A bailiff is serving a writ outside the Debtors' Prison, the barred windows of which are filled with the faces of persons captured by one _Catchpole, Sheriff's Officer_. The unfortunate prisoners, crowded behind the bars of their jail, are enjoying a grim instance of retributive justice. While the bailiff is startling his victim with his unexpected capture-bespeaking tap, Death, dart in hand, is lightly performing the same ceremony for the stalwart sheriffs officer, who is summoned in his turn, and conclusively. Thus, as he told his stern command, A grisly spectre's fleshless hand His shoulder touch'd. It chill'd his blood, And at the sight he trembling stood. 'You long have ow'd,' the Phantom said, 'What now must instantly be paid.' 'O give me time!' 'Thou caitiff dun, You know full well you gave _him_ none. Your life's the debt that I am suing; 'Tis the last process, Master Bruin.' 'I'll put in bail above.' 'No, no: OLD NICK shall be your BAIL BELOW.' Plate 19. _The Insurance Office._ Insure his life, but to your sorrow You'll pay a good round sum to-morrow. A country squire, in the prime of life, has married a young bride; he is persuaded by his frugal spouse to insure his life as a provision for her maintenance, from prudential reasons. As the young wife sensibly states the case:-- Nature, in all her freaks and fun, Has never given us a son; And there's no jointure, sir, for me Without that same contingency. For your estate's so bound and tied, So settled and transmogrified, (A thing one scarcely can believe) You've not a thousand pounds to leave. The artist has represented the couple arrived in town, and visiting the insurance office, the 'Globe,' or 'Pelican;' the actuary, the secretary, and the doctor are there to pass the customer's life, and Death--spectacles on nose and dart in hand--is also one of the party; unperceived, he is stooping down behind the seemingly robust applicant, and gloating over the mischievous prank he has in contemplation.