7 The sign of the house.
Parliament, and mad wags of every country who had any established claim to the kindred feelings of genius. Such were the frequenters of the Finish. Here, poor Tom Sheridan, with a comic gravity that set discretion at defiance, would let fly some of his brilliant drolleries at theimprovisatore, Theodore Hook; who, lacking nothing of his opponent's wit, would quickly return his tire with the sharp encounter of a satiric epigram or a brace of puns, planted with the most happy effect upon the weak side of his adversary's merriment. There too might be seen the wayward and the talented George Cook, gentlemanly in conduct, and full of anecdote when sober, but ever captious and uproarious in his cups. Then might be heard a strange encounter of expressions between the queen of Covent Garden and the voluptuary, Lord Barrymore,{8} seconded by his brother, the pious Augustus. In one corner might be seen poor Dermody, the poet, shivering with wretchedness, and Mother Butler pleading his cause with a generous feeling that does honour to her heart, collecting for him a temporary supply which, alas! his imprudence generally dissipated with the morrow. Here, George Sutton Manners,{9} and Peter Finnerty,{10} and James Brownly,{11} inspired by frequent potations of the real
8 Designated Cripplegate and Newgate.9 The relative of the present Archbishop of Canterbury, andthen editor of the Satirist magazine.10 Peter Finnerty was a reporter on the Chronicle. The his-tory of Finnerty's political persecutions in his own country(Ireland), and afterwards in this, are interwoven with ourhistory. The firmness and honesty of his mind had endearedhim to a very large circle of patriot friends. He waseloquent, but impetuous, his ideas appearing to flow toofast for delivery. With all the natural warmth of hiscountry, he had a heart of sterling gold. Finnerty diedin 1822, very shortly after his friend Perry.11 James Brownly, formerly a reporter on the Times; ofwhom Sheridan said, hearing him speak, that his situationought to have been in the body of the House of Commons,instead of the gallery. Brownly possessed very rarenatural talents, was originally an upholsterer in Catherine-street, Strand, and by dint of application acquired a verycorrect knowledge of the tine arts: he was particularlyskilled in architecture and heraldry. In addition tohis extraordinary powers as an orator, he was a most elegantcritic, and a very amiable man. He died in 1822, muchregretted by all who knew him.
Rocrea whiskey, would hold forth in powerful contention, until mine hostess of theFinish{12} would put an end to the debate; and the irritation it would sometimes engender, by disencumbering herself of a few of her Milesian monosyllables. Then would bounce into the room, Felix M'Carthy, the very cream of comicalities, and the warm-hearted James Hay ne, and Frank Phippen, and Michael Nugent, and the eloquent David Power, and memory Middleton, and father Proby, just to sip an emulsion after the close of their labours in reporting a long debate in the House of Commons. Here, too, I remember to have seen for the first time in my life, the wayward Byron, with the light of genius beaming in his noble countenance, and an eye brilliant and expressive as the evening star; the rich juice of the Tuscan grape had diffused an unusual glow over his features, and inspired him with a playful animation, that but rarely illumined the misanthropic gloominess of his too sensitive mind. An histrionic star alike distinguished for talent and eccentricity accompanied him—the gallant, gay Lothario, Kean. But I should consume the remnant of the night to retrace more of the fading recollections of theFinish. That it was a scene where prudence did not always preside, is true; but there was a rich union of talent and character always to be found within its circle, that
12 Mother Butler, the queen of Covent-garden, for many yearskept the celebrated Finish, where, if shut out of yourlodging, you might take shelter till morning, very often inthe very best of company. The house has, since she left it,been shut up through the suspension of its licence. MotherButler was a witty, generous-hearted, and very extraordinarywoman. She is, I believe, still living, and in goodcircumstances.
prevented any very violent outrage upon propriety or decorum. In the present day, there is nothing like it—the Phoenix,{13} Offley's,{14} the Coal-hole,{15} and what yet remains of the dismembered Eccentrics,{16} bears no comparison to the ripe drolleries and
13 A society established at the Wrekin tavern in Broad-court, in imitation of the celebrated club at BrazennoseCollege, Oxford, and of whom I purpose to take some noticehereafter.14 The Burton ale rooms; frequented by baby bucks, black-legs and half-pay officers.15 A tavern in Fountain-court, Strand, kept by the poetRhodes; celebrated for the Saturday ordinary.16 In the room, where of old the Eccentrics {*} met; Whenmortals were Brilliants, and fond of a whet, AndHecateenviron'd all London in jet. Where Adolphus, andShorri',{**} and famed Charley Fox, With a hundred goodwhigs led by Alderman Cox, Put their names in the books, andtheir cash in the box; Where perpetual Whittle,{***}facetiously grand, On the president's throne each night tookhis stand, With his three-curly wig, and his hammer in hand:Then Brownly, with eloquence florid and clear, Pour'd atorrent of metaphor into the ear, With well-rounded periods,and satire severe. Here too Peter Finnerty, Erin's ownchild, Impetuous, frolicsome, witty, and wild, With many atale has our reason beguiled: Then wit was triumphant, andnight after night Was the morn usher'd in with a flood ofdelight.* The Eccentrics, a club principally composed of personsconnected with the press or the drama, originallyestablished at the Swan, in Chandos-street, Covent-garden,under the name of the Brilliants, and afterwards removed tothe Sutherland Arms, in May's-buildings, St. Martin's-lane;—here, for many years, it continued the resort of some ofthe first wits of the time; the chair was seldom taken tillthe theatres were over, and rarely vacated till between fourand five in the morning.** Sheridan, Charles Fox, Adolphus, and many of the mosteminent men now at the bar, were members or occasionalfrequenters.*** James Whittle, Esq., of Fleet-street, (or, as he wasmore generally denominated, the facetious Jemmy Whittle, ofthe respectable firm of Laurie and Whittle, booksellers andpublishers) was for some years perpetual president of thesociety, and by his quaint manners, and good-humouredsociality, added much to the felicity of the scene—he isbut recently dead.
pleasant witticisms which sparkled forth in endless variety among the choice spirits who frequented thesanctum sanctorumof theold Finish. "There is yet, however, one more place worthy of notice," said Crony; "not for any amusement we shall derive from its frequenters, but, simply, that it is the most notorious place in London." Thither it was agreed we should adjourn; for Crony's description ofMadame and MessieurstheConducteurswas quite sufficient to produce excitement in the young and ardent minds by which he was then surrounded. I shall not pollute this work by a repetition of the circumstances connected with this place, as detailed by old Crony, lest humanity should start back with horror and disgust at the bare mention, and charity endeavour to throw discredit on the true, but black recital. The specious pretence of selling shell-fish and oysters is a mere trap for the inexperienced, as every description of expensive wines, liqueurs, coffee, and costly suppers are in more general request, and the wanton extravagance exhibited within its vortex is enough to strike the uninitiated and the moralist with the most appalling sentiments of horror and dismay. Yet within thissaloon (see plate)did we enter, at four o'clock in the morning, to view the depravity of human nature, and watch the operation of licentiousness upon the young and thoughtless.
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A Newgate turnkey would, no doubt, recognize many old acquaintances; in the special hope of which, Bob Transit has faithfully delineated some of the most conspicuous characters, as they appeared on that occasion, lending their hearty assistance in the general scene of maddening uproar. It was past five o'clock in the morning ere we quitted this den of dreadful depravity, heartily tired out by the night's adventures, yet solacing ourselves with the reflection that we had seen much and suffered little either in respect to our purses or our persons.
Worthies thereof—Legal Sketches of the Long Robe—TheMaiden Brief—An awkward Recognition—Visit to Banco Regis—Surrey Collegians giving a Lift to a Limb of the Late,"Thus far shalt thou go and no farther"—Park Rangers—Visitto the Life Academy—R—A—ys of Genius reflecting on thetrue line of Beauty—Arrival of Bernard Black-mantle inLondon—Reads his Play and Farce in the Green Rooms of thetwo Theatres Royal, Drury Lane and Covent Garden—Sketchesof Theatrical Character—The City Ball at the Mansion House—The Squeeze—Civic Characters—Return to Alma Mater—TheWind-up—Term ends.
A note from Dick Gradus invited Echo and myself to hear his opening speech in Westminster Hall. "I have received mymaiden brief" writes the young counsel, "and shall be happy if you will be present at my first attempt, when, like a trueamicus curio, the presence of an old school-fellow will inspire confidence, and point out what may strike him as defective in my style." "We will all go," said Transit; "Echo will be amused by the oratory of the bar, and I shall employ my pencil to advantage in taking notes, not ofshort hand, but oflong heads, and stilllonger faces." The confusion created by the building of the new courts at Westminster has literally choked up, for a time, that noble specimen of Gothic architecture—the ancient hall; the King's Bench sittings are therefore temporarily held in the Sessions House, a small, butrather compact octangular building, on the right of Parliament-street. Hither we hasted, at nine o'clock in the morning, to take a view of the court, judges, and counsel, and congratulate our friend Gradus on hisentrée. It has been said, that the only profession in this country where talents can insure success, is the law. If by this is meant talents of a popular kind, the power of giving effect to comprehensive views of justice and the bonds of society, a command of language, and a faculty of bringing to bear upon one point all the resources of intellect and knowledge, they are mistaken; they speak from former experience, and not from present observation: they are thinking of the days of a Mingay or an Erskine, not of those of a Marryat or a Scarlett; of the time when juries were wrought upon by the united influence of zeal and talent, not when they are governed byprecedents and practice; when men were allowed to feel a little, as well as think a great deal; when the now common phrase of possessing theear of the courtwas not understood, and the tactician and the bully were unknown to the bar. It is asserted, that one-fifth of the causes that come before our courts are decided upon mere matters of form, without the slightest reference to their merits. Every student for the bar must now place himself under some special pleader, and go through all the complicated drudgery of the office of one of these underlings, before he can hope to fill a higher walk; general principles, and enlarged notions of law and justice, are smothered in laborious and absurd technicalities; the enervated mind becomes shackled, until the natural vigour of the intellect is so reduced, as to make its bondage cease to seem burdensome. Dick, with a confidence in his own powers, has avoided this degrading preparation; it is only two months since he was first called to the bar, and with a knowledge of his father's influence and property added to his own talents, he hopes to make astand in court, previous to his being transplanted to the Commons House of Parliament.
A tolerable correct estimate may be formed of the popularity of the judges, by observing the varied bearings of respect evinced towards them upon their entrance into court. Mr. Justice Best came first, bending nearly double under a painful infirmity, and was received by a cold and ceremonious rising of the bar. To him succeeded his brother Holroyd, a learned but not a very brilliant lawyer, and another partial acknowledgment of the counsel was observable. Then entered the Chief Justice, Sir Charles Abbot, with more of dignity in his carriage than either of the preceding, and a countenance finely expressive of serenity and comprehensive faculties: his welcome was of a more general, and, I may add, genial nature; for his judicial virtues have much endeared him to the profession and the public. But the universal acknowledgment of the bar, the jury, and the reporters for the public press, who generally occupy the students' box, was reserved for Mr. Justice Bayley; upon whose entrance, all in court appeared to rise with one accord to pay a tribute of respect to this very distinguished, just, and learned man. All this might have been accidental, you will say; but it was in such strict accordance with my own feelings and popular opinion besides, that, however invidious it may appear, I cannot resist the placing it upon record. To return to the Chief Justice: he is considered a man of strong and piercing intellect, penetrating at once to the bottom of a cause, when others, even the counsel, are very often only upon the surface; his intuition in this respect is proverbial, and hence much of the valuable time of the court is saved upon preliminary or immaterial points. Added to which, he is an excellent lawyer, shrewd, clear, and forcible in his delivery, very firm in his judgments, and mild in hislanguage; with a patient command of temper, and continued appearance of good-humour, that adds much to his dignity, and increases public veneration. That he has been the architect of his own elevation is much to be applauded; and it is equally honourable to the state to acknowledge, that he is more indebted to his great talents and his legal knowledge for his present situation than to any personal influence of great interest{1}: of him it may be justly said, he hath
"A piercing wit quite void of ostentation; high-erectedthoughts seated in a heart of courtesy; an eloquence as sweetin the uttering, as slow to come to the uttering."Sir P. Sidney's Arcadia.
It was Dick Gradus's good-luck to be opposed to Scarlett in a case of libel, where the latter was for the defendant. "Of all men else at the bar, I know of no one whom I so much wish to encounter," said Gradus. His irritable temper, negligence in reading his briefs, and consummate ignorance{2} in any thing beyond term-reports, renders him an easy conquest to a quiet, learned, and comprehensive mind. The two former are qualifications Gradus possesses in a very superior degree, and he proved he was in no wise deficient in his opponent's great requisite; I suppose we must call it confidence; but another phrase would be more significant. Scarlett is a great tactician; and in defending his client, never hesitates to take
1 We hear that an allusion in page 359 of this work hasbeen supposed to relate to a near relative of the respectedChief Justice: if it bears any similitude, it is the effectof accident alone; the portrait being drawn for another anda very different person, as the reference to altitude mighthave shown.2 See the castigation he received in the Courier of Friday.Dec. 10, 1824, for his total ignorance of the common termsof art."——that trick of courts to wearSilk at the cost of flattery."James Shirley's Poems.
what I should consider the most unfair, as they are ungentlemanly advantages. But there
"be they that use men's writings like brute beasts, to makethem draw which way they list."T. Nash's Lenten Stuff, 1599.
His great success and immense practice at the bar is more owing to the scarcity of silk-gowns{3} than the profundity of his talents. The perpetual simper that plays upon his ruby countenance, when finessing with a jury, has, no doubt, its artful effect; although it is as foreign to the true feelings of the man, as the malicious grin of the malignant satirist would be to generosity and true genius. Of his oratory, theaureum flumen orationisis certainly not his; and, if he begins a sentence well, he seldom arrives at the conclusion on the same level: he is always most happy in a reply, when he can trick his adversary by making an abusive speech, and calling no witnesses to prove his assertions. Our friend Gradus obtained a verdict, and after it the congratulations of the court and bar, with whom Scarlett is, from his superciliousness, no great favourite. Owen Feltham, in his Resolves, well says, that "arrogance is a weed that ever grows upon a dunghill."{4} The contrast between Scarlett and his great opponent, Mr. Serjeant Copley,
3 Generally speaking, the management of two-thirds of thebusiness of the court is entrusted tofour silk-gowns, andabout twice as manyworstedrobes behind the bar.4 An Impromptu written in the Court of King's Bench during arecent trial for libel.The Learned Pig."My learned Friend," the showman cries;The pig assents—the showman lies;So counsel oft address a brotherIn flattering lie to one another;Calling their friend some legal varlet,Who lies, and bullies, till he's Scarlett.
the present Attorney-General, is a strong proof of the truth of this quotation. To a systematic and profound knowledge of the law, this gentleman unites a mind richly stored with all the advantages of a liberal education and extensive reading, not merely confined to the dry pursuit in which he is engaged, but branching forth into the most luxuriant and highly-cultivated fields of science and the arts. On this account, he shines with peculiar brightness atNisi Prius; and is as much above the former in the powers of his mind and splendour of his oratory, as he is superior to the presumptuousness of Scarlett's vulgarity. Mr. Marryat is said to possess an excellent knowledge of the heavy business of his profession; and it must be admitted, that his full, round, heavy-looking countenance, and still heavier attempts at wit and humour, admirably suit the man to his peculiar manner: after all, he is a most persevering counsel; not deficient in good sense, and always distinguished by great zeal for his client's interests. Mr. Gurney is a steady, pains-taking advocate, considered by the profession as a tolerable criminal lawyer, but never affecting any very learned arguments in affairs of principles or precedents. In addressing a jury, he is both perspicuous and convincing; but far too candid and gentlemanly in his practice to contend with the trickery of Scarlett.—Mr. Common-Serjeant Denman is a man fitted by nature for the law. I never saw a more judicial-looking countenance in my life; there is a sedate gravity about it, both "stern and mild," firm without fierceness, and severe without austerity:—he appears thoughtful, penetrating, and serene, yet not by any means devoid of feeling and expression:—deeply read in the learning of his profession, he is yet much better than a mere lawyer; for his speeches and manners must convince his hearers that he is an accomplished gentleman. Of Brougham, it may be justly said,
——" his delightsAre dolphin-like; they show his back aboveThe elements he lives in:"
his voice, manner, and personal appearance, are not the happiest; but the gigantic powers of his mind, and the energy of his unconquerable spirit, rise superior to these defects. His style of speaking is marked by a nervous freedom of the most convincing character; he aims little at refinement, and labours more to make himself intelligible than elegant. In zeal for his clients, no man is more indefatigable; and he always appears to dart forward with an undaunted resolution to overcome and accomplish. But here I must stop sketching characters, and refer you to a very able representation of the court, the bar, and jury, by our friend Transit, in which are accurate likenesses of all I have previously named, and also of the following worthies, Messrs. Raine, Pollock, Ashworth, Courtney, Starkie, Williams, Parke, Rotch, Piatt, Patterson, Raper, Browne, Lawrence, and Whately, to which are added some whom—
"God forbid me if I slander them with the title of learned,for generally they are not."—Nash's Lenten Stuff, 1599.
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We were just clearing the steps of the court house, when a jolly-looking, knowing sort of fellow, begged permission to speak to Echo. A crimson flush o'erspread Tom's countenance in a moment. Transit, who was down, as he phrased it, tipped me a wink; and although I had never before seen either of the professional brothers-in-law, John Doe and Richard Roe, the smart jockey-boots, short stick, sturdy appearance, and taking manners of the worthy, convinced me at once, that our new acquaintance was one or other of those well-known personages: to be brief, poor Tom was arrested for a large sum by a Bond-street hotel-keeper, who had trusted him somewhat too long.
Arrangement by bail was impossible: this was a proceeding on a judgment; and with as little ceremony, and as muchsang froidas he would have entered a theatre, poor Tom was placed inside a hackney coach, accompanied by the aforesaid personage and his man, and drove off in apparent good spirits for the King's Bench Prison, where Transit and myself promised to attend him on the morrow, employing the mean time in attempting to free him from durance vile. It was about twelve at noon of the next day, when Transit and myself, accompanied by Tom's creditor and his solicitor, traversed over Waterloo Bridge, and bent our steps towards the abode of our incarcerated friend.
"The winds of March, with many a sudden gust,About Saint George's Fields had raised the dust;And stirr'd the massive bars that stand beneathThe spikes, that wags callJustice Abbot's teeth."
The first glimpse of the Obelisk convinced us we had entered the confines ofAbbot's Park, as the rules are generally termed, for here Bob recognised two or three among the sauntering rangers, whose habiliments bore evidence of their once fashionable notoriety;
"And still they seem'd, though shorn of many a ray,Not less than some arch dandy in decay."
"A very prettybit of true life," said Bob; and out came the sketch book to note them down, which, as we loitered forward, was effected in his usual rapid manner, portraying one or two well-known characters; but for their cognomens, misfortune claims exemption:—to them we say,
"Thou seest thou neither art mark'd out or named,And therefore only to thyself art shamed."J. Withers's Abuses strict and whipt.
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To be brief, we found Echo, by the aid of the crier, safely tiled in at ten in twelve, happy to all appearance, and perfectly domiciled, with two other equally fresh associates. The creditor and his solicitor chose to wait the issue of our proposition in the lobby; a precaution, as I afterwards found, to be essentially necessary to their own safety; for,
"He whom just laws imprison still is freeBeyond the proudest slaves of tyranny."
Although I must confess the exhibition we had offreedom in Banco Regiswas rather a rough specimen; a poor little limb of the law, who had formerly been a leg himself, had, like other great lawyers, ratted, and commenced a furious warfare upon some old cronies, for divers penalties and perjuries, arising out of Greek prosecutions: too eager to draw the blunt, he had been inveigled into the interior of the prison, and there, after undergoing a most delightful pumping upon,wasrough-driedby being tossed in a blanket (see plate).
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This entertainment we had the honour of witnessing from Echo's room window; and unless the Marshal and his officers had interfered, I know not what might have been the result. A very few words sufficed to convince Tom of the necessity of yielding to his creditor's wishes. A letter of licence was immediately produced and signed, and the gay-hearted Echo left once more at liberty to wing his flight wherever his fancy might direct. On our road home, it was no trifling amusement to hear him relate
"The customs of the place,The manners of its mingled populace,The lavish waste, the riot, and excess,Neighbour'd by famine, and the worst distress;The decent few, that keep their own respect,And the contagion of the place reject;The many, who, when once the lobby's pass'd,Away for ever all decorum cast,And think the walls too solid and too high,To let the world behold their infamy."
Ever on the alert for novelty, we hopped into and dined at the Coal Hole Tavern in the Strand, certainly one of the best and cheapest ordinaries in London, and the society not of the meanest. Rhodes himself is a punster and a poet, sings a good song, and sells the best of wine; and what renders mine host more estimable, is the superior manners of the man. Here was congregated together a mixed, but truly merry company, composed of actors, authors, reporters, clerks in public departments, and half-pay officers, full of whim, wit, and eccentricity, which, when the mantling bowl had circulated, did often "set the table in a roar." In the evening, Transit proposed to us a visit to the Life Academy, Somerset House, where he was an admitted student; but on trying the experiment, was not able to effect our introduction: you must therefore be content withhis sketch of thetrue sublime, in which he has contrived to introduce the portraits of several well-known academicians(see plate).
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Thus far Horatio Heartly had written, when the unexpected appearance of Bernard Blackmantle in London cut short the thread of his narrative. "Where now, mad-cap?" said the sincere friend of his heart: "what unaccountable circumstance can have brought you to the village in term and out of vacation?" "A very uncommon affair, indeed, for a young author, I assure you: I have had the good fortune to receive a notice from the managers of the two Theatres Royal, that my play is accepted at Covent Garden, and my farce at Drury Lane, and am come up post-haste to read them in the green rooms to-morrow, and take the town by storm before the end of the next month." "It is a dangerous experiment," said Horatio. "I know it," replied the fearless Bernard; "but he who fears danger will never march on to fortune or to victory. I am sure I have a sincere friend in Charles Kemble, if managerial influence can ensure the success of my play; and I have cast my farce so strong, that even with all Elliston's mismanagement, it cannot well fail of making a hit.Nil desperandumis my motto; so a truce with your friendly forebodings of doubts, and fears, and critics'scratches; for I am determined 'to seek the bubble reputation even in the cannon's mouth.'" Thus ended the colloquy, and on the morning of the morrow Bernard was introduced, in due form, to thedramatis personæof the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (see plate).
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There is as much difference between the rival companies of the two patent theatres as there is between the habits and conduct of the managers: in Covent Garden, the gentlemanly manners of Charles Kemble, and his amiable desire to make all happy around him, has imparted something of a kindred feeling to theperformers; and hence, assisted by the friendly ancient Fawcett, the whole of the establishment has all the united family feeling of a little commonwealth, struggling to secure its independence and popularity. Here Bernard's reception was every thing a young author could wish: kind attention from the company, and considerative hints for the improvement of his play, accompanied with the good wishes of all for its success, left an impression of gratitude upon the mind of the young author, that gave fresh inspiration to his talents, and increased his confidence in his own abilities. At Drury Lane the case was far otherwise; and the want of that friendly attention which distinguished the rival company proved very embarrassing to the early buddings of dramatic genius. Perhaps a slight sketch of the scene might not prove uninstructive to young authors, or fail in its intended effect upon old actors. Reader, imagine Bernard Blackmantle, an enthusiastic and eccentric child of Genius, seated at the green-room table, reading his musical farce to the surrounding company, and then judge what must be the effect of the following little scene.
Bernard Blackmantle reading; Mr. Elliston speaking to Spring, the box-office keeper; and Mr. Winston in a passion, at the door, with the master carpenter; Mr. Knight favouring the Author with a few new ideas; and the whole company engaged in the most amusing way, making side speeches to one another (see plate).
DOWTON. 'Gad, renounce me—little valorous—d——d annoying, (looking at his watch)—these long rehearsals always spoil my Vauxhall dinner—More hints to the Author—better keep them for his next piece.
MUNDEN (sputtering). My wigs and eyes—Dowton's a better part than mine; I'll have a fit of the gout, on purpose to get out of it—that's what I will.
KNIGHT (to the Author). My dear boy, it strikes me that it might be much improved. (Aside) Got an idea; but can't let him have it for nothing.
HARLEY (to Elliston). If this piece succeeds, it can't be played every night—let Fitz. understudy it—don't breakfast on beef-steaks, now. If you wish to enjoy health—live at Pimlico—take a run in the parks—and read Abernethy on constitutional origin.
TERRY (to Mrs. Orger). It's a remarkable thing that the manager should allow these d——d interruptions. If it was my piece, I would not suffer it—that's my opinion.
WALLACE (to himself). What a little discontented mortal that is!—it's the best part in the piece, and he wishes it made still better.
ELLISTON (awakening). Silence there, gentlemen, or it will be impossible to settle this important point—and my property will, in consequence, be much deteriorated. (Enter Boy with brandy and water.) Proceed, sir—(to Author, after a sip)—Very spirited indeed.
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Enter Sam. Spring, touching his hat.
SPRING. Underline a special desire, sir, next week? Elliston. No, Sam., I fear our special desires are nearly threadbare.
Prompter's boy calling in at the door. Mr. Octavius Clarke would be glad to speak with Mr. Elliston.
ELLISTON. He be d——d! Silence that noise between Messrs. Winston and Bunn—and turn out Waterloo Tom.
MADAME VESTRIS. My dear Elliston, do you mean to keep us here all day?
ELLISTON (whispering). I had rather keep you all night, madame.
SHERWIN (to G. Smith). I wish it may be true that one of our comedians is going to the other house; I shall then stand some chance for a little good business—at present I have only two decent parts to my back.
LISTON (as stiff as a poker). If I pass an opinion, I must have an increase of salary; I never unbend on these occasions.
MRS. ORGER (to the author). This part is not so good as Sally Mags. I must take my friend's opinion in the city.
MISS STEPHENS (laughing). I shall only sing one stanza of this ballad—it's too sentimental.
MISS SMITHSON (aside, but loud enough for the manager to hear). Ton my honour, Mr. Elliston never casts me any thing but the sentimental dolls andla laladies.
G— SMITH (in a full bass voice). Nor me any thing but the rough cottagers and banditti men; but, never mind, my bass solo will do the trick.
GATTIE (yawning). I wish it was twelve o'clock, for I'm half asleep, and I've made a vow never to take snuff before twelve; if you don't believe me, ask Mrs. G. After the hit I made in Monsieur Tonson, it's d—d hard they don't write more Frenchmen.
MADAME VESTRIS. Mr. Author, can't you make this a breeches part?—I shall beall abroadin petticoats.
BERNARD BLACKMANTLE. I should wish to beat homewith Madame Vestris.
MRS. HARLOWE. Really, Mr. Author, this part of mine is a mere clod's wife—nothing like so good as Dame Ashfield. Could not you introduce a supper-scene?
At length silence is once more obtained; the author finishes his task, and retires from theGreen-roomlooking as blue as Megrim, and feeling as fretful as the renowned Sir Plagiary. Of the success or failure of the two productions, I shall speak in the next volume; when I propose to give the first night of a new play, with sketches of some of the critical characters who usually attend. In the evening, Transit, Echo, and Heartly enlisted me for the Lord Mayor's ball at the Mansion House—a most delightful squeeze; and, it being during Waithman's mayoralty, abounding with lots of character for my friend Bob; to whose facetious pencil, I must at present leave the scene (see plate); intending to be more particular in my civic descriptions, should I have the honour of dining with the Corporation next year in their Guildhall.
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The wind-up of the term rendered it essentially necessary that I should return to Oxford with all possible expedition, as my absence at such a time, if discovered, might involve me in some unpleasant feeling with the big wigs. Hither I arrived, in due time to save a lecture, and receive an invitation to spend a few weeks in the ensuing year at Cambridge, where my kind friend Horace Eglantine has entered himself of Trinity; and by the way of inducement, has transmitted the characteristic sketch of the notorious Jemmy Gordon playing off one of his mad pranks upon the big wigs of Peter-House, (see plate) the particulars of which, will, with more propriety, come into my sketches at Cambridge.
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We are here all bustle—Scouts packing up and posting off to the coach-offices with luggage—securing places for students, and afterwards clearing places for themselves—Oxford Duns on the sharp look-out for shy-ones, and pretty girls whimpering at the loss of their lovers—Dons and Big wigs promising themselves temporal pleasures, and their ladies reviling the mantua-makers for not having used sufficient expedition—some taking their last farewell ofalma mater, and others sighing to behold the joyous faces of affectionate kindred and early friends. Longbills, and stilllongerpromises passing currently—and the High-street exhibiting a scene of general confusion, until the last coach rattles over Magdalen bridge, and Oxford tradesmen close theiroaks.
Bernard Blackmantle.
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ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE ENGLISH SPY.to face pageI.A SHORT SET-TO AT LONG'S HOTEL; OR,STOPFORD NOT GETTING THE BEST OF IT. 14II.COURTIERS CAROUSING IN A CADGER'S KEN. 28III.THE WAKE; OR, TEDDY O'RAFFERTY'S LASTAPPEARANCE. A Scene in the Holy Land. 30IV.THE CYPRIAN'S BALL AT THE ARGYLL ROOM. 42V.JOHN LISTON AND THE LAMBKINS; OR, THECITIZEN'S TREAT. 57VI.THE GREAT ACTOR; OR, MR PUNCH IN ALL HISGLORY. 62Amusements of the lower orders. Scene in Leicester-fields.VII.COLLEGE GHOSTS. 66A Frolic of the Westminster Blacks. A Scene in Dean'sYard.VIII.THE MARIGOLD FAMILY ON A PARTY OF PLEA-SURE; OR, THE EFFECT OF A STORM IN THELITTLE BAY OF BISCAY, otherwise, CHELSEAREACH. 68Hints to Fresh Water Sailors, the Alderman and familyrunning foul of the Safety. A bit of Fun for the WestminsterScholars. How to make Ducks and Geese swim after theyare cooked. Calamities of a Cit's Water Party to Richmond.IX.THE EPPING HUNT ON EASTER MONDAY; OR,COCKNEY COMICALITIES IN FULL CHASE. 73Lots of Characters and Lots of Accidents, Runaways andFly-aways, No Goes and Out and Outers, the Flask and theFoolish, Gibs, Spavins, Millers and Trumpeters. The Stagagainst the Field. Bob Transit's Excursion with the Nackerman.X.THE TEA-POT ROW AT HARROW; OR, THE BATTLEOF HOG LANE. 81Harrow boys making a smash among the Crockery, a SceneSketched from the Life, dedicated to the Sons of Noblemenand Gentlemen participators in the Sport.XI.THE CIT'S SUNDAY ORDINARY AT THE GATEHOUSE, HIGHGATE; OR, EVERY HOG TO HISOWN APPLE. 89Another Trip with the Marigold Family. Specimens ofGormandizing. Inhabitants of Cockayne ruralizing. Cits andtheir Cubs. Cutting Capers, a scramble for a Dinner.XII.BULLS AND BEARS IN HIGH BUSTLE; OR, BILLYWRIGHT'S PONY MADE A MEMBER OF THESTOCK EXCHANGE. 124Interior view of the Money Market. Portraits of well-knownStock Brokers. A Scene Sketched from the Life.XIII.THE PROMENADE AT COWES. 162With Portraits of noble Commanders and Members of theRoyal Yacht Club.XIV.THE RETURN TO PORT. 184Sailors Carousing, or a Jollification on board the Piranga.XV.POINT STREET, PORTSMOUTH. 188Chairing the Cockswain. British Tars and their Girls inhigh Glee.XVI.EVENING AND IN HIGH SPIRITS, A SCENE ATLONG'S HOTEL, BOND-STREET. 192Well-known Roués and their Satellites. Portraits from theLife, including the Pea Green Hayne, Tom Best, Lord W.Lennox, Colonel Berkeley, Mr. Jackson, White Headed Bob,Hudson the Tobacconist, John Long, &c. &c.XVII.MORNING, AND IN LOW SPIRITS, A LOCK UPSCENE IN A SPONGING HOUSE, CAREY STREET.—A BIT OF GOOD TRUTH. 206For Particulars, see Work; or inquire of Fat Radford, theDomini of the Domxts.XVIII.THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN HIGH DEBATE. 210Sketched at the time when II. R. H. the Duke of York wasmaking his celebrated Speech upon the Catholic Question.Portraits of the Dukes of York, Gloucester, Wellington, De-vonshire, Marquesses of Anglesea and Hertford, Earls of Liver-pool, Grey, Westmorland, Bathurst, Eldon, and Pomfret,Lords Holland, King, Ellenborough, &c. &c. and the wholeBench of Bishops.XIX.THE POINT OF HONOUR DECIDED; OR, THE LEADENARGUMENTS OF A LOVE AFFAIR. 214View in Hyde Park. Tom Echo engaged in an affair ofhonour. A Chapter on Duelling.XX.THE GREAT SUBSCRIPTION ROOM AT BROOKES'S. 217Opposition Members engaged upon Hazardous Points. Por-traits of the Great and the Little well-known ParliamentaryCharacters.XXI.THE EVENING IN THE CIRCULAR ROOM; OR, ASQUEEZE AT CARLTON PALACE. 219Exquisites and Elegantes making their way to the PresenceChamber. Portraits of Stars of Note and Ton, Blue Ribandsand Red Ribands, Army and Navy.XXII.THE HIGH STREET, CHELTENHAM. 222Well-known characters among the Chelts.XXIII.GOING OUT. 226A View of Berkeley Hunt Kennel.XXIV.THE ROYAL WELLS AT CHELTENHAM; OR, SPAS-MODIC AFFECTIONS FROM SPA WATERS. 245Chronic Affections and Cramp Comicalities.XXV.THE BAG-MEN'S BANQUET. 248A View of the Commercial Room at the Bell Inn, Chelten-ham. Portraits of well-known Travellers.XXVI.THE OAKLAND COTTAGES, CHELTENHAM; OR, FOXHUNTERS AND THEIR FAVOURITES, A TIT BIT,DONE FROM THE LIFE. 268Dedicated to the Members of the Berkeley Hunt.XXVII.DONCASTER RACE COURSE DURING THE GREATST. LEGER RACE, 1825. 269Well-known Heroes of the Turf. Legs and Loungers.XXVIII.THE COMICAL PROCESSION FROM GLOUCESTERTO BERKELEY. 288XXIX.THE POST OFFICE, BRISTOL. 293Arrival of the London Mail. Lots of News, and NewCharacters. Portraits of well-known Bristolians.XXX.FANCY BALL AT THE UPPER ROOMS, BATH. 302XXXI.THE PUMP ROOM, BATH. 311Visitors taking a sip with King Bladud.XXXII.THE OLD BEAU AND FALSE BELLE; OR, MR. B.AND MISS L. 316A Bath Story.XXXIII.THE PUBLIC BATHS AT BATH; OR, STEWINGALIVE. 320Bernard BlackmantlE and Bob Transit taking a Dip withKing Bladud. Union of the Sexes. Welsh Wigs andDecency. No Swimming or Plunging allowed.XXXIV.MILSOM STREET AND BOND STREET, OR BATHSWELLS. 326Well-known Characters at the Court of King Bladud.XXXV.THE BUFF CLUB AT THE PIG AND WHISTLE,AVON STREET, BATH. 332A Bit of Real Life in the Territories of old King Bladud.XXXVI.THE BOWLING ALLEY AT WORCESTER; OR, THEWELL-KNOWN CHARACTERS OF THE HAND ANDGLOVE CLUB. 335