Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

THORNS IN THE CUSHIONRoundabout PapersMansion House, I am sure the reader will understand howthe idea of pageant and procession came naturally to mymind. The imagination easily supplied a gold coach, eightIn the Essay with which this volume commences, the cream-colored horses of your true Pegasus breed, huzzaingCornhill Magazine was likened to a ship sailing forth on multitudes, running footmen, and clanking knights inher voyage, and the captain uttered a very sincere prayer armor, a chaplain and a sword-bearer with a muff on hisfor her prosperity. The dangers of storm and rock, the head, scowling out of the coach-window, and a Lord Mayorvast outlay upon ship and cargo, and the certain risk of all crimson, fur, gold chain, and white ribbons, solemnlythe venture, gave the chief officer a feeling of no small occupying the place of state. A playful fancy could haveanxiety; for who could say from what quarter danger carried the matter farther, could have depicted the feastmight arise, and how his owner’s property might be imperilled?in the Egyptian Hall, the Ministers, Chief Justices, andAfter a six months’ voyage, we with very thank-right reverend prelates taking their seats round aboutful hearts could acknowledge our good fortune: and, takinghis lordship, the turtle and other delicious viands, andup the apologue in the Roundabout manner, we com-Mr. Toole behind the central throne, bawling out to theposed a triumphal procession in honor of the Magazine, assembled guests and dignitaries: “My Lord So-and-so,and imagined the Imperator thereof riding in a sublime my Lord What-d’ye-call-’im, my Lord Etcaetera, the Lordcar to return thanks in the Temple of Victory. Cornhill is Mayor pledges you all in a loving-cup.” Then the nobleaccustomed to grandeur and greatness, and has witnessed, proceedings come to an end; Lord Simper proposes theevery ninth of November, for I don’t know how many ladies; the company rises from table, and adjourns tocenturies, a prodigious annual pageant, chariot, progress, coffee and muffins. The carriages of the nobility and guestsand flourish of trumpetry; and being so very near the roll back to the West. The Egyptian Hall, so bright just40