, however, that the greater
part of modern wit consists of sarcastic criticism, though it is not
generally severe.

In Thackeray we do not find any of that consciousness of the imbecility
of man, which made some French writers call the humour of Democritus
"melancholy." The "Vanity" of which he speaks is not that universal
emptiness alluded to by the surfeited author of Ecclesiastes, nor has it
even the ordinary signification of personal conceit. No; he implies
something more culpable, such immorality as covetousness, deception,
vindictiveness, and hypocrisy. He approaches the Roman Satirists in the
relentless hand with which he exposes vice. Some of his characters are
monstrous, and almost grotesque in selfishness, as that of Becky Sharp,
to whom he does not allow one good quality. Cunning and unworthy
motives add considerably to the zest of his humour. He says--

"This history has Vanity Fair for a title, and Vanity Fair is a
very vain foolish place, full of all sorts of humbugs and falseness
and pretentions. One is bound to speak the truth, as one knows it,
whether one mounts a cap and bells, or a shovel hat; and a deal of
disagreeable matter must come out in the course of such an
undertaking."

Here is his description of a baronet, Sir Pitt Crawley;--

"The door was opened by a man in dark breeches and gaiters with a
dirty coat, a foul old neck cloth lashed round his bristly neck, a
shining bald head, a leering red face, a pair of twinkling grey
eyes, and a mouth perpetually on the grin.

"'This Sir John Pitt Crawley's?' says John, from the box.

"'Ees,' says the man at the door, with a nod.

"'Hand down these ere trunks then,' said John.

"'Hand 'n down yourself,' said the porter.

"'Don't you see I can't leave my horses? Come bear a hand, my fine
feller, and Miss will give you some beer,' said John, with a hoarse
laugh.

"The bald-headed man, taking his hands out of his breeches pockets,
advanced on this summons, and throwing Miss Sharp's trunk over his
shoulder, carried it into the house.

"On entering the dining room by the orders of the individual in
gaiters, Rebecca found that apartment not more cheerful than such
rooms usually are when genteel families are out of town.... Two
kitchen chairs and a round table and an attenuated old poker and
tongs were however gathered round