“And we’re all treading, tread, tread, treading,
And we’re all treading, at fam’d Brixton Mill.”
The following punning ditty was very popular at the period:—
The Treadmill.
This Brixton Mill’s a fearful ill,
And he who brought the Bill in,
Is threatn’d by the cribbing coves,
That he shall have a milling.
They say he shew’d a simple pate,
To think of felons mending:
As every step which here they take,
They’re still in crime ascending.
And when releas’d, and in the streets
Their former snares they’re spreading,
They swear ’tis Parliament, which wills
They must their old ways tread in.
The Radicals begin to think
’Twill touch the Constitution,
For as the wheel moves round and round,
It brings a Revolution.
But though these snarlers show their teeth,
And try to vex the nation,
Their actions soon are tried and judg’d,
And grinding is their station.
The Gambling swells who near St. James’
Have play’d their double dealings,
Say ’tis not fair that Bow-street should
Thus work upon their feelings.
Tom, Jerry, Logic, three prime sprigs,
Find here they cannot come it,
For though their fancy soars aloft,
They ne’er will reach the summit.
Corinthian Kate and buxom Sue
Must change their warm direction,
For if they make one false step more
They’ll have Cold Bath Correction.
The moon-struck youths who haunt the stage,
And spend their master’s siller,
Must here play to another tune,
’Tis called the Dusty Miller.
Ye bits of blood (the watchman’s dread)
Who love to floor a Charley,
As you delight to strip and fight,
Come forth and mill the barley.
John Barleycorn’s a stout old blade,
As every man puts trust in,
And you will make no meal of him,
But he’ll give you a dusting.
But here we’ll stay, for puns they say,
Are bad as stealing purses
And I to Brixton may be sent,
To grind some floury verses.
Going to the Mill!
THE WARNING.
Supposed to have been sung by a Cadger to his Companions on his Return from “The New Dancing Academy,” Brixton.
Tune.—“Bow wow, &c.”