Manners and Customs
OK THE
FRENCH 1815.

TEN HAND -COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS
FROM THE ORIGINAL COPPER-PLATES.

Q[

"I give theft Booh1
for the founding of a. College in tki$ Colony"

• ILIIIBIS^JSrar •

Bought with the income of the
Edward Wells Southworth
Fund, 191$"

250 copies only, of which
this is 5*£o.
Signed..

_r€-r. ff/itrA/fttr/r/f . A,; ,//?,¦/
rv/
_ZV C/'trrAsf:/f?~-a -pi/;/ j/>//,j _V/^,/ JCI^/ZZ

[250 Copies only

Manners & Customs

OF THE

FRENCH
Facsimile of the scarce isis edition.
WITH TEN WHOLE-PAGE
AMUSING AND PRETTILY TINTED
ILLUSTRATIONS
PRINTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COPPER PLATES
(COPPER PLATES NOW DESTROYED)

I893.
LONDON :
The Leadenhall Prefs, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall Street, E.C.
Henry Sotheran & Co., 140, Strand and 37, Piccadilly, W.
Simpkin, sMar shall, Hamilton, Kent Sr Co., Ltd:
3{ew York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 743 Sr J45, ^Broadway,

7Js>

The Leadenhall Press, Ltd:
50, leadenhall street, london, e.c.
T 4,633-

"7^Q sending forth the following small "Foot-note
\^q to History," a few lines in explanation of the
re-issue of " Letters from France " may perhaps be
of interest. The volume was published, as the fac-simile
title-page shows, in 1815, by Mr. Thomas Sotheran,
the father of the writer of these notes. It was pro
bably his earliest publication, and was issued from
his shop in Old Broad Street, before his removal
to Little Tower Street, an address, perhaps, still
known to many elder denizens of London City.
The little book itself, however, had long been for
gotten, and the writer had not seen a copy for many
years. On turning out the accumulations of over
three-quarters of a century at his late address, No.
136, Strand, a copy, together with the original
engraved copper-plates from which the illustrations
were printed, turned up. On glancing over it once
more, the vivacity of the text and the amusing
character of the illustrations seemed to suggest
that a limited re-issue might be acceptable to the
present generation as a reminiscence of the habits

of the French and the state of Paris during the
Peace before the "Hundred Days" and fateful
Waterloo. On the writer showing the book to his
friend Mr. Andrew Tuer, of the Leadenhall Press,
he found him of the same opinion ; hence this
reproduction. Who the author was is doubtful ; but the writer
has heard his father say that he was one Benjamin
Rotch, a Middlesex Magistrate. Perhaps the
solution of the mystery may yet be thrashed out
in the pages of Urates and Queries. Henry Sotheran.
140, Strand, London, W.C.
September, i8pj.

LETTERS

FRANCE:

WRITTEN BY

A MODERN TOURIST

IN THAT COUNTRY;

AND DESCRIPTIVE OF SOME OF THE MOST AMC8IN0

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE FRENCH.

WITS CHARACTERISTIC ILLUSTRATIONS, FROM DRAWINGS
TAKEN ON THE SPOT;
By M. S.

LONDON :
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,
AND SOLD BY T. SOTHERAN, N». 3, OLD BROAD STREET.

1815.

PREFACE.

The following Letters are supposed to
be a correspondence between an old English
Alderman, illiberally prejudiced in favor of
his own Country, and his Nephew ; who, de
pendant on him, is bit by the mania to visit
the Continent, and obtains his Uncle's permis
sion, and the use of his purse, to gratify his
inclinations. Distressed at the Old Man's prejudices,
he endeavours to overcome them, partly by
humouring and partly by opposing them.
He at first tries to reason his Uncle out of
his opinions: but, finding the attempt una
vailing, he insensibly leads him on, by show
ing the humourous and pleasing side of the
picture, till he gradually excites a wish in
the Alderman to become an eye-witness to
the scenes he represents, and at length com
pletely gains his point, by making or rather
by inducing his Uncle to leave that land
which he had vowed never to quit for an

iv PREFACE.
hour, and visit the country he had abjured
for ever as unworthy the trouble or conde
scension of a visit from an Englishman.
The Author has often grieved over the
expression, which was once let fall from a
high quarter in the Senate, and which has
since tended greatly to strengthen the
prejudices which have so long subsisted
between this country and France, by afford
ing a citation to support the opinions of the
ignorant and illiberal. The Author alludes
to the following, " That the French are our
natural enemies ;" and, should this work in
any degree tend to do away with this idea,
he will feel more than recompensed for his
trouble. The Author feeling the low value
of his work, is encouraged in the hope of the
good that may result from its publication, by
the idea that it is perhaps more likely, from
its nature, to fall into the hands of the un
fortunate proselytes of the sentiment alluded
to than any other set of people.
The pretensions of this work being very
small indeed, the Author entertains a hope
that he may not fail in his object. He
covets not that his work should be deemed
humourous, witty, or clever, but only hopes
that it may amuse an idle hour.

LETTERS

prom

FRANCE.

LETTER I.

Harley Street, Cavendish Square,
September 1, 1814.
DEAR TOM, I see what it is, you want to go to
France. — Well you are welcome to my purse,
even though it be to make use of it in that
vile country. — Go, but remember, young men
are fickle, pleased with novelty, and fond of
playing the ape. Mark me well — The French
are our natural enemies. Never forget that
maxim ; and, if you bring home one bow, one
twist, or one shrug from that country — bear
in mind that my property is my own ; and,
thanks to the Laws of Old England, is at my
own disposal.

2 LETTERS FROM
I am not prejudiced — no — for I tlike a
good bottle of Champaign as well as any man,
and none the less for its coming from France ;
nor do I wish to be thought illiberal, for I
give you leave to bring back as much silks
and lace for your sisters and cousins as you
may think proper ; but if you learn to take
snuff, or  . Good by Tom ; you know I
am not apt to be prolix.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

FRANCE. 3
LETTER II.
Havre de Grace, Sept. 12, 1814.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
Your nephew is at length in France,
and is not more surprized to find himself
there than those about him seem to be at
the event, for I have not been able to stir
out of the house as yet without being followed,
like a dancing bear, by a host of children ;
who, by the various reproachful changes they
rung upon the word Eingleese, made me in
voluntarily, and for the first time in my life,
blush to own my country, and almost query
with myself if there was any thing disgraceful
in the appellation. If this feeling will wear
off with custom, it is not likely to continue
over another day.
We had a tolerably fine passage across
from Southampton. Our freight consisted of
five deadly sick ladies, whose tongues, for
once in their lives, were restricted to the
utterance of one single word, Steward, which
rapidly passed through the various intonations
which the different degrees of sickness could

4 LETTERS FROM
afford; its utterance commencing with that
certain warm feeling that universally pre
cedes sea-sickness, in a patient hope that the
Steward would be attentive should they stand
in need, or rather lie in need of his assis
tance ; then, when the certain cold sensation
succeeded, changing into an impatient hope
that the Steward was at hand ; then, arriving
at its climax when the sudden moment came,
into a violent call of " Steward " ! and after
this direful time, varying only with the mo
mentary relief of the sufferer, but never
rising above the low tone of hopeless despair.
In the same cabin with these ladies were
two gentlemen, groaning alternately to each
other, but disdaining to call for the Steward,
who they could but perceive was fully occu
pied with their unfortunate dames.
On the deck sat a row of four qualmish
gentlemen, and about the deck walked a row
of six gentlemen sailors in healthy pomp,
and some of whom had the audacity to deem
themselves competent to assist when ship
duty was to be done ; and, having first given
their gloves to "my man John" to hold,
would display a ring-loaded set of fingers on
a well-greased traversing rope ; and, finding
it, to their utter astonishment, dirty, would

FRANCE. 5
wipe their hands on a scented India handker
chief, and put on their gloves again with an
air of as much self-satisfaction and appro
bation as if they really had done something.
We arrived here yesterday. I have not
yet seen a Diligence, but I purpose starting
in one to-morrow for Rouen ; and, after the
account I have received of them, I assure you
it requires no small degree of resolution to
make up my mind to the undertaking.
I know you are an enemy to all kind of
verbal gratitude, where you know it to exist
in the heart, I shall therefore be silent on
the score of your goodness, which has enabled
me to date my letter from this part of the
world. With best compliments to Lady Crusticorn,
I have the honor to be
Your dutiful nephew,
THO. SEEBEIGHT.
P. S. Inclosed I send you a sketch of a
Havre Pilot, the first effort of my pencil on
landing. To Sir CRUSTICORN QUERY, Bart.

LETTERS FROM

LETTER III.
Rouen.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
When I last wrote to you I was in
a state of anticipating agony, at the prospect
of a day's journey in a French Diligence, but
I assure you I found the reality far better
than I had hoped : there was certainly enough
to complain of, but far more to ridicule.
I rode, myself, in the Cabriolet or Gig in
front, with two others, squeezed in sufficiently
tight to travel over the roughest road without
shaking ; inside were crammed nine persons in
the same compressed situation with myself,
two of them smoking, and with the seats so
ingeniously contrived that no one can de
scend without the consent, and sometimes
the descent, of thewhole ; behind was a huge
overgrown basket, loaded like a waggon ; and
on the top another smaller one, containing
the luggage of the travellers and a man to
watch them. This sort of mongrel-bred
machine, half-waggon and half-coach, was
drawn by five horses, three leaders abreast

FRANCE. 7
and two wheelers, and driven by a man seated
on the near leader ; but the drawing I send
you with this will give you a far better idea
of it than my pen possibly can.
The internal and external arrangement
being completed, a violent cracking of a huge
whip which our postilion used with both hands
at once, leaving the reins tied to a ring in the
pummel of his saddle, together with a variety
of hoo-eeps, he-arks, argees, and a la routes,
put this curious concern in actual motion,
and gave me a fit of laughing, which astonished
all and I am sorry to say hurt the feelings of
some of my companions, to whom however I
apologized for my rudeness by pleading the
novelty of the scene.
We passed through the town of Havre
through many narrow, streets at a rapid pace,
and turned corners with a dexterity that
would have puzzled C. B. himself.
The stopping and starting of this vehicle
was an operation generally of five minutes'
duration, the horses' mouths being as little
susceptible to the bit as their hides were to
the whip.
I had taken it into my head that these
Diligences were very rough, but I soon found
out my error, for they are hung on thick straps

8 LETTERS FROM
of leather which have a great elasticity in
them ; and at the end of this day's journey I
feel not the least fatigued, so that on the
whole I do not so much despise or dread
this sort of conveyance ; though at the same
time, if one of them were to parade down
St. James's, I doubt if the whole city of
London would not turn out to behold this
Travelling Phoenomenon.
It is late so I must to bed.
&c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

FRANCE.

LETTER IV.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, Your first letter was a good one ; I
liked it much ; your second not so good. I
am sorry to see you are so soon becoming
reconciled to those wretched Diligences,
which appear to me to be about one
hundred degrees worse than our long-bodied
coaches; but I was glad you stood your
journey in them so well.
Learn, young man, to have a better opinion
of the citizens of London, who never " all turn
out," as you express it, but on the glorious
Lord Mayor's day ; and the man who would
not turn out on that day !  Good by Tom.
 Your Aunt is ill.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

10 LETTERS FROM

LETTER V.
Rouen.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
The affecting account you give of
my dear Aunt's indisposition does not, I
must say, leave me free from apprehension
an her account, but flattering hope still
cheers me, and a confidence that you will be
particular to keep me informed of her health
relieves me in some measure from anxiety.
My spirits being low, you must excuse me this
once if my letter partakes of a serious nature;
and, knowing that my journey must be the
topic, I will endeavour to accommodate both
our feelings. To begin then with that which
is uppermost in my mind : the crosses which
are placed by the road side in many parts of
Normandy, and which must strike the eye of
every Englishman. Can any thing be a more
complete mockery of respect than for two
women passing the cross in high dispute and
anger with each other, with ill-will in their
hearts and ill-words on their tongues, to
incline their heads to it; or for a man en-

FRANCE. 11
raged with a poor donkey, of an unfortu
nately unyielding disposition, to bastinado
the wretched animal by the cross with the
most unrelenting barbarity, only stopping in
his cruelty to pay the required mark of
homage? The former of these cases, I am
told, often happens, and the latter I have
seen myself.
These crosses are generally about thirty
feet high, with the figure of Our Saviour
crucified on them. Some are better exe
cuted than others, and as much as they are
better so are they more distressing to the
feelings ; but I know you are not fond of
moralizing so I will no more at present.
&c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

12 LETTERS FROM

LETTER VI.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, There was something in your last
letter that pleased me, but be sure that you
never write two of the same sort to follow.
Your Aunt is better, so no more serious
moods for awhile, though I don't actually
complain of your last letter; for as I said
before, there was something in it that I
liked. I perceive you have a very just and
proper idea of the hypocritical religion of
those Frenchmen, and your abuse of them
proves to me that you see their absurdities,
as your Uncle has done before you, without
becoming either illiberal or prejudiced.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

FRANCE. 13

LETTER VII.

Rouen.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
The detailed account you so kindly
give me of my dear Aunt's illness and subse
quent recovery requires my most grateful
acknowledgments, and I beg of you here to
accept them.
I am sorry to find you so very violent in
your sentiments against this nation. I am
not inclined to call you prejudiced or illiberal,
but I must say that, if you were to be some
time in this country, I cannot help thinking
you would change your opinion of some
things. Every nation has its faults ; but, in
my opinion, there cannot be a more decided
bane to universal philanthropy than the en
couragement of the idea that one country
can be the natural enemy of another, a posi
tion which it would be hard to maintain and
still harder to prove. &c. &c. &c. THO. SEEBRIGHT.

14 LETTERS FROM

LETTER VIII.

Harley Street.

Change your style of writing, young
man, it ill becomes you.
My opinions are not those of a fickle or a
young man ; they have not the variability of
the one, or the rashness of the other ; and, if
you hope ever to see me in France, it is a
vain idea. — Write to me, but don't preach to
me. — France is the natural enemy of Eng
land ; and if you are too much of a French
man at heart to think so, I have no wish to
see your English person again at my house.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

FRANCE. 15

LETTER IX.

Paris.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
You cannot but be aware that it
must ever be farthest from my intentions to
offend an Uncle who has not only behaved
kindly but generously to me : accept then my
apology for the past, and I will endeavour
for the future to be more circumspect in my
manner of writing.
I reached this place yesterday at a late
hour ; and, not having been out yet, of cpurse
can give you no intelligence respecting this
city, which communication I shall reserve for
my next.
Yesterday was Sunday; and, happening
to pass through the town at the hour of
high mass, curiosity led me near the church,
when a scene presented itself; which, to the
eye of an Englishman, was inconsistent with
every rule of decorum. The market, which is
generally the case throughout Normandy, is
held in the space before the church. The
B 2

16 LETTERS FROM
church was certainly full, and so was the
market-place, thus food for the mind and for
the body were both distributing at the same
moment ; for, I should say, it was high market
as well as high mass; and it was hard to
determine who was most earnest, the minister
in praise of virtue, or the butcher in praise of
meat. There was a constant passing from
the market to the church, and from the
church to the market, so that he who had
made a good bargain might return thanks
for his good fortune, and he who was about
to make one pray for it.
We met to-day, on the road, what is termed
an Avant Courier ; a fellow that may be
better described, according to English ideas,
by an Avant Ragamuffin.
It is the custom in France for persons of
consequence, when travelling, to send on
their servant, with a postilion for his guide,
to the next stage to order horses to be ready;
and, as the post-masters are obliged to send
them on at the rate of ten miles an hour, a
pace very injurious to the horses, the worst
are generally chosen for this duty.
In the drawing I send you, the man in the
foreground is the postilion, the other the ser
vant ; and, as the great art in French driving

FRANCE. 17
consists in cracking a huge uncouth kind of
whip for the fastest and longest, I have
represented one of them in the act, for one
generally begins when the other stops, by
way of keeping it up, and thus doing credit to
the whole set out. &c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

18 LETTERS FROM

LETTER X.
Paris.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
To-day I commenced my perambu
lations in this great city. — My hotel is about
five and twenty yards from the Palais Royal ;
this being so immediately in its vicinity, I
naturally bent my steps thither first, meaning
to follow exactly where inclination led, and
supposing I should be able to compass at
least one quarter of the town before dinner ;
a proof how little I was acquainted with the
fascinations of Paris.
I entered the Palais Royal. — Here my
walk commenced, and here also it terminated.
Every door contained a most inviting list of
what was to be sold within, or bought within,
or seen within, or heard within, or eat within,
or drank within. To eat or drink, amid such
scenes of novelty, was the least of my desires :
and merely to walk about with my mouth open
was too much as other people did. I stept
aside to read some of the affiches, in order to
regulate thereby my morning's occupation;
but, before I had read the first three lines,

FRANCE. 19
some officers of the guard of honor passed,
and I was naturally attracted by their ap
pearance to gaze. I followed them a few
paces till my curiosity was satisfied; and,
having left my old affiche, turned to another,
for every step presents a new one ; but from
this I was again disturbed by the voices of
some English who passed me, and who made
me involuntarily turn round, for there is
something peculiarly dear in one's native
tongue when we hear it in a foreign land;
from these men however I could have easily
turned, had it not been for a sequence of
three beautiful French ladies; who, being
drest in the extreme of fashion, I could not
resist following for a few steps, still meaning
to resume my affiche, but this only led on to
something else equally amusing, some strange
custom, some foreign dress, &c. &c. till I no
longer thought of wishing any other occupa-
pation, and suffered myself imperceptibly to
follow the example I had so lately depre
cated ; but which, from this time forward, I
shall always be generous enough to pardon
in any Englishman who, for the first time,
walks through the Palais Royal.
After a variety of quick steps forward
to overtake wonders, and lagging steps that

20 LETTERS FROM
wonders might overtake me; loiterings at
shop windows, and minute examinations of
nothings, merely because, not knowing what
they were, I thought they must be somethings,
I arrived at that part of the Palais again at
which I had entered; and, looking at my
watch, found I had occupied just three hours
in accomplishing the tour of the galleries. It
was three o'clock, and I had an appointment
at half-past at my hotel, whither I repaired as
fast as possible.
Inclosed I send you a drawing of one of
the ladies I have mentioned, for the amuse
ment of my sisters. &c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

FRANCE. 21
LETTER XI.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, You write in good spirits and seem
much amused, which you know delights me ;
indeed, if one could only put up with the
d  d nonsense one must meet with at every
step from those Frenchmen, there seems
enough to amuse one by all accounts, but I
know I should never be able to put up with
their hops, and their skips, and their bows,
and their shrugs for a single moment ; but,
tell me Tom, have you seen no pictures yet ?
You know how fond I am of painting, and
I shall expect you to bring me home an
exact account of every scrap of canvas in
the Louvre.
French cloths are very fine and good.
Buy as much as you like, but don't have an
inch of it made up in Paris. — No French
kicks for me. Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

22 LETTERS FROM
P.8. We, that is the Lord Mayor and
Aldermen of the city of London, are going to
give a most splendid dinner on the 1st of
April, to He-hon-ton Das-tan-back (or some
such name) a Mameluke Tartar who has just
arrived in London. He is one of the under
strappers in the stables of the great Ha-li-
bon-kan-something, and is taken even more
notice of, if possible, than the Cossack.
The dinner is to cost £2,000.

FRANCE. 23

LETTER XII.
Paris.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
I think you will hardly fear my
following the Parisian mode, when I tell you
that pea-green trowsers of an inordinate size,
a bright red waistcoat, and a light grey coat,
apparently made for anybody but the wearer,
form the present Parisian Go.
The drawing I send you will give you a
just idea of a Paris Beau ; and, if you think
I can ever reconcile myself to looking comme
ca, I am very much mistaken in your opinion
of Tom Seebright.
I have been to the Louvre several times,
but it is so crowded every day that it is
impossible to see any thing. It will be closed
to the public in a few days, and then I hope
to pass much of my time there.
I walked in yesterday ; and, not being able
for the crowd to see the pictures, amused
myself with hearing the observations pf some
of our City Apprentices, Shopkeepers, Tailors,
Men-milliners, &c. who, of course, all pass

24 LETTERS FROM
themselves for Travellers and Connoisseurs
here. One supposed this must be the Louvre,
for they had followed their paper as strictly
as possible. Another wondered how many
people there were in the room. A third,
with his friend, squeezed through the crowd
to the farther end of the gallery and back,
as fast as numbers would permit, for dinner
was ready; declared it was a very pretty
place, that they never saw so many gilt
frames before, and wondered what all the
pictures could be about. A fourth was just
going to start in the diligence from Paris,
but would just cram his head within the
Gallery door that he might have it to say
he had seen the Louvre. A fifth, in the
Gallery of pictures, wondered which was the
real Venus de Medicis ; while a sixth, in the
Gallery of statues, stood before a modern
Laocoon, with his wife upon his arm, and
explained the antiquity of the Apollo de
Belvedere, to the great amusement of a
French coal-heaver who stood by ; and who
could, I would venture to say, have told the
history of more than half the statues in the
room, as well as the names of the artists who
carved them, so low does the love for the arts

26 LETTERS FROM

LETTER XIII.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, Your account of those rascally be
ings, the very bantlings of ignorance and
conceit, downright maddens me. — To think
that the credit of British taste is in the
hands of such scum. — Why, it would take a
host of English artists and connoisseurs to
do away with this one impression. I wish I
could only be in that Louvre for one short
hour; I'd show them that there were those
in England who  : but no matter. Our
dinner went off capitally. — Two Royal Dukes
at table. — The Mameluke showed the manners
and customs of his country admirably, and
we all went home as  . Good by Tom.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

FRANCE. 27
LETTER XIV.
Paris.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
I yesterday intimated to my Valet
de Place that I wished to take a trip to Ver
sailles, on which he informed me that my only
way would be to get into a Pot de Chambre,
a row of which was always standing under
the walls of the Thuillerie Gardens. The
proposition was somewhat alarming to the
ear ; but, determining to let my eye be the
criterion, I pursued my way to the Pot de
Chambre stand, and found the vehicle to be
a heavy kind of tax- cart, on two wheels,
drawn by the ghost of a horse, and carrying
only six persons inside; and baskets, bags,
dogs, brooms, &c. outside ad libitum. The
moment I came in sight of the stand I was
beset by at least twenty conducteurs of these
machines; who, without consulting me, but
as if I were common property at once laid
violent hands on me ; one insisting on taking
me to St. Cloud, another to St. Germain, and
a third to Vincennes ; and it was not without
some hard pushes, that almost amounted to
blows, and some other manual exertions that

28 LETTERS FROM
I was able to extricate myself from them;
when, half in anger, I turned off, resolved to
give up my project if it were not attainable by
some milder means. When I had gone a few
steps, a man, hat in hand, stept up to me ; and
urging that he was not one of those who had
so roughly handled me, pleaded so earnestly
that I would join a party of four, only wait
ing for two more to start, that I turned again
and yielded to his solicitations. A fat lady
and her daughter were already seated, I next
entered with my valet, and we were in turn
followed by an officer of Hussars, and a dash
ing girl of about twenty-two. Our postilion,
or conducteur as they are called, was just as
he is represented in the design which accom
panies this, and which also gives a most faith
ful portrait of the whole turn out.
We were taken nine miles in two hours and
a half; and, when set down at Versailles, paid
thirty sous, or fifteen-pence each. A cheap
ride it certainly was, considering how much
time was given us for our money, but I
preferred returning on foot, and I write this
after a fagging walk home.
&c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

FRANCE. 29
LETTER XV
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, You know I am fond of the humour
ous, and hang me if I would not almost go to
France merely for the sake of having it to
say that I had rode in a Pot de Chambre ; it
would tell so well against the Monsieurs.
You say nothing of the Boulevards. Tell
me about them. A friend of mine, who has
just returned from France, tells me they are
the only things worth seeing in Paris.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

30 LETTERS FROM

LETTER XVI.
Paris.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
You ask me for an account of the
Boulevards, and I am seated to answer your
request ; but, in so doing, I must warn you
that I shall make the future remarks of your
friend, whoever he be, sink lower in your
estimation. The Boulevards are a continuation of very
broad streets, bordered with a double row of
small trees ; and which formerly surrounded
Paris; but which from the town having
extended far beyond them on all sides, form
now a rural circle, as it were, round the heart
only of the city.
On these Boulevards every thing of curious
and common, novel and antique, wise and
foolish, is to be seen at one view.
'Tis here you will find the works of Racine,
Rousseau, and Voltaire exposed for sale at
the same book-stall with Piron, Gaudet, and
Lambert, and all indiscriminately advertised
at sevenpence halfpenny a volume. 'Tis here

FRANCE. 31
you will see many an ingenious invention, for
which some pirate Englishman has just en
tered a caveat, or perhaps taken out a patent,
rusty with age and worn out with use ; while
new ones spring up on all sides, faster than
they can be exported. Here, on one side,
those fools by profession, but wits by nature,
the Quacks or Conjurers, exercise their
various talents in the most uncouth dresses,
before their little tables, to the amusement
of the learned, and astonishment of the
ignorant; while, on the other, the tortured
monkey is alternatively shaved, drilled, and
flogged by a set of men, whose existence
depends on making beasts of themselves, by
making men of their beasts.
On the Boulevards, age and its sad conse
quences puts itself on a par with youth and
beauty, by walking the same esplanade. On
the Boulevards the illiterate raise themselves
to the literate, by standing at the same book
stall ; while the wise lower themselves to the
foolish, by gaping at the same Quack.
Such, my dear Sir, is the unvarying round
which the Boulevards present; and, having
drawn this faithful picture for you, I shall
leave you to judge if the sentiments of your
friend be worthy of a sensible man or not.
c 2

32 LETTERS FROM
I send you a drawing of one of these
Quacks I have been speaking of, just as you
would see them dressed on the Boulevards.
&c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

FRANCE. 33
LETTER XVII.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, I do not see my friend so much in
error as you do. His expression is too strong ;
but, I can tell you, that, if anything could
bring me to France, it would be those very
book-stands on the Boulevards. I doat on
an old book as a fidler does on an old fiddle,
even if it have but two strings, for I love to
strum over one though half the leaves be gone.
Now Tom answer me one question. Tell
me candidly, do you think I could put up with
France and the French long enough just to
see the Louvre, and look over all these book
stands; that is, if I should ever think of
passing thro' France on my way to Italy;
that is, if I should ever think of going to
Italy. Good by Tom. — Write me very soon.
Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

34 LETTERS FROM

LETTER XVIII.

Paris.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
You have no idea what a very small
portion of Philosophy will enable you to put
up with all that you will have to encounter
in a trip to Paris ; and it would really be a
pity for one, who is so fond of the arts and
sciences, not to avail himself of this opportu
nity of seeing a country, which another war
may prevent his ever visiting.
What matters it whether you go to Italy
or not? Pay your visit to the Louvre and
the book-stands in Paris and then you can
talk of the same amusements in Rome.
I am going for a few days to Orleans, to
see the Banks of the Loire ; and, on my re
turn, I shall set off immediately for Calais,
where I shall expect to meet you.
If I remember right, I sent you a sketch of
a post-boy some time ago. That was taken in
the country, but the enclosed is the fac-simile
of one who took me to St. Cloud from Paris ;
and is, you see, a much more natty fellow.

FRANCE. 35
His pigtail, from the quantum of pomatum in
it, and ribband round it, I should compute
to weigh about one pound avoirdupois ; but
his boots, which are framed of wood, leather,
and iron, I know to weigh only twenty-eight
pounds, for I had the curiosity to weigh them.
On my asking him the reason of his wearing
such, he replied, " On ne saute pas ; " and,
on my further query if that were the only
reason, he answered, " On ne casse pas les
jambes ;" but he evidently considered his first
reason the more cogent one, and it is certain
that these great weights on their legs do most
effectually keep them from what we call
bumping in their saddles.
Do write soon, and tell me on what day I
shall meet you at Calais.
I will write you from Orleans.
&c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

36 LETTERS FROM

LETTER XIX.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, Why you write to me as if all was
settled; or, in other words, as if I were not a
married man. You must know I have not
said a word to Lady Crusticorn, and therefore
cannot answer your letter positively yet.
Don't quote French lingo to me again.
We are all in a roar in the city, about the
Corn Laws. I have not asked what it means
yet, but petitions have been lying on our
tables at the Mansion House for signatures
ever since Monday last. Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.

FRANCE. 37

LETTER XX.
Orleans.
MY DEAR UNCLE,
We arrived here yesterday ; and, as
all travellers must tell when, what, and where
they eat; after a hearty breakfast at the
"Golden Ball" of veal cutlets, bread, fruit,
and wine ; I, as all travellers must go to see
churches and cathedrals, went to look at the
celebrated one in the centre of this city. I
reached the place or square before the cathe
dral, but here my progress was impeded by
a scene which curiosity could not resist stop
ping to witness.
On one side stood a man and woman, each
elevated on a stool, with a sheet of scriptural
pictures behind them, in the midst of which
Our Saviour crucified was the most con
spicuous. The woman sung the sacred
history to which they related, while the man
accompanied her on the violin, occasionally
using his bow as an index to the most im
pressive parts of the pictures.
On the left of this groupe was another of a

38 LETTERS FROM
similar nature chanting before a wax model of
the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus, accompa
nied by a tambourine and flute, and all under
the canopy of an enormous family umbrella of
about eight feet diameter. Between these two,
and exactly in front of the cathedral door, sat
a lady astride upon a large black horse, a large
thonged whip hung over her shoulders, and
her heels ornamented with a pair of silver
spurs. She had a small blue valise, and a
red umbrella strapt on to the back of her
saddle, and before a wooden box of philoso
phical instruments. This lady held in her
hand a powerful magnet and an iron dish,
and delivered a lecture on the attractive
powers of the one, and the adhesive properties
of the other, to a gaping crowd ; who if they
could not derive amusement from the fair
Philosopher's discourse, were still detained
by a second loadstone which she held in
reserve. This was neither more nor less than
music ; for, in front of this equestrian lecturer,
stood a breechless urchin, whose diminutive
stature was almost entirely screened by the
rotundity of a huge bass drum ; and, of him,
in might truly be said that
" Ever and anon he beat
" The doubling drum with furious heat,"

FRANCE. 39
to fill up the intervals of harangue ; and this,
when philosophy failed, often detained the
steps of the departing youth, who had scarcely
made up his mind to quit before he was again
nailed to the spot by the heavenly voice of the
drum ; for music is a Frenchman's antidote ;
and the huxter who, with a hunting horn or a
fiddle to sound before he spoke, might sell all
he had in an hour, would wander through
Paris for a day, without it, and not sell an
article. To-morrow I proceed to Tours, and thence
in a few days back to Paris, where I shall
expect to find your reply to my last, and a
day appointed for me to meet you at Calais.
&c. &c. &c.
THO. SEEBRIGHT.

40 LETTERS FROM FRANCE.
LETTER XXI.
Harley Street.
DEAR TOM, I have spoken to Lady Crusti ; and,
on Monday next, I shall leave the peaceful
serenity of the sensible British Metropolis to
seek the noisy tumult of the frivolous French
one. Yours, CRUSTICORN QUERY.
P.8. Yesterday the Corn Mob knocked
Lord D.'s and Mr. R.'s houses about their
ears ; and, last evening, pulled several Mem
bers of the Commons out of their carriages
by the collar, Mr. C  r of the Admiralty
was among the number.
N.B. I shall not travel with arms as I am
told France is in a state of perfect tranquility
at present.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

The Author, aware that to some of his readers the
Plates will be much more interesting than the Letter-press,
and fearing they are not sufficiently explained in the Letters,
has added this slight Description of them, which he feels
will be necessary to those who have not been eye-witnesses
to the scenes they represent ; and takes this opportunity of
assuring the Public that the drawings are not caricatures,
but only characteristic illustrations, as neither the Jack -boots
of the Postboys, the Bonnets of the Ladies, or the clumsi
ness of the Carriages represented, anywhere exceed the pro
portions of the reality, though generally copied from its
extremes. PLATE I. To face the Title Page.
Is a mere political satire, by the play on the words " Chat-
seur a pied." The frame on the child's back is such as the
Porters in Paris carry goods on.
PLATE II. Page 4.
Represents the dress of the Pilots at Havre de Grace, with
the silver anchor on the breast, given them by Government
as a badge of their office.
PLATE III. Page 8.
A French diligence changing horses, with the Conducteur
on the top arranging the luggage. This plate represents the

42 DESCRIPTION OF
pavde and chaussee, which is the general form of the roads
within two hundred miles of Paris, and in many parts of
France. The middle seat of the Diligence sometimes rests
on the side of the door ; which when opened, generally oc
casions the seat to fall. The Diligence in the distance gives
a very accurate idea of their general effect when passing
along the road.
PLATE IV. Page 16.
This plate is sufficiently explained in the letters, to which
we refer our readers. PLATE V. Page 20.
A French Lady, with her bonnet tied comme il faut. She
is stepping over the ruisseau, as it is termed, or gutter in the
centre of the street ; which, when it rains, becomes of no in
considerable magnitude, and is often overlaid by a plank
placed by a little urchin, who expects a Hard for the accom
modation. Two Englishmen are seen in the distance. The
military hat of the one forms a striking contrast with the
French one in Plate III. while the low collar of the other is
no less opposed to the collar in Plate VI.  A French Lady
had rather splash her stockings than her petticoat or gown. —
La chaine d'or serve de Porte-clef.
PLATE VI. Page 24.
A French Gentleman, with his hair tout a fait a la mode,
traversing the Place Vendome. His poodle dog carries his
stick ; and, though it is a misling rain, his hat is au bras.—
When you draw a Frenchman mind that his hands are well
crammed into his pockets. PLATE VII. Page 28.
A Pot de Chambre under the walls of the Thuillerie Gar-

THE PLATES. 43
dens loading for Versailles. — " Un bon cheval Anglois,
Monsieur !" PLATE VIII. Page 32.
A French Conjurer and his assistant ; with a horn, so held
by a cord that leads to the top of his helmet that he can
play both horn and fiddle at the same time ; taken from life
near the Place de Carousel.
PLATE IX. Page 34.
A French Postilion. The portrait of one who drove the
Author out of Paris. PLATE X. Page 38.
A French equestrian Lady Philosopher.
N.B. The Author is sorry to be under the necessity of
confessing that, owing to a slight error on the part of the
Engraver, the right boot of the Postilion in Plate IX. is
somewhat exaggerated ; the left he believes does not exceed
the bounds of truth.

EXTRACTS PROM
The Leadenhall Press
Book List.
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd :
50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.

A

^

The Best B008 of Rfyfabtte Published.

<A N£W SHILLING

Il*

Ornamental, J£ncitnt and Modern,
???????»???????????«????»??«•«..-
or p5ee of ^N^tsfflgBi,

€ltx%}>mmt

Designers,

^^CHITECTS,

'Teachers, &c.
*********************

With a curiously inter
esting and complete
Alphabet (capitals and
small letters) in fac
simile from an original
MS. written by Charles I,
together with his writing
master's "copy."

1- avcdi

LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall Street, E.C.

EXTRACTS FROM BOOK LIST
OF
Tp Leadenp pneff, Ltd:

By Command Dedicated to Her MA Majesty the Queen-Empress.
LONDON CITY SUBURBS, dealing with the great resi
dential belt of London. By Percy Fitzgerald. Three Hundred
Picturesque Views from Original Drawings by W. Luker, Jr.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Two Guineas,

By Command Dedicated to iSTTSi Her Majesty the Queen.
LONDON CITY. Its History— Streets— Traffic— Buildings
—People. By W. J. Loftie, B.A., F.S.A. Over Three Hundred
Illustrations from Original Drawings by W. Luker, Jr. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [£2 10s. od.

By Command Dedicated to foXJi Her Majesty the Queen.
Upwards of 300 Superb Illustrations (some beautifully hand-coloured).
KENSINGTON : PICTURESQUE AND HISTORICAL.
By W. J. Loptie, B.A., F.S.A., Author of a " History of Lon
don," &c, eve. Illustrated by W. Luker, Jun., from Original Drawings
carefully finished on the spot and engraved in Paris. LONDON:
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Three Guineas.

By Command Dedicated to iSKjg Her Majesty the Queen.
ETON SONGS, written by Arthur C. Ainger, set to
Music by Joseph Barnby : numerous illustrations by Herbert
Marshall. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. [Thirty Shillings.
, Positively teems with attractions — metrical, musical, and
pictorial. — Daily Telegraph.

By Command Dedicated to rfSHk Her Majesty the Queen.
SONGS OF THE NORTH. (Tenth Edition.) Gathered together
from the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. Edited by A. C
Macleod and Harold Boulton. The Music arranged by Malcolm
Lawson. Frontispiece " Proud Maisie," by Fred Sahdys. LONDON:
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Twelve-and-Sixpence.
( 3 )

By Command Dedicated to MjflSi Her Majesty the Queen

THE FOLLIES AND FASHIONS OF OUR GRAND
FATHERS (1807). Embellished with Thirty-aeven wholt-page Plates
of Ladies' and Gentlemen's Dress (hand-coloured and heightened with
gold and silver), Sporting and Coaching Scenes, eve, e>c. By Andrew
W. Tuer. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C.
Large Paper copies, crown 4to, with earliest impressions of tht
plates ; 250 only, signed and numbered, at Three Guineas.
(Nearly out of print.)
 Demy 8vo copies at Twenty-five Shillings. (Out of print.)
EXTRA ILLUSTRATED
COLLECTORS' EDITION IN FOUR VOLUMES.
FIFTY COPIES ONLY, SIGNED AND NUMBERED.

By Command Dedicated to ftjTSj Ittr Majesty the Queen.
BARTOLOZZI AND HIS WORKS. Biographical, Anecdotal
and Descriptive. By Andrew W. Tuer. Illustrated. [The two-volume
edition is out of print.] This special edition — in four stout handsome
vellum-bound quarto volumes, on extra thick paper — is interleaved with
guards or slips for the insertion of extra prints, and in addition to
all the original illustrations contains sixteen extra prints in fine
bright condition of the foUowing attractive subjects of the Bartolozzi
school: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, a set of four; Adoration;
Mrs. Cosway ; Hon. Mrs. Darner ; Master ThornhiU ; Light as Love ;
Cherubs ; Loves, a pair ; Cupid Sharpening his Arrows ; Paris and
CSnone; Ceres and Pomona, a pair. LONDON: The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Six Guineas.
 (Octavo edition in one volume, Twelve-and-Sixpence.) 
NEW EDITION OF
Mrs. GREETS STORY OF THE GOLDEN OWL. With
twenty-four whole-page Illustrations by Ambrose Dudley, LON
DON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
 [Three-and-Sixpence.
Mrs. Dora Greet's Story of THE GOLDEN OWL.
With twenty-four whole-page illustrations by Ambrose Dudley.
LONDON ; The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall Street, E.C.
[Six Shillings.
Printed on brown paper throughout. A most remarkable book
both in matter and manner.
ENGLISH COUNTY SONGS. (Words and Music.) Col-
lected and Edited by Lucy E. Broadwood and J. A. Fuller Mait
land, M.A., F.S.A. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Lead-
enhall-street, E.C.  [Six Shillings.
IN JEST AND EARNEST: A BOOK OF GOSSIP. By
Joseph Hatton, author of " The Reminiscences of J. L. Toole,'5'
"Henry Irving's Impressions of America," " Clytie," "By Order of the
Czar," " The Princess Mazaroff," cvc. With a Prefatory Address to
his friend, J. L. Toole. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50,
Leadenhall-street, E.C.  [Two-and-Sixpence.
PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED.
Mr. GRANT ALLEN'S NEW STORY: MICHAEL'S CRAG
With nearly four hundred marginal illustrations in silhouette, by
Fkancis C. Gould. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50,
Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Three-and-Sixpence.
( 4 )

STRAY MINUTES : Being some account of the Proceedings
of the Literary Club at St. Mungo-by-the-Sea. By E. H. Lacon
Watson, Author of "Ephemera," eve. LONDON: The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
NOTIONS OF A NOBODY. By T. Theodore Dahle.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Two-and-Sixpence.
NEW EDITION, PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED.
A LIFE'S REMINISCENCES OF SCOTLAND YARD.
By Detective Andrew Lansdowne, late of the Criminal Investigation
Department. With one-hundred and ninety-one suggestive illustra
tions by Ambrose Dudley. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd :
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
A LIFE'S REMINISCENCES OF SCOTLAND YARD.
By Detective Andrew Lansdowne, late of the Criminal Investiga
tion Department. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leaden
hall-street, E.C. [Half-a-Crown
NEW SHILLING EDITION, ILLUSTRATED, OF
THE CONFESSIONS OF A POACHER. Edited by John
Watson, F.L.S., author of " Nature and Woodcraft," " Sylvan Folk,"
*c, eve. Illustrated by James West. LONDON : The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling
A most captivating book.
THE CONFESSIONS OF A POACHER. Edited by John
Watson, F.L.S., author of " Nature and Woodcraft," " Sylvan Folk,' '
4vc, cvc, Illustrated by James West. LONDON: The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall Street, E.C. [Two-and-Sixpence

A HANDSOME QUARTO.
ECHOES : A MUSICAL BIRTHDAY BOOK. By the Hon.
Mrs. Brett. Frontispiece by Everard Hopkins. LONDON : The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Twelve Shillings
A covetable present.
MUSIC QUARTO SIZE.
SEVEN SONGS TO SING (Music and Words) By Alfred
j. Caldlcott: Cotsford Dick; L: Denza; Malcolm Lawson ; Theo
Marzials ; J. L. Roeckel, and Lord Henry Somerset. Edited by
Harold Boulton. Frontispiece by Ambrose Dudley. LONDON
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Six Shillings,
PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED.
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH LOTTERIES, now for the
FIRST TIME WRITTEN. By John Ashton. Illustrated with
numerous reproductions of humorous lottery bills, eVc, eve. LONDON
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Twelve-and-Sixpenc».
( 5 )

ILLUSTRATED
NOVEL NOTES. By Jerome K. Jerome, author of " The Idle
Thoughts of an Idle Fellow," " On the Stage— and Off,"evc. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Three-and-Sixpence
NEW EDITION, ILLUSTRATED.
ON THE STAGE— AND OFF. The brief career of a would-
be actor. By Jerome K. Jerome. With One Hundred Illustrations
by Kenneth M. Skeapino, LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd :
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Halfca-Crown.
ON THE STAGE— AND OFF. The brief career of a would-be
actor. Sixteenth Edition. By Jerome K. Jerome. LONDON: Tha
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW : A
BOOK FOR AN IDLE HOLIDAY. One-hundred-and-forty-third
Edition. By Jerome K. Jerome, Author of " On the Stage— and Off."
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Half-a-Crown,
" The Idle Thoughts by JEROME, with his special private views,
Is a book all busy people should undoubtedly peruse." — Punch.
the best Book of Alphabets published.
A NEW SHILLING BOOK OF ALPHABETS, Plain
and Ornamental, Ancient and Modern. For the use of Archi
tects, Clergymen, Decorators, Designers, Draughtsmen, Teachers, eve.
With a curiously interesting Alphabet (capitals and small letters) in
facsimile from an original MS. written by Charles I., together with his
writing-master's " copy." LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd:
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
Dedicated by Special Permission to H.R.H. Princess Louise
(Marchioness of Lome).
TWELVE NEW SONGS. (Music and Words.) By SOME
of the best-known British Composers: — Joseph Barnby; Alfred
Cellier; F. Corder; Frederick Cowen ; Charles H. Lloyd; Hamisb
MacCunn ; A. C. Mackenzie; C. Hubert H. Parry ; Arthur Somervell ;
C. V. Stanford; A. Goring Thomas; Charles Wood. Edited by
Harold Boulton : Poems by the Editor. A beautiful copper-plate
frontispiece by Frank Dicksee, R.A., entitled "The Harpsichord."
LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Twelve Shillings.
THE VISIBLE TO-BE : a Story of Hand-Reading.
LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Three-and-Sixpence,
THE BOOK OF DELIGHTFUL AND STRANGE
DESIGNS BEING ONE HUNDRED FACSIMILE ILLUSTRA
TIONS of the ART OF THE JAPANESE STENCIL-CUTTER
to which the Gentle Reader is Introduced by one Andrew W. Tuer,
F.S.A. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. CSix Shillings,
" Quaint, beautiful, and unique."— Daily Telegrath.
( 6 )

The ten whole page Illustrations, from the original copper-plates (since
destroyed), are delicately hand-coloured in Rowlandson's style, and
include the diligence or mail coach changing horses on a road paved
with rough cobble stones ; fashionable persons, male and female, in
quaint costumes of the period; cabriolet or vehicle apparently the pre
cursor of the modem hansom cab • a conjuror and his assistant ; female
quack medicine vendor, cvc, cvc.
250 Copies only, each one numbered and signed.
Copperplates destroyed.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE FRENCH (fac
simile of the scarce 1815 edition), with ten whole page amusing and
prettily tinted Illustrations. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd :
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.  [Sixteen Shillings.
COUNSEL TO LADIES AND EASY-GOING MEN on
their Business Investments, and cautions against the lures of
Wily Financiers and Unprincipled promoters. LONDON : The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
[Three-and-Sixpence.
" The price of the book is 3s. 6d., and is in itself an excellent
investment." — Sato's Journal.
THE CHILD SET IN THE MIDST : By Modern Poets
["And He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.")
Edited by Wilfrid Meynell. With a facsimile of the MS. of " The
Toys," by Coventry Patmore. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press,
Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Six Shillings.
From the Bull's Point of View : THE TRUE STORY
OF A BULL FIGHT. By R. St. John Corbet.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
 [Sixpence.
SPLAY-FEET SPLASHINGS IN DIVERS PLACES. By
Goosestep. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. [Three-and-Sixpence.
BRIC-A-BRAC BALLADS. By Goosestep, author of
" Splay-Feet Splashings in Divers Places." LONDON : The Leaden
hall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
JOE MILLER IN MOTLEY, being the Cream of Joe's
JESTS. Compiled by W. Carew Hazlitt. LONDON : The Lead
enhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Two Shillings,
ENGLISH CAROLS of the FIFTEENTH CENTURY:
from a MS. Roll in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Edited by J. A. Fuller Maitland, M.A., F.S.A., with added Vocal
Parts by W. S. Rockstro. Frontispiece : facsimile in colours of the
" Agincourt Song," No. VII. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press.Ltd :
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Ten Shillings.
SECOND EDITION.
TRICKS AND TRICKSTERS. Tales founded on fact from
a Lawyer's Note-Book. By Joseph Forster, author of " Some French
and Spanish Men of Genius," "Four great Teachers: Carlyle, Ruskin,
Emerson, and Browning," " Duty Wins," e>c. LONDON : The Lead
enhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
( 7 )

"I have got a new-born sister;
I was mgh the first that ldss'd her."
(CHARLES and MARY LAMB.)
POETRY FOR CHILDREN, entirely original, by the Author
of " Mrs. Leicester's School." In two volumes. A facsimile, including
both frontispieces specially engraved on copper, of the extremely scarce
original 1809 edition. In a pretty contemporary binding by Zaehns-
dorf. The copies are limited to 100, each numbered and signed.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[£i 10s. the two volumes, nett.
THE DOLLS' GARDEN PARTY. By James M. Lowry.
Author of " The Keys at Home," cvc, eve. Illustrated by J. B. Clark.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall Street, E,C.
[Half-a-Crown.
A STORY OF STOPS. By Mrs. Davidson, of Tulloch,
author of " Kitten's Goblins." Prettily Illustrated by the authoress.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Five Shillings.
KITTEN'S GOBLINS. By Mrs. Davidson, of Tulloch. With
a dozen whole-page illustrations by the authoress.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Five Shillings.
THROUGH ENGLAND ON A SIDE-SADDLE IN THE
TIME OF WILLIAM & MARY ; being the diary of Celia Fiennes.
With an explanatory Introduction by The Hon. Mrs. Griffiths.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Twelve-and-Sixpence.

THE ORACLES OF NOSTRADAMUS. By Chas.
A. Ward. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. , [Si* Shillings.
Contains a round hundred, or more, out of the thousand
quatrains of the French prophet, that, since his death, have all
received startling fulfilment in history. 
"THOSE FOREIGN DEVILS!" A Celestial on
England and Englishmen, Edited by W. H. Wilkinson, H.M.
Consular Service, China. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd :
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C,  [Two-and-Sixpence.
THE STAGE IN THE DRAWING-ROOM : Short One-
Act Sketches for Two and Three Players. By Millie Selous.
LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Hali-a-Crown.

JOHN BULL JUNIOR: or French as She is Traduced. En
larged from "Drat the Boys I" By Max O'Rell, author of "John
Bufundhislsland/'ivc. LONDON*; The Leadenhall Press, Ltd": 50,
Leadenhall-street, E.C.  [One Shilling.
JOHN BULL AND HIS ISLAND. (Cheap Edition) Translated
from the French by the Author, Max O'Rell. LONDON: The
Leadenhall Prsss, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
Upwards of two hundred thousand copies have been disposed of.
( 8 )

DRA T THE BOYS ! or, Recollections of an ex-French
Master in England. By Max O'Rell, author of "John Bull and
his Island," cvc, &c. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50,
Leadenhall-street, EC. [Two Shillings.
LAYS OF A LAZY LAWYER. By Al-So.
LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
 [One Shilling.
DRINKS OF THE WORLD: Wines; Spirits; Liqueurs;
Beer; Tea; Coffee; Cocoa; Milk; Sparkling and Miscellane
ous Drinks. By James Mew and John Ashton. One Hundred
Illustrations. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. [One Guinea
" THE GRASSHOPPER," being some account of the Bank
ing House at 68, Lombard Street. By John Biddulph Martin,
M.A., F.S.S. Illustrated. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd :
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Guinea.
the daintiest of dainty books.
BYGONE BEAUTIES painted by Hoppner : ten
delicately engraved portraits of beautiful women of a bygone
period. Introduction by Andrew W. Tuer, F.S.A. LONDON: The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Two Shillings.
76th THOUSAND.
OLD LONDON STREET CRIES AND THE CRIES OF
TO-DAY, with heaps of Quaint Cuts, including hand-coloured frontis
piece. By Andrew W. Tuer, F.S.A., author of " Bartolozzi and
his Works," eve. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leaden
hall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
" Very amusing. Charmingly pretty. A wonderful shilling's-
worth." — Globe. NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION.
HANDBOOK OF LONDON BANKERS, with Some
Account of their Predecessors the Early Goldsmiths, together with
List of Bankers from 1670, eVc, cvc By F. G. Hilton Price, F.S.A.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Fifteen Shillings.
HOW TO FAIL IN LITERATURE. A Lecture.
By Andrew Lang. Revised, corrected and augmented. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
JOHN OLDCASTLE'S GUIDE FOR LITERARY
Beginners. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leaden
hall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
" Is the only practical and common sense book on the subject
we know of."
THE GRIEVANCES BETWEEN AUTHORS AND
PUBLISHERS, being the Report of the Conferences of the Incor
porated Society of Authors held in Willis's Rooms in March, 1887,
with Additional Matter and Summary. LONDON : The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd ; 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
( 9 )

Dedicated by Permission to Admiral H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, K.G.
REAL SAILOR -SONGS (Two-hundred Illustrations) Col
lected and edited by John Ashton, author of " A Century of Ballads,"
Romances of Chivalry," &c, e*c. LONDON: The Leadenhall
Fress, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Guinea.
A magnificent volume profusely illustrated with the quaintest
old woodcuts imaginable. Many of these songs— originally sold
in the streets— are reprinted in their pristine narrow form, being
separately mounted on brown paper slips or guards. The book
is a monument of research and a triumph of the typographic
art. — Daily Telegraph. CHEAP EDITION.
MODERN MEN. By A Modern Maid. Contents : The Decay
of Courtesy, Our Partners, Our Fellow Boarders, Husbands and
Brothers, The Vanity of Men, Men and Money Matters, Objectionable
Lovers, eve, &c. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50,
Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
A book in which modern men are amusingly abused.
"CORNERED." By Norman Porritt. London: The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Two-and- Sixpence.
AS THE WIND BLOWS. By J. Percy King.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Five Shillings.
CURIOUS OLD COOKERY RECEIPTS, including Simples
for Simple Ailments. Printed from a Manuscript now dropping to
pieces through much thumbing. Frontispiece, an old inscribed
pewter platter dated 1679. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50,
Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
THE AUSTRALIAN AT HOME. Notes and Anecdotes
of Life at the Antipodes, including Useful Hints to those intending to
Settle in Australia. By Edward Kinglake. LONDON: The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Two-and-Sixpence.
DAME WIGGINS OF LEE. Hand-coloured Illustrations
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[One Shilling.
A Reprint of a picture book — illustrated from the original
blocks, hand-coloured — used by our grandmothers when young.
Dame Wiggins of Lee has met with the strong approval of
Mr. Ruskin.
TALES OF THE "WILD AND WOOLLY WEST." By
Adair Welcker, of Berkeley, California. LONDON: The Leaden
hall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
( 10 )

PRINCE DORUS. By Charles Lamb. A reproduction oi the first
edition of i8n, including all the beautiful coloured plates. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Seven-and-Sixpence.
Five hundred copies only printed, each being separately numbered dv signed.
A copy of this scarce and amusing book for children was
recently sold by auction for ^45.
" This bright little volume will have a place in every collec
tion of modern literary curiosities." — Notes and Queries.
CHEAP EDITION.
PRINCE DORUS. By Charles Lamb. A reproduction of
the scarce and pretty first edition of 1811, including all the coloured
plates. With Introduction by Andrew W. Tuer, F.S.A. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. By Charles Lamb. With an
Introduction by Andrew Lang. Illustrated with eight beautiful steel
plates engraved in facsimile from the original edition. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Three-and-Sixpence.
A charming book of equal interest to children and their elders.
One hundred signed copies only, containing a set of earliest open
letter proofs of the eight illustrations in red, and a duplicate set in
brown. [Ten-and-Sixpence : now raised to Two Guineas.
GRAY'S ELEGY : with Sixteen beautiful Illustrations by Norman
Prescott Davies, facsimiled from his original drawings in the posses
sion, and published by the gracious permission of H. R. H. The
Princess of Wales. Bound in gold lettered vellum, with broad
silken bands and strings. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50
Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Guinea
" A work of very great beauty. — Leeds Mercury
THE BANTAMS OF SHEFFIELD, a Novel. By Guy
Balguy, author of " The Maids of Dulverton," cvc LONDON : The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Half-a-Crown.
THE A. B. C MARINERS' GUIDE, containing Complete
Information relating to the Mercantile and Maritime Laws and
Customs, including a useful set of Tables, cvc, compiled by Captain
R. T. Stevens. (Second Edition.) LONDON: The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Seven-and-Sixpence.
TABLE OF DISTANCES TO AND FROM THE
Principal Commercial Seaports of the World, shewing the distances
in nautical miles both via the Capes and the Suez Canal, including a
Table of Distances in the Sea of Marmora, the Black Sea and the Sea
of Azof. Compiled and arranged by Captain R. T. Stevens.
This Table shewa at a glance the distance from anchorage to anchorage between the
portB of London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff and the principal commercial
ports of the world, as also the distance of the latter ports from each other. The
distances given are the shortest possible in safe water.
Price 30s. ; or mounted on linen 35s. ; mounted on linen, rollers
and varnished 40s.
LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : so, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
( » )

A TABLE OF DISTANCES IN NAUTICAL MILES
between the principal ports of the United Kingdom, and ports in the
North Sea, Kattegat, Baltic Sea and Gulfs of TFinland and Bothnia.
Compiled by Captain R. T. Stevens. LONDON : The Leadenhall
PreRS, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Two Shillings
OXFORD TO PALESTINE. Being Notes of a Tour made
in the Autumn of 1889. By the Rev. Joseph Ll. Thomas, M.A.,
Briton Ferry. Author of "An Undergraduate's Trip to Italy and
Attica." LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. [Two-and-Sixpence,
ffEVER HIT A MAN NAMED SULLIVAN I By A.
Dewar Willock, M.J.I., author of " Rosetty End," "She Noddit to
Me," eve, cvc. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. [Two-and-Sixpence
/ESOP REDIVIVUS : Written for Boys and Girls between
6 and 106 Years of Age. By Mary Boyle. A most amusing book.
Numerous Cuts. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leaden
hall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
" Old cuts are here wedded to fables new,
But I'd skip the morals if I were you."
UP THE MOONSTAIR, a Story for Children. By Albert
E. Hooper, with Twelve Illustrations by Harry Parkes. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Three-and-Sixpence.

RUS IN URBE : or Flowers that Thrive in London
Gardens and Smoky Towns. By M. E. Haweis. Illustrated.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[One Shilling.
" Full of encouragement for the patient townsman who desires
a garden or something green to make cheerful his surroundings.
— Saturday Review.
PEOPLE WE MEET. By Charles F. Rideal. Illustrated by Harry
Parkes. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. C°ne Shilling.
THE TRUTH ABOUT DEMOCRACY. By "B," author
of " A Political Catechism," " Palaver," e>c. LONDON : The Leaden
hall Press, Ltd : jo, Leadenhall-street, E.C. rTw0.and.sixpen(.e.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED.
THE PERFECT WAY ; or, The Finding of Christ. By
Anna Kinosford, M.D. (Paris), and Edward Maitland, B.A.
S!I.C.lSND°N: The L' hR" P"55 [S-n5. 'nStt
( 12 )

POLICE ! By Charles Tempest Clarxson, thirty-three years an
Officer of Police ; and I . Hall Richardson, journalist on one of the
London Dailies. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leaden
hall-street, E.C. [Six Shillings.
Whole page illustrations of Prisoners being photographed for
"The Rogues' Gallery"; Burglar's Kit; and Metropolitan
Police Constable.
THE ROGUES' GALLERY. Portraits from Life, of Burglars,
Receivers, Forgers, Cracksmen, Smashers, Bank Sneaks, House
Thieves, Swell Mobsmen, Pickpockets, Swindlers, and Tricksters.
By the Authors of " POLICE 1 "— C. T. Clarkson andl. H. Richard
son. Illustrated by Harry Parkes. LONDON: The Leadenhall
Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
" THENKS AWF'LLY ! " Sketched in Cockney and Hung
on Twelve Pegs. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leaden
hall-street. E.C. [One Shilling.
Cockney lingo phonetically rendered : most amusing.
PRIZE SPECIMENS OF HANDWRITING, Ladies' and
Gentlemen's. Contains many specimens, in facsimile, of the best
handwriting for which prizes were recently awarded.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Sixpence.
A SEASON IN EGYPT. By W. M. Flinders Petrie. Illustrated.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : so, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Twelve Shillings.
THE AGE OF MARIE ANTOINETTE. A sketch of the
period of European revival, which claims amongst its representatives
Gcethe, Prudhon, Gainsborough, and Mozart. By Charles Newton
Scott, author of " The Foregleams of Christianity," eve. LONDON :
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C [Two Shillings
HOUSEKEEPING MADE EASY. By a Lady. A simplified
method of keeping accounts, arranged to commence from any date,
LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[One Shilling.
SONNETS. (Revised and Enlarged Edition.) By Emily Pfeiffer,
author of " Gerard's Monument," " Under the Aspens," " The Rhyme
of the Lady of the Rock," " Flying Leaves from East and West,
*c, eve. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street,
E.c. [Six Shillings
"Among the finest in the language." — Spectator.
" These Sonnets are poetic gems." — Sunday Times.
" The work of a poet of rare intuition." — Scotsman.

RESCUED ESSAYS OF THOMAS CARLYLE. Edited
with an Introduction and Notes by Percy Newberry. LONDON
The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50 Leadenhall-street, E.C. _..„.
( 13 )

\

FLYING LEAVES FROM EAST AND WEST. (Second
Edition.) By Emily Pfeiffer, author of "Sonnets," "Gerard's Monu
ment," " Under the Aspens," ' The Rhyme of the Lady of the Rock,"
cvc., eve. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-
street, E.C. [Six Shillings,
" The best book written on the American continent." — Academy.
A Pearl of English Rhetoric
THOMAS CARLYLE on the repeal of the union.
LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd: 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[Sixpence.
SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. By Emile de Laveleye.
Translated from the French by Goddard H. Orpen. Including
"Socialism in England," by the Translator. LONDON: The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C [Six Shillings.
ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPOKE: or a Jest in Sober
Earnest: Ninth Edition. LONDON : The Leadenhall Press, Ltd I
50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [One Shilling.
A manual by means of which the Portuguese author, who has
struggled with the difficulties of the English language by aid of
dictionary and phrase-book, proposes to teach its complexities to
his fellow countrymen. The solemn good faith of the writer
crowns the unapproachable grotesqueness of his composition.
" Excruciatingly funny." — The World.
ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPOKE: or a Jest in Sober
Earnest. " Her Seconds Part." (new matter.) LONDON : The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C. , [One Shilling.
An unlimited mine of salt for diners-out.
" Deliriously humorous." — Detroit Free Press.
1 ,00O QUAINT CUTS FROM BOOKS OF OTHER DAYS,
including Amusing Illustrations from Children's Story Books, Fables,
Chap-books, &c, eve ; a Selection of Pictorial Initial Letters and
Curious Designs and Ornaments from Original Wooden Blocks be
longing to The Leadenhall Press. LONDON: The Leadenhall Press,
Ltd: so, Leadenhall-street, E.C. [Sixteen-pence.
A limited number printed on one side of the paper only at
Two-and-Eightpence.
" A wonderful collection of entertaining old wood engravings
.... any one of these delights is worth the one-and-fourpence."
— Saturday Review.
BABY'S RECORD.
LONDON The Leadenhall Press, Ltd : 50, Leadenhall-street, E.C.
[One Shilling.
" Baby's Record " is a daintily got-up little book for mothers in
which to jot down particulars concerning baby, and "will prove,"
says an experienced London physician, " an invaluable aid to the
doctor in the treatment of ailments in later life."
( 14 )

{Punch is responsible for this transposition!)
THE

(^ HAIRLESS ^AUTHOR'S
PAPER PAD.
" With bad paper, one's best is impossible."
The Author's Hairless Paper-Pad (iSSUed by The
Leadenhall Press, Ltd :) Contains, in block form, fifty sheets of strong
hairless paper, over which — being of unusual but not painful smooth
ness—the pen slips with perfect freedom. Easily detachable, the size
of the sheets is about 7A x 8? in., and the price is only that charged for
common scribbling paper. The Author's Hairless Paper-Pad may
be comfortably used, whether at the desk, held in the hand, or resting on
the knee. As being most convenient for both author and compositor,
the paper is ruled the narrow way, and of course on one side only.—
Sixpence each : 5/- per dozen, ruled or plain.*
The Author's Hairless Paper-Pad Holder—™,;'1 %£Tt£
busy few who write when travelling, and to stay-at-homes who dislike
tbe restraint of desk or table. It is intended that the wooden rim at the
Bide of the Author's Hairless Paper- Pad Holder should be grasped
by the left hand, the right being free to travel over the whole surface
of the paper from top to bottom The height of Pad and Holder will
be kept uniform if each written sheet is placed as torn off underneath
the Pad, the base of which is now thick blotting paper instead of the
old and useless cardboard. The ordinary sloped position when in use
keeps Pad and Holder together. — One Shilling each.*

If to be forwarded by post, send zd. extra for postage of single Pad
and is. for postage of one dozen Pads. The postage on one Pad-
Holder is zd., and one Pad-Holder and one Pad together 3d.

( 15 )

^pecial facilities are possessed
(j3jf for printing 'Books, 'Pamphlets,
Prospecluses, Professional and Trading
Announcements, &c, in that high-
class and attractive manner for
which The Leadenhall Press
has been so long and favourably
known.

i1 3620