The polite reader was both puzzled and annoyed.

First of all: Was the book true--autobiography or romance?
A polite reader objects to be made a fool of.

One De Foe in a couple of centuries is enough for a polite reader.

Then the glorification of ale and of gypsies and prize-fighters--would it not be better at once to dub the book vulgar, and so have done with it for ever?
An ill-regulated book, a strange book, a mad book, a book which condemns the world's way.

If I may judge from the reviews, this is how _Lavengro_ struck many, but by no means all.