Did you ever see a pair of family snuffers which had not a broken spring, a leg deficient, or half-an-inch of the point knocked off?
Did you ever know a lodging-house landlady who would own to bugs?
Did you ever know the Boots at an inn call you too early for the morning coach?
Did you ever know a dancing-master's daughter who was not to excel Taglioni?
Did you ever know a man who did not think he could poke the fire better than you could?
Did you ever know a Frenchman admire Waterloo Bridge?
Did you ever know a housemaid who, on your discovering a fracture in a valuable China jar, did not tell you it was "done a long time ago?" or that it was "cracked before?"
Did you ever know a man who didn't consider his walking-stick a better walking-stick than your walking-stick?
Did you ever know a penny-a-liner who was not on intimate terms with Lytton Bulwer, Capt. Marryat, Sheridan Knowles, Tom Hood, Washington Irving, and Rigdum Funnidos?
Did you ever know a hatter who was not prepared to sell you as good a hat for ten-and-sixpence as the one you've got on at five-and-twenty shillings?