Page:Satire in the Victorian novel (IA satireinvictoria00russrich).pdf/115



are advertised every day in the last page of the 'Times' newspaper, and over which the late Mr. George Robins used to preside with so much dignity."
 * priety; it is at one of those public assemblies, a crowd of which

And again:

"This is a species of dignity in which the high-bred British female reigns supreme. To watch the behavior of a fine lady to other and humbler women, is a very good sport for a philosophical frequenter of Vanity Fair."

He delights in whimsical classic comparisons:

"Is this case a rare one? and don't we see every day in the world many an honest Hercules at the apron-strings of Omphale, and great whiskered Samsons prostrate in Delilah's lap?"

Sometimes the classical is mingled in with the Scriptural:

"A good housewife is of necessity a humbug; and Cornelia's husband was hoodwinked, as Potiphar was—only in a different way."

Sometimes we have a scientific simile, as the comment on Becky's ambition to be presented at Court.

"If she did not wish to lead a virtuous life, at least she desired to enjoy a character for virtue, and we know that no lady in the genteel world can possess this desideratum, until she has put on a train and feathers, and has been presented to her Sovereign at court. From that august interview they come out stamped as honest women. The Lord Chamberlain gives them