and who, by thus kindly superintending the pleasures of our nobles, gained an income of £5000 a year, and, as he frequently boasted, laid out the whole in this country.
Beneath is a framed picture of a Bacchanalian scene; and on each side, shelves with pyramids of jellies, sweetmeats, etc., inscribed "Provocatives." On two labels placed before them is written, "Supper below."
A pair of instruments, somewhat similar to the mental thermometer in "The Medley," are fixed on each side: on that next to Venus and Cupid is written, "cool, warm, dry, changeable, hot, moist, fixt;" on the other, "expectation, hope, hot desire, extreme hot, moist, sudden cold."
The motley crew who make up the crowd it is not easy to describe, for every one present assumes a false character.
"Here tottering old age essays to prance
With feeble feet, and joins th' imperfect dance;
There, supercilious youth assumes the air
And reverend mien which hoary sages wear.
'Tis thus, like Proteus, Folly joys to range,
Her name to vary, and her shape to change."