The Book of Snobs — William Makepeace Thackeray

We have all read a statement, (the authenticity of which I take leave to doubt entirely, for upon what calculations I should like to know is it founded?) -- we have all, I say, been favored by perusing a remark, that when the times and necessities of the world call for a Man, that individual is found. Numberless instances might be adduced to show that when a nation is in great want, the relief is at hand; just as in the Pantomime (that microcosm) where when _clown_ wants anything -- a warming-pan, a pump-handle, a goose, or a lady's tippet -- a fellow comes sauntering out from behind the side-scenes with the very article in question. . . .