University of Virginia Library

There is perhaps more quackery in picture dealing than in any other trade existing, as could be exemplified by Dermer, Woodburn, Quaker Smart, and a thousand other Graphimanians; for when we find Sallad-venders in Saint Giles's, and Cabbage-sellers in Covent Garden, pretend to a knowledge of painting, there is no affixing any boundary to this pictorial cacoëthes.

PERSIUS.

In the armoury at Carlton House, which is arranged with infinite taste, thee are several specimens of this equestrian accoutrement, in collecting samples of which the R---g---nt manifests a most unconquerable cacoëthes.

The P---s C---te has already embarked with great spirit in collecting the above-mentioned articles; nor is she less conversant with the old armour, respecting which the late Captain Grose was not more deeply skilled. For the shell mania, L---d T---nk---rv---lle is no less renowned: but all living personages of this description were surpassed by a collector of antiquity named Rumfius, who, although stone-blind, literally gave one thousand pounds sterling for a single shell. Of this individual there is a print extant, representing him in the art of handling the rare specimen in question. As the above couplets relate to royalty, it would be highly improper in me not to register the name of D---ch---s of Y---k, who has such a predilection for dogs, that she never goes out unattended by troops of those faithful animals; neither let me pass unrecorded the mental endowments of this personage, which are to my knowledge characterized by every sentiment of tenderness and philanthropy towards the distresses of the suffering and the poor.

Cremona, a town in Italy, was very famous for manufacturers of violins, the makers of which instruments were Amati, Straduarius, and Slyner, and some of those have been frequently sold for two hundred guineas each.

Independent of the instances above cited, the late Mr. Tighe was rendered conspicuous for collecting printed shop-bills, of which he possessed a countless hoard. Neither must be omitted the mention of a lady who has a cacoëthes for notes of invitation, shop cards, &c.; from the style of writing, and designs of which, she forms her opinion of the lady, gentleman, or shopkeeper; nor will she deal with any tradesman, the design and wording of whose card does not betoken what constitutes in her estimation a fair and honest dealer. Although the ensuing mania bears no reference whatsoever to the above-mentioned instances, I cannot refrain from enrolling it, being rendered conspicuous in the person of Mr. N---rr---s, of Alb---rm---rle Street, who was such an assortment of snuff boxes, that he makes a boast of never taking two pinches of that pungent dust from the same tabitiere.

It is absolutely a fact that this cacoëthes is cherished by Mr. Urq---h---rt, a gentleman of respectability, who has bargained with Jack Ketch at so much per rope, to which he affixes a label, bearing the name of the criminal executed, with a statement of the crime for which he suffered. Of course, though this personage may pay exorbitantly for many of the hempen specimens which have not curtailed the existence of very noted characters, yet he is sufficiently remunerated when delinquents like Colonel Despard, Bellingham, the assassin of Mr. Perceval, or a sanguinary Williams, terminate their career at the gallows. The recent mention of Despard brings to my remembrance the mania of Mr. H---vis---de, of surgical fame, whom I must usher into notice as a great collector of masks, taken from the countenances of deceased persons of celebrity and notoriety, in the progress of which pursuit he was once disappointed, for upon applying to Mrs. Despard for the loan of the mask taken from her husband's visage, subsequent to his execution, the lady in the first instance consented, but upon ascertaining that Mr. H---vis---de's request did not originate in any sentiment of respect which he felt for the deceased, but was only made to gratify this particular mania, she in consequence refused to accede to his wishes. To his curious mania may be subjoined the pursuit of a gentleman formerly residing in the Temple, who had an apartment decorated with the rattles, lanterns, and staves of watchmen, together with the knockers wrenched from street doors, which were the trophies of his nocturnal perambulations.

The E---rl of W---rw---ck is in possession of many curious and valuable specimens of this warlike costume of our progenitors, which was in some cases rivetted upon the person of the wearer: an instance of this kind being recorded by Mezeray, who states, that some Italian knights being made prisoners, the victors were unable to take off their armour, in consequence of which they kindled a large fire, and upon this they rolled the unfortunate men, who were literally roasted like lobsters in their shells.

Mr. B---kf---rd, of F---nth---ll, the H---n---r---ble Mr. B---ng, and the late Lord Orford, together with countless others may stand enrolled as doatingly fond of this article, which is usually purchased to decorate the library, in order, as Milton emphatically express it:

As the above line appertains to things sacred, I cannot refrain from recording the Methodistical mania, which never was more powerfully evinced by the most bigotted catholics, than became manifest a short time back at the sale of Huntington's effects at Hermes Hill, Pentonville, where, among other precious relics of this saint among the ranters, producing extraordinary sums, an old arm chair must particularly stand recorded, which, although not intrinsically worth fifty shillings, was knocked down to a devotee for sixty pounds, while Saunders, the auctioneer, was commissioned to go as far as one hundred, had the competitorship continued. This chair cacoëthes brings to mind the perforated seat whereon the Popes are compelled to sit prior to their being invested with the triple crown, for the purpose of submitting to a strict examination, which was deemed most essential after the hoax passed upon the Conclave by the female commonly called Pope Joan. In addition to this chair mania, I have recently been informed that the spectacles of Huntingdon, and every other article, produced similar exorbitant sums, while it is asserted that a waggon of the prophet's was purchased by a farmer, who was one of his most zealous followers, for no less a sum than one thousand two hundred pounds. This also brings to recollection the rage that was manifested for any precious relic that had belonged to Edward Edwards, the black preacher, on his leaving England in the capacity of a missionary, to preach the gospel among his swarthy brethren.

In the person of S---r J---s---ph B---ks we have a striking instance of this mania, which was carried to such an extent, that in order to ascertain whether any relationship or affinity existed between a flea and a lobster, one of the former insects was boiled, when his coat not turning scarlet, it was incontestibly proved, that

“Fleas are not lobsters by the Lord!”

Having spoken on the subject of animals and insects, I cannot forget to make mention of L---y C---te C---pb---ll, who is a most determined bird-fancier, having no less than ten parrots at the same time; one of which happening to be sick, her ladyship absolutely sat up for ten nights with this feathered favourite, during which period she never once changed her apparel. I have further to add in respect to the bird mania, that a lady, named Orby Hunter, some short time back positively bequeathed two hundred pounds per annum for the maintenance of a favourite parrot, so long as he should continue in the land of the living. Nor be forgotten Poor Tom Sugden, the mendicant, whose love for pigeons was never surpassed by any fancier of that billet-carrying bird.

To these various predilections should be subjoined the tulip mania and botanical cacoëthes, for which innumerable individuals have been and are famed, witness the late D---ct---r D---rw---n, and the living D---r Th---nt---n, whose specimens are now disseminated through the medium of a lottery, a specious but deceptive plan, which was also resorted to by Messrs. Macklin and Boydell, the latter of whom was by this means rescued from the pecuniary difficulty which was brought on by the pressure of the times.

This fellow, who formerly officiated as a methodist preacher, was literally tried at the Old Bailey a short time back, and found guilty of the above flagrant enormities, for which he received sentence of transportation for seven years, being just twelve months banishment for every such conjugal enjoyment.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

In addition to the late D--- Q--- the D--- Y--- and C--- T---n, L---d H---k---, must also stand on record as famour for this infatuation, which I am sorry to add is much too prevalent: neither ought I to omit the mention of foreigners, who are most notorious for giving publicity to these incentives to vice.