Sermons are a drug and novels
ain't much better, poems is pretty bobbish, but song-books is my meat.
And, talking o' songbooks, here's one as is jest the thing for a
convivial cock o' the game--a fine, young, slap-up buck like you, my
Lord. Here's a book to kill care, drive away sorrer, and give a
'leveller' to black despair. A book as'll make the sad merry, and
the merry merrier. Hark to this now!"
So saying, the Pedler drew a book from his pack, and opening it at
the title-page, began to read as follows, with much apparent unction
and gusto:
THE HEARTY FELLOW:
OR
JOYOUS SOUL'S COMPANION.
BEING A
Chaste, Elegant, and Humourous
COLLECTION OF SONGS,
for the ENTERTAINMENT of:
The TENDER MAID, the PINING LOVER, the CHOICE
SPIRIT, the DROLL DOG, the JOVIAL SPORTSMAN, the
DARING SOLDIER and the ROUGH, HONEST TAR:
and for all those who would wish to render themselves agreeable,
divert the Company, kill Care, and be joyous; where the
high-seasoned WIT and HUMOUR will be sufficient Apology for
a bad Voice, and by which such as have a tolerable one will be
able to Shine without repressing the Laugh of the merrily
disposed, or offending the Ear of the chastest Virgin.
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