American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-12-30
From the London Ne1O Monthly Magazine.
MRS. DoBBS AT HOME.


He who knows Hackney, needs must know
That spot enchanting-Prospect Row,
So called because a view it shows
OF Shoreditch Road, and when there blows
No dust, the folks may one and all get
A peep-almost to Norton Falgate.
Here Mrs. Dobbs, at Number Three,
Invited all her friends to tea.
The Row had never heard before
Such double knocks at any door,
And heads were popped from every easement,
Counting the corners with amazement.
Some magnifed them to eleven,
While others swore there were but seven,
A point that keenly mooted still,
But certain 'tis that Mrs Gill
Told Mrs. Grub she reckoned tenn
Fat Mrs Hobbs came second-then
Came Mesdames Jinkins, Dump and Spriggins,
Tapps, Jacks, Briggs, Hoggins, Crump and Pigglns.
Dizened in all her best array,
Our melting hostess said her say,
As the Souchong repast proceeded,
And curtsying and bobbing pressed
By turns each gormandizing guest
To stuff as heartily she did.
Dear Mrs. Hoggins, what!-your cup
Turned in your saucer bottom up!--
Dear me, how soon you've had your tiils
Let me persuade you-one more sup,
Twill do you good, indeed it will -
Psha now, you're only making game
Or else you tea'd afore you came.
Stop Mrs. Jinkns, let me stir it,
Before pour out any more--
No, Maam that's just as prefer it,
o then I'll make it as before.
Lauk Mrs. Dump, that toast seems dry,
DO take and eat this middle bit,
The buffers fresh you may rely,
And fine price paid for it,
No doubt, Masm,-what a shame it is,
And Cambridge too again has rSz
You don't deal now with Mrs. Keats!
No, she's bad one -Ma'am she cheats.
Hush Mrs. Crnmp's her aunt--Good lack
How lucky she just turned her back!
Don't spare the toast, Maam, don't say no,
I've got another round below,
give folks plenty when ak 'em,
For cut and come agan's my MAXIM
Nor should deem il misfort'n,
If you demolished the whole quart'n,
Though bread is now shameful price,
Why did they 'bolish the assize
A charming garden, Mrs. Dobbs,
For drying.-An't it, Mrs. Hobbs'
But though our water tub runs o'ers
A heavy wash is such bore,
Our Smals is all that we hang out
Well, that's luxury, no doubt.
La! Mrs. Tepps, do only look.
Those groGts can never be mistook;
Well, such cap it can't be worse,
See, here's six horses and hearse,
And there's the church and buryng-place;
Plain as the nose upon your face
Next dish may disslpate your doubts,
And give you less unlucky grouts:
One more-you must-the POT has stood.
warrant me its strong and good.
There's Mrs. Spriggins in the garden;
What . fine gown but, begging pardon,
1t seems to me amazing dingy-
Do you think her shawl, Ma'ani's real hyy9--
Lord love you novel; give inc clo'es
That's plain and good, Ma'am. not like those.
Though not so tawdry, Mrs Jacks,
We do put clean things on our backs.
Meat, Maam, is scand'lous dear.--Perlaps
You deal Ma'am, still with Mr. Tapps-
Not we know who's got to pay,
When butchers drive their one horse ebay
Well, pay nine for rumps.-At most
We pay but eight for boiled and roast,
And ret our rumps from Leadenhall
At seven. taking shins and all.
Yes meat is monss'ous dear all round;
But dripping brings groat pound.
Thus on swift wing the moments fews
Until twas time to say adieu,
When each prepared to waddle back
Warmed with sip Of Cognac,
Which was with Mrs. Dobbs a law,
Whenever the night was cold and raw,
Umbrellas, pattens, lanterns, clogs,
Were sought-away the party joys,
And silent solitude again
Der Prospect Row resumed its reign,
lust as the Watchman crawled in sight,
To cry-."past ten--a cloudy night"