-
All's peace with lovely Polly,
All's peace with lovely Polly,
with lovely Polly, lovely Polly,
All's peace with lovely Polly.

Dickens was very familiar with Dibdin's songs, while the
eighteenth-century ones referred to he probably never heard of,
as they are very rarely found.

The worthy Captain enjoys a good rollicking song, preferably
of a patriotic turn, but is very unreliable as to the sources
of his ditties.

'Wal'r, my boy,' replied the Captain, 'in the Proverbs
of Solomon you will find the following words, "May
we never want a friend in need, nor a bottle to give
him!" When found, made a note of.'

This is taken from a song by J. Davy, known as 'Since the
first dawn of reason,' and was sung by Incledon.

Since the first dawn of reason that beam'd on my mind,
And taught me how favoured by fortune my lot,
To share that good fortune I still am inclined,
And impart to who wanted what I wanted not.
It's a maxim entitled to every one's praise,
When a man feels distress, like a man to relieve him;
And my motto, though simple, means more than it says,
'May we ne'er want a friend or a bottle to give him.'

He is equally unreliable as to the source of a still more
famous song. When Florence Dombey goes to see him the Captain
intimates his intention of standing by old Sol Gills,

'and not desert until death do us part, and when the
stormy winds do blow, do blow, do blow--overhaul
the Catechism,' said the Captain parenthetically,
'and there you'll find these expressions.'

I have not heard of any church that has found it necessary to
include this old refrain in its Catechism, nor even to mix it
up with the Wedding Service.

A further mixture of quotations occurs when he is talking of
Florence on another occasion. Speaking of the supposed death
of Walter he says,

Though lost to sight, to memory dear, and
England, home, and beauty.

The first part--which is one of Cuttle's favourite
quotations--is the first line of a song by G. Linley.
He composed a large number of operas and songs, many of which
were very popular. The second part of the quotation is from
Braham's 'Death of Nelson' (see p. 116).

In conversation with his friend Bunsby, Cuttle says--

Give me the lad with the tarry trousers as shines to
me like di'monds bright, for which you'll overhaul the
'Stanfell's Budget,' and when found