PREFACE to BAD NEWS

Drawn and Etched by R. Newton.

A young gentleman being at the University, was called upon by an old Servant of his Father with compliments from the Family. "Well," said the Student, "how do they all do at home? what news do you bring me?" None replied John, "except that our Raven is dead." "So! is that all? But, pray, what did it die of?" "How could it be otherwise, since it eat so much carrion." "Carrion! how could it get such quantities?" "Why, the four coach-horses." "Are they dead too? Pray what killed them?" Oh, they might have lived long enough, if they had not been overworked in drawing water." "How came it about then that they had so much water to draw?" It happened the day our mansion-house was burnt down. "My Father's house burnt! say you, and by what accident?" By no accident at all: that would not have happened, if our people had not been so careful with their torches." "Pray what had they to do with torches?" "Why the torches were made use of at your good lady mother's funeral." "How! my mother dead and buried without my knowing of her being sick! That is incomprehensible!" Not so incomprehensible neither for she died of no other disease than a broken heart." "But, for God's sake, John, what could occasion such excefs we grieve?" Oh, as to that matter, she had reason enough. Lady L. who was so lately your mother's wet-maid, appeared at the late birth-day assembly in a richer and more elegant dress than any that was ever before seen in that country."

London Pub. August 11, 1794 by W. Holland, N. 50 Oxford Street.