Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-27

! THE CoaMearer and his Picter."-In the
Court of Requests, on Monday small made
man, with carefully cultivated pair of carroty
mustachos, whose seedy "toggery" presented
tolerable good imitation ola Polish "mllitalre,"
came before the Commissioners to make good
his claim of fifteen pence, the price charged for
whole-length portrait of Mister Robert White,
a member of the worshipful fraternity of Coal
| beavers.
The complainant called himself Signor Bene-
| sontagi, but from all the genuine characteristics
| ofCockaisne which he carried about him, II was
evident he had Germanized his patronymic OF
Benson to suit the present judicious taste OF the
"pensive public"
| Signor Benesontagi, it appeared, was peri
patetic professor of the "Fine Arts" and &C
customed to visit public. houses for the purpose
Of carlo aturing the countenances OF the compa-
ny, at prices varying from slxpence to hall
crown per head. In pursuit of his vocation he
stepped into the tap.room of the VuIcan's Head
On Friday evening last, where conclave OF
" operatives." interested in the coal trade, usu
ally assembled to pay their devoirs to the genius
of Barclay and Perkins he announced the ma
ture of his profession, and was beckoned into
the box where the defendant was sitting. who
offered him a shilling 10 take his likeness; this
sum he consented t. augment to hfteen pence,
provided be would draw him in his blue velvet
Sunday "kicksies," which, he sad he only
struck, and the "portrait" was finished, but the
defendant was so dissatisfied with the perform
ance that he swore he would not have IT. nor
nav "farGen piece" for the "Artists" trouble.
The defendant was called on by the Court to
state his reasons for refusing to pay.
w my Lords (said Mister White,) my reason
is this here:-That 'ere covey come into the
crib we're vos sitting, and ax'd me if as how
I'd have my picter draw'd. Veil, my Lord, be-
ing little "lumpy," and thinking it ud please
nv Sal, told him I'd give him a " bob" and be
my pot to hs'n, if he'd shove in pair of well
vet breaches as I'd got at home. Veil, my
Lord, he said he would, and that he'd make a
"out and out" job on it, for he'd larn' phlsogo-
mony under Sir Peter Laurie.
It's false (said the complainant) the name as
mentioned was Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Vere's the difference (said the coalheaver)?-
Vell nv Lords, he goes to work. like Briton.
and claps this here thing in my fist, vlch arn,t
bit like me- but is more likener the head of
bull with the bellyache.
The defendant pulled out card, and handed
il to the court. On inspection, though certainly
it was an ugly likeness, yet there could be no
doubt that it was for the defendant
The Commissioners were of the opinion that
the portrait was a good fifteen-penny copy OF
the defendants countenance.
T'ant bit like me- said the defendant. Wy,
lookee here, he's draw'd me with bunch OF
inghans sticking out Of my pocket.
A bunch Of onions, said the incensed artist, I'll
submit it to any gentleman as is judge of the
" Fine Arts" whether it can be any thing else
than his watch seals.
Votch seals. w, never wore no seals, cause
never had none, and how can this here be like
me7 said the coaheaver.
The Commissioners admitted the premises,
but denied the conclusion; and being of opinion
that the ifteen-pence was justly due to Signor
Benesontagi, awarded that sum and the costs to
him.
Mister White drew out six shillings, and iaid
them down one by one, with the expression OF
countenance Of q man submitting TO nave So
many teeth drawn.-I.ondonp paper.
PAPER HANGINGs AND BORDERS.