212520_The_Adve ... _Way_Through_The_World.pdf - OUDL Home

ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 525
to have his friend praised, and to help him in every way. But
Balderson, of Covent Garden, is also a very fine actor. Why can't
our critic see his merit as well as Harrocks'? Poor Balderson is
never allowed any merit at all. He is passed over with a sneer, or
a curt word of cold commendation, while columns of flattery are not
enough for his rival."
" Why, Mr. F., what a flat you must be, askin' your pardon,"
remarked Mugford, in reply to his sub-editor's simple remonstrance.
"How can we praise Balderson, when Harrocks is our friend ?
Me and Harrocks are thick. Our wives are close friends. If I
was to let Balderson be praised, I should drive Harrocks mad. I
can't praise Balderson, don't you see, out of justice to Harrocks!"
Then there was a certain author whom Bickerton was for ever
attacking. They had had a private quarrel, and Bickerton revenged
himself in this way. In reply to Philip's outcries and remonstrances,
Mr. Mugford only laughed : " The two men are enemies,
and Bickerton hits him whenever he can. Why, that's only human
nature, Mr. F.," says Philip's employer.
" Great heavens !" bawls out Firmin, " do you mean to say
that the man is base enough to strike at his private enemies through
the press?"
" Private enemies ! private gammon, Mr. Firmin!" cries Philip's
employer. "If I have enemies—and I have, there's no doubt about
that—I serve them out whenever and wherever I can. And let
me tell you I don't half relish having my conduct called base. It's
only natural; and it's right. Perhaps you would like to praise
your enemies, and abuse your friends ? If that's your line, let me
tell you you won't do in the noospaper business, and had better
take to some other trade." And the employer parted from his
subordinate in some heat.
Mugford, indeed, feelingly spoke to me about this insubordination
of Philip. " What does the fellow mean by quarrelling with
his bread and butter ?" Mr. Mugford asked. " Speak to him and
show him what's what, Mr. P., or we shall come to a quarrel, mind
you—and I don't want that, for the sake of his little wife, poor
little delicate thing. Whatever is to happen to them if we don't
stand by them ?"
What was to happen to them, indeed? Any one who knew
Philip's temper as we did, was aware how little advice or remonstrance
was likely to affect that gentleman. " Good heavens !"
he said to me, when I endeavoured to make him adopt a conciliatory
tone towards his employer, " do you want to make me Mugford's
galley-slave ? I shall have him standing over me and swearing
at me as he does at the printers. He looks into my room at times