But enough of the miserables in connection with the Fleet Prison. We shall find that it is even possible for a prisoner to write pleasantly, nay, even somewhat humorously, upon his position, as we may see by the perusal of a poem entitled "The _Humours_ of the Fleet. An humorous, descriptive Poem. Written by a Gentleman of the College" &c., Lond. 1749. Under the frontispiece, which represents the introduction of a prisoner into its precincts, is a poem of thirty-two lines, of which the following is a portion:-- THE DEBTORS' WELCOME TO THEIR BROTHER. [Illustration: music] Wel-come, wel-come, Bro-ther Debt-or, To this poor but mer-ry place, Where no Bay-liff, Dun, or Set-ter Dare to shew their fright-ful face. But, kind Sir, as you're a Stran-ger, Down your Gar-nish you must lay, Or your Coat will be in Danger,--You must ei-ther strip or pay. [Illustration] [Illustration] Here we see, very vividly depicted, the introduction of a new prisoner; the Chamberlain is introducing him to the Cook, whilst the Goaler and Tapster seem, already, to have made his acquaintance. The notes appended to the Poem are in the original. After a somewhat long exordium on prosperity and poverty, together with the horrors of a spunging-house, and imagining that the debtor has obtained his _Habeas_, which would permit him to choose his prison, the Poet thus sings: "Close by the Borders of a slimy Flood, Which now in secret rumbles thro' the Mud; (Tho' heretofore it roll'd expos'd to Light, Obnoxious to th' offended City's Sight.)[114] "Twin Arches now the Sable Stream enclose Upon whose Basis late a Fabrick rose; In whose extended oblong Boundaries, } Are Shops and Sheds, and Stalls of all Degrees, } For Fruit, Meat, Herbage, Trinkets, Pork and Peas } A prudent City Scheme, and kindly meant; The Town's oblig'd, their Worships touch the Rent.