“Being the other evening at the French Theatre, who should I see at the head of a mob of foreign varlets, cooks, etc., signalizing himself in a laudable attack upon his fellow-citizens, but this very young man, whom they had so lately made choice of as the defender of their rights and privileges. I was indeed amazed to see, at so critical a juncture, that sword, which had hitherto kept peaceful possession of its scabbard, brandished over the heads and planted at the hearts of several of his own electors, and that in support of a parcel of foreign vagabonds, who, from being a nuisance in their own nation, are now come to be the disgrace of ours. Certain I am this fit of Gallic valour could never be communicated by the touch of that Royal British hand he had but that very morning kissed for his employment. Perhaps an impatient desire to prove himself qualified for the warlike Board to which he was appointed might induce him to seize the first opportunity of displaying his prowess; being willing to convince the public, that how deficient soever the sea may have been, the land is, at least, able to produce a fighting Admiral. However, I cannot help concluding him a very unfit person to defend me _against_ the French in one House, who is ready to cut my throat _for_ them in another.” A flight of satirical ballads appeared upon these events. The best of these compositions, which were remarkable for point and spirit, was entitled:-- “PEG TRIM TRAM IN THE SUDS; OR, NO FRENCH STROLLERS. “I sing you a song of a right noble Lord, Whose name must, for ever, stand FOOL on Record; Who, losing a _Seat_, by accepting a Place, SUBSCRIB’D to _French Strollers_, so fell in disgrace. “This right noble Lord, when elected before, To preserve us, in our _ev’ry Privilege_ swore; How well he maintain’d them will quickly appear, Deduc’d from right Reason, unaided by Sneer. “Got snug in the House, he exerted his zeal, Not for his Constituents, or the Common-Weal; But to serve his own ends, and aid _Gentleman_ HARRY,[43] Lest his Glorious Views, for our Good, should miscarry. “Have you heard a pert _Parrot_ cry ‘_Quaker-a-quer; A cup of Good Sack; Pretty Poll; Saucy Cur_’? You’ve then heard this Lord to great HARRY reply, And echo, _Yes, No,--No, Yes_;” anything cry. “Have you seen a young _Puppy_ leap over a stick, Fetch, carry, yelp, fawn, and learn every fond Trick? Then you’ve seen this sleek Lordling on HARRY attend, And, aw’d by his nod, most obsequiously bend. “To reward such bright parts and so ductile a mind The Dispenser of PLACES was strongly inclin’d; When deeply reflecting what he could afford, He fix’d him (slap dash!) at the Admiralty Board.