The English Spy Part 35

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 ba.s.s voice). Nor me any thing but the rough cottagers and banditti men; but, never mind, my ba.s.s 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: page369a]

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: page369b]

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 pa.s.sing 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.

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TERM ENDS.

CONCLUSION OF VOLUME ONE.

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VOLUME II.

THE ENGLISH SPY

AN ORIGINAL WORK, CHARACTERISTIC, SATIRICAL, AND HUMOROUS, COMPRISING SCENES AND SKETCHES IN EVERY RANK OF SOCIETY, BEING PORTRAITS OF THE ILl.u.s.tRIOUS, EMINENT, ECCENTRIC AND NOTORIOUS

DRAWN FROM THE LIFE

By BERNARD BLACKMANTLE

THE ILl.u.s.tRATIONS DESIGNED

BY ROBERT CRUIKSHANK

VOL. II

[Ill.u.s.tration: Spines]

By Frolic, Mirth, and Fancy gay, Old Father Time is borne away.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY SHERWOOD, GILBERT, AND PIPER,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1826.

LONDON.

PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WHITEFRIARS

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[Ill.u.s.tration: t.i.tle2]

ILl.u.s.tRATIONS 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.