It would be very desirable if the above could be disposed of with the hermitage, but if not, Mr. B. would be willing to enter into a separate agreement for them. For further particulars, apply to Mr. W. B.
N.B. The stock of pop, peppermint, gingerbread, and Eccles cakes, with the signboards, dials, inscriptions, rams’ horns, and other tasteful and appropriate decorations, will be required to be taken at a valuation.
To be let Monday August 29, 1825.
A Hoax “In Chancery.”
There is a spirit of waggery which contributes to public amusement, and occasionally annoys individual repose. The following lines are in a journal of this day 1826.
A VISION.
BY THE AUTHOR OF CHRISTABEL.
“Up!” said the spirit, and ere I could pray
One hasty orison, whirl’d me away
To a limbo, lying—I wist not where—
Above or below, in earth or air;
All glimmering o’er with a doubtful light,
One couldn’t say whether ’twas day or night;
And crost by many a mazy track,
One didn’t know how to get on or back;
And I felt like a needle that’s going astray
(With its one eye out) through a bundle of hay:
When the spirit he grinn’d, and whisper’d me,
“Thou’rt now in the Court of Chancery!”
Around me flitted unnumber’d swarms
Of shapeless, bodiless, tailless forms;
(Like bottled-up babes, that grace the room
Of that worthy knight, sir Everard Home)—
All of them, things half-kill’d in rearing;
Some were lame—some wanted hearing;
Some had through half a century run,
Though they hadn’t a leg to stand upon.
Others, more merry, as just beginning,
Around on a point of law were spinning;
Or balanced aloft, ’twixt Bill and Answer,
Lead at each end, like a tight rope dancer.—
Some were so cross, that nothing could please ’em;—
Some gulp’d down affidavits to ease ’em;
All were in motion, yet never a one,
Let it move as it might, could ever move on.
“These,” said the spirit, “you plainly see,
Are what they call suits in Chancery!”