July noon
As for there being the slightest trace of _ intellect _ in it , I should be misleading the reader if I were to say anything of the sort . In height , he was about five feet and a quarter of an inch , _ in his boots _ , and he was rather strongly set , with a little tendency to round shoulders : -- but his limbs were pliant , and his motions nimble . Here you have , then , Mr. Tittlebat Titmouse to the life -- certainly no more than an average sample of his kind ; but as he is to go through a considerable variety of situation and circumstance , I thought you would like to have him as distinctly before your mind 's eye as it was in my power to present him . -- Well -- he put his hat on , as I have said ; buttoned the lowest two buttons of his surtout , and stuck his white pocket handkerchief into the outside pocket in front , as already mentioned , anxiously disposing it so as to let a little appear above the edge of the pocket , with a sort of careful carelessness -- a graceful contrast to the blue ; drew on his gloves ; took his cane in his hand ; drained the last sad remnant of infusion of chiccory in his coffee-cup ; and , the sun shining in the full splendor of a July noon , and promising a glorious day , forth sallied this poor fellow , an Oxford Street Adonis , going forth conquering and to conquer ! Petty finery without , a pinched and stinted stomach within ; a case of Back _ versus _ Belly , -LRB- as the lawyers would have it , -RRB- the plaintiff winning in a canter ! Forth sallied , I say , Mr. Titmouse , as also , doubtless , sallied forth that day some five or six thousand similar personages , down the narrow , creaking , close staircase , which he had no sooner quitted than he heard exclaimed from an opposite window , `` My eyes ! _ a 'n' t _ that a swell ! ''