Chapter XV (3)

=Mob.=--A contraction of the Latin _mobile_--the fickle crowd. Query: As _Mob_ is mobility, is _Nob_ nobility?

=Moisten your Chaffers.=--To drink.

=Mollishers.=--A slang term made use of by thieves and police officers for low prostitutes.

=Moncrieff, W. G. T.=--_Otherwise_ William George Thomas, author of between two and three hundred dramas, &c., died in the Charter-house, December 8, 1857, aged 63.

=Money-Lenders.=--Bob Logic termed those persons _Brags_ in consequence of their repeatingly advertising to render embarrassed individuals assistance, yet making them _pay_ well for it; something after the old adage, that “BRAG’S a good dog; but _Holdfast_ is a better!”

=Mot.=--A prostitute. _A Leary Mot_, a knowing one:--

Rum old Mog was a _leary_ flash _mot_, and she was round and fat,
With _twangs_ in her shoes, a wheel-barrow too, and an oil skin round
her hat;
A blue birds-eye o’er _dairies_ fine, as she _mizzled_ through Temple
Bar--
Of vich side of the vay, I cannot say, but she _boned_ it from a Tar.
Singing Fol-lol-lol-lido.

Now Mog’s flash com-pan-ion was a Chick-lane gill, and he garter’d below
his knee,
He had twice been _pull’d_, and nearly _lagg’d_, but got off by going
to sea;
With his pipe and quid, and _chaunting_ voice, Potatoes he would cry;
For he valued neither _cove_ nor _swell_, for he had _wedge_ snug in his
cly.
Singing Fol-lol-lol.

One night they went to a Cock-and-Hen Club, at the sign of the Mare and
Stallion,
But such a sight was never seen as Mog and her flash com-pan-ion;
Her _covey_ was an am’rous blade, and he buss’d young Bet on the sly,
When Mog up with her _daddle_ bang-up to the mark, and she black’d the
Bunter’s eye.
Singing Fol-lol-lol.

Now this brought on a general fight, Lord, what a gallows row--
With whacks and thumps throughout the night, till drunk as David’s sow--
Milling up and down--with cut heads, and lots of broken ribs,
But the _lark_ being over--they _ginned_ themselves at jolly Tom Cribb’s.
Singing Fol-lol-lol.

=Mother Cummins.=--In Dyott Street, St. Giles’s--now George Street, after George Prince of Wales--but called Dyott Street after Sir Thomas Dyott, _temp._ Charles II., lived that most notorious and world-renowned lodging-house keeper “Mother Cummins,” so well-known to all the _Bucks_ about town, in their hot youth, when George the Third was King.

Oh, she lives snug in the Holy Land
Right, tight, and merry in the Holy Land,
Search the globe round, none can be found
So _accommodating!_ as Old Mother Cummins
Of the Holy Land.

It is related that Major Hanger accompanied George IV. to a beggar’s carnival in St. Giles’s. He had not been there long when the Chairman, Sir Jeffery Dunston, addressing the company, and pointing to the then Prince of Wales, said “I call upon that ’ere gemman with a shirt for a song.” The Prince, as well as he could, got excused upon his friend promising to sing for him, and he chaunted in a prime style a flash ballad full of “St. Giles’s Greek,” for which he received great applause. The Major’s health having been drunk with nine times nine, and responded to by him, wishing them “good luck till they were tired of it,” he departed with the Prince to afford the company time to fix their different routes for the ensuing day’s business.

=Mother Emerson’s.=--A night-house situate in the Haymarket, at one time called the Turk’s Head, but of later times named the Waterford Arms, out of compliment to the late generous-hearted and frolicsome Marquis of Waterford, who was a great patron and supporter of the house.

The late--self-styled--Lord Chief Baron Nicholson: who was intimately acquainted with “Mother Emerson,” wrote of her thus.--“In business Mrs. Emerson was a wonder. I cannot possibly do better than present a sketch of her in and out of her trade:--”

NIGHT-HOUSES AND THEIR KEEPERS.

MRS. EMERSON.

’Twas landlady Meg that made such rare flip;
Pull away, pull away, my hearties;
At Wapping she lived, at the sign of the Ship,
Where tars met in such jolly parties.
_Dibdin._

The famous landlady, Meg of Wapping, might have been very celebrated, and a very great person, at the time she lived, and at the particular part of the town she resided in, namely, that _Fashionable Watering-Place_, Wapping; but all landladies of the present day are placed in the shade, totally eclipsed, by that all-accomplished and indefatigable woman of business, Mrs. Emerson, of the Waterford Arms, late the Turk’s Head, Haymarket.

Although she is not defunct, she may be properly termed the _late_ Mrs. Emerson. Night after night she keeps her body up, and her appearance, every time we see her she seems to look younger and fresher. She is quite a character in her way, and the best flat-catcher in London. “How d’ye do, my dear?” is her general salutation to the swells who frequent her lush-crib. “Well, I thank you, mother,” is the reply. “What’ll you take?” For it is considered a great honour amongst the flats to get mother to drink with them. “Oh! Sherry, my son; Sherry for me,” says mother.

“A bottle of sherry here, waiter,” says the flat; and she makes the favoured few who have the right of _entrée_ behind her bar, pay for the distinguished indulgence.

The Irishmen say, “Who has e’er had the luck to see Donnybrook Fair?” We ask, “Who has e’er had the luck to see Mistress Emerson on a race-course? We have, and a greater out-and-outer we never met--“Rich and rare were the gems she wore:”--and there you may see the gay old gal togged to the extreme of fashion, with pink silk stockings to display her well-shaped understandings--for we must inform our readers that mother don’t stand upon trifles--generally a nice satin shoe and dress; also lots-and-lots of jewellery, stated to be worth, including _thimble_, _hoops_, and _chin-prop_, something approaching a cool thousand. It is a great advantage to single gentlemen _wot_ go to the races to be acquainted with mother; she always takes a plentiful supply of _wittles_, and an awful lot of the sparkling and still--not the _private still_; for amongst her friends and patrons she makes it as public as possible, and when she is really “standing sam,” as she facetiously calls it, you can’t make more free than welcome.

In conclusion, we must observe that we do justice to every one, and seek not to gain popularity by villifying those who are not in a situation to resent it. In many--very many instances the public little know--or care of whom they speak, and we are all too prone to come to hasty conclusions, and to speak with prejudice and without inquiry. Now be it known to all who care to know, that, Mrs. Emerson is really and truly a very kind-hearted and charitable person, in spite of the very disadvantageous position she stands in with the public by keeping a night-house. She strives as much as possible to prevent the ingress of improper characters, and so far she is successful, for no robbery has ever taken place in her house since she has been in business.

=Mother H’s.=--Was a notorious night-house opposite the front entrance of Drury Lane Theatre, and then the great _rendezvous_ for the gay city birds, as well as the more fantastic dandies of the West-end. Mother H., or Mrs. Hoskins, was the _remnant_ of Mr. Hoskins, who had, in the words of George Barrington, the pickpocket, _par excellence!_ “Left his country for his country’s good.” Mother H. is described by a writer who knew her well as the “ugliest woman I ever beheld; but she dearly loved paint, dress, and decorations. Her attire was in the highest style of fashion, generally black velvet or satin, jewellery in profusion, silk stockings, and very neat kid shoes. She had rather a pretty ankle.” “_Apropos_ of her shoes, I may remark that the old girl was artful, deceitful, and dishonest. I remember a half-drunken, foolish fellow dropping a handful of sovereigns in the large supper-room. A number of the fair and frail were present; Mother H. said, “Now girls, stand away, I’ll pick them up and see that the gentleman ain’t robbed;” she should have added, “_By any one but myself_,” for about every second sovereign she took from the floor she “welled” in her shoes. “Well,” said one of the girls; “I don’t blame you mother, but I should like to stand in your shoes.” Mother H. retired with an ample fortune. Turned--as a matter of course, _very religious_, married a highly respectable timber merchant at Brighton, who died and left her money. She again tried her luck in the matrimonial lottery, although nearly seventy years of age. Her third husband was a serious, calm, tall and respectable Dissenter, who outlived her.”

=Mother’s Milk.=--The liquor we like best.

=Mouse.=--Is a black--or perhaps, more correctly speaking, a swollen eye.

=Move on the Board.=--An action in life.

=Mudlarks.=--Men who rake about the mud on the banks of the Thames, when the tide is out, for what they can find.

=Muff.=--A soft article, a tool, a fool: a soft _thing_ that holds a lady’s hand without squeezing it!

=Munden, Joseph.=--Comedian, died February 6, 1832, aged 74.

=Mutton Walk.=--The Saloons of Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres--“Upon the arrival of TOM and JERRY at Drury Lane Theatre, the performances did not operate on their feelings as a source of attraction. It is true they took a _glimpse_ at the play, but as they did not go for anything like _criticism_ on the abilities of the actors, or to descant upon the merits of the pieces, it was merely a _glimpse_ indeed. Our heroes went upon another errand. Their eyes were directed to different parts of the house; and TOM not meeting with any of his acquaintances at ‘Old Drury,’ as he had anticipated, they immediately pushed off to take a peep at Covent Garden Theatre. A _look_ at the stage was quite sufficient for their purpose; and without any more delay, the CORINTHIAN and JERRY soon _bustled_ into the Saloon.

“TOM and his Coz, had scarcely reached the place for refreshments, when the _buz_ began, and they were surrounded by numbers of the gay _Cyprians_ who nightly visit this place. Some of these _delicate_ heroines, soon began to jeer the CORINTHIAN on the _cause_ of his absence; while others of these _Lady Birds_ were offering their congratulations to him on his restoration to Society. JERRY being in company with so distinguished a hero as TOM was of itself a sufficient source of attraction to these _Fancy Pieces_ to pay their court to HAWTHORN; and, accordingly, their cards were presented to JERRY, in order to grace their lists with the addition of a _new_ and rich _Friend_. These cards rather puzzled JERRY, who appeared astonished that such dashing females should keep _Shops!!!?_”

=My Uncle.=--The cant term for a pawnbroker:--

Who lives where hang those golden balls,
Where Dick’s poor mother often calls,
And leaves her _dickey_, gown, and shawls?--MY UNCLE.

Who, when you’re _short_ of the _short_ stuff,
_Nose-Starving_ for an ounce of snuff,
Will “_raise the wind_” without a _puff_?--MY UNCLE.

A _poor_ PUNSTER, who was hurrying through the streets one evening, was met by a friend, who asked him where he was going in such great haste? The _humourist_ being rather _shy_ in stating his errand, as well as anxious to conceal the _poverty_ of his circumstances, and having only a few minutes left before his ticket or _Mortgage-deed!_ expired as to _date_, which not being renewed, his property must have been forfeited, turned off the question, with a smile, observing, “To a place of _amusement_.” “What part of the house?” “To the private boxes.” “Is it a good piece?” “Excellent! It abounds with incidents; and you cannot depart without feeling an _interest_ in it.” “What’s the name of it?”--“JUST IN TIME!” “So I’m off at once,” replied the PUNSTER.

N.

=Nab.=--To catch or seize. _Nabbed_, caught.

=Nabob.=--Corruption of the Hindoo word Nawâb. An administrator, commander, and other high officers under the Mogul empire. These men acquired great wealth and lived in Eastern splendour, so that they gave rise to the phrase, “Rich as a Nawâb,” corrupted into _Rich as a Nabob_. In England we apply the phrase to a merchant who has obtained great wealth in the Indies, and has returned to live--and die in his native country.

=Nail.=--To prig, or to capture. _I nailed_ him on the spot. _To pay down on the Nail_, to pay ready money on the counter--which was often studded over with nails.

=Naked Truth.=--The fable says that Truth and Falsehood went bathing: Falsehood came first out of the water, and dressed herself in Truth’s garments, Truth, unwilling to take those of Falsehood, went naked.

=Nap.=--To catch, to grasp.

=Napping.=--To be taken in the act, especially in adultery. “To catch napping--_Rem in re_.”

=Napping your Bib.=--Crying, and wiping your eyes with an apron.

=Nappy Ale.=--Strong ale is so called either because it makes one _nappy_, or else because it contains a nap or frothy head.

=Nash.=--To throw away. _Nash your leading strings_, throw off all restraint.

=Natty.=--Tidy, methodical and neat. _Natty Lads_, young pickpockets.

=Needful.=--Money. _To show the Needful_, to produce the money.

=Never-wag Man of War.=--The Fleet Prison.

=Nibble.=--To steal.

=Nob.=--Head. _Nobbed_, thumped on the head.

=Nob Thatchers.=--Straw bonnet makers, also wig makers.

=Nod.=--He’s gone to the land of Nod, _i.e._, he’s gone to bed.

=Noodle.=--An _ass_ of the _human_ species.

=Nose.=--An informer. _Out on the nose_, a night search.

=Nun.=--A mealy mouthed prostitute.

=Nurses.=--Guardians, tutors, &c.

=Nutty.=--To be _nuts_ upon, is to be very much pleased or gratified with any thing: thus, a person who conceives a strong inclination for another of the opposite sex is said to be quite _nutty_ upon him or her.

Who on a lark, with black-eyed Sal (his blowing)
So prime, so swell, so _nutty_, and so knowing.
Byron’s _Don Juan_.

O.

=Office.=--Warning. _To give the Office_, make people aware.

=Offley’s.=--A sporting hotel, the resort of the Corinthians of the day was in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. To the men about town the excellence of Offley’s catering was well known. In cooking a beefsteak, he was unrivalled; and many a gentleman who had a great _stake_ in the country would walk miles to have a small _steak_ in London, cooked and dished up under the superintendence of “Old Offley” together with a nip of ale, the quality of which was on a par for excellence with the other good things of the house.

Mr. Offley lies buried in the churchyard of St Paul, Covent Garden, only a few feet from the back window of the room which was the scene of so many agreeable orgies. Shortly after his death a hearty toast to his memory was drunk in claret, over his grave, by a few of the jovial herd who loved him in life, and respected him in the tomb.

=Ogles.=--Eyes. _Queer Ogles_, bad eyes.

=Olympic Theatre.=--Was originally erected by Philip Astley, and opened with horsemanship, September 18, 1806. The theatre was leased in 1813 to the celebrated R. W. Elliston. On Monday, November 12, 1821, a dramatised version of “Tom and Jerry,” by Charles Dibdin, was produced: Tom, Mr. Blake; Jerry, Mr. Oxberry; Logic, Mr. Vale. Madame Vestris had the management to 1839, then followed Mr. George Wild, Miss Davenport, and Watts. The theatre was destroyed by fire March, 1849; re-built and opened by Mr. Watts, December 26, 1850.

=Omnibuses.=--The first pair of London omnibuses started from the Yorkshire Stingo, public-house, in the New Road, to the Bank of England and back, on Saturday, July 4th, 1829. They were constructed to carry twenty-two passengers, all inside, and were drawn by three horses abreast. The fare was one shilling, or sixpence for half the distance, together with the luxury of a newspaper. A Mr. J. Shillibeer was the owner of these carriages, and in order that the introduction might have every chance of success and the full prestige of respectibility, he brought over with him from Paris two youths, both the sons of British naval officers, and these young gentlemen were his “conductors.” They were smartly dressed in blue cloth, after the Parisian fashion. Their addressing any foreign passenger in French, and the French style of the affair, gave rise to an opinion that Mr. Shillibeer was a Frenchman, and that the English were indebted to a foreigner for the improvement of their vehicular transit, whereas Mr. Shillibeer had served in the British navy, and was born in Tottenham Court Road; yet he had afterwards carried on the business of a coach builder both in London and Paris. His speculation was particularly and at once successful, for he insured punctuality and civility; and the cheapness, cleanliness, and smartness of his omnibuses were in most advantageous contrast with the high charges, dirt, dinginess, and rudeness of the drivers of many of the “short stages” and Hackney coaches, who were loud in their railings against what they were pleased to describe as a French innovation, and many were the street-papers and ballads issued on the subject both for and against the “Shillibeer’s” and “French Hearses.”

The ’Buss, the ’Buss, the Omnibus!
That welcomes all without a fuss;
And wafts us on with joyous sound,
Through crowded streets on our busy round,
Reckless of cold and gloomy skies,
Or the driving storm as it downward hies:
Stow’d snug in thee! stow’d snug in thee!
I am where I would wish to be,
While the rain above and the mud below
Affects me not where’er I go----
Though the sleet and the slush be ankle deep,
What matters? while I can ride so cheap!
What matters? &c.

I love, oh how I love to ride
In cozy converse, side by side,
With some sweet sly enchanting one,
Who lets her little ’larum run
Till scarcely can the listener know
If that or Time more swiftly go!
Henceforth I’ll know the terrible bore
Of “padding the hoof” no more, no more;
But back to his seat I so oft have press’d
I’ll spring, to be wafted the while I rest:
For thou, dear ’Bus! art a home to me,
While I am snugly seated in thee.
While I am, &c.

=On the Town.=--A man of the world: a person supposed to have a general knowledge of men and manners. In short UP and DOWN _to everything_!

=Operators.=--Pickpockets.

=O.P. and P.S.=--The name given to a tavern in Russell Court, Drury Lane--_See_ Kean’s Head--This sign was construed several ways according as it suited the different _tastes_ of its visitors. The stage-players took it in its original sense, to denominate the tavern a theatrical house;--and the O.P. and P.S., according to its technicality upon the stage, thus--O.P. _Opposite Prompter_, and P.S. the _Prompt Side_. The men of the world placed it in another point of view, “Come and see me to-night,” said they to a friend, “at the O.P. and P.S., where you will be sure to meet some _Old_ PALS, and hear _Prime_ SINGING.” And the Bacchanalians hailed the O.P. and P.S. as the harbour containing fine _Old_ PORT and _Prime_ SHERRY.

=O.P. Riot.=--When the new Covent Garden Theatre was opened in 1809, the charges of admission were increased; but night after night for three months a throng crowded the pit shouting O.P. (_old prices_), much damage was done, and the manager was obliged at last to give way.

=Out-and-Outer.=--A real good one.

=Oxberry, William.=--An actor of many parts: who held a very respectable position at various metropolitan theatres--and was a friend and contemporary with Pierce Egan, W. T. Moncrieff, Leman Rede, Tom Hudson and Beuler--the funny John Reeve--a great _body_ of talent on or off the boards. Bob Keeley--the _multum in parvo_, and other choice spirits of the day, who frequently paid a visit to the coffee-room at the Craven’s Head, Drury Lane, when “_Billy_” Oxberry--that comical wight, acted the part of _Boniface_, to hear him tell his tales, and relate his theatrical and other adventures he had met with in playing “_The Five P’s_,” viz., the Printer, Poet, Publisher, Publican, and Player. (1784-1824.)

P.

=Pad.=--The highway, or a robber thereon; also a bed. _Footpads_, foot robbers. _To go out upon the pad_, to go out in order to commit a robbery. _To pad the hoof_, to walk. _Padding-ken_, a tramp’s lodging-house.

=Paddington Fair Day.=--An execution day; Tyburn being in the parish or neighbourhood of Paddington. _To dance the Paddington frisk_, to be hanged.

=Pal.=--A companion, one who generally accompanies another, or who commit robberies together.

=Parker.=--To part or pay money.

=Patter.=--To speak. _Patterer_, a noisy talkative street hawker of songs, last dying speeches, &c.

=Patter-Flash.=--To talk flash, or the language of thieves.

=Paulo, Signor.=--Comedian and Clown--the original Billy Waters in the Adelphi Version of “Tom and Jerry,” died July 27, 1835, aged 48.

=Pavé.=--The town. _A nymph of the pavé_, a prostitute.

=Pea-Green Hayne--Mr.=--He was nicknamed “_Pea-green_” from his folly in reference to Miss Maria Foote, afterwards the Countess of Harrington. It will be remembered that that beautiful and accomplished lady brought an action against Hayne for breach of promise of marriage, and recovered 3000_l._ damages; but Hayne was not _green_ upon that account; it was an affair which the shrewdest man of fashion might have fallen into. If _greenness_ existed at all in Hayne on that question, it laid in not marrying her. Fate, however, designed for the lady a better match. The eccentric Lord Harrington, though a wild, sporting, boxing spirit, as Lord Petersham, was, as the Earl, one of the most refined gentlemen that ever added grace to a coronet; and it might be fairly said that his Lordship did so. Mr Hayne was a man with a mind well stored; he had experience to aid him. In his association with Ned Baldwin, _alias_ White-headed Bob, the pugilist, whom he trained and backed, and other fast celebrities of the day, he learnt much, though he paid dearly for it.

=Peck.=--To eat. _Peck and Booze_, victuals and drink. _Peckish_, hungry. _Peck-alley_, the throat.

=Peel.=--To strip, to undress; allusion to the taking off of the coat or rind of an orange.

=Peepers.=--Eyes. _Single peeper_, a one eyed man.

=Pewter.=--Money, from the close alliance of much of our so-called _silver_. _To stump the pewter_, to pay money.

=Pierce Egan.=--Author of “Tom and Jerry,” died August 3, 1849, aged 77.

=Pig and Tinder-box.=--A jocular term for the sign of the Elephant and Castle.

=Pigs.=--Thief-takers, formerly applied to a Bow Street Officer.

=Pigeons.=--Young beginners, or novices, persons very necessary to be _plucked_. Also companions of the right sort--birds of a feather.

=Pilot.=--A watchman.

=Pimple.=--The head.

=Pinks.=--Dashing fellows. _Pinks_ of the fashion.

=Pipkin.=--The head. _To crack a pipkin_, to break a head.

=Pippen.=--A good fellow.

=Plum.=--_He is worth a plum_--is said of a man possessed of £100,000, and of him who has only realized £50,000, he’s got but “half-a-plum.”

=Pockets to Let.=--When there’s no money in them--such are best let alone.

=Point Nonplus.=--Neither money nor credit.

=Police.=--The London police grew out of the London watch, instituted about 1253; the whole system was remodelled by Mr., afterwards Sir Robert Peel, by 10 Geo. IV., 19th June, and the New Police commenced duty 29th September, 1829. Sir Richard Mayne was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan District. The new system was not popular with the people, nor with those who deemed they had “vested rights,” and the constables were considered as a target that every one might fire off their chaff and witticism at with impunity. The terms “Bobby and Peeler”--after Robert Peel, immediately became the cant words, together with “Blue Bottles,” “Blue Devils,” the “Royal Blues; or, the Cook’s Own,” and other opprobious terms. Within a month of the establishing of the New Police--viz., on the 14th of October, 1829, one of the members, named John Jones, was charged, at the Hatton Garden Police-station, with stealing a scrag of mutton, from the stall-board of a butcher, named Samuel, in Skinner Street, Somer’s Town. The circumstance having been witnessed by a neighbour, he pursued the policeman, and took him into custody. He had fifteen shillings and sixpence in his pocket. In his defence, he said he was going to take the mutton to show his wife. This was a circumstance that could not be lost sight of by the Seven Dials printers, and several street-papers and ballads were immediately issued on the subject, and continued to find a ready sale for some months; while “Who stole the mutton?” became the by-word. Following is one of the many ballads that appeared:--

THE NEW POLICEMAN, AND THE SOMERS TOWN BUTCHER.

Air--“_Bob and Joan._”

Hollo! New Police,
Who in blue coats, strut on,
Your fame you wont increase
By stealing joints of mutton,
Who would e’er suppose,
In such handsome rigging,
Spick and span new clothes,
Men would go a prigging?
Hollo! New Police, &c., &c.

At very little cost
Jones wished to have a luncheon;
But now the blade has lost
His uniform and truncheon.
Alas! the worthy soul,
While the victuals bagging,
Tho’ a _scrag_ he stole
Never dreamt of _scragging_. Hollo! &c., &c.

Off he made a move,
And muttered in retreating,
“D----, this will prove
Very good eating!”
With this bit of meat,
Doubtless quite enraptur’d;
But joy is very fleet,
And Mr. Jones was captur’d. Hollo! &c., &c.

“Oh!” cried Mr. Jones,
“This is inconvenient!
Curse the mutton bones--
Gentlemen, be lenient.
This joint you will remark
(The truth I won’t conceal it),
I _borrowed_ for a lark--
I never meant to steal it.” Hollo! &c., &c.

Here’s a pretty prig,
Thus went Somer’s Sam on,
First my meat to prig,
And then to pitch his gammon.
Borrow’d! blow me tight,
Seeing is believing;
I loves the thing vot’s right,
And always hated thieving. Hollo! &c., &c.

Peel’s new plan, I say,
Ought to be rejected,
If this here’s the way
We’re to be protected.
These coves parade the street
In dashing dark blue habit;
But when they eye our meat,
’Tis ten to one they grab it. Hollo! &c., &c.

’Twas droll to hear the chaff
When they were embodied;
Now it makes me laugh
To see so many quodded.
Thieves may feel secure,
Whate’er the hour or weather,
For Sam is very sure
They are all rogues together. Hollo! &c., &c.

The City of London successfully rejected the introduction of the New Police within their territories. “They worn’t a going to hav’ no new French Police Spy system in their ancient and honourable City,” said Alderman Cute-Grub-Bub-Turtle-and-Soup, “not if ve knows it.” Therefore, no one will be surprised at frequently reading in the newspapers of the period paragraphs like the following:--

THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW POLICE.

At the Guildhall, on Monday, October 12th, 1829, after Sir Peter
Laurie had admonished and discharged a disorderly woman, who had been
accused of being noisy in the street, he asked her accuser, a
watchman, named Livingstone, where his beat was? The watchman said it
was from St. Dunstan’s Church to Temple Bar. Do you find any increase
of bad characters on your beat? Watchman (smilingly): Yes, I believe I
do; the New Policemen drives ’em into the City. Sir Peter: Then you
should drive them back again; it would be better than taking them up.
Watchman: When there was a quarrel among them the other night, a
policeman came up and drove them through the Bar, saying, “Ye shan’t
stand here; go into the City with your rows.” Sir Peter Laurie said
that he had heard that a police magistrate had directed the policemen
to drive all bad characters into the City. If there was any truth in
this, it was an imprudent--an improper observation. He desired the
watchman present to drive all the bad characters out of the City. The
thing must be put down. Subsequently, some vagrants were brought up,
and Sir Peter told them to drive them out of the City instead of
apprehending them in future. “We can play at tennis-ball,” said the
Alderman, in an under tone.

“Who stole the Mutton?” together with many other words and phrases in reference to the supposed partiality of the police to _The Cook!_ _The Kitchen!!_ and _The Cold Mutton!!!_ have clung to the service from the day of its formation to the present time, while comic writers of all degrees, in farces, burlesques, songs, and pantomimes, have never failed to make capital out of the New Police, Peel’s Raw-Lobsters, Peeler’s, Blue Bottles, &c., &c.

=Polito’s Beasts.=--Polito, the Italian successor to Pidcock’s Zoological Collection, and very famous in his day. Attracted many thousands of spectators every year at Bartholomew Fair.

=Pony.=--Money. _To post the pony_, to pay down the money, also the sum of twenty-five pounds.

=Poundage Cove.=--A fellow who receives poundage for procuring a customer for damaged goods--also a puffer at auction sales.

=Prads.=--Horses. The swell flashes a fine pair of horses.

=Press-Gang.=--Reporters, better known, perhaps, as gentlemen connected with the _Press_!

=Prigs.=--Pickpockets, and snappers-up of unconsidered trifles in general--from a needle to an anchor!

=Prime Twig.=--In high condition.

=Pudding Sleeves.=--A parson.

=Pull Out.=--To come it strong.

=Punch.=--From the Indian word punj (five); so called from its five ingredients, viz., spirit, water, lemon, sugar and spice. It was introduced into England from Spain, where it is called _ponche_. It is said to be a great “contradiction,” because it is composed of _spirits_ to make it strong, and _water_ to make it weak, of _lemon juice_ to make it sour, and _sugar_ to make it sweet.

=Pupil’s-straits.=--School tuition.

Q.

=Quean.=--A slut, or worthless woman, a strumpet.

=Queer.=--Bad. _To Queer_, to puzzle, or confound.

=Quid.=--A guinea, rather a scarce article now.

=Qui-tam.=--A ╳ species of lawyer, whose dealings are seldom or never on the ◻.

=Quiz.=--A strange looking fellow, an odd dog. _Oxford._

=Quod.=--Newgate, or any other prison.

R.

=Rag.=--Bank notes, money in general. The cove has no _Rag_; the fellow has no money. _Rag-carrier_, an ensign.

=Rainbow.=--A tailor’s pattern book.

=Rain Napper.=--An umbrella.

=Randall, Jack.=--Jack Randall, the _Nonpareil_ of the ring, died at his house, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Chancery Lane, March 12th, 1828, aged 34. Jack was an _Anglo-Irishman_, and first drew his breath in the Hibernian colony of St. Giles. He was the hero of sixteen prize battles, and left the ring undefeated. At this period it was considered he had received not less than £1,200 by his good fortune, but “easy got, easy gone”--as fast as it was got it was spent, until prudence suggested the expediency of laying the foundation of something substantial for his family, and he accordingly closed his bargain for the Hole-in-the-Wall, under the patronage of General Barton, his friends giving him a pipe of wine, instead of a piece of plate, to commence operations. From henceforth he pursued the business of a publican, and was highly respected by all ranks of the _Fancy_. Tom Moore, the Irish poet, was a frequenter of his house, and it was there that he picked up most of his material for his “Tom Cribb’s Memorial to Congress,” &c. The liberality of his friends, however, added to his own predilection for _daffey_, gradually paved the way to the “break-up” of his constitution, and for the last few months of his life he was but the shadow of his former self.

Alas! poor Jack lies on his back,
As flat as any flounder:
Although he died of a _bad inside_,
No _heart_ was ever _sounder_.

The _Hole-in-the-Wall_ was once his _stall_,
His _crib_ the _Fancy_ name it:
A _hole in the ground_ he now has found,
And no one else will claim it.

But too much _lush_ man’s strength will crush,
And so found poor Jack Randall:
His fame once bright as morning light,
Now’s out, like _farthing candle_.

=Rap.=--Money, indifferent of what coin.

=Rattler.=--A Hackney coach. _Rattler_ and _Prad_, a coach and horses. _Rattling-cove_, a coachman.

=Reader.=--A pocket book.

=Ready.=--Money--not always _ready_.

=Red Tape.=--Brandy.

=Reeve, John.=--_Glorious Jack!_ Comedian, died January 24, 1838, aged 39.

=Regular.=--In proper course. _Regulars_, the usual share of the booty.

=Rent.=--Money. _Nap the rent_, receive money.

=Rhino.=--Money.--May there always be plenty _rhino_ betwixt the chaps that you and I know.

=Rig-Out.=--A suit of clothes.

=Right and Fly.=--Complete.

=River Tick.=--Tradesmen’s books.

=Rolled-up.=--Put in a sponging-house.

=Roses, Pinks and Tulips.=--Nobility.

=Rosy Gills.=--One with a sanguine or fresh-coloured countenance.

=Row.=--A street broil.

=Rumbler.=--A Hackney coach.

=Rum One.=--A knowing one.

=Rum Peck.=--Good grub.

=Rum Slim.=--Mixed wine or liquor, Rum Punch.

=Russell, Samuel.=--_Otherwise_ “Jerry Sneak Russell,” from the very admirable manner in which he played the character of the henpecked cockney lout in Foote’s farce of “The Mayor of Garratt.” Mr. Russell was for some years manager of the Theatre Royal, Brighton, where he produced “Tom and Jerry” in 1822. After a long life of toil and trouble as a manager, actor, and--the father of a large family, a charitable benefit was got up for him at the Haymarket Theatre, July 1st, 1841, when “Macbeth” was performed, with Charles Kean as Macbeth; Mr. S. Phelps, Macduff; Lady Macbeth, Miss Ellen Tree. After which Mr. Russell spoke an address thanking his kind friends and patrons for their support and patronage; explaining that he deemed it necessary to address them before his final appearance on the stage, least he should not have the nerve power to do so afterwards. Then followed THE MAYOR OF GARRATT, Jerry Sneak (for the last time), Mr. Russell; Major Sturgeon, Mr. Robert Strickland. Unfortunately the money realized by the Benefit, and the private subscription list, was injudiciously invested in a very risky security; and a year or two afterwards the house of business failing the whole of it was irretrievably lost. Mr. Russell died at his daughter’s residence, Gravesend, February 25, 1845, aged 79.

S.

=Sadler’s Wells.=--The oldest theatre in London, and named in part from a mineral spring, which was superstitiously dispensed by the monks of the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem, from an early date. In the reign of Charles II. a Mr. Sadler, built here a music-house, and in 1683, re-discovered while digging gravel for his garden the _Holy Well_ of “excellent steel water” which in 1684 was visited and drunk by hundreds of persons of every degree in their morning’s walk. In 1765, Mr. Rosoman converted Sadler’s Wells garden into a theatre. Mr. King, of Drury Lane Theatre, was long a partner and stage-manager, and Charles Dibdin and his sons Thomas and Charles were proprietors. Grimaldi, father, son and grandson, were famous clowns. The season of 1803 is memorable for the appearance of the celebrated Italian traveller Signor Benzoni, as the Patagonian Samson, in which character he performed prodigious feats of strength. Wine was sold and drunk on the premises until 1807, under the old regulation,--“for an additional sixpence, every spectator was allowed a pint of either port, Lisbon, mountain, or punch.” On the 15th of October, 1807, twenty three persons, male and female, were killed, and many dangerously injured by reason of a false alarm of “Fire!” New River water was introduced in a tank under the stage, and plays were written and arranged so as to display “Real Water” in some of the scenes, and the place advertised as the AQUATIC THEATRE SADLER’S WELLS. In some cases the “good young man” and rightful heir to the estate, was basely and unmercifully hurled from some rock-work into the angry and surging billows below; by the hired myrmidons of the “Cruel Squire” of the Castle: then it was that the real dog would plunge into the real water, and rescue the real Count De Montfordiano from perdition. At other times the Lord of ----“the star-breasted villain,” was set upon by the highly virtuous villagers, for having disgraced the “Village-born Beauty,” who chased him in and out, and all round about the huge mountain-pass which overhung the “Perilous Pool,” until his noble Lordship! was captured, and then hurled into the “depths below,” and while his _dummy!_ body was descending, it was shot--in two places, by Robin the Ploughman and Virtuous Villager--“under whose calf-skin waistcoat beat a heart truer than all the Lords, Dukes and Squires in wide England and Foreign parts.” Pierce Egan’s own version of “Tom and Jerry”--the “AUTHOR’S PIECE” was performed for the first time on Monday, April 8, 1822; TOM, Mr. Elliott; JERRY, Mr. Keeley; LOGIC, Mr. Vale. But the more honourable distinction of Sadler’s Wells Theatre is the admirable representation of Elizabethan plays under the able management of Mrs. Warner and Messrs. Phelps and Greenwood, by whom it was made “the popular retreat of the regular drama”--1844-59 and 1861.

=Sam=--_To Stand Sam._--To pay for the whole of the reckoning. _Sammy_ is he who is fool enough to do it.

=Sanders, John.=--“_Old Jack of the Adelphi_”--and original Black Sal, died December 9, 1865, aged 66.

=Saving one’s Bacon.=--Taking care of one’s self.

=Schneider.=--A tailor. Scholars will perceive this “cognomen is _german_ to the matter.”

=Scamp.=--A street-walking vagabond of the lowest order.

=Scarce.=--_Non est inventus._

=Scout.=--A watchman.

=Scran.=--Food in general.

=Screen.=--A bank-note.

=Screw.=--A turnkey.

=Screw Loose.=--Something wrong.

=Seven Dials Bard.=--

There is a pleasure in poetic pains,
Which only Poets know.

“Yonder, sir, is Mr. Goosequill, one of the ‘Seven Bards of the Seven Dials,’ a clever man, who came to town with half-a-crown in his pocket, and his tragedy, called the ‘Mines of Peru,’ by which he of course expected to make his fortune. For five years he danced attendance on the manager, in order to hear tidings of its being ‘cast,’ and put into rehearsal, and four years more in trying to get it back again. During the process he was groaned, laughed, whistled, guyed, and nearly kicked out of the secretary’s room, who swore--which well he might do, considering the exhausted treasury of the concern--that he knew nothing about, or ever heard of the ‘Mines of Peru.’ At last Mr. Goosequill, being shown into the manager’s kitchen, to wait till he was at leisure, had the singular pleasure of seeing two acts of the ‘Mines of Peru’ daintily fastened round a savory capon on the spit, to preserve it from the scorching influence of the fire.

“‘This was _foul_ treatment,’ I observed, and I ventured to ask how he had subsisted during the meanwhile? ‘Why he first made an agreement with a printer of Ballads, Last Dying Speeches and Confessions, &c., living in the Seven Dials, who finding his inclinations led to poetry, expressed his satisfaction, telling him that one of his poets had lost his senses, and was confined in Bedlam, and another was dazed with drinking drams. An agreement was made, and he earned five shillings and two-pence-three-farthings per week as his share of this speculation with the muses. But his profits were not always certain. He had often the pleasure of dining with Duke Humphrey, and for this reason he turned his thoughts to prose; and in this walk he was eminently successful, for during a week of gloomy weather he published an _apparition_, on the _substance_ of which he subsisted very comfortably for a month. He often makes a good meal upon a monster. A _rape_ has often afforded him great satisfaction, but a _murder_--an out-and-out _murder_--if well timed, is board, lodging, and washing, with a feast of nectared sweets for many a day.’”

=Shaking the Shallow.=--Tossing in a hat. Three or more coins are shaken together in the hat, then cast out on the table, most heads or most tails being the winner or loser, according to the calling of the players.

=Sharps.=--Persons ready to take you in on all occasions.

=Shell Out.=--Subscribe, or club their pence together.

=Shirk.=--To skulk or get off.

=Shove in the Mouth.=--A glass of gin.

=Shoulder Knot.=--A man-trap or bailiff.

=Six and Eight-pence.=--A lawyer of the first order of _Sharks_, whose whole object in commencing an action is to make a “bill of costs.”

=Sketch-Room.=--THE--in CORINTHIAN HOUSE which was principally dedicated to the productions of the late GEORGE MORLAND, JERRY was rather more if not quite at home, almost skipping with rapture as his eye ran over the subjects of that unrivalled genius of the pencil. NATURE was seen so strongly at every touch that JERRY nearly fancied himself again at HAWTHORN HALL, looking at his dogs, pigs, and horses.

“It was the opinion of CORINTHIAN TOM, in his remarks to JERRY, when the latter first entered this apartment, that if MORLAND had only painted half the number of subjects which are now before the public, their value might have been enhanced twice as much; and _finished_ pictures, instead of _sketches_, most likely would have been the result. This was the reason TOM assigned to JERRY for having it called the SKETCH-ROOM. ‘Nine times out of ten,’ said TOM, ‘dull matter-of-fact calculation is not allied with genius.’ _Money_, to GEORGE MORLAND, was a _colour_ that he did not paint with; and, therefore, respecting its _value_, he seemed to know nothing. _Embarrassment_ and the Catchpoles first drew up the curtain and showed him the iron bars which stopped his thoughtless career. They also explained to him, in the most feeling manner, the _uses_ of a strong lock. They likewise pointed out to GEORGE the difference in his _prospects_,--not in an artist-like manner to his ‘mind’s eye,’ but in a clear distinct way of business, that _twenty shillings_ make a POUND. For the _moment_, he keenly felt the disgusting _cramped_ situation of Carey Street,[40] which compelled him to _peep_ at his objects, through the rails of his apartment: for the _moment_, also, he felt the immediate _necessity_ of procuring the gold _talismanic_ key to give him once more liberty, again to wander amidst the beauties of nature: it was then that MORLAND painted for _money_: it was then that GENIUS was in fetters: it was then that rapid _exertions_ got the better of his _taste_. ‘The sooner you paint _me_ a picture, MR. MORLAND,’ said the _leary_ Bum-trap, ‘the sooner the door will be open to you. Freedom is in view,--and I’ll discharge your debt.’ No skilful angler ever threw his line into waters with more _coaxing_ bait to hook the poor fish, than Mr. _Screw_ ‘tried it on’ with his prisoner. It was plausible: it was better,--it gave no trouble to his acquaintance: it also prevented _shyness_ or REFUSAL from his friends. The lock-up-house, by such means lost its terror. Employment was found for the mind and pencil of _Morland_. He experienced no _shiverings_ of the body--no feverish _parched-up_ tongue, waiting with the most anxious suspense for the return of the messenger to bring the NO, which ultimately sent him to jail, or the delightful YES, that set the prisoner once more at liberty. On the contrary, GEORGE was quite at home. He did as his inclinations prompted him. Jolly fellows called on him in abundance; and the song and the glass went round with the freedom of a tavern. All his wants were supplied, and the _misery_ of a spunging-house was not seen in MORLAND’S apartments. In fact, he was better attended than when out of it. From the _top screw_ to the _stamper cleaner_, all of them felt an interest in waiting upon the ‘GREAT GENIUS,’ as he was termed, in order to take a sly peep at his paintings. _Here_ GEORGE set no price to his pictures, but when he was tired of his companions, and his confined situation, he then industriously, and in a short time, _painted_ himself out of the lock-up house. _Lumbering_ him, never afterwards gave MORLAND any horrors: and, whenever he was in _trouble_, the same kind of judgment was repeated, time and often, till Mr. _Screw_ had realized a tolerable collection of valuable paintings. This officer was rather fond of paintings himself; but when any gentleman took a fancy to purchase any of them, Mr. _Screw_ never betrayed a want of knowledge of their value--by the _prices_ he affixed to them. MORLAND died at the premature age of 41, in October 29, 1804--dissipated habits proved his _quietus_.”

=Slang.=--St. Giles’s Greek--a conversational expression of an irregular, more or less vulgar, type, familiar to and in vogue among a certain class.

=Slavey.=--Servants of all work, in allusion to their laborious employment and hard work.

=Slipped Cover.=--Got away.

=Sluice.=--To drink. _Sluice your whistle_, wet your throat.

=Sly.=--Contraband. _On the sly_, concealed, unlawful.

=Smart Blunt.=--Forfeit money.

=Smash your Countenance.=--To give a thump on the face.

=Smell a Rat.=--To suspect or discover any concealed thing, _a la Hamlet_. _Vide_ Old Polonius behind the arras: “A rat, a rat; dead, for a ducat, dead.”

=Smeller.=--The nose. _A smeller_, a blow on the nose.

=Smokey.=--Suspicious.

=Sneezer.=--The _Conk_ or nose.

=Snicker.=--A small tumbler.

=Snip.=--Mr. Snip a tailor.--Come in, taylor, here you may warm your goose.--_Macbeth._

=Snowball.=--A Negro, or chimney sweeper.

=Soho Bazaar, The.=--The first of its kind in England, was established by John Trotter, Esq., to whose family it still belongs. The building covers a space of 300 feet by 150, and extends from the Square to Dean Street on the one hand, and to Oxford Street on the other. The bazaar occupies two floors, and has counter accommodation for upwards of 160 tenants. The two principal rooms in the building are about ninety feet long, and in them the visitor may find almost every trade represented. One large room is set apart for the sale of books, another for furniture, and another for birds, cages, &c.; and at one end of the latter room is a large recess, occupied with a rustic aviary, through which runs a stream of water. Connected with the bazaar are offices for the registration of governesses and the hire of servants, &c.; and the scene that here presents itself during business hours is one well worthy of a visit. The bazaar has been frequently patronised by royalty.

THE SOHO BAZAAR.

Ladies in furs, and gemmen in spurs,
Who lollop and lounge about all day:
The Bazaar in Soho is completely the go--
Walk into the shop of Grimaldi!
Come from afar, here’s the Bazaar!--
But if you won’t deal with us, stay where you are.

Here’s rouge to give grace to an old woman’s face,
Trowsers of check for a sailor;
Here’s a cold ice, if you pay for it twice,
And here’s a hot goose for a tailor.
Soho Bazaar, come from afar:
Sing ri fal de riddle, and tal de ral la.

Here’s a cock’d hat, or an opera flat--
Here’s a broad brim for a Quaker;
Here’s a white wig for a Chancery prig,
And here’s a light weight for a baker.
Soho Bazaar, &c.

A fringed parasol, or a toad-in-the-hole.
A box of japan to hold backy;
Here’s a relief for a widow in grief--
A quartern of Hodge’s jacky.
Soho Bazaar, &c.

Here, long enough, is a lottery puff
(I was half-drunk when it caught me);
It promised, my eyes! what a capital prize:
And here’s all the rhino it brought me.
Soho Bazaar, &c.

“Put it down to the bill,” is the fountain of ill
This has the shopkeepers undone;
Bazaars never trust--so down with your dust,
And help us to diddle all London.
Soho Bazaar, &c.

=Something Short.=--_A drop of summat short._ A glass of spirits, neat, unmixed--_straight_!

=Some Tune.=--A large amount.

=Spavined.=--Damaged, injured.

=Speeling.=--Gambling generally.

=Spellken.=--A playhouse:--Lord Byron in his _Don Juan_, Canto xi., stanza 19, uses the word in that sense, and then by way of a foot note, adds--

The advance of science and of language has rendered it unnecessary to
translate the above good and true English, spoken in its original
purity by the select nobility and their patrons. The following is a
stanza of a song which was very popular, at least in my early days:--

On the high toby-spice flash the muzzle,
In spite of each gallows old scout:
If you at the _spellken_ can’t hustle,
You’ll be hobbled in making a clout.

Then your Blowing will wax gallows haughty
When she hears of your scaly mistake,
She’ll surely turn snitch for the forty,
That her Jack may be regular weight.

If there be any gem’men so ignorant as to require a translation, I
refer him to my old friend and corporeal pastor and master, John
Jackson, Esq., Professor of Pugilism; who, I trust, still retains the
strength and symmetry of his model of a form, together with his good
humour, and athletic as well as mental accomplishments.

=Spike Hotel.=--The King’s Bench, the Fleet, or any other prison.

=Spree.=--A bit of fun.

=Stand.=--To treat. _Stand the nonsense_, to pay the reckoning, very great nonsense when there’s no occasion for it. _Stand Sammy_, to pay for other people.

=Stand Still.=--A table.

=Stark Naked.=--Pure gin, neat without water.

=Staunch.=--Bang up to the neck, the thing!

=Steamer.=--A pipe. _A swell steamer_, a long pipe--Churchwarden.

=Stiffener.=--A letter.

=Straw Chipper.=--A straw bonnet maker.

=St. Giles’ Greek.=--Cant language. _See_ CANT.

=Street Solicitors.=--Mendicity Societies’ clients, a class of beings that, as before mentioned, BODKIN makes it a _point_ to take care of, in other words--_beggars_.

=String of Onions.=--Costermongers, and others of the lower class.

=Stringer.=--A mace cove, or line man, in plain English a cheat.

=Stumpy.=--Money.

=Stunning Joe Banks.=--Who was in all that’s _flash_, “bang-up to the knocker,” and for many years a very popular and much respected London character. He kept a renowned _lush-crib_ called the “Hare and Hounds,” formerly the “Beggar in the Bush;” in No. 1, Buckeridge Street, within the classic region the “_Holy Land_,” or more frequently termed the _Rookery_ in the heart of St. Giles’. Joe Banks, “mine host” of this boosing-ken; was a civil, rough, good natured, and very elaborate specimen of the _genus homo_, possessing a flow of spirits as extensive as his person. Good nature and conviviality were his leading characteristics, although his regular customers were composed of the veriest cadgers both male and female. The girls without shoes or stockings, clad in rags and jags. The male cadgers seldom or never used a comb or a pocket handkerchief:--

No _small tooth-trap_ their locks disposes
No ’kerchiefs white attack their noses.

It was the fashion of the day for all the _lively spirits--flash kiddies_ and country cousins curious in such matters to visit Stunning Joe Banks’ “CITY OF THE CADGERS” on such occasions, the persons and property of all were sacred while under his roof, and escorted through the intricacies of the “ROOKERY,” by Joe himself--or in his temporary absence by a well and truly trusted _aide-de-camp!_ in order that they might not be in any way molested after leaving his house.

In conclusion we may add that “Stunning Joe Banks’s” _drum_ was the resort of all classes, from the aristocratic marquis--especially he, who before he _mizzled_, _hailed_ from Waterford!--to the _downy_ vagabond, whose way of living was a puzzle to himself.

=Sufferer.=--A tailor or creditor.

=Suspicion of Debt.=--Owing two or three thousand pounds.

=Swag.=--Money, from its appetency to make its possessor _swagger_. _Bag the Swag_, to collect money.

=Swaddies.=--Soldiers.

=Swallow-tail.=--A dress, or tail coat.

=Swell.=--A dashing buck.

=Swill Tub.=--A drunkard, a sot.

=Syntax.=--A schoolmaster.

T.

=Tag, Rag and Bobtail.=--Extremes of low life.

=Tape.=--Spirits--white and red.

=Tartar.=--A sour one, a shrewish woman, a scolding wife.