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Here travels the brewer along with his dray,
And the horse seems as if he had something to say;
Now (tho’ between friends I am forced to confess
That I cannot quite hear him) I think I can guess:
“Good master,” perhaps, “do not give such a smack;
For even a dray-horse can feel on his back;
And surely ’tis fair that my labour should earn,
At least civil treatment from you in return.”

22.  The Twopenny-post Boy.

This is a most welcome lad to many a tradesman, when he brings good orders, with a Banknote, or bill to be regularly paid: also to every parent, child, or friend, who wishes to hear of the welfare of parties that live at a distance.

Quoth I to the Postman, good master, your nag,
By this time is tired by the weight of your bag;
You’ve set off from your office, and rode without stopping,
Till your poor panting steed is in danger of dropping.
Now, said he, if these letters were weigh’d by their sense,
’Twere a chance if they rose o’er a couple of pence;
And if that could be managed, my beast would not mind,
If I carried them with me, or left them behind.

23.  The Dancing Bear and Dogs.

I wish the bear had remained in Russia or Poland, rather than, after being brought from his native woods, to be thus tormented; for who can tell what misery he underwent in learning to move at the command of his keeper.  And as for the poor dogs, they must be very tired before their day’s work is ended.  I would rather find employment for the men, than give them money for punishing poor animals as they do!

24.  The Camel and Monkey.

What a wonderful place is this said London!  Here are not only bears from the cold regions of Russia, Poland, and America, but also a camel from the hot sands of Arabia or the East Indies, walking in the streets!  Behold the playful monkey on its head, and numbers of fearless boys upon its back.  In Turkey, Arabia, and Persia, the camel is a most useful creature, carrying very great weights of spices and merchandise, for a considerable number of miles, and for several days together, without any kind of sustenance.  They are said to have a particular property, in scenting out places in the sand where water is to be found.

The milk of this animal is very nutritive, and, mixed with water, forms the principle beverage of the Arabians.  The flesh supplies them with food: that of the young is reckoned a delicacy.

The camel feeds entirely on vegetables.  Not only pencils and brushes for painters, but some very neat and fine garments have been made with its hair.

In Arabian deserts bare,
I have toil’d with patient care,
While upon my crooked back
Hung the merchant’s precious pack,
Full of spices and of gold,
In the markets to be sold:
But it was my native clime,
And I liked it all the time.

Now a poor and weary hack,
With a monkey on my back,
Taught by many a knock and bruise,
I the gaping crowd amuse,
Through your city as I go,
Tired and dismal, for a show:
Oh! that I could see again
My native, sandy, barren plain!

25.  The Royal Exchange.

Here merchants meet from all parts of the world.  The traffic on the seas being very great, to and from every nation, in time of peace, it must afford great convenience to the ship-owners, ship-captains, and traders, to have one spot where they can meet to transact their business.  Sir Thomas Gresham, a merchant, laid the foundation in 1566, and Queen Elizabeth was so pleased with the building, that she dignified it with the title of Royal Exchange, by sound of trumpet.

The inside of the Exchange affords a busy scene: Englishmen, Dutchmen, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Russians, Turks, Americans, and Jews.  How intent every one appears to be on business, and what a general buzz and din we hear: yet the figure of one individual stands very silently in the midst of all, I mean the statue of Charles the Second, on a pedestal.  In a few years, every one of these active merchants will be as motionless as this marble statue.  It may be of service to the busy Englishman, sprightly Frenchman, lazy Spaniard, plodding-Dutchman, rough Russian, proud Turk, and rich Jew, to reflect on this; and to endeavour, with all their gettings, to get understanding.

26.  The Fire-engine.

We know of no place better supplied with engines for putting out fire, than London; and though fires are very frequent, they seldom do so much damage as formerly, when houses were built of wood, or without party-walls.

An engine is a very clever contrivance: the pipes convey the water over the tops of the houses; and if an engine arrives in time, it frequently prevents the flames from spreading further. [29]

27.  Drawing Goods in a Truck.

Well done, my good boy! and well done, my good dog!  Why the dog works as hard as the boy, and seems to do it with quite as much ease.

In drawing that truck, boy, you now feel a part
Of what ev’ry horse feels, when drawing a cart.

Come, my lad, haste away, to make room for a fine coach, full of gay people, coming to the East India House.

28.  The East India House.

The East India Company is one of the most powerful and wealthy associations in Europe; and their house in Leadenhall Street is a very elegant building.  The Company was originally