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diff --git a/50730/50730-8.txt b/50730/50730-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c21100c..0000000 --- a/50730/50730-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10930 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Fleet. Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages,
-by John Ashton
-
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-
-Title: The Fleet. Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages
-
-
-Author: John Ashton
-
-
-
-Release Date: December 21, 2015 [eBook #50730]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
-
-
-***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEET. ITS RIVERS, PRISON, AND
-MARRIAGES***
-
-
-E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Brian Wilsden, and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made
-available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)
-
-
-
-Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
- file which includes the original illustrations.
- See 50730-h.htm or 50730-h.zip:
- (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50730/50730-h/50730-h.htm)
- or
- (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50730/50730-h.zip)
-
-
- Images of the original pages are available through
- Internet Archive. See
- https://archive.org/details/fleetitsriverpri00asht
-
-
-Transcriber's note:
-
- Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
-
- Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
-
- A carat character is used to denote superscription. A
- single character following the carat is superscripted
- (example: y^e). Multiple superscripted characters are
- enclosed by curly brackets (example: w^{ch}).
-
- A letter with a macron accent (straight line over the
- letter) is enclosed by square brackets and preceded by
- an equal sign; for example, a "d" with a macron is
- signified by [=d].
-
- A letter with a tilde character above it is enclosed by
- square brackets and preceded by a tilde; for example, an
- "m" with a tilde is signified by [~m].
-
- The OE-ligature is represented by [OE].
-
- The letters "u" and "v" are mostly interchanged; as, e.g.,
- "in haruest time" and "vnder a bridge".
-
- Some of the spelling is very old, and often phonetic (they
- wrote as they heard it spoken, dialects and all).
-
-
-
-
-
-THE FLEET.
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-THE FLEET
-
-Its River, Prison, and Marriages
-
-by
-
-JOHN ASHTON
-
-(Author of "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," "Dawn of the
-Nineteenth Century," &c., &c., &c.)
-
-Illustrated by Pictures from Original Drawings and Engravings
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-New York
-Scribner and Welford
-1888
-
-
-[Illustration: VIEW OF MOUTH OF THE FLEET _circa_ 1765. (_Guildhall Art
-Collection._)]
-
- _Frontispiece._
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-PREFACE.
-
-
-This book requires none, except a mere statement of its scheme. Time
-has wrought such changes in this land of ours, and especially in
-its vast Metropolis, "The Modern Babylon," that the old land-marks
-are gradually being effaced--and in a few generations would almost
-be forgotten, were it not that some one noted them, and left their
-traces for future perusal. All have some little tale to tell; even
-this little River Fleet, which with its Prison, and its Marriages--are
-things utterly of the past, entirely swept away, and impossible to
-resuscitate, except by such a record as this book.
-
-I have endeavoured, by searching all available sources of information,
-to write a trustworthy history of my subject--and, at the same time,
-make it a pleasant book for the general reader. If I have succeeded
-in my aim, thanks are due, and must be given, to W. H. Overall, Esq.,
-F.S.A., and Charles Welch, Esq., Librarians to the Corporation of the
-City of London, whose friendship, and kindness, have enabled me to
-complete my pleasant task. It was at their suggestion that I came upon
-a veritable _trouvaille_, in the shape of a box containing Mr. Anthony
-Crosby's Collection for a History of the Fleet, which was of most
-material service to me, especially in the illustrations, most of which
-were by his own hand.
-
-I must also express my gratitude to J. E. Gardner, Esq., F.S.A., for
-his kindness in putting his magnificent and unrivalled Collection of
-Topographical Prints at my disposal, and also to J. G. Waller, Esq.,
-F.S.A., for his permission to use his map of the Fleet River (the best
-of any I have seen), for the benefit of my readers.
-
-JOHN ASHTON.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CONTENTS.
-
-
- The River.
-
- PAGE
- CHAPTER I.
-
- Course of the Fleet--Derivation of its Name--The River of
- Wells--The Fleet choked up--Cleansing the Fleet--The
- Fleet Navigable--Wells--Ponds and Pools 1
-
- CHAPTER II.
-
- Water Supply of London--The Fleet to be Cleansed--Smell
- of the River--Prehistoric London--Antiquarian
- Discoveries--Cleansing the Fleet--Fouling the River--Rivers
- rising at Hampstead--The Tye-bourne--The West-bourne--Course
- of the West-bourne 13
-
- CHAPTER III.
-
- Course of the Fleet--The Hampstead Ponds--Rural Fleet--Gospel
- Oak--Parliament Hill--Kentish Town--Brown's
- Dairy--Castle Inn--St. Pancras Wells--Burials at St.
- Pancras--the Brill 25
-
- CHAPTER IV.
-
- Battle Bridge--King's Cross--The Dust-heaps--St. Chad's
- Well--St. Chad's Well-water 39
-
- CHAPTER V.
-
- Medicinal Waters--Spas--The White Conduit--White Conduit
- House--White Conduit Gardens 53
-
- CHAPTER VI.
-
- Sadler's Discovery--Miles's Musick House--A Man Eats a
- Live Cock, &c.--Forcer, the Proprietor--Macklin on
- Sadler's Wells--Actors at Sadler's Wells--The Pindar of
- Wakefield 67
-
- CHAPTER VII.
-
- "Black Mary's Hole"--Its Disappearance--Bagnigge Wells--Nell
- Gwyn's Houses--Bagnigge House 77
-
- CHAPTER VIII.
-
- Bagnigge Wells--The Organist--Different Proprietors--"Punch"
- on Bagnigge Wells--Decadence of the Wells 87
-
- CHAPTER IX.
-
- Cold Bath Fields Prison 99
-
- CHAPTER X.
-
- The "Cold Bath"--Cold Baths--Sir John Oldcastle--Archery--Tea
- Gardens--Small Pox Hospital--The Pantheon--Lady
- Huntingdon's Chapel--Lady Huntingdon 111
-
- CHAPTER XI.
-
- The Spencean System--Orator Hunt--Riot in the City--Riots--End
- of the Riots 127
-
- CHAPTER XII.
-
- Fighting--Hockley-in-the-Hole--Bear Baiting--Bear Gardens--Bull
- Baiting--Sword Play 137
-
- CHAPTER XIII.
-
- Mount Pleasant--Saffron Hill--Old House in West
- Street--Fagin--Field Lane--Thieves 153
-
- CHAPTER XIV.
-
- Bleeding Hart Yard--Ely Place--John of Gaunt--Ely
- Chapel--Turnmill Brook--The Fleet--Holborn Bridge 163
-
- CHAPTER XV.
-
- Lamb's Conduit--Clerkenwell--Fleet Market--Rye-House
- Plot--Fleet Bridge 179
-
- CHAPTER XVI.
-
- Alderman Waithman--John Wilkes--Ludgate Prison--Sir
- Stephen Foster 193
-
- CHAPTER XVII.
-
- Bridewell--Montfichet Castle--Fuller on Bridewell--Ward
- on Bridewell--Howard on Bridewell--Bridewell Prison--
- The City and Apprentices--Mother Cresswell--Bridewell
- Court Room 205
-
- CHAPTER XVIII.
-
- Alsatia--Whitefriars--Deaths in the Fleet--Ben Jonson and
- the Fleet 223
-
-
- The Fleet Prison.
-
-
- CHAPTER XIX.
-
- History of the Fleet Prison--Female Wardens--Settlement of
- Fees--Liberty of Prisoners--Filthy State of the Fleet--A
- Quarrelsome Knight--Preference for the Fleet Prison--Sir
- John Falstaff--Cardinal Wolsey 229
-
- CHAPTER XX.
-
- Prisoners--Puritans--Bibliography of Fleet Prison--A
- Warden's Troubles 243
-
- CHAPTER XXI.
-
- The Warden of the Fleet--Purchase of Wardenship--Bad
- Discipline--Boundaries of the Fleet--Preference for the
- Fleet 255
-
- CHAPTER XXII.
-
- Complaints of the Warden--The Warden keeps Corpses--Huggins
- and Bambridge--Castell--The First Prisoner
- in Irons--Acquittal of Huggins and Bambridge--Bambridge
- and his Prisoners--Chapel in the Fleet Bagging 265
-
- CHAPTER XXIII.
-
- Admission to the Fleet Prison--The _Humours_ of the Fleet 279
-
- CHAPTER XXIV.
-
- Garnish--The "Common Side"--Howard's Report--Regulations
- of the Prison--Gordon Riots--Burning of the
- Fleet Prison--Fleet Prison Rebuilt--The "Bare"--Racket
- Masters--A Whistling Shop--A Mock Election
- "_Dum Vivimus, Vivamus_"--Number of Prisoners--Destitution 293
-
- CHAPTER XXV.
-
- Escape of Prisoners--A Gang of Forgers--Abolition of
- Imprisonment for Debt--Prisoners Object to move--Opposition
- to Removal--"The Last Days of the Fleet"--Sale
- of the Fleet Prison--Begging Grate--Richard Oastler 313
-
-
- Fleet Marriages.
-
-
- CHAPTER XXVI.
-
- Illegal Marriages--Cost of Marriages--_Peculiars_--Suppression
- of Irregular Marriages--A Fleet Parson's Reflections--Fleet
- Parsons--An Heiress Married 327
-
- CHAPTER XXVII.
-
- John Gaynam--The Bishop of Hell--Edward Ashwell--John
- Floud--Walter Wyatt 339
-
- CHAPTER XXVIII.
-
- The Lilleys--Fleet Parsons--Parson Keith 351
-
- CHAPTER XXIX.
-
- "The Bunter's Wedding"--Fleet Parsons--Exchange of
- Wives--Singular Marriage--Irregular Marriage 363
-
- CHAPTER XXX.
-
- A Runaway Marriage--Fortune's Married--Illegal Marriage--Fleet
- Marriage Registers--Extracts from Registers--End
- of Marriages 375
-
- INDEX 386
-
-
-
-
- [Illustration]
-
-
-
-
- LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
-
-
- PAGE
-
- SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD 22
-
- THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN 28
-
- VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE CHURCH,
- FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845 29
-
- THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN 30, 31
-
- OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL
- GWYNNE'S 33
-
- THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN--BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT.
- 21, 1833 34
-
- CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848 35
-
- THE BRILL 37
-
- BATTLE BRIDGE 40, 41, 42
-
- DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE 45
-
- ST. CHAD'S WELL 49
-
- THE WHITE CONDUIT 54, 62
-
- STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT 57
-
- WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR) 64
-
- " " " (EXTERIOR) 65
-
- THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD 75
-
- BAGNIGGE HOUSE 82
-
- BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON 85
-
- A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF
- BAGNIGGE WELLS 88
-
- WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE
- HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS 89
-
- THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF
- BAGNIGGE WELLS 89
-
- A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION 90
-
- THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST 91
-
- THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825 100
-
- SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS 113
-
- THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS 118
-
- VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
- COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING 124
-
- FAGIN, THE JEW 159
-
- FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE DRAWING" 160
-
- ELY HOUSE 1784 169
-
- END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF
- HOLBORN HILL, JUNE 2, 1840 175
-
- HOLBORN BRIDGE 177
-
- LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL 181
-
- FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE 187
-
- BRIDEWELL BRIDGE 207
-
- WOMEN BEATING HEMP 213
-
- PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808 215
-
- THE ARREST 228
-
- BAMBRIDGE 273
-
- A PRISONER IN IRONS 274
-
- THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON 278
-
- THE FLEET PRISON 296
-
- RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760 303
-
- A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821 306
-
- AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO. 1, PALAIS DE LA FLETE,
- THIS 24 DAY JUNE 311
-
- FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON 322
-
- GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON 323
-
- SECTION OF THE PRISON 323
-
- EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE 324
-
- A FLEET WEDDING 362
-
- THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT 364
-
- ILLUSTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE FOUND AT PAGES 171, 172, 184,
- 280, 294, 304, 307, 308, 319, 335.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-_The Fleet:_
-
-Its River, Prison, and Marriages.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER I.
-
-
-Only a little tributary to the Thames, the River Fleet, generally,
-and ignominiously, called the Fleet _Ditch_, yet it is historically
-interesting, not only on account of the different places through
-which its murmuring stream meandered, almost all of which have some
-story of their own to tell, but the reminiscences of its Prison stand
-by themselves--pages of history, not to be blotted out, but to be
-recorded as valuable in illustration of the habits, and customs, of our
-forefathers.
-
-The City of London, in its early days, was well supplied with water,
-not only by the wells dug near houses, or by the public springs, some
-of which still exist, as Aldgate Pump, &c., and the River Thames; but,
-when its borders increased, the Walbrook was utilized, as well as
-the Fleet, and, later on, the Tye-bourne, or twin brook, which fell
-into the Thames at Westminster. In the course of time these rivulets
-became polluted, land was valuable; they were covered over, and are
-now sewers. The course of the Fleet being clearly traceable in the
-depression of Farringdon Street, and the windings of the Tye-bourne in
-the somewhat tortuous Marylebone Lane (so called from the Chapel of
-St. Mary, which was on the banks of "le bourne," or the brook[1]). Its
-further course is kept in our memory by Brook Street, Hanover Square.
-
-The name of this little river has exercised many minds, and has been
-the cause of spoiling much good paper. My own opinion, backed by many
-antiquaries, is that a _Fleet_ means a brook, or tributary to a larger
-river, which is so wide, and deep, at its junction with the greater
-stream as to be navigable for the small craft then in use, for some
-little distance. Thus, we have the names on the Thames of Purfleet,
-Northfleet, and Southfleet, and the same obtains in other places.
-Its derivation seems to be Saxon--at least, for our language. Thus,
-in Bosworth's "Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language," we find,
-"Flede-Fledu: part. _Flooded_; _overflowed_: tumidus[2]: Tiber fledu
-wearð[3]--the Tiber was flooded (Ors. 4. 7)."
-
-Again, the same author gives: "Fleot (_Plat_ fleet, m. _a small river_;
-_Ger._ flethe. f. _a channel_). _A place where vessels float_, _a bay_,
-_gulf_, _an arm of the sea_, _the mouth of a river_, _a river_; hence
-the names of places, as _Northfleet_, _Southfleet_, _Kent_; and in
-London, _Fleet ditch_; _sinus_.[4] Soes Fleot, _a bay of the sea_.[5]
-_Bd._ 1. 34."
-
-Another great Anglo-Saxon scholar--Professor Skeat, in "An Etymological
-Dictionary of the English Language": "Fleet, a creek, bay. In the names
-_North-fleet_, _Fleet_ Street, &c. Fleet Street was so named from the
-Fleet Ditch; and _fleet_ was given to any shallow creek, or stream, or
-channel of water. See Halliwell. M.E. _fleet_ (Promptorium Parvulorum,
-&c., p. 166). A.S. _fleót_, a bay of the sea, as in Soes Fleot, bay
-of the sea. Ælfred's tr. of Beda, i. 34.[5] Afterwards applied to any
-channel or stream, especially if shallow. The original sense was 'a
-place where vessels float,' and the derivation is from the old verb
-_fleet_, to float, &c."
-
-The French, too, have a cognate term, especially in Norman towns,
-as Barfleur, Honfleur, Harfleur, &c., which were originally written
-Barbe_flot_, Hune_flot_, and Hare_flot_: and these were sometimes
-written Hareflou, Huneflou, and Barfleu, which latter comes very near
-to the Latin _flevus_, called by Ptolemy _fleus_, and by Mela _fletio_.
-Again, in Brittany many names end in _pleu_, or _plou_, which seems to
-be very much like the Greek [Greek: pleô]: _full_, _swollen_, which
-corresponds to our Anglo-Saxon Flede; Dutch Vliet.
-
-But it has another, and a very pretty name, "THE RIVER OF WELLS,"
-from the number of small tributaries that helped to swell its stream,
-and from the wells which bordered its course; such as Sadler's
-Wells, Bagnigge Wells, White Conduit, Coldbath, Lamb's Conduit,
-Clerkenwell--all of which (although all were not known by those names
-in Stow's times) were in existence.
-
-Stow, in his "SURVEY OF LONDON" (ed. 1603, his last edition, and which
-consequently has his best corrections), says--
-
-[Sidenote: "_Riuer of Wels._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Decay of the Riuer of the Wels._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Parliament Record._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Riuer of Wels bare ships._]
-
-[Sidenote: Patent Record. _Mils by Baynards Castel, made in the first
-of King John._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Turnemill Brooke._]
-
- That the riuer of Wels in the west parte of the Citty, was of
- olde so called of the Wels, it may be proued thus, William the
- Conqueror in his Charter to the Colledge of S. Marten le Grand
- in London, hath these wordes: I doe giue and graunt to the same
- Church all the land and the Moore, without the Posterne, which
- is called Cripplegate, on eyther part of the Postern, that is
- to say, from the North corner of the Wall, as the riuer of the
- Wels, there neare running, departeth the same More from the
- Wall, vnto the running water which entereth the Cittie; this
- water hath beene long since called the riuer of the Wels, which
- name of riuer continued, and it was so called in the raigne of
- Edward the first; as shall bee shewed, with also the decay of
- the saide riuer. In a fayre Booke of Parliament recordes, now
- lately restored to the Tower,[6] it appeareth that a Parliament
- being holden at Carlile in the yeare 1307, the 35 of Edward the
- I. Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne, complayned that whereas, in
- times past the course of water, running at _London_ vnder _Olde
- bourne_ bridge, and _Fleete_ bridge into the Thames, had beene
- of such bredth and depth, that 10 or 12 ships, Nauies at once
- with marchãdises, were wõt to come to the foresaid bridge of
- Fleete, and some of them to Oldborne bridge: now the same course
- by filth of the Tanners & such others, was sore decaied; also by
- raising of wharfes, but specially by a diversiõ of the waters
- made by them of the new _Temple_, for their milles standing
- without _Baynardes Castle_, in the first yeare of King _John_,
- and diuers other impediments, so as the said ships could not
- enter as they were wont, & as they ought, wherefore he desired
- that the Maior of London, with the shiriffs, and other discrete
- Aldermen, might be appointed to view the course of the saide
- water, and that by the othes of good men, all the aforesaide
- hinderances might be remoued, and it to bee made as it was
- wont of old: wherupon _Roger le Brabazon_, the Constable of
- the Tower, with the Maior and Shiriffes, were assigned to take
- with them honest and discrete men, and to make diligent search
- and enquirie, how the said riuer was in old time, and that they
- leaue nothing that may hurt or stop it, but keepe it in the same
- estate that it was wont to be. So far the record. Wherupon it
- folowed that the said riuer was at that time cleansed, these
- mils remoued, and other things done for the preseruation of
- the course thereof, not withstanding neuer brought to the olde
- depth and breadth, whereupon the name of riuer ceased, and was
- since called a Brooke, namely Turnmill or Tremill Brooke, for
- that diuers Mils were erected vpon it, as appeareth by a fayre
- Register booke, conteyning the foundation of the Priorie at
- Clarkenwell, and donation of the landes thereunto belonging, as
- also by diuers other records.
-
- "This brooke hath beene diuers times since clensed, namely, and
- last of all to any effect, in the yeare 1502 the 17th of Henrie
- the 7. the whole course of Fleete dike, then so called, was
- scowred (I say) downe to the Thames, so that boats with fish
- and fewel were rowed to Fleete bridge, and to Oldburne bridge,
- as they of olde time had beene accustomed, which was a great
- commoditie to all the inhabitants in that part of the Citie.
-
- [Sidenote:_Fleete dyke promised to be clensed; the money
- collected, and the Citizens deceiued._]
-
- "In the yeare 1589, was granted a fifteene, by a common Councell
- of the citie, for the cleansing of this Brooke or dike: the
- money amounting to a thousand marks collected, and it was
- undertaken, that, by drawing diuerse springes about Hampsted
- heath, into one head and Course, both the citie should be serued
- of fresh water in all places of want, and also that by such a
- follower, as men call it, the channell of this brooke should be
- scowred into the riuer of Thames; but much mony being therein
- spent, y^e effect fayled, so that the Brooke by meanes of
- continuall incrochments vpon the banks getting ouer the water,
- and casting of soylage into the streame, is now become woorse
- cloyed and that euer it was before."
-
-From this account of Stow's we find that the stream of the Fleet,
-although at one time navigable, had ceased to be so in his time, but
-we see, by the frontispiece, which is taken from a painting (in the
-Guildhall Art Gallery) by Samuel Scot, 1770 (?) that the mouth of the
-Fleet river, or ditch, call it which you like, was still, not only
-navigable, but a place of great resort for light craft.
-
-The name "River of Wells" is easily to be understood, if we draw again
-upon Stow, who, in treating of "Auncient and present Riuers, Brookes,
-Boorns, Pooles, Wels, and Conduits of fresh water seruing the Citie,"
-&c., says--
-
- "Aunciently, vntill the Conquerors time, and 200 yeres after,
- the Citie of London was watered besides the famous Riuer of
- Thames on the South part; with the riuer of the WELS, as it was
- then called, on the west; with water called WALBROOKE running
- through the midst of the citie into the riuer of Thames, seruing
- the heart thereof. And with a fourth water or Boorne, which ran
- within the Citie through LANGBOORNE ward, watering that part
- in the East. In the west suburbs was also another great water,
- called OLDBORNE, which had his fall into the riuer of Wels:
- then was there 3 principall Fountaines or wels in the other
- Suburbs, to wit, Holy Well, Clements Well, and Clarkes Well.
- Neare vnto this last named fountaine were diuers other wels,
- to wit, Skinners Wel, Fags Wel, Loders Wel, and Rad Well; All
- which sayde Wels, hauing the fall of their ouerflowing in the
- foresayde Riuer, much encreased the streame, and in that place
- gaue it the name of Wel. In west Smithfield, there was a Poole
- in Recordes called HORSEPOOLE, and one other Poole neare vnto
- the parish Church of Saint GILES without CRIPPLEGATE. Besides
- all which they had in euerie streete and Lane of the citie
- diuerse fayre Welles and fresh Springs; and, after this manner
- was this citie then serued with sweete and fresh waters, which
- being since decaid, other means haue beene sought to supplie the
- want."
-
-Here, then, we have a list of Wells, which are, together with those I
-have already mentioned, quite sufficient to account for the prettier
-name of the "River of Wells." Of these wells Stow writes in his
-deliciously-quaint phraseology:--
-
-[Sidenote: "_Fitzstephen. Holy well._]
-
- There are (saith _Fitzstephen_) neare London, on the North side
- special wels in the Suburbs, sweete, wholesome, and cleare,
- amongst which _Holy well_, Clarkes wel, and Clements wel are
- most famous, and frequented by Scholers, and youthes of the
- Cittie in sommer evenings, when they walke forthe to take the
- aire.
-
- "The first, to wit, Holy well, is much decayed, and marred with
- filthinesse laide there, for the heightening of the ground for
- garden plots.
-
- [Sidenote: _Clements well._]
-
- "The fountaine called S. Clements well, North from the Parish
- Church of S. Clements, and neare vnto an Inne of _Chancerie_,
- called _Clements_ Inne, is faire curbed square with hard stone,
- kept cleane for common vse, and is alwayes full.
-
- [Sidenote: _Clarks well._]
-
- [Sidenote: _Playes by the Parish Clarks at Clarks well._]
-
- [Sidenote: _Players at the Skinners well._]
-
- "The third is called Clarkes well, or Clarkenwell,[7] and is
- curbed about square with hard stone, not farre from the west
- ende of Clarkenwell Church, but close without the wall that
- incloseth it; the sayd Church tooke the name of the Well, and
- the Well tooke the name of the Parish Clarkes in London, who
- of old time were accustomed there yearely to assemble, and to
- play some large hystorie of holy Scripture. And, for example,
- of later time, to wit, in the yeare 1390, the 14 of Richard the
- Second, I read the Parish Clarks of London, on the 18 of July,
- playd Enterludes at _Skinners well_, neare vnto _Clarkes well_,
- which play continued three dayes togither, the King, Queene, and
- Nobles being present. Also the yeare 1409, the 10 of Henrie the
- 4. they played a play at the _Skinners well_, which lasted eight
- dayes, and was of matter from the creation of the worlde. There
- were to see the same, the most part of the Nobles and Gentiles
- in England, &c.
-
- [Sidenote: _Skinners well._]
-
- [Sidenote: _Wrestling-place._]
-
- "Other smaller welles were many neare vnto Clarkes well, namely
- _Skinners well_, so called for that the Skinners of London held
- there certaine playes yearely playd of holy Scripture, &c. In
- place whereof the wrestlings haue of later yeares beene kept,
- and is in part continued at _Bartholomew tide_.
-
- [Sidenote: _Fagges well._]
-
- "Then was there Fagges well, neare vnto _Smithfield_ by the
- _Charterhouse_, now lately dammed vp, _Tod well_, _Loders well_,
- and _Rad well_, all decayed, and so filled vp, that there places
- are hardly now discerned.
-
- "Somewhat North from _Holy well_ is one other well curbed
- square with stone, and is called _Dame Annis the Cleare_, and
- not farre from it, but somewhat west, is also one other cleare
- water called _Perillous pond_[8], because diuerse youthes by
- swimming therein haue beene drowned; and thus much bee said for
- Fountaines and Wels.
-
- "_Horse poole_ in _Westsmithfield_, was sometime a great
- water, and because the inhabitants in that part of the Citie
- did there water their Horses, the same was, in olde Recordes,
- called _Horspoole_, it is now much decayed, the springs being
- stopped vp, and the land waters falling into the small bottome,
- remayning inclosed, with Bricke, is called _Smithfield pond_.
-
- [Sidenote: _Poole without Cripplegate._]
-
- "By S. Giles Churchyard was a large water, called a _Poole_. I
- read in the year 1244 that Anne of Lodburie was drowned therein;
- this poole is now for the most part stopped vp, but the spring
- is preserued, and was cooped about with stone by the Executors
- of _Richard Wittington_."
-
- [Footnote 1: The name of this church has been Latinized as
- "Sancta Maria de Ossibus"!]
-
- [Footnote 2: Swollen.]
-
- [Footnote 3: The real quotation in Orosius is "þa wearð Tiber
- seo eâ swa fledu."]
-
- [Footnote 4: A bag, or purse, a fold of a garment; a bay,
- bight, or gulf.]
-
- [Footnote 5: I cannot find this quotation in "Boedoe Historia
- Ecclesiastica," &c., in any edition I have seen, but in 1.33.
- I do find Amfleet, and in John Smith's edition (Cambridge,
- 1722) as a note to Amj-leor he says "Vulgo Ambleteau or
- Ambleteuse, about 2 miles north of Boulogne"]
-
- [Footnote 6: The Records were kept in the Tower, and at the
- Rolls Office, in a very neglected state, until they were
- removed to the present Record Office in Fetter Lane.]
-
- [Footnote 7: This is the only one left whose position is a
- matter of certainty.]
-
- [Footnote 8: Afterwards known as "Peerless Pool," an unmeaning
- cognomen.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II.
-
-
-London, for its size, was indeed very well supplied with water,
-although, of course, it was not laid on to every house, as now, but,
-with the exception of those houses provided with wells, it had to be
-fetched from fixed public places, which were fairly numerous. When the
-waters of the Fleet, and Wallbrook, in the process of time, became
-contaminated, Henry III., in the 21st year of his reign (1236), granted
-to the Citizens of London the privilege of conveying the waters of the
-Tye-bourne through leaden pipes to the City, "for the poore to drinke,
-and the rich to dresse their meate." And it is only a few years since,
-that close by what is now called "Sedley Place," Oxford Street, but
-which used to be the old hunting lodge of bygone Lord Mayors, some of
-these very pipes were unearthed, a fine cistern being uncovered at the
-same time.
-
-For public use there were the great Conduit in West Cheape: the Tonne
-or Tun in Cornhill, fountains at Billingsgate, at Paul's Wharf, and
-St. Giles', Cripplegate, and conduits at Aldermanbury, the Standard
-in Fleet Street, Gracechurch Street, Holborn Cross (afterwards Lamb's
-Conduit), at the Stocks Market (where the Mansion House now stands),
-Bishopsgate, London Wall, Aldgate, Lothbury--and this without reckoning
-the supply furnished from the Thames by the enterprising German, or
-Dutchman, Pieter Moritz, who in 1582 started the famous waterworks
-close to where Fishmongers' Hall now stands.
-
-The Fleet river (I prefer that title to the other cognomen, "Ditch"),
-flowing through London, naturally became somewhat befouled, and in
-Henry the VII.'s time, _circa_ 1502, it was cleansed, so that, as
-aforesaid, "boats with fish and fewel were rowed to Fleete bridge,
-and to Oldburne bridge." We also know, as Stow records, that more
-springs were introduced into the stream from Hampstead, without effect,
-either as to deepening or purifying the river, which had an evil
-reputation even in the time of Edward I., as we see in Ryley's "Placita
-Parliamentaria" (ed. 1661), p. 340--
-
- "_Ad peticionem Com. Lincoln._ querentis quod cum cursus aque,
- que currit apud _London_ sub _Ponte_ de _Holeburn_, & _Ponte_ de
- _Fleete_ usque in _Thamisiam_ solebat ita largus & latus esse,
- ac profundus, quod decem Naves vel duodecim ad predictum Pontem
- de _Fleete_ cum diversis rebus & mercandisis solebant venire,
- & quedam illarum Navium sub illo Ponte transire, usque ad
- predictum Pontem de _Holeburn_ ad predictum cursum mundanmum &
- simos exinde cariand, nunc ille cursus per fordes & inundaciones
- Taunatorum & p varias perturbaciones in predicta aqua, factas
- & maxime per exaltationem Caye & diversionem aque quam ipsi de
- _Novo Templo_ fecerunt ad Molendina sua extra Castra _Baignard_,
- quod Naves predicte minime intrare possunt sicut solebant,
- & facere debeant &c. unde supplicat quod _Maior de London_
- assumptis secum Vice com. & discretionibus Aldermannis cursum
- pre[=d]ce aque videat, & quod per visum & sacr[~m] proborum
- & legalium hominum faciat omnia nocumenta predicte aque que
- invinerit ammovere & reparare cursum predictum, & ipsum in
- tali statu manutenere in quo antiquitus esse solebat &c. _Ita
- responsum est, Assignentur Rogerus le Brabazon & Constabularius
- Turris, London Maior & Vice Com. London, quod ipsi assumptit
- secum discretionibus Aldermannis London, &c., inquirant per
- sacramentum &c., qualiter fieri consuevit & qualis cursus. Et
- necumenta que invenerint ammoveant & manueri faciant in eadem
- statu quo antiquitus esse solebat._"
-
-Latin for which a modern schoolboy would get soundly rated, or birched,
-but which tells us that even as far back as Edward I. the Fleet river
-was a nuisance; and as the endorsement (Patent Roll 35 Edward I.)
-shows--"De cursu aquæ de Fleta supervivendo et corrigendo," _i.e._,
-that the Fleet river should be looked after and amended. But the
-Commission issued to perfect this work was discontinued, owing to the
-death of the king. (Patent Roll 1 Edward II., pars 1. m. dorso.) "De
-Cursu Aquæ Flete, &c., reducend et impedimenta removend."
-
-And Prynne, in his edition of Cotton's "Records" (ed. 1669, p.
-188), asks "whether such a commission and inquiry to make this
-river navigable to Holborn Bridge or Clerkenwell, would not now be
-seasonable, and a work worthy to be undertaken for the public benefit,
-trade, and health of the City and Suburbs, I humbly submit to the
-wisdom and judgment of those whom it most Concerns."
-
-So that it would appear, although otherwise stated, that the Fleet was
-not navigable in May, 1669, the date of the publication of Prynne's
-book.
-
-As a matter of fact it got to be neither more nor less than an open
-sewer, to which the lines in Coleridge's "Table Talk" would well apply--
-
- "In Cöln, that town of monks and bones,
- And pavements fang'd with murderous stones,
- And rags, and hags, and hideous wenches,
- I counted two-and-seventy stenches;
- All well-defined and genuine stinks!
- Ye nymphs, that reign o'er sewers and sinks,
- The river Rhine, it is well known,
- Doth wash the City of Cologne;
- But, tell me, nymphs, what power divine
- Shall henceforth wash the River Rhine?"
-
-The smell of the Fleet river was notorious; so much so, that Farquhar,
-in his _Sir Harry Wildair_, act ii., says, "Dicky! Oh! I was just dead
-of a Consumption, till the sweet smoke of _Cheapside_, and the dear
-perfume of _Fleet Ditch_ made me a man again!" In Queen Anne's time,
-too, it bore an evil reputation: _vide The Tatler_ (No. 238, October
-17, 1710) by Steele and Swift.[9]
-
- "Now from all parts the swelling kennels flow,
- And bear their trophies with them as they go:
- Filth of all hues and odours seem to tell
- What street they sail'd from, by their sight and smell.
- They, as each torrent drives, with rapid force,
- From Smithfield or St. Pulchre's shape their course,
- And in huge confluent join'd at Snow Hill ridge,
- Fall from the Conduit, prone to Holborn Bridge.
- Sweepings from butchers' stalls, dung, guts, and blood,
- Drown'd puppies, stinking sprats, all drench'd in mud,
- Dead cats and turnip-tops come tumbling down the flood."
-
-We get a glimpse of prehistoric London, and the valley of the Fleet, in
-Gough's "British Topography," vol. i. p. 719 (ed. 1780). Speaking of
-John Conyers, "apothecary, one of the first Collectors of antiquities,
-especially those relating to London, when the City was rebuilding....
-He inspected most of the gravel-pits near town for different sorts and
-shapes of stones. In one near the sign of Sir J. Oldcastle, about 1680,
-he discovered the skeleton of an elephant, which he supposed had lain
-there only since the time of the Romans, who, in the reign of Claudius,
-fought the Britons near this place, according to Selden's notes on
-the Polyolbion. In the same pit he found the head of a British spear
-of flint, afterwards in the hands of Dr. Charlett, and engraved in
-Bagford's letter." We, now-a-days, with our more accurate knowledge of
-Geology and Palæontology, would have ascribed a far higher ancestry to
-the "elephant."
-
-As a matter of course, a little river like the Fleet must have become
-the receptacle of many articles, which, once dropped in its waters,
-could not be recovered; so that it is not surprising to read in the
-_Mirror_ of March 22, 1834 (No. 653, p. 180), an account of antiquarian
-discoveries therein, which, if not archæologically correct, is at least
-interesting.
-
- "In digging this Canal between Fleet Prison and Holborn Bridge,
- several Roman utensils were lately discovered at the depth of 15 feet;
- and a little deeper, a great quantity of Roman Coins, in silver,
- brass, copper, and all other metals except gold. Those of silver were
- ring money, of several sizes, the largest about the bigness of a
- Crown, but gradually decreasing; the smallest were about the size of a
- silver Twopence, each having a snip at the edge. And at Holborn Bridge
- were dug up two brazen lares, or household gods, about four inches in
- length, which were almost incrusted with a petrified matter: one of
- these was Bacchus, and the other Ceres; but the coins lying at the
- bottom of the current, their lustre was in a great measure preserved,
- by the water incessantly washing off the oxydizing metal. Probably
- the great quantity of coin found in this ditch, was thrown in by the
- Roman inhabitants of this city for its preservation at the approach
- of Boadicæa at the head of her army: but the Roman Citizens, without
- distinction of age or sex, being barbarously murdered by the justly
- enraged Britons, it was not discovered till this time.
-
- "Besides the above-mentioned antiquities, several articles of a more
- modern date were discovered, as arrow-heads, scales, seals with
- the proprietors' names upon them in Saxon characters; spur rowels
- of a hand's breadth, keys and daggers, covered over with livid
- rust; together with a considerable number of medals, with crosses,
- crucifixes, and Ave Marias engraven thereon."
-
-A paper was read, on June 11, 1862, to the members of the British
-Archæological Association, by Mr. Ganston, who exhibited various relics
-lately recovered from the bed of the river Fleet, but they were not
-even of archæological importance--a few knives, the earliest dating
-from the fifteenth century, and a few knife handles.
-
-Previously, at a meeting of the same Society, on December 9, 1857, Mr.
-C. H. Luxmore exhibited a green glazed earthenware jug of the sixteenth
-century, found in the Fleet.
-
-And, before closing this antiquarian notice of the Fleet, I cannot but
-record some early mention of the river which occur in the archives of
-the Corporation of the City of London:--
-
- (17 Edward III., A.D. 1343, Letter-book F, fol. 67.) "Be it
- remembered that at the Hustings of Common Pleas, holden on
- the Monday next before the Feast of Gregory the Pope, in the
- 17th year of the reign of King Edward, after the Conquest, the
- Third, Simon Traunceys, Mayor, the Aldermen and the Commonalty,
- of the City of London, for the decency and cleanliness of the
- same city, granted upon lease to the butchers in the Parish of
- St. Nicholas Shambles, in London, a piece of land in the lane
- called 'Secollane' (sea coal), neare to the water of Flete, for
- the purpose of there, in such water, cleansing the entrails
- of beasts. And upon such piece of land the butchers aforesaid
- were to repair a certain quay at their charges, and to keep the
- same in repair; they paying yearly to the Mayor of London for
- the time being, at the Feast of our Lord's Nativity, one boar's
- head."[10]
-
- (31 Edward III., A.D. 1357, Letter-book G, fol. 72.) "Also, it
- is ordered, that no man shall take, or cause to be carried,
- any manner of rubbish, earth, gravel, or dung, from out of his
- stables or elsewhere, to throw, and put the same into the rivers
- of Thames and Flete, or into the Fosses around the walls of the
- City: and as to the dung that is found in the streets and lanes,
- the same shall be carried and taken elsewhere out of the City by
- carts, as heretofore; or else by the _raykers_[11] to certain
- spots, that the same may be put into the _dongebotes_,[12]
- without throwing anything into the Thames; for saving the body
- of the river, and preserving the quays, such as Dowegate,
- Quenhethe, and Castle Baynards, (and) elsewhere, for lading
- and unlading; as also, for avoiding the filthiness that is
- increasing in the water, and upon the banks of the Thames, to
- the great abomination and damage of the people. And, if any
- one shall be found doing the Contrary hereof, let him have the
- prison for his body, and other heavy punishment as well, at the
- discretion of the Mayor and of the Aldermen."[13]
-
- (7 Henry V. A.D. 1419, Journal 1, fol. 61.) "It is granted that
- the _risshbotes_[14] at the Flete and elsewhere in London shall
- be taken into the hands of the Chamberlain; and the Chamberlain
- shall cause all the streets to be cleansed."[15]
-
-The northern heights of London, the "ultima Thule" of men like Keats,
-and Shelley, abound in springs, which form the bases of several little
-streams, which are fed on their journey to their bourne, the Thames
-(to which they act as tributaries), by numerous little brooklets and
-rivulets, which help to swell their volume. On the northern side of
-the ridge which runs from Hampstead to Highgate, birth is given to
-the Brent, which, springing from a pond in the grounds of Sir Spencer
-Wells, is pent up in a large reservoir at Hendon, and finally debouches
-into the Thames at Brentford, where, from a little spring, which it is
-at starting, it becomes so far a "fleet" as to allow barges to go up
-some distance.
-
-[Illustration: SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD.]
-
-On the southern side of the ridge rise the Tybourne, and the
-Westbourne. The former had its rise in a spring called Shepherd's Well,
-in Shepherd's Fields, Hampstead, which formed part of the district now
-known as Belsize Park and FitzJohn's Avenue, which is the finest road
-of private houses in London. Shepherd's Well is depicted in Hone's
-"Table Book," pp. 381, 2, and shows it as it was over fifty years
-since. Alas! it is a thing of the past; a railway tunnel drained the
-spring, and a mansion, now known as The Conduit Lodge, occupies its
-site. It meandered by Belsize House, through St. John's Wood, running
-into Regent's Park, where St. Dunstan's now is, and, close to the
-Ornamental Water, it was joined by a little rivulet which sprang from
-where now, is the Zoological Gardens. It went across Marylebone Road,
-and, as nearly as possible, Marylebone Lane shows its course; then
-down South Molton Street, passing Brook Street, and Conduit Street,
-by Mayfair, to Clarges Street, across Oxford Street and into a pond
-in the Green Park called the Ducking Pond, which was possibly used as
-a place of punishment for scolds, or may have been an ornamental pond
-for water-fowl. Thence it ran in front of Buckingham Palace, where it
-divided, which was the cause of its name. Twy, or Teo (double), and
-Bourne, Brook--one stream running into the Thames west of Millbank,
-doing duty by the way in turning the Abbey Mill (whence the name),
-and the other debouching east of Westminster Bridge, thus forming
-the Island of Thorns, or Thorney Isle, on which Edward the Confessor
-founded his abbey, and the City of Westminster.
-
-The Westbourne took its rise in a small pond near "Telegraph Hill,"
-at Hampstead; two or three brooklets joined it, and it ran its course
-across the Finchley Road, to the bottom of Alexandra Road, Kilburn,
-where it was met by another stream, which had its source at Frognal,
-Hampstead. It then became the West bourne, as being the most westerly
-of all the rivers near London, taking the Wallbrook, the Fleet, and the
-Tybourne.
-
-Its course may be traced down Kilburn Park Road, and Shirland Road.
-Crossing the Harrow Road where now is Westbourne Park Station,
-_Eastbourne_ and _Westbourne_ Terraces mark the respective banks, and,
-after crossing the Uxbridge Road, it runs into the Serpentine at the
-Engine House. Feeding that sheet of water, it comes out again at the
-Albert Gate end, runs by Lowndes Square, Cadogan Place, &c., and,
-finally, falls into the river at Chelsea Hospital.
-
- [Footnote 9: _Journal to Stella_, October 17, 1710--"This day
- came out _The Tatler_, made up wholly of my Shower, and a
- preface to it. They say it is the best thing I ever writ, and
- I think so too."]
-
- [Footnote 10: "Memorials of London and London Life in the
- Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries," by H. J.
- Riley, 1868, p. 214.]
-
- [Footnote 11: The street sweepers.]
-
- [Footnote 12: Dung boats.]
-
- [Footnote 13: See Riley, p. 299.]
-
- [Footnote 14: This was probably because the rushes were spilt
- in the river. At that time the house-floors were strewn with
- rushes, which were brought to London in "Rush boats;" and an
- ordinance, _temp._ 4 Henry V., provides that "all rushes in
- future, laden in boats or skiffs, and brought here for sale,
- should be sold by the cart-load, as from of old had been wont
- to be done. And that the same cart-loads were to be made up
- within the boats and skiffs in which the said rushes are
- brought to the City, and not upon the ground, or upon the
- wharves, walls, or embankments of the water of Thames, near or
- adjacent to such boats or skiffs; under a heavy penalty upon
- the owner or owners of such boats, skiffs, and rushes, at the
- discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen."]
-
- [Footnote 15: See Riley, p. 675.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III.
-
-
-The Fleet, as far as can be ascertained, owes its birth to an
-ornamental water, fed by springs--one of the numerous ponds in Highgate
-and Hampstead--in the park of Ken Wood, the seat of Earl Mansfield,
-now occasionally occupied by the fourth successor to that title; who,
-being keeper of the royal Castle of Scone, prefers, as a rule, his
-northern residence. In the No Popery riots of 1780, with which Lord
-George Gordon was so intimately connected, Ken Wood House was on the
-brink of being destroyed by the rioters, who had, already, wrecked his
-lordship's house in Bloomsbury Square, and destroyed his most valuable
-library. Tradition says that Ken Wood was saved owing to the landlord
-of "The Spaniards," well known to all pedestrian frequenters of
-Hampstead, giving them his beer, &c., until they were incapacitated, or
-unwilling, to fulfil their quest, meanwhile sending messengers for the
-Horse Guards, who opportunely arrived, and prevented the destruction
-of the mansion. It is quite possible that this is a true story, for
-a footnote (p. 69) in Prickett's "History of Highgate" says: "The
-following is copied from a receipt of one of the constables of the
-Hundred of Ossulston: 'Received 8s. 6d., being the proportion taxed
-and assessed for and towards the payment of the several taxations and
-assessments which have been made upon the said Parish (amounting to the
-sum of £187. 18s. 7d.) towards an equal contribution, to be had and
-made for the relief of the several inhabitants of said Hundred; against
-whom, the several persons who were damnified by rioters within the same
-Hundred, in the month of June, 1780, have obtained verdicts, and had
-their executions respectively.'"
-
-Commencing thus in one of the prettiest parts of the most picturesque
-suburbs of London, it flows from one to the other, right through the
-chain of the Highgate Ponds, fed by several rills, the first being near
-the Hampstead end of Millfield Lane--which is, by some, regarded as
-its source. From the lower pond it crossed the Highgate Road, and, for
-some distance, it ran parallel with it, although a little way eastward.
-It again crossed the Highgate Road not far from its junction with the
-Kentish Town Road, the course of which it followed, until it came to
-Hawley Road, where it was joined by a sister brook, whose source was
-the pond in the Vale of Health at Hampstead, flowing from which, it
-was fed by a brooklet, over which the abortive viaduct of Sir Thomas
-Marion Wilson's construction is carried. It ran into, and through, the
-Hampstead Ponds, which end at the lower east heath, near Pond Street
-(a locality easily recognized when once any one has seen St. Stephen's
-Church, Haverstock Hill, one of the most beautiful churches in London).
-These ponds are immortal, if they needed immortality, as the very first
-page of "Pickwick" gives an entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick
-Club:
-
- "_May 12, 1827._ Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P., M.P.C.,
- presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to--
-
- "'That this Association has heard read, with feelings of
- unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper
- communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C., M.P.C., entitled,
- "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some
- observations on the Theory of Tittlebats"; and that this
- Association does hereby return its warmest thanks to the said
- Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C., M.P.C., for the same.'"
-
-Its memory is still retained in the Fleet Road.
-
-On its way through Kentish Town it passed through a purely pastoral
-country, such as we, who know the district only as covered with houses,
-can hardly reconcile with existing circumstances. The Guildhall
-Collection relating to the Fleet River, is very rich in water-colour
-drawings and pen-and-ink sketches of undoubted authenticity, and from
-them I have selected what, in my opinion, are the most suitable for
-this work.[16]
-
-From the above, and this view of Highgate, so late back as 1845, we
-can fairly judge of the pleasant scenery which existed almost at our
-doors--before the iron roads brought population, which begat houses,
-which destroyed all rusticity, leaving bricks and mortar on the site of
-verdant meads, and millions of chimneys vomiting unconsumed carbon and
-sulphur, in the place of the pure fresh air which once was dominant.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN. _Circa_ 1837.]
-
-Here we see the Fleet running its quiet course--and the other sketches
-bear witness to its rurality.
-
-[Illustration: VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE CHURCH,
-FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845.
-
-(_Water colour by A. Crosby._)]
-
-After the Fleet had recrossed the Highgate Road near the junction of
-that road and the Kentish Town Road, it passed near the _Gospel Oak_,
-which now gives its name to a railway station in the locality. About
-this oak, there was a tradition that it was so called because St.
-Augustine preached underneath its boughs--a fact which is probably
-as correct as the story that the Church of St. Pancras was the first
-Christian Church in England. In truth, there are, or were, many Gospel
-Oaks and Elms throughout the country; for instance, there is an iron
-foundry near the parishes of Tipton and Wednesbury called _Gospel Oak
-Works_. It was, as a matter of fact, a traditionary custom, in many
-places, when, on Holy Thursday (Ascension Day), the parochial bounds
-were beaten, to read a portion of the Gospels under some well-known
-tree, and hence its name. One or two quotations will easily prove this.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN.]
-
-In the "Bury Wills," p. 118, is the following passage in the will of
-John Cole of Thelnetham, dated May 8, 1527: "Item, I will haue a newe
-crosse made according to Trappett's crosse at the Hawe lanes ende, and
-set vp at Short Grove's end, where the gospell is sayd vpon Ascension
-Even, for y^e w^{ch} I assigne x^s."
-
-And, in the poem of Herrick's "Hesperides," which is addressed "To
-Anthea."
-
- "Dearest, bury me
- Under that holy Oke, or Gospel Tree;
- Where, (though thou see'st not,) thou may'st think upon
- Me, when thou yerely go'st procession."
-
-It also passed near Parliament, or Traitors', Hill--a name which
-is much in dispute; some maintaining that it was fortified by the
-Parliamentary Army, under Cromwell, for the protection of London,
-others that the 5th of November conspirators met here to view the
-expected explosion of the Houses of Parliament. This, which forms the
-most southern part of Hampstead Heath, and therefore the nearest, and
-most accessible to the great bulk of Londoners, has a beautiful view of
-Highgate and London, and has, I am happy to say, been preserved as an
-open space for the public.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN.]
-
-We have now followed the Fleet in its course to Kentish Town, the
-etymon of which is, to say the least, somewhat hazy. Being so, of
-course, an immense amount of theory has been expended upon it. Some
-contend that it springs from the Prebendary attached to St. Paul's
-Cathedral, of Cantelupe, or Cantelows, now (in _Crockford_, called
-Cantlers): one antiquary suggesting that it owes its name to the delta
-formed by the junction of the two branches of the Fleet--from _Cant_
-or _Cantle_, a corner;--whilst yet another authority thinks that, as
-the Fleet had its source from Ken Wood--it was called Ken-ditch--hence
-Kenditch or Kentish Town. Be it as it may, it was a very pleasant and
-rural suburb, and one of some note, for herein William Bruges, Garter
-King-at-Arms, had a country house, at which he entertained, in the year
-1416, the Emperor Sigismund, who came over here, in that year, to try
-and mediate between our Henry V. and the King of France.
-
-In still older times it formed part of the great Middlesex forest,
-which was full of wolves, wild boars, deer, and wild oxen; but we find
-that, in 1252, Henry III. granted to Thomas Ive, permission to inclose
-a portion of the highway adjoining his mansion at Kentessetone. And in
-1357, John of Oxford, who was Mayor of London in 1341, gave, amongst
-other things, to the Priory of the Holy Trinity, in London, a mill at
-Kentish Town--which, of course, must have been turned by the Fleet. The
-kind donor was one of the very few Mayors who died during his mayoralty.
-
-It is said, too, that Nell Gwynne had a house in Kentish Town, but I
-can find not the slightest confirmation of the rumour; still, as there
-is a very good pen-and-ink sketch of the old house said to be hers, I
-give it, as it helps to prove the antiquity of Kentish Town, now, alas!
-only too modern.
-
-[Illustration: OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL
-GWYNNE'S.]
-
-And there was another old house close by the Fleet there, an old
-farmhouse known as Brown's dairy.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN--BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT.
-21, 1833.
-
-(_By A. Crosby--water colour._)]
-
-This old Farmhouse had, evidently, a nobler origin, for it was moated;
-and, in 1838, the moat existed on the east and north sides. It
-belonged to the College of Christ Church, Oxford, and was held of the
-Manor of Cantelows at a small fine. There was a good orchard, which at
-the above date (the time of its demolition) contained a large walnut
-tree and some mulberry trees. The building materials were sold for £60,
-so that it evidently had done its work, and passed away in the ripeness
-of old age.
-
-[Illustration: CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848.]
-
-The Castle Inn is said to have been the oldest house in Kentish Town,
-and there is a tradition that Lord Nelson once lived here, "in order
-that he might keep his eye upon the Fleet," and planted a sycamore in
-the garden.
-
-Before taking leave of Kentish Town, I cannot help recording a legal
-squabble, which resulted in a victory for the public.--_Times_,
-February 12, 1841:--
-
- "COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, _Thursday, February 11, 1841_.
- (Sittings at Nisi Prius, at Westminster, before Lord Denman and
- a special jury.)
-
- "THE QUEEN _v._ TUBB.
-
- "This was an Indictment against the Defendant for obstructing a
- footpath leading from Pond Lane, at Hampstead, over Traitors'
- and Parliament Hill, to Highgate.
-
- "The case lasted the whole day.
-
- "The jury brought a verdict for the Crown, thus establishing the
- right of the Public to one of the most beautiful walks in the
- neighbourhood of the metropolis."
-
-The Fleet babbled through the meadows, until its junction with that
-other stream which flowed from the pond in the Vale of Health at
-Hampstead, which took place where now is Hawley Street, and the united
-brook, or river, ran across what are now the Kentish, and Camden, Town
-Roads, and between Great College Street, and King Street; it then
-followed the course of the present road to King's Cross, passing by St.
-Pancras Church--which, originally, was of great antiquity, and close
-by which was a celebrated healing well, known as Pancras' Wells. These
-waters cured everything--scurvy, king's evil, leprosy, cancers, ulcers,
-rheumatism, disorders of the eyes, and pains of the stomach and bowels,
-colds, worms, &c., &c.
-
-In the Church, and Churchyard, were interred many illustrious dead,
-especially Roman Catholics, who seem to have taken a particular
-fancy to have their remains buried there, probably on account of the
-tradition that this was the last church in which mass was celebrated.
-It was a favourite burial-place of the French clergy--and a story is
-told (how true I know not) that, down to the French Revolution, masses
-were celebrated in a church in the south of France, dedicated to St.
-Pancras, for the souls of the faithful interred here.
-
-[Illustration: THE BRILL.]
-
-Many historical names are here preserved--amongst whom are Pasco de
-Paoli, the famous Corsican; Walker, whose dictionary is still a text
-book; the Chevalier d'Eon, respecting whose sex there was once such a
-controversy; Count O'Rourke, famous in the world of fashion in 1785;
-Mrs. Godwin--better known, perhaps, as Mary Woolstencraft--who also
-was married here; William Woollett, the eminent landscape engraver,
-a branch of art in which he may be said to have been the father;
-Samuel Cooper, whose miniatures cannot be surpassed; Scheemaker the
-younger, a sculptor of no small note. Nor in this _campo santo_ was
-Music unrepresented, for there, amongst others, lie the bodies of
-Mazzinghi, who brought the violin into fashion here in 1740; and Beard,
-a celebrated singer in 1753. The river flows hence to Battle Bridge, or
-King's Cross, as it is now termed, forming in its way a sort of pond
-called "Pancras Wash," and running through a low-lying district called
-"The Brill."[17] This peculiarly unsavoury neighbourhood has now been
-cleared away, in order to afford siding room, &c., for the Midland
-Railway.
-
-But Dr. Stukeley, who certainly had Roman Camps on the brain,
-discovered one in the Brill. He planned it out beautifully. Here were
-the Equites posted, there the Hastati, and there were the Auxiliarii.
-He made the Fleet do duty for a moat which nearly surrounded Cæsar's
-Prætorium, and he placed a Forum close by St. Pancras' Church, to the
-northward of which he assigned a Prætorium to Prince Mandubrace. Is it
-not true? for is it not all written in his "Itinerary"? and does he not
-devote the first seventeen pages of the second volume of that work,
-entirely to the Brill, assuring us of the great pleasure he received in
-striding over the ground--following, in imagination, the footsteps of
-the Roman Camp Master, who _paced_ out the dimensions of the Camp?
-
-
- [Footnote 16: See pages 28, 29, 30, 31, &c.]
-
- [Footnote 17: See previous page.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV.
-
-
-That it was _countrified_ about this part of London, is shown by the
-accompanying Copy of an engraving, by J. T. Smith, of a view "near
-Battle Bridge."[18]
-
-The etymology of Battle Bridge, which consists of only one arch, and
-now forms a part of the Fleet Sewer, is a much vexed question. At one
-time it was an article of faith, not to be impugned, that here, A.D.
-61, was fought the famous battle between the Romans, under Suetonius
-Paulinus, and the Britons, under Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, which
-ended so disastrously for the natives--eighty thousand of whom are
-said to have been killed. But there seems to be a doubt, as to whether
-this was the exact spot where this historical contest took place, for
-Tacitus makes no mention of the little river Fleet, which must then
-have been navigable for light and small craft, for an anchor was found,
-in its bed, at Kentish Town. He only describes it (Tacit. Ann. lib.
-xiv. c. 34) a spot of ground, "narrow at the entrance, and sheltered
-in the rear by a thick forest." No remains have ever been exhumed,
-nor have Roman, or British, relics been found near the spot.
-
-[Illustration: BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
-In the first quarter of this century the Fleet, for the greater part
-of its time, ran placidly along, as we see by these two pen-and-ink
-sketches, taken at Battle Bridge.[19] But, occasionally, it forgot its
-good manners, and overflowed its banks, flooding portions of Kentish
-Town, Somers Town, and Battle Bridge, as we read in the _Gentlemans
-Magazine_, vol. lxxxviii. part i. p. 462, Saturday, May 9, 1818:--
-
- "From the heavy rain, which commenced yesterday afternoon at
- six o'clock, and continued pouring incessantly till four this
- morning, Battle Bridge, St. Pancras, and part of Somers Town
- were inundated. The water was several feet deep in many of the
- houses, and covered an extent of upwards of a mile. The carcases
- of several sheep and goats were found near Hampstead Reservoir,
- and property was damaged to a very considerable amount."
-
-[Illustration: BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
-There must have been a Mill here, for Stow tells us that in the reign
-of Edward VI. "A Miller of Battaile Bridge was set on the Pillory in
-Cheape, and had both his eares cut off, for seditious words by him
-spoken against the Duke of Somerset."
-
-[Illustration: BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
-Here, as elsewhere, just outside London, the road was not too safe for
-travellers, as the following account of a highway robbery will show. It
-was committed by one John Everett, whose career in life had been rather
-chequered. As an apprentice he ran away, and enlisted in Flanders,
-rising to the rank of sergeant. When the troops returned, he purchased
-his discharge, and got a situation in the Whitechapel Debtors' Court,
-but had to leave it, and he became a companion of thieves, against whom
-he turned king's evidence. He got into debt, and was locked up in the
-Fleet Prison, but was allowed to reside within the Rules, a district
-round about the prison, out of which no prisoner might wander; and
-there, in the Old Bailey, he kept a public-house. But he could not
-keep away from evil doing, and was sent to Newgate. On the expiration
-of his sentence, he turned highwayman. In the course of his
-professional career he, on December 24, 1730, stopped a Coach at Battle
-Bridge, which coach contained two ladies, a child, and a maidservant,
-and he despoiled them, but not uncivilly. The husband of one of the
-ladies coming up, pursued him, and next day he was caught. It was not
-then, any more than it is now, that every rogue got his deserts, but
-this one did, for he was hanged at Tyburn, February 20, 1731.
-
-The name of "Battle Bridge" is well-nigh forgotten, and "King's Cross"
-reigns in its stead. Yet how few Londoners of the present generation
-know whence the name is derived! If they ever trouble their heads about
-it at all, they probably imagine that it was a cross, like the Eleanor
-Crosses, raised to the memory of some king.
-
-And what king, think you, was it intended to keep in perpetual
-remembrance? None other than his Most Gracious Majesty King George the
-Fourth, of pious memory. Why this monument was raised I have never
-been able to learn, unless it was to celebrate his death, which took
-place in 1830, and probably to hold up his many virtues, as bright
-exemplars, to ages yet unborn; but a mad fit came over the inhabitants
-of Battle Bridge, and the hideous structure arose. It was all shoddy;
-in the form of an octagon building ornamented with pilasters, all
-substantially built of brick, and covered over with compo or cement,
-in order to render it more enduring. It was used as a police-station,
-and afterwards as a public-house, whilst the pediment of the statue
-was utilized as a camera obscura. I don't think they knew exactly what
-they were about, for one party wanted it to be called Boadicea's Cross,
-another went in for it being nationally named St. George's Cross; but
-the goodness of the late king was more popular, and carried the day,
-and we now enjoy the _nominis umbra_ of King's Cross, instead of the
-old cognomen of Battle Bridge. It had a very brief existence. It was
-built between 1830 and 1835, and was demolished in 1845; the stucco
-statue only having been _in situ_ for ten years. It is said that the
-nose of this regal statue had, for its base, an earthen draining tile,
-and that it was offered to a gentleman for sixpence!
-
-There hardly seems to be any connection between "the first gentleman
-in Europe" and dustmen, but there is a slight link. Battle Bridge was
-peculiarly the home of the necessary dustman, and in a song called "The
-Literary Dustman," commencing--
-
- "They call me Adam Bell, 'tis clear
- That Adam vos the fust man,
- And by a co-in-side-ance queer
- Vy I'm the fust of dustmen,"
-
-is the following verse:--
-
- "Great sculptors all conwarse wi' me,
- And call my taste divine, sirs,
- King George's statty at King's Cross,
- Vos built from my design, sirs."
-
-Close by here, in Gray's Inn Road, was a mountain of refuse and dust;
-but it was as profitable as were the heaps of Mr. Boffin in Charles
-Dickens's "Our Mutual Friend." This mound once had a curious clearance,
-so it is said. It was bought in its entirety, and sent over to Russia,
-to help make bricks to rebuild Moscow; and the ground on which it stood
-was, in 1826, sold to a Company for £15,000.
-
-[Illustration: DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
- "My dawning Genus fust did peep,
- Near Battle Bridge,'tis plain, sirs:
- You recollect the cinder heap,
- Vot stood in Gray's Inn Lane, sirs?"
-
- * * * * *
-
-Let us turn to a sweeter subject, and gossip about St. Chad's Well, the
-site of which is now occupied by the Metropolitan Railway at King's
-Cross. St. Chad is a saint in the English calendar, and might have been
-a distinguished temperance leader, if the number of wells dedicated
-to him, is any criterion. He lived in the seventh century, and was
-educated at Lindisfarne (at least so Bede says), and afterwards became
-Bishop of Lichfield, and, at his death, his soul is said to have been
-accompanied to heaven by angels and sweet music.
-
-A good modern account is given in Hone's "Every Day Book," vol. i.
-pp. 323, 4, 5, which, as it was taken from actual observation about
-fifty years since, may well be transcribed. Speaking of the aforesaid
-dust-heap he says:--
-
- "Opposite to this unsightly site, and on the right hand side of
- the road, is an anglewise faded inscription--
-
- [Illustration: ST. CHAD'S WELL.]
-
- "It stands, or rather dejects, over an elderly pair of wooden
- gates, one whereof opens on a scene which the unaccustomed eye
- may take for the pleasure-ground of Giant Despair. Trees stand
- as if made not to vegetate, clipped hedges seem unwilling to
- decline, and nameless weeds straggle weakly upon unlimited
- borders. If you look upwards you perceive, painted on an octagon
- board, 'Health restored and preserved.' Further on, towards
- the left, stands a low, old-fashioned, comfortable-looking,
- large-windowed dwelling, and, ten to one, but there also stands
- at the open door, an ancient ailing female, in a black bonnet,
- a clean, coloured cotton gown, and a check apron, her silver
- hair only in part tucked beneath the narrow border of a frilled
- cap, with a sedate and patient, yet somewhat inquiring look. She
- gratuitously tells you that 'the gardens' of 'St. Chad's Well'
- are for 'Circulation' by paying for the waters, of which you may
- drink as much, or as little, or nothing, as you please, at one
- guinea per year, 9s. 6d. quarterly, 4s. 6d. monthly, or 1s. 6d.
- weekly. You qualify for a single visit by paying sixpence, and a
- large glass tumbler, full of warm water, is handed to you. As a
- stranger, you are told, that 'St. Chad's Well was famous at one
- time.'
-
- "Should you be inquisitive, the dame will instruct you, with
- an earnest eye, that 'people are not what they were,' 'things
- are not as they used to be,' and she 'can't tell what'll happen
- next.' Oracles have not ceased. While drinking St. Chad's water,
- you observe an immense copper, into which it is poured, wherein
- it is heated to due efficacy, and from whence it is drawn by
- a cock, into glasses. You also remark, hanging on the wall, a
- 'tribute of gratitude,' versified, and inscribed on vellum,
- beneath a pane of glass stained by the hand of time, and let
- into a black frame. This is an effusion for value received
- from St. Chad's invaluable water. But, above all, there is a
- full-sized portrait in oil, of a stout, comely personage, with
- a ruddy countenance, in a coat or cloak, supposed scarlet, a
- laced cravat falling down the breast, and a small red nightcap
- carelessly placed on the head, conveying the idea that it was
- painted for the likeness of some opulent butcher, who flourished
- in the reign of Queen Anne. Ask the dame about it, and she
- refers you to 'Rhone.'[20] This is a tall old man, who would
- be taller if he were not bent by years. 'I am ninety-four,' he
- will tell you, 'this present year of our Lord, one thousand,
- eight hundred, and twenty-five.' All that he has to communicate
- concerning the portrait is, 'I have heard say it is the portrait
- of St. Chad.' Should you venture to differ, he adds, 'this is
- the opinion of most people who come here.' You may gather that
- it is his own undoubted belief.
-
- "On pacing the garden alleys, and peeping at the places of
- retirement, you imagine the whole may have been improved and
- beautified, for the last time, by some countryman of William
- III., who came over and died in the same year with that king,
- and whose works here, in wood and box, have been following him
- piecemeal ever since.
-
- "St. Chad's Well is scarcely known in the neighbourhood save by
- its sign-board of invitation and forbidding externals;... it
- is haunted, not frequented. A few years, and it will be with
- its waters, as with the water of St. Pancras' Well, which is
- enclosed in the garden of a private house, near old St. Pancras
- Churchyard."
-
-But, although the prophecy in "Hone" was destined to be fulfilled, yet
-it was twelve years before it came about, and it was not until
-September 14, 1837, that Messrs. Warlters and Co. sold, at Garraway's
-Coffee House, Change Alley, Cornhill, the "valuable Copyhold Property,
-situate in Gray's Inn Lane, near King's Cross, Battle Bridge," which
-consisted of "The well-known and valuable Premises, Dwelling-house,
-Large Garden, and Offices, with the very celebrated Spring of Saline
-Water called St. Chad's Well, which, in proper hands, would produce
-an inexhaustible Revenue, as its qualities are allowed by the first
-Physicians to be unequalled."
-
-[Illustration: ST. CHAD'S WELL.]
-
-It was a good sized piece of ground; in shape of a somewhat irregular
-triangle, of which the base measured about 200 feet, and from apex to
-base 95 feet. It was Copyhold. The vendor was not to be asked for a
-title prior to 1793, and it was held of the Manor of _Cantlowes_ or
-_Cantlers_, subject to a small fine, certain, of 6s. 8d., on death
-or alienation, and to a Quit Rent of 5d. per annum. We should say,
-nowadays, that the assessment was very small, as, including the large
-gardens, both back and front, the whole was only valued, including the
-_Saline Spring_, at £81 10s. per annum, of which £21 10s. was let off,
-but which formed but a small portion of the property.
-
-What would not the waters of St. Chad's Well cure? Really I think
-the proprietor hardly knew himself, for a handbill I have before me
-commences--"The celebrity of these waters being confined chiefly to its
-own immediate vicinity for a number of years; the present proprietor
-has thought proper to give more extensive publicity to the existence of
-a nostrum provided by Nature, through Divine Providence, approaching
-nearest that great desideratum of scientific men and mankind in
-general, throughout all ages; namely, an UNIVERSAL MEDICINE.... The
-many cures yearly performed by these waters does not come within the
-limits of a handbill, but, suffice it to say, that here, upon trial,
-the sufferer finds a speedy and sure relief from INDIGESTION and its
-train, HABITUAL COSTIVENESS, the extensive range of LIVER COMPLAINTS,
-DROPSY in its early stages, GLANDULAR OBSTRUCTIONS, and that bane of
-life, SCROPHULA; for ERUPTIONS ON THE FACE OR SKIN its almost immediate
-efficacy needs but a trial." This wonderful water, with use of garden,
-was then, say 1835, supposed to be worth to the sufferer £1 per annum,
-or threepence a visit, or you might have it supplied at eightpence per
-gallon.
-
-And yet it seems only to have been a mild aperient, and rather dear
-at the price. In the _Mirror_ of April 13, 1833, Mr. Booth, Professor
-of Chemistry, professed to give an analysis of the "Mineral Waters in
-the neighbourhood of London," and he thus writes of St. Chad's Well:
-"It is aperient, and is yet much resorted to by the poorer classes of
-the metropolis, with whom it enjoys considerable reputation. From an
-examination, I find it to be a strong solution of sulphate of soda and
-sulphate of magnesia"--but he does not favour us with a quantitative
-analysis.
-
-Neither does the proprietor, one Wm. Lucas, who not only propounded
-the handbill from which I have quoted, but published a pamphlet on
-the healing virtues of the spring, and he also adds to Mr. Booth's
-qualitative analysis, "a small quantity of Iron, which is held in
-Solution by Carbonic Acid."
-
-"The Well from which the Waters are supplied, is excluded from the
-external air; the Water when freshly drawn is perfectly clear and
-pellucid, and sparkles when poured into a glass; to the taste it is
-slightly bitter, not sufficiently so to render it disagreeable; indeed,
-Persons often think it so palatable as to take it at the table for a
-common beverage."
-
-This, however, is slightly at variance with the following, "As a
-Purgative, more so than could be inferred from their taste, a pint is
-the ordinary dose for an Adult, which operates pleasantly, powerfully,
-and speedily:" qualities which are scarcely desirable for a Table water.
-
-That, at one time, this Well was in fashion, although in 1825 it was in
-its decadence, I may quote from the pamphlet (which, however, must be
-taken by the reader, _quantum valeat_):
-
- "JONATHAN RHONE, who was Gardener and Waiter at these Wells
- upwards of Sixty Years, says, that when he first came into
- office at about the middle of the eighteenth Century, the Waters
- were in great repute, and frequently were visited by eight or
- nine hundred Persons in a morning: the charge for drinking the
- Waters was Three pence each Person, and they were delivered at
- the Pump Room for exportation, at the rate of Twenty-four pint
- bottles, packed in hamper, for One Pound Cash."
-
- [Footnote 18: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 19: See pages 41, 42.]
-
- [Footnote 20: Rhone was an old waiter at the Well. See p. 51.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V.
-
-
-As the Fleet was "the River of Wells" it may be as well to notice the
-Wells, which, although not absolutely contributing towards swelling its
-volume, are yet closely adjacent--namely, White Conduit, and Sadlers
-Wells. Both of these, as indeed were all the other Wells about London,
-were first known as mineral springs, a fact which drew the middle
-classes to seek relief from real, or fancied, ailments, by drinking
-the medicinal waters, as at Bath, Epsom, Cheltenham, Harrogate,
-Brixton, and elsewhere. Wherever people congregate, the mere drinking
-of salutary water, is but tame work, and the animal spirits of some of
-them must find an outlet in amusements, which materially assist, to
-say the least, in the agreeable passing of time. But the mere drinking
-of waters must have been irksome--even if people took to it as well as
-_Shadwell_ in his play of "Epsom Wells" describes:--
-
-[Illustration: THE WHITE CONDUIT.]
-
-"_Brisket._ I vow it is a pleasurable Morning: the Waters taste so
-finely after being fudled last Night. Neighbour _Fribbler_ here's a
-Pint to you.
-
- "_Fribbler._ I'll pledge you, Mrs. _Brisket_; I have drunk eight
- already.
-
- "_Mrs. Brisket._ How do the Waters agree with your Ladyship?
-
- "_Mrs. Woodly._ Oh, Sovereignly: how many Cups have you arrived
- to?
-
- "_Mrs. Brisket._ Truly Six, and they pass so kindly."
-
-By degrees these medicinal waters, or Spas, as they were termed in
-later times, fell into desuetude, possibly because medical knowledge
-was advancing; and the Wells, with their gardens attached, became
-places of outdoor recreation, where the sober citizen could smoke his
-pipe, and have his beer, or cider, whilst his wife, and her gossips,
-indulged in tittle tattle over their Tea--which, although much dearer
-than at present, was a very popular beverage, and so, from health
-resorts, they imperceptibly merged into the modern Tea Garden--which,
-in its turn, has become nearly extinct, as have the Ranelagh and
-Vauxhall of a former age; which, however, we have seen, in our time,
-somewhat resuscitated in the outdoor portion of the several Exhibitions
-which have taken place, in the few past years, at South Kensington.
-
-The White Conduit had a history of its own, which we can trace back, at
-all events, to the fifteenth century, for it was built as a reservoir
-to supply what was, afterwards, the Charterhouse.
-
-This we can see by a royal licence, dated December 2, 9 Henry VI. an.
-1431,[21] which granted to John Feryby, and his wife Margery, that they
-might grant and assign to the Prior and Convent of the House of the
-Salutation of the Blessed Mary of the Carthusian Order, by London, a
-certain well spring (_fontein_) and 53 perches of land in length, and
-12 feet in breadth, in the vill of Iseldon (Islington) to have to them
-and their successors for ever, and to the same Prior and Convent, to
-take the said land, and construct a certain subterraneous aqueduct from
-the aforesaid well spring, through the aforesaid land, and through the
-King's highway aforesaid, and elsewhere, as it may seem best &c.,
-_non obstante_ the Act against mortmain (_Teste Humfride Duce
-Gloucestr' Custode Angliæ apud Westm._).
-
-As we know, Henry VIII. put an end to the Monastic Orders in England,
-and, at the dissolution of the Priory, the reversion of the site, and
-house thereof, was granted, on April 14, 1545,[22] to Sir Roger North,
-in fee, together with "all that the Head and original Well Spring of
-one Channel or Aqueduct situate and being in a certain field in the
-parish of Islington"--and it also gave, all the channels, aqueducts,
-and watercourses under ground "up to the site of the said House of the
-Carthusians."
-
-But, although the spring might, and did, supply the Charter House,
-yet it is possible that the Conduit House, from which it got the name
-of _White_ Conduit, from its being built of white stone--was built by
-Thomas Sutton, who founded the Hospital of the Charter House,--in 1611.
-It was either built by him, or repaired in 1641, for, incorporated in
-the building, was a stone containing his arms--and initials.[23]
-
-The other initials have not been identified. As the "White Conduit"
-it was known well into this century, but it fell somewhat into decay,
-about 1812--was never repaired, and, finally, was pulled down in
-1831--to make way for the completion of some new buildings in Barnsbury
-Road, as a continuation of Penton Street: and the stone was broken up,
-and used in making the New Road.
-
-[Illustration: STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT.
-_Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. lxxi. p. 1161, A.D. 1801.]
-
-So much for the Conduit itself; but it, although inert, exercised a
-large share in the amusements of Londoners down to a comparatively
-recent period. It was pleasantly situated in the fields, and, until
-this century, during the latter half of which, the modern Babylon has
-become one huge mass of bricks and mortar, it served as a pleasant
-place of recreation for the Cits. There was an uninterrupted prospect
-of Hampstead and Highgate--which bounded the northern view, and which
-was purely pastoral, with the exception of sparsely-dotted farmhouses.
-There is a tradition that, on the site of the comparatively modern
-_White Conduit House_, was (in the reign of Charles I.), a tavern in
-the course of erection, and that, being finished, the workmen were
-carousing at the very moment of the monarch's decapitation.
-
-Doubtless, in these suburban fields, there was, for very many years, a
-place for refreshment, which probably took the form, in the Arcadian
-age of the seventeenth and eighteenth century, of new milk, curds
-and whey, and syllabubs, for Islington was famous for its dairy
-produce,[24] as we know by the account of the entertainment given to
-Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle in 1575 by the Earl of Leicester,
-when the Squier Minstrel of Middlesex made a long speech in praise of
-Islington, whose motto was said to be, "Lactis Caseus infans."
-
-The earliest really authentic notice of the White Conduit House, I
-can find, is in the _Daily Advertiser_ August 10, 1754. "This is to
-acquaint the public, that, at the White Conduit House, the proprietor,
-for the better accommodation of the gentlemen and ladies, has completed
-a long walk, with a handsome circular Fish-pond, a number of shady,
-pleasant arbours inclosed with a fence 7 feet high to prevent being the
-least incommoded from the people in the fields. Hot loaves,[25] and
-butter every day, milk directly from the Cows; coffee and tea, and all
-manners of liquors in the greatest perfection: also a handsome Long
-Room, from whence is the most Copious prospects and airy situation of
-any now in vogue. I humbly hope the continuance of my friends' favours,
-as I make it my chief study to have the best accommodations, and am,
-Gentlemen and Ladies, your obliged humble servant, Robert Bartholomew.
-_Note._ My Cows eat no grains, neither any adulteration in the Milk or
-Cream. Bats and Balls for Cricket, and a convenient field to play in."
-
-This gives us a very fair insight into the sober relaxations of our
-great-great-grandfathers: and that the White Conduit House was, about
-this time, a resort for harmless recreation; and, certainly, it would
-rejoice the modern temperance enthusiasts to find that the principal
-beverages there drank were "non-intoxicants." Oliver Goldsmith
-used frequently to go there, walking from his house at Islington;
-and, in his "Citizen of the World," letter 122, he writes, "After
-having surveyed the Curiosities of this fair and beautiful town, I
-proceeded forward, leaving a fair stone building on my right; here
-the inhabitants of London often assemble to celebrate a feast of hot
-rolls and butter. Seeing such numbers, each with their little tables
-before them, employed on this occasion, must no doubt be a very amusing
-sight to the looker-on, but still more so to those who perform in the
-Solemnity."
-
-And the same story of simplicity of amusement, and refreshment, is
-amusingly told in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for May, 1760, vol. xxx.
-p. 242, in a short poem by William Woty, the author of the "Shrubs of
-Parnassus, consisting of a variety of poetical essays, moral and comic,
-by I. Copywell, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq. 1760."
-
- "_And to_ White Conduit _House
- We will go, will go, will go_."
-
- Grub Street _Register_.
-
- "Wish'd Sunday's come--mirth brightens ev'ry face,
- And paints the rose upon the housemaid's cheek
- _Harriot_, or _Mol_ more ruddy. Now the heart
- Of prentice resident in ample street,
- Or alley, Kennel-wash'd _Cheapside_, _Cornhill_
- Or _Cranborne_, thee, for calcuments renown'd,
- With joy distends. His meal meridian o'er,
- With switch in hand, he to _White Conduit_ house
- Hies merry hearted. Human beings here
- In couples multitudinous assemble,
- Forming the drollest groupe, that ever trod
- Fair Islingtonian plains. Male after male,
- Dog after dog, succeeding--husbands--wives--
- Fathers and mothers--brothers--sisters--friends--
- And _pretty little boys and girls_. _Around,
- Across, along_, the garden's shrubby maze,
- They walk, they sit, they stand. What crowds press on,
- Eager to mount the stairs, eager to catch
- First vacant bench or chair in _long-room_ plac'd.
- Here prig with prig holds conference polite,
- And indiscriminate, the gaudy beau,
- And sloven mix. Here _he_, who all the week
- Took bearded mortals by the nose, or sat
- Weaving dead hairs, and whistling wretched strain,
- And eke the sturdy youth, whose trade it is
- Stout oxen to contend, with gold bound hat,
- And silken stocking strut. The red-arm'd belle
- Here shews her _tasty_ gown, proud to be thought
- The butterfly of fashion: and, forsooth,
- Her haughty mistress deigns for once to tread
- The same unhallow'd floor. 'Tis hurry all,
- And ratling cups and saucers. Waiter here,
- And waiter there, and waiter here _and_ there,
- At once is call'd--_Joe--Joe--Joe--Joe--Joe--
- Joe_ on the right--and _Joe_ upon the left,
- For ev'ry vocal pipe re-ecchoes _Joe_.
- Alas, poor _Joe_! Like _Francis_ in the play
- He stands confounded, anxious how to please
- The many-headed throng. But shou'd I paint
- The language, humours, customs of the place,
- Together with all curtsy's lowly bows,
-
- And compliments extern, 'twould swell my page
- Beyond it's limits due. Suffice it then,
- For my prophetic muse to say, 'So long
- As fashion rides upon the Wing of time,
- While tea and cream, and buttered rolls can please,
- While rival beaux, and jealous belles exist,
- So long _White Conduit_ house, shall be thy fame.
-
- W. W."
-
-Later on in the century, it was still a reputable place of resort. In
-1774, there was a painting at one end of the garden, the perspective of
-which served, artificially, to augment its size; the round fish-pond in
-the centre of the garden, still existed, and the refreshment-rooms, or
-boxes, were hung with Flemish and other pictures.
-
-Hone ("Every Day Book," vol. ii. p. 1201, &c.) says, "About 1810, the
-late celebrated Wm. Huntingdon S.S.[26] of Providence Chapel, who lives
-in a handsome house within sight, was at the expense of clearing the
-spring for the use of the inhabitants; but, because his pulpit opinions
-were obnoxious, some of the neighbouring vulgar threw loads of soil
-upon it in the night, which rendered the water impure, and obstructed
-its channel, and, finally, ceasing to flow, the public was deprived of
-the kindness he proposed. The building itself, was in a very perfect
-state at that time, and ought to have been boarded up after the field
-it stood in was thrown open. As the new buildings proceeded, it was
-injured, and defaced, by idle labourers and boys, from mere wantonness,
-and reduced to a mere ruin. There was a kind of upper floor or hayloft
-in it, which was frequently a shelter to the houseless wanderer. A few
-years ago some poor creatures made it a comfortable hostel for the
-night with a little hay. Early in the morning a passing workman
-perceived smoke issuing from the crevices, and as he approached, heard
-loud cries from within. Some mischievous miscreants had set fire to
-the fodder beneath the sleepers, and, afterwards, fastened the door on
-the outside: the inmates were scorched by the fire, and probably they
-would all have been suffocated in a few minutes, if the place had not
-been broken open.
-
-[Illustration: THE WHITE CONDUIT.]
-
-"The 'White Conduit' at this time (1826) merely stands to those who had
-the power, and neglected to preserve it.
-
-"To the buildings grown up around, it might have been rendered a neat
-ornament, by planting a few trees, and enclosing the whole with an iron
-railing, and have stood as a monument of departed worth.
-
-"'White Conduit House' has ceased to be a recreation in the good sense
-of the word. Its present denomination is the 'Minor Vauxhall,' and its
-chief attraction during the passing summer has been Mrs. Bland.[27]
-She has still powers, and, if their exercise here, has been a stay and
-support to this sweet melodist, so far the establishment may be deemed
-respectable. It is a ground for balloon flying and skittle playing, and
-just maintains itself above the very lowest, so as to be one of the
-most doubtful places of public resort. Recollections of it some years
-ago are more in its favour. Its tea gardens then, in summer afternoons,
-were well accustomed by tradesmen and their families; they are now
-comparatively deserted, and, instead, there is, at night, a starveling
-show of odd company and coloured lamps, a mock orchestra, with mock
-singing, dancing in a room which decent persons would prefer to
-withdraw their young folks from, if they entered, and fireworks 'as
-usual,' which, to say the truth, are, usually, very good."
-
-[Illustration: WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR).]
-
-[Illustration: WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (EXTERIOR).]
-
-As time went on, the place did not improve, as we may see by the _New
-Monthly Magazine_ for 1833, in an article--part of "Four Views of
-London." Speaking of the White Conduit--"Here too is that Paradise of
-apprentice boys, White _Cundick Couse_, as it is cacophoniously
-pronounced by its visitors, which has done much to expel the decencies
-of the district. Thirty years ago this place was better frequented--that
-is, there was a larger number of respectable adults--fathers and
-mothers, with their children, and a smaller moiety of shop lads, and
-such like Sunday bucks, who were awed into decency by their elders.
-The manners, perhaps, are much upon a _par_ with what they were. The
-ballroom gentlemen then went through country dances with their hats on,
-and their coats off:--hats are now taken off, but coats are still
-unfashionable on these gala nights. The belles of that day wore long
-trains to their gowns: it was a favourite mode of introduction to a lady
-there, to tread on it, and then, apologizing handsomely, acquaintance
-was begun, and soon ripened into an invitation to tea, and the hot
-loaves for which these gardens were once celebrated. Being now a popular
-haunt, those who hang on the rear of the march of human nature, the
-suttlers, camp followers, and plunderers, know that where large numbers
-of men and boys are in pursuit of pleasure, there is a sprinkling of
-the number to whom vice and debauchery are ever welcome: they have,
-therefore, supplied what these wanted; and Pentonville may now hold up
-its head, and boast of its depravities before any part of London."[28]
-
-It got more and more disreputable, until it was pulled down in 1849,
-and the present White Conduit Tavern was built upon a portion of its
-site.
-
- [Footnote 21: Cart. Antiq. in Off. Augm. vol. ii. No. 43.]
-
- [Footnote 22: Pat. 36 Henry VIII. p. 13, m. 31.]
-
- [Footnote 23: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 24: In an early sixteenth century book (unique)
- printed by Wynkyn de Worde, called "Cocke Lorelles Boke" the
- dairy farming at Islington is mentioned--
-
- "Also mathewe to the drawer of London, And sybly sole
- mylke-wyfe of Islington."]
-
- [Footnote 25: These Rolls were as famous as Chelsea Buns.
- "White Conduit loaves" being a familiar street cry.]
-
- [Footnote 26: This revivalist used these initials as meaning
- "Sinner Saved."]
-
- [Footnote 27: A somewhat famous singer in the latter part of
- the eighteenth and first quarter of the nineteenth centuries.
- She sang and acted at Drury Lane and the Haymarket--and also
- sang at Vauxhall. She became poor, and on July 5, 1824, she
- had a benefit at Drury Lane, which, with a public
- subscription, produced about £800. Lord Egremont also allowed
- her £80 a year. She was somewhat related to Royalty: her
- husband, Bland, an actor at Drury Lane, being the brother of
- Mrs. Jordan, who was the wife of William the Fourth.]
-
- [Footnote 28: A frequent visitor at these gardens was the late
- George Cruikshank, and many subjects were transferred to his
- sketch book. He was so well known, as to become a sort of
- terror to the habitués of the place, and children were
- threatened, when fractious, "that if they made such ugly
- faces, Mr. Cruikshank would put them in his book."]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI.
-
-
-Sadler's Wells does not really feed the Fleet River, but I notice the
-spring, for the same reason that I noticed the White Conduit.
-
-A very fair account of its early history is given in a little pamphlet
-entitled "A True and Exact Account of Sadlers Well: or the New Mineral
-Waters. Lately found out at Islington: Treating of its nature and
-Virtues. Together with an Enumeration of the Chiefest Diseases which it
-is good for, and against which it may be used, and the Manner and Order
-of Taking of it. Published for publick good by T. G. (Thomas Guidot)
-Doctor of Physick. Printed for _Thomas Malthus_ at the _Sun_ in the
-_Poultry_. 1684."
-
-It begins thus:--"The New Well at _Islington_ is a certain Spring in
-the middle of a Garden, belonging to the Musick House built by Mr.
-_Sadler_, on the North side of the Great Cistern that receives the
-New River Water near Islington, the Water whereof was, before the
-Reformation, very much famed for several extraordinary Cures performed
-thereby, and was, thereupon, accounted sacred, and called _Holy Well_.
-The Priests belonging to the Priory of _Clarkenwell_ using to attend
-there, made the People believe that the virtues of the Waters proceeded
-from the efficacy of their Prayers. But upon the Reformation the Well
-was stopt up, upon a supposition that the frequenting it was altogether
-superstitious, and so, by degrees, it grew out of remembrance, and was
-wholly lost, until found out, and the Fame of it revived again by the
-following accident.
-
-"Mr. _Sadler_ being made Surveyor of the High Ways, and having good
-Gravel in his own Gardens, employed two Men to Dig there, and when they
-had Dug pretty deep, one of them found his Pickax strike upon some
-thing that was very hard; whereupon he endeavoured to break it, but
-could not: whereupon thinking with himself that it might, peradventure,
-be some Treasure hid there, he uncovered it very carefully, and found
-it to be a Broad, Flat Stone: which, having loosened, and lifted up,
-he saw it was supported by four Oaken Posts, and had under it a large
-Well of Stone Arched over, and curiously carved; and, having viewed
-it, he called his fellow Labourer to see it likewise, and asked him
-whether they should fetch Mr. _Sadler_, and shew it to him? Who, having
-no kindness for _Sadler_, said no; he should not know of it, but as
-they had found it, so they would stop it up again, and take no notice
-of it; which he that found it consented to at first, but after a little
-time he found himself (whether out of Curiosity, or some other reason,
-I shall not determine) strongly inclined to tell _Sadler_ of the Well;
-which he did, one Sabbath Day in the Evening.
-
-"_Sadler_, upon this, went down to see the Well, and observing the
-Curiosity of the Stone Work, that was about it, and fancying within
-himself that it was a Medicinal Water, formerly had in great esteem,
-but by some accident or other lost, he took some of it in a Bottle, and
-carryed it to an Eminent Physician, telling him how the Well was found
-out, and desiring his Judgment of the Water; who having tasted and
-tried it, told him it was very strong of a Mineral taste, and advised
-him to Brew some Beer with it, and carry it to some Persons, to whom he
-would recommend him; which he did accordingly. And some of those who
-used to have it of him in Bottles, found so much good by it, that they
-desired him to bring it in Roundlets."
-
-Sadler's success, for such it was, provoked the envy of others, and one
-or two satires upon the Wells were produced.
-
- * * * * *
-
-Soon after he opened the Wells, Evelyn visited them, as we read in his
-invaluable diary. "June 11, 1686. I went to see Middleton's receptacle
-of water[29] and the New Spa Wells, near Islington." The Spring was
-still known as Sadler's up to 1697 as we find in advertisements in the
-_Post Boy_ and _Flying Post_ of June, in that year. But the "Musick
-House" seems to have passed into other hands, for in 1699 it was called
-"Miles's Musick House." They seem to have had peculiar entertainments
-here, judging by an account in _Dawk's Protestant Mercury_ of May 24,
-1699. "On Tuesday last a fellow at Sadler's Wells, near Islington,
-after he had dined heartily on a buttock of beef, for the lucre of five
-guineas, eat a live cock, feathers, guts, and all, with only a plate of
-oil and vinegar for sawce, and half a pint of brandy to wash it down,
-and afterwards proffered to lay five guineas more, that he could do the
-same again in two hours' time."
-
-That this was a fact is amply borne out by the testimony of Ned Ward,
-who managed to see most of what was going on in town, and he thus
-describes the sight in his rough, but vigorous language.
-
-"With much difficulty we crowded upstairs, where we soon got
-intelligence of the beastly scene in agitation. At last a table was
-spread with a dirty cloth in the middle of the room, furnished with
-bread, pepper, oil, and vinegar; but neither knife, plate, fork, or
-napkin; and when the beholders had conveniently mounted themselves
-upon one another's shoulders to take a fair view of his Beastlyness's
-banquet, in comes the lord of the feast, disguised in an Antick's Cap,
-like a country hangman, attended by a train of Newmarket executioners.
-When a chair was set, and he had placed himself in sight of the
-whole assembly, a live Cock was given into the ravenous paws of this
-ingurgitating monster."
-
-In the same year, in his "Walk to Islington," Ward gives a description
-of the people who frequented this "Musick House."
-
- "---- mixed with a vermin trained up for the gallows, As Bullocks[30]
- and files,[31] housebreakers and padders.[32] With prize fighters,
- sweetners,[33] and such sort of traders, Informers, thief-takers,
- deer-stealers, and bullies."
-
-It seems to have been kept by Francis Forcer, a musician, about 1725,
-and the scene at the Wells is graphically described in "The New River,
-a Poem, by William Garbott."
-
- "Through Islington then glides my best loved theme
- And Miles's garden washes with his stream:
- Now F--r's Garden is its proper name,
- Though Miles the man was, who first got it fame;
- And tho' it's own'd, Miles first did make it known,
- F--r improves the same we all must own.
- There you may sit under the shady trees,
- And drink and smoak, fann'd by a gentle breeze;
- Behold the fish, how wantonly they play,
- And catch them also, if you please, you may,
- Two Noble Swans swim by this garden side,
- Of water-fowl the glory and the pride;
- Which to the Garden no small beauty are;
- Were they but black they would be much more rare:
- With ducks so tame that from your hand they'll feed,
- And, I believe, for that, they sometimes bleed.
- A noble Walk likewise adorns the place,
- To which the river adds a greater grace:
- There you may sit or walk, do which you please,
- Which best you like, and suits most with your ease.
- Now to the Show-room let's awhile repair,
- To see the active feats performed there.
- How the bold Dutchman, on the rope doth bound,
- With greater air than others on the ground:
- What capers does he cut! how backward leaps!
- With Andrew Merry eyeing all his steps:
- His comick humours with delight you see,
- Pleasing unto the best of company," &c.
-
-But a very vivid description of Sadler's Wells is given in
-"Mackliniana, or Anecdotes of the late Mr. Charles Macklin, Comedian"
-in the _European Magazine_ for 1801 (vol. xl. p. 16):--
-
-"Being met one night at Sadler's Wells by a friend, who afterwards saw
-him home, he went into a history of that place, with an accuracy which,
-though nature generally denies to the recollection of old age in recent
-events, seems to atone for it in the remembrance of more remote periods.
-
- "Sir, I remember the time when the price of admission _here_ was
- but _threepence_, except a few places scuttled off at the sides
- of the stage at sixpence, and which was usually reserved for
- people of fashion, who occasionally came to see the fun. Here we
- smoked, and drank porter and rum and water, as much as we could
- pay for, and every man had his doxy that liked it, and so forth;
- and though we had a mixture of very odd company (for I believe
- it was a good deal the baiting place of thieves and highwaymen)
- there was little or no rioting. There was a _public_ then, Sir,
- that kept one another in awe.
-
- "_Q._ Were the entertainments anything like the present? _A._
- No, no; nothing in the shape of them; some hornpipes and ballad
- singing, with a kind of pantomimic ballet, and some lofty
- tumbling--and all this was done by daylight, and there were four
- or five exhibitions every day.
-
- "_Q._ How long did these continue at a time? _A._ Why, Sir,
- it depended upon circumstances. The proprietors had always a
- fellow on the outside of the booth, to calculate how many people
- were collected for a second exhibition, and when he thought
- there were enough, he came to the back of the upper seats,
- and cried out, 'Is _Hiram Fisteman_ here?' This was the cant
- word agreed upon between the parties, to know the state of the
- people without--upon which they concluded the entertainment
- with a song, dismissed that audience, and prepared for a second
- representation.
-
- "_Q._ Was this in Rozamon's time? _A._ No, no, Sir; long
- before--not but old Rozamon improved it a good deal, and, I
- believe, raised the price generally to sixpence, and in this way
- got a great deal of money."
-
-Space prevents one going into the merits of the Theatre here, but it
-may not be out of place if I mention some of the singers, and actors,
-who have appeared on those boards--Joey Grimaldi, Braham, Miss Shields
-(afterwards Mrs. Leffler), Edmund Kean, the great traveller Belzoni,
-Miss Tree, Phelps, of Shakespearian fame, Marston, and others, testify
-to the talent which has had its home in this theatre. One peculiarity
-about Sadler's Wells Theatre was the introduction of real water as a
-scenic effect. It seems to have been first used on Easter Monday, April
-2, 1804, in an entertainment called _Naumachia_. A very large tank was
-made under the stage, and filled with water from the New River; and in
-this tank mimic men o' war bombarded Gibraltar, but were repulsed, with
-loss, by the heroic garrison. Afterwards, it was frequently used for
-_Spectacles_, in which water was used as an adjunct.
-
-After this digression let us follow the course of the River Fleet.
-Leaving St. Chad's Well, and before coming to Bagnigge Wells, there
-stood in Gray's Inn Road an old public-house called the Pindar of
-Wakefield, the pounder, or keeper of the pound at that town, the famous
-George à Green, who gave Robin Hood a notable thrashing, extorting from
-that bold outlaw this confession--
-
- "For this was one of the best pinders
- That ever I tryed with sword."
-
-This old house was destroyed by a hurricane in November, 1723, when the
-two daughters of the landlord were killed by the falling walls. It was,
-however, at once rebuilt, and a public-house, bearing the same sign,
-exists at 328, Gray's Inn Road--most probably occupying the original
-site.
-
- [Footnote 29: The New River Head.]
-
- [Footnote 30: A hector, or bully.]
-
- [Footnote 31: A pickpocket.]
-
- [Footnote 32: A tramp.]
-
- [Footnote 33: A Sharper.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII.
-
-
-Between this house, and Bagnigge Wells, was Bagnigge Wash, or Marsh,
-and Black Mary's Wells, or Hole. The etymology of this place is
-contested. In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1813, part ii. p. 557, in
-an "Account of various Mineral Wells near London," is the following:
-"Lastly, in the same neighbourhood, may be mentioned the spring or
-conduit on the eastern side of the road leading from Clerken Well to
-Bagnigge Wells, and which has given name to a very few small houses
-as _Black Mary's Hole_. The land here was, formerly, called Bagnigg
-Marsh, from the river Bagnigg,[34] which passes through it. But, in
-after-time, the citizens resorting to drink the waters of the conduit,
-which then was leased to one Mary, who kept a black Cow, whose milk
-the gentlemen and ladies drank with the waters of the Conduit, from
-whence, the wits of that age used to say, 'Come, let us go to Mary's
-black hole.' However, Mary dying, and the place degenerating into
-licentiousness, about 1687, Walter Baynes Esqre, of the Inner Temple,
-enclosed the Conduit in the manner it now is, which looks like a
-great oven. He is supposed to have left a fund for keeping the same
-in perpetual repair. The stone with the inscription was carried away
-during the night about ten years ago. The water (which formerly fed two
-ponds on the other side of the road) falls into the old Bagnigge river."
-
-This etymon, however, is contested in a pamphlet called _An
-experimental enquiry concerning the Contents, Qualities, Medicinal
-Virtues of the two Mineral Waters of_ Bagnigge Wells, &c., by John
-Bevis, M.D. This pamphlet was originally published in 1767, but I
-quote from the third edition of 1819. "At what time these waters
-were first known cannot be made out with any degree of evidence. A
-tradition goes that the place of old was called Blessed Mary's Well;
-but that the name of the Holy Virgin having, in some measure, fallen
-into disrepute after the Reformation, the title was altered to Black
-Mary's Well, as it now stands upon Mr. Rocque's map, and then to Black
-Mary's Hole; though there is a very different account of these latter
-appellations; for there are those who insist they were taken from one
-Mary Woolaston, whose occupation was attending at a well, now covered
-in, on an opposite eminence, by the footway from Bagnigge to Islington
-to supply the soldiery, encamped in the adjacent fields, with water.
-But waving such uncertainties, it may be relied on for truth, that a
-late proprietor, upon taking possession of the estate, found two wells
-thereon, both steaned in a workmanlike manner; but when, or for what
-purpose, they were sunk, he is entirely ignorant."
-
-But Black Mary's Hole, during the first half of the last century, had a
-very queer reputation. There was a little public-house with the sign of
-"The Fox at Bay," which probably had something to do with the numerous
-highway robberies that occurred thereabouts.
-
-In Cromwell's "History of Clerkenwell," pp. 318, 319, we hear of the
-last of Black Mary's Hole. He says, "Beneath the front garden of a
-house in SPRING PLACE, and extending under the foot-pavement almost
-to the turnpike gate called the Pantheon Gate, lies the capacious
-receptacle of a _Mineral Spring_, which in former times was in
-considerable repute, both as a chalybeate, and for its supposed
-efficacy in the cure of sore eyes.... About ten years back, when Spring
-Place was erected, the builder removed every external appearance of
-Walter Baynes's labours, and converted the receptacle beneath into a
-cesspool for the drainage of his houses. The spring thus degraded, and
-its situation concealed, it is probable that the lapse of a few more
-years would have effaced the memory of it for ever, had not an accident
-re-discovered it in the summer of 1826. Its covering, which was only of
-boards, having rotted, suddenly gave way, and left a large chasm in the
-footpath. After some efforts, not perfectly successful, to turn off the
-drainage, it was then arched with brickwork, and a leaden pump placed
-over it, in the garden where it chiefly lies. But the pump being stolen
-during the following winter, the spring has again fallen into neglect,
-and possibly this page alone will prevent its being totally forgotten."
-
-Still following the Fleet to its outfall, we next come to Bagnigge
-Well, a chalybeate spring, first used medicinally, and then, like all
-these Spas, merely as a promenade, and place of out-of-door recreation.
-
-Originally, this spring probably belonged to the Nunnery at
-Clerkenwell, and may possibly be the "Rode Well" mentioned in the
-Register of Clerkenwell. But we are indebted to Dr. Bevis, from whose
-pamphlet I have already quoted, for a history of its modern rise and
-development (p. 38).
-
-"In the year 1757, the spot of ground in which this well is sunk
-was let out to a gentleman curious in gardening, who observed that
-the oftener he watered his flowers from it the worse they throve. I
-happened, toward the end of that summer, to be in company with a friend
-who made a transient visit to Mr. HUGHES, and was asked to taste the
-water; and, being surprised to find its flavour so near that of the
-best German chalybeates, did not hesitate to declare my opinion, that
-it might be made of great benefit both to the public and himself. At my
-request, he sent me some of the water, in a large stone bottle, well
-corked, the next day; a gallon whereof I immediately set over a fire,
-and by a hasty evaporation found it very rich in mineral contents,
-though much less so than I afterwards experienced it to be when more
-leisurely exhaled by a gentle heat. Whilst this operation was carrying
-on, I made some experiments on the remainder of the water, particularly
-with powdered galls, which I found to give, in less than a minute, a
-very rich and deep purple tincture to it, that lasted many days without
-any great alteration. I reported these matters to Mr. Hughes, but, soon
-after, a very dangerous illness put a stop to my experiments, which I
-did not resume for a considerable time, when the proprietor called, and
-told me his waters were in very great repute, and known by the name
-of BAGNIGGE WELLS; which I remembered to have seen in the newspapers,
-without so much as guessing it had been given to these springs. Mr.
-HUGHES took me to his wells, where I was not a little pleased with the
-elegant accommodations he had provided for company in so short a time."
-
-The house attached to the Spa is said to have been the residence of
-Nell Gwyn, but tradition has assigned her so many houses; at Chelsea,
-Bagnigge Wells, Highgate, Walworth, and Filberts, near Windsor--nay,
-one enterprising tradesman in the Strand has christened a milk shop
-"Nell Gwyn's Dairy," and has gone to some expense, in pictorial tiles,
-to impress on passers-by the genuineness of his assertion.
-
-Still, local tradition is strong, and, in a book called "The
-Recreations[35] of Mr. Zigzag the elder" (a pseudonym for Mr. John
-Wykeham Archer, artist and antiquary), which is in the Library of the
-City of London, and which is profusely "Grangerised" by the author, is
-a small water colour of Bagnigge House, the reputed dwelling of Nell
-Gwyn, which I have reproduced in outline, and on this drawing is a
-note, "Moreover several small tenements at the north end of the
-Garden were formerly entitled Nell Gwynne's Buildings, which seems to
-verify the tradition."[36]
-
-[Illustration: BAGNIGGE HOUSE. (Said to have been Nell Gwyn's.)]
-
-But the evidence is all of a _quasi_ kind. In the long room, supposed
-to have been the banqueting room, was, over the mantel, a bust, an
-_alto relievo_, of a female, supposed to be Nell Gwyn, and said to be
-modelled by Sir Peter Lely, enclosed in a circular border of fruit,
-which, of course, was at once set down as a delicate allusion to the
-actress's former calling of orange wench in the theatres. The bust and
-border were painted to imitate nature, and on either side were coats
-of arms--one the Royal arms, and, on the other side, the Royal arms
-quartered with others, which were supposed to be those assumed by the
-actress. When the old house was pulled down, the bust disappeared, and
-no one knows whither it went.
-
-I give a quotation from the _Sunday Times_, July 5, 1840, not as adding
-authority, or weight, to the idea that Bagnigge House was Nell's
-residence, but to show how deeply rooted was the tradition. It is a
-portion of the "_Maximms and Speciments of William Muggins, Natural
-Philosopher, and Citizen of the World_"--
-
- "Oh! how werry different London are now to wot it war at the
- time as I took my view on it from the post; none of them
- beautiful squares and streets, as lies heast and west, and
- north of the hospital, war built then; it war hall hopen fields
- right hup to Ampstead an Ighgate and Hislington. Bagnigge Well
- stood by itself at the foot of the hill, jist where it does
- now; and then it looked the werry pictur of countryfiedness and
- hinnocence. There war the beautiful white washed walls, with the
- shell grotto in the hoctagon summer house, where Nell Gwynne
- used to sit and watch for King Charles the Second. By the by,
- a pictur done by a famous hartist of them days, Sir Somebody
- Neller I thinks war his name, represents the hidentical ouse
- (it war a fine palace then) with the hidentical hoctagon summer
- house, with the beautiful Nelly leaning hout of the winder, with
- her lilly white hand and arm a-beckoning, while the King is
- seed in the distance galloping like vinking across the fields a
- waving his hat and feathers; while a little page, with little
- tobacker-pipe legs, in white stockings, stands ready to hopen a
- little door in the garden wall, and let hin the royal wisitor,
- while two little black and tan spanels is frisking about and
- playing hup hold gooseberry among the flower beds.
-
- That ere pictur used to hang hup in the bar parlor; its wanished
- now--so are the bust as were in the long room; but there's
- another portrait pictur of her, all alone by herself, done by
- Sir Peter Lely, still to be seen. (This here last coorosity war
- discovered honly a year or two ago, rolled hup among sum rubbige
- in the loft hunder the roof.)"
-
-The old house, however, was evidently of some importance, for, over
-a low doorway which led into the garden, was a stone, on which was
-sculptured a head in relief, and the following inscription--
-
- X
- THIS IS BAGNIGGE
- HOUSE NEARE
- THE PINDAR A
- WAKEFIELDE
- 1680.
-
-thus showing that the Pindar of Wakefield was the older house, and
-famous in that locality. This doorway and stone were in existence
-within the last forty years, for, in a footnote to page 572 of
-the _Gentleman's Magazine_ of June, 1847, it says, "The gate and
-inscription still remain, and will be found, where we saw them a few
-weeks since, in the road called Coppice Row, on the left going from
-Clerkenwell towards the New Road."
-
-The following illustration gives Bagnigge Wells as it appeared at the
-end of last century.
-
-[Illustration: BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON.]
-
-We have read how these gardens were first started in 1757, but they
-soon became well known and, indeed, notorious, as we read in a very
-scurrilous poem called "Bagnigge Wells," by W. Woty, in 1760--
-
- "Wells, and the place I sing, at early dawn
- Frequented oft, where male and female meet,
- And strive to drink a long adieu to pain.
- In that refreshing Vale with fragrance fill'd,
- Renown'd of old for Nymph of public fame
- And amorous Encounter, where the sons
- Of lawless lust conven'd--where each by turns
- His venal Doxy woo'd, and stil'd the place
- _Black Mary's Hole_--there stands a Dome superb,
- Hight Bagnigge; where from our Forefathers hid,
- Long have two Springs in dull stagnation slept;
- But, taught at length by subtle art to flow,
- They rise, forth from Oblivion's bed they rise,
- And manifest their Virtues to Mankind."
-
-The major portion of this poem (?) is rather too _risque_ for modern
-publication, but the following extract shows the sort of people who
-went there with the view of benefiting their health--
-
- "Here ambulates th' Attorney looking grave,
- And Rake from Bacchanalian rout uprose,
- And mad festivity. Here, too, the Cit,
- With belly, turtle-stuff'd, and man of Gout,
- With leg of size enormous. Hobbling on,
- The Pump-room he salutes, and in the chair
- He squats himself unwieldy. Much he drinks,
- And much he laughs to see the females quaff
- The friendly beverage. He, nor jest obscene,
- Of meretricious wench, nor quibble quaint,
- Of prentic'd punster heeds, himself a wit
- And dealer in conundrums, but retorts
- The repartee jocosely. Soft! how pale
- Yon antiquated virgin looks! Alas!
- In vain she drinks, in vain she glides around
- The Garden's labyrinth. 'Tis not for thee,
- Mistaken nymph! these waters pour their streams," &c.
-
-And in the prologue to "Bon Ton: or _High_ Life above Stairs," by David
-Garrick, acted at Drury Lane for the first time, for the benefit of Mr.
-King, in 1775, not much is said as to the character of its frequenters.
-
- "Ah! I loves life and all the joy it yields,
- Says Madam Fupock, warm from Spittlefields.
- Bon Ton's the space 'twixt Saturday and Monday,
- And riding in a one-horse chaise on Sunday,
- 'Tis drinking tea on summer's afternoons
- At Bagnigge Wells, with china and gilt spoons."
-
- [Footnote 34: Otherwise the Fleet.]
-
- [Footnote 35: These papers appeared in the _Illustrated Family
- Journal_.]
-
- [Footnote 36: In Cromwell's "History of Clerkenwell," p. 322,
- we read, "In memory of its supposed proprietor, the owner of
- some small tenements near the north end of the gardens styled
- them 'Nell Gwynn's Buildings;' but the inscription was erased
- before 1803."]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII.
-
-
-The gardens were pretty, after the manner of the times; we should not,
-perhaps, particularly admire the formally cut lines and hedges, nor the
-fountain in which a Cupid is hugging a swan, nor the rustic statuary
-of the haymakers. Still it was a little walk out of London, where
-fresh air could be breathed, and a good view obtained of the northern
-hills of Hampstead and Highgate, with the interlying pastoral country,
-sparsely dotted with farmhouses and cottages. The Fleet, here, had not
-been polluted into a sewer as it was further on, and there were all the
-elements of spending a pleasant, happy day, in good air, amid rural
-scenes.
-
-[Illustration: A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF
-BAGNIGGE WELLS.]
-
-[Illustration: WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE
-HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS.]
-
-[Illustration: THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF
-BAGNIGGE WELLS.]
-
-The place, however, rapidly became a disreputable _rendezvous_, and
-we get an excellent glimpse of the costumes of _circa_ 1780 in the
-two following engravings taken from mezzotints published by Carington
-Bowles; although not dated, they are of that period, showing the
-Macaronis and Belles of that time. The first is called "The BREAD and
-BUTTER MANUFACTORY,[37] or the Humours of BAGNIGGE WELLS," and the
-second "A Bagnigge Wells Scene, or no resisting temptation," which gives
-a charming representation of the ultra fashion of dress then worn.
-
-[Illustration: A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION.
-
-(_Published for Carington Bowles._)]
-
-Yet another glance at the manners of the time is afforded by the boy
-waiter, who hurries along with his tray of tea-things and _kettle of
-hot water_.[38]
-
-[Illustration: THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST.]
-
-And there was good music there, too--an organ in the long room, on
-which Charles Griffith performed, as may be seen in the accompanying
-illustration. The name of Davis on the music books, is that of the then
-proprietor, and the lines underneath are parodied from Dryden's "Song
-for St. Cecilia's day, 1687."
-
- "What passion cannot music raise and quell!
- When Jubal struck the corded shell,
- His listening brethren stood around,
- And, wondering, on their faces fell."
-
-It went on with varying fortunes, and under various proprietors. First
-of all Mr. Hughes, then, in 1792, Davis had it; in 1813 it was in the
-hands of one Salter; in 1818, a man named Thorogood took it, but let
-it to one Monkhouse, who failed, and it reverted to Thorogood. Then
-came as tenant, a Mr. Chapman, who was bankrupt in 1833, and, in 1834,
-Richard Chapman was proprietor. I fancy he was the last, as public
-house, and gardens, combined.
-
-Mr. William Muggins, before quoted, laments its decadence thus:
-"Besides the whitewashed walls, and hoctagon shell grotto, there war
-the tea garden, with its honey suckle and sweet briar harbours, where
-they used to drink tea hout of werry small cups, and heat the far famed
-little hot loaves and butter; then there war the dancing plot, and the
-gold and silver fish ponds, and the bowling green, and skittle alley,
-and fire work ground hall so romantic and rural, standing in the middle
-of a lot of fields, and shaded around with trees. Now it's a werry
-different concarn, for it's surrounded with buildings--the gardens is
-cut hoff to nuffin, and the ouse looks tumble down and miserable." That
-was in 1840.
-
-It was about this time that a song appeared in "The Little Melodist,"
-1839--dilating on the delights of the neighbourhood of Islington, and
-the first verse ran thus:
-
- "Will you go to Bagnigge Wells,
- Bonnet builder, O!
- Where the Fleet ditch fragrant smells,
- Bonnet builder, O!
- Where the fishes used to swim,
- So nice and sleek and trim,
- But the pond's now covered in,
- Bonnet builder, O!
-
-_Punch_, too, when it was young, and had warm blood coursing through
-its veins, visited Bagnigge Wells, and recorded the visit in its pages
-(Sept. 7, 1843). After a description of the walk thither, it says, "We
-last visited Bagnigge Wells about the beginning of the present week,
-and, like many travellers, at first passed close to it without seeing
-it. Upon returning, however, our eye was first arrested by an ancient
-door in the wall over which was inscribed the following:--[39]
-
-"This inscription, of which the above is a _fac simile_ was surmounted
-by a noseless head carved in stone; and, underneath, was a cartoon
-drawn in chalk upon the door, evidently of a later date, and bearing a
-resemblance to some of the same class in Gell's 'Pompeii.' Underneath
-was written in letters of an irregular alphabet, 'CHUCKY'--the entire
-drawing being, without doubt, some local pasquinade.
-
-"Not being able to obtain admittance at the door, we went on a short
-distance, and came to the ruins of the ancient 'Wells,' of which part
-of the banqueting room still exists. These are entirely open to the
-public as well as the adjoining pleasure grounds, although the thick
-layer of brick-bats with which they are covered, renders walking a
-task of some difficulty. The adjacent premises of an eminent builder
-separate them by some cubits from the road of Gray's Inn, near which,
-what we suppose to be the 'Well' is still visible. It is a round hole
-in the ground behind the ruins, filled up with rubbish and mosaics of
-oyster shells, but, at present, about eighteen inches deep.
-
-"It is very evident that the character of Bagnigge Wells has much
-altered within the last century. For, bearing that date, we have before
-us the 'Song of the 'Prentice to his Mistress' in which the attractions
-of the place are thus set forth:--
-
- "'Come, come, Miss Priscy, make it up,
- And we will lovers be:
- And we will go to _Bagnigge Wells_,
- And there we'll have some tea.
- And there you'll see the ladybirds
- All on the stinging nettles;
- And there you'll see the water-works,
- And shining copper kettles.
- And there you'll see the fishes, Miss,
- More curious than whales;
- They're made of gold and silver, Miss,
- And wag their little tails.'[40]
-
-"Of the wonders recounted in these stanzas, the stinging nettles alone
-remain flourishing, which they do in great quantity. The Waterworks are
-now confined to two spouts and a butt against the adjacent building;
-and the gold and silver fishes separately, in the form of red herrings
-and sprats, have been removed to the stalls in the neighbourhood, with
-a great deal more of the wag in the dealer, than in themselves.
-
-"The real Bagnigge Wells, where company assemble to drink, at the
-present day, is next door to the ruins. The waters are never drank,
-however, now, without being strongly medicated, by a process carried
-on at the various brewers and distillers of the Metropolis: without
-this, they are supposed, by some classes, to be highly injurious. Their
-analysis have produced various results. Soda has been detected in one
-species, analogous to the German _Seltzer_, and designated 'Webb's';
-others contain iron in appreciable quantities, and institute a galvanic
-circle, when quaffed from goblets formed from an alloy of tin and lead:
-in some constitutions quickening the circulation, and raising the animal
-temperature--in others, producing utter prostration.
-
-"Flannel jackets, and brown paper caps appeared to be the costume
-of the valetudinarians who were drinking at the Wells, during our
-stay. We patronized the tepid spa by ordering 'Sixpennyworth warm,'
-as the potion was termed in the dialect of Bagnigge, for the purpose
-of drawing the proprietor into conversation. But he was, evidently,
-reluctant to impart much information, and told us nothing beyond what
-we already knew--a custom very prevalent at all the springs we have
-visited.
-
-"Lodgings, provisions, clothing, &c., are to be had at low rates in the
-neighbourhood, and there are several delightful spots in the vicinity
-of Bagnigge Wells.
-
-"The Excursion to Battle Bridge will be found highly interesting,
-returning by the Brill; and, to the admirers of nature, the panorama
-from the summit of King's Cross, embracing the Small Pox Hospital, and
-Imperial Gas Works, with the very low countries surrounding them, is
-peculiarly worthy of especial notice."
-
-Two years previous to this notice, there was a paragraph in the _Times_
-(April 6, 1841) which shows how the Wells had fallen into decadence.
-
-"The Old Grotto, which had all the windows out, and was greatly
-dilapidated, and the upper part of the Garden Wall, was knocked down by
-some persons going along Bagnigge Road, early this morning."
-
-The old place had fulfilled its mission. It had ministered to the
-recreation and amusement, harmless, or otherwise, of generations of
-Londoners, and it came to final grief, and disappeared in 1844. Its
-name is still preserved in "The Bagnigge Wells" Tavern, 39, King's
-Cross Road, and that is all the reminiscence we have of this once
-famous place of recreative resort.
-
- [Footnote 37: An allusion to the hot buttered rolls, which
- were in vogue there.]
-
- [Footnote 38: See p. 89.]
-
- [Footnote 39: See ante-p. 84.]
-
- [Footnote 40: With all due deference to _Punch_, I think his
- version is slightly, only slightly, inaccurate. I have before
- me five copies, two MS. and three printed, all of which run--
-
- "Come, prithee make it up, Miss,
- And be as lovers be,
- We'll go to Bagnigge Wells, Miss,
- And there we'll have some tea.
- It's there you'll see the Lady-birds
- Perch'd on the Stinging Nettles;
- The Chrystal water Fountain,
- And the Copper, shining Kettles.
- It's there you'll see the Fishes,
- More curious they than Whales,
- And they're made of Gold and Silver, Miss,
- And wags their little tails.
- Oh! they wags their little Tails
- --They wags their little Tails
- Oh! they're made of gold and silver, Miss,
- and they wags their little Tails.
- Oh! dear! Oh! la! Oh! dear! Oh! la!
- Oh! dear! Oh! la!
- How funny!"]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX.
-
-
-A little farther on, it washed the walls of Cold Bath Fields Prison,
-the _House of Correction_, and we get a view of it in Hone's "Table
-Book,"[41] p. 75. Here he says, "In 1825, this was the first open
-view, nearest London, of the ancient River Fleet: it was taken during
-the building of the high arched walls connected with the House of
-Correction, Cold Bath Fields, close to which prison the river ran,
-as here seen. At that time, the newly erected walls communicated a
-peculiarly picturesque effect to the stream flowing within their
-confines."
-
-This "House of Correction" was indebted for its birth to the famous
-John Howard, who had made an European tour, not to mention a home one,
-inquisitorially inspecting prisons. We all know the result of his
-labours; how he exposed abuses fearlessly, and made men's hearts soften
-somewhat towards those incarcerated.
-
-[Illustration: THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825.]
-
-Howard, writing in 1789, held that capital punishment should be
-abolished except for _murder_, _setting houses on fire_, and for
-_house breaking, attended with acts of cruelty_. And speaking of his
-Penitentiaries, he says:
-
-"To these houses, however, I would have none but old, hardened
-offenders, and those who have, as the laws now stand, forfeited their
-lives by robbery, house breaking, and similar Crimes, should be
-committed; or, in short, those Criminals who are to be confined for a
-long term or for life....
-
-"The _Penitentiary houses_, I would have _built_, in a great measure,
-_by the convicts_. I will suppose that a power is obtained from
-Parliament to employ such of them as are now at work on the Thames,
-or some of those who are in the county gaols, under sentence of
-transportation, as may be thought most expedient. In the first place,
-let the surrounding wall, intended for full security against escapes,
-be completed, and proper lodges for the gate keepers. Let temporary
-buildings, of the nature of barracks, be erected in some part of this
-enclosure which would be wanted the least, till the whole is finished."
-
-This was a portion of his scheme, and he suggested that it should be
-located, where it was afterwards built, in Cold Bath Fields--because
-the situation was healthy, that good water could be obtained from the
-White Conduit, as the Charter House no longer required that source of
-supply, it being well served by the New River Company--that labour was
-cheap--and so was food, especially the coarse meat from the shambles at
-Islington.
-
-The prisoners were to have separate cells, so as to prevent the
-promiscuous herding of all, which had previously produced such
-mischievous results, and these cells were to be light and airy. The
-convicts of both sexes were to _work_, and their food was to be
-apportioned to the work they had to do. Also--a very great step in
-the right direction--they were all to wear a prison uniform. Howard,
-philanthropist as he was, was very far from lenient to the rogue. He
-was fully aware of the value of _work_, and specially provided that
-his rogues, in their reformation, should pass through the purifying
-process of hard labour. In later times, the way of transgressors was
-hard in that place, and it became a terror to evildoers, being known by
-the name of the _English Bastile_--which, however, amongst its patrons,
-was diminished, until it finally was abbreviated into "the Steel" by
-which name it was known until its abolition.[42]
-
-This cognomen was so well known, that, in 1799, a book was written
-by "A Middlesex Magistrate" entitled "The Secrets of the English
-Bastile disclosed"--which was a favourable story of the management
-of the prison in Cold Bath Fields. Still, it was the subject of a
-Parliamentary inquiry, as we find in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
-1798-9, under date of Dec. 31, 1798, p. 398, that, in the House of
-Commons, Sir Francis Burdett gave notice of his intention of moving, at
-some future day, for a report relative to the system practised in the
-prison, called the House of Correction, Cold Bath Fields, with regard
-to the persons therein confined.
-
-In the "Parliamentary History of England," vol. xxxiv. p. 566, we learn
-that on Mar. 6, 1799, Mr. W. Dundas moved that a Select Committee be
-appointed to inquire into the state of his Majesty's prison in Cold
-Bath Fields, Clerkenwell, and report the same, as it shall appear to
-them, together with their opinion thereupon, to the House; and a
-Committee was appointed accordingly. Unfortunately, the pages of what,
-afterwards, become _Hansard's_, do not record the result.
-
-But in the _Annual Register_ for the same year on Dec. 21st there
-was a long report respecting it during a debate on the suspension of
-the Habeas Corpus Act. Mr. Courtenay said, that, "having visited the
-prisons, he found the prisoners without fire, and without candles,
-denied every kind of society, exposed to the cold and the rain, allowed
-to breathe the air out of their cells only for an hour, denied every
-comfort, every innocent amusement, excluded from all intercourse with
-each other, and, each night locked up from all the rest of the world.
-He supposed it was scarcely necessary to inform the House, that the
-prison of which he had been speaking, was that in Cold Bath Fields,
-known by the name of the Bastille." There was a lot more nonsense
-of the same type talked by other M.P.'s and, it is needless to say,
-that the exaggerated statements were anent a political prisoner--who
-afterwards suffered death for treason. And in the remainder of the
-debate even the very foundation for the libel was destroyed. It is a
-curious fact, that people have an idea that political prisoners, who
-have done as much harm to the commonweal as they have the possibility
-of doing, are to be treated daintily, and with every consideration for
-their extremely sensitive feelings. We, perhaps, in these latter days,
-may read a profitable lesson in the suppression of treason, from the
-proper carrying out of the sentences legally imposed upon those who
-resist the law out of pure malice (legal).
-
-In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1796, is the following letter to--
-
- _Dec. 10, 1795._
-
- Mr. URBAN.--Your respect for the memory of Mr. Howard, will
- induce you to insert the inclosed view of the House of
- Correction for the County of Middlesex, formed principally on
- his judicious suggestions. It is situated on the North side of
- London, between Cold Bath Fields, and Gray's Inn Lane. The spot
- on which it is erected having been naturally swampy, and long
- used for a public lay-stall, it was found prudent to lay the
- foundation so deep, and pile it so securely, that it is supposed
- there are as many bricks laid underground as appear to sight.
- What is more to the purpose, the internal regulations of this
- place of security are believed to be perfectly well adapted to
- the salutary purposes to which the building is appropriated.
-
- "Yours, &c., "EUGENIO."
-
-Still Cold Bath Fields Prison had an evil name--in all probability,
-because prisoners there, were treated as if they had sinned against
-the social canons, and were not persons to be coaxed and _petted_ into
-behaviour such as would enable them to rank among their more honest
-fellows, and in this way wrote Coleridge and Southey in "The Devil's
-Walk," which was suggested by the _pseudo Christos_ BROTHERS who as
-these gentlemen wrote:--[43]
-
- "He walked into London leisurely,
- The streets were dirty and dim:
- But there he saw Brothers, the Prophet,
- And Brothers the Prophet saw him."
-
-Well, in the Devil's rambles he came across Cold Bath Fields
-Prison--which, as I have said, was not beloved of the criminal class,
-and, simply, as I think, for the sake of saying something smart, and
-not that they ever had experienced incarceration, or is there any
-evidence that they had even seen the prison, they write:
-
- "As he passed through Cold Bath Fields he look'd
- At a solitary Cell;
- And he was well-pleased, for it gave him a hint
- For improving the prisons of Hell.
-
- He saw a turnkey tie a thief's hands
- With a cordial try and a jerk;
- Nimbly, quoth he, a man's fingers move
- When his heart is in his work.
-
- He saw the same turnkey unfettering a man
- With little expedition;
- And he chuckled to think of his dear slave trade,
- And the long debates, and delays that were made
- Concerning its abolition."
-
-There is very little doubt, however, that, in the closing year of
-last, and the commencing one of this, century, the conduct of the
-Governor--a man named Aris--was open to very grave censure. People
-outside imagined that all sorts of evils were being perpetrated within
-its walls, and, either through laxity, or too great severity, of
-discipline, something nigh akin to mutiny occurred in the prison in
-July, 1800--which was promptly stopped by the presence of a company
-of the Clerkenwell Volunteers. In August of the same year, there was
-another outbreak in the prison, the occupants shouting "Murder," and
-that they were being starved, in tones loud enough to be heard outside,
-and, once more the Volunteers were the active agents in enforcing law
-and order. This latter "seething of the pot" lasted a few days, and it
-culminated in the discharge of the obnoxious Governor Aris.
-
-There is nothing noteworthy to chronicle of this prison from that
-date,[44] all prison details being, necessarily, unsavoury--and this
-particular one was not watered with rose water. It was a place of
-hard work, and not likely to impress the unproductive class, with a
-wish to be permanent inhabitants thereof. Yet, as this present year
-witnessed its demolition, something more must be said respecting it.
-In the _Globe_ newspaper of January 1, 1887, is this short paragraph:
-"Notices were yesterday posted on the walls of Coldbath Fields Prison,
-intimating that it is for sale. Tenders are invited for the site, and
-all buildings, &c., contained within the boundary walls. The prison
-covers an area of eight acres and three quarters."
-
-There ought to be some record of its dying days, for the demolition of
-a prison in a large community of people, like ours in London, must mean
-one of two things, either a diminution of crime, or, that the prison is
-not suitable to the requirements of the age.
-
-The Ninth Report of the Commissioners of Prisons, for the Year ended
-March 31, 1886, speaking of Pentonville Prison, says:
-
-"In November, 1885, the majority of the prisoners confined in Coldbath
-Fields Prison were transferred to this Prison; and since that date, the
-remainder have also been removed here, that prison being now vacated,
-and in charge of a warder acting as caretaker.
-
-"The tread-wheel[45] has been taken down at Coldbath Fields Prison, and
-is in process of re-erection here.
-
-"The behaviour of the officers has been good, with the exception of
-four, discharged by order of the Prison Commissioners.
-
-"The conduct of the prisoners has been generally good.
-
-"The materials and provisions supplied by the Contractors have been
-good, and have given satisfaction.
-
-"To meet the requirements of the local prison service, a room is being
-completed for the convenience of the members of the Visiting Committee
-who attend here, also a room for the daily collection of prisoners to
-see the medical officer, and other purposes, as well as various minor
-alterations found necessary since the transfer.
-
-"A bakehouse has been completed, and is in working order, supplying
-bread to all metropolitan prisons.
-
-"The routine and discipline have been carried out in the same general
-manner as heretofore.
-
-"The industrial labour continues to be attended with satisfactory
-results; the greater portion is still devoted to supplying the wants of
-other prisons or Government establishments instead of the market.
-
-"Uniform clothing for officers is cut out here for all local prisons,
-and made up for a considerable number of the smaller prisons, also
-prisoners' clothing and bedding, hospital slippers for the Admiralty,
-as well as a large number of Cases and other articles for the General
-Post Office have been supplied.
-
-"The duties of the Chaplain's department have been performed
-uninterruptedly during the year, morning prayers have been said daily,
-and Divine Service has been performed on Sundays, Good Friday, and
-Christmas day, in the morning and afternoon, with a sermon at both
-services. The Holy Communion has been celebrated from time to time on
-Sundays and on the great Sunday Festivals. The hospital has been daily
-visited; special attention has been paid to the prisoners confined in
-the punishment Cells, and constant opportunity has been offered to all
-of private instruction and advice. Books from the prisoners' library
-have been issued to all who are entitled to receive them, all prisoners
-who cannot pass standard three, as set forth by the Education Committee
-have been admitted to school instruction.
-
-"School books and slates and pencils are issued to prisoners in their
-cells.
-
-"The medical officer states that the health of the prisoners at
-Coldbath Fields, and since the transfer to this prison, has been good.
-One case of smallpox occurred at Coldbath Fields; as the prisoner had
-been some months in gaol, it was clear that he had caught the disease,
-either from a warder, or from some prisoner recently received; he had
-been a cleaner in the rotunda, and, of course, had been coming into
-contact with warders and prisoners alike, in the busiest part of the
-prison, the presumption is that the disease had been carried by the
-uniform of some warder. There were five cases of erysipelas at Coldbath
-Fields, and one at this prison, at the former place the cases came from
-all parts of the prison, new and old. The air shafts were thoroughly
-swept and limewashed, and disinfected as far as could be reached, and
-there is no doubt that it checked the disease.
-
-"The dietary has been satisfactory during the year, and the new pattern
-clothing a great improvement.
-
-"Every precaution is taken in classing prisoners for labour suited to
-their age, physique and health.
-
-"The sanitary arrangements are most carefully supervised; the
-ventilation in the cells is very good."
-
- * * * * *
-
-I offer no apology for intruding this report of Prison life, which,
-if one took the trouble to look up the yearly reports, he would find
-they are all couched in almost identical language.[46] I simply give it
-for the consideration of my readers--who, with myself, do not belong
-to the criminal classes--to show them how those who have preyed upon
-them, and have deservedly merited punishment, meet with treatment such
-as the indigent and industrious poor, when, fallen upon evil times,
-can not obtain, and the sooner these pampered criminals feel, through
-their flesh--either by the whip, hard labour, or hunger--that the
-wages of sin are not paid at a higher rate than that procurable by
-honest labour, the probability is that the community at large would be
-considerably benefited, and the criminal classes would be in a great
-measure deprived of clubs to which there is neither entrance fee,
-nor annual subscription, in which everything of the best quality is
-found them free of charge, and the health of their precious carcases
-specially looked after, and gratuitously attended to.
-
- [Footnote 41: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 42: J. T. Smith in his "Vagabondiana," ed.
- 1815-1817, p. 51, alludes thus to the prison: "Perhaps the
- only waggery in public-house customs now remaining, is in the
- tap room of the Appletree, opposite to Cold Bath Fields
- Prison. There are a pair of hand cuffs fastened to the wires
- as bell-pulls, and the orders given by some of the company,
- when they wish their friends to ring, are, to 'Agitate the
- Conductor.'"]
-
- [Footnote 43: "After this I was in a vision, having the angel
- of God near me, and saw Satan walking leisurely into London"
- ("Brothers' Prophecies," part i. p. 41).]
-
- [Footnote 44: I have met with a Newspaper Cutting, with no
- clue to its authenticity or date. "DREADFUL RAVAGES OF THE
- INFLUENZA IN THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION.--Yesterday afternoon,
- Inquests were holden by William Baker, Esq., one of the
- Coroners for the County of Middlesex, at the House of
- Correction, Coldbath Fields, on no less than five individuals,
- namely, Peter Griffiths, Michael Hughes, James Jones, Thomas
- Lillie, and Ann Connard, all of whom had died from the effects
- of the present prevalent epidemic, or influenza, and who were
- inmates of that prison, and had been sentenced to different
- periods of imprisonment. It is a fact that, for the last two
- months, more prisoners have died in this prison, principally
- from the effects of influenza, than had died there during the
- whole of the preceding year." Possibly the poor Fleet River,
- at that time hardly degraded to the level of the Sewer--which
- now it is--may have had something to do with the unsanitary
- condition of the prison.--J. A.]
-
- [Footnote 45: Adopted at Coldbath Fields Prison, July, 1822.]
-
- [Footnote 46: Let any one compare, for instance, reports for
- 1884 and 1886.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X.
-
-
-Coldbath Fields were, a hundred and twenty years ago, fairly rural, for
-(although it certainly is recorded as an abnormal occurrence) we find,
-in the _Daily Courant_, November 12, 1765, "Friday afternoon, about two
-o'clock, a hare crossed the New Road, near Dobney's Bowling green, ran
-to the New River Head, and from thence to Coldbath Fields, where, in
-some turning among the different avenues, she was lost. She appeared to
-have been hard run, by her dirty and shabby coat."
-
-These fields took their name from a spring (part of the River of Wells)
-which had its source there. A Mr. Walter Baynes of the Temple, who was,
-for his day, far-seeing, and made the most of the "town lots" which
-were in the market, bought this plot of land, and at once utilized it
-to his profit. It was of some note, as we read in a book published in
-Queen Anne's reign, "A New View of London," 1708, vol. ii. p. 785.
-"Cold Bath. The most noted and first[47] about _London_ was that near
-_Sir John Oldcastle's_, where, in the Year 1697, Mr. _Bains_ undertook
-and yet manages this business of Cold Bathing, which they say is good
-against Rheumatisms, Convulsions of the Nerves, &c., but of that, those
-that have made the Experiments are the best judges. The Rates are 2s.
-6d. if the Chair is used,[48] and 2s. without it. Hours are from five
-in the morning to one, afternoon."
-
-We learn two things from this--the pristine existence of "tub," and the
-fact that it was purely matutinal. Nay, from the same book we learn
-more, for, under the heading of "Southwark Cold Bath," we find that
-the "utmost time to be in, three minutes." At this latter places were
-"ex votos," so frequently seen at shrines on the Continent. "Here are
-eleven Crutches, which they say, were those of persons cured by this
-Water." Bathing was a luxury then--water was bought by the pailful, and
-a warm bath at the _Hummums_ cost 5s., equal to between 10s. and 15s.
-of our money.
-
-Walter Baynes, Esq., of the Middle Temple, seems to have been a pushing
-man of business, and willing to make the most of his property. He
-traded on the uncleanliness of the times, when baths were mostly used
-in case of illness, and daily ablution of the whole body was unknown.
-Ladies were quite content to dab their faces with some "fucus" or face
-wash, or else smear them with a greasy larded rag. The shock of a
-veritable cold bath from a spring, must have astonished most of those
-who endured it, and no doubt invested it with a mysterious merit which
-it did not possess, otherwise than by cleansing the skin, both by the
-washing, and the subsequent rubbing dry.
-
-[Illustration: SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS.]
-
-However, we find Mr. Baynes advertising in the _Post Boy_, March
-28, 1700, the curative effects of his wonderful spring. "This is
-to give notice that the Cold Baths in Sir John Oldcastle's field
-near the north end of Gray's Inn Lane, London, in all seasons of
-the year, especially in the spring and summer, has been found, by
-experience, to be the best remedy in these following distempers, viz.,
-Dizziness, Drowsiness, and heavyness of the head, Lethargies, Palsies,
-Convulsions, all Hectical creeping Fevers, heats and flushings.
-Inflammations and ebullitions of the blood, and spirits, all vapours,
-and disorders of the spleen and womb, also stiffness of the limbs, and
-Rheumatick pains, also shortness of the breath, weakness of the joints,
-as Rickets, &c., sore eyes, redness of the face, and all impurities
-of the skin, also deafness, ruptures, dropsies, and jaundice. It both
-prevents and cures colds, creates appetite, and helps digestion, and
-makes hardy the tenderest constitution. The coach way is by Hockley in
-the Hole."
-
-Of course, viewed by the light of modern medical science, Mr. Baynes
-was a charlatan, and a quack, but he acted, doubtless, according to his
-lights, in those days; and, if a few were killed, it is probable that
-many more were benefited by being washed.
-
-Sir Richard Steele, writing in 1715, says thus:
-
-"ON THE COLD BATH AT OLDCASTLE'S."
-
- "Hail, sacred Spring! Thou ever-living Stream,
- Ears to the Deaf, Supporters to the Lame,
- Where fair Hygienia ev'ry morn attends,
- And with kind Waves, her gentle Succour lends.
- While in the Cristal Fountain we behold
- The trembling Limbs, Enervate, Pale and Cold;
- A Rosy Hue she on the face bestows,
- And Nature in the chilling fluid glows,
-
- The Eyes shoot Fire, first kindled in the Brain,
- As beds of Lime smoke after showers of Rain;
- The fiery Particles concentred there,
- Break ope' their Prison Doors and range in Air;
- Hail then thou pow'rful Goddess that presides
- O'er these cold Baths as Neptune o'er his Tides,
- Receive what Tribute a pure Muse can pay
- For Health that makes the Senses Brisk and Gay,
- The fairest Offspring of the heavenly Ray."
-
-At one time there was a famous house of refreshment and recreation,
-either called the Cobham's Head, or the Sir John Oldcastle--or there
-were one of each. Authorities differ, and, although I have spent some
-time and trouble in trying to reconcile so-called facts, I have come
-to the conclusion that, for my reader's sake, _le jeu ne vaut pas la
-chandelle_. There is a tradition that Sir John Oldcastle who was a
-famous Lollard in the time of Henry V., either had an estate here,
-or hid in a house of entertainment there, during his persecution for
-faith. But the whole is hazy.
-
-We know that there was a Sir John Oldcastle, who was born in the
-fourteenth century, and who was the fourth husband of Joan, Lady
-Cobham, in whose right he took the title of Lord Cobham. We know also,
-that he enjoyed the friendship of Henry V., and was of his household.
-But he got imbued with the doctrines of Wyclif, was cited to appear,
-more than once, before the ecclesiastical authorities, declined the
-invitations, and was duly excommunicated. He wrangled with the priests,
-got committed to the Tower, escaped and hid in Wales, was accused of
-heading a trumpery insurrection, and was, finally, captured, tried, and
-hanged in chains alive, upon a gallows in St. Giles' Fields, when,
-fire being put under him, he was slowly roasted to death in December,
-1417. A pious nobleman, like the late Lord Shaftesbury, for instance,
-was not popular at that time, if we may believe a few lines from
-"Wright's Political Songs from Edward II. to Henry VI."
-
- "Hit is unkindly for a Knight
- That shuld a kynges castel kepe,
- To bable the Bible day and night,
- In restyng time when he shuld slepe,
- And carefoly away to crepe;
- For alle the chefe of chivalrie,
- Wel ought hym to wail and wepe,
- That swyche[49] lust is in Lollardie."
-
-The English were always famous bowmen, and archery--although gunpowder
-has long superseded bows and arrows in warfare--still is a favourite
-and fashionable pastime, witness the Toxopholite Society in Regent's
-Park, and the various Archery associations throughout the kingdom;
-so that it is not remarkable that an open space like Coldbath Fields
-should vie with the Artillery ground at Finsbury, in favour with the
-citizens, as a place for this sport; and we find, in Queen Anne's
-reign, that the _Sir John Oldcastle_ was frequented by Archers. And for
-this information we may thank that old sinner, John Bagford (who spoilt
-so many books for the sake of their title-pages) for preserving. It
-tells its own story:--[50]
-
- "All gentlemen of the ancient and noble exercise of Archery,
- are invited to the annual dinner of the Clerkenwell Archers,
- Mrs. Mary Barton's, at the sign of Sir John Oldcastle (Cold Bath
- Fields) on Friday, July 18, 1707, at one o'clock, and to pay
- the bearer, Thomas Beaumont, Marshall, 2s. 6d., taking a sealed
- ticket, that a certain number may be known, and provision made
- accordingly. Nath. Axtall, Esq., and Edward Bromwich, Gent.,
- Stewards."
-
-There were very pleasant gardens attached to this tavern, and, like
-all the suburban places of recreation, they were well patronized, and
-they gave a very decent amusement in the shape of music--instrumental
-and vocal--and, occasionally, fireworks. But there seems to have been
-the same difficulty then, as now, as to keeping outdoor amusements,
-if not select, at least decorous, for, acccording to the _Daily
-Advertisement_ of June 3, 1745, "Sir John Oldcastle's Gardens, Cold
-Bath Fields. This evening's entertainment will continue the Summer
-Season. The Band consists of the best masters. Sixpence for admission,
-for which they have a ticket, which ticket will be taken as sixpence
-in their reckoning. Particular care will be taken that the provisions
-shall be the very best in their separate kinds; likewise to keep a just
-decorum in the gardens. Note.--Several ladies and gentlemen that come
-to the gardens give the drawers their tickets, which is no benefit to
-the proprietor; therefore it's humbly desired that if any gentlemen or
-ladies don't chuse to have the value of their tickets in liquor, or
-eating, they will be so kind as to leave them at the bar."
-
-[Illustration:
-THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS.]
-
-As a place of amusement, it seems, even in 1745, to have been on the
-wane. In 1758 the Smallpox Hospital was built close to it, and in 1761
-the Sir John Oldcastle was bought by the trustees of the hospital, in
-order to enlarge it, and was pulled down in 1762. Noorthouck ("New
-History of London," ed. 1763, p. 752), speaking of Cold Bath Square,
-in which was the famed cold bath, says, "The North side of this square
-is, as yet, open to the fields, but a little to the east stands the
-Small Pox Hospital for receiving patients who catch the disease in the
-natural way; and is a very plain, neat structure. The Center, which
-projects a little from the rest of the building, is terminated on the
-top by an angular pediment, on the apex of which is placed a vase upon
-a small pedestal. This excellent charity was instituted in the year
-1746, and is supported by a subscription of noblemen, gentlemen, and
-ladies, who were desirous that a charity useful in itself, and so
-beneficial to the public, might be begun near this great metropolis,
-there not being any hospital of the kind in Europe. A neat hospital for
-inoculating this disorder has been lately built clear of the town on
-the north side of the New Road."[51]
-
-In 1791 this hospital wanted extensive repairs, which would need an
-outlay of about £800; and the trustees, not willing to incur this
-expense, built another on the site of the Inoculating Hospital at
-Islington; and thither, when it was finished, all the patients were
-removed from Cold Bath Fields. But their new home was wanted for the
-Great Northern Railway, and another place was built, and still is, on
-Highgate Hill. The old building in Cold Bath Fields was first of all
-used as a distillery, and afterwards subdivided.
-
-Quoting again from Noorthouck: "Eastward from the Small Pox Hospital,
-on the south side of the Spawfield, is an humble imitation of the
-Pantheon in Oxford Road; calculated for the amusement of a suitable
-class of company; here apprentices, journeymen, and clerks dressed to
-ridiculous extremes, entertain their ladies on Sundays; and to the
-utmost of their power, if not beyond their proper power, affect the
-dissipated manners of their superiors. Bagnigge Wells and the White
-Conduit House, two other receptacles of the same kind, with gardens
-laid out in miniature taste, are to be found within the compass of
-two or three fields, together with Sadler's Wells, a small theatre for
-the summer exhibition of tumbling, rope-dancing, and other drolls, in
-vulgar stile. The tendency of these cheap, enticing places of pleasure
-just at the skirts of this vast town is too obvious to need further
-explanation; they swarm with loose women, and with boys, whose morals
-are thus depraved, and their constitution ruined, before they arrive
-at manhood; indeed, the licentious resort to the tea-drinking gardens
-was carried to such excess every night, that the magistrates lately
-thought proper to suppress the organs in their public rooms."
-
-There is no doubt but that some of these tea-gardens needed reform;
-so much so, that the grand jury of Middlesex, in May, 1744, made
-a presentment of several places which, in their opinion, were not
-conducive to the public morality; and these were two gaming-houses near
-Covent Garden, kept by the ladies Mordington and Castle; _Sadler's
-Wells near the New River head_, the New Wells in Goodman's Fields,
-the New Wells near the London Spaw in Clerkenwell; and a place called
-Hallam's Theatre in Mayfair.
-
-A possibly fair account of these gardens is found in the _St. James's
-Chronicle_, May 14-16, 1772:
-
- "To the Printer of the S. J. CHRONICLE.
-
- "SIR,--Happening to dine last Sunday with a Friend in the City,
- after coming from Church, the Weather being very inviting, we
- took a walk as far as Islington. In our Return home towards
- Cold Bath Fields, we stepped in, out of mere Curiosity, to view
- the Pantheon there; but such a Scene of Disorder, Riot, and
- Confusion presented itself to me on my Entrance, that I was
- just turning on my Heel, in order to quit it, when my friend
- observing to me that we might as well have something for our
- Money (for the Doorkeeper obliged each of us to deposit a
- _Tester_ before he granted us Admittance), I acquiesced in
- his Proposal, and became one of the giddy Multitude. I soon,
- however, repented of my Choice; for, besides having our Sides
- almost squeezed together, we were in Danger every Minute
- of being scalded by the Boiling Water, which the officious
- Mercuries[52] were circulating with the utmost Expedition thro'
- their respective Districts: We began therefore to look out for
- some Place to sit down in, which, with the greatest Difficulty,
- we at length procured, and, producing our Tickets, were served
- with Twelve pennyworth of Punch. Being seated towards the Front
- of one of the Galleries, I had now a better Opportunity of
- viewing this dissipated Scene. The Male Part of the Company
- seemed to consist chiefly of City Apprentices, and the lower
- Class of Tradesmen. The Ladies, who constituted by far the
- greater Part of the Assembly, seemed, most of them, to be Pupils
- of the Cyprian Goddess, and appeared to be thoroughly acquainted
- with their Profession, the different Arts and Manoeuvres of
- which they played off with great Freedom, and I doubt not with
- equal Success. Whatever Quarter I turned my Eyes to, I was sure
- to be saluted with a Nod, a Wink, or a Smile; and was even
- sometimes accosted with, 'Pray, Sir, will you treat me with a
- Dish of Tea?'... A Bill, I think, was in Agitation this Session
- of Parliament for enforcing the Laws already made for the
- better Observance of Sunday. Nothing, in my Opinion, tends more
- to its Profanation, among the lower Class of People, than the
- great Number of Tea Houses, in the Environs of London; the most
- exceptionable of which that I have had Occasion to be in, is the
- _Pantheon_. I could wish them either totally suppressed or else
- laid under some Restrictions, particularly on the Sabbath Day.
-
- "I am,
-
- "Sir,
-
- "Your Constant Reader,
-
- "and occasional Correspondent,
-
- "_Chiswick_, May 5. SPECULATOR."
-
-This PANTHEON was a large circular building surmounted by a statue of
-Fame. It was well warmed by a stove in its centre, and the grounds
-were prettily laid out. There were the usual walks, flower-beds,
-and pond, in the centre of which was a statue of Hercules, and, of
-course, the usual out-of-door refreshment boxes, or arbours. But
-it is just possible that it was owing to its somewhat disreputable
-conduct that the landlord became bankrupt in 1774, and the Pantheon
-was offered for sale. It was closed as a place of amusement in 1776,
-and the famous Countess of Huntingdon had some idea of utilizing it
-for the propagation of her peculiar religious views. However, the sum
-necessary for alterations, proved too much for her ladyship, yet by
-a strange mutation of fortune, somewhat akin to what we have seen in
-our time, in the Grecian Theatre in the City Road, being taken by the
-Salvation Army, the Pantheon was turned into a Proprietary Chapel,
-called Northampton Chapel, which was served by clergymen of the Church
-of England of strictly Evangelical principles, and it filled so well,
-that the incumbent of the parish church asserted his right to preach
-there whenever he liked, and also to nominate its chaplains. This the
-proprietors did not quite see, and they closed the chapel. Then Lady
-Huntingdon bought it, and, henceforth, it was called Spa Fields Chapel.
-
-The illustration[53] is taken from the _New Spiritual Magazine_, and
-I do not think that an uglier building could be produced. Probably
-the statue of Fame was obliged to be removed, but the ventilator in
-its place was certainly not an improvement. However, it is now pulled
-down; but, before its demolition, it had to pass through the ordeal of
-more proceedings at law. As long as the chapel was served by clergy,
-nominally belonging to the Church of England, so long did the incumbent
-of St. James's, Clerkenwell, assert his right to the patronage of it.
-The Countess relied on her privilege as a peeress, to appoint her own
-Chaplain, but this was overridden by competent legal opinion, and
-nothing was left but for the officiating clergy to secede from the
-Church of England, and take the oath of allegiance as Dissenting
-Ministers. This the Countess did not relish; she would fain be in
-the fold, and yet not of the fold, as do many others of this age, but
-she had to eat the leek. She had the proud privilege of founding a
-religious sect, and she left the bulk of her large property, after very
-generous legacies, to the support of sixty-four chapels which she had
-established throughout the kingdom. She died at her house in Spa Fields,
-and was buried at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in Leicestershire, "dressed in the
-suit of white silk which she wore at the opening of a chapel in
-Goodman's Fields."[54]
-
-[Illustration: VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
-COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING.]
-
- [Footnote 47: Conduit.]
-
- [Footnote 48: This, I take it, refers to a practice mentioned
- in a pamphlet, "A Step to the Bath" (London, 1700), which I
- think is by Ned Ward. "The usual time being come to forsake
- that fickle Element, _Half Tub Chairs_, Lin'd with Blankets,
- Ply'd as thick as _Coaches_ at the _Play House_, or _Carts_ at
- the _Custom House_." It has been suggested that the Chair was
- used for debilitated patients; but, knowing the use of the
- term "Chair" at that epoch, I venture to propose my solution.]
-
- [Footnote 49: Such pleasure.]
-
- [Footnote 50: Harl. MSS., 5961.]
-
- [Footnote 51: Noorthouck (book i. p. 358) says, "It is to be
- observed that in 1746, an hospital was founded by subscription
- between London and Islington, for relieving poor people
- afflicted with the smallpox, and for inoculation. This is said
- to be the first foundation of the kind in Europe, and
- consisted of three houses; one in Old Street for preparing
- patients for inoculation; another in Islington" (Lower Street)
- "when the disease appeared, and the third in Cold Bath fields
- for patients in the natural way."]
-
- [Footnote 52: See p. 89.]
-
- [Footnote 53: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 54: _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. lxi. (1791), p.
- 589. The Chapel was pulled down in January or February, 1887.]
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XI.
-
-
-It is almost impossible to write about anything connected with Spa
-Fields, without mentioning the famous "Spa Fields Riots," which
-occurred on Dec. 2, 1816. In every great city there will always be a
-leaven of disquietude: demagogues who have nothing to lose, but all to
-gain, will always find an audience for their outpourings; and, often,
-the ignorant, and unthinking, have only to be told, by any knave, that
-they are underpaid, downtrodden, or what not, and they are ready to
-yell, with their sweet breaths, that they are. So was it then in 1816.
-
-And it is also remarkable how history repeats itself; for, part of the
-scheme proposed by the agitators on that day, was exactly similar to
-the proposals of certain Irishmen and Socialists of our time--_teste_
-the following handbill, taken from the _Times_, the newspaper of Dec.
-7, 1816.
-
- "SPENCE'S PLAN. For Parochial Partnerships in the Land, is
- the only effectual Remedy for the Distresses and Oppression
- of the People. The Landowners are not Proprietors in Chief;
- they are but the _Stewards_ of the Public; For the LAND is the
- PEOPLE'S FARM. The Expenses of the Government do not cause the
- Misery that surrounds us, but the enormous exactions of these
- '_Unjust Stewards_.' Landed Monopoly is indeed equally contrary
- to the benign spirit of Christianity, and destructive of the
- Independence and Morality of Mankind.
-
- "'The Profit of the Earth is for all.'
-
- "Yet how deplorably destitute are the great Mass of the People!
- Nor is it possible for their situations to be radically
- amended, but by the establishment of a system, founded on the
- immutable basis of Nature and Justice. Experience demonstrates
- its necessity and the rights of mankind require it for their
- preservation.
-
- "To obtain this important object, by extending the knowledge
- of the above system, the Society of Spencean Philanthropists
- has been instituted. Further information of it's principles
- may be obtained by attending any of it's sectional meetings,
- where subjects are discussed, calculated to enlighten the human
- understanding, and where, also, the regulations of the society
- may be procured, containing a Complete development of the
- Spencean system. Every individual is admitted free of expense,
- who will conduct himself with decorum.
-
- First Section every Wednesday at the Cock, Grafton Street, Soho.
- Second " " Thursday " Mulberry Tree, Mulberry Ct.,
- Wilson Street, Moorfields.
- Third " " Monday " Nag's Head, Carnaby Mrkt.
- Fourth " " Tuesday " No. 8, Lumber St., Mint, Borough."
-
-There! does not that read exactly like a modern speech delivered in
-Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, or Dublin? Of course it was the old story
-of Demagogy. The pot boiled, the scum came to the top, and it boiled
-over, so that, one fine day, there was a riot. It was a period of
-distress for the working classes, who did not then, as now, swarm into
-London from all parts of England, and expect Jupiter to help them; but
-then, as now, the rich were ever willing to help their poorer brethren,
-for, in the very same _Times_ newspaper that gives an account of this
-Spa Fields Riot, there is a list of subscriptions towards the relief of
-distress in Spitalfields alone, amounting to over £18,000.
-
-The story is one that should be told, because it has its lesson and its
-parallel in all time. The ruling spirit of the movement was Henry Hunt,
-generally called Orator Hunt, a man fairly well to do, and who did not
-agitate for the sake of his daily bread. The occasion of the meeting in
-Spa Fields, at which some 10,000 people were present, was to receive
-the answer of the Prince Regent to a petition from the distressed
-mechanics of London and its vicinity for relief. It was held first
-of all in front of the "Merlin's Cave" (a name which still survives
-at 131, Rosomon Street, Clerkenwell), and afterwards in the adjacent
-fields. The following account of the riots is from the _Times_ of Dec.
-3, 1816:
-
- "As a prelude to the scene that followed, and with the spirit
- of the ruling demagogue, a person mounted a coal waggon with
- three flags, on which were inscribed certain mottoes; and,
- after having harangued a small audience, draughted off from the
- general body, proceeded to the city, where the acts of violence
- were perpetrated, which will be found in another part of our
- paper.
-
- "The speech of this orator, and the conduct of his audience, we
- shall give in an extract from an evening paper as we were not
- present at the first part of the drama ourselves.
-
- "'In the field was a Coal waggon, upon which were mounted about
- twenty persons, chiefly in the dress of sailors. Several flags
- were displayed; two tricoloured ones, on one of which was the
- following inscription:
-
- "'Nature, Truth, and Justice! Feed the Hungry! Protect the
- Oppressed! Punish Crimes!'
-
- "'On a second tricoloured flag, no inscription.
-
- "'On a third white flag was inscribed in red letters the
- following:
-
- "'The brave Soldiers are our Brothers; treat them kindly.'
-
- "'Many had bludgeons, and others pockets full of stones. One
- person in the waggon then addressed the meeting in the following
- strain:--"I am sorry to tell you that our application to the
- Prince has failed. He, the father of his people, answered--'My
- family have never attended to Petitions but from Oxford and
- Cambridge, and the City of London.' And is this Man the father
- of the people? No. Has he listened to your petition? No. The day
- is come--(_It is, It is_, from the mob.) We must do more than
- words. We have been oppressed for 800 years since the Norman
- Conquest. If they would give ye a hod, a shovel, a spade, and a
- hoe, your mother earth would supply you. (_Aye, aye, she would._
- Loud Applause.) Country men, if you will have your wrongs
- redressed, follow me. (_That we will._ Shouts.) Wat Tyler would
- have succeeded had he not been basely murdered by a Lord Mayor,
- William of Walworth. Has the Parliament done their duty? No.
- Has the Regent done his duty? No, no. A man who receives one
- million a year public money gives only £5,000 to the poor. They
- have neglected the starving people, robbed them of everything,
- and given them a penny. Is this to be endured? Four millions
- are in distress; our brothers in Ireland are in a worse state,
- the climax of misery is complete, it can go no farther. The
- Ministers have not granted our rights. Shall we take them?
- (_Yes, yes_, from the mob.) Will you demand them? (_Yes, yes._)
- If I jump down will you follow me? (_Yes, yes_, was again
- vociferated.)."
-
- "'The persons on the waggon then descended with the flags; the
- constables immediately laid hold of the flags. Some persons
- attempted resistance, and two were therefore taken up forthwith,
- and sent to prison. The constables succeeded in getting one of
- the flags.
-
- "'When the second flag was displayed, it was supposed that it
- headed Mr. Hunt's procession, and there was a loud huzza, which
- stopped one of the waggon orators for five minutes.'
-
- "[For all the rest we hold ourselves responsible, as it is our
- own report of what passed.]."
-
-The _Times_ then gives in detail a report of the meeting, commencing
-from the arrival of "Orator" Hunt, who read the correspondence between
-himself and Lord Sidmouth, and said: "The statement of Lord Sidmouth
-to him was, that neither any King of the House of Brunswick, nor the
-Prince Regent, since he had attained sovereign power, ever gave any
-answer to petitions except they came from the Corporation of the City
-of London, or from the two Universities which had the privilege of
-being heard, and answered from the throne. 'If I were to carry your
-present petition to the levée (added his lordship) I should deliver it
-into his Royal Highness's hand, make my bow, and walk on; and if you,
-yourself, Mr. Hunt, were to appear, you would do just the same thing;
-you would deliver your petition, make your bow, and pass on.' This,
-Gentlemen, is a little more about Court matters than I was aware of
-before. (Loud laughter and applause.) The meeting had the consolation
-to think, that, if their petition was not answered by the Prince
-Regent, it had met with no worse fate than other petitions presented to
-the House of Hanover since the accession of this family to the throne.
-(Applause.)
-
-"He expected to have seen this day a deputation from the Soup
-Committee, for the purpose of returning thanks to this meeting for
-obtaining the £5,000 which the Prince Regent had granted. (Great
-applause.) He was convinced that it was owing to the exertions and
-patriotism of the last assembly in those fields that his Royal Highness
-was induced to give this pittance: but his Royal Highness had not gone
-the full length of the requests which had then been made. It was
-required that he should bestow on the inhabitants of the metropolis £2
-or 300,000 out of the Civil List; but, instead of this, what had been
-done? Some enemy to his country, some corrupt minister had persuaded
-his Royal Highness to send £5000 out of the Droits of the Admiralty,
-which properly belonged to the sailors: those droits, the piratical
-seizing of which had caused so much bloodshed, and the loss of so many
-British lives."
-
- * * * * *
-
-This was the sort of fustian that was talked then, as now, and probably
-always will be, to an ignorant mob; and, as a natural sequence, words
-begot actions. Blind--foolishly blind--the idiotic mob marched towards
-the City, not knowing why, or what advantage they were to gain by so
-doing. Naturally, there were thieves about, and they plundered the shop
-of Mr. Beckwith, a gunmaker, in Skinner Street, Snow Hill, shooting a
-gentleman, named Platt, who happened to be in the shop, at the time.
-
-At the Royal Exchange, the Lord Mayor, Sir James Shaw, with his own
-hands, seized a man, who was bearing a flag, and the mob, unable to
-force the gates, fired inside; but as far as I can learn, without
-effect. Foiled in the attempt to sack, or destroy the Exchange, by the
-arrival of some civil force to the assistance of his Lordship, they
-moved on, seemingly aimlessly, towards the Tower: why--unless it was to
-supply themselves with arms--no one can guess. Of course, if they had
-tried to take it, they could not have accomplished their purpose, but
-it never came to that. They stole a few guns from two gunmakers in the
-Minories, Messrs. Brander and Rea; and then this gathering of rogues
-and fools dispersed, and the nine days' wonder was over.
-
-As usual, nothing was gained by violence. Socialism certainly did not
-advance--nor was any more employment found for anybody--and the thing
-fizzled out. But it was not the fault of the agitators. Let us read
-a short extract from a leading article in the _Times_ of December 4,
-1816:--
-
- "As to the _foreseeing_ what was to happen--have we forgotten
- Mr. Hunt's advice on the first day to petition, then, if that
- failed to resort to _physical force_. They did petition, and he
- calls them together to tell them that their petition has failed;
- and yet it is to be supposed that he foresees on their part
- no resort to physical force! Why! this would be trifling with
- the understanding of an infant. But the second time Mr. Hunt
- said nothing about physical force! Oh, no. Whilst the bloody
- business was in hand by his myrmidons in Newgate Street, and
- at the Royal Exchange--whilst an innocent gentleman was in the
- hands of his assassins--whilst the life of the Chief Magistrate
- of the city was attacked by ruffians, the first inciter to the
- use of physical force was coolly haranguing on the comparative
- merits of himself and his hunter, in Spa Fields. What! did
- anybody expect that he would get up, and accuse himself openly
- of high treason? Did Catilina, in the Roman Senate, avow his
- parricidal intentions against his country? But, to quit Mr.
- Hunt for awhile, let us recall to the recollection of our
- readers, the incendiary handbills thrust under the doors of
- public houses, several weeks ago. A copy of one of them was
- inserted in our paper of the 1st of last month; but, at the time
- it did not command that attention which its real importance
- perhaps deserved. It was of the following tenour:-- 'Britons
- to arms! _Break open all gun and sword shops_, pawnbrokers,
- and other likely places to find arms. No rise of bread, &c. No
- CASTLEREAGH. Off with his head. No National Debt. _The whole
- country waits the signal from London_ to fly _to arms_. Stand
- firm now or never.--N.B. _Printed bills containing further
- directions_, will be circulated as soon as possible.'"
-
-I have dwelt thus at length on these Spa Fields riots because the
-Socialistic and Communistic development therein contained, runs fairly
-parallel with our own times; and it is comforting to know, that in this
-case, as in all others in England, the movement was purely evanescent;
-the love of law and order being too deeply seated in the breasts of
-Englishmen. Nay, in this case, the butchers from the shambles in
-Whitechapel attacked the mob, and compelled them to give up their arms,
-"which the butchers express a wish to retain, as trophies and proofs
-of their loyalty and courage." Hunt fizzled out, and returned to his
-previous nonentity.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XII.
-
-
-Still continuing the downward course of the Fleet, an historical place
-is reached, "Hockley-in-the-Hole," or Hollow, so famous for its rough
-sports of bear baiting and sword and cudgel playing. The combative
-nature of an Englishman is curious, but it is inbred in him; sometimes
-it takes the form of "writing to the papers," sometimes of going to
-law, sometimes of "punching" somebody's head; in many it ends in a
-stubborn fight against difficulties to be overcome--but, anyhow, I
-cannot deny that an Englishman is pugnacious by nature. Hear what
-Misson, an intelligent French traveller, who visited England in the
-reign of William III., says: "Anything that looks like fighting is
-delicious to an Englishman. If two little Boys quarrel in the Street,
-the Passengers stop, make a Ring round them in a Moment, and set them
-against one another, that they may come to Fisticuffs. When 'tis come
-to a Fight, each pulls off his Neckcloth and his Waistcoat, and give
-them to hold to some of the Standers by: then they begin to brandish
-their Fists in the Air; the Blows are aim'd all at the Face, they Kick
-at one another's Shins, they tug one another by the Hair, &c. He that
-has got the other down may give him one Blow or two before he rises,
-but no more; and, let the Boy get up ever so often, the other is
-obliged to box him again as often as he requires it. During the Fight,
-the Ring of Bystanders encourage the Combatants with great Delight of
-Heart, and never part them while they fight according to the Rules. The
-Father and Mother of the Boys let them fight on as well as the rest,
-and hearten him that gives Ground, or has the Worst."
-
-This was about 1700; and, if it was so in the green tree (or boy), what
-would it be in the dry (or man)? I am afraid our ancestors were not
-over-refined. They did not all cram for examinations, and there were
-no Girton girls in those days, neither had they analytical novels:
-so that, to a certain extent, we must make allowances for them. Tea
-and coffee were hardly in use for breakfast, and men and women had a
-certain amount of faith in beer and beef, which may have had something
-to do in forming their tastes. Anyhow, the men were manly, and the
-women not a whit worse than they are now; and woe be to the man that
-insulted one. A code of honour was then in existence, and every
-gentleman carried with him the means of enforcing it. Therefore, up to
-a certain limit, they were combative, and not being cigarette-smoking
-_mashers_, and not being overburdened with novels and periodicals,
-and club smoking and billiard rooms being unknown, they enjoyed a
-more physical existence than is led by the young men of the theatrical
-stalls of the present day, and attended Sword and Cudgel playing, and
-Bull and Bear baiting, together with fighting an occasional main of
-Cocks. It might be very wrong; but then they had not our advantages of
-being able to criticize the almost unhidden charms of the "chorus," or
-descant on the merits of a "lemon squash," so that, as man must have
-some employment, they acted after their lights, and I do not think we
-can fairly blame them.
-
-For Londoners, a favourite place, early in the eighteenth century, for
-rough sports, was Hockley-in-the-Hole. Here was bear and bull baiting
-for the public, a fact that was so well known, according to Gay,[55]
-that
-
- "Experienc'd Men, inur'd to City Ways,
- Need not the _Calendar_ to count their Days.
- When through the Town, with slow and solemn Air,
- Led by the Nostril walks the muzzled Bear;
- Behind him moves, majestically dull,
- The Pride of _Hockley Hole_, the surly Bull;
- Learn hence the Periods of the Week to name,
- _Mondays_ and _Thursdays_ are the Days of Game."
-
-Even earlier than Gay, Hockley-in-the-Hole is mentioned by Butler in
-his "Hudibras"[56] in somewhat gruesome fashion:--
-
- "But TRULLA straight brought on the Charge,
- And in the selfsame Limbo put
- The Knight and Squire, where he was shut,
- Where leaving them in Hockley-i'-th'-Hole,
- Their Bangs and Durance to condole."
-
-But Butler also talks of Bear baiting, both in the first and second
-cantos of "Hudibras," especially in canto the first, where, beginning
-at line 675, he says:
-
- "But now a Sport more formidable
- Had rak'd together Village Rabble:
- 'Twas an old Way of recreating--
- Which learned Butchers call Bear-Baiting:
- A bold advent'rous Exercise,
- With ancient Heroes in high Prize;
- For Authors do affirm it came
- From Isthmian or Nemean Game;
- Others derive it from the Bear
- That's fix'd in Northern Hemisphere,
- And round about the Pole does make
- A Circle like a Bear at Stake.
- That at the Chain's End wheels about,
- And overturns the Rabble Rout.
- For, after solemn Proclamation
- In the Bear's Name (as is the Fashion
- According to the Law of Arms,
- To keep men from inglorious Harms)
- That none presume to come so near
- As forty Foot of Stake of Bear;
- If any yet be so foolhardy
- T' expose themselves to vain Jeopardy;
- If they come wounded off, and lame,
- No honour's got by such a Maim;
- Altho' the Bear gain much; b'ing bound
- In Honour to make good his Ground,
- When he's engag'd and takes no Notice,
- If any press upon him, who 'tis,
- But let's them know, at their own Cost,
- That he intends to keep his Post."
-
-Bear baiting was so identified, as a sport, to the London Citizens who
-frequented Hockley-in-the-Hole, that we read that in 1709 Christopher
-Preston, who then kept the Bear Garden, was attacked and partly eaten
-by one of his own bears.
-
-Bear Gardens are proverbially rough, and this place was no exception;
-but there were two others in London where bears were baited, one at
-Marrybone Fields (at the back of Soho Square), and at Tuttle or Tothill
-Fields, at Westminster--thus showing the popularity of the Sports,
-which was not declared illegal until 1835.
-
-Of course in these our days, we know nothing of bear baiting, and if a
-Pyrenean bear were now taken about the country, as I have frequently
-seen them, even if he "danced to the genteelest of tunes," his
-proprietor would be in danger of the judgment--some dear mollycoddling
-old woman in trousers, belonging to some special "faddy" society, being
-always ready to prosecute.
-
-Bears not, at present, being indigenous to Britain, were naturally
-scarce, so the homely and offensive Bull had to afford rough sport to
-the multitude, and several towns now bear testimony to the popularity
-of the sport of bull baiting in their "Bull rings" (Birmingham, to
-wit). In the fourteenth century we know that even horses were baited
-with dogs, and as long as fox hunting, coursing, or wild stag hunting,
-are recognized as sports among us, I fail to see the superior cruelty
-of our ancestors. It may be that people imagine that the larger the
-animal, the greater the cruelty; but I cannot see it. Anyhow, far
-earlier than the Bear garden of Hockley-in-the-Hole, both bear and bull
-baiting were not only popular, but aristocratic amusements. Erasmus,
-who visited England in Henry VIII.'s time, speaks of many herds of
-bears being kept for baiting; and when Queen Mary visited her sister
-the Princess Elizabeth, they were "right well content" with the bear
-baiting. Nay, when she became Queen, Elizabeth was a great patron of
-the _sport_; for when, on May 25, 1559, she entertained the French
-Ambassadors, as an after-dinner spectacle, she gave them some bull and
-bear baiting. Her delight in this diversion did not decrease with age,
-for, twenty-seven years later, she provided the same amusement for
-the delectation of the Danish Ambassador. Paul Hentzner, who visited
-England in 1598, speaking of this sport, says:--"There is still another
-Place, built in the Form of a Theatre, which serves for the baiting
-of Bulls and Bears; they are fastened behind, and then worried by the
-great _English_ Bull dogs; but not without great Risque to the Dogs,
-from the Horns of the one, and the Teeth of the other; and it sometimes
-happens they are killed upon the Spot; fresh ones are immediately
-supplied in the Place of those that are wounded, or tired. To this
-Entertainment there often follows that of whipping a blinded Bear,
-which is performed by five or six Men standing circularly with Whips,
-which they exercise upon him without any Mercy, as he cannot escape
-from them because of his Chain; he defends himself with all his Force
-and Skill, throwing down all who come within his Reach, and are not
-active enough to get out of it, and tearing the Whips out of their
-Hands, and breaking them."
-
-And, again are we indebted to a foreigner for a description of a bull
-baiting, thus realizing Burns' aspiration seeing "oursen as others see
-us," _vide Misson_.
-
-"Here follows the Manner of those Bull Baitings which are so much
-talk'd of: They tie a Rope to the Root of the Ox or Bull, and fasten
-the other End of the Cord to an Iron Ring fix'd to a Stake driven into
-the Ground; so that this Cord being 15 Foot long, the Bull is confin'd
-to a Sphere of about 30 Foot Diameter. Several Butchers, or other
-Gentlemen, that are desirous to exercise their Dogs, stand round about,
-each holding his own by the Ears; and, when the Sport begins, they let
-loose one of the Dogs; The Dog runs at the Bull: the Bull immovable,
-looks down upon the Dog with an Eye of Scorn, and only turns a Horn to
-him to hinder him from coming near: the Dog is not daunted at this, he
-runs round him, and tries to get beneath his Belly, in order to seize
-him by the Muzzle, or the Dew lap, or the pendant Glands: The Bull then
-puts himself into a Posture of Defence; he beats the Ground with his
-Feet, which he joins together as close as possible, and his chief Aim
-is not to gore the Dog with the Point of his Horn, but to slide one of
-them under the Dog's Belly (who creeps close to the Ground to hinder
-it) and to throw him so high in the Air that he may break his Neck in
-the Fall. This often happens: When the Dog thinks he is sure of fixing
-his Teeth, a turn of the Horn, which seems to be done with all the
-Negligence in the World, gives him a Sprawl thirty Foot high, and puts
-him in danger of a damnable Squelch when he comes down. This danger
-would be unavoidable, if the Dog's Friends were not ready beneath him,
-some with their Backs to give him a soft Reception, and others with
-long Poles which they offer him slant ways, to the Intent that, sliding
-down them, it may break the Force of his Fall. Notwithstanding all this
-care, a Toss generally makes him sing to a very scurvy Tune, and draw
-his Phiz into a pitiful Grimace: But, unless he is totally stunn'd
-with the Fall, he is sure to crawl again towards the Bull, with his
-old Antipathy, come on't what will. Sometimes a second Frisk into the
-Air disables him for ever from playing his old Tricks; But, sometimes,
-too, he fastens upon his Enemy, and when he has seiz'd him with his Eye
-teeth, he sticks to him like a Leech, and would sooner die than leave
-his Hold. Then the Bull bellows, and bounds, and Kicks about to shake
-off the Dog; by his Leaping the Dog seems to be no Manner of Weight
-to him, tho in all Appearance he puts him to great Pain. In the End,
-either the Dog tears out the Piece he has laid Hold on, and falls, or
-else remains fix'd to him, with an Obstinacy that would never end, if
-they did not pull him off. To call him away, would be in vain; to give
-him a hundred blows would be as much so; you might cut him to Pieces
-Joint by Joint before he would let him loose. What is to be done then?
-While some hold the Bull, others thrust Staves into the Dog's Mouth,
-and open it by main Force. This is the only Way to part them."
-
-But the dogs did not always get the best of it--many a one was gored
-and killed by the bull. Cruelty, however, would scarcely rest content
-with simple bull baiting. It was improved upon, as we see in the
-following advertisement. "At the _Bear Garden_ in _Hockley in the
-Hole_, 1710. This is to give notice to all Gentlemen, Gamsters, and
-Others, That on this present _Monday_ is a Match to be fought by two
-Dogs, one from _Newgate_ Market against one of _Honey Lane_ Market, at
-a Bull, for a Guinea to be spent. Five Let goes out off Hand, which
-goes fairest and farthest in, Wins all; like wise a _Green Bull_ to be
-baited, which was never baited before, and a Bull to be turned loose
-with Fire works all over him; also a Mad Ass to be baited; With variety
-of Bull baiting, and Bear baiting; and a Dog to be drawn up with Fire
-works."[57]
-
-I cannot, however, consider this as an ordinary programme, and it was
-evidently so considered at the time; for a book was advertised in the
-_Tatler_, January 3-5, 1709 (1710):--"This Day is published The Bull
-Baiting or Sach----ll[58] dressed up in Fire works; lately brought
-over from the Bear Garden in Southwark, and exposed for the Diversion
-of the Citizens of London: at 6d. a piece." But Steele in No. cxxxiv.
-of the _Tatler_, condemns the cruelty of the age, and says he has
-"often wondered that we do not lay aside a custom which makes us appear
-barbarous to nations much more rude and unpolished than ourselves. Some
-French writers have represented this diversion of the common people
-much to our disadvantage, and imputed it to natural fierceness and
-cruelty of temper, as they do some other entertainments peculiar to
-our nation: I mean those elegant diversions of bull baiting and prize
-fighting, with the like ingenious recreations of the Bear-garden.
-I wish I knew how to answer this reproach which is cast upon us, and
-excuse the death of so many innocent cocks, bulls, dogs, and bears, as
-have been set together by the ears, or died untimely deaths, only to
-make us sport."
-
-Of all the places where these cruel pastimes were practised, certainly
-Hockley-in-the-Hole, bore off the palm for blackguardism; and it is
-thus mentioned in an essay of Steele's in the _Tatler_ (No. xxviii.),
-
-"I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly from the backside of
-Grays Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole, and not give over the pursuit,
-until obliged to leave the Bear Garden, on the right, to avoid being
-borne down by fencers, wild bulls, and monsters, too terrible for the
-encounter of any heroes, but such as their lives are livelihood." To
-this mention of Hockley-in-the-Hole, there is, in an edition of 1789,
-a footnote (p. 274), "There was a sort of amphitheatre here, dedicated
-originally to bull-baiting, bear-baiting, prize fighting, and all
-other sorts of _rough-game_; and it was not only attended by butchers,
-drovers, and great crowds of all sorts of mobs, but likewise by Dukes,
-Lords, Knights, Squires, &c. There were seats particularly set apart
-for the quality, ornamented with old tapestry hangings, into which
-none were admitted under half a crown at least. Its neighbourhood was
-famous for sheltering thieves, pickpockets, and infamous women; and for
-breeding bulldogs."
-
-Bull baiting died hard, and in one famous debate in the House of
-Commons, on 24th of May, 1802, much eloquence was wasted on the
-subject, both _pro._ and _con._, one hon. gentleman (the Right Hon. W.
-Windham, M.P. for Norwich), even trying to prove that the bull enjoyed
-the baiting. Said he, "It would be ridiculous to say he felt no pain;
-yet, when on such occasions he exhibited no signs of terror, it was a
-demonstrable proof that he felt some pleasure." Other hon. gentlemen
-defended it on various grounds, and, although Wilberforce and Sheridan
-spoke eloquently in favour of the abolition of the practice, they
-were beaten, on a division, by which decision Parliament inflicted a
-standing disgrace, for many years, upon the English Nation.
-
-Hockley-in-the-Hole was not only the temple of _S. S. Taurus et Canis_;
-but the genus _Homo_, type _gladiator_, was there in his glory. It
-was there that sword play was best shown, but we do not hear much
-of it before William the Third, or Anne's reign, or that of George
-I., when the redoubtable Figg was the Champion swordsman of England.
-As Hockley-in-the-Hole belongs to the Fleet River, so do these
-gladiatorial exhibitions belong to Hockley-in-the-Hole. I have treated
-of them once,[59] and on looking back, with the knowledge that many of
-my readers may not have seen that book, and having nothing better in
-the space allotted to this peculiar spot, to offer them (for I then
-drew my best on the subject) I quote, with apologies, from myself.
-
-"In those days, when every one with any pretensions to gentility wore a
-sword, and duelling was rife, it is no wonder that exhibitions of skill
-in that weapon were favourites. Like modern prize fights, they drew
-together all the scum and riff-raff, as well as the gentry, who were
-fond of so-called _sport_. They were disreputable affairs, and were
-decried by every class of contemporary. The preliminaries were swagger
-and bounce, as one or two out of a very large number will show.[60]
-
-"'At the Bear Garden in Hockley-in-the-Hole.
-
-"'A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between two Profound Masters of the
-Noble Science of Defence on _Wednesday_ next, being this 13th of the
-instant July, 1709, at Two of the Clock precisely.
-
-"'I, _George Gray_, born in the City of Norwich, who has Fought in most
-Parts of the _West Indies_, viz., _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, and several
-other Parts of the World; in all Twenty-five times, upon a Stage, and
-was never yet Worsted, and now lately come to _London_; do invite
-_James Harris_, to meet and Exercise at these following Weapons, viz.:
-
- _Back Sword_, } {_Single Falchon_
- _Sword and Dagger_, } {_and_
- _Sword and Buckler_,} {_Case of Falchons_.'
-
-"'I, _James Harris_, Master of the said Noble Science of Defence, who
-formerly rid in the Horse Guards, and hath Fought a Hundred and Ten
-Prizes, and never left a Stage to any Man; will not fail, (God Willing)
-to meet this brave and bold Inviter, at the Time and Place appointed,
-desiring Sharp swords, and from him no Favour.
-
-"'_Note._ No persons to be upon the Stage but the Seconds. _Vivat
-Regina._'"
-
-This is not the only available advertisement, but it is a typical one,
-and will serve for all.
-
-"The challenger would wager some twenty or thirty pounds, and the
-stakes would be deposited and delivered to the Challenged: the
-challenger receiving the money[61] taken at the door, or as we should
-term it, _gate money_; which, frequently, twice or thrice exceeded the
-value of the stakes.
-
-"There is one remarkable exception, I have found, to this monetary
-arrangement, but it is the only one in my experience. For, in an
-advertisement of the usual character, there comes: 'Note.--That John
-Stokes fights James Harris, and Thomas Hesgate fights John Terriwest,
-three Bouts each at Back Sword, for Love.'
-
-"Preliminaries arranged, handbills printed and distributed, the Combat
-duly advertised in at least one newspaper, and the day arrived; like
-the bull and bear, the combatants paraded the streets, preceded by
-a drum, having their sleeves tucked up, and their Swords in hand.
-All authorities agree that the fights were, to a certain extent,
-serious.[62] 'The Edge of the Sword was a little blunted, and the Care
-of the Prize-fighters was not so much to avoid wounding each other,
-as to avoid doing it dangerously: Nevertheless, as they were oblig'd
-to fight till some Blood was shed, without which no Body would give
-a Farthing for the Show, they were sometimes forc'd to play a little
-ruffly. I once saw a much deeper and longer Cut given than was
-intended.' "Ward[63] gives a short description of one of these fights:
-'Great Preparations at the Bear Garden all Morning, for the noble Tryal
-of Skill that is to be play'd in the Afternoon. Seats fill'd and crowded
-by Two. Drums beat, Dogs yelp, Butchers and Foot soldiers clatter
-their Sticks; At last the two heroes, in their fine borrow'd _Holland_
-Shirts, mount the Stage about Three; Cut large Collops out of one
-another, to divert the Mob, and Make Work for the Surgeons: Smoking,
-Swearing, Drinking, Thrusting, Justling, Elbowing, Sweating, Kicking,
-Cuffing, all the while the Company stays.'
-
-Steele gives a good account of a prize fight:[64] 'The Combatants met
-in the Middle of the Stage, and, shaking Hands, as removing all Malice,
-they retired with much Grace to the Extremities of it; from whence
-they immediately faced about, and approached each other. _Miller_,
-with an Heart full of Resolution, _Buck_, with a watchful, untroubled
-Countenance; _Buck_ regarding principally his own Defence, _Miller_
-chiefly thoughtful of his Opponent. It is not easie to describe the
-many Escapes and imperceptible Defences between Two Men of Quick Eyes,
-and ready Limbs; but _Miller's_ Heat laid him open to the Rebuke of the
-calm _Buck_, by a large Cut on the Forehead. Much Effusion of Blood
-covered his Eyes in a Moment, and the Huzzas of the Crowd undoubtedly
-quickened his Anguish. The Assembly was divided into Parties upon their
-different ways of Fighting: while a poor Nymph in one of the Galleries
-apparently suffered for _Miller_, and burst into a Flood of Tears. As
-soon as his Wound was wrapped up, he came on again in a little Rage,
-which still disabled him further. But what brave Man can be wounded
-with more Patience and Caution? The next was a warm eager Onset, which
-ended in a decisive Stroke on the Left Leg of _Miller_. The Lady in the
-Gallery, during the second Strife, covered her face; and for my Part,
-I could not keep my thoughts from being mostly employed on the
-Consideration of her unhappy Circumstances that Moment, hearing the
-Clash of Swords, and apprehending Life or Victory concerned her Lover
-in every Blow, but not daring to satisfie herself on whom they fell.
-The Wound was exposed to the View of all who could delight in it, and
-sowed up on the Stage. The surly Second of _Miller_ declared at this
-Time, that he would, that Day Fortnight, fight Mr. _Buck_ at the Same
-Weapons, declaring himself the Master of the renowned _German_; but
-_Buck_ denied him the Honour of that Courageous Disciple, and, asserting
-that he himself had taught that Champion, accepted the Challenge."
-
-In No. 449, of the _Spectator_, is the following letter _re_
-Hockley-in-the-Hole:--
-
- "MR. SPECTATOR,--I was the other day at the Bear-garden, in
- hopes to have seen your short face; but not being so fortunate,
- I must tell you by way of letter, that there is a mystery among
- the gladiators which has escaped your spectatorial penetration.
- For, being in a Box at an Alehouse, near that renowned Seat or
- Honour above mentioned, I overheard two Masters of the Science
- agreeing to quarrel on the next Opportunity. This was to happen
- in the Company of a Set of the Fraternity of Basket Hilts, who
- were to meet that Evening. When that was settled, one asked
- the other, Will you give Cuts, or receive? the other answered,
- Receive. It was replied, Are you a passionate Man? No, provided
- you cut no more, nor no deeper than we agree. I thought it my
- duty to acquaint you with this, that the people may not pay
- their money for fighting, and be cheated.
-
- "Your humble servant,
-
- "SCABBARD RUSTY."
-
-It was not sword play alone that was the favourite pastime at
-Hockley-in-the-Hole, there was cudgel playing--and fighting with "the
-Ancient Weapon called the Threshing Flail." There is an advertisement
-extant of a fight with this weapon between John Terrewest and John
-Parkes of Coventry, whose tombstone affirms that he fought three
-hundred and fifty battles in different parts of Europe. Fisticuffs also
-came prominently into vogue early in the eighteenth century, and it is
-needless to say that Hockley was a favourite place with its professors.
-The site of the Bear Garden is said to be occupied by the "Coach and
-Horses," 29, Ray Street, Farringdon Road.
-
- [Footnote 55: "Trivia," book ii.]
-
- [Footnote 56: Book iii. line 1,000, &c.]
-
- [Footnote 57: Harl. MSS. 5931, 46.]
-
- [Footnote 58: Dr. Sacheverell.]
-
- [Footnote 59: "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," by
- John Ashton (_Chatto and Windus_).]
-
- [Footnote 60: Harl. MSS. 5931, 50.]
-
- [Footnote 61: De. Sorbière.]
-
- [Footnote 62: Misson.]
-
- [Footnote 63: "Comical View of London and Westminster."]
-
- [Footnote 64: _Spectator_, No. 436.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIII.
-
-
-In connection with the Fleet, I have omitted to mention one locality,
-in this immediate neighbourhood, which certainly deserves notice from
-its associations, namely Laystall Street and Mount Pleasant; for here
-it was, that a fort to command Gray's Inn Road, was built, when the
-lines for the protection of the City were formed by order of Parliament
-in 1643--at the time when it was feared that Prince Rupert was coming
-to attack it. For nearly, if not quite, a hundred years those lines
-of defence were partially visible; and, certainly, among others,
-one was at Mount Pleasant. It is a somewhat curious thing that the
-names survive. A Laystall meant a dung or dust heap, and, after this
-artificial mound was utilized for the community its name was euphemised
-into Mount Pleasant, which it bears to this day.
-
-This work of intrenchment was almost impressment, for we can hardly
-consider that it was voluntary, when we read in a newspaper of
-1643, that, by order of the Parliament, "many thousands of men and
-women (good housekeepers), their children, and servants, went out of
-the several parishes of London with spades, shovels, pickaxes, and
-baskets, and drums and colours before them; some of the chief men of
-every parish marching before them, and so went into the fields, and
-worked hard all day in digging and making of trenches, from fort to
-fort, wherebie to intrench the citie round from one end to the other,
-on this side of the Thames; and late at night the company came back
-in like manner they went out, and the next day a many more went, and
-so they continued daily, with such cheerfulnesse that the whole will
-be finished ere many dayes." And so these works of fortification went
-on, encouraged by the presence of a member of the Common Council, and
-some of the Trained Bands (the City Militia of that time) and it was a
-work in which all classes joined--willingly, or not, I know not--but
-the latter, probably, as the City of London was generally loyal to its
-king, although on occasion, the dwellers therein, knew how to hold
-their own in defence of their prerogatives. But the fear of Prince
-Rupert, and his familiar spirit--the white poodle dog "Boy" (who was
-killed, after passing through many a battle-field unscathed, at Marston
-Moor, July 2, 1644), may possibly have had something to do with it.
-Of course we know that tailors and shoemakers, are mostly radicals,
-and socialists in politics, probably on account of their sedentary
-work, where political discussion is rife, and from their constant
-inter-association, not mixing much with the outer world; therefore
-we can scarcely wonder that on the 5th of June, 1643, that some five
-thousand or six thousand Tailors went out to help intrench the City
-against the redoubted Prince, and that, afterwards, the shoemakers
-followed their example. Two thousand porters also helped in the work.
-Most probably, a moral "shrewd privie nipp" was administered to most
-people by those then in power, and they were forced into taking an
-active part in raising the fortifications, irrespective of their being
-either _Cavaliers_ or _Roundheads_.
-
-At all events, the fort at Mount Pleasant was raised, although never
-used, and it belongs to the history of the Fleet River--as, close
-by, a little affluent joined it. Gardens sloped down to its banks,
-notably those of the great Priory of St. John's Clerkenwell, and, like
-Bermondsey, with its "Cherry Gardens"--the names of "Vineyard Walk" and
-"Pear Tree Court" bear testimony to the fruitfulness of this part of
-London. There is also "Vine Street" in Saffron Hill, which latter name
-is extremely suggestive of the growth of a plant which, in old times,
-was much used both in medicine and cooking. It was called "The Liberty
-of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Place"--which was in the Manor
-of Portpool.
-
-Saffron Hill, nowadays, is the home of the Italian organ-grinder, who,
-although not unknown to the police, is undoubtedly a better citizen
-than previous dwellers therein. Specially was West Street, or Chick
-Lane, as it was formerly called, a neighbourhood to be avoided by all
-honest men. It ran both east and west of the Fleet, which it crossed
-by a bridge. Stow calls it Chicken Lane, but it certainly was not
-inhabited by young and innocent birds. It ran into Field Lane, of
-unsavoury memory, and now done away with.
-
-This was the state of West Street, as exemplified by a cutting from the
-_Morning Herald_ of Feb. 11, 1834:
-
- "Yesterday an inquest was held at the Horse Shoe and Magpie,
- Saffron Hill, before THOMAS STIRLING, Esq., Coroner, on the body
- of James Parkinson, aged 36, who came by his death under the
- following circumstances.
-
- "The Jury proceeded to view the body of the deceased, which lay
- in the upper part of a low lodging-house for travellers, in West
- Street, Saffron Hill. It was in a high state of decomposition,
- and a report was generally circulated that he had come by his
- death by unfair means.
-
- "Mary Wood being sworn, deposed that she was the landlady of
- the house in West Street, which she let out in lodgings. The
- deceased occasionally lodged with her, and he was a dealer in
- cat's meat. On Tuesday night last he came home and asked her
- for a light, and proceeded to his bedroom. On the Wednesday
- witness proceeded upstairs to make the beds, when she saw the
- deceased lying on his bed apparently asleep, but she did not
- speak to him. On the Thursday she proceeded to the upper part of
- the house for the same purpose, when she again saw the deceased
- lying as if asleep, but she did not disturb him, and he was
- ultimately discovered to be a corpse, and his face quite black.
-
- "_Juror._ Pray, how many beds are there in the room where the
- deceased slept?
-
- "_Witness._ Only eight, and please you, Sir.
-
- "Indeed, and how many persons are in the habit of sleeping in
- the same apartment?--There are generally two or three in a bed,
- but the deceased had a bed to himself.
-
- "Very comfortable truly. Is it not strange that none of his
- fellow lodgers ascertained that he was dead?--No, Sir, they go
- in and out without seeming to care for each other.
-
- "Do you mean to say, if a poor man was to take a lodging at your
- house, you would let him lie for upwards of 48 hours without
- inquiring whether he required nourishment?--Why, Sir, I have
- known some of my lodgers, who have been out _upon the spree_ to
- _lay_ in bed for three and four days together, without a bit or
- a sup, and then they have gone out to their work as well and as
- hearty as ever they _was_ in their lives; I have known it often
- to have been done. There was plenty of _grub_ in the house if he
- liked to have asked for it; but I thought if I asked him to have
- victuals he would be offended, as he might receive it as a hint
- for the few nights' lodging that he owed me.
-
- "Mr. Appleby, the parish surgeon, proved that the deceased died
- a natural death, and the Jury returned a verdict of 'Died by the
- visitation of God.'"
-
-There was an old house in West Street, pulled down in April, 1840,
-which tradition affirmed to have been the residence of the infamous
-Jonathan Wild, and, when destroyed, its age was considered to be about
-three hundred years. At one time it was the Red Lion Inn; but for a
-hundred years prior to its demolition it was a low lodging-house. Owing
-to the numerous facilities for secretion and escape, it was the haunt
-of coiners, secret distillers, thieves, and perhaps worse. There were
-trap doors connected with the Fleet River through which booty might be
-thrown, or a man get away, if hard pressed; a secret door in a garret
-led to the next house, and there were many hiding places--in one of
-which a chimney sweep named Jones, who had escaped from Newgate, lay
-hidden for about six weeks, although the house was repeatedly searched
-by the police.
-
-And there was Field Lane too, which was the house of the "Fence," or
-receiver of stolen goods. It was from this interesting locality that
-Charles Dickens drew that wonderful study of Fagin--who was a real
-character. Cruikshank has made him as immortal, but Kenny Meadows tried
-to delineate him in a clever series which appeared in _Bell's Life in
-London_, under the title of "Gallery of Comicalities."
-
-[Illustration: FAGIN, THE JEW.]
-
- "Welcome, Old Star, of Saffron hill.
- Of villainy a sample bright,
- Awake to Prigs, and plunder still,
- Thou merry, ancient Israelite!
-
- Thy face is rough, with matted shag,
- Foul is thy form, old shrivell'd wretch.
- How cunningly you eye the swag,
- Harden'd purveyor to Jack Ketch!
-
- Incrusted with continued crime,
- Your hopeful pupils still employ--
- Thou wert indeed a Tutor prime
- To Oliver, the Workhouse Boy.
-
- Poor Lad! condemn'd to fate's hard stripes,
- To herd with Fagin's plundering pack;
- And learn the art of filching wipes,
- From Charley Bates, and Dawkins Jack.
-
- To hear 'The Dodger' patter slang,
- With knowing wink, and accent glib,
- Or learn from 'Sikes's' ruffian gang,
- In slap up style to crack a crib.
-
- Hail, Fagin! Patriarch of the whole!
- Kind Patron of these knowing ones--
- In thee we trace a kindred soul
- Of honest Ikey Solomon's!
-
- We leave you to your courses vile,
- For conscience you have none, old Codger!
- And in our next we'll trace in style,
- The mug of Jack, the _artful dodger_."
-
-[Illustration: FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE
-DRAWING."]
-
-The artistic merit of this poetry is _nil_, and my only excuse is
-the introduction of a forgotten sketch by a dead artist, who, in his
-day was popular and famous. Who, for instance, remembering Leech's
-pictures in _Punch_, would think that this illustration ever came from
-his pencil? but it did, and from _Bell's Life in London_; and so did
-another, of two children fighting in Chick Lane, whilst their parents,
-the father with a broken nose, and the mother with a black eye, look on
-approvingly.
-
-"FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF 'FINE DRAWING.' Thish ish
-vot I callsh 'caushe and effect;' caushe if vee thidn't buy, no bothy
-vood shell, and if vee thidn't shell, nobothy vood buy; and vot's more,
-if peoplesh thidn't have foglesh, vy, nobothy could prig em" (_See_
-Abrahams on the "Economy of Wipes").
-
-Those were the days of large and valuable silk Bandana handkerchiefs,
-and the story used to be told that you might have your pocket picked
-of your handkerchief at one end of Field Lane, and buy it again at the
-other end, with the marking taken out.
-
-Long before Fagin's time, however, there was a school for young thieves
-in this neighbourhood, _vide Gentleman's Magazine_ (1765), vol. xxxv.
-p. 145.
-
- "Four boys, detected in picking pockets, were examined before
- the Lord Mayor, when one was admitted as evidence, who gave an
- account, that a man who kept a public-house near _Fleet Market_,
- had a club of boys, whom he instructed in picking pockets, and
- other iniquitous practices; beginning first with teaching them
- to pick a handchief out of his own pocket, and next his watch;
- so that, at last, the evidence was so great an adept, that he
- got the publican's watch four times in one evening, when he
- swore he was as perfect as one of twenty years' practice. The
- pilfering out of shops was his next art; his instructions to
- his pupils were, that as many chandlers, or other shops, as
- had hatches,[65] one boy was to knock for admittance for some
- trifle, whilst another was lying on his belly, close to the
- hatch, who when the boy came out, the hatch on jar, and the
- owner withdrawn, was to crawl in, on all fours, and take the
- tills or anything else he could meet with, and to retire in the
- same manner. Breaking into shops by night was another article
- which was to be effected thus: as walls of brick under shop
- windows are very thin, two of them were to lie under a window
- as destitute beggars, asleep to passers by, but, when alone,
- were provided with pickers to pick the mortar out of the bricks,
- and so on till they had opened a hole big enough to go in, when
- one was to lie, as if asleep, before the breach, till the other
- accomplished his purpose."
-
- [Footnote 65: Dwarf doors.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIV.
-
-
-Close by Saffron Hill, and Fleet Lane, is Hatton Garden, or Ely Place,
-formerly the seats of the Bishops of Ely; which Shakespeare has made so
-familiar to us in _Richard III._ act iii. sc. 4. "My Lord of Ely, when
-I was last in Holborn, I saw good strawberries in your garden there; I
-do beseech you, send for some of them."[66] In Queen Elizabeth's time
-an arrangement was effected so that her favourite Chancellor Hatton,
-who "led the brawls, the Seal and Maces danc'd before him,"[67] should
-have this little estate, the gardens of which sloped down to the Fleet
-River. Hence the Bishop of Ely's place assumed the name of Hatton
-Garden.
-
-There is a legend--and I give it as such--that this Sir Christopher
-Hatton married a beautiful gipsy girl, who bewitched him; and the price
-she had to pay, according to her compact with the Evil One, was her
-soul, and body, after a given time. When that arrived, the Devil duly
-came for her, and seizing her, bore her aloft, and, whilst in the air,
-he rent her in pieces, and threw her still palpitating heart to earth.
-Where it fell was, for years, known as _Bleeding Heart Yard_; but now,
-the authorities, whoever they may be, have altered it to _Bleeding
-Hart_, which, in all probability was the cognizance of the family who
-resided there.
-
-This Ely Place had very extensive premises, consisting of numerous
-buildings, a Hall, Quadrangle, Cloisters, Chapel, a field, the historic
-garden, _cum multis aliis_; and they occupied a large space. Only
-the Chapel now remains, and that has had a curious career. At one
-time marriages were celebrated there, as at the Fleet, presumably
-that it was not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London, but
-this fiction was overruled in the case of _Barton_ v. _Wells_ in the
-Consistory Court, Nov. 17, 1789, when Sir Wm. Scott (afterwards Lord
-Stowell) decided that Ely Chapel was under the authority of the Bishop
-of London, and that Curates thereto must be licensed by him.
-
-The Bishops came to London in former times, as now, and their
-residences, in several cases were known as _Places_, or _Palaces_.
-Thus, there was Winchester Place, in Southwark, now the headquarters of
-the Fire Brigade--formerly the palace of the Bishops of Winchester, a
-city which was once the metropolis of England, where Parliaments were
-held, and whose Bishops to this day are titular Prelates of the Garter.
-The Bishop of Bangor, who, although his see claims to be as old as any,
-has not the richest bishopric, had a palace in Shoe Lane, Holborn, and
-the Bishop of Lincoln also lived in Holborn.
-
-The first mention of the connection of the Bishops of Ely, is in the
-will of John de Kirkeby (who was appointed Bishop in 1286), and whose
-will was proved in 1290, or 18 Edward I., and in the Close Roll of that
-year, is the following (in Latin, of course):
-
- "_For the Executors of the Will of the Bishop of Ely._
-
- "Whereas the King hath understood that John, late Bishop of Ely,
- deceased, of pious memory, hath in his last will bequeathed his
- houses which he had in the parish of St. Andrew near Holeburn,
- in the suburbs, and within the liberty of the city of London,
- to God, and the Church of St. Etheldreda[68] of Ely, and his
- successors, bishops of the same place, so that they should pay
- the debts which the same deceased owed for those houses to
- Gregory de Rokesle, the King's Citizen, of London; Ralph de
- Sandwich, warden of the said City, is commanded, that, without
- delay, he deliver the aforesaid houses, with appurtenances,
- which are in the King's hand and custody, by reason of the death
- of the aforesaid bishop, thereof to make execution of the said
- will.
-
- "Witness the King at Westminster on the 18th day of July."
-
-The next bishop--William de Luda (who must have been a person of some
-distinction, for he had previously held the Deanery of St. Martin's
-le Grand, and the Archdeaconry of Durham, besides being Chamberlain,
-Treasurer, and Keeper of the Wardrobe to the King) bequeathed more
-property to the See, and in all likelihood, built the Chapel of St.
-Etheldreda, which, however, was most probably considerably modified
-by a later Bishop, Thomas de Arundel, who held the See from 1374 to
-1388--as the windows, mouldings, &c., now existing show, being about
-as good an example, as possible, of _Decorated_, or _Second Pointed_
-architecture.
-
-"Old _Iohn of Gaunt_, time-honoured Lancaster" lived at Ely Place for
-a time--in all likelihood after his palace in the Savoy, had been
-destroyed by rioters. This fact is noted by Shakespeare in "The life
-and death of King Richard the Second," act i. sc. 4:
-
- "_Busby._ Old Iohn of Gaunt is verie sick, my Lord,
- Sodainly taken, and hath sent post haste
- To entreat your Majesty to visit him.
-
- _Richard._ Where lyes he?
-
- _Busby._ At Ely house."
-
-Hollinshed, also, under date 1399, says: "In the meane time, the Duke
-of Lancaster departed out of this life at the Bishop of Elie's place,
-in Holborne, and lieth buried in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paule, in
-London, on the north side of the high altar, by the Ladie Blanche, his
-first wife."
-
-The premises were of very great extent, as appears by plans taken
-before its almost total demolition in 1772. Under the Chapel was a
-cellar, or under croft--divided into two--and this seems to have
-caused some inconvenience in the seventeenth century, for Malcolm, in
-his "Londinium Redivivum" (vol. ii. p. 236) says: "One half of the
-crypt under the chapel, which had been used for interments, was then
-frequented as a drinking-place, where liquor was retailed; and the
-intoxication of the people assembled, often interrupted the offices of
-religion above them." And this statement seems to be borne out by a
-reference to Harl. MSS. 3789, _et seq._, where it says: "Even half of
-the vault or burying place under the Chapel is made use of as a public
-cellar (or was so very lately) to sell drink in, there having been
-frequently revellings heard there during Divine Service."
-
-More curious things than this happened to Ely Place, for the Journals
-of the House of Commons inform us how, on January 3, 1642-3, "The
-palace was this day ordered to be converted into a prison, and John
-Hunt, Sergeant-at-arms, appointed keeper during the pleasure of
-the House." He was, at the same time, commanded to take care that
-the gardens, trees, chapel, and its windows, received no injury. A
-sufficient sum for repairs was granted from the revenues of the see.
-
-Again, on March 1, 1660: "Ordered that it be referred to a Committee
-to consider how, and in what manner, the said widows, orphans, and
-maim'd soldiers, at Ely House, may be provided for, and paid, for the
-future, with the least prejudice, and most ease to the nation; and
-how a weekly revenue may be settled for their maintenance; and how the
-maimed soldiers may be disposed of, so as the nation may be eased of
-the charge, and how they may be provided of a preaching minister."
-
-There were always squabbles about this property, and it nearly fell
-into ruin; but in 1772 an Act of Parliament was passed (Geo. III., an.
-12, cap. 43) entitled "An Act for vesting _Ely House_, in _Holbourn_,
-in His Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and for applying the Purchase
-Money, with another Sum therein mentioned, in the purchasing of a
-Freehold Piece of Ground in _Dover Street_, and in the building, and
-fitting up another House thereon, for the future Residence of the
-Bishops of _Ely_, and the Surplus to the Benefit of the See; and for
-other Purposes therein mentioned." And the town residence of the Bishop
-of Ely is now 37, Dover Street, Piccadilly. This little bargain was the
-sale to the Crown of Ely Place for £6,500, and a perpetual annuity of
-£200 to the Bishop of Ely and his successors.
-
-The site and materials were purchased by a Mr. Charles Cole, an
-architect and builder, and he built Ely Place, Holborn. The chapel was
-let, and, eventually, to the Welsh Episcopalians of London. But the
-property got into Chancery, and the estate was ordered to be sold; and
-it was sold on January 28, 1874, and the chapel alone fetched £5,250.
-As there was no stipulation as to its purchase by any particular
-religious body, it was bought by the Roman Catholics, and is now St.
-Etheldreda's Church, Convent, and schools.
-
-[Illustration: ELY HOUSE, 1784.]
-
-_Apropos_ of Ely House, when Bishop Coxe demurred at surrendering the
-property of his see to Hatton, Queen Elizabeth wrote him that famous
-letter, beginning "Proud Prelate," and telling him that, if he did not
-do as he was told, she, who had made him what he was, could unmake him,
-and if he did not immediately comply, she would unfrock him--signing
-this very characteristic and peremptory epistle, "Yours, as you demean
-yourself, ELIZABETH."
-
-On the other or east side of the Fleet was a tributary brook called
-Turnmill brook--a name now surviving in Turnmill Street--which, even in
-this century, drove flour and flatting mills, and we have indisputable
-evidence of its industrial powers, in an advertisement in the _Daily
-Courant_ September 17, 1714, which calls attention to a house in
-Bowling (Green) Alley,[69] Turnmill Street, which had the power of
-utilizing "a common sewer with a good stream, and a good current,
-for purposes of a Mill;" and it was on Turnmill Brook that Cave, the
-publisher, in 1740, went into an unprofitable partnership with one
-Lewis Paul, of Birmingham, to work a mill for the utilization of a
-patent taken out by Paul for a "Machine to spin wool or cotton into
-thread, yarn, or worsted." This experiment, however, was not a success.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-The Fleet flowing to its bourne,[70] the Thames, was bridged over at
-Holborn. Stow says: "Oldbourne bridge, over the said river of Wels more
-towards the north, was so called, of a bourn that sometimes ran
-down Oldbourne hill into the said river. This bridge of stone, like as
-Fleet bridge from Ludgate West, serveth for passengers with Carriage,
-or otherwise, from Newgate toward the west and by north." This was
-written in 1598.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-After the great fire of 1666 the Fleet was widened, and canalized,
-from the Thames, to Holborn Bridge; thence, to its source, it took
-its natural course, and, although there were then three bridges over
-it, from Holborn to Newgate Street, set close, side by side, yet
-it was considered too narrow for the traffic, as we see in an Act
-of Parliament passed in 1670 (22 Car. II., cap. 11), entitled "An
-additional Act for the Rebuilding of the City of _London_, Uniting
-of Parishes, and Rebuilding of the Cathedral and Parochial Churches
-within the said City." Section 7 says: "And, whereas the Way or Passage
-of _Holborn-Bridge_ is now too strait, or incommodious for the many
-Carriages and Passengers daily using and frequenting the same, and is
-therefore necessary to be enlarged; Be it therefore likewise enacted,
-That it shall and may be lawful for the said Mayor, Aldermen, and
-Commons, so to enlarge and make wider the same, as that the said Way
-and Passage may run in a Bevil Line from a certain Timber house on the
-North side thereof, commonly called or known by the Name or Sign of the
-_Cock_, into the Front of the Buildings of a certain Inn called the
-_Swan_ Inn, situate on the North side of _Holborn Hill_, as aforesaid."
-
-Sir Christopher Wren built this bridge, which was meant to be the
-ornamental end of "The New Canal," as it is described in the map of
-Farringdon Ward in Stow's "Survey" (ed. 1720). It must have taken some
-time to complete, for it was not finished until the Mayoralty of Sir
-William Hooker, whose name appeared carved upon it (although somewhat
-mutilated) when it was uncovered in March, 1840. Sir William Tite,
-C.B., M.P., F.S.A., &c., Architect to the City of London, writing at
-that date, says: "The Sewer at Holborn Hill was opened, and as I was
-passing, I saw the southern face of the Bridge which crossed the Fleet
-at this place uncovered to some extent. It was built of red brick, and
-the arch was about twenty feet span. The road from the east intersected
-the bridge obliquely, which irregularity was obviated from a moulded
-and well-executed stone corbel arising out of the angle thus formed,
-which carried the parapet. On the plinth course of the parapet was
-cut the inscription following, recording the fact of the erection of
-the bridge, with the name of the Lord Mayor at the period:--"William
-Hooke(r). (A)nno D. 1674."
-
-Sir William Tite says it was a red brick bridge; Hatton, in his "New
-View of London" (1708), says it was of stone; but then, probably, he
-never really saw it, and Tite did. Hatton's description is: "_Holbourn
-Bridge_ is built of Stone, it leads from _Holbourn_ to _Snow Hill_,
-over the N. end of the _Fleet Brook_, where a little rivulet called
-_Wells_, falls by _Hockley Hole_, running a little E'd of _Saffron
-Hill_, crossing near the W. end of _Chick Lane_, and so into this
-Brook."
-
-The canalization of the Fleet after 1666 was a useful work, as it
-enabled barges to go up to Holborn Bridge; and that it was availed of,
-we can judge by the frontispiece, which was painted in the middle of
-the eighteenth century; but it was not much used, if we can trust Ned
-Ward, whose sharp eyes looked everywhere, and whose pen recorded his
-scrutiny[71]: "From thence we took a turn down by the Ditch side, I
-desiring my Friend to inform me what great Advantages this costly Brook
-contributed to the Town, to Countervail the Expence of Seventy four
-Thousand Pounds, which I read in a very Credible Author, was the Charge
-of its making: He told me he was wholly unacquainted with any, unless
-it was now and then to bring up a few Chaldron of Coles to two or three
-Pedling _Fewel-Marchants_, who sell them never the Cheaper to the Poor
-for such a Conveniency: and, as for those Cellars you see on each side
-design'd for Ware-Houses, they are render'd by their dampness so unfit
-for that purpose that they are wholly useless, except... or to harbour
-Frogs, Toads, and other Vermin. The greatest good that ever I heard it
-did was to the Undertaker, who is bound to acknowledge he has found
-better Fishing in that muddy Stream, than ever he did in clear Water."
-
-[Illustration: END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF
-HOLBORN HILL. JUNE 2, 1840. (_Art. Crosby._)]
-
-Gay, too, in his "Trivia," more than once mentions the foulness of the
-Fleet in book ii.
-
- "Or who that rugged street[72] would traverse o'er,
- That stretches, O Fleet-Ditch, from thy black shore
- To the Tour's moated walls?"
-
-And again:
-
- "If where Fleet-Ditch with muddy current flows."
-
-Here is a pen-and-ink sketch of Holborn Bridge--from some old engraving
-or painting (Crosby does not give his authority), which gives an
-excellent idea of old London--squalid and filthy according to our
-ideas. How different from that noble viaduct which now spans the course
-of the Fleet River! which her Majesty opened on November 6, 1869.
-
-[Illustration: HOLBORN BRIDGE.]
-
- [Footnote 66: Hollinshed says--speaking of a Council at the Tower,
- relative to the Coronation of Edward V., at which the Protector
- presided, "After a little talking with them, he said unto the Bishop
- of Ely, 'My Lord, you have verie good strawberries at your garden in
- Holborne, I require you let us have a messe of them.' 'Gladlie, my
- Lord,' quoth he, 'would God I had some better thing as readie to
- your pleasure as that!' And there withall, in all haste, he sent his
- servant for a messe of strawberries."]
-
- [Footnote 67: Gray, "_A long Story_."]
-
- [Footnote 68: Afterwards Anglicised into Audrey.]
-
- [Footnote 69: There is now _Bowling Green Street_, Farringdon
- Street.]
-
- [Footnote 70: See next two pages.]
-
- [Footnote 71: "London Spy," part vi.]
-
- [Footnote 72: Thames Street.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XV.
-
-
-Then, close by (still keeping up its title of the River of the Wells)
-was Lamb's Conduit, on Snow Hill, which was fed from a little rill
-which had its source near where the Foundling Hospital now stands, its
-course being perpetuated by the name of Lamb's Conduit Street, where,
-according to the "Old English Herbal," watercresses used to flourish.
-"It groweth of its own accord in gardens and fields by the way side,
-in divers places, and particularly in the next pasture to the Conduit
-Head, behind Gray's Inn, that brings water to Mr. Lamb's Conduit in
-Holborn."
-
-William Lamb was a citizen of London, and of the Guild of
-Cloth-workers, besides which, he was some time Gentleman of the Chapel
-to Henry VIII. He benefited his fellow-citizens by restoring a conduit
-in 1577, which had been in existence since the fifteenth century; and,
-after the Great Fire, the busy Sir Christopher Wren was employed to
-design a covering for the spring, which he did, putting a _lamb_ on the
-top, with a very short inscription on the front panel, to the effect
-that it was "Rebuilt in the year 1677 S^r Tho^s Davis Kn^t L^d Mayor."
-
-It is curious to learn how the suburbs of London have grown within the
-memory of living men. Take, for instance, the following, from _Notes
-and Queries_ (April, 1857, p. 265), referring to Lamb's Conduit. A
-correspondent writes that "About sixty years since, I was travelling
-from the West of England in one of the old stage coaches of that
-day, and my fellow-travellers were an octogenarian clergyman and his
-daughter. In speaking of the then increasing size of London, the old
-gentleman said that when he was a boy, and recovering from an attack of
-smallpox, he was sent into the country to a row of houses standing on
-the west side of the present Lamb's Conduit Street; that all the space
-before him was open fields; that a streamlet of water ran under his
-window; and he saw a man snipe-shooting, who sprung a snipe near to the
-house, and shot it."
-
-It was no small gift of William Lamb to the City, for it cost him
-£1,500, which was equivalent to thrice that sum at present, and, to
-make it complete, he gave to one hundred and twenty poor women, pails
-wherewith to serve and carry water, whereby they earned an honest,
-although a somewhat laborious, living. Lamb left many charitable
-bequests, and also founded a chapel, by Monkwell Street, now pulled
-down. This Conduit existed until about 1755, when it was demolished,
-and an obelisk with lamps erected in its place, but, that being found a
-nuisance, was, in its turn, soon done away with.
-
-[Illustration: LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL.]
-
-Lamb was buried in the Church of St. Faith's, under St. Paul's, and on
-a pillar was a brass to his memory, which is so quaint, that I make no
-apology for introducing it.
-
- "William Lambe so sometime was my name,
- Whiles alive dyd runne my mortall race,
- Serving a Prince of most immortall fame,
- Henry the Eight, who of his Princely grace
- In his Chapell allowed me a place.
- By whose favour, from Gentleman to Esquire
- I was preferr'd, with worship, for my hire.
- With wives three I joyned wedlock band,
- Which (all alive) true lovers were to me,
- Joane, Alice, and Joane; for so they came to hand,
- What needeth prayse regarding their degree?
- In wively truth none stedfast more could be.
- Who, though on earth, death's force did once dissever,
- Heaven, yet, I trust, shall joyn us all together.
- O Lambe of God, which sinne didst take away;
- And as a Lambe, was offred up for sinne,
- Where I (poor Lambe) went from thy flock astray,
- Yet thou, good Lord, vouchsafe thy Lambe to winne
- Home to thy folde, and holde thy Lambe therein;
- That at the day, when Lambes and Goates shall sever,
- Of thy choice Lambes, Lambe may be one for ever.
- I pray you all, that receive Bread and Pence,
- To say the Lord's Prayer before ye go hence."
-
-It is said, also, that the old verses, so well known, were appended to
-the brass, or, rather, engraved on his tombstone.
-
- "As I was, so are ye,
- As I am, you shall be,
- That I had, that I gave,
- That I gave, that I have.
- Thus I end all my cost,
- That I felt, that I lost."
-
-But there is one well must not be lost sight of; for, in its small
-way, it was tributary to the Fleet--and that is Clerk's Well, or
-Clerkenwell, which gives its name to a large district of London. It was
-of old repute, for we see, in Ralph Aggas' Map of London, published
-about 1560, a conduit spouting from a wall, into a stone tank or
-trough. This is, perhaps, the earliest pictorial delineation of it;
-but FitzStephen mentions it under "_fons Clericorum_" so called,
-it is said, from the Parish Clerks of London, who chose this place
-for a representation of _Miracle Plays_, or scenes from Scripture
-realistically rendered, as now survives in the Ober Ammergau Passion
-Play. This little Company, which still exists as one of the City
-Guilds, has never attained to the dignity of having a livery, but
-they have a Hall of their own (in Silver Street, Wood Street, E.C.),
-and in their time have done good service in composing the "Bills of
-Mortality;" and gruesome pamphlets they were--all skulls, skeletons,
-and cross-bones--especially during the great Plague.
-
-These plays were, as I have said, extremely realistic. One, played at
-Chester A.D. 1327,[73] represented Adam and Eve, both stark naked, but,
-afterwards, they wore fig leaves. The language used in them, would to
-our ears be coarse, but it was the language of the time, and, probably,
-men and women were no worse than they are now. But, at all events
-this Guild, which was incorporated in the 17 Henry III. A.D. 1232,
-used occasionally to delight their fellow Citizens with dramatic
-representations in the open air (as have lately been revived in the
-"Pastoral plays" at Wimbledon) at what was then an accessible, and yet
-a rural, suburb of London.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Hence the name--but the well, alas, is no more--but when I say that,
-I mean that it is no longer available to the public. That it does
-exist, is well known to the occupier of the house where it formerly
-was in use, for the basement has frequently to be pumped dry. The
-neighbourhood has been so altered of late years, that its absolute
-site was somewhat difficult to fix; yet any one can identify it for
-themselves from the accompanying slight sketch of the locality as it
-existed over sixty years since. Ray Street (at least this portion of
-it) is now termed Farringdon Road, and what with Model lodging-houses,
-and underground railways, its physical and geographical arrangement is
-decidedly altered.
-
-Early in the last century, in Queen Anne's time, the Spring had ceased
-to be a conduit, as shown in Ralph Aggas' Map, but had been turned into
-a pump; and this pump even was moved, in 1800, to a more convenient
-spot in Ray Street, where it was in existence (which I rather doubt),
-according to Pink's History of Clerkenwell in 1865. However, there is
-very good evidence of its being, in an engraving dated May 1, 1822, of
-the "Clerk's Well"--which shows the pump, and a stone tablet with the
-following inscription:
-
- "A.D. 1800.
- WILLM. BOUND} CHURCH-
- JOSEPH BIRD } WARDEN.
-
-For the better accommodation of the Neighbourhood, this Pump was
-removed to the Spot where it now Stands. The Spring by which it is
-supplied is situated four Feet eastward, and round it, as History
-informs us, the Parish Clerks of London in remote Ages annually
-performed sacred Plays. That Custom caused it to be denominated Clerks'
-Well, and from which this Parish derives its Name. The Water was
-greatly esteemed by the Prior and Brethren of the Order of St. John of
-Jerusalem, and the Benedictine Nuns in the Neighbourhood."
-
-In later days, the Fleet, as every other stream on whose banks houses
-are built, became a sewer, and "behaved as sich;" so that it was deemed
-prudent to cover some portion of it, at all events, and that part
-where now is Farringdon Street, was arched over, and made into the
-Fleet _Market_. Our ancestors were far more alive to the advantages
-of ready cash, and consequent keen competition among dealers, than
-we are, although through the medium of Co-operative Stores, &c., we
-are beginning to learn the lost lesson, but, at all events, they had
-the acumen to know that large centres of supply were cheaper to the
-consumer than small, isolated shops, and _the Market_, was the outcome.
-It is next to impossible to make a Market--witness in our own times,
-the Central Fish Market, and Columbia Market, both of which are not
-absolute failures, but, to use a theatrical slang term, _frosts_--and
-this was an example.
-
-The Canal, up to Holborn Bridge, was expensive to keep up, and as we
-saw, by the quotation from Ned Ward, it was next door to worthless.
-Meantime, sewage and silt played their work, as the stream was
-neglected, and, becoming a public nuisance, it was arched over,
-pursuant to an Act 6 Geo. II. cap. 22, entitled "An Act for filling up
-such Part of the Channell of _Bridewell Dock_, and _Fleet Bridge_, as
-lies between _Holborn Bridge_ and _Fleet Bridge_, and for converting
-the Ground, when filled up, to the use of the City of _London_." The
-works were begun in 1734 and was arched over and finished in 1735;
-but, as buildings are necessary for a market, it was not opened, as
-such, until Sept. 30, 1737. For nearly a century it remained a market
-for meat, fish, and vegetables, although, of course, the largest meat
-market was Newgate, as being near Smithfield; and for fish,
-Billingsgate, which still maintains its pre-eminence But in 1829 it was
-pulled down, in order to make a wider street from Holborn to Blackfriars
-Bridge; and this part of the Fleet was called, and now is, Farringdon
-Street.
-
-[Illustration: FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE.]
-
-The Vegetable Market, for it had come to that only, was swept away, and
-a site found for it, nearly opposite the Fleet prison. It is still so
-used, but it is not much of a financial help to the City, as it only
-brings in an annual income (according to the last return I have been
-able to obtain) of between £700 and £800. It was thought that trade
-might be encouraged, and revived, if it were worthier housed, so what
-is now, the Central Fish Market, was erected; but, before the vendors
-of vegetables could enter into possession, a great cry had arisen as to
-the supply of fish to London, and the monopoly of Billingsgate, and the
-market was given over to the fishmongers. But it is not a success in
-a monetary point of view; is a great loss to the City, and, as a fish
-market, a very doubtful boon to the public.
-
-The Fleet Prison, which was on the east side of Farringdon Street, will
-be noticed in its place; and, as we have seen, the river was arched
-over from Holborn to Fleet Bridge, after which it still flowed, an open
-sewer, into the Thames.
-
-But, before going farther, we must needs glance at a curious little
-bit of Fleet history, which is to be found in "THE SECRET HISTORY of
-the RYE HOUSE PLOT, and Monmouth's Rebellion," written by Ford. Lord
-Grey who was a party to the plot, addressed it to James the Second,
-1685, but it was not printed until 1754. In p. 28 it states, "About
-the latter end of Oct. Monmouth s'd to Sir Thos. Armstrong and Lord
-Grey, that it was necessary for them to view the passage into the City,
-which, accordingly they did, from the lower end of _Fleet-ditch_, next
-the river, to the other end of it, by Snow Hill." And again (p. 34):
-"Sunday night was pitched upon for the rising in London, as all shops
-would be shut. Their men were to be armed at the Duke of Monmouth's
-in Hedge Lane, Northumberland House, Bedford House, and four or five
-meeting houses in the City.
-
-"The first alarm was designed to be between eleven and twelve at night,
-by attacking the train bands at the Royal Exchange, and then possessing
-ourselves of Newgate, Ludgate, and Aldersgate. The first two gates
-we did not design to defend, unless we were beaten from Fleet Bridge
-and Snow Hill, where we intended to receive the first attack of the
-King's Guards. At Snow Hill, we intended to make a Barricade, and
-plant three or four pieces of Cannon, upon Ship's Carriages; at Fleet
-Bridge we designed to use our Cannon upon the carriages, and to make a
-breast-work for our musqueteers bridge next us, and to fill the houses
-on that side the ditch with men who should fire from the windows, but
-the bridge to be clear."
-
-As a matter of fact, there seem to have been two bridges over the
-Fleet, crossing it at Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill, both side by side,
-as at Holborn. Crosby, upon whose collection I have so largely drawn,
-says that it is so, from personal observation, one bridge being 24 ft.
-6 in., and the other, 24 ft. wide, making in all, a roadway of 48 ft.
-6 in. presumably including parapets. From his measurements, the span of
-the bridge was 12 ft., and the height of the arch was 11 ft. 6 in., but
-he does not say whence he takes his measurement--from the bottom of the
-Fleet, or from the river level.
-
-To this measurement hangs a tale, which is best told in Crosby's own
-words, from a memo of his in the Guildhall Library:--
-
- "FLEET BRIDGE, _Tuesday_, July 28th, 1840. As I could not depend
- upon the admeasurements which, at the beginning of the year,
- I had taken in a _hurried manner_, at Fleet Bridges, while
- bricklayers were placing in a brick bottom in place of the
- original one of alluvial soil, I determined to obtain them the
- first opportunity. This evening, therefore, at ten o'clock, I
- met Bridgewater, one of the workmen employed in constructing the
- New Sewer from Holborn Bridge to Clerkenwell, by appointment,
- at the Hoard there, water boots being in readiness. I lighted
- my lamps, and, assisted by the watchmen, King and Arion, we
- descended the ladder, and got into that branch of the sewer
- which joins Wren's bridge, at Holborn. We then walked carefully
- till we reached Fleet Bridge. I suspended my Argand lamp on the
- Breakwater of the Sewer, and with my Lanthorn light we proceeded
- towards the Thames. We got a considerable distance, during
- which the channel of the Sewer twice turned to the right, at a
- slight angle, the last portion we entered, was barrelled at the
- bottom, the middle so full of holes, and the water so deep, as
- we approached the Thames, that we thought it prudent to return
- to Fleet bridge." (Here they lit up and took measurements). "All
- went well till about a quarter to twelve o'clock, when to our
- surprise we found the Tide had suddenly come in to the depth of
- two feet and a half. No time was to be lost, but I had only one
- more admeasurement to make, viz., the width of the north bridge.
- I managed this, and we then snatched up the basket, and holding
- our Lamps aloft, dashed up the Sewer, which we had to get up one
- half before out of danger. The air was close, and made us faint.
- However we got safe to Holborn Bridge...."
-
- [Footnote 73: Harl. MSS. 2013.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVI.
-
-
-Hatton, writing in 1708, says: "_Fleet Bridge_ is even with the
-Str(eet); it leads from _Fleet Street_ over the _Fleet Ditch_ to
-_Ludgate Hill_; is accommodated with strong Battlements which are
-adorned with six Peers and enriched with the Arms of _London_, and
-Supporters Pine-apples, &c., all of Stone; and bet(wee)n the Peers are
-Iron Rails and Bannisters, on the N. & S. sides of the Bridge."
-
-On either side of where the Bridge used to be, are two obelisks, one on
-the North, or Farringdon Street side, to Alderman Waithman, and on the
-South, or Bridge Street side, to John Wilkes the notorious. The first
-bears the following inscription:--
-
- ERECTED
- TO THE MEMORY
- OF
- ROBERT
- WAITHMAN
- BY
- HIS FRIENDS AND
- FELLOW CITIZENS,
- M.D.C.C.C.XXXIII.
-
-This Alderman Waithman was almost one of the typical class so often
-held up as an example for all poor boys to follow, _i.e._, he began
-life with simply his own energy, and opportunity to help him. And, as
-a virtuous example of industry, when the times were not so pushing as
-now; and half, and quarter, or less commissions on transactions were
-unknown, we may just spend a minute in reading about him. Wrexham
-was his birthplace in 1764, and his father dying soon after, he was
-adopted by his uncle and sent to school. No one was then left very
-many years in _statu pupillari_, and, consequently, he had to join his
-uncle in business, as a linendraper at Bath. The uncle died in 1788,
-and he took a place at Reading, whence he came to London, and lived as
-a linendraper's assistant until he came of age. He then married, and
-opened a shop at the South end of the Fleet Market, nearly precisely on
-the spot where his monument now stands.
-
-He prospered in business, and moved to other, and larger premises,
-became Common Councilman, tried to get into Parliament for the City,
-and ultimately succeeded in 1818. Next election he lost it, but in
-all subsequent ones he was the favoured candidate. He was Alderman of
-Farringdon Without, Sheriff, and filled the office of Mayor in 1823-4.
-The obelisk to his memory remains, but he has dropped out of general
-memory, and this revival of his life, for imitation, in industry and
-rectitude of conduct, must be my excuse for taking up my readers' time.
-
-Far different is it with John Wilkes, about whom every one knows, and
-I have only to say that his obelisk bears the inscription--
-
- A.D.
- M.D.C.C.LXXV.
- THE RIGHT
- HONORABLE
- JOHN WILKES,
- Lord Mayor.
-
-This inscription became effaced through the weather, and was, within
-the last few years, replaced with a new stone; but it was grumbled at
-for not having the original word "Esquire" after John Wilkes, which was
-surely a work of supererogation.
-
-Close by was Ludgate, with its debtors' prison of Lud-gate, which was
-rather aristocratic, being "purely for Insolvent Citizens of _London_,
-Beneficed Clergy, and Attorneys at Law," and which was even peculiar in
-the time when it existed; for Maitland, in his "History of London" (ed.
-1775, pp. 28, 29) says:--
-
- "The domestick Government of this Prison having something very
- singular and remarkable in it, I presume an Account thereof will
- not be unacceptable to the Reader. I shall, therefore, insert a
- compendious Abstract thereof from an Account published some Time
- ago by one who had been a long Time Prisoner there.
-
- "For the quiet and good Government of this Prison, and the
- Punishment of Crimes and Misdemeanors therein committed, the
- Master Keeper and Prisoners from among themselves chuse the
- following Officers, viz., A Reader of Divine Service; an upper
- Steward, called the Master of the Box; an Under Steward; seven
- Assistants, who by Turns officiate daily; a Running Assistant;
- two Churchwardens; a Scavenger; a Chamberlain; a Running Post;
- and the Criers or Beggars at the Gates, who are generally six in
- number.
-
- "The Reader is chosen by the Master Keeper, Stewards, and
- Assistants, and not at a General Election, as the other Officers
- are. The Reader, besides reading Prayers, was, originally,
- obliged to Ring the Bell twice a Day for Prayers, and also for
- the Space of a Quarter of an Hour before Nine at Night, as a
- Warning for all Strangers to depart the Prison; but for the
- Dignity of his Office, he is now exempt from those Services,
- and others in his stead are appointed to perform them. This
- Officer's salary is two Shillings and eight Pence _per_
- Month, and a Penny of every Prisoner at his Entrance, if his
- Garnish[74] amount to sixteen Pence; and a Dish of Meat out of
- the Lord Mayor's Basket.
-
- "The Upper Steward, or Master of the Box, is, by all the
- Prisoners held in equal Esteem with the Keeper of the Prison;
- and to his Charge is committed the keeping of all the several
- Orders of the House, with the Accounts of Cash received upon
- Legacies; the Distribution of all the Provisions sent in by
- the Lord Mayor, and others; the cash received by Garnish, and
- begging at the Grates, which he weekly lays out in Bread,
- Candles, and other Necessaries. He likewise keeps a List of
- all the Prisoners, as well those that are upon the Charity, as
- those that are not; to each of whom, by the Aid of the Assistant
- for the Day, he distributes their several proportions of Bread
- and other Provisions. He receives the Gifts of the Butchers,
- Fishmongers, Poulterers, and other Market People, sent in by the
- Clerk of the Market, by the Running Post, for which he gives a
- Receipt, and, afterwards, in the Presence of the Assistant for
- the Day, exposes for Sale to the Charity Men, by Way of Market;
- and the Money arising thereby is deposited in the Common Stock,
- or Bank.
-
- "This Officer, with the Under Steward, Assistants, and
- Churchwardens, are elected monthly by the Suffrages of the
- Prisoners; but all the other Officers, except the Chamberlain,
- are appointed by the Master-Keeper, Stewards, and Assistants.
- The Design of these frequent Elections, is to prevent Frauds
- and Abuses in the respective Officers; but, when they are known
- to be Men of Probity, they are generally reelected, and often
- continue in such Posts many Months. The _Monday_ after every
- Election, the Accounts are audited and passed, and the Balance
- divided; and, if it amount to three Shillings and four Pence
- _per_ Man, the Keeper of the Prison arbitrarily extorts from
- each Prisoner two Shillings and Four Pence, without the least
- Colour of Right: But, if the Dividend arises not so high, then
- he only takes one Shilling and two Pence; the other Moiety being
- charged to the Prisoner's Account, to be paid at the Time of his
- Discharge; which new and detestable Impositions are apparently
- contrary to the Intention of the Founder.
-
- "Another great Grievance the distressed and miserable Prisoners
- are subject to, is, their being obliged to pay the Turnkey
- twelve Shillings _per_ Month, for no other Service than that
- of opening the Door to let in Gifts and Charities sent to the
- Prison, which often amount to little more than what he receives.
-
- "The Under Steward is an Assistant, or Deputy, to the Upper
- Steward, in whose Absence or Indisposition he performs the
- several Functions of his Office.
-
- "The Assistants, being seven in Number, are chosen Monthly with
- the Stewards; one whereof, officiating daily, his Business is to
- attend in the Hall, to enter all Charities, and keep an Account
- of the Money taken out of the Boxes, which are opened at five
- o'Clock in the Afternoon, and at Nine at Night; which Money he
- pays to the Upper Steward, at the passing of whose Accounts the
- Assistants are Auditors.
-
- "Every Person put in Nomination for the Office of an Assistant,
- refusing to serve, forfeits one Shilling to the Use of the
- Publick, or, in lieu thereof, to be put in Fetters for three
- Days. The officiating Assistant is invested with a magisterial
- Power, whereby he can commit a Prisoner to the Stocks or
- Shackles, for the Abuse of any Person. This Officer is to see
- the Cellar cleared every Night, by ten o'Clock of all the
- Prisoners; for which he receives six Pence out of the Charity
- Money; two Pence whereof to his own Use, two Pence to the Upper
- Steward, and two Pence to the Running Assistant. This Office was
- anciently in such Esteem, that the Assistant, at his entering
- upon it, used nightly, at Eight o'Clock, to be ushered into
- the Hall, by an Illumination of forty or fifty great Candles,
- carried by so many Prisoners.
-
- "The Running Assistant's Business is, to attend upon the Criers
- at the Gates, to change Money; and open the Boxes: to put up
- Candles in their respective Places, attend upon the Stewards and
- Assistants, look after the Clock, ring the Bell for Prayers;
- and to be Crier at the Sale of Provisions. His Salary is four
- Shillings and eight Pence _per_ Month, and an eighth part of the
- Garnish Money.
-
- "The Churchwardens are chosen from among the youngest Prisoners.
- The Upper Warden's Office is, to call to Prayers on _Sundays_,
- after the Bell has done ringing; and the Under Warden's is to
- call the Prisoners to Prayers all other Days. They are likewise
- to take cognizance of all Persons who are upon the Charity
- Foundation; who in default of Attendance are fined one Penny
- each. The Under Warden's Salary for this Service is four Pence
- _per_ Month; and the Penalty for not serving, when duly elected,
- is four Pence.
-
- "The Scavenger's Office is, to keep clean the Prison, and to
- fetter, and put in the Stocks all Offenders; for which he is
- intitled to receive from each Criminal one Penny, together with
- a Salary of five Shillings and eight Pence _per_ Month, and two
- Pence out of every sixteen Pence of the Garnish Money.
-
- "The Chamberlain is chosen by the Keeper of the Prison, whose
- Office it is to take Care of all the Bedding and Linen belonging
- to the Keeper; to place Men at their coming in, and to furnish
- them with Sheets, and to give Notice to Strangers to depart the
- Prison by Ten o'Clock at Night. This Officer, formerly, was
- obliged to make the Charity-Men's Beds, for which he received
- two Pence _per_ Month.
-
- "The Running Post's Business is, to fetch in a Basket the
- broken Meat from the Lord-Mayor, Clerk of the Market, private
- Families, and Charities given in the Streets, which are often so
- inconsiderable as not to admit of a Dividend; wherefore it is
- disposed of by Sale or publick Market, as aforesaid. The Salary
- annexed to this office, is four Shillings _per_ Month; one Penny
- _per_ Month out of each Man's Dividend, and one Penny out of
- every sixteen Pence of Garnish money.
-
- "The Criers are six in Number; two whereof daily beg at the
- Grates; he at the Grate within is allowed one Fourth of what is
- given, and he at that on _Blackfriars_ Side one Moiety of what
- is given there."
-
-This custom is alluded to in the _Spectator_, No. lxxxii.:
-
-"Passing under _Ludgate_ the other Day I heard a Voice bawling for
-Charity, which I thought I had somewhere heard before. Coming near to
-the Grate, the Prisoner called me by my Name, and desired I would throw
-something into the Box. I was out of Countenance for him, and did as he
-bid me, by putting in half a Crown."
-
-Of this Grate there is a pretty and romantic story told by Stow.[75]
-
-"When the Prison was in this Condition, there happened to be Prisoner
-there one _Stephen Foster_, who (as poor Men are at this Day) was
-a Cryer at the Grate, to beg the benevolent Charities of pious and
-commiserate Benefactors that passed by. As he was doing his doleful
-Office, a rich Widow of _London_ hearing his Complaint, enquired of
-him, what would release him? To which he answered, Twenty Pound,
-which she in Charity expended; and, clearing him out of Prison,
-entertained him in her Service; who, afterward, falling into the Way
-of Merchandize, and increasing as well in Wealth as Courage, wooed his
-Mistress, Dame _Agnes_, and married her.
-
-"Her Riches and his Industry brought him both great Wealth and Honour,
-being afterwards no less than Sir _Stephen Foster_, Lord Mayor of the
-Honourable City of London: Yet whilst he lived in this great Honour
-and Dignity, he forgat not the Place of his Captivity, but, mindful of
-the sad and irksome Place wherein poor Men were imprisoned, bethought
-himself of enlarging it, to make it a little more delightful and
-pleasant for those who in after Times should be imprisoned and shut up
-therein. And, in order thereunto, acquainted his Lady with this his
-pious Purpose and Intention; in whom likewise he found so affable and
-willing a Mind to do Good to the Poor, that she promised to expend as
-much as he should do for the carrying on of the Work."
-
-And they did spend their money on it right royally, building, amongst
-many other conveniences, a Chapel for the inmates, A.D. 1454, which
-they endowed, so as to maintain a "preacher" or chaplain. Sir Stephen
-Foster likewise provided that the place "should be free for all
-Freemen, and that they, providing their own Bedding, should pay nothing
-at their Departure for Lodging, or Chamber rent (as now they call it),
-which to many poor Men becomes oftentimes as burdensome as their Debts,
-and are by the Keeper detained in Prison as for Debt, only for their
-Fees, though discharged and acquitted of what they were committed for."
-
-Nor did his charitable goodness end here, for he gave a supply of water
-_gratis_ to the prisoners, as was recorded on a brass in the Chapel,
-very pithily--
-
- "Devout Souls that pass this way
- For STEPHEN FOSTER, late _Maior_, heartily pray,
- And Dame AGNES, his Spouse, to God consecrate,
- That of Pity this House made for Londoners in LUDGATE.
- So that for Lodging and Water, Prisoners have nought to pay,
- As their Keepers shall all answer at dreadful Doomsday."
-
-Dame Agnes survived her husband, but was ultimately buried by his side
-in the Church of St. Botolph, Billingsgate.
-
-For a Prison, Ludgate compared more than favourably with every other in
-London. As we have seen, the prisoners were select; they were helped,
-in the matter of food, by the king of the City, the Lord Mayor: their
-fees were infinitesimal as compared with other debtors' prisons. Strype
-(ed. 1720, book ii. p. 179) says:--
-
- "Formerly Debtors that were not able to satisfy their Debts, put
- themselves into this Prison of _Ludgate_, for shelter from their
- Creditors. And these were Merchants and Tradesmen that had been
- driven to want by Losses at Sea. When King _Philip_ in the Month
- of _August 1554_ came first through _London_, these prisoners
- were Thirty in number; and owed £10,000, but compounded for
- £2,000. Who presented a well penned Latin Speech to that Prince,
- to redress their Miseries, and, by his Royal Generosity, to free
- them. 'And the rather, for that that Place was not _Sceleratorum
- Carcer, sed miserorum Custodia_; _i.e._, a Gaol for Villains,
- but a Place of Restraint for poor unfortunate Men. And that they
- were put in there, not by others, but themselves fled thither;
- and that not out of fear of Punishment, but in hope of better
- Fortune.' The whole Letter was drawn by the curious Pen of
- _Roger Ascham_, and is extant among his Epistles, Lib. iii.
-
- "If a Freeman or Freewoman of _London_ be committed to
- _Ludgate_, they are to be excused from the ignominy of Irons, if
- they can find Sureties to be true Prisoners, and if the Sum be
- not above £100. There is another Custom of the liberal and mild
- Imprisonment of the Citizens in _Ludgate_, whereby they have
- Indulgence and Favour to go abroad into any place by _Baston_,
- as we term it, under the guard and superintendency of their
- Keeper, with whom they must return again to the Prison at Night."
-
- [Footnote 74: "Garnish" was the _footing_ that every prisoner
- paid on his entrance, and woe become him if it were not
- forthcoming; he was simply stripped of his clothes.]
-
- [Footnote 75: Strype's "Stow's Survey," ed. 1720, vol. ii. p.
- 26 appendix.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVII.
-
-
-The Course of the Fleet is nearly run, but, before closing this
-account of the river, we should not forget the residence of the mighty
-King-maker, the Earl of Warwick, whose pleasant gardens ran down to
-the Fleet; and there, in Warwick Lane, after the great Fire, was
-built the College of Physicians, described thus by Dr. Garth, in his
-"Dispensary":--
-
- "Not far from that most celebrated Place,
- Where angry Justice shews her awful Face;
- Where little Villains must submit to Fate,
- That great ones may enjoy the World in State,
- There stands a Dome, majestick to the sight,
- And sumptuous Arches bear its oval height;
- A golden Globe plac'd high with artful skill,
- Seems, to the distant sight, a gilded Pill."
-
-Here they were housed until 1825, and, from the Fleet, could be seen
-the Apothecaries' Hall, in Water Lane, Blackfriars,
-
- "Nigh where _Fleet Ditch_ descends in sable Streams
- To wash his sooty _Naiads_ in the _Thames_;
- There stands a Structure on a Rising Hill,
- Where _Tyro's_ take their Freedom out to Kill."
-
-Then there was the Monastery of the Dominicans, or Blackfriars, which
-has given its name to a whole district; and there was a fortification,
-or postern, on the little river, near Ludgate Hill; and, close to its
-junction with the Thames, was Bridewell Bridge, so called from the
-Royal Palace of that name, which, in its turn, received its cognomen
-from another well, which went to form the "River of Wells," St.
-Bridget's or Bride's Well. This bridge is shown in the frontispiece,
-and was necessarily made very high in order to allow sailing craft to
-go under it.
-
-It was here that Pope, in his "Dunciad" (book ii.), thus sings:
-
- "This labour past, by Bridewell all descend,
- (As morning pray'r, and flagellation end)
- To where Fleet-ditch with disemboguing streams
- Rolls the large tribute of dead dogs to Thames,
- The King of Dykes! than whom, no sluice of mud,
- With deeper sable blots the silver flood.
- 'Here strip, my children! here at once leap in,
- Here prove who best can dash thro' thick and thin.'"[76]
-
-Ward bursts into song over Bridewell, thus:--
-
- "'Twas once the Palace of a Prince,
- If we may Books Confide in;
- But given was, by him long since,
- For Vagrants to Reside in."
-
-[Illustration: BRIDEWELL BRIDGE.]
-
-The Royal Palace of Bridewell stood on the site of the Castle of
-Montfichet, who is believed to have come over with William the
-Conqueror. Tradition assigns it a still earlier date, even Roman, but
-then, I don't say there was not a Roman fortress here, but I cannot say
-there was. Certainly Cardinal Wolsey lived here, and Henry VIII. held
-occasional Court.
-
-Strype, in his edition of Stow (1720) says that after the destruction
-of Montfichet Castle and its Stone being given away:--
-
- "This Tower or Castle being thus destroyed, stood, as it may
- seem, in Place where now standeth the House called _Bridewell_.
- For, notwithstanding the Destruction of the said Castle or
- Tower, the House remained large, so that the Kings of this
- Realm long after were lodged there and kept their Courts. For,
- in the Ninth Year of _Henry_ the Third, the Courts of Law,
- and Justice were kept in the King's House, wheresoever he was
- lodged, and not else where. And that the Kings have been lodged,
- and kept their Law Courts in this Place, I could shew you many
- Authorities of Record....
-
- "More, (as _Matthew Paris_ hath) about the Year 1210, King
- _John_, in the Twelfth Year of his Reign, summoned a Parliament
- at _S. Brides_ in _London_; where he exacted of the Clergy, and
- Religious Persons the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds; And
- besides all this, the _White Monks_ were compelled to cancel
- their Privileges, and to pay £4000 to the King, &c. This House
- of _S. Brides_ (of later Time) being left, and not used by the
- Kings, fell to Ruin; insomuch that the very Platform thereof
- remained (for great part) waste, and as it were, but a Lay
- Stall of Filth and Rubbish, only a fair Well remained there.
- A great part whereof, namely, on the _West_, as hath been
- said, was given to the Bishop of _Salisbury_; the other Part
- toward the _East_ remained waste, until King _Henry_ the Eighth
- builded a stately and beautiful House, thereupon, giving it to
- Name, _Bridewell_, of the Parish and Well there. This House he
- purposely builded for the Entertainment of the Emperor _Charles_
- the Fifth;[77] who in the Year 1522 came into this City....
- Being in Decay, and long disused, King Edward VI. gave it to the
- City in the Seventh[78] Year of his Reign.
-
- "It is seated near to _Blackfriars_; from which it is severed
- by the Canal of the _Fleet-ditch_. It was obtained of the
- King at first for an Harbour of poor Harbourless People, that
- lay abroad in the Streets. It was soon after improved to be a
- Workhouse, not only to give Lodging to poor, idle, wandring
- Persons, Beggars, and others; but to find them Work, to help to
- maintain themselves. But tho' this was granted in the Year 1553,
- yet it seems, it was not before Two Years after, that the City
- entred and took possession of it by _Gerard_ their Maior, having
- obtained Queen _Mary's_ Confirmation.
-
- "In the time of Queen _Elizabeth_, about the Year 1570 and
- odd, one _John Pain_, a Citizen, invented a Mill to grind
- Corn; which he got recommended to the Lord Maior, for the Use
- of _Bridewell_. This Mill had Two Conveniences: One was, That
- it would grind a greater Quantity considerably than any other
- Mills of that Sort could do. And the other (which would render
- it so useful to _Bridewell_) was, That the Lame, either in Arms
- or Legs, might work at it, if they had but the Use of either.
- And, accordingly, these Mills were termed _Hand-Mills_ or
- _Foot-Mills_.
-
- "This Mill he shewed to the Lord Maior, who saw it grind as much
- Corn with the Labour of Two Men, as they did then at _Bridewell_
- with Ten. That is to say, Two Men with Hands, two Bushels the
- Hour; or Two Men with Feet, two Bushels the Hour. If they were
- Lame in their Arms, then they might earn their Livings with
- their Legs. If Lame in their Legs, then they might earn their
- Livings with their Arms."
-
- --This, perhaps, is the earliest mention of the treadmill, as a
- punishment.
-
- Still quoting Strype, (same edition):
-
- "The Use of this Hospital now is for an House of Correction, and to
- be a Place where all Strumpets, Night-walkers, Pickpockets, vagrant
- and idle Persons, that are taken up for their ill Lives, as also
- incorrigible and disobedient Servants, are committed by the Mayor and
- Aldermen, who are Justices of the Peace within the said City; And
- being so committed are forced to beat Hemp in publick View, with due
- Correction of whipping, according to their Offence, for such a Time as
- the President and Court shall see Cause."
-
-Bridewell is well shown by Hogarth in the fourth picture of the
-"Harlot's progress," where both men and women are seen "beetling"
-hemp.[79]
-
-In a very rare tract called "Mr. William Fullers Trip to Bridewell"
-(1703) he gives a fairly graphic description of a prisoner's entry
-therein. "As soon as I came there, the Word was _Strip, pull off your
-Cloaths_, and with much intreaty, I prevail'd to keep on my Westcoat;
-then I was set to a Block, a punny of Hemp was laid thereon, and _Ralph
-Cumpton_ (a Journy Man in the Shop) presented me with a Beatle, bidding
-me knock the Hemp with that, as fast as I could. This Beatle is of
-Brazel,[80] and weigh'd about 12 pounds."
-
-Previously to this, poor Fuller had to stand twice in the pillory, on
-one of which occasions he was nearly killed by the mob, and when taken
-to Bridewell, all black and blue as he was, he had a whipping:--"My
-Hands were put in the Stocks, and then Mr. _Hemings_ the Whipper, began
-to noint me with his Instrument, that had, I believe, about a dozen
-Strings notted at the end, and with that I had Thirty Nine Stripes (so
-that according to a certain Almanack Maker, who reckoned Dr. _Oates's_
-Stripes by every String, I had twelve times Thirty Nine). I had given
-the Rascal Half a Crown, but he afforded me very little favour, but
-struck home at every stroak; I confess I could not forbear bawling
-out, but good Sir _Robert_[81] knockt at last, and I was let out of the
-Stocks."
-
-The prisoners, if they chose, could find their own food, but they were
-kept strictly at work as is quaintly put by Fuller--
-
-"I had, in each Shop, the Thieves for my Fellow-labourers, and the
-Journeymen, our Deputy Task Masters, were frequently calling to the
-Prisoners, _Why don't you Work there, strike hard_: Then threaten,
-and sometimes beat them with a small Cane. These Task-masters are so
-accustomed to keeping their Prisoners hard at Work, that I have heard
-themselves say, they have, frequently, (forgetting themselves) called
-out, when they had no Prisoner in the Shop, as before, _Why don't you
-work there_."
-
-Ward (in the "London Spy") gives an almost too graphic account of this
-prison, but expresses unmitigated disgust at the whipping of women,
-which took place there, and solemnly protested against its continuance.
-His description of a woman being flogged, is as follows:--
-
- "My Friend Re-conducted me back into the first Quadrangle,
- and led me up a pair of Stairs into a Spacious Chamber, where
- the Court was sitting in great Grandeur and Order. A Grave
- Gentleman, whose Awful Looks bespoke him some Honourable
- Citizen, was mounted in the Judgement-Seat, Arm'd with a Hammer,
- like a _Change-Broker_ at _Lloyd's Coffee House_, when selling
- Goods by Inch of Candle, and a Woman under the Lash in the
- next Room; where Folding doors were open'd, that the whole
- Court might see the Punishment Inflicted; at last down went the
- Hammer, and the Scourging ceas'd.... Another Accusation being
- then deliver'd by a Flat-Cap against a poor Wench, who having
- no Friend to speak in her behalf, Proclamation was made, _viz.
- All you who are willing E----th T----ll, should have present
- Punishment, pray hold up your hands._ Which was done accordingly:
-
- [Illustration: WOMEN BEATING HEMP.]
-
- And then she was order'd the Civility of the House, and was
- forc'd to shew her tender Back and Breasts to the Grave Sages of
- the August Assembly, who were mov'd by her Modest Mein, together
- with the whiteness of her Skin, to give her but a gentle
- Correction."
-
- John Howard, in his "State of the Prisons in England and Wales" (ed.
- 1777) gives the following description of Bridewell:--
-
- "This building was formerly a Palace, near St. Bridget's (St. Bride's)
- Well; from whence it had the name; which, after it became a Prison,
- was applied to other Prisons of the same sort. It was given to the
- City by King Edward VI. in 1552.
-
- "That part of Bridewell which relates to my subject has wards for men
- and women quite separate.[82] The men's ward on the ground floor, is a
- day room in which they beat hemp; and a night room over it. One of the
- upper chambers is fitting up for an Infirmary.--The woman's ward is
- a day room on the ground floor, in which they beat hemp; and a night
- room over it. I was told that the chamber above this is to be fitted
- up for an Infirmary. The sick, have, hitherto, been commonly sent to
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital. All the Prisoners are kept within doors.
-
- "The women's rooms are large, and have opposite windows, for fresh
- air. Their Ward, as well as the men's, has plenty of water: and there
- is a Hand-Ventilator on the outside, with a tube to each room of the
- women's ward. This is of great service, when the rooms are crowded
- with Prisoners, and the weather is warm.
-
- [Illustration: PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808.]
-
- "The Prisoners are employed by a Hemp dresser, who has the profit
- of their labour, an apartment in the Prison, and a salary of £14.
- I generally found them at work: they are provided for, so as to be
- able to perform it. The hours of work are, in winter, from eight to
- four; in summer from six to six, deducting meal times. The Steward
- is allowed eightpence a day for the maintenance of each Prisoner;
- and contracts to supply them as follows:--On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
- and Thursday, a penny loaf, ten ounces of dressed beef without bone,
- broth, and three pints of ten shilling beer; on Wednesday, Friday, and
- Saturday, a penny loaf, four ounces of cheese, or some butter, a pint
- of milk pottage, and three pints of ten shilling beer.... In winter
- they have some firing. The night rooms are supplied with straw. No
- other Prison in _London_ has any straw, or other bedding.... I found
- there in 1776:--
-
- March 13. Prisoners 20
- May 1. " 7
- Dec. 3. " 24."
-
-It continued as a House of Correction for the City of London until its
-abolition, with other Civic prisons by an Act of 40 and 41 Vict. cap.
-21, entitled "An Act to amend the Law relating to Prisons in England."
-But there was an exception made in its favour, and it still remains
-a House of Correction in a mild way--thanks to the very kindly and
-fatherly wishes and representations of the Civic Authorities.
-
-The good old days of Apprenticing boys to some craft for seven years,
-during which he was to serve his master faithfully, and in return, was
-to be housed, fed, and taught his business, have all but passed away,
-but not quite. There are still some refractory apprentices, as there
-ever have been. We know the common saying of "Boys will be boys,"
-which is applied in mitigation of juvenile indiscretion, but there is
-also another apothegm, "Little boys, when they are naughty, must be
-smacked, and sent to bed." Bridewell has always been a place where idle
-or refractory City apprentices have had the opportunity of pondering
-over the errors of their ways, and in passing this Act, a special
-exemption was made, and there still exist six cells, which, I am sorry
-to say, are frequently occupied by erring youths. It is all done in
-the kindest, and most fatherly way. The City Chamberlain from the time
-of the Indentures of the lad being signed, to giving him his Freedom,
-acts as his guardian, to a great extent. Has the lad any complaint
-to make against his master it is to the Chamberlain he must appeal,
-and _vice versâ_. The Cause is heard _in camerâ_, and every effort is
-made to reconcile the parties, but, as will sometimes happen with a
-boy who is obstinate, sullen, or vicious, all attempts to bring him
-to a better sense fail, then the Chamberlain, by virtue of his office
-commits the boy to Bridewell, where he eats the bread, and drinks the
-water, of affliction for a while, a treatment, which combined with
-the confinement, hard work, and enforced sequestration from society,
-largely aided by the good advice of the Chaplain, very seldom fails
-to effect its object, and render that lad a decent member of the
-commonweal. It just arrests him in his downward path, there is no
-publicity, the thing is never chronicled in any Newspaper, as it might
-be, supposing no Bridewell existed, and the case was brought before a
-police magistrate--it need never be known outside his family circle,
-and he escapes the taint of being a gaol bird.
-
-Bridewell seems to have been long associated with apprentices, not all
-of them "_Thomas Idles_," I am happy to say; and Hatton in "The New
-View of London" (1708) writes, showing the tender care that the City of
-London have always had for their poor:
-
- "It is also an Hospital for Indigent Persons, and where 20
- Art Masters (as they are called) being decayed Traders as
- Shoemakers, Taylors, Flax-dressers, &c., have Houses, and their
- Servants, or Apprentices (being about 140 in all) have Cloaths
- at the House Charge, and their Masters having the Profit of
- their Work do often advance by this means their own Fortunes,
- and these Boys, having served their time faithfully, have not
- only their Freedom, but also £10 each towards carrying on their
- respective Trades, and many have even arrived from nothing to be
- Governors."
-
-This arrangement has, of course, had to "march with the times," and in
-1860 the Master of the Rolls approved of, and sanctioned, a scheme of
-the Charity Commissioners, whereby nearly all the funds appertaining
-to Bridewell are utilized by two industrial schools called "King
-Edward's Schools," most impartially divided--one at Witley, in Surrey,
-affording accommodation for two hundred and forty boys, and another in
-St. George's Fields, Lambeth, for two hundred and forty girls; so that,
-even in these latter days, Bridewell still exists, and, if the spirits
-of its numerous benefactors have the power to see the manner in which
-their money is being spent, I fancy they would not grumble.
-
-Before leaving the topic of Bridewell, as a prison, I must not fail to
-mention a notorious, but naughty, old woman who lived in the time of
-Charles II., commonly known as "Old Mother Cresswell." It is no slander
-on her memory, to say that her sense of morality was exceedingly lax,
-and she died in Bridewell. She evidently had saved some money, and with
-that curious spirit which possesses some people, and produces adulatory
-epitaphs, she would fain be better thought of after her death, than
-she was estimated when alive, for, in her will, she left a legacy for
-a sermon at her funeral, the preacher's remuneration to be £10, on one
-condition, that he should say nothing but what was _well_ of her. A
-clergyman having been found, he preached a sermon generally adapted to
-the occasion, and wound up by saying: "By the will of the deceased, it
-is expected that I should mention her, and say nothing but what was
-_well_ of her. All that I shall say of her, however, is this: she was
-born _well_, she lived _well_, and she died _well_; for she was born
-with the name of Cress_well_, she lived in Clerken_well_, and she died
-in Bride_well_."
-
-There was a fine old Court-room, which is thus described in the
-"Microcosm of London" (1808):
-
-"The Court-room is an interesting piece of antiquity, as on its site
-were held courts of justice, and probably _parliaments_, under our
-early kings. At the upper end are the old arms of England; and it
-is wainscotted with English Oak, ornamented with Carved work. This
-Oak was formerly of the solemn colour which it attains by age, and
-was relieved by the carving being gilt. It must have been no small
-effort of _ingenuity_ to destroy at one stroke all this venerable,
-time-honoured grandeur: it was, however, _happily_ achieved, by
-daubing over with paint the fine veins and polish of the old oak,
-to make a bad imitation of the pale modern wainscot; and other
-decorations are added in similar _taste_.
-
-"On the upper part of the walls are the names, in gold letters, of
-benefactors to the hospital: the dates commence with 1565, and end
-with 1713. This is said to have been the Court in which the sentence
-of divorce was pronounced against Catherine of Arragon, which had been
-concluded on in the opposite monastery of the Black Friars.
-
-"From this room is the entrance into the hall, which is a very noble
-one: at the upper end is a picture by Holbein,[83] representing Edward
-VI. delivering the Charter of the hospital to Sir George Barnes,
-then Lord Mayor; near him are William, Earl of Pembroke, and Thomas
-Goodrich, Bishop of Ely. There are ten figures in the picture, besides
-the king, whose portrait is painted with great truth and feeling: it
-displays all that languor and debility which mark an approaching
-dissolution, and which, unhappily, followed so soon after, together
-with that of the painter; so that it has been sometimes doubted
-whether the picture was really painted by Holbein--his portrait,
-however, is introduced; it is the furthest figure in the corner on
-the right hand, looking over the shoulders of the persons before him.
-
-"On one side of this picture is a portrait of Charles II. sitting,
-and, on the other, that of James II. standing; they are both painted
-by Sir Peter Lely. Round the room are several portraits of the
-Presidents and different benefactors, ending with that of Sir Richard
-Carr Glyn. The walls of this room are covered with the names of those
-who have been friends to the institution, written in letters of gold."
-
-This Hall was pulled down in 1862.
-
- [Footnote 76: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 77: Of Spain.]
-
- [Footnote 78: A.D. 1553.]
-
- [Footnote 79: A Beetle is a portion of a trunk of a tree, large
- or small as occasion demanded, sometimes more than one man
- could lift, _vide_ Shakspeare (2 _Hen. IV._ act i. sc. 2),
- "Fillip me with a three-man beetle," _i.e._, one with three
- handles. All exogenous fibres have to be crushed, in order to
- release the fibre from the wooden core, and this, which is now
- done by machinery, was then done by beetles, or wooden
- hammers.]
-
- [Footnote 80: Brazil wood.]
-
- [Footnote 81: Sir Robert Jeffries the President and Justice at
- Bridewell, when he knocked with a hammer the punishment
- ceased.]
-
- [Footnote 82: In Hogarth's picture both men and women are
- working together.]
-
- [Footnote 83: The writer is in error, as the event it
- represents took place some ten years after Holbein's death. The
- picture is now in Christ's Hospital.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVIII.
-
-
-Bordering upon Bridewell, and almost part and parcel of it, was
-Whitefriars, which, westward, ran to the Temple, and eastward to
-the Fleet. It is so-called from a Carmelite monastery, established
-here in the reign of Edward I. Within its precincts was the right of
-sanctuary, and, like the Jewish Cities of Refuge, offenders against
-the law might flee thither, and be protected from arrest. Naturally,
-the very scum of London floated thither, to the Mint in Southwark, and
-the precincts of the Savoy in the Strand, in none of which the King's
-warrant ran, unless backed by a force sufficient to overawe the lawless
-denizens of these localities. Whitefriars we may take as its original
-name, but there was given it a nick-name, "Alsatia," from Alsace, or
-Elsass, on the frontier between France and Germany, which was always
-a battle-field between the two nations; and so, from the incessant
-fighting that went on in this unruly neighbourhood, it acquired its
-cognomen.
-
-Sir Walter Scott, in "The Fortunes of Nigel," gives a vivid description
-of the utter lawlessness and debauchery of this quarter of the town,
-but his was second-hand. Perhaps one of the most graphic pictures of
-this sink of iniquity is given in Shadwell's "Squire of Alsatia," acted
-in 1688, and which was so popular, that it had a run of _thirteen_
-nights. Here we get at the manners and customs of the natives, without
-any glossing over; and, just to give an example of the real state of
-the district at that time, I make two or three extracts, showing how
-the denizens were banded together in mutual defence.
-
- "_Cheatly._ So long as you forbear all Violence, you are safe;
- but, if you strike here, we command the _Fryers_, and will raise
- the _Posse_....
-
- [_A Noise of Tumult without, and blowing a Horn._]
-
- _Cheatly._ What is this I hear?
-
- _Shamwell._ They are up in the Friers; Pray Heav'n the Sheriff's
- Officers be not come.
-
- _Cheatly._ 'Slife, 'tis so! 'Squire, let me conduct you----This
- is your wicked Father with Officers.
-
-
- _Exit._
-
-
- [_Cry without, the Tip-Staff! an Arrest! an Arrest! and the horn
- blows._]
-
- [_Enter Sir William Belfond, and a Tip-Staff, with the
- Constable, and his Watchmen; and, against them, the Posse of the
- Friers drawn up, Bankrupts hurrying to escape._]
-
- _Sir Will._ Are you mad, to resist the Tip-Staff, the King's
- Authority?
-
- [_They cry out, An Arrest! several flock to 'em with all sorts
- of Weapons, Women with Fire-Forks, Spits, Paring Shovels, &c._]
-
- * * * * *
-
- _Tip-Staff._ I charge you, in the King's Name, all to assist me.
-
- _Rabble._ Fall on.
-
- [_Rabble beat the Constable, and the rest run into the Temple.
- Tip-Staff runs away._]."
-
-So that we see how an ordinary sheriff's officer and the civil
-authorities were treated when they attempted to execute the law; but,
-further on in the play, we find a Lord Chief Justice's warrant, backed
-up by a military force--and then we see the difference.
-
- "_Truman._ What do all these Rabble here?
-
- _Constable._ Fire amongst 'em.
-
- _Sergeant._ Present.
-
- [_The Debtors run up and dozen, some without their Breeches,
- others without their Coats; some out of Balconies; some
- crying out, Oars! Oars! Sculler! Five Pounds for a Boat! The
- Inhabitants all come out arm'd as before; but as soon as
- they see the Musqueteers, they run, and every one shifts for
- himself._]
-
-And almost at the close of the play one of the characters, _Sir Edward
-Belfond_, moralizes thus:
-
- "Was ever such Impudence suffer'd in a Government? _Ireland's_
- conquer'd; _Wales_ subdued; _Scotland_ united: But there are
- some few Spots of Ground in _London_, just in the Face of the
- Government, unconquer'd yet, that hold in Rebellion still.
- Methinks 'tis strange, that Places so near the King's Palace
- should be no Parts of his Dominions. 'Tis a Shame to the
- Societies of the Law, to countenance such Practices: Should any
- Place be shut against the King's Writ, or Posse Comitatus?"
-
-This right of sanctuary was taken from Whitefriars by William III.,
-the nest of rogues, vagabonds, and thieves broken up, the occupants
-dispersed, and law reigned supreme in that once defiant place.
-
-We have now traced the Fleet River to its junction with the Thames.
-Poor little river! its life began pure enough, but men so befouled
-it, that their evil deeds rose against themselves, and the river
-retaliated in such kind, as to become a malodorous and offensive
-nuisance, dangerous to the health of those men who would not leave it
-in its purity. So it was covered over, about 1764 (for it took some
-time to do it), and the present Bridge Street is over its foul stream,
-which was curbed, and bricked in, forming a portion of our vast and
-wonderful system of sewers. It has taken its toll of human life, in
-its time, though but few instances are recorded. In the _Gentleman's
-Magazine_, January 11, 1763, we read: "A man was found in the Fleet
-Ditch standing upright, and frozen to death. He appears to have been a
-barber at Bromley, in Kent; had come to town to see his children, and
-had, unfortunately, mistaken his way in the night, and slipt into the
-ditch; and, being in liquor, could not disentangle himself."
-
-_Bell's Weekly Messenger_, August 2, 1835: "Some workmen have been
-for a few days past engaged in making a new sewer, communicating with
-the foulest of all streams, the Fleet Ditch. In consequence of the
-rain the men had left off work; and, soon afterwards, a young man
-named Macarthy, a bricklayer, proceeded to the sewer for the purpose
-of bringing away a ladder, when, owing to the slippery state of the
-works, he fell down the Sewer, but in his descent, caught hold of the
-ladder he was in search of, to which he hung for nearly a quarter of
-an hour, calling loudly all the time for assistance, though from some
-extraordinary cause or other, no person was able to afford him any. At
-length some of the labourers arrived--but too late; he had just before
-fallen into the Sewer, and was carried into the Fleet Ditch; and owing
-to its having been swollen by the heavy shower, floated along as far
-as the mouth of the Fleet Ditch, at Blackfriars, where his body was
-found, covered with the filth of the sewer, which the unfortunate man
-had met with in his progress to the Thames."
-
-And the _Times_ of October 3, 1839, records another fatal accident
-during some repairs.
-
-Naturally, this River was celebrated in verse. There was a very foolish
-and dull poem by Arthur Murphy in 1761 called "Ode to the Naiads of
-Fleet Ditch;" and, previously, it had been sung by Ben Jonson, "On the
-famous Voyage," which will be found among his epigrams. This voyage
-was from Bridewell to Holborn, and describes very graphically the then
-state of the river. Too graphic, indeed, is it for the reading of the
-modern public, so I transcribe but a very small portion of it, showing
-its then state.
-
- "But hold my torch, while I describe the entry
- To this dire passage. Say, thou stop thy nose;
- 'Tis but light pains: indeed, this dock's no rose.
- In the first jaws appear'd that ugly monster
- Y'cleped mud, which, when their oars did once stir,
- Belched forth an air as hot, as at the muster
- Of all your night tubs, when the carts do cluster,
- Who shall discharge first his merd-urinous load;
- Through her womb they make their famous road."
-
-[Illustration: 1768. THE ARREST. (Drawn from a late real scene.)]
-
- "Sir Fopling Flutter through his Glass
- Inspects the ladies as they pass,
- Yet still the Coxcomb lacks the Wit
- To guard against the Bailiff's Writ."
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-The Fleet Prison.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIX.
-
-
-This prison was of great antiquity, and its genealogy, like all
-respectable ones, dates back to William the Conqueror, at least;
-for we find, under date 1197,[84] "Natanael de Leveland & Robertus
-filius suus r.c. de LX marcis, Pro habenda Custodia Domorum Regis de
-Westmonasterio, & Gaiolæ de Ponte de Fliete, quæ est hæreditas eorum a
-Conquestu Angliæ; ita quod non remaneat propter Finem Osberto de Longo
-Campo." Or, in English, "_Nathaniel de Leveland and his son Robert,
-fined in sixty marks, to have the Custody of the King's Houses at
-Westminster, and the Prison at Fleet-bridge, which had been their
-inheritance ever since the Conquest of England; and that they may not
-be hindered therein by the Counterfine of Osbert de Longchamp._"
-
-There seems to have been some double dealing in this transaction, in
-which, as was only natural in those days, money went into the King's
-pocket.[85] "And Osbert de Longchamp fined in five hundred marks,
-to have the King's favour, and seizin of all his lands and chatels
-whereof he was disseised by the King's Command, and to have seisin of
-the Custody of the Gaol of London, with the Appurtenances, and of the
-Custody of the King's Houses of Westminster: provided that Right be
-done therein in the King's Court, in case any one would implead him for
-the same."[86]
-
-Robert de Leveland, the son of the foregoing Nathaniel, was bitten by
-the then fashionable craze for Crusading, for he is found, in 1201,
-petitioning King John for leave to delegate the care of the King's
-Houses at Westminster, and the Fleet Prison, to Simon FitzRobert,
-Archdeacon of Wells, for the space of three years, during which time
-he should be in the Holy Land. His prayer seems to have been granted;
-but he evidently drew a little money before he went away, for, in the
-Chancery Rolls of the same year, he was paid £15 10s. by the City of
-London, on account of the King's Prison of Flete, and he also received
-other sums of £10 12s. 10d. for the Custody of the King's Houses at
-Westminster, and £7 12s. 1d. for the Custody of the Gaol of
-_London_.[87] By which, and also by the foregoing notice of Osbert de
-Longchamps, it is evident that, at that time, the Fleet prison was the
-principal, if not the only, prison in London.
-
-Robert de Leveland re-entered upon his duties after his three years'
-leave, and a document is extant[88] in which he is excused payment
-of £10 he had borrowed; but (possibly in lieu) he was bound to serve
-beyond the seas--_i.e._, in foreign parts--with horses and arms.
-When he died is not known, but his widow evidently succeeded him as
-custodian, for in December, 1217,[89] his wife Margaret has the same
-allowance given her in regard of the King's Houses at Westminster "as
-the said Robert had been accustomed to during his life." Thus she was
-the first female Warden of the Fleet; there were others, as we shall
-see by and by.
-
-It is a moot question, and I put it forward with all reserve, as to
-whether there was not even an earlier mention of the Fleet before the
-very authentic case of Nathaniel de Leveland; but as it is open to
-objection that there were more Fleets than one, I only give the cases,
-and make no comment.[90] 1189: "William de Flete gave a Mark to have
-his plea in the King's Court touching a hyde of land, versus Randolph
-de Broy." And again,[91] in 1193: "Richard de Flet fined in one hundred
-Marks, that his daughter might be delivered from Ralf de Candos, who
-said he had espoused her."
-
-In the Rolls are many cases which mention the Fleet, but, although it
-was a House of Detention, for debtors, especially to the King, and
-persons committing minor crimes, it never seems to have been degraded
-into what we should now term "a Gaol." No felons seem to have been
-incarcerated there, and there is no mention of gyves or chains, but
-they were used in after years.
-
-It would seem that another "lady" Warden of the Fleet existed in
-Edward II.'s time, for, in 1316, "Johanne, late Wife of John Schench
-deceased, who held of the King in chief the Serjeanties of the Custody
-of the King's Palace of Westminster, and of his Prison of Flete,
-married Edmund de Cheney, without licence obtained from the King,
-in that behalf. Whereupon the said serjeanties were taken into the
-King's hands, and straitway the Treasurer and the Barons committed the
-Custody of the Palace of Richard Abbot, who was sworn _de fideliter_,
-&c., and the Custody of the Flete Prison to John Dymmok, Usher of
-the Exchequer, who was sworn in the like manner. Afterwards the said
-Edmund made Fine for the said Trespass, and the said serjeanties were
-restored." By which we see that thus early "women's rights" were fully
-recognized, and "employment for females" in occupations hitherto
-enjoyed exclusively by men, seems to have been in force.
-
-Although not in Chronological Order, I may as well add another, and the
-only other mention that has come under my notice of a female Warden
-(1677):[92] "A Woman Guardian of the Fleet, marries her Prisoner in
-Execution; he is immediately out of Execution; for the Husband cannot
-be Prisoner to his Wife, it being repugnant that she, as jaylor, should
-have custody of him, and he, as husband, the custody of her."
-
-Without some effective supervision, as is the case with our Prison
-Commissioners, abuses were bound to creep in, and the Governor
-or Warden of any Prison, (who doubtless had paid heavily for the
-appointment) had to recoup himself by squeezing the unfortunate
-prisoners, and we shall find several examples of this in the Fleet. The
-earliest seems to have been in the second year of Henry IV. (1400) when
-a petition was presented to Parliament[93] which prays, in its quaint
-Norman French that "les fees de Gardien de Flete sorént mys en certain"
-that the fees might be settled.
-
-It is possible that extra fees were taken for a certain amount of
-liberty allowed to the prisoners by the Warden, who would allow him
-to go out of gaol on certain conditions, and we may be certain, for a
-_consideration_ also. The Warden was answerable for his Prisoner, and
-if he escaped, he had to pay the debt, so that we may be certain that
-his ephemeral liberty was highly purchased. That this was the case we
-find in 7 and 8 Hen. IV. (1406)[94] "que si ascun Gaoler lesseroit tiel
-Prisoner aler a large par mainprise[95] ou en baile, que adonques le
-persone envers qi le dit Prisoner estoit condempne aureoit sa action et
-recoverir envers le dit Gaoler." Or in English, "_That if any Gaoler
-allowed such Prisoner to go at large, either by mainprize or bail, that,
-then, the Person to whom the Prisoner was indebted might have his
-action, and recover against the said Gaoler._" Yet, notwithstanding
-this, there were many actions brought against the Wardens for allowing
-their prisoners to escape. A relic of this power of the Wardens to
-accord a certain amount of liberty to their prisoners, obtained till
-the last hours of the Fleet. There was, in the _Rules_, a defined
-district surrounding the Prison, in which prisoners, on providing
-approved sureties for the amount of their debt, and paying some fee,
-might reside, on condition that they did not overstep the boundaries.
-That this custom of granting temporary _exeats_ was very ancient, is
-indisputable, for, in the 1 Richard II. (1377) a complaint was made
-that the Warden of the Fleet "sometimes by mainprize, or by bail, and
-sometimes without any mainprize, with a Baston of the Fleet," _i.e._,
-accompanied by a prison official, would allow his charges to go abroad,
-"even into the country."
-
-It is impossible to give a list of all the prisoners of note who were
-committed to the Fleet, and they must only be glanced at, but with the
-accession of Mary, some illustrious and historical names appear. First,
-and foremost, and almost immediately after her accession to the throne,
-we read, thanks to the preservation and collation, of State Papers,[96]
-that on the 29th of July, 1553, a letter from the Privy Council was
-sent to the "Wardene of the Flete, for the apprehensyone and commyttyng
-of the Lord Russell, Anthonye Browne of Essex, and John Lucas." All
-these prisoners seem to have been treated with great leniency, for
-there is a letter (July 31) to the Warden of the Fleet bidding him to
-give Mr. Lucas and Mr. Cooke _the libertye of his Garden_, so that there
-must have been a garden then attached to the Fleet prison--and a
-postscript orders that "he shall delyuer Mr. Anthonye Browne, and
-suffer hym to goo to his awne Howse."
-
-Nor were the others kept long in durance, for on the 3rd of Aug., 1553,
-the Council wrote to the Warden willing him "To set at libertye John
-Lucas, and John Cocke, Esquiers, giueing them Commaundement withall
-to repaire to their Mancion Howses and their to make theire aboode
-vntill they shall here further of the Queene's Pleasure." And even the
-incarceration of Lord Russell was mollified, for a letter was written
-on 9th Aug. to Mr. Garret, one of the Sheriffs of London, "whereby
-the Countesse of Bedforde is licensed to have free access twise or
-thrise in the week, unto the Lord Russell, her son, remayning in the
-said sheriff's custodie, so the sheriff be present at their Talke and
-Conference."
-
-I give the above so as not to spoil the continuity of the story,
-but there is mention of the Fleet prison long before; for instance,
-in 1355, Edward III. wrote "to his well-beloved and trusty, Simon
-Fraunceys Mayor of the City of London, Hugh de Appleby, and Robert de
-Charwaltone, greeting. Whereas we have been given to understand that
-the Foss[97] by which the mansion of our Prison of Flete is surrounded,
-and which, for safety of the said prison was lately made, is now
-obstructed and choked up by filth from latrines built thereon, and
-divers others refuse thrown therein, that there is cause to fear for
-the abiding there of the persons therein detained, by reason of the
-same; and because that, by reason of the infection of the air, and the
-abominable stench which there prevails, many of those there imprisoned
-are often affected with various diseases and grievous maladies, not
-without serious peril unto themselves. We, wishing a befitting remedy
-to be applied thereto, and that the said Foss may be restored to its
-former state, in which it was when it was first made, and so improved;
-and, for making provision thereon, desiring upon the matters aforesaid
-more fully to be informed, have assigned you, and any two of you, to
-survey the Foss aforesaid, &c."
-
-This warrant was followed by an Inquest held at the Church of St.
-Brigid in Fleet Street on Tuesday, the 9th of January, 1356, on the
-oath of Richard le Cok, (Cook) Nicholas le Sporière (Spurrier), and
-Thomas le Glaswrighte (Glassblower) and nine others. From it we learn
-that the "Foss of Flete" ought to be ten feet in breadth all round the
-Prison; that it ought to be so full of water that a boat laden with one
-tun of wine might easily float round it; and that the shelving banks of
-the Foss were then covered with trees. Also that it was quite choked up
-with the filth of laystalls and sewers discharging into it; and that
-no less than eleven necessary houses (or _wardrobes_, as they seem
-very generally to have been called in the thirteenth and fourteenth
-centuries) had been illegally built over it "to the corruption of the
-Water in the Foss aforesaid; and to such an extent is the flow of
-water obstructed and impeded thereby, that the said Foss can no longer
-surround the Prison with its waters, as it should do."[98]
-
-The Acts of the Privy Council throw some light on the Fleet, giving
-several instances of Committals thereto, one of the first being 9 Hen.
-V. Oct. 14, 1421.[99] Wherein Hugo Annesley, who probably was then
-Warden of the Fleet, was directed to incarcerate therein one Grey
-de Codenore, who had been exiled, and having received his passport,
-remained in England, notwithstanding.
-
-In 1 Henry VI.,[100] 19 May, 1423, the "gardein de notre prisone de
-Flete" was commanded to bring before the King some prisoners whom
-he had in custody, namely Huguelyn de Chalons, Johan Billy, Johan
-de Cheviers, Regnault de Graincourt, Hellyn de Bassiers, Pierre de
-Mombreham, and Pierre de Pauniers "noz prisoniers prisez a la reddicion
-de notre ville de Harefleu."
-
-In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries are many notices of committals
-to the Fleet, so numerous that I can only mention a few, one only of
-which I give in the original spelling. 32 Hen. VIII. Sept. 9, 1540.
-
-"L[~r]es was also brought from the Lord P^ivey Seale, declaring a
-certayn affray to be made by S^r Geoffrey Poole in Hampshyre upon one
-Mr. Gunter a justice of peax, for that (as Poole sayd) one of Gunter's
-srvants had spoken evill of hym, and for that also that hymself Gunter
-had disclosed to the King's Counsail in the tyme of Poole's trouble
-certain secret conference which Poole had w^t hym. And answer was made
-to the sayd Lord P^ivy Seale that calling the complaynt eftesones
-before hym the lordes and others the gen[~t] and justices of peax in
-the c[=u]trey to thentent the cryme of S^r Geffrey might be notorious
-to all the C[=u]trey there he should c[=o]mytt the said S^r Geffrey
-to the Flette to remayne there until further knowledge of the Kings
-pleas^r."
-
-Evidently great interest was made for this naughty Sir Geoffrey, for we
-learn on Sept. 24th that "It was declared to the Lady Poole, the wife
-of Sir Geoffrey Poole, that the King's higness had pardoned her husband
-of his imprisonment," and the Lord Privy Seal was directed to release
-him. But he seems to have been a very cantankerous knight, for we find
-him in hot water again next year. April 8, 1541, "Whereas Sir Geoffrey
-Poole, Knight, had violently and contrary to the King's Highness' peace
-assaulted and hurt[101] Sir John Mychaill clerk, parson of Racton in
-the County of Sussex," and he had to put in sureties to keep the peace
-towards the said parson, and to answer the bill preferred against him.
-But it seems that he had some provocation, for a letter was written to
-him requiring him to remember, as far as he could, the "haynous and
-traytorous woords spoken by S^r John Michaell."
-
-On Nov. 7, 1540, Browne, the son and heir of Sir Matthew Browne
-of Surrey, was committed to the Fleet, together with some of his
-servants, for burning a certain stack of wood in Surrey. On Jan. 8,
-1541, John Gough of London, printer, was sent to the Fleet for printing
-and selling a seditious book. On March 18, 1541, there seems to have
-been a riot among some of the servants of the Gentlemen of the Privy
-Chamber, and three of them were committed to the Fleet. On April
-24, 1541, a smuggler was put into ward here, one Giles Hasebarde of
-Southampton, a "berebruer," who had put on board "a ship of Holland,
-named the Mary of Dordroyt," five pockets of wool, without a licence,
-intending to send them to Flanders. For this he was sent to the Fleet,
-the wool confiscated to the King's use, and the Master of the ship was
-mulcted in half the value of his vessel; but Hasebarde was not long in
-durance, as he was liberated on April 30th. To thoroughly understand
-the reason of this man's imprisonment in the Fleet, we must remember
-that he was sent there as being a _Debtor_ to the King, and in the
-fifteenth century it was a very common practice for delinquents who
-were confined in other London prisons to confess themselves, by a legal
-fiction, debtors to the King, in order to get into the Fleet prison,
-which was more comfortable. But to show the variety of so-called
-crimes, or misdemeanours, which were punishable by imprisonment here,
-there is the case of John Barkley of Canterbury, innholder, who was
-committed to the Fleet for having molested the King's Highness with
-sundry troublous supplications, and it was found that he "appered
-manyfestly to be a c[=o]men barrater[102] and a malicious [=p]moter
-of false and injust mattiers to the gret vexa[=c]on of the Kings
-faithfull subjects."
-
-It was also used as a house of detention, for we find Oct. 17, 1541,
-that Cowley the Master of the Rolls in Ireland, was examined, but
-because the time was too short to do it thoroughly, the Lord Chancellor
-sent him to the Fleet "untill syche tyme as the King sholde co[=m] to
-London." It seems to have been a refuge for misdemeanants, for April 3,
-1542, John Bulmer Esquire, for his wilful disobeying of an order taken
-between him and his wife by the Council, was committed to the Fleet.
-And does not Shakespeare make Sir John Falstaff a denizen of this
-prison? (Second Part _King Henry the Fourth_, last scene).
-
- "_Chief Justice._ Go, carry Sir _Iohn Falstaffe_ to the Fleete
- Take all his Company along with him.
-
- _Falstaffe._ My Lord, my Lord.
-
- _Chief Justice._ I cannot now speake, I will heare you soone:
- Take them away."
-
-Sir Rd. Empson, so well known in Henry the Seventh's time, was indicted
-for sending, without process, persons accused of murder, and other
-crimes, "to the late King's Prisons, to wit the Fleet, the Compter, and
-the Tower of London." And, from the Articles of Impeachment against
-Cardinal Wolsey, it would seem that he was in the habit of committing
-to the Fleet, those who thwarted him in his demands. One case (Article
-38) is: "Also that the said Lord Cardinal did call before him Sir John
-Stanley K^{nt} which had taken a Farm by C[=o]vent Seal of the Abbot
-and C[=o]vent of Chester, and afterw^{ds} by his Power and Might,
-contrary to Right, committed the said Sir John Stanley to the Prison of
-the Fleet by the space of a Year, unto such time as he compelled the
-said Sir John to release his C[=o]vent Seal to one Leghe of Adlington,
-which married one Lark's daughter, which woman the said Lord Cardinal
-kept, and had with her two Children; whereupon the said Sir John made
-himself Monk in Westminster, and there died."
-
-Here is another example of the Cardinal's highhanded method of dealing
-with those who did not exactly bend to his will, in Article 41 of his
-Impeachment: "Also where one Sir Edward Jones, Clerk, parson of Orewly
-in the County of Bucks, in the 18th year of your most noble reign, let
-his s^d parsonage with all tithes and other profits of the same to one
-William Johnson, for certain years; within which years, the Dean of the
-s^{'d} Cardinal's College in[103] Oxenford pretended title to a certain
-portion of Tithes within the s^d parsonage, supposing the s^d portion
-to belong to the parsonage of Chichley, which was appointed to the
-Priory of Tykeford, lately suppressed, where (of truth) the Parsons of
-Orewly have been peaceably possessed of the s^{'d} portion _out of the
-time of mind_: Where upon a Subpoena was directed to the said Johnson
-to appear before the Lord Cardinal at Hampton Court, out of any term,
-with an injunction to suffer the said Dean to occupy the said portion.
-Whereupon the said Johnson appeared before the said Lord Cardinal at
-Hampton Court, where without _any_ Bill the said Lord Cardinal
-committed him to the Fleet, where he remained by the space of twelve
-weeks, because he would not depart with the said Portion: and at last,
-upon a Recognizance made, that he should appear before the said Lord
-Cardinal, whensoever he was commanded, he was delivered out of the
-Fleet. Howbeit, as yet, the said Portion is so kept from him that he
-dare not deal with it."
-
- [Footnote 84: Mag. Rot. 9 Ric. I. _Rot. 2a, Lond. & Midd._]
-
- [Footnote 85: Mag. Rot. 9 Ric. I. _Rot. 14b, Kent._]
-
- [Footnote 86: Liberate Rolls, p. 25. _Rot. Lit. Pat. Hardy_,
- p. 4.]
-
- [Footnote 87: Rot. Cancell. 3 John, f. 100.]
-
- [Footnote 88: Close Rolls, 6 John, f. 33.]
-
- [Footnote 89: Close Rolls, 2 Hen. III., f. 346.]
-
- [Footnote 90: Mag. Rot. 1 Ric. I. _Rot. 2b, Bedef._ Til de
- Oblatis Curiæ.]
-
- [Footnote 91: Mag. Rot. 5 Ric. I. _Rot. 2a_, Nordfolch and
- Sudfolch.]
-
- [Footnote 92: See Platt's Case cited Vaughan's Reports 1677,
- p. 243.]
-
- [Footnote 93: Rolls of Parl. vol. iii. p. 469.]
-
- [Footnote 94: Ibid. vol iii. p. 593a.]
-
- [Footnote 95: Allowing a prisoner to go at liberty on finding
- sureties.]
-
- [Footnote 96: Hayne's State Papers, vol. i.]
-
- [Footnote 97: The moat or ditch fed by the Fleet, which washed
- the walls of the prison.]
-
- [Footnote 98: See "Memorials of London and London Life in the
- Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries," by H. T.
- Riley, 1847, pp. 279, 280.]
-
- [Footnote 99: "Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of
- England," edited by Sir H. Nicholas, 1834, vol. ii. p. 303.]
-
- [Footnote 100: Ibid. vol. iii. p. 93.]
-
- [Footnote 101: Beneficed Clergy were given the title of Dominus or
- Sir--as Sir Hugh Evans, in the _Merry Wives of Windsor_.]
-
- [Footnote 102: A vexatious and litigious person--one who stirs up
- strife.]
-
- [Footnote 103: Christ Church, Oxford.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XX.
-
-
-The Fleet was, evidently, a handy prison, elastic enough to suit all
-cases, for on Aug. 19, 1553, at the Star Chamber, "Roger Erthe, alias
-Kinge, servaunt to Therle of Pembroke, and William Ferror, servaunt to
-the Lord Sturton, were, for making of a Fraye, committed to the Charge
-of Warden of the Fleete."
-
-In September, 1553, the Fleet received a prisoner whose name is
-historical wherever the English language is read, for the Privy Council
-being held at Richmond, on the 1st of Sept. "This day appered before
-the Lordes, John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester, and Miles Coverdale,
-Bishop of Exon. And the said Hooper, for Considerations the Councell
-moving, was sent to the Fleete."
-
-Turning from Mary's reign to that of Elizabeth, we find equal religious
-intolerance, for we read in Strype's "Annals of the Reformation, A.D.
-1582," that Fleetwood, the Recorder of London, sent a letter to the
-Lord Treasurer, informing him that one Osborn, a priest and Franciscan
-friar, had been examined, and confessed that "_in crastino Epiphaniæ_,
-he said Mass in the Fleet (where many recusants were committed) in the
-Lord Vaux's Chamber, (to whom he was related) before that Lord, Mr.
-Tresham, Mr. Tyrwhit, and others," which three, at the London Sessions,
-in Guildhall, were convicted on Osborn's evidence.
-
-Fleet parsons were evidently an institution in the sixteenth century,
-for besides the above-mentioned Osborn, there was another committed
-to the Fleet, on May 27, 1584, one Sir R. Stapleton. His fault seems
-to have been that he had preached against the Archbishop of York, for
-which he was arraigned in the Star Chamber, and was, with others,
-ordered to read an apology--which he did--but in such a contemptuous
-manner, that he was sent to the Fleet.
-
-In the seventeenth century, many Puritans were incarcerated here,
-especially after the Restoration, when their gloomy fanaticism ill
-accorded with the ideas of the age. The bow had been strung too tightly
-during the Commonwealth, and when it was unstrung the reaction was
-great. So many were put into prison for conscience' sake. Even in
-Elizabeth's reign there were many in prison, and we can hardly wonder
-at it when we consider it was an age of religious intolerance, and
-the religion professed by these devotees was of a most unattractive
-character. Strype, writing of A.D. 1588, says of them:
-
- "In the Summer Time they meet together in the Fields, a Mile or
- more.[104] There they sit down upon a Bank. And divers of them
- expound out of the Bible, so long as they are there assembled.
-
- "In the Winter Time they assemble themselves by five of the
- Clock in the Morning to the House where they make their
- Conventicle for the Sabbath Day, Men and Women together. There
- they continue in their kind of Prayers, and Exposition of
- Scriptures, all the Day. They Dine together. After Dinner make
- Collections to pay for their Diet. And what money is left, some
- of them carryeth to the Prisons, where any of their sort be
- committed.
-
- "In their prayers, one speaketh, and the rest do groan and sob,
- and sithe,[105] as if they could wring out Tears. But say not
- after him that prayeth. Their Prayer is _Extemporal_."
-
-In January, 1600, Lord Grey of Wilton was committed to the Fleet, by
-Queen Elizabeth's order, for assaulting the Earl of Southampton, on
-horseback, in the public street.
-
-There is a fair bibliography of the Fleet prison in the seventeenth
-century. In 1620-1 there was a broadsheet published "A briefe
-collection of the exactions, extortions, oppressions, tyrannies,
-and excesses towards the liues, bodies and goods of prisoners, done
-by _Alexander Harris_, Warden of the Fleete, in his foure yeares
-misgouernment, ready to be proued by oath and other testimonies." This
-was answered by Harris, and his MS., which is in the possession of the
-Duke of Westminster, was published by the Camden Society in 1879,
-entitled the "[OE]conomy of the Fleete; or an Apologeticall Answeare
-of Alexander Harris (late Warden there) unto XIX Articles set forth
-against him by the prisoners." Of which book more anon.
-
-Then there was a "Petition to Parliament of the distressed prisoners
-in the King's Bench, Fleet and other prisons"--but this has no date.
-In 1647 was published "A Whip for the Marshal's Court by Robert Robins
-Gent, being his Petition to the House of Commons." The preface to
-the Reader, is dated from the Author's "Iron Cage in the Fleet." In
-1653 there was "A Schedule; or, List of the Prisoners in the Fleet
-remaining in custody May 25, 1653." Some of them were very bad cases,
-as "_William Gregory_ committed February 7, 1651, one Outlawry after
-Judgment, severall other Outlawries and Trespasses, no sums mentioned;"
-or "_Hustwayte Wright_ committed June 29, 1650, for £31 1s., Execution,
-besides Outlawries, Latitats and Cap. no sum appearing." "_Thomas
-Keneston_ committed Nov. 4, 1646, for 51,000 Actions, and severall
-Orders of the Exchequer." In 1669 appeared "A Companion for Debtors and
-Prisoners, and advice to Creditors, with a description of Newgate, the
-Marshalsea, the two Counties, Ludgate, _the Fleet_, and King's Bench
-prison." In 1671 was published "A Short Narrative, or Anatomie of the
-Fleet Prison &c.," by John Knap, M.D. In 1690 there was "A plea for the
-City Orphans and Prisoners for Debt." In 1691 appeared a soul-harrowing
-little book, called "The Cry of the Oppressed, a tragicall Account of
-the unparalleled Sufferings of the poor imprisoned Debtors and Tyranny
-of their Gaolers, with the case of the Publisher (Moses Pitt)." Here
-the interest is much heightened by numerous engravings showing how
-prisoners were beaten, made to feed with hogs, were covered with boils
-and blains, the females outraged by their gaolers, and many other
-enormities. I would fain quote at length from this book, but space will
-not admit of it. In 1699 we find "An Argument that it is impossible for
-the nation to be rid of the grievances occasioned by the Marshal of the
-King's Bench and Warden of the Fleet, without an utter extirpation of
-their present Offices."
-
-The Case as made out by the prisoners against the Warden, Alexander
-Harris, in 1620-1, was, if it could have been thoroughly substantiated,
-most damaging to him, but they overreached themselves by their manifest
-exaggeration. A few examples will suffice. There were nineteen counts
-against him all of grievous weight, but we will only take four as
-a fair sample. (1) Murder; (2) Felony; (3) Robbery; (4) Excessive
-Rates for Chambers. First, as to the Charge of Murder, this is the
-accusation: "After knowne quarrels and fightings between two prisoners,
-lodging them in one chamber, where, quarrelling and fighting againe,
-and notice to him thereof giuen, and of likely further mischiefe; this
-notwithstanding, continuance of them together, vntil the one murthered
-the other."
-
-This referred to two prisoners, Sir John Whitbrooke and another named
-Boughton. According to the Warden's account Whitbrooke did not deserve
-much pity. In July, 1618, he was given into the Warden's Custody, by
-the order of two Courts, to be kept a close prisoner, but he soon
-developed "dangerous energy," for on the 10th of the same month, almost
-immediately after his committal, he "came into the Warden's studdy
-where the Warden (in his gowne) was wryteing, and fashioned his speech,
-sayeing that he came to speake with the Warden about his lodging, who
-answeared that he would willingly speake about that, and money for it,
-whereupon the Warden putting dust[106] upon the wryteings and turneing
-his back to lay them aside, Sir John Whitbrooke strooke him on the
-head with the sharpe ende of a hammer, whereof one Cleft was before
-broken off, and the other cleft newly whett, giveing fower wounds to
-the scull, and some bruses before the Warden could close with him; but
-then the Warden thrusting him out of the studdy, did throwe Whitbrooke
-on the back, and took away the hammer, Whitbrooke (being undermost) did
-hould the forepart of the Warden's gowne soe as he could not rise; att
-which tyme the Warden's blood abundantly gushed downe upon Whitbrooke,
-and the Warden could have beaten out Whitbrooke's braynes with the
-hammer, but that he was neither wrothfull nor daunted.
-
-"Then after, two maydes servants (heareing the noyse) came into the
-roome, and one loosed Whitbrooke's hands from the Warden's gowne, or
-ells the Warden must have killed him to acquitt himselfe. Soe soone
-as the maydes came the Warden shewed them the hammer all bloody,
-telling them that Whitbrooke had wounded him therewith; the butler of
-the howse then alsoe comeing upp to cover the table, the Warden bidd
-him and others (which followed) to laye hands upon Whitbrooke etc.; but
-to take heed they hurt him not; soe they letting him rise and rest
-himselfe, he took a stiletto out of his pockett and stabbed the
-Warden's deputie cleane through the middle of his hand, which
-(notwithstanding it was presently dressed by a good chirurgion) did
-rankle upp to his shoulder, and was like to have killed him; he also
-stabbed the porter of the howse directly against the heart, and drewe
-blood, but it pierced not: he stabbed the gaoler into the hand and twice
-through the sleeve of his dublett, so as then they lay violent hands
-upon him, put on irons and carryed him to the strongest warde of the
-prison (called Bolton's warde)."
-
-And a perfectly proper punishment for any one who ran _amuk_ like
-Whitbrooke because there was an organized mutiny. "And upon this some
-three score prisoners breake upp all the strongest prisons and dores
-of the wards and Tower chamber, assaulting the Warden and his servants
-with weapons &c., according to a plott and purpose before resolved
-upon, as appeares by depositions."
-
-The poor Warden had no bed of roses, more especially as the female
-element was afterwards introduced in the shape of Lady Whitbrooke, who
-of course, was a warm partisan of her husband. Harris writes:
-
- "The lady alledgeth that in September the quarrell betweene the
- Warden and Whitbrooke was renewed.
-
- "The Warden answeareth that in July, 1619, Whitbrooke and
- Boughton with six others (being lodged in a great Chamber) they
- and six more shutt out thirtie of their Companie and fortefied
- the gaole against the Warden, refused all perswasions of the
- Warden, constables, and Alderman's Deputie, the comands of the
- Lord Cheife Justice, of the Lord Chauncellor and his Serjeant
- at Armes; yet yeilded to the clarke of the councell sent from
- the Lords. Whitbrooke and Boughton being then in one humour;
- and, upon unblocking the prison, Whitbrooke desired liberty; it
- was offred him upon security, he would give none, then he made
- question where to lye, to which was answeared there were five
- other roomes he might make his election of, which he would; but
- he said he would none other but where he formerly laye (it being
- indeed the fayrest). They fortified these roomes againe when the
- Warden was out of towne, soe as during Whitbrooke's life and
- Boughton's being there with their adherents the Warden had noe
- comand in that part of the prison."
-
-It is almost needless to say that these peculiarly unquiet spirits
-quarrelled among themselves. We have heard enough of Whitbrooke to know
-that he was a quarrelsome cur--impatient of restraint, and thoroughly
-lawless in his habits; but it is evident that he persuaded his wife
-that he was an injured innocent; for, in poor Harris's "Apologia pro
-sua vita," a story which he tells so naively, and so nicely, he says:
-
-"The lady alledgeth that the Warden (for revenge) resolved and reported
-he would send Whitbrooke to _Boulton_ to keepe.
-
-"The Warden answeareth that he for governement sake and to suppresse
-misdemeanours doth thretten to putt prisoners (offending) into
-_Boulton's Wards_ (Many yeares familiarlie soe called as he thinketh of
-bolts or irons put on them), where Whitbrooke was put when he wounded
-the Warden and his servants; he continued there but a small tyme, and
-was removed to a roome called the Tower Chamber (where Henry Boughton
-and many others did lye), thence Boughton was removed into the common
-prison in December, 1618, and Whitbrooke was removed thither June 16,
-1619, soe as to that tyme they lay five moneths within one lodging, and
-six moneths severed in other lodgings and noe quarrell stirred.
-
-"The Lady alledgeth that presently at their comeing together Boughton
-suddenly stabbed and wounded Whitbrooke, whereof he dyed.
-
-"The Warden answeareth that over and above the eleaven months
-aforesaid, yet from June 16th untill September 16, 1619, being 3
-moneths, they two combyned in their exploits against the Warden
-without falling out (for ought the Warden knewe), but 16 September
-Boughton fell out with Harvey (one of his chamber felowes), whom
-Boughton assayled with his teeth, and bitt him by the thombe, whereof
-Whitbrooke, Willis, Harvey, and others there lodged, advised the
-Warden, wishing him to take some course. The Warden sent divers
-messages by the gaoler to Whitbrooke to remove thence and to lye
-elsewhere; he would not, sayeing none should remove him but by
-violence, and they were so strong there, as the Warden could doe
-nothing, none ells durst come amongst them. Holmes and Maunsell offered
-him libertie amongst other gentlemen upon bonds.
-
-"The Warden acquainted the Lord Chauncellor of their fortifications,
-of some other stabbing there, of this particular brawle, and besought
-his lordshipp to send them to Newgate. The Lord Chauncellor comanded
-such motion to be made at the tyme of a seale; it was moved by Mr.
-Woomelayson, as appeares by his briefe, then his lordshipp wished oath
-to be made of this offence, and called for presidents[107] to remove
-them, in which meane tyme Boughton (being provoked and wounded by
-Whitbrooke) did stabb him, whereof he dyed within 13 dayes, and it was
-about 14 moneths after he wounded the Warden and stabbed his 3 servants
-as appeareth by the generall lodgeings and places where they laye,
-sometymes together, and sometymes severed, ensueing to be seene in the
-end of this answeare to this Article, and, if the testimony (which
-was long after delivered to the Warden, by a prisoner in the Fleete)
-be true, then the same Harvey, and one Tymothy Willis and Sir John
-Whitbrooke himselfe, did (of sett purpose) whett on Boughton to anger
-and quarrell, because they scorned Boughton and meant to assayle him.
-
-"When Whitbrooke, Boughton, &c., ymured themselves upp in the wards as
-aforesaid, a view or survey of the roomes was given the Lordes of the
-Councell, and they (_were_) satisfied.
-
-"After the tyme of the supposed quarrell (which was about Whitbrooke's
-and Boughton's fortifieing the house) they contynued lyeing where
-they were before, amongst others.
-
-"Wheresoever they had lyen they might quarrell when they mett, as
-Whitbrooke many moneths before broke Willis his head with a pott or
-candlestick."
-
-These two ill-conditioned animals fell to loggerheads, and Boughton
-drew upon Whitbrooke, and so wounded him that eventually he died. And
-this shows the very lax discipline that then obtained in the Fleet. Of
-course, no weapons should have been allowed, but "It is alsoe alledged
-that Boughton did provide a sword, and it was brought him by a woeman
-from whom the porter of the Fleet tooke it, and delivered it to the
-Warden (as he did indeed) and therefore say their accusers that the
-Warden knew the same sword was to kill Whitbrooke.
-
-"The Warden had it about a yeare and a halfe before this accident (of
-Whitbrooke's death) happened, and delivered it back againe to the
-woeman that brought it, with charge not to bring any thither whatsoever.
-
-"It was avouched that the sword was Boughton's, and put to dressing to
-a Cutler, who sent it home againe, so as Boughton might have killed
-Whitbrooke with it before it went to dressing, if he had intended
-any such thing. Nay, Boughton had alwayes in his trunck (as appeared
-afterwards) a stilletto so keene, so cleane and ready, as would soone
-have done such a fact if he had meant it; yea, swords and other weapons
-want not in the Fleete, and the Warden cannot prevent it. This fact
-was mere accidentall, and not precogitate as the lawe hath founde
-it, which acquitted Boughton of Manslaughter upon his arraignement."
-Harris, I think, and, most probably, my readers will agree with me, has
-made out a very fair case in his own favour; but I must not deal with
-the other charges against him at such length.
-
- [Footnote 104: Presumably, _from the town_.]
-
- [Footnote 105: Sigh.]
-
- [Footnote 106: There was no blotting paper in those days, but
- _pounce_ was used, which was either _powdered_ resin, gum
- sandarach, or copal, or powdered cuttle fish. I believe that
- _pounce_ may even now be bought at law stationers. It was
- dusted on to the wet ink by means of a pepper caster.]
-
- [Footnote 107: Precedents.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXI.
-
-
-The second count brought against him by his mutinous prisoners was
-"Remouing a prisoner out of his chamber, hauing 51 lib. 1 s. hid vnder
-his bed, which the prisoner required he might go to his chamber to
-dispose of, which was denied, and he thrust vp in another roome close
-prisoner, vntill the Warden and some of his seruants rifled his bed of
-that mony."
-
-Hear the Warden's defence:--"By this is pretended that one Coppin (who
-euer did beare the name of a poore fellowe) lost 51 li., with takeing
-whereof, if he dare charge any person or persons the Lawe is and hath
-beene open for him theis two yeares past. But his abettors haue putt
-it here rather to infame, then that they can think it true, as by the
-ensueing answeare appeares.
-
-"For Edward Coppin, liued as a poore prisoner in the Fleete for
-breach of a decree, and continueing above six yeares, would never be
-drawen to pay the Warden one penny for meate, drinke, lodging, or
-attendance; but at last he ran away, and was upon the Warden's pursuite
-taken againe, but before he ran away, he was sometymes restrayned of
-the libertye of the Fleete yards and walks (as is the custome of all
-prisons in England); and he lodging in the three Tower Chambers with
-sixteene persons, they often thretned their keeper to stabb him, to
-take away the keyes of the prison, to bind him, to hang him; lastly
-they fortefied that prison, soe that the Warden could not dispose or
-order them. And with two malletts and steele chissells they had cutt
-the stone workes of the dore, soe as noe locks or bolts could shutt
-them; and while they were thus doeinge Coppin came downe to fetch
-a mallett, wherewith he was taken beneath, and presentlie put into
-another warde aparte from his fellowes, about three a clock in the
-afternoone 15 July 1619, not speakeing of any money."
-
-Master Coppin was one of Boughton's gang, but even that _malfaiseur_
-could not back up his claim, for "A rumour was spredd in the Fleete
-that Coppin had lost 50 li. The Warden heareing thereof, sent for
-Coppin, and asked him: he said he would say nothing except Sir Francis
-Inglefield were present. Then the Warden said, Nay, Coppin, if you have
-nothing to say to me, you may depart againe.
-
-"Then the Warden was informed by Mr. Boughton and Wall, that the day
-before it happened that Coppin was removed, they had made meanes to
-borrowe some money upon a pawne, and Coppin professed and swore he had
-not so much (being fower (4) pounds) as they demanded. Then the Warden
-caused Coppin's trunck (being new and well locked) to be opened in
-Coppin's presence, and delivered it to him, in which Trunck within a
-Bagg put in a Box (as they said) there was about xxix^s; and then was
-sett on foote this rumour when Coppin had advised with Mr. Rookwood to
-doe it.
-
-"About January 1620, Edward Coppin confessed that he never receaved any
-money since he came to Prison.
-
-"Mr. Williams saith that he hath heard that Coppin hath confessed that
-he lost noe money."
-
-So we may acquit the Warden on this count. Poor Man! he had a rough
-lot to deal with, but it is to our advantage that it was so, for
-his refutation of the charges brought against him throws a flood of
-light on the domestic manners of the time, and of the Fleet prison in
-particular.
-
-The third count against the Warden was one of robbery, "11 lib. 6 s.
-taken out of the Trunk, and by violence, from the person of a close
-prisoner sicke in his bed, by the Warden and his seruants." And
-Harris meets this, as all others, fairly and straightforwardly. Says
-he:--"This toucheth money taken from one Thraske, then a Jewdaiser, or
-halfe Jewe, committed close prisoner by the Lords of the Councell, from
-whom, and such like, though in the Gatehouse, King's Bench, Fleete,
-&c., it hath beene used to take away and keepe their money, yet the
-Warden tooke not his until he abused it very dangerouslie, and whether
-this takeing away may be said Robbery, let the answeare followeing
-decide.
-
-"And although the complainte be used with a Circumstance, as if the
-Prisoner were sick, thereby to make a shewe as if the Warden gaped at
-his death and money; that was most untrue for Thraske was in perfect
-health."
-
-This prisoner was sent to the Fleet, to be put in the pillory, whipped
-and branded, and, besides, to suffer solitary confinement, but he found
-means to write letters to the King and the Lord Chancellor, and the
-Warden was much blamed for allowing him so to do. But poor Harris,
-who must have been plagued almost to death by his very recalcitrant
-charges, could not find out whence his prisoner procured his writing
-materials, and at last came to the correct conclusion that he was
-bribing the gaoler who waited upon him. So, with some servants, he
-personally searched Mr. Thraske's apartment and person, and found his
-pens, ink, and paper, and also £11 6s. in money, together with a bag
-and cord with which he used to receive supplies from outside, and by
-means of which he disseminated his pernicious literature. All of which
-the Warden very properly confiscated, but the money was kept, and used
-for the prisoner's benefit. "When Thraske had worne out his cloathes
-and desired other, the Lord Chauncellor bid the Warden buy for Thraske
-some cloathes, which was done accordingly, even soe much as Thraske
-desired; the Warden alsoe gave him money to buy wyne for his comforte
-at tymes." And, in the long run, the poor Warden declares that he was
-about £80 out of pocket by his prisoner.
-
-The last charge we will investigate, is that of "Excessiue rates of
-Chambers." (No. 13 on the list of 19) "Whereby orders no man ought to
-pay for any Chamber, the Warden allowing bed and bedding, aboue 2s. 4d.
-a weeke, he exacteth 8s., 10s., 13s. 4d. and of some twentie shillings
-a weeke without bedding." The Warden replies to this that "the Orders
-of the Prison are, That noe Parlor Comoners and Hall Comoners must lye
-two in a Bedd like Prisoners, They of the Parlor at ijs. iiijd. the
-weeke. They of the Hall at xiiijd. If any such will lye in the Prison
-then there is noe question of their payment, nor any more required. But
-the missery is this that none there will pay at all, but stand upon it
-that they should pay nothing, which is contrary to right, to Custome,
-and to usage.... An^o 1597. The Prisoners then Articling against the
-Warden Sett forth that one Prisoner paid xxxs. others xxs., xvs.,
-xiis., xs. a weeke for Chamber without Bedd. The Warden then made his
-Answeare to the Comittees that he took xs. a Chamber, and the rest was
-for more chambers than one, and in respect of Dyett, though they had
-none, but fetched it abroad.
-
-"Soe if Prisoners will have more ease than ordinarie, and a Chamber or
-two for themselves and theirs in the Warden's howse, they are by the
-orders and Constitutions to Compound with the Warden for it, it being
-the Warden's freehould, and demyseable.... To such prisoners as lye two
-in a Bedd, the Warden is to find them Bedd, and for Bedd and Chamber
-they are to pay. Whether by Bedd is meant all furniture of Bedding,
-that is to be doubted, for it was never put in practise; but as for
-those which lye in the Warden's freehould by agreement he is not bound
-to find them Bedd or Bedding except it be so conditioned. And such
-will hardly vouchsafe to lye on the comon Bedding which passeth from
-Man to Man; And the Warden can as hardlie buy a new Bedd for every new
-prisoner which cometh, and therefore the lodgings of ease were provided
-for men of quality and not for the mean sorte of prisoners, as the
-accusation would seeme to inferre; And when Mr. Chamberlayne informed
-against the Warden touching Chambers, All the cheife gentlemen in the
-Fleete certified under their hands that they held their Chambers by
-agreement to have a Chamber alone to each, and were contented with the
-rates."
-
-That the Wardenship of the Fleet was an onerous position, may be
-inferred from Harris's statement that "he hath had at one tyme the
-King's prisoners for two hundred thowsand[108] pounds debt, besides the
-affayres of State."
-
-That the office of Warden of the Fleet was of very ancient origin we
-have seen in the case of Nathanael de Leveland, and he also proves
-that it was heritable, for he, and his family, had held it for 130
-years, and more. And it had a far-reaching jurisdiction, for in the 3
-Eliz.[109] we learn that "Upon an adjournment of the term to Hertford,
-several prisoners were committed to the Castle there. This Castle was
-part of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Queen had granted a patent to A. of
-the Custody of this Castle for his Life; resolved by the Judges that
-the Warden of the Fleet shall have the Custody _there_ of the Prisoners
-committed by the Chancery, Common Pleas and Exchequer: For he is the
-Officer of those Corts; and although the Patentee has the Custody of
-the Castle, and though it be the Prison of the County, yet his interest
-ought to give place to the public weal, and common justice."
-
-In course of time, the Wardenship became a position which was openly
-sold; and our old friend Harris makes no secret of it. "They likewise
-alledge that I^o Elizabeth it was purchased by Tirrell at the rate of
-160 li. per annum and that long after it was held at 100 li. per annum,
-and refused for 200 li. But now that (thorough extortion) there is made
-4,000 li. per annum by the relation delivered to one Mr. Shotbolt.
-
-"To which is answeared, that the purchase paid by Tirrell, (as appears
-by the deed inrolled) was 6,000 markes or 4,000 li. which, if it be
-devided at tenne or twelve yeares purchase, being more than an office
-of that nature was worth in those dayes (which is above three score
-yeares past) it will bring 400 li. tenne yeares purchase, and therefore
-here is _sutor ultra crepidam_, for 160 li. at that rate would yeild
-but 1,600 li. in money, and there was not then the fift part of the
-buildings and lodgings which now are.
-
-"Mr. Anslowe (as is credibly informed) held it by fyne (and otherwise)
-at 600 li. per annum, and had but some part of the benefitts of the
-prison, nothing of the pallace at Westminster. And as for this Warden's
-valuation of it at 4000 li. per annum, it might be, supposeing that if
-the benefitts of the pallace were had &c. But what if the one with
-the other cost in expences 4,000 li. per annum, what will be then
-advanced?" &c.
-
-This selling of the Office of Warden, led to a great squabble in the
-early days of Queen Anne's reign, and it seems to have arisen in this
-way. A Warden of the Fleet, named Ford, in the reign of William and
-Mary, was found guilty of suffering one Richard Spencer to escape,
-but was acquitted of some minor charges, and a certain Col. Baldwin
-Leighton obtained a grant of the Office on April 6, 1690. On June 25,
-1691, this grant was quashed, and Leighton soon after died. A Mr.
-Tilley, in the fifth year of William and Mary purchased the Inheritance
-of the said Office, together with the Mansion and Gardens thereto
-appertaining, but on Dec. 23, 1704, judgment was given in the Queen's
-Bench that the Office be seized into her Majesty's hands, and this was
-affirmed in Parliament.
-
-The discipline in the prison at this time seems to have been very
-bad, so much so that many witnesses who could have spoken of Tilley's
-misdeeds were hindered from giving evidence, some by being put into
-dungeons; others, by violence, bribes, or other artifices. Take a case
-in point, which happened about this time. The case of Robert Elliot and
-others. "One Francis Chartyres was Arrested at the several Suits of
-the said several Persons, about the 4th of May last, all their Debts
-amounting to 140 l. and upwards, which cost them 20 l. to effect: And
-the said Francis Chartyres being a stubborn and an obstinate Man, and
-dangerous to Arrest, he having killed several Persons upon the like
-attempt, and at this Arrest run the Bayliffs through. And after he was
-taken, he by _Habeas Corpus_ turned himself over to the said Fleet
-Prison. And Mr. Tilley, and the Turnkey, and one Whitwood, an Officer
-of the Fleet, were acquainted, by the persons above mentioned, what a
-dangerous Man he was, and what it cost them to take him; but they took
-no notice thereof, and declared they would let him out for all of them;
-and so they did, and the next Day the said Persons Arrested him again,
-and he went over to the Fleet a second time, and was immediately set
-at liberty; who coming to the Persons aforesaid, at whose Suit he was
-Arrested, bid them defiance; saying, _He was a Freeman, for that he had
-given 18 Guineas for it_, and they _should never have a farthing of
-their Debts_, which they now doubt of, the said Chartyres being gone
-for Scotland."
-
-Hatton, in his "New View of London," 1708, gives, the boundary of the
-_Rules_, and also descants on the pleasantness of the Prison, as an
-abode. "Fleet Prison, situate on the East side of the Ditch, between
-Ludgate Hill and Fleet Lane, but the Rules extend Southward on the
-East side of Fleet Canal to Ludgate Hill, and thence Eastward to Cock
-Ally on the South side of Ludgate Hill, and to the Old Bayly on the
-North, and thence Northward in the Old Bayley both sides the Street, to
-Fleet Lane, and all that Lane, and from the West End, southward to the
-Prison again. It is a Prison for Debtors from any part of the Kingdom,
-for those that act or speak any thing in contempt of the Courts of
-Chancery and Common Pleas; and for the pleasantness of the Prison and
-Gardens, and the aforesaid large extent of its Rules, it is preferred
-before most other Prisons, many giving Money to turn themselves over to
-this from others."
-
- [Footnote 108: Equal in our currency to about three times the
- amount.]
-
- [Footnote 109: Reports of Cases, &c., by Sir James Dyer (ed.
- 1794) vol. ii. p. 204 a.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXII.
-
-
-Things got so bad that Parliament ordered a Committee to inquire into
-it, and they began their sitting in Feb. 25, 1729. But, previously,
-the prisoners had petitioned the Lord Chief Justice and other justices
-without effect, and those petitions with Huggins' (who was the Warden)
-replies were published in a folio pamphlet, which contains much
-information.[110] The first petition was in 1723, and it was mainly
-addressed to the extortions of the Master, the sixth Article alledging
-that the fees exacted by the Warden were in excess of those settled by
-Law, Nov. 14, 1693--instanced as follows:
-
- Warden. Legal.
- For liberty of the House and Irons at first
- coming in £2 4 4 1 6 8
- Chaplain 0 2 0
- Entering every Name and Cause 0 0 4
- Porter's fee 0 1 0 0 1 0
- Chamberlain's Fee 0 3 0 0 1 0
- The Dismission Fee for every Action 0 12 6 0 7 4
- Turnkey's Dismission 0 2 6
- ---------------
- £3 5 4 £1 16 4
- ====== =======
-
-The eleventh prayer of this Petition was, "And lastly, that for the
-better suppressing Prophaneness and Immorality among us, and that
-the Misery of Imprisonment may in some measure be alleviated by the
-Observance of good Manners, Cleanliness, and Quietude, we humbly pray
-your Lordships would enable us to regulate our selves in such Manner as
-the Prisoners in the King's Bench are empowered to do by a Rule of that
-Court, 20 _die post festim Sanctæ Trinitatis_. 11 Anne."
-
-Huggins replied to all the petition, but his answer to No. 6 was "The
-Warden saith, That so soon as the Fees were settled by this Honourable
-Court, he caused a Copy thereof to be framed and hung up in the Common
-Hall of the House, signed by Sir George Cook; also a Copy of the Rules
-and Orders of the House, which said copies the Prisoners were pleased
-to burn, tear to Pieces, and obliterate; and the Warden denies that
-he has taken or receiv'd, or any for him, to his knowledge, more, or
-greater, Fees than were contained in the said Copy of Fees hung up in
-the said Prison."
-
-And as to the Eleventh prayer of the Petitioners "The Warden saith,
-that the Prisoners in general, are so very ungovernable, that they
-have tore up the Trees around the Bowling Green, and cut down several
-of the Trees in the back part of the Prison, set by the Warden some
-years since, for the better Accommodation of the Prisoners; also broke
-down the Stocks in the said Prison, and the Houses of Easement were
-fitted up lately by the Warden, they have torn it almost to Pieces,
-and committed other Outrages, and most of them, altho' two Years in
-Arrears of Rent to the Warden, refuse to pay him any Part thereof, and
-will by Force, and in defiance of the Warden and his Officers, keep
-in Possession of the Rooms and Furnitures, Swearing to stand by each
-other."
-
-Petition after petition was sent from the Prisoners to the Lord Chief
-Justice about the oppressions of Huggins and his myrmidons, and duly
-answered in some shape by the Warden, but there was one, in which the
-fourteenth Charge is as follows. "That the Warden, on the Death of any
-Prisoner detains the Body from his Friends and Relations untill they
-will pay him, what Chamber Rent was due from the Deceased; and in the
-mean Time his cruel and unchristian like Practice, is to make the best
-Bargain he can with the poor Family of the Deceased, for the Purchase
-of the Dead Body, in order to give it Christian Burial, at their own
-Expence, by which means he often extorts large Sums of Money, for
-granting the Relations the Liberty of taking away and burying the Dead
-Body; which tho' a very natural and reasonable Desire, is nevertheless
-often frustrated by their Inability to purchase it at his Price, and,
-rather than accept what may be in their Power to give him, he often
-suffers the Dead Body to lye above Ground seven or eight Days, and
-often Times eleven or twelve Days, to the great endangering of the
-Health of the whole Prison, by the nauseous Stench, which being often
-times the Case, is very offensive all over the House; and when he has
-refused what he thought not worth his Acceptance, he buries them in the
-common Burying place for Prisoners, when the Body is often taken up by
-their Friends to be bury'd their own Way, and the Warden seizes to his
-own Use the Cloaths, Furniture, and what ever else there is for Fees
-and Chamber Rent, which he pretends to be due from the said deceased
-Prisoner."
-
-Huggins' reply to this was diabolically insolent. "For Answer thereto,
-My Lords, the Deputy Warden saith, That scarcely a Prisoner hath
-died on the Masters-Side, that was not largely indebted to him; and
-therefore, possibly, he might have used endeavours to get what part
-of the Money was due to him, as he could fairly from the Deceased's
-Relations."
-
-But the Cup of his iniquities was rapidly filling. He made one Thomas
-Bambridge "_A Newgate Sollicitor, and a Person of abandon'd Credit_"
-(as the petition in the case of Mr. Mackphreadris describes him) his
-deputy warden, and then, things came to a climax. As we have seen,
-Parliament took cognizance of the scandal, and issued a Commission to
-inquire into the matter, and their first sitting was on Feb. 25, 1729.
-Their report was presented to Parliament on March 20th of the same
-year--so that no time was lost in looking into the evils complained of.
-
-It recites that Huggins by a gift of £5,000 to Lord Clarendon "did by
-his interest, obtain a grant of the said office (_i.e._, _Warden of the
-Fleet_) for his own and his son's life.
-
-"That it appeared to the Committee, That in the Year 1725, one Mr.
-Arne, an Upholder, was carried into a Stable, which stood where the
-strong room on the Master's side now is, and was there confined (being
-a place of cold restraint) till he died, and that he was in good state
-of health before he was confined to that room."
-
-Huggins growing old, sold his interest in the Wardenship of the Fleet,
-and his Son's reversion therein, to Bambridge and Cuthbert, for the
-sum he had originally given for the place; and then Bambridge, being
-his own master, went somewhat ahead, and the Committee found that he
-connived at escapes, sent his prisoners to Spunging-houses, or private
-prisons, not so long ago done away with, where they were well, or badly
-treated, according to the money at their disposal.
-
-And we read of one shocking case, which can best be given in the very
-words of the Report. "That these houses were further used by the said
-Bambridge, as a terror for extorting money from the prisoners, who,
-on security given, have the liberty of the rules; of which Mr. Robert
-Castell was an unhappy instance, a man born to a competent estate, but
-being unfortunately plunged into debt, was thrown into prison: he was
-first sent (according to custom) to Corbett's,[111] from whence he, by
-presents to Bambridge, redeemed himself, and, giving security obtained
-the liberty of the rules; notwithstanding which he had frequently
-presents, as they are called, exacted from him by Bambridge, and was
-menaced, on refusal, to be sent back to Corbett's again.
-
-"The said Bambridge having thus unlawfully extorted large sums of money
-from him in a very short time, Castell grew weary of being made such a
-wretched property, and, resolving not to injure further his family
-or his creditors for the sake of so small a liberty, he refused to
-submit to further exactions; upon which the said Bambridge ordered him
-to be re-committed to Corbett's, where the smallpox then raged, though
-Castell acquainted him with his not having had that distemper, and that
-he dreaded it so much, that the putting him into a house where it was,
-would occasion his death, which, if it happened before he could settle
-his affairs, would be a great prejudice to his creditors, and would
-expose his family to destitution; and therefore he earnestly desired
-that he might either be sent to another house, or even into the gaol
-itself, as a favor. The melancholy case of this poor gentleman moved
-the very agents of the said Bambridge to compassion, so that they used
-their utmost endeavours to dissuade him from sending this unhappy
-prisoner to that infected house; but Bambridge forced him thither,
-where he (as he feared he should) caught the smallpox, and, in a few
-days, died thereof, justly charging the said Bambridge with his death;
-and unhappily leaving all his affairs in the greatest confusion, and a
-numerous family of small children in the utmost distress."
-
-He squeezed everybody, made what rules he liked, and introduced new
-and pernicious customs, for, says the Report, "It appeared to the
-Committee, that the letting out of the Fleet tenements to Victuallers,
-for the reception of Prisoners, hath been but of late practised, and
-that the first of them let for this purpose was to Mary Whitwood, who
-still continues tenant of the same, and that her rent has, from 32 l.
-per. ann. been increased to 60 l. and a certain number of prisoners
-stipulated to be made a prey of, to enable her to pay so great a
-rent; and that she, to procure the benefit of having such a number of
-prisoners sent to her house, hath, over and above the increased rent,
-been obliged to make a present to the said Bambridge of forty guineas,
-as also of a toy (as it is called), being the model of a Chinese ship,
-made of amber, set in silver, for which fourscore broad pieces had been
-offered her....
-
-"And, notwithstanding the payment of such large fees, in order to
-extort further sums from the unfortunate prisoners, the said Bambridge
-unjustly pretends he has a right, as warden, to exercise an unlimited
-power of changing prisoners from room to room; of turning them into
-the common side, though they have paid the master's side fee; and
-inflicting arbitrary punishments by locking them down in unwholesome
-dungeons, and loading them with torturing irons."
-
-According to the Committee's report, Jacob Mendez Solas, a Portuguese,
-was, as far as they knew, the first prisoner that was ever loaded
-with irons in the Fleet. He was thrown into a noisome dungeon, which
-is described as a place "wherein the bodies of persons dying in the
-said prison are usually deposited, till the coroner's inquest hath
-passed upon them; it has no chimney, nor fireplace, nor any light but
-what comes over the door, or through a hole of about eight inches
-square. It is neither paved nor boarded, and the rough bricks appear
-both on the sides and top, being neither wainscotted, nor plastered;
-what adds to the dampness and stench of the place is, its being built
-over the common sewer, and adjoining to the sink and dunghill where
-all the nastiness of the prison is cast. In this miserable place the
-poor wretch was kept by the said Bambridge, manacled and shackled for
-near two months. At length, on receiving five guineas from Mr. Kemp,
-a friend of Solas Bambridge released the prisoner from his cruel
-confinement. But, though his chains were taken off, his terror still
-remained, and the unhappy man was prevailed upon by that terror, not
-only to labour _gratis_ for the said Bambridge, but to swear also at
-random all that he hath required of him: and the Committee themselves
-saw an instance of the deep impression his sufferings had made upon
-him; for on his surmising, from something said, that Bambridge was to
-return again, as Warden of the Fleet, he fainted, and the blood started
-out of his mouth and nose."
-
-The upshot of this Committee was that the House petitioned the King
-to prosecute Huggins, Bambridge, and their satellites, who were all
-ordered to be committed to Newgate for trial. Huggins was tried, or
-rather the preliminaries of his trial were arranged on the 20th of May,
-1729; but his trial for the murder of Edward Arne, a prisoner in the
-Fleet prison, by immuring him in the dungeon above described, from the
-effect of which confinement he subsequently died, did not take place
-until next day. After a long and patient trial, he was acquitted; and
-he managed, not only to survive his disgrace, but live to the age of 90.
-
-[Illustration: BAMBRIDGE.]
-
-Bambridge was also tried, at the Old Bailey, for the murder of Robert
-Castell, as before described, but he was acquitted by the Jury. Upon
-this acquittal, Castell's widow brought an appeal against Thomas
-Bambridge, and Richard Corbett, for the murder of her husband; but here
-their luck still stood them in stead, for they were both acquitted.
-Bambridge, some twenty years after, committed suicide by cutting his
-throat.
-
-Hogarth, in 1729, received a Commission from Sir Archibald Grant of
-Monnymusk, Bart., who was one of the Committee, to paint a portrait
-picture of his brother Commissioners with Bambridge, and the irons
-used by him in the Fleet. Bambridge is decidedly nervous--and a poor
-prisoner is introduced into the picture, though I cannot find, from the
-Report, that he really was before the Committee of the House.
-
-[Illustration: A PRISONER IN IRONS.]
-
-These prosecutions somewhat purified the atmosphere of the Fleet, but
-still there were grumbles, as there naturally will be when men are
-restrained in their liberty, and are left to brood upon their miseries,
-and incarceration; but the little pamphlet,[112] which airs these
-grievances, deals principally with the hardships of fees, and the
-dilapidated state of the Common Side. The title-page prepares one for a
-not over cheerful ten minutes' reading.
-
- "When Fortune keeps Thee Warm;
- Then _Friends_ will to Thee swarm,
- Like BEES about a _Honey_ pot:
- But, if she chance to frown,
- And rudely kick Thee down,
- Why then--What then? _Lie there and ROT._"
-
-The writer says that after the reign of Huggins and Bambridge, the
-Chapel was adorned--and the great Hall adjoining, formerly for the Use
-of the Prisoners, "is now made into a commodious new Coffee House, and
-thought to be as Compleat a one, as any in Town (wherein one of the
-Warden's Servants is put, to be useful upon Occasion). _Part of the
-Pews in the Chapel being taken into it to make it compleat,[113] and
-serves for a Bar and Bedchamber._
-
-"Opposite to the Great Hall, or Coffee Room, is the Begging-Grate,
-where Prisoners had an Opportunity to speak with a Friend, and
-sometimes get Sight of one whose Inclinations did not lead him to pay
-a Visit to the Place, wou'd drop a Shilling, and perhaps some Beer to
-the Beggars; but now the same, altho' of an ancient standing, is
-Brick'd up, and the unhappy Persons who can't submit to beg, depriv'd
-of viewing the Street, or seeing their Chance Friends." So we see, that
-although the comforts of the inmates had been somewhat looked after,
-this little privilege, which they had long enjoyed, and, doubtless, as
-long abused, was taken from them. It was, afterwards, restored.
-
- [Footnote 110: "A True State of the Proceedings of the
- Prisoners in the Fleet Prison, in Order to the Redressing
- their Grievances before the Court of Common Pleas."]
-
- [Footnote 111: A spunging-house.]
-
- [Footnote 112: "Remarks on the Fleet Prison or Lumber-House
- for Men and Women. Written by a prisoner &c., published in the
- Fleet, 1733."]
-
- [Footnote 113: The _italics_ are mine.--J. A.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIII.
-
-
-But enough of the miserables in connection with the Fleet Prison. We
-shall find that it is even possible for a prisoner to write pleasantly,
-nay, even somewhat humorously, upon his position, as we may see by the
-perusal of a poem entitled "The _Humours_ of the Fleet. An humorous,
-descriptive Poem. Written by a Gentleman of the College" &c., Lond.
-1749. Under the frontispiece, which represents the introduction of a
-prisoner into its precincts, is a poem of thirty-two lines, of which
-the following is a portion:--
-
-THE DEBTORS' WELCOME TO THEIR BROTHER.
-
-[Illustration: music]
-
- Wel-come, wel-come, Bro-ther Debt-or, To this poor but mer-ry
- place, Where no Bay-liff, Dun, or Set-ter Dare to shew their fright-ful
- face. But, kind Sir, as you're a Stran-ger, Down your Gar-nish you must
- lay, Or your Coat will be in Danger,--You must ei-ther strip or pay.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Here we see, very vividly depicted, the introduction of a new prisoner;
-the Chamberlain is introducing him to the Cook, whilst the Goaler and
-Tapster seem, already, to have made his acquaintance.
-
-The notes appended to the Poem are in the original.
-
-After a somewhat long exordium on prosperity and poverty, together with
-the horrors of a spunging-house, and imagining that the debtor has
-obtained his _Habeas_, which would permit him to choose his prison, the
-Poet thus sings:
-
- "Close by the Borders of a slimy Flood,
- Which now in secret rumbles thro' the Mud;
- (Tho' heretofore it roll'd expos'd to Light,
- Obnoxious to th' offended City's Sight.)[114]
-
- "Twin Arches now the Sable Stream enclose
- Upon whose Basis late a Fabrick rose;
- In whose extended oblong Boundaries, }
- Are Shops and Sheds, and Stalls of all Degrees, }
- For Fruit, Meat, Herbage, Trinkets, Pork and Peas }
- A prudent City Scheme, and kindly meant;
- The Town's oblig'd, their Worships touch the Rent.
-
- "Near this commodious Market's miry Verge,
- The Prince of Prisons Stands, compact and large;
- When, by the Jigger's[115] more than magick Charm,
- Kept from the Pow'r of doing Good--or Harm,
- Relenting Captives only ruminate
- Misconduct past, and curse their present State;
- Tho' sorely griev'd, few are so void of Grace,
- As not to wear a seeming chearful Face:
- In Drinks or Sports ungrateful Thoughts must die,
- For who can bear Heart-wounding Calumny?
- Therefore Cabals engage of various Sorts,
- To walk, to drink, or play at different Sports:
- Here, on the oblong Table's verdant Plain,
- The ivory Ball bounds, and rebounds again;[116]
- There, at Backgammon, two sit _tete a tete_,
- And curse alternately their Adverse Fate;
- These are at Cribbage, those at Whist engag'd
- And, as they lose, by turns become enrag'd:
- Some of more sedentary Temper, read
- Chance-medley Books, which duller Dullness breed;
- Or Politicks in Coffee-Room, some pore
- The Papers and Advertisements thrice o'er:
- Warm'd with the _Alderman_,[117] some set up late,
- To fix th' Insolvent Bill, and Nation's Fate;
- Hence, knotty Points at different Tables rise,
- And either Party's wond'rous, wond'rous wise:
- Some of low Taste, ring Hand Bells, direful Noise!
- And interrupt their Fellows' harmless Joys;
- Disputes more noisy now a Quarrel breeds.
- And Fools on both Sides fall to Loggerheads:
- Till wearied with persuasive Thumps and Blows,
- They drink, and Friends, as tho' they ne'er were Foes.
-
- "Without Distinction, intermix'd is seen,
- A 'Squire quite dirty, a Mechanick clean:
- The Spendthrift Heir, who in his Chariot roll'd,
- All his Possessions gone, Reversions sold,
- Now mean, as once Profuse, the stupid Sot
- Sits by a _Runner's_ Side,[118] and _shules_[119] a Pot.
-
- "Some Sots ill-manner'd, drunk, a harmless Fight!
- Rant noisy thro' the Galleries all Night;
- For which, if Justice had been done of late,
- The Pump[120] had been three pretty Masters Fate.
- With Stomacks empty, and Heads full of Care
- Some Wretches swill the Pump and walk the Bare;[121]
- Within whose ample Oval is a Court, }
- Where the more Active and Robust resort, }
- And glowing, exercise a manly Sport }
- (Strong Exercise with mod'rate Food is good,
- It drives in sprightful Streams the circling Blood;)
- While these with Rackets strike the flying Ball,
- Some play at Nine Pins, Wrestlers take a Fall;
- Beneath a Tent some drink, and some above
- Are slily in their Chambers making Love;
- _Venus_ and _Bacchus_ each keeps here a Shrine,
- And many Vot'ries have to Love and Wine.
-
- "Such the Amusement of this merry Jail,
- Which you'll not reach, if Friends or Money fail:
- For e'er its three-fold Gates it will unfold,
- The destin'd Captive must produce some Gold:
- Four Guineas, at the least, for diff'rent Fees,
- Compleats your _Habeas_, and commands the keys;
- Which done, and safely in, no more you're led,
- If you have Cash, you'll find a Friend and Bed;
- But, that deficient, you'll but Ill betide,
- Lie in the Hall,[122] perhaps, or Common Side.[123]
-
- "But now around you gazing _Jiggers_[124] swarm,
- To draw your Picture, that's their usual Term;
- Your Form and Features strictly they survey,
- Then leave you, (if you can) to run away.
-
- "To them succeeds the Chamberlain, to see}
- If you and he are likely to agree;}
- Whether you'll tip,[125] or pay your Master's Fee.[126]}
- Ask him how much? 'Tis one Pound six and eight;
- And, if you want, he'll not the Twopence bate:
- When paid, he puts on an important Face,
- And shews _Mount Scoundrel_[127] for a charming Place:
- You stand astonish'd at the darken'd Hole,
- Sighing, the Lord have Mercy on my Soul!
- And ask, have you no other Rooms, Sir, pray?
- Perhaps enquire what Rent too, you're to pay:
- Entreating that he wou'd a better seek;
- The Rent (cries gruffly's)--Half a Crown a Week.
- The Rooms have all a Price, some good, some bad;
- But pleasant ones at present can't be had:
- This Room, in my Opinion's not amiss; }
- Then cross his venal Palm with half a Piece[128] }
- He strait accosts you with another Face. }
-
- "Sir you're a Gentleman;--I like you well,
- But who are such at first, we cannot tell;
- Tho' your Behaviour speaks you what I thought,
- And therefore I'll oblige you as I ought:
-
- "How your Affairs may stand, I do not know,
- But here, Sir, Cash does frequently run low.
- I'll serve you,--don't be lavish,--only mum!
- Take my Advice, I'll help you to a Chum![129]
- A Gentleman, Sir,--see, and hear him speak,
- With him you'll pay but fifteen Pence a Week;[130]
- Yet his Apartment's on the Upper Floor,[131]
- Well furnish'd, clean and nice; who'd wish for more?
- A Gentleman of Wit and Judgment too!
- Who knows the Place;[132] what's what, and who is who;
- My Praise, alas! can't equal his Deserts;
- In brief,--you'll find him, Sir, a Man of Parts.
-
- "Thus, while his fav'rite Friend he recommends,
- He compasses at once their several Ends;
- The new come Guest is pleas'd, that he should meet
- So kind a Chamberlain, a Chum so neat:
- But, as conversing thus, they nearer come,
- Behold before his Door, the destin'd Chum.
-
- "Why stood he there, himself could scarcely tell;
- But there he had not stood, had Things gone well:
- Had one poor Half-penny but blest his Fob, }
- Or, if in Prospect he had seen a Job, }
- H'had strain'ed his Credit for a Dram of Bob,[133] }
- But now, in pensive Mood, with Head down cast,
- His Eyes transfix'd as tho' they look'd their last;
- One Hand his open Bosom lightly held,
- And one an empty Breeches Pocket fill'd.
- His Dowlas Shirt no Stock or Cravat bore,
- And on his Head, no Hat or Wig he wore;
- But a once black shag Cap, surcharg'd with Sweat;
- His Collar, here a Hole, and there a Pleat;
- Both grown alike in Colour, that--alack!
- This, neither now was White, nor that was Black;
- But match'd his dirty yellow Beard so true,
- They form'd a three-fold Cast of Brick dust Hue;
- Meagre his Look, and in his nether Jaw
- Was stuff'd an elemosynary Chaw;[134]
- (Whose Juice serves present Hunger to asswage,
- Which yet returns again with tenfold Rage;)
- His Coat, which catch'd the Droppings from his Chin,
- Was clos'd at Bottom with a Corking-Pin;
- His Breeches Waistband a long Skewer made fast,
- While he from _Scotland_ Dunghill[135] snatch'd in Haste;
- His Shirt-Tail thin as Lawn, but not so white,
- Barely conceal'd his lank Affairs from Sight;
- Loose were his Knee Bands, and unty'd his Hose,
- Coax'd[136] in the Heel, in pulling o'er his Toes;
- Which spite of all his circumspective Care,
- Did thro' his broken dirty Shoes appear.
-
- "Just in this hapless Trim and pensive Plight,
- The old Collegian[137] stood confess'd to Sight;
- Whom, when our new-come Guest at first beheld,
- He started back, with great Amazement fill'd;
- Turns to the Chamberlain, says, bless my Eyes! }
- Is this the Man you told me was so nice? }
- I meant his Room was so Sir, he replies; }
- The Man is now in Dishabille and Dirt,
- He shaves To-morrow tho', and turns his Shirt;
- Stand not at Distance, I'll present you, come
- My Friend, how is't? I've brought you here a Chum;
- One that's a Gentleman; a worthy Man,
- And you'll oblige me, serve him all you can.
-
- "The Chums salute, the old Collegian first
- Bending his Body almost to the Dust;
- Upon his Face unusual Smiles appear
- And long abandon'd Hope his Spirits chear
- Thought he, Relief's at hand, and I shall eat; }
- Will you walk in, good Sir, and take a Seat! }
- We have what's decent here, tho' not compleat; }
- As for myself, I scandalize the Room,
- But you'll consider, Sir, that I'm at Home;
- Tho' had I thought a Stranger to have seen,
- I should have ordered Matters to've been clean;
- But here, amongst ourselves, we never mind,
- Borrow or lend--reciprocally kind;
- Regard not Dress;--tho' Sir, I have a Friend
- Has Shirts enough, and, if you please, I'll send.
- No Ceremony, Sir, you give me Pain;
- I have a clean Shirt, Sir.--But have you twain?
- O, yes, and twain to boot, and those twice told,
- Besides, I thank my Stars, a Piece of Gold.
- Why, then I'll be so free, Sir, as to borrow,
- I mean a Shirt, Sir,--only till To-morrow.
- You're welcome, Sir,--I'm glad you are so free.
- Then turns the old Collegian round with Glee;
- Whispers the Chamberlain with secret Joy,
- We live to-night!--I'm sure he'll pay his Foy:
- Turns to his Chum again with Eagerness,
- And thus bespeaks him with his best Address;
-
- "See, Sir, how pleasant, what a Prospect's there;
- Below you see them sporting on the Bare;
- Above, the Sun, Moon, Star, engage the Eye,
- And those Abroad can't see beyond the Sky:
- These rooms are better far than those beneath,
- A clearer Light, a sweeter Air we breath;
- A decent Garden does our Window grace,
- With Plants untainted, undistain'd the Glass;
- And welcome Showers descending from above
- In gentle Drops of Rain, which Flowers love:
- In short, Sir, nothing can be well more sweet:
- But, I forgot--perhaps you chuse to eat;
- Tho', for my part, I've nothing of my own,
- To-day I scrap'd my Yesterday's Blade Bone;
- But we can send--Ay, Sir, with all my Heart,
- (Then very opportunely enters _Smart_).[138]
- O, here's our Cook, he dresses all Things well;
- Will you sup here, or do you chuse the Cell?
- There's mighty good Accommodations there,
- Rooms plenty, or a Box in Bartholm' Fair;[139]
- There, too, we can divert you, and may shew
- Some Characters are worth your while to know,
-
- Replies the new Collegian, nothing more }
- I wish to see, be pleas'd to go before; }
- And, _Smart_, provide a handsome Dish for Four.}
-
- "Too generous Man! but 'tis our hapless Fate
- In all Conditions, to be wise too late;
- For, even in Prison, those who have been free,
- Will shew, if able, Generosity;
- Yet find, too soon, when lavish of their Store,}
- How hard, when gone, it is to come at more; }
- And every Artifice in vain explore. }
- Some Messages Abroad, by Runners send.
- Some Letters write to move an absent Friend;
- And by Submission, having begg'd a Crown,
- In one night's Revel here they'll kick it down.[140]
- 'Tis true, this one Excuse they have indeed,
- When others _Cole it_,[141] they as freely _bleed_;[142]
- When the Wind's fair, and brings in Ships with Store[143]
- Each spends in turn, and trusts to Fate for more.
-
- * * * * *
-
- "The future Chums and Chamberlain descend
- The Dirt[144] knot Stairs, and t'wards the kitchen bend;
- Which gain'd, they find a merry Company,
- Listening to Tales (from _Smart_) of Baudry,
- All introduced with awkward Simile,[145]
- Whose Applications miss the Purpose pat.
- But in the Fire now burns th' unheeded Fat,
- Whose sudden Blaze brings L--nd--r[146] roaring in;
- Then _Smart_ looks foolish, and forsakes his Grin.
- The laughing Audience alter, too, their Tone,
- For who can smile, that sees Tom L--nd--r frown?
- He, magisterial rules the panic Cell,
- And rivals _Belzebub_,--in looking well:
- Indignant now, he darts malicious Eyes,
- While each Dependant from the Kitchen flies;
- Leaves _Smart_ to combat with his furious Ire,
- Who heeds him not, but strives to clear the Fire;
- Blowing and stirring still, no Pains he spares,
- And mute remains, while _Major Domo_ swears;
- Who bellows loud Anathemas on _Smart_,
- And the last Curse he gives is D--n your Heart;
- His trembling Lips are pale, his Eyeballs roll;
- Till, spent with Rage, he quits him with a Growl.
-
- "Now, as our new-come Guest observ'd this Scene,
- (As odd an one, perhaps, as could be seen)
- He first on _Smart_, next on his Master gaz'd,
- And at the two extreams seem'd much amaz'd;
- Which _Smart_ perceiving, says in sober Mood, }
- Sir, I've a thousand Times his Fury stood; }
- But, yet, the Man tho' passionate, is good; }
- I never speak when he begins to bawl,
- For, should I swear like him, the House would fall."
-
-Here follow two or three pages of but little interest to the reader and
-the Story continues:
-
- "But I forgot;--the Stranger and his Chum,
- With t'other to, to _Barth'l'mew Fair_ are come;
- Where, being seated, and the Supper past,
- They drink so deep, and put about so fast,
- That 'ere the warning Watchman walks about,
- With dismal Tone repeating,--Who goes out?[147]
- 'Ere St. _Paul's_ Clock no longer will withold
- From striking Ten, and the Voice cries,--All told.[148]
- 'Ere this, our new Companions, every one
- In roaring Mirth and Wine, so far were gone,
- That every Sense from ev'ry Part was fled,
- And were with Difficulty got to Bed;
- Where in the Morn, recover'd from his Drink,
- The new _Collegian_ may have Time to think;
- And, recollecting how he spent the Night,
- Explore his Pockets, and not find a Doit.
-
- "Too thoughtless Man! to lavish thus away
- A Week's Support in less than half a Day;
- But 'tis a Curse attends this wretched Place,
- To pay for dear bought Wit in little Space:
- The Time shall come, when this new Tenant here,
- Will in his Turn _shule_ for a Pot of Beer;
- Repent the melting of his Cash too fast,
- And snap at Strangers for a Nights Repast."
-
- [Footnote 114: Where the _Fleet Market_ is now, there was, a
- few Years since, a Ditch, with a Muddy Channel of Water. The
- Market was built at the expense of the Lord Mayor and Court of
- Aldermen, who receive the Rent for it.]
-
- [Footnote 115: The Doorkeeper, or he who opens and shuts the
- _Jigg_, is call'd the _Jigger_.]
-
- [Footnote 116: Billiards is a very common Game here.]
-
- [Footnote 117: Fine Ale drank in the Coffee-Room, call'd the
- _Alderman_, because brew'd at Alderman _Parson's_.]
-
- [Footnote 118: A _Runner_, is a Fellow that goes Abroad of
- Errands for the Prisoners.]
-
- [Footnote 119: A common Cant word for Mumping.]
-
- [Footnote 120: Persons who give any considerable Offence, are
- often try'd, and undergo the Discipline of the Pump. The
- Author was one of these in a drunken Frolick, for which he
- condemns himself.]
-
- [Footnote 121: A spacious Place, where there are all Sorts of
- Exercises, but especially Fives.]
-
- [Footnote 122: A Publick Place, free for all Prisoners.]
-
- [Footnote 123: Where those lie who can't pay their Master's
- Fee.]
-
- [Footnote 124: There are several of those _Jiggers_ or
- Doorkeepers, who relieve one another, and when a Prisoner
- comes first in, they take a nice Observation of him, for fear
- of his escaping.]
-
- [Footnote 125: A cant Word for giving some Money in order to
- shew a Lodging.]
-
- [Footnote 126: Which is One Pound Six Shillings and
- Eightpence, and then you are entitled to a Bed on the Master's
- Side, for which you pay so much per week.]
-
- [Footnote 127: _Mount Scoundrel_, so call'd from its being so
- highly situated, and belonging once to the Common Side, tho'
- lately added to the Master's; if there be room in the House,
- this Place is first empty, and the Chamberlain commonly shews
- this to raise his price upon you for a better.]
-
- [Footnote 128: Half a Guinea.]
-
- [Footnote 129: A Bedfellow so call'd.]
-
- [Footnote 130: When you have a Chum, you pay but 15 Pence per
- Week each, and, indeed, that is the Rent of the whole Room, if
- you find Furniture.]
-
- [Footnote 131: The Upper Floors are accounted best here, for
- the same reason as they are at _Edinburgh_, which, I suppose,
- every Body knows.]
-
- [Footnote 132: It is common to mention the _Fleet_ by the Name
- of the _Place_, and I suppose it is call'd _the Place_ by way
- of Eminence, because there is not such another.]
-
- [Footnote 133: A Cant Word for a Drain of Geneva.]
-
- [Footnote 134: A Chew of Tobacco, suppos'd to be given him.]
-
- [Footnote 135: The Necessary House, is (by the Prisoners)
- commonly call'd _Scotland_, near which is a dung-hill.]
-
- [Footnote 136: When there are Holes above Heel, or the Feet
- are so bad in a Stocking, that you are forced to pull them to
- hide the Holes, or cover the Toes, it is called coaxing.]
-
- [Footnote 137: As the Prison is often call'd the _College_, so
- it is common to call a prisoner, a _Collegian_; and this
- character is taken from a man who had been many Years in the
- Place, and like to continue his Life; but it is hard for those
- who had not seen him to judge of the Truth of the Draught.]
-
- [Footnote 138: The name of the Cook in the Kitchen.]
-
- [Footnote 139: A place in the Cellar, called _Bartholomew
- Fair_.]
-
- [Footnote 140: A phrase for spending Money fast.]
-
- [Footnote 141: _Cole_, signifies Money.]
-
- [Footnote 142: _Bleed_ also signifies spending.]
-
- [Footnote 143: When a Messenger or Friend brings Money from
- abroad to the Prisoners, it is usual to say a Ship is
- arriv'd.]
-
- [Footnote 144: Some of the Dirt upon the Stairs is trod into
- knots so hard it is almost impossible to break it.]
-
- [Footnote 145: _Smart_ generally begins his Stories with a
- _That's like_, &c., tho' it is not at all like the Story he
- tells.]
-
- [Footnote 146: The Master of the Cellar, a Man of a variable
- Temper, very passionate, malicious, and ill-natur'd at some
- times, at others very well.]
-
- [Footnote 147: _Who goes out?_ is repeated by Watchmen
- Prisoners, from half an Hour after Nine, till St. Paul's Clock
- strikes Ten, to give Visitors Notice to depart.]
-
- [Footnote 148: While St. Paul's Clock is striking Ten, the
- Watchmen don't call _Who goes out?_ but when the last Stroke
- is given, they cry _All told!_ at which Time the Gates are
- lock'd, and nobody suffer'd to go out upon any Account.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIV.
-
-
-We saw in the lines, under the Frontispiece to the foregoing poem,
-_Garnish_ was mentioned, and the fact was stated as a Custom then in
-force of taking the prisoner's coat to pay for his fees on entrance.
-
- "But kind Sir, as you'r a Stranger,
- Down your Garnish you must lay,
- Or your Coat will be in danger,
- You must either Strip or pay."
-
-In the Criminal prisons, the prisoners themselves demanded Garnish from
-a new-comer, that is, a trifle of money--to drink. In 1708, at Newgate,
-this sum seems to have been Six shillings and Eightpence "Which they,
-from an old Custom, claim by Prescription, Time out of Mind, for
-entring into the _Society_, otherwise they strip the poor Wretch, if he
-has not wherewithal to pay it."[149] And in the old Play of the _Lying
-Lover_ we are introduced to a Scene in Newgate where the prisoners are
-demanding _Garnish_ from some new-comers.
-
- "_Storm._ Nay, nay, you must stay here.
-
- _Simon._ Why, I am _Simon_, Madam _Penelope's_ Man.
-
- _Storm._ Then Madam _Penelope's_ Man must strip for Garnish;
- indeed Master _Simon_ you must.
-
- _Simon._ Thieves! Thieves! Thieves!
-
- _Storm._ Thieves! Thieves! Why, you senseless Dog, do you think
- there's Thieves in _Newgate_? Away with him to the Tap House
- (_Pushes him off_). We'll drink his Coat off. Come, my little
- Chymist, thou shalt transmute this Jacket into Liquor."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Yet although this custom was general, I have only once met with an
-engraving of the actual process, which, judging by the man's agonized
-countenance, was not a pleasant one to him. It occurs in the
-frontispiece to a little pamphlet called "An Oration on the Oppression
-of Jailors; which was spoken in the Fleet Prison, on the 20th of
-February, 1730/1," &c. And under the engraving, are these lines.
-
- "Unhappy, friendless Man! how hard thy Fate!
- Whose only Crime is being Unfortunate.
- Are Jailors suffer'd in such Acts as these?
- To strip the Wretch, who cannot pay his Fees?
- Is there no kind _Samaritan_ will lend
- Relief, and save him from th' accursed Fiend?"
-
-Respecting this practice let us hear what Howard in his "State of the
-Prisons in England and Wales," 1777, says, in his Chapter on "Bad
-Customs in Prisons." "A cruel custom obtains in most of our Gaols,
-which is that of the prisoners demanding of a new-comer GARNISH,
-FOOTING, or (as it is called in some London Gaols) CHUMMAGE. 'Pay or
-strip' are the fatal words. I say _fatal_, for they are so to some; who
-having no money, are obliged to give up part of their scanty apparel;
-and, if they have no bedding or straw to sleep on, contract diseases,
-which I have known to prove mortal.
-
-In many Gaols, to the Garnish paid by the new-comer, those who were
-there before, make an addition; and great part of the following night
-is often spent in riot and drunkenness. The gaoler or tapster finding
-his account in this practice, generally answers questions concerning
-it with reluctance. Of the Garnish which I have set down to sundry
-prisons, I often had my information from persons who paid it.... In
-some places, this demand has been lately waved: in others, strictly
-prohibited by the Magistrates"--so that we see that this custom was
-already in its death throes, in the last quarter of the eighteenth
-century.
-
-But in the interval between Bambridge and Howard, the prison was not a
-pleasant place of residence, if we may judge from "The Prisoner's Song"
-published in 1738, of which I give an illustration and the Words.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET PRISON.]
-
- "A Starving life all day we lead,
- No Comfort here is found,
- At Night we make one Common bed,
- Upon the Boarded Ground;
- Where fleas in troops and Bugs in shoals
- Into our Bosoms Creep,
- And Death watch, Spiders, round y^e Walls,
- Disturb us in our Sleep.
-
- Were Socrates alive, and Bound
- With us to lead his life,
- 'Twould move his Patience far beyond
- His crabbed Scolding Wife;
- Hard Lodging and much harder fare,
- Would try the wisest Sage,
- Nay! even make a Parson Swear,
- And curse the Sinful Age.
-
- Thus, we Insolvent debtors live,
- Yet we may Boldly say,
- Worse Villains often Credit give,
- Than those that never pay;
- For wealthy Knaves can with applause
- Cheat on, and ne'er be try'd,
- But in contempt of human Laws,
- In Coaches Safely ride."
-
-When Howard visited this prison in 1774 and 1776, he found on the
-former occasion 171 prisoners in the House, and 71 in the Rules. On the
-latter there were 241 in the House and 78 in the Rules. And he says:
-
- "The Prison was rebuilt a few years since. At the front is
- a narrow courtyard. At each end of the building there is
- a small projection, or wing. There are four floors, they
- call them _Galleries_, besides the Cellar floor, called
- _Bartholomew-Fair_. Each gallery consists of a passage in the
- middle, the whole length of the Prison, _i.e._, sixty six yards;
- and rooms on each side of it about fourteen feet and a half
- by twelve and a half, and nine and a half high. A chimney and
- window in every room. The passages are narrow (not seven feet
- wide) and darkish, having only a window at each end.
-
- "On the first floor, the _Hall Gallery_, to which you ascend
- eight steps, are a Chapel, a Tap room, a Coffee room (lately
- made out of two rooms for Debtors), a room for the Turnkey,
- another for the Watchman, and eighteen rooms for Prisoners.
-
- Besides the Coffee-room and Tap-room, two of those eighteen
- rooms, and all the cellar-floor, except a lock up room to
- confine the disorderly, and another room for the Turnkey, are
- held by the Tapster, John Cartwright, who bought the remainder
- of the lease at public auction in 1775. The cellar floor is
- sixteen steps below the hall Gallery. It consists of the two
- rooms just now mentioned, the Tapster's kitchen, his four large
- beer and wine Cellars, and fifteen rooms for Prisoners. These
- fifteen, and the two before mentioned, in the hall gallery, the
- Tapster lets to Prisoners for four to eight shillings a week.
-
- "On the _first Gallery_ (that next above the hall-gallery) are
- twenty-five rooms for Prisoners. On the _second Gallery_, twenty
- seven rooms. One of them, fronting the staircase, is their
- Committee room. A room at one end is an Infirmary. At the other
- end, in a large room over the Chapel, is a dirty Billiard-table,
- kept by the Prisoner who sleeps in that room. On the highest
- story there are twenty seven rooms. Some of these upper rooms,
- _viz._, those in the wings, are larger than the rest, being over
- the Chapel, the Tap-room, &c.
-
- "All the rooms I have mentioned are for the Master's side
- Debtors. The weekly rent of those not held by the Tapster, is
- one shilling and three pence unfurnished. They fall to the
- Prisoners in succession, thus: when a room becomes vacant,
- the first Prisoner upon the list of such as have paid their
- entrance-fees, takes possession of it. When the Prison was
- built, the Warden gave each Prisoner his choice of a room,
- according to his seniority as Prisoner.... Such of the Prisoners
- (on the Common Side) as swear in Court, or before a Commissioner
- that they are not worth five pounds, and cannot subsist without
- charity, have the donations which are sent to the Prison, and
- the begging box, and grate. Of them there were, at my last
- visit, sixteen....
-
- "I mentioned the billiard table. They also play in the yard
- at skittles, missisipi, fives, tennis, &c. And not only the
- Prisoners; I saw among them several butchers and others from the
- Market; who are admitted here, as at another public house. The
- same may be seen in many other Prisons where the Gaoler keeps or
- lets the tap. Besides the inconvenience of this to Prisoners;
- the frequenting a Prison lessens the dread of being confined in
- one.
-
- "On Monday night there is a Wine Club: on Thursday night a Beer
- Club; each lasting usually till one or two in the morning. I
- need not say how much riot these occasion; and how the sober
- Prisoners are annoyed by them.
-
- "Seeing the Prison crowded with women and Children, I procured
- an accurate list of them; and found that on (or about), the
- 6th of April, 1776, when there were, on the Master's side
- 213 Prisoners; on the Common side 30. Total 243; their wives
- (including women of an appellation not so honorable) and
- children, were 475."
-
-In Howard's time the fees payable by the Prisoners were the same as
-were settled in 1729 after the trials of Huggins and Bambridge; but the
-prisoners exercised a kind of local self-government, for he writes:--
-
- "There is, moreover, a little Code of Laws, eighteen in number,
- enacted by the Master's-side Debtors, and printed by D. Jones,
- 1774. It establishes a President, a Secretary, and a Committee,
- which is to be chosen every month, and to consist of three
- members from each Gallery. These are to meet in the Committee
- room every Thursday; and at other times when summoned by the
- Cryer, at command of the President, or of a majority of their
- own number. They are to raise contributions by assessment; to
- hear complaints; determine disputes; levy fines; and seize
- goods for payment. Their Sense to be deemed the sense of the
- whole House. The President or Secretary to hold the cash;
- the Committee to dispose of it. Their Scavenger to wash the
- Galleries once a week; to water, and sweep them every morning
- before eight; to sweep the yard twice every week; and to light
- the lamps all over the House. No person to throw out water,
- &c., anywhere but at the sinks in the yard. The Cryer may take
- of a Stranger a penny for calling a Prisoner to him; and of a
- Complainant two pence for summoning a Special Committee. For
- blasphemy, swearing, riot, drunkenness, &c., the Committee to
- fine at discretion; for damaging a lamp, fine a shilling. They
- are to take from a New Comer, on the first Sunday, besides the
- two shillings Garnish, to be spent in wine, one shilling and
- sixpence to be appropriated to the use of the House.
-
- "Common-side Prisoners _to be confined to their own apartments_,
- and not to associate with these LAW MAKERS, nor to use the same
- conveniences."
-
-In 1780 the famous Lord George Gordon, or "No Popery" Riots took
-place--those Riots which were so intensely Protestant, that (according
-to the Contemporary _Gentleman's Magazine_) "The very Jews in
-Houndsditch and Duke's Place were so intimidated, that they followed
-the general example, and unintentionally gave an air of ridicule to
-what they understood in a very serious light, by writing on their
-Shutters, "This House is a true Protestant."
-
-These Riots are very realistically brought before us in Charles
-Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge," but then, although the account is fairly
-historically faithful, yet the weaving of his tale necessarily
-interfered with strict historical details; which, by the way, are
-extremely meagre as to the burning of the Fleet prison. The fact was,
-that, for the few days the riot existed, the outrages were so numerous,
-and the Newspapers of such small dimensions, that they could only be
-summarized, and the burning of Newgate eclipsed that of the Fleet. But,
-on the Wednesday, June 7, 1780, the _Annual Register_, p. 261 (which
-certainly has the best description I have been able to see) absolutely
-breaks down, saying:--
-
- "It is impossible to give any adequate description of the events
- of Wednesday. Notice was sent round to the public prisons of the
- King's Bench, Fleet, &c., by the mob, at what time they would
- come and burn them down. The same kind of infernal humanity was
- exercised towards Mr. Langdale, a distiller in Holborn, whose
- loss is said to amount to £100,000, and several other Romish
- individuals. In the afternoon all the shops were shut, and bits
- of blue silk, by way of flags, hung out at most houses, with
- the words "No Popery" chalked on the doors and window shutters,
- by way of deprecating the fury of the insurgents, from which no
- person thought himself secure.
-
- "As soon as the day was drawing towards a Close, one of the most
- dreadful spectacles this country ever beheld was exhibited. Let
- those, who were not spectators of it, judge what the inhabitants
- felt when they beheld at the same instant the flames ascending
- and rolling in clouds from the King's Bench and Fleet Prisons,
- from New Bridewell, from the toll gates on Blackfriars Bridge,
- from houses in every quarter of the town, and particularly from
- the bottom and middle of Holborn, where the Conflagration was
- horrible beyond description."
-
-The burning of the Fleet was done calmly and deliberately, as is well
-told in "A Narrative of the Proceedings of Lord Geo. Gordon," &c.,
-1780. "About one o'clock this morning (Tuesday, June 6), the Mob
-went to the Fleet Prison, and demanded the gates to be opened, which
-the Keepers were obliged to do, or they would have set fire to it.
-They were then proceeding to demolish the prison, but the prisoners
-expostulating with them, and begging that they would give them time to
-remove their goods, they readily condescended, and gave them a day for
-that purpose, in consequence of which, the prisoners were removing all
-this day out of that place. Some of the prisoners were in for life."
-And in the evening of the next day, they fulfilled their threat, and
-burnt it. This was the second time it had been burnt down, for the
-great fire of 1666 had previously demolished it.
-
-[Illustration: RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760.
-(_Published by Bowles and Carver, 69, St. Paul's Churchyard._)]
-
-It was rebuilt, and remained the same, with some few alterations and
-additions until its final destruction. We get a good view of "the
-Bare" or racket ground in 1808, an outline of which I have taken from
-Pugin and Rowlandson's beautiful "Microcosm of London," 1808,[150]
-according to which book, "The Fleet Prison, it is believed, after the
-fire of London in 1666, was removed to that site of ground upon which
-the almshouses through Vauxhall turnpike, on the Wandsworth road, now
-stand, until the old prison was rebuilt, Sir Jeremy Whichcott, then
-Warden, having his family seat there, which he converted into a prison;
-for which patriotic act, and rebuilding the old one at his own expence,
-he and his heirs were wardens as long as they lived. The Office of
-Warden of the Fleet was formerly of such consequence, that a brother
-of one of the Edwards is said to have been in the list of Wardens."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-In this illustration we find the prisoners by no means moody, but
-playing at rackets and skittles. The Racket ground was under the
-superintendence of a Racket Master, who was elected by the Collegians,
-annually at Christmas. This post was eagerly sought after, as it was
-one to which some pecuniary profit was attached, a small fee being
-demanded from each person, the Racket Master having to find bats and
-balls. I have before me three printed handbills of aspirants for the
-post in 1841. One bases his claim on the fact that he is already Racket
-Master, and says, "I feel the situation is one that requires attention
-and unceasing exertion, not so much from the individual position, as
-from the circumstance that the amusement, and (what is more vitally
-important) the health of my fellow inmates is in some measure placed
-in the hands of the person appointed." Another candidate pleads as a
-qualification, that he has served as Watchman for Seven years, and
-at last election for Racket Master, he only lost the appointment by
-five votes. And the third publishes the caution "Collegians, Remember!
-All Promises that have been (_sic_) before the Vacancy, are Null and
-Void!!!" This gentleman was determined to secure, if possible, some of
-the good things going about, for, at this very same Annual Election,
-he issues another circular, "Having had many years experience in the
-Tavern Department and Eating House Business, I beg leave to offer
-myself for the Situation in the Public Kitchen, now about to become
-vacant." He, too, had an opponent, who had been engaged for nine years
-as a baker, and was, by profession, a Cook. The Office of Skittle
-Master was also contested in that year; the holder of the place being
-opposed by one whose claim to the position seems to be that he had a
-wife and one child.
-
-[Illustration: A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821.]
-
-They made themselves merry enough in the Fleet, as we read in Egan's
-"Life in London," where Jerry Hawthorn, and Corinthian Tom, visit Bob
-Logic, who was detained in the Fleet. Among other places there, they
-went to a Whistling Shop--of which the brothers Robert and George
-Cruikshank have given a faithful representation. Here at a table,
-screened off from the draught of the door we see, Tom, Jerry, and
-the unfortunate Logic, whilst the other frequenters of the place are
-excellently depicted. Spirits were not allowed in the prison, under any
-circumstances, other than by the doctor's order; but it is needless
-to say, the regulation was a dead letter. Of course it was not sold
-openly, but there were rooms, known to the initiated where it could
-be procured. It was never asked for, and if it were the applicant
-would not have received it, but if you whistled, it would be at once
-forthcoming.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Says Logic to his Corinthian friends, "'In the evening I will introduce
-you both to my friend the _Haberdasher_. He is a good _whistler_; and
-his shop always abounds with some prime articles which you will like
-to look at.' The TRIO was again complete; and a fine dinner, which the
-CORINTHIAN had previously ordered from a Coffee house, improved their
-feelings: a glass or two of wine made them as gay as larks; and a
-_hint_ from JERRY to LOGIC about the _Whistler_, brought them into the
-shop of the latter in a _twinkling_. HAWTHORN, with great surprise,
-said, 'Where are we? this is no _haberdasher's_. It is a----' 'No
-_nosing_, JERRY,' replied LOGIC, with a grin. 'You are wrong. The man
-is a dealer in _tape_.'"[151]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-There was a class in the Fleet, who acted, as far as in their power
-lay, up to the Epicurean "_dum vivimus vivamus_," and among them the
-prison, however inconvenient it might have been, was made the best
-of, and the door of the Cupboard which contained the skeleton was
-shut as far as it would go. We have an exemplification of this in
-Robert Cruikshank's water colour drawing of "The Evening after a Mock
-Election in the Fleet Prison," June, 1835. In this drawing, which I
-have simply outlined (see previous page), we get a graphic glimpse at
-the uproarious fun that obtained among a certain set. The gradations in
-Society of this singular mixture is well shown in the following key to
-the picture:
-
- 1. Bennett the Candidate.
-
- 2. Mr. Fellowes of the Crown P. H. Fleet Street.
-
- 3. Mr. Houston, _alias_ Jack in the Green.
-
- 4. Mr. Perkins, _alias_ Harlequin Billy (Architect), who tried to sink
- a shaft at Spithead to supply the Navy with Water.
-
- 5. Mr. Shackleford (Linen Draper).
-
- 6. Mr. Bennett, the Watchman.
-
- 7. Geo. Weston, Esqr. (Banker, of the Boro').
-
- 8. Mr. Hutchinson (Dr. at Liverpool).
-
- 9. L. Goldsmith, Esqre.
-
- 10. Mr. Thompson (Irishman).
-
- 11. Robert Barnjum _alias_ Rough Robin (Hammersmith Ghost).
-
- 12. Robert Ball, _alias_ Manchester Bob (wore a Murderer's Cap).
-
- 13. Captain Wilde, R.N.
-
- 14. Mr. Hales, the Cook.
-
- 15. Mr. Walker.
-
- 16. Captain McDonnough, 11th Hussars (real gentleman).
-
- 17. Mr. Halliday (Manchester Merchant).
-
- 18. Harry Holt the Prize Fighter.
-
- 19. Captain Penniment (Trading Vessel, Yorkshire).
-
- 20. Mr. Palmer, Cutler to Geo. III., near the Haymarket Theatre.
-
- 21. Mr. Scrivener (Landlord of the Tap).
-
- 22. Captain Oliver, Smuggler and Tapster. Capias, £117,000.
-
- 23. Mr. Goldsbury, _alias_ Jailsbury, driver of omnibus all round the
- Fleet.
-
- 24. Mr. George Kent.
-
-As a souvenir of the talented Isaac Robert Cruikshank, I append a
-facsimile of his autograph, which was written in the Parlour, No. 16,
-Hall, in the Fleet Prison, June 24, 1842. His method of utilizing the
-blot of Ink is unique.
-
-The remaining Notices of the Fleet must be taken as they come, as
-far as possible, chronologically--and first of all let us look at
-the enormous quantity of people who were imprisoned for debt. In the
-_Mirror_, No. 615, vol. xxii. July 20, 1833, is a cutting from the
-_Times_: "By the return of persons imprisoned for debt in 1832, in
-England and Wales, just printed by order of the House of Commons, it
-appears that the gross number was 16,470: of whom maintained themselves
-4,093, so that three fourths of the whole were too poor to provide
-themselves with bread."
-
-The terrible destitution to which some prisoners were reduced is shown
-in an extract from the _Morning Herald_ of August 12, 1833.
-
- "_Guild hall._ A Gentleman complained that the Overseers of
- St. Bride's had refused to relieve a distressed prisoner in
- the Fleet. The Prisoner was Mr. Timothy Sheldvake, who had
- been well known for his skill in treating deformities of the
- body. He once kept his carriage, and obtained £4,000 a year by
- his practice, but he was now quite destitute. He was eighty
- years of Age, and of that temper that he would rather starve
- than make a complaint. When applicant saw him he had actually
- fasted forty-eight hours. St. Bride's Parish had assisted the
- unfortunate Gentleman, but they denied that he was legally
- entitled to such relief. The Applicant contended that, as the
- Prison was in St. Bride's parish, and was rated at £70 a year,
- St. Bride's was bound to afford casual relief to those within
- the walls of the prison, and to recover it from the respective
- parishes to which those who have been relieved belonged.
-
- [Illustration: AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO 1, PALAIS DE LA
- FLETE, THIS 24 DAY JUNE.]
-
- "The Vestry Clerk said, relief must be given out of the County
- rate.
-
- "Sir C. Marshall said he would take time to consider the Point,
- but he thought a sufficient relief should be afforded out of the
- County rate."
-
- [Footnote 149: "_Memoirs of the Right Villanous John Hall_,"
- &c.]
-
- [Footnote 150: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 151: A cant word for gin.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXV.
-
-
-In a Return of the number of persons in the several Gaols of England,
-confined for Debt, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, May
-13, 1835, we have an "Account of the Number of Persons confined for
-Debt in the Fleet Prison during the following Years:
-
- 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834
- Number confined 742 700 884 746 769
- Number charged in Execution 105 136 134 126 156
-
-And the amount of the debt and costs for which each party was so
-charged varied from £2 to £18,017.
-
-I look in vain in the _Times_ for the paragraph to which the Warden
-alludes in the following letter:
-
- "The Warden presents his compliments to the Editor of the
- _Times_, and begs to state, that a paragraph having appeared in
- the paper of this morning, stating that the Fleet Prison is very
- full, and that a guinea and a half a week is paid for a single
- room, and that four, five, and six persons are obliged to live
- in a small apartment.
-
- "The Warden, not being aware of this, should it in any case
- exist, and which is contrary to the established regulations
- against any person so offending, the prison not being so full as
- in former years, there being considerably less, on an average,
- than two prisoners to each Room, and being also exceedingly
- healthy.
-
- "The Warden has also to add, that the rest of the paragraph
- relating to the Fleet is totally without foundation.
-
- "Fleet Prison, March 7, 1836."
-
-In the outside sheet of the _Times_, February 21, 1838, occurs the
-following advertisement: "ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.--Escape.--ESCAPED
-from the Fleet Prison, on the evening of Wednesday the 14th day of
-February instant. ALFRED MORRIS, late of 22 Dean Street, Tooley Street,
-Southwark. The said Alfred Morris is about 30 years of Age, about 5
-feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, and of a Jewish Caste, prominent
-Nose, somewhat flat pointed, dark, irregular whiskers, stout figure,
-and rather bow legged," &c., &c.
-
-Anent this escape, the _Times_ of February 16th has a paragraph such
-as we can hardly imagine ever could have appeared in a paper so steady
-and sober, as the _Times_ now is: "THE WARDEN OF THE FLEET--(From a
-Correspondent). Yesterday a gentleman of some misfortune and of great
-appearance, for he wore a wig, moustaches, and a Spanish Cloak, was
-introduced as an inmate of Brown's Hotel, so called from the Warden
-having a license to sell wines, beer, and ale to his prisoners,
-through the 'patent never ending always improving Juddery spigot and
-fawcet tap,' &c. In about half an hour the said bewhiskered gentleman
-leaves cloak, wig, and moustaches in the room of a Mister Abrahams,
-a prisoner, and walks quietly out, very politely bidding the turnkey
-'good morning.' At night the excellent crier of the Prison, Mr. Ellis,
-made the galleries echo, and the rooms re-echo, with his sometimes very
-cheering voice (when he announces to those who wish such things as a
-discharge, for it is not all who do), in calling, _altissimo voce_,
-'Mr. Alfred Morrison! Mr. Alfred Morrison! Mr. Alfred Morrison!' but as
-no Mr. Alfred Morrison answered to the interesting call, every room was
-searched in the due performance of the crier's duty, but no Mr. Alfred
-Morrison was to be found. And the Worthy and excellent warder, the
-keeper of so many others in, is himself let in to the tune of £2,600;
-some say more, none say less.
-
- 'Go it, ye cripples! crutches are cheap!
- W. Brown is no longer asleep!'"
-
-In a leading article in the _Times_ of November 13, 1838, upon juvenile
-crime, and the incitors thereto, we read the following: "The Traders in
-crime do not wholly confine their seductions to the young; they often
-find apt scholars among the unfortunates of riper years, especially
-in the _debtor's prison_. Mr. Wakefield[152] says he knows many such
-victims; and he particularizes one 'Who was not indeed executed,
-because he took poison the night before he was to have been executed,
-who told me he had been, (and who I firmly believe was) first incited
-to crime when a Prisoner in the _Fleet_ for debt. The crime into which
-he was seduced was that of passing forged Bank of England Notes. He
-was a Man of very showy appearance, and he had been a Captain in the
-Army; a man of good family. He said this crime was first suggested
-to him by persons who were Prisoners in the Fleet; but he afterwards
-discovered, having been a Prisoner there more than once, that one of a
-gang of Utterers of forged Notes lived constantly in the _Fleet_, and
-for no other purpose but that of inducing reckless young men of good
-appearance, who could easily pass notes, to take Notes from them, and
-to dispose of them in transactions. I could hardly believe that that
-was true, and I got some inquiries to be made for the person whom he
-had pointed out to me as one of a Gang, and I found that that person
-was constantly in the _Fleet_. The Gang committed a robbery upon a
-Bank in Cornwall, and they were entirely broken up, and from that time
-forth the Person who had resided in the _Fleet_ disappeared, though he
-was not one of the persons convicted, or suspected of that particular
-Crime. I never heard of him since, but the inquiries which I then made,
-convinced me that it was a fact that one of the Gang of what are termed
-'family men,' that is, rich thieves and receivers of stolen goods, did
-reside continually in the _Fleet_, for the purpose of seducing young
-men into the commission of Crime. He was in and out of the Prison, but
-a Prisoner on a friendly arrest."
-
-The time was coming, when imprisonment for debt was to be abolished.
-An Act of 1 & 2 Vict. cap. 110 had already abolished Arrest on Mesne
-Process in Civil Actions, so that no prisoners could be committed to
-the Fleet from the Courts of Chancery, Exchequer, and Common Pleas,
-and the Debtors and Bankrupts might as well be in the Queen's Bench.
-The Demolition of the Fleet was therefore confidently anticipated, as
-we find by the following paragraph from the _Times_, March 3, 1841.
-"REMOVAL OF PRISONERS. On Saturday a deputation from the Woods and
-Forests, attended by the Marshal, visited the Queen's Bench Prison,
-preparatory to moving over the Debtors from the Fleet, which prison
-is about to be pulled down. By this arrangement the Country will save
-about £15,000 per annum, besides getting rid of an ugly object, and
-room being made for other contemplated improvements. It is supposed the
-Judges will find some difficulty in removing the Prisoners from the
-Fleet by Habeas Corpus, and that a short Bill will be necessary for
-that purpose. The expenses of the Queen's Bench Prison in its present
-profitless employment, is about £30,000 per annum to the Country."
-
-This announcement was slightly premature, for the Act for its
-demolition (5 & 6 Victoriæ, cap. 22) was not passed until May 31,
-1842. The Prisoners objected to the Transfer to the Queen's Bench,
-preferring their comparative liberty as they were, to the more
-stringent rules of the other prison: one clause in the new Act being:
-"And be it enacted, That after the passing of this Act, no Prisoner
-in the Queen's Prison shall be allowed to send for, or to have any
-Beer, Ale, Victuals or other Food, or to send for, have or use any
-Bedding, Linen, or other Things, except such as shall be allowed to be
-brought by them respectively under such Rules, to be made in the Manner
-directed by this Act, as may be reasonable and expedient to prevent
-Extravagance and Luxury, and for enforcing due Order and Discipline
-within the Prison."
-
-I have before me the Original Subscription list of a scheme of
-
- "Resistance
-
- to
-
- The Abolition of the Fleet Prison.
-
- April 9th, 1842."
-
-The author of the Letter of "Fleta to the Lords, calling upon them
-individually to Oppose the Bill _for transferring the Debtors in the
-Fleet_ to the Queen's Prison, respectfully calls upon all Parties
-interested in an _Opposition to the said Bill_, to render him such
-pecuniary assistance in forwarding his Object, as may be consistent
-with their Views or Convenience." A list of Subscriptions follows, but
-although 25/-was promised, only 15/-appears to be paid. They held
-meetings, a notice calling one of which is facsimiled; but it was of
-no avail, and they had to go.
-
-[Illustration:
-
- _Notice_
- The _Memorial_ to the Lord
- High Chancellor, and to the
- Judges of the Supreme
- Courts of Law, will lie for
- _Signatures_ at the Tap
- from 12 till 2 o'Clock.
- Fleet.
- Wed. May. 4. 1842.]
-
-One Philip Ball, a Chancery Prisoner, composed
-
- "THE LAST DAYS OF THE FLEET!"
-
- A melancholy Chaunt,
-
- _Written by a_ COLLEGIAN, _on the occasion of the Queen's
- Prison Bill receiving the Royal Assent._
-
-Air. 'The Fine Old English Gentleman.'
-
- 1
-
- I'll sing to you a bran new song
- Made by my simple pate,
- About the end of the good old Fleet,
- Which on us now shuts its gate.
- It has kept confin'd the choicest lads
- That e'er together met--
- Of merry, jolly, rattling dogs,
- A regular slap up set.
- Of jovial Fleet prisoners,
- All of the present day.
-
- 2
-
- This good old pris'n in every room
- Contains a merry soul,
- Who for his doings out of doors
- Is now drop't 'in the hole.'
- But surely this is better far
- Than your simple plodding way,
- Get deep in debt, go through the Court,
- And whitewash it all away.
- Like a jovial Fleet prisoner,
- All of the present day.
-
- 3
-
- Such right good hearts are rarely found,
- As round me now I see;
- With such, I'm 'most inclined to say,
- Hang liberty for me.
- For T----y, S----y, V----h,
- In spirits who excel?
- How could we better live than here,
- Where friendship weaves her spell?
- 'Mongst jovial Fleet prisoners,
- All of the present day.
-
- 4
-
- To racquets, skittles, whistling shops,
- We must soon say farewell;
- The Queen's assent to her prison bill
- Has rung their funeral knell;
- And Bennett, Gray, and Andrew too
- Must close their welcome doors,
- For sing song and tape spinning now,
- This damn'd new Act all floors,
- For the jovial Fleet prisoner,
- All of the present day.
-
- 5
-
- But to her gracious Majesty
- You'll long be loyal and true,
- Although this latest act of hers
- Must be felt by some of you.
- Speed through the Court, or compromise
- Like gallant Captain T----h,
- Or else you'll soon be sent to grieve
- Your guts out in the Bench.
- All melancholy prisoners[153]
- Unlike those of the present day.
-
-Much, however, as the prisoners might grieve, it was of no use kicking
-against an Act of Parliament, and those prisoners who did not take
-advantage of the Insolvent Debtors Act, were transferred to the Queen's
-Prison, which in its turn ceased to be a debtor's prison, and was used
-by Military offenders, until it was sold on Oct. 30, 1879, and pulled
-down in that and the following year. Now, legally speaking, there is no
-imprisonment for debt, but people are only committed for Contempt of
-Court.
-
-The Commissioners of Woods and Forests invited Tenders for the site and
-buildings of the late Fleet Prison, the estate of which contained above
-One Acre, with a frontage of about 251 feet, towards Farringdon Street,
-and a depth of about 230 feet. The tenders were returnable on Oct. 22,
-1844, and the Corporation of the City of London became the owners of
-the property at a sum variously stated at £25,000 to £29,000, and the
-sale of its building materials commenced on April 5, 1845. Its exterior
-was not particularly attractive.
-
-And so it passed away, and half the present inhabitants of London the
-Great do not even know its site, which was not finally cleared until
-1846. As a guide to those who wish to know its locality I may mention
-that the CONGREGATIONAL MEMORIAL HALL AND LIBRARY, in Farringdon
-Street, stands on a portion of its site.
-
-[Illustration: FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON.]
-
-[Illustration: GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON.]
-
-[Illustration: SECTION OF THE PRISON.]
-
-Before quitting the subject of the Fleet prison I cannot help referring
-to "the grate." Like Ludgate, it had a room open to the street, but
-furnished with a strong iron grating, behind which sat a prisoner, who
-called the attention of the passers-by monotonously chanting, "Pray
-Remember the poor Prisoners." A box was presented for the reception of
-contributions, but very little money was thus obtained.
-
-[Illustration: EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE.]
-
-The begging grate was served by poor prisoners who had to swear that
-they were not worth £5 in the world. He was then entitled to share the
-contents of the begging box, and also be a partaker of the charities
-and donations to the Prison, which amounted to the magnificent sum of
-£39 19s., besides meat, coals, and bread.
-
-Prisoners of all sorts and conditions met here, on one common basis,
-one of the last of any mark being Richard Oastler, who was the leader
-of the Ten Hours' Bill Movement, and from this prison he issued a
-series of "Fleet Papers" about Free Trade, Factories Acts, and the
-Amalgamation of the Prisons. He died in 1861, and a memorial to him was
-erected at Leeds.
-
- [Footnote 152: Evidence of Mr. Wakefield before Parliamentary
- Committee of 1837.]
-
- [Footnote 153: When the prisoners were removed there were two
- who had been incarcerated upwards of thirty years, and were in
- the Queen's prison in 1845.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-Fleet Marriages.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVI.
-
-
-There is no doubt that in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the
-Marriage laws, as we now understand them, were somewhat lax, and it is
-possible that it was so long before that time, for in Edward VI.'s time
-an Act was passed (2 and 3 Ed. VI., c. 21, s. 3) entitled "An Act to
-take away all positive laws made against marriage of priests." Section
-3 provides that it shall not "give any liberty to any person to marry
-without asking in the church, or without any ceremony being appointed
-by the order prescribed and set forth in the book intituled "_The Book
-of Common Prayer, and administration of the Sacraments_, &c." Mary, of
-course, repealed this Act, and it was revived and made perpetual by 1
-Jas. 1. c. 25, s. 50.
-
-It was only after the Council of Trent, that the offices of the
-Church were considered indispensable, for that Council decreed that a
-priest, and two witnesses were necessary for the proper celebration
-of the Nuptial tie. Still, the law of England, like the law of
-Scotland, allowed the taking of a woman as wife before witnesses, and
-acknowledging her position, which constituted at common law a good and
-lawful marriage, which could not be annulled by the Ecclesiastical
-Court. That many such took place among the Puritans and Sectarians
-of the time of Charles I. and the Commonwealth is undoubted, for
-it needed an Act of Parliament (12 Chas. II. c. 33) to render such
-marriages legal. This enacted "That all marriages had, or solemnized,
-in any of his Majesty's dominions since the first day of _May_, in the
-year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred forty and two, before any
-justice of the Peace, or reputed justice of the Peace of _England_,
-or _Wales_, or other his Majesty's dominions,... shall be, and shall
-be adjudged, esteemed, and taken to be, and to have been of the same,
-and no other force or effect, as if such marriages had been had, and
-solemnized, according to the rites and ceremonies established, or used
-in the Church or kingdom of _England_; any law, custom, or usage to the
-contrary thereof notwithstanding."
-
-This short synopsis of the Marriage law in England is necessary, in
-order to understand the subject of Fleet Marriages, which, however,
-were not all disreputable. The Fleet, as we have seen, had a Chapel of
-its own; and in old times, a Chaplain--so that Marriages might well be
-celebrated there, in as proper and dignified a manner as elsewhere.
-And, we must bear in mind that early in the seventeenth century, the
-prisoners were of a very different stamp to those of the latter half of
-the eighteenth century, until the demolition of the prison. Therefore
-we see no impropriety in the first Marriage known on record--which
-is that of Mr. Geo. Lester, then a prisoner in the Fleet, to a woman
-of fortune one Mistress Babbington. This is mentioned in a letter of
-September, 1613, from Alderman Lowe to Lady Hicks, and may be found
-in the Lansdowne MSS. 93-17. He writes: "Now I am to enform you that
-an ancyentt acquayntence of y^e and myne is yesterday marryed in the
-Fleete, one Mr. George Lester, and hath maryed M^{ris} Babbington, M^r
-Thomas Fanshawe mother in lawe. Itt is sayd she is a woman of goode
-wealthe, so as nowe the man wyll be able to lyve and mayntayne hymself
-in pryson, for hether unto he hath byne in poor estate. I praye God he
-be nott encoryged by his marige to do as becher doth, I meane to troble
-his frynds in lawe, but I hope he wyll have a better conscyence and
-more honestye than the other men hathe."
-
-Towards the middle of the seventeenth century clandestine, and
-irregular marriage was prevalent, and it is easily accounted for. A
-public marriage had come to be a very expensive affair. There was a
-festival, which lasted several days, during which open house had to be
-kept; there were the Marriage Settlements, presents, pin money, music,
-and what not--so that the binding of their Children in the holy Estate
-of Matrimony was a serious matter to parents; who probably preferred
-giving the young couple the money that otherwise would go in useless
-waste and profusion. So they used to get married quietly: a custom
-which Pepys reprobates in the marriage of the daughter of Sir William
-Penn to Mr. Anthony Lowther. "No friends, but two or three relations of
-his and hers." The bride was married in "palterly clothes, and nothing
-new but a bracelet that her servant had given her." And he further
-says, remarking on the meanness of the whole affair, "One wonder I
-observed to day, that there was no musique in the morning to call up
-our new married people, which is very mean, methinks."
-
-Misson, who visited England in the reign of William III., speaks of
-these private marriages.
-
-"The Ordinary ones, as I said before, are generally incognito. The
-_Bridegroom_, that is to say, the Husband that is to be, and the
-_Bride_, who is the Wife that is to be, conducted by their Father and
-Mother, or by those that serve them in their room, and accompany'd by
-two Bride men, and two Bride Maids, go early in the Morning with a
-Licence in their Pocket, and call up Mr. Curate and his Clerk, tell
-them their Business; are marry'd with a low Voice, and the Doors shut;
-tip the Minister a Guinea, and the Clerk a Crown; steal softly out,
-one one way, and t'other another, either on Foot or in Coaches; go
-different Ways to some Tavern at a Distance from their own Lodgings,
-or to the House of some trusty Friend, there have a good Dinner, and
-return Home at Night as quietly as Lambs. If the Drums and Fiddles have
-notice of it, they will be sure to be with them by Day Break, making a
-horrible Racket, till they have got the Pence; and, which is worst of
-all, the whole Murder will come out."
-
-This senseless custom survives, in a modified degree, in our times,
-when on the marriage of a journeyman butcher, his companions treat
-him to a performance of the "Marrow bones and Cleavers," and also
-in the case of marriage of persons in a superior station of life,
-in the playing, on the Organ, of a Wedding March.
-
-The oldest entry of a Marriage in those Registers of the Fleet which
-have been preserved is A.D. 1674, and there is nothing to lead us to
-imagine that it was more irregular than that of Mistress Babbington;
-on the contrary, it is extremely probable that, previously, prisoners
-were married in their chapel, with the orthodox publication of banns,
-and by their own Chaplain. But marriages were performed without licence
-or banns in many churches, which claimed to be _peculiars_, and exempt
-from the Visitation of the Ordinary: as St. James', Duke's Place, now
-pulled down, denied the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London because
-the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of London, were Lords of the Manor,
-and Patrons of the Church: but the Rector found that the Ecclesiastical
-Law was stronger than he, and that its arm was long and powerful, and
-the Rev. Adam Elliott was suspended (Feb. 17, 1686) for three years,
-_ab officio et beneficio_, for having married, or having suffered
-persons to be married, at the said Church, without banns or licence. He
-did not suffer the full term of his punishment, for he managed to get
-re-instated on May 28, 1687, and began his old practices the very next
-day.
-
-The Chapel of Holy Trinity, Minories, pleaded privilege, on the ground
-that it was a Crown living, and as much a _peculiar_ as Westminster
-Abbey, or the Deanery of Windsor; while the Chapels of the Tower
-and the Savoy sought exemption because they were Royal Chapels, and
-therefore the Bishop had no jurisdiction over them. Besides these,
-there were very many more chapels scattered over the Metropolis where
-irregular marriages were performed, a list of about ninety having been
-preserved.
-
-These Marriages so increased that it was found necessary to legislate
-about them, and, in 1689, an Act (6 and 7 Will. III. c. 6, s. 24) was
-passed making it compulsory, under a penalty of One Hundred pounds,
-for every parson to keep an accurate register of births, Marriages,
-and deaths. Another Act was passed in 1696 (17 and 18 Will. III. c.
-35, s. 2-3) whereby a penalty of £100 was imposed on any Clergyman who
-married, or permitted another to marry, couples, otherwise than by
-banns or licence. This was enforced by another Act in 1711 (10 Anne c.
-19, s. 176), which confirmed the penalty, and moreover, this section
-shows that irregular marriages were getting to be common in prisons,
-for it provides that
-
-"if any gaoler, or keeper of any prison, shall be privy to, or
-knowingly permit any marriage to be solemnized in his said prison,
-before publication of banns, or licence obtained, as aforesaid, he
-shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds,"
-&c.
-
-Of course, this did not stop the practice, although it prevented
-Marriages in the Fleet Chapel. Yet there were the _Rules_, and real
-and pretended clergymen for many years plied their illicit vocation
-with impunity.
-
-But there seems to have been some compunctions of conscience even among
-this graceless lot, for one of them, Walter Wyatt, has left behind him,
-in a pocket-book dated 1736, the following moral reflections.
-
-"Give to every man his due, and learn y^e way of Truth. This advice
-cannot be taken by those that are concerned in y^e Fleet Marriages; not
-so much as y^e Priest can do y^e thing y^t is just and right there,
-unless he designs to starve. For by lying, bullying, and swearing,
-to extort money from the silly and unwary people, you advance your
-business and gets y^e pelf, which always wastes like snow in sun shiney
-day."
-
-"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Marrying in the
-Fleet is the beginning of eternal woe."
-
-"If a clark or plyer[154] tells a lye, you must vouch it to be as true
-as y^e Gospel; and if disputed, you must affirm with an oath to y^e
-truth of a downright damnable falsehood--Virtus laudatur et alget."
-
-That this custom of swearing prevailed at Fleet Marriages is borne out
-by contemporary evidence. The _Grub Street Journal_ July 20, 1732,
-says: "On Saturday last, a Fleet Parson was convicted before Sir
-Ric. Brocas of forty three-oaths (on the information of a plyer for
-weddings there) for which a warrant was granted to levy £4 6s. on the
-goods of the said parson; but, upon application to his Worship, he was
-pleased to remit 1s. per oath; upon which the plyer swore he would
-swear no more against any man upon the like occasion, finding he got
-nothing by it."
-
-And an anonymous Newspaper cutting dated 1734, says, "On Monday last,
-a tall Clergyman, who plies about the Fleet Gate for Weddings, was
-convicted before Sir Richard Brocas of swearing 42 Oaths, and ordered
-to pay £4 2s."
-
-There were regular Chaplains attached to the Fleet Prison to serve the
-Chapel there, and, as we have seen, the Warder made every prisoner pay
-2d. or 4d. weekly, towards his stipend. Latterly the Chaplaincy was
-offered to a Curate of St. Bride's Church--as is now done in the case
-of Bridewell.
-
-A complete list of Chaplains cannot be given, because all documents
-were destroyed when the Fleet was burnt by the Lord George Gordon
-rioters; but Mr. Burn in his "History of Fleet Marriages" (a book to
-which I am much indebted, for it has all but exhausted the subject)
-gives the names of some, as Haincks in 1698; Robert Elborough, 1702;
-John Taylor, 1714; Dr. Franks, 1728; 1797, Weldon Champneys; 1815, John
-Manley Wood, and John Jones: and in 1834, the date of the publication
-of Mr. Burn's book, the Rev. Richard Edwards, was the Chaplain.
-
-These Clergymen, of course, married couples according to Law, and
-probably used the Chapel for that purpose. We know that it was so
-used, for the _Original Weekly Journal_ of Sept. 26, 1719, says:
-
-"One Mrs. Anne Leigh, an heiress of £200 per annum and £6000 ready
-cash, having been decoyed away from her friends in Buckinghamshire,
-and married at the Fleet chapel against her consent; we hear the
-Lord Chief Justice Pratt hath issued out his warrant for apprehending
-the authors of this contrivance, who have used the young lady so
-barbarously, that she now lyes speechless."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-But it is not of the Chaplains I would speak, but of the irregular
-Clergy, or Lay men, who performed the Marriages. One thing they
-all agreed in, the wearing of the Cassock, Gown, and Bands. They
-would never have been believed in had they not. The accompanying
-illustration[155] gives an excellent idea of the Fleet Parson, and
-it is taken from an Engraving entitled "_The_ FUNERAL _of Poor_ MARY
-HACKABOUT, _attended by the Sisterhood of Drury Lane_" and it has a
-footnote calling attention to the "wry-necked" parson. "_The famous_
-COUPLE BEGGAR _in the Fleet, a_ WRETCH, _who there screens himself from
-the Justice due to his_ VILLANIES, _and daily repeats them._"
-
-The lady holds a sprig of Rosemary in her hand, which in polite society
-was always presented by a servant, when the funeral cortége was about to
-leave the house:--In this case, a dish full of sprigs is placed upon
-the floor, and a child is playing with them. The Mourners carried them
-to the grave, and then threw them in, as we now do, flowers and wreaths
-of the same.
-
-Perhaps one of the earliest notices of these irregular Fleet Parsons
-is in the first year of Queen Anne's reign, very soon after she came
-to the throne, as it appears, in the Registry of the Consistory
-Court,--that on June 4, 1702, the Bishop of London visited the common
-prison called the Fleet, London, and took Master Jeronimus Alley,
-clerk, to task, requiring him to exhibit to the Chancellor of the
-Diocese, before the 24th June instant, his letters of ordination,
-"and his Lords^p ordered him not to marry or perform any divine Office
-in y^e Chapell in y^e ffleet, or any place within y^e Dioces untill he
-has exhibited y^e same. Mr. Alley soon afterwards fled from y^e s^d
-Prison, and never exhibited his orders."
-
-But if Alley fled, there were others left, and the practice of marrying
-without banns, or licence, brought forth the act of the 10th Anne,
-before quoted. It was probably before this, but certainly during her
-reign, that the following letter was written, which also is in the
-Bishop's Registry.
-
- "SIR,--I think it my Duty to God and y^e Queen to acquaint
- you with y^e illegal practices of y^e Ministers and Clark in
- y^e Fleet Chappell for marrying Clandestinely as they do som
- weeks fifty or sixty couple. The Ministers that are there are
- as follows, Mr. Robt. Elborough, he is an ancient man and is
- master of y^e Chapple, and marries but very few now without
- Banns or Licence, but under a colour doth allow his Clark to
- do w^t he pleases, his name is Barth. Basset. There is there
- also one Mr. James Colton a Clergyman, he lives in Leather Lane
- next door to y^e Coach and horses, he hath bin there these four
- years to marry, but no Prisoner, he marries in Coffee houses,
- in his own house, and in and about y^e Fleet gate, and all y^e
- Rules over, not excepting any part of City and Suburbs. This
- Clark Basset aforesaid registers wherever Colton marries in y^e
- Fleet Register and gives him Certificates. Colton had a living
- in Essex till y^e Bishop of London deprived him for this and
- other ill Practices. There is also one Mr. Nehemiah Rogers, he
- is a prisoner but goes at larg to his P. Living in Essex, and
- all places else, he is a very wicked man, as lives for drinking,
- whoring, and swearing, he has struck and boxed y^e bridegroom
- in y^e Chapple, and damned like any com'on souldier; he marries
- both within and without y^e Chapple like his brother Colton.
- There was one Mr. Alley; he was a Prisoner, and ye benefit of
- weddings, but is gone to some other preferm^t. The abovesaid
- Basset rents y^e sellers of y^e Fleet, and pays for y^t and two
- watchmen 100 and £20 p. ann. but he him pays but £20 per ann.
- for y^e Clergy pay all y^e rest, and if they do not, they are
- threatened to be confined or outed. This Clark hath bin sworn in
- D^{rs} Commons not to marry any without Banns or Licence, unless
- it be such poor people as are recommended by y^e Justices in
- case of a big belly, but have married since many hundreds, as
- I and many can testifie who are confined Prisoners. The Chief
- days to marry are Sundays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, but evry
- day more or less. The Clark Basset keeps a Register book, altho
- he told y^e Bishop of London he had none; he also antidates as
- he pleases, as you may see when you look over y^e Registers;
- he hath another at his son's; he does what he pleases, and
- maintains a great family by these ill practices. £200 p. ann. he
- hath at least. The Ministers and Clark bribe one Mr. Shirley, I
- think him to be Collector for y^e Oueen's Taxes. I hope, Sir,
- you will excuse me for concealing my name, hoping y^t you will
- inspect into these base practices.
-
- For Dr. Newton Chancell^{rs} to My Lord of London at D^{rs}
- Commons These."
-
-
- [Footnote 154: These were touts, like those white-aproned
- gentry who used to infest Doctors' Commons, telling people
- where they could procure Marriage licences--only these
- "plyers" touted for the parsons.]
-
- [Footnote 155: See previous page.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVII.
-
-
-But the Act of 1712 failed to stop these illicit marriages, for one
-John Mottram was tried at Guildhall, before Lord Chief Justice Parker,
-found guilty, was suspended from his ministerial functions for three
-years, and was fined £200. Of this case there is an account in the
-_Weekly Journal_, February 13, 1717.
-
-"John Mottram, Clerk, was tryed for solemnizing clandestine and
-unlawful marriages in the Fleet Prison, and of keeping fraudulent
-Registers, whereby it appear'd that he had dated several marriages
-several years before he enter'd into orders, and that he kept no less
-than nine several Registers at different houses, which contained many
-scandalous frauds. It also appeared, that a marriage was antedated
-because of pregnancy; and, to impose on the ignorant, there was written
-underneath this scrap of barbarous Latin, "Hi non nupti fuerunt, sed
-obtinerunt Testimonium propter timorem parentum," meaning that they
-were not marryed, but obtained this private Register for fear of their
-parents. It rather appeared from evidence, that these sham marriages
-were solemnized in a room in the Fleet they call the Lord Mayor's
-Chappel, which was furnished with chairs, cushions, and proper
-conveniences, and that a coal heaver was generally set to ply at the
-door to recommend all couples that had a mind to be marry'd, to the
-Prisoner, who would do it cheaper than any body. It further appear'd
-that one of the Registers only, contained above 2,200 entrys which
-had been made within the last year."
-
-Pennant, writing at the end of the last century, gives us his personal
-reminiscences of Fleet Parsons ("Some Account of London," 3rd ed.,
-1793, p. 232),
-
-"In walking along the street, in my youth, on the side next to the
-prison, I have often been tempted by the question, _Sir, will you
-be pleased to walk in and be married?_ Along this most lawless space
-was hung up the frequent sign of a male and female hand conjoined,
-with, _Marriages performed within_, written beneath. A dirty fellow
-invited you in. The parson was seen walking before his shop; a squalid
-profligate figure, clad in a tattered plaid night gown, with a fiery
-face, and ready to couple you for a dram of gin, or roll of tobacco."
-
-Burn gives a list of Fleet Parsons, first of whom comes John Gaynam,
-who married from about 1709 to 1740. He rejoiced in a peculiar
-soubriquet, as will be seen by the following. In the trial of Ruth
-Woodward for bigamy, in 1737, he is alluded to by a witness:--
-
- "_John Hall._ I saw her married at the Fleet to Robert Holmes;
- 'twas at the Hand and Pen, a barber's shop.
-
- "_Counsel._ And is it not a wedding shop too?
-
- "_Hall._ Yes, I don't know the parson's name, but 'twas a man
- that once belonged to Creed Church, a very, lusty, jolly man.
-
- "_Counsel._ Because there's a complaint lodged in a proper
- court, against a Fleet Parson, whom they call The Bishop of
- Hell."
-
-Some verses, however, absolutely settle the title upon Gaynam.
-
-
-"THE FLEET PARSON
-
-A Tale,
-
-BY ANTI MATRIM.... OF LONDON.
-
- Some errant Wags, as stories tell,
- Assert the gloomy prince of Hell
- In th' infernal Region has
- His Officers of all degrees,
- Whose business is to propagate
- On Earth, the interests of his State,
- Ecclesiastics too are thought
- To be subservient to him brought;
- And, as their zeal his service prize,
- He never fails to make them rise
- As Dignitaries in his Church,
- But often leaves them in the lurch;
- For, if their Fear surmount their Zeal,
- (They) quickly his resentment feel;
- (Are) sure to meet with dire disgrace,
- (And) warmer Zealots fill their place.
- (To) make these Vacancies repleat,
- He borrows P----ns from the Fleet,
- Long has old G----m with applause
- Obeyed his Master's cursed Laws,
- Readily practis'd every Vice,
- And equall'd e'en the Devil for device.
- His faithful Services such favour gain'd
- That he, first B----p was of H--l ordain'd.
- Dan. W----e (rose) next in Degree,
- And he obtained the Deanery.
- Ned Ash----ll then came into grace,
- And he supplied th' Archdeacon's place,
- But, as the Devil when his ends
- Are served, he leaves his truest friends;
- So fared it with this wretched three,
- Who lost their Lives and Dignity."
-
-There is mention of Gaynam in two trials for bigamy--first in
-chronological order coming that of Robert Hussey.
-
- "_Dr. Gainham._ The 9th of September, 1733, I married a couple
- at the Rainbow Coffee House, the corner of Fleet Ditch, and
- entered the marriage in my register, as fair a register as any
- Church in England can produce. I showed it last night to the
- foreman of the jury, and my Lord Mayor's Clerk, at the London
- Punch House.
-
- "_Counsel._ Are you not ashamed to come and own a clandestine
- marriage in the face of a Court of Justice?
-
- "_Dr. Gainham_ (bowing). _Video meliora, deteriora sequor._
-
- "_Counsel._ You are on your oath, I ask you whether you never
- enter marriages in that book, when there is no marriage at all?
-
- "_Dr. Gainham._ I never did in my life. I page my book so, that
- it cannot be altered."
-
-The other case is from the trial of Edmund Dangerfield in 1736.
-
- "_Dr. Gainham._ I don't know the prisoner. I did marry a man
- and woman of these names. Here, this is a true register: _Edwd
- Dangerfield of St. Mary Newington Butts, Batchelor, to Arabella
- Fast_. When I marry at any house, I always set it down, for I
- carry one of the books in my pocket, and when I go home I put it
- in my great book.
-
- "_Court._ Do you never make any alteration?
-
- "_Gainham._ Never, my Lord. These two were married at Mrs.
- Ball's, at the Hand and Pen, by the Fleet Prison, and my name is
- to her book.
-
- "_Counsel._ 'Tis strange you should not remember the prisoner.
-
- "_Gainham._ Can I remember persons? I have married 2000 since
- that time."
-
-We have heard of Alley, who married from 1681 to 1707; of Elborrow,
-1698 to 1702; and of Mottram, who flourished between 1709 and 1725.
-
-Of Daniel Wigmore, the Dean of the previous poem, we know little except
-that he married between 1723 and 1754. The _Daily Post_ of May 26,
-1738, says of him, "Yesterday Daniel Wigmore, one of the parsons noted
-for marrying people within the Rules of the Fleet, was convicted
-before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, of selling spirituous
-liquors contrary to law."
-
-The third dignitary, Edward Ashwell, the Archdeacon, was notorious, and
-some of his misdeeds are recounted in a letter from Wm. Hodgson, to his
-brother, a Clergyman. (Lansdowne MSS., 841, fol. 123).
-
- _June_ 21, 1725.
-
- "REVEREND SIR,--There was lately, at Southam, in Warwickshire,
- one Edward Ashwell, who, in my absence, got possession of our
- School, and preach'd in Several Churches in this Neighbourhood.
- I take the Liberty to Inform you, Since I hear he is at
- Kettering, that he is A Most Notorious Rogue and Impostor. I
- have now certificates on my hand, of his having two wives alive
- at this present time, and he was very Near Marrying the third,
- in this Town, but the fear of a prosecution upon the Discovery
- of the flaming and Scandalous Immoralities of his life, forc'd
- him away from us. In a short time Afterwards, in a Village not
- far from us, he attempted to Ravish a Woman, but was prevented
- by a Soldier then in the house. I Can assure you he is in no
- Orders, tho' the Audacious Villain preaches when he Can get a
- pulpit. I have a whole packet of Letters by Me, all tending to
- the Same Character, which I think Exceeds, for variety of all
- Manner of Inormous practices, what Can be Charg'd upon the very
- Scum of Mankind. The Accounts are from persons of integrity and
- known Reputation.
-
- "I prevented him preaching one Day at Brawnstin, Mr. Somes's
- parish. It would be A very kind and Christian Office to give
- some information among the Clergy, that they may not be Impos'd
- upon by him, particularly to Mr. Heyrick, for I Married Mr.
- Allicock's sister of Loddington. I know you will pardon this
- trouble if the fellow be amongst you.
-
- "I am, your affectionate Brother,
-
- W. HODGSON."
-
-We hear occasionally of this "professional beauty" in the Registers,
-and give two or three examples:--
-
- "June 21st, 1740. John Jones of Eaton Sutton in Bedfordshire,
- and Mary Steward of the same, came to Wood's in Fleet Lane about
- six o'clock in the morning. Mr. Ashwell and self had been down
- the Market. Wood called him, and I went with him there, found
- the said man and woman, offer'd Mr. Ashwell 3 shilling to marry
- him; he would not, so he swore very much, and would have knocked
- him down, but for me. was not married. took this memorandum that
- they might not Pretend afterwards they was married, and not
- Register'd."
-
- "July 15 (1744). Came a man and wooman to the Green Canister,
- he was an Irishman and Taylor to bee married. Gave Mr. Ashwell
- 2: 6. but would have 5s., went away, and abused Mr. Ashwell
- very much, told him he was a Thief, and I was worse. Took
- this account because should not say they was married, and not
- Registered. N.B. The Fellow said Mr. Warren was his relation."
-
-It was the custom for these Fleet Parsons to carry with them pocket
-books, in which were roughly entered the names of the Married Couple,
-and, occasionally, if they wished their names to be kept secret,
-and paid, of course, a proportionate fee, their full names were not
-transcribed into the larger Register, as the following shows:--
-
- "September y^e 11th, 1745. Edwd. ---- and Elizabeth ---- were
- married, and would not let me know their names, y^e man said he
- was a weaver, and liv'd in Bandy leg walk in the Borough.
-
- Pr. E. Ashwell."
-
-He was so famous that he was honoured with an obituary notice in the
-press, _vide_ the _General Advertiser_, Jan. 15, 1746.
-
-"On Monday last, died, in the Rules of the Fleet, Doctor Ashwell,
-the most noted operator in Marriages since the death of the
-never-to-be-forgotten Dr. Gaynam."
-
- John Floud, or Flood, did a good business from the time of Queen
- Anne, 1709, to Dec. 31, 1729, when he died within the Rules of
- the Fleet. He was a very queer Character, keeping a mistress
- who played jackall to his lion, and touted for couples to be
- married. He died suddenly whilst celebrating a wedding. Yet
- even he seems to have had some compunction as to his course of
- life, like Walter Wyatt: for, in one of his pocket books is the
- following verse.
-
- "I have Liv'd so long I am weary Living, I wish I was dead, and
- my sins forgiven: Then I am sure to go to heaven, Although I
- liv'd at sixes and sevens."
-
- John Floud had a peculiarity; if ever he wanted to make
- memoranda, which were not convenient to introduce into his
- ordinary Register he partially used the Greek character, as
- being "Caviar to the general," thus:
-
- "13 Jan. 1728. [Greek: marr]: [Greek: t]h[Greek: rêê s]h[Greek:
- illings] & [Greek: onê] [Greek: d]^o [Greek: chêrti]_f_[Greek:
- ichatê]. Th[Greek: ê] [Greek: bridêgroom] w[Greek: as t]h[Greek:
- ê brot]h[Greek: êr] o_f_ [Greek: t]h[Greek: ê mêmorablê]
- J[Greek: onat]h[Greek: an] W[Greek: ild] E[Greek: chêchutêd at]
- Ty[Greek: burn]."
-
- Marr.: three shillings and one ditto Certificate. The bridegroom
- was the brother of the memorable Jonathan Wild, Executed at
- Tyburn.
-
- "8 Mar. 1728. [Greek: Not]h[Greek: ing but a notê o]_f_ h[Greek:
- and] _f_[Greek: or t]h[Greek: is marriagê] wh[Greek: ich]h
- [Greek: nêuêr] w[Greek: as phaid]."
-
- Nothing but a note of hand for this marriage, which never was
- paid.
-
- "27 August, 1728. [Greek: marriagê t]h[Greek: irtêên s]h[Greek:
- illings] & [Greek: onê] & [Greek: sichphênchê chêrti]_f_[Greek:
- ichatê. t]h[Greek: ê] w[Greek: oman not charing to bê marriêd in
- t]h[Greek: ê phlêêt] I h[Greek: ad t]h[Greek: êm marriêd at mr
- bro]w[Greek: ns at mr] H[Greek: arrisons in pheidgêonê chourt in
- t]h[Greek: ê Old Bailê]y [Greek: at] _f_[Greek: our achlochch in
- t]h[Greek: ê morning]."
-
- Marriage thirteen shillings, and one and sixpence Certificate.
- The woman not caring to be married in the Fleet, I had them
- married at Mr. Brown's, at Mr. Harrison's in Pidgeone Court, in
- the Old Bailey at four a'clock in the morning.
-
- "12 Aug. 1729. [Greek: phd] _f_[Greek: iuê s]h[Greek: illings
- phêr total]. N.B. Th[Greek: ê] 28th o_f_ [Greek: Aphril 1736
- mrs bêll chamê and Earnêstl]y [Greek: intrêated mê to Erasê
- T]h[Greek: ê marriagê out o]_f_ [Greek: t]h[Greek: ê booch] for
- [Greek: t]h[Greek: at] h[Greek: êr] h[Greek: usband] h[Greek:
- ad bêat and abusêd] h[Greek: er in a barbarous mannêr]....
- [Greek: I madê] h[Greek: êr bêleiuê I did so,] _f_[Greek:
- or] wh[Greek: ich]h I h[Greek: ad] h[Greek: al]_f_ [Greek: a
- guinêa, and s]h[Greek: ê samê timê dêliuêrêd mê uph] h[Greek: êr
- chêrti]_f_[Greek: ichatê. No phêrson phrêsênt (Achchording to]
- h[Greek: er dêsirê])."
-
- Paid five shillings per total. N.B.--The 28th of April, 1736,
- Mrs. Bell came and earnestly intreated me to erase the Marriage
- out of the book, for that her husband had beat and abused her in
- a barbarous manner.... I made her believe I did so, for which I
- had half a guinea, and she, at the same time, delivered me up
- her certificate. No person present (according to her desire).
-
-Perhaps, next to Dr. Gaynam, the bishop, no one did more business in
-Fleet Marriages than Walter Wyatt. We have already read some of his
-moral apothegms. He made a large income out of his Marriages, and,
-looking at the value of money, which was at least three times that of
-the present time, his profession was highly lucrative. Take one Month
-for instance. October, 1748--
-
- Oct. y^e 1 at home 2 11 6 abroad nil.
- 2 " 5 13 6 " 11 6
- 3 " 2 15 6 " 16 0
- 4 " 12 3 " 10 0
- 5 " 1 5 6 " nil.
- 6 " 10 6 " 1 4 6
- 7 " 1 8 6 " nil.
- --------------------
- Total... 17 19 3
- From 8th to 15th " ... 17 6 6
- " 15th " 21st " ... 10 0 6
- " 21st " 27th " ... 6 17 0
- " 28th " 31st " ... 5 9 6
- ----------
- £57 12 9
- ==========
-
-Or nearly £700 a year--equal to about £2,500 of our Currency. No wonder
-then, that when he died, March 13, 1750, he left a will behind him,
-which was duly proved; and by it he left his children in ward to his
-brother, and different legacies to his family--to his married daughter
-Mary, he bequeathed five pounds, and his estate at Oxford.
-
-He describes himself, on the cover of one of the Registers, as "Mr.
-Wyatt, Minister of the Fleet, is removed from the Two Sawyers, the
-Corner of Fleet Lane (with all the Register Books), to the Hand and
-Pen near Holborn Bridge, where Marriages are solemnized without
-imposition." But there seem to have been other establishments which
-traded on Wyatt's sign, probably because he was so prosperous. Joshua
-Lilley kept the Hand and Pen near Fleet Bridge. Matthias Wilson's house
-of the same sign stood on the bank of the Fleet ditch; John Burnford
-had a similar name for his house at the foot of Ludgate Hill, and Mrs.
-Balls also had an establishment with the same title.
-
-He seems to have attempted to invade Parson Keith's _peculiar_ in May
-Fair, or it may only be an Advertising ruse on the part of that
-exceedingly keen practitioner, in order to bring his name prominently
-before the public. At all events there is an Advertisement dated
-August 27, 1748. "The Fleet Parson (who very modestly calls himself
-Reverend), married at the Fleet, in Mr. L----yl's house, Mrs.
-C----k's, at the Naked Boy, and for Mr. W----yt, the Fleet Parson. And
-to shew that he is now only for Mr. W----yt, the Fleet Parson's
-deputy, the said W----yt told one in May Fair, that he intended to set
-up in opposition to Mr. Keith, and send goods to furnish the house,
-and maintains him and the men who ply some days at the Fleet, and at
-other times at May Fair. But not to speak of the men, if he himself
-was not a Fleet Parson, he could never stand in Piccadilly, and run
-after Coaches and foot people in so shameful a manner, and tell them
-Mr. Keith's house is shut up, and there is no Chapel but theirs; and
-to other people he says, their Fleet Chapel is Mr. Keith's Chapel, and
-this he hath said in the hearing of Mr. Keith's clerk, and it is known
-to most of the people about May Fair, and likewise Mr. Keith appeals
-to the generality of people about the Fleet and May Fair, for proof of
-Mr. Reverend's being only W----yts, the Fleet parson's deputy."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVIII.
-
-
-Of James Starkey, who married from 1718 to 1730, very little is known,
-except that he had run away to Scotland, and could not be produced
-when wanted at a trial in the Old Bailey. And also of Robert Cuthbert,
-1723-30--very little is known except through the medium of his pocket
-books, and they recount his love of horse flesh, and the prices he paid
-for his mounts.
-
-Of Thomas Crawford, 1723-1748, we hear something from a letter in that
-curious _mélange_ of News, the _Grub Street Journal_, June 10, 1736:--
-
- "Gentlemen, Having frequently heard of the many abominable
- practises of the Fleet, I had the Curiosity, May 23, to take a
- view of the place, as I accidently was walking by.
-
- "The first thing observable was one J--- L----,[156] by trade
- a Carpenter (whose brother, it is said, keeps the sign of the
- B---- and G----r),[157] cursing, swearing, and raving in the
- street in the time of divine service, with a mob of people about
- him, calling one of his fraternity (J. E.),[158] a Plyer for
- Weddings, an informing rogue, for informing against one of their
- Ministers for profane cursing and swearing, for which offence
- he paid three pounds odd money: the hearing of which pleased me
- very well, since I could find one in that notorious place which
- had some spark of grace left; as was manifested by the dislike
- he shewed to the person that was guilty of the profanation of
- God's sacred name.
-
- "When the mob was dispersed, I walked about some small time, and
- saw a person, exceeding well-dress'd in flower'd morning gown,
- a band, hat and wig, who appeared so clean that I took him for
- some worthy divine, who might have, accidentally, be making the
- same remarks as myself; but upon inquiry was surpris'd at being
- assured he was one T---- C---- [159] a watchmaker, who goes in a
- Minister's dress, personating a Clergyman, and taking upon him
- the name of Doctor, to the scandal of the Sacred function. He
- may be seen any time at the Bull and Garter, or the Great Hand,
- and Pen and Star, with these words under written. '_The old and
- true Register_' near the Rainbow Coffee House.--T. S."
-
-Peter Symson, who married 1731-1754, describes himself in his handbill,
-as "educated at the University of Cambridge, and late Chaplain to the
-Earl of Rothes."
-
-His "Chapel" was at the Old Red Hand and Mitre, three doors from Fleet
-Lane, and next door to the White Swan. As were most of his fellows, he
-was witness in a bigamy trial in 1751. He was asked,
-
- "Why did you marry them without license?
-
- "_Symson._ Because somebody would have done it, if I had not.
- I was ordained in Grosvenor Square Chapel by the Bishop of
- Winchester--the Bishop of Lincoln. Can't say I am a prisoner in
- the Fleet. Am 43 years old. Never had a benefice in my life.
- I have had little petty Curacies about £20 or £30 per year. I
- don't do it for lucre or gain.
-
- "_Court._ You might have exposed your person had you gone on the
- highway, but you'd do less prejudice to your country a great
- deal. You are a nuisance to the public; and the gentlemen of the
- jury, it is to be hoped, will give but little credit to you."
-
-When Keith of Mayfair was committed to the Fleet, Symson married for
-him from 1750 to 1754.
-
-There was another Fleet Parson named William Dare, 1732-1746, who had
-such a large connection that he employed a Curate to help him; but
-then, his marriages were 150 to 200 a month.
-
-James Lando is somewhat shrouded in mystery, for it is possible that
-he was identical with the gentleman who is described at the end of
-one of the Fleet Registers as "John Lando, a French Minister, in
-Church Street, Soho, opposite att a French pastry or nasty Cook's. His
-Landlord's name is Jinkstone, a dirty chandler's shop: he is to be
-heard of in the first flower next the skye."
-
-He really was a "Chaplain of the Fleet," for he was Chaplain on board
-H.B.M.S. _Falkland_ from May 29, 1744, to Jan. 17, 1746. He had a house
-in Half Moon Court, the first house joining to Ludgate, which was at
-the Corner of the Old Bailey. This he called St. John's Chapel, and
-here he not only solemnized marriages, but taught Latin and French
-three times a week.
-
-An advertisement of his states that "Marriages with a Licence,
-Certificate, and a Crown Stamp, at a Guinea, at the New Chapel, next
-door to the China Shop, near Fleet Bridge, London, by a regular bred
-Clergyman, and not by a Fleet Parson, as is insinuated in the public
-papers; and that the town may be freed (from) mistakes, no Clergyman
-being a prisoner in the Rules of the Fleet dare marry; and to obviate
-all doubts, this Chapel is not in the verge of the Fleet, but kept by
-a Gentleman who was lately on board one of his Majesty's men of war,
-and likewise has gloriously distinguished himself in defence of his
-King and Country, and is above committing those little mean actions
-that some men impose on people, being determined to have everything
-conducted with the utmost decency and regularity, such as shall be
-always supported in law and equity."
-
-Burn gives a list of others who married in the Fleet, but does not
-pretend it to be exhaustive. Still, the list is a long one.
-
- Bates...
- Becket, John 1748
- Buckler, Sam. 1732 to 1751
- Brayfield, Sam. 1754
- Bynes, Benj. 1698 to 1711
- Barrett, Mich. 1717 " 1738
-
- Colton, James 1681 to 1721
- Callow, Jos. 1752
- Clayton 1720
- Colteman 1688
- Draper 1689 to 1716
- Denevan, Francis 1747 " 1754
- Davis, Wm. 1718
- Evans, John 1689 to 1729
- Evans, Ed. 1727
- Farren, John 1688
- Gower, Henry 1689 to 1718
- Hodgkins, Thos. 1674 " 1728
- Hanson, Anthony 1731 " 1732
- Jones, John 1718 " 1725
- Loveday, Wm. 1750
- Morton 1720
- Marston, Edward 1713 to 1714
- Marshall, John 1750
- Murry, D. 1719
- Nodes 1753
- Oswald 1712
- Oglesby 1728 to 1740
- Privavaul
- Patterson 1732
- Ryder, Thos. 1722 to 1743
- Roberts, Edward 1698
- Reynolds, E. 1749
- Rogers, Nehemiah 1700 to 1703
- Shadwell, Ralph 1733 " 1734
- Shaw, James 1723
- Sindrey, Richard 1722 to 1740
- Stacy, Edmund 1719
- Shelburn, Anthony 1722 to 1737
- Stainton, John 1730
- Simpson, Anthony 1726 to 1754
- Stanhope, Walter 1711
- Standly 1747 to 1750
- Skinner, Nathaniel 1716
- Town, I. 1754
- Tomkings 1740
- Tarrant, John 1688
- " " 1742 to 1750
- Townsend, Jacob 1754
- Vice, Jo. 1689 to 1713
- Wagstaffe, James 1689 " 1729
- Wise, J. 1709
- Wilkinson 1740
- Williams, Wm.
- Walker, Clem. 1732 to 1735
- Wodmore, Isaac 1752
-
-Which of these is the one referred to in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
-April 1809? "I should be much obliged to you also, Mr. Urban, if you,
-or any of your numerous and intelligent correspondents, could acquaint
-me with the name of a tall black clergyman, who used to solicit the
-commands of the votaries of Hymen at the door of a public-house known
-by the sign of the Cock in Fleet Market, previously to the Marriage
-Act."
-
-Before dismissing the subject of Fleet parsons, reference must be
-made to the Rev. Alexander Keith of Mayfair Chapel, who has a claim
-to be noticed here, as he was an inhabitant of the Fleet. The Chapel
-in Mayfair was built somewhere about 1736, to meet the wants of the
-increasing neighbourhood, which was then becoming fashionable, after
-the abolition of the fair in Brook-field, and the first incumbent was
-the Rev. Alexander Keith, who claimed to have been ordained priest by
-the Bishop of Norwich, acting on Letters Dimissory from the Bishop
-of London, in June, 1731. He also stated that at the time of his
-appointment as preacher in the Chapel, he was Reader at the Roll's
-Chapel. He did a roaring trade in irregular marriages, and it was at
-Mayfair Chapel that the Duke of Hamilton espoused the youngest of the
-beautiful Miss Gunnings, "with a ring of the bed curtain, at half an
-hour past twelve at night."
-
-He had also a private chapel of his own, as we read in an advertisement
-of his, April, 1750. "Several persons belonging to Churches and
-Chapels, together with many others, supposing the Marriages at May Fair
-New Chapel to be detrimental to their interest, have made it their
-Business to rave and clamour, but in such a Manner, as not to deserve
-to Answer, because every Thing they have said tends to expose their
-own Ignorance and Malice, in the Opinion of People of good Sense and
-Understanding. We are informed, that Mrs. Keith's Corpse was removed
-from her Husband's House in May Fair, the Middle of October last, to
-an Apothecary's in South Audley Street, where she lies in a Room hung
-with Mourning, and is to continue there till Mr. Keith can attend her
-Funeral! The way to Mr. Keith's Chapel is thro' Piccadilly, by the
-End of St. James's Street and down Clarges Street, and turn on the
-Left Hand. The Marriages (together with a Licence on a Five Shilling
-Stamp, and Certificate) are carried on as usual, any time till Four
-in the Afternoon, by another regular Clergyman, at Mr. Keith's little
-Chapel in May Fair, near Hyde Park Corner, opposite the great Chapel,
-and within ten Yards of it. There is a Porch at the Door like a Country
-Church Porch."
-
-His wife died in 1749 whilst he was in the Fleet prison, which accounts
-for his inability to attend her funeral. Why he was imprisoned is as
-follows. By advertising, and other means, his Marriages at Mayfair were
-very popular, and interfered greatly with the Vested Interests of the
-neighbouring clergy, one of whom, Dr. Trebeck, rector of St. George's,
-Hanover Square, brought a lawsuit against him, in the Ecclesiastical
-Court. He defended himself, but unsuccessfully, for a sentence of
-excommunication was promulgated against him on Oct. 27, 1742.
-
-Two could play at that game, so Keith excommunicated, at his Chapel in
-Mayfair, his bishop, the judge who condemned him, and the prosecutor,
-Dr. Trebeck, but none of them seem to have been any the worse for
-the operation. Such, however, was not the case with Keith, for, on
-Jan. 24, 1743, a decree was issued for his apprehension. This did not
-take effect till April, 1743, when he was committed to the Fleet; the
-marriages at Mayfair being continued, as we have seen, by Symson and
-Denevan.
-
-He lay in the Fleet about fifteen years, and in 1753, when Lord
-Hardwicke's Marriage Act was being discussed, he thence issued a
-pamphlet of thirty-two pages, with his portrait attached, entitled,
-"Observations on the Act for preventing Clandestine Marriages." In
-it he gives what seems to be "a plain, unvarnished tale" of Fleet
-Marriages. "As I have married many thousands, and, consequently, have
-on those occasions seen the humour of the lower class of people, I have
-often asked the married pair how long they had been acquainted; they
-would reply, some more, some less, but the generality did not exceed
-the acquaintance of a week, some only of a day, half-a-day, &c....
-Another inconveniency which will arise from this Act will be, that the
-expence of being married will be so great, that few of the lower class
-of people can afford; for I have often heard a Flete parson say, that
-many have come to be married when they have but half-a-crown in their
-pockets, and sixpence to buy a pot of beer, and for which they have
-pawned some of their cloaths.... I remember once on a time, I was at
-a public-house at Radcliffe, which was then full of Sailors and their
-girls, there was fiddling, piping, jigging, and eating; at length one
-of the tars starts up, and says, 'D--m ye, Jack, I'll be married just
-now; I will have my partner, and'.... The joke took, and in less than
-two hours ten couple set out for the Flete. I staid their return.
-They returned in coaches; five women in each coach; the tars, some
-running before, others riding on the coach box, and others behind.
-The Cavalcade being over, the couples went up into an upper room,
-where they concluded the evening with great jollity. The next time I
-went that way, I called on my landlord and asked him concerning this
-marriage adventure; he first stared at me, but, recollecting, he said
-those things were so frequent, that he hardly took any notice of them;
-for, added he, it is a common thing, when a fleet comes in, to have two
-or three hundred marriages in a week's time, among the sailors."
-
-The Marriage Act was passed, and came into force on March 26, 1754. On
-the 25th Sixty-one Couples were married at Mayfair Chapel.
-
-It was a death blow to the Reverend Alexander, although he tried to
-laugh it off, if Horace Walpole may be believed. In a letter to George
-Montagu, Esqr. (June 11, 1753), he says: "I shall only tell you a _bon
-mot_ of Keith's, the marriage broker, and conclude. 'G--d d--n the
-Bishops,' said he (I beg Miss Montagu's pardon), 'so they will hinder
-my marrying. Well, let 'em, but I'll be revenged: I'll buy two or three
-acres of ground, and by G--d, I'll under bury them all.'"
-
-This may have been true, but it was mere bravado, for he appealed from
-his prison to the benevolent, as we see by the following advertisement.
-"_To the Compassionate._ By the late Marriage Act, the Rev. Mr. Keith,
-from a great Degree of Affluence, is reduc'd to such a deplorable
-State of Misery in the Fleet Prison, as is much better to be conceiv'd
-than related, having scarce any other thing than Bread and Water to
-subsist on. It is to be hoped he will be deemed truly undeserving
-such a Fate, when the Publick are assured, that not foreseeing such
-an unhappy Stroke of Fortune, as the late Act, he yearly expended
-almost his whole Income (which amounted to several Hundred Pounds per
-Annum) in relieving not only single distress'd Persons, but even whole
-Families of wretched Objects of Compassion. This can be attested by
-several Persons of the strictest Character and Reputation, as well as
-by Numbers who experienced his Bounty. Mr. Keith's present calamitous
-Situation renders him perhaps as great an Object of Charity himself, as
-all Circumstances consider'd, as ever in his better Days partook of his
-own Assistance, or that of others equally compassionate; and is indeed
-sufficient to awaken Humanity in the most uncharitable. Any Gentleman
-or Lady may be satisfied of the above by applying to Mr. Brooke,
-Engraver, facing Water Lane, Fleet Street, by whom Donations from the
-Publick will be received for the Use of Mr. Keith."
-
-
- [Footnote 156: Joshua Lilly, who kept one of the Hand and Pen
- houses, and said that he had been appointed Registrar of
- Marriages, by the Lord Chancellor, and had paid £1,000 for the
- post. He did not marry people, but kept presumable Clergymen
- to do so. He is mentioned several times in the Registers and
- Pocket-books. Once, at all events, he was in danger of the
- judgment seat, as Ashwell writes in one of his pocket-books:
- "N.B. On Sunday, November y^e 6, 1740, at y^e hour of 9, in my
- house declared that, if he had not come home out of y^e
- country, being fled for punishment, having Cut of his hair (to
- prevent being known), y^t y^e indictment for marrying James
- Hussey to Miss Henrietta Arnold, he had (been) ruin'd but y^t
- he swore it off and y^e attorney promis'd to defend him, and
- it cost him only a treat of 10/; had I staid, says the s^d
- Joshua Lilley, where I was, viz.----, the indictment would
- have stood good against me, but my taking y^e side of the
- prosecutor, y^e young ladies, I have got safe off." In a
- Register is a notice relating to him. "June y^e 13th, 1744.
- Whereas one Joshua Lilley, being a noted man for having more
- marriages at his house than the generality of y^e people could
- have, he the said Joshua Lilley keeping several plyars, as
- they are call'd, to gett these weddings, I have put his
- marriages down in a separate book, but findend ill-convenience
- arise thereby, fro' this 13th instant, do insert it w^{th} y^e
- rest." And one of his handbills describes him as "I. Lilley,
- at y^e Hand and Pen, next door to the china shop, Fleet
- Bridge, London, will be perform'd the solemnization of
- marriages by a gentleman regularly bred att one of our
- Universities, and lawfully ordain'd according to the
- institutions of the Church of England, and is ready to wait on
- any person in town or countrey."]
-
- [Footnote 157: This was John Lilley, who kept a public-house,
- called the Bull and Garter. In 1717 he was found guilty, and
- fined five pounds, for acting as Clerk at a Fleet Marriage. He
- was a turnkey at the Fleet Prison, and in his house he had a
- room for solemnizing marriages--which he called a
- Chapel--issuing certificates bearing the City Arms, and
- purporting to be the Lord Mayor's Certificates.]
-
- [Footnote 158: Probably John Evans, who married from 1689 to
- 1729, both at the King's Bench and Fleet.]
-
- [Footnote 159: I am unable to identify these initials.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: A FLEET WEDDING.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIX.
-
-
-Keith's written description of a Fleet Marriage is graphic, but a
-contemporary engraving brings it even more vividly before us. This
-was published Oct. 20, 1747, and gives an excellent view of the Fleet
-Market as it then was. It is called "A FLEET WEDDING, Between a brisk
-young Sailor, and his Landlady's Daughter at Rederiff."
-
- "Scarce had the Coach discharg'd it's trusty Fare,
- But gaping Crouds surround th' amorous Pair;
- The busy Plyers make a mighty Stir!
- And whisp'ring cry, d'ye want the Parson, Sir?
- Pray step this way--just to the PEN IN HAND
- The Doctor's ready there at your Command:
- This way (another cries) Sir, I declare
- The true and ancient Register is Here.
- Th' alarmed Parsons quickly hear the Din!
- And haste with soothing words t'invite them in:
- In this Confusion jostled to and fro,
- Th' inamour'd Couple knows not where to go:
- Till slow advancing from the Coache's Side
- Th' experienc'd Matron came (an artful Guide)
- She led the way without regarding either,
- And the first parson spliced 'em both together."
-
-[Illustration: THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT.]
-
-The Context to this is a companion Engraving of "THE SAILOR'S
-FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT," which most aptly illustrates Keith's
-description, but the poetry attached to it will scarcely bear modern
-reproduction.
-
-But, if a poetical account of a Fleet Wedding is needed, it may be
-found in "THE BUNTER'S WEDDING."
-
- "Good people attend, I'll discover,
- A Wedding that happen'd of late,
- I cannot tell why we should smother,
- The weddings of poor more than great;
- 'Twixt Ben of the Borough so pretty,
- Who carries a basket, 'tis said,
- And dainty plump Kent street fair Kitty,
- A Coney Wool Cutter by trade.
-
- The guests were all quickly invited,
- Ben order'd the dinner by noon,
- And Kitty was highly delighted,
- They obey'd the glad summons so soon:
- An ox cheek was order'd for dinner,
- With plenty of porter and gin,
- Ben swore on the oath of a sinner,
- Nothing should be wanting in him.
-
- Joe the sandman, and Bessy the bunter,
- We hear from St. Giles's did prance,
- Dick the fiddler, and Sally the Mumper,
- Brought Levi the Jew for to dance.
- Tom the Chanter he quickly was present,
- And squinting black Molly likewise,
- With Billy the Dustman quite pleasant,
- And Nell with no nose and sore eyes.
-
- Ned the drover was also invited,
- Unto this gay wedding to come,
- From Smithfield he came quite delighted,
- Before that the market was done.
- And Fanny the pretty match maker,
- A sister to young bunting Bess,
- She wished the devil might take her
- If she was not one of the guests.
-
- Dolly the rag woman's daughter,
- From Tyburn road she did stride,
- And Jenny the quilter came after
- Whose nose it stood all of one side;
- There was Roger the chimney sweeper,
- No soot he would gather that day,
- But, because he would look the compleater,
- His soot bag and brush threw away.
-
- There was bandy leg'd sheep's head Susan
- We hear from Field Lane she did hie,
- And draggle tail'd Pat with no shoes on,
- Who pins and laces doth cry;
- Ralph the grinder he set by his barrow,
- As soon as he heard of the news,
- And swore he would be there to-morrow,
- Atho' he'd no heels to his shoes.
-
- Sam the grubber, he having had warning,
- His wallet and broom down did lay,
- And early attended next morning,
- The bride for to give away;
- And Peggy the mop yarn spinner,
- Her Cards and her wheel set aside,
- And swore as she was a sinner,
- She'd go and attire the bride.
-
- Nan the tub woman out of Whitechapel,
- Was also invited to go,
- And, as she was 'kin to the couple,
- She swore she the stocking would throw;
- So having all gather'd together,
- As they appointed to meet,
- And being all birds of a feather,
- They presently flocked to the Fleet.
-
- But when at Fleet Bridge they arrived,
- The bridegroom was handing his bride,
- The sailors [_? plyers_] they all to them drived,
- Do you want a Parson? they cry'd;
- But as they down Fleet Ditch did prance,
- What house shall we go to? says Ben,
- Then Kitty, in raptures, made answer
- Let's go to the Hand and the Pen.
-
- Then into the house they did bundle,
- The landlady shew'd them a room,
- The landlord he roar'd out like thunder,
- The parson shall wait on you soon:
- Then so eager he came for to fasten,
- He staid not to fasten his hose,
- A fat bellied ruddy fac'd parson,
- That brandy had painted his nose.
-
- But before (he) the couple did fasten
- He look'd all around on the men,
- My fee's half a crown, says the parson,--
- I freely will give it, says Ben:
- Then Hymen he presently follow'd
- And the happy knot being ty'd
- The guests they whooped and hollow'd,
- All joys to the bridegroom and bride.
-
- Like Malt horses home they all pranced,
- The bride she look'd not like the same,
- And thus thro' the City they danced;
- But, when to the Borough they came,
- The bride to look buxom endeavour'd,
- The bridegroom as brisk as an eel;
- With the marrow bones and cleavers,
- The butchers they rang them a peal.
-
- And, as they were homewards advancing,
- A-dancing, and singing of songs,
- The rough music met them all prancing,
- With frying pans, shovels, and tongs:
- Tin Canisters, salt boxes plenty,
- With trotter bones beat by the boys,
- And they being hollow and empty,
- They made a most racketting noise.
-
- Bowls, gridirons, platters, and ladles,
- And pokers, tin kettles did bruise,
- The noise, none to bear it was able,
- The warming pans beat with old shoes:
- Such a rattling racketting uproar,
- Had you but have heard it, no doubt,
- All hell was broke loose you'd have swore,
- And the devils were running about.
-
- The Mob they all hollow'd and shouted,
- In the streets as they passed along,
- The people to see how they scouted,
- Together in clusters did throng;
- They made all the noise they was able,
- And thus they were ushered in,
- But e'er they all sat down to table,
- They each had a glass of old gin.
-
- Dinner being decently ended,
- The table was cleared with speed,
- And they to be merry intended,
- So strait did to dancing proceed;
- But Harry the night man so jolly,
- With madness he almost cry'd,
- And all the night sat melancholy,
- For he had a mind for the bride."
-
-There are four more verses, but they are not worth
-transcribing--besides, there is a very good prose account of the
-doings at the Fleet, which, certainly, bears the impress of truth. It
-is in No. 270 of the _Grub Street Journal_, Feb. 27, 1735:--
-
-"Sir, There is a very great evil in this town, and of dangerous
-consequence to our sex, that has never been suppressed, to the great
-prejudice, and ruin, of many hundreds of young people, every year;
-which I beg some of your learned heads to consider of, and consult
-of proper ways and means to prevent for the future: I mean the
-ruinous marriages that are practised in the liberty of the _Fleet_,
-and thereabouts, by a sett of drunken, swearing parsons, with their
-Myrmidons that wear black coats, and pretend to be clerks, and
-registers to the Fleet. These ministers of wickedness ply about
-Ludgate Hill, pulling and forcing people to some pedling alehouse, or
-brandy shop, to be married, even on a sunday, stopping them as they
-go to church, and almost tearing their cloaths off their backs. To
-confirm the truth of these facts, I will give you a case or two, which
-lately happened:--
-
-"Since midsummer last, a young lady of birth and fortune, was deluded
-and forced from her friends, by the assistance of a very wicked,
-swearing parson, married to an atheistical wretch, whose life is a
-continual practice of all manner of vice and debauchery. And, since
-the ruin of my relation, another lady of my acquaintance had like to
-have been trapanned in the following manner:--
-
-"This lady had appointed to meet a gentlewoman at the Old Play-house
-in Drury Lane; but extraordinary business prevented her coming. Being
-alone, when the play was done, she bade a boy call a coach for the
-City. One drest like a gentleman helps her into it, and jumps in after
-her. 'Madam,' says he, 'this coach was called for me: and since the
-weather is so bad, and there is no other, I beg leave to bear you
-company; I am going into the City, and will set you down wherever
-you please.' The lady begged to be excused; but he bade the coachman
-drive on. Being come to Ludgate hill, he told her his sister, who
-waited his coming, but five doors up the Court, would go with her in
-two minutes. He went, and returned with his pretended sister, who
-asked her to step in one minute, and she would wait upon her in the
-coach.
-
-"Deluded with the assurance of having his sister's company, the poor
-lady foolishly followed her into the house, when, instantly, the
-sister vanish'd; and a tawny fellow in a black coat and black wig
-appeared. 'Madam, you are come in good time, the doctor was just a
-going.' 'The doctor,' says she, horribly frighted, fearing it was a
-madhouse; 'What has the doctor to do with me?' 'To marry you to that
-gentleman: the doctor has waited for you these three hours, and will
-be payed by you or the gentleman before you go.' 'That gentleman,'
-says she, recovering herself, 'is worthy a better fortune than mine.'
-And begged hard to be gone. But doctor WRYNECK swore she shou'd be
-married; or, if she wou'd not, he would still have his fee, and
-register the marriage from that night. The lady, finding she could not
-escape without money or a pledge, told them she liked the gentleman so
-well, she would certainly meet him to-morrow night, and gave them a
-ring as a pledge: which, says she, 'was my mother's gift on her
-deathbed, injoining that if ever I married, it should be my wedding
-ring.' By which cunning contrivance, she was delivered from the black
-doctor, and his tawny crew.
-
-"Some time after this, I went with this lady, and her brother, in a
-coach to Ludgate Hill, in the day time, to see the manner of their
-picking up people to be married. As soon as our coach stopt near Fleet
-Bridge, up comes on of the Myrmidons. 'Madam,' says he, 'you want a
-parson.' 'Who are you?' says I. 'I am the clerk and register of the
-Fleet.' 'Show me the Chapel.' At which comes a second, desiring me to
-go along with him. Says he, 'That fellow will carry you to a pedling
-alehouse. Says a third, 'Go with me, he will carry you to a brandy
-shop.' In the interim, comes the doctor. 'Madam,' says he, 'I'll do
-your jobb for you presently.' 'Well, gentlemen,' says I, 'since you
-can't agree, and I can't be married quietly, I'll put it off 'till
-another time,' so drove away."
-
-Some of the stories of Fleet Marriages read like romances, yet they
-are all taken from contemporary accounts. Here, for instance, is a
-fact, scarcely to be believed nowadays:--"Jan. 5, 1742. On Tuesday last
-two Persons, one of Skinner Street, and the other of Webb's Square,
-Spittle Fields, exchang'd Wives, to whom they had been married upwards
-of twelve Years; and the same Day, to the Content of all Parties, the
-Marriages were consummated at the Fleet. Each Husband gave his Wife
-away to the other, and in the Evening had an Entertainment together."
-
-Or this from the _Whitehall Evening Post_, July 24, 1739:--"On Tuesday
-last a Woman indifferently well dress'd came to the sign of the Bull
-and Garter, next Door to the Fleet Prison, and was there married to a
-Soldier; in the afternoon she came again, and would have been married
-to a Butcher, but that Parson who had married her in the Morning
-refused to marry her again, which put her to the Trouble of going a few
-Doors further, to another Parson, who had no Scruple."
-
-Here is another story indicative of the Manners and Morals of those
-days:--Oct. 1739. "Last Week, a merry Widow, near Bethnal Green, having
-a pretty many Admirers, not to be over Cruel, she equally dispensed
-her Favours between two, who were the highest in her Esteem. The one,
-a Butcher, meeting the good Woman, took the Advantage of the others
-Absence, and pleaded his Cause so successfully, that they tuck'd up
-their Tails, trudg'd to the Fleet, and were tack'd together. Home they
-both jogg'd to their several habitations, the Bridegroom to his, and
-the Bride to her's. Soon after came another of her Admirers, an honest
-Weaver, who, upon hearing of the Melancholy News, had no more Life in
-him for some time than one of the Beams of his Loom; but, recovering
-himself a little from the Surprize he was seized with a sudden
-Delirium, swore his Loom should be his Gibbet, and he'd hang himself
-pendant at the End of his Garter, if he also was not tack'd to his
-comfortable Rib: The good Widow, considering that the Butcher had not
-bedded with her, and desirous of preventing Murder, consented, and away
-she jogg'd to be coupled to the Weaver. On their return home, to Bed
-they went, and the Butcher coming to see his dear Spouse, found her
-in Bed with the Weaver; upon which a Quarrel ensued, and the Butcher
-being the best Man, she left the Weaver and went to the Butcher, being
-willing to please them both, as well as she could."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXX.
-
-
-There are several instances of Committal to the Fleet for meddling with
-Marriages. One or two will suffice:--1731. "Thursday, the Master of the
-Rolls committed a Clergyman to the Fleet for marrying a young Gentleman
-about 17 years of Age at Eaton School, and intitled to an Estate of
-£1500 per Annum, to a Servant Maid: and at the same time committed the
-person who gave her in Marriage. His Honour had some days since sent
-as Prisoner to the Fleet, the Person who pretended to be the Youth's
-Guardian, and who had given a Bond to indemnify the Parson."
-
-1735. "Two Sisters were committed to the Fleet prison, by an order of
-the high Court of Chancery, for drawing a young fellow into marriage,
-he being a ward of the said Court."
-
-Dec. 28, 1734. "Last Saturday Night Mr. D---- late Valet de Chambre to
-a certain Noble Lord near Soho Square, went away, as was suspected,
-with his Lordship's Niece, a young Lady not yet of Age, and a Coheiress
-to a very large Estate. It seems they took a Hackney Coach soon after
-they got out of Doors, and upon strict Enquiry, the Coachman was found
-out, who declared that he took a Gentleman and a Lady up at such a
-Place, and set them down at the Fleet, and by the Description he gave
-it appeared to be the two Lovers, who may therefore be supposed to have
-been married and bedded that Night. A Warrant was immediately obtained
-for apprehending the Supposed Bridegroom, and he was accordingly taken
-in Bed with his Lady, at a house in Queen Street near Guildhall, on
-Wednesday Morning last, and immediately carried to Poultry Compter,
-and the Lady was carried off by her Friends. In the Afternoon he was
-examined, and afterwards re-committed to the same Prison. So that it
-seems he is to suffer for endeavouring to get himself a _Rich Wife_,
-which is a Practice followed by all the young _Gentlemen_ of _Quality_
-in England; but the Difference is, _That this young fellow has married,
-or endeavoured to marry an Heiress without the Consent of her Friends,
-whereas the other generally marry or endeavour to marry Heiresses
-without their own Consent._ It has since been found out that they were
-married by a Roman Catholic Priest."
-
-There was a faint-hearted protest on the part of the Fleet authorities,
-against the Marriages, but I can find no attempt at prosecution, other
-than for marrying without a stamped licence, in spite of the following
-advertisement:--
-
- "September, 1743. WHEREAS the Methods hitherto taken to prevent
- clandestine Marriages at the Fleet have prov'd ineffectual,
- though legal Notice hath been given by the Warden of the Fleet
- to such of his Tenants in whose houses it is reputed such
- Marriages have been suffer'd, to quit the Possession thereof;
- therefore, and as such Warning cannot immediately have the
- desir'd Effect, this Publick Notice is given, that, whoever
- shall make it appear to the Warden's Satisfaction that any of
- his Prisoners, shall at any time hereafter clandestinely marry,
- or be, in any manner however, concern'd in any clandestine
- Marriage, or suffer such Marriages to be performed in his, hers,
- or their Houses, or Lodgings, such Person or Persons making such
- Discovery, shall receive a Guinea Reward from the Turnkey of the
- said Prison.
-
- "WILLIAM MANNING, Turnkey."
-
-There were several people of fortune married by Fleet parsons _vide
-Grub Street Journal_, September 18, 1735, "Married yesterday Will
-Adams, Esqr., to Miss Eleanor Watkins, a beautiful young lady, with a
-fortune of £15,000." And in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, May 6, 1735,
-"Married the Lord Robert Montagu, to Mrs. Harriet Dunch of Whitehall,
-with a fortune of £15,000."
-
-Somewhat of a curiosity is recorded in "Notes and Queries," 4 series,
-vol. xii. p. 295. "I have before me an engraved medal, bearing the
-following inscription, about which I should be glad of information.
-'May y^e 3, 1761. Thos. Wisely Maried Sarah Boswell in the Fleet
-Prison.'" This, in all probability, was a half-crown with one side made
-smooth, and the above engraved upon it.
-
-There is no doubt but that, with a duly stamped licence and until
-they were specially done away with by Lord Hardwicke's Act of 1753,
-these marriages were legal; still there is an instance recorded in the
-_General Evening Post_, June 27/29, 1745, in which a Fleet marriage
-was ruled to be illegal. "Yesterday came on a cause at Doctor's
-Commons, wherein the plaintiff brought his action against the defendant
-for pretending to be his wife. She, in her justification, pleaded a
-marriage at the Fleet the 6th of February, 1737, and produced a Fleet
-Certificate, which was not allowed as evidence. She likewise offered
-to produce the minister she pretended married them, but he being
-excommunicate for clandestine marriages, could not be received as a
-witness. The Court thereupon pronounced against the marriage, and
-condemned her in £28, the costs of the suit."
-
-The Registers in which these marriages were entered have mostly had
-an eventful and chequered career. Many have, doubtless, disappeared
-for ever, and it is extremely probable that some are in private hands,
-one being in the Bodleian Library. They were to be bought by any one
-interested in them, and the present collection cannot be considered as
-being at all perfect. We learn the adventures of some of them through
-the evidence of a Mrs. Olive, who produced one at a trial at Shrewsbury
-in 1794. This woman was originally a servant to Joshua Lilly, and
-used to "ply" or tout for him, and at his death married one Owens,
-who succeeded to one of Lilly's marriage houses, and who, probably,
-bought his Registers from his representatives. At this Trial she said:
-"My first husband was Thos. Owens. I had the Register Books of Fleet
-Marriages in my possession from my Marriage in 1761 till I went to
-America eleven years ago. I then sold them to Mr. Panton. My husband
-Owens died about 1773. My husband made a will. I had the possession of
-the books myself, as my husband had other business. I heard my husband
-say he purchased these books. He had a Marriage House in Fleet Lane. I
-used the books to grant certificates upon parish affairs."
-
-After her Marriage with Olive she still made use of these Registers,
-for we read in an Advertisement that "All the original Register
-Books containing the marriages solemnized at the Fleet, May Fair,
-and the Mint, for upwards of one hundred years past, may be searched
-by applying to George Olive, at the Wheat Sheaf, in Nicholls Square,
-near Cripplegate. The great utility of these Collections prevents any
-encomiums."
-
-About 1783 a Mr. Benjamin Panton bought of Mrs. Olive some five or six
-hundred of these books, weighing more than a ton, and used to produce
-them occasionally on trials at law, and they were always accepted as
-evidence.
-
-At his death in 1805 he left these to his daughter, who still utilised
-them as her father had done, as a handbill shows. "All the original
-Register Books of the Marriages in the Fleet, May Fair, and Mint,
-are now in the possession of M. Panton (Register Keeper), No. 50,
-Houndsditch, by whom they are examined, and Certificates of Marriages
-granted."
-
-In 1813 she sold them to a Mr. William Cox, who, in 1821, sold them to
-the Government for £260 6s. 6d., and the following letter shows us what
-became of them.
-
- "WHITEHALL, _April_ 25, 1821.
-
- "SIR,--It having been judged expedient to purchase a set of
- books containing the original Entries of Marriages solemnized in
- the Fleet Prison, and Rules thereof, from the year 1686 to the
- year 1754. I have been honoured with his Majesty's commands to
- desire that you will receive the said books from Mr. Maule the
- Solicitor to the Treasury, and give him a receipt for the same,
- and deposit them in the Registry of the Consistory Court of
- London.
-
- "I have the honour to be, Sir,
-
- "Your most obedient humble Servant,
-
- "SIDMOUTH.
-
- "The Registrar of the Consistory Court of London, or his Deputy."
-
-Here they remained until the abolition of the Court in 1840, by Act of
-Parliament, 3 and 4 Vic. cap. 92, when they were declared inadmissible
-as evidence in law. Sec. 6 says, "And be it enacted That all Registers
-and Records deposited in the General Register Office by virtue of this
-Act, except the Registers and Records of Baptisms and Marriages at _The
-Fleet_, and _King's Bench_ Prisons, at _May Fair_, at the _Mint_ in
-_Southwark_, and elsewhere, which were deposited in the Registry of the
-Bishop of _London_ in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty
-One, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed to be in legal Custody,
-and shall be receivable in Evidence in all Courts of Justice, subject
-to the Provisions hereinafter contained."
-
-And Section 20 provides thus, "And be it enacted, That the several
-Registers and Records of Baptisms and Marriages performed at the
-Fleet" (&c., &c., as in Section 6) "shall be transferred from the
-said Registry to the Custody of the Registrar-General, who is hereby
-directed to receive the same for safe custody." And it recapitulates
-that they shall not be received as evidence at law.
-
-They are kept at Somerset House, where they can be examined for a small
-fee. A great number of them are memorandum books, and Burn, when he
-examined them at Doctors Commons, in 1833, did not much like his job.
-"It is to be wished that they were better arranged and indexed. There
-are several very large indexes, which only requires a little time and
-attention to ascertain to what Registers they refer. The Pocket books
-also, might be bound together, and preserved from dust and dirt; and if
-Government would give about £300 these objects might be attained. It
-was a labour of many months to go through so many hundreds of dusty,
-dirty, and sometimes ragged books."
-
-The entries in the pocket-books are quainter than those in the
-registries, as they are the first impressions, and the others are
-polished up. We find from them that it was not infrequent to antedate
-the Registers, and Lilley did so on one occasion, "there being a
-vacancy in the Book suitable to the time." And, again, "These wicked
-people came this day, Peter Oliver, of St. Olave's, carpenter, and
-Elizabeth Overton, would have a certificate dated in 1729, or would not
-be married if it was not to be dated to this time--went to Lilley's and
-was married."
-
-Perhaps the most extraordinary entries in these books are those of two
-women going through the ceremony of marriage with each other--
-
- "20 May, 1737. J^{no} Smith, Gent. of S^t James West^r Batch^r
- & Eliz. Huthall of S^t Giles's Sp^r at Wilsons. By y^e opinion
- after Matrimony, my Clark judg'd they were both women, if y^e
- person by name John Smith be a man, he's a little short fair
- thin man, not above 5 foot. After marriage I almost c'd prove
- y^m both women, the one was dress'd as a man, thin pale face, &
- wrinkled chin."
-
- "1734 Dec. 15. John Mountford of S^t Ann's Sohoe, Taylor. B.,
- Mary Cooper. Ditto. Sp. Suspected 2 Women, no Certif."
-
- "1 Oct. 1747. John Ferren, Gent, Ser. of S^t Andrew's Holborn
- B^r and Deborah Nolan. D^o Sp^n. The supposed John Ferren was
- discovered after y^e Ceremonies were over, to be in person a
- woman."
-
-There is one entry, "The Woman ran across Ludgate Hill in her shift."
-In the _Daily Journal_ of November 8, 1725, a woman went to be married
-in that sole garment, at Ulcomb, in Kent; and in the Parish Register of
-Chiltern All Saints in October 17, 1714, it says: "The aforesaid Anne
-Sellwood was married in her Smock, without any clothes or head gier
-on." This was a vulgar error, but the idea in so acting was that the
-husband was not liable for any of his wife's pre-nuptial debts.
-
-The candidates for matrimony were occasionally not over-honest,
-as--"Had a noise for foure hours about the Money." "N.B. Stole a Silver
-Spoon." "Stole my Cloathes Brush." "N.B. Married at a Barber's Shop
-next Wilsons viz., one Kerrils for half a Guinea, after which it was
-extorted out of my pocket, and for fear of my life delivered." "They
-behaved very vilely, and attempted to run away with M^{rs} Crooks Gold
-Ring."
-
-But then, again, these Fleet parsons had customers of a higher grade,
-as "Dec. 1, 1716. Dan Paul, S^t James's, Capt^n in y^e Horse Guards."
-"March y^e 4^{th} 1740. William--and Sarah--he dress'd in a gold
-waistcoat like an Officer, she a Beautifull young Lady with 2 fine
-diamond Rings, and a Black high Crown Hat and very well dressed." "Nov.
-y^e 24, 1733 att y^e Baptized hed Tavern to go to M^r Gibbs for to
-marry him in y^e countrey--Wife worth £18,000." "Septr^5, 1744 Andrew
-Mills, Gent. of the Temple, & Charlotte Gail lairdy of S^t Mildred,
-Poultry at M^r Boyce's, King's head. N.B. One gentleman came first in
-a merry manner to make a bargain w^{th} the Minister for the marriage,
-and immediately came the parties themselves, disguising their dress
-by contrivances, particularly buttning up the coat, because the rich
-wastecoat should not be seen, &c."
-
-The Church of England Marriage Service was generally used, but, in
-one instance, as shown by a pocket-book, it was somewhat modified,
-as when the ring is given the Trinity is not mentioned, but the words
-are altered to "from this time forth for evermore. Amen;" and when the
-couple promise to hold together "according to God's holy ordinance,"
-it was rendered "according to law." There seems to have been but one
-example of the officiating Clergyman administering the Sacrament at a
-Marriage, and that was done by the Rev. W. Dan, who describes himself
-as "priest of the Church of England." "October 2^{nd} 1743 John Figg,
-of S^t John's the Evang^s Gent. a Widower, and Rebecca Woodward, of
-Ditto, Spinster, at y^e same time gave her y^e Sacrament."
-
-The Scandal of Fleet Marriages remained unchecked until 1753, when
-the Lord Chancellor brought forward and passed "An Act for the better
-preventing of clandestine marriages"--26 Geo. III. cap. 33--which, in
-its different sections, provides that the Banns of Matrimony are to be
-published according to the rubric, &c., the marriage to be solemnized
-in one of the churches where the banns had been published. Marriage by
-licence could only take place in the church or chapel of such parish,
-&c., where one of the parties should have resided for four weeks
-previously.
-
-This was the death-blow to the Fleet Marriages, as any contravention of
-the law was made punishable by transportation "to some of his Majesty's
-plantations in America for the space of fourteen years, according to
-the laws in force for the transportation of felons."
-
-The Act came into force on March 26, 1754, but people took advantage of
-the Fleet Marriages until the last moment, and that in great numbers,
-for in one Register alone there is a list of 217 weddings celebrated on
-the 25th of March!
-
-The last Fleet Wedding is recorded in the _Times_ of July 10, 1840:
-"Mr. John Mossington, aged 76, and a Prisoner in the Fleet, more than
-15 years, was, on Wednesday, married to Miss Anne Weatherhead, aged
-62, at St. Bride's Church. The Lady had travelled 36 Miles to meet her
-bridegroom, who is, without exception, one of the most extraordinary
-men in this County. He takes his morning walks round the Fleet prison
-yard, which he repeats three or four times a day, with as much rapidity
-as a young man could do of the age of 20. The Road from Farringdon
-Street to the Church, was lined with Spectators who knew of the event,
-and the Church was equally filled to hear the Ceremony performed. The
-Courtship first commenced 41 years ago, and Mr. Mossington has now
-fulfilled his promise."
-
-
-THE END.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: MAP OF THE FLEET.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-INDEX.
-
-
- Aldgate Pump, 1
-
- Alsatia, 223, 224
-
- Annis (Dame) the Cleare, 10
-
- Antiquarian Discoveries, 18, 19
-
- Apothecaries Hall, 205
-
- Apprentices and City Authorities, 216, 217, 218
-
- Archer, J. W., 81
-
- Archery, 116, 117
-
- Artillery Ground, 116
-
- Ashwell, E., 344, 345, 346
-
-
- Bagnigge House, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85
-
- Bagnigge Wells, 4, 73, 77, 78,
- 79, 80, 81, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,
- 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97,
- 120
-
- Bambridge, Thos., 268, 269, 270,
- 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 296
-
- Basset, Bartholomew, 337, 338
-
- Battle Bridge, 38, 39
-
- Baynard's Castle, 5-15,
-
- Bear baiting, 139, 140, 141
-
- Begging Grate, 275, 276
-
- Billingsgate, fountain at, 14
-
- Black Mary's Hole, 77, 78, 79, 85
-
- Bleeding Heart Yard, 164
-
- Boughton, 247, 250, 251, 252, 253
-
- "Boy" (Prince Rupert's Dog), 154
-
- Brabazon, Roger le, 6-15
-
- Brent, the, 21
-
- Bridewell, 206, 207, 208,
- 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214,
- 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221
-
- Brill, the, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43
-
- Brooke Street, Hanover Square, 2
-
- Brothers, 105
-
- Brown's Dairy, 34
-
- Bull baiting, 139, 141, 142,
- 143, 144, 145, 146, 147
-
- Bunter's Wedding, the, 365, 366, 367, 368
-
-
- Cantelows, 32, 35, 49
-
- Chad's, St., Well, 45, 46, 47,
- 48, 49, 50, 51, 52
-
- Cheape Conduit, 14
-
- City Authorities and Apprentices, 216, 217, 218
-
- Clement's Well, 8, 9
-
- Clerken Well, 4, 8, 9, 45, 183, 184, 185
-
- Cobham's Head, 115
-
- Cock, a man eats a live, 70
-
- Coldbath, 4, 111, 112
-
- Coldbath Fields, 111, 118, 119
-
- Coldbath Fields Prison, 99, 100, 101,
- 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,
- 109, 110
-
- Cöln, stinks at, 16
-
- Conduits, 13, 14
-
- Conduit, White, 54, 55, 56,
- 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,
- 64, 65, 66, 120
-
- Coppin, Edward, 255, 256, 257
-
- Cornhill, the Tun in, 14
-
- Court Room at Bridewell, 219, 220, 221
-
- Cresswell, Mother, 219
-
- Cripplegate, fountain at, 14
-
- Cripplegate Pool, 8, 11
-
- Cruikshank, Isaac Robert, 309, 310
-
-
- Dustman, the Literary, 44, 45
-
-
- Election, a mock, 308, 309
-
- "Elephant," skeleton of, found, 17
-
- Ely Place, 163, 164, 165,
- 166, 167, 168, 169, 170
-
- Everett, John, 41, 42
-
-
- Fagin, 158, 159, 160, 161
-
- Fag's Well, 8, 10
-
- Falstaff, Sir John, 240
-
- Field Lane, 158, 160, 161
-
- Fighting, 137, 138, 139
-
- Fleet Bridge, 189, 190, 191, 193
-
- Fleet, derivation of name, 2
-
- Fleet Ditch, 1-7, 14, 16,
- 17, 18, 19, 20, 176, 226
-
- Fleet Market, 186, 187, 188
-
- Fleet Marriages, 327, 328, 329,
- 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 337,
- 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343,
- 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,
- 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355,
- 356, 359, 362, 363, 364, 365,
- 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371,
- 372, 373, 375, 376, 377, 378,
- 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384,
- 385
-
- Fleet Prison, the, 229, 230, 231,
- 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237,
- 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243,
- 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
- 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255,
- 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261,
- 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267,
- 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273,
- 274, 275, 276, 279, 280, 281,
- 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287,
- 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294,
- 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300,
- 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306,
- 307, 308, 309, 310, 312, 313,
- 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319,
- 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325
-
- Fleet Registers, 378, 379, 380,
- 381, 382, 383, 384
-
- Fleet River, 26, 27, 28, 29, 100,
- 155, 172, 185, 186, 188, 225,
- 227
-
- Floud, John, 346, 347, 348
-
- Forcer, proprietor of Sadler's Wells, 71
-
- Foster, Sir Stephen, 201, 202
-
- Fountain at Billingsgate, 14
-
- Fountain at Paul's Wharf, 14
-
- Fountain at St. Giles, Cripplegate, 14
-
-
- Garnish, 293, 294, 295
-
- Garth, Dr., 205
-
- Gaynam, John, 340, 341, 342, 343
-
- Gordon, Lord George, 25, 301, 302
-
- Gospel Oak, 29, 30, 31
-
- Griffith, Chas., 91
-
- Gwynne, Nell, 32, 81, 82, 83
-
-
- Hampstead, 7-14, 26
-
- Hampstead Ponds, 27
-
- Harris, Alex., Warden of the
- Fleet, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
- 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255,
- 256, 257, 258, 259
-
- Hatton Garden, 163
-
- Hatton, the Chancellor, 163, 164
-
- Hemp beetling at Bridewell, 210, 211, 213
-
- Hockley-in-the-Hole, 137, 139, 146,
- 147, 148, 152
-
- Hogarth, 274
-
- Holborn Bridge, 170, 172, 173,
- 174, 175, 176
-
- Holy Well, 8, 9, 10
-
- Horse Pool, 8, 11
-
- Howard, John, 214, 216, 295,
- 296, 297
-
- Huggins, 265, 266, 267,
- 268, 269, 272, 275
-
- "Humours of the Fleet," 279, 280,
- 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286,
- 287, 288, 289, 290, 291
-
- Hunt, "Orator," 129, 130, 131,
- 132, 133, 134
-
- Huntingdon, Lady, 122, 123, 124, 125
-
-
- Keith, Parson, 349, 350, 354,
- 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361
-
- Ken Wood, 25
-
- Kentish Town, 27, 28, 32,
- 33, 34, 35
-
- King's Cross, 38, 43, 44
-
-
- Ladies' ablutions, 113
-
- Lamb's Conduit, 4, 179, 180,
- 181, 182
-
- Lando, James, 354, 355
-
- Langbourne, 8
-
- Leveland, Nathaniel de, 229
-
- Lilley, John, 352
-
- Lilley, Joshua, 349, 351, 352, 378
-
- Loders Well, 8, 10
-
- Ludgate Prison, 195, 196, 197,
- 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203
-
-
- Macklin, 72
-
- Man drowned in the Fleet River, 226
-
- Man frozen in the Fleet River, 226
-
- Mansfield, Earl of, 25
-
- Marriages, 330, 331, 332, 372, 375
-
- Mary le Bourne, St., 2
-
- Mayfair Chapel, 357, 358, 360
-
- Merlin's Cave, 129
-
- Miles' Musick house, 69
-
- Mill at Bridewell, 209, 210
-
- Moat, the Fleet Prison, 235, 236
-
- Montfitchet Castle, 208
-
- Mottram, John, 339
-
-
- Nelson, Lord, 35
-
- Northampton Chapel, 123
-
-
- Oastler, Richard, 325
-
- Old Bourne, 5, 8
-
- Oldcastle, the Sir John, 17, 112,
- 114, 115, 116, 117, 118
-
-
- Pancras, St., 29, 36, 37
-
- Pancras Wash, 38
-
- Pantheon, the, 119, 120, 121, 122
-
- Parliament Hill, 31, 36
-
- Parsons, Fleet, 328, 333, 334,
- 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340,
- 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346,
- 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352,
- 353, 354, 355, 356
-
- Paul's Wharf, fountain at, 14
-
- Peerless Pool, 11
-
- Periless Pond, 11
-
- Physicians, College of, 205
-
- Pickwick and Hampstead Ponds, 27
-
- Pindar of Wakefield, 73, 74, 75
-
- Pools, 8-11
-
- Prisoners, Poor, 324, 325
-
- "Punch" and Bagnigge Wells, 93, 94, 95, 96
-
-
- Rackets, 303, 304, 305
-
- Rad Well, 8, 10, 80
-
- Rhone, 48, 51
-
- Riots, no Popery, 25, 26, 301,
- 302, 303
-
- Rules of the Fleet, 263
-
- Rupert, Prince, 154
-
- Rush boats, 21
-
- Rye House Plot, 188, 189
-
-
- Sadler's Wells, 53, 67, 68,
- 69, 70, 71, 73, 120
-
- Saffron Hill, 155, 156, 157
-
- Schools, King Edward's, 218, 219
-
- Sedley Place, Oxford Street, 13
-
- Shepherd's Well, Hampstead, 22
-
- Skinner's Well, 8-10
-
- Small Pox Hospital, 118, 119
-
- Spa Fields Chapel, 123, 124
-
- Spa Field Riots, 127, 129, 130,
- 131, 132, 133, 134, 135
-
- "Spence's Plan," 127, 128
-
- Springs, 1-7, 8, 9, 10
-
- "Steel," The, 102
-
- Sword Play, 147, 148, 149,
- 150, 151, 152
-
- Symson, Peter, 353, 354
-
-
- Tod Well, 10
-
- Tonne, or Tunne, the, in Cornhill, 14
-
- Toxophilite Society, 116
-
- Traitor's Hill, 31, 36
-
- Treadmill, Early, 209, 210
-
- Turnmill Brook, 6
-
- Turnmill Street and Brook, 170
-
- Tye-bourne, The, 2, 13, 22, 23
-
-
- Waithman, Alderman, 193, 194
-
- Walbrook, 2-8
-
- Ward, Ned, on Bridewell, 212, 213, 214
-
- Wardens of the Fleet, 229, 230, 231,
- 232, 233, 234, 237, 245, 247, 248,
- 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255,
- 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262,
- 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271,
- 272, 304, 313, 314
-
- Wardens of the Fleet--_Ladies_, 231, 232
-
- Warwick, Earl of, 205
-
- Wells, River of, 4, 7, 8, 53
-
- Westbourne, the, 23
-
- West Street, 155, 156, 157, 158
-
- Whipping at Bridewell, 212, 213, 214
-
- Whistling Shop, a, 306, 307, 308
-
- Whitbrooke, Sir John, 247, 248, 249,
- 250, 251, 252, 253
-
- White Conduit, 4, 53
-
- Whitefriars, 223, 224, 225
-
- Whittington, Sir Rd., 11
-
- Wilkes, John, 193, 194, 195
-
- Wolsey, Cardinal, 240, 241, 242
-
- Wyatt, Walter, 333, 348, 349, 350
-
-
- "Zigzag," 81
-
-
-
-
- UNWIN BROTHERS,
- THE GRESHAM PRESS,
- CHILWORTH AND LONDON.
-
-
-
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
-Transcriber's note:
-
- Some words are sometimes hyphenated, and sometimes not hyphenated.
- All reasonable variants of spelling, grammar and punctuation have
- been retained.
-
- There are a lot of sometimes old foreign words, and some
- French/English hybrid text from earlier centuries.
-
- England did not have spelling or punctuation rules until
- the various Public Instruction Acts (c. 1860-70) in Queen Victoria's
- reign. In this book, that may have also extended to French and Latin
- spellings!!
-
- Mismatched quotes. Punctuation is not always regular;
- some opened quotes are not always closed.
-
- General Note: Mismatched quotes often occur with quotations where
- the quotation is enclosed within double quotes and each line or
- paragraph within that quote begins with double quotes but has no
- end double quote.
-
- Minor typographical errors have been corrected.
-
- All sidenotes have been moved to the start of the paragraphs in
- which they appear in the original. Where the paragraph is a
- quotation then the double quote has been moved to the start of the
- first sidenote. This ensures that all side-notes within that
- paragraph are contained within the double quotes at the beginning
- and end of the quotation.
-
- See Line 494: Sidenote "_Riuer of Wels_:
- and Line 607: Sidenote: "_Fitzstephen. Holy well.
-
- Line 770: 'discretionbus' corrected to 'discretionibus'.
-
- Line 1436: Unspaced punctuation, e.g. "Near Battle Bridge,'tis
- plain, sirs:", is as printed, and denotes elisions (the running
- together of words to fit the metre).
-
- Lines 2789-90: Mismatched quotes "Yours, &c., "EUGENIO."
-
- Line 8156: "cortége" is an old spelling (in use until the end of
- the 19th century).
-
- There are many occasions when the term 'l.' or 'li.' is used.
- 'l.' or 'li.' = libra = pound/pounds. or £, so, £140 = 140 l.
- or 140 li.
-
-
-
-***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEET. ITS RIVERS, PRISON, AND
-MARRIAGES***
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-
-/* Transcriber's notes */
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-</head>
-<body>
-<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Fleet. Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages,
-by John Ashton</h1>
-<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
-and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
-restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
-under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
-eBook or online at <a
-href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not
-located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the
-country where you are located before using this ebook.</p>
-<p>Title: The Fleet. Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages</p>
-<p>Author: John Ashton</p>
-<p>Release Date: December 21, 2015 [eBook #50730]</p>
-<p>Language: English</p>
-<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
-<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEET. ITS RIVERS, PRISON, AND MARRIAGES***</p>
-<p> </p>
-<h4>E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Brian Wilsden,<br />
- and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
- (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br />
- from page images generously made available by<br />
- Internet Archive<br />
- (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4>
-<p> </p>
-<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10">
- <tr>
- <td valign="top">
- Note:
- </td>
- <td>
- Images of the original pages are available through
- Internet Archive. See
- <a href="https://archive.org/details/fleetitsriverpri00asht">
- https://archive.org/details/fleetitsriverpri00asht</a>
- </td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-<p> </p>
-<p> </p>
-<div class="transnote">
-<p>Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /></p>
-
-<p>A single click on an illustration or decoration will give an enlarged view.</p>
-<p>The letters 'u' and 'v' are often interchanged; as, e.g., "in haruest time" and "vnder a bridge".</p>
-<p>Some of the spelling is very old, and often phonetic (they wrote as they heard it spoken, dialects and all).</p>
-<p>An additional transcriber's note is at the end of the text.</p>
-</div>
-<p> </p>
-<hr class="pg" />
-<p> </p>
-<p> </p>
-<p> </p>
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 372px;">
-<img src="images/i_cover.jpg" alt="Cover" width="372" height="550" />
-</div>
-<div class="transnote covernote">
-<p class="center" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">The cover
-image was produced by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="____________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="xxlarge"><b><i>THE FLEET.</i></b></span></p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 301px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0ii-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0ii-500.png" width="301" height="500" alt="TFU - VITA SINE LITERIS MARS EST." /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p>
-
-<h1><span class="oldenglish-font">The Fleet</span><br />
-<br />
-<span class="smaller">ITS RIVER, PRISON, AND MARRIAGES</span></h1>
-<p class="center"><span class="small">BY</span><br />
-<br />
-<span class="large">JOHN ASHTON</span><br />
-<br />
-<span class="small">(<i>Author of "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," "Dawn of the Nineteenth<br />
-Century," &c., &c., &c.</i>)<br />
-<br />
-ILLUSTRATED BY</span><br />
-<br />
-<span class="large">PICTURES FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND ENGRAVINGS</span><br />
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 400px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0iii-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0iii-400.png" width="400" height="360" alt="Illustration of House" /></a>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="oldenglish-font">New York</span><br />
-<br />
-<span class="large">SCRIBNER AND WELFORD</span><br />
-<br />
-1888<br />
-</p>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv-vi]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 600px;">
-<a href="images/i_frontis-1200.png">
-<img src="images/i_frontis-600.png" width="600" height="188" alt="VIEW OF MOUTH OF THE FLEET circa 1765.." /></a>
-<div class="caption">VIEW OF MOUTH OF THE FLEET circa 1765.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0vii-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0vii-500.png" width="500" height="128" alt="Decorative Preface Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h2>PREFACE.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THIS book requires none, except a mere statement
-of its scheme. Time has wrought such changes in this land of ours, and
-especially in its vast Metropolis, "The Modern Babylon," that the old
-land-marks are gradually being effaced—and in a few generations
-would almost be forgotten, were it not that some one noted them, and
-left their traces for future perusal. All have some little tale to
-tell; even this little River Fleet, which with its Prison, and its
-Marriages—are things utterly of the past, entirely swept away,
-and impossible to resuscitate, except by such a record as this book.</p>
-
-<p>I have endeavoured, by searching all available sources of
-information, to write a trustworthy history of my subject—and,
-at the same time, make it a pleasant book for the general reader. If
-I have succeeded in my aim, thanks are due, and must be given, to W.
-H. Overall, Esq., F.S.A., and Charles Welch, Esq., Librarians to the
-Corporation of the City of London, whose friendship, and kindness, have
-enabled me to complete my pleasant task. It was at their suggestion
-that I came upon a
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span>
-
-veritable <i>trouvaille</i>, in the shape of a box containing Mr. Anthony
-Crosby's Collection for a History of the Fleet, which was of most
-material service to me, especially in the illustrations, most of which
-were by his own hand.</p>
-
-<p>I must also express my gratitude to J. E. Gardner, Esq., F.S.A., for
-his kindness in putting his magnificent and unrivalled Collection of
-Topographical Prints at my disposal, and also to J. G. Waller, Esq.,
-F.S.A., for his permission to use his map of the Fleet River (the best
-of any I have seen), for the benefit of my readers.</p>
-
-<p class="right">
-JOHN ASHTON.
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0viii-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0viii-200.png" width="200" height="162" alt="Decorative End of Preface" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0ix-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0ix-500.png" width="500" height="121" alt="Decorative Contents Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="____________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="large">
-<span class="oldenglish-font">The River.</span></span><br />
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="____________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER I.</p>
-
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents1">
-<tr>
-<td class="left"> </td>
-<td class="right">PAGE</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="left">Course of the Fleet—Derivation of its Name—The River of</td>
-<td class="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="left">Wells—The Fleet choked up—Cleansing the Fleet—The</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="left">Fleet Navigable—Wells—Ponds and Pools</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER II.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents2">
-<tr>
-<td class="left">Water Supply of London—The Fleet to be Cleansed—Smell</td>
-<td class="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">of the River—Prehistoric London—Antiquarian Discoveries—Cleansing</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">the Fleet—Fouling the River—Rivers</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">rising at Hampstead—The Tye-bourne—The</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">West-bourne—Course of the West-bourne</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER III.</p>
-
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents3">
-<tr>
-<td class="left">Course of the Fleet—The Hampstead Ponds—Rural Fleet—Gospel</td>
-<td class="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Oak—Parliament Hill—Kentish Town—Brown's</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Dairy—Castle Inn—St. Pancras Wells—Burials at St.</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Pancras—the Brill</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span></p>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER IV.</p>
-
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents4">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Battle Bridge—King's Cross—The Dust-heaps—St. Chad's</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Well—St. Chad's Well-water</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER V.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents5">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Medicinal Waters—Spas—The White Conduit—White Conduit</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">House—White Conduit Gardens</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER VI.</p>
-
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents6">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Sadler's Discovery—Miles's Musick House—A Man Eats a</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Live Cock, &c.—Forcer, the Proprietor—Macklin on</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Sadler's Wells—Actors at Sadler's Wells—The Pindar of</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Wakefield</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER VII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents7">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">"Black Mary's Hole"—Its Disappearance—Bagnigge Wells—Nell</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Gwyn's Houses—Bagnigge House</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER VIII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents8">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Bagnigge Wells—The Organist—Different Proprietors—</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">"Punch" on Bagnigge Wells—Decadence of the Wells</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER IX.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents9">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Cold Bath Fields Prison</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER X.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents10">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">The "Cold Bath"—Cold Baths—Sir John Oldcastle—Archery—Tea</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Gardens—Small Pox Hospital—The Pantheon—Lady</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Huntingdon's Chapel—Lady Huntingdon</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span></p>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XI.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents11">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">The Spencean System—Orator Hunt—Riot in the City—Riots—End</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">of the Riots</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents12">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Fighting—Hockley-in-the-Hole—Bear Baiting—Bear Gardens—Bull</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Baiting—Sword Play</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XIII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents13">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Mount Pleasant—Saffron Hill—Old House in West Street—Fagin—Field</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Lane—Thieves</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XIV.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents14">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Bleeding Hart Yard—Ely Place—John of Gaunt—Ely Chapel—Turnmill</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Brook—The Fleet—Holborn Bridge</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XV.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents15">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Lamb's Conduit—Clerkenwell—Fleet Market—Rye-House</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Plot—Fleet Bridge</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XVI.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents16">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Alderman Waithman—John Wilkes—Ludgate Prison—Sir</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Stephen Foster</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XVII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents17">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Bridewell—Montfichet Castle—Fuller on Bridewell—Ward</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">on Bridewell—Howard on Bridewell—Bridewell Prison—</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">The City and Apprentices—Mother Cresswell—Bridewell</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Court Room</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XVIII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents18">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Alsatia—Whitefriars—Deaths in the Fleet—Ben Jonson and</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">the Fleet</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span></p>
-
-<p class="chap-heading"><span class="large">
-<span class="oldenglish-font">The Fleet Prison.</span></span><br />
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="____________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XIX.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents19">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">History of the Fleet Prison—Female Wardens—Settlement of</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Fees—Liberty of Prisoners—Filthy State of the Fleet—A</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Quarrelsome Knight—Preference for the Fleet Prison—Sir</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">John Falstaff—Cardinal Wolsey</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XX.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents20">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Prisoners—Puritans—Bibliography of Fleet Prison—A</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Warden's Troubles</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXI.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents21">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">The Warden of the Fleet—Purchase of Wardenship—Bad</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Discipline—Boundaries of the Fleet—Preference for the</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Fleet</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents22">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Complaints of the Warden—The Warden keeps Corpses—Huggins</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">and Bambridge—Castell—The First Prisoner</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">in Irons—Acquittal of Huggins and Bambridge—Bambridge</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">and his Prisoners—Chapel in the Fleet Bagging</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXIII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents23">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Admission to the Fleet Prison—The <i>Humours</i> of the Fleet</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td></tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXIV.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents24">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Garnish—The "Common Side"—Howard's Report—Regulations</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_293">293</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">of the Prison—Gordon Riots—Burning of the</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Fleet Prison—Fleet Prison Rebuilt—The "Bare"—Racket</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Masters—A Whistling Shop—A Mock Election</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">"<i>Dum Vivimus, Vivamus</i>"—Number of Prisoners—Destitution</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii-xiv]</a></span></p>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXV.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents25">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Escape of Prisoners—A Gang of Forgers—Abolition of Imprisonment</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_313">313</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">for Debt—Prisoners Object to move—Opposition</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">to Removal—"The Last Days of the Fleet"—Sale</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">of the Fleet Prison—Begging Grate—Richard</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Oastler</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-<p class="chap-heading"><span class="large">
-<span class="oldenglish-font">Fleet Marriages.</span></span><br />
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="____________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXVI.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents26">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Illegal Marriages—Cost of Marriages—<i>Peculiars</i>—Suppression</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_327">327</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">of Irregular Marriages—A Fleet Parson's Reflections—Fleet</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Parsons—An Heiress Married</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXVII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents27">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">John Gaynam—The Bishop of Hell—Edward Ashwell—John</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Floud—Walter Wyatt</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXVIII.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents28">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">The Lilleys—Fleet Parsons—Parson Keith</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_351">351</a></td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXIX.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents29">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">"The Bunter's Wedding"—Fleet Parsons—Exchange of</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_363">363</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Wives—Singular Marriage—Irregular Marriage</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading">CHAPTER XXX.</p>
-<table class="toc" summary="Contents30">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">A Runaway Marriage—Fortune's Married—Illegal Marriage—Fleet</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_375">375</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">Marriage Registers—Extracts from Registers—End</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">of Marriages</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class="chap-heading"><span style="margin-left:10em; margin-top: 1.5em;">INDEX</span></p>
-<table class="toc" summary="ContentsIndex" style="margin-top: -1em;">
-<tr>
- <td class="left"> </td>
- <td class="right"><a href="#Page_386">386</a></td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0xv-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0xv-500.png" width="500" height="143" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="__________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<table class="toc" summary="Illustrations1">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl"> </td>
-<td class="tdr">PAGE</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE CHURCH,</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30,</a> <a href="#Page_31">31</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL GWYNNE'S</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN—BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT. 21, 1833</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE BRILL</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">BATTLE BRIDGE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40">40</a> <a href="#Page_41">41</a> <a href="#Page_42">42</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">ST. CHAD'S WELL</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE WHITE CONDUIT</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54">54, </a> <a href="#Page_62">62</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR)</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl"> "
- "
- "
- (EXTERIOR)</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">BAGNIGGE HOUSE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">BAGNIGGE WELLS</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl2">HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS
-</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_89">89</a>
-<span class="pagenum"> <a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl2">COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">FAGIN, THE JEW</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE DRAWING"</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">ELY HOUSE 1784</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2">HOLBORN HILL, JUNE 2, 1840</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">HOLBORN BRIDGE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">BRIDEWELL BRIDGE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">WOMEN BEATING HEMP</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE ARREST</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">BAMBRIDGE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">A PRISONER IN IRONS</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE FLEET PRISON</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_296">296</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_306">306</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO. 1, PALAIS DE LA FLETE,
-THIS 24 DAY JUNE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_311">311</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">SECTION OF THE PRISON </td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_324">324</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">A FLEET WEDDING</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_362">362</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT</td>
-<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_364">364</a></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">ILLUSTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE FOUND AT PAGES</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl2"><a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>,
-<a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>,
-<a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_001-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_001-500.png" width="500" height="132" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<h2><span class="xlarge"><i>The Fleet:</i></span></h2>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="oldenglish-font"><span class="large">
-Its River, Prison, and Marriages.</span></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="____________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">ONLY a little tributary to the Thames, the River
-Fleet, generally, and ignominiously, called the Fleet <i>Ditch</i>, yet
-it is historically interesting, not only on account of the different
-places through which its murmuring stream meandered, almost all of
-which have some story of their own to tell, but the reminiscences
-of its Prison stand by themselves—pages of history, not to be
-blotted out, but to be recorded as valuable in illustration of the
-habits, and customs, of our forefathers.</p>
-
-<p>The City of London, in its early days, was well supplied with water,
-not only by the wells dug near houses, or by the public springs, some
-of which still exist, as Aldgate Pump, &c., and the River Thames;
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>
-but, when its borders increased, the Walbrook was utilized, as well as
-the Fleet, and, later on, the Tye-bourne, or twin brook, which fell
-into the Thames at Westminster. In the course of time these rivulets
-became polluted, land was valuable; they were covered over, and are
-now sewers. The course of the Fleet being clearly traceable in the
-depression of Farringdon Street, and the windings of the Tye-bourne in
-the somewhat tortuous Marylebone Lane (so called from the Chapel of St.
-Mary, which was on the banks of
-
-"le bourne," or the brook<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>). Its further course is kept
-in our memory by Brook Street, Hanover Square.</p>
-
-<p>The name of this little river has exercised many minds, and has been
-the cause of spoiling much good paper. My own opinion, backed by many
-antiquaries, is that a <i>Fleet</i> means a brook, or tributary to a larger
-river, which is so wide, and deep, at its junction with the greater
-stream as to be navigable for the small craft then in use, for some
-little distance. Thus, we have the names on the Thames of Purfleet,
-Northfleet, and Southfleet, and the same obtains in other places. Its
-derivation seems to be Saxon—at least, for our language. Thus,
-in Bosworth's "Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language," we find,
-"Flede-Fledu: part.
-
-<i>Flooded</i>; <i>overflowed</i>: tumidus<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>
-: Tiber fledu wearð<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>—the
-Tiber was flooded (Ors. 4. 7)."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Again, the same author gives: "Fleot (<i>Plat</i> fleet,
-m. <i>a small river</i>; <i>Ger.</i> flethe. f. <i>a channel</i>). <i>A place
-where vessels float</i>, <i>a bay</i>, <i>gulf</i>, <i>an arm of the sea</i>, <i>the
-mouth of a river</i>, <i>a river</i>; hence the names of places,
-as <i>Northfleet</i>, <i>Southfleet</i>, <i>Kent</i>; and in London, <i>Fleet
-ditch</i>; <i>sinus</i>.<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>
-Sœs Fleot, <i>a bay of the sea</i>.[5] <i>Bd.</i>
-1. 34."</p>
-
-<p>Another great Anglo-Saxon scholar—Professor Skeat, in "An
-Etymological Dictionary of the English Language": "Fleet, a creek, bay.
-In the names <i>North-fleet</i>, <i>Fleet</i> Street, &c. Fleet Street was
-so named from the Fleet Ditch; and <i>fleet</i> was given to any shallow
-creek, or stream, or channel of water. See Halliwell. M.E. <i>fleet</i>
-(Promptorium Parvulorum, &c., p. 166). A.S. <i>fleót</i>, a bay of the
-sea, as in Sœs Fleot, bay of the sea. Ælfred's tr. of Beda, i. 34.<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>
-Afterwards applied to any channel or stream, especially if shallow. The
-original sense was 'a place where vessels float,' and the derivation is
-from the old verb <i>fleet</i>, to float, &c."</p>
-
-<p>The French, too, have a cognate term, especially in Norman towns, as
-Barfleur, Honfleur, Harfleur, &c., which were originally written
-Barbe<i>flot</i>, Hune<i>flot</i>, and Hare<i>flot</i>: and these were sometimes
-written Hareflou, Huneflou, and Barfleu, which latter comes very near to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>
-the Latin <i>flevus</i>, called by Ptolemy <i>fleus</i>, and by Mela
-<i>fletio</i>. Again, in Brittany many names end in <i>pleu</i>, or
-<i>plou</i>, which seems to be very much like the Greek
-<ins title="Greek: pleo">πλεω</ins>: <i>full</i>, <i>swollen</i>,
-which corresponds to our Anglo-Saxon Flede; Dutch Vliet.</p>
-
-<p>But it has another, and a very pretty name, "<span class="smcap">The
-River of Wells</span>," from the number of small tributaries that
-helped to swell its stream, and from the wells which bordered its
-course; such as Sadler's Wells, Bagnigge Wells, White Conduit,
-Coldbath, Lamb's Conduit, Clerkenwell—all of which (although all
-were not known by those names in Stow's times) were in existence.</p>
-
-<p>Stow, in his "<span class="smcap">Survey of London</span>"
-(ed. 1603, his last edition, and which consequently has his best
-corrections), says—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-
-<p>"That the riuer of Wels in the west parte of the Citty,
-<span class="sidenote"><i>Riuer of Wels.</i></span>was of olde so
-called of the Wels, it may be proued thus, William the Conqueror
-in his Charter to the Colledge of S. Marten le Grand in London, hath
-these wordes: I doe giue and graunt to the same Church all the land
-and the Moore, without the Posterne, which is called Cripplegate, on
-eyther part of the Postern, that is to say, from the North corner of
-the Wall, as the riuer of the Wels, there neare running, departeth
-the same More from the Wall, vnto the running water which entereth
-the Cittie; this water hath beene long since called the riuer of the
-Wels, which name of riuer continued, and it was so called in the raigne
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> of
-Edward the first; as shall bee shewed, <span class="sidenote"><i>Decay
-of the Riuer of the Wels.</i></span>with also the decay of the saide
-riuer. In a fayre Booke of Parliament recordes, now lately restored
-to the Tower,<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>
-it appeareth that a Parliament being holden at Carlile in the yeare
-1307, the 35 of Edward the I. Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne, complayned
-that whereas, in times past the course of water, <span class="sidenote">
-<i>Parliament Record.</i></span>running at <i>London</i> vnder
-<i>Olde bourne</i> bridge, and <i>Fleete</i> <span class="sidenote">
-<i>Riuer of Wels bare ships.</i></span>bridge into the Thames, had
-beene of such bredth and depth, that 10 or 12 ships, Nauies at once
-with marchãdises, were wõt to come to the foresaid bridge of Fleete,
-and some of them to Oldborne bridge: now the same course by filth of
-the Tanners & such others, was sore decaied; also by raising of
-wharfes, but specially by a diversiõ of the waters made by them of the
-new <i>Temple</i>, for their milles <span class="sidenote">Patent
-Record. <i>Mils by Baynards Castel, made in the first of King John.</i>
-</span> standing without <i>Baynardes Castle</i>, in the first yeare
-of King <i>John</i>, and diuers other impediments, so as the said ships
-could not enter as they were wont, & as they ought, wherefore he
-desired that the Maior of London, with the shiriffs, and other discrete
-Aldermen, might be appointed to view the course of the saide water, and
-that by the othes
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>
-of good men, all the aforesaide hinderances might be remoued, and it
-to bee made as it was wont of old: wherupon <i>Roger le Brabazon</i>,
-the Constable of the Tower, with the Maior and Shiriffes, were assigned
-to take with them honest and discrete men, and to make diligent search
-and enquirie, how the said riuer was in old time, and that they leaue
-nothing that may hurt or stop it, but keepe it in the same estate that
-it was wont to be. So far the record. Wherupon it folowed that the said
-riuer was at that time cleansed, these mils remoued, and other things
-done for the preseruation of the course thereof, not withstanding neuer
-brought to the olde depth and breadth, whereupon the name of riuer
-ceased, and was since called a <span class="sidenote"><i>Turnemill
-Brooke.</i></span>Brooke, namely Turnmill or Tremill Brooke, for
-that diuers Mils were erected vpon it, as appeareth by a fayre Register
-booke, conteyning the foundation of the Priorie at Clarkenwell, and
-donation of the landes thereunto belonging, as also by diuers other
-records.</p>
-
-<p>"This brooke hath beene diuers times since clensed, namely, and
-last of all to any effect, in the yeare 1502 the 17th of Henrie the 7.
-the whole course of Fleete dike, then so called, was scowred (I say)
-downe to the Thames, so that boats with fish and fewel were rowed to
-Fleete bridge, and to Oldburne bridge, as they of olde time had beene
-accustomed,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>
-which was a great commoditie to all the inhabitants in that part of the
-Citie.</p>
-
-<p>"In the yeare 1589, was granted a fifteene, by a common Councell
-<span class="sidenote"><i>Fleete dyke promised to be clensed; the money
-collected, and the Citizens deceiued.</i></span> of the citie,
-for the cleansing of this Brooke or dike: the money
-amounting to a thousand marks collected, and it was undertaken, that,
-by drawing diuerse springes about Hampsted heath, into one head and
-Course, both the citie should be serued of fresh water in all places of
-want, and also that by such a follower, as men call it, the channell of
-this brooke should be scowred into the riuer of Thames; but much mony
-being therein spent, y<sup>e</sup> effect fayled, so that the Brooke
-by meanes of continuall incrochments vpon the banks getting ouer the
-water, and casting of soylage into the streame, is now become woorse
-cloyed and that euer it was before."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>From this account of Stow's we find that the stream of the Fleet,
-although at one time navigable, had ceased to be so in his time, but
-we see, by the frontispiece, which is taken from a painting (in the
-Guildhall Art Gallery) by Samuel Scot, 1770 (?) that the mouth of the
-Fleet river, or ditch, call it which you like, was still, not only
-navigable, but a place of great resort for light craft.</p>
-
-<p>The name "River of Wells" is easily to be understood, if we draw
-again upon Stow, who, in treating of "Auncient and present Riuers,
-Brookes, Boorns, Pooles,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
-Wels, and Conduits of fresh water seruing the Citie," &c.,
-says—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-
-<p>"Aunciently, vntill the Conquerors time, and 200 yeres after, the
-Citie of London was watered besides the famous Riuer of Thames on the
-South part; with the riuer of the <span class="smcap">WELS</span>,
-as it was then called, on the west; with water called <span
-class="smcap">Walbrooke</span> running through the midst of the
-citie into the riuer of Thames, seruing the heart thereof. And
-with a fourth water or Boorne, which ran within the Citie through
-<span class="smcap">Langboorne</span> ward, watering that part in
-the East. In the west suburbs was also another great water, called
-<span class="smcap">Oldborne</span>, which had his fall into the
-riuer of Wels: then was there 3 principall Fountaines or wels in the
-other Suburbs, to wit, Holy Well, Clements Well, and Clarkes Well.
-Neare vnto this last named fountaine were diuers other wels, to wit,
-Skinners Wel, Fags Wel, Loders Wel, and Rad Well; All which sayde
-Wels, hauing the fall of their ouerflowing in the foresayde Riuer,
-much encreased the streame, and in that place gaue it the name of
-Wel. In west Smithfield, there was a Poole in Recordes called <span
-class="smcap">Horsepoole</span>, and one other Poole neare vnto the
-parish Church of Saint <span class="smcap">Giles</span> without <span
-class="smcap">Cripplegate</span>. Besides all which they had in euerie
-streete and Lane of the citie diuerse fayre Welles and fresh Springs;
-and, after this manner was this citie then serued with sweete and fresh
-waters, which being since decaid, other means haue beene sought to
-supplie the want."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Here, then, we have a list of Wells, which are, together <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> with
-those I have already mentioned, quite sufficient to account for the
-prettier name of the "River of Wells." Of these wells Stow writes in
-his deliciously-quaint phraseology:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Fitzstephen. Holy well.</i></div>
-
-<p>"There are (saith <i>Fitzstephen</i>) neare London, on the North side
-special wels in the Suburbs, sweete, wholesome, and cleare, amongst
-which <i>Holy well</i>, Clarkes wel, and Clements wel are most famous, and
-frequented by Scholers, and youthes of the Cittie in sommer evenings,
-when they walke forthe to take the aire.</p>
-
-<p>"The first, to wit, Holy well, is much decayed, and marred with
-filthinesse laide there, for the heightening of the ground for garden
-plots.</p>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Clements
-well.</i></div>
-
-<p>"The fountaine called S. Clements well, North from the Parish
-Church of S. Clements, and neare vnto an Inne of <i>Chancerie</i>, called
-<i>Clements</i> Inne, is faire curbed square with hard stone, kept cleane
-for common vse, and is alwayes full.</p>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Clarks well.</i></div>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Playes by the
-Parish Clarks
-at Clarks
-well.</i></div>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Players at
-the Skinners
-well.</i></div>
-
-<p>"The third is called Clarkes well, or Clarkenwell,
-<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>
-and is curbed about square with hard stone, not farre from the west
-ende of Clarkenwell Church, but close without the wall that incloseth
-it; the sayd Church tooke the name of the Well, and the Well tooke the
-name of the Parish Clarkes in London, who
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>
-
-of old time were accustomed there yearely to assemble, and to play
-some large hystorie of holy Scripture. And, for example, of later
-time, to wit, in the yeare 1390, the 14 of Richard the Second, I read
-the Parish Clarks of London, on the 18 of July, playd Enterludes at
-<i>Skinners well</i>, neare vnto <i>Clarkes well</i>, which play continued three
-dayes togither, the King, Queene, and Nobles being present. Also the
-yeare 1409, the 10 of Henrie the 4. they played a play at the <i>Skinners
-well</i>, which lasted eight dayes, and was of matter from the creation of
-the worlde. There were to see the same, the most part of the Nobles and
-Gentiles in England, &c.</p>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Skinners
-well.</i></div>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Wrestling-place.</i></div>
-
-<p>"Other smaller welles were many neare vnto Clarkes well, namely
-<i>Skinners well</i>, so called for that the Skinners of London held there
-certaine playes yearely playd of holy Scripture, &c. In place
-whereof the wrestlings haue of later yeares beene kept, and is in part
-continued at <i>Bartholomew tide</i>.</p>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Fagges well.</i></div>
-
-<p>"Then was there Fagges well, neare vnto
-<i>Smithfield</i> by the <i>Charterhouse</i>, now lately
-dammed vp, <i>Tod well</i>, <i>Loders well</i>, and <i>Rad
-well</i>, all decayed, and so filled vp, that there
-places are hardly now discerned.</p>
-
-<p>"Somewhat North from <i>Holy well</i> is one other well curbed square
-with stone, and is called <i>Dame Annis the Cleare</i>, and not farre from
-it, but somewhat west, is also one other
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11-12]</a></span>
-cleare water called <i>Perillous pond</i><a name="FNanchor_8"
-id="FNanchor_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>,
-because diuerse youthes by swimming therein haue beene drowned; and
-thus much bee said for Fountaines and Wels.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Horse poole</i> in <i>Westsmithfield</i>, was sometime a great water, and
-because the inhabitants in that part of the Citie did there water their
-Horses, the same was, in olde Recordes, called <i>Horspoole</i>, it is now
-much decayed, the springs being stopped vp, and the land waters falling
-into the small bottome, remayning inclosed, with Bricke, is called
-<i>Smithfield pond</i>.</p>
-
-<div class="sidenote"><i>Poole without
-Cripplegate.</i></div>
-
-<p>"By S. Giles Churchyard was a large water, called a <i>Poole</i>. I
-read in the year 1244 that Anne of Lodburie was drowned therein;
-this poole is now for the most part stopped vp, but the spring is
-preserued, and was cooped about with stone by the Executors of <i>Richard
-Wittington</i>."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes"> <blockquote> <p class="footnote"><span
-class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The name of this
-church has been Latinized as "Sancta Maria de Ossibus"!</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Swollen.</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The real
-quotation in Orosius is "þa wearð Tiber seo eâ swa fledu."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> A bag, or purse,
-a fold of a garment; a bay, bight, or gulf.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> I cannot find
-this quotation in " Boedoe Historia Ecclesiastica," &c., in any
-edition I have seen, but in 1.33. I do find Amfleet, and in John
-Smith's edition (Cambridge, 1722) as a note to Amj-leor he says "Vulgo
-Ambleteau or Ambleteuse, about 2 miles north of Boulogne"</p>
-
-</div> <div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_6"
-id="Footnote_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6"><span
-class="label">[6]</span></a> The Records were kept in the Tower, and at
-the Rolls Office, in a very neglected state, until they were removed to
-the present Record Office in Fetter Lane.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> This is the only
-one left whose position is a matter of certainty.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a>
-Afterwards known as "Peerless Pool," an unmeaning cognomen.</p>
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_011-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_011-200.png" width="200" height="198" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_013-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_013-500.png" width="500" height="144" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">LONDON, for its size, was indeed very well supplied
-with water, although, of course, it was not laid on to every house, as
-now, but, with the exception of those houses provided with wells, it
-had to be fetched from fixed public places, which were fairly numerous.
-When the waters of the Fleet, and Wallbrook, in the process of time,
-became contaminated, Henry III., in the 21st year of his reign (1236),
-granted to the Citizens of London the privilege of conveying the waters
-of the Tye-bourne through leaden pipes to the City, "for the poore to
-drinke, and the rich to dresse their meate." And it is only a few years
-since, that close by what is now called "Sedley Place," Oxford Street,
-but which used to be the old hunting lodge of bygone Lord Mayors, some
-of these very pipes were unearthed, a fine cistern being uncovered at
-the same time.</p>
-
-<p>For public use there were the great Conduit in West <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>
-Cheape: the Tonne or Tun in Cornhill, fountains at Billingsgate,
-at Paul's Wharf, and St. Giles', Cripplegate, and conduits at
-Aldermanbury, the Standard in Fleet Street, Gracechurch Street,
-Holborn Cross (afterwards Lamb's Conduit), at the Stocks Market (where
-the Mansion House now stands), Bishopsgate, London Wall, Aldgate,
-Lothbury—and this without reckoning the supply furnished from the
-Thames by the enterprising German, or Dutchman, Pieter Moritz, who in
-1582 started the famous waterworks close to where Fishmongers' Hall now
-stands.</p>
-
-<p>The Fleet river (I prefer that title to the other cognomen,
-"Ditch"), flowing through London, naturally became somewhat befouled,
-and in Henry the VII.'s time, <i>circa</i> 1502, it was cleansed, so that,
-as aforesaid, "boats with fish and fewel were rowed to Fleete bridge,
-and to Oldburne bridge." We also know, as Stow records, that more
-springs were introduced into the stream from Hampstead, without effect,
-either as to deepening or purifying the river, which had an evil
-reputation even in the time of Edward I., as we see in Ryley's "Placita
-Parliamentaria" (ed. 1661), p. 340—</p>
-
-<blockquote> <p>"<i>Ad peticionem Com. Lincoln.</i> querentis quod cum
-cursus aque, que currit apud <i>London</i> sub <i>Ponte</i> de <i>Holeburn</i>, &
-<i>Ponte</i> de <i>Fleete</i> usque in <i>Thamisiam</i> solebat ita largus &
-latus esse, ac profundus, quod decem Naves vel duodecim ad predictum
-Pontem de <i>Fleete</i> cum diversis rebus & mercandisis solebant
-venire, & quedam illarum Navium sub illo Ponte transire, usque ad
-predictum Pontem de <i>Holeburn</i> ad predictum cursum mundanmum <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> &
-simos exinde cariand, nunc ille cursus per fordes & inundaciones
-Taunatorum & p varias perturbaciones in predicta aqua, factas &
-maxime per exaltationem Caye & diversionem aque quam ipsi de <i>Novo
-Templo</i> fecerunt ad Molendina sua extra Castra <i>Baignard</i>, quod Naves
-predicte minime intrare possunt sicut solebant, & facere debeant
-&c. unde supplicat quod <i>Maior de London</i> assumptis secum Vice
-com. & discretionibus Aldermannis cursum pred̄ce aque videat,
-& quod per visum & sacrm̃ proborum & legalium hominum
-faciat omnia nocumenta predicte aque que invinerit ammovere &
-reparare cursum predictum, & ipsum in tali statu manutenere in
-quo antiquitus esse solebat &c. <i>Ita responsum est, Assignentur
-Rogerus le Brabazon & Constabularius Turris, London Maior &
-Vice Com. London, quod ipsi assumptit secum discretionibus Aldermannis
-London, &c., inquirant per sacramentum &c., qualiter fieri
-consuevit & qualis cursus. Et necumenta que invenerint ammoveant
-& manueri faciant in eadem statu quo antiquitus esse solebat.</i>"</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Latin for which a modern schoolboy would get soundly rated, or
-birched, but which tells us that even as far back as Edward I. the
-Fleet river was a nuisance; and as the endorsement (Patent Roll
-35 Edward I.) shows—"De cursu aquæ de Fleta supervivendo et
-corrigendo," <i>i.e.</i>, that the Fleet river should be looked after
-and amended. But the Commission issued to perfect this work was
-discontinued, owing to the death of the king. (Patent Roll 1 Edward
-II., pars 1. m. dorso.) "De Cursu Aquæ Flete, &c., reducend et
-impedimenta removend."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg
-16]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>And Prynne, in his edition of Cotton's "Records" (ed. 1669, p.
-188), asks "whether such a commission and inquiry to make this
-river navigable to Holborn Bridge or Clerkenwell, would not now be
-seasonable, and a work worthy to be undertaken for the public benefit,
-trade, and health of the City and Suburbs, I humbly submit to the
-wisdom and judgment of those whom it most Concerns."</p>
-
-<p>So that it would appear, although otherwise stated, that the Fleet
-was not navigable in May, 1669, the date of the publication of Prynne's
-book.</p>
-
-<p>As a matter of fact it got to be neither more nor less than an
-open sewer, to which the lines in Coleridge's "Table Talk" would well
-apply—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22"> <div class="stanza">
-<p>"In Cöln, that town of monks and bones,</p>
-<p>And pavements fang'd with murderous stones,</p>
-<p>And rags, and hags, and hideous wenches,</p>
-<p>I counted two-and-seventy stenches;</p>
-<p>All well-defined and genuine stinks!</p>
-<p>Ye nymphs, that reign o'er sewers and sinks,</p>
-<p>The river Rhine, it is well known,</p>
-<p>Doth wash the City of Cologne;</p>
-<p>But, tell me, nymphs, what power divine</p>
-<p>Shall henceforth wash the River Rhine?"</p>
-</div></div></div>
-
-<p>The smell of the Fleet river was notorious; so much so, that
-Farquhar, in his <i>Sir Harry Wildair</i>, act ii., says, "Dicky! Oh! I
-was just dead of a Consumption, till the sweet smoke of <i>Cheapside</i>,
-and the dear perfume of <i>Fleet Ditch</i> made me a man again!" In Queen
-Anne's time, too, it bore an evil reputation: <i>vide The Tatler</i>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>[Pg 17]</span>
-(No. 238, October 17, 1710) by Steele and
-Swift.<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24"> <div class="stanza">
-<p>"Now from all parts the swelling kennels flow,</p>
-<p>And bear their trophies with them as they go:</p>
-<p>Filth of all hues and odours seem to tell</p>
-<p>What street they sail'd from, by their sight and smell.</p>
-<p>They, as each torrent drives, with rapid force,</p>
-<p>From Smithfield or St. Pulchre's shape their course,</p>
-<p>And in huge confluent join'd at Snow Hill ridge,</p>
-<p>Fall from the Conduit, prone to Holborn Bridge.</p>
-<p>Sweepings from butchers' stalls, dung, guts, and blood,</p>
-<p>Drown'd puppies, stinking sprats, all drench'd in mud,</p>
-<p>Dead cats and turnip-tops come tumbling down the flood."</p>
-</div></div></div>
-
-<p>We get a glimpse of prehistoric London, and the valley of the Fleet,
-in Gough's "British Topography," vol. i. p. 719 (ed. 1780). Speaking of
-John Conyers, "apothecary, one of the first Collectors of antiquities,
-especially those relating to London, when the City was rebuilding....
-He inspected most of the gravel-pits near town for different sorts and
-shapes of stones. In one near the sign of Sir J. Oldcastle, about 1680,
-he discovered the skeleton of an elephant, which he supposed had lain
-there only since the time of the Romans, who, in the reign of Claudius,
-fought the Britons near this place, according to Selden's notes on
-the Polyolbion. In the same pit he found the head of a British spear
-of flint, afterwards in the hands of Dr. Charlett, and engraved in
-Bagford's letter." We, now-a-days, with our more accurate knowledge of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>
-Geology and Palæontology, would have ascribed a far higher ancestry to
-the "elephant."</p>
-
-<p>As a matter of course, a little river like the Fleet must have
-become the receptacle of many articles, which, once dropped in its
-waters, could not be recovered; so that it is not surprising to read
-in the <i>Mirror</i> of March 22, 1834 (No. 653, p. 180), an account of
-antiquarian discoveries therein, which, if not archæologically correct,
-is at least interesting.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"In digging this Canal between Fleet Prison and Holborn Bridge,
-several Roman utensils were lately discovered at the depth of 15 feet;
-and a little deeper, a great quantity of Roman Coins, in silver, brass,
-copper, and all other metals except gold. Those of silver were ring
-money, of several sizes, the largest about the bigness of a Crown, but
-gradually decreasing; the smallest were about the size of a silver
-Twopence, each having a snip at the edge. And at Holborn Bridge were
-dug up two brazen lares, or household gods, about four inches in
-length, which were almost incrusted with a petrified matter: one of
-these was Bacchus, and the other Ceres; but the coins lying at the
-bottom of the current, their lustre was in a great measure preserved,
-by the water incessantly washing off the oxydizing metal. Probably
-the great quantity of coin found in this ditch, was thrown in by the
-Roman inhabitants of this city for its preservation at the approach
-of Boadicæa at the head of her army: but the Roman Citizens, without
-distinction of age or sex, being barbarously murdered by the justly
-enraged Britons, it was not discovered till this time.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg
-19]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Besides the above-mentioned antiquities, several articles of a
-more modern date were discovered, as arrow-heads, scales, seals with
-the proprietors' names upon them in Saxon characters; spur rowels
-of a hand's breadth, keys and daggers, covered over with livid
-rust; together with a considerable number of medals, with crosses,
-crucifixes, and Ave Marias engraven thereon."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>A paper was read, on June 11, 1862, to the members of the British
-Archæological Association, by Mr. Ganston, who exhibited various relics
-lately recovered from the bed of the river Fleet, but they were not
-even of archæological importance—a few knives, the earliest
-dating from the fifteenth century, and a few knife handles.</p>
-
-<p>Previously, at a meeting of the same Society, on December 9, 1857,
-Mr. C. H. Luxmore exhibited a green glazed earthenware jug of the
-sixteenth century, found in the Fleet.</p>
-
-<p>And, before closing this antiquarian notice of the Fleet, I cannot
-but record some early mention of the river which occur in the archives
-of the Corporation of the City of London:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>(17 Edward III., <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1343,
-Letter-book F, fol. 67.) "Be it remembered that at the Hustings of
-Common Pleas, holden on the Monday next before the Feast of Gregory
-the Pope, in the 17th year of the reign of King Edward, after the
-Conquest, the Third, Simon Traunceys, Mayor, the Aldermen and the
-Commonalty, of the City of London, for the decency and cleanliness
-of the same city, granted upon lease to the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>
-butchers in the Parish of St. Nicholas Shambles, in London, a piece of
-land in the lane called 'Secollane' (sea coal), neare to the water of
-Flete, for the purpose of there, in such water, cleansing the entrails
-of beasts. And upon such piece of land the butchers aforesaid were to
-repair a certain quay at their charges, and to keep the same in repair;
-they paying yearly to the Mayor of London for the time being, at the
-Feast of our Lord's Nativity, one boar's head."<a name="FNanchor_10"
-id="FNanchor_10"></a> <a href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>
-</p>
-
-<p>(31 Edward III., <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1357, Letter-book
-G, fol. 72.) "Also, it is ordered, that no man shall take, or cause to
-be carried, any manner of rubbish, earth, gravel, or dung, from out of
-his stables or elsewhere, to throw, and put the same into the rivers of
-Thames and Flete, or into the Fosses around the walls of the City: and
-as to the dung that is found in the streets and lanes, the same shall
-be carried and taken elsewhere out of the City by carts, as heretofore;
-or else by the <i>raykers</i>
-
-<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> to
-certain spots, that the same may be put into the <i>dongebotes</i>,
-<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>
-without throwing anything into the Thames; for saving the body of the
-river, and preserving the quays, such as Dowegate, Quenhethe, and
-Castle Baynards, (and) elsewhere, for lading and unlading; as also,
-for avoiding the filthiness that is increasing in the water, and upon
-the banks of the Thames, to the great abomination and damage of the
-people. And, if any one shall be found doing the Contrary hereof, let
-him have the prison for his body, and other heavy punishment as <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> well,
-at the discretion of the Mayor and of the Aldermen."<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13">
-</a><a href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>
-</p>
-
-<p>(7 Henry V. <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1419, Journal 1, fol. 61.)
-"It is granted that the <i>risshbotes</i><a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>
-at the Flete and elsewhere in London shall be taken into the hands of
-the Chamberlain; and the Chamberlain shall cause all the
-streets to be cleansed."<a name="FNanchor_15" id="FNanchor_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>The northern heights of London, the "ultima Thule" of men like
-Keats, and Shelley, abound in springs, which form the bases of several
-little streams, which are fed on their journey to their bourne, the
-Thames (to which they act as tributaries), by numerous little brooklets
-and rivulets, which help to swell their volume. On the northern side
-of the ridge which runs from Hampstead to Highgate, birth is given
-to the Brent, which, springing from a pond in the grounds of Sir
-Spencer Wells, is pent up in a large reservoir at Hendon, and finally
-debouches into the Thames at Brentford, where,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>
-from a little spring, which it is at starting, it becomes so far a
-"fleet" as to allow barges to go up some distance.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_022-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_022-500.png" width="500" height="459" alt="SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD." /></a>
-<div class="caption">SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>On the southern side of the ridge rise the Tybourne, and the
-Westbourne. The former had its rise in a spring called Shepherd's Well,
-in Shepherd's Fields, Hampstead, which formed part of the district
-now known as Belsize Park and FitzJohn's Avenue, which is the finest
-road of private houses in London. Shepherd's
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>
-Well is depicted in Hone's "Table Book," pp. 381, 2, and shows it as it
-was over fifty years since. Alas! it is a thing of the past; a railway
-tunnel drained the spring, and a mansion, now known as The Conduit
-Lodge, occupies its site. It meandered by Belsize House, through St.
-John's Wood, running into Regent's Park, where St. Dunstan's now is,
-and, close to the Ornamental Water, it was joined by a little rivulet
-which sprang from where now, is the Zoological Gardens. It went across
-Marylebone Road, and, as nearly as possible, Marylebone Lane shows
-its course; then down South Molton Street, passing Brook Street, and
-Conduit Street, by Mayfair, to Clarges Street, across Oxford Street
-and into a pond in the Green Park called the Ducking Pond, which was
-possibly used as a place of punishment for scolds, or may have been an
-ornamental pond for water-fowl. Thence it ran in front of Buckingham
-Palace, where it divided, which was the cause of its name. Twy, or Teo
-(double), and Bourne, Brook—one stream running into the Thames
-west of Millbank, doing duty by the way in turning the Abbey Mill
-(whence the name), and the other debouching east of Westminster Bridge,
-thus forming the Island of Thorns, or Thorney Isle, on which Edward the
-Confessor founded his abbey, and the City of Westminster.</p>
-
-<p>The Westbourne took its rise in a small pond near "Telegraph Hill,"
-at Hampstead; two or three brooklets joined it, and it ran its course
-across the Finchley Road, to the bottom of Alexandra Road, Kilburn,
-where it was met by another stream, which had its source at Frognal,
-Hampstead. It then became the West bourne,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>
-as being the most westerly of all the rivers near London, taking the
-Wallbrook, the Fleet, and the Tybourne.</p>
-
-<p>Its course may be traced down Kilburn Park Road, and Shirland
-Road. Crossing the Harrow Road where now is Westbourne Park Station,
-<i>Eastbourne</i> and <i>Westbourne</i> Terraces mark the respective banks, and,
-after crossing the Uxbridge Road, it runs into the Serpentine at the
-Engine House. Feeding that sheet of water, it comes out again at the
-Albert Gate end, runs by Lowndes Square, Cadogan Place, &c., and,
-finally, falls into the river at Chelsea Hospital.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes"> <blockquote> <p class="footnote"><span
-class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_9"> <span class="label">[9]</span></a> <i>Journal to
-Stella</i>, October 17, 1710—"This day came out <i>The Tatler</i>, made
-up wholly of my Shower, and a preface to it. They say it is the best
-thing I ever writ, and I think so too."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> "Memorials of
-London and London Life in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth
-Centuries," by H. J. Riley, 1868, p. 214.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The street
-sweepers.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Dung boats.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> See Riley, p.
-299.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> This was
-probably because the rushes were spilt in the river. At that time the
-house-floors were strewn with rushes, which were brought to London
-in "Rush boats;" and an ordinance, <i>temp.</i> 4 Henry V., provides that
-"all rushes in future, laden in boats or skiffs, and brought here for
-sale, should be sold by the cart-load, as from of old had been wont to
-be done. And that the same cart-loads were to be made up within the
-boats and skiffs in which the said rushes are brought to the City, and
-not upon the ground, or upon the wharves, walls, or embankments of
-the water of Thames, near or adjacent to such boats or skiffs; under
-a heavy penalty upon the owner or owners of such boats, skiffs, and
-rushes, at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_15" id="Footnote_15"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> See Riley, p.
-675.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_024-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_024-200.png" width="200" height="191" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_025-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_025-500.png" width="500" height="121" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THE Fleet, as far as can be ascertained, owes its
-birth to an ornamental water, fed by springs—one of the numerous
-ponds in Highgate and Hampstead—in the park of Ken Wood, the seat
-of Earl Mansfield, now occasionally occupied by the fourth successor to
-that title; who, being keeper of the royal Castle of Scone, prefers, as
-a rule, his northern residence. In the No Popery riots of 1780, with
-which Lord George Gordon was so intimately connected, Ken Wood House
-was on the brink of being destroyed by the rioters, who had, already,
-wrecked his lordship's house in Bloomsbury Square, and destroyed his
-most valuable library. Tradition says that Ken Wood was saved owing
-to the landlord of "The Spaniards," well known to all pedestrian
-frequenters of Hampstead, giving them his beer, &c., until they
-were incapacitated, or unwilling, to fulfil their quest, meanwhile
-sending messengers for the Horse Guards, who opportunely arrived, and
-prevented the destruction of the mansion. It is quite possible
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>
-that this is a true story, for a footnote (p. 69) in Prickett's "History
-of Highgate" says: "The following is copied from a receipt of one of the constables of
-the Hundred of Ossulston: 'Received 8s. 6d., being the proportion taxed
-and assessed for and towards the payment of the several taxations and
-assessments which have been made upon the said Parish (amounting to the
-sum of £187. 18s. 7d.) towards an equal contribution, to be had
-and made for the relief of the several inhabitants of said Hundred;
-against whom, the several persons who were damnified by rioters within
-the same Hundred, in the month of June, 1780, have obtained verdicts,
-and had their executions respectively.'"</p>
-
-<p>Commencing thus in one of the prettiest parts of the most
-picturesque suburbs of London, it flows from one to the other, right
-through the chain of the Highgate Ponds, fed by several rills, the
-first being near the Hampstead end of Millfield Lane—which
-is, by some, regarded as its source. From the lower pond it crossed
-the Highgate Road, and, for some distance, it ran parallel with it,
-although a little way eastward. It again crossed the Highgate Road
-not far from its junction with the Kentish Town Road, the course of
-which it followed, until it came to Hawley Road, where it was joined
-by a sister brook, whose source was the pond in the Vale of Health at
-Hampstead, flowing from which, it was fed by a brooklet, over which the
-abortive viaduct of Sir Thomas Marion Wilson's construction is carried.
-It ran into, and through, the Hampstead Ponds, which end at the lower
-east heath, near Pond Street (a locality
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>
-easily recognized when once any one has seen St. Stephen's Church,
-Haverstock Hill, one of the most beautiful churches in London). These
-ponds are immortal, if they needed immortality, as the very first
-page of "Pickwick" gives an entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick
-Club:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>May 12, 1827.</i> Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P., M.P.C.,
-presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to—</p>
-
-<p>"'That this Association has heard read, with feelings of unmingled
-satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by
-Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C., M.P.C., entitled, "Speculations on the
-Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some observations on the Theory
-of Tittlebats"; and that this Association does hereby return its
-warmest thanks to the said Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C., M.P.C., for the
-same.'"</p> </blockquote>
-
-<p>Its memory is still retained in the Fleet Road.</p>
-
-<p>On its way through Kentish Town it passed through a purely pastoral
-country, such as we, who know the district only as covered with houses,
-can hardly reconcile with existing circumstances. The Guildhall
-Collection relating to the Fleet River, is very rich in water-colour
-drawings and pen-and-ink sketches of undoubted authenticity, and
-from them I have selected what, in my opinion, are the most suitable
-for this work. <a name="FNanchor_16" id="FNanchor_16"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p>
-
-<p>From the above, and this view of Highgate, so late back as
-1845, we can fairly judge of the pleasant
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>
-scenery which existed almost at our doors—before the iron roads
-brought population, which begat houses, which destroyed all rusticity,
-leaving bricks and mortar on the site of verdant meads, and millions of
-chimneys vomiting unconsumed carbon and sulphur, in the place of the
-pure fresh air which once was dominant.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_028-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_028-500.png" width="500" height="420" alt="THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN. Circa 1837." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN.<i> Circa</i> 1837.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Here we see the Fleet running its quiet course—and
-the other sketches bear witness to its rurality.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_029-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_029-500.png" width="500" height="454" alt="VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND
-HIGHGATE CHURCH, FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845." /></a>
-<div class="caption">VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE<br />
-CHURCH, FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN,<br />
-SEPT. 28, 1845.
-<p class="smaller">(<i>Water colour by A. Crosby.</i>)</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>After the Fleet had recrossed the Highgate Road near the junction
-of that road and the Kentish Town Road, it passed near the <i>Gospel
-Oak</i>, which now gives its name to a railway station in the locality.
-About this oak, there was a tradition that it was so called because
-St. Augustine preached underneath its boughs—a fact which is
-probably as correct as the story that the Church of St. Pancras was the
-first Christian Church in England. In truth, there are, or were, many
-Gospel Oaks and Elms throughout the country; for instance, there is
-an iron foundry near the parishes of Tipton
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>
-and Wednesbury called <i>Gospel Oak Works</i>. It was, as a matter of
-fact, a traditionary custom, in many places, when, on Holy Thursday
-(Ascension Day), the parochial bounds were beaten, to read a portion of
-the Gospels under some well-known tree, and hence its name. One or two
-quotations will easily prove this.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 476px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_030-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_030-500.png" width="476" height="500" alt="THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>In the "Bury Wills," p. 118, is the following passage in the will
-of John Cole of Thelnetham, dated May 8,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>
-1527: "Item, I will haue a newe crosse made according to Trappett's
-crosse at the Hawe lanes ende, and set vp at Short Grove's end,
-where the gospell is sayd vpon Ascension Even, for y<sup>e</sup>
-w<sup>ch</sup> I assigne x<sup>s</sup>."</p>
-
-<p>And, in the poem of Herrick's "Hesperides," which is addressed "To
-Anthea."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p class="i20">Dearest, bury me</p>
-<p>Under that holy Oke, or Gospel Tree;</p>
-<p>Where, (though thou see'st not,) thou may'st think upon</p>
-<p>Me, when thou yerely go'st procession."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>It also passed near Parliament, or Traitors', Hill—a name
-which is much in dispute; some maintaining that it was fortified by
-the Parliamentary Army, under Cromwell, for the protection of London,
-others that the 5th of November conspirators met here to view the
-expected explosion of the Houses of Parliament. This, which forms the
-most southern part of Hampstead Heath, and therefore the nearest, and
-most accessible to the great bulk of Londoners, has a beautiful view of
-Highgate and London, and has, I am happy to say, been preserved as an
-open space for the public.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_031-1200.png">
-<img src="images/i_031-500.png" width="500" height="151" alt="THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>We have now followed the Fleet in its course to Kentish Town,
-the etymon of which is, to say the least,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>
-somewhat hazy. Being so, of course, an immense amount of theory has
-been expended upon it. Some contend that it springs from the Prebendary
-attached to St. Paul's Cathedral, of Cantelupe, or Cantelows, now (in
-<i>Crockford</i>, called Cantlers): one antiquary suggesting that it owes
-its name to the delta formed by the junction of the two branches of
-the Fleet—from <i>Cant</i> or <i>Cantle</i>, a corner;—whilst yet
-another authority thinks that, as the Fleet had its source from Ken
-Wood—it was called Ken-ditch—hence Kenditch or Kentish
-Town. Be it as it may, it was a very pleasant and rural suburb, and one
-of some note, for herein William Bruges, Garter King-at-Arms, had a
-country house, at which he entertained, in the year 1416, the Emperor
-Sigismund, who came over here, in that year, to try and mediate between
-our Henry V. and the King of France.</p>
-
-<p>In still older times it formed part of the great Middlesex forest,
-which was full of wolves, wild boars, deer, and wild oxen; but we find
-that, in 1252, Henry III. granted to Thomas Ive, permission to inclose
-a portion of the highway adjoining his mansion at Kentessetone. And in
-1357, John of Oxford, who was Mayor of London in 1341, gave, amongst
-other things, to the Priory of the Holy Trinity, in London, a mill
-at Kentish Town—which, of course, must have been turned by the
-Fleet. The kind donor was one of the very few Mayors who died during
-his mayoralty.</p>
-
-<p>It is said, too, that Nell Gwynne had a house in Kentish Town, but I
-can find not the slightest confirmation of the rumour; still, as there
-is a very good pen-and-ink sketch of the old house said to be hers,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>
-I give it, as it helps to prove the antiquity of Kentish Town, now,
-alas! only too modern.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_033-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_033-500.png" width="500" height="298" alt="OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL GWYNNE'S." /></a>
-<div class="caption">OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL GWYNNE'S.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>And there was another old house close by the Fleet
-there, an old farmhouse known as Brown's dairy.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_034-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_034-500.png" width="500" height="363" alt="THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN—BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT. 21, 1833." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN—BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM,<br /> SEPT. 21, 1833.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>This old Farmhouse had, evidently, a nobler origin, for it was
-moated; and, in 1838, the moat existed on
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>
-the east and north sides. It belonged to the College of Christ Church,
-Oxford, and was held of the Manor of Cantelows at a small fine.
-There was a good orchard, which at the above date (the time of its
-demolition) contained a large walnut tree and some mulberry trees. The
-building materials were sold for £60, so that it evidently had done its
-work, and passed away in the ripeness of old age.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_035-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_035-500.png" alt="CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848." width="500" height="280" /></a>
-<div class="caption">CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>The Castle Inn is said to have been the oldest house in Kentish
-Town, and there is a tradition that Lord Nelson once lived here,
-"in order that he might keep his eye upon the Fleet," and planted a
-sycamore in the garden.</p>
-
-<p>Before taking leave of Kentish Town, I cannot help recording a legal
-squabble, which resulted in a victory for the public.—<i>Times</i>,
-February 12, 1841:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Court of Queen's Bench</span>, <i>Thursday, February
-11, 1841</i>. (Sittings at Nisi Prius, at Westminster, before
-Lord Denman and a special jury.)</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
-
-<p class="center">"<span class="smcap">The Queen</span> <i>v.</i> <span class="smcap">Tubb</span>.</p>
-
-<p>"This was an Indictment against the Defendant for obstructing a
-footpath leading from Pond Lane, at Hampstead, over Traitors' and
-Parliament Hill, to Highgate.</p>
-
-<p>"The case lasted the whole day.</p>
-
-<p>"The jury brought a verdict for the Crown, thus establishing
-the right of the Public to one of the most beautiful walks in the
-neighbourhood of the metropolis."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>The Fleet babbled through the meadows, until its junction with
-that other stream which flowed from the pond in the Vale of Health at
-Hampstead, which took place where now is Hawley Street, and the united
-brook, or river, ran across what are now the Kentish, and Camden, Town
-Roads, and between Great College Street, and King Street; it then
-followed the course of the present road to King's Cross, passing by St.
-Pancras Church—which, originally, was of great antiquity, and
-close by which was a celebrated healing well, known as Pancras' Wells.
-These waters cured everything—scurvy, king's evil, leprosy,
-cancers, ulcers, rheumatism, disorders of the eyes, and pains of the
-stomach and bowels, colds, worms, &c., &c.</p>
-
-<p>In the Church, and Churchyard, were interred many illustrious
-dead, especially Roman Catholics, who seem to have taken a particular
-fancy to have their remains buried there, probably on account of the
-tradition that this was the last church in which mass was celebrated.
-It was a favourite burial-place of the French clergy— <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>
-and a story is told (how true I know not) that, down to the French
-Revolution, masses were celebrated in a church in the south of France,
-dedicated to St. Pancras, for the souls of the faithful interred
-here.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_037-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_037-500.png" width="500" height="329" alt="THE BRILL." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE BRILL.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Many historical names are here preserved—amongst whom are
-Pasco de Paoli, the famous Corsican; Walker, whose dictionary is
-still a text book; the Chevalier d'Eon, respecting whose sex there
-was once such a controversy; Count O'Rourke, famous in the world of
-fashion in 1785; Mrs. Godwin—better known, perhaps, as Mary
-Woolstencraft—who also was married here; William Woollett, the
-eminent landscape engraver, a branch of art in which he may be said
-to have been the father; Samuel Cooper, whose miniatures cannot be
-surpassed; Scheemaker the younger, a sculptor of no small note. Nor in
-this <i>campo santo</i> was Music unrepresented, for there, amongst <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>
-others, lie the bodies of Mazzinghi, who brought the violin into
-fashion here in 1740; and Beard, a celebrated singer in 1753. The river
-flows hence to Battle Bridge, or King's Cross, as it is now termed,
-forming in its way a sort of pond called "Pancras Wash," and running
-through a low-lying district called "The Brill." <a name="FNanchor_17"
-id="FNanchor_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>
-This peculiarly unsavoury neighbourhood has now been cleared away, in
-order to afford siding room, &c., for the Midland Railway.</p>
-
-<p>But Dr. Stukeley, who certainly had Roman Camps on the brain,
-discovered one in the Brill. He planned it out beautifully. Here were
-the Equites posted, there the Hastati, and there were the Auxiliarii.
-He made the Fleet do duty for a moat which nearly surrounded Cæsar's
-Prætorium, and he placed a Forum close by St. Pancras' Church, to the
-northward of which he assigned a Prætorium to Prince Mandubrace. Is it
-not true? for is it not all written in his "Itinerary"? and does he not
-devote the first seventeen pages of the second volume of that work,
-entirely to the Brill, assuring us of the great pleasure he received
-in striding over the ground—following, in imagination, the
-footsteps of the Roman Camp Master, who <i>paced</i> out the dimensions of
-the Camp?</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-<div class="footnote">
-
-<p><a name="Footnote_16" id="Footnote_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a>
-See pages <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, 29, 30, 31, &c.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_17" id="Footnote_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a>
-See<a href="#Page_37"> previous page</a>.</p>
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_038-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_038-200.png" width="200" height="129" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_039-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_039-500.png" width="500" height="143" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THAT it was <i>countrified</i> about this
-part of London, is shown by the accompanying Copy of an
-engraving, by J. T. Smith, of a view "near Battle Bridge."<a
-name="FNanchor_18" id="FNanchor_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18"
-class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p>
-
-<p>The etymology of Battle Bridge, which consists of only one arch,
-and now forms a part of the Fleet Sewer, is a much vexed question. At
-one time it was an article of faith, not to be impugned, that here,
-<span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 61, was fought the famous battle
-between the Romans, under Suetonius Paulinus, and the Britons, under
-Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, which ended so disastrously for the
-natives—eighty thousand of whom are said to have been killed.
-But there seems to be a doubt, as to whether this was the exact spot
-where this historical contest took place, for Tacitus makes no mention
-of the little river Fleet, which must then have been navigable for
-light and small craft, for an anchor was found, in its bed, at Kentish
-Town. He only describes it (Tacit. Ann. lib. xiv. c. 34) a spot of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>
-ground, "narrow at the entrance, and sheltered in the rear by a thick
-forest." No remains have ever been exhumed, nor have Roman, or British,
-relics been found near the spot.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_040-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_040-500.png" width="500" height="366" alt="BATTLE BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">BATTLE BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>In the first quarter of this century the Fleet, for the greater
-part of its time, ran placidly along, as we see by these two
-pen-and-ink sketches, taken at Battle Bridge. <a name="FNanchor_19"
-id="FNanchor_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>
-But, occasionally, it forgot its good manners, and overflowed its
-banks, flooding portions of Kentish Town, Somers Town, and Battle
-Bridge, as we read in the <i>Gentlemans Magazine</i>, vol. lxxxviii. part i.
-p. 462, Saturday, May 9, 1818:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"From the heavy rain, which commenced yesterday <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>
-afternoon at six o'clock, and continued pouring incessantly till four
-this morning, Battle Bridge, St. Pancras, and part of Somers Town were
-inundated. The water was several feet deep in many of the houses, and
-covered an extent of upwards of a mile. The carcases of several sheep
-and goats were found near Hampstead Reservoir, and property was damaged
-to a very considerable amount."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_041-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_041-500.png" width="500" height="260" alt="BATTLE BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">BATTLE BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>There must have been a Mill here, for Stow tells us
-that in the reign of Edward VI. "A Miller of Battaile
-Bridge was set on the Pillory in Cheape, and had both
-his eares cut off, for seditious words by him spoken
-against the Duke of Somerset."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_042-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_042-500.png" width="500" height="280" alt="BATTLE BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">BATTLE BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Here, as elsewhere, just outside London, the road was <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> not
-too safe for travellers, as the following account of a highway robbery
-will show. It was committed by one John Everett, whose career in life
-had been rather chequered. As an apprentice he ran away, and enlisted
-in Flanders, rising to the rank of sergeant. When the troops returned,
-he purchased his discharge, and got a situation in the Whitechapel
-Debtors' Court, but had to leave it, and he became a companion of
-thieves, against whom he turned king's evidence. He got into debt, and
-was locked up in the Fleet Prison, but was allowed to reside within
-the Rules, a district round about the prison, out of which no prisoner
-might wander; and there, in the Old Bailey, he kept a public-house. But
-he could not keep away from evil doing, and was sent to Newgate. On the
-expiration of his sentence, he turned highwayman. In the course of his
-professional career he, on December 24, 1730, stopped a Coach at Battle
-Bridge, which coach contained two ladies, a child, and a maidservant,
-and he despoiled them, but not uncivilly. The husband of one of the
-ladies coming up, pursued him, and next day he was caught. It was not
-then, any more than it is now, that every rogue got his deserts, but
-this one did, for he was hanged at Tyburn, February 20, 1731.</p>
-
-<p>The name of "Battle Bridge" is well-nigh forgotten, and "King's
-Cross" reigns in its stead. Yet how few Londoners of the present
-generation know whence the name is derived! If they ever trouble their
-heads about it at all, they probably imagine that it was a cross, like
-the Eleanor Crosses, raised to the memory of some king.</p>
-
-<p>And what king, think you, was it intended to keep in perpetual
-remembrance? None other than his Most Gracious Majesty King George
-the Fourth, of pious memory. Why this monument was raised I have
-never been able to learn, unless it was to celebrate his death, <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> which
-took place in 1830, and probably to hold up his many virtues, as bright
-exemplars, to ages yet unborn; but a mad fit came over the inhabitants
-of Battle Bridge, and the hideous structure arose. It was all shoddy;
-in the form of an octagon building ornamented with pilasters, all
-substantially built of brick, and covered over with compo or cement,
-in order to render it more enduring. It was used as a police-station,
-and afterwards as a public-house, whilst the pediment of the statue
-was utilized as a camera obscura. I don't think they knew exactly what
-they were about, for one party wanted it to be called Boadicea's Cross,
-another went in for it being nationally named St. George's Cross; but
-the goodness of the late king was more popular, and carried the day,
-and we now enjoy the <i>nominis umbra</i> of King's Cross, instead of the
-old cognomen of Battle Bridge. It had a very brief existence. It was
-built between 1830 and 1835, and was demolished in 1845; the stucco
-statue only having been <i>in situ</i> for ten years. It is said that the
-nose of this regal statue had, for its base, an earthen draining tile,
-and that it was offered to a gentleman for sixpence!</p>
-
-<p>There hardly seems to be any connection between "the first gentleman
-in Europe" and dustmen, but there is a slight link. Battle Bridge was
-peculiarly the home of the necessary dustman, and in a song called "The
-Literary Dustman," commencing—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width14"> <div class="stanza">
-<p>"They call me Adam Bell, 'tis clear</p>
-<p>That Adam vos the fust man,</p>
-<p>And by a co-in-side-ance queer</p>
-<p>Vy I'm the fust of dustmen,"</p>
-</div></div></div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>is the following verse:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width14"> <div class="stanza">
-<p>"Great sculptors all conwarse wi' me,</p>
-<p>And call my taste divine, sirs,</p>
-<p>King George's statty at King's Cross,</p>
-<p>Vos built from my design, sirs."</p>
-</div></div></div>
-
-<p>Close by here, in Gray's Inn Road, was a mountain of refuse and
-dust; but it was as profitable as were the heaps of Mr. Boffin in
-Charles Dickens's "Our Mutual Friend." This mound once had a curious
-clearance, so it is said. It was bought in its entirety, and sent over
-to Russia, to help make bricks to rebuild Moscow; and the ground on
-which it stood was, in 1826, sold to a Company for £15,000.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_045-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_045-500.png" width="500" height="190" alt="DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width14">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"My dawning Genus fust did peep,</p>
-<p>Near Battle Bridge,'tis plain, sirs:</p>
-<p>You recollect the cinder heap,</p>
-<p>Vot stood in Gray's Inn Lane, sirs?"</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Let us turn to a sweeter subject, and gossip about St. Chad's
-Well, the site of which is now occupied by
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>
-the Metropolitan Railway at King's Cross. St. Chad is a saint in the
-English calendar, and might have been a distinguished temperance
-leader, if the number of wells dedicated to him, is any criterion. He
-lived in the seventh century, and was educated at Lindisfarne (at least
-so Bede says), and afterwards became Bishop of Lichfield, and, at his
-death, his soul is said to have been accompanied to heaven by angels
-and sweet music.</p>
-
-<p>A good modern account is given in Hone's "Every Day Book," vol. i.
-pp. 323, 4, 5, which, as it was taken from actual observation about
-fifty years since, may well be transcribed. Speaking of the aforesaid
-dust-heap he says:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Opposite to this unsightly site, and on the right hand side of the
-road, is an anglewise faded inscription—</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 300px;">
-<img src="images/i_046.png" alt="Roadside Marker" width="300" height="126" />
-</div>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"It stands, or rather dejects, over an elderly pair of wooden
-gates, one whereof opens on a scene which the unaccustomed eye may
-take for the pleasure-ground of Giant Despair. Trees stand as if
-made not to vegetate, clipped hedges seem unwilling to decline, and
-nameless weeds straggle weakly upon unlimited borders. If you look
-upwards you perceive, painted on an octagon board, 'Health restored and
-preserved.' Further on, towards the left, stands a low, old-fashioned,
-comfortable-looking,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>
-large-windowed dwelling, and, ten to one, but there also stands at
-the open door, an ancient ailing female, in a black bonnet, a clean,
-coloured cotton gown, and a check apron, her silver hair only in part
-tucked beneath the narrow border of a frilled cap, with a sedate and
-patient, yet somewhat inquiring look. She gratuitously tells you that
-'the gardens' of 'St. Chad's Well' are for 'Circulation' by paying for
-the waters, of which you may drink as much, or as little, or nothing,
-as you please, at one guinea per year, 9s. 6d. quarterly, 4s. 6d.
-monthly, or 1s. 6d. weekly. You qualify for a single visit by paying
-sixpence, and a large glass tumbler, full of warm water, is handed to
-you. As a stranger, you are told, that 'St. Chad's Well was famous at
-one time.'</p>
-
-<p>"Should you be inquisitive, the dame will instruct you, with an
-earnest eye, that 'people are not what they were,' 'things are not as
-they used to be,' and she 'can't tell what'll happen next.' Oracles
-have not ceased. While drinking St. Chad's water, you observe an
-immense copper, into which it is poured, wherein it is heated to
-due efficacy, and from whence it is drawn by a cock, into glasses.
-You also remark, hanging on the wall, a 'tribute of gratitude,'
-versified, and inscribed on vellum, beneath a pane of glass stained
-by the hand of time, and let into a black frame. This is an effusion
-for value received from St. Chad's invaluable water. But, above all,
-there is a full-sized portrait in oil, of a stout, comely personage,
-with a ruddy countenance, in a coat or cloak, supposed scarlet, a
-laced cravat falling down the breast, and a small red nightcap <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>
-carelessly placed on the head, conveying the idea that it was painted
-for the likeness of some opulent butcher, who flourished in the reign
-of Queen Anne. Ask the dame about it, and she refers you to 'Rhone.'
-<a name="FNanchor_20" id="FNanchor_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20"
-class="fnanchor">[20]</a> This is a tall old man, who would be taller
-if he were not bent by years. 'I am ninety-four,' he will tell you,
-'this present year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred, and
-twenty-five.' All that he has to communicate concerning the portrait
-is, 'I have heard say it is the portrait of St. Chad.' Should you
-venture to differ, he adds, 'this is the opinion of most people who
-come here.' You may gather that it is his own undoubted belief.</p>
-
-<p>"On pacing the garden alleys, and peeping at the places of
-retirement, you imagine the whole may have been improved and
-beautified, for the last time, by some countryman of William III., who
-came over and died in the same year with that king, and whose works
-here, in wood and box, have been following him piecemeal ever since.</p>
-
-<p>"St. Chad's Well is scarcely known in the neighbourhood save by its
-sign-board of invitation and forbidding externals; ... it is haunted,
-not frequented. A few years, and it will be with its waters, as with
-the water of St. Pancras' Well, which is enclosed in the garden of a
-private house, near old St. Pancras Churchyard."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>But, although the prophecy in "Hone" was destined <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> to
-be fulfilled, yet it was twelve years before it came about, and it was
-not until September 14, 1837, that Messrs. Warlters and Co. sold, at
-Garraway's Coffee House, Change Alley, Cornhill, the "valuable Copyhold
-Property, situate in Gray's Inn Lane, near King's Cross, Battle
-Bridge," which consisted of "The well-known and valuable Premises,
-Dwelling-house, Large Garden, and Offices, with the very celebrated
-Spring of Saline Water called St. Chad's Well, which, in proper hands,
-would produce an inexhaustible Revenue, as its qualities are allowed by
-the first Physicians to be unequalled."</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_049-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_049-500.png" width="500" height="283" alt="ST. CHAD'S WELL." /></a>
-<div class="caption">ST. CHAD'S WELL.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>It was a good sized piece of ground; in shape of a somewhat
-irregular triangle, of which the base measured about 200 feet, and from
-apex to base 95 feet. It was Copyhold. The vendor was not to be asked
-for a title prior to 1793, and it was held of the Manor of <i>Cantlowes</i>
-or <i>Cantlers</i>, subject to a small fine, certain, of 6s. 8d., on death
-or alienation, and to a Quit Rent of 5d. per annum. We should say,
-nowadays, that the assessment was very small, as, including the large
-gardens, both back and front, the whole was only valued, including
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>
-the <i>Saline Spring</i>, at £81 10s. per annum, of which £21 10s. was let
-off, but which formed but a small portion of the property.</p>
-
-<p>What would not the waters of St. Chad's Well cure? Really I think
-the proprietor hardly knew himself, for a handbill I have before me
-commences— "The celebrity of these waters being confined
-chiefly to its own immediate vicinity for a number of years; the
-present proprietor has thought proper to give more extensive
-publicity to the existence of a nostrum provided by Nature, through
-Divine Providence, approaching nearest that great desideratum
-of scientific men and mankind in general, throughout all ages;
-namely, an <span class="smcap">Universal Medicine</span>....
-The many cures yearly performed by these waters does not come
-within the limits of a handbill, but, suffice it to say,
-that here, upon trial, the sufferer finds a speedy and sure
-relief from <span class="smcap">Indigestion</span> and its
-train, <span class="smcap">Habitual Costiveness</span>, the
-extensive range of <span class="smcap">Liver Complaints</span>,
-<span class="smcap">Dropsy</span> in its early stages, <span
-class="smcap">Glandular Obstructions</span>, and that bane of life,
-<span class="smcap">Scrophula</span>; for <span class="smcap">Eruptions
-on the Face or Skin</span> its almost immediate efficacy needs but a
-trial." This wonderful water, with use of garden, was then, say 1835,
-supposed to be worth to the sufferer £1 per annum, or threepence a
-visit, or you might have it supplied at eightpence per gallon.</p>
-
-<p>And yet it seems only to have been a mild aperient, and rather dear
-at the price. In the <i>Mirror</i> of April 13, 1833, Mr. Booth, Professor
-of Chemistry, professed to give an analysis of the "Mineral Waters in
-the neighbourhood of London," and he thus writes of St. Chad's
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>
-Well:
-
-"It is aperient, and is yet much resorted to by the
-poorer classes of the metropolis, with whom it enjoys considerable
-reputation. From an examination, I find it to be a strong solution of
-sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia"— but he does not favour
-us with a quantitative analysis.</p>
-
-<p>Neither does the proprietor, one Wm. Lucas, who not only propounded
-the handbill from which I have quoted, but published a pamphlet on
-the healing virtues of the spring, and he also adds to Mr. Booth's
-qualitative analysis, "a small quantity of Iron, which is held in Solution by
-Carbonic Acid."</p>
-
-<p>"The Well from which the Waters are supplied, is excluded from the
-external air; the Water when freshly drawn is perfectly clear and
-pellucid, and sparkles when poured into a glass; to the taste it is
-slightly bitter, not sufficiently so to render it disagreeable; indeed,
-Persons often think it so palatable as to take it at the table for a
-common beverage."</p>
-
-<p>This, however, is slightly at variance with the following, "As a Purgative, more so than could be inferred from
-their taste, a pint is the ordinary dose for an Adult, which operates
-pleasantly, powerfully, and speedily:" qualities which are scarcely desirable for a Table water.</p>
-
-<p>That, at one time, this Well was in fashion, although in 1825 it was
-in its decadence, I may quote from the pamphlet (which, however, must
-be taken by the reader, <i>quantum valeat</i>):</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p><span class="smcap">Jonathan Rhone</span>, who was
-Gardener and Waiter at these Wells upwards of Sixty Years, says,
-that when he first came into office at about the middle of the <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>
-eighteenth Century, the Waters were in great repute, and frequently
-were visited by eight or nine hundred Persons in a morning: the charge
-for drinking the Waters was Three pence each Person, and they were
-delivered at the Pump Room for exportation, at the rate of Twenty-four
-pint bottles, packed in hamper, for One Pound Cash."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_18" id="Footnote_18"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> See next
-page.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_19" id="Footnote_19"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> See pages 41,
-42.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_20" id="Footnote_20"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Rhone was an
-old waiter at the Well. See p. 51.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_052-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_052-200.png" width="200" height="155" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_053-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_053-500.png" width="500" height="107" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">AS the Fleet was "the River of Wells" it may be as
-well to notice the Wells, which, although not absolutely contributing
-towards swelling its volume, are yet closely adjacent—namely,
-White Conduit, and Sadlers Wells. Both of these, as indeed were all
-the other Wells about London, were first known as mineral springs,
-a fact which drew the middle classes to seek relief from real, or
-fancied, ailments, by drinking the medicinal waters, as at Bath,
-Epsom, Cheltenham, Harrogate, Brixton, and elsewhere. Wherever people
-congregate, the mere drinking of salutary water, is but tame work, and
-the animal spirits of some of them must find an outlet in amusements,
-which materially assist, to say the least, in the agreeable passing of
-time. But the mere drinking of waters must have been irksome—even
-if people took to it as well as <i>Shadwell</i> in his play of "Epsom Wells"
-describes:—</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_054-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_054-500.png" width="500" height="325" alt="THE WHITE CONDUIT." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE WHITE CONDUIT.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>Brisket.</i> I vow it is a pleasurable Morning: the
-Waters taste so finely after <br /><span style="margin-left:2em;">being fudled last Night.
-Neighbour <i>Fribbler</i> here's a Pint to you.</span></p>
-
-<p>"<i>Fribbler.</i> I'll pledge you, Mrs. <i>Brisket</i>; I have
-drunk eight already.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Mrs. Brisket.</i> How do the Waters agree with your Ladyship?</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Mrs. Woodly.</i> Oh, Sovereignly: how many Cups <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> have
-you arrived to?</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Mrs. Brisket.</i> Truly Six, and they pass so kindly."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>By degrees these medicinal waters, or Spas, as they were termed in
-later times, fell into desuetude, possibly because medical knowledge
-was advancing; and the Wells, with their gardens attached, became
-places of outdoor recreation, where the sober citizen could smoke his
-pipe, and have his beer, or cider, whilst his wife, and her gossips,
-indulged in tittle tattle over their Tea—which, although
-much dearer than at present, was a very popular beverage, and so,
-from health resorts, they imperceptibly merged into the modern Tea
-Garden—which, in its turn, has become nearly extinct, as have the
-Ranelagh and Vauxhall of a former age; which, however, we have seen, in
-our time, somewhat resuscitated in the outdoor portion of the several
-Exhibitions which have taken place, in the few past years, at South
-Kensington.</p>
-
-<p>The White Conduit had a history of its own, which we can trace
-back, at all events, to the fifteenth century, for it was built as a
-reservoir to supply what was, afterwards, the Charterhouse.</p>
-
-<p>This we can see by a royal licence, dated December 2, 9 Henry
-VI. an. 1431,<a name="FNanchor_21" id="FNanchor_21"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> which granted to John
-Feryby, and his wife Margery, that they might grant and assign to the
-Prior and Convent of the House of the Salutation of the Blessed Mary
-of the Carthusian Order, by London, a certain well spring (<i>fontein</i>)
-and 53 perches of land in length, and 12 feet in breadth, in the
-vill of Iseldon (Islington)
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>
-to have to them and their successors for ever, and to the same
-Prior and Convent, to take the said land, and construct a certain
-subterraneous aqueduct from the aforesaid well spring, through
-the aforesaid land, and through the King's highway aforesaid, and
-elsewhere, as it may seem best &c., <i>non obstante</i> the Act
-against mortmain (<i>Teste Humfride Duce Gloucestr' Custode Angliæ apud
-Westm.</i>).</p>
-
-<p>As we know, Henry VIII. put an end to the Monastic Orders in
-England, and, at the dissolution of the Priory, the reversion of
-the site, and house thereof, was granted, on April 14, 1545, <a
-name="FNanchor_22" id="FNanchor_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22"
-class="fnanchor">[22]</a> to Sir Roger North, in fee, together
-with "all that the Head and original Well Spring of one Channel
-or Aqueduct situate and being in a certain field in the parish of
-Islington"—and it also gave, all the channels, aqueducts, and
-watercourses under ground "up to the site of the said House of the
-Carthusians."</p>
-
-<p>But, although the spring might, and did, supply the Charter House,
-yet it is possible that the Conduit House, from which it got the name
-of <i>White</i> Conduit, from its being built of white stone—was
-built by Thomas Sutton, who founded the Hospital of the Charter
-House,—in 1611. It was either built by him, or repaired in
-1641, for, incorporated in the building, was a stone containing his
-arms—and initials. <a name="FNanchor_23" id="FNanchor_23"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p>
-
-<p>The other initials have not been identified. As the "White Conduit"
-it was known well into this century, but it fell somewhat into
-decay, about 1812—was never repaired, and, finally, was pulled
-down in 1831—to make
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>
-way for the completion of some new buildings in Barnsbury Road, as a
-continuation of Penton Street: and the stone was broken up, and used in
-making the New Road.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 300px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_057-1200.png">
-<img src="images/i_057-300.png" width="300" height="67" alt="STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT." /></a>
-<div class="caption">STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT.<br />
-<span class="smaller"><i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, vol. lxxi. p. 1161, A.D. 1801.</span>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>So much for the Conduit itself; but it, although inert, exercised
-a large share in the amusements of Londoners down to a comparatively
-recent period. It was pleasantly situated in the fields, and, until
-this century, during the latter half of which, the modern Babylon has
-become one huge mass of bricks and mortar, it served as a pleasant
-place of recreation for the Cits. There was an uninterrupted prospect
-of Hampstead and Highgate—which bounded the northern view, and
-which was purely pastoral, with the exception of sparsely-dotted
-farmhouses. There is a tradition that, on the site of the comparatively
-modern <i>White Conduit House</i>, was (in the reign of Charles I.), a
-tavern in the course of erection, and that, being finished, the workmen
-were carousing at the very moment of the monarch's decapitation.</p>
-
-<p>Doubtless, in these suburban fields, there was, for very many
-years, a place for refreshment, which probably took the form, in
-the Arcadian age of the seventeenth and eighteenth century, of
-new milk, curds and whey,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>
-and syllabubs, for Islington was famous for its dairy produce, <a
-name="FNanchor_24" id="FNanchor_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24"
-class="fnanchor">[24]</a> as we know by the account of the
-entertainment given to Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle in 1575 by
-the Earl of Leicester, when the Squier Minstrel of Middlesex made a
-long speech in praise of Islington, whose motto was said to be, "Lactis
-Caseus infans."</p>
-
-<p>The earliest really authentic notice of the White Conduit House,
-I can find, is in the <i>Daily Advertiser</i> August 10, 1754. "This is to
-acquaint the public, that, at the White Conduit House, the proprietor,
-for the better accommodation of the gentlemen and ladies, has completed
-a long walk, with a handsome circular Fish-pond, a number of shady,
-pleasant arbours inclosed with a fence 7 feet high to prevent being
-the least incommoded from the people in the fields. Hot loaves,
-<a name="FNanchor_25" id="FNanchor_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25"
-class="fnanchor">[25]</a> and butter every day, milk directly from
-the Cows; coffee and tea, and all manners of liquors in the greatest
-perfection: also a handsome Long Room, from whence is the most Copious
-prospects and airy situation of any now in vogue. I humbly hope the
-continuance of my friends' favours, as I make it my chief study to have
-the best accommodations, and am, Gentlemen and Ladies, your obliged
-humble servant, Robert Bartholomew. <i>Note.</i> My Cows eat no grains,
-neither any adulteration <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59"
-id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> in the Milk or Cream. Bats and Balls
-for Cricket, and a convenient field to play in."
-</p>
-
-<p>This gives us a very fair insight into the sober relaxations of our
-great-great-grandfathers: and that the White Conduit House was, about
-this time, a resort for harmless recreation; and, certainly, it would
-rejoice the modern temperance enthusiasts to find that the principal
-beverages there drank were "non-intoxicants." Oliver Goldsmith used
-frequently to go there, walking from his house at Islington; and, in
-his "Citizen of the World," letter 122, he writes, "After having surveyed the Curiosities of this fair and
-beautiful town, I proceeded forward, leaving a fair stone building on
-my right; here the inhabitants of London often assemble to celebrate
-a feast of hot rolls and butter. Seeing such numbers, each with their
-little tables before them, employed on this occasion, must no doubt be
-a very amusing sight to the looker-on, but still more so to those who
-perform in the Solemnity."</p>
-
-<p>And the same story of simplicity of amusement, and refreshment, is
-amusingly told in the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for May, 1760, vol. xxx.
-p. 242, in a short poem by William Woty, the author of the "Shrubs of
-Parnassus, consisting of a variety of poetical essays, moral and comic,
-by I. Copywell, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq. 1760."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"<i>And to</i> White Conduit <i>House</i></p>
-<p><i>We will go, will go, will go</i>."</p>
-<p class="i18">Grub Street <i>Register</i>.</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Wish'd Sunday's come—mirth brightens ev'ry face,</p>
-<p>And paints the rose upon the housemaid's cheek</p>
-<p><i>Harriot</i>, or <i>Mol</i> more ruddy. Now the heart</p>
-<p>Of prentice resident in ample street,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>
-<p>Or alley, Kennel-wash'd <i>Cheapside</i>, <i>Cornhill</i></p>
-<p>Or <i>Cranborne</i>, thee, for calcuments renown'd,</p>
-<p>With joy distends. His meal meridian o'er,</p>
-<p>With switch in hand, he to <i>White Conduit</i> house</p>
-<p>Hies merry hearted. Human beings here</p>
-<p>In couples multitudinous assemble,</p>
-<p>Forming the drollest groupe, that ever trod</p>
-<p>Fair Islingtonian plains. Male after male,</p>
-<p>Dog after dog, succeeding—husbands—wives—</p>
-<p>Fathers and mothers—brothers—sisters—friends—</p>
-<p>And <i>pretty little boys and girls</i>. <i>Around,</i></p>
-<p><i>Across, along</i>, the garden's shrubby maze,</p>
-<p>They walk, they sit, they stand. What crowds press on,</p>
-<p>Eager to mount the stairs, eager to catch</p>
-<p>First vacant bench or chair in <i>long-room</i> plac'd.</p>
-<p>Here prig with prig holds conference polite,</p>
-<p>And indiscriminate, the gaudy beau,</p>
-<p>And sloven mix. Here <i>he</i>, who all the week</p>
-<p>Took bearded mortals by the nose, or sat</p>
-<p>Weaving dead hairs, and whistling wretched strain,</p>
-<p>And eke the sturdy youth, whose trade it is</p>
-<p>Stout oxen to contend, with gold bound hat,</p>
-<p>And silken stocking strut. The red-arm'd belle</p>
-<p>Here shews her <i>tasty</i> gown, proud to be thought</p>
-<p>The butterfly of fashion: and, forsooth,</p>
-<p>Her haughty mistress deigns for once to tread</p>
-<p>The same unhallow'd floor. 'Tis hurry all,</p>
-<p>And ratling cups and saucers. Waiter here,</p>
-<p>And waiter there, and waiter here <i>and</i> there,</p>
-<p>At once is call'd—<i>Joe—Joe—Joe—Joe—Joe—</i></p>
-<p><i>Joe</i> on the right—and <i>Joe</i> upon the left,</p>
-<p>For ev'ry vocal pipe re-ecchoes <i>Joe</i>.</p>
-<p>Alas, poor <i>Joe</i>! Like <i>Francis</i> in the play</p>
-<p>He stands confounded, anxious how to please</p>
-<p>The many-headed throng. But shou'd I paint</p>
-<p>The language, humours, customs of the place,</p>
-<p>Together with all curtsy's lowly bows,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>
-<p>And compliments extern, 'twould swell my page</p>
-<p>Beyond it's limits due. Suffice it then,</p>
-<p>For my prophetic muse to say, 'So long</p>
-<p>As fashion rides upon the Wing of time,</p>
-<p>While tea and cream, and buttered rolls can please,</p>
-<p>While rival beaux, and jealous belles exist,</p>
-<p>So long <i>White Conduit</i> house, shall be thy fame.</p>
-<p class="i35">W. W."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Later on in the century, it was still
-a reputable place of resort. In 1774, there was a painting at one
-end of the garden, the perspective of which served, artificially, to
-augment its size; the round fish-pond in the centre of the garden,
-still existed, and the refreshment-rooms, or boxes, were hung with
-Flemish and other pictures.</p>
-
-<p>Hone ("Every Day Book," vol. ii. p. 1201, &c.) says, "About
-1810, the late celebrated Wm. Huntingdon S.S.<a name="FNanchor_26"
-id="FNanchor_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>
-of Providence Chapel, who lives in a handsome house within sight, was
-at the expense of clearing the spring for the use of the inhabitants;
-but, because his pulpit opinions were obnoxious, some of the
-neighbouring vulgar threw loads of soil upon it in the night, which
-rendered the water impure, and obstructed its channel, and, finally,
-ceasing to flow, the public was deprived of the kindness he proposed.
-The building itself, was in a very perfect state at that time, and
-ought to have been boarded up after the field it stood in was thrown
-open. As the new buildings proceeded, it was injured, and defaced, by
-idle labourers and boys, from mere wantonness, and reduced to a mere
-ruin. There
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>
-was a kind of upper floor or hayloft in it, which was frequently a
-shelter to the houseless wanderer. A few years ago some poor creatures
-made it a comfortable hostel for the night with a little hay. Early
-in the morning a passing workman perceived smoke issuing from the
-crevices, and as he approached, heard loud cries from within. Some
-mischievous miscreants had <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63"
-id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> set fire to the fodder beneath the
-sleepers, and, afterwards, fastened the door on the outside: the
-inmates were scorched by the fire, and probably they would all have
-been suffocated in a few minutes, if the place had not been broken
-open.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_062-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_062-500.png" width="500" height="415" alt="THE WHITE CONDUIT." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE WHITE CONDUIT.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>"The 'White Conduit' at this time (1826) merely stands to those who
-had the power, and neglected to preserve it.</p>
-
-<p>"To the buildings grown up around, it might have been rendered a
-neat ornament, by planting a few trees, and enclosing the whole with an
-iron railing, and have stood as a monument of departed worth.</p>
-
-<p>"'White Conduit House' has ceased to be a recreation in the good
-sense of the word. Its present denomination is the 'Minor Vauxhall,'
-and its chief attraction during the passing summer has been Mrs.
-Bland.<a name="FNanchor_27" id="FNanchor_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27"
-class="fnanchor">[27]</a> She has still powers, and, if their exercise
-here, has been a stay and support to this sweet melodist, so far the
-establishment may be deemed respectable. It is a ground for balloon
-flying and skittle playing, and just maintains itself above the
-very lowest, so as to be one of the most doubtful places of public
-resort. Recollections of it some years ago are more in its favour.
-Its tea gardens then, in summer afternoons,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>
-were well accustomed by tradesmen and their families; they are now
-comparatively deserted, and, instead, there is, at night, a starveling
-show of odd company and coloured lamps, a mock orchestra, with
-mock singing, dancing in a room which decent persons would prefer
-to withdraw their young folks from, if they entered, and fireworks
-'as usual,' which, to say the truth, are, usually, very good."</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_064-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_064-500.png" width="500" height="377" alt="WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR)." /></a>
-<div class="caption">WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR).
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; border: none;">
-<a href="images/i_065-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_065-500.png" width="500" height="373" alt="WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (EXTERIOR)." /></a>
-<div class="caption">WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (EXTERIOR).
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>As time went on, the place did not improve, as we may see by the
-<i>New Monthly Magazine</i> for 1833, in an article—part of "Four
-Views of London." Speaking of the White Conduit—"Here too is that Paradise of apprentice boys, White
-<i>Cundick Couse</i>, as it is cacophoniously pronounced by its visitors,
-which has done much to expel the decencies of the district. Thirty
-years ago this place was better frequented—that is, there
-was a larger number of respectable adults—fathers and <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>
-mothers, with their children, and a smaller moiety of shop lads, and
-such like Sunday bucks, who were awed into decency by their elders.
-The manners, perhaps, are much upon a <i>par</i> with what they were. The
-ballroom gentlemen then went through country dances with their hats
-on, and their coats off:—hats are now taken off, but coats are
-still unfashionable on these gala nights. The belles of that day wore
-long trains to their gowns: it was a favourite mode of introduction
-to a lady there, to tread on it, and then, apologizing handsomely,
-acquaintance was begun, and soon ripened into an invitation to tea,
-and the hot loaves for which these gardens were once celebrated. Being
-now a popular haunt, those who hang on the rear of the march of human
-nature, the suttlers, camp followers, and plunderers, know that where
-large numbers of men and boys are in pursuit of pleasure, there is a
-sprinkling of the number to whom vice and debauchery are ever welcome:
-they have, therefore, supplied what these wanted; and Pentonville
-may now hold up its head, and boast of its depravities before any
-part of London."<a name="FNanchor_28" id="FNanchor_28"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a></p>
-
-<p>It got more and more disreputable, until it was pulled down in 1849,
-and the present White Conduit Tavern was built upon a portion of its
-site.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_21" id="Footnote_21"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Cart. Antiq. in
-Off. Augm. vol. ii. No. 43.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_22" id="Footnote_22"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Pat. 36 Henry
-VIII. p. 13, m. 31.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_23" id="Footnote_23"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> See next
-page.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_24" id="Footnote_24"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> In an
-early sixteenth century book (unique) printed by Wynkyn de Worde,
-called "Cocke Lorelles Boke" the dairy farming at Islington is
-mentioned—</p>
-
-<p class="center"> "Also mathewe to the drawer of London,<br /> And
-sybly sole mylke-wyfe of Islington."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_25" id="Footnote_25"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> These Rolls
-were as famous as Chelsea Buns. "White Conduit loaves" being a familiar
-street cry.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_26" id="Footnote_26"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> This revivalist
-used these initials as meaning "Sinner Saved."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_27" id="Footnote_27"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> A somewhat
-famous singer in the latter part of the eighteenth and first quarter
-of the nineteenth centuries. She sang and acted at Drury Lane and the
-Haymarket—and also sang at Vauxhall. She became poor, and on
-July 5, 1824, she had a benefit at Drury Lane, which, with a public
-subscription, produced about £800. Lord Egremont also allowed her £80 a
-year. She was somewhat related to Royalty: her husband, Bland, an actor
-at Drury Lane, being the brother of Mrs. Jordan, who was the wife of
-William the Fourth.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_28" id="Footnote_28"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> A frequent
-visitor at these gardens was the late George Cruikshank, and many
-subjects were transferred to his sketch book. He was so well known, as
-to become a sort of terror to the habitués of the place, and children
-were threatened, when fractious, "that if they made such ugly faces,
-Mr. Cruikshank would put them in his book."</p> </div>
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_067-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_067-500.png" width="500" height="125" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">SADLER'S WELLS does not really feed the Fleet
-River, but I notice the spring, for the same reason that I noticed the
-White Conduit.</p>
-
-<p>A very fair account of its early history is given in a little
-pamphlet entitled "A True and Exact Account of Sadlers Well: or the New
-Mineral Waters. Lately found out at Islington: Treating of its nature
-and Virtues. Together with an Enumeration of the Chiefest Diseases
-which it is good for, and against which it may be used, and the Manner
-and Order of Taking of it. Published for publick good by T. G. (Thomas
-Guidot) Doctor of Physick. Printed for <i>Thomas Malthus</i> at the <i>Sun</i> in
-the <i>Poultry</i>. 1684."</p>
-
-<p>It begins thus:—"The New Well at <i>Islington</i> is a certain Spring in
-the middle of a Garden, belonging to the Musick House built by Mr.
-<i>Sadler</i>, on the North side of the Great Cistern that receives the
-New River Water near Islington, the Water whereof was, before the
-Reformation, very much famed for several extraordinary Cures performed
-thereby, and was, thereupon, accounted
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>
-sacred, and called <i>Holy Well</i>. The Priests belonging to the Priory of
-<i>Clarkenwell</i> using to attend there, made the People believe that the
-virtues of the Waters proceeded from the efficacy of their Prayers. But
-upon the Reformation the Well was stopt up, upon a supposition that the
-frequenting it was altogether superstitious, and so, by degrees, it
-grew out of remembrance, and was wholly lost, until found out, and the
-Fame of it revived again by the following accident.</p>
-
-<p>"Mr. <i>Sadler</i> being made Surveyor of the High Ways, and having good
-Gravel in his own Gardens, employed two Men to Dig there, and when they
-had Dug pretty deep, one of them found his Pickax strike upon some
-thing that was very hard; whereupon he endeavoured to break it, but
-could not: whereupon thinking with himself that it might, peradventure,
-be some Treasure hid there, he uncovered it very carefully, and found
-it to be a Broad, Flat Stone: which, having loosened, and lifted up,
-he saw it was supported by four Oaken Posts, and had under it a large
-Well of Stone Arched over, and curiously carved; and, having viewed
-it, he called his fellow Labourer to see it likewise, and asked him
-whether they should fetch Mr. <i>Sadler</i>, and shew it to him? Who, having
-no kindness for <i>Sadler</i>, said no; he should not know of it, but as
-they had found it, so they would stop it up again, and take no notice
-of it; which he that found it consented to at first, but after a little
-time he found himself (whether out of Curiosity, or some other reason,
-I shall not determine) strongly inclined to tell <i>Sadler</i> of the Well;
-which he did, one Sabbath Day in the Evening.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"<i>Sadler</i>, upon this, went down to see the Well, and observing the
-Curiosity of the Stone Work, that was about it, and fancying within
-himself that it was a Medicinal Water, formerly had in great esteem,
-but by some accident or other lost, he took some of it in a Bottle, and
-carryed it to an Eminent Physician, telling him how the Well was found
-out, and desiring his Judgment of the Water; who having tasted and
-tried it, told him it was very strong of a Mineral taste, and advised
-him to Brew some Beer with it, and carry it to some Persons, to whom he
-would recommend him; which he did accordingly. And some of those who
-used to have it of him in Bottles, found so much good by it, that they
-desired him to bring it in Roundlets."</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>Sadler's success, for such it was, provoked the envy of others, and
-one or two satires upon the Wells were produced.</p>
-
-<p>Soon after he opened the Wells, Evelyn visited them, as we read in
-his invaluable diary. "June 11, 1686. I went to see Middleton's receptacle of
-water <a name="FNanchor_29" id="FNanchor_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29"
-class="fnanchor">[29]</a> and the New Spa Wells, near Islington." The Spring
-was still known as Sadler's up to 1697 as we find in
-advertisements in the <i>Post Boy</i> and <i>Flying Post</i> of June, in that
-year. But the "Musick House" seems to have passed into other hands,
-for in 1699 it was called "Miles's Musick House." They seem to have
-had peculiar entertainments here, judging by an account in <i>Dawk's
-Protestant Mercury</i> of May 24, 1699. "On Tuesday last a fellow at Sadler's Wells, near
-Islington,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>
-after he had dined heartily on a buttock of beef, for the lucre of five
-guineas, eat a live cock, feathers, guts, and all, with only a plate of
-oil and vinegar for sawce, and half a pint of brandy to wash it down,
-and afterwards proffered to lay five guineas more, that he could do the
-same again in two hours' time."</p>
-
-<p>That this was a fact is amply borne out by the testimony of Ned
-Ward, who managed to see most of what was going on in town, and he thus
-describes the sight in his rough, but vigorous language.</p>
-
-<p>"With much difficulty we crowded upstairs, where we
-soon got intelligence of the beastly scene in agitation. At last
-a table was spread with a dirty cloth in the middle of the room,
-furnished with bread, pepper, oil, and vinegar; but neither knife,
-plate, fork, or napkin; and when the beholders had conveniently mounted
-themselves upon one another's shoulders to take a fair view of his
-Beastlyness's banquet, in comes the lord of the feast, disguised in an
-Antick's Cap, like a country hangman, attended by a train of Newmarket
-executioners. When a chair was set, and he had placed himself in sight
-of the whole assembly, a live Cock was given into the ravenous paws of
-this ingurgitating monster."</p>
-
-<p>In the same year, in his "Walk to Islington," Ward gives a
-description of the people who frequented this "Musick House."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"——mixed with a vermin trained up for the gallows,</p>
-<p>As Bullocks<a name="FNanchor_30" id="FNanchor_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a>
-and files,<a name="FNanchor_31" id="FNanchor_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a>
-housebreakers and padders.<a name="FNanchor_32" id="FNanchor_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p>
-<p>With prize fighters, sweetners,<a name="FNanchor_33" id="FNanchor_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a>
-and such sort of traders,</p>
-<p>Informers, thief-takers, deer-stealers, and bullies."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>It seems to have been kept by Francis Forcer, a
-musician, about 1725, and the scene at the Wells is
-graphically described in "The New River, a Poem, by
-William Garbott."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Through Islington then glides my best loved theme</p>
-<p class="i1">And Miles's garden washes with his stream:</p>
-<p class="i1">Now F—r's Garden is its proper name,</p>
-<p class="i1">Though Miles the man was, who first got it fame;</p>
-<p class="i1">And tho' it's own'd, Miles first did make it known,</p>
-<p class="i1">F—r improves the same we all must own.</p>
-<p class="i1">There you may sit under the shady trees,</p>
-<p class="i1">And drink and smoak, fann'd by a gentle breeze;</p>
-<p class="i1">Behold the fish, how wantonly they play,</p>
-<p class="i1">And catch them also, if you please, you may,</p>
-<p class="i1">Two Noble Swans swim by this garden side,</p>
-<p class="i1">Of water-fowl the glory and the pride;</p>
-<p class="i1">Which to the Garden no small beauty are;</p>
-<p class="i1">Were they but black they would be much more rare:</p>
-<p class="i1">With ducks so tame that from your hand they'll feed,</p>
-<p class="i1">And, I believe, for that, they sometimes bleed.</p>
-<p class="i1">A noble Walk likewise adorns the place,</p>
-<p class="i1">To which the river adds a greater grace:</p>
-<p class="i1">There you may sit or walk, do which you please,</p>
-<p class="i1">Which best you like, and suits most with your ease.</p>
-<p class="i1">Now to the Show-room let's awhile repair,</p>
-<p class="i1">To see the active feats performed there.</p>
-<p class="i1">How the bold Dutchman, on the rope doth bound,</p>
-<p class="i1">With greater air than others on the ground:</p>
-<p class="i1">What capers does he cut! how backward leaps!</p>
-<p class="i1">With Andrew Merry eyeing all his steps:</p>
-<p class="i1">His comick humours with delight you see,</p>
-<p class="i1">Pleasing unto the best of company," &c.</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>But a very vivid description of Sadler's Wells is
-given in "Mackliniana, or Anecdotes of the late Mr.
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>
-Charles Macklin, Comedian" in the <i>European Magazine</i>
-for 1801 (vol. xl. p. 16):—</p>
-
-<p>"Being met one night at Sadler's Wells by a friend,
-who afterwards saw him home, he went into a history
-of that place, with an accuracy which, though nature
-generally denies to the recollection of old age in recent
-events, seems to atone for it in the remembrance of
-more remote periods.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Sir, I remember the time when the price of admission
-<i>here</i> was but <i>threepence</i>, except a few places scuttled
-off at the sides of the stage at sixpence, and which was
-usually reserved for people of fashion, who occasionally
-came to see the fun. Here we smoked, and drank
-porter and rum and water, as much as we could pay
-for, and every man had his doxy that liked it, and so
-forth; and though we had a mixture of very odd company
-(for I believe it was a good deal the baiting place
-of thieves and highwaymen) there was little or no
-rioting. There was a <i>public</i> then, Sir, that kept one
-another in awe.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Q.</i> Were the entertainments anything like the
-present? <i>A.</i> No, no; nothing in the shape of
-them; some hornpipes and ballad singing, with a kind
-of pantomimic ballet, and some lofty tumbling—and all
-this was done by daylight, and there were four or five
-exhibitions every day.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Q.</i> How long did these continue at a time?
-<i>A.</i> Why, Sir, it depended upon circumstances. The
-proprietors had always a fellow on the outside of the
-booth, to calculate how many people were collected for
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>
-a second exhibition, and when he thought there were
-enough, he came to the back of the upper seats, and
-cried out, 'Is <i>Hiram Fisteman</i> here?' This was the
-cant word agreed upon between the parties, to know the
-state of the people without—upon which they concluded
-the entertainment with a song, dismissed that audience,
-and prepared for a second representation.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Q.</i> Was this in Rozamon's time? <i>A.</i> No, no,
-Sir; long before—not but old Rozamon improved it a
-good deal, and, I believe, raised the price generally to
-sixpence, and in this way got a great deal of money."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Space prevents one going into the merits of the
-Theatre here, but it may not be out of place if I
-mention some of the singers, and actors, who have
-appeared on those boards—Joey Grimaldi, Braham,
-Miss Shields (afterwards Mrs. Leffler), Edmund Kean,
-the great traveller Belzoni, Miss Tree, Phelps, of
-Shakespearian fame, Marston, and others, testify to the
-talent which has had its home in this theatre. One peculiarity
-about Sadler's Wells Theatre was the introduction
-of real water as a scenic effect. It seems to have been first
-used on Easter Monday, April 2, 1804, in an entertainment
-called <i>Naumachia</i>. A very large tank was
-made under the stage, and filled with water from the
-New River; and in this tank mimic men o' war bombarded
-Gibraltar, but were repulsed, with loss, by the
-heroic garrison. Afterwards, it was frequently used for
-<i>Spectacles</i>, in which water was used as an adjunct.</p>
-
-<p>After this digression let us follow the course of the
-River Fleet. Leaving St. Chad's Well, and before
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>
-coming to Bagnigge Wells, there stood in Gray's Inn
-Road an old public-house called the Pindar of Wakefield,
-the pounder, or keeper of the pound at that town,
-the famous George à Green, who gave Robin Hood a
-notable thrashing, extorting from that bold outlaw this
-confession—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width16">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"For this was one of the best pinders</p>
-<p class="i1">That ever I tryed with sword."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>This old house was destroyed by a hurricane in November,
-1723, when the two daughters of the landlord were
-killed by the falling walls. It was, however, at once
-rebuilt, and a public-house, bearing the same sign, exists
-at 328, Gray's Inn Road—most probably occupying the
-original site.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_29" id="Footnote_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a>
-The New River Head.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_30" id="Footnote_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a>
-A hector, or bully.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_31" id="Footnote_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a>
-A pickpocket.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_32" id="Footnote_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a>
-A tramp.</p
-></div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_33" id="Footnote_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a>
-A Sharper.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_074-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_074-200.png" width="200" height="120" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75_76]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_075-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_075-500.png" width="500" height="268" alt=">THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD.
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_077-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_077-500.png" width="500" height="128" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">BETWEEN this house, and Bagnigge Wells, was
-Bagnigge Wash, or Marsh, and Black Mary's Wells, or Hole. The etymology
-of this place is contested. In the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for 1813,
-part ii. p. 557, in an "Account of various Mineral Wells near London,"
-is the following: "Lastly, in the same neighbourhood, may be mentioned
-the spring or conduit on the eastern side of the road leading from
-Clerken Well to Bagnigge Wells, and which has given name to a very
-few small houses as <i>Black Mary's Hole</i>. The land here was, formerly,
-called Bagnigg Marsh, from the river Bagnigg,<a name="FNanchor_34"
-id="FNanchor_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a>
-which passes through it. But, in after-time, the citizens resorting to
-drink the waters of the conduit, which then was leased to one Mary, who
-kept a black Cow, whose milk the gentlemen and ladies drank with the
-waters of the Conduit, from whence, the wits of that age used to say,
-'Come, let us go to Mary's black hole.' However, Mary dying,
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>
-
-and the place degenerating into licentiousness, about
-1687, Walter Baynes Esqre, of the Inner Temple,
-enclosed the Conduit in the manner it now is, which
-looks like a great oven. He is supposed to have left
-a fund for keeping the same in perpetual repair. The
-stone with the inscription was carried away during the
-night about ten years ago. The water (which formerly
-fed two ponds on the other side of the road) falls into
-the old Bagnigge river."</p>
-
-<p>This etymon, however, is contested in a pamphlet called <i>An
-experimental enquiry concerning the Contents, Qualities, Medicinal
-Virtues of the two Mineral Waters of</i> Bagnigge Wells, &c., by
-John Bevis, M.D. This pamphlet was originally published in 1767, but
-I quote from the third edition of 1819. "At what time these waters
-were first known cannot be made out with any degree of evidence. A
-tradition goes that the place of old was called Blessed Mary's Well;
-but that the name of the Holy Virgin having, in some measure, fallen
-into disrepute after the Reformation, the title was altered to Black
-Mary's Well, as it now stands upon Mr. Rocque's map, and then to Black
-Mary's Hole; though there is a very different account of these latter
-appellations; for there are those who insist they were taken from one
-Mary Woolaston, whose occupation was attending at a well, now covered
-in, on an opposite eminence, by the footway from Bagnigge to Islington
-to supply the soldiery, encamped in the adjacent fields, with water.
-But waving such uncertainties, it may be relied on for truth, that a
-late proprietor, upon taking possession of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>
-the estate, found two wells thereon, both steaned in a workmanlike
-manner; but when, or for what purpose, they were sunk, he is entirely
-ignorant."</p>
-
-<p>But Black Mary's Hole, during the first half of the
-last century, had a very queer reputation. There was a
-little public-house with the sign of "The Fox at Bay,"
-which probably had something to do with the numerous
-highway robberies that occurred thereabouts.</p>
-
-<p>In Cromwell's "History of Clerkenwell," pp. 318,
-319, we hear of the last of Black Mary's Hole. He
-says, "Beneath the front garden of a house in <span class="smcap">Spring
-Place</span>, and extending under the foot-pavement almost
-to the turnpike gate called the Pantheon Gate, lies the
-capacious receptacle of a <i>Mineral Spring</i>, which in
-former times was in considerable repute, both as a
-chalybeate, and for its supposed efficacy in the cure of
-sore eyes.... About ten years back, when Spring
-Place was erected, the builder removed every external
-appearance of Walter Baynes's labours, and converted
-the receptacle beneath into a cesspool for the drainage
-of his houses. The spring thus degraded, and its
-situation concealed, it is probable that the lapse of a few
-more years would have effaced the memory of it for
-ever, had not an accident re-discovered it in the summer
-of 1826. Its covering, which was only of boards,
-having rotted, suddenly gave way, and left a large chasm
-in the footpath. After some efforts, not perfectly successful,
-to turn off the drainage, it was then arched with
-brickwork, and a leaden pump placed over it, in the
-garden where it chiefly lies. But the pump being stolen
-during the following winter, the spring has again fallen
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>
-into neglect, and possibly this page alone will prevent its
-being totally forgotten."</p>
-
-<p>Still following the Fleet to its outfall, we next come
-to Bagnigge Well, a chalybeate spring, first used medicinally,
-and then, like all these Spas, merely as a
-promenade, and place of out-of-door recreation.</p>
-
-<p>Originally, this spring probably belonged to the
-Nunnery at Clerkenwell, and may possibly be the
-"Rode Well" mentioned in the Register of Clerkenwell.
-But we are indebted to Dr. Bevis, from whose
-pamphlet I have already quoted, for a history of its
-modern rise and development <a href="#Page_38">(p. 38)</a>.</p>
-
-<p>"In the year 1757, the spot of ground in which this
-well is sunk was let out to a gentleman curious in
-gardening, who observed that the oftener he watered his
-flowers from it the worse they throve. I happened,
-toward the end of that summer, to be in company with
-a friend who made a transient visit to Mr. <span class="smcap">Hughes</span>,
-and was asked to taste the water; and, being surprised
-to find its flavour so near that of the best German
-chalybeates, did not hesitate to declare my opinion, that
-it might be made of great benefit both to the public and
-himself. At my request, he sent me some of the water,
-in a large stone bottle, well corked, the next day; a
-gallon whereof I immediately set over a fire, and by a
-hasty evaporation found it very rich in mineral contents,
-though much less so than I afterwards experienced it to
-be when more leisurely exhaled by a gentle heat.
-Whilst this operation was carrying on, I made some
-experiments on the remainder of the water, particularly
-with powdered galls, which I found to give, in less than
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>
-a minute, a very rich and deep purple tincture to it, that
-lasted many days without any great alteration. I reported
-these matters to Mr. Hughes, but, soon after, a
-very dangerous illness put a stop to my experiments,
-which I did not resume for a considerable time, when
-the proprietor called, and told me his waters were in very
-great repute, and known by the name of <span class="smcap">Bagnigge
-Wells</span>; which I remembered to have seen in the newspapers,
-without so much as guessing it had been given
-to these springs. Mr. <span class="smcap">Hughes</span> took me to his wells,
-where I was not a little pleased with the elegant accommodations
-he had provided for company in so short a
-time."</p>
-
-<p>The house attached to the Spa is said to have been
-the residence of Nell Gwyn, but tradition has assigned
-her so many houses; at Chelsea, Bagnigge Wells, Highgate,
-Walworth, and Filberts, near Windsor—nay, one
-enterprising tradesman in the Strand has christened
-a milk shop "Nell Gwyn's Dairy," and has gone to
-some expense, in pictorial tiles, to impress on passers-by
-the genuineness of his assertion.</p>
-
-<p>Still, local tradition is strong, and, in a book called
-"The Recreations<a name="FNanchor_35" id="FNanchor_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a>
-of Mr. Zigzag the elder" (a pseudonym for Mr. John Wykeham Archer, artist and
-antiquary), which is in the Library of the City of
-London, and which is profusely "Grangerised" by the
-author, is a small water colour of Bagnigge House, the
-reputed dwelling of Nell Gwyn, which I have reproduced
-in outline, and on this drawing is a note, "Moreover
-several small tenements at the north end of the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>
-Garden were formerly entitled Nell Gwynne's Buildings,
-which seems to verify the tradition."
-<a name="FNanchor_36" id="FNanchor_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_082-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_082-500.png" width="500" height="260" alt="BAGNIGGE HOUSE. (Said to have been Nell Gwyn's.)" /></a>
-<div class="caption">BAGNIGGE HOUSE. (Said to have been Nell Gwyn's.)
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>But the evidence is all of a <i>quasi</i> kind. In the long
-room, supposed to have been the banqueting room, was,
-over the mantel, a bust, an <i>alto relievo</i>, of a female,
-supposed to be Nell Gwyn, and said to be modelled by
-Sir Peter Lely, enclosed in a circular border of fruit,
-which, of course, was at once set down as a delicate
-allusion to the actress's former calling of orange wench
-in the theatres. The bust and border were painted to
-imitate nature, and on either side were coats of arms—one
-the Royal arms, and, on the other side, the Royal
-arms quartered with others, which were supposed to be
-those assumed by the actress. When the old house was
-pulled down, the bust disappeared, and no one knows
-whither it went.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>I give a quotation from the <i>Sunday Times</i>, July 5,
-1840, not as adding authority, or weight, to the idea
-that Bagnigge House was Nell's residence, but to show
-how deeply rooted was the tradition. It is a portion of
-the "<i>Maximms and Speciments of William Muggins,
-Natural Philosopher, and Citizen of the World</i>"—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Oh! how werry different London are now to wot
-it war at the time as I took my view on it from the post;
-none of them beautiful squares and streets, as lies heast
-and west, and north of the hospital, war built then; it
-war hall hopen fields right hup to Ampstead an Ighgate
-and Hislington. Bagnigge Well stood by itself at the
-foot of the hill, jist where it does now; and then it
-looked the werry pictur of countryfiedness and hinnocence.
-There war the beautiful white washed walls,
-with the shell grotto in the hoctagon summer house,
-where Nell Gwynne used to sit and watch for King
-Charles the Second. By the by, a pictur done by a
-famous hartist of them days, Sir Somebody Neller I
-thinks war his name, represents the hidentical ouse (it
-war a fine palace then) with the hidentical hoctagon
-summer house, with the beautiful Nelly leaning hout of
-the winder, with her lilly white hand and arm a-beckoning,
-while the King is seed in the distance galloping
-like vinking across the fields a waving his hat and
-feathers; while a little page, with little tobacker-pipe
-legs, in white stockings, stands ready to hopen a little
-door in the garden wall, and let hin the royal wisitor,
-while two little black and tan spanels is frisking about
-and playing hup hold gooseberry among the flower beds.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>That ere pictur used to hang hup in the bar parlor; its
-wanished now—so are the bust as were in the long room;
-but there's another portrait pictur of her, all alone by
-herself, done by Sir Peter Lely, still to be seen. (This
-here last coorosity war discovered honly a year or two ago,
-rolled hup among sum rubbige in the loft hunder the
-roof.)"</p></blockquote>
-
-<p>The old house, however, was evidently of some
-importance, for, over a low doorway which led into the
-garden, was a stone, on which was sculptured a head in
-relief, and the following inscription—</p>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="xxlarge">X</span><br />
-<span class="xlarge">THIS IS BAGNIGGE<br />
-HOUSE NEARE<br />
-THE PINDAR A<br />
-WAKEFIELDE<br />
-1680.</span><br />
-</p>
-
-<p>thus showing that the Pindar of Wakefield was the
-older house, and famous in that locality. This doorway
-and stone were in existence within the last forty years,
-for, in a footnote to page 572 of the <i>Gentleman's
-Magazine</i> of June, 1847, it says, "The gate and inscription
-still remain, and will be found, where we saw
-them a few weeks since, in the road called Coppice Row,
-on the left going from Clerkenwell towards the New
-Road."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The following illustration gives Bagnigge Wells as it
-appeared at the end of last century.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_085-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_085-500.png" width="500" height="287" alt="BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON" /></a>
-<div class="caption">BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>We have read how these gardens were first started in
-1757, but they soon became well known and, indeed,
-notorious, as we read in a very scurrilous poem called
-"Bagnigge Wells," by W. Woty, in 1760—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p class="i4">"Wells, and the place I sing, at early dawn</p>
-<p>Frequented oft, where male and female meet,</p>
-<p>And strive to drink a long adieu to pain.</p>
-<p>In that refreshing Vale with fragrance fill'd,</p>
-<p>Renown'd of old for Nymph of public fame</p>
-<p>And amorous Encounter, where the sons</p>
-<p>Of lawless lust conven'd—where each by turns</p>
-<p>His venal Doxy woo'd, and stil'd the place</p>
-<p><i>Black Mary's Hole</i>—there stands a Dome superb,</p>
-<p>Hight Bagnigge; where from our Forefathers hid,</p>
-<p>Long have two Springs in dull stagnation slept;</p>
-<p>But, taught at length by subtle art to flow,</p>
-<p>They rise, forth from Oblivion's bed they rise,</p>
-<p>And manifest their Virtues to Mankind."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The major portion of this poem (?) is rather too <i>risque</i>
-for modern publication, but the following extract shows
-the sort of people who went there with the view of
-benefiting their health—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">"Here ambulates th' Attorney looking grave,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Rake from Bacchanalian rout uprose,</p>
-<p class="i1">And mad festivity. Here, too, the Cit,</p>
-<p class="i1">With belly, turtle-stuff'd, and man of Gout,</p>
-<p class="i1">With leg of size enormous. Hobbling on,</p>
-<p class="i1">The Pump-room he salutes, and in the chair</p>
-<p class="i1">He squats himself unwieldy. Much he drinks,</p>
-<p class="i1">And much he laughs to see the females quaff</p>
-<p class="i1">The friendly beverage. He, nor jest obscene,</p>
-<p class="i1">Of meretricious wench, nor quibble quaint,</p>
-<p class="i1">Of prentic'd punster heeds, himself a wit</p>
-<p class="i1">And dealer in conundrums, but retorts</p>
-<p class="i1">The repartee jocosely. Soft! how pale</p>
-<p class="i1">Yon antiquated virgin looks! Alas!</p>
-<p class="i1">In vain she drinks, in vain she glides around</p>
-<p class="i1">The Garden's labyrinth. 'Tis not for thee,</p>
-<p class="i1">Mistaken nymph! these waters pour their streams," &c.</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>And in the prologue to "Bon Ton: or <i>High</i> Life
-above Stairs," by David Garrick, acted at Drury Lane
-for the first time, for the benefit of Mr. King, in 1775,
-not much is said as to the character of its frequenters.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Ah! I loves life and all the joy it yields,</p>
-<p class="i1">Says Madam Fupock, warm from Spittlefields.</p>
-<p class="i1">Bon Ton's the space 'twixt Saturday and Monday,</p>
-<p class="i1">And riding in a one-horse chaise on Sunday,</p>
-<p class="i1">'Tis drinking tea on summer's afternoons</p>
-<p class="i1">At Bagnigge Wells, with china and gilt spoons."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_34" id="Footnote_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a>
-Otherwise the Fleet.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_35" id="Footnote_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a>
-These papers appeared in the <i>Illustrated Family Journal</i>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_36" id="Footnote_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a>
-In Cromwell's "History of Clerkenwell," p. 322, we read,
-"In memory of its supposed proprietor, the owner of some small
-tenements near the north end of the gardens styled them 'Nell
-Gwynn's Buildings;' but the inscription was erased before 1803."</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_087-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_087-500.png" width="500" height="137" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THE gardens were pretty, after the manner of the
-times; we should not, perhaps, particularly admire
-the formally cut lines and hedges, nor the
-fountain in which a Cupid is hugging a swan, nor the
-rustic statuary of the haymakers. Still it was a little
-walk out of London, where fresh air could be breathed,
-and a good view obtained of the northern hills of
-Hampstead and Highgate, with the interlying pastoral
-country, sparsely dotted with farmhouses and cottages.
-The Fleet, here, had not been polluted into a sewer as
-it was further on, and there were all the elements of
-spending a pleasant, happy day, in good air, amid rural
-scenes.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_088-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_088-500.png" width="500" height="291" alt="A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS" /></a>
-<div class="caption">A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 322px;">
-<a href="images/i_089a-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_089a-500.png" width="325" height="500" alt="WAITER FROM THE
-BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS." /></a>
-<div class="caption">WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY;<br />
-OR, THE HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_089b-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_089b-500.png" width="500" height="458" alt="THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>The place, however, rapidly became a disreputable
-<i>rendezvous</i>, and we get an excellent glimpse of the
-costumes of <i>circa</i> 1780 in the two following engravings
-taken from mezzotints published by Carington
-Bowles; although not dated, they are of that period,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>
-showing the Macaronis and Belles of that time. The first is called "The
-<span class="smcap">Bread</span> and <span class="smcap">
-Butter Manufactory</span>,<a name="FNanchor_37" id="FNanchor_37">
-</a><a href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a>
-or the Humours of <span class="smcap">Bagnigge Wells</span>," and
-the second "A Bagnigge Wells Scene, or no resisting
-temptation," which gives a charming representation of
-the ultra fashion of dress then worn.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 473px;">
-<a href="images/i_090-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_090-500.png" width="473" height="500" alt="A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION." /></a>
-<div class="caption">A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Yet another glance at the manners of the time is
-afforded by the boy waiter, who hurries along with his
-tray of tea-things and <i>kettle of hot water</i>.<a name="FNanchor_38" id="FNanchor_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 329px;">
-<a href="images/i_091-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_091-500.png" width="329" height="500" alt="THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>And there was good music there, too—an organ in
-the long room, on which Charles Griffith performed, as
-may be seen in the accompanying illustration. The
-name of Davis on the music books, is that of the then
-proprietor, and the lines underneath are parodied from
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>
-Dryden's "Song for St. Cecilia's day, 1687."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"What passion cannot music raise and quell!</p>
-<p class="i4">When Jubal struck the corded shell,</p>
-<p class="i1">His listening brethren stood around,</p>
-<p class="i4">And, wondering, on their faces fell."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>It went on with varying fortunes, and under various
-proprietors. First of all Mr. Hughes, then, in 1792,
-Davis had it; in 1813 it was in the hands of one Salter;
-in 1818, a man named Thorogood took it, but let it to
-one Monkhouse, who failed, and it reverted to Thorogood.
-Then came as tenant, a Mr. Chapman, who
-was bankrupt in 1833, and, in 1834, Richard Chapman
-was proprietor. I fancy he was the last, as public house,
-and gardens, combined.</p>
-
-<p>Mr. William Muggins, before quoted, laments its
-decadence thus: "Besides the whitewashed walls, and
-hoctagon shell grotto, there war the tea garden, with its
-honey suckle and sweet briar harbours, where they used
-to drink tea hout of werry small cups, and heat the
-far famed little hot loaves and butter; then there war the
-dancing plot, and the gold and silver fish ponds, and the
-bowling green, and skittle alley, and fire work ground
-hall so romantic and rural, standing in the middle of a
-lot of fields, and shaded around with trees. Now it's
-a werry different concarn, for it's surrounded with buildings—the
-gardens is cut hoff to nuffin, and the ouse
-looks tumble down and miserable." That was in 1840.</p>
-
-<p>It was about this time that a song appeared in "The
-Little Melodist," 1839—dilating on the delights of the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>
-neighbourhood of Islington, and the first verse ran
-thus:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Will you go to Bagnigge Wells,</p>
-<p class="i12-5">Bonnet builder, O!</p>
-<p class="i1">Where the Fleet ditch fragrant smells,</p>
-<p class="i12-5">Bonnet builder, O!</p>
-<p class="i1">Where the fishes used to swim,</p>
-<p class="i1">So nice and sleek and trim,</p>
-<p class="i1">But the pond's now covered in,</p>
-<p class="i12-5">Bonnet builder, O!</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><i>Punch</i>, too, when it was young, and had warm
-blood coursing through its veins, visited Bagnigge
-Wells, and recorded the visit in its pages (Sept. 7,
-1843). After a description of the walk thither, it says, "We last
-visited Bagnigge Wells about the beginning
-of the present week, and, like many travellers, at first
-passed close to it without seeing it. Upon returning,
-however, our eye was first arrested by an ancient door
-in the wall over which was inscribed the following:—
-<a name="FNanchor_39" id="FNanchor_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p>
-
-<p>"This inscription, of which the above is a <i>fac simile</i>
-was surmounted by a noseless head carved in stone;
-and, underneath, was a cartoon drawn in chalk upon the
-door, evidently of a later date, and bearing a resemblance
-to some of the same class in Gell's 'Pompeii.'
-Underneath was written in letters of an irregular
-alphabet, '<span class="smcap">Chucky</span>'—the entire drawing being,
-without doubt, some local pasquinade.</p>
-
-<p>"Not being able to obtain admittance at the door, we
-went on a short distance, and came to the ruins of the
-ancient 'Wells,' of which part of the banqueting room
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>
-still exists. These are entirely open to the public
-as well as the adjoining pleasure grounds, although
-the thick layer of brick-bats with which they are
-covered, renders walking a task of some difficulty.
-The adjacent premises of an eminent builder separate
-them by some cubits from the road of Gray's Inn,
-near which, what we suppose to be the 'Well' is still
-visible. It is a round hole in the ground behind the
-ruins, filled up with rubbish and mosaics of oyster shells,
-but, at present, about eighteen inches deep.</p>
-
-<p>"It is very evident that the character of Bagnigge
-Wells has much altered within the last century. For,
-bearing that date, we have before us the 'Song of the
-'Prentice to his Mistress' in which the attractions of
-the place are thus set forth:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"'Come, come, Miss Priscy, make it up,</p>
-<p class="i4">And we will lovers be:</p>
-<p class="i1">And we will go to <i>Bagnigge Wells</i>,</p>
-<p class="i4">And there we'll have some tea.</p>
-<p class="i1">And there you'll see the ladybirds</p>
-<p class="i4">All on the stinging nettles;</p>
-<p class="i1">And there you'll see the water-works,</p>
-<p class="i4">And shining copper kettles.</p>
-<p class="i1">And there you'll see the fishes, Miss,</p>
-<p class="i4">More curious than whales;</p>
-<p class="i1">They're made of gold and silver, Miss,</p>
-<p class="i4">And wag their little tails.'<a name="FNanchor_40" id="FNanchor_40"></a>
-<a href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Of the wonders recounted in these stanzas, the stinging
-nettles alone remain flourishing, which they do in
-great quantity. The Waterworks are now confined to
-two spouts and a butt against the adjacent building;
-and the gold and silver fishes separately, in the form of
-red herrings and sprats, have been removed to the stalls
-in the neighbourhood, with a great deal more of the
-wag in the dealer, than in themselves.</p>
-
-<p>"The real Bagnigge Wells, where company assemble
-to drink, at the present day, is next door to the ruins.
-The waters are never drank, however, now, without
-being strongly medicated, by a process carried on at the
-various brewers and distillers of the Metropolis: without
-this, they are supposed, by some classes, to be highly
-injurious. Their analysis have produced various results.
-Soda has been detected in one species, analogous to the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>
-German <i>Seltzer</i>, and designated 'Webb's'; others
-contain iron in appreciable quantities, and institute a
-galvanic circle, when quaffed from goblets formed from
-an alloy of tin and lead: in some constitutions quickening
-the circulation, and raising the animal temperature—in
-others, producing utter prostration.</p>
-
-<p>"Flannel jackets, and brown paper caps appeared to be
-the costume of the valetudinarians who were drinking
-at the Wells, during our stay. We patronized the
-tepid spa by ordering 'Sixpennyworth warm,' as the
-potion was termed in the dialect of Bagnigge, for the
-purpose of drawing the proprietor into conversation.
-But he was, evidently, reluctant to impart much
-information, and told us nothing beyond what we
-already knew—a custom very prevalent at all the
-springs we have visited.</p>
-
-<p>"Lodgings, provisions, clothing, &c., are to be had
-at low rates in the neighbourhood, and there are several
-delightful spots in the vicinity of Bagnigge Wells.</p>
-
-<p>"The Excursion to Battle Bridge will be found highly
-interesting, returning by the Brill; and, to the admirers
-of nature, the panorama from the summit of King's
-Cross, embracing the Small Pox Hospital, and Imperial
-Gas Works, with the very low countries surrounding
-them, is peculiarly worthy of especial notice."
-</p>
-
-<p>Two years previous to this notice, there was a paragraph
-in the <i>Times</i> (April 6, 1841) which shows how
-the Wells had fallen into decadence.</p>
-
-<p>"The Old Grotto, which had all the windows out, and was greatly
-dilapidated, and the upper part of the Garden Wall, was knocked down by
-some persons going along Bagnigge Road, early this morning."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97-98]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The old place had fulfilled its mission. It had
-ministered to the recreation and amusement, harmless,
-or otherwise, of generations of Londoners, and it came
-to final grief, and disappeared in 1844. Its name is
-still preserved in "The Bagnigge Wells" Tavern, 39,
-King's Cross Road, and that is all the reminiscence we
-have of this once famous place of recreative resort.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_37" id="Footnote_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a>
-An allusion to the hot buttered rolls, which were in vogue there.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_38" id="Footnote_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a>
-See p. <a href="#Page_89">89</a></p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_39" id="Footnote_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a>
-See ante-p. <a href="#Page_84">84</a></p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_40" id="Footnote_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a>
-With all due deference to <i>Punch</i>, I think his version is slightly,
-only slightly, inaccurate. I have before me five copies, two MS.
-and three printed, all of which run—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width40">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Come, prithee make it up, Miss,</p>
-<p class="i4">And be as lovers be,</p>
-<p class="i1">We'll go to Bagnigge Wells, Miss,</p>
-<p class="i4">And there we'll have some tea.</p>
-<p class="i1">It's there you'll see the Lady-birds</p>
-<p class="i4">Perch'd on the Stinging Nettles;</p>
-<p class="i1">The Chrystal water Fountain,</p>
-<p class="i4">And the Copper, shining Kettles.</p>
-<p class="i1">It's there you'll see the Fishes,</p>
-<p class="i4">More curious they than Whales,</p>
-<p class="i1">And they're made of Gold and Silver, Miss,</p>
-<p class="i4">And wags their little tails.</p>
-<p class="i1">Oh! they wags their little Tails</p>
-<p class="i4">—They wags their little Tails</p>
-<p class="i1">Oh! they're made of gold and silver, Miss,
-and they wags their little Tails.</p>
-<p class="i4">Oh! dear! Oh! la! Oh! dear! Oh! la!</p>
-<p class="i10">Oh! dear! Oh! la!</p>
-<p class="i20">How funny!"</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 191px; ">
-<a href="images/i_097-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_097-200.png" width="191" height="200" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_099-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_099-500.png" width="500" height="121" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">A LITTLE farther on, it washed the walls of Cold
-Bath Fields Prison, the <i>House of Correction</i>, and
-we get a view of it in Hone's "Table Book,"<a name="FNanchor_41" id="FNanchor_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a>
-p. 75. Here he says,</p>
-
-<p>"In 1825, this was the first open view, nearest London, of the ancient
-River Fleet: it was taken during the building of the high arched walls
-connected with the House of Correction, Cold Bath Fields, close to
-which prison the river ran, as here seen. At that time, the newly
-erected walls communicated a peculiarly picturesque effect to the
-stream flowing within their confines."</p>
-
-<p>This "House of Correction" was indebted for its birth to the famous
-John Howard, who had made an European tour, not to mention a home one,
-inquisitorially inspecting prisons. We all know the result of his
-labours; how he exposed abuses fearlessly, and made men's hearts soften
-somewhat towards those incarcerated.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_100-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_100-500.png" width="500" height="444" alt="THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Howard, writing in 1789, held that capital punishment should be
-abolished except for <i>murder</i>, <i>setting houses on fire</i>, and for
-<i>house breaking, attended with acts of cruelty</i>. And speaking of his
-Penitentiaries, he says:</p>
-
-<p>"To these houses, however, I would have none but
-old, hardened offenders, and those who have, as the laws now stand,
-forfeited their lives by robbery, house breaking, and similar Crimes,
-should be committed; or, in short, those Criminals who are to be
-confined for a long term or for life....</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg
-101]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"The <i>Penitentiary houses</i>, I would have <i>built</i>, in a great
-measure, <i>by the convicts</i>. I will suppose that a power is obtained
-from Parliament to employ such of them as are now at work on the
-Thames, or some of those who are in the county gaols, under sentence
-of transportation, as may be thought most expedient. In the first
-place, let the surrounding wall, intended for full security against
-escapes, be completed, and proper lodges for the gate keepers. Let
-temporary buildings, of the nature of barracks, be erected in some part
-of this enclosure which would be wanted the least, till the whole is
-finished."</p>
-
-<p>This was a portion of his scheme, and he suggested that it
-should be located, where it was afterwards built, in Cold Bath
-Fields—because the situation was healthy, that good water could
-be obtained from the White Conduit, as the Charter House no longer
-required that source of supply, it being well served by the New River
-Company—that labour was cheap—and so was food, especially
-the coarse meat from the shambles at Islington.</p>
-
-<p>The prisoners were to have separate cells, so as to prevent the
-promiscuous herding of all, which had previously produced such
-mischievous results, and these cells were to be light and airy. The
-convicts of both sexes were to <i>work</i>, and their food was to be
-apportioned to the work they had to do. Also—a very great step
-in the right direction—they were all to wear a prison uniform.
-Howard, philanthropist as he was, was very far from lenient to the
-rogue. He was fully aware of the value of <i>work</i>, and specially
-provided that his rogues,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>
-in their reformation, should pass through the purifying process of
-hard labour. In later times, the way of transgressors was hard in
-that place, and it became a terror to evildoers, being known by
-the name of the <i>English Bastile</i>—which, however, amongst
-its patrons, was diminished, until it finally was abbreviated into
-"the Steel" by which name it was known until its abolition.<a
-name="FNanchor_42" id="FNanchor_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42"
-class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p>
-
-<p>This cognomen was so well known, that, in 1799, a book was written
-by "A Middlesex Magistrate" entitled "The Secrets of the English
-Bastile disclosed"—which was a favourable story of the management
-of the prison in Cold Bath Fields. Still, it was the subject of a
-Parliamentary inquiry, as we find in the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for
-1798-9, under date of Dec. 31, 1798, p. 398, that, in the House of
-Commons, Sir Francis Burdett gave notice of his intention of moving, at
-some future day, for a report relative to the system practised in the
-prison, called the House of Correction, Cold Bath Fields, with regard
-to the persons therein confined.</p>
-
-<p>In the "Parliamentary History of England," vol. xxxiv. p. 566,
-we learn that on Mar. 6, 1799, Mr. W. Dundas moved that a Select
-Committee be appointed to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>
-inquire into the state of his Majesty's prison in Cold Bath Fields,
-Clerkenwell, and report the same, as it shall appear to them, together
-with their opinion thereupon, to the House; and a Committee was
-appointed accordingly. Unfortunately, the pages of what, afterwards,
-become <i>Hansard's</i>, do not record the result.</p>
-
-<p>But in the <i>Annual Register</i> for the same year on Dec. 21st there
-was a long report respecting it during a debate on the suspension of
-the Habeas Corpus Act. Mr. Courtenay said, that, "having visited the
-prisons, he found the prisoners without fire, and without candles,
-denied every kind of society, exposed to the cold and the rain, allowed
-to breathe the air out of their cells only for an hour, denied every
-comfort, every innocent amusement, excluded from all intercourse with
-each other, and, each night locked up from all the rest of the world.
-He supposed it was scarcely necessary to inform the House, that the
-prison of which he had been speaking, was that in Cold Bath Fields,
-known by the name of the Bastille." There was a lot more nonsense of the same type talked by other
-M.P.'s and, it is needless to say, that the exaggerated statements were
-anent a political prisoner—who afterwards suffered death for
-treason. And in the remainder of the debate even the very foundation
-for the libel was destroyed. It is a curious fact, that people have
-an idea that political prisoners, who have done as much harm to the
-commonweal as they have the possibility of doing, are to be treated
-daintily, and with every consideration for their extremely sensitive
-feelings. We, perhaps, in these latter days, may read a profitable
-lesson in the suppression of treason,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>
-from the proper carrying out of the sentences legally imposed upon
-those who resist the law out of pure malice (legal).</p>
-
-<p>In the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for 1796, is the following letter
-to—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p class="right"><i>Dec. 10, 1795.</i><br /></p>
-
-<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Urban</span>.—Your respect for the
-memory of Mr. Howard, will induce you to insert the inclosed view of
-the House of Correction for the County of Middlesex, formed principally
-on his judicious suggestions. It is situated on the North side of
-London, between Cold Bath Fields, and Gray's Inn Lane. The spot on
-which it is erected having been naturally swampy, and long used for a
-public lay-stall, it was found prudent to lay the foundation so deep,
-and pile it so securely, that it is supposed there are as many bricks
-laid underground as appear to sight. What is more to the purpose, the
-internal regulations of this place of security are believed to be
-perfectly well adapted to the salutary purposes to which the building
-is appropriated.</p>
-
-<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:3em;">"Yours, &c.,<br /></span>
-<span class="smcap">"Eugenio</span>." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Still Cold Bath Fields Prison had an evil name—in all
-probability, because prisoners there, were treated as if they had
-sinned against the social canons, and were not persons to be coaxed
-and <i>petted</i> into behaviour such as would enable them to rank
-among their more honest fellows, and in this way wrote Coleridge
-and Southey in "The Devil's Walk," which was suggested by the<span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>
-<i>pseudo Christos</i> <span class="smcap">Brothers</span> who as these
-gentlemen wrote:—<a name="FNanchor_43" id="FNanchor_43"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"He walked into London leisurely,</p>
-<p class="i1">The streets were dirty and dim:</p>
-<p class="i1">But there he saw Brothers, the Prophet,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Brothers the Prophet saw him."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Well, in the Devil's rambles he came across Cold Bath Fields
-Prison—which, as I have said, was not beloved of the criminal
-class, and, simply, as I think, for the sake of saying something smart,
-and not that they ever had experienced incarceration, or is there any
-evidence that they had even seen the prison, they write:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"As he passed through Cold Bath Fields he look'd</p>
-<p class="i4">At a solitary Cell;</p>
-<p class="i1">And he was well-pleased, for it gave him a hint</p>
-<p class="i4">For improving the prisons of Hell.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">He saw a turnkey tie a thief's hands</p>
-<p class="i4">With a cordial try and a jerk;</p>
-<p class="i1">Nimbly, quoth he, a man's fingers move</p>
-<p class="i4">When his heart is in his work.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">He saw the same turnkey unfettering a man</p>
-<p class="i4">With little expedition;</p>
-<p class="i1">And he chuckled to think of his dear slave trade,</p>
-<p class="i1">And the long debates, and delays that were made</p>
-<p class="i4">Concerning its abolition."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>There is very little doubt, however, that, in the closing year
-of last, and the commencing one of this,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>
-century, the conduct of the Governor—a man named Aris—was
-open to very grave censure. People outside imagined that all sorts of
-evils were being perpetrated within its walls, and, either through
-laxity, or too great severity, of discipline, something nigh akin to
-mutiny occurred in the prison in July, 1800—which was promptly
-stopped by the presence of a company of the Clerkenwell Volunteers. In
-August of the same year, there was another outbreak in the prison, the
-occupants shouting "Murder," and that they were being starved, in tones
-loud enough to be heard outside, and, once more the Volunteers were
-the active agents in enforcing law and order. This latter "seething of
-the pot" lasted a few days, and it culminated in the discharge of the
-obnoxious Governor Aris.</p>
-
-<p>There is nothing noteworthy to chronicle of this prison from that
-date,<a name="FNanchor_44" id="FNanchor_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44"
-class="fnanchor">[44]</a> all prison details being, necessarily, <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>
-unsavoury—and this particular one was not watered with rose
-water. It was a place of hard work, and not likely to impress the
-unproductive class, with a wish to be permanent inhabitants thereof.
-Yet, as this present year witnessed its demolition, something more must
-be said respecting it. In the <i>Globe</i> newspaper of January 1, 1887, is
-this short paragraph: "Notices were yesterday posted on the walls of
-Coldbath Fields Prison, intimating that it is for sale. Tenders are
-invited for the site, and all buildings, &c., contained within
-the boundary walls. The prison covers an area of eight acres and three
-quarters."</p>
-
-<p>There ought to be some record of its dying days, for the demolition
-of a prison in a large community of people, like ours in London, must
-mean one of two things, either a diminution of crime, or, that the
-prison is not suitable to the requirements of the age.</p>
-
-<p>The Ninth Report of the Commissioners of Prisons, for the Year ended
-March 31, 1886, speaking of Pentonville Prison, says:</p>
-
-<p>"In November, 1885, the majority of the prisoners
-confined in Coldbath Fields Prison were transferred to this Prison; and
-since that date, the remainder have also been removed here, that prison
-being now vacated, and in charge of a warder acting as caretaker.</p>
-
-<p>"The tread-wheel<a name="FNanchor_45" id="FNanchor_45"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> has been taken down at
-Coldbath Fields Prison, and is in process of re-erection here.</p>
-
-<p>"The behaviour of the officers has been good, with the exception of
-four, discharged by order of the Prison Commissioners.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg
-108]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"The conduct of the prisoners has been generally good.</p>
-
-<p>"The materials and provisions supplied by the Contractors have been
-good, and have given satisfaction.</p>
-
-<p>"To meet the requirements of the local prison service, a room is
-being completed for the convenience of the members of the Visiting
-Committee who attend here, also a room for the daily collection of
-prisoners to see the medical officer, and other purposes, as well as
-various minor alterations found necessary since the transfer.</p>
-
-<p>"A bakehouse has been completed, and is in working order, supplying
-bread to all metropolitan prisons.</p>
-
-<p>"The routine and discipline have been carried out in the same
-general manner as heretofore.</p>
-
-<p>"The industrial labour continues to be attended with satisfactory
-results; the greater portion is still devoted to supplying the wants of
-other prisons or Government establishments instead of the market.</p>
-
-<p>"Uniform clothing for officers is cut out here for all local
-prisons, and made up for a considerable number of the smaller prisons,
-also prisoners' clothing and bedding, hospital slippers for the
-Admiralty, as well as a large number of Cases and other articles for
-the General Post Office have been supplied.</p>
-
-<p>"The duties of the Chaplain's department have been performed
-uninterruptedly during the year, morning prayers have been said
-daily, and Divine Service has been performed on Sundays, Good Friday,
-and Christmas day, in the morning and afternoon, with a sermon at
-both services. The Holy Communion has been
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>
-celebrated from time to time on Sundays and on the great Sunday
-Festivals. The hospital has been daily visited; special attention
-has been paid to the prisoners confined in the punishment Cells, and
-constant opportunity has been offered to all of private instruction and
-advice. Books from the prisoners' library have been issued to all who
-are entitled to receive them, all prisoners who cannot pass standard
-three, as set forth by the Education Committee have been admitted to
-school instruction.</p>
-
-<p>"School books and slates and pencils are issued to prisoners in
-their cells.</p>
-
-<p>"The medical officer states that the health of the prisoners at
-Coldbath Fields, and since the transfer to this prison, has been good.
-One case of smallpox occurred at Coldbath Fields; as the prisoner had
-been some months in gaol, it was clear that he had caught the disease,
-either from a warder, or from some prisoner recently received; he
-had been a cleaner in the rotunda, and, of course, had been coming
-into contact with warders and prisoners alike, in the busiest part of
-the prison, the presumption is that the disease had been carried by
-the uniform of some warder. There were five cases of erysipelas at
-Coldbath Fields, and one at this prison, at the former place the cases
-came from all parts of the prison, new and old. The air shafts were
-thoroughly swept and limewashed, and disinfected as far as could be
-reached, and there is no doubt that it checked the disease.</p>
-
-<p>"The dietary has been satisfactory during the year, and the new
-pattern clothing a great improvement.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg
-110]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Every precaution is taken in classing prisoners for labour suited
-to their age, physique and health.</p>
-
-<p>"The sanitary arrangements are most carefully supervised; the
-ventilation in the cells is very good."</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>I offer no apology for intruding this report of Prison life, which,
-if one took the trouble to look up the yearly reports, he would find
-they are all couched in almost identical language.<a name="FNanchor_46"
-id="FNanchor_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a>
-I simply give it for the consideration of my readers—who, with
-myself, do not belong to the criminal classes—to show them
-how those who have preyed upon them, and have deservedly merited
-punishment, meet with treatment such as the indigent and industrious
-poor, when, fallen upon evil times, can not obtain, and the sooner
-these pampered criminals feel, through their flesh—either by the
-whip, hard labour, or hunger—that the wages of sin are not paid
-at a higher rate than that procurable by honest labour, the probability
-is that the community at large would be considerably benefited, and
-the criminal classes would be in a great measure deprived of clubs
-to which there is neither entrance fee, nor annual subscription, in
-which everything of the best quality is found them free of charge, and
-the health of their precious carcases specially looked after, and
-gratuitously attended to.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_41" id="Footnote_41"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> See next
-page.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_42" id="Footnote_42"></a>
-<a href="#FNanchor_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a>
-J. T. Smith in his "Vagabondiana," ed. 1815-1817, p. 51, alludes
-thus to the prison:
-
-"Perhaps the only waggery in public-house customs now remaining, is in
-the tap room of the Appletree, opposite to Cold Bath Fields Prison.
-There are a pair of hand cuffs fastened to the wires as bell-pulls, and
-the orders given by some of the company, when they wish their friends
-to ring, are, to 'Agitate the Conductor.'"</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_43" id="Footnote_43"></a>
-<a href="#FNanchor_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a>
-"After this I was in a vision, having the angel of God near me, and saw
-Satan walking leisurely into London" ("Brothers' Prophecies,"
-part i. p. 41).</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_44" id="Footnote_44"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> I have met
-with a Newspaper Cutting, with no clue to its authenticity or date.
-"<span class="smcap">Dreadful Ravages of the Influenza in the House
-of Correction.</span>—Yesterday afternoon, Inquests were
-holden by William Baker, Esq., one of the Coroners for the County of
-Middlesex, at the House of Correction, Coldbath Fields, on no less
-than five individuals, namely, Peter Griffiths, Michael Hughes, James
-Jones, Thomas Lillie, and Ann Connard, all of whom had died from the
-effects of the present prevalent epidemic, or influenza, and who were
-inmates of that prison, and had been sentenced to different periods
-of imprisonment. It is a fact that, for the last two months, more
-prisoners have died in this prison, principally from the effects of
-influenza, than had died there during the whole of the preceding year."
-Possibly the poor Fleet River, at that time hardly degraded to the
-level of the Sewer—which now it is—may have had something
-to do with the unsanitary condition of the prison.—J. A.</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_45" id="Footnote_45"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Adopted at
-Coldbath Fields Prison, July, 1822.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_46" id="Footnote_46"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Let any one
-compare, for instance, reports for 1884 and 1886.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg
-111]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_111-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_111-500.png" width="500" height="141" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">COLDBATH FIELDS were, a hundred and twenty years
-ago, fairly rural, for (although it certainly is recorded as an
-abnormal occurrence) we find, in the <i>Daily Courant</i>, November 12,
-1765, "Friday afternoon, about two o'clock, a hare crossed the New
-Road, near Dobney's Bowling green, ran to the New River Head, and from
-thence to Coldbath Fields, where, in some turning among the different
-avenues, she was lost. She appeared to have been hard run, by her dirty
-and shabby coat."</p>
-
-<p>These fields took their name from a spring (part of the River
-of Wells) which had its source there. A Mr. Walter Baynes of the
-Temple, who was, for his day, far-seeing, and made the most of the
-"town lots" which were in the market, bought this plot of land, and
-at once utilized it to his profit. It was of some note, as we read
-in a book published in Queen Anne's reign, "A New View of London,"
-1708, vol. ii. p. 785. "Cold Bath. The most noted and
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>
-first<a name="FNanchor_47" id="FNanchor_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47"
-class="fnanchor">[47]</a> about <i>London</i> was that near <i>Sir John
-Oldcastle's</i>, where, in the Year 1697, Mr. <i>Bains</i> undertook and yet
-manages this business of Cold Bathing, which they say is good against
-Rheumatisms, Convulsions of the Nerves, &c., but of that, those
-that have made the Experiments are the best judges. The Rates are 2s.
-6d. if the Chair is used,<a name="FNanchor_48" id="FNanchor_48"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> and 2s. without it. Hours
-are from five in the morning to one, afternoon."</p>
-
-<p>We learn two things from this—the pristine existence of "tub,"
-and the fact that it was purely matutinal. Nay, from the same book we
-learn more, for, under the heading of "Southwark Cold Bath," we find
-that the "utmost time to be in, three minutes." At this latter places
-were "ex votos," so frequently seen at shrines on the Continent. "Here
-are eleven Crutches, which they say, were those of persons cured by
-this Water." Bathing was a luxury then—water was bought by the
-pailful, and a warm bath at the <i>Hummums</i> cost 5s., equal to between
-10s. and 15s. of our money.</p>
-
-<p>Walter Baynes, Esq., of the Middle Temple, seems to have been a
-pushing man of business, and willing to make the most of his property.
-He traded on the uncleanliness
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>
-of the times, when baths were mostly used in case of illness, and
-daily ablution of the whole body was unknown. Ladies were quite content
-to dab their faces with some "fucus" or face wash, or else smear them
-with a greasy larded rag. The shock of a veritable cold bath from a
-spring, must have astonished most of those who endured it, and no doubt
-invested it with a mysterious merit which it did not possess, otherwise
-than by cleansing the skin, both by the washing, and the subsequent
-rubbing dry.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_113-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_113-500.png" width="500" height="374" alt="SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS." /></a>
-<div class="caption">SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>However, we find Mr. Baynes advertising in the _Post Boy_, March
-28, 1700, the curative effects of his wonderful spring. "This is to give notice that the Cold Baths in Sir John Oldcastle's
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>
-field near the north end of Gray's Inn Lane, London, in all seasons
-of the year, especially in the spring and summer, has been found, by
-experience, to be the best remedy in these following distempers, viz.,
-Dizziness, Drowsiness, and heavyness of the head, Lethargies, Palsies,
-Convulsions, all Hectical creeping Fevers, heats and flushings.
-Inflammations and ebullitions of the blood, and spirits, all vapours,
-and disorders of the spleen and womb, also stiffness of the limbs, and
-Rheumatick pains, also shortness of the breath, weakness of the joints,
-as Rickets, &c., sore eyes, redness of the face, and all impurities
-of the skin, also deafness, ruptures, dropsies, and jaundice. It both
-prevents and cures colds, creates appetite, and helps digestion, and
-makes hardy the tenderest constitution. The coach way is by Hockley in
-the Hole."
-</p>
-
-<p>Of course, viewed by the light of modern medical
-science, Mr. Baynes was a charlatan, and a quack, but
-he acted, doubtless, according to his lights, in those
-days; and, if a few were killed, it is probable that
-many more were benefited by being washed.</p>
-
-<p>Sir Richard Steele, writing in 1715, says thus:</p>
-
-<p class="center">"<span class="smcap"><b>On the Cold Bath at Oldcastle's.</b></span>"</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Hail, sacred Spring! Thou ever-living Stream,</p>
-<p class="i1">Ears to the Deaf, Supporters to the Lame,</p>
-<p class="i1">Where fair Hygienia ev'ry morn attends,</p>
-<p class="i1">And with kind Waves, her gentle Succour lends.</p>
-<p class="i1">While in the Cristal Fountain we behold</p>
-<p class="i1">The trembling Limbs, Enervate, Pale and Cold;</p>
-<p class="i1">A Rosy Hue she on the face bestows,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Nature in the chilling fluid glows,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">The Eyes shoot Fire, first kindled in the Brain,</p>
-<p class="i1">As beds of Lime smoke after showers of Rain;</p>
-<p class="i1">The fiery Particles concentred there,</p>
-<p class="i1">Break ope' their Prison Doors and range in Air;</p>
-<p class="i1">Hail then thou pow'rful Goddess that presides</p>
-<p class="i1">O'er these cold Baths as Neptune o'er his Tides,</p>
-<p class="i1">Receive what Tribute a pure Muse can pay</p>
-<p class="i1">For Health that makes the Senses Brisk and Gay,</p>
-<p class="i1">The fairest Offspring of the heavenly Ray."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>At one time there was a famous house of refreshment
-and recreation, either called the Cobham's Head, or the
-Sir John Oldcastle—or there were one of each. Authorities
-differ, and, although I have spent some time
-and trouble in trying to reconcile so-called facts, I have
-come to the conclusion that, for my reader's sake, <i>le
-jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle</i>. There is a tradition that
-Sir John Oldcastle who was a famous Lollard in the
-time of Henry V., either had an estate here, or hid in
-a house of entertainment there, during his persecution
-for faith. But the whole is hazy.</p>
-
-<p>We know that there was a Sir John Oldcastle, who was
-born in the fourteenth century, and who was the fourth
-husband of Joan, Lady Cobham, in whose right he took
-the title of Lord Cobham. We know also, that he
-enjoyed the friendship of Henry V., and was of his
-household. But he got imbued with the doctrines of
-Wyclif, was cited to appear, more than once, before the
-ecclesiastical authorities, declined the invitations, and
-was duly excommunicated. He wrangled with the
-priests, got committed to the Tower, escaped and hid
-in Wales, was accused of heading a trumpery insurrection,
-and was, finally, captured, tried, and hanged in
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>
-chains alive, upon a gallows in St. Giles' Fields, when,
-fire being put under him, he was slowly roasted to death
-in December, 1417. A pious nobleman, like the late
-Lord Shaftesbury, for instance, was not popular at that
-time, if we may believe a few lines from "Wright's
-Political Songs from Edward II. to Henry VI."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Hit is unkindly for a Knight</p>
-<p class="i1">That shuld a kynges castel kepe,</p>
-<p class="i1">To bable the Bible day and night,</p>
-<p class="i1">In restyng time when he shuld slepe,</p>
-<p class="i1">And carefoly away to crepe;</p>
-<p class="i1">For alle the chefe of chivalrie,</p>
-<p class="i1">Wel ought hym to wail and wepe,</p>
-<p class="i1">That swyche<a name="FNanchor_49" id="FNanchor_49"></a>
-<a href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> lust is in Lollardie."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>The English were always famous bowmen, and
-archery—although gunpowder has long superseded bows
-and arrows in warfare—still is a favourite and fashionable
-pastime, witness the Toxopholite Society in
-Regent's Park, and the various Archery associations
-throughout the kingdom; so that it is not remarkable
-that an open space like Coldbath Fields should vie
-with the Artillery ground at Finsbury, in favour with
-the citizens, as a place for this sport; and we find, in
-Queen Anne's reign, that the <i>Sir John Oldcastle</i> was
-frequented by Archers. And for this information we
-may thank that old sinner, John Bagford (who spoilt so
-many books for the sake of their title-pages) for preserving.
-It tells its own story:—<a name="FNanchor_50" id="FNanchor_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a></p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"All gentlemen of the ancient and noble exercise of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>
-Archery, are invited to the annual dinner of the Clerkenwell
-Archers, Mrs. Mary Barton's, at the sign of Sir
-John Oldcastle (Cold Bath Fields) on Friday, July 18,
-1707, at one o'clock, and to pay the bearer, Thomas
-Beaumont, Marshall, 2s. 6d., taking a sealed ticket,
-that a certain number may be known, and provision
-made accordingly. Nath. Axtall, Esq., and Edward
-Bromwich, Gent., Stewards."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>There were very pleasant gardens attached to this
-tavern, and, like all the suburban places of recreation,
-they were well patronized, and they gave a very decent
-amusement in the shape of music—instrumental and
-vocal—and, occasionally, fireworks. But there seems to
-have been the same difficulty then, as now, as to keeping
-outdoor amusements, if not select, at least decorous, for,
-acccording to the <i>Daily Advertisement</i> of June 3, 1745,
-"Sir John Oldcastle's Gardens, Cold Bath Fields. This
-evening's entertainment will continue the Summer
-Season. The Band consists of the best masters. Sixpence
-for admission, for which they have a ticket, which
-ticket will be taken as sixpence in their reckoning.
-Particular care will be taken that the provisions shall be
-the very best in their separate kinds; likewise to keep a
-just decorum in the gardens. Note.—Several ladies and
-gentlemen that come to the gardens give the drawers
-their tickets, which is no benefit to the proprietor;
-therefore it's humbly desired that if any gentlemen or
-ladies don't chuse to have the value of their tickets in
-liquor, or eating, they will be so kind as to leave them
-at the bar."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_118-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_118-500.png" width="500" height="322" alt="THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>As a place of amusement, it seems, even in 1745, to
-have been on the wane. In 1758 the Smallpox Hospital
-was built close to it, and in 1761 the Sir John Oldcastle
-was bought by the trustees of the hospital, in order to
-enlarge it, and was pulled down in 1762. Noorthouck
-("New History of London," ed. 1763, p. 752),
-speaking of Cold Bath Square, in which was the famed
-cold bath, says, "The North side of this square is, as
-yet, open to the fields, but a little to the east stands the
-Small Pox Hospital for receiving patients who catch the
-disease in the natural way; and is a very plain, neat
-structure. The Center, which projects a little from the
-rest of the building, is terminated on the top by an
-angular pediment, on the apex of which is placed a vase
-upon a small pedestal. This excellent charity was instituted
-in the year 1746, and is supported by a subscription
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>
-of noblemen, gentlemen, and ladies, who were
-desirous that a charity useful in itself, and so beneficial
-to the public, might be begun near this great metropolis,
-there not being any hospital of the kind in Europe. A
-neat hospital for inoculating this disorder has been lately
-built clear of the town on the north side of the New
-Road."<a name="FNanchor_51" id="FNanchor_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a></p>
-
-<p>In 1791 this hospital wanted extensive repairs, which
-would need an outlay of about £800; and the trustees,
-not willing to incur this expense, built another on the
-site of the Inoculating Hospital at Islington; and thither,
-when it was finished, all the patients were removed from
-Cold Bath Fields. But their new home was wanted for
-the Great Northern Railway, and another place was built,
-and still is, on Highgate Hill. The old building in
-Cold Bath Fields was first of all used as a distillery, and
-afterwards subdivided. Quoting again from Noorthouck: "Eastward
-from the Small Pox Hospital, on the south side of
-the Spawfield, is an humble imitation of the Pantheon in
-Oxford Road; calculated for the amusement of a suitable class
-of company; here apprentices, journeymen, and clerks
-dressed to ridiculous extremes, entertain their ladies on
-Sundays; and to the utmost of their power, if not
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>
-beyond their proper power, affect the dissipated manners
-of their superiors. Bagnigge Wells and the White
-Conduit House, two other receptacles of the same kind,
-with gardens laid out in miniature taste, are to be found
-within the compass of two or three fields, together with
-Sadler's Wells, a small theatre for the summer exhibition
-of tumbling, rope-dancing, and other drolls, in vulgar
-stile. The tendency of these cheap, enticing places of
-pleasure just at the skirts of this vast town is too obvious
-to need further explanation; they swarm with
-loose women, and with boys, whose morals are thus
-depraved, and their constitution ruined, before they
-arrive at manhood; indeed, the licentious resort to the
-tea-drinking gardens was carried to such excess every
-night, that the magistrates lately thought proper to
-suppress the organs in their public rooms."</p>
-
-<p>There is no doubt but that some of these tea-gardens
-needed reform; so much so, that the grand jury of
-Middlesex, in May, 1744, made a presentment of several
-places which, in their opinion, were not conducive to
-the public morality; and these were two gaming-houses
-near Covent Garden, kept by the ladies Mordington and
-Castle; <i>Sadler's Wells near the New River head</i>, the
-New Wells in Goodman's Fields, the New Wells near
-the London Spaw in Clerkenwell; and a place called
-Hallam's Theatre in Mayfair.</p>
-
-<p>A possibly fair account of these gardens is found in
-the <i>St. James's Chronicle</i>, May 14-16, 1772:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p class="center">"To the Printer of the <span class="smcap">S. J. Chronicle</span>.</p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—Happening to dine last Sunday with a Friend
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>
-in the City, after coming from Church, the Weather
-being very inviting, we took a walk as far as Islington.
-In our Return home towards Cold Bath Fields, we
-stepped in, out of mere Curiosity, to view the Pantheon
-there; but such a Scene of Disorder, Riot, and Confusion
-presented itself to me on my Entrance, that I
-was just turning on my Heel, in order to quit it, when
-my friend observing to me that we might as well have
-something for our Money (for the Doorkeeper obliged
-each of us to deposit a <i>Tester</i> before he granted us
-Admittance), I acquiesced in his Proposal, and became
-one of the giddy Multitude. I soon, however, repented
-of my Choice; for, besides having our Sides almost
-squeezed together, we were in Danger every Minute of
-being scalded by the Boiling Water, which the officious
-Mercuries<a name="FNanchor_52" id="FNanchor_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a>
-were circulating with the utmost Expedition
-thro' their respective Districts: We began therefore to
-look out for some Place to sit down in, which, with the
-greatest Difficulty, we at length procured, and, producing
-our Tickets, were served with Twelve pennyworth
-of Punch. Being seated towards the Front of
-one of the Galleries, I had now a better Opportunity of
-viewing this dissipated Scene. The Male Part of the
-Company seemed to consist chiefly of City Apprentices,
-and the lower Class of Tradesmen. The Ladies, who
-constituted by far the greater Part of the Assembly,
-seemed, most of them, to be Pupils of the Cyprian
-Goddess, and appeared to be thoroughly acquainted with
-their Profession, the different Arts and Manœuvres of
-which they played off with great Freedom, and I doubt
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>
-not with equal Success. Whatever Quarter I turned my
-Eyes to, I was sure to be saluted with a Nod, a Wink,
-or a Smile; and was even sometimes accosted with,
-'Pray, Sir, will you treat me with a Dish of Tea?'...
-A Bill, I think, was in Agitation this Session of
-Parliament for enforcing the Laws already made for the
-better Observance of Sunday. Nothing, in my Opinion,
-tends more to its Profanation, among the lower Class of
-People, than the great Number of Tea Houses, in the
-Environs of London; the most exceptionable of which
-that I have had Occasion to be in, is the <i>Pantheon</i>. I
-could wish them either totally suppressed or else laid
-under some Restrictions, particularly on the Sabbath
-Day.</p>
-
-<div class="center">
-<p class="center">"I am,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:4em;">"Sir,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:0em;">"Your Constant Reader,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:4em;">"and occasional Correspondent,</span><br />
-"<i>Chiswick</i>, May 5.<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><span class="smcap">Speculator</span>."</span><br />
-</p>
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>This <span class="smcap">Pantheon</span> was a large circular building surmounted
-by a statue of Fame. It was well warmed by
-a stove in its centre, and the grounds were prettily laid
-out. There were the usual walks, flower-beds, and pond,
-in the centre of which was a statue of Hercules, and, of
-course, the usual out-of-door refreshment boxes, or
-arbours. But it is just possible that it was owing to its
-somewhat disreputable conduct that the landlord became
-bankrupt in 1774, and the Pantheon was offered for
-sale. It was closed as a place of amusement in 1776,
-and the famous Countess of Huntingdon had some
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>
-idea of utilizing it for the propagation of her peculiar
-religious views. However, the sum necessary for
-alterations, proved too much for her ladyship, yet by a
-strange mutation of fortune, somewhat akin to what we
-have seen in our time, in the Grecian Theatre in the
-City Road, being taken by the Salvation Army, the
-Pantheon was turned into a Proprietary Chapel, called
-Northampton Chapel, which was served by clergymen of
-the Church of England of strictly Evangelical principles,
-and it filled so well, that the incumbent of the parish
-church asserted his right to preach there whenever he
-liked, and also to nominate its chaplains. This the proprietors
-did not quite see, and they closed the chapel.
-Then Lady Huntingdon bought it, and, henceforth, it
-was called Spa Fields Chapel.</p>
-
-<p>The illustration<a name="FNanchor_53" id="FNanchor_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a>
-is taken from the <i>New Spiritual
-Magazine</i>, and I do not think that an uglier
-building could be produced. Probably the statue of
-Fame was obliged to be removed, but the ventilator in
-its place was certainly not an improvement. However,
-it is now pulled down; but, before its demolition, it had
-to pass through the ordeal of more proceedings at law.
-As long as the chapel was served by clergy, nominally
-belonging to the Church of England, so long did the
-incumbent of St. James's, Clerkenwell, assert his right
-to the patronage of it. The Countess relied on her
-privilege as a peeress, to appoint her own Chaplain, but
-this was overridden by competent legal opinion, and
-nothing was left but for the officiating clergy to secede
-from the Church of England, and take the oath of
-allegiance as Dissenting Ministers. This the Countess did not relish;
-she would fain be in the fold, and yet not of the fold, as do many
-others of this age, but she had to eat the leek. She had the proud
-privilege of founding a religious sect, and she left the bulk of her
-large property, after very generous legacies, to the support
-of sixty-four chapels which she had established
-throughout the kingdom. She died at her house in Spa
-Fields, and was buried at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in Leicestershire,
-"dressed in the suit of white silk which she
-wore at the opening of a chapel in Goodman's Fields."<a name="FNanchor_54" id="FNanchor_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124-6]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_124-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_124-500.png" width="500" height="285" alt="VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
-COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING." /></a>
-<div class="caption">VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
-COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_47" id="Footnote_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a>
-Conduit.</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_48" id="Footnote_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a>
-This, I take it, refers to a practice mentioned in a pamphlet,
-"A Step to the Bath" (London, 1700), which I think is by Ned
-Ward. "The usual time being come to forsake that fickle
-Element, <i>Half Tub Chairs</i>, Lin'd with Blankets, Ply'd as thick as
-<i>Coaches</i> at the <i>Play House</i>, or <i>Carts</i> at the <i>Custom House</i>." It has
-been suggested that the Chair was used for debilitated patients;
-but, knowing the use of the term "Chair" at that epoch, I venture
-to propose my solution.</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_49" id="Footnote_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a>
-Such pleasure.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_50" id="Footnote_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a>
-Harl. MSS., 5961.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_51" id="Footnote_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a>
-Noorthouck (book i. p. 358) says, "It is to be observed that in
-1746, an hospital was founded by subscription between London and
-Islington, for relieving poor people afflicted with the smallpox, and
-for inoculation. This is said to be the first foundation of the
-kind in Europe, and consisted of three houses; one in Old Street
-for preparing patients for inoculation; another in Islington"
-(Lower Street) "when the disease appeared, and the third in Cold
-Bath fields for patients in the natural way."</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_52" id="Footnote_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a>
-See p. <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_53" id="Footnote_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a>
-See next page.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_54" id="Footnote_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a>
-<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, vol. lxi. (1791), p. 589. The Chapel
-was pulled down in January or February, 1887.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_125-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_125-200.png" width="200" height="191" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_127-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_127-500.png" width="500" height="121" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">IT is almost impossible to write about anything connected
-with Spa Fields, without mentioning the
-famous "Spa Fields Riots," which occurred on Dec. 2,
-1816. In every great city there will always be a leaven
-of disquietude: demagogues who have nothing to lose,
-but all to gain, will always find an audience for their
-outpourings; and, often, the ignorant, and unthinking,
-have only to be told, by any knave, that they are underpaid,
-downtrodden, or what not, and they are ready to
-yell, with their sweet breaths, that they are. So was it
-then in 1816.</p>
-
-<p>And it is also remarkable how history repeats itself;
-for, part of the scheme proposed by the agitators on
-that day, was exactly similar to the proposals of certain
-Irishmen and Socialists of our time—<i>teste</i> the following
-handbill, taken from the <i>Times</i>, the newspaper of
-Dec. 7, 1816.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Spence's Plan.</span> For Parochial Partnerships in the
-Land, is the only effectual Remedy for the Distresses
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>
-and Oppression of the People. The Landowners are
-not Proprietors in Chief; they are but the <i>Stewards</i> of
-the Public; For the <span class="smcap">Land</span> is the <span class="smcap">People's Farm</span>.
-The Expenses of the Government do not cause the
-Misery that surrounds us, but the enormous exactions
-of these '<i>Unjust Stewards</i>.' Landed Monopoly is indeed
-equally contrary to the benign spirit of Christianity,
-and destructive of the Independence and Morality of
-Mankind.</p>
-
-<p>"'The Profit of the Earth is for all.'</p>
-
-<p>"Yet how deplorably destitute are the great Mass of
-the People! Nor is it possible for their situations to be
-radically amended, but by the establishment of a system,
-founded on the immutable basis of Nature and Justice.
-Experience demonstrates its necessity and the rights of
-mankind require it for their preservation.</p>
-
-<p>"To obtain this important object, by extending the
-knowledge of the above system, the Society of Spencean
-Philanthropists has been instituted. Further information
-of it's principles may be obtained by attending any
-of it's sectional meetings, where subjects are discussed,
-calculated to enlighten the human understanding, and
-where, also, the regulations of the society may be procured,
-containing a Complete development of the
-Spencean system. Every individual is admitted free of
-expense, who will conduct himself with decorum.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width40">
-<p><span style="margin-left: 3em;">First Section every Wednesday at the Cock, Grafton Street, Soho.</span><br />
-Second
-<span style="margin-left: 0.4em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.7em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thursday</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.2em;">Mulberry Tree, Mulberry Ct., Wilson Street, Moorfields.</span>
-<br />
-
-Third
-<span style="margin-left: 1.2em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.7em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Monday</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.2em;">Nag's Head, Carnaby Mrkt.</span>
-<br />
-
-Fourth
-<span style="margin-left: 0.7em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.7em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tuesday</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.2em;">No. 8, Lumber St., Mint, Borough."</span>
-</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>There! does not that read exactly like a modern speech
-delivered in Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, or Dublin?
-Of course it was the old story of Demagogy. The pot
-boiled, the scum came to the top, and it boiled over,
-so that, one fine day, there was a riot. It was a period
-of distress for the working classes, who did not then, as
-now, swarm into London from all parts of England,
-and expect Jupiter to help them; but then, as now, the
-rich were ever willing to help their poorer brethren, for,
-in the very same <i>Times</i> newspaper that gives an account
-of this Spa Fields Riot, there is a list of subscriptions
-towards the relief of distress in Spitalfields alone,
-amounting to over £18,000.</p>
-
-<p>The story is one that should be told, because it has
-its lesson and its parallel in all time. The ruling spirit
-of the movement was Henry Hunt, generally called
-Orator Hunt, a man fairly well to do, and who did not
-agitate for the sake of his daily bread. The occasion of
-the meeting in Spa Fields, at which some 10,000 people
-were present, was to receive the answer of the Prince
-Regent to a petition from the distressed mechanics of
-London and its vicinity for relief. It was held first of
-all in front of the "Merlin's Cave" (a name which
-still survives at 131, Rosomon Street, Clerkenwell), and
-afterwards in the adjacent fields. The following account
-of the riots is from the <i>Times</i> of Dec. 3, 1816:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"As a prelude to the scene that followed, and with the
-spirit of the ruling demagogue, a person mounted a coal
-waggon with three flags, on which were inscribed certain
-mottoes; and, after having harangued a small audience,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>
-draughted off from the general body, proceeded to the
-city, where the acts of violence were perpetrated, which
-will be found in another part of our paper.</p>
-
-<p>"The speech of this orator, and the conduct of his
-audience, we shall give in an extract from an evening
-paper as we were not present at the first part of the
-drama ourselves.</p>
-
-<p>"'In the field was a Coal waggon, upon which were
-mounted about twenty persons, chiefly in the dress of
-sailors. Several flags were displayed; two tricoloured
-ones, on one of which was the following inscription:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width14">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"'Nature, Truth, and Justice!</p>
-<p class="i1">Feed the Hungry!</p>
-<p class="i1">Protect the Oppressed!</p>
-<p class="i1">Punish Crimes!'</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>"'On a second tricoloured flag, no inscription.</p>
-
-<p>"'On a third white flag was inscribed in red letters
-the following:</p>
-
-<p class="center">
-"'The brave Soldiers are our Brothers; treat them kindly.'
-</p>
-
-<p>"'Many had bludgeons, and others pockets full of
-stones. One person in the waggon then addressed the
-meeting in the following strain:—"I am sorry to tell
-you that our application to the Prince has failed. He,
-the father of his people, answered—'My family have
-never attended to Petitions but from Oxford and Cambridge,
-and the City of London.' And is this Man the
-father of the people? No. Has he listened to your
-petition? No. The day is come—(<i>It is, It is</i>, from the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>
-mob.) We must do more than words. We have been
-oppressed for 800 years since the Norman Conquest.
-If they would give ye a hod, a shovel, a spade, and a
-hoe, your mother earth would supply you. (<i>Aye, aye,
-she would.</i> Loud Applause.) Country men, if you will
-have your wrongs redressed, follow me. (<i>That we will.</i>
-Shouts.) Wat Tyler would have succeeded had he not
-been basely murdered by a Lord Mayor, William of
-Walworth. Has the Parliament done their duty? No.
-Has the Regent done his duty? No, no. A man who
-receives one million a year public money gives only
-£5,000 to the poor. They have neglected the starving
-people, robbed them of everything, and given them a
-penny. Is this to be endured? Four millions are in
-distress; our brothers in Ireland are in a worse state,
-the climax of misery is complete, it can go no farther.
-The Ministers have not granted our rights. Shall we
-take them? (<i>Yes, yes</i>, from the mob.) Will you
-demand them? (<i>Yes, yes.</i>) If I jump down will you
-follow me? (<i>Yes, yes</i>, was again vociferated.)."</p>
-
-<p>"'The persons on the waggon then descended with
-the flags; the constables immediately laid hold of the
-flags. Some persons attempted resistance, and two
-were therefore taken up forthwith, and sent to prison.
-The constables succeeded in getting one of the flags.</p>
-
-<p>"'When the second flag was displayed, it was supposed
-that it headed Mr. Hunt's procession, and there
-was a loud huzza, which stopped one of the waggon
-orators for five minutes.'</p>
-
-<p>"[For all the rest we hold ourselves responsible, as
-it is our own report of what passed.]."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The <i>Times</i> then gives in detail a report of the meeting,
-commencing from the arrival of "Orator" Hunt,
-who read the correspondence between himself and Lord
-Sidmouth, and said: "The statement of Lord Sidmouth
-to him was, that neither any King of the House
-of Brunswick, nor the Prince Regent, since he had
-attained sovereign power, ever gave any answer to
-petitions except they came from the Corporation of the
-City of London, or from the two Universities which
-had the privilege of being heard, and answered from
-the throne. 'If I were to carry your present petition
-to the levée (added his lordship) I should deliver it into
-his Royal Highness's hand, make my bow, and walk
-on; and if you, yourself, Mr. Hunt, were to appear,
-you would do just the same thing; you would deliver
-your petition, make your bow, and pass on.' This,
-Gentlemen, is a little more about Court matters than I
-was aware of before. (Loud laughter and applause.)
-The meeting had the consolation to think, that, if their
-petition was not answered by the Prince Regent, it had
-met with no worse fate than other petitions presented to
-the House of Hanover since the accession of this
-family to the throne. (Applause.)</p>
-
-<p>"He expected to have seen this day a deputation
-from the Soup Committee, for the purpose of returning
-thanks to this meeting for obtaining the £5,000 which
-the Prince Regent had granted. (Great applause.) He
-was convinced that it was owing to the exertions and
-patriotism of the last assembly in those fields that his
-Royal Highness was induced to give this pittance: but
-his Royal Highness had not gone the full length of the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>
-requests which had then been made. It was required
-that he should bestow on the inhabitants of the
-metropolis £2 or 300,000 out of the Civil List; but,
-instead of this, what had been done? Some enemy to
-his country, some corrupt minister had persuaded his
-Royal Highness to send £5000 out of the Droits of
-the Admiralty, which properly belonged to the sailors:
-those droits, the piratical seizing of which had caused
-so much bloodshed, and the loss of so many British
-lives."</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>This was the sort of fustian that was talked then, as
-now, and probably always will be, to an ignorant mob;
-and, as a natural sequence, words begot actions. Blind—foolishly
-blind—the idiotic mob marched towards the
-City, not knowing why, or what advantage they were
-to gain by so doing. Naturally, there were thieves
-about, and they plundered the shop of Mr. Beckwith, a
-gunmaker, in Skinner Street, Snow Hill, shooting a
-gentleman, named Platt, who happened to be in the
-shop, at the time.</p>
-
-<p>At the Royal Exchange, the Lord Mayor, Sir James
-Shaw, with his own hands, seized a man, who was
-bearing a flag, and the mob, unable to force the gates,
-fired inside; but as far as I can learn, without effect.
-Foiled in the attempt to sack, or destroy the Exchange,
-by the arrival of some civil force to the assistance of
-his Lordship, they moved on, seemingly aimlessly,
-towards the Tower: why—unless it was to supply
-themselves with arms—no one can guess. Of course,
-if they had tried to take it, they could not have accomplished
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>
-their purpose, but it never came to that. They
-stole a few guns from two gunmakers in the Minories,
-Messrs. Brander and Rea; and then this gathering of
-rogues and fools dispersed, and the nine days' wonder
-was over.</p>
-
-<p>As usual, nothing was gained by violence. Socialism
-certainly did not advance—nor was any more employment
-found for anybody—and the thing fizzled out.
-But it was not the fault of the agitators. Let us read
-a short extract from a leading article in the <i>Times</i> of
-December 4, 1816:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"As to the <i>foreseeing</i> what was to happen—have we
-forgotten Mr. Hunt's advice on the first day to petition,
-then, if that failed to resort to <i>physical force</i>. They
-did petition, and he calls them together to tell them that
-their petition has failed; and yet it is to be supposed
-that he foresees on their part no resort to physical force!
-Why! this would be trifling with the understanding of
-an infant. But the second time Mr. Hunt said nothing
-about physical force! Oh, no. Whilst the bloody
-business was in hand by his myrmidons in Newgate
-Street, and at the Royal Exchange—whilst an innocent
-gentleman was in the hands of his assassins—whilst the
-life of the Chief Magistrate of the city was attacked
-by ruffians, the first inciter to the use of physical force
-was coolly haranguing on the comparative merits of
-himself and his hunter, in Spa Fields. What! did
-anybody expect that he would get up, and accuse
-himself openly of high treason? Did Catilina, in
-the Roman Senate, avow his parricidal intentions
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135-6]</a></span>
-against his country? But, to quit Mr. Hunt for
-awhile, let us recall to the recollection of our readers,
-the incendiary handbills thrust under the doors of
-public houses, several weeks ago. A copy of one of
-them was inserted in our paper of the 1st of last
-month; but, at the time it did not command that
-attention which its real importance perhaps deserved.
-It was of the following tenour:—'Britons to arms!
-<i>Break open all gun and sword shops</i>, pawnbrokers, and
-other likely places to find arms. No rise of bread, &c.
-No <span class="smcap">Castlereagh</span>. Off with his head. No National
-Debt. <i>The whole country waits the signal from London</i>
-to fly <i>to arms</i>. Stand firm now or never.—N.B. <i>Printed
-bills containing further directions</i>, will be circulated as
-soon as possible.'"</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>I have dwelt thus at length on these Spa Fields riots
-because the Socialistic and Communistic development
-therein contained, runs fairly parallel with our own
-times; and it is comforting to know, that in this case,
-as in all others in England, the movement was purely
-evanescent; the love of law and order being too deeply
-seated in the breasts of Englishmen. Nay, in this
-case, the butchers from the shambles in Whitechapel
-attacked the mob, and compelled them to give up their
-arms, "which the butchers express a wish to retain, as
-trophies and proofs of their loyalty and courage."
-Hunt fizzled out, and returned to his previous nonentity.</p>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_137-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_137-500.png" width="500" height="143" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">STILL continuing the downward course of the
-Fleet, an historical place is reached, "Hockley-in-the-Hole,"
-or Hollow, so famous for its
-rough sports of bear baiting and sword and cudgel
-playing. The combative nature of an Englishman
-is curious, but it is inbred in him; sometimes it
-takes the form of "writing to the papers," sometimes
-of going to law, sometimes of "punching"
-somebody's head; in many it ends in a stubborn fight
-against difficulties to be overcome—but, anyhow, I cannot
-deny that an Englishman is pugnacious by nature.
-Hear what Misson, an intelligent French traveller, who
-visited England in the reign of William III., says: "Anything
-that looks like fighting is delicious to an
-Englishman. If two little Boys quarrel in the Street,
-the Passengers stop, make a Ring round them in a
-Moment, and set them against one another, that they
-may come to Fisticuffs. When 'tis come to a Fight,
-each pulls off his Neckcloth and his Waistcoat, and
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>
-give them to hold to some of the Standers by: then
-they begin to brandish their Fists in the Air; the
-Blows are aim'd all at the Face, they Kick at one
-another's Shins, they tug one another by the Hair, &c.
-He that has got the other down may give him one
-Blow or two before he rises, but no more; and, let the
-Boy get up ever so often, the other is obliged to box
-him again as often as he requires it. During the Fight,
-the Ring of Bystanders encourage the Combatants with
-great Delight of Heart, and never part them while
-they fight according to the Rules. The Father and
-Mother of the Boys let them fight on as well as the rest,
-and hearten him that gives Ground, or has the Worst."</p>
-
-<p>This was about 1700; and, if it was so in the green
-tree (or boy), what would it be in the dry (or man)?
-I am afraid our ancestors were not over-refined. They
-did not all cram for examinations, and there were no
-Girton girls in those days, neither had they analytical
-novels: so that, to a certain extent, we must make
-allowances for them. Tea and coffee were hardly in
-use for breakfast, and men and women had a certain
-amount of faith in beer and beef, which may have had
-something to do in forming their tastes. Anyhow, the
-men were manly, and the women not a whit worse than
-they are now; and woe be to the man that insulted
-one. A code of honour was then in existence, and
-every gentleman carried with him the means of enforcing
-it. Therefore, up to a certain limit, they were combative,
-and not being cigarette-smoking <i>mashers</i>, and
-not being overburdened with novels and periodicals,
-and club smoking and billiard rooms being unknown,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>
-they enjoyed a more physical existence than is led by
-the young men of the theatrical stalls of the present
-day, and attended Sword and Cudgel playing, and Bull
-and Bear baiting, together with fighting an occasional
-main of Cocks. It might be very wrong; but then
-they had not our advantages of being able to criticize
-the almost unhidden charms of the "chorus," or descant
-on the merits of a "lemon squash," so that, as man
-must have some employment, they acted after their
-lights, and I do not think we can fairly blame them.</p>
-
-<p>For Londoners, a favourite place, early in the
-eighteenth century, for rough sports, was Hockley-in-the-Hole.
-Here was bear and bull baiting for the
-public, a fact that was so well known, according to
-Gay,<a name="FNanchor_55" id="FNanchor_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a>
-that</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Experienc'd Men, inur'd to City Ways,</p>
-<p class="i1">Need not the <i>Calendar</i> to count their Days.</p>
-<p class="i1">When through the Town, with slow and solemn Air,</p>
-<p class="i1">Led by the Nostril walks the muzzled Bear;</p>
-<p class="i1">Behind him moves, majestically dull,</p>
-<p class="i1">The Pride of <i>Hockley Hole</i>, the surly Bull;</p>
-<p class="i1">Learn hence the Periods of the Week to name,</p>
-<p class="i1"><i>Mondays</i> and <i>Thursdays</i> are the Days of Game."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Even earlier than Gay, Hockley-in-the-Hole is
-mentioned by Butler in his "Hudibras"<a name="FNanchor_56" id="FNanchor_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a>
-in somewhat gruesome fashion:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"But <span class="smcap">Trulla</span> straight brought on the Charge,</p>
-<p class="i1">And in the selfsame Limbo put</p>
-<p class="i1">The Knight and Squire, where he was shut,</p>
-<p class="i1">Where leaving them in Hockley-i'-th'-Hole,</p>
-<p class="i1">Their Bangs and Durance to condole."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>But Butler also talks of Bear baiting, both in the
-first and second cantos of "Hudibras," especially in
-canto the first, where, beginning at line 675, he says:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"But now a Sport more formidable</p>
-<p class="i1">Had rak'd together Village Rabble:</p>
-<p class="i1">'Twas an old Way of recreating—</p>
-<p class="i1">Which learned Butchers call Bear-Baiting:</p>
-<p class="i1">A bold advent'rous Exercise,</p>
-<p class="i1">With ancient Heroes in high Prize;</p>
-<p class="i1">For Authors do affirm it came</p>
-<p class="i1">From Isthmian or Nemean Game;</p>
-<p class="i1">Others derive it from the Bear</p>
-<p class="i1">That's fix'd in Northern Hemisphere,</p>
-<p class="i1">And round about the Pole does make</p>
-<p class="i1">A Circle like a Bear at Stake.</p>
-<p class="i1">That at the Chain's End wheels about,</p>
-<p class="i1">And overturns the Rabble Rout.</p>
-<p class="i1">For, after solemn Proclamation</p>
-<p class="i1">In the Bear's Name (as is the Fashion</p>
-<p class="i1">According to the Law of Arms,</p>
-<p class="i1">To keep men from inglorious Harms)</p>
-<p class="i1">That none presume to come so near</p>
-<p class="i1">As forty Foot of Stake of Bear;</p>
-<p class="i1">If any yet be so foolhardy</p>
-<p class="i1">T' expose themselves to vain Jeopardy;</p>
-<p class="i1">If they come wounded off, and lame,</p>
-<p class="i1">No honour's got by such a Maim;</p>
-<p class="i1">Altho' the Bear gain much; b'ing bound</p>
-<p class="i1">In Honour to make good his Ground,</p>
-<p class="i1">When he's engag'd and takes no Notice,</p>
-<p class="i1">If any press upon him, who 'tis,</p>
-<p class="i1">But let's them know, at their own Cost,</p>
-<p class="i1">That he intends to keep his Post."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Bear baiting was so identified, as a sport, to the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>
-London Citizens who frequented Hockley-in-the-Hole,
-that we read that in 1709 Christopher Preston, who
-then kept the Bear Garden, was attacked and partly
-eaten by one of his own bears.</p>
-
-<p>Bear Gardens are proverbially rough, and this place
-was no exception; but there were two others in London
-where bears were baited, one at Marrybone Fields (at
-the back of Soho Square), and at Tuttle or Tothill
-Fields, at Westminster—thus showing the popularity of
-the Sports, which was not declared illegal until 1835.</p>
-
-<p>Of course in these our days, we know nothing of bear baiting,
-and if a Pyrenean bear were now taken about the country, as I have
-frequently seen them, even if he "danced to the genteelest of tunes,"
-his proprietor would be in danger of the judgment—some dear
-mollycoddling old woman in trousers, belonging to some special "faddy"
-society, being always ready to prosecute.</p>
-
-<p>Bears not, at present, being indigenous to Britain,
-were naturally scarce, so the homely and offensive Bull
-had to afford rough sport to the multitude, and several
-towns now bear testimony to the popularity of the sport
-of bull baiting in their "Bull rings" (Birmingham, to
-wit). In the fourteenth century we know that even horses
-were baited with dogs, and as long as fox hunting,
-coursing, or wild stag hunting, are recognized as sports
-among us, I fail to see the superior cruelty of our
-ancestors. It may be that people imagine that the
-larger the animal, the greater the cruelty; but I cannot
-see it. Anyhow, far earlier than the Bear garden of
-Hockley-in-the-Hole, both bear and bull baiting were
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>
-not only popular, but aristocratic amusements. Erasmus, who visited
-England in Henry VIII.'s time, speaks of many herds of bears being
-kept for baiting; and when Queen Mary visited her sister the Princess
-Elizabeth, they were "right well content" with the bear baiting. Nay,
-when she became Queen, Elizabeth was a great patron of the <i>sport</i>; for
-when, on May 25, 1559, she entertained the French Ambassadors, as an
-after-dinner spectacle, she gave them some bull and bear baiting. Her
-delight in this diversion did not decrease with age, for, twenty-seven
-years later, she provided the same amusement for the delectation of the
-Danish Ambassador. Paul Hentzner, who visited England in 1598, speaking
-of this sport, says:— "There is still another Place, built in the
-Form of a Theatre, which serves for the baiting of Bulls and Bears;
-they are fastened behind, and then worried by the great <i>English</i> Bull
-dogs; but not without great Risque to the Dogs, from the Horns of the
-one, and the Teeth of the other; and it sometimes happens they are
-killed upon the Spot; fresh ones are immediately supplied in the Place
-of those that are wounded, or tired. To this Entertainment there often
-follows that of whipping a blinded Bear, which is performed by five or
-six Men standing circularly with Whips, which they exercise upon him
-without any Mercy, as he cannot escape from them because of his Chain;
-he defends himself with all his Force and Skill, throwing down all who
-come within his Reach, and are not active enough to get out of it, and
-tearing the Whips out of their Hands, and breaking them."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>And, again are we indebted to a foreigner for a description
-of a bull baiting, thus realizing Burns' aspiration
-seeing "oursen as others see us," <i>vide Misson</i>.</p>
-
-<p>"Here follows the Manner of those Bull Baitings which are so much
-talk'd of: They tie a Rope to the Root of the Ox or Bull, and fasten
-the other End of the Cord to an Iron Ring fix'd to a Stake driven into
-the Ground; so that this Cord being 15 Foot long, the Bull is confin'd
-to a Sphere of about 30 Foot Diameter. Several Butchers, or other
-Gentlemen, that are desirous to exercise their Dogs, stand round about,
-each holding his own by the Ears; and, when the Sport begins, they let
-loose one of the Dogs; The Dog runs at the Bull: the Bull immovable,
-looks down upon the Dog with an Eye of Scorn, and only turns a Horn to
-him to hinder him from coming near: the Dog is not daunted at this, he
-runs round him, and tries to get beneath his Belly, in order to seize
-him by the Muzzle, or the Dew lap, or the pendant Glands: The Bull then
-puts himself into a Posture of Defence; he beats the Ground with his
-Feet, which he joins together as close as possible, and his chief Aim
-is not to gore the Dog with the Point of his Horn, but to slide one of
-them under the Dog's Belly (who creeps close to the Ground to hinder
-it) and to throw him so high in the Air that he may break his Neck in
-the Fall. This often happens: When the Dog thinks he is sure of fixing
-his Teeth, a turn of the Horn, which seems to be done with all the
-Negligence in the World, gives him a Sprawl thirty Foot high, and puts
-him in danger of a damnable Squelch when he comes down. This danger
-would be unavoidable, if the Dog's Friends were not ready beneath
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>
-him, some with their Backs to give him a soft Reception, and others
-with long Poles which they offer him slant ways, to the Intent that,
-sliding down them, it may break the Force of his Fall. Notwithstanding
-all this care, a Toss generally makes him sing to a very scurvy Tune,
-and draw his Phiz into a pitiful Grimace: But, unless he is totally
-stunn'd with the Fall, he is sure to crawl again towards the Bull,
-with his old Antipathy, come on't what will. Sometimes a second Frisk
-into the Air disables him for ever from playing his old Tricks; But,
-sometimes, too, he fastens upon his Enemy, and when he has seiz'd him
-with his Eye teeth, he sticks to him like a Leech, and would sooner die
-than leave his Hold. Then the Bull bellows, and bounds, and Kicks about
-to shake off the Dog; by his Leaping the Dog seems to be no Manner
-of Weight to him, tho in all Appearance he puts him to great Pain.
-In the End, either the Dog tears out the Piece he has laid Hold on,
-and falls, or else remains fix'd to him, with an Obstinacy that would
-never end, if they did not pull him off. To call him away, would be in
-vain; to give him a hundred blows would be as much so; you might cut
-him to Pieces Joint by Joint before he would let him loose. What is to
-be done then? While some hold the Bull, others thrust Staves into the
-Dog's Mouth, and open it by main Force. This is the only Way to part
-them."</p>
-
-<p>But the dogs did not always get the best of it—many
-a one was gored and killed by the bull. Cruelty, however,
-would scarcely rest content with simple bull baiting.
-It was improved upon, as we see in the following
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>
-advertisement. "At the <i>Bear Garden</i> in <i>Hockley in
-the Hole</i>, 1710. This is to give notice to all Gentlemen,
-Gamsters, and Others, That on this present <i>Monday</i>
-is a Match to be fought by two Dogs, one from
-<i>Newgate</i> Market against one of <i>Honey Lane</i> Market, at
-a Bull, for a Guinea to be spent. Five Let goes out
-off Hand, which goes fairest and farthest in, Wins all;
-like wise a <i>Green Bull</i> to be baited, which was never
-baited before, and a Bull to be turned loose with Fire
-works all over him; also a Mad Ass to be baited;
-With variety of Bull baiting, and Bear baiting; and a
-Dog to be drawn up with Fire works."
-<a name="FNanchor_57" id="FNanchor_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p>
-
-<p>I cannot, however, consider this as an ordinary programme,
-and it was evidently so considered at the time;
-for a book was advertised in the <i>Tatler</i>, January 3-5,
-1709 (1710):— "This Day is published The Bull Baiting
-or Sach——ll<a name="FNanchor_58" id="FNanchor_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a>
-dressed up in Fire works; lately brought
-over from the Bear Garden in Southwark, and exposed
-for the Diversion of the Citizens of London: at 6d. a
-piece." But Steele in No. cxxxiv. of the <i>Tatler</i>, condemns the cruelty of
-the age, and says he has "often wondered that we do not lay aside a
-custom which makes us appear barbarous to nations much more rude and
-unpolished than ourselves. Some French writers have represented this
-diversion of the common people much to our disadvantage, and imputed
-it to natural fierceness and cruelty of temper, as they do some other
-entertainments peculiar to our nation: I mean those elegant diversions
-of bull baiting and prize fighting, with the like ingenious recreations
-of the Bear-garden.
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>
-I wish I knew how to answer this reproach which is cast
-upon us, and excuse the death of so many innocent
-cocks, bulls, dogs, and bears, as have been set together
-by the ears, or died untimely deaths, only to make us
-sport."</p>
-
-<p>Of all the places where these cruel pastimes were
-practised, certainly Hockley-in-the-Hole, bore off the
-palm for blackguardism; and it is thus mentioned in an
-essay of Steele's in the <i>Tatler</i> (No. xxviii.),</p>
-
-<p>"I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly from the backside
-of Grays Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole, and not
-give over the pursuit, until obliged to leave the Bear
-Garden, on the right, to avoid being borne down by
-fencers, wild bulls, and monsters, too terrible for the
-encounter of any heroes, but such as their lives are livelihood." To this mention of Hockley-in-the-Hole,
-there is, in an edition of 1789, a footnote (p. 274), "There was a sort of amphitheatre here, dedicated
-originally to bull-baiting, bear-baiting, prize fighting,
-and all other sorts of <i>rough-game</i>; and it was not only
-attended by butchers, drovers, and great crowds of all
-sorts of mobs, but likewise by Dukes, Lords, Knights,
-Squires, &c. There were seats particularly set apart for
-the quality, ornamented with old tapestry hangings, into
-which none were admitted under half a crown at least.
-Its neighbourhood was famous for sheltering thieves, pickpockets,
-and infamous women; and for breeding bulldogs."
-</p>
-
-<p>Bull baiting died hard, and in one famous debate in
-the House of Commons, on 24th of May, 1802, much
-eloquence was wasted on the subject, both <i>pro.</i> and <i>con.</i>,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>
-one hon. gentleman (the Right Hon. W. Windham,
-M.P. for Norwich), even trying to prove that the bull
-enjoyed the baiting. Said he, "It would be ridiculous to say he felt no pain; yet, when on such
-occasions he exhibited no signs of terror, it was a demonstrable
-proof that he felt some pleasure." Other hon. gentlemen defended it on various grounds, and, although
-Wilberforce and Sheridan spoke eloquently in favour of the abolition
-of the practice, they were beaten, on a division, by which decision
-Parliament inflicted a standing disgrace, for many years, upon the
-English Nation. </p>
-
-<p>Hockley-in-the-Hole was not only the temple of <i>S. S. Taurus et
-Canis</i>; but the genus <i>Homo</i>, type <i>gladiator</i>, was there in his
-glory. It was there that sword play was best shown, but we do not
-hear much of it before William the Third, or Anne's reign, or that of
-George I., when the redoubtable Figg was the Champion swordsman of
-England. As Hockley-in-the-Hole belongs to the Fleet River, so do these
-gladiatorial exhibitions belong to Hockley-in-the-Hole. I have treated
-of them once,<a name="FNanchor_59" id="FNanchor_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a>
-and on looking back, with the knowledge that many of my readers may not
-have seen that book, and having nothing better in the space allotted
-to this peculiar spot, to offer them (for I then drew my best on the
-subject) I quote, with apologies, from myself.
-</p>
-
-<p>"In those days, when every one with any pretensions
-to gentility wore a sword, and duelling was rife, it is
-no wonder that exhibitions of skill in that weapon were
-favourites. Like modern prize fights, they drew together
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>
-all the scum and riff-raff, as well as the gentry,
-who were fond of so-called <i>sport</i>. They were disreputable
-affairs, and were decried by every class of
-contemporary. The preliminaries were swagger and
-bounce, as one or two out of a very large number will
-show.<a name="FNanchor_60" id="FNanchor_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a>
-</p>
-
-<p class="center">"'At the Bear Garden in Hockley-in-the-Hole.</p>
-
-<p>"'A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between two
-Profound Masters of the Noble Science of Defence on
-<i>Wednesday</i> next, being this 13th of the instant July,
-1709, at Two of the Clock precisely.</p>
-
-<p>"'I, <i>George Gray</i>, born in the City of Norwich, who
-has Fought in most Parts of the <i>West Indies</i>, viz.,
-<i>Jamaica</i>, <i>Barbadoes</i>, and several other Parts of the
-World; in all Twenty-five times, upon a Stage, and
-was never yet Worsted, and now lately come to <i>London</i>;
-do invite <i>James Harris</i>, to meet and Exercise at these
-following Weapons, viz.:
-</p>
-
-<table summary="weaponry" border="0">
-<tr>
-<td class="right"><i>Back Sword,</i></td>
-<td class="left" rowspan="3"><span style="font-size: 3em;">}</span></td>
-<td class="right" rowspan="3"><span style="font-size: 3em;">{</span></td>
-<td class="left"><i>Single Falchon</i></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="right"><i>Sword and Dagger,</i></td>
-<td class="left" > <i>and</i></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="right"><i>Sword and Buckler,</i></td>
-<td class="left"><i>Case of Falchons</i>.'</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p>"'I, <i>James Harris</i>, Master of the said Noble Science
-of Defence, who formerly rid in the Horse Guards, and
-hath Fought a Hundred and Ten Prizes, and never
-left a Stage to any Man; will not fail, (God Willing)
-to meet this brave and bold Inviter, at the Time and
-Place appointed, desiring Sharp swords, and from him
-no Favour.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"'<img src="images/i_167-finger-35.png" width="35" height="22"
-alt="right-pointing hand" style="margin-bottom:-0.2em;" />
-<i>Note.</i>
-No persons to be upon the Stage but the
-Seconds. <i>Vivat Regina.</i>'"
-</p>
-
-<p>This is not the only available advertisement, but it
-is a typical one, and will serve for all.</p>
-
-<p>"The challenger would wager some twenty or thirty
-pounds, and the stakes would be deposited and delivered
-to the Challenged: the challenger receiving the money
-<a name="FNanchor_61" id="FNanchor_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a>
-taken at the door, or as we should term it, <i>gate money</i>;
-which, frequently, twice or thrice exceeded the value
-of the stakes.</p>
-
-<p>"There is one remarkable exception, I have found, to
-this monetary arrangement, but it is the only one in
-my experience. For, in an advertisement of the usual
-character, there comes: 'Note.—That John Stokes
-fights James Harris, and Thomas Hesgate fights
-John Terriwest, three Bouts each at Back Sword, for
-Love.'</p>
-
-<p>"Preliminaries arranged, handbills printed and distributed,
-the Combat duly advertised in at least one
-newspaper, and the day arrived; like the bull and bear,
-the combatants paraded the streets, preceded by a drum,
-having their sleeves tucked up, and their Swords in
-hand. All authorities agree that the fights were, to a
-certain extent, serious.<a name="FNanchor_62" id="FNanchor_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> 'The Edge of the Sword was
-a little blunted, and the Care of the Prize-fighters was
-not so much to avoid wounding each other, as to avoid
-doing it dangerously: Nevertheless, as they were
-oblig'd to fight till some Blood was shed, without which
-no Body would give a Farthing for the Show, they
-were sometimes forc'd to play a little ruffly. I once
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>
-saw a much deeper and longer Cut given than was intended.'
-"Ward<a name="FNanchor_63" id="FNanchor_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a>
-gives a short description of one of these fights: 'Great Preparations at the Bear Garden all Morning, for the noble
-Tryal of Skill that is to be play'd in the Afternoon. Seats fill'd
-and crowded by Two. Drums beat, Dogs yelp, Butchers and Foot soldiers
-clatter their Sticks; At last the two heroes, in their fine borrow'd
-<i>Holland</i> Shirts, mount the Stage about Three; Cut large Collops out
-of one another, to divert the Mob, and Make Work for the Surgeons:
-Smoking, Swearing, Drinking, Thrusting, Justling, Elbowing, Sweating,
-Kicking, Cuffing, all the while the Company stays.'</p>
-
-<p>Steele gives a good account of a prize fight:
-<a name="FNanchor_64" id="FNanchor_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a>
-'The Combatants met in the Middle of the Stage, and, shaking
-Hands, as removing all Malice, they retired with much
-Grace to the Extremities of it; from whence they
-immediately faced about, and approached each other.
-<i>Miller</i>, with an Heart full of Resolution, <i>Buck</i>, with
-a watchful, untroubled Countenance; <i>Buck</i> regarding
-principally his own Defence, <i>Miller</i> chiefly thoughtful
-of his Opponent. It is not easie to describe the many
-Escapes and imperceptible Defences between Two Men
-of Quick Eyes, and ready Limbs; but <i>Miller's</i> Heat
-laid him open to the Rebuke of the calm <i>Buck</i>, by
-a large Cut on the Forehead. Much Effusion of Blood
-covered his Eyes in a Moment, and the Huzzas of
-the Crowd undoubtedly quickened his Anguish. The
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>
-Assembly was divided into Parties upon their different
-ways of Fighting: while a poor Nymph in one of the
-Galleries apparently suffered for <i>Miller</i>, and burst into
-a Flood of Tears. As soon as his Wound was wrapped
-up, he came on again in a little Rage, which still disabled
-him further. But what brave Man can be
-wounded with more Patience and Caution? The next
-was a warm eager Onset, which ended in a decisive
-Stroke on the Left Leg of <i>Miller</i>. The Lady in the
-Gallery, during the second Strife, covered her face; and
-for my Part, I could not keep my thoughts from being
-mostly employed on the Consideration of her unhappy
-Circumstances that Moment, hearing the Clash of
-Swords, and apprehending Life or Victory concerned
-her Lover in every Blow, but not daring to satisfie
-herself on whom they fell. The Wound was exposed
-to the View of all who could delight in it, and sowed
-up on the Stage. The surly Second of <i>Miller</i> declared
-at this Time, that he would, that Day Fortnight, fight
-Mr. <i>Buck</i> at the Same Weapons, declaring himself the
-Master of the renowned <i>German</i>; but <i>Buck</i> denied him
-the Honour of that Courageous Disciple, and, asserting
-that he himself had taught that Champion, accepted the
-Challenge."</p>
-
-<p>In No. 449, of the <i>Spectator</i>, is the following letter
-<i>re</i> Hockley-in-the-Hole:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Mr. Spectator</span>,—I was the other day at the Bear-garden,
-in hopes to have seen your short face; but not
-being so fortunate, I must tell you by way of letter,
-that there is a mystery among the gladiators which has
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>
-escaped your spectatorial penetration. For, being in
-a Box at an Alehouse, near that renowned Seat or
-Honour above mentioned, I overheard two Masters of
-the Science agreeing to quarrel on the next Opportunity.
-This was to happen in the Company of a Set of the
-Fraternity of Basket Hilts, who were to meet that
-Evening. When that was settled, one asked the other,
-Will you give Cuts, or receive? the other answered,
-Receive. It was replied, Are you a passionate Man?
-No, provided you cut no more, nor no deeper than
-we agree. I thought it my duty to acquaint you with
-this, that the people may not pay their money for
-fighting, and be cheated.</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left:10em">
-"Your humble servant,<br /></span>
-</p>
-<p><span style="margin-left:20em"><span class="smcap">"Scabbard Rusty</span>."</span>
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>It was not sword play alone that was the favourite
-pastime at Hockley-in-the-Hole, there was cudgel
-playing—and fighting with "the Ancient Weapon
-called the Threshing Flail." There is an advertisement
-extant of a fight with this weapon between John Terrewest
-and John Parkes of Coventry, whose tombstone
-affirms that he fought three hundred and fifty battles in
-different parts of Europe. Fisticuffs also came prominently
-into vogue early in the eighteenth century, and
-it is needless to say that Hockley was a favourite place
-with its professors. The site of the Bear Garden is
-said to be occupied by the "Coach and Horses," 29,
-Ray Street, Farringdon Road.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_55" id="Footnote_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a>
-"Trivia," book ii.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_56" id="Footnote_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a>
-Book iii. line 1,000, &c.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_57" id="Footnote_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a>
-Harl. MSS. 5931, 46.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_58" id="Footnote_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a>
-Dr. Sacheverell.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_59" id="Footnote_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a>
-"Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," by John Ashton
-(<i>Chatto and Windus</i>).</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_60" id="Footnote_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a>
-Harl. MSS. 5931, 50.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_61" id="Footnote_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a>
-De. Sorbière.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_62" id="Footnote_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a>
-Misson.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_63" id="Footnote_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a>
-"Comical View of London and Westminster."</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_64" id="Footnote_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a>
-<i>Spectator</i>, No. 436.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_0vii-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_0vii-500.png" width="500" height="128" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">IN connection with the Fleet, I have omitted to mention
-one locality, in this immediate neighbourhood, which
-certainly deserves notice from its associations, namely
-Laystall Street and Mount Pleasant; for here it was,
-that a fort to command Gray's Inn Road, was built,
-when the lines for the protection of the City were
-formed by order of Parliament in 1643—at the time
-when it was feared that Prince Rupert was coming to
-attack it. For nearly, if not quite, a hundred years
-those lines of defence were partially visible; and,
-certainly, among others, one was at Mount Pleasant.
-It is a somewhat curious thing that the names survive.
-A Laystall meant a dung or dust heap, and, after this
-artificial mound was utilized for the community its
-name was euphemised into Mount Pleasant, which it
-bears to this day.</p>
-
-<p>This work of intrenchment was almost impressment,
-for we can hardly consider that it was voluntary, when
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>
-we read in a newspaper of 1643, that, by order of the
-Parliament, "many thousands of men and women
-(good housekeepers), their children, and servants, went
-out of the several parishes of London with spades,
-shovels, pickaxes, and baskets, and drums and colours
-before them; some of the chief men of every parish
-marching before them, and so went into the fields, and
-worked hard all day in digging and making of trenches,
-from fort to fort, wherebie to intrench the citie round
-from one end to the other, on this side of the Thames;
-and late at night the company came back in like manner
-they went out, and the next day a many more went,
-and so they continued daily, with such cheerfulnesse
-that the whole will be finished ere many dayes." And so these works of fortification went on, encouraged by the
-presence of a member of the Common Council, and some of the Trained
-Bands (the City Militia of that time) and it was a work in which all
-classes joined—willingly, or not, I know not—but the
-latter, probably, as the City of London was generally loyal to its
-king, although on occasion, the dwellers therein, knew how to hold
-their own in defence of their prerogatives. But the fear of Prince
-Rupert, and his familiar spirit—the white poodle dog "Boy" (who
-was killed, after passing through many a battle-field unscathed, at
-Marston Moor, July 2, 1644), may possibly have had something to do with
-it. Of course we know that tailors and shoemakers, are mostly radicals,
-and socialists in politics, probably on account of their sedentary
-work, where political discussion is rife, and from their constant
-inter-association, not mixing much with the outer world;
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>
-therefore we can scarcely wonder that on the 5th of
-June, 1643, that some five thousand or six thousand
-Tailors went out to help intrench the City against the
-redoubted Prince, and that, afterwards, the shoemakers
-followed their example. Two thousand porters also
-helped in the work. Most probably, a moral "shrewd
-privie nipp" was administered to most people by those
-then in power, and they were forced into taking an
-active part in raising the fortifications, irrespective of
-their being either <i>Cavaliers</i> or <i>Roundheads</i>.</p>
-
-<p>At all events, the fort at Mount Pleasant was raised,
-although never used, and it belongs to the history of
-the Fleet River—as, close by, a little affluent joined it.
-Gardens sloped down to its banks, notably those of
-the great Priory of St. John's Clerkenwell, and, like
-Bermondsey, with its "Cherry Gardens"—the names
-of "Vineyard Walk" and "Pear Tree Court" bear
-testimony to the fruitfulness of this part of London.
-There is also "Vine Street" in Saffron Hill, which
-latter name is extremely suggestive of the growth of
-a plant which, in old times, was much used both in
-medicine and cooking. It was called "The Liberty
-of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Place"—which
-was in the Manor of Portpool.</p>
-
-<p>Saffron Hill, nowadays, is the home of the Italian
-organ-grinder, who, although not unknown to the police,
-is undoubtedly a better citizen than previous dwellers
-therein. Specially was West Street, or Chick Lane, as
-it was formerly called, a neighbourhood to be avoided
-by all honest men. It ran both east and west of the
-Fleet, which it crossed by a bridge. Stow calls it
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>
-Chicken Lane, but it certainly was not inhabited by
-young and innocent birds. It ran into Field Lane, of
-unsavoury memory, and now done away with.</p>
-
-<p>This was the state of West Street, as exemplified by
-a cutting from the <i>Morning Herald</i> of Feb. 11, 1834:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Yesterday an inquest was held at the Horse Shoe and
-Magpie, Saffron Hill, before <span class="smcap">Thomas Stirling</span>, Esq.,
-Coroner, on the body of James Parkinson, aged 36, who
-came by his death under the following circumstances.</p>
-
-<p>"The Jury proceeded to view the body of the deceased,
-which lay in the upper part of a low lodging-house
-for travellers, in West Street, Saffron Hill. It
-was in a high state of decomposition, and a report was
-generally circulated that he had come by his death by
-unfair means.</p>
-
-<p>"Mary Wood being sworn, deposed that she was the
-landlady of the house in West Street, which she let out
-in lodgings. The deceased occasionally lodged with
-her, and he was a dealer in cat's meat. On Tuesday
-night last he came home and asked her for a light, and
-proceeded to his bedroom. On the Wednesday witness
-proceeded upstairs to make the beds, when she saw the
-deceased lying on his bed apparently asleep, but she did
-not speak to him. On the Thursday she proceeded to
-the upper part of the house for the same purpose, when
-she again saw the deceased lying as if asleep, but she
-did not disturb him, and he was ultimately discovered
-to be a corpse, and his face quite black.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Juror.</i> Pray, how many beds are there in the room
-where the deceased slept?</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"<i>Witness.</i> Only eight, and please you, Sir.</p>
-
-<p>"Indeed, and how many persons are in the habit of
-sleeping in the same apartment?—There are generally
-two or three in a bed, but the deceased had a bed to
-himself.</p>
-
-<p>"Very comfortable truly. Is it not strange that none
-of his fellow lodgers ascertained that he was dead?—No,
-Sir, they go in and out without seeming to care for
-each other.</p>
-
-<p>"Do you mean to say, if a poor man was to take a
-lodging at your house, you would let him lie for upwards
-of 48 hours without inquiring whether he required
-nourishment?—Why, Sir, I have known some of my
-lodgers, who have been out <i>upon the spree</i> to <i>lay</i> in bed
-for three and four days together, without a bit or a sup,
-and then they have gone out to their work as well and
-as hearty as ever they <i>was</i> in their lives; I have known
-it often to have been done. There was plenty of <i>grub</i>
-in the house if he liked to have asked for it; but I
-thought if I asked him to have victuals he would be
-offended, as he might receive it as a hint for the few
-nights' lodging that he owed me.</p>
-
-<p>"Mr. Appleby, the parish surgeon, proved that the
-deceased died a natural death, and the Jury returned a
-verdict of 'Died by the visitation of God.'"</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>There was an old house in West Street, pulled down
-in April, 1840, which tradition affirmed to have been
-the residence of the infamous Jonathan Wild, and, when
-destroyed, its age was considered to be about three
-hundred years. At one time it was the Red Lion Inn;
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>
-but for a hundred years prior to its demolition it was a
-low lodging-house. Owing to the numerous facilities
-for secretion and escape, it was the haunt of coiners,
-secret distillers, thieves, and perhaps worse. There were
-trap doors connected with the Fleet River through which
-booty might be thrown, or a man get away, if hard
-pressed; a secret door in a garret led to the next house,
-and there were many hiding places—in one of which a
-chimney sweep named Jones, who had escaped from
-Newgate, lay hidden for about six weeks, although the
-house was repeatedly searched by the police.</p>
-
-<p>And there was Field Lane too, which was the house
-of the "Fence," or receiver of stolen goods. It was
-from this interesting locality that Charles Dickens drew
-that wonderful study of Fagin—who was a real character.
-Cruikshank has made him as immortal, but Kenny
-Meadows tried to delineate him in a clever series which
-appeared in <i>Bell's Life in London</i>, under the title of
-"Gallery of Comicalities."</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 400px; ">
-<a href="images/i_159-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_159-500.png" width="400" height="500" alt="FAGIN, THE JEW." /></a>
-<div class="caption">FAGIN, THE JEW.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Welcome, Old Star, of Saffron hill.</p>
-<p class="i4">Of villainy a sample bright,</p>
-<p class="i1">Awake to Prigs, and plunder still,</p>
-<p class="i4">Thou merry, ancient Israelite!</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Thy face is rough, with matted shag,</p>
-<p class="i4">Foul is thy form, old shrivell'd wretch.</p>
-<p class="i1">How cunningly you eye the swag,</p>
-<p class="i4">Harden'd purveyor to Jack Ketch!</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Incrusted with continued crime,</p>
-<p class="i4">Your hopeful pupils still employ—</p>
-<p class="i1">Thou wert indeed a Tutor prime</p>
-<p class="i4">To Oliver, the Workhouse Boy.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Poor Lad! condemn'd to fate's hard stripes,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>
-<p class="i4">To herd with Fagin's plundering pack;</p>
-<p class="i1">And learn the art of filching wipes,</p>
-<p class="i4">From Charley Bates, and Dawkins Jack.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">To hear 'The Dodger' patter slang,</p>
-<p class="i4">With knowing wink, and accent glib,</p>
-<p class="i1">Or learn from 'Sikes's' ruffian gang,</p>
-<p class="i4">In slap up style to crack a crib.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Hail, Fagin! Patriarch of the whole!</p>
-<p class="i4">Kind Patron of these knowing ones—</p>
-<p class="i1">In thee we trace a kindred soul</p>
-<p class="i4">Of honest Ikey Solomon's!</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">We leave you to your courses vile,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>
-<p class="i4">For conscience you have none, old Codger!</p>
-<p class="i1">And in our next we'll trace in style,</p>
-<p class="i4">The mug of Jack, the <i>artful dodger</i>."</p>
-</div></div></div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 463px; ">
-<a href="images/i_160-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_160-500.png" width="463" height="500" alt="FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF 'FINE DRAWING.'" /></a>
-<div class="caption">FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE DRAWING."
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>The artistic merit of this poetry is <i>nil</i>, and my only
-excuse is the introduction of a forgotten sketch by a
-dead artist, who, in his day was popular and famous.
-Who, for instance, remembering Leech's pictures in
-<i>Punch</i>, would think that this illustration ever came
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>
-from his pencil? but it did, and from <i>Bell's Life in
-London</i>; and so did another, of two children fighting in
-Chick Lane, whilst their parents, the father with a
-broken nose, and the mother with a black eye, look on
-approvingly.</p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Field Lane Negotiations; or, a Specimen of
-'Fine Drawing.</span>' Thish ish vot I callsh 'caushe and
-effect;' caushe if vee thidn't buy, no bothy vood shell,
-and if vee thidn't shell, nobothy vood buy; and vot's
-more, if peoplesh thidn't have foglesh, vy, nobothy could
-prig em" (<i>See</i> Abrahams on the "Economy of Wipes").</p>
-
-<p>Those were the days of large and valuable silk
-Bandana handkerchiefs, and the story used to be told
-that you might have your pocket picked of your handkerchief
-at one end of Field Lane, and buy it again at
-the other end, with the marking taken out.</p>
-
-<p>Long before Fagin's time, however, there was a school
-for young thieves in this neighbourhood, <i>vide Gentleman's
-Magazine</i> (1765), vol. xxxv. p. 145.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Four boys, detected in picking pockets, were examined
-before the Lord Mayor, when one was admitted
-as evidence, who gave an account, that a man who kept a
-public-house near <i>Fleet Market</i>, had a club of boys, whom
-he instructed in picking pockets, and other iniquitous
-practices; beginning first with teaching them to pick a
-handchief out of his own pocket, and next his watch; so
-that, at last, the evidence was so great an adept, that he
-got the publican's watch four times in one evening, when
-he swore he was as perfect as one of twenty years'
-practice. The pilfering out of shops was his next art;
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>
-his instructions to his pupils were, that as many chandlers,
-or other shops, as had hatches,<a name="FNanchor_65" id="FNanchor_65"></a>
-<a href="#Footnote_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a>
-one boy was to knock for admittance for some trifle, whilst another was
-lying on his belly, close to the hatch, who when the boy came out, the
-hatch on jar, and the owner withdrawn, was to crawl in, on all fours,
-and take the tills or anything else he could meet with, and to retire
-in the same manner. Breaking into shops by night was another article
-which was to be effected thus: as walls of brick under shop windows are
-very thin, two of them were to lie under a window as destitute beggars,
-asleep to passers by, but, when alone, were provided with pickers to
-pick the mortar out of the bricks, and so on till they had opened a
-hole big enough to go in, when one was to lie, as if asleep, before
-the breach, till the other accomplished his purpose."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_65" id="Footnote_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a>
-Dwarf doors.</p>
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_162-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_162-200.png" width="200" height="150" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_163-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_163-500.png" width="500" height="144" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">CLOSE by Saffron Hill, and Fleet Lane, is Hatton
-Garden, or Ely Place, formerly the seats of the
-Bishops of Ely; which Shakespeare has made so
-familiar to us in <i>Richard III.</i> act iii. sc. 4. "My
-Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn, I saw good
-strawberries in your garden there; I do beseech you,
-send for some of them."<a name="FNanchor_66" id="FNanchor_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a>
-In Queen Elizabeth's time an arrangement was effected so that her
-favourite Chancellor Hatton, who "led the brawls, the Seal and
-Maces danc'd before him,"<a name="FNanchor_67" id="FNanchor_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a>
-should have this little estate, the gardens of which sloped down to the
-Fleet River. Hence the Bishop of Ely's place assumed the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>
-name of Hatton Garden.</p>
-
-<p>There is a legend—and I give it as such—that this
-Sir Christopher Hatton married a beautiful gipsy girl,
-who bewitched him; and the price she had to pay,
-according to her compact with the Evil One, was her
-soul, and body, after a given time. When that arrived,
-the Devil duly came for her, and seizing her, bore her
-aloft, and, whilst in the air, he rent her in pieces, and
-threw her still palpitating heart to earth. Where it
-fell was, for years, known as <i>Bleeding Heart Yard</i>; but
-now, the authorities, whoever they may be, have altered
-it to <i>Bleeding Hart</i>, which, in all probability was the
-cognizance of the family who resided there.</p>
-
-<p>This Ely Place had very extensive premises, consisting
-of numerous buildings, a Hall, Quadrangle, Cloisters,
-Chapel, a field, the historic garden, <i>cum multis aliis</i>;
-and they occupied a large space. Only the Chapel now
-remains, and that has had a curious career. At one
-time marriages were celebrated there, as at the Fleet,
-presumably that it was not under the jurisdiction of the
-Bishop of London, but this fiction was overruled in the
-case of <i>Barton</i> v. <i>Wells</i> in the Consistory Court, Nov.
-17, 1789, when Sir Wm. Scott (afterwards Lord Stowell)
-decided that Ely Chapel was under the authority of the
-Bishop of London, and that Curates thereto must be
-licensed by him.</p>
-
-<p>The Bishops came to London in former times, as
-now, and their residences, in several cases were known
-as <i>Places</i>, or <i>Palaces</i>. Thus, there was Winchester
-Place, in Southwark, now the headquarters of the Fire
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>
-Brigade—formerly the palace of the Bishops of Winchester,
-a city which was once the metropolis of England,
-where Parliaments were held, and whose Bishops to
-this day are titular Prelates of the Garter. The Bishop
-of Bangor, who, although his see claims to be as old as
-any, has not the richest bishopric, had a palace in Shoe
-Lane, Holborn, and the Bishop of Lincoln also lived in
-Holborn.</p>
-
-<p>The first mention of the connection of the Bishops
-of Ely, is in the will of John de Kirkeby (who was
-appointed Bishop in 1286), and whose will was proved
-in 1290, or 18 Edward I., and in the Close Roll of that
-year, is the following (in Latin, of course):</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p class="center">"<i>For the Executors of the Will of the Bishop of Ely.</i></p>
-
-<p>"Whereas the King hath understood that John, late
-Bishop of Ely, deceased, of pious memory, hath in his
-last will bequeathed his houses which he had in the
-parish of St. Andrew near Holeburn, in the suburbs,
-and within the liberty of the city of London, to God,
-and the Church of St. Etheldreda<a name="FNanchor_68" id="FNanchor_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a>
-of Ely, and his successors, bishops of the same place, so that they
-should pay the debts which the same deceased owed for those houses to
-Gregory de Rokesle, the King's Citizen, of London; Ralph de Sandwich,
-warden of the said City, is commanded, that, without delay, he deliver
-the aforesaid houses, with appurtenances, which are in the King's hand
-and custody, by reason of the death of the aforesaid bishop, thereof to
-make execution of the said will.</p>
-
-<p class="center">"Witness the King at Westminster on the 18th day
-of July."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The next bishop—William de Luda (who must have
-been a person of some distinction, for he had previously
-held the Deanery of St. Martin's le Grand, and the
-Archdeaconry of Durham, besides being Chamberlain,
-Treasurer, and Keeper of the Wardrobe to the King)
-bequeathed more property to the See, and in all likelihood,
-built the Chapel of St. Etheldreda, which, however,
-was most probably considerably modified by a later
-Bishop, Thomas de Arundel, who held the See from
-1374 to 1388—as the windows, mouldings, &c., now
-existing show, being about as good an example, as
-possible, of <i>Decorated</i>, or <i>Second Pointed</i> architecture.</p>
-
-<p>"Old <i>Iohn of Gaunt</i>, time-honoured Lancaster" lived
-at Ely Place for a time—in all likelihood after his
-palace in the Savoy, had been destroyed by rioters.
-This fact is noted by Shakespeare in "The life and
-death of King Richard the Second," act i. sc. 4:</p>
-
-<p>
-<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">"<i>Busby.</i></span>
-<span style="margin-left: 2.2em;">Old Iohn of Gaunt is verie sick, my Lord,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 10em;">Sodainly taken, and hath sent post haste</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 10em;">To entreat your Majesty to visit him.</span><br />
-
-<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>Richard.</i></span>
-<span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">Where lyes he?</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><i>Busby.</i></span>
-<span style="margin-left: 2.1em;">At Ely house."</span>
-</p>
-
-<p>Hollinshed, also, under date 1399, says: "In the meane time, the Duke of Lancaster departed out of this life
-at the Bishop of Elie's place, in Holborne, and lieth buried in the
-Cathedrall Church of St. Paule, in London, on the north side of the
-high altar, by the Ladie Blanche, his first wife."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The premises were of very great extent, as appears
-by plans taken before its almost total demolition in
-1772. Under the Chapel was a cellar, or under croft—divided
-into two—and this seems to have caused some
-inconvenience in the seventeenth century, for Malcolm,
-in his "Londinium Redivivum" (vol. ii. p. 236) says: "One half of
-the crypt under the chapel, which had been used for interments, was
-then frequented as a drinking-place, where liquor was retailed; and the
-intoxication of the people assembled, often interrupted the offices of
-religion above them." And this statement seems to be borne out by a reference
-to Harl. MSS. 3789, <i>et seq.</i>, where it says: "Even half of the vault or burying place under the Chapel is made
-use of as a public cellar (or was so very lately) to sell drink in,
-there having been frequently revellings heard there during Divine
-Service."</p>
-
-<p>More curious things than this happened to Ely Place,
-for the Journals of the House of Commons inform us
-how, on January 3, 1642-3, "The palace was this day
-ordered to be converted into a prison, and John Hunt,
-Sergeant-at-arms, appointed keeper during the pleasure
-of the House." He was, at the same time, commanded to take care that the gardens,
-trees, chapel, and its windows, received no injury. A sufficient sum
-for repairs was granted from the revenues of the see.</p>
-
-<p>Again, on March 1, 1660: "Ordered that it be referred to a Committee to consider how,
-and in what manner, the said widows, orphans, and maim'd soldiers,
-at Ely House, may be provided for, and paid, for the future, with
-the least prejudice, and most ease to the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>
-nation; and how a weekly revenue may be settled for their maintenance;
-and how the maimed soldiers may be disposed of, so as the nation may
-be eased of the charge, and how they may be provided of a preaching
-minister."</p>
-
-<p>There were always squabbles about this property,
-and it nearly fell into ruin; but in 1772 an Act of
-Parliament was passed (Geo. III., an. 12, cap. 43)
-entitled "An Act for vesting <i>Ely House</i>, in <i>Holbourn</i>, in His Majesty,
-his Heirs and Successors, and for applying the Purchase Money, with
-another Sum therein mentioned, in the purchasing of a Freehold Piece of
-Ground in <i>Dover Street</i>, and in the building, and fitting up another
-House thereon, for the future Residence of the Bishops of <i>Ely</i>, and
-the Surplus to the Benefit of the See; and for other Purposes therein
-mentioned." And the town residence of the Bishop of Ely is now 37, Dover Street,
-Piccadilly. This little bargain was the sale to the Crown of Ely Place
-for £6,500, and a perpetual annuity of £200 to the Bishop of Ely and
-his successors.</p>
-
-<p>The site and materials were purchased by a Mr.
-Charles Cole, an architect and builder, and he built
-Ely Place, Holborn. The chapel was let, and, eventually,
-to the Welsh Episcopalians of London. But the
-property got into Chancery, and the estate was ordered
-to be sold; and it was sold on January 28, 1874, and
-the chapel alone fetched £5,250. As there was no
-stipulation as to its purchase by any particular religious
-body, it was bought by the Roman Catholics, and is
-now St. Etheldreda's Church, Convent, and schools.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_169-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_169-500.png" width="500" height="325" alt="ELY HOUSE, 1784." /></a>
-<div class="caption">ELY HOUSE, 1784.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
-
-<p><i>Apropos</i> of Ely House, when Bishop Coxe demurred
-at surrendering the property of his see to Hatton,
-Queen Elizabeth wrote him that famous letter, beginning
-"Proud Prelate," and telling him that, if he did
-not do as he was told, she, who had made him what he
-was, could unmake him, and if he did not immediately
-comply, she would unfrock him—signing this very
-characteristic and peremptory epistle, "Yours, as you
-demean yourself, <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>."</p>
-
-<p>On the other or east side of the Fleet was a tributary
-brook called Turnmill brook—a name now surviving
-in Turnmill Street—which, even in this century, drove
-flour and flatting mills, and we have indisputable evidence
-of its industrial powers, in an advertisement in
-the <i>Daily Courant</i> September 17, 1714, which calls
-attention to a house in Bowling (Green) Alley,
-<a name="FNanchor_69" id="FNanchor_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a>
-Turnmill Street, which had the power of utilizing "a common
-sewer with a good stream, and a good current, for purposes
-of a Mill;" and it was on Turnmill Brook that
-Cave, the publisher, in 1740, went into an unprofitable
-partnership with one Lewis Paul, of Birmingham, to
-work a mill for the utilization of a patent taken out by
-Paul for a "Machine to spin wool or cotton into thread,
-yarn, or worsted." This experiment, however, was not
-a success.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 338px; ">
-<a href="images/i_171-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_171-500.png" width="338" height="500" alt="Fleet." /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p>The Fleet flowing to its bourne,
-<a name="FNanchor_70" id="FNanchor_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a>
-the Thames, was bridged over at Holborn. Stow says: "Oldbourne bridge, over the said river of Wels more towards the
-north, was so called, of a bourn that sometimes ran
-down Oldbourne hill into the said river. This bridge
-of stone, like as Fleet bridge from Ludgate West,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>
-serveth for passengers with Carriage, or otherwise, from
-Newgate toward the west and by north." This was written in 1598.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 404px; ">
-<a href="images/i_172-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_172-500.png" width="404" height="500" alt="Fleet" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p>After the great fire of 1666 the Fleet was widened,
-and canalized, from the Thames, to Holborn Bridge;
-thence, to its source, it took its natural course, and,
-although there were then three bridges over it, from
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>
-Holborn to Newgate Street, set close, side by side, yet
-it was considered too narrow for the traffic, as we see
-in an Act of Parliament passed in 1670 (22 Car. II.,
-cap. 11), entitled "An additional Act for the Rebuilding
-of the City of <i>London</i>, Uniting of Parishes, and
-Rebuilding of the Cathedral and Parochial Churches
-within the said City." Section 7 says: "And, whereas the Way or Passage of <i>Holborn-Bridge</i> is now too
-strait, or incommodious for the many Carriages and Passengers daily
-using and frequenting the same, and is therefore necessary to be
-enlarged; Be it therefore likewise enacted, That it shall and may
-be lawful for the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, so to enlarge
-and make wider the same, as that the said Way and Passage may run in
-a Bevil Line from a certain Timber house on the North side thereof,
-commonly called or known by the Name or Sign of the <i>Cock</i>, into the
-Front of the Buildings of a certain Inn called the <i>Swan</i> Inn, situate
-on the North side of <i>Holborn Hill</i>, as aforesaid."</p>
-
-<p>Sir Christopher Wren built this bridge, which was
-meant to be the ornamental end of "The New Canal,"
-as it is described in the map of Farringdon Ward in
-Stow's "Survey" (ed. 1720). It must have taken some
-time to complete, for it was not finished until the
-Mayoralty of Sir William Hooker, whose name appeared
-carved upon it (although somewhat mutilated)
-when it was uncovered in March, 1840. Sir William
-Tite, C.B., M.P., F.S.A., &c., Architect to the City of
-London, writing at that date, says: "The Sewer at Holborn Hill was opened, and as I was passing, I
-saw the southern face of the Bridge which crossed the Fleet <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>
-at this place uncovered to some extent. It was built of red brick, and
-the arch was about twenty feet span. The road from the east intersected
-the bridge obliquely, which irregularity was obviated from a moulded
-and well-executed stone corbel arising out of the angle thus formed,
-which carried the parapet. On the plinth course of the parapet was cut
-the inscription following, recording the fact of the erection of the
-bridge, with the name of the Lord Mayor at the period:—"William
-Hooke(r). (A)nno D. 1674."</p>
-
-<p>Sir William Tite says it was a red brick bridge;
-Hatton, in his "New View of London" (1708), says
-it was of stone; but then, probably, he never really
-saw it, and Tite did. Hatton's description is: "<i>Holbourn Bridge</i> is built of Stone, it leads from <i>Holbourn</i> to
-<i>Snow Hill</i>, over the N. end of the <i>Fleet Brook</i>, where a little
-rivulet called <i>Wells</i>, falls by <i>Hockley Hole</i>, running a little E'd
-of <i>Saffron Hill</i>, crossing near the W. end of <i>Chick Lane</i>, and so
-into this Brook."</p>
-
-<p>The canalization of the Fleet after 1666 was a useful
-work, as it enabled barges to go up to Holborn
-Bridge; and that it was availed of, we can judge by
-the frontispiece, which was painted in the middle of the
-eighteenth century; but it was not much used, if we
-can trust Ned Ward, whose sharp eyes looked everywhere,
-and whose pen recorded his scrutiny
-<a name="FNanchor_71" id="FNanchor_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a>
-: "From thence we took a turn down by the Ditch side, I
-desiring my Friend to inform me what great Advantages
-this costly Brook contributed to the Town, to
-Countervail the Expence of Seventy four Thousand
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>
-Pounds, which I read in a very Credible Author, was
-the Charge of its making: He told me he was wholly
-unacquainted with any, unless it was now and then to
-bring up a few Chaldron of Coles to two or three
-Pedling <i>Fewel-Marchants</i>, who sell them never the
-Cheaper to the Poor for such a Conveniency: and, as
-for those Cellars you see on each side design'd for
-Ware-Houses, they are render'd by their dampness so
-unfit for that purpose that they are wholly useless,
-except ... or to harbour Frogs, Toads, and other
-Vermin. The greatest good that ever I heard it did
-was to the Undertaker, who is bound to acknowledge
-he has found better Fishing in that muddy Stream, than
-ever he did in clear Water."</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_175-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_175-500.png" width="500" height="325" alt="END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF HOLBORN HILL.
-JUNE 2, 1840." /></a>
-<div class="caption">
-END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF HOLBORN HILL.
-JUNE 2, 1840.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Gay, too, in his "Trivia," more than once mentions
-the foulness of the Fleet in book ii.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Or who that rugged street<a name="FNanchor_72" id="FNanchor_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> would traverse o'er,</p>
-<p class="i1">That stretches, O Fleet-Ditch, from thy black shore</p>
-<p class="i1">To the Tour's moated walls?"</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>And again:</p>
-
-<p class="center">"If where Fleet-Ditch with muddy current flows."</p>
-
-<p>Here is a pen-and-ink sketch of Holborn Bridge—from
-some old engraving or painting (Crosby does not
-give his authority), which gives an excellent idea of
-old London—squalid and filthy according to our ideas.
-How different from that noble viaduct which now
-spans the course of the Fleet River! which her Majesty
-opened on November 6, 1869.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177-8]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 287px; ">
-<a href="images/i_177-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_177-500.png" width="287" height="500" alt="HOLBORN BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">HOLBORN BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_66" id="Footnote_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a>
-Hollinshed says—speaking of a Council at the Tower, relative
-to the Coronation of Edward V., at which the Protector presided,
-"After a little talking with them, he said unto the Bishop of Ely,
-'My Lord, you have verie good strawberries at your garden in
-Holborne, I require you let us have a messe of them.' 'Gladlie,
-my Lord,' quoth he, 'would God I had some better thing as readie
-to your pleasure as that!' And there withall, in all haste, he sent
-his servant for a messe of strawberries."</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_67" id="Footnote_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a>
-Gray, "<i>A long Story</i>."</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_68" id="Footnote_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a>
-Afterwards Anglicised into Audrey.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_69" id="Footnote_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a>
-There is now <i>Bowling Green Street</i>, Farringdon Street.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_70" id="Footnote_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a>
-See next two pages.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_71" id="Footnote_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a>
-"London Spy," part vi.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_72" id="Footnote_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a>
-Thames Street.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_179-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_179-500.png" width="500" height="143" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THEN, close by (still keeping up its title of the
-River of the Wells) was Lamb's Conduit, on
-Snow Hill, which was fed from a little rill
-which had its source near where the Foundling Hospital
-now stands, its course being perpetuated by the
-name of Lamb's Conduit Street, where, according to the
-"Old English Herbal," watercresses used to flourish. "It groweth of its own accord in gardens and fields
-by the way side, in divers places, and particularly in
-the next pasture to the Conduit Head, behind Gray's
-Inn, that brings water to Mr. Lamb's Conduit in
-Holborn."</p>
-
-<p>William Lamb was a citizen of London, and of the
-Guild of Cloth-workers, besides which, he was some time
-Gentleman of the Chapel to Henry VIII. He benefited
-his fellow-citizens by restoring a conduit in 1577, which
-had been in existence since the fifteenth century; and,
-after the Great Fire, the busy Sir Christopher Wren was
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>
-employed to design a covering for the spring, which he
-did, putting a <i>lamb</i> on the top, with a very short inscription
-on the front panel, to the effect that it was
-"Rebuilt in the year 1677 S<sup>r</sup> Tho<sup>s</sup> Davis Kn<sup>t</sup> L<sup>d</sup>
-Mayor."</p>
-
-<p>It is curious to learn how the suburbs of London
-have grown within the memory of living men. Take,
-for instance, the following, from <i>Notes and Queries</i>
-(April, 1857, p. 265), referring to Lamb's Conduit.
-A correspondent writes that "About sixty years since,
-I was travelling from the West of England in one
-of the old stage coaches of that day, and my fellow-travellers
-were an octogenarian clergyman and his
-daughter. In speaking of the then increasing size of
-London, the old gentleman said that when he was a
-boy, and recovering from an attack of smallpox, he
-was sent into the country to a row of houses standing
-on the west side of the present Lamb's Conduit Street;
-that all the space before him was open fields; that a
-streamlet of water ran under his window; and he saw
-a man snipe-shooting, who sprung a snipe near to the
-house, and shot it."</p>
-
-<p>It was no small gift of William Lamb to the City,
-for it cost him £1,500, which was equivalent to thrice
-that sum at present, and, to make it complete, he gave
-to one hundred and twenty poor women, pails wherewith
-to serve and carry water, whereby they earned an
-honest, although a somewhat laborious, living. Lamb
-left many charitable bequests, and also founded a chapel,
-by Monkwell Street, now pulled down. This Conduit
-existed until about 1755, when it was demolished, and
-an obelisk with lamps erected in its place, but, that
-being found a nuisance, was, in its turn, soon done
-away with.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 295px; ">
-<a href="images/i_181-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_181-500.png" width="295" height="500" alt="LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL." /></a>
-<div class="caption">LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Lamb was buried in the Church of St. Faith's, under
-St. Paul's, and on a pillar was a brass to his memory,
-which is so quaint, that I make no apology for introducing
-it.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p class="i-1"> "William Lambe so sometime was my name,</p>
-<p class="i1">Whiles alive dyd runne my mortall race,</p>
-<p class="i1">Serving a Prince of most immortall fame,</p>
-<p class="i1">Henry the Eight, who of his Princely grace</p>
-<p class="i1">In his Chapell allowed me a place.</p>
-<p class="i1">By whose favour, from Gentleman to Esquire</p>
-<p class="i1">I was preferr'd, with worship, for my hire.</p>
-<p class="i1">With wives three I joyned wedlock band,</p>
-<p class="i1">Which (all alive) true lovers were to me,</p>
-<p class="i1">Joane, Alice, and Joane; for so they came to hand,</p>
-<p class="i1">What needeth prayse regarding their degree?</p>
-<p class="i1">In wively truth none stedfast more could be.</p>
-<p class="i1">Who, though on earth, death's force did once dissever,</p>
-<p class="i1">Heaven, yet, I trust, shall joyn us all together.</p>
-<p class="i1">O Lambe of God, which sinne didst take away;</p>
-<p class="i1">And as a Lambe, was offred up for sinne,</p>
-<p class="i1">Where I (poor Lambe) went from thy flock astray,</p>
-<p class="i1">Yet thou, good Lord, vouchsafe thy Lambe to winne</p>
-<p class="i1">Home to thy folde, and holde thy Lambe therein;</p>
-<p class="i1">That at the day, when Lambes and Goates shall sever,</p>
-<p class="i1">Of thy choice Lambes, Lambe may be one for ever.</p>
-<p class="i1">I pray you all, that receive Bread and Pence,</p>
-<p class="i1">To say the Lord's Prayer before ye go hence."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>It is said, also, that the old verses, so well known,
-were appended to the brass, or, rather, engraved on his
-tombstone.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>" As I was, so are ye,</p>
-<p class="i1">As I am, you shall be,</p>
-<p class="i1">That I had, that I gave,</p>
-<p class="i1">That I gave, that I have.</p>
-<p class="i1">Thus I end all my cost,</p>
-<p class="i1">That I felt, that I lost."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>But there is one well must not be lost sight of; for, in its small
-way, it was tributary to the Fleet—and that is Clerk's Well,
-or Clerkenwell, which gives its name to a large district of London.
-It was of old repute, for we see, in Ralph Aggas' Map of London,
-published about 1560, a conduit spouting from a wall, into a stone tank
-or trough. This is, perhaps, the earliest pictorial delineation of
-it; but FitzStephen mentions it under "<i>fons Clericorum</i>" so called,
-it is said, from the Parish Clerks of London, who chose this place
-for a representation of <i>Miracle Plays</i>, or scenes from Scripture
-realistically rendered, as now survives in the Ober Ammergau Passion
-Play. This little Company, which still exists as one of the City
-Guilds, has never attained to the dignity of having a livery, but
-they have a Hall of their own (in Silver Street, Wood Street, E.C.),
-and in their time have done good service in composing the "Bills
-of Mortality;" and gruesome pamphlets they were—all skulls,
-skeletons, and cross-bones—especially during the great Plague.</p>
-
-<p>These plays were, as I have said, extremely realistic. One, played
-at Chester <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1327, <a name="FNanchor_73"
-id="FNanchor_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a>
-represented Adam and Eve, both stark naked, but, afterwards, they
-wore fig leaves. The language used in them, would to our <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>
-ears be coarse, but it was the language of the time, and, probably,
-men and women were no worse than they are now. But, at all events
-this Guild, which was incorporated in the 17 Henry III. <span
-class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1232, used occasionally to delight their
-fellow Citizens with dramatic representations in the open air (as have
-lately been revived in the "Pastoral plays" at Wimbledon) at what was
-then an accessible, and yet a rural, suburb of London.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<img src="images/i_184.png" alt="Map of Ray Street" width="500" height="346" />
-</div>
-
-<p>Hence the name—but the well, alas, is no more—but when
-I say that, I mean that it is no longer available to the public. That
-it does exist, is well known to the occupier of the house where it
-formerly was in use, for the basement has frequently to be pumped dry.
-The neighbourhood has been so altered of late years, that its absolute
-site was somewhat difficult to fix; yet any one can identify it for
-themselves from the accompanying slight sketch of the locality as it
-existed over sixty years since. Ray Street (at least this portion
-of it) is now termed Farringdon Road, and what with Model
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
-lodging-houses, and underground railways, its physical and geographical
-arrangement is decidedly altered.</p>
-
-<p>Early in the last century, in Queen Anne's time, the Spring had
-ceased to be a conduit, as shown in Ralph Aggas' Map, but had been
-turned into a pump; and this pump even was moved, in 1800, to a more
-convenient spot in Ray Street, where it was in existence (which I
-rather doubt), according to Pink's History of Clerkenwell in 1865.
-However, there is very good evidence of its being, in an engraving
-dated May 1, 1822, of the "Clerk's Well"—which shows the pump,
-and a stone tablet with the following inscription:</p>
-
-<table summary="Church Wardens" border="0">
-<tr>
- <td class="th" colspan="3">"A.D. 1800.</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
- <td><span class="smcap">Willm. Bound</span></td>
- <td rowspan="2"><span style="font-size: 2em;">}</span></td>
- <td><span class="smcap">Church-</span></td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
- <td><span style="margin-left: 1.2em"><span class="smcap">Joseph Bird</span></span></td>
- <td><span class="smcap">Warden.</span></td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-
-<p>For the better accommodation of the Neighbourhood, this Pump was
-removed to the Spot where it now Stands. The Spring by which it is
-supplied is situated four Feet eastward, and round it, as History
-informs us, the Parish Clerks of London in remote Ages annually
-performed sacred Plays. That Custom caused it to be denominated
-Clerks' Well, and from which this Parish derives its Name. The Water
-was greatly esteemed by the Prior and Brethren of the Order of St.
-John of Jerusalem, and the Benedictine Nuns in the Neighbourhood."</p>
-
-<p>In later days, the Fleet, as every other stream on whose banks
-houses are built, became a sewer, and "behaved as sich;" so that
-it was deemed prudent to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>
-cover some portion of it, at all events, and that part where now is
-Farringdon Street, was arched over, and made into the Fleet <i>Market</i>.
-Our ancestors were far more alive to the advantages of ready cash,
-and consequent keen competition among dealers, than we are, although
-through the medium of Co-operative Stores, &c., we are beginning
-to learn the lost lesson, but, at all events, they had the acumen to
-know that large centres of supply were cheaper to the consumer than
-small, isolated shops, and <i>the Market</i>, was the outcome. It is next to
-impossible to make a Market—witness in our own times, the Central
-Fish Market, and Columbia Market, both of which are not absolute
-failures, but, to use a theatrical slang term, <i>frosts</i>—and this
-was an example.</p>
-
-<p>The Canal, up to Holborn Bridge, was expensive to keep up, and
-as we saw, by the quotation from Ned Ward, it was next door to
-worthless. Meantime, sewage and silt played their work, as the stream
-was neglected, and, becoming a public nuisance, it was arched over,
-pursuant to an Act 6 Geo. II. cap. 22, entitled "An Act for filling up
-such Part of the Channell of <i>Bridewell Dock</i>, and <i>Fleet Bridge</i>, as
-lies between <i>Holborn Bridge</i> and <i>Fleet Bridge</i>, and for converting
-the Ground, when filled up, to the use of the City of <i>London</i>." The
-works were begun in 1734 and was arched over and finished in 1735;
-but, as buildings are necessary for a market, it was not opened, as
-such, until Sept. 30, 1737. For nearly a century it remained a market
-for meat, fish, and vegetables, although, of course, the largest
-meat market was Newgate, as being near Smithfield; and for fish,
-Billingsgate, which still maintains its pre-eminence But in 1829 it
-was pulled down, in order to make a wider street from Holborn to
-Blackfriars Bridge; and this part of the Fleet was called, and now is,
-Farringdon Street. </p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_187-650.jpg" >
-<img src="images/i_187-500.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The Vegetable Market, for it had come to that only, was swept away,
-and a site found for it, nearly opposite the Fleet prison. It is still
-so used, but it is not much of a financial help to the City, as it only
-brings in an annual income (according to the last return I have been
-able to obtain) of between £700 and £800. It was thought
-that trade might be encouraged, and revived, if it were worthier
-housed, so what is now, the Central Fish Market, was erected; but,
-before the vendors of vegetables could enter into possession, a great
-cry had arisen as to the supply of fish to London, and the monopoly of
-Billingsgate, and the market was given over to the fishmongers. But it
-is not a success in a monetary point of view; is a great loss to the
-City, and, as a fish market, a very doubtful boon to the public.</p>
-
-<p>The Fleet Prison, which was on the east side of Farringdon Street,
-will be noticed in its place; and, as we have seen, the river was
-arched over from Holborn to Fleet Bridge, after which it still flowed,
-an open sewer, into the Thames.</p>
-
-<p>But, before going farther, we must needs glance at a curious little
-bit of Fleet history, which is to be found in "<span class="smcap">The
-Secret History</span> of the <span class="smcap">Rye House Plot</span>,
-and Monmouth's Rebellion," written by Ford. Lord Grey who was a party
-to the plot, addressed it to James the Second, 1685, but it was not
-printed until 1754. In p. 28 it states,
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>
-
-"About the latter end of Oct. Monmouth s'd to Sir Thos.
-Armstrong and Lord Grey, that it was necessary for them to view the
-passage into the City, which, accordingly they did, from the lower
-end of <i>Fleet-ditch</i>, next the river, to the other end of it, by Snow
-Hill." And again (p. 34): "Sunday night was pitched upon for the rising
-in London, as all shops would be shut. Their men were to be armed at
-the Duke of Monmouth's in Hedge Lane, Northumberland House, Bedford
-House, and four or five meeting houses in the City.</p>
-
-<p>"The first alarm was designed to be between eleven and twelve at
-night, by attacking the train bands at the Royal Exchange, and then
-possessing ourselves of Newgate, Ludgate, and Aldersgate. The first two
-gates we did not design to defend, unless we were beaten from Fleet
-Bridge and Snow Hill, where we intended to receive the first attack of
-the King's Guards. At Snow Hill, we intended to make a Barricade, and
-plant three or four pieces of Cannon, upon Ship's Carriages; at Fleet
-Bridge we designed to use our Cannon upon the carriages, and to make a
-breast-work for our musqueteers bridge next us, and to fill the houses
-on that side the ditch with men who should fire from the windows, but
-the bridge to be clear."</p>
-
-<p>As a matter of fact, there seem to have been two bridges over the
-Fleet, crossing it at Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill, both side by side,
-as at Holborn. Crosby, upon whose collection I have so largely drawn,
-says that it is so, from personal observation,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>
-one bridge being 24 ft. 6 in., and the other, 24 ft. wide, making in
-all, a roadway of 48 ft. 6 in. presumably including parapets. From
-his measurements, the span of the bridge was 12 ft., and the height
-of the arch was 11 ft. 6 in., but he does not say whence he takes his
-measurement—from the bottom of the Fleet, or from the river
-level.</p>
-
-<p>To this measurement hangs a tale, which is best told in Crosby's own
-words, from a memo of his in the Guildhall Library:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Fleet Bridge</span>, <i>Tuesday</i>,
-July 28th, 1840. As I could not depend upon the admeasurements which,
-at the beginning of the year, I had taken in a <i>hurried manner</i>, at
-Fleet Bridges, while bricklayers were placing in a brick bottom in
-place of the original one of alluvial soil, I determined to obtain them
-the first opportunity. This evening, therefore, at ten o'clock, I met
-Bridgewater, one of the workmen employed in constructing the New Sewer
-from Holborn Bridge to Clerkenwell, by appointment, at the Hoard there,
-water boots being in readiness. I lighted my lamps, and, assisted by
-the watchmen, King and Arion, we descended the ladder, and got into
-that branch of the sewer which joins Wren's bridge, at Holborn. We then
-walked carefully till we reached Fleet Bridge. I suspended my Argand
-lamp on the Breakwater of the Sewer, and with my Lanthorn light we
-proceeded towards the Thames. We got a considerable distance, during
-which the channel of the Sewer twice turned to the right, at a slight
-angle, the last portion we
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191-2]</a></span>
-entered, was barrelled at the bottom, the middle so full of holes,
-and the water so deep, as we approached the Thames, that we thought
-it prudent to return to Fleet bridge." (Here they lit up and took
-measurements). "All went well till about a quarter to twelve o'clock,
-when to our surprise we found the Tide had suddenly come in to the
-depth of two feet and a half. No time was to be lost, but I had only
-one more admeasurement to make, viz., the width of the north bridge. I
-managed this, and we then snatched up the basket, and holding our Lamps
-aloft, dashed up the Sewer, which we had to get up one half before out
-of danger. The air was close, and made us faint. However we got safe to
-Holborn Bridge...." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_73" id="Footnote_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a>
-Harl. MSS. 2013.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 138px; ">
-<a href="images/i_191-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_191-200.png" width="138" height="200" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_193-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_193-500.png" width="500" height="121" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XVI.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">HATTON, writing in 1708, says: "<i>Fleet Bridge</i> is even with the Str(eet); it leads from <i>Fleet
-Street</i> over the <i>Fleet Ditch</i> to <i>Ludgate Hill</i>; is accommodated with
-strong Battlements which are adorned with six Peers and enriched with
-the Arms of <i>London</i>, and Supporters Pine-apples, &c., all of
-Stone; and bet(wee)n the Peers are Iron Rails and Bannisters, on the N.
-& S. sides of the Bridge." </p>
-
-<p>On either side of where the Bridge used to be, are two obelisks,
-one on the North, or Farringdon Street side, to Alderman Waithman, and
-on the South, or Bridge Street side, to John Wilkes the notorious. The
-first bears the following inscription:—</p>
-
-<p class="center">
-<span class="smcap">Erected<br />
-to the memory<br />
-of<br />
-Robert<br />
-Waithman<br />
-by<br />
-his friends and<br />
-fellow citizens</span>,<br />
-<span class="large">M.D.C.C.C.XXXIII.</span>
-<br /><br />
-</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>This Alderman Waithman was almost one of the typical class so often
-held up as an example for all poor boys to follow, <i>i.e.</i>, he began
-life with simply his own energy, and opportunity to help him. And, as
-a virtuous example of industry, when the times were not so pushing as
-now; and half, and quarter, or less commissions on transactions were
-unknown, we may just spend a minute in reading about him. Wrexham
-was his birthplace in 1764, and his father dying soon after, he was
-adopted by his uncle and sent to school. No one was then left very
-many years in <i>statu pupillari</i>, and, consequently, he had to join his
-uncle in business, as a linendraper at Bath. The uncle died in 1788,
-and he took a place at Reading, whence he came to London, and lived as
-a linendraper's assistant until he came of age. He then married, and
-opened a shop at the South end of the Fleet Market, nearly precisely on
-the spot where his monument now stands.</p>
-
-<p>He prospered in business, and moved to other, and larger premises,
-became Common Councilman, tried to get into Parliament for the City,
-and ultimately succeeded in 1818. Next election he lost it, but in
-all subsequent ones he was the favoured candidate. He was Alderman of
-Farringdon Without, Sheriff, and filled the office of Mayor in 1823-4.
-The obelisk to his memory remains, but he has dropped out of general
-memory, and this revival of his life, for imitation, in industry and
-rectitude of conduct, must be my excuse for taking up my readers'
-time.</p>
-
-<p>Far different is it with John Wilkes, about whom <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>
-every one knows, and I have only to say that his obelisk bears the
-inscription—</p>
-
-<p class="center">
-<span class="large">A.D.<br />
-M.D.C.C.LXXV.</span><br />
-<span class="smcap">The Right<br />
-Honorable<br />
-<span class="gesperrt">John Wilkes</span></span>,<br />
-Lord Mayor.
-<br /><br />
-</p>
-
-<p>This inscription became effaced through the weather, and was, within
-the last few years, replaced with a new stone; but it was grumbled at
-for not having the original word "Esquire" after John Wilkes, which was
-surely a work of supererogation.</p>
-
-<p>Close by was Ludgate, with its debtors' prison of Lud-gate, which
-was rather aristocratic, being "purely for Insolvent Citizens of
-<i>London</i>, Beneficed Clergy, and Attorneys at Law," and which was even
-peculiar in the time when it existed; for Maitland, in his "History of
-London" (ed. 1775, pp. 28, 29) says:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"The domestick Government of this Prison having
-something very singular and remarkable in it, I presume an Account
-thereof will not be unacceptable to the Reader. I shall, therefore,
-insert a compendious Abstract thereof from an Account published some
-Time ago by one who had been a long Time Prisoner there.</p>
-
-<p>"For the quiet and good Government of this Prison, and the
-Punishment of Crimes and Misdemeanors therein committed, the Master
-Keeper and Prisoners from among themselves chuse the following
-Officers, viz., A Reader of Divine Service; an upper Steward, called
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>
-the Master of the Box; an Under Steward; seven Assistants, who by Turns
-officiate daily; a Running Assistant; two Churchwardens; a Scavenger;
-a Chamberlain; a Running Post; and the Criers or Beggars at the Gates,
-who are generally six in number.</p>
-
-<p>"The Reader is chosen by the Master Keeper, Stewards, and
-Assistants, and not at a General Election, as the other Officers are.
-The Reader, besides reading Prayers, was, originally, obliged to Ring
-the Bell twice a Day for Prayers, and also for the Space of a Quarter
-of an Hour before Nine at Night, as a Warning for all Strangers to
-depart the Prison; but for the Dignity of his Office, he is now exempt
-from those Services, and others in his stead are appointed to perform
-them. This Officer's salary is two Shillings and eight Pence <i>per</i>
-Month, and a Penny of every Prisoner at his Entrance, if his Garnish<a
-name="FNanchor_74" id="FNanchor_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74"
-class="fnanchor">[74]</a> amount to sixteen Pence; and a Dish of Meat
-out of the Lord Mayor's Basket. </p>
-
-<p>"The Upper Steward, or Master of the Box, is, by all the Prisoners
-held in equal Esteem with the Keeper of the Prison; and to his Charge
-is committed the keeping of all the several Orders of the House, with
-the Accounts of Cash received upon Legacies; the Distribution of
-all the Provisions sent in by the Lord Mayor, and others; the cash
-received by Garnish, and begging at the Grates, which he weekly lays
-out in Bread, Candles, and other Necessaries. He likewise keeps a List
-of all the Prisoners, as well those that
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>
-are upon the Charity, as those that are not; to each of whom, by
-the Aid of the Assistant for the Day, he distributes their several
-proportions of Bread and other Provisions. He receives the Gifts of the
-Butchers, Fishmongers, Poulterers, and other Market People, sent in
-by the Clerk of the Market, by the Running Post, for which he gives a
-Receipt, and, afterwards, in the Presence of the Assistant for the Day,
-exposes for Sale to the Charity Men, by Way of Market; and the Money
-arising thereby is deposited in the Common Stock, or Bank.</p>
-
-<p>"This Officer, with the Under Steward, Assistants, and
-Churchwardens, are elected monthly by the Suffrages of the Prisoners;
-but all the other Officers, except the Chamberlain, are appointed
-by the Master-Keeper, Stewards, and Assistants. The Design of these
-frequent Elections, is to prevent Frauds and Abuses in the respective
-Officers; but, when they are known to be Men of Probity, they are
-generally reelected, and often continue in such Posts many Months. The
-<i>Monday</i> after every Election, the Accounts are audited and passed,
-and the Balance divided; and, if it amount to three Shillings and four
-Pence <i>per</i> Man, the Keeper of the Prison arbitrarily extorts from
-each Prisoner two Shillings and Four Pence, without the least Colour
-of Right: But, if the Dividend arises not so high, then he only takes
-one Shilling and two Pence; the other Moiety being charged to the
-Prisoner's Account, to be paid at the Time of his Discharge; which new
-and detestable Impositions are apparently contrary to the Intention of
-the Founder.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg
-198]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Another great Grievance the distressed and miserable Prisoners are
-subject to, is, their being obliged to pay the Turnkey twelve Shillings
-<i>per</i> Month, for no other Service than that of opening the Door to let
-in Gifts and Charities sent to the Prison, which often amount to little
-more than what he receives.</p>
-
-<p>"The Under Steward is an Assistant, or Deputy, to the Upper Steward,
-in whose Absence or Indisposition he performs the several Functions of
-his Office.</p>
-
-<p>"The Assistants, being seven in Number, are chosen Monthly with
-the Stewards; one whereof, officiating daily, his Business is to
-attend in the Hall, to enter all Charities, and keep an Account of
-the Money taken out of the Boxes, which are opened at five o'Clock
-in the Afternoon, and at Nine at Night; which Money he pays to the
-Upper Steward, at the passing of whose Accounts the Assistants are
-Auditors.</p>
-
-<p>"Every Person put in Nomination for the Office of an Assistant,
-refusing to serve, forfeits one Shilling to the Use of the Publick, or,
-in lieu thereof, to be put in Fetters for three Days. The officiating
-Assistant is invested with a magisterial Power, whereby he can commit
-a Prisoner to the Stocks or Shackles, for the Abuse of any Person.
-This Officer is to see the Cellar cleared every Night, by ten o'Clock
-of all the Prisoners; for which he receives six Pence out of the
-Charity Money; two Pence whereof to his own Use, two Pence to the
-Upper Steward, and two Pence to the Running Assistant. This Office
-was anciently in such Esteem, that the Assistant, at his entering
-upon it, used nightly, at Eight o'Clock, to be ushered into the Hall,
-by an
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>
-Illumination of forty or fifty great Candles, carried by so many
-Prisoners.</p>
-
-<p>"The Running Assistant's Business is, to attend upon the Criers at
-the Gates, to change Money; and open the Boxes: to put up Candles in
-their respective Places, attend upon the Stewards and Assistants, look
-after the Clock, ring the Bell for Prayers; and to be Crier at the
-Sale of Provisions. His Salary is four Shillings and eight Pence <i>per</i>
-Month, and an eighth part of the Garnish Money.</p>
-
-<p>"The Churchwardens are chosen from among the youngest Prisoners. The
-Upper Warden's Office is, to call to Prayers on <i>Sundays</i>, after the
-Bell has done ringing; and the Under Warden's is to call the Prisoners
-to Prayers all other Days. They are likewise to take cognizance of
-all Persons who are upon the Charity Foundation; who in default of
-Attendance are fined one Penny each. The Under Warden's Salary for this
-Service is four Pence <i>per</i> Month; and the Penalty for not serving,
-when duly elected, is four Pence.</p>
-
-<p>"The Scavenger's Office is, to keep clean the Prison, and to fetter,
-and put in the Stocks all Offenders; for which he is intitled to
-receive from each Criminal one Penny, together with a Salary of five
-Shillings and eight Pence <i>per</i> Month, and two Pence out of every
-sixteen Pence of the Garnish Money.</p>
-
-<p>"The Chamberlain is chosen by the Keeper of the Prison, whose
-Office it is to take Care of all the Bedding and Linen belonging to
-the Keeper; to place Men at their coming in, and to furnish them with
-Sheets, and
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>
-to give Notice to Strangers to depart the Prison by Ten o'Clock at
-Night. This Officer, formerly, was obliged to make the Charity-Men's
-Beds, for which he received two Pence <i>per</i> Month.</p>
-
-<p>"The Running Post's Business is, to fetch in a Basket the broken
-Meat from the Lord-Mayor, Clerk of the Market, private Families, and
-Charities given in the Streets, which are often so inconsiderable as
-not to admit of a Dividend; wherefore it is disposed of by Sale or
-publick Market, as aforesaid. The Salary annexed to this office, is
-four Shillings <i>per</i> Month; one Penny <i>per</i> Month out of each Man's
-Dividend, and one Penny out of every sixteen Pence of Garnish money.</p>
-
-<p>"The Criers are six in Number; two whereof daily beg at the Grates;
-he at the Grate within is allowed one Fourth of what is given, and he
-at that on <i>Blackfriars</i> Side one Moiety of what is given there."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>This custom is alluded to in the <i>Spectator</i>, No. lxxxii.:</p>
-
-<p>"Passing under <i>Ludgate</i> the other Day I heard a
-Voice bawling for Charity, which I thought I had
-somewhere heard before. Coming near to the Grate,
-the Prisoner called me by my Name, and desired I
-would throw something into the Box. I was out of
-Countenance for him, and did as he bid me, by putting
-in half a Crown."</p>
-
-<p>Of this Grate there is a pretty and romantic story
-told by Stow.<a name="FNanchor_75" id="FNanchor_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p>
-
-<p>"When the Prison was in this Condition, there <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>
-happened to be Prisoner there one <i>Stephen Foster</i>, who (as poor Men
-are at this Day) was a Cryer at the Grate, to beg the benevolent
-Charities of pious and commiserate Benefactors that passed by. As
-he was doing his doleful Office, a rich Widow of <i>London</i> hearing
-his Complaint, enquired of him, what would release him? To which he
-answered, Twenty Pound, which she in Charity expended; and, clearing
-him out of Prison, entertained him in her Service; who, afterward,
-falling into the Way of Merchandize, and increasing as well in Wealth
-as Courage, wooed his Mistress, Dame <i>Agnes</i>, and married her.</p>
-
-<p>"Her Riches and his Industry brought him both great Wealth and
-Honour, being afterwards no less than Sir <i>Stephen Foster</i>, Lord Mayor
-of the Honourable City of London: Yet whilst he lived in this great
-Honour and Dignity, he forgat not the Place of his Captivity, but,
-mindful of the sad and irksome Place wherein poor Men were imprisoned,
-bethought himself of enlarging it, to make it a little more delightful
-and pleasant for those who in after Times should be imprisoned and shut
-up therein. And, in order thereunto, acquainted his Lady with this his
-pious Purpose and Intention; in whom likewise he found so affable and
-willing a Mind to do Good to the Poor, that she promised to expend as
-much as he should do for the carrying on of the Work."</p>
-
-<p>And they did spend their money on it right royally, building,
-amongst many other conveniences, a Chapel for the inmates, <span
-class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1454, which they endowed, so as to maintain
-a "preacher" or chaplain. Sir Stephen
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>
-Foster likewise provided that the place "should be free for all
-Freemen, and that they, providing their own Bedding, should pay nothing
-at their Departure for Lodging, or Chamber rent (as now they call
-it), which to many poor Men becomes oftentimes as burdensome as their
-Debts, and are by the Keeper detained in Prison as for Debt, only for
-their Fees, though discharged and acquitted of what they were committed
-for."</p>
-
-<p>Nor did his charitable goodness end here,
-for he gave a supply of water <i>gratis</i> to the prisoners, as was
-recorded on a brass in the Chapel, very pithily—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width30">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Devout Souls that pass this way</p>
-<p class="i1">For <span class="smcap">Stephen Foster</span>, late <i>Maior</i>, heartily pray,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Dame <span class="smcap">Agnes</span>, his Spouse, to God consecrate,</p>
-<p class="i1">That of Pity this House made for Londoners in <span class="smcap">Ludgate</span>.</p>
-<p class="i1">So that for Lodging and Water, Prisoners have nought to pay,</p>
-<p class="i1">As their Keepers shall all answer at dreadful Doomsday."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Dame Agnes survived her husband, but was ultimately buried by his
-side in the Church of St. Botolph, Billingsgate.</p>
-
-<p>For a Prison, Ludgate compared more than favourably with every
-other in London. As we have seen, the prisoners were select; they were
-helped, in the matter of food, by the king of the City, the Lord Mayor:
-their fees were infinitesimal as compared with other debtors' prisons.
-Strype (ed. 1720, book ii. p. 179) says:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Formerly Debtors that were not able to satisfy their Debts, put
-themselves into this Prison of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203-4]</a></span>
-<i>Ludgate</i>, for shelter from their Creditors. And these were Merchants
-and Tradesmen that had been driven to want by Losses at Sea. When King
-<i>Philip</i> in the Month of <i>August 1554</i> came first through <i>London</i>,
-these prisoners were Thirty in number; and owed £10,000, but compounded
-for £2,000. Who presented a well penned Latin Speech to that Prince,
-to redress their Miseries, and, by his Royal Generosity, to free them.
-'And the rather, for that that Place was not <i>Sceleratorum Carcer,
-sed miserorum Custodia</i>; <i>i.e.</i>, a Gaol for Villains, but a Place of
-Restraint for poor unfortunate Men. And that they were put in there,
-not by others, but themselves fled thither; and that not out of fear of
-Punishment, but in hope of better Fortune.' The whole Letter was drawn
-by the curious Pen of <i>Roger Ascham</i>, and is extant among his Epistles,
-Lib. iii.</p>
-
-<p>"If a Freeman or Freewoman of <i>London</i> be committed to <i>Ludgate</i>,
-they are to be excused from the ignominy of Irons, if they can find
-Sureties to be true Prisoners, and if the Sum be not above £100.
-There is another Custom of the liberal and mild Imprisonment of the
-Citizens in <i>Ludgate</i>, whereby they have Indulgence and Favour to go
-abroad into any place by <i>Baston</i>, as we term it, under the guard and
-superintendency of their Keeper, with whom they must return again to
-the Prison at Night." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_74" id="Footnote_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a>
-"Garnish" was the <i>footing</i> that every prisoner paid on his
-entrance, and woe become him if it were not forthcoming; he was
-simply stripped of his clothes.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a name="Footnote_75" id="Footnote_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a>
-Strype's "Stow's Survey," ed. 1720, vol. ii. p. 26 appendix.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_205-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_205-500.png" width="500" height="107" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THE Course of the Fleet is nearly run, but, before
-closing this account of the river, we should not
-forget the residence of the mighty King-maker,
-the Earl of Warwick, whose pleasant gardens ran down
-to the Fleet; and there, in Warwick Lane, after the
-great Fire, was built the College of Physicians, described
-thus by Dr. Garth, in his "Dispensary":—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Not far from that most celebrated Place,</p>
-<p class="i1">Where angry Justice shews her awful Face;</p>
-<p class="i1">Where little Villains must submit to Fate,</p>
-<p class="i1">That great ones may enjoy the World in State,</p>
-<p class="i1">There stands a Dome, majestick to the sight,</p>
-<p class="i1">And sumptuous Arches bear its oval height;</p>
-<p class="i1">A golden Globe plac'd high with artful skill,</p>
-<p class="i1">Seems, to the distant sight, a gilded Pill."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Here they were housed until 1825, and, from the
-Fleet, could be seen the Apothecaries' Hall, in Water
-Lane, Blackfriars,</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Nigh where <i>Fleet Ditch</i> descends in sable Streams</p>
-<p class="i1">To wash his sooty <i>Naiads</i> in the <i>Thames</i>;</p>
-<p class="i1">There stands a Structure on a Rising Hill,</p>
-<p class="i1">Where <i>Tyro's</i> take their Freedom out to Kill."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Then there was the Monastery of the Dominicans, or Blackfriars,
-which has given its name to a whole district; and there was a
-fortification, or postern, on the little river, near Ludgate Hill;
-and, close to its junction with the Thames, was Bridewell Bridge,
-so called from the Royal Palace of that name, which, in its turn,
-received its cognomen from another well, which went to form the "River
-of Wells," St. Bridget's or Bride's Well. This bridge is shown in the
-frontispiece, and was necessarily made very high in order to allow
-sailing craft to go under it.</p>
-
-<p>It was here that Pope, in his "Dunciad" (book ii.),
-thus sings:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"This labour past, by Bridewell all descend,</p>
-<p class="i1">(As morning pray'r, and flagellation end)</p>
-<p class="i1">To where Fleet-ditch with disemboguing streams</p>
-<p class="i1">Rolls the large tribute of dead dogs to Thames,</p>
-<p class="i1">The King of Dykes! than whom, no sluice of mud,</p>
-<p class="i1">With deeper sable blots the silver flood.</p>
-<p class="i1">'Here strip, my children! here at once leap in,</p>
-<p class="i1">Here prove who best can dash thro' thick and thin.'"<a name="FNanchor_76"
-id="FNanchor_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Ward bursts into song over Bridewell, thus:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"'Twas once the Palace of a Prince,</p>
-<p class="i4">If we may Books Confide in;</p>
-<p class="i2">But given was, by him long since,</p>
-<p class="i4">For Vagrants to Reside in."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 306px; ">
-<a href="images/i_207-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_207-500.png" width="306" height="500" alt="BRIDEWELL BRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">BRIDEWELL BRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The Royal Palace of Bridewell stood on the site of
-the Castle of Montfichet, who is believed to have come
-over with William the Conqueror. Tradition assigns
-it a still earlier date, even Roman, but then, I don't say
-there was not a Roman fortress here, but I cannot say
-there was. Certainly Cardinal Wolsey lived here, and
-Henry VIII. held occasional Court.</p>
-
-<p>Strype, in his edition of Stow (1720) says that after
-the destruction of Montfichet Castle and its Stone being
-given away:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"This Tower or Castle being thus destroyed, stood,
-as it may seem, in Place where now standeth the House
-called <i>Bridewell</i>. For, notwithstanding the Destruction
-of the said Castle or Tower, the House remained large,
-so that the Kings of this Realm long after were lodged
-there and kept their Courts. For, in the Ninth Year
-of <i>Henry</i> the Third, the Courts of Law, and Justice
-were kept in the King's House, wheresoever he was
-lodged, and not else where. And that the Kings have
-been lodged, and kept their Law Courts in this Place,
-I could shew you many Authorities of Record....</p>
-
-<p>"More, (as <i>Matthew Paris</i> hath) about the Year
-1210, King <i>John</i>, in the Twelfth Year of his Reign,
-summoned a Parliament at <i>S. Brides</i> in <i>London</i>; where
-he exacted of the Clergy, and Religious Persons the Sum
-of One Hundred Thousand Pounds; And besides all
-this, the <i>White Monks</i> were compelled to cancel their
-Privileges, and to pay £4000 to the King, &c. This
-House of <i>S. Brides</i> (of later Time) being left, and not
-used by the Kings, fell to Ruin; insomuch that the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>
-very Platform thereof remained (for great part) waste,
-and as it were, but a Lay Stall of Filth and Rubbish,
-only a fair Well remained there. A great part whereof,
-namely, on the <i>West</i>, as hath been said, was given to
-the Bishop of <i>Salisbury</i>; the other Part toward the
-<i>East</i> remained waste, until King <i>Henry</i> the Eighth
-builded a stately and beautiful House, thereupon, giving
-it to Name, <i>Bridewell</i>, of the Parish and Well there.
-This House he purposely builded for the Entertainment
-of the Emperor <i>Charles</i> the Fifth;<a name="FNanchor_77" id="FNanchor_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a>
-who in the Year 1522 came into this City.... Being in Decay, and
-long disused, King Edward VI. gave it to the City in
-the Seventh<a name="FNanchor_78" id="FNanchor_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a>
-Year of his Reign.</p>
-
-<p>"It is seated near to <i>Blackfriars</i>; from which it is severed by the
-Canal of the <i>Fleet-ditch</i>. It was obtained of the King at first for
-an Harbour of poor Harbourless People, that lay abroad in the Streets.
-It was soon after improved to be a Workhouse, not only to give Lodging
-to poor, idle, wandring Persons, Beggars, and others; but to find them
-Work, to help to maintain themselves. But tho' this was granted in the
-Year 1553, yet it seems, it was not before Two Years after, that the
-City entred and took possession of it by <i>Gerard</i> their Maior, having
-obtained Queen <i>Mary's</i> Confirmation.</p>
-
-<p>"In the time of Queen <i>Elizabeth</i>, about the Year 1570 and odd,
-one <i>John Pain</i>, a Citizen, invented a Mill to grind Corn; which he
-got recommended to the Lord Maior, for the Use of <i>Bridewell</i>. This
-Mill had Two Conveniences: One was, That it would grind a greater
-Quantity considerably than any other Mills of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>
-that Sort could do. And the other (which would render it so useful to
-<i>Bridewell</i>) was, That the Lame, either in Arms or Legs, might work at
-it, if they had but the Use of either. And, accordingly, these Mills
-were termed <i>Hand-Mills</i> or <i>Foot-Mills</i>.</p>
-
-<p>"This Mill he shewed to the Lord Maior, who saw it grind as much
-Corn with the Labour of Two Men, as they did then at <i>Bridewell</i> with
-Ten. That is to say, Two Men with Hands, two Bushels the Hour; or Two
-Men with Feet, two Bushels the Hour. If they were Lame in their Arms,
-then they might earn their Livings with their Legs. If Lame in their
-Legs, then they might earn their Livings with their Arms."</p>
-
-<p>—This, perhaps, is the earliest mention of the treadmill,
-as a punishment.</p>
-
-<p>Still quoting Strype, (same edition):</p>
-
-<p>"The Use of this Hospital now is for an House of Correction, and to
-be a Place where all Strumpets, Night-walkers, Pickpockets, vagrant
-and idle Persons, that are taken up for their ill Lives, as also
-incorrigible and disobedient Servants, are committed by the Mayor and
-Aldermen, who are Justices of the Peace within the said City; And
-being so committed are forced to beat Hemp in publick View, with due
-Correction of whipping, according to their Offence, for such a Time as
-the President and Court shall see Cause."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Bridewell is well shown by Hogarth in the fourth
-picture of the "Harlot's progress," where both men and
-women are seen "beetling" hemp.<a name="FNanchor_79" id="FNanchor_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>In a very rare tract called "Mr. William Fullers
-Trip to Bridewell" (1703) he gives a fairly graphic
-description of a prisoner's entry therein. "As soon as I came there, the Word was <i>Strip, pull off your Cloaths</i>,
-and with much intreaty, I prevail'd to keep on my Westcoat; then I was
-set to a Block, a punny of Hemp was laid thereon, and <i>Ralph Cumpton</i>
-(a Journy Man in the Shop) presented me with a Beatle, bidding me knock
-the Hemp with that, as fast as I could. This Beatle is of Brazel,
-<a name="FNanchor_80" id="FNanchor_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a>
-and weigh'd about 12 pounds."</p>
-
-<p>Previously to this, poor Fuller had to stand twice in
-the pillory, on one of which occasions he was nearly
-killed by the mob, and when taken to Bridewell, all
-black and blue as he was, he had a whipping:— "My Hands were put in the Stocks, and then Mr. <i>Hemings</i> the
-Whipper, began to noint me with his Instrument, that had, I believe,
-about a dozen Strings notted at the end, and with that I had Thirty
-Nine Stripes (so that according to a certain Almanack Maker, who
-reckoned Dr. <i>Oates's</i> Stripes by every String, I had twelve times
-Thirty Nine). I had given the Rascal Half a Crown, but he afforded me
-very little favour, but struck home at every stroak; I confess I could
-not forbear bawling out, but good Sir <i>Robert</i>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>
-<a name="FNanchor_81" id="FNanchor_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a>
-knockt at last, and I was let out of the Stocks."</p>
-
-<p>The prisoners, if they chose, could find their own
-food, but they were kept strictly at work as is quaintly
-put by Fuller—</p>
-
-<p>"I had, in each Shop, the Thieves for my Fellow-labourers, and the
-Journeymen, our Deputy Task Masters, were frequently calling to the
-Prisoners, <i>Why don't you Work there, strike hard</i>: Then threaten,
-and sometimes beat them with a small Cane. These Task-masters are so
-accustomed to keeping their Prisoners hard at Work, that I have heard
-themselves say, they have, frequently, (forgetting themselves) called
-out, when they had no Prisoner in the Shop, as before, <i>Why don't you
-work there</i>."</p>
-
-<p>Ward (in the "London Spy") gives an almost too graphic account
-of this prison, but expresses unmitigated disgust at the whipping
-of women, which took place there, and solemnly protested against
-its continuance. His description of a woman being flogged, is as
-follows:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"My Friend Re-conducted me cc Quadrangle, and
-led me up a pair of Stairs into a Spacious Chamber, where the Court
-was sitting in great Grandeur and Order. A Grave Gentleman, whose
-Awful Looks bespoke him some Honourable Citizen, was mounted in the
-Judgement-Seat, Arm'd with a Hammer, like a <i>Change-Broker</i> at <i>Lloyd's
-Coffee House</i>, when selling Goods by Inch of Candle, and a Woman under
-the Lash in the next Room; where Folding doors were open'd, that the
-whole Court might see the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>
-Punishment Inflicted; at last down went the Hammer, and the Scourging
-ceas'd.... Another Accusation being then deliver'd by a Flat-Cap
-against a poor Wench, who having no Friend to speak in her behalf,
-Proclamation was made, <i>viz. All you who are willing E——th
-T——ll, should have present Punishment, pray hold up your
-hands.</i> Which was done accordingly:</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 498px; ">
-<a href="images/i_213-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_213-500.png" width="498" height="500" alt="WOMEN BEATING HEMP." /></a>
-<div class="caption">WOMEN BEATING HEMP.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>And then she was order'd the Civility of the House, and was
-forc'd to shew her tender Back and Breasts to the Grave Sages of the
-August Assembly, who were mov'd by her Modest Mein, together with
-the whiteness of her Skin, to give her but a gentle Correction."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>John Howard, in his "State of the Prisons in England and Wales" (ed.
-1777) gives the following description of Bridewell:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"This building was formerly a Palace, near St.
-Bridget's (St. Bride's) Well; from whence it had the name; which, after
-it became a Prison, was applied to other Prisons of the same sort. It
-was given to the City by King Edward VI. in 1552.</p>
-
-<p>"That part of Bridewell which relates to my subject has
-wards for men and women quite separate. <a name="FNanchor_82"
-id="FNanchor_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a>
-The men's ward on the ground floor, is a day room in which they beat
-hemp; and a night room over it. One of the upper chambers is fitting up
-for an Infirmary.—The woman's ward is a day room on the ground
-floor, in which they beat hemp; and a night room over it. I was told
-that the chamber above this is to be fitted up for an Infirmary. The
-sick, have, hitherto, been commonly sent to St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
-All the Prisoners are kept within doors.</p>
-
-<p>"The women's rooms are large, and have opposite windows, for fresh
-air. Their Ward, as well as the men's, has plenty of water: and there
-is a Hand-Ventilator on the outside, with a tube to each room of the
-women's ward. This is of great service, when the rooms are crowded with
-Prisoners, and the weather is warm.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_215-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_215-500.png" width="500" height="311" alt="PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808." /></a>
-<div class="caption">PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>"The Prisoners are employed by a Hemp dresser, <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>
-who has the profit of their labour, an apartment in the Prison, and
-a salary of £14. I generally found them at work: they are provided
-for, so as to be able to perform it. The hours of work are, in winter,
-from eight to four; in summer from six to six, deducting meal times.
-The Steward is allowed eightpence a day for the maintenance of each
-Prisoner; and contracts to supply them as follows:—On Sunday,
-Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, a penny loaf, ten ounces of dressed
-beef without bone, broth, and three pints of ten shilling beer; on
-Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, a penny loaf, four ounces of cheese,
-or some butter, a pint of milk pottage, and three pints of ten shilling
-beer.... In winter they have some firing. The night rooms are supplied
-with straw. No other Prison in <i>London</i> has any straw, or other
-bedding.... I found there in 1776:—</p>
-
-<div style="margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 30%; width:40%;">
-<table summary="prisoners" style="width:40%;">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">March</td><td class="tdr">13.</td><td class="tdc">Prisoners</td><td class="tdc">20</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">May</td><td class="tdr">1.</td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdc">7</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Dec.</td><td class="tdr">3.</td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdc"> 24."</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>It continued as a House of Correction for the City of London
-until its abolition, with other Civic prisons by an Act of 40 and 41
-Vict. cap. 21, entitled "An Act to amend the Law relating to Prisons
-in England." But there was an exception made in its favour, and it
-still remains a House of Correction in a mild way—thanks <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> to
-the very kindly and fatherly wishes and representations of the Civic
-Authorities.</p>
-
-<p>The good old days of Apprenticing boys to some craft for seven
-years, during which he was to serve his master faithfully, and in
-return, was to be housed, fed, and taught his business, have all
-but passed away, but not quite. There are still some refractory
-apprentices, as there ever have been. We know the common saying of
-"Boys will be boys," which is applied in mitigation of juvenile
-indiscretion, but there is also another apothegm, "Little boys, when
-they are naughty, must be smacked, and sent to bed." Bridewell has
-always been a place where idle or refractory City apprentices have
-had the opportunity of pondering over the errors of their ways, and
-in passing this Act, a special exemption was made, and there still
-exist six cells, which, I am sorry to say, are frequently occupied
-by erring youths. It is all done in the kindest, and most fatherly
-way. The City Chamberlain from the time of the Indentures of the lad
-being signed, to giving him his Freedom, acts as his guardian, to a
-great extent. Has the lad any complaint to make against his master it
-is to the Chamberlain he must appeal, and <i>vice versâ</i>. The Cause is
-heard <i>in camerâ</i>, and every effort is made to reconcile the parties,
-but, as will sometimes happen with a boy who is obstinate, sullen, or
-vicious, all attempts to bring him to a better sense fail, then the
-Chamberlain, by virtue of his office commits the boy to Bridewell,
-where he eats the bread, and drinks the water, of affliction for a
-while, a treatment, which combined with the confinement, hard work, and
-enforced sequestration from
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>
-society, largely aided by the good advice of the Chaplain, very seldom
-fails to effect its object, and render that lad a decent member of
-the commonweal. It just arrests him in his downward path, there is no
-publicity, the thing is never chronicled in any Newspaper, as it might
-be, supposing no Bridewell existed, and the case was brought before
-a police magistrate—it need never be known outside his family
-circle, and he escapes the taint of being a gaol bird.</p>
-
-<p>Bridewell seems to have been long associated with apprentices, not
-all of them "<i>Thomas Idles</i>," I am happy to say; and Hatton in "The New
-View of London" (1708) writes, showing the tender care that the City of
-London have always had for their poor:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"It is also an Hospital for Indigent Persons, and
-where 20 Art Masters (as they are called) being decayed Traders as
-Shoemakers, Taylors, Flax-dressers, &c., have Houses, and their
-Servants, or Apprentices (being about 140 in all) have Cloaths at the
-House Charge, and their Masters having the Profit of their Work do
-often advance by this means their own Fortunes, and these Boys, having
-served their time faithfully, have not only their Freedom, but also
-£10 each towards carrying on their respective Trades, and many
-have even arrived from nothing to be Governors."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>This arrangement has, of course, had to "march with the times,"
-and in 1860 the Master of the Rolls approved of, and sanctioned, a
-scheme of the Charity Commissioners, whereby nearly all the funds
-appertaining to Bridewell are utilized by two industrial schools <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>
-called "King Edward's Schools," most impartially divided—one at
-Witley, in Surrey, affording accommodation for two hundred and forty
-boys, and another in St. George's Fields, Lambeth, for two hundred
-and forty girls; so that, even in these latter days, Bridewell still
-exists, and, if the spirits of its numerous benefactors have the power
-to see the manner in which their money is being spent, I fancy they
-would not grumble.</p>
-
-<p>Before leaving the topic of Bridewell, as a prison, I must not fail
-to mention a notorious, but naughty, old woman who lived in the time of
-Charles II., commonly known as "Old Mother Cresswell." It is no slander
-on her memory, to say that her sense of morality was exceedingly lax,
-and she died in Bridewell. She evidently had saved some money, and with
-that curious spirit which possesses some people, and produces adulatory
-epitaphs, she would fain be better thought of after her death, than
-she was estimated when alive, for, in her will, she left a legacy for
-a sermon at her funeral, the preacher's remuneration to be £10, on one
-condition, that he should say nothing but what was <i>well</i> of her. A
-clergyman having been found, he preached a sermon generally adapted to
-the occasion, and wound up by saying: "By the will of the deceased, it is expected that
-I should mention her, and say nothing but what was <i>well</i> of her.
-All that I shall say of her, however, is this: she was born <i>well</i>,
-she lived <i>well</i>, and she died <i>well</i>; for she was born with the
-name of Cress<i>well</i>, she lived in Clerken<i>well</i>, and she died in
-Bride<i>well</i>."</p>
-
-<p>There was a fine old Court-room, which is thus described in the
-"Microcosm of London" (1808):</p>
-
-<p>"The Court-room is an interesting piece of antiquity,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg
-220]</a></span> as on its site were held courts of justice, and
-probably <i>parliaments</i>, under our early kings. At the upper end are the
-old arms of England; and it is wainscotted with English Oak, ornamented
-with Carved work. This Oak was formerly of the solemn colour which it
-attains by age, and was relieved by the carving being gilt. It must
-have been no small effort of <i>ingenuity</i> to destroy at one stroke all
-this venerable, time-honoured grandeur: it was, however, <i>happily</i>
-achieved, by daubing over with paint the fine veins and polish of the
-old oak, to make a bad imitation of the pale modern wainscot; and other
-decorations are added in similar <i>taste</i>.</p>
-
-<p>"On the upper part of the walls are the names, in gold letters, of
-benefactors to the hospital: the dates commence with 1565, and end
-with 1713. This is said to have been the Court in which the sentence
-of divorce was pronounced against Catherine of Arragon, which had been
-concluded on in the opposite monastery of the Black Friars.</p>
-
-<p>"From this room is the entrance into the hall, which is a very noble
-one: at the upper end is a picture by Holbein,<a name="FNanchor_83"
-id="FNanchor_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a>
-representing Edward VI. delivering the Charter of the hospital to Sir
-George Barnes, then Lord Mayor; near him are William, Earl of Pembroke,
-and Thomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely. There are ten figures in the
-picture, besides the king, whose portrait is painted with great truth
-and feeling: it displays all
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221-2]</a></span>
-that languor and debility which mark an approaching dissolution, and
-which, unhappily, followed so soon after, together with that of the
-painter; so that it has been sometimes doubted whether the picture was
-really painted by Holbein—his portrait, however, is introduced;
-it is the furthest figure in the corner on the right hand, looking over
-the shoulders of the persons before him.</p>
-
-<p>"On one side of this picture is a portrait of Charles II. sitting,
-and, on the other, that of James II. standing; they are both painted by
-Sir Peter Lely. Round the room are several portraits of the Presidents
-and different benefactors, ending with that of Sir Richard Carr Glyn.
-The walls of this room are covered with the names of those who have
-been friends to the institution, written in letters of gold."</p>
-
-<p>This Hall was pulled down in 1862.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_76" id="Footnote_76"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> See next
-page.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_77" id="Footnote_77"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Of Spain.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_78" id="Footnote_78"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> <span
-class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1553.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_79" id="Footnote_79"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> A Beetle is
-a portion of a trunk of a tree, large or small as occasion demanded,
-sometimes more than one man could lift, <i>vide</i> Shakspeare (2 <i>Hen. IV.</i>
-act i. sc. 2), "Fillip me with a three-man beetle," <i>i.e.</i>, one with
-three handles. All exogenous fibres have to be crushed, in order to
-release the fibre from the wooden core, and this, which is now done by
-machinery, was then done by beetles, or wooden hammers.</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_80" id="Footnote_80"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Brazil
-wood.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_81" id="Footnote_81"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> Sir Robert
-Jeffries the President and Justice at Bridewell, when he knocked with a
-hammer the punishment ceased.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_82" id="Footnote_82"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> In Hogarth's
-picture both men and women are working together.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_83" id="Footnote_83"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> The writer is
-in error, as the event it represents took place some ten years after
-Holbein's death. The picture is now in Christ's Hospital.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_223-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_223-500.png" width="500" height="125" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">BORDERING upon Bridewell, and almost part and
-parcel of it, was Whitefriars, which, westward, ran to the Temple, and
-eastward to the Fleet. It is so-called from a Carmelite monastery,
-established here in the reign of Edward I. Within its precincts was the
-right of sanctuary, and, like the Jewish Cities of Refuge, offenders
-against the law might flee thither, and be protected from arrest.
-Naturally, the very scum of London floated thither, to the Mint in
-Southwark, and the precincts of the Savoy in the Strand, in none of
-which the King's warrant ran, unless backed by a force sufficient
-to overawe the lawless denizens of these localities. Whitefriars we
-may take as its original name, but there was given it a nick-name,
-"Alsatia," from Alsace, or Elsass, on the frontier between France and
-Germany, which was always a battle-field between the two nations;
-and so, from the incessant fighting that went on in this unruly
-neighbourhood, it acquired its cognomen.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg
-224]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Sir Walter Scott, in "The Fortunes of Nigel," gives a vivid
-description of the utter lawlessness and debauchery of this quarter
-of the town, but his was second-hand. Perhaps one of the most graphic
-pictures of this sink of iniquity is given in Shadwell's "Squire of
-Alsatia," acted in 1688, and which was so popular, that it had a run
-of <i>thirteen</i> nights. Here we get at the manners and customs of the
-natives, without any glossing over; and, just to give an example of the
-real state of the district at that time, I make two or three extracts,
-showing how the denizens were banded together in mutual defence.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>Cheatly.</i> So long as you forbear all Violence, you are safe;<br />
-but, if you strike here, we command the <i>Fryers</i>, and will raise the
-<i>Posse</i>....</p>
-
-<p class="right">[<i>A Noise of Tumult without, and blowing a Horn.</i>]</p>
-
-<p><i>Cheatly.</i> What is this I hear?</p>
-
-<p><i>Shamwell.</i> They are up in the Friers; Pray Heav'n the Sheriff's
-Officers be not come.</p>
-
-<p><i>Cheatly.</i> 'Slife, 'tis so! 'Squire, let me conduct
-you——This is your wicked Father with Officers.</p>
-
-<p class="right"><i>Exit.</i></p>
-
-<p class="right">[<i>Cry without, the Tip-Staff! an Arrest! an Arrest!
-and the horn blows.</i>]</p>
-
-<p class="right">[<i>Enter Sir William Belfond, and a Tip-Staff, with the
-Constable,<br /> and his Watchmen; and, against them, the Posse of the
-Friers<br /> drawn up, Bankrupts hurrying to escape.</i>]</p>
-
-<p><i>Sir Will.</i> Are you mad, to resist the Tip-Staff, the King's
-Authority?</p>
-
-<p class="right">[<i>They cry out, An Arrest! several flock to 'em with
-all sorts of<br /> Weapons, Women with Fire-Forks, Spits, Paring
-Shovels, &c.</i>]</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p><i>Tip-Staff.</i> I charge you, in the King's Name, all to assist me.</p>
-
-<p><i>Rabble.</i> Fall on.</p>
-
-<p class="right">[<i>Rabble beat the Constable, and the rest run into the
-Temple. Tip-Staff runs away.</i>]."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>So that we see how an ordinary sheriff's officer and <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>
-the civil authorities were treated when they attempted to execute
-the law; but, further on in the play, we find a Lord Chief Justice's
-warrant, backed up by a military force—and then we see the
-difference.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>Truman.</i> What do all these Rabble here?</p>
-
-<p><i>Constable.</i> Fire amongst 'em.</p>
-
-<p><i>Sergeant.</i> Present.</p>
-
-<p>[<i>The Debtors run up and dozen, some without their Breeches,
-others<br /> <span style="margin-left:2em;">without their Coats;
-some out of Balconies; some crying out,</span><br /> <span
-style="margin-left:2em;">Oars! Oars! Sculler! Five Pounds for a Boat!
-The Inhabitants</span><br /> <span style="margin-left:2em;">all come
-out arm'd as before; but as soon as they see the</span><br /> <span
-style="margin-left:2em;">Musqueteers, they run, and every one shifts
-for himself.</span></i>] </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>And almost at the close of the play one of the characters, <i>Sir
-Edward Belfond</i>, moralizes thus:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Was ever such Impudence suffer'd in a Government?
-<i>Ireland's</i> conquer'd; <i>Wales</i> subdued; <i>Scotland</i> united: But there
-are some few Spots of Ground in <i>London</i>, just in the Face of the
-Government, unconquer'd yet, that hold in Rebellion still. Methinks
-'tis strange, that Places so near the King's Palace should be no
-Parts of his Dominions. 'Tis a Shame to the Societies of the Law, to
-countenance such Practices: Should any Place be shut against the King's
-Writ, or Posse Comitatus?"</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>This right of sanctuary was taken from Whitefriars by William III.,
-the nest of rogues, vagabonds, and thieves broken up, the occupants
-dispersed, and law reigned supreme in that once defiant place.</p>
-
-<p>We have now traced the Fleet River to its junction with the Thames.
-Poor little river! its life began pure enough, but men so befouled it,
-that their evil deeds rose against themselves, and the river retaliated
-in such
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
-kind, as to become a malodorous and offensive nuisance, dangerous to
-the health of those men who would not leave it in its purity. So it
-was covered over, about 1764 (for it took some time to do it), and
-the present Bridge Street is over its foul stream, which was curbed,
-and bricked in, forming a portion of our vast and wonderful system of
-sewers. It has taken its toll of human life, in its time, though but
-few instances are recorded. In the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, January 11,
-1763, we read: "A man was found in the Fleet Ditch standing upright,
-and frozen to death. He appears to have been a barber at Bromley, in
-Kent; had come to town to see his children, and had, unfortunately,
-mistaken his way in the night, and slipt into the ditch; and, being in
-liquor, could not disentangle himself."</p>
-
-<p><i>Bell's Weekly Messenger</i>, August 2, 1835: "Some workmen have been for a few days past engaged in
-making a new sewer, communicating with the foulest of all streams, the
-Fleet Ditch. In consequence of the rain the men had left off work; and,
-soon afterwards, a young man named Macarthy, a bricklayer, proceeded
-to the sewer for the purpose of bringing away a ladder, when, owing
-to the slippery state of the works, he fell down the Sewer, but in
-his descent, caught hold of the ladder he was in search of, to which
-he hung for nearly a quarter of an hour, calling loudly all the time
-for assistance, though from some extraordinary cause or other, no
-person was able to afford him any. At length some of the labourers
-arrived—but too late; he had just before fallen into the Sewer,
-and was carried into the Fleet Ditch; and owing to its having been swollen
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>
-by the heavy shower, floated along as far as the mouth of the Fleet
-Ditch, at Blackfriars, where his body was found, covered with the filth
-of the sewer, which the unfortunate man had met with in his progress to
-the Thames."</p>
-
-<p>And the <i>Times</i> of October 3, 1839, records another fatal accident
-during some repairs.</p>
-
-<p>Naturally, this River was celebrated in verse. There was a very
-foolish and dull poem by Arthur Murphy in 1761 called "Ode to the
-Naiads of Fleet Ditch;" and, previously, it had been sung by Ben
-Jonson, "On the famous Voyage," which will be found among his epigrams.
-This voyage was from Bridewell to Holborn, and describes very
-graphically the then state of the river. Too graphic, indeed, is it
-for the reading of the modern public, so I transcribe but a very small
-portion of it, showing its then state.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"But hold my torch, while I describe the entry</p>
-<p class="i1">To this dire passage. Say, thou stop thy nose;</p>
-<p class="i1">'Tis but light pains: indeed, this dock's no rose.</p>
-<p class="i1">In the first jaws appear'd that ugly monster</p>
-<p class="i1">Y'cleped mud, which, when their oars did once stir,</p>
-<p class="i1">Belched forth an air as hot, as at the muster</p>
-<p class="i1">Of all your night tubs, when the carts do cluster,</p>
-<p class="i1">Who shall discharge first his merd-urinous load;</p>
-<p class="i1">Through her womb they make their famous road."</p>
-<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 429px; ">
-<a href="images/i_228-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_228-500.png" width="429" height="500" alt="1768. THE ARREST. (Drawn from a late real scene.)" /></a>
-<div class="caption">1768. THE ARREST. (Drawn from a late real scene.)
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Sir Fopling Flutter through his Glass</p>
-<p class="i1">Inspects the ladies as they pass,</p>
-<p class="i1">Yet still the Coxcomb lacks the Wit</p>
-<p class="i1">To guard against the Bailiff's Writ."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_229-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_229-500.png" width="500" height="132" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h2 class="center"><span class="oldenglish-font">
-The Fleet Prison.</span></h2>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="__________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XIX.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THIS prison was of great antiquity, and its
-genealogy, like all respectable ones, dates back to William
-the Conqueror, at least; for we find, under date 1197, <a
-name="FNanchor_84" id="FNanchor_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84"
-class="fnanchor">[84]</a> "Natanael de Leveland & Robertus filius suus r.c.
-de LX marcis, Pro habenda Custodia Domorum Regis de Westmonasterio,
-& Gaiolæ de Ponte de Fliete, quæ est hæreditas eorum a Conquestu
-Angliæ; ita quod non remaneat propter Finem Osberto de Longo Campo."
-Or, in English, "<i>Nathaniel de Leveland and his son Robert, fined in
-sixty marks, to have the Custody of the King's Houses at Westminster,</i>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>
-<i>and the Prison at Fleet-bridge, which had been their
-inheritance ever since the Conquest of England; and that they may not
-be hindered therein by the Counterfine of</i> Osbert de Longchamp."</p>
-
-<p>There seems to have been some double dealing in this transaction,
-in which, as was only natural in those days, money went into
-the King's pocket.<a name="FNanchor_85" id="FNanchor_85"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> "And Osbert de
-Longchamp fined in five hundred marks, to have the King's favour,
-and seizin of all his lands and chatels whereof he was disseised
-by the King's Command, and to have seisin of the Custody of the
-Gaol of London, with the Appurtenances, and of the Custody of the
-King's Houses of Westminster: provided that Right be done therein in
-the King's Court, in case any one would implead him for the same."
-<a name="FNanchor_86" id="FNanchor_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86"
-class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p>
-
-<p>Robert de Leveland, the son of the foregoing Nathaniel, was bitten
-by the then fashionable craze for Crusading, for he is found, in 1201,
-petitioning King John for leave to delegate the care of the King's
-Houses at Westminster, and the Fleet Prison, to Simon FitzRobert,
-Archdeacon of Wells, for the space of three years, during which time
-he should be in the Holy Land. His prayer seems to have been granted;
-but he evidently drew a little money before he went away, for, in the
-Chancery Rolls of the same year, he was paid £15 10s. by the City of
-London, on account of the King's Prison of Flete, and he also received
-other sums of £10 12s. 10d. for the Custody of the King's Houses
-at Westminster, and £7 12s. 1d. for the Custody of the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>
-Gaol of <i>London</i>.<a name="FNanchor_87" id="FNanchor_87"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> By which, and also by the
-foregoing notice of Osbert de Longchamps, it is evident that, at that
-time, the Fleet prison was the principal, if not the only, prison in
-London.</p>
-
-<p>Robert de Leveland re-entered upon his duties after his three
-years' leave, and a document is extant<a name="FNanchor_88"
-id="FNanchor_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a>
-in which he is excused payment of £10 he had borrowed; but
-(possibly in lieu) he was bound to serve beyond the seas—<i>i.e.</i>,
-in foreign parts—with horses and arms. When he died is not known,
-but his widow evidently succeeded him as custodian, for in December,
-1217, <a name="FNanchor_89" id="FNanchor_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89"
-class="fnanchor">[89]</a> his wife Margaret has the same allowance
-given her in regard of the King's Houses at Westminster "as the said
-Robert had been accustomed to during his life." Thus she was the first
-female Warden of the Fleet; there were others, as we shall see by and
-by.</p>
-
-<p>It is a moot question, and I put it forward with all reserve, as
-to whether there was not even an earlier mention of the Fleet before
-the very authentic case of Nathaniel de Leveland; but as it is open to
-objection that there were more Fleets than one, I only give the cases,
-and make no comment. <a name="FNanchor_90" id="FNanchor_90"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> 1189: "William de Flete
-gave a Mark to have his plea in the King's Court touching a hyde of
-land, versus Randolph de Broy." And again,<a name="FNanchor_91" id="FNanchor_91"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> in 1193: "Richard de Flet
-fined in one hundred Marks, that his daughter might be delivered from
-Ralf de Candos, who said he had espoused her."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg
-232]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>In the Rolls are many cases which mention the Fleet, but, although
-it was a House of Detention, for debtors, especially to the King, and
-persons committing minor crimes, it never seems to have been degraded
-into what we should now term "a Gaol." No felons seem to have been
-incarcerated there, and there is no mention of gyves or chains, but
-they were used in after years.</p>
-
-<p>It would seem that another "lady" Warden of the Fleet existed in
-Edward II.'s time, for, in 1316, "Johanne, late Wife of John Schench deceased, who held
-of the King in chief the Serjeanties of the Custody of the King's
-Palace of Westminster, and of his Prison of Flete, married Edmund
-de Cheney, without licence obtained from the King, in that behalf.
-Whereupon the said serjeanties were taken into the King's hands, and
-straitway the Treasurer and the Barons committed the Custody of the
-Palace of Richard Abbot, who was sworn <i>de fideliter</i>, &c., and the
-Custody of the Flete Prison to John Dymmok, Usher of the Exchequer,
-who was sworn in the like manner. Afterwards the said Edmund made Fine
-for the said Trespass, and the said serjeanties were restored."
-By which we see that thus early "women's rights" were fully
-recognized, and "employment for females" in occupations hitherto
-enjoyed exclusively by men, seems to have been in force.</p>
-
-<p>Although not in Chronological Order, I may as well add another,
-and the only other mention that has come under my notice of a
-female Warden (1677): <a name="FNanchor_92" id="FNanchor_92"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> "A Woman Guardian of the Fleet, marries her Prisoner in
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>
-Execution; he is immediately out of Execution; for the Husband cannot
-be Prisoner to his Wife, it being repugnant that she, as jaylor, should
-have custody of him, and he, as husband, the custody of her."</p>
-
-<p>Without some effective supervision, as is the case with our Prison
-Commissioners, abuses were bound to creep in, and the Governor
-or Warden of any Prison, (who doubtless had paid heavily for the
-appointment) had to recoup himself by squeezing the unfortunate
-prisoners, and we shall find several examples of this in the Fleet.
-The earliest seems to have been in the second year of Henry IV. (1400)
-when a petition was presented to Parliament <a name="FNanchor_93"
-id="FNanchor_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a>
-which prays, in its quaint Norman French that "les fees de Gardien de
-Flete sorént mys en certain" that the fees might be settled. </p>
-
-<p>It is possible that extra fees were taken for a certain amount of
-liberty allowed to the prisoners by the Warden, who would allow him
-to go out of gaol on certain conditions, and we may be certain, for
-a <i>consideration</i> also. The Warden was answerable for his Prisoner,
-and if he escaped, he had to pay the debt, so that we may be certain
-that his ephemeral liberty was highly purchased. That this was
-the case we find in 7 and 8 Hen. IV. (1406)<a name="FNanchor_94"
-id="FNanchor_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a>
- "que si ascun Gaoler lesseroit tiel Prisoner aler a
-large par mainprise <a name="FNanchor_95" id="FNanchor_95"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> ou en baile, que adonques
-le persone envers qi le dit Prisoner estoit condempne aureoit sa action
-et recoverir envers le dit Gaoler." Or in English, "<i>That if any Gaoler allowed</i>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>
-<i>such Prisoner to go at large, either by mainprize or bail, that, then,
-the Person to whom the Prisoner was indebted might have his action, and
-recover against the said Gaoler.</i>" Yet, notwithstanding this, there were many actions brought against
-the Wardens for allowing their prisoners to escape. A relic of this
-power of the Wardens to accord a certain amount of liberty to their
-prisoners, obtained till the last hours of the Fleet. There was, in the
-<i>Rules</i>, a defined district surrounding the Prison, in which prisoners,
-on providing approved sureties for the amount of their debt, and paying
-some fee, might reside, on condition that they did not overstep the
-boundaries. That this custom of granting temporary <i>exeats</i> was very
-ancient, is indisputable, for, in the 1 Richard II. (1377) a complaint
-was made that the Warden of the Fleet "sometimes by mainprize, or by
-bail, and sometimes without any mainprize, with a Baston of the Fleet,"
-<i>i.e.</i>, accompanied by a prison official, would allow his charges to go
-abroad, "even into the country."</p>
-
-<p>It is impossible to give a list of all the prisoners of note who
-were committed to the Fleet, and they must only be glanced at, but
-with the accession of Mary, some illustrious and historical names
-appear. First, and foremost, and almost immediately after her accession
-to the throne, we read, thanks to the preservation and collation,
-of State Papers,<a name="FNanchor_96" id="FNanchor_96"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> that on the 29th of July,
-1553, a letter from the Privy Council was sent to the "Wardene of
-the Flete, for the apprehensyone and commyttyng of the Lord Russell,
-Anthonye Browne of Essex, and John Lucas." All these prisoners
-seem to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>
-have been treated with great leniency, for there is a letter (July 31)
-to the Warden of the Fleet bidding him to give Mr. Lucas and Mr. Cooke
-<i>the libertye of his Garden</i>, so that there must have been a garden
-then attached to the Fleet prison—and a postscript orders that "he shall delyuer Mr. Anthonye Browne, and suffer hym
-to goo to his awne Howse."</p>
-
-<p>Nor were the others kept long in durance, for on the 3rd of Aug.,
-1553, the Council wrote to the Warden willing him "To set at libertye John Lucas, and John Cocke,
-Esquiers, giueing them Commaundement withall to repaire to their
-Mancion Howses and their to make theire aboode vntill they shall here
-further of the Queene's Pleasure." And even the incarceration of Lord Russell was mollified, for a
-letter was written on 9th Aug. to Mr. Garret, one of the Sheriffs of
-London, "whereby the Countesse of Bedforde is licensed to
-have free access twise or thrise in the week, unto the Lord Russell,
-her son, remayning in the said sheriff's custodie, so the sheriff be
-present at their Talke and Conference."</p>
-
-<p>I give the above so as not to spoil the continuity of the story,
-but there is mention of the Fleet prison long before; for instance, in
-1355, Edward III. wrote "to his well-beloved and trusty, Simon Fraunceys Mayor
-of the City of London, Hugh de Appleby, and Robert de Charwaltone,
-greeting. Whereas we have been given to understand that the Foss<a
-name="FNanchor_97" id="FNanchor_97"></a> <a href="#Footnote_97"
-class="fnanchor">[97]</a> by which the mansion of our Prison of
-Flete is surrounded, and which, for safety
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>
-of the said prison was lately made, is now obstructed and choked up
-by filth from latrines built thereon, and divers others refuse thrown
-therein, that there is cause to fear for the abiding there of the
-persons therein detained, by reason of the same; and because that, by
-reason of the infection of the air, and the abominable stench which
-there prevails, many of those there imprisoned are often affected with
-various diseases and grievous maladies, not without serious peril unto
-themselves. We, wishing a befitting remedy to be applied thereto, and
-that the said Foss may be restored to its former state, in which it
-was when it was first made, and so improved; and, for making provision
-thereon, desiring upon the matters aforesaid more fully to be informed,
-have assigned you, and any two of you, to survey the Foss aforesaid,
-&c."</p>
-
-<p>This warrant was followed by an Inquest held at the Church of St.
-Brigid in Fleet Street on Tuesday, the 9th of January, 1356, on the
-oath of Richard le Cok, (Cook) Nicholas le Sporière (Spurrier), and
-Thomas le Glaswrighte (Glassblower) and nine others. From it we learn
-that the "Foss of Flete" ought to be ten feet in breadth all round the
-Prison; that it ought to be so full of water that a boat laden with one
-tun of wine might easily float round it; and that the shelving banks of
-the Foss were then covered with trees. Also that it was quite choked up
-with the filth of laystalls and sewers discharging into it; and that
-no less than eleven necessary houses (or <i>wardrobes</i>, as they seem
-very generally to have been called in the thirteenth and fourteenth
-centuries) had been illegally built over it "to the corruption of the Water in the Foss
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>
-aforesaid; and to such an extent is the flow of water obstructed and impeded
-thereby, that the said Foss can no longer surround the Prison with its
-waters, as it should do." <a name="FNanchor_98" id="FNanchor_98"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a></p>
-
-<p>The Acts of the Privy Council throw some light on the Fleet, giving
-several instances of Committals thereto, one of the first being 9
-Hen. V. Oct. 14, 1421. <a name="FNanchor_99" id="FNanchor_99"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> Wherein Hugo Annesley,
-who probably was then Warden of the Fleet, was directed to incarcerate
-therein one Grey de Codenore, who had been exiled, and having received
-his passport, remained in England, notwithstanding.</p>
-
-<p>In 1 Henry VI.,<a name="FNanchor_100" id="FNanchor_100"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> 19 May, 1423, the
-"gardein de notre prisone de Flete" was commanded to bring before the
-King some prisoners whom he had in custody, namely Huguelyn de Chalons,
-Johan Billy, Johan de Cheviers, Regnault de Graincourt, Hellyn de
-Bassiers, Pierre de Mombreham, and Pierre de Pauniers "noz prisoniers prisez a la reddicion de notre ville de
-Harefleu."</p>
-
-<p>In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries are many notices of
-committals to the Fleet, so numerous that I can only mention a few, one
-only of which I give in the original spelling. 32 Hen. VIII. Sept. 9,
-1540.</p>
-
-<p>"Lr̃es was also brought from the Lord
-P<sup>i</sup>vey Seale, declaring a certayn affray to be made by
-S<sup>r</sup> Geoffrey Poole in Hampshyre upon one Mr. Gunter a justice
-of peax, for that (as Poole sayd) one of Gunter's srvants <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>
-had spoken evill of hym, and for that also that hymself Gunter had
-disclosed to the King's Counsail in the tyme of Poole's trouble certain
-secret conference which Poole had w<sup>t</sup> hym. And answer was
-made to the sayd Lord P<sup>i</sup>vy Seale that calling the complaynt
-eftesones before hym the lordes and others the gent̃ and justices
-of peax in the cūtrey to thentent the cryme of S<sup>r</sup>
-Geffrey might be notorious to all the Cūtrey there he should
-c̃mytt the said S<sup>r</sup> Geffrey to the Flette to remayne
-there until further knowledge of the Kings pleas<sup>r</sup>."</p>
-
-<p>Evidently great interest was made for this naughty Sir Geoffrey,
-for we learn on Sept. 24th that "It was declared to the Lady
-Poole, the wife of Sir Geoffrey Poole, that the King's higness
-had pardoned her husband of his imprisonment," and the Lord Privy
-Seal was directed to release him. But he seems to have been a very
-cantankerous knight, for we find him in hot water again next year.
-April 8, 1541, "Whereas Sir Geoffrey Poole, Knight, had violently
-and contrary to the King's Highness' peace assaulted and hurt <a
-name="FNanchor_101" id="FNanchor_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101"
-class="fnanchor">[101]</a> Sir John Mychaill clerk, parson of Racton in
-the County of Sussex," and he had to put in sureties to keep the peace
-towards the said parson, and to answer the bill preferred against him.
-But it seems that he had some provocation, for a letter was written to
-him requiring him to remember, as far as he could, the "haynous and
-traytorous woords spoken by S<sup>r</sup> John Michaell."</p>
-
-<p>On Nov. 7, 1540, Browne, the son and heir of Sir Matthew Browne
-of Surrey, was committed to the Fleet,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>
-together with some of his servants, for burning a certain stack of wood
-in Surrey. On Jan. 8, 1541, John Gough of London, printer, was sent
-to the Fleet for printing and selling a seditious book. On March 18,
-1541, there seems to have been a riot among some of the servants of
-the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, and three of them were committed
-to the Fleet. On April 24, 1541, a smuggler was put into ward here,
-one Giles Hasebarde of Southampton, a "berebruer," who had put on
-board "a ship of Holland, named the Mary of Dordroyt," five pockets of
-wool, without a licence, intending to send them to Flanders. For this
-he was sent to the Fleet, the wool confiscated to the King's use, and
-the Master of the ship was mulcted in half the value of his vessel;
-but Hasebarde was not long in durance, as he was liberated on April
-30th. To thoroughly understand the reason of this man's imprisonment
-in the Fleet, we must remember that he was sent there as being a
-<i>Debtor</i> to the King, and in the fifteenth century it was a very common
-practice for delinquents who were confined in other London prisons
-to confess themselves, by a legal fiction, debtors to the King, in
-order to get into the Fleet prison, which was more comfortable. But
-to show the variety of so-called crimes, or misdemeanours, which were
-punishable by imprisonment here, there is the case of John Barkley
-of Canterbury, innholder, who was committed to the Fleet for having
-molested the King's Highness with sundry troublous supplications, and
-it was found that he "appered manyfestly to be a cōmen barrater
-<a name="FNanchor_102" id="FNanchor_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102"
-class="fnanchor">[102]</a> and a malicious pōmoter of false
-and injust mattiers to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240"
-id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> gret vexac̃on of the Kings
-faithfull subjects."</p>
-
-<p>It was also used as a house of detention, for we find Oct. 17, 1541,
-that Cowley the Master of the Rolls in Ireland, was examined, but
-because the time was too short to do it thoroughly, the Lord Chancellor
-sent him to the Fleet "untill syche tyme as the King sholde com̃
-to London." It seems to have been a refuge for misdemeanants, for April
-3, 1542, John Bulmer Esquire, for his wilful disobeying of an order
-taken between him and his wife by the Council, was committed to the
-Fleet. And does not Shakespeare make Sir John Falstaff a denizen of
-this prison? (Second Part <i>King Henry the Fourth</i>, last scene).</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>
-"<i>Chief Justice.</i> Go, carry Sir <i>Iohn Falstaffe</i> to the Fleete<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Take all his Company along with him.</span><br />
-<br />
-<i>Falstaffe.</i> My Lord, my Lord.<br />
-<br />
-<i>Chief Justice.</i> I cannot now speake, I will heare you soone:<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">Take them away."</span><br />
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Sir Rd. Empson, so well known in Henry the Seventh's
-time, was indicted for sending, without process, persons
-accused of murder, and other crimes, "to the late King's
-Prisons, to wit the Fleet, the Compter, and the Tower
-of London." And, from the Articles of Impeachment
-against Cardinal Wolsey, it would seem that he was in
-the habit of committing to the Fleet, those who
-thwarted him in his demands. One case (Article 38) is:
-"Also that the said Lord Cardinal did call before him
-Sir John Stanley K<sup>nt</sup> which had taken a Farm by
-Cōvent Seal of the Abbot and Cōvent of Chester, and
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>
-afterw<sup>ds</sup> by his Power and Might, contrary to Right,
-committed the said Sir John Stanley to the Prison of
-the Fleet by the space of a Year, unto such time as he
-compelled the said Sir John to release his Cōvent Seal
-to one Leghe of Adlington, which married one Lark's
-daughter, which woman the said Lord Cardinal kept,
-and had with her two Children; whereupon the said
-Sir John made himself Monk in Westminster, and there
-died."</p>
-
-<p>Here is another example of the Cardinal's highhanded
-method of dealing with those who did not
-exactly bend to his will, in Article 41 of his Impeachment:
-"Also where one Sir Edward Jones, Clerk, parson
-of Orewly in the County of Bucks, in the 18th year of
-your most noble reign, let his s<sup>d</sup> parsonage with all
-tithes and other profits of the same to one William
-Johnson, for certain years; within which years, the
-Dean of the s<sup>'d</sup> Cardinal's College in<a name="FNanchor_103" id="FNanchor_103">
-</a><a href="#Footnote_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a>
-Oxenford pretended title to a certain portion of Tithes within the
-s<sup>d</sup> parsonage, supposing the s<sup>d</sup> portion to belong
-to the parsonage of Chichley, which was appointed to the Priory of
-Tykeford, lately suppressed, where (of truth) the Parsons of Orewly
-have been peaceably possessed of the s<sup>'d</sup> portion <i>out of the
-time of mind</i>: Where upon a Subpœna was directed to the said Johnson
-to appear before the Lord Cardinal at Hampton Court, out of any term,
-with an injunction to suffer the said Dean to occupy the said portion.
-Whereupon the said Johnson appeared before the said Lord Cardinal at
-Hampton Court, where without <i>any</i> Bill the said Lord Cardinal
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>
-committed him to the Fleet, where he remained by the space of twelve
-weeks, because he would not depart with the said Portion: and at last,
-upon a Recognizance made, that he should appear before the said Lord
-Cardinal, whensoever he was commanded, he was delivered out of the
-Fleet. Howbeit, as yet, the said Portion is so kept from him that he
-dare not deal with it."</p>
-
- <div class="footnotes"> <blockquote> <p
-class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_84" id="Footnote_84"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Mag. Rot. 9
-Ric. I. <i>Rot. 2a, Lond. & Midd.</i></p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_85" id="Footnote_85"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Mag. Rot. 9
-Ric. I. <i>Rot. 14b, Kent.</i></p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_86" id="Footnote_86"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Liberate Rolls,
-p. 25. <i>Rot. Lit. Pat. Hardy</i>, p. 4.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_87" id="Footnote_87"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Rot. Cancell. 3
-John, f. 100.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_88" id="Footnote_88"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> Close Rolls, 6
-John, f. 33.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_89" id="Footnote_89"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> Close Rolls, 2
-Hen. III., f. 346.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_90" id="Footnote_90"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> Mag. Rot. 1
-Ric. I. <i>Rot. 2b, Bedef.</i> Til de Oblatis Curiæ.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_91" id="Footnote_91"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> Mag. Rot. 5
-Ric. I. <i>Rot. 2a</i>, Nordfolch and Sudfolch.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_92" id="Footnote_92"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> See Platt's
-Case cited Vaughan's Reports 1677, p. 243.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_93" id="Footnote_93"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> Rolls of Parl.
-vol. iii. p. 469.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_94" id="Footnote_94"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Ibid. vol iii.
-p. 593a.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_95" id="Footnote_95"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Allowing a
-prisoner to go at liberty on finding sureties.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_96" id="Footnote_96"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> Hayne's State
-Papers, vol. i.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_97" id="Footnote_97"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> The moat or
-ditch fed by the Fleet, which washed the walls of the prison.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_98" id="Footnote_98"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> See "Memorials
-of London and London Life in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth
-Centuries," by H. T. Riley, 1847, pp. 279, 280.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_99" id="Footnote_99"></a><a
-href="#FNanchor_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> "Proceedings
-and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England," edited by Sir H.
-Nicholas, 1834, vol. ii. p. 303.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_100"
-id="Footnote_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100"><span
-class="label">[100]</span></a> Ibid. vol. iii. p. 93.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_101"
-id="Footnote_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101"><span
-class="label">[101]</span></a> Beneficed Clergy were given the title
-of Dominus or Sir—as Sir Hugh Evans, in the <i>Merry Wives of
-Windsor</i>.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_102"
-id="Footnote_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102"><span
-class="label">[102]</span></a> A vexatious and litigious
-person—one who stirs up strife.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_103"
-id="Footnote_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103"><span
-class="label">[103]</span></a> Christ Church, Oxford.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_242-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_242-200.png" width="200" height="216" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_243-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_243-500.png" width="500" height="144" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XX.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THE Fleet was, evidently, a handy prison, elastic
-enough to suit all cases, for on Aug. 19, 1553, at the Star Chamber, "Roger Erthe, alias Kinge, servaunt to Therle of Pembroke, and
-William Ferror, servaunt to the Lord Sturton, were, for making of a
-Fraye, committed to the Charge of Warden of the Fleete."</p>
-
-<p>In September, 1553, the Fleet received a prisoner whose name is
-historical wherever the English language is read, for the Privy Council
-being held at Richmond, on the 1st of Sept. "This day appered before the Lordes, John Hooper, Bishop of
-Gloucester, and Miles Coverdale, Bishop of Exon. And the said Hooper,
-for Considerations the Councell moving, was sent to the Fleete." </p>
-
-<p>Turning from Mary's reign to that of Elizabeth, we find equal
-religious intolerance, for we read in Strype's
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>
-"Annals of the Reformation, <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1582, "that Fleetwood, the Recorder of London, sent a letter to the Lord
-Treasurer, informing him that one Osborn, a priest and Franciscan
-friar, had been examined, and confessed that "<i>in crastino Epiphaniæ</i>,
-he said Mass in the Fleet (where many recusants were committed) in the
-Lord Vaux's Chamber, (to whom he was related) before that Lord, Mr.
-Tresham, Mr. Tyrwhit, and others," which three, at the London Sessions, in Guildhall, were convicted on
-Osborn's evidence.</p>
-
-<p>Fleet parsons were evidently an institution in the sixteenth
-century, for besides the above-mentioned Osborn, there was another
-committed to the Fleet, on May 27, 1584, one Sir R. Stapleton. His
-fault seems to have been that he had preached against the Archbishop
-of York, for which he was arraigned in the Star Chamber, and was, with
-others, ordered to read an apology—which he did—but in such
-a contemptuous manner, that he was sent to the Fleet.</p>
-
-<p>In the seventeenth century, many Puritans were incarcerated here,
-especially after the Restoration, when their gloomy fanaticism ill
-accorded with the ideas of the age. The bow had been strung too tightly
-during the Commonwealth, and when it was unstrung the reaction was
-great. So many were put into prison for conscience' sake. Even in
-Elizabeth's reign there were many in prison, and we can hardly wonder
-at it when we consider it was an age of religious intolerance, and
-the religion professed by these devotees was of a most unattractive
-character. Strype, writing of <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1588,
-says of them:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"In the Summer Time they meet together in the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>
-Fields, a Mile or more.<a name="FNanchor_104" id="FNanchor_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a>
-There they sit down upon a Bank. And divers of them expound out of the
-Bible, so long as they are there assembled.</p>
-
-<p>"In the Winter Time they assemble themselves by five of the Clock
-in the Morning to the House where they make their Conventicle for the
-Sabbath Day, Men and Women together. There they continue in their
-kind of Prayers, and Exposition of Scriptures, all the Day. They Dine
-together. After Dinner make Collections to pay for their Diet. And what
-money is left, some of them carryeth to the Prisons, where any of their
-sort be committed.</p>
-
-<p>"In their prayers, one speaketh, and the rest do
-groan and sob, and sithe,<a name="FNanchor_105" id="FNanchor_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a>
-as if they could wring out Tears. But say not after him that prayeth.
-Their Prayer is <i>Extemporal</i>."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>In January, 1600, Lord Grey of Wilton was committed to the Fleet,
-by Queen Elizabeth's order, for assaulting the Earl of Southampton, on
-horseback, in the public street.</p>
-
-<p>There is a fair bibliography of the Fleet prison in the seventeenth
-century. In 1620-1 there was a broadsheet published "A briefe collection of the exactions, extortions, oppressions,
-tyrannies, and excesses towards the liues, bodies and goods of
-prisoners, done by <i>Alexander Harris</i>, Warden of the Fleete, in his
-foure yeares misgouernment, ready to be proued by oath and other
-testimonies." This was answered by Harris, and
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>
-his MS., which is in the possession of the Duke of Westminster, was
-published by the Camden Society in 1879, entitled the "Œconomy of the Fleete; or an Apologeticall
-Answeare of Alexander Harris (late Warden there) unto XIX Articles set
-forth against him by the prisoners." Of which book more anon.</p>
-
-<p>Then there was a "Petition to Parliament of the distressed prisoners
-in the King's Bench, Fleet and other prisons"—but this has no
-date. In 1647 was published "A Whip for the Marshal's Court by Robert
-Robins Gent, being his Petition to the House of Commons." The preface
-to the Reader, is dated from the Author's "Iron Cage in the Fleet."
-In 1653 there was "A Schedule; or, List of the Prisoners in the Fleet
-remaining in custody May 25, 1653."Some of them were very bad cases, as "<i>William Gregory</i> committed
-February 7, 1651, one Outlawry after Judgment, severall other
-Outlawries and Trespasses, no sums mentioned;" or "<i>Hustwayte Wright</i> committed June 29, 1650, for £31 1s., Execution,
-besides Outlawries, Latitats and Cap. no sum appearing."</p>
-<p>"<i>Thomas Keneston</i> committed Nov. 4, 1646, for 51,000 Actions, and
-severall Orders of the Exchequer." In 1669 appeared "A Companion for Debtors and Prisoners, and advice
-to Creditors, with a description of Newgate, the Marshalsea, the two
-Counties, Ludgate, <i>the Fleet</i>, and King's Bench prison." In 1671 was published "A Short Narrative, or Anatomie of the Fleet
-Prison &c.," by John Knap, M.D. In 1690 there was "A plea for the
-City Orphans and Prisoners for Debt." In 1691 appeared a soul-harrowing
-little book, called
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>
-"The Cry of the Oppressed, a tragicall Account of the unparalleled
-Sufferings of the poor imprisoned Debtors and Tyranny of their Gaolers,
-with the case of the Publisher (Moses Pitt)." Here the interest is much
-heightened by numerous engravings showing how prisoners were beaten,
-made to feed with hogs, were covered with boils and blains, the females
-outraged by their gaolers, and many other enormities. I would fain
-quote at length from this book, but space will not admit of it. In 1699
-we find "An Argument that it is impossible for the nation to be rid of the
-grievances occasioned by the Marshal of the King's Bench and Warden of
-the Fleet, without an utter extirpation of their present Offices."</p>
-
-<p>The Case as made out by the prisoners against the Warden, Alexander
-Harris, in 1620-1, was, if it could have been thoroughly substantiated,
-most damaging to him, but they overreached themselves by their manifest
-exaggeration. A few examples will suffice. There were nineteen counts
-against him all of grievous weight, but we will only take four as
-a fair sample. (1) Murder; (2) Felony; (3) Robbery; (4) Excessive
-Rates for Chambers. First, as to the Charge of Murder, this is the
-accusation: "After knowne quarrels and fightings between two prisoners, lodging
-them in one chamber, where, quarrelling and fighting againe, and
-notice to him thereof giuen, and of likely further mischiefe; this
-notwithstanding, continuance of them together, vntil the one murthered
-the other."</p>
-
-<p>This referred to two prisoners, Sir John Whitbrooke and
-another named Boughton. According to the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>
-Warden's account Whitbrooke did not deserve much pity. In July, 1618,
-he was given into the Warden's Custody, by the order of two Courts, to
-be kept a close prisoner, but he soon developed "dangerous energy," for
-on the 10th of the same month, almost immediately after his committal,
-he "came into the Warden's studdy where the Warden (in his gowne)
-was wryteing, and fashioned his speech, sayeing that he came to
-speake with the Warden about his lodging, who answeared that he
-would willingly speake about that, and money for it, whereupon the
-Warden putting dust<a name="FNanchor_106" id="FNanchor_106"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> upon the wryteings and
-turneing his back to lay them aside, Sir John Whitbrooke strooke him on
-the head with the sharpe ende of a hammer, whereof one Cleft was before
-broken off, and the other cleft newly whett, giveing fower wounds to
-the scull, and some bruses before the Warden could close with him; but
-then the Warden thrusting him out of the studdy, did throwe Whitbrooke
-on the back, and took away the hammer, Whitbrooke (being undermost) did
-hould the forepart of the Warden's gowne soe as he could not rise; att
-which tyme the Warden's blood abundantly gushed downe upon Whitbrooke,
-and the Warden could have beaten out Whitbrooke's braynes with the
-hammer, but that he was neither wrothfull nor daunted.</p>
-
-<p>"Then after, two maydes servants (heareing the noyse) <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>
-came into the roome, and one loosed Whitbrooke's hands from the
-Warden's gowne, or ells the Warden must have killed him to acquitt
-himselfe. Soe soone as the maydes came the Warden shewed them the
-hammer all bloody, telling them that Whitbrooke had wounded him
-therewith; the butler of the howse then alsoe comeing upp to cover the
-table, the Warden bidd him and others (which followed) to laye hands
-upon Whitbrooke &c.; but to take heed they hurt him not; soe they
-letting him rise and rest himselfe, he took a stiletto out of his
-pockett and stabbed the Warden's deputie cleane through the middle
-of his hand, which (notwithstanding it was presently dressed by a
-good chirurgion) did rankle upp to his shoulder, and was like to have
-killed him; he also stabbed the porter of the howse directly against
-the heart, and drewe blood, but it pierced not: he stabbed the gaoler
-into the hand and twice through the sleeve of his dublett, so as then
-they lay violent hands upon him, put on irons and carryed him to the
-strongest warde of the prison (called Bolton's warde)."</p>
-
-<p>And a perfectly proper punishment for any one who
-ran <i>amuk</i> like Whitbrooke because there was an organized
-mutiny. "And upon this some three score prisoners breake upp all the
-strongest prisons and dores of the wards and Tower chamber, assaulting
-the Warden and his servants with weapons &c., according to a plott
-and purpose before resolved upon, as appeares by depositions."</p>
-
-<p>The poor Warden had no bed of roses, more especially as the female
-element was afterwards introduced in the shape of Lady Whitbrooke, who
-of course, was a warm partisan of her husband. Harris writes:</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"The lady alledgeth that in September the quarrell
-betweene the Warden and Whitbrooke was renewed.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden answeareth that in July, 1619, Whitbrooke and Boughton
-with six others (being lodged in a great Chamber) they and six more
-shutt out thirtie of their Companie and fortefied the gaole against
-the Warden, refused all perswasions of the Warden, constables, and
-Alderman's Deputie, the comands of the Lord Cheife Justice, of the Lord
-Chauncellor and his Serjeant at Armes; yet yeilded to the clarke of the
-councell sent from the Lords. Whitbrooke and Boughton being then in one
-humour; and, upon unblocking the prison, Whitbrooke desired liberty; it
-was offred him upon security, he would give none, then he made question
-where to lye, to which was answeared there were five other roomes he
-might make his election of, which he would; but he said he would none
-other but where he formerly laye (it being indeed the fayrest). They
-fortified these roomes againe when the Warden was out of towne, soe
-as during Whitbrooke's life and Boughton's being there with their
-adherents the Warden had noe comand in that part of the prison."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>It is almost needless to say that these peculiarly unquiet spirits
-quarrelled among themselves. We have heard enough of Whitbrooke to
-know that he was a quarrelsome cur—impatient of restraint, and
-thoroughly lawless in his habits; but it is evident that he persuaded
-his wife that he was an injured innocent; for, in poor Harris's
-"Apologia pro sua vita," a story which he tells so naively, and so
-nicely, he says:</p>
-
-<p>"The lady alledgeth that the Warden (for revenge) <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>
-resolved and reported he would send Whitbrooke to <i>Boulton</i> to
-keepe.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden answeareth that he for governement sake and to suppresse
-misdemeanours doth thretten to putt prisoners (offending) into
-<i>Boulton's Wards</i> (Many yeares familiarlie soe called as he thinketh of
-bolts or irons put on them), where Whitbrooke was put when he wounded
-the Warden and his servants; he continued there but a small tyme, and
-was removed to a roome called the Tower Chamber (where Henry Boughton
-and many others did lye), thence Boughton was removed into the common
-prison in December, 1618, and Whitbrooke was removed thither June 16,
-1619, soe as to that tyme they lay five moneths within one lodging, and
-six moneths severed in other lodgings and noe quarrell stirred.</p>
-
-<p>"The Lady alledgeth that presently at their comeing together
-Boughton suddenly stabbed and wounded Whitbrooke, whereof he dyed.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden answeareth that over and above the eleaven months
-aforesaid, yet from June 16th untill September 16, 1619, being 3
-moneths, they two combyned in their exploits against the Warden
-without falling out (for ought the Warden knewe), but 16 September
-Boughton fell out with Harvey (one of his chamber felowes), whom
-Boughton assayled with his teeth, and bitt him by the thombe, whereof
-Whitbrooke, Willis, Harvey, and others there lodged, advised the
-Warden, wishing him to take some course. The Warden sent divers
-messages by the gaoler to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>
-Whitbrooke to remove thence and to lye elsewhere; he would not, sayeing
-none should remove him but by violence, and they were so strong there,
-as the Warden could doe nothing, none ells durst come amongst them.
-Holmes and Maunsell offered him libertie amongst other gentlemen upon
-bonds.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden acquainted the Lord Chauncellor of their fortifications,
-of some other stabbing there, of this particular brawle, and besought
-his lordshipp to send them to Newgate. The Lord Chauncellor comanded
-such motion to be made at the tyme of a seale; it was moved by Mr.
-Woomelayson, as appeares by his briefe, then his lordshipp wished oath
-to be made of this offence, and called for presidents<a name="FNanchor_107" id="FNanchor_107">
-</a><a href="#Footnote_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a>
-to remove them, in which meane tyme Boughton (being provoked and
-wounded by Whitbrooke) did stabb him, whereof he dyed within 13 dayes,
-and it was about 14 moneths after he wounded the Warden and stabbed his
-3 servants as appeareth by the generall lodgeings and places where they
-laye, sometymes together, and sometymes severed, ensueing to be seene
-in the end of this answeare to this Article, and, if the testimony
-(which was long after delivered to the Warden, by a prisoner in the
-Fleete) be true, then the same Harvey, and one Tymothy Willis and Sir
-John Whitbrooke himselfe, did (of sett purpose) whett on Boughton to
-anger and quarrell, because they scorned Boughton and meant to assayle
-him.</p>
-
-<p>"When Whitbrooke, Boughton, &c., ymured themselves upp in
-the wards as aforesaid, a view or survey
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>
-of the roomes was given the Lordes of the Councell, and they (<i>were</i>)
-satisfied.</p>
-
-<p>"After the tyme of the supposed quarrell (which was about
-Whitbrooke's and Boughton's fortifieing the house) they contynued
-lyeing where they were before, amongst others.</p>
-
-<p>"Wheresoever they had lyen they might quarrell when they mett, as
-Whitbrooke many moneths before broke Willis his head with a pott or
-candlestick." These two ill-conditioned animals fell to loggerheads, and Boughton
-drew upon Whitbrooke, and so wounded him that eventually he died. And
-this shows the very lax discipline that then obtained in the Fleet. Of
-course, no weapons should have been allowed, but "It is alsoe alledged that Boughton did provide a sword, and it was
-brought him by a woeman from whom the porter of the Fleet tooke it, and
-delivered it to the Warden (as he did indeed) and therefore say their
-accusers that the Warden knew the same sword was to kill Whitbrooke.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden had it about a yeare and a halfe before this accident
-(of Whitbrooke's death) happened, and delivered it back againe to
-the woeman that brought it, with charge not to bring any thither
-whatsoever.</p>
-
-<p>"It was avouched that the sword was Boughton's, and put to dressing
-to a Cutler, who sent it home againe, so as Boughton might have killed
-Whitbrooke with it before it went to dressing, if he had intended
-any such thing. Nay, Boughton had alwayes in his trunck (as appeared
-afterwards) a stilletto so keene, so cleane and ready, as would soone
-have done such a fact if he had meant it; yea, swords and other weapons
-want not in
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>
-the Fleete, and the Warden cannot prevent it. This fact was mere
-accidentall, and not precogitate as the lawe hath founde it, which
-acquitted Boughton of Manslaughter upon his arraignement." Harris, I think, and, most probably, my readers will agree with me,
-has made out a very fair case in his own favour; but I must not deal
-with the other charges against him at such length.</p>
-
- <div class="footnotes"> <blockquote> <p
-class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_104"
-id="Footnote_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104"><span
-class="label">[104]</span></a> Presumably, <i>from the town</i>.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_105"
-id="Footnote_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105"><span
-class="label">[105]</span></a> Sigh.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_106"
-id="Footnote_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106"><span
-class="label">[106]</span></a> There was no blotting paper in those
-days, but <i>pounce</i> was used, which was either <i>powdered</i> resin, gum
-sandarach, or copal, or powdered cuttle fish. I believe that <i>pounce</i>
-may even now be bought at law stationers. It was dusted on to the wet
-ink by means of a pepper caster.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_107"
-id="Footnote_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107"><span
-class="label">[107]</span></a> Precedents.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_254-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_254-200.png" width="200" height="170" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_255-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_255-500.png" width="500" height="143" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXI.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THE second count brought against him by his
-mutinous prisoners was "Remouing a prisoner out of his chamber, hauing 51 lib. 1 s. hid
-vnder his bed, which the prisoner required he might go to his chamber
-to dispose of, which was denied, and he thrust vp in another roome
-close prisoner, vntill the Warden and some of his seruants rifled his
-bed of that mony."</p>
-
-<p>Hear the Warden's defence:— "By this is pretended that one Coppin (who euer did beare the name
-of a poore fellowe) lost 51 li., with takeing whereof, if he dare
-charge any person or persons the Lawe is and hath beene open for him
-theis two yeares past. But his abettors haue putt it here rather to
-infame, then that they can think it true, as by the ensueing answeare
-appeares.</p>
-
-<p>"For Edward Coppin, liued as a poore prisoner in the Fleete for
-breach of a decree, and continueing above six yeares, would never be
-drawen to pay the Warden one
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>
-penny for meate, drinke, lodging, or attendance; but at last he ran
-away, and was upon the Warden's pursuite taken againe, but before he
-ran away, he was sometymes restrayned of the libertye of the Fleete
-yards and walks (as is the custome of all prisons in England); and
-he lodging in the three Tower Chambers with sixteene persons, they
-often thretned their keeper to stabb him, to take away the keyes of
-the prison, to bind him, to hang him; lastly they fortefied that
-prison, soe that the Warden could not dispose or order them. And with
-two malletts and steele chissells they had cutt the stone workes of
-the dore, soe as noe locks or bolts could shutt them; and while they
-were thus doeinge Coppin came downe to fetch a mallett, wherewith he
-was taken beneath, and presentlie put into another warde aparte from
-his fellowes, about three a clock in the afternoone 15 July 1619, not
-speakeing of any money."</p>
-
-<p>Master Coppin was one of Boughton's gang, but even that <i>malfaiseur</i>
-could not back up his claim, for "A rumour was spredd in the Fleete
-that Coppin had lost 50 li. The Warden heareing thereof, sent for
-Coppin, and asked him: he said he would say nothing except Sir Francis
-Inglefield were present. Then the Warden said, Nay, Coppin, if you have
-nothing to say to me, you may depart againe.</p>
-
-<p>"Then the Warden was informed by Mr. Boughton and Wall, that the day
-before it happened that Coppin was removed, they had made meanes to
-borrowe some money upon a pawne, and Coppin professed and swore he had
-not so much (being fower (4) pounds) as they
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>
-demanded. Then the Warden caused Coppin's trunck (being new and well
-locked) to be opened in Coppin's presence, and delivered it to him, in
-which Trunck within a Bagg put in a Box (as they said) there was about
-xxix<sup>s</sup>; and then was sett on foote this rumour when Coppin
-had advised with Mr. Rookwood to doe it.</p>
-
-<p>"About January 1620, Edward Coppin confessed that he never receaved
-any money since he came to Prison.</p>
-
-<p>"Mr. Williams saith that he hath heard that Coppin hath confessed
-that he lost noe money."</p>
-
-<p>So we may acquit the Warden on this count. Poor Man! he had a rough
-lot to deal with, but it is to our advantage that it was so, for
-his refutation of the charges brought against him throws a flood of
-light on the domestic manners of the time, and of the Fleet prison in
-particular.</p>
-
-<p>The third count against the Warden was one of robbery, "11 lib. 6 s. taken out of the Trunk, and by violence, from the
-person of a close prisoner sicke in his bed, by the Warden and his
-seruants." And Harris meets this, as all others, fairly and straightforwardly.
-Says he:— "This toucheth money taken from one Thraske, then a Jewdaiser, or
-halfe Jewe, committed close prisoner by the Lords of the Councell, from
-whom, and such like, though in the Gatehouse, King's Bench, Fleete,
-&c., it hath beene used to take away and keepe their money, yet the
-Warden tooke not his until he abused it very dangerouslie, and whether
-this takeing away may be said Robbery, let the answeare followeing
-decide.</p>
-
-<p>"And although the complainte be used with a Circumstance, <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>
-as if the Prisoner were sick, thereby to make a shewe as if the Warden
-gaped at his death and money; that was most untrue for Thraske was in
-perfect health."</p>
-
-<p>This prisoner was sent to the Fleet, to be put in the pillory,
-whipped and branded, and, besides, to suffer solitary confinement, but
-he found means to write letters to the King and the Lord Chancellor,
-and the Warden was much blamed for allowing him so to do. But poor
-Harris, who must have been plagued almost to death by his very
-recalcitrant charges, could not find out whence his prisoner procured
-his writing materials, and at last came to the correct conclusion
-that he was bribing the gaoler who waited upon him. So, with some
-servants, he personally searched Mr. Thraske's apartment and person,
-and found his pens, ink, and paper, and also £11 6s. in money,
-together with a bag and cord with which he used to receive supplies
-from outside, and by means of which he disseminated his pernicious
-literature. All of which the Warden very properly confiscated, but the
-money was kept, and used for the prisoner's benefit. "When Thraske had worne out his cloathes and desired other, the Lord
-Chauncellor bid the Warden buy for Thraske some cloathes, which was
-done accordingly, even soe much as Thraske desired; the Warden alsoe
-gave him money to buy wyne for his comforte at tymes." And, in the long run, the poor Warden declares that he was about
-£80 out of pocket by his prisoner.</p>
-
-<p>The last charge we will investigate, is that of "Excessiue rates of Chambers." (No. 13 on the list <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>
-of 19) "Whereby orders no man ought to pay for any Chamber, the Warden
-allowing bed and bedding, aboue 2s. 4d. a weeke, he exacteth 8s., 10s.,
-13s. 4d. and of some twentie shillings a weeke without bedding."
-The Warden replies to this that "the Orders of the Prison are, That noe Parlor Comoners and Hall
-Comoners must lye two in a Bedd like Prisoners, They of the Parlor at
-ijs. iiijd. the weeke. They of the Hall at xiiijd. If any such will
-lye in the Prison then there is noe question of their payment, nor any
-more required. But the missery is this that none there will pay at all,
-but stand upon it that they should pay nothing, which is contrary to
-right, to Custome, and to usage.... An<sup>o</sup> 1597. The Prisoners
-then Articling against the Warden Sett forth that one Prisoner paid
-xxxs. others xxs., xvs., xiis., xs. a weeke for Chamber without Bedd.
-The Warden then made his Answeare to the Comittees that he took xs. a
-Chamber, and the rest was for more chambers than one, and in respect of
-Dyett, though they had none, but fetched it abroad.</p>
-
-<p>"Soe if Prisoners will have more ease than ordinarie, and a Chamber
-or two for themselves and theirs in the Warden's howse, they are by the
-orders and Constitutions to Compound with the Warden for it, it being
-the Warden's freehould, and demyseable.... To such prisoners as lye two
-in a Bedd, the Warden is to find them Bedd, and for Bedd and Chamber
-they are to pay. Whether by Bedd is meant all furniture of Bedding,
-that is to be doubted, for it was never put in practise; but as for
-those which lye in the Warden's freehould
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>
-by agreement he is not bound to find them Bedd or Bedding except it
-be so conditioned. And such will hardly vouchsafe to lye on the comon
-Bedding which passeth from Man to Man; And the Warden can as hardlie
-buy a new Bedd for every new prisoner which cometh, and therefore the
-lodgings of ease were provided for men of quality and not for the mean
-sorte of prisoners, as the accusation would seeme to inferre; And when
-Mr. Chamberlayne informed against the Warden touching Chambers, All the
-cheife gentlemen in the Fleete certified under their hands that they
-held their Chambers by agreement to have a Chamber alone to each, and
-were contented with the rates."</p>
-
-<p>That the Wardenship of the Fleet was an onerous
-position, may be inferred from Harris's statement that "he hath had at one tyme the King's prisoners for two
-hundred thowsand<a name="FNanchor_108" id="FNanchor_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a>
-pounds debt, besides the affayres of State."</p>
-
-<p>That the office of Warden of the Fleet was of very ancient origin we
-have seen in the case of Nathanael de Leveland, and he also proves that
-it was heritable, for he, and his family, had held it for 130 years,
-and more. And it had a far-reaching jurisdiction, for in the 3
-Eliz.<a name="FNanchor_109" id="FNanchor_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a>
-we learn that "Upon an adjournment of the term to Hertford, several prisoners
-were committed to the Castle there. This Castle was part of the Duchy
-of Lancaster. The Queen had granted a patent to A. of the Custody of
-this Castle for his Life; resolved by the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>
-Judges that the Warden of the Fleet shall have the Custody <i>there</i> of
-the Prisoners committed by the Chancery, Common Pleas and Exchequer:
-For he is the Officer of those Corts; and although the Patentee has
-the Custody of the Castle, and though it be the Prison of the County,
-yet his interest ought to give place to the public weal, and common
-justice."</p>
-
-<p>In course of time, the Wardenship became a position which was openly
-sold; and our old friend Harris makes no secret of it. "They likewise alledge that I<sup>o</sup> Elizabeth it was purchased
-by Tirrell at the rate of 160 li. per annum and that long after it
-was held at 100 li. per annum, and refused for 200 li. But now that
-(thorough extortion) there is made 4,000 li. per annum by the relation
-delivered to one Mr. Shotbolt.</p>
-
-<p>"To which is answeared, that the purchase paid by Tirrell, (as
-appears by the deed inrolled) was 6,000 markes or 4,000 li. which, if
-it be devided at tenne or twelve yeares purchase, being more than an
-office of that nature was worth in those dayes (which is above three
-score yeares past) it will bring 400 li. tenne yeares purchase, and
-therefore here is <i>sutor ultra crepidam</i>, for 160 li. at that rate
-would yeild but 1,600 li. in money, and there was not then the fift
-part of the buildings and lodgings which now are.</p>
-
-<p>"Mr. Anslowe (as is credibly informed) held it by fyne (and
-otherwise) at 600 li. per annum, and had but some part of the benefitts
-of the prison, nothing of the pallace at Westminster. And as for this
-Warden's valuation of it at 4000 li. per annum, it might be, supposeing
-that if the benefitts of the pallace were had
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>
-&c. But what if the one with the other cost in expences 4,000 li.
-per annum, what will be then advanced?" &c.</p>
-
-<p>This selling of the Office of Warden, led to a great squabble in
-the early days of Queen Anne's reign, and it seems to have arisen in
-this way. A Warden of the Fleet, named Ford, in the reign of William
-and Mary, was found guilty of suffering one Richard Spencer to escape,
-but was acquitted of some minor charges, and a certain Col. Baldwin
-Leighton obtained a grant of the Office on April 6, 1690. On June 25,
-1691, this grant was quashed, and Leighton soon after died. A Mr.
-Tilley, in the fifth year of William and Mary purchased the Inheritance
-of the said Office, together with the Mansion and Gardens thereto
-appertaining, but on Dec. 23, 1704, judgment was given in the Queen's
-Bench that the Office be seized into her Majesty's hands, and this was
-affirmed in Parliament.</p>
-
-<p>The discipline in the prison at this time seems to have been very
-bad, so much so that many witnesses who could have spoken of Tilley's
-misdeeds were hindered from giving evidence, some by being put into
-dungeons; others, by violence, bribes, or other artifices. Take a case
-in point, which happened about this time. The case of Robert Elliot and
-others. "One Francis Chartyres was Arrested at the several Suits of the
-said several Persons, about the 4th of May last, all their Debts
-amounting to 140 l. and upwards, which cost them 20 l. to effect: And
-the said Francis Chartyres being a stubborn and an obstinate Man, and
-dangerous to Arrest, he having killed several Persons upon the <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>
-like attempt, and at this Arrest run the Bayliffs through. And after he
-was taken, he by <i>Habeas Corpus</i> turned himself over to the said Fleet
-Prison. And Mr. Tilley, and the Turnkey, and one Whitwood, an Officer
-of the Fleet, were acquainted, by the persons above mentioned, what a
-dangerous Man he was, and what it cost them to take him; but they took
-no notice thereof, and declared they would let him out for all of them;
-and so they did, and the next Day the said Persons Arrested him again,
-and he went over to the Fleet a second time, and was immediately set
-at liberty; who coming to the Persons aforesaid, at whose Suit he was
-Arrested, bid them defiance; saying, <i>He was a Freeman, for that he had
-given 18 Guineas for it</i>, and they <i>should never have a farthing of
-their Debts</i>, which they now doubt of, the said Chartyres being gone
-for Scotland."</p>
-
-<p>Hatton, in his "New View of London," 1708, gives, the boundary of
-the <i>Rules</i>, and also descants on the pleasantness of the Prison, as an
-abode. "Fleet Prison, situate on the East side of the Ditch, between
-Ludgate Hill and Fleet Lane, but the Rules extend Southward on the
-East side of Fleet Canal to Ludgate Hill, and thence Eastward to Cock
-Ally on the South side of Ludgate Hill, and to the Old Bayly on the
-North, and thence Northward in the Old Bayley both sides the Street,
-to Fleet Lane, and all that Lane, and from the West End, southward
-to the Prison again. It is a Prison for Debtors from any part of the
-Kingdom, for those that act or speak any thing in contempt of the <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>
-Courts of Chancery and Common Pleas; and for the pleasantness of the
-Prison and Gardens, and the aforesaid large extent of its Rules, it
-is preferred before most other Prisons, many giving Money to turn
-themselves over to this from others."</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_108"
-id="Footnote_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108"><span
-class="label">[108]</span></a> Equal in our currency to about three
-times the amount.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_109"
-id="Footnote_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109"><span
-class="label">[109]</span></a> Reports of Cases, &c., by Sir James
-Dyer (ed. 1794) vol. ii. p. 204 a.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_264-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_264-200.png" width="200" height="142" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_265-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_265-500.png" width="500" height="107" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THINGS got so bad that Parliament ordered a
-Committee to inquire into it, and they began their sitting in
-Feb. 25, 1729. But, previously, the prisoners had petitioned
-the Lord Chief Justice and other justices without effect, and
-those petitions with Huggins' (who was the Warden) replies were
-published in a folio pamphlet, which contains much information.<a
-name="FNanchor_110" id="FNanchor_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110"
-class="fnanchor">[110]</a> The first petition was in 1723, and it was
-mainly addressed to the extortions of the Master, the sixth Article
-alledging that the fees exacted by the Warden were in excess of those
-settled by Law, Nov. 14, 1693—instanced as follows:</p>
-
-<div style="margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; width:80%;">
-<table summary="Wardens Fees" style="width: 100%;">
-<tr>
-<td> </td>
-<td> Warden.</td>
-<td> Legal.</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>For liberty of the House and Irons at first coming in</td>
-<td> £2 4 4</td>
-<td> 1 6 8</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>Chaplain</td>
-<td> 0 2 0</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>Entering every Name and Cause</td>
-<td> </td>
-<td> 0 0 4</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>Porter's fee</td>
-<td> 0 1 0</td>
-<td> 0 1 0</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>Chamberlain's Fee</td>
-<td> 0 3 0</td>
-<td> 0 1 0</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>The Dismission Fee for every Action</td>
-<td> 0 12 6</td>
-<td> 0 7 4</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td>Turnkey's Dismission</td>
-<td> 0 2 6</td>
-<td> </td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td> </td>
-<td>————</td>
-<td>————</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td> </td>
-<td> £3 5 4</td>
-<td> £1 16 4</td>
-</tr><tr>
-<td> </td>
-<td> =======</td>
-<td> =======</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The eleventh prayer of this Petition was, "And lastly, that for the better suppressing Prophaneness and
-Immorality among us, and that the Misery of Imprisonment may in some
-measure be alleviated by the Observance of good Manners, Cleanliness,
-and Quietude, we humbly pray your Lordships would enable us to regulate
-our selves in such Manner as the Prisoners in the King's Bench are
-empowered to do by a Rule of that Court, 20 <i>die post festim Sanctæ
-Trinitatis</i>. 11 Anne." </p>
-
-<p>Huggins replied to all the petition, but his answer to
-No. 6 was "The Warden saith, That so soon as the Fees were settled by this
-Honourable Court, he caused a Copy thereof to be framed and hung up in
-the Common Hall of the House, signed by Sir George Cook; also a Copy of
-the Rules and Orders of the House, which said copies the Prisoners were
-pleased to burn, tear to Pieces, and obliterate; and the Warden denies
-that he has taken or receiv'd, or any for him, to his knowledge, more,
-or greater, Fees than were contained in the said Copy of Fees hung up
-in the said Prison." </p>
-
-<p>And as to the Eleventh prayer of the Petitioners "The Warden saith, that the Prisoners in general, are so very
-ungovernable, that they have tore up the Trees around the Bowling
-Green, and cut down several of the Trees in the back part of
-the Prison, set by the Warden some years since, for the better
-Accommodation of the Prisoners; also broke down the Stocks in the said
-Prison, and the Houses of Easement were fitted up lately by the Warden,
-they have torn it almost to Pieces, and committed other Outrages, and
-most of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>
-them, altho' two Years in Arrears of Rent to the Warden, refuse to pay
-him any Part thereof, and will by Force, and in defiance of the Warden
-and his Officers, keep in Possession of the Rooms and Furnitures,
-Swearing to stand by each other."</p>
-
-<p>Petition after petition was sent from the Prisoners to the Lord
-Chief Justice about the oppressions of Huggins and his myrmidons, and
-duly answered in some shape by the Warden, but there was one, in which
-the fourteenth Charge is as follows. "That the Warden, on the Death of any Prisoner detains the Body
-from his Friends and Relations untill they will pay him, what Chamber
-Rent was due from the Deceased; and in the mean Time his cruel and
-unchristian like Practice, is to make the best Bargain he can with the
-poor Family of the Deceased, for the Purchase of the Dead Body, in
-order to give it Christian Burial, at their own Expence, by which means
-he often extorts large Sums of Money, for granting the Relations the
-Liberty of taking away and burying the Dead Body; which tho' a very
-natural and reasonable Desire, is nevertheless often frustrated by
-their Inability to purchase it at his Price, and, rather than accept
-what may be in their Power to give him, he often suffers the Dead
-Body to lye above Ground seven or eight Days, and often Times eleven
-or twelve Days, to the great endangering of the Health of the whole
-Prison, by the nauseous Stench, which being often times the Case, is
-very offensive all over the House; and when he has refused what he
-thought not worth his Acceptance, he buries them in the common Burying
-place for Prisoners, when the Body is often
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>
-taken up by their Friends to be bury'd their own Way, and the Warden
-seizes to his own Use the Cloaths, Furniture, and what ever else there
-is for Fees and Chamber Rent, which he pretends to be due from the said
-deceased Prisoner."</p>
-
-<p>Huggins' reply to this was diabolically insolent. "For Answer thereto, My Lords, the Deputy Warden saith, That
-scarcely a Prisoner hath died on the Masters-Side, that was not largely
-indebted to him; and therefore, possibly, he might have used endeavours
-to get what part of the Money was due to him, as he could fairly from
-the Deceased's Relations." </p>
-
-<p>But the Cup of his iniquities was rapidly filling. He made one
-Thomas Bambridge "<i>A Newgate Sollicitor, and a Person of abandon'd
-Credit</i>" (as the petition in the case of Mr. Mackphreadris describes
-him) his deputy warden, and then, things came to a climax. As we
-have seen, Parliament took cognizance of the scandal, and issued a
-Commission to inquire into the matter, and their first sitting was on
-Feb. 25, 1729. Their report was presented to Parliament on March 20th
-of the same year—so that no time was lost in looking into the
-evils complained of.</p>
-
-<p>It recites that Huggins by a gift of £5,000 to Lord
-Clarendon "did by his interest, obtain a grant of the said office (<i>i.e.</i>,
-<i>Warden of the Fleet</i>) for his own and his son's life.</p>
-
-<p>"That it appeared to the Committee, That in the Year 1725, one
-Mr. Arne, an Upholder, was carried into a Stable, which stood where
-the strong room on the Master's side now is, and was there confined
-(being
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>
-a place of cold restraint) till he died, and that he was in good state
-of health before he was confined to that room." </p>
-
-<p>Huggins growing old, sold his interest in the Wardenship of the
-Fleet, and his Son's reversion therein, to Bambridge and Cuthbert, for
-the sum he had originally given for the place; and then Bambridge,
-being his own master, went somewhat ahead, and the Committee found
-that he connived at escapes, sent his prisoners to Spunging-houses, or
-private prisons, not so long ago done away with, where they were well,
-or badly treated, according to the money at their disposal.</p>
-
-<p>And we read of one shocking case, which can best be given in the
-very words of the Report. "That these houses were further used by the said Bambridge,
-as a terror for extorting money from the prisoners, who, on
-security given, have the liberty of the rules; of which Mr.
-Robert Castell was an unhappy instance, a man born to a competent
-estate, but being unfortunately plunged into debt, was thrown into
-prison: he was first sent (according to custom) to Corbett's, <a
-name="FNanchor_111" id="FNanchor_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111"
-class="fnanchor">[111]</a> from whence he, by presents to Bambridge,
-redeemed himself, and, giving security obtained the liberty of the
-rules; notwithstanding which he had frequently presents, as they are
-called, exacted from him by Bambridge, and was menaced, on refusal, to
-be sent back to Corbett's again.</p>
-
-<p>"The said Bambridge having thus unlawfully extorted large sums
-of money from him in a very short time, Castell grew weary of being
-made such a wretched property, and, resolving not to injure further
-his family
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>
-or his creditors for the sake of so small a liberty, he refused to
-submit to further exactions; upon which the said Bambridge ordered him
-to be re-committed to Corbett's, where the smallpox then raged, though
-Castell acquainted him with his not having had that distemper, and that
-he dreaded it so much, that the putting him into a house where it was,
-would occasion his death, which, if it happened before he could settle
-his affairs, would be a great prejudice to his creditors, and would
-expose his family to destitution; and therefore he earnestly desired
-that he might either be sent to another house, or even into the gaol
-itself, as a favor. The melancholy case of this poor gentleman moved
-the very agents of the said Bambridge to compassion, so that they used
-their utmost endeavours to dissuade him from sending this unhappy
-prisoner to that infected house; but Bambridge forced him thither,
-where he (as he feared he should) caught the smallpox, and, in a few
-days, died thereof, justly charging the said Bambridge with his death;
-and unhappily leaving all his affairs in the greatest confusion, and a
-numerous family of small children in the utmost distress." </p>
-
-<p>He squeezed everybody, made what rules he liked, and introduced new
-and pernicious customs, for, says the Report, "It appeared to the Committee, that the letting out of the Fleet
-tenements to Victuallers, for the reception of Prisoners, hath been but
-of late practised, and that the first of them let for this purpose was
-to Mary Whitwood, who still continues tenant of the same, and that her
-rent has, from 32 l. per. ann. been increased to 60 l. and a certain
-number of prisoners stipulated
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>
-to be made a prey of, to enable her to pay so great a rent; and that
-she, to procure the benefit of having such a number of prisoners sent
-to her house, hath, over and above the increased rent, been obliged
-to make a present to the said Bambridge of forty guineas, as also of
-a toy (as it is called), being the model of a Chinese ship, made of
-amber, set in silver, for which fourscore broad pieces had been offered
-her....</p>
-
-<p>"And, notwithstanding the payment of such large fees, in order to
-extort further sums from the unfortunate prisoners, the said Bambridge
-unjustly pretends he has a right, as warden, to exercise an unlimited
-power of changing prisoners from room to room; of turning them into
-the common side, though they have paid the master's side fee; and
-inflicting arbitrary punishments by locking them down in unwholesome
-dungeons, and loading them with torturing irons." </p>
-
-<p>According to the Committee's report, Jacob Mendez Solas, a
-Portuguese, was, as far as they knew, the first prisoner that was ever
-loaded with irons in the Fleet. He was thrown into a noisome dungeon,
-which is described as a place "wherein the bodies of persons dying in the said prison are usually
-deposited, till the coroner's inquest hath passed upon them; it has no
-chimney, nor fireplace, nor any light but what comes over the door,
-or through a hole of about eight inches square. It is neither paved
-nor boarded, and the rough bricks appear both on the sides and top,
-being neither wainscotted, nor plastered; what adds to the dampness
-and stench of the place is, its being built over the common sewer,
-and adjoining to the sink and dunghill where all the nastiness <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>
-of the prison is cast. In this miserable place the poor wretch was
-kept by the said Bambridge, manacled and shackled for near two months.
-At length, on receiving five guineas from Mr. Kemp, a friend of Solas
-Bambridge released the prisoner from his cruel confinement. But, though
-his chains were taken off, his terror still remained, and the unhappy
-man was prevailed upon by that terror, not only to labour <i>gratis</i>
-for the said Bambridge, but to swear also at random all that he hath
-required of him: and the Committee themselves saw an instance of the
-deep impression his sufferings had made upon him; for on his surmising,
-from something said, that Bambridge was to return again, as Warden
-of the Fleet, he fainted, and the blood started out of his mouth and
-nose." </p>
-
-<p>The upshot of this Committee was that the House petitioned the King
-to prosecute Huggins, Bambridge, and their satellites, who were all
-ordered to be committed to Newgate for trial. Huggins was tried, or
-rather the preliminaries of his trial were arranged on the 20th of May,
-1729; but his trial for the murder of Edward Arne, a prisoner in the
-Fleet prison, by immuring him in the dungeon above described, from the
-effect of which confinement he subsequently died, did not take place
-until next day. After a long and patient trial, he was acquitted; and
-he managed, not only to survive his disgrace, but live to the age of
-90.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 207px; ">
-<a href="images/i_273-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_273-500.png" width="207" height="500" alt="BAMBRIDGE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">BAMBRIDGE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Bambridge was also tried, at the Old Bailey, for the murder of
-Robert Castell, as before described, but he was acquitted by the Jury.
-Upon this acquittal, Castell's widow brought an appeal against Thomas
-Bambridge, and Richard Corbett, for the murder of her husband; but here
-their luck still stood them in stead, for they were both acquitted.
-Bambridge, some twenty years after, committed suicide by cutting his
-throat.</p>
-
-<p>Hogarth, in 1729, received a Commission from Sir Archibald Grant of
-Monnymusk, Bart., who was one of the Committee, to paint a portrait
-picture of his brother Commissioners with Bambridge, and the irons used
-by him in the Fleet. Bambridge is decidedly nervous—and a poor
-prisoner is introduced into the picture, though I cannot find, from the
-Report, that he really was before the Committee of the House.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_274-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_274-500.png" width="500" height="438" alt="A PRISONER IN IRONS." /></a>
-<div class="caption">A PRISONER IN IRONS.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>These prosecutions somewhat purified the atmosphere of the
-Fleet, but still there were grumbles, as there naturally will be
-when men are restrained in their liberty, and are left to brood
-upon their miseries, and incarceration; but the little pamphlet,<a
-name="FNanchor_112" id="FNanchor_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112"
-class="fnanchor">[112]</a> which airs these grievances, deals
-principally with the hardships of fees, and the dilapidated state of
-the Common Side. The title-page prepares one for a not over cheerful
-ten minutes' reading.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"When Fortune keeps Thee Warm;</p>
-<p class="i1">Then <i>Friends</i> will to Thee swarm,</p>
-<p class="i4">Like <span class="smcap">Bees</span> about a <i>Honey</i> pot:</p>
-<p class="i1">But, if she chance to frown,</p>
-<p class="i1">And rudely kick Thee down,</p>
-<p class="i4">Why then—What then? <i>Lie there and ROT.</i>"</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>The writer says that after the reign of Huggins and Bambridge, the
-Chapel was adorned—and the great Hall adjoining, formerly for the
-Use of the Prisoners, "is now made into a commodious new Coffee House, and thought
-to be as Compleat a one, as any in Town (wherein one of the
-Warden's Servants is put, to be useful upon Occasion). <i>Part of
-the Pews in the Chapel being taken into it to make it compleat,<a
-name="FNanchor_113" id="FNanchor_113"> </a><a href="#Footnote_113"
-class="fnanchor">[113]</a> and serves for a Bar and Bedchamber.</i></p>
-
-<p>"Opposite to the Great Hall, or Coffee Room, is the Begging-Grate,
-where Prisoners had an Opportunity to speak with a Friend, and
-sometimes get Sight of one
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276-7]</a></span>
-whose Inclinations did not lead him to pay a Visit to the Place, wou'd
-drop a Shilling, and perhaps some Beer to the Beggars; but now the
-same, altho' of an ancient standing, is Brick'd up, and the unhappy
-Persons who can't submit to beg, depriv'd of viewing the Street, or
-seeing their Chance Friends." So we see, that although the comforts of the inmates had been
-somewhat looked after, this little privilege, which they had long
-enjoyed, and, doubtless, as long abused, was taken from them. It was,
-afterwards, restored.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_110"
-id="Footnote_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110"><span
-class="label">[110]</span></a> "A True State of the Proceedings of
-the Prisoners in the Fleet Prison, in Order to the Redressing their
-Grievances before the Court of Common Pleas."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_111"
-id="Footnote_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111"><span
-class="label">[111]</span></a> A spunging-house.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_112"
-id="Footnote_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112"><span
-class="label">[112]</span></a> "Remarks on the Fleet Prison or
-Lumber-House for Men and Women. Written by a prisoner &c.,
-published in the Fleet, 1733."</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_113"
-id="Footnote_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113"><span
-class="label">[113]</span></a> The <i>italics</i> are mine.—J. A.</p>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_276-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_276-200.png" width="200" height="145" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_278-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_278-500.png" width="500" height="277" alt="THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_279-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_279-500.png" width="500" height="121" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXIII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">BUT enough of the miserables in connection with the
-Fleet Prison. We shall find that it is even possible for a prisoner to
-write pleasantly, nay, even somewhat humorously, upon his position,
-as we may see by the perusal of a poem entitled "The <i>Humours</i> of the
-Fleet. An humorous, descriptive Poem. Written by a Gentleman of the
-College" &c., Lond. 1749. Under the frontispiece, which represents
-the introduction of a prisoner into its precincts, is a poem of
-thirty-two lines, of which the following is a portion:—</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 600px; ">
-<a href="images/i_280-music-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_280-music-500.png" width="600" height="527" alt="THE DEBTORS' WELCOME TO THEIR BROTHER." /></a>
-</div>
-
-<div class="center">
-<a href="music/debtorsong2.mid">midi file</a>
-<a href="music/debtorsong2.pdf">.pdf file</a>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_280-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_280-500.png" width="500" height="439" alt="The Introduction of a New Prisoner" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p>Here we see, very vividly depicted, the introduction of a new
-prisoner; the Chamberlain is introducing him
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>
-to the Cook, whilst the Goaler and Tapster seem, already, to have made
-his acquaintance.</p>
-
-<p>The notes appended to the Poem are in the original.</p>
-
-<p>After a somewhat long exordium on prosperity and poverty, together
-with the horrors of a spunging-house, and imagining that the debtor has
-obtained his <i>Habeas</i>, which would permit him to choose his prison, the
-Poet thus sings:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width24">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Close by the Borders of a slimy Flood,</p>
-<p class="i1">Which now in secret rumbles thro' the Mud;</p>
-<p class="i1">(Tho' heretofore it roll'd expos'd to Light,</p>
-<p class="i1">Obnoxious to th' offended City's Sight.)<a name="FNanchor_114" id="FNanchor_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a></p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i4">"Twin Arches now the Sable Stream enclose</p>
-<p class="i1">Upon whose Basis late a Fabrick rose;</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>In whose extended oblong Boundaries,</p>
-<p class="i1">Are Shops and Sheds, and Stalls of all Degrees,</p>
-<p class="i1">For Fruit, Meat, Herbage, Trinkets, Pork and Peas</p>
-<p class="i1">A prudent City Scheme, and kindly meant;</p>
-<p class="i1">The Town's oblig'd, their Worships touch the Rent.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Near this commodious Market's miry Verge,</p>
-<p class="i1">The Prince of Prisons Stands, compact and large;</p>
-<p class="i1">When, by the Jigger's<a name="FNanchor_115" id="FNanchor_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a>
-more than magick Charm,</p>
-<p class="i1">Kept from the Pow'r of doing Good—or Harm,</p>
-<p class="i1">Relenting Captives only ruminate</p>
-<p class="i1">Misconduct past, and curse their present State;</p>
-<p class="i1">Tho' sorely griev'd, few are so void of Grace,</p>
-<p class="i1">As not to wear a seeming chearful Face:</p>
-<p class="i1">In Drinks or Sports ungrateful Thoughts must die,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p>
-<p class="i1">For who can bear Heart-wounding Calumny?</p>
-<p class="i1">Therefore Cabals engage of various Sorts,</p>
-<p class="i1">To walk, to drink, or play at different Sports:</p>
-<p class="i1">Here, on the oblong Table's verdant Plain,</p>
-<p class="i1">The ivory Ball bounds, and rebounds again;
-<a name="FNanchor_116" id="FNanchor_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">There, at Backgammon, two sit <i>tete a tete</i>,</p>
-<p class="i1">And curse alternately their Adverse Fate;</p>
-<p class="i1">These are at Cribbage, those at Whist engag'd</p>
-<p class="i1">And, as they lose, by turns become enrag'd:</p>
-<p class="i1">Some of more sedentary Temper, read</p>
-<p class="i1">Chance-medley Books, which duller Dullness breed;</p>
-<p class="i1">Or Politicks in Coffee-Room, some pore</p>
-<p class="i1">The Papers and Advertisements thrice o'er:</p>
-<p class="i1">Warm'd with the <i>Alderman</i>,<a name="FNanchor_117" id="FNanchor_117"></a>
-<a href="#Footnote_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> some set up late,</p>
-<p class="i1">To fix th' Insolvent Bill, and Nation's Fate;</p>
-<p class="i1">Hence, knotty Points at different Tables rise,</p>
-<p class="i1">And either Party's wond'rous, wond'rous wise:</p>
-<p class="i1">Some of low Taste, ring Hand Bells, direful Noise!</p>
-<p class="i1">And interrupt their Fellows' harmless Joys;</p>
-<p class="i1">Disputes more noisy now a Quarrel breeds.</p>
-<p class="i1">And Fools on both Sides fall to Loggerheads:</p>
-<p class="i1">Till wearied with persuasive Thumps and Blows,</p>
-<p class="i1">They drink, and Friends, as tho' they ne'er were Foes.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Without Distinction, intermix'd is seen,</p>
-<p class="i1">A 'Squire quite dirty, a Mechanick clean:</p>
-<p class="i1">The Spendthrift Heir, who in his Chariot roll'd,</p>
-<p class="i1">All his Possessions gone, Reversions sold,</p>
-<p class="i1">Now mean, as once Profuse, the stupid Sot</p>
-<p class="i1">Sits by a <i>Runner's</i> Side,
-<a name="FNanchor_118" id="FNanchor_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a>
- and <i>shules</i>
-<a name="FNanchor_119" id="FNanchor_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> a Pot.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Some Sots ill-manner'd, drunk, a harmless Fight!
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p>
-<p class="i1">Rant noisy thro' the Galleries all Night;</p>
-<p class="i1">For which, if Justice had been done of late,</p>
-<p class="i1">The Pump
-<a name="FNanchor_120" id="FNanchor_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> had been three pretty Masters Fate.</p>
-<p class="i1">With Stomacks empty, and Heads full of Care</p>
-<p class="i1">Some Wretches swill the Pump and walk the Bare;
-<a name="FNanchor_121" id="FNanchor_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a></p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Within whose ample Oval is a Court,</p>
-<p class="i1">Where the more Active and Robust resort,</p>
-<p class="i1">And glowing, exercise a manly Sport</p>
-<p class="i1">(Strong Exercise with mod'rate Food is good,</p>
-<p class="i1">It drives in sprightful Streams the circling Blood;)</p>
-<p class="i1">While these with Rackets strike the flying Ball,</p>
-<p class="i1">Some play at Nine Pins, Wrestlers take a Fall;</p>
-<p class="i1">Beneath a Tent some drink, and some above</p>
-<p class="i1">Are slily in their Chambers making Love;</p>
-<p class="i1"><i>Venus</i> and <i>Bacchus</i> each keeps here a Shrine,</p>
-<p class="i1">And many Vot'ries have to Love and Wine.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Such the Amusement of this merry Jail,</p>
-<p class="i1">Which you'll not reach, if Friends or Money fail:<br /></p>
-<p class="i1">For e'er its three-fold Gates it will unfold,</p>
-<p class="i1">The destin'd Captive must produce some Gold:</p>
-<p class="i1">Four Guineas, at the least, for diff'rent Fees,</p>
-<p class="i1">Compleats your <i>Habeas</i>, and commands the keys;</p>
-<p class="i1">Which done, and safely in, no more you're led,</p>
-<p class="i1">If you have Cash, you'll find a Friend and Bed;</p>
-<p class="i1">But, that deficient, you'll but Ill betide,</p>
-<p class="i1">Lie in the Hall,<a name="FNanchor_122" id="FNanchor_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a>
-perhaps, or Common Side.<a name="FNanchor_123" id="FNanchor_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"But now around you gazing <i>Jiggers</i><a name="FNanchor_124" id="FNanchor_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> swarm,</p>
-<p class="i1">To draw your Picture, that's their usual Term;</p>
-<p class="i1">Your Form and Features strictly they survey,</p>
-<p class="i1">Then leave you, (if you can) to run away.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2"><span class="right3">}</span>"To them succeeds the Chamberlain, to see</p>
-<p class="i1">If you and he are likely to agree;</p>
-<p class="i1">Whether you'll tip,<a name="FNanchor_125" id="FNanchor_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a>
-or pay your Master's Fee.<a name="FNanchor_126" id="FNanchor_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">Ask him how much? 'Tis one Pound six and eight;</p>
-<p class="i1">And, if you want, he'll not the Twopence bate:</p>
-<p class="i1">When paid, he puts on an important Face,</p>
-<p class="i1">And shews <i>Mount Scoundrel</i>
-<a name="FNanchor_127" id="FNanchor_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> for a charming Place:</p>
-<p class="i1">You stand astonish'd at the darken'd Hole,</p>
-<p class="i1">Sighing, the Lord have Mercy on my Soul!</p>
-<p class="i1">And ask, have you no other Rooms, Sir, pray?</p>
-<p class="i1">Perhaps enquire what Rent too, you're to pay:</p>
-<p class="i1">Entreating that he wou'd a better seek;</p>
-<p class="i1">The Rent (cries gruffly's)—Half a Crown a Week.</p>
-<p class="i1">The Rooms have all a Price, some good, some bad;</p>
-<p class="i1">But pleasant ones at present can't be had:</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>This Room, in my Opinion's not amiss;</p>
-<p class="i1">Then cross his venal Palm with half a Piece
-<a name="FNanchor_128" id="FNanchor_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">He strait accosts you with another Face.</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Sir you're a Gentleman;—I like you well,</p>
-<p class="i1">But who are such at first, we cannot tell;<br /></p>
-<p class="i1">Tho' your Behaviour speaks you what I thought,</p>
-<p class="i1">And therefore I'll oblige you as I ought:</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"How your Affairs may stand, I do not know,</p>
-<p class="i1">But here, Sir, Cash does frequently run low.</p>
-<p class="i1">I'll serve you,—don't be lavish,—only mum!</p>
-<p class="i1">Take my Advice, I'll help you to a Chum!
-<a name="FNanchor_129" id="FNanchor_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">A Gentleman, Sir,—see, and hear him speak,</p>
-<p class="i1">With him you'll pay but fifteen Pence a Week;
-<a name="FNanchor_130" id="FNanchor_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">Yet his Apartment's on the Upper Floor,
-<a name="FNanchor_131" id="FNanchor_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">Well furnish'd, clean and nice; who'd wish for more?</p>
-<p class="i1">A Gentleman of Wit and Judgment too!</p>
-<p class="i1">Who knows the Place;
-<a name="FNanchor_132" id="FNanchor_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> what's what, and who is who;</p>
-<p class="i1">My Praise, alas! can't equal his Deserts;</p>
-<p class="i1">In brief,—you'll find him, Sir, a Man of Parts.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Thus, while his fav'rite Friend he recommends,</p>
-<p class="i1">He compasses at once their several Ends;</p>
-<p class="i1">The new come Guest is pleas'd, that he should meet</p>
-<p class="i1">So kind a Chamberlain, a Chum so neat:</p>
-<p class="i1">But, as conversing thus, they nearer come,</p>
-<p class="i1">Behold before his Door, the destin'd Chum.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Why stood he there, himself could scarcely tell;</p>
-<p class="i1">But there he had not stood, had Things gone well:</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Had one poor Half-penny but blest his Fob,</p>
-<p class="i1">Or, if in Prospect he had seen a Job,</p>
-<p class="i1">H'had strain'ed his Credit for a Dram of Bob,<a name="FNanchor_133" id="FNanchor_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">But now, in pensive Mood, with Head down cast,</p>
-<p class="i1">His Eyes transfix'd as tho' they look'd their last;</p>
-<p class="i1">One Hand his open Bosom lightly held,</p>
-<p class="i1">And one an empty Breeches Pocket fill'd.</p>
-<p class="i1">His Dowlas Shirt no Stock or Cravat bore,</p>
-<p class="i1">And on his Head, no Hat or Wig he wore;</p>
-<p class="i1">But a once black shag Cap, surcharg'd with Sweat;</p>
-<p class="i1">His Collar, here a Hole, and there a Pleat;</p>
-<p class="i1">Both grown alike in Colour, that—alack!</p>
-<p class="i1">This, neither now was White, nor that was Black;</p>
-<p class="i1">But match'd his dirty yellow Beard so true,</p>
-<p class="i1">They form'd a three-fold Cast of Brick dust Hue;</p>
-<p class="i1">Meagre his Look, and in his nether Jaw</p>
-<p class="i1">Was stuff'd an elemosynary Chaw;<a name="FNanchor_134" id="FNanchor_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">(Whose Juice serves present Hunger to asswage,</p>
-<p class="i1">Which yet returns again with tenfold Rage;)</p>
-<p class="i1">His Coat, which catch'd the Droppings from his Chin,</p>
-<p class="i1">Was clos'd at Bottom with a Corking-Pin;</p>
-<p class="i1">His Breeches Waistband a long Skewer made fast,</p>
-<p class="i1">While he from <i>Scotland</i> Dunghill<a name="FNanchor_135" id="FNanchor_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> snatch'd in Haste;</p>
-<p class="i1">His Shirt-Tail thin as Lawn, but not so white,</p>
-<p class="i1">Barely conceal'd his lank Affairs from Sight;</p>
-<p class="i1">Loose were his Knee Bands, and unty'd his Hose,</p>
-<p class="i1">Coax'd
-<a name="FNanchor_136" id="FNanchor_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a> in the Heel, in pulling o'er his Toes;</p>
-<p class="i1">Which spite of all his circumspective Care,</p>
-<p class="i1">Did thro' his broken dirty Shoes appear.</p>
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>
-
-<p class="i2">"Just in this hapless Trim and pensive Plight,</p>
-<p class="i1">The old Collegian<a name="FNanchor_137" id="FNanchor_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a>
-stood confess'd to Sight;</p>
-<p class="i1">Whom, when our new-come Guest at first beheld,</p>
-<p class="i1">He started back, with great Amazement fill'd;</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Turns to the Chamberlain, says, bless my Eyes!</p>
-<p class="i1">Is this the Man you told me was so nice? </p>
-<p class="i1">I meant his Room was so Sir, he replies;</p>
-<p class="i1">The Man is now in Dishabille and Dirt,</p>
-<p class="i1">He shaves To-morrow tho', and turns his Shirt;</p>
-<p class="i1">Stand not at Distance, I'll present you, come</p>
-<p class="i1">My Friend, how is't? I've brought you here a Chum;</p>
-<p class="i1">One that's a Gentleman; a worthy Man,</p>
-<p class="i1">And you'll oblige me, serve him all you can.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"The Chums salute, the old Collegian first</p>
-<p class="i1">Bending his Body almost to the Dust;</p>
-<p class="i1">Upon his Face unusual Smiles appear</p>
-<p class="i1">And long abandon'd Hope his Spirits chear</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Thought he, Relief's at hand, and I shall eat;</p>
-<p class="i1">Will you walk in, good Sir, and take a Seat!</p>
-<p class="i1">We have what's decent here, tho' not compleat;</p>
-<p class="i1">As for myself, I scandalize the Room,</p>
-<p class="i1">But you'll consider, Sir, that I'm at Home;</p>
-<p class="i1">Tho' had I thought a Stranger to have seen,</p>
-<p class="i1">I should have ordered Matters to've been clean;</p>
-<p class="i1">But here, amongst ourselves, we never mind,</p>
-<p class="i1">Borrow or lend—reciprocally kind;</p>
-<p class="i1">Regard not Dress;—tho' Sir, I have a Friend</p>
-<p class="i1">Has Shirts enough, and, if you please, I'll send.</p>
-<p class="i1">No Ceremony, Sir, you give me Pain;</p>
-<p class="i1">I have a clean Shirt, Sir.—But have you twain?</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">O, yes, and twain to boot, and those twice told,</p>
-<p class="i1">Besides, I thank my Stars, a Piece of Gold.</p>
-<p class="i1">Why, then I'll be so free, Sir, as to borrow,</p>
-<p class="i1">I mean a Shirt, Sir,—only till To-morrow.</p>
-<p class="i1">You're welcome, Sir,—I'm glad you are so free.</p>
-<p class="i1">Then turns the old Collegian round with Glee;</p>
-<p class="i1">Whispers the Chamberlain with secret Joy,</p>
-<p class="i1">We live to-night!—I'm sure he'll pay his Foy:</p>
-<p class="i1">Turns to his Chum again with Eagerness,</p>
-<p class="i1">And thus bespeaks him with his best Address;</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"See, Sir, how pleasant, what a Prospect's there;</p>
-<p class="i1">Below you see them sporting on the Bare;</p>
-<p class="i1">Above, the Sun, Moon, Star, engage the Eye,</p>
-<p class="i1">And those Abroad can't see beyond the Sky:</p>
-<p class="i1">These rooms are better far than those beneath,</p>
-<p class="i1">A clearer Light, a sweeter Air we breath;</p>
-<p class="i1">A decent Garden does our Window grace,</p>
-<p class="i1">With Plants untainted, undistain'd the Glass;</p>
-<p class="i1">And welcome Showers descending from above</p>
-<p class="i1">In gentle Drops of Rain, which Flowers love:</p>
-<p class="i1">In short, Sir, nothing can be well more sweet:</p>
-<p class="i1">But, I forgot—perhaps you chuse to eat;</p>
-<p class="i1">Tho', for my part, I've nothing of my own,</p>
-<p class="i1">To-day I scrap'd my Yesterday's Blade Bone;</p>
-<p class="i1">But we can send—Ay, Sir, with all my Heart,</p>
-<p class="i1">(Then very opportunely enters <i>Smart</i>).
-<a name="FNanchor_138" id="FNanchor_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">O, here's our Cook, he dresses all Things well;</p>
-<p class="i1">Will you sup here, or do you chuse the Cell?</p>
-<p class="i1">There's mighty good Accommodations there,</p>
-<p class="i1">Rooms plenty, or a Box in Bartholm' Fair;
-<a name="FNanchor_139" id="FNanchor_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">There, too, we can divert you, and may shew</p>
-<p class="i1">Some Characters are worth your while to know,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Replies the new Collegian, nothing more</p>
-<p class="i1">I wish to see, be pleas'd to go before;</p>
-<p class="i1">And, <i>Smart</i>, provide a handsome Dish for Four.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Too generous Man! but 'tis our hapless Fate</p>
-<p class="i1">In all Conditions, to be wise too late;</p>
-<p class="i1">For, even in Prison, those who have been free,</p>
-<p class="i1">Will shew, if able, Generosity;</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Yet find, too soon, when lavish of their Store,</p>
-<p class="i1">How hard, when gone, it is to come at more;</p>
-<p class="i1">And every Artifice in vain explore.</p>
-<p class="i1">Some Messages Abroad, by Runners send.</p>
-<p class="i1">Some Letters write to move an absent Friend;</p>
-<p class="i1">And by Submission, having begg'd a Crown,</p>
-<p class="i1">In one night's Revel here they'll kick it down.
-<a name="FNanchor_140" id="FNanchor_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">'Tis true, this one Excuse they have indeed,</p>
-<p class="i1">When others <i>Cole it</i>,<a name="FNanchor_141" id="FNanchor_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a>
-they as freely <i>bleed</i>;<a name="FNanchor_142" id="FNanchor_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">When the Wind's fair, and brings in Ships with Store<a name="FNanchor_143" id="FNanchor_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">Each spends in turn, and trusts to Fate for more.</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p class="i2">"The future Chums and Chamberlain descend</p>
-<p class="i1">The Dirt<a name="FNanchor_144" id="FNanchor_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a>
-knot Stairs, and t'wards the kitchen bend;</p>
-<p class="i1">Which gain'd, they find a merry Company,</p>
-<p class="i1">Listening to Tales (from <i>Smart</i>) of Baudry,</p>
-<p class="i1">All introduced with awkward Simile,<a name="FNanchor_145" id="FNanchor_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">Whose Applications miss the Purpose pat.</p>
-<p class="i1">But in the Fire now burns th' unheeded Fat,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">Whose sudden Blaze brings L—nd—r<a name="FNanchor_146" id="FNanchor_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> roaring in;</p>
-<p class="i1">Then <i>Smart</i> looks foolish, and forsakes his Grin.</p>
-<p class="i1">The laughing Audience alter, too, their Tone,</p>
-<p class="i1">For who can smile, that sees Tom L—nd—r frown?</p>
-<p class="i1">He, magisterial rules the panic Cell,</p>
-<p class="i1">And rivals <i>Belzebub</i>,—in looking well:</p>
-<p class="i1">Indignant now, he darts malicious Eyes,</p>
-<p class="i1">While each Dependant from the Kitchen flies;</p>
-<p class="i1">Leaves <i>Smart</i> to combat with his furious Ire,</p>
-<p class="i1">Who heeds him not, but strives to clear the Fire;</p>
-<p class="i1">Blowing and stirring still, no Pains he spares,</p>
-<p class="i1">And mute remains, while <i>Major Domo</i> swears;</p>
-<p class="i1">Who bellows loud Anathemas on <i>Smart</i>,</p>
-<p class="i1">And the last Curse he gives is D—n your Heart;</p>
-<p class="i1">His trembling Lips are pale, his Eyeballs roll;</p>
-<p class="i1">Till, spent with Rage, he quits him with a Growl.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Now, as our new-come Guest observ'd this Scene,</p>
-<p class="i1">(As odd an one, perhaps, as could be seen)</p>
-<p class="i1">He first on <i>Smart</i>, next on his Master gaz'd,</p>
-<p class="i1">And at the two extreams seem'd much amaz'd;</p>
-<p class="i1"><span class="right3">}</span>Which <i>Smart</i> perceiving, says in sober Mood,</p>
-<p class="i1">Sir, I've a thousand Times his Fury stood;</p>
-<p class="i1">But, yet, the Man tho' passionate, is good;</p>
-<p class="i1">I never speak when he begins to bawl,</p>
-<p class="i1">For, should I swear like him, the House would fall."</p>
-</div></div></div>
-
-<p class="i1">Here follow two or three pages of but little interest
-to the reader and the Story continues:</p>
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width22"> <div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"But I forgot;—the Stranger and his Chum,</p>
-<p class="i1">With t'other to, to <i>Barth'l'mew Fair</i> are come;</p>
-<p class="i1">Where, being seated, and the Supper past,</p>
-<p class="i1">They drink so deep, and put about so fast,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291-2]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">That 'ere the warning Watchman walks about,</p>
-<p class="i1">With dismal Tone repeating,—Who goes out?<a name="FNanchor_147" id="FNanchor_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a><br /></p>
-<p class="i1">'Ere St. <i>Paul's</i> Clock no longer will withold</p>
-<p class="i1">From striking Ten, and the Voice cries,—All told.<a name="FNanchor_148" id="FNanchor_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a></p>
-<p class="i1">'Ere this, our new Companions, every one</p>
-<p class="i1">In roaring Mirth and Wine, so far were gone,</p>
-<p class="i1">That every Sense from ev'ry Part was fled,</p>
-<p class="i1">And were with Difficulty got to Bed;</p>
-<p class="i1">Where in the Morn, recover'd from his Drink,</p>
-<p class="i1">The new <i>Collegian</i> may have Time to think;</p>
-<p class="i1">And, recollecting how he spent the Night,</p>
-<p class="i1">Explore his Pockets, and not find a Doit.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i2">"Too thoughtless Man! to lavish thus away</p>
-<p class="i1">A Week's Support in less than half a Day;</p>
-<p class="i1">But 'tis a Curse attends this wretched Place,</p>
-<p class="i1">To pay for dear bought Wit in little Space:</p>
-<p class="i1">The Time shall come, when this new Tenant here,</p>
-<p class="i1">Will in his Turn <i>shule</i> for a Pot of Beer;</p>
-<p class="i1">Repent the melting of his Cash too fast,</p>
-<p class="i1">And snap at Strangers for a Nights Repast."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_114"
-id="Footnote_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114"><span
-class="label">[114]</span></a> Where the <i>Fleet Market</i> is now, there
-was, a few Years since, a Ditch, with a Muddy Channel of Water.
-The Market was built at the expense of the Lord Mayor and Court of
-Aldermen, who receive the Rent for it.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_115"
-id="Footnote_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115"><span
-class="label">[115]</span></a> The Doorkeeper, or he who opens and
-shuts the <i>Jigg</i>, is call'd the <i>Jigger</i>.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_116"
-id="Footnote_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116"><span
-class="label">[116]</span></a> Billiards is a very common Game
-here.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_117"
-id="Footnote_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117"><span
-class="label">[117]</span></a> Fine Ale drank in the Coffee-Room,
-call'd the <i>Alderman</i>, because brew'd at Alderman <i>Parson's</i>.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_118"
-id="Footnote_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118"><span
-class="label">[118]</span></a> A <i>Runner</i>, is a Fellow that goes Abroad
-of Errands for the Prisoners.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_119"
-id="Footnote_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119"><span
-class="label">[119]</span></a> A common Cant word for Mumping.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_120"
-id="Footnote_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120"><span
-class="label">[120]</span></a> Persons who give any considerable
-Offence, are often try'd, and undergo the Discipline of the Pump. The
-Author was one of these in a drunken Frolick, for which he condemns
-himself.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_121"
-id="Footnote_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121"><span
-class="label">[121]</span></a> A spacious Place, where there are all
-Sorts of Exercises, but especially Fives.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_122"
-id="Footnote_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122"><span
-class="label">[122]</span></a> A Publick Place, free for all
-Prisoners.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_123"
-id="Footnote_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123"><span
-class="label">[123]</span></a> Where those lie who can't pay their
-Master's Fee.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_124"
-id="Footnote_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124"><span
-class="label">[124]</span></a> There are several of those <i>Jiggers</i> or
-Doorkeepers, who relieve one another, and when a Prisoner comes first
-in, they take a nice Observation of him, for fear of his escaping.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_125"
-id="Footnote_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125"><span
-class="label">[125]</span></a> A cant Word for giving some Money in
-order to shew a Lodging.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_126"
-id="Footnote_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126"><span
-class="label">[126]</span></a> Which is One Pound Six Shillings and
-Eightpence, and then you are entitled to a Bed on the Master's Side,
-for which you pay so much per week.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_127"
-id="Footnote_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127"><span
-class="label">[127]</span></a> <i>Mount Scoundrel</i>, so call'd from its
-being so highly situated, and belonging once to the Common Side, tho'
-lately added to the Master's; if there be room in the House, this Place
-is first empty, and the Chamberlain commonly shews this to raise his
-price upon you for a better.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_128"
-id="Footnote_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128"><span
-class="label">[128]</span></a> Half a Guinea.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_129"
-id="Footnote_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129"><span
-class="label">[129]</span></a> A Bedfellow so call'd.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_130"
-id="Footnote_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130"><span
-class="label">[130]</span></a> When you have a Chum, you pay but 15
-Pence per Week each, and, indeed, that is the Rent of the whole Room,
-if you find Furniture.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_131"
-id="Footnote_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131"><span
-class="label">[131]</span></a> The Upper Floors are accounted best
-here, for the same reason as they are at <i>Edinburgh</i>, which, I suppose,
-every Body knows.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_132"
-id="Footnote_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132"><span
-class="label">[132]</span></a> It is common to mention the <i>Fleet</i> by
-the Name of the <i>Place</i>, and I suppose it is call'd <i>the Place</i> by way
-of Eminence, because there is not such another.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_133"
-id="Footnote_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133"><span
-class="label">[133]</span></a> A Cant Word for a Drain of Geneva.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_134"
-id="Footnote_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134"><span
-class="label">[134]</span></a> A Chew of Tobacco, suppos'd to be given
-him.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_135"
-id="Footnote_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135"><span
-class="label">[135]</span></a> The Necessary House, is (by the
-Prisoners) commonly call'd <i>Scotland</i>, near which is a dunghill.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_136"
-id="Footnote_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136"><span
-class="label">[136]</span></a> When there are Holes above Heel, or the
-Feet are so bad in a Stocking, that you are forced to pull them to hide
-the Holes, or cover the Toes, it is called coaxing.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_137"
-id="Footnote_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137"><span
-class="label">[137]</span></a> As the Prison is often call'd the
-<i>College</i>, so it is common to call a prisoner, a <i>Collegian</i>; and this
-character is taken from a man who had been many Years in the Place, and
-like to continue his Life; but it is hard for those who had not seen
-him to judge of the Truth of the Draught.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_138"
-id="Footnote_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138"><span
-class="label">[138]</span></a> The name of the Cook in the Kitchen.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_139"
-id="Footnote_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139"><span
-class="label">[139]</span></a> A place in the Cellar, called
-<i>Bartholomew Fair</i>.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_140"
-id="Footnote_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140"><span
-class="label">[140]</span></a> A phrase for spending Money fast.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_141"
-id="Footnote_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141"><span
-class="label">[141]</span></a> <i>Cole</i>, signifies Money.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_142"
-id="Footnote_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142"><span
-class="label">[142]</span></a> <i>Bleed</i> also signifies spending.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_143"
-id="Footnote_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143"><span
-class="label">[143]</span></a> When a Messenger or Friend brings Money
-from abroad to the Prisoners, it is usual to say a Ship is arriv'd.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_144"
-id="Footnote_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144"><span
-class="label">[144]</span></a> Some of the Dirt upon the Stairs is trod
-into knots so hard it is almost impossible to break it.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_145"
-id="Footnote_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145"><span
-class="label">[145]</span></a> <i>Smart</i> generally begins his Stories
-with a <i>That's like</i>, &c., tho' it is not at all like the Story he
-tells.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_146"
-id="Footnote_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146"><span
-class="label">[146]</span></a> The Master of the Cellar, a Man of a
-variable Temper, very passionate, malicious, and ill-natur'd at some
-times, at others very well.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_147"
-id="Footnote_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147"><span
-class="label">[147]</span></a> <i>Who goes out?</i> is repeated by Watchmen
-Prisoners, from half an Hour after Nine, till St. Paul's Clock strikes
-Ten, to give Visitors Notice to depart.</p></div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_148"
-id="Footnote_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148"><span
-class="label">[148]</span></a> While St. Paul's Clock is striking Ten,
-the Watchmen don't call <i>Who goes out?</i> but when the last Stroke is
-given, they cry <i>All told!</i> at which Time the Gates are lock'd, and
-nobody suffer'd to go out upon any Account.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_292-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_292-200.png" width="200" height="184" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_293-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_293-500.png" width="500" height="133" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXIV.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">WE saw in the lines, under the Frontispiece to the
-foregoing poem, <i>Garnish</i> was mentioned, and the fact was stated as a
-Custom then in force of taking the prisoner's coat to pay for his fees
-on entrance.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width14">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"But kind Sir, as you'r a Stranger,</p>
-<p class="i1">Down your Garnish you must lay,</p>
-<p class="i1">Or your Coat will be in danger,</p>
-<p class="i1">You must either Strip or pay."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>In the Criminal prisons, the prisoners themselves demanded Garnish
-from a new-comer, that is, a trifle of money—to drink. In 1708,
-at Newgate, this sum seems to have been Six shillings and Eightpence "Which they, from an old Custom, claim by Prescription, Time out of
-Mind, for entring into the <i>Society</i>, otherwise they strip the poor
-Wretch, if he has not wherewithal to pay it."<a name="FNanchor_149" id="FNanchor_149">
-</a><a href="#Footnote_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a> And in the old Play of the <i>Lying Lover</i> we are introduced
-to a Scene in Newgate
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>
-where the prisoners are demanding <i>Garnish</i> from some new-comers.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1.6em;">"<i>Storm.</i></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nay, nay, you must stay here.</span></p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Simon.</i></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why, I am <i>Simon</i>, Madam <i>Penelope's</i> Man.</span></p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Storm.</i></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then Madam <i>Penelope's</i> Man must strip for Garnish;
-indeed Master <i>Simon</i> you must.</span></p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Simon.</i></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thieves! Thieves! Thieves!</span></p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Storm.</i></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thieves! Thieves! Why, you senseless Dog, do</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 5.7em;">you think there's Thieves in <i>Newgate</i>? Away with</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 5.7em;">him to the Tap House (<i>Pushes him off</i>). We'll drink</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 5.7em;">his Coat off. Come, my little Chymist, thou shalt</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 5.7em;">transmute this Jacket into Liquor."</span>
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 398px; ">
-<a href="images/i_294-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_294-500.png" width="398" height="500" alt="Prisoner Dending Garnish from Newcomers" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p>Yet although this custom was general, I have only
-once met with an engraving of the actual process, which,
-judging by the man's agonized countenance, was not a
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>
-pleasant one to him. It occurs in the frontispiece to a
-little pamphlet called "An Oration on the Oppression
-of Jailors; which was spoken in the Fleet Prison, on
-the 20th of February, 1730/1," &c. And under the
-engraving, are these lines.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20"><div class="stanza">
-<p>"Unhappy, friendless Man! how hard thy Fate!</p>
-<p class="i1">Whose only Crime is being Unfortunate.</p>
-<p class="i1">Are Jailors suffer'd in such Acts as these?</p>
-<p class="i1">To strip the Wretch, who cannot pay his Fees?</p>
-<p class="i1">Is there no kind <i>Samaritan</i> will lend</p>
-<p class="i1">Relief, and save him from th' accursed Fiend?"</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Respecting this practice let us hear what Howard in
-his "State of the Prisons in England and Wales," 1777,
-says, in his Chapter on "Bad Customs in Prisons." "A cruel custom obtains in most of our Gaols, which is that of the
-prisoners demanding of a new-comer <span class="smcap">Garnish</span>,
-<span class="smcap">Footing</span>, or (as it is called in some London
-Gaols) <span class="smcap">Chummage</span>. 'Pay or strip' are the
-fatal words. I say <i>fatal</i>, for they are so to some; who having no
-money, are obliged to give up part of their scanty apparel; and, if
-they have no bedding or straw to sleep on, contract diseases, which I
-have known to prove mortal. </p>
-
-<p>In many Gaols, to the Garnish paid by the new-comer, those who
-were there before, make an addition; and great part of the following
-night is often spent in riot and drunkenness. The gaoler or tapster
-finding his account in this practice, generally answers questions
-concerning it with reluctance. Of the Garnish which I have set down to
-sundry prisons, I often had my information
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>
-from persons who paid it.... In some places, this demand has been
-lately waved: in others, strictly prohibited by the Magistrates" —so that we see that this custom was already in its death
-throes, in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.</p>
-
-<p>But in the interval between Bambridge and Howard, the prison was not
-a pleasant place of residence, if we may judge from "The Prisoner's
-Song" published in 1738, of which I give an illustration and the
-Words.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_296-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_296-500.png" width="500" height="288" alt="THE FLEET PRISON." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE FLEET PRISON.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"A Starving life all day we lead,</p>
-<p class="i2">No Comfort here is found,</p>
-<p class="i1">At Night we make one Common bed,</p>
-<p class="i2">Upon the Boarded Ground;</p>
-<p class="i1">Where fleas in troops and Bugs in shoals</p>
-<p class="i2">Into our Bosoms Creep,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Death watch, Spiders, round y<sup>e</sup> Walls,</p>
-<p class="i2">Disturb us in our Sleep.</p>
-</div><div class="stanza">
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">Were Socrates alive, and Bound</p>
-<p class="i2">With us to lead his life,</p>
-<p class="i1">'Twould move his Patience far beyond</p>
-<p class="i2">His crabbed Scolding Wife;</p>
-<p class="i1">Hard Lodging and much harder fare,</p>
-<p class="i2">Would try the wisest Sage,</p>
-<p class="i1">Nay! even make a Parson Swear,</p>
-<p class="i2">And curse the Sinful Age.</p>
-</div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Thus, we Insolvent debtors live,</p>
-<p class="i2">Yet we may Boldly say,</p>
-<p class="i1">Worse Villains often Credit give,</p>
-<p class="i2">Than those that never pay;</p>
-<p class="i1">For wealthy Knaves can with applause</p>
-<p class="i2">Cheat on, and ne'er be try'd,</p>
-<p class="i1">But in contempt of human Laws,</p>
-<p class="i2">In Coaches Safely ride."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>When Howard visited this prison in 1774 and 1776, he found on the
-former occasion 171 prisoners in the House, and 71 in the Rules. On the
-latter there were 241 in the House and 78 in the Rules. And he says:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"The Prison was rebuilt a few years since. At the front
-is a narrow courtyard. At each end of the building there is a small
-projection, or wing. There are four floors, they call them <i>Galleries</i>,
-besides the Cellar floor, called <i>Bartholomew-Fair</i>. Each gallery
-consists of a passage in the middle, the whole length of the Prison,
-<i>i.e.</i>, sixty six yards; and rooms on each side of it about fourteen
-feet and a half by twelve and a half, and nine and a half high. A
-chimney and window in every room. The passages are narrow (not seven
-feet wide) and darkish, having only a window at each end. </p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"On the first floor, the <i>Hall Gallery</i>, to which you ascend eight
-steps, are a Chapel, a Tap room, a Coffee room (lately made out of two
-rooms for Debtors), a room for the Turnkey, another for the Watchman,
-and eighteen rooms for Prisoners.</p>
-
-<p>Besides the Coffee-room and Tap-room, two of those eighteen rooms,
-and all the cellar-floor, except a lock up room to confine the
-disorderly, and another room for the Turnkey, are held by the Tapster,
-John Cartwright, who bought the remainder of the lease at public
-auction in 1775. The cellar floor is sixteen steps below the hall
-Gallery. It consists of the two rooms just now mentioned, the Tapster's
-kitchen, his four large beer and wine Cellars, and fifteen rooms for
-Prisoners. These fifteen, and the two before mentioned, in the hall
-gallery, the Tapster lets to Prisoners for four to eight shillings a
-week.</p>
-
-<p>"On the <i>first Gallery</i> (that next above the hall-gallery) are
-twenty-five rooms for Prisoners. On the <i>second Gallery</i>, twenty seven
-rooms. One of them, fronting the staircase, is their Committee room. A
-room at one end is an Infirmary. At the other end, in a large room over
-the Chapel, is a dirty Billiard-table, kept by the Prisoner who sleeps
-in that room. On the highest story there are twenty seven rooms. Some
-of these upper rooms, <i>viz.</i>, those in the wings, are larger than the
-rest, being over the Chapel, the Tap-room, &c.</p>
-
-<p>"All the rooms I have mentioned are for the Master's side
-Debtors. The weekly rent of those not held by the Tapster, is one
-shilling and three pence unfurnished. They fall to the Prisoners in
-succession,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>
-thus: when a room becomes vacant, the first Prisoner upon the list of
-such as have paid their entrance-fees, takes possession of it. When the
-Prison was built, the Warden gave each Prisoner his choice of a room,
-according to his seniority as Prisoner.... Such of the Prisoners (on
-the Common Side) as swear in Court, or before a Commissioner that they
-are not worth five pounds, and cannot subsist without charity, have the
-donations which are sent to the Prison, and the begging box, and grate.
-Of them there were, at my last visit, sixteen....</p>
-
-<p>"I mentioned the billiard table. They also play in the yard at
-skittles, missisipi, fives, tennis, &c. And not only the Prisoners;
-I saw among them several butchers and others from the Market; who are
-admitted here, as at another public house. The same may be seen in
-many other Prisons where the Gaoler keeps or lets the tap. Besides the
-inconvenience of this to Prisoners; the frequenting a Prison lessens
-the dread of being confined in one.</p>
-
-<p>"On Monday night there is a Wine Club: on Thursday night a Beer
-Club; each lasting usually till one or two in the morning. I need not
-say how much riot these occasion; and how the sober Prisoners are
-annoyed by them.</p>
-
-<p>"Seeing the Prison crowded with women and Children, I procured
-an accurate list of them; and found that on (or about), the 6th of
-April, 1776, when there were, on the Master's side 213 Prisoners; on
-the Common side 30. Total 243; their wives (including women of an
-appellation not so honorable) and children, were 475." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>In Howard's time the fees payable by the Prisoners were the same
-as were settled in 1729 after the trials of Huggins and Bambridge;
-but the prisoners exercised a kind of local self-government, for he
-writes:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"There is, moreover, a little Code of Laws, eighteen in number,
-enacted by the Master's-side Debtors, and printed by D. Jones, 1774. It
-establishes a President, a Secretary, and a Committee, which is to be
-chosen every month, and to consist of three members from each Gallery.
-These are to meet in the Committee room every Thursday; and at other
-times when summoned by the Cryer, at command of the President, or of
-a majority of their own number. They are to raise contributions by
-assessment; to hear complaints; determine disputes; levy fines; and
-seize goods for payment. Their Sense to be deemed the sense of the
-whole House. The President or Secretary to hold the cash; the Committee
-to dispose of it. Their Scavenger to wash the Galleries once a week;
-to water, and sweep them every morning before eight; to sweep the yard
-twice every week; and to light the lamps all over the House. No person
-to throw out water, &c., anywhere but at the sinks in the yard.
-The Cryer may take of a Stranger a penny for calling a Prisoner to
-him; and of a Complainant two pence for summoning a Special Committee.
-For blasphemy, swearing, riot, drunkenness, &c., the Committee
-to fine at discretion; for damaging a lamp, fine a shilling. They
-are to take from a New Comer, on the first Sunday, besides the two
-shillings Garnish, to be spent in wine, one shilling and sixpence to be
-appropriated to the use of the House.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Common-side Prisoners <i>to be confined to their own apartments</i>, and
-not to associate with these <span class="smcap">Law Makers</span>, nor
-to use the same conveniences." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>In 1780 the famous Lord George Gordon, or "No Popery" Riots took
-place—those Riots which were so intensely Protestant, that
-(according to the Contemporary <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>) "The very Jews in Houndsditch and Duke's Place were so intimidated,
-that they followed the general example, and unintentionally gave an air
-of ridicule to what they understood in a very serious light, by writing
-on their Shutters, "This House is a true Protestant." </p>
-
-<p>These Riots are very realistically brought before us in Charles
-Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge," but then, although the account is fairly
-historically faithful, yet the weaving of his tale necessarily
-interfered with strict historical details; which, by the way, are
-extremely meagre as to the burning of the Fleet prison. The fact was,
-that, for the few days the riot existed, the outrages were so numerous,
-and the Newspapers of such small dimensions, that they could only be
-summarized, and the burning of Newgate eclipsed that of the Fleet. But,
-on the Wednesday, June 7, 1780, the <i>Annual Register</i>, p. 261 (which
-certainly has the best description I have been able to see) absolutely
-breaks down, saying:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"It is impossible to give any adequate description of the events of
-Wednesday. Notice was sent round to the public prisons of the King's
-Bench, Fleet, &c., by the mob, at what time they would come and
-burn them down. The same kind of infernal humanity was exercised <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>
-towards Mr. Langdale, a distiller in Holborn, whose loss is said to
-amount to £100,000, and several other Romish individuals. In the
-afternoon all the shops were shut, and bits of blue silk, by way of
-flags, hung out at most houses, with the words "No Popery" chalked on
-the doors and window shutters, by way of deprecating the fury of the
-insurgents, from which no person thought himself secure.</p>
-
-<p>"As soon as the day was drawing towards a Close, one of the most
-dreadful spectacles this country ever beheld was exhibited. Let those,
-who were not spectators of it, judge what the inhabitants felt when
-they beheld at the same instant the flames ascending and rolling in
-clouds from the King's Bench and Fleet Prisons, from New Bridewell,
-from the toll gates on Blackfriars Bridge, from houses in every quarter
-of the town, and particularly from the bottom and middle of Holborn,
-where the Conflagration was horrible beyond description." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>The burning of the Fleet was done calmly and
-deliberately, as is well told in "A Narrative of the
-Proceedings of Lord Geo. Gordon," &c., 1780. "About one o'clock this morning (Tuesday, June 6), the Mob went to the
-Fleet Prison, and demanded the gates to be opened, which the Keepers
-were obliged to do, or they would have set fire to it. They were then
-proceeding to demolish the prison, but the prisoners expostulating with
-them, and begging that they would give them time to remove their goods,
-they readily condescended, and gave them a day for that purpose, in
-consequence of which, the prisoners were removing all this day out of that
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>
-place. Some of the prisoners were in for life."
-And in the evening of the next day, they fulfilled their threat, and
-burnt it. This was the second time it had been burnt down, for the
-great fire of 1666 had previously demolished it.
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_303-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_303-500.png" width="500" height="310"
-alt="RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760." /></a>
-<div class="caption">RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760.<br />
-(<i>Published by Bowles and Carver, 69, St. Paul's Churchyard.</i>)
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>It was rebuilt, and remained the same, with some few alterations
-and additions until its final destruction. We get a good view of "the
-Bare" or racket ground in 1808, an outline of which I have taken
-from Pugin and Rowlandson's beautiful "Microcosm of London," 1808,
-<a name="FNanchor_150" id="FNanchor_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150"
-class="fnanchor">[150]</a> according to which book, "The Fleet Prison, it is believed, after the fire of London in
-1666, was removed to that site of ground upon which the almshouses
-through Vauxhall turnpike, on the Wandsworth road, now stand, until
-the old prison was rebuilt, Sir Jeremy Whichcott, then Warden, having
-his family seat there, which he converted into a prison; for which
-patriotic
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>
-act, and rebuilding the old one at his own expence, he and his heirs
-were wardens as long as they lived. The Office of Warden of the Fleet
-was formerly of such consequence, that a brother of one of the Edwards
-is said to have been in the list of Wardens."</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_304-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_304-500.png" width="500" height="390" alt="Prisoners playing at rackets and skittles." /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p>In this illustration we find the prisoners by no means <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>
-moody, but playing at rackets and skittles. The Racket ground was
-under the superintendence of a Racket Master, who was elected by the
-Collegians, annually at Christmas. This post was eagerly sought after,
-as it was one to which some pecuniary profit was attached, a small fee
-being demanded from each person, the Racket Master having to find bats
-and balls. I have before me three printed handbills of aspirants for
-the post in 1841. One bases his claim on the fact that he is already
-Racket Master, and says, "I feel the situation is one that requires attention and unceasing
-exertion, not so much from the individual position, as from the
-circumstance that the amusement, and (what is more vitally important)
-the health of my fellow inmates is in some measure placed in the hands
-of the person appointed." Another candidate pleads as a qualification, that he has served as
-Watchman for Seven years, and at last election for Racket Master, he
-only lost the appointment by five votes. And the third publishes the
-caution "Collegians, Remember! All Promises that have been (<i>sic</i>)
-before the Vacancy, are Null and Void!!!" This gentleman was determined
-to secure, if possible, some of the good things going about, for, at
-this very same Annual Election, he issues another circular, "Having had many years experience in the Tavern Department and
-Eating House Business, I beg leave to offer myself for the Situation
-in the Public Kitchen, now about to become vacant." He, too, had an opponent, who had been engaged for nine years as a
-baker, and was, by profession, a Cook. The Office of Skittle Master was
-also contested in that year; the holder of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>
-the place being opposed by one whose claim to the position seems to be
-that he had a wife and one child.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_306-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_306-500.png" width="500" height="364"
-alt="A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821." /></a>
-<div class="caption">A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>They made themselves merry enough in the Fleet, as we read in Egan's
-"Life in London," where Jerry Hawthorn, and Corinthian Tom, visit Bob
-Logic, who was detained in the Fleet. Among other places there, they
-went to a Whistling Shop—of which the brothers Robert and George
-Cruikshank have given a faithful representation. Here at a table,
-screened off from the draught of the door we see, Tom, Jerry, and
-the unfortunate Logic, whilst the other frequenters of the place are
-excellently depicted. Spirits were not allowed in the prison, under any
-circumstances, other than by the doctor's order; but it is needless to
-say, the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>
-regulation was a dead letter. Of course it was not sold openly, but
-there were rooms, known to the initiated where it could be procured.
-It was never asked for, and if it were the applicant would not have
-received it, but if you whistled, it would be at once forthcoming.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_307-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_307-500.png" width="500" height="354" alt="Whistling Shop." /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p>Says Logic to his Corinthian friends, "'In the evening I will introduce you both to my friend the
-<i>Haberdasher</i>. He is a good <i>whistler</i>; and his shop always abounds
-with some prime articles which you will like to look at.' The <span
-class="smcap">Trio</span> was again complete; and a fine dinner, which
-the <span class="smcap">Corinthian</span> had previously ordered from a
-Coffee house, improved their feelings: a glass or two of wine made them
-as gay as larks; and a <i>hint</i> from <span class="smcap">Jerry</span>
-to <span class="smcap">Logic</span> about the <i>Whistler</i>, brought
-them into the shop of the latter in
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>
-a <i>twinkling</i>. <span class="smcap">Hawthorn</span>, with great
-surprise, said, 'Where are we? this is no <i>haberdasher's</i>. It is a
-——' 'No <i>nosing</i>, <span class="smcap">Jerry</span>,'
-replied <span class="smcap">Logic</span>, with a grin.
-'You are wrong. The man is a dealer in <i>tape</i>.'" <a
-name="FNanchor_151" id="FNanchor_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151"
-class="fnanchor">[151]</a> </p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_308-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_308-500.png" width="500" height="369" alt="The Evening after a Mock Election in The Fleet Prison" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>There was a class in the Fleet, who acted, as far as in their power
-lay, up to the Epicurean "<i>dum vivimus vivamus</i>," and among them the
-prison, however inconvenient it might have been, was made the best
-of, and the door of the Cupboard which contained the skeleton was
-shut as far as it would go. We have an exemplification of this in
-Robert Cruikshank's water colour drawing of "The Evening after a Mock
-Election in the Fleet Prison," June, 1835. In this drawing, which I
-have simply outlined (see previous page), we get a graphic glimpse at
-the uproarious fun that obtained among a certain set. The gradations in
-Society of this singular mixture is well shown in the following key to
-the picture:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>1. Bennett the Candidate.</p>
-
-<p>2. Mr. Fellowes of the Crown
-P. H. Fleet Street.</p>
-
-<p>3. Mr. Houston, <i>alias</i> Jack in
-the Green.</p>
-
-<p>4. Mr. Perkins, <i>alias</i> Harlequin Billy (Architect), who tried
-to sink a<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;">shaft at Spithead to supply the Navy with Water.</span></p>
-
-<p>5. Mr. Shackleford (Linen
-Draper).</p>
-
-<p>6. Mr. Bennett, the Watchman.</p>
-
-<p>7. Geo. Weston, Esqr. (Banker,
-of the Boro').</p>
-
-<p>8. Mr. Hutchinson (Dr. at
-Liverpool).</p>
-
-<p>9. L. Goldsmith, Esqre.</p>
-
-<p>10. Mr. Thompson (Irishman).</p>
-
-<p>11. Robert Barnjum <i>alias</i> Rough
-Robin (Hammersmith
-Ghost).</p>
-
-<p>12. Robert Ball, <i>alias</i> Manchester
-Bob (wore a Murderer's
-Cap).</p>
-
-<p>13. Captain Wilde, R.N.</p>
-
-<p>14. Mr. Hales, the Cook.</p>
-
-<p>15. Mr. Walker.</p>
-
-<p>16. Captain McDonnough,
-11th Hussars (real gentleman).</p>
-
-<p>17. Mr. Halliday (Manchester
-Merchant).</p>
-
-<p>18. Harry Holt the Prize
-Fighter.</p>
-
-<p>19. Captain Penniment (Trading
-Vessel, Yorkshire).</p>
-
-<p>20. Mr. Palmer, Cutler to Geo.
-III., near the Haymarket
-Theatre.</p>
-
-<p>21. Mr. Scrivener (Landlord of
-the Tap).</p>
-
-<p>22. Captain Oliver, Smuggler
-and Tapster. Capias,
-£117,000.</p>
-
-<p>23. Mr. Goldsbury, <i>alias</i> Jailsbury,
-driver of omnibus all
-round the Fleet.</p>
-
-<p>24. Mr. George Kent.</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>As a souvenir of the talented Isaac Robert Cruikshank, I append a
-facsimile of his autograph, which was written in the Parlour, No. 16,
-Hall, in the Fleet Prison, June 24, 1842. His method of utilizing the
-blot of Ink is unique.</p>
-
-<p>The remaining Notices of the Fleet must be taken as they come, as
-far as possible, chronologically—and first of all let us look
-at the enormous quantity of people who were imprisoned for debt. In
-the <i>Mirror</i>, No. 615, vol. xxii. July 20, 1833, is a cutting from the
-<i>Times</i>: "By the return of persons imprisoned for debt in 1832, in England
-and Wales, just printed by order of the House of Commons, it appears
-that the gross number was 16,470: of whom maintained themselves 4,093,
-so that three fourths of the whole were too poor to provide themselves
-with bread." </p>
-
-<p>The terrible destitution to which some prisoners were reduced is
-shown in an extract from the <i>Morning Herald</i> of August 12, 1833.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>Guild hall.</i> A Gentleman complained that the Overseers of St.
-Bride's had refused to relieve a distressed prisoner in the Fleet. The
-Prisoner was Mr. Timothy Sheldvake, who had been well known for his
-skill in treating deformities of the body. He once kept his carriage,
-and obtained £4,000 a year by his practice, but he was now quite
-destitute. He was eighty years of Age, and of that temper that he would
-rather starve than make a complaint. When applicant saw him he had
-actually fasted forty-eight hours. St. Bride's Parish had assisted the
-unfortunate Gentleman, but they denied that he was legally entitled to
-such relief. The Applicant contended that, as the Prison was in St.
-Bride's parish, and was rated at £70 a year, St. Bride's was
-bound to afford casual relief to those within the walls of the prison,
-and to recover it from the respective parishes to which those who have
-been relieved belonged.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_311-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_311-500.png" width="500" height="256"
-alt="AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO 1, PALAIS DE LA FLETE, THIS 24 DAY JUNE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO 1, PALAIS DE LA FLETE, THIS 24 DAY JUNE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"The Vestry Clerk said, relief must be given out of the County
-rate.</p>
-
-<p>"Sir C. Marshall said he would take time to consider the Point, but
-he thought a sufficient relief should be afforded out of the County
-rate." </p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_149"
-id="Footnote_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149"><span
-class="label">[149]</span></a> "<i>Memoirs of the Right Villanous John
-Hall</i>," &c.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_150"
-id="Footnote_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150"><span
-class="label">[150]</span></a> See next page.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_151"
-id="Footnote_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151"><span
-class="label">[151]</span></a> A cant word for gin.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_312-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_312-200.png" width="200" height="184" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_313-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_313-500.png" width="500" height="132" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXV.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">IN a Return of the number of persons in the several
-Gaols of England, confined for Debt, ordered by the House of Commons to
-be printed, May 13, 1835, we have an "Account of the Number of Persons
-confined for Debt in the Fleet Prison during the following Years:
-</p>
-
-<div style="margin-left: 18%; margin-right: 18%; width:64%;">
-<table summary="debtors" style="width:60%">
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl"></td>
-<td class="tdr">1830</td>
-<td class="tdr">1831</td>
-<td class="tdr">1832</td>
-<td class="tdr">1833</td>
-<td class="tdr">1834</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Number confined</td>
-<td class="tdr">742</td>
-<td class="tdr">700</td>
-<td class="tdr">884</td>
-<td class="tdr">746</td>
-<td class="tdr">769</td>
-</tr>
-<tr>
-<td class="tdl">Number charged in Execution</td>
-<td class="tdr">105</td>
-<td class="tdr">136</td>
-<td class="tdr">134</td>
-<td class="tdr">126</td>
-<td class="tdr">156</td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<p>And the amount of the debt and costs for which each party was so
-charged varied from £2 to £18,017.</p>
-
-<p>I look in vain in the <i>Times</i> for the paragraph to which the Warden
-alludes in the following letter:</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"The Warden presents his compliments to the Editor of
-the <i>Times</i>, and begs to state, that a paragraph having appeared in
-the paper of this morning, stating that the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>
-Fleet Prison is very full, and that a guinea and a half a week is paid
-for a single room, and that four, five, and six persons are obliged to
-live in a small apartment.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden, not being aware of this, should it in any case exist,
-and which is contrary to the established regulations against any person
-so offending, the prison not being so full as in former years, there
-being considerably less, on an average, than two prisoners to each
-Room, and being also exceedingly healthy.</p>
-
-<p>"The Warden has also to add, that the rest of the paragraph relating
-to the Fleet is totally without foundation.</p>
-
-<p class="left">"Fleet Prison, March 7, 1836."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>In the outside sheet of the <i>Times</i>, February 21, 1838, occurs the
-following advertisement: "<span class="smcap">One Hundred Pounds
-Reward.</span>—Escape.—<span class="smcap">Escaped</span>
-from the Fleet Prison, on the evening of Wednesday the 14th day of
-February instant. <span class="smcap">Alfred Morris</span>, late of 22
-Dean Street, Tooley Street, Southwark. The said Alfred Morris is about
-30 years of Age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, and of a
-Jewish Caste, prominent Nose, somewhat flat pointed, dark, irregular
-whiskers, stout figure, and rather bow legged," &c., &c. </p>
-
-<p>Anent this escape, the <i>Times</i> of February 16th has a paragraph such
-as we can hardly imagine ever could have appeared in a paper so steady
-and sober, as the <i>Times</i> now is: "<span class="smcap">The Warden of the Fleet</span>—(From a
-Correspondent). Yesterday a gentleman of some misfortune and of great
-appearance, for he wore
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>
-a wig, moustaches, and a Spanish Cloak, was introduced as an inmate
-of Brown's Hotel, so called from the Warden having a license to sell
-wines, beer, and ale to his prisoners, through the 'patent never
-ending always improving Juddery spigot and fawcet tap,' &c. In
-about half an hour the said bewhiskered gentleman leaves cloak, wig,
-and moustaches in the room of a Mister Abrahams, a prisoner, and walks
-quietly out, very politely bidding the turnkey 'good morning.' At night
-the excellent crier of the Prison, Mr. Ellis, made the galleries echo,
-and the rooms re-echo, with his sometimes very cheering voice (when he
-announces to those who wish such things as a discharge, for it is not
-all who do), in calling, <i>altissimo voce</i>, 'Mr. Alfred Morrison! Mr.
-Alfred Morrison! Mr. Alfred Morrison!' but as no Mr. Alfred Morrison
-answered to the interesting call, every room was searched in the due
-performance of the crier's duty, but no Mr. Alfred Morrison was to
-be found. And the Worthy and excellent warder, the keeper of so many
-others in, is himself let in to the tune of £2,600; some say more, none
-say less.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>'Go it, ye cripples! crutches are cheap!</p>
-<p>W. Brown is no longer asleep!'"</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>In a leading article in the <i>Times</i> of November 13, 1838, upon
-juvenile crime, and the incitors thereto, we read the following: "The Traders in crime do not wholly confine their seductions to
-the young; they often find apt scholars among the unfortunates of riper
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>
-years, especially in the <i>debtor's prison</i>. Mr. Wakefield<a
-name="FNanchor_152" id="FNanchor_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152"
-class="fnanchor">[152]</a> says he knows many such victims; and he
-particularizes one 'Who was not indeed executed, because he took
-poison the night before he was to have been executed, who told me he
-had been, (and who I firmly believe was) first incited to crime when a
-Prisoner in the <i>Fleet</i> for debt. The crime into which he was seduced
-was that of passing forged Bank of England Notes. He was a Man of very
-showy appearance, and he had been a Captain in the Army; a man of good
-family. He said this crime was first suggested to him by persons who
-were Prisoners in the Fleet; but he afterwards discovered, having been
-a Prisoner there more than once, that one of a gang of Utterers of
-forged Notes lived constantly in the <i>Fleet</i>, and for no other purpose
-but that of inducing reckless young men of good appearance, who could
-easily pass notes, to take Notes from them, and to dispose of them in
-transactions. I could hardly believe that that was true, and I got
-some inquiries to be made for the person whom he had pointed out to
-me as one of a Gang, and I found that that person was constantly in
-the <i>Fleet</i>. The Gang committed a robbery upon a Bank in Cornwall,
-and they were entirely broken up, and from that time forth the Person
-who had resided in the <i>Fleet</i> disappeared, though he was not one of
-the persons convicted, or suspected of that particular Crime. I never
-heard of him since, but the inquiries which I then made, convinced me
-that it was a fact that one of the Gang of <span class="pagenum"><a
-name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> what are termed
-'family men,' that is, rich thieves and receivers of stolen goods, did
-reside continually in the <i>Fleet</i>, for the purpose of seducing young
-men into the commission of Crime. He was in and out of the Prison, but
-a Prisoner on a friendly arrest."</p>
-
-<p>The time was coming, when imprisonment for debt was to be abolished.
-An Act of 1 & 2 Vict. cap. 110 had already abolished Arrest on
-Mesne Process in Civil Actions, so that no prisoners could be committed
-to the Fleet from the Courts of Chancery, Exchequer, and Common Pleas,
-and the Debtors and Bankrupts might as well be in the Queen's Bench.
-The Demolition of the Fleet was therefore confidently anticipated, as
-we find by the following paragraph from the <i>Times</i>, March 3, 1841. "<span class="smcap">Removal of Prisoners.</span> On Saturday a
-deputation from the Woods and Forests, attended by the Marshal, visited
-the Queen's Bench Prison, preparatory to moving over the Debtors from
-the Fleet, which prison is about to be pulled down. By this arrangement
-the Country will save about £15,000 per annum, besides getting
-rid of an ugly object, and room being made for other contemplated
-improvements. It is supposed the Judges will find some difficulty in
-removing the Prisoners from the Fleet by Habeas Corpus, and that a
-short Bill will be necessary for that purpose. The expenses of the
-Queen's Bench Prison in its present profitless employment, is about
-£30,000 per annum to the Country." </p>
-
-<p>This announcement was slightly premature, for the Act for its
-demolition (5 & 6 Victoriæ, cap. 22) was not passed until
-May 31, 1842. The Prisoners objected to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>
-the Transfer to the Queen's Bench, preferring their comparative liberty
-as they were, to the more stringent rules of the other prison: one
-clause in the new Act being: "And be it enacted, That after the passing of this Act, no Prisoner
-in the Queen's Prison shall be allowed to send for, or to have any
-Beer, Ale, Victuals or other Food, or to send for, have or use any
-Bedding, Linen, or other Things, except such as shall be allowed to be
-brought by them respectively under such Rules, to be made in the Manner
-directed by this Act, as may be reasonable and expedient to prevent
-Extravagance and Luxury, and for enforcing due Order and Discipline
-within the Prison." </p>
-
-<p>I have before me the Original Subscription list of a
-scheme of</p>
-
-<div class="center">
-"Resistance<br /><br />
-to<br /><br />
-The Abolition of the Fleet Prison.
-
-<hr class="r5" />
-
-April 9th, 1842."<br /><br /></div>
-
-<p>The author of the Letter of "Fleta to the Lords, calling upon them
-individually to Oppose the Bill <i>for transferring the Debtors in the
-Fleet</i> to the Queen's Prison, respectfully calls upon all Parties
-interested in an <i>Opposition to the said Bill</i>, to render him such
-pecuniary assistance in forwarding his Object, as may be consistent
-with their Views or Convenience." A list of Subscriptions follows, but
-although 25/- was promised, only 15/- appears to be paid. They held meetings, a notice calling one of which is facsimiled; but
-it was of no avail, and they had to go.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_319-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_319-500.png" width="500" height="459" alt="Memorial Notice" /></a>
-<div class="caption">Memorial Notice
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p> One Philip Ball, a Chancery Prisoner, composed</p>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Last Days of the Fleet!</span><br />
-<br />
-A melancholy Chaunt,<br />
-<br />
-<i>Written by a</i> <span class="smcap">Collegian</span>, <i>on the occasion of the Queen's<br />
-Prison Bill receiving the Royal Assent.</i>
-<br />
-<br />
-
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>
-
-Air. 'The Fine Old English Gentleman.'</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p class="center">1</p>
-<p>I'll sing to you a bran new song</p>
-<p>Made by my simple pate,</p>
-<p>About the end of the good old Fleet,</p>
-<p>Which on us now shuts its gate.</p>
-<p>It has kept confin'd the choicest lads</p>
-<p>That e'er together met—</p>
-<p>Of merry, jolly, rattling dogs,</p>
-<p>A regular slap up set.</p>
-<p class="i2">Of jovial Fleet prisoners,</p>
-<p class="i2">All of the present day.<br /><br /></p>
-<p class="center">2</p>
-<p>This good old pris'n in every room</p>
-<p>Contains a merry soul,</p>
-<p>Who for his doings out of doors</p>
-<p>Is now drop't 'in the hole.'</p>
-<p>But surely this is better far</p>
-<p>Than your simple plodding way,</p>
-<p>Get deep in debt, go through the Court,</p>
-<p>And whitewash it all away.</p>
-<p class="i2">Like a jovial Fleet prisoner,</p>
-<p class="i2">All of the present day.<br /><br /></p>
-<p class="center">3</p>
-<p>Such right good hearts are rarely found,</p>
-<p>As round me now I see;</p>
-<p>With such, I'm 'most inclined to say,</p>
-<p>Hang liberty for me.</p>
-<p>For T——y, S——y, V——h,</p>
-<p>In spirits who excel?</p>
-<p>How could we better live than here,</p>
-<p>Where friendship weaves her spell?</p>
-<p class="i2">'Mongst jovial Fleet prisoners,</p>
-<p class="i2">All of the present day.<br /><br /></p>
-<p class="center">4</p>
-<p>To racquets, skittles, whistling shops,</p>
-<p>We must soon say farewell;</p>
-<p>The Queen's assent to her prison bill</p>
-<p>Has rung their funeral knell;</p>
-<p>And Bennett, Gray, and Andrew too</p>
-<p>Must close their welcome doors,</p>
-<p>For sing song and tape spinning now,</p>
-<p>This damn'd new Act all floors,</p>
-<p class="i2">For the jovial Fleet prisoner,</p>
-<p class="i2">All of the present day.<br /><br /></p>
-<p class="center">5</p>
-<p>But to her gracious Majesty</p>
-<p>You'll long be loyal and true,</p>
-<p>Although this latest act of hers</p>
-<p>Must be felt by some of you.</p>
-<p>Speed through the Court, or compromise</p>
-<p>Like gallant Captain T——h,</p>
-<p>Or else you'll soon be sent to grieve</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>
-<p>Your guts out in the Bench.</p>
-<p class="i2">All melancholy prisoners<a name="FNanchor_153" id="FNanchor_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a></p>
-<p class="i2">Unlike those of the present day.</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Much, however, as the prisoners might grieve, it was of no use
-kicking against an Act of Parliament, and those prisoners who did not
-take advantage of the Insolvent Debtors Act, were transferred to the
-Queen's Prison, which in its turn ceased to be a debtor's prison, and
-was used by Military offenders, until it was sold on Oct. 30, 1879,
-and pulled down in that and the following year. Now, legally speaking,
-there is no imprisonment for debt, but people are only committed for
-Contempt of Court.</p>
-
-<p>The Commissioners of Woods and Forests invited Tenders for the site
-and buildings of the late Fleet Prison, the estate of which contained
-above One Acre, with a frontage of about 251 feet, towards Farringdon
-Street, and a depth of about 230 feet. The tenders were returnable on
-Oct. 22, 1844, and the Corporation of the City of London became the
-owners of the property at a sum variously stated at £25,000 to
-£29,000, and the sale of its building materials commenced on
-April 5, 1845. Its exterior was not particularly attractive.</p>
-
-<p>And so it passed away, and half the present inhabitants of London
-the Great do not even know its site, which was not finally cleared
-until 1846. As a guide to those who wish to know its locality I may
-mention that the <span class="smcap">Congregational Memorial Hall
-and Library</span>, in Farringdon Street, stands on a portion of its
-site.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_322-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_322-500.png" width="500" height="319" alt="FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON." /></a>
-<div class="caption">FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px;">
-<a href="images/i_323a-650.png">
-<img src="images/i_323a-500.png" width="500" height="355" alt="GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON." /></a>
-<div class="caption">GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_323b-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_323b-500.png" width="500" height="302" alt="SECTION OF THE PRISON." /></a>
-<div class="caption">SECTION OF THE PRISON.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Before quitting the subject of the Fleet prison I cannot help
-referring to "the grate." Like Ludgate, it had a room open to the
-street, but furnished with a strong iron grating, behind which sat
-a prisoner, who called the attention of the passers-by monotonously
-chanting, "Pray Remember the poor Prisoners." A box was presented
-for the reception of contributions, but very little money was thus
-obtained.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 406px; ">
-<a href="images/i_324-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_324-500.png" width="406" height="500" alt="EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE." /></a>
-<div class="caption">EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>The begging grate was served by poor prisoners who had to swear
-that they were not worth £5 in the world.
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325-6]</a></span>
-He was then entitled to share the contents of the begging box, and
-also be a partaker of the charities and donations to the Prison, which
-amounted to the magnificent sum of £39 19s., besides meat, coals, and
-bread.</p>
-
-<p>Prisoners of all sorts and conditions met here, on one common
-basis, one of the last of any mark being Richard Oastler, who was the
-leader of the Ten Hours' Bill Movement, and from this prison he issued
-a series of "Fleet Papers" about Free Trade, Factories Acts, and the
-Amalgamation of the Prisons. He died in 1861, and a memorial to him was
-erected at Leeds.</p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_152"
-id="Footnote_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152"><span
-class="label">[152]</span></a> Evidence of Mr. Wakefield before
-Parliamentary Committee of 1837.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_153"
-id="Footnote_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153"><span
-class="label">[153]</span></a> When the prisoners were removed there
-were two who had been incarcerated upwards of thirty years, and were in
-the Queen's prison in 1845.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_325-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_325-200.png" width="200" height="151" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_327-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_327-500.png" width="500" height="141" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h2><span class="oldenglish-font"><span class="small">Fleet Marriages.</span></span></h2>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="__________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXVI.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THERE is no doubt that in the seventeenth and
-eighteenth centuries, the Marriage laws, as we now understand them,
-were somewhat lax, and it is possible that it was so long before that
-time, for in Edward VI.'s time an Act was passed (2 and 3 Ed. VI., c.
-21, s. 3) entitled "An Act to take away all positive laws made against
-marriage of priests." Section 3 provides that it shall not "give any
-liberty to any person to marry without asking in the church, or without
-any ceremony being appointed by the order prescribed and set forth in
-the book intituled "<i>The Book of Common Prayer, and administration of
-the Sacraments</i>, &c." Mary, of course, repealed this Act, and it
-was revived and made perpetual by 1 Jas. 1. c. 25, s. 50.</p>
-
-<p>It was only after the Council of Trent, that the offices <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>
-of the Church were considered indispensable, for that Council decreed
-that a priest, and two witnesses were necessary for the proper
-celebration of the Nuptial tie. Still, the law of England, like the law
-of Scotland, allowed the taking of a woman as wife before witnesses,
-and acknowledging her position, which constituted at common law a good
-and lawful marriage, which could not be annulled by the Ecclesiastical
-Court. That many such took place among the Puritans and Sectarians of
-the time of Charles I. and the Commonwealth is undoubted, for it needed
-an Act of Parliament (12 Chas. II. c. 33) to render such marriages
-legal. This enacted "That all marriages had, or solemnized, in any of his Majesty's
-dominions since the first day of <i>May</i>, in the year of our Lord, one
-thousand six hundred forty and two, before any justice of the Peace,
-or reputed justice of the Peace of <i>England</i>, or <i>Wales</i>, or other his
-Majesty's dominions, ... shall be, and shall be adjudged, esteemed,
-and taken to be, and to have been of the same, and no other force or
-effect, as if such marriages had been had, and solemnized, according
-to the rites and ceremonies established, or used in the Church or
-kingdom of <i>England</i>; any law, custom, or usage to the contrary thereof
-notwithstanding."</p>
-
-<p>This short synopsis of the Marriage law in England is necessary, in
-order to understand the subject of Fleet Marriages, which, however,
-were not all disreputable. The Fleet, as we have seen, had a Chapel
-of its own; and in old times, a Chaplain—so that Marriages
-might well be celebrated there, in as proper and dignified a manner
-as elsewhere. And, we must
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>
-bear in mind that early in the seventeenth century, the prisoners
-were of a very different stamp to those of the latter half of the
-eighteenth century, until the demolition of the prison. Therefore we
-see no impropriety in the first Marriage known on record—which
-is that of Mr. Geo. Lester, then a prisoner in the Fleet, to a woman
-of fortune one Mistress Babbington. This is mentioned in a letter of
-September, 1613, from Alderman Lowe to Lady Hicks, and may be found in
-the Lansdowne MSS. 93-17. He writes: "Now I am to enform you that an ancyentt acquayntence of
-y<sup>e</sup> and myne is yesterday marryed in the Fleete, one
-Mr. George Lester, and hath maryed M<sup>ris</sup> Babbington,
-M<sup>r</sup> Thomas Fanshawe mother in lawe. Itt is sayd she is a
-woman of goode wealthe, so as nowe the man wyll be able to lyve and
-mayntayne hymself in pryson, for hether unto he hath byne in poor
-estate. I praye God he be nott encoryged by his marige to do as becher
-doth, I meane to troble his frynds in lawe, but I hope he wyll have a
-better conscyence and more honestye than the other men hathe."</p>
-
-<p>Towards the middle of the seventeenth century
-clandestine, and irregular marriage was prevalent, and
-it is easily accounted for. A public marriage had come
-to be a very expensive affair. There was a festival,
-which lasted several days, during which open house had
-to be kept; there were the Marriage Settlements, presents,
-pin money, music, and what not—so that the
-binding of their Children in the holy Estate of Matrimony
-was a serious matter to parents; who probably
-preferred giving the young couple the money that
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>
-otherwise would go in useless waste and profusion.
-So they used to get married quietly: a custom which
-Pepys reprobates in the marriage of the daughter of
-Sir William Penn to Mr. Anthony Lowther. "No
-friends, but two or three relations of his and hers."
-The bride was married in "palterly clothes, and
-nothing new but a bracelet that her servant had given
-her." And he further says, remarking on the meanness
-of the whole affair, "One wonder I observed to day,
-that there was no musique in the morning to call up
-our new married people, which is very mean, methinks."</p>
-
-<p>Misson, who visited England in the reign of
-William III., speaks of these private marriages. "The Ordinary ones, as I said before, are generally incognito.
-The <i>Bridegroom</i>, that is to say, the Husband that is to be, and the
-<i>Bride</i>, who is the Wife that is to be, conducted by their Father and
-Mother, or by those that serve them in their room, and accompany'd by
-two Bride men, and two Bride Maids, go early in the Morning with a
-Licence in their Pocket, and call up Mr. Curate and his Clerk, tell
-them their Business; are marry'd with a low Voice, and the Doors shut;
-tip the Minister a Guinea, and the Clerk a Crown; steal softly out,
-one one way, and t'other another, either on Foot or in Coaches; go
-different Ways to some Tavern at a Distance from their own Lodgings,
-or to the House of some trusty Friend, there have a good Dinner, and
-return Home at Night as quietly as Lambs. If the Drums and Fiddles have
-notice of it, they will be sure to be with them by Day Break, making a
-horrible Racket, till they have got the Pence;
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>
-and, which is worst of all, the whole Murder will come out."</p>
-
-<p>This senseless custom survives, in a modified degree, in our times,
-when on the marriage of a journeyman butcher, his companions treat
-him to a performance of the "Marrow bones and Cleavers," and also in
-the case of marriage of persons in a superior station of life, in the
-playing, on the Organ, of a Wedding March.</p>
-
-<p>The oldest entry of a Marriage in those Registers of the Fleet which
-have been preserved is <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1674, and there
-is nothing to lead us to imagine that it was more irregular than that
-of Mistress Babbington; on the contrary, it is extremely probable that,
-previously, prisoners were married in their chapel, with the orthodox
-publication of banns, and by their own Chaplain. But marriages were
-performed without licence or banns in many churches, which claimed to
-be <i>peculiars</i>, and exempt from the Visitation of the Ordinary: as
-St. James', Duke's Place, now pulled down, denied the jurisdiction
-of the Bishop of London because the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens
-of London, were Lords of the Manor, and Patrons of the Church: but
-the Rector found that the Ecclesiastical Law was stronger than he,
-and that its arm was long and powerful, and the Rev. Adam Elliott was
-suspended (Feb. 17, 1686) for three years, <i>ab officio et beneficio</i>,
-for having married, or having suffered persons to be married, at the
-said Church, without banns or licence. He did not suffer the full term
-of his punishment, for he managed to get re-instated on May 28, 1687,
-and began his old practices the very next day.</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg
-332]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The Chapel of Holy Trinity, Minories, pleaded privilege, on the
-ground that it was a Crown living, and as much a <i>peculiar</i> as
-Westminster Abbey, or the Deanery of Windsor; while the Chapels of the
-Tower and the Savoy sought exemption because they were Royal Chapels,
-and therefore the Bishop had no jurisdiction over them. Besides these,
-there were very many more chapels scattered over the Metropolis where
-irregular marriages were performed, a list of about ninety having been
-preserved.</p>
-
-<p>These Marriages so increased that it was found necessary to
-legislate about them, and, in 1689, an Act (6 and 7 Will. III. c.
-6, s. 24) was passed making it compulsory, under a penalty of One
-Hundred pounds, for every parson to keep an accurate register of
-births, Marriages, and deaths. Another Act was passed in 1696 (17 and
-18 Will. III. c. 35, s. 2-3) whereby a penalty of £100 was imposed on
-any Clergyman who married, or permitted another to marry, couples,
-otherwise than by banns or licence. This was enforced by another Act
-in 1711 (10 Anne c. 19, s. 176), which confirmed the penalty, and
-moreover, this section shows that irregular marriages were getting to
-be common in prisons, for it provides that "if any gaoler, or keeper of any prison, shall be privy to, or
-knowingly permit any marriage to be solemnized in his said prison,
-before publication of banns, or licence obtained, as aforesaid, he
-shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds,"
-&c.</p>
-
-<p>Of course, this did not stop the practice, although it prevented
-Marriages in the Fleet Chapel. Yet there
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>
-were the <i>Rules</i>, and real and pretended clergymen for many years plied
-their illicit vocation with impunity.</p>
-
-<p>But there seems to have been some compunctions of conscience
-even among this graceless lot, for one of them, Walter Wyatt, has
-left behind him, in a pocket-book dated 1736, the following moral
-reflections.</p>
-
-<p>"Give to every man his due, and learn y<sup>e</sup> way of
-Truth. This advice cannot be taken by those that are concerned in
-y<sup>e</sup> Fleet Marriages; not so much as y<sup>e</sup> Priest can
-do y<sup>e</sup> thing y<sup>t</sup> is just and right there, unless
-he designs to starve. For by lying, bullying, and swearing, to extort
-money from the silly and unwary people, you advance your business and
-gets y<sup>e</sup> pelf, which always wastes like snow in sun shiney
-day."</p>
-
-<p>"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Marrying in
-the Fleet is the beginning of eternal woe."</p>
-
-<p>"If a clark or plyer <a name="FNanchor_154" id="FNanchor_154"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> tells a lye, you must
-vouch it to be as true as y<sup>e</sup> Gospel; and if disputed, you
-must affirm with an oath to y<sup>e</sup> truth of a downright damnable
-falsehood—Virtus laudatur et alget."</p>
-
-<p>That this custom of swearing prevailed at Fleet Marriages is borne
-out by contemporary evidence. The <i>Grub Street Journal</i> July 20, 1732,
-says: "On Saturday last, a Fleet Parson was convicted before Sir <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>
-Ric. Brocas of forty three-oaths (on the information of a plyer for
-weddings there) for which a warrant was granted to levy £4 6s. on
-the goods of the said parson; but, upon application to his Worship, he
-was pleased to remit 1s. per oath; upon which the plyer swore he would
-swear no more against any man upon the like occasion, finding he got
-nothing by it."</p>
-
-<p>And an anonymous Newspaper cutting dated 1734,
-says, "On Monday last, a tall Clergyman, who plies about the Fleet Gate
-for Weddings, was convicted before Sir Richard Brocas of swearing 42
-Oaths, and ordered to pay £4 2s."</p>
-
-<p>There were regular Chaplains attached to the Fleet Prison to serve
-the Chapel there, and, as we have seen, the Warder made every prisoner
-pay 2d. or 4d. weekly, towards his stipend. Latterly the Chaplaincy was
-offered to a Curate of St. Bride's Church—as is now done in the
-case of Bridewell.</p>
-
-<p>A complete list of Chaplains cannot be given, because all documents
-were destroyed when the Fleet was burnt by the Lord George Gordon
-rioters; but Mr. Burn in his "History of Fleet Marriages" (a book to
-which I am much indebted, for it has all but exhausted the subject)
-gives the names of some, as Haincks in 1698; Robert Elborough, 1702;
-John Taylor, 1714; Dr. Franks, 1728; 1797, Weldon Champneys; 1815, John
-Manley Wood, and John Jones: and in 1834, the date of the publication
-of Mr. Burn's book, the Rev. Richard Edwards, was the Chaplain.</p>
-
-<p>These Clergymen, of course, married couples according to Law,
-and probably used the Chapel for that
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span>
-purpose. We know that it was so used, for the <i>Original Weekly Journal</i>
-of Sept. 26, 1719, says: "One Mrs. Anne Leigh, an heiress of £200 per annum and £6000 ready
-cash, having been decoyed away from her friends in Buckinghamshire, and
-married at the Fleet chapel against her consent; we hear the Lord Chief
-Justice Pratt hath issued out his warrant for apprehending the authors
-of this contrivance, who have used the young lady so barbarously, that
-she now lyes speechless." </p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 394px; ">
-<a href="images/i_335-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_335-500.png" width="394" height="500" alt="Waiting to get Married" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>But it is not of the Chaplains I would speak, but of the irregular
-Clergy, or Lay men, who performed the Marriages. One thing they
-all agreed in, the wearing of the Cassock, Gown, and Bands. They
-would never have been believed in had they not. The accompanying
-illustration<a name="FNanchor_155" id="FNanchor_155"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> gives an excellent idea
-of the Fleet Parson, and it is taken from an Engraving entitled "<i>The</i>
-<span class="smcap">Funeral</span> <i>of Poor</i> <span class="smcap">Mary
-Hackabout</span>, <i>attended by the Sisterhood of Drury Lane</i>" and it
-has a footnote calling attention to the "wry-necked" parson. "<i>The famous</i> <span class="smcap">Couple Beggar</span> <i>in the
-Fleet, a</i> <span class="smcap">Wretch</span>, <i>who there screens himself
-from the Justice due to his</i> <span class="smcap">Villanies</span>, <i>and
-daily repeats them.</i>"</p>
-
-<p>The lady holds a sprig of Rosemary in her hand, which in polite
-society was always presented by a servant, when the funeral cortége was
-about to leave the house:—In this case, a dish full of sprigs is
-placed upon the floor, and a child is playing with them. The Mourners
-carried them to the grave, and then threw them in, as we now do,
-flowers and wreaths of the same.</p>
-
-<p>Perhaps one of the earliest notices of these irregular Fleet
-Parsons is in the first year of Queen Anne's reign, very soon after
-she came to the throne, as it appears, in the Registry of the
-Consistory Court,—that on June 4, 1702, the Bishop of London
-visited the common prison called the Fleet, London, and took Master
-Jeronimus Alley, clerk, to task, requiring him to exhibit to the
-Chancellor of the Diocese, before the 24th June instant, his letters of
-ordination, "and his Lords<sup>p</sup> ordered him not to marry or perform
-any divine Office in y<sup>e</sup> Chapell in y<sup>e</sup> ffleet,
-or any place within y<sup>e</sup> Dioces untill he has <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>
-exhibited y<sup>e</sup> same. Mr. Alley soon afterwards fled
-from y<sup>e</sup> s<sup>d</sup> Prison, and never exhibited his
-orders."</p>
-
-<p>But if Alley fled, there were others left, and the practice of
-marrying without banns, or licence, brought forth the act of the 10th
-Anne, before quoted. It was probably before this, but certainly during
-her reign, that the following letter was written, which also is in the
-Bishop's Registry.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I think it my Duty to God
-and y^e Queen to acquaint you with y<sup>e</sup> illegal practices of
-y<sup>e</sup> Ministers and Clark in y<sup>e</sup> Fleet Chappell for
-marrying Clandestinely as they do som weeks fifty or sixty couple.
-The Ministers that are there are as follows, Mr. Robt. Elborough, he
-is an ancient man and is master of y<sup>e</sup> Chapple, and marries
-but very few now without Banns or Licence, but under a colour doth
-allow his Clark to do w<sup>t</sup> he pleases, his name is Barth.
-Basset. There is there also one Mr. James Colton a Clergyman, he lives
-in Leather Lane next door to y<sup>e</sup> Coach and horses, he hath
-bin there these four years to marry, but no Prisoner, he marries in
-Coffee houses, in his own house, and in and about y<sup>e</sup> Fleet
-gate, and all y<sup>e</sup> Rules over, not excepting any part of City
-and Suburbs. This Clark Basset aforesaid registers wherever Colton
-marries in y<sup>e</sup> Fleet Register and gives him Certificates.
-Colton had a living in Essex till y<sup>e</sup> Bishop of London
-deprived him for this and other ill Practices. There is also one Mr.
-Nehemiah Rogers, he is a prisoner but goes at larg to his P. Living
-in Essex, and all places else, he is a very wicked man, as lives
-for drinking, whoring, and
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>
-swearing, he has struck and boxed y<sup>e</sup> bridegroom in
-y<sup>e</sup> Chapple, and damned like any com'on souldier; he marries
-both within and without y<sup>e</sup> Chapple like his brother Colton.
-There was one Mr. Alley; he was a Prisoner, and y<sup>e</sup> benefit
-of weddings, but is gone to some other preferm<sup>t</sup>. The
-abovesaid Basset rents y<sup>e</sup> sellers of y<sup>e</sup> Fleet,
-and pays for y<sup>t</sup> and two watchmen 100 and £20 p. ann.
-but he him pays but £20 per ann. for y<sup>e</sup> Clergy pay
-all y<sup>e</sup> rest, and if they do not, they are threatened to be
-confined or outed. This Clark hath bin sworn in D<sup>rs</sup> Commons
-not to marry any without Banns or Licence, unless it be such poor
-people as are recommended by y<sup>e</sup> Justices in case of a big
-belly, but have married since many hundreds, as I and many can testifie
-who are confined Prisoners. The Chief days to marry are Sundays,
-Tuesdays, and Saturdays, but evry day more or less. The Clark Basset
-keeps a Register book, altho he told y<sup>e</sup> Bishop of London he
-had none; he also antidates as he pleases, as you may see when you look
-over y<sup>e</sup> Registers; he hath another at his son's; he does
-what he pleases, and maintains a great family by these ill practices.
-£200 p. ann. he hath at least. The Ministers and Clark bribe one
-Mr. Shirley, I think him to be Collector for y<sup>e</sup> Oueen's
-Taxes. I hope, Sir, you will excuse me for concealing my name, hoping
-y<sup>t</sup> you will inspect into these base practices.</p>
-
-<p>
-<span style="margin-left: 18em;">For</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 20em;">Dr. Newton Chancell<sup>rs</sup></span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 22em;">to My Lord of London</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 24em;">at D<sup>rs</sup> Commons</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 26em;">These."</span><br />
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_154"
-id="Footnote_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154"><span
-class="label">[154]</span></a> These were touts, like those
-white-aproned gentry who used to infest Doctors' Commons, telling
-people where they could procure Marriage licences—only these
-"plyers" touted for the parsons.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_155"
-id="Footnote_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155"><span
-class="label">[155]</span></a> See previous page.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_339-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_339-500.png" width="500" height="117" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXVII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">BUT the Act of 1712 failed to stop these illicit
-marriages, for one John Mottram was tried at Guildhall, before Lord
-Chief Justice Parker, found guilty, was suspended from his ministerial
-functions for three years, and was fined £200. Of this case there
-is an account in the <i>Weekly Journal</i>, February 13, 1717.
-"John Mottram, Clerk, was tryed for solemnizing clandestine and
-unlawful marriages in the Fleet Prison, and of keeping fraudulent
-Registers, whereby it appear'd that he had dated several marriages
-several years before he enter'd into orders, and that he kept no less
-than nine several Registers at different houses, which contained many
-scandalous frauds. It also appeared, that a marriage was antedated
-because of pregnancy; and, to impose on the ignorant, there was written
-underneath this scrap of barbarous Latin, "Hi non nupti fuerunt,
-sed obtinerunt Testimonium propter timorem parentum," meaning that
-they were not marryed, but obtained this
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>
-private Register for fear of their parents. It rather appeared from
-evidence, that these sham marriages were solemnized in a room in the
-Fleet they call the Lord Mayor's Chappel, which was furnished with
-chairs, cushions, and proper conveniences, and that a coal heaver was
-generally set to ply at the door to recommend all couples that had a
-mind to be marry'd, to the Prisoner, who would do it cheaper than any
-body. It further appear'd that one of the Registers only, contained
-above 2,200 entrys which had been made within the last year." </p>
-
-<p>Pennant, writing at the end of the last century, gives us his
-personal reminiscences of Fleet Parsons ("Some Account of London," 3rd
-ed., 1793, p. 232), "In walking along the street, in my youth, on the side next to the
-prison, I have often been tempted by the question, <i>Sir, will you be
-pleased to walk in and be married?</i> Along this most lawless space
-was hung up the frequent sign of a male and female hand conjoined,
-with, <i>Marriages performed within</i>, written beneath. A dirty fellow
-invited you in. The parson was seen walking before his shop; a squalid
-profligate figure, clad in a tattered plaid night gown, with a fiery
-face, and ready to couple you for a dram of gin, or roll of tobacco."
-</p>
-
-<p>Burn gives a list of Fleet Parsons, first of whom comes John
-Gaynam, who married from about 1709 to 1740. He rejoiced in a peculiar
-soubriquet, as will be seen by the following. In the trial of Ruth
-Woodward for bigamy, in 1737, he is alluded to by a witness:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>John Hall.</i> I saw her married at the Fleet to <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>
-Robert Holmes; 'twas at the Hand and Pen, a barber's shop.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Counsel.</i> And is it not a wedding shop too?</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Hall.</i> Yes, I don't know the parson's name, but 'twas a man that
-once belonged to Creed Church, a very, lusty, jolly man.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Counsel.</i> Because there's a complaint lodged in a proper court,
-against a Fleet Parson, whom they call The Bishop of Hell."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Some verses, however, absolutely settle the title upon
-Gaynam.
-<br /><br /></p>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="large">"THE FLEET PARSON</span>
-<br />
-<br />
-A Tale,
-<br />
-<br />
-BY ANTI MATRIM.... OF LONDON.
-</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>Some errant Wags, as stories tell,</p>
-<p>Assert the gloomy prince of Hell</p>
-<p>In th' infernal Region has</p>
-<p>His Officers of all degrees,</p>
-<p>Whose business is to propagate</p>
-<p>On Earth, the interests of his State,</p>
-<p>Ecclesiastics too are thought</p>
-<p>To be subservient to him brought;</p>
-<p>And, as their zeal his service prize,</p>
-<p>He never fails to make them rise</p>
-<p>As Dignitaries in his Church,</p>
-<p>But often leaves them in the lurch;</p>
-<p>For, if their Fear surmount their Zeal,</p>
-<p>(They) quickly his resentment feel;</p>
-<p>(Are) sure to meet with dire disgrace,</p>
-<p>(And) warmer Zealots fill their place.</p>
-<p>(To) make these Vacancies repleat,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>
-<p>He borrows P——ns from the Fleet,</p>
-<p class="i2">Long has old G——m with applause</p>
-<p>Obeyed his Master's cursed Laws,</p>
-<p>Readily practis'd every Vice,<br /></p>
-<p>And equall'd e'en the Devil for device.</p>
-<p>His faithful Services such favour gain'd</p>
-<p>That he, first B——p was of H—l ordain'd.</p>
-<p>Dan. W——e (rose) next in Degree,</p>
-<p>And he obtained the Deanery.</p>
-<p>Ned Ash——ll then came into grace,</p>
-<p>And he supplied th' Archdeacon's place,</p>
-<p>But, as the Devil when his ends</p>
-<p>Are served, he leaves his truest friends;</p>
-<p>So fared it with this wretched three,</p>
-<p>Who lost their Lives and Dignity."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>There is mention of Gaynam in two trials for bigamy—first in
-chronological order coming that of Robert Hussey.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>Dr. Gainham.</i> The 9th of September, 1733, I married a couple at
-the Rainbow Coffee House, the corner of Fleet Ditch, and entered the
-marriage in my register, as fair a register as any Church in England
-can produce. I showed it last night to the foreman of the jury, and my
-Lord Mayor's Clerk, at the London Punch House.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Counsel.</i> Are you not ashamed to come and own a
-clandestine marriage in the face of a Court of Justice?</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Dr. Gainham</i> (bowing). <i>Video meliora, deteriora
-sequor.</i></p>
-
-<p>"<i>Counsel.</i> You are on your oath, I ask you whether
-you never enter marriages in that book, when there is
-no marriage at all?</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"<i>Dr. Gainham.</i> I never did in my life. I page my
-book so, that it cannot be altered."
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>The other case is from the trial of Edmund Dangerfield
-in 1736.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"<i>Dr. Gainham.</i> I don't know the prisoner. I did marry a man and
-woman of these names. Here, this is a true register: <i>Edwd Dangerfield
-of St. Mary Newington Butts, Batchelor, to Arabella Fast</i>. When I marry
-at any house, I always set it down, for I carry one of the books in my
-pocket, and when I go home I put it in my great book.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Court.</i> Do you never make any alteration?</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Gainham.</i> Never, my Lord. These two were married at Mrs. Ball's,
-at the Hand and Pen, by the Fleet Prison, and my name is to her
-book.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Counsel.</i> 'Tis strange you should not remember the prisoner.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Gainham.</i> Can I remember persons? I have married 2000 since that
-time."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>We have heard of Alley, who married from 1681 to 1707; of Elborrow,
-1698 to 1702; and of Mottram, who flourished between 1709 and 1725.</p>
-
-<p>Of Daniel Wigmore, the Dean of the previous poem, we know little
-except that he married between 1723 and 1754. The <i>Daily Post</i> of May
-26, 1738, says of him, "Yesterday Daniel Wigmore, one of the parsons noted for marrying
-people within the Rules of the Fleet, was convicted before the Right
-Honourable the Lord Mayor, of selling spirituous liquors contrary to
-law." </p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The third dignitary, Edward Ashwell, the Archdeacon, was notorious,
-and some of his misdeeds are recounted in a letter from Wm. Hodgson, to
-his brother, a Clergyman. (Lansdowne MSS., 841, fol. 123).</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p class="right">
-<i>June</i> 21, 1725.<br />
-</p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Reverend Sir</span>,—There was lately,
-at Southam, in Warwickshire, one Edward Ashwell, who, in my absence,
-got possession of our School, and preach'd in Several Churches in this
-Neighbourhood. I take the Liberty to Inform you, Since I hear he is at
-Kettering, that he is A Most Notorious Rogue and Impostor. I have now
-certificates on my hand, of his having two wives alive at this present
-time, and he was very Near Marrying the third, in this Town, but the
-fear of a prosecution upon the Discovery of the flaming and Scandalous
-Immoralities of his life, forc'd him away from us. In a short time
-Afterwards, in a Village not far from us, he attempted to Ravish a
-Woman, but was prevented by a Soldier then in the house. I Can assure
-you he is in no Orders, tho' the Audacious Villain preaches when he Can
-get a pulpit. I have a whole packet of Letters by Me, all tending to
-the Same Character, which I think Exceeds, for variety of all Manner of
-Inormous practices, what Can be Charg'd upon the very Scum of Mankind.
-The Accounts are from persons of integrity and known Reputation.</p>
-
-<p>"I prevented him preaching one Day at Brawnstin, Mr. Somes's parish.
-It would be A very kind and Christian Office to give some information
-among the Clergy, that they may not be Impos'd upon by him, <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>
-particularly to Mr. Heyrick, for I Married Mr. Allicock's sister of
-Loddington. I know you will pardon this trouble if the fellow be
-amongst you.</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 20em;">"I am, your affectionate
-Brother,</span></p> <p><span style="margin-left: 30em;"><span
-class="smcap">W. Hodgson</span>."</span><br /></p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>We hear occasionally of this "professional beauty" in the Registers,
-and give two or three examples:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"June 21st, 1740. John Jones of Eaton Sutton in Bedfordshire, and
-Mary Steward of the same, came to Wood's in Fleet Lane about six
-o'clock in the morning. Mr. Ashwell and self had been down the Market.
-Wood called him, and I went with him there, found the said man and
-woman, offer'd Mr. Ashwell 3 shilling to marry him; he would not, so he
-swore very much, and would have knocked him down, but for me. was not
-married. took this memorandum that they might not Pretend afterwards
-they was married, and not Register'd."</p>
-
-<p>"July 15 (1744). Came a man and wooman to the Green Canister, he
-was an Irishman and Taylor to bee married. Gave Mr. Ashwell 2 : 6. but
-would have 5s., went away, and abused Mr. Ashwell very much, told him
-he was a Thief, and I was worse. Took this account because should not
-say they was married, and not Registered. N.B. The Fellow said Mr.
-Warren was his relation."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>It was the custom for these Fleet Parsons to carry with them
-pocket books, in which were roughly entered the names of the Married
-Couple, and, occasionally, if
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>
-they wished their names to be kept secret, and paid, of course, a
-proportionate fee, their full names were not transcribed into the
-larger Register, as the following shows:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"September y<sup>e</sup> 11th, 1745. Edwd. —— and
-Elizabeth —— were married, and would not let me know their names,
-y<sup>e</sup> man said he was a weaver, and liv'd in Bandy leg walk in
-the Borough.</p>
-
-<p class="right">
-Pr. E. Ashwell."
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>He was so famous that he was honoured with an obituary notice in the
-press, <i>vide</i> the <i>General Advertiser</i>, Jan. 15, 1746.
-"On Monday last, died, in the Rules of the Fleet, Doctor Ashwell,
-the most noted operator in Marriages since the death of the
-never-to-be-forgotten Dr. Gaynam."</p>
-
-<p>John Floud, or Flood, did a good business from the time of Queen
-Anne, 1709, to Dec. 31, 1729, when he died within the Rules of the
-Fleet. He was a very queer Character, keeping a mistress who played
-jackall to his lion, and touted for couples to be married. He died
-suddenly whilst celebrating a wedding. Yet even he seems to have had
-some compunction as to his course of life, like Walter Wyatt: for, in
-one of his pocket books is the following verse.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width18">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"I have Liv'd so long I am weary Living,</p>
-<p class="i1">I wish I was dead, and my sins forgiven:</p>
-<p class="i1">Then I am sure to go to heaven,</p>
-<p class="i1">Although I liv'd at sixes and sevens."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>John Floud had a peculiarity; if ever he wanted to make memoranda,
-which were not convenient to introduce
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>
-into his ordinary Register he partially used the Greek character, as
-being "Caviar to the general," thus:</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"13 Jan. 1728. μαρρ: τhρηη</span>
-ςhιλλινγς
-& ονη δ<sup>o</sup>
-χηρτι<i>f</i>ιχατη. Τhη
-βριδηγροομ
-wας τhη
-βροτhηρ ο<i>f</i> τhη
-μημοραβλη
-Jονατhαν Wιλδ
-Eχηχυτηδ ατ
-Tyβυρν." </p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Marr.: three shillings and one ditto Certificate. The bridegroom was</span>
-the brother of the memorable Jonathan Wild, Executed at Tyburn.</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"8 Mar. 1728. Νοτhινγ</span>
-βυτ α νοτη
-ο<i>f</i> hανδ <i>f</i>ορ
-τhις μαρριαγη
-whιχh νηυηρ wας
-φαιδ." </p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nothing but a note of hand for this marriage, which</span>
-never was paid.</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"27 August, 1728. μαρριαγη</span>
-τhιρτηην
-σhιλλινγς &
-ονη & ςιχπηνχη
-χηρτι<i>f</i>ιχατη.
-τhη wομαν νοτ
-χαρινγ το βη
-μαρριηδ ιν τhη
-Φληητ Ι hαδ τhημ
-μαρριηδ ατ μρ
-Βροwνς ατ μρ
-Hαρριςονς ιν
-φειδγηονη
-χουρτ ιν τhη
-Ολδ Βαιληy ατ
-<i>f</i>ουρ αχλοχχ
-ιν τhη μορνινγ." </p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Marriage thirteen shillings, and one and sixpence Certificate. The</span>
-woman not caring to be married in the Fleet, I had them married at Mr.
-Brown's, at Mr. Harrison's in Pidgeone Court, in the Old Bailey at four
-a'clock in the morning.</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"12 Aug. 1729. φδ <i>f</i>ιυη</span>
-ςhιλλινγς
-φηρ τοταλ. N.B.
-Τhη 28th ο<i>f</i> Αφριλ 1736
-μρς Βηλλ χαμη
-ανδ Εαρνηςτλy
-ιντρηατηδ μη
-το Εραςη
-Τhη μαρριαγη
-ουτ ο<i>f</i> τhη
-βοοχ for τhατ
-hηρ hυςβανδ
-hαδ βηατ ανδ
-αβυςηδ hηρ ιν
-α βαρβαρους
-μαννηρ.... Ι μαδη
-hηρ βηλειυη
-Ι διδ ςο, <i>f</i>ορ
-whιχh Ι hαδ hαλ<i>f</i>
-α γυινηα,
-ανδ ςhη ατ
-τhη ςαμη τιμη
-δηλιυηρηδ
-μη υφ hηρ
-χηρτι<i>f</i>ιχατη.
-Νο φηρςον
-φρηςηντ
-(Αχχορδινγ το
-hηρ δηςιρη)." </p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Paid five shillings per total. N.B.—The 28th of April, 1736,</span>
-Mrs. Bell came and earnestly intreated me
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>
-to erase the Marriage out of the book, for that her husband had beat
-and abused her in a barbarous manner.... I made her believe I did so,
-for which I had half a guinea, and she, at the same time, delivered me
-up her certificate. No person present (according to her desire).
-</p>
-
-<p>Perhaps, next to Dr. Gaynam, the bishop, no one did more business
-in Fleet Marriages than Walter Wyatt. We have already read some of his
-moral apothegms. He made a large income out of his Marriages, and,
-looking at the value of money, which was at least three times that of
-the present time, his profession was highly lucrative. Take one Month
-for instance. October, 1748—</p>
-
-<div class="center">
-Oct. y<sup>e</sup><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"> 1 at home 2 11 6 abroad nil.</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 4em;">2 " 5 13 6 " 11 6</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 4em;">3 " 2 15 6 " 16 0</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 4em;">4 " 12 3 " 10 0</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 4em;">5 " 1 5 6 " nil. </span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 4em;">6 " 10 6 " 1 4 6</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 4em;">7 " 1 8 6 " nil. </span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 10em;">————————-</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 20em;">Total ... 17 19 3</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 13em;">From 8th to 15th " ... 17 6 6</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 14em;">" 15th " 21st " ... 10 0 6</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 14em;">" 21st " 27th " ... 6 17 0</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 14em;">" 28th " 31st " ... 5 9 6</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 23em;">————</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 23em;">£57 12 9</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 23em;">=======</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<p>Or nearly £700 a year—equal to about £2,500 of our
-Currency. No wonder then, that when he died, March 13, 1750, he left
-a will behind him, which was
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>
-duly proved; and by it he left his children in ward to his brother, and
-different legacies to his family—to his married daughter Mary, he
-bequeathed five pounds, and his estate at Oxford.</p>
-
-<p>He describes himself, on the cover of one of the Registers, as
-"Mr. Wyatt, c, is removed from the Two Sawyers,
-the Corner of Fleet Lane (with all the Register Books), to the Hand
-and Pen near Holborn Bridge, where Marriages are solemnized without
-imposition." But there seem to have been other establishments which traded on
-Wyatt's sign, probably because he was so prosperous. Joshua Lilley kept
-the Hand and Pen near Fleet Bridge. Matthias Wilson's house of the same
-sign stood on the bank of the Fleet ditch; John Burnford had a similar
-name for his house at the foot of Ludgate Hill, and Mrs. Balls also had
-an establishment with the same title. </p>
-
-<p>He seems to have attempted to invade Parson Keith's <i>peculiar</i> in
-May Fair, or it may only be an Advertising ruse on the part of that
-exceedingly keen practitioner, in order to bring his name prominently
-before the public. At all events there is an Advertisement dated August
-27, 1748. "The Fleet Parson (who very modestly calls himself
-Reverend), married at the Fleet, in Mr. L——yl's
-house, Mrs. C——k's, at the Naked Boy, and for Mr.
-W——yt, the Fleet Parson. And to shew that he is now
-only for Mr. W——yt, the Fleet Parson's deputy, the said
-W——yt told one in May Fair, that he intended to set up
-in opposition to Mr. Keith, and send goods to furnish the house, and
-maintains
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>
-him and the men who ply some days at the Fleet, and at other times at
-May Fair. But not to speak of the men, if he himself was not a Fleet
-Parson, he could never stand in Piccadilly, and run after Coaches and
-foot people in so shameful a manner, and tell them Mr. Keith's house
-is shut up, and there is no Chapel but theirs; and to other people he
-says, their Fleet Chapel is Mr. Keith's Chapel, and this he hath said
-in the hearing of Mr. Keith's clerk, and it is known to most of the
-people about May Fair, and likewise Mr. Keith appeals to the generality
-of people about the Fleet and May Fair, for proof of Mr. Reverend's
-being only W——yts, the Fleet parson's deputy."
-</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_350-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_350-200.png" width="200" height="115" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_351-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_351-500.png" width="500" height="143" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">OF James Starkey, who married from 1718 to 1730,
-very little is known, except that he had run away to Scotland, and
-could not be produced when wanted at a trial in the Old Bailey. And
-also of Robert Cuthbert, 1723-30—very little is known except
-through the medium of his pocket books, and they recount his love of
-horse flesh, and the prices he paid for his mounts.</p>
-
-<p>Of Thomas Crawford, 1723-1748, we hear something from a letter in
-that curious <i>mélange</i> of News, the <i>Grub Street Journal</i>, June 10,
-1736:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Gentlemen, Having frequently heard of the many abominable practises
-of the Fleet, I had the Curiosity, May 23, to take a view of the place,
-as I accidently was walking by.</p>
-
-<p>"The first thing observable was one J—— L——,
-<a name="FNanchor_156" id="FNanchor_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156"
-class="fnanchor">[156]</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>
-by trade a Carpenter (whose brother, it is said, keeps
-the sign of the B—— and G——r), <a
-name="FNanchor_157" id="FNanchor_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157"
-class="fnanchor">[157]</a> cursing, swearing, <span class="pagenum"><a
-name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> and raving
-in the street in the time of divine service, with a mob of
-people about him, calling one of his fraternity (J. E.), <a
-name="FNanchor_158" id="FNanchor_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158"
-class="fnanchor">[158]</a> a Plyer for Weddings, an informing rogue,
-for informing against one of their Ministers for profane cursing and
-swearing, for which offence he paid three pounds odd money: the hearing
-of which pleased me very well, since I could find one in that notorious
-place which had some spark of grace left; as was manifested by the
-dislike he shewed to the person that was guilty of the profanation of
-God's sacred name.</p>
-
-<p>"When the mob was dispersed, I walked about some small time, and saw
-a person, exceeding well-dress'd in flower'd morning gown, a band, hat
-and wig, who appeared so clean that I took him for some worthy divine,
-who might have, accidentally, be making the same remarks as myself; but
-upon inquiry was surpris'd at being assured he was one T——
-C—— <a name="FNanchor_159" id="FNanchor_159"></a><a
-href="#Footnote_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a> a watchmaker, who goes
-in a Minister's dress, personating a Clergyman, and taking upon him the
-name of Doctor, to the scandal of the Sacred function. He may be seen
-any time at the Bull and Garter, or the Great Hand, and Pen and Star,
-with these words under written. '<i>The old and true Register</i>' near the
-Rainbow Coffee House.—T. S."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Peter Symson, who married 1731-1754, describes himself in his
-handbill, as "educated at the University of Cambridge, and late
-Chaplain to the Earl of Rothes."</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>His "Chapel" was at the Old Red Hand and Mitre, three doors from
-Fleet Lane, and next door to the White Swan. As were most of his
-fellows, he was witness in a bigamy trial in 1751. He was asked,</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Why did you marry them without license?</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Symson.</i> Because somebody would have done it, if I had
-not. I was ordained in Grosvenor Square Chapel by the Bishop of
-Winchester—the Bishop of Lincoln. Can't say I am a prisoner in
-the Fleet. Am 43 years old. Never had a benefice in my life. I have
-had little petty Curacies about £20 or £30 per year. I don't do it for
-lucre or gain.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Court.</i> You might have exposed your person had you gone on the
-highway, but you'd do less prejudice to your country a great deal. You
-are a nuisance to the public; and the gentlemen of the jury, it is to
-be hoped, will give but little credit to you."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>When Keith of Mayfair was committed to the Fleet, Symson married for
-him from 1750 to 1754.</p>
-
-<p>There was another Fleet Parson named William Dare, 1732-1746, who
-had such a large connection that he employed a Curate to help him; but
-then, his marriages were 150 to 200 a month.</p>
-
-<p>James Lando is somewhat shrouded in mystery, for it is possible that
-he was identical with the gentleman who is described at the end of one
-of the Fleet Registers as "John Lando, a French Minister, in Church Street, Soho, opposite att
-a French pastry or nasty Cook's. His Landlord's name is Jinkstone, a
-dirty chandler's shop: he is to be heard of in the first flower next
-the skye." </p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>He really was a "Chaplain of the Fleet," for he was Chaplain on
-board H.B.M.S. <i>Falkland</i> from May 29, 1744, to Jan. 17, 1746. He had
-a house in Half Moon Court, the first house joining to Ludgate, which
-was at the Corner of the Old Bailey. This he called St. John's Chapel,
-and here he not only solemnized marriages, but taught Latin and French
-three times a week.</p>
-
-<p>An advertisement of his states that "Marriages with a Licence, Certificate, and a Crown Stamp, at a
-Guinea, at the New Chapel, next door to the China Shop, near Fleet
-Bridge, London, by a regular bred Clergyman, and not by a Fleet Parson,
-as is insinuated in the public papers; and that the town may be freed
-(from) mistakes, no Clergyman being a prisoner in the Rules of the
-Fleet dare marry; and to obviate all doubts, this Chapel is not in the
-verge of the Fleet, but kept by a Gentleman who was lately on board one
-of his Majesty's men of war, and likewise has gloriously distinguished
-himself in defence of his King and Country, and is above committing
-those little mean actions that some men impose on people, being
-determined to have everything conducted with the utmost decency and
-regularity, such as shall be always supported in law and equity." </p>
-
-<p>Burn gives a list of others who married in the Fleet, but does not
-pretend it to be exhaustive. Still, the list is a long one.</p>
-
-<table summary="fleet parsons" style="width:30%">
-<tr><td class="tdl">Bates ...</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Becket, John</td><td class="tdl">1748</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Buckler, Sam.</td><td class="tdl">1732 to 1751</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Brayfield, Sam.</td><td class="tdl">1754</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Bynes, Benj.</td><td class="tdl">1698 to 1711</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Barrett, Mich.</td><td class="tdl">1717 " 1738</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Colton, James</td><td class="tdl">1681 to 1721
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span></td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Callow, Jos.</td><td class="tdl">1752</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Clayton</td><td class="tdl">1720</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Colteman</td><td class="tdl">1688</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Draper</td><td class="tdl">1689 to 1716</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Denevan, Francis</td><td class="tdl">1747 " 1754</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Davis, Wm.</td><td class="tdl">1718</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Evans, John</td><td class="tdl">1689 to 1729</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Evans, Ed.</td><td class="tdl">1727</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Farren, John</td><td class="tdl">1688</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Gower, Henry</td><td class="tdl">1689 to 1718</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Hodgkins, Thos.</td><td class="tdl">1674 " 1728</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Hanson, Anthony</td><td class="tdl">1731 " 1732</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Jones, John</td><td class="tdl">1718 " 1725</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Loveday, Wm.</td><td class="tdl">1750</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Morton</td><td class="tdl">1720</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Marston, Edward</td><td class="tdl">1713 to 1714</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Marshall, John</td><td class="tdl">1750</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Murry, D.</td><td class="tdl">1719</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Nodes</td><td class="tdl">1753</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Oswald</td><td class="tdl">1712</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Oglesby</td><td class="tdl">1728 to 1740</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Privavaul</td><td class="tdl"></td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Patterson</td><td class="tdl">1732</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Ryder, Thos.</td><td class="tdl">1722 to 1743</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Roberts, Edward</td><td class="tdl">1698</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Reynolds, E.</td><td class="tdl">1749</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Rogers, Nehemiah</td><td class="tdl">1700 to 1703</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Shadwell, Ralph</td><td class="tdl">1733 " 1734</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Shaw, James</td><td class="tdl">1723</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Sindrey, Richard</td><td class="tdl">1722 to 1740</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Stacy, Edmund</td><td class="tdl">1719</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Shelburn, Anthony</td><td class="tdl">1722 to 1737</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Stainton, John</td><td class="tdl">1730</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Simpson, Anthony</td><td class="tdl">1726 to 1754</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Stanhope, Walter</td><td class="tdl">1711</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Standly</td><td class="tdl">1747 to 1750</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Skinner, Nathaniel</td><td class="tdl">1716</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Town, I.</td><td class="tdl">1754</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Tomkings</td><td class="tdl">1740</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Tarrant, John</td><td class="tdl">1688</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl"> " "</td><td class="tdl">1742 to 1750</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Townsend, Jacob</td><td class="tdl">1754</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Vice, Jo.</td><td class="tdl">1689 to 1713</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Wagstaffe, James</td><td class="tdl">1689 " 1729</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Wise, J.</td><td class="tdl">1709</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Wilkinson</td><td class="tdl">1740</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Williams, Wm.</td><td class="tdl"></td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Walker, Clem.</td><td class="tdl">1732 to 1735</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="tdl">Wodmore, Isaac</td><td class="tdl">1752</td></tr>
-</table>
-
-<p>Which of these is the one referred to in the <i>Gentleman's
-Magazine</i> for April 1809? "I should be much obliged to you also, Mr. Urban, if you, or any of
-your numerous and intelligent correspondents, could acquaint me with
-the name of a tall black clergyman, who used to solicit the commands of
-the votaries of Hymen at the door of a public-house known by the sign
-of the Cock in Fleet Market, previously to the Marriage Act." </p>
-
-<p>Before dismissing the subject of Fleet parsons, reference must
-be made to the Rev. Alexander Keith of
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>
-Mayfair Chapel, who has a claim to be noticed here, as he was an
-inhabitant of the Fleet. The Chapel in Mayfair was built somewhere
-about 1736, to meet the wants of the increasing neighbourhood, which
-was then becoming fashionable, after the abolition of the fair in
-Brook-field, and the first incumbent was the Rev. Alexander Keith, who
-claimed to have been ordained priest by the Bishop of Norwich, acting
-on Letters Dimissory from the Bishop of London, in June, 1731. He also
-stated that at the time of his appointment as preacher in the Chapel,
-he was Reader at the Roll's Chapel. He did a roaring trade in irregular
-marriages, and it was at Mayfair Chapel that the Duke of Hamilton
-espoused the youngest of the beautiful Miss Gunnings, "with a ring of the bed curtain, at half an hour past twelve at
-night." </p>
-
-<p>He had also a private chapel of his own, as we read in an
-advertisement of his, April, 1750. "Several persons belonging to Churches and Chapels, together with
-many others, supposing the Marriages at May Fair New Chapel to be
-detrimental to their interest, have made it their Business to rave and
-clamour, but in such a Manner, as not to deserve to Answer, because
-every Thing they have said tends to expose their own Ignorance and
-Malice, in the Opinion of People of good Sense and Understanding. We
-are informed, that Mrs. Keith's Corpse was removed from her Husband's
-House in May Fair, the Middle of October last, to an Apothecary's in
-South Audley Street, where she lies in a Room hung with Mourning,
-and is to continue there till Mr. Keith can attend her Funeral! The
-way to
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>
-Mr. Keith's Chapel is thro' Piccadilly, by the End of St. James's
-Street and down Clarges Street, and turn on the Left Hand. The
-Marriages (together with a Licence on a Five Shilling Stamp, and
-Certificate) are carried on as usual, any time till Four in the
-Afternoon, by another regular Clergyman, at Mr. Keith's little Chapel
-in May Fair, near Hyde Park Corner, opposite the great Chapel, and
-within ten Yards of it. There is a Porch at the Door like a Country
-Church Porch." </p>
-
-<p>His wife died in 1749 whilst he was in the Fleet prison, which
-accounts for his inability to attend her funeral. Why he was imprisoned
-is as follows. By advertising, and other means, his Marriages at
-Mayfair were very popular, and interfered greatly with the Vested
-Interests of the neighbouring clergy, one of whom, Dr. Trebeck, rector
-of St. George's, Hanover Square, brought a lawsuit against him, in the
-Ecclesiastical Court. He defended himself, but unsuccessfully, for a
-sentence of excommunication was promulgated against him on Oct. 27,
-1742.</p>
-
-<p>Two could play at that game, so Keith excommunicated, at his
-Chapel in Mayfair, his bishop, the judge who condemned him, and the
-prosecutor, Dr. Trebeck, but none of them seem to have been any the
-worse for the operation. Such, however, was not the case with Keith,
-for, on Jan. 24, 1743, a decree was issued for his apprehension. This
-did not take effect till April, 1743, when he was committed to the
-Fleet; the marriages at Mayfair being continued, as we have seen, by
-Symson and Denevan.</p>
-
-<p>He lay in the Fleet about fifteen years, and in 1753, <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>
-when Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act was being discussed, he thence
-issued a pamphlet of thirty-two pages, with his portrait attached,
-entitled, "Observations on the Act for preventing Clandestine
-Marriages." In it he gives what seems to be "a plain, unvarnished tale"
-of Fleet Marriages. "As I have married many thousands, and, consequently, have on those
-occasions seen the humour of the lower class of people, I have often
-asked the married pair how long they had been acquainted; they would
-reply, some more, some less, but the generality did not exceed the
-acquaintance of a week, some only of a day, half-a-day, &c....
-Another inconveniency which will arise from this Act will be, that the
-expence of being married will be so great, that few of the lower class
-of people can afford; for I have often heard a Flete parson say, that
-many have come to be married when they have but half-a-crown in their
-pockets, and sixpence to buy a pot of beer, and for which they have
-pawned some of their cloaths.... I remember once on a time, I was at
-a public-house at Radcliffe, which was then full of Sailors and their
-girls, there was fiddling, piping, jigging, and eating; at length one
-of the tars starts up, and says, 'D—m ye, Jack, I'll be married
-just now; I will have my partner, and'.... The joke took, and in less
-than two hours ten couple set out for the Flete. I staid their return.
-They returned in coaches; five women in each coach; the tars, some
-running before, others riding on the coach box, and others behind. The
-Cavalcade being over, the couples went up into an upper room, where
-they concluded the evening with great jollity. The next time I <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>
-went that way, I called on my landlord and asked him concerning this
-marriage adventure; he first stared at me, but, recollecting, he said
-those things were so frequent, that he hardly took any notice of them;
-for, added he, it is a common thing, when a fleet comes in, to have two
-or three hundred marriages in a week's time, among the sailors." </p>
-
-<p>The Marriage Act was passed, and came into force on March 26, 1754.
-On the 25th Sixty-one Couples were married at Mayfair Chapel.</p>
-
-<p>It was a death blow to the Reverend Alexander, although he tried to
-laugh it off, if Horace Walpole may be believed. In a letter to George
-Montagu, Esqr. (June 11, 1753), he says: "I shall only tell you a <i>bon mot</i> of Keith's, the marriage broker,
-and conclude. 'G—d d—n the Bishops,' said he (I beg Miss
-Montagu's pardon), 'so they will hinder my marrying. Well, let 'em,
-but I'll be revenged: I'll buy two or three acres of ground, and by
-G—d, I'll under bury them all.'" </p>
-
-<p>This may have been true, but it was mere bravado, for he appealed
-from his prison to the benevolent, as we see by the following
-advertisement. "<i>To the Compassionate.</i> By the late Marriage Act, the Rev.
-Mr. Keith, from a great Degree of Affluence, is reduc'd to such a
-deplorable State of Misery in the Fleet Prison, as is much better
-to be conceiv'd than related, having scarce any other thing than
-Bread and Water to subsist on. It is to be hoped he will be deemed
-truly undeserving such a Fate, when the Publick are assured,
-that not foreseeing such an unhappy Stroke of Fortune, as <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>
-the late Act, he yearly expended almost his whole Income (which
-amounted to several Hundred Pounds per Annum) in relieving not only
-single distress'd Persons, but even whole Families of wretched Objects
-of Compassion. This can be attested by several Persons of the strictest
-Character and Reputation, as well as by Numbers who experienced
-his Bounty. Mr. Keith's present calamitous Situation renders him
-perhaps as great an Object of Charity himself, as all Circumstances
-consider'd, as ever in his better Days partook of his own Assistance,
-or that of others equally compassionate; and is indeed sufficient to
-awaken Humanity in the most uncharitable. Any Gentleman or Lady may
-be satisfied of the above by applying to Mr. Brooke, Engraver, facing
-Water Lane, Fleet Street, by whom Donations from the Publick will be
-received for the Use of Mr. Keith." </p>
-
-<div class="footnotes">
-<blockquote>
-<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_156"
-id="Footnote_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156"><span
-class="label">[156]</span></a> Joshua Lilly, who kept one of the Hand
-and Pen houses, and said that he had been appointed Registrar of
-Marriages, by the Lord Chancellor, and had paid £1,000 for the post.
-He did not marry people, but kept presumable Clergymen to do so. He is
-mentioned several times in the Registers and Pocket-books. Once, at
-all events, he was in danger of the judgment seat, as Ashwell writes
-in one of his pocket-books: "N.B. On Sunday, November y<sup>e</sup> 6,
-1740, at y<sup>e</sup> hour of 9, in my house declared that, if he had
-not come home out of y<sup>e</sup> country, being fled for punishment,
-having Cut of his hair (to prevent being known), y<sup>t</sup>
-y<sup>e</sup> indictment for marrying James Hussey to Miss Henrietta
-Arnold, he had (been) ruin'd but y<sup>t</sup> he swore it off and
-y<sup>e</sup> attorney promis'd to defend him, and it cost him only
-a treat of 10/; had I staid, says the s<sup>d</sup> Joshua Lilley,
-where I was, viz. ——, the indictment would have stood
-good against me, but my taking y<sup>e</sup> side of the prosecutor,
-y<sup>e</sup> young ladies, I have got safe off." In a Register is a
-notice relating to him. "June y<sup>e</sup> 13th, 1744. Whereas one
-Joshua Lilley, being a noted man for having more marriages at his house
-than the generality of y<sup>e</sup> people could have, he the said
-Joshua Lilley keeping several plyars, as they are call'd, to gett these
-weddings, I have put his marriages down in a separate book, but findend
-ill-convenience arise thereby, fro' this 13th instant, do insert it
-w<sup>th</sup> y<sup>e</sup> rest." And one of his handbills describes
-him as 'I. Lilley, at y<sup>e</sup> Hand and Pen, next door to the
-china shop, Fleet Bridge, London, will be perform'd the solemnization
-of marriages by a gentleman regularly bred att one of our Universities,
-and lawfully ordain'd according to the institutions of the Church of
-England, and is ready to wait on any person in town or countrey."</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_157"
-id="Footnote_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157"><span
-class="label">[157]</span></a> This was John Lilley, who kept a
-public-house, called the Bull and Garter. In 1717 he was found guilty,
-and fined five pounds, for acting as Clerk at a Fleet Marriage. He
-was a turnkey at the Fleet Prison, and in his house he had a room for
-solemnizing marriages—which he called a Chapel—issuing
-certificates bearing the City Arms, and purporting to be the Lord
-Mayor's Certificates.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_158"
-id="Footnote_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158"><span
-class="label">[158]</span></a> Probably John Evans, who married from
-1689 to 1729, both at the King's Bench and Fleet.</p> </div>
-
-<div class="footnote"> <p><a name="Footnote_159"
-id="Footnote_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159"><span
-class="label">[159]</span></a> I am unable to identify these
-initials.</p> </div>
-
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_362-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_362-500.png" width="500" height="336" alt="A FLEET WEDDING." /></a>
-<div class="caption">A FLEET WEDDING.
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_363-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_363-500.png" width="500" height="120" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXIX.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">KEITH'S written description of a Fleet Marriage is
-graphic, but a contemporary engraving brings it
-even more vividly before us. This was published
-Oct. 20, 1747, and gives an excellent view of the
-Fleet Market as it then was. It is called "<span class="smcap">A Fleet
-Wedding</span>, Between a brisk young Sailor, and his
-Landlady's Daughter at Rederiff."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Scarce had the Coach discharg'd it's trusty Fare,</p>
-<p class="i1">But gaping Crouds surround th' amorous Pair;</p>
-<p class="i1">The busy Plyers make a mighty Stir!</p>
-<p class="i1">And whisp'ring cry, d'ye want the Parson, Sir?</p>
-<p class="i1">Pray step this way—just to the <span class="smcap">Pen in Hand</span></p>
-<p class="i1">The Doctor's ready there at your Command:</p>
-<p class="i1">This way (another cries) Sir, I declare</p>
-<p class="i1">The true and ancient Register is Here.</p>
-<p class="i1">Th' alarmed Parsons quickly hear the Din!</p>
-<p class="i1">And haste with soothing words t'invite them in:</p>
-<p class="i1">In this Confusion jostled to and fro,</p>
-<p class="i1">Th' inamour'd Couple knows not where to go:</p>
-<p class="i1">Till slow advancing from the Coache's Side</p>
-<p class="i1">Th' experienc'd Matron came (an artful Guide)</p>
-<p class="i1">She led the way without regarding either,</p>
-<p class="i1">And the first parson spliced 'em both together."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_364-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_364-500.png" width="500" height="305" alt="THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT." /></a>
-<div class="caption">THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT.
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>The Context to this is a companion Engraving of
-"<span class="smcap">The Sailor's Fleet Wedding Entertainment</span>,"
-which most aptly illustrates Keith's description, but the
-poetry attached to it will scarcely bear modern reproduction.</p>
-
-<p>But, if a poetical account of a Fleet Wedding is
-needed, it may be found in "<span class="smcap">The Bunter's Wedding</span>."</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poem width20">
-<div class="stanza">
-<p>"Good people attend, I'll discover,</p>
-<p class="i1">A Wedding that happen'd of late,</p>
-<p class="i1">I cannot tell why we should smother,</p>
-<p class="i1">The weddings of poor more than great;</p>
-<p class="i1">'Twixt Ben of the Borough so pretty,</p>
-<p class="i1">Who carries a basket, 'tis said,</p>
-<p class="i1">And dainty plump Kent street fair Kitty,</p>
-<p class="i1">A Coney Wool Cutter by trade.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">The guests were all quickly invited,</p>
-<p class="i1">Ben order'd the dinner by noon,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Kitty was highly delighted,</p>
-<p class="i1">They obey'd the glad summons so soon:</p>
-<p class="i1">An ox cheek was order'd for dinner,</p>
-<p class="i1">With plenty of porter and gin,</p>
-<p class="i1">Ben swore on the oath of a sinner,</p>
-<p class="i1">Nothing should be wanting in him.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Joe the sandman, and Bessy the bunter,</p>
-<p class="i1">We hear from St. Giles's did prance,</p>
-<p class="i1">Dick the fiddler, and Sally the Mumper,</p>
-<p class="i1">Brought Levi the Jew for to dance.</p>
-<p class="i1">Tom the Chanter he quickly was present,</p>
-<p class="i1">And squinting black Molly likewise,</p>
-<p class="i1">With Billy the Dustman quite pleasant,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Nell with no nose and sore eyes.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Ned the drover was also invited,</p>
-<p class="i1">Unto this gay wedding to come,</p>
-<p class="i1">From Smithfield he came quite delighted,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">Before that the market was done.</p>
-<p class="i1">And Fanny the pretty match maker,</p>
-<p class="i1">A sister to young bunting Bess,</p>
-<p class="i1">She wished the devil might take her</p>
-<p class="i1">If she was not one of the guests.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Dolly the rag woman's daughter,</p>
-<p class="i1">From Tyburn road she did stride,</p>
-<p class="i1">And Jenny the quilter came after</p>
-<p class="i1">Whose nose it stood all of one side;</p>
-<p class="i1">There was Roger the chimney sweeper,</p>
-<p class="i1">No soot he would gather that day,</p>
-<p class="i1">But, because he would look the compleater,</p>
-<p class="i1">His soot bag and brush threw away.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">There was bandy leg'd sheep's head Susan</p>
-<p class="i1">We hear from Field Lane she did hie,</p>
-<p class="i1">And draggle tail'd Pat with no shoes on,</p>
-<p class="i1">Who pins and laces doth cry;</p>
-<p class="i1">Ralph the grinder he set by his barrow,</p>
-<p class="i1">As soon as he heard of the news,</p>
-<p class="i1">And swore he would be there to-morrow,</p>
-<p class="i1">Atho' he'd no heels to his shoes.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Sam the grubber, he having had warning,</p>
-<p class="i1">His wallet and broom down did lay,</p>
-<p class="i1">And early attended next morning,</p>
-<p class="i1">The bride for to give away;</p>
-<p class="i1">And Peggy the mop yarn spinner,</p>
-<p class="i1">Her Cards and her wheel set aside,</p>
-<p class="i1">And swore as she was a sinner,</p>
-<p class="i1">She'd go and attire the bride.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Nan the tub woman out of Whitechapel,</p>
-<p class="i1">Was also invited to go,</p>
-<p class="i1">And, as she was 'kin to the couple,</p>
-<p class="i1">She swore she the stocking would throw;</p>
-<p class="i1">So having all gather'd together,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">As they appointed to meet,</p>
-<p class="i1">And being all birds of a feather,</p>
-<p class="i1">They presently flocked to the Fleet.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">But when at Fleet Bridge they arrived,</p>
-<p class="i1">The bridegroom was handing his bride,</p>
-<p class="i1">The sailors [<i>? plyers</i>] they all to them drived,</p>
-<p class="i1">Do you want a Parson? they cry'd;</p>
-<p class="i1">But as they down Fleet Ditch did prance,</p>
-<p class="i1">What house shall we go to? says Ben,</p>
-<p class="i1">Then Kitty, in raptures, made answer</p>
-<p class="i1">Let's go to the Hand and the Pen.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Then into the house they did bundle,</p>
-<p class="i1">The landlady shew'd them a room,</p>
-<p class="i1">The landlord he roar'd out like thunder,</p>
-<p class="i1">The parson shall wait on you soon:</p>
-<p class="i1">Then so eager he came for to fasten,</p>
-<p class="i1">He staid not to fasten his hose,</p>
-<p class="i1">A fat bellied ruddy fac'd parson,</p>
-<p class="i1">That brandy had painted his nose.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">But before (he) the couple did fasten</p>
-<p class="i1">He look'd all around on the men,</p>
-<p class="i1">My fee's half a crown, says the parson,—</p>
-<p class="i1">I freely will give it, says Ben:</p>
-<p class="i1">Then Hymen he presently follow'd</p>
-<p class="i1">And the happy knot being ty'd</p>
-<p class="i1">The guests they whooped and hollow'd,</p>
-<p class="i1">All joys to the bridegroom and bride.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Like Malt horses home they all pranced,</p>
-<p class="i1">The bride she look'd not like the same,</p>
-<p class="i1">And thus thro' the City they danced;</p>
-<p class="i1">But, when to the Borough they came,</p>
-<p class="i1">The bride to look buxom endeavour'd,</p>
-<p class="i1">The bridegroom as brisk as an eel;</p>
-<p class="i1">With the marrow bones and cleavers,</p>
-<p class="i1">The butchers they rang them a peal.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">And, as they were homewards advancing,</p>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span>
-<p class="i1">A-dancing, and singing of songs,</p>
-<p class="i1">The rough music met them all prancing,</p>
-<p class="i1">With frying pans, shovels, and tongs:</p>
-<p class="i1">Tin Canisters, salt boxes plenty,</p>
-<p class="i1">With trotter bones beat by the boys,</p>
-<p class="i1">And they being hollow and empty,</p>
-<p class="i1">They made a most racketting noise.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Bowls, gridirons, platters, and ladles,</p>
-<p class="i1">And pokers, tin kettles did bruise,</p>
-<p class="i1">The noise, none to bear it was able,</p>
-<p class="i1">The warming pans beat with old shoes:</p>
-<p class="i1">Such a rattling racketting uproar,</p>
-<p class="i1">Had you but have heard it, no doubt,</p>
-<p class="i1">All hell was broke loose you'd have swore,</p>
-<p class="i1">And the devils were running about.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">The Mob they all hollow'd and shouted,</p>
-<p class="i1">In the streets as they passed along,</p>
-<p class="i1">The people to see how they scouted,</p>
-<p class="i1">Together in clusters did throng;</p>
-<p class="i1">They made all the noise they was able,</p>
-<p class="i1">And thus they were ushered in,</p>
-<p class="i1">But e'er they all sat down to table,</p>
-<p class="i1">They each had a glass of old gin.</p>
- </div><div class="stanza">
-<p class="i1">Dinner being decently ended,</p>
-<p class="i1">The table was cleared with speed,</p>
-<p class="i1">And they to be merry intended,</p>
-<p class="i1">So strait did to dancing proceed;</p>
-<p class="i1">But Harry the night man so jolly,</p>
-<p class="i1">With madness he almost cry'd,</p>
-<p class="i1">And all the night sat melancholy,</p>
-<p class="i1">For he had a mind for the bride."</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>There are four more verses, but they are not worth
-transcribing—besides, there is a very good prose account <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> of
-the doings at the Fleet, which, certainly, bears the impress of truth.
-It is in No. 270 of the <i>Grub Street Journal</i>, Feb. 27, 1735:—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"Sir, There is a very great evil in this town, and of dangerous
-consequence to our sex, that has never been suppressed, to the great
-prejudice, and ruin, of many hundreds of young people, every year;
-which I beg some of your learned heads to consider of, and consult
-of proper ways and means to prevent for the future: I mean the
-ruinous marriages that are practised in the liberty of the <i>Fleet</i>,
-and thereabouts, by a sett of drunken, swearing parsons, with their
-Myrmidons that wear black coats, and pretend to be clerks, and
-registers to the Fleet. These ministers of wickedness ply about Ludgate
-Hill, pulling and forcing people to some pedling alehouse, or brandy
-shop, to be married, even on a sunday, stopping them as they go to
-church, and almost tearing their cloaths off their backs. To confirm
-the truth of these facts, I will give you a case or two, which lately
-happened:—</p>
-
-<p>"Since midsummer last, a young lady of birth and fortune, was
-deluded and forced from her friends, by the assistance of a very
-wicked, swearing parson, married to an atheistical wretch, whose life
-is a continual practice of all manner of vice and debauchery. And,
-since the ruin of my relation, another lady of my acquaintance had like
-to have been trapanned in the following manner:—</p>
-
-<p>"This lady had appointed to meet a gentlewoman at the Old Play-house
-in Drury Lane; but extraordinary business prevented her coming. Being
-alone, when
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>
-the play was done, she bade a boy call a coach for
-the City. One drest like a gentleman helps her into it, and jumps in
-after her. 'Madam,' says he, 'this coach was called for me: and since
-the weather is so bad, and there is no other, I beg leave to bear you
-company; I am going into the City, and will set you down wherever you
-please.' The lady begged to be excused; but he bade the coachman drive
-on. Being come to Ludgate hill, he told her his sister, who waited his
-coming, but five doors up the Court, would go with her in two minutes.
-He went, and returned with his pretended sister, who asked her to step
-in one minute, and she would wait upon her in the coach.</p>
-
-<p>"Deluded with the assurance of having his sister's company, the
-poor lady foolishly followed her into the house, when, instantly, the
-sister vanish'd; and a tawny fellow in a black coat and black wig
-appeared. 'Madam, you are come in good time, the doctor was just a
-going.' 'The doctor,' says she, horribly frighted, fearing it was a
-madhouse; 'What has the doctor to do with me?' 'To marry you to that
-gentleman: the doctor has waited for you these three hours, and will be
-payed by you or the gentleman before you go.' 'That gentleman,' says
-she, recovering herself, 'is worthy a better fortune than mine.' And
-begged hard to be gone. But doctor <span class="smcap">Wryneck</span>
-swore she shou'd be married; or, if she wou'd not, he would still have
-his fee, and register the marriage from that night. The lady, finding
-she could not escape without money or a pledge, told them she liked the
-gentleman so well, she would certainly meet him to-morrow night, and
-gave them a ring as a pledge:
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>
-which, says she, 'was my mother's gift on her deathbed, injoining that
-if ever I married, it should be my wedding ring.' By which cunning
-contrivance, she was delivered from the black doctor, and his tawny
-crew.</p>
-
-<p>"Some time after this, I went with this lady, and her brother, in
-a coach to Ludgate Hill, in the day time, to see the manner of their
-picking up people to be married. As soon as our coach stopt near Fleet
-Bridge, up comes on of the Myrmidons. 'Madam,' says he, 'you want a
-parson.' 'Who are you?' says I. 'I am the clerk and register of the
-Fleet.' 'Show me the Chapel.' At which comes a second, desiring me to
-go along with him. Says he, 'That fellow will carry you to a pedling
-alehouse. Says a third, 'Go with me, he will carry you to a brandy
-shop.' In the interim, comes the doctor. 'Madam,' says he, 'I'll do
-your jobb for you presently.' 'Well, gentlemen,' says I, 'since you
-can't agree, and I can't be married quietly, I'll put it off 'till
-another time,' so drove away."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Some of the stories of Fleet Marriages read like romances, yet they
-are all taken from contemporary accounts. Here, for instance, is a
-fact, scarcely to be believed nowadays:— "Jan. 5, 1742. On Tuesday last two Persons, one of Skinner Street,
-and the other of Webb's Square, Spittle Fields, exchang'd Wives, to
-whom they had been married upwards of twelve Years; and the same Day,
-to the Content of all Parties, the Marriages were consummated at the
-Fleet. Each Husband gave his Wife away to the other, and in the Evening
-had an Entertainment together." </p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Or this from the <i>Whitehall Evening Post</i>, July 24,
-1739:— "On Tuesday last a Woman indifferently well dress'd came to the sign
-of the Bull and Garter, next Door to the Fleet Prison, and was there
-married to a Soldier; in the afternoon she came again, and would have
-been married to a Butcher, but that Parson who had married her in the
-Morning refused to marry her again, which put her to the Trouble of
-going a few Doors further, to another Parson, who had no Scruple."
-</p>
-
-<p>Here is another story indicative of the Manners and
-Morals of those days:— Oct. 1739. "Last Week, a merry Widow, near Bethnal Green, having
-a pretty many Admirers, not to be over Cruel, she equally dispensed
-her Favours between two, who were the highest in her Esteem. The one,
-a Butcher, meeting the good Woman, took the Advantage of the others
-Absence, and pleaded his Cause so successfully, that they tuck'd up
-their Tails, trudg'd to the Fleet, and were tack'd together. Home
-they both jogg'd to their several habitations, the Bridegroom to his,
-and the Bride to her's. Soon after came another of her Admirers, an
-honest Weaver, who, upon hearing of the Melancholy News, had no more
-Life in him for some time than one of the Beams of his Loom; but,
-recovering himself a little from the Surprize he was seized with a
-sudden Delirium, swore his Loom should be his Gibbet, and he'd hang
-himself pendant at the End of his Garter, if he also was not tack'd
-to his comfortable Rib: The good Widow, considering that the Butcher
-had not bedded with her, and desirous of preventing Murder, consented,
-and away she jogg'd to be coupled to the Weaver. On their return home,
-to Bed
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373-4]</a></span>
-they went, and the Butcher coming to see his dear Spouse, found her
-in Bed with the Weaver; upon which a Quarrel ensued, and the Butcher
-being the best Man, she left the Weaver and went to the Butcher, being
-willing to please them both, as well as she could." </p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 200px; ">
-<a href="images/i_373-650.png" >
-<img src="images/i_373-200.png" width="200" height="152" alt="Decorative End of Chapter" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_375-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_375-500.png" width="500" height="133" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>CHAPTER XXX.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">THERE are several instances of Committal to the
-Fleet for meddling with Marriages. One or two
-will suffice:— 1731. "Thursday, the Master of the Rolls
-committed a Clergyman to the Fleet for marrying a young Gentleman about
-17 years of Age at Eaton School, and intitled to an Estate of £1500 per
-Annum, to a Servant Maid: and at the same time committed the person who
-gave her in Marriage. His Honour had some days since sent as Prisoner
-to the Fleet, the Person who pretended to be the Youth's Guardian, and
-who had given a Bond to indemnify the Parson."</p>
-
-<p>1735. "Two Sisters were committed to the
-Fleet prison, by an order of the high Court of Chancery, for drawing a
-young fellow into marriage, he being a ward of the said Court."</p>
-
-<p>Dec. 28, 1734. "Last Saturday Night Mr.
-D—— late Valet de Chambre to a certain Noble Lord near
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>
-Soho Square, went away, as was suspected, with his Lordship's Niece, a
-young Lady not yet of Age, and a Coheiress to a very large Estate. It
-seems they took a Hackney Coach soon after they got out of Doors, and
-upon strict Enquiry, the Coachman was found out, who declared that he
-took a Gentleman and a Lady up at such a Place, and set them down at
-the Fleet, and by the Description he gave it appeared to be the two
-Lovers, who may therefore be supposed to have been married and bedded
-that Night. A Warrant was immediately obtained for apprehending the
-Supposed Bridegroom, and he was accordingly taken in Bed with his Lady,
-at a house in Queen Street near Guildhall, on Wednesday Morning last,
-and immediately carried to Poultry Compter, and the Lady was carried
-off by her Friends. In the Afternoon he was examined, and afterwards
-re-committed to the same Prison. So that it seems he is to suffer
-for endeavouring to get himself a <i>Rich Wife</i>, which is a Practice
-followed by all the young <i>Gentlemen</i> of <i>Quality</i> in England; but the
-Difference is, <i>That this young fellow has married, or endeavoured to
-marry an Heiress without the Consent of her Friends, whereas the other
-generally marry or endeavour to marry Heiresses without their own
-Consent.</i> It has since been found out that they were married by a Roman
-Catholic Priest." </p>
-
-<p>There was a faint-hearted protest on the part of the Fleet
-authorities, against the Marriages, but I can find no attempt at
-prosecution, other than for marrying without a stamped licence, in
-spite of the following advertisement:—</p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"September, 1743. <span
-class="smcap">Whereas</span> the Methods hitherto taken to prevent
-clandestine Marriages at the Fleet have prov'd ineffectual, though
-legal Notice hath been given by the Warden of the Fleet to such of
-his Tenants in whose houses it is reputed such Marriages have been
-suffer'd, to quit the Possession thereof; therefore, and as such
-Warning cannot immediately have the desir'd Effect, this Publick
-Notice is given, that, whoever shall make it appear to the Warden's
-Satisfaction that any of his Prisoners, shall at any time hereafter
-clandestinely marry, or be, in any manner however, concern'd in any
-clandestine Marriage, or suffer such Marriages to be performed in his,
-hers, or their Houses, or Lodgings, such Person or Persons making such
-Discovery, shall receive a Guinea Reward from the Turnkey of the said
-Prison.</p>
-
-<p class="right">
-"<span class="smcap">William Manning</span>, Turnkey."
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>There were several people of fortune married by Fleet parsons <i>vide
-Grub Street Journal</i>, September 18, 1735, "Married yesterday Will Adams, Esqr., to
-Miss Eleanor Watkins, a beautiful young lady, with a fortune of
-£15,000." And in the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, May
-6, 1735, "Married the Lord Robert Montagu, to Mrs. Harriet Dunch of Whitehall,
-with a fortune of £15,000."
-</p>
-
-<p>Somewhat of a curiosity is recorded in "Notes and
-Queries," 4 series, vol. xii. p. 295. "I have before me an engraved medal, bearing the following
-inscription, about which I should be glad of information. 'May
-y<sup>e</sup> 3, 1761. Thos. Wisely Maried Sarah Boswell in the Fleet
-Prison.'" This, in all probability, was a half-crown
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span>
-with one side made smooth, and the above engraved upon it.</p>
-
-<p>There is no doubt but that, with a duly stamped
-licence and until they were specially done away with by
-Lord Hardwicke's Act of 1753, these marriages were
-legal; still there is an instance recorded in the <i>General
-Evening Post</i>, June 27/29, 1745, in which a Fleet
-marriage was ruled to be illegal. "Yesterday came on a cause at Doctor's Commons, wherein the
-plaintiff brought his action against the defendant for pretending to be
-his wife. She, in her justification, pleaded a marriage at the Fleet
-the 6th of February, 1737, and produced a Fleet Certificate, which was
-not allowed as evidence. She likewise offered to produce the minister
-she pretended married them, but he being excommunicate for clandestine
-marriages, could not be received as a witness. The Court thereupon
-pronounced against the marriage, and condemned her in £28, the costs of
-the suit." </p>
-
-<p>The Registers in which these marriages were entered have mostly had
-an eventful and chequered career. Many have, doubtless, disappeared
-for ever, and it is extremely probable that some are in private hands,
-one being in the Bodleian Library. They were to be bought by any one
-interested in them, and the present collection cannot be considered
-as being at all perfect. We learn the adventures of some of them
-through the evidence of a Mrs. Olive, who produced one at a trial at
-Shrewsbury in 1794. This woman was originally a servant to Joshua
-Lilly, and used to "ply" or tout for him, and at his death married one
-Owens, who succeeded to one
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>
-of Lilly's marriage houses, and who, probably, bought his Registers
-from his representatives. At this Trial she said: "My first husband was Thos. Owens. I had the Register Books of Fleet
-Marriages in my possession from my Marriage in 1761 till I went to
-America eleven years ago. I then sold them to Mr. Panton. My husband
-Owens died about 1773. My husband made a will. I had the possession of
-the books myself, as my husband had other business. I heard my husband
-say he purchased these books. He had a Marriage House in Fleet Lane. I
-used the books to grant certificates upon parish affairs." </p>
-
-<p>After her Marriage with Olive she still made use of these Registers,
-for we read in an Advertisement that "All the original Register Books containing the marriages solemnized
-at the Fleet, May Fair, and the Mint, for upwards of one hundred years
-past, may be searched by applying to George Olive, at the Wheat Sheaf,
-in Nicholls Square, near Cripplegate. The great utility of these
-Collections prevents any encomiums." </p>
-
-<p>About 1783 a Mr. Benjamin Panton bought of Mrs. Olive some five
-or six hundred of these books, weighing more than a ton, and used
-to produce them occasionally on trials at law, and they were always
-accepted as evidence.</p>
-
-<p>At his death in 1805 he left these to his daughter, who still
-utilised them as her father had done, as a handbill shows. "All the original Register Books of the Marriages in the Fleet,
-May Fair, and Mint, are now in the possession of M. Panton (Register
-Keeper), No. 50, Houndsditch, by whom they are examined, and
-Certificates of Marriages granted." </p>
-
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg
-380]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>In 1813 she sold them to a Mr. William Cox, who, in 1821, sold them
-to the Government for £260 6s. 6d., and the following letter
-shows us what became of them.</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p class="right">
-"<span class="smcap">Whitehall</span>, <i>April</i> 25, 1821.<br />
-</p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—It having been judged
-expedient to purchase a set of books containing the original Entries
-of Marriages solemnized in the Fleet Prison, and Rules thereof, from
-the year 1686 to the year 1754. I have been honoured with his Majesty's
-commands to desire that you will receive the said books from Mr. Maule
-the Solicitor to the Treasury, and give him a receipt for the same, and
-deposit them in the Registry of the Consistory Court of London.</p>
-
-<p><span style="margin-left: 25em;">"I have the honour to be, Sir,</span>
-<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 28em;">"Your most obedient humble Servant,</span>
-<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 30em;">"<span class="smcap">Sidmouth</span>.</span>
-</p>
-<p class="center">"The Registrar of the Consistory Court of London,
-or his Deputy."
-</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>Here they remained until the abolition of the Court in 1840, by
-Act of Parliament, 3 and 4 Vic. cap. 92, when they were declared
-inadmissible as evidence in law. Sec. 6 says, "And be it enacted That all Registers and Records deposited in the
-General Register Office by virtue of this Act, except the Registers
-and Records of Baptisms and Marriages at <i>The Fleet</i>, and <i>King's
-Bench</i> Prisons, at <i>May Fair</i>, at the <i>Mint</i> in <i>Southwark</i>, and
-elsewhere, which were deposited in the Registry of the Bishop of
-<i>London</i> in the Year One Thousand Eight
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>
-Hundred and Twenty One, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed to be
-in legal Custody, and shall be receivable in Evidence in all Courts of
-Justice, subject to the Provisions hereinafter contained." </p>
-
-<p>And Section 20 provides thus, "And be it enacted, That the several Registers and Records of
-Baptisms and Marriages performed at the Fleet" (&c., &c., as in
-Section 6) "shall be transferred from the said Registry to the Custody
-of the Registrar-General, who is hereby directed to receive the same
-for safe custody." And it recapitulates that they shall not be received as evidence at
-law.</p>
-
-<p>They are kept at Somerset House, where they can be examined for a
-small fee. A great number of them are memorandum books, and Burn, when
-he examined them at Doctors Commons, in 1833, did not much like his
-job. "It is to be wished that they were better arranged and indexed.
-There are several very large indexes, which only requires a little
-time and attention to ascertain to what Registers they refer. The
-Pocket books also, might be bound together, and preserved from dust and
-dirt; and if Government would give about £300 these objects might be
-attained. It was a labour of many months to go through so many hundreds
-of dusty, dirty, and sometimes ragged books." </p>
-
-<p>The entries in the pocket-books are quainter than those in the
-registries, as they are the first impressions, and the others are
-polished up. We find from them that it was not infrequent to antedate
-the Registers, and Lilley did so on one occasion, "there being a vacancy in the Book suitable to the time."
-And, again, "These
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>
-wicked people came this day, Peter Oliver, of St. Olave's, carpenter,
-and Elizabeth Overton, would have a certificate dated in 1729, or would
-not be married if it was not to be dated to this time—went to
-Lilley's and was married." </p>
-
-<p>Perhaps the most extraordinary entries in these books are those
-of two women going through the ceremony of marriage with each
-other—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p>"20 May, 1737. J<sup>no</sup> Smith, Gent.
-of S<sup>t</sup> James West<sup>r</sup> Batch<sup>r</sup> &
-Eliz. Huthall of S<sup>t</sup> Giles's Sp<sup>r</sup> at Wilsons. By
-y<sup>e</sup> opinion after Matrimony, my Clark judg'd they were both
-women, if y<sup>e</sup> person by name John Smith be a man, he's a
-little short fair thin man, not above 5 foot. After marriage I almost
-c'd prove y<sup>m</sup> both women, the one was dress'd as a man, thin
-pale face, & wrinkled chin."</p>
-
-<p>"1734 Dec. 15. John Mountford of
-S<sup>t</sup> Ann's Sohoe, Taylor. B., Mary Cooper. Ditto. Sp.
-Suspected 2 Women, no Certif."</p>
-
-<p>"1 Oct. 1747. John Ferren, Gent, Ser. of
-S<sup>t</sup> Andrew's Holborn B<sup>r</sup> and Deborah Nolan.
-D<sup>o</sup> Sp<sup>n</sup>. The supposed John Ferren was discovered
-after y<sup>e</sup> Ceremonies were over, to be in person a woman."</p>
-</blockquote>
-
-<p>There is one entry, "The Woman ran across Ludgate
-Hill in her shift." In the <i>Daily Journal</i> of November 8, 1725, a woman went to be
-married in that sole garment, at Ulcomb, in Kent; and in the Parish
-Register of Chiltern All Saints in October 17, 1714, it says: "The aforesaid Anne Sellwood was married in her <span
-class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>
-Smock, without any clothes or head gier on." This was a vulgar error, but the idea in so acting was that the
-husband was not liable for any of his wife's pre-nuptial
-debts.</p>
-
-<p>The candidates for matrimony were occasionally not over-honest,
-as— "Had a noise for foure hours about the Money." "N.B.
-Stole a Silver Spoon."" Stole my Cloathes Brush." "N.B. Married at
-a Barber's Shop next Wilsons viz., one Kerrils for half a Guinea,
-after which it was extorted out of my pocket, and for fear of my life
-delivered." "They behaved very vilely, and attempted to run away with
-M<sup>rs</sup> Crooks Gold Ring."
-
-</p>
-
-<p>But then, again, these Fleet parsons had customers of
-a higher grade, as "Dec. 1, 1716. Dan Paul, S<sup>t</sup> James's, Capt<sup>n</sup> in
-y<sup>e</sup> Horse Guards." <br /> "March y<sup>e</sup> 4<sup>th</sup>
-1740. William—and Sarah—he dress'd in a gold waistcoat
-like an Officer, she a Beautifull young Lady with 2 fine diamond
-Rings, and a Black high Crown Hat and very well dressed. "<br />
-"Nov. y<sup>e</sup> 24, 1733 att y<sup>e</sup> Baptized hed Tavern
-to go to M<sup>r</sup> Gibbs for to marry him in y<sup>e</sup>
-countrey—Wife worth £18,000." <br /> "Septr<sup>5</sup>,
-1744 Andrew Mills, Gent. of the Temple, & Charlotte Gail lairdy
-of S<sup>t</sup> Mildred, Poultry at M<sup>r</sup> Boyce's, King's
-head. N.B. One gentleman came first in a merry manner to make a
-bargain w<sup>th</sup> the Minister for the marriage, and immediately
-came the parties themselves, disguising their dress by contrivances,
-particularly buttning up the coat, because the rich wastecoat should
-not be seen, &c." </p>
-
-<p>The Church of England Marriage Service was generally used, but,
-in one instance, as shown by a pocket-book,
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>
-it was somewhat modified, as when the ring is given the Trinity is
-not mentioned, but the words are altered to "from this time forth
-for evermore. Amen;" and when the couple promise to hold together
-"according to God's holy ordinance," it was rendered "according to
-law." There seems to have been but one example of the officiating
-Clergyman administering the Sacrament at a Marriage, and that was done
-by the Rev. W. Dan, who describes himself as "priest of the Church of
-England." >"October 2<sup>nd</sup> 1743 John Figg, of S<sup>t</sup> John's the
-Evang<sup>s</sup> Gent. a Widower, and Rebecca Woodward, of Ditto,
-Spinster, at y<sup>e</sup> same time gave her y<sup>e</sup> Sacrament."
-</p>
-
-<p>The Scandal of Fleet Marriages remained unchecked until 1753,
-when the Lord Chancellor brought forward and passed "An Act for the
-better preventing of clandestine marriages"—26 Geo. III. cap.
-33—which, in its different sections, provides that the Banns of
-Matrimony are to be published according to the rubric, &c., the
-marriage to be solemnized in one of the churches where the banns had
-been published. Marriage by licence could only take place in the church
-or chapel of such parish, &c., where one of the parties should have
-resided for four weeks previously.</p>
-
-<p>This was the death-blow to the Fleet Marriages, as any contravention
-of the law was made punishable by transportation "to some of his
-Majesty's plantations in America for the space of fourteen years,
-according to the laws in force for the transportation of felons."</p>
-
-<p>The Act came into force on March 26, 1754, but
-people took advantage of the Fleet Marriages until the
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385-6]</a></span>
-last moment, and that in great numbers, for in one
-Register alone there is a list of 217 weddings celebrated
-on the 25th of March!</p>
-
-<p>The last Fleet Wedding is recorded in the <i>Times</i> of
-July 10, 1840: "Mr. John Mossington, aged 76, and a Prisoner in the Fleet, more
-than 15 years, was, on Wednesday, married to Miss Anne Weatherhead,
-aged 62, at St. Bride's Church. The Lady had travelled 36 Miles to
-meet her bridegroom, who is, without exception, one of the most
-extraordinary men in this County. He takes his morning walks round
-the Fleet prison yard, which he repeats three or four times a day,
-with as much rapidity as a young man could do of the age of 20. The
-Road from Farringdon Street to the Church, was lined with Spectators
-who knew of the event, and the Church was equally filled to hear the
-Ceremony performed. The Courtship first commenced 41 years ago, and Mr.
-Mossington has now fulfilled his promise."
-</p>
-
-<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The End.</span></p>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenumhidden"><a name="Page_386-1" id="Page_386-1">[Pg 386-1]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 250px;"><a href="images/i_387a-875.png">
-<img src="images/i_387a-250.png" width="250" height="883" alt="MAP OF THE FLEET." /></a>
-<div class="caption">MAP OF THE FLEET.
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 500px; ">
-<a href="images/i_386-1200.png" >
-<img src="images/i_386-500.png" width="500" height="130" alt="Decorative Chapter Heading" /></a>
-</div>
-
-<h3>INDEX.</h3>
-</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 100px;">
-<img src="images/i_divider.png" alt="__________" width="100" height="18" />
-</div>
-
-<p>
-<span class="smcap">Aldgate</span> Pump, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br />
-<br />
-Alsatia, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a><br />
-<br />
-Annis (Dame) the Cleare, <a href="#Page_10">10</a><br />
-<br />
-Antiquarian Discoveries, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a><br />
-<br />
-Apothecaries Hall, <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br />
-<br />
-Apprentices and City Authorities, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br />
-<br />
-Archer, J. W., <a href="#Page_81">81</a><br />
-<br />
-Archery, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a><br />
-<br />
-Artillery Ground, <a href="#Page_116">116</a><br />
-<br />
-Ashwell, E., <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Bagnigge</span> House, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br />
-<br />
-Bagnigge Wells, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Bambridge, Thos., <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Basset, Bartholomew, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a><br />
-<br />
-Battle Bridge, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a><br />
-<br />
-Baynard's Castle, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>-15,<br />
-<br />
-Bear baiting, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a><br />
-<br />
-Begging Grate, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Billingsgate, fountain at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Black Mary's Hole, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br />
-<br />
-Bleeding Heart Yard, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br />
-<br />
-Boughton, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a><br />
-<br />
-"Boy" (Prince Rupert's Dog), <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br />
-<br />
-Brabazon, Roger le, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>-15<br />
-<br />
-Brent, the, <a href="#Page_21">21</a><br />
-<br />
-Bridewell, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Brill, the, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a><br />
-<br />
-Brooke Street, Hanover Square, <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br />
-<br />
-Brothers, <a href="#Page_105">105</a><br />
-<br />
-Brown's Dairy, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br />
-<br />
-Bull baiting, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Bunter's Wedding, the, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Cantelows,</span><a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Chad's, St., Well, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a><br />
-<br />
-Cheape Conduit, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-City Authorities and Apprentices, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br />
-<br />
-Clement's Well, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a><br />
-<br />
-Clerken Well, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a><br />
-<br />
-Cobham's Head, <a href="#Page_115">115</a><br />
-<br />
-Cock, a man eats a live, <a href="#Page_70">70</a><br />
-<br />
-Coldbath, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a><br />
-<br />
-Coldbath Fields, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a><br />
-<br />
-Coldbath Fields Prison, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Cöln, stinks at, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br />
-<br />
-Conduits, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Conduit, White, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Coppin, Edward, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a><br />
-<br />
-Cornhill, the Tun in, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Court Room at Bridewell, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Cresswell, Mother, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br />
-<br />
-Cripplegate, fountain at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Cripplegate Pool, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br />
-<br />
-Cruikshank, Isaac Robert, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Dustman</span>, the Literary, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Election</span>, a mock, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a><br />
-<br />
-"Elephant," skeleton of, found, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br />
-<br />
-Ely Place, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Everett, John, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Fagin</span>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br />
-<br />
-Fag's Well, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a><br />
-<br />
-Falstaff, Sir John, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br />
-<br />
-Field Lane, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br />
-<br />
-Fighting, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a><br />
-<br />
-Fleet Bridge, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br />
-<br />
-Fleet, derivation of name, <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br />
-<br />
-Fleet Ditch, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>-7, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Fleet Market, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a><br />
-<br />
-Fleet Marriages, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_385">385</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Fleet Prison, the, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_291">292</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Fleet Registers, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Fleet River, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Floud, John, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a><br />
-<br />
-Forcer, proprietor of Sadler's Wells, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br />
-<br />
-Foster, Sir Stephen, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a><br />
-<br />
-Fountain at Billingsgate, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Fountain at Paul's Wharf, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Fountain at St. Giles, Cripplegate, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Garnish</span>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a><br />
-<br />
-Garth, Dr., <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br />
-<br />
-Gaynam, John, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a><br />
-<br />
-Gordon, Lord George, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a><br />
-<br />
-Gospel Oak, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a><br />
-<br />
-Griffith, Chas., <a href="#Page_91">91</a><br />
-<br />
-Gwynne, Nell, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Hampstead</span>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>-14, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br />
-<br />
-Hampstead Ponds, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br />
-<br />
-Harris, Alex., Warden of the<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;">Fleet, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Hatton Garden, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><br />
-<br />
-Hatton, the Chancellor, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br />
-<br />
-Hemp beetling at Bridewell, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_13">213</a><br />
-<br />
-Hockley-in-the-Hole, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Hogarth, <a href="#Page_274">274</a><br />
-<br />
-Holborn Bridge, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br />
-<br />
-Holy Well, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a><br />
-<br />
-Horse Pool, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Howard, John, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a><br />
-<br />
-Huggins, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a><br />
-<br />
-"Humours of the Fleet," <a href="#Page_279">279</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"> <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Hunt, "Orator," <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a><br />
-<br />
-Huntingdon, Lady, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_124">125</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Keith</span>, Parson, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Ken Wood, <a href="#Page_25">25</a><br />
-<br />
-Kentish Town, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br />
-<br />
-King's Cross, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Ladies'</span> ablutions, <a href="#Page_113">113</a><br />
-<br />
-Lamb's Conduit, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Lando, James, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a><br />
-<br />
-Langbourne, <a href="#Page_8">8</a><br />
-<br />
-Leveland, Nathaniel de, <a href="#Page_229">229</a><br />
-<br />
-Lilley, John, <a href="#Page_352">352</a><br />
-<br />
-Lilley, Joshua, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a><br />
-<br />
-Loders Well, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a><br />
-<br />
-Ludgate Prison, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></span><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Macklin</span>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br />
-<br />
-Man drowned in the Fleet River, <a href="#Page_226">226</a><br />
-<br />
-Man frozen in the Fleet River, <a href="#Page_226">226</a><br />
-<br />
-Mansfield, Earl of, <a href="#Page_25">25</a><br />
-<br />
-Marriages, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Mary le Bourne, St., <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br />
-<br />
-Mayfair Chapel, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a><br />
-<br />
-Merlin's Cave, <a href="#Page_129">129</a><br />
-<br />
-Miles' Musick house, <a href="#Page_69">69</a><br />
-<br />
-Mill at Bridewell, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br />
-<br />
-Moat, the Fleet Prison, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br />
-<br />
-Montfitchet Castle, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br />
-<br />
-Mottram, John, <a href="#Page_339">339</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Nelson</span>, Lord, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br />
-<br />
-Northampton Chapel, <a href="#Page_123">123</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Oastler</span>, Richard, <a href="#Page_325">325</a><br />
-<br />
-Old Bourne, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a><br />
-<br />
-Oldcastle, the Sir John, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></span><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Pancras</span>, St., <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a><br />
-<br />
-Pancras Wash, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br />
-<br />
-Pantheon, the, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a><br />
-<br />
-Parliament Hill, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br />
-<br />
-Parsons, Fleet, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"> <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"> <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"> <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Paul's Wharf, fountain at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Peerless Pool, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br />
-<br />
-Periless Pond, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br />
-<br />
-Physicians, College of, <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br />
-<br />
-Pickwick and Hampstead Ponds, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br />
-<br />
-Pindar of Wakefield, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br />
-<br />
-Pools, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>-11<br />
-<br />
-Prisoners, Poor, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a><br />
-<br />
-"Punch" and Bagnigge Wells, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></span><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Rackets</span>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a><br />
-<br />
-Rad Well, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a><br />
-<br />
-Rhone, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a><br />
-<br />
-Riots, no Popery, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Rules of the Fleet, <a href="#Page_263">263</a><br />
-<br />
-Rupert, Prince, <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br />
-<br />
-Rush boats, <a href="#Page_21">21</a><br />
-<br />
-Rye House Plot, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Sadler's Wells</span>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Saffron Hill, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a><br />
-<br />
-Schools, King Edward's, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br />
-<br />
-Sedley Place, Oxford Street, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br />
-<br />
-Shepherd's Well, Hampstead, <a href="#Page_22">22</a><br />
-<br />
-Skinner's Well, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>-10<br />
-<br />
-Small Pox Hospital, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a><br />
-<br />
-Spa Fields Chapel, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br />
-<br />
-Spa Field Riots, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></span><br />
-<br />
-"Spence's Plan," <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a><br />
-<br />
-Springs, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>-7, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a><br />
-<br />
-"Steel," The, <a href="#Page_102">102</a><br />
-<br />
-Sword Play, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Symson, Peter, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Tod Well</span>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a><br />
-<br />
-Tonne, or Tunne, the, in Cornhill, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
-<br />
-Toxophilite Society, <a href="#Page_116">116</a><br />
-<br />
-Traitor's Hill, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br />
-<br />
-Treadmill, Early, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br />
-<br />
-Turnmill Brook, <a href="#Page_6">6</a><br />
-<br />
-Turnmill Street and Brook, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br />
-<br />
-Tye-bourne, The, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<span class="smcap">Waithman</span>, Alderman, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a><br />
-<br />
-Walbrook, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>-8<br />
-<br />
-Ward, Ned, on Bridewell, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a><br />
-<br />
-Wardens of the Fleet, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Wardens of the Fleet—<i>Ladies</i>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a><br />
-<br />
-Warwick, Earl of, <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br />
-<br />
-Wells, River of, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>
-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span><br />
-<br />
-Westbourne, the, <a href="#Page_23">23</a><br />
-<br />
-West Street, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br />
-<br />
-Whipping at Bridewell, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a><br />
-<br />
-Whistling Shop, a, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a><br />
-<br />
-Whitbrooke, Sir John, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>,<br />
-<span style="margin-left:2em;"><a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></span><br />
-<br />
-White Conduit, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a><br />
-<br />
-Whitefriars, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a><br />
-<br />
-Whittington, Sir Rd., <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br />
-<br />
-Wilkes, John, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a><br />
-<br />
-Wolsey, Cardinal, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a><br />
-<br />
-Wyatt, Walter, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-"<span class="smcap">Zigzag</span>," <a href="#Page_81">81</a>
-</p>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-<div class="chapter">
-<p class="center">
-UNWIN BROTHERS,<br />
-THE GRESHAM PRESS,<br />
-CHILWORTH AND LONDON.
-</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="full" />
-
-<div class="transnote">
-<p>Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /></p>
-
-<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible. Minor typographical errors have been corrected.</p>
-<p>Some words are sometimes hyphenated, and sometimes not hyphenated.</p>
-<p>All reasonable variants of spelling, grammar and punctuation have been retained.</p>
-<p>There are a lot of sometimes old foreign words, and some French/English hybrid text from earlier centuries.</p>
-<p>England did not have spelling or punctuation rules until the various Public Instruction Acts (c. 1860-70) in Queen Victoria's reign. In this book, that may have also extended to French and<br />
- Latin spellings!!</p>
-<p>Punctuation is not always regular; some opened quotes are not always closed.</p>
-<p>Mismatched quotes often occur with quotations where the quotation is enclosed within double quotes and each line or paragraph within that quote begins with double quotes but has no<br />
- end double quote.</p>
-<p>Page 15: 'discretionbus' changed to 'discretionibus'.</p>
-<p>Page 45: Unspaced punctuation, e.g. "Near Battle Bridge,'tis plain, sirs:", is as printed, and denotes elisions (the running together of words to fit the metre).</p>
-<p>Page 104: Mismatched quotes "Yours, etc., "EUGENIO."</p>
-<p>Page 345: "Gave Mr. Ashwell 2 : 6." [2 shillings and sixpence].</p>
-<p>The illustration on page 362 has been replaced by a much higher quality, although slightly cropped, copy.</p>
-<p>The illustration on page 187 and 391 have been replaced by a much higher quality copies.</p>
-<p>There are many occasions when the term 'l.' or 'li.' is used. 'l.' or 'li.' = libra = pound/pounds. or £, so, £140 = 140 l. or 140 li.</p>
-<p>Page 336: "cortége" is an old spelling (in use until the end of the 19th century.</p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p> </p>
-<p> </p>
-<hr class="pg" />
-<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEET. ITS RIVERS, PRISON, AND MARRIAGES***</p>
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Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages,
-by John Ashton
-
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-
-Title: The Fleet. Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages
-
-
-Author: John Ashton
-
-
-
-Release Date: December 21, 2015 [eBook #50730]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
-
-
-***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEET. ITS RIVERS, PRISON, AND
-MARRIAGES***
-
-
-E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Brian Wilsden, and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made
-available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)
-
-
-
-Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
- file which includes the original illustrations.
- See 50730-h.htm or 50730-h.zip:
- (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50730/50730-h/50730-h.htm)
- or
- (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50730/50730-h.zip)
-
-
- Images of the original pages are available through
- Internet Archive. See
- https://archive.org/details/fleetitsriverpri00asht
-
-
-Transcriber's note:
-
- Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
-
- Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
-
- A carat character is used to denote superscription. A
- single character following the carat is superscripted
- (example: y^e). Multiple superscripted characters are
- enclosed by curly brackets (example: w^{ch}).
-
- A letter with a macron accent (straight line over the
- letter) is enclosed by square brackets and preceded by
- an equal sign; for example, a "d" with a macron is
- signified by [=d].
-
- A letter with a tilde character above it is enclosed by
- square brackets and preceded by a tilde; for example, an
- "m" with a tilde is signified by [~m].
-
- The OE-ligature is represented by [OE].
-
- The letters "u" and "v" are mostly interchanged; as, e.g.,
- "in haruest time" and "vnder a bridge".
-
- Some of the spelling is very old, and often phonetic (they
- wrote as they heard it spoken, dialects and all).
-
-
-
-
-
-THE FLEET.
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-THE FLEET
-
-Its River, Prison, and Marriages
-
-by
-
-JOHN ASHTON
-
-(Author of "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," "Dawn of the
-Nineteenth Century," &c., &c., &c.)
-
-Illustrated by Pictures from Original Drawings and Engravings
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-New York
-Scribner and Welford
-1888
-
-
-[Illustration: VIEW OF MOUTH OF THE FLEET _circa_ 1765. (_Guildhall Art
-Collection._)]
-
- _Frontispiece._
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-PREFACE.
-
-
-This book requires none, except a mere statement of its scheme. Time
-has wrought such changes in this land of ours, and especially in
-its vast Metropolis, "The Modern Babylon," that the old land-marks
-are gradually being effaced--and in a few generations would almost
-be forgotten, were it not that some one noted them, and left their
-traces for future perusal. All have some little tale to tell; even
-this little River Fleet, which with its Prison, and its Marriages--are
-things utterly of the past, entirely swept away, and impossible to
-resuscitate, except by such a record as this book.
-
-I have endeavoured, by searching all available sources of information,
-to write a trustworthy history of my subject--and, at the same time,
-make it a pleasant book for the general reader. If I have succeeded
-in my aim, thanks are due, and must be given, to W. H. Overall, Esq.,
-F.S.A., and Charles Welch, Esq., Librarians to the Corporation of the
-City of London, whose friendship, and kindness, have enabled me to
-complete my pleasant task. It was at their suggestion that I came upon
-a veritable _trouvaille_, in the shape of a box containing Mr. Anthony
-Crosby's Collection for a History of the Fleet, which was of most
-material service to me, especially in the illustrations, most of which
-were by his own hand.
-
-I must also express my gratitude to J. E. Gardner, Esq., F.S.A., for
-his kindness in putting his magnificent and unrivalled Collection of
-Topographical Prints at my disposal, and also to J. G. Waller, Esq.,
-F.S.A., for his permission to use his map of the Fleet River (the best
-of any I have seen), for the benefit of my readers.
-
-JOHN ASHTON.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CONTENTS.
-
-
- The River.
-
- PAGE
- CHAPTER I.
-
- Course of the Fleet--Derivation of its Name--The River of
- Wells--The Fleet choked up--Cleansing the Fleet--The
- Fleet Navigable--Wells--Ponds and Pools 1
-
- CHAPTER II.
-
- Water Supply of London--The Fleet to be Cleansed--Smell
- of the River--Prehistoric London--Antiquarian
- Discoveries--Cleansing the Fleet--Fouling the River--Rivers
- rising at Hampstead--The Tye-bourne--The West-bourne--Course
- of the West-bourne 13
-
- CHAPTER III.
-
- Course of the Fleet--The Hampstead Ponds--Rural Fleet--Gospel
- Oak--Parliament Hill--Kentish Town--Brown's
- Dairy--Castle Inn--St. Pancras Wells--Burials at St.
- Pancras--the Brill 25
-
- CHAPTER IV.
-
- Battle Bridge--King's Cross--The Dust-heaps--St. Chad's
- Well--St. Chad's Well-water 39
-
- CHAPTER V.
-
- Medicinal Waters--Spas--The White Conduit--White Conduit
- House--White Conduit Gardens 53
-
- CHAPTER VI.
-
- Sadler's Discovery--Miles's Musick House--A Man Eats a
- Live Cock, &c.--Forcer, the Proprietor--Macklin on
- Sadler's Wells--Actors at Sadler's Wells--The Pindar of
- Wakefield 67
-
- CHAPTER VII.
-
- "Black Mary's Hole"--Its Disappearance--Bagnigge Wells--Nell
- Gwyn's Houses--Bagnigge House 77
-
- CHAPTER VIII.
-
- Bagnigge Wells--The Organist--Different Proprietors--"Punch"
- on Bagnigge Wells--Decadence of the Wells 87
-
- CHAPTER IX.
-
- Cold Bath Fields Prison 99
-
- CHAPTER X.
-
- The "Cold Bath"--Cold Baths--Sir John Oldcastle--Archery--Tea
- Gardens--Small Pox Hospital--The Pantheon--Lady
- Huntingdon's Chapel--Lady Huntingdon 111
-
- CHAPTER XI.
-
- The Spencean System--Orator Hunt--Riot in the City--Riots--End
- of the Riots 127
-
- CHAPTER XII.
-
- Fighting--Hockley-in-the-Hole--Bear Baiting--Bear Gardens--Bull
- Baiting--Sword Play 137
-
- CHAPTER XIII.
-
- Mount Pleasant--Saffron Hill--Old House in West
- Street--Fagin--Field Lane--Thieves 153
-
- CHAPTER XIV.
-
- Bleeding Hart Yard--Ely Place--John of Gaunt--Ely
- Chapel--Turnmill Brook--The Fleet--Holborn Bridge 163
-
- CHAPTER XV.
-
- Lamb's Conduit--Clerkenwell--Fleet Market--Rye-House
- Plot--Fleet Bridge 179
-
- CHAPTER XVI.
-
- Alderman Waithman--John Wilkes--Ludgate Prison--Sir
- Stephen Foster 193
-
- CHAPTER XVII.
-
- Bridewell--Montfichet Castle--Fuller on Bridewell--Ward
- on Bridewell--Howard on Bridewell--Bridewell Prison--
- The City and Apprentices--Mother Cresswell--Bridewell
- Court Room 205
-
- CHAPTER XVIII.
-
- Alsatia--Whitefriars--Deaths in the Fleet--Ben Jonson and
- the Fleet 223
-
-
- The Fleet Prison.
-
-
- CHAPTER XIX.
-
- History of the Fleet Prison--Female Wardens--Settlement of
- Fees--Liberty of Prisoners--Filthy State of the Fleet--A
- Quarrelsome Knight--Preference for the Fleet Prison--Sir
- John Falstaff--Cardinal Wolsey 229
-
- CHAPTER XX.
-
- Prisoners--Puritans--Bibliography of Fleet Prison--A
- Warden's Troubles 243
-
- CHAPTER XXI.
-
- The Warden of the Fleet--Purchase of Wardenship--Bad
- Discipline--Boundaries of the Fleet--Preference for the
- Fleet 255
-
- CHAPTER XXII.
-
- Complaints of the Warden--The Warden keeps Corpses--Huggins
- and Bambridge--Castell--The First Prisoner
- in Irons--Acquittal of Huggins and Bambridge--Bambridge
- and his Prisoners--Chapel in the Fleet Bagging 265
-
- CHAPTER XXIII.
-
- Admission to the Fleet Prison--The _Humours_ of the Fleet 279
-
- CHAPTER XXIV.
-
- Garnish--The "Common Side"--Howard's Report--Regulations
- of the Prison--Gordon Riots--Burning of the
- Fleet Prison--Fleet Prison Rebuilt--The "Bare"--Racket
- Masters--A Whistling Shop--A Mock Election
- "_Dum Vivimus, Vivamus_"--Number of Prisoners--Destitution 293
-
- CHAPTER XXV.
-
- Escape of Prisoners--A Gang of Forgers--Abolition of
- Imprisonment for Debt--Prisoners Object to move--Opposition
- to Removal--"The Last Days of the Fleet"--Sale
- of the Fleet Prison--Begging Grate--Richard Oastler 313
-
-
- Fleet Marriages.
-
-
- CHAPTER XXVI.
-
- Illegal Marriages--Cost of Marriages--_Peculiars_--Suppression
- of Irregular Marriages--A Fleet Parson's Reflections--Fleet
- Parsons--An Heiress Married 327
-
- CHAPTER XXVII.
-
- John Gaynam--The Bishop of Hell--Edward Ashwell--John
- Floud--Walter Wyatt 339
-
- CHAPTER XXVIII.
-
- The Lilleys--Fleet Parsons--Parson Keith 351
-
- CHAPTER XXIX.
-
- "The Bunter's Wedding"--Fleet Parsons--Exchange of
- Wives--Singular Marriage--Irregular Marriage 363
-
- CHAPTER XXX.
-
- A Runaway Marriage--Fortune's Married--Illegal Marriage--Fleet
- Marriage Registers--Extracts from Registers--End
- of Marriages 375
-
- INDEX 386
-
-
-
-
- [Illustration]
-
-
-
-
- LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
-
-
- PAGE
-
- SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD 22
-
- THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN 28
-
- VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE CHURCH,
- FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845 29
-
- THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN 30, 31
-
- OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL
- GWYNNE'S 33
-
- THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN--BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT.
- 21, 1833 34
-
- CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848 35
-
- THE BRILL 37
-
- BATTLE BRIDGE 40, 41, 42
-
- DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE 45
-
- ST. CHAD'S WELL 49
-
- THE WHITE CONDUIT 54, 62
-
- STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT 57
-
- WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR) 64
-
- " " " (EXTERIOR) 65
-
- THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD 75
-
- BAGNIGGE HOUSE 82
-
- BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON 85
-
- A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF
- BAGNIGGE WELLS 88
-
- WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE
- HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS 89
-
- THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF
- BAGNIGGE WELLS 89
-
- A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION 90
-
- THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST 91
-
- THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825 100
-
- SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS 113
-
- THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS 118
-
- VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
- COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING 124
-
- FAGIN, THE JEW 159
-
- FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE DRAWING" 160
-
- ELY HOUSE 1784 169
-
- END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF
- HOLBORN HILL, JUNE 2, 1840 175
-
- HOLBORN BRIDGE 177
-
- LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL 181
-
- FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE 187
-
- BRIDEWELL BRIDGE 207
-
- WOMEN BEATING HEMP 213
-
- PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808 215
-
- THE ARREST 228
-
- BAMBRIDGE 273
-
- A PRISONER IN IRONS 274
-
- THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON 278
-
- THE FLEET PRISON 296
-
- RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760 303
-
- A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821 306
-
- AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO. 1, PALAIS DE LA FLETE,
- THIS 24 DAY JUNE 311
-
- FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON 322
-
- GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON 323
-
- SECTION OF THE PRISON 323
-
- EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE 324
-
- A FLEET WEDDING 362
-
- THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT 364
-
- ILLUSTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE FOUND AT PAGES 171, 172, 184,
- 280, 294, 304, 307, 308, 319, 335.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-_The Fleet:_
-
-Its River, Prison, and Marriages.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER I.
-
-
-Only a little tributary to the Thames, the River Fleet, generally,
-and ignominiously, called the Fleet _Ditch_, yet it is historically
-interesting, not only on account of the different places through
-which its murmuring stream meandered, almost all of which have some
-story of their own to tell, but the reminiscences of its Prison stand
-by themselves--pages of history, not to be blotted out, but to be
-recorded as valuable in illustration of the habits, and customs, of our
-forefathers.
-
-The City of London, in its early days, was well supplied with water,
-not only by the wells dug near houses, or by the public springs, some
-of which still exist, as Aldgate Pump, &c., and the River Thames; but,
-when its borders increased, the Walbrook was utilized, as well as
-the Fleet, and, later on, the Tye-bourne, or twin brook, which fell
-into the Thames at Westminster. In the course of time these rivulets
-became polluted, land was valuable; they were covered over, and are
-now sewers. The course of the Fleet being clearly traceable in the
-depression of Farringdon Street, and the windings of the Tye-bourne in
-the somewhat tortuous Marylebone Lane (so called from the Chapel of
-St. Mary, which was on the banks of "le bourne," or the brook[1]). Its
-further course is kept in our memory by Brook Street, Hanover Square.
-
-The name of this little river has exercised many minds, and has been
-the cause of spoiling much good paper. My own opinion, backed by many
-antiquaries, is that a _Fleet_ means a brook, or tributary to a larger
-river, which is so wide, and deep, at its junction with the greater
-stream as to be navigable for the small craft then in use, for some
-little distance. Thus, we have the names on the Thames of Purfleet,
-Northfleet, and Southfleet, and the same obtains in other places.
-Its derivation seems to be Saxon--at least, for our language. Thus,
-in Bosworth's "Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language," we find,
-"Flede-Fledu: part. _Flooded_; _overflowed_: tumidus[2]: Tiber fledu
-weareth[3]--the Tiber was flooded (Ors. 4. 7)."
-
-Again, the same author gives: "Fleot (_Plat_ fleet, m. _a small river_;
-_Ger._ flethe. f. _a channel_). _A place where vessels float_, _a bay_,
-_gulf_, _an arm of the sea_, _the mouth of a river_, _a river_; hence
-the names of places, as _Northfleet_, _Southfleet_, _Kent_; and in
-London, _Fleet ditch_; _sinus_.[4] Soes Fleot, _a bay of the sea_.[5]
-_Bd._ 1. 34."
-
-Another great Anglo-Saxon scholar--Professor Skeat, in "An Etymological
-Dictionary of the English Language": "Fleet, a creek, bay. In the names
-_North-fleet_, _Fleet_ Street, &c. Fleet Street was so named from the
-Fleet Ditch; and _fleet_ was given to any shallow creek, or stream, or
-channel of water. See Halliwell. M.E. _fleet_ (Promptorium Parvulorum,
-&c., p. 166). A.S. _fleot_, a bay of the sea, as in Soes Fleot, bay
-of the sea. Aelfred's tr. of Beda, i. 34.[5] Afterwards applied to any
-channel or stream, especially if shallow. The original sense was 'a
-place where vessels float,' and the derivation is from the old verb
-_fleet_, to float, &c."
-
-The French, too, have a cognate term, especially in Norman towns,
-as Barfleur, Honfleur, Harfleur, &c., which were originally written
-Barbe_flot_, Hune_flot_, and Hare_flot_: and these were sometimes
-written Hareflou, Huneflou, and Barfleu, which latter comes very near
-to the Latin _flevus_, called by Ptolemy _fleus_, and by Mela _fletio_.
-Again, in Brittany many names end in _pleu_, or _plou_, which seems to
-be very much like the Greek [Greek: pleo]: _full_, _swollen_, which
-corresponds to our Anglo-Saxon Flede; Dutch Vliet.
-
-But it has another, and a very pretty name, "THE RIVER OF WELLS,"
-from the number of small tributaries that helped to swell its stream,
-and from the wells which bordered its course; such as Sadler's
-Wells, Bagnigge Wells, White Conduit, Coldbath, Lamb's Conduit,
-Clerkenwell--all of which (although all were not known by those names
-in Stow's times) were in existence.
-
-Stow, in his "SURVEY OF LONDON" (ed. 1603, his last edition, and which
-consequently has his best corrections), says--
-
-[Sidenote: "_Riuer of Wels._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Decay of the Riuer of the Wels._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Parliament Record._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Riuer of Wels bare ships._]
-
-[Sidenote: Patent Record. _Mils by Baynards Castel, made in the first
-of King John._]
-
-[Sidenote: _Turnemill Brooke._]
-
- That the riuer of Wels in the west parte of the Citty, was of
- olde so called of the Wels, it may be proued thus, William the
- Conqueror in his Charter to the Colledge of S. Marten le Grand
- in London, hath these wordes: I doe giue and graunt to the same
- Church all the land and the Moore, without the Posterne, which
- is called Cripplegate, on eyther part of the Postern, that is
- to say, from the North corner of the Wall, as the riuer of the
- Wels, there neare running, departeth the same More from the
- Wall, vnto the running water which entereth the Cittie; this
- water hath beene long since called the riuer of the Wels, which
- name of riuer continued, and it was so called in the raigne of
- Edward the first; as shall bee shewed, with also the decay of
- the saide riuer. In a fayre Booke of Parliament recordes, now
- lately restored to the Tower,[6] it appeareth that a Parliament
- being holden at Carlile in the yeare 1307, the 35 of Edward the
- I. Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne, complayned that whereas, in
- times past the course of water, running at _London_ vnder _Olde
- bourne_ bridge, and _Fleete_ bridge into the Thames, had beene
- of such bredth and depth, that 10 or 12 ships, Nauies at once
- with marchadises, were wot to come to the foresaid bridge of
- Fleete, and some of them to Oldborne bridge: now the same course
- by filth of the Tanners & such others, was sore decaied; also by
- raising of wharfes, but specially by a diversio of the waters
- made by them of the new _Temple_, for their milles standing
- without _Baynardes Castle_, in the first yeare of King _John_,
- and diuers other impediments, so as the said ships could not
- enter as they were wont, & as they ought, wherefore he desired
- that the Maior of London, with the shiriffs, and other discrete
- Aldermen, might be appointed to view the course of the saide
- water, and that by the othes of good men, all the aforesaide
- hinderances might be remoued, and it to bee made as it was
- wont of old: wherupon _Roger le Brabazon_, the Constable of
- the Tower, with the Maior and Shiriffes, were assigned to take
- with them honest and discrete men, and to make diligent search
- and enquirie, how the said riuer was in old time, and that they
- leaue nothing that may hurt or stop it, but keepe it in the same
- estate that it was wont to be. So far the record. Wherupon it
- folowed that the said riuer was at that time cleansed, these
- mils remoued, and other things done for the preseruation of
- the course thereof, not withstanding neuer brought to the olde
- depth and breadth, whereupon the name of riuer ceased, and was
- since called a Brooke, namely Turnmill or Tremill Brooke, for
- that diuers Mils were erected vpon it, as appeareth by a fayre
- Register booke, conteyning the foundation of the Priorie at
- Clarkenwell, and donation of the landes thereunto belonging, as
- also by diuers other records.
-
- "This brooke hath beene diuers times since clensed, namely, and
- last of all to any effect, in the yeare 1502 the 17th of Henrie
- the 7. the whole course of Fleete dike, then so called, was
- scowred (I say) downe to the Thames, so that boats with fish
- and fewel were rowed to Fleete bridge, and to Oldburne bridge,
- as they of olde time had beene accustomed, which was a great
- commoditie to all the inhabitants in that part of the Citie.
-
- [Sidenote:_Fleete dyke promised to be clensed; the money
- collected, and the Citizens deceiued._]
-
- "In the yeare 1589, was granted a fifteene, by a common Councell
- of the citie, for the cleansing of this Brooke or dike: the
- money amounting to a thousand marks collected, and it was
- undertaken, that, by drawing diuerse springes about Hampsted
- heath, into one head and Course, both the citie should be serued
- of fresh water in all places of want, and also that by such a
- follower, as men call it, the channell of this brooke should be
- scowred into the riuer of Thames; but much mony being therein
- spent, y^e effect fayled, so that the Brooke by meanes of
- continuall incrochments vpon the banks getting ouer the water,
- and casting of soylage into the streame, is now become woorse
- cloyed and that euer it was before."
-
-From this account of Stow's we find that the stream of the Fleet,
-although at one time navigable, had ceased to be so in his time, but
-we see, by the frontispiece, which is taken from a painting (in the
-Guildhall Art Gallery) by Samuel Scot, 1770 (?) that the mouth of the
-Fleet river, or ditch, call it which you like, was still, not only
-navigable, but a place of great resort for light craft.
-
-The name "River of Wells" is easily to be understood, if we draw again
-upon Stow, who, in treating of "Auncient and present Riuers, Brookes,
-Boorns, Pooles, Wels, and Conduits of fresh water seruing the Citie,"
-&c., says--
-
- "Aunciently, vntill the Conquerors time, and 200 yeres after,
- the Citie of London was watered besides the famous Riuer of
- Thames on the South part; with the riuer of the WELS, as it was
- then called, on the west; with water called WALBROOKE running
- through the midst of the citie into the riuer of Thames, seruing
- the heart thereof. And with a fourth water or Boorne, which ran
- within the Citie through LANGBOORNE ward, watering that part
- in the East. In the west suburbs was also another great water,
- called OLDBORNE, which had his fall into the riuer of Wels:
- then was there 3 principall Fountaines or wels in the other
- Suburbs, to wit, Holy Well, Clements Well, and Clarkes Well.
- Neare vnto this last named fountaine were diuers other wels,
- to wit, Skinners Wel, Fags Wel, Loders Wel, and Rad Well; All
- which sayde Wels, hauing the fall of their ouerflowing in the
- foresayde Riuer, much encreased the streame, and in that place
- gaue it the name of Wel. In west Smithfield, there was a Poole
- in Recordes called HORSEPOOLE, and one other Poole neare vnto
- the parish Church of Saint GILES without CRIPPLEGATE. Besides
- all which they had in euerie streete and Lane of the citie
- diuerse fayre Welles and fresh Springs; and, after this manner
- was this citie then serued with sweete and fresh waters, which
- being since decaid, other means haue beene sought to supplie the
- want."
-
-Here, then, we have a list of Wells, which are, together with those I
-have already mentioned, quite sufficient to account for the prettier
-name of the "River of Wells." Of these wells Stow writes in his
-deliciously-quaint phraseology:--
-
-[Sidenote: "_Fitzstephen. Holy well._]
-
- There are (saith _Fitzstephen_) neare London, on the North side
- special wels in the Suburbs, sweete, wholesome, and cleare,
- amongst which _Holy well_, Clarkes wel, and Clements wel are
- most famous, and frequented by Scholers, and youthes of the
- Cittie in sommer evenings, when they walke forthe to take the
- aire.
-
- "The first, to wit, Holy well, is much decayed, and marred with
- filthinesse laide there, for the heightening of the ground for
- garden plots.
-
- [Sidenote: _Clements well._]
-
- "The fountaine called S. Clements well, North from the Parish
- Church of S. Clements, and neare vnto an Inne of _Chancerie_,
- called _Clements_ Inne, is faire curbed square with hard stone,
- kept cleane for common vse, and is alwayes full.
-
- [Sidenote: _Clarks well._]
-
- [Sidenote: _Playes by the Parish Clarks at Clarks well._]
-
- [Sidenote: _Players at the Skinners well._]
-
- "The third is called Clarkes well, or Clarkenwell,[7] and is
- curbed about square with hard stone, not farre from the west
- ende of Clarkenwell Church, but close without the wall that
- incloseth it; the sayd Church tooke the name of the Well, and
- the Well tooke the name of the Parish Clarkes in London, who
- of old time were accustomed there yearely to assemble, and to
- play some large hystorie of holy Scripture. And, for example,
- of later time, to wit, in the yeare 1390, the 14 of Richard the
- Second, I read the Parish Clarks of London, on the 18 of July,
- playd Enterludes at _Skinners well_, neare vnto _Clarkes well_,
- which play continued three dayes togither, the King, Queene, and
- Nobles being present. Also the yeare 1409, the 10 of Henrie the
- 4. they played a play at the _Skinners well_, which lasted eight
- dayes, and was of matter from the creation of the worlde. There
- were to see the same, the most part of the Nobles and Gentiles
- in England, &c.
-
- [Sidenote: _Skinners well._]
-
- [Sidenote: _Wrestling-place._]
-
- "Other smaller welles were many neare vnto Clarkes well, namely
- _Skinners well_, so called for that the Skinners of London held
- there certaine playes yearely playd of holy Scripture, &c. In
- place whereof the wrestlings haue of later yeares beene kept,
- and is in part continued at _Bartholomew tide_.
-
- [Sidenote: _Fagges well._]
-
- "Then was there Fagges well, neare vnto _Smithfield_ by the
- _Charterhouse_, now lately dammed vp, _Tod well_, _Loders well_,
- and _Rad well_, all decayed, and so filled vp, that there places
- are hardly now discerned.
-
- "Somewhat North from _Holy well_ is one other well curbed
- square with stone, and is called _Dame Annis the Cleare_, and
- not farre from it, but somewhat west, is also one other cleare
- water called _Perillous pond_[8], because diuerse youthes by
- swimming therein haue beene drowned; and thus much bee said for
- Fountaines and Wels.
-
- "_Horse poole_ in _Westsmithfield_, was sometime a great
- water, and because the inhabitants in that part of the Citie
- did there water their Horses, the same was, in olde Recordes,
- called _Horspoole_, it is now much decayed, the springs being
- stopped vp, and the land waters falling into the small bottome,
- remayning inclosed, with Bricke, is called _Smithfield pond_.
-
- [Sidenote: _Poole without Cripplegate._]
-
- "By S. Giles Churchyard was a large water, called a _Poole_. I
- read in the year 1244 that Anne of Lodburie was drowned therein;
- this poole is now for the most part stopped vp, but the spring
- is preserued, and was cooped about with stone by the Executors
- of _Richard Wittington_."
-
- [Footnote 1: The name of this church has been Latinized as
- "Sancta Maria de Ossibus"!]
-
- [Footnote 2: Swollen.]
-
- [Footnote 3: The real quotation in Orosius is "[Thorn character]a
- weareth Tiber seo ea swa fledu."]
-
- [Footnote 4: A bag, or purse, a fold of a garment; a bay,
- bight, or gulf.]
-
- [Footnote 5: I cannot find this quotation in "Boedoe Historia
- Ecclesiastica," &c., in any edition I have seen, but in 1.33.
- I do find Amfleet, and in John Smith's edition (Cambridge,
- 1722) as a note to Amj-leor he says "Vulgo Ambleteau or
- Ambleteuse, about 2 miles north of Boulogne"]
-
- [Footnote 6: The Records were kept in the Tower, and at the
- Rolls Office, in a very neglected state, until they were
- removed to the present Record Office in Fetter Lane.]
-
- [Footnote 7: This is the only one left whose position is a
- matter of certainty.]
-
- [Footnote 8: Afterwards known as "Peerless Pool," an unmeaning
- cognomen.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II.
-
-
-London, for its size, was indeed very well supplied with water,
-although, of course, it was not laid on to every house, as now, but,
-with the exception of those houses provided with wells, it had to be
-fetched from fixed public places, which were fairly numerous. When the
-waters of the Fleet, and Wallbrook, in the process of time, became
-contaminated, Henry III., in the 21st year of his reign (1236), granted
-to the Citizens of London the privilege of conveying the waters of the
-Tye-bourne through leaden pipes to the City, "for the poore to drinke,
-and the rich to dresse their meate." And it is only a few years since,
-that close by what is now called "Sedley Place," Oxford Street, but
-which used to be the old hunting lodge of bygone Lord Mayors, some of
-these very pipes were unearthed, a fine cistern being uncovered at the
-same time.
-
-For public use there were the great Conduit in West Cheape: the Tonne
-or Tun in Cornhill, fountains at Billingsgate, at Paul's Wharf, and
-St. Giles', Cripplegate, and conduits at Aldermanbury, the Standard
-in Fleet Street, Gracechurch Street, Holborn Cross (afterwards Lamb's
-Conduit), at the Stocks Market (where the Mansion House now stands),
-Bishopsgate, London Wall, Aldgate, Lothbury--and this without reckoning
-the supply furnished from the Thames by the enterprising German, or
-Dutchman, Pieter Moritz, who in 1582 started the famous waterworks
-close to where Fishmongers' Hall now stands.
-
-The Fleet river (I prefer that title to the other cognomen, "Ditch"),
-flowing through London, naturally became somewhat befouled, and in
-Henry the VII.'s time, _circa_ 1502, it was cleansed, so that, as
-aforesaid, "boats with fish and fewel were rowed to Fleete bridge,
-and to Oldburne bridge." We also know, as Stow records, that more
-springs were introduced into the stream from Hampstead, without effect,
-either as to deepening or purifying the river, which had an evil
-reputation even in the time of Edward I., as we see in Ryley's "Placita
-Parliamentaria" (ed. 1661), p. 340--
-
- "_Ad peticionem Com. Lincoln._ querentis quod cum cursus aque,
- que currit apud _London_ sub _Ponte_ de _Holeburn_, & _Ponte_ de
- _Fleete_ usque in _Thamisiam_ solebat ita largus & latus esse,
- ac profundus, quod decem Naves vel duodecim ad predictum Pontem
- de _Fleete_ cum diversis rebus & mercandisis solebant venire,
- & quedam illarum Navium sub illo Ponte transire, usque ad
- predictum Pontem de _Holeburn_ ad predictum cursum mundanmum &
- simos exinde cariand, nunc ille cursus per fordes & inundaciones
- Taunatorum & p varias perturbaciones in predicta aqua, factas
- & maxime per exaltationem Caye & diversionem aque quam ipsi de
- _Novo Templo_ fecerunt ad Molendina sua extra Castra _Baignard_,
- quod Naves predicte minime intrare possunt sicut solebant,
- & facere debeant &c. unde supplicat quod _Maior de London_
- assumptis secum Vice com. & discretionibus Aldermannis cursum
- pre[=d]ce aque videat, & quod per visum & sacr[~m] proborum
- & legalium hominum faciat omnia nocumenta predicte aque que
- invinerit ammovere & reparare cursum predictum, & ipsum in
- tali statu manutenere in quo antiquitus esse solebat &c. _Ita
- responsum est, Assignentur Rogerus le Brabazon & Constabularius
- Turris, London Maior & Vice Com. London, quod ipsi assumptit
- secum discretionibus Aldermannis London, &c., inquirant per
- sacramentum &c., qualiter fieri consuevit & qualis cursus. Et
- necumenta que invenerint ammoveant & manueri faciant in eadem
- statu quo antiquitus esse solebat._"
-
-Latin for which a modern schoolboy would get soundly rated, or birched,
-but which tells us that even as far back as Edward I. the Fleet river
-was a nuisance; and as the endorsement (Patent Roll 35 Edward I.)
-shows--"De cursu aquae de Fleta supervivendo et corrigendo," _i.e._,
-that the Fleet river should be looked after and amended. But the
-Commission issued to perfect this work was discontinued, owing to the
-death of the king. (Patent Roll 1 Edward II., pars 1. m. dorso.) "De
-Cursu Aquae Flete, &c., reducend et impedimenta removend."
-
-And Prynne, in his edition of Cotton's "Records" (ed. 1669, p.
-188), asks "whether such a commission and inquiry to make this
-river navigable to Holborn Bridge or Clerkenwell, would not now be
-seasonable, and a work worthy to be undertaken for the public benefit,
-trade, and health of the City and Suburbs, I humbly submit to the
-wisdom and judgment of those whom it most Concerns."
-
-So that it would appear, although otherwise stated, that the Fleet was
-not navigable in May, 1669, the date of the publication of Prynne's
-book.
-
-As a matter of fact it got to be neither more nor less than an open
-sewer, to which the lines in Coleridge's "Table Talk" would well apply--
-
- "In Coeln, that town of monks and bones,
- And pavements fang'd with murderous stones,
- And rags, and hags, and hideous wenches,
- I counted two-and-seventy stenches;
- All well-defined and genuine stinks!
- Ye nymphs, that reign o'er sewers and sinks,
- The river Rhine, it is well known,
- Doth wash the City of Cologne;
- But, tell me, nymphs, what power divine
- Shall henceforth wash the River Rhine?"
-
-The smell of the Fleet river was notorious; so much so, that Farquhar,
-in his _Sir Harry Wildair_, act ii., says, "Dicky! Oh! I was just dead
-of a Consumption, till the sweet smoke of _Cheapside_, and the dear
-perfume of _Fleet Ditch_ made me a man again!" In Queen Anne's time,
-too, it bore an evil reputation: _vide The Tatler_ (No. 238, October
-17, 1710) by Steele and Swift.[9]
-
- "Now from all parts the swelling kennels flow,
- And bear their trophies with them as they go:
- Filth of all hues and odours seem to tell
- What street they sail'd from, by their sight and smell.
- They, as each torrent drives, with rapid force,
- From Smithfield or St. Pulchre's shape their course,
- And in huge confluent join'd at Snow Hill ridge,
- Fall from the Conduit, prone to Holborn Bridge.
- Sweepings from butchers' stalls, dung, guts, and blood,
- Drown'd puppies, stinking sprats, all drench'd in mud,
- Dead cats and turnip-tops come tumbling down the flood."
-
-We get a glimpse of prehistoric London, and the valley of the Fleet, in
-Gough's "British Topography," vol. i. p. 719 (ed. 1780). Speaking of
-John Conyers, "apothecary, one of the first Collectors of antiquities,
-especially those relating to London, when the City was rebuilding....
-He inspected most of the gravel-pits near town for different sorts and
-shapes of stones. In one near the sign of Sir J. Oldcastle, about 1680,
-he discovered the skeleton of an elephant, which he supposed had lain
-there only since the time of the Romans, who, in the reign of Claudius,
-fought the Britons near this place, according to Selden's notes on
-the Polyolbion. In the same pit he found the head of a British spear
-of flint, afterwards in the hands of Dr. Charlett, and engraved in
-Bagford's letter." We, now-a-days, with our more accurate knowledge of
-Geology and Palaeontology, would have ascribed a far higher ancestry to
-the "elephant."
-
-As a matter of course, a little river like the Fleet must have become
-the receptacle of many articles, which, once dropped in its waters,
-could not be recovered; so that it is not surprising to read in the
-_Mirror_ of March 22, 1834 (No. 653, p. 180), an account of antiquarian
-discoveries therein, which, if not archaeologically correct, is at least
-interesting.
-
- "In digging this Canal between Fleet Prison and Holborn Bridge,
- several Roman utensils were lately discovered at the depth of 15 feet;
- and a little deeper, a great quantity of Roman Coins, in silver,
- brass, copper, and all other metals except gold. Those of silver were
- ring money, of several sizes, the largest about the bigness of a
- Crown, but gradually decreasing; the smallest were about the size of a
- silver Twopence, each having a snip at the edge. And at Holborn Bridge
- were dug up two brazen lares, or household gods, about four inches in
- length, which were almost incrusted with a petrified matter: one of
- these was Bacchus, and the other Ceres; but the coins lying at the
- bottom of the current, their lustre was in a great measure preserved,
- by the water incessantly washing off the oxydizing metal. Probably
- the great quantity of coin found in this ditch, was thrown in by the
- Roman inhabitants of this city for its preservation at the approach
- of Boadicaea at the head of her army: but the Roman Citizens, without
- distinction of age or sex, being barbarously murdered by the justly
- enraged Britons, it was not discovered till this time.
-
- "Besides the above-mentioned antiquities, several articles of a more
- modern date were discovered, as arrow-heads, scales, seals with
- the proprietors' names upon them in Saxon characters; spur rowels
- of a hand's breadth, keys and daggers, covered over with livid
- rust; together with a considerable number of medals, with crosses,
- crucifixes, and Ave Marias engraven thereon."
-
-A paper was read, on June 11, 1862, to the members of the British
-Archaeological Association, by Mr. Ganston, who exhibited various relics
-lately recovered from the bed of the river Fleet, but they were not
-even of archaeological importance--a few knives, the earliest dating
-from the fifteenth century, and a few knife handles.
-
-Previously, at a meeting of the same Society, on December 9, 1857, Mr.
-C. H. Luxmore exhibited a green glazed earthenware jug of the sixteenth
-century, found in the Fleet.
-
-And, before closing this antiquarian notice of the Fleet, I cannot but
-record some early mention of the river which occur in the archives of
-the Corporation of the City of London:--
-
- (17 Edward III., A.D. 1343, Letter-book F, fol. 67.) "Be it
- remembered that at the Hustings of Common Pleas, holden on
- the Monday next before the Feast of Gregory the Pope, in the
- 17th year of the reign of King Edward, after the Conquest, the
- Third, Simon Traunceys, Mayor, the Aldermen and the Commonalty,
- of the City of London, for the decency and cleanliness of the
- same city, granted upon lease to the butchers in the Parish of
- St. Nicholas Shambles, in London, a piece of land in the lane
- called 'Secollane' (sea coal), neare to the water of Flete, for
- the purpose of there, in such water, cleansing the entrails
- of beasts. And upon such piece of land the butchers aforesaid
- were to repair a certain quay at their charges, and to keep the
- same in repair; they paying yearly to the Mayor of London for
- the time being, at the Feast of our Lord's Nativity, one boar's
- head."[10]
-
- (31 Edward III., A.D. 1357, Letter-book G, fol. 72.) "Also, it
- is ordered, that no man shall take, or cause to be carried,
- any manner of rubbish, earth, gravel, or dung, from out of his
- stables or elsewhere, to throw, and put the same into the rivers
- of Thames and Flete, or into the Fosses around the walls of the
- City: and as to the dung that is found in the streets and lanes,
- the same shall be carried and taken elsewhere out of the City by
- carts, as heretofore; or else by the _raykers_[11] to certain
- spots, that the same may be put into the _dongebotes_,[12]
- without throwing anything into the Thames; for saving the body
- of the river, and preserving the quays, such as Dowegate,
- Quenhethe, and Castle Baynards, (and) elsewhere, for lading
- and unlading; as also, for avoiding the filthiness that is
- increasing in the water, and upon the banks of the Thames, to
- the great abomination and damage of the people. And, if any
- one shall be found doing the Contrary hereof, let him have the
- prison for his body, and other heavy punishment as well, at the
- discretion of the Mayor and of the Aldermen."[13]
-
- (7 Henry V. A.D. 1419, Journal 1, fol. 61.) "It is granted that
- the _risshbotes_[14] at the Flete and elsewhere in London shall
- be taken into the hands of the Chamberlain; and the Chamberlain
- shall cause all the streets to be cleansed."[15]
-
-The northern heights of London, the "ultima Thule" of men like Keats,
-and Shelley, abound in springs, which form the bases of several little
-streams, which are fed on their journey to their bourne, the Thames
-(to which they act as tributaries), by numerous little brooklets and
-rivulets, which help to swell their volume. On the northern side of
-the ridge which runs from Hampstead to Highgate, birth is given to
-the Brent, which, springing from a pond in the grounds of Sir Spencer
-Wells, is pent up in a large reservoir at Hendon, and finally debouches
-into the Thames at Brentford, where, from a little spring, which it is
-at starting, it becomes so far a "fleet" as to allow barges to go up
-some distance.
-
-[Illustration: SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD.]
-
-On the southern side of the ridge rise the Tybourne, and the
-Westbourne. The former had its rise in a spring called Shepherd's Well,
-in Shepherd's Fields, Hampstead, which formed part of the district now
-known as Belsize Park and FitzJohn's Avenue, which is the finest road
-of private houses in London. Shepherd's Well is depicted in Hone's
-"Table Book," pp. 381, 2, and shows it as it was over fifty years
-since. Alas! it is a thing of the past; a railway tunnel drained the
-spring, and a mansion, now known as The Conduit Lodge, occupies its
-site. It meandered by Belsize House, through St. John's Wood, running
-into Regent's Park, where St. Dunstan's now is, and, close to the
-Ornamental Water, it was joined by a little rivulet which sprang from
-where now, is the Zoological Gardens. It went across Marylebone Road,
-and, as nearly as possible, Marylebone Lane shows its course; then
-down South Molton Street, passing Brook Street, and Conduit Street,
-by Mayfair, to Clarges Street, across Oxford Street and into a pond
-in the Green Park called the Ducking Pond, which was possibly used as
-a place of punishment for scolds, or may have been an ornamental pond
-for water-fowl. Thence it ran in front of Buckingham Palace, where it
-divided, which was the cause of its name. Twy, or Teo (double), and
-Bourne, Brook--one stream running into the Thames west of Millbank,
-doing duty by the way in turning the Abbey Mill (whence the name),
-and the other debouching east of Westminster Bridge, thus forming
-the Island of Thorns, or Thorney Isle, on which Edward the Confessor
-founded his abbey, and the City of Westminster.
-
-The Westbourne took its rise in a small pond near "Telegraph Hill,"
-at Hampstead; two or three brooklets joined it, and it ran its course
-across the Finchley Road, to the bottom of Alexandra Road, Kilburn,
-where it was met by another stream, which had its source at Frognal,
-Hampstead. It then became the West bourne, as being the most westerly
-of all the rivers near London, taking the Wallbrook, the Fleet, and the
-Tybourne.
-
-Its course may be traced down Kilburn Park Road, and Shirland Road.
-Crossing the Harrow Road where now is Westbourne Park Station,
-_Eastbourne_ and _Westbourne_ Terraces mark the respective banks, and,
-after crossing the Uxbridge Road, it runs into the Serpentine at the
-Engine House. Feeding that sheet of water, it comes out again at the
-Albert Gate end, runs by Lowndes Square, Cadogan Place, &c., and,
-finally, falls into the river at Chelsea Hospital.
-
- [Footnote 9: _Journal to Stella_, October 17, 1710--"This day
- came out _The Tatler_, made up wholly of my Shower, and a
- preface to it. They say it is the best thing I ever writ, and
- I think so too."]
-
- [Footnote 10: "Memorials of London and London Life in the
- Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries," by H. J.
- Riley, 1868, p. 214.]
-
- [Footnote 11: The street sweepers.]
-
- [Footnote 12: Dung boats.]
-
- [Footnote 13: See Riley, p. 299.]
-
- [Footnote 14: This was probably because the rushes were spilt
- in the river. At that time the house-floors were strewn with
- rushes, which were brought to London in "Rush boats;" and an
- ordinance, _temp._ 4 Henry V., provides that "all rushes in
- future, laden in boats or skiffs, and brought here for sale,
- should be sold by the cart-load, as from of old had been wont
- to be done. And that the same cart-loads were to be made up
- within the boats and skiffs in which the said rushes are
- brought to the City, and not upon the ground, or upon the
- wharves, walls, or embankments of the water of Thames, near or
- adjacent to such boats or skiffs; under a heavy penalty upon
- the owner or owners of such boats, skiffs, and rushes, at the
- discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen."]
-
- [Footnote 15: See Riley, p. 675.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III.
-
-
-The Fleet, as far as can be ascertained, owes its birth to an
-ornamental water, fed by springs--one of the numerous ponds in Highgate
-and Hampstead--in the park of Ken Wood, the seat of Earl Mansfield,
-now occasionally occupied by the fourth successor to that title; who,
-being keeper of the royal Castle of Scone, prefers, as a rule, his
-northern residence. In the No Popery riots of 1780, with which Lord
-George Gordon was so intimately connected, Ken Wood House was on the
-brink of being destroyed by the rioters, who had, already, wrecked his
-lordship's house in Bloomsbury Square, and destroyed his most valuable
-library. Tradition says that Ken Wood was saved owing to the landlord
-of "The Spaniards," well known to all pedestrian frequenters of
-Hampstead, giving them his beer, &c., until they were incapacitated, or
-unwilling, to fulfil their quest, meanwhile sending messengers for the
-Horse Guards, who opportunely arrived, and prevented the destruction
-of the mansion. It is quite possible that this is a true story, for
-a footnote (p. 69) in Prickett's "History of Highgate" says: "The
-following is copied from a receipt of one of the constables of the
-Hundred of Ossulston: 'Received 8s. 6d., being the proportion taxed
-and assessed for and towards the payment of the several taxations and
-assessments which have been made upon the said Parish (amounting to the
-sum of L187. 18s. 7d.) towards an equal contribution, to be had and
-made for the relief of the several inhabitants of said Hundred; against
-whom, the several persons who were damnified by rioters within the same
-Hundred, in the month of June, 1780, have obtained verdicts, and had
-their executions respectively.'"
-
-Commencing thus in one of the prettiest parts of the most picturesque
-suburbs of London, it flows from one to the other, right through the
-chain of the Highgate Ponds, fed by several rills, the first being near
-the Hampstead end of Millfield Lane--which is, by some, regarded as
-its source. From the lower pond it crossed the Highgate Road, and, for
-some distance, it ran parallel with it, although a little way eastward.
-It again crossed the Highgate Road not far from its junction with the
-Kentish Town Road, the course of which it followed, until it came to
-Hawley Road, where it was joined by a sister brook, whose source was
-the pond in the Vale of Health at Hampstead, flowing from which, it
-was fed by a brooklet, over which the abortive viaduct of Sir Thomas
-Marion Wilson's construction is carried. It ran into, and through, the
-Hampstead Ponds, which end at the lower east heath, near Pond Street
-(a locality easily recognized when once any one has seen St. Stephen's
-Church, Haverstock Hill, one of the most beautiful churches in London).
-These ponds are immortal, if they needed immortality, as the very first
-page of "Pickwick" gives an entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick
-Club:
-
- "_May 12, 1827._ Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P., M.P.C.,
- presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to--
-
- "'That this Association has heard read, with feelings of
- unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper
- communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C., M.P.C., entitled,
- "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some
- observations on the Theory of Tittlebats"; and that this
- Association does hereby return its warmest thanks to the said
- Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C., M.P.C., for the same.'"
-
-Its memory is still retained in the Fleet Road.
-
-On its way through Kentish Town it passed through a purely pastoral
-country, such as we, who know the district only as covered with houses,
-can hardly reconcile with existing circumstances. The Guildhall
-Collection relating to the Fleet River, is very rich in water-colour
-drawings and pen-and-ink sketches of undoubted authenticity, and from
-them I have selected what, in my opinion, are the most suitable for
-this work.[16]
-
-From the above, and this view of Highgate, so late back as 1845, we
-can fairly judge of the pleasant scenery which existed almost at our
-doors--before the iron roads brought population, which begat houses,
-which destroyed all rusticity, leaving bricks and mortar on the site of
-verdant meads, and millions of chimneys vomiting unconsumed carbon and
-sulphur, in the place of the pure fresh air which once was dominant.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN. _Circa_ 1837.]
-
-Here we see the Fleet running its quiet course--and the other sketches
-bear witness to its rurality.
-
-[Illustration: VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE CHURCH,
-FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845.
-
-(_Water colour by A. Crosby._)]
-
-After the Fleet had recrossed the Highgate Road near the junction of
-that road and the Kentish Town Road, it passed near the _Gospel Oak_,
-which now gives its name to a railway station in the locality. About
-this oak, there was a tradition that it was so called because St.
-Augustine preached underneath its boughs--a fact which is probably
-as correct as the story that the Church of St. Pancras was the first
-Christian Church in England. In truth, there are, or were, many Gospel
-Oaks and Elms throughout the country; for instance, there is an iron
-foundry near the parishes of Tipton and Wednesbury called _Gospel Oak
-Works_. It was, as a matter of fact, a traditionary custom, in many
-places, when, on Holy Thursday (Ascension Day), the parochial bounds
-were beaten, to read a portion of the Gospels under some well-known
-tree, and hence its name. One or two quotations will easily prove this.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN.]
-
-In the "Bury Wills," p. 118, is the following passage in the will of
-John Cole of Thelnetham, dated May 8, 1527: "Item, I will haue a newe
-crosse made according to Trappett's crosse at the Hawe lanes ende, and
-set vp at Short Grove's end, where the gospell is sayd vpon Ascension
-Even, for y^e w^{ch} I assigne x^s."
-
-And, in the poem of Herrick's "Hesperides," which is addressed "To
-Anthea."
-
- "Dearest, bury me
- Under that holy Oke, or Gospel Tree;
- Where, (though thou see'st not,) thou may'st think upon
- Me, when thou yerely go'st procession."
-
-It also passed near Parliament, or Traitors', Hill--a name which
-is much in dispute; some maintaining that it was fortified by the
-Parliamentary Army, under Cromwell, for the protection of London,
-others that the 5th of November conspirators met here to view the
-expected explosion of the Houses of Parliament. This, which forms the
-most southern part of Hampstead Heath, and therefore the nearest, and
-most accessible to the great bulk of Londoners, has a beautiful view of
-Highgate and London, and has, I am happy to say, been preserved as an
-open space for the public.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN.]
-
-We have now followed the Fleet in its course to Kentish Town, the
-etymon of which is, to say the least, somewhat hazy. Being so, of
-course, an immense amount of theory has been expended upon it. Some
-contend that it springs from the Prebendary attached to St. Paul's
-Cathedral, of Cantelupe, or Cantelows, now (in _Crockford_, called
-Cantlers): one antiquary suggesting that it owes its name to the delta
-formed by the junction of the two branches of the Fleet--from _Cant_
-or _Cantle_, a corner;--whilst yet another authority thinks that, as
-the Fleet had its source from Ken Wood--it was called Ken-ditch--hence
-Kenditch or Kentish Town. Be it as it may, it was a very pleasant and
-rural suburb, and one of some note, for herein William Bruges, Garter
-King-at-Arms, had a country house, at which he entertained, in the year
-1416, the Emperor Sigismund, who came over here, in that year, to try
-and mediate between our Henry V. and the King of France.
-
-In still older times it formed part of the great Middlesex forest,
-which was full of wolves, wild boars, deer, and wild oxen; but we find
-that, in 1252, Henry III. granted to Thomas Ive, permission to inclose
-a portion of the highway adjoining his mansion at Kentessetone. And in
-1357, John of Oxford, who was Mayor of London in 1341, gave, amongst
-other things, to the Priory of the Holy Trinity, in London, a mill at
-Kentish Town--which, of course, must have been turned by the Fleet. The
-kind donor was one of the very few Mayors who died during his mayoralty.
-
-It is said, too, that Nell Gwynne had a house in Kentish Town, but I
-can find not the slightest confirmation of the rumour; still, as there
-is a very good pen-and-ink sketch of the old house said to be hers, I
-give it, as it helps to prove the antiquity of Kentish Town, now, alas!
-only too modern.
-
-[Illustration: OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL
-GWYNNE'S.]
-
-And there was another old house close by the Fleet there, an old
-farmhouse known as Brown's dairy.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN--BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT.
-21, 1833.
-
-(_By A. Crosby--water colour._)]
-
-This old Farmhouse had, evidently, a nobler origin, for it was moated;
-and, in 1838, the moat existed on the east and north sides. It
-belonged to the College of Christ Church, Oxford, and was held of the
-Manor of Cantelows at a small fine. There was a good orchard, which at
-the above date (the time of its demolition) contained a large walnut
-tree and some mulberry trees. The building materials were sold for L60,
-so that it evidently had done its work, and passed away in the ripeness
-of old age.
-
-[Illustration: CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848.]
-
-The Castle Inn is said to have been the oldest house in Kentish Town,
-and there is a tradition that Lord Nelson once lived here, "in order
-that he might keep his eye upon the Fleet," and planted a sycamore in
-the garden.
-
-Before taking leave of Kentish Town, I cannot help recording a legal
-squabble, which resulted in a victory for the public.--_Times_,
-February 12, 1841:--
-
- "COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, _Thursday, February 11, 1841_.
- (Sittings at Nisi Prius, at Westminster, before Lord Denman and
- a special jury.)
-
- "THE QUEEN _v._ TUBB.
-
- "This was an Indictment against the Defendant for obstructing a
- footpath leading from Pond Lane, at Hampstead, over Traitors'
- and Parliament Hill, to Highgate.
-
- "The case lasted the whole day.
-
- "The jury brought a verdict for the Crown, thus establishing the
- right of the Public to one of the most beautiful walks in the
- neighbourhood of the metropolis."
-
-The Fleet babbled through the meadows, until its junction with that
-other stream which flowed from the pond in the Vale of Health at
-Hampstead, which took place where now is Hawley Street, and the united
-brook, or river, ran across what are now the Kentish, and Camden, Town
-Roads, and between Great College Street, and King Street; it then
-followed the course of the present road to King's Cross, passing by St.
-Pancras Church--which, originally, was of great antiquity, and close
-by which was a celebrated healing well, known as Pancras' Wells. These
-waters cured everything--scurvy, king's evil, leprosy, cancers, ulcers,
-rheumatism, disorders of the eyes, and pains of the stomach and bowels,
-colds, worms, &c., &c.
-
-In the Church, and Churchyard, were interred many illustrious dead,
-especially Roman Catholics, who seem to have taken a particular
-fancy to have their remains buried there, probably on account of the
-tradition that this was the last church in which mass was celebrated.
-It was a favourite burial-place of the French clergy--and a story is
-told (how true I know not) that, down to the French Revolution, masses
-were celebrated in a church in the south of France, dedicated to St.
-Pancras, for the souls of the faithful interred here.
-
-[Illustration: THE BRILL.]
-
-Many historical names are here preserved--amongst whom are Pasco de
-Paoli, the famous Corsican; Walker, whose dictionary is still a text
-book; the Chevalier d'Eon, respecting whose sex there was once such a
-controversy; Count O'Rourke, famous in the world of fashion in 1785;
-Mrs. Godwin--better known, perhaps, as Mary Woolstencraft--who also
-was married here; William Woollett, the eminent landscape engraver,
-a branch of art in which he may be said to have been the father;
-Samuel Cooper, whose miniatures cannot be surpassed; Scheemaker the
-younger, a sculptor of no small note. Nor in this _campo santo_ was
-Music unrepresented, for there, amongst others, lie the bodies of
-Mazzinghi, who brought the violin into fashion here in 1740; and Beard,
-a celebrated singer in 1753. The river flows hence to Battle Bridge, or
-King's Cross, as it is now termed, forming in its way a sort of pond
-called "Pancras Wash," and running through a low-lying district called
-"The Brill."[17] This peculiarly unsavoury neighbourhood has now been
-cleared away, in order to afford siding room, &c., for the Midland
-Railway.
-
-But Dr. Stukeley, who certainly had Roman Camps on the brain,
-discovered one in the Brill. He planned it out beautifully. Here were
-the Equites posted, there the Hastati, and there were the Auxiliarii.
-He made the Fleet do duty for a moat which nearly surrounded Caesar's
-Praetorium, and he placed a Forum close by St. Pancras' Church, to the
-northward of which he assigned a Praetorium to Prince Mandubrace. Is it
-not true? for is it not all written in his "Itinerary"? and does he not
-devote the first seventeen pages of the second volume of that work,
-entirely to the Brill, assuring us of the great pleasure he received in
-striding over the ground--following, in imagination, the footsteps of
-the Roman Camp Master, who _paced_ out the dimensions of the Camp?
-
-
- [Footnote 16: See pages 28, 29, 30, 31, &c.]
-
- [Footnote 17: See previous page.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV.
-
-
-That it was _countrified_ about this part of London, is shown by the
-accompanying Copy of an engraving, by J. T. Smith, of a view "near
-Battle Bridge."[18]
-
-The etymology of Battle Bridge, which consists of only one arch, and
-now forms a part of the Fleet Sewer, is a much vexed question. At one
-time it was an article of faith, not to be impugned, that here, A.D.
-61, was fought the famous battle between the Romans, under Suetonius
-Paulinus, and the Britons, under Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, which
-ended so disastrously for the natives--eighty thousand of whom are
-said to have been killed. But there seems to be a doubt, as to whether
-this was the exact spot where this historical contest took place, for
-Tacitus makes no mention of the little river Fleet, which must then
-have been navigable for light and small craft, for an anchor was found,
-in its bed, at Kentish Town. He only describes it (Tacit. Ann. lib.
-xiv. c. 34) a spot of ground, "narrow at the entrance, and sheltered
-in the rear by a thick forest." No remains have ever been exhumed,
-nor have Roman, or British, relics been found near the spot.
-
-[Illustration: BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
-In the first quarter of this century the Fleet, for the greater part
-of its time, ran placidly along, as we see by these two pen-and-ink
-sketches, taken at Battle Bridge.[19] But, occasionally, it forgot its
-good manners, and overflowed its banks, flooding portions of Kentish
-Town, Somers Town, and Battle Bridge, as we read in the _Gentlemans
-Magazine_, vol. lxxxviii. part i. p. 462, Saturday, May 9, 1818:--
-
- "From the heavy rain, which commenced yesterday afternoon at
- six o'clock, and continued pouring incessantly till four this
- morning, Battle Bridge, St. Pancras, and part of Somers Town
- were inundated. The water was several feet deep in many of the
- houses, and covered an extent of upwards of a mile. The carcases
- of several sheep and goats were found near Hampstead Reservoir,
- and property was damaged to a very considerable amount."
-
-[Illustration: BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
-There must have been a Mill here, for Stow tells us that in the reign
-of Edward VI. "A Miller of Battaile Bridge was set on the Pillory in
-Cheape, and had both his eares cut off, for seditious words by him
-spoken against the Duke of Somerset."
-
-[Illustration: BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
-Here, as elsewhere, just outside London, the road was not too safe for
-travellers, as the following account of a highway robbery will show. It
-was committed by one John Everett, whose career in life had been rather
-chequered. As an apprentice he ran away, and enlisted in Flanders,
-rising to the rank of sergeant. When the troops returned, he purchased
-his discharge, and got a situation in the Whitechapel Debtors' Court,
-but had to leave it, and he became a companion of thieves, against whom
-he turned king's evidence. He got into debt, and was locked up in the
-Fleet Prison, but was allowed to reside within the Rules, a district
-round about the prison, out of which no prisoner might wander; and
-there, in the Old Bailey, he kept a public-house. But he could not
-keep away from evil doing, and was sent to Newgate. On the expiration
-of his sentence, he turned highwayman. In the course of his
-professional career he, on December 24, 1730, stopped a Coach at Battle
-Bridge, which coach contained two ladies, a child, and a maidservant,
-and he despoiled them, but not uncivilly. The husband of one of the
-ladies coming up, pursued him, and next day he was caught. It was not
-then, any more than it is now, that every rogue got his deserts, but
-this one did, for he was hanged at Tyburn, February 20, 1731.
-
-The name of "Battle Bridge" is well-nigh forgotten, and "King's Cross"
-reigns in its stead. Yet how few Londoners of the present generation
-know whence the name is derived! If they ever trouble their heads about
-it at all, they probably imagine that it was a cross, like the Eleanor
-Crosses, raised to the memory of some king.
-
-And what king, think you, was it intended to keep in perpetual
-remembrance? None other than his Most Gracious Majesty King George the
-Fourth, of pious memory. Why this monument was raised I have never
-been able to learn, unless it was to celebrate his death, which took
-place in 1830, and probably to hold up his many virtues, as bright
-exemplars, to ages yet unborn; but a mad fit came over the inhabitants
-of Battle Bridge, and the hideous structure arose. It was all shoddy;
-in the form of an octagon building ornamented with pilasters, all
-substantially built of brick, and covered over with compo or cement,
-in order to render it more enduring. It was used as a police-station,
-and afterwards as a public-house, whilst the pediment of the statue
-was utilized as a camera obscura. I don't think they knew exactly what
-they were about, for one party wanted it to be called Boadicea's Cross,
-another went in for it being nationally named St. George's Cross; but
-the goodness of the late king was more popular, and carried the day,
-and we now enjoy the _nominis umbra_ of King's Cross, instead of the
-old cognomen of Battle Bridge. It had a very brief existence. It was
-built between 1830 and 1835, and was demolished in 1845; the stucco
-statue only having been _in situ_ for ten years. It is said that the
-nose of this regal statue had, for its base, an earthen draining tile,
-and that it was offered to a gentleman for sixpence!
-
-There hardly seems to be any connection between "the first gentleman
-in Europe" and dustmen, but there is a slight link. Battle Bridge was
-peculiarly the home of the necessary dustman, and in a song called "The
-Literary Dustman," commencing--
-
- "They call me Adam Bell, 'tis clear
- That Adam vos the fust man,
- And by a co-in-side-ance queer
- Vy I'm the fust of dustmen,"
-
-is the following verse:--
-
- "Great sculptors all conwarse wi' me,
- And call my taste divine, sirs,
- King George's statty at King's Cross,
- Vos built from my design, sirs."
-
-Close by here, in Gray's Inn Road, was a mountain of refuse and dust;
-but it was as profitable as were the heaps of Mr. Boffin in Charles
-Dickens's "Our Mutual Friend." This mound once had a curious clearance,
-so it is said. It was bought in its entirety, and sent over to Russia,
-to help make bricks to rebuild Moscow; and the ground on which it stood
-was, in 1826, sold to a Company for L15,000.
-
-[Illustration: DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE.]
-
- "My dawning Genus fust did peep,
- Near Battle Bridge,'tis plain, sirs:
- You recollect the cinder heap,
- Vot stood in Gray's Inn Lane, sirs?"
-
- * * * * *
-
-Let us turn to a sweeter subject, and gossip about St. Chad's Well, the
-site of which is now occupied by the Metropolitan Railway at King's
-Cross. St. Chad is a saint in the English calendar, and might have been
-a distinguished temperance leader, if the number of wells dedicated
-to him, is any criterion. He lived in the seventh century, and was
-educated at Lindisfarne (at least so Bede says), and afterwards became
-Bishop of Lichfield, and, at his death, his soul is said to have been
-accompanied to heaven by angels and sweet music.
-
-A good modern account is given in Hone's "Every Day Book," vol. i.
-pp. 323, 4, 5, which, as it was taken from actual observation about
-fifty years since, may well be transcribed. Speaking of the aforesaid
-dust-heap he says:--
-
- "Opposite to this unsightly site, and on the right hand side of
- the road, is an anglewise faded inscription--
-
- [Illustration: ST. CHAD'S WELL.]
-
- "It stands, or rather dejects, over an elderly pair of wooden
- gates, one whereof opens on a scene which the unaccustomed eye
- may take for the pleasure-ground of Giant Despair. Trees stand
- as if made not to vegetate, clipped hedges seem unwilling to
- decline, and nameless weeds straggle weakly upon unlimited
- borders. If you look upwards you perceive, painted on an octagon
- board, 'Health restored and preserved.' Further on, towards
- the left, stands a low, old-fashioned, comfortable-looking,
- large-windowed dwelling, and, ten to one, but there also stands
- at the open door, an ancient ailing female, in a black bonnet,
- a clean, coloured cotton gown, and a check apron, her silver
- hair only in part tucked beneath the narrow border of a frilled
- cap, with a sedate and patient, yet somewhat inquiring look. She
- gratuitously tells you that 'the gardens' of 'St. Chad's Well'
- are for 'Circulation' by paying for the waters, of which you may
- drink as much, or as little, or nothing, as you please, at one
- guinea per year, 9s. 6d. quarterly, 4s. 6d. monthly, or 1s. 6d.
- weekly. You qualify for a single visit by paying sixpence, and a
- large glass tumbler, full of warm water, is handed to you. As a
- stranger, you are told, that 'St. Chad's Well was famous at one
- time.'
-
- "Should you be inquisitive, the dame will instruct you, with
- an earnest eye, that 'people are not what they were,' 'things
- are not as they used to be,' and she 'can't tell what'll happen
- next.' Oracles have not ceased. While drinking St. Chad's water,
- you observe an immense copper, into which it is poured, wherein
- it is heated to due efficacy, and from whence it is drawn by
- a cock, into glasses. You also remark, hanging on the wall, a
- 'tribute of gratitude,' versified, and inscribed on vellum,
- beneath a pane of glass stained by the hand of time, and let
- into a black frame. This is an effusion for value received
- from St. Chad's invaluable water. But, above all, there is a
- full-sized portrait in oil, of a stout, comely personage, with
- a ruddy countenance, in a coat or cloak, supposed scarlet, a
- laced cravat falling down the breast, and a small red nightcap
- carelessly placed on the head, conveying the idea that it was
- painted for the likeness of some opulent butcher, who flourished
- in the reign of Queen Anne. Ask the dame about it, and she
- refers you to 'Rhone.'[20] This is a tall old man, who would
- be taller if he were not bent by years. 'I am ninety-four,' he
- will tell you, 'this present year of our Lord, one thousand,
- eight hundred, and twenty-five.' All that he has to communicate
- concerning the portrait is, 'I have heard say it is the portrait
- of St. Chad.' Should you venture to differ, he adds, 'this is
- the opinion of most people who come here.' You may gather that
- it is his own undoubted belief.
-
- "On pacing the garden alleys, and peeping at the places of
- retirement, you imagine the whole may have been improved and
- beautified, for the last time, by some countryman of William
- III., who came over and died in the same year with that king,
- and whose works here, in wood and box, have been following him
- piecemeal ever since.
-
- "St. Chad's Well is scarcely known in the neighbourhood save by
- its sign-board of invitation and forbidding externals;... it
- is haunted, not frequented. A few years, and it will be with
- its waters, as with the water of St. Pancras' Well, which is
- enclosed in the garden of a private house, near old St. Pancras
- Churchyard."
-
-But, although the prophecy in "Hone" was destined to be fulfilled, yet
-it was twelve years before it came about, and it was not until
-September 14, 1837, that Messrs. Warlters and Co. sold, at Garraway's
-Coffee House, Change Alley, Cornhill, the "valuable Copyhold Property,
-situate in Gray's Inn Lane, near King's Cross, Battle Bridge," which
-consisted of "The well-known and valuable Premises, Dwelling-house,
-Large Garden, and Offices, with the very celebrated Spring of Saline
-Water called St. Chad's Well, which, in proper hands, would produce
-an inexhaustible Revenue, as its qualities are allowed by the first
-Physicians to be unequalled."
-
-[Illustration: ST. CHAD'S WELL.]
-
-It was a good sized piece of ground; in shape of a somewhat irregular
-triangle, of which the base measured about 200 feet, and from apex to
-base 95 feet. It was Copyhold. The vendor was not to be asked for a
-title prior to 1793, and it was held of the Manor of _Cantlowes_ or
-_Cantlers_, subject to a small fine, certain, of 6s. 8d., on death
-or alienation, and to a Quit Rent of 5d. per annum. We should say,
-nowadays, that the assessment was very small, as, including the large
-gardens, both back and front, the whole was only valued, including the
-_Saline Spring_, at L81 10s. per annum, of which L21 10s. was let off,
-but which formed but a small portion of the property.
-
-What would not the waters of St. Chad's Well cure? Really I think
-the proprietor hardly knew himself, for a handbill I have before me
-commences--"The celebrity of these waters being confined chiefly to its
-own immediate vicinity for a number of years; the present proprietor
-has thought proper to give more extensive publicity to the existence of
-a nostrum provided by Nature, through Divine Providence, approaching
-nearest that great desideratum of scientific men and mankind in
-general, throughout all ages; namely, an UNIVERSAL MEDICINE.... The
-many cures yearly performed by these waters does not come within the
-limits of a handbill, but, suffice it to say, that here, upon trial,
-the sufferer finds a speedy and sure relief from INDIGESTION and its
-train, HABITUAL COSTIVENESS, the extensive range of LIVER COMPLAINTS,
-DROPSY in its early stages, GLANDULAR OBSTRUCTIONS, and that bane of
-life, SCROPHULA; for ERUPTIONS ON THE FACE OR SKIN its almost immediate
-efficacy needs but a trial." This wonderful water, with use of garden,
-was then, say 1835, supposed to be worth to the sufferer L1 per annum,
-or threepence a visit, or you might have it supplied at eightpence per
-gallon.
-
-And yet it seems only to have been a mild aperient, and rather dear
-at the price. In the _Mirror_ of April 13, 1833, Mr. Booth, Professor
-of Chemistry, professed to give an analysis of the "Mineral Waters in
-the neighbourhood of London," and he thus writes of St. Chad's Well:
-"It is aperient, and is yet much resorted to by the poorer classes of
-the metropolis, with whom it enjoys considerable reputation. From an
-examination, I find it to be a strong solution of sulphate of soda and
-sulphate of magnesia"--but he does not favour us with a quantitative
-analysis.
-
-Neither does the proprietor, one Wm. Lucas, who not only propounded
-the handbill from which I have quoted, but published a pamphlet on
-the healing virtues of the spring, and he also adds to Mr. Booth's
-qualitative analysis, "a small quantity of Iron, which is held in
-Solution by Carbonic Acid."
-
-"The Well from which the Waters are supplied, is excluded from the
-external air; the Water when freshly drawn is perfectly clear and
-pellucid, and sparkles when poured into a glass; to the taste it is
-slightly bitter, not sufficiently so to render it disagreeable; indeed,
-Persons often think it so palatable as to take it at the table for a
-common beverage."
-
-This, however, is slightly at variance with the following, "As a
-Purgative, more so than could be inferred from their taste, a pint is
-the ordinary dose for an Adult, which operates pleasantly, powerfully,
-and speedily:" qualities which are scarcely desirable for a Table water.
-
-That, at one time, this Well was in fashion, although in 1825 it was in
-its decadence, I may quote from the pamphlet (which, however, must be
-taken by the reader, _quantum valeat_):
-
- "JONATHAN RHONE, who was Gardener and Waiter at these Wells
- upwards of Sixty Years, says, that when he first came into
- office at about the middle of the eighteenth Century, the Waters
- were in great repute, and frequently were visited by eight or
- nine hundred Persons in a morning: the charge for drinking the
- Waters was Three pence each Person, and they were delivered at
- the Pump Room for exportation, at the rate of Twenty-four pint
- bottles, packed in hamper, for One Pound Cash."
-
- [Footnote 18: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 19: See pages 41, 42.]
-
- [Footnote 20: Rhone was an old waiter at the Well. See p. 51.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V.
-
-
-As the Fleet was "the River of Wells" it may be as well to notice the
-Wells, which, although not absolutely contributing towards swelling its
-volume, are yet closely adjacent--namely, White Conduit, and Sadlers
-Wells. Both of these, as indeed were all the other Wells about London,
-were first known as mineral springs, a fact which drew the middle
-classes to seek relief from real, or fancied, ailments, by drinking
-the medicinal waters, as at Bath, Epsom, Cheltenham, Harrogate,
-Brixton, and elsewhere. Wherever people congregate, the mere drinking
-of salutary water, is but tame work, and the animal spirits of some of
-them must find an outlet in amusements, which materially assist, to
-say the least, in the agreeable passing of time. But the mere drinking
-of waters must have been irksome--even if people took to it as well as
-_Shadwell_ in his play of "Epsom Wells" describes:--
-
-[Illustration: THE WHITE CONDUIT.]
-
-"_Brisket._ I vow it is a pleasurable Morning: the Waters taste so
-finely after being fudled last Night. Neighbour _Fribbler_ here's a
-Pint to you.
-
- "_Fribbler._ I'll pledge you, Mrs. _Brisket_; I have drunk eight
- already.
-
- "_Mrs. Brisket._ How do the Waters agree with your Ladyship?
-
- "_Mrs. Woodly._ Oh, Sovereignly: how many Cups have you arrived
- to?
-
- "_Mrs. Brisket._ Truly Six, and they pass so kindly."
-
-By degrees these medicinal waters, or Spas, as they were termed in
-later times, fell into desuetude, possibly because medical knowledge
-was advancing; and the Wells, with their gardens attached, became
-places of outdoor recreation, where the sober citizen could smoke his
-pipe, and have his beer, or cider, whilst his wife, and her gossips,
-indulged in tittle tattle over their Tea--which, although much dearer
-than at present, was a very popular beverage, and so, from health
-resorts, they imperceptibly merged into the modern Tea Garden--which,
-in its turn, has become nearly extinct, as have the Ranelagh and
-Vauxhall of a former age; which, however, we have seen, in our time,
-somewhat resuscitated in the outdoor portion of the several Exhibitions
-which have taken place, in the few past years, at South Kensington.
-
-The White Conduit had a history of its own, which we can trace back, at
-all events, to the fifteenth century, for it was built as a reservoir
-to supply what was, afterwards, the Charterhouse.
-
-This we can see by a royal licence, dated December 2, 9 Henry VI. an.
-1431,[21] which granted to John Feryby, and his wife Margery, that they
-might grant and assign to the Prior and Convent of the House of the
-Salutation of the Blessed Mary of the Carthusian Order, by London, a
-certain well spring (_fontein_) and 53 perches of land in length, and
-12 feet in breadth, in the vill of Iseldon (Islington) to have to them
-and their successors for ever, and to the same Prior and Convent, to
-take the said land, and construct a certain subterraneous aqueduct from
-the aforesaid well spring, through the aforesaid land, and through the
-King's highway aforesaid, and elsewhere, as it may seem best &c.,
-_non obstante_ the Act against mortmain (_Teste Humfride Duce
-Gloucestr' Custode Angliae apud Westm._).
-
-As we know, Henry VIII. put an end to the Monastic Orders in England,
-and, at the dissolution of the Priory, the reversion of the site, and
-house thereof, was granted, on April 14, 1545,[22] to Sir Roger North,
-in fee, together with "all that the Head and original Well Spring of
-one Channel or Aqueduct situate and being in a certain field in the
-parish of Islington"--and it also gave, all the channels, aqueducts,
-and watercourses under ground "up to the site of the said House of the
-Carthusians."
-
-But, although the spring might, and did, supply the Charter House,
-yet it is possible that the Conduit House, from which it got the name
-of _White_ Conduit, from its being built of white stone--was built by
-Thomas Sutton, who founded the Hospital of the Charter House,--in 1611.
-It was either built by him, or repaired in 1641, for, incorporated in
-the building, was a stone containing his arms--and initials.[23]
-
-The other initials have not been identified. As the "White Conduit"
-it was known well into this century, but it fell somewhat into decay,
-about 1812--was never repaired, and, finally, was pulled down in
-1831--to make way for the completion of some new buildings in Barnsbury
-Road, as a continuation of Penton Street: and the stone was broken up,
-and used in making the New Road.
-
-[Illustration: STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT.
-_Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. lxxi. p. 1161, A.D. 1801.]
-
-So much for the Conduit itself; but it, although inert, exercised a
-large share in the amusements of Londoners down to a comparatively
-recent period. It was pleasantly situated in the fields, and, until
-this century, during the latter half of which, the modern Babylon has
-become one huge mass of bricks and mortar, it served as a pleasant
-place of recreation for the Cits. There was an uninterrupted prospect
-of Hampstead and Highgate--which bounded the northern view, and which
-was purely pastoral, with the exception of sparsely-dotted farmhouses.
-There is a tradition that, on the site of the comparatively modern
-_White Conduit House_, was (in the reign of Charles I.), a tavern in
-the course of erection, and that, being finished, the workmen were
-carousing at the very moment of the monarch's decapitation.
-
-Doubtless, in these suburban fields, there was, for very many years, a
-place for refreshment, which probably took the form, in the Arcadian
-age of the seventeenth and eighteenth century, of new milk, curds
-and whey, and syllabubs, for Islington was famous for its dairy
-produce,[24] as we know by the account of the entertainment given to
-Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle in 1575 by the Earl of Leicester,
-when the Squier Minstrel of Middlesex made a long speech in praise of
-Islington, whose motto was said to be, "Lactis Caseus infans."
-
-The earliest really authentic notice of the White Conduit House, I
-can find, is in the _Daily Advertiser_ August 10, 1754. "This is to
-acquaint the public, that, at the White Conduit House, the proprietor,
-for the better accommodation of the gentlemen and ladies, has completed
-a long walk, with a handsome circular Fish-pond, a number of shady,
-pleasant arbours inclosed with a fence 7 feet high to prevent being the
-least incommoded from the people in the fields. Hot loaves,[25] and
-butter every day, milk directly from the Cows; coffee and tea, and all
-manners of liquors in the greatest perfection: also a handsome Long
-Room, from whence is the most Copious prospects and airy situation of
-any now in vogue. I humbly hope the continuance of my friends' favours,
-as I make it my chief study to have the best accommodations, and am,
-Gentlemen and Ladies, your obliged humble servant, Robert Bartholomew.
-_Note._ My Cows eat no grains, neither any adulteration in the Milk or
-Cream. Bats and Balls for Cricket, and a convenient field to play in."
-
-This gives us a very fair insight into the sober relaxations of our
-great-great-grandfathers: and that the White Conduit House was, about
-this time, a resort for harmless recreation; and, certainly, it would
-rejoice the modern temperance enthusiasts to find that the principal
-beverages there drank were "non-intoxicants." Oliver Goldsmith
-used frequently to go there, walking from his house at Islington;
-and, in his "Citizen of the World," letter 122, he writes, "After
-having surveyed the Curiosities of this fair and beautiful town, I
-proceeded forward, leaving a fair stone building on my right; here
-the inhabitants of London often assemble to celebrate a feast of hot
-rolls and butter. Seeing such numbers, each with their little tables
-before them, employed on this occasion, must no doubt be a very amusing
-sight to the looker-on, but still more so to those who perform in the
-Solemnity."
-
-And the same story of simplicity of amusement, and refreshment, is
-amusingly told in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for May, 1760, vol. xxx.
-p. 242, in a short poem by William Woty, the author of the "Shrubs of
-Parnassus, consisting of a variety of poetical essays, moral and comic,
-by I. Copywell, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq. 1760."
-
- "_And to_ White Conduit _House
- We will go, will go, will go_."
-
- Grub Street _Register_.
-
- "Wish'd Sunday's come--mirth brightens ev'ry face,
- And paints the rose upon the housemaid's cheek
- _Harriot_, or _Mol_ more ruddy. Now the heart
- Of prentice resident in ample street,
- Or alley, Kennel-wash'd _Cheapside_, _Cornhill_
- Or _Cranborne_, thee, for calcuments renown'd,
- With joy distends. His meal meridian o'er,
- With switch in hand, he to _White Conduit_ house
- Hies merry hearted. Human beings here
- In couples multitudinous assemble,
- Forming the drollest groupe, that ever trod
- Fair Islingtonian plains. Male after male,
- Dog after dog, succeeding--husbands--wives--
- Fathers and mothers--brothers--sisters--friends--
- And _pretty little boys and girls_. _Around,
- Across, along_, the garden's shrubby maze,
- They walk, they sit, they stand. What crowds press on,
- Eager to mount the stairs, eager to catch
- First vacant bench or chair in _long-room_ plac'd.
- Here prig with prig holds conference polite,
- And indiscriminate, the gaudy beau,
- And sloven mix. Here _he_, who all the week
- Took bearded mortals by the nose, or sat
- Weaving dead hairs, and whistling wretched strain,
- And eke the sturdy youth, whose trade it is
- Stout oxen to contend, with gold bound hat,
- And silken stocking strut. The red-arm'd belle
- Here shews her _tasty_ gown, proud to be thought
- The butterfly of fashion: and, forsooth,
- Her haughty mistress deigns for once to tread
- The same unhallow'd floor. 'Tis hurry all,
- And ratling cups and saucers. Waiter here,
- And waiter there, and waiter here _and_ there,
- At once is call'd--_Joe--Joe--Joe--Joe--Joe--
- Joe_ on the right--and _Joe_ upon the left,
- For ev'ry vocal pipe re-ecchoes _Joe_.
- Alas, poor _Joe_! Like _Francis_ in the play
- He stands confounded, anxious how to please
- The many-headed throng. But shou'd I paint
- The language, humours, customs of the place,
- Together with all curtsy's lowly bows,
-
- And compliments extern, 'twould swell my page
- Beyond it's limits due. Suffice it then,
- For my prophetic muse to say, 'So long
- As fashion rides upon the Wing of time,
- While tea and cream, and buttered rolls can please,
- While rival beaux, and jealous belles exist,
- So long _White Conduit_ house, shall be thy fame.
-
- W. W."
-
-Later on in the century, it was still a reputable place of resort. In
-1774, there was a painting at one end of the garden, the perspective of
-which served, artificially, to augment its size; the round fish-pond in
-the centre of the garden, still existed, and the refreshment-rooms, or
-boxes, were hung with Flemish and other pictures.
-
-Hone ("Every Day Book," vol. ii. p. 1201, &c.) says, "About 1810, the
-late celebrated Wm. Huntingdon S.S.[26] of Providence Chapel, who lives
-in a handsome house within sight, was at the expense of clearing the
-spring for the use of the inhabitants; but, because his pulpit opinions
-were obnoxious, some of the neighbouring vulgar threw loads of soil
-upon it in the night, which rendered the water impure, and obstructed
-its channel, and, finally, ceasing to flow, the public was deprived of
-the kindness he proposed. The building itself, was in a very perfect
-state at that time, and ought to have been boarded up after the field
-it stood in was thrown open. As the new buildings proceeded, it was
-injured, and defaced, by idle labourers and boys, from mere wantonness,
-and reduced to a mere ruin. There was a kind of upper floor or hayloft
-in it, which was frequently a shelter to the houseless wanderer. A few
-years ago some poor creatures made it a comfortable hostel for the
-night with a little hay. Early in the morning a passing workman
-perceived smoke issuing from the crevices, and as he approached, heard
-loud cries from within. Some mischievous miscreants had set fire to
-the fodder beneath the sleepers, and, afterwards, fastened the door on
-the outside: the inmates were scorched by the fire, and probably they
-would all have been suffocated in a few minutes, if the place had not
-been broken open.
-
-[Illustration: THE WHITE CONDUIT.]
-
-"The 'White Conduit' at this time (1826) merely stands to those who had
-the power, and neglected to preserve it.
-
-"To the buildings grown up around, it might have been rendered a neat
-ornament, by planting a few trees, and enclosing the whole with an iron
-railing, and have stood as a monument of departed worth.
-
-"'White Conduit House' has ceased to be a recreation in the good sense
-of the word. Its present denomination is the 'Minor Vauxhall,' and its
-chief attraction during the passing summer has been Mrs. Bland.[27]
-She has still powers, and, if their exercise here, has been a stay and
-support to this sweet melodist, so far the establishment may be deemed
-respectable. It is a ground for balloon flying and skittle playing, and
-just maintains itself above the very lowest, so as to be one of the
-most doubtful places of public resort. Recollections of it some years
-ago are more in its favour. Its tea gardens then, in summer afternoons,
-were well accustomed by tradesmen and their families; they are now
-comparatively deserted, and, instead, there is, at night, a starveling
-show of odd company and coloured lamps, a mock orchestra, with mock
-singing, dancing in a room which decent persons would prefer to
-withdraw their young folks from, if they entered, and fireworks 'as
-usual,' which, to say the truth, are, usually, very good."
-
-[Illustration: WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR).]
-
-[Illustration: WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (EXTERIOR).]
-
-As time went on, the place did not improve, as we may see by the _New
-Monthly Magazine_ for 1833, in an article--part of "Four Views of
-London." Speaking of the White Conduit--"Here too is that Paradise of
-apprentice boys, White _Cundick Couse_, as it is cacophoniously
-pronounced by its visitors, which has done much to expel the decencies
-of the district. Thirty years ago this place was better frequented--that
-is, there was a larger number of respectable adults--fathers and
-mothers, with their children, and a smaller moiety of shop lads, and
-such like Sunday bucks, who were awed into decency by their elders.
-The manners, perhaps, are much upon a _par_ with what they were. The
-ballroom gentlemen then went through country dances with their hats on,
-and their coats off:--hats are now taken off, but coats are still
-unfashionable on these gala nights. The belles of that day wore long
-trains to their gowns: it was a favourite mode of introduction to a lady
-there, to tread on it, and then, apologizing handsomely, acquaintance
-was begun, and soon ripened into an invitation to tea, and the hot
-loaves for which these gardens were once celebrated. Being now a popular
-haunt, those who hang on the rear of the march of human nature, the
-suttlers, camp followers, and plunderers, know that where large numbers
-of men and boys are in pursuit of pleasure, there is a sprinkling of
-the number to whom vice and debauchery are ever welcome: they have,
-therefore, supplied what these wanted; and Pentonville may now hold up
-its head, and boast of its depravities before any part of London."[28]
-
-It got more and more disreputable, until it was pulled down in 1849,
-and the present White Conduit Tavern was built upon a portion of its
-site.
-
- [Footnote 21: Cart. Antiq. in Off. Augm. vol. ii. No. 43.]
-
- [Footnote 22: Pat. 36 Henry VIII. p. 13, m. 31.]
-
- [Footnote 23: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 24: In an early sixteenth century book (unique)
- printed by Wynkyn de Worde, called "Cocke Lorelles Boke" the
- dairy farming at Islington is mentioned--
-
- "Also mathewe to the drawer of London, And sybly sole
- mylke-wyfe of Islington."]
-
- [Footnote 25: These Rolls were as famous as Chelsea Buns.
- "White Conduit loaves" being a familiar street cry.]
-
- [Footnote 26: This revivalist used these initials as meaning
- "Sinner Saved."]
-
- [Footnote 27: A somewhat famous singer in the latter part of
- the eighteenth and first quarter of the nineteenth centuries.
- She sang and acted at Drury Lane and the Haymarket--and also
- sang at Vauxhall. She became poor, and on July 5, 1824, she
- had a benefit at Drury Lane, which, with a public
- subscription, produced about L800. Lord Egremont also allowed
- her L80 a year. She was somewhat related to Royalty: her
- husband, Bland, an actor at Drury Lane, being the brother of
- Mrs. Jordan, who was the wife of William the Fourth.]
-
- [Footnote 28: A frequent visitor at these gardens was the late
- George Cruikshank, and many subjects were transferred to his
- sketch book. He was so well known, as to become a sort of
- terror to the habitues of the place, and children were
- threatened, when fractious, "that if they made such ugly
- faces, Mr. Cruikshank would put them in his book."]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI.
-
-
-Sadler's Wells does not really feed the Fleet River, but I notice the
-spring, for the same reason that I noticed the White Conduit.
-
-A very fair account of its early history is given in a little pamphlet
-entitled "A True and Exact Account of Sadlers Well: or the New Mineral
-Waters. Lately found out at Islington: Treating of its nature and
-Virtues. Together with an Enumeration of the Chiefest Diseases which it
-is good for, and against which it may be used, and the Manner and Order
-of Taking of it. Published for publick good by T. G. (Thomas Guidot)
-Doctor of Physick. Printed for _Thomas Malthus_ at the _Sun_ in the
-_Poultry_. 1684."
-
-It begins thus:--"The New Well at _Islington_ is a certain Spring in
-the middle of a Garden, belonging to the Musick House built by Mr.
-_Sadler_, on the North side of the Great Cistern that receives the
-New River Water near Islington, the Water whereof was, before the
-Reformation, very much famed for several extraordinary Cures performed
-thereby, and was, thereupon, accounted sacred, and called _Holy Well_.
-The Priests belonging to the Priory of _Clarkenwell_ using to attend
-there, made the People believe that the virtues of the Waters proceeded
-from the efficacy of their Prayers. But upon the Reformation the Well
-was stopt up, upon a supposition that the frequenting it was altogether
-superstitious, and so, by degrees, it grew out of remembrance, and was
-wholly lost, until found out, and the Fame of it revived again by the
-following accident.
-
-"Mr. _Sadler_ being made Surveyor of the High Ways, and having good
-Gravel in his own Gardens, employed two Men to Dig there, and when they
-had Dug pretty deep, one of them found his Pickax strike upon some
-thing that was very hard; whereupon he endeavoured to break it, but
-could not: whereupon thinking with himself that it might, peradventure,
-be some Treasure hid there, he uncovered it very carefully, and found
-it to be a Broad, Flat Stone: which, having loosened, and lifted up,
-he saw it was supported by four Oaken Posts, and had under it a large
-Well of Stone Arched over, and curiously carved; and, having viewed
-it, he called his fellow Labourer to see it likewise, and asked him
-whether they should fetch Mr. _Sadler_, and shew it to him? Who, having
-no kindness for _Sadler_, said no; he should not know of it, but as
-they had found it, so they would stop it up again, and take no notice
-of it; which he that found it consented to at first, but after a little
-time he found himself (whether out of Curiosity, or some other reason,
-I shall not determine) strongly inclined to tell _Sadler_ of the Well;
-which he did, one Sabbath Day in the Evening.
-
-"_Sadler_, upon this, went down to see the Well, and observing the
-Curiosity of the Stone Work, that was about it, and fancying within
-himself that it was a Medicinal Water, formerly had in great esteem,
-but by some accident or other lost, he took some of it in a Bottle, and
-carryed it to an Eminent Physician, telling him how the Well was found
-out, and desiring his Judgment of the Water; who having tasted and
-tried it, told him it was very strong of a Mineral taste, and advised
-him to Brew some Beer with it, and carry it to some Persons, to whom he
-would recommend him; which he did accordingly. And some of those who
-used to have it of him in Bottles, found so much good by it, that they
-desired him to bring it in Roundlets."
-
-Sadler's success, for such it was, provoked the envy of others, and one
-or two satires upon the Wells were produced.
-
- * * * * *
-
-Soon after he opened the Wells, Evelyn visited them, as we read in his
-invaluable diary. "June 11, 1686. I went to see Middleton's receptacle
-of water[29] and the New Spa Wells, near Islington." The Spring was
-still known as Sadler's up to 1697 as we find in advertisements in the
-_Post Boy_ and _Flying Post_ of June, in that year. But the "Musick
-House" seems to have passed into other hands, for in 1699 it was called
-"Miles's Musick House." They seem to have had peculiar entertainments
-here, judging by an account in _Dawk's Protestant Mercury_ of May 24,
-1699. "On Tuesday last a fellow at Sadler's Wells, near Islington,
-after he had dined heartily on a buttock of beef, for the lucre of five
-guineas, eat a live cock, feathers, guts, and all, with only a plate of
-oil and vinegar for sawce, and half a pint of brandy to wash it down,
-and afterwards proffered to lay five guineas more, that he could do the
-same again in two hours' time."
-
-That this was a fact is amply borne out by the testimony of Ned Ward,
-who managed to see most of what was going on in town, and he thus
-describes the sight in his rough, but vigorous language.
-
-"With much difficulty we crowded upstairs, where we soon got
-intelligence of the beastly scene in agitation. At last a table was
-spread with a dirty cloth in the middle of the room, furnished with
-bread, pepper, oil, and vinegar; but neither knife, plate, fork, or
-napkin; and when the beholders had conveniently mounted themselves
-upon one another's shoulders to take a fair view of his Beastlyness's
-banquet, in comes the lord of the feast, disguised in an Antick's Cap,
-like a country hangman, attended by a train of Newmarket executioners.
-When a chair was set, and he had placed himself in sight of the
-whole assembly, a live Cock was given into the ravenous paws of this
-ingurgitating monster."
-
-In the same year, in his "Walk to Islington," Ward gives a description
-of the people who frequented this "Musick House."
-
- "---- mixed with a vermin trained up for the gallows, As Bullocks[30]
- and files,[31] housebreakers and padders.[32] With prize fighters,
- sweetners,[33] and such sort of traders, Informers, thief-takers,
- deer-stealers, and bullies."
-
-It seems to have been kept by Francis Forcer, a musician, about 1725,
-and the scene at the Wells is graphically described in "The New River,
-a Poem, by William Garbott."
-
- "Through Islington then glides my best loved theme
- And Miles's garden washes with his stream:
- Now F--r's Garden is its proper name,
- Though Miles the man was, who first got it fame;
- And tho' it's own'd, Miles first did make it known,
- F--r improves the same we all must own.
- There you may sit under the shady trees,
- And drink and smoak, fann'd by a gentle breeze;
- Behold the fish, how wantonly they play,
- And catch them also, if you please, you may,
- Two Noble Swans swim by this garden side,
- Of water-fowl the glory and the pride;
- Which to the Garden no small beauty are;
- Were they but black they would be much more rare:
- With ducks so tame that from your hand they'll feed,
- And, I believe, for that, they sometimes bleed.
- A noble Walk likewise adorns the place,
- To which the river adds a greater grace:
- There you may sit or walk, do which you please,
- Which best you like, and suits most with your ease.
- Now to the Show-room let's awhile repair,
- To see the active feats performed there.
- How the bold Dutchman, on the rope doth bound,
- With greater air than others on the ground:
- What capers does he cut! how backward leaps!
- With Andrew Merry eyeing all his steps:
- His comick humours with delight you see,
- Pleasing unto the best of company," &c.
-
-But a very vivid description of Sadler's Wells is given in
-"Mackliniana, or Anecdotes of the late Mr. Charles Macklin, Comedian"
-in the _European Magazine_ for 1801 (vol. xl. p. 16):--
-
-"Being met one night at Sadler's Wells by a friend, who afterwards saw
-him home, he went into a history of that place, with an accuracy which,
-though nature generally denies to the recollection of old age in recent
-events, seems to atone for it in the remembrance of more remote periods.
-
- "Sir, I remember the time when the price of admission _here_ was
- but _threepence_, except a few places scuttled off at the sides
- of the stage at sixpence, and which was usually reserved for
- people of fashion, who occasionally came to see the fun. Here we
- smoked, and drank porter and rum and water, as much as we could
- pay for, and every man had his doxy that liked it, and so forth;
- and though we had a mixture of very odd company (for I believe
- it was a good deal the baiting place of thieves and highwaymen)
- there was little or no rioting. There was a _public_ then, Sir,
- that kept one another in awe.
-
- "_Q._ Were the entertainments anything like the present? _A._
- No, no; nothing in the shape of them; some hornpipes and ballad
- singing, with a kind of pantomimic ballet, and some lofty
- tumbling--and all this was done by daylight, and there were four
- or five exhibitions every day.
-
- "_Q._ How long did these continue at a time? _A._ Why, Sir,
- it depended upon circumstances. The proprietors had always a
- fellow on the outside of the booth, to calculate how many people
- were collected for a second exhibition, and when he thought
- there were enough, he came to the back of the upper seats,
- and cried out, 'Is _Hiram Fisteman_ here?' This was the cant
- word agreed upon between the parties, to know the state of the
- people without--upon which they concluded the entertainment
- with a song, dismissed that audience, and prepared for a second
- representation.
-
- "_Q._ Was this in Rozamon's time? _A._ No, no, Sir; long
- before--not but old Rozamon improved it a good deal, and, I
- believe, raised the price generally to sixpence, and in this way
- got a great deal of money."
-
-Space prevents one going into the merits of the Theatre here, but it
-may not be out of place if I mention some of the singers, and actors,
-who have appeared on those boards--Joey Grimaldi, Braham, Miss Shields
-(afterwards Mrs. Leffler), Edmund Kean, the great traveller Belzoni,
-Miss Tree, Phelps, of Shakespearian fame, Marston, and others, testify
-to the talent which has had its home in this theatre. One peculiarity
-about Sadler's Wells Theatre was the introduction of real water as a
-scenic effect. It seems to have been first used on Easter Monday, April
-2, 1804, in an entertainment called _Naumachia_. A very large tank was
-made under the stage, and filled with water from the New River; and in
-this tank mimic men o' war bombarded Gibraltar, but were repulsed, with
-loss, by the heroic garrison. Afterwards, it was frequently used for
-_Spectacles_, in which water was used as an adjunct.
-
-After this digression let us follow the course of the River Fleet.
-Leaving St. Chad's Well, and before coming to Bagnigge Wells, there
-stood in Gray's Inn Road an old public-house called the Pindar of
-Wakefield, the pounder, or keeper of the pound at that town, the famous
-George a Green, who gave Robin Hood a notable thrashing, extorting from
-that bold outlaw this confession--
-
- "For this was one of the best pinders
- That ever I tryed with sword."
-
-This old house was destroyed by a hurricane in November, 1723, when the
-two daughters of the landlord were killed by the falling walls. It was,
-however, at once rebuilt, and a public-house, bearing the same sign,
-exists at 328, Gray's Inn Road--most probably occupying the original
-site.
-
- [Footnote 29: The New River Head.]
-
- [Footnote 30: A hector, or bully.]
-
- [Footnote 31: A pickpocket.]
-
- [Footnote 32: A tramp.]
-
- [Footnote 33: A Sharper.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII.
-
-
-Between this house, and Bagnigge Wells, was Bagnigge Wash, or Marsh,
-and Black Mary's Wells, or Hole. The etymology of this place is
-contested. In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1813, part ii. p. 557, in
-an "Account of various Mineral Wells near London," is the following:
-"Lastly, in the same neighbourhood, may be mentioned the spring or
-conduit on the eastern side of the road leading from Clerken Well to
-Bagnigge Wells, and which has given name to a very few small houses
-as _Black Mary's Hole_. The land here was, formerly, called Bagnigg
-Marsh, from the river Bagnigg,[34] which passes through it. But, in
-after-time, the citizens resorting to drink the waters of the conduit,
-which then was leased to one Mary, who kept a black Cow, whose milk
-the gentlemen and ladies drank with the waters of the Conduit, from
-whence, the wits of that age used to say, 'Come, let us go to Mary's
-black hole.' However, Mary dying, and the place degenerating into
-licentiousness, about 1687, Walter Baynes Esqre, of the Inner Temple,
-enclosed the Conduit in the manner it now is, which looks like a
-great oven. He is supposed to have left a fund for keeping the same
-in perpetual repair. The stone with the inscription was carried away
-during the night about ten years ago. The water (which formerly fed two
-ponds on the other side of the road) falls into the old Bagnigge river."
-
-This etymon, however, is contested in a pamphlet called _An
-experimental enquiry concerning the Contents, Qualities, Medicinal
-Virtues of the two Mineral Waters of_ Bagnigge Wells, &c., by John
-Bevis, M.D. This pamphlet was originally published in 1767, but I
-quote from the third edition of 1819. "At what time these waters
-were first known cannot be made out with any degree of evidence. A
-tradition goes that the place of old was called Blessed Mary's Well;
-but that the name of the Holy Virgin having, in some measure, fallen
-into disrepute after the Reformation, the title was altered to Black
-Mary's Well, as it now stands upon Mr. Rocque's map, and then to Black
-Mary's Hole; though there is a very different account of these latter
-appellations; for there are those who insist they were taken from one
-Mary Woolaston, whose occupation was attending at a well, now covered
-in, on an opposite eminence, by the footway from Bagnigge to Islington
-to supply the soldiery, encamped in the adjacent fields, with water.
-But waving such uncertainties, it may be relied on for truth, that a
-late proprietor, upon taking possession of the estate, found two wells
-thereon, both steaned in a workmanlike manner; but when, or for what
-purpose, they were sunk, he is entirely ignorant."
-
-But Black Mary's Hole, during the first half of the last century, had a
-very queer reputation. There was a little public-house with the sign of
-"The Fox at Bay," which probably had something to do with the numerous
-highway robberies that occurred thereabouts.
-
-In Cromwell's "History of Clerkenwell," pp. 318, 319, we hear of the
-last of Black Mary's Hole. He says, "Beneath the front garden of a
-house in SPRING PLACE, and extending under the foot-pavement almost
-to the turnpike gate called the Pantheon Gate, lies the capacious
-receptacle of a _Mineral Spring_, which in former times was in
-considerable repute, both as a chalybeate, and for its supposed
-efficacy in the cure of sore eyes.... About ten years back, when Spring
-Place was erected, the builder removed every external appearance of
-Walter Baynes's labours, and converted the receptacle beneath into a
-cesspool for the drainage of his houses. The spring thus degraded, and
-its situation concealed, it is probable that the lapse of a few more
-years would have effaced the memory of it for ever, had not an accident
-re-discovered it in the summer of 1826. Its covering, which was only of
-boards, having rotted, suddenly gave way, and left a large chasm in the
-footpath. After some efforts, not perfectly successful, to turn off the
-drainage, it was then arched with brickwork, and a leaden pump placed
-over it, in the garden where it chiefly lies. But the pump being stolen
-during the following winter, the spring has again fallen into neglect,
-and possibly this page alone will prevent its being totally forgotten."
-
-Still following the Fleet to its outfall, we next come to Bagnigge
-Well, a chalybeate spring, first used medicinally, and then, like all
-these Spas, merely as a promenade, and place of out-of-door recreation.
-
-Originally, this spring probably belonged to the Nunnery at
-Clerkenwell, and may possibly be the "Rode Well" mentioned in the
-Register of Clerkenwell. But we are indebted to Dr. Bevis, from whose
-pamphlet I have already quoted, for a history of its modern rise and
-development (p. 38).
-
-"In the year 1757, the spot of ground in which this well is sunk
-was let out to a gentleman curious in gardening, who observed that
-the oftener he watered his flowers from it the worse they throve. I
-happened, toward the end of that summer, to be in company with a friend
-who made a transient visit to Mr. HUGHES, and was asked to taste the
-water; and, being surprised to find its flavour so near that of the
-best German chalybeates, did not hesitate to declare my opinion, that
-it might be made of great benefit both to the public and himself. At my
-request, he sent me some of the water, in a large stone bottle, well
-corked, the next day; a gallon whereof I immediately set over a fire,
-and by a hasty evaporation found it very rich in mineral contents,
-though much less so than I afterwards experienced it to be when more
-leisurely exhaled by a gentle heat. Whilst this operation was carrying
-on, I made some experiments on the remainder of the water, particularly
-with powdered galls, which I found to give, in less than a minute, a
-very rich and deep purple tincture to it, that lasted many days without
-any great alteration. I reported these matters to Mr. Hughes, but, soon
-after, a very dangerous illness put a stop to my experiments, which I
-did not resume for a considerable time, when the proprietor called, and
-told me his waters were in very great repute, and known by the name
-of BAGNIGGE WELLS; which I remembered to have seen in the newspapers,
-without so much as guessing it had been given to these springs. Mr.
-HUGHES took me to his wells, where I was not a little pleased with the
-elegant accommodations he had provided for company in so short a time."
-
-The house attached to the Spa is said to have been the residence of
-Nell Gwyn, but tradition has assigned her so many houses; at Chelsea,
-Bagnigge Wells, Highgate, Walworth, and Filberts, near Windsor--nay,
-one enterprising tradesman in the Strand has christened a milk shop
-"Nell Gwyn's Dairy," and has gone to some expense, in pictorial tiles,
-to impress on passers-by the genuineness of his assertion.
-
-Still, local tradition is strong, and, in a book called "The
-Recreations[35] of Mr. Zigzag the elder" (a pseudonym for Mr. John
-Wykeham Archer, artist and antiquary), which is in the Library of the
-City of London, and which is profusely "Grangerised" by the author, is
-a small water colour of Bagnigge House, the reputed dwelling of Nell
-Gwyn, which I have reproduced in outline, and on this drawing is a
-note, "Moreover several small tenements at the north end of the
-Garden were formerly entitled Nell Gwynne's Buildings, which seems to
-verify the tradition."[36]
-
-[Illustration: BAGNIGGE HOUSE. (Said to have been Nell Gwyn's.)]
-
-But the evidence is all of a _quasi_ kind. In the long room, supposed
-to have been the banqueting room, was, over the mantel, a bust, an
-_alto relievo_, of a female, supposed to be Nell Gwyn, and said to be
-modelled by Sir Peter Lely, enclosed in a circular border of fruit,
-which, of course, was at once set down as a delicate allusion to the
-actress's former calling of orange wench in the theatres. The bust and
-border were painted to imitate nature, and on either side were coats
-of arms--one the Royal arms, and, on the other side, the Royal arms
-quartered with others, which were supposed to be those assumed by the
-actress. When the old house was pulled down, the bust disappeared, and
-no one knows whither it went.
-
-I give a quotation from the _Sunday Times_, July 5, 1840, not as adding
-authority, or weight, to the idea that Bagnigge House was Nell's
-residence, but to show how deeply rooted was the tradition. It is a
-portion of the "_Maximms and Speciments of William Muggins, Natural
-Philosopher, and Citizen of the World_"--
-
- "Oh! how werry different London are now to wot it war at the
- time as I took my view on it from the post; none of them
- beautiful squares and streets, as lies heast and west, and
- north of the hospital, war built then; it war hall hopen fields
- right hup to Ampstead an Ighgate and Hislington. Bagnigge Well
- stood by itself at the foot of the hill, jist where it does
- now; and then it looked the werry pictur of countryfiedness and
- hinnocence. There war the beautiful white washed walls, with the
- shell grotto in the hoctagon summer house, where Nell Gwynne
- used to sit and watch for King Charles the Second. By the by,
- a pictur done by a famous hartist of them days, Sir Somebody
- Neller I thinks war his name, represents the hidentical ouse
- (it war a fine palace then) with the hidentical hoctagon summer
- house, with the beautiful Nelly leaning hout of the winder, with
- her lilly white hand and arm a-beckoning, while the King is
- seed in the distance galloping like vinking across the fields a
- waving his hat and feathers; while a little page, with little
- tobacker-pipe legs, in white stockings, stands ready to hopen a
- little door in the garden wall, and let hin the royal wisitor,
- while two little black and tan spanels is frisking about and
- playing hup hold gooseberry among the flower beds.
-
- That ere pictur used to hang hup in the bar parlor; its wanished
- now--so are the bust as were in the long room; but there's
- another portrait pictur of her, all alone by herself, done by
- Sir Peter Lely, still to be seen. (This here last coorosity war
- discovered honly a year or two ago, rolled hup among sum rubbige
- in the loft hunder the roof.)"
-
-The old house, however, was evidently of some importance, for, over
-a low doorway which led into the garden, was a stone, on which was
-sculptured a head in relief, and the following inscription--
-
- X
- THIS IS BAGNIGGE
- HOUSE NEARE
- THE PINDAR A
- WAKEFIELDE
- 1680.
-
-thus showing that the Pindar of Wakefield was the older house, and
-famous in that locality. This doorway and stone were in existence
-within the last forty years, for, in a footnote to page 572 of
-the _Gentleman's Magazine_ of June, 1847, it says, "The gate and
-inscription still remain, and will be found, where we saw them a few
-weeks since, in the road called Coppice Row, on the left going from
-Clerkenwell towards the New Road."
-
-The following illustration gives Bagnigge Wells as it appeared at the
-end of last century.
-
-[Illustration: BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON.]
-
-We have read how these gardens were first started in 1757, but they
-soon became well known and, indeed, notorious, as we read in a very
-scurrilous poem called "Bagnigge Wells," by W. Woty, in 1760--
-
- "Wells, and the place I sing, at early dawn
- Frequented oft, where male and female meet,
- And strive to drink a long adieu to pain.
- In that refreshing Vale with fragrance fill'd,
- Renown'd of old for Nymph of public fame
- And amorous Encounter, where the sons
- Of lawless lust conven'd--where each by turns
- His venal Doxy woo'd, and stil'd the place
- _Black Mary's Hole_--there stands a Dome superb,
- Hight Bagnigge; where from our Forefathers hid,
- Long have two Springs in dull stagnation slept;
- But, taught at length by subtle art to flow,
- They rise, forth from Oblivion's bed they rise,
- And manifest their Virtues to Mankind."
-
-The major portion of this poem (?) is rather too _risque_ for modern
-publication, but the following extract shows the sort of people who
-went there with the view of benefiting their health--
-
- "Here ambulates th' Attorney looking grave,
- And Rake from Bacchanalian rout uprose,
- And mad festivity. Here, too, the Cit,
- With belly, turtle-stuff'd, and man of Gout,
- With leg of size enormous. Hobbling on,
- The Pump-room he salutes, and in the chair
- He squats himself unwieldy. Much he drinks,
- And much he laughs to see the females quaff
- The friendly beverage. He, nor jest obscene,
- Of meretricious wench, nor quibble quaint,
- Of prentic'd punster heeds, himself a wit
- And dealer in conundrums, but retorts
- The repartee jocosely. Soft! how pale
- Yon antiquated virgin looks! Alas!
- In vain she drinks, in vain she glides around
- The Garden's labyrinth. 'Tis not for thee,
- Mistaken nymph! these waters pour their streams," &c.
-
-And in the prologue to "Bon Ton: or _High_ Life above Stairs," by David
-Garrick, acted at Drury Lane for the first time, for the benefit of Mr.
-King, in 1775, not much is said as to the character of its frequenters.
-
- "Ah! I loves life and all the joy it yields,
- Says Madam Fupock, warm from Spittlefields.
- Bon Ton's the space 'twixt Saturday and Monday,
- And riding in a one-horse chaise on Sunday,
- 'Tis drinking tea on summer's afternoons
- At Bagnigge Wells, with china and gilt spoons."
-
- [Footnote 34: Otherwise the Fleet.]
-
- [Footnote 35: These papers appeared in the _Illustrated Family
- Journal_.]
-
- [Footnote 36: In Cromwell's "History of Clerkenwell," p. 322,
- we read, "In memory of its supposed proprietor, the owner of
- some small tenements near the north end of the gardens styled
- them 'Nell Gwynn's Buildings;' but the inscription was erased
- before 1803."]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII.
-
-
-The gardens were pretty, after the manner of the times; we should not,
-perhaps, particularly admire the formally cut lines and hedges, nor the
-fountain in which a Cupid is hugging a swan, nor the rustic statuary
-of the haymakers. Still it was a little walk out of London, where
-fresh air could be breathed, and a good view obtained of the northern
-hills of Hampstead and Highgate, with the interlying pastoral country,
-sparsely dotted with farmhouses and cottages. The Fleet, here, had not
-been polluted into a sewer as it was further on, and there were all the
-elements of spending a pleasant, happy day, in good air, amid rural
-scenes.
-
-[Illustration: A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF
-BAGNIGGE WELLS.]
-
-[Illustration: WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE
-HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS.]
-
-[Illustration: THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF
-BAGNIGGE WELLS.]
-
-The place, however, rapidly became a disreputable _rendezvous_, and
-we get an excellent glimpse of the costumes of _circa_ 1780 in the
-two following engravings taken from mezzotints published by Carington
-Bowles; although not dated, they are of that period, showing the
-Macaronis and Belles of that time. The first is called "The BREAD and
-BUTTER MANUFACTORY,[37] or the Humours of BAGNIGGE WELLS," and the
-second "A Bagnigge Wells Scene, or no resisting temptation," which gives
-a charming representation of the ultra fashion of dress then worn.
-
-[Illustration: A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION.
-
-(_Published for Carington Bowles._)]
-
-Yet another glance at the manners of the time is afforded by the boy
-waiter, who hurries along with his tray of tea-things and _kettle of
-hot water_.[38]
-
-[Illustration: THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST.]
-
-And there was good music there, too--an organ in the long room, on
-which Charles Griffith performed, as may be seen in the accompanying
-illustration. The name of Davis on the music books, is that of the then
-proprietor, and the lines underneath are parodied from Dryden's "Song
-for St. Cecilia's day, 1687."
-
- "What passion cannot music raise and quell!
- When Jubal struck the corded shell,
- His listening brethren stood around,
- And, wondering, on their faces fell."
-
-It went on with varying fortunes, and under various proprietors. First
-of all Mr. Hughes, then, in 1792, Davis had it; in 1813 it was in the
-hands of one Salter; in 1818, a man named Thorogood took it, but let
-it to one Monkhouse, who failed, and it reverted to Thorogood. Then
-came as tenant, a Mr. Chapman, who was bankrupt in 1833, and, in 1834,
-Richard Chapman was proprietor. I fancy he was the last, as public
-house, and gardens, combined.
-
-Mr. William Muggins, before quoted, laments its decadence thus:
-"Besides the whitewashed walls, and hoctagon shell grotto, there war
-the tea garden, with its honey suckle and sweet briar harbours, where
-they used to drink tea hout of werry small cups, and heat the far famed
-little hot loaves and butter; then there war the dancing plot, and the
-gold and silver fish ponds, and the bowling green, and skittle alley,
-and fire work ground hall so romantic and rural, standing in the middle
-of a lot of fields, and shaded around with trees. Now it's a werry
-different concarn, for it's surrounded with buildings--the gardens is
-cut hoff to nuffin, and the ouse looks tumble down and miserable." That
-was in 1840.
-
-It was about this time that a song appeared in "The Little Melodist,"
-1839--dilating on the delights of the neighbourhood of Islington, and
-the first verse ran thus:
-
- "Will you go to Bagnigge Wells,
- Bonnet builder, O!
- Where the Fleet ditch fragrant smells,
- Bonnet builder, O!
- Where the fishes used to swim,
- So nice and sleek and trim,
- But the pond's now covered in,
- Bonnet builder, O!
-
-_Punch_, too, when it was young, and had warm blood coursing through
-its veins, visited Bagnigge Wells, and recorded the visit in its pages
-(Sept. 7, 1843). After a description of the walk thither, it says, "We
-last visited Bagnigge Wells about the beginning of the present week,
-and, like many travellers, at first passed close to it without seeing
-it. Upon returning, however, our eye was first arrested by an ancient
-door in the wall over which was inscribed the following:--[39]
-
-"This inscription, of which the above is a _fac simile_ was surmounted
-by a noseless head carved in stone; and, underneath, was a cartoon
-drawn in chalk upon the door, evidently of a later date, and bearing a
-resemblance to some of the same class in Gell's 'Pompeii.' Underneath
-was written in letters of an irregular alphabet, 'CHUCKY'--the entire
-drawing being, without doubt, some local pasquinade.
-
-"Not being able to obtain admittance at the door, we went on a short
-distance, and came to the ruins of the ancient 'Wells,' of which part
-of the banqueting room still exists. These are entirely open to the
-public as well as the adjoining pleasure grounds, although the thick
-layer of brick-bats with which they are covered, renders walking a
-task of some difficulty. The adjacent premises of an eminent builder
-separate them by some cubits from the road of Gray's Inn, near which,
-what we suppose to be the 'Well' is still visible. It is a round hole
-in the ground behind the ruins, filled up with rubbish and mosaics of
-oyster shells, but, at present, about eighteen inches deep.
-
-"It is very evident that the character of Bagnigge Wells has much
-altered within the last century. For, bearing that date, we have before
-us the 'Song of the 'Prentice to his Mistress' in which the attractions
-of the place are thus set forth:--
-
- "'Come, come, Miss Priscy, make it up,
- And we will lovers be:
- And we will go to _Bagnigge Wells_,
- And there we'll have some tea.
- And there you'll see the ladybirds
- All on the stinging nettles;
- And there you'll see the water-works,
- And shining copper kettles.
- And there you'll see the fishes, Miss,
- More curious than whales;
- They're made of gold and silver, Miss,
- And wag their little tails.'[40]
-
-"Of the wonders recounted in these stanzas, the stinging nettles alone
-remain flourishing, which they do in great quantity. The Waterworks are
-now confined to two spouts and a butt against the adjacent building;
-and the gold and silver fishes separately, in the form of red herrings
-and sprats, have been removed to the stalls in the neighbourhood, with
-a great deal more of the wag in the dealer, than in themselves.
-
-"The real Bagnigge Wells, where company assemble to drink, at the
-present day, is next door to the ruins. The waters are never drank,
-however, now, without being strongly medicated, by a process carried
-on at the various brewers and distillers of the Metropolis: without
-this, they are supposed, by some classes, to be highly injurious. Their
-analysis have produced various results. Soda has been detected in one
-species, analogous to the German _Seltzer_, and designated 'Webb's';
-others contain iron in appreciable quantities, and institute a galvanic
-circle, when quaffed from goblets formed from an alloy of tin and lead:
-in some constitutions quickening the circulation, and raising the animal
-temperature--in others, producing utter prostration.
-
-"Flannel jackets, and brown paper caps appeared to be the costume
-of the valetudinarians who were drinking at the Wells, during our
-stay. We patronized the tepid spa by ordering 'Sixpennyworth warm,'
-as the potion was termed in the dialect of Bagnigge, for the purpose
-of drawing the proprietor into conversation. But he was, evidently,
-reluctant to impart much information, and told us nothing beyond what
-we already knew--a custom very prevalent at all the springs we have
-visited.
-
-"Lodgings, provisions, clothing, &c., are to be had at low rates in the
-neighbourhood, and there are several delightful spots in the vicinity
-of Bagnigge Wells.
-
-"The Excursion to Battle Bridge will be found highly interesting,
-returning by the Brill; and, to the admirers of nature, the panorama
-from the summit of King's Cross, embracing the Small Pox Hospital, and
-Imperial Gas Works, with the very low countries surrounding them, is
-peculiarly worthy of especial notice."
-
-Two years previous to this notice, there was a paragraph in the _Times_
-(April 6, 1841) which shows how the Wells had fallen into decadence.
-
-"The Old Grotto, which had all the windows out, and was greatly
-dilapidated, and the upper part of the Garden Wall, was knocked down by
-some persons going along Bagnigge Road, early this morning."
-
-The old place had fulfilled its mission. It had ministered to the
-recreation and amusement, harmless, or otherwise, of generations of
-Londoners, and it came to final grief, and disappeared in 1844. Its
-name is still preserved in "The Bagnigge Wells" Tavern, 39, King's
-Cross Road, and that is all the reminiscence we have of this once
-famous place of recreative resort.
-
- [Footnote 37: An allusion to the hot buttered rolls, which
- were in vogue there.]
-
- [Footnote 38: See p. 89.]
-
- [Footnote 39: See ante-p. 84.]
-
- [Footnote 40: With all due deference to _Punch_, I think his
- version is slightly, only slightly, inaccurate. I have before
- me five copies, two MS. and three printed, all of which run--
-
- "Come, prithee make it up, Miss,
- And be as lovers be,
- We'll go to Bagnigge Wells, Miss,
- And there we'll have some tea.
- It's there you'll see the Lady-birds
- Perch'd on the Stinging Nettles;
- The Chrystal water Fountain,
- And the Copper, shining Kettles.
- It's there you'll see the Fishes,
- More curious they than Whales,
- And they're made of Gold and Silver, Miss,
- And wags their little tails.
- Oh! they wags their little Tails
- --They wags their little Tails
- Oh! they're made of gold and silver, Miss,
- and they wags their little Tails.
- Oh! dear! Oh! la! Oh! dear! Oh! la!
- Oh! dear! Oh! la!
- How funny!"]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX.
-
-
-A little farther on, it washed the walls of Cold Bath Fields Prison,
-the _House of Correction_, and we get a view of it in Hone's "Table
-Book,"[41] p. 75. Here he says, "In 1825, this was the first open
-view, nearest London, of the ancient River Fleet: it was taken during
-the building of the high arched walls connected with the House of
-Correction, Cold Bath Fields, close to which prison the river ran,
-as here seen. At that time, the newly erected walls communicated a
-peculiarly picturesque effect to the stream flowing within their
-confines."
-
-This "House of Correction" was indebted for its birth to the famous
-John Howard, who had made an European tour, not to mention a home one,
-inquisitorially inspecting prisons. We all know the result of his
-labours; how he exposed abuses fearlessly, and made men's hearts soften
-somewhat towards those incarcerated.
-
-[Illustration: THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825.]
-
-Howard, writing in 1789, held that capital punishment should be
-abolished except for _murder_, _setting houses on fire_, and for
-_house breaking, attended with acts of cruelty_. And speaking of his
-Penitentiaries, he says:
-
-"To these houses, however, I would have none but old, hardened
-offenders, and those who have, as the laws now stand, forfeited their
-lives by robbery, house breaking, and similar Crimes, should be
-committed; or, in short, those Criminals who are to be confined for a
-long term or for life....
-
-"The _Penitentiary houses_, I would have _built_, in a great measure,
-_by the convicts_. I will suppose that a power is obtained from
-Parliament to employ such of them as are now at work on the Thames,
-or some of those who are in the county gaols, under sentence of
-transportation, as may be thought most expedient. In the first place,
-let the surrounding wall, intended for full security against escapes,
-be completed, and proper lodges for the gate keepers. Let temporary
-buildings, of the nature of barracks, be erected in some part of this
-enclosure which would be wanted the least, till the whole is finished."
-
-This was a portion of his scheme, and he suggested that it should be
-located, where it was afterwards built, in Cold Bath Fields--because
-the situation was healthy, that good water could be obtained from the
-White Conduit, as the Charter House no longer required that source of
-supply, it being well served by the New River Company--that labour was
-cheap--and so was food, especially the coarse meat from the shambles at
-Islington.
-
-The prisoners were to have separate cells, so as to prevent the
-promiscuous herding of all, which had previously produced such
-mischievous results, and these cells were to be light and airy. The
-convicts of both sexes were to _work_, and their food was to be
-apportioned to the work they had to do. Also--a very great step in
-the right direction--they were all to wear a prison uniform. Howard,
-philanthropist as he was, was very far from lenient to the rogue. He
-was fully aware of the value of _work_, and specially provided that
-his rogues, in their reformation, should pass through the purifying
-process of hard labour. In later times, the way of transgressors was
-hard in that place, and it became a terror to evildoers, being known by
-the name of the _English Bastile_--which, however, amongst its patrons,
-was diminished, until it finally was abbreviated into "the Steel" by
-which name it was known until its abolition.[42]
-
-This cognomen was so well known, that, in 1799, a book was written
-by "A Middlesex Magistrate" entitled "The Secrets of the English
-Bastile disclosed"--which was a favourable story of the management
-of the prison in Cold Bath Fields. Still, it was the subject of a
-Parliamentary inquiry, as we find in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
-1798-9, under date of Dec. 31, 1798, p. 398, that, in the House of
-Commons, Sir Francis Burdett gave notice of his intention of moving, at
-some future day, for a report relative to the system practised in the
-prison, called the House of Correction, Cold Bath Fields, with regard
-to the persons therein confined.
-
-In the "Parliamentary History of England," vol. xxxiv. p. 566, we learn
-that on Mar. 6, 1799, Mr. W. Dundas moved that a Select Committee be
-appointed to inquire into the state of his Majesty's prison in Cold
-Bath Fields, Clerkenwell, and report the same, as it shall appear to
-them, together with their opinion thereupon, to the House; and a
-Committee was appointed accordingly. Unfortunately, the pages of what,
-afterwards, become _Hansard's_, do not record the result.
-
-But in the _Annual Register_ for the same year on Dec. 21st there
-was a long report respecting it during a debate on the suspension of
-the Habeas Corpus Act. Mr. Courtenay said, that, "having visited the
-prisons, he found the prisoners without fire, and without candles,
-denied every kind of society, exposed to the cold and the rain, allowed
-to breathe the air out of their cells only for an hour, denied every
-comfort, every innocent amusement, excluded from all intercourse with
-each other, and, each night locked up from all the rest of the world.
-He supposed it was scarcely necessary to inform the House, that the
-prison of which he had been speaking, was that in Cold Bath Fields,
-known by the name of the Bastille." There was a lot more nonsense
-of the same type talked by other M.P.'s and, it is needless to say,
-that the exaggerated statements were anent a political prisoner--who
-afterwards suffered death for treason. And in the remainder of the
-debate even the very foundation for the libel was destroyed. It is a
-curious fact, that people have an idea that political prisoners, who
-have done as much harm to the commonweal as they have the possibility
-of doing, are to be treated daintily, and with every consideration for
-their extremely sensitive feelings. We, perhaps, in these latter days,
-may read a profitable lesson in the suppression of treason, from the
-proper carrying out of the sentences legally imposed upon those who
-resist the law out of pure malice (legal).
-
-In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1796, is the following letter to--
-
- _Dec. 10, 1795._
-
- Mr. URBAN.--Your respect for the memory of Mr. Howard, will
- induce you to insert the inclosed view of the House of
- Correction for the County of Middlesex, formed principally on
- his judicious suggestions. It is situated on the North side of
- London, between Cold Bath Fields, and Gray's Inn Lane. The spot
- on which it is erected having been naturally swampy, and long
- used for a public lay-stall, it was found prudent to lay the
- foundation so deep, and pile it so securely, that it is supposed
- there are as many bricks laid underground as appear to sight.
- What is more to the purpose, the internal regulations of this
- place of security are believed to be perfectly well adapted to
- the salutary purposes to which the building is appropriated.
-
- "Yours, &c., "EUGENIO."
-
-Still Cold Bath Fields Prison had an evil name--in all probability,
-because prisoners there, were treated as if they had sinned against
-the social canons, and were not persons to be coaxed and _petted_ into
-behaviour such as would enable them to rank among their more honest
-fellows, and in this way wrote Coleridge and Southey in "The Devil's
-Walk," which was suggested by the _pseudo Christos_ BROTHERS who as
-these gentlemen wrote:--[43]
-
- "He walked into London leisurely,
- The streets were dirty and dim:
- But there he saw Brothers, the Prophet,
- And Brothers the Prophet saw him."
-
-Well, in the Devil's rambles he came across Cold Bath Fields
-Prison--which, as I have said, was not beloved of the criminal class,
-and, simply, as I think, for the sake of saying something smart, and
-not that they ever had experienced incarceration, or is there any
-evidence that they had even seen the prison, they write:
-
- "As he passed through Cold Bath Fields he look'd
- At a solitary Cell;
- And he was well-pleased, for it gave him a hint
- For improving the prisons of Hell.
-
- He saw a turnkey tie a thief's hands
- With a cordial try and a jerk;
- Nimbly, quoth he, a man's fingers move
- When his heart is in his work.
-
- He saw the same turnkey unfettering a man
- With little expedition;
- And he chuckled to think of his dear slave trade,
- And the long debates, and delays that were made
- Concerning its abolition."
-
-There is very little doubt, however, that, in the closing year of
-last, and the commencing one of this, century, the conduct of the
-Governor--a man named Aris--was open to very grave censure. People
-outside imagined that all sorts of evils were being perpetrated within
-its walls, and, either through laxity, or too great severity, of
-discipline, something nigh akin to mutiny occurred in the prison in
-July, 1800--which was promptly stopped by the presence of a company
-of the Clerkenwell Volunteers. In August of the same year, there was
-another outbreak in the prison, the occupants shouting "Murder," and
-that they were being starved, in tones loud enough to be heard outside,
-and, once more the Volunteers were the active agents in enforcing law
-and order. This latter "seething of the pot" lasted a few days, and it
-culminated in the discharge of the obnoxious Governor Aris.
-
-There is nothing noteworthy to chronicle of this prison from that
-date,[44] all prison details being, necessarily, unsavoury--and this
-particular one was not watered with rose water. It was a place of
-hard work, and not likely to impress the unproductive class, with a
-wish to be permanent inhabitants thereof. Yet, as this present year
-witnessed its demolition, something more must be said respecting it.
-In the _Globe_ newspaper of January 1, 1887, is this short paragraph:
-"Notices were yesterday posted on the walls of Coldbath Fields Prison,
-intimating that it is for sale. Tenders are invited for the site, and
-all buildings, &c., contained within the boundary walls. The prison
-covers an area of eight acres and three quarters."
-
-There ought to be some record of its dying days, for the demolition of
-a prison in a large community of people, like ours in London, must mean
-one of two things, either a diminution of crime, or, that the prison is
-not suitable to the requirements of the age.
-
-The Ninth Report of the Commissioners of Prisons, for the Year ended
-March 31, 1886, speaking of Pentonville Prison, says:
-
-"In November, 1885, the majority of the prisoners confined in Coldbath
-Fields Prison were transferred to this Prison; and since that date, the
-remainder have also been removed here, that prison being now vacated,
-and in charge of a warder acting as caretaker.
-
-"The tread-wheel[45] has been taken down at Coldbath Fields Prison, and
-is in process of re-erection here.
-
-"The behaviour of the officers has been good, with the exception of
-four, discharged by order of the Prison Commissioners.
-
-"The conduct of the prisoners has been generally good.
-
-"The materials and provisions supplied by the Contractors have been
-good, and have given satisfaction.
-
-"To meet the requirements of the local prison service, a room is being
-completed for the convenience of the members of the Visiting Committee
-who attend here, also a room for the daily collection of prisoners to
-see the medical officer, and other purposes, as well as various minor
-alterations found necessary since the transfer.
-
-"A bakehouse has been completed, and is in working order, supplying
-bread to all metropolitan prisons.
-
-"The routine and discipline have been carried out in the same general
-manner as heretofore.
-
-"The industrial labour continues to be attended with satisfactory
-results; the greater portion is still devoted to supplying the wants of
-other prisons or Government establishments instead of the market.
-
-"Uniform clothing for officers is cut out here for all local prisons,
-and made up for a considerable number of the smaller prisons, also
-prisoners' clothing and bedding, hospital slippers for the Admiralty,
-as well as a large number of Cases and other articles for the General
-Post Office have been supplied.
-
-"The duties of the Chaplain's department have been performed
-uninterruptedly during the year, morning prayers have been said daily,
-and Divine Service has been performed on Sundays, Good Friday, and
-Christmas day, in the morning and afternoon, with a sermon at both
-services. The Holy Communion has been celebrated from time to time on
-Sundays and on the great Sunday Festivals. The hospital has been daily
-visited; special attention has been paid to the prisoners confined in
-the punishment Cells, and constant opportunity has been offered to all
-of private instruction and advice. Books from the prisoners' library
-have been issued to all who are entitled to receive them, all prisoners
-who cannot pass standard three, as set forth by the Education Committee
-have been admitted to school instruction.
-
-"School books and slates and pencils are issued to prisoners in their
-cells.
-
-"The medical officer states that the health of the prisoners at
-Coldbath Fields, and since the transfer to this prison, has been good.
-One case of smallpox occurred at Coldbath Fields; as the prisoner had
-been some months in gaol, it was clear that he had caught the disease,
-either from a warder, or from some prisoner recently received; he had
-been a cleaner in the rotunda, and, of course, had been coming into
-contact with warders and prisoners alike, in the busiest part of the
-prison, the presumption is that the disease had been carried by the
-uniform of some warder. There were five cases of erysipelas at Coldbath
-Fields, and one at this prison, at the former place the cases came from
-all parts of the prison, new and old. The air shafts were thoroughly
-swept and limewashed, and disinfected as far as could be reached, and
-there is no doubt that it checked the disease.
-
-"The dietary has been satisfactory during the year, and the new pattern
-clothing a great improvement.
-
-"Every precaution is taken in classing prisoners for labour suited to
-their age, physique and health.
-
-"The sanitary arrangements are most carefully supervised; the
-ventilation in the cells is very good."
-
- * * * * *
-
-I offer no apology for intruding this report of Prison life, which,
-if one took the trouble to look up the yearly reports, he would find
-they are all couched in almost identical language.[46] I simply give it
-for the consideration of my readers--who, with myself, do not belong
-to the criminal classes--to show them how those who have preyed upon
-them, and have deservedly merited punishment, meet with treatment such
-as the indigent and industrious poor, when, fallen upon evil times,
-can not obtain, and the sooner these pampered criminals feel, through
-their flesh--either by the whip, hard labour, or hunger--that the
-wages of sin are not paid at a higher rate than that procurable by
-honest labour, the probability is that the community at large would be
-considerably benefited, and the criminal classes would be in a great
-measure deprived of clubs to which there is neither entrance fee,
-nor annual subscription, in which everything of the best quality is
-found them free of charge, and the health of their precious carcases
-specially looked after, and gratuitously attended to.
-
- [Footnote 41: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 42: J. T. Smith in his "Vagabondiana," ed.
- 1815-1817, p. 51, alludes thus to the prison: "Perhaps the
- only waggery in public-house customs now remaining, is in the
- tap room of the Appletree, opposite to Cold Bath Fields
- Prison. There are a pair of hand cuffs fastened to the wires
- as bell-pulls, and the orders given by some of the company,
- when they wish their friends to ring, are, to 'Agitate the
- Conductor.'"]
-
- [Footnote 43: "After this I was in a vision, having the angel
- of God near me, and saw Satan walking leisurely into London"
- ("Brothers' Prophecies," part i. p. 41).]
-
- [Footnote 44: I have met with a Newspaper Cutting, with no
- clue to its authenticity or date. "DREADFUL RAVAGES OF THE
- INFLUENZA IN THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION.--Yesterday afternoon,
- Inquests were holden by William Baker, Esq., one of the
- Coroners for the County of Middlesex, at the House of
- Correction, Coldbath Fields, on no less than five individuals,
- namely, Peter Griffiths, Michael Hughes, James Jones, Thomas
- Lillie, and Ann Connard, all of whom had died from the effects
- of the present prevalent epidemic, or influenza, and who were
- inmates of that prison, and had been sentenced to different
- periods of imprisonment. It is a fact that, for the last two
- months, more prisoners have died in this prison, principally
- from the effects of influenza, than had died there during the
- whole of the preceding year." Possibly the poor Fleet River,
- at that time hardly degraded to the level of the Sewer--which
- now it is--may have had something to do with the unsanitary
- condition of the prison.--J. A.]
-
- [Footnote 45: Adopted at Coldbath Fields Prison, July, 1822.]
-
- [Footnote 46: Let any one compare, for instance, reports for
- 1884 and 1886.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X.
-
-
-Coldbath Fields were, a hundred and twenty years ago, fairly rural, for
-(although it certainly is recorded as an abnormal occurrence) we find,
-in the _Daily Courant_, November 12, 1765, "Friday afternoon, about two
-o'clock, a hare crossed the New Road, near Dobney's Bowling green, ran
-to the New River Head, and from thence to Coldbath Fields, where, in
-some turning among the different avenues, she was lost. She appeared to
-have been hard run, by her dirty and shabby coat."
-
-These fields took their name from a spring (part of the River of Wells)
-which had its source there. A Mr. Walter Baynes of the Temple, who was,
-for his day, far-seeing, and made the most of the "town lots" which
-were in the market, bought this plot of land, and at once utilized it
-to his profit. It was of some note, as we read in a book published in
-Queen Anne's reign, "A New View of London," 1708, vol. ii. p. 785.
-"Cold Bath. The most noted and first[47] about _London_ was that near
-_Sir John Oldcastle's_, where, in the Year 1697, Mr. _Bains_ undertook
-and yet manages this business of Cold Bathing, which they say is good
-against Rheumatisms, Convulsions of the Nerves, &c., but of that, those
-that have made the Experiments are the best judges. The Rates are 2s.
-6d. if the Chair is used,[48] and 2s. without it. Hours are from five
-in the morning to one, afternoon."
-
-We learn two things from this--the pristine existence of "tub," and the
-fact that it was purely matutinal. Nay, from the same book we learn
-more, for, under the heading of "Southwark Cold Bath," we find that
-the "utmost time to be in, three minutes." At this latter places were
-"ex votos," so frequently seen at shrines on the Continent. "Here are
-eleven Crutches, which they say, were those of persons cured by this
-Water." Bathing was a luxury then--water was bought by the pailful, and
-a warm bath at the _Hummums_ cost 5s., equal to between 10s. and 15s.
-of our money.
-
-Walter Baynes, Esq., of the Middle Temple, seems to have been a pushing
-man of business, and willing to make the most of his property. He
-traded on the uncleanliness of the times, when baths were mostly used
-in case of illness, and daily ablution of the whole body was unknown.
-Ladies were quite content to dab their faces with some "fucus" or face
-wash, or else smear them with a greasy larded rag. The shock of a
-veritable cold bath from a spring, must have astonished most of those
-who endured it, and no doubt invested it with a mysterious merit which
-it did not possess, otherwise than by cleansing the skin, both by the
-washing, and the subsequent rubbing dry.
-
-[Illustration: SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS.]
-
-However, we find Mr. Baynes advertising in the _Post Boy_, March
-28, 1700, the curative effects of his wonderful spring. "This is
-to give notice that the Cold Baths in Sir John Oldcastle's field
-near the north end of Gray's Inn Lane, London, in all seasons of
-the year, especially in the spring and summer, has been found, by
-experience, to be the best remedy in these following distempers, viz.,
-Dizziness, Drowsiness, and heavyness of the head, Lethargies, Palsies,
-Convulsions, all Hectical creeping Fevers, heats and flushings.
-Inflammations and ebullitions of the blood, and spirits, all vapours,
-and disorders of the spleen and womb, also stiffness of the limbs, and
-Rheumatick pains, also shortness of the breath, weakness of the joints,
-as Rickets, &c., sore eyes, redness of the face, and all impurities
-of the skin, also deafness, ruptures, dropsies, and jaundice. It both
-prevents and cures colds, creates appetite, and helps digestion, and
-makes hardy the tenderest constitution. The coach way is by Hockley in
-the Hole."
-
-Of course, viewed by the light of modern medical science, Mr. Baynes
-was a charlatan, and a quack, but he acted, doubtless, according to his
-lights, in those days; and, if a few were killed, it is probable that
-many more were benefited by being washed.
-
-Sir Richard Steele, writing in 1715, says thus:
-
-"ON THE COLD BATH AT OLDCASTLE'S."
-
- "Hail, sacred Spring! Thou ever-living Stream,
- Ears to the Deaf, Supporters to the Lame,
- Where fair Hygienia ev'ry morn attends,
- And with kind Waves, her gentle Succour lends.
- While in the Cristal Fountain we behold
- The trembling Limbs, Enervate, Pale and Cold;
- A Rosy Hue she on the face bestows,
- And Nature in the chilling fluid glows,
-
- The Eyes shoot Fire, first kindled in the Brain,
- As beds of Lime smoke after showers of Rain;
- The fiery Particles concentred there,
- Break ope' their Prison Doors and range in Air;
- Hail then thou pow'rful Goddess that presides
- O'er these cold Baths as Neptune o'er his Tides,
- Receive what Tribute a pure Muse can pay
- For Health that makes the Senses Brisk and Gay,
- The fairest Offspring of the heavenly Ray."
-
-At one time there was a famous house of refreshment and recreation,
-either called the Cobham's Head, or the Sir John Oldcastle--or there
-were one of each. Authorities differ, and, although I have spent some
-time and trouble in trying to reconcile so-called facts, I have come
-to the conclusion that, for my reader's sake, _le jeu ne vaut pas la
-chandelle_. There is a tradition that Sir John Oldcastle who was a
-famous Lollard in the time of Henry V., either had an estate here,
-or hid in a house of entertainment there, during his persecution for
-faith. But the whole is hazy.
-
-We know that there was a Sir John Oldcastle, who was born in the
-fourteenth century, and who was the fourth husband of Joan, Lady
-Cobham, in whose right he took the title of Lord Cobham. We know also,
-that he enjoyed the friendship of Henry V., and was of his household.
-But he got imbued with the doctrines of Wyclif, was cited to appear,
-more than once, before the ecclesiastical authorities, declined the
-invitations, and was duly excommunicated. He wrangled with the priests,
-got committed to the Tower, escaped and hid in Wales, was accused of
-heading a trumpery insurrection, and was, finally, captured, tried, and
-hanged in chains alive, upon a gallows in St. Giles' Fields, when,
-fire being put under him, he was slowly roasted to death in December,
-1417. A pious nobleman, like the late Lord Shaftesbury, for instance,
-was not popular at that time, if we may believe a few lines from
-"Wright's Political Songs from Edward II. to Henry VI."
-
- "Hit is unkindly for a Knight
- That shuld a kynges castel kepe,
- To bable the Bible day and night,
- In restyng time when he shuld slepe,
- And carefoly away to crepe;
- For alle the chefe of chivalrie,
- Wel ought hym to wail and wepe,
- That swyche[49] lust is in Lollardie."
-
-The English were always famous bowmen, and archery--although gunpowder
-has long superseded bows and arrows in warfare--still is a favourite
-and fashionable pastime, witness the Toxopholite Society in Regent's
-Park, and the various Archery associations throughout the kingdom;
-so that it is not remarkable that an open space like Coldbath Fields
-should vie with the Artillery ground at Finsbury, in favour with the
-citizens, as a place for this sport; and we find, in Queen Anne's
-reign, that the _Sir John Oldcastle_ was frequented by Archers. And for
-this information we may thank that old sinner, John Bagford (who spoilt
-so many books for the sake of their title-pages) for preserving. It
-tells its own story:--[50]
-
- "All gentlemen of the ancient and noble exercise of Archery,
- are invited to the annual dinner of the Clerkenwell Archers,
- Mrs. Mary Barton's, at the sign of Sir John Oldcastle (Cold Bath
- Fields) on Friday, July 18, 1707, at one o'clock, and to pay
- the bearer, Thomas Beaumont, Marshall, 2s. 6d., taking a sealed
- ticket, that a certain number may be known, and provision made
- accordingly. Nath. Axtall, Esq., and Edward Bromwich, Gent.,
- Stewards."
-
-There were very pleasant gardens attached to this tavern, and, like
-all the suburban places of recreation, they were well patronized, and
-they gave a very decent amusement in the shape of music--instrumental
-and vocal--and, occasionally, fireworks. But there seems to have been
-the same difficulty then, as now, as to keeping outdoor amusements,
-if not select, at least decorous, for, acccording to the _Daily
-Advertisement_ of June 3, 1745, "Sir John Oldcastle's Gardens, Cold
-Bath Fields. This evening's entertainment will continue the Summer
-Season. The Band consists of the best masters. Sixpence for admission,
-for which they have a ticket, which ticket will be taken as sixpence
-in their reckoning. Particular care will be taken that the provisions
-shall be the very best in their separate kinds; likewise to keep a just
-decorum in the gardens. Note.--Several ladies and gentlemen that come
-to the gardens give the drawers their tickets, which is no benefit to
-the proprietor; therefore it's humbly desired that if any gentlemen or
-ladies don't chuse to have the value of their tickets in liquor, or
-eating, they will be so kind as to leave them at the bar."
-
-[Illustration:
-THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS.]
-
-As a place of amusement, it seems, even in 1745, to have been on the
-wane. In 1758 the Smallpox Hospital was built close to it, and in 1761
-the Sir John Oldcastle was bought by the trustees of the hospital, in
-order to enlarge it, and was pulled down in 1762. Noorthouck ("New
-History of London," ed. 1763, p. 752), speaking of Cold Bath Square,
-in which was the famed cold bath, says, "The North side of this square
-is, as yet, open to the fields, but a little to the east stands the
-Small Pox Hospital for receiving patients who catch the disease in the
-natural way; and is a very plain, neat structure. The Center, which
-projects a little from the rest of the building, is terminated on the
-top by an angular pediment, on the apex of which is placed a vase upon
-a small pedestal. This excellent charity was instituted in the year
-1746, and is supported by a subscription of noblemen, gentlemen, and
-ladies, who were desirous that a charity useful in itself, and so
-beneficial to the public, might be begun near this great metropolis,
-there not being any hospital of the kind in Europe. A neat hospital for
-inoculating this disorder has been lately built clear of the town on
-the north side of the New Road."[51]
-
-In 1791 this hospital wanted extensive repairs, which would need an
-outlay of about L800; and the trustees, not willing to incur this
-expense, built another on the site of the Inoculating Hospital at
-Islington; and thither, when it was finished, all the patients were
-removed from Cold Bath Fields. But their new home was wanted for the
-Great Northern Railway, and another place was built, and still is, on
-Highgate Hill. The old building in Cold Bath Fields was first of all
-used as a distillery, and afterwards subdivided.
-
-Quoting again from Noorthouck: "Eastward from the Small Pox Hospital,
-on the south side of the Spawfield, is an humble imitation of the
-Pantheon in Oxford Road; calculated for the amusement of a suitable
-class of company; here apprentices, journeymen, and clerks dressed to
-ridiculous extremes, entertain their ladies on Sundays; and to the
-utmost of their power, if not beyond their proper power, affect the
-dissipated manners of their superiors. Bagnigge Wells and the White
-Conduit House, two other receptacles of the same kind, with gardens
-laid out in miniature taste, are to be found within the compass of
-two or three fields, together with Sadler's Wells, a small theatre for
-the summer exhibition of tumbling, rope-dancing, and other drolls, in
-vulgar stile. The tendency of these cheap, enticing places of pleasure
-just at the skirts of this vast town is too obvious to need further
-explanation; they swarm with loose women, and with boys, whose morals
-are thus depraved, and their constitution ruined, before they arrive
-at manhood; indeed, the licentious resort to the tea-drinking gardens
-was carried to such excess every night, that the magistrates lately
-thought proper to suppress the organs in their public rooms."
-
-There is no doubt but that some of these tea-gardens needed reform;
-so much so, that the grand jury of Middlesex, in May, 1744, made
-a presentment of several places which, in their opinion, were not
-conducive to the public morality; and these were two gaming-houses near
-Covent Garden, kept by the ladies Mordington and Castle; _Sadler's
-Wells near the New River head_, the New Wells in Goodman's Fields,
-the New Wells near the London Spaw in Clerkenwell; and a place called
-Hallam's Theatre in Mayfair.
-
-A possibly fair account of these gardens is found in the _St. James's
-Chronicle_, May 14-16, 1772:
-
- "To the Printer of the S. J. CHRONICLE.
-
- "SIR,--Happening to dine last Sunday with a Friend in the City,
- after coming from Church, the Weather being very inviting, we
- took a walk as far as Islington. In our Return home towards
- Cold Bath Fields, we stepped in, out of mere Curiosity, to view
- the Pantheon there; but such a Scene of Disorder, Riot, and
- Confusion presented itself to me on my Entrance, that I was
- just turning on my Heel, in order to quit it, when my friend
- observing to me that we might as well have something for our
- Money (for the Doorkeeper obliged each of us to deposit a
- _Tester_ before he granted us Admittance), I acquiesced in
- his Proposal, and became one of the giddy Multitude. I soon,
- however, repented of my Choice; for, besides having our Sides
- almost squeezed together, we were in Danger every Minute
- of being scalded by the Boiling Water, which the officious
- Mercuries[52] were circulating with the utmost Expedition thro'
- their respective Districts: We began therefore to look out for
- some Place to sit down in, which, with the greatest Difficulty,
- we at length procured, and, producing our Tickets, were served
- with Twelve pennyworth of Punch. Being seated towards the Front
- of one of the Galleries, I had now a better Opportunity of
- viewing this dissipated Scene. The Male Part of the Company
- seemed to consist chiefly of City Apprentices, and the lower
- Class of Tradesmen. The Ladies, who constituted by far the
- greater Part of the Assembly, seemed, most of them, to be Pupils
- of the Cyprian Goddess, and appeared to be thoroughly acquainted
- with their Profession, the different Arts and Manoeuvres of
- which they played off with great Freedom, and I doubt not with
- equal Success. Whatever Quarter I turned my Eyes to, I was sure
- to be saluted with a Nod, a Wink, or a Smile; and was even
- sometimes accosted with, 'Pray, Sir, will you treat me with a
- Dish of Tea?'... A Bill, I think, was in Agitation this Session
- of Parliament for enforcing the Laws already made for the
- better Observance of Sunday. Nothing, in my Opinion, tends more
- to its Profanation, among the lower Class of People, than the
- great Number of Tea Houses, in the Environs of London; the most
- exceptionable of which that I have had Occasion to be in, is the
- _Pantheon_. I could wish them either totally suppressed or else
- laid under some Restrictions, particularly on the Sabbath Day.
-
- "I am,
-
- "Sir,
-
- "Your Constant Reader,
-
- "and occasional Correspondent,
-
- "_Chiswick_, May 5. SPECULATOR."
-
-This PANTHEON was a large circular building surmounted by a statue of
-Fame. It was well warmed by a stove in its centre, and the grounds
-were prettily laid out. There were the usual walks, flower-beds,
-and pond, in the centre of which was a statue of Hercules, and, of
-course, the usual out-of-door refreshment boxes, or arbours. But
-it is just possible that it was owing to its somewhat disreputable
-conduct that the landlord became bankrupt in 1774, and the Pantheon
-was offered for sale. It was closed as a place of amusement in 1776,
-and the famous Countess of Huntingdon had some idea of utilizing it
-for the propagation of her peculiar religious views. However, the sum
-necessary for alterations, proved too much for her ladyship, yet by
-a strange mutation of fortune, somewhat akin to what we have seen in
-our time, in the Grecian Theatre in the City Road, being taken by the
-Salvation Army, the Pantheon was turned into a Proprietary Chapel,
-called Northampton Chapel, which was served by clergymen of the Church
-of England of strictly Evangelical principles, and it filled so well,
-that the incumbent of the parish church asserted his right to preach
-there whenever he liked, and also to nominate its chaplains. This the
-proprietors did not quite see, and they closed the chapel. Then Lady
-Huntingdon bought it, and, henceforth, it was called Spa Fields Chapel.
-
-The illustration[53] is taken from the _New Spiritual Magazine_, and
-I do not think that an uglier building could be produced. Probably
-the statue of Fame was obliged to be removed, but the ventilator in
-its place was certainly not an improvement. However, it is now pulled
-down; but, before its demolition, it had to pass through the ordeal of
-more proceedings at law. As long as the chapel was served by clergy,
-nominally belonging to the Church of England, so long did the incumbent
-of St. James's, Clerkenwell, assert his right to the patronage of it.
-The Countess relied on her privilege as a peeress, to appoint her own
-Chaplain, but this was overridden by competent legal opinion, and
-nothing was left but for the officiating clergy to secede from the
-Church of England, and take the oath of allegiance as Dissenting
-Ministers. This the Countess did not relish; she would fain be in
-the fold, and yet not of the fold, as do many others of this age, but
-she had to eat the leek. She had the proud privilege of founding a
-religious sect, and she left the bulk of her large property, after very
-generous legacies, to the support of sixty-four chapels which she had
-established throughout the kingdom. She died at her house in Spa Fields,
-and was buried at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in Leicestershire, "dressed in the
-suit of white silk which she wore at the opening of a chapel in
-Goodman's Fields."[54]
-
-[Illustration: VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
-COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING.]
-
- [Footnote 47: Conduit.]
-
- [Footnote 48: This, I take it, refers to a practice mentioned
- in a pamphlet, "A Step to the Bath" (London, 1700), which I
- think is by Ned Ward. "The usual time being come to forsake
- that fickle Element, _Half Tub Chairs_, Lin'd with Blankets,
- Ply'd as thick as _Coaches_ at the _Play House_, or _Carts_ at
- the _Custom House_." It has been suggested that the Chair was
- used for debilitated patients; but, knowing the use of the
- term "Chair" at that epoch, I venture to propose my solution.]
-
- [Footnote 49: Such pleasure.]
-
- [Footnote 50: Harl. MSS., 5961.]
-
- [Footnote 51: Noorthouck (book i. p. 358) says, "It is to be
- observed that in 1746, an hospital was founded by subscription
- between London and Islington, for relieving poor people
- afflicted with the smallpox, and for inoculation. This is said
- to be the first foundation of the kind in Europe, and
- consisted of three houses; one in Old Street for preparing
- patients for inoculation; another in Islington" (Lower Street)
- "when the disease appeared, and the third in Cold Bath fields
- for patients in the natural way."]
-
- [Footnote 52: See p. 89.]
-
- [Footnote 53: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 54: _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. lxi. (1791), p.
- 589. The Chapel was pulled down in January or February, 1887.]
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XI.
-
-
-It is almost impossible to write about anything connected with Spa
-Fields, without mentioning the famous "Spa Fields Riots," which
-occurred on Dec. 2, 1816. In every great city there will always be a
-leaven of disquietude: demagogues who have nothing to lose, but all to
-gain, will always find an audience for their outpourings; and, often,
-the ignorant, and unthinking, have only to be told, by any knave, that
-they are underpaid, downtrodden, or what not, and they are ready to
-yell, with their sweet breaths, that they are. So was it then in 1816.
-
-And it is also remarkable how history repeats itself; for, part of the
-scheme proposed by the agitators on that day, was exactly similar to
-the proposals of certain Irishmen and Socialists of our time--_teste_
-the following handbill, taken from the _Times_, the newspaper of Dec.
-7, 1816.
-
- "SPENCE'S PLAN. For Parochial Partnerships in the Land, is
- the only effectual Remedy for the Distresses and Oppression
- of the People. The Landowners are not Proprietors in Chief;
- they are but the _Stewards_ of the Public; For the LAND is the
- PEOPLE'S FARM. The Expenses of the Government do not cause the
- Misery that surrounds us, but the enormous exactions of these
- '_Unjust Stewards_.' Landed Monopoly is indeed equally contrary
- to the benign spirit of Christianity, and destructive of the
- Independence and Morality of Mankind.
-
- "'The Profit of the Earth is for all.'
-
- "Yet how deplorably destitute are the great Mass of the People!
- Nor is it possible for their situations to be radically
- amended, but by the establishment of a system, founded on the
- immutable basis of Nature and Justice. Experience demonstrates
- its necessity and the rights of mankind require it for their
- preservation.
-
- "To obtain this important object, by extending the knowledge
- of the above system, the Society of Spencean Philanthropists
- has been instituted. Further information of it's principles
- may be obtained by attending any of it's sectional meetings,
- where subjects are discussed, calculated to enlighten the human
- understanding, and where, also, the regulations of the society
- may be procured, containing a Complete development of the
- Spencean system. Every individual is admitted free of expense,
- who will conduct himself with decorum.
-
- First Section every Wednesday at the Cock, Grafton Street, Soho.
- Second " " Thursday " Mulberry Tree, Mulberry Ct.,
- Wilson Street, Moorfields.
- Third " " Monday " Nag's Head, Carnaby Mrkt.
- Fourth " " Tuesday " No. 8, Lumber St., Mint, Borough."
-
-There! does not that read exactly like a modern speech delivered in
-Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, or Dublin? Of course it was the old story
-of Demagogy. The pot boiled, the scum came to the top, and it boiled
-over, so that, one fine day, there was a riot. It was a period of
-distress for the working classes, who did not then, as now, swarm into
-London from all parts of England, and expect Jupiter to help them; but
-then, as now, the rich were ever willing to help their poorer brethren,
-for, in the very same _Times_ newspaper that gives an account of this
-Spa Fields Riot, there is a list of subscriptions towards the relief of
-distress in Spitalfields alone, amounting to over L18,000.
-
-The story is one that should be told, because it has its lesson and its
-parallel in all time. The ruling spirit of the movement was Henry Hunt,
-generally called Orator Hunt, a man fairly well to do, and who did not
-agitate for the sake of his daily bread. The occasion of the meeting in
-Spa Fields, at which some 10,000 people were present, was to receive
-the answer of the Prince Regent to a petition from the distressed
-mechanics of London and its vicinity for relief. It was held first
-of all in front of the "Merlin's Cave" (a name which still survives
-at 131, Rosomon Street, Clerkenwell), and afterwards in the adjacent
-fields. The following account of the riots is from the _Times_ of Dec.
-3, 1816:
-
- "As a prelude to the scene that followed, and with the spirit
- of the ruling demagogue, a person mounted a coal waggon with
- three flags, on which were inscribed certain mottoes; and,
- after having harangued a small audience, draughted off from the
- general body, proceeded to the city, where the acts of violence
- were perpetrated, which will be found in another part of our
- paper.
-
- "The speech of this orator, and the conduct of his audience, we
- shall give in an extract from an evening paper as we were not
- present at the first part of the drama ourselves.
-
- "'In the field was a Coal waggon, upon which were mounted about
- twenty persons, chiefly in the dress of sailors. Several flags
- were displayed; two tricoloured ones, on one of which was the
- following inscription:
-
- "'Nature, Truth, and Justice! Feed the Hungry! Protect the
- Oppressed! Punish Crimes!'
-
- "'On a second tricoloured flag, no inscription.
-
- "'On a third white flag was inscribed in red letters the
- following:
-
- "'The brave Soldiers are our Brothers; treat them kindly.'
-
- "'Many had bludgeons, and others pockets full of stones. One
- person in the waggon then addressed the meeting in the following
- strain:--"I am sorry to tell you that our application to the
- Prince has failed. He, the father of his people, answered--'My
- family have never attended to Petitions but from Oxford and
- Cambridge, and the City of London.' And is this Man the father
- of the people? No. Has he listened to your petition? No. The day
- is come--(_It is, It is_, from the mob.) We must do more than
- words. We have been oppressed for 800 years since the Norman
- Conquest. If they would give ye a hod, a shovel, a spade, and a
- hoe, your mother earth would supply you. (_Aye, aye, she would._
- Loud Applause.) Country men, if you will have your wrongs
- redressed, follow me. (_That we will._ Shouts.) Wat Tyler would
- have succeeded had he not been basely murdered by a Lord Mayor,
- William of Walworth. Has the Parliament done their duty? No.
- Has the Regent done his duty? No, no. A man who receives one
- million a year public money gives only L5,000 to the poor. They
- have neglected the starving people, robbed them of everything,
- and given them a penny. Is this to be endured? Four millions
- are in distress; our brothers in Ireland are in a worse state,
- the climax of misery is complete, it can go no farther. The
- Ministers have not granted our rights. Shall we take them?
- (_Yes, yes_, from the mob.) Will you demand them? (_Yes, yes._)
- If I jump down will you follow me? (_Yes, yes_, was again
- vociferated.)."
-
- "'The persons on the waggon then descended with the flags; the
- constables immediately laid hold of the flags. Some persons
- attempted resistance, and two were therefore taken up forthwith,
- and sent to prison. The constables succeeded in getting one of
- the flags.
-
- "'When the second flag was displayed, it was supposed that it
- headed Mr. Hunt's procession, and there was a loud huzza, which
- stopped one of the waggon orators for five minutes.'
-
- "[For all the rest we hold ourselves responsible, as it is our
- own report of what passed.]."
-
-The _Times_ then gives in detail a report of the meeting, commencing
-from the arrival of "Orator" Hunt, who read the correspondence between
-himself and Lord Sidmouth, and said: "The statement of Lord Sidmouth
-to him was, that neither any King of the House of Brunswick, nor the
-Prince Regent, since he had attained sovereign power, ever gave any
-answer to petitions except they came from the Corporation of the City
-of London, or from the two Universities which had the privilege of
-being heard, and answered from the throne. 'If I were to carry your
-present petition to the levee (added his lordship) I should deliver it
-into his Royal Highness's hand, make my bow, and walk on; and if you,
-yourself, Mr. Hunt, were to appear, you would do just the same thing;
-you would deliver your petition, make your bow, and pass on.' This,
-Gentlemen, is a little more about Court matters than I was aware of
-before. (Loud laughter and applause.) The meeting had the consolation
-to think, that, if their petition was not answered by the Prince
-Regent, it had met with no worse fate than other petitions presented to
-the House of Hanover since the accession of this family to the throne.
-(Applause.)
-
-"He expected to have seen this day a deputation from the Soup
-Committee, for the purpose of returning thanks to this meeting for
-obtaining the L5,000 which the Prince Regent had granted. (Great
-applause.) He was convinced that it was owing to the exertions and
-patriotism of the last assembly in those fields that his Royal Highness
-was induced to give this pittance: but his Royal Highness had not gone
-the full length of the requests which had then been made. It was
-required that he should bestow on the inhabitants of the metropolis L2
-or 300,000 out of the Civil List; but, instead of this, what had been
-done? Some enemy to his country, some corrupt minister had persuaded
-his Royal Highness to send L5000 out of the Droits of the Admiralty,
-which properly belonged to the sailors: those droits, the piratical
-seizing of which had caused so much bloodshed, and the loss of so many
-British lives."
-
- * * * * *
-
-This was the sort of fustian that was talked then, as now, and probably
-always will be, to an ignorant mob; and, as a natural sequence, words
-begot actions. Blind--foolishly blind--the idiotic mob marched towards
-the City, not knowing why, or what advantage they were to gain by so
-doing. Naturally, there were thieves about, and they plundered the shop
-of Mr. Beckwith, a gunmaker, in Skinner Street, Snow Hill, shooting a
-gentleman, named Platt, who happened to be in the shop, at the time.
-
-At the Royal Exchange, the Lord Mayor, Sir James Shaw, with his own
-hands, seized a man, who was bearing a flag, and the mob, unable to
-force the gates, fired inside; but as far as I can learn, without
-effect. Foiled in the attempt to sack, or destroy the Exchange, by the
-arrival of some civil force to the assistance of his Lordship, they
-moved on, seemingly aimlessly, towards the Tower: why--unless it was to
-supply themselves with arms--no one can guess. Of course, if they had
-tried to take it, they could not have accomplished their purpose, but
-it never came to that. They stole a few guns from two gunmakers in the
-Minories, Messrs. Brander and Rea; and then this gathering of rogues
-and fools dispersed, and the nine days' wonder was over.
-
-As usual, nothing was gained by violence. Socialism certainly did not
-advance--nor was any more employment found for anybody--and the thing
-fizzled out. But it was not the fault of the agitators. Let us read
-a short extract from a leading article in the _Times_ of December 4,
-1816:--
-
- "As to the _foreseeing_ what was to happen--have we forgotten
- Mr. Hunt's advice on the first day to petition, then, if that
- failed to resort to _physical force_. They did petition, and he
- calls them together to tell them that their petition has failed;
- and yet it is to be supposed that he foresees on their part
- no resort to physical force! Why! this would be trifling with
- the understanding of an infant. But the second time Mr. Hunt
- said nothing about physical force! Oh, no. Whilst the bloody
- business was in hand by his myrmidons in Newgate Street, and
- at the Royal Exchange--whilst an innocent gentleman was in the
- hands of his assassins--whilst the life of the Chief Magistrate
- of the city was attacked by ruffians, the first inciter to the
- use of physical force was coolly haranguing on the comparative
- merits of himself and his hunter, in Spa Fields. What! did
- anybody expect that he would get up, and accuse himself openly
- of high treason? Did Catilina, in the Roman Senate, avow his
- parricidal intentions against his country? But, to quit Mr.
- Hunt for awhile, let us recall to the recollection of our
- readers, the incendiary handbills thrust under the doors of
- public houses, several weeks ago. A copy of one of them was
- inserted in our paper of the 1st of last month; but, at the time
- it did not command that attention which its real importance
- perhaps deserved. It was of the following tenour:-- 'Britons
- to arms! _Break open all gun and sword shops_, pawnbrokers,
- and other likely places to find arms. No rise of bread, &c. No
- CASTLEREAGH. Off with his head. No National Debt. _The whole
- country waits the signal from London_ to fly _to arms_. Stand
- firm now or never.--N.B. _Printed bills containing further
- directions_, will be circulated as soon as possible.'"
-
-I have dwelt thus at length on these Spa Fields riots because the
-Socialistic and Communistic development therein contained, runs fairly
-parallel with our own times; and it is comforting to know, that in this
-case, as in all others in England, the movement was purely evanescent;
-the love of law and order being too deeply seated in the breasts of
-Englishmen. Nay, in this case, the butchers from the shambles in
-Whitechapel attacked the mob, and compelled them to give up their arms,
-"which the butchers express a wish to retain, as trophies and proofs
-of their loyalty and courage." Hunt fizzled out, and returned to his
-previous nonentity.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XII.
-
-
-Still continuing the downward course of the Fleet, an historical place
-is reached, "Hockley-in-the-Hole," or Hollow, so famous for its rough
-sports of bear baiting and sword and cudgel playing. The combative
-nature of an Englishman is curious, but it is inbred in him; sometimes
-it takes the form of "writing to the papers," sometimes of going to
-law, sometimes of "punching" somebody's head; in many it ends in a
-stubborn fight against difficulties to be overcome--but, anyhow, I
-cannot deny that an Englishman is pugnacious by nature. Hear what
-Misson, an intelligent French traveller, who visited England in the
-reign of William III., says: "Anything that looks like fighting is
-delicious to an Englishman. If two little Boys quarrel in the Street,
-the Passengers stop, make a Ring round them in a Moment, and set them
-against one another, that they may come to Fisticuffs. When 'tis come
-to a Fight, each pulls off his Neckcloth and his Waistcoat, and give
-them to hold to some of the Standers by: then they begin to brandish
-their Fists in the Air; the Blows are aim'd all at the Face, they Kick
-at one another's Shins, they tug one another by the Hair, &c. He that
-has got the other down may give him one Blow or two before he rises,
-but no more; and, let the Boy get up ever so often, the other is
-obliged to box him again as often as he requires it. During the Fight,
-the Ring of Bystanders encourage the Combatants with great Delight of
-Heart, and never part them while they fight according to the Rules. The
-Father and Mother of the Boys let them fight on as well as the rest,
-and hearten him that gives Ground, or has the Worst."
-
-This was about 1700; and, if it was so in the green tree (or boy), what
-would it be in the dry (or man)? I am afraid our ancestors were not
-over-refined. They did not all cram for examinations, and there were
-no Girton girls in those days, neither had they analytical novels:
-so that, to a certain extent, we must make allowances for them. Tea
-and coffee were hardly in use for breakfast, and men and women had a
-certain amount of faith in beer and beef, which may have had something
-to do in forming their tastes. Anyhow, the men were manly, and the
-women not a whit worse than they are now; and woe be to the man that
-insulted one. A code of honour was then in existence, and every
-gentleman carried with him the means of enforcing it. Therefore, up to
-a certain limit, they were combative, and not being cigarette-smoking
-_mashers_, and not being overburdened with novels and periodicals,
-and club smoking and billiard rooms being unknown, they enjoyed a
-more physical existence than is led by the young men of the theatrical
-stalls of the present day, and attended Sword and Cudgel playing, and
-Bull and Bear baiting, together with fighting an occasional main of
-Cocks. It might be very wrong; but then they had not our advantages of
-being able to criticize the almost unhidden charms of the "chorus," or
-descant on the merits of a "lemon squash," so that, as man must have
-some employment, they acted after their lights, and I do not think we
-can fairly blame them.
-
-For Londoners, a favourite place, early in the eighteenth century, for
-rough sports, was Hockley-in-the-Hole. Here was bear and bull baiting
-for the public, a fact that was so well known, according to Gay,[55]
-that
-
- "Experienc'd Men, inur'd to City Ways,
- Need not the _Calendar_ to count their Days.
- When through the Town, with slow and solemn Air,
- Led by the Nostril walks the muzzled Bear;
- Behind him moves, majestically dull,
- The Pride of _Hockley Hole_, the surly Bull;
- Learn hence the Periods of the Week to name,
- _Mondays_ and _Thursdays_ are the Days of Game."
-
-Even earlier than Gay, Hockley-in-the-Hole is mentioned by Butler in
-his "Hudibras"[56] in somewhat gruesome fashion:--
-
- "But TRULLA straight brought on the Charge,
- And in the selfsame Limbo put
- The Knight and Squire, where he was shut,
- Where leaving them in Hockley-i'-th'-Hole,
- Their Bangs and Durance to condole."
-
-But Butler also talks of Bear baiting, both in the first and second
-cantos of "Hudibras," especially in canto the first, where, beginning
-at line 675, he says:
-
- "But now a Sport more formidable
- Had rak'd together Village Rabble:
- 'Twas an old Way of recreating--
- Which learned Butchers call Bear-Baiting:
- A bold advent'rous Exercise,
- With ancient Heroes in high Prize;
- For Authors do affirm it came
- From Isthmian or Nemean Game;
- Others derive it from the Bear
- That's fix'd in Northern Hemisphere,
- And round about the Pole does make
- A Circle like a Bear at Stake.
- That at the Chain's End wheels about,
- And overturns the Rabble Rout.
- For, after solemn Proclamation
- In the Bear's Name (as is the Fashion
- According to the Law of Arms,
- To keep men from inglorious Harms)
- That none presume to come so near
- As forty Foot of Stake of Bear;
- If any yet be so foolhardy
- T' expose themselves to vain Jeopardy;
- If they come wounded off, and lame,
- No honour's got by such a Maim;
- Altho' the Bear gain much; b'ing bound
- In Honour to make good his Ground,
- When he's engag'd and takes no Notice,
- If any press upon him, who 'tis,
- But let's them know, at their own Cost,
- That he intends to keep his Post."
-
-Bear baiting was so identified, as a sport, to the London Citizens who
-frequented Hockley-in-the-Hole, that we read that in 1709 Christopher
-Preston, who then kept the Bear Garden, was attacked and partly eaten
-by one of his own bears.
-
-Bear Gardens are proverbially rough, and this place was no exception;
-but there were two others in London where bears were baited, one at
-Marrybone Fields (at the back of Soho Square), and at Tuttle or Tothill
-Fields, at Westminster--thus showing the popularity of the Sports,
-which was not declared illegal until 1835.
-
-Of course in these our days, we know nothing of bear baiting, and if a
-Pyrenean bear were now taken about the country, as I have frequently
-seen them, even if he "danced to the genteelest of tunes," his
-proprietor would be in danger of the judgment--some dear mollycoddling
-old woman in trousers, belonging to some special "faddy" society, being
-always ready to prosecute.
-
-Bears not, at present, being indigenous to Britain, were naturally
-scarce, so the homely and offensive Bull had to afford rough sport to
-the multitude, and several towns now bear testimony to the popularity
-of the sport of bull baiting in their "Bull rings" (Birmingham, to
-wit). In the fourteenth century we know that even horses were baited
-with dogs, and as long as fox hunting, coursing, or wild stag hunting,
-are recognized as sports among us, I fail to see the superior cruelty
-of our ancestors. It may be that people imagine that the larger the
-animal, the greater the cruelty; but I cannot see it. Anyhow, far
-earlier than the Bear garden of Hockley-in-the-Hole, both bear and bull
-baiting were not only popular, but aristocratic amusements. Erasmus,
-who visited England in Henry VIII.'s time, speaks of many herds of
-bears being kept for baiting; and when Queen Mary visited her sister
-the Princess Elizabeth, they were "right well content" with the bear
-baiting. Nay, when she became Queen, Elizabeth was a great patron of
-the _sport_; for when, on May 25, 1559, she entertained the French
-Ambassadors, as an after-dinner spectacle, she gave them some bull and
-bear baiting. Her delight in this diversion did not decrease with age,
-for, twenty-seven years later, she provided the same amusement for
-the delectation of the Danish Ambassador. Paul Hentzner, who visited
-England in 1598, speaking of this sport, says:--"There is still another
-Place, built in the Form of a Theatre, which serves for the baiting
-of Bulls and Bears; they are fastened behind, and then worried by the
-great _English_ Bull dogs; but not without great Risque to the Dogs,
-from the Horns of the one, and the Teeth of the other; and it sometimes
-happens they are killed upon the Spot; fresh ones are immediately
-supplied in the Place of those that are wounded, or tired. To this
-Entertainment there often follows that of whipping a blinded Bear,
-which is performed by five or six Men standing circularly with Whips,
-which they exercise upon him without any Mercy, as he cannot escape
-from them because of his Chain; he defends himself with all his Force
-and Skill, throwing down all who come within his Reach, and are not
-active enough to get out of it, and tearing the Whips out of their
-Hands, and breaking them."
-
-And, again are we indebted to a foreigner for a description of a bull
-baiting, thus realizing Burns' aspiration seeing "oursen as others see
-us," _vide Misson_.
-
-"Here follows the Manner of those Bull Baitings which are so much
-talk'd of: They tie a Rope to the Root of the Ox or Bull, and fasten
-the other End of the Cord to an Iron Ring fix'd to a Stake driven into
-the Ground; so that this Cord being 15 Foot long, the Bull is confin'd
-to a Sphere of about 30 Foot Diameter. Several Butchers, or other
-Gentlemen, that are desirous to exercise their Dogs, stand round about,
-each holding his own by the Ears; and, when the Sport begins, they let
-loose one of the Dogs; The Dog runs at the Bull: the Bull immovable,
-looks down upon the Dog with an Eye of Scorn, and only turns a Horn to
-him to hinder him from coming near: the Dog is not daunted at this, he
-runs round him, and tries to get beneath his Belly, in order to seize
-him by the Muzzle, or the Dew lap, or the pendant Glands: The Bull then
-puts himself into a Posture of Defence; he beats the Ground with his
-Feet, which he joins together as close as possible, and his chief Aim
-is not to gore the Dog with the Point of his Horn, but to slide one of
-them under the Dog's Belly (who creeps close to the Ground to hinder
-it) and to throw him so high in the Air that he may break his Neck in
-the Fall. This often happens: When the Dog thinks he is sure of fixing
-his Teeth, a turn of the Horn, which seems to be done with all the
-Negligence in the World, gives him a Sprawl thirty Foot high, and puts
-him in danger of a damnable Squelch when he comes down. This danger
-would be unavoidable, if the Dog's Friends were not ready beneath him,
-some with their Backs to give him a soft Reception, and others with
-long Poles which they offer him slant ways, to the Intent that, sliding
-down them, it may break the Force of his Fall. Notwithstanding all this
-care, a Toss generally makes him sing to a very scurvy Tune, and draw
-his Phiz into a pitiful Grimace: But, unless he is totally stunn'd
-with the Fall, he is sure to crawl again towards the Bull, with his
-old Antipathy, come on't what will. Sometimes a second Frisk into the
-Air disables him for ever from playing his old Tricks; But, sometimes,
-too, he fastens upon his Enemy, and when he has seiz'd him with his Eye
-teeth, he sticks to him like a Leech, and would sooner die than leave
-his Hold. Then the Bull bellows, and bounds, and Kicks about to shake
-off the Dog; by his Leaping the Dog seems to be no Manner of Weight
-to him, tho in all Appearance he puts him to great Pain. In the End,
-either the Dog tears out the Piece he has laid Hold on, and falls, or
-else remains fix'd to him, with an Obstinacy that would never end, if
-they did not pull him off. To call him away, would be in vain; to give
-him a hundred blows would be as much so; you might cut him to Pieces
-Joint by Joint before he would let him loose. What is to be done then?
-While some hold the Bull, others thrust Staves into the Dog's Mouth,
-and open it by main Force. This is the only Way to part them."
-
-But the dogs did not always get the best of it--many a one was gored
-and killed by the bull. Cruelty, however, would scarcely rest content
-with simple bull baiting. It was improved upon, as we see in the
-following advertisement. "At the _Bear Garden_ in _Hockley in the
-Hole_, 1710. This is to give notice to all Gentlemen, Gamsters, and
-Others, That on this present _Monday_ is a Match to be fought by two
-Dogs, one from _Newgate_ Market against one of _Honey Lane_ Market, at
-a Bull, for a Guinea to be spent. Five Let goes out off Hand, which
-goes fairest and farthest in, Wins all; like wise a _Green Bull_ to be
-baited, which was never baited before, and a Bull to be turned loose
-with Fire works all over him; also a Mad Ass to be baited; With variety
-of Bull baiting, and Bear baiting; and a Dog to be drawn up with Fire
-works."[57]
-
-I cannot, however, consider this as an ordinary programme, and it was
-evidently so considered at the time; for a book was advertised in the
-_Tatler_, January 3-5, 1709 (1710):--"This Day is published The Bull
-Baiting or Sach----ll[58] dressed up in Fire works; lately brought
-over from the Bear Garden in Southwark, and exposed for the Diversion
-of the Citizens of London: at 6d. a piece." But Steele in No. cxxxiv.
-of the _Tatler_, condemns the cruelty of the age, and says he has
-"often wondered that we do not lay aside a custom which makes us appear
-barbarous to nations much more rude and unpolished than ourselves. Some
-French writers have represented this diversion of the common people
-much to our disadvantage, and imputed it to natural fierceness and
-cruelty of temper, as they do some other entertainments peculiar to
-our nation: I mean those elegant diversions of bull baiting and prize
-fighting, with the like ingenious recreations of the Bear-garden.
-I wish I knew how to answer this reproach which is cast upon us, and
-excuse the death of so many innocent cocks, bulls, dogs, and bears, as
-have been set together by the ears, or died untimely deaths, only to
-make us sport."
-
-Of all the places where these cruel pastimes were practised, certainly
-Hockley-in-the-Hole, bore off the palm for blackguardism; and it is
-thus mentioned in an essay of Steele's in the _Tatler_ (No. xxviii.),
-
-"I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly from the backside of
-Grays Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole, and not give over the pursuit,
-until obliged to leave the Bear Garden, on the right, to avoid being
-borne down by fencers, wild bulls, and monsters, too terrible for the
-encounter of any heroes, but such as their lives are livelihood." To
-this mention of Hockley-in-the-Hole, there is, in an edition of 1789,
-a footnote (p. 274), "There was a sort of amphitheatre here, dedicated
-originally to bull-baiting, bear-baiting, prize fighting, and all
-other sorts of _rough-game_; and it was not only attended by butchers,
-drovers, and great crowds of all sorts of mobs, but likewise by Dukes,
-Lords, Knights, Squires, &c. There were seats particularly set apart
-for the quality, ornamented with old tapestry hangings, into which
-none were admitted under half a crown at least. Its neighbourhood was
-famous for sheltering thieves, pickpockets, and infamous women; and for
-breeding bulldogs."
-
-Bull baiting died hard, and in one famous debate in the House of
-Commons, on 24th of May, 1802, much eloquence was wasted on the
-subject, both _pro._ and _con._, one hon. gentleman (the Right Hon. W.
-Windham, M.P. for Norwich), even trying to prove that the bull enjoyed
-the baiting. Said he, "It would be ridiculous to say he felt no pain;
-yet, when on such occasions he exhibited no signs of terror, it was a
-demonstrable proof that he felt some pleasure." Other hon. gentlemen
-defended it on various grounds, and, although Wilberforce and Sheridan
-spoke eloquently in favour of the abolition of the practice, they
-were beaten, on a division, by which decision Parliament inflicted a
-standing disgrace, for many years, upon the English Nation.
-
-Hockley-in-the-Hole was not only the temple of _S. S. Taurus et Canis_;
-but the genus _Homo_, type _gladiator_, was there in his glory. It
-was there that sword play was best shown, but we do not hear much
-of it before William the Third, or Anne's reign, or that of George
-I., when the redoubtable Figg was the Champion swordsman of England.
-As Hockley-in-the-Hole belongs to the Fleet River, so do these
-gladiatorial exhibitions belong to Hockley-in-the-Hole. I have treated
-of them once,[59] and on looking back, with the knowledge that many of
-my readers may not have seen that book, and having nothing better in
-the space allotted to this peculiar spot, to offer them (for I then
-drew my best on the subject) I quote, with apologies, from myself.
-
-"In those days, when every one with any pretensions to gentility wore a
-sword, and duelling was rife, it is no wonder that exhibitions of skill
-in that weapon were favourites. Like modern prize fights, they drew
-together all the scum and riff-raff, as well as the gentry, who were
-fond of so-called _sport_. They were disreputable affairs, and were
-decried by every class of contemporary. The preliminaries were swagger
-and bounce, as one or two out of a very large number will show.[60]
-
-"'At the Bear Garden in Hockley-in-the-Hole.
-
-"'A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between two Profound Masters of the
-Noble Science of Defence on _Wednesday_ next, being this 13th of the
-instant July, 1709, at Two of the Clock precisely.
-
-"'I, _George Gray_, born in the City of Norwich, who has Fought in most
-Parts of the _West Indies_, viz., _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, and several
-other Parts of the World; in all Twenty-five times, upon a Stage, and
-was never yet Worsted, and now lately come to _London_; do invite
-_James Harris_, to meet and Exercise at these following Weapons, viz.:
-
- _Back Sword_, } {_Single Falchon_
- _Sword and Dagger_, } {_and_
- _Sword and Buckler_,} {_Case of Falchons_.'
-
-"'I, _James Harris_, Master of the said Noble Science of Defence, who
-formerly rid in the Horse Guards, and hath Fought a Hundred and Ten
-Prizes, and never left a Stage to any Man; will not fail, (God Willing)
-to meet this brave and bold Inviter, at the Time and Place appointed,
-desiring Sharp swords, and from him no Favour.
-
-"'_Note._ No persons to be upon the Stage but the Seconds. _Vivat
-Regina._'"
-
-This is not the only available advertisement, but it is a typical one,
-and will serve for all.
-
-"The challenger would wager some twenty or thirty pounds, and the
-stakes would be deposited and delivered to the Challenged: the
-challenger receiving the money[61] taken at the door, or as we should
-term it, _gate money_; which, frequently, twice or thrice exceeded the
-value of the stakes.
-
-"There is one remarkable exception, I have found, to this monetary
-arrangement, but it is the only one in my experience. For, in an
-advertisement of the usual character, there comes: 'Note.--That John
-Stokes fights James Harris, and Thomas Hesgate fights John Terriwest,
-three Bouts each at Back Sword, for Love.'
-
-"Preliminaries arranged, handbills printed and distributed, the Combat
-duly advertised in at least one newspaper, and the day arrived; like
-the bull and bear, the combatants paraded the streets, preceded by
-a drum, having their sleeves tucked up, and their Swords in hand.
-All authorities agree that the fights were, to a certain extent,
-serious.[62] 'The Edge of the Sword was a little blunted, and the Care
-of the Prize-fighters was not so much to avoid wounding each other,
-as to avoid doing it dangerously: Nevertheless, as they were oblig'd
-to fight till some Blood was shed, without which no Body would give
-a Farthing for the Show, they were sometimes forc'd to play a little
-ruffly. I once saw a much deeper and longer Cut given than was
-intended.' "Ward[63] gives a short description of one of these fights:
-'Great Preparations at the Bear Garden all Morning, for the noble Tryal
-of Skill that is to be play'd in the Afternoon. Seats fill'd and crowded
-by Two. Drums beat, Dogs yelp, Butchers and Foot soldiers clatter
-their Sticks; At last the two heroes, in their fine borrow'd _Holland_
-Shirts, mount the Stage about Three; Cut large Collops out of one
-another, to divert the Mob, and Make Work for the Surgeons: Smoking,
-Swearing, Drinking, Thrusting, Justling, Elbowing, Sweating, Kicking,
-Cuffing, all the while the Company stays.'
-
-Steele gives a good account of a prize fight:[64] 'The Combatants met
-in the Middle of the Stage, and, shaking Hands, as removing all Malice,
-they retired with much Grace to the Extremities of it; from whence
-they immediately faced about, and approached each other. _Miller_,
-with an Heart full of Resolution, _Buck_, with a watchful, untroubled
-Countenance; _Buck_ regarding principally his own Defence, _Miller_
-chiefly thoughtful of his Opponent. It is not easie to describe the
-many Escapes and imperceptible Defences between Two Men of Quick Eyes,
-and ready Limbs; but _Miller's_ Heat laid him open to the Rebuke of the
-calm _Buck_, by a large Cut on the Forehead. Much Effusion of Blood
-covered his Eyes in a Moment, and the Huzzas of the Crowd undoubtedly
-quickened his Anguish. The Assembly was divided into Parties upon their
-different ways of Fighting: while a poor Nymph in one of the Galleries
-apparently suffered for _Miller_, and burst into a Flood of Tears. As
-soon as his Wound was wrapped up, he came on again in a little Rage,
-which still disabled him further. But what brave Man can be wounded
-with more Patience and Caution? The next was a warm eager Onset, which
-ended in a decisive Stroke on the Left Leg of _Miller_. The Lady in the
-Gallery, during the second Strife, covered her face; and for my Part,
-I could not keep my thoughts from being mostly employed on the
-Consideration of her unhappy Circumstances that Moment, hearing the
-Clash of Swords, and apprehending Life or Victory concerned her Lover
-in every Blow, but not daring to satisfie herself on whom they fell.
-The Wound was exposed to the View of all who could delight in it, and
-sowed up on the Stage. The surly Second of _Miller_ declared at this
-Time, that he would, that Day Fortnight, fight Mr. _Buck_ at the Same
-Weapons, declaring himself the Master of the renowned _German_; but
-_Buck_ denied him the Honour of that Courageous Disciple, and, asserting
-that he himself had taught that Champion, accepted the Challenge."
-
-In No. 449, of the _Spectator_, is the following letter _re_
-Hockley-in-the-Hole:--
-
- "MR. SPECTATOR,--I was the other day at the Bear-garden, in
- hopes to have seen your short face; but not being so fortunate,
- I must tell you by way of letter, that there is a mystery among
- the gladiators which has escaped your spectatorial penetration.
- For, being in a Box at an Alehouse, near that renowned Seat or
- Honour above mentioned, I overheard two Masters of the Science
- agreeing to quarrel on the next Opportunity. This was to happen
- in the Company of a Set of the Fraternity of Basket Hilts, who
- were to meet that Evening. When that was settled, one asked
- the other, Will you give Cuts, or receive? the other answered,
- Receive. It was replied, Are you a passionate Man? No, provided
- you cut no more, nor no deeper than we agree. I thought it my
- duty to acquaint you with this, that the people may not pay
- their money for fighting, and be cheated.
-
- "Your humble servant,
-
- "SCABBARD RUSTY."
-
-It was not sword play alone that was the favourite pastime at
-Hockley-in-the-Hole, there was cudgel playing--and fighting with "the
-Ancient Weapon called the Threshing Flail." There is an advertisement
-extant of a fight with this weapon between John Terrewest and John
-Parkes of Coventry, whose tombstone affirms that he fought three
-hundred and fifty battles in different parts of Europe. Fisticuffs also
-came prominently into vogue early in the eighteenth century, and it is
-needless to say that Hockley was a favourite place with its professors.
-The site of the Bear Garden is said to be occupied by the "Coach and
-Horses," 29, Ray Street, Farringdon Road.
-
- [Footnote 55: "Trivia," book ii.]
-
- [Footnote 56: Book iii. line 1,000, &c.]
-
- [Footnote 57: Harl. MSS. 5931, 46.]
-
- [Footnote 58: Dr. Sacheverell.]
-
- [Footnote 59: "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," by
- John Ashton (_Chatto and Windus_).]
-
- [Footnote 60: Harl. MSS. 5931, 50.]
-
- [Footnote 61: De. Sorbiere.]
-
- [Footnote 62: Misson.]
-
- [Footnote 63: "Comical View of London and Westminster."]
-
- [Footnote 64: _Spectator_, No. 436.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIII.
-
-
-In connection with the Fleet, I have omitted to mention one locality,
-in this immediate neighbourhood, which certainly deserves notice from
-its associations, namely Laystall Street and Mount Pleasant; for here
-it was, that a fort to command Gray's Inn Road, was built, when the
-lines for the protection of the City were formed by order of Parliament
-in 1643--at the time when it was feared that Prince Rupert was coming
-to attack it. For nearly, if not quite, a hundred years those lines
-of defence were partially visible; and, certainly, among others,
-one was at Mount Pleasant. It is a somewhat curious thing that the
-names survive. A Laystall meant a dung or dust heap, and, after this
-artificial mound was utilized for the community its name was euphemised
-into Mount Pleasant, which it bears to this day.
-
-This work of intrenchment was almost impressment, for we can hardly
-consider that it was voluntary, when we read in a newspaper of
-1643, that, by order of the Parliament, "many thousands of men and
-women (good housekeepers), their children, and servants, went out of
-the several parishes of London with spades, shovels, pickaxes, and
-baskets, and drums and colours before them; some of the chief men of
-every parish marching before them, and so went into the fields, and
-worked hard all day in digging and making of trenches, from fort to
-fort, wherebie to intrench the citie round from one end to the other,
-on this side of the Thames; and late at night the company came back
-in like manner they went out, and the next day a many more went, and
-so they continued daily, with such cheerfulnesse that the whole will
-be finished ere many dayes." And so these works of fortification went
-on, encouraged by the presence of a member of the Common Council, and
-some of the Trained Bands (the City Militia of that time) and it was a
-work in which all classes joined--willingly, or not, I know not--but
-the latter, probably, as the City of London was generally loyal to its
-king, although on occasion, the dwellers therein, knew how to hold
-their own in defence of their prerogatives. But the fear of Prince
-Rupert, and his familiar spirit--the white poodle dog "Boy" (who was
-killed, after passing through many a battle-field unscathed, at Marston
-Moor, July 2, 1644), may possibly have had something to do with it.
-Of course we know that tailors and shoemakers, are mostly radicals,
-and socialists in politics, probably on account of their sedentary
-work, where political discussion is rife, and from their constant
-inter-association, not mixing much with the outer world; therefore
-we can scarcely wonder that on the 5th of June, 1643, that some five
-thousand or six thousand Tailors went out to help intrench the City
-against the redoubted Prince, and that, afterwards, the shoemakers
-followed their example. Two thousand porters also helped in the work.
-Most probably, a moral "shrewd privie nipp" was administered to most
-people by those then in power, and they were forced into taking an
-active part in raising the fortifications, irrespective of their being
-either _Cavaliers_ or _Roundheads_.
-
-At all events, the fort at Mount Pleasant was raised, although never
-used, and it belongs to the history of the Fleet River--as, close
-by, a little affluent joined it. Gardens sloped down to its banks,
-notably those of the great Priory of St. John's Clerkenwell, and, like
-Bermondsey, with its "Cherry Gardens"--the names of "Vineyard Walk" and
-"Pear Tree Court" bear testimony to the fruitfulness of this part of
-London. There is also "Vine Street" in Saffron Hill, which latter name
-is extremely suggestive of the growth of a plant which, in old times,
-was much used both in medicine and cooking. It was called "The Liberty
-of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Place"--which was in the Manor
-of Portpool.
-
-Saffron Hill, nowadays, is the home of the Italian organ-grinder, who,
-although not unknown to the police, is undoubtedly a better citizen
-than previous dwellers therein. Specially was West Street, or Chick
-Lane, as it was formerly called, a neighbourhood to be avoided by all
-honest men. It ran both east and west of the Fleet, which it crossed
-by a bridge. Stow calls it Chicken Lane, but it certainly was not
-inhabited by young and innocent birds. It ran into Field Lane, of
-unsavoury memory, and now done away with.
-
-This was the state of West Street, as exemplified by a cutting from the
-_Morning Herald_ of Feb. 11, 1834:
-
- "Yesterday an inquest was held at the Horse Shoe and Magpie,
- Saffron Hill, before THOMAS STIRLING, Esq., Coroner, on the body
- of James Parkinson, aged 36, who came by his death under the
- following circumstances.
-
- "The Jury proceeded to view the body of the deceased, which lay
- in the upper part of a low lodging-house for travellers, in West
- Street, Saffron Hill. It was in a high state of decomposition,
- and a report was generally circulated that he had come by his
- death by unfair means.
-
- "Mary Wood being sworn, deposed that she was the landlady of
- the house in West Street, which she let out in lodgings. The
- deceased occasionally lodged with her, and he was a dealer in
- cat's meat. On Tuesday night last he came home and asked her
- for a light, and proceeded to his bedroom. On the Wednesday
- witness proceeded upstairs to make the beds, when she saw the
- deceased lying on his bed apparently asleep, but she did not
- speak to him. On the Thursday she proceeded to the upper part of
- the house for the same purpose, when she again saw the deceased
- lying as if asleep, but she did not disturb him, and he was
- ultimately discovered to be a corpse, and his face quite black.
-
- "_Juror._ Pray, how many beds are there in the room where the
- deceased slept?
-
- "_Witness._ Only eight, and please you, Sir.
-
- "Indeed, and how many persons are in the habit of sleeping in
- the same apartment?--There are generally two or three in a bed,
- but the deceased had a bed to himself.
-
- "Very comfortable truly. Is it not strange that none of his
- fellow lodgers ascertained that he was dead?--No, Sir, they go
- in and out without seeming to care for each other.
-
- "Do you mean to say, if a poor man was to take a lodging at your
- house, you would let him lie for upwards of 48 hours without
- inquiring whether he required nourishment?--Why, Sir, I have
- known some of my lodgers, who have been out _upon the spree_ to
- _lay_ in bed for three and four days together, without a bit or
- a sup, and then they have gone out to their work as well and as
- hearty as ever they _was_ in their lives; I have known it often
- to have been done. There was plenty of _grub_ in the house if he
- liked to have asked for it; but I thought if I asked him to have
- victuals he would be offended, as he might receive it as a hint
- for the few nights' lodging that he owed me.
-
- "Mr. Appleby, the parish surgeon, proved that the deceased died
- a natural death, and the Jury returned a verdict of 'Died by the
- visitation of God.'"
-
-There was an old house in West Street, pulled down in April, 1840,
-which tradition affirmed to have been the residence of the infamous
-Jonathan Wild, and, when destroyed, its age was considered to be about
-three hundred years. At one time it was the Red Lion Inn; but for a
-hundred years prior to its demolition it was a low lodging-house. Owing
-to the numerous facilities for secretion and escape, it was the haunt
-of coiners, secret distillers, thieves, and perhaps worse. There were
-trap doors connected with the Fleet River through which booty might be
-thrown, or a man get away, if hard pressed; a secret door in a garret
-led to the next house, and there were many hiding places--in one of
-which a chimney sweep named Jones, who had escaped from Newgate, lay
-hidden for about six weeks, although the house was repeatedly searched
-by the police.
-
-And there was Field Lane too, which was the house of the "Fence," or
-receiver of stolen goods. It was from this interesting locality that
-Charles Dickens drew that wonderful study of Fagin--who was a real
-character. Cruikshank has made him as immortal, but Kenny Meadows tried
-to delineate him in a clever series which appeared in _Bell's Life in
-London_, under the title of "Gallery of Comicalities."
-
-[Illustration: FAGIN, THE JEW.]
-
- "Welcome, Old Star, of Saffron hill.
- Of villainy a sample bright,
- Awake to Prigs, and plunder still,
- Thou merry, ancient Israelite!
-
- Thy face is rough, with matted shag,
- Foul is thy form, old shrivell'd wretch.
- How cunningly you eye the swag,
- Harden'd purveyor to Jack Ketch!
-
- Incrusted with continued crime,
- Your hopeful pupils still employ--
- Thou wert indeed a Tutor prime
- To Oliver, the Workhouse Boy.
-
- Poor Lad! condemn'd to fate's hard stripes,
- To herd with Fagin's plundering pack;
- And learn the art of filching wipes,
- From Charley Bates, and Dawkins Jack.
-
- To hear 'The Dodger' patter slang,
- With knowing wink, and accent glib,
- Or learn from 'Sikes's' ruffian gang,
- In slap up style to crack a crib.
-
- Hail, Fagin! Patriarch of the whole!
- Kind Patron of these knowing ones--
- In thee we trace a kindred soul
- Of honest Ikey Solomon's!
-
- We leave you to your courses vile,
- For conscience you have none, old Codger!
- And in our next we'll trace in style,
- The mug of Jack, the _artful dodger_."
-
-[Illustration: FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE
-DRAWING."]
-
-The artistic merit of this poetry is _nil_, and my only excuse is
-the introduction of a forgotten sketch by a dead artist, who, in his
-day was popular and famous. Who, for instance, remembering Leech's
-pictures in _Punch_, would think that this illustration ever came from
-his pencil? but it did, and from _Bell's Life in London_; and so did
-another, of two children fighting in Chick Lane, whilst their parents,
-the father with a broken nose, and the mother with a black eye, look on
-approvingly.
-
-"FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF 'FINE DRAWING.' Thish ish
-vot I callsh 'caushe and effect;' caushe if vee thidn't buy, no bothy
-vood shell, and if vee thidn't shell, nobothy vood buy; and vot's more,
-if peoplesh thidn't have foglesh, vy, nobothy could prig em" (_See_
-Abrahams on the "Economy of Wipes").
-
-Those were the days of large and valuable silk Bandana handkerchiefs,
-and the story used to be told that you might have your pocket picked
-of your handkerchief at one end of Field Lane, and buy it again at the
-other end, with the marking taken out.
-
-Long before Fagin's time, however, there was a school for young thieves
-in this neighbourhood, _vide Gentleman's Magazine_ (1765), vol. xxxv.
-p. 145.
-
- "Four boys, detected in picking pockets, were examined before
- the Lord Mayor, when one was admitted as evidence, who gave an
- account, that a man who kept a public-house near _Fleet Market_,
- had a club of boys, whom he instructed in picking pockets, and
- other iniquitous practices; beginning first with teaching them
- to pick a handchief out of his own pocket, and next his watch;
- so that, at last, the evidence was so great an adept, that he
- got the publican's watch four times in one evening, when he
- swore he was as perfect as one of twenty years' practice. The
- pilfering out of shops was his next art; his instructions to
- his pupils were, that as many chandlers, or other shops, as
- had hatches,[65] one boy was to knock for admittance for some
- trifle, whilst another was lying on his belly, close to the
- hatch, who when the boy came out, the hatch on jar, and the
- owner withdrawn, was to crawl in, on all fours, and take the
- tills or anything else he could meet with, and to retire in the
- same manner. Breaking into shops by night was another article
- which was to be effected thus: as walls of brick under shop
- windows are very thin, two of them were to lie under a window
- as destitute beggars, asleep to passers by, but, when alone,
- were provided with pickers to pick the mortar out of the bricks,
- and so on till they had opened a hole big enough to go in, when
- one was to lie, as if asleep, before the breach, till the other
- accomplished his purpose."
-
- [Footnote 65: Dwarf doors.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIV.
-
-
-Close by Saffron Hill, and Fleet Lane, is Hatton Garden, or Ely Place,
-formerly the seats of the Bishops of Ely; which Shakespeare has made so
-familiar to us in _Richard III._ act iii. sc. 4. "My Lord of Ely, when
-I was last in Holborn, I saw good strawberries in your garden there; I
-do beseech you, send for some of them."[66] In Queen Elizabeth's time
-an arrangement was effected so that her favourite Chancellor Hatton,
-who "led the brawls, the Seal and Maces danc'd before him,"[67] should
-have this little estate, the gardens of which sloped down to the Fleet
-River. Hence the Bishop of Ely's place assumed the name of Hatton
-Garden.
-
-There is a legend--and I give it as such--that this Sir Christopher
-Hatton married a beautiful gipsy girl, who bewitched him; and the price
-she had to pay, according to her compact with the Evil One, was her
-soul, and body, after a given time. When that arrived, the Devil duly
-came for her, and seizing her, bore her aloft, and, whilst in the air,
-he rent her in pieces, and threw her still palpitating heart to earth.
-Where it fell was, for years, known as _Bleeding Heart Yard_; but now,
-the authorities, whoever they may be, have altered it to _Bleeding
-Hart_, which, in all probability was the cognizance of the family who
-resided there.
-
-This Ely Place had very extensive premises, consisting of numerous
-buildings, a Hall, Quadrangle, Cloisters, Chapel, a field, the historic
-garden, _cum multis aliis_; and they occupied a large space. Only
-the Chapel now remains, and that has had a curious career. At one
-time marriages were celebrated there, as at the Fleet, presumably
-that it was not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London, but
-this fiction was overruled in the case of _Barton_ v. _Wells_ in the
-Consistory Court, Nov. 17, 1789, when Sir Wm. Scott (afterwards Lord
-Stowell) decided that Ely Chapel was under the authority of the Bishop
-of London, and that Curates thereto must be licensed by him.
-
-The Bishops came to London in former times, as now, and their
-residences, in several cases were known as _Places_, or _Palaces_.
-Thus, there was Winchester Place, in Southwark, now the headquarters of
-the Fire Brigade--formerly the palace of the Bishops of Winchester, a
-city which was once the metropolis of England, where Parliaments were
-held, and whose Bishops to this day are titular Prelates of the Garter.
-The Bishop of Bangor, who, although his see claims to be as old as any,
-has not the richest bishopric, had a palace in Shoe Lane, Holborn, and
-the Bishop of Lincoln also lived in Holborn.
-
-The first mention of the connection of the Bishops of Ely, is in the
-will of John de Kirkeby (who was appointed Bishop in 1286), and whose
-will was proved in 1290, or 18 Edward I., and in the Close Roll of that
-year, is the following (in Latin, of course):
-
- "_For the Executors of the Will of the Bishop of Ely._
-
- "Whereas the King hath understood that John, late Bishop of Ely,
- deceased, of pious memory, hath in his last will bequeathed his
- houses which he had in the parish of St. Andrew near Holeburn,
- in the suburbs, and within the liberty of the city of London,
- to God, and the Church of St. Etheldreda[68] of Ely, and his
- successors, bishops of the same place, so that they should pay
- the debts which the same deceased owed for those houses to
- Gregory de Rokesle, the King's Citizen, of London; Ralph de
- Sandwich, warden of the said City, is commanded, that, without
- delay, he deliver the aforesaid houses, with appurtenances,
- which are in the King's hand and custody, by reason of the death
- of the aforesaid bishop, thereof to make execution of the said
- will.
-
- "Witness the King at Westminster on the 18th day of July."
-
-The next bishop--William de Luda (who must have been a person of some
-distinction, for he had previously held the Deanery of St. Martin's
-le Grand, and the Archdeaconry of Durham, besides being Chamberlain,
-Treasurer, and Keeper of the Wardrobe to the King) bequeathed more
-property to the See, and in all likelihood, built the Chapel of St.
-Etheldreda, which, however, was most probably considerably modified
-by a later Bishop, Thomas de Arundel, who held the See from 1374 to
-1388--as the windows, mouldings, &c., now existing show, being about
-as good an example, as possible, of _Decorated_, or _Second Pointed_
-architecture.
-
-"Old _Iohn of Gaunt_, time-honoured Lancaster" lived at Ely Place for
-a time--in all likelihood after his palace in the Savoy, had been
-destroyed by rioters. This fact is noted by Shakespeare in "The life
-and death of King Richard the Second," act i. sc. 4:
-
- "_Busby._ Old Iohn of Gaunt is verie sick, my Lord,
- Sodainly taken, and hath sent post haste
- To entreat your Majesty to visit him.
-
- _Richard._ Where lyes he?
-
- _Busby._ At Ely house."
-
-Hollinshed, also, under date 1399, says: "In the meane time, the Duke
-of Lancaster departed out of this life at the Bishop of Elie's place,
-in Holborne, and lieth buried in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paule, in
-London, on the north side of the high altar, by the Ladie Blanche, his
-first wife."
-
-The premises were of very great extent, as appears by plans taken
-before its almost total demolition in 1772. Under the Chapel was a
-cellar, or under croft--divided into two--and this seems to have
-caused some inconvenience in the seventeenth century, for Malcolm, in
-his "Londinium Redivivum" (vol. ii. p. 236) says: "One half of the
-crypt under the chapel, which had been used for interments, was then
-frequented as a drinking-place, where liquor was retailed; and the
-intoxication of the people assembled, often interrupted the offices of
-religion above them." And this statement seems to be borne out by a
-reference to Harl. MSS. 3789, _et seq._, where it says: "Even half of
-the vault or burying place under the Chapel is made use of as a public
-cellar (or was so very lately) to sell drink in, there having been
-frequently revellings heard there during Divine Service."
-
-More curious things than this happened to Ely Place, for the Journals
-of the House of Commons inform us how, on January 3, 1642-3, "The
-palace was this day ordered to be converted into a prison, and John
-Hunt, Sergeant-at-arms, appointed keeper during the pleasure of
-the House." He was, at the same time, commanded to take care that
-the gardens, trees, chapel, and its windows, received no injury. A
-sufficient sum for repairs was granted from the revenues of the see.
-
-Again, on March 1, 1660: "Ordered that it be referred to a Committee
-to consider how, and in what manner, the said widows, orphans, and
-maim'd soldiers, at Ely House, may be provided for, and paid, for the
-future, with the least prejudice, and most ease to the nation; and
-how a weekly revenue may be settled for their maintenance; and how the
-maimed soldiers may be disposed of, so as the nation may be eased of
-the charge, and how they may be provided of a preaching minister."
-
-There were always squabbles about this property, and it nearly fell
-into ruin; but in 1772 an Act of Parliament was passed (Geo. III., an.
-12, cap. 43) entitled "An Act for vesting _Ely House_, in _Holbourn_,
-in His Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and for applying the Purchase
-Money, with another Sum therein mentioned, in the purchasing of a
-Freehold Piece of Ground in _Dover Street_, and in the building, and
-fitting up another House thereon, for the future Residence of the
-Bishops of _Ely_, and the Surplus to the Benefit of the See; and for
-other Purposes therein mentioned." And the town residence of the Bishop
-of Ely is now 37, Dover Street, Piccadilly. This little bargain was the
-sale to the Crown of Ely Place for L6,500, and a perpetual annuity of
-L200 to the Bishop of Ely and his successors.
-
-The site and materials were purchased by a Mr. Charles Cole, an
-architect and builder, and he built Ely Place, Holborn. The chapel was
-let, and, eventually, to the Welsh Episcopalians of London. But the
-property got into Chancery, and the estate was ordered to be sold; and
-it was sold on January 28, 1874, and the chapel alone fetched L5,250.
-As there was no stipulation as to its purchase by any particular
-religious body, it was bought by the Roman Catholics, and is now St.
-Etheldreda's Church, Convent, and schools.
-
-[Illustration: ELY HOUSE, 1784.]
-
-_Apropos_ of Ely House, when Bishop Coxe demurred at surrendering the
-property of his see to Hatton, Queen Elizabeth wrote him that famous
-letter, beginning "Proud Prelate," and telling him that, if he did not
-do as he was told, she, who had made him what he was, could unmake him,
-and if he did not immediately comply, she would unfrock him--signing
-this very characteristic and peremptory epistle, "Yours, as you demean
-yourself, ELIZABETH."
-
-On the other or east side of the Fleet was a tributary brook called
-Turnmill brook--a name now surviving in Turnmill Street--which, even in
-this century, drove flour and flatting mills, and we have indisputable
-evidence of its industrial powers, in an advertisement in the _Daily
-Courant_ September 17, 1714, which calls attention to a house in
-Bowling (Green) Alley,[69] Turnmill Street, which had the power of
-utilizing "a common sewer with a good stream, and a good current,
-for purposes of a Mill;" and it was on Turnmill Brook that Cave, the
-publisher, in 1740, went into an unprofitable partnership with one
-Lewis Paul, of Birmingham, to work a mill for the utilization of a
-patent taken out by Paul for a "Machine to spin wool or cotton into
-thread, yarn, or worsted." This experiment, however, was not a success.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-The Fleet flowing to its bourne,[70] the Thames, was bridged over at
-Holborn. Stow says: "Oldbourne bridge, over the said river of Wels more
-towards the north, was so called, of a bourn that sometimes ran
-down Oldbourne hill into the said river. This bridge of stone, like as
-Fleet bridge from Ludgate West, serveth for passengers with Carriage,
-or otherwise, from Newgate toward the west and by north." This was
-written in 1598.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-After the great fire of 1666 the Fleet was widened, and canalized,
-from the Thames, to Holborn Bridge; thence, to its source, it took
-its natural course, and, although there were then three bridges over
-it, from Holborn to Newgate Street, set close, side by side, yet
-it was considered too narrow for the traffic, as we see in an Act
-of Parliament passed in 1670 (22 Car. II., cap. 11), entitled "An
-additional Act for the Rebuilding of the City of _London_, Uniting
-of Parishes, and Rebuilding of the Cathedral and Parochial Churches
-within the said City." Section 7 says: "And, whereas the Way or Passage
-of _Holborn-Bridge_ is now too strait, or incommodious for the many
-Carriages and Passengers daily using and frequenting the same, and is
-therefore necessary to be enlarged; Be it therefore likewise enacted,
-That it shall and may be lawful for the said Mayor, Aldermen, and
-Commons, so to enlarge and make wider the same, as that the said Way
-and Passage may run in a Bevil Line from a certain Timber house on the
-North side thereof, commonly called or known by the Name or Sign of the
-_Cock_, into the Front of the Buildings of a certain Inn called the
-_Swan_ Inn, situate on the North side of _Holborn Hill_, as aforesaid."
-
-Sir Christopher Wren built this bridge, which was meant to be the
-ornamental end of "The New Canal," as it is described in the map of
-Farringdon Ward in Stow's "Survey" (ed. 1720). It must have taken some
-time to complete, for it was not finished until the Mayoralty of Sir
-William Hooker, whose name appeared carved upon it (although somewhat
-mutilated) when it was uncovered in March, 1840. Sir William Tite,
-C.B., M.P., F.S.A., &c., Architect to the City of London, writing at
-that date, says: "The Sewer at Holborn Hill was opened, and as I was
-passing, I saw the southern face of the Bridge which crossed the Fleet
-at this place uncovered to some extent. It was built of red brick, and
-the arch was about twenty feet span. The road from the east intersected
-the bridge obliquely, which irregularity was obviated from a moulded
-and well-executed stone corbel arising out of the angle thus formed,
-which carried the parapet. On the plinth course of the parapet was
-cut the inscription following, recording the fact of the erection of
-the bridge, with the name of the Lord Mayor at the period:--"William
-Hooke(r). (A)nno D. 1674."
-
-Sir William Tite says it was a red brick bridge; Hatton, in his "New
-View of London" (1708), says it was of stone; but then, probably, he
-never really saw it, and Tite did. Hatton's description is: "_Holbourn
-Bridge_ is built of Stone, it leads from _Holbourn_ to _Snow Hill_,
-over the N. end of the _Fleet Brook_, where a little rivulet called
-_Wells_, falls by _Hockley Hole_, running a little E'd of _Saffron
-Hill_, crossing near the W. end of _Chick Lane_, and so into this
-Brook."
-
-The canalization of the Fleet after 1666 was a useful work, as it
-enabled barges to go up to Holborn Bridge; and that it was availed of,
-we can judge by the frontispiece, which was painted in the middle of
-the eighteenth century; but it was not much used, if we can trust Ned
-Ward, whose sharp eyes looked everywhere, and whose pen recorded his
-scrutiny[71]: "From thence we took a turn down by the Ditch side, I
-desiring my Friend to inform me what great Advantages this costly Brook
-contributed to the Town, to Countervail the Expence of Seventy four
-Thousand Pounds, which I read in a very Credible Author, was the Charge
-of its making: He told me he was wholly unacquainted with any, unless
-it was now and then to bring up a few Chaldron of Coles to two or three
-Pedling _Fewel-Marchants_, who sell them never the Cheaper to the Poor
-for such a Conveniency: and, as for those Cellars you see on each side
-design'd for Ware-Houses, they are render'd by their dampness so unfit
-for that purpose that they are wholly useless, except... or to harbour
-Frogs, Toads, and other Vermin. The greatest good that ever I heard it
-did was to the Undertaker, who is bound to acknowledge he has found
-better Fishing in that muddy Stream, than ever he did in clear Water."
-
-[Illustration: END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF
-HOLBORN HILL. JUNE 2, 1840. (_Art. Crosby._)]
-
-Gay, too, in his "Trivia," more than once mentions the foulness of the
-Fleet in book ii.
-
- "Or who that rugged street[72] would traverse o'er,
- That stretches, O Fleet-Ditch, from thy black shore
- To the Tour's moated walls?"
-
-And again:
-
- "If where Fleet-Ditch with muddy current flows."
-
-Here is a pen-and-ink sketch of Holborn Bridge--from some old engraving
-or painting (Crosby does not give his authority), which gives an
-excellent idea of old London--squalid and filthy according to our
-ideas. How different from that noble viaduct which now spans the course
-of the Fleet River! which her Majesty opened on November 6, 1869.
-
-[Illustration: HOLBORN BRIDGE.]
-
- [Footnote 66: Hollinshed says--speaking of a Council at the Tower,
- relative to the Coronation of Edward V., at which the Protector
- presided, "After a little talking with them, he said unto the Bishop
- of Ely, 'My Lord, you have verie good strawberries at your garden in
- Holborne, I require you let us have a messe of them.' 'Gladlie, my
- Lord,' quoth he, 'would God I had some better thing as readie to
- your pleasure as that!' And there withall, in all haste, he sent his
- servant for a messe of strawberries."]
-
- [Footnote 67: Gray, "_A long Story_."]
-
- [Footnote 68: Afterwards Anglicised into Audrey.]
-
- [Footnote 69: There is now _Bowling Green Street_, Farringdon
- Street.]
-
- [Footnote 70: See next two pages.]
-
- [Footnote 71: "London Spy," part vi.]
-
- [Footnote 72: Thames Street.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XV.
-
-
-Then, close by (still keeping up its title of the River of the Wells)
-was Lamb's Conduit, on Snow Hill, which was fed from a little rill
-which had its source near where the Foundling Hospital now stands, its
-course being perpetuated by the name of Lamb's Conduit Street, where,
-according to the "Old English Herbal," watercresses used to flourish.
-"It groweth of its own accord in gardens and fields by the way side,
-in divers places, and particularly in the next pasture to the Conduit
-Head, behind Gray's Inn, that brings water to Mr. Lamb's Conduit in
-Holborn."
-
-William Lamb was a citizen of London, and of the Guild of
-Cloth-workers, besides which, he was some time Gentleman of the Chapel
-to Henry VIII. He benefited his fellow-citizens by restoring a conduit
-in 1577, which had been in existence since the fifteenth century; and,
-after the Great Fire, the busy Sir Christopher Wren was employed to
-design a covering for the spring, which he did, putting a _lamb_ on the
-top, with a very short inscription on the front panel, to the effect
-that it was "Rebuilt in the year 1677 S^r Tho^s Davis Kn^t L^d Mayor."
-
-It is curious to learn how the suburbs of London have grown within the
-memory of living men. Take, for instance, the following, from _Notes
-and Queries_ (April, 1857, p. 265), referring to Lamb's Conduit. A
-correspondent writes that "About sixty years since, I was travelling
-from the West of England in one of the old stage coaches of that
-day, and my fellow-travellers were an octogenarian clergyman and his
-daughter. In speaking of the then increasing size of London, the old
-gentleman said that when he was a boy, and recovering from an attack of
-smallpox, he was sent into the country to a row of houses standing on
-the west side of the present Lamb's Conduit Street; that all the space
-before him was open fields; that a streamlet of water ran under his
-window; and he saw a man snipe-shooting, who sprung a snipe near to the
-house, and shot it."
-
-It was no small gift of William Lamb to the City, for it cost him
-L1,500, which was equivalent to thrice that sum at present, and, to
-make it complete, he gave to one hundred and twenty poor women, pails
-wherewith to serve and carry water, whereby they earned an honest,
-although a somewhat laborious, living. Lamb left many charitable
-bequests, and also founded a chapel, by Monkwell Street, now pulled
-down. This Conduit existed until about 1755, when it was demolished,
-and an obelisk with lamps erected in its place, but, that being found a
-nuisance, was, in its turn, soon done away with.
-
-[Illustration: LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL.]
-
-Lamb was buried in the Church of St. Faith's, under St. Paul's, and on
-a pillar was a brass to his memory, which is so quaint, that I make no
-apology for introducing it.
-
- "William Lambe so sometime was my name,
- Whiles alive dyd runne my mortall race,
- Serving a Prince of most immortall fame,
- Henry the Eight, who of his Princely grace
- In his Chapell allowed me a place.
- By whose favour, from Gentleman to Esquire
- I was preferr'd, with worship, for my hire.
- With wives three I joyned wedlock band,
- Which (all alive) true lovers were to me,
- Joane, Alice, and Joane; for so they came to hand,
- What needeth prayse regarding their degree?
- In wively truth none stedfast more could be.
- Who, though on earth, death's force did once dissever,
- Heaven, yet, I trust, shall joyn us all together.
- O Lambe of God, which sinne didst take away;
- And as a Lambe, was offred up for sinne,
- Where I (poor Lambe) went from thy flock astray,
- Yet thou, good Lord, vouchsafe thy Lambe to winne
- Home to thy folde, and holde thy Lambe therein;
- That at the day, when Lambes and Goates shall sever,
- Of thy choice Lambes, Lambe may be one for ever.
- I pray you all, that receive Bread and Pence,
- To say the Lord's Prayer before ye go hence."
-
-It is said, also, that the old verses, so well known, were appended to
-the brass, or, rather, engraved on his tombstone.
-
- "As I was, so are ye,
- As I am, you shall be,
- That I had, that I gave,
- That I gave, that I have.
- Thus I end all my cost,
- That I felt, that I lost."
-
-But there is one well must not be lost sight of; for, in its small
-way, it was tributary to the Fleet--and that is Clerk's Well, or
-Clerkenwell, which gives its name to a large district of London. It was
-of old repute, for we see, in Ralph Aggas' Map of London, published
-about 1560, a conduit spouting from a wall, into a stone tank or
-trough. This is, perhaps, the earliest pictorial delineation of it;
-but FitzStephen mentions it under "_fons Clericorum_" so called,
-it is said, from the Parish Clerks of London, who chose this place
-for a representation of _Miracle Plays_, or scenes from Scripture
-realistically rendered, as now survives in the Ober Ammergau Passion
-Play. This little Company, which still exists as one of the City
-Guilds, has never attained to the dignity of having a livery, but
-they have a Hall of their own (in Silver Street, Wood Street, E.C.),
-and in their time have done good service in composing the "Bills of
-Mortality;" and gruesome pamphlets they were--all skulls, skeletons,
-and cross-bones--especially during the great Plague.
-
-These plays were, as I have said, extremely realistic. One, played at
-Chester A.D. 1327,[73] represented Adam and Eve, both stark naked, but,
-afterwards, they wore fig leaves. The language used in them, would to
-our ears be coarse, but it was the language of the time, and, probably,
-men and women were no worse than they are now. But, at all events
-this Guild, which was incorporated in the 17 Henry III. A.D. 1232,
-used occasionally to delight their fellow Citizens with dramatic
-representations in the open air (as have lately been revived in the
-"Pastoral plays" at Wimbledon) at what was then an accessible, and yet
-a rural, suburb of London.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Hence the name--but the well, alas, is no more--but when I say that,
-I mean that it is no longer available to the public. That it does
-exist, is well known to the occupier of the house where it formerly
-was in use, for the basement has frequently to be pumped dry. The
-neighbourhood has been so altered of late years, that its absolute
-site was somewhat difficult to fix; yet any one can identify it for
-themselves from the accompanying slight sketch of the locality as it
-existed over sixty years since. Ray Street (at least this portion of
-it) is now termed Farringdon Road, and what with Model lodging-houses,
-and underground railways, its physical and geographical arrangement is
-decidedly altered.
-
-Early in the last century, in Queen Anne's time, the Spring had ceased
-to be a conduit, as shown in Ralph Aggas' Map, but had been turned into
-a pump; and this pump even was moved, in 1800, to a more convenient
-spot in Ray Street, where it was in existence (which I rather doubt),
-according to Pink's History of Clerkenwell in 1865. However, there is
-very good evidence of its being, in an engraving dated May 1, 1822, of
-the "Clerk's Well"--which shows the pump, and a stone tablet with the
-following inscription:
-
- "A.D. 1800.
- WILLM. BOUND} CHURCH-
- JOSEPH BIRD } WARDEN.
-
-For the better accommodation of the Neighbourhood, this Pump was
-removed to the Spot where it now Stands. The Spring by which it is
-supplied is situated four Feet eastward, and round it, as History
-informs us, the Parish Clerks of London in remote Ages annually
-performed sacred Plays. That Custom caused it to be denominated Clerks'
-Well, and from which this Parish derives its Name. The Water was
-greatly esteemed by the Prior and Brethren of the Order of St. John of
-Jerusalem, and the Benedictine Nuns in the Neighbourhood."
-
-In later days, the Fleet, as every other stream on whose banks houses
-are built, became a sewer, and "behaved as sich;" so that it was deemed
-prudent to cover some portion of it, at all events, and that part
-where now is Farringdon Street, was arched over, and made into the
-Fleet _Market_. Our ancestors were far more alive to the advantages
-of ready cash, and consequent keen competition among dealers, than
-we are, although through the medium of Co-operative Stores, &c., we
-are beginning to learn the lost lesson, but, at all events, they had
-the acumen to know that large centres of supply were cheaper to the
-consumer than small, isolated shops, and _the Market_, was the outcome.
-It is next to impossible to make a Market--witness in our own times,
-the Central Fish Market, and Columbia Market, both of which are not
-absolute failures, but, to use a theatrical slang term, _frosts_--and
-this was an example.
-
-The Canal, up to Holborn Bridge, was expensive to keep up, and as we
-saw, by the quotation from Ned Ward, it was next door to worthless.
-Meantime, sewage and silt played their work, as the stream was
-neglected, and, becoming a public nuisance, it was arched over,
-pursuant to an Act 6 Geo. II. cap. 22, entitled "An Act for filling up
-such Part of the Channell of _Bridewell Dock_, and _Fleet Bridge_, as
-lies between _Holborn Bridge_ and _Fleet Bridge_, and for converting
-the Ground, when filled up, to the use of the City of _London_." The
-works were begun in 1734 and was arched over and finished in 1735;
-but, as buildings are necessary for a market, it was not opened, as
-such, until Sept. 30, 1737. For nearly a century it remained a market
-for meat, fish, and vegetables, although, of course, the largest meat
-market was Newgate, as being near Smithfield; and for fish,
-Billingsgate, which still maintains its pre-eminence But in 1829 it was
-pulled down, in order to make a wider street from Holborn to Blackfriars
-Bridge; and this part of the Fleet was called, and now is, Farringdon
-Street.
-
-[Illustration: FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE.]
-
-The Vegetable Market, for it had come to that only, was swept away, and
-a site found for it, nearly opposite the Fleet prison. It is still so
-used, but it is not much of a financial help to the City, as it only
-brings in an annual income (according to the last return I have been
-able to obtain) of between L700 and L800. It was thought that trade
-might be encouraged, and revived, if it were worthier housed, so what
-is now, the Central Fish Market, was erected; but, before the vendors
-of vegetables could enter into possession, a great cry had arisen as to
-the supply of fish to London, and the monopoly of Billingsgate, and the
-market was given over to the fishmongers. But it is not a success in
-a monetary point of view; is a great loss to the City, and, as a fish
-market, a very doubtful boon to the public.
-
-The Fleet Prison, which was on the east side of Farringdon Street, will
-be noticed in its place; and, as we have seen, the river was arched
-over from Holborn to Fleet Bridge, after which it still flowed, an open
-sewer, into the Thames.
-
-But, before going farther, we must needs glance at a curious little
-bit of Fleet history, which is to be found in "THE SECRET HISTORY of
-the RYE HOUSE PLOT, and Monmouth's Rebellion," written by Ford. Lord
-Grey who was a party to the plot, addressed it to James the Second,
-1685, but it was not printed until 1754. In p. 28 it states, "About
-the latter end of Oct. Monmouth s'd to Sir Thos. Armstrong and Lord
-Grey, that it was necessary for them to view the passage into the City,
-which, accordingly they did, from the lower end of _Fleet-ditch_, next
-the river, to the other end of it, by Snow Hill." And again (p. 34):
-"Sunday night was pitched upon for the rising in London, as all shops
-would be shut. Their men were to be armed at the Duke of Monmouth's
-in Hedge Lane, Northumberland House, Bedford House, and four or five
-meeting houses in the City.
-
-"The first alarm was designed to be between eleven and twelve at night,
-by attacking the train bands at the Royal Exchange, and then possessing
-ourselves of Newgate, Ludgate, and Aldersgate. The first two gates
-we did not design to defend, unless we were beaten from Fleet Bridge
-and Snow Hill, where we intended to receive the first attack of the
-King's Guards. At Snow Hill, we intended to make a Barricade, and
-plant three or four pieces of Cannon, upon Ship's Carriages; at Fleet
-Bridge we designed to use our Cannon upon the carriages, and to make a
-breast-work for our musqueteers bridge next us, and to fill the houses
-on that side the ditch with men who should fire from the windows, but
-the bridge to be clear."
-
-As a matter of fact, there seem to have been two bridges over the
-Fleet, crossing it at Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill, both side by side,
-as at Holborn. Crosby, upon whose collection I have so largely drawn,
-says that it is so, from personal observation, one bridge being 24 ft.
-6 in., and the other, 24 ft. wide, making in all, a roadway of 48 ft.
-6 in. presumably including parapets. From his measurements, the span of
-the bridge was 12 ft., and the height of the arch was 11 ft. 6 in., but
-he does not say whence he takes his measurement--from the bottom of the
-Fleet, or from the river level.
-
-To this measurement hangs a tale, which is best told in Crosby's own
-words, from a memo of his in the Guildhall Library:--
-
- "FLEET BRIDGE, _Tuesday_, July 28th, 1840. As I could not depend
- upon the admeasurements which, at the beginning of the year,
- I had taken in a _hurried manner_, at Fleet Bridges, while
- bricklayers were placing in a brick bottom in place of the
- original one of alluvial soil, I determined to obtain them the
- first opportunity. This evening, therefore, at ten o'clock, I
- met Bridgewater, one of the workmen employed in constructing the
- New Sewer from Holborn Bridge to Clerkenwell, by appointment,
- at the Hoard there, water boots being in readiness. I lighted
- my lamps, and, assisted by the watchmen, King and Arion, we
- descended the ladder, and got into that branch of the sewer
- which joins Wren's bridge, at Holborn. We then walked carefully
- till we reached Fleet Bridge. I suspended my Argand lamp on the
- Breakwater of the Sewer, and with my Lanthorn light we proceeded
- towards the Thames. We got a considerable distance, during
- which the channel of the Sewer twice turned to the right, at a
- slight angle, the last portion we entered, was barrelled at the
- bottom, the middle so full of holes, and the water so deep, as
- we approached the Thames, that we thought it prudent to return
- to Fleet bridge." (Here they lit up and took measurements). "All
- went well till about a quarter to twelve o'clock, when to our
- surprise we found the Tide had suddenly come in to the depth of
- two feet and a half. No time was to be lost, but I had only one
- more admeasurement to make, viz., the width of the north bridge.
- I managed this, and we then snatched up the basket, and holding
- our Lamps aloft, dashed up the Sewer, which we had to get up one
- half before out of danger. The air was close, and made us faint.
- However we got safe to Holborn Bridge...."
-
- [Footnote 73: Harl. MSS. 2013.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVI.
-
-
-Hatton, writing in 1708, says: "_Fleet Bridge_ is even with the
-Str(eet); it leads from _Fleet Street_ over the _Fleet Ditch_ to
-_Ludgate Hill_; is accommodated with strong Battlements which are
-adorned with six Peers and enriched with the Arms of _London_, and
-Supporters Pine-apples, &c., all of Stone; and bet(wee)n the Peers are
-Iron Rails and Bannisters, on the N. & S. sides of the Bridge."
-
-On either side of where the Bridge used to be, are two obelisks, one on
-the North, or Farringdon Street side, to Alderman Waithman, and on the
-South, or Bridge Street side, to John Wilkes the notorious. The first
-bears the following inscription:--
-
- ERECTED
- TO THE MEMORY
- OF
- ROBERT
- WAITHMAN
- BY
- HIS FRIENDS AND
- FELLOW CITIZENS,
- M.D.C.C.C.XXXIII.
-
-This Alderman Waithman was almost one of the typical class so often
-held up as an example for all poor boys to follow, _i.e._, he began
-life with simply his own energy, and opportunity to help him. And, as
-a virtuous example of industry, when the times were not so pushing as
-now; and half, and quarter, or less commissions on transactions were
-unknown, we may just spend a minute in reading about him. Wrexham
-was his birthplace in 1764, and his father dying soon after, he was
-adopted by his uncle and sent to school. No one was then left very
-many years in _statu pupillari_, and, consequently, he had to join his
-uncle in business, as a linendraper at Bath. The uncle died in 1788,
-and he took a place at Reading, whence he came to London, and lived as
-a linendraper's assistant until he came of age. He then married, and
-opened a shop at the South end of the Fleet Market, nearly precisely on
-the spot where his monument now stands.
-
-He prospered in business, and moved to other, and larger premises,
-became Common Councilman, tried to get into Parliament for the City,
-and ultimately succeeded in 1818. Next election he lost it, but in
-all subsequent ones he was the favoured candidate. He was Alderman of
-Farringdon Without, Sheriff, and filled the office of Mayor in 1823-4.
-The obelisk to his memory remains, but he has dropped out of general
-memory, and this revival of his life, for imitation, in industry and
-rectitude of conduct, must be my excuse for taking up my readers' time.
-
-Far different is it with John Wilkes, about whom every one knows, and
-I have only to say that his obelisk bears the inscription--
-
- A.D.
- M.D.C.C.LXXV.
- THE RIGHT
- HONORABLE
- JOHN WILKES,
- Lord Mayor.
-
-This inscription became effaced through the weather, and was, within
-the last few years, replaced with a new stone; but it was grumbled at
-for not having the original word "Esquire" after John Wilkes, which was
-surely a work of supererogation.
-
-Close by was Ludgate, with its debtors' prison of Lud-gate, which was
-rather aristocratic, being "purely for Insolvent Citizens of _London_,
-Beneficed Clergy, and Attorneys at Law," and which was even peculiar in
-the time when it existed; for Maitland, in his "History of London" (ed.
-1775, pp. 28, 29) says:--
-
- "The domestick Government of this Prison having something very
- singular and remarkable in it, I presume an Account thereof will
- not be unacceptable to the Reader. I shall, therefore, insert a
- compendious Abstract thereof from an Account published some Time
- ago by one who had been a long Time Prisoner there.
-
- "For the quiet and good Government of this Prison, and the
- Punishment of Crimes and Misdemeanors therein committed, the
- Master Keeper and Prisoners from among themselves chuse the
- following Officers, viz., A Reader of Divine Service; an upper
- Steward, called the Master of the Box; an Under Steward; seven
- Assistants, who by Turns officiate daily; a Running Assistant;
- two Churchwardens; a Scavenger; a Chamberlain; a Running Post;
- and the Criers or Beggars at the Gates, who are generally six in
- number.
-
- "The Reader is chosen by the Master Keeper, Stewards, and
- Assistants, and not at a General Election, as the other Officers
- are. The Reader, besides reading Prayers, was, originally,
- obliged to Ring the Bell twice a Day for Prayers, and also for
- the Space of a Quarter of an Hour before Nine at Night, as a
- Warning for all Strangers to depart the Prison; but for the
- Dignity of his Office, he is now exempt from those Services,
- and others in his stead are appointed to perform them. This
- Officer's salary is two Shillings and eight Pence _per_
- Month, and a Penny of every Prisoner at his Entrance, if his
- Garnish[74] amount to sixteen Pence; and a Dish of Meat out of
- the Lord Mayor's Basket.
-
- "The Upper Steward, or Master of the Box, is, by all the
- Prisoners held in equal Esteem with the Keeper of the Prison;
- and to his Charge is committed the keeping of all the several
- Orders of the House, with the Accounts of Cash received upon
- Legacies; the Distribution of all the Provisions sent in by
- the Lord Mayor, and others; the cash received by Garnish, and
- begging at the Grates, which he weekly lays out in Bread,
- Candles, and other Necessaries. He likewise keeps a List of
- all the Prisoners, as well those that are upon the Charity, as
- those that are not; to each of whom, by the Aid of the Assistant
- for the Day, he distributes their several proportions of Bread
- and other Provisions. He receives the Gifts of the Butchers,
- Fishmongers, Poulterers, and other Market People, sent in by the
- Clerk of the Market, by the Running Post, for which he gives a
- Receipt, and, afterwards, in the Presence of the Assistant for
- the Day, exposes for Sale to the Charity Men, by Way of Market;
- and the Money arising thereby is deposited in the Common Stock,
- or Bank.
-
- "This Officer, with the Under Steward, Assistants, and
- Churchwardens, are elected monthly by the Suffrages of the
- Prisoners; but all the other Officers, except the Chamberlain,
- are appointed by the Master-Keeper, Stewards, and Assistants.
- The Design of these frequent Elections, is to prevent Frauds
- and Abuses in the respective Officers; but, when they are known
- to be Men of Probity, they are generally reelected, and often
- continue in such Posts many Months. The _Monday_ after every
- Election, the Accounts are audited and passed, and the Balance
- divided; and, if it amount to three Shillings and four Pence
- _per_ Man, the Keeper of the Prison arbitrarily extorts from
- each Prisoner two Shillings and Four Pence, without the least
- Colour of Right: But, if the Dividend arises not so high, then
- he only takes one Shilling and two Pence; the other Moiety being
- charged to the Prisoner's Account, to be paid at the Time of his
- Discharge; which new and detestable Impositions are apparently
- contrary to the Intention of the Founder.
-
- "Another great Grievance the distressed and miserable Prisoners
- are subject to, is, their being obliged to pay the Turnkey
- twelve Shillings _per_ Month, for no other Service than that
- of opening the Door to let in Gifts and Charities sent to the
- Prison, which often amount to little more than what he receives.
-
- "The Under Steward is an Assistant, or Deputy, to the Upper
- Steward, in whose Absence or Indisposition he performs the
- several Functions of his Office.
-
- "The Assistants, being seven in Number, are chosen Monthly with
- the Stewards; one whereof, officiating daily, his Business is to
- attend in the Hall, to enter all Charities, and keep an Account
- of the Money taken out of the Boxes, which are opened at five
- o'Clock in the Afternoon, and at Nine at Night; which Money he
- pays to the Upper Steward, at the passing of whose Accounts the
- Assistants are Auditors.
-
- "Every Person put in Nomination for the Office of an Assistant,
- refusing to serve, forfeits one Shilling to the Use of the
- Publick, or, in lieu thereof, to be put in Fetters for three
- Days. The officiating Assistant is invested with a magisterial
- Power, whereby he can commit a Prisoner to the Stocks or
- Shackles, for the Abuse of any Person. This Officer is to see
- the Cellar cleared every Night, by ten o'Clock of all the
- Prisoners; for which he receives six Pence out of the Charity
- Money; two Pence whereof to his own Use, two Pence to the Upper
- Steward, and two Pence to the Running Assistant. This Office was
- anciently in such Esteem, that the Assistant, at his entering
- upon it, used nightly, at Eight o'Clock, to be ushered into
- the Hall, by an Illumination of forty or fifty great Candles,
- carried by so many Prisoners.
-
- "The Running Assistant's Business is, to attend upon the Criers
- at the Gates, to change Money; and open the Boxes: to put up
- Candles in their respective Places, attend upon the Stewards and
- Assistants, look after the Clock, ring the Bell for Prayers;
- and to be Crier at the Sale of Provisions. His Salary is four
- Shillings and eight Pence _per_ Month, and an eighth part of the
- Garnish Money.
-
- "The Churchwardens are chosen from among the youngest Prisoners.
- The Upper Warden's Office is, to call to Prayers on _Sundays_,
- after the Bell has done ringing; and the Under Warden's is to
- call the Prisoners to Prayers all other Days. They are likewise
- to take cognizance of all Persons who are upon the Charity
- Foundation; who in default of Attendance are fined one Penny
- each. The Under Warden's Salary for this Service is four Pence
- _per_ Month; and the Penalty for not serving, when duly elected,
- is four Pence.
-
- "The Scavenger's Office is, to keep clean the Prison, and to
- fetter, and put in the Stocks all Offenders; for which he is
- intitled to receive from each Criminal one Penny, together with
- a Salary of five Shillings and eight Pence _per_ Month, and two
- Pence out of every sixteen Pence of the Garnish Money.
-
- "The Chamberlain is chosen by the Keeper of the Prison, whose
- Office it is to take Care of all the Bedding and Linen belonging
- to the Keeper; to place Men at their coming in, and to furnish
- them with Sheets, and to give Notice to Strangers to depart the
- Prison by Ten o'Clock at Night. This Officer, formerly, was
- obliged to make the Charity-Men's Beds, for which he received
- two Pence _per_ Month.
-
- "The Running Post's Business is, to fetch in a Basket the
- broken Meat from the Lord-Mayor, Clerk of the Market, private
- Families, and Charities given in the Streets, which are often so
- inconsiderable as not to admit of a Dividend; wherefore it is
- disposed of by Sale or publick Market, as aforesaid. The Salary
- annexed to this office, is four Shillings _per_ Month; one Penny
- _per_ Month out of each Man's Dividend, and one Penny out of
- every sixteen Pence of Garnish money.
-
- "The Criers are six in Number; two whereof daily beg at the
- Grates; he at the Grate within is allowed one Fourth of what is
- given, and he at that on _Blackfriars_ Side one Moiety of what
- is given there."
-
-This custom is alluded to in the _Spectator_, No. lxxxii.:
-
-"Passing under _Ludgate_ the other Day I heard a Voice bawling for
-Charity, which I thought I had somewhere heard before. Coming near to
-the Grate, the Prisoner called me by my Name, and desired I would throw
-something into the Box. I was out of Countenance for him, and did as he
-bid me, by putting in half a Crown."
-
-Of this Grate there is a pretty and romantic story told by Stow.[75]
-
-"When the Prison was in this Condition, there happened to be Prisoner
-there one _Stephen Foster_, who (as poor Men are at this Day) was
-a Cryer at the Grate, to beg the benevolent Charities of pious and
-commiserate Benefactors that passed by. As he was doing his doleful
-Office, a rich Widow of _London_ hearing his Complaint, enquired of
-him, what would release him? To which he answered, Twenty Pound,
-which she in Charity expended; and, clearing him out of Prison,
-entertained him in her Service; who, afterward, falling into the Way
-of Merchandize, and increasing as well in Wealth as Courage, wooed his
-Mistress, Dame _Agnes_, and married her.
-
-"Her Riches and his Industry brought him both great Wealth and Honour,
-being afterwards no less than Sir _Stephen Foster_, Lord Mayor of the
-Honourable City of London: Yet whilst he lived in this great Honour
-and Dignity, he forgat not the Place of his Captivity, but, mindful of
-the sad and irksome Place wherein poor Men were imprisoned, bethought
-himself of enlarging it, to make it a little more delightful and
-pleasant for those who in after Times should be imprisoned and shut up
-therein. And, in order thereunto, acquainted his Lady with this his
-pious Purpose and Intention; in whom likewise he found so affable and
-willing a Mind to do Good to the Poor, that she promised to expend as
-much as he should do for the carrying on of the Work."
-
-And they did spend their money on it right royally, building, amongst
-many other conveniences, a Chapel for the inmates, A.D. 1454, which
-they endowed, so as to maintain a "preacher" or chaplain. Sir Stephen
-Foster likewise provided that the place "should be free for all
-Freemen, and that they, providing their own Bedding, should pay nothing
-at their Departure for Lodging, or Chamber rent (as now they call it),
-which to many poor Men becomes oftentimes as burdensome as their Debts,
-and are by the Keeper detained in Prison as for Debt, only for their
-Fees, though discharged and acquitted of what they were committed for."
-
-Nor did his charitable goodness end here, for he gave a supply of water
-_gratis_ to the prisoners, as was recorded on a brass in the Chapel,
-very pithily--
-
- "Devout Souls that pass this way
- For STEPHEN FOSTER, late _Maior_, heartily pray,
- And Dame AGNES, his Spouse, to God consecrate,
- That of Pity this House made for Londoners in LUDGATE.
- So that for Lodging and Water, Prisoners have nought to pay,
- As their Keepers shall all answer at dreadful Doomsday."
-
-Dame Agnes survived her husband, but was ultimately buried by his side
-in the Church of St. Botolph, Billingsgate.
-
-For a Prison, Ludgate compared more than favourably with every other in
-London. As we have seen, the prisoners were select; they were helped,
-in the matter of food, by the king of the City, the Lord Mayor: their
-fees were infinitesimal as compared with other debtors' prisons. Strype
-(ed. 1720, book ii. p. 179) says:--
-
- "Formerly Debtors that were not able to satisfy their Debts, put
- themselves into this Prison of _Ludgate_, for shelter from their
- Creditors. And these were Merchants and Tradesmen that had been
- driven to want by Losses at Sea. When King _Philip_ in the Month
- of _August 1554_ came first through _London_, these prisoners
- were Thirty in number; and owed L10,000, but compounded for
- L2,000. Who presented a well penned Latin Speech to that Prince,
- to redress their Miseries, and, by his Royal Generosity, to free
- them. 'And the rather, for that that Place was not _Sceleratorum
- Carcer, sed miserorum Custodia_; _i.e._, a Gaol for Villains,
- but a Place of Restraint for poor unfortunate Men. And that they
- were put in there, not by others, but themselves fled thither;
- and that not out of fear of Punishment, but in hope of better
- Fortune.' The whole Letter was drawn by the curious Pen of
- _Roger Ascham_, and is extant among his Epistles, Lib. iii.
-
- "If a Freeman or Freewoman of _London_ be committed to
- _Ludgate_, they are to be excused from the ignominy of Irons, if
- they can find Sureties to be true Prisoners, and if the Sum be
- not above L100. There is another Custom of the liberal and mild
- Imprisonment of the Citizens in _Ludgate_, whereby they have
- Indulgence and Favour to go abroad into any place by _Baston_,
- as we term it, under the guard and superintendency of their
- Keeper, with whom they must return again to the Prison at Night."
-
- [Footnote 74: "Garnish" was the _footing_ that every prisoner
- paid on his entrance, and woe become him if it were not
- forthcoming; he was simply stripped of his clothes.]
-
- [Footnote 75: Strype's "Stow's Survey," ed. 1720, vol. ii. p.
- 26 appendix.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVII.
-
-
-The Course of the Fleet is nearly run, but, before closing this
-account of the river, we should not forget the residence of the mighty
-King-maker, the Earl of Warwick, whose pleasant gardens ran down to
-the Fleet; and there, in Warwick Lane, after the great Fire, was
-built the College of Physicians, described thus by Dr. Garth, in his
-"Dispensary":--
-
- "Not far from that most celebrated Place,
- Where angry Justice shews her awful Face;
- Where little Villains must submit to Fate,
- That great ones may enjoy the World in State,
- There stands a Dome, majestick to the sight,
- And sumptuous Arches bear its oval height;
- A golden Globe plac'd high with artful skill,
- Seems, to the distant sight, a gilded Pill."
-
-Here they were housed until 1825, and, from the Fleet, could be seen
-the Apothecaries' Hall, in Water Lane, Blackfriars,
-
- "Nigh where _Fleet Ditch_ descends in sable Streams
- To wash his sooty _Naiads_ in the _Thames_;
- There stands a Structure on a Rising Hill,
- Where _Tyro's_ take their Freedom out to Kill."
-
-Then there was the Monastery of the Dominicans, or Blackfriars, which
-has given its name to a whole district; and there was a fortification,
-or postern, on the little river, near Ludgate Hill; and, close to its
-junction with the Thames, was Bridewell Bridge, so called from the
-Royal Palace of that name, which, in its turn, received its cognomen
-from another well, which went to form the "River of Wells," St.
-Bridget's or Bride's Well. This bridge is shown in the frontispiece,
-and was necessarily made very high in order to allow sailing craft to
-go under it.
-
-It was here that Pope, in his "Dunciad" (book ii.), thus sings:
-
- "This labour past, by Bridewell all descend,
- (As morning pray'r, and flagellation end)
- To where Fleet-ditch with disemboguing streams
- Rolls the large tribute of dead dogs to Thames,
- The King of Dykes! than whom, no sluice of mud,
- With deeper sable blots the silver flood.
- 'Here strip, my children! here at once leap in,
- Here prove who best can dash thro' thick and thin.'"[76]
-
-Ward bursts into song over Bridewell, thus:--
-
- "'Twas once the Palace of a Prince,
- If we may Books Confide in;
- But given was, by him long since,
- For Vagrants to Reside in."
-
-[Illustration: BRIDEWELL BRIDGE.]
-
-The Royal Palace of Bridewell stood on the site of the Castle of
-Montfichet, who is believed to have come over with William the
-Conqueror. Tradition assigns it a still earlier date, even Roman, but
-then, I don't say there was not a Roman fortress here, but I cannot say
-there was. Certainly Cardinal Wolsey lived here, and Henry VIII. held
-occasional Court.
-
-Strype, in his edition of Stow (1720) says that after the destruction
-of Montfichet Castle and its Stone being given away:--
-
- "This Tower or Castle being thus destroyed, stood, as it may
- seem, in Place where now standeth the House called _Bridewell_.
- For, notwithstanding the Destruction of the said Castle or
- Tower, the House remained large, so that the Kings of this
- Realm long after were lodged there and kept their Courts. For,
- in the Ninth Year of _Henry_ the Third, the Courts of Law,
- and Justice were kept in the King's House, wheresoever he was
- lodged, and not else where. And that the Kings have been lodged,
- and kept their Law Courts in this Place, I could shew you many
- Authorities of Record....
-
- "More, (as _Matthew Paris_ hath) about the Year 1210, King
- _John_, in the Twelfth Year of his Reign, summoned a Parliament
- at _S. Brides_ in _London_; where he exacted of the Clergy, and
- Religious Persons the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds; And
- besides all this, the _White Monks_ were compelled to cancel
- their Privileges, and to pay L4000 to the King, &c. This House
- of _S. Brides_ (of later Time) being left, and not used by the
- Kings, fell to Ruin; insomuch that the very Platform thereof
- remained (for great part) waste, and as it were, but a Lay
- Stall of Filth and Rubbish, only a fair Well remained there.
- A great part whereof, namely, on the _West_, as hath been
- said, was given to the Bishop of _Salisbury_; the other Part
- toward the _East_ remained waste, until King _Henry_ the Eighth
- builded a stately and beautiful House, thereupon, giving it to
- Name, _Bridewell_, of the Parish and Well there. This House he
- purposely builded for the Entertainment of the Emperor _Charles_
- the Fifth;[77] who in the Year 1522 came into this City....
- Being in Decay, and long disused, King Edward VI. gave it to the
- City in the Seventh[78] Year of his Reign.
-
- "It is seated near to _Blackfriars_; from which it is severed
- by the Canal of the _Fleet-ditch_. It was obtained of the
- King at first for an Harbour of poor Harbourless People, that
- lay abroad in the Streets. It was soon after improved to be a
- Workhouse, not only to give Lodging to poor, idle, wandring
- Persons, Beggars, and others; but to find them Work, to help to
- maintain themselves. But tho' this was granted in the Year 1553,
- yet it seems, it was not before Two Years after, that the City
- entred and took possession of it by _Gerard_ their Maior, having
- obtained Queen _Mary's_ Confirmation.
-
- "In the time of Queen _Elizabeth_, about the Year 1570 and
- odd, one _John Pain_, a Citizen, invented a Mill to grind
- Corn; which he got recommended to the Lord Maior, for the Use
- of _Bridewell_. This Mill had Two Conveniences: One was, That
- it would grind a greater Quantity considerably than any other
- Mills of that Sort could do. And the other (which would render
- it so useful to _Bridewell_) was, That the Lame, either in Arms
- or Legs, might work at it, if they had but the Use of either.
- And, accordingly, these Mills were termed _Hand-Mills_ or
- _Foot-Mills_.
-
- "This Mill he shewed to the Lord Maior, who saw it grind as much
- Corn with the Labour of Two Men, as they did then at _Bridewell_
- with Ten. That is to say, Two Men with Hands, two Bushels the
- Hour; or Two Men with Feet, two Bushels the Hour. If they were
- Lame in their Arms, then they might earn their Livings with
- their Legs. If Lame in their Legs, then they might earn their
- Livings with their Arms."
-
- --This, perhaps, is the earliest mention of the treadmill, as a
- punishment.
-
- Still quoting Strype, (same edition):
-
- "The Use of this Hospital now is for an House of Correction, and to
- be a Place where all Strumpets, Night-walkers, Pickpockets, vagrant
- and idle Persons, that are taken up for their ill Lives, as also
- incorrigible and disobedient Servants, are committed by the Mayor and
- Aldermen, who are Justices of the Peace within the said City; And
- being so committed are forced to beat Hemp in publick View, with due
- Correction of whipping, according to their Offence, for such a Time as
- the President and Court shall see Cause."
-
-Bridewell is well shown by Hogarth in the fourth picture of the
-"Harlot's progress," where both men and women are seen "beetling"
-hemp.[79]
-
-In a very rare tract called "Mr. William Fullers Trip to Bridewell"
-(1703) he gives a fairly graphic description of a prisoner's entry
-therein. "As soon as I came there, the Word was _Strip, pull off your
-Cloaths_, and with much intreaty, I prevail'd to keep on my Westcoat;
-then I was set to a Block, a punny of Hemp was laid thereon, and _Ralph
-Cumpton_ (a Journy Man in the Shop) presented me with a Beatle, bidding
-me knock the Hemp with that, as fast as I could. This Beatle is of
-Brazel,[80] and weigh'd about 12 pounds."
-
-Previously to this, poor Fuller had to stand twice in the pillory, on
-one of which occasions he was nearly killed by the mob, and when taken
-to Bridewell, all black and blue as he was, he had a whipping:--"My
-Hands were put in the Stocks, and then Mr. _Hemings_ the Whipper, began
-to noint me with his Instrument, that had, I believe, about a dozen
-Strings notted at the end, and with that I had Thirty Nine Stripes (so
-that according to a certain Almanack Maker, who reckoned Dr. _Oates's_
-Stripes by every String, I had twelve times Thirty Nine). I had given
-the Rascal Half a Crown, but he afforded me very little favour, but
-struck home at every stroak; I confess I could not forbear bawling
-out, but good Sir _Robert_[81] knockt at last, and I was let out of the
-Stocks."
-
-The prisoners, if they chose, could find their own food, but they were
-kept strictly at work as is quaintly put by Fuller--
-
-"I had, in each Shop, the Thieves for my Fellow-labourers, and the
-Journeymen, our Deputy Task Masters, were frequently calling to the
-Prisoners, _Why don't you Work there, strike hard_: Then threaten,
-and sometimes beat them with a small Cane. These Task-masters are so
-accustomed to keeping their Prisoners hard at Work, that I have heard
-themselves say, they have, frequently, (forgetting themselves) called
-out, when they had no Prisoner in the Shop, as before, _Why don't you
-work there_."
-
-Ward (in the "London Spy") gives an almost too graphic account of this
-prison, but expresses unmitigated disgust at the whipping of women,
-which took place there, and solemnly protested against its continuance.
-His description of a woman being flogged, is as follows:--
-
- "My Friend Re-conducted me back into the first Quadrangle,
- and led me up a pair of Stairs into a Spacious Chamber, where
- the Court was sitting in great Grandeur and Order. A Grave
- Gentleman, whose Awful Looks bespoke him some Honourable
- Citizen, was mounted in the Judgement-Seat, Arm'd with a Hammer,
- like a _Change-Broker_ at _Lloyd's Coffee House_, when selling
- Goods by Inch of Candle, and a Woman under the Lash in the
- next Room; where Folding doors were open'd, that the whole
- Court might see the Punishment Inflicted; at last down went the
- Hammer, and the Scourging ceas'd.... Another Accusation being
- then deliver'd by a Flat-Cap against a poor Wench, who having
- no Friend to speak in her behalf, Proclamation was made, _viz.
- All you who are willing E----th T----ll, should have present
- Punishment, pray hold up your hands._ Which was done accordingly:
-
- [Illustration: WOMEN BEATING HEMP.]
-
- And then she was order'd the Civility of the House, and was
- forc'd to shew her tender Back and Breasts to the Grave Sages of
- the August Assembly, who were mov'd by her Modest Mein, together
- with the whiteness of her Skin, to give her but a gentle
- Correction."
-
- John Howard, in his "State of the Prisons in England and Wales" (ed.
- 1777) gives the following description of Bridewell:--
-
- "This building was formerly a Palace, near St. Bridget's (St. Bride's)
- Well; from whence it had the name; which, after it became a Prison,
- was applied to other Prisons of the same sort. It was given to the
- City by King Edward VI. in 1552.
-
- "That part of Bridewell which relates to my subject has wards for men
- and women quite separate.[82] The men's ward on the ground floor, is a
- day room in which they beat hemp; and a night room over it. One of the
- upper chambers is fitting up for an Infirmary.--The woman's ward is
- a day room on the ground floor, in which they beat hemp; and a night
- room over it. I was told that the chamber above this is to be fitted
- up for an Infirmary. The sick, have, hitherto, been commonly sent to
- St. Bartholomew's Hospital. All the Prisoners are kept within doors.
-
- "The women's rooms are large, and have opposite windows, for fresh
- air. Their Ward, as well as the men's, has plenty of water: and there
- is a Hand-Ventilator on the outside, with a tube to each room of the
- women's ward. This is of great service, when the rooms are crowded
- with Prisoners, and the weather is warm.
-
- [Illustration: PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808.]
-
- "The Prisoners are employed by a Hemp dresser, who has the profit
- of their labour, an apartment in the Prison, and a salary of L14.
- I generally found them at work: they are provided for, so as to be
- able to perform it. The hours of work are, in winter, from eight to
- four; in summer from six to six, deducting meal times. The Steward
- is allowed eightpence a day for the maintenance of each Prisoner;
- and contracts to supply them as follows:--On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
- and Thursday, a penny loaf, ten ounces of dressed beef without bone,
- broth, and three pints of ten shilling beer; on Wednesday, Friday, and
- Saturday, a penny loaf, four ounces of cheese, or some butter, a pint
- of milk pottage, and three pints of ten shilling beer.... In winter
- they have some firing. The night rooms are supplied with straw. No
- other Prison in _London_ has any straw, or other bedding.... I found
- there in 1776:--
-
- March 13. Prisoners 20
- May 1. " 7
- Dec. 3. " 24."
-
-It continued as a House of Correction for the City of London until its
-abolition, with other Civic prisons by an Act of 40 and 41 Vict. cap.
-21, entitled "An Act to amend the Law relating to Prisons in England."
-But there was an exception made in its favour, and it still remains
-a House of Correction in a mild way--thanks to the very kindly and
-fatherly wishes and representations of the Civic Authorities.
-
-The good old days of Apprenticing boys to some craft for seven years,
-during which he was to serve his master faithfully, and in return, was
-to be housed, fed, and taught his business, have all but passed away,
-but not quite. There are still some refractory apprentices, as there
-ever have been. We know the common saying of "Boys will be boys,"
-which is applied in mitigation of juvenile indiscretion, but there is
-also another apothegm, "Little boys, when they are naughty, must be
-smacked, and sent to bed." Bridewell has always been a place where idle
-or refractory City apprentices have had the opportunity of pondering
-over the errors of their ways, and in passing this Act, a special
-exemption was made, and there still exist six cells, which, I am sorry
-to say, are frequently occupied by erring youths. It is all done in
-the kindest, and most fatherly way. The City Chamberlain from the time
-of the Indentures of the lad being signed, to giving him his Freedom,
-acts as his guardian, to a great extent. Has the lad any complaint
-to make against his master it is to the Chamberlain he must appeal,
-and _vice versa_. The Cause is heard _in camera_, and every effort is
-made to reconcile the parties, but, as will sometimes happen with a
-boy who is obstinate, sullen, or vicious, all attempts to bring him
-to a better sense fail, then the Chamberlain, by virtue of his office
-commits the boy to Bridewell, where he eats the bread, and drinks the
-water, of affliction for a while, a treatment, which combined with
-the confinement, hard work, and enforced sequestration from society,
-largely aided by the good advice of the Chaplain, very seldom fails
-to effect its object, and render that lad a decent member of the
-commonweal. It just arrests him in his downward path, there is no
-publicity, the thing is never chronicled in any Newspaper, as it might
-be, supposing no Bridewell existed, and the case was brought before a
-police magistrate--it need never be known outside his family circle,
-and he escapes the taint of being a gaol bird.
-
-Bridewell seems to have been long associated with apprentices, not all
-of them "_Thomas Idles_," I am happy to say; and Hatton in "The New
-View of London" (1708) writes, showing the tender care that the City of
-London have always had for their poor:
-
- "It is also an Hospital for Indigent Persons, and where 20
- Art Masters (as they are called) being decayed Traders as
- Shoemakers, Taylors, Flax-dressers, &c., have Houses, and their
- Servants, or Apprentices (being about 140 in all) have Cloaths
- at the House Charge, and their Masters having the Profit of
- their Work do often advance by this means their own Fortunes,
- and these Boys, having served their time faithfully, have not
- only their Freedom, but also L10 each towards carrying on their
- respective Trades, and many have even arrived from nothing to be
- Governors."
-
-This arrangement has, of course, had to "march with the times," and in
-1860 the Master of the Rolls approved of, and sanctioned, a scheme of
-the Charity Commissioners, whereby nearly all the funds appertaining
-to Bridewell are utilized by two industrial schools called "King
-Edward's Schools," most impartially divided--one at Witley, in Surrey,
-affording accommodation for two hundred and forty boys, and another in
-St. George's Fields, Lambeth, for two hundred and forty girls; so that,
-even in these latter days, Bridewell still exists, and, if the spirits
-of its numerous benefactors have the power to see the manner in which
-their money is being spent, I fancy they would not grumble.
-
-Before leaving the topic of Bridewell, as a prison, I must not fail to
-mention a notorious, but naughty, old woman who lived in the time of
-Charles II., commonly known as "Old Mother Cresswell." It is no slander
-on her memory, to say that her sense of morality was exceedingly lax,
-and she died in Bridewell. She evidently had saved some money, and with
-that curious spirit which possesses some people, and produces adulatory
-epitaphs, she would fain be better thought of after her death, than
-she was estimated when alive, for, in her will, she left a legacy for
-a sermon at her funeral, the preacher's remuneration to be L10, on one
-condition, that he should say nothing but what was _well_ of her. A
-clergyman having been found, he preached a sermon generally adapted to
-the occasion, and wound up by saying: "By the will of the deceased, it
-is expected that I should mention her, and say nothing but what was
-_well_ of her. All that I shall say of her, however, is this: she was
-born _well_, she lived _well_, and she died _well_; for she was born
-with the name of Cress_well_, she lived in Clerken_well_, and she died
-in Bride_well_."
-
-There was a fine old Court-room, which is thus described in the
-"Microcosm of London" (1808):
-
-"The Court-room is an interesting piece of antiquity, as on its site
-were held courts of justice, and probably _parliaments_, under our
-early kings. At the upper end are the old arms of England; and it
-is wainscotted with English Oak, ornamented with Carved work. This
-Oak was formerly of the solemn colour which it attains by age, and
-was relieved by the carving being gilt. It must have been no small
-effort of _ingenuity_ to destroy at one stroke all this venerable,
-time-honoured grandeur: it was, however, _happily_ achieved, by
-daubing over with paint the fine veins and polish of the old oak,
-to make a bad imitation of the pale modern wainscot; and other
-decorations are added in similar _taste_.
-
-"On the upper part of the walls are the names, in gold letters, of
-benefactors to the hospital: the dates commence with 1565, and end
-with 1713. This is said to have been the Court in which the sentence
-of divorce was pronounced against Catherine of Arragon, which had been
-concluded on in the opposite monastery of the Black Friars.
-
-"From this room is the entrance into the hall, which is a very noble
-one: at the upper end is a picture by Holbein,[83] representing Edward
-VI. delivering the Charter of the hospital to Sir George Barnes,
-then Lord Mayor; near him are William, Earl of Pembroke, and Thomas
-Goodrich, Bishop of Ely. There are ten figures in the picture, besides
-the king, whose portrait is painted with great truth and feeling: it
-displays all that languor and debility which mark an approaching
-dissolution, and which, unhappily, followed so soon after, together
-with that of the painter; so that it has been sometimes doubted
-whether the picture was really painted by Holbein--his portrait,
-however, is introduced; it is the furthest figure in the corner on
-the right hand, looking over the shoulders of the persons before him.
-
-"On one side of this picture is a portrait of Charles II. sitting,
-and, on the other, that of James II. standing; they are both painted
-by Sir Peter Lely. Round the room are several portraits of the
-Presidents and different benefactors, ending with that of Sir Richard
-Carr Glyn. The walls of this room are covered with the names of those
-who have been friends to the institution, written in letters of gold."
-
-This Hall was pulled down in 1862.
-
- [Footnote 76: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 77: Of Spain.]
-
- [Footnote 78: A.D. 1553.]
-
- [Footnote 79: A Beetle is a portion of a trunk of a tree, large
- or small as occasion demanded, sometimes more than one man
- could lift, _vide_ Shakspeare (2 _Hen. IV._ act i. sc. 2),
- "Fillip me with a three-man beetle," _i.e._, one with three
- handles. All exogenous fibres have to be crushed, in order to
- release the fibre from the wooden core, and this, which is now
- done by machinery, was then done by beetles, or wooden
- hammers.]
-
- [Footnote 80: Brazil wood.]
-
- [Footnote 81: Sir Robert Jeffries the President and Justice at
- Bridewell, when he knocked with a hammer the punishment
- ceased.]
-
- [Footnote 82: In Hogarth's picture both men and women are
- working together.]
-
- [Footnote 83: The writer is in error, as the event it
- represents took place some ten years after Holbein's death. The
- picture is now in Christ's Hospital.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVIII.
-
-
-Bordering upon Bridewell, and almost part and parcel of it, was
-Whitefriars, which, westward, ran to the Temple, and eastward to
-the Fleet. It is so-called from a Carmelite monastery, established
-here in the reign of Edward I. Within its precincts was the right of
-sanctuary, and, like the Jewish Cities of Refuge, offenders against
-the law might flee thither, and be protected from arrest. Naturally,
-the very scum of London floated thither, to the Mint in Southwark, and
-the precincts of the Savoy in the Strand, in none of which the King's
-warrant ran, unless backed by a force sufficient to overawe the lawless
-denizens of these localities. Whitefriars we may take as its original
-name, but there was given it a nick-name, "Alsatia," from Alsace, or
-Elsass, on the frontier between France and Germany, which was always
-a battle-field between the two nations; and so, from the incessant
-fighting that went on in this unruly neighbourhood, it acquired its
-cognomen.
-
-Sir Walter Scott, in "The Fortunes of Nigel," gives a vivid description
-of the utter lawlessness and debauchery of this quarter of the town,
-but his was second-hand. Perhaps one of the most graphic pictures of
-this sink of iniquity is given in Shadwell's "Squire of Alsatia," acted
-in 1688, and which was so popular, that it had a run of _thirteen_
-nights. Here we get at the manners and customs of the natives, without
-any glossing over; and, just to give an example of the real state of
-the district at that time, I make two or three extracts, showing how
-the denizens were banded together in mutual defence.
-
- "_Cheatly._ So long as you forbear all Violence, you are safe;
- but, if you strike here, we command the _Fryers_, and will raise
- the _Posse_....
-
- [_A Noise of Tumult without, and blowing a Horn._]
-
- _Cheatly._ What is this I hear?
-
- _Shamwell._ They are up in the Friers; Pray Heav'n the Sheriff's
- Officers be not come.
-
- _Cheatly._ 'Slife, 'tis so! 'Squire, let me conduct you----This
- is your wicked Father with Officers.
-
-
- _Exit._
-
-
- [_Cry without, the Tip-Staff! an Arrest! an Arrest! and the horn
- blows._]
-
- [_Enter Sir William Belfond, and a Tip-Staff, with the
- Constable, and his Watchmen; and, against them, the Posse of the
- Friers drawn up, Bankrupts hurrying to escape._]
-
- _Sir Will._ Are you mad, to resist the Tip-Staff, the King's
- Authority?
-
- [_They cry out, An Arrest! several flock to 'em with all sorts
- of Weapons, Women with Fire-Forks, Spits, Paring Shovels, &c._]
-
- * * * * *
-
- _Tip-Staff._ I charge you, in the King's Name, all to assist me.
-
- _Rabble._ Fall on.
-
- [_Rabble beat the Constable, and the rest run into the Temple.
- Tip-Staff runs away._]."
-
-So that we see how an ordinary sheriff's officer and the civil
-authorities were treated when they attempted to execute the law; but,
-further on in the play, we find a Lord Chief Justice's warrant, backed
-up by a military force--and then we see the difference.
-
- "_Truman._ What do all these Rabble here?
-
- _Constable._ Fire amongst 'em.
-
- _Sergeant._ Present.
-
- [_The Debtors run up and dozen, some without their Breeches,
- others without their Coats; some out of Balconies; some
- crying out, Oars! Oars! Sculler! Five Pounds for a Boat! The
- Inhabitants all come out arm'd as before; but as soon as
- they see the Musqueteers, they run, and every one shifts for
- himself._]
-
-And almost at the close of the play one of the characters, _Sir Edward
-Belfond_, moralizes thus:
-
- "Was ever such Impudence suffer'd in a Government? _Ireland's_
- conquer'd; _Wales_ subdued; _Scotland_ united: But there are
- some few Spots of Ground in _London_, just in the Face of the
- Government, unconquer'd yet, that hold in Rebellion still.
- Methinks 'tis strange, that Places so near the King's Palace
- should be no Parts of his Dominions. 'Tis a Shame to the
- Societies of the Law, to countenance such Practices: Should any
- Place be shut against the King's Writ, or Posse Comitatus?"
-
-This right of sanctuary was taken from Whitefriars by William III.,
-the nest of rogues, vagabonds, and thieves broken up, the occupants
-dispersed, and law reigned supreme in that once defiant place.
-
-We have now traced the Fleet River to its junction with the Thames.
-Poor little river! its life began pure enough, but men so befouled
-it, that their evil deeds rose against themselves, and the river
-retaliated in such kind, as to become a malodorous and offensive
-nuisance, dangerous to the health of those men who would not leave it
-in its purity. So it was covered over, about 1764 (for it took some
-time to do it), and the present Bridge Street is over its foul stream,
-which was curbed, and bricked in, forming a portion of our vast and
-wonderful system of sewers. It has taken its toll of human life, in
-its time, though but few instances are recorded. In the _Gentleman's
-Magazine_, January 11, 1763, we read: "A man was found in the Fleet
-Ditch standing upright, and frozen to death. He appears to have been a
-barber at Bromley, in Kent; had come to town to see his children, and
-had, unfortunately, mistaken his way in the night, and slipt into the
-ditch; and, being in liquor, could not disentangle himself."
-
-_Bell's Weekly Messenger_, August 2, 1835: "Some workmen have been
-for a few days past engaged in making a new sewer, communicating with
-the foulest of all streams, the Fleet Ditch. In consequence of the
-rain the men had left off work; and, soon afterwards, a young man
-named Macarthy, a bricklayer, proceeded to the sewer for the purpose
-of bringing away a ladder, when, owing to the slippery state of the
-works, he fell down the Sewer, but in his descent, caught hold of the
-ladder he was in search of, to which he hung for nearly a quarter of
-an hour, calling loudly all the time for assistance, though from some
-extraordinary cause or other, no person was able to afford him any. At
-length some of the labourers arrived--but too late; he had just before
-fallen into the Sewer, and was carried into the Fleet Ditch; and owing
-to its having been swollen by the heavy shower, floated along as far
-as the mouth of the Fleet Ditch, at Blackfriars, where his body was
-found, covered with the filth of the sewer, which the unfortunate man
-had met with in his progress to the Thames."
-
-And the _Times_ of October 3, 1839, records another fatal accident
-during some repairs.
-
-Naturally, this River was celebrated in verse. There was a very foolish
-and dull poem by Arthur Murphy in 1761 called "Ode to the Naiads of
-Fleet Ditch;" and, previously, it had been sung by Ben Jonson, "On the
-famous Voyage," which will be found among his epigrams. This voyage
-was from Bridewell to Holborn, and describes very graphically the then
-state of the river. Too graphic, indeed, is it for the reading of the
-modern public, so I transcribe but a very small portion of it, showing
-its then state.
-
- "But hold my torch, while I describe the entry
- To this dire passage. Say, thou stop thy nose;
- 'Tis but light pains: indeed, this dock's no rose.
- In the first jaws appear'd that ugly monster
- Y'cleped mud, which, when their oars did once stir,
- Belched forth an air as hot, as at the muster
- Of all your night tubs, when the carts do cluster,
- Who shall discharge first his merd-urinous load;
- Through her womb they make their famous road."
-
-[Illustration: 1768. THE ARREST. (Drawn from a late real scene.)]
-
- "Sir Fopling Flutter through his Glass
- Inspects the ladies as they pass,
- Yet still the Coxcomb lacks the Wit
- To guard against the Bailiff's Writ."
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-The Fleet Prison.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIX.
-
-
-This prison was of great antiquity, and its genealogy, like all
-respectable ones, dates back to William the Conqueror, at least;
-for we find, under date 1197,[84] "Natanael de Leveland & Robertus
-filius suus r.c. de LX marcis, Pro habenda Custodia Domorum Regis de
-Westmonasterio, & Gaiolae de Ponte de Fliete, quae est haereditas eorum a
-Conquestu Angliae; ita quod non remaneat propter Finem Osberto de Longo
-Campo." Or, in English, "_Nathaniel de Leveland and his son Robert,
-fined in sixty marks, to have the Custody of the King's Houses at
-Westminster, and the Prison at Fleet-bridge, which had been their
-inheritance ever since the Conquest of England; and that they may not
-be hindered therein by the Counterfine of Osbert de Longchamp._"
-
-There seems to have been some double dealing in this transaction, in
-which, as was only natural in those days, money went into the King's
-pocket.[85] "And Osbert de Longchamp fined in five hundred marks,
-to have the King's favour, and seizin of all his lands and chatels
-whereof he was disseised by the King's Command, and to have seisin of
-the Custody of the Gaol of London, with the Appurtenances, and of the
-Custody of the King's Houses of Westminster: provided that Right be
-done therein in the King's Court, in case any one would implead him for
-the same."[86]
-
-Robert de Leveland, the son of the foregoing Nathaniel, was bitten by
-the then fashionable craze for Crusading, for he is found, in 1201,
-petitioning King John for leave to delegate the care of the King's
-Houses at Westminster, and the Fleet Prison, to Simon FitzRobert,
-Archdeacon of Wells, for the space of three years, during which time
-he should be in the Holy Land. His prayer seems to have been granted;
-but he evidently drew a little money before he went away, for, in the
-Chancery Rolls of the same year, he was paid L15 10s. by the City of
-London, on account of the King's Prison of Flete, and he also received
-other sums of L10 12s. 10d. for the Custody of the King's Houses at
-Westminster, and L7 12s. 1d. for the Custody of the Gaol of
-_London_.[87] By which, and also by the foregoing notice of Osbert de
-Longchamps, it is evident that, at that time, the Fleet prison was the
-principal, if not the only, prison in London.
-
-Robert de Leveland re-entered upon his duties after his three years'
-leave, and a document is extant[88] in which he is excused payment
-of L10 he had borrowed; but (possibly in lieu) he was bound to serve
-beyond the seas--_i.e._, in foreign parts--with horses and arms.
-When he died is not known, but his widow evidently succeeded him as
-custodian, for in December, 1217,[89] his wife Margaret has the same
-allowance given her in regard of the King's Houses at Westminster "as
-the said Robert had been accustomed to during his life." Thus she was
-the first female Warden of the Fleet; there were others, as we shall
-see by and by.
-
-It is a moot question, and I put it forward with all reserve, as to
-whether there was not even an earlier mention of the Fleet before the
-very authentic case of Nathaniel de Leveland; but as it is open to
-objection that there were more Fleets than one, I only give the cases,
-and make no comment.[90] 1189: "William de Flete gave a Mark to have
-his plea in the King's Court touching a hyde of land, versus Randolph
-de Broy." And again,[91] in 1193: "Richard de Flet fined in one hundred
-Marks, that his daughter might be delivered from Ralf de Candos, who
-said he had espoused her."
-
-In the Rolls are many cases which mention the Fleet, but, although it
-was a House of Detention, for debtors, especially to the King, and
-persons committing minor crimes, it never seems to have been degraded
-into what we should now term "a Gaol." No felons seem to have been
-incarcerated there, and there is no mention of gyves or chains, but
-they were used in after years.
-
-It would seem that another "lady" Warden of the Fleet existed in
-Edward II.'s time, for, in 1316, "Johanne, late Wife of John Schench
-deceased, who held of the King in chief the Serjeanties of the Custody
-of the King's Palace of Westminster, and of his Prison of Flete,
-married Edmund de Cheney, without licence obtained from the King,
-in that behalf. Whereupon the said serjeanties were taken into the
-King's hands, and straitway the Treasurer and the Barons committed the
-Custody of the Palace of Richard Abbot, who was sworn _de fideliter_,
-&c., and the Custody of the Flete Prison to John Dymmok, Usher of
-the Exchequer, who was sworn in the like manner. Afterwards the said
-Edmund made Fine for the said Trespass, and the said serjeanties were
-restored." By which we see that thus early "women's rights" were fully
-recognized, and "employment for females" in occupations hitherto
-enjoyed exclusively by men, seems to have been in force.
-
-Although not in Chronological Order, I may as well add another, and the
-only other mention that has come under my notice of a female Warden
-(1677):[92] "A Woman Guardian of the Fleet, marries her Prisoner in
-Execution; he is immediately out of Execution; for the Husband cannot
-be Prisoner to his Wife, it being repugnant that she, as jaylor, should
-have custody of him, and he, as husband, the custody of her."
-
-Without some effective supervision, as is the case with our Prison
-Commissioners, abuses were bound to creep in, and the Governor
-or Warden of any Prison, (who doubtless had paid heavily for the
-appointment) had to recoup himself by squeezing the unfortunate
-prisoners, and we shall find several examples of this in the Fleet. The
-earliest seems to have been in the second year of Henry IV. (1400) when
-a petition was presented to Parliament[93] which prays, in its quaint
-Norman French that "les fees de Gardien de Flete sorent mys en certain"
-that the fees might be settled.
-
-It is possible that extra fees were taken for a certain amount of
-liberty allowed to the prisoners by the Warden, who would allow him
-to go out of gaol on certain conditions, and we may be certain, for a
-_consideration_ also. The Warden was answerable for his Prisoner, and
-if he escaped, he had to pay the debt, so that we may be certain that
-his ephemeral liberty was highly purchased. That this was the case we
-find in 7 and 8 Hen. IV. (1406)[94] "que si ascun Gaoler lesseroit tiel
-Prisoner aler a large par mainprise[95] ou en baile, que adonques le
-persone envers qi le dit Prisoner estoit condempne aureoit sa action et
-recoverir envers le dit Gaoler." Or in English, "_That if any Gaoler
-allowed such Prisoner to go at large, either by mainprize or bail, that,
-then, the Person to whom the Prisoner was indebted might have his
-action, and recover against the said Gaoler._" Yet, notwithstanding
-this, there were many actions brought against the Wardens for allowing
-their prisoners to escape. A relic of this power of the Wardens to
-accord a certain amount of liberty to their prisoners, obtained till
-the last hours of the Fleet. There was, in the _Rules_, a defined
-district surrounding the Prison, in which prisoners, on providing
-approved sureties for the amount of their debt, and paying some fee,
-might reside, on condition that they did not overstep the boundaries.
-That this custom of granting temporary _exeats_ was very ancient, is
-indisputable, for, in the 1 Richard II. (1377) a complaint was made
-that the Warden of the Fleet "sometimes by mainprize, or by bail, and
-sometimes without any mainprize, with a Baston of the Fleet," _i.e._,
-accompanied by a prison official, would allow his charges to go abroad,
-"even into the country."
-
-It is impossible to give a list of all the prisoners of note who were
-committed to the Fleet, and they must only be glanced at, but with the
-accession of Mary, some illustrious and historical names appear. First,
-and foremost, and almost immediately after her accession to the throne,
-we read, thanks to the preservation and collation, of State Papers,[96]
-that on the 29th of July, 1553, a letter from the Privy Council was
-sent to the "Wardene of the Flete, for the apprehensyone and commyttyng
-of the Lord Russell, Anthonye Browne of Essex, and John Lucas." All
-these prisoners seem to have been treated with great leniency, for
-there is a letter (July 31) to the Warden of the Fleet bidding him to
-give Mr. Lucas and Mr. Cooke _the libertye of his Garden_, so that there
-must have been a garden then attached to the Fleet prison--and a
-postscript orders that "he shall delyuer Mr. Anthonye Browne, and
-suffer hym to goo to his awne Howse."
-
-Nor were the others kept long in durance, for on the 3rd of Aug., 1553,
-the Council wrote to the Warden willing him "To set at libertye John
-Lucas, and John Cocke, Esquiers, giueing them Commaundement withall
-to repaire to their Mancion Howses and their to make theire aboode
-vntill they shall here further of the Queene's Pleasure." And even the
-incarceration of Lord Russell was mollified, for a letter was written
-on 9th Aug. to Mr. Garret, one of the Sheriffs of London, "whereby
-the Countesse of Bedforde is licensed to have free access twise or
-thrise in the week, unto the Lord Russell, her son, remayning in the
-said sheriff's custodie, so the sheriff be present at their Talke and
-Conference."
-
-I give the above so as not to spoil the continuity of the story,
-but there is mention of the Fleet prison long before; for instance,
-in 1355, Edward III. wrote "to his well-beloved and trusty, Simon
-Fraunceys Mayor of the City of London, Hugh de Appleby, and Robert de
-Charwaltone, greeting. Whereas we have been given to understand that
-the Foss[97] by which the mansion of our Prison of Flete is surrounded,
-and which, for safety of the said prison was lately made, is now
-obstructed and choked up by filth from latrines built thereon, and
-divers others refuse thrown therein, that there is cause to fear for
-the abiding there of the persons therein detained, by reason of the
-same; and because that, by reason of the infection of the air, and the
-abominable stench which there prevails, many of those there imprisoned
-are often affected with various diseases and grievous maladies, not
-without serious peril unto themselves. We, wishing a befitting remedy
-to be applied thereto, and that the said Foss may be restored to its
-former state, in which it was when it was first made, and so improved;
-and, for making provision thereon, desiring upon the matters aforesaid
-more fully to be informed, have assigned you, and any two of you, to
-survey the Foss aforesaid, &c."
-
-This warrant was followed by an Inquest held at the Church of St.
-Brigid in Fleet Street on Tuesday, the 9th of January, 1356, on the
-oath of Richard le Cok, (Cook) Nicholas le Sporiere (Spurrier), and
-Thomas le Glaswrighte (Glassblower) and nine others. From it we learn
-that the "Foss of Flete" ought to be ten feet in breadth all round the
-Prison; that it ought to be so full of water that a boat laden with one
-tun of wine might easily float round it; and that the shelving banks of
-the Foss were then covered with trees. Also that it was quite choked up
-with the filth of laystalls and sewers discharging into it; and that
-no less than eleven necessary houses (or _wardrobes_, as they seem
-very generally to have been called in the thirteenth and fourteenth
-centuries) had been illegally built over it "to the corruption of the
-Water in the Foss aforesaid; and to such an extent is the flow of
-water obstructed and impeded thereby, that the said Foss can no longer
-surround the Prison with its waters, as it should do."[98]
-
-The Acts of the Privy Council throw some light on the Fleet, giving
-several instances of Committals thereto, one of the first being 9 Hen.
-V. Oct. 14, 1421.[99] Wherein Hugo Annesley, who probably was then
-Warden of the Fleet, was directed to incarcerate therein one Grey
-de Codenore, who had been exiled, and having received his passport,
-remained in England, notwithstanding.
-
-In 1 Henry VI.,[100] 19 May, 1423, the "gardein de notre prisone de
-Flete" was commanded to bring before the King some prisoners whom
-he had in custody, namely Huguelyn de Chalons, Johan Billy, Johan
-de Cheviers, Regnault de Graincourt, Hellyn de Bassiers, Pierre de
-Mombreham, and Pierre de Pauniers "noz prisoniers prisez a la reddicion
-de notre ville de Harefleu."
-
-In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries are many notices of committals
-to the Fleet, so numerous that I can only mention a few, one only of
-which I give in the original spelling. 32 Hen. VIII. Sept. 9, 1540.
-
-"L[~r]es was also brought from the Lord P^ivey Seale, declaring a
-certayn affray to be made by S^r Geoffrey Poole in Hampshyre upon one
-Mr. Gunter a justice of peax, for that (as Poole sayd) one of Gunter's
-srvants had spoken evill of hym, and for that also that hymself Gunter
-had disclosed to the King's Counsail in the tyme of Poole's trouble
-certain secret conference which Poole had w^t hym. And answer was made
-to the sayd Lord P^ivy Seale that calling the complaynt eftesones
-before hym the lordes and others the gen[~t] and justices of peax in
-the c[=u]trey to thentent the cryme of S^r Geffrey might be notorious
-to all the C[=u]trey there he should c[=o]mytt the said S^r Geffrey
-to the Flette to remayne there until further knowledge of the Kings
-pleas^r."
-
-Evidently great interest was made for this naughty Sir Geoffrey, for we
-learn on Sept. 24th that "It was declared to the Lady Poole, the wife
-of Sir Geoffrey Poole, that the King's higness had pardoned her husband
-of his imprisonment," and the Lord Privy Seal was directed to release
-him. But he seems to have been a very cantankerous knight, for we find
-him in hot water again next year. April 8, 1541, "Whereas Sir Geoffrey
-Poole, Knight, had violently and contrary to the King's Highness' peace
-assaulted and hurt[101] Sir John Mychaill clerk, parson of Racton in
-the County of Sussex," and he had to put in sureties to keep the peace
-towards the said parson, and to answer the bill preferred against him.
-But it seems that he had some provocation, for a letter was written to
-him requiring him to remember, as far as he could, the "haynous and
-traytorous woords spoken by S^r John Michaell."
-
-On Nov. 7, 1540, Browne, the son and heir of Sir Matthew Browne
-of Surrey, was committed to the Fleet, together with some of his
-servants, for burning a certain stack of wood in Surrey. On Jan. 8,
-1541, John Gough of London, printer, was sent to the Fleet for printing
-and selling a seditious book. On March 18, 1541, there seems to have
-been a riot among some of the servants of the Gentlemen of the Privy
-Chamber, and three of them were committed to the Fleet. On April
-24, 1541, a smuggler was put into ward here, one Giles Hasebarde of
-Southampton, a "berebruer," who had put on board "a ship of Holland,
-named the Mary of Dordroyt," five pockets of wool, without a licence,
-intending to send them to Flanders. For this he was sent to the Fleet,
-the wool confiscated to the King's use, and the Master of the ship was
-mulcted in half the value of his vessel; but Hasebarde was not long in
-durance, as he was liberated on April 30th. To thoroughly understand
-the reason of this man's imprisonment in the Fleet, we must remember
-that he was sent there as being a _Debtor_ to the King, and in the
-fifteenth century it was a very common practice for delinquents who
-were confined in other London prisons to confess themselves, by a legal
-fiction, debtors to the King, in order to get into the Fleet prison,
-which was more comfortable. But to show the variety of so-called
-crimes, or misdemeanours, which were punishable by imprisonment here,
-there is the case of John Barkley of Canterbury, innholder, who was
-committed to the Fleet for having molested the King's Highness with
-sundry troublous supplications, and it was found that he "appered
-manyfestly to be a c[=o]men barrater[102] and a malicious [=p]moter
-of false and injust mattiers to the gret vexa[=c]on of the Kings
-faithfull subjects."
-
-It was also used as a house of detention, for we find Oct. 17, 1541,
-that Cowley the Master of the Rolls in Ireland, was examined, but
-because the time was too short to do it thoroughly, the Lord Chancellor
-sent him to the Fleet "untill syche tyme as the King sholde co[=m] to
-London." It seems to have been a refuge for misdemeanants, for April 3,
-1542, John Bulmer Esquire, for his wilful disobeying of an order taken
-between him and his wife by the Council, was committed to the Fleet.
-And does not Shakespeare make Sir John Falstaff a denizen of this
-prison? (Second Part _King Henry the Fourth_, last scene).
-
- "_Chief Justice._ Go, carry Sir _Iohn Falstaffe_ to the Fleete
- Take all his Company along with him.
-
- _Falstaffe._ My Lord, my Lord.
-
- _Chief Justice._ I cannot now speake, I will heare you soone:
- Take them away."
-
-Sir Rd. Empson, so well known in Henry the Seventh's time, was indicted
-for sending, without process, persons accused of murder, and other
-crimes, "to the late King's Prisons, to wit the Fleet, the Compter, and
-the Tower of London." And, from the Articles of Impeachment against
-Cardinal Wolsey, it would seem that he was in the habit of committing
-to the Fleet, those who thwarted him in his demands. One case (Article
-38) is: "Also that the said Lord Cardinal did call before him Sir John
-Stanley K^{nt} which had taken a Farm by C[=o]vent Seal of the Abbot
-and C[=o]vent of Chester, and afterw^{ds} by his Power and Might,
-contrary to Right, committed the said Sir John Stanley to the Prison of
-the Fleet by the space of a Year, unto such time as he compelled the
-said Sir John to release his C[=o]vent Seal to one Leghe of Adlington,
-which married one Lark's daughter, which woman the said Lord Cardinal
-kept, and had with her two Children; whereupon the said Sir John made
-himself Monk in Westminster, and there died."
-
-Here is another example of the Cardinal's highhanded method of dealing
-with those who did not exactly bend to his will, in Article 41 of his
-Impeachment: "Also where one Sir Edward Jones, Clerk, parson of Orewly
-in the County of Bucks, in the 18th year of your most noble reign, let
-his s^d parsonage with all tithes and other profits of the same to one
-William Johnson, for certain years; within which years, the Dean of the
-s^{'d} Cardinal's College in[103] Oxenford pretended title to a certain
-portion of Tithes within the s^d parsonage, supposing the s^d portion
-to belong to the parsonage of Chichley, which was appointed to the
-Priory of Tykeford, lately suppressed, where (of truth) the Parsons of
-Orewly have been peaceably possessed of the s^{'d} portion _out of the
-time of mind_: Where upon a Subpoena was directed to the said Johnson
-to appear before the Lord Cardinal at Hampton Court, out of any term,
-with an injunction to suffer the said Dean to occupy the said portion.
-Whereupon the said Johnson appeared before the said Lord Cardinal at
-Hampton Court, where without _any_ Bill the said Lord Cardinal
-committed him to the Fleet, where he remained by the space of twelve
-weeks, because he would not depart with the said Portion: and at last,
-upon a Recognizance made, that he should appear before the said Lord
-Cardinal, whensoever he was commanded, he was delivered out of the
-Fleet. Howbeit, as yet, the said Portion is so kept from him that he
-dare not deal with it."
-
- [Footnote 84: Mag. Rot. 9 Ric. I. _Rot. 2a, Lond. & Midd._]
-
- [Footnote 85: Mag. Rot. 9 Ric. I. _Rot. 14b, Kent._]
-
- [Footnote 86: Liberate Rolls, p. 25. _Rot. Lit. Pat. Hardy_,
- p. 4.]
-
- [Footnote 87: Rot. Cancell. 3 John, f. 100.]
-
- [Footnote 88: Close Rolls, 6 John, f. 33.]
-
- [Footnote 89: Close Rolls, 2 Hen. III., f. 346.]
-
- [Footnote 90: Mag. Rot. 1 Ric. I. _Rot. 2b, Bedef._ Til de
- Oblatis Curiae.]
-
- [Footnote 91: Mag. Rot. 5 Ric. I. _Rot. 2a_, Nordfolch and
- Sudfolch.]
-
- [Footnote 92: See Platt's Case cited Vaughan's Reports 1677,
- p. 243.]
-
- [Footnote 93: Rolls of Parl. vol. iii. p. 469.]
-
- [Footnote 94: Ibid. vol iii. p. 593a.]
-
- [Footnote 95: Allowing a prisoner to go at liberty on finding
- sureties.]
-
- [Footnote 96: Hayne's State Papers, vol. i.]
-
- [Footnote 97: The moat or ditch fed by the Fleet, which washed
- the walls of the prison.]
-
- [Footnote 98: See "Memorials of London and London Life in the
- Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries," by H. T.
- Riley, 1847, pp. 279, 280.]
-
- [Footnote 99: "Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of
- England," edited by Sir H. Nicholas, 1834, vol. ii. p. 303.]
-
- [Footnote 100: Ibid. vol. iii. p. 93.]
-
- [Footnote 101: Beneficed Clergy were given the title of Dominus or
- Sir--as Sir Hugh Evans, in the _Merry Wives of Windsor_.]
-
- [Footnote 102: A vexatious and litigious person--one who stirs up
- strife.]
-
- [Footnote 103: Christ Church, Oxford.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XX.
-
-
-The Fleet was, evidently, a handy prison, elastic enough to suit all
-cases, for on Aug. 19, 1553, at the Star Chamber, "Roger Erthe, alias
-Kinge, servaunt to Therle of Pembroke, and William Ferror, servaunt to
-the Lord Sturton, were, for making of a Fraye, committed to the Charge
-of Warden of the Fleete."
-
-In September, 1553, the Fleet received a prisoner whose name is
-historical wherever the English language is read, for the Privy Council
-being held at Richmond, on the 1st of Sept. "This day appered before
-the Lordes, John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester, and Miles Coverdale,
-Bishop of Exon. And the said Hooper, for Considerations the Councell
-moving, was sent to the Fleete."
-
-Turning from Mary's reign to that of Elizabeth, we find equal religious
-intolerance, for we read in Strype's "Annals of the Reformation, A.D.
-1582," that Fleetwood, the Recorder of London, sent a letter to the
-Lord Treasurer, informing him that one Osborn, a priest and Franciscan
-friar, had been examined, and confessed that "_in crastino Epiphaniae_,
-he said Mass in the Fleet (where many recusants were committed) in the
-Lord Vaux's Chamber, (to whom he was related) before that Lord, Mr.
-Tresham, Mr. Tyrwhit, and others," which three, at the London Sessions,
-in Guildhall, were convicted on Osborn's evidence.
-
-Fleet parsons were evidently an institution in the sixteenth century,
-for besides the above-mentioned Osborn, there was another committed
-to the Fleet, on May 27, 1584, one Sir R. Stapleton. His fault seems
-to have been that he had preached against the Archbishop of York, for
-which he was arraigned in the Star Chamber, and was, with others,
-ordered to read an apology--which he did--but in such a contemptuous
-manner, that he was sent to the Fleet.
-
-In the seventeenth century, many Puritans were incarcerated here,
-especially after the Restoration, when their gloomy fanaticism ill
-accorded with the ideas of the age. The bow had been strung too tightly
-during the Commonwealth, and when it was unstrung the reaction was
-great. So many were put into prison for conscience' sake. Even in
-Elizabeth's reign there were many in prison, and we can hardly wonder
-at it when we consider it was an age of religious intolerance, and
-the religion professed by these devotees was of a most unattractive
-character. Strype, writing of A.D. 1588, says of them:
-
- "In the Summer Time they meet together in the Fields, a Mile or
- more.[104] There they sit down upon a Bank. And divers of them
- expound out of the Bible, so long as they are there assembled.
-
- "In the Winter Time they assemble themselves by five of the
- Clock in the Morning to the House where they make their
- Conventicle for the Sabbath Day, Men and Women together. There
- they continue in their kind of Prayers, and Exposition of
- Scriptures, all the Day. They Dine together. After Dinner make
- Collections to pay for their Diet. And what money is left, some
- of them carryeth to the Prisons, where any of their sort be
- committed.
-
- "In their prayers, one speaketh, and the rest do groan and sob,
- and sithe,[105] as if they could wring out Tears. But say not
- after him that prayeth. Their Prayer is _Extemporal_."
-
-In January, 1600, Lord Grey of Wilton was committed to the Fleet, by
-Queen Elizabeth's order, for assaulting the Earl of Southampton, on
-horseback, in the public street.
-
-There is a fair bibliography of the Fleet prison in the seventeenth
-century. In 1620-1 there was a broadsheet published "A briefe
-collection of the exactions, extortions, oppressions, tyrannies,
-and excesses towards the liues, bodies and goods of prisoners, done
-by _Alexander Harris_, Warden of the Fleete, in his foure yeares
-misgouernment, ready to be proued by oath and other testimonies." This
-was answered by Harris, and his MS., which is in the possession of the
-Duke of Westminster, was published by the Camden Society in 1879,
-entitled the "[OE]conomy of the Fleete; or an Apologeticall Answeare
-of Alexander Harris (late Warden there) unto XIX Articles set forth
-against him by the prisoners." Of which book more anon.
-
-Then there was a "Petition to Parliament of the distressed prisoners
-in the King's Bench, Fleet and other prisons"--but this has no date.
-In 1647 was published "A Whip for the Marshal's Court by Robert Robins
-Gent, being his Petition to the House of Commons." The preface to
-the Reader, is dated from the Author's "Iron Cage in the Fleet." In
-1653 there was "A Schedule; or, List of the Prisoners in the Fleet
-remaining in custody May 25, 1653." Some of them were very bad cases,
-as "_William Gregory_ committed February 7, 1651, one Outlawry after
-Judgment, severall other Outlawries and Trespasses, no sums mentioned;"
-or "_Hustwayte Wright_ committed June 29, 1650, for L31 1s., Execution,
-besides Outlawries, Latitats and Cap. no sum appearing." "_Thomas
-Keneston_ committed Nov. 4, 1646, for 51,000 Actions, and severall
-Orders of the Exchequer." In 1669 appeared "A Companion for Debtors and
-Prisoners, and advice to Creditors, with a description of Newgate, the
-Marshalsea, the two Counties, Ludgate, _the Fleet_, and King's Bench
-prison." In 1671 was published "A Short Narrative, or Anatomie of the
-Fleet Prison &c.," by John Knap, M.D. In 1690 there was "A plea for the
-City Orphans and Prisoners for Debt." In 1691 appeared a soul-harrowing
-little book, called "The Cry of the Oppressed, a tragicall Account of
-the unparalleled Sufferings of the poor imprisoned Debtors and Tyranny
-of their Gaolers, with the case of the Publisher (Moses Pitt)." Here
-the interest is much heightened by numerous engravings showing how
-prisoners were beaten, made to feed with hogs, were covered with boils
-and blains, the females outraged by their gaolers, and many other
-enormities. I would fain quote at length from this book, but space will
-not admit of it. In 1699 we find "An Argument that it is impossible for
-the nation to be rid of the grievances occasioned by the Marshal of the
-King's Bench and Warden of the Fleet, without an utter extirpation of
-their present Offices."
-
-The Case as made out by the prisoners against the Warden, Alexander
-Harris, in 1620-1, was, if it could have been thoroughly substantiated,
-most damaging to him, but they overreached themselves by their manifest
-exaggeration. A few examples will suffice. There were nineteen counts
-against him all of grievous weight, but we will only take four as
-a fair sample. (1) Murder; (2) Felony; (3) Robbery; (4) Excessive
-Rates for Chambers. First, as to the Charge of Murder, this is the
-accusation: "After knowne quarrels and fightings between two prisoners,
-lodging them in one chamber, where, quarrelling and fighting againe,
-and notice to him thereof giuen, and of likely further mischiefe; this
-notwithstanding, continuance of them together, vntil the one murthered
-the other."
-
-This referred to two prisoners, Sir John Whitbrooke and another named
-Boughton. According to the Warden's account Whitbrooke did not deserve
-much pity. In July, 1618, he was given into the Warden's Custody, by
-the order of two Courts, to be kept a close prisoner, but he soon
-developed "dangerous energy," for on the 10th of the same month, almost
-immediately after his committal, he "came into the Warden's studdy
-where the Warden (in his gowne) was wryteing, and fashioned his speech,
-sayeing that he came to speake with the Warden about his lodging, who
-answeared that he would willingly speake about that, and money for it,
-whereupon the Warden putting dust[106] upon the wryteings and turneing
-his back to lay them aside, Sir John Whitbrooke strooke him on the
-head with the sharpe ende of a hammer, whereof one Cleft was before
-broken off, and the other cleft newly whett, giveing fower wounds to
-the scull, and some bruses before the Warden could close with him; but
-then the Warden thrusting him out of the studdy, did throwe Whitbrooke
-on the back, and took away the hammer, Whitbrooke (being undermost) did
-hould the forepart of the Warden's gowne soe as he could not rise; att
-which tyme the Warden's blood abundantly gushed downe upon Whitbrooke,
-and the Warden could have beaten out Whitbrooke's braynes with the
-hammer, but that he was neither wrothfull nor daunted.
-
-"Then after, two maydes servants (heareing the noyse) came into the
-roome, and one loosed Whitbrooke's hands from the Warden's gowne, or
-ells the Warden must have killed him to acquitt himselfe. Soe soone
-as the maydes came the Warden shewed them the hammer all bloody,
-telling them that Whitbrooke had wounded him therewith; the butler of
-the howse then alsoe comeing upp to cover the table, the Warden bidd
-him and others (which followed) to laye hands upon Whitbrooke etc.; but
-to take heed they hurt him not; soe they letting him rise and rest
-himselfe, he took a stiletto out of his pockett and stabbed the
-Warden's deputie cleane through the middle of his hand, which
-(notwithstanding it was presently dressed by a good chirurgion) did
-rankle upp to his shoulder, and was like to have killed him; he also
-stabbed the porter of the howse directly against the heart, and drewe
-blood, but it pierced not: he stabbed the gaoler into the hand and twice
-through the sleeve of his dublett, so as then they lay violent hands
-upon him, put on irons and carryed him to the strongest warde of the
-prison (called Bolton's warde)."
-
-And a perfectly proper punishment for any one who ran _amuk_ like
-Whitbrooke because there was an organized mutiny. "And upon this some
-three score prisoners breake upp all the strongest prisons and dores
-of the wards and Tower chamber, assaulting the Warden and his servants
-with weapons &c., according to a plott and purpose before resolved
-upon, as appeares by depositions."
-
-The poor Warden had no bed of roses, more especially as the female
-element was afterwards introduced in the shape of Lady Whitbrooke, who
-of course, was a warm partisan of her husband. Harris writes:
-
- "The lady alledgeth that in September the quarrell betweene the
- Warden and Whitbrooke was renewed.
-
- "The Warden answeareth that in July, 1619, Whitbrooke and
- Boughton with six others (being lodged in a great Chamber) they
- and six more shutt out thirtie of their Companie and fortefied
- the gaole against the Warden, refused all perswasions of the
- Warden, constables, and Alderman's Deputie, the comands of the
- Lord Cheife Justice, of the Lord Chauncellor and his Serjeant
- at Armes; yet yeilded to the clarke of the councell sent from
- the Lords. Whitbrooke and Boughton being then in one humour;
- and, upon unblocking the prison, Whitbrooke desired liberty; it
- was offred him upon security, he would give none, then he made
- question where to lye, to which was answeared there were five
- other roomes he might make his election of, which he would; but
- he said he would none other but where he formerly laye (it being
- indeed the fayrest). They fortified these roomes againe when the
- Warden was out of towne, soe as during Whitbrooke's life and
- Boughton's being there with their adherents the Warden had noe
- comand in that part of the prison."
-
-It is almost needless to say that these peculiarly unquiet spirits
-quarrelled among themselves. We have heard enough of Whitbrooke to know
-that he was a quarrelsome cur--impatient of restraint, and thoroughly
-lawless in his habits; but it is evident that he persuaded his wife
-that he was an injured innocent; for, in poor Harris's "Apologia pro
-sua vita," a story which he tells so naively, and so nicely, he says:
-
-"The lady alledgeth that the Warden (for revenge) resolved and reported
-he would send Whitbrooke to _Boulton_ to keepe.
-
-"The Warden answeareth that he for governement sake and to suppresse
-misdemeanours doth thretten to putt prisoners (offending) into
-_Boulton's Wards_ (Many yeares familiarlie soe called as he thinketh of
-bolts or irons put on them), where Whitbrooke was put when he wounded
-the Warden and his servants; he continued there but a small tyme, and
-was removed to a roome called the Tower Chamber (where Henry Boughton
-and many others did lye), thence Boughton was removed into the common
-prison in December, 1618, and Whitbrooke was removed thither June 16,
-1619, soe as to that tyme they lay five moneths within one lodging, and
-six moneths severed in other lodgings and noe quarrell stirred.
-
-"The Lady alledgeth that presently at their comeing together Boughton
-suddenly stabbed and wounded Whitbrooke, whereof he dyed.
-
-"The Warden answeareth that over and above the eleaven months
-aforesaid, yet from June 16th untill September 16, 1619, being 3
-moneths, they two combyned in their exploits against the Warden
-without falling out (for ought the Warden knewe), but 16 September
-Boughton fell out with Harvey (one of his chamber felowes), whom
-Boughton assayled with his teeth, and bitt him by the thombe, whereof
-Whitbrooke, Willis, Harvey, and others there lodged, advised the
-Warden, wishing him to take some course. The Warden sent divers
-messages by the gaoler to Whitbrooke to remove thence and to lye
-elsewhere; he would not, sayeing none should remove him but by
-violence, and they were so strong there, as the Warden could doe
-nothing, none ells durst come amongst them. Holmes and Maunsell offered
-him libertie amongst other gentlemen upon bonds.
-
-"The Warden acquainted the Lord Chauncellor of their fortifications,
-of some other stabbing there, of this particular brawle, and besought
-his lordshipp to send them to Newgate. The Lord Chauncellor comanded
-such motion to be made at the tyme of a seale; it was moved by Mr.
-Woomelayson, as appeares by his briefe, then his lordshipp wished oath
-to be made of this offence, and called for presidents[107] to remove
-them, in which meane tyme Boughton (being provoked and wounded by
-Whitbrooke) did stabb him, whereof he dyed within 13 dayes, and it was
-about 14 moneths after he wounded the Warden and stabbed his 3 servants
-as appeareth by the generall lodgeings and places where they laye,
-sometymes together, and sometymes severed, ensueing to be seene in the
-end of this answeare to this Article, and, if the testimony (which
-was long after delivered to the Warden, by a prisoner in the Fleete)
-be true, then the same Harvey, and one Tymothy Willis and Sir John
-Whitbrooke himselfe, did (of sett purpose) whett on Boughton to anger
-and quarrell, because they scorned Boughton and meant to assayle him.
-
-"When Whitbrooke, Boughton, &c., ymured themselves upp in the wards as
-aforesaid, a view or survey of the roomes was given the Lordes of the
-Councell, and they (_were_) satisfied.
-
-"After the tyme of the supposed quarrell (which was about Whitbrooke's
-and Boughton's fortifieing the house) they contynued lyeing where
-they were before, amongst others.
-
-"Wheresoever they had lyen they might quarrell when they mett, as
-Whitbrooke many moneths before broke Willis his head with a pott or
-candlestick."
-
-These two ill-conditioned animals fell to loggerheads, and Boughton
-drew upon Whitbrooke, and so wounded him that eventually he died. And
-this shows the very lax discipline that then obtained in the Fleet. Of
-course, no weapons should have been allowed, but "It is alsoe alledged
-that Boughton did provide a sword, and it was brought him by a woeman
-from whom the porter of the Fleet tooke it, and delivered it to the
-Warden (as he did indeed) and therefore say their accusers that the
-Warden knew the same sword was to kill Whitbrooke.
-
-"The Warden had it about a yeare and a halfe before this accident (of
-Whitbrooke's death) happened, and delivered it back againe to the
-woeman that brought it, with charge not to bring any thither whatsoever.
-
-"It was avouched that the sword was Boughton's, and put to dressing to
-a Cutler, who sent it home againe, so as Boughton might have killed
-Whitbrooke with it before it went to dressing, if he had intended
-any such thing. Nay, Boughton had alwayes in his trunck (as appeared
-afterwards) a stilletto so keene, so cleane and ready, as would soone
-have done such a fact if he had meant it; yea, swords and other weapons
-want not in the Fleete, and the Warden cannot prevent it. This fact
-was mere accidentall, and not precogitate as the lawe hath founde
-it, which acquitted Boughton of Manslaughter upon his arraignement."
-Harris, I think, and, most probably, my readers will agree with me, has
-made out a very fair case in his own favour; but I must not deal with
-the other charges against him at such length.
-
- [Footnote 104: Presumably, _from the town_.]
-
- [Footnote 105: Sigh.]
-
- [Footnote 106: There was no blotting paper in those days, but
- _pounce_ was used, which was either _powdered_ resin, gum
- sandarach, or copal, or powdered cuttle fish. I believe that
- _pounce_ may even now be bought at law stationers. It was
- dusted on to the wet ink by means of a pepper caster.]
-
- [Footnote 107: Precedents.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXI.
-
-
-The second count brought against him by his mutinous prisoners was
-"Remouing a prisoner out of his chamber, hauing 51 lib. 1 s. hid vnder
-his bed, which the prisoner required he might go to his chamber to
-dispose of, which was denied, and he thrust vp in another roome close
-prisoner, vntill the Warden and some of his seruants rifled his bed of
-that mony."
-
-Hear the Warden's defence:--"By this is pretended that one Coppin (who
-euer did beare the name of a poore fellowe) lost 51 li., with takeing
-whereof, if he dare charge any person or persons the Lawe is and hath
-beene open for him theis two yeares past. But his abettors haue putt
-it here rather to infame, then that they can think it true, as by the
-ensueing answeare appeares.
-
-"For Edward Coppin, liued as a poore prisoner in the Fleete for
-breach of a decree, and continueing above six yeares, would never be
-drawen to pay the Warden one penny for meate, drinke, lodging, or
-attendance; but at last he ran away, and was upon the Warden's pursuite
-taken againe, but before he ran away, he was sometymes restrayned of
-the libertye of the Fleete yards and walks (as is the custome of all
-prisons in England); and he lodging in the three Tower Chambers with
-sixteene persons, they often thretned their keeper to stabb him, to
-take away the keyes of the prison, to bind him, to hang him; lastly
-they fortefied that prison, soe that the Warden could not dispose or
-order them. And with two malletts and steele chissells they had cutt
-the stone workes of the dore, soe as noe locks or bolts could shutt
-them; and while they were thus doeinge Coppin came downe to fetch
-a mallett, wherewith he was taken beneath, and presentlie put into
-another warde aparte from his fellowes, about three a clock in the
-afternoone 15 July 1619, not speakeing of any money."
-
-Master Coppin was one of Boughton's gang, but even that _malfaiseur_
-could not back up his claim, for "A rumour was spredd in the Fleete
-that Coppin had lost 50 li. The Warden heareing thereof, sent for
-Coppin, and asked him: he said he would say nothing except Sir Francis
-Inglefield were present. Then the Warden said, Nay, Coppin, if you have
-nothing to say to me, you may depart againe.
-
-"Then the Warden was informed by Mr. Boughton and Wall, that the day
-before it happened that Coppin was removed, they had made meanes to
-borrowe some money upon a pawne, and Coppin professed and swore he had
-not so much (being fower (4) pounds) as they demanded. Then the Warden
-caused Coppin's trunck (being new and well locked) to be opened in
-Coppin's presence, and delivered it to him, in which Trunck within a
-Bagg put in a Box (as they said) there was about xxix^s; and then was
-sett on foote this rumour when Coppin had advised with Mr. Rookwood to
-doe it.
-
-"About January 1620, Edward Coppin confessed that he never receaved any
-money since he came to Prison.
-
-"Mr. Williams saith that he hath heard that Coppin hath confessed that
-he lost noe money."
-
-So we may acquit the Warden on this count. Poor Man! he had a rough
-lot to deal with, but it is to our advantage that it was so, for
-his refutation of the charges brought against him throws a flood of
-light on the domestic manners of the time, and of the Fleet prison in
-particular.
-
-The third count against the Warden was one of robbery, "11 lib. 6 s.
-taken out of the Trunk, and by violence, from the person of a close
-prisoner sicke in his bed, by the Warden and his seruants." And
-Harris meets this, as all others, fairly and straightforwardly. Says
-he:--"This toucheth money taken from one Thraske, then a Jewdaiser, or
-halfe Jewe, committed close prisoner by the Lords of the Councell, from
-whom, and such like, though in the Gatehouse, King's Bench, Fleete,
-&c., it hath beene used to take away and keepe their money, yet the
-Warden tooke not his until he abused it very dangerouslie, and whether
-this takeing away may be said Robbery, let the answeare followeing
-decide.
-
-"And although the complainte be used with a Circumstance, as if the
-Prisoner were sick, thereby to make a shewe as if the Warden gaped at
-his death and money; that was most untrue for Thraske was in perfect
-health."
-
-This prisoner was sent to the Fleet, to be put in the pillory, whipped
-and branded, and, besides, to suffer solitary confinement, but he found
-means to write letters to the King and the Lord Chancellor, and the
-Warden was much blamed for allowing him so to do. But poor Harris,
-who must have been plagued almost to death by his very recalcitrant
-charges, could not find out whence his prisoner procured his writing
-materials, and at last came to the correct conclusion that he was
-bribing the gaoler who waited upon him. So, with some servants, he
-personally searched Mr. Thraske's apartment and person, and found his
-pens, ink, and paper, and also L11 6s. in money, together with a bag
-and cord with which he used to receive supplies from outside, and by
-means of which he disseminated his pernicious literature. All of which
-the Warden very properly confiscated, but the money was kept, and used
-for the prisoner's benefit. "When Thraske had worne out his cloathes
-and desired other, the Lord Chauncellor bid the Warden buy for Thraske
-some cloathes, which was done accordingly, even soe much as Thraske
-desired; the Warden alsoe gave him money to buy wyne for his comforte
-at tymes." And, in the long run, the poor Warden declares that he was
-about L80 out of pocket by his prisoner.
-
-The last charge we will investigate, is that of "Excessiue rates of
-Chambers." (No. 13 on the list of 19) "Whereby orders no man ought to
-pay for any Chamber, the Warden allowing bed and bedding, aboue 2s. 4d.
-a weeke, he exacteth 8s., 10s., 13s. 4d. and of some twentie shillings
-a weeke without bedding." The Warden replies to this that "the Orders
-of the Prison are, That noe Parlor Comoners and Hall Comoners must lye
-two in a Bedd like Prisoners, They of the Parlor at ijs. iiijd. the
-weeke. They of the Hall at xiiijd. If any such will lye in the Prison
-then there is noe question of their payment, nor any more required. But
-the missery is this that none there will pay at all, but stand upon it
-that they should pay nothing, which is contrary to right, to Custome,
-and to usage.... An^o 1597. The Prisoners then Articling against the
-Warden Sett forth that one Prisoner paid xxxs. others xxs., xvs.,
-xiis., xs. a weeke for Chamber without Bedd. The Warden then made his
-Answeare to the Comittees that he took xs. a Chamber, and the rest was
-for more chambers than one, and in respect of Dyett, though they had
-none, but fetched it abroad.
-
-"Soe if Prisoners will have more ease than ordinarie, and a Chamber or
-two for themselves and theirs in the Warden's howse, they are by the
-orders and Constitutions to Compound with the Warden for it, it being
-the Warden's freehould, and demyseable.... To such prisoners as lye two
-in a Bedd, the Warden is to find them Bedd, and for Bedd and Chamber
-they are to pay. Whether by Bedd is meant all furniture of Bedding,
-that is to be doubted, for it was never put in practise; but as for
-those which lye in the Warden's freehould by agreement he is not bound
-to find them Bedd or Bedding except it be so conditioned. And such
-will hardly vouchsafe to lye on the comon Bedding which passeth from
-Man to Man; And the Warden can as hardlie buy a new Bedd for every new
-prisoner which cometh, and therefore the lodgings of ease were provided
-for men of quality and not for the mean sorte of prisoners, as the
-accusation would seeme to inferre; And when Mr. Chamberlayne informed
-against the Warden touching Chambers, All the cheife gentlemen in the
-Fleete certified under their hands that they held their Chambers by
-agreement to have a Chamber alone to each, and were contented with the
-rates."
-
-That the Wardenship of the Fleet was an onerous position, may be
-inferred from Harris's statement that "he hath had at one tyme the
-King's prisoners for two hundred thowsand[108] pounds debt, besides the
-affayres of State."
-
-That the office of Warden of the Fleet was of very ancient origin we
-have seen in the case of Nathanael de Leveland, and he also proves
-that it was heritable, for he, and his family, had held it for 130
-years, and more. And it had a far-reaching jurisdiction, for in the 3
-Eliz.[109] we learn that "Upon an adjournment of the term to Hertford,
-several prisoners were committed to the Castle there. This Castle was
-part of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Queen had granted a patent to A. of
-the Custody of this Castle for his Life; resolved by the Judges that
-the Warden of the Fleet shall have the Custody _there_ of the Prisoners
-committed by the Chancery, Common Pleas and Exchequer: For he is the
-Officer of those Corts; and although the Patentee has the Custody of
-the Castle, and though it be the Prison of the County, yet his interest
-ought to give place to the public weal, and common justice."
-
-In course of time, the Wardenship became a position which was openly
-sold; and our old friend Harris makes no secret of it. "They likewise
-alledge that I^o Elizabeth it was purchased by Tirrell at the rate of
-160 li. per annum and that long after it was held at 100 li. per annum,
-and refused for 200 li. But now that (thorough extortion) there is made
-4,000 li. per annum by the relation delivered to one Mr. Shotbolt.
-
-"To which is answeared, that the purchase paid by Tirrell, (as appears
-by the deed inrolled) was 6,000 markes or 4,000 li. which, if it be
-devided at tenne or twelve yeares purchase, being more than an office
-of that nature was worth in those dayes (which is above three score
-yeares past) it will bring 400 li. tenne yeares purchase, and therefore
-here is _sutor ultra crepidam_, for 160 li. at that rate would yeild
-but 1,600 li. in money, and there was not then the fift part of the
-buildings and lodgings which now are.
-
-"Mr. Anslowe (as is credibly informed) held it by fyne (and otherwise)
-at 600 li. per annum, and had but some part of the benefitts of the
-prison, nothing of the pallace at Westminster. And as for this Warden's
-valuation of it at 4000 li. per annum, it might be, supposeing that if
-the benefitts of the pallace were had &c. But what if the one with
-the other cost in expences 4,000 li. per annum, what will be then
-advanced?" &c.
-
-This selling of the Office of Warden, led to a great squabble in the
-early days of Queen Anne's reign, and it seems to have arisen in this
-way. A Warden of the Fleet, named Ford, in the reign of William and
-Mary, was found guilty of suffering one Richard Spencer to escape,
-but was acquitted of some minor charges, and a certain Col. Baldwin
-Leighton obtained a grant of the Office on April 6, 1690. On June 25,
-1691, this grant was quashed, and Leighton soon after died. A Mr.
-Tilley, in the fifth year of William and Mary purchased the Inheritance
-of the said Office, together with the Mansion and Gardens thereto
-appertaining, but on Dec. 23, 1704, judgment was given in the Queen's
-Bench that the Office be seized into her Majesty's hands, and this was
-affirmed in Parliament.
-
-The discipline in the prison at this time seems to have been very
-bad, so much so that many witnesses who could have spoken of Tilley's
-misdeeds were hindered from giving evidence, some by being put into
-dungeons; others, by violence, bribes, or other artifices. Take a case
-in point, which happened about this time. The case of Robert Elliot and
-others. "One Francis Chartyres was Arrested at the several Suits of
-the said several Persons, about the 4th of May last, all their Debts
-amounting to 140 l. and upwards, which cost them 20 l. to effect: And
-the said Francis Chartyres being a stubborn and an obstinate Man, and
-dangerous to Arrest, he having killed several Persons upon the like
-attempt, and at this Arrest run the Bayliffs through. And after he was
-taken, he by _Habeas Corpus_ turned himself over to the said Fleet
-Prison. And Mr. Tilley, and the Turnkey, and one Whitwood, an Officer
-of the Fleet, were acquainted, by the persons above mentioned, what a
-dangerous Man he was, and what it cost them to take him; but they took
-no notice thereof, and declared they would let him out for all of them;
-and so they did, and the next Day the said Persons Arrested him again,
-and he went over to the Fleet a second time, and was immediately set
-at liberty; who coming to the Persons aforesaid, at whose Suit he was
-Arrested, bid them defiance; saying, _He was a Freeman, for that he had
-given 18 Guineas for it_, and they _should never have a farthing of
-their Debts_, which they now doubt of, the said Chartyres being gone
-for Scotland."
-
-Hatton, in his "New View of London," 1708, gives, the boundary of the
-_Rules_, and also descants on the pleasantness of the Prison, as an
-abode. "Fleet Prison, situate on the East side of the Ditch, between
-Ludgate Hill and Fleet Lane, but the Rules extend Southward on the
-East side of Fleet Canal to Ludgate Hill, and thence Eastward to Cock
-Ally on the South side of Ludgate Hill, and to the Old Bayly on the
-North, and thence Northward in the Old Bayley both sides the Street, to
-Fleet Lane, and all that Lane, and from the West End, southward to the
-Prison again. It is a Prison for Debtors from any part of the Kingdom,
-for those that act or speak any thing in contempt of the Courts of
-Chancery and Common Pleas; and for the pleasantness of the Prison and
-Gardens, and the aforesaid large extent of its Rules, it is preferred
-before most other Prisons, many giving Money to turn themselves over to
-this from others."
-
- [Footnote 108: Equal in our currency to about three times the
- amount.]
-
- [Footnote 109: Reports of Cases, &c., by Sir James Dyer (ed.
- 1794) vol. ii. p. 204 a.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXII.
-
-
-Things got so bad that Parliament ordered a Committee to inquire into
-it, and they began their sitting in Feb. 25, 1729. But, previously,
-the prisoners had petitioned the Lord Chief Justice and other justices
-without effect, and those petitions with Huggins' (who was the Warden)
-replies were published in a folio pamphlet, which contains much
-information.[110] The first petition was in 1723, and it was mainly
-addressed to the extortions of the Master, the sixth Article alledging
-that the fees exacted by the Warden were in excess of those settled by
-Law, Nov. 14, 1693--instanced as follows:
-
- Warden. Legal.
- For liberty of the House and Irons at first
- coming in L2 4 4 1 6 8
- Chaplain 0 2 0
- Entering every Name and Cause 0 0 4
- Porter's fee 0 1 0 0 1 0
- Chamberlain's Fee 0 3 0 0 1 0
- The Dismission Fee for every Action 0 12 6 0 7 4
- Turnkey's Dismission 0 2 6
- ---------------
- L3 5 4 L1 16 4
- ====== =======
-
-The eleventh prayer of this Petition was, "And lastly, that for the
-better suppressing Prophaneness and Immorality among us, and that
-the Misery of Imprisonment may in some measure be alleviated by the
-Observance of good Manners, Cleanliness, and Quietude, we humbly pray
-your Lordships would enable us to regulate our selves in such Manner as
-the Prisoners in the King's Bench are empowered to do by a Rule of that
-Court, 20 _die post festim Sanctae Trinitatis_. 11 Anne."
-
-Huggins replied to all the petition, but his answer to No. 6 was "The
-Warden saith, That so soon as the Fees were settled by this Honourable
-Court, he caused a Copy thereof to be framed and hung up in the Common
-Hall of the House, signed by Sir George Cook; also a Copy of the Rules
-and Orders of the House, which said copies the Prisoners were pleased
-to burn, tear to Pieces, and obliterate; and the Warden denies that
-he has taken or receiv'd, or any for him, to his knowledge, more, or
-greater, Fees than were contained in the said Copy of Fees hung up in
-the said Prison."
-
-And as to the Eleventh prayer of the Petitioners "The Warden saith,
-that the Prisoners in general, are so very ungovernable, that they
-have tore up the Trees around the Bowling Green, and cut down several
-of the Trees in the back part of the Prison, set by the Warden some
-years since, for the better Accommodation of the Prisoners; also broke
-down the Stocks in the said Prison, and the Houses of Easement were
-fitted up lately by the Warden, they have torn it almost to Pieces,
-and committed other Outrages, and most of them, altho' two Years in
-Arrears of Rent to the Warden, refuse to pay him any Part thereof, and
-will by Force, and in defiance of the Warden and his Officers, keep
-in Possession of the Rooms and Furnitures, Swearing to stand by each
-other."
-
-Petition after petition was sent from the Prisoners to the Lord Chief
-Justice about the oppressions of Huggins and his myrmidons, and duly
-answered in some shape by the Warden, but there was one, in which the
-fourteenth Charge is as follows. "That the Warden, on the Death of any
-Prisoner detains the Body from his Friends and Relations untill they
-will pay him, what Chamber Rent was due from the Deceased; and in the
-mean Time his cruel and unchristian like Practice, is to make the best
-Bargain he can with the poor Family of the Deceased, for the Purchase
-of the Dead Body, in order to give it Christian Burial, at their own
-Expence, by which means he often extorts large Sums of Money, for
-granting the Relations the Liberty of taking away and burying the Dead
-Body; which tho' a very natural and reasonable Desire, is nevertheless
-often frustrated by their Inability to purchase it at his Price, and,
-rather than accept what may be in their Power to give him, he often
-suffers the Dead Body to lye above Ground seven or eight Days, and
-often Times eleven or twelve Days, to the great endangering of the
-Health of the whole Prison, by the nauseous Stench, which being often
-times the Case, is very offensive all over the House; and when he has
-refused what he thought not worth his Acceptance, he buries them in the
-common Burying place for Prisoners, when the Body is often taken up by
-their Friends to be bury'd their own Way, and the Warden seizes to his
-own Use the Cloaths, Furniture, and what ever else there is for Fees
-and Chamber Rent, which he pretends to be due from the said deceased
-Prisoner."
-
-Huggins' reply to this was diabolically insolent. "For Answer thereto,
-My Lords, the Deputy Warden saith, That scarcely a Prisoner hath
-died on the Masters-Side, that was not largely indebted to him; and
-therefore, possibly, he might have used endeavours to get what part
-of the Money was due to him, as he could fairly from the Deceased's
-Relations."
-
-But the Cup of his iniquities was rapidly filling. He made one Thomas
-Bambridge "_A Newgate Sollicitor, and a Person of abandon'd Credit_"
-(as the petition in the case of Mr. Mackphreadris describes him) his
-deputy warden, and then, things came to a climax. As we have seen,
-Parliament took cognizance of the scandal, and issued a Commission to
-inquire into the matter, and their first sitting was on Feb. 25, 1729.
-Their report was presented to Parliament on March 20th of the same
-year--so that no time was lost in looking into the evils complained of.
-
-It recites that Huggins by a gift of L5,000 to Lord Clarendon "did by
-his interest, obtain a grant of the said office (_i.e._, _Warden of the
-Fleet_) for his own and his son's life.
-
-"That it appeared to the Committee, That in the Year 1725, one Mr.
-Arne, an Upholder, was carried into a Stable, which stood where the
-strong room on the Master's side now is, and was there confined (being
-a place of cold restraint) till he died, and that he was in good state
-of health before he was confined to that room."
-
-Huggins growing old, sold his interest in the Wardenship of the Fleet,
-and his Son's reversion therein, to Bambridge and Cuthbert, for the
-sum he had originally given for the place; and then Bambridge, being
-his own master, went somewhat ahead, and the Committee found that he
-connived at escapes, sent his prisoners to Spunging-houses, or private
-prisons, not so long ago done away with, where they were well, or badly
-treated, according to the money at their disposal.
-
-And we read of one shocking case, which can best be given in the very
-words of the Report. "That these houses were further used by the said
-Bambridge, as a terror for extorting money from the prisoners, who,
-on security given, have the liberty of the rules; of which Mr. Robert
-Castell was an unhappy instance, a man born to a competent estate, but
-being unfortunately plunged into debt, was thrown into prison: he was
-first sent (according to custom) to Corbett's,[111] from whence he, by
-presents to Bambridge, redeemed himself, and, giving security obtained
-the liberty of the rules; notwithstanding which he had frequently
-presents, as they are called, exacted from him by Bambridge, and was
-menaced, on refusal, to be sent back to Corbett's again.
-
-"The said Bambridge having thus unlawfully extorted large sums of money
-from him in a very short time, Castell grew weary of being made such a
-wretched property, and, resolving not to injure further his family
-or his creditors for the sake of so small a liberty, he refused to
-submit to further exactions; upon which the said Bambridge ordered him
-to be re-committed to Corbett's, where the smallpox then raged, though
-Castell acquainted him with his not having had that distemper, and that
-he dreaded it so much, that the putting him into a house where it was,
-would occasion his death, which, if it happened before he could settle
-his affairs, would be a great prejudice to his creditors, and would
-expose his family to destitution; and therefore he earnestly desired
-that he might either be sent to another house, or even into the gaol
-itself, as a favor. The melancholy case of this poor gentleman moved
-the very agents of the said Bambridge to compassion, so that they used
-their utmost endeavours to dissuade him from sending this unhappy
-prisoner to that infected house; but Bambridge forced him thither,
-where he (as he feared he should) caught the smallpox, and, in a few
-days, died thereof, justly charging the said Bambridge with his death;
-and unhappily leaving all his affairs in the greatest confusion, and a
-numerous family of small children in the utmost distress."
-
-He squeezed everybody, made what rules he liked, and introduced new
-and pernicious customs, for, says the Report, "It appeared to the
-Committee, that the letting out of the Fleet tenements to Victuallers,
-for the reception of Prisoners, hath been but of late practised, and
-that the first of them let for this purpose was to Mary Whitwood, who
-still continues tenant of the same, and that her rent has, from 32 l.
-per. ann. been increased to 60 l. and a certain number of prisoners
-stipulated to be made a prey of, to enable her to pay so great a
-rent; and that she, to procure the benefit of having such a number of
-prisoners sent to her house, hath, over and above the increased rent,
-been obliged to make a present to the said Bambridge of forty guineas,
-as also of a toy (as it is called), being the model of a Chinese ship,
-made of amber, set in silver, for which fourscore broad pieces had been
-offered her....
-
-"And, notwithstanding the payment of such large fees, in order to
-extort further sums from the unfortunate prisoners, the said Bambridge
-unjustly pretends he has a right, as warden, to exercise an unlimited
-power of changing prisoners from room to room; of turning them into
-the common side, though they have paid the master's side fee; and
-inflicting arbitrary punishments by locking them down in unwholesome
-dungeons, and loading them with torturing irons."
-
-According to the Committee's report, Jacob Mendez Solas, a Portuguese,
-was, as far as they knew, the first prisoner that was ever loaded
-with irons in the Fleet. He was thrown into a noisome dungeon, which
-is described as a place "wherein the bodies of persons dying in the
-said prison are usually deposited, till the coroner's inquest hath
-passed upon them; it has no chimney, nor fireplace, nor any light but
-what comes over the door, or through a hole of about eight inches
-square. It is neither paved nor boarded, and the rough bricks appear
-both on the sides and top, being neither wainscotted, nor plastered;
-what adds to the dampness and stench of the place is, its being built
-over the common sewer, and adjoining to the sink and dunghill where
-all the nastiness of the prison is cast. In this miserable place the
-poor wretch was kept by the said Bambridge, manacled and shackled for
-near two months. At length, on receiving five guineas from Mr. Kemp,
-a friend of Solas Bambridge released the prisoner from his cruel
-confinement. But, though his chains were taken off, his terror still
-remained, and the unhappy man was prevailed upon by that terror, not
-only to labour _gratis_ for the said Bambridge, but to swear also at
-random all that he hath required of him: and the Committee themselves
-saw an instance of the deep impression his sufferings had made upon
-him; for on his surmising, from something said, that Bambridge was to
-return again, as Warden of the Fleet, he fainted, and the blood started
-out of his mouth and nose."
-
-The upshot of this Committee was that the House petitioned the King
-to prosecute Huggins, Bambridge, and their satellites, who were all
-ordered to be committed to Newgate for trial. Huggins was tried, or
-rather the preliminaries of his trial were arranged on the 20th of May,
-1729; but his trial for the murder of Edward Arne, a prisoner in the
-Fleet prison, by immuring him in the dungeon above described, from the
-effect of which confinement he subsequently died, did not take place
-until next day. After a long and patient trial, he was acquitted; and
-he managed, not only to survive his disgrace, but live to the age of 90.
-
-[Illustration: BAMBRIDGE.]
-
-Bambridge was also tried, at the Old Bailey, for the murder of Robert
-Castell, as before described, but he was acquitted by the Jury. Upon
-this acquittal, Castell's widow brought an appeal against Thomas
-Bambridge, and Richard Corbett, for the murder of her husband; but here
-their luck still stood them in stead, for they were both acquitted.
-Bambridge, some twenty years after, committed suicide by cutting his
-throat.
-
-Hogarth, in 1729, received a Commission from Sir Archibald Grant of
-Monnymusk, Bart., who was one of the Committee, to paint a portrait
-picture of his brother Commissioners with Bambridge, and the irons
-used by him in the Fleet. Bambridge is decidedly nervous--and a poor
-prisoner is introduced into the picture, though I cannot find, from the
-Report, that he really was before the Committee of the House.
-
-[Illustration: A PRISONER IN IRONS.]
-
-These prosecutions somewhat purified the atmosphere of the Fleet, but
-still there were grumbles, as there naturally will be when men are
-restrained in their liberty, and are left to brood upon their miseries,
-and incarceration; but the little pamphlet,[112] which airs these
-grievances, deals principally with the hardships of fees, and the
-dilapidated state of the Common Side. The title-page prepares one for a
-not over cheerful ten minutes' reading.
-
- "When Fortune keeps Thee Warm;
- Then _Friends_ will to Thee swarm,
- Like BEES about a _Honey_ pot:
- But, if she chance to frown,
- And rudely kick Thee down,
- Why then--What then? _Lie there and ROT._"
-
-The writer says that after the reign of Huggins and Bambridge, the
-Chapel was adorned--and the great Hall adjoining, formerly for the Use
-of the Prisoners, "is now made into a commodious new Coffee House, and
-thought to be as Compleat a one, as any in Town (wherein one of the
-Warden's Servants is put, to be useful upon Occasion). _Part of the
-Pews in the Chapel being taken into it to make it compleat,[113] and
-serves for a Bar and Bedchamber._
-
-"Opposite to the Great Hall, or Coffee Room, is the Begging-Grate,
-where Prisoners had an Opportunity to speak with a Friend, and
-sometimes get Sight of one whose Inclinations did not lead him to pay
-a Visit to the Place, wou'd drop a Shilling, and perhaps some Beer to
-the Beggars; but now the same, altho' of an ancient standing, is
-Brick'd up, and the unhappy Persons who can't submit to beg, depriv'd
-of viewing the Street, or seeing their Chance Friends." So we see, that
-although the comforts of the inmates had been somewhat looked after,
-this little privilege, which they had long enjoyed, and, doubtless, as
-long abused, was taken from them. It was, afterwards, restored.
-
- [Footnote 110: "A True State of the Proceedings of the
- Prisoners in the Fleet Prison, in Order to the Redressing
- their Grievances before the Court of Common Pleas."]
-
- [Footnote 111: A spunging-house.]
-
- [Footnote 112: "Remarks on the Fleet Prison or Lumber-House
- for Men and Women. Written by a prisoner &c., published in the
- Fleet, 1733."]
-
- [Footnote 113: The _italics_ are mine.--J. A.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIII.
-
-
-But enough of the miserables in connection with the Fleet Prison. We
-shall find that it is even possible for a prisoner to write pleasantly,
-nay, even somewhat humorously, upon his position, as we may see by the
-perusal of a poem entitled "The _Humours_ of the Fleet. An humorous,
-descriptive Poem. Written by a Gentleman of the College" &c., Lond.
-1749. Under the frontispiece, which represents the introduction of a
-prisoner into its precincts, is a poem of thirty-two lines, of which
-the following is a portion:--
-
-THE DEBTORS' WELCOME TO THEIR BROTHER.
-
-[Illustration: music]
-
- Wel-come, wel-come, Bro-ther Debt-or, To this poor but mer-ry
- place, Where no Bay-liff, Dun, or Set-ter Dare to shew their fright-ful
- face. But, kind Sir, as you're a Stran-ger, Down your Gar-nish you must
- lay, Or your Coat will be in Danger,--You must ei-ther strip or pay.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Here we see, very vividly depicted, the introduction of a new prisoner;
-the Chamberlain is introducing him to the Cook, whilst the Goaler and
-Tapster seem, already, to have made his acquaintance.
-
-The notes appended to the Poem are in the original.
-
-After a somewhat long exordium on prosperity and poverty, together with
-the horrors of a spunging-house, and imagining that the debtor has
-obtained his _Habeas_, which would permit him to choose his prison, the
-Poet thus sings:
-
- "Close by the Borders of a slimy Flood,
- Which now in secret rumbles thro' the Mud;
- (Tho' heretofore it roll'd expos'd to Light,
- Obnoxious to th' offended City's Sight.)[114]
-
- "Twin Arches now the Sable Stream enclose
- Upon whose Basis late a Fabrick rose;
- In whose extended oblong Boundaries, }
- Are Shops and Sheds, and Stalls of all Degrees, }
- For Fruit, Meat, Herbage, Trinkets, Pork and Peas }
- A prudent City Scheme, and kindly meant;
- The Town's oblig'd, their Worships touch the Rent.
-
- "Near this commodious Market's miry Verge,
- The Prince of Prisons Stands, compact and large;
- When, by the Jigger's[115] more than magick Charm,
- Kept from the Pow'r of doing Good--or Harm,
- Relenting Captives only ruminate
- Misconduct past, and curse their present State;
- Tho' sorely griev'd, few are so void of Grace,
- As not to wear a seeming chearful Face:
- In Drinks or Sports ungrateful Thoughts must die,
- For who can bear Heart-wounding Calumny?
- Therefore Cabals engage of various Sorts,
- To walk, to drink, or play at different Sports:
- Here, on the oblong Table's verdant Plain,
- The ivory Ball bounds, and rebounds again;[116]
- There, at Backgammon, two sit _tete a tete_,
- And curse alternately their Adverse Fate;
- These are at Cribbage, those at Whist engag'd
- And, as they lose, by turns become enrag'd:
- Some of more sedentary Temper, read
- Chance-medley Books, which duller Dullness breed;
- Or Politicks in Coffee-Room, some pore
- The Papers and Advertisements thrice o'er:
- Warm'd with the _Alderman_,[117] some set up late,
- To fix th' Insolvent Bill, and Nation's Fate;
- Hence, knotty Points at different Tables rise,
- And either Party's wond'rous, wond'rous wise:
- Some of low Taste, ring Hand Bells, direful Noise!
- And interrupt their Fellows' harmless Joys;
- Disputes more noisy now a Quarrel breeds.
- And Fools on both Sides fall to Loggerheads:
- Till wearied with persuasive Thumps and Blows,
- They drink, and Friends, as tho' they ne'er were Foes.
-
- "Without Distinction, intermix'd is seen,
- A 'Squire quite dirty, a Mechanick clean:
- The Spendthrift Heir, who in his Chariot roll'd,
- All his Possessions gone, Reversions sold,
- Now mean, as once Profuse, the stupid Sot
- Sits by a _Runner's_ Side,[118] and _shules_[119] a Pot.
-
- "Some Sots ill-manner'd, drunk, a harmless Fight!
- Rant noisy thro' the Galleries all Night;
- For which, if Justice had been done of late,
- The Pump[120] had been three pretty Masters Fate.
- With Stomacks empty, and Heads full of Care
- Some Wretches swill the Pump and walk the Bare;[121]
- Within whose ample Oval is a Court, }
- Where the more Active and Robust resort, }
- And glowing, exercise a manly Sport }
- (Strong Exercise with mod'rate Food is good,
- It drives in sprightful Streams the circling Blood;)
- While these with Rackets strike the flying Ball,
- Some play at Nine Pins, Wrestlers take a Fall;
- Beneath a Tent some drink, and some above
- Are slily in their Chambers making Love;
- _Venus_ and _Bacchus_ each keeps here a Shrine,
- And many Vot'ries have to Love and Wine.
-
- "Such the Amusement of this merry Jail,
- Which you'll not reach, if Friends or Money fail:
- For e'er its three-fold Gates it will unfold,
- The destin'd Captive must produce some Gold:
- Four Guineas, at the least, for diff'rent Fees,
- Compleats your _Habeas_, and commands the keys;
- Which done, and safely in, no more you're led,
- If you have Cash, you'll find a Friend and Bed;
- But, that deficient, you'll but Ill betide,
- Lie in the Hall,[122] perhaps, or Common Side.[123]
-
- "But now around you gazing _Jiggers_[124] swarm,
- To draw your Picture, that's their usual Term;
- Your Form and Features strictly they survey,
- Then leave you, (if you can) to run away.
-
- "To them succeeds the Chamberlain, to see}
- If you and he are likely to agree;}
- Whether you'll tip,[125] or pay your Master's Fee.[126]}
- Ask him how much? 'Tis one Pound six and eight;
- And, if you want, he'll not the Twopence bate:
- When paid, he puts on an important Face,
- And shews _Mount Scoundrel_[127] for a charming Place:
- You stand astonish'd at the darken'd Hole,
- Sighing, the Lord have Mercy on my Soul!
- And ask, have you no other Rooms, Sir, pray?
- Perhaps enquire what Rent too, you're to pay:
- Entreating that he wou'd a better seek;
- The Rent (cries gruffly's)--Half a Crown a Week.
- The Rooms have all a Price, some good, some bad;
- But pleasant ones at present can't be had:
- This Room, in my Opinion's not amiss; }
- Then cross his venal Palm with half a Piece[128] }
- He strait accosts you with another Face. }
-
- "Sir you're a Gentleman;--I like you well,
- But who are such at first, we cannot tell;
- Tho' your Behaviour speaks you what I thought,
- And therefore I'll oblige you as I ought:
-
- "How your Affairs may stand, I do not know,
- But here, Sir, Cash does frequently run low.
- I'll serve you,--don't be lavish,--only mum!
- Take my Advice, I'll help you to a Chum![129]
- A Gentleman, Sir,--see, and hear him speak,
- With him you'll pay but fifteen Pence a Week;[130]
- Yet his Apartment's on the Upper Floor,[131]
- Well furnish'd, clean and nice; who'd wish for more?
- A Gentleman of Wit and Judgment too!
- Who knows the Place;[132] what's what, and who is who;
- My Praise, alas! can't equal his Deserts;
- In brief,--you'll find him, Sir, a Man of Parts.
-
- "Thus, while his fav'rite Friend he recommends,
- He compasses at once their several Ends;
- The new come Guest is pleas'd, that he should meet
- So kind a Chamberlain, a Chum so neat:
- But, as conversing thus, they nearer come,
- Behold before his Door, the destin'd Chum.
-
- "Why stood he there, himself could scarcely tell;
- But there he had not stood, had Things gone well:
- Had one poor Half-penny but blest his Fob, }
- Or, if in Prospect he had seen a Job, }
- H'had strain'ed his Credit for a Dram of Bob,[133] }
- But now, in pensive Mood, with Head down cast,
- His Eyes transfix'd as tho' they look'd their last;
- One Hand his open Bosom lightly held,
- And one an empty Breeches Pocket fill'd.
- His Dowlas Shirt no Stock or Cravat bore,
- And on his Head, no Hat or Wig he wore;
- But a once black shag Cap, surcharg'd with Sweat;
- His Collar, here a Hole, and there a Pleat;
- Both grown alike in Colour, that--alack!
- This, neither now was White, nor that was Black;
- But match'd his dirty yellow Beard so true,
- They form'd a three-fold Cast of Brick dust Hue;
- Meagre his Look, and in his nether Jaw
- Was stuff'd an elemosynary Chaw;[134]
- (Whose Juice serves present Hunger to asswage,
- Which yet returns again with tenfold Rage;)
- His Coat, which catch'd the Droppings from his Chin,
- Was clos'd at Bottom with a Corking-Pin;
- His Breeches Waistband a long Skewer made fast,
- While he from _Scotland_ Dunghill[135] snatch'd in Haste;
- His Shirt-Tail thin as Lawn, but not so white,
- Barely conceal'd his lank Affairs from Sight;
- Loose were his Knee Bands, and unty'd his Hose,
- Coax'd[136] in the Heel, in pulling o'er his Toes;
- Which spite of all his circumspective Care,
- Did thro' his broken dirty Shoes appear.
-
- "Just in this hapless Trim and pensive Plight,
- The old Collegian[137] stood confess'd to Sight;
- Whom, when our new-come Guest at first beheld,
- He started back, with great Amazement fill'd;
- Turns to the Chamberlain, says, bless my Eyes! }
- Is this the Man you told me was so nice? }
- I meant his Room was so Sir, he replies; }
- The Man is now in Dishabille and Dirt,
- He shaves To-morrow tho', and turns his Shirt;
- Stand not at Distance, I'll present you, come
- My Friend, how is't? I've brought you here a Chum;
- One that's a Gentleman; a worthy Man,
- And you'll oblige me, serve him all you can.
-
- "The Chums salute, the old Collegian first
- Bending his Body almost to the Dust;
- Upon his Face unusual Smiles appear
- And long abandon'd Hope his Spirits chear
- Thought he, Relief's at hand, and I shall eat; }
- Will you walk in, good Sir, and take a Seat! }
- We have what's decent here, tho' not compleat; }
- As for myself, I scandalize the Room,
- But you'll consider, Sir, that I'm at Home;
- Tho' had I thought a Stranger to have seen,
- I should have ordered Matters to've been clean;
- But here, amongst ourselves, we never mind,
- Borrow or lend--reciprocally kind;
- Regard not Dress;--tho' Sir, I have a Friend
- Has Shirts enough, and, if you please, I'll send.
- No Ceremony, Sir, you give me Pain;
- I have a clean Shirt, Sir.--But have you twain?
- O, yes, and twain to boot, and those twice told,
- Besides, I thank my Stars, a Piece of Gold.
- Why, then I'll be so free, Sir, as to borrow,
- I mean a Shirt, Sir,--only till To-morrow.
- You're welcome, Sir,--I'm glad you are so free.
- Then turns the old Collegian round with Glee;
- Whispers the Chamberlain with secret Joy,
- We live to-night!--I'm sure he'll pay his Foy:
- Turns to his Chum again with Eagerness,
- And thus bespeaks him with his best Address;
-
- "See, Sir, how pleasant, what a Prospect's there;
- Below you see them sporting on the Bare;
- Above, the Sun, Moon, Star, engage the Eye,
- And those Abroad can't see beyond the Sky:
- These rooms are better far than those beneath,
- A clearer Light, a sweeter Air we breath;
- A decent Garden does our Window grace,
- With Plants untainted, undistain'd the Glass;
- And welcome Showers descending from above
- In gentle Drops of Rain, which Flowers love:
- In short, Sir, nothing can be well more sweet:
- But, I forgot--perhaps you chuse to eat;
- Tho', for my part, I've nothing of my own,
- To-day I scrap'd my Yesterday's Blade Bone;
- But we can send--Ay, Sir, with all my Heart,
- (Then very opportunely enters _Smart_).[138]
- O, here's our Cook, he dresses all Things well;
- Will you sup here, or do you chuse the Cell?
- There's mighty good Accommodations there,
- Rooms plenty, or a Box in Bartholm' Fair;[139]
- There, too, we can divert you, and may shew
- Some Characters are worth your while to know,
-
- Replies the new Collegian, nothing more }
- I wish to see, be pleas'd to go before; }
- And, _Smart_, provide a handsome Dish for Four.}
-
- "Too generous Man! but 'tis our hapless Fate
- In all Conditions, to be wise too late;
- For, even in Prison, those who have been free,
- Will shew, if able, Generosity;
- Yet find, too soon, when lavish of their Store,}
- How hard, when gone, it is to come at more; }
- And every Artifice in vain explore. }
- Some Messages Abroad, by Runners send.
- Some Letters write to move an absent Friend;
- And by Submission, having begg'd a Crown,
- In one night's Revel here they'll kick it down.[140]
- 'Tis true, this one Excuse they have indeed,
- When others _Cole it_,[141] they as freely _bleed_;[142]
- When the Wind's fair, and brings in Ships with Store[143]
- Each spends in turn, and trusts to Fate for more.
-
- * * * * *
-
- "The future Chums and Chamberlain descend
- The Dirt[144] knot Stairs, and t'wards the kitchen bend;
- Which gain'd, they find a merry Company,
- Listening to Tales (from _Smart_) of Baudry,
- All introduced with awkward Simile,[145]
- Whose Applications miss the Purpose pat.
- But in the Fire now burns th' unheeded Fat,
- Whose sudden Blaze brings L--nd--r[146] roaring in;
- Then _Smart_ looks foolish, and forsakes his Grin.
- The laughing Audience alter, too, their Tone,
- For who can smile, that sees Tom L--nd--r frown?
- He, magisterial rules the panic Cell,
- And rivals _Belzebub_,--in looking well:
- Indignant now, he darts malicious Eyes,
- While each Dependant from the Kitchen flies;
- Leaves _Smart_ to combat with his furious Ire,
- Who heeds him not, but strives to clear the Fire;
- Blowing and stirring still, no Pains he spares,
- And mute remains, while _Major Domo_ swears;
- Who bellows loud Anathemas on _Smart_,
- And the last Curse he gives is D--n your Heart;
- His trembling Lips are pale, his Eyeballs roll;
- Till, spent with Rage, he quits him with a Growl.
-
- "Now, as our new-come Guest observ'd this Scene,
- (As odd an one, perhaps, as could be seen)
- He first on _Smart_, next on his Master gaz'd,
- And at the two extreams seem'd much amaz'd;
- Which _Smart_ perceiving, says in sober Mood, }
- Sir, I've a thousand Times his Fury stood; }
- But, yet, the Man tho' passionate, is good; }
- I never speak when he begins to bawl,
- For, should I swear like him, the House would fall."
-
-Here follow two or three pages of but little interest to the reader and
-the Story continues:
-
- "But I forgot;--the Stranger and his Chum,
- With t'other to, to _Barth'l'mew Fair_ are come;
- Where, being seated, and the Supper past,
- They drink so deep, and put about so fast,
- That 'ere the warning Watchman walks about,
- With dismal Tone repeating,--Who goes out?[147]
- 'Ere St. _Paul's_ Clock no longer will withold
- From striking Ten, and the Voice cries,--All told.[148]
- 'Ere this, our new Companions, every one
- In roaring Mirth and Wine, so far were gone,
- That every Sense from ev'ry Part was fled,
- And were with Difficulty got to Bed;
- Where in the Morn, recover'd from his Drink,
- The new _Collegian_ may have Time to think;
- And, recollecting how he spent the Night,
- Explore his Pockets, and not find a Doit.
-
- "Too thoughtless Man! to lavish thus away
- A Week's Support in less than half a Day;
- But 'tis a Curse attends this wretched Place,
- To pay for dear bought Wit in little Space:
- The Time shall come, when this new Tenant here,
- Will in his Turn _shule_ for a Pot of Beer;
- Repent the melting of his Cash too fast,
- And snap at Strangers for a Nights Repast."
-
- [Footnote 114: Where the _Fleet Market_ is now, there was, a
- few Years since, a Ditch, with a Muddy Channel of Water. The
- Market was built at the expense of the Lord Mayor and Court of
- Aldermen, who receive the Rent for it.]
-
- [Footnote 115: The Doorkeeper, or he who opens and shuts the
- _Jigg_, is call'd the _Jigger_.]
-
- [Footnote 116: Billiards is a very common Game here.]
-
- [Footnote 117: Fine Ale drank in the Coffee-Room, call'd the
- _Alderman_, because brew'd at Alderman _Parson's_.]
-
- [Footnote 118: A _Runner_, is a Fellow that goes Abroad of
- Errands for the Prisoners.]
-
- [Footnote 119: A common Cant word for Mumping.]
-
- [Footnote 120: Persons who give any considerable Offence, are
- often try'd, and undergo the Discipline of the Pump. The
- Author was one of these in a drunken Frolick, for which he
- condemns himself.]
-
- [Footnote 121: A spacious Place, where there are all Sorts of
- Exercises, but especially Fives.]
-
- [Footnote 122: A Publick Place, free for all Prisoners.]
-
- [Footnote 123: Where those lie who can't pay their Master's
- Fee.]
-
- [Footnote 124: There are several of those _Jiggers_ or
- Doorkeepers, who relieve one another, and when a Prisoner
- comes first in, they take a nice Observation of him, for fear
- of his escaping.]
-
- [Footnote 125: A cant Word for giving some Money in order to
- shew a Lodging.]
-
- [Footnote 126: Which is One Pound Six Shillings and
- Eightpence, and then you are entitled to a Bed on the Master's
- Side, for which you pay so much per week.]
-
- [Footnote 127: _Mount Scoundrel_, so call'd from its being so
- highly situated, and belonging once to the Common Side, tho'
- lately added to the Master's; if there be room in the House,
- this Place is first empty, and the Chamberlain commonly shews
- this to raise his price upon you for a better.]
-
- [Footnote 128: Half a Guinea.]
-
- [Footnote 129: A Bedfellow so call'd.]
-
- [Footnote 130: When you have a Chum, you pay but 15 Pence per
- Week each, and, indeed, that is the Rent of the whole Room, if
- you find Furniture.]
-
- [Footnote 131: The Upper Floors are accounted best here, for
- the same reason as they are at _Edinburgh_, which, I suppose,
- every Body knows.]
-
- [Footnote 132: It is common to mention the _Fleet_ by the Name
- of the _Place_, and I suppose it is call'd _the Place_ by way
- of Eminence, because there is not such another.]
-
- [Footnote 133: A Cant Word for a Drain of Geneva.]
-
- [Footnote 134: A Chew of Tobacco, suppos'd to be given him.]
-
- [Footnote 135: The Necessary House, is (by the Prisoners)
- commonly call'd _Scotland_, near which is a dung-hill.]
-
- [Footnote 136: When there are Holes above Heel, or the Feet
- are so bad in a Stocking, that you are forced to pull them to
- hide the Holes, or cover the Toes, it is called coaxing.]
-
- [Footnote 137: As the Prison is often call'd the _College_, so
- it is common to call a prisoner, a _Collegian_; and this
- character is taken from a man who had been many Years in the
- Place, and like to continue his Life; but it is hard for those
- who had not seen him to judge of the Truth of the Draught.]
-
- [Footnote 138: The name of the Cook in the Kitchen.]
-
- [Footnote 139: A place in the Cellar, called _Bartholomew
- Fair_.]
-
- [Footnote 140: A phrase for spending Money fast.]
-
- [Footnote 141: _Cole_, signifies Money.]
-
- [Footnote 142: _Bleed_ also signifies spending.]
-
- [Footnote 143: When a Messenger or Friend brings Money from
- abroad to the Prisoners, it is usual to say a Ship is
- arriv'd.]
-
- [Footnote 144: Some of the Dirt upon the Stairs is trod into
- knots so hard it is almost impossible to break it.]
-
- [Footnote 145: _Smart_ generally begins his Stories with a
- _That's like_, &c., tho' it is not at all like the Story he
- tells.]
-
- [Footnote 146: The Master of the Cellar, a Man of a variable
- Temper, very passionate, malicious, and ill-natur'd at some
- times, at others very well.]
-
- [Footnote 147: _Who goes out?_ is repeated by Watchmen
- Prisoners, from half an Hour after Nine, till St. Paul's Clock
- strikes Ten, to give Visitors Notice to depart.]
-
- [Footnote 148: While St. Paul's Clock is striking Ten, the
- Watchmen don't call _Who goes out?_ but when the last Stroke
- is given, they cry _All told!_ at which Time the Gates are
- lock'd, and nobody suffer'd to go out upon any Account.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIV.
-
-
-We saw in the lines, under the Frontispiece to the foregoing poem,
-_Garnish_ was mentioned, and the fact was stated as a Custom then in
-force of taking the prisoner's coat to pay for his fees on entrance.
-
- "But kind Sir, as you'r a Stranger,
- Down your Garnish you must lay,
- Or your Coat will be in danger,
- You must either Strip or pay."
-
-In the Criminal prisons, the prisoners themselves demanded Garnish from
-a new-comer, that is, a trifle of money--to drink. In 1708, at Newgate,
-this sum seems to have been Six shillings and Eightpence "Which they,
-from an old Custom, claim by Prescription, Time out of Mind, for
-entring into the _Society_, otherwise they strip the poor Wretch, if he
-has not wherewithal to pay it."[149] And in the old Play of the _Lying
-Lover_ we are introduced to a Scene in Newgate where the prisoners are
-demanding _Garnish_ from some new-comers.
-
- "_Storm._ Nay, nay, you must stay here.
-
- _Simon._ Why, I am _Simon_, Madam _Penelope's_ Man.
-
- _Storm._ Then Madam _Penelope's_ Man must strip for Garnish;
- indeed Master _Simon_ you must.
-
- _Simon._ Thieves! Thieves! Thieves!
-
- _Storm._ Thieves! Thieves! Why, you senseless Dog, do you think
- there's Thieves in _Newgate_? Away with him to the Tap House
- (_Pushes him off_). We'll drink his Coat off. Come, my little
- Chymist, thou shalt transmute this Jacket into Liquor."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Yet although this custom was general, I have only once met with an
-engraving of the actual process, which, judging by the man's agonized
-countenance, was not a pleasant one to him. It occurs in the
-frontispiece to a little pamphlet called "An Oration on the Oppression
-of Jailors; which was spoken in the Fleet Prison, on the 20th of
-February, 1730/1," &c. And under the engraving, are these lines.
-
- "Unhappy, friendless Man! how hard thy Fate!
- Whose only Crime is being Unfortunate.
- Are Jailors suffer'd in such Acts as these?
- To strip the Wretch, who cannot pay his Fees?
- Is there no kind _Samaritan_ will lend
- Relief, and save him from th' accursed Fiend?"
-
-Respecting this practice let us hear what Howard in his "State of the
-Prisons in England and Wales," 1777, says, in his Chapter on "Bad
-Customs in Prisons." "A cruel custom obtains in most of our Gaols,
-which is that of the prisoners demanding of a new-comer GARNISH,
-FOOTING, or (as it is called in some London Gaols) CHUMMAGE. 'Pay or
-strip' are the fatal words. I say _fatal_, for they are so to some; who
-having no money, are obliged to give up part of their scanty apparel;
-and, if they have no bedding or straw to sleep on, contract diseases,
-which I have known to prove mortal.
-
-In many Gaols, to the Garnish paid by the new-comer, those who were
-there before, make an addition; and great part of the following night
-is often spent in riot and drunkenness. The gaoler or tapster finding
-his account in this practice, generally answers questions concerning
-it with reluctance. Of the Garnish which I have set down to sundry
-prisons, I often had my information from persons who paid it.... In
-some places, this demand has been lately waved: in others, strictly
-prohibited by the Magistrates"--so that we see that this custom was
-already in its death throes, in the last quarter of the eighteenth
-century.
-
-But in the interval between Bambridge and Howard, the prison was not a
-pleasant place of residence, if we may judge from "The Prisoner's Song"
-published in 1738, of which I give an illustration and the Words.
-
-[Illustration: THE FLEET PRISON.]
-
- "A Starving life all day we lead,
- No Comfort here is found,
- At Night we make one Common bed,
- Upon the Boarded Ground;
- Where fleas in troops and Bugs in shoals
- Into our Bosoms Creep,
- And Death watch, Spiders, round y^e Walls,
- Disturb us in our Sleep.
-
- Were Socrates alive, and Bound
- With us to lead his life,
- 'Twould move his Patience far beyond
- His crabbed Scolding Wife;
- Hard Lodging and much harder fare,
- Would try the wisest Sage,
- Nay! even make a Parson Swear,
- And curse the Sinful Age.
-
- Thus, we Insolvent debtors live,
- Yet we may Boldly say,
- Worse Villains often Credit give,
- Than those that never pay;
- For wealthy Knaves can with applause
- Cheat on, and ne'er be try'd,
- But in contempt of human Laws,
- In Coaches Safely ride."
-
-When Howard visited this prison in 1774 and 1776, he found on the
-former occasion 171 prisoners in the House, and 71 in the Rules. On the
-latter there were 241 in the House and 78 in the Rules. And he says:
-
- "The Prison was rebuilt a few years since. At the front is
- a narrow courtyard. At each end of the building there is
- a small projection, or wing. There are four floors, they
- call them _Galleries_, besides the Cellar floor, called
- _Bartholomew-Fair_. Each gallery consists of a passage in the
- middle, the whole length of the Prison, _i.e._, sixty six yards;
- and rooms on each side of it about fourteen feet and a half
- by twelve and a half, and nine and a half high. A chimney and
- window in every room. The passages are narrow (not seven feet
- wide) and darkish, having only a window at each end.
-
- "On the first floor, the _Hall Gallery_, to which you ascend
- eight steps, are a Chapel, a Tap room, a Coffee room (lately
- made out of two rooms for Debtors), a room for the Turnkey,
- another for the Watchman, and eighteen rooms for Prisoners.
-
- Besides the Coffee-room and Tap-room, two of those eighteen
- rooms, and all the cellar-floor, except a lock up room to
- confine the disorderly, and another room for the Turnkey, are
- held by the Tapster, John Cartwright, who bought the remainder
- of the lease at public auction in 1775. The cellar floor is
- sixteen steps below the hall Gallery. It consists of the two
- rooms just now mentioned, the Tapster's kitchen, his four large
- beer and wine Cellars, and fifteen rooms for Prisoners. These
- fifteen, and the two before mentioned, in the hall gallery, the
- Tapster lets to Prisoners for four to eight shillings a week.
-
- "On the _first Gallery_ (that next above the hall-gallery) are
- twenty-five rooms for Prisoners. On the _second Gallery_, twenty
- seven rooms. One of them, fronting the staircase, is their
- Committee room. A room at one end is an Infirmary. At the other
- end, in a large room over the Chapel, is a dirty Billiard-table,
- kept by the Prisoner who sleeps in that room. On the highest
- story there are twenty seven rooms. Some of these upper rooms,
- _viz._, those in the wings, are larger than the rest, being over
- the Chapel, the Tap-room, &c.
-
- "All the rooms I have mentioned are for the Master's side
- Debtors. The weekly rent of those not held by the Tapster, is
- one shilling and three pence unfurnished. They fall to the
- Prisoners in succession, thus: when a room becomes vacant,
- the first Prisoner upon the list of such as have paid their
- entrance-fees, takes possession of it. When the Prison was
- built, the Warden gave each Prisoner his choice of a room,
- according to his seniority as Prisoner.... Such of the Prisoners
- (on the Common Side) as swear in Court, or before a Commissioner
- that they are not worth five pounds, and cannot subsist without
- charity, have the donations which are sent to the Prison, and
- the begging box, and grate. Of them there were, at my last
- visit, sixteen....
-
- "I mentioned the billiard table. They also play in the yard
- at skittles, missisipi, fives, tennis, &c. And not only the
- Prisoners; I saw among them several butchers and others from the
- Market; who are admitted here, as at another public house. The
- same may be seen in many other Prisons where the Gaoler keeps or
- lets the tap. Besides the inconvenience of this to Prisoners;
- the frequenting a Prison lessens the dread of being confined in
- one.
-
- "On Monday night there is a Wine Club: on Thursday night a Beer
- Club; each lasting usually till one or two in the morning. I
- need not say how much riot these occasion; and how the sober
- Prisoners are annoyed by them.
-
- "Seeing the Prison crowded with women and Children, I procured
- an accurate list of them; and found that on (or about), the
- 6th of April, 1776, when there were, on the Master's side
- 213 Prisoners; on the Common side 30. Total 243; their wives
- (including women of an appellation not so honorable) and
- children, were 475."
-
-In Howard's time the fees payable by the Prisoners were the same as
-were settled in 1729 after the trials of Huggins and Bambridge; but the
-prisoners exercised a kind of local self-government, for he writes:--
-
- "There is, moreover, a little Code of Laws, eighteen in number,
- enacted by the Master's-side Debtors, and printed by D. Jones,
- 1774. It establishes a President, a Secretary, and a Committee,
- which is to be chosen every month, and to consist of three
- members from each Gallery. These are to meet in the Committee
- room every Thursday; and at other times when summoned by the
- Cryer, at command of the President, or of a majority of their
- own number. They are to raise contributions by assessment; to
- hear complaints; determine disputes; levy fines; and seize
- goods for payment. Their Sense to be deemed the sense of the
- whole House. The President or Secretary to hold the cash;
- the Committee to dispose of it. Their Scavenger to wash the
- Galleries once a week; to water, and sweep them every morning
- before eight; to sweep the yard twice every week; and to light
- the lamps all over the House. No person to throw out water,
- &c., anywhere but at the sinks in the yard. The Cryer may take
- of a Stranger a penny for calling a Prisoner to him; and of a
- Complainant two pence for summoning a Special Committee. For
- blasphemy, swearing, riot, drunkenness, &c., the Committee to
- fine at discretion; for damaging a lamp, fine a shilling. They
- are to take from a New Comer, on the first Sunday, besides the
- two shillings Garnish, to be spent in wine, one shilling and
- sixpence to be appropriated to the use of the House.
-
- "Common-side Prisoners _to be confined to their own apartments_,
- and not to associate with these LAW MAKERS, nor to use the same
- conveniences."
-
-In 1780 the famous Lord George Gordon, or "No Popery" Riots took
-place--those Riots which were so intensely Protestant, that (according
-to the Contemporary _Gentleman's Magazine_) "The very Jews in
-Houndsditch and Duke's Place were so intimidated, that they followed
-the general example, and unintentionally gave an air of ridicule to
-what they understood in a very serious light, by writing on their
-Shutters, "This House is a true Protestant."
-
-These Riots are very realistically brought before us in Charles
-Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge," but then, although the account is fairly
-historically faithful, yet the weaving of his tale necessarily
-interfered with strict historical details; which, by the way, are
-extremely meagre as to the burning of the Fleet prison. The fact was,
-that, for the few days the riot existed, the outrages were so numerous,
-and the Newspapers of such small dimensions, that they could only be
-summarized, and the burning of Newgate eclipsed that of the Fleet. But,
-on the Wednesday, June 7, 1780, the _Annual Register_, p. 261 (which
-certainly has the best description I have been able to see) absolutely
-breaks down, saying:--
-
- "It is impossible to give any adequate description of the events
- of Wednesday. Notice was sent round to the public prisons of the
- King's Bench, Fleet, &c., by the mob, at what time they would
- come and burn them down. The same kind of infernal humanity was
- exercised towards Mr. Langdale, a distiller in Holborn, whose
- loss is said to amount to L100,000, and several other Romish
- individuals. In the afternoon all the shops were shut, and bits
- of blue silk, by way of flags, hung out at most houses, with
- the words "No Popery" chalked on the doors and window shutters,
- by way of deprecating the fury of the insurgents, from which no
- person thought himself secure.
-
- "As soon as the day was drawing towards a Close, one of the most
- dreadful spectacles this country ever beheld was exhibited. Let
- those, who were not spectators of it, judge what the inhabitants
- felt when they beheld at the same instant the flames ascending
- and rolling in clouds from the King's Bench and Fleet Prisons,
- from New Bridewell, from the toll gates on Blackfriars Bridge,
- from houses in every quarter of the town, and particularly from
- the bottom and middle of Holborn, where the Conflagration was
- horrible beyond description."
-
-The burning of the Fleet was done calmly and deliberately, as is well
-told in "A Narrative of the Proceedings of Lord Geo. Gordon," &c.,
-1780. "About one o'clock this morning (Tuesday, June 6), the Mob
-went to the Fleet Prison, and demanded the gates to be opened, which
-the Keepers were obliged to do, or they would have set fire to it.
-They were then proceeding to demolish the prison, but the prisoners
-expostulating with them, and begging that they would give them time to
-remove their goods, they readily condescended, and gave them a day for
-that purpose, in consequence of which, the prisoners were removing all
-this day out of that place. Some of the prisoners were in for life."
-And in the evening of the next day, they fulfilled their threat, and
-burnt it. This was the second time it had been burnt down, for the
-great fire of 1666 had previously demolished it.
-
-[Illustration: RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760.
-(_Published by Bowles and Carver, 69, St. Paul's Churchyard._)]
-
-It was rebuilt, and remained the same, with some few alterations and
-additions until its final destruction. We get a good view of "the
-Bare" or racket ground in 1808, an outline of which I have taken from
-Pugin and Rowlandson's beautiful "Microcosm of London," 1808,[150]
-according to which book, "The Fleet Prison, it is believed, after the
-fire of London in 1666, was removed to that site of ground upon which
-the almshouses through Vauxhall turnpike, on the Wandsworth road, now
-stand, until the old prison was rebuilt, Sir Jeremy Whichcott, then
-Warden, having his family seat there, which he converted into a prison;
-for which patriotic act, and rebuilding the old one at his own expence,
-he and his heirs were wardens as long as they lived. The Office of
-Warden of the Fleet was formerly of such consequence, that a brother
-of one of the Edwards is said to have been in the list of Wardens."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-In this illustration we find the prisoners by no means moody, but
-playing at rackets and skittles. The Racket ground was under the
-superintendence of a Racket Master, who was elected by the Collegians,
-annually at Christmas. This post was eagerly sought after, as it was
-one to which some pecuniary profit was attached, a small fee being
-demanded from each person, the Racket Master having to find bats and
-balls. I have before me three printed handbills of aspirants for the
-post in 1841. One bases his claim on the fact that he is already Racket
-Master, and says, "I feel the situation is one that requires attention
-and unceasing exertion, not so much from the individual position, as
-from the circumstance that the amusement, and (what is more vitally
-important) the health of my fellow inmates is in some measure placed
-in the hands of the person appointed." Another candidate pleads as a
-qualification, that he has served as Watchman for Seven years, and
-at last election for Racket Master, he only lost the appointment by
-five votes. And the third publishes the caution "Collegians, Remember!
-All Promises that have been (_sic_) before the Vacancy, are Null and
-Void!!!" This gentleman was determined to secure, if possible, some of
-the good things going about, for, at this very same Annual Election,
-he issues another circular, "Having had many years experience in the
-Tavern Department and Eating House Business, I beg leave to offer
-myself for the Situation in the Public Kitchen, now about to become
-vacant." He, too, had an opponent, who had been engaged for nine years
-as a baker, and was, by profession, a Cook. The Office of Skittle
-Master was also contested in that year; the holder of the place being
-opposed by one whose claim to the position seems to be that he had a
-wife and one child.
-
-[Illustration: A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821.]
-
-They made themselves merry enough in the Fleet, as we read in Egan's
-"Life in London," where Jerry Hawthorn, and Corinthian Tom, visit Bob
-Logic, who was detained in the Fleet. Among other places there, they
-went to a Whistling Shop--of which the brothers Robert and George
-Cruikshank have given a faithful representation. Here at a table,
-screened off from the draught of the door we see, Tom, Jerry, and
-the unfortunate Logic, whilst the other frequenters of the place are
-excellently depicted. Spirits were not allowed in the prison, under any
-circumstances, other than by the doctor's order; but it is needless
-to say, the regulation was a dead letter. Of course it was not sold
-openly, but there were rooms, known to the initiated where it could
-be procured. It was never asked for, and if it were the applicant
-would not have received it, but if you whistled, it would be at once
-forthcoming.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Says Logic to his Corinthian friends, "'In the evening I will introduce
-you both to my friend the _Haberdasher_. He is a good _whistler_; and
-his shop always abounds with some prime articles which you will like
-to look at.' The TRIO was again complete; and a fine dinner, which the
-CORINTHIAN had previously ordered from a Coffee house, improved their
-feelings: a glass or two of wine made them as gay as larks; and a
-_hint_ from JERRY to LOGIC about the _Whistler_, brought them into the
-shop of the latter in a _twinkling_. HAWTHORN, with great surprise,
-said, 'Where are we? this is no _haberdasher's_. It is a----' 'No
-_nosing_, JERRY,' replied LOGIC, with a grin. 'You are wrong. The man
-is a dealer in _tape_.'"[151]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-There was a class in the Fleet, who acted, as far as in their power
-lay, up to the Epicurean "_dum vivimus vivamus_," and among them the
-prison, however inconvenient it might have been, was made the best
-of, and the door of the Cupboard which contained the skeleton was
-shut as far as it would go. We have an exemplification of this in
-Robert Cruikshank's water colour drawing of "The Evening after a Mock
-Election in the Fleet Prison," June, 1835. In this drawing, which I
-have simply outlined (see previous page), we get a graphic glimpse at
-the uproarious fun that obtained among a certain set. The gradations in
-Society of this singular mixture is well shown in the following key to
-the picture:
-
- 1. Bennett the Candidate.
-
- 2. Mr. Fellowes of the Crown P. H. Fleet Street.
-
- 3. Mr. Houston, _alias_ Jack in the Green.
-
- 4. Mr. Perkins, _alias_ Harlequin Billy (Architect), who tried to sink
- a shaft at Spithead to supply the Navy with Water.
-
- 5. Mr. Shackleford (Linen Draper).
-
- 6. Mr. Bennett, the Watchman.
-
- 7. Geo. Weston, Esqr. (Banker, of the Boro').
-
- 8. Mr. Hutchinson (Dr. at Liverpool).
-
- 9. L. Goldsmith, Esqre.
-
- 10. Mr. Thompson (Irishman).
-
- 11. Robert Barnjum _alias_ Rough Robin (Hammersmith Ghost).
-
- 12. Robert Ball, _alias_ Manchester Bob (wore a Murderer's Cap).
-
- 13. Captain Wilde, R.N.
-
- 14. Mr. Hales, the Cook.
-
- 15. Mr. Walker.
-
- 16. Captain McDonnough, 11th Hussars (real gentleman).
-
- 17. Mr. Halliday (Manchester Merchant).
-
- 18. Harry Holt the Prize Fighter.
-
- 19. Captain Penniment (Trading Vessel, Yorkshire).
-
- 20. Mr. Palmer, Cutler to Geo. III., near the Haymarket Theatre.
-
- 21. Mr. Scrivener (Landlord of the Tap).
-
- 22. Captain Oliver, Smuggler and Tapster. Capias, L117,000.
-
- 23. Mr. Goldsbury, _alias_ Jailsbury, driver of omnibus all round the
- Fleet.
-
- 24. Mr. George Kent.
-
-As a souvenir of the talented Isaac Robert Cruikshank, I append a
-facsimile of his autograph, which was written in the Parlour, No. 16,
-Hall, in the Fleet Prison, June 24, 1842. His method of utilizing the
-blot of Ink is unique.
-
-The remaining Notices of the Fleet must be taken as they come, as
-far as possible, chronologically--and first of all let us look at
-the enormous quantity of people who were imprisoned for debt. In the
-_Mirror_, No. 615, vol. xxii. July 20, 1833, is a cutting from the
-_Times_: "By the return of persons imprisoned for debt in 1832, in
-England and Wales, just printed by order of the House of Commons, it
-appears that the gross number was 16,470: of whom maintained themselves
-4,093, so that three fourths of the whole were too poor to provide
-themselves with bread."
-
-The terrible destitution to which some prisoners were reduced is shown
-in an extract from the _Morning Herald_ of August 12, 1833.
-
- "_Guild hall._ A Gentleman complained that the Overseers of
- St. Bride's had refused to relieve a distressed prisoner in
- the Fleet. The Prisoner was Mr. Timothy Sheldvake, who had
- been well known for his skill in treating deformities of the
- body. He once kept his carriage, and obtained L4,000 a year by
- his practice, but he was now quite destitute. He was eighty
- years of Age, and of that temper that he would rather starve
- than make a complaint. When applicant saw him he had actually
- fasted forty-eight hours. St. Bride's Parish had assisted the
- unfortunate Gentleman, but they denied that he was legally
- entitled to such relief. The Applicant contended that, as the
- Prison was in St. Bride's parish, and was rated at L70 a year,
- St. Bride's was bound to afford casual relief to those within
- the walls of the prison, and to recover it from the respective
- parishes to which those who have been relieved belonged.
-
- [Illustration: AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO 1, PALAIS DE LA
- FLETE, THIS 24 DAY JUNE.]
-
- "The Vestry Clerk said, relief must be given out of the County
- rate.
-
- "Sir C. Marshall said he would take time to consider the Point,
- but he thought a sufficient relief should be afforded out of the
- County rate."
-
- [Footnote 149: "_Memoirs of the Right Villanous John Hall_,"
- &c.]
-
- [Footnote 150: See next page.]
-
- [Footnote 151: A cant word for gin.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXV.
-
-
-In a Return of the number of persons in the several Gaols of England,
-confined for Debt, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, May
-13, 1835, we have an "Account of the Number of Persons confined for
-Debt in the Fleet Prison during the following Years:
-
- 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834
- Number confined 742 700 884 746 769
- Number charged in Execution 105 136 134 126 156
-
-And the amount of the debt and costs for which each party was so
-charged varied from L2 to L18,017.
-
-I look in vain in the _Times_ for the paragraph to which the Warden
-alludes in the following letter:
-
- "The Warden presents his compliments to the Editor of the
- _Times_, and begs to state, that a paragraph having appeared in
- the paper of this morning, stating that the Fleet Prison is very
- full, and that a guinea and a half a week is paid for a single
- room, and that four, five, and six persons are obliged to live
- in a small apartment.
-
- "The Warden, not being aware of this, should it in any case
- exist, and which is contrary to the established regulations
- against any person so offending, the prison not being so full as
- in former years, there being considerably less, on an average,
- than two prisoners to each Room, and being also exceedingly
- healthy.
-
- "The Warden has also to add, that the rest of the paragraph
- relating to the Fleet is totally without foundation.
-
- "Fleet Prison, March 7, 1836."
-
-In the outside sheet of the _Times_, February 21, 1838, occurs the
-following advertisement: "ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.--Escape.--ESCAPED
-from the Fleet Prison, on the evening of Wednesday the 14th day of
-February instant. ALFRED MORRIS, late of 22 Dean Street, Tooley Street,
-Southwark. The said Alfred Morris is about 30 years of Age, about 5
-feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, and of a Jewish Caste, prominent
-Nose, somewhat flat pointed, dark, irregular whiskers, stout figure,
-and rather bow legged," &c., &c.
-
-Anent this escape, the _Times_ of February 16th has a paragraph such
-as we can hardly imagine ever could have appeared in a paper so steady
-and sober, as the _Times_ now is: "THE WARDEN OF THE FLEET--(From a
-Correspondent). Yesterday a gentleman of some misfortune and of great
-appearance, for he wore a wig, moustaches, and a Spanish Cloak, was
-introduced as an inmate of Brown's Hotel, so called from the Warden
-having a license to sell wines, beer, and ale to his prisoners,
-through the 'patent never ending always improving Juddery spigot and
-fawcet tap,' &c. In about half an hour the said bewhiskered gentleman
-leaves cloak, wig, and moustaches in the room of a Mister Abrahams,
-a prisoner, and walks quietly out, very politely bidding the turnkey
-'good morning.' At night the excellent crier of the Prison, Mr. Ellis,
-made the galleries echo, and the rooms re-echo, with his sometimes very
-cheering voice (when he announces to those who wish such things as a
-discharge, for it is not all who do), in calling, _altissimo voce_,
-'Mr. Alfred Morrison! Mr. Alfred Morrison! Mr. Alfred Morrison!' but as
-no Mr. Alfred Morrison answered to the interesting call, every room was
-searched in the due performance of the crier's duty, but no Mr. Alfred
-Morrison was to be found. And the Worthy and excellent warder, the
-keeper of so many others in, is himself let in to the tune of L2,600;
-some say more, none say less.
-
- 'Go it, ye cripples! crutches are cheap!
- W. Brown is no longer asleep!'"
-
-In a leading article in the _Times_ of November 13, 1838, upon juvenile
-crime, and the incitors thereto, we read the following: "The Traders in
-crime do not wholly confine their seductions to the young; they often
-find apt scholars among the unfortunates of riper years, especially
-in the _debtor's prison_. Mr. Wakefield[152] says he knows many such
-victims; and he particularizes one 'Who was not indeed executed,
-because he took poison the night before he was to have been executed,
-who told me he had been, (and who I firmly believe was) first incited
-to crime when a Prisoner in the _Fleet_ for debt. The crime into which
-he was seduced was that of passing forged Bank of England Notes. He
-was a Man of very showy appearance, and he had been a Captain in the
-Army; a man of good family. He said this crime was first suggested
-to him by persons who were Prisoners in the Fleet; but he afterwards
-discovered, having been a Prisoner there more than once, that one of a
-gang of Utterers of forged Notes lived constantly in the _Fleet_, and
-for no other purpose but that of inducing reckless young men of good
-appearance, who could easily pass notes, to take Notes from them, and
-to dispose of them in transactions. I could hardly believe that that
-was true, and I got some inquiries to be made for the person whom he
-had pointed out to me as one of a Gang, and I found that that person
-was constantly in the _Fleet_. The Gang committed a robbery upon a
-Bank in Cornwall, and they were entirely broken up, and from that time
-forth the Person who had resided in the _Fleet_ disappeared, though he
-was not one of the persons convicted, or suspected of that particular
-Crime. I never heard of him since, but the inquiries which I then made,
-convinced me that it was a fact that one of the Gang of what are termed
-'family men,' that is, rich thieves and receivers of stolen goods, did
-reside continually in the _Fleet_, for the purpose of seducing young
-men into the commission of Crime. He was in and out of the Prison, but
-a Prisoner on a friendly arrest."
-
-The time was coming, when imprisonment for debt was to be abolished.
-An Act of 1 & 2 Vict. cap. 110 had already abolished Arrest on Mesne
-Process in Civil Actions, so that no prisoners could be committed to
-the Fleet from the Courts of Chancery, Exchequer, and Common Pleas,
-and the Debtors and Bankrupts might as well be in the Queen's Bench.
-The Demolition of the Fleet was therefore confidently anticipated, as
-we find by the following paragraph from the _Times_, March 3, 1841.
-"REMOVAL OF PRISONERS. On Saturday a deputation from the Woods and
-Forests, attended by the Marshal, visited the Queen's Bench Prison,
-preparatory to moving over the Debtors from the Fleet, which prison
-is about to be pulled down. By this arrangement the Country will save
-about L15,000 per annum, besides getting rid of an ugly object, and
-room being made for other contemplated improvements. It is supposed the
-Judges will find some difficulty in removing the Prisoners from the
-Fleet by Habeas Corpus, and that a short Bill will be necessary for
-that purpose. The expenses of the Queen's Bench Prison in its present
-profitless employment, is about L30,000 per annum to the Country."
-
-This announcement was slightly premature, for the Act for its
-demolition (5 & 6 Victoriae, cap. 22) was not passed until May 31,
-1842. The Prisoners objected to the Transfer to the Queen's Bench,
-preferring their comparative liberty as they were, to the more
-stringent rules of the other prison: one clause in the new Act being:
-"And be it enacted, That after the passing of this Act, no Prisoner
-in the Queen's Prison shall be allowed to send for, or to have any
-Beer, Ale, Victuals or other Food, or to send for, have or use any
-Bedding, Linen, or other Things, except such as shall be allowed to be
-brought by them respectively under such Rules, to be made in the Manner
-directed by this Act, as may be reasonable and expedient to prevent
-Extravagance and Luxury, and for enforcing due Order and Discipline
-within the Prison."
-
-I have before me the Original Subscription list of a scheme of
-
- "Resistance
-
- to
-
- The Abolition of the Fleet Prison.
-
- April 9th, 1842."
-
-The author of the Letter of "Fleta to the Lords, calling upon them
-individually to Oppose the Bill _for transferring the Debtors in the
-Fleet_ to the Queen's Prison, respectfully calls upon all Parties
-interested in an _Opposition to the said Bill_, to render him such
-pecuniary assistance in forwarding his Object, as may be consistent
-with their Views or Convenience." A list of Subscriptions follows, but
-although 25/-was promised, only 15/-appears to be paid. They held
-meetings, a notice calling one of which is facsimiled; but it was of
-no avail, and they had to go.
-
-[Illustration:
-
- _Notice_
- The _Memorial_ to the Lord
- High Chancellor, and to the
- Judges of the Supreme
- Courts of Law, will lie for
- _Signatures_ at the Tap
- from 12 till 2 o'Clock.
- Fleet.
- Wed. May. 4. 1842.]
-
-One Philip Ball, a Chancery Prisoner, composed
-
- "THE LAST DAYS OF THE FLEET!"
-
- A melancholy Chaunt,
-
- _Written by a_ COLLEGIAN, _on the occasion of the Queen's
- Prison Bill receiving the Royal Assent._
-
-Air. 'The Fine Old English Gentleman.'
-
- 1
-
- I'll sing to you a bran new song
- Made by my simple pate,
- About the end of the good old Fleet,
- Which on us now shuts its gate.
- It has kept confin'd the choicest lads
- That e'er together met--
- Of merry, jolly, rattling dogs,
- A regular slap up set.
- Of jovial Fleet prisoners,
- All of the present day.
-
- 2
-
- This good old pris'n in every room
- Contains a merry soul,
- Who for his doings out of doors
- Is now drop't 'in the hole.'
- But surely this is better far
- Than your simple plodding way,
- Get deep in debt, go through the Court,
- And whitewash it all away.
- Like a jovial Fleet prisoner,
- All of the present day.
-
- 3
-
- Such right good hearts are rarely found,
- As round me now I see;
- With such, I'm 'most inclined to say,
- Hang liberty for me.
- For T----y, S----y, V----h,
- In spirits who excel?
- How could we better live than here,
- Where friendship weaves her spell?
- 'Mongst jovial Fleet prisoners,
- All of the present day.
-
- 4
-
- To racquets, skittles, whistling shops,
- We must soon say farewell;
- The Queen's assent to her prison bill
- Has rung their funeral knell;
- And Bennett, Gray, and Andrew too
- Must close their welcome doors,
- For sing song and tape spinning now,
- This damn'd new Act all floors,
- For the jovial Fleet prisoner,
- All of the present day.
-
- 5
-
- But to her gracious Majesty
- You'll long be loyal and true,
- Although this latest act of hers
- Must be felt by some of you.
- Speed through the Court, or compromise
- Like gallant Captain T----h,
- Or else you'll soon be sent to grieve
- Your guts out in the Bench.
- All melancholy prisoners[153]
- Unlike those of the present day.
-
-Much, however, as the prisoners might grieve, it was of no use kicking
-against an Act of Parliament, and those prisoners who did not take
-advantage of the Insolvent Debtors Act, were transferred to the Queen's
-Prison, which in its turn ceased to be a debtor's prison, and was used
-by Military offenders, until it was sold on Oct. 30, 1879, and pulled
-down in that and the following year. Now, legally speaking, there is no
-imprisonment for debt, but people are only committed for Contempt of
-Court.
-
-The Commissioners of Woods and Forests invited Tenders for the site and
-buildings of the late Fleet Prison, the estate of which contained above
-One Acre, with a frontage of about 251 feet, towards Farringdon Street,
-and a depth of about 230 feet. The tenders were returnable on Oct. 22,
-1844, and the Corporation of the City of London became the owners of
-the property at a sum variously stated at L25,000 to L29,000, and the
-sale of its building materials commenced on April 5, 1845. Its exterior
-was not particularly attractive.
-
-And so it passed away, and half the present inhabitants of London the
-Great do not even know its site, which was not finally cleared until
-1846. As a guide to those who wish to know its locality I may mention
-that the CONGREGATIONAL MEMORIAL HALL AND LIBRARY, in Farringdon
-Street, stands on a portion of its site.
-
-[Illustration: FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON.]
-
-[Illustration: GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON.]
-
-[Illustration: SECTION OF THE PRISON.]
-
-Before quitting the subject of the Fleet prison I cannot help referring
-to "the grate." Like Ludgate, it had a room open to the street, but
-furnished with a strong iron grating, behind which sat a prisoner, who
-called the attention of the passers-by monotonously chanting, "Pray
-Remember the poor Prisoners." A box was presented for the reception of
-contributions, but very little money was thus obtained.
-
-[Illustration: EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE.]
-
-The begging grate was served by poor prisoners who had to swear that
-they were not worth L5 in the world. He was then entitled to share the
-contents of the begging box, and also be a partaker of the charities
-and donations to the Prison, which amounted to the magnificent sum of
-L39 19s., besides meat, coals, and bread.
-
-Prisoners of all sorts and conditions met here, on one common basis,
-one of the last of any mark being Richard Oastler, who was the leader
-of the Ten Hours' Bill Movement, and from this prison he issued a
-series of "Fleet Papers" about Free Trade, Factories Acts, and the
-Amalgamation of the Prisons. He died in 1861, and a memorial to him was
-erected at Leeds.
-
- [Footnote 152: Evidence of Mr. Wakefield before Parliamentary
- Committee of 1837.]
-
- [Footnote 153: When the prisoners were removed there were two
- who had been incarcerated upwards of thirty years, and were in
- the Queen's prison in 1845.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-Fleet Marriages.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVI.
-
-
-There is no doubt that in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the
-Marriage laws, as we now understand them, were somewhat lax, and it is
-possible that it was so long before that time, for in Edward VI.'s time
-an Act was passed (2 and 3 Ed. VI., c. 21, s. 3) entitled "An Act to
-take away all positive laws made against marriage of priests." Section
-3 provides that it shall not "give any liberty to any person to marry
-without asking in the church, or without any ceremony being appointed
-by the order prescribed and set forth in the book intituled "_The Book
-of Common Prayer, and administration of the Sacraments_, &c." Mary, of
-course, repealed this Act, and it was revived and made perpetual by 1
-Jas. 1. c. 25, s. 50.
-
-It was only after the Council of Trent, that the offices of the
-Church were considered indispensable, for that Council decreed that a
-priest, and two witnesses were necessary for the proper celebration
-of the Nuptial tie. Still, the law of England, like the law of
-Scotland, allowed the taking of a woman as wife before witnesses, and
-acknowledging her position, which constituted at common law a good and
-lawful marriage, which could not be annulled by the Ecclesiastical
-Court. That many such took place among the Puritans and Sectarians
-of the time of Charles I. and the Commonwealth is undoubted, for
-it needed an Act of Parliament (12 Chas. II. c. 33) to render such
-marriages legal. This enacted "That all marriages had, or solemnized,
-in any of his Majesty's dominions since the first day of _May_, in the
-year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred forty and two, before any
-justice of the Peace, or reputed justice of the Peace of _England_,
-or _Wales_, or other his Majesty's dominions,... shall be, and shall
-be adjudged, esteemed, and taken to be, and to have been of the same,
-and no other force or effect, as if such marriages had been had, and
-solemnized, according to the rites and ceremonies established, or used
-in the Church or kingdom of _England_; any law, custom, or usage to the
-contrary thereof notwithstanding."
-
-This short synopsis of the Marriage law in England is necessary, in
-order to understand the subject of Fleet Marriages, which, however,
-were not all disreputable. The Fleet, as we have seen, had a Chapel of
-its own; and in old times, a Chaplain--so that Marriages might well be
-celebrated there, in as proper and dignified a manner as elsewhere.
-And, we must bear in mind that early in the seventeenth century, the
-prisoners were of a very different stamp to those of the latter half of
-the eighteenth century, until the demolition of the prison. Therefore
-we see no impropriety in the first Marriage known on record--which
-is that of Mr. Geo. Lester, then a prisoner in the Fleet, to a woman
-of fortune one Mistress Babbington. This is mentioned in a letter of
-September, 1613, from Alderman Lowe to Lady Hicks, and may be found
-in the Lansdowne MSS. 93-17. He writes: "Now I am to enform you that
-an ancyentt acquayntence of y^e and myne is yesterday marryed in the
-Fleete, one Mr. George Lester, and hath maryed M^{ris} Babbington, M^r
-Thomas Fanshawe mother in lawe. Itt is sayd she is a woman of goode
-wealthe, so as nowe the man wyll be able to lyve and mayntayne hymself
-in pryson, for hether unto he hath byne in poor estate. I praye God he
-be nott encoryged by his marige to do as becher doth, I meane to troble
-his frynds in lawe, but I hope he wyll have a better conscyence and
-more honestye than the other men hathe."
-
-Towards the middle of the seventeenth century clandestine, and
-irregular marriage was prevalent, and it is easily accounted for. A
-public marriage had come to be a very expensive affair. There was a
-festival, which lasted several days, during which open house had to be
-kept; there were the Marriage Settlements, presents, pin money, music,
-and what not--so that the binding of their Children in the holy Estate
-of Matrimony was a serious matter to parents; who probably preferred
-giving the young couple the money that otherwise would go in useless
-waste and profusion. So they used to get married quietly: a custom
-which Pepys reprobates in the marriage of the daughter of Sir William
-Penn to Mr. Anthony Lowther. "No friends, but two or three relations of
-his and hers." The bride was married in "palterly clothes, and nothing
-new but a bracelet that her servant had given her." And he further
-says, remarking on the meanness of the whole affair, "One wonder I
-observed to day, that there was no musique in the morning to call up
-our new married people, which is very mean, methinks."
-
-Misson, who visited England in the reign of William III., speaks of
-these private marriages.
-
-"The Ordinary ones, as I said before, are generally incognito. The
-_Bridegroom_, that is to say, the Husband that is to be, and the
-_Bride_, who is the Wife that is to be, conducted by their Father and
-Mother, or by those that serve them in their room, and accompany'd by
-two Bride men, and two Bride Maids, go early in the Morning with a
-Licence in their Pocket, and call up Mr. Curate and his Clerk, tell
-them their Business; are marry'd with a low Voice, and the Doors shut;
-tip the Minister a Guinea, and the Clerk a Crown; steal softly out,
-one one way, and t'other another, either on Foot or in Coaches; go
-different Ways to some Tavern at a Distance from their own Lodgings,
-or to the House of some trusty Friend, there have a good Dinner, and
-return Home at Night as quietly as Lambs. If the Drums and Fiddles have
-notice of it, they will be sure to be with them by Day Break, making a
-horrible Racket, till they have got the Pence; and, which is worst of
-all, the whole Murder will come out."
-
-This senseless custom survives, in a modified degree, in our times,
-when on the marriage of a journeyman butcher, his companions treat
-him to a performance of the "Marrow bones and Cleavers," and also
-in the case of marriage of persons in a superior station of life,
-in the playing, on the Organ, of a Wedding March.
-
-The oldest entry of a Marriage in those Registers of the Fleet which
-have been preserved is A.D. 1674, and there is nothing to lead us to
-imagine that it was more irregular than that of Mistress Babbington;
-on the contrary, it is extremely probable that, previously, prisoners
-were married in their chapel, with the orthodox publication of banns,
-and by their own Chaplain. But marriages were performed without licence
-or banns in many churches, which claimed to be _peculiars_, and exempt
-from the Visitation of the Ordinary: as St. James', Duke's Place, now
-pulled down, denied the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London because
-the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of London, were Lords of the Manor,
-and Patrons of the Church: but the Rector found that the Ecclesiastical
-Law was stronger than he, and that its arm was long and powerful, and
-the Rev. Adam Elliott was suspended (Feb. 17, 1686) for three years,
-_ab officio et beneficio_, for having married, or having suffered
-persons to be married, at the said Church, without banns or licence. He
-did not suffer the full term of his punishment, for he managed to get
-re-instated on May 28, 1687, and began his old practices the very next
-day.
-
-The Chapel of Holy Trinity, Minories, pleaded privilege, on the ground
-that it was a Crown living, and as much a _peculiar_ as Westminster
-Abbey, or the Deanery of Windsor; while the Chapels of the Tower
-and the Savoy sought exemption because they were Royal Chapels, and
-therefore the Bishop had no jurisdiction over them. Besides these,
-there were very many more chapels scattered over the Metropolis where
-irregular marriages were performed, a list of about ninety having been
-preserved.
-
-These Marriages so increased that it was found necessary to legislate
-about them, and, in 1689, an Act (6 and 7 Will. III. c. 6, s. 24) was
-passed making it compulsory, under a penalty of One Hundred pounds,
-for every parson to keep an accurate register of births, Marriages,
-and deaths. Another Act was passed in 1696 (17 and 18 Will. III. c.
-35, s. 2-3) whereby a penalty of L100 was imposed on any Clergyman who
-married, or permitted another to marry, couples, otherwise than by
-banns or licence. This was enforced by another Act in 1711 (10 Anne c.
-19, s. 176), which confirmed the penalty, and moreover, this section
-shows that irregular marriages were getting to be common in prisons,
-for it provides that
-
-"if any gaoler, or keeper of any prison, shall be privy to, or
-knowingly permit any marriage to be solemnized in his said prison,
-before publication of banns, or licence obtained, as aforesaid, he
-shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds,"
-&c.
-
-Of course, this did not stop the practice, although it prevented
-Marriages in the Fleet Chapel. Yet there were the _Rules_, and real
-and pretended clergymen for many years plied their illicit vocation
-with impunity.
-
-But there seems to have been some compunctions of conscience even among
-this graceless lot, for one of them, Walter Wyatt, has left behind him,
-in a pocket-book dated 1736, the following moral reflections.
-
-"Give to every man his due, and learn y^e way of Truth. This advice
-cannot be taken by those that are concerned in y^e Fleet Marriages; not
-so much as y^e Priest can do y^e thing y^t is just and right there,
-unless he designs to starve. For by lying, bullying, and swearing,
-to extort money from the silly and unwary people, you advance your
-business and gets y^e pelf, which always wastes like snow in sun shiney
-day."
-
-"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Marrying in the
-Fleet is the beginning of eternal woe."
-
-"If a clark or plyer[154] tells a lye, you must vouch it to be as true
-as y^e Gospel; and if disputed, you must affirm with an oath to y^e
-truth of a downright damnable falsehood--Virtus laudatur et alget."
-
-That this custom of swearing prevailed at Fleet Marriages is borne out
-by contemporary evidence. The _Grub Street Journal_ July 20, 1732,
-says: "On Saturday last, a Fleet Parson was convicted before Sir
-Ric. Brocas of forty three-oaths (on the information of a plyer for
-weddings there) for which a warrant was granted to levy L4 6s. on the
-goods of the said parson; but, upon application to his Worship, he was
-pleased to remit 1s. per oath; upon which the plyer swore he would
-swear no more against any man upon the like occasion, finding he got
-nothing by it."
-
-And an anonymous Newspaper cutting dated 1734, says, "On Monday last,
-a tall Clergyman, who plies about the Fleet Gate for Weddings, was
-convicted before Sir Richard Brocas of swearing 42 Oaths, and ordered
-to pay L4 2s."
-
-There were regular Chaplains attached to the Fleet Prison to serve the
-Chapel there, and, as we have seen, the Warder made every prisoner pay
-2d. or 4d. weekly, towards his stipend. Latterly the Chaplaincy was
-offered to a Curate of St. Bride's Church--as is now done in the case
-of Bridewell.
-
-A complete list of Chaplains cannot be given, because all documents
-were destroyed when the Fleet was burnt by the Lord George Gordon
-rioters; but Mr. Burn in his "History of Fleet Marriages" (a book to
-which I am much indebted, for it has all but exhausted the subject)
-gives the names of some, as Haincks in 1698; Robert Elborough, 1702;
-John Taylor, 1714; Dr. Franks, 1728; 1797, Weldon Champneys; 1815, John
-Manley Wood, and John Jones: and in 1834, the date of the publication
-of Mr. Burn's book, the Rev. Richard Edwards, was the Chaplain.
-
-These Clergymen, of course, married couples according to Law, and
-probably used the Chapel for that purpose. We know that it was so
-used, for the _Original Weekly Journal_ of Sept. 26, 1719, says:
-
-"One Mrs. Anne Leigh, an heiress of L200 per annum and L6000 ready
-cash, having been decoyed away from her friends in Buckinghamshire,
-and married at the Fleet chapel against her consent; we hear the
-Lord Chief Justice Pratt hath issued out his warrant for apprehending
-the authors of this contrivance, who have used the young lady so
-barbarously, that she now lyes speechless."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-But it is not of the Chaplains I would speak, but of the irregular
-Clergy, or Lay men, who performed the Marriages. One thing they
-all agreed in, the wearing of the Cassock, Gown, and Bands. They
-would never have been believed in had they not. The accompanying
-illustration[155] gives an excellent idea of the Fleet Parson, and
-it is taken from an Engraving entitled "_The_ FUNERAL _of Poor_ MARY
-HACKABOUT, _attended by the Sisterhood of Drury Lane_" and it has a
-footnote calling attention to the "wry-necked" parson. "_The famous_
-COUPLE BEGGAR _in the Fleet, a_ WRETCH, _who there screens himself from
-the Justice due to his_ VILLANIES, _and daily repeats them._"
-
-The lady holds a sprig of Rosemary in her hand, which in polite society
-was always presented by a servant, when the funeral cortege was about to
-leave the house:--In this case, a dish full of sprigs is placed upon
-the floor, and a child is playing with them. The Mourners carried them
-to the grave, and then threw them in, as we now do, flowers and wreaths
-of the same.
-
-Perhaps one of the earliest notices of these irregular Fleet Parsons
-is in the first year of Queen Anne's reign, very soon after she came
-to the throne, as it appears, in the Registry of the Consistory
-Court,--that on June 4, 1702, the Bishop of London visited the common
-prison called the Fleet, London, and took Master Jeronimus Alley,
-clerk, to task, requiring him to exhibit to the Chancellor of the
-Diocese, before the 24th June instant, his letters of ordination,
-"and his Lords^p ordered him not to marry or perform any divine Office
-in y^e Chapell in y^e ffleet, or any place within y^e Dioces untill he
-has exhibited y^e same. Mr. Alley soon afterwards fled from y^e s^d
-Prison, and never exhibited his orders."
-
-But if Alley fled, there were others left, and the practice of marrying
-without banns, or licence, brought forth the act of the 10th Anne,
-before quoted. It was probably before this, but certainly during her
-reign, that the following letter was written, which also is in the
-Bishop's Registry.
-
- "SIR,--I think it my Duty to God and y^e Queen to acquaint
- you with y^e illegal practices of y^e Ministers and Clark in
- y^e Fleet Chappell for marrying Clandestinely as they do som
- weeks fifty or sixty couple. The Ministers that are there are
- as follows, Mr. Robt. Elborough, he is an ancient man and is
- master of y^e Chapple, and marries but very few now without
- Banns or Licence, but under a colour doth allow his Clark to
- do w^t he pleases, his name is Barth. Basset. There is there
- also one Mr. James Colton a Clergyman, he lives in Leather Lane
- next door to y^e Coach and horses, he hath bin there these four
- years to marry, but no Prisoner, he marries in Coffee houses,
- in his own house, and in and about y^e Fleet gate, and all y^e
- Rules over, not excepting any part of City and Suburbs. This
- Clark Basset aforesaid registers wherever Colton marries in y^e
- Fleet Register and gives him Certificates. Colton had a living
- in Essex till y^e Bishop of London deprived him for this and
- other ill Practices. There is also one Mr. Nehemiah Rogers, he
- is a prisoner but goes at larg to his P. Living in Essex, and
- all places else, he is a very wicked man, as lives for drinking,
- whoring, and swearing, he has struck and boxed y^e bridegroom
- in y^e Chapple, and damned like any com'on souldier; he marries
- both within and without y^e Chapple like his brother Colton.
- There was one Mr. Alley; he was a Prisoner, and ye benefit of
- weddings, but is gone to some other preferm^t. The abovesaid
- Basset rents y^e sellers of y^e Fleet, and pays for y^t and two
- watchmen 100 and L20 p. ann. but he him pays but L20 per ann.
- for y^e Clergy pay all y^e rest, and if they do not, they are
- threatened to be confined or outed. This Clark hath bin sworn in
- D^{rs} Commons not to marry any without Banns or Licence, unless
- it be such poor people as are recommended by y^e Justices in
- case of a big belly, but have married since many hundreds, as
- I and many can testifie who are confined Prisoners. The Chief
- days to marry are Sundays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, but evry
- day more or less. The Clark Basset keeps a Register book, altho
- he told y^e Bishop of London he had none; he also antidates as
- he pleases, as you may see when you look over y^e Registers;
- he hath another at his son's; he does what he pleases, and
- maintains a great family by these ill practices. L200 p. ann. he
- hath at least. The Ministers and Clark bribe one Mr. Shirley, I
- think him to be Collector for y^e Oueen's Taxes. I hope, Sir,
- you will excuse me for concealing my name, hoping y^t you will
- inspect into these base practices.
-
- For Dr. Newton Chancell^{rs} to My Lord of London at D^{rs}
- Commons These."
-
-
- [Footnote 154: These were touts, like those white-aproned
- gentry who used to infest Doctors' Commons, telling people
- where they could procure Marriage licences--only these
- "plyers" touted for the parsons.]
-
- [Footnote 155: See previous page.]
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVII.
-
-
-But the Act of 1712 failed to stop these illicit marriages, for one
-John Mottram was tried at Guildhall, before Lord Chief Justice Parker,
-found guilty, was suspended from his ministerial functions for three
-years, and was fined L200. Of this case there is an account in the
-_Weekly Journal_, February 13, 1717.
-
-"John Mottram, Clerk, was tryed for solemnizing clandestine and
-unlawful marriages in the Fleet Prison, and of keeping fraudulent
-Registers, whereby it appear'd that he had dated several marriages
-several years before he enter'd into orders, and that he kept no less
-than nine several Registers at different houses, which contained many
-scandalous frauds. It also appeared, that a marriage was antedated
-because of pregnancy; and, to impose on the ignorant, there was written
-underneath this scrap of barbarous Latin, "Hi non nupti fuerunt, sed
-obtinerunt Testimonium propter timorem parentum," meaning that they
-were not marryed, but obtained this private Register for fear of their
-parents. It rather appeared from evidence, that these sham marriages
-were solemnized in a room in the Fleet they call the Lord Mayor's
-Chappel, which was furnished with chairs, cushions, and proper
-conveniences, and that a coal heaver was generally set to ply at the
-door to recommend all couples that had a mind to be marry'd, to the
-Prisoner, who would do it cheaper than any body. It further appear'd
-that one of the Registers only, contained above 2,200 entrys which
-had been made within the last year."
-
-Pennant, writing at the end of the last century, gives us his personal
-reminiscences of Fleet Parsons ("Some Account of London," 3rd ed.,
-1793, p. 232),
-
-"In walking along the street, in my youth, on the side next to the
-prison, I have often been tempted by the question, _Sir, will you
-be pleased to walk in and be married?_ Along this most lawless space
-was hung up the frequent sign of a male and female hand conjoined,
-with, _Marriages performed within_, written beneath. A dirty fellow
-invited you in. The parson was seen walking before his shop; a squalid
-profligate figure, clad in a tattered plaid night gown, with a fiery
-face, and ready to couple you for a dram of gin, or roll of tobacco."
-
-Burn gives a list of Fleet Parsons, first of whom comes John Gaynam,
-who married from about 1709 to 1740. He rejoiced in a peculiar
-soubriquet, as will be seen by the following. In the trial of Ruth
-Woodward for bigamy, in 1737, he is alluded to by a witness:--
-
- "_John Hall._ I saw her married at the Fleet to Robert Holmes;
- 'twas at the Hand and Pen, a barber's shop.
-
- "_Counsel._ And is it not a wedding shop too?
-
- "_Hall._ Yes, I don't know the parson's name, but 'twas a man
- that once belonged to Creed Church, a very, lusty, jolly man.
-
- "_Counsel._ Because there's a complaint lodged in a proper
- court, against a Fleet Parson, whom they call The Bishop of
- Hell."
-
-Some verses, however, absolutely settle the title upon Gaynam.
-
-
-"THE FLEET PARSON
-
-A Tale,
-
-BY ANTI MATRIM.... OF LONDON.
-
- Some errant Wags, as stories tell,
- Assert the gloomy prince of Hell
- In th' infernal Region has
- His Officers of all degrees,
- Whose business is to propagate
- On Earth, the interests of his State,
- Ecclesiastics too are thought
- To be subservient to him brought;
- And, as their zeal his service prize,
- He never fails to make them rise
- As Dignitaries in his Church,
- But often leaves them in the lurch;
- For, if their Fear surmount their Zeal,
- (They) quickly his resentment feel;
- (Are) sure to meet with dire disgrace,
- (And) warmer Zealots fill their place.
- (To) make these Vacancies repleat,
- He borrows P----ns from the Fleet,
- Long has old G----m with applause
- Obeyed his Master's cursed Laws,
- Readily practis'd every Vice,
- And equall'd e'en the Devil for device.
- His faithful Services such favour gain'd
- That he, first B----p was of H--l ordain'd.
- Dan. W----e (rose) next in Degree,
- And he obtained the Deanery.
- Ned Ash----ll then came into grace,
- And he supplied th' Archdeacon's place,
- But, as the Devil when his ends
- Are served, he leaves his truest friends;
- So fared it with this wretched three,
- Who lost their Lives and Dignity."
-
-There is mention of Gaynam in two trials for bigamy--first in
-chronological order coming that of Robert Hussey.
-
- "_Dr. Gainham._ The 9th of September, 1733, I married a couple
- at the Rainbow Coffee House, the corner of Fleet Ditch, and
- entered the marriage in my register, as fair a register as any
- Church in England can produce. I showed it last night to the
- foreman of the jury, and my Lord Mayor's Clerk, at the London
- Punch House.
-
- "_Counsel._ Are you not ashamed to come and own a clandestine
- marriage in the face of a Court of Justice?
-
- "_Dr. Gainham_ (bowing). _Video meliora, deteriora sequor._
-
- "_Counsel._ You are on your oath, I ask you whether you never
- enter marriages in that book, when there is no marriage at all?
-
- "_Dr. Gainham._ I never did in my life. I page my book so, that
- it cannot be altered."
-
-The other case is from the trial of Edmund Dangerfield in 1736.
-
- "_Dr. Gainham._ I don't know the prisoner. I did marry a man
- and woman of these names. Here, this is a true register: _Edwd
- Dangerfield of St. Mary Newington Butts, Batchelor, to Arabella
- Fast_. When I marry at any house, I always set it down, for I
- carry one of the books in my pocket, and when I go home I put it
- in my great book.
-
- "_Court._ Do you never make any alteration?
-
- "_Gainham._ Never, my Lord. These two were married at Mrs.
- Ball's, at the Hand and Pen, by the Fleet Prison, and my name is
- to her book.
-
- "_Counsel._ 'Tis strange you should not remember the prisoner.
-
- "_Gainham._ Can I remember persons? I have married 2000 since
- that time."
-
-We have heard of Alley, who married from 1681 to 1707; of Elborrow,
-1698 to 1702; and of Mottram, who flourished between 1709 and 1725.
-
-Of Daniel Wigmore, the Dean of the previous poem, we know little except
-that he married between 1723 and 1754. The _Daily Post_ of May 26,
-1738, says of him, "Yesterday Daniel Wigmore, one of the parsons noted
-for marrying people within the Rules of the Fleet, was convicted
-before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, of selling spirituous
-liquors contrary to law."
-
-The third dignitary, Edward Ashwell, the Archdeacon, was notorious, and
-some of his misdeeds are recounted in a letter from Wm. Hodgson, to his
-brother, a Clergyman. (Lansdowne MSS., 841, fol. 123).
-
- _June_ 21, 1725.
-
- "REVEREND SIR,--There was lately, at Southam, in Warwickshire,
- one Edward Ashwell, who, in my absence, got possession of our
- School, and preach'd in Several Churches in this Neighbourhood.
- I take the Liberty to Inform you, Since I hear he is at
- Kettering, that he is A Most Notorious Rogue and Impostor. I
- have now certificates on my hand, of his having two wives alive
- at this present time, and he was very Near Marrying the third,
- in this Town, but the fear of a prosecution upon the Discovery
- of the flaming and Scandalous Immoralities of his life, forc'd
- him away from us. In a short time Afterwards, in a Village not
- far from us, he attempted to Ravish a Woman, but was prevented
- by a Soldier then in the house. I Can assure you he is in no
- Orders, tho' the Audacious Villain preaches when he Can get a
- pulpit. I have a whole packet of Letters by Me, all tending to
- the Same Character, which I think Exceeds, for variety of all
- Manner of Inormous practices, what Can be Charg'd upon the very
- Scum of Mankind. The Accounts are from persons of integrity and
- known Reputation.
-
- "I prevented him preaching one Day at Brawnstin, Mr. Somes's
- parish. It would be A very kind and Christian Office to give
- some information among the Clergy, that they may not be Impos'd
- upon by him, particularly to Mr. Heyrick, for I Married Mr.
- Allicock's sister of Loddington. I know you will pardon this
- trouble if the fellow be amongst you.
-
- "I am, your affectionate Brother,
-
- W. HODGSON."
-
-We hear occasionally of this "professional beauty" in the Registers,
-and give two or three examples:--
-
- "June 21st, 1740. John Jones of Eaton Sutton in Bedfordshire,
- and Mary Steward of the same, came to Wood's in Fleet Lane about
- six o'clock in the morning. Mr. Ashwell and self had been down
- the Market. Wood called him, and I went with him there, found
- the said man and woman, offer'd Mr. Ashwell 3 shilling to marry
- him; he would not, so he swore very much, and would have knocked
- him down, but for me. was not married. took this memorandum that
- they might not Pretend afterwards they was married, and not
- Register'd."
-
- "July 15 (1744). Came a man and wooman to the Green Canister,
- he was an Irishman and Taylor to bee married. Gave Mr. Ashwell
- 2: 6. but would have 5s., went away, and abused Mr. Ashwell
- very much, told him he was a Thief, and I was worse. Took
- this account because should not say they was married, and not
- Registered. N.B. The Fellow said Mr. Warren was his relation."
-
-It was the custom for these Fleet Parsons to carry with them pocket
-books, in which were roughly entered the names of the Married Couple,
-and, occasionally, if they wished their names to be kept secret,
-and paid, of course, a proportionate fee, their full names were not
-transcribed into the larger Register, as the following shows:--
-
- "September y^e 11th, 1745. Edwd. ---- and Elizabeth ---- were
- married, and would not let me know their names, y^e man said he
- was a weaver, and liv'd in Bandy leg walk in the Borough.
-
- Pr. E. Ashwell."
-
-He was so famous that he was honoured with an obituary notice in the
-press, _vide_ the _General Advertiser_, Jan. 15, 1746.
-
-"On Monday last, died, in the Rules of the Fleet, Doctor Ashwell,
-the most noted operator in Marriages since the death of the
-never-to-be-forgotten Dr. Gaynam."
-
- John Floud, or Flood, did a good business from the time of Queen
- Anne, 1709, to Dec. 31, 1729, when he died within the Rules of
- the Fleet. He was a very queer Character, keeping a mistress
- who played jackall to his lion, and touted for couples to be
- married. He died suddenly whilst celebrating a wedding. Yet
- even he seems to have had some compunction as to his course of
- life, like Walter Wyatt: for, in one of his pocket books is the
- following verse.
-
- "I have Liv'd so long I am weary Living, I wish I was dead, and
- my sins forgiven: Then I am sure to go to heaven, Although I
- liv'd at sixes and sevens."
-
- John Floud had a peculiarity; if ever he wanted to make
- memoranda, which were not convenient to introduce into his
- ordinary Register he partially used the Greek character, as
- being "Caviar to the general," thus:
-
- "13 Jan. 1728. [Greek: marr]: [Greek: t]h[Greek: ree s]h[Greek:
- illings] & [Greek: one] [Greek: d]^o [Greek: cherti]_f_[Greek:
- ichate]. Th[Greek: e] [Greek: bridegroom] w[Greek: as t]h[Greek:
- e brot]h[Greek: er] o_f_ [Greek: t]h[Greek: e memorable]
- J[Greek: onat]h[Greek: an] W[Greek: ild] E[Greek: chechuted at]
- Ty[Greek: burn]."
-
- Marr.: three shillings and one ditto Certificate. The bridegroom
- was the brother of the memorable Jonathan Wild, Executed at
- Tyburn.
-
- "8 Mar. 1728. [Greek: Not]h[Greek: ing but a note o]_f_ h[Greek:
- and] _f_[Greek: or t]h[Greek: is marriage] wh[Greek: ich]h
- [Greek: neuer] w[Greek: as phaid]."
-
- Nothing but a note of hand for this marriage, which never was
- paid.
-
- "27 August, 1728. [Greek: marriage t]h[Greek: irteen s]h[Greek:
- illings] & [Greek: one] & [Greek: sichphenche cherti]_f_[Greek:
- ichate. t]h[Greek: e] w[Greek: oman not charing to be married in
- t]h[Greek: e phleet] I h[Greek: ad t]h[Greek: em married at mr
- bro]w[Greek: ns at mr] H[Greek: arrisons in pheidgeone chourt in
- t]h[Greek: e Old Baile]y [Greek: at] _f_[Greek: our achlochch in
- t]h[Greek: e morning]."
-
- Marriage thirteen shillings, and one and sixpence Certificate.
- The woman not caring to be married in the Fleet, I had them
- married at Mr. Brown's, at Mr. Harrison's in Pidgeone Court, in
- the Old Bailey at four a'clock in the morning.
-
- "12 Aug. 1729. [Greek: phd] _f_[Greek: iue s]h[Greek: illings
- pher total]. N.B. Th[Greek: e] 28th o_f_ [Greek: Aphril 1736
- mrs bell chame and Earnestl]y [Greek: intreated me to Erase
- T]h[Greek: e marriage out o]_f_ [Greek: t]h[Greek: e booch] for
- [Greek: t]h[Greek: at] h[Greek: er] h[Greek: usband] h[Greek:
- ad beat and abused] h[Greek: er in a barbarous manner]....
- [Greek: I made] h[Greek: er beleiue I did so,] _f_[Greek:
- or] wh[Greek: ich]h I h[Greek: ad] h[Greek: al]_f_ [Greek: a
- guinea, and s]h[Greek: e same time deliuered me uph] h[Greek: er
- cherti]_f_[Greek: ichate. No pherson phresent (Achchording to]
- h[Greek: er desire])."
-
- Paid five shillings per total. N.B.--The 28th of April, 1736,
- Mrs. Bell came and earnestly intreated me to erase the Marriage
- out of the book, for that her husband had beat and abused her in
- a barbarous manner.... I made her believe I did so, for which I
- had half a guinea, and she, at the same time, delivered me up
- her certificate. No person present (according to her desire).
-
-Perhaps, next to Dr. Gaynam, the bishop, no one did more business in
-Fleet Marriages than Walter Wyatt. We have already read some of his
-moral apothegms. He made a large income out of his Marriages, and,
-looking at the value of money, which was at least three times that of
-the present time, his profession was highly lucrative. Take one Month
-for instance. October, 1748--
-
- Oct. y^e 1 at home 2 11 6 abroad nil.
- 2 " 5 13 6 " 11 6
- 3 " 2 15 6 " 16 0
- 4 " 12 3 " 10 0
- 5 " 1 5 6 " nil.
- 6 " 10 6 " 1 4 6
- 7 " 1 8 6 " nil.
- --------------------
- Total... 17 19 3
- From 8th to 15th " ... 17 6 6
- " 15th " 21st " ... 10 0 6
- " 21st " 27th " ... 6 17 0
- " 28th " 31st " ... 5 9 6
- ----------
- L57 12 9
- ==========
-
-Or nearly L700 a year--equal to about L2,500 of our Currency. No wonder
-then, that when he died, March 13, 1750, he left a will behind him,
-which was duly proved; and by it he left his children in ward to his
-brother, and different legacies to his family--to his married daughter
-Mary, he bequeathed five pounds, and his estate at Oxford.
-
-He describes himself, on the cover of one of the Registers, as "Mr.
-Wyatt, Minister of the Fleet, is removed from the Two Sawyers, the
-Corner of Fleet Lane (with all the Register Books), to the Hand and
-Pen near Holborn Bridge, where Marriages are solemnized without
-imposition." But there seem to have been other establishments which
-traded on Wyatt's sign, probably because he was so prosperous. Joshua
-Lilley kept the Hand and Pen near Fleet Bridge. Matthias Wilson's house
-of the same sign stood on the bank of the Fleet ditch; John Burnford
-had a similar name for his house at the foot of Ludgate Hill, and Mrs.
-Balls also had an establishment with the same title.
-
-He seems to have attempted to invade Parson Keith's _peculiar_ in May
-Fair, or it may only be an Advertising ruse on the part of that
-exceedingly keen practitioner, in order to bring his name prominently
-before the public. At all events there is an Advertisement dated
-August 27, 1748. "The Fleet Parson (who very modestly calls himself
-Reverend), married at the Fleet, in Mr. L----yl's house, Mrs.
-C----k's, at the Naked Boy, and for Mr. W----yt, the Fleet Parson. And
-to shew that he is now only for Mr. W----yt, the Fleet Parson's
-deputy, the said W----yt told one in May Fair, that he intended to set
-up in opposition to Mr. Keith, and send goods to furnish the house,
-and maintains him and the men who ply some days at the Fleet, and at
-other times at May Fair. But not to speak of the men, if he himself
-was not a Fleet Parson, he could never stand in Piccadilly, and run
-after Coaches and foot people in so shameful a manner, and tell them
-Mr. Keith's house is shut up, and there is no Chapel but theirs; and
-to other people he says, their Fleet Chapel is Mr. Keith's Chapel, and
-this he hath said in the hearing of Mr. Keith's clerk, and it is known
-to most of the people about May Fair, and likewise Mr. Keith appeals
-to the generality of people about the Fleet and May Fair, for proof of
-Mr. Reverend's being only W----yts, the Fleet parson's deputy."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVIII.
-
-
-Of James Starkey, who married from 1718 to 1730, very little is known,
-except that he had run away to Scotland, and could not be produced
-when wanted at a trial in the Old Bailey. And also of Robert Cuthbert,
-1723-30--very little is known except through the medium of his pocket
-books, and they recount his love of horse flesh, and the prices he paid
-for his mounts.
-
-Of Thomas Crawford, 1723-1748, we hear something from a letter in that
-curious _melange_ of News, the _Grub Street Journal_, June 10, 1736:--
-
- "Gentlemen, Having frequently heard of the many abominable
- practises of the Fleet, I had the Curiosity, May 23, to take a
- view of the place, as I accidently was walking by.
-
- "The first thing observable was one J--- L----,[156] by trade
- a Carpenter (whose brother, it is said, keeps the sign of the
- B---- and G----r),[157] cursing, swearing, and raving in the
- street in the time of divine service, with a mob of people about
- him, calling one of his fraternity (J. E.),[158] a Plyer for
- Weddings, an informing rogue, for informing against one of their
- Ministers for profane cursing and swearing, for which offence
- he paid three pounds odd money: the hearing of which pleased me
- very well, since I could find one in that notorious place which
- had some spark of grace left; as was manifested by the dislike
- he shewed to the person that was guilty of the profanation of
- God's sacred name.
-
- "When the mob was dispersed, I walked about some small time, and
- saw a person, exceeding well-dress'd in flower'd morning gown,
- a band, hat and wig, who appeared so clean that I took him for
- some worthy divine, who might have, accidentally, be making the
- same remarks as myself; but upon inquiry was surpris'd at being
- assured he was one T---- C---- [159] a watchmaker, who goes in a
- Minister's dress, personating a Clergyman, and taking upon him
- the name of Doctor, to the scandal of the Sacred function. He
- may be seen any time at the Bull and Garter, or the Great Hand,
- and Pen and Star, with these words under written. '_The old and
- true Register_' near the Rainbow Coffee House.--T. S."
-
-Peter Symson, who married 1731-1754, describes himself in his handbill,
-as "educated at the University of Cambridge, and late Chaplain to the
-Earl of Rothes."
-
-His "Chapel" was at the Old Red Hand and Mitre, three doors from Fleet
-Lane, and next door to the White Swan. As were most of his fellows, he
-was witness in a bigamy trial in 1751. He was asked,
-
- "Why did you marry them without license?
-
- "_Symson._ Because somebody would have done it, if I had not.
- I was ordained in Grosvenor Square Chapel by the Bishop of
- Winchester--the Bishop of Lincoln. Can't say I am a prisoner in
- the Fleet. Am 43 years old. Never had a benefice in my life.
- I have had little petty Curacies about L20 or L30 per year. I
- don't do it for lucre or gain.
-
- "_Court._ You might have exposed your person had you gone on the
- highway, but you'd do less prejudice to your country a great
- deal. You are a nuisance to the public; and the gentlemen of the
- jury, it is to be hoped, will give but little credit to you."
-
-When Keith of Mayfair was committed to the Fleet, Symson married for
-him from 1750 to 1754.
-
-There was another Fleet Parson named William Dare, 1732-1746, who had
-such a large connection that he employed a Curate to help him; but
-then, his marriages were 150 to 200 a month.
-
-James Lando is somewhat shrouded in mystery, for it is possible that
-he was identical with the gentleman who is described at the end of
-one of the Fleet Registers as "John Lando, a French Minister, in
-Church Street, Soho, opposite att a French pastry or nasty Cook's. His
-Landlord's name is Jinkstone, a dirty chandler's shop: he is to be
-heard of in the first flower next the skye."
-
-He really was a "Chaplain of the Fleet," for he was Chaplain on board
-H.B.M.S. _Falkland_ from May 29, 1744, to Jan. 17, 1746. He had a house
-in Half Moon Court, the first house joining to Ludgate, which was at
-the Corner of the Old Bailey. This he called St. John's Chapel, and
-here he not only solemnized marriages, but taught Latin and French
-three times a week.
-
-An advertisement of his states that "Marriages with a Licence,
-Certificate, and a Crown Stamp, at a Guinea, at the New Chapel, next
-door to the China Shop, near Fleet Bridge, London, by a regular bred
-Clergyman, and not by a Fleet Parson, as is insinuated in the public
-papers; and that the town may be freed (from) mistakes, no Clergyman
-being a prisoner in the Rules of the Fleet dare marry; and to obviate
-all doubts, this Chapel is not in the verge of the Fleet, but kept by
-a Gentleman who was lately on board one of his Majesty's men of war,
-and likewise has gloriously distinguished himself in defence of his
-King and Country, and is above committing those little mean actions
-that some men impose on people, being determined to have everything
-conducted with the utmost decency and regularity, such as shall be
-always supported in law and equity."
-
-Burn gives a list of others who married in the Fleet, but does not
-pretend it to be exhaustive. Still, the list is a long one.
-
- Bates...
- Becket, John 1748
- Buckler, Sam. 1732 to 1751
- Brayfield, Sam. 1754
- Bynes, Benj. 1698 to 1711
- Barrett, Mich. 1717 " 1738
-
- Colton, James 1681 to 1721
- Callow, Jos. 1752
- Clayton 1720
- Colteman 1688
- Draper 1689 to 1716
- Denevan, Francis 1747 " 1754
- Davis, Wm. 1718
- Evans, John 1689 to 1729
- Evans, Ed. 1727
- Farren, John 1688
- Gower, Henry 1689 to 1718
- Hodgkins, Thos. 1674 " 1728
- Hanson, Anthony 1731 " 1732
- Jones, John 1718 " 1725
- Loveday, Wm. 1750
- Morton 1720
- Marston, Edward 1713 to 1714
- Marshall, John 1750
- Murry, D. 1719
- Nodes 1753
- Oswald 1712
- Oglesby 1728 to 1740
- Privavaul
- Patterson 1732
- Ryder, Thos. 1722 to 1743
- Roberts, Edward 1698
- Reynolds, E. 1749
- Rogers, Nehemiah 1700 to 1703
- Shadwell, Ralph 1733 " 1734
- Shaw, James 1723
- Sindrey, Richard 1722 to 1740
- Stacy, Edmund 1719
- Shelburn, Anthony 1722 to 1737
- Stainton, John 1730
- Simpson, Anthony 1726 to 1754
- Stanhope, Walter 1711
- Standly 1747 to 1750
- Skinner, Nathaniel 1716
- Town, I. 1754
- Tomkings 1740
- Tarrant, John 1688
- " " 1742 to 1750
- Townsend, Jacob 1754
- Vice, Jo. 1689 to 1713
- Wagstaffe, James 1689 " 1729
- Wise, J. 1709
- Wilkinson 1740
- Williams, Wm.
- Walker, Clem. 1732 to 1735
- Wodmore, Isaac 1752
-
-Which of these is the one referred to in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
-April 1809? "I should be much obliged to you also, Mr. Urban, if you,
-or any of your numerous and intelligent correspondents, could acquaint
-me with the name of a tall black clergyman, who used to solicit the
-commands of the votaries of Hymen at the door of a public-house known
-by the sign of the Cock in Fleet Market, previously to the Marriage
-Act."
-
-Before dismissing the subject of Fleet parsons, reference must be
-made to the Rev. Alexander Keith of Mayfair Chapel, who has a claim
-to be noticed here, as he was an inhabitant of the Fleet. The Chapel
-in Mayfair was built somewhere about 1736, to meet the wants of the
-increasing neighbourhood, which was then becoming fashionable, after
-the abolition of the fair in Brook-field, and the first incumbent was
-the Rev. Alexander Keith, who claimed to have been ordained priest by
-the Bishop of Norwich, acting on Letters Dimissory from the Bishop
-of London, in June, 1731. He also stated that at the time of his
-appointment as preacher in the Chapel, he was Reader at the Roll's
-Chapel. He did a roaring trade in irregular marriages, and it was at
-Mayfair Chapel that the Duke of Hamilton espoused the youngest of the
-beautiful Miss Gunnings, "with a ring of the bed curtain, at half an
-hour past twelve at night."
-
-He had also a private chapel of his own, as we read in an advertisement
-of his, April, 1750. "Several persons belonging to Churches and
-Chapels, together with many others, supposing the Marriages at May Fair
-New Chapel to be detrimental to their interest, have made it their
-Business to rave and clamour, but in such a Manner, as not to deserve
-to Answer, because every Thing they have said tends to expose their
-own Ignorance and Malice, in the Opinion of People of good Sense and
-Understanding. We are informed, that Mrs. Keith's Corpse was removed
-from her Husband's House in May Fair, the Middle of October last, to
-an Apothecary's in South Audley Street, where she lies in a Room hung
-with Mourning, and is to continue there till Mr. Keith can attend her
-Funeral! The way to Mr. Keith's Chapel is thro' Piccadilly, by the
-End of St. James's Street and down Clarges Street, and turn on the
-Left Hand. The Marriages (together with a Licence on a Five Shilling
-Stamp, and Certificate) are carried on as usual, any time till Four
-in the Afternoon, by another regular Clergyman, at Mr. Keith's little
-Chapel in May Fair, near Hyde Park Corner, opposite the great Chapel,
-and within ten Yards of it. There is a Porch at the Door like a Country
-Church Porch."
-
-His wife died in 1749 whilst he was in the Fleet prison, which accounts
-for his inability to attend her funeral. Why he was imprisoned is as
-follows. By advertising, and other means, his Marriages at Mayfair were
-very popular, and interfered greatly with the Vested Interests of the
-neighbouring clergy, one of whom, Dr. Trebeck, rector of St. George's,
-Hanover Square, brought a lawsuit against him, in the Ecclesiastical
-Court. He defended himself, but unsuccessfully, for a sentence of
-excommunication was promulgated against him on Oct. 27, 1742.
-
-Two could play at that game, so Keith excommunicated, at his Chapel in
-Mayfair, his bishop, the judge who condemned him, and the prosecutor,
-Dr. Trebeck, but none of them seem to have been any the worse for
-the operation. Such, however, was not the case with Keith, for, on
-Jan. 24, 1743, a decree was issued for his apprehension. This did not
-take effect till April, 1743, when he was committed to the Fleet; the
-marriages at Mayfair being continued, as we have seen, by Symson and
-Denevan.
-
-He lay in the Fleet about fifteen years, and in 1753, when Lord
-Hardwicke's Marriage Act was being discussed, he thence issued a
-pamphlet of thirty-two pages, with his portrait attached, entitled,
-"Observations on the Act for preventing Clandestine Marriages." In
-it he gives what seems to be "a plain, unvarnished tale" of Fleet
-Marriages. "As I have married many thousands, and, consequently, have
-on those occasions seen the humour of the lower class of people, I have
-often asked the married pair how long they had been acquainted; they
-would reply, some more, some less, but the generality did not exceed
-the acquaintance of a week, some only of a day, half-a-day, &c....
-Another inconveniency which will arise from this Act will be, that the
-expence of being married will be so great, that few of the lower class
-of people can afford; for I have often heard a Flete parson say, that
-many have come to be married when they have but half-a-crown in their
-pockets, and sixpence to buy a pot of beer, and for which they have
-pawned some of their cloaths.... I remember once on a time, I was at
-a public-house at Radcliffe, which was then full of Sailors and their
-girls, there was fiddling, piping, jigging, and eating; at length one
-of the tars starts up, and says, 'D--m ye, Jack, I'll be married just
-now; I will have my partner, and'.... The joke took, and in less than
-two hours ten couple set out for the Flete. I staid their return.
-They returned in coaches; five women in each coach; the tars, some
-running before, others riding on the coach box, and others behind.
-The Cavalcade being over, the couples went up into an upper room,
-where they concluded the evening with great jollity. The next time I
-went that way, I called on my landlord and asked him concerning this
-marriage adventure; he first stared at me, but, recollecting, he said
-those things were so frequent, that he hardly took any notice of them;
-for, added he, it is a common thing, when a fleet comes in, to have two
-or three hundred marriages in a week's time, among the sailors."
-
-The Marriage Act was passed, and came into force on March 26, 1754. On
-the 25th Sixty-one Couples were married at Mayfair Chapel.
-
-It was a death blow to the Reverend Alexander, although he tried to
-laugh it off, if Horace Walpole may be believed. In a letter to George
-Montagu, Esqr. (June 11, 1753), he says: "I shall only tell you a _bon
-mot_ of Keith's, the marriage broker, and conclude. 'G--d d--n the
-Bishops,' said he (I beg Miss Montagu's pardon), 'so they will hinder
-my marrying. Well, let 'em, but I'll be revenged: I'll buy two or three
-acres of ground, and by G--d, I'll under bury them all.'"
-
-This may have been true, but it was mere bravado, for he appealed from
-his prison to the benevolent, as we see by the following advertisement.
-"_To the Compassionate._ By the late Marriage Act, the Rev. Mr. Keith,
-from a great Degree of Affluence, is reduc'd to such a deplorable
-State of Misery in the Fleet Prison, as is much better to be conceiv'd
-than related, having scarce any other thing than Bread and Water to
-subsist on. It is to be hoped he will be deemed truly undeserving
-such a Fate, when the Publick are assured, that not foreseeing such
-an unhappy Stroke of Fortune, as the late Act, he yearly expended
-almost his whole Income (which amounted to several Hundred Pounds per
-Annum) in relieving not only single distress'd Persons, but even whole
-Families of wretched Objects of Compassion. This can be attested by
-several Persons of the strictest Character and Reputation, as well as
-by Numbers who experienced his Bounty. Mr. Keith's present calamitous
-Situation renders him perhaps as great an Object of Charity himself, as
-all Circumstances consider'd, as ever in his better Days partook of his
-own Assistance, or that of others equally compassionate; and is indeed
-sufficient to awaken Humanity in the most uncharitable. Any Gentleman
-or Lady may be satisfied of the above by applying to Mr. Brooke,
-Engraver, facing Water Lane, Fleet Street, by whom Donations from the
-Publick will be received for the Use of Mr. Keith."
-
-
- [Footnote 156: Joshua Lilly, who kept one of the Hand and Pen
- houses, and said that he had been appointed Registrar of
- Marriages, by the Lord Chancellor, and had paid L1,000 for the
- post. He did not marry people, but kept presumable Clergymen
- to do so. He is mentioned several times in the Registers and
- Pocket-books. Once, at all events, he was in danger of the
- judgment seat, as Ashwell writes in one of his pocket-books:
- "N.B. On Sunday, November y^e 6, 1740, at y^e hour of 9, in my
- house declared that, if he had not come home out of y^e
- country, being fled for punishment, having Cut of his hair (to
- prevent being known), y^t y^e indictment for marrying James
- Hussey to Miss Henrietta Arnold, he had (been) ruin'd but y^t
- he swore it off and y^e attorney promis'd to defend him, and
- it cost him only a treat of 10/; had I staid, says the s^d
- Joshua Lilley, where I was, viz.----, the indictment would
- have stood good against me, but my taking y^e side of the
- prosecutor, y^e young ladies, I have got safe off." In a
- Register is a notice relating to him. "June y^e 13th, 1744.
- Whereas one Joshua Lilley, being a noted man for having more
- marriages at his house than the generality of y^e people could
- have, he the said Joshua Lilley keeping several plyars, as
- they are call'd, to gett these weddings, I have put his
- marriages down in a separate book, but findend ill-convenience
- arise thereby, fro' this 13th instant, do insert it w^{th} y^e
- rest." And one of his handbills describes him as "I. Lilley,
- at y^e Hand and Pen, next door to the china shop, Fleet
- Bridge, London, will be perform'd the solemnization of
- marriages by a gentleman regularly bred att one of our
- Universities, and lawfully ordain'd according to the
- institutions of the Church of England, and is ready to wait on
- any person in town or countrey."]
-
- [Footnote 157: This was John Lilley, who kept a public-house,
- called the Bull and Garter. In 1717 he was found guilty, and
- fined five pounds, for acting as Clerk at a Fleet Marriage. He
- was a turnkey at the Fleet Prison, and in his house he had a
- room for solemnizing marriages--which he called a
- Chapel--issuing certificates bearing the City Arms, and
- purporting to be the Lord Mayor's Certificates.]
-
- [Footnote 158: Probably John Evans, who married from 1689 to
- 1729, both at the King's Bench and Fleet.]
-
- [Footnote 159: I am unable to identify these initials.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: A FLEET WEDDING.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIX.
-
-
-Keith's written description of a Fleet Marriage is graphic, but a
-contemporary engraving brings it even more vividly before us. This
-was published Oct. 20, 1747, and gives an excellent view of the Fleet
-Market as it then was. It is called "A FLEET WEDDING, Between a brisk
-young Sailor, and his Landlady's Daughter at Rederiff."
-
- "Scarce had the Coach discharg'd it's trusty Fare,
- But gaping Crouds surround th' amorous Pair;
- The busy Plyers make a mighty Stir!
- And whisp'ring cry, d'ye want the Parson, Sir?
- Pray step this way--just to the PEN IN HAND
- The Doctor's ready there at your Command:
- This way (another cries) Sir, I declare
- The true and ancient Register is Here.
- Th' alarmed Parsons quickly hear the Din!
- And haste with soothing words t'invite them in:
- In this Confusion jostled to and fro,
- Th' inamour'd Couple knows not where to go:
- Till slow advancing from the Coache's Side
- Th' experienc'd Matron came (an artful Guide)
- She led the way without regarding either,
- And the first parson spliced 'em both together."
-
-[Illustration: THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT.]
-
-The Context to this is a companion Engraving of "THE SAILOR'S
-FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT," which most aptly illustrates Keith's
-description, but the poetry attached to it will scarcely bear modern
-reproduction.
-
-But, if a poetical account of a Fleet Wedding is needed, it may be
-found in "THE BUNTER'S WEDDING."
-
- "Good people attend, I'll discover,
- A Wedding that happen'd of late,
- I cannot tell why we should smother,
- The weddings of poor more than great;
- 'Twixt Ben of the Borough so pretty,
- Who carries a basket, 'tis said,
- And dainty plump Kent street fair Kitty,
- A Coney Wool Cutter by trade.
-
- The guests were all quickly invited,
- Ben order'd the dinner by noon,
- And Kitty was highly delighted,
- They obey'd the glad summons so soon:
- An ox cheek was order'd for dinner,
- With plenty of porter and gin,
- Ben swore on the oath of a sinner,
- Nothing should be wanting in him.
-
- Joe the sandman, and Bessy the bunter,
- We hear from St. Giles's did prance,
- Dick the fiddler, and Sally the Mumper,
- Brought Levi the Jew for to dance.
- Tom the Chanter he quickly was present,
- And squinting black Molly likewise,
- With Billy the Dustman quite pleasant,
- And Nell with no nose and sore eyes.
-
- Ned the drover was also invited,
- Unto this gay wedding to come,
- From Smithfield he came quite delighted,
- Before that the market was done.
- And Fanny the pretty match maker,
- A sister to young bunting Bess,
- She wished the devil might take her
- If she was not one of the guests.
-
- Dolly the rag woman's daughter,
- From Tyburn road she did stride,
- And Jenny the quilter came after
- Whose nose it stood all of one side;
- There was Roger the chimney sweeper,
- No soot he would gather that day,
- But, because he would look the compleater,
- His soot bag and brush threw away.
-
- There was bandy leg'd sheep's head Susan
- We hear from Field Lane she did hie,
- And draggle tail'd Pat with no shoes on,
- Who pins and laces doth cry;
- Ralph the grinder he set by his barrow,
- As soon as he heard of the news,
- And swore he would be there to-morrow,
- Atho' he'd no heels to his shoes.
-
- Sam the grubber, he having had warning,
- His wallet and broom down did lay,
- And early attended next morning,
- The bride for to give away;
- And Peggy the mop yarn spinner,
- Her Cards and her wheel set aside,
- And swore as she was a sinner,
- She'd go and attire the bride.
-
- Nan the tub woman out of Whitechapel,
- Was also invited to go,
- And, as she was 'kin to the couple,
- She swore she the stocking would throw;
- So having all gather'd together,
- As they appointed to meet,
- And being all birds of a feather,
- They presently flocked to the Fleet.
-
- But when at Fleet Bridge they arrived,
- The bridegroom was handing his bride,
- The sailors [_? plyers_] they all to them drived,
- Do you want a Parson? they cry'd;
- But as they down Fleet Ditch did prance,
- What house shall we go to? says Ben,
- Then Kitty, in raptures, made answer
- Let's go to the Hand and the Pen.
-
- Then into the house they did bundle,
- The landlady shew'd them a room,
- The landlord he roar'd out like thunder,
- The parson shall wait on you soon:
- Then so eager he came for to fasten,
- He staid not to fasten his hose,
- A fat bellied ruddy fac'd parson,
- That brandy had painted his nose.
-
- But before (he) the couple did fasten
- He look'd all around on the men,
- My fee's half a crown, says the parson,--
- I freely will give it, says Ben:
- Then Hymen he presently follow'd
- And the happy knot being ty'd
- The guests they whooped and hollow'd,
- All joys to the bridegroom and bride.
-
- Like Malt horses home they all pranced,
- The bride she look'd not like the same,
- And thus thro' the City they danced;
- But, when to the Borough they came,
- The bride to look buxom endeavour'd,
- The bridegroom as brisk as an eel;
- With the marrow bones and cleavers,
- The butchers they rang them a peal.
-
- And, as they were homewards advancing,
- A-dancing, and singing of songs,
- The rough music met them all prancing,
- With frying pans, shovels, and tongs:
- Tin Canisters, salt boxes plenty,
- With trotter bones beat by the boys,
- And they being hollow and empty,
- They made a most racketting noise.
-
- Bowls, gridirons, platters, and ladles,
- And pokers, tin kettles did bruise,
- The noise, none to bear it was able,
- The warming pans beat with old shoes:
- Such a rattling racketting uproar,
- Had you but have heard it, no doubt,
- All hell was broke loose you'd have swore,
- And the devils were running about.
-
- The Mob they all hollow'd and shouted,
- In the streets as they passed along,
- The people to see how they scouted,
- Together in clusters did throng;
- They made all the noise they was able,
- And thus they were ushered in,
- But e'er they all sat down to table,
- They each had a glass of old gin.
-
- Dinner being decently ended,
- The table was cleared with speed,
- And they to be merry intended,
- So strait did to dancing proceed;
- But Harry the night man so jolly,
- With madness he almost cry'd,
- And all the night sat melancholy,
- For he had a mind for the bride."
-
-There are four more verses, but they are not worth
-transcribing--besides, there is a very good prose account of the
-doings at the Fleet, which, certainly, bears the impress of truth. It
-is in No. 270 of the _Grub Street Journal_, Feb. 27, 1735:--
-
-"Sir, There is a very great evil in this town, and of dangerous
-consequence to our sex, that has never been suppressed, to the great
-prejudice, and ruin, of many hundreds of young people, every year;
-which I beg some of your learned heads to consider of, and consult
-of proper ways and means to prevent for the future: I mean the
-ruinous marriages that are practised in the liberty of the _Fleet_,
-and thereabouts, by a sett of drunken, swearing parsons, with their
-Myrmidons that wear black coats, and pretend to be clerks, and
-registers to the Fleet. These ministers of wickedness ply about
-Ludgate Hill, pulling and forcing people to some pedling alehouse, or
-brandy shop, to be married, even on a sunday, stopping them as they
-go to church, and almost tearing their cloaths off their backs. To
-confirm the truth of these facts, I will give you a case or two, which
-lately happened:--
-
-"Since midsummer last, a young lady of birth and fortune, was deluded
-and forced from her friends, by the assistance of a very wicked,
-swearing parson, married to an atheistical wretch, whose life is a
-continual practice of all manner of vice and debauchery. And, since
-the ruin of my relation, another lady of my acquaintance had like to
-have been trapanned in the following manner:--
-
-"This lady had appointed to meet a gentlewoman at the Old Play-house
-in Drury Lane; but extraordinary business prevented her coming. Being
-alone, when the play was done, she bade a boy call a coach for the
-City. One drest like a gentleman helps her into it, and jumps in after
-her. 'Madam,' says he, 'this coach was called for me: and since the
-weather is so bad, and there is no other, I beg leave to bear you
-company; I am going into the City, and will set you down wherever
-you please.' The lady begged to be excused; but he bade the coachman
-drive on. Being come to Ludgate hill, he told her his sister, who
-waited his coming, but five doors up the Court, would go with her in
-two minutes. He went, and returned with his pretended sister, who
-asked her to step in one minute, and she would wait upon her in the
-coach.
-
-"Deluded with the assurance of having his sister's company, the poor
-lady foolishly followed her into the house, when, instantly, the
-sister vanish'd; and a tawny fellow in a black coat and black wig
-appeared. 'Madam, you are come in good time, the doctor was just a
-going.' 'The doctor,' says she, horribly frighted, fearing it was a
-madhouse; 'What has the doctor to do with me?' 'To marry you to that
-gentleman: the doctor has waited for you these three hours, and will
-be payed by you or the gentleman before you go.' 'That gentleman,'
-says she, recovering herself, 'is worthy a better fortune than mine.'
-And begged hard to be gone. But doctor WRYNECK swore she shou'd be
-married; or, if she wou'd not, he would still have his fee, and
-register the marriage from that night. The lady, finding she could not
-escape without money or a pledge, told them she liked the gentleman so
-well, she would certainly meet him to-morrow night, and gave them a
-ring as a pledge: which, says she, 'was my mother's gift on her
-deathbed, injoining that if ever I married, it should be my wedding
-ring.' By which cunning contrivance, she was delivered from the black
-doctor, and his tawny crew.
-
-"Some time after this, I went with this lady, and her brother, in a
-coach to Ludgate Hill, in the day time, to see the manner of their
-picking up people to be married. As soon as our coach stopt near Fleet
-Bridge, up comes on of the Myrmidons. 'Madam,' says he, 'you want a
-parson.' 'Who are you?' says I. 'I am the clerk and register of the
-Fleet.' 'Show me the Chapel.' At which comes a second, desiring me to
-go along with him. Says he, 'That fellow will carry you to a pedling
-alehouse. Says a third, 'Go with me, he will carry you to a brandy
-shop.' In the interim, comes the doctor. 'Madam,' says he, 'I'll do
-your jobb for you presently.' 'Well, gentlemen,' says I, 'since you
-can't agree, and I can't be married quietly, I'll put it off 'till
-another time,' so drove away."
-
-Some of the stories of Fleet Marriages read like romances, yet they
-are all taken from contemporary accounts. Here, for instance, is a
-fact, scarcely to be believed nowadays:--"Jan. 5, 1742. On Tuesday last
-two Persons, one of Skinner Street, and the other of Webb's Square,
-Spittle Fields, exchang'd Wives, to whom they had been married upwards
-of twelve Years; and the same Day, to the Content of all Parties, the
-Marriages were consummated at the Fleet. Each Husband gave his Wife
-away to the other, and in the Evening had an Entertainment together."
-
-Or this from the _Whitehall Evening Post_, July 24, 1739:--"On Tuesday
-last a Woman indifferently well dress'd came to the sign of the Bull
-and Garter, next Door to the Fleet Prison, and was there married to a
-Soldier; in the afternoon she came again, and would have been married
-to a Butcher, but that Parson who had married her in the Morning
-refused to marry her again, which put her to the Trouble of going a few
-Doors further, to another Parson, who had no Scruple."
-
-Here is another story indicative of the Manners and Morals of those
-days:--Oct. 1739. "Last Week, a merry Widow, near Bethnal Green, having
-a pretty many Admirers, not to be over Cruel, she equally dispensed
-her Favours between two, who were the highest in her Esteem. The one,
-a Butcher, meeting the good Woman, took the Advantage of the others
-Absence, and pleaded his Cause so successfully, that they tuck'd up
-their Tails, trudg'd to the Fleet, and were tack'd together. Home they
-both jogg'd to their several habitations, the Bridegroom to his, and
-the Bride to her's. Soon after came another of her Admirers, an honest
-Weaver, who, upon hearing of the Melancholy News, had no more Life in
-him for some time than one of the Beams of his Loom; but, recovering
-himself a little from the Surprize he was seized with a sudden
-Delirium, swore his Loom should be his Gibbet, and he'd hang himself
-pendant at the End of his Garter, if he also was not tack'd to his
-comfortable Rib: The good Widow, considering that the Butcher had not
-bedded with her, and desirous of preventing Murder, consented, and away
-she jogg'd to be coupled to the Weaver. On their return home, to Bed
-they went, and the Butcher coming to see his dear Spouse, found her
-in Bed with the Weaver; upon which a Quarrel ensued, and the Butcher
-being the best Man, she left the Weaver and went to the Butcher, being
-willing to please them both, as well as she could."
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXX.
-
-
-There are several instances of Committal to the Fleet for meddling with
-Marriages. One or two will suffice:--1731. "Thursday, the Master of the
-Rolls committed a Clergyman to the Fleet for marrying a young Gentleman
-about 17 years of Age at Eaton School, and intitled to an Estate of
-L1500 per Annum, to a Servant Maid: and at the same time committed the
-person who gave her in Marriage. His Honour had some days since sent
-as Prisoner to the Fleet, the Person who pretended to be the Youth's
-Guardian, and who had given a Bond to indemnify the Parson."
-
-1735. "Two Sisters were committed to the Fleet prison, by an order of
-the high Court of Chancery, for drawing a young fellow into marriage,
-he being a ward of the said Court."
-
-Dec. 28, 1734. "Last Saturday Night Mr. D---- late Valet de Chambre to
-a certain Noble Lord near Soho Square, went away, as was suspected,
-with his Lordship's Niece, a young Lady not yet of Age, and a Coheiress
-to a very large Estate. It seems they took a Hackney Coach soon after
-they got out of Doors, and upon strict Enquiry, the Coachman was found
-out, who declared that he took a Gentleman and a Lady up at such a
-Place, and set them down at the Fleet, and by the Description he gave
-it appeared to be the two Lovers, who may therefore be supposed to have
-been married and bedded that Night. A Warrant was immediately obtained
-for apprehending the Supposed Bridegroom, and he was accordingly taken
-in Bed with his Lady, at a house in Queen Street near Guildhall, on
-Wednesday Morning last, and immediately carried to Poultry Compter,
-and the Lady was carried off by her Friends. In the Afternoon he was
-examined, and afterwards re-committed to the same Prison. So that it
-seems he is to suffer for endeavouring to get himself a _Rich Wife_,
-which is a Practice followed by all the young _Gentlemen_ of _Quality_
-in England; but the Difference is, _That this young fellow has married,
-or endeavoured to marry an Heiress without the Consent of her Friends,
-whereas the other generally marry or endeavour to marry Heiresses
-without their own Consent._ It has since been found out that they were
-married by a Roman Catholic Priest."
-
-There was a faint-hearted protest on the part of the Fleet authorities,
-against the Marriages, but I can find no attempt at prosecution, other
-than for marrying without a stamped licence, in spite of the following
-advertisement:--
-
- "September, 1743. WHEREAS the Methods hitherto taken to prevent
- clandestine Marriages at the Fleet have prov'd ineffectual,
- though legal Notice hath been given by the Warden of the Fleet
- to such of his Tenants in whose houses it is reputed such
- Marriages have been suffer'd, to quit the Possession thereof;
- therefore, and as such Warning cannot immediately have the
- desir'd Effect, this Publick Notice is given, that, whoever
- shall make it appear to the Warden's Satisfaction that any of
- his Prisoners, shall at any time hereafter clandestinely marry,
- or be, in any manner however, concern'd in any clandestine
- Marriage, or suffer such Marriages to be performed in his, hers,
- or their Houses, or Lodgings, such Person or Persons making such
- Discovery, shall receive a Guinea Reward from the Turnkey of the
- said Prison.
-
- "WILLIAM MANNING, Turnkey."
-
-There were several people of fortune married by Fleet parsons _vide
-Grub Street Journal_, September 18, 1735, "Married yesterday Will
-Adams, Esqr., to Miss Eleanor Watkins, a beautiful young lady, with a
-fortune of L15,000." And in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, May 6, 1735,
-"Married the Lord Robert Montagu, to Mrs. Harriet Dunch of Whitehall,
-with a fortune of L15,000."
-
-Somewhat of a curiosity is recorded in "Notes and Queries," 4 series,
-vol. xii. p. 295. "I have before me an engraved medal, bearing the
-following inscription, about which I should be glad of information.
-'May y^e 3, 1761. Thos. Wisely Maried Sarah Boswell in the Fleet
-Prison.'" This, in all probability, was a half-crown with one side made
-smooth, and the above engraved upon it.
-
-There is no doubt but that, with a duly stamped licence and until
-they were specially done away with by Lord Hardwicke's Act of 1753,
-these marriages were legal; still there is an instance recorded in the
-_General Evening Post_, June 27/29, 1745, in which a Fleet marriage
-was ruled to be illegal. "Yesterday came on a cause at Doctor's
-Commons, wherein the plaintiff brought his action against the defendant
-for pretending to be his wife. She, in her justification, pleaded a
-marriage at the Fleet the 6th of February, 1737, and produced a Fleet
-Certificate, which was not allowed as evidence. She likewise offered
-to produce the minister she pretended married them, but he being
-excommunicate for clandestine marriages, could not be received as a
-witness. The Court thereupon pronounced against the marriage, and
-condemned her in L28, the costs of the suit."
-
-The Registers in which these marriages were entered have mostly had
-an eventful and chequered career. Many have, doubtless, disappeared
-for ever, and it is extremely probable that some are in private hands,
-one being in the Bodleian Library. They were to be bought by any one
-interested in them, and the present collection cannot be considered as
-being at all perfect. We learn the adventures of some of them through
-the evidence of a Mrs. Olive, who produced one at a trial at Shrewsbury
-in 1794. This woman was originally a servant to Joshua Lilly, and
-used to "ply" or tout for him, and at his death married one Owens,
-who succeeded to one of Lilly's marriage houses, and who, probably,
-bought his Registers from his representatives. At this Trial she said:
-"My first husband was Thos. Owens. I had the Register Books of Fleet
-Marriages in my possession from my Marriage in 1761 till I went to
-America eleven years ago. I then sold them to Mr. Panton. My husband
-Owens died about 1773. My husband made a will. I had the possession of
-the books myself, as my husband had other business. I heard my husband
-say he purchased these books. He had a Marriage House in Fleet Lane. I
-used the books to grant certificates upon parish affairs."
-
-After her Marriage with Olive she still made use of these Registers,
-for we read in an Advertisement that "All the original Register
-Books containing the marriages solemnized at the Fleet, May Fair,
-and the Mint, for upwards of one hundred years past, may be searched
-by applying to George Olive, at the Wheat Sheaf, in Nicholls Square,
-near Cripplegate. The great utility of these Collections prevents any
-encomiums."
-
-About 1783 a Mr. Benjamin Panton bought of Mrs. Olive some five or six
-hundred of these books, weighing more than a ton, and used to produce
-them occasionally on trials at law, and they were always accepted as
-evidence.
-
-At his death in 1805 he left these to his daughter, who still utilised
-them as her father had done, as a handbill shows. "All the original
-Register Books of the Marriages in the Fleet, May Fair, and Mint,
-are now in the possession of M. Panton (Register Keeper), No. 50,
-Houndsditch, by whom they are examined, and Certificates of Marriages
-granted."
-
-In 1813 she sold them to a Mr. William Cox, who, in 1821, sold them to
-the Government for L260 6s. 6d., and the following letter shows us what
-became of them.
-
- "WHITEHALL, _April_ 25, 1821.
-
- "SIR,--It having been judged expedient to purchase a set of
- books containing the original Entries of Marriages solemnized in
- the Fleet Prison, and Rules thereof, from the year 1686 to the
- year 1754. I have been honoured with his Majesty's commands to
- desire that you will receive the said books from Mr. Maule the
- Solicitor to the Treasury, and give him a receipt for the same,
- and deposit them in the Registry of the Consistory Court of
- London.
-
- "I have the honour to be, Sir,
-
- "Your most obedient humble Servant,
-
- "SIDMOUTH.
-
- "The Registrar of the Consistory Court of London, or his Deputy."
-
-Here they remained until the abolition of the Court in 1840, by Act of
-Parliament, 3 and 4 Vic. cap. 92, when they were declared inadmissible
-as evidence in law. Sec. 6 says, "And be it enacted That all Registers
-and Records deposited in the General Register Office by virtue of this
-Act, except the Registers and Records of Baptisms and Marriages at _The
-Fleet_, and _King's Bench_ Prisons, at _May Fair_, at the _Mint_ in
-_Southwark_, and elsewhere, which were deposited in the Registry of the
-Bishop of _London_ in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty
-One, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed to be in legal Custody,
-and shall be receivable in Evidence in all Courts of Justice, subject
-to the Provisions hereinafter contained."
-
-And Section 20 provides thus, "And be it enacted, That the several
-Registers and Records of Baptisms and Marriages performed at the
-Fleet" (&c., &c., as in Section 6) "shall be transferred from the
-said Registry to the Custody of the Registrar-General, who is hereby
-directed to receive the same for safe custody." And it recapitulates
-that they shall not be received as evidence at law.
-
-They are kept at Somerset House, where they can be examined for a small
-fee. A great number of them are memorandum books, and Burn, when he
-examined them at Doctors Commons, in 1833, did not much like his job.
-"It is to be wished that they were better arranged and indexed. There
-are several very large indexes, which only requires a little time and
-attention to ascertain to what Registers they refer. The Pocket books
-also, might be bound together, and preserved from dust and dirt; and if
-Government would give about L300 these objects might be attained. It
-was a labour of many months to go through so many hundreds of dusty,
-dirty, and sometimes ragged books."
-
-The entries in the pocket-books are quainter than those in the
-registries, as they are the first impressions, and the others are
-polished up. We find from them that it was not infrequent to antedate
-the Registers, and Lilley did so on one occasion, "there being a
-vacancy in the Book suitable to the time." And, again, "These wicked
-people came this day, Peter Oliver, of St. Olave's, carpenter, and
-Elizabeth Overton, would have a certificate dated in 1729, or would not
-be married if it was not to be dated to this time--went to Lilley's and
-was married."
-
-Perhaps the most extraordinary entries in these books are those of two
-women going through the ceremony of marriage with each other--
-
- "20 May, 1737. J^{no} Smith, Gent. of S^t James West^r Batch^r
- & Eliz. Huthall of S^t Giles's Sp^r at Wilsons. By y^e opinion
- after Matrimony, my Clark judg'd they were both women, if y^e
- person by name John Smith be a man, he's a little short fair
- thin man, not above 5 foot. After marriage I almost c'd prove
- y^m both women, the one was dress'd as a man, thin pale face, &
- wrinkled chin."
-
- "1734 Dec. 15. John Mountford of S^t Ann's Sohoe, Taylor. B.,
- Mary Cooper. Ditto. Sp. Suspected 2 Women, no Certif."
-
- "1 Oct. 1747. John Ferren, Gent, Ser. of S^t Andrew's Holborn
- B^r and Deborah Nolan. D^o Sp^n. The supposed John Ferren was
- discovered after y^e Ceremonies were over, to be in person a
- woman."
-
-There is one entry, "The Woman ran across Ludgate Hill in her shift."
-In the _Daily Journal_ of November 8, 1725, a woman went to be married
-in that sole garment, at Ulcomb, in Kent; and in the Parish Register of
-Chiltern All Saints in October 17, 1714, it says: "The aforesaid Anne
-Sellwood was married in her Smock, without any clothes or head gier
-on." This was a vulgar error, but the idea in so acting was that the
-husband was not liable for any of his wife's pre-nuptial debts.
-
-The candidates for matrimony were occasionally not over-honest,
-as--"Had a noise for foure hours about the Money." "N.B. Stole a Silver
-Spoon." "Stole my Cloathes Brush." "N.B. Married at a Barber's Shop
-next Wilsons viz., one Kerrils for half a Guinea, after which it was
-extorted out of my pocket, and for fear of my life delivered." "They
-behaved very vilely, and attempted to run away with M^{rs} Crooks Gold
-Ring."
-
-But then, again, these Fleet parsons had customers of a higher grade,
-as "Dec. 1, 1716. Dan Paul, S^t James's, Capt^n in y^e Horse Guards."
-"March y^e 4^{th} 1740. William--and Sarah--he dress'd in a gold
-waistcoat like an Officer, she a Beautifull young Lady with 2 fine
-diamond Rings, and a Black high Crown Hat and very well dressed." "Nov.
-y^e 24, 1733 att y^e Baptized hed Tavern to go to M^r Gibbs for to
-marry him in y^e countrey--Wife worth L18,000." "Septr^5, 1744 Andrew
-Mills, Gent. of the Temple, & Charlotte Gail lairdy of S^t Mildred,
-Poultry at M^r Boyce's, King's head. N.B. One gentleman came first in
-a merry manner to make a bargain w^{th} the Minister for the marriage,
-and immediately came the parties themselves, disguising their dress
-by contrivances, particularly buttning up the coat, because the rich
-wastecoat should not be seen, &c."
-
-The Church of England Marriage Service was generally used, but, in
-one instance, as shown by a pocket-book, it was somewhat modified,
-as when the ring is given the Trinity is not mentioned, but the words
-are altered to "from this time forth for evermore. Amen;" and when the
-couple promise to hold together "according to God's holy ordinance,"
-it was rendered "according to law." There seems to have been but one
-example of the officiating Clergyman administering the Sacrament at a
-Marriage, and that was done by the Rev. W. Dan, who describes himself
-as "priest of the Church of England." "October 2^{nd} 1743 John Figg,
-of S^t John's the Evang^s Gent. a Widower, and Rebecca Woodward, of
-Ditto, Spinster, at y^e same time gave her y^e Sacrament."
-
-The Scandal of Fleet Marriages remained unchecked until 1753, when
-the Lord Chancellor brought forward and passed "An Act for the better
-preventing of clandestine marriages"--26 Geo. III. cap. 33--which, in
-its different sections, provides that the Banns of Matrimony are to be
-published according to the rubric, &c., the marriage to be solemnized
-in one of the churches where the banns had been published. Marriage by
-licence could only take place in the church or chapel of such parish,
-&c., where one of the parties should have resided for four weeks
-previously.
-
-This was the death-blow to the Fleet Marriages, as any contravention of
-the law was made punishable by transportation "to some of his Majesty's
-plantations in America for the space of fourteen years, according to
-the laws in force for the transportation of felons."
-
-The Act came into force on March 26, 1754, but people took advantage of
-the Fleet Marriages until the last moment, and that in great numbers,
-for in one Register alone there is a list of 217 weddings celebrated on
-the 25th of March!
-
-The last Fleet Wedding is recorded in the _Times_ of July 10, 1840:
-"Mr. John Mossington, aged 76, and a Prisoner in the Fleet, more than
-15 years, was, on Wednesday, married to Miss Anne Weatherhead, aged
-62, at St. Bride's Church. The Lady had travelled 36 Miles to meet her
-bridegroom, who is, without exception, one of the most extraordinary
-men in this County. He takes his morning walks round the Fleet prison
-yard, which he repeats three or four times a day, with as much rapidity
-as a young man could do of the age of 20. The Road from Farringdon
-Street to the Church, was lined with Spectators who knew of the event,
-and the Church was equally filled to hear the Ceremony performed. The
-Courtship first commenced 41 years ago, and Mr. Mossington has now
-fulfilled his promise."
-
-
-THE END.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: MAP OF THE FLEET.]
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-INDEX.
-
-
- Aldgate Pump, 1
-
- Alsatia, 223, 224
-
- Annis (Dame) the Cleare, 10
-
- Antiquarian Discoveries, 18, 19
-
- Apothecaries Hall, 205
-
- Apprentices and City Authorities, 216, 217, 218
-
- Archer, J. W., 81
-
- Archery, 116, 117
-
- Artillery Ground, 116
-
- Ashwell, E., 344, 345, 346
-
-
- Bagnigge House, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85
-
- Bagnigge Wells, 4, 73, 77, 78,
- 79, 80, 81, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,
- 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97,
- 120
-
- Bambridge, Thos., 268, 269, 270,
- 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 296
-
- Basset, Bartholomew, 337, 338
-
- Battle Bridge, 38, 39
-
- Baynard's Castle, 5-15,
-
- Bear baiting, 139, 140, 141
-
- Begging Grate, 275, 276
-
- Billingsgate, fountain at, 14
-
- Black Mary's Hole, 77, 78, 79, 85
-
- Bleeding Heart Yard, 164
-
- Boughton, 247, 250, 251, 252, 253
-
- "Boy" (Prince Rupert's Dog), 154
-
- Brabazon, Roger le, 6-15
-
- Brent, the, 21
-
- Bridewell, 206, 207, 208,
- 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214,
- 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221
-
- Brill, the, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43
-
- Brooke Street, Hanover Square, 2
-
- Brothers, 105
-
- Brown's Dairy, 34
-
- Bull baiting, 139, 141, 142,
- 143, 144, 145, 146, 147
-
- Bunter's Wedding, the, 365, 366, 367, 368
-
-
- Cantelows, 32, 35, 49
-
- Chad's, St., Well, 45, 46, 47,
- 48, 49, 50, 51, 52
-
- Cheape Conduit, 14
-
- City Authorities and Apprentices, 216, 217, 218
-
- Clement's Well, 8, 9
-
- Clerken Well, 4, 8, 9, 45, 183, 184, 185
-
- Cobham's Head, 115
-
- Cock, a man eats a live, 70
-
- Coldbath, 4, 111, 112
-
- Coldbath Fields, 111, 118, 119
-
- Coldbath Fields Prison, 99, 100, 101,
- 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,
- 109, 110
-
- Coeln, stinks at, 16
-
- Conduits, 13, 14
-
- Conduit, White, 54, 55, 56,
- 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,
- 64, 65, 66, 120
-
- Coppin, Edward, 255, 256, 257
-
- Cornhill, the Tun in, 14
-
- Court Room at Bridewell, 219, 220, 221
-
- Cresswell, Mother, 219
-
- Cripplegate, fountain at, 14
-
- Cripplegate Pool, 8, 11
-
- Cruikshank, Isaac Robert, 309, 310
-
-
- Dustman, the Literary, 44, 45
-
-
- Election, a mock, 308, 309
-
- "Elephant," skeleton of, found, 17
-
- Ely Place, 163, 164, 165,
- 166, 167, 168, 169, 170
-
- Everett, John, 41, 42
-
-
- Fagin, 158, 159, 160, 161
-
- Fag's Well, 8, 10
-
- Falstaff, Sir John, 240
-
- Field Lane, 158, 160, 161
-
- Fighting, 137, 138, 139
-
- Fleet Bridge, 189, 190, 191, 193
-
- Fleet, derivation of name, 2
-
- Fleet Ditch, 1-7, 14, 16,
- 17, 18, 19, 20, 176, 226
-
- Fleet Market, 186, 187, 188
-
- Fleet Marriages, 327, 328, 329,
- 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 337,
- 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343,
- 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,
- 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355,
- 356, 359, 362, 363, 364, 365,
- 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371,
- 372, 373, 375, 376, 377, 378,
- 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384,
- 385
-
- Fleet Prison, the, 229, 230, 231,
- 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237,
- 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243,
- 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
- 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255,
- 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261,
- 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267,
- 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273,
- 274, 275, 276, 279, 280, 281,
- 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287,
- 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294,
- 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300,
- 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306,
- 307, 308, 309, 310, 312, 313,
- 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319,
- 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325
-
- Fleet Registers, 378, 379, 380,
- 381, 382, 383, 384
-
- Fleet River, 26, 27, 28, 29, 100,
- 155, 172, 185, 186, 188, 225,
- 227
-
- Floud, John, 346, 347, 348
-
- Forcer, proprietor of Sadler's Wells, 71
-
- Foster, Sir Stephen, 201, 202
-
- Fountain at Billingsgate, 14
-
- Fountain at Paul's Wharf, 14
-
- Fountain at St. Giles, Cripplegate, 14
-
-
- Garnish, 293, 294, 295
-
- Garth, Dr., 205
-
- Gaynam, John, 340, 341, 342, 343
-
- Gordon, Lord George, 25, 301, 302
-
- Gospel Oak, 29, 30, 31
-
- Griffith, Chas., 91
-
- Gwynne, Nell, 32, 81, 82, 83
-
-
- Hampstead, 7-14, 26
-
- Hampstead Ponds, 27
-
- Harris, Alex., Warden of the
- Fleet, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
- 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255,
- 256, 257, 258, 259
-
- Hatton Garden, 163
-
- Hatton, the Chancellor, 163, 164
-
- Hemp beetling at Bridewell, 210, 211, 213
-
- Hockley-in-the-Hole, 137, 139, 146,
- 147, 148, 152
-
- Hogarth, 274
-
- Holborn Bridge, 170, 172, 173,
- 174, 175, 176
-
- Holy Well, 8, 9, 10
-
- Horse Pool, 8, 11
-
- Howard, John, 214, 216, 295,
- 296, 297
-
- Huggins, 265, 266, 267,
- 268, 269, 272, 275
-
- "Humours of the Fleet," 279, 280,
- 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286,
- 287, 288, 289, 290, 291
-
- Hunt, "Orator," 129, 130, 131,
- 132, 133, 134
-
- Huntingdon, Lady, 122, 123, 124, 125
-
-
- Keith, Parson, 349, 350, 354,
- 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361
-
- Ken Wood, 25
-
- Kentish Town, 27, 28, 32,
- 33, 34, 35
-
- King's Cross, 38, 43, 44
-
-
- Ladies' ablutions, 113
-
- Lamb's Conduit, 4, 179, 180,
- 181, 182
-
- Lando, James, 354, 355
-
- Langbourne, 8
-
- Leveland, Nathaniel de, 229
-
- Lilley, John, 352
-
- Lilley, Joshua, 349, 351, 352, 378
-
- Loders Well, 8, 10
-
- Ludgate Prison, 195, 196, 197,
- 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203
-
-
- Macklin, 72
-
- Man drowned in the Fleet River, 226
-
- Man frozen in the Fleet River, 226
-
- Mansfield, Earl of, 25
-
- Marriages, 330, 331, 332, 372, 375
-
- Mary le Bourne, St., 2
-
- Mayfair Chapel, 357, 358, 360
-
- Merlin's Cave, 129
-
- Miles' Musick house, 69
-
- Mill at Bridewell, 209, 210
-
- Moat, the Fleet Prison, 235, 236
-
- Montfitchet Castle, 208
-
- Mottram, John, 339
-
-
- Nelson, Lord, 35
-
- Northampton Chapel, 123
-
-
- Oastler, Richard, 325
-
- Old Bourne, 5, 8
-
- Oldcastle, the Sir John, 17, 112,
- 114, 115, 116, 117, 118
-
-
- Pancras, St., 29, 36, 37
-
- Pancras Wash, 38
-
- Pantheon, the, 119, 120, 121, 122
-
- Parliament Hill, 31, 36
-
- Parsons, Fleet, 328, 333, 334,
- 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340,
- 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346,
- 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352,
- 353, 354, 355, 356
-
- Paul's Wharf, fountain at, 14
-
- Peerless Pool, 11
-
- Periless Pond, 11
-
- Physicians, College of, 205
-
- Pickwick and Hampstead Ponds, 27
-
- Pindar of Wakefield, 73, 74, 75
-
- Pools, 8-11
-
- Prisoners, Poor, 324, 325
-
- "Punch" and Bagnigge Wells, 93, 94, 95, 96
-
-
- Rackets, 303, 304, 305
-
- Rad Well, 8, 10, 80
-
- Rhone, 48, 51
-
- Riots, no Popery, 25, 26, 301,
- 302, 303
-
- Rules of the Fleet, 263
-
- Rupert, Prince, 154
-
- Rush boats, 21
-
- Rye House Plot, 188, 189
-
-
- Sadler's Wells, 53, 67, 68,
- 69, 70, 71, 73, 120
-
- Saffron Hill, 155, 156, 157
-
- Schools, King Edward's, 218, 219
-
- Sedley Place, Oxford Street, 13
-
- Shepherd's Well, Hampstead, 22
-
- Skinner's Well, 8-10
-
- Small Pox Hospital, 118, 119
-
- Spa Fields Chapel, 123, 124
-
- Spa Field Riots, 127, 129, 130,
- 131, 132, 133, 134, 135
-
- "Spence's Plan," 127, 128
-
- Springs, 1-7, 8, 9, 10
-
- "Steel," The, 102
-
- Sword Play, 147, 148, 149,
- 150, 151, 152
-
- Symson, Peter, 353, 354
-
-
- Tod Well, 10
-
- Tonne, or Tunne, the, in Cornhill, 14
-
- Toxophilite Society, 116
-
- Traitor's Hill, 31, 36
-
- Treadmill, Early, 209, 210
-
- Turnmill Brook, 6
-
- Turnmill Street and Brook, 170
-
- Tye-bourne, The, 2, 13, 22, 23
-
-
- Waithman, Alderman, 193, 194
-
- Walbrook, 2-8
-
- Ward, Ned, on Bridewell, 212, 213, 214
-
- Wardens of the Fleet, 229, 230, 231,
- 232, 233, 234, 237, 245, 247, 248,
- 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255,
- 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262,
- 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271,
- 272, 304, 313, 314
-
- Wardens of the Fleet--_Ladies_, 231, 232
-
- Warwick, Earl of, 205
-
- Wells, River of, 4, 7, 8, 53
-
- Westbourne, the, 23
-
- West Street, 155, 156, 157, 158
-
- Whipping at Bridewell, 212, 213, 214
-
- Whistling Shop, a, 306, 307, 308
-
- Whitbrooke, Sir John, 247, 248, 249,
- 250, 251, 252, 253
-
- White Conduit, 4, 53
-
- Whitefriars, 223, 224, 225
-
- Whittington, Sir Rd., 11
-
- Wilkes, John, 193, 194, 195
-
- Wolsey, Cardinal, 240, 241, 242
-
- Wyatt, Walter, 333, 348, 349, 350
-
-
- "Zigzag," 81
-
-
-
-
- UNWIN BROTHERS,
- THE GRESHAM PRESS,
- CHILWORTH AND LONDON.
-
-
-
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
-Transcriber's note:
-
- Some words are sometimes hyphenated, and sometimes not hyphenated.
- All reasonable variants of spelling, grammar and punctuation have
- been retained.
-
- There are a lot of sometimes old foreign words, and some
- French/English hybrid text from earlier centuries.
-
- England did not have spelling or punctuation rules until
- the various Public Instruction Acts (c. 1860-70) in Queen Victoria's
- reign. In this book, that may have also extended to French and Latin
- spellings!!
-
- Mismatched quotes. Punctuation is not always regular;
- some opened quotes are not always closed.
-
- General Note: Mismatched quotes often occur with quotations where
- the quotation is enclosed within double quotes and each line or
- paragraph within that quote begins with double quotes but has no
- end double quote.
-
- Minor typographical errors have been corrected.
-
- All sidenotes have been moved to the start of the paragraphs in
- which they appear in the original. Where the paragraph is a
- quotation then the double quote has been moved to the start of the
- first sidenote. This ensures that all side-notes within that
- paragraph are contained within the double quotes at the beginning
- and end of the quotation.
-
- See Line 494: Sidenote "_Riuer of Wels_:
- and Line 607: Sidenote: "_Fitzstephen. Holy well.
-
- Line 770: 'discretionbus' corrected to 'discretionibus'.
-
- Line 1436: Unspaced punctuation, e.g. "Near Battle Bridge,'tis
- plain, sirs:", is as printed, and denotes elisions (the running
- together of words to fit the metre).
-
- Lines 2789-90: Mismatched quotes "Yours, &c., "EUGENIO."
-
- Line 8156: "cortege" is an old spelling (in use until the end of
- the 19th century).
-
- There are many occasions when the term 'l.' or 'li.' is used.
- 'l.' or 'li.' = libra = pound/pounds. or L, so, L140 = 140 l.
- or 140 li.
-
-
-
-***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEET. ITS RIVERS, PRISON, AND
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