1827.J the Praises of Coalheavers. 351 



collision of the chimney-sweep his Charybdis. Try to pass him as he 

 walks leisurely on, making the solid earth ring with his bold tread ; and 

 you will experience more difficulties in the attempt than did that famous 

 admiral, Bartholomew Diaz, when he first doubled the Cape of Storms. 

 Or let us suppose, that haply you allow your frail carcass to go full drive 

 against his sturdiness ; when lo ! in beautiful illustration of those doctrines 

 in projectiles, that relate to the concussion of moving bodies you fly off 

 at an angle " right slick" into the middle of the carriage-way ; whence 

 a question of some interest presently arises, whether you will please to 

 be run over by a short or a long stage. But to return. Who hesitates to 

 make way for a Coalheaver ? As for their drays as consecutive a species 

 of vehicles as a body can be stopped by every one knows they make way 

 for themselves. 



In conclusion, I would fain say something informing respecting the reli- 

 gious opinions of Coalheavers. And as these our modern English nigri 

 fratres do, by a rather curious coincidence, abound in the district that 

 owes its name (Blackfriars*) to rank Papists, its former possessors, it was 

 much to be feared that the mantle of their erroneous belief also might have 

 descended upon the shoulders of those who followed them in possession ; 

 yet, so far as my information thereon goes, I can declare with safety that 

 these our much-respected " black brethren" all are good men and true ; 

 consequently, undoubting sons of mother church. Your Coalheaver is, in 

 fact, no schismatic : his soul at least is as yet untainted with the plague- 

 spot of dissent that prevailing pest. He plods on quietly, in blissful 

 security of never wandering in the mazy paths of theological deviation 

 as not well knowing how to set about it.f 



To sum up all, I DO REALLY LOVE AND RESPECT COALHEAVERS ; and 

 if the judicious acknowledge that I have evinced myself an efficient instru- 

 ment (though unworthy) of shewing forth their praises, I shall be blest 

 indeed. CAROLUS COMMA. 



* The sweet smelling neighbourhood 

 Where loving Fleta finds her long sought Thames, 

 And pours her filthy dark contrasting wave; 

 So moves an endured blackguard in good company, 

 True to himself, in dirty colours shown. 



I one Sunday met a party of my favourites in St. Paul's Cathedral. They seemed to 

 view with becoming respect and even awe that splendid place the proud fountain head 

 as it were of the hierarcbial grandeur of Protestantism ; and they listened to and observed, 

 with apparently profound attention, the operation of that rather popish-looking piece of 

 sacred machinery cathedral service. Yet I must confess my favourable opinion of their 

 grave looks was rather staggered by overhearing afterwards one of them say to his neigh- 

 bour, casting a look all round the while, " My eyes, Tom, what lots o coals this here 

 place would hold." Perhaps the observation was meant in honour. 



