340 



NOTES AND QUEKIES. 



[Nov. 3. 1855. 



you that the writer, Thomas Prinsle, was the 

 poet wliose residence at the Cape of Good Hope 

 luniished matter for a very interestinpf work. 



W. Jbrdan. 

 " My dear Sir, 

 " I know very little of Mr. J. M. Wilson, having 

 only once met him at a supper party at Tom At- 

 kinson's in Glasgow. I understand he is a man of 

 talent, but have never read any of his writings, 

 except some Scotch poetry. He has done me the 

 honour to ask me to be his literary agent in 

 London ; but it is a task I cannot possibly under- 

 take, having more on my hands than I can get 

 through. He is a Tweed-side man ; I think from 

 Berwick, where I understand he was bred a 

 printer. As to Hogg's being the projector of 

 Blackwood's Mag., he is mistaken ; at least, I am 

 sure Mr. Cleghorn and myself were the persons 

 who proposed it to Blackwood, and concocted the 

 whole matter. But it is likely enough that Hogg 

 might have a similar idea in his head previously, 

 for it was a project we had been talking of in 

 literary parties at James Gray's, Grieve's, Wilson's, 

 &c., for a year or two before it was actually 

 started. Hogg, and Wilson, and Gray, were 

 among the earliest contributors ; but the scheme 

 as far as it was realised in the first six numbers 

 (which were Whiggish), was mine. By the way, 

 you have noticed some of the numbers of our 

 townsman, James Morton's Annuls of Teviofdale, 

 but not the publication as a whole; will you accept 

 a little critique from me for the L. G. ? It is a 

 handsome and creditable book, and T will try 

 something appropriate without overpraising it. I 

 am going out to Highgate next week, where I 

 hope to get a day or two of seclusion to do this, 

 and a few other jobs that lie heavy on my ccm- 

 science. 



" Yours, with all good wishes, 



" Thos. Pringle." 



POETICAIi ADVERTISEMENTS. 



The fashion of advertising poetically (?) ap- 

 pears of late years to have fallen sadly into dis- 

 use; for it is not only at odd times, but in still 

 " odder" corners, that we now lijiht upon any 

 specimens of a style once so prevalent, the perusal 

 of which carries us back to " better days," and the 

 soul-stirringr rhymes of the " Mosaic" bard or the 

 polished effusions of a Warren. Placed beside 

 such noble baits for our attention as these con- 

 stituted, the simple questions of " Do you bruise 

 your oats?" " What shall I take with my chop?" 

 " Have you any corns? "or "Who'd be without a 

 dressing-case ?" are tame affairs indeed. Surely it 

 cannot be that the poetical powers of our more 

 ambitious tradesmen have so far degenerated, as 

 to have left them no strength wherewith to " strike 



No. 314.] 



the trembling lyre," or awake their several muses 

 as of yore ; indeed, the specimen appended — 

 politely presented to me a few days ago, accom- 

 panied with a printed request that I would favour 

 a certain establishment with my custom in the 

 Bohea line — is proof decisive that such a conclu- 

 sion is false. What then is the reason of its dis- 

 continuance ? If It is that it " did not pay," we 

 may in vain expect those most interested to recur 

 to the practice ; and, therefore, all mementos of 

 the custom, as links binding us to the past, would 

 be well preserved. 



With respect to the present specimen, I need 

 scarcely point out to yourself, or your readers, 

 the strong inducements to take the pledge, or at 

 least to temperance, which its contents, especially 

 verses 3, 4, and 5, hold out. To verse 5, I would 

 desire specially to direct the attention of the nu- 

 merous correspondents of " N. & Q. ;" and if, 

 after perusing it, and taking the proffered advice, 

 any of them will kindly address you with their 

 own Notes or recollections on the subject, the 

 " cleverly dictated letter," which I feel sure will 

 result, will much oblige R. W. Hackwood. 



" CUP OF GOOD TEA. 



" A cup of good tea 

 Is acknowledged to be 

 A famous restorer in sadness ; 

 It quickens life's flame, 

 And enlivens the frame. 

 And diffuses a spirit of gladness. 



When acquaintances meet, 



By way of a treat, 



In fellowship social and hearty, 



A cup of good tea 



Increases the glee, 



And greatly enlivens the party. 



When the head is in pain, 



And its tenant, the brain, 



Seems weak in performing its function, 



A cure you maj' make, 



If you speedily take 



A cup of the Chinaman's Unction. 



When a lass is in doubt, 



And would wish to find out 



The real intent of her lover, 



AVhy a cup of good tea, 



As we oftentimes see, 



The secret at once will discover. 



If perchance you would send, 



To relation or friend, 



A cleverly dictated letter, 



You have only to try 



What the cup will supply — 



I assure you, you cannot do better. 



You may roam through each street, 



But you never will meet 



With teas of more exquisite flavovu'; 



So give me a call, 



And I'll welcome you all, 



And return my best thanks for the favour.'*^ 



