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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... any hundreds of copies of these words distributed throughout London, have the effect of collecting a brilliant assemblage of gentlemen, ladies, domestics, horses, and carriages in Downing Street on the Saturday mentioned. There is also a large and not brilliant vol. I. A gathering of policemen, linkmen, pickpockets, roughs, etc., whose presence in that locality is due to the same attractive announcement. The floors of the corridors and anterooms, and the broad, shallow steps all covered with red cloth; the gorgeously dressed, well trained servants of both sexes waiting to take charge of the endless hats, caps, cloaks, burnouses, hoods, shawls, mufflers, greatcoats, etc., which have to be duly ticketed and deposited in security; the magnificent flowers displayed profusely in all directions; the first-rate band discoursing sweet music beneath the staircase; the noble host, with the blandest of smiles, stationed at the foot of the great stairs awaiting the arrival of royalty, and shaking hands affably with all comers; the noble hostess upstairs receiving her guests with graceful dignity at the entrance to the splendid suite of drawing-rooms; all these things prove that one of those great festivals of humbug, wherein society much delights, and which it denominates parties, is now taking place. Why humbug should be an essential and indispensable element of society is best known to society's own self--that it is such element is an indisputable fact. For society upholds it in every possible way, clings to it, cherishes it, defends it, and excommunicates whoever dares to attack it. Should humbug be done away with, society believes it would itself inevitably share the same fate; under these circumstances it naturally follows that any large social...