Another prominent member of the staff was William Jeffrey Prowse, a journalist of great brilliancy and power, and a "leader writer" and constant contributor to the Daily Telegraph. His advent, under the nom de plume of "Nicholas," was announced by Hood in the following quaint terms:
"With feelings of considerable pride we inform our readers that we have been enabled (at some expense) to secure the exclusive services of the celebrated 'Nicholas.' ... 'Nicholas,' that friend of man, has benevolently consented to impart (for a certain weekly stipend) the experience of—well, let us say middle age to the generous ardour of youth: AND THIS IS HOW HE DOES IT."
But Jeffrey Prowse was something more than the ordinary journalist working to order; he was a poet of no mean power. Some of his productions in this way were published after his death at the end of a small volume of "Nicholas Notes," edited by his friend, Tom Hood. Among his best are "To Be, to Do, and to Suffer," a poem showing great ability; and one named "The City of Prague," of which the following are the first and last verses:
"I dwelt in a city enchanted,
And lonely indeed was my lot;
Two guineas a week, all I wanted,
'Twas certainly all that I got:
Well, somehow I found it was plenty,
Perhaps you may find it the same,
If—if you are just five-and-twenty
With industry, hope, and an aim.
Tho' the latitude's rather uncertain,
And the longitude also is vague,
The persons I pity who know not the city:
The beautiful City of Prague.
* * * * * * *
L'Envoi.
As for me I have come to an anchor,
I have taken my watch out of pawn,
I keep an account with a banker,
Which, at present, is not overdrawn;
Tho' my clothes may be none of the smartest
The 'snip' has receipted the bill;
But the days I was poor and an artist
Are the dearest of days to me still!
Tho' the latitude's rather uncertain,
And the longitude also is vague,
The persons I pity who know not the city:
The beautiful City of Prague."
Park Lane. By E. F. Brewtnall. From Fun.