The English Spy Part 8

And ne'er was known to flounder.

There's Foxey Hall{28} can throw the line With any Walton angler; To tell his worth would task the Nine,

Or pose a Cambridge wrangler.

Next, Pickey Powell{29} at a ball

Is master of the wicket; Can well deliver at a call

A trite essay on cricket.

Jem Flowers {30} baits a badger well,

For a bull _hank, or tyke_, sir; And as an out and out bred _swell_,{31}

Was never seen his like.

27 A GUN--"He's a great gun," a good fellow, a knowing one.

Joe is a first rate waterman, and by the Etonians styled "Admiral of the fleet."

28 "Not a better fellow than Jack Hall among the Cads," said an old Etonian, "or a more expert angler." Barb, Gudgeon, Dace, and Chub, seem to bite at his bidding; and if they should be a little shy, why Jack knows how to "go to work with the net."

29 Who, that has been at Eton, and enjoyed the manly and invigorating exercise of cricket, has not repeatedly heard Jem Powell in tones of exultation say, "Only see me '_liver thin here_ ball, my young master?" And, in good truth, Jem is right, for very few can excel him in that particular: and then (when Jem is _Bacchi plenis_,) who can withstand his _quart of sovereigns_. On such occasions Jem is seen marching up and down before the door of his house, with a silver quart tankard filled with gold--the savings of many years of industry.

30 Jem Flowers is an old soldier; and, in marshalling the forces for a bull or a badger-bait, displays all the tactics of an experienced general officer. Caleb Baldwin would no more bear comparison with Jem than a flea does to an elephant.

31 When it is remembered how near Eton is to London, and how frequent the communication, it will appear astonis.h.i.+ng, but highly creditable to the authorities, that so little of the current slang of the day is to be met with here.

~73~~

There's Jolly Jem,{32} who keeps his punt,

And dogs to raise the siller; Of _cads_, the captain of the hunt,

A right and tight good miller.

Next Barney Groves,{33} a learned wight,

The impounder of cattle, Dilates on birth and common right,

And threats _black slugs_ with battle.

Big George {34} can teach the use of fives,

Or pick up a prime terrier; Or _spar_, or keep the game alive,

With beagle, bull, or harrier.

Savager{35} keeps a decent nag,

32 Jem Miller was originally a tailor; but having dropt a st.i.tch or two in early life, _listed_ into a sporting regiment of Cads some years since; and being a better shot at hares and partridges than he was considered at the _heavy goose_, has been promoted to the rank of captain of the private tutors. Jem is a true jolly fellow; his house exhibits a fine picture of what a sportsman's hall should be, decorated with all the emblems of fis.h.i.+ng, fowling, and hunting, disposed around in great taste.

33 Barney Groves, the haughward, or impounder of stray cattle at Eton, is one of the most singular characters I have ever met with. Among the ignorant Barney is looked up to as the fountain of local and legal information; and it is highly ludicrous to hear him expatiate on his favourite theme of "our birthrights and common rights;" tracing the first from the creation, and deducing argument in favor of his opinions on the second from doomsday book, through all the intricate windings of the modern inclosure acts. Barney is a great stickler for reform in College, and does not hesitate to attack the fellows of Eton (whom he denominates black slugs), on holding pluralities, and keeping the good things to themselves. As Barney's avocation compels him to travel wide, he is never interrupted by water; for in summer or winter he readily wades through the deepest places; he is consequently a very efficient person in a sporting party.

34 George Williams, a well-known dog fancier, who also teaches the art and science of pugilism.

35 Savager, a livery-stable keeper, who formerly used to keep a good tandem or two for hire, but on the interference of the head master, who interdicted such amus.e.m.e.nts as dangerous, they have been put down in Eton.

~74~~

But's very shy of lending, Since she put down her tandem _drag_,{36}

For fear of Keates offending.

But if you want to splash along

In glory with a _ginger_,{37} Or in a Stanhope come it strong,

Try Isaac Clegg,{38} of Windsor.

If o'er old father Thames you'd glide,

And cut the silvery stream; With Hester's{39} eight oars mock the tide,

He well deserves a _theme_.

There's Charley Miller, and George Hall,{40}

Can beasts and birds restore, sir; And though they cannot bark or squall,

Look livelier than before, sir.

Handy Jack's {41} a general blade,

There's none like Garraway, sir; Boats, ducks, or dogs, are all his trade,

He'll fit you to a say, sir.

36 DR A G, London slang for tilbury, dennet, Stanhope, &c.

37 A GINGER, a showy, fast horse.

38 Isaac Clegg is in great repute for his excellent turn outs, and prime nags; and, living in Windsor, he is out of the jurisdiction of the head master.

39 Hester's boats are always kept in excellent trim. At Eton exercise on the water is much practised, and many of the scholars are very expert watermen: they have recently taken to boats of an amazing length, forty feet and upwards, which, manned with eight oars, move with great celerity.

Every Sat.u.r.day evening the scholars are permitted to a.s.sume fancy dresses; but the practice is now princ.i.p.ally confined to the steersman; the rest simply adopting sailors' costume, except on the fourth of June, or election Sat.u.r.day, when there is always a grand gala, a band of music, and fireworks, on the island in the Thames.

40 Miller and Hall, two famous preservers of birds and animals; an art in high repute among the Etonians.

41 A famous boatman, duck-hunter, dog-fighter; or, according to the London phrase--good at everything.

~75~~

Tom New {42} in manly sports is old,

A tailor, and a trump, sir; And _odd Fish Bill_,{43} at sight of gold,

Will steer clear of the b.u.mp,"{44} sir.