In chapter xxxiv. we have another allusion to blacking. "No man," said Sam, "ever talked in poetry 'cept a beadle on Boxin' Day, _or Warren's blackin'_." This referred to the rhymes--or verses--with which the firm filled the newspapers in praise of their article. It will be remembered that Mrs. Jarley, in the "Old Curiosity Shop," employed "a poet" to celebrate her waxworks in similar fashion, and who was content with a few shillings for each effort. We may be certain that this was a boyish recollection, and that he had seen this blacking "poet" making his calls in Chandos Street or haggling for his miserable wage. The beadle, also alluded to, was a prominent figure with Boz; but he has disappeared, with his huge cocked hat, scarlet waistcoat, and uniform. He is to be seen in Wilkie's brilliant picture in the National Gallery. It is evident from the passage that he came round on Boxing Day for his _douceur_, reminding his patrons, as the dustmen now do sometimes, by a copy of verses. Sam adds that no one did this sort of thing except the persons mentioned--"and _Rowland's oil_, or some of them low fellows." The perfumer could only have been half pleased with this uncomplimentary form. Still, such as it was, it _was_ an advertisement. Boz also makes several allusions to the inventor, Bramah, mentioning Bramah locks and keys with plugs, &c. Old Weller talks of being locked up "in a fireproof chest with a patent _Bramin_." Bramah's hydraulic press was a scientific novelty then, as were also his "patent safes." Bramah appears to have advertised in "Pickwick." These _reclames_ are of a rather elaborate kind, as when Lowten arrived at the office (lii), we are told, he drew "a Bramah key from his pocket, with a small plug therein to keep the dust out." Then "comforting himself with this reflection, Mr. Lowten extricated the plug from the door key; having opened the door, re-plugged and re-pocketed his Bramah." NOTE.--The horrors of the Blacking episode were ever present to Dickens' recollection, and, as if under a sort of fascination, he later seemed almost impelled to refer to them. Thus, in Copperfield, we find him describing, but under a disguise, the same incident. As when he was sent to Murdstone and Grimby's warehouse, it was still the washing and labelling of bottles--"_not of blacking_," but of wines and spirits. "When the empty bottles ran short, there were labels to be pasted on the full ones, or corks to be fitted to them, &c." But there is also another allusion to the same, but curiously veiled, when he speaks of the carman, Tipp, who "wore a red jacket." Now, to this day Day and Martin's carmen wear red jackets, and Warren's men probably did so; but, at all events, it is clearly an allusion to the costume of the blacking drivers. There are allusions to blacking in Little Dorrit and Bleak House. CHAPTER V. SINGLE SPEECH TRUNDLE