INTRODUCTION.
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Among the publications of late years, we have
Pencil Sketches, Crayon Sketches, Pen and Ink
Drawings, Pencillings by the Way, and other
works deriving their titles from the pursuits of the
draughtsman. To avoid plagiarism, therefore,
while following the fashion, this humble volume
is presented bearing the unambitious name which
heads its pages. There is certainly nothing very
imposing about it; but charcoal has its uses and
its capabilities; and the sketcher is content if he
has been able even to approach any of the broad
effects which can be dashed off by the aid of an
article so homely.
A number of the trifles contained in the volume
are familiar to newspaper readers, under the general
title of “City Worthies.” Although mere fancy
portraits, farcical in their nature, and written for a
temporary purpose, they were received with such
unexpected favour as to induce their publication
in the present form. The collection also comprises
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[figure description] Introduction 004.[end figure description]
other sketches which at least have novelty on their
side, if “worthy” of no other credit.
But whether the letter-press be amusing or not,
the illustrations by Johnston are replete with humour
and graphic skill. They who yawn in the
perusal of our pages, can therefore turn for refreshment
to the comicalities of the etcher, and excuse
the dulness perpetrated by the pen, in laughing
over the quaint characteristics embodied by our
American Cruikshank.
Trusting that some portion of the Charcoal
Sketches may be well received, they are now committed
to the reader. If he will not smile, the
writer has laboured in vain; and if he frown,
there is no remedy but submission. To avoid mistake,
however, and to borrow a hint from the
familiar story of the painter who was advised to
place beneath his pictures the name of the object
he wished to represent, it may not be amiss to
state that these productions involve a design upon
the risibles of the “pensive public.” Should there
be a failure in our deep intent, it adds another to
the long list of cases wherein the will has been
unable to achieve the deed.
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CONTENTS.
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PAGE
Olympus Pump; or, The Poetic Temperament 7
'Tis only my Husband 16
Orson Dabbs, the Hittite 31
Rocky Smalt; or, The Dangers of Imitation 39
Undeveloped Genius. A Passage in the Life of P.
Pilgarlick Pigwiggen, Esq. 50
The best-natured Man in the World 60
A Pair of Slippers; or, Falling Weather 70
Indecision.—Duberly. Doubtington, the Man who
couldn't make up his Mind 79
Dilly Jones; or, The Progress of Improvement 93
The Fleshy One 100
Garden Theatricals 114
Peter Brush, the great Used Up 130
Music Mad; or, The Melomaniac 142
Ripton Rumsey; A Tale of the Waters 155
A whole-souled Fellow; or, The Decline and Fall
of Tippleton Tipps 163
Gamaliel Gambril; or, Domestic Uneasiness 183
The Crooked Disciple; or, The Pride of Muscle 194
Fydget Fyxington 207
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ILLUSTRATIONS.
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PAGE
Olympus Pump facing title-page.
The Best-natured Man in the World 66
The Fleshy One 110
Ripton Rumsey 158
Neal, Joseph C. (Joseph Clay), 1807-1847 [1838], Charcoal sketches, or, Scenes in a metropolis (E. L. Carey & A. Hart, Philadelphia) [word count] [eaf298].