"Heu fragile humanum genus! Heu terrestria vana!
Heu quem spectatum continet urna virum!"
In Mr. Mason's animated Ode to Independency, the dignified virtue of this truly patriotic character is described
"In thoughts that breathe, and words that burn."
[88] "Such were the words of the bards in the days of song, when the king heard the music of harps, and the tales of other times."—Songs of Selma, p. 302.
[89] In the early impressions it is spelt Prusia. It has been said with great confidence, that after twenty-five were worked off, this error in orthography was discovered and amended. I have seen at least fifty, and think it probable that all which were subscribed for were delivered before any alteration was made in the spelling.
[90] This word is explained in the Slang Dictionary as a cant expression for the threat of a blow.
[91] The fifer is designed for the portrait of a young lad who was much noticed by the late William Duke of Cumberland; and who, from the propriety of his conduct, was first rewarded with a halberd, and afterwards promoted to a pair of colours.
[92] This is said to be the portrait of a fellow known by the name of Jockey James, a most frequent attendant on the nursery for bruising, under the management of the mighty Broughton. Jockey had a son who rendered himself eminent by boxing with Smallwood, and many other athletic pugilists. The French pieman, grenadier, and chimney-sweeper, are also taken from the life, and said, by those who recollect their persons, to be very faithful resemblances of the persons intended.
[93] This gentleman displays the great difference between an officer, and a officer: he comes under the latter description.