The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous. C. M. Westmacott

are equally full of merit; and will be found, upon examination, to be every way worthy the superior style of typographical excellence which characterises the volume, I. THE FRONTISPIECE Is intended to convey a general idea of the nature of the work; combining, in rich classic taste, a variety of subjects illustrative of the polished as well as the more humble scenes of real life. It represents a Gothic Temple, into which the artist, Mr. Robert Cruikshank, has introduced a greater variety of characteristic subject than was ever before compressed into one design. In the centre compartment, at the top, we have a view of a Terrestrial Heaven, where Music, Love, and gay Delight are all united to lend additional grace to Fashion, and increase the splendour of the revels of Terpsichore. In the niches, on each side, are the twin genii, Poetry and Painting; while the pedestals, right and left, present the protectors of their country, the old Soldier and Sailor, retired upon pensions, enjoying and regaling themselves on the bounty of their King. In the centre of the Plate are three divisions representing the King, Lords, and Commons in the full exercise of their prerogatives. The figures on each side are portraits of Bernard Blackmantle (the English Spy), and his friend, Robert Transit (the artist), standing on projecting pedestals, and playing with the world as a ball; not doubting but for this piece of vanity, the world, or the reviewers for them, will knock them about in return. On the front of the pedestals are the arms of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and in the centre armorial shields of the Cities of London and Westminster. The picture of a modern Hell, in the centre, between the pedestals, has the very appropriate emblems of Misery and Death, in the niches on each side. Crowning the whole, the Genius of Wit is seen astride of an eagle, demonstrative of strength, and wielding in his hand the lash of Satire; an instrument which, in the present work, has been used more as a corrective of we than personal ill-nature.

      II.

       THE FIVE PRINCIPAL ORDERS OF SOCIETY.

       The King-Corinthian; an elegant Female-Composite; the

       Nobleman-Doric; a Member of the University-Ionic; and the

       Buck of Fashion-Tuscan. On the left hand may be seen a

       specimen of the Exquisite, a new order in high estimation at

       the west end of the Town; and on the right hand stands an

       old order of some solidity in the eastern parts of the

       Metropolis. Fashion, Taste, and Fame, are emblematical of

       the varied pursuits of life; while the Army and Navy of the

       country are the capitals that crown the superstructure,

       combining the ornamental with the useful.

      III.

       FIRST ABSENCE, OR THE SONS OF OLD ETONA

       ANSWERING MORNING MUSTER-ROLL. 25

       A view of the school-yard, Eton, at the time first Absence

       is called, and just when the learned Doctor Keat is reviewing

       the upper school. (Portraits.)

      IV.

       THE OPPIDAN'S MUSEUM, OR ETON COURT OF

       CLAIMS AT THE CHRISTOPHER. 49

       Bernard Blackmantle and Robert Transit sitting in judge-

       ment after Election Saturday, apportioning the remuneration

       money to the different claimants of the surrounding trophies.

      V.

       ETON MONTEM, AND THE MOUNT, SALT HILL. 96

       An accurate sketch of this ancient customary procession

       made upon the spot.

      VI.

       THE FIRST BOW TO ALMA MATER. 113

       Bernard Blackmantle's Introduction to the Big Wig on his

       Arrival at Oxford.

      VII.

       FLOORING OF MERCURY, OR BURNING THE OAKS. 131

       A scene in Tom Quadrangle, Oxford.

       "If wits aright their tale of terror tell,

       A little after great Mercurius fell,

       ***

       Gownsmen and Townsmen throng'd the water's edge

       To gaze upon the dreadful sacrilege:

       ***

      ———there with drooping mien a silent band

       Canons and Bedmaker together stand:—

       ***

       In equal horror all alike were seen,

       And shuddering scouts forgot to cap the Dean."

      VIII.

       COLLEGE COMFORTS. 151

       Taking possession of your rooms. Bernard Blackmantle

       taking possession of his rooms in Brazennose. Scout's list of

       wants. Standing the quiz of the Togati Visible propensities

       of your predecessor. The day of purification.

      IX.

       CAP-ING A PROCTOR, OR OXFORD BULL-DOGS

       DETECTING BRAZENNOSE SMUGGLERS. 152

       Tom Echo and Horace Eglantine lowering the plate-basket,

       after the College-gates are closed, to obtain a supply of fresh

       provision, are detected by the Proctor and Town Marshal with

       their Bull-Dogs: in their alarm the basket and its contents are

       suddenly let fall upon the Proctor, who is not able to under-

       stand the joke.

      X.

       THE ARRIVAL, OR WESTERN ENTRANCE INTO

       COCKNEY LAND. 164

       Portrait of high and low life Dandies and Dandysettes.

      XI.

       THE GREEN-ROOM OF THE KING'S THEATRE, R

       NOBLE AMATEURS VIEWING FOREIGN CURIOSITIES. 198

       Portraits of ten noble and distinguished patrons of the

       opera, with those of certain daughters of Terpsichore.

      XII.

       THE ROYAL SALOON IN PICCADILLY, OR AN HOUR

       AFTER THE OPERA. 205

       Heartly, Lionise, and Transit in search of Character—The

       gambling Parsons—Legs and Leg-ees-Tats men and touters—

       Moll Raffle and Bang.

      XIII.

       OXFORD TRANSPORTS, OR UNIVERSITY EXILES. 235

       Albanians doing penance for past offences. A Scene sketched

       from the Life. Horace Eglantine is proposing "the Study of

       the Fathers," a favourite College toast, while Tom Echo is

       enforcing Obedience to the President's proposition by finishing

       off a Shirker. Dick Gradus having been declared absent, is

       taking a cool nap with the Ice-pail in his arms and his head

       resting upon a Greek Lexicon: in the left hand corner may

       be seen a Scout bearing off a dead Man, (but not without hope

       of Resurrection). Bob Transit and Bernard Blackmantle

       occupy the situation on each side of Dick Gradus; in the

       right-hand corner, Horace's servant is drawing the last Cork

       from the parting bottle, which is to welcome in the peep o' day.

       Injustice to the present authorities it should be stated,

       that this is a Scene of other