tors all are physicians of fame;
And success we may, therefore, dead certainty name.
To the delicate nervous, who'd wish a snug spot,
A romantic temple, or moss-cover'd grot,
Let them haste to John Ebers, and look at the plan;
Where the grave-book lies open, its merits to scan.
Gloves, hatbands, and essence of onions for crying,
White 'kerchiefs and snuff, and a cordial worth trying,
The attendants have ready; and more--as time presses,
No objection to bury you in fancy dresses.
Our last proposition may frighten you much;
We propose to reanimate all by a touch,
By magic revive, if a century old,
The bones of a father, a friend, or a scold.
In short, we intend, for all--but a wife,
To bring whom you please in a moment to life;
That is, if the shares in our company rise,--
If not 'tis a bubble, like others, of lies.

--Bernard Blackmantle.

~118~~The recitation of this original _jeu d'esprit_ had, I found, the
salutary effect of clearing my friend Transit's vision in respect to
the _speculation mania_; and being by this time fully accoutred and
furnished with the possibles, we sallied forth to make a purchase in the
public funds. There is something to be gleaned from every event in this
life, particularly by the eccentric who is in search of characteristic
matter. I had recently been introduced to a worthy but singular
personage in the city, Mr. Peter Principal, stock broker, of the firm
of Hazard and Co.--a man whose probity was never yet called in question,
and who, having realized a large property by the most honourable means,
was continually selected as broker, trustee, and executor by all his
acquaintance. To him, therefore, I introduced my friend Bob, who being
instantly relieved from all his weighty troubles, and receiving in
return the bank receipts, we proceeded to explore the regions of Pluto
(i.e. the money market), attended by Peter Principal as our guide and
instructor. On our entrance into Capel Court we were assailed by a
motley group of Jews and Gentiles, inhabitants of Lower Tartary (i.e.
Botany Bay{2}), who, suspecting we came there on business, addressed
us in a jargon that was completely unintelligible either to Transit or
myself. One fellow inquired if I was a bull,{3} and his companion wished
to know if Transit