  1822. The History of Johnny QuÆ Genus; the little Foundling of the late Doctor Syntax. A poem by the author of the Three Tours (William Combe). Embellished with twenty-four coloured engravings by T. Rowlandson. 8vo. London: Published by R. Ackermann, at the Repository of Arts. What various views of our uncertain state These playful, unassuming rhymes relate!—Anon. Introduction to the history of QuÆ Genus.—'The favour which has been bestowed on the different tours of Doctor Syntax has encouraged the writer of them to give a "History of the Foundling," who has been thought an interesting object in the latter of those volumes, and it is written in the same style and manner, with a view to connect it with them. 'This child of chance, it is presumed, is led through a track of life not unsuited to the peculiarity of his condition and character, while its varieties, as in the former works, are represented by the pencil of Mr. Rowlandson with its accustomed characteristic felicity. 'The idea of an English Gil Blas predominated through the whole of this volume, which must be considered as fortunate in no common degree, if its readers, in the course of their perusal, should be disposed to acknowledge even a remote similitude to the incomparable works of Le Sage. 'The Author. 'Johnny QuÆ Genus! What a name To offer to the voice of Fame! But howsoe'er the thing we view, Our little Johnny's title's new: Or for the child, or for the man, In an old phrase, 'tis spick and span. Besides, as most folks do agree, To find a charm in novelty, 'Tis the first time that grammar rule, Which makes boys tremble when at school, Which at the font a sponsor gave. But whether 'twas in hum'rous mood Or by some classic whim pursued, Or as, in Eton's Grammar known, It bore relation to his own, Syntax, it was at Whitsuntide, And a short time before he died, In pleasant humour, after dinner, Surnam'd, in wine, the little sinner. And thus, amid the table's roar, Gave him, from good old Lilly's store, A name which none e'er had before.' This quotation from the opening of Combe's Hudibrastic narrative will account for the originality of the hero's eccentric title. Rowlandson's illustrations are as follows:—
1822. Rowlandson's Sketches from Nature.
1822. The Third Tour of Doctor Syntax. In Search of a Wife. Royal 8vo., with 25 Illustrations by Thomas Rowlandson. Published by R. Ackermann. (See description of Doctor Syntax's Three Tours, 1812.) 1822. Die Reise des Doktor Syntax, um das Malerische aufzusuchen. Ein Gedicht frei aus dem Englischen ins Deutsche Übertragen. Lith. v. F. E. Rademacher, Berlin. (See description of The Three Tours of Doctor Syntax, 1812.) 1822. Crimes of the Clergy. 8vo. Two plates by Thomas Rowlandson. |
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