THE MAN OP THE WORLD

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1668, 9 December 1873, Page 4

THE MAN OP THE WORLD

Mr Parjeon's new novel, " London's Heart," contains (in chapter XXII), this good bit of character-drawing : — The man of the world whose character rests upon a sound foundation is sure to get the best of his neighbors. He is shrewd and cunning, and, like the fretful porcupine, so armed at all points as to be almost certain of wounding whatever comes in contact with him. Frankness beanis in his eye, but calculation sits in his soul ; he gets information out of you by side strokes and profits by it; he brings you round by the artfullest of roads to the point he is working for ; he pumps you dry so skilfully that you do not feel thirsty in the process ; and he leaves you under the impression that he is the most amiable of companions. Fortunate it is for you if further experience of his amiability do not compel you, with groans, to reverse this verdict. Attached to the popular interpretation of " man of the world " are profound and puzzling deptli3. A man fails in business, lifts up his eye, looks mournfully around, buys cloth and ashes, sighs frequently, is soul-despondent, grows a little sliabby, meets his creditors, obtains his release, and, hey, presto ! smilingly re-enters the circle from which he had been temporarily banished — reenters it calm and confident, with no sign of defeat upon him. He is received with open arms, for it is whispered that he has " means ;" and if one says to another, "Is it not strange that Mr Plausible, who was in such difficulties last month, and was supposed to be ruined, should be living now in such good siy)e ?" it is ten to one another answers, "He is a man of the world, sir, a thorough man of the world ;" and lifts his Hat to Mr Plausible, who just at that moment happens to pass by. See the other side of the picture. A man fails in busineas, is soul-crushed, looks mournfully about him, shrinks from his former friends, grows old quickly, sits in sackcloth and ashes, sinks down, down- in the world obtains his release after bitter struggling, and never raises his head again ; one says to another, " Poor Mr Straight ! Regularly crushed, isn't he?" And another answers, " What else could be expected? Straight never was a man of the world ;" and turns his back upon the unfortunate, who just at that moment happens to be coming towards him. To be a completely successful man of the world, one must be thoroughly selfish, often dishonest, often false, seldom conscientious, and the porcupine quills which guard his precious interests must be well sharpened. If now and then there is blood upon them, what matter 1 Blood is easily -washed off— but they say the smell remains.