Sir Pompey (pompously). "He's not a Gentleman at all, Wilkins. He's a Noble Lord—the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Speedicutts—a Friend of mine."
Mr. Wilkins. "Indeed, Sir Pompey! But, I s'pose some of 'em's Gen'l'men, sometimes?"
Great consternation at hearing of the arrest of "M. Blondin" in connection with the Panama scandals. Of course there can be only one Blondin, and some wiseacres at once applied the proverb about "Give him enough rope," &c. But Blondin never fell. It was quite another Blondin. The Hero of Niagara was not the Villain of the Panama piece—if villain he turn out to be. Blondin is still performing; always walking soberly, though elevated, on the rope that is quite tight. Maybe the rope gets tighter than ever at this jovial period, but Blondin, the Blondin, our Blondin's acts are in the sight of everybody, his proceedings are intelligible to all, though far above the heads of the people.
Still, whatever financial accident may have happened to M. Blondin, he has always kept his balance—on the rope.