A Copy of Verses for the Year 1834. Humbly Presented to all the Worthy Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Pancras, Middlesex

Christmas greetings sheet or 'bellman's verse' conveying the good wishes of the beadle and bellman W.D. Stanley to the inhabitants of the parish of St Pancras. The broadside is printed with letterpress verses for the coming year, 1834 and a border comprising 13 woodcut engravings illustrating the passion of Christ (two of which are now missing) and two additional contemporary border woodcuts, depicting street musicians under a gas lamp and a lady being guided from her front door by the bellman on his nightly watch. The roundel title picture, surrounded by a floral border depicts the bellman in the street at his nightly watch and ward accompanied by a night watchman. The verses have been adapated by the publisher to suggest they were composed by the bellman himself.

Such broadsides were delivered to householders within the bellman's area of responsibility just before christmas, in the hope that a financial 'tip' or token would be given in appreciation of the services provided by the bellman throughout the year. The bellman would also often also recite the verses aloud as he walked through the streets. The sheets were often hung in houses as seasonal decorations. Bellmen were Parish officers responsible for making public announcements in the streets.