Dicken's works . iallyassists us in these speculations as the appearanceof the house-doors. The various expressions of thehuman countenance afford a beautiful and interest-ing study; but there is something in the physiognomyof street-door knockers, almost as characteristic, andnearly as infallible. Whenever we visit a man forthe first time, we contemplate the features of hisknocker with the greatest curiosity, for we wellknow, that between the man and his knocker, therewill inevitably be a greater or less degree of resem-blance and sympathy. For instance, there is one description of knockertha
Dicken's works . iallyassists us in these speculations as the appearanceof the house-doors. The various expressions of thehuman countenance afford a beautiful and interest-ing study; but there is something in the physiognomyof street-door knockers, almost as characteristic, andnearly as infallible. Whenever we visit a man forthe first time, we contemplate the features of hisknocker with the greatest curiosity, for we wellknow, that between the man and his knocker, therewill inevitably be a greater or less degree of resem-blance and sympathy. For instance, there is one description of knockerthat used to be common enough, but which is fastpassing away — a large round one, with the jollyface of a convivial lion smiling blandly at you, asyou twist the sides of your hair into a curl, or pullup your shirt-collar while you are waiting for thedoor to be opened; we never saw that knocker onthe door of a churlish man— so far as our experienceis concerned, it invariably bespoke hospitality andanother mr^CyuticsUl SKETCHES BY BOZ. 59 No man ever saw this knocker on the door of asmall attorney or bill-broker; they always patronizethe other lion; a heavy ferocious-looking fellow,with a countenance expressive of savage stupidity— a sort of grand master among the knockers, anda great favorite with the selfish and brutal. Then there is a little pert Egyptian knocker, witha long thin face, a pinched-up nose, and a very sharpchin; he is most in vogue with your government-office people, in light drabs and starched cravats:little spare priggish men, who are perfectly satisfiedwith their own opinions, and consider themselvesof paramount importance. We were greatly troubled a few years ago, by theinnovation of a new kind of knocker, Avithout anyface at all, composed of a wreath, depending from ahand or small truncheon. A little trouble and atten-tion, however, enabled us to overcome this difficulty,and to reconcile the new system to our favoritetheory. You will invariably f
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublisherbosto, bookyear1890
