Chapter C: F. Greville (5)

But Nemesis was at hand. One of his victims--that Miss Porter, who was stabbed after the Drawing Room, on the Queen's birthday--was walking with Mr. John Coleman, in St. James's Park, on Sunday, June 13th, and the Monster passed her. She at once recognised him, and, her agitation being remarked by Mr. Coleman, she said, "There is the wretch who wounded me." Mr. Coleman left her in charge of her friends, and followed the man, who walked very fast--evidently feeling he had been noticed, and endeavoured to dodge about from Spring Gardens, to Admiralty Passage, back again to Spring Gardens, and up Cockspur Street, to Pall Mall: thence to St. James's Street, and Bolton Street, where he knocked at the door of a house, and was let in. He stayed there about five minutes, and then went to Piccadilly, and St. James's Street, where he knocked at another house, and asked the servant some question. Leaving there, he went to Bond Street, Mr. Coleman endeavouring to insult him, by walking before and behind him, and staring him in the face. He then went to Oxford Street--then called Oxford Road--and Vere Street, where he knocked at an empty house. Then Mr. Coleman spoke to him, and asked him what was the use of knocking so violently at a house palpably empty; and he replied that he knew the people of the house, named Pearce, and knocked again for three or four minutes. He then crossed to South Molton Street, knocked at a house, and was admitted. Mr. Coleman asked the master of the house, Mr. Smith, for information as to the man, but he refused to give any, unless some reason was assigned. Mr. Coleman replied that the other had insulted some ladies under his protection, and that he demanded satisfaction. The Monster offered to meet him at any coffee-house, and gave his address as Fifty-two Jermyn Street. Mr. Coleman then let him go, but upon second thoughts hurried back, and again met him in St. James's Street; and looking at him, told him he did not think he was what he described himself, and asked him to come with him to Mr. Porter's house, which was not far off. He consented, and on seeing him, two of the Miss Porters immediately fainted, but upon recovery unhesitatingly declared him to be "the wretch." He turned to Mr. Coleman and asked: "Do the ladies suspect me to be the person advertised? Am I suspected?"

He was given into custody, and on the 15th of June, the newspapers gave full accounts of his capture and examination.

He proved to be a native of Wales, named Renwick (or Rhynwick) Williams, aged about twenty-three, who was sent young to London, where he was bound apprentice to Sir John Gallini, with a view to his becoming a dancer on the stage. A misunderstanding, as to the disappearance of a watch, severed this connection, and he then led a very loose life. For some little time, about two months, he was a lawyer's clerk, but this employment being only temporary, he was reduced to difficulties, until he met with Mr. Aimable Michell, of Dover Street, who taught him artificial-flower making, and with whom he remained until his arrest.

He was dressed very respectably, in a blue coat, lined, and edged, with buff, buff waistcoat, and black satin breeches.

He was fully identified by the Misses Porter, Miss Frost, Miss Baughan, and Mrs. Franklin, whilst numerous ladies who had been wounded could not identify him. He was of course, remanded. Royalty, in the person of the Duke of Cumberland (afterwards King of Hanover), was present at his examination, and great difficulty was experienced in preserving the prisoner from the fury of the exasperated mob.

On the 16th of June he was again brought up, was identified by two more ladies, and confronted with others, who could not be sure he was the man who had wounded them. The Dukes of York, and Cumberland, and Prince William of Gloucester, besides several peers, were present.

He was brought before the magistrates once more, when another lady identified him, and he was committed for trial.

Owing to the novelty of the crime, great difficulty was experienced as to his indictment, but it was at last settled that he should be tried under the statute 6th Geo. I. c. 23, s. 11, which made it felony, punishable with transportation, for seven years, to assault any person in the public streets, with intent to tear, spoil, cut, burn, or deface, the garments, or clothes, of such person, or persons, provided the act be done in pursuance of such intention.

On Thursday, the 8th of July, Williams was tried at the Old Bailey, before Mr. Justice Buller, charged with making an assault upon Ann Frost, spinster, on the 9th of November last, in Jermyn Street, St. James's, and wickedly, wilfully, and maliciously, tearing, and spoiling, her garments, to wit, the gown, petticoats, and shift, of the said Ann, against the statute in that case provided.

He was also indicted for the commission of a similar offence in Holborn, on the 5th of May, on Sarah, the wife of John Davis. The same on Sarah, the wife of John Godfrey, on the 13th of May, in St. Marylebone. The 26th of September, on Mary Forster, in Maxwell Street. The 6th of December, on Elizabeth Baughan, in Parliament Street. For a like act, on the same day, in the same street, on Frances Baughan. For a like act, on Ann Porter, on the 18th of January, in St. James's Street.

He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by counsel. The case of Miss Porter was then gone into, and the evidence, as already detailed, was adduced. For the defence, he called his master, Mr. Michell, who swore that he was at work till twelve, on the night of the 18th of January, and did not quit his house till after supper at half-past twelve, which was also substantiated by the witness of his sister, Miss Michell, Catherine, and Molly Harmond, and two of the workwomen, besides a customer: and ten witnesses were called as to character. The judge summed up very favourably for the prisoner, but the jury, without hesitation, found him guilty. The judge said, as this was a new case, and he had some doubts as to the indictment, he would respite judgment until he had laid the case before the twelve judges. So this, and the other indictments, were put off until the December Sessions.

There were many accounts of the trial, and numerous portraits were published of Williams, who was by no means bad-looking, thin and pale, with powdered hair "en queue."

The caricaturists took the matter up, and treated the matter as a joke, recommending ladies to have copper petticoats, &c.

But the most awful picture is that of "The Monster going to take his afternoon luncheon," where he is depicted as a terrible being about to devour a pretty girl--but the caricaturist shows us, kindly, "the Monster disappointed of his afternoon luncheon," in which engraving, he has a double shot--one at the somewhat delicate subject of the "dress improver" of the day, and the other, how this fashion might be utilised to baffle the Monster of his intended meal.

There was the usual newspaper correspondents' wrangle, in which, of course, it was unpopular to advance any argument in favour of the Monster. Indeed, _The World_, of October 16th, says: "Writing a defence of the Monster carries with it more serious consequences than people are at first aware of, because it would appear as if publishing accounts, in the newspapers, or otherwise, could really justify atrocious acts. As Junius has said: 'The people at large are never mistaken in their sentiments, and, if they have formed an opinion, there is no taking them out of it by misrepresentation.'" That there was an opinion in his favour is not only evidenced by this, but at the City Debates, Capel Court, Bartholomew Lane, the question was debated on July 12: "Did the late extraordinary conduct ascribed to Renwick Williams (commonly called the Monster) originate in an unfortunate insanity, a diabolical inclination to injure the fair part of the creation, or the groundless apprehension of some mistaken females?"

But the man kept up the feeling against him, by his own conduct, and could not be quiet in prison. _The Oracle_, of August the 20th, has the following account of "The Monster's Ball":--"The depravity of the times was manifested last week, in an eminent degree, in Newgate. The Monster sent cards of invitation to about twenty couple, among whom were some of his alibi friends, his brother, sisters, several of the prisoners, and others, whom we shall take a future opportunity to notice.

"At four o'clock the party sat to tea; this being over, two violins struck up, accompanied by a flute, and the company proceeded to exercise their limbs. In the merry dance, the cuts, and entrechats, of the Monster were much admired, and his adroitness in that amusement must be interesting, from the school in which he acquired this branch of his accomplishments.

"About eight o'clock the company partook of a cold supper, and a variety of wines, such as would not discredit the most sumptuous gala, and about nine o'clock departed, that being the usual hour for locking the doors of the prison."

Williams gradually faded away from public notice until early in November, when eleven of the judges met in Serjeants' Inn Hall, and consulted on his case, which had been reserved. The questions were: First, whether his having an intention to cut the person of Miss Porter, and, in carrying that intention into execution, cutting the garments of that lady, is an offence within the statute of 6th Geo. I. c. 23, s. 11, on which he was convicted; the jury having, in their verdict, found that in cutting her person he had thereby an intention to cut her garments? Secondly, whether the statute being in the conjunctive, "that if any person shall assault with an intent to cut the garment of such person, then the offender shall be guilty of felony," and the indictment, in stating the intention, not having connected it with the act by inserting the words that he "then and there" did cut her garment, could be supported in point of form?

Nine out of the eleven judges were of opinion that the offence, notwithstanding the finding of the jury, was not within the statute, and that the indictment was bad in point of law.

This decision reduced the Monster's crime to a misdemeanour.

On Monday, December 13th, he was brought to trial at the Sessions House, Clerkenwell Green, and, as a proof of the interest it created, even the names of the jury are recorded. The trial began at ten, A.M., and was inaugurated by the prisoner reading a paper declaring his innocence. He was indicted for assaulting Miss Porter, with intent to kill, and murder her: there was a second count which stated, that he, "holding a knife in his right hand, did wilfully give the said Ann Porter a dreadful wound, of great length and depth on the right thigh and hip; to wit, of the length of nine inches, and the depth of four." A third count charged him with a common assault. The evidence was similar to that in the former trial, and, after a trial, lasting thirteen hours, he was found guilty.

He was afterwards found guilty of other assaults, and was finally sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Newgate, for each assault on Miss Porter, Elizabeth Davis, and Miss E. Baughan, and at the end of the six years, he was to find bail for good behaviour for seven years, himself in the sum of two hundred pounds, and two sureties in one hundred pounds each.

What finally became of him is not known. Mr. Angerstein offered the reward to Miss Porter, as it was by her instrumentality that the Monster was captured, but she refused it.

The recollection of _the Monster_, did not quickly fade away, for we read in the _Times_, 20 Dec. 1799, "Another new _Monster_ on Wednesday, made his appearance in town. His passion is for _biting_ the Ladies' _toes_ and _finger ends_. They say his name is _Frost_."

* * * * *

Food riots, the natural outcome of an almost starving and ignorant population were rife; but, in the following paragraph, there is a curious allusion, that _the grain was intended to be shipped to France_, with which nation we were then at war.

"Several towns in Cornwall were last week visited by large bodies
of Miners, from the different works, in search of concealed corn,
which they insist upon is intended for exportation to France. At
Wadebridge, they found about 25,000 bushels in store, which they
obliged the Owners to sell at reduced prices. At Looe upwards of
6000 bushels of grain were stopped by them from being shipped,
but we do not hear of their committing any other outrage. Part of
the first regiment of dragoons is gone from Devonshire, to assist
the magistrates in restoring peace."--(_Times, Feb. 6, 1793._)

Highway robberies were of daily occurrence, so much so, that they are not worth chronicling, unless some special circumstance occurs in connection with them.

"The pickpockets are all turned highwaymen. Thus far the
metropolis has been delivered from these free-booters: and the
relief is certainly owing to the new Police Bill."--(_Times,
March 9, 1793._)

* * * * *

"At Oxford, a person was convicted of having robbed the Worcester
and Oxford Coach, near Woodstock, of a portmanteau, and this
peculiar circumstance attended it:--The man committed the
offence, was taken, indicted, tried, and convicted, within
_twelve_ hours after the commission of the crime. He was indicted
for petty larceny only."--(_Times, March 28, 1793._)

* * * * *

"Mr. Burdon, the Member for the County of Durham, had 25,000
guineas in his chaise when he was stopped, the other evening by
footpads, who robbed him of 25 guineas only. Mr. Burdon was
carrying down this sum, for the relief of the Durham
Bank."--(_Times, April 26, 1793._)

A shocking trade had sprung up, which was not long in developing. As Science grew, so was a knowledge of Anatomy becoming of more vital importance to the medical profession--but subjects for operation were scarce. True, those malefactors who were hanged, and had no friends, were given over to the Surgeons for dissection, but this means of supply, fell far short of the demand--which, however, was met, by the ghastly device of robbing the grave-yards of their newly buried dead. Here are some contemporary records of the doings of these ghouls:--

"Friday, a gang of persons, called _Resurrection men_, were
apprehended between two, and three, o'clock in the morning, near
the Churchyard at Hampstead; they had dug up the body of a Mr.
John Lloyd, who had been buried the day before, put it into a
sack, and a hackney-coach was waiting to receive it; but, by the
vigilance, and resolution, of the watchmen, they lost their prey;
for, having stopt the coach, they found the body in it, and two
men, whose names are Tom Paine, and Peter Mackintosh, together
with their shovels, and tools, for opening the coffin. They were
both carried before Master Montague, together with John Peach,
the driver of the Coach, and were committed to gaol upon the
fullest evidence. There were two others of the party, who made
their escape. One of them had the appearance of a Gentleman, and
is supposed to be a surgeon."--(_Times, March 15, 1794._)

* * * * *

"On Monday evening, a set of Resurrectionists, were apprehended
at a house near the Turnpike, Mile end. That morning, a coach was
observed to stop at this house, and an ill looking man came out
of it with a sack; containing as it was supposed, a body, which
he carried into the house, and returned immediately with a large
hamper:--they then drove off to a neighbouring public-house,
when, after a short stay, they took up some others, and were
traced to the Launch, at Deptford. In the meantime, the parish
officers were informed of the circumstance. About six in the
evening, the coach again returned with a similar lading, which
was deposited in the house. Some constables, accompanied by a
number of people, surrounded the house, and forcing an entrance,
they found two men, and a woman, drinking tea on a bench, at one
end of which lay the bodies of two children. They were secured:
and, on entering an adjoining room, the bodies of six adults were
discovered, unmutilated; besides which, the floor was strewed
with limbs, in a state too shocking for public
description."--(_Times, March 20, 1794._)

"A very particular account has been sent to this Paper, of the
late shocking discovery of dead bodies at Mile-End: but we deem
it unfit for publication, as the circumstances are too horrid to
meet the public eye. Every room in the house was a scene of the
most shocking brutality, and it is supposed there were upwards of
100 bodies, some whole, others mangled. The remains found at this
house have since been removed to Bethnal Green church-yard, for a
second interment. We most sincerely hope that his Grace the
Archbishop of Canterbury will move for a bill in Parliament,
making it _death_ to rob a church yard."--(_Times, March 22,
1794._)

* * * * *

(Adv.) "Robberies in Churchyards and Burial Grounds.

"Some persons having been discovered, on the evening of the 8th
February last, conveying dead Bodies in Sacks, from the
Burial-Ground belonging to the Parish of St. Mary, Lambeth, and
who, upon the alarm being raised, made their escape; a reward of
One hundred Pounds, for apprehending them, was immediately
offered by the Churchwardens, to be paid upon their conviction:
and the first opportunity was taken of assembling the
Parishioners in Vestry, in order to consider by what means they
might secure the offenders, bring them to punishment, and
prevent, in future, such depredations. A Committee was
accordingly appointed for this purpose, and discoveries of
similar robberies in Church-yards, and Burial-grounds, in, and
near, this Metropolis, have been made, the recital of which,
together with an account of the horrid traffic in which many have
been long engaged, with impunity, cannot fail to excite the
indignation of the Public, and which it is intended, in a short
time, to give them, taken from Affidavits made before
Magistrates, and from other evidence procured on this melancholy
occasion. It will be needless to say, that the Relatives, and
Friends, of those who have been lately buried there, before this
discovery, have suffered great anguish of mind, and it is not
doubted but that all will concur in adopting measures, which may
effectually check such abominable practices. For this desirable
end, an application to Parliament, early in the next Session, is
deemed highly necessary, as, at present, the punishment is found
to be by no means sufficient to prevent the crime. The Parishes
therefore, within the Bills of Mortality, and near London, will,
it is hoped, approve of such application, and it is intended that
a Circular Letter shall be sent to them, to invite them to join
in it. In the meantime, the Committee of the Parish of Saint
Mary, Lambeth, will be glad to receive any communications from
any other Parishes, on this subject, under cover, directed to
Thomas Swabey, Vestry Clerk, Lambeth."--(_Times, April 21,
1794._)

* * * * *

"Early on Tuesday Morning, some suspicion being entertained that
the Pesthouse burial-ground, in Old-Street-Road, had been
frequently violated, the parish watchmen were ordered to keep a
good look out, when a hackney coach was observed, waiting near
the spot. Upon the watchman's approaching it, he was assaulted,
and beaten, by three men, who then made off: but afterwards,
springing his rattle, the assistants took the coachman into
custody, who had three sacks in his coach, two of them containing
the body of a man each, and the other, three children. Several
other bodies, which had been dug up for the purpose of carrying
away, were found under the wall of the burying-ground: and, it is
generally believed, that almost all the bodies deposited therein,
for 5 weeks past, have been stolen, which, upon an average, must
have been 15 per week. The hackney-coachman, who owned he was to
have had ten guineas for his night's fare, was committed to the
New Prison, Clerkenwell. This fellow, it should seem, was
hardened to his business: for, though put into the cage with the
bodies he was carrying off, he slept so sound, that it was with
some difficulty he was awakened by the visit of a _brother-whip_,
previous to his going before a Magistrate."--(_Times, Dec, 23,
1796._)

Sentence of death was passed on Criminals for offences we should now think totally inadequate to that punishment--but although sentenced, those convicted of the lighter offences--were almost all respited, and transported for life.

"At the Assizes for York and County, the following prisoners
received sentence of death, viz., T. Jewitt, for stealing four
heifers: Saml. Bathurst, for privately stealing in a shop; Wm.
Atkinson, and Hannah Hobson, for riotously assembling and pulling
down the house of John Cooper, of Whitby: John Holt and Richard
Watson, for house breaking, and three others for
sheep-stealing."--(_Times, March 30, 1793._)

"A petition from Wm. Brunskill, (commonly called _Jack Ketch_)
was presented to the Court of Aldermen, stating that he was the
public executioner, and, on that account, could not get any other
employment: that he was obliged to keep an assistant, though his
allowance was so small, and his income so trifling, as to be
insufficient to maintain himself, and family, and praying
relief.--The Court referred the same to the Sheriffs."--(_Times,
Jan. 30, 1794._)

The next paragraph, which is very brief, tells its own story.

"There is now a man confined for debt in Newgate, who has been a
prisoner there, over fifteen years, for a debt, the original sum
of which does not exceed forty-five shillings."--(_Times, April
25, 1793._)

In Dec. 1794, and Jan. 1795, there was a terrible frost--and, in the latter month, we hear that seven men, attempting to pass over the ice, to a Collier, by Ratcliffe Highway--were drowned--and how--two days afterwards--two watchmen were frozen to death at Bloomsbury. Hard indeed must have been the lot of the poor debtors, and we may fancy the anxious scrutiny of the box, which the debtor whose turn it was, would rattle outside the bars of Ludgate, making the while his monotonous, and melancholy, whine, "Pity the poor debtors; pity the poor debtors." Some hearts were softened towards them, and they were sensibly grateful for such seasonable assistance.

"Advt.--The unfortunate DEBTORS in LUDGATE PRISON beg leave, thus
publicly, to return their grateful Thanks to LADY TAYLOR, of
Spring Gardens, for her munificent Benefaction of 149 lbs. of
Beef, 21 half Peck Loaves, 21 sacks of Coals, and 66 lbs. of
Cheese, each Article being of the best quality.

"At the same time, they entreat the LORD MAYOR to accept their
unfeigned Thanks, for his kind present of a Guinea, which was
equally divided among the unfortunate Debtors.

"_N.B._ The smallest Benefaction from their fellow Citizens and
other liberal minded persons, will at all times be thankfully
received, particularly at this inclement season of the
year."--(_Times, Dec. 29, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The unfortunate DEBTORS, in Ludgate Prison, beg leave to return
their grateful Thanks, to the Right Hon. the LORD MAYOR, for 448
lbs. of Beef and Mutton of the best sort, which he has sent them
since the 10th day of Nov., also for two Chaldron, and an half,
of Coals sent yesterday."--(_Times, Jan. 1, 1795._)

* * * * *

"As the Debtor and Creditor Bill comes on to-morrow, it is
recommended to its noble framer, to try the pulse of the Law
Lords, by introducing a clause which shall interdict the Marshal
of the King's Bench, and the Warden of the Fleet, from taking a
shilling per week from each debtor for his bed, unless as the
very foundation, and cause of this fee originally was, that the
Keeper of the Prison furnishes the Debtor with furniture to the
amount of £30. The Keepers have very handsome salaries, and
therefore, there should be no exactions from the prisoners.
Indeed the nature of their imprisonment interdicts such a
practice, for how is the insolvent man to find money? ex-nihilo,
nihil fit."--(_Times, May 8, 1793._)

* * * * *

"Were any one Lord in the House of Peers to move that the Royal
Assent to Acts of Parliament should be given in _plain English_,
and not in old _Norman French_, the House would unanimously adopt
the idea of banishing, in future, the _barbarous_ language of
that Country."--(_Times, May 10, 1793._)

"A curious matter was heard yesterday before the Borough Police,
respecting the wife of a gentleman at Sheerness, who had eloped
with a black servant. They were pursued to the Nags Head in the
Borough on Sunday, where _Blackey_ fired a pistol at his
pursuers, for which he was taken up and committed. The Lady had
two children by her husband. The matter, we understand is _made
up_."--(_Times, Feb. 11, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The manner in which the _Black_ business was settled, in the
Borough, was this:--The husband took her two children, and all
the property he found in the coach, desired his wife to go where
she pleased, (after she said she'd live with no one but the
Black) and _Mungo_ was taken by a press gang, and put on board
the tender."--(_Times, Feb. 12, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Monday last two Bailiff's followers made a seizure for rent at a
house in Kingswood, near Bristol: an alarm being given, they were
surrounded by a number of colliers, who conveyed them to a
neighbouring coal-pit, and let them down, where they were
suffered to remain till about two the next morning, when they
were had up, and, each having a glass of gin, and some
gingerbread, given him, were immersed again into the dreary
bowels of the earth, where they were confined, in all, near
twenty four hours. On being released they were made to pay a fine
of 6s. 8d. each, for their lodging, and take an oath never to
trouble, or molest, any of them again."--(_Times, April 25,
1795._)

* * * * *

"The friends of an apprentice to a stocking-weaver, at Lambeth,
brought the lad to this office (Public Office, Bow St.) to shew
one of the modes of punishment adopted by the master, when the
boys committed any fault. It consisted of an iron collar,
fastened round the neck, by a padlock. The lad said that he had
worn it for above a month, and that he understood it was his
master's intention he should wear it till he was out of his time.
The master living in the county of Surrey, Mr Bond could not
interfere in the business, but advised the parties to go to
Union-Hall, in the Borough. The master of the apprentice alluded
to, we understand, has got between 60 and 70 boys, most of whom
he has had from the different workhouses in the county of
Surrey."--(_Times, Aug. 27, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Owing to the high price of victualling, the demand for shipping
and risque of capture, or the price of insurance, the contract
for conveying the last convicts from Great Britain, and Ireland,
to Botany Bay, was £80 per man; and the expence exceeding all the
good that could arise to either country, from the banishment, or
the evil that could arise from the continuance in either country,
of the miscreants.

"It is a known fact, that so far are the miscreants, who usually
come under sentence of transportation, from considering it a
punishment, that they laugh at the joke, and consider it a very
great benefit.--Adventurous spirits like those, averse to all
manner of industry, insensible to ignominy, and totally
unconscious of any such feelings as the _amor patriæ_, delight in
nothing more, than shifting the scene, and being conveyed to a
distant country, from that in which they have no hope of
existing, but at the perpetual risk of the gallows.

"It is more than probable that severe flagellation, such as
military codes prescribe, would prove infinitely more formidable
in detering villainy: and it is, at least, worth the experiment
of a statute, which costs nothing, to try whether the penalty of
500, or 1000 lashes, which would not cost the country one
shilling, would not prove a stronger barrier against larcenies,
and clergyable felonies, than transportation to Botany Bay, at
the enormous expense of £60 or 80 per man, which operates in
reality as a heavy penalty on the Republic of honest men, and a
bounty on villainy. Besides, have we not copper mines, coal
mines, canals, and other such places of employment, at home, for
those criminals, which, at present, alienate the husbandmen, and
honest labourers of the country, from the business of
agriculture. The labour of criminals, in this way, would prove a
benefit to the country, and some compensation to the State, their
crimes had injured."--(_Times, Sept. 9, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The _Calamities of War_. Amongst the distresses it has
occasioned, it is a lamentable fact, that _five Attornies_ have
been deprived of an honest livelihood, and have actually entered
as foremast men, on board a frigate in the Thames."--(_Times,
Nov. 2, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Lord Chancellor was occupied on Friday, and Saturday, with
hearing an important cause. Earl Pomfret _v._ Sir Ch. Turner.

"It respects a very valuable lead mine, in the vale of
Arkinghall, Yorkshire. Such is the expedition of our laws, that
this cause has lasted _only ninety three years_, being first
instituted in the year 1703!!!"--(_Times, Apr. 12, 1796._)

* * * * *

"The King _v._ Middleton.

"The defendant was convicted of enticing a number of Artificers
from this country, to go to Kentucky in America; a rule was
afterwards obtained, to shew cause why the judgment should not be
arrested, for reasons, which appeared insufficient to the Court.
That Rule therefore, was discharged, and the Defendant received
judgment according to the Statute, that is, he was ordered to
_pay a fine of £500, and to be confined in Newgate for the space
of one year_."--(_Times, June 10, 1796._)

* * * * *

"On Saturday _John Paviour_ (one of these persons called _Bullock
Hunters_) was tried at the Old Bailey--for driving a bullock out
of Smithfield Market, early on the morning of the 23rd May last
and was found guilty--DEATH. It is hoped therefore, that this
prosecution will greatly check, if not wholly put an end to that
pernicious practice, by which not only the Property, but the
lives of the Public are so much endangered, in and about this
metropolis."--(_Times, June 28, 1796._)

* * * * *

"The trial which was to have come on at the Assizes in York,
concerning estates in Cleveland, for which a Special Jury was to
be summoned, of _four Knights, and their twelve Esquires, girt
with swords_, is deferred until next Assizes."--(_Times, July 27,
1796._)

* * * * *

"Yesterday, a Jew was convicted at the Public Office Bow Street,
for selling a hat, in the street, without a stamped lining,
contrary to the late Act of Parliament, and was sentenced to be
imprisoned for two months, in the House of Correction. Hatters
selling Hats, without a stamped lining, are liable to the penalty
of £10. In the above case, imprisonment is the only mode of
punishment."--(_Times, Sept. 3, 1796._)

* * * * *

"Certainly the number of Lawyers, which is _only_ computed to be
20,000 in Great Britain, is not so much their fault, as our own.
We can neither marry, nor die, without them: but then there is no
living for them."--(_Times, Sept. 28, 1796._)

* * * * *

"The number of Attornies posted up for admission next term,
outside the Court of King's Bench, are _eighty-two_. Surely some
stop should be put to this growing evil, for there is not a
doubt, but that, with an increase of Attornies, must consequently
follow an increase of litigation. For where the numbers surpass
all reasonable bounds, they will have recourse to the most
desperate means to excite business."--(_Times, Jan. 31, 1797._)

* * * * *

"The convict who was lately executed at Leicester, and who
adopted the singular mode of travelling, in a post chaise, to the
place of execution, was no less remarkable for his crimes, than a
copious fund of low humour. He got the following notice put up in
the most frequented houses in the town, 'Wanted an agreeable
companion, in a post chaise, to go a journey of _considerable_
length, and upon _equal_ terms. Enquire for particulars at the
Castle.' It is almost superfluous to mention that upon the
_terms_ being made known, the gentleman could not find a
partner."--(_Times, Sept. 8, 1797._)

The following is a somewhat curious Police Case (_Times_, Jan. 17, 1798): "Robert Richards, and William Packer, were indicted on a charge of assaulting Ryan Thackars, on the 30th of December, and robbing him of half a guinea, a 7s. piece, and 1s. 6d., in silver, his property.

"The Prosecutor was a Jew, and a common informer, in which character he had gone, on the above mentioned day, to the Fleet Prison, to serve the wife of Mr. Richards, with a notice to answer to an information for wearing hair powder without a licence. On his serving the Notice, Mr. Richards called him back, but he refusing to return, the other assaulted him, threw him down upon his back, said he knew him very well, that he was a damned informer, and that he should be pumped. Then the two Prisoners dragged him to the pump, and, with the assistance of others, kept pouring water upon him, for a quarter of an hour. A pail of water was afterwards thrown, by somebody, on his face. His clothes were all torn: and, when they let him go, he missed his money. Being asked by the Court if he could charge the Prisoners with having robbed him, he answered he could not; nor was the money found on them when apprehended. The Recorder then told the Jury, that as no charge was made out against the prisoners, they must acquit them.--_Not Guilty._"

"BASE COIN FINISHED AT NEWGATE.

"A very singular circumstance occurred a few days ago at the gaol
of Newgate: One of the Magistrates of Police having received
information that a person of the name of _Pullen_, a notorious
offender who was sentenced to a year's imprisonment for dealing
in base money, had been carrying on his former trade, while in
confinement: that the base money of the similitude of a shilling,
being previously prepared of blanched copper, with King William's
head faintly impressed on one side, and plain on the other, was
brought into the prison privately by Agents whom he employed:
that after the Cells were locked up, this adroit Coiner prepared
a liquid in which very thin pieces of silver were mixed, which,
being rubbed upon the Copper shillings, instantly give them the
appearance of worn down coin of the Mint: that he was assisted in
the operation by several of the prisoners in the same ward, some
of whom were his associates in iniquity, and convicted of
offences against the Mint Laws: That his customers came regularly
to the prison, and purchased the base money so finished at _two_
for _one_, paying sixpence for each shilling, although
intrinsically not worth a halfpenny: that the dies, and some
other implements for coining belonging to these delinquents, had
been actually lodged in their trunks at Newgate, and they were
brought there privately, on every alarm of danger from officers
of justice, as a place of greater security. This information
having been communicated to Sir William Staines, one of the
present Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, with the zeal for the
public good which characterises the active Magistrate, he went
alone to Newgate, early in the morning, before the cells were
unlocked, and caused the trunks, and boxes, belonging to the
persons convicted of offences against the Mint Laws, to be
searched; and, in a trunk concealed under _Pullen's_ bed, were
found no less than £107, 2s. of base money, of the similitude of
shillings, ready for circulation, and a machine for rounding, or
milling, the edges of half crowns; and in another trunk belonging
to an associate of _Pullen_, were found two plain dies, and two
others for halfpence, and farthings. It would appear that some
other dies for halfcrowns, and shillings, which had been
deposited for some time in a trunk belonging to _Pullen_, were
removed, together with the book he kept for entering the names of
his customers who visited him, for the purpose of purchasing base
money for the town, and country, circulation.... The Lord Mayor
and Sheriffs have investigated the means by which these nefarious
practices have been carried on, and, we are happy to learn, that
it arose entirely from the arts, and devices, so familiar to
criminals, without the knowledge, or privity, of the Turnkeys.
The result is, that the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs are taking
immediate steps for establishing such rules, as will probably
prevent a repetition of the same evil."--(_Times, Nov. 29,
1796._)

PRIZE FIGHTING AND DUELS.

Prize fighting was beginning to develop into a fine art, and it was thought no more derogatory in a fine gentleman to assist, by his presence, at a "Mill," than to be present at a Cock fight. It was patronised by Royalty, as we see by the following Newspaper Cutting. Indeed, the Prince of Wales attended several prize fights, until a man was killed, and then he left the ring to itself.

"On Friday, a battle was fought at Blackheath between Crabbe, a
Jew, and Oliver, commonly called _Death_; in which the former was
victorious. All the great patrons, and distinguished professors
of this _fine art_ were present, and many bets were laid. The
battle was honoured, in particular, by the attendance of his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales."--(_Morning Post, April 18,
1788._)

Even those "feeble folk," those superfine gentlemen, the Macaronis, learned to use their fists, as we see by this illustration.

Any one caring for such particulars will well know that this was the golden age for pugilism. There were Tom Johnson, 1783-1791. Benjamin Brain (Big Ben), 1786-1791. Daniel Mendoza, a Jew, 1784-1820. Richard Humphries, "the Gentleman boxer," 1784-1790. John Jackson, 1788-1795. Bill Hooper (the Tin man), 1789-1797. Tom Owen, 1796-1799-1820. Tom Jones (Paddington Jones), 1786-1805. Bill Warr (of Bristol), 1787-1792. Will Wood, the Coachman, 1788-1804. George Ingleston, the Brewer, 1789-1793. Bob Watson, of Bristol, 1788-1791. Tom Tyne, "the Tailor," 1788-1792. Symonds (the Ruffian), 1791-1795. Jem Belcher, 1798-1809. This is the list of the Chief Gladiators of the period.

"Mendoza's terms for teaching are reasonable enough--eight
lessons for a guinea."--(_Morning Post, May 26, 1788._)

* * * * *

"_Mendoza_ and _Ward_, finding that the blackguard exercise of
boxing had fallen into disrepute, took up the _genteel_ trade of
crimping, and became acting serjeants, at a house in St. George's
Fields, until a stop was put to that nefarious business by
authority. We are sorry to find that these notorious blackguards
have since returned to their former occupation."--(_Times, April
16, 1795._)

Duels were of as common occurrence, as highway robberies, and need as much comment. Still, I give two, or three, instances to show on what trifles, men, then, ventured their lives.

The first is an ordinary duel between two officers, reported in the _Morning Post_ of 22nd June 1788--in which one of them was wounded in the thigh. This report brings a letter from some one, probably a second, who gives his version thus:--"Sir, in your account of the duel between Captains Tonge and Paterson, in your Paper of the 22nd, there is a mistake or two, which, for the sake of truth, I beg leave to correct. You say, 'that _Capt. T. wished to apologise for the injury he had done_.' The truth is, Captain T. being not quite himself when the affray happened, remembered very little of what had passed, except that, on some provocation, he had struck Capt. P. Considering himself, therefore, as having, _palpably_ broken the peace, he was ready to ask Capt. P.'s pardon.

"This was not deemed sufficient satisfaction, and the duel took place. You tell us, that _Capt. T.'s ball passed Capt. P._, thereby implying that Capt. T. actually fired at his antagonist. Now, Sir, I can positively affirm that Capt. T. was determined not to fire his pistol, and that it was involuntarily discharged, after he was wounded, and not levelled at Capt. P. You tell us then, that Capt. T., upon falling, declared that '_he had merited his fate, and begged Capt. P.'s pardon_.' His words were, _Are you satisfied? I fear I am dangerously wounded, I therefore advise you to fly._

"To enable the Public to judge properly of this affair, it is necessary they should be told, that the first offence was, Capt. T.'s treading accidentally on Capt. P.'s heel, who, though he saw Capt. T. was intoxicated, continued to follow him.

Rich. Weeks."

"Captain Parkhurst and a Mr. Kelly, are the names of the
gentlemen who exchanged blows at the Opera House on Saturday
evening."--(_Times, March 11, 1794._)

* * * * *

"On Sunday morning a duel was fought in Hyde Park between Mr.
Parkhurst and Lieut. Kelly of the Navy. The dispute originated in
some difference about places at the Opera pit on the preceding
night. A brace of pistols was discharged, and the latter
gentleman wounded in the shoulder. The seconds then interfered,
and brought the matter to a termination."--(_Times, March 13,
1794._)

* * * * *

"Friday morning a duel was fought in a field on the Uxbridge
Road, between Mr. Duke, surgeon, and Captain D----s, in
consequence of an old dispute revived a few nights ago in the
Haymarket Theatre. The parties discharged a brace of pistols
without effect, but upon Mr. D. discharging his second pistol, a
ball was lodged in Capt. D.'s arm--upon which the seconds
interfered, and a reconciliation took place."--(_Times, Feb. 18,
1793._)

FRENCH EMIGRANTS.

We have seen how, at the outbreak of the French Revolution, the French came over here in thousands--escaping here as to a haven of refuge. For the most part they were of the better class; still there were, as in 1870, a large number of very suspicious characters (to use the mildest term) among them--and the government was compelled to keep a very jealous eye on their movements. Taken, however, as a whole, they behaved wonderfully well, and in no ways abused the asylum, and protection, they had sought.

"Government is ridding the country very fast of Jacobins: and in
doing so, it is taking only a proper precaution during a time of
war. Some hundreds have been already either expelled, or have
quitted the country through apprehension; but many more still
remain here: and we recommend very strongly to the notice of the
Police Department, the general body of _French Dancing Masters_
practising in London, who are the veriest Jacobins in existence.
An exportation of some of these Hop Merchants, and certain French
Milliners, whom we could name, might be permitted without a
drawback, and without doing any injury to the Revenue."--(_Times,
Feb. 15, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The _Maitre d'Hotel_ of the _Duke of York_ was, on Saturday
last, ordered to quit the country. We some time since remarked
that there were several rank Jacobins in his Royal Highness's
household."--(_Times, Feb. 16, 1793._)

He was sent out of the Country either for theft or embezzlement.

"The Jermyn-Street _Gun_, which is filled with combustible
matter, should be unloaded, and spiked, or it may become more
dangerous than it is even at present. A clause ought to be added
to the _Alien Bill_, interdicting Frenchmen to meet, either in
public, or private, houses, in a greater number than 5, at one
and the same time. We cannot be too strict at this moment: and,
being sojourners here, as objects of public bounty, they cannot
complain of any regulations which Government may deem necessary
to make."--(_Times, Feb. 16, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The French Emigrants.[17]

[Footnote 17: On March 6, there was a letter from the agents
of the owners of the ship, putting a different complexion on
the matter: the mutinous conduct of the emigrants being the
cause of all the trouble.]

"Some of the papers have circulated very idle reports relative to
the arrival, in London, of 140 French soldiers; the story is
precisely as follows: These unfortunate Emigrants, most of them
descended from opulent, and illustrious, families in France,
having saved themselves, with the French Princes, from the
daggers of assassins, were necessitated, at the end of the
campaign, to enter the service of Spain. They embarked, on the
4th Dec., at _Bois le Duc_, for _Rotterdam_, and from thence,
they sailed in the ship _David and Abraham_, commanded by Captain
_Riendirk_. It would be impossible to describe the bad usage they
received on board. Obliged to lay upon the bare deck, without a
bed, and fed with mouldy biscuit, and beer, mixed with salt
water; in this lamentable situation they remained five weeks.
These miserable men were covered with vermin, most of them,
dreadfully galled with sores, and ulcers. Some had not changed
their linen for two years and an half: others had no linen of any
kind, and the clothes of the whole troop were in tatters. There
is reason to believe that the Captain of the vessel proposed to
sell them as malefactors, to be sent to Batavia. The ship,
however, was driven on our coast, and as soon as our Government
was apprized that these poor men were at anchor in Sheerness,
they took every measure to soften the rigour of their fate. Two
of their countrymen were dispatched to bring them to London. The
barbarous inhumanity of the Dutch Captain was notoriously
conspicuous, and we hope some measures will be taken to bring him
to justice, and make him an example to others, to avoid similar
acts of inhumanity."--(_Times, Feb. 28, 1793._)

* * * * *

"It is said that Lord Moira, notwithstanding the strange part he
acts in domestic politics, distributes the amount of £10,000
annually amongst the French Emigrants, who are only known to him
by their distresses."--(_Times, Dec. 27, 1797._)

* * * * *

"A French Emigrant was, yesterday, examined before Mr. Ford, at
the Duke of Portland's Office, on a charge of being a Spy. The
circumstances adduced were on the information of a Journeyman
Shoemaker, against his Master, a Mr. Deboo, for making a pair of
boots with a Cavity between the Soles; covered with sheet lead to
prevent the wet perforating, for letters of a secret nature.
After a long examination, it was proved that he was employed by
the Duke d'Harcourt, on a mission to the officers of his corps in
Germany, and, his papers containing nothing improper, he was
discharged: but, the maker of the boots having been, for some
time, considered a disaffected person, is to be sent out of the
Kingdom under the Alien Bill."--(_Times, Jan. 6, 1798._)

* * * * *

"In order to obtain a correct information of all the Foreigners
who reside in this vast metropolis, and whose numbers are said to
amount to 80,000, and upwards, Government has ordered the parish
Officers to go from house, to house, and to take down the name of
any foreigner who resides in the parish. This measure, we
conceive, would become still more efficacious, if every landlord,
or tenant, of a house, who lets out lodgings, were obliged to
inform the Justice of the Peace, of every Foreigner who comes to
lodge in his house, or leaves it. None but suspicious persons
will have to complain of the severity of these
measures."--(_Times, March 11, 1797._)

POLITICAL.

With Politics I had no intention of dealing, but the book would be incomplete if there were no indication of the party strife of the period, so that I have been tempted to make a few extracts principally of 1793-4, when party spirit ran very high. The revelations as to Elections, will, probably, somewhat astonish the next generation.

"The Marquis of Lansdowne's carriage conveyed the whole phalanx
of opposition, in the house of Lords, to their respective homes,
after the debate of Friday night: and even then, one corner of
the coach was unoccupied.

"The opposition in the Commons, who are a little more numerous,
were all bundled into Mr. Fox's coach, and that of Michael Angelo
Turner, with the assistance of a hackney-coach for Jack Courtney,
and Jekyll.

"Opposition, sunk to a minority that is insignificant in the
extreme, was afraid to try the question, on Friday, in either
House, well knowing that they could not reckon more than a dozen,
in the Commons, and three in the House of Lords. Must not this
convince the French of the unanimity of the people of
England?"--(_Times, Feb. 4, 1793._)

* * * * *

"All the Members of the Opposition, in both Houses of Parliament,
are to have a grand civic feast on Saturday next. Dinner is
bespoke for FOURTEEN!!!"--(_Times, Feb. 5, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The Irish papers are full of information of indictments on the
part of the Crown, against the printers of newspapers in Ireland.
Thirty or forty names are mentioned in one of the latest Gazettes
from thence."--(_Times, Feb. 6, 1793._)

COUNTY OF LEICESTER.--Dec. 19, 1792.

"It appearing to be the unanimous opinion of all true friends of
the Constitution, that, in order to prevent the mischievous
consequences attending a misrepresentation of their sentiments,
either at home, or abroad, some public avowal of their principles
is become necessary; We, whose names are hereunto subscribed,
adopting the resolutions of the Society, at the Saint Alban's
Tavern, do hereby declare, that we are unanimously, and
decidedly, of opinion, that, for the security and happiness of
all classes of our fellow-subjects, for the maintenance of our
own rights, and liberties, and, for the dearest interests of our
posterity, it is, in the present moment, incumbent upon us to
give to the Executive Government, a vigorous, and effectual,
support, in counteracting the numerous efforts of sedition, in
detecting, and bringing to legal punishment, the persons
concerned therein, and in suppressing, in their beginning, all
tumults, or riots, on whatever pretence they may be excited: do
hereby publicly declare our determination to take all such steps
for these purposes, as are within the limits of our duty, in the
several stations in which the Constitution of our country has
placed us, and to afford, by our individual exertions, that
active assistance to the authority of the lawful Magistrate, and
to the maintenance of the Established Government, which is at all
times due from the subject of this realm; but which we feel to be
more particularly necessary, under the circumstances of the
present time.

"For these purposes, and to this intent, we are resolved, and do
declare--

1. "That we will jointly, and individually, use our utmost
endeavours to discover the Authors, Publishers, and Distributors,
of all Seditious Writings, which shall be published, and
distributed, within the County of Leicester, and particularly,
all persons who shall be engaged in any illegal Associations, or
Conspiracies, for the Publication, and Distribution, of such
writings, or for the exciting Tumults, and Riots, within the said
County.

2. "That, in order to carry the above resolutions into effect, we
do hereby, mutually, bind ourselves to each other, that whenever
it shall come to our Knowledge, that any person, or persons,
have, within the said County, Published, or Distributed,
Seditious Writings, or engaged themselves in such Associations,
or Conspiracies, for the purposes aforesaid, we will do our
utmost endeavours to put the laws strictly in force against him,
or them.

3. "That we will, on every occasion, exert ourselves, on the
first appearance of Tumult, or Disorder, to maintain the public
peace, and to act in support of the civil authority, for
suppressing all Riots, and for bringing the promoters of them to
legal punishment.

"Those who agree in the principles here stated, are invited to
set their names to this Declaration--Copies of which will be
sent, for that purpose, to every town, and village, in the
county, at the Banks of Boultbee & Co., and Bensley & Co., in
Leicester, and at the Post Offices, in the several Market Towns
of the county, Subscriptions will be received, from such persons,
as may be willing to contribute, towards defraying the expenses,
which may be incurred in carrying into execution the measures
here stated, and in counteracting the mistaken, and pernicious,
notions which are so industriously circulated."--(_Times, Feb. 7,
1793._)

* * * * *