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.
[367]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.
ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE
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?
[368]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 and la la ladies.
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 be all abroad in petticoats.
BERNARD BLACKMANTLE. I should wish to be at home with 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 the Green-room [369]looking 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.
ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE
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.
ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE
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 of alma mater, and others sighing to behold the joyous faces of affectionate kindred and early friends. Long [370]bills, and still longer promises passing currently—and the High-street exhibiting a scene of general confusion, until the last coach rattles over Magdalen bridge, and Oxford tradesmen close their oaks.
Bernard Blackmantle.
TERM ENDS.
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE ENGLISH SPY.
to face page
I.
A SHORT SET-TO AT LONG'S HOTEL; OR,
STOPFORD NOT GETTING THE BEST OF IT. 14
II.
COURTIERS CAROUSING IN A CADGER'S KEN. 28
III.
THE WAKE; OR, TEDDY O'RAFFERTY'S LAST
APPEARANCE. A Scene in the Holy Land. 30
IV.
THE CYPRIAN'S BALL AT THE ARGYLL ROOM. 42
V.
JOHN LISTON AND THE LAMBKINS; OR, THE
CITIZEN'S TREAT. 57
VI.
THE GREAT ACTOR; OR, MR PUNCH IN ALL HIS
GLORY. 62
Amusements of the lower orders. Scene in Leicester-fields.
VII.
COLLEGE GHOSTS. 66
A Frolic of the Westminster Blacks. A Scene in Dean's
Yard.
VIII.
THE MARIGOLD FAMILY ON A PARTY OF PLEA-
SURE; OR, THE EFFECT OF A STORM IN THE
LITTLE BAY OF BISCAY, otherwise, CHELSEA
REACH. 68
Hints to Fresh Water Sailors, the Alderman and family
running foul of the Safety. A bit of Fun for the Westminster
Scholars. How to make Ducks and Geese swim after they
are cooked. Calamities of a Cit's Water Party to Richmond.
IX.
THE EPPING HUNT ON EASTER MONDAY; OR,
COCKNEY COMICALITIES IN FULL CHASE. 73
Lots of Characters and Lots of Accidents, Runaways and
Fly-aways, No Goes and Out and Outers, the Flask and the
Foolish, Gibs, Spavins, Millers and Trumpeters. The Stag
against the Field. Bob Transit's Excursion with the Nacker
man.
X.
THE TEA-POT ROW AT HARROW; OR, THE BATTLE
OF HOG LANE. 81
Harrow boys making a smash among the Crockery, a Scene
Sketched from the Life, dedicated to the Sons of Noblemen
and Gentlemen participators in the Sport.
XI.
THE CIT'S SUNDAY ORDINARY AT THE GATE
HOUSE, HIGHGATE; OR, EVERY HOG TO HIS
OWN APPLE. 89
Another Trip with the Marigold Family. Specimens of
Gormandizing. Inhabitants of Cockayne ruralizing. Cits and
their Cubs. Cutting Capers, a scramble for a Dinner.
XII.
BULLS AND BEARS IN HIGH BUSTLE; OR, BILLY
WRIGHT'S PONY MADE A MEMBER OF THE
STOCK EXCHANGE. 124
Interior view of the Money Market. Portraits of well-known
Stock Brokers. A Scene Sketched from the Life.
XIII.
THE PROMENADE AT COWES. 162
With Portraits of noble Commanders and Members of the
Royal Yacht Club.
XIV.
THE RETURN TO PORT. 184
Sailors Carousing, or a Jollification on board the Piranga.
XV.
POINT STREET, PORTSMOUTH. 188
Chairing the Cockswain. British Tars and their Girls in
high Glee.
XVI.
EVENING AND IN HIGH SPIRITS, A SCENE AT
LONG'S HOTEL, BOND-STREET. 192
Well-known Roués and their Satellites. Portraits from the
Life, 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 UP
SCENE IN A SPONGING HOUSE, CAREY STREET.—
A BIT OF GOOD TRUTH. 206
For Particulars, see Work; or inquire of Fat Radford, the
Domini of the Domxts.
XVIII.
THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN HIGH DEBATE. 210
Sketched at the time when II. R. H. the Duke of York was
making 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 whole
Bench of Bishops.
XIX.
THE POINT OF HONOUR DECIDED; OR, THE LEADEN
ARGUMENTS OF A LOVE AFFAIR. 214
View in Hyde Park. Tom Echo engaged in an affair of
honour. A Chapter on Duelling.
XX.
THE GREAT SUBSCRIPTION ROOM AT BROOKES'S. 217
Opposition Members engaged upon Hazardous Points. Por-
traits of the Great and the Little well-known Parliamentary
Characters.
XXI.
THE EVENING IN THE CIRCULAR ROOM; OR, A
SQUEEZE AT CARLTON PALACE. 219
Exquisites and Elegantes making their way to the Presence
Chamber. Portraits of Stars of Note and Ton, Blue Ribands
and Red Ribands, Army and Navy.
XXII.
THE HIGH STREET, CHELTENHAM. 222
Well-known characters among the Chelts.
XXIII.
GOING OUT. 226
A View of Berkeley Hunt Kennel.
XXIV.
THE ROYAL WELLS AT CHELTENHAM; OR, SPAS-
MODIC AFFECTIONS FROM SPA WATERS. 245
Chronic Affections and Cramp Comicalities.
XXV.
THE BAG-MEN'S BANQUET. 248
A View of the Commercial Room at the Bell Inn, Chelten-
ham. Portraits of well-known Travellers.
XXVI.
THE OAKLAND COTTAGES, CHELTENHAM; OR, FOX
HUNTERS AND THEIR FAVOURITES, A TIT BIT,
DONE FROM THE LIFE. 268
Dedicated to the Members of the Berkeley Hunt.
XXVII.
DONCASTER RACE COURSE DURING THE GREAT
ST. LEGER RACE, 1825. 269
Well-known Heroes of the Turf. Legs and Loungers.
XXVIII.
THE COMICAL PROCESSION FROM GLOUCESTER
TO BERKELEY. 288
XXIX.
THE POST OFFICE, BRISTOL. 293
Arrival of the London Mail. Lots of News, and New
Characters. Portraits of well-known Bristolians.
XXX.
FANCY BALL AT THE UPPER ROOMS, BATH. 302
XXXI.
THE PUMP ROOM, BATH. 311
Visitors taking a sip with King Bladud.
XXXII.
THE OLD BEAU AND FALSE BELLE; OR, MR. B.
AND MISS L. 316
A Bath Story.
XXXIII.
THE PUBLIC BATHS AT BATH; OR, STEWING
ALIVE. 320
Bernard BlackmantlE and Bob Transit taking a Dip with
King Bladud. Union of the Sexes. Welsh Wigs and
Decency. No Swimming or Plunging allowed.
XXXIV.
MILSOM STREET AND BOND STREET, OR BATH
SWELLS. 326
Well-known Characters at the Court of King Bladud.
XXXV.
THE BUFF CLUB AT THE PIG AND WHISTLE,
AVON STREET, BATH. 332
A Bit of Real Life in the Territories of old King Bladud.
XXXVI.
THE BOWLING ALLEY AT WORCESTER; OR, THE
WELL-KNOWN CHARACTERS OF THE HAND AND
GLOVE CLUB. 335
ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.
1. The Gate House, Highgate, Citizens toiling up the Hill
to the Sunday Ordinary 109
2. A Lame Duck waddling out of the Stock Exchange 139
3. The Dandy Candy Man, a Cheltenham Vignette 283
4. The Floating Harbour and Welsh Back, Bristol. 292
5. Bath Market-place, with Portraits of the celebrated
Orange Women 295
6. The Sporting Club at the Castle Tavern. Portraits of
Choice Spirits 300
7. The Battle of the Chairs 306
8. Vignette. Portraits of Blackmantle the English Spy,
and Transit 343