The English Spy, page 69 by Bernard Blackmantle
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many years of industry.
30 Jem Flowers is an old soldier; and, in marshalling the forces for a bull or a badger-bait, displays all the tactics of an experienced general officer. Caleb Baldwin would no more bear comparison with Jem than a flea does to an elephant.
31 When it is remembered how near Eton is to London, and how frequent the communication, it will appear astonishing, but highly creditable to the authorities, that so little of the current slang of the day is to be met with here.
~73~~
There's Jolly Jem,{32} who keeps his punt,
And dogs to raise the siller; Of cads, the captain of the hunt,
A right and tight good miller. Next Barney Groves,{33} a learned wight,
The impounder of cattle, Dilates on birth and common right,
And threats black slugs with battle. Big George {34} can teach the use of fives,
Or pick up a prime terrier; Or spar, or keep the game alive,
With beagle, bull, or harrier. Savager{35} keeps a decent nag,
32 Jem Miller was originally a tailor; but having dropt a stitch or two in early life, listed into a sporting regiment of Cads some years since; and being a better shot at hares and partridges than he was considered at the heavy goose, has been promoted to the rank of captain of the private tutors. Jem is a true jolly fellow; his house exhibits a fine picture of what a sportsman's hall should be, decorated with all the emblems of fishing, fowling, and hunting, disposed around in great taste.
33 Barney Groves, the haughward, or impounder of stray cattle at Eton, is one of the most singular characters I have ever met with. Among the ignorant Barney is looked up to as the fountain of local and legal information; and it is highly ludicrous to hear him expatiate on his favourite theme of "our birthrights and common rights;" tracing the first from the creation, and deducing argument in favor of his opinions on the second from doomsday book, through all the intricate