The Cries of London

The present work was some years since prepared for the press by its late ingenious author, who engraved all the plates for it himself, thirteen of which are copied from early prints, and the rest sketched from the life. It will easily be perceived how much superior the latter are to the former.

The descriptions of the plates were also prepared by Mr. Smith, and had the benefit of revision by the late Francis Douce, Esq. F.S.A.

These spirited etchings having become the property of the present Editor, they are now for the first time submitted to the public; who will, it is hoped, consider this volume an appropriate companion to Mr. Smith's "Vagabondiana; or, Anecdotes of Mendicant Wanderers through the Streets of London," which work was honoured by a masterly Introduction from the pen of Mr. Douce.

The Editor has taken the liberty, occasionally, to adapt the letter-press to the present day; but the reader will kindly bear in mind that the work was written several years since; and that in the interval many changes have taken place, which it was not thought necessary to point out.

J. B. NICHOLS.

May, 1839.

CONTENTS, AND LIST OF PLATES.

Page

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, with a Portrait ix

INTRODUCTION 1

Plates. ANTIENT TRADES.

I. WATCHMAN, from a rare woodcut temp. James I. 13

II. BELLMAN, from a work entitled "Villanies discovered by Lanthorne and Candle Light" 14

III. BILL-MAN, from a print published by Overton, temp. Charles II. 16

IV. WATER-CARRIER, from a print published by Overton 17

V. CORPSE-BEARER, in the time of a plague at London 20

VI. HACKNEY-COACHMAN, from a print published by Overton 25

VII. JAILOR, from a tract, entitled "Essayes and Characters of a Prison and Prisoners, by Geffray Mynshul, 1638" 27

VIII. PRISON BASKET-MAN, from a print published by Overton, temp. Charles II. 30

IX. RAT-CATCHER 33

X. MARKING-STONES, from a rare woodcut, temp. James I. 37

XI. BUY A BRUSH, OR A TABLE BOOK, from a print published by Overton 39

XII. FIRE-SCREENS, from a print published by Overton 42

XIII. SAUSAGES, from a print temp. Charles II. 44

MODERN TRADERS.

XIV. NEW ELEGY 47

XV. ALL IN FULL BLOOM 50

XVI. OLD CHAIRS TO MEND--Portrait of Israel Potter 53

XVII. THE BASKET OR PRICKLE MAKER 55

XVIII. THE POTTER 58

XIX. STAFFORDSHIRE WARE 61

XX. HARD METAL SPOONS--Portrait of William Conway 63

XXI. DANCING DOLLS 65

XXII. SPRIG OF SHILLELAH AND SHAMROCK SO GREEN--Portrait of Thomas McConwick, the dancing ballad singer 67

XXIII. GINGERBREAD NUTS, OR JACK'S LAST SHIFT--Portrait of Daniel Clarey 69

XXIV. CHICKWEED--Portrait of George Smith 73

XXV. BILBERRIES 75

XXVI. Three female SIMPLERS 77

XXVII. WASHERWOMAN, CHAR-WOMAN, and STREET NURSES 81

XXVIII. SMITHFIELD BARGAINS--Saloop 85

XXIX. SMITHFIELD-PUDDING 88

XXX. THE BLADDER-MAN--Portrait of Bernardo Millano 92

POSTSCRIPT, by the Editor 96

[Illustration: JOHN THOMAS SMITH,

Late Keeper of the Prints in the British Museum.

Author of Nollekens and his Times, Antient Topography, &c. &c.

Engraved by W. Skelton, from an Original Drawing by J. Jackson, Esqr. R.A.

Published by J. B. Nichols & Son, May 1st, 1839.]

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

John Thomas Smith was the son of Nathaniel Smith, sculptor, and afterwards a well-known printseller, living at Rembrandt's Head, 18 Great May's-buildings, St. Martin's-lane; and we have his own authority, written in the album of Mr. Upcott of Upper Street, Islington, for stating, he was literally "born in a hackney coach, June 23, 1766, on its way from his uncle's old Ned Tarr, a wealthy glass-grinder, of Great Earl Street, Seven Dials, to his father's house in Great Portland-street, Oxford Street; whilst Maddox was balancing a straw at the Little Theatre in the Hay Market, and Marylebone Gardens re-echoed the melodious notes of the famed Tommy Lowe."