The Honourable George Fitz-Forward, my new master, was a younger brother of small means and large pretensions. He had been quartered at Kil-mac-squabble with a detachment, where he had passed the winter in still-hunting, quelling ructions, shooting grouse and rebels, spitting over the bridge, and smoking cigars; and having obtained leave of absence, pour se d'écrasser, was on his way to London for the ensuing season. We travelled in the cab by easy stages, and halted only at great houses on the road, beginning with Plas Newyd, and ending at Sion House. My master's rank, and my talents, were as good as board wages to us; and as the summer was not yet sufficiently advanced for the London winter, we found every body at home, and had an amazingly pleasant time. My master was enchanted with his acquisition. I made the frais of every society; and my repartees and bonmots furnished the Lord Johns and Lady Louisas with subjects for whole reams of pink and blue note-paper. My master frequently said, "That bird is wonderful! he is a great catch!"—and my fame had spread over the whole west end of the town a full week before our arrival in London.

The Metropolitan, No. I

LONDON LYRICS, PROVERBS

My good Aunt Bridget, spite of age, Versed in Valerian, Dock, and Sage, Well knew the Virtues of herbs; But Proverbs gain'd her chief applause, "Child," she exclaimed, "respect old saws, And pin your faith on Proverbs." Thus taught, I dubb'd my lot secure; And, playing long-rope, "slow and sure," Conceived my movement clever; When lo! an urchin by my side Push'd me head foremost in, and cried— "Keep Moving," "Now or Never," At Melton, next, I join'd the hunt, Of bogs and bushes bore the brunt, Nor once my courser held in; But when I saw a yawning steep, I thought of "Look before you leap," And curb'd my eager gelding. While doubtful thus I rein'd my roan, Willing to save a fractured bone, Yet fearful of exposure, A sportsman thus my spirit stirr'd— "Delays are dangerous;"—I spurr'd My steed, and leap'd th' enclosure. I ogled Jane, who heard me say That "Rome was not built in a day," When lo: Sir Fleet O'Grady Put this, my saw, to sea again, And proved, by running off with Jane, "Faint heart ne'er won fair Lady." Aware "New Brooms sweep clean," I took An untaught tyro for a cook, (The tale I tell a fact is) She spoilt my soup; but, when I chid, She thus once more my work undid, "Perfection comes from Practice." Thus, out of every adage hit, And, finding that ancestral wit As changeful as the clime is: From Proverbs, turning on my heel, I now cull Wisdom from my seal, Who's motto's "Ne quid nimis."

New Monthly Magazine

THE GATHERER

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.

SHAKSPEARE.

SHIP LAUNCH

In a few months a new ship will be launched, called the Reform. Admiral, William the Fourth—Chief Mate, Grey—Pilot, Brougham—Purser, Russell—Crew, the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Bound to Palace Yard, Westminster; freight uncommonly cheap, with good stowage.

N.B. For further particulars inquire of Bob Oldborough, at the sign of the Tumble down Dick, Borough, Southwark.

P.T.W

Gold coins (ix James I.) were raised by proclamation, 2s. in every 20s.

Groat.—In the Saxon time, we had no silver money bigger than a penny, nor after the conquest, till Edward III. who about the year 1351, coined grosses (i.e. groats, or great pieces) which went for 4d. a-piece; and so the matter stood till the reign of Henry VII. who in 1504 first coined shillings.

G.K

TWO THOUSAND POUNDS REFUSED BY A BURGESS FOR HIS VOTE

Oldfield, in his History of Boroughs, says, "On the death of the late Lord Holmes, a very powerful attempt was made by Sir William Oglander and some other neighbouring gentlemen, to deprive his lordship's nephew and successor, the Rev. Mr. Troughear Holmes, of his influence over the Corporation of Newport, Isle of Wight. The number of that body was at that time twenty-three, there being one vacancy amongst the aldermen, occasioned by the recent death of Lord Holmes. Eleven of them continued firm to the interest of the nephew, and the same number was equally eager to transfer that interest to Sir William Oglander and the Worsley family. A Mr. Taylor of this town, one of the burgesses, withheld his declaration, and as his vote would decide the balance of future influence, it was imagined that he only suspended it for the purpose of private advantage. Agreeably to that idea, he was eagerly sought by the agents of each party. The first who applied is said to have made him an offer of 2.000l. Mr. Taylor had actually made up his mind to have voted with his party, but the moment his integrity and independence were attacked, he reversed his determination, and resolved to give his suffrage on the opposite side. That party, however, like their opponents, being ignorant of the favour designed them, and of the accident to which they owed it, assailed him with a more advantageous offer. He informed them that he had but just formed the resolution, in consequence of a similar insult from their adversaries, of giving them his support, but since he had discovered that they were both aiming at power by the same means, he was determined to vote for neither of them; and to put himself out of the power of further temptation, he resolved to resign his gown as a burgess of the corporation; which he accordingly did the next day."

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 489, May 14, 1831

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The Metropolitan, No. I

LONDON LYRICS, PROVERBS

New Monthly Magazine

THE GATHERER

SHIP LAUNCH

P.T.W

G.K

TWO THOUSAND POUNDS REFUSED BY A BURGESS FOR HIS VOTE

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