[723] In Farringdon Street; the head-quarters of the London Sign-Painters.

[724] In allusion to a well-known art-theory of Hogarth’s.

[725] Fanny Parsons was the girl who played such an active part in the Cock Lane ghost performances, Jan. and Feb. 1762.

[726] A famous discussion club held at the Robin Hood Tavern, Essex Street, Strand.

[727] Evidently an allusion to Edmund Curll, the notorious bookseller, who stood in the Pillory at Cheapside.

[728] The gallows at Tyburn.

[729] A corruption of Hook-Norton, the name of a small village in Oxfordshire, where the hogs formerly played upon the church organ. So, at least, the story runs.

[730] “St Squintum” was probably intended for John Whitfield, the famous preacher, whose personal appearance was the subject of numerous lampoons and caricatures at this time.

[731] This seemed to be a sort of slang phrase equivalent to the present—“It’s all my eye;” it occurs in “Tom Brown,” vol. ii., p. 13, 1708. See also p. 467 of this work.

[732] 35. From another source we learn that this was very different:—“No. 35. A Man in his Element, a sign for an Eating-house,”—a cook roasted on a spit at a kitchen fire, and basted by the devil.

[733] In allusion to Peeping Tom, the shoemaker of Coventry.

[734] Under the title of—“Particular Account of the Grand Exhibition in Bow Street, with Remarks and Illustrations of it.”

[735] Bonnell Thornton composed an ode on St Cecilia’s Day, which was set to music by Dr Burney, and performed by the aid of those national instruments, the marrow bones and cleavers. The affair came off at Ranelagh, and gave general satisfaction. In a former chapter we have given full particulars of this event. Thornton was born in London 1724, educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. In connection with Geo. Colman the elder he started the Connoisseur, the St James’ Chronicle, and other periodicals. He died May 9, 1768, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

[736] Orator Henley is doubtless intended.

[737] The celebrated preacher, George Whitfield, who was chaplain to Selina, Countess of Huntingdon.

INDEX.