button to main menu  Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque, plate 25

button NOTES from DR SYNTAX'S TOUR, 1812
On page 203:-

...
My Lord with smiles the Doctor cheer'd:-
"You have done well, my learned friend,
"Hither your ready steps to bend;
"Bus'ness has brought me up to town,
"And thus you find me all alone.
"Here pitch your tent, and pass your hour
"In working up your pleasant Tour;
"And when 'tis done, I'll aid your scheme -
"It shall not prove an idle dream."
Syntax receiv'd his Lordship's grace
With moisten'd eye, but smiling face,
And for ten days, at morn and night,
He toil'd to bring his book to light;
...
Nor did he then delay to go,
Not to the realms of sight and show,
But those of Paternoster-row.
...
Plate 25 opposite p.205:-

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DOCTOR SYNTAX & BOOKSELLER.
in a proper book shop, full of high shelves, library steps, books and books and books; the bookseller is interrupted at his lunch:-

...
BOOKSELLER.
"I wish to know, Sir, what you mean,
"By kicking up, Sir, such a scene?
"And who you are, Sir, and your name,
"And on what errand here you came?"

SYNTAX.
"My errand was to bid you look
"With care and candour on this book;
"And tell me whether you think fit
"To buy, or print, or publish it?
"The subject which the work contains
"Is Art and Nature's fair domains;
"'Tis form'd the curious to allure;-
"In short, good man, it is a Tour;
"With drawings all from nature made,
"And with no common skill display'd:
"Each house, each place, each lake, each tree,
"These fingers drew - these eyes did see."
...

BOOKSELLER.
"A Tour, indeed! - I've had enough
"Of tours and such like flimsy stuff.
"What a fool's errand you have made
"(I speak the language of the trade),
"To travel all the country o'er,
"And write what has been writ before!
"We can get Tours - dont (sic) make wry faces,
"From those who never saw the places.
"I know a man who has the skill
"To make you books of Tours at will;
"And from his garret in Moorfields
"Can see what ev'ry country yields;
"So, if you please, you may retire,
"And throw your book upon the fire:
"You need not grin, my frined, nor vapour;
"I would not buy it for waste paper!"
...

SYNTAX.
"Have done - have done" pray read that letter;
"And then I think you'll treat me better."

BOOKSELLER.
"Sir, had you shewn this letter first,
"My very belly would have burst
"Before I would have said a word
"Your learned ears should not have heard;
"But, in this world wherein we live,
"We must forget, Sir, and forgive.
"These little heats will sometimes start
"From the most friendly, gen'rous heart.
"My Lord speaks highly of your merit,
...
"His Lordship here expressly says
"Your work transcends his utmost praise;
"Desires the printing may commence,
"And he'll be bound for the expense.
"The book will sell, I have no doubt;
"I'll spare no pains to bring it out:
"A work like this must not be stinted,
"Two thousand copies shall be printed.
...

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