s might have been
expected, forms the subject of numerous contemporary caricatures; and in
one of these, by way of comical contrast, the worthy but corpulent
alderman, Sir William Curtis, distinguished by a similar scantiness of
attire, figures with the living skeleton in a lively _pas de deux_.
William Heath, in another of contemporary date, represents the fat
alderman standing on a map of England, and Seurat on a map of France.
Says Sir William: "I say, friend, did you ever eat turtle soup?" to
which Claude Ambroise replies, "No, sare; but I did eat de soupe
maigre." In another (also I think by the same artist), labelled,
_Foreign Rivals for British Patronage_, the living skeleton and a
favourite male Italian singer of the time are represented in the act of
preparing for mortal combat.[54]

A number of the caricatures of 1825 (and among them many by Robert) are
singularly illustrative of the morals of the time. About this year had
been published a work professing to contain the memoirs of an apt
disciple of Mrs. Mary Anne Clarke, which was made the vehicle of
extorting money. The _modus operandi_ appears to have been as follows.
In the month of March, 1825, a well-known M.P. of that day received a
letter from this creature in the following terms:--

"NO. 111, RUE DU FAUBOURG ST. HONORE,
A PARIS.

Sir,--People are buying themselves so fast out of my book, ...[55]
that I have no time to attend to them; should be sorry not to give
each _a chance_, if they _chuse to be out_. You are quizzed most
_unmercifully_. Two noble dukes have lately taken my word, and I have
never named them. I am sure ---- would say you might trust me never to
publish, or _cause_ to be published, aught about you, if you like to
forward L200 directly to me, else it will be too late, as the last
volume, in which you _shine_, will be the property of the editor, and
in his hands. Lord ---- says he will answer for aught I agree to; so
will my husband. Do _just as you like_--consult only yourself. I get
as much by a small _book_ as you will give me for taking you out, or
more. I attack no poor men, because they cannot help themselves.

"Adieu. Mind, I have no time to write again, as what with writing
books, and then altering them for those who _buy out_, I am done
up--_frappe en mort_.

"Don't trust to bag[56] with your answer."

That this extraordinary communication was no idle threat was proved by
the fact