Usually sung to an ancient English melody known by the name of "The Country Garden." IN good King Charles' golden days, And damn'd are those that do resist, And this is law I will maintain "The Vicar of Bray, in Berkshire," says D'Israeli, in his Curiosities of Literature, "was a Papist under the reign of Henry the Eighth, and a Protestant under Edward the Sixth. He was a Papist again under Mary, and once more became a Protestant in the reign of Elizabeth. When this scandal to the gown was reproached for his versatility of religious creeds, and taxed for being a turncoat, and an inconstant changeling, as Fuller expresses it, he replied: Not so neither; for if I changed my religion, I am sure I kept true to my principle, which is to live and die the Vicar of Bray.' "Pendleton, the celebrated Vicar of Bray," says another statement, which has recently gone the round of the newspapers, "subsequently became rector of St. Stephen's, Walbrook. It is related that in the reign of Edward VI., Lawrence Sanders, the martyr, an honest, but mild and timorous man, stated to Pendleton his fears that he had not strength of mind to endure the persecution of the times, and was answered by Pendleton, that he would see every drop of his fat and the last When royal James obtain'd the crown, And read the Declaration : The Church of Rome I found would fit Full well my constitution; And had become a Jesuit But for the Revolution. When William was our King declar'd, When gracious Anne became our queen, Occasional conformists base, I damn'd their moderation, Although the Church in danger was And this is law, &c. morsel of his flesh consumed to ashes ere he would swerve from the faith then established.' He, however, changed with the times, saved his fat and his flesh, and became rector of St. Stephen's, whilst the mild and diffident Sanders was burnt in Smithfield." In a note in Nichols' "Select Poems," 1782, vol. viii. p. 234, it is stated;"The Song of the Vicar of Bray is said to have been written by an officer in Colonel Fuller's regiment, in the reign of King George I. It is founded on an historical fact; and although it reflects no great honour on the hero of the poem, is humorously expressive of the complexion of the times, in the successive reigns from Charles II. to George I.” * Extract of a letter from Mr. Brome to Mr. Rawlins, dated June 14, 1735: " * I have had a long chase after the Vicar of Bray, on whom the proverb. Mr. Hearne, though born in that neighbourhood, and should have mentioned it (Leland, Itinerary, vol. v. p. 114), knew not who he was, but in his last letter desired me if I found him out to let him know it. Dr. Fuller in his 'Worthies,' and Mr. Ray from him, takes no notice of him in his 'Proverbs.' I suppose neither knew his name. But I am informed it is Simon Alleyn or Allen who was Vicar of Bray about 1540, and died 1588, so was Vicar of Bray near fifty years. You now partake of the sport that has cost me some pains to take."-Letters from the Bodleian, vol. ii. part I., p. 100. When George in pudding-time came o'er, Th' illustrious House of Hanover And George my lawful king shall be― And this is law, &c. A MAN TO MY MIND. JOHN CUNINGHAM, born A.D. 1728. SINCE wedlock's in vogue, and stale virgins despis'd, To all bachelors greeting these lines are premis'd. I'm a maid that would marry, but where shall I find (I wish not for fortune) a man to my mind? Not the fair-weather fop, fond of fashion and lace; Not the ruby-fac'd sot, that topes world without end; Not the drone who can't relish his bottle and friend; Not the fool that's too fond, nor the churl that's unkind; Neither this, that, nor t'other's the man to my mind. Not the wretch with full bags, without breeding or merit; But the youth in whom merit and sense may conspire, This author's poems were printed in 1771, and dedicated to David Garrick. He was the manager of the Newcastle Theatre, and an actor of some repute. The exact year of his death is unknown, but it was prior to 1780. FROM THE COURT TO THE COTTAGE. Poetry and music by HARRY CAREY, 1748. FROM the court to the cottage convey me away, And pomp without pleasure, Far remote and retir'd from the noise of the town, But well chosen and true, And sweet recreation our evenings shall crown. With a rural repast (a rich banquet for me), Shall afford me my drink, And temperance my friendly physician shall be. Harry Carey was the author of a great number of songs, among others, of "Sally in our Alley," one of the most popular ever written, but a composition of no merit, and solely indebted to the beauty of the melody to which it was sung for the extraordinary favour it enjoyed. Its popularity caused several imitations of it to be published, and Carey himself was among the first to set the example. Most of Carey's melodies are exceedingly beautiful. THE FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN. I'LL sing you a good old song, And who kept up his old mansion With a good old porter to relieve His hall so old was hung around And quaff'd his cup of good old sack, To warm his good old nose: Like a fine, &c. When winter's cold brought frost and snow, And though threescore and ten his years, He featly led the ball: Nor was the houseless wanderer E'er driven from his hall; For while he feasted all the great, He ne'er forgot the small: Like a fine, &c. But time, though sweet, is strong in flight, And autumn's falling leaves proclaim'd, The old man-he must die! He laid him down right tranquilly, Gave up life's latest sigh; And mournful stillness reign'd around, For this good, &c. |