These spirited etchings having become the property of the present Editor, they are now for the first time submitted to the public; who will, it is hoped, consider this volume an appropriate companion to Mr. Smith’s “Vagabondiana; or, Anecdotes of Mendicant Wanderers through the Streets of London,” which work was honoured by a masterly Introduction from the pen of Mr. Douce.

The Editor has taken the liberty, occasionally, to adapt the letter-press to the present day; but the reader will kindly bear in mind that the work was written several years since; and that in the interval many changes have taken place, which it was not thought necessary to point out.

J. B. Nichols.

May, 1839.

CONTENTS, AND LIST OF PLATES.

Page
MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, with a Portrait[ix]
INTRODUCTION[1]
Plates.ANTIENT TRADES.
I.WATCHMAN, from a rare woodcut temp. James I.[13]
II.BELLMAN, from a work entitled “Villanies discovered by Lanthorne and Candle Light”[14]
III.BILL-MAN, from a print published by Overton, temp. Charles II.[16]
IV.WATER-CARRIER, from a print published by Overton[17]
V.CORPSE-BEARER, in the time of a plague at London[20]
VI.HACKNEY-COACHMAN, from a print published by Overton[25]
VII.JAILOR, from a tract, entitled “Essayes and Characters of a Prison and Prisoners, by Geffray Mynshul, 1638”[27]
VIII.PRISON BASKET-MAN, from a print published by Overton, temp. Charles II.[30]
IX.RAT-CATCHER[33]
X.MARKING-STONES, from a rare woodcut, temp. James I.[37]
XI.BUY A BRUSH, OR A TABLE BOOK, from a print published by Overton[39]
XII.FIRE-SCREENS, from a print published by Overton[42]
XIII.SAUSAGES, from a print temp. Charles II.[44]
MODERN TRADERS.
XIV.NEW ELEGY[47]
XV.ALL IN FULL BLOOM[50]
XVI.OLD CHAIRS TO MEND—Portrait of Israel Potter[53]
XVII.THE BASKET OR PRICKLE MAKER[55]
XVIII.THE POTTER[58]
XIX.STAFFORDSHIRE WARE[61]
XX.HARD METAL SPOONS—Portrait of William Conway[63]
XXI.DANCING DOLLS[65]
XXII.SPRIG OF SHILLELAH AND SHAMROCK SO GREEN—Portrait of Thomas McConwick, the dancing ballad singer[67]
XXIII.GINGERBREAD NUTS, OR JACK’S LAST SHIFT—Portrait of Daniel Clarey[69]
XXIV.CHICKWEED—Portrait of George Smith[73]
XXV.BILBERRIES[75]
XXVI.Three female SIMPLERS[77]
XXVII.WASHERWOMAN, CHAR-WOMAN, and STREET NURSES[81]
XXVIII.SMITHFIELD BARGAINS—Saloop[85]
XXIX.SMITHFIELD-PUDDING[88]
XXX.THE BLADDER-MAN—Portrait of Bernardo Millano[92]
POSTSCRIPT, by the Editor[96]