The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-17 00:00:00

SMALL-BEER CHRONICLES.

(From .elll the Year Round.)
In the second column of tee Times advertisement-sheet
appeared, the other day,
vidi. tact"—coupled with mysterioustthheesaenouia ce m e.n wt otrhdast,
worthy personage was just about to start for the Continent
itn‘ ttirnuneBdntilt
with a view to certain "pt iv.te in quirit s." The advertise-
went was inserted by one Messrs Pollaky and Co.
Now, here is a new state of things. The organised spy
system has sprung into existence
quite recently. By the
advertisements is ued from this office of Mr. Pol
aky's and
from
another similar establishment kept by retired Inspec-
tor Field, you are invited to place in the hands of these
gentle-oleo any affair you want cleared up, entrusting the
parti, ulars to them, relying on their secresy, and ou the
rlilig nee they will show in serving you. But what sort of
ittquirits are those in which the ex-detectives are ready to
engage ? \\That sort of peorle are those who apply to
Messrs. Pollaky and Field for their secret services
I wonder to what extent the establishments of these put.-
veyot s of useful information are patronised by the public ?
Of one thing I am quite sure—there are more men to be
seen standing about at the corners of streets than there used
to he. Are these men—they are generally seedy in their
attire, and in the habit of sucking small pieces of straw or
chewing the stacks of leaves to while away the time—are
these men the agents of Pollaky and Co., and for what are
they on the look-out? For more things, depend on it, than
e dreamed of in our philosophy. When Mrs. Drinkwater
Dreggs gives two dinner-parties, one following the other,
atl the guests who are invited to one of those festivals are
instantly seized with a firm conviction that the dinner to
which they are not aske I is the distinguished one, while the
meal at which they are invited to figure is the second-rate
affair. Now, it is not too much to suppose that these suspi-
cious personages arc in the habit of putting their difficulties
in the hands of Messrs Pollaky and Co. Away goes the
trustworthy emissary to Wilton-cresent. He planis himself
under the lamp-post, he observes what proportion the cabs
which drive up to Mrs. Dreags's door bear to the private
carriages, he studies the appearance of the guests, and, be-
ing a• hrewd individual, forms his own opinion as to their
rank in the social scale ; or, if unable to do this, perhaps he
will get into conversation with the waiter, who comes to
the door for a little air while the gentlemen are over
their wine, and from him learns exactly what sort of com-
pany is being entertained within. With the information
he has gained, the trustworthy one returns to his employer,
and next morning the Seedymane, who were at the first
party, and who had the pleasure of meeting a society of
nobodies, who, for the most part, reached their destination
in cabs and files, learn that, on the occasion of the second
festival, there was a "regular swell turnout, with only one
cab, and that a Hansom ; and that the company comprised,
among other distinguished persons, a baronet and his lady,
a dowager- counte,s, a genius, two me:..abers of parliament,
and consorts, and a cabinet minister." This kLowledgE,
then take to their hearts, and batten theie64
Shun, but with a certain maliglUtt 1-12^..trate
ntt to their
hed lO76E'