Page:Everybody's Book of English wit and humour (1880).djvu/57

 capacity of coachman. He is an able driver, and a very sober man. I discharged him because he cheated me.— (Signed) ."

John thanked his lordship, and walked off. A few mornings afterwards, when his lordship was going through his lobby to step into his coach for Westminster Hall, a man, in a very handsome livery, made him a low bow. To his surprise he recognised his late coachman.

"Why, John," said his lordship, "you seem to have got an excellent place; how could you manage this with the character I gave you?"

"Oh, my lord," said John, "it was an exceedingly good character, and I am come to return you thanks for it. My new master, on reading it, said, he observed your lordship recommended me as an able driver and a sober man. 'These,' said he, 'are just the qualities I want in a coachman; I observe his lordship adds that he discharged you because you cheated him. Hark you, sirrah,' said he, 'I'm a Yorkshireman, and I'll defy you to cheat me!'"

'Tis curious to find in this overgrown town, While through its long streets we are dodging, That many a man is in trade settled down. Whose name don't agree with his lodging!!! For instance, Jack Munday in Friday-street dwells, Mr Pitt in Fox-court is residing; Mr White in Black's-buildings greengrocery sells, While East in West square is abiding.

Mr Lamb in Red Lion-street perks up his head, To Lamb's Conduit-street Lion goes courting; Mr Boxer at Battle-bridge hires a bed, While Moon is in Sun-street disporting; Bill Brown up to Green-street to live now is gone, In Stanhope-mews Dennett keeps horses— Dr Low lives in High-street, Saint Mary-le-bone, In Brown-street one Johnny White's door sees.

But still much more curious it is, when the streets Accord with the names of the tenants; And yet with such curious accordance one meets In taking a town-tour like Pennant's. For instance, in Crown-street, George King you may note, To Booth in May-fair you go shopping;