UNPRECEDENTED COMBINED JUNCTION OF UNITED ATTRACTION!

SEE THE HATCHET OF HORROR!

MISS JULIA WRIGGLES EVERY NIGHT!

GREATEST AND MOST UNHEARD-OF SUCCESS EVER KNOWN! *

But the most important additions are made to what (I believe) is technically called the underlining. In addition to the information that "On this occasion Mr. SNOXELL will perform;" "On this occasion Miss JULIA WRIGGLES will perform," &c. &c., which, as it has been stated in not more than a dozen other parts of the bill, it is indispensably necessary to repeat, we are told :—

"The HATCHET OF HORROR," the finest and most affecting melodrame ever produced, having been received with the most enthusiastic and tremendous bursts of applause, by the most crowded and suffocating overflow ever collected within the walls of this theatre, and unanimously declared, by the most fashionable and judicious audience ever collected within any theatre, to be the most heart-rending and splendid spectacle ever produced on the stage of any theatre whatever, it will be performed every evening till further notice.

MISS JULIA WRIGGLES having last night, on the occasion of her first appearance on any stage, been received with more enthusiastic and tremendous applause than ever before shook the walls of any theatre to their very foundation; and having been acknowledged by the most competent judges to be the most perfect and paramount actress that ever appeared on the British stage; Mr. Strut, regardless of expense, is happy to say that he has thought it his duty to the inhabitants of Little Pedlington to prevail upon that versatile and incomparable artiste to consent to enter into an engagement with him, at an enormous salary, for the whole of the present season.

"ALL ROUND MY HAT " having been received with still more enthusiastic, &c.

The fashionable interlude called "WHO ARE YOU?" was received throughout with the most tremendous applause, and accompanied all through, from beginning to end, with the most unceasing laughter ever heard within the walls of a theatre, and was given out, at its conclusion, for performance every evening till further notice, with the most enthusiastic cheering and without one single dissentient voice. (!!!)

** If possible, still more tremendous applause having accompanied the performance of "SHE SHALL BE AN ACTRESS," and Miss Julia Wriggles having been received with, if possible, still more, &c. &c.

In order to accommodate the hundreds who could not obtain admission last night at the doors, this evening the windows also will be thrown open.

***To-morrow, being the anniversary of the death of the late emi

* I was informed, in the course of the morning, that seven lines more, of a similar character, had been sent to the printer's ; but that, owing to the untoward circumstance of a great quantity of large letters being in use for the advertisements of Gloss's Patent Self-renovating Blacking, and Dr. Drench's Patent Pro-anti-omnipreventi-curative Pills, the Theatre Royal, Little Pedlington, could not be accommodated with them to a further extent. This is, indeed, a pity.

nent antiquary, Simcox Rummins, Esq., F.S.A., this theatre will, by order of the magistrate, be closed. And as, on this solemn occasion, there will be no performance, a variety of most laughable entertainments will be given, as will be expressed in the bills of the day."

Herein do I find much to astonish me; but this concluding paragraph is utterly perplexing! Would my friend Hobbleday were here to explain it to me! But, for the present, at least, I must, as Grumps expresses it, "in ten-fold ignorance abide." The coach, which is to take me to Guttlebury Abbey, is at the door. Of the worthy proprietor of that place, SIR SWAGGERTON SHUFFLE, whom I am about to visit, I shall say nothing till I am somewhat better acquainted with him.

P*.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

"These pencil'd figures are Even such as they give out."

Timon of Athens.

IN communicating intelligence of a very painful or of an extremely joyful nature-such, for instance, as the birth of a tenth child to the hearer, or the elopement of his wife-it is necessary to proceed with caution, lest the sudden intimation of the fact should operate fatally on a too susceptible temperament. On beholding the title which gave birth to the ensuing speculations, the first apprehension of the reader will naturally be that these pages are intended as a vehicle for political discussion, with reference either to the nation at large or a certain wellknown morning newspaper in particular. We beg to disclaim both. inferences, and venture to insinuate as carefully and circuitously as we can, that, hating politics as cordially as any one, we have not the most remote idea of venturing on that forbidden fruit

"Whose mortal taste-as everybody knows—

Brought death into the world and all our woes."

Having thus" cleansed the stuffed bosom " of that which weighed so heavily upon it, and having, we trust not rashly, removed all dread of any sinister designs, nous entrons en matière.

"The Signs of the Times" in which we take most interest are those exterior embellishments which promise to the thirsty or convivial soul the proximate fruition of its desires; the signs, which

"Taking all shapes and bearing many names,"

are symbolical but of one meaning,-accommodation in every particular to him who can afford to pay for it. The "fatal necessity" of being obliged to write a note to a long-suffering individual, compelled us a few days since to turn over the leaves of that ample volume, the “London Directory."-the modern Domesday-book in which the town is parcelled out to tradesmen, as the whole country was of yore to the knights of William the Conqueror. While searching for the name of Smith, at least, the right Smith, we chanced to stumble on the wel

come array of houses of entertainment which grace this great metropolis, and were struck with the number, the variety, and the singularity of their denominations. It was like journeying through a desert and meeting with an oasis, or eating a "family dinner" with a friend and getting a most unforeseen bottle of Champagne, or holding four honours in the midst of a run of ill luck, or anything, in short, most unexpected. After labouring through the hard, cast-iron nomenclature of bootmakers, hatters, and tailors, it was quite a relief to come to the representation of things, not men. The page literally glowed with the richness of its colouring and the teeming profusion of attractive objects. On one side were Bunches of Grapes, which seemed only to require the pressure of a friendly hand to shed their rosy nectar; on the other, Shoulders of Mutton, ever ready to be spitted for the wayfarer's gratification; here were Rummers, and Punchbowls, and Flowing Cans; there Geese and Gridirons, Pine Apples and Sugar-loaves ;—

"All treasures, all delights, that eye or ear,

Heart, soul could seek, tongue ask;"

everything, in fact, to gratify the taste and stimulate the appetite. It was like reading a cookery-book, or Walter Scott's description of Quentin Durward's breakfast, or the Black Knight's supper, or Dugald Dalgetty's attack on the pie; it positively made us hunger and thirst, and incontinently long to "take our ease in our Inn." It struck us that we would do so after a new fashion: by curiously examining the motley assemblage, and speculating on their probable origin, their classification, their past and present attractions, the characters of their presiding genii the hosts, and other matters relevant. "Hinc illæ lachrymæ !"

Sign-painting is the heraldry of the people. It had its origin no doubt in the nobler art of which it was at first a humble imitation. The nobleman's retainer who "turned tapster" and set up a hostelry on his own account, assumed his lord's arms or effigy, partly out of compliment to his former master, and partly because the sign was likely to prove attractive in the neighbourhood of the original. The custom still prevails throughout the country and in certain localities of London; hence the frequency of the "Bedford's Head" and "Arms," the "Grosvenor," the "Portman," and those of other great landlords, in the districts where their property lies. Coeval with these, but influenced by a more general motive, were the attributes of the Sovereign, the "Arms," the Crown," and the "Sceptre" of royalty. But as the necessities arose for satisfying the thirst, or ministering to the gratification of an increased population, the demand for variety in signs extended also; and here again the heralds afforded the effigies required. The Bull's Head on the shield of the knight, the Lion and the Leopard that supported it, and the Eagle or the Peacock that glittered above his casque, now dangled from projecting sign-posts, or were conspicuously emblazoned in front of the respective hostelries.

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To these succeeded the more fantastic inventions,-

"The clip-wing'd griffin and the moulten raven," which in process of time were familiarized to the vulgar by the simple denominations of blue, red, and green, in lieu of the azure, the gules, and the synoples of heralds and pursuivants. These noble terms being desecrated, sign-painting and heraldry began to part company.

It is true the former still retained the attributes of the latter, but being now able to walk alone, it disdained tamely to copy, and resolved to be boldly original, inventing combinations and marshalling devices which never were dreamed of even in that Limbo Patrum, the College of Arms. Such, for example, were "The Ship and Bladebone,” “The Blue Last and Sugar-loaf," "The Hog and Helmet," "The Magpie and Pewter Platter," and many more (to which we shall refer hereafter) that are to be found recorded in the " Directory."

The classification of signs is the next important particular. They may be arranged in the following order, under many heads, for their name is Legion:-The simple, the compound, the original (which may very frequently be considered a sub-genus of the preceding), the national, the political, the historical, the local, the purely heraldic, the personal, and the heterogeneous.

Simplicity is the characteristic of all inventions in their early stages. The warlike barons of the middle ages were content with a simple cognizance, and the primitive hostelries adopted only simple signs. The earliest we have met with are those mentioned by Chaucer— "That hight the Tabarde*, fast by the Belle,"

And the "Chekers" at Canterbury. These owed their origin, the first, to the herald's coat, the second, no doubt, to the church, or convent bell, (an equally well known object,) and the third, to a common heraldic bearing.

If Shakspeare be admitted as historical evidence,-and in this instance we think he may come into court,-we may refer to the "Boar's Head,” in Eastcheap, and the "Garter," at Windsor, as similar early emblems; the first, a knightly device, and the last, the type of King Edward's illustrious order. The story of Richard the Third and the "heir to the Crown," is another proof of our original proposition with respect to the derivation of signs; but this we think need not be further dwelt on.

Notwithstanding the lapse of years, and the proneness of mankind to corrupt whatever is pure and unsophisticate, the simple signs yet muster in formidable numbers. To be sure, they are more easily represented, described, and spelt; and these causes may therefore operate with the classes for whose especial edification they are intended; but we have ourselves a kind of predilection for a plain, substantial, honest, integral sign. It seems to say, "Here I stand on my own merits,come in and drink, or not, just as you please,-I brew good ale, and care not who knows it." There is no false glitter or meretricious lure in signs such as these.

What can be more outspoke than the Cock, boldly significant of his right to crow, and his courage to maintain his claims? What more

honest than the "Bull," emblem of the strength of beer, and the fatness of steaks? What more attractive than the "Angel," indicative of the harmony that prevails within? The Anchor invites the traveller to take up his rest at once; the "Sun" shines gladly upon him; the Frying Pan" reveals the customs of the kitchen; the "Shoulder of Mutton gocs further, and plainly intimates substantial cheer; the "Bottle" is not to be mistaken; and the "Can" is no less unequivocal. There are many of the simple signs which, harmless as doves, are yet

* In Southwark; now the Talbot.

as wise as serpents; they frequently imply a peculiar attraction, and are calculated for particular individuals. For instance: the "HopPole" and the "Cherry-Tree" are irresistible to the men of Kent; the "Horse" has peculiar charms for the natives of Yorkshire; the "Fox" and the "Hare," for the eminently sporting; the "Ship " invites the sailor; and the "Barley-Mow," the farmer. What Welshman would shun the "Goat," the "Leek," the "Raven," or even the "Cheshire Cheese?" Where is the Scotchman who would not pause at the "Thistle?" And what Irishman would pass by the "Harp," or the "Potatoe," (or any other sign?)

Field sports, and natural history, are favourite recreations and studies in England; hence, a fondness for animal embellishment; and the wilder the original the better. It is the glory of an Englishman to identify the lion as the emblem of his country; and accordingly we have in sign-painting what Dame Juliana Berners calls in her "Boke of St. Albans," "a pride of Lyons." First comes the Lion proper; though their colour is mostly red: then the more significant, the Black, the Blue, and the Green, the last mysterious and emblematic Lion of Alchemy. The Bears, and Eagles; the Dolphins, and Spotted Dogs; the Boars, and Antelopes; the "Griffin of a grim stature; and the "Pellicane withouten pride" belong to the same category, together with "divers strange beasts, linxes, porpentines, and such other," all of which combine to inveigle the Briton who thirsts for ale or knowledge. It is quite evident therefore that the simple are not "negative signs,' although the world in general are apt to be more foraged by the compound, which, for the most part, seduce by more elaborate artifice.

The compound signs are numerous; here, in a taste of their quality, in which the "concatenation accordingly "is not very distinctly perceptible. In the "Bear and Rummer," we have natural history and human propensities delicately combined; the "Half-Moon and PunchBowl" makes a similar appeal to those who delight in astronomy, and, peradventure, in rum; and the "Tippling Philosopher" excuses the frailty by which even wisdom is sometimes beset. The "Crown and Can" is an alliterative incentive to loyalty and mirth; the "Goose and Gridiron " sibillates the joys of supper and nocturnal compotation; and the "Duke's Head and French Horn " recalls the glory of victory aud the charm of music; both of which are best enjoyed in the security and comfort of a tavern. The "French Horn," by the way, makes a notable display throughout the metropolis: it is possible that it may convey some covert meaning, or mystical allusion. We have the "Fox and French Horn;" the Green Man and ditto; the Rose and idem; and many other similar combinations, which prove, at any rate, a fondness for music in this our aspersed country. Another singular and frequent union is that of the Horse-shoe, with objects of very different character, as, for example, the "Sun and Horse-shoe;" the "Black Boy and Horse-shoe;" the "Horse-shoe and Magpie," &c., the solution of which may probably be found in the superstition which at one period so generally affixed a horse-shoe above the doors of the lieges, unless, indeed, it has been affected by the intermarriage of parts of the same sign. Innkeepers are very proud of their nomenclature, which they consider as a species of title. We remember once being very gravely told at Southampton, that the son of the "Dolphin " had married the daughter