CHAPTER II. An Outline-or, rather a Pen and Ink Sketch of PETER MAKEMONEY-a thorough-bred Cockney-his obscure origin in early life-great rise-immense luck-and experience in society. A retired wealthy citizen, who had filled the Offices of Sheriff, Alderman, and Lord Mayor. His observations on Men and Manners-Opinions worth knowing. A wit's a feather, and a chief a rod, An honest man's the noblest work of God. PETER MAKEMONEY was, at one period of his career, a man of considerable importance in the City of London, but whose first onset in life was rather in an humble capacity: however, from his rigid attention to business, and industry, he was soon enabled to shake off his obscurity-and, like several other persons connected with mercantile affairs in this immense Metropolis, he rose step by step, until he arrived at the important situation of an Alderman. He looked back with astonishment at his rapid success in life, being scarcely the possessor of a shilling at one time; when he retired from business with an immense fortune. He had served the office of Sheriff with great activity and credit to himself; and also filled the Civic Chair to the general satisfaction of the public. 66 Makemoney was a strait-forward character in every point of view-and a highly impartial magistrate. He was a friend to the poor-the distressed in circumstances-and the unfortunate, generally, in him found a friend. Yet he was a terror to the wicked and profligate; but, nevertheless, he always tempered justice with mercy; and if he thought there appeared any thing like sorrow or reformation about the criminal, when brought before him, he did every thing in his power to give the culprit a chance to effect so desirable an object. He endeavoured to see his way" clearly upon every subject; and any thing like the slightest bias of an improper feeling, never appeared in his conduct or his decisions. He did his duty fearlessly upon all occasions; and, although a very plain man in his habits and mode of life, yet he was most anxious to preserve the dignity of his situation as the Lord Mayor of the greatest city in the world: and by his liberality he considerably increased, rather than diminished the smallest particle of the splendour which attached to the office.* He was * It should seem that Makemoney, in order to preserve the dignity of the character attached to the person of the Lord Mayor, adopted the following mode to firm in his manners, dignified in his conduct, and nothing like parade or ostentation was observed by his most intimate friends. He felt proud that he had been thought worthy by his fellow citizens to fill so important an office; but nevertheless he had no political ambition to gratify, and Peter Makemoney preserved his independence to the end of the chapter. In his magisterial capacity he was accessible upon all occasions; and although many of the interruptions he received came under the denomination of "troublesome," he never shewed impatience to any of his applicants, and they always left his presence well pleased with his affability and condescension: indeed, Peter was anxious to obtain the good opinion of every body. He completed his Mayoralty with immense popularity: and also with great joy to himself, that he was enabled once more to retire into private life. He disliked the pomp and shew; although he admitted it was necessary to the importance of the Chief Magistrate and Makemoney often declared he felt himself a hundred times happier in his own humble residence, than when receiving all the honors and attentions in the splendid Mansion allotted to the Lord Mayor. However, it could be scarcely said of him, that he was indebted to any thing like education for his rise in life; or what is generally termed education-although he had had a great deal to do with Books-his occupation being more to sell them, to make an addition to his purse, than reading works for the improvement of his mind: but, it is quite certain, that he owed much to observation and treasured up the following lines of POPE as most excellent advice: 'Tis strange the MISER should his cares employ, It is less strange the PRODIGAL should waste His wealth, to purchase, what he ne'er can taste! And, though no Science, fairly worth the Seven! Calculation was also an immense assistance to him in his daily pursuits; but Economy-invaluable Economy-all powerful Economy, that often times gives, not only independence to the mind-but frequently fortune to the adopter of it-was the inti answer two purposes :-From early habits, when the fatigue of business was over for the day, he always indulged in the habit of smoking his pipe over a glass of grog; but for the Lord Mayor to be seen with a pipe in his mouth before his decorated servants at the Mansion House, he thought might produce some remarks and sneers not very palatable to his feelings. He, therefore, retired for an hour or two, every evening, to his old chimney corner at his private residence (as the humble Peter Makemoney) to enjoy his whiffs in comfort; and then returned, like a "giant refreshed," to sustain the duties imposed upon him, as chief magistrate of the City of London.-"Domus amica-domus optima." or a ready-cut and dried sailor for Mr. T. P. Cooke! Our aim is totally different, and takes a higher ground;-the "dramatis personæ "that we are about to represent, being composed of persons who caught the eyes of the Pilgrims under peculiar circumstances; or crossed their paths during their pilgrimage on the BANKS OF THE THAMES! As a matter of course, it will appear that some of our aspiring personages are decorated in the fashionable apparel of a Stultz or a Nugee, for the best of all reasons-because fashion is their very soul, and dress their only idol! while the other part of them are, from dire necessity, compelled to wear a garment, purchased perhaps either at Rag Fair or Monmouth-street-no matter where, so that it answers the purpose of wearing apparel. Yet taste, with a certain class of society, is considered of the utmost importance-for instance, in the trifling article of snuff, without the peculiar scent given to it by the addition of the Tonquin Bean, would be pronounced by the connoisseur of the Canisters!' shocking! wretched, and abominable stuff! while, on the contrary, downright " Irish Blackguard" would be hailed as a delicious treat to the proboscis of other individuals, and asserted, with equal firmness, that none but gentlemen make use of the above article-therefore, "Who's to decide when doctors disagree?' However, we take our heroes as we find them, and chance it-whether running against my Lord Duke, with his glittering star, backed by his high birth, parentage, and education; or coming in rude contact with "Sweep, soot ho!" with only his bag and brush to carry him through the world! From such a variety of persons passing in review, some of NATURE's unmeaning compositions will shew themselves-who, to supply their defects, endeavour to set themselves off to the best advantage, by exhibiting a dashing exterior, to obtain importance in the eyes of society; and if PERRING's fashionable light hats cover many lighter heads-it is no matter about brains-if the effect of attraction is obtained by the wearers of them! Our heroines, too, will be found real women, positively females from top to toe-it not being our wish, if we had the power, like Glendower, to call "spirits from the vasty deep!" nor to enlist Venus, Juno, Psyche, and all the other captivating goddesses, from the splendid court of Jupiter's beauties, under our banners, to dazzle the eyes and bewilder the senses of our patrons ! No! we are anxious to exclude any thing in the shape of temptation; therefore, nothing like a Venus di Medicis will be prominent amongst them : Ladies, like variegated tulips, 'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe; Fine by defect, and delicately weak; Their happy spots the nice admirer take. Although among our pages may be found ladies with pretty faces good figures-genteel gait-interesting address-and handsomely dished up in gros-de-Naples silk-dresses-diamond ear-dropsfingers covered with rings-hair, in glossy ringlets-united with every thing that art can render effective to ornament their persons-and give attraction to their appearance. Such females as you may cast your eyes upon at the Italian Opera-the Theatres -Epsom and Ascot Races-Kensington Gardens-Regent Street, &c. from my Lady Duchess down to the humble maid of all work-Fairies, and other imaginary creatures, are exclusively left to the writers of romance! ORIGINALITY and decided features being our peculiar aim; although it is asserted by the Quidnuncs-a set of persons who wish to be thought wiser and better informed than other folks, "that there is nothing new under the Sun!" But as a set-off against the above old, and stale adage, we agree with the dramatist: Severe their task, who in this critic age, However, it will be admitted the Age varies—the Times alter -and that Fashion is continually changing all the modes of life;-so much so, that, in the course of a few fleeting years, society assumes a different aspect altogether; yet however, it is not altogether improbable that we may jostle against some soidisant English Don Juans-Chevaliers Faublas'-Don Quixottes, &c., but rather more likely that we may meet with beings similar to Tom Jones, Peregrine Pickle, and Paul Clifford ! Should such characters appear, pen and ink drawings shall not be wanting to illustrate their achievements, and if we can but hold the mirror up to Nature, and shoot folly as it flies-we shall then feel gratified that we have accomplished our task; therefore, in order to deserve success, we set sail boldly, under the old proverb, a faint heart ne'er won a fair lady! CHAPTER II. An Outline-or, rather a Pen and Ink Sketch of PETER MAKEMONEY-a thorough-bred Cockney-his obscure origin in early life-great rise-immense luck-and experience in society. A retired wealthy citizen, who had filled the Offices of Sheriff, Alderman, and Lord Mayor. His observations on Men and Manners-Opinions worth knowing. A wit's a feather, and a chief a rod, An honest man's the noblest work of God. PETER MAKEMONEY was, at one period of his career, a man of considerable importance in the City of London, but whose first onset in life was rather in an humble capacity: however, from his rigid attention to business, and industry, he was soon enabled to shake off his obscurity-and, like several other persons connected with mercantile affairs in this immense Metropolis, he rose step by step, until he arrived at the important situation of an Alderman. He looked back with astonishment at his rapid success in life, being scarcely the possessor of a shilling at one time; when he retired from business with an immense fortune. He had served the office of Sheriff with great activity and credit to himself; and also filled the Civic Chair to the general satisfaction of the public. Makemoney was a strait-forward character in every point of view-and a highly impartial magistrate. He was a friend to the poor-the distressed in circumstances-and the unfortunate, generally, in him found a friend. Yet he was a terror to the wicked and profligate; but, nevertheless, he always tempered justice with mercy; and if he thought there appeared any thing like sorrow or reformation about the criminal, when brought before him, he did every thing in his power to give the culprit a chance to effect so desirable an object. He endeavoured to " see his way" clearly upon every subject; and any thing like the slightest bias of an improper feeling, never appeared in his conduct or his decisions. He did his duty fearlessly upon all occasions; and, although a very plain man in his habits and mode of life, yet he was most anxious to preserve the dignity of his situation as the Lord Mayor of the greatest city in the world: and by his liberality he considerably increased, rather than diminished the smallest particle of the splendour which attached to the office.* He was It should seem that Makemoney, in order to preserve the dignity of the character attached to the person of the Lord Mayor, adopted the following mode to |