The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

44 REYNOLDS’ WORKS marvellous brilliancy of the intellects which were expanding under such luminous tuition. “It’s the third class he’s a-hearin’ of,’’ whispered Mrs. Chubb to Christian, “‘ and they’re all little ’uns, you see.” Christian looked as if he thought the sight a very interest- ing one. Perhaps there was the dimly floating idea in his mind of conciliating Mrs. Chubb, so as to be invited into her own parlour, where he might expect to see the beautiful Miss Vincent. ‘Now then, Bill Shadbolt,” said Mr. Chubb, “ how do you spell pig? ”’ ‘‘ P —i— double g, please sir,”’ was the response. “Very good,” said Mr. Chubb. ‘‘ Now, how do you de- scribe it? ”’ ‘‘ A hanimal, please sir.”’ “Very good. Next boy, Ben Tidleywink — what’s a pig, biped or quadrooped? ”’ “ Biped, please, sir.’’ “* No, he ain’t,” said Mr. Chubb, with an awful frown and a sterner clutching of the cane, which perhaps he would have used but for Christian’s presence. ‘‘ Guess again.” “Oh, quadrooped, sir.” “To be sure. Very good, boy. Quadrooped, ’cause why he walks on four legs and has got a tail. Cut off his tail and he loses his dignity. It’s just the same as taking a cocked hat and laced cloak away from a beadle; he sinks down into the commonest humanity. Now then, third boy, George Snuffkin. What have you got to tell me about a pig? ”’ ‘“‘ Hamphiberous, please sir.’ “Very good. And why is he amphiberous? ” “Cause why, sir, he lives on solids and fluids.” “To be sure, meal and water makes his wash. But what else is he? ”’ “‘Graminivorous, please sir,” was George Snuffkin’s in- telligent answer. | “‘ And so he is. But explain.” *“*’Cause why, sir, he don’t mind having green stuff and wegetables in his wash.”’ “Very good,” said Mr. Chubb. ‘‘ Now, take a lesson, boys, from the pig, and tutor your appetites to eat whatsomever comes in your way. That’s the example I like to set the young idear when I teach it how to shoot.” Gomicsdooks