a young man; and the exquisite, sauntering into a pastry cook's,

of

The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar." soaring in the bright sky of genius-that her mental Let it not be thought, however, that woman is incapable powers are fitted only for instruction and not to instructfor often has her name shone in the firmament of literature. Her name is enrolled among the gifted of the earth, and who that hath listened to the tale so aptly told," and

66

*This communication is, we believe, the production of a be observed in the diction-defects which are only to be obyoung man, which will account for some defects which may viated by experience in composition.—ED.

marked the feelings so forcibly delineated by the female pen, does not acknowledge that her mental powers are of no mean order, and her capabilities worthy of praise?

The distinguishing traits of female intellect are a lively perception, and luxuriant fancy-a greater aptitude to portray the feelings of the human heart, along with a graceful and natural expression, which are more rarely met with in the productions of the opposite sex. Her imagination is indeed rich and fertile, and over the fair scenes of fancy and fiction, in which revels she carries us onward with admiration and delight, throwing as it were a portion of her own loveliness over the creations of her fancy. And who but a woman could strike the poetic lyre with such rapturous feeling-such noble devotedness of soul-such sweet breathing strains of love as are apparent in the productions of the gifted of her sex? In her intellectual productions she may not attain the height of sublimity, nor display any great profundity of thought; but in the humbler walks of knowledge, where the faculties of fancy and liveliness of expression are requisite, she shines unrivalled.

It is not, however, so much in her intellectual character, that woman stands forth in contrast to man, as in her moral -where her finer sensibilities and more refined feelings, give her nature a gentleness and purity suiting well with her station and her pursuits. It is in her moral character that she gains so great an ascendancy over man in his feelings and actions; for however unwilling he may be to bend before her intellectual powers, he cannot resist and be proof against

"those graceful acts,

Those thousand decencies that daily flow

From all her words and actions mixed with love," and which often shed over the too stern realities of life the sunshine of gladness and glee.

In her moral character, woman is chiefly distinguished by the strength of her natural affections, and a certain purity of feeling and sentiment which prevades her every action. The constitution of her mind leads her to seek for happiness in the participation with others, of those feelings of love and affection with which she is so liberally endowed; and in doing so, she displays so much gentleness of character, and virtue of conduct, that the more pure and virtuous feelings of man's nature are fostered and encouraged by her example. But while the virtuous female, by the native modesty of her character, makes vice to appear abhorrent, and virtue seem more lovely, the kindness of her heart and disposition, lavished on the objects of her affection, endears her to all who can appreciate the happiness of social life.

In the privacy of the domestic circle, the good and virtuous female shines in her native purity. In the discharge of the various duties of her station, she is alike distinguished by her patient endurance of adversity, and her cheerful enjoyment of prosperity. In the one, her love and patience are severely tested; and while the hand of affliction lies heavy upon her, the enduring nature of her courage enables her to withstand its shock, and administer comfort to the companions of her misfortune; while in the other, the spontaneous kindness of her heart finds vent in a thousand little acts of love, and the amiability of her manners and conversation enlivens the scene of her domestic duties.

In her every station of life, so long as Christianity and virtue are the stars which direct her course, woman, by her gentleness, modesty, and moral worth, is entitled to admiration and esteem. As a daughter, we are led to admire her filial affection, which prompts to offices of love, and which if need be, would lead her to sacrifice comfort and enjoyment for the sake of her parents. Hers is a love

that bears no selfishness; a devotion that can sacrifice; a hope that can comfort; and a courage that can sustain. How beautiful her character in the first sunshine of her early years, when

"Silent and chaste, she steals along,

Far from the world's gay busy throng,
With gentle, yet prevailing force,
Intent upon her destined course;
Graceful and useful all she does,

Blessing and blest where'er she goes." In the first bright years of womanhood she enters on the world's attractive scenes, enjoying present pleasure, and her heart buoyed up with hope's fair visions, and then she gains admiration by the beauty of her person, or the amiability of her temper. But the love which then swells her bosom can only be felt in its full force and purity, when years, perhaps of hardship and toil, have passed away

when the bright dreams of youth have faded, and she, the fond confiding girl, has become a wife and a mother. Love then becomes an abiding duty, which prosperity cannot alter, nor adversity diminish.

It is when viewing her in the light of a wife and a mother, that we become so enamoured of her character; when beholding her fulfilling the duties of her station with kindness and amiability, that we perceive the fount from whence her power and influence rise. In the privacy of the domestic circle she reigns the queen of home, where surrounded with the objects of her love and affection, she bestows on them her unwearied attention and unceasing But while thus gaining the love and reverence of her children, she instils into their minds the principles of Christianity and virtue; and while regulating their forming tempers, she fits them to adorn their station in society, with benefit to themselves and honour to the world.

care.

Although woman principally rests for her strength of character on the purity and intensity of her affections, she is also distinguished by the virtues of self-denial, generosity, charity, and compassion. Although imbued to a certain extent with selfishness, it does not constitute a prominent feeling of her nature. She is generally ready to sacrifice her feeling of self-interest, if by so doing she can promote the welfare of those with whom she is connected. And not only so, but should occasion require, she is even prepared to undergo hardship and toil, and use her every exertion for the benefit of others. It is this noble virtue of selfdenial, conjoined to gentleness, that tends to elevate her character, and in the hour of adversity and danger, to give her an enduring fortitude capable of withstanding life's trials.

Her feelings of sympathy and compassion are easily awakened, and the tale of suffering and distress finds ever a ready echo in her bosom, and an earnest wish to alleviate the miseries of misfortune. Her kindness of heart imparts a peculiar sympathy to her nature; and while the tear of pity may dim her fair eye, or the sigh of compassion escape her bosom, she is ever actuated by a sincere desire to relieve distress, or use the language of consolation to those with whom the kindest feelings of her heart so ardently sympathise.

There is no more beautiful trait of woman's character, than when she displays the Christian virtue of charity; when surrounded with the means of dispensing good to her fellow-creatures, she throws aside the pride of station, and while visiting the abodes of poverty, bestows some portion of her wealth in satisfying the calls of hunger, or relieving the necessities of the poor and wretched. Then, as she enters their humble and cheerless abodes, her heart wrung with the sight of suffering and hopeless misery, her kind manner and words of consolation enliven many a sinking heart, whilst the earnest prayer of thankful gratitude is

warmly breathed for her, who in thus dispensing her charity, can do so with so much kindness of heart and sympathy of feeling.

But above all is woman distinguished for her patient gentleness in the dark hour of sickness and affliction. To those who would deem her fitted only for the frivolities and gaiety of fashionable life, or the petty gossiping of vulgar scandal, we would only say, view her in the more unobtrusive walks of life, when sickness has laid its fevered hand on some object of her affection, and watch her unwearied attention and unceasing kindness then, and her character will appear more worthy of regard. As she bends over the sick bed of her husband, child, or relative, she strives to soothe the pain of the sufferer by every delicate attention and deed of kindness; and as she watches by the lonesome bed of death, and feels that soon the object of her care must "sleep the sleep that knows not breaking," who may tell the bitter grief and anguish of her soul? Well might the poet apostrophise her, and exclaim

"When pain and sickness rend the brow,
A ministering angel thou!"

It is then that the gentle purity of woman's character appears to most advantage; and as she glides around the bed of suffering, she performs those gentle acts of kindness which win the regard, and melt the heart of man. Then “her voice is ever soft, gentle, and low; an excellent thing in woman," and her words are those of consolation and comfort, while her deeds are those of long-suffering and patient kindness.

In thus briefly noticing the characteristics of woman, we cannot fail to perceive that in her station in society, she exerts a powerful influence for its welfare or otherwise, according as she is swayed by the feelings of virtue or vice. So long as she perseveres in the pursuit of virtue, she exercises a beneficial influence by promoting and encouraging the best sympathies of the human heart. The comparative moral purity of her own nature renders virtue her delight; and while in the hours of prosperity, she is qualified to throw the charms of her gentleness over the domestic hearth, she is no less fitted to bear patiently and cheerfully the hardships of poverty or misfortune. Whatever be her lot, whatever station Providence has assigned her-whether one of comparative comfort, or hardship and toil, the gentle, yet enduring nature of her moral character, gives her a peculiar influence over the happiness of those with whom she is connected. Her

"love is oft a light to virtue's path;
It dawns, and with'ring passions die away,
Low raptures fade, pure feelings blossom forth,
And that which wisdom's philosophic beam
Could never from the wintry heart awake,
By love is smiled into celestial birth!"

If woman, therefore, by her strict adherence to virtue, can thus awake such feelings in the heart of man, great is her responsibility, when descending from her high and noble station, she becomes tainted with vice, and spreads around her its never failing accompaniments of ruin, wretchedness, and misery.

As a mother, her responsibility is peculiarly great; for as she bends in fond affection over her children, hers is the pleasing task to instil into their infant minds the first great principles of Christianity and virtue; and who like a mother is formed for discharging such noble duties, or who like her can impress on the opening mind the sublime lessons of truth? In after years, the remembrance of those infant hours thus spent beneath a mother's tuition, may warn from many an evil temptation and scene of guilt. Indeed, so great is the influence of woman in forming the principles of her children, that according as

she instils the principles of virtue, or allows vice to contaminate their minds in early youth, so in all probability will they be distinguished in after years, for virtuous conduct, or evil inclinations.

THE CHANCES OF LOTTERIES.

To those who are regardless of dust, rain, and heat, and to whom broken legs and arms are every-day incidents, the outside of a coach is, no doubt, more agreeable than the inside; but to those who were born when the insides of carriages were considered the better places, and in which a man is secured against the sudden and frequent changes of our extraordinary climate, the right hand corner facing the horses seems to be no uncomfortable position. In such a corner was Saville deposited, when the Rocket darted forwards on the high road to Portsmouth.

And what road is fuller of interest to thousands of our fellow-subjects? It is one of the great paths of our nation which leads the anxious merchant to his foreign store, the seaman to his fearful trade, and on which the devoted lover journeys from his anxious mistress, and the faithful husband from his constant wife. Along that road bas many a noble soldier travelled, to whom there has been no return; along that road the British sailor has often sped to victory or death. It does not strike the ordinary run of admirers of well-appointed public carriages, who stand and praise the neat "turn-out," and the "wellbred cattle" of these Portsmouth coaches, what interest for others hangs upon their wheels; nor as they roll along the level ground, does the casual observer think what feelings, what hopes, what fears, what doubts, what anticipations, and what regrets, are pent within their panels.

In the coach with Saville were three other passengersthe full allowance: two were friends; the third, like What he was, or what was the object of his journey, of Saville himself, was an independent, isolated traveller.

course remained within his own bosom. Of the other two,

one was a partner in a mercantile house at the Cape of Good Hope, where he had never been, and the other, one who had recently arrived from that fine colony, and had succeeded in persuading his companion to go out, as Southey says the devil did, when he visited his "snug little farm, the earth," in order

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-to see how his stock went on."

The experienced voyager, the active speculator, was all alive and in excellent spirits,-full of jest, and glee, and gaiety; to him the trees looked green and the sun shone bright, and not a word could be spoken, nor an incident occur, that he did not turn to jest and merriment. Not so his companion: he was grave and pale, and July as it was, wore tight blue worsted pantaloons and Hessian boots. He spoke little, but sighed much, complained of the heat in murmured accents, and for want of other conversation augured rain and thunder;-he dozed a little, and then needlessly apologised to his companions for what he thought unseemly conduct, by telling them that he had been married eleven years; that he had never been apart from his wife and children one whole day since his mar riage; and that he had, at the persuasion of his excellent friend, resolved to undertake a voyage to Africa, upon business, although he had never before been at sea, or even beheld it, except from the Steyne at Brighton, or the pier at Margate. "I slept little last night," said he, “I am not used to partings, and it has been a sad morning for me, gentlemen."

The appeal was uncalled for; but having been made, it was received by the stranger travellers with courtesy

and sympathy; it was met with a horse laugh by his friend, who, being a bachelor, on his return to what he had established as his home in Cape Town, wondered how any man could be so silly as to waste a thought or a sigh upon an affectionate wife and seven children, and a country like England, when he was travelling at the rate of ten miles an hour towards Africa, and the detection of a pilfering partner.

Charles's feelings were just in a fit state to sympathize with this "parted husband," but even his commiseration seemed light by comparison with that of the fourth passenger, whose melancholy appeared to increase with the distance from London. To Saville, the general disposition to silence (with the exception of the Cape Town winkle keeper) was particularly agreeable; and while his eyes remained unconsciously fixed upon the houses and hedges that seemed to dance by the rapidly moving coach, his thoughts remained fixed upon Harriet, while amidst the measured rumble of the wheels, he fancied he could trace the melody of the air "she loved so much to sing."

After a transient refreshment the party seemed more familiarized to each other, and even Saville himself condescended from his stilts and joined in the conversation; the melancholy man in the corner unbent his brow, and added his mite to the verbal contribution of his companions, till at length the subject of lotteries was started by the winkle keeper, who declared an opinion that nobody ever got a prize.

This statement was stoutly contradicted by the melancholy man, who seemed to derive a vast reinforcement of animation from the subject: he enumerated dukes, members of parliament, Hampshire squires, Bloomsbury attorneys, and Pall Mall pastry-cooks, who had, all to his own knowledge, been splendidly and suddenly enriched by the acquisition of large sums. "Indeed, sir," added he, "even I myself might have been worth thirty thousand pounds more than I am at this moment, by the same means, if it had not been for an accidental circumstance over which I had no control."

"What might that have been ?" said the winkle man, "choosing the wrong number, perhaps ?"

"Not so, sir," said the melancholy gentleman, his countenance at the same moment assuming an expression rather of "anger than of sorrow;" "I did choose the right number-bought it brought it home-and had it in my library table drawer, but

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"It was stolen, perhaps, sir?" said the winkle man's friend, in a piteous tone.

"No, sir, not that. I had it-it was mine-it was in the days when the lotteries lasted a month, and tickets rose in value as they continued undrawn. I went into the city on business-a friend, who knew of my ticket, called in my absence-offered my wife a hundred and twenty guineas for it;-she knew that it had cost me but fiveand-twenty-sold it him-all for my good, poor soulshe's in heaven now, sir-it's no use scolding about it-it won't bring it back-and the very same afternoon it came up a thirty thousand pound prize!"

A general exclamation of horror followed the announce

ment.

"And now, sir," continued the gentleman, "as I walk along the streets in wet weather, because I cannot afford a hackney coach, my friend Dodman, the lucky purchaser, dashes by in his carriage, and splashes me with mud. He lives in a house which I had all my life an anxiety to possess ; and has refused his consent to his son's marrying my daughter, on the plea of her poverty."

It was evident the melancholy gentleman felt the circumstances keenly,

"Well," said Saville, "I don't think I could have survived such a thing."

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Only conceive, sir," said the gentleman, seeming to delight in aggravating all the miseries of his loss,-" only conceive my coming home out of the city-having seen my number placarded at Cornhill as the prize-having compared it with a memorandum in my pocket-book,-having bought a necklace and pair of earrings for my wife upon the strength of it-and finding, upon my arrival, that she had sold my thirty thousand pounds, which I was sure was in my pocket, to a man I hated, for one hundred and twenty guineas, which she exultingly exhibited, and which, with thirty-five more, went to pay for the Daubles I had brought her home."

"I could not have stood that," said the winkle man. "Nor I," said the weeping hushand.

"I," said Saville, "should have cut my throat.” "So I did, sir!" said the melancholy gentleman, "and here are the marks where it was sewn up!"—exhibiting, at the same moment, a huge scar right across the windpipe. To describe the sudden coil-up of the three listeners, when the narrator of his own misfortunes made this disclosure, would be impossible;-in a moment they unanimously construed all his previous observations and remarks into symptoms of his yet latent malady; and never were rightly at their ease until they were blessed with the sight of his back, as he descended the steps of the coach at the door of the Dolphin, at Petersfield.-Theodore Hook.

AMERICAN PHRASEOLOGY.

As for the peculiarities of language, of which so much has been made, I am a bad judge; but the fact is, I should have passed through the country almost without observing any, if my attention had not been previously directed to them. Next to the well-known use of the word "sick" instead of "ill," (in which they are undoubtedly right,) none struck me so much as the few following. They use the word "handsome" much more extensively than we do: saying that Webster made a handsome speech in the senate : that a lady talks handsomely eloquently) : that a book sells handsomely. A gentleman asked me on the Catskill mountain, whether I thought the sun handsomer there than at New York. When they speak of a fine woman, they refer to mental or moral, not at all to physical superiority. The effect was strange, after being told here and there that I was about to see a very fine woman, to meet in such cases almost the only plain woman I saw in the country.

Another curious circumstance is, that this is almost the only connexion in which the word woman is used. This noble word, spirit-stirring as it passes over English ears, is in America banished, and "ladies" and "females" substituted; the one to English taste mawkish and vulgar: the other distinctive and gross. So much for difference of taste. The effect is odd. After leaving the men's wards of the prison at Nashville, Tennessee, I asked the warden whether he would not let me see the women. "We have no ladies here at present, madam. We have never had but two ladies here, who were convicted for stealing a beef-steak; but, as it appeared that they were deserted by their husbands, and in want, they were pardoned."-A lecturer discoursing on the characteristics of women, is said to have expressed himself thus:-"Who were last at the cross? Ladies. Who were first at the sepulchre? Ladies." A few other ludicrous expressions took me by surprise occasionally. A gentleman in the west, who had been discussing monarchy and republicanism in a somewhat original way, asked me if I would swap my king for his? We were often told that it was a “ dreadful fine day ;" and a girl at

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