n Probert, ~337~~whose habits of frugality wanted his
competitor's humour to make them pass current. Transit, who had been
amusing himself with sketching the characters, had become acquainted
with a sporting Reverend, whose taste for giblets had proved rather
expensive; and who was most desirous of appearing in print: a favor
merry Stephen Godson, the lawyer, requested might also be extended to
him." "Ay," said John Portman, "and if you want a character for your
foreground rich in colour, my phiz is much at your service; and
here's George Brookes, the radical, to form a good dark object in the
distance." In this way the evening passed off very pleasantly. Our
friend had made the object of our visit to the Bowling Alley known to
some few of his intimates, circumstance that I have no doubt
rather operated to prevent a display of some of those good-humoured
eccentricities with which it is not unfrequently marked. Upon my
return to town, I received a farewell ode from my Spirit in the Clouds,
evidently written under a misconception that the English Spy was about
to withdraw himself for a time, from his sketches on men and manners,
when in fact, although his labours will here close with the completion
of a Second Volume, his friends will find, that he is most desirous of
still engaging their attentions in a new form, attended not only by all
his former associates, but uniting in his train the brightest and the
merriest of all the choice Spirits of the Age.

BERNARD BLACKMANTLE TO HIS READERS.

To prevent a misconception, and do himself justice, the author of the
English Spy feels it necessary to state, that in every instance the
subjects for the Plates illustrating this work have been furnished by
his pen, and not unfrequently, the rough ideas have ~338~~first emanated
from his own pencil; while he states this fact to prevent error, he is
most anxious to acknowledge the great assistance he has derived from the
inimitable humour and graphic skill in the execution of the designs, by
his friend Robert Transit.

[Illustration: page338]

A SHORT ODE AT PARTING,

FROM HIS "SPIRIT IN THE CLOUDS"

TO THE ENGLISH SPY.

~339~~

Prospero. Now does my project gather to a head;
My charms crack not; my spirits obey:
----How's the day?

Ariel. On the sixth hour; at which time, my lord,
You said our work should cease.

--Shakspkare's Tempest.

So fare you well; I have left you