cquiesce in him. The Snob, my dear
Madam, is the Frog that tries to swell himself to ox size. Let us pelt
the silly brute out of his folly.

Look, I pray you, at the case of my unfortunate friend Ponto, a
good-natured, kindly English gentleman--not over-wise, but quite
passable--fond of port-wine, of his family, of country sports and
agriculture, hospitably minded, with as pretty a little patrimonial
country-house as heart can desire, and a thousand pounds a year. It
is not much; but, ENTRE NOUS, people can live for less, and not
uncomfortably.

For instance, there is the doctor, whom Mrs. P. does not condescend to
visit: that man educates a mirific family, and is loved by the poor for
miles round: and gives them port-wine for physic and medicine, gratis.
And how those people can get on with their pittance, as Mrs. Ponto says,
is a wonder to HER.

Again, there is the clergyman, Doctor Chrysostom,--Mrs. P. says they
quarrelled about Puseyism, but I am given to understand it was because
Mrs. C. had the PAS of her at the Haws--you may see what the value of
his living is any day in the 'Clerical Guide;' but you don't know what
he gives away.

Even Pettipois allows that, in whose eyes the Doctor's surplice is a
scarlet abomination; and so does Pettipois do his duty in his way, and
administer not only his tracts and his talk, but his money and his means
to his people. As a lord's son, by the way, Mrs. Ponto is uncommonly
anxious that he should marry EITHER of the girls whom Lord Gules does
not intend to choose.

Well, although Pon's income would make up almost as much as that of
these three worthies put together--oh, my dear Madam, see in what
hopeless penury the poor fellow lives! What tenant can look to HIS
forbearance? What poor man can hope for HIS charity? 'Master's the best
of men,' honest Stripes says, 'and when we was in the ridgment a more
free-handed chap didn't live. But the way in which Missus DU scryou, I
wonder the young ladies is alive, that I du!'

They live upon a fine governess and fine masters, and have clothes made
by Lady Carabas's own milliner; and their brother rides with earls to
cover; and only the best people in the county visit at the Evergreens,
and Mrs. Ponto thinks herself a paragon of wives and mothers, and
a wonder of the world, for doing all this misery and humbug, and
snobbishness, on a thousand a year.

What an inexpressible comfort it was, my dear Madam, when Stripes put
my portma