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
his ~358~~language; 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-erected
thoughts seated in a heart of courtesy; an eloquence as sweet
in 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 has
been supposed to relate to a near relative of the respected
Chief Justice: if it bears any similitude, it is the effect
of accident alone; the portrait being drawn for another and
a very different person, as the reference to altitude might
have shown.
2 See the castigation he received in the Courier of Friday.
Dec. 10, 1824, for his total ignorance of the common terms
of art.
"----that trick of courts to wear
Silk at the cost of flattery."
_James Shirley's Poems_.
~359~~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 make
them 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, the
_aureum flumen orationis_ is 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 the
business of the court is entrusted to _four silk-gowns_, and
about twice as many _worsted_ robes behind the bar.
4 An Impromptu written in the Court of King's Bench during a
recent trial for libel.
The Learned Pig.
"My learned Friend," the showman cries;
The pig assents--the showman lies;
So counsel oft address a brother
In flattering lie to one another;
Calling their friend some legal varlet,
Who lies, and bullies, till he's Scarlett.
~360~~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 at _Nisi 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,~361~~
----" his delights
Are dolphin-like; they show his back above
The 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.
[Illustration: page361]
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.
~362~~Arrangement by bail was impossible: this was a proceeding on a
judgment; and with as little ceremony, and as much _sang froid_ as
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 beneath
The spikes, that wags call _Justice Abbot's teeth_."
The first glimpse of the Obelisk convinced us we had entered the
confines of _Abbot'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 pretty _bit 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_.
~363~~
[Illustration: page363]
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 free
Beyond the proudest slaves of tyranny."
Although I must confess the exhibition we had of _freedom in Banco
Regis_ was 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, ~364~~was
_rough-dried_ by being tossed in a blanket (see plate).
[Illustration: page364]
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 with ~365~~his sketch of the _true sublime_, in which he has
contrived to introduce the portraits of several well-known academicians
_(see plate)_.
[Illustration: page365]
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
desperandum_ is 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 the _dramatis personae_ of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden
(see plate).
[Illustration: page366]
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 the ~366~~performers; 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.
PROGRAMME.
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.
[Illustration: page367]
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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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 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.
[Illustration: page370]
TERM ENDS.
CONCLUSION OF VOLUME ONE.
[Illustration: page371]
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
ILLUSTRIOUS, EMINENT, ECCENTRIC AND NOTORIOUS
DRAWN FROM THE LIFE
By BERNARD BLACKMANTLE
THE ILLUSTRATIONS DESIGNED
BY ROBERT CRUIKSHANK
VOL. II
[Illustration: 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
[Illustration: Titlepage]
[Illustration: Title2]
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.