1831.] A fairs in General. 199 



no part of it exists in London, -where all the names of inconvenience 

 are tame to the annoyance of the omnibus, as all the names of insolence 

 are weak to the habits of the fellows that attend them. Oi' course, 

 there are some better than others ; and where the proprietor himself 

 takes any trouble about the matter, they may be more endurable. But 

 there was some promise last session, of a change in the whole stage- 

 coach system. What has become of it ? We were to have had stages 

 running in all directions through the streets., and thereby undoubtedly 

 adding greatly to the ease and quickness of passing the enormous dis- 

 tances of London. But all this seems to have died away. We call 

 upon Lord Althorp to tell us, why ? 



Will " flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death ?" We answer, that 

 the times when such things were done are with the years beyond the 

 flood. Flattery is too valuable a thing to be thrown away ; and we send 

 those who doubt our assertion to the histories of all " eminent person- 

 ages/' lately deceased. The disembowelling by the surgeons is only a 

 feeble type of the keen ransacking of every part of their existence the 

 moment that they are fairly out of sight, and gone where they can take 

 no actions of battery. Friends, relations, loving acquaintances, all the 

 world, and the newspapers besides, pounce upon them before an hour 

 lies between them and the sunshine; and they are torn, dissected, extra- 

 vasated, and epigrammatized into a thousand pieces, before even the 

 Magazines can make a grasp at the remains of their reputation. 



But, in some cases, the operation commences before the " brains are 

 out," and the reputation is flayed from the living subject. How would 

 the French Ministers, even so lately as the memorable 27th of July, be 

 astonished to find the knife employed on their physiognomies in this 

 style ? 



f( Appearance of the Ministers on their trial. De Polignac, who is very far 

 from corpulent, is rather above the middle stature, has a great nose, and a 

 bloodless, disagreeable countenance. He has a very low forehead, an expres- 

 sion of insignificance, and, even when he looks most gracious, his manner is 

 by no means pleasing. He cordially accosted De Martignac while the trial 

 was proceeding De Martignac, whom he formerly denounced to Charles X. 

 as an ' apostate.' He is entirely wrapped up in his own case, and in that of 

 his party, and if his life be spared, will deem himself happy." 



With what astonishment would a premier in any land find his portrait 

 drawn in that style ! unless he should have found some balm to his 

 feelings in seeing his fellow-minister excoriated in this style : 



The appearance of De Chantelauze is most unprepossessing. He gives 

 one the idea of a short, ill-favoured, diseased, petty tradesman, and is attired 

 in black." 



The French Attorney- General, however, is treated a little more ten- 

 derly. The terrors of office protect him still : 



" De Peyronnet has a plump visage, is inclined to corpulency, is rather 

 pale, almost bald, and takes much snuff. He is thought to resemble the late 

 Mr. Huskisson in manner." 



Guernon de Ranville a nobody escapes with the observation due to 

 that marked personage : 



tc He looks young', slender, and seems much frightened !" 



