Over the altar is a fine painting of the martyrdom of St.Stephen, by West.
~273~~ _chef d'ouvre_ of the same artist, and serves to display the versatility of his genius." Instead however of looking up, Bob was looking over the way, where a number of people, collected round a bookseller's window, had attracted his attention.
"Apropos," cried Dashall,--"The Temple of Apollo--we should have overlook'd a fine subject, but for your remark--yonder is Tegg's Evening Book Auction, let us cross and see what's going on.

He is a fellow of 'infinite mirth and good humour,' and many an evening have I passed at his Auction, better amused than by a farce at the Theatre." They now attempted to cross, but the intervening crowd of carriages, three or four deep, and in a line as far as the eye could reach, for the present opposed an obstacle.
"If I could think of it," said Sparkle, "I'd give you the Ode on his Birth-day, which I once saw in MS .-- it is the _jeu d'esprit_ of a very clever young Poet, and who perhaps one of these days may be better known; but poets, like anatomical subjects, are worth but little till dead." "And for this reason, I suppose," says Tom, "their friends and patrons are anxious they should rather be starved than die a natural death." "Oh! now I have it--let us remain in the Church-yard a few minutes, while the carriages pass, and you shall hear it."~274~~ "Ye hackney-coaches, and ye carts, That oft so well perform your parts For those who choose to ride, Now louder let your music grow-- Your heated axles fiery glow-- Whether you travel quick or slow- In Cheapside.
For know, "ye ragged rascals all," (As H----- would in his pulpit bawl With cheeks extended wide) Know, as you pass the crowded way, This is the happy natal day Of Him whose books demand your stay In Cheapside.
'Twas on the bright propitious morn When the facetious Tegcy was born, Of mirth and fun the pride, That Nature said "good Fortune follow, Bear him thro' life o'er hill and hollow, Give him the Temple of Apollo In Cheapside." Then, O ye sons of Literature! Shew your regard for Mother Nature, Nor let her be denied: Hail! hail the man whose happy birth May tell the world of mental worth; They'll find the best books on the earth In Cheapside.
"Good!" exclaimed Bob; "but we will now endeavour to make our way across, and take a peep at the subject of the Ode." Finding the auction had not yet commenced, Sparkle proposed adjourning to the Burton Coffee House in the adjacent passage, taking a nip of ale by way of refreshment and exhilaration, and returning in half an hour.
This proposition was cordially agreed to by all, except Tallyho, whose attention was engrossed by a large collection of Caricatures which lay exposed in a portfolio on the table beneath the rostrum.

The irresistible broad humour of the subjects had taken fast hold of his risible muscles, and in turning them over one after the other, he found it difficult to part with such a rich fund of humour, and still more so to stifle the violent emotion it excited.

At length, clapping his hands to his sides, he gave full vent to the impulse in a horse-laugh from a pair of truly Stentorian lungs, and was by main force dragged out by his companions.
While seated in the comfortable enjoyment of their nips of ale, Sparkle, with his usual vivacity, began an elucidation of the subjects they had just left.

"The collection of Caricatures," said he, "which is considered the largest in London, are mostly from the pencil of that self-taught artist, the late George Woodward, and display not only a genuine and original style of humour in the design, but a corresponding and appropriate character in the dialogue, or speeches connected with the figures.