Chapter LIV: Part I: 5th May to 13th 8 (16)

7th. _Jumping in sacks for a cheese._ An excellent caricature of jumping in sacks, published by Hunt, in Tavistock-street, conveys a true idea of the manner in which this amusement is carried on: it is truly laughable. Ten or eleven candidates are chosen; they are tied in sacks up to their necks, and have to jump about five hundred yards. Sometimes one will out-jump himself and fall; this accident generally occasions the fall of three or four others, but some one, being more expert, gets on first, and claims the prize.

About ten years ago, before Cannon the prize-fighter was publicly known, as a native of Wiltshire he naturally visited the Hungerford revel. There was a man there celebrated over the county for boxing; it was said that with a blow from his fist he could break the jaw-bone of an ox; upon the whole he was a desperate fellow, and no one dared challenge him to _fight_. Cannon, however, challenged him to _jump_ in sacks. It was agreed that they should jump three times the distance of about five hundred yards. The first time Cannon fell, and accordingly his opponent won; the second time, Cannon’s opponent fell, and the third time they kept a pretty even pace for about four hundred yards, when they bounced against each other and both fell, so that there was a dispute who had won. Cannon’s opponent was for dividing the cheese, but he would not submit to that, and proposed jumping again; the man would not, but got out of the sack, and during the time that Cannon was consulting some friends on the course to be pursued, ran off with the cheese. Cannon, however, pursued, and after a considerable time succeeded in finding him. He then challenged him to fight: the battle lasted two hours, and Cannon was victor. This circumstance introduced him to the sporting world.

You must allow me, dear sir, to assure you, that it is not my wish to make your interesting work a “sporting calendar,” by naming “sporting characters.” I tell you this lest you should not incline to read further, especially when you see.

8th. _Donkey Racing._ I will certainly defy any one to witness these races, without being almost convulsed with laughter. Each candidate rides his neighbour’s donkey, and he who arrives first at the appointed place claims the prize, which is generally a smock-frock, a waistcoat, a hat, &c. &c.

9th. _Duck Hunting._ This sport generally concludes the whole: it is a very laughable, but certainly a very cruel amusement. They tie a poor unfortunate owl in an upright position, to the back of a still more unfortunate duck, and then turn them loose. The owl presuming that his inconvenient captivity is the work of the duck, very unceremoniously commences an attack on the head of the latter, who naturally takes to its own means of defence, the water: the duck dives with the owl on his back; as soon as he rises, the astonished owl opens wide his eyes, turns about his head in a very solemn manner, and suddenly recommences his attack on the oppressed duck, who dives as before. The poor animals generally destroy each other, unless some humane person rescues them.

Like all other Wiltshire amusements, the Hungerford revel always closes with good humour and conviviality; the ale flowing plentifully, and the song echoing loud and gaily from the rustic revellers. Although the revel is meant to last only one day, the very numerous attendants keep up the minor sports sometimes to the fourth day, when all depart, and Hungerford is once more a scene of tranquility.

The revel takes place about this time of the year, but I really cannot call to my recollection the precise day. Hoping, however, that this is of no material consequence, I beg to remain,

Dear Sir, &c.

C. T.

EARL OF WARWICK, THE KING MAKER.

This nobleman, who at one time is said to have entertained thirty thousand people at the boards of his different manors and estates in England, and who, when he travelled or lodged in any town, was accompanied by four or five hundred retainers, wrote on All Souls’ day the following remarkable letter for the loan of a small sum. It is divested of its ancient spelling.

“_To our right trusty and well-beloved Friend, Sir_ THOMAS TODDENHAM.

“Right trusty and well beloved friend, we greet you well, heartily desiring to hear of your welfare; and if it please you to hear of our welfare, we were in good health at the making of this letter, entreating you heartily, that ye will consider our message, which our chaplain Master Robert Hopton shall inform you of; for we have great business daily and have had here before this time, wherefore we entreat you to consider the purchase, that we have made with one John Swyffham (Southcote) an esquire of Lincolnshire, of 88_l._ by the year, whereupon we must pay the last payment, the Monday next after St. Martin’s day, which sum is 458_l._ Wherefore we entreat you with all our heart, that ye will lend us ten, or twenty pounds, or what the said Master Robert wants of his payment, as we may do for you in time for to come, and we will send it you again afore new year’s day, as we are a true knight. For there is none in your country, that we might write to for trust, so well as unto you, for as we be informed, ye be our well willer, and so we entreat you, that ye consider our intent of this money, as ye will that we do for you in time to come.... Written at London, on All Soul’s Day, within our lodging in the Grey Friars, within Newgate.

“RIC. ERLE WARWYKE.”

This letter is not dated, as to the year, but is known from circumstances to have been written before 1455. Sir Thomas Toddingham was a wealthy knight of Norfolk, who had an unfortunate marriage with one of the Wodehouses. The epistle shows the importance of ten, or twenty pounds, when rents were chiefly received in kind, and the difference between one degree of wealth and another, was exemplified by the number of a baron’s retainers. “Now,” says Burke, “we have a ton of ancient pomp in a vial of modern luxury.”[430]

“DEATH OF THE LOTTERY.”

Introductory to particulars respecting _Lotteries_, two engravings are inserted, representing exhibitions that appeared in the streets of the metropolis, with the intent to excite adventure in “the last state lottery that will ever be drawn in England.”

A BALLAD, 1826.

A lazy sot grew sober
By looking at his troubles,
For he found out how
He work’d his woe,
By playing with Lott’ry bubbles.

And just before October,
The _grand_ contractors, zealous
To _share_ their _last_ ills,
With puffs and bills,
Drove all the quack-doctors jealous.

Their _bill_-and-_cue_-carts slowly
Paced Holborn and Long Acre,
Like a funeral
Not mourn’d at all,
The bury’ng an undertaker.

Clerks smiled, and whisper’d lowly:
“This is the time or never
There _must_ be a rise--
Buy, and be wise,
Or your chance is gone for ever.”

Yet, of the shares and tickets,
Spite of all arts to sell ’em,
There were more unsold
Than dare be told;
Although, if I knew, I’d tell ’em.

And so, worn out with rickets,
The _last_ “Last Lott’ry” expired;
And then there were cries--
“We’ve gained a _prize_
By the _loss_ we’ve so long desired:

“The lott’ry drew the humble
Often aside from his labour,
To build in the air,
And, dwelling there,
He beggar’d himself and neighbour.

“If the scheme-makers tumble
Down to their proper station,
They must starve, or work,
Turn thief, or Turk,
Or hang, for the good o’ th’ nation.”

*

What’s the odds?--while I am floundering here the gold fish will be
gone; and as I always was a dab at hooking the right Numbers, I must
cast for a Share of the SIX £30,000 on the 18^{th} JULY, for it is but
“giving a Sprat to catch a Herring” as a body may say, and it is the
last chance we shall have in England.

~Memorandum.~

The above engraving is copied from one of the same size to a lottery bill of 1826: its inscription is verbatim the same as that below the original. In after days, this may be looked on with interest, as a specimen of the means to which the lottery schemers were reduced, in order to attract attention to “the last.”

COLLECTIONS RESPECTING LOTTERIES

1569.--THE FIRST LOTTERY.

Dr. Rawlinson, a distinguished antiquary, produced to the Antiquarian society, in 1748, “A Proposal for a very rich Lottery, general without any Blankes, contayning a great N^{o} of good prices, as well of redy money as of Plate and certain sorts of Merchandizes, having been valued and prised by the Commandment of the Queenes most excellent Majesties order, to the entent that such Commodities as may chance to arise thereof, after the charges borne, may be converted towards the reparations of the Havens and Strength of the realme, and towards such other public good workes. The N^{o} of lotts shall be foure hundred thousand, and no more; and every lott shall be the summe of tenne shillings sterling only, and no more. To be filled by the feast of St. Bartholomew. The shew of Prises ar to be seen in Cheapside, at the sign of the Queenes armes, the house of Mr. Dericke, Goldsmith, Servant to the Queen. Some other Orders about it in 1567-8. Printed by Hen. Bynneman.”

This is the earliest lottery of which we have any account. According to Stow, it was begun to be drawn at the west door of St. Paul’s cathedral, on the 11th of January, 1569, (11th of Elizabeth,) and continued incessantly drawing, _day and night_, till the 6th of May following.[431] It was at first intended to have been drawn “at the house of Mr. Dericke,” who was the queen’s jeweller.[432] “Whether,” says Maitland, “this lottery was on account of the public, or the selfish views of private persons, my author[433] does not mention; but ’tis evident, by the time it took up in drawing, it must have been of great concern. This I have remarked as being the first of the kind I read in England.” Maitland does not seem to have been acquainted with Dr. Rawlinson’s communication of the printed “Proposal” for it to the society of Antiquaries, which, as it states that the “commodities,” or profits, arising therefrom were to be appropriated to the “reparations of the havens and strength of the realme,” obviates all doubt as to its being “on account of the public.”

* * * * *

In 1586, 28th of the reign of Elizabeth, “A Lotterie, for marvellous rich and beautifull armor, was begunne to be drawn at London, in S. Paules churchyard, at the great west gate, (an house of timber and boord being there erected for that purpose,) on St. Peter’s day in the morning, which lotterie continued in drawing day and night for the space of two or three daies.”[434] Of this lottery it is said, in lord Burghley’s Diary, at the end of Murden’s State papers, “June, 1586, the lottery of armour under the charge of John Calthorp determined.”[435] This is the second English lottery of which mention has been made.

* * * * *

In 1619, 16th of James I., it appears, from the following entry in the register of charitable gifts to the corporation of Reading, that a lottery was held in that town. “Whereas at a Lottery held within the Borough of Reading, in the Year of our Ld. God 1619, Gabriel Barber Gent. Agent in the sd. Lottery for the Councell & Company of Virginia of his own good Will & Charity towarde poor Tradesmen ffreemen & Inhabitants of the sd. Borough of Reading, & for the better enabling such poor Tradesmen to support & bear their Charges in their several Places & Callings in the sd. Corporation from time to time for ever freely gave & delivered to the Mayor & Burgesses of this Corporation the Sum of forty Pounds of lawfull Money of England Upon Special Trust & Confidence, that the sd. Mayor & Burgesses & their Successors shall from time to time for ever dispose & lend these 40_l._ to & amongst Six poor Tradesmen after the rate of 06_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ to each Man for the Term of five Years gratis And after those five Years ended to dispose & lend the sd. 40_l._ by Such Soms to Six other poor Tradesmen for other five Years & so from five years to five years Successively upon good Security for ever Neverthelesse provided & upon Condition that none of those to whom the sd. Summs of mony shall be lent during that Term of five years shall keep either Inn or Tavern or dwell forth of the sd. Borough, but there during that time and terme, shall as other Inhabitants of the sd. Borough reside & dwell.

“Memorand. that the sd. Sum of 40_l._ came not into the hands & charge of the Mayor & Burgesses until April 1626.”

This extract was communicated to the “Gentleman’s Magazine” in 1778, by a correspondent, who, referring to this gift of “Gabriel Barber, gent., agent in the said lottery,” says, “If it be asked what is become of it now? _gone_, it is supposed, _where the chickens went before_ during the pious protectorship of Cromwell.”

* * * * *

In 1630, 6th Charles I., there was a project “for the conveying of certain springs of water into London and Westminster, from within a mile and a half of Hodsdon, in Hertfordshire, by the undertakers, Sir Edward Stradling and John Lyde.” The author of this project was one Michael Parker. “For defraying the expences whereof, king Charles grants them a special license to erect and publish a lottery or lotteries; _according_” says the record, “_to the course of other lotteries_ heretofore used or practised.” This is the first mention of lotteries either in the _Fœdera_ or Statute-book. “And, for the sole privilege of bringing the said waters in aqueducts to London, they were to pay four thousand pounds per annum into the king’s exchequer: and, the better to enable them to make the said large annual payment, the king grants them leave to bring their aqueducts through any of his parks, chases, lands, &c., and to dig up the same gratis.”[436]

* * * * *

In 1653, during the commonwealth, there was a lottery at Grocers’ Hall, which appears to have escaped the observation of the inquirers concerning this species of adventure. It is noticed in an old weekly newspaper, called “Perfect Account of the Daily Intelligence 16-23 November 1653,” by the following

~Advertisement.~

_At the Committee for Claims for Lands in Ireland_,

Ordered, That a Lottery be at Grocers-Hall London, on Thursday 15
Decem. 1653, both for Provinces and Counties, to begin at 8 of the
clock in the forenoon of the same day; and all persons concerned
therein are to take notice thereof.

_W. Tibbs._

Under Charles II., the crown, with a view to reward its adherents who resided within the bills of mortality, and had served it with fidelity during the interregnum, granted “Plate Lotteries;” by which is to be understood a gift of plate from the crown, to be disposed of in that manner as prizes, with permission to sell tickets. According to the Gazette, in April 1669, Charles II., the duke of York, (afterwards James II.,) and many of the nobility were present “at the grand plate lottery, which, by his majesty’s command, was then opened at the sign of the Mermaid over against the mews.” This was the origin of endless schemes, under the titles of “Royal Oak,” “Twelve-penny Lotteries,” &c., which will be adverted to presently. They may be further understood by an intimation, published soon after the drawing sanctioned by the royal visitors, in these words, “This is to give notice, that any persons who are desirous to farm any of the counties within the kingdom of England or dominion of Wales, in order to the setting up of a plate lottery, or any other lottery whatsoever, may repair to the lottery office, at Mr. Philips’s house, in Mermaid-court over against the mews; where they may contract with the trustees commissioned by his majesty’s letters patent for the management of the said patent, on the behalf of the truly loyal, indigent officers.”[437] In those times, the crown exceeded its prerogative by issuing these patents, and the law was not put in motion to question them.

_Book Lotteries._

During the reign of Charles II. lotteries were drawn at the theatres. At Vere-street theatre, which stood in Bear-yard, to which there is an entrance through a passage at the south-west corner of Lincolns’-inn-fields, another from Vere-street, and a third from Clare-market, Killigrew’s company performed during the seasons of 1661 and 1662, and part of 1663, when they removed to the new built theatre in Drury-lane; and the Vere-street theatre was probably unoccupied until Mr. Ogilby, the author of the now useless, though then useful “Itinerarium Angliæ, or Book of Roads,” adopted it, as standing in a popular neighbourhood, for the temporary purpose of drawing a lottery of books, which took place in 1668.

Books were often the species of property held out as a lure to adventurers, by way of lottery, for the benefit of the suffering loyalists. Among these, Blome’s Recreations, and Gwillim’s Heraldry, first edition, may be mentioned. In the Gazette of May 18, 1668, is the following advertisement: “Mr. Ogilby’s lottery of books opens on Monday the 25th instant, at the old Theatre between Lincoln’s-inn-fields and Vere-street; where all persons concerned may repair on Monday, May 18, and see the volumes, and put in their money.” On May 25th is announced, “Mr. Ogilby’s lottery of books (adventurers coming in so fast that they cannot in so short time be methodically registered) opens not till Tuesday the 2d of June; then not failing to draw; at the old Theatre between Lincoln’s-inn-fields and Vere-street.”

A correspondent, under the signature of “A Bibliographer,” communicates to the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” from whence the notice respecting these book lotteries is extracted, one of Ogilby’s Proposals as a curiosity, in which light it is certainly to be regarded, and therefore it has a place here, as follows:--

A SECOND PROPOSAL, by the author, for the better and more speedy
vendition of several volumes, (his own works,) by the way of a
standing _Lottery_, licensed by his royal highness the duke of York,
and assistants of the corporation of the royal fishing.

WHEREAS _John Ogilby_, esq., erected a standing lottery of books, and completely furnished the same with very large, fair, and special volumes, all of his own designment and composure, at vast expense, labour, and study of twenty years; the like impressions never before exhibited in the English tongue. Which, according to the appointed time, on the 10th of May, 1665, opened; and to the general satisfaction of the adventurers, with no less hopes of a clear despatch and fair advantage to the author, was several days in drawing: when its proceedings were stopt by the then growing sickness, and lay discontinued under the arrest of that common calamity, till the next year’s more violent and sudden visitation, the late dreadful and surprising conflagration, swallowed the remainder, being two parts of three, to the value of three thousand pounds and upward, in that unimaginable deluge. Therefore, to repair in some manner his so much commiserated losses, by the advice of many his patrons, friends, and especially by the incitations of his former adventurers, he resolves, and hath already prepared, not only to reprint all his own former editions, but others that are new, of equal value, and like estimation by their embellishments, and never yet published; with some remains of the first impressions, relics preserved in several hands from the fire; to set up a second standing lottery, where such the discrimination of fortune shall be, that few or none shall return with a dissatisfying chance. The whole draught being of greater advantage by much (to the adventurers) than the former. And accordingly, after publication, the author opened his office, where they might put in their first encouragements, (_viz._) twenty shillings, and twenty more at the reception of their fortune, and also see those several magnificent volumes, which their varied fortune (none being bad) should present them.

[438]But, the author now finding more difficulty than he expected, since many of his promisers (who also received great store of tickets to dispose of, towards promotion of his business) though seeming well resolved and very willing, yet straining courtesy not to go foremost in paying their monies, linger out, driving it off till near the time appointed for drawing; which dilatoriness: (since despatch is the soul and life to his proposal, his only advantage a speedy vendition:) and also observing how that a money dearth, a silver famine, slackens and cools the courage of adventurers; through which hazy humours magnifying medium shillings loome like crowns, and each forty shillings a ten pound heap. Therefore, according to the present humour now reigning, he intends to adequate his design; and this seeming too large-roomed, standing lottery, new modelled into many less and more likely to be taken tenements, which shall not open only a larger prospect of pleasing hopes, but more real advantage to the adventurer. Which are now to be disposed of thus: the whole mass of books or volumes, being the same without addition or diminution, amounting according to their known value (being the prices they have been usually disposed at) to thirteen thousand seven hundred pounds; so that the adventurers will have the above said volumes (if all are drawn) for less than two thirds of what they would yield in process of time, book by book. He now resolves to attemper, or mingle each prize with four allaying blanks; so bringing down, by this means, the market from double pounds to single crowns.

THE PROPOSITIONS.--First, whosoever will be pleased to put in five shillings shall draw a lot, his fortune to receive the greatest or meanest prize, or throw away his intended spending money on a blank. Secondly, whoever will adventure deeper, putting in twenty-five shillings, shall receive, if such his bad fortune be that he draws all blanks, a prize presented to him by the author of more value than his money (if offered to be sold) though proffered ware, &c. Thirdly, who thinks fit to put in for eight lots forty shillings shall receive nine, and the advantage of their free choice (if all blanks) of either of the works complete, _viz._ Homer’s Iliads and Odysses, or Æsop the first and second volumes, the China book, or Virgil. Of which,

The first and greatest Prize contains
1 Lot, Number 1.

An imperial Bible with Chorographical and an hundred historical
sculps, valued at 25_l._
Virgil translated, with sculps and annotations, val. 5_l._
Homer’s Iliads, adorned with sculps, val. 5_l._
Homer’s Odysses, adorned with sculps, val. 4_l._
Æsop’s Fables paraphrased and sculped, in folio, val. 3_l._

A second Collection of Æsopick Fables, adorned with sculps,
never * * * * * * * * * * * [_Imperfect._] * * *

His Majestie’s Entertainment passing through the city of London,
and Coronation.

These are one of each, of all the books contained in the Lottery,
the whole value 51_l._

The Second Prize contains
1 Lot, Num. 2.

One imperial Bible with all the sculps, val. 25_l._
Homer complete, in English, val. 9_l._
Virgil, val. 5_l._
Æsop complete, val. 6_l._
The Description of China, val. 4_l._

In all 49 Pound.

The Third Prize contains
1 Lot, Num. 3.

One royal Bible with all the sculps 10_l._
Homer’s Works in English, val. 9_l._
Virgil translated, with sculps and annotations, val. 5_l._
The first and second vol. of Æsop, val. 6_l._
The Description of China, val. 4_l._
Entertainment, val. 2_l._

In all 36 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 4.

One imperial Bible with all the sculps, val. 25_l._
Æsop’s Fables the first and second vol. val. 6_l._

In all 31 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 5.

One imperial Bible with all the sculps, val. 25_l._
Virgil translated, with sculps, val. 5_l._

In all 30 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 6.

One imperial Bible with all the sculps, val. 25_l._
And a Description of China, val. 4_l._

In all 29 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 7.

One imperial Bible with all the sculps, and a new Æsop, val. 28_l._

1 Lot, Num. 8.

One imperial Bible with all the sculps, val. 25_l._

1 Lot, Num. 9.

A royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
A Description of China, val. 4_l._
And a Homer complete, val. 9_l._

In all 23 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 10.

A royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
A Virgil complete, val. 5_l._
Æsop’s Fables the first and second vols. val. 6_l._

In all 21 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 11.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
And a Homer’s Works complete, val. 9_l._

In all 19 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 12.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
And both the Æsops, val. 6_l._

In all 16 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 13.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
A Virgil complete in English, val. 5_l._

In all 15 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 14.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
A Description of China, val. 4_l._

In all 14 Pound.

* * * * [_Imperfect._] * * *

1 Lot, Num. 16.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
The second volume of Æsop, val. 3_l._

In all 13 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 17.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._
And an Entertainment, val. 2_l._

In all 12 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 18.

One royal Bible with all the sculps, val. 10_l._

1 Lot, Num. 19.

One royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
One Virgil complete, val. 5_l._

In all 10 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 20.

One royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
And a Homer’s Iliads, val. 5_l._

In all 10 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 21.

One royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
And a Homer’s Odysses, val. 4_l._

In all 9 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 22.

One royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
And a Description of China, val. 4_l._

In all 9 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 23.

One royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
And Æsop complete, val. 6_l._

In all 11 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 24.

A royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
And Æsop the first volume, val. 3_l._

In all 8 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 25.

A royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._
And Æsop the second volume, val. 3_l._

In all 8 Pound.

1 Lot, Num. 26.

A royal Bible, ruled, with Chorographical sculps, val. 6_l._

1 Lot, Num. 27.

A royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, ruled, val. 6_l._

1 Lot, Num. 28.

One royal Bible with Chorographical sculps, val. 5_l._

10 Lot, Num. 29.

Each a Homer complete, val. 9_l._

10 Lot, Num. 30.

Each a double Æsop complete, val. 6_l._

520 Lot, Num. 31.

Each a Homer’s Iliads, val. 5_l._

520 Lot, Num. 32.

Each a Homer’s Odysses, val. 4_l._

570 Lot, Num. 33.

Each a Virgil complete, val. 5_l._

570 Lot, Num. 34.

Each a China Book, val. 4_l._

570 Lot, Num. 35.

Each the first volume of Æsop, val. 3_l._

570 Lot, Num. 36.

Each the second volume of Æsop, val. 3_l._

The whole number of the lots three thousand, three hundred, and sixty-eight. The number of the blanks as above ordered; so that the total received is but four thousand, one hundred, and ten pounds.

The office where their monies are to be paid in, and they receive their tickets, and where the several volumes or prizes may be daily seen, (by which visual speculation understanding their real worth better than by the ear or a printed paper,) is kept at the Black Boy, over against St. Dunstan’s church, Fleet-street. The adventurers may also repair, for their better convenience, to pay in their monies, to Mr. Peter Cleyton, over against the Dutch church, in Austin-friars, and to Mr. Baker, near Broad-street, entering the South-door of the Exchange, and to Mr. Roycroft, in Bartholomew-close.

The certain day of drawing, the author promiseth (though but half full) to be the twenty-third of May next. Therefore all persons that are willing to adventure, are desired to bring or send in their monies with their names, or what other inscription or motto they will, by which to know their own, by the ninth of May next, it being Whitson-eve, that the author may have time to put up the lots and inscriptions into their respective boxes.

* * * * *

D. H., one of Mr. Urban’s contributors, mentions that he had seen an undated “Address to the Learned: or, an advantageous lottery for Books in quires; wherein each adventurer of a guinea is sure of a prize of two pound value; and it is but four to one that he has a prize of three, six, eight, twelve, or fifty pounds, as appears by the following proposals:” one thousand five hundred lots, at 1_l._ 1_s._ each, to be drawn with the lots out of two glasses, superintended by John Lilly and Edward Darrel, esqrs., Mr. Deputy Collins, and Mr. William Proctor, stationer, two lots of 50_l._, ten of 12_l._, twenty of 8_l._, sixty-eight of 6_l._, two hundred of 3_l._, one thousand two hundred of 3_l._ The undertakers were: Thomas Leigh, and D. Midwinter, at the Rose and Crown, in St. Paul’s Church-yard; Mr. Aylmer, at the Three Pigeons, and Mr. Richard Parker, under the Piazza of the Royal Exchange; Mr. Nicholson, in Little Britain; Mr. Took, at the Middle Temple gate, Fleet-street; Mr. Brown, at the Black Swan, without Temple-bar; Mr. Sare, at Gray’s-inn gate; Mr. Lownds, at the Savoy gate; Mr. Castle, near Scotland-yard gate; and Mr. Gillyflower, in Westminster-hall, booksellers.

* * * * *

Letters patent in behalf of the loyalists were from time to time renewed, and, from the Gazette of October 11, 1675, it appears by those dated June 19, and December 17, 1674, there were granted for thirteen years to come, “all lotteries whatsoever, invented or to be invented, to several truly loyal and indigent officers, in consideration of their many faithful services and sufferings, with prohibition to all others to use or set up the said lotteries,” unless deputations were obtained from those officers.

A PENNY LOTTERY.

The most popular of all the schemes was that drawn at the Dorset-garden theatre, near Salisbury-square, Fleet-street, with the capital prize of a thousand pound for a penny. The drawing began October 19, 1698; and, in the _Protestant Mercury_ of the following day, “its fairness (was said) to give universal content to all that were concerned.” In the next paper is found an inconsistent and frivolous story, as to the possessor of the prize: “Some time since, a boy near Branford, going to school one morning, met an old woman, who asked his charity; the boy replied, he had nothing to give her but a piece of bread and butter, which she accepted. Some time after, she met the boy again, and told him she had good luck after his bread and butter, and therefore would give him a penny, which, after some years’ keeping, would produce many pounds: he accordingly kept it a great while; and at last, with some friend’s advice, put it into the penny lottery, and we are informed that on Tuesday last the said lot came up with 1000_l._ prize.” However absurd this relation appears, it must be recollected those to whom it was principally addressed had given proof of having sufficient credulity for such a tale, in believing that two hundred and forty thousand shares could be disposed of and appropriated to a single number, independent of other prizes. The scheme of the “Penny Lottery” was assailed in a tract, intituled “The Wheel of Fortune, or Nothing for a Penny; being remarks on the drawing of the Penny Lottery at the Theatre Royal, in Dorset-Garden,” 1698, 4to. Afterwards at this theatre there was a short exhibition of prize-fighters; and the building was totally deserted in 1703.

In 1698-9, schemes were started, called “The Lucky Adventure; or, Fortunate Chance, being 2000_l._ for a groat, or 3000_l._ for a shilling:” and “Fortunatus, or another adventure of 1000_l._ for a penny:” but purchasers were more wary, and the money returned in both cases.--The patentees also advertised against the “Marble-board, alias the Woollich-board lotteries; the Figure-board, alias the Whimsey-board, and the Wyreboard lotteries.”[439]

* * * * *

These patents of the Restoration seem to have occasioned considerable strife between the parties who worked under them. The following verses from “The Post Boy, January 3, 1698,” afford some insight to their estimation among sensible people:--

A DIALOGUE _betwixt the_ NEW LOTTERIES _and the_ ROYAL OAK.

_New Lott._ To you, the mother of our schools,
Where knaves by licence manage fools,
Finding fit juncture and occasion,
To pick the pockets of the nation;
We come to know how we must treat ’em,
And to their heart’s content may cheat ’em.
_Oak._ It cheers my aged heart to see
So numerous a progeny;
I find by you, that ’tis heaven’s will
That knavery should flourish still.
You have docility and wit,
And fools were never wanting yet.
Observe the crafty auctioneer,
His art to sell waste paper dear;
When he for salmon baits his hooks,
That cormorant of offal books,
Who bites, as sure as maggots breed,
Or carrion crows on horse-flesh feed;
Fair specious titles him deceive,
To sweep what Sl---- and T----n leave.
If greedy gulls you wou’d ensnare,
Make ’em proposals wondrous fair;
Tell him strange golden show’rs shall fall,
And promise mountains to ’em all.
_New Lott._ That craft we’ve already taught,
And by that trick have millions caught;
Books, bawbles, toys, all sorts of stuff,
Have gone off this way well enough.
Nay, music, too, invades our art,
And to some tune wou’d play her part.
I’ll show you now what we are doing,
For we have divers wheels agoing.
We now have found out richer lands
Than Asia’s hills, or Afric’s sands,
And to vast treasures must give birth,
Deep hid in bowels of the earth;
In fertile Wales, and God knows where,
Rich mines of gold and silver are,
From whence we drain prodigious store
Of silver coin’d, tho’ none in ore,
Which down our throats rich coxcombs pour,
In hopes to make us vomit more.
_Oak._ This project surely must be good,
Because not eas’ly understood:
Besides, it gives a mighty scope
To the fool’s argument--vain hope.
No eagle’s eye the cheat can see,
Thro’ hope thus back’d by mystery.
_New Lott._ We have, besides, a thousand more,
For great and small, for rich and poor,
From him that can his thousands spare,
Down to the penny customer.
_Oak._ The silly mob in crowds will run,
To be at easy rates undone.
A gimcrack-show draws in the rout,
Thousands their all by pence lay out.
_New Lott._ We, by experience, find it true,
But we have methods wholly new,
Strange late-invented ways to thrive,
To make men pay for what they give,
To get the rents into our hands
Of their hereditary lands,
And out of what does thence arise,
To make ’em buy annuities.
We’ve mathematic combination,
To cheat folks by plain demonstration,
Which shall be fairly manag’d too,
The undertaker knows not how.
Besides ----
_Oak._ Pray, hold a little, here’s enough,
To beggar Europe of this stuff.
Go on, and prosper, and be great,
I am to you a puny cheat.[440]

* * * * *

The “Royal-Oak Lottery,” as the rival if not the parent of the various other demoralizing schemes, obtained the largest share of public odium. The evils it had created are popularly set forth in a remarkable tract, entitled “The Arraignment, Trial, and Condemnation of _Squire Lottery_, alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, London, 1699,” 8vo. The charges against the offender are arrayed under the forms imported by the title-page. The following extracts are in some respects curious, as exemplifying the manners of the times:--

_Die Lunæ vicesimo die Martii 1698/9. Anno Regni, &c._

At the Time and Place appointed, came on the Trial of _Squire Lottery_, alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, for abundance of intolerable Tricks, Cheats, and high Misdemeanours, upon an Indictment lately found against him, in order to a National Delivery.

About ten of the Clock, the day and year abovesaid, the Managers came into the Court, where, in the presence of a vast confluence of People of all Ranks, the Prisoner was ordered to the Bar.

Proclamation being made, and a Jury of good Cits which were to try the Prisoner being sworn, the Indictment against _Squire Lottery_ alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, was read.

_The Jurors’ Names._

Mr. _Positive_, a Draper in _Covent Garden_.
Mr. _Squander_, an Oilman in _Fleet-street_.
Mr. _Pert_, a Tobacconist, _ditto_.
Mr. _Captious_, a Milliner in _Paternoster-Row_.
Mr. _Feeble_, a Coffeeman near the _Change_.
Mr. _Altrick_, a Merchant in _Gracechurch-street_.
Mr. _Haughty_, a Vintner by _Grays-Inn, Holborn_.
Mr. _Jealous_, a Cutler at _Charing-Cross_.
Mr. _Peevish_, a Bookseller in _St. Paul’s Church-yard_.
Mr. _Spilbook_, near _Fleet-bridge_.
Mr. _Noysie_, a Silkman upon _Ludgate-hill_.
Mr. _Finical_, a Barber in Cheapside.

_Cl. of Ma. Squire Lottery_, alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, you stand Indicted by the Name of _Squire Lottery_, alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, for that you the said _Squire Lottery_, not having the Fear of God in your Heart; nor weighing the Regard and Duty you owe, and of right ought to pay to the Interest, Safety, and Satisfaction of your Fellow-Subjects; have from time to time, and at several times, and in several places, contrary to the known Laws of this Kingdom, under the shadow and coverture of a Royal Oak, propagated, continued, and carried on a most unequal, intricate, and insinuating Game, to the utter ruin and destruction of many thousand Families: And that you the said _Squire Lottery_, alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, as a common Enemy to all young People, and an inveterate Hater of all good Conversation and Diversion, have, for many years last past, and do still continue, by certain cunning Tricks and Stratagems, insidiously, falsely, and impiously, to trepan, deceive, cheat, decoy, and entice divers Ladies, Gentlemen, Citizens, Apprentices, and others, to play away their Money at manifest Odds and Disadvantage. And that you the said _Squire Lottery_, alias _Royal-Oak Lottery_, the more secretly and effectually to carry on and propagate your base, malicious, and covetous Designs and Practices, did, and do still encourage several lewd and disorderly Persons, to meet, propose, treat, consult, consent, and agree upon several unjust and illegal Methods, how to ensnare and entangle People into your delusive Game; by which means you have, for many years last past, utterly, intirely, and irrecoverably, contrary to all manner of Justice, Humanity, or good Nature, despoiled, depraved, and defrauded, an incredible number of Persons of every Rank, Age, Sex, and Condition, of all their Lands, Goods, and Effects; and from the Ruins of multitudes built fine Houses, and purchased large Estates, to the great scandal and reflection on the Wisdom of the Nation, for suffering such an intolerable Impostor to pass so long unpunished. What say’st thou, _Squire Lottery_, art thou guilty of the aforesaid Crimes, Cheats, Tricks, and Misdemeanours thou standest Indicted of, or not Guilty?

_Lottery._ Not Guilty. But, before I proceed to make my Defence, I beg I may be permitted the assistance of three or four learned Sharpers to plead for me, in case any Matter of Law arise.

This being assented to, the Managers of the Prosecution made their speeches in support of the Charge, and called Captain _Pasthope_.

_1st Man._ Sir, Do you know Squire _Lottery_, the Prisoner at the Bar?

_Pasthope._ Yes, I have known him intimately for near forty years; ever since the Restoration of King _Charles_.

_1st Man._ Pray will you give the Bench and Jury an Account what you know of him; how he came into _England_, and how he has behaved himself ever since.

_Pasthope._ In order to make my Evidence more plain, I hope it will not be judg’d much out of form, to premise two or three things.

_1st Man_. Mr. _Pasthope_, Take your own method to explain yourself; we must not abridge or direct you in any respect.

_Pasthope._ In the years 60 and 61, among a great many poor Cavaliers, ’twas my hard fate to be driven to Court for a Subsistence, where I continued in a neglected state, painfully waiting the moving of the Waters for several months; when at last a Rumour was spread, that a certain Stranger was landed in _England_, that in all probability, if we could get him the Sanction of a Patent, would be a good Friend to us all.

_Man._ You seem to intimate as if he was a Stranger; pray, do you know what Countryman he was?

_Pasthope._ The report of his Country was very different; some would have him a _Walloon_, some a _Dutchman_, some a _Venetian_, and others a _Frenchman_; indeed by his Policy, cunning Design, Forethought, &c. I am very well satisfied he could be no _Englishman_.

_Man._ What kind of Credentials did he bring with him to recommend him with so much advantage?

_Pasthope._ Why, he cunningly took upon him the Character of a _Royal-Oak Lottery_, and pretended a mighty Friendship to antiquated Loyalists: but for all that, there were those at Court that knew he had been banish’d out of several Countries for disorderly Practices, till at last he pitch’d upon poor easy credulous _England_ for his Refuge.

_Man._ You say then, he was a Foreigner, that he came in with the Restoration, usurp’d the Title of a _Royal Oak_, was establish’d in Friendship to the Cavaliers, and that for disorderly Practices he had been banish’d out of several Countries; till at last he was forc’d to fix upon _England_ as the fittest _Asylum_. But pray, Sir, how came you so intimately acquainted with him at first?

_Pasthope._ I was about to tell you. In order to manage his Affairs, it was thought requisite he should be provided with several Coadjutors, which were to be dignify’d with the Character of _Patentees_; amongst which number, by the help of a friendly Courtier, I was admitted for one.

_Man._ Oh! then I find you was a Patentee. Pray, how long did you continue in your Patentee’s Post? and what were the Reasons that urg’d you to quit it at last?

_Pasthope._ I kept my Patentee’s Station nine years, in which time I had clear’d 4000_l._, and then, upon some Uneasiness and Dislike, I sold it for 700_l._

_Man._ Pray, Captain, tell the Court more fully what was the Reason that prevail’d with you to relinquish such a profitable place.

_Pasthope._ I had two very strong Reasons for quitting my Post; _viz._ Remorse of Conscience, and Apprehension of consequent Danger. To tell you the truth, I saw so many bad Practices encourag’d and supported, and so many persons of both Sexes ruin’d; I saw so much Villany perfected and projected, and so many other intolerable Mischiefs within the compass of every day’s Proceeding, that partly through the stings of my Mind and the apprehensions I was under of the Mob, with a great deal of Reluctancy I quitted my Post.

_Man._ Captain, I find you’re nicely qualify’d for an Evidence, pray, therefore, give the Court an Account what Methods the Prisoner us’d to take to advance his business.

_Pasthope._ The way in my time, and I suppose ’tis the same still, was to send out Sharpers and Setters into all parts of the Town, and to give ’em direction to magnify the Advantage, Equality, and Justice of his Game, in order to decoy Women and Fools to come and play away their Money.

_Man._ Well, but sure he had no Women or Fools of Quality, Rank, or Reputation, that came to him? According to the common Report that passes upon him, there’s none but the very Scoundrels and Rabble, the very Dregs and Refuse of Fools, will think him worth their Conversation.

_Pasthope._ Truly, he had ’em of all sorts, as well Lord-fools and Lady-fools, Knight-fools and Esquire-fools, or any other sort of Fools: and, indeed, he made no difference between ’em neither; a Cobler-fool had as much respect as a Lord-fool, in proportion to the money he had in his Pocket; and _pro hac vice_ had as extensive a Qualification to command, domineer, and hector, as the best Fool of ’em all.

_Man._ Did you never observe any of these Fools to get any money of him? I can’t imagine what it could be that could influence ’em to embark with him, if there was nothing to be got.

_Pasthope._ There was never any body that ever got any thing of him in the main: now and then one by chance might carry off a small matter; and so ’twas necessary they should, for otherwise his Constitution must dissolve in course.

_Man._ ’Tis a great mystery to me, that so many People should pursue a Game where every body’s a Loser at last; but pray, Captain, then, what are the odds the Prisoner is reputed to have against those that play with him?

_Pasthope._ No body can tell you their Advantage; ’tis a cunning intricate _Contexture_, and truly I very much question whether the original Projector himself had a perfect Idea of the Odds: at a full Table and deep Play, I have seen him clear 600_l._ in less than an hour.

_Man._ What are the Odds he owns himself?

_Pasthope._ Only 32 Figures against 27, which indeed is Odds enough to insure all the money at length. But this, it seems, was an Advantage that was allow’d him, that he might be able to keep a good House, relieve the Poor, and pay an annual Pension to the Crown or the Courtiers.

_Man._ You say, by his original Agreement he’s to keep a good House: pray after all, what sort of House is it he does keep?

_Past._ Why, he dines at the Tavern, where any body that has 40 or 50_l._ to play away with him the Afternoon, may be admitted into his Company.

_Man._ What, does he entertain none but those that have 40 or 50_l._ to lose?

_Past._ He never converses with any Person that has no money: if they have no money, their Company’s burdensom and ungrateful, and the Waiters have Directions to keep ’em out.

_Man._ Does he do this to the very Persons he has ruin’d, and won all they have? That, methinks, is a pitch of Barbarity beyond the common degree: I hardly ever read or heard of any thing so exaltedly cruel and brutish, in all the Accounts of my Life.

_Past._ I have seen abundance of Examples of this nature, one, in particular, which I shall never forget; a poor Lady, that had lost 350_l._ _per annum_ to him, beside two or three thousand pounds in ready money, basely and inhumanly hal’d out of doors, but for asking for a glass of Sack.

_Man._ You were mentioning his Charity to the Poor too; is there any thing of reality in that?

_Past._ For my part, I never heard of one good Act he has done in the whole course of his Life: secret Charity is the most meritorious, ’tis true; and perhaps it may be that way he may communicate his, for indeed I never heard of any he did in publick.

_Man._ You were mentioning too an annual Pension to the Crown; what is it he pays to the Crown?

_Past._ Indeed I cannot be positive in that: to the best of my remembrance ’tis four thousand pounds _per annum_: in compensation for which, beside the general liberty he has to cheat and abuse the World, he has the sole Privilege of Licensing all other Cheats and Impostors, commonly known by the Name of Lotteries.

_2d Man._ You were speaking something, Captain _Pasthope_, just now, as if the Prisoner was intrusted with these Advantages for the benefit of some poor Cavaliers, which were to be the Patentees, as you call ’em. Pray tell the Jury what kind of Cavaliers these Patentees were.

_Past._ That was all but a Blind, a pure Trick to deceive the World: the Patentees, in the main, were either Sharpers or broken Tradesman, or some such sort or Vermin, that had cunningly twisted themselves into the business under the shadow of Cavaliers.

_Man._ Pray, what Opinion had the World of the Prisoner when he first came to be known in _England_?

_Pasthope._ The same that it has of him now: all wise men look’d upon him as a Cheat, and a dangerous Spark to be let loose in publick among our English Youth: and indeed I have heard a great many sober men pass very sharp Censures upon the Wisdom of the Court for intrusting him with a Royal Authority.

_Man._ What kind of Censures were they that they past? do you remember any of them particularly?

_Past._ Yes, I remember several things that I am almost ashamed to mention. I have heard ’em often reflecting what an intolerable Shame and Scandal it was, that a whole Kingdom should be sacrificed to the Interest of two or three Courtiers, and three or four scurvy mercenary Patentees; that so many thousand Families should be ruin’d, and no notice taken of it; that so many Wives should be seduc’d to rob and betray their Husbands, so many Children and Servants their Parents and Masters, and so many horrid Mischiefs transacted daily under the shadow of this pretended _Royal-Oak Lottery_, and no manner of means used to suppress it.

_2d Man._ But, Captain, did you never hear of any Person that got money of the Prisoner in the main?

_Past._ Not one. I defy him to produce one single person that’s a Gainer, against a hundred thousand he has ruin’d. I’m confident I have a Catalogue by me of several thousands that have been utterly undone by him, within the compass of my own Experience.

_Man._ What does the Town in general say of him?

_Past._ The town, here-a-late, is grown so inveterate and incens’d against him, that I am very well assur’d that if he had not been call’d to account in the very nick, the Mob would have speedily taken him into their correction.

_Man._ Well, Sir, you hear what the Witness has said against you; will you ask him any Questions?

_Lottery._ Only one; and leave the rest till I come to make my general Defence. Sir, I desire to know whether you was not one that was turn’d out upon the last Renewal of the Patent?

_Past._ No, Sir, I was not. You might have remember’d that I told you I saw so much of your Falshood and Tricks, and so many innocent People daily sacrific’d, to support a Society of lewd, debauch’d, impertinent, and withal imperious Cannibals, that I thought it my best way to quit your Fraternity, and pack off with that little I had got, and leave you to manage your mathematical Balls, &c. by your self.

_Man._ I suppose, Sir, you will ask him no more Questions, and so we’ll call another Witness.

_Lottery._ No, Sir, I have done with him.

_Man._ Call Squire _Frivolous_, the Counsellor: Sir, do you know _Squire Lottery_, the Prisoner?

_Frivolous._ I have been acquainted with him several years, to my great Cost and Damage. The first time I had the misfortune to know him, was at an Act at _Oxford_ about twenty years ago; where among abundance of other young Fools that he entic’d to sell their Books for Money to play with him, &c. I was one.

_Man._ What, I hope, he was not so barbarous as to decoy the poor young Gentlemen out of their Books?

_Frivolous._ Yes, out of every thing they had, and out of the College to boot: For my own part I have reason to curse him, I’m sure; He flatter’d me up with so many Shams and false Pretences, and deluded me with so many chimerical Notions and cunning Assurances, and urg’d me so long from one deceitful Project to another, till at last he had trickt me out of all I had in the world, and then turn’d me over to the scorn and laughter of my Friends and Acquaintance.

_Man._ Can you give the Bench any particular Names of Persons he has ruin’d?

_Frivolous._ I have a Collection of Names in my Pocket, which I’m sure he can’t object against, that have lost fourteen or fifteen thousand Pound _per Annum_, within my own Knowledg and Acquaintance.

_Man._ That’s a round Sum: But, pray, Mr. _Frivolous_, for the satisfaction of the Jury, mention a few of their Names.