CHAPTER XII.
“The Lottery Alphabet”--“The Philosopher’s Stone”--“Fortune’s Ladder”--Enigmatical handbill--Lottery drawn on St. Valentine’s Day-- “Public Prizes”--and other poetical handbills.
Three of Bish’s handbills belong to this lottery.
“THE LOTTERY ALPHABET.
=A= stands for _All_ who for Affluence wish, =B= means _Be_ sure _Buy_ a Ticket of BISH. =C= _Cash_ in plenty by BISH you may gain; =D= _Don’t Delay_ soon a Chance to obtain; =E= Shows that _Every One_, if he is wise, =F= would _Find out_ where to purchase a Prize; =G= _Gives_ the place; it is 4, in Cornhill; =H= _Has_ a prize, for _Have_ it who will, =I= _Independence_ by BISH you may gain; =J= _Join_ with me, a grand Prize to obtain; =K= _Keep_ in view, in October’s the day =L= _Lott’ry_ draws; then no longer delay. =M= _Many_ prizes the Scheme has in view; =N= _No one_ knows but a winner are you. =O= shows that _Opulence_ there may be found; =P= _Proves_ that _Prizes_ in _Plenty_ abound. =Q= _Questions_ not but the Scheme will delight ye; =R= most _Respectfully_ begs to invite ye. =S= _Stands_ for _Shares_, if a Ticket don’t suit ye, =T= _Turns_ your Luck, and with _Treasure_ recruits ye =U= shows that all, with _Unanimous_ wishes, =V= _Vow_ they’ll _Venture_ and purchase at BISH’S. =W= _Would Wish_ in a Club to unite ye; =X= _Ten_ to One but good luck will requite ye. =Y= hopes that _You_ have, like others, a wish, =Z= with _Zeal_ to adventure and purchase of BISH.”
“THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE.
BY AN ALCHYMIST.
TUNE--'_Golden Days of good Queen Bess._’
Ye Alchymists, attend my lay, and occult speculators, I’ve made a grand discovery, according with your natures; I ha’n’t found out the longitude, nor motion that’s perpetual, But the Stone that’s called Philosopher’s, a Thousand Pounds I’ll bet you all. And merry be his memory, who such a thing invented, Tho’ some folks, if they could make gold, would never be contented.
Perhaps you might have read about an ancient sage philosopher, Whom Hudibras informs you had read Alexander Ross over; Who Alick Ross was, I don’t know, and you are not much wiser; But he first gave the hint of what I mean to advertise here. And merry, etc.
It isn’t Loan--it isn’t Scrip--nor long, nor short Annuities, But, if I don’t explain the thing, what matter what to you it is? In short, then, ’tis the Lottery, from which this fact’s deducible, It makes Gold ten times faster than the Alchymist’s fam’d Crucible. And merry, etc.
The 5th of OCTOBER they draw, and when the wheel goes round, sir, If you’re lucky, you may gain a Twenty Thousand Pound, sir; Ye souls of Venture, then, who hope to share the Lott’ry’s riches, To Fortune straight your suit unfold, and She’ll befriend your wishes. And merry, etc.
And should you wish to get a Prize, if ’tis but Twenty Thousand, You’ll not be disappointed much; and would you know the house, and The owner’s name, it BISH is, and he, with zeal quite fervent, Declares himself to be, kind sir, your very humble servant. And merry, etc.
And, if you doubt of buying Prize, you are only to be told, sir, That Three of Twenty Thousand Pounds, last Lottery he sold, sir, And so disinterested be, if you your luck would try it, He says he hates to sell a blank, as much as you to buy it. And merry, etc.”
“FORTUNE’S LADDER.
(TO BE READ FROM THE BOTTOM.)
The drift of this Ladder, to well comprehend, Take a Paddy’s advice and _begin_ at the _end_.
(3)
[Illustration]
She answer’d thus, “If you are wise, You’ll try at BISH’S for a Prize.” The thought inspir’d with hope the man, Who off to BISH’S quickly ran.
(_Go to No. 4._)
(2)
[Illustration]
“My dearest wife, the times are bad, And, as to Cash, it can’t be had, In this sad plight, what what shall we do? Or, pray, what plan can we pursue?”
(_Go to No. 3._)
(1)
[Illustration]
A wight, by poverty oppress’d, By duns and creditors distress’d, Thus to his dame in dudgeon said, While dreams of horror fill’d his head.
(_Go to No. 2._)
(6)
[Illustration]
Not long he waits, the lucky youth Who drew the Prize, proclaims the truth, And in his breast “fond hopes arise, It is a Twenty Thousand Prize!”
(_Go to No. 7._)
(5)
[Illustration]
At home arriv’d, he tells his dear, And anxiously expects to hear The glorious, heart-inspiring sound, “’Tis drawn, a Twenty Thousand Pound!”
(_Go to No. 6._)
(4)
[Illustration]
And, passing by, he saw the Scheme, Of universal praise the theme; Then went to BISH, a Ticket bought, In hopes that Fortune he had caught.
(_Go to No. 5._)
(9)
[Illustration]
His friends, relations, uncles, cousins, To wish him joy, flock in by dozens; And those, who ’gainst him clos’d their door, Obsequious bend unto the floor.
(_Go to No. 10._)
(8)
[Illustration]
And, now, behold how chang’d the scene, To what it formerly had been; No duns to vex--of gold a hoard, While wealth and plenty crown his board.
(_Go to No. 9._)
(7)
[Illustration]
To BISH he goes with Prize in hand, Who pays the Money on demand, With many thanks for favours past, And hoping that his luck may last.
(_Go to No. 8._)
(10)
[Illustration]
Possess’d of all that wealth can give, In style he now begins to live; His carriage keeps, but yet can spare A Fortune to his son and heir.
_Finis._
On June 10, 1809, sanction was given by Parliament to a lottery (49 Geo. III. c. 94), for the £600,000 recommended by the Committee, and the net profit derived therefrom was £327,006 0_s._ 10_d._
In this year Bish produced an enigmatical handbill, such as were very popular about that time, and for ten years later.
The solution to the handbill on p. 169 is, “If you are a man struggling to get through the world, or surrounded by crosses; or if you wish to lay by a fortune for your children, go to BISH or his agents, who may make you independent, and above the frowns of the world.”
[Illustration]
This other one (p. 170) is notable principally for the costumes.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
The 15th June, 1810, brought its lottery (50 Geo. III. c. 94). Prizes £600,000, profit £186,886 8_s._ Judging by this small amount of profit, the public interest in the lottery was waning, and it would seem to be so, by the extra stimulus given to the handbills issued this year, which were more numerous than heretofore, especially for that drawn on 14th February.
[Illustration: An Engraver’s design for heading to a Lottery Handbill.]
[Illustration: Engraver’s design for a Lottery Handbill.]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
A VALENTINE.
No fresh Damask Rose, when held to the Nose, No Cowslip or Daffy-down-dilly, No Hyacinth’s bloom, or Pink’s rich perfume, Nor Jessamine sweet, nor the Lily; _These_ Emblems of Love, _this_ Knot or _this_ Dove; _This_ Pair, or _this_ One with a Letter, _This_ Torch and _these_ Darts, _these_ two wounded Hearts, Nor Cupid, nor Hymen’s round Fetter; Not _all these_ Devices can match the great Prizes, Nor can Bacchus or Venus so brisk, Afford such a boon As next Valentine’s Noon, When the Prizes are gained _without risk_.
The inevitable Bish comes to the fore with
“PUBLIC PRIZES.
BY A PRIZE-MASTER.
TUNE--'_Ye Scamps, ye Pads, ye Divers_.’
In London Town, are Prizes for ev’rything that’s made, In every profession, manufactory, or trade; _Prize Cattle_ long have noise made, but don’t the _price_ decrease, But I can tell of _Prize Sheep_, each with a _Golden Fleece_. With a tol, etc.
How oft you’ll advertis’d see a _Prize Boot_ or a _Shoe_, Which Crispin’s sons to gain, must either strap or buckle to; To 'buckle Fortune on your back,’ you’d scrape your _shoe_ to do’t I’ll tell you, and for a _Prize_, to make a _leg_ to _boot_. With a tol, etc.
_Prize Flow’rs_ you hear of in plenty, of every kind and hue, The best of them but fade at last, however fine to view; Your Florist’s of Carnations, Pinks, and Tulips forth may hold, The Prize Flower I present to you, is _Fortune’s Marigold_. With a tol, etc.
_Prize Themes_ they write at College, in ev’ry style and tongue, Producing _Wisdom_, greatest _Prize_, enlightening the young; My _Theme_ is, too, a _Prize Theme_, a richer scarce is found, I mean the _Prize_, for that may turn out Eighty Thousand Pound. With a tol, etc.
The Theme I mean’s the Lottery, on Valentine they draw, With Prizes full 5,000, a Scheme to gain _éclat_; _Two Hundred Thousand Pounds_ in all; among them too you have _Twelve_ £1000’s, Four £5000’s and Four £20,000’s--brave. With a tol, etc.
And BISH is the _Prize-Master_, who sells most of them well, At Charing Cross, No. 9, or Blue Coat Boys, Cornhill; For Thousand _Twenties_, _Five and Twenties_, _Thirties_, _Forties_ too, He more has sold than all the Trade, and he’ll sell one to you. With a tol, etc.”
Hazard and Co. give us the three following:--
“The _Prize Bird_ of VENUS, commissioned by LOVE, The bounties of FORTUNE this Month to display, Announces to all who her favours would prove, That the Lottery draws on St. Valentine’s Day. Young Maidens for Lovers no more need despair, Since FORTUNE and LOVE have together combin’d, To bestow their best gifts on the youth and the Fair, Who by HYMEN’S soft fetters would wish to be join’d.”
“SWEETHEARTS AND GOLD;
OR,
THE MATRIMONIAL RECIPE.
Sweethearts, blithesome, spruce and gay, Haste ye, haste ye, haste away, Soon is Fortune’s holiday! Why so loiter thus your time? ’Tis, indeed, a monstrous crime, Thus to waste your youth and prime! Haste then, Sweethearts, haste away, Soon is Fortune’s Holiday!
Prizes may be had by all, Rich and Poor, and Great and Small. If you have a mind to call Where they always may be had; And where, too, they’re always glad To assist where Luck’s been bad! Haste ye, Sweethearts, haste away,
Soon is Fortune’s Holiday! If you would to church be led, By the Man you’d wish to wed, (Ne’er to part till one is dead,) Here the way I’ll surely show, How most likely to do so, Get a Prize--he’ll ne’er say 'No!’ Haste then, Sweethearts, haste away Soon is Fortune’s Holiday!
If your lovely Lass has charms, To excite your Love’s alarms, Lest she fly to others’ arms,
[Illustration]
Buy a Share--a Prize go buy-- Then for you she’ll heave a sigh, And with pleasure soon comply! Haste then, Sweethearts, haste away, Soon is Fortune’s Holiday!
Fifty Thousand Guineas rare, May be had, and I know where, They’ll the Prizes doubtless share! HAZARD’S House, with fame o’er grown, Has for Prizes long been known, As the House of greatest _ton_. Haste then, Sweethearts, haste away, Soon is Fortune’s Holiday!
Never hesitate, nor stand, For the time is close at hand, When this Holiday is plann’d; Good St. Valentine, you see, And Dame Fortune, both agree In the closest harmony. Haste then, Sweethearts, haste away, Soon is Fortune’s Holiday!”
“THE DOUBT.
To buy, or not to buy, that’s the question, Whether ’tis nobler in the purse to suffer The mournful emptiness of Fortune’s daughter, Or to buy Tickets at a Lott’ry Office, And by a Prize to end them. A Prize! Hard Cash! And by possession of that Cash to end The heart-ache, and a thousand cruel shocks That Poverty is heir to. ’Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish’d--Guineas--Bank-Notes-- A Prize--perchance a Blank[24]--aye, there’s the rub, That makes necessity of so long life; For who would bear the scorn of empty pockets; The insolence of riches, and the spurns That ragged small-clothes from the well-drest take, When he, himself, might a fine fortune make With a mere Share? Thus Prudence doth make cowards of us all, And Lottery Prizes of great pith and moment, By sad delay are flown from us for ever, And lose the name of benefits!”
[24] The present Lottery contains only half the usual proportion, viz. _Not two Blanks to a Prize_.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Gye and Balne, Printers, 38, Gracechurch-street.]