Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/244

228 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES My brains perfumed ■with the rich Indian vapour ^ And heightened with conceits. From tempting beauties, From dainty music, and poetic strains, From bowls of nectar, and ambrosiac dishes. From witty varlets, fine companions. And from a mighty continent of pleasure, Sails thy brave Careless." Among the extravagant intelligence furnished to the " Staple of News " there is actually an anticipation of the fish-torpedo ! "They write here, one Cornelius- Son, Hath made the Hollanders an invisible eel To swim the haven at Dunkirk, and sink all The shipping there." It has been more or less facetiously remarked that Shakespeare's first gravedigger must have had queer notions of economy when he assured Hamlet, "A tanner will last you nine year." In Act v., Sc. 2 of this play there is an exquisite dissertation, overlong to quote now, by a miserly usurer, on the enormity of wasting sixpence but once a year. In the *' New Inn," whose absurd plot is redeemed for the reader by some excellent writing, the lady who for long years incredibly counterfeits a drunken Irish nurse, says of one of the guests : — " He tauk so desperate and so debausht. So baudy like a courtier and a lord, God bless him, one that tak'th tobacco." And in the rude revelry of the " militia below stairs," Jordan the chamberlain is dubbed, " Lieutenant of the ordnance, tobacco and pipes." The " Magnetic Lady ; or, Humours Reconciled "