knee, his head
dangled about like a poppy after a shower."

A second fight, this time between Sampson, called the "Birmingham boy,"
and Martin the "baker," lost much of its interest by reason of the storm
described in _Lavengro_. "During the contest," says the _Norfolk
Chronicle_, "a most tremendous black cloud informed the spectators that a
rare sousing was in preparation for them." And the _Mercury_ states that
"the heavy rain drenched the field, and most betook themselves to a
retreat, but the rats were all drinkled". Thus the "cloud" was no
fiction, by which the Gypsy foretold the dreadful fate awaiting John
Thurtell before Hertford gaol, 9th January, 1824. Ned Painter never
fought again. He was landlord of the White Hart Inn from 1823 to 1835.
The present proprietor still shows his portrait there, with the above
fact duly inscribed on the back of the frame.

Page 168. Public: The Castle Tavern, Holborn, kept by Tom Belcher--the
"Daffy Club".--169. "Here's a health to old honest John Bull:" The verses
were taken from a rare old volume entitled: _The Norwich Minstrel_, p.
30, (See _Bibliog._):--

"HONEST JOHN BULL."

"Here's a health to 'Old honest John Bull';
When he's gone we shan't find such another;
With hearts and with glasses brim full,
We'll drink to 'Britannia, his mother';
For she gave him a good education,
Bade him keep to his God and his King,
Be loyal and true to the nation,
And then to get merry and sing.

"For John is a good-natured fellow,
Industrious, honest and brave;
Not afraid of his betters when mellow,
For betters he knows he must have.
There must be fine lords and fine ladies,
There must be some little, some great;
Their wealth the support of our trade is,
Our trade the support of the State.

"Some were born for the court and the city,
And some for the village and cot;
For it would be a dolorous ditty,
If we were born 'equal in lot'.
If our ships had no pilots to steer,
What would come of poor Jack on the shrouds?
Or our troops no commanders to fear,
They would soon be arm'd robbers in crowds.

"The plough and the loom would stand still,
If we were made gentlefolks all;
If clodhoppers--who then would fill
The parliament, pulpit or hall?
'Rights of Man' makes a very fine sound,
'Equal riches' a plausible tale;
Whose labourers would