“blest be the pencil which from death can save
the semblance of the virtuous, wise and brave,
that youth and emulation still may gaze
on those inspiring forms of ancient days,
and, from the force of bright example bold,
rival their worth, and be what they behold.”
“.....i admire,
none more admires the painter's magic skill,
who shews me that which i shall never see,
conveys a distant country into mine,
and throws italian light on british walls.”
as they entered the house, a few doors up newman street, tallyho met them, having divested himself of the mud which had been thrown upon his garments by the indiscriminating hand of an enraged multitude; and after politely thanking the gentleman for his friendly accommodation, they were about to proceed to the place of their original destination; when dashall, perceiving an elegantly dressed lady on the opposite side of the way, felt, instinctively as it were, for the usual appendage of a modern fashionable, the quizzing-glass; in the performance of this he was subjected to a double disappointment, for his rencontre with the hibernians had shivered the fragile ornament to atoms in his pocket, and before he could draw forth the useless fragments, the more important object of his attention was beyond the power of his visual orbs.
“it might have been worse,” said he, as he survey'd the broken bauble: “it is a loss which can easily be repaired, and if in losing that, i have prevented more serious mischief, there is at least some consolation. apropos, here is the very place for supplying the defect without loss of time. dixon,” {1} continued he, looking at
1 this gentleman, whose persevering endeavours in his
profession entitle him to the patronage of the public,
without pretending to second sight, or the powers that are
so frequently attributed to the seventh son of a seventh
son, has thrown some new lights upon the world. although he
does not pretend to make “helps to read,” his establishment
at no. 93, newman street, oxford road, of upwards of thirty
years' standing, is deservedly celebrated for glasses suited
to all sights, manufactured upon principles derived from
long study and practical experience. indeed, if we are to-
place any reliance on his advertisements, he has brought
them to a state of perfection never before attained, and not
to be surpassed.
[232]the name over the door—“aye, i remember to have seen his advertisements in the papers, and have no doubt i may be suited here to a shaving”
upon saying this, they entered the house, and found the improver of spectacles and eye-glasses surrounded with the articles of his trade, who, in a moment, recognized tom as the chief instrument in quelling the tumult, and added his acknowledgments to what had already been offered for his successful exertions, assuring him at the same time, that as he considered sight to be one of the most invaluable blessings “bestowed on mankind, he had for many years devoted the whole of his time and attention to the improvement of glasses—put into his hand a short treatise on the subject, and on the important assistance which may be afforded by a judicious selection of spectacles to naturally imperfect or overstrained eyes. bob, in the mean time, was amusing himself with reading bills, pamphlets, and newspapers, which lay upon the counter.
dashall listened with attention to his dissertation on sight, spectacles, focusses, lens, reflection, refraction, &c.; but, as he was not defective in the particular organs alluded to, felt but little interested on the subject; selected what he really wanted, or rather what etiquette required, when, to their great gratification, in came sparkle. after the first salutations were over, the latter purchased an opera-glass; then, in company with tom and bob, proceeded to oxford street, and upon learning their destination, determined also to take a peep at the exhibition.
“come along,” said tom, catching hold of his arm, and directing him towards soho square. but sparkle recollecting that he had appointed to meet miss mortimer, her brother, and merry well, to accompany them to somerset house, and finding time had escaped with more [233]rapidity than he expected, wished them a good morning, hoped they should meet again in the course of the day, and departed.
“you see,” said tom, “sparkle is fully engaged in the business of love; miss mortimer claims all his attention for the present.”
“you appear to be very envious of his enjoyments,” replied bob.
“not so, indeed,” continued tom; “i am only regretting that other pursuits have estranged him from our company.”
on entering the exhibition at soho, tom, whose well-known taste for science and art, and particularly for the productions of the pencil and graver, had already rendered him conspicuous among those who knew him, made the following remarks: “i am really glad,” said he, “to find that the eminent engravers of our country have at length adopted a method of bringing at one view before the public, a delineation of the progress made by our artists in a branch so essentially connected with the performance and durability of the fine arts. an exhibition of this kind is well calculated to dispel the vulgar error, that engraving is a servile art in the scale of works of the mind, and mostly consigned to the copyist. an establishment of this kind has long been wanted, and is deserving of extensive patronage.”
having secured catalogues, they proceeded immediately to the gratifying scene.{1} the disposition and arrangement
1 the major part of the 405 subjects and sets of subjects,
consisting of about 800 prints, are of moderate size, or
small engravings for descriptive or literary publications,
&e. they are the lesser diamonds in a valuable collection of
jewellery, where there are but few that are not of lucid
excellence, and worthy of glistening in the diadem of
apollo, or the cestus of venus. so indeed they have, for
here are many subjects from ancient and modern poetry, and
other literature, and from portraits of beautiful women.
among the first class, the exquisitely finishing graver of
mr. warren gives us many after the designs of messrs.
westall, wilkie, smirke, cooke, uwins, and corbould; as do
the lucid gravers of messrs. englehart and rhodes, the
nicely executing hands of messrs. mitan, romney, finden,
robinson, &c. among the latter class, are anna boleyn, &c.
by mr. scriven, who marks so accurately the character of the
objects, and of the painter he works from, in his well
blended dot and stroke; mrs. hope, by dawe; many lovely
women, by mr. reynolds; a courtship, by mr. warren, from
terburg, in the marquis of stafford's collection; two mary
queen of scots, by messrs. warren and cooper.——from
pictures of the old and modern masters, are capital
portraits of celebrated characters of former and present
times; of mrs. siddons, of cicero, m. angelo, parmigiano,
fenelon, raleigh, a. durer, erasmus, cromwell, ben jonson,
selden, swift, gay, sterne, garrick, &c. of byron,
bonaparte, west, kenible, young napoleon, of nearly all the
english royal family, and many of the nobility.
——of all the charmingly engraved landscapes of foreign
and home views, and of the animal pieces, are many from
messrs. w. b. and g. cooke's recent publications of the
coast of england, &c. of mr. hakewell's italy, mr. nash's
paris, captain batty's france, &c. mr. neale's vieios, many
of mr. scott's and mr. milton's fine animal prints;
exquisitely engraved architecture by mr. le keaux, mr.
lowry, mr. g. cooke, &c. among the large prints are the two
last of mr. holloway's noble set from raffaelle's cartoons;
the battle of leipzig, finely executed by mr. scott, and
containing portraits of those monstrous assailers of italy
and of the common rights of mankind, the emperors of austria
and russia; jaques from shakspeare, by mr. middiman,
reynolds' infant hercules by mr. ward, the bard, by j.
bromley, jun. possessing the energy of the original by the
late president mr. west, and the poacher detected, by mr.
lupton, from mr. kidd's beautiful picture.
[234]of the plates, and the company dispersed in various parts of the rooms, were the first objects of attention, and the whole appearance was truly pleasing. at one end was to be seen an old connoisseur examining a most beautiful engraving from an excellent drawing by clennell{1}—-another contemplating the brilliance of goodall in his beautiful print of the fountains of neptune in the gardens of versailles. dash all, who generally took care to see all before him, animate and inanimate, was occasionally
1 luke clennell—this unfortunate artist, a native of
morpeth, in northumberland, and known to the world as an
eminent engraver on wood, as well as a painter of no
ordinary talent, has furnished one of those cases of human
distress and misery which calls for the sympathy and aid of
every friend to forlorn genius. in the midst of a
prosperous career, with fortune “both hands full,” smiling
on every side, munificently treated by the british
institution, employed on an important work by the earl of
bridgewater (a picture of the fête given by the city of
london to the allied sovereigns,) and with no prospect but
that delightful one of fame and independence, earned by his
own exertions, the most dreadful affliction of life befel
him, and insanity rooted where taste and judgment so
conspicuously shone. the wretched artist was of necessity
separated from his family; his young wife, the mother of his
three infants, descended to the grave a broken-hearted
victim, leaving the poor orphans destitute. the print
alluded to in this case, representing the charge of the life
guards at waterloo in 1816, was published by subscription
for their benefit.
[235]casting glimpses at the pictures and the sprightly females by which they were surrounded, and drawing his cousin to such subjects as appeared to be most deserving of attention; among which, the fine effect produced by mr. w. b. cooke stood high in his estimation, particularly in his view of edinburgh from calton hill, and brightling observatory in rose hill—le keux, in his monument, also partook of his encomiums—t. woolroth's portraits, particularly that of the duchess of kent, claimed attention, and was deservedly admired, as well as a smaller one of mr. shalis by the same artist; indeed, the whole appeared to be selected, combined and arranged under the direction of a master, and calculated at once to surprise and delight. after enjoying an hour's lounge in this agreeable company,
“come,” said dashall, “we will repair to somerset house, and amuse ourselves with colours.
“halloo!” said a smart looking young man behind them—“what am you arter?—where is you going to?”
upon turning round, dashall discovered it to be the exquisite mr. mincingait, who, having just caught a glimpse of him, and not knowing what to do with himself, hung as it were upon the company of tom and his friend, by way of killing a little time; and was displaying his person and apparel to the greatest advantage as he pick'd his way along the pavement, alternately picking his teeth and twirling his watch-chain. passing the end of greek street, some conversation having taken place upon the dashing society in which he had spent the previous evening, tom indulged himself in the following description of how to cut a dash.
“dashing society,” said he, “is almost every where to be found in london: it is indeed of so much importance among the generality of town residents, that a sacrifice of every thing that is dear and valuable is frequently made to appearance.”
“you are a quiz,” said mincingait; “but i don't mind you, so go your length.”
“very well,” continued tom; “then by way of instruction to my friend, i will give my ideas upon the subject, and if perchance you should find any resemblance to yourself in the picture i am about to draw, don't let all the world know it. if you have an inclination to cut a dash, situation and circumstances in life have nothing to [236]do with it; a good bold face and a stock of assurance, are the most essential requisites. with these, you must in the first place fall upon some method to trick a tailor (provided you have not certain qualms that will prevent you) by getting into his debt, for much depends upon exteriors. there is no crime in this, for you pay him if you are able—and good clothes are very necessary for a dash; having them cut after the newest fashion, is also very essential. sally forth, if on a sunday morning in quest of a companion with whom you have the night previous (at a tavern or confectioner's) engaged to meet at the corner. after having passed the usual compliments of the morning with him, place yourself in a fashionable attitude, your thumbs thrust in your pantaloon's pockets—the right foot thrown carelessly across the left, resting on the toe, exhibits your line turned ancle, or new boot, and is certainly a very modest attitude—your cravat finically adjusted, and tied sufficiently tight to produce a fine full-blooming countenance: corsets and bag pantaloons are indispensably necessary to accoutre you for the stand. when in this trim, dilate upon the events of the times—know but very little of domestic affairs—expatiate and criticise upon the imperfections or charms of the passing multitude—tell a fine story to some acquaintance who knows but little about you, and, by this means, borrow as much money as will furnish you with a very small bamboo, or very large cudgel; extremes are very indispensable for a good dash.
“it is extremely unbecoming for a gentleman of fashion to pay any regard to that old superstitious ceremony of what is commonly called 'going to church'—or, at most, of attending more than half a day in the week. to attend public worship more than one hour in seven days must be very fatiguing to a person of genteel habits—besides it would be countenancing an old established custom. in former times, a serious and devout attention to divine service was not thought improper; but should a gentleman of modern manners attend public worship, to discover, according to the law of the polite, what new face of fashion appears, i need not mention the absurdity of decent behaviour.
?what go to meeting, say?—why this the vulgar do, yes, and it is a custom old as homer too! sure, then, we folks of fashion must with this dispense, or differ in some way from folks of common sense.'
[237]"melodious, indeed, are the voices of ladies and gentlemen whispering across the pews, politely inquiring after each other's health—the hour at which they got home from their saturday evening's party—what gallants attended them; and what lasses they saw safe home. how engaging the polite posture of looking on the person next you, or in sound sleep, instead of sacred music, playing loud bass through the nose! but to have proceeded methodically in enumerating the improvements in manners, i ought, first, to have mentioned some of the important advantages of staying from church until the service is half finished. should you attend at the usual hour of commencing service, you might be supposed guilty of rising in the morning as early as nine or ten o'clock, and by that means be thought shockingly ungenteel—and if seated quietly in the pew, you might possibly remain unnoticed; but, by thundering along the aisle in the midst of prayer or sermon, you are pretty sure to command the attention of the audience, and obtain the honour of being thought by some, to have been engaged in some genteel affair the night before! besides, it is well known that it is only the vulgar that attend church in proper time.
“when you parade the streets, take off your hat to every gentleman's carriage that passes; you may do the same to any pretty woman—for if she is well bred, (you being smartly dressed) she will return the compliment before she be able to recollect whether your's be a face she has seen somewhere or not; those who see it, will call you a dashing fellow. when a beggar stops you, put your hand in your pocket, and tell him you are very sorry you have no change; this, you know, will be strictly true, and speaking truth is always a commendable quality;—or, if it suits you better, bid him go to the churchwarden—this you may easily do in a dashing way. never think of following any business or profession,—such conduct is unworthy of a dasher. in the evening, never walk straight along the foot-way, but go in a zigzag direction—this will make some people believe you have been dashing down your bottle of wine after dinner. no dasher goes home sober.
“on making your appearance in the ball-room, put your hat under your arm: you will find an advantage in this, as it will make a stir in the room to make way for you and your hat, and apprize them of your entrance.
[238]after one or two turns around the room, if the sets are all made up, make a stand before one of the mirrors, to adjust your cravat, hair, &c. be sure to have your hair brushed all over the forehead, which will give you a very ferocious appearance. if you catch a strange damsel's eyes fixed upon you, take it for granted that you are a fascinating fellow, and cut a prodigious dash. as soon as the first set have finished.dancing, fix your thumbs as before-mentioned, and make a dash through the gaping crowd in pursuit of a partner; if you are likely to be disappointed in obtaining one with whom you are acquainted, select the smallest child in the room; by that means, you will attract the attention of the ladies, and secure to you the hand of a charming miss for the next dance. when on the floor with one of those dashing belles, commence a tête-a-tête with her, and pay no attention whatever to the figure or steps, but walk as deliberately as the music will admit (not dropping your little chit chat) through the dance, which is considered, undoubtedly, very graceful, and less like a mechanic or dancing-master. the dance finished, march into the bar, and call for a glass of blue-ruin, white-tape, or stark-naked, which is a very fashionable liquor among the ?ton,' and if called on to pay for it, tell the landlord you have left your purse in one of your blues at home; and that you will recollect it at the next ball—this, you know, can be done in a genteel way, and you will be 'all the go.' return into the room, and either tread upon some gentleman's toes, or give him a slight touch with your elbow: which, if he be inclined to resent, tell him, 'pon lionour,' you did not observe him, or, if inclined to suffer it with impunity—' get out of the way, fellow, d——n you.'
on your way home, after escorting your fair inamorata to her peaceful abode, make a few calls for the purpose of taking a little more stimulus with some particular friends, and then return home for the night to 'steep your senses in forgetfulness.'”
“a very amusing and useful account, truly,” said bob, as his cousin closed his chapter of instructions how to cut a dash.
“it is, at least, a just and true delineation of living character.”
“not without a good portion of caricature,” said mincingait. “you are downright scurrilous, and ought not to be tolerated in civilized society. sink me, if you [239]are not quite a bore, and not fit company for a gentleman. so i shall wish you a good morning.”
tom and bob laughed heartily at this declaration of the dashing blade, and, wishing him a pleasant walk and a safe return, they separated.
by this time they had arrived at somerset house: it was near three o'clock, and the rooms exhibited a brilliant crowd of rank and fashion, which considerably enhanced the value of its other decorations.
“i have already,” said dashall, “given you a general description of this building, and shall therefore confine my present observations wholly to the establishment of the royal academy for the encouragement of the fine arts, for the cultivation of which london is now much and deservedly distinguished; and to the progressive improvement in which we are indebted to that exhibition we have already witnessed. this academy was opened by royal charter in 1768; and it consists of forty members, called royal academicians, twenty associates, and six associate engravers. the first president was the justly celebrated sir joshua reynolds; the second, the highly respected benjamin west; and the present, is sir thomas lawrence.
“the academy possesses a fine collection of casts and models, from antique statues, &c. a school of colouring, from pictures of the best masters. lectures are delivered by the stated professors in their various branches, to the students during the winter season; prize medals are given annually for the best academy figures and drawings of buildings; and gold medals for historical composition in painting, sculpture, and designs in architecture, once in two years; which latter are presented to the successful artists in full assembly, accompanied with a discourse from the president, calculated to stimulate perseverance and exertion. students have at all times, (except during the regular vacations,) an opportunity of studying nature from well chosen models, and of drawing from the antique casts.
“this exhibition is generally opened on the first of may. the number of works of art, consisting of paintings, sculptures, models, proof engravings and drawings, generally exhibited, are upwards of one thousand; and are usually visited by all the gaiety and fashion of the metropolis, between the hours of two and five o'clock in [240]the day. the rooms are elegant and spacious; and i consider it at all times a place where a shilling may be well spent, and an hour or two well enjoyed.
“some spend a life in classing grubs, and try,
new methods to impale a butterfly;
or, bottled up in spirits, keep with care
a crowd of reptiles—hideously rare;
while others search the mouldering wrecks of time,
and drag their stores from dust and rust and slime;
coins eat with canker, medals half defac'd,
and broken tablets, never to be trac'd;
worm-eaten trinkets worn away of old,
and broken pipkins form'd in antique mould;
huge limbless statues, busts of heads forgot,
and paintings representing none knows what;
strange legends that to monstrous fables lead,
and manuscripts that nobody can read;
the shapeless forms from savage hands that sprung,
and fragments of rude art, when art was young.
this precious lumber, labell'd, shelv'd, and cas'd,
and with a title of museum grac'd,
shews how a man may time and fortune waste,
and die a mummy'd connoisseur of taste.”
page240 somerset house
on entering the rooms, bob was bewildered with delight; the elegance of the company, the number and excellence of the paintings, were attractions so numerous and splendid, as to leave him no opportunity of decidedly fixing his attention. he was surrounded by all that could enchant the eye and enrapture the imagination. moving groups of interesting females were parading the rooms with dashing partners at their elbows, pointing out the most beautiful paintings from the catalogues, giving the names of the artists, or describing the subjects. seated on one of the benches was to be seen the tired dandy, whose principal inducement to be present at this display of the arts, was to exhibit his own pretty person, and attract a little of the public gaze by his preposterous habiliments and unmeaning countenance; to fasten upon the first person who came within the sound of his scarcely articulate voice with observing, “it is d——d hot, ?pon honour—can't stand it—very fatiguing—i wonder so many persons are let in at once—there's no such thing as seeing, i declare, where there is such a crowd: i must come again, that's the end of it.” on another, was the full-dressed elegante, with her bonnet in one hand, and her catalogue in the other, apparently intent upon examining the pictures before [241]her, while, in fact, her grand aim was to discover whether she herself was observed. the lounging blood, who had left his horses at the door, was bustling among the company with his quizzing-glass in his hand, determined, if possible, to have a peep at every female he met, caring as much for the exhibition itself, as the generality of the visitors cared for him. the connoisseur was placing his eye occasionally close to the paintings, or removing to short distances, right and left, to catch them in the most judicious lights, and making remarks on his catalogue with a pencil; and mrs. roundabout, from leadenhall, who had brought her son dicky to see the show, as she called it, declared it was the 'most finest sight she ever seed, lifting up her hand and eyes at the same time as dicky read over the list, and charmed her by reciting the various scraps of poetry inserted in the catalogue to elucidate the subjects. it was altogether a source of inexpressible delight and amusement. tom, whose taste for the arts qualified him well for the office of guide upon such an occasion, directed the eye of his cousin to the best and most masterly productions in the collection, and whose attention was more particularly drawn to the pictures (though occasionally devoted to the inspection of a set of well-formed features, or a delicately turned ancle,) was much pleased to find bob so busy in enquiry and observation.
“we have here,” said tom, “a combination of the finest specimens in the art of painting laid open annually for public inspection. music, poetry, and painting, have always been held in high estimation by those who make any pretensions to an improved mind and a refined taste. in this exhibition the talents of the artists in their various lines may be fairly estimated, and the two former may almost be said to give life to the latter, in which the three are combined. the historian, the poet, and the philosopher, have their thoughts embodied by the painter; and the tale so glowingly described in language by the one, is brought full before the eye by the other; while the portrait-painter hands down, by the vivid touches of his pencil, the features and character of those who by their talents have deservedly signalized themselves in society. the face of nature is displayed in the landscape, and the force of imagination by the judicious selector of scenes from actual life. hence painting is the fascinating region of enchantment. the pencil is a magic wand; it calls up [242]to view the most extensive and variegated scenery calculated to wake the slumbering mind to thought.
“——to mark the mighty hand
that, ever busy, wheels the silent spheres,
works in the secret deep; shoots steaming thence
the fair profusion that o'erspreads the spring;
flings from the sun direct the naming day;
feeds every creature; hurls the tempest forth;
and as on earth this grateful change revolves.
with transport touches all the springs of life.”
“upon my life!” cried bob, “we seem to have no need of sparkle now, for you are endeavouring to imitate him.”
“your observations maybe just, in part,” replied tom; “but i can assure you i have no inclination to continue in the same strain. at the same time, grave subjects, or subjects of the pencil and graver, are deserving of serious consideration, except where the latter are engaged in caricature.”
“and that has its utility,” said bob.
“to be sure it has,” continued tom—“over the human mind, wit, humour and ridicule maintain authoritative influence. the ludicrous images which flit before the fancy, aided by eccentric combinations, awaken the risible powers, and throw the soul into irresistible tumults of laughter. who can refrain from experiencing risible emotions when he beholds a lively representation of don quixote and sancho pan?a—hudibras and his ralpho—merry old falstaff shaking his fat sides, gabbling with mrs. quickly, and other grotesque figures to be found in the vast variety of human character? to lash the vices and expose the follies of mankind, is the professed end of this species of painting.
“satire has always shone among the rest;
and is the boldest way, if not the best,
to tell men freely of their foulest faults.”
objects well worthy of attention—like comedy—may degenerate, and become subservient to licentiousness and profligacy; yet the shafts of ridicule judiciously aimed, like a well-directed artillery, do much execution. with what becoming severity does the bold caricature lay open to public censure the intrigues of subtle politicians, the [243]chicanery of corrupted courts, and the flattery of cringing parasites! hence satirical books and prints, under temperate regulations, check the dissoluteness of the great. hogarth's harlot's and rake's progress have contributed to reform the different classes of society—nay, it has even been doubted by some, whether the sermons of a tillotson ever dissuaded so efficaciously from lust, cruelty, and intemperance, as the prints of an hogarth. indeed it may with truth be observed, that the art of painting is one of those innocent and delightful means of pleasure which providence has kindly offered to brighten the prospects of life: under due restriction, and with proper direction, it may be rendered something more than an elegant mode of pleasing the eye and the imagination; it may become a very powerful auxiliary to virtue.”
“i like your remarks very well,” said bob; “but there is no such thing as paying proper attention to them at present; besides, you are moralizing again.”
“true,” said tom, “the subjects involuntarily lead me to moral conclusions—there is a fine picture—nature blowing bubbles for her children, from the pencil of hilton; in which is united the simplicity of art with allegory, the seriousness of moral instruction and satire with the charms of female and infantine beauty; the graces of form, action, colour and beauty of parts, with those of collective groups; and the propriety and beauty of——”
he was proceeding in this strain, when, turning suddenly as he supposed to tallyho, he was not a little surprised and confused to find, instead of his cousin, the beautiful and interesting miss mortimer, at his elbow, listening with close attention to his description.
“miss mortimer,” continued he—which following immediately in connection with his last sentence, created a buz of laughter from sparkle, merrywell, and mortimer, who were in conversation at a short distance, and considerably increased his confusion.
“very gallant, indeed,” said miss mortimer, “and truly edifying. these studies from nature appear to have peculiar charms for you, but i apprehend your observations were not meant for my ear.”
“i was certainly not aware,” continued he, “how much i was honoured; but perceiving the company you are in, i am not much astonished at the trick, and undoubtedly [244]have a right to feel proud of the attentions that have been paid to my observations.”
by this time the party was increased by the arrival of col. b——, his daughter maria, and lady lovelace, who, with sparkle's opera glass in her hand, was alternately looking at the paintings, and gazing at the company. sparkle, in the mean time, was assiduous in his attentions to miss mortimer, whose lively remarks and elegant person excited general admiration.
the first greetings of such an unexpected meeting were followed by an invitation on the part of the colonel to tom and bob to dine with them at half past six.
tallyho excused himself upon the score of a previous engagement; and a wink conveyed to tom was instantly understood; he politely declined the honour upon the same ground, evidently perceiving there was more meant than said; and after a few more turns among the company, and a survey of the pictures, during which they lost the company of young mortimer and his friend merry well, (at which the ladies expressed themselves disappointed) they, with sparkle, assisted the females into the colonel's carriage, wished them a good morning, and took their way towards temple bar.
“i am at a loss,” said dashall, “to guess what you meant by a prior engagement; for my part, i confess i had engaged myself with you, and never felt a greater inclination for a ramble in my life.”
“then,” said bob, “i'll tell you—merry well and mortimer had determined to give the old colonel and his company the slip; and i have engaged, provided you have no objection, to dine with them at the globe in fleet street, at half past four. they are in high glee, ready and ripe for fun, determined to beat up the eastern quarters of the town.”
“an excellent intention,” continued tom, “and exactly agreeable to my own inclinations—we'll meet them, and my life on't we shall have a merry evening. it is now four—we will take a walk through the temple, and then to dinner with what appetite we may—so come along. you have heard of the temple, situated close to the bar, which takes its name. it is principally occupied by lawyers, and law-officers, a useful and important body of men, whose lives are devoted to the study and practice of the law of the land, to keep peace and harmony among the [245]individuals of society, though there are, unfortunately, too many pretenders to legal knowledge, who prey upon the ignorant and live by litigation{1}—such as persons who have
1 in a recent meeting at the egyptian hall, a celebrated
irish barrister is reported to have said, that 'blasphemy
was the only trade that prospered.' the assertion, like many
others in the same speech, was certainly a bold one, and one
which the gentleman would have found some difficulty in
establishing. if, however, the learned gentleman had
substituted the word law for blasphemy, he would have been
much nearer the truth.
of all the evils with which this country is afflicted, that
of an excessive passion for law is the greatest. the sum
paid annually in taxes is nothing to that which is spent in
litigation. go into our courts of justice, and you will
often see sixty or seventy lawyers at a time; follow them
home, and you will find that they are residing in the
fashionable parts of the town, and living in the most
expensive manner. look at the lists of the two houses of
parliament, and you will find lawyers predominate in the
house of commons; and, in the upper house, more peers who
owe their origin to the law, than have sprung from the army
and navy united. there is scarcely a street of any
respectability without an attorney, not to mention the
numbers that are congregated in the inns of court. in london
alone, we are told, there are nearly three thousand
certificated attornies, and in the country they are numerous
in proportion.
while on the subject of lawyers, we shall add a few
unconnected anecdotes, which will exhibit the difference
between times past and present.
in the rolls of parliament for the year 1445, there is a
petition from two counties in england, stating that the
number of attornies had lately increased from sixteen to
twenty-four, whereby the peace of those counties had been
greatly interrupted by suits. and it was prayed that it
might be ordained, that there should only be six attornies
for the county of norfolk, the same number for suffolk, and
two for the city of norwich.
the profits of the law have also increased in proportion. we
now frequently hear of gentlemen at the bar making ten or
fifteen thousand pounds a year by their practice; and a
solicitor in one single suit, (the trial of warren hastings)
is said to have gained no less than thirty-five thousand
pounds! how different three centuries ago, when roper, in
his life of sir thomas more, informs us, that though he was
an advocate of the greatest eminence, and in full business,
yet he did not by his profession make above four hundred
pounds per annum. there is, however, a common tradition on
the other hand, that sir edward coke's gains, at the latter
end of this century, equalled those of a modern attorney
general; and, by lord bacon's works, it appears that he made
6000l. per annum whilst in this office. brownlow's profits,
likewise, one of the prothonotaries during the reign of
queen elizabeth, were 6000l. per annum; and he used to close
the profits of the year with a laus deo; and when they
happened to be extraordinary,—maxima laus deo.
there is no person, we believe, who is acquainted with the
important duties of the judges, or the laborious nature of
their office, will think that they are too amply
remunerated; and it is not a little remarkable, that when
law and lawyers have increased so prodigiously, the number
of the judges is still the same. fortescue, in the
dedication of his work, de laudibus legum anglise, to prince
edward, says that the judges were not accustomed to sit more
than three hours in a day; that is, from eight o'clock in
the morning until eleven; they passed the remainder of the
day in studying the laws, and reading the holy scriptures.
carte supposes, that the great reason for the lawyers
pushing in shoals to become members of parliament, arose
from their desire to receive the wages then paid them by
their constituents. by an act of the 5th of henry iv.
lawyers were excluded from parliament, not from a contempt
of the common law itself, but the professors of it, who, at
this time, being auditors to men of property, received an
annual stipend, pro connlio impenso et impendendo, and
were treated as retainers. in madox's form. anglican, there
is a form of a retainer during his life, of john de thorp,
as counsel to the earl of westmoreland; and it appears by
the household book of algernon, fifth earl of
northumberland, that, in the beginning of the reign of henry
the eighth, there was, in that family, a regular
establishment for two counsellors and their servants.
a proclamation was issued on the 6th of november, in the
twentieth year of the reign of james i. in which the voters
for members of parliament are directed, “not to choose
curious and wrangling lawyers, who may seek reputation by
stirring needless questions.”
a strong prejudice was at this time excited against lawyers.
in aleyn's henry viii. (london, 1638,) we have the following
philippic against them:—
“a prating lawyer, (one of those which cloud
that honour'd science,) did their conduct take;
he talk'd all law, and the tumultuous crowd
thought it had been all gospel that he spake.
at length, these fools their common error saw,
a lawyer on their side, but not the law.”
pride the drayman used to say, that it would never be well
till the lawyers' gowns, like the scottish colours, were
hung up in westminster hall.
from chaucer's character of the temple manciple, it would
appear that the great preferment which advocates in this
time chiefly aspired to, was to become steward to some great
man: he says,—”
“of masters he had mo than thryis ten,
that were of law expert and curious,
of which there were a dozen in that house,
worthy to ben stuards of house and londe,
of any lord that is in englonde.”
[246]been employed as clerks to pettifoggers, who obtain permission to sue in their names; and persons who know no more of law than what they have learned in abbot's park,{1} or on board the fleet,{2} who assume the title of law agents or accountants, and are admirably fitted for agents in the insolvent debtor's court under the insolvent act, to make out schedules, &c. being up to all the arts and manouvres practised with success for the liberation of themselves, they are well calculated to become tutors of others, though they generally take care to be well paid for it.”
by this time they were entering the temple. “this,” continued tom, “is an immense range of buildings, stretching from fleet-street to the river, north and south; and from lombard-street, whitefriars, to essex-street in the strand, east and west.
“it takes its name from its being founded by the knights templars in england. the templars were crusaders, who, about the year 1118, formed themselves into a military body at jerusalem, and guarded the roads for the safety of pilgrims. in time the order became very powerful. the templars in fleet-street, in the thirteenth century, frequently entertained the king, the pope's nuncio, foreign ambassadors, and other great personages.
“it is now divided into two societies of students, called the inner and middle temple, and having the name of inns of court.
“these societies consist of benchers, barristers, students, and members. the government is vested in the benchers. in term time they dine in the hall of the society, which is called keeping commons. to dine a fortnight in each term, is deemed keeping the term; and twelve of these terms qualify a student to be called to year of henry the sixth, when sir walter beauchamp, as counsel, supported the claim of precedence of the earl of warwick, against the then earl marshal, at the bar of the house of lords. mr. roger hunt appeared in the same capacity for the earl marshal, and both advocates, in their exordium, made most humble protestations, entreating the lord against whom they were retained, not to take amiss what they should advance on the part of their own client.
another point on which the lawyers of the present age differ from their ancestors, is in their prolixity. it was reserved for modern invention to make a trial for high treason last eight days, or to extend a speech to nine hours duration.
1 abbot's park—the king's bench.
2 on board the fleet—the fleet prison.
[248]"these societies have the following officers and servants: a treasurer, sub-treasurer, steward, chief butler, three under-butlers, upper and under cook, a pannierman, a gardener, two porters, two wash-pots, and watchmen.
“the benchers assume and exercise a power that can scarcely be reconciled to the reason of the thing. they examine students as to their proficiency in the knowledge of the law, and call candidates to the bar, or reject them at pleasure, and without appeal. it is pretty well known that students in some cases eat their way to the bar; in which there can be no great harm, because their clients will take the liberty afterwards of judging how far they have otherwise qualified themselves. but every man that eats in those societies should be called, or the rejection should be founded solely on his ignorance of the law, and should be subject to an appeal to a higher jurisdiction; otherwise the power of the benchers may be exercised on private or party motives.
“the expence of going through the course of these societies is not great. in the inner temple, a student pays on admission, for the fees of the society, 3l. 6s. 8d. which, with other customary charges, amounts to 4l 2s. a duty is also paid to the king, which is high. terms may be kept for about 10s. per week, and, in fact, students may dine at a cheaper rate here than any where beside. the expences in the principal societies of like nature are something more.
“their kitchens, and dinner-rooms, merit the inspection of strangers, and may be seen on applying to the porter, or cooks, without fee or introduction. our time is short now, or we would take a peep; you must therefore content yourself with my description.
“the temple is an irregular building. in fleet-street are two entrances, one to the inner, and the other to the middle temple. the latter has a front in the manner of inigo jones, of brick, ornamented with four large stone pilastres, of the ionic order, with a pediment. it is too narrow, and being lofty, wants proportion. the passage to which it leads, although designed for carriages, is narrow, inconvenient, and mean.
“the garden of the inner temple is not only a most happy situation, but is laid out with great taste, and kept [249]in perfect order. it is chiefly covered with green sward,, which is pleasing to the eye, especially in a city, and is most agreeable to walk on. it lies, as you perceive, along the river, is of great extent, and has a spacious gravel walk, or terrace, on the bank of the thames. it forms a crowded promenade in summer, and at such times is an interesting spot.
“the middle temple has a garden, but much smaller,, and not so advantageously situated.
“the hall of the middle temple is a spacious and elegant room in its style. many great feasts have been given in it in old times. it is well worth a visit.
“the inner temple hall is comparatively small, but is a fine room. it is ornamented with the portraits of several of the judges. before this hall is a broad paved terrace, forming an excellent promenade, when the gardens are not sufficiently dry.
“there are two good libraries belonging to these societies, open to students, and to others on application to the librarian, from ten in the morning till one, and in the afternoon from two till six.
“the temple church belongs in common to the two societies. the knights templars built their church on this site, which was destroyed, and the present edifice was erected by the knights hospitallers. it is in the norman style of architecture, and has three aisles, running east and west, and two cross aisles. at the western end is a spacious round tower, the inside of which forms an elegant and singular entrance into the church, from which it is not separated by close walls, but merely by arches. the whole edifice within has an uncommon and noble aspect. the roof of the church is supported by slight pillars of sussex marble, and there are three windows at each side, adorned with small pillars of the same marble. the entire floor is of flags of black and white marble; the roof of the tower is supported with six pillars, having an upper and lower range of small arches, except on the eastern side, opening into the church: the length of the church is eighty-three feet; the breadth sixty; and the height thirty-four; the height of the inside of the tower is forty-eight feet, and its diameter on the floor fifty-one.
“in the porch or tower are the tombs of eleven knights templars; eight of them have the figures of [250]armed knights on them, three of them being the tombs of so many earls of pembroke. the organ of this church is one of the finest in the world.
“the temple church is open for divine service every day, at eleven o'clock in the morning, and at four in the afternoon. there are four entrances into the temple, besides those in fleet-street; and it is a thoroughfare during the day, but the gates are shut at night. the gardens are open to the public in summer. it is a place of much business and constant traffic, i assure you.”
“i perceive it,” said bob, “by the number of persons passing and repassing, every one apparently animated and impelled by some business of importance.”
“yes, it is something like a steam-boiler, by which a considerable portion of the engines of the law are kept in motion. they can alarm and allay according to the pockets of their customers, or the sagacity which they are able to discover in their heads. there are perhaps as many quacks in this profession as in any other,” continued tom, as they regained fleet-street; when, perceiving it was half past four o'clock by st. dunstan's—“but we must now make the best of our way, or we may be cut out of the good things of this globe.”
“what are so many persons collected together here for?” enquired bob.
“merely to witness a little of ingenious machinery. keep your eye on the two figures in the front of the church with clubs in their hands.”
“i do,” said bob; “but there does not appear to me to be any thing very remarkable about them.”
he scarcely uttered the words, when he observed that these figures struck their clubs upon the bells which hung between them to denote the time of day.
“these figures,” said tom, “and the circumstance of giving them motion every fifteen minutes by the movements of the clock, have attracted a great deal of notice, particularly among persons from the country, and at almost every quarter of an hour throughout the day they are honoured with spectators. the church itself is very ancient, and has been recently beautified. the bell thumpers, whose abilities you have just had a specimen of, have been standing there ever since the year 1671.”
“it is hard service,” said bob, “and they must certainly deserve a pension from government more than many of [251]the automatons who are now in the enjoyment of the national bounties.”
“you are right enough,” said a translator of soles,{1} who had overheard bob's last remark, with a pair of old shoes under his arm; “and d——n me if i would give a pair of crazy crabshells{2} without vamp or whelt for the whole boiling of 'em{3}-there is not one on 'em worth a bloody jemmy."{4}
upon hearing this from the political cobbler, a disturbed sort of shout was uttered by the surrounding spectators, who had rather increased than diminished in number, to hear the observations of the leathern-lung'd orator; when tom, giving his cousin a significant pinch of the arm, impelled him forward, and left them to the enjoyment of their humour.
“political observations are always bad in the street,” said tom; “it is a subject upon which scarcely any two persons agree distinctly-old wax and bristles is about three sheets in the wind,{5} and no doubt there are enough to take advantage of any persons stopping at this time of the day."{6}
“what have we here?” said bob, who observed a concourse of people surrounding the end of fetter lane.
“only a couple more of striking figures,” replied tom, “almost as intelligent as those we have just seen.”
1 translator of soles—a disciple of st. crispin, alias a
cobbler, who can botch up old shoes, so as to have the
appearance of being almost new, and who is principally
engaged in his laudable occupation by the second-hand shoe-
sellers of field lane, turn stile, &c. for the purpose of
turning an honest penny, i.e. to deceive poor purchasers.
2 crab-shells—a cant term for shoes.
3 whole boding of 'em—the whole kit of 'em, &c. means the
whole party.
4 bloody jemmy—a cant term for a sheep's head.
5 three sheets in the wind—a cant phrase intending to
explain that a person is more than half drunk.
6 this was a hint well given by dashall; for, in the present
times, it is scarcely possible to be aware of the numerous
depredations that are committed in the streets of the
metropolis in open day-light; and it is a well-known fact,
that fleet street, being one of the leading thoroughfares,
is at almost all times infested with loose characters of
every description, from the well-dressed sharpers, who hover
round the entrances to billiard-tables to mark new comers,
and give information to the pals in waiting, somewhere
within call, and who are called macers-to the wily duffers
or buffers, willing to sell extraordinary bargains, and the
cly-faker, or pickpocket.
[252]bob bustled forward, and looking down the lane, perceived two watchmen, one on each side the street, bearing poles with black boards inscribed in white letters, “beware of bad houses,” and a lantern hanging to each.
“these,” said tom, “are not decoy ducks, but scare crows, at least they are intended for such; whether their appearance does not operate as much one way as it does the other, is, i believe, a matter of doubt.”
“beware of bad houses,” said bob—“i don't exactly see the object.”
“no, perhaps not,” continued his cousin; “but i will tell you: this is a method which the churchwardens of parishes sometimes take of shaming the pa-pa or fie fie ladies from their residences, or at least of discovering their visitors; but i am half inclined to think, that nine times out of ten the contrary effect is produced; for these men who are stationed as warnings to avoid, are easily to be blinded by the gay and gallant youths, who have” an inclination to obtain an admission to the fair cyprians; besides which, if the first inhabitants are really induced to quit, the house is quickly occupied by similar game, and the circumstance of the burning out, as it is termed, serves as a direction-post to new visitors; so that no real good is eventually effected-come, we had better move on—there is nothing more extraordinary here.”
“this is peele's coffee house,” continued he—“a house celebrated for its general good accommodations. here, as well as at the chapter coffee house, in paternoster row, all the newspapers are kept filed annually, and may be referred to by application to the waiters, at the very trifling expense of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. the monthly and quarterly reviews, and the provincial papers, are also kept for the accommodation of the customers, and constitute an extensive and valuable library; it is the frequent resort of authors and critics, who meet to pore over the news of the day, or search the records of past times.”
“an excellent way of passing an hour,” said bob, “and a proof of the studied attention which is paid not only to the comforts and convenience of their customers, but also to their instruction.”
“you are right,” replied tom; “in london every man has an opportunity of living according to his wishes and [253]the powers of his pocket; he may dive, like roderick random, into a cellar, and fill his belly for four pence, or regale himself with the more exquisite delicacies of the london tavern at a guinea; while the moderate tradesman can be supplied at a chop-house for a couple of shillings; and the mechanic by a call at the shop over the way at the corner of water lane,{1} may purchase his half pound of ham or beef, and retire to a public-house to eat it; where he obtains his pint of porter, and in turn has an opportunity of reading the morning advertiser, the times, or the chronicle. up this court is a well-known house, the sign of the old cheshire cheese; it has long been established as a chop-house, and provides daily for a considerable number of persons; but similar accommodations are to be found in almost every street in london. then again, there are cook-shops of a still humbler description where a dinner may be procured at a still more moderate price; so that in this great metropolis there is accommodation for all ranks and descriptions of persons, who may be served according to the delicacy of their appetites and the state of their finances.
“a chop-house is productive of all the pleasures in life; it is a combination of the most agreeable and satisfactory amusements: indeed, those who have never had an opportunity of experiencing the true happiness therein to be found, have a large portion of delight and gratification to discover: the heart, the mind and the constitution are to be mended upon crossing its threshold; and description must fall short in its efforts to pourtray its enlivening and invigorating influence; it is, in a word, a little world within itself, absolutely a universe in miniature, possessing a system peculiar to itself, of planets and satellites,
1 this allusion was made by the hon. tom dashall to the shop
of mr. cantis, who was formerly in the employ of mr. epps,
and whose appearance in opposition to him at temple bar a
few years back excited a great deal of public attention, and
had the effect of reducing the prices of their ham and beef.
mr. epps generally has from fourteen to twenty shops, and
sometimes more, situated in different parts of the
metropolis, and there is scarcely a street in london where
there is not some similar place of accommodation; but mr.
epps is the most extensive purveyor for the public appetite.
at these shops, families may be supplied with any quantity,
from an ounce to a pound, of hot boiled beef and ham at
moderate prices; while the poor are regaled with a plate of
cuttings at a penny or twopence each.
and fixed stars and revolutions, and its motions are annual, rotatory and diurnal, in all its extensive diversity of waiters, cooks, saucepans, fryingpans, gridirons, salamanders, stoves and smoke-jacks; so that if you wish to know true and uncloying delight, you are now acquainted with where it is to be found. not all the sages of the ancient or the modern world ever dreamed of a theory half so exquisite, or calculated to afford man a treat so truly delicious.
“within the doors of a chop-house are to be found food for both body and soul-mortal and mental appetites-feasting for corporeal cravings and cravings intellectual-nourishment at once for the faculties both of mind and body: there, in fact, the brain may be invigorated, and the mind fed with good things; while the palate is satisfied by devouring a mutton chop, a veal cutlet, or a beef steak; and huge draughts of wisdom may be imbibed while drinking a bottle of soda or a pint of humble porter.
“in this delightful place of amusement and convenience, there is provender for philosophers or fools, stoics or epicureans; contemplation for genius of all denominations; and it embraces every species of science and of art, (having an especial eye to the important art of cookery;) it encompasses all that is worthy of the sublimest faculties and capacities of the soul; it is the resort of all that is truly good and glorious on earth, the needy and the noble, the wealthy and the wise. its high estimation is universally acknowledged; it has the suffrage of the whole world, so much so, that at all times and in all seasons its supremacy is admitted and its influence recognized. the name, the very name alone, is sufficient to excite all that is pleasant to our senses (five or seven, how many soever there may be.) a chop-house! at that word what delightful prospects are presented to the mind's eye-what a clashing of knives and forks and plates and pewter pots, and rushing of footsteps and murmurings of expectant hosts enter into our delighted ears—what gay scenes of varied beauty, and many natured viands and viscous soups, tarts, puddings and pies, rise before our visual nerves-what fragrant perfumes, sweet scented odours, and grateful gales of delicate dainties stream into our olfactory perceptions,
“. . . like the sweet south
upon a bank-a hank of violets, giving
and taking odour.”
[255]its powers are as vast as wonderful and goodly, and extend over all animal and animated nature, biped and quadruped, the earth, the air, and all that therein is. by its high decree, the beast may no longer bask in the noon tide of its nature, the birds must forsake their pure ether, and the piscatory dwellers in the vasty deep may spread no more their finny sails towards their caves of coral. the fruits, the herbs, and the other upgrowings of the habitable world, and all created things, by one wave of the mighty wand are brought together into this their common tomb. it is creative also of the lordliest independence of spirit. it excites the best passions of the heart—it calls into action every kind and generous feeling of our nature—it begets fraternal affection and unanimity and cordiality of soul, and excellent neighbourhood among men-it will correct antipodes, for its ministerial effects will produce a radical advantage-its component parts go down with the world, and are well digested.”
“your description,” said bob, “has already had the effect of awakening appetite, and i feel almost as hungry as if i were just returning from a fox-chace.”
“then,” continued the hon. tom dashall, “it is not only admirable as a whole, its constituent and individual beauties are as provocative of respect as the mass is of our veneration. from among its innumerable excellencies—i will mention one which deserves to be held in recollection and kept in our contemplation-what is more delightful than a fine beef-steak?-spite of lexicographers, there is something of harmony even in its name, it seems to be the key-note of our best constructed organs, (organs differing from all others, only because they have no stops,) it circles all that is full, rich and sonorous—i do not mean in its articulated enunciation, but in its internal acceptation—there—there we feel all its strength and diapas, or force and quantity.”
“admirable arrangements, indeed,” said bob. “true,” continued tom; “and all of them comparatively comfortable, according to their gradations ana the rank or circumstances of their customers. the tavern furnishes wines, &c.; the pot-house, porter, ale, and liquors suitable to the high or low. the sturdy porter, sweating beneath his load, may here refresh himself with heavy wet;{l} the dustman, or the chimney-sweep, may sluice
1 heavy wet-a well-known appellation for beer, porter, or
ale.
[256]am ivory{1} with the elixir of life, now fashionably termed daffy's.”
“daffy's,” said tallyho-“that is somewhat new to me, i don't recollect hearing it before?”
“daffy's elixir,” replied dashall, “was a celebrated quack medicine, formerly sold by a celebrated doctor of that name, and recommended by him as a cure for all diseases incident to the human frame. this gin, old tom, and blue ruin, are equally recommended in the present day; in consequence of which, some of the learned gentlemen of the sporting' world have given it the title of daffy's, though this excellent beverage is known by many other names.
“for instance, the lady of refined sentiments and delicate nerves, feels the necessity of a little cordial refreshment, to brighten the one and enliven the other, and therefore takes it on the sly, under the polite appellation of white wine. the knowing kids and dashing swells are for a drap of blue ruin, to keep all things in good twig. the laundress, who disdains to be termed a dry washer,—dearly loves a dollop {2} of old tom, because, while she is up to her elbows in suds, and surrounded with steam, she thinks a drap of the old gemman (having no pretensions to a young one) would comfort and strengthen her inside, and consequently swallows the inspiring dram. the travelling gat-gut scraper, and the hurdy-grinder, think there is music in the sound of max, and can toss off their kevartern to any tune in good time. the painter considers it desirable to produce effect by mingling his dead white with a little sky blue. the donkey driver and the fish-fag are bang-up for a flash of lightning, to illumine their ideas. the cyprian, whose marchings and counter marchings in search of custom are productive of extreme fatigue, may, in some degree, be said to owe her existence to jockey; at least she considers him a dear boy, and deserving her best attentions, so long as she has any power. the link-boys, the mud-larks, and the watermen, who hang round public-house doors to feed horses, &c. club up their brads for a kevartern of stark-naked in three outs. the sempstress and straw bonnet-maker are for a yard of white tape; and
1 sluice the ivory—is originally derived from sluicery, and
means washing, or passing over the teeth.
2 dollop—is a large or good quantity of any thing: the whole
dollop means the whole quantity.
[256]the swell covies and out and outers, find nothing so refreshing after a night's spree, when the victualling-office is out of order, as a little fuller's-earth, or a dose of daffy's; so that it may fairly be presumed it is a universal beverage—nay, so much so, that a certain gentleman of city notoriety, though he has not yet obtained a seat in st. stephen's chapel, with an ingenuity equal to that of the bug-destroyer to the king,{1} has latterly decorated his house, not a hundred miles from cripplegate, with the words wine and brandy merchant to her majesty, in large letters, from which circumstance his depository of the refreshing and invigorating articles of life has obtained the appellation of the queen's gin shop.”
bob laughed heartily at his cousin's interpretation of daffy's.
while tom humm'd, in an under tone, the fag end of a song, by way of conclusion—
“why, there's old mother jones, of st. thomas's street,
if a jovial companion she chances to meet,
away to the gin-shop they fly for some max,
and for it they'd pawn the last smock from their backs;
for the juniper berry,
it makes their hearts merry,
with a hey down, down deny,
geneva's the liquor of life.”
by this time they were at the globe; upon entering which, they were greeted by mortimer and merry well, who had arrived before them; and dinner being served almost immediately, they were as quickly seated at the table, to partake of an excellent repast.
1 it is a well-known fact, that a person of the name of
tiffin announced himself to the world under this very
seductive title, which, doubtless, had the effect of
bringing him considerable custom from the loyal subjects of
his great patron.
