THE PLEASURE OF BEING WITH OUT A CHARACTER.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 4, 27 October 1877, Page 3

THE PLEASURE OF BEING WITH OUT A CHARACTER.

A CONTRIBUTOR to an American publication, called the "Knickerbocker"— a sort of monthly magazine—has, we observe, taken tip the droll idea of there being a pleasure in the want of a character, or, more properly speaking, in being unknown. He is glad that he has no character to support—that nobody knows him. Here how this happy dog congratulates himself on his poverty—the blessed obscrity of Ids condition ! " I have just been thinking what a privilege it is to be poor and unknown, and what a blessing is it to be without a character. Nine-tenths of my enjoyments are such as are not attained by the wealthy or the great. They arc such as arc not permitted to those who have character and reputation and station to sustain. The great pass through life on a high horse. They sit erect. Their heads are elevated, and they move proudly on to their graves, "without knowing or feeling a thousandth part of the beauties of the world n. which they have lived. I, on the other Sand, with my characterless, poverty-stricken brethren, make the journey of life on foot. We hasten not on our way; we take it easy ; we cull the flowers which j grow along our paths; we avoid the briars and thorns which obstruct it ; and j when we come to a sunny or a pleasant > -pot, we sit down and enjoy its beauties,

and take tlie rcfrcsliment and rest that our necessities may require. Oftentimes when 1 have taken my station in front of one of our first-rate print-sellers' window, with my ellxws resting on the bar that proieets'before it,

for the purpose of examining at my leisure the various specimens of the arts which he daily displays for the gratification of the public—oftentimes, I say, when I liavo been so stationed, 1 have seen the man of consequence, as he wended his way slowly along the street, turn his eyes wistfully towards the spk.ndil display with v.hish I wan gratifying my senses, look cautiously around to see if any of his acquaintances were near, stop for a moment, and before he had half gratified his curiosity, start suddenly and guiltily away, and pass on. 'Puss on.' I have said to'myself, 'thou slave of custom—thou victim of pride—pass on. and leave the pearls that are scattered in thy path to thus- who have the good sense to appreciate them.' And then, after such a mental address, I have crowded into my place among the motely and ragged group of amateurs, and with them J have admired the taper form of the sylph-like Taglioni, the graceful ringlets of .Mrs. Woods, have expressed my astonishment at the sublime conceptions of Martin, pointed out to my less informed neighbors the faults in bis ' Belshazzar's Feast,' and have laughed, without fear of giving offence, at the comic power of Cruickshanks. I am always at hand when a man is run over, or when a sweep falls from a building, help to carry him to the nearest apothecary's shop, and am always one of those who arc insido when the door is closed. By these means, I have an opportunity of seeing where the man is hurt, and what are his prospects of recovery, what remedies are applied, how he bears his misfortunes, and thus gain a great deal of useful information.

I attend the parades of the ' Light Guards,' and the 'Tompkins Blues,' see them go through their manoeuvres and drills, anil thus pick up a little knowledge of the art of war, to place at the service of my country in the time of need.

When the ' Band' comes out with either of tho above-mentioned companies, I am not too proud to walk along with the boys on the side-walk, and keep step with the music. It does me good. It excites my martial spirit, it arouses my ' American feelings:' it causes me to think of tho revolution ; it calls to mind 'the times that tried men's souls;" in short, it makes mo a more patriotic citizen, and a greater lover of my country.

I attend all tho (ires—am a great admirer of engine No. 14, and Mr. (iuliuk. I am an honorary member of the company No. 14, and am in favor of retaining Mr. Oulick in his office of chief engineer. I only work at the engine when there is a lack of hands, my general wcupation at tires being of a superintending character. I help females and small children to escape from the flames, take ca •.' of valuable packages that are thrown

mto the street, pick up places of ihina md looking glasses that are ca.st down for preservation ft >in the upper stories, and s,e how a stop is finally put to the Barnes. I take great interest in the improve10' :.! .• city. No ; citizen public oi private, has been more solicitous than I about tho green posts in tin' Park, or mora anxious concerning the introduction of ' pure and wholesome water.' For the last two years I have been a supernumerary superintendent of the erection of an hotel now in the course of being reared. Every morning 1 would go and contemplate the work of the preceding day. 1 made the acquaintance of the master builder, and obtained a great deal of information from him relative to the details of the ediric. These are a few of my occupations and amusements, and they are such as the man of character and the proud man knows not. They are engrossed with j themselves, ami see not and care not what the world is doing further than it. affects their immediate interests. Their natural tastes are curbed, their impulses are restrained, and their real feelings are concealed. Their whole life is a mask. They are ' star '-actors on the world's stage, while we poor, unwashed, unvaccinated gentlemen are the ' supernumeraries.' They Lave an arduous and difficult character to sustain, while we • have only to hear their ranting, and sing, chorus to their songs. They are obliged continually to look and act their parts, while we can crack a joke with the pit, ogle the side-boxes, and have a little fun among ourselves."