Sir John Harper's Election, 1781. Long as we live there'll be no more Whence, to the Leather Bottle driven, In strife, the great" Sir John" arose And pledged his last, best, drop of blood, Undo all things that wouldn't do, He'd do-in short, he'd do-what none do: The preceding engraving is from a large drawing, by Green, of a scene at this election in 1781, taken on the spot. Until now, this drawing has not been submitted to the public eye. In the above accurate representation of the spot, the sign of the Leather Bottle in Garrett-lane is conspicuous. Its site at that time was different from that of the present public-house bearing that name. It is further observable, that "Harper for ever" is inscribed on the phaeton of the mock candidate for the mock honours of the mock electors; and that the candidate himself is in the act of haranguing his worthy constituents, some of whose whimsical dresses will give a partial idea of the whimsical appearance of the assembled multitude. Every species of extravagant habiliment seems to have been resorted to. The little humourist in a large laced cocked hat, and his donkey in trappings, are particularly rich, and divide the attention of the people on foot with sir John Harper himself. The vender of a printed paper, in a large wig, leers round at him in merry glee. The sweeps, elevated on their bit of "come-up," are attracted by the popular candidate, whose voice seems rivalled by the patient animal, from whose back they are cheering their favourite man. In this election, we find the never-tobe-forgotten sir Jeffery Dunstan, who it is not right to pass without saying something more of him than that on this occasion he was a mere candidate, and unsuccessful. He succeeded afterwards to the seat he sought, and will be particularly noticed hereafter; until when, it would perhaps be more appropriate to defer what is about to be offered respecting him; but the distinguished favour of a communication from C. L. on such a subject, seems to require a distinguished place; his paper is therefore selected to prematurely herald the fame of the celebrated crier of "old wigs" in odd fashioned days, when wigs were a common and necessary addition to every person's dress. REMINISCENCE OF SIR JEFFERY DUNSTAN By C. L. To the Editor of the Every-Day Book. To your account of sir Jeffery Dunstan in columns 829-30 (where, by an unfortunate Erratum the effigies of two Sir Jefferys appear, when the uppermost figure is clearly meant for sir Harry Dimsdale) you may add, that the writer of this has frequently met him in his latter days, about 1790 or 1791, returning in an evening, after his long day's itinerancy, to his domicile-a wretched shed in the most beggarly purlieu of Bethnal Green, a little on this side the Mile-end Turnpike. The lower figure in that leaf most correctly describes his then appearance, except that no graphic art can convey an idea of the general squalor of it, and of his bag (his constant concomitant) in particular. Whether it contained "old wigs" at that time I know not, but it seemed a fitter repository for bones snatched out of kennels, than for any part of a Gentleman's dress even at forked animal" indeed. My life upon it, it contained no curls at the time I speak of. The most decayed and spiritless remnants of what was once a peruke would have scorned the filthy case; would absolutely have "burst its cearments." No, it was empty, or brought home bones, or a few cinders possibly, A strong odour of burnt bones, I remember, blended with the scent of horse-flesh seething into dog's meat, and only relieved a little by the breathings of a few brick kilns, made up the atmosphere of the delicate suburban spot, which this great man had chosen for the last scene of his earthly vanities. The cry of " old wigs" had teased with the possession of any such fripperies; his sack might have contained not unaptly a little mould to scatter upon that grave, to which he was now advancing; but it told of vacancy and desolation. His quips were silent too, and his brain was empty as his sack; he slank along, and seemed to decline popular observation. If a few boys followed him, it seemed rather from habit, than any expectation of fun. Alas! how changed from him, The life of humour, and the soul of whim, Gallant and gay on Garrat's hustings proud. But it is thus that the world rewards its favourites in decay. What faults he had, I know not. I have heard something of a peccadillo or so. But some little deviation from the precise line of rectitude, might have been winked at in so tortuous and stigmatic a frame. Poor Sir Jeffery! it were well if some M. P.'s in earnest have passed their parliamentary existence with no more offences against integrity, than could be laid to thy charge! A fair dismissal was thy due, not so unkind a degradation; some little snug retreat, with a bit of green before thine eyes, and not a burial alive in the fetid beggaries of Bethnal. Thou wouldst have ended thy days in a manner more appropriate to thy pristine dignity, installed in munificent mockery (as in mock honours you had lived) a Poor Knight of Windsor ! anecdote) in the part of Doctor Last.* The announcement drew a crowded house; but notwithstanding infinite tutoringby Foote, or Garrick, I forget whichwhen the curtain drew up, the heart of Sir Jeffery failed, and he faultered on, and made nothing of his part, till the hisses of the house at last in very kindness dismissed him from the boards. Great as his parliamentary eloquence had shown itself; brilliantly as his off-hand sallies had sparkled on a hustings; they here totally failed him. Perhaps he had an aversion to borrowed wit; and, like my Lord Foppington, disdained to entertain himself (or others) with the forced products of another man's brain. Your man of quality is more diverted with the natural sprouts of his own. THE GARRETT Oath. C. L. of qualification, administered to the elec tors at the Garrett hustings, has been already said in the letter to Dr. Ducarel, on column 826. It was printed, and from one of these once manifold documents, which are now so rare as not to be attainable in a perfect state, the following title, &c. is copied literally. Almost all that can be said of the oath "The OATH of Ancient Borough of According as it stands in the Old Record handed down to us By the GRAND VOLGEE by order of the Great CHIN KAW CHIPO First EMPEROR of the MOON Anno Mundi 75. ably and quietly into possession of a "THAT you have been admitted peaceFreehold [Here the original, referred to, is so defective as not to be copyable.] * # Every distinct place of public speaking demands an oratory peculiar to itself. The forensic fails within the walls of St. Stephen. Sir Jeffery was a living instance of this, for in the flower of his popularity an attempt was made to bring him out RAT; and that you did (bona fide) keep upon the stage (at which of the winter heatres I forget, but I well remember the "within the said manor of GAR * It was at the Haymarket theatre. Editor. (ad rem) possession · (durante bene plavito) without any let, suit, hindrance, or molestation whatever "SWORN (coram nobis) at our Great Hall on Garrat Green, covered with the plenteous harvest of the Goddess Ceres, and dedicated to the Jovial God Comus.". tre-royal in Drury-lane." On turning to the "dramatis personæ," it will be found he performed Major Sturgeon himself, and, likewise, Matthew Mug in the same piece: Mrs. Clive playing Mrs. Sneak to Weston's Jerry Sneak. Foote's "Mayor of Garratt" may be deemed an outline of the prevailing drollery and manners of the populace at More than this it is not possible to Wandsworth: a scene or two here will be give of the Garrett oath. amusing and in place. This dramatist sketched so much from the life, that it is doubtful whether every marked character in his "comedy" had not its living original. It is certain, that he drew Major Sturgeon from old Justice Lamb, a fishmonger at Acton, and a petty trading justice, whose daughter was married by Major Fleming, a gentleman also "in the commission of the peace," yet every way a more respectable man than his father-in-law. Referring, then, to Foote's "comedy," sir Jacob Jollup, who has a house at Garratt, holds a dialogue with his man Roger concerning the company they expect Sir J. Are the candidates near upon coming? Roger. Nic Goose, the tailor from Putey, they say, will be here in a crack, sir Jacob. your worship has any body to recommend? Sir J. By no means; let them be free in their choice: I shan't interfere. Roger. And if your worship has any objection to Crispin Heeltap, the cobler, being returning officer? Sir J. None, provided the rascal can keep himself sober. Is he there? Roger. Yes, sir Jacob. Make way there! stand further off from the gate: here is madam Sneak in a chaise along with her husband. Sir Jacob has work enough on his hands with his relations, and other visiters, who have arrived to see the election from his mansion; he calls his "son Bruin" to come in;-"we are all seated at table man; we have but just time for a snack the candidates are near upon coming." Then, in another scene,— 66 ; Enter Mob, with Heeltap at their head; some crying a Goose," others "a Mug," others " a Primmer." Heel. Silence, there; silence! 1 Mol. Hear neighbour Heeltap. 2 Mob. Ay, ay, hear Crispin. 3 Mob. Ay, ay, hear him, hear Crispin: he will put us into the model of the thing at once. Heel. Why then, silence! I say. Heel. Silence, and let us proceed, neighbours, with all the decency and confusion usual on these occasions. 1 Mob. Ay, ay, there is no doing without that. All. Ay, ay, ay. a merry one to our landlord, sir Jacob ! huzza! Mob. Huzza! Sneak. How fares it, honest Crispin? Heel. Servant, master Sneak. Let us now open the premunire of the thing, which I shall do briefly, with all the loquacity possible; that is, in a medium way; which, that we may the better do it, let the secretary read the names of the candidates, and what they say for themselves; and then we shall know what to say of them. Master Snuffle, begin. Snuffle. [Reads.] "To the worthy inhabitants of the ancient corporation of Garratt: gentlemen, your votes and interest are humbly requested in favour of Timothy Goose, to succeed your late worthy mayor, Mr. Richard Dripping, in the said office, he being" Heel. This Goose is but a kind of gosling, a sort of sneaking scoundrel. Who is he? Snuffle. A journeyman tailor from Put ney. Heel. A journeyman tailor! A rascal, has he the inpudence to transpire to be mayor? D'ye consider, neighbours, the weight of this office? Why, it is a burthen for the back of a porter; and can you think that this cross-legg'd cabbageeating son of a cucumber, this wheyfac'd ninny, who is but the ninth part of a man, has strength to support it? 1 Mob. No Goose! no Goose! 2 Mob. A Goose! Heel. Hold your hissing, and proceed to the next. Snuffle. [Reads.] "Your votes are desired for Matthew Mug." 1 Mob. A Mug! a Mug! Heel. Oh, oh, what you are ready to Heel Chosen by yourselves, and ap. have a touch of the tankard; but fair and proved of by sir Jacob? soft, good neighbours, let us taste this master Mug before we swallow him; and, unless I am mistaken, you'll find him a bitter draught. 1 Mob. A Mug! a Mug! 2 Mob. Hear him; hear master Heeltap. 1 Mob. A Mug! a Mug! Heel. Harkye, you fellow with your mouth full of Mug, let me ask you a question: bring him forward. Pray is not this Matthew Mug a victualler? 3 Mob. I believe he may. Heel. And lives at the sign of the Adam and Eve? 3 Mob. I believe he may. Heel. Now, answer upon your honour |