breeches more ridiculous than long ? What is there particularly jocose about a pump, and wherefore does a long nose always provoke the beholder to laughter ? These points may be meta- physically elucidated by those who list. It is probable that Mr Cruikshank could not give an accurate definition of that which is ridiculous in these objects, but his instinct has told him that fun lurks in them, and cold must be the heart that can pass by the pantaloons of his charity boys, the Hessian boots of his dandies, and the fan-tail hats of his dustmen, without respectful wonder.
We can submit to public notice a complete little gallery of dustmen. Here is, in the first place, the professional dustman, who, having in the enthusiastic exercise of his delightful trade, laid hands upon property not strictly his own, is pursued, we presume, by the right owner, from whom he flies as fast as his crooked shanks will carry him.
What a curious picture it is -- the horrid rickety houses in
some dingy suburb of London, the grinning cobbler, the smothered butcher, the very trees
which are covered with dust --
it is fine to look at the different expressions of the two interesting
fugitives. The fiery charioteer who belabours yonder poor
donkey has still a glance for his brother on foot, on whom
punishment is about to descend. And not a little curious is it
to think of the creative power of the man who has arranged this
little tale of low life. How logically it is conducted, how cleverly
each one of the accessories is made to contribute to the effect of
the whole. What a deal of thought and humour has the artist
expended on this little block of wood; a large picture might
