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Dartmouth College Library. Folder: 1, 'Earth Star Voyager': Lined Script Part I, circa 1987; Folder: 2, 'Earth Star Voyager'. Folder: 8, 'Earth Star Voyager': Editor and crew resumes, circa 1987; Folder: 9, 'Earth Star Voyager'. UMatic tapes: 'Oh What a Lovely War,' 'Animal Crackers,' 'They Only Kill Their Masters,'.
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects ∼1 of 150 births and is a leading cause of hearing loss and intellectual disability. It has been suggested that transmission may occur via contaminated surfaces. CMV AD169 in filtered human saliva, applied to environmental surfaces, was recovered at various time points. Samples were evaluated by culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction. CMV was found viable on metal and wood to 1 hour, glass and plastic to 3 hours, and rubber, cloth, and cracker to 6 hours.
CMV was cultured from 83 of 90 wet and 5 of 40 dry surfaces. CMV was more likely to be isolated from wet, highly absorbent surfaces at earlier time points. Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which occurs as a result of infection during pregnancy, affects ∼1 of 150 live births and is a leading cause of hearing loss and intellectual disability in the United States –.
In a typical cohort of 4 million live births, this translates to ∼30 000 babies born with a congenital CMV infection. Of those born with CMV, ∼6000 (20%) will suffer permanent sequelae (eg, sensorineural hearing loss and intellectual disability), and ∼150 (0.5%) will die of complications of the infection.CMV is an enveloped virus that establishes lifelong latency following primary infection and periodically reactivates, usually without symptoms.
Reinfection with additional strains is known to occur. Transmission occurs via direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual. In adults, asymptomatic shedding of virus in saliva and urine may persist for weeks to months after initial infection. Children, especially those congenitally infected.
MethodsSeven types of common surfaces were studied: rubber, glass, plastic, metal, sanded wood, cloth, and wheat crackers. Surfaces were categorized as either highly absorbent or poorly absorbent surfaces. Highly absorbent surfaces included cloth (100% cotton), whole wheat crackers, and sanded pine plywood. Standard window glass, steel sheet metal, plastic (Plexiglas), and rubber matting were categorized as poorly absorbent surfaces. Ten defined areas (∼2 cm 2) were marked on each material for the application and recovery of virus.
For poorly absorbent surfaces it was necessary to demarcate an area (using a grease pencil) on the surface to keep the virus solution within the test area.CMV strain AD169 from a single large stock (5.96 × 10 9 genome equivalents/mL) was titered on human lung fibroblasts using a plaque assay and was suspended in filtered human saliva diluted 1:1 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4, at a concentration of 10 3 virons/mL. For each surface, 200 μL of viral-saliva solution (∼200 viable virions) were applied to each of 10 marked areas and recovered using polyester fiber-tipped swabs (plastic shaft; BD Falcon) at time points ranging from 1 minute to 6 hours after application. When liquid was present, the remaining liquid was measured using a Pipet-Aid (Drummond Scientific Company, Broomall, PA) pipette controller and the volume adjusted to 200 μL with PBS to maximize consistency in recovery. An additional 100 μL of PBS was used to rewet the surfaces and collected onto a swab. The swab and fluids were placed into the barrel of a 3-cm 3 syringe, inserted into an open sterile 15-cm 3 centrifuge tube, and centrifuged at 200 g for 10 minutes to maximally recover the sample. For cloth and cracker, the entire 2-cm 2 area moistened by the sample was excised, placed into a syringe barrel to which 100 μL of PBS was added, and centrifuged as for other specimens. Recovered liquid was measured and adjusted to 200 μL with PBS.At each time point, observations regarding visible wetness of the material (wet or dry) were recorded.
One hundred microliters of each recovered sample was immediately transferred to T25 sterile culture flasks (Corning) containing a confluent monolayer of primary human lung fibroblasts in complete minimal essential medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum and antibiotics (Gibco). Cultures were observed for ≥2 weeks for signs of viral growth. The remaining sample was frozen for subsequent quantitative CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis.
Viral growth in cultures was scored from 0 to 4+ based on the extent of cytopathic effect. A quantitative CMV real-time PCR assay was performed on all samples to confirm the presence of CMV. DNA copies per reaction were used as a control for sampling consistency. ResultsFor each surface, the quantity of infectious virions declined with time, as measured by level of cytopathic effect produced in culture. In general, duration of CMV viability was shorter on poorly absorbent surfaces compared with highly absorbent surfaces. Among poorly absorbent surfaces, CMV viability persisted longest on rubber, retaining viability for up to 6 hours.
Samples applied to glass retained infectivity up to 3 hours. CMV applied to metal was rendered nonviable within 2 hours. Although viability was somewhat variable for CMV applied to plastic, viral infectivity persisted up to 3 hours.
No viable virus was recovered at 1 hour for either trial of rubber, but given viability at multiple flanking time points on both sides of the timeline, this was interpreted as an experimental anomaly. Cytopathic effect, dehydration, and DNA copies after inoculation of common environmental surfaces with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Cytopathic effect seen through 2-week observation of viral culture on human lung fibroblast cells and scored from 0 to 4+. Plus sign indicate wet appearance; minus signs, dry appearance. Results of quantitative real-time CMV polymerase chain reaction assay are shown as DNA copies per reaction.CMV survived longer on most of the highly absorbent surfaces used in the study than on poorly absorbent surfaces.
Viral infectivity was retained on cloth up to 6 hours. CMV applied to wheat cracker remained infectious for 6 hours in both trials, and, unlike on all other surfaces, in 1 trial retained 4+ cytopathic effect 3 hours after application.
In contrast to the other highly absorbent surfaces, viral viability on sanded wood declined from a score of 4+ at 1 minute to a score of 0 at 2 hours.The cracker surface remained visibly wet throughout the 6-hour study period. Among the other surfaces, the reduction of viability generally correlated with subjective visual observation of the surface becoming dry, although glass, cloth, and plastic retained viable virus for up to 1–2 hours after the surface appeared completely dry. This was observed in samples taken at the 5-hour sampling on cloth, 2-and 3-hour samplings on plastic, and 2-and 3-hour samplings on glass (, and ). No viable virus was recovered in experiments evaluating CMV survival at time points from 18 to 24 hours after application (data not shown).As a measure of reliability and consistency of CMV sample recovery, harvested samples were separately assayed by quantitative real-time CMV PCR to estimate genome copy number. Results are displayed in the line graphs under each chart in.
These assays suggest that CMV sample recovery was highly consistent for all 10 sampling areas on all 7 surfaces. In only 1 of the trials, CMV DNA load dropped substantially at the 6-hour time point for metal (6.32 copies) and cloth (23.5 copies). DiscussionIn this systematic evaluation of CMV survival on surfaces, we found that CMV viability can sufficiently persist to enable fomite transmission.
In fact, viable CMV can persist on surfaces as long as they remain wet—in some cases at least up to 6 hours. There are no additional data to conclude whether virus remains viable on surfaces that remain wet for more than 6 hours.
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However, the amounts of viable virus on wet surfaces decreased over a 6-hour period, suggesting that virus on wet surfaces may be less likely to survive over longer periods of time (eg, overnight). Additionally, we found that apparently dry surfaces can harbor viable virus in the 1–2-hour time period between when they are visibly dry and when, presumably, the microenvironment becomes completely dry. However, visibly wet surfaces were much more likely to harbor viable virus and to harbor higher amounts of viable virus than dry surfaces.In most cases it appears that CMV viability is more closely related to wetness than to the particular surface where it is applied. Indeed, we found a correlation between CMV viability and the capacity of each particular material to retain moisture: with the exception of processed wood, viral viability persisted much longer in highly absorbent surfaces that would be expected to effectively retain moisture. The procedure for virus recovery from cloth and cracker, which were both centrifuged, may be most similar to a situation where cloth is placed in the mouth or a cracker is eaten.
Because these highly absorbent surfaces can retain moisture internally, they may pose a higher transmission risk when they are mouthed or ingested than when only their surface is touched. CMV viability was eliminated more rapidly in wood samples than in other highly absorbent surfaces studied, suggesting a process of active neutralization. This may be attributable to substances naturally present in wood (eg, organic alcohols and aromatic liquids) or to chemicals used to treat lumber during production.This study is the first controlled systematic research aimed at evaluating CMV viability in human fluids on surfaces over time. Few previous studies have provided evidence specifically related to opportunities for viral transmission from common surfaces. A study conducted in 1982 in a childcare center identified toddlers shedding CMV in their saliva.
CMV was cultured from all 4 of the plastic toys that were swabbed immediately after removal from the mouth of a shedding child. In an additional study in 1986, toys mouthed by CMV-excreting children were swabbed after removal from the child’s mouth.
CMV was detected on 5 of 7 toys immediately, 4 of 7 toys after 10 minutes, and 2 of 7 toys after 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it is difficult to compare results between past studies and the current study, because toy surfaces were not physically described in the former. Finally, a study from 1985 investigated CMV survival on surfaces such as Plexiglas and bedding in the immediate neonatal intensive care unit environment of congenitally infected infants.
That study found that virus was more likely to be recovered from surfaces that came into direct contact with the infants and that higher viral titers were associated with longer persistence on surfaces.The strengths of the current study include the evaluation of CMV survival using titered preparations of viable virus suspended in a natural fluid (saliva) and the use of objective experimental controls (CMV real-time PCR) to monitor the consistency of sample recovery from surfaces. One possible limitation was the use of laboratory strain AD169. CMV strains adapted to growth in human lung fibroblast cell culture can rapidly lose some properties found in wild-type viruses, particularly with respect to infection of other cell types (eg, epithelial cells). However, it seems unlikely that the physical properties of the virus that contribute to survival time on inanimate surfaces would be different in laboratory-adapted strains. Laboratory strains and wild-type viruses both express the receptors needed for entry into fibroblasts, and the viral envelope is acquired from the host cell and is thus identical in both types of strains. When desiccation occurs, membrane integrity is lost, and viability along with it.
Because the macromolecular composition of the viral envelope is identical for laboratory strains and wild-type viruses, comparable susceptibility to desiccation is probable. Another important limitation is that recovery of specimen was not designed to reflect real-world transmission.
Instead, it was designed for comparability of different surfaces and to maximize the possibility of recovering viable virus. For these reasons, we rewet dry surfaces and centrifuged the cloth and cracker. Compared with the likelihood of recovering viable virus through these methods, we would expect that a person who touches dry surfaces or touches the cloth or cracker would be less likely to transfer viable virus to their fingers. Additionally, cultures were followed for only 2 weeks. Although it is true that some foci may have appeared after 3 or 4 weeks of observation, the intent of the study was to compare viable virus on multiple surfaces and their relative survival times.As shown, CMV in saliva can survive long enough on surfaces to pose a transmission risk.
Young children commonly shed CMV for extended periods, contaminating toys, food, and other objects in the environment. To reduce exposure to CMV, women who are pregnant should cleanse their hands after touching objects that may have been in contact with children’s saliva (eg, toys, countertops), especially if the surface appears or feels wet. Additionally, surfaces that have come in contact with children’s saliva should be cleansed regularly, especially when noticeably wet. Finally, women should take precautions to avoid sharing food or drink with a young child and avoid contact with saliva when kissing a young child.
Nuts and Nutcrackers, by Charles James LeverThe Project Gutenberg EBook of Nuts and Nutcrackers, by Charles James LeverThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and withalmost no restrictions whatsoever. AN OPENING NUT.“An Opening Nut.”This is the age of popular delusions! Everybody endeavours to be somebodyelse, and everything is made to resemble something it is not.
Every classand section of society seeks to mystify the other, and the whole world ismasquerading it, very much it would seem to the whole world's delight.There are people who think the Tories consistent—the Whigs honest—andthe Repealers respectable. Nothing too palpable in absurdity not to haveits followers; nor does the ridicule cease with ourselves; but all whovisit us catch the malady—witness the Indian Chiefs, who called onBen. D'Israeli, to see the style of life and habits of the EnglishAristocracy.These things after all are but poor delusions—little better thanwhat the Wizard of the North calls “Parlour Magic,” and might be left totime, to be laughed at, just like the French war clamour—theO'Connell denunciation—or the Young England discovery of the “pure'Cocktailian' race.” There are, however, other fallacies which from ageand habit have gradually associated themselves with our social existence,and become, as it were, national. To disabuse the world of some of these,has been my object in the present little volume. A NUT FOR CORONERS.I had nearly attained to man's estate before I understood the nature of acoroner.
I remember, when a child, to have seen a coloured print from awell-known picture of the day, representing the night-mare. It was ahorrible representation of a goblin shape of hideous aspect, that satcowering upon the bosom of a sleeping figure, on whose white features alook of painful suffering was depicted, while the clenched hands anddrawn-up feet seemed to struggle with convulsive agony. Heaven knows howor when the thought occurred to me, but I clearly recollect my impressionthat this goblin was a coroner. A NUT FOR “TOURISTS.”Among the many incongruities of that composite piece of architecture,called John Bull, there is nothing more striking than the contrast betweenhis thorough nationality and his unbounded admiration for foreigners.
Now,although we may not entirely sympathize with, we can understand andappreciate this feature of his character, and see how he gratifies hisvery pride itself, in the attentions and civilities he bestows uponstrangers. The feeling is intelligible too, because Frenchmen, Germans,and even Italians, notwithstanding the many points of disparity betweenus, have always certain qualities well worthy of respect, if not ofimitation. France has a great literature, a name glorious in history, apeople abounding in intelligence, skill, and invention; in fact, all theattributes that make up a great nation. Germany has many of these, andthough she lack the brilliant fancy, the sparkling wit of her neighbour,has still a compensating fund in the rich resources of her judgment, andthe profound depths of her scholarship.
Indeed, every continental countryhas its lesson for our benefit, and we would do well to cultivate theacquaintance of strangers, not only to disseminate more just views ofourselves and our institutions, but also for the adoption of such customsas seem worthy of imitation, and such habits as may suit our condition inlife; while such is the case as regards those countries high in the scaleof civilisation, we would, by no means, extend the rule to others lesshappily constituted, less benignly gifted. The Carinthian boor with hisgarment of sheep-wool, or the Laplander with his snow shoes and his hoodof deerskin, may be both very natural objects of curiosity, but by nomeans subjects of imitation.
This point will doubtless be conceded atonce; and now, will any one tell me for what cause, under what pretence,and with what pretext are we civil to the Yankees?—not for theirpoliteness, not for their literature, not for any fascination of theirmanner, nor any charm of their address, not for any historic association,not for any halo that the glorious past has thrown around the commonplacemonotony of the present, still less for any romantic curiosity as to theirlives and habits—for in this respect all other savage nations farsurpass them. What then is, or what can be the cause?Of all the lions that caprice and the whimsical absurdity of a second-rateset in fashion ever courted and entertained, never had any one lesspretensions to the civility he received than the author of 'Pencillings bythe Way'—poor in thought, still poorer in expression, without aspark of wit, without a gleam of imagination—a fourth-rate lookingman, and a fifth-rate talker, he continued to receive the homage we werewont to bestow upon a Scott, and even charily extended to a Dickens. Hiswritings the very slip-slop of “commerage,” the tittle-tattle of a Sundaypaper, dressed up in the cant of Kentucky; the very titles, thecontemptible affectation of unredeemed twaddle, 'Pencillings by the Way!' 'Letters from under a Bridge!'
How the latter name issuggestive of eaves-dropping and listening; and how involuntarily we callto mind those chance expressions of his partners in the dance, or hiscompanions at the table, faithfully recorded for the edification of thefree-born Americans, who, while they ridicule our institutions, endeavourto pantomime our manners.For many years past a number of persons have driven a thriving trade in asingular branch of commerce, no less than buying up cast court dresses andsecond-hand uniforms for exportation to the colonies. The negroes, it issaid, are far prouder of figuring in the tattered and tarnished fragmentsof former greatness, than of wearing the less gaudy, but more useful garb,befitting their condition. So it would seem our trans-Atlantic friendsprefer importing through their agents, for that purpose, the abandonedfinery of courtly gossip, to the more useful but less pretentious apparel,of commonplace information. Willis was invaluable for this purpose; hetold his friends every thing that he heard, and he heard every thing thathe could; and, like mercy, he enjoyed a duplicate of blessings—forwhile he was delighted in by his own countrymen, he was dined by ours. Hescattered his autographs, as Feargus O'Connor did franks; he smiled; heogled; he read his own poetry, and went the whole lion with all his might;and yet, in the midst of this, a rival starts up equally desirous of courtsecrets, and fifty times as enterprising in their search; he risks hisliberty, perhaps his life, in the pursuit, and what is his reward?
I needonly tell you his name, and you are answered—I mean the boy Jones;not under a bridge, but under a sofa; not in Almacks, obtaining it atsecond-hand, but in Buckingham Palace—into the very apartment of theQueen—the adventurous youth has dared to insinuate himself. No ladyhowever sends her album to him for some memento of his genius. His templeis not defrauded of its curls to grace a locket or a medallion; and hisreward, instead of a supper at Lady Blessington's, is a voyage to SwanRiver. For my part, I prefer the boy Jones: I like his singleness ofpurpose: I admire his steady perseverance; still, however, he had themisfortune to be born in England—his father lived near Wapping, andhe was ineligible for a lion: To what other reason than his English growthcan be attributed the different treatment he has experienced at the handsof the world. The similarity between the two characters is most striking.Willis had a craving appetite for court gossip, and the tittle-tattle of apalace: so had the boy Jones. Willis established himself as a listener insociety: so did the boy Jones. Willis obtruded himself into places, andamong people where he had no possible pretension to be seen: so did theboy Jones.
Willis wrote letters from under a bridge: the boy Jones eatmutton chops under a sofa. A NUT FOR LEGAL FUNCTIONARIES.The pet profession of England is the bar, and I see many reasons why thisshould be the case. Our law of primogeniture necessitates the existence ofcertain provisions for younger children independently of the pittancebestowed on them by their families. The army and the navy, the church andthe bar, form then the only avenues to fortune for the highly born; andone or other of these four roads must be adopted by him who would carveout his own career. The barrister, for many reasons, is the favourite—atleast among those who place reliance in their intellect. Its estimation ishigh. It is not incompatible but actually favourable to the pursuits ofparliament.
Its rewards are manifold and great; and while there is asufficiency of private ease and personal retirement in its practice, thereis also enough of publicity for the most ambitiously-minded seeker of theworld's applause and the world's admiration. Were we only to look backupon our history, we should find perhaps that the profession of the lawwould include almost two-thirds of our very greatest men. Astute thinkers,deep politicians, eloquent debaters, profound scholars, men of wit, aswell as men of wisdom, have abounded in its ranks, and there is everyreason why it should be, as I have called it, the pet profession. Having conceded so much, may I now be permitted to take a nearer view ofthose men so highly distinguished: and for this purpose let me turn myreader's attention to the practice of a criminal trial.
The first duty ofa good citizen, it will not be disputed, is, as far as in him lies, topromote obedience to the law, to repress crime, and bring outrage topunishment. No walk in life—no professional career—no uniformof scarlet or of black—no freemasonry of craft or calling canabsolve him from this allegiance to his country. Yet, what do we see? Thewretch stained with crime—polluted with iniquity—for which,perhaps, the statute-book contains neither name nor indictment—whosetrembling lips are eager to avow that guilt which, by confessing, he hopesmay alleviate the penalty—this man, I say, is checked in hisintentions—he is warned not, by any chance expression, to hazard aconviction of his crime, and told in the language of the law not tocriminate himself. But the matter stops not here—justice is aninveterate gambler—she is not satisfied when her antagonist throwshis card upon the table confessing that he has not a trump nor a trick inhis hand—no, like the most accomplished swindler of Baden orBoulogne, she assumes a smile of easy and courteous benignity, and says,pooh, pooh!
Nonsense, my dear friend; you don't know what may turn up;your cards are better than you think; don't be faint-hearted; don't yousee you have the knave of trumps, i. E., the cleverest lawyer foryour defender; a thousand things may happen; I may revoke, that is, theindictment may break down; there are innumerable chances in your favour,so pluck up your courage and play the game out.He takes the advice, and however faint-hearted before, he now assumes alook of stern courage, or dogged indifference, and resolves to play forthe stake. He remembers, however, that he is no adept in the game, and headdresses himself in consequence to some astute and subtle gambler, towhom he commits his cards and his chances. The trepidation or theindifference that he manifested before, now gradually gives way; andhowever hopeless he had deemed his case at first, he now begins to thinkthat all is not lost. The very way his friend, the lawyer, shuffles andcuts the cards, imposes on his credulity and suggests a hope.
He sees atonce that he is a practised hand, and almost unconsciously he becomesdeeply interested in the changes and vacillations of the game he believedcould have presented but one aspect of fortune.But the prisoner is not my object: I turn rather to the lawyer. Here thendo we not see the accomplished gentleman—the finished scholar—theman of refinement and of learning, of character and station—standingforth the very embodiment of the individual in the dock? Possessed of allhis secrets—animated by the same hopes—penetrated by the samefears—he endeavours by all the subtle ingenuity, with which craftand habit have gifted him, to confound the testimony—to disparagethe truth—to pervert the inferences of all the witnesses. In fact,he employs all the stratagems of his calling, all the ingenuity of hismind, all the subtlety of his wit for the one end—that the man hebelieves in his own heart guilty, may, on the oaths of twelve honest men,be pronounced innocent. From the opening of the trial to its close, thismental gladiator is an object of wonder and dread.
Scarcely a quality ofthe human mind is not exhibited by him in the brilliant panorama of hisintellect. At first, the patient perusal of a complex and wordy indictmentoccupies him exclusively: he then proceeds to cross-examine the witnesses—flatteringthis one—brow-beating that—suggesting—insinuating—amplifying,or retrenching, as the evidence would seem to favour or be adverse to hisclient.
He is alternately confident and doubtful, headlong and hesitating—nowhurried away on the full tide of his eloquence he expatiates in beautifulgeneralities on the glorious institution of trial by jury, andapostrophizes justice; or now, with broken utterance and plaintive voice,he supplicates the jury to be patient, and be careful in the decision theymay come to. He implores them to remember that when they leave that court,and return to the happy comforts of their home, conscience will followthem, and the everlasting question crave for answer within them—werethey sure of this man's guilt? He expects in return the admiration and esteem of her, for whose happinesshe is legislating, as well as for his own; and oh, base ingratitude! Hereceives a letter from her attorney. The gentlemen of the long robe—newspaperagain—are in ecstasies. Like devils on the arrival of a new soul,they brighten up, rub their hands, and congratulate each other on aglorious case. The damages are laid at five thousand pounds; and, as thelady is pretty, and can be seen from the jury-box, being fathersthemselves, they award every sixpence of the money.I can picture to myself the feeling of the defendant at such a moment asthis.
As he stands alone in conscious honesty, ruminating on his fate—alone,I say, for, like Mahomet's coffin, he has no resting-place; laughed at bythe men, sneered at by the women, mulcted of perhaps half his fortune,merely because for the last three years of his life he represented himselfin every amiable and attractive trait that can grace and adorn humannature. Who would wonder, if, like the man in the farce, he would registera vow never to do a good-natured thing again as long as he lives; or whatrespect can he have for a government or a country, where the church tellshim to love his neighbour, and the chief justice makes him pay fivethousand for his obedience.I now come to the other case, and I shall be very brief in myobservations. I mean that of him, who equally fond of flirting as theformer, has yet a lively fear of an action at law. Love-making with him isa necessity of his existence—he is an Irishman, perhaps, and it isas indispensable to his temperament as train-oil to a Russian. He likessporting, he likes billiards, he likes his club, and he likes the ladies;but he has just as much intention of turning a huntsman at the one, or amarker at the other, as he has of matrimony. He knows life is a chequeredtable, and that there could be no game if all the squares were of onecolour.
He alternates, therefore, between love and sporting, between cardsand courtship, and as the pursuit is a pleasant one, he resolves never togive up. He waxes old, therefore, with young habits, adapting his tastesto his time of life; he does not kneel so often at forty as he did attwenty, but he ogles the more, and is twice as good-tempered. Not perhapsas ready to fight for the lady, but ten times more disposed to flatterher.
She may love him, or she may not; she may receive him as of old, orshe may marry another. What matters it to him? All his care is that heshouldn't change. All his anxiety is, to let the rupture, if there must beone, proceed from her side.
He knows in his heart the penalty ofbreach of promise, but he also knows that the Chancellor can issue noinjunction compelling a man to marry, and that in the courts of love thebills are payable at convenience.Here, then, are the two cases, which, in conformity with the world'sopinion, I have dignified with every possible term of horror and reproach.In the one, the measure of iniquity is but half filled; in the other, thecup is overflowing at the brim. “I have sat,” said he, “for———,” as I quote from memoryI sha'n't say how many, “years upon the bench, and I never yet met anhonest man with long hair.
The worst feature in your case is yourringlets. There is something so disgusting to me in the odious andabominable vice you have indulged in, that I feel myself warranted inapplying to you the heaviest penalty of the law.”The miserable man, we are told, fell upon his knees, confessed hisdelinquency, and, being shorn of his locks in the presence of a crowdedcourt, his fine was remitted, and he was liberated.Now, perhaps, you will suppose that all this is a mere matter ofinvention. On the faith of an honest man I assure you it is not. I haveretrenched considerably the pathetic eloquence of the magistrate, and Ihave left altogether untouched the poor tailor's struggle between prideand poverty—whether, on the one hand, to suffer the loss of hishalf-crown, or, on the other, to submit to the desecration of his entirehead. We hear a great deal about a law for the rich, and another for thepoor; and certainly in this case I am disposed to think the complaintmight not seem without foundation. Suppose for a moment that the prisonerin this case had been the Honourable Augustus Somebody, who appearedbefore his worship fashionably attired, and with hair, beard, andmoustache far surpassing in extravagance the poor tailor's; should we thenhave heard this beautiful apostrophe to “the croppies,” this thunderingdenunciation of ringlets? I half fear not.
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And yet, under what pretextdoes a magistrate address to one man, the insulting language he would notdare apply to another? Or let us suppose the rule of justice to beinflexible, and look at the result.
What havoc would Sir Peter make amongthe Guards? Ay, even in the household of her Majesty how many delinquentswould he find? What a scene would not the clubs present, on the policeauthorities dropping suddenly down amongst them with rule and line todetermine the statute length of their whiskers, or the legal cut of theireye-brows?
Happy King of Hanover, were you still amongst us, not even theAlliance would insure your mustachoes. As for Lord Ellenborough, it is nowclear enough why he accepted the government of India, and made such hasteto get out of the country.Now we will suppose that as Sir Peter Laurie's antipathy is long hair, SirFrederick Roe may also have his dislikes. It is but fair, you will allow,that the privileges of the bench should be equal. Well, for argument'ssake, I will imagine that Sir Frederick Roe has not the same horror oflong hair as his learned brother, but has the most unconquerable aversionto long noses. What are we to do here?
Heaven help half our acquaintance if this shouldstrike him! What is to be done with Lord Allen if he beat a watchman! Inwhat a position will he stand if he fracture a lamp? One's hair may be cutto even shaved clean off; but your nose.—And then a few weeks,—afew months at farthest, and your hair has grown again: but your nose, likeyour reputation, can only stand one assault. This is really a serious viewof the subject; and it is a somewhat hard thing that the face you haveshown to your acquaintances for years past, with pleasure to yourself andsatisfaction to them, should be pronounced illegal, or curtailed in itsproportions. They have a practice in banks if a forged note be presentedfor payment, to mark it in a peculiar manner before restoring it to theowner.
Let men no longer indulge in that absurd fiction which represents justiceas blind. On the contrary, with an eye like Canova's, and a glance quick,sharp, and penetrating as Flaxman's, she traces every lineament and everyfeature; and Landseer will confess himself vanquished by Laurie.
“Thepictorial school of judicial investigation” will now become fashionable,and if Sir Peter's practice be but transmitted, surgeons will not be theonly professional men who will commence their education with the barbers.