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diff --git a/old/69595-h/69595-h.htm b/old/69595-h/69595-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 3e30f65..0000000 --- a/old/69595-h/69595-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5038 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="UTF-8"> - <title> - The Life of John Metcalf. Published by E & R Peck, York.—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> - <style> /* <![CDATA[ */ - -body { - margin-left: 15%; - margin-right: 15%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.small {font-size: 75%;} -.smaller {font-size: 90%} -.normal {font-size:100%;} -.large {font-size: 120%;} -.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} -.xxlarge {font-size: 175%;} -.xxxlarge {font-size: 200%;} -.xxxxlarge {font-size: 250%;} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 2em;} -.x-ebookmaker hr.chap { display: none; visibility: hidden; } -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} - -.topspace6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -.hrdouble { - border-bottom: 4px double #333; - margin-top: 0.2em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; - margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; - width:19em; -} - -.drop-cap { - float: left; - font-size: 3em; - margin: 0 .05em 0 0; - line-height: 0.85;} - -.x-ebookmaker p.drop-cap:first-letter -{ - color: inherit; - visibility: visible; - margin-left: 0; -} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; - text-indent: 0; -} /* page numbers */ - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.gesperrt {letter-spacing: 0.2em; margin-right: -0.2em;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ - -img { max-width: 100%; height: auto;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -/* Transcriber’s notes */ -div.tnotes {background-color: #eeeeee; border: 1px solid black; padding: 1em;} -.covernote {visibility: hidden; display: none;} -.x-ebookmaker .covernote {visibility: visible; display: block;} - - /* ]]> */ </style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The life of John Metcalf, commonly called Blind Jack of Knaresborough, by John Metcalf</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The life of John Metcalf, commonly called Blind Jack of Knaresborough</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: John Metcalf</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: December 24, 2022 [eBook #69595]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: deaurider, Brian Wilsden and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF JOHN METCALF, COMMONLY CALLED BLIND JACK OF KNARESBOROUGH ***</div> - -<div class="tnotes covernote"> - <p class="center">The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="732" height="1000" alt="Cover"> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[i]</span></p> -<h1 class="nobreak"> - <img src="images/i_frontispiece.jpg" width="600" height="905" alt="Frontispiece"> -</h1> - -<div class="caption center"> -<span class="xxlarge smcap">John Metcalf Aged 78.</span><br> -<span class="xlarge"><i>Drawn by J.R. Smith.</i></span><br> -<span class="large"><i>Published as the Act directs Aug<sup>t</sup>. 31. 1795 by E & R Peck, York.</i></span> -</div> -<br><br> -<hr class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[ii]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_titlepage.png" width="600" height="1057" alt="Title Page"> -</div> -</div> -<br> - -<div class="caption center"> -<span class="smaller">THE</span><br> -<span class="xxxlarge"><span class="gesperrt">LIFE</span></span><br> -<span class="smaller">OF</span><br> -<span class="xxxxlarge">JOHN METCALF,</span><br> -<span class="normal">COMMONLY CALLED</span><br> -<span class="xxlarge"><i>Blind Jack of Knaresborough</i>.</span><br> -<br> -<span class="smaller">WITH,</span><br> -<span class="large">Many Entertaining ANECDOTES of his EXPLOITS in</span><br> -<span class="xxlarge"><i>Hunting</i>, <i>Card-Playing</i>, <i>&c.</i></span><br> -<span class="large">Some <span class="gesperrt">PARTICULARS</span> relative to the</span><br> -<span class="large">Expedition against the <span class="smcap">Rebels</span> in 1745,</span><br> -<span class="normal"><i>IN WHICH HE BORE A PERSONAL SHARE</i>;</span><br> -<span class="small">AND ALSO</span><br> -<span class="normal">A Succinct <span class="smcap">Account</span> of his various -<span class="smcap">Contracts</span> for</span><br> -<span class="xlarge">Making ROADS, Erecting BRIDGES,</span><br> -<span class="large smcap">And other Undertakings</span>,<br> -<span class="small">IN</span><br> -<span class="xlarge"><i>Yorkshire</i>, <i>Lancashire</i>, <i>Derbyshire</i>,<br> -<i>and Cheshire</i>;</span><br> -<span class="normal">Which, for a Series of Years, have brought him into</span><br> -<span class="normal"><span class="smcap"><span class="gesperrt">Public Notice</span></span>, as a most</span><br> -<span class="xlarge"><i>EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTER</i>.</span><br> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_titlerule.png" width="300" height="27" alt="Title Decorated Rule."> -</div> - -<div class="caption center"> -<span class="small">EMBELLISHED WITH</span><br> -<span class="normal">A STRIKING HALF-LENGTH PORTRAIT.</span><br> -</div> - -<p class="hrdouble"></p> - -<div class="caption center"> -<span class="large">YORK:</span><br> -<span class="normal">PRINTED AND SOLD BY E. AND R. PECK.</span><br> -<span class="large">1795.</span> -<br> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_titleshortrule.png" width="75" height="27" alt="Title Short Rule."> -</div> - -<span class="normal">[<i>Entered at Stationers’ Hall.</i>]</span> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[iii]</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">ADVERTISEMENT.</h2> -</div> - -<p ><span class="drop-cap">T</span>O a generous public little apology -will be necessary for offering to -their patronage the Story of an Individual, -who, under circumstances the -most depressing in their nature, has -been, for a considerable part of a long -life, their assiduous and useful servant.</p> - -<p>The Blind, in all ages and countries, -have engaged, in a peculiar degree, the -sympathy of mankind;—and, where -original poverty has been annexed to -their misfortune, it has been esteemed -the utmost exertion in their favour, to -enable them to minister to the amusement -of society, as the only means for -keeping them independent of it: To -this general rule, however, a surprising -exception is here shewn; and it is fortunate -for the credibility of this little -piece, that it is given to the world during -the life-time not only of its HERO, - -<span class="pagenum">[iv]</span> - -but of many others who were witnesses -of the various extraordinary <i>facts</i> -it contains.</p> - -<p>It is fit, however, to notice the -disadvantages under which it now -makes its appearance;—and which, -from circumstances, were unavoidable: -The person whose task it was -to render it, in some degree, fit for -the press, had much difficulty to encounter -in arranging the dates, scarce -any attention having been paid to -chronological order; and the various -anecdotes having been set down, as -the recollection of them arose in the -mind of the narrator, by an amanuensis -wholly unqualified for the purpose, -and given in a language intelligible to -those only who are well acquainted -with the Yorkshire dialect.—To those -inaccuracies was added, a literal <i>disrespect -of persons</i>; the first and third -being indiscriminately used throughout. -To avoid constantly-recurring - -<span class="pagenum">[v]</span> - -egotisms, the preference is here given -to the third person; though it is feared -even that will be found too often in -the proper name, where it might have -been, in many instances, supplied by -the pronoun.—But a long absence -having necessarily suspended the attention -of the Editor, and the desire -for publication before the close of the -Harrogate season being urgent, he is -not allowed time to correct his own -errors. For the same reason, the part -containing an account of the share -which Metcalf bore under the late -Colonel Thornton, in his expedition -against the rebels; his various undertakings -as a road-maker, &c. have -received little other correction than -what could be given by interlineation. -Throughout, however, not the least -violence is done to the facts; to insure -the purity of which, the M. S. has been -read over to Metcalf himself, and corrected -by his desire, wherever any -little accidental error has appeared.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[vi]</span></p> - -<p>Though it was absolutely necessary -to bring the style into something like -grammatical order, and to purge it of -barbarisms, yet pains have been taken -to preserve its simplicity; and in some -instances, where a few sentences of -dialogue are introduced, the original -words remain. Imperfect as it is, a -hope is nevertheless entertained that -it will prove amusing; and happy -shall the Author of its Apology be, if -the profits arising from the sale shall -prove of sufficient value to smooth the -decline of a life, which, though marked -by eccentricity, has not been spent in -vain.</p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[1]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -<span class="small">THE</span><br> -LIFE<br> -<span class="small">OF</span><br> -<i>JOHN METCALF.</i> -</h2> -</div> - -<p ><span class="drop-cap">J</span>OHN METCALF was born at Knaresborough, -on the 15th of August, 1717. -When four years old, he was put to school -by his parents, who were working people, -and continued at school two years: He was -then seized with the small-pox, which rendered -him totally blind, though all possible -means were used to preserve his sight.</p> - -<p>About six months after recovering from -the small-pox, he was able to go from his -father’s house to the end of the street, and -return, without a guide; which gave him - -<span class="pagenum">[2]</span> - -much spirit and satisfaction.—In the space of -three years he was able to find his way to -any part of the town of Knaresborough; and -had begun to associate with boys of his own -age, going with them to seek birds’ nests, -and for his share of the eggs and young birds -he was to climb the trees, whilst his comrades -waited at the bottom, to direct him to -the nests, and to receive what he should -throw down; and from this he was soon able -to climb any tree he was able to grasp. He -would now ramble into the lanes and fields -alone, to the distance of two or three miles, -and return. His father keeping horses, he -learned to ride, and in time became an able -horseman, a gallop being his favourite pace. -His parents having other children, at the age -of thirteen had John taught music, at which -he proved very expert; though he had conceived -more taste for the cry of a hound or -a harrier, than the sound of any instrument.</p> - -<p>A gentleman at Knaresborough, of the -name of Woodburn, was master of a pack -of hounds:—This gentleman encouraged - -<span class="pagenum">[3]</span> - -Metcalf very much, by taking him to hunt -with him, and was always very desirous of -his company. Metcalf kept a couple of very -good hounds of his own.</p> - -<p>Mr. Woodburn’s hounds being seldom -kennelled, Metcalf used to take several of -them out secretly along with his own, about -ten or eleven o’clock at night, (the hares -being then feeding); but one of the young -hounds happening to worry a couple of -lambs, it caused him to discontinue that -practise.</p> - -<p>When about fourteen years old, his activity -of limbs, and the good success with -which his exploits were usually attended, -consoled him so greatly for the deprivation -of sight, that he was lead to imagine it was -in his power to undertake any thing, without -danger: the following adventure, however, -caused him to alter his opinion of its value.</p> - -<p>There happened to be a plumb-tree a little -way from Knaresborough, where there had -been a house formerly.—One Sunday, Metcalf -and his companions (who were skilled in - -<span class="pagenum">[4]</span> - -matters of this sort) would go there, to get -some of the fruit; in these cases, Metcalf -was always appointed to ascend, for the purpose -of shaking the trees. He was accordingly -sent up to his post; but in the height -of the business, his companions gathering -below were suddenly alarmed by the appearance -of the owner of the tree, and prepared -to quit the ground with all expedition:—Metcalf -thus left to himself, soon understood -how matters were going, though the wind -was high, which prevented him from hearing -distinctly; and being inclined to follow his -comrades, in making his retreat he fell headlong -into a gravel-pit belonging to Sir Harry -Singsby, and cut a large gash in his face, -without, however, receiving any other injury -than a stun which for some time hindered his -breathing, and kept him motionless on the -ground.—His father being rather severe, -Metcalf was afraid to go home, lest his wound -should lead to a discovery of the prank he -had been engaged in.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[5]</span></p> - -<p>Soon after this, (though not easily dismayed) -he and some other boys were completely -alarmed:—The church-porch at -Knaresborough being the usual place of their -meeting, they one night between eleven and -twelve o’clock assembled there; Metcalf -being generally the chief projector of their -plans: They determined to rob an orchard; -which having done, they returned to the -church-porch to divide their booty. Before -their return, a circumstance had happened -to which they were strangers, but to the -discovery of which the following little incident -led, though not immediately: There -being a large ring to the church-door, which -turned for the purpose of lifting the latch, -one of the party took hold of it, and, by -of bravado, gave a loud rap; calling out, -“<i>A tankard of ale here!</i>” A voice from -within answered, very loudly, “<i>You are at -the wrong house.</i>” This so stupified the -whole covey, that none of them could move -for some time. At length, Metcalf said, -“Did you not hear something speak in the - -<span class="pagenum">[6]</span> - -church?” Upon this, they all took to their -heels, and ran till they got out of the church-yard, -Metcalf running as fast as any of them. -They now held a consultation on the subject -of their fright, all equally wondering at the -voice, and none able to account satisfactorily -for it—One supposed that it might have been -some brother wag, who had put his mouth -to the key-hole of the North door; but to -this it was objected, that the reply was too -distinct and too ready to have come in that -way. At length, however, their spirits being -a little raised, they ventured again down the -flagged pavement into the church-yard; but -when they came opposite to the church, they -perceived a light, so great as inclined them -to believe that the church was on fire. They -now re-entered the church-porch, and were -nearly determined to call the parson; when -somebody within lifting the latch and making -a great noise, they again dispersed, terrified -and speechless. One of the party, (whose -name was Clemishaw) a son of the sexton, -ran home, and in a desperate fright got into - -<span class="pagenum">[7]</span> - -bed with his mother; all the rest, at the -same time, making the best of their way.</p> - -<p>The cause of this panic was as follows:—An -old lady, wife of Dr. Talbot, (who had -for many years enjoyed the living of Spofforth) -dying, and her relations, who lived -at a great distance, being desirous to arrive -before her interment, ordered the body to -be kept; this being too long the case, and -the neighbours perceiving a disagreeable -smell, a request was sent to the Rev. Mr. -Collins, who ordered the sexton to be called -up to dig the grave in the church immediately: -the sexton had lighted a great -number of candles: so much for the supposition -of the church being on fire; and the -grave-digger was the person whose voice -had so terrified the apple-merchants, when -they knocked. Such, however, was the -impression, that pranks of this nature were -not repeated.</p> - -<p>About the year 1731, Metcalf being then -fourteen years of age, a number of men -and boys made a practice of swimming in - -<span class="pagenum">[8]</span> - -the river Nidd, where there are many deeps -convenient for that purpose.—Metcalf resolving -to learn that art, joined the party, -and became so very expert, that his companions -did not chuse to come near him in the -water, it being his custom to seize them, send -them to the bottom, and swim over them by -way of diversion.</p> - -<p>About this time, a soldier and another -man were drowned in the above deeps: the -former, it was supposed, was taken with the -cramp; the latter could not swim. Metcalf -was sent for to get up the bodies, and at the -fourth time of diving succeeded in bringing -up that of the soldier, which, when raised to -the surface, other swimmers carried on shore; -but life had quite left it. The other body -could not then be found.</p> - -<p>There are very frequent floods in the river -Nidd; and it is a remarkable fact, that in the -deep places, there are eddies, or some other -causes of attraction, which will draw to the -bottom any substance, however light, which -comes within their sphere of action. Large - -<span class="pagenum">[9]</span> - -pieces of timber were often seen to be carried -down by the floods; these, on coming -over the deep places, were stopped for the -space of a moment, and then sunk. Upon -these occasions, Metcalf would go down and -with the greatest ease fix ropes to the wood, -which was drawn up by some persons purposely -stationed on the banks.</p> - -<p>In the year 1732, one John Barker kept -an inn at the West end of the High Bridge, -Knaresborough. This man was a manufacturer -of linen cloth, and used to bleach his -own yarn. At one time, having brought -two packs of yarn to the river to wash, he -thought he observed a number of wool-packs -rolling towards him; but on a nearer view -it proved to be a swelling of the current, occasioned -by a sudden and very violent rain -in the neighbourhood. He had not time to -remove his yarn, so that it was swept away, -and carried through the arches of the bridge, -which stands on a rock. A little below there -is a piece of still water, supposed to be about -twenty-one feet in depth: as soon as the - -<span class="pagenum">[10]</span> - -yarn got to this, it sunk, except a little which -caught the skirts of the rock in going down. -Metcalf being intimate with Barker, and calling -at his house a few days after the accident, -found him lamenting his lost. Metcalf -told him that he hoped to recover his yarn -for him, but Barker smiled at the supposed -absurdity of the proposal: finding, however, -that his friend was resolved on a trial, he -consented. Metcalf then ordered some long -cart-ropes to be procured, and fixing a hook -at one end, and leaving the other to be held -by some persons on the High Bridge, he -descended, and hooking as much of the yarn -as he could at one time, he gave orders for -drawing up. In this way the whole was recovered, -with very little damage.</p> - -<p>Some time after this, Metcalf happened to -be at Scriven, at the house of one Green, an -innkeeper.—Two persons then present had a -dispute concerning some sheep which one of -them had put into the penfold. The owner -of the sheep, (one Robert Scaif, a Knaresborough -man, and a friend of Metcalf’s) - -<span class="pagenum">[11]</span> - -appeared to be ill treated by the other party, -who wished to take an unfair advantage. -Metcalf perceiving that they were not likely -to agree about the damages, bade them good -night, saying he was going to Knaresborough, -but it being about the dead time of night, he -was firmly resolved to do a little friendly business -before he should get home. The penfold -being walled round, he climbed over, -and getting hold of the sheep one by one, he -fairly tossed them over the wall: the difficulty -of the service increased as the number got -less, not being so ready to catch;—he was -not, however, thereby deterred, but fully -completed the exploit.</p> - -<p>On the return of day, the penfold door -being found fast locked, great was the surprise -on finding it untenanted, and various -the conjectures as to the rogue or rogues -who had liberated the sheep; but Metcalf -past unsuspected, and enjoyed the joke in -silence.</p> - -<p>He continued to practice on the violin, -until he became able to play country dances. - -<span class="pagenum">[12]</span> - -At Knaresborough, during the winter season, -there was an assembly every fortnight, at -which he always attended, and went besides -to many other places where there was public -dancing; yet, though much employed in this -way, he still retained his fondness for hunting, -and likewise began to keep game cocks. -Whenever he went to a cock-pit, it was his -custom to place himself on the lowest seat, -and always close to some friend who was a -good judge, and who, by certain motions, -enabled him to bet, hedge, &c. If at any -time he heard of a better game cock than his -own, he was sure to get him by some means -or other, though at a hundred miles distance.</p> - -<p>A little way from home he had a cock-walk, -and at the next house there chanced -to be another. The owner of the cock at -the latter house supposing that Metcalf’s and -his would meet, armed his own cock with a -steel spur; which greatly displeasing Metcalf, -he formed a plan of revenge; and getting -one of his comrades to assist, they procured -a quantity of cabbage-leaves, and fastening - -<span class="pagenum">[13]</span> - -them together with skewers, they fixed them -against the outside of the windows, that the -family might not perceive the return of day-light; -and that they should also be prisoners, -their associates in roguery walled up the door -with stones, and mud-mortar, which they -were assisted in making by the convenience -of a pump which stood near. They then -brought water, in tubs, and continued pouring -it in great quantities over the new wall, -(which did not reach quite up to the top of -the door-frame) until the house was flooded -to a great depth. This done, they made the -best of their way home.</p> - -<p>In the morning, the people of the house -finding their situation, and being at no loss -to suppose who had been the projector, and -in all probability the leading performer, of -the business, were no sooner set at liberty, -than they went to a Justice, and got a warrant -for Metcalf; but not being able to prove -the fact, he was, of course, dismissed.</p> - -<p>His fame now began to spread; and when - -<span class="pagenum">[14]</span> - -any arch trick was done, inquiry was sure to -be made where Metcalf had been at the time.</p> - -<p>At Bilton, two miles from Knaresborough, -there was a rookery, and the boys had made -many attempts to take the young ones; but -the owner wishing to preserve them, they -were prevented. Metcalf determining to -make a trial, sent one of his comrades in the -day-time as a spy to reconnoitre the position -of the nests; and having been informed by -him as to this, they set out in the dead of -night, and brought away seven dozen and a -half, excepting the <i>heads</i>, which they left -under the trees. The owner of the rooks -finding the heads, sent the bellman round, -offering a reward of two guineas for discovering -the offenders: the secret, however, -was kept until long afterwards.</p> - -<p>A man at Knaresborough having married -a woman who had lived at a farm-house -about a mile distant, brought his wife to his -own home; and some articles being left in -the deserted house, he sent a son he had by -a former marriage to bring them away.—Metcalf - -<span class="pagenum">[15]</span> - -being about the same age as this boy, -chose to accompany him. When they got -to the place, the boy missed the key, which -he had lost from his pocket by the way; -and being afraid to return without his errand, -he consulted Metcalf about what was to be -done. Metcalf was for entering the house -at all events; and not being able to procure -a ladder, got a pole, which reached to the -thatch, and having borrowed a rope and a -stick, he climbed up the pole, and then ascending -by the roof to the chimney, he -placed the stick across, and fastening the -rope to it, attempted to descend, but finding -the flew too narrow, he threw off his cloaths, -and laying them on the ridge of the house, -made a second attempt, and succeeded: he -then opened the door for his companion. -While they were in the house, there was a -heavy thunder-shower, to which Metcalf’s -cloathes were exposed, being left upon the -house-top: he attempted to get up again, to -fetch them; but the pole by which he had -ascended was now so wet, that he could not - -<span class="pagenum">[16]</span> - -climb by it; he was therefore obliged to -wait until it dried, when ascending again, -he recovered his cloathes. This was considered -by all who heard of it as a very -extraordinary performance by one in his -situation, as well as a great act of friendship -to his companion.</p> - -<p>In the year 1732 Metcalf was invited to -Harrogate, to succeed, as fidler, a poor old -man who had played there for 70 years, and -who, being borne down by the weight of -100 years, began to play too slow for country -dancing. Metcalf was well received by -the nobility and gentry, who employed no -other fidler, except a boy whom he hired as -an assistant, when they began to build a long-room -at the Queen’s Head.</p> - -<p>Being once, with his assistant, at Ripon -assembly, they resolved to call the next day -at Newby Hall, the seat of ’Squire Blacket; -having got acquainted with that worthy -family by their frequent visits to Harrogate. -There they stayed, regaling themselves, till -near night, when they set out for home. - -<span class="pagenum">[17]</span> - -In the way, they had to cross the river Ure -by a ford, or go round by Boroughbridge or -Ripon, which latter Metcalf was not inclined -to do. They were told that the ford would -be found impassable, much rain having -fallen. Metcalf, however, was determined -to try; but on coming to the water-side, he -found his companion was much in liquor, -and began to doubt of <i>his</i> getting over: as -for himself, he had no fear, being a good -swimmer.—So it was agreed that Metcalf -should strip, and (leaving his cloathes to the -care of his friend) lead his horse over, and -thereby prove whether or not it was safe for -his comrade to follow. By this means they -got over, but not before it was dark. He -then began to dress himself, but his waistcoat -(in which were the three joints of his hautboy) -was missing, as also his silver shoe-buckles, -and seventeen shillings which fell -from his pocket. This was an unpleasant -accident, but there being no present remedy, -they made the best of their way to Copgrove, -where they rested. Metcalf listened diligently - -<span class="pagenum">[18]</span> - -to the clock, and after some hours, -supposing the waters to have abated, (which -was the case,) he returned, and found his -seventeen shillings on the bank, and a buckle -on each side of the water. The waistcoat and -hautboy he could never recover, although he -carefully drew the deeps with a gardener’s -iron rake, which he had procured for that -purpose at Newby Hall.</p> - -<p>Metcalf now bought a horse, and often -ran him for small plates. He still continued -to be a cocker—often hunted—and sometimes -went a coursing; in the evenings he -attended to play at the assemblies: finding, -from these various pursuits, pretty sufficient -employment. Being greatly encouraged -by the gentlemen, he began to think himself -of that class, excepting that his <i>rents</i> failed -to come in half-yearly from his tenants.</p> - -<p>About this time there was a long-room -built at the Green-Dragon at Harrogate. -More music being then wanted, he engaged -one Midgeley (one of the Leeds waits) and - -<span class="pagenum">[19]</span> - -his son, as assistants. Midgeley, sen. being a -good performer, was taken into partnership -gratis; but the son, and Metcalf’s former -assistant, paid five pounds each premium. -This was done with the approbation of all -the innkeepers, who wished to keep Metcalf -at the head of the band.</p> - -<p>In the year 1735, Francis Barlow, Esq. of -Middlethorp, near York, who kept a pack of -beagles, was at Harrogate, and liking Metcalf, -gave him an invitation to spend the -winter at Middlethorp, desiring him to bring -his horse: the invitation was gladly accepted, -and he went out with Mr. Barlow’s hounds -twice a week, highly gratified in the enjoyment -of his favourite sport. While at Middlethorp, -he was invited by Mr. Hebdin, an -eminent musician, of York, to come to his -house, and play, offering him, gratis, any -service or instruction in his power: this kind -offer Metcalf readily accepted, and went to -practice music on those days when there was -no hunting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[20]</span></p> - -<p>He had now completed a visit of six -months to the worthy ’Squire of Middlethorpe;—and -the hunting season being -almost over, he proposed to his patron to -take a farewell hunt in the forenoon, -intending to proceed to Knaresborough in -the evening.—He accordingly set out with -the hounds in the morning; returned with -the ’Squire at noon; got himself and his -horse well fed and <i>watered</i>, and then proceeded -to York, to take leave of Mr. Hebdin, -previous to his going home. He had -learned to walk and ride very readily through -most of the streets of York; and as he was -riding past the George Inn, in Coneystreet, -Standish, the landlord, stopped him, calling -out “What haste?” Metcalf told him he -was for Knaresborough that night—The -landlord replied, that there was a gentleman -in the house who wanted a guide to Harrogate; -adding, “I know you can do that as -well as any one.”—“So I can,” said he, -“but you must not let him know that I am -blind, for perhaps he will be afraid to trust - -<span class="pagenum">[21]</span> - -me.”—“<i>I</i> shall manage that,” replied Standish; -so going in, he informed the gentleman -that he had procured him a safe guide. -Pleased at this, the gentleman requested that -Metcalf would come in and take a bottle: -this (for an obvious reason) the landlord objected -to on the part of Metcalf, but recommended -some wine at the door; during the -drinking of which, the stranger got ready, -and they set off, Metcalf taking the lead. -As they were turning Ousegate corner, a -voice halloed out “<i>’Squire Barlow’s Blind Huntsman!</i>” -but the gentleman not knowing -the meaning of this, they rode briskly -up Micklegate, through the Bar, turned the -corner to Holgate, and through Poppleton -Field on to Hessay Moor, and so proceeded -forward, going over Skip-Bridge. (At this -time the turnpike was not made between -York and Harrogate.)</p> - -<p>On the North-West end of Kirk-Hammerton -Moor, the road to Knaresborough joined -the main road which leads to Boroughbridge -by a sudden turn to the left; but Metcalf - -<span class="pagenum">[22]</span> - -cleared that without any difficulty. When -they came to Allerton-Mauleverer, the stranger -asked whose large house that was on the -right; and was immediately informed by -Metcalf. A little farther on, the road is -crossed by the one from Wetherby to Boroughbridge, -and proceeds along by the -high brick wall of Allerton Park. There was -a road leading out of the Park, opposite to -the gate upon the Knaresborough road, -which Metcalf was afraid of missing; but -the wind being from the East, and he perceiving -a blast coming through the Park-gate, -he readily turned his horse to the opposite -gate which leads to Knaresborough. -Reaching out his hand to open it, he felt the -heel, as it is called; and, backing his horse, -exclaimed “Confound thee! thou always -goes to the gate heel, instead of the head.” -The gentleman observed to him that his -horse seemed aukward, and that his own -mare was good at coming up to a gate; -whereupon Metcalf permitted him to perform -this office. Darkness (which had now - -<span class="pagenum">[23]</span> - -come on) being no obstruction to him, he -briskly led the way, resolved that his companion -should not again see his face till they -got to Harrogate. As they were going -through Knaresborough, the gentleman proposed -a glass of wine, which Metcalf refused, -alledging that the horses were hot, and that -being near their journey’s end, it was not -worth while to stop:—On then they went; -and presently some one cried out “<i>That’s -Blind Jack!</i>”—This assertion, however, was -contradicted by another person who could -not clearly identify him; and by this means -the stranger was kept in the <i>dark</i> as effectually -as his guide. They then proceeded over -the High Bridge, and up the Forest Lane, -and then entering the Forest, they had to -pass along a narrow causeway which reached -about one-third of the way to Harrogate. -When they had gone a little way upon the -Forest, the gentleman saw a light, and asked -what place it was. There were some rocks -upon the Forest called Hookston Craggs, -and near to these the ground was low and - -<span class="pagenum">[24]</span> - -swampy in some places, close by which lays -the Leeds road;—about this part were frequently -seen at night, vapours, commonly -called Will-o’-the-wisp. Metcalf took it -for granted that his companion had seen one -of these, but for good reasons declined asking -him whereabout the light was; and to divert -his attention from this object, asked him, -“Do you not see two lights; one to the -right, the other to the left?” “No,” replied -the gentleman; “I seen but one light, that -there on the right.”—“Well then, Sir,” -said Metcalf, “that is Harrogate.” There -were then many tracks, but Metcalf made -choice of that nearest the fence: by the side -of this path, which is very near Harrogate, -some larches were planted; and stepping-stones -laid for the convenience of foot-passengers: -Metcalf got upon this stony path, -and the gentleman’s horse following, got -one of his hind feet jammed between two -of the stones: when his horse was freed, -he asked “Is there no other road?” “Yes,” -replied Metcalf, “there is another, but - -<span class="pagenum">[25]</span> - -it is a mile about:” knowing at the same -time that there was a dirty cart-way just at -hand, but to which upon some account he -preferred this rugged path.</p> - -<p>Arrived at their journey’s end, they stopped -at the house now called the Granby, but -found that the ostler was gone to bed.—Metcalf -being very well acquainted with the -place, led both the horses into the stable, -and the ostler soon after appearing, he -delivered them to his care, and went -into the house to inquire after his fellow-traveller, -whom he found comfortably -seated over a tankard of negus, in which he -pledged his guide; but when Metcalf attempted -to take the tankard, he reached out -his hand wide of the mark: however, he -soon found it, and drank; and going out -again, left to the landlord the opportunity of -explaining to his companion what he was -not yet sensible of.—“I think, landlord,” -said the gentleman, “my guide must have -drank a great deal of spirits since we came -here.”—“Why, my good Sir, do you think - -<span class="pagenum">[26]</span> - -so?”—“Well, I judge so from the appearance -of his <i>eyes</i>.”—“<i>Eyes!</i> bless you, Sir,” -rejoined the landlord, “do not you know -that he is BLIND?”—“What do you mean -by that?”—“I mean, Sir, that <i>he cannot -see</i>.”—“<span class="smcap">Blind!</span> Gracious God!!”—“Yes, -Sir; as blind as a stone, by Heaven!”—“Well, -landlord,” said the gentleman, “this -is too much: call him in.” Metcalf enters. -“My friend, are you really blind?”—“Yes, -Sir; I lost my sight when six years old.”—“Had -I known that, I would not have ventured -with you for an hundred pounds.”—“And -I, Sir,” said Metcalf, “would not -have lost my way for a thousand.” This -conversation ended, they sat down, and -drank plentifully. Metcalf had with him a -case containing a new fiddle which he had -just received from London, and the gentleman -observing it, desired him to play: the -guide gave him as much satisfaction in this -way, as he had before done in the character -of a conductor; and the services of the -evening were rewarded by a present of two - -<span class="pagenum">[27]</span> - -guineas, besides a plentiful entertainment -the next day, at the cost of this gentleman, -who looked upon the adventure with Metcalf -as the most extraordinary incident he -had ever met with.</p> - -<p>1736. The Harrogate season now commencing, -Metcalf, of course, resumed his -occupation; and, being of a jocular and -comic turn, was so well received at all the -inns, that he obtained free quarters for -himself and horse.</p> - -<p>The Green Dragon at that place was then -kept by a Mr. Body, who had two nephews -with him; and when the hunting season -drew near its close, these with some other -young men expressed a great desire for a -day’s sport; and knowing that Mr. Woodburn, -the master of the Knaresborough pack -of hounds, had often lent them to Metcalf -for the same purpose, they doubted not of -the success of <i>his</i> application: being, however, -unprovided with hunters, they were -obliged to defer the day for near a fortnight -before they could be accommodated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[28]</span></p> - -<p>On the evening before the appointed day, -Metcalf went, flushed with hope, to Mr. -Woodburn, requesting him to lend the pack -for the next day. This was a favour out of -his power to grant, having engaged to meet -’Squire Trapps, with the hounds, next -morning, upon Scotton Moor, for the purpose -of entering some young fox-hounds.—Chagrined -at this, Metcalf debated with -himself whether the disappointment should -fall to Mr. Woodburn’s friends, or his own: -determining that it should not be the lot of -the latter, he arose the next morning before -day-break, and crossed the High Bridge -near which he had the advantage of the joint -echos of the Old Castle and Belmont Wood. -He had brought with him an extraordinary -good hound of his own, and taking him by -the ears, made him give mouth very loudly, -himself giving some halloos at the same time. -This device had so good an effect, that in a -few minutes he had nine couple about him, -as the hounds were kept by various people -about the shambles, &c. and were suffered to - -<span class="pagenum">[29]</span> - -lay unkennelled. Mounting his horse, away -he rode with the dogs to Harrogate, where -he met his friends, ready mounted, and in -high spirits. Some of them proposed going -to Bilton Wood; but this was opposed by -Metcalf, who preferred the Moor; in fact, -he was apprehensive of being followed by -Mr. Woodburn, and wished to be further -from Knaresborough upon that account.</p> - -<p>Pursuant to his advice, they drew the -Moor, at the distance of five miles, where -they started a hare, killed her after a fine -chace, and immediately put up another:—just -at this moment came up Mr. Woodburn, -foaming with anger, swearing most terribly, -and threatening to send Metcalf to the devil, -or at least to the house of correction; and, -his passion rising to the utmost, rode up with -an intention to horsewhip him, which Metcalf -prevented, by galloping out of his reach.—Mr. -Woodburn then endeavoured to call off -the hounds; but Metcalf, knowing the fleetness -of his own horse, ventured within speaking, -though not within <i>whipping</i>, distance of - -<span class="pagenum">[30]</span> - -him, and begged that he would permit the -dogs to finish the chace, alledging that it -would spoil them to take them off; and that -he was sure they would (as they actually -did) kill in a very short time. Metcalf soon -found that Mr. Woodburn’s anger had begun -to abate; and going nearer to him, pleaded -in excuse a misunderstanding of his plan, -which he said he thought had been fixed for -the day after. The apology succeeded with -this good-natured gentleman, who, giving -the hare to Metcalf, desired he would accompany -him to Scotton Moor, whither, though -late, he would go, rather than wholly disappoint -Mr. Trapps. The reader, by this -time, knows enough of Metcalf to believe -he was not averse to this proposal; so leaving -the hares with his comrades, and engaging -to be with them in the evening, he joined -his old associate. The day being advanced, -Metcalf objected to the circuitous way of -Harrogate Bridge, proposing to cross the -river Nidd at Holm Bottom; and Mr. Woodburn -not being acquainted with the ford, - -<span class="pagenum">[31]</span> - -he again undertook the office of guide, and -leading the way, they soon arrived at Scotton -Moor, where Mr. Trapps and his company -had waited for them two hours. Mr. -Woodburn explained the cause of the delay, -and, being now able to participate in the -joke, the affair ended very agreeably.</p> - -<p>Metcalf stayed with this company until -three in the afternoon, and then set off for -Harrogate, crossing the river. He had not -tasted food that day; but when he got to -his friends, he found them preparing the -brace of hares, with many other good things, -for supper; and after spending many jovial -hours, he played country-dances till day-light.</p> - -<p>When the Harrogate season was over, it -was Metcalf’s constant custom to visit at the -inns, always spending the evening at one or -other of them. At the Royal Oak (now the -Granby) in particular, scenes of mirth were -often going forward; and at these he greatly -attracted the notice of one of the landlord’s -daughters.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[32]</span></p> - -<p>In the summer he used often to run his -horse for the petty plates or prizes given at -the feasts in the neighbourhood; and on all -these occasions, when in her power, she was -sure to attend, with her female friends. By -frequent intercourse, the lady and Metcalf -became very intimate; and this intimacy -produced mutual regard and confidence. -Her mother being a high-spirited woman, -had brought up her daughters, as she hoped -at least, with notions ill suited to the condition -of Metcalf; so that in order to disguise -the state of their hearts from her parents, -the lovers agreed on a set of names and -phrases, intelligible to each other, though -not so to them. He used to call himself -Mary, or Tibby, (at once changing the sex, -and speaking as if of a third person); and -she, Harry, or Dickey, or some such name. -Whenever he sought to intimate to her his -intention of visiting her, he would say, “You -must tell Richard that Mary will be here on -such a day.” Her mother would perhaps - -<span class="pagenum">[33]</span> - -ask, “Who is that?” To which she would -reply, that it was a young woman who was -to meet her brother there.—But if the day -appointed by Metcalf was not convenient, -she would say, that “Richard had called, -and had left word that Mary should call -again at such a time;” meaning the time she -wished Metcalf to come.—And as she commonly -fastened the doors, when she expected -him she always left a door or a window -open.</p> - -<p>One night, in particular, Metcalf having, -in consequence of an appointment, arrived -there about midnight, and got in by a window -that had been designedly left open; in his -way to the <i>young</i> woman’s room, he met the -<i>old</i> one in the middle of the stair-case! Both -parties were much surprised; and the mistress -asking angrily “Who’s there?” “What do -you want?” he knowing that she always -went to bed early, replied “I came in late -last night, sat down in a chair by the fire-side, -and fell fast asleep.” She then called - -<span class="pagenum">[34]</span> - -loudly to her daughter, “Why did you not -shew Jack to bed?” “I was not to sit up all -night for him;” replied the lass. He then -pursued his way up stairs, and the girl conducted -him to a bed-room.</p> - -<p>In summer he would often play at bowls, -making the following conditions with his -antagonist, viz. to receive the odds of a bowl -extra for the deficiency of an eye.—By these -terms he had three for the other’s one. He -took care to place a friend and confidant at -the jack, and another about mid-way; and -those, keeping up a constant discourse with -him, enabled him, by their voices, to judge -of the distance. The degree of bias he -could always ascertain by feeling; and, odd -as it may seem, was very frequently the -winner.</p> - -<p>Cards, too, began to engage his attention; -all of which he could soon distinguish, unassisted; -and many were the persons of rank -who, from curiosity, played with him, he -generally winning the majority of the games.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[35]</span></p> - -<p>But the achievements already enumerated -were far from bounding either his ambition -or capacity: He now aspired to the acquaintance -of jockies of a higher class than he had -hitherto known, and to this end frequented -the races at York and many other places; -when he always found the better kind of persons -inclined to lend him their skill in making -his bets, &c. impressed, as they no doubt -were, with sympathy for his situation, and -surprize at his odd propensity.</p> - -<p>He commonly rode to the race-ground -amongst the crowd; and kept in memory -both the winning and losing horses.</p> - -<p>Being much in the habit of visiting York -in the winter time, a whim would often take -him to call for his horse at bed-time, and set -out for Knaresborough, regardless of the badness -of the roads and weather, and of all -remonstrance from his friends; yet the hand -of Providence always conducted him in safety.—It -was quite common for him to go from -Skipton, over the Forest Moor, to Knaresborough, -alone; but if he had company, - -<span class="pagenum">[36]</span> - -and it was night, he was, of course, the -foremost.</p> - -<p>About the year 1738, Metcalf having -increased his stud, and being aware of the -docility of that noble animal, the horse, so -tutored his own, that whenever he called -them by their respective names, they would -immediately answer him by neighing. This -was chiefly accomplished by some discipline -at the time of feeding. He could, however, -without the help of those responses, select his -own horses out of any number.</p> - -<p>Having matched one of his horses, to run -three miles, for a wager of some note, and -the parties agreeing to ride each his own, -they set up posts at certain distances, on the -Forest, including a circle of one mile; -having, of course, three rounds to go. -Great odds were laid against Metcalf, upon -the supposition of his inability to keep the -course. But what did his ingenuity suggest -in this dilemma: or, rather, what did it -anticipate? He procured four dinner-bells -from the different inns, with what others he - -<span class="pagenum">[37]</span> - -could borrow; and placing a man, with a -bell, at each post, he was enabled, by the -ringing, to turn; and fully availing himself -of the superior fleetness of his horse, -came in winner, amidst the plaudits and -exultations of the multitude, except only -those who had betted against him.</p> - -<p>A gentleman of the name of Skelton then -came up, and proposed to Metcalf a small -wager, that he could not gallop a horse of -his fifty yards, and stop him within two -hundred. This horse was notorious as a -run-away, and had baffled the efforts of the -best and strongest riders to hold him. Metcalf -agreed to the wager, upon condition -that he might choose his ground; but Skelton -objected to there being either hedge or -wall in the distance. Metcalf, every ready -at any thing that was likely to produce a -joke, agreed; the stakes were deposited; -and knowing that there was a large bog -near the Old Spa at Harrogate, he mounted -at about the distance of an hundred and fifty -yards from it. Having observed the wind, - -<span class="pagenum">[38]</span> - -and placed a person who was to sing a song, -for the guidance of sound, he set off, at full -gallop, for the bog, and soon fixed the horse -saddle-skirt deep in the mire. He then -floundered through the dirt as well as he was -able, till he gained a firm footing; when -he demanded his wager, which was allotted -him by the general suffrage. It was with -the greatest difficulty, however, that the -horse could be extricated.——That Metcalf -was so well acquainted with this spot, was -owing to his having, about three weeks -before, relieved a stranger who had got fast -in it in the night, and whose cries had -attracted him.</p> - -<p>It was now no unusual thing with him to -buy horses, with a view to sell them again. -Happening to meet with a man who had -left the place of huntsman to a pack of subscription -hounds kept by Sir John Kaye, -’Squire Hawkesworth, and others, and who -had a horse to sell, Metcalf inquired his -price, at the same time requesting permission -to ride him a little way. Having - -<span class="pagenum">[39]</span> - -trotted the horse a mile or two, he returned, -telling the owner that the <i>eyes</i> of his nag -would soon fail. The man, however, stood -firm to his demand of twenty-five guineas -for the horse, alledging that he was beautifully -moulded, only six years old, and his -action good. Metcalf then took the man -into the stable, and desired him to lay his -hand upon the eyes of the horse, to feel -their uncommon heat; asking him, at the -same time, how he could, in conscience, -demand so great a price for a horse that was -going blind. This treaty ended with Metcalf’s -purchasing the horse, bridle, and saddle, -for fourteen pounds.</p> - -<p>A few days after, as he was riding on his -new purchase, he ran against a sign-post, -upon the Common, near the Toy-Shop, and -nearly threw it down. Not discouraged by -this, he set off for Ripon, to play at an -assembly; and passing by a place at Harrogate -called the World’s-End, he overtook a -man going the Ripon road.—With him -Metcalf laid a wager of six-pennyworth of - -<span class="pagenum">[40]</span> - -liquor, that he would get first to an alehouse -at some small distance. The ground being -rough, Metcalf’s horse soon fell, and lay for -a while on the thigh of his master, when, -making an effort to rise, he cut Metcalf’s -face with one of his fore shoes. The Rev. -Mr. Richardson coming up at this moment, -and expressing his concern for the accident, -Metcalf told him that nothing had hurt him -but the cowardice of his horse, who had -<i>struck him whilst he was down</i>. His instrument, -however, suffered so materially, that -he was obliged to borrow one to perform on -for the night, at Ripon, to which place he -got without further accident. The assembly -over, he set off to return to Harrogate, and -arrived there about three in the morning.</p> - -<p>He now thought it was time to dispose of -his fine horse, whose eyes began to discharge -much. After applying the usual remedies -of allum blown into the eyes, roweling in -different parts, &c. he found him in marketable -condition; and knowing that there -would soon be a great shew of horses without - -<span class="pagenum">[41]</span> - -Micklegate-Bar, at York, he resolved to -take the chance of that mart; and setting -out the night before, put up at the Swan, in -Micklegate. The next morning, when the -shew began, Metcalf’s nag attracted the -notice of one Carter, a very extensive dealer, -who asking the price, was told twenty-two -guineas. Carter then inquired if he was -sound, and received for answer, “I have -never known him <i>lame</i>; but I shall trot him -on this pavement, and if there be any ailment -of that kind, it will soon appear, with -my weight.” The dealer bade him sixteen -guineas, and a little after, seventeen; which -Metcalf, for well-known reasons, was glad -to receive.</p> - -<p>Having sold his horse, he set off on foot -for Harrogate; but before he had got to -Holgate (about a mile on his way) he was -overtaken by a Knaresborough man, on -horseback, who proposed, for two shillings-worth -of punch, to let him ride in turn, -dividing the distances equally. Metcalf -thought the man was unreasonable in his - -<span class="pagenum">[42]</span> - -demand, but agreed to it at length; and -giving his companion one tankard, he, by -consent, got the first ride, with instructions -to the following effect, viz. That he should -ride on till he got a little beyond Poppleton-Field, -where he would <i>see</i> a gate on his right -hand, to which he should fasten the horse, -and leaving him for the owner, proceed. -Metcalf not <i>seeing</i> the gate, as described, -rode on to Knaresborough, which was seventeen -miles from the place where he had left -his fellow-traveller. He then left the horse -at the owner’s house, saying that the master -having got into a return-chaise, had desired -him to ride the horse home.—— The -owner was greatly enraged at being left to -walk so long a way; but, on Metcalf’s -pleading that he never <i>saw</i> the gate, he -found it his interest to join in the laugh.</p> - -<p>Being now in the prime of life, and possessing -a peculiar archness of disposition, with -an unceasing flow of spirits, and a contempt -of danger, seldom if ever equalled by one in -his circumstances, it will not be wondered at - -<span class="pagenum">[43]</span> - -that levities, such as are before recited, -should have employed a considerable portion -of his time. The sequel, however, will, in -due course, shew, that he was capable of -embarking in, and bringing to perfection, -several schemes, of public as well as private -utility; and this promise to the reader, it is -hoped, will insure his patience, while he is -made the companion of the author in a few -more of his frolicsome adventures.</p> - -<p>In the year 1738 Metcalf attained the age -of twenty-one years, and the height of six -feet one inch and an half, and was remarkably -robust withal.</p> - -<p>At that time there lived at Knaresborough -one John Bake, a man of a ferocious temper -and athletic figure. He was considered in -the neighbourhood as a champion, or rather -bully; and thus qualified, was often employed -<i>specially</i>, to serve writs or warrants, -in cases where desperate resistance was expected. -Metcalf going one evening, with a -friend, to a public house, they there met -this Bake; and a short time after, Metcalf’s - -<span class="pagenum">[44]</span> - -and Bake sat down to cards. The latter -took some money off the table, to which he -was not entitled; and the former remonstrating -on the injustice of Bake, received -from him a violent blow. Metcalf interposing -with words only at first, was treated in the -same manner; when instantly entering into -combat with this ruffian, he bestowed upon -him such discipline as soon extorted a cry -for mercy.</p> - -<p>To the fame which Metcalf had acquired -by various means, was now added that of a -boxer, though he was far from being ambitious -of celebrity in that way. Some little -time after, Metcalf was called up at midnight -by this very Bake, who, knowing by experience -the prowess and powers of his late antagonist, -had presumed to make a bet of five -guineas, that Metcalf would beat a fellow -whose company he had just left.—But Metcalf -gave him to understand, that, although -he had store of thumps for those who should -treat him with insolence, he was no prize-fighter; -and having no quarrel with the man -in question, he (Bake) might fight or forfeit -as he liked best.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[45]</span></p> - -<p>Being desirous of getting a little fish, he -once, unassisted, drew a net of eighty yards -length, in the deepest part of the river -Wharfe, for three hours together. At one -time he held the lines in his mouth, being -obliged to swim.</p> - -<p>The following wager he laid, and won: -He engaged with a man at the Queen’s Head -at Harrogate, to go to Knaresborough Cross, -and return, in less time than the other would -gather one hundred and twenty stones, laid -at regular distances of a yard each, and, -taking one stone at a time, put them all into -a basket placed at one end of the line.</p> - -<p>Meeting with some company, amongst -whom there was one of a boastful turn, -Metcalf proposed to go against him from -Harrogate to Knaresborough Cross, provided -he would take the way which Metcalf should -choose. To this the other agreed, believing -that he could easily keep pace with Metcalf -till he should arrive within sight of the Cross, - -<span class="pagenum">[46]</span> - -and that he could then push forward, and -beat him. But when they got within half a -mile of the town, Metcalf quitted the road -which leads over the High Bridge, and, -knowing that his antagonist could not swim, -made for a deep part of the river above -Bridge, and divesting himself of his upper -drapery, swam across; at the same time calling -out jeeringly to his adversary, “that he -hoped for the pleasure of his company up to -the Cross.” The other, not liking to commit -himself to the water, gave up the wager.</p> - -<p>About this time, Dr. Chambers, of -Ripon, had a well-made horse, which he -used to hunt; but finding that latterly he -became a great stumbler, he exchanged him -with a dealer, who took him to Harrogate, -and meeting with Metcalf, told him he had -an excellent hunter to sell at a low price.—Metcalf -desired to try how the horse leaped, -and the owner agreeing, he mounted him, -and found that he could go over any wall or -fence, the height of himself when saddled. -A bargain was soon struck; and this happening - -<span class="pagenum">[47]</span> - -at the Queen’s Head, several gentlemen -who were witnesses of the horse’s -performance invited Metcalf to accompany -them, two days after, to Belmont Wood, -where a pack of hounds were to throw off.</p> - -<p>These hounds were the joint property of -Francis Trapps, Esq; and his brother, of -Nidd, near Ripley. A pack superior to this -was not to be found in the kingdom; nor -were the owners themselves ever excelled in -their attention to their dogs and hunters.</p> - -<p>The wished-for day arriving, Metcalf attended -the gentlemen, and the hounds were -not long in finding. The fox took away to -Plumpton Rocks, but finding all secure there -he made for Stockeld Wood, and found -matters in the same slate as at Plumpton.—He -had then run about six miles. -He came back, and crossed the river Nidd -near the Old Abbey, and went on the East -side of Knaresborough, to a place called -Coney-Garths (where there were earths) -near Scriven. Metcalf’s horse carried him -nobly; pulling hard, and requiring proportionate - -<span class="pagenum">[48]</span> - -resistance. The wind being high, -Metcalf lost his hat, but would not stop to -recover it; and coming to Thistle-Hill, -near Knaresborough, he resolved to cross the -river at the Abbey-Mill, having often before -gone, <i>on foot</i>, over the dam-stones. When -he got to the dam, he attended to the noise -of the fall, as a guide, and ranging his horse -in a line with the stones, dashed forward for -some part of the way; but the stones being -slippery with a kind of moss, his horse stumbled, -but recovered this and a second blunder: -the third time, however, floundering -completely, away went horse and rider into -the dam. Metcalf had presence of mind to -disengage his feet from the stirrups, during -the descent; but both the horse and himself -were immersed over head in water. He -then quitted his seat, and made for the opposite -side, the horse following him. Having -secured his nag, he laid himself down on his -back, and held up his heels to let the water -run out of his boots; which done, he quickly -re-mounted, and went up a narrow lane - -<span class="pagenum">[49]</span> - -which leads to the road between Knaresborough -and Wetherby; then through some -lanes on the North-East side of Knaresborough; -and crossing the Boroughbridge -road, he got to the Coney-Garths, where he -found that the whipper-in only had arrived -before him.</p> - -<p>Here the fox had earthed, as was expected; -and the other horsemen (who had gone over -the Low Bridge, and through the town) -after some time came up.—They were much -surprised at finding Metcalf there, and attributed -the soaked condition of himself and -horse to profuse sweating; nor were they -undeceived till (giving up the fox) they got -to Scriven, where, upon an explanation of -the affair, they laughed heartily.</p> - -<p>In the circle of Metcalf’s acquaintance at -Knaresborough were two young men, whose -sister lived with them in the capacity of -housekeeper; and she being of a jocular -turn, would often, on Metcalf’s calling at -the house, propose such whimsical schemes -to him, as gave him reason to believe that to - -<span class="pagenum">[50]</span> - -laugh and be merry was the chief business of -her life. However, she one evening apprised -him of her intention to pay him a visit in the -night, and desired him to leave his door -unlocked. A knowledge of the woman’s -mirthful propensity made him at first consider -this as a joke; but, on the other hand, -he thought it <i>possible</i> that a <i>real</i> assignation -was intended; and being too gallant to -disappoint a <i>lady</i>, he told her he would obey -her orders. Too sure for the future peace -of Metcalf, the lady was punctual to her -appointment; coming at the dead time of -night to his mother’s house, unawed at passing -by the <i>church</i>, whose sanction was wanting. -It would be impertinent to detain the -reader on the subject of the meeting: suffice -it to say, that Metcalf too had unfortunately -left his scruples at another house. In a few -months after, this tender creature accosted -him in the usual way—“I am ruined!—undone—lost -for ever, if you do not make -an honest woman of me!—” &c. &c.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[51]</span></p> - -<p>Whatever compunction Metcalf might -have felt in a case of confiding innocence, -pleading for the only compensation in his -power, he did not think his conscience very -deeply interested in the present: besides, his -heart was strongly attached to his first truly -respectable and worthy mistress.—His business, -therefore, was to pacify a troublesome -client, which he did in the best manner he -was able. The adventure with this dulcinea -had happened previous to the above-mentioned -hunt; but when Metcalf accompanied -the gentlemen from the Coney-Garths -to the village of Scriven, he there heard, on -the authority of the landlord of the inn, that -a woman had gone that day to filiate a child -to him. He endeavoured to be merry on -the occasion, alledging, that it could not be -so, as he had not <i>seen</i> the woman for several -years. This produced a laugh among the -company; but with Metcalf it soon took a -more serious turn. On his return to Harrogate -he employed his fellow-fidler to procure -a meeting between him and his favourite, - -<span class="pagenum">[52]</span> - -Dorothy Benson, which was effected with -some difficulty; and he took this occasion -to inform her of his disgrace, judging it -better to be before-hand with her, in a matter -which could not be long concealed.—“Ah! -John,” replied she, “thou hast got -into a sad scrape: but I intreat thee, do not -think of marrying her.” Having quieted -the fears of his favourite on that score, he -desired his assistant to go with him to Knaresborough, -to <i>sound the coast</i>; but before they -had got half way, his companion exclaimed, -“Here is the Town-Officer coming!” Metcalf -proposed walking smartly on, without -noticing him; but when they got near, the -Officer, who was a Quaker, called out, -“Stop, I want to speak with thee.” He -then explained his errand, and pressed Metcalf -much to marry the woman; to which -he replied, that he had no thoughts of marriage, -and desired to know whether for -thirty or forty pounds in money the matter -might be made up. “Yea, friend,” said -Jonathan, “perhaps I can settle the affair - -<span class="pagenum">[53]</span> - -for thee on those terms.” On this, Metcalf -observed to him, that he must go to Harrogate, -his money being there. The Quaker -agreeing, they went together to a public-house, -where Metcalf called for a tankard of -punch, drank part of it, and seeming very -chearful, said, “I must go and collect my -money: as it is in various hands, perhaps it -will be an hour or more before I can return; -so drink your punch, and call for more.” -This pretext succeeding, he left Jonathan to -regale himself at his own suit; and choosing -the most private way to a thick wood, he -there secreted himself all day. After some -hours waiting, the man of the broad brim -lost all patience, and set out in quest of his -profane ward; when meeting a gentleman, -he thus accosted him: “Friend! have thee, -perchance, seen a blind fidler?” The gentleman -replied, “I thought that a person of -thy cloth had not wanted a fidler.” “I tell -thee I want one at this time,” quoth the -Quaker; who, after some other fruitless -inquiries, went home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[54]</span></p> - -<p>At night, Metcalf ventured to break -cover; and judging it unsafe to remain in -the neighbourhood of the <i>hounds</i>, he gave -his assistant directions to put his little affairs -in order—then mounting his horse, he took -the road for Scarborough.</p> - -<p>As he was walking one day on the sands, -with a friend, he resolved to take a swim in -the sea, his companion agreeing to give him -an halloo when he should think he had gone -far enough outward; but the other, not -making a sufficient allowance for the noise -of the sea, suffered him to go out of hearing -before he shouted, and Metcalf continued -swimming until he got out of the sight of his -friend, who now suspected he should see him -no more. At length he began to reflect, -that, should he proceed on to Holland, he -had nothing in his <i>pocket</i> to make him welcome;—so -turning, and removing his -hair from his ears, he thought he heard the -breakers beating against the pier which -defends the Spa: finding, by the noise, that - -<span class="pagenum">[55]</span> - -he was at a great distance, he increased his -efforts, and happening to be right, he landed -in safety, and relieved his friend from a very -painful situation.</p> - -<p>Having an aunt at Whitby, near the -Allum-works, he went there, left his horse, -and got on board an allum ship bound for -London.</p> - -<p>In London he met with a North-country -man who played on the small pipes, and -who frequented the houses of many gentlemen -in town. By his intelligence Metcalf -found out several who were in the habit of -visiting Harrogate; and amongst others, -Colonel Liddell, who resided in King-street, -Covent-Garden, and who gave him a general -invitation to his house. The Colonel was -a Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed, -and lived at Ravensworth-Castle, -near Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and on his -return from London into the North, which -generally happened in the month of May, -he stopped three weeks at Harrogate, for a -number of years successively.</p> - -<span class="pagenum">[56]</span> - -<p>When the winter was over, Metcalf -thought he must take a <i>look</i> out of London. -Accordingly he set out through Kensington, -Hammersmith, Colnbrook, Maidenhead, and -Reading, in Berkshire; and returned by -Windsor, and Hampton-Court, to London, -in the beginning of May. In his absence, -Colonel Liddell had sent to his lodgings, to -let him know that he was going to Harrogate, -and that, if agreeable to him, he might go -down either behind his coach or on the top. -Metcalf, on his return, waited upon the -Colonel, and thanked him, but declined his -kind offer, observing, that he could, with -great ease, walk as far in a day as he would -choose to travel. The next day, at noon, -the Colonel, and his suite, consisting of sixteen -servants on horseback, set off, Metcalf -starting about an hour before them. They -were to go by way of Bugden, and he made -his way to Barnet. A little way from Barnet -the Bugden and St. Albans roads part, and -he had taken the latter: however, he made -good the destined stage for sleeping, which - -<span class="pagenum">[57]</span> - -was Welling, and arrived a little before the -Colonel, who was surprized at his performance. -Metcalf set off again the next morning -before his friends, and coming to Biggleswade, -found the road was crossed with -water, there being no bridge at that time. -He made a circuitous cast, but found no -other way, except a foot-path which he was -dubious of trusting. A person coming up, -asked, “What road are you for?”—He -answered, “For Bugden.” “You have had -some liquor this morning, I suppose,” said -the stranger.—“Yes,” replied Metcalf; although -he had tasted none that day. The -stranger then bid him follow, and he would -bring him into the highway. Soon after -they came to some sluices, with planks laid -across, and Metcalf followed by the sound of -his guide’s feet; then to a gate, on the side -of the turnpike, which being locked, he was -told to climb over. Metcalf was struck -with the kind attention of his conductor, -and taking twopence from his pocket, said, -“Here, good fellow, take that, and get thee - -<span class="pagenum">[58]</span> - -a pint of beer;” but the other declined it, -saying he was welcome. Metcalf, however, -pressing the reward upon him, was asked, -“Can you see very well?” “Not remarkably -well,” he replied. “My friend,” said the -stranger, “I do not mean to <i>tythe</i> you:—I -am Rector of this parish; and so God bless -you, and I wish you a good journey.” Metcalf -set forward with the parson’s benediction, -and stopped every night with the Colonel: -On coming to Wetherby, he arrived at -the inn before him, as usual, and told the -landlord of his approach, who asked him by -what means he had become acquainted with -that, and was informed by him how he had -preceded the Colonel the whole week, this -being Saturday, and they had left town on -Monday noon. The Colonel arriving, ordered -Metcalf into his room, and proposed -halting till Monday; but Metcalf replied, -“With your leave, Sir, I shall go to Harrogate -to-night, and meet you there on Monday.” -In truth, he was anxious to know -the worst respecting the woman who had - -<span class="pagenum">[59]</span> - -been the cause of his journey; and was -much pleased to find matters in a better -train than he expected, for being in a comfortable -way, and not inclined to be farther -troublesome. Many friends visited him on -Sunday, and the next day the Colonel arrived. -But of all his friends, the dearest -was at the Royal Oak: with her he had an -affectionate meeting, after an absence of -seven months. During this interval a young -man had been paying his addresses to her; -and knowing that Metcalf was acquainted -with the family, he solicited him to use what -interest he had in his behalf: this, when -made known to the lady by the man of her -heart, afforded them both great entertainment.</p> - -<p>Metcalf became now in great request as a -performer at Ripon assembly, which was -resorted to by many families of distinction, -such as those of Sir Walter Blacket of -Newby, Sir John Wray, Sir R. Graham, -’Squire Rhodes, ’Squire Aislaby of Studley, -and many others. When he played alone, - -<span class="pagenum">[60]</span> - -it was usual with him, after the assembly, to -set off for Harrogate or Knaresborough; but -when he had an assistant, he remained all -night at Ripon to keep him company, his -partner being afraid to ride in the dark.</p> - -<p>Finding himself worth fifteen pounds, (a -larger sum than he ever before had to spare) -he made his favourite Miss Benson his treasurer; -but as he had not yet begun to speculate -in the purchase of <i>land</i>, and a main of -cocks being made in the neighbourhood, he -became a party, and drawing his cash from -the hands of his fair banker, he lost two-thirds -of his whole fortune.—The remaining -five pounds he laid on a horse which was to -run at York a few days after; and though -he had the good fortune to win the last -wager, his general imprudence in this way -produced a little shyness from his sweetheart.</p> - -<p>His competitor (not suspecting the intimacy -between Metcalf and the young lady) -pushed his suit briskly; and after a short -time, banns were published in the churches -of Knaresborough and Kirby-Overblow.—Metcalf - -<span class="pagenum">[61]</span> - -was much surprised, having long -thought himself secure of her affection. He -now began to believe that she had laid more -stress on his late follies than he had been -aware of, and the remembrance of them gave -him exquisite pain, for he loved her tenderly, -and was restrained from proposing marriage -to her only by the doubts he had of -being able to support her in the manner she -had been accustomed to. On the other -hand, his pride made him disdain to shew -that he was hurt, or to take any measures -to prevent the match. The publication of -banns being complete, the wedding-day was -appointed.—The supposed bridegroom had -provided an entertainment at his house for -upwards of two hundred people; and going -with a few friends to Harrogate on the Sunday, -proposed the following day for the -nuptials, which were to be solemnized at -Knaresborough, intending to return to Harrogate -to breakfast, where a bride-cake was -ready, with a hamper of wine, which latter -was to have been carried to Kirby, for the -use of the guests he had invited.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[62]</span></p> - -<p>On the Sunday, Metcalf riding pretty -smartly past the Royal Oak, towards the -Queen’s Head, was loudly accosted in these -words—“One wants to speak with you.” -He turned immediately to the stables of the -Oak, and, to his joyful surprise, found there -his favourite, who had sent her mother’s -maid to call him. “Well, lass,” said he, -“thou’s going to have a merry day to-morrow; -am I to be the fidler?”—“Thou -never shalt fiddle at my wedding,” replied -she. “What’s the matter? What have I -done?” said Metcalf.—“Matters may not -end,” said she, “as some folks wish they -should.” “What!” said he, “hadst thou -rather have me? Canst thou bear starving?”—“Yes,” -said she, “with <i>thee</i> I can!” -“Give me thy hand, then, lass,—skin for -skin, it’s all done!”</p> - -<p>The girl who had called him being present, -he told her, that as she and his horse were -the only witnesses to what had passed, he -would kill the first who should divulge it.—The -immediate concern was to fix on some - -<span class="pagenum">[63]</span> - -plan, as Miss Benson was apprehensive of -being missed by her friends.—Jack, ever -prompt at an expedient, desired that she -would that night place a lighted candle in -one of the windows of the old house, as -soon as the coast was clear, and herself ready -to set off, which will doubtless appear to the -reader a very extraordinary signal to a blind -man; but he had conceived measures for -carrying the projected elopement into effect -by the assistance of a third person. This -being approved of, she went into the house, -and in a short time was followed by Metcalf, -who was warmly received by the supposed -bridegroom and company. The tankard -went briskly round with “Success to the -intended couple;” in which toast, it may be -readily believed, Metcalf joined them most -cordially.</p> - -<p>Having stayed till it was near dark, he -thought it time for putting business into a -proper train. Going then to a public house -known by the name of the World’s End, he -inquired for the ostler, whom he knew to be - -<span class="pagenum">[64]</span> - -a steady fellow; and after obtaining from -this man a promise either to serve him in an -affair of moment in which he was engaged, -or keep the secret, he related the particulars -of his assignation, and the intended elopement; -to forward which, he desired him to -let them have his master’s mare, which he -knew would carry double.—This agreed on, -he requested the further service of meeting -him at the Raffle Shop (now the Library) at -ten o’clock: a whistle was to be given by -the first who got there, as a signal. They -met pretty punctually; and Metcalf asked -him if he saw a star, meaning the light before -mentioned: he said, he did not; but in less -than half an hour the <i>star</i> was in the place -appointed. They then left the horses at a -little distance from the house, not choosing to -venture into the court-yard, it being paved. -On the door being opened by the lady, he -asked her if the was ready; to which she -replied in the affirmative.—He advised her, -however, to pack up a gown or two, as she -probably might not see her mother again for - -<span class="pagenum">[65]</span> - -some time. The ostler having recommended -the lady’s pillion to Metcalf, in preference to -that of his mistress, he asked her for it:—“O -dear!” said she, “it is in the other -house; but we must have it.” She then -went to the window and called up her sister, -who let her in. The pillion and cloth were -in the room where the supposed bridegroom -slept; and on his seeing her enter, she -said, “I’ll take this and brush it, that it -may be ready in the morning.” “That’s -well thought on, my dear,” said he. She -then came down, and all three went to the -horses. Metcalf mounted her behind his -friend, then got upon his own horse, and -away they went. At that time it was not a -matter of so much difficulty to get married -as it is at present; and they, with only the -trouble of riding twelve miles, and at a small -expence, were united.</p> - -<p>Metcalf left his bride, on his return, at a -friend’s house within five miles of Harrogate, -but did not dismount, being in haste to -return the mare he had borrowed with -<i>French leave</i>. A few minutes after their - -<span class="pagenum">[66]</span> - -return, Mr. Body, the landlord, called for -his mare, to go to Knaresborough, and -fortunately she was ready for him.</p> - -<p>Metcalf now went to the Queen’s Head, -to perform the usual service of playing -during the breakfast half hour. His overnight’s -excursion made him rather thoughtful, -having got a <i>bird</i>, but no <i>cage</i> for it. -While he was musing on this subject, an -acquaintance, who made one of the intended -bridegroom’s company the evening before, -came up, and asked him to take a glass with -him. Metcalf quickly guessed what his business -was, but adjourned with him to a private -room, seemingly unconcerned. “Metcalf,” -said he “a strange thing has happened since -you were with us last night, concerning -Dolly Benson, who was to have been married -this morning to Anthony Dickinson.—You -are suspected of knowing something -about the former; and I shall briefly state to -you the consternation which her disappearance -has occasioned, and the reasons why -suspicion falls upon you. This morning, -early, the bridegroom went to Knaresborough, - -<span class="pagenum">[67]</span> - -and informed the Rev. Mr. Collins -that he and his intended wife were coming -that forenoon to be married. In his absence -Mrs. Benson and her other daughter began -to prepare for breakfast; and observing that -Dolly lay very long in bed, her mother -desired that she might be called; but her -usual bedfellow declaring that she had not -slept with her, she was ordered to seek her -in some of the other rooms. This was done, -but in vain. They then took it for granted -that she had taken a ride with Mr. Dickinson; -but he returning, could give no account -of her. All her friends began now to be -very seriously alarmed; and, amongst other -fearful conjectures, supposed that she might -have fallen into the well, in attempting to -draw water for breakfast; and actually got -some iron creepers, and searched the well. -Her brother then took horse, and rode to -Burton-Leonard, to a young man who had -slightly paid his addresses to her, and, informing -him of the distress of the family, begged -he would give information, if in his power. -The young man immediately asked him if he - -<span class="pagenum">[68]</span> - -had seen Blind Jack; he answered, that you -were at the Oak last night, but did not in -the least suspect you.—The other, however, -persisted in the opinion that you were most -likely to know where the girl was, and gave -the following incident as a reason: Being, -not long since, at a dance, where Miss Benson -made one, he observed her wiping a -profuse perspiration from your face, with an -handkerchief; and this act was accompanied -by a look so tender, as left no doubt in his -mind of her being strongly attached to you.”</p> - -<p>This narrative (a part of which was no -news to Metcalf) was scarcely finished, when -young Benson appeared; and Metcalf put an -end to all inquiry, by declaring the truth: -and thinking it his duty to conciliate, if -possible, those whom he had offended, he -employed the softest phrases he was master -of on the occasion. He begged pardon, -through their son, of Mr. and Mrs. Benson, -whom he did not presume to call father and -mother, and wished them to believe that the -warmth of his passion for their daughter, -with the despair of obtaining their consent, - -<span class="pagenum">[69]</span> - -had led him to the measures he had taken; -and that he would make them the best -amends in his power, by the affectionate -conduct he should observe to his wife.</p> - -<p>The son, in part pacified, left Metcalf, and -reported this declaration to his parents: but -they were just as well pleased at it, as they -would have been at the sight of their building -in flames; and, in the height of passion, -declared they would put him to death, if -they met with him.</p> - -<p>The poor forlorn Dickinson then departed, -accompanied by one of Mr. Benson’s sons. -When they got near his home, they heard -two sets of bells, viz. those of Folifoot and -Kirby Overblow, ringing, in expectation of -the arrival of the bride and groom; but the -sound was more like that of a knell to Dickinson, -who fell from his horse through anguish, -but was relieved by the attention of his friend. -The company were surprised at not seeing the -bride; but matters were soon explained, and -they were desired to partake of the fare provided -for them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[23]</span></p> - -<p>Metcalf not being able, at once, to procure -a <i>Palace</i> for his <i>Queen</i>, took a small -house at Knaresborough. It now became -matter of wonder that she should have preferred -a blind man to Dickinson, she being -as handsome a woman as any in the country. -A lady having asked her why she had refused -so many good offers for Blind Jack; she -answered, “Because I could not be happy -without him:” And being more particularly -questioned, she replied, “His actions are so -singular, and his spirit so manly and enterprising, -that I could not help liking him.” -Metcalf being interrogated, on his part, how -he had contrived to obtain the lady, replied, -That many women were like liquor-merchants, -who purchase spirits above proof, -knowing that they can <i>lower</i> them at home; -and this, he thought, would account why -many a rake got a wife, while your plodding -sons of phlegm were doomed to celibacy.</p> - -<p>He now went to Harrogate, as usual, with -the exception of <i>one</i> house. Meeting with -a butcher there one day, and drinking pretty - -<span class="pagenum">[71]</span> - -freely, a wager was proposed to Metcalf, -that he durst not visit his mother-in-law. -He took the wager, mounted his horse, and -riding up to the kitchen-door, called for a -pint of wine. There being then only women -in the house, they all ran up stairs in a fright. -He then rode into the kitchen, through the -house, and out at the hall door, no one -molesting him. As there were many evidences -to this act of <i>heroism</i>, he returned, -and demanding the stakes, received them -without opposition.</p> - -<p>The Harrogate season being on the decline, -he retired to Knaresborough, where he purchased -an old house, intending to build on -its scite the next summer. Assisted by another -stout man, he began to get stones up -from the river; and being much used to the -water, took great delight in this sort of work. -Meeting with some workmen, he told them -the intended dimensions of his house, and -they named a price, by the rood, for building -it: but Metcalf, calculating from his -own head, found that their estimate would - -<span class="pagenum">[72]</span> - -not do; so letting them the job by lump -agreement, they completed it at about half -the sum which they would have got by the -rood.</p> - -<p>He now went to the Oak, to demand his -wife’s cloaths, but was refused: on a second -application, however, he succeeded. His -wife having brought him a boy, and some -genteel people being the sponsors, they employed -their good offices to heal the breach -between the families, and were so fortunate -as to succeed. On the birth of a daughter -(the second child) Mrs. Benson herself was -godmother, and presented Metcalf with fifty -guineas.</p> - -<p>He continued to play at Harrogate in the -season; and set up a four-wheel chaise, and -a one-horse chair, for public accommodation, -there having been nothing of the kind there -before.—He kept those vehicles two summers, -when the innkeepers beginning to run -chaises, he gave them up; as he also did -racing, and hunting; but still wanting employment, -he bought horses, and went to - -<span class="pagenum">[73]</span> - -the coast for fish, which he took to Leeds -and Manchester; and so indefatigable was -he, that he would frequently walk for two -nights and a day, with little or no rest.</p> - -<p>Going from Knaresborough to Leeds in a -snow-storm, and crossing a brook, the ice -gave way under one of his horses, and he -was under the necessity of unloading to get -him out; but the horse as soon as free ran back -to Knaresborough, leaving him with two panniers -of fish, and three other loaded horses, -which, together with the badness of the -night, greatly perplexed him:—After much -difficulty, however, he divided the weight -amongst the others, and pursuing his journey, -arrived at Leeds by break of day.</p> - -<p>Once passing through Halifax, he stopped -at an inn called the Broad Stone. The landlord’s -son and some others who frequented -Harrogate seeing Metcalf come in, and having -often heard of his exploits, signified a -wish to play at cards with him: he agreed, -and accordingly they sent for a pack, which -he desired to examine a little. The man of - -<span class="pagenum">[74]</span> - -the house being his friend, he could depend -upon his honour in preventing deception. -They began, and Metcalf beat four of them -in turn; playing for liquor only. Not satisfied -with this, some of the company proposed -playing for money; when engaging at shilling -whist, Metcalf won fifteen shillings. -The party who lost then proposed to play -double or quit, but Metcalf declined playing -for more than shilling points; till at last -yielding to much importunity, he got engaged -for guineas, and, favoured by fortune, -won ten, the whole sum late in the possession -of the loser, who took up the cards, and -going out, soon returned with eight guineas -more: Metcalf’s friend examined the cards, -to see that they were not marked; and finding -all fair, they went on again, until those -eight pieces followed the other ten. They -then drank freely at Metcalf’s cost, he being -in good circumstances to treat. About -ten at night he took his leave, saying he must -be at Knaresborough in the morning, having -sent his horses before. On his way he crossed - -<span class="pagenum">[75]</span> - -the river Wharfe about a mile below -Poole: the water being high, his horse swam, -but he got safe home; and this ended his -pursuits as a fishmonger, the profits being -small, and his fatigue very considerable.</p> - -<p>From the period of his discontinuing the -business of fishmonger, Metcalf continued in -the practice of attending Harrogate, as a -player on the violin in the Long-room, until -the commencement of the Rebellion in 1745.</p> - -<p>The events of that period having been so -numerously and so minutely detailed, that -any one the least conversant in the history of -this country cannot be unacquainted with the -origin, progress, and termination of the civil -commotions which agitated it,—it would -appear unnecessary to obtrude the narration -of them here, further than may seem needful -to introduce the part in which Metcalf bore -a personal share. The circumstance of his -commencing soldier, was at that time, and -will still by the reader, be looked upon as a -very extraordinary proceeding of one in his -situation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[76]</span></p> - -<p>The alarm which took place, in consequence -of that event, was general; and -loyalty to the reigning Sovereign, and -Government, with measures for resistance -to the Rebel Party, shone no where more -conspicuous than in the County of York.</p> - -<p>Amongst the many instances which mark -this, none were more striking than the signally -gallant conduct of the late <span class="smcap">William -Thornton</span>, Esq; of Thornville.</p> - -<p>The opinion of that gentleman, as delivered -at the General County Meeting held at -the Castle of York, was, that the four thousand -men, (for the raising, cloathing, and -maintaining of which <i>ninety thousand pounds</i> -had been subscribed) should be embodied in -companies with the regulars, and march with -the King’s forces to any part where their -services might be required.—This mode of -proceeding, however, not meeting the opinion -of the majority of the gentlemen present, -he determined to raise a company at his own -expence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[77]</span></p> - -<p>In consequence of that resolution, Mr. -Thornton went to Knaresborough about the -first of October, 1745; and Metcalf having -for several years been in the practice of visiting -that gentleman’s mansion, (particularly -at the festive season of Christmas, where, -with his violin and hautboy, he assisted to -entertain the family) Mr. Thornton was well -acquainted with his extraordinary disposition, -and, imagining that he might be of service to -him in his present undertaking, sent for our -blind hero to his inn, treated him liberally -with punch, and, informing him “that the -French were coming to join the Scotch -rebels, the consequence of which would be, -that if not vigourously opposed, they would -violate all our wives, daughters, and sisters,” -asked him if he had spirit to join the company -about to be raised. Metcalf instantly giving -an affirmative answer, was asked whether he -knew of any spirited fellows who were likely -to make good soldiers; and having satisfied -his patron on this head also, he was appointed -an assistant to a serjeant already procured, - -<span class="pagenum">[78]</span> - -with orders to begin recruiting the next -day. This service went on with rapid success: -several carpenters, smiths, and other -artificers were engaged, to all of whom -Metcalf promised great military advancement, -or, in default of that, places of vast -profit under Government, as soon as the -matter was over, which he called only a -<i>bustle</i>; thus following the example of other -<i>decoy ducks</i>, by promising very unlikely -things.</p> - -<p>Such was their success, that in two days -only they enlisted one hundred and forty -men, out of whom the Captain drafted sixty-four, -(the number of privates he wanted) -and sent immediately to Leeds for cloth of a -good quality for their cloathing. The coats -were blue, trimmed and faced with buff; -and buff waistcoats. The taylors he had -employed refusing to work on a Sunday, he -rebuked their fanatical scruples in these -words: “You rascals! if your houses were -on fire, would you not be glad to extinguish -the flames on a <i>Sunday</i>?” which had the - -<span class="pagenum">[79]</span> - -desired effect. Arms being procured from -the Tower, the men were constantly and -regularly drilled. Such of them as had -relations in the public line, would frequently -bring their companions to drink, for the -benefit of the respective houses; and Metcalf -never failed to attend one or other of those -parties, his fiddle and hautboy contributing -to make the time pass agreeably: and the -worthy Captain was liberal in his allowance -of money for such festive purposes, insomuch -that had he wanted five hundred men, he -could easily have obtained them. Soon after -he brought them to Thornville, where he -ordered every other day a fat ox to be killed -for their entertainment, and gave them beer -seven years old, expressing a great pleasure -at its being reserved for so good a purpose.</p> - -<p>He now began to sound the company as to -their attachment to the cause and to himself. -“My lads,” said he, “you are going to -form a part of a ring-fence to the finest -estate in the world! The King’s army is on -its march to the Northward; and I have - -<span class="pagenum">[80]</span> - -the pleasing confidence that all of you are -willing to join them.”—They replied, as if -one soul had animated them, “We will -follow you to the world’s end!”</p> - -<p>All matters being adjusted, the company -was drawn up, and amongst them <span class="smcap">Blind -Jack</span> made no <i>small</i> figure, being near six -feet two inches high, and, like his companions, -dressed in blue and buff, with a large -gold-laced hat: So well pleased was the -Captain with his appearance, that he said he -would give an hundred guineas for only <i>one -eye</i> to stick in the head of his <i>dark</i> champion.</p> - -<p>Jack now played a march of the Captain’s -choosing, and off they moved for Boroughbridge. -Capt. Thornton having a discretionary -route, took his march over the moors, in -expectation of meeting some of the straggling -parties of the rebel army; and quartered at -several villages in his way, where he was -kindly received, and visited by the heads of -the genteelest families in the neighbourhood, -who generally spent the evenings with him. -Metcalf being always at the Captain’s quarters, - -<span class="pagenum">[81]</span> - -played on the violin, accompanied by a -good voice, “<i>Britons! strike home</i>,” and -other loyal and popular airs, much to the -satisfaction of the visitors, who frequently -offered him money, but this he always refused, -knowing that his acceptance of it -would displease his commander.</p> - -<p>Arriving at Newcastle, they joined the -army under the command of General Wade, -by whose order they were united with Pulteney’s -regiment, which, having suffered much -in some late actions abroad, was thought -the weakest. Captain Thornton gave orders -for tents for his men, and a marquee for -himself, for which he paid the upholsterer -eighty guineas. He pitched them on Newcastle -Moor, and gave a pair of blankets to -each tent. Jack observed to his Captain, -“Sir, I live next door to you: but it is a -custom, on coming to a new house, to have -it warmed.” The Captain knowing his -meaning, said, “How much will do?”—Jack -answered, “Three shillings a tent;” -which the Captain generously gave, and said, - -<span class="pagenum">[82]</span> - -“As you join Pulteney’s regiment, they will -smell your breath;” so he gave them ten -guineas, being one to each company. On -the night of their entertainment, the snow -fell six inches.</p> - -<p>After stopping here for about a week, the -General received intelligence of the motions -of the rebels, and gave orders to march by -break of day for Hexham, in three columns, -wishing to intercept them upon the West -road, as their route seemed to be for England -that way. The tents were instantly struck; -but the Swiss troops having the van, and not -being willing to move at so early an hour, -it was half past ten before they left the -ground, and the snow by that time was -become extremely deep in several places: it -also proved a very severe day for hail and -frost. They were often three or four hours -in marching a mile, the pioneers having to -lower the hills, and fill up several ditches, to -make a passage for the artillery and baggage.</p> - -<p>About ten at night they arrived at Ovington, -the place marked out for them, with - -<span class="pagenum">[83]</span> - -straw to rest on; but the ground was frozen -so hard, that but few of the tent-pins would -enter it, and in those few tents which were -pitched, the men lay one upon another, -greatly fatigued with their march, it having -been fifteen hours from the time of their -striking the tents, till their arrival at this -place, although the distance is only seven -miles.</p> - -<p>At eleven o’clock at night Captain Thornton -left the camp, and went to Hexham, to -visit his relation. Sir Edward Blacket, and -with a view of getting provisions and necessaries -for his men: he was only nine hours -absent, as, although it was Sunday morning, -the march was to be continued. It having -been customary to burn the straw, to warm -the men before they set off, orders were -here given to preserve it, in case it might be -wanted on their return. However, Captain -Thornton and the Lieutenant being absent, -and the Ensign having died at Newcastle, -Metcalf took it upon him to say, “My lads, -get the straw together, to burn; our Captain - -<span class="pagenum">[84]</span> - -will pay for more, if we should want it:” -which being done, he took, out his fiddle, -notwithstanding the day, and played to the -men whilst they danced round the fire; -which made the rest of the army observe -them, though they did not follow their -example. The Captain and Lieutenant arriving -in the midst of the business, expressed -much pleasure and satisfaction in seeing the -men thus recreate themselves.</p> - -<p>That day they reached Hexham, where -they halted. On Monday night, about ten -o’clock, the army was put in motion by a -false alarm. Here General Wade resolved -to return; and immediately began the march -for York, by way of Piersebridge, Catterick, -and Boroughbridge; and continuing his -route Southward, encamped his men on -Clifford Moor, where they halted a few days, -and then moved to a ground between Ferrybridge -and Knottingley. The rebels had -now penetrated Southward as far as Derby; -but the General having heard that they had -received a check from the Duke of Cumberland, - -<span class="pagenum">[85]</span> - -sent General Oglethorpe with a thousand -horse towards Manchester, either to -harrass the enemy in their retreat, or to join -the Duke’s forces; and returned himself with -the remainder, by Wakefield, Outwood, and -Leeds, to Newcastle.</p> - -<p>In the mean time the Duke came up with -the rebels at Clifton, on the borders of -Westmoreland, of which Lord George Murray, -with the rear guard, had taken possession, -whilst another party had fortified themselves -behind three hedges and a ditch.</p> - -<p>The Duke coming upon the open moor -after sun-set, gave orders for three hundred -dragoons to dismount, and advance to the -brink of the ditch; when the rebels fired -upon them from behind the hedges, which -they returned, and fell a few paces back: -the rebels mistaking this for flight, rushed -over the ditch, but meeting a warmer reception -than they expected, were glad to retreat, -and continued their route to Penrith.</p> - -<p>The Duke’s army was not able to follow, -owing to the badness of the roads, and the - -<span class="pagenum">[86]</span> - -fatigue of a tedious march; but the next -morning he pursued them to Penrith; and -from thence to Carlisle, where they left part -of their army.</p> - -<p>His Royal Highness thought it advisable to -reduce this place, and accordingly sent for -heavy artillery from Whitehaven, which arriving -on the 25th of December, the garrison -surrendered on the 30th, and his Royal -Highness returned to London. General -Wade continued his march for the North, -dismissing all the foreigners from his army; -and General Hawley on coming from London -to take the command, was joined by some -regiments which had been withdrawn from -Flanders. They marched to Edinburgh; -from thence to Falkirk, and pitched their -tents on the North-East side of the town, -on the 16th of January.</p> - -<p>The Highland army being at Torwood, -about mid-way between Falkirk and Stirling, -and distant from the English camp only about -three miles, they could easily discover each -other’s camp-lights. The English army lay - -<span class="pagenum">[87]</span> - -all night on their arms, in expectation of -being attacked; but the van and picquet -guards came in on the morning of the 17th, -having observed no motions in the rebel -camp which shewed any signs of an attack, -although they were as near them as safety -would permit. Soon after, the enemy were -observed to move some of their colours from -Torwood, towards Stirling, which made the -English suppose that they were retreating; -but this motion was a feint to deceive them. -However, upon this appearance, the soldiers -were ordered to pile their arms, and take -some refreshment; and although Lord Kilmarnock -was in the rebel army, General -Hawley went to breakfast with Lady Kilmarnock, -at Callendar House. The enemy, in -the mean time, stole a march down a valley -Northward, unperceived; but just before the -army discovered them, they were seen by a -person who ran into the camp, exclaiming, -“Gentlemen! what are you about? the -Highlanders will be upon you:” on which -some of the officers said, “Seize that rascal, - -<span class="pagenum">[88]</span> - -he is spreading a false alarm.”—“Will you, -then, believe your own eyes?” replied the -man; when instantly the truth of his assertion -became apparent, by their advancing to the -highest ground upon Falkirk moor, the wind -blowing strongly in the faces of the English, -with a severe rain. At this moment several -had left the field as well as the General; -but the drums beat to arms, which caused -those who were absent to repair instantly to -the camp, and the lines were immediately -formed.</p> - -<p>Captain Thornton’s company was embodied -with the matrosses, who were thought -too weak; and this was a great disappointment -to him, whose intention was to be in -the front, whenever an engagement should -take place. Metcalf played before them to -the field; but the flag cannon sinking in a -bog, Captain Thornton exclaimed, “D—n -this accident; we shall see no sport to-day:” -and leaving his troop to assist the matrosses -in bringing up the cannon to their station, -he rode up opposite to the horse which were - -<span class="pagenum">[89]</span> - -going to engage. The regiments of Hamilton -and Gardner were put in the front; -and the Highlanders, after firing their pieces, -threw them down, and discharged their pistols -in the horses’ faces, which caused them to -retreat, much confused: and on the Duke of -Perth exclaiming aloud, “Although the horse -have given way, yet the work is not accomplished,” -the enemy pursued with their broad -swords, cutting down the men as they fled; -and the horses did great mischief, by breaking -through their own foot, the men crying -out at the same time, “Dear brethren, we -shall all be massacred this day!” On their -passing the artillery, the Captain of the matrosses -seeing their perilous situation, gave -orders for all the train horses to be cut from -the cannon. General Huske at this time -came up with three regiments, and engaged -the left wing of the Highlanders, ordering -the rear and centre to keep firing, and the -front to reserve. The rebels, as was their -custom, after the discharge of their pieces, -flung them away, and advanced with their - -<span class="pagenum">[90]</span> - -broad swords close up to the first line; when -the front instantly fired, and being so near, -did more than double execution; which -caused them to retreat, leaving a great number -dead upon the spot.</p> - -<p>The General observing a vast body of the -rebels on the right, drew up his men nearer -Falkirk, and gave orders to keep the town -until morning: however, on examining the -powder, they had the mortification to find -that the heavy rains had damaged it to such -a degree, that but few pieces could be fired; -and the village being open on all sides, was -a circumstance so favourable to the enemy, -as induced that General to form the resolution -of quitting the town with all expedition, -and march to Linlithgow, where there was -more shelter under the walls, in case of an -attack.—This measure was fully justified by -the event; for the enemy pursued so closely, -that many were taken by surprise, as, in -consequence of the order to keep the town -all night, several had gone into the houses to -put off their wet cloathes; and those who - -<span class="pagenum">[91]</span> - -were apprised of the retreat had no sooner -left the place, than the rebels took possession, -and made a great many prisoners, amongst -whom were twenty of Captain Thornton’s -men, with the Lieutenant and Ensign.</p> - -<p>Mr. Crofts, the Lieutenant, having eighty -guineas in his pocket, begged to make Lord -George Murray his treasurer; which office -his Lordship accepted, and had afterwards -the <i>generosity</i> to return him SIX!</p> - -<p>Captain Thornton, also, was in one of the -houses, for the purpose before-mentioned, -but had not time sufficient to effect his -escape; and being alarmed by the bagpipes -at the door, he retreated up stairs: in a few -minutes several of the rebels rushed up, in -search of the fugitives; when one of them -came to the very room door behind which -he had taken refuge, and overlooking him, -said, “There are none of the rascals here.” -The woman of the house having seen the -Captain go up stairs, went to him soon after, -and opening a closet door, entreated him -to enter, which he did.—She then brought - -<span class="pagenum">[92]</span> - -a dresser, and placed dishes, &c. upon it, -which prevented all appearance of a door in -that place; and fortunately there was no bed -in the room. About ten minutes after he -had been fixed in his new quarters, a great -number of people, consisting chiefly of Highland -officers, amongst whom was Secretary -Murray, took possession of the apartment, -which being large, they proposed making -use of for business during their stay.</p> - -<p>We will there leave Captain Thornton, -and return to Metcalf, who with the matrosses -was retiring from the field of battle.</p> - -<p>Knowing that two of his master’s horses -had been left at a widow’s house a short -distance from the town, he made his way to -the place, with intent to secure them. This -woman had in the morning expressed great -seeming loyalty to King George; but when -Metcalf returned in the evening, the wind -had changed:—She now extolled prince -Charles, and said the defeat of <i>George’s folk</i> -was a just judgment.</p> - -<p>Metcalf went into the stable and found the -horses, saddled them, and was leading out -the first, when he was surrounded by a few -stragglers of the Highland army: “We must - -<span class="pagenum">[93]</span> - -have that beast,” said they; but Metcalf -refusing to give him up, they said to one -another, “Shoot him.” On hearing two of -them cock their pieces, he asked, “What do -you want with him?” They answered, that -they wanted him for their Prince: “If so, -you must have him,” replied he. They -took him, and immediately went off. Metcalf -then brought out the other; but as he -was about to mount, the Captain’s coachman -(whose name was Snowden) joined him, -and Metcalf inquiring of him the fate of his -master, was answered, that he had not seen -him since he left the artillery, when he rode -up with the horse which were going to -engage: this induced them to think that the -worst had befallen him. They then thought -it advisable to attempt falling in with the -rear of the army, and endeavoured to slant -the ground for that purpose; but before they - -<span class="pagenum">[94]</span> - -had proceeded many yards, their horse sunk -up to the saddle-skirts in a bog: however, -being strong and plunging out, they mounted -again, and soon joined it as they wished; -where on making diligent inquiry after their -Captain, they were told that he was left -behind; on which Snowden returned as far -as he could with safety, but without gaining -any intelligence, and Metcalf walked on with -the army.</p> - -<p>They arrived at Linlithgow, where they -halted; and the next day they marched to -Edinburgh. There the mob, and lower -orders of people, were very free in their -expressions, and some of the higher also -spoke very warmly, in favour of Prince -Charles; making it appear clearly, <i>by their -own account</i>, that nothing could prevent his -coming to the Crown.</p> - -<p>The next morning as many of Captain -Thornton’s men as had escaped being taken -prisoners, (about forty-eight in number,) -assembled; and none of them being quite -certain of having seen the Captain since he - -<span class="pagenum">[95]</span> - -left them with the cannon in the bog, they -supposed him to have shared the fate of -many other brave men who had fallen in the -action of that day, and which they all sincerely -lamented—not only on account of the -favours he had individually conferred on -them, but for the great and liberal example -which he had invariably shewn to his brother -officers, in the care and attention which he -paid to his men in general; the natural consequence -of which was, that he possessed the -love and confidence of the soldiery. The -disappearance, also, of the two other officers, -and twenty of their men, greatly dispirited -them; and, together with the suspension -from their regular pay, induced some of -them to apply to Metcalf for a supply, in -order to carry them home; but he laudably -refused any aid he might have afforded -them, on being informed of the purpose for -which it was required.</p> - -<p>The army being fixed at Edinburgh, the -head-quarters were at the Abbey. The -superior officers sent for Metcalf, thinking it - -<span class="pagenum">[96]</span> - -a singular circumstance that a person deprived -of sight should enter into the army; -and knowing that his master was missing, -they desired to converse with him. One of -the officers belonging to the dragoons who -retreated from Falkirk speaking ironically of -Thornton’s men, asked Jack how <i>he</i> got off -the field of battle.—Metcalf answered, “I -found it very easy to follow by the sound of -the dragoon horses, they made such a <i>clatter</i> -over the stones.” This reply made the gentlemen -turn the laugh against him. Colonel -Cockayne likewise asked how he durst venture -into the service, blind as he was; to which -he replied, “that had he possessed a pair of -good eyes, he would never have come there -to have risked the loss of them by gunpowder.” -Then making his obeisance, he -withdrew: For Metcalf, though he had not -<i>read books</i>, had read <i>men</i>; and received his -knowledge from the school of the world.</p> - -<p>He now determined upon a journey to -Falkirk, in search of his Captain; but this -being attended with difficulty, he applied to a - -<span class="pagenum">[97]</span> - -Knaresborough man who lived at Edinburgh -and was of the rebel party, telling him that -he wished to be a musician to Prince Charles, -as he found it was all over with the English. -The man informed him that they had a spy, -an Irishman, going to the Prince; on which -Metcalf set forward with him, and he promised -to recommend him on their arrival at -Falkirk; but on coming up to the English -out-sentries, they were stopped:—Metcalf -inquired for the Captain, and informed him -of the real cause of his journey: by him he -was kindly advised to lay aside his project, -and told that he would lose his life; but still -persisting, he proceeded with the spy, and -arrived at Linlithgow, where they stayed all -night. They met with several women who -had been upon plunder, and were then on -their return to Edinburgh; and the spy -instructed them how to avoid the English -sentries. Metcalf was very careful to examine -the cloathes they had got, thinking -that by chance he might meet with some of -his Captain’s, ignorant as he was of his fate. - -<span class="pagenum">[98]</span> - -One of the women sent a token by Metcalf to -her husband, who was Lord George Murray’s -cook: this woman’s guide was a horse-dealer, -who soon became acquainted with Metcalf, -having frequented the fairs in Yorkshire; -and at this time by some means had got -introduced to the heads of both armies, and -obtained a protection from each to press -horses occasionally.—This man’s fate was remarkable; -for going into Stirling, where the -King’s army lay, he found that orders were -given to let no strangers pass without an -examination, which he underwent, and said -that he had a protection from General Huske: -being ordered to produce it, he had the misfortune -to take that out of his pocket which -he had got from the Pretender; and when -informed of his mistake, instantly produced -the other—but too late; for he was tied up -by the neck to a lamp-iron, without giving -him time to put off his boots.</p> - -<p>A short time before Metcalf and the spy -left the ’Change-house at Linlithgow, some -of the van guard of the rebels came in, and - -<span class="pagenum">[99]</span> - -called for whiskey; and it was supposed that -they dropped there a silver-mounted pistol, -which, on their setting out, the spy picked -up, and offered to Metcalf; but he refused -it, saying, he thought it not proper to have -fire-arms about him, as he expected to be -searched: so they pursued their journey -and presently fell in with the rebels out-guard, -several of whom, accosted Metcalf, -and as all seemed well, they were allowed -to pass, and arrived at Falkirk, where he -inquired for Lord George Murray’s cook, -to deliver his present, and was afterwards -introduced to and conversed with his Lordship, -Secretary Murray, and other gentlemen. -Lord George gave him part of a -glass of wine, an article at that time of great -value; for as the rebels had been there three -times, and the English twice, they had almost -<i>swept the cupboard clean of its crumbs</i>.</p> - -<p>Whilst conversing with them, he was very -circumspect, knowing that his life was in -danger, if the real purpose of his journey -should be discovered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[100]</span></p> - -<p>He then made his way towards the market-place, -where a number of Highlanders were -assembled.—This was on Wednesday the -22d; but it happened that his master had -left the place that morning, about four hours -before his arrival.</p> - -<p>We will now return to Captain Thornton, -whom we left on Friday in the closet, in close -neighbourhood with the Highland Chiefs, -who every day transacted business in the room. -The Quarter-Masters of the rebel army having -taken the house, had given the woman -to whom it belonged a small apartment backward; -but every night she took care to carry -him such provisions as she could convey -through a crevice at the bottom of the door; -and this mode she used for fear of alarming -these who slept in the adjoining rooms. The -closet was only a yard and a half square; and -the Captain’s cloathes being wet when he -entered, made his situation the more uncomfortable, -as he had got a severe cold, and -sometimes could not forbear coughing, even -when the rebels were in their room. Once - -<span class="pagenum">[101]</span> - -in particular, hearing a cough, they said one -to another “what is that?” but one of them -answered, that it was somebody in another -room;—not in the least suspecting a door in -the place where the closet was.</p> - -<p>On Monday night the woman of the house -went to the door to carry provisions as usual, -when the Captain said to her, “I am determined -to come out, let the consequence be -what it may; for I will not die like a dog -in this hole;” but she begged that he would -bear his confinement till the next night, and -she would adopt some plan to effect his escape. -She accordingly consulted an old carpenter, -who was true to the Royal cause, and he came -the next night, removed the dresser, and -liberated the Captain. They proceeded -down stairs in the dark, to the woman’s -apartment, where she made tea, whilst the -carpenter concerted their plan of operation. -They dressed him in a pladdie and brogues, -with a black wig, and the carpenter packed -him up a bag of tools, as if he was going -with his master to work as soon as it was - -<span class="pagenum">[102]</span> - -light. The Captain had only ten guineas -about him, (having lost his cash with his -Lieutenant, Mr. Crofts) eight of which he -gave to the woman who had so faithfully -preserved him, and two to the carpenter, -who, to secrete them, put them into his -mouth along with his tobacco, fearful of a -search by the Highlanders, who would have -suspected him had they found more than a -shilling. Every thing being ready, they set -out, the Captain with his bag of tools following -his supposed master. On coming into -the croud, he looked about, and was rather -behind; and although in disguise, did not -look like a common workman which -making the old man dread a discovery, he -called out to him, “Come alang, ye filthy -loon: ye have had half a bannock and a -mutchkin of drink in your wame—we shall -be too late for our day’s wark.” Whether -this artifice served him or not, is uncertain; -but they got safe through the throng, and, -leaving the high-road, pursued their journey -across the country. Having come to a rising - -<span class="pagenum">[103]</span> - -ground, the Captain took a view of Falkirk -moor, and said, “Yonder’s the place where -such a sad piece of work was made of it on -Friday last.” The old man at the same time -looking the other way, saw two or three -hundred Highlanders, who had been on -plunder, coming down a lane which led from -Callendar-House (Lord Kilmarnock’s seat) -into the main road; and being desirous of -passing the end of this lane before they came -up, in order to avoid them, said, “We shall -have a worse piece of work of it than we had -on Friday, if you do not hasten your pace;” -and begged the Captain to come forward, -which he did; but walking briskly up a hill, -he suddenly stopped, and said, “I am sick:” -however they gained their point, and passed -the Highlanders; for had they come up with -them, the least injury would have been a -march back to Falkirk, as prisoners. On -going two miles farther, they arrived at a -house belonging to a friend of the carpenter’s, -and which had been plundered: there the -old man got an egg, but not being able to - -<span class="pagenum">[104]</span> - -find a pan to boil it, he roasted it in peat-ashes, -and gave it to the Captain, to put in -his <i>wame</i>, for so he called his stomach. -Proceeding a few miles farther, they arrived -at another house, where they procured a -horse for the Captain.—He arrived at the -English out-posts, and making himself known -was permitted to pass, and reached Edinburgh -in safety.</p> - -<p>With respect to Metcalf, whom we left at -Falkirk, as his dress was a plaid waistcoat -laced with gold, which he had borrowed of -a friend at Edinburgh, together with a blue -regimental coat faced with buff, he told the -Highlanders, in answer to their inquiries, -that he had been fiddling for the English officers, -and that they had given him that -coat, which had belonged to a man who was -killed; and also that his intention was to -serve in the same capacity with Prince -Charles.—But a person coming up who had -seen Jack at Harrogate, said, “That fellow -ought to be taken up, for he has something -more than common in his proceedings;” on - -<span class="pagenum">[105]</span> - -which Metcalf was taken to the guard-room, -and searched for letters, but none were -found, having only a pack of cards in his -pocket, which they split, to see whether they -contained any writing in the folds, but finding -none, he was put into a loft in the roof -of the building, (where the snow came in -very much) along with a dragoon, and some -other prisoners, where for three days they -were suffered to remain in confinement.</p> - -<p>In a short time Metcalf and his fellow-prisoners -were tried by a court-martial, at -which he was acquitted, and had permission -given to go to the Prince; but wanting to -borrow a clean shirt, they asked him where -his own were; he said, at Linlithgow, but -that he durst not go there, on account of -<i>George’s devils</i>. They told him that he -might safely go with the Irishman he came -with. He knew that his companion had -letters for the Highlanders’ friends at Edinburgh, -but had no intention to pass the English -sentries. Metcalf amused him with -assurances that he had ten pounds at Edinburgh, - -<span class="pagenum">[106]</span> - -for which he should have no occasion -if he joined the Prince, and that he -might have the greatest part of it: the spy, -on this, became extremely desirous of his -company to Edinburgh, wishing to finger the -money, and proposed going across the country; -but Metcalf said that <i>he</i> could pass the -English sentries, by saying that he was going -to Captain Thornton. They then proceeded, -and after going two miles, they met an officer, -who was reconnoitring, and he knowing -Metcalf, told him that his master was arrived -at Edinburgh, which news was highly pleasing -to him. On leaving the officer, the spy -accosted him with “So, what you <i>are</i> going -to him.”—“No,” said Metcalf, “nor to -any such fellows.” They then passed the -sentry, as Metcalf proposed, and arrived at -Edinburgh, where they parted, but promised -to meet the next evening at nine o’clock. -Jack went directly to his Captain, who rejoiced -at so unexpected a meeting. Metcalf -told him that he had given him a great deal -of trouble; adding, that he thought people - -<span class="pagenum">[107]</span> - -might come home from market without -fetching.—The Captain smiled, and said, -“What is to be done, for I have neither -money or cloathes, having left all behind at -Falkirk; but I have bills upon the road to -the amount of three hundred pounds?” This -proved fortunate; for had they been a few -days sooner, they might by chance have been -lost also;—but the reason of this delay was, -that all letters, directed to Scotland, were -at this time sent to London, to be examined -at the General Post-Office. Metcalf told the -Captain that he could get him some money, -which the other thought impossible: however -he went to a known friend, and obtained -thirty pounds.—Taylors were instantly -set to work, and next morning the Captain -was enabled to visit his brother officers at the -Abbey.</p> - -<p>The army still quartered at Edinburgh, -while part of the rebels were in Falkirk, and -another part at Stirling, where they raised -several batteries, and besieged Stirling Castle. -The governor, General Blakeney, made little - -<span class="pagenum">[108]</span> - -opposition; and a shot from the batteries -killing two or three men, some of the officers -were greatly enraged, and threatened to -confine the Governor: But a little time -shewed that he was right in his conduct; -for letting the rebels come pretty near the -walls, on a sudden he began so hot a fire, as -to kill several of their men, demolishing their -batteries, and dismounting their guns, which -made them glad to retreat, and raise the -siege: and the General having destroyed the -bridge, they were obliged to make a circuitous -march before they were able to ford the -river.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Cumberland arrived at Edinburgh -on the 30th of January, 1746; and -two days afterwards marched out at the head -of the army, towards Falkirk, the rebels -leaving it a little time before. Captain -Thornton visited the Duke often: his Royal -Highness took notice of Metcalf, and spoke -to him several times on the march, observing -how well by the sound of the drum he was -able to keep his pace. On the army’s arrival - -<span class="pagenum">[109]</span> - -at Linlithgow, intelligence was received -that the rebels were on their march to give -them battle; upon which the army was -drawn up in order, and the Duke rode -through the lines, and addressed the men as -follows: “If there be any who think themselves -in a bad cause, or are afraid to engage, -thinking they may might against any of their -relations, let them now turn out, receive -pardon, and go about their business, without -any farther question.”—On this, the whole -army gave three huzzas. But the intelligence -proving false, they proceeded to Falkirk, -and continued their route through Stirling, -Perth, Montrose, Briffin, and Stonehive, -to Aberdeen, where they halted. The rebel -army lay now at Strathbogie.</p> - -<p>At Aberdeen the Duke gave a ball to the -ladies, and personally solicited Captain Thornton -for his fidler, there being at that time no -music in the army except Colonel Howard’s, -(the Old Buffs) and which being wind music -were unaccustomed to country dances. As -the rebel army was only twenty miles distant, - -<span class="pagenum">[110]</span> - -no invitations were sent till five o’clock, tho’ -the ball was to begin at six. Twenty-five -couples danced for eight hours, and his Royal -Highness made one of the set, and several -times, as he passed Metcalf, who stood on a -chair to play, shouted “Thornton, play up:” -but Jack needed no exhortation, for he was -very well practised, and better inclined.</p> - -<p>Next morning the Duke sent him two -guineas; but as he was not permitted to -take money, he informed his Captain, who -said, that as it was the Duke’s money, he -might take it; but observed, that he should -give his Royal Highness’s servants a treat. -He had only three servants with him, (viz. -his gentleman, cook, and groom.) So the -next night two of them paid Metcalf a visit, -and a merry party they made, the Captain -ordering them great plenty of liquor.</p> - -<p>In a little time they proceeded on their -march, and engaged the rebels on Culloden -moor, giving them a total defeat, although -they had targets to ward off the bayonet, -whilst they cut away with their broad swords, - -<span class="pagenum">[111]</span> - -yet the Duke found a method of frustrating -their plan, by pushing the bayonet over the -right arm, which rendered their targets of -no use. Kingston’s Light Horse pursued -them in their disorder and flight, and made -a great slaughter amongst them.</p> - -<p>The English prisoners were now all liberated.—Two -or three of Captain Thornton’s -men had died in prison; and the rest returned -home.</p> - -<p>The rebellion being completely suppressed, -Captain Thornton returned home also, accompanied -by Metcalf, of whose family it is -full time to take some notice.—He had the -happiness to find his faithful partner and -children in good health; and although the -former confessed that she had entertained -many fears for her poor blind adventurer, -yet knowing that a spirit of enterprize made -a part of his nature, she was often comforted -by the hope, that he would, in some degree, -signalize himself, notwithstanding the misfortune -under which he laboured.—This declaration, -following a most cordial reception, - -<span class="pagenum">[112]</span> - -gave full confirmation to an opinion which -Metcalf had ever held, viz. that the caresses -and approbation of the softer sex, are the -highest reward a soldier can deserve or -obtain.</p> - -<p>The notice with which the Duke of Cumberland -had honoured Metcalf, gave him -much reason to believe, that, had he followed -him to London, he would have received -more marks of his Royal favour.—But -Metcalf was deficient to himself in this -instance; neglecting to solicit further notice -till it was judged too late to make application.</p> - -<p>About a year after their return, a vacancy -happening in the representation for the city -of York, the citizens sent for Mr. Thornton, -and unanimously elected him, free of all -expence.</p> - -<p>A short time after this, the militia was -raised, and he was, as his merit well entitled -him to be, appointed Colonel of the West-York -battalion; which situation he held, -with advantage to the service, and honour to -himself, for the remainder of his life.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[113]</span></p> - -<p>Blind Jack being now at liberty to choose -his occupation, attended Harrogate as usual; -but having, in the course of his Scotch expedition, -become acquainted with the various -articles manufactured in that country, and -judging that some of those might answer for -him to traffic with in England, he repaired, -in the spring, to Scotland, and supplied himself -with various articles in the cotton and -worsted way, particularly Aberdeen stockings. -For all those articles he found a ready -sale at the houses of gentlemen in the extensive -County of York; and being personally -known to most of the families, was ever very -kindly received. He never was at a loss to -know, amongst a thousand articles, what each -had cost him, from a particular mode of -marking.</p> - -<p>It was also customary with him to buy -horses, for sale in Scotland, bringing back -galloways in return; and in this traffic he -depended on feeling the animals, to direct -his choice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[114]</span></p> - -<p>He also engaged pretty deeply in the contraband -trade, the profits of which were at -that time much more considerable than the -risk.</p> - -<p>One time in particular, having received a -pressing letter from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, -requiring his speedy attendance, he set out -on horseback from Knaresborough at three -in the morning, and got into Newcastle in -the evening about six o’clock, the distance -nearly seventy-four miles, and did not feel -the least fatigued.</p> - -<p>Having received some packages, he employed -a few soldiers to convey them to a -carrier, judging that men of their description -were least liable to suspicion. After sending -off his goods, he stayed two nights with some -relations he had there, and then set off for -home. He had with him about an hundred -weight of tea, cased over with tow, and -tightly corded up; this he put into a wallet, -which he laid across his saddle.</p> - -<p>Coming to Chester-le-Street, (about half-way -between Newcastle and Durham) he - -<span class="pagenum">[115]</span> - -met at the inn an exciseman, who knew him -as soon as he had dismounted, and asked him -what he had got there. Metcalf answered, -“It is some tow and line for my aunt, who -lives a few miles distant;—I wish she was far -enough for giving me the trouble to fetch -it.” The officer asking him to bring it in, -he replied, “For the time I shall stay it may -as well remain on the horsing-stone.” By -this seeming indifference about his package, -he removed suspicion from the mind of the -exciseman, who assisted in re-placing it across -the saddle; when he pursued his journey, -and got home in safety.</p> - -<p>Once having disposed of a string of horses, -he bought, with the produce, a quantity of -rum, brandy, and tea, to the amount of 200<i>l.</i>, -put them on board a vessel for Leith, and -travelled over-land, on foot, to meet the -vessel there. He had about thirty miles to -walk, and carried near five stone weight of -goods which he did not choose to put on -shipboard. At Leith he had the mortification -to wait six weeks, without receiving any - -<span class="pagenum">[116]</span> - -tidings of the vessel, which many supposed to -have been lost, there having been a storm -in the interval. The distress of mind resulting -from this, induced him once to say, “If -she is lost, I wish I had been in her; for she -had all my property on board.” Soon after, -however, the ship got into Leith harbour. -He there went on board, and set sail for -Newcastle; but another storm arising, the -mate was washed overboard, the mainsail -carried away, and the ship driven near the -coast of Norway. Despair now became -general; the prospect of going to the bottom -seeming almost certain. He now reflected -on the impiety of his wish respecting the -former storm; and so effectually was his -way of thinking changed, that had he had all -the current coin of the universe, he would -have given it to have been on shore. It now -appeared to him a dreadful thing to leave the -world in the midst of health and vigour; but -the wind changing, hope began to return, -and the Captain put about for the Scotch -coast, intending to make Arbrothie. A signal - -<span class="pagenum">[117]</span> - -of distress was put up, but the sea ran so -high, that no boat could venture out with a -pilot. He then stood in for the harbour, -but struck against the pier end, owing to the -unmanageable state of the vessel, from the -loss of her mainsail: she narrowly escaped -being bulged; but having got to the back -of the pier, was towed round into the harbour, -with near five feet water in her hold. -Her escape from the merciless elements, -however, did not seem to terminate her -dangers, the country people shewing a disposition -to seize her as a wreck, and plunder -her; but fortunately there was at hand a -party, consisting of an officer and twenty -men, of Pulteney’s regiment, who had been -in pursuit of some smugglers; and Metcalf -knowing them well, (Colonel Thornton’s -company being attached to that regiment) -the officer sent three files of men to protect -the vessel, while the crew were removing the -goods to a warehouse.</p> - -<p>As this vessel stood in need of repairs, -Metcalf put his goods on board another, - -<span class="pagenum">[118]</span> - -and in her got to Newcastle. There he met -with an acquaintance; and from the seeming -cordiality at the meeting, he thought he -might have trusted his life in the hands of -this man. With this impression, Metcalf -opened to him the state of his affairs; informing -him that he had got four hundred -gallons of gin and brandy, for which he had -a permit, and about thirty gallons for which -he had none, and which he wanted to land; -telling him, at the same time, of the harrassing -voyage he had just finished: But, it -seems, his misfortunes were only about to -commence; for, in a quarter of an hour, he -found that the man whom he had taken for -a friend had gone down to the quay side, -and, giving information of what he knew, -had all the goods seized, and brought on -shore. Metcalf imagined that none were -seizable but the small part for which he had -not obtained a permit; but was soon undeceived, -the whole being liable to seizure, -as not agreeing with the specified quantity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[119]</span></p> - -<p>He then repaired to the Custom-House, -and applied to Mr. Sunderland, the Collector. -This gentleman knew Metcalf, (being in the -habit of visiting Harrogate) and received -him very kindly; but informed him, with -much concern, that it was not in his power -to serve him, the captors being the excise -people, and not of his department.—He, -however, suggested, that some good might -result from an application to Alderman -Peireth, with whom Metcalf was acquainted, -and who was particularly intimate with the -Collector of the Excise. The good Alderman -gave him a letter to the Collector; representing, -as instructed by Metcalf, that the -bearer had bought four hundred gallons of -spirits, at the Custom-House at Aberdeen; -and that the extra quantity was for the purpose -of treating the sailors and other friends, -as well as for sea-stock for himself. At first -the Collector told him that nothing could be -done for him, until he should write up to the -Board, and receive an answer; but Metcalf -remonstrating on the inconvenience of the - -<span class="pagenum">[120]</span> - -delay, and the other re-considering the letter, -he agreed to come down to the quay at four -o’clock in the afternoon, which he accordingly -did, and released every thing without -expence.</p> - -<p>A short time after the regiment called the -Queen’s Bays were raised, they were quartered -at Knaresborough and the adjacent -towns; but, after a short stay, they were -ordered to the North. The country people -seemed extremely unwilling to supply carriages -for conveying the baggage; the King’s -allowance being but nine-pence a mile, per -ton; that of the County, one shilling in the -West Riding, and fifteen-pence, in the North -Riding. Metcalf having two waggons, (one -of them covered) had a mind to try this new -business; and, to make sure of the job, got -the soldiers to <i>press</i> his two carriages, which -were accordingly loaded, himself attending -them to Durham. Previous to loading, -however, the country people, who knew the -advantage of carrying for the army, and who -had kept back, in hopes of an advance in the - -<span class="pagenum">[121]</span> - -price, came forward with their waggons, in -opposition to Metcalf; but the soldiers would -employ no other.</p> - -<p>Arriving at Durham, he met Bland’s -Dragoons, on their march from the North -to York: they loaded his waggons again -for Northallerton, and would willingly have -engaged them to York; but this he was -obliged to decline, having promised to bring -twenty-three wool-packs to Knaresborough. -He was just six days in performing this -journey; and cleared, with eight horses and -the one he rode, no less a sum than twenty -pounds; though many people were afraid to -travel with soldiers.</p> - -<p>Some time after the Queen’s regiment -had got to Durham, it received the usual -annual recruit of four horses to a troop. -The regiment having been so lately raised, -had no old horses: nevertheless, four were -to be sold from each. Metcalf had notice -sent him of the sale, but did not receive the -letter until the day before it commenced.—He -set off, however, that afternoon, for Durham, -and riding all night, got there by day-break.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[122]</span></p> - -<p>His first business was to become acquainted -with the farriers; so getting about half-a-dozen -of them together, and plying them -heartily with gin, he began to question them -as to the horses which were to be sold.</p> - -<p>Amongst the number to be disposed of, -was a grey one, belonging to one of the -drums. The man who had the charge -of him not having been sufficiently careful -in trimming him, had burnt him severely, -which caused a prodigious swelling. Had -this careless conduct been known to his -superiors, he would have been punished -for it: upon that account the matter was -hushed up. Metcalf, however, being apprized -of the real cause, in the course of his -conversation with the farriers, determined to -purchase him, judging that they would be -desirous to part with him at any price; and -in this conjecture he was not mistaken.</p> - -<p>The sale began by bringing out seven bay -horses; six of which a gentleman bought -for a carriage, and Metcalf purchased the -seventh.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[123]</span></p> - -<p>They then brought forward the grey horse -with his swelled sheath, which excited many -jokes and much laughter among the spectators.—Our -chapman bought him also, at the -very low price of 3<i>l.</i> 15<i>s.</i> 0<i>d.</i> which was first -affixed by the auctioneer, but which, however, -the people said was very much beyond -his value.</p> - -<p>Having used such applications as he -thought efficacious for his recovery, by the -time he had got him home he had the satisfaction -to find him perfectly sound; and -within a week afterwards refused fifteen -guineas for him.—He kept him many years -as a draught-horse; and the other horse also -was sold to a profit, by which he thought -himself very well paid for his journey to -Durham.</p> - -<p>In the year 1751 Metcalf commenced a -new employ:—He set up a stage-waggon -between York and Knaresborough, being -the first on that road, and conducted it constantly -himself, twice a week in the summer -season, and once in winter; and this business, - -<span class="pagenum">[124]</span> - -together with the occasional conveyance of -army baggage, employed his attention until -the period of his first contracting for the -making of roads, which suiting him better, -he disposed of his draught, and interest in -the road, to one Guiseley.</p> - -<p>An act of Parliament having been obtained -to make a turnpike-road from Harrogate -to Boroughbridge, a person of the name -of Ostler, of Farnham, was appointed surveyor; -and Metcalf falling into company -with him, agreed to make about three miles -of it, viz. between Minskip and Fearnsby.—The -materials were to be procured from one -gravel pit for the whole length: he therefore -provided deal boards, and erected a temporary -house at the pit, took a dozen horses to -the place, fixed racks and mangers; and -hired a house for his men at Minskip, which -was distant about three-quarters of a mile. -He often walked from Knaresborough in the -morning, with four or five stone of meat on -his shoulders, and joined his men by six -o’clock: and by the means he used, he completed - -<span class="pagenum">[125]</span> - -the work much sooner than was expected, -to the entire satisfaction of the surveyor -and trustees.</p> - -<p>During his leisure hours he studied measurement -in a way of his own; and when -certain of the girt and length of any piece of -timber, he was able to reduce its true contents -to feet and inches; and would bring -the dimensions of any building into yards or -feet.</p> - -<p>Near the time of his finishing this road, -the building of a bridge was advertised -to be contracted for, at Boroughbridge; -and a number of gentlemen met for that -purpose at the Crown inn there. Metcalf, -amongst others, went also. The masons -varied considerably in their estimates. Ostler, -the surveyor of the roads, was appointed -to survey the bridge; and Metcalf told him -that he wished to undertake it, though he -had never done any thing of the kind before. -On this, the surveyor acquainted the gentlemen -with what Metcalf had proposed; when -he was sent for, and asked what he knew - -<span class="pagenum">[126]</span> - -about a bridge: he told them, that he could -readily describe it, if they would take the -trouble of writing down his plan, which was -as follows: “The span of the arch, 18 feet, -being a semi-circle, makes 27: the arch-stones -must be a foot deep, which if multiplied -by 27, will be 486; and the bases will -be 72 feet more.—This for the arch: it will -require good backing; for which purpose -there are proper stones in the old Roman -wall at Aldborough, which may be brought, -if you please to give directions to that effect.” -The gentlemen were surprised at his readiness, -and agreed with him for building the -bridge. The persons who had given in their -estimates, were much offended; and as the -stone was to be procured from Renton, a -sale-quarry belonging to one of the masons -who were there, he was unwilling to sell any -to Metcalf; upon which he went to Farnham, -and found good stones, which the -lime-burners had left, (being too strong for -their purpose,) got them dressed at the place -for little money, conveyed them to Boroughbridge, - -<span class="pagenum">[127]</span> - -and having men to take them off the -carriages, set them, and completed the arch -in one day; and finished the whole in a very -short period.</p> - -<p>Soon after, there was a mile and an half -of turnpike-road to be made between Knaresborough-Bridge -and Harrogate, which Metcalf -also agreed for. Going one day over a -place covered with grass, he told his men -that he thought it different from the ground -adjoining, and would have them try for stone -or gravel, which they immediately did, and -found an old causeway, supposed to have been -made in the time of the Romans, which afforded -many materials proper for the purpose -of making the road. Between the Forest-Lane -head and Knaresborough-Bridge, there -was a bog, in a low piece of ground, over -which to have passed was the nearest way; -and the surveyor thought it impossible to -make a road over it: but Metcalf assured -him that he could readily accomplish it.—The -other then told him, that if so, he should -be paid for the same length as if he had gone - -<span class="pagenum">[128]</span> - -round. Jack set about it, cast the road up, -and covered it with whin, and ling; and -made it as good, or better, than any part he -had undertaken. He received about four -hundred pounds for the road and a small -bridge which he had built over a brook -called Stanbeck.</p> - -<p>There was an old house at Harrogate, with -some fields belonging to it, and denominated -a messuage, which was of more value, as -having common right upon the Forest. It -belonged to an old woman, and at her -decease to her husband. Metcalf went to -the latter, and bought his contingent right -in the house and land; and the old woman -came to him soon after, to sell her life-estate -in it also. They agreed; and including both -the net sum amounted to eighty pounds. In -about three weeks after this purchase, he sold -it for upwards of two hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>A road being projected between Harrogate -and Harewood-Bridge, six miles in -length, a meeting was held, (the late Lord -Harewood, then Mr. Lascelles, being one of - -<span class="pagenum">[129]</span> - -the party) to contract with any person who -might be thought proper to make it. A -great number of estimates were delivered, -but Metcalf obtained the contract. It was to -be completed before the winter set in; and -being a stiff-clay soil, it was judged expedient -to cast the whole length before they began -to stone it: on these accounts he agreed -with the gentlemen, that no carriages should -pass whilst the road was making; and, by -way of prevention, had sluices cut at each -end of the lane, and wooden bridges, which -he took up occasionally, thrown across, for -his own carriages to pass over with the -materials. He also hired two houses, at a -distance from each other on the road, to -entertain strangers who travelled on horseback, -and the people employed in the undertaking, -as there were not sufficient in the -country. The short period he had contracted -to complete the work in, obliging him to use -the readiest methods, he had a wheel-plough -drawn by nine horses through the forest, as -the best and most expeditious way to get up - -<span class="pagenum">[130]</span> - -the roots of whin and ling, in parts where -they were strong; and being obliged to superintend -the progress of the work, he obtained -leave from the innkeepers at Harrogate to -engage a substitute in his absence. He completed -his contract in the time allowed, to -the satisfaction of the gentlemen trustees, and -of the surveyor; and received for the work, -twelve hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>There then being about a mile and an half -of road to be made through part of Chapel-Town -to Leeds, Lord Harewood and other -gentlemen met at the Bowling-Green in -Chapel-Town, to receive estimates;—and -Metcalf got the contract. He also widened -the arch of Sheepscar-Bridge; and received -for that and the road together near four -hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>Between Skipton and Colne in Lancashire -there were four miles of road to be made, -and estimates were advertised for. A number -of gentlemen met, and Metcalf’s proposals -had the preference. The materials -were at a greater distance, and more difficult - -<span class="pagenum">[131]</span> - -to be procured, than he expected; and a wet -season coming on, made this a bad bargain; -yet he completed it according to contract.</p> - -<p>He next engaged for two miles on the -Burnleigh road, which he completed; but -was not more a gainer.</p> - -<p>He then agreed for two miles of road -which lay through Broughton to Martin; -and two miles more which lay through -Addingham, and over part of Romell’s Moor. -The same trustees acted for those roads, as -for that of Colne. These he completed, and -received one thousand three hundred and -fifty pounds from Mr. Ingham of Burnleigh -and Mr. Alcock of Skipton.</p> - -<p>After this, a meeting was held at Wakefield, -to contract for making part of the -road between that town and Halifax.—Metcalf -engaged for four miles which lay -between Mill-Bridge and Belly-Bridge; and -finished this also, though it was an extremely -wet summer.—He then took three miles -more which lay between Belly-Bridge and -Halifax, and completed it.—And also agreed - -<span class="pagenum">[132]</span> - -for five miles which lay between Wakefield -and Checkingley-Beck, near Dewsbury.</p> - -<p>The trustees of the road, (Sir Rowland -Winn, —— Smith and W. Roebuck, Esqrs.) -meeting at Wakefield, to let part of the -road leading to Pontefract, and likewise from -Wakefield to Doncaster, Metcalf took three -miles and an half which lay between Hag-Bridge -and Pontefract, and one mile and an -half on the Doncaster road, from Crofton -through Foulby; all which he completed. -The road from Wakefield, to Pontefract, -Doncaster, and Halifax, being under the -management of one company of trustees, -Mr. Allen Johnson was treasurer for one -part, John Mills, Esq; for another, both of -Wakefield; and Mr. Valentine Stead, and -Mr. William Cook, for the other parts: By -the payment of these four gentlemen he received -six thousand four hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>A road was then advertised to be let from -Wakefield to Austerland, intended to lead -through Horbury, Almondbury, Huddersfield, -Marsden, and Saddleworth. A meeting - -<span class="pagenum">[134]</span> - -was held at Huddersfield, for the purpose. -Sir John Kaye, Colonel Radcliffe, ’Squire -Farrer, and several other gentlemen attended, -and Metcalf agreed with them from Black-Moor -Foot to Marsden, and from thence to -Standish-Foot; also from Lupset-Gate, thro’ -Horbury, about two miles and an half. At -that time none of the road was marked out, -except between Marsden and Standish-Foot, -leading over a common called Pule and -Standish: the surveyor took it over deep -marshes; but Metcalf not expecting it to -have been carried that way, thought it -a great hardship, and complained to the -gentlemen, alledging it would be a much -greater expence: they answered, that if he -could make a complete road, he should not -be a loser; and they were of opinion, that -it would be necessary to dig the earth quite -out of the marshes, until they came to a solid -bottom.—Metcalf, on calculating that each -marsh, upon an average, being three yards -deep, and fourteen broad, would make two -hundred and ninety-four solid yards of earth -in every rood, which, to have carried away, -would have been extremely tedious and expensive—and -not only so, but that the road -lying East and West, would fill with snow in -winter, (as it usually falls in that direction, -when the wind is in the North)—argued the -point privately with the surveyor and several -of the gentlemen: but they all seemed immoveable -in their former opinion. Metcalf -then appeared at the public meeting, and -the subject was again brought forward; but -knowing that it would be to little purpose to -hold a contest with them, he said, “Gentlemen, -as you seem to have a great deal of -business before you to-day, it appears quite -unnecessary to trespass upon your time on -this head:—I propose to make the road -over the marshes, after my own plan; and if -it does not answer, I will be at the expence -of making it over again, after your’s:” which -was consented to. And as he had engaged -to make nine miles of the road in ten months, -he began in six different parts, with near -four hundred men employed. One of the - -<span class="pagenum">[135]</span> - -places was Pule and Standish common, which -he cast fourteen yards wide, and raised in a -circular form. Water in several places ran -across the road, which he carried off by -drains; but found the greatest difficulty in -conveying stones to the places for the purpose, -on account of the softness of the ground. -Numbers of clothiers usually going that way -to Huddersfield market, were by no means -sparing in their censure, and held much -diversity of opinion relative to its completion. -But Metcalf got the piece levelled to the end, -and then ordered his men to bind heather, -or ling, in round bundles, and directed them -to lay it on the intended road, by placing the -bundles in squares of four, and laying another -upon each square, pressing them well down. -He then brought broad-wheeled carts, and -began to load stone and gravel for covering. -When the first load was brought and laid on, -and the horses had gone off in safety, the -company huzza’d from surprise. They completed -the whole of this length, which was -about half a mile; and it was so particularly - -<span class="pagenum">[136]</span> - -fine, that any person might have gone over it -in winter, unshod, without being wet. This -piece of road needed no repairs for twelve -years afterwards. Having finished the nine -miles within the limited time, he took three -miles from Standish to Thurston Clough, -which he completed;—and afterwards six -miles and an half from Sir John Kaye’s seat -to Huddersfield; and from thence to Longroyd -and Bridge toll-bar, about a mile and -an half;—also four bridges, their spans -twenty-four feet each; together with six -bridges, the spans of which were nine feet -each. When all this work was finished, (the -gentlemen having promised that he should be -no loser) a meeting was called, and Metcalf -attended: he assured them that the work he -had completed extra to his first bargain, in -the marshes and other places, deserved five -hundred pounds: after some debate, he was -allowed three hundred pounds; though it -was well worth the first-named sum. He had -made about twenty-one miles in the whole, -for which he received four thousand five -hundred pounds.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[137]</span></p> - -<p>In the building of bridges, where the -foundations were bad, he laid on a sufficient -thickness of ling where it could be got, -otherwise of wheat straw; he next laid planks -five inches thick, with square mortises cut -through; and driving in a number of piles, -he made the foundation secure.—He then -laid springs for the arch upon the planks, -which caused all to settle regularly when the -weight came on. And though he built many -arches, of different sizes, by taking this method -none ever fell.</p> - -<p>He undertook three turnpike-houses upon -the Wakefield and Austerland roads, and -completed them all. Believing there was a -stone-quarry on the South-East side of Huddersfield, -in ground belonging to Sir John -Ramsden, he bored secretly in the night-time -before he undertook the road, and was successful -in finding it. After finishing the -road, having some vacant time, and having -likewise discovered the quarry, Sir John gave -him liberty to lead away stone. He now -took houses to build, particularly one belonging - -<span class="pagenum">[138]</span> - -to Mr. Marmaduke Hebdin, nine yards -wide, twenty-three yards long, and twenty-one -feet from the foundation to the square -of the building;—it had twenty chimnies or -pipes: And this he also completed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[139]</span></p> - -<p>He undertook the road from Dock-Lane -head, in Yorkshire, to Ashton-under-Line, in -Lancashire; also from the guide-post near -the latter place, to Stockport, in Cheshire; -and also between Stockport and Mottram-Longdale: -the whole length being eighteen -miles. He set men to work in different -parts, with horses and carts to each company; -and though he lost twenty horses in one winter, -he was not discouraged; observing that -“horse-leather had been dear a long time, -but he hoped now to reduce the price.” -Notwithstanding this misfortune, he completed -the whole, including a great number -of drains and arches, which were all done to -the satisfaction of the trustees and surveyor; -and received for the work four thousand -five hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>He then took eight miles more which required -several drains and arches.—He raised -one hollow nine yards, and built sufficiently -on each side to keep up the earth, with battlements -on the top; for which he received -two thousand pounds.</p> - -<p>One day being met by Sir Geo. Warren, -who inquired if he was at leisure, and being -answered in the affirmative, he desired to see -him at his house at Poynton. Metcalf went, -and agreed to make about five miles of a -private road through the Park.—He took -twelve or fourteen horses of his own, and -brought large quantities of stone into Sir -George’s grounds, for the use of draining. -For this he received several hundred pounds, -and great favours also from Sir George and -his lady.</p> - -<p>A road was to be made between Whaley -and Buxton, in Derbyshire, to avoid a hill: -it went over a tedious piece of ground called -Peeling Moss; the whole road being four -miles in length, with some part strong rock, -which was to be blasted with gunpowder.—In - -<span class="pagenum">[140]</span> - -taking this road, Metcalf met with strong -opposition from a son of one of the commissioners; -but Peter Legh, Esq; of Lyme, and -another gentleman, supporting Metcalf, he -gained the point, and completed the undertaking, -with several drains and fence walls; -for which he received near eleven hundred -pounds.</p> - -<p>He next took a mile and an half of High-Flats, -between Huddersfield and Sheffield; -and finished it likewise, to the amount of -three hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>Eight miles of road were next advertised -to be made between Huddersfield and Halifax. -A meeting was held, and several persons -attended with estimates for making it. -One part was very rocky, and full of hollows, -and the ground in a very bad situation, particularly -between Elland and Saltershebble, -and through a place called Grimscar Wood, -which was very boggy and rough. Many -were of opinion that it was impossible to -make a road over that ground. But by -building up the hollows, and lowering the - -<span class="pagenum">[141]</span> - -hills, Metcalf accomplished it:—And it is -worthy of remark, that he never undertook -any road which he did not complete, altho’ -he has taken many which persons who had -their sight durst not engage in. He finished -the road, with a great number of fence walls -and drains, to the satisfaction of the surveyors -and trustees, and received for it two thousand -seven hundred and eleven pounds.</p> - -<p>A little after this, a road was advertised to -be made between Congleton and the Red-Bull -Inn, in Cheshire, about six miles in -length; but the materials were about three -miles distant in several places. A meeting -for letting this road was held at a place called -Audersley, which Metcalf attended; and -being a stranger in that part, he fortunately -met with three gentlemen who knew him, -viz. —— Clows of Macclesfield, —— Downs -of Sigleigh, and —— Wright of Mottram, -Esqrs. two of them Justices of the Peace.—They -said to the trustees, “Gentlemen, you -have only to agree with this man, and you may -be assured of having your work well done.” - -<span class="pagenum">[142]</span> - -The road, however, was not let that day, -the business being deferred until another -meeting to be held at Congleton, where Metcalf -and others attended with estimates.—“Gentlemen,” -said Metcalf, “I am a stranger -to you, and you may with reason question -my performing the bargain; but to prevent -any doubt, I will first do one hundred pounds -worth of work, and afterwards be reasonably -paid as it goes forward; the hundred pounds -may lay in the treasurer’s hands till the whole -is completed, and then to be paid.” On this -proposal, and the three gentlemen’s recommendation -at the former meeting, they agreed -with him, although there was an estimate -given in lower than his by two hundred -pounds. He completed the road, to the -great satisfaction of the surveyor and trustees, -and received three thousand pounds.</p> - -<p>During the time that Metcalf was engaged -in making this road, having one day occasion -to stop at Congleton, he met, at the Swan -inn there, one Warburton, a capital farmer, -who lived about a mile distant. This man - -<span class="pagenum">[143]</span> - -was remarkable for sporting large sums in -various ways, and no sooner saw Metcalf, -than he accosted him thus: “I understand -that you play at cards.”—Metcalf replied, -“Sometimes, but not often;” being much -surprised that a stranger should know he had -that propensity. Warburton offered to play -him for five or ten pounds, the best of five -games at put; but this he thought fit to -decline: in the presence of his friends he -would not have feared to play for twenty; -but being in a strange place, and having a -large undertaking relative to the turnpikes, -he concluded that it would be highly imprudent -to game. The farmer, however, -persisting in his desire for play, Metcalf, -after a little consideration, determined to try -the effect of ridicule on his new acquaintance, -saying, “I have not now time; but if -you will meet me here this day fortnight, I -will play you, the best of five games, for a -leg of mutton, four-pennyworth of cabbage, -and five shillings worth of punch.” The -farmer, pleased with any prospect of engaging - -<span class="pagenum">[144]</span> - -him, agreed to the wager, and insisted that -the money should be deposited with the landlord; -which was accordingly done. During -the interval, Warburton spread the story of -his engagement to play with a blind man; -and, thinking it a good joke, invited many -of his friends to the entertainment. Metcalf -came at the time fixed, having first engaged -a friend from Buxton to accompany him, -whose chief business it was to see that his -adversary did not play tricks with the cards. -Three guineas to two were offered to be laid -on Warburton; and Metcalf’s friend observing -this, expressed a wish to take the -odds, if agreeable to him: to this, Metcalf -replied, that he meant only to amuse himself -by playing for mutton and cabbage; and, -that if any sums were laid, he would forfeit -his wager. When all parties were assembled, -Metcalf, out of joke, proposed to his -adversary to club for all the articles, and -treat the company; but this he positively -refused, alledging that he had collected his -friends for the purpose of seeing the match - -<span class="pagenum">[145]</span> - -played. On this, Metcalf called to the landlord -for a fiddle, and playing on it for a -little while, was asked by the farmer what he -meant: “To enable you,” said he, “to tell -your children, that when you played with a -blind man, you <i>played to some tune</i>!” They -then went into a large room, and were followed -by a crowd of people, amongst whom -were two Justices of the Peace, and several -clergymen. The game now began, and -Metcalf won the two first; his adversary got -the third, and pulling out his purse, offered -to lay five guineas on the rubber: this was a -tickling offer to Metcalf, but having resolved -against playing for money, he made shift to -overcome the temptation. Metcalf won the -next game; and, of course, the rubber. On -this the farmer laid a large sum on the table, -and offered to play for the amount; but -Metcalf would only play for liquor, for the -good of the company. The farmer agreeing, -they began again, and Metcalf presently won -two games, when a gentleman present shewed -a great desire to play with him for money, - -<span class="pagenum">[146]</span> - -but in vain; so winning this rubber also, he -saddled his antagonist with the whole score, -and not satisfied with the triumph already -gained, began to banter him sorely on his -<i>childish</i> manner of playing, and telling him, -that when the road work should cease for the -Christmas holidays, he would come to his -house, and teach him to play like a <i>man</i>.</p> - -<p>The quantity of liquor yet to come in -being large, detained many of the company -until five in the morning; and Warburton, -who had got pretty drunk, by way of comfort, -declared before parting, that of twenty-two -fine cows, he would rather have lost the -best, than have been beaten so publicly.</p> - -<p>Metcalf apprehending that he might now -be solicited by many to engage in play, and -considering the importance of his other engagements, -called aside Mr. Rolle, the surveyor -of the road, and begged of him to give -sixpence, upon condition of receiving five -pounds, if he (Metcalf) should play any -more at cards for eighteen months, the time -allotted to finish the road. Mr. Rolle approving - -<span class="pagenum">[147]</span> - -highly of this, they returned to the -company, and Metcalf making the proposal, -received the surveyor’s sixpence publicly; -and thus put an end to all further importunity.</p> - -<p>Here Metcalf finds it his duty to suspend, -for a while, his road-making narrative, to -introduce, for the last time, the mention of -the much-loved Partner of his cares, whom -he had brought into Cheshire, and left at -Stockport, that she might avail herself of the -medical advice of a person there, famed for -the cure of rheumatic complaints, of which -description her’s was thought to be:—But -human aid proving ineffectual, she there died, -in the summer 1778, after thirty-nine years -of conjugal felicity, which was never interrupted -but by her illness or his occasional -absence.</p> - -<p>In his treatment of her, Metcalf never lost -sight of the original distinction in their circumstances, -always indulging her to the utmost -that his own would allow; but she had -no unreasonable desires to gratify. She died -in the sixty-first year of her age, leaving -four children; and was buried in Stockport -church-yard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[148]</span></p> - -<p>In 1781 the road between Wetherby and -Knaresborough was let.—He undertook that -part which led through Ribston and Kirk-Deighten, -till it joined the great North road, -leading from Boroughbridge to Wetherby; -and also built two toll-houses upon the road; -and received about three hundred and eighty -pounds.</p> - -<p>Metcalf had a daughter married in Cheshire, -to a person in the stocking business. The -manufacturers in this line, in the neighbourhood -of Stockport, talked of getting loads of -money; and Metcalf thought that he would -have a portion of it also: he accordingly got -six jennies and a carding engine made, with -other utensils proper for the business; bought -a quantity of cotton, and spun yarn for sale, -as several others did in the country. But it -cost him much trouble and expence, before -he got all his utensils fixed: the speculation, -likewise failed; and a time came when no -yarn could be sold without loss. Then Metcalf -got looms, and other implements proper -for weaving calicoes, jeans, and velverets:—for -having made the cotton business an object - -<span class="pagenum">[149]</span> - -of particular attention, he was become very -well acquainted with the various branches of -it. He got a quantity of calicoes whitened -and printed, his velverets cut, dyed, &c. and -having spun up all his cotton, he set off with -about eight hundred yards of finished goods, -intending to sell them in Yorkshire, which he -did at Knaresborough and in the neighbourhood; -and his son-in-law was to employ his -jennies until he came back. On his return, -coming to Marsden near Huddersfield, where -he had made a road some years before, he -found that there was to be a meeting, to let -the making of a mile and an half of road, and -the building of a bridge over; the river that -runs by the town, so as to leave the former -road, in order to avoid the steepness of a hill. -At the persuasion of some of his friends, he -staid till the meeting, and agreed with the -trustees. The bridge was to be twelve yards -in the span, and nine yards in breadth. These -too he completed, and received a thousand -pounds; but the season being wet, and the -ground over which he had to bring his materials -very swampy, and at a distance from -the road, he lost considerably by it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[150]</span></p> - -<p>In 1789 he was informed that there was a -great quantity of road to be let in Lancashire: -he accordingly went, and took a part between -Bury and Eslington, and another part from -Eslington to Ackrington; as also a branch -from that to Blackburn. There were such -hollows to fill, and hills to be taken down, to -form the level, as was never done before: in -several of the hollows the walls were ten yards -high, before the battlements were put on the -top. He had two summers allowed to finish -this work in; but the trade in Lancashire -being brisk, made wages very high, and the -navigation at that time cutting through the -country so employed the men, that it was a -very difficult matter to procure a sufficiency -of hands. The first summer the rains were -so perpetual, that he lost about two hundred -pounds; but in the next he completed the -whole work, and received by the hands of -Mr. Carr of Blackburn three thousand five -hundred pounds; and, after all, was forty -pounds loser by it.</p> - -<p>In the year 1792 he returned into Yorkshire; -and having no engagement to employ - -<span class="pagenum">[151]</span> - -his attention, he bought hay to sell again, -measuring the stacks with his arms; and -having learnt the height, he could readily -tell what number of square yards were contained, -from five to one hundred pounds -value. Sometimes he bought a little wood -standing; and if he could get the girth and -height, would calculate the solid contents.</p> - -<p>From that period he has settled on a small -holding at Spofforth, near Wetherby; and -his house is kept by a daughter and son-in-law.</p> - -<p>At Christmas, 1794, he paid a visit to the -present Colonel Thornton, and his mother, at -Thornville-Royal; and the reception he met -with was such as fully reminded him of former -days at Old Thornville, where he had spent -many Christmasses. The truly respectable -Relict, and the worthy Representative, of his -late Commander, always receive Blind Jack -with a condescending affability, highly flattering -to one in his humble station.</p> - -<p>Having known the streets of York very -accurately in the earlier part of his life, he -determined, on the commencement of the last -year, to visit once more that ancient city, - -<span class="pagenum">[152]</span> - -where he had not been for the space of thirty-two -years: He found alterations for the better -in Spurriergate, Blakestreet, the Pavement, -&c. and being now in the neighbourhood of -Middlethorp, where he had, in the year 1735, -spent a half-year so happily, he resolved to -have another <i>look</i> at it, in the possession of its -present worthy master. From Mr. Barlow’s -house there is a road which leads to Bishopthorpe; -and this road he clearly recollected, -though sixty years had elapsed since he had -gone that way before: so retentive was his -memory on this occasion, that he discovered -an alteration in the hanging of two gates by -a wall-side near the above mansion. At Mr. -Barlow’s he staid several nights, which, he -scarcely need add, were spent most agreeably, -he endeavouring to make his fiddle speak the -satisfaction and hilarity felt by its owner. -Returning to York, he spent a few nights at -the house of another friend; and setting out -on the 10th of January, 1795, he walked to -Green Hammerton, in his way to Thornville-Royal, -in about three hours and an half, being - -<span class="pagenum">[153]</span> - -ten miles; proceeded to Thornville that -night, and to Knaresborough next morning -the 10th, which being the birth-day of Sir -Thomas Slingsby’s eldest son, and which was -kept with the utmost festivity, he resolved -to spend at the worthy Baronet’s. Here he -closed the festive season of Christmas, after -a tour of some weeks amongst his friends;—to -whom, in particular, he submits, with the -utmost deference, this imperfect Sketch of a -LIFE, with which only can terminate his -grateful remembrance of their numerous -favours.</p> - -<div class="topspace6"></div> -<p class="center"><i>FINIS.</i></p> -<div class="topspace6"></div> - -<div class="tnotes"> -<p><span class="smcap">Transcriber’s Notes.</span></p> -<p> 1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical - errors.</p> -<p> 2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.</p> -<p> 3. For clarity the l. s. d. currency symbols have been <i>italicised</i>.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="full"> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF JOHN METCALF, COMMONLY CALLED BLIND JACK OF KNARESBOROUGH ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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