----I had been taken by eight Serjeants, But for the honest Watermen, I am bound to ’em. They are the most requiteful’st people living; For, as they get their means by Gentlemen, They’re still the forward’st to help Gentlemen. You heard how one ’scaped out of the Blackfriars[69] But a while since from two or three varlets, Came into the house with all their rapiers drawn, As if they’d dance the sword-dance on the stage, With candles in their hands, like Chandlers’ Ghosts! Whilst the poor Gentleman, so pursued and banded, Was by an honest pair of oars safe landed. * * * * * [From “London Chanticleers,” a rude Sketch of a Play, printed 1659, but evidently much older.] _Song in praise of Ale._ 1. Submit, Bunch of Grapes, To the strong Barley ear; The weak Wine no longer The laurel shall wear. 2. Sack, and all drinks else, Desist from the strife; Ale’s the only Aqua Vitæ, And liquor of life. 3. Then come, my boon fellows, Let’s drink it around; It keeps us from grave, Though it lays us on ground. 4. Ale’s a Physician, No Mountebank Bragger; Can cure the chill Ague, Though it be with the Stagger. 5. Ale’s a strong Wrestler, Flings all it hath met; And makes the ground slippery, Though it be not wet. 6. Ale is both Ceres, And good Neptune too; Ale’s froth was the sea, From which Venus grew. 7. Ale is immortal; And be there no stops In bonny lads’ quaffing, Can live without hops.[70] 8. Then come, my boon fellows, Let’s drink it around; It keeps us from grave, Though it lays us on ground. C. L. [67] A rich old Knight, who keeps Allwit’s Wife. [68] To his Wife’s Lying-in. [69] Alsatia, I presume. [70] The original distinction of Beer from the old Drink of our Forefathers, which was made without that ingredient. * * * * * ~The Drama.~ CHARLOTTE CHARKE. The novel called “Mr. Dumont,” by this unfortunate woman, was published in the year 1755 in one volume, twelves, by H. Slater, of Drury-lane, who may be presumed to have been the bookseller that accompanied Mr. Whyte to her miserable dwelling, for the purpose of hearing her read the manuscript. Since the account at col. 125, I met with an advertisement of November, 1742, from whence it appears that she and her daughter, “_Miss_ Charke,” performed at one of those places of public amusement at that period, when, to evade the law, under pretence of a musical entertainment, a play and the usual afterpiece were frequently represented by way of divertisement, although they constituted the sole attraction. The notice referred to is altogether a curiosity: it runs thus:--