This sober verse, this tranquil strain, Were it to strive, would strive in vain That in its couplets should be shown The Café of the Mille Colonnes. The pencil gives a better ken Of its fair Queen--for, ah, no pen Can paint her glory's grand design, At least an earth-made pen like mine; I therefore leave it as 'tis done, To the rare skill of ROWLANDSON; By whose enliv'ning, vivid touch, To which this volume owes so much, The lady's splendour will survive When all her graces cease to live, And the proud mirrors shall no more Reflect her beauties ten times o'er; Or when another takes her chair, Not half so fat, if half as fair. [Illustration: MADAME VÉRY.] An extract from Planta's 'New Picture of Paris' is added by way of footnote: 'The Café des Mille Colonnes is in the Palais Royal, and receives its title from the beautiful gilt columns which are reflected by enormous mirrors, disposed with such skill that they appear to be at least a thousand. The room presents an overwhelming glare of decoration. The priestess, or rather the divinity, of this luxurious temple is unrivalled among these places of public entertainment for the charms of her person, the splendour of her dress, and the elegance of her manners. The elevated seat which she occupies was once the throne of the Viceroy of Italy, and was purchased by the proprietor of the coffee-house for the exorbitant sum of twelve thousand livres.' [Illustration: LA BELLE LIMONADIÈRE.] _January 30, 1814._ _Quarter Day, or Clearing the Premises, without consulting your Landlord._ Published by T. Tegg (318).--A cart has been driven to the door of a certain residence, and the ladies of the establishment are hastily heaping all the contents of the house--furniture, bedding, culinary, and other utensils--indiscriminately into the conveyance. _February 10, 1814._ _Kicking up a Breeze, or Barrow-women Basting a Beadle._ Published by T. Tegg (310).--The beadle of a provision market, who has laid hands on the barrow of a seller of black puddings, has been seized by the nose, in a fashion to blind both eyes at once, by a muscular female, to whom the overturned barrow belongs; her stalwart right arm and massive fist at the same time are making energetic play on the person of the discomfited functionary, who has become, from some act of interference on his part, the centre of a general attack; a dog is threatening his legs, and a hag is belabouring his rear with her basket. Butchers and poulterers' men are enjoying the diversion. [Illustration: THE PROGRESS OF GALLANTRY.] _February 14, 1814._ _Progress of Gallantry, or Stolen Kisses Sweetest._ Published by T. Tegg (313). [Illustration: A TAILOR'S WEDDING.] _February 20, 1814._ _A Tailor's Wedding._ Published by T. Tegg (315). _March 1, 1814._ _Crimping a Quaker._ Published by T. Tegg (317, originally published as 261). [Illustration: CRIMPING A QUAKER.]