There is another Cruikshank suppression which might, were we hard up for material, be dragged {79} into a treatise on suppressed illustrations. I refer to a wood engraving of the redoubtable George himself taking his publisher, Brooks, by the nose with a pair of tongs, which resulted in the suppression of the pamphlet entitled _A Pop-gun fired off by George Cruikshank, etc._, in which it appeared. But if we were to open these pages to the consideration of suppressed books and pamphlets, I should soon find my publishers remonstrating, and the volume too big to handle. Further, it affords me the gratifying opportunity of referring the reader to a small book of mine, published in 1897, by Mr. W. P. Spencer, of 27 New Oxford Street, and entitled _George_ {80} _Cruikshank’s Portraits of Himself_ which I, as the author, of course consider has not attained the circulation it deserves. There will be found a full account of the suppressed pamphlet, together with a reproduction of the offending design. Let me close this chapter with “A Cruikshank Outrage,” which I originally contributed to _The Gentleman’s Magazine_. It is, I think, sufficiently apropos, and will, I hope, appeal to all good Cruikshankians. This is the bookcase, this the key; None may open this lock but me; And only those of the cult may come Into my _sanctum sanc-to-rum_. Swear “by George” on his “Omnibus” You are assuredly one of us. Swear “by George” on his “Almanack” You will return each volume back. Swear by “Grimm” _in the earliest state_ Theft and pillage you reprobate. Yes, that’s bound by Rivière, but Here’s _the original cloth, uncut_. The “Bee and the Wasp” _on India, tilt_, Zaehnsdorf binder, _morocco, gilt_. But all my “Scourges” plain bound shall bide— Plenty of “guilt” may be found inside. {81} Here’s my “Omnibus,” worth a fief Because I’ve the unpaged preface-leaf. “London Characters,” set complete, _Sm. 8vo, in hlf. clf. neat_. Here a set of gigantic frauds _In the original_ LABELLED _boards_. “Oliver Twist,” as you will have guessed, The “Rose and Oliver” plate suppressed: Not with the stippling over-writ— Only Bruton[19] can show you IT. And here “The Bottle” COLOURED, date Eighteen-hundred-and-forty-eight. Yes, no doubt, ’twas among the first Thrusts that the Master launched at Thirst. ! George, you say, was at best, you think, As a Temperance man denouncing drink ! !! You dare tell me you interlope In quest of books for your “Band of Hope” !! !!! You swore “by George” on his “Omnibus” You were assuredly one of us !!! !!!! Avaunt, I prithee, aroynt, vacate This orthodox shrine to George the Great !!!! For only those of the cult may come Into my _sanctum sanc-to-rum_. [19] Since the Bruton sale in 1897 this, alas, is no longer true. {82} CHAPTER VI HOGARTH’S “ENTHUSIASM DELINEATED,” “THE MAN OF TASTE,” AND “DON QUIXOTE”