Chapter C: F. Greville (4)

"Since the illness of a certain Great Personage,[12] Lady Young
has entirely surmounted her _religious qualms_, and is
determined, once more, in defiance of the proclamation, to fix
her Concerts on the Sabbath Day. Thus, Politics and religion,
and music, go hand in hand."

[Footnote 12: The King's first attack of insanity.]

"Lord Hampden, Lord Cholmondeley, the Duke of Queensbury, Lady
Petres, the Duchess of Bolton, Lady Bridget Tollemache, &c., &c.,
will have their alternate concerts, as usual."

"The dissensions continually subsisting between the different
performers and directors of the Tottenham Street Concert,[13]
added to the present indisposition of its Royal Patron, and the
daily decrease of subscribers, will, it is feared, reduce that
_light_ amusement to its primitive obscurity."

[Footnote 13: Ancient Music.]

"Should Cramer quit the above Concert, it will be a loss not to
be repaired, as they might as well attempt to proceed without
Harrison, as without that incomparable leader. Mr. Bate may
conduct, but he cannot lead; every man may _blow the bellows_,
but it is certainly more difficult to _play the organ_."

"Lord Uxbridge's new Music Room in _Vigo Lane_, will be opened in
the course of this season; the time is not yet fixed, but it is
supposed it will be as magnificent a _Gala_, as music can afford.
The extreme care taken that nothing should obstruct the sound,
has nearly answered every purpose, and it certainly promises to
be the best _private_ room for music in London;--we hope, when
filled with company, the small reverberation at present
remaining, will be entirely dispelled."

It is sad to read of such a case of reverse of fortune as the following:--

"A French Marchioness, who a few years since, possessed a fortune
of £5000 a year, is engaged to sing before their Majesties at the
Concerts of Antient Music, which commence on Wednesday
next."--(_Times, Feb. 1, 1794._)

Of Pictorial Art, we hear but little in Old Times--but the Art Critic of the _Morning Post_, May 20, 1788, did not fear to speak out, and give his opinion freely.

"Royal Academy.

"235. Theseus receiving the Clue from Ariadne. H. Fuseli.--Poor
Theseus, with a broken leg, is endeavouring to support Ariadne,
whose figure suggests more the idea of a _sick ideot_, than a
beautiful woman. Whilst we pity the situation of these two
lovers, we cannot forbear laughing at the little cock-tailed
Minotaur, galoping about, for amusement, in the distance. The
design, however, has some merit, but Theseus appears as if he had
left his skin behind him, and, indeed, some of his muscles are
not in their proper places.

"181. Portraits of three Children. P. Reinagle, A.--The Colouring
of this picture is _Currant Jelly_ and _Chalk_. The glare of
crimson and red, confines the eye, in such a manner, that it is
difficult to find out what the subject is meant for. This picture
(like most of this Artist's works) is an imitation of the stile
of some other master, which is certainly very commendable in a
painter who possesses no genius of his own; but as we do not
think this is the case with Mr. Reinagle, we recommend him, as
before, to look at nature.

"175. Portrait of a young Gentleman, and his brother, flying a
Kite. W. R. Bigg, A.--We cannot determine on the likeness of
these portraits; we are also at a loss to say, whether the
figures, or the Kite, are drawn with most taste and elegance."

Fuseli opened a Gallery for the display of a series of his paintings illustrating "Paradise lost."

Advt.--"The general impression felt by all kinds of people, on
entering the Milton Gallery, is, this is unlike everything we
have seen before. The old nurses stories about the devil are
properly confuted by the exhibition of a figure that is bold,
daring, and majestic, and a model of muscular strength and
gigantic symmetry. 'I have often wondered,' said a Lady, 'how Eve
could have been tempted to transgress by such a hideous monster,
as Satan has been represented to me: but, if he was, in reality,
such a being as Mr. Fuseli paints him, why--That accounts for
it.'"[14]--(_Times, June 17, 1799._)

[Footnote 14: A slang phrase then in use.]

* * * * *

Advt. "CURIOUS NEEDLEWORK.

"VIEWS in EMBROIDERY will begin to be exhibited THIS DAY at No.
11, New Bond St., consisting of three views of Constantinople,
two of Egypt, one of Switzerland, one of Weymouth, one of the
Tower, and London Bridge, and of Blackfriars, &c., taken from the
top of the Albion Mills, the same as has been seen at the
Panorama.--Admittance 2s. 6d. An Explanation, with a sketch of
the above Views, will be given gratis, at the place of
Exhibition."--(_Times, April 13, 1795._)

* * * * *

Advt. "DAY EXHIBITIONS.

"The convenience of Day Exhibitions must be obvious to the Polite
Circles, who are otherwise engaged in the evening.

"At the MECHANIC THEATRE, No. 38 Norfolk Street, Strand, will be
exhibited the

"ANDROIDES.

"Doors open every day at half-past 12, and begins at 1, and every
Evening doors open at half-past 7 and begins at 8.

"These much-admired Pieces of Mechanism, which not only imitate
human actions, but appear to possess rational powers, consist of,
1st--

"The Writing Automaton.--A Figure, about the size of a Boy of
four years old, which will be brought to a table, and set to
write any word, words, or figures required, in a round legible
hand. 2nd--

"The Fruitery--the model of a neat rural mansion, and contains
the following figures: first, the Porter, which stands in the
gate, and, on being addressed, rings a bell, when the door opens,
the Fruiteress comes out, and any Lady, or Gentleman, may call
for whatever fruit they please, and the figure will return, and
bring the kind required, which may be repeated; and the fruit
varied as often as the company pleases: it will likewise receive
flowers, or any small articles, carry them in, and produce them
again, as called for. As the Fruits are brought out, they will be
given in charge to a Watch Dog, which sits in front of the house,
and on any person taking away, or touching them, will begin to
bark, and continue to do so until they are returned. The next
figure belonging to this piece is, the Little Chimney Sweeper,
which will be seen coming from behind the house, will enter the
door, appear at the top of the chimney, and give the usual cry of
'Sweep' several times, descend the chimney, and come out with its
bag full of soot.--Third,

"The Liquor Merchant and Water Server. These are on a platform
of about two feet square, which (as the former pieces) will be
placed on a table. The Liquor Merchant stands at a small cask
from which it will draw every kind of spirits, wine, &c.,
required. The Water Server stands at a pump, and will fill a
tumbler with water as often as called for.--Fourth,

"The Highland Oracle: a Figure in the Highland Dress, stands on a
Time-piece, and gives the Hour and Minutes whenever asked, by
striking its Sword on a Target: it gives a rational Answer (by
Motion) to any Question proposed: it calculates Sums in
Arithmetic, and gives the amount instantly of any number of
pounds, yards, &c., at any given price, beats time to music, &c.

"The Table the different Pieces will be played on, contains an
Organ, on which the Proprietor introduces a few Notes: also

"The Machine or (self-playing) Organ, will play occasionally
several Pieces of Music, Airs, Country Dances, &c.

"Mr. Hadcock flatters himself the Androides will be found more
curious than anything of the kind ever before offered to the
Public, as the principles of Action are entirely new. The Theatre
is neatly fitted up, and everything calculated to give
satisfaction to a polite and discerning Audience.

"Boxes 4s., Gallery 2s. Admittance, after the Two First Parts,
Half Price. Exhibition lasts nearly Two hours."--(_Times, Jany.
15, 1796._)

If there was little mention of "Art," in the old newspapers, there was still less of "Literature," except in the advertisement of new books.

"What is Jemmy Boswell about? where is his Life and Adventures of
the _great Lexicographer_, the Atlas of obscure sentiment, and
pompous phraseology? Mrs. Piozzi's last work hath been read, and
re-read, with avidity, and admiration. If the men doth not look
sharp, the women will run off with all the biographic
laurels."--(_Morning Post, June 12, 1788._)

Mrs. Thrale's book, "Letters to and from S. Johnson," was published in 1788, and her "Anecdotes of S. Johnson, during the last twenty years of his life," in 1786. Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson," &c., was published in 1791.

"The last exit of the celebrated Mr. Gibbon, was attended with
some very extraordinary circumstances. He was sitting with an
intimate friend, on the evening of his death, and remarking of
himself, that he thought there was a probability of his enjoying
thirteen, or fourteen, more years of life. He had not been long
in bed, before he was seized with excruciating pains. He
endeavoured to swallow some brandy, but in vain. He then made a
signal to his valet to leave the room, and in a few minutes
expired. He has left everything indiscriminately to a young Swiss
gentleman, to whom he was attached, and who accompanied him last
year to this country."--(_Times, Jany. 27, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Four thousand and seventy three Novels are now in the Press,
from the pens of young Ladies of Fashion. At Mrs. D----'s School
all the young Ladies write Novels, in the fourth class!! and
those whose parents are rich, or honourable, are at the expense
of printing them. Lady L. G. and Lady C. C. are busily employed
upon two rival Novels, which are the favourite work for Young
Ladies at present: and the lawful successors of bell-ropes,
coronet cushions, and painted flower-pots. Lady G.'s is
entitled--'Duke or no Duke,' Lady Charlotte's 'All for Nothing.'
Those who have seen the latter, are loud in the praise of its
beauties: the plot of the former is not thought to have been
_well laid_."--(_Times, April 18, 1796._)

MONETARY.

We are apt to think that among the other advantages of progressive Civilisation which we possess in this latter part of the 19th Century, Commercial failures and stoppage of Banks are peculiarly our own, but it was not so; the years 1793 and 1796--the former especially--were times of severe mercantile depression--the tale of which is best told in the language of the times.

"The late considerable failures in the City are no longer to be
concealed; public credit cannot therefore, suffer the more by our
publishing the fact. Four very considerable mercantile Houses
have stopped payment within the last ten days: they are
principally engaged in American West India Brokerage, and
Insurance concerns. One house, alone, has failed for £800,000,
and another for £500,000. It is feared that many more persons
will become involved in these failures--as there has been a very
extensive circulation of paper. The failures already known, are
estimated at three millions, and it is conjectured that they will
extend to two millions more. They have, naturally, created a
great scarcity of cash in the City, and the Bank, as well as the
Bankers, are extremely shy of discounting."--(_Times, Feb. 28,
1793._)

* * * * *

"Some more very considerable failures have taken place in the
City, within the last two or three days. A very large African
house, at Bristol, has likewise stopped payment, and the letters
from thence advise, that it is feared many more will
follow."--(_Times, March 10, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The Bankers, in the City, have refused to discount any more
paper, for the present. The alarm on the Royal Exchange, is
beyond conception to those who are not in business."--(_Times,
March 26, 1793._)

* * * * *

"At the Meeting, on Monday, of the Noblemen, and Gentlemen,
belonging to the County of Northumberland, we understand that
£340,000 was subscribed, to support the Newcastle Banks, the
Proprietors of which, are gentlemen of the first landed property,
and known to be worth many hundred thousand pounds.

"The commercial stoppages, we are sorry to learn, have at length
reached Manchester, and the most serious inconveniencies are to
be dreaded, if some effectual support is not given to that town.
The mischief is so much dreaded, that a committee of Gentlemen,
of that town, have come to London, to offer securities to the
Bank, provided it will afford a temporary relief to the
manufacturers who reside there."--(_Times, April 18, 1793._)

* * * * *

"Public Credit.

"The very depressed state of the public credit of the country, is
now so universally known, and felt, that it cannot suffer any
additional injury by our stating the fact, and the means which
are about to be carried into effect, as an experiment of relief.
We daily hear of new stoppages among persons, many of whom have
ever been considered as men of large real property: on a very
minute, and fair, enquiry into the truth of this supposition, we
have the best reason to believe that the fact is so; and that a
very large proportion of mercantile houses, which have been,
lately, obliged to suspend their payments, is still solvent, and
well able to pay every demand, in the course of time. At
Manchester, Liverpool, and other large trading towns,
particularly at the former, this fact is well authenticated; but
the failures at the country banks have stopped the circulation of
money so suddenly, that present engagements have not been able to
be fulfilled. To adopt a remedy, if possible, at this very
alarming state of public credit, a meeting was held at Mr. Pitt's
house, in Downing Street, on Monday last, to consult on the
business. The grievance being explained to Mr. Pitt, he assured
the Gentlemen of his anxiety, and readiness to give every
assistance, in his power, to the mercantile interest, and he
requested they would consult among themselves, and form some
specific proposition, for his consideration. A meeting was
accordingly held, yesterday morning, at the Mansion-house, to
consider of the plan which should be proposed to Mr. Pitt. The
number of gentlemen was reduced to 11, as being more convenient:
and, at nine o'clock last night, they waited on the Minister, to
obtain his approbation.

"We do not take upon us to state, OFFICIALLY, the nature of the
plan which has been proposed, but we are led to believe that the
outlines of it are as follows: 'That four millions of Exchequer
Bills should be issued for the support of public credit, as a
loan to the mercantile interest; that the security required,
should be on goods actually warehoused, and the advance to be
made on two-thirds of their value. Commissioners to be appointed
to superintend the securities, and the value of the merchandise.
The Exchequer Bills to be called in as they become redeemed. The
borrowers to be answerable for any loss in the discount of them.'
The plan was left for Mr. Pitt's consideration, who is to give
his answer this morning. Should he approve of it, it is probable
he will propose some resolution upon it, this day, in the House
of Commons, to the end that the relief may be as speedy as
possible."--(_Times, April 24, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The Funds continued falling yesterday, and Consols were below
60, for money. We shall be very much surprised if there were not
some very considerable failures before the next settling day.
Some persons connected with French Houses are known to be great
losers."--(_Times, July 15, 1796._)

* * * * *

"We yesterday mentioned our expectation that there would be
considerable failures among persons connected with French Houses,
before the next settling day. A principal Stockbroker,
immediately connected with a Gentleman, formerly a Member of the
Legislative Assembly, in France, was, yesterday declared a
defaulter at the Stock Exchange. His differences are upon near
half a million of Stock, which he had purchased at 67 and 68.
This failure is the commencement of exposing that destructive
system of gambling, called _continuations_. The Consols were done
yesterday at 59, for money."--(_Times, July 16, 1796._)

* * * * *

"Notwithstanding the enormous failures of two Stock brokers,
whose differences amount to full £100,000, the desperate game of
_Continuation_ still continues nearly as strong as ever. Bargains
for time, in Stock, were yesterday made for the next settling
day, at a rate of 20 per cent., Interest."--(_Times, July 20,
1796._)

* * * * *

"A very extraordinary fluctuation took place, yesterday, in the
Funds, which, after having fallen in the early part of the day,
to 53-1/4, rose, towards the close of the market, to 56-7/8 for
the October settling. The reason alleged, for this sudden rise,
was, that Mr. _Hammond_ having been unsuccessful at Berlin, had
gone from thence to Paris. Such was the report!"--(_Times, Sept.
7, 1798._)

* * * * *

"The Chancellor (Irish) has declared from the Bench, that, in the
present period of distress, no person shall be made a
Bankrupt."--(_Times, June 12, 1796._)

The following is but a foreshadowing of our Railway Mania:--

"_Canal Shares_, which at one time rose to £180, are now down to
£40. The _Mania_ is over; and this _earth-cutting_ business, in a
great measure, at a stand."--(_Times, Aug. 16, 1796._)

In 1796, there was an extraordinary scarcity of silver, which taxed severely, the resources of the Government to meet. The difficulty was met, to some extent, by the issue of Spanish Dollars, taken from Prizes, and stamped at the Tower, where the Mint then was, with a small head of the King.--These were issued at 4s. 9d. each--The same scarcity arose in 1803-4, and the same expedient was resorted to--only then the dollars were issued at a price over their value, so as to offer no premium for their destruction.

"So great is the scarcity, and high price of silver, that the
silver smiths give 5s. 3d. for a crown piece, and a premium is
given for shillings."--(_Times, Jan. 7, 1796._)

* * * * *

"_Silver_ is so exceedingly scarce, that there is not a
sufficient quantity, for exchange, in the channels of business,
either good, or bad, and yet we are sorry to observe (which we
have repeatedly) the number of unfortunate victims who are, every
Session, brought to trial, for coining. Surely the wisdom of the
Legislature might prevent this evil, by issuing a sufficient
quantity for the purposes of circulation."--(_Times, Sept. 15,
1796._)

* * * * *

"The distress for want of Silver, is daily, more and more felt
among the trading parts of the Metropolis. These are put to the
greatest inconvenience, for want of a greater circulation; and,
we understand that those who have many men in their employ, are
obliged to give one per cent., to procure it. The many complaints
which are made, on this subject, induces us to hope that the
issue of a fresh coinage, from the Mint, will speedily take
place. The want of it has another bad effect, as it increases the
coining of base half-pence."--(_Times, Sept. 29, 1796._)

* * * * *

"Yesterday, the Committee of Bankers had another Meeting at Mr.
Pitt's, to request his interference in procuring them a certain
quantity of specie, for the demands of their business. The
Minister returned for answer, that he could only assist them, at
present, with 50,000 guineas: which, being divided among all the
Bankers, will not amount to 1000 guineas for each House.

"We hope that the Bank, instead of issuing dollars at 4s. 6d.,
will place a value of 5s. on them, in order that they may not
become an object of traffic: their intrinsic worth is above 4s.
6d., and they should, therefore, be issued at some higher price,
in order that they may not be hoarded.

"There can be no doubt whatever, but that large sums of specie
have been drawn out of the Bank, and concealed in the houses, or
gardens, of private persons. As this stoppage of general
circulation is highly prejudicial to the Public Weal, we have
only to observe to such persons, that their extreme, and foolish
timidity, may produce, to themselves, the very consequences they
seek to avert: and that, instead of being richer, they may fall
the first victims of their alarms. Wherever large sums of money
are privately deposited, except it is with those whose occupation
it is to hold it, such persons are likely to be the first objects
of popular revenge. The Bank, or the houses of Bankers, are the
only secure places of deposits."--(_Times, March 3, 1797._)

* * * * *

"According to letters received, on Wednesday, in town, the Banks
at Norwich, and at Bath, have stopped payment in specie. Since
the news reached the country, of the Bank of England stopping
payment, not a guinea is to be had, in exchange for Bank-notes,
on any of the Public roads."--(_Times, March 3, 1797._)

* * * * *

"On Saturday, a small quantity of one, and two, Pound Notes were
issued from the Bank, principally for the use of the country. A
very large issue will be made in the course of this day, and
to-morrow."--(_Times, March 6, 1797._)

* * * * *

"This day, the Governors of the Bank will issue a quantity of
dollars, to which the Tower Stamp is affixed, in order to relieve
the present embarrassment arising from scarcity of
specie."--(_Times, March 6, 1797._)

* * * * *

"Sterling Silver was done, on Saturday, as high as 5s. 8d. per
ounce, and Gold at £4, 8s. The price of Silver, is 5d. per ounce,
above the rate at which coined silver passes, and the price of
Gold 10s. per ounce, above the current price of the
Guinea!"--(_Times, March 8, 1797._)

* * * * *

"Yesterday, the Bank began to issue Dollars at 4s. 9d. each.
There is the Mint Stamp affixed to each, which consists of the
King's Head, marked on the King of Spain's neck. We trust that
this issue of Dollars is intended to make room for a new
importation from some rich Spanish prizes, which we hope to see
in some of our ports."--(_Times, March 10, 1797._)

* * * * *

"Several German Hard Dollars, or four-gold-pieces, nominally
worth 4s. 8d. have been issued from the Bank, in the same manner
as the Spanish Dollar."--(_Times, March 27, 1797._)

* * * * *

"The Dollars now issuing at the _Bank_, are those which were
taken on board the _St. Jago_ prize ship."--(_Times, March 17,
1797._)

* * * * *

"A very serious inconvenience has occurred to many people, from
the multiplicity of forgeries in the stamps on the dollars,
which, from being issued by the Bank, at a price so far above
their real value, has tempted the coiners to forge the Mint
Stamp, which it is impossible for a common observer to detect.
Since their first issue, many chests of dollars have been
imported into this country, for the sole purpose of forging the
stamp. As they are circulated at 4s. 9d., and their value is only
4s. 2d., it has afforded too great a temptation to be resisted.
Besides the vast number of copper dollars coined, it is supposed
that more than half of those in circulation, are counterfeited in
the stamp, though the dollars are good. When taken to the Bank
they are refused, which has caused a deal of ill
humour."--(_Times, Sept. 4, 1797._)

* * * * *

"In consequence of the great quantity of bad Dollars, in
circulation, the Bank Directors gave notice, in the Gazette of
last night; that they mean to issue Gold coin, to the amount of
the Dollars now in circulation, and which have been stamped at
the Tower."--(_Times, Sept. 27, 1797._)

* * * * *

"The Dollars having been taken out of circulation, there is now
such a scarcity of silver, as to impede the ordinary negotiation
of business very materially. It would be a public convenience if
the new 7s. gold coin was put in circulation."--(_Times, Oct. 5,
1797._)

* * * * *

"The new gold coinage of seven shilling pieces is to be issued
from the Bank, this day."--(_Times, Dec. 1, 1797._)

Up to this time forgeries of Bank of England notes had been very rare.

"Last week a man was apprehended at Manchester, on a charge of
forging Bank of England notes. On searching his house, was found
a plate, with a one pound note engraved, on one side of it, and a
two pound note, on the other; together with a number of notes
just struck off, but not filled up. On his examination he
confessed the fact, and thereby impeached his brother, who, he
said, was then in Yorkshire: and acknowledged that they had
practised it about six months, during which time they had
disposed of about 200."--(_Times, March 30, 1798._)

* * * * *

"A small delivery of Mr. Boulton's 2d. pieces, was, on Friday,
made at the Treasury; the likeness of the King is much better
executed than in the 1d. pieces: they are full twice their
thickness, weighing rather better than two ounces
each."--(_Times, Feby. 12, 1798._)

* * * * *

"The trade of counterfeit halfpence, though it got a temporary
check within the last five weeks, is again getting forward. The
turnpike men, coffee-house waiters, haberdashers' shops, fruit
women, and porter houses, are at their old work. The turnpike men
will give bad, but not take them at present. If the traveller
objects, he is abused and kept waiting, perhaps ten minutes, for
change of 6d.: the coffee-house waiters say they have no others,
and that they give and take; the haberdashers fold the change up
in a clean bit of paper, which when opened, contains the worst of
counterfeit halfpence: and the fruit women and porter houses say
'they give what they take.'"--(_Times, Oct. 2, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Bad shillings are sold to chandlers shops, turnpike men, and
waiters at coffee-houses and taverns, at the rate of _twenty
shillings_ for _five and sixpence_. No wonder they are in such
general circulation."--(_Times, Nov. 29, 1794._)

* * * * *

"At this season the Jew fruitmen should be particularly guarded
against. They care not at how small a price they sell, so the
quantum reaches to _silver_. In that case it is their custom 'to
hope you will give them good silver, as the gardeners are very
particular.' They then rub it with both thumbs, dexterously
contriving to fillip up your shilling, and drop down another,
which they beg you to change, protesting that they believed it
good but are not certain. Serving you the same a second or third
time, and you are induced through an appearance of great
civility, and apparent ignorance, to indulge them. The silver you
receive as your own is speciously good: but it changes black in a
few hours. The writer of this bought his experience at the price
of three succeeding shillings."--(_Times, July, 30, 1795._)

* * * * *

"BAD HALFPENCE.

"To the Master of the Mint--

"The Petition of more than Ten Millions of bad Halfpence,

"Most humbly showeth,

"That your Petitioners, for a number of years, have given bread
to thousands of his Majesty's subjects, called Coiners: and that
they have been long in uncontrouled circulation:

"That your Petitioners have enabled Waiters at Taverns, and other
houses, to wear hair-powder, to the manifest increase of his
Majesty's Stamp-duties.

"That your Petitioners have been the means of the Turnpike Tolls
increasing in value, on account of the Toll-takers being obliged
to put off a certain quantity of your Petitioners, each week, at
a stipulated price from the Renters.

"That your Petitioners have long been a fine _bonus_ to the
Paymaster Serjeants of the different Regiments, who bought your
Petitioners at the rate of 30s. for 20s., thereby making those
brave fellows to live more comfortably, than their regular pay
would allow them to do:

"That your Petitioners have, for a series of time, been of
infinite service to those industrious men, the Tribes of Levi,
and Manassa, who distributed your Petitioners, in the most
plentiful manner, to their own great advantage:

"That your Petitioners have, in some manner, been the means of
peopling Botany Bay, as numbers of persons, who were first in the
habit of forming your Petitioners, afterwards mounted to the
honour of making shillings, and sixpences:

"That your Petitioners, with great sorrow, perceive, by the
effect of a new coinage of Penny, and Twopenny Pieces, that their
existence is rapidly on the decline:

"Your Petitioners therefore pray that their grievances may be
taken into consideration: and they will, as in duty bound, ever
pray.

Bad Halfpence."

--(_Times, Aug. 17, 1795._)

* * * * *

"FALSE COINAGE.

"The numerous evils arising from the now general circulation of
Base Money, are too well known, to make it necessary that they
should be dwelt on by us. We have always considered the different
Administrations of this Country, as highly blameable for not
paying more attention, than they have done, to prevent the
nefarious practices which are introduced in the introduction of
almost every species of Counterfeit Coin into the circulation of
the country, because it certainly has the means in its own power,
of lessening the mischief, by issuing a new coinage, particularly
of Halfpence, which are, now, so generally bad, and so
profligately circulated, that scarce a good halfpenny is to be
seen.... The vast increase, and the extensive circulation, of
base Money, particularly of late years, ... almost exceeds
credibility, and the dexterity, and ingenuity, of these criminal
people have enabled them to finish the different kinds of
counterfeit Money, in so masterly a manner, that it has become
extremely difficult, for the common observer, to distinguish the
base Coin, now in circulation, from the worn out Silver, from the
Mint. And, so systematic has this nefarious traffic become, that
the great dealers, who in most instances are the employers of the
Coiners, execute orders for the Town, and Country, with the same
regularity as other manufacturers in fair branches of trade.
Scarce a waggon, or coach, departs from the metropolis, that does
not carry boxes, and parcels, of base coin, to the camps,
seaports, and manufacturing towns, insomuch, that the country is
deluged with counterfeit Money. In London, regular markets, in
various public, and private, houses, are held by the principal
Dealers, where Hawkers, Pedlars, fraudulent Horse-dealers,
Unlicensed Lottery Office Keepers, Gamblers at Fairs, Itinerant
Jews, Irish Labourers, Servants of Toll Gatherers, and
Hackney-Coach Owners, fraudulent Publicans, Market Women, Rabbit
Sellers, Fish Cryers, Barrow Women, and many who would not be
suspected, are regularly supplied with counterfeit Copper, and
Silver, with the advantages of nearly 100 per cent. in their
favour: and thus it happens, that through these various channels,
immense quantities of base Money get into circulation, while an
evident diminution of the Mint Coinage, is apparent to every
common observer.... Discoveries have been recently made, of no
less than 120 persons, in the metropolis, and the country, who
are employed, principally, in coining, and selling, Base Money:
and this, independent of the numerous horde of utterers, who
chiefly support themselves by passing it at its full value.

"It will scarcely be credited, that of these criminal people who
have either been detected, prosecuted, or convicted, within the
last seven years, there stand upon the register of the Solicitor
of the Mint, no less than 608 names! and yet the evil increases
rapidly. And when it is known, that two persons can finish from
£200, to £300, in base silver, _in six days_, and that three
people, within the same period will stamp the like amount, in
Copper, and when the number of known coiners are taken into the
calculation, the aggregate in the course of the year must be
immense!"--(_Times, Oct. 5, 1796._)

LAW AND POLICE.

In treating the above heading, I have no wish to introduce the "Newgate Calendar" element into this book. Let those who like such literature, consult that work--and, doubtless, they will be rewarded for their pains; but, in going through these old papers, much that is curious is met with, which throws light on the manners, and customs, of our forefathers.

Of Police, as we understand the word, there was none--and the parochial Constables, and watchmen, who were supposed to guard the premises of the rate payers, and to keep the peace, were veritably of the Dogberry and Verges type--utterly useless for the detection, or suppression, of crime, and only fit to "comprehend all vagrom man," or lead some roysterer home.

All day long they were not; but, at night, they came out with the bats, and owls, armed with a long staff, and a lantern, periodically droning out the hour of the night, and the state of the weather. This was done with the laudable intention of shewing their vigilance, but it must equally have acted in an opposite direction, for every thief must have had due warning of the watchman's whereabouts. They had temporary shelters, larger than the Military Sentry box, and the wild spirits of those days delighted to catch a watchman napping, and overturn his box, thus temporarily incapacitating him from giving an alarm, or following their flight. For the former purpose they used huge rattles, smaller specimens of which were carried, for the same purpose, by our own Metropolitan Police, until 1884.

Each parish looked after its own interests, had its own watch and ward, and was mightily jealous of interference from another parish--an arrangement evidently very much to the advantage of a thief. People were always grumbling--but the state of things was never altered. Hear what they said about it in 1788:--

"The Decrepid old Dotards, to whose vigilance the different
Vestries have confined their fellow Citizens, are likely to
profit from the order of nature being reversed by the life of our
modern nobility, who, rising at _two_, dining at _eight_, and
paying afternoon visits at _midnight_, have superseded the
necessity of having watchmen, and are, in fact, with their
servants, a much better patrole than any of the Bow Street
Justices could furnish."--(_Morning Post, April 21, 1788._)

There were amateur thief catchers like Jonathan Wild, men who would be the companions, and confederates, of Highwaymen, Housebreakers, and Thieves, drawing Money from them until they were sucked dry, and then sacrifice them without an atom of remorse.

And there were the detectives of that time, the Bow Street Runners, or Robin Red breasts as they were called, from their wearing red waistcoats. Peter Pindar sang of them, especially of the three that were detailed for the protection of the Royal family at the time of the French Revolution.

". . . . . . . . . . . .
What a bright thought in George and Charlotte,
Who to escape each wicked Varlet,
And disappoint Tom Paine's disloyal crew,
Fixed on _Macmanus_, _Townsend_, _Jealous_,
Delightful company, delicious fellows,
To point out, every minute, who is who!
To hustle from before their noble graces,
Rascals with ill looks, designing faces,
Where treason, murder, and sedition dwell;
To give the life of every Newgate wretch,
To say who next the fatal cord shall stretch,
The sweet historian of the pensive cell."

Townsend, was undoubtedly the sharpest of the three, but he was a pushing, boastful fellow, and never hid his light under a bushel. He was, however, courageous, and never heeded where he went, or what odds were opposed to him; so that the criminal classes began to respect him, and, at last, never thought of opposing him. He was extremely natty in his dress, and his flaxen wig was as well known, as his short stout figure, and his red face--

"Of all the wigs in Brighton Town,
The black, the gray, the red, the brown,
So firmly glued upon the crown,
There's none like Johnny Townsend's;
It's silken hair, and flaxen hue,
It is a scratch, and not a queue,
When e'er it pops upon the view,
Is known for Johnny Townsend's."

It was by his means, that the famous pickpocket, Barrington, was convicted, and transported, a fact which was very much to Barrington's advantage, for he helped to put down a mutiny on board, whilst on his passage out, for which he was well rewarded, and, by his good conduct, he rose from step to step, always in the Colonial police--until he died Chief of the Constabulary in New South Wales.

The laws were then frightfully severe in their punishments, but this severity did not act as a deterrent to crime. The punishment of death, (and hanging was the punishment for many trivial crimes) seems to have had no terror--for we read in the _Morning Post_, July 11th 1788, "The number of Capital Convicts at present in Newgate is eighty-one!" Of course, these were not all executed, some having their sentences commuted to transportation for life. Let us take a few cases from one Newspaper only, the _Morning Post_, September 11, 1788. It was the Sessions at the Old Bailey, 9th September:--

"_John Dancer_, was put to the bar, and tried before Judge Grose,
for a burglary, and robbery, in the empty dwelling-house of
Daniel Dancer,[15] a farmer, near Uxbridge. This offence is made
capital by the 39th Elizabeth. The jury brought in a verdict,
_guilty_, of the value of £5.--_Death._

[Footnote 15: The celebrated Miser. During the last 20 years
of his life, his house is said to have been entered, by
thieves, no less than fourteen times--and the amount of his
losses, is calculated at £2,500.]

"_John Crawford_, for a burglary in the house of Francis Bias.
The crime being fully proved.--_Guilty_--_Death_.

"_William Johnson_, for a burglary and robbery of poultry, in the
dwelling house of Margaret Allen, at
Hampstead.--_Guilty_--_Death_.

"_Thomas Jones_, for a highway robbery of a watch &c. He was
taken in the _manier_--_i.e._ with the watch upon
him.--_Guilty_--_Death_.

"Several other prisoners were tried and acquitted for various
offences, particularly one for a rape--_his crime was only_
Seduction!"

* * * * *

"Monday evening, as a lady was passing along Long-Acre, she was
jostled into a Court by a number of those abandoned wretches, who
to the disgrace of our police and magistrates, infest every
corner of the Metropolis, where they stripped her of her cloak,
bonnet, and of almost everything she had on, besides grossly
insulting her. The Public Offices of Justice are every morning
full of these women of the town, who have been taken up for their
disorderly behaviour. But, while the connection between them and
the Watchmen subsists, the evil must still remain. It is an evil
of the most serious and alarming nature, and peculiarly calls for
the interposition of the Legislature."--(_Morning Post, Sept. 26,
1788._)

* * * * *

"There are at this time, in Newgate, upwards of Seven Hundred
prisoners, the greatest number ever known to be in that place of
confinement, at the same time."--(_Morning Post, Dec. 5, 1788._)

* * * * *

"Kelly who was pilloried at Reading, brings actions against those
who pelted him. This is a new cause of trial, but clearly a legal
one."--(_Morning Post, Dec. 23, 1789._)

Here, they evidently "caught a Tartar." The pelting could have been no part of the man's sentence--but what was the issue of his appeal to law, I know not.

About the year 1790, occurs a most singular police episode, so singular, and so comparatively unknown, that I cannot refrain from somewhat enlarging upon it.

In the early spring of 1790, murmurs began to be heard of ladies being attacked, and stabbed, by a monster in human form. The murmurs were low at first, and "monster" was printed with a small "m;" but, very shortly, they grew into a roar, and no capitals were found too large for THE MONSTER.

Indeed, even before that, and as far back as May, 1788, a Mrs. Smith had been stabbed in the upper part of her thigh by a man in Fleet Street, and was even followed by him to a house in Johnson's Court, to which she was going, and watched by him until she was let in. In May, 1789, a Mrs. Godfrey was similarly stabbed in Boswell Court, Fleet Street; and another lady was left wounded at her door. In March, 1790, a Mrs. Blaney, of Bury Street, was stabbed at her door after she had knocked. Dr. Smith, seeing an account of this outrage in a newspaper, inserted a notice in the _Morning Herald_, and that journal, having made some severe remarks on the matter, public opinion began to be awakened, and numerous letters were written, on the subject, to the newspapers of the day. The thing began to be talked of in the higher circles. A young lady named Porter had been stabbed whilst, in the company of her sisters, returning from the Drawing Room at St. James's, on the 18th of January, the Queen's Birthday; and since that time, several people had been wounded by this miscreant, who, fortunately, always failed in doing serious injury to his victims.

Mr. John Julius Angerstein (whose name will ever be associated with the commencement of our National Gallery) was very active, and inaugurated a subscription at Lloyd's, to which the guineas flowed merrily, for the capture, and conviction of the "Monster." The police began to bestir themselves, and they, too, issued placards. One will serve as a type of all:--

"Public Office, Bow Street,
_Thursday, April 29, 1790_.

"One Hundred Pounds Reward.

"Several ladies having, of late, been inhumanly cut, and maimed,
by a person answering the following description, whoever will
apprehend him, or give such information to Sir Sampson Wright, at
the above office, as may be the means of his being apprehended,
shall immediately upon his committal to prison, receive fifty
pounds from Mr. Angerstein of Pall Mall, and the further sum of
fifty pounds upon his conviction. _N.B._--He appears to be about
thirty years of age, of a middle size, rather thin make, a little
pockmarked, of a pale complexion, large nose; light brown hair,
tied in a queue, cut short and frizzed low at the sides; is
sometimes dressed in black, and sometimes in a shabby blue coat;
sometimes wears straw-coloured breeches, with half boots, laced
up before: sometimes wears a cocked hat, and at other times a
round hat, with a very high top, and generally carries a Wangee
cane in his hand.

"All servants are recommended to take notice that if any man has
stayed at home without apparent cause, within these few days,
during the daylight. All washerwomen and servants should take
notice of any blood on a man's handkerchief, or linen, as the
wretch generally fetches blood when he strikes. All servants
should examine if any man carries sharp weapons about him, and if
there is any blood thereon, particularly tucks; and maid-servants
are to be told that a tuck is generally at the head of a stick,
which comes out by a sudden jerk. All cutlers are desired to
watch if any man answering the above description is desirous of
having his weapon of attack very sharp."

All baker's men were asked to give notice at every house they called at, of the above reward, and Mr. Angerstein promised twenty pounds to any man by whose instrumentality the Monster was discovered.

Additional publicity was, moreover, given by other means. The _Morning Herald_ of April 27th says:

"A new musical piece was produced last night at Astley's called The Monster, and being brought forward at a time when the attention of all London was engaged in discovering him, cannot fail of producing full houses. Astley seems to have taken up the matter very seriously, as the piece abounds with much satire against the Monster. The songs also are well adapted: the chorus of one concluding as follows,

'When the Monster is taken in the fact
We'll have him tried by the Coventry Act,[16]
The Black Act
The Coventry Act,'

produced unbounded applause. This piece will certainly be a good acquisition to Astley, who is said to be the author."

[Footnote 16: This Act, against cutting and maiming, owed
its name to Sir John Coventry, who, in Charles the Second's
time, was favourable to a motion, in the House of Commons,
to impose a tax on play-houses, which was opposed by the
Court. Sir John Birkenhead having remarked that the players
were the King's servants, and a part of his pleasure, Sir J.
Coventry asked "Whether the King's pleasure lie among the
men, or the women, that acted?" This was neither forgotten
nor forgiven, and Sir John was set upon whilst walking home,
by some ruffians. He defended himself desperately, and
wounded some of his assailants, but was overpowered, and his
nose slit to the bone, "for reflecting on the King." This
outrage excited great indignation at the time.]

One lady (Mrs. R. Walpole) was fortunate enough to escape being wounded, owing to her having an apple in her pocket: an incident which gave rise to some poetic effusions:

"Eve, for an apple, lost immortal life:
From you an apple turn'd the Monster's knife!
Can greater proof, since Eve, be given
Of diabolic strife,
Or interposing Heaven?"

"The apple was, in days of yore,
An Agent to the Devil,
When Eve was tempted to explore
The sense of good and evil;
But present chronicles can give
An instance quite uncommon,
How that which ruined Mother Eve
Hath saved a Modern Woman."

The Monster was even made a party to Anti-slavery agitation, for at the Westminster Forum in Panton Street, Haymarket, "by desire of several ladies," was debated the question: "Which is the greater disgrace to humanity, the ruffian who drags the female African from her family, her kindred, and her native country, or the Monster who has lately wounded, or terrified, many ladies in this metropolis?" The result of this discussion is not handed down to posterity.

Still the Monster kept steadily at his work, and almost every day brought its tale of some woman being stabbed: and, one being injured in St. Pancras Parish, a meeting of the inhabitants was called at the Percy Coffee House, on May 7th, and an association was formed "to nightly patrol the streets of the south division of Saint Pancras, from half-an-hour before sunset, till eleven at night, for the public safety, and especially to guard that sex which a Monster, or Monsters, in opposition to the dictates of nature, and humanity, have dared to assault, and wound, with wanton, and savage, cruelty."

The idea that these outrages were not done single-handed, was on the increase, and the indefatigable Mr. Angerstein again issued a placard, and "informs the public, that from information he has received of the person who, since Friday last, has assaulted and wounded several women, there is great reason to fear that more than one of these wretches infests the streets: it is therefore thought necessary to give the following description of one, who, within this week, has committed many acts of cruelty upon women," and gives four descriptions of the man's dress, which would lead to the inference that the Monster was in possession of a very extensive wardrobe.

People were now gradually getting into a state of ferment, and the Monster was the engrossing topic of public interest. Of course, then as now, the wrong people were arrested occasionally. One "Walter Hill, was brought before the Magistrate at Litchfield Street on suspicion of being one of the wretches who have cut several women; he was apprehended in Windmill Street, Tottenham Court Road, near the place where two women were cut, though Miss Porter, and several other ladies, declared the prisoner was not the person who wounded them." Nothing could be proved against him, and, ultimately, he was discharged.

Even the light-fingered fraternity entered into the spirit of the times, for _The World_ of May 11th has--"Public Office, Bow St., before Sir Sampson Wright. Yesterday evening, about half after seven o'clock, a gentleman of family and fortune, was surrounded in Holborn by a number of pickpockets, who, after hustling him, and robbing him of his watch, money, and hat, called out: 'That is the Monster, he has just cut a woman.' A vast number of people immediately pursued the gentleman, some calling 'The Monster!' others, 'Stop thief,' till at length he was knocked down, and surrounded by near a thousand people, by whom he was very ill-treated, and, probably, would not have escaped with life, had he not been, by some gentleman, taken into Gray's Inn Coffee House; from whence he was conveyed to the Brown Bear, in Bow Street, in a hackney-coach; where the mob were so exasperated that they broke the windows of the house, and, could they have got at him, would, no doubt, have massacred him: by stratagem he was, at nine o'clock, brought to this office. When the above facts appeared, Sir Sampson Wright lamented that it was not in his power to punish the perpetrators of this daring, and alarming, assault, but did all he could, by giving that gentleman his protection until the mob dispersed."

Accounts of mock assaults were written to the papers, one of them extremely circumstantial, telling how a courageous lady drew a pistol "from her pocket and discharged it into the wretch's neck, immediately under the ear, who instantly left her, uttering the most dreadful imprecations." This, it is needless to say, was denied, and exposed next morning.

Imposture, of course, took advantage of such a golden opportunity, and we find that "the account which appeared in all the newspapers of Miss B. of Marylebone Street, having been twice wounded by the Monster, proves to be a fabrication, for the purpose of exciting compassion, and money, and has, in some degree, answered the purpose. The above discovery has been made, by an investigation of this business, by the Select Vestry of Marylebone Parish. This is a new kind of Monster!"

The _Oracle_ of May 17th tells the following little story:--"Tuesday, about nine o'clock, as Mr. Heather was crossing Tower Hill, he observed a well-dressed woman upon the ground: when he went to her, she said a very tall man had just wounded her with some sharp instrument, and begged his assistance to get to the Minories to a coach, which he readily complied with, upon observing blood in several places upon her gown and apron. However, the coach had not been gone ten minutes, before he found she had picked his pocket of his watch, and about three guineas."

Although there was now a cessation of real attacks by the Monster, the public feeling rose to very fever height. As one newspaper remarked: "The Monster is now a mischief of more than common magnitude. Inhuman himself, the villainy is visited upon all who are of the same sex: alike the source of apprehension, terror, and flight. It is really distressing to walk our streets towards evening. Every woman we meet regards us with distrust, shrinks sidling from our touch, and expects a poignard to pierce what gallantry, and manhood, consider as sacred. There must be a very criminal supineness somewhere, or these execrable villains would, with greater speed, expiate with their lives, the insulted humanity of being."

As an example of the pitch to which the excitement was wrought, the following case may be taken. A man met a girl, and went with her into a public-house. They sat down, and he showed her an artificial bouquet, or nosegay, as it was then called, which he had in his hand, and begged her to accept it. The girl, in taking hold of it, felt something prick her, and it made her hand bleed. She went away, and told the story to some of her friends, who immediately insisted that it must be the Monster, and that a dagger was certainly concealed in the nosegay. The man was in consequence arrested, and kept all night in the watch-house. On enquiry in the morning, it was found that the girl's hand had only been pricked by the wire used to bind the flowers together, and the poor man was, of course, discharged.