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MEMOIRS

JAMES HARDY VAUX.

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

J2^ TWO FOLUliBS.

VOL. I.

• • ♦ •

LONDON :
rntsTSD tr w. ct/mta, NOKtBviasKuimmvKt, tautmj

AVO SOLD BY

ALL RESPECTABLE BOOKSELLERS.

1819.

•(^"••^•^^■^•mI*

P3BLIC 1I3RARY

854847A

ASTOR, LENOXX AND

TILDEN FOUNDAtlONS

9 1G9& td

* ■ • •

• • • '

» • • < • »

CONTENTS

THE FIRST VOLUME.

p«-J>

ADTERTISEMENTy pOgC vil.

I Preface, page xi.
Dedication, page xv.

CHAPTER I.

Some account of my fkmily-^My birth, and subsequent
adrentures, unOl I attain my ninth year, pa^e 1.

S CHAF. n.

^ 1 am taken from schoo], and return to my Grand-parenta—
Remove to Cambridgeshire — ^From thence again to Lon*
don, and a second time to S shire— Different

plans prc^^KNied for my settlement in life— Friendship of
the Moultrie fomily— I am sent to Liverpool on liking,
jMB^ed.

CHAP. III.

My employment in my new aituation— Seduced by an ap-
prentice in the house to neglect my business^ and keep
irregular hours — ^Become a frequenter of tbe Cockpil>-»
Repeated k>88e8 at this place induce me to recrait my
finances by embezzling my cmployer*s money— Remon-
strances on my misconduct producing no effect, am seri-
oosly admonished, and sent back to my friends, page 16.
VOL. I. a

VI CONTENTS.

CHAP. IV.

I prevail on my grandfiitber to let me visit London— >Am
provided with letters of recommen^tion — ^Received into
the office of a respectable attorney, my kinsman— ^Quit
that employment, and engage with a wholesale stationer
—Obtain clothes, j-c,, on credit, without any intention of
paying for them— Bilk my lodgings repeatedly—Return
to the law— Obliged to live by my wit»— Become a hack*
ney waiter— Resort nightly to tlie Blue-Lioi^puf^e $4.

CHAP. V.

The trip to Portsmouth, page 32.

CHAP. VI.

Still much embarrassed to support appearance*— Meet with
a surgeon of a frigate — Ou|r conversation and its result-?-
Negotiation set on foot with the captain— I obtain an ap-
pointment as midshipman—Fitted out by my friends in
the most liberal manner— Join my ship — ^Delighted with
my new situation — Account of my messmates, and othe^
matters, page 53. .

CHAP. VIL

My rapid progress in navigation— Become a good sailor in
theory-~The approach of a severe winter somewhat damps
my pleasure— Begin to repent my bargain— Duty exces-
sively fatiguing, and situation uncomfortable— Advised to
alter my course-^Appointed captain*s clerk, and find my-
self at home to a peg — The -frigate ordered up the river
Thameft^I visit London— Become enamoured of a fair
Cyprian— Desert my ship on her account, page 63.

CONTENTS. til

CHAP. VIII.

Consequences of my imprudent aaeeenon— Reduced to great
distress — ^Become a b]ltiard^|ilayer—> Associate with sharp-
ers-^Engaiic with a dountry attorney— take leave of
London once more^ ftfgt 74*

CHAP. IX. ^

Aecoant of my sitikatioii at Bwry St. BdmttMlH-OlMltinately
determine to relinquish it^ and retom Co liottddn— De-
fraud several tradesmen— Quit the town, and arrive in the
metropolb— Obtain a qm^dtitjr of w^Buring apparel under
false pretendes^-pt^.^l- ' - '

CHAP. X.. .

live gaily for a few weeks on ^spoils of ray late excursion
—Again obMged to seek employment— Engage with' a
conveyancer in the Temple— Apprehended by my late
master — Compromise the afi^r, through the friendship of
a relation, page 103.

CHAP. XL

Obtain an employment as clerk and sliopman«*Rob my em-
ployersy.and embeszle several sums of monef--.Quit this
«ervice^ and am soon after taken in custody, and commit-
ted to the Bastile, p^yie US.

CHAP. XII.

Fully committed for trial— Acquitted for want of evidence
— i-Fatal consequences of consigning a young person to a
g^ol— '•Meet with a fellow-prisoner, who introduces me to
ttie company of professed ^thieves— Live by fhiud and
robbery— Trip to Staines— Am at length apprehended
for ipvhat I am innocent of, po^e 198. •;

A %

▼lift COlTTBlrTS.

•>' I 1 1 «.fc._ i*

» " - • • •

Examined b^re the l^^rd MiV<»i^i^Fi%i:oii»tttte4^Tmd

and cart— My fiither*8 fisutb and a«gCTi|r<tii . My diaap-

pointment on being transported for seven years— Contract

the gaol distemper, and fltmredoced to the point of death

«ivAecynref oof ln^Mlb^ aadaMfSfint.on Iward aitraHport

.t V

CHAP. XIY, .

Sail from England^— Account of our. ii»}ny f Arrive at Port
Jackson— Write in my own behalf to Conimissary Pal-
mer-—That gentleman tf-pl^isedtonotice my application
«-Land at Sydney^ 9od am oa^ed b^qifbf^jGovifrnoer King
—A curious d^logue between Hi»E3|Cf>lewyy. and myself
--Ordered to Iii^7ltf|^biiry«^.;iiiii $tnnike4per*s Clefk,

CHAP. XV.

My conduct at Hawkesbtiry^^-^dtttinue for three yeara to
givesfttikfiiction te, mby pnneipal-^rdewd by Governor
King into the 8ecitetary^sr(DflteOi*.»»c Way't!6 the temp-
tatioBs with which i am nwimmded, «Bdtie|flh t6 lead a
dissipated life» in company wiHi aomie otiietr <^rlji.-M!!on-
cert a system of fraud upon the King*s stores, which we
practise successfully isat someiltme-^The imposition is at
length detected— I am in consequence dismissed the ofBce>
and sent to hard labour for the firat time in my life.

Draughted to CJaf^-hill-r-Vanoua^y eqipjoyed t)iere-— Ap-
point^ cleric tpthe Settl^ment^-Agaii^ noticed by the
Governor-T^uminoned to Parramatta t>y th« Beir* Mr.
Manden-j-Appointe^Ma^^strate'^ Cl^r|^#iid.f)egiD.once
more to teaij an eai^ life — Pre]^ratioo8,fp|r i^e C^oyerpor's
departure — ^Mr. Marsdea gives me hopes of )w:compai|y»
log himself and the Groyemor to England in His Ma*
jesty^s Ship Buffido— My pkafini; sensations at thie pros*
pect of revisiting my inative land, page 186.

cKa^.' xVir.

'► . . :■••;'.■ - ! . * . •

t •

The Bufialo. Ipi^iof leady for w^lwM^^tm yflDtmHixmSt^m
Mr. l^aiqdfin^tihat th^ latf ,69i!imox oM^loA a^l-OKis.
sion of B^ MQ^pif^. timg^ aa(i c^sw^s tQ>tafcn imm hove
a» his <]erk*«^I -mf^ oa hb £nB4)eDC|i aiseovdipglyW >ttd
receiye orders to go;on board— We set 9)^^ JM0s W4*

CHAP. XVIII.

Receiye a free pardon from the hands of Captain (lateGroyer-
nor) King — Account of our passage home — Suffer a great
deal from the want of prQviaions Leaky state of the ship-**
Double Cape Horn — Fall in with an English frigate^
bound to the river Plate— Arrive at Hio de Janeiro^
page 19Q.

CHAP. XIX.

Account of my adventures at San Sebastian— Form ac*
quaintance with a Portuguese family— Their affection for
me— Overtures made to induce my stay in South Ame-
rica—The ship being repaired and victualled, we re-im*
bark and sail for Europe, page 20Q.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. XX.

Tlie ship becomes as leaky as before— All bands in turn at

the pumps — Means adopted to reduce the leaks— 1 offend

the late Governor, who orders |me before the mast^^FaU

' in with the Thisbe a second time in company with several

transports— Unhappy fate of one of them — ^Arrive at Spit-

' ' hesid, page 9^. J

CHAP XXL

Captain King leaves the ship^ which proceeds to Portsmouth
harbour— my melanch<dy reflections on my confinement
to the service— Preparations for paying off the Buffalo-
Employed by the Purser, in arranging* the ships* books—
- Write to London, and receive an answer from tny mo-
: ther-^btain leave to go ashote very ^unexpectedly, and
efGBct my escape through the friendly aid of a total
stranger^ p«9W SS7. ;

ADVERTISEMENT.

It has been thought that the Public would benefit in
more ways than one, by the publication of a work, in

which the philosopher may read the workings of an un-
principled conscience, the legislator be let into the ope-
rations of the laws upon the criminal's mind, and the
citizen derive a key to the frauds by which he is so
easily and constantly beset; and it is not often that thieves
are possessed of sufficient truth, memory, vanity, and
literature, to tell the story of their own lives. It will
be see n that Mr. Vaux, together with an excellent me*
mory, possesses a good share of vanity, and sufficient
literature. In the following pages, the former (I think)
often magnifies the latter, particularly in the account of
the author's readership at the printing-office ; but it is
only justice to him to say, that I have found occasion to
make very few alterations in his manuscript, which came
to my hands ready prefaced and dedicated, and chaptered ^
as if ripe for his old master's printing-office— that it was
exceedingly well and fairly transcribed ; and, (with one
or two exceptions) correctly spelled and punctuated.

A 4

Xli ADVERTISEMENT*

When Mr. Vaux's predilection for low company comes
to be observed) the reader will justly doubt the great
liberality of education and taste for reading, upon which
he so often vaunts himself. The quotations in his nar«
rative are all common-place ; and I have struck out a
few as profaned by misapplication.

As for the truth of the following tale-^nobody can
vouch for it. I am afiraid it is oecasimially sacrificed at
the shrine of Vanity, who seems to be the author's patron-
saint. He is fonder of confessing himself guilty of frauds,
from the punishment of which he escaped, than of those
in which he was found out ; detection (he thinks) im-
peaches his cunning ; and though he recounts with ex-
ultation the theft for which he is now transported for life,
that is, because he knows it was conunitted under pro-
tection of, perhaps, the most consummate address and as-
surance ever exhibited by man-rit amounted to the sub-
lime of impudence — and, after all„ he was only betrayed
into the hands of justice,, who, if she had a hundred eyes,
would not (it should seem) have enough to detect the
dissimulations of James Hardy Vaux. The reader will
observe, that he denies his guilt of tjie grime for which he
was before - transported, because it was a common,
clumsy partnership picking a handkerchief out of the
pocket ; and ao, too, he denies any confederacy with
the Judge Advocate's servant, in robbing his master's
writing-desk, for which oifence he was further trans-
ported to Newcastle'^ in this territory, whither he now
again is sent for life,, for an attempt to escape from the
country altogether. The reader must, therefore,, believe as
much or as little as he pleai^es of the following stqr^.

Of bun who confesses Uni^elf « Ufti^ |h« fOMemmta^
cessarily be listened to with distrust.

^^ Look to Urn wefr; iHtve a quIdL eye to see;
Hfe h8» deoeiT^ notery and any fhee.**

By the laws of all nations, he who is once detected in
perjury, is not allowed to bear further witness— the testi-
mony o£ a king*s evidence must be corroborated^-and
the confession of a felon is never allowed to prove any
thing against another person.

With this cofoeat lector ^ I dismiss ttdt entertaining and
instructive narrative ; for so I will call it, thinking it as
full of cunning and adventure as ** The Life of Guzman
de Alfarache— 4he Spanish Rogue/' if not so profoimdiy
moralized. The religion, indeed, (if it can be so called)
of Mr. Vaux is, like that of most convicts, a low sort of
fatalism, which may be called a fataUsm after the fact.
The followers of this sect do not connect predestination
with *^ foreknowledge absolute," but merely comfort
themselves Vith the truism^ that when their misfortunes
have happened, nothing can prevent them from having
happened. Of '' free will,*' they first suffer the time for
the exercise to go by, and then complain of the impotency,
•—•abandoning themselves with an insensibility, which
they mistake for resignation, to what they call the pre*
destined and inevitable decrees of ** fixed fate*.'' Some
of this false complaining has been expunged from the

* *' Le bien, nous le faisoDs ; le mal, c'est le sort;
^' On a toojours rai8oi),4e destin toojours tort."

La Fontaine.

xiv ADYE&TISEMENT.

following work ; but enough (I am afraid) is left to shew
the delusion.

It remains only to be added^ that the pecuniary promts
of this publication will be applied to the relief of the
author, in his perpetual banishment.

B. F—D.

Sydney y New South Waks^
UthMay, 1817-

{ ••.•.•• *

PREFACE.

.Before I commence this narrative of a
life marked with more than common vidssi-
tudess I beg to bespeak the reader's attention
to a few cnrdory remarks. ' I miist finst pre-
mise that I have undertalien the task, in obe»
dience to the commands of a gentleman, who
is pleased to anticipate a sufficient fund of en^
tertainment in the perusal, to compensate for
the honour he confers in notidiag an outcast of
Fortune like myself; who, partly from my owil
vicious conduct, and partly (perhaps,) from the
malignity of my fate, have forfeited all hope of
attaining that respectable rank in society, U>
which, in the happy days of youthful innocence,
I had every reason to look forward with confi-
dence.

But now, alas! although I have too late
seen my errors, and my intentions are strictly
virtuous, I have nothing to expect, but to con*
tinue through the remainder of this transitory

XVI PREFACE.

life, such as I am at the present moment,— -an
unhappy exile, for ever banished from my
country and relations^ and rendered incapable
of making the smallest reparation to the com-
munity I have injuredy^hy the exercise of those
talents which nature has bestowed, and the
best of friends' ba¥d so fiberally cultivated. Kor
do I &ar beuig ac^ised of vanity, m asserting,
that tfiey are above mediocrity, since it b not
tp n^yself I am. indebted £cir tbem ; and die
greater infiuny attsicbes to me for their per-
version^^^or where much is ^ven much is
required*

To return to the remark I set out with: these
dneets not beiog intended at first forihe press, or
to meet the pubKc ^e, I have not laboured their
composition. Indeed, the work being executed
in baste, and under many local disadvajxtages,
I haive bad little time for study, and can only
boast of a acmpukws attention to truth, to
which I have been ei^oined by my empbyer.

Where my conduct has been such as I now
blush at, I have *^ nothing extenuated ;" nor
have I, on the other hand, used the smallest
embeUidunents to advance myself in the good
opinion of my readers. With me» in all hu-

PREFACE. XVll

man probability, the die is cast ; and as the
prejudices of those persons, who alone can ex-
tricate me from misery, are not likely to be
removed by any professions of amendment I
can make, my only hopes of happiness are
centred in a better world, where we are in-
structed that there is much joy over one single
repentant sinner.

James Hardy Vaux«

Netocastk^ New South Waks^
17th September, IS15.

; . .\

•I

DEDICATION.

i***i

To THOMAS THOMPSON, Esq., '

(Captain in HU Majesty's 46tA refftmentj. Commandant of
Newcastle^ in the Colony of Neto South WaleSf an^ ons
of His Mifjesty^s Justices of the Peaek for that Terri-
tory.

SlE,

Having, in obedience to your commands,
completed the following narriitive of my adventures
I should deem myself wanting in gratitude, were I
to omit offering, ^t the same time diat I respectfully
submit my production to your perusal, the humble
tribute of my thanks, for the many favours I have
received at your hands ; for the indulgent treatment I
have generally experienced; and more particularly for
the distmguished honour you have conferred on so un-
worthy an object as myself, in condescending to feel
an interest in the occurrences of my former life, and
in permitting me to inscribe to you, the following
Memoirs of it.

I beg to assure you, Sir, that, however Fate or
Fortune may hereafter dispose of ^me, the remem-
brance of your goodaess will never be effaced from

XX DEDICATION.

my mind; and that in the event of my past sufferings
inducing you to use your bountiful influence in my
behalf, and to procure me once more the probable
means of attainiiig a resfectdxie rani in society, my
future conduct shall be such, as to prove that you
have not erred in believing ~me radically reformed,
and deserving the honour of your patronage.

In the sincere hope that these sheets will con-
tribute to your entertainment, and that of sueh
friends as you nuiy be pleased to conuaunicate
them to,

I have the honour to subscribe myself,
v^idi the most dutiful respect,
SiK,
your obliged and grateful
humble servant,

JAMES H. VAUX.
Newcastle^
ZOth March 18 1&

MEMOIRS

JAMES HARDY VAUX.

CHAPTER I.

Some Account of my Family, — My Birth and sub-
sequent Adventures until I attained my ninth Year.

It may be expected that^ like other biographers^
I should give some account of my ancestors. This
I can but imperfectly do ; for the volatility of my
disposition, and the early age at which I left my
friends, prevented me from ever making pointed in-
quiries on the subject. Family pride I have ever
considered as the most ridiculous of all human weak-
nesses. However, as I am writing focts, be it
known, that my progenitors, by the mother's side,
were of no mean rank; my great-great-grand^
mother, Dorothy, the daughter of Sir Thomas Har-
topp, Bart, of Ragby, or Ragley Castle, in ■

«l\ire, was united, after a long anjd romanUc court- •
ship, to a gentleman named Yonge, and from this

VOL. I. B

union sprang a very respectable family^ the Yonges
of shirei who are still of some consequence in

diat county. This scrap of genealogy I should
probably have been unacquainted with^ but for the
circumstance of two original love-letters, inter-
changed between the parties above-mentioned,
during the period of their courtship, and still
preserved in the feimHy as antiques. These epistles
are written in the most pathetic strain, and, al-
lowing for the age in which they were composed,
abound in elegant diction. My grandmother, Do-
rothy Yonge, married Mr. Lowe, a respectable at-
torney of the court of King's-Bench, who for many
years filled the office of clerk to the warden of tlie
Fleet, and had, besides, a very extensive private
practice* The only issue of this marriage was my
mother, who was brought up with the most affeo^
tionate tenderness, and well educated. By what
means she became acquainted with aay father, wbo
was from a very dbtant county, I never learnt; but
she was united to him in the year 1781, and, aa I
have reason to tbmk, agmnst the advice and vrill of
her parents, my father being of a family mach less
respectable, and, at the time of his marriage, in uo
higher situation than that of butler and house-stew-
ard to Mr. Sumner, a member of pariiament, whose
estate was situated near Guilford, in Surrey ; where
my mother, it appears, went to reside after her
union, of which 1 was the first fruits, bei^g bom at

tbe Triage of Eaat Claodon, on the SOtb of May^
1789. My father shortly afterwards quitted the
jfamily of Mr. Sumner, md obtained a simlar |»08t
in the service of Sir Richard Hill, Bart, with whpm
he continued several years.

la the year 1785, my grandfather, being advanced
in life «ad naturally fond of domestic retirement,
quitted the profession to which, by hii integrity and
honour, he had loi^ b«en an omao»ent ; uid prevail*
ing on my parents to commit me to his care, re-
moved wi& my grandmother to S ■■■■ ■■ in S ■! ■
shire, I being then about three years of age. In
this neat little town, surrounded by the relatives of
my grandmother, and many friends of his own, my
grandfather having served his deii^ship in the county,
this worthy and truly virtuous couple enjoyed,
for several years, uninterrupted happiness, their oply
care being centred in the education and indulgence
of their grandson^ of whcnn they <^very day became
more extravagantly fond.

As my y^v increased, J was transferred from
the preparatory school, at which I had been 6rst
placed, to a respectable seminary in the town, one
of the best the county afforded, where I received the
rudiments of a general education, and my capacity
for learning endeared xne ^tiU more to my indulgent
friends. The imprudence of my another's conduct
had much lessened her in the affectionate esteem of
her parents ; nor i^d her subsequent behaviour^ I

B 2

believe, taid to restore her or recommeiid my fartber
to their good opinion ; so that their correspondeoee
grew every year less frequent, and at length settled
in a formal coldness on both sides. What may ap-
pear more unnatural, though not uncommon, is,
that in proportion as the kindness and liberality of
my grand-parents towards me increased, the afiec-
tion of my father and mother diminished ; and, as
they had several children afterwards, I soon became
an object, if not of aversion, at least of indifference.
Of these children, two brothers and a sister died in
their infency, and two sisters younger dian myself
are still living.

Nothing worth record occurred during my con-
tinuance in S -shire. I passed my hours of
relaxation, like other children, in harmless sports,
but attended with avidity to my lessons when at
school ; and indeed as soon as I was capable of un-
derstanding, my chief delight was in reading books
of an entertaining nature, from all of which I derived
more or less instruction. I even preferred this
rational amusement to the childish games of my
young companions, from which my good friends
prognosticated that I should become a great man.
I must confess that I was already a spoiled child ;
but I did not abuse the indulgence I met with, by
any irregular or vicious conduct, nor did 1 betray
any symptoms of latent depravity, or indicate any
wicked propensities. I hope my readers will be-

lieve this assertion when I relate by what grmdations
I fell from die path of rectitude, and when I account
for the causes which actuated me to pursue a course
of dishonesty. My principal deQght, when very
young, was to frequent the only bookseller's shop
our little town afforded, where £ would stsmd for
hours reading, or rather devouring, whatever books,
or, as niy dear grandfather termed it, mental food,
I could lay hold of. There was also an old woman
who had a circulating library, consisting of about a
hundred volumes, chiefly novels, to whom I dis-
bursed every sixpence and shilling I received for
pocket money. My parents, indeed (for by this
term I shall in future, for brevity's sake, call my
grandfather and grandmoUier, as it is from them
only I ever experienced parental affection ; they, I
say) did not wholly approve of this indiscriminate
passion for reading ; fearing, and indeed with reason,
as I am now convinced, that I should meet with
matter tending to vitiate a youbg mind (which has
been jusdy compared to a sheet of white paper,
open to receive and retain the first impressioosX
{Old to inculcate romantic notions of men and man-
ners. Though I subscribe to the justice of this
idea in general, yet I firmly believe it was owing to
this course of reading that I very early acquired
a knowledge of tiie world, surprising in one so
young; and that when I soon after launched into the
ocean of life/ 1 was on my guard against many of

B 3

the dee^f^tiotid o^ the desfgnitig part of mankind
and enabled to atoid or d^fedt them* My beloved
parents, indeed, duspe^ted not the errors to which
I was becoming daily a stronger proisrelyte. My
grandfather, whom I believe to have been as pef^
feet a character and as good a christian as nature
eyer formed, iticulcated both by precept and €%*
ample, the love and practice of piety and virtue ;
and, above all, an iniles^ible adbereiice td honesty.
He possessed many peculiarities of habit as well a$
principle, several of which I inherit from him ;****
would to Heaven 1 inherited his virtues !

My volatile disposition v^as early manifested by
ttiy want of stability or steady application to any
particular employment or pursuit* Like Robinson
Crusoe, I felt a strong predikcticm for rambling
into foreign countries, and had a longing desire to
go to sea. This Arose from perusing the Voyages
of Cooke, Anson, and other circumnavigators $ so
enraptured vnis I With their profession, that before
I was twelve years old I had a pretty just notiotk of
nautical manoeuvres, without having ever seen a
ship, and had most sea-termd at my tongue's end.
This rising inclination was, however^ checked for a
time by the dissuasions of my friends, who were
alarmed at the bare thought of it, and by the inland
situation of the county we resided in. Among my
domestic amusements I practised drawii^g, for which
I had a good natural genius; but happening to be

famished with some prints of nmiiiiq; hones for
imitation, and being a great admirer of that noble
animal, I suddenly turned my whole attention to thb
subject, in which I soon became a pretty good pro-
ficient, considering my youtfi and tiiat I never had any
master, and it appears to haye been vaefforit. These
prints having always the pedigree and performances
of the animal subjobcd,mscnsiWy gave me a passion
for racing, which became my next hobby-horse. I
tow eagerly perused the Itaeing Ca&iultir, took in the
Sporting Magatine, purchased a Stud- Book* ; and
was so indefatigable in my researches, that, before I
was fourteen, I could repeat the pedigree of any
celebrated horse, and could discourse of handicaps,
and give-and-take plates, of die Beacon Courae, and
the DeviPs Ditehf, with the fluency of a veteran
jockey — ^and I actually stole a march from London
to Newmarket in hopes of obtaining a situation in
the racing stables ; flattering myself that I might,
like the great Dennis 0'Ketly:|;, whose life I had
read, become in time a shiiung character on the turf;
but I foiled in this attempt to disgrace my friends,
and degrade myself, as my youth and genteel appeai^*
ince deterred the persons to whom I applied from
Kstening to my request.
I shall now resume tiie thread of my narrative.

•
* A genealo^cal acconnt of race-lioiMi.

f Two celebrated spots on Newmarket heath.

t Proprietor of the celebrated horse Eclipse.

B 4

After six years' residence at S , my grand-

father was prevailed on^ by the solicitations of my
father and mother, to return to London, and reside
with them. My fether, from whom I probably de-
rived my disposition to instability, had by this time
quitted the service of Sir Richard Hill, and esta-
blished himself in the hat and hosiery business in
Great Turnstile, Holbom. How this chimejical
project occurred to him, I know not, as he certainly
had been bred to no trade ; however, he was san-
guine in his hopes of success. He had taken a good
house and shop, and on our arrival in town, we
found the family very comfortably established. I
was introduced to my two surviving sisters, who
were pretty, lively girls, and my father and mother
received me with a shew of great affection.

I was now turned of nine years old, and shortly
after our arrival, was placed by my grandfather at a
respectable boarding-school at Stockwell,in Surrey,
and my sisters were soon afterwards settled by their
father at one equally genteel at Oakingham, in
Berkshire. As I shall not have occasion to say
much more of these girls, I shall now briefly observe
that they received a good female education, learning
French and the other fashionable accomplishments
of the age. Their capacities were good ; they were
both more than agreeable in their persons, and their
dispositions uncommonly sweet.

CHAPTER II.

/ am taken from School and return to my Grand'
parents. — Remove to Cambridgeshire. — From
thence again to London, — And a second time to

S shire.-^Different Plans proposed for my set-

tlement in life. — Friendship of the Moultrie Fa*
milyj-'^Am sent to Liverpool on liking.

I CONTINUED at Stockwell nearly three years,
during which time I acquired a tolerable knowledge
of the classics, and became as perfect in the French
language as I could do without residing in France.
It was a custom at this school to allow of no Eng-
lish being spoken, except in the hours devoted to
mstruction, by which means our progress in French
was much facilitated'. The scholars had free ac-
cess to a well-selected library, by which means I
gratified my passion for reading, which increased
with my years. I was particularly fond of plays,
and fancying I possessed some talents for the stage,
I actually formed the design, in conjunction with a
youth of good family, to elope from the school and
join a company of strollers, with the manager of
whom he had formed an acquaintance in London ;
but this hopeful scheme was frustrated by th^ young
gentleman's sudden removal to tlie University. I

was now taken from school, the excessive fondness
of my dear parents not being able to brook a longer
sepsu^tion from me. I found these kind benefac-
tors in private lodgings, they having quitted my &-
ther*s house on account of femily disagreements.
The latter had relinquished the hat business, by
which he was minus some hundreds of pounds;
and after a short lapse of time, be embarked in a
very different trade, that of a tallow-chandler, of
which he had conceived favourable ideas : /in this
too, he failed of success, and was equally unfortu-
nate in several subsequent speculations, by which
means he considerably impoverished himself; how-
ever he continued to maintain appearances with to-
lerable credit until his decease, I shall now take
leave of my father, mother, and sisters, for the pre-
sent, their history having no further connexion with
my own life, as 1 never again became an inmate of
their family.

After a short residence in ■ square, my

grandfather, on account of his wife's declining health,

and with a view to economy in house-keeping, that

he might be more liberal in his bounty to myself,

thought fit to remove to Wisbeach in Cambridge-

' shire, where an old schoolfellow of his resided, who

had strongly pressed this measure. Here he took

a neat little house ready furnished, and placed me

under the tuition of a clergyman in the town, whose

school I attended daily.

At tiie end of twelve oMMiAsy we ageiii retailed
to London^ and soon afterwards removed once
more to S*-— «>^ire^ in the 14di year of my age.

I waB moat affeotionately reoei^rad by all my rela-
tions, and it was now considered time to consult
upon my Aititre disposal. My kind grand&theri
wbo had been at so much care and expense in my
education^ had always intended me for one of the K^
beral professions, and, as was most natural, he would
have prefenred fab own. I had a great uncle who had
been a very eminent sm^eon and apo^cary, in
which business he was succeeded by his son, who
is still living in credit at S b It was in con-

templation to fanve me articled to dris gentleman, but
I wished for a more active #mplojment, and should
have preferred the army or navy. The dangers at-
tending these honourable professions, were however
insiliperaUe bars to the consent of my fend parents.

At diis juncture a most advantageous and unex«-
pccted offer of patronage was extended in my be-
half, which but for my unaccountable obstinacy,
would have been thankfully embraced; but my
evU genius rendered abortive a design, which bade
(air to procure me an honourable rank in society.
Hie case was as fidlows: Within a mile of our
little tovra resided John Moultrie, Esq., whose fa-
dMr was governor of a British Settlement in North
America, and of whose name frequent mention is
made in the history of the iil-fiited war with that

coiintry. Bj his attachment to the cause of loy-
alty, this gentleman, as well as his son, suffered con*
siderable losses in their private property, for which in
common with many others,6ovem6r Moultrie, onhis
return to England, received a liberal pecuniary com*
pensatioQ from ministers. The old gentleman was
at this period lately deceased, and his soa John sue*
ceeded to a large fortune, and a fine estate and man-
sion-house called Aston, which his father had pur*
chaised in the situation above described. He had
married a very beautiful and accomplished woman,
bom in America, by whom he had ah only son about
my own age, who was like myself the darling of his
parents. Thiis youth (n&med Austin^ had been my
early schoolfellow and playmate ; and the Moultrie
family being in the habit of exchanging visits with
most of the respectable inhabitants ofS ,

among which class my relations were numbered, I
became known to them. As they perceived a
gi'owing attachment between myself and tibe young
Austin, and my manners pleased them, my 'visits
were encouraged, and I was almost a constant guest
at Aston Hall. By the circle of genteel persons of
both sexes with whom I there associated, my ad-
dress was improved as well as my understanding.
Young Moultrie and myself became inseparable; we
were constant companions in the chase and other
rural sports ; and when the weather was unfavour-
able, Mrs. Moultrie took delight in hearing me read

berfiBivourite authors, to. ¥Pbich she obliged her loii
to attend; and as I had rather the advantage in
mental acquirements, she was pleased to say diat I
contributed to his improvement. In a word, I may
truly assert that the happiest moments of my life
were spent in this amiable family.

At the period of which I am now writing, the par
rents of my young friend had determined on settling
him at the Univernty of < Oxford, in order to com-
plete his education : and the regret they felt at part-
ing with their beloved child, was scarcely more
poignant than that of the latter, at his approaching
separation from me, so ardent was our juvenile
friendship. In this .state of a£fairs, his frither know-
ing my situation, and the circumstances of my
grandfather, who by his liberality towards me, had
much impaired his private fortune, which consisted
at his retirement, of but a few thousand pounds stock
in the 3 per cent consols, a considerable part of
which he had sold out at a very disadvantageous rate,
by reason of the great depression in stocks at the
commencement of the French war : knowing all this,
and that my settlement in life was at this moment
the subject of much perplexity, Mr. Moultrie, with
a most unparalleled generosity, offered to place me
at college on the same terms with bis son, and at the
end of three years, if he then withdrew the latter, to
take upon himself the chaise of my future fortune.
Here was an offer from a gentleman of 2,000/. a

year! I have always been of Skakspeani's opinlen,
chat ** There is a tide in the afiFairs of meo/* Scc.^
and ibat most men have not only one^ but several
opportunities of attaining honoar and prosperity.
1 know this has been my own case, bttt my ill des*
tiny has hitherto rendered such chances unavailing.
I have unhappily neglected to ^ take die current
while it served/' So, in the preaent instance, having
foolishly conceived, that to be immured within the
walls of a college for several years, would deprive
me for so long a time of the gratifications I ex*
pected, both of mind and body, on making my
dibikt on the stage of life, when 1 should be released
from theconstraitttof parental authority; the idea of
losing so much valuable time, virhich I fancied I
could employ to much more advantage, induced me
to protest in strong terms s|;ainst Ae measure pro*
posed ; and my too indulgent parents at last gave
way to my puerile remonstnmces, and declined with
the best grace they could the kindness intended me.
This impolitic step was much censured by my
other relations, particulaiiy two maiden aunts, from
whom I had great pecuniary expectations ; however
it was soon after, consented to by all parties, that I
should be sent on trial, or as it is called, on liking,
to a respectable mercantile concern at LiverpooL
The parties were Messrs. Swan and Parker, very
nmneiU linen-drapers, who besides an extensive re*
tail trade, exported very laigely to the East and

West Indies, Sfc. A cousin of mine had been
placed with these gentlemen a few years before, but
from ill health was obliged to return to his friends
Sit S— — — . His father, the junior Mr. Yonge I
have before mentioned, had paid one hundred guineas
with him as a premium ; and as the young man's in-
disposition prevented him from reaping the benefit
of hb engagement, Messrs. Swan and Parker very
handsomely consented to take me as an apprentice
without aoy fee, by way of remuneration to the &-
miiy. My grandfather indeed did not much relish
the idea of a yard and a pair of scissors ; he had
fondly hoped to see me profit by the education I
had received, in a very diflierent line of life ; but as
I seconded the general wish of my friends on this
occasion, and much time had been already lost in
deliberation, all opposition ceased ; and I accord^
ingly set out well equipped with all necessaries, by
the stage coach for Liverpool, where, on my arrival,
I was kindly received by my new masters : and the
next day instructed in the nature of my duty, and
the economy and rules of the house. Having now
brought the reader to an epoch in my life, which
promised considerable advantage to my future pro-
spects, I shall put an end to the second Chapter.

CHAPTER HI.

My Employment in my new Situation. — Seduced by
an Apprentice in the House to neglect my Business,
atid keep irregular .Hours. — Become a Frequenter
of the Cockpit. '^Repeated Losses at this Place
induce me to recruit my Finances by embezzling my
Efnployers* Money. — Remonstrances on my Mis-
, conduct producing no effect, am seriously admonish-
ed, and sent back to my Friends.

I WAS, now turned of fourteen ; my health and
constitution good, my spirits elevated, and I felt all ,
diose pleasing sensations, which naturally arise in a
youthful mind, happy in conscious innocence, and
flattered by the prospect of rising to honourable
independence. The gaiety and bustle of this beauti-
ful and improving borough at onee charmed and
amused me ; I spent a week in viewing the public
buildings, the environs, S^c. ; but above all, my ad-
miration was excited by the numerous and capa-
cious docks, by which ships of large burden are
admitted, as it were, into the heart of the town, and
discharge their rich and varied cai^oes with sur-
jprising focility, which are deposited in spacious
warehouses, of amazing extent, and from twelve

to fourteen stories high^ with which these noble
docks are nearly surrounded*

The oppprtunities I had, during my residence
in Liverpool, of viewing the daily arrivals and sail*
ings of merchant-ships to and from all parts of the
world, particularly the Guineamen, which formed a
remarkably fine class of vessek*, revived the latent
desire I had for a sea-iaring life ; and I wanted but
litdeincitement^had the smallest opportunity offered,
to take French leave of my masters,, and gratify my
rambling propensity. However, die bustle in which
I was contintially involved, and the new scones of
amusement which every succeeding day presented,
suppressed the inclination for a time ; but that it
was not totally subdued, will be seen hereafter*

The establishment and economy of our house
were upon the most regular plan ; the former con-
sisted of six apprentices, (including myself,) and
four assistants at very liberal stipends, besides a
nephew of the elder partnei) who^^erintended the
whole, and officiated in the compting*house : there
were also several porters, and other subordinates,
for all of whom full employment was found* Being
the junior apprentice, it was my province to polish
the counters, trim the lamps, carry out small
parcels, and-to perform other inferior duties ; when
disengaged from which, I assisted in waiting on the 5
retail customers, and making myself otherwise use*
♦ This WM prior to tbealMUtion of the SUveTndc.

ful behind the counter^ We had aplentifat table
appropriated for us, to Mrhich we retired in turn
during the hours of business ; commodious and airy
chambers; and, in short, enjojed every comfort we
could desire.

For the first month of my probadon, I behaved
extremely well, and by my quickness and assiduitf,
gained die good opinion of my employers, who
wrote of ma in the most favourable terms to my
fiiends in S ■ ■ , * shire ; nor did my expenses exceed
iny allowance for pocket-money, which was fully
adequate to every ratfoaal enjoymtnH*

Among my fellow apprentices, was a young man
naaml King^ tome years older than myself, with
whom, from a sinnbrity of sentiments, I formed a
close intimacy. He was of an excellent dispo-
^tion, but a great lover of pleasure ; and as his
servitude was far advanced, and his prospects pecu-
liarly flattering, he wasi under very little restraint>

but gave the i^^ to his passion for dissipation »
His expenses were profuse, but whether he ia*-
dulged in tliem at the expense of his^ probity, I
could never ascertain. He soon introduced toe to
gev^al young m«u of his own stamp, and f became
in a short tim^ as great a rake as the^estofthem :
nor was our conversation confined to 6ut own isex ;
scarcely a iright passing without our visitmg one or
other of those houses coiisecrated to the Oypriaki
goddess, with wfaidb Ihe town of Liverpool abounds.

In such a coarse of life, it is not likely that I
could submit to limited hours; my comptnion and
I seldom returned home before midnight, and some*
times not till the ensuing morning* Thouj^ we
took measures to keep this iirom Ae ears of ow
employers, it could not fail to be known in time ;
and the consequence was, a strong but tender re-
monstrance on my impmdcnce, which much afi>
ected me at the moment ; but the impression was
transitory, and soon efiaced. I plunged deeper and
deeper in the vortex of folly and <fissipalion, until I
Was obliged to have recourse for advice to the
Asculapius of GriIead*house«

lliis irregular mode of life had borne hard on my
finances, but I had not, as yet, had recourse to fraud
or peculation. I was liberally supplied by my ro»
lations, on leaving S ■ > and had received my first
quarterly allowance ; but an event, which soon foU
lowed, tempted me to the first breach of confidence
and integrity. .

I had in my youth been passionately fond of

Cocking, a sport for which the county of S ■

has been always femed ; and though so young, I
had constantly kept several cocks at walk, unknown
to^my parents; so that I had acquired a consider-
able share of experience and knowledge on the sub*-
ject. One day, when I was sent with some muslins
to wait on a lady in the environs of Liverpool, near
the Canal, I accidentally passed a cock^pit, where a

great crowd was assembled ; and I understood that
a grand Main was about to commence. Elated at
this pleasing intelligence, I hastened to execute my
commission ; and returning to the housis, entered it,
and leaving my wrapper of goods in care of the
landlady, I ascended to the pit, and too]^ my seat.
The company was,^s usual, of a motley description,
but there were many genteel persons. I ventured
a few -trifling bets at first with various success ; but
at length an opportunity offering, which I consider-
ed as next to a certainty, I laid the odds to a large
amount, flattering myself that by this stroke of
judgment, I should be enabled to figure away with
increased eclat aitabng ioaiy gay companions. After
I had so done, greater odds were still vociferated,
but in a moment the scene was changed ! the fallen
cock, in the ironies of death, made a desperate
effort, and rising for a moment, cut the throat of
his antagonist, who was standing over him, in the
act of crowing with exultation on his victory ! The
latter immediately fell,. choked with the effusion of
blood, nor did the victor survive him many moments.
The whole pit resounded with acclamations, and
the discord which ensued beggars description. 1
was not the only sufferer by this revolution of for-
tune ; many others had laid higher odds than myself,
and to a much grie^ater amount, I was soon. sur-
rounded by my creditoris, to whom I disbursed every
shilling I had about me, among which wey-e some

pounds 1 had juat received from the lady for goods,
and for which I had given her a receipt, I was
still sometlung deficient, for which I pledged my
honour to one of the parties, giving my address, and
promising payment on nn early day. I now return-
ed home, filled with remorse and shame; but as the
first false step of la young person insensibly leads to
another, I added to my guilt by concealing the
affair from my employers, and directed them to book
the articles the lady had selected. I had a degree
of false shame about me, which rendered me in*
capable of confessing the truth and promising
amendment, or all might still have been well. In the
evening I had recourse to the bottle to drown my
chagrin; and I determined to purlom a certain sum
every day, in the course of my attendance on retail
customers until I had liquidated my debt of honour !
Then, I vowed to stop and reform. Delusive idea !
how little did I then know my own weakness, or the
futility of such resolutions in a young mind ! And
who, that once begins a career of vice, can say to
himself, *^ Thus far will 1 go, and no farther i'* After
I had discharged my engagement, I found a small
sum must be raised for pocket-money, and other
exigencies, as it would be above two months before
I could expect a remittafi^ce.

I therefore continued my peculation, and at length
my evil genius suggested to me, that I might, by
venturing a small sum, become more fortunate at

the cockpit^ ukI repair die loss I had sustained ; as
nuracles don't happen every day, and the odds must
win in die long run. Thus I argued with myself ;
and, falaOy for me, I tried the experiment.

From diis moment I never missed a day's fighting
at the codL-pit ; and when sent on business which
required my speedy return, I could not tear myself
fr6m the spot, but frequendy staid out several hours,
and afterwards forged a lie to account for my delay.
I sometimes came off a winner, but as I was not
dien acquainted with die art of hedging, by which
.the knowing ones commonly save diemselves, I
was sure to be a loser at every week's end.

I managed matters so well, indeed, that my fre*
quent secretions from the dll, were not discovered,
however they m^ht be suspected. The extensive
trade of the shop rendered it next to impossible ;
and what I abstracted, was a trifle compared to
the gross receipts of the day.

My continued misconduct became now the sub»
ject of frequent remonstrances on the part of Mr.
Parker die remdent partner ; which not having the
desired effect, that gentleman wrote to my friends,
informing^ them in general terms, that I had un-
happily formed improper connexions, and that my
late levity of conduct rendered me unfit to be re*
ceived into their house ; therefcNre, desiring I might be
recalled without delay. Mr. Parker concluded with
a remark, which I shall never forget, and which was

peculiarly gratifying to my grandfather's (perhaps
top partial) feelings: after expatiating on my
general capacity for business, he added ** his smart-
ness and activity are really wonderful/' This
letter produced a speedy answer, in consequence of
which, I was directed to hasten my departure, which
took place in a few days, Mr. Parker giving me
a great deal of wholesome advice at parting ; ob-
serving that although it was not in his power to
charge me with any direct criminality, my incon-
siderate behaviour, and the continued excesses of
my conduct^ left but too much room for unfavour-
able conjectures*

Behold me now returned to my grandfather, after
an absence of nearly five months ; and this excur-
sion may be called my first entrance into life* I
could not help blushing at the consciousness of my
ovni unworthiness ; but the blind partiality of my
dear parents, induced them to believe me lesj cul-
pable than I really was ; and to listen readily to
any tbii^ I had to offer in palliation of my errors.

CHAPTER IV.

I prevail on my Grandfather to let me visit London,
— Am provided with Letters of Recommendation. —
Received into the Office of a respectable Attorney,
my Kinsman.-^Qmt that Employ mentf and engage
with a wholesale Stationer. -^Obtain Clothes^ S^c,
on credit, without any intention of paying for
them.'^^Bilk my Lodgings repeatedly. — Return to
the Law. — Obliged to live by my Wits. — Become
a Hackney Writer. — Resort nightly to the Blue
Lion.

OHORTLY after my return from Liverpool, find-
ing the narrow limits of a small market-town too
. circumscribed for my active disposition ; and no-
thing having been determined on, as to my future
disposal, I entreated my parents to let me go to
London, which I had always considered as the
grand field for talents of every description; and
where I doubted not of forwarding myself, by the
exercise of those I possessed. They at length con-
sented, and after the necessary preparations, I set
out, receiving the blessings and prayers of these in-
dulgent benefactors, and moderately supplied with
money for my reasonable necessities.
My grand&ther had of course many acquaintances

in Loudon^ of bis own profession^to several of whom
he furnished me with letters of recommendation ; it
being his wish, that I should by a few months' prac-
tice in a law office^ ascertain how far I was disposed
to be articled for the usual period, necessary to pro-
cure my admission. 1 had always been prepos-
sessed in favour of this profession, which I knew
from my reading and experience, to abound in variety,
and, if I may be allowed the phrase, in pleasing
perplexity. ^

On my arrival in town, I waited first on a rela.
tion of our family, Mr. P , a young man lately

established in theprofesidon,and received as a partner
by Mr* M— — , a gentleman of large fortune, and
extensive practice, who would, it was probable^ in
a few years* time, retire from business in favour of
my cousin.

Tlie latter received me very kindly, and without
hesitation, ofiered to employ me (with his part-
ner's concurrence) as copying clerk, at a weekly
salary, which to a youth like me, was of course but
small. '

As I conceived this offer too advantageous to be
rejected, I thankfully embraced it, and immediately
entered on my function in Lincoln's-Inn New
Square. . ' •

As I had no motives of affection to attract me to
my father't house, I determined on becoming mas-
ter of my own conduct ; and accordingly toc4c a

VOL. I. c

neat private lodging, -and regulated my mode of
life conformably to the state of my finances. I
breakfasted at home, dined at a tavern or genteel
eating-house;, and in the evening took my tea and
read the papers at a coffee-house : after which I
sometimes passed the night in reading at home, but
most commonly went to one of the theatres at half-
price, where I gratified my violent passion for the
drama, which at once improved my understanding
and amused my mind.

This course of life, though it rapidly weakened
my purse, was rational, compared to that which
I soon after led, and I might have supported it
with credit, by the indulgence of my friends, for
a considerable time. As the business of our of-
fice was of a various nature, I soon gained great
experience in the different branches of common
law, and conveyancing: I became by practice,
an expert and correct copyist ; and I delighted
much in studying the most approved law books,
reading reports of cases, ^c. I became familiar
with BurrCs Justice^ and soon gained a pretty
correct knowledge of the criminal law, and of those
minute points, of which an able counsel or attorney
can avail himself, in order to rescue a client fi-om
the claws of justice, howsoever glaring and palpable
his guilt may be. Such is the glorious uncertainty
of the English law! Jittler4id I then conceive
how useful this knowledge might one day prove to

myself; of which more hereafter. I merely pursued
this intricate study by way of exercising my inge-
nuity and gratifying my curiosity.

I must here inform the reader^ that these various
pursuits and studies were not confined to the short
term of my continuance in the employ of which I
am now writing. After I quitted the office of

"Messrs. M— — — and P , and during the

course of a wild and dissipated life, they formed one
of my favourite domestic amusements ; as did in
fact reading in general : and throughout the most
profligate stages of my future career, which I shall
hereafter narrate, a portion of my time was always
devoted to the perusal of books, and a part' of my
money, however hardly or dishonestly obtained, to
the purchase of them : and to this moment I still
consider them the most valuable property a man of
my disposition can possess.

About three months after my arrival in town, I
began to grow less regular in my manner of life ; my
expenses increased ; and I became negligent of the
office hours. I had contracted an intimacy with
several young persons of both sexes, which un-
avoidably engaged me in a course of expensive dis-
sipation, to which my means were inadequate.
Though I occasionally derived small supplies from
my grandfather, yet as he had no idea of the extent
of my expenditure, they were comparatively trifling.

Mr. P finding I wiis not tq be reclaimed by

c 2

advice^ and having no authority to use any other
means^ at length for the credit of his office, and for
fear I should contaminate the other clerks, gave me
a formal, though civil dismissal, which I received
without surprise, as I knew I had. long deserved it.

I was now tired of the law, or rather of the re-
straint I was under, in an office of that description ;
but still I found iyiecessary to have some employ-*
ment, as well to amuse me, as to contribute to my
support.

I therefore engaged myself as assistant in the
warehouse of Messrs. Key and Sons^ wholesale sta-
tioners in Abchurch-lane, Lombard-street, at a
weekly salary o^ one guinea ; which was more by
halfthanlhad received from my last employers,
and equal to the pay of an experienced clerk in an
attorney's office at that time of <)ay. This situation
I obtained through the interest of one of my fellow-
rakes, the son of a substantial citizen, who roundly
vouched for my integrity and diligent conduct. My
employment here was to superintend the packing of
goods for exportation and home consumption ; to
write invoices ; copy letters ; ship goods at the Cus-
tom-house, Sfc. I ^continued, however, but a short
time in this situation; confinement to the east
end of the tovm prevented my associating with my
old acquaintances, who chiefly dwelt in the environs
of Covent-garden, or the purlieus of Drury-lane.

During an abode of ten months in London, as I

. 29

was frequently pushed for money, I availed myself
of a genteel appearance^ and pretty good address ,
and taking advantage of the credulity of several trades-
men in the neighbourhood, I ordered wearing appa-
rel of various kinds, and sometimes other goods, upon
credit, vnthout much concern about the day of pay-
ment ; hov^ever I always took care to procure a
bill of parcels with the articles, which precluded
any charge of fraud, and left the matter at the worst
but a debt contracted ; for which, being a minor,
1 knew I could not be arrested. This was my first
deviation from honesty, since I left Liverpool. I
wa^ also frequently obliged to change my lodgings ;
and, as payment of my rent would have - required
ready money^ for which I had so many other uses, I
commonly decamped under favour of the night,
having previously removed my effects by various
stratagems. As I was ashamed to let my grand-
father know the true state of my affairs, and as I
really grieved at the expenses I had already caused
him, which I knew had much inconvenienced him,
I forbore at last, to trouble him for reiiiittances ;
but fialsely assured him that I was doing well, and
enabled to live upon the profits of my industry. I
desired he would abandon the idea of articling me
to the law, as the expenses attending admission had
of late years been so much increased by stamp du-
ties ; and as I could, if I continued the study, at a
future period, practise under the sanction of ano-

c 3

ther person's name; a custom then very prevalent,
though irregular. Bj these assurances I quieted
the good old man, and silenced any inquiries my
friends might have instituted respecting me ; as I now
really wished to continue free from all restraint upon
my person or actions, and foolishly flattered myself
that I should by some lucky event, ultimately se-
cure the means of independence. These conjec-
tures were, however, perfectly vague, and proceeding
from no fixed idea whatever.

On quitting my city employment, I returned to
the law, for which* I still retabed a partiality ; and
obtained a more liberal salary than before in an
o£Eice equally respectable. Indeed I was now be*
come more useful, and had improved much both
in person and address since my arrival in town.

I was still frequently reduced to pecuniary straits,
and obliged to have recourse to various expedients,
known only to men of the town, for my support:
some of them indeed were bordering on dishonesty,
and none of them very honourable. But to de-
scribe them individually, is impossible, and a man
who lives by his wits, as the phrase is, will assure
you, if called to account, that he really could not
for his life, tell by what distinct means he makes out
a living.

As I now wrote uncommonly fast, I quitted the
station of a weekly clerk, and obtained writings to
copy by the sheet, from the law stationers^ by which

I could earn coDBiderably more money ; and in
this employment I continued to labour diligently
for several hours every day, and sometimes half the
night.

When I had a mind to relax from this occupation,
and particularly if my finances were at a low ebb, I
frequently resorted to the Blue Lion, in GrayVlun*
Lane, a house noted for selling fine ale, and crowded
every night with a motley assemblage of visiters,
among whom were many thieves, sharpers and other
desperate characters, with their doxies. I was in-
troduced to this house (from which hundreds of
young persons may date their ruin) by a fellow-clerk,
who appeared to have a personal intimacy with most
of these obnoxious persons ; however, though I list-
ened eagerly to their conversation, (part of which was
then unintelligible to me), and fancied them people
of uncommon spirit, I was not yet sufficiently de-
praved to cultivate their acquaintance ; but sat with
a pipe in my mouth, enveloped in smoke, rumi-
nating like a philosopher on the various characters
who tread the great stage of life, and felt a sort of
secret presentiment, that I was myself born to un-
dergo a more than common share of vicissitudes
and disappointments. How far these ideas were
well grounded, the reader will judge when he has
perused this narrative, of which I shall here close

the fourth Chapter.

CHAPTER V.

The Trip to Portsmouth.

JLlURlNG my nightly resorts to the Blue Lion,
in Gray's-Inn-Lane, I one eyening fell into con-
versation, at that house, with a young man of decent
appearance, a few years older than myself. We
were so mutually pleased with each other, that at
parting, an appointment to breakfast together the
next morning was the consequence, and on this
second mefeting, our intimacy so far mcreased, that
we began to explain our respective situations in life
to each other^ My new acquaintance, whose name
was D — , informed me that he had lately quitted
His Majesty's Ship Montague, of 74 guns, on
board of which he had served as Steward to the
Commander, Captain Patterson. That having
lived freely for some months on shore, he had now
spent all his money, and was so much reduced,
that he really knew not how to subsist any longer,
and concluded with expressing his intention to
proceed immediately to Portsmouth, in the hope of
obtaining a similar birth to his former one. I
assured him that I was, like himself, so * much re-
duced, as to find the utmost difficulty in existing at
all, and that if he would permit me to join my for-

tune to Iiis^ I should without hesitation feel happy
in the opportunity of accompanying him to Ports-
mouth in quest of some employment. He declared
that nothing would afford him greater pleasure^ and
it was agreed that we should, each of us without
delay, convert our spare apparel, 8cc., into cash,
and set out the very next day. I accordingly lost
no time in the needful preparations, and having
bilked my landlord, with whom I was some few
weeks in arrears, I met D *— , the same evening,
and after indulging in a farewell cruize, which
sensibly diminished our slender finances, we took
a few hours' repose, and at eight o'clock the next
morning, commenced our peregrination.

On a comparison of our personal effects, it ap-
peared that we possessed between us about twenty
shillings in money, and had each a spare shirt, neck-
cloth and hose, in a bundle, which (traveller-like)
we carried across our shoulders on a good oak-stick.
We were both decently clad, in good health, and in
high spirits notwithstanding our poverty. We agreed
that to save expenses, we should perform the journey
on foot, (being seventy-two miles) and we calculated
that with frugality, we should be enabled to defray
the contingent charges for diet and lodging on the
road. It soon appeared, however, that though good
economists in theory, we were not so in practice ; for
as we both loved good cheer, and the severity of
the weather required a suitable fortification, we bad

C 5

expended half our stock bj the time we got to
Kingston^ our first stage, and only twelve milea
from town. Here we put up at a public-hottse,
called The Eight Bells,' and having eqjoyed a
good dinner, which was succeeded by some excel-
lent mulled elder wine of the landlady's own com-
position, and which was peculiarly adapted to the
season of the year, we liked our quarters so well
that we/spent not only the night, but half the next
day in the enjoyments of repose, eating, drinking,
and smoking, before it occurred to either of us that
every item of those said enjoyments was recorded in
chalk by the hostess, and would inevitably be con-
solidated in the shape of a bill, which we must
discharge before a clearance could be obtained
for the next port. Having at length recollected
ourselves^, and called ^' to pay," our reckoning
amounted to three or four shillings more than we
possessed in our common purse. As it was im-
possible to think of proceeding any fiuther without
recruiting, we were now in no small consternation.
Bilking the landlady was out of the question, for
we had given our bundles into her charge on first
entering the house, and their contents were not only
indispensably necessary to us, but also worth more
than the sum required to release them. In this
dilemma, a sudden thought struck me. Calling for
pen, ink, and paper, I told my companion I had ^
scheme in my head for raising a supply, but would

not impart it until I had tried its success. I then^
drew up a sort of Memorial to the following effect :
'' To the Ladies and Gentlemen of Kingston.*—
The writer hereof, a young man of respectable
family, and good education, having by a series of
misfortunes, been reduced to the ^eatest distress,
is now on his way to Portsmouth, in hopes of pro-
curing a situation in the navy ; but being destitute of
money for his present support, humbly solicits your
charitable assistance towards enabling him to pur-
sue his journey. To a noble mind, the pleasure of
doing a good action is its own reward. The small-
est donations will be gratefully received, and any
lady or gentleman inclined to relieve the writer is
earnestly requested to subscribe his or her name
hereto/' — Having completed .this production, f
desired my friend to wait patiently for my return,
and assured him I doubted not of bringing speedy
relief. I now set out on my expedition, and imme-
diately waited on Mr. Mayor, who was a grocer, but
in this first essay I was unsuccessful. His worship
declared he never encouraged applications of this
sort from strangers ; and desired me to go about
my business* I, however, took the liberty of sub-
scritnng his name to my memorial, by way of
sanction, and gave his charity credit for a donation of
five shillings. Young as I was at that time, I well
knew that example, in matters of this kind, goes a
great way ; and that many persons, without a grain

c 6

■

of christiaQ benevolence in their composition, will
give liberally from motives of ostentation, whafi tbej
see that their neighbours have already contributed,
and that their own names and donations will also be
made public. I experienced the truth of this
notion, for I was successful in almost every applica-
tion I afterwards made. Having visited a number
of genteel houses, with various success, I was on
the point of returning, to impart my good luck %o
my companion, when coming to a very handsome
mansion-house in the suburbs of the town, I thought
I ought not to omit calling, and a person at that
moment passing by, I inquired whose residence it
. was, and which was the entrance to the premises ;
for the house was situated in the midst of a spacious
pleasure-ground, remote from the high road, and it
being quite dusk, I had not observed any avenue by
which I could gain access to it. I was informed
that it was the residence of Lady W— — , that a
little further on, I should perceive a door in the
brick wall, which extended along the road-side« and
that if I entered at that door, and procaeded in
a strait direction, 1 should arrive at the servants' hall ;
but my informer cautioned me to keep close to
another wall on my left hand, which divided this
avenue from the lawn in front of the mansion,
because there was a very large and fierce dog at the
upper end, but which, being chained up, could not
reach me, if I followed the above directions. I

thanked this obliging person, and immediately pro>-
ceeded to the doot described, which I entered, and
walked cautiously, and not without spme fear, by die
wall-side, till I perceived by the lights in ihe kitchen,
and ouUoffices, that I was near the premises.

It was now very dark, and I was- carefully ex-
ploring my way, my mind full of apprehensions at
the thought of this terrible dog ; whai lo ! at that
instant, to my incompressible consternation, the
ferocious animal made a spring at me, and I gave
myself up for dead. However, though he was cer-
tainly within a yard of me, he did me no mischief,
but my alarm was so great, that without knowing
how, or where to fly for refuge, I ran precipitately
from the spot, and when I recovered from the
fright, found myself in tibe pleasure-ground in front
of the mansion-house. It appeared that I had,
without knowing, escaped through a door in the
wall, which was open on my left hand at the moment
I was alarmed by the dog. I was now more at a
loss than ever, for I knew of no way to get out of the
pleasure-ground, except by the aforesaid door, and
fear of the dog prevented my attempting that
passage. After wandering about for a few minutes,
I approached the mansion, and going up to one of
the parlour windows, which were very large, and
on a level with the terrace before the house, I applied
my eye to the glass, and discovered through an
aperture in the inside shuttors, a numerous and

tfptendid party of ladies and gentlemen at dinner.
Having considered a moment^ I determined on a
yery bold step, as I saw no alternative but remain-
ing all nigbt in the open air, exposed to the incle*- .
mency of the weather. Taking advantage oJP a
pause in the company's conversation, I tapped with
my finger at the window, and immediately the whole
party were struck with wonder. In the midst of
their surprise I repeated my knock, and then, after
several voices exclaiming, '* Good God ! there is
certainly somebody at the window," i^c, a gentle*
man rose from the table, and advancing towards me,
opened first the shutters, and then the window itself,
which might, in fact, be called a pair of folding
doors, and these being dirown back, I walked in
with the most respectful air I could assume, and
presented myself to the astonished company.
Having bowed twice or thrice, and given time for
their alarm to subside, I began to make my speech.
Apologizing for my presumptuous intrusion, I
stated in a concise manner, the fright I had endured,
from the dog, my embarrassment at not being able
to find means of egress from the pleasure-ground,
and my having consequently taken the liberty of
knocking at the window. I then presented my
memorial, which was read in turn by most of the
company, each of whom surveyed me with evident
surprise. Having answered such queries as they
thought proper to put to me, I was desired by the

lady of the house to withdraw to the kitchen for a
short time, and a servant was ordered to attend me
thither. Here I had my stoiy to repeat for the
information of the domestics, who laughed heartily
at the adventure of the dog, but afterwards seriously
assured me, that had the animal not been chained,
or had I approached within his readi, he would
inevitably have torn me to pieces. The parlour
dinner being ov^, and the dishes brought out, I
was desired to fall to, and being really hungry I
wanted no pressing, but selected from the variety
of good things on the table a very fine buttock of
beef, on which substantial fare I made a sumptuous
meal. There was no scarcity of good malt liquor,
and Lady W very kindly sent me out a pint of

Ted port, with a particular injunction (which by*the»
by was unnecessary,) that I should eat and drink
heartily.

At length I was summoned to attend the com*
pany in the parlour, and her ladyship then express-
ing her concern for my misfortunes^ and her anxious
hope that I should speedily find an end to them,
presented me with half*arguiiiea. The rest of the
party also said many handsome things, and the
majority of them contributed to my relief. In ad-
dition to these favours, one of the gendemen, at the

particular request of Lady W , took the trouble

to vnite a letter in my behalf to the captain of a
man-of-war, supposed to be then lying at Ports*

mouthy entreating him to give me an appointment
under him. Her Ladyship, after obliging me to
take another glass of wine, and repeating her sorrow
for my distress, advised me to lose no time in pro-
secuting my joumeyi ordered a servant to conduct
me to the door at which I had first entered her pre-
mises, and I took a respectful leave of this truly
benevolent party.

Returning to the £ight Bells, I imparted my ad-
ventures to my friend, who was, of course, much
pleased at my success, for I had realized between
four and five po unds. I found this begging scheme
so productive, that 1 was in no hurry to pursue the
Portsmouth speculation, and as we were both satis-
fied with our present quarters, it was agreed that we
should continue a few days longer in Kingston, in
which time I proposed to folloiy up my success by
making a regular circuit among the inhabitants ; and
I, in fact, determined to levy similar contributions in
every town which lay in our route.

It is to be observed, that this idea of raising
money was perfectly original in me, for at that time
I had never heard of such a practice, but have since
discovered that it is a very common expedient,
and is called by those persons who live by such
impositions, ^' the Letter Racket"

The following day I again sallied forth, and met
with equal success, visiting not only the houses of
private persons, but even the respectable shop-

keepers. See ; and I may here 'state^ once for all,
that in the course of this, as well as my subsequent
speculations of the same nature, I met with yarious
receptions, according to the charitable or churlish
dispositions of the people to whom I applied*
Many pitied my case and cheerfully relieved me.
Others expressed equal commiseration, but declined
giving any thing, either because '^ they never en-
couraged beggars," or '^ they had poor enough of
their own to maintain/' Some invited me into then*
parlours, treated me with excessive politeness, and
obliged me to take refreshment at their own tables.;
and where there were any young ladies in the famUy,
I was an object of particular solicitude, and the
recital of my misfortunes drew many a sigh from
their tender bosoms. Others desired me, like the
Mayor of Kingston, to go about my busmess, and
hinted that I ought to be sent to the house of cor-
rection as a vagrant. Sometimes the servants who
admitted me refused to present my memorial, de-
claring they had strict orders from their masters or
mistresses never to trouble them on such an occasion.
The donations I <:ommonly received, were from one
shilling to five ; sometimes, but rarely^ I wbs pre-
sented with gold, particularly at the seats of the
nobility and gentry, all which, laying within a short
distance of the road I. travelled, I made a point of
calling at ; and for my information on this subject,
I provided myself urith a comprehensive book of

roads, in which thoie objects are correctly laid
down. Some truly charitable persops, but whose
means were limited, relieved me with sixpence, and
of course I was bound to accept such a trifle with
as much appearance of thankfulness, as I would a
larger sum ; and frequently when 1 called at a farm
house by the road^de, I have been compelled to
take some cold meat, or other eatables, which I
afterwards bestowed upon the first more needy
beggar I met on my way. It was my custom in
general, to travel on foot, making short stages, and
putting up at a good inn in every town I ^tered,
where I liv^d upon the best during my stay, and
associated with London riders, and other respect-
able guests. When tired of walking, 1 availed my-
self of a passing stage-coach, pr return post-chaise,
and my only equipage was p, spare shirt, handker-
chief, ^c, which, with my book of roads, I carried
in a small bundle under my arm.

To resume my narrative, I returned from my
(^econd day's excursion about dusk in the evening,
and entering the Eight Bells, was surprised at not
finding my companion within. On inquiring of
the landlady, the good woman informed me, with
some degree of terror, diat two of the town constables
had been in search of me; and kindly exhorted me,
if I was c(»iscious of having dwe wrong, to make
the best of my way from Kingston, as she expected
them to pall again every minute, adding that she

believed my friend was gone out in quest of me. I
smiled at the landlad/s fears, and thanking her for
her friendly advice, assured her I was unconscious
of any crime, and should willingly face the oflBcers,
come when they might. I then desired to have
some tea, which she set about preparing, during
which interval my fellow*traveller came in. I
briefly concerted with him die part we should res-
pectively act, in case of our being called upon to
give an account of ourselves, though I had no con-
ception on what grounds I was to be apprehended.
We now proceeded to take our tea, but before we
had half finished it, the constables entered the room,
and informed me they had orders to carry me before
the magistrates, who were then assembled in the
town-hall ; and that the young man, who they under-
stood to be my comrade, must also accompany me.
I answered, I would with pleasure attend them, but
requested time to finish our repast, which they con-
sented to allow us; and we then proceeded all to-
gether to the town-hall, the officers carrying our two
bundles, which they had obtained from the landlady
by order of the justices. Being brought before the
bench, I immediately recognised among the persons
in -attendance, one of the gentlemen I had seen at
Lady W— — *s dinner party, and the very same who
had written the letter of recommendation to Captain
. This gentleman now stated to the magistrates
the circumstance of my coming to Lady Vf^mm^u

house the preceding evenings the extraordinary
manner in which I bad made my appearance^ and
the reception I met with ; and farther stated, that
the ensuing morningy it was discovered that a part
of the fence enclosing the pleasure-ground bad been
broken^ and other damage done on the premises^
which led to a suspicion that I might be an impostor,
who had a design to rob the house, or do some other
mischief, and that he, therefore, on the part of Lady
W——^ wished me to be examined by their worships,
and obliged to give some further account of myself.
Though the suspicions of Lady W. and her friends
iq^peared to have been very weakly'founded, and their
idea to be utterly extravagant, the justicles entered
seriously into the spirit of the business, and ordering
us to be set apart from each other, proceeded to
interrogate us strictly as to our professions, business
in Kingston, the objects of our journey^ 8^c. 1, for
my part, adhered to the story I had before framed,,
which it is needless to repeat to the reader, being
devoid of intel-est, and as it was for the most part
utterly false, I cannot now minutely recollect it.
My companion's account of himself was nearei* the
truth. He stated that he had been an officer's ser-
vant in the navy, and was now on his way to Ports-
mouth in quest of a similar situation, but denied
uny further knowledge of me than joining me by
accident on the road, and as I was bound to the
same place, we had agreed to keep each other com-

pauy* Our bundles being next iaspecled, were
found to contain nothing of a suspicious nature, ex*
cept a number of pawnbrokers' duplicates, and these
we respectively accounted for as relating to wearing
apparel, S^c, which our pecuniary distress had
obliged us to pledge. This part of the story was
indeed strictly true, and in iny case corroborated,
and gave an air of probability to my account. No-
thing appearing to warrant the detention of my
companion, he was discharged, but with a posi-
tive order to quit tlie town instandy. As to my-
self, having mentionecJi in answer to a query from
one of the magistrates, the name of a certain gen«
deman, in London, who knew me and my family,
his worship declared he was himself intimately ac«
quainted with that gentleman, and as he was going
to town the next day, he should make a poiqt of re-
ferring to him as to the truth of my assertion. He
therefore ordered a constable to detain me in cus-
tody until his return from London. I was accord-
ingly confined in the officer's house, where I had
every necessary accommodation, for the expense of
which the magistrate himself very kindly became
accountable. My companion visited me the same
evening, prior to his departure, and I divided with
Jiim the money I bad acquired. It was his inten-
tion to proceed direct to Portsmouth, and 1 pro-
mised, as soon as I was liberated to follow him,takmg
a direction whereby to find him on my arrival.

The ensuing evening the magistrate returned from
town, and immediately sent for me to his own house.
Being brought before his worship, who was a brew-
er, named Sidebottom, 1 found him seated, not on
the chair of justice, but on a stool in his accompt-
ing-house. The old gentleman began by remarkmg
with some severity, on the impropriety and turpitude
of my conduct, in withdrawing myself from the
protection of my respectable friends, and traversing
the country under such debasing circumstances.
He said he had understood from bis friend Mr.
Howell, that my relations were both able and will-
ing to take care of my fortunes. After a long
expostulation to the same etfect, his worship con-
tinued : " Perhaps you are not aware that it is in my
power to commit you to bridewell for a month for
begging without a pass." Then raising his voice
and brandishing his pen, he exclaimed with a very

pompous air, " Young man, I shall certainly

dischai-ge you/' The two latter words relieved me
from a momentary anxiety ; for yfhea his worship
pauiiMd, I certainly expected he would add ^' com-
mit you.'' He proceeded, ^* but, on die ex{Mress
condition that you immediately quit this town, and
return to your friends. If you are found hereabouts
after this night, expect to be severely dealt with."
I gladly accepted these terms, and assuring the old
gentleman of my compliance, took a respectful
leave, his worship giving me a little more whole-

some advice, and generously presenting me with
kalf-a-crown, as he said, to oarry me to London.

Being now discharged, I repaired to the E^ht
Bells, where I settled with my landlady, and learnt
from her that my companion had left Kingston the
preceding night at a late hour, by the Portsmouth
coach. I slept this night at the Eight Bells, and
the next morning returned to London, where on my
arrival I found myself in possession of above five
pounds, after all the impediments I had met with«

As I made a point of keeping my word with my
late fellow-traveller, I determined on having one
jovial evening in town, and resuming my journey
the next day, by the same route as before, notwith-
standing Justice Sidebottom's prohibition. As to
presenting myself to Mr. Howell, or going near
any of my friends, nothing was more foreign to my
thoughts.

The following morning, I accordingly set out on
my second expedition by the Kingston sti^, and
arriving at that town, took up my lodging at a pub-
lic-house in the suburbs. Notwithstanding the
check 1 had before met with, I was so hardy as to
stop three days in Kingston, during which I levied
contributions on most of the inhabitants, taking care
to avoid that part of the town I had before visited,
and I was so lucky as tp meet with no interruption
to my success. From Kingston I proceeded to
Guildford, takmg in my way, Cobham, Ripley, and

the intervening villages; from Guildford to Godal-
mingy thence to Liphook/ where I altered my
course, and took a circuitous route by the way of
Chichester, to Portsmouth. This journey occu-
pied about a fortnight, and arriving at Portsmouth,
I soon found my late companion, D- ■, who

was lodged at the house of an acquaintance^ and
not having yet obtained a birth on ship-board, had
engaged himself as an occ&siodal clerk and assistant
to a tradesman in the town. I myself Inred a small
apartment in St. Mary's street, intending to remain
a week or two in Portsmouth, where I had never
before been, and to enjoy such amusements as the
place afforded, as long as my money lasted. As my
friend D-*— — appeared to have dropped the idea
of going on ship-board, 1 became also careless on
that subject, particularly as the motive which gave
rise to that design (namely, poverty) no longer ex-
isted, for I was now possessed, after all thtf expenses
of travelling, SfC, af about fifteen pounds.

I spent several days in viewing the town, dock-
yard, fleet, ^c, and in the evening generally visited
the theatre, which was then open. About a week
after my arrival, reading the Portsmouth weekly
paper, I saw an advertisement for a clerk; and^ as
1 found that some means of subsistence would soon
become necessary, and it wai? indifferent to me in
what part of the kingdom I sojourned, I determined
to offer myself. Inquiring, as directed, of Mottley,

tiie bookseller, on the Parade, I was referred to
Moses Greetham, Esq., judge-advocate, also an
attorney of the first eminence. That gentleman,
without hesitation, engaged me at a guinea a week,
and I next morning commenced my attendance at
his office in High-streets About the same time, my
companion D suddenly quitted the town,

without acquainting me of his intention ; and I was
informed, on inquiry, that he bad gone to South-
ampton, but on what speculation I never learnt,
nor did I ever afterwards see or hear more of him.

The nature of my new employment was very
agreeable and full of variety. Besides Mr. Gree-
tham's public duties on courts-martial, and his ge-
neral practice as a solicitor, he had a great deal of
business relating to prizes, their condemnation, sale,
proceeds, l^c. ; and on these occasions all the par-
ties concerned met in a spacious room at the Crown
inn, where an elegant dinner, with wines in abun-
dance, was invariably provided at the expense of
the clients. These dinners occurred three or four
times every week, and as they were afterwards suc-
ceeded by coffee, ^T^., the expenses of living, to my-
self and the other clerk of Mr. Greetliam, who (as
well as the latter gentleman), always partook of the en-
tertainment, were consid^ably diminished. During
intervals, between dinner, tea, 4rc., we retired to an
adjoining room, where an hour or two was devoted
to writing depositions, examining ships' papers^ and

VOL. I. D

Other matters rdative to the cause in . 4|\i^jitiQB*
This was, in fact^ one of the best sUuatiions I ever
met with, and, from its respectability, would, no
doubt, had I continued steady, have ultimately led
to prosperity and independence ; but my evil gieiiius
interposed to ruin this, as well as all my.fi>rmer
hopes of happiness.

The circumstance which occasioned my losing this
place was indeed very trivial, and. hardly amounted
to a crime. Among the number of persons -with
wbom^ we transacted business, was a native of HoIt
land^ who acted in many cases as aa interpreter to
Mr. Greetham, on the part of those concerned in
prize causes. This man being an original, both iia
person and manners, was an inexhaustible sulyect
of laughter to myself and fellow-clerk, wh9 was
much older than me, and we ojpitted no opportunity
of indulging in mirth at his expense. A& b^ was
not possessed of much penetration and was of a
very placid disposition, he was cgmmonly insensibly
of our jokes, or, at least, took them in good part;
but one afternoon, when we were all three taking
coffee together, the Dutchman rising from hi^ seat
on some occasion, with a cup. of boiling hcit coffee
in his hand, my brother-clerk, who wfis just .then io
a merry vein, winkec) s^t me to withdraw this iutjer*
preter's chair. I obeyed the signal wit^ alacrityf
and the poor fellow> attempting to resumje bis. seat,
was in a moment thrown l^eel upwards, aud, as

he fell^ received the bcilii^ fluid Ml in his fiice.
1 wi^ so uofeelingly mischievous as to laugh immo-
derately at the pain aod embarrassment of the poor
Dutchflaani who certainly cut a most ndicolouir
figure; but my Mlow^clerk, who possessed moro
prudence than myself, restrained his mirth, and, with
a serious air, affected to condole with the sufferer
on his misfortune. He even carried his hypocrisy
so far as to express displeasure at the mischievous
tnck I had played* I felt much indignation at hit
duplicity of conduct, amd regretted, when too late,
that I had suffered myself to be made the dupe of
his treachery ; for I was afterwards convinced that
he was jealous of my abilities, and feared I should
supplant him in the £svour of Mr. Greetham. The
consequence of diis injudicious frolic was, that the
interpreter complained to my employer, who the
next morning rebuked me severely for behaving with
such unbecoming freedom towards a respectable
man in his immediate service ; and, observing that
such levity of conduct rendered me unfit for his
office, Mr. Greetbdm presented me with a guinea, al-
though this was only the second day of the^week, and
declared he had no fitrther occasion for me.

Bemg now once more disengaged, I began to
think of returning to London; but, having still a
little money left, I continued about a week longer-
in Portsmouth, during .which time I took up my
lodging at the Blue Posts' tavern^ in Point-street,

o 2

where I lived in the most sumptuous manner, drink*
iflg my wine freely, and pretending that I was wait^
ing for the departure of the East India fleet, in
which I was going out a passenger, and that I ex-
pected my baggage from town in a few days. I
had, while in the service of Mr. Greetham, made
several efforts to obtain clothes, S^e.^ upon the credit
of my living with that gentleman ; but I found the
Portsmouth tradesmen too wary to be imposed
upon, and only succeeded to a very trifling amount.
I had, however, bilked my late lodging in St. Mary's
street, and intended playing the same trick at the
Blue Posts. Finding, at length, that the landlord
and waiters viewed me with scrutinizing eyes, and
appeared tacitly to ask for payment of my reckoning,
I left the coffee-room one evening after dinner, on
pretence of going to the play, and immediately
quitted the town, taking the road to Peterafield on
foot

On arriving at the latter place, which I had
omitted in my journey downwards, by striking into
the Chichester road at Liphook, I levied a small
contribution, under the old pretext of going to
Portsmouth, ifc, and then pursued my course to
liondon, where I arrived in good spirits, after an
absence of eight weeks^ with about ten pounds in my
pocket, having lived well during my expedition, and
enjoyed a variety of pleasant entertainment.

CHAPTER VI.

Still much embarrassed to support Appearances.-^
Meet with the Surgeon of a Frigate. — Our Conn
versation aud its Result. -^Negotiation set on foot
with the Captain. — / obtain an Appointment as^
Midshipman. — Fitted out by my Friends in the
most liberal manner. — Join my Ship. — Delighted
with my new Situation. ^^^ Account of my Mess^
mates, and other Matters^

L HAD contmued some tnonllis iki this course of
life^ and was frequently reduced to very great shifts ;
on these occasions I had recourse to those accom*-
modating persons, called pawnbrokers, who oblige
ingly lend money at die moderate interest of seventy-
three hundred per cent. ! as has been clearly proved
in a late publication* I sometimes raised the wind
by my old expedient of obtaining goods on credit>
called in the cant language maceing : these I con-
verted into ready money for immediate purposes*

_ •

By such artifices I contrived to support a genteel
appearance, Uiough sometimes bordering on the
shabby. My principal enjoyments, indeed, were
not of the most extravagant nature, with the excep*
tion of theatrical amusements. I commonly spent
my evenings (if not at the Blue Lion), at some gen«

J) S

teel porter or chop-house, frequented chiefly by at-^
tomies' clerks and the neighbouring tradesmen;
where I enjoyed a pipe and an evening paper, and
at the same time fistened to the conversation of the
surrounding guests, amusing myself with their vsk
rious characters and peculiarities. I frequently
dined, from the same motives, at different ordinaries^
particularly one at the Saracen's-Head, Snow-Hill.

One day, aft^r dining at this house, I adjourned
to the coffee-room, and, seating myself in a box,
called for a glass of negus, and a d^iily paper. 1 was
soon joined by a gentleman.of a very prepossessing
aspect, who I perceived, by the buttons on his coat,
to be a wajFrant officer in tb^ navy. After the c^stoh
inary compliments, lire entered into eonyersntion ;
and h^ soon let me understand that be was aur^geon
of a frigate called the Astrasa.

I>eiighted with an opportunity of expatiating
on my fevourite topic, I asked many questions
concerning the service; and the ei^erness of
mj manner convinced this gentleman that 1 had
a strong incUniition to enter into it. He appeared
pleased with my vivacity of * manner, and the
pertinence of my remari^s ; and having egttrfK:ted
g-om me a confession of my tnclinationa, and a
brief account of my family and expectancies
be, with the greatest kiadness, undertook to
write in my favour .to Captain Dacres, his com*
wander, who was then at his seat in Devonshire,

the frigate being in dock at Sheerness ; assuring me
there was little doubt of my obtaining a mid-
shipman's birth, provided my friends would consent
to it, and lit me out in a suitable manner for the oc-
casion. I was in raptures at the result of this for-
tunate meeting ; and expressing the warmest grati-
tude for such friendship shewn to an utter stranger,
assured Mr. Kennedy (for this was the surgeon's
name), of my choice being approved by my grand-
father, who anxiously wished me to fix on some pro^
fession, which might afford a prospect of future inde-
pendence. It was therefore settled that Mr. Kennedy
should write to the Captain without delay, and that
I should immediately entreat my grandfather to
sanction my views, and to^write also to Capt. Dacres,
requesting his approbation and commands respecting
me. Mr. Kennedy further recommended that I
should, in the interim, take a trip to Sheerness, and
wait on the commanding-officer, Mr. Rowley, who
was then, with the Astraea's crew, on board the Ca-
rolina hulk, during the frigate's repair. For this
end he furnished me with a line of introduction to
Lieut. Rowley, and added that he should himself be
at Sheerness, where his family resided, in a few days.
He observed that I should be much amused with
the excursion, as 1 had never been on board a king's
ship, and that I should also open an acquaintance
with the young gentlemen who, in all probability,
were to be my future messmates and companions.

D 4

I immediately wrote in the most pressing termtf
to my grandfather^ assuring him that his refusal to
ratify my choice would render me completely miser-
able; but that if I Mas indulged in my desire, I
would never again become troublesome to any of
my friends, or betray any future signs of inconstancy
or caprice. I concluded with expressing my hopes
of his receiving a favourable answer from the cap-
tain, and that I should in a few days have this in-
timation communicated in a letter from himself, ap-
proving of the steps I had taken.

Having so done, I equipped myself as handsome-
ly as my means would admit, and the next day set
out for Sheemess, where 1 arrived in high spiritSi
and proceeded on board the Carolina. On present-
ing my credentials to the first lieutenant, I was very
politely received, an|d invited to the. ward-room,
where I was introduced to several other officers,
who, on learning my intentions, and that I was re-r
•commended by the doctor, welcomed me in th^
kindest terms, and highly commended my spirit.
After refreshing myself, Mr. Rowley sent for a
midshipman, whom he requested to shew me every
attention, and to introduce me to his messmates as
a person likely soon to become a brother Mid. This
young man obeyed, with the greatest pleasure, and
I soon became perfectly at home. My conductor
next took me through every part of the hulk,^and I
was both pleased and astonished at the novelty of

ike objects I met with* The hulk had been a ]ine*>
ef*battle ship, and her interkMr was, of course, exten-
«ive and capacious. The decks were crowded with
hucksters, who exposed provisions, fruits, and other
articles for sale. Groups of sailors with their girls
were seen dancing to the music of a fiddle or a fife;
others were engaged at cards, draughts, ^c. Grog
was every whene the order of the day ; but still the
naost perfect regularity and cleanliness pervaded
every part of this wooden world. Having satisfied
my curiosity, I returned to the midshipmen's birth,
which was merely a large space in the after-part of
the orlop deck, enclosed with canvass, to render it
warm and private. I obtained from these young
gentlemen a list of such clothes, books, instruments^
Sfc., as were requisite to form a genteel out-fit ; and
an estimate of the probable cost of the whole, which
1 found to be at least 60/. I now received, by the
ward*room steward, an invitation to dine with the
lieutenants, ^c« The party was increased by the
company of some ladies from the shore, and the re^
past was excellent. Wit, wine, and grog, abounded,
and I now conceived I had found the sphere of life
in which I could enjoy unalloyed happiness. After
sitting a reasonable time, I expressed s^ wish to view
the town of Sheemess, the dock-yard, &c^, and re-
quested Mr. Rowley to permit the midshipman be»
fore-mentioned to go on shore with me« To this ha
kindly assented^ and ordered a boat to be manned

ofk purpose ; stipulating, however, that we should re-
turn at a reasonable hour, and that I would make
use of a spare cot, in the cabin of die third lieute-*
nant, who was absent on leave. My kind young
friend shewed me the objects most worthy of remark ;
aud we then adjourned to the Martboroogh-head
irni, where we took some coffee, and about eight
o'clock returned to the hulk. My conductor, having
reported his return to the first Keutenant, wished me
good night, and 1 took a seat at the ward-room
table, where. the party was now reduced to the first
aad second lieutenants, the master, purser, and lieu*
tenant of marines* I now found that grog was to
be the order of the night also ; but as I had never
been accustomed to that beverage^ in tbe way the;
drank it, I could not help betraying my dislike ^ on
is^ich Mr. Rowley, ia a good-humoured way, assured
me that I should oe^r make a sailor without I could
learn to drink grog. I was therefore constrained to
make a glass, which I did pretty stiff, as the sailors
term it f and its inspiring qualities soon caiised me
to banish all reserve. Mr. Rowley coiftversed
with great appearance of regard oa my future pi^o*-
spects ; gave me a most amiable character of the
eapt»n ; and instructed me in theb outlines of my
duty, as well as in the conduct I ought to pursue for
my own advantage. He informed me, the Astnisk
would be uiidoeked in ab^ut thi^ weeky, and that
I had therefore no tinte to lose iu equipping myself.

After as pleasant and rational an evening as I ever
remember to have spent^ I retired to rest in the neat
little cabin, I have before mentioned ; and slept for
the fir^ tSme in my life on salt-water. The next
mornihg,' alter breakfast, I had the pleasure of see-
ing my worthy friend, the surgeon, who had just
arrived from town. He insisted on my dining with
himself and' family ashore ; I therefore took a re-
spectftii leave of Mr. Rowley, and the other gentle-
men in the ward-room ; a most cordial farewell of
my brother Mids, as I was proud to call them ; and,
receiving the wishes of all parties for my speedy
return to join the ship, I accompanied Mr. Kennedy
on shore. I spent a pleasant day at his lodgings^
and in the evening set out on my return to Lopd'on,
highly pleased with my excursion, and indulging the
most pleasing hopes of future happiness.

In a week's time, I had the pleasure of receiving
a letter from my grandfather, wherein he informed
me that fhy entreaties were granted, though with
miich reluctance on the part of most of my friends ;
and enclosing a. handsome letter from Captain Da-
cres, who expressed his willingness to receive me as
a midshipman on board His Majesty's ship Astraea,
out of respect to the recommendation of his sur-
geon, and because he would not defeat the hopes of
a young man who might one day prove an ornament
t6 the service. My gratidfather concluded with de
siring I would immediately come down to S ■

D 6

shire, for the purpose of taking leave of my fiieiid»
and receiving the necessary sum to defray the ex-
penses of my equipment*

I obeyed this virelcome summons Mrithout delay^
andy after a stay of several days at S , I took

an affectionate leave of all my relatives, who could
not divest themselves of anxiety on my account ^
and returned to town with nearly 100/. in my
pocket, my other friends having contributed liberally
to assist my grandfather in this emergency.

On arriving m town, I took lodgings in the New
Exchange Coffee-house in the Strand, being a
house frequented by naval officers, and to which
Lieutenant Rowley had recommended me. My
first care was to purchase a large and strong chest,
which having sent to my lodgings, I proceeded to
buy linen, bedding, uniforms, books, ^c. i^c; and of
course, did not forget an elegant hanger, a dirk, and
a cocked-hat, richly bound with gold lace.

I was so diligent in this affair, that in ten days I
had every thing ready; and, embarking with my
luggage on board a Sheemess packet, the same day
3ailed down the river Thames. After a favourable
passage, we arrived at Sheemess ; and, as we passed
' through the fleet, I had the pleasure of seeing my
ship lashed alongside the Carolina, having the pre-
ceding day come out of dock. As jsoon as the
sloop anchored, I went on board the hulk, and was
received with kind encouragement by my superior

x)&ceira, and vrith the most lively pleasure by my
future messmates. Mr. Rowley very kindly sent
the cutter to bring my chest, Sfc, from the packet ;
and I was then formally introduced by that gentle-
man to the mid^ipmen's birth. After a jovial
evening, spent in festivity and merriment, I retired
to my hammock, in which I slept well, notwith-
standing the novelty of my situation.' The next
day was spent in overhauling my chest, as the young,
tars termed an inspection of its contents ; and I had
the pleasure to. find, that my judgment and taste in
the purchases I had made, were universally ap«
proved of. Day after day increased the happiness
I felt in my novel and respectable situation ; and my
gratitude to those who were, uader Providence, the
promoters of my good fortune.

The mess, of which I was become a member,
consisted of eleven persons ; namely, nine midship*
men of different ages, the captain's clerk, and sur-»
geon's mate : the latter was a most curious charac-*
ter, a Welshman named Jones ; and reminded me,
on a very short acquaintance, of Morgan in Roderic
Random, whom he resembled in many particulai's ;
and I soon found that he was, like, him, a kind of
butt for the others to exercise their waggery upon ;
but in the main he was a good-hearted, inoffensive
young man. The captain's clerk was a genteel
youth, who had served under his present commander
several years, and was in expectation of being soon

promoted to the rank of purser, through his interest.
Of the rest, two or three were midshiphien who
had also served nearly the limited term ; one a
toaster's mate, and the rest youngsters of diflferent
ages. The whole were of good families, "and libe-
rally supported by their friends; I was called upon
to subscribe my monthly quota towards the mess,
which was received by one of the sehior members,
acting as caterer ; and a plentiful sea-stock of alt
necessary comforts was daily accumulating, pre-
paratory to our approaching cruise in the North-sea,
to which station the Astraea belonged.

About a week after my joining the ship, the cap-
tain came on board, received me very pdlitely, and ,
gave vote the best advice as to my future conducts
He was an old officer who had been at sea from
his youth, possessed an excellent heart, and a hiost
conciliatbig address, blended with the blufitness and
unaffected good humour peculiar to seamen. He'
was advanced in years at the time I served under
him ; and I percrive by a 'lite Nu^ List that his
long and merit^of ions services have been rewarded
with the post of Governor of the Naval Asylum, an
institution which does honfour to the country and
flie government that established it.

CHAPTER VIL

My rapid jyrogress in Navigation, — Become a good
Sailor in Theory, — TJie Approach of a severe Winter
somewhat damps my Pleasure. — Begin to repent my
Bargain, — Duti/ excessively fatiguing ^ and Situa^
tionuncomfortable, — Advisedto alter my Course, —
Appointed Captain^s Clerks andfind myself at home
to a Peg, — The Frigate ordered up the River
Thames, — I visit London. — Become enamoured of
a fair Cyprian, — Desert my Ship on her account.

IN a few days, the frigatte being completely equip--
ped, was cast off from alon^ide the Carolina, atfd
all hands being on boafd, we dropped down to the
Nore, from whence we sailed for Yarmouth Roads,
where the admiral of the North Sea fleet was then
lying ; soon after which we put to sea,' on a cruise
off the coast of Holland. I immediate^ applied
myself assiduously to the study of navigatioa, hi
wtiich I was so successful, that I was in a few weeks
capable of keeping a dead reckoning. It was re^
quired of the midshipmert to deliver in daily at nooft;
an account of the shipV course, distanfce, Bfd., per^
formed in the last 24 honirsr These di^ereitt calcu*
lations, deduced from the remarks on the fog-board,
were presented to the captain, who, on a comparison

of the whole^ formed his opinion of the several ope-
rators' ingenuity^ and praised or censured accord-
ingly. I had the satisfaction to find that my per-
formances were generally approved of^ and gained
me much applause from their correctness. This
success was probably owing to the advantages I
possessed over most of my companions/ in point of
education, improved by. extensive practice in figures,
and to a closeness of application arising from my ex-
perience in the world, of which they (whose acquire-
ments were merely scholastic) were incapable. I
was remarked also for the neatness and perspicuity
with which I kept my log-book and journal, which
I never suffered, like many others, to be in arrears.
J was not quite so happy in my efforts to become a
good practical sailor. I learnt indeed, with great fa-
cility, the names and uses of every rope in the ship^
and could apply to them without hesitation on all
occasions, and I had a correct idea of the manoeuvres
necessary in tacking, wearing, reefing, S^c, as far
as theory extended ; but unhappily my constitution
being naturally delicate, and my nerves uncommonly
weak, I found myself much embarrassed, when duty
or inclination prompted me to go aloft, on which
occasions I was subject to a giddiness in my head,t
which rendered my situation extremely perilous, and
though I endeavoured by perseverance to overcome
this weakness, I could never totally banish the timidity
with which I was affected. On this account, though

t continued indefatigable in every other point of my
duty, I desisted, particularly in blowing weatfaer^from
ascending *^ the high and giddy mast;" and I am firmly
persuaded that it is only by going to sea at a very
tender age, that youth in general are rendered cal-
lous to danger, and insensible of those fears, to
ivhich I was at all times more or less subject. It
is also probable that the various excesses in which I
had indulged since I first quitted my friends, had
contributed to impair a constitution naturally fra*
gile, and to relax still more the nervous system.
Our first cruise .produced no incident worth notice*
We maintained our station, when the weather would
permit, off the Texel| and were frequently so near
the landy that we could distinguish and ' count the
Dutch fleet, lying at fin^hor in that harbour, from
our mast-head : but Mynheer Mf^s not disposed to
put ,to sea, of which event we were ordered to con-
vey immediate intelligence to the admiral. The
winter was now approaching, and there was every
appearance of its proving unusually inclement.
During this cruise, we lay-to for twenty-one suc-
cessive days, in a tremendous gale from the N* E.,
with only a storm jib, and fly-sail set ; and although
we were in no immediate danger, having good sea-
room, and a tight s^ip, I found my ardour for a sea-
farii^ life considerably abated. I was obliged to
turn out of a warm bed at 1£ or 4 o'clock in each
night, to take my watch, the hardship of which duty

wa*8 a severe penance upon me.- Tlie excessive
cald, added to loss of rest, produced a drowsiness
which rendered me incapable of resisting the incli-
nation 1 felt to sleep, whenever I could retire to a
private spot unobserved ; which w^as generally in the
long-boat, under a gun carriage, or some such hiding
place. I was, however, frequently discovered in my
retreat, by accident, or by the mischievous informa-
tion of some watch-mate,whose hardy frame was proof
against fatigue. On those occasions the lieutenant
of the watch would order the rest of the midshipmen
to throw a horse-bucket of salt-water over me, which
did not fail to awaken me quickly : but on starting
np, shivering and amazed, I could never ascertain the
perpetrators of this ablution, who having disap-
peared, would come up to me, very gravely con-
doling on my misfortune, which they stated to pro-
ceed from a grampus having blown over me from

alongside. This piece of sea wit, which I soon
understood, produced a general laugh at my ex-
pense; how^ever I wras afe ready at other times to
practise the same exploit upon some bth'er unliicky
sleeper; and rny chief consolation wlas,thkt th 6
farce always e«ded ^^th the siiffferer being ordered
to take off his wet clothes, and turn in to his ham-
mock, which sometimes feaved two or three hotirs
on deck. Ai other times, slcefping on otir watdiT, or
other instanced of remissness in duty; -were not s6
slightly passed over ; we were sometimes setitenceS

lo sit on tb^ maio'^top^mast head^ for two, four^ and
sometimes eight hours; at other times to sit on the
weather cat-head, exposed to a cutting wind ; and
other similar punishmeots, depending on the humour
or severity of the officer of the watch. In addition
to the hardships and fatigues of duty, 1 began to
find my situation in the mess grow daily more irk-
some. I soon perceived that a midshipman's birth
(or mess-room) is an epitome of the world at large,
die weaker party goes to die wall, and is subject to
many insults and impositions from those who are
bis superiors io seniority, strength, or interest.
There were also frequeiit instances of intrigue and
treachery; and as amcmg so many persons there
must be variobs dispositions, there were not want*
ing envious' and malicious minds, whose delight was
iu' fomenting mischief aiid detraction. Being natu-«
rally of ki peaceable ttirti, hating nothing so much
SIS a life of dissension, and abhorring t3rranny of
every description, I now wished myself emancipated
from this state of bondage, as to me it seemed ; and
I discovered, when too late, that *' all is not gold
that glitters,'* and that the situation of a midship*
man (which I had once considered the summum
bonum of honour sind happiness) was not, aoy more
than others, wholly free from care and inquietude.
However I continued to Hreather the gale, as well
as I could ; and conscious of the rectitude of my in*
teations, sufiered patiently those little mort^cations
I had not power to invert*

After a cruise of two months^ ^e returned to
port, when I had the pleasure of hearing from my
respected friends in S ■ ■ shire. Our stay in Yar*
mouth roads was short ; we put to sea again in com*-
pany with several smaller vessels, of which our cap*
tain was commodore. A violent storm> however,
soon dispersed our little squadron, and we at length
with much difficulty gained the river Humber^^from
whence we returned to Yiirmouth. During this win-
ter we were continually at sea, except for very short
intervals; and the oldest seaman in the ship declared
they had never known a more tempestuous season.
Several fine frigates, sloops, brigs, ^c, were lost iit
the North Sea, and on the northern coasts of Eng-
land. My hardships, of course, rather increased
than diminished, and I heartily repented the step I
had taken; not that I disliked the service, or the
mode of living on ship-board ; but I found myself
unequal to the duty of watching, ^TC, and was
also uncomfortably situated with respect to my
messmates, whose manners and ideas of enjoyment
did not coincide with mine. The notion of finding
pleasure in books was ridiculed by them ; and I
was sometimes told that I ought to have been a
parson ; but it was agreed on all sides, that I M^as
better adapted for a clerk than a sailor. These
hints and suggestions were not thrown away upon
me ; 1 felt the force of their justice, and longed for
an opportunity of ameliorating my situation which
at length, to my great joy, unexpectedly occurred. .

6Sf

The captain's cleric I have before mentioned was,
bj the interest of Captain Dacres, pr(»noted to
the rank of purser ; and as soon as this was known,
my brother Mids unanimously advised me, in ihe
sea phrase, to '^ bear up" for a scribe; meaning to
quit my present station, and potion thttu^aptain to
receive me as his clerk. 1 took this advice, and was
happy enough to succeed. As I had spent much
of my time with my predecessor, and took pleasure
in observing his various public accompts, in the ex.
ecution of which I had often assisted him, I re*
quired but little instruction to enable me to under-
take this office.

I must not omit to notice here, a laughable inci-
dent, consequent on my dereliction. The midship-
men in general, on the day of my appointment, sur-
rounded me in our cabin, and with great ceremony,
proceeded to cut off die weekly accompts * from the
coat I had on ; proclaiming, at the same time, that I
had now assumed a different character, and had no
further right to the honourable uniform of a Mid.
I was obliged, therefore, to have this appendage taken
from every coat and jacket I possessed.

• The small square white patches oa each side the collar of a
midshipman's coat, having an anchor button in the middle of it
are facetiously called Weekly AcccmpiB, from their resemblance to
a flag hoisted by the port admiral, requiring from the ships in
iMvboor a weekly retom of their state and condition. This t»g
is blue, with a white field ia the middle.

Behold OK now once more, in my own sphere!
Though I had relinquished the hope of ever be^
t^oniing an admiral^ jet here was another 6eld for
promotion opened for me. After a service of two^
years^ 1 mi^ obtain a pnV8er'» Warranty which,
tfaoujgh a io9B hommrable station than the former, is
perhaps more lucrative, and certainly less exposed
to danger.

I had now a commodious cabin to myself, in
which. I was free from interruption, only frequent*
ing the mess cabin at meal times, of when I was in-
clined for company. I lAept peaceably in my cot,
while my former companions were exposed to the
wind and weather upon deck. As^ to the duties of
my office, they were merely a source of pleasing
anittsement to, me : I soon became. expert in their
performance ; and my attention gained me the
esteem of both captain and purser.

It is needless to trouble the readl^ with a journal
of the ship's proceedings^ during the remainder of
the time I continued in her ; it may suffice to state
briefly, that we took many cruises in the North Sea,
in the course of which we visited the Orkney Isles,
Leith Roads, the River Humber, Osely Bay, Ro-
bin Hood's Bay, Harwich Harbour, and other an-
chorages on the coasts of England and Scotland, to
which we were driven by stress of weather, or other
causes. In one of our cruises, we captured a. beau-
tiful French lugger privateer, of fourteen guns, and

fifty-eight men, belongiog. to Duokirk, after a chaae
of three hoursp^in a^aleofvviRd^in which, we went at
the rate of thirteen and a half knots per hour, under
a fore-sail and close , reefed main top-sail only*
During; the ensuing summer, being appointed to
convoy a|)oyq three hundred sail of merchantmen to
the Baltic Sea, we lay for several weeks, at Elsineur.
in Denmark ; at which place I went on shore, and
had some pleasant rambles inip the, adjacent coun-
try, visiting Copenfiageo whi^h is tw/epty miles dis*^
taat. 1 also viewed the interior of tjiiat s|ncient cas«
tie, celebrated by Shakspeare in the tragedy of
Hamlet, and many other local curiosities.

The foUowipg spring, th€ Astrsea wasi ordered up
the river Thames, f9r the purpose of receiving on
board two hundred thousand pounda in specie^
which she was to cofivf y t<^ Cuxha^yefi, fortheasjie^
of the Hamburgh merchants. We accordingly
came to an anchor at Greenhithe, sixtoen miles from
London; and while the ship waci undergviug some
Uttle repaii^s, I obtaine4 k^ye of abi^^n^e for three
days, of ,which I avaijied myself to v'mt London^
with the view of having a short cruise in that region
of pleasure. As I had lately received both pay and
prize-money, and had also been economical of what
my relations had ojccasionajly remitted me^ I was
well pr<;>.yided for the purpose-
On the first night of my arrival in town, I went,
of course, to the playi where 1 was struck with the

appearance of a very interesting young Cyprian,
whom I immediately accosted, and after the per-
formance, attended ^to her apartments in Bury-
Street, St. James's. Here every thing was upon
the most elegsmt scale, and I was so well pleased
with my quarters as well as with the lady, that 1 did
not stir tack or sheet (except on short excursions of
pleasure in which she accompanied me) until the
expiration of my liberty, and then it was with much
reluctance, I could tear inyself from this fascinating
fair one. I was the more charmed with her, as she
exhibited a generosity of mind, seldom met with in
females of her description : and though she might
have extracted from me my last shilling, yet she was
so far from being mercenary, that my expenses,
considering the enjoyments I had experienced, were
comparatively trifling. I returned, then, to my ship
in due time, but still the thoughts of the lovely 'Miss
K— — e incessantly recurred, and prevented my
enjoying a moment^s peace. My anxiety was in*
creased by receiving a most affectionate letter from
her, within three days, according to a promise she
had given me at parting, in which she earnestly
requested my leave to visit me on board prior to
our sailing. To this I would not, however, con-«
sent, but gave a sort of conditional promise, almost
indeed amounting to a positive one, that I would see
her again in town.

About a week after my return from London, I^

resolved to pay a second visit to my inamorata; but
as we were now ready for sea, and expected the
specie on board every hour, it was in vain to solicit
leave. I therefore determined to go ashore early
as if to spend the day, which, the whole of the petty
officers were allowed to do in turn. Mjc iatention
was to go post to London, and after a day and a
night's pleasure, to return on board early the next
morning, as I could easily frame some excuse for
staying ashore all night.

From some secret presentiment, however, which
I conceived at the moment I was about to step in
the jolly-boat, I hurried down to my chest, and has-
tily filling a clothes-bag with linen, gave it to one
of the boys, as if to take to the washerwoman, and
immediately quitted His Majesty*s ship Astraea (as
the event proved) never more to return. 1 procured
a man to carry my bag to Dartford, a post town three
miles from Greenhithe, and fifteen from London ;
from whence I took a cliaise, and in less than two
hours found myself in the arms of my fair enslaver.
In order to give the reader leisure to reflect on the
blindness of mankind to their gwn welfare, and to
revile me in particular, as I deserve, for this mad
and unjustifiable conduct, Ishall|>ut an end to this
Chapter.

CHAPTER VIII.

Ckmsequences of my imprudent Secemon.^^Keduced
to great Distress. — Become a Biltiard-player.-^
Associate with Sharpers, — Engage with a Country
Attorney. '^Take leave of London once more*

X HE reader will here observe that I had left
behmd me, on my desertion, a valuable chest of
clothes, books, 8^c. ^c, the purchase of which, but
sixteen mouths before, had cost my affectionate
friends a large sum ; and I had now, by this rash
act^ defeated their fondest hopes, and brought dis-
grace as well on them as on the worthy officer who
procured me the appointment. It is impossible,
however, for my reader to condemn my folly, or
rather wickedness, in stronger terms than my own
conscience has ever since done. Surely there must,
let nK>ralists argue as they will, be something like
9 fatality which governs the fortunes of some, if not
all, men ; and which impels them headlong to their
ruin, agninst the voice of reason and of conscience,
and the dictates of coiiunon sense. But the retro-
spect affects me too much : I must not aggravate
my present sufferings by dwelling longer on what
will not bear reflection. All I can now do is to re-
pent of all my errors; and I trust that Divine

Power will accept my tepentMice who best knows

I ...

j Its stocenty.

Before I resume the thread of my narrative^ I

will just venture to give die reader a few lines, de*

scriptive of a midshipman's life, which will require,

I trusty no apology, when I state that they were the

production of some of the junior members of our mess,

and composed in die space of a very few hours. —

Of the correctness of the picture therein drawn, I

can truly say, probatum est,

VERSES

Written on Board Hu Mttjetty^e Ship, the AsirmOf hy the
youmfer Midehipmen oft^Mt FrigatiB^ 1708.

When in the Cockpit* all was diuv
And Dot a Mid dar'd ahew his glim t >

A youth was left alone :
He scratched his head ; surveyed his clothes ;
Then took the other cheering dose;[;

And thus began his moan:'-'^

Ah 1 cursed be that fatal day,
When I from home was led astray^
[ In this d ^d place to dwell :

• In iine-of>battle ifaips the aucUniMnaii's birth, or oabin, is in
the cockpit.
\ t Candle.

. X A dram of rnm is here meant, to a bottle of whicbi it seens

\ the youth was applying for consolatloa*

fi 2

Ob ! had I in the coantry 8tay*ii
I might have learnt some useful trade.
And «com'd the white lapelle *•

III.

When first on board the ship I went.
My belly full, my mind content,-^

No sorrows touched my heart :
I view'd my coat, so flash and new»
My gay cockade^ and hanger too.

And thought them wondrous smart.

IV.

But now, alas f my coat is rent ;

My hanger's pawned; my money 9pent;

My former friends I Ve miss'd ;
And when of hardships I complain.
My messmates swear 'tis all in vain ;

And cry, •* What made you list ?"

But hark ! I hear the corp'raVs tread t :
Another dose, and then to bed ;

Of evVy joy bereft ;
I shake my bottle with a doubt ;
My poor half-rpint]; is quite drained out^

Not one kind drop is left!

• Alluding to the uniform of a lieutenaaty which is faced witk
white.

t The ship's corporal, whose daty it is to see all lights extiii-
gHished-at eight o'clock.

t His daily allowance of spirits.

»»

The youth with indignation barns ;
Into his hated hammock turns ;

Alas ! not long to sleep :
The quarter-master^ with hoarse tongue,
Awakes him ; says, ** The bell has rung :

He *s rous*dy his watch to keep.

VII.

Shiv'ring he walks the quarter-deck.
Dreading the stern lieutenant's check.

Who struts the weather-side * ;
With glass and trumpet in his hand t»
He t>ellows forth his harsh command.

With arrogance and pride.

After the first transports of our meeting had sub- .
tided, it was mutually agreed that I should reside
altogether with Miss K— — e, who, being igno-
rant of my real circumstances, imagined 1 was
capable of maintaining her and myself, if not in the
most splendid, at least in a comfortable manner.
I should have stated, however, that the pleasure I
felt at being once more free from control, and on
my near approach to my favourite spot, London^
added to the passion I had conceived for this young
lady, h^d completely banished every idea of re-
turning to my ship, long before I was set down at

* The lieutenant of the watch walks t|ie weather-side] fht,
flaid&hipmpn, the lee.
f Telescope and tpeakiug-trampet*

C 3

the obelisk in St. George's Fields, where I had ex-
changed my chaise for a hackney coach, to prevent
my being traced.

The following morning I examined into the state
of my personal effects ; which I found to consist of
a dozen fine shirts, about the same number of neck-
cloths, hose, and waistcoats, a few odd articles of
other apparel, and twenty-one pounds in money,
together with an old family gold watch, and the
suit of blue I had on my back.

My fair acquaiutaoce evinced some coDcem at
the rash step I had taken ; which, imputing wholly
to my affection for herself, drew from her profes-
sions of gratitude and constancy, which I believe
(from her youth and ingenuous mind) to have been
sincere. I determined now to domesticate myself
with this charming woman for a few weeks ; as Well'
to make up for the privations I had suffered for the
last sixteen months, by enjoying every'comfort money
could procure, as to preclude any risk of being ap-
prehended for desertion before the ship*s departure.

During this retirement, which I xnight justly call
a honeymoon, from the happiness 1 experienced,
I obtained from Miss K — — ^e some account of
heiself, and the misfortunes which had reduced her
to the disgraceful situation in which I found her.
The following are the particulars : —

She was the second daughter of a respectable
tradesman in the city, who had placed ber^ with her

elder sister, at a boardkig school in Queen-squar<$,
where she had become perfectly accomplished,-
About a year before our acquakitance begau, she
bad been accidentally seen walking in the garden
of the square, to which the young ladies had access,
by an officer of dragoons, who, being struck witk
her beauty, had employed every art of bribery and
intrigue, first to open a correspondence by letter,
and afterwards to obtain a personal interview, ol
which opportunity he made such good use that he-
succeeded in seducing this amiable child, theft jiitft
fifteen years of i^e^ to elope from her school, to
Mcrifice to him, honour, fortune, and parentid afiec*

tion, and entail on herself ruin, remorse, and endless
shame!

This gallant hero treated her with the fondest at«
tention, and spared no expense to gratify her every
wish, and, by a continual round of splencKd dissipa-
tion, to banish any reflections which might other-
wise obtrude themselves ; and in this (owing to her
youth land the natural levity of her sex,) he so far
succeeded that she felt not, for the first six months,
those compunctions which, sooner or later, must
attend conscious guilt. At the end of that time,
however, her protector, being ordered abroad with
his regiment, left her with a slender, provision in
possession ; but for which he made up with most
liberal promises of future bounty. It is probable
he had by this time gratified a passion which was at

If 4.

first but of a sensual nature ; and I am led to tbiofc
his going abroad was only a fiction, the better to
cover his base design of deserting her : be this as it
mighty she had never since heard from him ; and, as
her little money was soon exhausted, she fi^und her-
self alone and friendless, and now first began to re*
fleet op the consequences of her imprudence. She
had, on quitting the school, assumed the name of

K— ^ e, which I have recorded her by, in order

to avoid the inquiries of her family; to whom shame
and (perhaps false) delicacy, now deterred her from
a thought of retmning. In the late scenes of her
guilty prosperity she had formed an acq^uaintance
with several kept women who were living, like her«
self, in elegant infamy. She now had recourse to
some of thes.e friends for temporary assistance ; but
alas ! they soon convinced her how little is to be
expected from such friendship, when adversity ren«
ders it most essential. In a fatal moment she took
the. U9ual course of persons similarly situated ; she
procured a suitable lodging where her misfortunes,
w^re not known, and frequented the theatres and
other public places; at which (being a new face
on the town), she was successful above all her com*
petitors in attracting the notice of the male sex.
The pecuniary emoluments she thence derived had
enabled her to live elegantly ; and her person and
carriage were so much above the common class of
Cyprians that she was still, at the tigne I first savf

lier^ an object of general admirntion« Fortunately
also her health was yet untainted, so that, could I
have found means for our mutual support, this con-
nexion promised to be a source of happiness to us
both. She felt happy at the opportunity of quitting
a course of life which had always disgusted her \
and little regret for the past (being ignorant of the
true state of my finances) save when a melancholy
thought of her disconsolate family caused a tempo-
rary effusion of grief.

The first month or honey-moon of our connexion
being expired, and the Astrsa long departed from
the river, I began to revolve in my mind the means
of future subsistence. As I had spared no expense
to render our retirement pleasing, and bad pur-
chased for myself a suit of plain clothes, I now
found myself reduced to my last guinea, and I knew
that unless I hit upon some mode of speedily re-
cruiting, I must have recourse to the pawnbroker for
another. These unpleasing reflections gave me
much uneasiness ; but I carefully concealed it from
my^^flftuer, and preserved the same air of cheer-
ftilness as before. At length came '^ th' inevitable
hour." Money was wanting for household pur-
poses, and I was obliged to raise a few pounds, by
depositing my watch iu the usual place of security.
I accounted for the absence of this article by a pre-
tence that it wanted repair. This small supply
lasted but a fortnight, as we retrenched nothing of

(Hir mode of Hvmg ; and 1 had lately accompanied
my d«ar Sarah to the theatres, and other places of
diversion, fm* which amusement she had a& violent
a passioR as myself. But I have now to relate an
event, which tko less afllicted than surprised me,
and of which I had not the most distant appre-
hension.

One night, towards the clos^ of the last men-
tioned period, we had retnmed late from the opera,
and, being in high spirits though low in pocket, I
proposed to send for a small collation from the
neighbouring tavern, and to indulge in a little extra
festivity: this was approved of by my charmer, who
indeed had no will but mine; and, our little maid
hairing procured thie necessary requisites, we en-
joyed a most comfortable supper ; after which we
circulated the cheering glass, the wine receiving an
additional zest from the wit and enlivening conver-
sation of my fair companion. But mark the uncer-
tainty of human happiness 1

About two o'clock, as we were on the point of
retiring to rest, we were surprised by a sudden and
loud knock at the street door, which being unusual
at so late an hour, caused a momentary atarni to ua
both. Before we had time to form any idea of the
cause, the door of our apartment was burst rudely
open, and three persons entered, at the sight of
whom, my unfortunate girl fainted in my arms, on
the sofa whereon we sat* One of the three persona^

a respectlible looking elderfy gentleman^ from his
tender anxiety, but mixed with some degree of seve-
rity, I soon conjectured' to be her unhappy father;
itt which I was not mistaken. The other two im-
mediately called the landlady of the house, by whose
assistance they recovered the poor girl from her
swoon ; which having accomplished,, they instantly
hurried her down stairs, the old gentleman darting
an angry look at me, and left me so stupified with
grief smd surprise, that I had not power to follow,
or notice their proceedings. I soon afterwards
heard a coach drive from the door, on which the
latter was immediately &hut, and the landlady com-
ing up, informed me of what she had gathered dur*
ing a short conversation from the parties. It ap-
peared that the young lady had been seen with me
the preceding night at the opera-house, by a friend of
her family, who knowing of her elopement, had offi-
ciously followed US home, and then immediately
given information to her father, who applying in-
stantly to Sir William Ford, the Bow-Street magis-
trate, that gentleman had detached Messrs. Towns-
hend and Carpmeal (two of his principal officers) to
assist him in the recovery of his lost child. This
they had effected as I have des<^rjbed ; the anxiety
of her parent not suffering him to dlefer the business
evei\ till the ensuing day. The woman added that
on learning from her," the life his daughter had led
for some months prior to her acquaintance with me,

E 6

and that I was not lier original seducer, he had de-
clined the i(|ea of apprehending 'me, which ihe of-
ficers were otherwise empowered to do.

This melancholy event was a grievous affliction to
me, who had relinquished an honourable situation,
purely on her account ; and was now not only de-
prived of a beloved object^ but reduced to a state
of utter poverty. Notwithstanding every inquiry I
could institute, I could never obtain any further in-
formation as to the fate of Miss K ■ e, than
what I extracted by a bribe from one of the officers,
who assured ne that it was her father's intention to
send her to a remote part of the kingdom, where she
had a female relation who had undertaken the care of
her : but this man declared that the name of her pa-
rentswas known only to the magistrate, which was
]perhaps true : and the dear girl had never even dis«>
closed her real name to myself, but had almost pro-
q^ised so to do on a little longer acquaintance.

I now quitted this lodging, the wearing apparel
of my late companion being claimed by the landlady
for some arrears of rent, as the father had refused
to take any thing from the house, and never ap-
proached it more, I engaged a small apartment for
myself in a more centrical situation ; and, to supply
my immediate wants, deposited one article after an-
other at the pawnbroker's, till I had no longer any
thing left to deposit.

It was necessary, however, before my appearance

became too shabby, to find some means of support.
As to my friends, I had given up every idea of re-
turning to them, nor did I, for some months afterthis,
acquaint them of the rash step I had taken : and
when 1 afterwards did so, I amused my poor grand-
father with a fictitious account of my having re^
turned to the law, and assured him that I was doing
well ; for as 1 have before hinted, I was so sensible
of the inconvenience which that worthy man must
unavoidably suffer in his old age, from his too great
liberality to me, that I determined to submit to any
hardships rather than be a further incumbrance
upon him.

I had, during my former residence in London,
taken great delight in billiards, and, by a frequent
attendance at public tables, had become a tolerably
good player. I had renewed my acquaintance with
this game, since my last arrival in town; and, urged
by necessity, I now deemed it possible to pick up
a little money at one of these boards of green cloth.
For this purpose I attended daily at the rooms in
Bow-Street, Covent Garden, where, by a few days
play with the marker, I gained a knowledge of the
tables ; and, as nothing contributes like practice to
improve one at this scientific game, I was soon en*
abled to engage with such gentlemen as accidentally
dropped in for an hour's amusement, which I
obligingly afforded them at the expense of a few
shillings.

These opportunities, however, only occurred in

the early part of the day ; for in the evenings, the
tables^ as well as the spoil, were engrossed by a com-
bination of five or six sharpers, who rejgularly at-
tended for the same pnrpose as myself ; but their
operations were upon a more extensive scale : by
forming sham matches among themselves, engiaging
by-standers to bet on either side, and then playing
booty, and by various other expedients, they fre-
quently obtained large sums, and were enabled to
appear genteelly about town. These gentry soon
viewed me with a jealous eye ; regarding me, I sup-
pose, as an interloper, who encroached upon their
rights of plunder. I therefore found it would bd
necessary to have an understanding with their party^
by which means I should reap a much better har-
vest than I could do by a mere course of fair play,
jn which I was sometimes unavoidably beat. I at
length, effected my object, by means of an elderly
man, whose goodnatured countenance encouraged
me to introduce a conversation on the subject.
This person, who was a veteran in the arts of play,
and of some consequence in the gang, seemed flat-
tered by the respectful manner- in which I addressed
him, and, complimenting me on the talents I pos-
sessed, assured me 1 should receive from himself
every advice requisite to render me useful ; 'and that.
I might depend on the most equitable treatment in
the division of any money I [might be accessary to^
obtaining. *

I was the same evening formally accepted as »

member of this sharping fraternity ; and after a Ii»
bation at the Piazzza coffee-house, diey repaired to
the scene of action^ where I soon afterwards drop-
ped in, as if by accident ; and, having played a few
games with the marker, in which I betrayed great
want of skill, I was at length challenged by one of
our party, who had been seen at other times to play
well. Of course, bets in plenty were offered
against me ; and in the middle of the game, pre-
tending to be irritated at the general discourage^
ment of the by-standers, I affected to grow warm,
and took odds of severid gentlemen, that I won the
game (which was now six to four against me) ; my
antagonist also backed himself by laying the same
odds with some of oar confederates, after which, no
more bets being offered, he relaxed a little in his
play, I improved in proportion, and having, f<Mr
form's sake, suffered the game to arrive at twenty
all, tl)e flats (or strangers) began to look foolish, and
endeavoured to hedge off, as the phrase is, but with-
out effect. I therefore made a successful hazard, and
decided the game, to the great chagrin of those who
had so warmly opposed me. The person who
played widi me, declared I had won by mere luck,
and random play, and, throwing down his bets with
a passionate air, swore he would play me the fol-
loM*ing day for a larger sum, and give me five points.
This finesse prevented any suspicion in the minds
of the losers, whom it was our interest to keep ig-
norant of the combination existing. The room soon

after getting thin^ we departed one at a time, and
meeting at the usual place, apportioned the division
of the evening's profit, which amounted to about
thirty pounds*

I continued to associate mth this knot of gam-
blers for several weeks ; but I soon found that our
success was very^ uncertain, depending upon the
number of strangers who happened to visit the
rooms ; as those who had once been duped by us,
were always . cautious in future, and would nei-
ther play nor bet with us. It was only, therefore,
from gentlemen who were not in the habit of fre-
quenting this house, that we had a chance of gain-
ing any thing worth notice : so that upon the whole,
what I acquired was barely sufficient to keep me
above want. The summer too, having now com-
menced, at which season there is but little company
at the billiard rooms, the confederates to whom I
had attached myself, left town upon a tour to the
different races, some with an £ O table, others
trusting to their general abilities at hazard playing,
cocking, Sfc. As I had neither found the pleasure
or profit which I derived from a connexion with
them to afford that satisfaction I expected, I was
not concerned at a separation from them. I
therefore rubbed on as well as I could by myself,
spending my leisure time much in my usual manner,
but always taking care to preserve a genteel appear-
ance, on which I knew every success depended.

As I was one morning reading the papers at the

coffee-house where I commonly' breakfasted, I met
with an advertisement for a clerk to an attorney in
the country. As this was a situation I had never
held, and the season of the year was favourable to
an excursion, I determined to offer my services, pro-
mising myself, at least, to derive some benefit to my
health, and amusement from changing the scene ;
but I had always a partiality for London, and could
never wholly reconcile myself to a country life, since
I first tasted of the various pleasures with which
the metropolis abounds.

I immediately applied to the advertising parties,
Messrs. Dalton and Edwards, in King's Bench
Walk, Temple, and was introduced to the latter
gentleman, who informed me it was a Mr. Dalton
of Bury St. Edmunds, who wanted a clerk capable
of conducting his business. As I had acquired a
greater share of experience, and a better insight of
the different branches of the profession, than many
others would do in a much longer course of service, I
hesitated not to undertake the duties required ; and as
expeditionwas nece88ary,Mr.£dwards,after some few
inquiries, engaged me immediately at a weekly salary
of one pound, which in so cheap a part of the coun«
try, he observed, was equal to twice the sum in
London. He desired me if possible, to set out
that very day, and writing a short letter of introduc-
tion to Mr. Dalton, gave it me, together with a
small sum to bear my expenses to Bury. I then

took my leave, and having gained the street, I was
curious to know in what terms my credentials ran»
The wafer being stiU wet, I opened the letter, in which
Mr. Edwards; had briefly stated the agreement he
had made with me, and concluded in these words :
** I have every reason to believe him an expert clerk,
and do not doubt but he will prove an acquisition."
How far this good gentleman's prediction was veri-
fiedy the next Chapter will disclose. I lost no time
in preparing for my journey, and having bat few
clothes to pack up, I took my depaiture from the
Blue Boar in Bishopsgate*street, at seven o'clock,
P. >L, and the next momii^ arrived at Si* Ed*
mundsbury

CHAPTER IX.

Account of my Situation at Bury St. Edmunds. —
Obstinately determine to relinquish it, and return
to London. — Defraud several Tradesmen.— Quit
the Town, and arrive in the Metropolis. — Obtain
a quantity of Wearing Apparel utkder false
Pretences.

I FOUND Mr. Dahon to be a gentleman of high
respectability in his profession, and of the most
prepossessing mtanners. He gave me a very kmd
and polite receptioif, and after some conversation,
conducted me bimsdf to the best inn in the town,
where he ordered that I should be entertained at
his expense, until I could provide myself a conve-
nient residence. Mr Dalton had a very handsome
house, and kept several servants, but, being a bachelor
and a good deal from home, it was not convenient
for me to reside with him. The day after my ar«
nvfld, he, therefore, advised me to make inquiry for
board and lodging in some regular and decent family,
and to consult him on the eligibility before I made
any engagement. I accordingly began my inquiries,
and at length found accommodation in the family
of a tradesman of whom Mr. Dalton approved.
Here I was to be lodged and boarded very com^*

fortably at nine shillings per week ! This charge^
to nie, who had been accustomed to the expenses
of London, appeared moderate in the extreme :
however, being willing to make the best bargain I
could, I informed the good woman, that as I should
receive my salary quarterly from Mr. Dalton, I
could only undertake to pay her at the like period^
to which proposal she therefore readily consented.
My motive in this proceeding was, that in case I
quitted Bury before the end of the first quarter^
I might decamp without coming to a settlement,
and by this means have my weekly pay of twentj
shillings entire for other purposes.

Having removed from the inn to my new abode, I
was instructed by Mr. Dalton in the nature of my
employment, which was chiefly to copy or engross
deeds in conveyancing, and other simiUr documents,
peculiar to country practitioners^ In a few days I
had a correct idea of what was necessary to be done,
and Mr. Dalton perceiving I required no instruc*
tion from him, gave me sole charge of the office,
\yhich was detached from his house, and left it to my
discretion as to the hours or duration of my attend-
ance. This liberty I did not abuse, but kept
every thing in such exact order that I had soon the
pleasure of giving him entire satisfaction.

Mr. Dalton kept a gig,<*and two blood-horses : as
he had a good deal of public business, rejating to
county matters, and was one of the commissicmers

for the redemption of the land-tax, which sometimes
x>bliged him to attend meetings at the several
market-towns round about Bury, be often took me
^ith him in his gig, attended by his senrant on
horseback. On these occasions there were usually
•public dinners at the principal inns, provided at the
expense of the county, or the persons interested.
The fare was always sumptuous, and there was no
stint of the best wines. At other times I was de-
tached on horseback, accompanied by the servant

«s a guide, to transact business with different clients,
in various parts of the county. I was not limited
in my expenses, and the account I presented on my
return, was freely liquidated by Mr. Dalton.

Upon the whole, this was one of die most agree-
able ^employments I ever engaged in, and had I
prudently retained it for a few years, there is no
doubt but I should have met with the most liberal
encouragement from my employer. But my natural
inconstancy still^ prevailed ; and I had been but a
few weeks at Bury, before I grew tn*ed of the
country, and thought of nothing but returning to
London, with such spoil as I could obtain from
the credulity of the tradesmen in the town. With
this view, I bespoke clothes, boots, linen, and
other articles at various shops, informing the parties
that I should expect credit till the expiration of my
quarter, to which, on account of the respectable
gentleman I served, they readily consented^ As

soon as any of these goods were brought home, I
immediately packed them up in small portable
parcels, which I sent up to Loudon by the coach,
consigned to a pawn-broker with whom I was
on intimate terms ; desiring him to receive and
keep them safe, until he saw me. I also coached
off in the same clandestine manner, such of my owb
apparel, i/^Cy as I bad in my trunk, in which, to pre-
vent discovery, I deposited stones or bricks to pre-
serve its gravity. By these means 1 had nothing to
impede my sudden departure, when r/endjerj^d ne-
cessary by the arrival of the expected quarter-day*

I must here observe, to meet any surprise the
reader might feel en the subject, that as I bad never
at this time been connected with downright thieves,
so I had never yet committed an actual theft, save
the embezzlement of money at Liverpool ; (which
indeed the law has lately made a felonious takii^;)
though X therefore scrupled not at practising a
fraud; I was not yet sufficiently depraved to com-
mit a robbery. This will account for my not
robbing the premises of Mr. Dalton, which at a
subsequent period of my life, would have been my
primary object, as I had access to every part of the
house, and have frequently viewed withloQging eyes,
the servant cleaning a handsome service of plate in
the pantry.

[. had now been about two months at Bury, and
had no intention of abscondbg till the expiration of

the third ; when an accidental event induced rae to
hasten my departure. One afternoon Mr. Dalton
had Diir'jitten several letters in the office, and the foot*
mma faeing elsewhere engaged, he requested me to
drop them in the post-office, in my way home* I ac-
oordnigly brought them out in ray hand, and hap-
pening inadvertently to cast my eye on the super*
scriptions, I perceived that one was addressed to
Mr. Lyne, tailor, Cecil-street, Strand, London*
Being curious to know what correspondence Mr^
Dalton could have with a tailor, I opened this letter,
and fonncl the contents to the following effect:
^ Mr« Lyne, — By the waggon which goes from hence
on Monday next, and arrives at the Blue Boar in
Bishopsgate^street on Wednesday night, I shall
send you a portmanteau corded and sealed, but not
locked, containing two coats, sixteen waistcoats,
fourteen pair of breeches, and a suit of uniform
of the city Light Horse*. Most of these articles
are nearly as good as new, but as diey have now
become unfashionable, I desire you vrill dispose
of them to the best advantage, on my account,
and send me down by the same conveyance, two
suits made in the present taate," 6fc.

It immediately struck me, that if I took measures
accordingly, I might arrive in town time enough to

* It appean from thii that Mr, Dritoo had fornerly neatdad
in London, uid been a member of that respectable corps.

intercept and obtain this trunk from the inn ; for
which purpose I put this letter in my pocket, and
the others in the post-office. The next day, hap*
pening to go into Mr. Dalton's kitchen, I there saw
the portmanteau corded up, and directed ; and on
questioning the servant in a careless manner about
it, he informed me that he was going to carry it to

the inn, the following evening, in readiness

for the departure of the waggon. The same afier*
noon it happened, (which was a most fortunate cir-
cumstance for me,) that Mr. Dalton again begged of
me to put some letters in the post-office, which he had
not done above twice or thrice since I came into his
service. Looking at these letters, I saw to ray
surprise, another addressed to Mr* Lyne as before^
which, eagerly opening, 1 found was to mention
something Mr. Dalton said he had forgot in his letter
of the preceding day. I immediately destroyed this
second letter, which (had it come to hand) might
have frustrated my design.

I now prepared matters for eloping, and sent pff
the remainder of my effects by the coach as before :
but my good fortune produced another windfall
of which I had no expectation* The day before
my intended departure, I was walking in the
market-place with a young man, who was derk to
another attorney in the town, and the conversation
turning upon watches, my companion observed that
if I wished to purchase one, he would introduce me

to a maker of his acquaintance, who would use me
well on his account. I took him at his word,^ and
be^ed he would immediately do so. We were
then withm a few doors of the shop, into which we
entered; and I perceived over the window in large
characters, '' Lumley and Gudgeon, Watchmakers.
I laughed inwardly at the singularity of' the Hitter
name, which I considered ominous of my success
in the imposition I meant to put upbn^him. After
a short preliminary conversation, my acquaintance
having business to do, took his leave, and Mr.
Gudgeon himself proceeded to shew me several
watches. I informed him that I wished to have a
good one, but my circumstances would not allow
me to go to a high pric^. Mr. Gudgeon assured
me it was better to have a good one at once, and
recommended me a very handsome gilt watcli,
capped and jewelled, and his own make, wiiich he
said he could warrant to perform well, and for
which he asked me eight guineas. I replied that
as my weekly salary from Mr. Dalton was but obe
pound, I could not afford to give so much, and
began to examine others of a cheaper kind, but still
letting him see that I had a strong inclination for
the one he had recommended. This induced him
to repeat his praises of the latter, and to press me
with greater energy, to fix upon it. I at length
(with a shew of much reluctance) suffered myself
to be persuaded; but I begged leave to -observe,

VOL. I. p

that as. I was iofli^enced in every thing by the ad*
^ce of my good master^. Mr. DaUon, I would not
venture to make sp expensive a purchase without
his approbation; that if he would therefore in*
trust me with the watch, 1 would consult Mr. Dalton
and give him (Mr. Gudgeon^) a decisive answer
the next morning : this hei deqiared himtelf willing
to do, on which I took both the watch and my
leave together, and returned home.

The next morning I attended the o£Sce as usual,
but of course took no notice to Mr. Ualton of the
affair in hand. During the space of time I allotted
myself for dinner, I again called on Mr. Gudgeon,
and told him that I should keep the watch, provided
he would receive the payment by instalments, as
I could not afford to pay the whole price at once.
I therefore proposed to give himthe ensuing Saturday,
one or two guineas, as I should find most convenient,
and to pay him balf-a-guiaea a week afterwards, un*
til the whole was liquidated. Tp this he readily
agreed, and having fitted a key to the watch, he
begged, leave to shew me Bome chains and seals.
Of the former he had none but gilt ones : I selected
one of the neatest, and a hanflsome gold seal. I
then desired to have a Ull of parcels of the wbolet
observing that whenever I paid a sum upon account,
Mr. Gudgeon could ma)ie a niemoranduio of it at
the bottpm by >vay of receipt. Having obtained
this, I departed, promising to be punctual in paying

my first instalment on the day appointed. - ^[Ihis'tttolr
place on Tuesday, Ihe porhnantean fceiiig now on
its way to liondod'; and the same evening I quitt^
my lodgings pirivafety, leaving notlniig behind hiatt a
trbnky containing brick-bats and "sUmen, tind walked
by moonli^f ^o'a village ibut* niiles distant, through
which the ^tage-coach was to patjs &e ite:rt morning
at 7 o'clock. I procured Sdme supper at a decent
piiblic-house, and retired to rest, desiring to be
called in time for ^e coach. At the expected hour
the stage m^de its iippearance, in which I stoted
myself, and about eight the same evening, arrived -
at the Blue Boar, just two hoikrs after the waggon,
which I pisrceived standing in' the yard.

As soon as I descended from the cdach, I vi^aMted.
into the toach-office, and inquired of the book^
keeper, if the Biiry waggdn was arrived; he re-
plying that it was, I told 'him that I expected a
trunk, and'6nmy describing the direction, he looked
over the vinay-bill, and informed me there was such
an article, but die waggotf would not be unladen
kll the neiit morning, when I might obtain it by ap-
plication. I now retired to the Cross Keys in
Gracechurcfa-'stndet, where I prodttt^d a bed ; the
the next morning, having breakftist^yl repaired to
the Blue Boar, where I had the pleasure of finding
the waggon onloaded ; and boldly entering the oflScOi
I inquire if I couM have the trunk I had applied
for the night before. The oleHi reeoHecting me^ *

F £

854847 '

100

seafch^for and foiuid it immediately.; and placing
it on the counter, djemanded a trifling sum for
carriage. While 1 was joyfully openii^g my .purse
to pay this dem^d, the book-keeper, seeming to
recollect himself, after a short apology, told me it
was not customary with him to deliver goods to a
stranger, without he was shewn a letter or other
authority to warrant such delivery, as so many
frauds had been practised upon inn keepers of late.
I affected to be a little displeased at his suspicion,
but acknowledging the justice of such precautions,-
I assured him I had received a lettier of advice from
Bury, but I doubted whether I had it about me, then
pulling out my pocket-book, hastily turned over a
number of papers, and pretending to be a little
concerned at my want of thought, informed the
clerk that I had left the letter at home, and must
therefore suffer bim to send the trunk to Cecil-
street, although it would occasion an expense for
porterage which I intended to have saved;. then
repeating my vexation, and carelessly arranging the
pocket-book, I luckily found the identical letter,
which I had (as I pretended) overlooked in my
haste. I no w drew it forth in triumph, and obliquely
hinting how incapable I was of a fraudulent action
was opening the letter to shew him the contents ;
but this cautious person took me aback a second
time, by observing that it was unnecessary to peruse
the letter, all that he required wa?: to see the post-

101

mark ! This was a difBcalty of which I had not
the least idea, and was*therefore unprepared to meet
it, and I have often since wondered that my con«
fusion did not betray me ; but I had sufficient pre*
sence of mind to answer with a smile, that I could
account for the absence of a post-mark, by inform-
ing him that I received this letter enclosed in a
frank or envelope, which I had destroyed. This
satisfied him, and having read a few lines of the
letter, he delivered the trunk, which I brought away
from the inn, and having called a coach' was driven
to Aldersgate-street, where I was set down at. th^
end of a narrow court or passage, leading to West*
Smithfield ; through this court I proceeded on foot
to prevent my being traced, as no person could
follow me without my perceiving it. Being now
out of danger I took another coach in Smithfield,
and was carried to my friend the pawnbroker's,
to whom I had consigned my effects from Bury ;
but on my way, I purchased a handsome large
trunk, capable of containing the whole of my pro-
perty, including the contents of Mr. Dalton's
portmanteau. The latter (on arriving at the pawn-
broker's) I removed into my new trunk, and pre-
sented my friend with the portmanteau; then
arranging also the contents of my various parcels,
and paying him for the carriage, ^c, I left my trunk
in his care, until I had procured a lodging, which
was the next object I had in view.

F S

lOS

' I coul4 not Iv^lp applauding myaelf on the dex-
terity wftb which I bad accomplished this latter
adventure, as well as on the general succosa of my
expedition to Suffolki on which I had been absent
firom London exactly nine weeks. And when it is
considered that I was then but just turned of seven-
teen years old, the reader npn^st a^lojw thstt ^ dis*
plliyed a genius and abilities which, h^ tb^y heefi
devoted to mqre honourab^le purposes, woi4d {tiave
dij^ne acie no small i^redit. But \ sua now writing
my '^ Confessions/' and shall therefore not attemplf
to p^IUat^ my feults at the expense of my vejraci^^

103

CHAPTER X.

Live gaily for a few weeks on the Spoils of my late
Excursion, — Again obliged to seek Employment.'-^
Engage with a Conveyancer in the Temple, — Ap^
prehended by my late Master, — Compromise tM
Affair through the Friendship of a Relation.

1 WENT immediately in quest of a lodging, and
found one to my mind in Roll's Buildings, Fetter*
Lane ; but as this was a respectable house, the land-
lady required a reference to character, before she
would admit me as a lodger. I therefore gave her
the address of my friend and relation Mr. Presland,
whom I formerly served in Lincoln's Inn. That
gentleman having satisfied her inquiries, I removed
my baggage from the pawnbroker's, and took pos-
session of my new apartment.

The next day I examined the contents of Mr.
Dalton's portmanteau, and found the whole of the
articles to be as he had described them, nearly new,
and all excellent in their kind. As I was hot at
this time acquainted with a Fence ^, to whom I could
dispose ef this property, I had no other means of
turning them into money, than by pledging them at

* Receiver of stolen goods. (Cant,)

V 4

104

different pawnbrokers, whiqh I did, one or two at a
time, for as much as I could get, taking out with me
every morning three or four articles in a bundle, so
that in a few days I had obtained money for die
whole.

I had now a good stock of clothes of my own, a
handsome watch in my pocket, and some pounds in
money, exclusive of the daily supplies I derived from
pledging Mr. Dalton's apparel : I therefore began
to enjoy myself in the course of life in which 1 al-
ways found the greatest satisfaction ; breakfasting at
a coffee-house, dining at a tavern, and taking my tea
in the neighbourhood of the theatres, to one of which
I went almost every night. In the intervals of these
occupations, I amused myself in walking about
town, or viewing public exhibitions, but chiefly in
reading books of entertainment and instruction, to
the purchase of which, especially periodical works,
I every day devoted a small sum : so that upon the
whole, though. I obtained my money by disho-
nourable means, yet the manner in which I spent my
life was harmless to myself; nor did I ever, in the
most vicious part of my subsequent career, give my-
self up to debauchery or intoxication, the idea of
which always disgusted me.

lu this manner I lived happily for about five or six
weeks, when finding my ready money nearly exhaust-
ed, I judged it expedient to look out for some employ-
ment which might contribute to my support. I

105

therefore made inquiry among the law offices, and
was referred to Mr. Preston, an eminent convey-
ancer in King's Bench Walk, who engaged me as
a transcribing clerk at a guinea a week. I attended
die office from ten till five daily, and spent my even-
ings in rational recreation. 1 must here observe
that the office of Mr. Preston was within two doors
of the chambers of Messrs. Dalton and Edwards,
die latter of whom had engaged me for the Bury
expedition; and it was certainly an act of impolicy
in me to accept a situation so immediately contigu-
ous, after the manner in which I had behaved to
Mr. Dalton, as it was highly probable the latter
would write to Mr. Edwards, and desire him to use
means for my apprehension. However this never
once struck me, or if it did, I thought it possible
that T might, in a place so constantly thronged with
passengers, go and come unobserved by him a thou-
sand times. In addition to this, I had never been
seen by Mr. Edwards but in that one interview, which
lasted but half an hour; and I had assumed on that
occasion, the nanie of Smith, whereas 1 had now
jresumed my own. But fate had decreed that I
should suffer for my want of caution, and thus it
happened.

In going to and from the office of Mr. Preston,
I passed commonly four times a day by the cham^
bers of Dalton and Edwards, but the avenue in
front of the latter being very extensive, I always

106

contrived ^o give them a wide- birtb^ as the sailors
term it; , and their chambers being on the first floor,
it was not likely that I should be observed, who was
so much below them, and surrounded by numbers of
persons continually passing. It happened, however,
that my way to and from the office, lay through a
narrow passage called Mitre Court, leading iqto
Fleet Street. In this passage I frequently encoun-
tered a young man having the appearance of a law-
yer's clerk, whose face I thought I was familiar
with ; and he, on bis part, always looked earnestly at
me. As this was by no means uncommon amongst
young men similarly employed, I concluded he had
ki^own me by sight, during my service, in a former
office, and therefore paid no attention to the cir-
cumstance.

One morning, about nine weeks after my return
from Bury, I entered the office at the usual hour,
and 1 had scarcely taken my seat at the desk, when
Mr. Preston opening the door of bis own apart-
ment, which was immediately adjoining that in
which the clerks wrote, desired me to step into his
room, which I should not have thought extraordi-
nary, had not he at the same moment placed himself
between me and the outer door leading to the street,
and made a motion with his hand for me to walk in

* ■•

first : I. had, therefore, no alternative, but entered the
room. Mr. Preston followed, and, immediately
shutting; the door, locked it after hifn $ upon which

107

I turned my fajead^and saw, to my no small surprise
and .confiisipii, Mr.^Ddton hknsetf froiki Bury 6t.
Edmund'3. That gentleman advanced towards me,
and )[>egan to reproach me in strong terms for my mis-
conduct ; then seeing the chain of my watch hanging
out, he immediately drew it from my fob, spying that
he shou]d restore it to the person whom I had de-*
frauded of it. He v»xt desired to know what 1 had
done with his trunk of clothes : at first I maintained
a sullen silence, and then denied any knowledge of
his meaning : upon which he assured me that he
bad strong pjnoofs ; that if I did not restore them
he would prorecute, and transport me at the least ;
but that it was probable I should be hanged for
forging a post-mark to the letter ; for that the book-
keeper at the Blue Boar would swear to my person,
and that I had shewn him a post-mark which in-
duced him to deliver the portmanteau. I smiled at the
latter part of this threat, knowing the law too well
to be intimidated by it; but upon Mr. Dalton
observing that he knew where I lodged, and doubted
not of finding traces of the property, on searching
my apartment, I gave myself up for lost, as I had im-
prudently preserved, all the duplicates of the articles
pledged, which were now deposited in my bureau.
1, however, continued mute, and Mr. Dalton re-
quested Mr. Preston to send one of his clerks for
a constable ; en the arrival of whom, he gave me in
cfaarge, .and, accon^anied by both gentlemen; I

108

walked to my lodgings, the young man I formerly men*
tioned (who proved to be a clerk to Messrs. Dalton
and Edwards, and who, as well a$ Mr. Edwards,
were also sent for by Mr. Preston,) leading the way.

I afterwards ascertained that Mr. Dalton having,
on my elopement, come to a knowledge of the frauds
I had practised on the Bury tradesmen, and by some
accident found out that his trunk had not been re-
ceived by Mr. Lyne, had written to Mr. Edwards
an account of the whole, and that his clerk having
recollected my person, had watched me home a
few days before ; and Mr. Dalton having then been
sunmioned to town, had arrived that very morning,
and proceeded to apprehend me.

Having entered my apartment, Mr. Dalton demand-
ed my keys, which, as I found it useless longer to dis-
simulate, I gave up, and my drawers being searched,
the unlucky duplicates were immediately found, and
in my trunk two or three articles of apparel, which I
had intended to have had altered for my own wear,
and which Mr. Dalton identified. I therefore con-
fessed the truth, and that those duplicates would
lead to the recovery of all the property, except the
uniform, which I had sold to a Jew, (in the street I
said, but this was because I would not implicate the
man, who kept a respectable sale-shop near Covenf-
garden,) and the portmanteau itself, which I told him
1 had destroyed. Mr. Dalton had iiow some conver*^
sation with the constable apart, the result of wbicb

109

was^ that the Utter was ordered to retain me in
custody ; and this officer pretending to pity my
youth, and to wish, if possiUe, that the affair might
he compromised without public disgrace, offered to
confine me in his own house, which was in Chancery-
lane, till Mr. Dal ton had considered further on the
subject. This having been agreed to, I accom-
panied the constable to his house, where I had an
apartment assigned me, and was left (like Captain
Macheath,) to my private meditations : these, it
may be conjectured, were not the most agreeable, 98
this was the first time of my ever being ^* in durance
vile."

I heard no more of Mr. Dalton till the next
morning, when I was not a little surprised to see him
accompanied by my friend Mr. Presland. It seems
that the former, prior to his apprehending me, had
an interview with my landlady in Roll's buildings,
and had learnt from her, that she had obtained a
character of me from the latter gentleman, on my
taking her apartments. Mr. Dalton in consequence,
after consigning me to the constable's care, had waited
on Mr. Presland, and informed him of the disgrace-
ful situation in which I was then placed. The
result of their interview was the visit I am now gomg
to describe. Mr. Presland, after expressing his con-*
cern at the state in which he saw me, and his anxious
wish to save me from the disgrace of a public pro-
secution, inquired if I coidd undertake to recover

110

Ae whole of Mr. Daltop's propwty, in case I was
foniished with pecuniary means ; on my answering
SI tlie affirmative, (with the excepiions before men-
iionsdf) this tru^y generous firiend tbld me tb^t Mr.
Dalton had consented ta forego a prosecution, pro-
idded he had his property restoredi and was reim-
bursed the expenses of his journey to London and
back again ; and that, from modves'of regard for the
credit of our family, he, Mr. Presland, had i^eed to
disburse a sum of money adequate to the occasion^
and would trust to the chance of being repaid by
my reUtion^ ^t some future period, when be had
broke the matter to them in as delicate a manner as
possible. He added, that he trusted my future
ccMiduct would never again place me in so perilous
aad dishonourable a situation. I, of course, ex-
pressed the most heartfelt gratitude for such an
act <rf unmerited generosity, and it was settled that
die constable should immediately attend me to the
different pawnbrokers' at which the articles were
pledged, for the purpose of redeeming them. 1 wad
accordingly supplied with money by Mr. Presland,
and having received the duplicates, we set out on
our expedition. As I had pledged the property in
various parts of the town, and some of them very
remote, this task occupied three whole days, during
which time I dieted and lodged at die constable's
bouse, my kind relation having become responsible
for every expense^ The whole of the articlei

Ill

pledged having been redeemed^ were restored to Mr.
Dalton^ and Mr. Presland indemnified that gentle-
man for those which were irrecoverable. The aggre-
gate of the expense incurred on this occasion^ in-
eluding principal and interest to the pawnbrokers,
expenses to Mr. Dalton, and compensation to die
constable for his attendance, amounted to upwards of
thirty pounds. Every thing being finally settled, I
was seriously admonished by Mr. Presland, who, on
my enlargement firom custody, presented me wi|h
five guineas, and made me promise that 1 would
immediately set out for S— shire, and en-
deavour to obtain an appointment in the country ;
being much afraid, he said, that if I continued in
town, my total ruin would be the inevitable con-
sequence.

112

CHAPTER XI.

Obtain an Employment as Clerk and Shopman.-^
Rob my Employers, and embezzle several sums
of Money. — Quit this Service, and am soon after
taken in custody, and committed to the Bastille*.

Notwithstanding the promise i had

given Mr. Presland, I could not reconcile myself to

the S shire journey ; the shame 1 felt at having

quitted my honourable station in the navy, as well
as some other reasons, and perhaps, above all, the
unavoidable destiny which awaited me, concurred
to prevent my taking the salutary advice of my
worthy and respected friend. Having, therefore,
privately changed my place of abode, I began to
consider how I should procure another employment
in town, and for this purpose I carefully examined the
advertisements iu the daily papers, my intention being
now to enter into a mercantile clerkship, or to engage
as assistant in a retail shop, hoping thereby (with
shame I confess it,) to have a better opportunity of
realizing money by fraud or robbery, than I could ex-
pect in the restricted capacity of an attorney's cleik.

* The cant name for the House of Correction, in Cold-bath-
fields.

113

At length I met with an adverttsement, stating
that a young man who had a general knowledge
of business, was wanted in a retail shop, but parti-
cularly requiring an undeniable character for honesty,
$c. This latter clause seemed to promise jsome
difficulty, as I knew not where to give a reference,
except among the lawyers, and I was fearful that
I should not be approved of, if it was known that I
had been chiefiy employed in that profession. How*
ever, as I knew myself to have a talent for business,
and that 1 should soon acquire an insight, let the
branch be what it would, I determined to have
recourse to stratag^ai, to surmount the obstacle of
a recommendation.

I therefore obtained a reference to the advertiser
Mr. Giffard, who kept a large masquerade and
habit warehouse in Tavistock-street* This person,
who was a grave elderly man, inquired in what
capacity, and with whom I had been last employed*
being prepared for this question, I answered that I
had lived for the last two years with Mr. Drake, a
general shopkeeper in High-street, Portsmouth;
and that, in consequence of a family imsfortune,
my late master had declined business, and retired
upon his means : that this was the -only cause of my
being out of employment, and that Mr. Drake had
promised to answer any gentleman who might refer
to him as to fny abilities and moral character. I
added, that having formerly lived in London with

114

my .parents, 1 Iiad still a sufficiei^t knowledge of the
%QVm, to render mysdf useful to my employer. After
a few *mopd questions, which I answered with be^
.ooidtng' modesty and propriety, Mr. Gifi^d told me
he liked my appearance w^l, that he would write
that evening to Mr. I>rake, and ordered di^^l should
call i^in in two days' time^ when, if he approved
of the answer he received, he ^ould immediately
engage .me.

Having proceded thns far before the wind, I had

ttow to take measures for bringing my plot to a

lii^ipy Gonchision. My next object was to obtaia

possession of Mr. Oifiard's: letter, in order lliat 1

might answer it myself, Mr. Draiie being a persosi

-who existed only in my inventive brain : diis I ac-

complisfaed in the following manner. I found out

the gufird of the Portsmouth mail-coach, who vms

to'^uit Ijondop that evenpg, and return to town die

dext dfiy but one. ' I obtained ike ear of this man,

by inviting him to p^rtajie of some brandy and

water, and then introduced my business by acquaints

ing him that my name was Drake, that I had lately

rended in Portsmouth, and t^at I had reason to

Suppose tiiejre was one or more letters lying at (he

post-office in that town for me, as I knew no such

person was now to be found ip High-street; I

&ei«fore requested that he would, on his arrivals

make inqiuiry for such letters, and bring any he

imght find safe . to me on his return, promiimig a

116

gratification for his tronble : tbis commission he
readily undertook, and we dien separated.

On the d^y ^^ppoii^ted, I met my trusty agen^
who delivered me the expected letter, for which I
amply rewarded him. On perusing . this epistle, it
was such as might be expected on the like occasion
Mr. Giffard concluding his inquiries with wishiQg
to know, if the applicant John Smith (which name
I had now assumed,) was in every respect fit to be
received into a respectable house. I had no^ ba)f
accomplished the business, and it only remained, to
return a suitable answer through the regular chanqel,;
but to save appearances, avd gra time, I waited im*
mediately on Mr. Giffard desiring to know if he had
received a reply firom Mr. Drake. On his answeripg
in tbe negative, I exf^ei^^ed maqh surprise, h\i!t aiCr
counted for it, by informing him that Mr- Dr^ke was
probably absent from home> pn a vi^t to jsoine ^lar
^ons a feyr miles distapt, and that on his reUum, he
would not fail to transmit an aqswer. Having thu9
satisfied Mr. Giffard, I departed, prpmisiitg \q wait
on biifi every day uiitil the expie^^^d letter arrived*

I now applied myself to ffaine ai^ apswcir, wMcb
I at length coippleted to my satisfaction^ having
disguised my h^od-writing as muph ^s possib]i^# In
this letter, I made Mr. Drake apologize for his 4^1agf,
by stating that he was from home when Mr. Giffard'i
fftVQur arrived, ^|id had tafcen up his pen the mom§pf
it came to I^ai^d, to answer hif inquiries ; that he

116

felt happy at hearing the young man was likely to
obtain so respectable a situation^ and it gave him the
highest gratification to bear testimony to his exem-
plary conduct on all occasions^ while he had been
in his service ; that his abilities were such as could
not fail to render him an acquisition, and that he
should not himself have parted with him on any
account, had he not, for private reasons, declined
business. Finally, Mr. Drake declared himself glad
that I had so soon met with a situation, as London
was a bad place for a young person to be long out
of employment, S^c.

Having finished this epistle, and directed it in due
forni, I hastened to find out the driver of the mail-
coach, as I did not choose to employ the guard on
thb occasion. I requested the coachman to take
this letter to Portsmouth, and on his arrival to drop
it in the post-office, giving some fictitious reason,
which fully satisfied him, when backed by a small
compliment in silver.

I continued to call every morning on Mr. Giffard,
and expressed such well-feigned sorrow at Mr. Drake's
delay, that I really believe the former would in
a few days more have taken me without the required
testimonials. However, the long expected answer
at length arrived ; and on my calling as usual, Mr.
Giffard told me with great marks of pleasure, that hd
had just received a letter from Mr. Drake, who
gave me so excellent a character, diat I might come

J 17

that very day if I was prepared. Mr. Giffuvi
further informed me that he was on the point him-
self of leaving the business to the managemfiot of
his two partners, (Fisher and Pettit) and should re-
tire to a country-house he possessed at Hammer-
smith : that as one of these partners only resided
in the house, and he was a bachelor, it would be
necessary that 1 should board myself, for which ex-
pense I should be allowed fifteen shillings a week,
and for my services twelve more. Though this
allowance was comparatively trifling, I agreed to the
terms, as my only intention was to purloin all I
could lay my bands on, and in two or three months
to abscond, and change the sc^ne of action. As to
my duty, it was to attend the ^hop, to make out
bills of parcels, keep a set of books, and occa-
sionally to carry out light pad^ages.

I immediately brought my trunk of clothes, ^c,
to the house, and had a small bureau bedstead
assigned me in a little room behind the shop ; in which
room during the day, a number of young women
were employed in making up fancy-habits, charac-
ter-dresses,, dominos, t^c. In a few days Mr.
Giffard, with his family, left the house, and there
only remained Mr. Pettit, the junior partner, myself,
and a woman servant. The second partner (Fisher,)
was a tailor, who superintended thirty or forty
men, constantly employed in a large workshop on
the attic fttory, in making gentlemen's clothes, and

ladids' ri(Udg-ha6]ts« The 8tair-k:ase to the upper
aparCments codimaoicated trith the 8h(>p, and had a
door at llie bottom^ which when Mn Petti t and the
sorvant weref^i^eto'bed, I could fasten mih a bolt
80 as to leave me at bbefty to range the shop^ and
examine every part of its contents! Of flsiis oppor-
tanity I soon availed myself^ and the keys of the
various drawers^ S^c, being left beloW^ I proceeded
to reconnoitre the different articles ^ey contained.

I found these to consist of Uaek and white lace,
of various breadths and descriptions; ribands, silk,
and other haberdashery ; a large quantify of mode,
Pernans, gauze, muslin,^. Sfc* There were also
masks and dominos of every kind for the purpose of
hire on masquerade nights, but these articles were
of no value to me. As to the clc^s, and other
materials for gentlemen's clothes, these were always
sent for, together with the requisite trimmings,
from various shops in the neighbourhood, at which
tailors are supplied with such goods, as they' have
need of them ; and it frequently fell to my lot to
fetch these articles, on which occasion { had only to
take the pattern-books, and point out the quantities
of each kind wanted, when (after it was known that
I lived with Gifiard and Co.) die same was imme-
diately measured^ booked, and giVen to me.

Having found out a Jew salesman resident in the
Neighbourhood, who agreed to purchase whatever
goods I brought to him, I began my depredations by

119

taking a piece of eleg«it bfaicic modey tnd siveidL
cards of lace, which articles I conoeated in my bed-
stead, until I went out to bveikiast tbe enpoiiig nohi-
ingy when (this being the winter season^) I bttAoii^
them up under my great-*coat so as not to be perceive
ed. On going to the Jew receiver, this consoieittious
Israelite, who no doiibt suspected how I had obh
tained thesje articles, and my ignorance of their real
value, offered me a guinea for each card of lace,
(containing above twenty yards,) trhich^ as* probably
about the selling price of a "smgle yard ; and an
equally equitable price for the mode ; protestiag
^^as he was an honest mail, ani hx^d for fkaUrn'^
tion" that he could ilot afford sixpence more. As
I had no alternative, I Ivas obliged to accept the prof^
fered sum, andproniised to let him have more goods
of tbe same kind, at every opportunity. I con-
tinued this course 6{ pillage for several weeks,
takii^care, however, not to meddle too freely with
any one species of {Property, so as to cause a Ais^
covery. Aa to money, I had not the means of getting
any, for. there was very little retail trade in this shop ;
and tbfit little was confined to a few persons of
fashion, who came in tbeir carriages, and were
always waited on by Mr. Pettit; besides this class
of persons seldom pay ready money for the articles
tfa6y select, but have them booked. The various
goods I have naentioned, were chiefly kept for the.
purpose of making up^ and ornamenting the mas*

120

querade ind {kncy'dresses, which were from time
to time bespoke for extraordioarj occasions.

I was frequently sent home with a suit of clothes,
a lad/s-habity and odier articles, to the houses of
regular customers; most of whom kept an ac-
compt) which was settled once a year : but oh
many occasions I was desired by the parties to give
a receipt and take the amount of the goods deliver-
ed. After being about two months with Messrs.
Griffard and Co., I began to form the design of
quitting their service, and from that moment I sup-
pressed all such sums as I received, booking the
articles on my return, for the. satisfaction of Mr.
Pettit, who conducted this department. I now
bespoke a very large chest of a neighbouring car-
penter, for the purpose of depositing my own
clothes and other effects, which I knew must be
removed by degrees from the house; and that
whenever I absconded, I must leave my trunk
behind me. I therefore had recourse to Ae old
stratagem of substituting Imckbats for the articles
I took away, to prevent any suspicion from its light-
ness. When my chest was completed, I ordered
it to be sent home to a lodging I had provided in a
distant part of the town, of which I had obtained the
key, and paid rent in advance. I removed my etkcta
at every opportunity from Tavistock-street, to this
new receptacle. Every thing being in readmess
for an elopement, I prqpar^ to execute my last

121

design upon my presenft employen.- I iMve before
observed tliat I kept a s^ of b^oks, in whkh were die
accooats of inany persons of fashion for dotbes, fy:*
My intention was to tnuufciibe from the Jedger a
ttumber of these accounts upon the co{^r-pIate
bills of parcels, which I had in my de«k, belonging
to the firm, and to present ttiese bills for payment,
immediately after I quitted the house ; not doubtii^
but many of the parties would pay them on the first
application, by which I hoped to realize a good round
sum. But circumstances not favouring this part
of my design, I had only 'an opportunity of tran**
scribing five or six persons' bflls before Saturday
night, at which period the boK>kt were delivered up
to Mr. Pettit, who uniformly retained them until
Monday morning ; and, as I had reason to fear my
repeated depredations on the shop would soon ex«
cite suspicion, I had pre-determined to quit on the
day last mentioned.

The last commission I received on the Saturday
was to take a parcel, containing a riding-habit, to
the Bell and Crown inn, Holbom, where I was to
see it booked for the Clapham stage, at which place
the lady resided, for whom it was made. As I was
going along, it occurred to me that I might as well
embezzle this article, the price of which to the lady
was 51. ] 5s. 6d. Instead, therefore, of going to the
Bell and Crown, I took it to my old acquaintance
the. Jew, who, I expected, would give me at least

VOL. I. o

122

two. giunc^ fi>r it ;< but;Iie had the conscience, to offer
me o«e/p0iioi^ nvhich I^contid^ed so; unto* a price
tbatlielhsodsto let him hav6«ity.and^ kamghis
9hopi:l:pfOcefided to.^a paww-tKoker's a few doors
fiirlhec, ^here I requited two gaineas upon it ; but
Ibe ahopdodan aasuced m^ these articles M^ere so liable
Uk:ihe capriise of^he fa^on, that it might i^carce be
8.alj9able. at« all in a y^ar^a time^ 'exi:ept to convert to
aome cifaer use ; faerthensfore offered tolend me Airty
AiUingiBy wUch I accepted^ td aaye further trouble.
This was t^e moat impmdent act I oouldthi^^ be«&
gttUty iof, aa.Uus pawiifafoker'sr was in :Drury4ane>
rad iwitUna miiiute!s walk of my employer's ; waA
I^had better have 'taken ten.sh^Iings from the Je.w>.
Ivbereit) would have foe^phced'beyondtbe.reaok
of discovery, than have pledgedit for five timto the
sum* . The consequence of thisimprudeftce will be
seen.by*and«fay. . •

On my return to Tavistock-street^ I informed
Mr. Pettitthat I had seen the parcel safely booked.
T!hp same night after he had retired to bed^I selected
a few of the most eligible f articles in the shopjia
my farewell ' adventure, which I concealed in my
bed till , the next morning, Sunday^ when I conveyed
diem to the usual plkce of disposal.
i Monday being come, I attended in the shop till
llie hour of breakfest, when I went out as usual, but
with «o iptention of retumiog* I had previously
procured 'tfev^l patterns of fancy quilting for

123

waistcoats^ smd of the most fadiionable articles for
breeches; with these I immediately went to the
houses, at which we were usually furnished with
such goods, and . shewing my patterns, (my person
being well known,) I was immediately supplied
with what I asked for, and the articles booked to
Messrs. Giffard and Co. I proceeded in like
manner to a woollen-draper's, where I obtained a
few yards of superfine cloth ; and afterwards to a
trimming and button warehouse, at which I pro-
cured suitable materials for making up the whole^
as I intended these articles for my own wear. All
this was executed within the hour I usually allotted
for breakfast.

I next visited my lodging, and, depositing my
newly-acquired property in my chest, informed the
landlady I should come to sleep in the apartment
that night. Having taken some breakfast, I hasten-
ed to present my bills at the West end of the towrn
aSd was so fortunate as to receive about twenty
pounds, besides an order at another house to call
again the next day, which, as I had no immediate
danger to apprehend, I, in fact, did, and received a
few pounds more. For the whole of these sums, I
gave receipts on account of Messrs. Giffardand Co.

Thus endied my engagement with Mr. Giffard,
after a duration of about ten weeks. I was now pos-
sessed of a pretty good stock of clothes, and about sixty
pounds in money. I had lived weilduring the whole

o d

124

period of my service ; and I now determined to enjoy
every amusement die town afforded^ as I had lately
been debarred from attending the theatres, Sfc, on
account of my being restricted to early hours.

About a fortnight after my quitting Tavistock*-*
street, I called at the pawnbroker's, at which I had
pledged the riding-habit, . for the purpose of buying
some £iincy silk^handkerchiefs, of which they had
a very extensive assortment, being unredeemed
pledges. On entering the shop, I found it verj
full of people, (this being Saturday evening,) and
the shopman desired I vvould wait a short time,
and he would then attend to me. In a few minutes
I heard the latter desire an apprentice to take a bag
and go to a neighbouring liquor-shop, for the purpose
of procuring ten pounds worth of silver. I thought
I perceived something significant in the shopman's
manner of giving these directions, but as nothing is
more common than such a proceeding on a Saturday
night, when the pawn-brokers have need of a great
deal of change, I had no apprehension of any deceit.
When I began to ^ow impatient, the young man
at length sent a boy up stairs to bring down the
handkerchiefs, for my inspection ; finding, however,
that he was in no hurry to descend with them, and
conceiving at last, that I was only kept in suspense
for some sinister purpose, I declared that I would
wait no longer, but call a^ain another time. Turning
about to leave the shop, who should X encounter

125

at the door^ to my great confasion, but my late
master, Mr. Pettit, accompanied by a Bow-street
officer, afid the boy who had pretended to go out
for the silveV. I attempted to rush by them, but
was overpowered and secured. The officer im-
mediately proceeded to search me, but found nothing
of a suspicious nature : he took, however, some
loose money, and every other article I had about
me ; luckily I had some money (the bulk of my
fortune,) in a private pocket, which he did not dis-
cover* Mr. Pettit dien asked the pawnbroker if I
was the person who had pledged the habit, and on
his answering in the affirmative, I was given in
charge to the officer, who conducted me to Covent-
garden watch-house, where I was to remain locked
up until the magistrate sat in the evening, at the
public-office, Bow-Street.

Shortly after my confinement, I received a visit
from Mr. Pettit, who, after expatiating on the
enormity of my conduct, told me be had detected
the frauds I had practised «t the neighbouring shops,
and demanded what I had done with the property
so obtained. This, however, I refused to tell, not
supposing that he had any idea of my place of abode :
but in this I found myself unhappily mistaken, for
he informed me that he had discoveiied it by means
of the pOTter employed to carry home my chest, who,
it seems, yfZ8 well acquainted with Mr. Pettit, and
lad seen me frequently in his shop. On receiving

o 3

126

this unwelcome informatioii, I told Mr. Pettit to
take what steps he pleased ;■ aud refused to answer
9ny interrogatories^ whidi I knew would avail me
nothing, widiout a full restitution^ which I was
unable to make.

About six o'clock I was taken before the sitting
magistrate, and Mr. Pettit, being duly sworn, related
the whole story of the riding-habit, and stated that a
few days after my elopement, he was surprised at
receiving a message from the lady, respecting the(le«>
lay iu sending it home; and having inquired at the
office of the inn, he was assured that no such parcel
had been booked or brought there; that having
reason, from my sudden disappearance, to suspect
my honesty, be had made inquiry at the surrounding
pawnbrokers, and had found the habit pledged at
the shop of Mr. Lane, in Drury-Iane, who, on his
application, had immediately restored it. The shop-
man of Mr. Lane deposed, that he had taken in the
article of me, and the magistrate observed that the
evidence was so cl^tr, that nothing now remained but
for Mr. Pettit to produce and identify the property*
The latter replied that he had it not in his posses-
sion, 'having sent it home to the lady, who was
urgent to receive it. At this the magistrate ex*
pressed great displeasure, informing the prosecutor
that all he had said was to no purpose, without the
property being produced, znd that he was therefore
not warranted in committing me« Then turning to

127

me, he said, '' Young man, you have had a very
narrow escape ; I hope this will be a warning to
you in future. Officer, let the prisoner be di^
charged/' My joy at this deliverance was but mo-
mentary, for before I could reach the door of th^
office, Mr. Pettit acquainted the magistrate, tha^ he
bad several other charges of fraud against me, but the
parties were not then in attendance; upon which
his worship ordered me to be detained, and direct*
ing that the witnesses should attend on that day
week, ordered my mittimus to be made out, and
committed me to the house of correction for another
examination.

c 4

128

CHAPTER XII.

Fully committed for Trial, — Acquitted for want of
Evidence, — Fatal Consequences of consigning a
young Person to a Jail. — Meet with a fellow
Prisoner, who introduces me to the Company of
professed Thieves.'^Live by Fraud and Robbery,
-^Trip to Staines.- — Am at length apprehended
'for ihhat I am innocent of.

On entering the gates of the gloomy receptacle
to which I was now consigned, and which on many
accounts has not been unaptly named the Bastille,
the sensations 1 felt may be more easily conceived
than described. Besides that this was the first
prison 1 had ever entered, every thing around me
had an air of unspeakable horror. After being
viewed and reviewed by the surly Cerberuses of
this earthly hell, I was conducted up some stairs
to a long gallery, or passage, six feet wide, having
on either side a number of dismal cells, each about
six feet by nine, formed entirely of stone, but having
a small grated window near the roof, at the further
end, which admitted a gloomy light, and overlooked
a yard, in which other prisoners were confined ;
there was also a similar grate over the door ; but,
owing to their height, both these apertures were

129

very difficult of access* Tbe cells ou the other side
the passage, were exactly similar^ but overlooking
another yard, and the doors were immediately
opposite each other. The only furniture of these
dreary apartments was] an iron bedstead, on which
were a bed, blanket, and rug, but all of tbe coarsest
kind. I afterwards found, that by paying an ex-
travagant price, I might have had better accom*
modation ; but as I had then only a few days to stop,
and I found no want of cleanliness in my present
lodging, 1 declined the favour. My conductor
having given me a pitcher of water, without vouch*
safing a word, locked the door, and left me in utter
darkness. I retired to my homely couch, and
having well refreshed myself before I left th^ Brown
Bear*, I soon forgot my misfortunes in the arms of
Morpheus, and did not awake till I was roused by
the turnkey, at a late, hour in the morning. This
personage now behaved with some little civility^
and let me know that if I had any money I might be
supplied with a good breakfast ; at the same time
tossing upon my bed a small loaf (about fourteen
ounces,) of bread, which he told me was the daily
allowance of the prison. I gladly accepted his
offer* and desired to have some tea, which was pre-*

* A public-house nei^r tlie police-office, where prisoners are
confined until their removal to prison by the officers, who
seldom hurry a ger^Uman, if he bekwea like one, as their
phrase is.

130

senily sent up to me ; and I continued to have three
tolerable good meals, (at least in quantity^) every
day during my stay here-; but I paid for each on
delivery, and through the nose.-

In order to amuse my ihind during this solitarf
vireek, I climbed up to the grated aperture over the
door of my cell, and listened to the conversation of the
neighbouring prisoners, who were also confined for
re^examination ; and from their discourse I acquired a
more extensive knowledge of the various modes of
fraud and robbery, which I now found were reduced
to a regular system, than 1 should have done in
seven years, had I continued at large, 1 was indeed
astonished at what 1 heard, and I clearly perceived
thatinstead of expressing contrition for their offence,
their only consideration was how to proceed with
more safety, but increased vigour, in th^r future de-
predations. And here I was struck with the fal-
lacious notions entertained by the projectors of this
prison^ which was reputed to be upon the plan of
the benevolent and immortal Howard, who had re-
commended the confinement of offenders in separate
cells J in order to prevent the effects of evil commu-
nication among persons who had not all attained an
equal degree of depravity. This object, however,
was not effected here, for being within hearing of
each other, they could, by sitting up over the door
as I have described, converse each with his op-
posite neighbour, and even form a line of commimi-

131

cation^ where the dtscoarse became general, from
one end of the gallery to the other. As a proof of
vhat I have advanced, I knew several of the
l^soners then confined wkh me in tins passage,
who were at that time but striplings, and novices iii
•viUanj, and who^ after several years' continuance in
their evil courses^ at length became notorious offen-
ders, and having narrowly escaped a shameful death,
•«re now prisoners for life in this colony. '

Ob the morning of the appointed day, I was again
•taken to Bow-Street, where I found in attendance
Mr. Pettit, and the three shop-keepers from whom
I had obtained the goods. I also saw to my morti-
fication, dmt they had searched my loc^ng, and
had actually the various articles so obtained in iheir
custody, ready to produce. The -first persou ^rho
came forward, was the woollen-draper's shopman,
"who, producing some yards of cloth and kerseymere,
deposed that I had implied for such articles' in the
name of Messrs. Gifiard and Co«, and that having fire*^
quently served me with the'Jike goods, he delivered
them to me without hesitation. Mr. Pettit then
denying that I had been deputed by him, or his
-partner, and the [Property being sworn to, the
magistrate observed that here was sufficient matter
to convict me, and it was therefore unnecessary to
bind over the other tradesmen, who w^re ordered
to retain their goods. Having nothing tb offer in
my defence, his worship ordered the clerk to coin-

G 6

132

iiiit me for trial| on whiclp I earnestly begged the
magistrate to send me to some other prison^ Mrhere
my friends might have access to me^ (this^ b^iug
denied at the Bastille k la mode de Ptiris^) and in
compliance with my request, I was ordered to Nevr
Prison, Clerkenwell; at which 1 was much rejoiced*
On arriving at this prison, of the rules of wluch
I had acquired some idea, from the information of
my late fellow prisoners, who lis^l md^ed advisefd
me to petition as I did, I desired to have the best
accommodation I could, and was therefor^ i^alled
upon, to pay fees, garnish,; Sfc>, tog^th^* with, two
shillings for a bed the first night, but after that, one
shilling oiijly. Having complied with every demand^
I was introduced to a little room adjoining the
turnkey's lodge, where I found several persons, in
my own predicament, and some others who werec^oa-
fined for certain periods. We spent the day to-
gether in this p^t of the priso% having also free
access to the lodge, in which we walked for air, and
at night were locked up in different roonas above

, stairsi each containing two or three tolerable beds ;
so that having society both night and day, I felt less
meljincholy.than I had done in the house of correc-
tion. My -first qare was to send for a young man,

. who, beingreputed honest by the world, I thought I

^ could intrust to arrange matter^ at my lodgings,
and take care of the effects 1 left in my apartment.

. I requested him to pay the rent due, and remove

133

my chest to his own resideucey supplying me oc*
casionally with such articles as I might need.
On his return, he informed me that he had done
every thing for the best ; but, from his report, I found
that twenty guineas in money, and many of my
best clothes, had taken flight. This he attributed
to the officers, who, he said, had paid several
visits to the chest, on pretence of searching by
authority. As I knew how fruitless any complaint
would be, I was obliged to submit to these losses,
and thought myself very fortunate in having
thirty pounds about me on my apprehension,
which escaped the fangs of the officer who search*
ed me.

It was about the middle of April when I was
taken up, and this being what is termed long vaca-
tion, i had nearly seveii weeks to lie in jail, before
the sessions came on. This time I passed in the
most agreeable manner I could, reading sometimes
books and newspapers, at others^ smoking, drink-
ing, and conversing with my fellow-prisoners;
having all plenty of money, we formed a pretty
respectable mess, and lived on the most sociable
terms. Our society was increased by several new
chums before the sessions, and as these persons
were some degrees above the common class of
thieves, I found much satisfaction in their conver-
sation. There were indeed among them some of
the first characters upon the town, leading men in the

134

various branches of prigging* they professed ; both
toby-gillst, buz-gloaks;}:, cracksmen^^ ^c.^ but fixrai
their good address and respectable appearance,
nobody would suspect their real vocation. As for
the unfortunate prisoners, who had no money to
pay for indulgence, they were confined in a krge
yard, called the common side, where they were in-
deed exposed to *' variety of wretchedness/' The
part I inhabited was termed ^' between gates,'' being
that space which is between the outer-gate of the
prison, and the gate leading to the common-side.

My knowledge of life, as it is termed by the
knavish part of mankind, and my acquaintance with
family people||, every day increased ; but, as all who
heard my case concurred with myself in opinion
that I had no chance of escaping conviction, I did
not form any intimacy, or devise, any plans beyond
the present moment, concluding diat I should, at
least, be confined for two years, if not transported
for seven.

A week before, the Old Bailey sessions, die
prisoners were as usual removed to Newgate ; but
to my surprise, I was not included in their number;
and I found that my offence being considered a mis-
demeanour, 1 was to be tried at the Quarter sessions

• Thieving. f Highwaymen. J Pickpockets.

§ Housebreakers. \\ Persons living by fraud and de-

predation.

135

held at HicksVhidl. For the reason before-men-
tionedyl had been advised not lo employ a counsel^
iK^hich indeed I conceived, would be only money
thrown away, as the Case vras too clear against me.
I diere£or« j^ati^ntly iiwaitedthe issue^ isind the day
of trial jbeing come^ I was taken, wilii many other
pnsoners of .both seses, from the prison to the
sessions-house on Clerkenwell-greeo, at which Mn
Maiowarkig, ' the ibember for Middlesex, has for
many years, presided as chaiiinan.

Being putto the bar, I stood indicted for l^nowiog*
ly and designedly, and by false pretences, obtaining
from Joseph Addington, five yards of superfine
Uue cloth, and three yards- of black kerseymere, S^e.
Having pleaded ^ Not guilty,'' the first witness
called^ was Henry York^ shopman to the prosecutor,
who deposed, that on the 7th of April, I came to
his master's shop, and said I wanted the articles
mentioned in the indictment; and that he, the
witness, knowing me well by sight, as the servant of
Messrs. Giffard and Co., and taking for granted
that I was still in their service^ immediately cut off,
and delivered the same to me. Here the chairman
preyed the witness repeatedly, to state the exact
words that I used ; but the man was so evidently
embarrassed, (I suppose from his never being before
in a court of justice,) that nothing more could be
extracted from him ; he would persist in speak-
ing only in the third person, '^ He said he wanted.

136

4rc." Indeed, to the best of my recoUeetion, he.had
sworn exactly the truth ; but the reader will soon
see the chairman's motive for wishing his evidence
to be more pointed. I now felt my hopes revive, and
Mr. Pettit being sworn to depose that he had not
empowered me to demand the said goods, which
were now produced and identified, I was put upon
my defence, upon which I addressed the court to
the following effect : '^ May it please your worship,
and gentlemen of the jury, I am here indicted for
obtaining goods under false pretences.. From the
evidence of the witness York, you hear of no pre-
tences whatever which I used; he merely swears that;
I said I wanted such and such articles, and that he
delivered them to me without scrufde. However^ I
may have been morally culpable, I hope, gentlemen,
you will only be guided in your verdict by the evi-
dence before you, and I humbly submiti.that the
charge agsunst me has not .been formally eubslaih-
tiated. Gentlemen, I leave my case in your hands,
and the question of law . to the learned chairman,
who, I am f^rsuaded, will impartially decide
thereon."

The chairman now addressing the jury, spoke as
follows : ^^ Gentlemen, £ am sorry, for the ends of
public justice, that there' is but too .much reason in
what the prisoner has advanced; but be is. a very
young man, and I sincerely hope that if he this day
escapas the correction of the law, he wHl never again

137

transgress in a similar way. Gentlemen, the prisoner
is charged in the indictment with falsely obtaining
these goods in the names of William Giffard,
Christopher Fisher, and James Orrell Pettit. Now
in the evidence of York, the shopman, we hear not
a syllable of such pretence, or of the prisoner using
either of those names, consequently, the case is not
made out, and you must acquit the prisoner/' This ^
they immediately did, and after an admonition from
the chairman, I was discharged, having first applied
for the money, 6rc*, taken from me on my appre*
hensioii, which the court ordered to be restored.
Mr. Pettit deemed much chagrined at my escape,

and I was in some fear that he would endeavour to

have me detained ; but it is probable that be thought
it not worth his while, as he could not hope to ob-
taitf any restitution from me ; however^ he suffered
me to depart in peace, to my great joy. 1 have
reason to believe, that he had not discovered the full
extent of my depredations on his property at this
time, and that he had .not yet come to a knowledge
of the money 1 received in payment of bills at the
West end of the town.

On regaipiug my liberty, my first step was to go
in quest of the person to whose care I had coor
Hgned my effects ; and who, on pretence of much
business, had abstained for a fortnight past, from
visiting me in the prison. Inquiring at his usual
place of abode, I found that he bad quitted his

138

lodging a few days after, the period of my appre*
henaion, and tlie people of the house knew not
where he was gone. I then called at the printing-
office in which he was employed when I first knew
him^ and there learnt that he had suddenly absented
himselfy and was reported to have engaged with
some person of that profession *in the country.
9 Every inquiry I could nuike was equally fruitlessy
and I had the mortification to find that this supposed
friend had treacherously converted all my little
property to his own use, without regard to the
helpless situation in which he left me. I^ had no
longer any doubts about the fate of my twenty
guineas, and articles of apparel, which he had per-
suaded me the officers must have purloined.

My situation was now deplorable enough ; I
possessed only the clothes on my back, and about
five pounds ia money, the .expenses of living, b^c.^
during my confinement, having consumed the rest of
my stock. However, I had regained my- freedom,
which I little expected^and 1 consoled myself with the
reflection that I might have bedn still worse off
than I really was. I engaged a cheap but decent
lodging, and furnished myself with such necessaries
-as were indispensable for my present comfort, and
external appearafice ; . and i next began to muse
tipon the course now to be adopted for my future
subsistence.

A few days after my acquittal, I was accosted

139

one afternoon, m Fleet<^«treet/ by a young man^
whose face I had some £uat recoUeotion of; while
I was considering where I had seen him, he ant9u:i-
pated me, by asking if I did not remember kim in
Newrprison, where he was confined on the common
side, and had frequently conversed with me through
the gate of the lodge, at which I sometimes amused
myself with viewing the proceedings in the yard be*
low me. . This young man was then only confined till
the sessions on a charge of assault, but, being poor
in circumstances, was unable to pay the expenses
of admission ** between gates." I immediately re*
cognised him, and he gave me joy on my deliverance.
He ,was now very well attired^ and invited me to
drink a glass ; to which, as I had always found much
pleasure in. his conversation, I willingly oonsented,
and accompanied him to a house^ called the White
Swan, near Temple^bar. Here my inviter seemed
quite at home ; he introduced me . to a neat little^
parlour, in which were a number of persons smoking
their pipes, and drinking wine, punch, Sfc. I ob«
served that my conductor, whom 1 shall in future
call Bromley, appeared to know and be knpwn by them
all, and that they regarded me with an inquiring eye.
Having taken our seats in a vacant part of the
room, our conversation was at first upon general
topics ; at length Bromley inquired in a friendly
manner, how I employed myself, and on my answer-
ing candidly, that I really was destitute of employ-

140

menty and almost of mottey^ he observed that I wa9
to blame if I wanted money while any body eiais
had any; that for his part he never would ; and
that if I would take a walk widt bim^ I should be
welcome ; he added' that he had that day turned out
three readers*, but without finding a shilling in
either of them ; however, said he^ w^ cannot expect
to be always equally lucky. I confess I waa
ashamed to own that I had never practised thieving^
for (thanks to my late seven weeks' education,)
I understood his meaning well. I therefore tokt
him that I had not been accnstonied to buzzing, and
should be unable to do my port. On this, Bromley
replied that we should have at least one other per*
son with' us, and that he himself would work, while
he ooly^ required- me and the third nian:tb covert
him. Having thus an^wertld my objection, as I
bad no scrujJes -of conscience to overcome, I agreed
to accompany * him. Shortly afterwards a genteel
looking man, advancing to our table, from among
the other, company, asked Bromley if he was inclined
for a walk ; at the same time looking significantly*
first at me, then at my companion. The latter
answered, <' Yes, sir, with all my heait ; this gentle*
man is a friend of mine, he'll take a turn with us :
it's all right: he's one of us." Bromley having

* Poeket-boQka.

t To stand or walk in such a aitfiatioii,t;lo8e.to the person roh^
bed, as to prevent passengers fiDm noticing the depredation.

141

discharged our reckoaing, we tliea set out, and
proceeded uf Fleet>4treet| till we observed a crowd
of gazers at the windows. of Mesars. Laurie and
Whittle, prkit-seilers. Bromley iounediately joioed
the .throng, we keeping close hdiiiid him, wherever
he moved ; at length he gave us a sign to cover,
and we had scarcely taken our stations, before
Bromley drew back, and pulling the skirt of my
coat, left the crowd, and crossing the way, turned
Up a court which led into another street. We fol-
lowed him close, till he entered a public house, and
we were no sooner in a private room» than Bromley
drew from under his coat a large green pocket-book,
which, it seemsi he had, unobserved by me, extract-
ed from the pocket of a gentleman by whose side
be stood, when we advanced, to cover him. The
book, being opened, was found to contain a com-
plete set of valuable surgeon's instruments, some
private letters, and other papers, and in one of the
pockets eleven pounds in bank notes ; the money
was immediately divided in equal shares, and the
stranger observing that he knew where to fence''^ the
book, allowed Bromley and myself five shillings
each on that accojunt^ The papers, ^c, having
been committed to the flames, yfe then left the
house ; but my two companions having observed
some police-officers in Fleet-street, deemed it impru-
dent to prolong our stay in that quarter, and it being

« Sell.

•

142

now neariy dusk, at my request, we all threi retuhied
todie WhiteSwauyasI was curious to k^iiow mcwe-of
tii« varioue characters I bad se^ aasembted diere. *

The seasonable' relief lUj finances^ >faafl.eis{>eri-i
eticed by diis adventure, without any axertibn or'
risk on my {>art, gave^me much 5fti8falctipii;'and'I
thought, to use the words of Hrsr.* Pea<shain, in ike
Beggar's Opera, that this wa^ -'^ pretlrf ^encoun^e-
ment for a young begirniisr/^ ■ . ; , v

It was no sooner dark and ihecandkr lighted,
than the room began to fill apace, and my friend
Bromley ^ve me a de^cription'of each person as he
entered, explieiining the various brafiches'of sprigging,
S^c.y in which they excelled, as w^l 9& their go>od or
bad dispositions towards each otiier. I recbgnis^d
among "thcto sevi^ral feic^s which I i^diembered to
have seen at different public places, and even at cof-
fee-houses and ordinaries, where they intermixed with
the best company, and were treated with every respect.

From ihis time Bromley and myself became in-
separable. This young man wai^ the son of a re-
spectable master-tsulor, and was himself bred to the
same trade. Having formed bad connexions, (the
usual root of all evil,) he had quitted his father's
house about a year before I first knew him, and
associating with ** family people/' had since support-
ed himself by depredation ; he was two years older
than myself, and his father considering him irre«
claimable, had long since given him up.

143

For a few weeks we continued to go out*
with one or otber of .the gentlemen freqnenting the
Swan ; and after I had made the first essay, I he-
came pntUy expert in the art of buzzing. Our
success waa Tarious, but we managed to live well,
and I for my part soon acquired a good stock cf
clothes, books, and other comforts, as they were
considered by me. As for Brpmley, he was
not so good a manager, and when absent from me,
he led a very irregular life, lavishing his money
without discrimination on the most unworthy
objects, without taking any thought for the morrow,
so that though our gains were equal, I becaine
every day richer, while he was seldom master of
a guinea beforehand. By degrees we detached
ourselves from the society of those veteran prigst,
with whom we had first asssociated, and not confin-
ing our operations to one branch of depredation,
we had recourse to various methods of getting
money. It would be tedious to particularise
every species' of fraud and robbery, which we
practised in the short space of three months, at
the end of which period, it will be seen that the
hand of justice arrested our further progress ; and
it is hardly credible, (but such is the fact,) that
during this oiir limited career, we exercised alter-
nately the following numerous modes of depreda-i
tion ; which, least the reader should be unprovided
♦ To go a thieving. t Thieves.

144

widi a cant dictionary, I shall briefly explain in sac-
cession: viz., buzzing(l), dragging(£), 8neaking(d),
hoi8ting(4)y pinching(5)9 snia8hing(6)y juniping(7),
spanking (8), and starring(9^ ; together with thekid-
rig(10)9 the letter-racket (11), the oider-racket (IS),
and the snuff-racket (Id).

In these various esploits, we were sometimes as-
sisted by a third person ; and at.otbers, though very

(1) Picking pockets in general.

(9) Robbing carts, or carriages, of bales, tmnks, &c»

(3) Entering a bouae or ahdp>nBotMenredya«dsteaKog what-
ever i« most come-at-able.

(4) Shop-liflting.

(5) Secreting small trinkets of value in a shop, while pretend-
ing to select and parchate something.

(6) Uttering eoanteifeit money, or forged bank-notes.

(7) Getting in at the lower whidovs of private honaesy and
robbing the apartments of plate or other portable goods.

(8) Breaking a shop-window at night, having first tied the
door to prevent a pursnit, then snatching at any articles of value
within reach*

(9) Catting a hole in a pane of glass, without noise, in
order to rob the window of something before determined on.

(10} Defrauding errand boys, or porters^ of their load, by
lalse pretences of various kinds.

(11) Obtaining money from charitable persoas, by some
Petitions statement of distress.

(is) -Obtaining goods from a tradesman by lalse pretences,
or by a forged order in writing.

(13) Throwing snufif in the eyes of a shop-keeper, and then
running off with such money or valuable property as may lay
within reach.

145

rarely, we formed part of a numerous gang ; but in
general we acted by ourselves, and, considering our
youth and inexperience, evinced a good deal of
dexterity.

In the month of July, 1800, finding myself in-
clined for a summer [excursion -into the country, I
determined on a trip to Plymouth, having never been
in the West of England, and invited my friend
Bromley to accompany me. As we, neither of us,
possessed much money, I proposed to travel in the
same manner as I had formerly done, in my Ports-
mouth expedition, and to defray our expenses by
practising the same imposition, which I now well
knew to be a systematic fraud, known among
" family people" by the title of " the letter-racket."

We accordingly left town together, equipped
with a few indispensables, contained in a small
bundle which we carried alternately, and provided
with a new edition of " Carey'sl tinerary.'' Ourfirst
resting-place was Hammersmith, where, in the
course of four hours, I realized as many pounds ;
my companion in the mean time lying dormant in
a public-house, for in this practice he was not qua<-
lified to bear a part ; but we intended to omit no
opportunity which might offer of obtaining money
by any other means.

Quitting Hammersmith, we proceeded to Houn*
slow, where we arrived the same evening, and re-
posed for the night. The following day was spent

VOL. 1. H

146

in coUecting from the well-disposed inhabitants of
the town, and on the ensuing morning, we walked to
Staines a distance of seven miles. Arriving at the latter
place about One o'clock, we put up at a genteel
public-house, and regaled ourselves with a good
dinner. We had just dined, and were enjoying a
pipe, aud a bowl of punch, when a respectable
looking old gentleman entered the room^ and begged,
if it was agreeable, to take a pipe with us. This
being a sort of public parlour, of course we could
have no objection, and we soon entered into familiar
chat, the stranger proving a vefy pleasant com-
panion. Having passed about an hour in conver-
sation, I rose, and, apologizing to the old gentleman,
told Bromley I would step out and transact a little
business, desiring him to entertain the stranger
until my return. / My intention was to visit some of
the most respectable inhabitants with my petition,
and Bromley, of course, well understood my meaning.
On quitting the inn, which was situated in the
principal street, and about the centre of the town,
I turned to my right band, towards London, pro-
posing to take the houses and shops on that side the
street, until I came to the extremity or entrance of
the town, and then to return on the other side, until
I arrived opposite our inn ; calculating that this
task would occupy the remainder of that day, and
meaning on the next to make a circuit of the other
halfof the town.

147

My first essay was at. a watcb-maker's, about snc
doors from the house at which we put up. Enter*
iog the shop with my letter in my hand, I was
rather surprised at finding no person in attendance,
and still more so, when upon knocking on the
counter, not a sou) appeared to answer me. Cast-
ing my eyes round, I perceived a door of communi
cation with a back-room, in which I distinctly heard
a child crying, and the voice of a woman soothing
it There were a number of watches hanging in
the window, and conceiving I ought to profit by this
opportunity, 1 determined without hesitation to do
so. Having, therefore, first slightly repeated my
knock, and then looked up and down die street, in
which (as frequently happens in country towns,)
not a creature appeared, I commenced my depreda^
tions. The window, as is usual with watch-makers,
was enclosed with a kind of lattice-work, and there
was no means of access to the watches, but by a
small gate, which opened behind the counter. The
attempt was rather hazardous, but the temptation
predominated, and over the counter I jumped.
Having entered the little enclosure, I took down
the watch nearest to me, which was a silver one,
and put it in my pocket, then another, also silver,
and had just extended my hand towards a third,
which from the colour I supposed to be gold, when
lo ! to my utter confusion, the very same old gen-
tleman I had left in the company of Bromley, ad-

148

vaneed to the window, as if passing by ; but stopping
short, and looking earnestly towards me for a
moment, he suddenly turned round, and appearing
much agitated, retraced his steps as fast as his age
would permit him towards the inn. This transac*
tion was of course momentary, and I had no time
for reflection ; but the terror and alarm always con-
seiquent on conscious guilt, operated so strongly upon
my mind, that it instantly struck me the old man
bad been aware of my depredations, and had hurried
away to give an alarm, and cause my apprehension.
My fears were so great that I had not even power
to take down the third watch, but hastened out of
the shop, and on gaining the street, turned to my
right handj (not daring to return to the' inn,) and
putting the best foot foremost, I found myself in
a few minutes at the end of the town, and the
Xx>ndon road lying before me. However, as I
every moment expected to be pursued and over-
taken, I was afraid to continue in that road ; buty
availing myself of the first turning I came to, which
was a narrow lane on my right, I quitted the turn-
pike road, intending to take a circuitous course, in
order to avoid a pursuit. '

It was now about five o'clock, and although I
much regretted the situation in which 1 had left
poor Bromley, who had no money about him, as I
was always purse-bearer, yet I conceived it would
be madness in me to return to Staines, convinced a&

149

I was of the danger to >vhich I had exposed myself.
I therefore determined to proceed^ direct to town,
not doubting that Bromley would find means to
extricate himself, and speedily follow me. I was
for some time at a loss to find my way, but meeting
a countryman, he directed me ; and after crossing a
number of fields, and scrambling over hedges and
ditches, I gained the high road once more, and
pushing for\vard, stopped at length to refresh my-
self at a public-house about five miles from Staines.

It was by this time dusk, and, while I was baiting
at this house, one of the Bath stages luckily stop-
ping at the door, I applied to the coachman for a
passage, and ascending the vehicle, arrived safe at
Hyde-park comer, about nine o'clock the same
night.

The following day I was, of course, anxiously
solicitous about poor Bromley. • I made inquiry
for him at every place he was accustomed to fre*
quent, but without success, during the whole morn-
ing. At length, about four in the afternoon, as I
was walking through Leicester-fields, I unexpect-
.edly met him, to my great satisfaction. Mutual
inquiries immediately took place ; and I was sur-
prised to hear him express the greatest astonishment
at my sudden departure from Staines, for which
he told me he was unable to account. This of
course produced an explanation, when it appeared
%hat nothing whatever had transpired respecting tb«

H S

150

robbery I bad committed, nor had Bromley seen or
heard any more of the old gentleman after the latter
quitted his company, which he did a few minutes
after myself. 1 must, therefore, have been mistaken
in my notion that he had observed my actions
through the watch-maker's window, of which, at the
moment, I entertained no doubt ; so true it is, that
a guilty conscience needs no accuser. What could
have occasioned his sudden retreat, is therefcMre
Btill a mystery lo me.

Bromley then proceeded to inform me, that on
finding I did not return about my usual houi' to tea,
he began to fear something unpleasant had bsppen*
ed, and had accordingly taken a wdk through the
town, in quest of me ; but ndt succeeding in his ob*
ject, his astonishment apd fears increased, and both
were heightened when bed«>tinie approached without
my appearance. That being willing, however, to
hope for the. best, he had supped by himself, and
telling the landlady, that he supposed his fiiend was
Retained on business which prevented his return, he
had at length retired to bed. The following mom*
]ng he renewed his search, and. meeting with no
better success, he took French leave of the landlady,
suffering her to retain our common bundle of ne->
eessaries,. which, indeed, were of more value than
our reckoning could amount to ; and quitting Staines
about eight o'clock, the poor fellow had travelled
on foot. to towni (a distance of sixteen miles,) ha^t^g

151

accidentally one shSling in his pockety which pro^
curecHiim a breakfast, at the same public-house at
which I took the Bath stage.

Ilius ended our projected expedition to Ply-
mouth ; for having been so disappointed in the out-
set, we had no inclination to make a second attempt.
I sold the two watches for five pounds^ and dividing
that sum, as well as the residue of what I had ac->

_ »

quired by the '* Letter racket," with Bromley, we
turned our thoughts to other modes of obtaining
money.

Soon after my return to London, from Staines, X
was one day passing through Newgate-street, im«
mediately opposite the walls of Newgate, when
observing a grave-looking elderly gentleman, who
was walking just before me, to have a pocket*book
in his outside coat-pocket, I made an attempt to
ease him of it ; but it being of an unusual size, and
rather ponderous, it slipped from my fingers, and
alarmed the gentleman; who, turning round sharply,
and seeing me close behind him, clapped his hand
upon my shoulder, saying very drily, " Holloa ! young
man, when did you come to town ?^ I of course
affected to be much surprised, and with a look of
displeasure at his freedom, begged he would explain
his meaning. The stranger staring me full in the
face, and smiling sarcastically, pointed with his
finger to the opposite walls ; and, in a low voice,
said, '' You see that stone building, my pretty

H 4

152

youth ; mark my words^ that will be your resting-
place very soon." — Then, without suffering me to
reply, he crossed hastily towards Snow-hili, leaving
me to reflect at leisure upon his words, and wonder
at the strangeness of this adventure !

This gentleman, one would think, possessed the
gift of prophecy ; for, as he had foretold, in less
than six weeks after, I actually became an inmate of
Newgate !

On Sunday the 17 th of August, 1800, Bromley
and myself, after breakfasting together, agreed to walk
into the city ; our business there, being to purchase
some base half-guineas and seven-shilling pieces,
of a Jew in Petticoat-lane, Whitechapel. We ac-
cordingly set out, and about one o'clock entered
Cheapside, when we observed a great concourse of
people, assembled round the door and windows of
a draper's shop. As is natural to persons in
London, we entered the crowd out of curiosi^ ; at
least that was my sole motive, for I always opposed
robbing on the Sabbath-day : (at which the reader
may perhaps smile»)*-My partner Bromley, how-
ever, had an eye to business, and I soon perceived
by his motions, that he was scrutinizing the pockets
of the spectators. I was, however, at some dis-
tance from him, and signified my dissent by a look;
in fact, I had no sooner ascertained the object of
the people's curiosity, which was an attempt made
in the preceding night, to break the shop open, of

153

which the shutters bore evident marks, than I
beckoned to Bromley, and made the best of mj
way out of the crowd. I had no doubt but he would
immediately follow me, and having got clear of the
mob, and proceeded slowly about thirty yards from
the spot, on my way towards Whitechapel, I made
a stand, and turned round to see if Bromley was
coming. The reader, (unless he doubts my veracity)
will judge of my surprise, when I saw my poor com-
panion, struggling with a man who held him at
arm's length with one hand, and had in the other a
silk handkerchief; at the same time calling after a
person who had also left the crowd, and was pro-
ceeding the contrary way, (towards Saint Paul's,)
*' Stop Sir, come back, you' re robb'd." The person
called to, immediately turned back, and at the same
moment, the fellow who held Bromley, seeing me
looking earnestly at the transaction, exclaimed^
pointing at me, '^ Stop him in the blue coat ! that 'a
the other." Knowing my innocence, I did not at-
tempt to escape ; and a man now advancing to the
spot where I stood, seized me by the. collar, and
dragged me back to the crowds The person said
to be robbed, had by this time returned, and being
desired to search if he had lost any thing, did so,
and missed his handkerchief. The man who had
apprehended Bromley, proved to be a turnkey at
the Poultry-Compter, and a city constable; the
other, who seized me, wa^ brother to the formerj

H 5

154

and also a peace officer, tteir Bttme, Aldeitaan*
These two having now taken the address of the
stranger, who identified the handkerchid', and having
desired him to attend the next day at the Mansioti*-
House, they proceeded to escort Bromley and
myself to the Compter. On arriving at this prison,
they immediately searched us, and took from eltch
o/ us a silk handkerchief, a pocket-book, and other
articles, all our own property; but unluckily Broin-*^
ley had a second handkerchief about him, (I believe
a white muslin one,) which he had worn round his
neck the preceding day. — Being now locked up by
ourselves, we had leisure to talk over this unfortu*
nate affiiir, and I could not help censuring Bromley
for the imprudent act he had committed, especially
where the object was so insignificant. Indeed, I
had frequently, since our connexiouy had occasion
to blame him' for> taking so petty an article as a
handkerchief, whidi, notwithstanding^ he pcfrsisted
in doing, particularly if it was of a fancy pattern^
However, as there was no recalling the event, it
was agreed that he should make the best defence he
could for himself, and deny any knowledge of me,
which, as 1 was not near him, when he was detected,
I conceived would effectually procure my libe*
ration. Thus, after committing numerous acts of
robbery with impunity, I was at last apprehended
for what I bad no more actual concern in, than the
reader of the page 1 am now writing.

153

CHAPTER XIII.

Examined brfore the Lord Mayor.^^Fnlly com-
mitted^ tried, and cast. — My Father's Faith and
Assurances. — My Disappointment on beir^ trans-
ported for Seven Years. — Contract the Gaol Dis-
temper, and am reduced to the point of Death. —
lUcoDer my Health, and am sent on Board a
Transport for Botany Bay.

The next day, Monday, we were taken to tiie
Mansion-Hottse for examination, before the Lord
Mayor. The owner of the handkerchief being in
sittendanee, one of the oflBcers acquainted his lord-
ship, that observing both Bromley and myself to
be very busy in the crowd assembled in Cheapside,
the preceding day, and suspecting our designs, he
had watched us narrowly, and at length observed
Bromley to take a handkerchief from a gentleman's
pocket, which he immediately endeavoured to con-
vey to me; but before he could' do so, he, the
witness, laid hold of him, and took the handkerchief
from his hand ; on which (he stated) I endeavoured
to escape, but that he pointed me out to his brother,
who happened to be with him, and desired him to
secure me, while he himself called back the gentle-
man who had been robbed, and informed him of

156

ike circumstance. (So much for the veracty of
this deponent's evidence, to which he afterwards
deliberately swore !)

His brother corroborated the foregoing account^
which he was well enabled to do, having heard
the whole of it ; and with this addition, tliat in the
course of his duty as a city constable, he had seen
us daily perambulating the streets, during the busy
hours, and knew us both to be notorious pick-
pockets. (This was more wickedly false than all
the rest, for we had never given one of the city
officers the least opportunity to suspect or notice
us, but it had the effect they intended ; that of
inducing the magistrate and prosecutor to deal
more rigidly with us.) They further swore, that
on searching us, they found two pocket-books,
several handkerchiefs, and other suspicious articles,
(meaning by these last, I suppose a small knife, and
a pair of scissors, which we each carried about us,)
all which they doubted not to be stolen !

Mr. Dowell, the person they had invited to pro-
secute us, now deposed that he was a tradesman
living in Chancery-lane ; that he knew nothing of
the robbery, but being called back by the first
witness, he missed his pocket-handkerchief, and that
the one produced by the officer, he believed to be
his, as it was of the same pattern, but had no mark
by which he could identify it. His lordship then^
calling upon us for our defence, Bromley declared

157

that he had picked the handkerchief up in the
crowd; and at the same moment the officer seized
him, and charged him with stealing it ; that he was
going on his own business at the time of this
affair happening, and that so far from my being
ill his company, he never saw me before in his
life.

The Lord Mayor appearing to have some pity
on our youth, asked Mr. Dowell if he was deter-
mined to prosecute us, hinting at the same time,
that he, (his Lordship) did not wish to urge him to
that measure, provided we were willing to enter into
His Majesty's service, but that he was at liberty to
act as he thought fit. I was in great hopes that
Mr. Dowell would incline to lenity, but the officers
took him on one side, and found means to persuade
him that he ought, for the sake of the public, to let
the law take its course. He was thereupon bound
over to prosecute, and we were committed to take
our trial at the next Old Bailey Sessions, commencing
the 1 7th of September. For the present, we were
remanded to the Poultry Compter ; there to remain
until moving day, that is, the Thursday before
sessions.

As I conceived myself in some danger from the
inveterate malice of the two brothers, I deemed
it advisable to take all possible measures for my
deliverance ; and it occurred to me, that as I
knew no person in London whom I could depeud

158 •

on as a real friend, I should do veil to inform my
father of my situation, and request the aid of his
experience, and personal mediation, in my behalf.
-^-It was now upwards of five years since I had
any intercourse with my parents, further than twice
or thrice calling at dieir residence, with a formal
inquiry after their health, and sometimes a cold
salutation when my father and I met in the streets :
at which times I always avoided any explanation as
to my circumstances, or the mode of life 1 led ; and
since my quitting the navy, I had never exchanged a
word with them. I now therefore wrote to my
father, acquainting him with my distress, and
hegging to see him without delay. He very soon
complied with my reqiiest, and 1 informed him^
(with as much adherence to truth as I thought
necessary,). of the cause of my confinement. My
£itber, who I have before mentioned to hive been
unfortunate in his speculations, had been for several
years deckning in the world, and notwithstanding his
want of a£Fectiou towards me, I felt much concern
at his decayed appearance. He promised me every
assistance he could render by his personal exertions,
but declared his inability to extend pecuniary aid,
the times being at this crisis peculiarly hard, and
every necessary of life daily advancing in price. For-
tunately I had some good clothes, i^c*y and a few
pounds in money by me; and my father, being
directed by me, repaired to my lodgings, and secured

159

all my effects, which he removed to his own hooiey
supplying me occasionally with such articles or
money, as I found myself in need of. My father,
at this period, resided in St. George's Fields, where
he had taken and furnished a small house, tfie major
part of which he let out m lodgings. By this expe«
dient, and I believe (under the rose,) a little dab-
bling in the lottery, ke made a shift to keep the
wolf (or rather the bailiff) from the door. My
modier also visited me in the Compter, accompa-
nied by my two sisters, and shewed me every atten-
tion in her power.

Being removed on the usual day to Newgate, I
applied myself to draw up a brief, for the purpose
of employing. a counsel in behalf of my unfortunate
companion, who had not himself the means of
obtaining legal assistance. As to myself, I con-
ceived nothing but the grossest peijury could induce
a jury to convict me, under the circumstances of my
apprehension ; knowing as I do, that in no court in
Europe, has a prisoner so much justice shewn him^
or such lenity in a doubtful case, as at the Old
Bailey : besides, my father belieymg my protes*
tations of innocence, (I mean of all connexion with
Bromley,) would not for a moment entertain a
doubt of my acquittal, and therefore opposed the
unnecessary expense of feeing counsel. Having
completed the brief to my satisfaction, I sent it

160

(ttDknonvn to my father) with the usual fee, to Mr.
Alley.

Every thing being thus arranged, and a true bill
returned by the grand jury upon the evidence of the
officers to the same effect as before, I was on the
£3d of September put to the bar, together with
Bromley; and, as I have so frequently read the
printed report of our trial, that it will never be
erased from my memory, I shall give the reader the-
substance of the proceedings, which I can do nearly
verbatim : and, I believ^ upon the whole, a more
extraordinary trial has been seldom found upon
record.

TRIAL, Sfc.

Alexander Bromley and James Vaux, were in-
dicted for feloniously stealing on the 17th of Au-
gust, a handkerchief, value two shillings, the goods
of William Dowel), privily from his person.

To this indictment the prisoners pleaded *^ Not
guilty."

Mr. Alley, counsel for Bromley, desired that the
witnesses might be examined apart, with which
request the court complied.

William Alderman sworn.**-'^ I am a city con-
stable, and turnkey of the Poultry Compter. On
Sunday the 17th of August, I was passing through
Cheapside, when observing a crowd of persons col-^
lected together, 1 went up to inquire the cause ; I

161

there saw the two prisoners^ and knowing them to
be suspicious characters, I watched their motions,
and presently saw Bromley take a handkerchief
from the pocket of the prosecutor, which he at*
tempted to give to Vaux, but before Vjaux could
take it from him, I seized Bromley with the hand-
kerchief in his hand." (Here witness went on to
describe our apprehension, in the same terms as he
had done before the Lor4 Mayor). '' lean produce
the handkerchief; I have had it ever since. — On
searching the prisoners, we found upon them two
pocket-books, and several handkerchiefs, with other
suspicious articles; but the Lord Mayor ordered
them to be returned, when he committed the pri-
soners for trial."

Cross-examined by Mr. Alley. — Q. Which of
the prisoners took the handkerchief?

A. They both had hold of it : the biggest, Vaux,
let go immediately.

Q. Then you mean to swear they both took it i

A. Yes.

Q, Which pocket was it taken from ?

A. The left-hand coat-pocket.

Q. You know there is a reward, if these two
poor boys are convicted. Was it you that advised
the prosecutor to lay this indictment capital ?

A. The grand jury found the bill. (Witness
ordered to withdraw.)

Thomas Aldermaq sworn,—" I W8^3 with my

162

brother. I saw both the prisoners very busy,
lifting up the lids of people's pockets. Bromley
took a gentleman*s handkerchief^ on which my
brother seized him. I apprehended Vaux. He
had got away to some distance from the crowd."

Cross-examined by Mr. Alley. — Q. What are
y6u. Sir ?

A, I am a tailor^ and a constable of the city.

Q. So you thought you could get more by pro-
secuting these two poor young lads, than by sittbg
on your shop-board at work ?

A, I did my duty*

Q. Who took the handkerchief?

A. Bromley took it out, and Vaux laid hold of
the corner, to take it from Bromley.

Q. Which pocket was it in, the right or the left f

A. The right-hand pocket*.

Q. Now, Sir, you know these poor lads are
trying for an offence, for which they are liable to be
hanged, if they are convicted : I ask you, upon the
oath you have taken, whether you ever heard of
two persons putting their hands in a man's pocket
at once f

A. T never did.

Q. Then if your brother has said so, he has told
a lie ?

A. That he certainly has. (A general laugh in
the court.)

* See the evidence of William Alderman.

163

{The handkerchief produced and identified by
the prosecutor^ from its similitude to the one
he lost."]
Bromley called four witnessed^ and Vaux two
witnesseSy who gave them a good character.

Bromley's defeace.— " I picked the handkerchief
up in the crowd."
Vaux's defence. — '* I am innocent.''
Bromley, Guilty (aged 20,)
Vaux, Guilty (aged 18,)
Of stealing the handkerchief value elevenpence.

Thus ended this curious trial, to the general dis-
liatisfaction of a crowded audience, who expressed
their sentiments by loud and distinct murmurs.
The jury returned the above verdict, in order to
reduce the offence to a simple felony, by finding the
value of the property under one shilling, stealing from
the person to which amount is death. My father,
together with Mr. Kirby, the keeper of Newgate,
stood at my elbow during the whole trial, and
both advised me to make the laconic defence I
did. It was their firm belief, that I should be
acquitted, and the result surprised them much.
The witnesses to Bromley's character were tailors,
with whom he had formerly worked ; those in my
favour, were very respectable tradesmen, adduced by
my father. On leaving the bar, the latter, as well
as Mr. Kirby, comforted me with the assu-
rance, that the court would only impose a small

164

fine'"' upon us; and my father promised to use all
Lis interest, and that of his friends with the Recor-
der, previous to the latter passing sentence, for
which end Mr. Kirby advised a petition to be im-
mediately prepared. This task I accomplished the
next day, and delivered it to my father for presen-
tation.

Both Bromley and myself (buoyed up by the
assurances above-mentioned,) entertained the fullest
hopes that our sentence would be lenient. On the
last da^y of the session, according to custom, al]
the prisoners convicted, were brought into court, to
receive judgment* Those capitally convicted were
first put to the bar, and ristreived the awful sentence
of death; after which, a few were ordered to be
transported for fourteen years; and then forty
persons were called in succession, (among whom
were myself and Bromley,) and being placed at th^
bar, the whole forty were collectively sentenced
to seven years transportation, beyond the high
Beas! This severe doom affected us both in a
very great degree. I, for my part, was inconsolable,
and shed tears in abundance. My father, on visiting
me the next day, professed much concern, and
would have still flattered me with hopes of a reverse ;
but I have since had good reason to believe, that
instead of using his influence in my favour^ he se-

* A short confinement k here meant.

165

eretly approved of the event, conceiving, I suppose,
that sending me out of the country, might save me
from a still worse fate ; and, that this was there*
fore, (to use the common phrase of parents on
such occasions,) the best thing that could have
happened for me.

After the first effects of our grief had subsided,
the society of our fellow-prisoners, and the bustle
constantly prevailing in the prison, soon banished
every trace of sorrow, and we became as cheerful
as the best. My father and mother paid me every
attention, and the produce of my own effects was
fully adequate to my support for several months :
when that resource failed, my father contributed his
mite ; and with the help of another friend or two, I
was comparatively comfortable during my conti-
nuance in Newgate. As for Bromley, his father,
on hearing his sad fate, had allotted him a weekly
pittance, sufficient, with care, to keep him above
want.

About a month after the close of the session, the
gaol being unusually crowded with prisoners, a most
dreadful contagion, called the gaol fever, made its
appearance, and spread so universally, throughout
every ward and division of the prison, that very few
escaped its attack. I was one of the first to con«
tract it, and was immediately carried to the infir-
mary, or sick*ward of the prison, where I only
remember having my irons taken off, and being put

166

to bed ; for the same nighty I became delirioasi aad
"was so dreadfully affected, as to coatinue insensible
for three weeks, during which time, I bad no know-
ledge of my parents, or of any other person who
approached me ; and the fever raged to such a
degree, that I was obliged to be bound in my bed,
in order to restrain me from acts of mischieC My
poor companion, Bromley, was attacked about the
same time as myself ; and, on recovering my reason,
I found him laid in the adjacent bed to my own,
and was informed his sufferings had been equally
grievous with mine. It pleased God, however, to
restore us both to perfect health*; but numerous
were the unhappy persons who fell victims to this
dire disease*

It is usual to make occasional draughts, of con-
victs under sentence of trainsportation, from New-
gate to the Hulks at Woolwich, Portsmouth, 4rc.,
on board of which receptacles they continue until
a ship is in readiness, to convey them to New
South Wales. Few prisoners are suffered to remain
above three months in the prison, after their con-
viction. A longer continuance is effected either by
bribery or intereiit. My father, having heard a
shocking account of the Hulks, had waited on Mr.
Kirby, the gaoler, soon after my receiving sen-
tence, and obtained a premise that I should re-
main in Newgate, until a ship was on the point
of sailing for this colony ; and herein, he was as

167

good as lis word.— Mj frnthar, at lengdi recovod
a private intiinatioo fiom Mr. Kiiby, that ke had no
tinie to lose in anangiiig matters for my depar-
ture: acGordinglj, with the assistance of two or
diree other friends, my fadier contrived to pack up
a few of the most necessary comforts for my use on
the passage, which he afterwards sent to Ports-
mouth by the coach. On the 15th of May, 1801,
my father, mother, and sisters, came to take a final
leave of me ; there was something solemn in this
scene, which affected me much, though our mutual
regard was not of the most violent nature. I also
took leave of my companion in adversity, who, by
what means I know not, still remained in Newgate^
but was shortly after my departure, removed to the
hulks at i^ortsmouth. — The next morning (May
16th,) at four o'clock, myself, and thirteen others,
who had been all kept back for this opportunity,
were attached together by a strong chain, and
escorted by the keeper and his subordinates to
Blackfriars-bridge, where a lighter was iu readiness
to receive us, in which we proceeded down tlie river
Thames to Graveseud, and about noon arrived
alongside the Minorca transport. Captain Leith,
bound for Port-Jackson, in company with the Ca-
nada and Nile, which ships were also l>ing at this
anchorage, for the purpose of receiving their pri-
soners on board.

168

CHAPTER XIV.

Sail from England. — Account of our Voyage.--^
Arrive at Port Jackson.-^Write in my own behalf
to Commissary Palmer. — That Gentleman is pleas-
ed io notice my Application: — iMnd at Sydney ,
and am carried before Governor King. — ji curious
Dialogue between His Excellency and myself. —
Ordered to Hawkesbury, as Store-keeper's Clerk.

XxAVING entered ^ the ship, we were all indis-
criminately stripped, (according to indispensable
custom) and were saluted with several buckets of
salt-water, thrown over our heads by a bcatswainV
mate. After undergoing this watery ordeal, we
were compelled to put on a suit of slop-clothing.
Our own apparel, though good in kind, being
thrown overboard. We were then double-ironed,
and put betweeu-decks, where we selected such
births, for sleeping, SfC; as each thought most eli-
gible. The next day, we received on board forty-
six more prisoners, from the Hulks at Woolwich,
and the Canada fifty. The Nile also took on board
one hundred women, from the different gaols in
Great Britain. The three ships then sailed for
Spithead, where, on our arrival, the Minorca and
Canada had their numbers augmented, from the

169

Hulks at Portsmouth^ to one hundred men each.
Every thing being now in readiness, we only waited
for the convoy to assemble, with which we were to
proceed to a certain latitude.

During^ this interval, I wrote the first intimation
of my unhappy state, to my dear and honoured
grand&ther, palliating the fiacts as much as possible,
and positively denying any criminal connexion be-
tween myself and Bromley, lliis I did, in order
to save those heart-rending pangs, which I knew
my venerable and virtuous benefactors would suf-
fer, if they had been acquainted with the dissolute
life I had for some time led. In a few days, I re-
ceived a long and most affectionate letter from my
grandftither, in which he deplored the harshness of
ray destiny ; but far from aggravating my sufferings
by reflections on my manifold indiscretions, this
good old man laboured only to press my resigna-
tion to the dispensations of Providence, and to ex-
hort me, by my future conduct, to make atonement
for the past. He added a great deal of good advice,
as to my behaviour in the degraded state to which
I was reduced, concluding with his blessing, and
that of my grandmother, and a most pathetic apd
tender ferewell. — I had assured my grandfather in
my letter, that no extension of pecuniary aid could
at all ameliorate my situation, as I had a sufficient
store of necessary comforts for my voyage : my mo-
tive for this assurance, was, to prevent him from

TOL. I. I

170

distressing himself still [further in hiir old age on an
object so worthless as myself, by whose expensive
adoption and education, he and the partner of bis
griefs were already reduced to a state bordering on
mdigence, aggravated by mental anxiety and sorrow
for me, the unworthy canse.

On the 21st. of June, we sdled from Spithead,
in company with about ibree hundred sail of mer-
chantmen, bound to various ports, under convoy
of a frigate and a sloop of war. The convoy
parted from us soon after we pas^sed the Canary
Islands, and our three riiips priDceeded in company.
A few days after we put to sea, I was noticed by
Captain Leith, to whom I had (as my grandfather
advised me) offered the services of my pen, 8^.
The captain, in consequence, employed me during
the voyage in writing his Log, Journal, and other
accompts, and extended to me all the indulgence
my situation would admit of. The latter end of
August we arrived at Rio de Janeiro, where we
had every refreshment the place afforded, and, after
a continuance of thirty days, we resumed our voyage.
Nothing worthy of notice occurred therein; our
little squadron kept company until we made the
Harbour of Port Jackson, which -we did on the I4di
of December, and the same day ciime to an anchor
in Sy3ney-cove.

Among my felloW-prisoners, was a yonUg man
named Calvert, with whom I had become yerjHn-

171

timate. In the course of our passage, this person
had shewn me an open letter of recommendation to
John Palmer, Esq., then Commissary of New Soudi
Wales, -which was from a particular friend of the
latter gentleman, and pleaded strongly in fisvour of
the bearer. A few days before our arrival, it oc-
curred to me, that a humble application in my own
behalf to Mr. Palmer might have the efiect of ob-
taining for me some little distinction, as I heard a
most amiable character of him, and conceived my
services might not be unacceptable in bis public
department. I dierefore wrote a respectful letter,
which I consigned to the care of Captain Leith, who
promised not only to deliver it himself, but to speak
in my favour, both to Mr. Pidmer and his ExceU
lency die governor.

The second day after our arrival, several gentle-
men came on board, to muster and inspect the pri-
soners: among the number was Mr. Palmer himself,
who, having received my letter, was pleased to (tell
nie, in the kindest manner, that he had mentioned
me to the Governor, and that 1 might accordingly
expect a favourable appointment on my landing.
The majority of the prisoners were sent up the
Munlry, the day after the must^, to various kind^
of labour, but myself and a few others, were
detained on board until the 29th, on winch day
we landed at Sydney, and were iinmeiiately
conducted to Government-House, in onder to be

I 2

172

severally examined and disposed of by Governcr *
King. We were called in succession for our
audience ; and, when it came to my turn, I entered
the room with a respectful bow to the gentlemen
assembled; for there were seated at a table, several
officers of the colony, besides his Excellency. The
latter, however, I soon distinguished by his manner
of addressing me, and as the particulars of this in-
terview may a£ford some entertainment to those
who were not acqusunted with the eccentric charac-
ter of Governor King, I shall give the reader our
conversation in dialogue, as near as my memory will
permit.

Governor, (Regarding me from head to foot, with
a most inquisitive eye, or rather four eyes, for he
wore spectacles, and, with a manner, the very re-
verse to encouraging) " Well, Mr. Vaux, what
were you sent here for f*

Vaux. (Of course a little embarrassed at this un-
expected question, so abruptly put,) '^ Sir, I had
the misfortune to be acquainted with a person of
bad character, who in my company committed'' — -—

Governor. (Interrupting me impatiently) '' But
Mr. Vaux, come to the point at once. I don't want
you to come round here, and then back again, and
round the other way, (drawmg circles on the table
with his finger, and all the while staring at me,
which indeed he continued to do as long as I re-
mained in the room> as if determined to put me out

173

of couatehance) ; recollecti Mr. Vaux, you are not
at the bar of the Old Bailey now. Come to the
point, Sir, come to the point. I ask you what you
were sent here for :"

Vaux. ^' Sir, I was charged with picking a gen-
tleman's pockety but, though your Excellency may
doubts my assertion, I solemnly assure you, I was
innocent of that fact."

Governor, (with a most satirical smile, and throw-
ing himself back in his chair) *^ O, I dare say, Mr.
Vaux, very innocent no doubt. Quite innocent, I
dwe say. So die long and the short of it is, you
were sent here for picking pockets/'

Faux. '' I confess, Sir, that was the chaise.''

Governor* *^ What have you been brought up to,
Mr. Vaux r

Vaux* '' Sir, I have been chiefly employed in the
law ; but I profess to be a clerk in general/'

Governor, '^ Pray, Sir, what office were you in
last f ''

Faux,/* Sir, the last gentleman I served was
Mr. Preston, in King's Bench Walk.

Gooemor. (With a frown) ** That I very much
doubt, Shr; that I very much doubt. Sir; that I
very much doubt, Mr, Vaux.*'

Faux. I am sorry your Excellency has so bad
an opinion of me ; I assure you, Sir^ it is the
fact."

Gpfoemor, Well, Mr. Vaux, I shall send you to

I 3

174

a place^ where your roguery will very soon be found
out."

Vcoix. '^ I hope not^ your Excelleacy ; I trust
you will have'*— —

Governor. (Interrupting) "Well, I hope so top, Mr.
Vaux ; I hope so too^ I hope so too. Sir; but Wind
-—I only give you a caution ; take care of yourself.''

Then hastily scribbling a few words on a scrap- of
paper, he handed it to me^ and ordering a light-
horsexiMui to attend nie, made a mottoa for me to
withdraw, which I was glad enough to do, in order
to be relieved from this embarrassing ezaininat]on«««
On going out, the horseman informed me he had
orders to tee myself and baggie on board the Par-
nunatta passage-boat; the paper I had received
proved to be an order to the boatman to that effect,
and OQ the reverse was a Boemorandum, purporting
that I was appointed clerk to Mr. Baker, Store*
keeper at Hawkesbury. Both these documents
were signed P. G. K., as was his usual custom; but
the whole so unintelligibly written, that it cost me
much pains and some inquiry to decipher them.*^
I now took up my little box, and my bed, and was
conducted to the wharf, where I found the boat on
the point of departure. After a pleasant passage,
we arrived at Parramatta, at which place I rested
the ensuing day, and, on Monday the dlst, continued
my journey by land to Hawkesbury, a distance of
twenty-six miles. On this occasion I joined a party

175

of travellers^ accompanied by a cart in which I had
deposited my luggage ; these persons formed a sort
of caravan^ and were all well-armed, the natives
being at this time in a state of warfu'e, and the roads
diereby rendered dangerous. Late in the evening
we arrived at Hawkesbury, and being directed to
Mr. Baker*s hou^^e, I immediately presented myself
and my credentials to that gentleman.

I 4

176

CHAPTER XV.

My Conduct at Hawkesbury. — Continue for three
Yean to give Satisfaction to my Principal.-^
Ordered by Governor King into] the Secretary's
Office. — Give way to the Temptations with which
I am surrounded^ and begin to lead a dissipated
lAfe in company with iome otiier Clerks. — Concert
a System of Fraud upon the King*s Stores, which
we practise successfully for some Time.-^The Im*
position is at length detected* — I am in consequence
dismissed the Office and sent to hard Labour, for
the first Time in my life,

JVIR. baker received me with kindness, and
great pleasure, as, my predecessor having quitted
him some weeks before, he was at a loss for a pro-
per assistant. In a few days I had a comfortable
residence assigned me b^ the commanding officer
of the settlement, and my duty being exempted
from all hard labour, and of such a nature as I found
pleasure in performing, I soon felt myself compara-
tively happy. — With retrospective satisfaction, I can
truly say, that I behaved in this situation with so
much propriety as to obtain the favour of my prin-
cipal, and the good opinion of the resident magis-
strate, Dr. Arudell, whose four children I attended

177

at my leisure hours, in the quality of preceptor.
Both thb geotleman and Mr. Baker vied with each
other, in shewing me every mark of kindness in their
power.-— -Mr. Baker informed me that Governor
King made frequent and particular inquiries of him
respecting my conduct, and I felt the highest gra-
tification from the reflection that I had happily fal-
sified his Excellency's uncharitable prediction as to
my real character. Mr. Palmer also, who had been
the first kind promoter of my good fortune,, made
similar inquiries of Mr. Baker, and from the report
he received of my talents, expressed a desire to
transfer me from Hawkesbury to the Commissary's
Office at Sydney, in which department there was
dien a great press of business, and expert clerks were
not, at that period, so numerous as at present. Mr.
Baker, however, being unwilling to part with me,
paid no attention' to the wish of Mr. Palmer, until
the latter gentleman at length ordered in direct
terms, by an official letter, that I should be imme*
diately sent to Sydney. The Governor coming up to
Hawkesbury a day or two afterwards, Mr. Baker
represented to his Excellency, the inconvenience
he should suffer, if he was deprived of my pfliistance,
and obtained an order from him to retain me in his
service. This arrangement was not at all satisfactory
to me, for 1 had long felt an earnest desire to be
employed in the commissariat, as the public ac-
compts therein kept, were of such a description as

178

I always took delight in, and I still flatty myself
that from my quickness in figures, I should be per-
fectly at home in such a situation. However I was
not to be gratified on that occarion^ and I con-
tinued in the service of Mr. Baker about three ye vs.
I had, in fact, reconciled myself to the idea of ser-
ving out my full term of banishment wkh this worthy
man ; but on a sudden, a letter was received by
Mr. Amdetl from Governor King, ordering my in-
stant removal to Sydney, for the purpose of assist-
ing ms a cleik in the Secretary's Office, which, as it
was then established might be, and was generally,
called the Governor's Office, being attached to
Go vemmant House, and under the immediate per-
sonal <Urection of the Governor himself. Thou^
this preferment seemed to hold out a prospect of
future advantage, and to confer increased respecta-
bility, it was with some regret I quitted my com-
fortable little house and garden at ^^ The Green
Hills'*^," where I had led a life of innocence and
peaceful retirement ; whereas I was now about to enter
a vortex of dissipation, folly and wickedness, for such
was Sydney compared to my late place of abode.

The Governor received me very graciously, al-
lotted me a neat brickt>house in the vicinity of the
office, and a government-man, victualled from the
KingVstores, as a servant. For two or three months

* The settlement or camp at Hawkesbnry, now called, the
town of Windsor.

179

I contiaued ve^y steady^ and /pfT^cid but few ac-
qiuaintances. Tlie .Governor .behave^ to iqc wiib
great Ij^eralUj^ and refus^^ W^ P^ reasonal^e
request. By degrees^ howeTeri I began tp dc^
generate. I increajsted j^y acqu^ntapqe fuaong tbe
Cpj^a^saiy's and s<me ojdier c^k^, ^pf ofyfhQtJH
lived an exjpensive and dis8ipa,ted life. All I can
say in my own favour^ 19 that I cjontini^ed tp be .re-
gular in xny attendance at die tO^iQce,. 9f^ w.^^ pever
found defective^ or incajmble of my ftuty; h\itAo
sponer was 1 at my own disposal ^fi^ I^eag^ly
sought my dissipa^d coi^pan^p^s, .a^d spcj^it tl^e
rest of the ,day in di^nking, .apd otl^^r irr|Egi|Ja»^P,
0O^letimes at public or disorderly JbMfiAe^j, fundifp:^-
<lfie^tly at juy own^ wb^re I bad often jt}^^ej({ien^te
pleasure of entertainkig a largep^rty p^,fiy feHow-
acrib^s at my own cpst. This cpur^^ of ^Ufe unay^pid*
ably .drew meintogre^.^penses^ ai^^I.conlrfiQt^
several,debts. QoDjerijor Bsjpg, w;bpAe >yig\}fMQi(t qb-
j^qrvfttiqn nothing qf .this.^prt could j^9fi$f^, gftv^jue
freq\ient ai^d seripusadmp^itipns for my good^; hat
I was ^o infatuated ^p tpdi^scegacd fill. adiiitie>. and
only thought of .deyi^ing^ecunifiry wtfm^.to con-
tipue my liccintious cfixj&ei, Tto wa3 .no easy task,
as the nature of business in \\h» S^cr^tary'^. Office
affprded fefir opp^rti^niti^ , of x^alisiii^. money <by
fraud^ at lea^t without tb/e ,^^s»st^ce.of one or ,]»are
confederates in a nejghbouifiiig depttrtment* TJbe
expensive rate at which the Commissary's <^l:s

I 6

180

constantly lived, had become matter of surprise to
the Governor as well as the magistrates^ and was
the theme of much conjecture among die inhabitants
of Sydney. Still, though it was palpable they had
recourse to fraud, they managed matters so adroitly
that no irregularity could be detected ; and tfie ef-
forts of the executive authority, to develope their
system, continued unavailing.

It was the custom of Governor King, as I have
before observed, to use only his initials as a signa-
ture on common occasions, and by application and
practice I acquired a knack of imitating this sign-
manual with sufficient accuracy to impose upon the
parties to whom the superscription was addressed.
Finding these three letters to have the magical ef-
fect of procuring for me whatever articles I re-
quired, from the King's-stores, I availed myself of
their talismanic power, and converting the goods
so obtained into money, I discharged my debts,
and figured away with increased eclat, among my
fellow-clerks. As it was, however, both impolitic
and dangerous to carry this branch, of fraud too far,
or practice it too frequently, I at length found
means to form a connexion with two or three of my
most experienced friends, and we concerted such a
^stem of ways and means as promised liberally to
supply our wants, and, while we continued true
to each other, seemed to preclude a possibility of
detection.

".IT •_.-«. 'r-Z^-'- •^'

mfmm

181

As I do not conceive myself justified in exposing
either the parties who were mj colleagues, or
the particular nature of our artifices, let it suf-
fice to inform the reader, that (as is indeed usu>
ally and deservedly the late of all sinister practices)
a mere and most unexpected accident, and for which
none of us could attach blame to ourselves, dis*
covered to the Governor a principal branch of that
prolific tree of fraud and imposition, from whose
productive fruitfulness we had so abundantly de-
rived the means of gratifying our folly and inteHH
perance, which we at that time miscalled a love ot
pleasure; but (to continue the metaphor) the root
and body of this tf ee, still remained hidden from the
strict and rigid search set on foot by the Governor,
and after this transitory alarm had subsided, proved
to its remainmg adherents, a source of supply for a
considerable time. It so happened that I was the
ostensible party in the particular affidr which led
to this discovery ; and Governor King immediatdy
took the most active measures to effect a full de-
velopement of that system which he well knew to be
the ground-work of maUpractices to a considerable
extent.

With this view 1 underwent several private ex-
aminations before his Excellency and some of the
principal ofiiceis, and great promises were held out
to extract information fi'om me, but without effect,
as I was determined not to betray my friends, whose

182

ruin could not at all palliate my guilty or^ as I con-
ceived, render me a whit more deserving of mercy.
I therefore persisted in asaerting my innocenqe of
the present charge, and jdisclaimed all knowledge
of fraud in any other person.

The Governor was -so much .exasperated at my
dbstiaacy, that he at length had recourse (as a der-
nier rtsortf) to the expedient of dogging to extort
confession. J must, iiowever, (for justice sake,)
acknowledge that such cruelty was rarely exercised
ll^ Governor King, \irho. in his cooler moments
was a most bumane character. To the honour cf
our present governor (Macquarrie,) 'be it recorded,
that not only this inhuman {M-actice is exploded, but
corporal punishment is seldom inflicted at all, and
vrfien rendered necessary, it is used with moderation*

To i?esume, the .Governor finding me fii:m in my
resolution to give bim no satisfactiQn, ordered ]Dr.
Harris, who was present, to take me to the jail-
yard, send for the public executioner, and ttiere to
give me:five-and-twenties, (this was his phrase,) till
I ccmfessed the whole truth. Pursuant to this order
I accompanied Mr. Harris to the appointed spot,
and while the finisher of the law was arr^|ig^g
mattes fqr the approaching ceremony, the >X)QCtor
used all his art of persuasion to induce me fpr my
own sake, to avoid the disgrace and pain of a cor-
rection, which be must, .if I continued obstip^te, in-
flict in. its fullest extents

183

There was certainly much justice in this' gentle-
man's argomentSy and, although I am confident I
could have summoned up resolution to have con-
tinued silent under the threatened chastisement, yet,
on mature reflection, I was convinced of the folly
of sudi a conduct, as there was already sufficient
and incontrovertible proof of guilt against me. 1,
therefore, determined to acknowledge my errors,
and submit my fate to the Governor's pleasure. Of
this intention I acquainted Mr. Harris, who imme-
diately stayed the proceedings about to take place^
and supplying me with pen and paper, desired jb^
to write my declaration, which he would himsolf
convey to the Governor. In the letter I haatily com-
posed, I informed his Excellency, that feelings of
remorse and regret feu* my ill conduct, rather than a
.fear of punishment, had induced me to confess to
him that I was guilty of the charge brought against
me on die present occasion, and with shame I ac-
knowledged having repeatedly transgressed in a simi-
lar manner, in order to defray the expenses of the
unbecoming course of life I had imprudently fallen
into. But I positively declared that no other per-
son whatever was privy to my numerous acts of
fraud, as those counterfeit documents framed by m^,
had passed through the usual official channels as
genuine ; and, consequently, the parties who had ad-
mitted and sanctioned them, were utterly guiltless of
connivance, and had done no more thpn their duty.

184

I added, that I knew bow justly I deserved to suffer
for my faults ; but I also knew that mercy was tbe
predominant sentiment in His Excellency's bosom,
and on that mercy I therefore most humbly threw
myself.

Doctor Harris immediately proceeded to Govern-
ment-house with my letter, and I was soon after-
wards summoned to follow in person. His Ex-
cellency seemed not displeased at the course I had
adopted, and he was now in a very mild and
placid mood. After expatiating at some length,
and in a serio-comic strain, with his usual eccen-
tricity, on the ill return I bad made for his favours,
and so forth, be was pleased to order me back to
die jail, but in a tone that indicated no severity of
intention. It gave me much concern, however,
that notwithstanding all I had before said, or could
now protest on the subject, the Governor ordered a
young man in a confidential situation under govern-
ment, to be dismissed from his office, under an im-
pression that he was privy to the fraud in question.
It is true indeed, this person, by the injudicious
defence he made, was the cause of his own misfor-
tune, and had very nearly, from his statement being
at variance with mine, contributed to ruin all my hopes
of belief. But tbe Governor, who though shrewd
at times, was not at all times a Solomon, thought
proper to credit my assertion, and reject the evidence
of the other party, as too improbable to be received.

185

The next morning early, an order came to the
prison from his Excellency; that I was to be double-
ironedy and put to the hardest labour, in common
with those incorrigible characters composing what
is called the jail-gang: I was in consequence set
to work at mending the public-roads, S^c. ifc, and
as I had never before used a heavier tool than a
goose-quill, I found this penance to bear hird
upon me, and repented me of the evil which had
brought me to this woeful condition.

186

CHAPTER XVI.

Draughtedto Castle-hill. -^Variovisly employed there.
'^Appointed Clerk to the Settlement. — Again
noticed hy the Governor. — Summoned to Parra"
matta, by the Rev. Mr. Marsden.-^Appointed
Magistrate's Clerk, and begin once more to lead
an easy Life. — Preparations for the Govemor^s
Departure. — Mr. Marsden gives me hopes ofac'
campanying himself and the Governor to England,
in His Majesty's Ship Buffalo, — My pleasing
Sensations at the Prospect of revisiting my Native
Land.

I CONTINUED to labour iu double-iroas,
(locked up every night in the jail,) for about a month,
M^hena draught of men being .ordered to the public
agricultural settlement of Castle-hill, twenty-four
miles from Sydney, I was included in the number,
and about twenty of us were immediately sent up,
escorted by constables. Notwithstanding my con«
dition in the jail-gang was deplorable enough, I
felt a greater depression at the thoughts of going to
this settlement, a place of which, from every ac-
count, I had conceived the most unfavourable idea.
Though I suffered much in Sydney, by being
obliged to work till three o'clock in so disgrace*

187

ful a situation, jiet when that hour released me
from the lestrainC of the overseer, I was enabled
to visit my friends and acquaintances, virith whom
I enjoyed myself till sunset, when I was obliged to
return to the jail, and was locked up for the night.
On the contrary, Castle«hill being considered a
place of punishment, the prisoners there, who were
sent up under circumstances like mine, were not
allowed to quit the settlement at alL On arriving
at Castle-hiU, I was first employed at the hoe,
whidi severe labour was so fatiguii^ to .me, that it
bad nearly the effect of breaking my heart. How*
ever, I contrived at times to obtain a ligjhier em*
ployoent : and during the term of my remaining at
this settlement, 1 had a spell at almost every kind of
work pecvliar to the place.

After a few vi^eks had elapsed, I prevailed on
the superintendent (Mr. Knight,) who had c(mc(feiv-
ed a partiality for me, to grant me a pass to Parra*
matta, eight miles distant, and sixteen from Sydney.
I hadan anxious wish to visit the latter place, but Mr.
Knight lifid no power to extend his permission so
far, and I knew that application to the magistrates
at Parramatta would be fruitless. J, therefore, de^
termined to hazard a flogging, which would be the
ctasequence of my detection, and to take the vrish«-
ed*for trip without leave or license. This being
Friday, and my week's work done, I accordingly
set off, accompanied by two or three others, simi^

188

larly circumstanced, and after six hours' walking ar-
rived at Sydney. Here I lay concealed in the house
of a friend till Sunday noon, when I again set out
proceeding with the utmost caution, and arrived at
Castle-hill the same night, conformable to the tenor
q{ my pass. A s I expererienced nothing but misery
and privation during five days in each week, and
found such enjoyments in Sydney, I repeated my
excursion almost every succeeding Friday, but was
not always equally fortunate in my proceedings*
The police in Sydney having some information of
my visits, were constantly on the look-out for me^
and t was at last apprehended, punished with fifty
lashes, and sent back in custody of a constable*
This did not deter me, however, from running the
same risk at several subsequent periods, only re-
doubling my precautions, and travelling in the night.
I had been about ten months at Castle-hill, when
the person who had officiated as. clerk of the camp,
(that is, clerk to the superintendent,) becoming a
free man, quitted the settlement, and I being the
only one qualified for such an office, and in some
favour with Mr. Knight, was promoted to the situa-
tion* 1 now found myself perfectly at ease, and
die more so from having been so long kept at hard
labour, for which I was *but ill adapted. My duty
consisted in measuring the daily portion of ground
to the different gangs who were breaking up, chip-
ping, 4ri^., keeping a daily account of the various

• 189

works ^carried on, mustering the prisoners every
Monday morning, writing passes at the week's end,
assisting in the issue of provisions from the store, ^c.
Sfc. ; and as these duties were all perfectly familiar
to me 1 acquitted myself with credit, And, by observ-
ing a proper conduct, gained the good will of all
parties.

Governor King was frequently in the habit of
visiting the settlement, for the purpose of personally
inspecting the state of things, and as he had received
favourable accounts of my general conduct, he be*
gan about this time to notice me in a manner that
shewed (I thought,) an inclination to restore me to
his wonted favour. But as I had now little more
than a year of my time unexpired, and was tolerably
comfortable in my new situation, I had so fiir re-
conciled myself, that 1 was but little anxious about
a removal, until the hour of my freedom arrived.
However, it was destined otherwise, and 1 under-
went another very unexpected change of fortune.
In the beginning of August 1806, 1 was suddenly
summoned by a special messenger, to attend on the
Reverend Mr. Marsden, the chief magistrate of
Parramatta. I immediately obeyed this summons,
of the cause of which I could form no conjecture.
On my arrival at the court-house, Mr. Marsden in-
formed me, that he had sent for me to assut him in
taking a muster of the inhabitants of Parramatta,
and the surrounding districts, which was to com-

190

mence that very day, and to form part of a general
muster throughout the colony^ at this period in pro-
gress. I felt myself a little flattered by this distinct-
tion,asMr. Marsden had already a cleric, but itseems
he was not sufficiently quick, andit was known that I
had before frequently officiated on similar occasions.
1 assured Mr. Marsden that I would with pleasure
undertake the task, and at the appointed hour we pro-
ceeded to business. The muster occupied two
iwhole days, and, being ended, Mr. Marsden told
me that his clerk, having received a free pardon
from Governor King, was about to quit the colony
in a few days, and that it was his intention to ap-
point me his successor, promising, if I behaved well,
to shew me every indulgence in his power. He
then desired I would go back to Castle-hill, for the
purpose of arranging my affiiirs, and return as soon
as possible to Parramatta. I lost no time in obey-
ing these orders, and the folloii^ing day again pre-
sented myself to Mr. Marsden. I was immediately
put in possession of the court-house, a comfortable
tuick bnilding, surrounded by a good garden, which
was to be my place of residence. I was allowed a
government servant, and also on old man as house-
keeper: the latter being equal to any little services
I wanted, I was enabled to permit the former to
work for his own living, allowing ihe a weekly sum
£»r the indulgence, according to the custom of the
cdony^ and as he had hitherto done to my prede-

191

cessor. In addition to this privilege, I was al-
lowed various fees in the course of my public
duties, agreeably to a code or table sutoctioned by
the magistrates, so that upon the whole my inconie
was sufficient to support me in a manner becommg
the respectability of my appointment. Mr. Marsden
and his colleague in the commission. Captain
Abbot, were accustomed to preside as a bench of
magistrates every Saturday, and sometimes alter-
nately on other days in each week. On these oc-
casions it was my duty to take depositions, write
out warrants, commitments, fyc. tfc, I had besides
to keep a general account of all public work in
Parramatta, compiled from the reports of the dif-
ferent overseers, S^c. In this situation, my know-
ledge of the law, and my acquaintance with Burfi^fi
Justice proved of the utmost advantage, as there'wele
many cases constantly occurring, 'm which tertaib
formalities (dispensed with before my appointment/)
gave an oflicial aspect to the proceedings of ikse
court, and added a solemnity productive of the best
effects. Upon the whole I found myself vefy eotn-
fortably situated, and I had the pleasure to observe
that my exertions to acquit myiielf in the jtnofi^t be-
coming manner, procured me the consideration such
a conduct merited, from the gentlemen under whom
I acted.

In the month of October following taf r^fnotal
to Parramatta, the departure of Governor King fdr

192

England; in His Mijesty's Ship Buffalo^ was
publicly announced to take place in the ensuing month,
his Excellency's successor, Governor Bligh, having
arrived in the preceding August, on the 13th of
which month the latter assumed the supreme com-
mand. Since the period of his supers ession, Gover-
nor King had principally resided at Parramatta,
and I vnis frequently employed by him in arranging
his private accounts, transcribing directions to his
agents respecting his farms, live-stock, S^c, and
various other matters. On these occasions he treat-
ed me vrith the greatest politeness, and appeared
to have quite forgot my former delinquencies. One
day Mr. Marsden questioned me as to the length of
time I had to serve, and on my answering eleven
months, he distantly hinted that if he could depend
, on my future good conduct, he was not without
hopes of prevailing on Governor King to procure a
remission of my remaining term, and allow me a
passage to England in his own ship ; adding, that
himself and family were about proceeding to Europe
by the same opportunity. This being an event of
which I had never entertained the slightest hope,
my joyful emotions at the bare idea, could only l)e
equalled by my surprise at such an intimation. It
immediately struck me that the latter was the result
of preconcertion between Governor King and Mr.
Marsden, and that it was at the bottom, his Excel-
lency's wbh to render me this essential service.

193

The sequel proved that my coi^ectiires were not
unfounded, for it afterwards appeared that Governor
King having an incredible number of public docu-
ments lying in a state of great confusion, and most of
which he wanted copied prior to delivering them
up, it was indispensably necessary that he should
have an expeditious and experienced clerk, to
transcribe and arrange such papers, during his
voyage home ; and it seems he knew of no person
more eligible for such an employment than myself.
I replied to 'iAr. Marsden, with a warmth and
earnestness which convinced him how happy such
an arrangement would make me, and assured him
of my everlasting gratitude towards himself and the
late Governor for their consideration ; earnestly press-
ing Mr. Marsden to a speedy " consummation" of
what 1 so '' devoutly wished." The anxiety of
mind produced in me by this conversation may be
conceived by the reader, if he reflects upon the
situation in which I was then placed ; for, though it
was my chief and ardent wish to return to my native
land as sooti as I became free, yet as I had no ap-
parent prospect of realizing money enough to pay
my passage, and the hardships incidental to working
for it, would expose me to the most trying severities,
such an opportunity as the one I now contemplated,
could not be too highly appreciated, or too eagerly
embraced. .

VOL. I. K

194

, CHAPTER XVII.

The Buffalo being ready for Sea, I receive an Inii-
mationfrom Mr. Marsden, that the late Governor
has obtained a Remission of my unexpired Time^
and consents to take me home as his Clerk. — I wait
on his Excellency accordingly, and receive orders to
go on board. — We set sail.

L HE process of fitting out arid victualling the
Buffalo^ with other causes, delayed the Governor's
departure for some weeks after the appointed time.
At length I received, about the first of February, in
a note from Mr. Marsden, (who with his family,
had removed to Sydney, in readiness for embark-
ation,) the agreeable tidings that Governor Kingliad
consented to take me on board the Buffalo, in the
capacity of his private clerk, and had obtained the
sanction of Governor Bligh for my departure from
the colony. Mr. Marsden concluded with advising
me to wait on Governor King without delay, for the
purpose of receiving his commands. I immediately
hastened to Sydney, and waited on his Excellency ,•
who after some conversation, told me that the
Buffaloes complement being already full, it was not
in his power to put me on the ship's books *, but

* Governor King was a post-captain in the navy, and principal
commander of the Boffalo, baling a second (acting) captain

195

that he would give me a passage, and himself sup-
.ply me with provisions. He then inquired if I was
incumbered with any debts ; and, on my answering
that I owed to individuals about twenty pounds, and
to Government, for various articles from the stores,
about fifteen pounds, his Excellency advised me
to take measures for settling these accompts, and,
having so done, to repair on board with the least
possible delay. I now returned to Parramatta^
(having first given the usual notice of my departure
for publication in the Sydney Gazette,) and applied
with diligence to the settlement of my affairs. I
was not displeased at the Governor's intimation
respecting not putting me on the Buffalo's books, be.
cause, had he so done, it being war time, I might
have found a difficulty in getting clear of her on
our arrival in England : on the other hand, by
going home as a passenger, although I should forego
the advantage of pay, for the time occupied in our
voyage, yet I should be at liberty to quit the ship
the moment we anchored. I was not altogether so
easy with respect to my debts, as I feared my
utmost means, were inadequate to their liquidation.
'Tis true, I had a watch, some good clothes, and
other effects, which altogether might suffice to dis-
charge my private debts, but then I should much

under him. The Buffalo had been stationed in N.S. W. ever
finee the year 1803, and was now relieved by ttie Porpoise, in
which ship Governor Bligh arrived.

K «

196

distress myself by the deprival of these useful ar^
tides. As to my Government debt, I had a secret
hope that the generosity of Governor King (which
was often conspicuous when his privy purse was
not encroached upon,) would induce him to assist
me in surmounting that difficulty.

I lost not a moment in settling my business at
Parramatta, and returning to Sydney with all my
worldly goods, I waited on my principal creditor,
with whom I managed to square the yards on tole*
rably easy terms. I was obliged, however, to dis-
pose of nearly all my personal effects, before I could
satisfy the private demands upon me, retaining only
a veiy limited stock of indispensable articles for my
voyage, and one genteel suit of clothes for the
purpose of attiring myself 'on quitting the ship,
together with an English half-guinea to bear my
expenses from Portsmouth to London.. Having
taken these measures, I embarked with my chest
and bedding on the 5th of February, Governor King
and Mr. Marsden with their respective families,
being already on board. His Excellency hearing
of my arrival, sent for me to his cabin, and ques-
tioned me on the subject of my debts. I informed
him, that I had discharged eveiy claim upon me,
except the sum I owed to tlie Crown, and confessed
my inability to liquidate that account, without some
extension of his Excellency's kind assistance. The
Governor after some moments' reflection, wrote a

197

short memorandum, whicl^ fae ordered me to take
to Mr. Commissary Palmer, to whom it was ad-
dressed. I accordingly went on shore, and pro-
ceeding to the Commissary's office, delivered the
note, which Mr. Palmer having read, handed to one
of his clerks, directing him to comply with the tenor
of it, which was to the following effect : — ^' James
Vaux (the bearer) having ^ehaved well in the differ-
ent situations of store-keeper's, secretary's, and
magistrate's clerk, I think the small sum he stands
indebted to Government ought to be remitted him."
(Signed) " P. G. K." The clerk having turned to
my account in the ledger, gave me credit therein, to
the amount of my debt, by an item worded as fol-
lows:— *' By remuneration for services as- clerk,
8fc." This point being adjusted, I now found
myself perfectly disembarrassed, and free to depart
the country. With a joyful heart, I took leave of
my old acquaintances and fellow-clerks, with some
of whom I spent a convivial evening, and the next
day I finally embarked, all things being now in rea-
diness, and the ship only waiting the auspicious
breeze. On the lOth of February, 1807, ^vas the
happy day. At an early hour the ship was crowded
with visiters, comprising most of the principal offi-
cers of the colony, with their ladies and friends, as
well as many respectable inhabitants, all anxious to
testify their heartfelt respect towards a departing
Governor, whose general conduct had gained him

K 3

198

universal esteem, and who had, during a government
of six years, united the tenderness of a parent with
the authority of a chief. The vessel was surrounded
with boats, some of which brought various friends
of the ship^s company, passengers, ^c, who came
to take a laat farewell ; others contained spectators
of both sex^s, attracted by curiosity to witness the
interesting scene, as well as to shew their loyalty'
and good wishes by joining in the parting cheers;
with which the air rebounded as we cleared the
heads of the harbour, to which distance most of
the boats accompanied us. ^boiit three o'clock
P. M. the breeze freshening, we qpiickly gained a
good offing, and by half past four a sudden squall,
attended with rain and mist, obscured from us all
view of the land, which we beheld no more.

199

CHAPTER XVIII.

Receive a free Pardon from the hands of Captain
(late Governor J King. — Account of our Passage
Home. — Suffer a great deal from the want of
Provisions. — Leaky State of the Ship. — Double
Cape Horn. — Fall in with an English Frigate,
bound to the River Plate. — Arrive at Rio de Ja-
neiro.

1 H£ morning after our sailrng^ Captain King,
(as I shall in future style him,) called me into his
cabin^ and presented me with a free pardon^ which,
as he rightly observed, was merely a matter of form,
as it was probable we should not arrive in England
before the expiration of my time. This instrument,
though only made out a few days before, was ante-
dated the l£th of August, 1806, being the day
before Governor BKgh assumed the command, and
was consequently the last official document, to
which Governor King had affixed his signature, and
the last public act of his government.

In about a week, we made the island of New
Zealand, at which it was captain King's intention
to have touched, having some live pigs, brought
from Port Jackson, for the purpose of presenting
to the native chiefs, two of whom had lately visited,

200

and resided for some months in New South Wales ;
bat this kind idea was frustrated by a squall of
wind^ which took us aback while in sight of the
island, and night coming on, it was not considered
prudent to approach the land ; we therefore hauled
our wind, and shaped our course to the southward.
Captain King had given orders to the ship's ste-
ward, that I should receive his (Captain King's) own
ration of provisions, on which I was to subsist as
well as I could. This quota (according to the
usual allowance of the navy,] wouM, have been
amply sufficient, but by some unaccounti^le want
of management, the Buffalo, notwithstanding the
length of time occupied in preparation, was at
last sent to sea with a very limited supply of pro-
visions ; nor was what she really had of the kind
or quality invariably allowed in the King's service ;
the consequence was, that on the very day of our
sailing, all hands were put upon half-allowance of
bread, (that is, half a pound per day,) and the other
half of rice : this latter grain was also substituted
on banyan days for pease and for oatmeal : of
cheese and butter we were also destitute ; so that
we had not a prospect of much good living before
us. Of the rice, the crew soon became so much
tired, that they ceased to draw any from the purser,
leaving it in his hands, to be compensated for at
the end of our voyage. The salt-meat was also
barely adequate to the computed length of our

r —

201

passftge to Rio de Janeiro, the first port at which
we could hope for a further supply. The reader
will allow that half a pound of bread was little
enough for a man's daily fation/ (being just two
biscuits) but ere we had been six weeks at sea, it
was found necessary to reduce the allowance to
one»third of a pound ; and, in a few weeks more,
it was lowered to one quarter, that is, a biscuit a
day 1 The necessity of these reductions arose from
a discovery that the rats, cockroaches, and other
vermin, with which the ship y/is infested, . had
made a Most destructive devastation in the bread-
room, bi^ides which, a leak in the side had admitted
so much salt-water, that a great many bags of
biscuit were totally spoiled, thereby adding to our
distress, which was before sufficiently great. Even
the small portion of bread we did receive, was
scarcely eatable, most of it being very old stores,
and full of maggots, and what was baked in the
colony being of a very coarse quality, and every
biscuit more or less excavated by the vermin before'^
mentioned. The Bu£Falo, as 1 have before shewn,
was detained several months, for the purpose of
being properly victualled, and after all, the purser
had been obliged to take a quantity of wheat in
casks, for consumption in some shape or other, as it
was found inexpedient to wait longer for a further
supply of biscuit. This wheat, when the crew
were tired of rice, was boiled in lieu of pease, and

202

served out at dmner-time, bat it was so unpalatable
a mess^ that I^ among many others^ could never
stomach it, being thrown into the coppers^ dust and
all, boiled in stinking water, and when taken up, it
was nearly as hard as when first put in, and much in<*
ferior to the food of pigs in England. The ship's com'^
pany at length were convinced of their folly, in svlU
fering such a mode of cookery, or rather waste, fot
very few could eat it ; and, there being luckily a
steeUmill on board, it was ordered to be put up iii
the after gun-room, and every mess in the ship, tii
its turn, ground the next day's portion of wheat
over night, and sifting the meal, produced a bag of
tolerable flour, of which the cook composed a
certain food for breakfast, known among sailors by
the name of skilligolee, being, in plain English,
paste, similar to that used by the sons of Crbpin>
only not quite of so thick a consistence: how*
ever, it was much preferable to the hog^wash
before-mentioned, and, with a little sugar, served as
an apology for a meal.

I have before observed, that I drew Captain
King's ration of provisions, but he withheld die daily
allowance of spirits, forming part of the said rationy
which he himself received, and deposited in his pri*
vate liquor-ease. It is, however, probable that his
lady, who was a rigid economist, was die suggester
of this practice. By way of composition, this good
lady gave directions that I should receive a dram

203

every day from her own ateward. This trifling
indulgence bj the by, was not ordered me, until the
severity of the climate compelled me to give a hint
on the subject, and after about three week's con-
tinuance it was put a stop to, on pretence of the
stock becoming low. UpoD>the whole, I suffered
a great deal from the scantiness, as well as the qua-
lity of my allowance, and the want of certain com-
forts to which I had been accustomed, particularly
during the severe weather which we encountered in
our voyage round Cape Horn. It soon appeared
that I was not to eat the bread of idleness ; I was
employed from morning till night in copying and
arranging Captain King's papers, of which he had
several large trunks full. I had also the tuition of
his daughter Miss King, who was about twelve years
of age, and performed the same duty towards Mr.
Marsden's two children, as well as a native boy
about fourteen, who had been brought up in the
family of Mr. Marsden. This youth bad received
the rudiments of a good education, and dfsqoverecl ai
most susceptible genius. He could read slnd write
tolerably well, was perfectly docile, and well«be»
haved, and would doubtless have been an olb^fect of
general admiration, and reflected the highe$t credit
on his humane benefactors had he ever reached
England, but unhappily daring our stay at Rioi
Janeiro, he absconded from the house of his pro*
tectors, in consequence of some chastisement for

K 6

204

misconducty aad, notwithstanding every exertion
was used^he could not be recovered before the ship's
departure.

To add to our sufferings from the dearth of pro-
visions^ we had not been a month at sea, before the
ship was discovered to be in a very leaky state^ and
tti^Bse leaks increased so rapidly^ that she at length
made above five feet water in the well^ every four
hours.

As we approached the higher latitudes, the cli-
mate, became every day more intensely cold^ and we
had continual tempestuous gales for several weeks,
but fortunately they were from the right quarter, so
that we were in general before the wind, and, con-
sidering that our ship was a very heavy sailer,
made a pretty rapid progress.
. On the 10th of March, having reached a certain
degree of longitude, I witnessed the remarkable cir-
cumstance of gaining a day, the consequence of cir-
cumnavigating the globe. The effect was, that the
following day, as well as this, was called in the ship's
log, the 10th of March, so that we had actually two
Tuesdays in one week ! This was a favourable cir-
cumstance in one respect to ^myself and the ship's
company, for as Tuesday is a sumptuous day in
point of allowance in the navy, beef and pudding
being the prescribed fare for dinner, we by this
accident feasted two days together ; whereas had it
occurred on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, two'

20*5

successive binyan (or starvation) days would have
been our dismal portion. On our arrival in England
our account of time after this alteration^ corre-
sponded exactly with the almanack for the year.

On the 1 5th of March, we rounded Cape Hom,
passing within five miles of that inhospitable shore.
This point of the American continent, is situated in
fifty-six degrees of south latitude, and had we passed
it in the winter season, instead of the autumn, the
cold would have been hardly bearable ; as it was^ '
it had the effect of destroying almost every natural
production of New South Wales, with some very
fine specimens of which our ship was at first literally
crowded, so as to resemble Noah's Ark. There
were kangaroos, black swans, a noble emu, and
cockatoos, parrots, and smaller birds without num-
ber ; ' all of which, except one cockatoo, which was
carefully ni^rsed by its mistress, and half a dozen
swans, fell victims to the severity of the weather.
The latter birds, indeed, being natives of Van Die*
men's Land, which is a colder climate than Port
Jackson, were of a hardy nature, and survived our
long and tedious voyage. On their arrival in
England, they were sent by Captain King as a pre-
sent to the Royal Menagerie in Kew-gardens.

In our passage round Cape Horn, we had fre-
quent storms of snow ; a native of New Zealand^
who had been for some time on board the Buffalo^
and was a very active intelligent fellow, expressed

206

.the ijAmost surprise on observing a phenomenon^
which in the happy clime of his nativity is never ex*
perienced^ and in the first emotions of his admira-
tion^ exclaimed^ '^ Look^ look^ white rain^ vihite
rain I" This man would have been an object of
curiosity in Eaigland^ for he had a very handsome
person^ and was punctured or tattooed in a most
fanciful and extraordinary manner from head to
foot) including his face, which was covered with
ornamental devices; but unhappily he contracted
the 8maII*-pox^ which, notwithstanding all possible
attention^ carried him off before we arrived at the
Braals.

I must not omit a remarkable and awful pbe*
nbmeiion^ which occurred during this part of our
passage. In the middle of a tempestuous nighty
a sudden concussion was heard, resembling the
report of a cannon close to us ; it alarmed three
parts of the people who were below asleep,
as weS as the watch on deck ; and the general opi-
nion was at first, that a ship was close aboard us.
Every one hurried upon deck, when the cause was
found to have been, what is called a Fire-ball, which
bad been probably attracted by the spindle at the
mast-head, for it made a rapid descent down
the main*mast, exploded at the break of the
qnarter^deck ; the concussion had knocked down a
qnarter^master who stood near the buinacle, and
two men who were at die wheel. The former was

207

for sanve misutes insensible^ but hiajppily tHey vrete
no further injured than by the fright* Captain King
was instantly on deqk with bis usual promptness^
and fearing the effects of the fire, g»v^- orders to
cover the magazine-sc<ittle with wet-swtibs ; then to
sound Ihe pump-welU for some were in dread of
the ball having gone through the aihip's bottom;
however, it appeared the ship mad^ only the usual
quantity of water, and that no real injury was $us«-
tained. Another night, as we were scudding before
-a heavy gale of wind, and a tremendous, sea. rpUing
after us, we had the misfortune to be pooped, as
the phrase is, by a wave or sea striking our. stern,
which stove in the cabin^windows^ and rukdbi4g im*
petuously through the QabiB> Imd along the main^-
deck, bore down all before it. Luckily no ftrther
damage was done than breaking the windows^ which
rendered it necessary to put up the dead-lights dur-
ing the remainder of the passage.

When within a day or two's sail of the River
Plate, as we were running down the coast of Brazil,
we fell in with a frigate, which, on hailing, we found
to be His Majesty's ship Thisbe, bound to Buenos
Ayres, having on board. General Whitelocke and his
staff. This ofEcer was going to conduct the attack
upon the city above mentioned, as well as upon
Monte Video, both belonging to the Spaniards. A
fornudable expedition had been fitted out in Eng-
land for the service, and a numerous army was

208

already collected in the River Plate, waiting tlie ar-
rival of General Whitelocke. Captain King com-*
plimented thi& officer with a visit on board the
Thisbe, wUch the latter returned. On arriving
abreast of the River Plate, the Tbisbe parted from
us, steering for the entrance of that river, and we
continued our course along-shore. In a few days
we came in sight of Ilio de Janeiro, but were be*
calmed for two days in sight of the port. At length,
on the 22d of May, we entered that beautiful har-
bour, after a most hazardous and blowing passage
of fifteen weeks. It was remarkable that on the
day before we got in, the last biscuit was issued to
the ship's company, and the last cask of salt-meat
we possessed, was broached ; so that had our pas-
sage been longer protracted, we must have endured
still greater privations.

209

CHAPTER XIX.

Account of my Adventures at San Sebastian.-^Form
acquaintance with a Portuguese Family. — Their
Affection for me. — Overtures made to induce wy
Stay in South America: — The Ship being repaired
and victualled, we re-embark and sail for Europe.

v)N coining to an anchor in the usual situation^ we
were boarded by several persons of distinction^ ac-
companied by an intelligent gentleman as interpre*
ter ; after a conference between whom and Captain
King^ it was determined that the latter should with-
out delay address an official letter to the Viceroy,
stating the causes of his putting into that port, the
nature of his wants, and other particulars* Captain
King accordingly sketched a draught, which I was
employed to transcribe. This letter explained to
his Excellency (the Viceroy) the leaky and disabled
state of His Majesty's ship ; her want of provisions
and water, l^c, ^c; &nd concluded with expressing
Captain King's willingness to compliment the Por-
tuguese flag, by firing a salute of fifteen guns, pro*
vided the Viceroy would pledge himself to return an
equal number. It is to be observed, that among
the Portuguese, every thing is conducted with the
utmost formality ; and as they are highly jealous of

210

foreigners, Captain King (whose experience was
v^ great in such matters) was particularly cautious
not to give any cause of offence^ or to fail in due
respect ; at the same time that he was determined
to sapport the honour of his own nation^ by stipu-
lating for an equal interchange of ceremony, con-
formable to the etiquette of the service. No foreign
vessels are suffered to proceed beyond a certain dis-
tance within the harbour, without special permis-
sion. One object of request in the letter was
theiefbte, that th^ Buffalo might be allowed to an-
<bx>t tibove th« Island of Cobres, (or Snake Island)
v^h^re dhe could have the benefit of smooth water
to undergo the necesitory repairs. Other objects
were, to be furnished with shipwrights, caulkera,
S^e.f to have a new rudder (our own being sprung)
prepared in the dock-y^d, as also a new boitsprit
from the same cause, permission to land and house
the rigging and other stores in convenient recepta-
cles ; a dsflly supply of fresh meat, vegetables, ^c.>
and several other similar demands. To this letter
a mo9t 'gracious answer was returned, assuring
Captain King of the fullest compliance with his re*
quintiofis, and expressing every sentiment of friend-
ship for the English nation, and of respect for his
person. His Excellency's letter concluded with the
vsual compliment of the Portuguese " God pre-
serve your Excellency many years." At the same
time was transmitted a long table of rules and

211

ceremonies^ to be observed by our ship's company^
8^c. These rules were promulgated by Captain
King, who ordered the strictest attention to be paid
thereto. They related to the times and places of
landing from boats ; the behaviour of the English
when on shore ; respect to be paid to the Catholic
religion and its ministers, 8^c. 6^. Aniong other
injunctions it was expected that every Englishman
on passing a church should move bis hat, and pay
the same compliment to the Image of the Virgin
Mary, which you encounter at the comer of every
principal street, enclosed in a sort of cupboal-d witil
a gladS'door, and silk-curtains drawn open on each
side. These cupboards are affixed to the \rall, on
a level with the first-floor windows of the houi€f,
aiKi at night a lamp is kept btfrning over them,
which has a very pretty effect. It ^as also required tlMrt
every person, on meeting the Host (which is a grand
procession of priests, friars, ^Tc, foltowed by an inm
meiise rabble) should bend on one knee, and so remain
till the procession was past. The priests, on this oc-
casion, carify gold or silver images of our Saviour
and the saints, accompanied with muiical instru-
ments, flags, numerous .lighted fladibeau4> and ev^iy
odier device to. reiider the scene at onoe gradd,
solemn, and impressive. In feet, I witnessed various
processions of a religious nature during my stay
here, scarcely a night passing widioot one or more;
but it is foreign to nfy purpose, to eafJ^t into more

212

minute details. It being the first Catholic country
I was ever in, I was struck with admiration at the
grandeur of the churches^ the nightly exhibitions of
fire-worksy illumiiiations, ringing of bells^ and other
demonstrations of religious respect, or what we
should call superstition. But I am of opinion there
is much policy in carrying these rites to such an
extravagant pitch, for the population of this city
being composed of negroes^ in the proportion, I
take it^ of at least ninetei^n to one white, and the
majority of the former being slaves, the splendour
and enchanting effect^ of music, paintings, fire-
works, processions, and other devices, together with
the implicit devotion in which they are brought up
to the Catholic religion, keep their minds in a con-
tinual state ef resigned subjection, amuse their
senses, and leave neither time, nor inducement to
attempt, by «cts of rebellion, a release from their
habitual bondage.

To resume my narrative : all preiiipinaries being
settled to the satisfaction of both. parties. Captain
King, a few days after our anival, hired a commo*
dious and handsome house, ready- furnished, in a
pleasant part of the town, to whigh he with
his whole family removed. T, pf. course, accom?
panied th^n, highly deligh.ted at thci prospect of
viewing thi^ beautiful city, andpb^^rving the man«
ners an4 customs of it^ ii^abitafits, . froiu which i
an^ipat^d th^ greatest ^ratjifi€iiti<9i. Mr<Marsdei»

213

and his femily^ also occupied a genteel house, and
in fact, all the passengers (of whom we had a good
number) quitted the ship, which was mtended to
undergo a thorough repair.

During our residence ashore, I had much leisure
time, which I employed in walking throughout the
city and suburbs, viewing the churches, convents,
and other objects deserving of notice ; and I endea«
voured to acquire, by every means opportunity of-
fered, some little knowledge of the Portuguese
language. As the latter bears a great affinity to
the Latin and French, I succeeded beyond my
hopes in this object, by virtue of which I was
enabled to extend my inquiries, and to interchange
personal civilities with many of the inhabitants.

In the street in which we resided, I had fre^^
quently observed an old lady, together with three
young ones, sitting at the door of a genteel-looking
house, employed, according to their custom, in
weaving lace, with a number of bobbins, and a cu-
shion placed before them. This employment serves
both as an amusement, and a source of profit
to the younger branches of families.— ^They were
seated cross-legged on the floor of the parlour,
the door of which, (composed of lattice-work) was
open for the benefit of air. In the evenings I gene-
rally, saw them seated in the same manner, in con-
versation, the old lady turning over her beads, of
which a string, or rosary, with a cross suspended to

214

the end of it, waa huog upon her wrist, and appeared
to receive her devout attention. Having repeatedly
passed this interesting group, and fancying that
they noticed me with some emotion, I ventured to
complimenjt them enpasmnt, which courtesy they
returned with evident pleasure; and every succeeding
safaitation produced a longer dialogue than the pre-
ceding; till at length the old lady one evening invited
me to eater, and sit down; but not on the floor,. for
they had chairs, as well as other furniture, of an
ekgaat but simple kind. These good ladies put
several questions to me respecting the English Go*
vemor (as they styled him) my situation in bis family,
name^ i^c. I informed them, as fully as I could find
words for^ and telling them my name in Portuguese,
they ever s^terwards called me Senor Jacobe, it not
being their custom to use surnames. I had the
pleasure to find that we understood each other to-
lerably well, and gathered from them, that the old
lady was called Senora Donna Joaquima'Roza de
Lac^ ; (as the Vicar of Wakefield says, I love to
give the name at full length;) she was the widow of
a military officer in the Portuguese service, and en«
joyed a pension from the government, upon which,
and the earnings of her accomplished daughters,
she lived in a private, but genteel manner : the latter
were named Donna Anna Precioza, Donn^ Jo-
aquima, and Donna Joanina. The mother was a
most agreeable woman, courteous and affable to a

215

degree, but seemingly a strong devotee to her re-
ligion. The daughters ^ere beautiful girls, evi-
dently of a susceptible disposition ; but, like the
Portugueze in general, very reserved, and tenacious
of their sex's dignity. They pressed me to partake
of some coffee, which was served in with much
ceremony by|a female negro ; and after two or three
hours most agreeably spent, I took leave, with an
earnest injunction to repeat my visit.

From this time hardly a day passed without my
calling on this worthy family, and at every visit we
parted with a stronger regard for each other. I felt
a growing sentiment in favour of the eldest daughter
(Anna,) and I ingratiated myself with the mother,
by warmly praising the Catholic religion, shewing
my respect by kissing the cross attached to her
beads, and every other means in my power. In a
few days I became, as it were, one of the family,
visiting them at all hours, and experiencing the kind-
est welcome. The ladies took a pleasure in im-
proving my knowledge in their language, and in re-
turn requested me to teach them my own. At this
period there were very few English persons in the
Brazils ; but the iuhabitants, in general, evinced the
greatest fondness for our nation ; so that not the
meanest of our ship's company could walk the
streets without being gratified with hearing the ex-
clamation of " Sta bon Inglise," (very good English-
man,) from the mouths of passengers^ both men,

216

womeu^ and children. Myself and other persons,
whose appearance was at all respectable, were also
very courteously saluted by the females, who stand
for hours peeping through the lattice-windows of
the houses, which are half opened, so as to give them
a view, and although most of these diffident ladies
close the lattice and retire with precipitation, on the
approach of a male stranger^ yet many of them suf«
fered me to hold a conversation for a few minutes ;
and I sometimes prevailed so far as to obtain one of
their fair hands to kiss, a mark of great favour and
condescension, even to their common acquaintances.
Captain King received every possible mark of re-
spect both public and private, during his residence in
this city. Whenever he appeared abroad in an open
chaise, (which he hired by the month,) or on horseback,
the miKtary-guard at every public post which he
passed, were turned out to pay him the same honours
as are usually rendered to the viceroy himself. The
latter officer also shewed him every attention^ fre-
quently exchanging visits with him, lending him

his own horses for a ride, S^c. Mqst of the princi-

•

pal inhabitants paid their respects to Mrs. King,
and invited her to various public and private en-
tertainments. The Portuguese excel in music, par-
ticularly the violin and bass-viol ; and there were
frequently large parties of amateurs at our house,
who formed a most delightful evening concert.
This is, in fact, the custom of all people of fashion

217

there, who, instead of meeting for the purpose of
gaining as in London, adopt this much more laud-
able and rational mode of amusement*

I observed, as I traversed the city, that a numbet
of bonfires were lighted in various streets, as soon
as it grew dusk, almost every evening, which were
surroimded by children, negroes, and others, re-
joicing until a late hour. As these fires were never '
twice in the same spot, I was at a loss to underi^tand
their meaning, until I at lengtlx ascertained that they
were in celebration of the birth-days of children.
The custom of observing such days differs, however,
from our own country ; for instead of taking place
on the anniversary of the child's nativity, the obser-
vation is confined to the festival of that particular
Saint after whom the child is named ; for instance,
on St., Anna's day, all persons who have a daughter
called Anna, celebrate the same by regaling their
friends, and having a bonfire before thieirdoor. As
almost every day - in the year is dedicated to a uiale
or female saint, whose name is borne by some
hundreds of children, these bonfires are, of course,
frequent and numerous. The effect of them is
both lively and gratifying, especially to those who
know their cause ; but many of tire streets being
extremely narrow, and some of the fires very large,
I have been frequently much embarrassed to ef-
*fect a passage, in which attempt I was sometimes
in danger of being scorched by the intense heat

VOL. I. L

218

reflected from the atone walls of which the houses,
are composed.

Another object of my attention was the slave-
market, which is held on the arrival of a Guinea
ship, in the suburbs of the city. ' These unfortunate
beings are chained together^ and driven to the scene
of this disgraceful traffic, where they are sold like
cattle or sheep in Smithfield. A hesdthy youth of
about fifteen will produce from about thirty to fifty
pounds, this being considered the most advanta-
geous age at which a slave can be purchased*
The condition of tliis unhappy class of persons is,
however, much more tolerable in this city than a
stranger would suppose. Most of the inhabitants
possess a male or female, (some several,) exclusive
of those employed in household affairs. These
superfluous slaves are sent out in a morning to ply
|or hire on their owner's account, and obtain as
much as they can by their labour ; the majority of
the women confine themselves to carrying water
from the fountains, which diey cry as the venders of
milk do in London ; and on being hailed, they stop
' and empty their vessel, for which they receive a
vintain, (about three halfpence ;) they then return
to the nearest fountain to replenish. I could not
help being surprised at the large size of the vessds. ,
in which they carry this water on their beads ; they
are a kind of wooden casks, some of them holding
at least ten gallons.

219

Having mentioned the public fountains, (with
which this city abounds^) it may not be amiss to de-
scribe them. There being but few springs in the
town, water is conveyed by means of a noble brick
aqueduct (communicating vrith others,) from a dis-
tance of several miles through the interior, over the .
summits of many high hills, and b^ing distributed
throughout the city| it supplies a fountain in most
of the principal streets. These fountains are hand-
somely constructed of stone, having a large cis-
tern into which the purest water is constantly run-
ning from the beaks of several ducks, geese, or
other birds, which are of cast metal, and well exe-
cuted. As the tra^e of water-carrying furnishes
employment for many hundreds of negro women,
and their continual resort to the fountains would oc-
casion much confusion and quarrelling, a soldier is
placed in attendance to preserve order, and the
women seat themselves in a row on a long bench
fixed on purpose, where they are obliged to wait for
their turn to fill. It is a curious and interesting
sight to observe these harmless and industrious
creatures conversing with each other, and smoking
their pipes, while they patiently await the sentinel's
intimatipn to approach. The incessant prattle of
their tongues may be heard by a passenger long be-
fore he reaches the spot, and adds to the novelty of
the scene.

The negroes I saw here, the majority of

L 2

220

\i'hoin are natives^ born of those imported from
Africa, or of their descendants, are upon the ^hole
the most comely race of blacks I ever met with.
The men wear coarse jackets and trowsers, the
women a sort of gown of blue cloth ; but their linen
is always remarkably white, of a fine texture, and
beautifully wrought with ornamental work about
the sleeves and bosom. They have also bracelets
both on the wrists and ancles, and ear-rings, all of
the purest gold. Both sexes are very cleanly in
their persons, and of a most docile and gentle dis-
posit;ion.

By the kindness of my worthy friends, the ladies,
I obtained frequent admission to the Opera, (as it
is called, though the pieces I saw appeared to be
principally comedies and farces, with scarcely any
vocal music.) As I could not understand the plot,
or dialogue, my chief satisfaction was in contem-
plating the coup d*(zil, which was very striking.
The house is about the size of our little theatre in
the Haymarket ; the pit is solely occupied by the
male sex, but the boxes are filled with beautiful
women, dressed in the most elegant and bewitching
manner, and adorned with brilliant ear-rings, brace-
lets, S^c, The viceroy has an elegant box in the
centre of the front tiers, so as to be immediately
facing the stage, and to be seen by the whole
audience. The performance is never suffered to
commence till his arrival, which is sometimes pro-

221

tracted ; and on his Excellency's entrance, the whole
of the spectators rise to testify their respect for his
person. The admission to the pit is only a petack
(two shillings.) The boxes are engaged by parties,
at the expense of about twelve shillings each,
whether the party is large or small ; and there
is no gallery. The music is excellent and the band
numerous.

Were I to attempt a minute description of the
magnificent churches, convents, and other buildingft,
the numerous processions, public rejoicings, ifc,\
the beautiful gardens, romantic walks, and other
objetts worthy of the most scrupulous attention,
which I met with in diis rich and flourishing city,
as well as the various customs and manners pecu-
liar to its inhabitants, I should swell this work
much beyond the limits I have prescribed ; but as
I am inadequate to the task, I shall leave such a
subject to some abler pen ; and as I only profess to
write an account of my own adventures, shall re-
sume the thread of my narrative.

I was so much delighted with all I saw, and found
the climate so congenial to my constitution, that I
could have been content to have spent the rest of my
life in South America ; and hinting as much to my
kind friends, the old lady seriously pressed me to
that measure, assuring me of her protection and in-
terest, together with that of her friends, who were
numerous and respectable. She even pledged her-

h 3

222

telf to procure me a salary of one doubloon (about
£S, I2s.) per month, at the first onset^ as clerk ki
a mercantile house, which would be increased as I
acquired the Portugueze language. But that long-
ing desire to revisit my native country, which is
predominant in the breast of every Englishman, to-
gether with a wish to see once more my beloved
relations to whom I owed so much, prevailed over
every other consideration ; and I declined, but with
a proper sense of gratitude, these flattering offers of
jfavour and service.

Since my departure from Portsmouth, in 1801, 1
had not heard a syllable of or from any of my friends
in England, and though it was probable that my
dear benefactors in S had ere this period paid

the debt of nature, 1 felt a secret hope that they
might still survive, and that from the favourable
.situation in which I stood with Captain King I
might, at no very distant period, find myself enabled
to contribute some little assistance towards render-
ing the evening of their lives happy. It was my
firm determination never again to swerve from a
Course oi rectitude ; and 1 had tb^ fullest confidence
that the late governor^ my patron, would procure
me the means of adhering to so laudable a resolu*
tion. How fatally I was mistaken, how uncertain
are the favours of the great, will be seen in a future
chapter.
The Buffalo having been as effectually repaired

223

as circumstances would admit, and a tolerable sup^
ply of provisions received on board, every prepara-
tion vras made for prosecuting oar voyage, and a
day appointed for skiing. As the latter period ap-
proached, I redoubled my respectful attentions to
the worthy family intheStrada delosMongares, (or
Monkey-street,) and they every day gave stronger
proofs of their concern at my approaching depar-
tm^. The day at length arrived, and I waited on
them to take a final leave. On this occasion many
tears were shed on their part, and I confess my
sensibility was such that I involuntarily caught the
soft infection. I obtained die favour of a warm
embrace from them all, and the young hdies conde-
scended to deviate from their usual strict decorum
by suffering me to imprint some ardent kisses on
their charming lips. The mother appeared a little
disconcerted at this indulgence, but her affection for
me prevented any expressions of displeasure ; she
herself presented me her cheek with a very good
grace. 1 must here observe, that the Portugueze
ladies do not allow even their lovers, before mar-
riage, a greater license than kissing the hwd ; this
intimation was given me on my first acquaintance
with Donna Joaquima, by that worthy matron her-
self, with a very serious air, as she discovered, I
suppose, that I evinced too much warmth in my
attention to her lovely daughters. After numerous
repetititions of '^ Adieu'' on my side, and of ^' Dios

h 4

224

guarda, mio Amigo," (God preserve you, my friend,)
on that of these amiable females, I was obliged to
tear myself abruptly from them ; and with a heart
overcharged with grief and tenderness/ 1 -hastened
to the boat, which conveyed myself and the few
other persons remaining on shore, to the ship, which
was then under weigh, and, the breeze freshening,
we with difficulty got alongside her, when abreast
of Fort Santa Cruz, (near the entrance of the Rio
de Jaueiro, and just as the Buffalo was saluting that
battery. In about an hour afterwards, we cleared
the Heads; the same evening (August the l£th
1807,) we lost sight of the coast of Brazil, and pro-
ceeded on Qur course for Europe.

225

CHAPTER XX.

The Ship becomes as leakj/ as before*-^All hands in
turn at the Pumps. — Means adopted to reduce the
Leaks. — / offend the late Governor, who orders
me before the Mast, — Fall in z&ith the Thisbe a
second time, in company with several Transports.
— Unhappy fate of one of them. — Arrive at Spit-
head.

Having resumed our voyage with a favouring
breeze^ and the ship being, to all appearance, tight
and sea-worthy, with a pretty ample supply of wet
and dry provisions, our prospects were now a little
more cheering ; and I looked forward with innate
satisfaction to the moment when I should set my
foot on English ground, free from the horrors at-
tending a state of bondage, and at liberty to realize
the ideas I had formed of atoning to society, and to
my ovm conscience for the manifold errors of my
past life.

We had, however, the mortification to find that
the repairs the ship had undergone at Rio de Ja-
niero, had only produced a temporary effect; for
shortly after leaving that port, the ship again began
to leak, and in a few days made as much water as
before. The consequence was that all hands, ex •

226

cept officers, were obliged to take their turn at
the pumps, and it was only by pumping her out
every watch that she could be kept free. I, of
course, took my spell at this tieceissary but fatiguing
labour during the day, without murmuring ; but I
was not disturbed in the night, which, indeed, I
considered would have been unfair, as I was on
duty all day. The carpenter found, on inspection,
that the principal leak was occasioned by some part
of the stem being loose, where there was a large
aperture some feet under water. Every exertion
was made, by lightening her forwards, and applying
what is termed a fothering mat to her bows, to remedy
this evil, but without effect ; for the working of the
ship occasioned every particle of the stuffing used
on such occasions to wash out immediately. This
expedient, indeed, at first, promised to succeed to
admiration, for it decreased the leak from sixteen to
ten inches an hour ; but the experiment was made
in a calm, and the first rough weather undid all that
had been done. It was now discovered that certain
parts of the stem, called the fore-hoods, were loose,
which occasioned the principal leak ; and this was
so far under water, that it was impossible to repair
the defect while the ship was afloat. In fact, she
was altogether in a very decayed state, being an old
ship, and having endured much severe service ; so
that having now a voyage of three months before
us, and reason to expect bad weather, as we

227

should approach the English channel in die winter
season, those who were best able to foim an opinion
entertained serioas doubts of the ship's capability
to perform the voyage ; however, these doubts were
not suffered to transpire publicly, aad every pre-
caution, which the experience of Captain King and
his o£Bcers could dictate, was made use of. The
stem, of the vessel, being the most defective part^
was first secured, by passing very strong ropes over
her bows, and under her keel, which were then
boused taut athwart the fore-castle, and there made
fast, in order to lash her bows together ; for soine
fears existed that by the violent working of the iMxp
in a head sea, her bows would absolutdy part asun*-
der ! That she might be strained as little as pos-
sible, it was also determined not to carry a press of
sail on the boltsprit when sailing on a wind. In this
manner we continued our course for several weeks,
without any incident worthy of notice ; we bad upoB
the whole pretty favourable winds, but as we a^
proached the equator they were interrupted by oc-
casional calms.

On the 17th of Septemb^, we crossed the equi«-
noctial line, with the usual ceremonies, in which
ev^ry officer and passenger cordially joined, and not
a single person (the ladies and Captain King ex-
cepted,) escaped a complete ducking. The wea&er
being delightfully fine, with a light and favourable
breeze, every one was in jiigh spirits, and the litsl

228

of Neptune having been celebrated in due form^
a plentiful allowance of grog succeeded, which, by
wetting the inside, made ample amends for the salt-
water baptism, which all hands had mutually and
Uberally bestowed on each other without respect
to rank or persons. This was a remarkable day
with me, for on this day my original term of trans^
'portation expired. This event naturally produced
a train of reflections in my mind. I took a retros-
pect of the miseries and vicissitudes I had under-
:gone within the last seven years, and I returned
-fervent thanks to Heaven for my deliverance from
exile, and for the unlimited freedom which I expect-
-ed shortly to regain. But, alas ! I was soon to
experience another reverse, whid), as it was both
-unexpected and unmerited, fell with the greater
weight upon me : and thus it happened.

Hitherto, as I have before observed, I was not
called upon in the night to take my spell at the
flumps, but a few days after our crossing the line,
by what accident I knew not, I was desired by the
boatswain's mate of the watch, to turn out in the
■middle of a wet and windy night, and pump ship.
Ai; remonstrance with such a fellow as this would
kave availed nothing, I complied ; but the next day
4jook an opportunity of acquainting (])aptain King,
and requested he would give directions that I should
laot be disturbed in future. To my great surprise^
however, he informed me, that I had been called

229

upoD by his express orders^ and that he was ignorant
till that very night of my being excused from the
duty of pumping, but had taken for granted that I
always took my spell. I replied to this by sub-
mitting in the most respectful terms, that as I was
employed in writing, ^c, from morning till night,
and also assisted in pumping the ship every watch,
it was but fair that I should sleep every night, as all
persons under the denomination of " Idlers'* inva-
riably do in king's ships. Captain King rejoiued
that the emergency of the case required every one
to assist ; that he had given orders to have no idler
or other person excused, and that he should there-
fore insist on my compliance. I observed that he
grew warm towards the end of this conference,
though I had preserved the respect due to him,
in all I had said ; however, as I was conscious of
being in the right, 1 ventured to bint that the situa-
tion in which I stood, being only a passenger not
belonging to the ship, receiving neither pay nor even
the allowance of spirits common to the meanest
cabin-boy in the service, and which was essentially
necessary to support the united hardships of labour
and inclement weather ; that all these considerations
might, I submitted, entitle me to some distinction
from the class of persons called idlers, who actually
belonged to the ship ; and I concluded with an in-
timation that the emergency of the case could not
be so great as that my feeble assistance could not

230

be dispensed with, as the ship was always freed from
water with ease in half an hour, and not one of his
(Captain King's,) domestic servants, who were stout
able men, (five or six in number,) and all receiving
pay from the ship, were ever called upon at all in
the night, and but rarely in the day. The justice
of my remonstrances appeared to have exasperated
Captain King, who was of a very irascible temper,
and he at length worked himself up into a violent
rage, the consequence of which was (as usual with
him,) a torrent of abuse ; and as I knew by expe-
rience that it was in vain to attempt pacifying him,
when in this mood, I quitted the cabin, and retired
to my birth between d^cks. About an hour after,
as I was sitting on my chest ruminating on the un-
pleasant situation in which I was placed, and heartily
wishing for the moment which was to free me from
a state of dependence, I was accosted by a master's
mate, who informed me it was Captain King's orders
that 1 should do my duty in the larboard watch of
the after-guard, and that I was to be mustered with
the watch at eight o'clock the same night. I now
clearly saw the malevolence of Captain King's de-
signs, and the illiberal advantage he was about to
take of my helpless and dependent situation. I
nevertheless cheerfully obeyed his orders, and that
night kept what is termed the first watch, (from
eight to twelve,) two hours of which I was stationed
at the lee-wheel. At twelve o'clock I retired to my

231

bammock, and was no more interrupted till eight
the next morning, soon after which I was summoned
to the cabin of Captain Houston, the acting com-
mander of the Buffi^lo under Captain King, who, on
my appearing before him, inquired abruptly, ^' if I
chose to enter r" I was not surprised at this ques-
tion, as 1 had foreseen in what manner Captain King
intended to act, in order to place me more imme-
diately in bis power, and to give him an authority
over me, which as I was before situated he did not
possess. Beings therefore, prepared for such a
question, and knowing the nature of the service,
I answered Captain Houston in the affirmative*
The latter then ordered me to attend the captain's
clerk, and get myself duly entered on the ship's
books. This I accordingly did, and now found
myself suddenly placed in the capacity of a common
sailor on board a king's ship ; and it being war time,
I had before me the disheartening prospect of being
drafted, on our arrival in. England, on board some
other ship, (without a probable chance of once set-
ting my foot on shore,) and of being perhaps imme-
diately ordered abroad to some foreign station from
which I might not return for several years. My
motive for voluntarily entering was this : I was
aware that had I refused to do so it was in '^he
power of Captain King to press me against my will,
and I doubt not but such was his intention. In the
latter case I should have been entered as a pressed

232

man, which might have operated at a future day
against my obtaining leave to go ashore, and by that
means effect my escape ; whereas I was now enter-
ed as a volunteer, and became entitled to a small
bounty. 1 am persuaded the reader will view this
conduct of Captain King's in a very unfavourable
light', as I had really been guilty of no crime, it was
taking a most cruel and illiberal advantage of the
power he had over me. Having released me from
a state of banishment, and taken me into his service
on the terms he did, without any immediate com-
pensation, he had of course left me every reason to
expect, not only my liberty at the end of the voyage,
but also his future countenance and protection.
Besides, the reader will remember that he had de-
clined putting me on the ship's books when I first
joined her at Port Jackson, in which case I should
have had nine months' pay to receive on my subse-
quent arrival in England, and should have also had
a daily allowance of spirits during the passage, for
want of which I had suffered much in the cold cli-
mate and severe weather we encountered ; instead
of which, and after I had actually become a freeman
by servitude, he had forced me into what may be
termed a second bondage, almost equally irksome with
the first, and that too when within six weeks of the
end of our voyage. However, as I am of opinioa
with Shakspeare, that

*' Thiags without remedy should be without regard.'^

233

I bore up with fortitude against this unexpected re-
verse of fortune ; and, conscious of its feeing un-
merited, made no attempt to avert the blow by
mean submission, to which I could not stoop. I
therefore cheerfully took my watch on deck, and,
when not so engaged, amused myself below with a
book, or in ruminating (as usual with me,) on the in-»
stability of human affairs, and the vicissitudes of my
own life in particular. It was not the least of my
consolations in this distress, that I received every
day at noon half a pint of excellent rum, with a dram
of which I fortified myself occasionally during the
night watches, for as we approached the channel of
Old England, we once more'experienced a sudden
change of climate, and the weather became in-
tensely cold.

About a fortnight after the event I have just re-
lated. Captain King, finding I was perfectly recon-
ciled to my new duty, and that I offered no apology,
as he perhaps expected I would, sent for me one
morning, and ordered me to attend in the cabin
every day at nine o'clock, for the purpose of writing
as usual. As I did not conceive myself justified in
refusing, I complied, and paid every attention to his
commands. The boatswain's mates, understanding
how I was again employed, desisted from calling
me up to pump ship for several nights ; when by
some means Captain King hearing of this fact,
actually gave orders that I should regularly turn out

234

as well as the other idlers. This I considered sucb
a proof of his determined wish to oppress and
harass me, that I ventured a second remonstrance
on the subject; when he again fell into a violent n^e,
and cautioned me not to offend him by a repetiti<Hi
of (what he termed^) my insolencci reminding me
that it was now in his power to flog me^ though it
was not before !

He concluded with saying, that be left it to my
choice either to write for him during the day, and
take my turn at pumping in the night, or to do my
duty before the mast entirely, and keep my watch
in common with the rest of the crew. I made no
hesitation in replying, that, with his permisnon, £
should prefer doing my duty on deck. To this he
assenting, I made my bow and withdrew. Here
ended my functions in the clerical capacity with
Captain King. From this day I never wrote a line
for him ; and thus was I rewarded for my past ser-
vices. To shew the inconsistency of this treatment,
I will just quote a line from tihe pardon granted me
by himself, when Governor of New South Wales.
In documents of this description, it is indispensably
required to state the grounds, or motives, which in-
duce the Governor to exercise the power vested in
him by His Majesty's instructions. The blank
left foi* that purpose, was thus filled up, *^ I, Philip
Gidley King, Esquire, Captain general, Sfc. S^c.,
takmg into consideration the good conduct of

235

James Vaux, and to enable him to serve as hkj
clerk on board His Majesty's ship Buffalo^ Do
hereby absolutely remit^ fyc."

Just before we entered the channel, we had the
singular fortune to fall in a Second time with the
Thisbe frigate, in company with three sail of trans-
ports. On speaking, we ascertained that the latter
vessels had on board a part of. the army, lately under
the command of General Whitelocke in the Hio de
la Plata, and who had survived the ill-managed and
fatal attack upon Buenos Ayres. We also learnt
that the general himself had been put under
arrest for his deficiency and misconduct on that oc*
casioi), and was now on his voyage home to answer
for the same. Captain King now represented to
the agent on board one of these transports, the dis-
tressed state of the Buffalo, and requested the aid of
some soldiers to assist in pumping her, as the leaks
daily grew more alarming. Forty privates were
accordingly put on board us, and we continued our
voyage in company with the transports, the Thisbe
having outsailed us. About the 5th of November
we made the land, which proved the coast of Corn-
wall, near Falmouth. We proceeded along shore
to the eastward, and on the 8th came to an anchor at
Spithead, (after a passage of nine months from port
Jackson,) in company with two of the Jtransports,
but the third was missing. We had afterwards the
melancholy information that this vessel (the John

236

and Elizabeth;) had been wrecked during the pre-
ceding nighty having struck upon some rocks in
consequence of her keeping too near the shore ; and
it blowing a fresh gale^ she went to pieces^ when
upwards of three hundred persons unhappilj
perished.

237

CHAPTER XXI.

Captain King leaves the Ship, which proceeds to
Portsmouth Harbour *^^My melancholy Re/lections
on my Confinement to the Service, — Preparations
for paying of the Buffalo. — Employed by the
Purser in arranging the Ship^s Books. — Write
to LondoHy and receive an answerfrom my Mother.
Obtain leave to go ashore very unexpectedly, and
effect my Escape through the friendly aid of a total
Stranger.

1 HE anchor was no sooner down, than the cutter
was hoisted out, in which Captain King went ashore
and immediately proceeded post to London. The
following day the Buffalo weighed, and sailed into
Portsmouth harbour, where she was lashed along-
side a hulk near the shore, and preparations instantly
made for clearing and dismantling her, pre-
paratory to her survey and expected condemnation.
Those persons who had obtained a passage on
various acounts, and were not on the ship's books,
were now permitted to dis-embark, and depart to
their respective homes. I now felt the full weight
of the misery in which [ was involved. After an
absence of nearly seven years from my native land,
to enjoy once more the sight of that much-loved

238

•spot, and when within a hundred yards of the shore,
to be debarred from a nearer approach, was morti-
fying in the extreme, and my situation could only be
compared to that of Tantalus in the Heathen my-
thology. The purser was now btisily intent Upon
making up the Buffalo's hooks, to be transmitted to
the Navy-office, previous to her being paid, and
her crew drafted into other ships. As these ac-
counts were extensive, and required both care and
expedition; Mr. Sherard, the purser, requested that
I would assist the captam's clerk of the ship in their
arrangement, for which he obtained the sanction of
Captain Houston, promising to reward me for my
trouble. I was now excused from all other duty,
and immediately set about the required task with
alacrity, conceiving hopes that I might by this com-
pliance facilitate my grand object of escaping from'
the ship. By dint of unremitting assiduity we comr
pleted the whole of the accounts in about a fort-
night, to the satisfaction of the purser, and I had no
sooner acquitted myself of thid duty than Captain
Houston requested I would bring up his journal,
which was many months in arrear. I gladly under-
took this service, from the same motives as before,
and now wrote from morning till night in the cabin.
Captain King and his family having totally quitted
the ship, and taken lodgings in Portsmouth, as had
also Captain Houston and his lady. The latter
officer came on board daily, and was highly pleased

239

at the progress I made in his jouraaU Captain
King also came on board occasionally, but did not
deign to notice me, and I preserved the same strange-
ness towards him.

Soon after our arrival, I had written to an aunt
in London, for information respecting my father,
and other relations. About this time I received,
in consequence, a letter from my mother, informing
me that my father and grandmother had been de-
ceased about two years, and that my venerable,
grandfather was still living at S in health and

spirits ; she added that herself and my two sisters
were residing in Middle-row, Holbom, and should
feel inexpressibly happy at seeing me again. My
whole thoughts were now turned to the object of
getting ashore, but the quo modo was to be con-
sidered, and of this I could form no idea. I could
not swim ; I bad no money to bribe a waterman to
fetch me away ; and of gaining my liberty I had little
or no hopes. I still continued assiduous in writing
the journal for Captain Houston and I had reason to
build upon some indulgence from the first lieutenant
Mn Oxley**, should it rest with him to grant leav«
of absence, as I had occasionally written his log,
during the voyage, and lie had been pleased to shew
me many marks of kindness.

After the pay-books were completed and sent up
to London, I one day had some conversation with

• Now Surveyor-General of New South Wales.

240

a respectable looking woman, who attended the ship
with a bum-boat, and supplied the sailors with ne«
cessaries on the credit of their approaching pay,
which was considerable, the ship having been
six years stationed in New South Wales. As this
woman appeared to possess some sensibility, I ven-
tured to represent to her the distress I was in at
my confinement to the service, and particularly my
fears that I should not obtain leave to visit my
friends before I was sent to sea again. The good

woman, whose name was B y, had sufficient

penetration to perceive my drift, and that I wanted
to take French leave of an English man-of-war.
After expatiating on the risk she should incur in case
of a discovery, an^^nany injunctions of secrecy, she
declared her willingness to assist me as far as lay in
her power, as she had, she said, children of her own
and pitied my situation. She. then advised me to
pack up a suit of clothes, (which I informed her I
had by me,) and commit them to her care, saying,
that she would take them privately to* her lodgings,
to which she directed me, and that I must next con-
trive to get ashore on duty, or by any other means*
when I should immediately come to her, and she
would assist me in niy further proceedings. Having
treated this worthy creature with a glass of grog,
and overwhelmed her with thanks for her disinterest-
ed kindness, (for sueh it certainly was,) 1 hastened
to put up my clothes, consisting of a genteel black

241

coat, boots, S^c, ifvhich T had preserved for the pur-
pose, and on her quitting the ship she concealed
these articles among her merchandise without ob
servation. This took place on a Thursday, and my
only concern now, was to make good my landing
On the folIoiKing Sunday it was promulgated
throughout the ship, that a certain number of the
crew were to be allowed leave to go on shore in the
afternoon. I determined, therefore, to'make an effort
and the dinner hour being over, I heard orders giv^n
to man the cutter for the liberty-men. The latter
were in the mean time busily employed in rigging
themselves for the occasion, in their best togs. I, of
course, intended to go in my working dress, con-
sisting of a red flannel shirt, blue jacket, and tarry
trowsers, as I thought the officers would less sus-
pect me of a design to run a^^ay. Full of ^anxiety
but not without hope, I entered the gun-*room, in
which were Mr. Oxley, dien comman&g. officer
of the ship, and Mr. Sherard the purser. The
former inquiring my business, I answered, that I
wished, with his permission, to go on shore for two
or three hours, having a friend in Portsmouth, who
I was in hopes would supply me with some neces-
saries I stood in need of. Mr. Oxley smiled and
hesitated, remarking the shabbiness of my appear-
ance ; at length on my urging my suit, with a tremb-
ling voice, (for no one who has not been similarly
situated, can conceive what I then felt,) he inquired
VOL. I. M .

24a

if he might depend on my returning oft board at
sun-set in tfie ship's boat? I assmred him that he
mighty and he then consented to my going. Having
thanked bim from the bottom of my heart, I quitted
the gun-room^ but had no sooner closed the door
than I was recalled by Mr. Oxley. Somewhat
alarmed lest he should be about to retract, I return-
ed, and found I was- called at the instance of Mr.
Sherard, who, drawing out his purse, presented me
i¥ith half-a-goinea! saying, he bad promised me
somediing for my tate assistance. I tbamked him
and again withdrew. I had scarcely shut the door
a second time, when I was again recalled, which
still more surprised and alarmed me. On re-enter*-
ing, Mr. Oxley said, (hut in what I thought a gooc^;
nalured way,) *' Mind, Mr. Vaux, if you Ve not on
board b^ six o'clock, I shall send the marines after
you." I again promised obedience, and once more
retired. I then hastened to inform a friend of my
good fortune, and gave him the key of my chest,
desiring him, in case I did not return in the evening,
to take out such articles as he chose, as well as my
bedding, fyc,, brfore they were seized by order of
the captain. On ascending the deck I was again
alarmed. The acting master, who was on the
quarter-deck, seeing me about to enter the boat,
called me aft, and inquired where I was going ? I
answered that Mr. Oxley had given me leave to go
ashore. He replied, ^ Mr. Oxfey, I am sure, would

24a

oeyer give ^^ou leave .tp go ashore ia that dirty
dress ," and absolttldjr forbad my going.. It was in
vaia that I remonstrated^ and referred him to Mr..
OsJey ; and during the delay occasioned by this con-
versation! the ho9l waa on the point of departure ;
virben^ luckily, the niaater turning hi» back to give
some orders^ I hastil^y descended to the Wais^
and leaping throogh. one of .the midship ports,
found myself happily in the cutter, at the mo»
ment when the coxswain gave the word to shove
off. I coB^cealed myself in th^ foreaheets untit out
of danger^ and in ^bout ten minutea was landed at
Conunon-Hard^ I need not labour to paint the
joy I felt at that m omenta though it was certainly
mix^d with anxiety as to my further success* I im-
mediately left the other liberty-men^ who pressed
me in vain to drink with them \ and pleading urgent
business, ran with the utmost expeditbn along the
streets, in<)iuring for the Point, where having ar-
rived, I found several ferry-boats ready to cross
over to Gosport« A fellow calling out '^ over. Sir ?"
1 jumped into his boat, luid in a few minutes found
myself on Qosport-beach. Thus far^ I sailed
before the wind ^ I vi^alked up the beach, and the
first abject that presented itself was the London
stage-coach, standing at the door oC the Red Lion
Inn. This novel sight which I had not beheld for
so mady years, wad so gratifying that I admired and
exmdiied it for 9oaie minutes, as minutely a« » coun-

244

tryman would do the Kuig'» state-coach. I soon
found on inquiry, the lodgings of Mrs. B y which
were at a public-house near the Red Lion. On
asking for her of the landlady^ I had the niortiiica-^
tion to learn that she was out on board of some
ship, and that her return was uncertain. It was
now near four o'clock^ and the days being short>
my term of leave would soon expire. However, as
there was no remedy but patience, I* entered the
tap-room, and calling for a pint of alie and a pipe,
sat down to wait the arrival of my worthy friend.
I had scarcely taken a dozen whiffs when I beard
a footstep in the passage of the house ; and my

landlady putting out her head, inquired '^ Is that .
you, Mrs. B ■ y ?" I had the pleasure to hear
that good woman answer, " Yes," On the land-
lady informing her there was a young main \^aiting
for her, she opened the door ; and seeing me, said
with a significant look, and evidently much pleasecjl,
'^ O, is that you, William, step up stairs wrth me,
airdlMtl give you those things.** I paid for my ale,
aiid followed Mrs. B , who was accompanied
by her husband, and both of them loaded with goods
they had brought fr6m their boat. On entering
their apartment, they expressed much pleasure at
my good luck in getting ashore, and gave me the
most cordial welcome. The old woman put on
the tea-kettle, and while it was boitingj she looked
out my clothes, which : sfee set about' airing f>y the

246

fire. Having obliged me to take a dram, they began
to consult on the measures to be adopted in my

favour. Mr. B y informed me that the coach I

had seen would set out at six o'clock; that the
inside fare to London was twenty*four shillings^ and
the outside seventeen shillings, inquiring, which I
would prefer, and how I stood for cash. I an-
swered that I had about twenty-four shillings,
(namely the half guinea I had brought from New
South Wales, another which I had received from
the purser, and three or four shillings I ha*d acquired
since our arrival,) but that an outside place would
answer my purpose, and I should then have a trifle
for expenses. This worthy couple assured me I
should not be lost for a few shillings, if I found
myself at all deficient ; but I declined this favour,
knowing I could make shift with what I had. Mr.
B— — y then offered to go himself to the coach-
office, and secure me a place. I accordingly gave
him the required sum, and he hastened to the Red
Lion. During his absence Mrs. B^ — — y gave me
some warm water to wash myself, which having
done, she desired me to put on all my clothes but
my coat ; she then put an apron over my shoul-
ders, and proceeded to dress my hair as well as she
could, and, for want of powder, made use of
ft^me flour, with which she plentifully whitened
my hfc^id. Having put on my coat, she next direw
sonue flour over my back, and taking a view of me,

246

we, declared she never saw so great an aUeratioa
in a man. She cofnjdimented me upon my genteel
appearance^ and adde,d^ that she was sure if I was
met by any of my own officers^ they would not
luoow me in this garb* Her husband now returning,
informed me that he had taken a place for me in
tbe name of Lowe^ as I directed^ and had told the
coachman to take me up at the Dolphin Inn, near
the extremity of the town. Every thing being now
arranged, I anxiously wished feu* the hour of six ;
and though 1 had not tbe least grounds for fear, yet
I could not wholly divest myself of it. It is true, as
I had landed at Portsmouth, it was not likely, in case
there was any suspicion, that a search would be set
afoot in Gosport, which is on the opposite side of
the harbour ; besides, no inquiry was likely to be
made for me, tiU after six o'clock, at which hour
the coach would set off* Having taken a dish of
tea, and the time approaching, I took an affec-
^ftate leave of the good woman, promising to write
to her on my atrival m town, and at a future day
to reward her kindness. The old man insisted on
accompanying me to the Dolphin,, and seeing
me safe off. Tbe weather being intensely cold,
tlkeiy would hat^e pressed me to accept a great-
coat^ but I refused to trespass further on their
goodness. At length we departed, and walked
ivilliout interruption to the Dolphin ; but I tre]»K>led
ai die approach of every officer or genteel person

247

we met^ so great was my fear of miscarriage on this
important occasion. Having some minutes to wait
for the coachy Mr. B— insisted on ray drinking a
parting glass at the bar of an adjacent public-house,
which having done, we heard the joyful sound of
the horn, and the rattling of the coach-wheels. In
a few minutes I ascended the vehicle, and as it drove
off, I saw my worthy old friend waving his hand at
the comer of the street, apparently as much
affected as myself on the occasion. Having thus
described my escape from a state of thraldom, in
which I might otherwise have suffered much vexa-
tion and hardship, I shall here conclude the twenty-
first chapter of my Memoirs.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Printed bjr W. CLOWES, Northumbetland-courtt Straniii London.

MEMOIRS

JAMES HARDY VAUX,

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:
momto ar rr. etowsa, NoierBvaasKZANncovKT, srsASDi

AND SOLD BT

ALL RESPECTABLE BOOKSELLERS.

1819.

CONTENTS

THE SECOND VOLUME.

•1

CHAPTEE I.

I arrive in Loodon-— 'A suddeo alarm — ^Visit my mother and
8isten-*-Set<oat for S ohire — Interview with my grand-
father<^Retiim to town-— A lucky hit on the road—- Ob-
tain a situation in the Crown-Office, fmge 1.

CHAP. n.

Quit the Crown-Office, and engage as reader in a printing-
office — Determine to live a strictly honeat life— -Meet with
an old acquaintance who laughs me out of my resolution-
Give up. all thoughts of servitude, and become a professed
thief, page 80.

CHAP. in.

Varioua modes of oblatuing money— My regular course of
life, when disengaged from my vicious companions —
Meet with an amiable girl, like myself the child of mis-
fortune—We cohabit together— Our mutual happiness,
page 969.

CHAP. IV.

Adventures in the course of my profligate career—- Motives
which induce me to marry my companion — Her exem-
plary behaviour — A family misfortune, page 277.

VI CONTENTS.

CHAP. V.

Adventure of the silver SDufiT-box — Its coDseqaences.— My
narrow escape from transportation, which I have since
had reason to regret, page 333. ^

CHAP. VL

Visit Mr. Bi]ger»im<em1n€nt jeweHer-^Hts politeness, and
the return 1 made for it — Perfidy of a pawnbroker-
Obliged to decamp with precipitation, page 52.

CHAP. VII.

Take a houte in St George*s FieldsM^-Stay «t honiie forseve*
ral weeks— At leM^h { venture out in quest ^-moaey—
My imprudent obstinacy in entering a house of ill repute,
against the advice and entreaties of my wife^am taken
in custody and carried to the watch-house.— Distress of
my wife on the occasion, page 71.

CHAP. vni.

Discover that I have been t>etrayed«->Exiimiiied at Bow-
street, and committed for trial— Sent to NeWg«te-*-Pre-
pare for my defence — ^My trial and conviction, jM^re 83*

CHAP. IX.

Account of my companion dnd felMr-Sufferer in the con-
demned cells-^Hts unhappy fate — ^I receive sentence of
death — Ani reprieved, and soon afterwards aedt on boisurd
the hulks->Sorhe accooift of those recqitades of human
misery, page 97.

CHAP. X.

I embark a seodiid time for New South Walei-mlmlalgcfiitly
treated by the Captain«*-My emfployment* during the

CONTENTS. VJl

voyage — Arriye at Port Jaekson, after an absence of four
yeara— My reception from Governor Macquarrie— As-
signed by lot to a settler — ^His brutal treatment of me —
1 find means to quit his service, and return to Sydney,

page 113.

CHAP. XL

Appointed an overseer — ^Determine to reform my life, and
become a new man — ^All my good intentions rendered
unavailing by an unforeseen and unavoidable misfortune—
I become a victim to prejudice, and the depravity of a
youth in years, but a veteran in iniquity — I am banished
to the coal-river, page 122.

CHAP. XII.

Return to head-quarters, after an exile of two years— Renew
my vows of rectitude, to which 1 strictly adhere — ^Propo-
sal made me to obtain my liberty — ^I make the attempt-—
Its failure, and the consequent punishment inflicted on
me — Conclusion, page 137.

MEMOIRI^

JAMES HARDY VAUX.

CHAPTER I.

/ arrive in London.-^A sudden Alarm* — Visit my
Mother and Sisters. Set out for 5— — shire.-—'
Interview with my Grandfather. ^-Return to Town.
— A lucky Hit on the Road. — Obtain a Situation
in the Crown-Office.

ilBpUT four miles from Gosport, b a place
called Fareham, where is a gate^ through ^hich on
the coach passing, I had always understood that the
passengers were subject to an overhaul, as die sailors
term it. I was, therefore, somewhat alarmed during
this part of ray journey. I felt confident, however^
that I could give a good account of myself, had I been
questioned ; but to my great joy, on our approach,
the gate was thrown open, and the coach passed
without stopping. I now felt extremely cold, and
my dress being thin, 1 suffered much during the
night In order to counteract the effects of the

VOL. II. B

frost, I fortified myself with a good dram of brandy
at every stage, and the ensuing morning proving
delightfully fine, 4 ?t l^"^ ^nd both my animal
and mental spirits revive, and my heart beat high
with expectation of the happiness I anticipated.
About eight o'clock I was gratified with a sight of
Hj{4e PaA Corner ; smd I leave th^ render to. ii^a-
gine what transports I felt at the difference between
my then situation and 4bat from which 1 had so
recently and happily emerged. On my ascendmg
the coach at Gosport> I had placed myself on the
roof between two men whp had the i^pearance o^
counti^ farm^rs^ and \ piaintained that situation
tibroughput th^ night, by which indeed I was soipe-
thii^g benefited, fjc^r thje^ ^ad both ^Qod great^coats,
and we sitting rather crowded, I was warmer than I
should otherwise have been. On the coach stop-
pipg^atithi? P|lou,<je5pjfcer, Coffeer^iQu^e, Piqq#}^,, I
cxp^^ mj; in^eotipp . t9, ^dight and wa}k.; ti^e
t\f0 faifniers: hi^ j^; s^me inc|ina|j.pp^ aqd I ob<;

9^1^.f Ji^}^ ^9i W-^r^ »pi«g wff ^^f IshiJHW.b^
fi^S^Mm cofliffftajr, Tl^y answeredithejj^effi^

»tr,^B«fi^s^ ^ ^VJ^9, a«d thpir poly Qbjecli w.^8, tfx, $n4
pul; the^ iofi frpip^ w.hjicl^ the Yprk^Jfe coach ^^^ <f}^
a^. ^e; vi;ei;^ about proceeding to> ^ha|t ooupty i^
medk^elj^ I, replied, I \i;as,mj(ael|!^fnQStaj»tra|]ge«
to. thpse jm^i;tei^,, biit l f^cie^ thp. iiw, l^yia th^
Vaj I, .wi|s g<?iug, fp,4. tft^ 1 ^pffH wi^,pleftsi^^
cflB^ct AjlWtpji|:._ W^ ^i;99r^ingljj,3et Jbrwwrdft,

and wttlked tlrrou^ PkcacBtfy, the H^fittaritei;
Strand, Sfc, until we came to FetteF-Iane ; and ar*-
riviag at the White Horse, I was, I found, right in
my conjeeture, for the York coiach was among the
nnmber of those advertised in large characters on
each side the gateway of the inn. I intro^hiced
them to the coach-office, where &ey took places for
die ensiling evening ; and, as my night's ride had
brongfat me to an appetite, I proposed (before
going to my mother's, whose lodgings were close at
hand,) that we should breakfast together; to which
they assenting, I conducted them to the coffee--
room, and calling the wsuter, ordered tea, coffee,
and plenty of muffins with all possible speed. We
had nearly concluded our meal, and I had just
bespoke a morning paper from the waiter, when
the room beginning to fill, several gentlemen entered,
and passed the table at which we sat, proceeding
to the upper end of the room. At diat moment a
voice struck my ear, which almost petrified me
widi fear and astonishment, for I felt persuaded at
the time that it was that of Mr. Oxley himself,
exclaiming, *^ Waiter, see that portmanteau of mine
brought in.^ On hearing diese words, I almost
dropped the tea-cup from my hand, and on the
impulse of the moment, quitted my seat, and hastily
left the room ; nor did 1 stop for a moment's reflec-
tion until I had crossed H<dbom, and found myself
at the corner of Gray's-Inn-Lane. Then, however,

B 2

Gooceiving I was out of danger, I endeavoured to
r-allj my spirits, and to persuade myself that I must
liaye been mistaken, as it was highly improbable
ibat Mr. Oxley, whom I had left oil board the
Buffalo, should so suddenly have arrived in town,
and particularly at the White Horse, no Portsmouth
or Gosport coach setting up there. However, Mr.
Odey's voice and manner of speaking being a little
remarkable, I was so far in doubt.that I determined
not to return. What opinion the countryman mU^t
form of me, I know not ; it is likely they would
impute my unmannerly departure to a design of
avoiding payment of the reckoning. I have since
ascertained that I was. mistaken in my conjecture,
for Mr.Oxley did not quit the ship until several
days afterwards.

I now repaired to Middle-Row, and inquiring
for my mother, was ushered up stairs, where I found
her and my two sisters pretty comfortably situated
in a genteel first floor, which they hired ready fur-
nished. They all expressed great joy at seeing me.
My mother appeared to be in a declining state, but
my sisters were much improved, and really very fine
girls. I understood that the whole family were
supported by the industry of the latter, who worked
incessantly at their needle, being excellent profi-
cients in fancy-work, which they obtained from
various shops. Having explained to my mother
the particulars of my situation, and the risk I had

incurred by my d€sertion ; and recollecting tbat 1'
had incoDsiderfttely suffered her letter, ui iivliich'Mraf
h^ address^ to be seen by several persons on. board
the Buffalo^ it occurred to me that Captain Houston
might possibly come to the knowledge of Jthatpar*
ticular^ the consequence of which might be fatal to
me. It was the opinion of my mother, that I should
on that account, absent myself from town for a few
weeks, until the affair was blown over, and my
mother advised that I should go down to my relatioaa

in S shire. I accordingly the next day set

out by the coach, an aunt of mine who wras in good
circumstances, supplying me with the needful. On
arriving at S . I went to a public-house, which
was still kept by a woman who had known me
from my infancy ; as I feared to break abruptly
on my aged grandfather, who migh^ be too much
affected to sustain the surprise, I, therefore, got
the landlady to send word that a stranger had arrived,
who brought news from his grandson : having thus
prepared the way, I followed in person, and was
received with transport by my dear and venerable
benefactor. On inquirmg into his circumstances^"
i was grieved to learn that he had been for several
years obliged to subsist upon the charity of hn
friends, and particularly the worthy family of the
Moultries, of whom I have tfnade honourable lAea^
tion in the second ch^ter of theae Memoirs* I
was also concerned t6 find that tbcidear old man's

»3

jbcolties trere much int^pftired, aad mj grief waf
keighteaed by the reflectkuDi that mj mificonduct
and coiite<{Bent misfortunes had been the primary
cause of his mental as well as pecuniary distress.

My other relatives in S ti'eated me with every

mark of attention, and I was hospitably entertained
by them all during my stay in that town. It is to
be observed, that only two or three of my nearest
relations were acquainted with the events of my
life for the last seven years. It was given out that
I had been abroad, but it was understood in a res*
pectabie capacity. About a fortnight after, my
arrival in S-*-— -shire, I received a letter from my
mother, informing me that no inquiry whatever had
been made respecting me, and concluding from
thence that I might with safety return when I
thought proper. As no prospect of employment
presented itself in the owntry, it was the opinion
jof mj friends that I should again try my fortune in^
liondon ; for which purpose they jcHutly supplied me
with money to defray my present expenses, and
contributed among them a few necessaries I was
most in need of. I was persuaded, that my dear
grandfather would not experience the want of any
reasonable comforts during the short remaining
term of his life, which cotdd not in all probability
be long protracted. I was, therefore^ less solicitous
abo^t continuii^^ on the spot^ as my presence in
fact only te&ded to recall lo hia baK^tracted

miad ike raBembranee of > former and betted days*
Mj ^hmAfadi^r g*^ t^^ letters of r^commtewkAan
to eeroal of his old hw tcqwkltiwees, paitkialtriy
eiie to a Mr. Bdt» who held a si^erior situation in
the crown-office^ and who had ibftaerly been aiiicled
to hiniself ^en resident in Londoii.

All tlnngs beSng arrangec^ I once likore took leave
of my friends, and set o£f by th^ cdaefa for London^
on tbe'lstbf Jaiknary^ 1808. HaVing oc'easion to
take a fresh coach at Birhiin^haDi, amd \^ishing to
take a little recreation^ \vhich the restraint I was
ilnder at S ■ , and the nature of the place had
hitherto precloded ine from, and having the pecti*
niary m^ans of so doing in sty power> I detertnined
on devoting a few days to that object, before I
resumed my journey to London. After three days'
amusement I again took coach, aid haying travelled
all night, we stopped about seven in thein«ttnii^ at
Henley^upon-Thames to breakfast. I had been so
free in my expenses at Birminghaih, thai I had at
this time but four shillings left in imy purse I
therefore dedined alighting, id order to^nve the cost
of a breakfiut, as I had had a snack at the last
stage, and felt no inclination to eat. The other
passengers having entered die house, I retnained
alone ki the coach, the horses being takisn ont^ and
the coachman and guard having also qjoitted St
After sitting a few minutes, it occurred to. me thai I
hadaeen a number, of small parodsput ibto-Aa

B 4

•eats of the coach, previous to our departure from
Binningfaam ; and, having frequently, heard of large
sums in bankruotes being transmitted by this mode
of conveyance to London, I was tempted to purloin
one of them, vrhich it appeai^ed I should run no
risk in doing, as the coast was clear, and I had a
large bundle of linen, S^x., deposited in one of the
seats. I solemnly declare that until this moment^
no idea of depredation had entered my head since
my arrival in England^; the act was, therefore, per-
fectly unpremeditated. Without hesitation then,^
I opened the seat, and taking out my bundle, untied-
it, in case of a surprise. As I had not tin^e to exa*
mine the contents of the various parcels, I deter-
mined to trust to fortune, and therefore took out
the first which came to hand. It was enclosed in.
brown paper, tied with packthread, about twelve
inches by eight in size, and from its weight and.
hardness, I supposed it to contain some kind of
cutlery or other hardware ; biit as such goods were
commonly packed up with bank-notes, to prevent
a suspicion of money being, enclosed, the apparent
contents were a matter of indifference to me. The
pwrcel was cUrected to *' Mr. ■ ^ ' -, Goodge-
street, Tottenbam»court-road." This circumstance
convinced me there could be no. discovery of the
robbery until after I was far enough from the coach,
which 1 intended to quit on arriving at the, Glou-
cester Coffeerhouse, as, in case I bad gone on to the

George md Blue-boar in Holborn^ the parcel mi^
ppssiUy have been searched for^ on our paging th6
end of Toltenham-court-road. Having cdoc^ai^d
my prize in my own bundle/ i/vhidi I ibplai^ed^^itt
the seaty I judged it best td alight and parta£b df
breakfast with the other passengers. 1 was ali^' in
better spirits on account of the confidence I ^Itj
that 1 should find something in the parcel -tO'rdierfnt
my slender finances ; as^ let the corvteots be vAkat
they mighty it was probable they would product
me at least a guinea or two^ which would supply
my immediate exigencies/ I accordingly entered
the parlour, and took a cup of coffee with 'the
company. The bill being called/ amounted to t#o^
shillings and three pence per head ; I put dowd
half-a-crowuy which left me in possessicm of
eighteen pence. We then re-ascended the coach;
and resumed our journey. At three in the afteiiioon
we entered London^ and stopping as usual atitfad
Gloucester Coffee-house, I told the coachman- 1
should then leave hini, as I resided in the neigU^
bourhood. He inquired if I had any luggag^; and
on my saying I had a bundle in the seat, fail
opened the door and handed it to me. I gratified
him with a shilling out of my small stock, and
made the best of my way. Having suffered th«
coach to pass on^ I followed slowly until I arrfve(|
in Holborn ; but previous to visiting my mother, I
entered a public^bouse^ bdng anxious to. ekanlint

B 5

|HQr aavly-iK^quired prijEe. Reliriiig td • piirati
fooiBf I €ut the string with a trembling hwoA, and
ppenii^ the outiide paper, found three several
parcels (ako in br6wn paper,) lying one upon
Voother. Developing the first of these, I found
it to contain, to my no small surprise and chagrin,
ft quantity of fine, new ■ ■ twelvepenny nails !
about a hundred in number. My hopes now fell
to the ground. I was determined, however, to sea
the whole; nod lo! the second paper contained
■■ the same quantity of tenpenny nails ! ! The

tfurd and last, which I carelessly unfolded, expecting
nothing better, presented a number of small plated
articles, apparently designed for fixing on harness,
being hooks, rings, Sfc, of various shapes, and every
one separately wrapped in fine silver paper. As
these latter articles were of no more real value to
me than the nails, I was much mortified at my ill
hick, and was on the point of tying up the whole
parcel in order to throw it away as soon as I gained
the street, when it fortunately struck me that there
most be somewhere, a letter or note accompanying
these goods. I, therefore, once more overhauled
the packages, and lifting up the bottom one, found
imder it a letter, which on taking up, I perceived to
contain an enclosure, and I plainly felt several
pieces of loose money. Now again my spirits
tope — all that I had read and heard of large sums
wk bajtamlei- being astfatl^ transmitted io this

rnimtt^ Teeuired to my mind^ aiiid I eagerly Areur
the candle towards me, half afrtid^ and yet impatient
to see the eteiit. The letter was 'sdpersorib^d in
Ae same lAanner as the parcel ; and openit^ it^
I could scarce belieye qb^ bjea, wheii I discorer^d
some bank-paper carefully fbldekl, and diroilgb
which the black marks of the sum weret pl^Httly
discernible! Before I ascertained the aihailnt^
however, I proceeded to peruse the letter, atid foottd'
it to the following effect : — '' Sir, I have sent yoil'
herewith speeim^s of the hails and mher articles ;
the order shall be completed as speedily as possiblew^
I hkve also enck»ed you £47 9s. whieh you will find
to be the present babnce between us. I an, ^e«"
—Here was an unexpected windfall ! The reader
will conceive my joy, and with whi^ satisfacti<m
I replaced the parcel in my bundle, in frder to quit-
tJle public-house. The notes proved to be two ^
twenty pounds each an a Birminghaili baiik/ but
payable also at Forster^ Lubbbck, ai^ Go'^^ife
London, a bank of England five podiid aote^ aiid
aiiothei' of two pounds, also a bank ddlar, afad four<
shillings. I now repaired with a light heart to my
mother's lodgings, where I met with a cordial wd-
eome. Having spent the evening with my mother^
I walked into the city and procured a bed at an inn.
The next morning I sent one of my twenty pound
notes by a porter to the banking-house, where he
procured small notes of the Bank of England in

exchange ; I soon afterwards called myself with the
second, and did the like. Being now possessed of
near fifty pounds by this lucky hit^ I determined to
foroish myself with a stock of genteel clothes, a
watch, and other appendages, prior to my obtaining
some employment, as I always considered an out*
ward appearance essential to success in every pur^
' suit ; but I was firmly ^-esolved never again to hazard
my liberty by a second act or attempt of a similar
nature.

In a few days. I had purchased such articles as
were most requisite, at the expense of about forty
pounds, and I then turned my attention to procuring
a genteel situation. I accordingly waited on Mr.
Belt, the gentleman 1 mentioned of the Crown^
office ; who, on perusal of the letter I presented,
testified his rgspect for my grandfather's recommend^
ation, and very obligingly offered to take me as an
assistant clerk under his own direction in the above'
office, if I thought fit to accept of a guinea a week,
which was all he could promise to allow me at first,
but might be afterwards increased. I thought this
too favourable an offer to be rejected. I, therefore,-,
thankfully closed with it, and |>repared immediately,
to allead assiduously to the duties of my office^

CHAPTER II.

Quit the Crown Office, and engage as Reader in
a Printing Office. — Determine to live a strictly
honest life. — Meet with an old Acquaintance who
laughs me out of my Resolution, — Give up all
thoughts of Servitude and become a prof essed Thief,

1 HAD, on my second arrival in London, engaged
a small apartment in ^ creditable house, and regu-
lated my expenses upon principles of the strictest
economy ; but notwithstanding every possible effort^
I soon found it impossible to subsist within my in-,
come; consequently, in a few weeks I had sensibly
decreased my little capital. I, therefore, began to.
consider how I might obtain a more productive
situation, as I saw no prospect of my present salary
being augmented. At this juncture I met with an
advertisement for a person of good education, to act
as Reader in a Printing Office. Though this was an
employment of which I had not the least idea, I de«*
termined to offer myself, conceiving there could be
nothing very difficult in its duties. Having, there^
fore, first inquired into the nature of the latter I
boldly applied to the advertiser Mr.. Barnard, on
Snow-hill ;.and in answer to his queries, replied that
I had lately left the service of a country printer^

whom I named, and was well acqaainted with the
business of a printing oflSce in general ; adding, that
if he pleased to make trial of me, I doubted not of
proving well qualified for the situation in question.
Mr. Barnard consented to do so ; and informing me
diat the salary he had given my predecessor was two
guineas a week, expressed his willingness to allow
me the same. 1 was so much pleased with this in-
crease of wages, as well as with the nature of the
employment when explained to me, that I imme-
diately quitted Mr. Belt, and b^an my attendance
at the office of Mr. Barnard. My bnsiness here
Was to read over or examine the proofs (sheet by
sheet, as they were struck cS by the pressmen) of
every new -work printed by my employer. These
proofs or first impressions, having been first cm»-
pared with the copy or manuscript, the errors so
cbscovered being noted by me, were corrected by
die compositor, and a second impression produced,
which was then carefully examined, and the few
errors yet remaining Were rectified as before. A
third sheet was then revised by me, whith in most
eases proved perfectly c<»>rect ; and this being ascer-
tained, the required number of copies were struck
eff, whilst a succeeding sheet was in the hands
«lf the compositors, in a state of progress for th^
like operation. In a few days I had a perfeet kMi^^
ledge of the business confided to gie ; and here 1
found the advantages of a good ^ducatien, and ^ my

exteiuite readbg, whidi enabled me at irst tight
to detect many errors that an experienced '' Reader/'
with a oommon educatioQi would have passed over,
particularly where Latin or French phrases, quota-
UaoSf 6^.f were introduced. This soon became ob-
yious to my employer, who expressed his satisiac-
tien, and paid me more than common fespect* On
my pBXt I was equally pleased with my new silu«*
tion. The business of Mr. Barnard's office was
very extensive It employed from forty to fifty
workmen in various capacities, and be had gene*
rallgr ten or more different works (periodical as well
as others) in the press, ^mong these were some of
an entertaining kind ; so that while I was performiQg
my duty, I gratified my passion for reading, and
anticipated the public in the perusal of many cu*
rious and interesting new publications.

I still adhered closely to my system of economy
and took care to expend somethii^; less than my in-
come. It was my fixed determination to abstain
from every kind of dishonesty ; and for about three
weeks I met with no temptation to an opposite con-
duct : but one day as I entered the eating-house at
which I commonly dined, I was accosted by a young
man who had come home with me from New South
Wales, in the Buffalo, having been for several years id
the service of Governor King. This was, in fact, the
very person to whom I had confided my intention of de-
serting, and bequeathed my effects previous to my go*>

ii^gashore. Our joy at meeting was reciproca], and
before we parted an appointment. to sup together the
same evening was the consequence. My old friend
infortQed me that the Buffalo was paid in about five
days after I quitted her, and that the crew were imme-
diately drafted into various ships : he himself was put
on board the^ Diomede of 50, and having .at last,
with much difficulty, obtained a liberty-ticket for
eight days, he had been about a week in town. It
is needless to add, that nothing was further from his
thoughts than returning. From him 1 also learnt
that a diligent search was instituted for me in Ports^
mouth the day after my absconding, and that Captain
King, as well as his subordinate Captain Houston,
were much exasperated on the occasion. On meet-
ing my shipmate at the appointed place (which by-
the-by, proved to be a house of ill repute) he in-
troduced me to several other old acquaintances^ who
had also come home with us, and to a few of the
same stamp, who had been a longer time returned,
from New South Wales. I soon discovered that
they had all resumed the same depredatory course
of life which had caused their former sufferings,
and must inevitably entail upon tbem future misery
and disgrace. However, as I knew how fruitless
it would be to advise or remonstrate, I contented
myself with letting them know that I had met with
a tolerable situation which enabled me to live upon
the square, and that I had *^tied up prigging," as

I was determined never to be '' lagged^' ftgain*. - By«
this communication I only incurred at tbe moment^
a few dry jokes on my pretended honesty^ and a hint
or two that I should soon become tired of servitude,
and be easily brought over to get an easy guinea.
Upon the whole, I spent a very agreeable evening,
but to prevent a relapse, I determined to avoid the
company of these misguided persons in future, not-
withstanding they extracted a promise at partings
that I would meetthem again next day. This promise
I scrupled not to break, and how long I might have
refrained from their society I know not ; but a day
or two afterwards, as I was descending Holborn-
hill in my way to the office, I unexpectedly met
my pld partner and felIow*sufferer, Alexander
Bromley, whom I had left in Newgate in 1801.
Having in vain made inquiry as to his fate, since
my return to England, I was truly glad to see him#
for he looked well and was genteelly dressed. I was
so much altered, that when I first accosted him, he
had no immediate recollection of me, but on making
myself known, nothing could exceed the joy be
evinced at our meeting. Before we parted it was
indispensable that we should drink together, and he
hastily informed me that he had served his seven
years on board the Hulks, at Portsmouth, from
whence he returned to London the 17th of Sep-

* See Cmt Dietionary.

tenber ISO?? akidth^t he was now once more under
ibe protection of his father^ who had receiTed him
with great kindness, and was inclined^ if he con^
tinned honest? to take care of his futnre fortune ;
but added, with a shreM'd shake of the head, that
he could never reconcile himself to confinement on
a shop-board, and feared he should very speedily
make a push at some higher enjoyments. Having
agreed to dine together, and by mere accident nam^
die house at which I had lately supped as the place
of meeting, we parted with some little regret.

Bromley was punctual to his time, and during the
two hours I allowed for dinner, we became more
fully informed of each other's circumstances. When
I was On the point of leaving him to return to my
duty, two or three of my Botany-bay acquaintances
droppingin, forcibly detained me; urging that I might
for once stretch a point, nnd spend the afternoon with
them, ridiculing M'ith too much effect, the idea of
a man like myself being confined to certain hours
like a schooUboy, 8^c. As I was somewhat ele-
tated with the liquor I had drank, and had really no
business at the office which could not be easily de-
ferred, I consented iti an evil moment, to join die
party wiiich was forming, consisting of nearly a
dozen persons, most of them recently returned either
from the Hulkj^ or New South Wales. It is need-
less to describe the nature of our conversatioB, or
the yarious charactef s of which the party was com-

posed; let it suffice to state (with sorrow and shame
I confess it) that I was effectually laughed out of mj
late good intentions; and before we parted, had joined
with the loudest of them in decrying and contemn-
ing every species of servitude or confinement; and
cordially agreed in a resolution to live independent
while I could, and to make up by every means in
my power for the. privations and sufferings I had
endured for the last seven years.

From this moment I returned no more to the
printing-office, but joined myself with Bromley, and
a few others, who regularly walked out ev^ even-
mg in quest of money, without confining our pnr«
suits to any particular branch, but embracing every
opportunity which offered. These were indeed but
few, and far from productive, so that I soon grew
heartily tired of the set I was associated v^ith, and
determined to withdraw myself from them the first
opportunity, and to live by the exercise of my own
ingenuity. . Indeed my appearance was so much
above, and of so different a stamp from tfaeir's, that
diis circumstance alone was enough to excite sus«
picion, and on many accounts rendered them un-
sttitftble companions for me. I determined, however,
not to discard poor Bromley, for whom I felt a
real friendship, on account of our former intimacy
and joint misfortunes.

CHAPTER IIL

Various modes of obtaining Money, — My regular
course (^Life when disengaged from my vicious
Companions. — Meet vnth an amiable girl, like my-
self, the Child of Misfortune.-*— We cohabit toge-
ther.— Our mutual Happiness,

JlTAVING withdrawn myself from my late com-
panions, 1 now became very circumspect in mj
proceedings ; and as Bromley had neither the ap-
pearaiice nor the manners of a gentleman, I only
made use of him occasionally in the course of my
practice, keeping him in the back ground to receive
and carry any articles which I purloined, and never
suffering him to converse with, or approach me
except in private. I generally spent the mornings^
that is, from about one o'clock to five P. M. (which
are the fashionable hours for shopping) in visiting
the shops of Jewellers, Watchmakers, Pawnbrokers,
tsc. Having conceived hopes that this species of
robbery would turn to a good account, and depend-
ing upon my own address^and appearance, I deter*
mined to. make a circuit of the town, and not to
omit a single shop in either of those branches : and
this scheme I actually executed «o fully, that I be*
lieve I did not leave ten untried in all London, for

I made a point of commencing every day in a cer«-.
tain street and went regularly through it on both
sides ' the way. My practice vyas to enter a shop
and request to look at gold seals^ chains^ broaches^
rings, or any other small articles of value ; and while
examining them, and looking the shopkeeper in the
face, I contrived by slight of hand to conceal two
or three (sometimes more) in the sleeve of my coat,
which was purposely made wide. On some occa^
sions I purchased a trifling article to save appear-
ances'; at other times I took a card of. the shop,
promising to call again ; and as I generally saw the
remaining goods returned to the window, or place
from whence they were taken, before I left the shop,
there was hardly a probability of my being suspect-
ed, or of the property being missed. In the course
of my career I was never once detected in the fact,
though on two or three occasions, so much sus-
picion arose, that I was obliged to exert all my
effrontery, and to use very high language, in
order, as the cant phrase is, to bounce the tradesman
out of it ; and my fashionable appearance, and af-
fected anger at his insinuations, had always the
effect of convincing him that he was mistaken, and
inducing him to apologize for the affront put upon
me. I have even SQmetimes carried away the spoil
notwithstanding what had passed, and I have often
gone a second and third time to the same shop,
with as good success as at the first. To prevent ac-

cidents however, I made it a rule never to enter a
second shop with any stden property about me ;
for asf soon as I quitted the firsts I privately con*
▼eyed my booty to Bronif ey, who was attending my
motions in the street, and herein Z found hhn emi-
nently useful. By this course of depredation I ac*
quired on the average about ten pounds a week,
though I sometimes neglected shopping for several
days together. This was not, indeed, the only pur-
suit I followed, but was my principal morning's
occupation ; though if a favourable opportunity
ofiered of getting a guinea by any other means, I
nev^ let it slip. In . the evenings I generally at«
tended one of the theatres, where I mixed with the
best company in the boxes, and at the same time
that I enjoyed the amusements of the place, I fre-
quently conveyed pocket-books^ snuff-boxes^ and
other portable articles, fVom the pockets of their
proprietors into my own. Here I found the incon-
venience of wanting a suitable companion, who
might have received the articles I made prize of^
in the same manner as Bromley did in the streets ;
but though I knew many of the Kght-iingered gentry,
whose appearance fitted dtem for any company, yet,
their iaces being well known to tbe police-«officers,
who attend the Theatres, they would not have been
suffered to enter tbe house : and herein I possessed
an advantage which many of these gentry envied me;
for being Just arrived in England, and a new face

Vj^n die lawQ^ I cvried oa n^ dfpr^d^as un^
the very iKNsea of the officers, , wUh<Hit ftusj^Giw*
Hevvpgjt, d^K^fore, at. fir^ ^q aayE^pqiate, I waa obliged
tq <)u]t the Theatre and conc/^l lay first booty ia
some (uivi^te spo.^ before I coul4 mal&^ (with pni-*
dence) a second attempt. Upon the whole I wa9
very sjM^essful ki this pursuit also^ at leaat as toi
the number of articles I filched^ aq4 had their vq/tiii
been, reasonably proportionate to. what I expected, I
need not long b^?e followed, so hazardous an eni*
ployment. I have very frequently obtained nine or
ten pocketrbooks, besides other articles, in an even-^
ing ; and these being taken from gentlemen evidently
of fortune and fashion, I had reason to expect I
should sometime mi^et with a handsome sum in
Bank-notes ^ but fortune did not &vour me therein,
for during near tweKe months almost nightly at*
tendance at. one or othier Qf th/e public places,, £
n^ver foupd more tha^ twenty ppnnds in a book,
and that only on one occasion^ I several times got
five, ten^ or eleven pounds, but commonly one, two,
or thre^ ponndjB^^ and. w>st ^ener^Vy four books, out
of five contai|i#d«nothing but letters, memorandums,
and qt)ier.pap^r3,uselefs to me^ At the same time
I kai^w fteqn^nt^ ^nf^ances of the common street
pi^-poQkets getting>boo|y of fijfty, one hundred and
^metinies three; orfoiir hundred pounds^ How-
ever,, I never Csnledit^o.pay the expenae^^f the night,
afid if X gained npitl^qg;, I enjpy^d at leaat, a fund

^f aniusement, which was to me the highest gratifi«
cation. It sometifnes happened that the articles I
got (particularly pocket-books) were advertised by the
losers, within a few days, as *^ Lost/' and a reward
offered for their restoration : where this reward was
worth notice, I frequently restored the property by
means of a third person whom I could confide in,
and whom I previously tutored for the purpose.

In the mean time, the manner in which I spent my
life, abstracted from the disgraceful means by which!
supported myself, was (as I have formerly hinted,)
perfectly regular and inoffensive. Though I lived
by depredation, yet I did not like the abandoned
class of common thieves, waste my money, and
leisure time in profligate debauchery, but applied
myself to the perusal of instructive and amusing
books, my stock of which I daily increased. I oc-
cupied genteel apartments in a creditable house,
the landlord of which understood me to hold a situa-
tion under Government, and every part of my con-
duct at home tended to confirm his opinion of my
respectability. I was scrupulously exact in paying
my rent, as well as the different tradesmen in the
neighbourhood, with whom I had occasion to deal ;
nor did I ever suffer any person of loose character
to visit me, but studiously concealed from those of my
acquaintance my place of residence. I was some-
times, indeed, so imprudent as to resort, for com-
pany's sak^, to some of those public-houses frequent^

ed by thieYea and other dissolute charactersi t!h«
landlord of which is himself commonly an expe-^
rienced thief, or returned transput When I had
a mind to relax a little, or grew tired of domestica-
tion, I disguised my appearance as much as I could^
and repaired to a house of this description, sometimes
taking my Dulcinea with me, wliom I shall shortly
HBtroduce to the reader, and whose person and dress
I was not a litde proud of exhibiting m public.
This fondness for flash-houses, as they are termed,
is the rock on which most persons who live by de-
predation unhappily split, and ^iil be found in the
sequel to have brought me to my present deplorable
condition ; for the police officers, or traps, are in
the daily habit of visiting these houses, where they
drink with the thieves, ^Tc*, in the most familiar
manner; and, I believe, often obtain secret informa-
tion by various means from some parties respecting
die names, characters, pursuits, ^c, of others.
By this imprudent conduct 1 also became personally
known to many of the officers, which .was produc-
tive of great danger to me in the exercise of my vo-
cation ; whereas, had* I avoided such houses, I might
have remained unknown and unsuspected by them
for a series of years* £ ought not to omit what may
perhaps gratify the reader, as much as the act did my-
self^ namely, that as soon as I became possessed of a
moderate sum, I remembered the kindness shewn
me by the good woman at Gosport, and wrote her

VOL. 11. c

a.Iet^er of thatikB, enclosing a five-pound bank-notey
wbiob> no doubt, proved highly acceptable. I also
from; time to time assisted my aged mother, whose
circumstanoes were extremely narrow, and her sup-
port derived solely from the earnings of my two sisters,
whose success depending on the caprice of fashion
and of milliners, both alike inconstant, was but pre*
carious. They, as well as my other relations. in
S -shire, were indeed totally ignorant of my un-
happy relapse into a life of infamy, but believed my
assertion, that I had a liberal salary from Mr* Belt,
and was still employed under that gentleman in the
Crown-office.

About three months after my return to London,
and whilst in the zenith of my success, I was intro-
duced by one of ray former dissolute companions
to the acquaintance of a young woman, who, like
myself, had been well and tenderly brought up,
but having been seduced by a young man equally
inexperienced withherself, to quit her friends and co-
habit with him as his wife, she had thereby forfeited
the countenance of her family, and her paramour
having died after a year's cohabitation, she had been
driven to the usual refuge in such cases, a life of
prostitution. At the period of my introduction,,
however, she had been only a few months upon the
town, and I clearly perceived that her mind was yet.
but very slightly contaminated. As there were many
reasons which rendered a female companion in whom

I could place confidence, desirable, and in fact
necessary to me ; and as this young woman's mis-
fortunes had placed her in such circumstances, that
1 had no obstacles to surmount on the score of deli-
cacy, I proposed to her, after a few days' acquaint-
ance, that we should live together ; to which, as she
was heartily tired of her present course of life, she
willingly consented. She knew enough of the world
from her late experience, to surmise in what manner
I obtained my living, of which, however, to avoid
all duplicity, I fully possessed her« Having inform*
ed my landlord, that my wife, whom I had not before
mentioned to him, was arrived in town from a visit
she had been paying in the country, I accordingly took
her home ; and in a very few days we had arranged
a pretty snug system of domestic economy, and pro-
vided every requisite for the family life I meant in
future to live. My companion was the daughter of
an industrious mechanic, who, having a numerous
offspring, had only been enabled to give her a com^-
mon education ; but her mother had instructed her
in the duties of housekeeping, and she was perfect-
ly conversant in all the qualities requisite to form a
good wife. She was about nineteen years of age,
agreeable in her person, and of the sweetest dispo-
sition imaginable ; and what was most gratifying,
the company she had latterly mixed with, and the
disgusting examples before her eyes, had not been
able to eradicate an innate modesty which she natu-

c 2

jnHy possessed ; so that her manners and conversa-
tion were such as fitted her for any company to which
I might be inclined to introduce her. I informed
.my mother and sisters that I was on the point of
contracting a union with this young woman, and
having made them personally acquainted, the
three young ladies soon became very intimate. As
my mother and sisters but rarely called at my lodg-
ings, and then merely en passant, I had no difficulty
in concealing the connexion from them until I could
with propriety declare my marriage to have taken
place. We had the happiness of finding ourselves
mutually pleased Mith each other, and I considered
my meeting widi so amiable a friend as one of the
greatest blessings of my life. In a few weeks after
our junction, my partner discovered evident symp-
toms of pregnancy, which with her afiectionate be-
haviour, and real attachment to my interest, endeai^
ed her still more to me. In a word, I now felt my-
self as happy as any man daily risking his liberty
and life, and exposed to the reproaches of his own
conscience, could possibly be.

CHAPTER IV.

Adventures in the course of my profligate Career. -^^
Motives which induce me to marry my Companion,
— Her exemplary Behaviour. — A family Misfor-
tune.

XxAVlNG now settled myself in a manner much
to my satisfaction, and happily met with a faithful
friend, to whom 1 might confide my most secret
thoughts, who would sincerely participate' my joy,
when success crowned my pursuits ; and who, in
the hour of adversity, would condole with, and
cherish me, I applied myself with redoubled assi-
duity to the acquirement of money, with a full reso^^
Itition in the event of my meeting with one good
booty, or realizing by degrees a sufficient sum to quit
the hazardous course of life I had embarked in, to
establish myself in some honest line of business. To
this prudent measure I was -also strongly prompted
by my companion, ,h6 could not hide her fears and
anxiety on my account, and was never easy during
my absence from home on A depredatory excursion.
I continued to visit the sdo j»s &s usual in the mora-'
ing, and the theatres in the evening with tolerable
success ; and my partner having expressed a desire
to accompany me, in the hope of rendering me «^r«

c 3

vice, I was induced to gratify her.^ As her figure
and address were both extremely prepossessing^ and
her air perfectly genteel^ I soon found her eminently
useful ; for she not only received from me the pro-
perty I purloined^ but with much ingenuity would
contrive to engross the attention of the shop-keeper
while I robbed his counter, or by artful gallanting
with a gentleman at a public place, facilitate my
design upon his pockets. At all times, when dis-
engaged from these hazardous practices, we lived
a life of perfect domestic happiness, our chiefest
pleasure being centred in each other's company.

As our mutual affection increased, my companion,
whom I had informed of the outlines of my past
life, and who was aware of the dangers to which I
was daily exposed, being filled with tender fears
of losing me for ever, and prompted by sincere af-
fection, suggested the idea of unitiug ourselves in-
dissolubly by marriage ; in the hope that should
I unhappily experience a reverse of fortune, and
be again banished from my native country, she might
obtain permission to share my misery, and contri-
bute, by her society, to lessen my sufferings. This
proposal so fully convinced me of her undisguised
attachment, and had so much reason on its side,
that I gave into it with ardent pleasure ; and the
necessary preliminaries being adjusted, we were ac-
cordingly married at St. Paul's, Covent-Gardep, on
the dlstof July, 1808, her mother, to whom, sh^

had become reconciled, and who (judging by ap-
pearances,) had a favourable opinion of the matcb^
assisting at the ceremony. .

• Soon afterwards, I communicated the event to
my mother, informing her that weighty reasons had
rendered it necessary to observe privacy on the oc-
casion ; and hinting to the unsuspecting old woman,
that I had acquired by this marriage, a considerable
pecuniary advantage. This intimation gave my
mother great pleasure, and I took care by increased
liberality towards her and my sisters, to confirm
them in the opinion of my veracity. The behaviour
of my wife became every day more exemplary ; and
had I been free from that remorae which must ever
accompany a guilty life, and enabled to procure
those necessary comforts which I knew so well how
to enjoy, by upright means, I should have consider-
ed myself supremely happy. In the beginning of
the month of October, my wife, who was far advanc-
ed in her pregnancy, accompanied me one evening,
to Drury-lane theatre ; and the performance beingf
over, we were descending the stair-case from the box-
lobby, when I attempted to possess myself of a^ gen-
tleman's'pocket-book ; but by some accident he sus-c
pected my design, and publicly accused me there-i
with. Unfortunately several other gentlemen, who
had B^n robbed jn the course of the evening, being
on the spot, and beginning to compare notes^ agredd
unanimously that they recollected my person as

being bear them about the time they were robbed^
and did not. scruple to insinuate that I Ought to be
detained and searched. This conversation natu-
rally attracted the attention of the company imme-
diately round us ; but while it took place, all the
parties were obliged by the pressure of the throng
behind to continue descending, and we in feet quit*
ted the theatre all together. Being arrived in Littl«
RusselUstreet, the gentlemen surrounded me to the
number of about a score, and our altercation be->
came loud and v^ement* Fortunately for me no
police-officers happened to be near the spot ; for
although I had nothing to fear from a search^ yet
the drcumstance would have made me personally
known to the latter, and would of course operate to
my disadvantage on my future appearance at the
theatre. 1 exerted every art of expostulation, and
finally had recourse, on my part^ to threats, affecting
to feel highly insulted by th&r insolent insinuations ;
declared myself a gentleman of character, which I
would prove to their cost; offered to give my card
of addrese, or to retire to a coffee-house, and send
for respectable persons who knew me, but all my
rhetoric proved ineffectual ; some were for giving
me in charge to an officer ; others stUl more violent
were for having me pumped. At this moment a
person named G~ge W — k — n, now inlliis colony,
who had been faimaeif exercising his vocation in the
pit of die theatre, happened fortunately to come up.

and seeing a crowd collected, stopped to ascertain
the cause. He immediately perceived the critical
situation in whidi I stood, and having the appear*
ance of a man of fashion, he stepped forward, and
hearing die various motions of my persecutors,
strongly advised diem to forbearance, and caution
how they treate,d a gentleman, as i evidently appear*
ed to be; urging that they must certainly be mis*
taken in their conjectures, that my proposal of
giving my address, or a reference, ought to be suffi-
cient, and particularly dwelt on the impropriety of
taking the law into their own hands. These argu*
ments of my friend W — k-*-n carried so much
weight, that the gentlemen began to waver and grow
less clamorous ; till at length they dropped off one
by one ; and W — k — n, assuming a haughty tone,
said, taking me by the arm, '' Come, Sir, ;you have
been sufficiently exposed, and long enough detained
on a charge which I am confident there is no foun*
dation for ; allow me to conduct you from this spot ;
if you are going towards St. James's, I shall be glad
of your company, and let me see (raising his voice
and cane together,) who will dare to insult you
further." So saying, he led me away in triumph,
tipping the wink to my poor wife, who had stood
all the while at a small distance, much terniied and
agitated by various emotions, which so much affect-
ed her, that though we lived within two hundred
yards of the theatre, she had scarcely power to walk

c 5

home ; and we had no sooner quitted our kind con-
ductor^ who attended us to the door, than she faint-
ed away^ and was for sometime insensible. The
consequences of this untoward event were still more
seriously afflicting, for her tender constitution was
not proof against the shock, and she was the next
day prematurely delivered of a male child, which,,
however, only lived eight hours, and was a subject
of infinite regret to us both«

CHAPTER V.

Adventure of the Silver Snuff-box. — Its Come-
quences, — My narrow Escape from Transport^
ation, which I have since had reason to regret.

Happening soon after the adventure at
Drury-lane, to read an advertisement^ stating that
a meetbg of the freeholders of the county of Mid*
dlesex would be convened on the 11th of Novein-
ber, at the Mermaid Tavern^ Hackney, to consider
of the expediency of petitioning the Throne on the
subject of parliamentary reform, it struck me that
1 might £nd it worth while to attend this meet-
ing, as it would probably attract a large concourse
of people, and, as at such assemblies riots and
much confusion frequently occurred, which afforded
a favourable opportunity for plundering the pockets
of the company. On the day appoin^ted, I accord-
ingly left town in one of the Hackney stages, and
arriving at the Mermaid about one o'clock, found
the sheriffs had just opened the business of the
meeting, which was held in a large room- commonly
used as an assembly-room for dancing, and de-
tached from the tavern itself. To my disappoint-
ment, however, there were not above three hundred
^^ersons collected, and the building being very

spacious, there was not the least prospect of any
violent pressure taking place. Before 1 com-
menced my operations, I entered a small house
called " The Tap;" immediately contiguous to, but
distinct from, the Mermaid ; and going into a par*
lour, called to the landlady, a decent looking elderly
woman, for a glass of brandy and water, and a pipe.
Having taken and paid for this refreshment, I pro-
ceeded to the meeting ; and found, so far from any
tomalt or uproar, that the whole company were
cc4lected at one end of the room, and listening in*
profound silence to the speech of some popular
and patriotic orator, who was warmly censuring
the conduct of ministers, and advocating the cause
of liberty. I nOw entered the thickest part of the
crowd, and having tried the pockets of a great many
persons without feeling a single pockets-book, I at
length extracted successively two snuff- bo^es from
different gentlemen ; but their coats being buttoned
up, and the pockets inside, I was obliged to use
ttiy scissors in cutting the bottom of each pocket,
before I could obtain the desired prizes. This
trouble and risk I should not have incurred bad not
I assured myself that the boxes from their shape, ^c;
were both silver; but to my mortification, they
proved on inspection, the one wood, and the other
a sort of japanned leather, though both perfectly
genteel, and mounted with silver ; however, as they
were of no intrinsic vklne to me, I threw them

away; and^ although it was rather impnideoty I
entered the room a third time, in hopes of better
success. I soon found myself standing behind a
well-dressed man^ who was wrapped in deep atten-
tion to the speaker, and perceived to my great joy
that he had a small leather pocket-l|;>ook in his
inside coat-pocket, and also a very fine large snuff-
box, evidently silver, from its shape and weight. 1
had again recourse to my scissors, and having made
an incision, extracted the contents of the pocket,
with which I hastily retired : but I was again par<»
tially disappointed, for I found that what 1 had takeft
for a pocket'book, was in fact merely a pen and
ink-case : the box, however, was a very elegant one,
and quite new. Although it appeared that I was
not destined to be very fortunate in this day's ad^
venture, 1 determined to make one other trial; but
as it would be dangerous' to keep the stolen box
about me, and I saw no convenient spot in which
to conceal it, I adopted the following method to
dispose of it, while 1 made my final attempt in the
assembly-room. Going into the little tap-house
before described, I addressed the landlady, inquiring
if she sold any snuff, or could without inconve-
nience, procure me a Uttle. She answered that
she had noUe^ but ^ would get me some in a very
short time. I thanked her, and replied that as I
was anxious to hear the debates in the assembly-
room, she would oblige me by procuring an ounce

of rappee, for which purpose I handed her the box
X had just obtained^ saying I would call for it in
a quarter of an hour. Having now, as I conceived,
effectually and safely deposited my prize, I left the
Tap with an intention of reentering the meeting-
room ; but suddenly changing my mind, I deter-
mined to desist, having by the box alone secured
the expenses of my journey, and to return imme-
diately home- However, as 1 felt hungry, and saw
no signs of accommodation for eating in the Tap,
I proceeded a little way up the street, till I came
to a sort of cook' s-shop,- where I procured a lunch,
and then returned to reclaim my snuff-box from my
obliging old landlady, having been absent from her
barely a quarter of an hour. Going boldly up to
the little bar in which she sat, I inquired if she had
procured me the snuff; she replied that she had,
and turning round to a cup4)oard behind her, pro-
duced the box, which I held out my hand to re-
ceive ; but, to my utter confusion, I was prevented
by the gentleman himself, from whom I had stolen
it, who, starting from a dark corner of the passage
close to my elbow, where he had been concealed,
received the box in his hand, and turning to. me,
inquired in a peremptory tone, if that was my
snuff-box i I answered with a smile, ** No, Sir, it
is a box that I found — if you have any ckim to it,
it is much at your service." He then inquired
where I had found it ; I replied, that going to make

water in a corner of the stable-yard, I perceived
something shine amongst some rubbish, which
taking up, I found to be the box in question ; that
I was myself in the habit of taking snuff, and having
that day left my own box at home^ I thought it a
good opportunity of getting a supply ; that I had
therefore commissioned the landlady to procure me
some snuff, and left her this box for that purpose.
The gentleman rejoined, that he had been robbed
of the box in the assembly-room, and that having
found it in my possession^ he felt it incumbent to
detain me, on strong suspicion of being the thief.
All I could urge, and every art I tried, were inef-
fectual to convince this rigid gentleman of my inno-
cence, and several others joining him, one of them
asked my name and situation in life. I answered,
that when charged with; so disgraceful an act as
that of picking pockets, I should certainly decline
giving such explanation; but that I should at a
proper season, be enabled to refute the accusation,
and prove my respectability. To this the inquire!^
replied, that although himself a justice of peace,
he certainly had no wish to extort, nor was I obliged
to give any answers against my inclination, and
that upon the whole, he could not censure me for
preserving silence ; however, as the property stolen
had been traced to me, it became his duty and that
of the owner, to have me detained till I gave an
account of myself. A constable being called in.

was now desired to search me, which he proceeded-
to do^ and the first thing he found was a pair of
small scissors without a sheath, in mj hreeches-
pockety where I had in my hurry deposited them
after cutting out my last booty. The constable
exhihited these with an air of triumph, exclaiming
to the by-standers, *' See, gentlemen, here are the
tools the pocket was cut with !" He also took
from me about fifty shillings in loose money, a
pocket-bock, card-case, pair of silver spectacles^ a
two-bladed kmfe, silver pencil-case, tobacco-box,*
liandkerchief, gloves, S^c, all my own property/
and such as I usually carried about me. I had
left my wa>ch at home, which, it being a valuable
one, I was frequently persuaded by my wife to do*
when I went upon such excursions ds the present/
The meeting being by this time dissolved, the loser
of the box set off on his return to town, and I was
teft in charge 6f two constables who were to follow
with me. In about an hour, a coach being obtained^
I was conveyed to Worship-street office for cxa-
cnination, where I arrived at six in the evening,
just as the magistrate had taken the chair. This
worshipful justice was Joseph Moser, esq., a gen-
tleman of an eccentric character, and the same, if
I inistake not, whose name I have frequently met
with in print, as the anthor of many well-writteB
and humorous essays, ^c, in periodical works.
Being placed at tlie bar, the prosecutor, who proved

to be a Mr. ImesoD, tobacconist^ ita Holjrtf ell-lane^
Shofeditch; made his appearance in the same coat
he had on in the moming, and exhibttiDg his pocket,
through the bottom of which he thniat his hand by
way of demonstration. He stated^ that he was that
day attending the meeting of freeholders ait Hackney^
and while listenkig to the debates in the assenaibly^
room, he had occasion to take snuff; when putting hia
hand in^ his ptocket, he found the bottom of it cut^
apparently with a sharp scbsors, and not only his
snuff-box, but every e|||ier article taken out ; that
he was sure the depredation was recent, as he had
taken snuff but a few minutes before, and had not
since changed his position : that he staid to hear
the conclusion of the business, and on leaving the
room, was relating his loss to some geiitlentien in
the inn-yard, and that a little boy happening to
overhear him, stepped up and said, ** Sir, my
mother has got a pretty snuff-box, that a gentleman
gave her to put some snuff in ;" on whicli he was
induced to accompany the child to its parents,
where, requesting ta see the box, he found it to be
his own ; that be had then taken the measures for
my detection, which I hare above related. The
landlady, Mrs. Andrews, was then sworu, and stated
my coming to her bouse, taking m>me refreshment,
and afterwards returning to inquire for snuff, leaving
her die box, SfCy all which, she said was transacted
in the most puUic manner ; and, the good woman

voluntarily added^ that she cduld never, suppose I
should have acted as 1 had done, had I been the
p^son who stole the box« Tiie officer who had
searched me, now produced the articles taken from
my person, not forgetting to dwell upon the cir-
cumstance of the open scissors, the sheath of which
he found in another pocket The m^istrate view*
ing these articles with attention, observed, that he
b^d no doubt of their being all stolen, and ordered
them to be advertised in the daily papers,' and that
I should be brought up ag^ on that day week,
when it was probable the persons who had lost such
articles, would attend to identify them. As to the
present charge, he said the case was clear enough,
and he would, to save further trouble, bind over
the parties to prosecute at once. Then addressing
me, his worship inquired ray name, place of abode,
ifc. I answered, that my name was James Hardy,
but I must beg to. decline giving any further ac-
count of myself, ^s it appeared his worship was
determined to commit me for trial, and I should
therefore not trouble my friends until a future day.
Mr. Moser now remarked on some of the articles
found upon me, inquiring widi a sarcastic grin, how
long I had worn barnacles i As to the knife, he
^aid it was evidently a ttnePs knife; and turning to
Armstrong, one of his officers, he asked him, if
t^at was not such a blade as. they used for starring
a glaze ? The knife and scissors, his worship called

my workiiig'tools. It was in vaia I assured thi§
facetious justice that these things were my own
lawful property, and offered to prove where I had
purchased them all : he insisted on detaining them,
and was hardly persuaded to return the money
taken from me. I was then committed to New
Prison, Clerkenwell, to which I was conveyed
about nine o'clock at night. Arriving' there, I
desired to be accommodated between-gates, and
after paying the usual fees, ^c, I was conducted to
a bed in the same room I had occupied on a like
occasion, in the year 1800. Havmg now leisure to
reflect on the occurrences of the day, I began to con-
sider my situation hopeless enough ; the snuff-box
having been traced to me, the circumstance of the
pocket being cut, the scissors found, ^fc, altogether
furnished a chain of evidence, too strong, I feared,
to be overruled by my bare assertion, that I had
found the property ; a defence the most flimsy, but
the most commonly resorted to. I, therefore, laid
my account with being transported at least. What
heightened my present distress was, that my poor wife
would be grievously alarmed at my not returning
home this night ; and it would be a difficult matter,
even the next day, to inform her of my situation, as
I knew the officers were intent upon discovering,
if possible, my place of abode, in order to ascertain
my character, and mode of life. The morning
being come, I was fortunate Enough to meet witb

an intimate acquaintance^ by M^hom I despatched a
message to my wife, requiring her to visit me im-
mediately, and in an hour's time, T had the pleasure
of seeing her appear. Her distress may be easily
conceived. I comforted and encouraged her as
well as I could ; and giving her a strict caution not
to suffer herself to be followed or watched in her
return, desired she would wait with patience, and
liope for the approach of the session, which would
deckle my fate. During the interval of my second
examination, I read the following adtertisement
inserted by the officers of Worship-street : — *^ Stop-
ped upon a suspicious person now in custody, the
undermentioned articles, supposed to be stolen;
[here they were all minutely described.] Any
persons having lost such goods, are desired to
attend at this office on Friday next, when the said
person will be brought up for re- examination, ^c.'*
On the 18th of November, I was accordingly re-
conducted to Worship-street, my wife being per-
mitted to accompany me in the coach. Being
again brought before Mr. Moser, that gentleman
inqaired if any body was in attendance to claim the
property found on me ; and being answered in the
negative, he expressed himself confident that claim-
ants would appear, but said he would, however,
finally commit me to Newgate, and, that the ar-
ticles in question should be detained until the day
of my trial ; when; if not owned before, the court

^rould no doubt restore them on my application ;
nor could all my asseverations or arguments con*
vince him. of the property being my own^ or induce
him to alter his decree respecting them. I was
accordingly conducted to Newgate^ accompanied
by my wife, whose uniform attention to me in this
and every other distress, proved the sincerity of her
attachment.

As the session was to commence on the 30thy I
had no time to lose in preparing for my trial. T,
therefore, drew up a brief for counsel, in which I
dwelt strongly on the open and public manner in
which I had acted with Mrs. Andrews ; the impro-
bability that I should have taken so much trouble,
had I been the thief who stole the box, full of
snuff, as the prosecutor described it to have been,
and on every other point which I thought might
prove of moment, or afford the counsel an oppor*
tunity of shewing his wit or ingenuity, but still de-
ceiving even him, by stoutly adhering to my first
story of finding the property. This brief I sent by
my wife, with the usual fee, to Mr. Knapp, a gen-
tleman, of whose abilities I entertained a high
opinion. Notwithstanding all this, I had at the
bottom^ very little hopes of escaping conviction ;
and persons best experienced in such matters, who
heard the circumstances, declared nothing but a
miracle could save me. I, however, concealed these
unpleasing ideas from my wife, and assured her

tlmt I felt confident of being acquitted. The grand
jury being met^ I soon heard that a true bill had
been returned by them ; and, on the following Wed-
nesday, the court opening, I was taken down for
trial, but was not put to the bar until Friday the 2d
of December. Previous to my leairing the ward of
the prison in which I lodged, a fellow -prisoner, with
whom I had become intimate, knowing the circum-
stances of my case, and the nature of my intended
defence, had in a half-jocular maimer, offered to
lend me his snuff-box, which he advised me to dis-
play to the court, and occasionally to take a pinch
from it during my trial ; this he observed, would
strengthen my assertion that I was in the habit of
using snuff, and give a colour to my defence ; and,
be good-naturedly added, that he hoped it would
prove lucky to me. I thankfully accepted the prof-
fered favour,. of which I did not fail to make use
at the proper season. Being arraigned at the bar,
J stood capitally indicted for stealing a silver snuff-
box, value two pounds, the property of Thomas
Imeson, privily from his person. Mr. Imeson
having given bis evidence, my counsel in cross-exa-
mining him said, '^ I take for granted, Sir, you can't
take upon yourself to swear, whether you were
robbed of your snuff-box, or whether it fell through
the bole in your pocket ; all you know is, that you
found your pocket torn, and the box auioti^ other
articles missing F" Amwer^ '^ Certainly I cannot.^'

'47

The landlady then sttted in a faltering voice, and
evidently much embarrassed at being examined
before so large an assembly, the manner in which
I had apphed to her, i^c.y and in answer to a ques«
tion from Mr. Knapp, said, that she could never
suppose I should have acted in the open manner I
did, if I had stolen the box. The constable who
searched me was the next witness ; and he having
described that proceeding, and produced the articles
found upon me, the Recorder, who presided on the
bench, said, '^ I suppose, Mr. Bell, there were a
great variety of charact^r^ attending this meeting,
which was held for the purpose of obtaining parr
liamentary reform V^

Am, " Certainly, my lord."

Recorder* ^* No doubt there were many persons,
freeholders as well as not freeholders ?"

Ans, " Yes, my lord.'*

Recorder. '^ I dare say people of all descrip-
tions, tag-rag) and bobtail V'

Am, " There might, my lord/*

I now began to entertain strong hopes, perceiv-
ing that the tide of prejudice ran in my favour.
I was dressed in a very genteel but becoming
manner, and had not the least appearance of a
thief. I had put on the most modest air and
countenance I could assume, and I thought the
court and jury appeared to view me with favQurable
eyes. I, therefore, took another pinch from my

friend's box, and u^aited the event whh^ padetice,
being prepared with a good defenoe^ when calted
upon to make it. But I was not put to that
trouble; for the Recorder addressing the jnry^ said^
^ Gentlemen, I must in this stage of the trial, ddi^
▼er it as my opinion^ that I cannot see any groqnds
for charging the prisoner with felony. Gentlemen,
the accident of finding a snuff-box might have hap-
pened to one of yourselves, to me, or to any other
honest man ; and, it would be hard indeed if such an
accident should subject the finder to a prosecution
for felony. If you are of my opink>n, it will be
unnecessary to recapitulate the evidence, or put
the prisoner upon his defence^'' His Lordship
then paused, and I leave the reader to imagine the
state of suspense 1 was for some moments in. The
jury having whispered together, one of them stood
up and said, '^ My lord, we wish to ask a question
of Mrs. Andrews, namely, whether at th^e^ time the
prisoner brought her the box, he delivered it as his
own, or said he had found it V Mr. Knapp eagerly
catching at this question, desired Mrs^r^ndrews to
stand up, and said to her, ** Mrs. AndreWs, the jury
wish to ask you whether the young man at the bar
told you it was his own snuff-box, or whether he said
he had found it i*' The poor simple woman, con<*
fused and trembling, and not comprehending the
drift or importance of the question, answered in a
low voice, ^^ He said he had found it^ gentlemen/'

Mr. Knapp having obtained this answer, with a
smile, or rather laugh of satisfaction, turned to the
jury, repeating her words, " He said, he had found
it. I hope. Gentleman, you are now. satisfied."
He then folded up my brief, and handed it to an
officer of the court, to whom he made a motion
with his hand to return it to me. I received it
with a respectful bow of acknowledgment, and
Mr. Knapp threw himself back in his seat, and
began playing with his watch-chain, as tnuch as to
say, ^* the business is settled, I have successfully
done my duty, and saved my client;" and, so indeed
he had, for the foreman immediately pronounced
«^he welcome verdict of " Not Guilty." There is
on^ circumstance to which my acquittal on this
occasion may be in a great measure imputed I
namely, that I was fortunately not known by any
of the turnkeys^ or officers of the court, who never
fail when an old face appears, to give a private
intimation to the judge, if (which is very rare) he
should not himself recognise the party. I now
applied to the court for the articles taken from me>
which the Recorder ordered to be restored; but
first expressed a wish to view them, saying to the
constable, '^ Let me look at those articles, Mr.
Sell, there is nothing remarkable in them I sup--
pose." The malicious constable answered, ** No,
my lord) without it is fhe scissors." The Be^
eorder, hiiving minutely examined them, replied
VOL. n. p

^' I B^e notbiog extraordinary ia th^m ni^i^her, Mr.
Be)ly except that tbey appesir to be reniarka|>)e
good ones — poo^ poo^ let the young man have hU
property by all mei^qs :" on wbi^b the fellow,
evidently chagrined, delivered tbe whole into my
I^4Qd9f As to the snuff-box, his Lordship ob^
sirred, there could be no doubt but it was t}|e
same which Mr. Imeson had lost, though he could
pnly speak to its identi^y^ sts beipg of the same
pttterp, hayipg bopght it but a few days before the
^cident, and ^ere being no mark which he eoul4
I^AQw it by : he wfis, tberefc^rei ordered to retain it.
\ th^n b9wed with gratitude to the court and jury,
9lid with respect to the auditors, and quitting tbe
bar; bad my irons knocked off, and was received
witb op^ff arms by my dear wife, wl^p had l^en
waiting th^ issue iu anxious spspepse, accompanied
by my friend Bromley. We all three retm^^d to
tbe prjsop, where I hdd left soipe little matters,
and every pne was ^stpniahed «( ipy acquittal. I
restored the borri^w^ ^pp^box to pyr kiptf friends
not fprg^tting to apki^owledgi^ H# b^ueficial effi^pto
by a pf0^wt to )4mai^9 and ^ Ub^al treat to iim
wbolf w^rd» I ^fte^m^i^ l^nt for a coach, in
i^bich piy^^lfy my wife, and 0I4 cpippanion, w-^re
df iv4eq tp wy lodgings in iPukeVeoprt, Driiry-lape 5
aody I n^ ik4 a<)di that wiq spent tho remaipctev
of th§ 4ay in iesUvity, and lijsartf^ i^itiftgictiQii.

To a«cou9t for ipy ^epp^ ffim h(m^ my wifo

bad informed the landlord, that I had met with an
accident while at a friend's house a few miles from
town, and could not be removed until I was per-
fectly recovered. Notwithstanding I blessed Heaven
for tbi« fortunate escape^ which I had so little reason
to expect, and thou|^t my^ejf supremely happy in
recovering my liberty ; yet I bjive ever since re*
gretted that I was not then convicted, as there is
little doubt but the capital part of the charge would
have been done away with, atid I should only have
been tnmsported for seven years, consequently, at
the period of my writing these Memoirs, I should
have had only a few months to serve before I be^
came » frea^mui; whereas the sequel will shew
that I was in a short time afterwards cast for death,
and now find myself in the hopdess and deplorable
situation of a prisoner for Ufe !

CHAPTER VI.

Visit Mr. Bilger, an eminent Jeweller. — His Polite-
ness, and the Return I made for it. --' Perfidy of a
Pawnbroker, — Obliged to decamp with Precipita-
tion.

J. HE next adventure I shall have occasion to relate,
more fully confirms the justice of the remark, that
the connexions formed by persons during temporary
confinement in a jail, commonly lead to further acts
of wickedness, and frequently entail on the parties a
more severe punishment than that which they have
just escaped. This was exactly my unhappy case
and I now come to die most fatal era of my
eventful life.

In the same ward with myself were confined two
brothers, very genteel young men, who had been
recently cast for death for privately stealing some
valuable rings, ^c, from the shop of a Jeweller in
Leadenhall- street. As a conformity of character^
or similarity of pursuits, is the strongest source of
friendship, so these persons and myself had become
very intimately acquainted. In the course of our
frequent k (ruversations on the subject with which we
were all three alike most conversant, the brothers
informied me that they had, like myself, made a sue-

'• .T

cessful tour of the jewellers' shops in London ; and
on our comparing notes as to the particular persons
we had r<!>bbed^ or attempted to rob^ they pointed
out about half a dozen shops^ which, it appeared^
I had omitted to visit, arising either from their
making no display of their goods, or from their being
situated in private streets, where I had no idea of ^
finding any such trades. Though at that time neither
they nor myself entertained much hope of my ac-
quittal, it was agreed that in the eventjof my being
so fortunate as to recover my freedom, 1 should pay
my respects to the several tradesmen 1 had so over-
looked ; and I promised, iii case I was successful, to
make them a pecuniary acknowledgment in return
for their information. At the moment of my joyful
departure from Newgate, they accordingly furnish-
ed me with a list of the shops in question, and gave
me full instructions and useful hints for my guidance
therein. They particularly pointed out Mr. Bilger,
a goldsmith and jeweller of the first eminence in
Piccadilly. This gentleman, they assured me, I
should find, in the technical phrase, 2LgoodJlat. They
advised me to bespeak a diamond ring, or similar
article, and to request a sight of some loose dia-
monds for the purpose of selecting such stones as I
might wish to have set, informing me that he was
generally provided with a large quantity, which he
would not fail to shew me, and that I might with ease
purloin a good number of them. A day or two. after

D 3

mj release, I made the prescribed experimentBi
and was fortunate enougb to succeed pretty well at
nearly every shop, but I reserved Mr. Bilger Cor
my ,£nal essay^ as be was the principal object of
consideration, and from whom I expected to obtain
the most valuable booty^ On the day se'ennight after
iny trial at the Old Baikyi I prepared in due form
to pay him a visit. About fiye o'clock in the even*
ing> I entered his shop, dressed in the most elegant
style, having a valuable gold vyatch and appendages,
a gold eye-tglass, ^c, I bad posted my old friend
and aid-de-camp, Bromley^ at the door, in order to
be in readiness to net as circumstances m^t re-
quire, apd particularly to wutcb the niotions of Mr.
Bilker and his ^assistants on my quitting the pre*
mises. On \{ny entrance Mrs. Bilger issued from a
back-parlour behind the shop, and politely inquiring
my business, 1 told her I wished to see Mr.. Bitger ;
she immediately rang a bell, which brought down her
husband froin the upper apartments. He saluted
me with a low bow, and handed me a seat. I was
glad to find no other person in the shop, Mrs. Bilger^
having again retired. I now assumed the air of a
Bond»street lounger, and informed Mr. Bilger that
I had been recommended by a gentleman of my ac«
quaintance to deal with him, having occasion for a
very elegant diamond ring, and requested to see his as*
sortment. Mr. Bilger expressed his concern that
he happened not to have a single article of that de-

scription by hfan, hut if I could without iticonv^nr-
e&ce c^ll atgaiby he would undertake in oti^ hour to
procure me a sel^ctibu frorii his. working-jeweller^
tp ivhom he Would immediately despsltch a messen-
ger. I affected to feel sOiriewhat disappointed, but
looking at my watch, after a moment's reflection, t
said, ** Well, Mr. Bilger, I have an appomtment at
the Canon coffee-house, which requires my atten-
dance, and if you will without fail have the articles
ready, I may probably look in a little after six.**
This he proiftrsed faithfully to do, declaring how
much he felt obliged by my condescension ; and I
sauntered out of the shop, Mr. Bilger attending me
in the most obsequious manner to the outer door.'
After walking a short distance, Bromley tapped me
on the shoulder, and inquired what cotiduct I meant
next to pursue ; for he had viewed my proceeding^
through a glass-door in the shop, and saw that I had
not executed my grand design. I related to lirom-
ley the result of my conversation with Mr. Bilger,
and add^d that I meant to retire to the nearest
public-house, where We cotrld enjoy a pipe and a
glass of negus until the expn*ation of the hoar to
which I had limited myself. We accordingly re-
galed ourselves at a very snug house, nearly opposite
Bilger's, until about half after six, when I again
repaired to the scene of action, lea^g Bromhey, as
at first, posted at the door. Mr. Bilger received tfie
with increased respect, and producing a snrall card

n 4

box, expressed his sorrow that his workman had
only been enabled to send three rings for uiy inspec-
tion, but that if they were not to my taste he should
feel honoured and obliged in taking my directions
for having one made, and flattered himself he should
execute the. order to my satisfaction. 1 proceeded
to examine the rings he produced, one of which was
marked sixteen guineas, another nine guineas, and
the third six guineas. They were all extremely
beautiful, but I affected to consider them as toc^
paltry, telling Mr. Bilger that I wanted one to pre-
sent to a lady, and that I wibhed to have a ring of
greater value than the whole three put together/ as
a few guineas would not be an object in the price«
Mr. Bilger's son, who was also his partner, now
joined us, and was desired by his father to sketch a
draught in pencil of some fancy rings, agreeable to
the directions I should give him. The three ringa
I had viewed, were now removed to the end of the
counter next the window, and I informed the young
man that 1 wished to hs^ve something of a cluster, a
large brilliant in the centre, surrounded with smaller
ones ; but repeated my desire that no expense might
Jbe spared to render the article strictly elegant, and
worthy, a lady's acceptance. The son having
sketched a design of several rings on a card, I ex-
amined them with attention, and appeared in doubt
which to prefer, but desired to see some loose dia-
monds, in order to form a better idea of the size, S^c^^

of each ring described in the drawing. Mr. Bilger
hofwever, declared he had not any by him. It is
probalble he spoke truth : or he might have lost such
numbers by shewirig them^ as to deter him from ex-
hibiting them in future. Without having made up my
mind on the subject, 1 now requested to see some of
his most fashionable broaches or shirt-pins. Mr. Bil-
ger produced a shew-glass^ containing a great variety
of articles in pearl, but he had nothing of the kind in
diamondij. I took up tw^o or three of the broaches
and immediately sunk a very handsome one marked
three guineas, in my coat sleeve. I next purloined
abeautiful clasp for a lady's waist, consisting of stones
set in gold, which had the brilliancy and appear-
ance of real diamonds, but marked only four guineas.
I should probably have gone still deeper, but at
this moment a lady coming in, desired to look at
some ear-rings, and the younger Mr. Bilger imme-
diately quitted his father to attend upon her at the
other end of the shop. It struck me that now -was
my time for a decisive stroke. The card contain-
ing the diamond rings, procured from the maker,
lying very near the shew-glass I was viewing, and
many small articles • irregularly placed round about
them, the candles not throwing much light upon that
particular spot, and Mr. Bilger's attention being
divided between myself and the lady, to whom he
frequently addressed himself, I suddenly took the
three rings from the card, and committed them to

D 5

my sleeve to join the hroai^ and ladys €la$p ; but
had them so situated that I could in a moment have
released and replaced them on the counter^ had an
inquirybeen made for them. I then looked at my
watch, and observing that I was going to the theatre,
told Mr. Bilger that I would not trouble him way
further, as the articles before tae were too tawdry
and common to please me, but that 1 would put the
card of draughts in my pocket-book, and if 1 did
not meet with a ring of the kind I wanted before Mon-
day or Tuesday, I would certainly call again and give
him final directions. I was then drawing on my
gloves, being anxious to quit the shop while I was
well ; but Mr. Bilger, who seemed delighted with
the prospect of my custom, begged so earnestly that
I would allow him to shew me his brilliant assort-
ment of gold watches that I could not refuse to
gratify him, though 1 certainly incurred a great risk
by my compliance. I, therefore, answered, " Really,
Mr. Bilger, I am loth to give you that unnecessary
trouble, as I have, you may perceive, a very good
watch already, in point of performance ; though it
cost me a mere trifle, only twenty guineas; bi^t it
answers my purpose as well as a more valuable one.
However, as I may probably, before long, want an
elegant watch for a lady, 1 don't care if I just run
my eye over them." Mr. Bilger replied, that the
greater part of his stock were fancy watches adapt-
ed for ladies, and he defied all London united to ok-

liikit. a filler alU^eti&tk, He their totyk from bis
window a-ske^iv^tdssj containing about thirty moat
bea^rtiAil w»tc^is> iioaie ornamented with peafrk or
diamonds^ otber» ekgantly enantelled, or chased In
the najost delicate »tyle. Tbey were ofTarioit? price?,
from tiiiyty to one hundred guineas, and the old
gentleman robbing bi9 hands with an air of rapture,
exclaimed) ** There tliey are. Sir ; a most fashion-
able assortment of goods ; allow me to reconhnend
them ; they're aU a-g^ng^ Sir— all a-going/' I
smikd inwardly at the latler part of thid speech, ami
thought to myaetf, ** i wisb they wiere gothg, witlr
all my heart, along with the diamond rings/' I
aiiswered,L tbey were certaitily very handsome, bat f
would defer amifiute inspection of them tilf my next
visit,' when 1 should have more time to spare. These
watches were ranged in exact order, in five parallel
lines, and between each watch was placed a gold seal
or'othertriiiket appertaining to a lady'swktch. Itwas
no easy matter, therefore, to take away a single ar-
ticle without ita being instantly missed, unless the
economy of the whole had been previously deranged;
I contrived, however,' to displace a few of the trin-
keta, on pretence of admiring them, and ventured to
secrete &ae very rich gold seal marked six guineas*
I then declared I could stay no longer, as I had ap-
pointed to meet a party at the theatre ; but that I
would certainly call again in a few days, and lay out
some money in return for the trouble I had givenJ

D 6

Mr. Bilger expressed his thanks in die most respect*
ful terms, and waited upon me to ttiedoor, whore
he took leave of me with a very low congiy d la mode
de France, of which country he was a native. I
now put the best foot foremost, and having gained
a remote street, turned my head, and perceived
Bromley at my heels, who seized my hand, congra-
tulating me on my success, and complimenting me
on the address I had shewn in this exploit ; for he
had witnessed all that passed, and knew that I had
succeeded in my object, by the manner in which I
quitted the shop. Be informed me that Mr. Bilger,
had returned to his counter, and without attending
to the arrangement of the articles thereon, had join-
ed his son who was still waiting upon the lady, and
that he, Bromley, had finally left, them both en-
gaged with her.

Having thus happily achieved this adventure we
returned to my lodgings, where I displayed the
booty 1 had made, and gratified Bromley with a
couple of guineas for his trouble, which fully satis-
fied him, as I did not take him with me on terms of
equal partnership. The n^xt mornings Saturday,
on reviewing the articles, my wife was so jnuch
pleased with one of the rings, (a beautiful ru{{y,
surrounded with rose-diamonds, price six guineas,)
which exactly fitted her fore-finger, that I suffered
her to retain it for wearing on extraordinary oc-
casions; and I myself determined to keep the

one iQafked sixteen guineas^ (which was a double
rowed brilliant half hoop^) for my little finger. As
to the nine-guinea ring, (which was composed of
brilliants, having a space for hair in the centre,) Z
sold it immediately, together with the gold seal^ to
a Jew-receiver, with whom I had frequent dealings.
The broach i also took a fancy to for my own. weari
and the gold clasp I presented to my wife. In the
evening of this day I visited my friends in Newgate,
(the two brothers,) and acknowledged the service
they had rendered me by a suitable present, besides
regaling the whole ward with a treat of ale and porter.
In the interval between my discharge from con-
finement, and my visit to Mr. Bilger, I one day
went to the shop of a pawn-broker, in Brydges-
street, Covent-garden, for the purpose of pledging
some seals, rings, and other trinkets, which I had
purloined at the several shops to which the brothers
had recommended me. I had frequently pledged
similar articles at this shop, as well as many others,
because I c6uld get nearly fifty per cent more by
that means than a common receiver would give for
the same goods, and I afterwards sold the duplicates
among my acquaintances, or to the Jews, by which
1 gained a still further advance. I entered a pri-
vate box, as is usual with persons who wish to ob-
serve secrecy ; and the pawn-broker, whose name
was Turner, coming himself to wait on me, I pro-
duced my goods^ 'demanding a certain sum upon

them, Mr. Turner having looked over the arfideS)
pulled out the sliding shutter which extends acr^ws
the counter, so as to obscure the customer from the
vievir even of a person intheadjoimng hox, and having
taken this precaution^ he ftpoke ta me^ in. a very m*-
spectfu) manner, to the foUowing effect : *^ Sif, I
hope you will excuse whall am going to say; but
having observed that you frequendy plec^e simSar
goods to these at our shop, wbifih are afterwards
taken out by other persons, I take for granted
you are in the habit of selling the duplicates ; it is
not my wish to be impertinently curious^ but my
reason for asking, is, that if I am right in my con-
jecture, I conceive you might as well give me the
opportunity ofpurcbasingthemas a stranger. lam
ready to give you a fair price, as I have opportunities
of disposing of such goods in the way of trade, and
without putting them in the window^ or exposing
them at all* Or if you prefer selling them at once,
I will offer you the utmost farthing I can give, at a
word, and save both you and myself the trouliile of
a duplicate." All this he uttered in a low but
earnest voice, and with every appearance of sincerity.
Perceiving me to hesitate, he added with increased
emphasis, '^ Depend on it. Sir, I'll deal upon the
square with you ; I don't mean to take the smallest
advantage, I assure you." These last words deter-
mined me. I thought it improbable that he cooM
have any motive for deceiving me, and knovring

that many of die pawnbrokers in London are men
of the world, who, while they preserve outwardly a
fair reputation, are at the bottom arrant receivers of
stolen goods, I supposed this man to be one of
them ; I therefore answered that he was not mis*
taken in his opinion ; that 1 was myself in the habit
of dealing in such goods, and being sometimes
pressed for money, I was then obliged tc pledge or
sell a few articles, to relieve a temporary iiicon-
venience ; and that, relying upon his promises of
fair dealing, I had no objection, when such was the
case, to give him an opportunity of becoming a pur*
chaser. He thanked me for the favour, and desired
1 would set a price upon the articles I bad now
brought. I did so, and he offered me at once a
sum equal to what I expected, though somewhat
less thsm I asked him. Having received the
money agreed for, I departed^ well pleased
with having fovmed so good a connexion. I
only describe this interview as explanatory of
a circumstance 1 shall by and by have occasion to
relate.

Any body would suppose that I might have been
satisfied with my late success at Bilger and Son's,
and it will hardly be credited that I should have
the temerity to pay them a second visit, agreeably
to the promise 1 gave Mr. Bilger at parting: but^
such was nevertheless the fact. On the Monday
following the Friday on which I robbed them.

having occasion for a little ready money to pay ati
instalment to my tailor, with whom I kept a running
account, I requested my wife to take the diamond-
ring 1 had kept for my own wear, and pledge it
at Turner's for five guineas, while 1 myself went
with her ring to another shop, and borrowed three
guineas on it. I conceived there could be no
danger attending this proceeding, as there was no-
thing remarkable in either of the rings, and I had
the fullest conviction that the pawnbroker to whom
I applied, was actually such a character as- from
the conversation of Turner, i doubted not the latter
to be : besides, it was in my power at a minute's
warning to have redeemed both, and I intended so
to do in a few days. The next day (Tuesday,) I
determined to re-visit Mr. Bilger, against the advice
both of my wife and Bromley, who censured such
a step as an act of downright madness, which
indeed it certainly was : but I was so infatuated as
to think it possible that as there was another party
]n the shop as well as myself, the suspicion might
have attached to her ; or, that my appearance and
address would so far operate in my favour, as at
least to leave Bilger in doubt who to suspect : in
which case, my calling again exactly at the time
Xhad promised, would certainly remove every shadow
of such doubt, and I might perhaps be enabled to
obtain one or more of the valuable watches Mr.
Bilger had shewn me. To make every thing secure

I intended to take Bromley with me^ who could
observe the reception I met with^ and in the event
of my being detained on suspicion^ 1 dir^ted him
to hasten to my wife with the information^ who was
instantly to redeem the two rings we had pledged,
and then effectually conceal the whole of the stolen
articles beyond the reach of discovery ; so that no
property being found on, or traced to me, I must
inevitably have been discharged. These precau-
tions were certainly sufficient to prevent any ill
consequences, but still I ^hall ever condemn myself
^or so rash an act. About six o'clock in the eveur
ing, myself and Bromley set out on this ill-fated
expedition. Arriving at Bilger's, I entered with an
air of confidence^ and finding the son only in the
shop, I addressed him with a good-natured smile in
these words : " Well, Sir, you see I 'm punctual to
my promise : is your father within ^" He answered
in the affirmative, with a mixture of surprise and
doubt in his countenance ; then stepping backwards,
he called Mr. Bilger, saying in a significant tone
*^ Father, here is the gentleman come about the
diamond ring." Mr. Bilger then advancing, saluted
me with a formal coldness, which convinced me
that I was suspected. However, it was then too
late to recede, so laying my hat upon the counter,
and drawing a stool, 1 said, with * a familiar air
" Well, Mr. Bilger, I have called to give you direc-
tions for making this ring, but I mu9t beg that you

will spare no fmivis ib the execution^ as I repeat tbat
the price will not be an object ; only tell me cstndidty
at what tifne yon will Undertake to have it tesk!;^^ a^
I am going out of town in a few days.'' He re-
plied, that I might depend on it by Saturday
evening. " Very well/* said I, " that will be time
enough/' Mr. Bilger then desired his son to take
down my instructions, for which purpose the lattet-
Opened his day-book, and I took from my pocket
^e card of draughts, in which I pointed out the
one I had determined on. Then describing mi-
nutely the Tarions particulars, the kind of shank, ^c.';
the young man wrote what he thought necessary,
appearing to pay the strictest attention to my di-
tettions, and Concluded •with requesting my name
and address. I answered (what firsrt canie into
my head, as my only otgect now was to get de-
ttht]y clear of the shop,) ** Mr. Deakin, t J, Cuf-
2oh-street, May-fam" I ne^itt desired Mr. Bilger
to shew me again his assortment of lady's ivatches,
as I intended to purchase one when (be ring was
Completed; but, the old gentleman replied with
evident embarrassment, that be really had none in
the house, but that his son should wait upon me
with a selection, when the ring was finished T I

answered carelessly, *' that will do very well, Mr

Bilger. I hope. Sir, you will not fail to be punc.
tnal ; let it be an elegant article, and don't iiegTect
to send the watches. I shall now bid you good

evening." Then buttoning mj coat^ ^c, I advanced
toward the door^ expecting every moment to be
detained, or at least questioned about the three
diamond rings. Nothing of the sort, however,
occurred. Mr. Bi}ger attended me to the door
with as much politeness, though not quite the same
warmth as at my first visit ; and I was not at all
sorry when I found myself at af distance from the
shop. My watchful friend Bromley soon .joined
me, with the information that Bilger had stood
above a minute gazing after me before he closed
the door, and that he clearly perceived I had had
a narrow escape. Having satisfied myself by making
the experiment, I now hastened home to relieve
the anxiety of my wife ; and concluding I should
neither see or hear any more of Messrs. Bilger and
Son, turned my attention to new projects for '* raid-
ing the wind.''

A few days afterwards,* calHng' at Turner's, the
pawnbroker, to dispose of some trifling articles,
that person, after apologizing for the liberty he was
about to take, begged leave to ask if my ^ good
lad/' had not pledged a diamond-ring with him a
few days before, for five guineas i Surprised at this
question, I hesitated ; on which he contrnued, ^' 1
assure you. Sir, I have no impertinent motive for
the question, but a lady of my acquaintance bavitig
seen the article, is very much in love widi it ; and^
if it should be yours, and that you are inclined

hereafter to sell it, I shoidd be happy to purchase
it for her. The lady who pledged it having fre*
.quently come to redeem articles left by you^ I
concluded from thence that she was your wife."
As I was willing to be upon my guards I ^nswered^
that my wife had indeed several rings^ and it was
possible he might be right in his conjecture, but I
was ignorant of her having pledged such an article ;
that I would, however, make inquiry on the subject,
and let him know the next time I saw him. Having
communicated this conversation to my wife, she
saw nothing extraordinary in it, as the ring was a
very elegant trinket, and would naturally excite the
admiration of any lady. The next day, I again
called upon Turner, and told him that the ring he
mentioned was the property of my wife, but at
present she had no mind to part with it, and here

the matter dropped.

Three or four c^ys after this last interview,
having been successful at th^ theatres, and my purse
being replenished, I determined to redeem the ring
pledged at Turner's, and taking the duplicate with
me, I entered one of the private boxes as usual,
from a back door in Russell- court, a^ calling to
the shopman, produced my ticket, and desired to
have the ring. The lad took the former out of ray
hand, and laid it on a shelf; then proceeded with
the business he was before engsiged in, without
offering to attend to me. I thought this very odd,

and seeing Turner himself at the far end of the
counter^ writing duplicates for some women, and
pretending to be so much engaged as not to notice
me^ though I was sensible he must, I began, as the
phrase is, to smell a rat* I then repeated mj
request to the boy, with some impatience^ and a
louder voice, on which the latter went up to his
master, and I heard him whisper, ^' Sir, here's the
gentleman come for the diamond-ring/' His master,
. without turning his head, or looking off his book,
(though he always used to pay the most eager
attention to me,) said something I could' not hear ;
and the lad approaching the box in which I stood,
told me his master would be glad if I would step
round to the front door, (meaning the door of the
public shop, which opened into Brydges-street*) I
was now more than ever surprised, and convinced
that mischief was intended me. However, as in
such cases, I was often too rash, and despised
fear as unbecoming an adventurer of my address
and appearance, I answered, *^ O by all means, my
man, I '11 go round ;" which t immediately did ;
but on entering the shop, I was surprised to find
that Mr. Turner had vanished. I then said to the
boy, with a smile of gaiety, " Why, my good lad, I
don 't see your master, now I 've taken the trouble
to come here," The boy replied, " Sir, my master
will wait upon you directly ; he 's only gone back-
wards to speak to the servant/' This was enough

for me. I no longer doubted that he was gone to
«end for an officer ; and that it was, therefore, high
time for me to make saU while I was welL I, there-
fore, appeared for a moment satisfied with the boy'^
answer, but seeming suddenly to recollect myself,
I said to him, ^^ My wife is at the door ; 1 believe
I may as well ask her to step in." Then immediately
opening the door, which fell to with a pulley, I
quitted the shop and turning the comer, got into
Russell^ourt, through which I ran with all my
speed, nor stopped till I found myself at a consider-
able distance, and out of all danger. I then walked
home by a circuitous route, and related the adven-
ture to my wife, who was, of course, seriously
alarmed, and joined with me in reprobating the
treachery of the pawnbroker, for whose perfidious
condw/ti after the assurances he bad given me, we
were at a loss to account.

CHAPTER VIL

Take a Home in St. George^ s Fields.-^Stay at home
for several Weeks. — At length I venture out in
quest of Money. — My imprudent Obstinacy in en-
tering a House of ill-repute against the Advice and
Entreaties of my Wife. — lam takenin custody, and
carried to the Watch-house. — Distress of my Wife
on the Occasion.

j^S my person was well known to all the snirouDdU
ing pawobrokers^and my real abode to many of them»
myself and wife were under considerable alarm at
every knock we heard at the house*door that evem-
ning ; and it was my wife's earnest entreaty that I
should th& neit morning look out for a lodging in a
rempte part of the town, where I might lie coneeal'-
ed for awhile until the affair had cooled. Aocord-
iugly I weqt out with that intention at an early hour,
and enijaged a first floor very neatly furoiahedy m
Wcbber-row> St. Georgia's Fields ; to which we
removed yr\tk our effects, ip the ippst priv^it^ manoery
the very ne^t d^y. As I had tak^P iQa<re that we
were not watched in our repaoval, we fouud owMielveA
freed fropi any immediate anxiety in our new abode ;
but I w^ 9fmA to shew myself ^t ^1| ip the i)ei|^
bourhoqd of oMt ]^t^ residence* mr oouM I vmtKre

even to the theatres in quest of money. We, there-
fore, continued domesticated until after Christmas ;
but finding the rent we paid (fourteen shillings per
week,) to come rather heavy upon us, as I was
getting nothing, but living on the.Uttle I had by me,
I determined to hire a small house in one of the
new streets near the Obelisk, and to purchase such
articles of furniture as were indispensable, whatever
sacrifices I might make to enable me to do so, I very
soon met with a neat little house, in Gun*street, at the
low rent of five shillings a week. It consisted indeed
of only two rooms, one over the other, with a small
kitchen behind, but was sufSciently large for our
purpose. I was so assiduous in this undertaking,
that in a few days I had purchased every necessary
article for our use, and we it) imediately entered on the
premises. It is true, having but little ready money,
I was compelled on this occasion to pledge my^wiatch,
chain, and seals^ together with several trinkets of
my own and my wife's, and many articles of our
wearing apparel, but of the latter we had both a pretty
ample stock. We were then obliged to live as
frugally as possible, and during the whole month of
January I never once stirred out of the street we
resided in, except on the following occasion. Be-
ing anxious to see poor Bromley, whom I had not
had 'an opportunity of apprizing of our removal
from D^ryJane, I determined to venture out, and
endeavour to find him at one of the houses I knew

lie frequented in that neighbourhood : for this pur-
pose I disguised myself as much as I could^ and go-
ing late in the eveniog to a public-house in Parker's
lane, I found a number of dissolute characters of
the lowest class, assembled there, but on looking
round saw no appearance of Bromley. Having drank
a glass at the bar, I was on the point of quitting the
house to seek further, when a girl of the town, of
whom there were a number present, tapped me on
the shoulder, and, taking me aside, observed that
she was astonished at my madness in venturing to
that quarter of the town, considering the situation
in which I stood, and the<;onsequent risk I incurred;
This girl had formerly cohabited with Bromley, and
had by that means known me for some time. As
I knew her to be incapable of any bad design, I
requested her to explain herself more fully. She
then said, that she had gone a few days before this
to die shop of Lane, a pawnbroker in Drury-lane,
on some business of her own, and that one of the
shopmen inquired if she had lately seen Vaux ? de-
siring her, if she met with me, to caution me to keep
out of the way, as I was advertised, and very fully
described in printed hand-bills, circulated among the
pawnbrokers, in which I stood charged with robbing
a jeweller's shop in Piccadilly ; that being on inti-
mate terms with this shopman, she had obtabed a
49ight of the hand-bill in question, and had read with
her own eyes a confirmation of what the young man

VOL. II. E

had told her. She now repeated to me the t^nor of
thesaihey stating that a reward of ten guineas wa9
offered for my apprehension, and ten guineas more
on my conviction ; that the artictes stolen, consist-
ing of diamond-rings, ^c, were described, as was
also my dress, and person, in the minutest manlier,
not excepting even my whiskers, eyes, and teeth'
the watch and appendages I wore, the mouriiing*ring
on my finger, eye-glass^ &c. She, therefore, strongly
exhorted me to avoid this part of the town, in which
I was so well known ; and promised if she saw
Bromley, to dif ect him to a place I named, at wftich
he would hear of me- Havinjg gratified this well-
meaning woman with a small present, I returned
home with all the speed I could ; and ruminating
in my way on what I had heard, I was now
convinced beyond a doubt, that Bilger junior, at the
time he pretended to be taking directions of me
for the ring I bespoke, was actually intent upon
taking a description of my person, Sfc.^ which he
wrote down in the book before him, in order that^
should his father's suspicions prove well founded,
a proper search might be made after me. This
news was not likely to alleviate the anxiety of my
wife for my safety, or to encourage me in sallying
forth with the view of recruiting my finances, which
were now at a very low ebb*

At length, however, necessity compelled me to
wave every consideration, for every thing we could

conveniei^ly spare was in pawn, iiiclading even my
hooks, some of which were valuable. I, thereforei
dressed myself in my usual manner, and, on Tuesday
evening, the 31st of January 1809> left my bome^
WKtjb an intention of trying my luck at one of thft
Theatres ; but in my \\%y thitheri I was induced to
enter a shop, (namely, Sharp's, therazor'^maker, cor*
ner of LudgateJiill,) of whidi I had conceived some
hopes ; and fortune favoured me so far, that I ob-
tained a booty of silver fruit-rknives, penciUoases,
pocket-books with instruments, S^c, which I esti-
mated at four or five guineas. I was so pleased
with this success that I returned borne, satisfied
with my night's gain, and gave up my former design
of going to the Theatre. My wife was agreeably
surprised at my premature return ; and, as it was
then but seven o'clock, I proposed to her diat we
should take a walk as far as Blaekfriars'-bridge, as
she had of late been closely confined to the house,
and I concaved her health required air and exercise.
She immediately assented, and having locked up the
bouse, we proceeded towards the bridge ; on ar«
riving at which she would have turned back, but I
persuaded her to cross the water, and go as far as
the end of Fleet^street. ' We thtte watered a liquor-
shop, and took some refreshment ; and my wife
then earnestly pressed me to return, for fear of
meeting widi some of the officers who might know
me ; but Inow entreated her to walk as far as Clare*

E 2

market; as I wished to see a young man who had
promised to meet me, or to leave a note for me at a
certain public-house, which I had sometimes fre-'
quented when I lived in that neighbourhood. I had|
m facty intended to call there in my way to or from
the theatre, in order to settle a plan for accompany-
ing this person and several others, to a grand fight^
which was to have taken place the next day at
Moulsey-hurst, between two celebrated pugilists, and
^t which we expected to reap a plentiful harvest*
The going to this house was the maddest act I
could possibly have committed, for the Bow-street
officers were in the habit of visiting it at all hours ;
and several of them had seen me there at various
times, dressed exactly in the manner described in
the hand-bills I have mentioned. My wife, who
appears to have had too sure a presentiment of what
the consequence would be, used every art to dis-
suade me from my purpose, but in vain. I assured
her that I would not stop five minutes ; and that to
prevent danger, she herself should first enter the
house, and observe whether there were any officers
in it, in which event 1 could but retire without
going in, and immediately return home. Finding I
was obstinately determined on this rash step, she
accompanied me, and, on arriving near the houses
I sent her in to make observations. The landlord
(who had himself been an old thief), received her
^ery courteously ; and inquiring for me, she privately

asked him if there was any danger of the officers
coming there i To which he answered io the nega-
tive^ and assured her I might with safety make my
appearance. She accordingly gave me the signal^
and I entered the public tap'room, in which I found
about twenty notorious characters, assembled at
different tables, some drinking and smoking, others
Employed in gambling with cards, S^c. The young
man above-mentioned had left a short note, which
the landlord now put into my hand ; in which 1 was
requested to meet him the next morning at a certain
time and place, adding that he had engaged a. chaise,
and that a seat watr reserved for me. My wife now
again pressed me to return after taking a glass at the
bar ; but my evil genius prevailed, and I stipulated
diat I should sitiok^ one pipe of tobacco, and would
then willmgly retire. I accordingly took a seat,
placing my wife between myself and my old ac-
quaintance George W— k — n, who invited us to join
him. I was situated with ray back to the door
of the room, which opened into a passage leading to
the street. I occupied the very end of the seat
or bench, which had an elbow, on which I rested
my right arm, and diere were at the same table
three or four other persons besides our party. I
had scarcely lighted my pipe when I observed two
men, (strangers to me), enter the room, and whisper
with the landlord; and I thought I perceived thelandf
lord while answering them, to glance his aye upon

in^; but I only mealion this by-the*by^ as 1 had
tbe fullest conviction of tbe landlord's integrity, and
the strangers had not the least appearance of of*
fieeri^; consequently, the circumstance did not at all
alarm tne. I bad been about half an hour in the
house, and was on the point of taking my leave,
wb^n I beard the room-door pushed open, and, as is
natural in^uch cases, I involuntarily turned my head;
when, to my utter confusion and alarm, I perceived
two officers enter the room. As I thought it pos-
sible 1 might escape their notice, I pulled my hat
over my eyes, and turning my head .towards my wife
and friend, on my left-hand, pretended to be in
earnest conversation with them ; but how can 1 ^x^
press my feelings, when the officers * wsdked imme-
diately up to me, as naturally as if they had been
sitting in my company the whole evening ; and one
of them lookk^ me full in the face, aaid, '' Mr, Vaux,
we want you !" With as much composure as I
^u!d. assume, I answered that he was mistaken in
addresaing me, for that was not my name. The
feUow replied that be was certainly right, but begged
that I wouM step out with him into the passage,
IWi, be would explain himself more fiilly. I was
|o weak (or rather so confounded with sur*
prise) as to comply with this request ; and I was no
soioitcfrin the passage, and the tap-rpom door closed,
Aan:the two ruffians. laid hold of me, one on each
aide,, and hnrned me away with the greatest im?

petuosity. Having got a few yards from the house^
they stopped to view me by the light of a lamp, and
one of them having attentively surveyed my features
(probably to compare them with the advertisement)
said to his fellow, *' 1 'm sure we are right, Jack ; .
he answers the description ; come along." As they
were conducting me to St. Martin's Watch-house,
they put several questions to me, respectbg my
knowledge of a jeweller's shop in Piccadilly, my
being tried at the Old Bailey> in November sessions,
4rc.; all which were of course unavailing, as I denied
any knowledge of their meaning, but which too well
convinced me that they had a thorough knowledge
of my person and character, acquired no doubt from
the treacherous information of some of my dissolute
a;cquaintances. One of them observed, that if they
had not met with tne this night, they should have
done so the next day at the fight, so that it had only
prevented them from seeing the battle : perhaps^
they only surmised that I should have gone there, it
being the custom for most of the London thieves to
attend such spectacles; but I have sometimes thought
my intention of going was communicated to them, ei^
ther by the person I was to have accompanied, or by
the landlord who delivered me his open note on the
subject. The other observed, that I had made a good
thing of it at the Hay market the preceding summer;
adding, " We wondered who the devil it was, that
was so busy there ; we did not know you so well

£ 4

then as we do now, or we should have spoiled your
sport.*'— :The fact was, that these two vagabondii
were on constant duty every night, inside of that
theatre; and I, consequently, knew them well,
long before this fatal rencontre ; but I always took
Care to shun them, and had never excited their
suspicion, as I was not once during the whole sea-
son, detected in the course of my operations at that
house.

We now arrived at the watch-house, where they
proceeded to search me closely, but found nothing
that had any relation to the present charge ; and I
must not omit that their first attention was directed
to my little finger, no doubt in search of the mourn-
ing ring, mentioned in the hand-bills ; but the said
ring was at this time deposited as a pledge for
the loan of one pound at a certain pawnbroker^
and I had on, in lieu thereof, a plain gold ring of
trifling value ; this they examined, and finding (to
use their words) that there were "no letter*
on it," they suffered me to retain it. I happened
unluckily to have on, this night, the very same dress
I wore when I visited Mr. Bilger, namely, a black
coat and waistcoat, blue pantaloons, Hessian boots,
and the same hat, which was remarkable, being in
the extreme of the newest fashion. The only varia-
tion was, that I had neither the gold watch, eye-glass,
or mourning ring, about me, nor had I any powder
in my hair ; and I had on over my other clothes a

4>rowii great-coat. After searching me^ they gave
me in chaige to the watch-house-keeper, and de-
isiring to know what name I chose to give in, as I
denied being called Vaux, I assured them my name
was James Lowe, this being the name of my much-
loved grandfather, and the first that occurred to me.
In this name 1 was therefore entered in the charge-
book, and, having told the keeper that they should
call for me in the mornings they departed. When left
to ruminate on my now hopeless condition, nothing
affected me so much as the distress my poor wife
must suffer, on my being thus torn from her, and
what heightened my affliction, was, the conscious-
ness, that had I listened to her affectionate advice, 1
should probably have avoided this misfortune, and
been at that moment happy in her society, by my
own fire-side : but mature reflection convinced me,
that, my time being come, it was impossible to
escape the fate to which I was^ born, and destined
from the moment of that birth.— I, therefore, bowed
with resignation to a fate, which by my vicious con-
duct I had certainly merited ; and applied for. conso-
lation to a pipe and a jug.of ale, which I was per-
mitted to send for, and which indulgence 1 compen-
sated by liberally treating the keeper and his wife,
according to the established usage of such places.

I afterwards learnt that my wife had fainted im-
mediately on my apprehension, and continued for
some minutes in violent hysterics, on recovering

£ 5

from wUcb our friead W-**k — n had )unA\f eaa^
■dlicted her home, aod consoled her at partiQg wkh
the .a^suraace that he would not aleep till he had
fouad oat to what place 1 was conveyed, and doAe
ail in his power ta render my condition as tolerable
as circumttaiiees would admit. But his mquiries
were ineffectual| and it was not till the following
day, that he could obt»n im interview with aie.

CHAPTER vm.

Discover that I have been betrayed. — Examined at
Saw-street y and committed for Trial, — Sent to
Newgate. — Prepare for my l)efence. — My Trial
and Conviction.

About an hour aft«r the officears bad left me,
they returned to the watch-hottse^ bringing in
prisoner^ a welMre^sed g^tleman in a state of
ebriety^ accompanied by several of his friends^ vdio
at seeoied; had beea taken in custody for. riotQiis
conduct at the Haymarket theatre. As soon ad
tbey had given charge of this p^rson^ and ag^ii^
Mfitbdrawn, the gentleman, whose frienda had also
taken their leave, seated himself near the fire, aad
entered into conversation with me on the subject of
his apprehension. He informed me, that having
in the beginning of the evening had a quarrel
with another genitleman in the bo^es, and their
altercation disturbing the audience, he Jbad. been
taken into custody by these o£^ers as the aggressor ;
but , that having apolog^zeci for his conduct, and
mB^^e his peace with his opponent^ he had been
liberated, and the officers had suddenly quitted
him ; that about ten o'clock, however, to bis great
surprise^ the two rascally constables (as he termed i

£ 6

diem,) had again apprehended him, under colour of
the original charge, and conveyed him to th^ watch-^
house ; and that in their way, they stated that they
should have done so on his first apprehension, but that
they were suddenly sent for to the other end of the town>
for the express purpose of taking a notorious thief, of
whom they had received information ! The gende-
man h^re continued, (little supposing he was speaking
to the identical person,) ** some d d house-
breaker, or highwayman, I suppose. I don't know
who die rascal was.'' The reader may be sure I
took no pains to inform him ; but commiserating
his case, and condemning the base conduct of the
officers, we conversed together on indifferent sub*
jects for about an hour, and were then shewn to
separate beds in the same room, where we were
locked up till morning. It now appeared evident
that I had been betrayed ; but by whom, I am to
this day ignorant ; sometimes suspecting the land-
lord ; at others the young man I have before men-
tioned ; and sometimes, oneof the company who sat
at table with me ; as I was afterwards informed
that the whole room being much alarmed at my
sudden apprehension, and the manner in which it
took place, some one remarked that I must certain-
ly have been villanously betrayed. Upon which this
man (whose name was Bill White, otherwise,
Conky-beau,) immediately changed colour, and
said, '^ I hope nobody suspects me, I certainly did

leave the room^ but it was only for a few ininute9,
in order to get a little tobacco at the next shop.f
At all events^ there must have been much expedition
used, for I was not abovehalf an hourinthe house,and
the distance from thence to the Haymarket theatre
is at least a mile. Indeed the officers confessed to
me afterwards^ that I had been sold, (as the phrase
is,) but declared that no bribe should induce them
to disclose the party.

The ' ensuing morning, about ten, the officers

conducted me to Bow-street, where Mr. Justice

Graham presided. On being put to the bar, I

observed Mr. Bilger, senior, and the perfidious

pawnbroker, in waiting; the former viewed me

with attention, and seemed immediately convinced

of my identity, of which hes informed the magistrate*

Having then stated the particulars of his charge^

against me, (which I need not here repeat,) the

pawnbroker produced the fatal ring, stating that he

received it from a woman, whom I afterwards

acknowledged to be my wife ; he also produced a

pearl and amethyst broach, set in gold, which he

deposed to purchasing from me among some other

articles of the like nature. Mr. Bilger swore that

he believed the former to be his property, and the

working jeweller, who had supplied the three rings

for my inspection, swore jpositively to its being one

of them ; as to the broach, Mr. Bilger would not

positively swear, but fully believed it to be the one

he lost. In this, however, he was mistaken; for I
have already stated that 1 kept that broach for my
own wear^ and it was at this moment in pledge for
one pound, in the Borough ; but I had, a few days
previous to my robbing Mr. Bilger, purloined^
among other trinkets, from a shop in the city, a
broach so exactly similar, that on comparing the
two together, I was in doubt which to retain;
but the pearls, in Bilger's, being rather larger, I
preferred the latter, and disposed of the other to
Turner, as he had truly said. When asked if I had
any defence to offer, I merely answered that I was
not the person, having never seen Mr. Bi]ger o^his
shop in my life. Mr. Graham observed, the case
was so clear that he should immediately commit me ;
but having understood that many jewellers, 8^c,9 who
had been robbed, were in attendance to identify
me, he inquired for them ; the officers, however,,
stated that none were present^ except a shopman of
Mr. Chandler in Leicester-fields, who had been a. ^
considerable sufferer ; but on this young man view-
ing me, he declared I was not the person who had
been at his master's shop ; in which, by-the-by, he
was egregiously mistaken. The magistrate then,
committed me for trial, on Mr. Bilger's charge ; and:
ordered that I should be brought up again on that
day se'ennight, (the 8th of February,) in order that,
the different shop-keepers might have notice to
attend. I was now conveyed to Tothill-fields

Bridewell, wh^e I continued a week. My first
object was to estabtkh a communication witb my
wife ; but I was afraiil of suffering her to visit me,
lest she mi^t have been detained as an accomplice.
She^faowever, sent hef sist^ tome daily, who brought
me every needful requisite for my use and comfort
ia the prison ; and axnong the rest, a change of
apparel of a very difibrent kind from that in which
1 was apprehended. Having put on these clothes,
I sent the others back by the bearer ; and the same
da)r, a barber attending, whom I had sent for to shave
me, I requested him to cut off my whiskers, and to
crop my faatr close. He did so, and I now cut
so differort a figure, that no person could possibly
ideotify me, unless intimat^y acquainted with my
features* Had I been enabled to take these measures
before I appeared at Bow-street, it is probable Mr.
Bilger would not have ventured to swear to me ; but
uttfortimately they were adopted too late to render
me any essentiad service. When the officers came
to the prison, and saw the metamorphose I had
undergone, they vrere, however, highly enraged ;
charged the turnkeys with gross neglect of duty, and
want of vigilance in suffering the means to be ad*
mitted, and threatened to represent the circum-
stances to the magistrate. I laughed heartily at
their chagrin, and said all I could to heighten their
ve^&atioD* On the day appointed, 1 was brought
up for re-examination ; but it seemed thetradesmea

^ho were expected, had not thought it worth thei*
while to attend; for nolle made their appearance.
Mr. Grahan^ viewed me with, evident surprise, de<^
tnandiog why I was so differently dressed, and what
I had done with my whiskers*. I answered, that I
wore whatever I found most convenient to myself
and as to whiskers, I never had any. His Worshifp
stared at this assertion, and declared, that when he
£rst examined me, I had very large whiskers, and
my hair dressed in the fashionable mode. *^ How-
ever,^' added he, *^ I see through your, design ; but
it has been executed too late, and thb stratagem
will not now serve your turn.'^ ^I was then finally
committed to Newgate^ as the Session was to com^
mence on that day week (the J 5th). My unhappy
wife was waiting the issue of my examination, in the
neighbourhood of the public office, and on learning
the result, took coach, and was at the door of New-
gate as soon as myself. The officers who escorted
me having retired, both my wife and I were ven^r
kindly received by the principal turnkey, who
instantly recognised us as Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, and
expressed his concern at my so soon becoming

^ The public pupen, in describing mj second examinatioD^.
liad the following paragraph. ** The prisoner,, on his first exami-
nation, was dressed in the most fashionable style ; but he was now
completely metamorphosed, being dressed in a drab great-coat,
jockey-boots, and a Belcher handkerchief, so as to have the
appearance of a stage-coachman!"

sigain an inraate of Newgate. He then ordered me
to have a light iron put on ; and requesting to know
what ward I wished to go, into, I chose the same
, I had before been a member of, and to this room
my wife accompanied me. After receiving the
compliments of such of the prisoners as were before
my fellow-lodgers, (among whom were the two
brothers,) all of whom vied with each other in
contributing to our accommodation, we partook of
some tea ; and having been a fortnight separated
from my beloved wife, I would not suffer her to
quit me until the next morning.

I had now but>a few days to prepare for my ap-
proaching trial ; and though I entertained no hopes
of escaping conviction, I determined to employ a
counsel ; and who so proper (thought I,) as my good
friend Mr. Enapp, who had so adroitly brought me
off on a late occasion. I, therefore, drew a brief,
in which I dwelt strongly on some particular points
both of law and fact, and enclosed it, with the
customary fee, in a letter to that gentleman, remind-
ing him of my being his client in November session,
and trusting he would do all in his power to extri-
cate me from my present embarrassment. Mr.
Knapp assured my wife that I might depend on his
best exertions, and I now waited with patience for
the event. My affectionate partner was unremitting
in her attention to me, being never absent but when
she had occasion to look into our affairs at home, ^^

and her sister having undertaken the care of our
house till my fate was determined^ she slept with
me every nighty as I had reason to fear I should soon
be removed to a place where 1 could not have this
indulgence. It was something singular that my
poor friend Bromley^ whom I had not seen for two
months before^ was brought into Newgate the very
day after myself, being committed on a capital charge
of house-breaking. Beings however, unable to pay
the fees required on the master's side, where I was situ-
atedy he was obliged to put up with the common side,
as it is termed ; but the two yards being contiguous,,
I had an opportunity of seeing him every day.

On Wednesday the 15th of February, 1809, 1
was taken down to the sessions-house for trial ; and
four persons having been successively tried, for
capital offences, all of whom were convicted, I was
next put to the bar, and stood indicted *^ for felo-
niously stealing, on the 9th of December, Sfc, a
double-rowed brilliant half-hoop ring, value 16/.
16^.; a diamond ring for hair, value QL 9^*; a
rose diamond and ruby ring, with serpent-chased
shank, value 6/. 6s. ; and a pearl and amethyst
broach, value £/. 2^., the goods of Matthias Bilger
the elder, and Matthias Bilger the younger, privately
in their shop/' The reader will observe that I was
here indicted |Lipon a certain act of parliament,
which makes it a capital offence to steal '^ goods,
wares, or merchandise, to the value of five shillings,

privately in a shop.'' My indictment having been
read over, I looked round for Mr. Knapp, whom I
expected to have found prepared with his brief; but
not observing him among the other counsellors, I
inquired of the turnkeys nearme, who informed me
that be was not in court. I then requested of the
judge that my trial might be deferred, on account of
the absence of my counsel. The court inquiring
who was my counsel, I^answered, Mr. Knapp; upoft
which Mr. Gurney,. another counsellori rising from
his seat, said, *^ My lord, I am authorized to plead
for Mr. Knapp/' This satisfied me, not doubting
but Mr. Gumey had my brief, and would do all
in his power ; and I suffered the trial to proceed*
The indictment having been read as I have before
described, to my no si^aall surprise, Mr. Raine, the
counsellor who had been retained by my prosecutors,
rose, and proceeded to state the case to the jury;
in doing which, according to custom, he gave so
clear a view of the facts attending my offence, and
80 artfully and eloquently coloured the whole, that
I saw the jury had more than half convicted me
already, and would only listen to the subsequent
evidence as a requisite matter of form. The coun-
sel concluded his statement with this observation ;
'* If, geiUlemen, these facts are clearly proved to you
in evidence, (as I persuade myself they will be,) no
doubt can remain in your minds as to the verdict
you will give." He then proceeded to examine

the witnesses. Mr. Bilger, seniori deposed what the
reader is abeadj in possession of^ with these addi^
ttons; that^ a few mbutes after my quitting the
shop, he missed the articles named in the indict-
ment ; and that having, on my second visit, received
my final instructions for a ring, and the address I
have before mentioned, he went himself next day ta
Curzon-street, and found ^No. 13 to be an empty
house ! Mr. Bilger having concluded, and Mr.
Gtimey not offering to cross-examine him, con-
formable to the suggestions in my brief, and as E
fully expected he would, I was extremely surprised,
and was soon afterwards convinced that he had not
received any brief at all, or had any grounds to plead
upon. I, therefore, requested to ask Mr. Bilger a
question, namely, '' Why he did not apprehend me
on the Tuesday night, on which he swears I came
the second time to his shop, after having missed the
property on the preceding Friday, and suspected
me for it P* Am. " My lord, he had so much the
appearance of a gentleman that I thought I might
be mistaken. He was very differently dressed then
from what he is now. He wore whiskers, and aa
eye-glass, and was very nicely powdered*. My

• Snl^oiiied to the report of my tiiii^ in the public printSy
was this remark. ^ The prisoner, on his trial, had left off hi^
ialse whiskers, his powdered head-dress, and his eye-glass, and
Appeared in a loose great-coat and silk handkerchief ! !" Indeed
there were many similar pieces of wit at my expense, and soma

soft went to the door in order to get a constabt^i
bttt he observed an accomplice.'^ (What Mrir
Bilger meant by this last assertion, or what he would
deduce from it, I have no idea.) The next evidence
was that of Turner the pawnbroker ; and I had in
my brief given such hints, that I hoped Mr. Knapp
would have effectually put this fellow out of coun<«
tenance, by making him confess that he had, at his
own request, repeatedly bought such things of me.
But here Mr.Gurney was still silent, and I saw that
it would be useless for me to ask Turner any ques«
tions. The working-jeweller was then called to
depose to the ring, which he did in the strongest
terms. Mr. Gurney barely asked him, if he could
undertake to swear that he had not made rings
exactly similar for other shops? He replied, that he
was positive it was one of the three which he sent
to Mr. Bilger on the dth of December. Next came
the scoundrel who took me, George Donaldson, a
ccmstable of St. Martin's parish ; who stated that
himself and Smith, one of the Bow«-street patrole
from information they had received, apprehended
me at the Butchers' Arms in Clare-market, in com-
pany with a great many notorious diieves. The
evidence for the prosecution being now closed, Mr.
Grumey inquired of Mr. Bilger, senior, how many
partners he had ^ who answered none but his son.

complimeDts paid me od the dexierity nifitb which I exerdfeti
YDy vocation.

Then, what other persons were in the shop^ (sieanitog
assistants^) besides his son and himself^ when he
lost his property ? Ans, '' Only a porter, who was
cleaning some plate at the further end of the counter,
at some distance from where the prisoner stood.''
All that Mr. Gumey, therefore, said or asked, any
odier person might have said without reference to a
brief; and having put these simple questions, or at
least put them in a simple; and careless manner,
Mr. Gumey sat himself down. The last question,
indeed, was of a most important nature, and if pro-
perly handled, and enforced with becoming spirit,
would, 1 have little doubt, have rendered me the
most essential service. To explain my meaning, I
must briefly expouiid a point of law, with which
nine readers out of ten may be unacquainted. The
Act, under which I was indicted, provides, or is Vh-
terpreted to mean, that where there are two or more
persons employed as shopmen, Sfc, it is not suffi-
cient for one alone to attend upon the prisoner's
trial ; but that every one, if there was a dozen, must
personally appear, to swear that he or she did not
see or suspect the prisoner to commit the act of
robbery ; because the law (always favourable to the
culprit,) presumes, that if one person out of the
whole number is absent, that very person might
possibly have suspected the prisoner; and ^ then
such suspicion, however slight, if confessed, proves
that the robbery was not effected so privately as to

come within the meaning of the Act ; consequently,
there is an end of the capital part of the charge,
and the prisoner can only be transported for seven
years. The reader will see, in the next Chapter, my
reason for being thus particular in this explanation.
The judge now summed up the evidence, and what
was most extraordinary, I was not even called on
for my defence ; so much were the court prejudiced
against me, from the eloquent opening of the learned
counsel, the clear and decisive evidence of the wit-
nesses ; and, perhaps, (above all,) from some little
private intimation they had received of my real
character and past life. However, as I felt that
no defence I could make, was likely to prevent my
x:onvictiou, I was not much concerned on the occa-
sion ; and the jury after two minutes' consideration
returned the fatal verdict of" Guilty." This verdict
was no sooner pronounced, than the villain Donald-
son, standing up in the witness-box, said, " My
lord, I think it my duty to inform the court what I
know of the prisoner at the bar. I have been given
to understand that he is a very old offender, and
that he has been but a few months returned from
Botany-Bay!" At this malicious address, there
-was a general murmur of indignation throughout the
whole court ; and Mr. Gumey (to do him justice,)
rose with much warmth, saying, " Mr. Donaldson,
you ought to be ashamed of yourself for having made
such a disclosure ; you acknowledge you only have

this circumstance from hearsay, and had you known
it to be true, after the prisoner being capitally con-
victed, it is most shameful and unmanly conduct of
you to mention it/' The malicious rascal was
justly confounded at this rebuff, and sneaked away
amidst the execrations of the auditors.

■

After my conviction I was double-ironed, and
detained in the dock until the evening, my trial
having occupied about two hours; and ait eight
o'clock, I was escorted to the press-yard, and locked
up in one of the condemned cells. My poor wife
remained in the ward of the prison, to which I
belonged, until she saw me pass by, and I had only
time to console her in a few words through the bars
of the window, and take leave of her till the morning.

CHAPTER IX.

Account of my Companion and Fellow-sufferer in the
condemned Cells, — His unhappy Fate, — I receive
Sentence of Death, — Am reprieved^ and soon after
wards sent on board the Hulks. — Some Account of
those Receptacles of human Misery,

Besides the four men convicted the same day
as -myself, there were in the cells several others who
had been cast for death the preceding session^ and,
the recorder's report not having yet been made^ they
still remained under sentence^ ignorant of the fate
which awaited them, but they were in expectation of
its being decided every succeeding levee-day. It is
customary to confine two condemned prisoners in
each cell, and I was destined to be the companion
of a man named Nicholls, his former bed-fellow
having suffered about a week previous to my con-
viction. On the turnkeys, who attended me, open-
ing the door of his cell, the unhappy man ( Nicholls, \
was discovered on his knees, with a book in his
hand, and evidently a prey to doubt and terror
My conductors apologized for disturbing him, say-
ing, they had only brought him a companion, and
hoped he would find consolation in my society.
Poor Nicholls answered in broken accents, " My

VOL. II. F

God ! I was a little alarmed^ — I heard the keys
coming, — I thought it was the report. — What ? — do
you expect it to-night ?" The turnkeys replied, that
from the lateness of the hour, it was not probable ;
bilt begged him to compose himself, and hope for
the best. They then re-locked the doors, and left
us* This ' unfortunate person had been convicted
of selling forged bank-notes, through the treachery
of a man, who, to save himself, had given informa-
tion, and betrayed him by a signal to the police-
officers, at the moment of the negotiation taking
place. As he was known to have carried on this
illegal and dangerous traffic to a great extent in the
town of Birmingham, where he resided, the Bank
were determined to make an example of him;
particularly as he bad obstinately refused to
saye his own life by disclosing, as he could have
done, most important information on the subject, so
as to lead to the detection of the fabricators. This
being the case of Nicholls, he had no hope of mercy
being extended to him ; and was consequently in
hourly dread of the awful fiat which was to seal his
doom, aiijl consign him to a shameful and prema-
ture death. On being left alone with him, I forgot
for a moment my own situation,, and feeling for
that of my ill-fated companion, whose case I already
knew, I exeited myself to console and sooth him ;
not by raising in him hopes for which I knew there
was no foundation, but by exhorting him to look

forward to ^' another and a better world ;" to com*
fort himself with the reflection that his crime^ (though
punished with death on account of its injurious ten-
dency in a commercial country,) was not in a moral
sense, or in the eye of God, of so black a nature as
to preclude him from the hope of mercy at that
awful tribunal '^ before which the judges of this
world must themselves be tried." By these and
the like suggestions, I so far succeeded as to com-
pose him pretty much ; and having undressed our-
selves, We went to bed. He then requested me to
read a few chapters to him, and earnestly asked rey
opinion on some particular passages in the New
Testament, which applied to his situation, and of
the real meaning of which he anxiously wished to
t>e resolved. . We bad read and reasoned on these
topics until St. Paul's clock struck ten, ond were
on the point of composing ourselves to sleep, that
*^ ^balm of hurt minds," when we were alarmed by
the rattling of keys, and the sound of voices. I
endeavoured to calm the agitation of jyir. Nicholls,
by supposing that another unhappy man had been
convicted, and was about to be introduced to the
cells ; but he declared it must be the report, and
fell on his knees before the cell-door. The foot-
steps approaching, our door was slowly unlocked,
and the distressing agony of my companion was now
indescribable. Mr. Newman, the jailor^ entered as
quietly as possible, and taking NichoUs by the

F 3

100

hand^ while he himself was evidently affected^ he
said, " Mr. NichoUs^ — the report has been made,
and — (here he would fain have paused,) I am sorry
to inform you it has been unfavourable," Nicholls.
" Lord, have mercy on me ! God's will be done !
1 expected it, Mr. Newman, — ^it is no more than I
expected.—- When is it, — to su£Fer, Mr, Newman ?**
The latter replied, " on Wednesday next." Nicholls*
^ I could have wished, Mr. Newman, for a little
longer time,^— I'm not prepared to die,— I have
some worldly affairs to settle, — but, — God help me !
—I hope for more mercy from Him than the gentle*
men of the bank have shewn me." Mr. Newman
then assuring him of every attention in his power,
commended him to my care, and took a tender
leave of us both, promising to see Nicholls again
in the morning. The reader will easily perceive I
had not the prospect of a very agreeable night
beforeme; my own situation was deplorable enough,
but the distress of my unfortunate bed-fellow over-
powered every other consideration but that of pity
and grief for him. 1 had now my task to go through
again, and to enforce all I repeated with greater energy
and stronger assurances. At length, exhausted by con-
tending passions, poor Nicholls fell asleep, and I had
then recourse to my philosophy for self-consolation.
The next day, Mr. Newman requested, as a
favour, that I would continue to bear the unfortunate
Nicholls company during the week he had to live,

101

and in this request the latter also joined ; so that 1
could not without inhumanity refuse to comply, and
in this melancholy interval I omitted no opportunity
of contributing to his comfort. The night before
his execution, I also, by his own desire, sat up with
him : a very worthy and devout man, of his acquaint-
ance, accompanied by two other friends, also attend-
ed him ; and the greater part of the night was passed
in reading, exhortation, and singing hymns. Poor
NichoUs was, however, in a very low and desponding
state, and evidently dreaded the approach of death.
About three o'clock he was advised to lie down^
and sunk into a slumber from which he did not
wake till summoned by the keeper about six to
descend to the press-yard, the sheriffs, S^c, being
shortly expected. I now took a solemn farewell
of him, and was removed to another cell. At eight
o'clock the doleful sound of the tolling bell an-
nounced the awful ceremony, and he was a few
minutes afterwards launched into eternity ; a woman
named Margaret Barrington, for forging and uttering
a seaman's will, suffering with him. The fate of
this unhappy man, who wad of a most inoffensive
and gentle disposition, and left a numerous family
to bewail his loss, affected me much.

1 had now a new companion assigned me, a
young man about my own age, who was convicted
the day after myself, under what is called '* Lord
EUenborough's Act/' His crime was shooting at

F 3

102

a person who had attempted to apprehen^ him ia
the act of robbery ; but his pistol flashed in the
pan^ and no injury whatever had taken place. How-
ever, the nature of the offence e^tcluded him alsa
from any hopes of mercy, so that I had the fortune
to be placed in a second unpleasant situation, and
probably for a number of weeks. Aa to myself, I
had np reason to doubt of being reprieved, very few
persons suffering death at that time of day, except for
most heinous crimes, or robbery attended with acts
of violence. This young man, ^tis true, was a mueh
more tolerable companion than his predecessor;
he was always chearful and easy ; declaring (al-
though he expected to suffer,) that, as he had never
seriously injured man, woman, or child, he was not
afraid to die ; but rather happy at the prospect of .
being released from a troublesome world. He had
formerly been transported, but made his escape from
the hulks ; and the miseries hfe had witnessed and en-
dured on board those horrid receptacles, he asserted
to be such that he preferred death to a reprieve, which
might subject him to years of similar suffering.

About eight days after my conviction, I was sur-
prised at being summoned to the main-gate of the
prison, to attend a gentleman who inquired for me.
This person proved to be an attorney named
Humphries, who, addressing me, stated that he.
called by desire of counsellor Knapp, to inform me
that he (Mr. Knapp,.) was sorry he had not been

103

present at my trial, and that he had discovered a
point of law, of which he hoped to avail himself so
far as to obtain a revocation of my sentence ; that
he intended to submit this point to the judge who
tried me, and had instructed him (Mr. Humphries,)
to prepare a petition for the purpose, as it was Mr.
Knapp's opinion that I ought not to have been
capitally convicted ; but that nothing could be done
till after the close of the session, and I must receive
the sentence of death as a matter of form ; adding,
that I might mak« myself perfectly easy, as there
was no danger of my suffiering. I now inquired
of Mr. Humphries, of what nature was the point or
objection in question ; but this limb of the law,
assuming an air of importance, answered that it
would be useless to explain it to me, as,' if he did, I
should not comprehend it ! I was, however, con-
vinced it related to the absence of the porter who
was present in Bilger's shop, and who ought to
have attended my trial, for the reasons assigned in
the preceding Chapter. I, therefore, smiled at the
mean opinion he entertained of my understanding,
but replied, that it was very well; I should depend on
Mr, Knapp and on his (Mr. Humphries',) good
offices : and here ended our interview. For brevity's
sake, I shall inform the reader at once, that I never de-
rived any benefit from the intimation conveyed tome
by Humphries, although I several times wrote both to
him and Mr. Knapp. But I rather think it was a

w 4

104

trick of the former, (who is a designing artful petti-
fogger,) with a view of extorting money from me^
on pretence of drawing up petitions or other
documents in my behalf. I had, however, seen too
much of the world to be the dupe of an Old Bailey
solicitor. Two or three days after this event, the
session being concluded, the whole of the prisoners
convicted during their progress, were as usual taken
down to the court to receive sentence. Myself
and the other five men, together with two women,
were first put to the bar. When asked, in my turn,
what I had to say, ^^ why judgment of death' should
not pass upon me ?'' 1 answered, that my counsel
Mr. Knapp having intimated that he had discovered
a legal objection to my conviction, I humbly hoped
his Lordship would be pleased to respite the
judgment. The recorder replied, *' Prisoner, your
request cannot be complied with ^ if your counsel
had any thing to offer in arrest of judgment, he
should have done so previous to the close of the
session. I must, therefore, pass sentence upon you.''
In this observation, I knew the recorder to be per-
fectly right ; and though I was induced to make the
trial, I had no hopes of gaining any thing by my
motion ; and I was now more fully convinced that
either Mr. Knapp, or Mr. Humphries, or both, had
deceived me, and that I had been altogether very
shamefully neglected. His Lordship then proceed-
ed to pass the awful sentence in the usual form^

105

which he prefticed \rith a very pathedc aad impres-
sive address, that drew tears from the surrounding
auditors. The other prisoners were then put to the
bar in rotation, and variously sentenced ; and among
those transported for seven years, was poor Bromley^
who, though capitally indicted, had the good fortune
to be convicted of simple felony only. Thus we
were both a second time convicted the same session,
as if his fate was involved in mine. He was, a few
weeks afterwards, sent on board the same hulk at
Portsmouth, in which he had before served seven
years ; and as he never came to this colony, he will,
(if he survives,) in a few months be discharged, and
once more return to the scene of our former ex»
ploits. I sincerely hope that his past suffefings
will, however, warn him to avoid a continuance of
bis guilty courses, and to amend his life.

The recorder's report to the King being, on some
accounts, delayed, I continued eleven weeks in the
cells, in which time the number of condemned
persons had increased to eighteen ! At length, the
report was made. About eight o'clock on Priday
night, the Sd of May, Mr. Newman entered the
press-yard ; and, as myself and companion listened
with palpitating hearts on their approach, we heard
one of the turnkeys utter the words '^ Cook
and Lowe." I confess that at the moment, ,1
was under considerable alarm ; which the reader
will allow to be natural, when he considers

T 5

106

that mj fate was still doubtful^ and that my life or
death depended on a single word from the keeper,
who came to announce it. .Hearing our two names
particularly mentioned, as he advanced towards our

cell, was also a circumstance calculated to increase
our mutual terror. At length the door was unlock-
ed ; and by this I knew that one of us, at least, was
doomed to suffer, because they always visit first
those who are ordered for execution. Mr. Newman
entering with a grave countenance, addressed poor
Cook in nearly the same terms he had done Nicholls
on a former occasion ; then turning to me, he said,
*' Lowe is respited." My unhappy companion re-
ceived the melancholy news, as he had always de-
clared he should, with a cheerful aspect, nor ap-
peared in the least dismayed. The jailer having
vrithdrawn. Cook, after an inward struggle, assured
me he felt perfectly reconciled ; and after I bad
read to and consoled him for a short time, retired
to bed, and slept apparently with more composure
than usual. The next morning myself and the four
others who had been reprieved, (poor Cook being
the only one to suffer,) were, as usual, ordered to
return to our respective wards ; but Cook begged so
earnestly that I would not quit him till the fatal
day, that I could not avoid complying. In this
period, his courage and resignation never once failed
him. The same wortfiy man who had attended
Nicholls, passed the last night with him, and I felt

107

a melancholy pleasure in bearing them company.
Cooky however, was so cheerful and well-prepared,
that he slept profoundly the greatest part of the
night, and, on being awaked at the usual hour,
appeared equally serene and happy. I obtained
leave to descend with him to the press-yard, where
he washed himself, brushed his coat, and seemed
pleased at his approaching release (as he termed
it). I then, at his earnest request, accompanied him
to the chapel, where he received the sacrament, of
which I partook. Some breakfast having been
prepared for him, he ate and drank with every
appearance of a good appetite ; after which, his
irons being knocked off, and the hour approaching,
I took an affectionate farewlell of the poor fellow,
who declared to me at parting, that he should go
out with as much pleasure as if he was going to a
fair or a race, and that he had rather die than live.
I then left him, and repaired to my own ward, through
the windows of which I saw him pass by to
execution; and he really appeared to verify the
promise he had made me ; nodding, as he passed,
to his feUow-prisoners, and having as fine a colour
in his cheeks as ever I saw a man. I was informed
th&t he preserved this disposition to the last moment,
and ;d3ed regretted by all who witnessed his^ deport-
ment As I now knew the consequence of my being
respited^ namely, that I was to be transported for
lifS^, I beeame anxious' to leave England by the first

108

ship for this colony, as I was not in circumstances
to subsist for any length of time in a prison; and I
wished, if possible, to avoid going to the hulks, as
I had been fortunate enough to do on my first
transportation* My wife, also, who had paid me
the most dutiful attention since my confinement^^
was earnestly desirous to accompaay me in my
exile : and, with that view, she waited on a gentleman
to whom I referred her, soliciting his interest to
obtain that favour ; but, although he used every
e£fort, the appUcation was refused, she having no
'aniily, and the secretary of state having set his &ce
against such an indulgence, on account of the badre-
ports received of those women who had already been
suffered to go out free with their husbands. I wa»
equally unsuccessful in my application to be sent
out by the. ship Anne, which was on the point of
sailing. At length my wife received a private in-
timation that I should be removed to the hulks
the next morning; in consequence of which, my
mother and sisters, whom I immediately summoned,
came to take leave of me. I had only acquainted
them with my misfortune since my being respited,
and they were of course equally astonished and
grieved at the news. My wife remained with me

•

that night, and at four o'clock in the morning, myself
and eleven others were conveyed by water on board
the Retribution hulk at Woolwich.

I had now a new scene of misery to contemplate ;^

loa

ftttdy of all the shocking scenes! had ever beheld,
this was the most distressing. There were con-
fined in this floating dungeon nearly six hundred
men, most of them double-ironed ; and the reader
may conceive the horrible effects arising from the
continual rattling of chains^ the filth and vermin
naturally produced by such a crowd of miserable
inhabitants^ the oaths and execrations constantly
heard among them; and above all, from the shocking
necessity of associating and communicating more
or less with so depraved a set of beings. On
arriving on board, we were all immediately stripped,
and washed in' large tubs of water, then, after putting
on each a suit of coarse slop-clothing, we were
ironed, and sent below, our own clothes being
taken from us, and detained till we could sell or
otherwise dispose of them, as no person is exempted
from the obligation to wear the ship-dress. On
descending the hatch-way, no conception can be
formed of the scene which presented itself. 1 shall
not attempt to. describe it ; but nothing short of a
descent to the infernal regions can be at all worthy
of a comparison with it. I soon met with many
of my old Botany Bay acquaintances, who were all
eager to offer me their friendship and services, — that
is, with a view to rob me of what little I had ; foi"
in this.place there is no other motive or subject for
ingenuity. All Yormer friendships or connexions
are dissolved, and a man here will rob his best^

«
benefactor^ or even mess-mate> of an article MrorA-
one hdfpenny . Every morning, at seven o'clock, aH
the convicts capable of work, or, in fact,' all who are
capable of gettkig into the boats, are taken ashore
to the Warren, in which the royal arsenal and
other pubKc buildings are situated, and are there
employed at varionis kinds of labour, some of them
very fatiguing ; and while so employed, each gang
of sixteen, or twenty men, is watched and directed
by a fellow called a guard. These guards are most
commonly of the lowest class of human beings;
wretches devoid of all feeling ; ignorant in At ex-
treme, brutal by nature, and rendered tyrannical
and cruel by the consciousness of the power they
poJBsess ; no others, but such as I have described,
wonld hold the situation, their wages being not
more than a day-labourer would earn in London.
They invariably carry a large and ponderous stick, with
which, without the smallest provocation, fhey willfell
an unfortunate convict to the ground, and frequently
repeat their blows long after the poor sufferer is
insensible. At noon the working party returti on
board to dinner, and at one again go on sbore^ where
they labour till near sun-set. On returning on
board in the evening, all hands are mustered by a
roll, and the whole being turned down* below^ the
hatches «re put over them, and secured for the
nigfat« As to the food, the stipiilatecl ration is vary
sc^oktj, bat of even part of (hat ik^ are defrandedv

111

Their provisions being supplied bycontractors^and
not by Government^ are of the worst kind, such fts
would not be considered eatable or wholesome
elsewhere ; and both the weight and measure are
always deficient. The allowance of bread is said
to be about twenty ounces per day. Three days
in the week they have about four ounces of cheese
for dinner, and the other four days a pound of beef.
The breakfast is invariably boiled barley, of the
coarsest kind imaginable ; and of this the pigs of
the hulk come in for a third part, because it is
so nauseous that nothing but downright hunger will
enable a man to eat it. For supper, they have, on
banyan days, burgoo, of as good a quality as the
barley, and which is similarly disposed of; and oh
meat days, the water in which the beef was boiled, is
thickened with barley, and forms a mess called
'' Smiggins,'' of a more detestable nature. than either ,
of the two former! The reader may conceive
that I do not exaggerate, when I state, that among
die convicts the common price of these several
eatables, is,-— for a day's allowance of beef,, one
halfpenny ;*— ditto, of cheese, one halfpenny ;-^
ditto, of bread, three-halfpence; but the cheese is
most commonly so bad, that they throw it away.
It is manufactured, I believe, of skimmed milk
for this particular contract. The beef generally
consists of old bulls, or cows who have died of
s^e or famine ; the least trace of fat is considered

112

a phenomenon, and it 19 far inferior upon the whole
to good horse-flesh. I once saw the prisoners
throw the whole day's supply overboard the mo-
ikient it was hoisted out of the boat, and for this
offence they were severely flogged. The friends
of these unhappy persons are not allowed to come
onboard, but mustremain alongside during their visit;
the prisoners are, it is true, suffered to go into their
boat, but a guard is placed within hearing of their
conversation, and if a friend or parent has come one
hundred miles, they are not allowed above ten mi*
nutes' interview ; so that instead of consolation, the visit
only excites regret at the parties being so suddenly
torn asunder. All letters, too, written by prisoners,
must be delivered unsealed to the chief mate for his
inspection, before they are sent ashore; and such as
he thmks obnoxious, are of course suppressed. In
like manner, all letters received from the post-office
are opened and scrutinized. If I were to attempt
a full description of the miseries endured in these
ships, I could fill a volume ; but I shall sum
up all by stating, thdt besides robbery from each
other, which is as common as cursing and swearings
I witnessed among the prisoners themselves, during
the twelvemonth I remained with them, one
deliberate murder, for which the perpetrator was
executed at Maidstone, and one suicide ; and that
unnatural crimes are openly committed.

113

CHAPTER X.

I embark a second Time for New South Wales.'^
Indulgently treated by the Captain. — My Em-
ployment during the Voyage, -^Arrive at Port
Jackson after an Absence of Four Years. — My
Reception from Governor Macquarric-^Assigned
by Lot to a Settler, — His brutal Treatment of
me. — I find means to quit his Service, and return
to Sydney.

Jr ROM the description I have briefly given of the
hulks, the reader will easily believe I ardently
longed for the moment which was to release me
from so miserable an existence. That happy day
at length arrived. On the loth of June, 1810,1
was removed from the Retribution, in company
with fifty-four others, to Long*reach, a few miles
below Woolwich, where we were put on board
the Indian, which ship had recently been fitted at
Deptford for the reception of two hundred prisoners.
The next day we sailed for Gravesend, and at this
place I anxiously hoped for a farewell visit from my
wife, to whom I had written from Woolwich on
the morning of my embarkation, acquainting her with
my approaching departure. She had attended me
at least once a month^ during my stay at Woolwich,
and supported me as well as htr circumstances

114

would permit. We remained at Gravesend three
days^ but she did not appear ; and in our progress
from thence to Spithead, we took on board at the
Nore forty-five more convicts from the Zealand
hulk at Sheerness. In a few days we arrived at
Spithead, where we received one hundred prisoners
from the hulks at Portsmouth, and Langston hfir-
bour; soon after which I had a letter from my
wife, stating that she had arrived at Gravesend on
the evening of the day our ship departed* and
brought with her a supply of the most necessary
articles for my comfort ; that on finding, to her
grief, that she was too late, she had been advised
to follow the ship to Sheerness ; which she^^ in fact,
did, and arrived at that place on the very day after
we had: taken in the prisoners, and immediately
proceeded on our voyage, without even coming to
an anchor. Thus she was "again fatally disappoint-
ed ; and having incurred this expense, and endured
much fatigue, she had been obliged to return to
town ; but added, that if possible, she would see me
before we sailed from Portsmouth. This, however,
she was not enabled to accomplish, her health and
circumstances being both unfavourable to the
undertaking. But 1 received, on the 18th of July^
when we were quite ready for,»and in hourly ex-
pectation of, sailing, a letter from her, in which she
expressed her concern at not being in a condition
to visit me ; but gave me advice that she had packed

115

up some clothes and other necess^tHes, of which
she enclosed a list ; and that the trunk containing
them would arrive by the Gosport coach at a
certain time and place. I had not received this
letter from* the hands of our captain above half an
hour^ when the Lion of 64 made the signal to
weigh ; and from that moment no boat was permitted
to leave the ship^ so that I went to sea without the
smallest comfort for tlie voyage, or any wearing
apparel except the suit of slops I had on. We
accordingly got under weigh immediately, and sailed,
in company with the Lion, and the Chichester
store-ship. The former had on board the Persian
ambassador and suite, and was bound for Bombay.
The latter was destined for St. Helena, and we
were to accompany them (under convoy,) as far as
ihe latitude of the Cape of Good Hope. We were
no sooner at sea, than Captain Barclay, who had
been induced to notice me from the recommenda-
tion of a female passenger who was going out to
New South Wales, and who (singular to relate,)
had actually come home with me in H. M. Ship
Buffalo ; the Captain, I say, from her representa-
tion of my abilities, and from an application I made
to him by letter, treated me with peculiar kindness.
I was released from irons, and appointed to assist
the steward in the issue of provisions, ^c, both to
the prisoners, the ship's company, and the troops.
Atf the steward himself was not very expert, and an

116

indifferent sch^^iar, I had the chief management of
the whole business, and the arrangement of all the
victualling accounts. From the experience I had
formerly gained, I was perfectly at home in this
situation, and gave satisfaction to all parties. I
also wrote the ship's log-book, and executed many
services with my pen for Captain Barclay himself.
The effects of this favourable distinction and con*
fidence were, that I had every personal comfort the
ship afforded during our passage, lived tolerably
well, and accumulated a decent change of clothing
to equip myself on our arrival at Port-Jackson.
Nothing but the usual routine of occurrences befel
us in this voyage. We touched first at Madeira,
and afterwards at Rio-de-Janeiro, but our stay at
both places was short. The day after we quitted
the latter, in company with our Commodore and
the store*ship ; both these vessels so far out-sailed
us, that we lost sight of them and separated, con-
tinuing our course alone without interruption, and,
with tolerable expedition, to the end of our voyage.
On the l6th of December, we anchored in Sydney-
cove, from which place I had been absent nearly
four years.

I soon learnt that the news of my second trans-
portation, and in fact of my principal adventures
in London, had preceded my own arrival ; and that,
consequently, no surprise was excited by my appear-
ance* I also heard, to my mortification, that from

117

the changes v^hich had taken place in public affairs
since ray departure from the colony, most of the
departments were filled by strangers, from whom I
could expect no indulgence ; and that not only these
officers, but the Governor himself, had conceived a
violent prejudice against those unfortunate and mis-
guided persons, who by a renewal of their vicious
courses on returning to their native country, subject
themselves to a second disgraceful banishment, and
seem thereby to indicate that they are incapable of
reformation, and systematically depraved. From
this intimation I had reason to expect a cool recep-
tion ; whereas, during my former residence in the
colony, I witnessed many instances of persons who
returned under the sentence of the law, being most
cordially received, and preferred to any vacant ap-
pointment much sooner than a stranger. On the
24th of December, I was landed with the rest of
the prisoners, and the whole of us were drawn up
in the jail-yard for the Governor's inspection. It
seems I had been particularly pointed out to his
Excellency ; for on approaching me, he asked me
several questions respecting my employment under
Governor King, and concluded with desiring Mr.
Nicholls, the superintendent, to dispose of me at
present to the Hawkesbury. His Excellency, how-
ever, paused a few moments before coming to this
decision, and I was in hopes he had an idea of giving
me a clerical employment. The Governor then

118

added^ that if I behaved well^ something might ix^
time be done for me, or to that eflfect. I was much
disappointed on this occasion, as I too well knew
the hardships I should have to encounter, if sent up
the country and assigned to a settler. However, it
was ui vain to murmur, and about fifty of us were
immediately conveyed by water to Parramatta,
from whence we walked next day to Hawkesbury.
On arriving at the town of Windsor, the settlers
having been summoned by the magistrates, and
there being a greater number of applicants for men
servants than there were prisoners to dispose of, our
names were written on tickets, and intermixed with, a
sufficient number of blanks, (we being the prizes at the
disposal of Dame Fortune,) and then each settler in
turn drew a ticket, which on being open.ed, published
the good or ill luck of the drawer. It was my fate
to be drawn by a settler called " Big Ben," and
with him I quitted the scene of action, and pre-
pared to remove my little baggage to the farm of
my new master. As I had been intimately acquaint-
ed with this man, and in fact with every inhabitant
of Hawkesbury, when I formerly officiated as clerk
to Mr. Baker, the store-keeper, I flattered myself
that he would treat me with more kindness, or at
least with less severity than a total stranger ; and
every one who recollected me, declared I had been
fortunate in getting such a master ; and that Ben, oo
the other hand^ could not have drawn a man more

119

eminently qualified to render him essential service ;
as, although his agricultural and commercial specu-.
lations were both extensive^ he was himself perfectly
illiterate; and obliged to hire a free man to attend

him at stated times, and arrange his books. But I
soon found, to my sorrow, that I had little reason
for self-congratulation. 'Tis true, this ignorant itnd
good-for-nothing fellow was glad to avail himself of
my talents, and thereby save the expense he had
before incuriied ; but he thought it too much
to support me in a ration of provisions in rec-
tum for my services, though I should have been
satisfied therewith. His avarice was such, that he
expected me to act in the double capacity of his
clerk and labourer ; and he accordingly measured
out the prescribed portion of ground which be re-
quired me to break up with the hoe, well knowing
I had not been accustomed to hard labour, and
that I was in fact incapable of the task. My re-
monstrances produced the most unfeeling replies
on his part, accompanied with threats of getting
me flogged, and every other species of tyrannical
persecution. This wretch, though now possessed
of thousands, was a few years ago one of the poor-
est objects in the colony, and as defective in bodily
as in mental endowments ; nor was his present
opulence so much the effect of laudable industry,
as of a natural low cunning he possessed, which
qualified him to take advantage of floods, tem-

120

porary scarcities, and other casual events; and
becoming an adept in the arts of monopoly and ex-
tortion, he by degrees attained the rank of a first-
rate settler, and, in the opinion of his dependants,
but much more so in his own, is a man of conse-
quence. His late prosperity has rendered him
over-bearing and cruel to his inferiors (I mean in
fortune,) while he is meanly servile to his superiors.
In fact, the old proverb '^ Set a beggar on horse-
back," ^c, was never more aptly applied than to
*' Big Ben.*' According to the lately-established
custom, I had been assigned to this brute, by inden-
ture, for three years ; but the misery of my situation
daily increasing, I determined to try every method
of obtaining my deliverance from his power. After
struggling with many hardships for about five weeks,
during which I was generally employed at some
laborious work in the field, or in drudgery about
the house, from morning till evening, and sleeping
in a barn over-run with vermin at night, I at length
found means, through the friendly aid of an acquain-
tance, to escape from the hands of my persecutor,
though much against his will ; and the reader may
judge of the malignity of his disposition by the
following circumstance. I niust premise that I
could get away by no other means than counter-
feiting sickness ; in consequence of which I was
ordered (by the humanity of the resident surgeon,)
to the general hospital at Sydney. It would appear

121

that Benn* suspected this stratagem, for, after trying
all he could to obstruct my succeas, he used these
remarkable words at parting, " Aye, you may go ;
— but if you are .six months in the hospital, I'll have
you again when you come out. I know^ you 're of
no use to me, but I'll keep you, if it's only to tor-
ment you." However, as his avarice would not
allow hin^ to send a fortnight's ration with me to
the hospital, (in which case he might have reclaimed
me had I been then discharged,) I knew myself to
be effectually free from his further persiecutfon ; and
I had soon afterwards the pleasure to hear that he
had applied for, aad obtained, another mau in my
room. Indeed, so great was my aversion to this
unfeeling monster, that I was determined to endure
corporal or other punishment rather than have re-
turned to him : but surely, the threat he used on
my leaving him, ought, when made known, to have
precluded him from ever having it in his power to
realize so hellish an idea !

* His real name was Jokn Beun.

VOL. II.

122

CHAPTER XL

Appointed an Overseer. — Determine to reform my
Life, and become a new Mah.^^All my good hir
tentions rentderedunavailing by an unforeseen and
unavoidable Misfortune. — I become a Victim to
Prejudice and the Depravity of a Youth in Years,
but a Veteran in Iniquity. — I am banished to the
Coal River.

After a month's confinement in the hospital I
was discharged and transferred to the town-gang,
in which, however, I laboured but a few weeks ; •
for a deputy 'Overseer of the jail-gang being wanted,
Mr. NichoUs, the superintendent, requested me to
undertake the office, which, he observed, would be
an introduction to something better, if I behaved
with propriety. 1, therefore, gladly accepted the
offer, although neither the situation was lucrative,
nor its duties agreeable. I had, on landing from
the Indian, made a firm and solemn resolution never
again to deviate from the strictest probity, or to
subject myself any more to a repetition of those
sufferings which are the inevitable consequence of
irregular conduct. Knowing, by fatal experience,
the value of a good, or even an easy, employment, I
determined if I should ever again obtain an eligible

123

situation, to take proper care of it; aqd, las solemnly
declare, notwithstanding my present condition, and
the punishment I have since endured, that I have
uniformly adhered to those resolutions; nor does
my conscience upbraid me with one single act at
which I ought to blush, since my arrival in the
colony. But the subject of the present Chapter will
prove that the best intentions of mankind are some-
times thwarted and rendered abortive ; and that a
person who is destined to be unfortunate, will be so,
maugre every exertion, and let him be never so cir-
cumspect.

. Soon after my return to Sydney, I met with a
youth named Edwards, who had been my mess-
mate and bed-fellow on board the Indian, and for
whom I had conceived a particular regard. He in-
formed me that he lived as servant in the family of
Mr. Bent, the judge-advocate, where he had an
excellent place, and invited me to call and see him*
As I had rendered him many acta of service on the
voyage, he now wished, (he 6aid,)havingitin his power
to shew his gratitude for my kindness. Accord-
ingly, I called upon him twice, and saw him in his
master's kitchen, (which was detached from the
dwelling-house,) in the* presence of several other
servants. I told him I lived in the house of Mr*
CoUes, in Philip-street, and should be happy to see
him when his leisure would permit. He soon after^
wards visited me, and treated me with some rum^

o «

124

Colles being a publican. Observing him to have a
considerable sum of money about him for a youth in
his situation, and knowing him to have been utterly
destitute on his landing, I expressed my surprise,
and earnestly cautioned him against any acts of
dishonesty which might endanger his losing so good
a place, and must, I assured him, inevitably bring
him to disgrace and ruin. He positively declared
that he had done no wrong ; but that his mistress,
who was very partial to him, frequently gave him a
small sum for pocket-money^ and that the gentry who
visited at his master's, made him numerous and
handsome presents. I knew all this to be possible,
and I was the more inclined to believe him, because
(as he himself rightly observed,) he had no occasion
to use deceit with me, in whom he might safely have
reposed the fullest confidence. T, however, repeated
my cautions and advice, and we soon afterwards
parted. A few days having elapsed, he paid me a
second visit, and proposed that we should take a
walk together, which we accordingly did; and
having taken some refreshment, and amused our-
selves for a couple of hours, he quitted me and
returned home. I saw no more of Edwards for
about a week ; when one day, as I sat at dinner
with Mr. CoHes and his family, he came in rather
abruptly, and requested to speak with me. I rose
from the table, and taking him into an adjoining
room, he there took from his pocket several colonial

125

bills^ and begged I Mould take care of them for an
hour or two^ as somethiog had occurred at his
master's house^ and he did not wish it to be known
that he possessed so much money. He also de-
livered his watch into my care, and taking off one
of his shoes^ produced from it another paper, which
be told me, in rather a significant manner, his
mistress had that morning given him. I saw some-
thing so mysterious in this conduct, and my former
doubts were so far revived, that I hesitated, and
begged earnestly that he. would not deceive me,
but confess if he had done any thing wrongs
adding that if X was fully apprized of the case, I
should be the better enabled to render him this
service, and to conceal the money more effectually,
without risking my own safety. This, indeed, 1
only said with a view to come at the truth ; for, had
he confessed to me what I suspected, though I
certainly should not have betrayed him, I was so
firmly resolved to avoid all improper connexions,
that I should have declined taking charge of the
money, and from that moment have dropped all
intercourse with him. He, however, so vehemently
protested his innocence, and urged me to oblige
him, repeating that he could have no motive for de-
ceiving me, that I suffered him to depart, which he
did as abruptly as he had entered. In fact, the whole
transaction did not occupy above five minuteS;^ and
was so sudden and unexpected that I had no time

G 5

126

for reflection^ and scarce knew wliat I did. Oh
his departure, I put the papers carelessly ia my
waistcoat-pockety and the watch in my fob, from
which the riband hung conspicuous. As to the
latter article, I knew it to be his own property,
having seen him wear it publicly for several weeks.
i now rgoined the family, and sat down to finish
my dinner. The cloth being drawn, I communiciited
the particulars of my interview with Edwards to my
friend Colles^ of whose experieilce and integrity 1
had the highest opinion. I produced the papers
Edwards bad given me, declaring that I felt liHefi^y
on the occasion, and wished hhn (Mr. Cotles,) to ad-^
vise me how 1 should act. On looking Over the papers,
we found about 5L IO5. in small colonial bills, and
the paper which Edwards took fr^m his shoe, proved
to be a store-receipt for 8/. lbs,\ Colles expressed
his concern that I had suffered Edwards to leave
them at all, saying that he saw clearly through the
whole business ; and earnestly advised me, for my
own security, to go immediately to the judge*advo-
cate's : and, let who would be present, to return the
whole to Edwards in the most public manner, with
a declaration that I would have nothing to do with
them. This friendly advice I so far approved, that
I determined to follow it implicitly ; but, uofortu*-
nately for me, I proposed to smoke half a pipe
first, aiid declared I would then immediately go.
I had jiist lighted my pipe, and taken a seat near

127

the door^ which was open^ when I heard somebody
approach, and turning my head, saw two constables
at the gate, who directly entered the housci and one
of them addressing me, said, he came with an order
to search my box. I, of course, felt a little con-
fused, but, conscious ofj my innocence, I boldly
answered that my box was at hand, and they were
welcome to search it ; but requested to know what
they were seeking for, adding, that if I knew,
I might perhaps save them that trouble. One of
them replied, '^ It is something about the judge-
advocate's servant.'' I now instantly perceived that
I had but one part to act for my own preservation,
and in which I considered myself justified by the
palpable deceit Edwards had used towards me.
I, therefore, said that the young man they mentioned,
had just been with me, and left some property in
my care, which I would deliver up to them ;
and accordingly produced the bills and the watch.
Immediately on seeing the store-receipt, they ex-
claimed, "This is what we wanted.'' They de-
clared that I had acted perfectly right in giving up
the property ; butdesired I would accompany them
to Mr. Redman, the chief-constable; and assured me
that my open conduct would undoubtedly acquit
me of any blame in the transaction. I willingly
attended them, and learnt by the way, that Edwards
was lodged in jail, on suspicion of robbing his
master. On arriving at Mr. Redman's, the latter,

G 4

128

being informed of \vhat had passed, desired I would
wait in his house until be bad reported the ^whole
to Mr. Bent, and received that gentleman's further
commands. In half an hour Mr. Redman returned,
and informed me that Mr. Bent fully, approved of
my conduct, that I was at liberty to depart, and if
again wanted, I should be sent for. My friend
Colles expressed his approbation also, of the step I
had taken ; but was sorry I had not anticipated the
constables, by going myself to the judge's house the
moment he had so advised me ; and for that omission
I certainly was highly blameable, and have since
severely suffered. The transaction above described
took place on a Friday, and I heard no more on the
subject till the following Monday, when going to
the jail at two o^clock to take out the workipg party,
I was met at the jail-(loor by Mr. Redman, who
informed me he was ordered by the Governor to
confine me in a cell. I was of course thunder-
struck at this intimation ; but as the order was
peremptory, I submitted, and was immediately
locked up, after sending notice of my situation to
Mr. Colles. I remained in close confinement
during the whole week, in the course of which I
learnt that Edwards, who was lodged in another
cell, had undergone a private examination before
his master on the preceding Saturday, and ic was
supposed he had (God knows falsely,) implicated
ihe as an accomplice in his guilt. The ensuing

129

Saturday^ I was taken before a bench of magi^*
trates, where Z also met Edwards, but had no com-
munication with him. The latter was then called
for, and now appeared in the court, to my surprise,
as an approver, or evidence, against a woman known
by the name of Peggy the Miller^ from her former
husband having been of that profession. This
woman had, unknown to me, been also confined
the whole week on Edwards's accusation. I rer
mained among the crowd at the door of the court-
house, where I was enabled to hear the proceedings
I am now going to describe. Edwards deposed
that tlie said Margaret had lately quitted the service
of Mr. Bent, but had lived some time in the family
as his fellow-servant. That soon after deponent's
coming to the house, she one day proposed to him
to take some money from his master's writing desk^
and ofiered to procure him the keys for that pur*
pose ; that he accordingly did so, and divided the
spoil (about 51,,) with her. Being desired to pro-
ceed, he continued, '^ A few days afterwards, she
again proposed to me to take some more money
and I took about the same sum as before." These
depositions being committed to writing, by the
court, and being extracted with some di£Bculty
from the witness, and attended with many questions
and remarks from the magistrates present % of
<GOurse occupied some time, and, on the court

' *^ The judge-adTOcate himself did not attead.

a 5

130

desiring Edwards to go on, he w«s about to proceed
in the same words, '^ A few days after/' jSfc; but
the court, 1 suppose, conceiving him capable of
saying any thing in order to save himself, and, as he
could neither particularize any of the money or
bills, said to be so ta|cen, trace their disposal, or
produce one single circumstance to corroborate
bis assertions, they declined hearing any more, and
put the woman on her defence ; who stated gene-
rally; that every syllable of Edwards's evidence was
false and malicious ; that during her residence in
the family, she had such frequent opportunities of
observing the conduct of Edwards, and so much
reason to believe he was in the constant habit ol
pilfering, that, out of regard to her own safely,
being a free woman, and to prevent her being
unjustly suspected, she one day requested her
mistress to discharge her, and on being question*
ed as to her motives for such a wish, and pressed
to continue in her place, she evaded & full explana^
tion, but consented to continue on condition of
Mrs* Bent herself keeping the keys of the various
drawers, 4rc«y and not suffering them to lie about as
they had hitherto done. That she had reason
to believe diis conversation had come to die
knowledge of Edwasds ; for the latter soon afters
iracds grossly abuHed her, and threatened to aftsdb
licr widi a knife, if ever be found that Ae told any
tales of him, or pryed into bis -proceedmga* That

131

suppbnng her mistress^ from this circttmstance^ to
be too much preppssessed in his favour^ and fearing
the consequences of Edwards's wicked dispositioiii
she had accordingly persisted ki requesting, and
finally obtained, her discbarge ; since which she
had married an indnstrious mechanic, and lived in
good repute. The coi^t was now cleared, and
after some deliberation re-opened, when the bench
informed her^ that the evidence of Edwards being
unsupported by any other testimony, the court
were of opinion the charge had not been aubstan^^
tiated, and she was therefore discharged from' cus^.
tody. During the preceding examination, Edwards
bad never once mentioned my name, but accused
this wommn as bis sole accomplice, and every person
present, an well as myself, concluded I should be
immeciUately liberated ; but Uie woman had no sooner
retired, than I was called to the bar, and stood
charged, together with Edwards, ''with breaking
open Ae writing-desk of Ellis Bent, Esquire, and
stealing thereout several sums of money !" To this
ctearge, Edwards, Who appeared do longer capable
of dissimulation, pleaded '' Guilty," I, of course,
solemnly denied any knowledge of, or participation in^
his girilt; tmi briefly stated the parti hid ai^ted, tall-'
ingupon Mr«GoUes, Mr. Redtnto, and the twoc<^'
stftbles, to corrobcmtte niy accoutit, which &ey KKff
in ^ery particular I have before tecited. 1%e
eottl't then appekribg to hesitstte, Mr. Cubit^ iW

Q 6

132

jailer, with an over-oiBcious zeal to shew himself
assiduous, produced a written paper, which he
stated to be the declaration or confession of £d«
wards, when taken before the judge, his late master,
on the day after his apprehension ; adding, that the
court might perhaps wish to hear it. To this, the
members assenting, one of them accordingly read
to the following e£fect ; '^ That Edwards confessed
having repeatedly robbed his master's desk of
money, in which practice he had been solely aided,
abetted, and encouraged by Vaux ! That Vaux
had contrived ah instrument in order to pick the
lock of the writing-desk ; and that on one occasion^
Vaux happening to come without his instrument,
had made use of a fork, one prong of which he
bent for the purpose ! That another time he had
made use of a large nail ! and that the nail now
produced, which had been found on Mr. Bent's
premises, was the identical nail so used ! [This
nail Cubitt exhibited to the court ; it was a com-
mon nail with a brass head, about four inches long,
and the point appeared to have. been turned by
driving.it in a stone or brick wall.] That Edwards and
Vaux had jointly taken by these means at variouis times
about sixty pounds, which had been equidly shared
between them/' This improbable ac^count, one
would suppose, could have excited no other sensa-
tion than that of laughter ; for, could it be seriously
entertained for a momeQt| thaf witb such instruments

133

as those he described/a maa could possibly ope»
so minute a lock as that of a writing desk^ and
afterwards re4ock it so securely as to escape, de-
tection? The fact, doubtless, was, that Edyvards^
who had access to his master's k^ys, had himself
committed the depredation without the aid of any
other person or instrument. All this I submitted
to the court, and further desired them to consider
the situation in which I stood, being merely
accused by a very wicked youth, who had already
confessed his own guilt, and had laboured to implir
cate an innocent woman, as the court had deiclared
her to be. I then dwelt on the candour and open^
ness of my conduct respecting the n^ney he had left
with me, which I could hav.e effectually concealed^
had I been at all privy to the guilt of Edwards ^
and I called Mr. CoUes, who swore, ^' That I had
resided in his house since the day of my discbarge,
from the hospital ; diat during that period (about
six weeks,) I had lived a most orderly and regular
life ; and that he had never seen me possessed of
any money except a half-crown bill, which he him^
self gave me to pay for my ,wa8hing.'^ I concluded
with observing, that Edwards himself, having con-* ^
fessed his crime, could, if he thought proper tp tell
the truth, at once acq[uit me of any share in his
guilt. The court then asked me, '^ If I was willing
to trust myself to Edwards's answer, if/th^y ques-
tioned him on the sujbject f" I answisred, that bad

134

*8 be had proved himself, I tould not believe hirai
to totally depraved as to persist in the wicked story
he had before told^now diat he was standing at my
elbow, and could no longer hope to extricate himself
at my expense; and I, therefore, begged he might be
questioned. The bench then asked Edwards, ** If
there was any truth in the story he had told his
master about Vaux?'' when, to my surprise and
unspeakable horror, he answered, (hanging down
his head,) *' Yes, 'Gentlemen, it is, every word of
it^ true !"

Mr. Redman now stated to the court, that on
Mr. Bent missing this store^receipt from his desk,
he had sent for him ; and informing him that he
suspected his servant Edwards to have been in the
habit of robbing him, as he had frequently missed
small bilk which he could not identify, requested
be, Mr* Redman, would endeavour to find out
what connexions the youdi had formed, with a
new to the detection of his guilt, and, if possible to
trace the receipt in question, which he had but that
momiilg deposited in his desk, and should be en*
aUed to recognise by the number and other par-
tictflars* Upon which Mr. Redman answered,
thttt he recollected seeing Edwards pass by his
house one evening in company with me, and sup-
posed we might be intimate ; that Mr. Bent then
desired he would have my lodgings searched, which
(after coos^ng Edwards ta custody,) he had pro*"

135

eeeded to do in die tti^tmef I have above related;
The court was now a d^cotid time cleared, and nearly
an hour occupied in consultation ; when Edwards
and myself were again called in^ and the bench in^
formed Edwards, that he, having confessed hid guilt,
the court had seAtehCed faimtd receive one hundred
lashes at the cart's tail, in the streets of Sydney,
and to be kept to bard labour in the jail-gang for
twelve mon&s. IThen, addressing me, the bench
observed that the evidence of Edwards not appear-
ing to die court entitled to much credit, and being
unsupported by Other testimony, the court acquitted
me of any share in the actual robbery of Mr. Bent ;
but were of opinion that I had been privy to the
guilt of Edwards, and had received tlte money
from him, knowing it to be stolen ! and they had
therefore sentenced nie ulso to twelve ntonths
labour in the jail-^ang. Thtis end^d an ejcaminn^
tion, which i believe is scarcely to be paralleled ifi
the records of a court, either as to its foundatibii,
progress, or result; and I now found to my cost,
that I was in this instance abo, Ilii6 victim df an uii-
just prejudice, for one of the m^itib^rs (who shall be
nameletfs,) said to me, ini the c6t^8^ of the pt6iSeed^
ings, ^ Recollect, Mr. Vauit, this is the ^cond tiftie
of your being sent to this colony; we know you
well/' I answered, witfi secret, and, I hope
justifiable indignation, ^' Surely, Sir, that ought not
to operate against me, if my conduct has been

136

imiformij good since my late arrival^ and I trust
that yfiSl bear the test of inquiry."

I have since learned that Edwards, after his being
committed to jail, having heard that I had given
up the money he left with me, conceived I had
acted treacherously towards him ; and, therefore,
with the double motive of injuring me, and palliating
his own guilt, had% the next day requested to be
taken before his master, and feigning contrition,
had then fabricated the vile and improbable story
recited by Cubitt to the court ; artfully judging
that I being much older than himself, should be
considered the most culpable, and he as an innocent
youth, led astray by my machinations.

After receiving our sentence, the corporal part
of which was severely inflicted on Edwardsj I con-
tinued to labour in the jail-gang for about three
weeks, when, by an order from the Governor, as I
understood, both myself and Edwards were double*
ironed, put on board a government vessel, with
several other prisoners, and transported to New-
castle, commonly called the '^ Coal river," without
any definite term being fixed for our exile ; and as
we ;were both prisoners for life, it was uncertain
faow^long our banishment might be protracted^

137

CHAPTER XIL

Return to Head Quarters after an Exile of two
Years.-^Renew my Vows of Rectitude, to which
J strictly adhete, — Proposal made me to obtain
my Liberty. — I make the Attempt. -^Its Failure ^
and the consequent Punishment inflicted on me.
'-r'Coru:lusion. -

On arriving at Newcastle, I was first employed
in wheeling coals out of the mines, a most laborious
occupation indeed ; but during my continuance at
that settlement, I was put to all descriptions of
work, and for the last thr^e months, performed the
duty, of a constable, or Watchman. Since the day
on which the transaction at Colles's took place, I
never exchanged a. word with the villain Edwards.
He had been but a few weeks at Newcastle, before
he committed a robbery, and absconded to the
woods, from which he was brought back by some
natives a naked and miserable object. . His sivbse-
quent conduct at the coal river exhibited nothing
but a succession of robberies, and every species o'f
depravity; when detected in which, on several
occasions, he betrayed his accomplices, and proved
as perfidious as he was dishonest. . He fre-
quently escaped by land, amidst innumerable h^rd-

138

ships, to Sydney ; where, after the commission of
some robbery, he was uniformly apprehended, and
sent back to Newcastle. In fact, though scarce
twenty years of age, nothing was wanting to fill up
the measure of his wickedness, but the bhickest of
all crimes, — an act of murder I and> as if he labour-
ed to attain the summit of human depravity, that
act he soon afterwards virtually committed ; for
being at length, on one of his elopements from the
coal river, apprehended and lodged in Sydney Jail,
at a period when many prisoners, of bad character,
were about being embarked for the settlements on
Van Dieman's land, Edwards was included in the
number. He there renewed his iniquitous courses;
associating with a band of ruffians, who escaped to
the woods, and there subsisted by plundering the
settlers, robbing on the high-way, i^c. A party of
these miscreants (eight in number,) were one day
attacked by some armed persons, who had assembled
together, and gone in pursuit of them ; a serious
conflict ensued, the marauders, also, being well
armed ; and after several shots had been exchanged,
the settlers were obliged to retreat, several of their
niimber being severely wounded, and one killed on
the spot by the fire of the free-booters. The conse*
quence of this outrage was, that the whole of the
. latter were immediately declared by proclamation
to be in a state of outlawry, and a large reward
offered for the apprehension of all or either of them.

139

As patrties of military, as well as the inhabitants,
Mrei'e detached in all directions, there is no doubt
but fhe whole of these desperadoes have long since
received the dtie reward of their villany. This
account t read in a Sydney Gazette a few inonths
dgo, and among the names of the bush-ratigers, (as
they are termed,) who jointly committed the above
outrage and murder, I Wa9 shocked, though not
surpiised, to see that of the young, but depraved,
Edwards !

Having continued nearly two years at the coal-
fiver, the coknmahdmg officer was induced, in con-
sideration of my uniform good behaviour, to per-
mit my return t6 Sydney, on my arrival at which
place, 1 was once more disposed of in the town-
gang. Being advised to solicit the Governor for an
appointment to some less laborious eimployment, I
waited on His Excellency with a petition, in which
1 urged my ejteriiplary behaviour for the last two
years at Newcastle; as a proof that whatever my
former conduct might have been, I was now dis-
posed to reform ; and entreating His Excellency to
divest himself of that prejudice which I feared had
already operated iigainst me too severely, huifnbly
prayed that he would make trial of me in the only
capacity in which I was capable of being useful,
namely, that of a clerk in one of the public-offices.
Unhappily for nfie, the cloUd was not yet dispelled,
but threatened to obscure, still longer, the prospect

140

of advancement and prosperity which I had in vain
sighed for, and fondly pictured to myself as the
certain consequence of a thorough reformation in
principle. The Governor very coolly answered
that it was not merely my having behaved well for
two years at the coaUriver, but I must conduct
myself with propriety for a series of years, before I
could expect, or ought to apply for, any mark of
indulgence. This answer was certainly dishearten-
ing in the extreme ; and 1 was equally unsuccessful
in an application to the then acting commissary,
William Broughton, £sq., who, although he never
saw me until my arrival in the Indian, not being in
the colony during my former term of exile, yet this
gentleman, from hearing only of my repeated frauds
while employed in the office of Governor King,
(and which no doubt were much exaggerated by
report and repetition after my departure, for £u*
rope,) had conceived so violent a dislike to me,
that he gave me a decisive, though civil, denial .
and I have since heard, that he declared I fthould
not hold a situation in the commissariat, if there
was not another clerk in the colony. God grant
that some well-disposed christian, who reads these
Memoirs of my unhappy Life, may induce this
gentleman, for whose shining talents and excellent
qualities I have the highest respect, to retract his
discouraging declaration, and to admit me to an
employment, however subordinate, in his depart-

141

meat, which, as I am now situated, forpis .the ne
plus ultra of my waxhidou, ' , .

To resume my narrative.: finding from tbie$e dis-
heartening failures, that 1 had nothijjjg to hope for
but a continuance of suffering and, bodily fatigucj^
far above my strength, for many succeeding; years,
perhaps for the remainder of my ..life,; surejy no
dispassionate reader will pronounce me culpable,
or consider that I deviated from the resqlutions
I had formed, to act correctly while I lived, if I
listened with eagerness to an offer of assistance in
effecting my escape from a state of bondage which
became every day more irksome and galliag, in
proportion as I reflected that my inoffqnsiye ; con-
duct fairly entitled me to a share of that favour
and indulgence I every day saw extended to objects
X knew less worthy than myself. In fact, a person
belonging to the Earl Spencer, Indiaman, then on
the point of sailing for Ceylon and Bombay, did,
in the month of January, 1814, from motives of
pure and disinterested compassion, propose that I
should conceal myself, with his assistance, on board
that ship, and promised me every .support in his
power. I accepted with joy and gratitude this unr
expected offer, and, without any difficulty, got on
board, and, as I thought, efi'ectually concealed, on
the night of the Queen's birth>-day. I lay close and
undiscovered, for four days, and on the fifth had
the pleasure to hear that the ship would that day

142

finally Bui\, she having already dropped down the
harbour. But, how often i$ the cup of happiness
dashed from the lips of mortals ! On die 23d of
January, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, my
friend came to ne in my place of concealment,
and inf<Mmed me that upwards of thirty constables
were come on board to search the ship, for that
so many prisoners were ipissing from their resp^c-
tive employments, that die Governs would not
suffer the ship to depart until they were found.
He, however, assured me it was viery unlikely any
search would take place in the spot I was io, and,
indeed, I. considered it next to impossible that I
could be discovered, unless I was betrayed. I
remained in a state of the utmost anxiety for three
hours, during which a vigilant search was making
jn every other part of the ship ; not by die coo«
stables, £w they would have been unequal to the
task, hut by a mate of the vessel, assisted by several
sailors. At lengthy 1 heard voices approaching,
and eagerly listemng, I was convinced by the dis-.
course which passed between the parties, that they
knew exactly where I was concealed, and that i
really had been, by ^cnnebody, most villanoiisly
betrayed. In a mom^t the mate- advanced, as it
were mechanicallyy towards me, and thrusting his
candle into the entrance of my hiding-place, desired
me, in a peremptory tone, to come out. Thus were
my fond hopes of liberty and happiness effectually

143

destroyed. I had become a secopd tiine the yictioi
of treachery ; but as more than one person, besidea
my principal abettor, kn^w of my conc^Klment, X
was at a loss whom to suspe<;t as the informer. I
was now ordered into a boat along^de, in which
were about a dozen other men and sef eral womW!
who had been fQund concealed in varioua aituatiQiiB^
The search being not y^t over, I r^m^Wed ^loQg^
side the ship above an hour, i^ which time the niim*
ber of ill-fated persons collected in the bo^t had
increased to twenty-aeven men and fptir w^nen.
The ship havmg now been thoroughly ranfacked^
the search was given up, and the persona taken out
were brought ashpre, attended by the cwitables*
We were all immediately lodg^ in gaol; and the
next day, a report havmg been made to the Go-
vernor, His Excellency was pleased to order each
man to be punished with fifty laches in the public
lumber yard. This sentence was certainly as lenient
as could be expected for such an attempt (I dp not
say offence) a3 we had been guilty of, bad the
punishment stopped th^e; but, extraordinary to
relate, although we had been all equally culpable
and were foun4 under the same circumstapces^ a
distinction was subsequently m^de^ which I cannot
help still considering unfiEur and unmerited. The day
after the corporal punishoient: bad been inflicted^
twenty-three of our number were ordered to return
to the respective employments in Sydney, from

144

which they had severally absconded^ and myself and
three others were sentenced by the Governor to be
sent to the coal-ri^r for one year ; for this distinc-
tion,- there appears to have been no other reason,
but because we had each of us before suffered a
similar banishment, and had been but a few months
returned from thence to Sydney ! In a few days, I
was accordingly embarked with eleven other pri-
soners, and a second time landed at Newcastle,
from whence I had been absent nfearly twelve months.
On my arrival, it happened that the store-keeper of
that settlement was in want of a clerk, and he, ap-
plying to the commandant for me, I was appointed
to that situation, in which I still continue ; and
having scrupulously adhered to my former vows of
reetitude, and used every exertion to render myself
serviceable to my employer, and to merit his good
opinion, as well as that of the commandant, I have
had the satisfaction to succeed in these objects;
and r am not without hope, that when I am per-
mitted to quit my present service and return to
Sydney, my good conduct will be rewarded with a
more desirable situation. I have now been up-
wards of seven years a prisoner, and knowing the
hopeless sentence under which I labour, shall, I
trust, studiously avoid in future every act which
may subject me to the censure of my superiors, or
entail upon me a repetition of those sufferings I
have already t<»o severely experienced. I have thus

145

described (perhaps too minutely for the reader's
patience) the various vicissitudes of my past life.
Whether the future will be so far diversified as to.
afford matter worthy of being committed to paper^
either to amuse a vacant hour, or to serve as a
beacon which may warn others to avoid the rocks
on wliich I have unhappily split, is only known to
the great Disposer of events.

END OF THE MlfSfOIRS.

VOL. II. 11

NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE

VOCABULARY

OF THE

FLASH LANGUAGE,

COMPILED AND WRITTEN IT

JAMES HARDY VAUX.

H 3

Note. The Author has found it necessary to introduce
freguentfyy in the course of his definitions^ technical^ or
cant words and phrases. Tins he could not avoid voithout
much tautology and w^pleasing circumlocution. The Reader
wiU therrfore take notice^ that aU such cant terms arc
placed in Italics ; and where at a loss to comprehend them,
he has only to refer to their alphabetical position for an
explanation.

H S

ORIGINAL DEDICATION-

To Tbouas Skotto W£y Etq^ of His Majesty's 734 Reg/imentf
Comnumdant of Neweastle^ in the Colony of New South
WdleSf and one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for
that Territory,

WITH the utmost deference and respect, I beg leave
to submit to your perusal the following sheets. The idea
of such a compilaticm first originated in the suggealkqi
of a friend ; and however the theme may be condemned
as exceptionable by narrow minds» I feel confident you
possess too much liberality of sentiment to reject its
writer as utterly depraved^ because he has acquired an
extensive knowledge on a subject so obviously disgrace-
ful. True it is, that in the course of a chequered and
eventful life, I have intermixed with the most dissolute
and unprincipled characters^ and that a natural quickness
of conception^ and most retentive memory, have ren«
dered me familiar with their language and system of
operations.

Permit me, Sir, to assure you most seriously^ that I
view with remorse the retrospect of my hit^rto mis-
spent life, and that my future exertions shall be solely

H 4

152 DEDICATION.

directed to acquire the estimable good opinion of the
virtuous part of the community.

I trust the Vocabulary will afford you some amuse-
ment from its novelty ; and that from the correctness of
its definitions, you may occasionally find it useful in
your magisterial capacity.

I cannot omit this opportunity of expressing my
gratitude for the very humane and equitable treatment I
have experienced, in common with every other person in
this, settlement*, under, your temperate and judicious
government*

I have the honour to remain*

with the. most dutiful respect*
Sir,
Your devoted, and very humble Servant,

J. H. VAUX.

Neweattkf
5thJufyf 1812.

• The Anthor (a prisoner under sentence of transportation
Ibr Ufe) having, by an alleged act of impropriety, ineuiired
the Govamor's displeasure, was at this period banished to New-
castle, a place of ponishment for offenders : these sheets were
there compiled duriag bis solitary hours of cessation firom hard
Mioot; and the Commandaot was aiecordingly presented, b}
Ibe Author with the fiist copy of his production.

VOCABULARY

THE FLASH LANGUAGE.

Alderman lushington. See Lush.

ANDREW MILLER'S LUGGER, a king's ship or
vesseL

AREA SNEAK, or AREA SLUM, the practice of
slipping unperceived down the areas of private houses,
and robbing the lower apartments of plate or other
articles.

ARM-PITS. To XDork under the arfn^its, is to prac-
tise only such kinds of depredation, as will amount, upon
conviction, to what the law terms single, or petty lar«
ceny ; the extent of punishment for which is transpor-
tation, for seven years. By following this system, a thief
avoids the halter, which /certainly is applied above the
arm-pits*

AWAKE, an expression used on many. occasions; as
a thief will say to his accomplice, on perceiving the

154 BAN

person they aie aboat to rob is aware of their inten*
tion« and upon his guard, stow it, the covers awake*
To be awake to any scheme, deception, or design,
means, generally, to see through or comprehend it.

BACK-JUMP. A back-window. See Jump.

BACK-SLANG, to enter or come out of a house by
the backrdoor; or, to go a circuitous or private way
through the streets, in order to avoid any particular
place in the direct road, is termed back'Slanging it.

BACK-SLUM,' a back room ; also the back en-
trance to .any house or premises ; thus, we '11 give it
'em on the back-slum, means, we '11 get in at the back-
door.

BAD HALFPENNY. When a man has been upon
any errand, or attempting any object which has proved
unsuccessful or impracticable, he will say on his re*
turn, It'st a bad hidfyenmi ; meaning he has returned as
he went

BANDED, hungry.

BANDS. To wear the handsy is to be hungry, or short
oi food for any length of time ; a phrase chiefly used on
board the hulks, or in jails.

BANG>UP. A person, whose dress or equipage is
in the first style of perfection, is declared to be bang
vp to the mark, A man who has behaved with extraoi^
dinary spirit and resolution in any enterprise he has
been engaged in, is also said to have come bang up to
the mark; any article which is remaricably good or

BES VSS

elegant, or any fashion, act, or measure which is carried
to the highest pitch, is likewise illustrated by the same
emphatical phrase.

BARKING-IRONS, pistols ; an obsolete term.
BARNACLES, spectacles.

BASH, to beat any person by way of correctioDy ai
the woman you live with, ^c.

BASTILE, generally called, for shortness, the Steel;
a cant name for the House of Correction^ Cold-Bath-^
Fields, London.

BEAK, a magistrate ; the late Sir John Fielding, of
police memory, was known amongyermtfy people by the
title of the blind heak.
BEAN, a guinea*

BEEF, stop thief! to beef a person, is to raise a hue
and cry after him, in order to get him stopped.
BELLOWSER. 5f« Wind.
BENDER, a sixpence.

BENDER, an ironical word used in conversation by
flash people ; as where one party affirms or professes any
thing which the other believes to be false or insincere^
the latter expresses his incredulity by exclaiming bewkrf
Of, if one asks another to do any act which the latter
considers unreasonable or impracticable, he replies, O yes,
I'll do it — bender ; meaning, by the addition of the last
word, that, in fact, he will do no such thing.

BEST, to get your money 4U the best, signifies to live
by dishonest or fraudulent practices, without labour or
industry, according to the general acceptation of the latter
^ord ; but, certainly, no persons have more occasion to
be industrious, and in a state of perpetual action than

H 6

136 BOD

crou<oves ; and experience has proved, when too late,
to many of them, that honesty is the best policy ; and»
consequently, that the above phrase is by no means
i»propps,

BETTY, a picklock ; to unbetty, or hetty a lock, is
to open or relock it, by means of the hetty^ so as to
avoid subsequent detection*

BILLIARD SLUM. The mace is sometimes called
givmg it to 'em on the billiard slum. See Mace.

BISHOP. See Chaistek.
• BIT, money in general*
. BIT-FAKER, a coiner. See Fake.

BIT-FAKING, coining base money.

BLACK DIAMONDS, coals.
V BLEEDERS, spurs.

BLOODY-JEMMY, a sheep's head.

BLOW THE GAFF, a person having any secret in
his possession, or a knowledge of any thing injurious to
another, when at last induced from revenge, or other
motive, to tell it openly to the world and expose him
publicly, is then said to have blovm the gqf upon him.

BLOWEN, A prostitute ; a woman who cohabits with
a man without marriage.

BLUE-PIGEON, lead.

BLUE-PIGEON FLYING, the practice of stealing
lead from houses, chlirches, or other buildings, very
prevalent in London and its vicinity.

BLUNT, money.

BOB, or BOBSTICK, a shilling.

BODY-SLANGS. Sec Slangs.

BODY-SNATCHER, a stealer of dead bodies from

BON 167

churchyards; vrhich are sold to the surgeons >nd stu*
dents in anatomy.

. BOLT, to run away from or leave any place suddenly,
is called boHing, or making a holt : a thief observing an
alarm while attempting a robbery, wilh exclaim to his
accomplice, BoU^ there's a dmm* A sudden escape
of one or more prisoners from a place of confinement is
termed a holt.

BOLT-IN-TUN, a term founded on the cant word
holty and merely a fanciful variation, very common
among jto^ persons, there being in London a famous
inn so called; it is customary when a man has run
away from his lodgings, broke out of a jail, or made
any other sudden movement, to say, *rhe Bolt-in^tun is
concerned; or, He's gone to the Boit'-in-tun ; instead of
simply saying,. He has holtedf Sfc. See Bolt*

BONED, taken in custody, apprehended; Tell us
how you was boned, signifies, tell us the story of your
apprehension ; a common request among fellow-prisoners
in a jail, ^c, which is readily complied with in general ;
<tnd the various circumstances therein related afford pre-
sent amusement, and also useful hints for regulating their
future operations, so as to avoid the like misfortune. ^

BONNET, a concealment, pretext, oi: pretence' ; an
ostensible manner of accounting for what you really
mean to conceal ; as a man who actually lives by depre-
dation, will still outwardly follow some honest employ-
ment, as a clerk, porter, newsman, Sj'c^ By this system
of policy, he is said to have a good bonnet if he happens
to get honed; and, in a doubtful case, is commonly dis-
charged on the score of having a good character. To

168 BRA

hwmet for a persoD^ is to corroborate any asseition he
has made, or to relate facts in the most. favourable light,
in order to extricate him from a dilemma, or to further
any object he has in viev.

BOl/NCE, to bully, threaten, talk* loud, or affect
great consequence ; to bonnet a person out of any thing,
is to use threatening or high words, in order to intimi-
date him, and attain the object you are intent upon ; or
to obtain goods of a tradesman, by assuming the appear-
ance of great respectability and importance, so as to
remove any suspicion he might at first entertain. A
thief, detected in the commission of a robbery, has been
known by this sort of finesse, aided by a genteel appear-
ance and polite manners, to persuade his accusers of
his innocence, and not only to get off with a good grace,
but induce them to apologize for their supposed
mistake, and the affront put upon him. This master-
stroke of effrontery is called giving it to 'em upon the
bounce.

BOUNCE, a person well or fiishionably drest, is said
to be a rank bounce,

BOWLED OUT, a man who has followed the pro-
fession of thieving for some time, when he is ultimatelj
taken, tried, and convicted, is said to be bowled out at
last. To bffwl 2L person out, in a general sense, means to
detect him in the commission of any fraud or pecula-
tion, which he has hitherto practised without discovery.

BRACE UP, to dispose of stolen goods by pledging
them for the utmost you can get at a pawnbroker's, is
termed bracing them up,

BRADS, halfpence ; also, money in general.

BUO 159

BREAKING UP OF THE SPELL, tlie nigbtly
termination of performance at the Theatres Royal, which
u regularly attended by pickpockets of the lower order,
ivho exercise their \ocation about the doors and avenues
leading thereto, until the house is emptied and the
crowd dispersed.

BREECH' D, flush of money.

BRIDGE, to bridge a person, or throw him oDer the
bridgef is, in a general sense, to deceive him by betray-
ing the confidence he has reposed in you, and instead
of serving him faithfully, to involve him in ruin or
disgrace; or, three men being concerned alike in any
transaction, two of them will form a collusion to bridge
the third, and engross to themselves all the advantage
which may eventually accrue. Two persons having been
engaged in a long and doubtful contest or rivalship, he,
-who by superior art or perseverance gains the point, is
said to have thrcftm his opponent aoer the bridge. Among
gamblers, it means deceiving the person who had
back'd you, by wilfully losing the game ; the money so
lost by him being shared between yourself and your con-
federates who had laid against you. In playing three-
handed games, two of the party will play into each
other's hands, so that the third must inevitably be thrown
over the bridge, commonly called, txoo poll one. See
Plat acaoss.

BROADS, cards ; a person expert at which is said
to be a good broadrfka/er.

BROOMSTICKS. See Queer Bail.

BROWNS and WHISTLERS^ bad halfpence and
farthing? ; (a term used by coiners.)

160 BUS

BUBy a low expression signifjring drink.

BUCKET. To bucket a person is synonymous with
putting him in the v^U. See Well. Such treatment is
said to be a buckctting concern.

. BUFF. To buff" to a person or thing, is to swear to
the identity of them; swearing very positively to any
circumstancey is called ^is^Er^ it. home*

BUFFER, a dog.

BUG, or BUG OVER. To give, deliver, or hand
over; as, He bug'd me a qwd^ he gave ^me a guinea;
bug over the ragf hand over the money.

BULL, a crown, or five shillings.

BULL-DOG, a sugar-loaf.

BULL-HANKERS, men who delight in the sport of
bull-hanking; that is, bull-baiting, or bullock-hunting,
gamei which afford much amusement, and at the same
time frequent opportunities of depredation, in the con-
fusion and alarm excited by the enraged animal.

BUM-CHARTER, a name given to bread steeped in
hot water, by the first unfortunate inhabitants of the
English Bastile^ where this miserable fare was their daily
breakfast, each man receiving with his scanty portion of
bread, a quart of boil'd water from the cook's coppera!
. BUM-TRAP, a sheriff's officer or his follower.
, BUNCE, money.

BURICK, a prostitute,, or common woman*

BUSH'D, poor; without money.

BUSHY-PARK, a man who is poor is said to be at
Bushy park, or in the park*

BUSTLE, a cant term for money.

BUSTLE, any object effected very suddenly, or in a

CAZ 161

hurry, is said to be done upon the bustle. To give it to
a man upon the bustle, is to obtain any point, as borrow-
ing money, Sfc, by some sudden story or pretence, and
affecting great baste, so that he is taken by surprise, and
becomes duped before he* has time to consider of the
matter. 1

BUZ, to buz a. person is to pick his pocket. The buz
is the game of picking pockets in general. . ,

BUZ-COVE, or BUZ-GLOAK, a pickpocket; a.
person who is clever at this practice, is said to foe 0
good buz.

CABIN, a house. •

CADGE, to beg. The cadge, is the game or profes-
sion of begging.

CADGE-GLOAK, e, beggar.

CANT OF DOBBIN,. a roll of riband.

CAP, synonymous with Bonnet, which see.

CARDINAL, a lady's cloak.

CARRY THE KEG, a man who is easily veKcd or
put out of humour by any joke passed, upon him^ and
cannot conceal his. chagrin, is said to carry the keg, or
is compared to a walking distiller. . )

CASTOR, a hat.

CAT and KITTEN RIG, the petty game of stealing
pewter^quart and pint pots from public-houses.

CAZ, cheese ; As good as cazy is a phrase signifying
that any projected fraud or robbery may be easily and
certainly accomplished; any person who is the olfject
oi such attempt, and is known to be an easy dupe, is

162 CHR

declared to be i» good as caz, meaning that success is
certain.

CHANDLER-KEN, a chandler's shop.

CHANT, a person's name, address, or designation ;
thus, a thief who assumes. a feigned name on his appre-
hension to avoid being known, or a swindler who gives a
false address to a tradesman, is said to tip than a queer
chant,

CHANT, a cipher, initials, or mark of any kind, on
a piece of plate, linen, or other article ; any thing so
marked is said to be chanted.

CHANT, an advertisement in a newspaper or hand-
bill; also a paragraph in the newspaper describing any
robbery or other recent event ; any lost or stolen pro-
perty, for the recovery of which, or a thief, ^e,, for
whose apprehension a reward is held out by advertise-
ment, are said to be chanted, *

CHARLEY, a watchman.

CHARLEY-KEN, a watch-box.

CHATS, lice.

CHATTY, lousy.

CHAUNT, a song; to chattnt is to sing; to throw of
a rum chaunt^ is to sing a good song.

CHEESE IT. The same as St&w it.

CHEESE THAT. See Stow that.

CHINA STREET, a cant name for Bow Street,
Covent Garden.

CHIV, a knife ; to chiv a person is to stab or cut him
wMi a knife.

CHRISTEN^ obliterating the name and number on
the movement oi a stolen watch ; or the crest, ciph^.

COM 163

dfc»f on articles of plate, and getting others engraved, so
as to prevent their being identified, is termed having
them bUkop^d or ckrutm'd.

CHUMy a feliow prisoner in a jail, hulk, Sfc. ; so
there are new ckums and eld ehtmu, as they happen to
have been a short or a long time in confinement.

CHURY, a knife.

CL£AN£D OUT, said of a gambler who has lost
his last stake at play; also, of si Jlat who has been
stript of all his money by a coalition of sharps,

CLOUT, a handker^ef of any kind.

CLOUTING, the practice of picking pockets excln-,
. sively of handkerchids.

CLY, a pocket.

CLY-FAKER, a pickpocket.

COA€HrWH££L, a dollar or crown-^eee.

COME. A thief observing any article in a shop, or
odicr situation, which he conceives may be easily piuv
loined, will say to his accomplice, I think there is so
and so io come.

COME IT, to divulge a secret ; to tell any thing of
one party to another ; they say of a thief who has turned
evidence against his accomplices, that he is coming all
he knows, or that he comes it as strong as a horse,

COME TO THE HEATH, a phrase signifying to
pay 0C give money, and synonymous with Tippit^f from
which word it tnkes its rise, there being a place called
Tiptree Headi^ I believe* in the County of Essex.

COME TO THE MARK, to abide strictly by any
contract previously made ; to perform your part man-
fully in any exploit or enterprise you engage in ; or to

164 GRA

offer me what I consider a fair price for any article in
question.

CONCERNED. In using mahy cant words, the
.lovers oifloik^ by way of variation^ adopt. this term, for
an illustration of which, ut Bolt-in-Tun, Aldebmait
LVSHINOTOH, Mb. Palmeb, 4'C*

CONK, the nose.

CONK, athief who impeaches his accomplices ; aspy ;
informer, or tell-tale. Stt NosE» and Weab It.

COVE, the master of a house or shop, is called th€
Cove ; on other occasions, when joined to particular .
words, as a croMrayoet a JUuhr^foey a leary^cfyoe^ &c., it
simply implies a man of those several descriptions;
sometimes, in speaking of any third person, whose name
you are either ignorant .of, or don't wish'to mention, the
word c&oe is adopted by way of emphasis, as may be seen
under the word Awake.

COVER, to stand in such a situaticm .as to obscure
your Pai/, who is committing a robbery, from the view of
by«standers or persons passing, is called cffoering him.
Any body whose dress or stature renders him particularly
eligible for this purpose, is said to he a good ayoer,

COVESS, the mistress of a house or shop, and used
on other occasions, in the same manner as Cove, when
applied to a man.

CRAB, to prevent the perfection or execution .<tf any
intended matter or business, by saying any thing offensive
or unpleasant, is called crabbing it, or tkrcmng a crab ;
to cr^Uf a person, is to use such offensive language or
behaviour as will highly displease, or put him in an ill
humour.

CUT 165

CRAB*Dy affronted; out of humour; sometimes
called, being in Crab^treet.

CRABSHELLS, shoes.

CRACK, to break open ; the crack is the game of
house-breaking ; a crack is a breaking any house or
building for the purpose of plunder.

CRACKSMAN , a house-breaker.

CRACK A WHID, to speak or utter*: as, he crocked
some queer whids, hedropt some bad or ugly expressions :
crack a vokid for. me, intercede, or put in a word for me.

CRACKER,- a small loaf, served to prisoners in jails,
for their daily subsistence. '

CRAP, the gallows. . . ^

CRAP'D, hanged.

CRIB, ahouse, sometimes applied to shops, as, a thmble"
crib, a watch-maker's shop ; a stocking-crib^ a hosier's, &c.

CROAK, to die.

CROOK, a sixpence.

CROSS, illegal or dishonest practices in general are
called the cross, in opposition to the square. See Square.
Any article which has been irregularly obtained, is said
to have been got upon the cross, and is emphatically
termed a cross articU.

CROSS-COVE, or CROSS-MOLLISHER, a man
or woman who lives upon the cross.

CROSS-CRIB,' a house inhabited, or kept by family
people. See Square Crib. >

CROSS-FAM, to cross^fatn a person, is to pick his
pocket, by crossing your arms in a particular position.

CUE. See Letter Q.'

CUT THE LINE. See Like.

166 DIN

CUT THE STRING. See Strihg.
CUT THE YARN. See Yam.
CUTTING-GLOAK, a man £unou8 for drawing a
knife» and cutting any person he quarrels with.

DAB, a bed.

DAB IT UP, to dab it up with a woman, is to agree
to cohabit with her.

DANCERS, stairs.

DANNA, human, or other excrement.

DANNA-DRAG, commonly pronounced dmmck"
drag. See Knap a Jacob, 4*c*

DARBIES, fetters.

DARKY, night.

DARKY, a dark lanthom.

DEATH-HUNTER, an undertaker.

DICKY, or DICK IN THE GREEN, very bad or
paltry ; any thing of an inferior quahty^ is said to be a
dkkif cfmcem.

DIMMOCK, money.

DING, to throw, or throw away ; particularly any
article you have stolen, either bec£^use it is worthless, or
that there is danger of immediate apprehension. To ding
a person, is to drop his acquaintance totally ; also to
quit his company, or leave him for the time preset ; to
ding to your pally is to convey to him, privately, the
property you have just stolen ; and he who receives it
is said to take ding^ or to knap the ifo'ag.

DINGABLE, any thing considered worthless, or
which you can well spare, having no further occai^on

DOL 167

for ity is declared to be dingabk. This phrase is often
applied by sharps to a Jlat whom they have ckaned out ;
and by abandoned women to a keeper, who having
spent his ali upon them, must be discarded^ or cb'iii^cl
as soon as possible.

DISPATCHES, false dice used by gamblers, so con-
trived as always to throw a nick.

DO, a term used by smashers ; to do a queer half^uidt
or a' queer screen, is to utter a counterfeit half-guineat ox
a forged bank-note.

DO IT AWAY, to fence or dispose of a stolen
article beyond the reach of probable detection.

DO IT UP, to accomplish any object you have in
view ; to obtain any thing you were in quest of, is called
doing it up for such a thing ; a person who contrives by
nob-worky or ingenuity, to live an easy life, and appear$
to improve daily in circumstances, is said to do it up in
good ttoig,

DO THE TRICK^to accomplish any robbery, ov
other business successfully ; a thief who has been fortU'^
nate enough to acquire an independence, and prudent
enough to tie it up in time, is said by hia former
associates to have done the trick ; on the other liand, a
man who has imprudently involved himself in some great
misfortune, from which there is little hope of his extri-
cation is declared by his friends, with an air of comi-
miseration, to have done the trick for himself ; that is, his
ruin or downfall is nearly certain.
DOBBIN, riband. See Cant.
DOLLOP^ a doUop is a large quantity of any thing ;
the whole doUop means the total quantity.

168 DOW

DONE, convicted ; as, he was done for a crack, he
was convicted of house-breaking.

DORSE, a lodging ; to dorse with a woman, signifies
to sleep with her.

DOUBLE, to dotdfle a person, or tip him the Dublin
pockety signifies either to run away from him openly,
and elude his attempts to overtake you, or to give him
the slip in the streets, or elsewhere, unperceived, com-
monly done to escape ' from an officer who has you in
custody, or to turnup 9k flat of any kind, whom you have
a wish to get rid o£

DOUBLE-SLANGS, double-irons.

DOWN, sometimes synonymous with awake, as, when
the party you are about to rob, sees or suspects your
intention, it is then said that the cove is down. A dovm
is a' suspicion, alarm, or discovery, which taking place,
obliges yourself and paUs to give up or desist from the
business or depredation you were engaged in ; to put
u down upon a man, is to give information of any robbery
or fraud he is about to perpetrate, so as to cause his
failure or detection; to drop doxon to a person is to discover
or be aware of his character or designs ; to pttt a person
down foany thing, is to apprize him of, elucidate, or explain
it to him ; to j^ti^ a sxoell dovm, signifies to alarm or put
a gentleman on his guard, when in the attempt to pick
his pocket, you fail to effect it at once, and by having
touched him a little too roughly, you cause him to
suspect your design, and to use precautions accord-
ingly ; or perhaps, in the act of sounding him, by being
too precipitate or incautious, his suspicions may have been
excited, and it is tl^en said that you have put him dowfif

DRO 16^

put him jf^, or spoiled him. See Spoil it. To drop
down upon yourself, is to become melancholy, or feel
symptoms of remorse or compunction, on being com-
mitted to jai], cast for death, Sfc. To sink under mis-
fortunes of any kind. A man who gives way to this
weakness, is said to be down upon himself

DOWN AS A HAMMER ; DOWN AS A TRIP-
PET. These are merely emphatical phrases, used out
of flasks to signify being dcmn, leary^Jly, or awake to any
matter, meaning, or design,

DRAG, a cart. The drag, is the game of robbing
carts, waggons, or carriages^ either in town or country,
of trunks, bale-goods, or any other property. Done for
a drag, signifies convicted for a robbery of the before-
mentioned nature.

DRAG-COVE, the driver of a cart.

DRAG SM AN, ai thief who follows the game of
dragging*

DRAKED, ducked ; a discipline sometimes inflicted
on pickpockets at fairs, races, 4*0.

DRAW, to draw a person, is to pick his pocket, and
the act of so stealing a pocket-book, or handkerchief, is
. called drawing a reader^ or chut. To obtain money or
goods of a person by a false or plausible story, is called
drawing him of so. and so. To draw a, kid, is to obtain
his swag from him. See KiD^Rio.

DRIZ, lace, as sold on cards by the haberdashers, ^c.

DROP, the game of ring-dropping is called the drop,

DROP, to give or present a person with money, as,
he dropped me a quul, be gave me a guinea. A kid who
delivers his bundle to a sharper without hesitation, or f

VOL. II. I

170 DUE

shopkeeper who is easily duped of his goods by meains of
a forged order or false pretence, is said to drop the
STDog in good twigf meanings to part with it freely*

DROP A WHID, to kt fall a word, either inad-
vertently or designedly.

DROP-COVE, a sharp who practibes the game of
ring-dropping.

DROP DOWN.; See Dowk.
DRUMMOND, any scheme or prefect considered
to be infallible, or any event which is deemed inevitably
certain, is declared to be a Drummond$ meaning, it is as
sure as the, credit of that respectable banking-house,
Druttimond and Co.
DUB, a key.

DUB AT A KNAPPING.JIGGER» a collector of
tolls at a turnpike-gate.

DUB-COVE, or DUBSMAN, a turtikey.
DUBLIN-PACKET. See Double.
DUB UP, to lock up or secure iEuiy thmg ot place ;
also to button one's pocket, coat, ^C4
DUCE. Twopence is caUed a duce.
DUDS, women's apparel in generals
DUES. This term is sometimes used to express money,
where any certain sum or payment is spoken of $ uman
asking for money due to him lor any service done, or a
bhwen requiring her previo«|S compliment from a/omefy-
marit would say, Corae^ tip us tie dues* So a thief, re-
quiring his share of booty koB^ his paili, will desire them
to bring the dues to light,

DUES. This word is often iatroduced by the lovers
oijiash on many occasions, but merely oui cffaney^ sand

FAK 171

can only be understood (torn Ihe cootext of their dis^.
course ; like many other caot termsi it is tot easily ex*
plained on paper: for example* speaking of a man
likely to go to jail> one will say^ there will . be qmtdding
does concerned^ of a man likdy to be exteuted ; there
will be topping duesy if any thing is alluded to that will,
sequire a fee or bribe, there must be t^piag, duei^ or
palming dues co9Kem&d,.&cc%

DUMMY, a pocket-book ; a silly half-witted person.

DUMMYtHUNTEES* thieves who confine them^
selves to the practice of stealing gentlemen's pocket
books, and thioky or profess to thinks it paltry to touch a
clout, or other insignidcant article i this class of depre-^
dators traverse the principal street! of London* during
the busy hours, and sometimes me^ with valiiiMe prizes.

DUNNICK, or DANNA-DRAG» Ste Knap a
Jacob4

FAD6E, a farthing. .

FAKE, a word so variously used, that I cim only
illustrate it by a few examples. To fake any person or
placei may signify to xo b them ; to fake a per&on, may
also iii(iply to shoot, wound» or cut j to fake a man
out and outf is to kill him $ a man who inflicts wounds
upon, or otherwise disfigures, himself, for aay sinister
purpose, is said to have fak^d himself s if a man's shoe
happens to pinch, or gall his foot, from its being over-
tight, he will complain ;that his stioe/ak4s his foot sadly ;
it also describes the doing any act, or the fabricating a&y
thing, as, to fake your slangs ^ is to cut yooriltnis in order
to escape from cpstody ; to fake yoiir fMt, is to create a

I 2

172 FAM

tore legy or to cut it, as if accidentally, with an axe, 2j*c.,
in hopes to obtain a discharge from the army or navy,
to get into the doctor's list, Sfc. ; to fake a Mcreeve, is to
write any letter, or other paper ; to fake a screw^ is to
shape out a skeleton or false key, for the purpose of
screwing a particular place ; to fake a c/y, is to pick a
pocket ; ^c, ^c, 4*^.

FAKE AWAY, THERE'S NO DOWN, an inti-
mation from a thief to his paU^ during the commission
of a robbery, or other act, meaning, go on with your
operations, there is no sign of any alarm or detection.

FAKEMAN-CHARLEY ; FAKEMENT. As ta
fake signifies to do any act, or make any thing, so
the fakement means the act or thing alluded to, and on
which your discourse turns ; consequently, any stranger
unacquainted with your subject will not comprehend
what is meant by the fakement ; for instance, having
recently been concerned with another in some rob-
bery, and immediately separated, the latter taking the
booty with him, on your next meeting you will inquire,
what he has done with the fakement? meaning the
article stolen, whether it was a pocket-book, piece of linen,
or what not. Speaking of any stolen property which has
a private mark, one will say, there is ^Lfakeman-cHarley
on it ; a forgery which is well executed, is said to be a
prime fakefnent ; in a word, any thing is liable to be
termed Afakement^ or afakeman^karkffy provided the per-
son you address knows to what you allude.

FAM, the hand. ' '

FAM, to feel or. handle.
> FAMILY, tbi^es, sharpers and all others who get

FLA 173

th^ir living upoHrtke cr&ss, sate cmnprehended under th«
title of " The Famiy."

FAMIJLY-MAN, or WOMAN, any person known or
recognised |is belonging to ikefandfy ; all such are term^
^famhf people*

FANCY, any article universally admired for its beauty,

or which the owner sets particular store by, is termed a

fancy article ; as, ti fancy clauty is a favourite handker*

chief, Sfc, ; so a woman who is the particular favouritb

of any man, is termed his fancy womany and vice versd.

FAWNEY, a finger-ring.

FAWNIED,orFAWNEY-FAM'D,.having one or
more rings on the finger.

FEEDER, a spoon.

FENCE, a receiver of stolen goods ; to fence any pro*
perty, is to sell it to a receiver or other person*

FiB, a sdck. Tofb is to beat with a stick ; also to
box.

FIBBING-GLOAK, a pugilist.

FIBBING-MATCH, a boxing match.

FILE, a person who has had a long course of experi-
ence in the arts of fraud, so as to have become an adept, is
termed an old fie upon the town ; so it is usual to say of a
man who is extremely cunning, and not to be over-reach-
ed, that he is a deep fie. File^ in the old version of cant,
signified a pickpocket, but' the term is now obsolete*

FINGER-SMITH, a midwife. .

FI'PENNY, a clasp-knife.

FLASH, the cant language used by the family. To
speak good fash is to be well versed in cant terms.

'FLASH, a penon who affects any peculiar habit, as

t 3

174 FLA

•wearing, dr^fisiog iu « pavticubir mitmer, Uikiog snuff,
4*c., merely to be taken notice of^ is said U> do it oti^^/Kdf A«

FLASH, to h9^k to any matter or m^aningi is to
imderstand or comprelieiKl it, ai|d is synoaymons widi
being^y, dawn^ or awake; to put a pcuFSonjtoi^Q aoy
thing, is to put him w bis guard, tO; explain or inform
faim of whal; he was before unaoquaiotcd with*

FLASH, to shew or. expose any thing ; l» l^k*d
hm a bean^ I shewed him a gamt^ Don 'tj%i|A your
sticks f don't expose your pistols, ^JrCt

FLASH^OVE, or COV£SS, the landlord or land-
lady of A Jbukrken,

FLASH-CRIB, FLASH-KEN, or FLASH-PANNV,
a public-house resorted to chiefly, by famfy pefffky the
toaster of which is commonly an old fng% and not un-
frequently an old'lag*

Fi>ASH-MAN, a iavourita or /anc^r^Maa^ but this
term is generally applied to those dissolute characters
upon the town, who subsist upon the liberality of unfor-
tunate women; and who, in returnv'^ure generally at
Jiand during their nocturnal perambulauon?, to protect
them should any brawl occur, or should they be de-
tected in robbing those whom thej have picked up.
. FLASH-MOLHSHER, a/omt^-woman.

FLASH-SQNG, a song interlarded mth^floMk words,
generally reUuting to the e^ploitu of the prigging frater-
nity in their various branches of depredation*

FLESH-BAG, a shirt.

FLAT^ In a general sense, any honest n^an, or square
cove, in opposition to a skarp ov eross^ofoe ^ when used
particularly, it means the person whom ypu have a design

FRI 173

to rob or defraud, who is termed the^/fo^, or ihejlatty-gory.
A man who does any foolish t>r imprudent act, is called a
flat; any person whg is fmxA an easy d^pe to the de-
signs oi thfanufyf is mi to be a prime flat. IifV a g4od
flat thgf9 n^vp- *«(Wf is « ^xQveA among fla$k people ;
meaning, that tbov^ a man may be repeatedly duped or
takeninyhemustinthee^dhave hiseyes opened to hit fqlly..

FLAT-MOVE, Any attempt or project that mis-
carries, or any act of folly or mismanagement in human
affairs is md to be f^Jh^ mofoe.

FLATSi a cant name for playing-cards.

FLIP, to shoot,

FLOOR, to knockdown any pne, either for the purpose
of robbery, or (q eff<^qt y91l' W?ape, is Xeimodfloori^him.

FLOORED, a peji^ who is so drunk, as to be in*
capable of standipg. is said to be.;^r'd.

FLU^FAKERt a chimney-sweeper.

FLY, vigilant} fuspiQious; amining; pot easily robbed
or dup^; a s)K>pk^per pr person of this descriptioiii
IS qalW4 ^Jh f W^» f^ * ^flry «»« i on other occasioiis^
if syopnympiis yn^flmh OTkary^ as, I'm^^ayou, I
was ^nrf^A^o him, ^,

FI^Y THE M A(^S» tik gamUa, by tossing up halfp«iee.

FOCL£, 1^ silkTliaDdk^cbief.

FORK$t tlk^ twp fiir^iigeiB of the hand i topisi your
fqrh^ 4ovm9 i> to pick a piHiket*

F08S, or PHOS, a phosphorus bottle used by erack^^
mm to oblain a light.

FRISK, to search i t^fmk a c/jr, is 40 empty a podcet
of its contents; to stand /mj:, is lo stand search.

FRISKy fun or miith of any kind.

X 4

176 GAM

. GAFFy to gamble with cards, dice, ^c*^ or to toss up.

GAFF, a country Cur ; also a meeting of gamblers for
the purpose of play ; any public place of amusement is
liable to be called the gaff^ when spoken of \x\jiaih com«
pa&y who know to what it alludes >

GALANEY^ a fowl.

GALLOOT, a soldier.

GAME, every particular branch of depredation prac-
tised by the fcmnh/j is called a game ; as, what game do
you go upon? One species of robbery or fraud is said to
be a good gamCf another a queer game, &c. - •

GAMMON, flattery ; deceit ;. pretence ; plausible
language ; any asseitiou which is not strictly true, or
professions believed to be insincere, as, I believe you 're
gammoning f or, that 's all gammon^ meaning, you are
no doubt jesting with me^ or, that *s all a farce. To
gammon a person, is to amuse him with false assurances, to
praise, or flatter him, in order to obtain some particular
etid ; to gammon a man to any act, is to persuade him to
it by artful language, or pretence ; to gammon a shop*
keeper, Spc*, is to engage his attention to your discourse,
while your accomplice is executing some preconcerted
plan of depredation upon his prop^ty ; a thief detected
in a house which he has enteredi upon the sneak, for the
purpose of robbing it, will endeavour by some gammoning
story to account for his intrusion, and to get off with a
gpod grace ; a man who is, ready at invention, and has
always a flow of plausible language on these occasions, is
said to be a prime gammoner^ ; to gammon kishj^ or queer >

GIV 177

is to pretend drunkenness, or sickness, for some private
end.

GAMMON THE TWELVE, a man who has been
tried by a criminal court, and by a plausible defence,
has induced the jury to acquit him, or to banish the
capital part of the charge, and so save his life, is said, by
his associates to have gammoned the twelve m prime twig^
alluding to the number of jurymen*

GAMS, the legs, to have queer gams^ is to be bandy*
legged, or otherwise deformed.

GARNISH, a small sum of money exacted from a
new chvm on his entering a jail, by his fellow-prisonen,
which affords them a treat of b^or, gin, Sfc*

GARDEN, to put a person in the garde^ in the hok^
in the bucket^ or in the xoellf are synonymous phrases,
signifying to defraud him of his due share of the booty
by embezzling a part of the property, or the money, it
h fenced ior ; this phrase also apjplies generally to de*-
frauding any one with whom you are confidentially con*-
Qected of what is justly his due.

GAJflRET, the fob-pocket.

GEORGY, a quartern-loaf.

GILL, a word used by way of variation, similai* to
eovej gloak, or gory ; but generally coupled to. some
other descriptive term, as A^fiash-giUy a tohf*giU^ &c.

GIVE IT TO, to rob or defraud any place or person,
as, I gtroe it to him /or his reader ^ I robb'd him of his
pocket-book. What suit did you gtoe t^ them upanf
In what manner,, or by what means^ did you effect your
purpose ? Also, to impose upon a person's credulity by
telling bimjastringof falsehoods ; or.totakp any unfair ad*

I 5

178 GBA

vfto^ge ofMioAer's inadveirtencef^r un8tt9pe<Stiiig temper*

on any occasion ; in either case, the party at last drop^

ping dawn^ |hat y^ detecting your imposilioii, will say,

1 believe you have been giving U to me nicely all this

while.

. GLAZEy a glass^window.

G LIM^ candle, or other light.

GLIM-STICK, a candlestick.
- GLOAK, &yn<mymous with GiLL» which set*

GNARL, Xognarl upon a person, is the same as MpUt^
ting at noring ttpon him ; a man guilty o£ this treachery
is called a gnarling scoundrel, 4^.

GO-ALONGER» a*«imple easy person, who su^s
himself to be made a tool c^, and is readily persuaded
ID any act or undertaking by his associates^ who inwardly
)au^ at his fi^ly, and ridicule him behind his back*

GO OUT, to follow the profesiuon of thieving ; two
or more persons who usually rob in company^ are said
to go out logether * '

GOOD, a place or person, which promises to be easily
robbed, is said to he goody as» that house is go<^ upon the
crack ; this shop is good upon the star ; the stoeil is good
for hk montra; ^c . A man who deckros himself good
Jhr any favour or thing, means, that he has sufficient in-*
fluence, or possesses the ceitain means to obtain it ; g09d
as brmdf or good^cheesc^ Are raierely empbatical phrase&
to the same effect* See Cite.

GORY, aterras]rnonymo«s withcpdw^ giil^orgloakp 994
like them, commonly tued in the descriptivei. Sec Fl^At
and Sw^iL. .
~ GRAB, to ffetze; appjnriiendi take la t»i8tody; I9

HAN 179

make a grah at any thing, is to snatch suddenly^ as at a
gentlisman's watchncbain, 4^,

GRAB'D, taken, appmhisnded,

GRAY, a halfrp^ny, or other cdib, having two beads
or two tails, and fabricated fop the use of gamblers, who,
by such a deception, frequently win large sums.

GROCERY, half-fiencf, or copper coin, in a collective
sense.

GRUB, victuals of any kind ; to grub a person, is to*
diet him, or find him in victuals ; to grub well, is to eat
with «a appetite.

GUN, a view ; look $ observation ; or taking notice ;
as, there is a strong gun at us, means, we are strielly
observed. To gun anything, is to look .at or exa*
mine it.

HADDOCK^ a purse ; a haddock stuffTd mth b^iBfnif
is a jocular term for a purse full pf guinea !

JIAJ,F A BJIAN , HALF A QUID, balf-a-giiinea.

HALF A BULL, half-a-crown.

HALF-FLASH AND HALF^FOOLISH, this cha-
raster is applied sarcastically to a person, who has a
smattering of the cant language, and having associated a
little with family people, preten^)^ to ^ kopwledge pf Iffe
which he really does not poss^, and by this conduct
becomes an object of ridicule luqong his aicquaintance.

HAMMERISH, dovm as a hammer.

HANG IT ON, purposejy to delay or protract the
performance of any task or service you have undertaken,
by daUymg, and makin|; as slow a progress as possible,

I fi

180 IN

ekher from natural indolence, or to answer some pri-
vate end of your own. To hung it on 'with a woman,
is to form a temporary connexion with her ; to cohabit or
keep company with her without marriage.

HANK, a bull-bait, or bullock-hunt.

HANK, to have a person at a good hank^ is to have
made any contract with him very advantageous to your*
self ; or to be able from some prior cause to command or use
hioi just as you please ; to have the benefit d" his purse
or otb^r services, in fact, upon your own terms.

HANK, a spell or cessation from any work or duty»
on the score of indisposition, or somie othjer pretence.

HIGH-TOBY, the game of highway robbery, that i$,
exclusively on hocseback,

HIGH-TOBY-GLOAK, a highwayman.

HIS-NABS, him, or himself ; a term used by way
of emphasis, when speaking of a third person.

HOBBLED, taken up, or in custody; to hohhle a
plant f is to sprir^ it. See Plant. '

HOG, a shilling; fi\Qy ten, or moi*e shillings, are called
fi\e, ten, or more hog.

HOIST; the game of shop-lifting is called the hoist ;
a person expert at this practice is said to be a good hoist.

HOLE. See Garden.

HOPPER-DOCKERS, shoes.

HORNEY, a constable.

HOXTER, an inside coat-pockel.* '

" IN IT, to let anollier partake of any benefit or acqui-
sition you have acquired by. jobbery or otherwise, is

JOB I8i:

called fiji^/tiig- him in it : B,famifyman who is accidenttiUy
witness to a robbery » SfCy effected by one or more others, ;
will say to the latter, Mind, I'm in it; which is gene*
rally acceded to, being the established custom ; but there ■
seems more of courtesy than right in this practice.
IN TOWN, flush of money ; breeched

JACOB, a ladder ; a simple half-witted person.

JACK, a post-chaise. . '

JACK-BOY, a postillion.

JACKET, to jacket a person, or clap a jacket on him,
is nearly synonymous with bridging him. See BaiDGB.
But this term is more properly, applied to removing a
man by underhand and vile means from any birth or
situation he enjoys, commonly with a view to supplant
him ; therefore, when a person, is supposed to have fallen,
a victim to such mfamous machinations, it is said Xo
have been Sijacketting concern.

JASEY, a wig.

JEMMY, or JAMES, an iron-crow.

_ •

JERRY, a fog or mist.
JERVIS, a coachman.

J ER VIS'S UPPER BENJAMIN, a box, or coach-
man's great coat.

JIGGER, a door.

JOB, any concerted robbery, which is to be executed
at a certain time, is spoken of by the parties as the job ^ ior
having a job to do at such a place ; and in this case as
regular preparations are made^ and as great debates held.

182 KBK

as a^cwt «iiy legal bmiincn aadeitaken by the industrioas
pvt of the community.

• JOCUE, a shilling ; jtoc Jogue is five shillingf , and
so OA, to any other a«mbar«

JOSKlNy a coimtryrbttmbkiflu

JUDGE, tLfa/mfy^num^ whose talents and experience
have rendered him a complete adept in his profession^
and who acts with a systematic: prudence on all occasions,
is allowed to be, and called by his friends, a ^ne judge.

JUDGEMENT, pnMience; economy in acting ; abi-
lities, (the result of long experience,) for executing the
most intricate and hasardous projects } any thing accom-
pliftfaed in a masterly manner, is, therefore, said to have
been dcme with judgaitemt ; on concerting or planning
any operations, one party will say, I think it would be
judgemmt to do so and so, meaning expedi^it to do it.

JUDY, a blawen ; bat sometimes uaed when speaking
familiarly of any wotpan.

JUG£LOW,a^g.

JUMP, a window on the gvoufid-^floor.

JUMP, a game, or species of robbery effected by get-
ting into a house through any of the lower windows. To
jvmp a place, is to rob it upon ^e jump. A man con-
. victed for this offence, is said to be dwwfor ajutnf.

KELP, ahat ( to hdp^. t>er^oa, k\o ii^ve your halt to bi|n .

KEMES A, A sUit.

KEN, a house ; often joined to other descriptive t<^m^»

KID 188

KKNT, a CQloured ppckdlhfaandkerchief of eottonor
linen. . .

KICK, a sixpence, when speakiog-of cofitpouod $ums
only, as, three and a kick, isi tbrep and iixpencCy S^c.

KICKSEYS, breechei^; speaking of a put^sey ^-c,
tak^n /rom tlj^ breeches pocket,, th^y «ay, it was got
from the kickseySf there being m> cant term for the breechet
pocket* To turn out a man'^ kicisey$9 tneans to pick Ch^
p^kets of them^ in which, joparation it ifi neociisary to
4iArn thoee pockets inside out^ in order; to get at the con*^
tern*.

. KID, a child of either sex^ but particularly applied to
a Iboy 'who commenc«;s thief at an early age ; and when
by his dexterity he has become famous, he is called by
his acquaintances the kid 40 and so, mentioning hif
simame. 1

KIDPY9 a thief of the Iqwi^r order, who, when he is
bf^fehedj by a course of successful depredation, druses in
the extreme of vulgar gentility^ and affects aknowingness in
his air and conversatipny. which refiders him in reality an
object of ridicule ; such aonai$pfpnoun<:ed by his asso-
ciates of the same cUi^^ j^Jimlhkiddif, or a rolSng'^kiddy,
My kiddy is a familiar term «$ed by these gentry in adi-
dressing, each other.

KID-RIG, meeting a child in the streets who is going
on some errand, and by a fsdse^but wdl fabricated ttory,
obtaining any parcel or goods it may be carryii^ % this
game is practised by two persons, who have each their
respective parts to play> and even portens and other grown
peruns are sometimes defr^ded <tf their load by tbisarti-
6oe. To kid a person imt if my thiogi is |o ^xbtain it

184 KNU

ftom bm by means of « fldie- pt^tenoe, as that you were
sent byatbird person, ^.; such impositions are all gene-
rally termed tke kid^g, .

KIMCHEN, a yonng lad.
. KIRK9 a church or clmpei.

KNAP, to steal ; take ; receive ; accept ; according
to the sense it b usedin ; as, to knapa cioifi, is to steal a
potket*handkerchief ; to knap tke $wag from your paiiy
is to take from him the propeity he has just stolen, for
the purpose of carrying it ; to knap seven or fourteen pen*"
v»my is to receive sentence of transportation for seven
or fourteen years ; to knap tkegim^is to catch the vene-
real disease ; in making a bargain, to knap the sum oflbr-
ed you, is to accept it ; speaking of a woman supposed to
be pregnant, it is common to say, I believe Mr* Knap is
concemedy meaning that she has knap'd.

KNAPPING A JACOBTROM A DAN NA-DRAG.
This is a curious species of robbery, or rather borrowing
without leave, for the purpose of robbery ; it signifies
taking away the short ladder from a nightman's cart,
while the men are gone into a house, the privy of which
they arc employed emptying, in order to effect an ascent
to a one-pair-of-stairs window, to scale a garden-wall, 4«.,
after which the ladder, of course, is left to rejoin its
mastier as it •: ...

KNIFE IT. See Cheese it*

KNUCK, KNUCKLER, or KNUCKLING^OVE,
a pickpocket, or person professed in the knuckUng art,

KNUCKLE, to pick pockets, but chiefly applied to
the more refined branch of that art, namely, extracting
notes, loose cash, ^c^^ irofti the waistcoat or breeches

LET 185

pockets, whereas buzzing is used in a more general sense*
See Buz.

LAG, to transport for seven years or upwards.

LAG, a convict under sentence of transportation.

LAG, to make water. . To lag spirits, wine, Spc, is to
adulterate them with water.

LAGGER, a sailor.

LAGGING-DUES, speaking of a person likely to be
transported, they say lagging dues will be concerned*

LAGGING MATTER, any species of crime for
which a person is liable on conviction to be transported.

LAG SHIP, a transport chartered by Government
for the conveyance of convicts to New South Wales ;
abb, a hulk, or floating prison, in which, to the disgrace
of humanity, many hundreds of these imhappy persons
are confined, and suffer every complication of human
misery.

LAMPS, the eyes ; to have queer lamps^ is to have
sore or weak eyes.

LARK, fun or sport of any kind, to create which is
termed knocking up a lark,

LAWN, a white caitibric handkerchief.

LEARY, synonymous with^y.

LEARY-COVE. See Fly.

LEATHER-LANE, any thing paltry, or of a bad
quality, is called a Leather^lane concern.

LETTER Q, the macCf or bilUard^hmy is sometimes
called goif^ upon the Q, or the letter Q, alluding to an
instrument used in playing billiards.

186 LIG

JH£TTEa-RACKCT, going »bout to respectable
houses with a letter or statement, detailing some case of
extreme distress, as shipwrecl^, safferings by fire, Sfc. ; by
which many benevolent, but credulous, persons, are in-
duced to relierq the iictitipiw wants of the impostors, who
are generally ipen, or women, of g^iteel address, and un-
fold a plausible tale of afflictioti.

LEVANTING, or RUNNING A LEVANT, an
expedient practised by broken gamesters to retrieve them-
selves, and signifies to bet money at a race, cockmatoh,
4*c., without a shilling in their pocket to answer the
erent. The punishment for this conduct in a public
cockpit it rather curknis t the offender is placed in a larg^
bflsk^ kept on purt>0M9 which is then hoisted up to die
ceiling or roof of the building, and the party is them
kept suapeiided, and exposed to derision during the
pleasure <tf the company.

.. LIFE9 by thia term is meant the various cheats and
deceptions practised by the designing part of mankind ;
a pensoo well veised in this kind of knowledge, is said to
be one that knows Ufe; in other words, that knows ^e
world* This b what Goldsmith defines to be a know-
ledge of human nature on the wiong side.

LIGHT, to inform of any robbery, 4*^., which has
been some time executed and eoncealed, is termed 6ii«^-
tf^ the affair to Hght; to produce any thing to view, or
to give up any ytolen property (6t the sake of a reward,
to quash a prosecution, is also called bringing it to
Ught. A thief, urging his associates to a division of any
booty they have lately made, will desire them to hnng
the swag to Hght.

LOO 187

LINE, to get a person m aUM/Cf orift a ^trmg^ it to
engage them in a conversation, while your confederate
is robbing their person or premiaea ) to hanter or jest
with P' maA hy u^mmg; him with fiilso as&urancea or
.pff>(lpssioim ifi also termed stringing him^ or geiting blip
into^; to keepaay body in suspense on any subject
without coining to a dec^ion^ is called ketping him tit
low, in a^ringt or tit «io«hfiiie. To cut the Hne^ pr Me
string, is to put an end to the suspense in which you have
tept any od«v by tdiling him the plain truth, coming to a
final, decision, 6^* A .person, who has beep telling
another a long story, until, he is tired, or conceives hfe
auditor has been all the while secretily laughing at him,
will say at last, I 've just dropped down, yduVehad nve in
a fine string, I think it 's time to cut it. On the oth^r
hand, the auditiar, having the same opinion on his part,
would say, Come, I. believe you want to string me all
night, I wish you'd ct/^ it; meaning, conclude the story
at once.

LOB, a till, or money-drawer. To have made a good
kkf is synwymous w;it;h fnakif^ <f. gQo4^Qh»

J^OCK-UP^CHOy^y, a covered cart» in which
travQlUi^ bawkori (K>nyey tbeiv^gpods abqut the countryi
4nd V'hich is *equwd ^Y * door, IckQk, im\ key. ,
- l«QPGINC-Sl^UH the praptipe of hiring r^adj-fiiiv
nished lodgings, and stripping them of the plate» linea>
and other valuables.

LOOK AT A PLACE, wh^n a pl^ is laid for
robbing a house, Sfc, upo^.the (!rack,qv the ^QrerOf the
parties will go a short time ^efor$ the execytio9i to

18B . MAN

examine the premises, and make any necessary obsei-va-"
Uoiis ; this is called looking at the place*

LOURt money*

LUMBER, a room.

LUMBER, to btmbet anyproperty, is to deposit it at a
pawnbn^er's, or elsewhere for present security ; to retire
to any house or private place, for a short time, is called
lunAering yowrsey. A man apprehended, and sent to
gaol, is said to be lumbered^ to be m hmber, or to be tit
Jjomhardrsireet,

LUSH, to drink ; speaking of a person who is dnmk,
they say, Alderman Lufhingtom is concemedy or, he has
been voting for the Alderman.

LUSH, beer or liquor of any kind*

LUSH-CRIB, or LUSH-KEN, a public-house, or
gio-shop.

LUSH« or LUSHY, drunk, intoxicated.

LUSHY-COVE, a drunken man.

MACE, to fnace a shopkeeper, or gite it to him -wpon
the maccy is to obtain goods on credit, which -you n^ver
mean to pay for ; to run up a score with the same inten^
tioHj or to sponge upon yout acquaintance, by Conti-
Ttually begging or borrowing from them, is termed wtfcc-
ing, or striJcing the mace,-

MACE-GLOAK, a man who lives upon the mace.
• MAG, a halfpenny.

MANCHESTEk, the tongue.

MANG, to speak or talk. 1

Mou im

MAULEY, the hand.

MAX, gin or hc^ands. . . »

MILESTONE, a coimtry booby.

MILL, to fight. To miil a person is to beat him.

MILL A* QLAZE, to break a window.

MILL-DOLL, an obsolete name for Bridewell house
of correction, in Bridge-street, Blackfriars, London.
* MILLING-COVE, a pugilist. - ....

MITTS, gloves.

MITTENS, the hands.

MIZZLE, to quit or go away from, any place or
company ; to elope, or run away.

MOLLISHER, a woman.

MONKEY, a padlock.

MONKERY, the country parts of England are
called The Monkery.

MONTRA, a watch.
, MORNING-SNEAK, going out early to rob private
houses or shops by slipping in at the door unpei*ceived,
while the servant or shopman is employed in cleaning
the steps, windows, ^c. .

MOTT, a hlowen, or woman of the town.

MOUNT, to swear, or give evidence falsely for the
sake of a gratuity. To mount for a person is also synony-
mous with bonnetting for him. ' .

MOUNTER, a man who lives by motinfiftg, or per-
jury, who is always iready for a guinea or two to swear
whatever is proposed to him. •

MOUTH, a foolkh ^Ity person; a man who does a
very imprudent act, is said to be a rank mouth.

190 NAP

MOVEy any action or operation in life ; the secret
spring by which any prefect is condiKted, as^ There is
mffoc in that business which youars u(Aditytin to* To be
fia$h to every mote i/pon the boards is to hiiv^ a getieral
knowledges of . the World* and all its 4)Umerous decep-
tions.

Mr, KNAPi . &?e Kkap*

Mb. NASIL &e Nabb.

Mr. palmer. See Palm.

Mr. PULLEN. See Pull or PtJLi. up.

MUFF9 #a epithet synonymous with mmith^

MUG, the face ; a queer mug is an ugly face.

MURPHY'S COUNTENANCE^ a |Mg*s face.

MYNABS, me, myself.

NAlI^ tq fudl a person^ is to over-reach, or take adr
vantage of him in the course of trade or traffic ; a)sO| to
rob, or steal ; as, I nailed him far (or qfj hi^ reader^ I.
robbed him of his pocket-book s I naU'd. the $tt>etts
fwmtra in the push^ I pickcfd the .gentl€mcm'$ pock^ of
his watch in the crowd, Sfc* A person of an ovei>
reaching, imposing disppsitbo, is calljed , a funlt a
deadnailt a nailing rascal, a rank^ncedk^ pr a n^edie
pointer.

NANCY, the posteriors. ... •; .

NAP the BIB, to ctyi a^, ^ MlMer nftlfd her It^,
the woman fell a crying. >, ;> . .>, . _ r

NOB 191

NASH, to go away from, or quit, any place or com-
pany ; speaking of a person who is gonei they say, he is
nash*d, or Mr. Nash is concerned.

NE-DASH, nothing.

NEEDLE, (see Nail) to needle « person^ is to
haggle with him in making a bargaioi and, if posBible,
take advantage of him, though in the most trifling
article.

NEEDLE-POINTER. 5etNAiL.

NEEDY-MIZZLER, a poor ragged object of either
sex ; a shabby-looking person.

NIB, a gentleman, or person of the higher prdet.
People who affect gentility or coosequ^ice, without any
real pretensions thereto, are from hence vulgarly called
Half-nibs or Half-swells ; and, indeed, persons of low
minds, who conceive money to be the only criterion of
gentility, are too apt to stigmatize with the before-men-
tioned epithets any man, who, however welI«lHred and
educated, may be reduced to a shabby external, but still
preserves a sense of decorum in his manners, and avoids
associating with the vagabonds among whom he may un-
fortunately be doomed to exist*

NIBBED, taken in custody.

NIBBLE, to pilfer trifling articles, not having spirit to
touch any thing of consequence*

NIBBLER, a pilferer or petty thief.

NIX, or NIX MY DOLL, aothing-

NOB IT, to act with such prudence and knowledge of
the world, as to prosper, and become independent wiriiout
any labour or bodily exertion;. this is termed noMv)^ t^

192 NUT

or fighting nob work* .To eflfect any purpose, or obtain
any thing, by means of good judgment and sagacity, is
called nobbing it for such a thing.

NOB-PITCHERS, a general term for those sharpers
who attend at fairs, races, tf^c., to take in the flats at
prick in the garter, cups and balls, and other similar
artifices*

NO DOWN. See Fake away, ^c.

NOSE, a thief who becomes an evidence against his
accomplices; also, a person who seeing one or more sus-
picious characters in the streets, makes a point of watch-
ing them in order to frustrate any attempt they may
make, or to cause their apprehension ; also, a spy or
informer of any description*

NOSE, to nose^ is to pry into any person*s proceedings
in an impertinent manner. To nose upon any one, is to tell
of any thing he has said or done with a view to injure
him, or to benefit yourself.

NULLING-COVE, a pugilist.

NUT» to please a person by any little act of assiduity,
by a present, or by flattering words, is called nutting
him ; as the present, SfCy by which you have gratified
them, is termed a nut,

NUTS UPON IT, to be very much pleased or gra-
tified with any object, adventure, or overture ; so a per-
son who conceives a strong inclination for another of the
opposite sex, is said to be quite nutty^ or nuts upon him
or her.

NUTS UPON YOURSELF, a man who is much
gratified with any bargain he has made, narrow escape

OTJIT 193

he has had, or other event in which he is interestedf^
will express. hiaself^atisfacdon or gladness by declaring'
that he is, or was, quite nutsiq^m hwuelf.

OFFICE, a hint, signal, or private intimation, from^
one person to another; this is termed qficeing him, or*
giving him the qffice;to take the office^ is. to undo^itand-
Und profit by the hint given.

OLD LAG, a man or woman who has been trans-
ported, is so called on returning home, by those who are
acquaiirted with the secret. See Lag.

OLIVER,, the moon.

OLIVER IS. IN TOWN, a phrase signifymg that the
nights are moonlight, and consequently unfavourable to-
depredation. ...

OLIVER'S UP, the moon has risen.

OLIVER WHIDDLES, the moon shines.

ONE UPON YOUR TAW, a person who takes
offence at the conduct of another, or conceives himself
injured by the latter, will say, never mind, I'll be one
upon your taw ; or, I '11 be a marble on your taw; meaning,:
I *ll be«ven with yo>^ some time* '

ONION,' a watchHseal, a bunch of omohsy i^ several
seals worn upon <me>ring. • •

ORDER-RACKET, obtaining goods from a shop-
keeper^ by- means* ^ a 'forged order or false pretence. '

OUT-AND-OUT,' quite; completely; effectually/
See Serve and Fake.

OUT-AND-OUTER, a person of a resolute deter*
mined spirit, who pursues- hi^ object without regard- to

VOL. II. K'

194 PAR

cUqger or difficulte; aho an inootrigible depredator,
who will rob fticiid or stranger indischininatelyy h&ng
possessed of neither honour nor principle*

OUT OF FLASH. 5ec Flash.

OUT OF THE WAY, a thief who knows that he
it sought after hj the trap$ on some information^ and
oonsequently goes out of town, or otherwise conceals
hinselfy is said bj his pails iohe out cf the way for so
and so, naming the particular offisnoe he stands clmrged
with. &e Waktsd.

OUT OF TWIG, to put yoursdf <mt cf tvoig, is to
disguise your dress and i4>pearance, to avoid being recog-
nised, on some particular account; a man reduced bj
poverty to wear a shabby dress is said By his acquaint-
ance to be out of tmg ; to put any article out ef tmg^
as a stolen coat, cloak, ^c, is to alter it in such a way
that it cannot be identified.

PALL, a partner; companion; associate; or accom-
]^ce«

PALM, to bribe, or give money, for the attainment
of any ol]ject or indulgence; and it i« Uien said that the
party who receives it is pabnedy or thai Mr. JPaimer is
concerned.

PALMING-RACKET, secreting money m th^ paloi
of the hand, a game at which some are >reiy e;Kp^.

PANNY, a house.

PANNUM» bread.

PARK. See Busht-Pahiu

PIC 196

PATT£B» to talk ; as, He fatten g$oiJbuky &C
PATT£R'D, tried m » court of jttitice ; « nan who
ha$ uodergone tUa ordeal, is said to ha^re stowi tke

PEAR-MAKING) isliftiog in various regimants^
taking the bounty, and then deserting.

PENSIONER, a meattH»pirited fellow who lives with
a woman of the town, and suffers her to maiiitain him in
idleness in the character of her/oficy-maii.

PETEE, a pai>cel or bundle, whether laiga or srnidl ;
but most properly it signifies a trunk or box.

PETER-HUNTING, traverung the streets or hmmIs
for the purpose of cutting away trunks, ^r^., frctt tra-
veliing carriages; pers<His who leiiow this pmc^ are
from thence called |Mfer-^itf<r«, whereas tke drag mora
properly applies to robbing ctul^ or waggons.
' PETER-HUNTING-JEMMY, a small iron crow,
particularly adapted ibr breaking the patem cbaia, widi.
which the luggK^ is of late years secured to gentlemen's
carriages ; and which, being of steel, case-hardened, is
fallaciously supposed to be pipof against the attempts of
thieves.

PETER*THAT, syuoiiymous with Stowthat.

PICKUP, to accost, or enter into conversation with
any person, for the purpose of executing some design
upon his ptfsottal property ; thus« auoog gamblers, it
is cdkdptcJbvi^ tip a,/to, or a mouth: sharpers, who
are daily on the looii«out for some unwary countryman
or stranger, use the same phrase;. and amoi^g d!rop»cotie9, .
and o^Fs who act in concert, this task is allotted to one
of tbtf gang, duly qualified, who is thence termed tkc

190 PLA

pidier^: and h» having performed his part, his asso-
ciates jwoceed ^rstematically in rfeVwiiig oirf rt«^. To
fickiv a «««, is e term used by bUmau in «ieir vocation
of street-walking. To pkk a person up, in a general
sense, is to impose upon, or take advantage of him, in a
contract or bargain.

PIGS, or GRUNTERS, police runners.

. PINS, the legs.

PINCH, t<y purloin small articles of value in the
shops of jewellers, ^c, while pretending to purchase or
bespeak some trinket. This gume is called the pinck^
jMcKd him for a frnvnetf, signifies I purloined a ring
from him ; Did you pi«cA any thing in that crib t did
you succeed in secreting any thing in that shop ? Thw
gam is a branch of shoplifting; but when tht hmt is
spoken of, it commonly applies to stealing articles of a
larger, though less valuable, kind, as pieces of mushn, or
silk handkcrchicfe, printed cotton, IfC. Stt Hoist.
PINCH-GLOAK, a man who worfc* vpw the pinch.

PIPES, boots.

PIT, the bosom pocket i« a coat.

prr-MAN, a pocket-book worn in thebosom-pocket.

PITCHER. Newgate in London is called by various
names, as the pitcher, the rio^ pUcher, the start, and tfc
.t<mjug, according to the humour of the speaker. ,

PLANT. To hide, or conceal any person or thmg,
is termed plmUmg him, or it ; and any thing hid is called,
the plant, when alluded to in conversation ; such art.<5Ie «
Mid to be i« phnt ; the place of Concealment is some-
times called the plant, as, I know of a fine ptotf ; that «,
a secure hidin^lace. To spnng a plant, is to fin* any

POU 19f

thing that has been c<mceal<ed by another. To rise the
plant, is to take up and remove any thing that has-been
hid, whether by yourself or another. A person's money,
or valuables, secreted about his house/ or person, is called
his plant. To plant upon a man, is to set somebody to
ivatch his motions ; also to place any thing purposely iih
his way, that he may steal it and be immediately de-
tected.

PLAY A-CROSS. What is commonly termed play-
ing booty^ that is, purposely losing the game, or match,
in order to take in thsjiats who have backed you, (see
Bridge) while the sharps divide the spoil, in which you
have a share. This sort of treachery extends to boxing,
racing, and every other species of sport, on which bets
are laid ; sometiines a sham match is made for the pur-
pose of inducing strangers to bet, which is decided in such
a manner that the latter will inevitably lose. A'Cross
signifies generally any collusion or uiifair deah'ng be*'
twcen several parties.

• PLUMMY. Right; very good; as it should be;
expressing your approbatioti of any act, or etent^ you
will stLy^'Thaf^plumfrnf, or It*s aU pburnny; meaning it
is all right.

POGUE. A bag, (probably a cbrmption of.poke.) - '

POPS. Pistols ; an obsolete term.:

POST, or POST THE PONEY. To stake, or lay
down the money, as on laying a bet, ei concluding* a
bargain. ■..»>.

POUND ABLE. Any ^vent which is considered cer«
tain or inevitable, is declared to be po^ndabk, as -the
issue of a game, the success of a bet, ^c.

t»8 Wh

POUND IT. To emure or make a, etitainfy of any
t\iifkg; thus, a mm will taj^ 1 11 pwnd if to be so ;
tak«ia» probftUy from the custom of laying, or rather
oficiiDg tea pounds to a crown at a cock*mateli, in which
case, if no person takes this extravagant odds, the banl«
is at an end. This is termed pounding a cock.

PRAD. Ahorse.

PRADBACK. Horseback.

PRIG. A thief,

PRIG. To steal ; to go inU thfriggjmgy is to goa-thievii^.

PRIM£« In a gencaral senst^ synonymous with
jdwnxty ; any thing very good of its kind» is calkd a
prime wrtkU* Any thing executed in a stylish (»r mas-
terly manner, is said to be done ja priMH twig. See
•▲KBMnNT, and Gamisov tjhiu twu^yb.

PULL. An impoitant advantage possessed by <»ie
party over another ; as in gaming^ you may by wom^
sli^^t, unknown to your advessaryyor by aknowled^ of
the^ cards, Sfc.^ have the odds of ivinmng coouderably oa
your side i you siro Ihen said to have a gceat pulL To
have the power ofii^uring a p^rsaii> by the knowledgf^ of
any thing errooooua ia his conduct, which kares his cha^
racter or personal safety at your mercy, is afeo termed
having A putt «9Nai Mm, that is (to uae a vulgsr phrase)
that you have him undtf your thu«^< A person spe4k-
1^^ of any intricate affidr, or feat of lageDuity, wl»ch he
ciumot compiehsndf will say* There Js some pult at the
bottom of it, that I 'm not J?y to,
. PULL, or PULL UP,, to a«;co8t ; s^;. appre-
hetid I or take iaie e^tpdy ; as to poll up a J«cA» i» to
stop a post'chaiae on tbe highway. To p^^ a n^sn, or

PUZ 19d

have him puUedy is to cause his apprehension for some
offence ; and it is then said) that Mr, Pullen is concerned*

PULLED, PULLED UP, or IN PULL. Taken
in custody; in confinement.

PUSH, a crowd or concourse of people, either in
the streets, or at any public place of amusement, Sfc.^
when any particular scene of crowding is alluded to,
they cay, Me pushy as the push, at the spell doors -, the
push at the stooping'-matchy SfC.

PUT DOWN, See Down.

PUT FLASH. See Flash.

PUT FLY. See Flt.

PUT UP, to suggest to another, the means of com-
mitting a depredation, or eflfecting any other busiuess* is
termec/, putting him up to it.

PUT UP AFFAIR, any preconcerted plan or
scheme to effect a robbery, ^c, undertaken- at the sug-
gestion of another person, who posscssiiig a knowledge
of the premises, is competent to advise the principal how
best to proceed.

PUTTER UP) the projector or planner of a put-^
c^mr^ as a servant in a gentleman's family, who pro*
poses to a gang of housebreakers the robbery of his
master's hotuie, and informs them where the plate, 4^.,
is deposited* (instances of which are frequent in London)
is termed the putter up, and usually shares equally in*
the booty with the parties executing, altheugh the former
may lie dormant, and take no part in the actual com-
musBon of the fact

PUZZLING-STICKS, the tnangles to which culprits
are tied up, for the purpose of undergoing flagellation.

200 RAG

' Q. See Letter Q.

QUEER, bad; counterfeit; false; unwell in healtb.

QUEER, or QUEER-BIT, base money.

QUEER SCREENS,' forged Bank-notes.

QUEER IT, to spoil it, which see.

QUEER-BAIL, Persons of no repute, hired to bail a
prisoner in any bailable case ; these men are to be had
in London for a trifling sum, and are called Broomsticks,

QUID, a guinea. . ■

QUOD, a gaol. To quod a person is to send him to
gaol. In quody is in gaol*

QUOD-COVE, the keeper of a gaol.

QUODDING-DUES. 5ee Dues.

RACKET, some particular kinds of fraud and rob*
bery are so termed, when called by their Jlash titles^
and others Rig ; as, the Letter-racket, the Order-Jacket *-
the Kidrig ; the Cat and Kitten^rig, ^c, but all these
terms depend upon the fancy of the speaker. In fact,
any game may be termed a rigy racket, suity titan, jrc.^
by prefixing thereto the particular, braiioh ci depredation
or.fraud ia question, many ^^uimples of whibh occur in
this work.

RAG, money.

• RAG-GORGY, a rich or monied man, but generally,
used in conversation when a particular ge&tleiftan^ or pdr«
son high in office, is hinted at; instead df mentioning
his name, they s^y, the Rag-gorgy, knowing ti^emselvea

RIN 201

to be understood by those tbey are addressing. Set
Cove, and Swell.

RAMP, to rob any person or place by open violence
or suddenly snatcbing at something and running off with
ity as, I ramp'd him ofhif tnontra; why did you not
ramp his castor ? Sfc. A man convicted of this offence,
is said to have heen done fdr a ramp. This audacious
game^ is called by prigSy the rampy and is nearly similar
to the Rush, which see.

RANK, complete ;> absolute, downright, an emphadcal
mannier of describing- persons or characters, as a rank
nosciiarank swells &c..&c« .. •

RATTLER, a coach.
^ READER, A pocket-book.

READER-HUNTERS. See Dummt-hunteks.

REGULARS, one'» due share of a booty, ^c. on a
division taking place. Give' me ray regtdarsy that is,
give me my dividend.

' REIGN^ the length or continuance of a man^s career
io a system of wickedness, which when he is ultimately
b&wled outy is said to have been a long, or a short reign f.
according to its duration.

RESURRECTION-COVE,, a stealer of dead bodies.
-^ RIBBAND, money in general. « .

RIDGE, gold, whether in coin or any other shape, as
a ridge^montraf a gold watch; a c/y*full of ri^fge, a
pocket full of gold* .

RIG. See Racket.

RINGING, or RINGING*IN, to ni^ is to exchange ;
ringing ike. changes j is a fraud practised by smashers^
who when they i-eceive good money in change of a

209 RUS

gttfciea, 4rc*9 phug^in one ot rooie pieces of ksse with gtest
dexterity, and then request the party, to clumge Ifaem.

RINGING CASTORS, aigfiifies fteqnenting cburdbes
aftd other public assemblies, for the purpose of ckaBgiiii^
hats, by taking away a good; and leaving a diabby one
in its pUce ; a petiy gmne now seldom practised.

RISE THE PLANT. Ste^Lxwr.

ROCK'D, superannaated, fojgetAil, absent in mind ;
old lags are commonly said to be thus aflected, probably
eaosed by the snfferisig^ t^j have uodergaDe.

ROLLERS, bosse aiA toot patroie^ wbo parade die
roads round about London daring the nigfat, for the
prevention of robberies.

ROMANY, a gypsy; to patter rmuan^ is to talk the
gypsy^wA.
. ROOK» a small kron erowv

ROUGU-FAM, or ROUGH-FAMMY» the waist«
coat pocket.

ROW IN THE BOAT, to go snacks, or Hre a share
in the benefit arising from aay transactibn to which yod
aie priry. To let a person rom with you, ia to BAmU
him to a share.

RUFFLES. Handcafis.

RUGGINS'S, te go to bed, is called going to Rag-

gins^s.

RUM, good, in opposition to qweer.

RUMBLE-tIjMBLE, a stage-coach.

RUMPD, flogged or scourged.

RUMPUS, a masquerade.

RUSH, the rushy is nearly anonymous with ike ramp:
but the latter often applies to snatching at a ski^e article.

SCO ^0^

at a silk cloftk, for imtance, frmn a mHlineiKs ftbop^oor i
whereas a rush may signify a forcible entry by sereral
men into a detached dwellin^house for the purpose of
robbing its owners of their money, ifc, A sudden and
violent effort tc^ get into any place, or vice versd to effect
your exit, as from a place bf confinement^ ^c, is called
rushing themy or grting it to 'em upon the rtah,

RUSSIAN COFFEE-HOUSE, a name given by some
punster of thejwnifyf to the Brown Bear public-hotise
in Bow-street, Covent-garden.

SACK, a pocket; to s&ck any thing is to pocket itw

SALT-BOXES, the condemned cells in Newgate are
to called.

SALT-BOX-CLY, theotitside coat*pocket,widiaffap.

SAND, moht tugar.

SAWNEV, bacon.

SCAMP, the game of highway robbery is called the
scamp. To scamp a person h, to rob him on the high-
way. Done for a scamp Minifies convicted of a highway
robbery.

SCAMP, or SCAMPSMAN, a highwayman.

SCHOOL, a party of persons met together for the
purpose of gambling.

SCOT, a person of an- irritable temDei*, who is easily
put in a passion, which is often done b]^he company he
is with, to create fim; such a One is declared to be a
fine scoifi This divenioit is eaHed getting him o«^, ot'
getting' Yk^rmnd the eomery ftom these terms being
used by buU-kankert, wi(h whom also a tcofis a buHo«k

K 6

of a paiticuUtf breed, wj^ch affords guperior diverskHi
wbea hunted.
, SCOTTISH, fiery, irritable, e^Uy provojced^ .

SCOUT, a watchman. .

SCOUT-KEN, a watch-house,

SCRAG'D, hang'd.

SCRAGGING-POST, the gallows.^
. SCREEN, a bank-note.
,, SCREEVE, a letter, or written paper.

SCREW, a skeleton or false k^y. To screw a place
is to enter it by false keys ; thb game is called the icrtw.
Any robbery effected by such means is termed a screw.

SCREW SM AN, a thief who goes ata a sa-q»ing,

SCURF'D, taken in custody.

SEEDY, poor, ragged in appearance, shabby*
, SELL, to sell a jnan is to betray him, by giving in-
formation against him, or otherwise to injure him clan*
destinely for the sake of interest, nearly, the same as
^.Wi/f^Mf him. {See Bridge.) A man who &lls a
victim to any treachery ^of , this kipd, is said to have
been said Uk^ a bullock in SnuthfieU*

SERVE, to serve a person, or place, is to rob them ^
as, I serc^d him for his ihimble^ I lob'd him of his
watch ; that criib has heen served b^oret. that shop :has
been already robbed, Sfc. To serve a man, also some-
times signifies to maim, wound, or do him some bodily
hvirt ; and to ^eiVehim out md out ^ is. to kill him*

SHAKE, to steal, or rob; as, I shook a chest of
slop J I stole a chest of tei^ ; Fye \vsfsn shook of my shiny
•I have beet^Tobbj^d of my ..purse* A thii^> . whose. jMtil
bas been into any place for the purpose of robbery, will

SJKI 205:

uy on bi^ coming ^:^U W^^As it M ri^t, hvft you
ikdiokt meanings 4id you ^ttcceed ki getting any thing?
When two persons rob in company, it is generally the
prp!((ioce,. oi; pf^rt^ of one io^shakcy (that is, obtain the
4waggJ,An^ the other to carry , (that i»» bear it to a place
of safety.
. SJIALLOW, a hat.

SHAN, counterfeit money in general.
' SHARP» a gambler, or person, proieslied in all the
arts of play ; a cheat,, or. swindler ; any creu-cwe^ in
ge^^ral, is called a sharps in opposition toajf?a^, .or
fquare^ofoe ; but this is only in a comparative sense in
the course of conversation. . , * •

: SHARPING, swindling and . qheatjikg . ki all their
vanoua for«is,:in€}udii^ the arts of fraud atpl^ty.

SHIFTER, an alarm, or intimation, given by. a thief
to his paUy signifying that thetB is a doton^ or that siotne
one »; approaching, and that he: bad, therefore, better
desist from what he is aboUt.

SHINER, a looking-glaS9.

SHOOK, tynonymous with rocl^d.

SHOVE-UP, nothing.

SHUTTER-RACKET, the practice of robbing
houses, or shops, by boring a hole in the window shut^
ter, and taking out a pane of glass.

SINGLE-HANDED, robbery by yourself, without

SIR SYDNEY, a clasp knife,
SKIN, a purse^ or money bag.
SKIN, to strip a man of. all hi^i mon^ at play, it
termed skinmng him.

208^ SMA

%AN6, A watch chain^. a chnm d anjr kiiid$ abcy
a warrant, liconse to trareU or oilier ofiictal instni*
nent.

SLANG, to d^and a person of any part of hi« due,
is called slangii^ him ; also to cheat by false weights or
measares, or odier unfair means.

SLANG WEIGHTS, or MEASURES, unJ4ist, or
defective ones.

SLANGING-DUSS, when a man Sttst»ect8 that he
has been curtailed, or cheated, of any portion of hia
just right, he will say, there has becti slanging'^diies e&nc

SLANG'D, fettered.

SLANGS, fitters, or chains of any kind used about
prisoners; b&tfy'dtmgi are bod^-irons used <m some oe-^
casions. -

SLAVEY, a serranC at either sex.

SLIP, the slash pocket ia the skirt of a c^mtbcbind.

SLOP, tea. •

SLOP-FEEDER, a tea-spoon.

SLOUR, to lock, ^seeore, or listen; to^foar i^ is also
to button up ; as one's coat, pocket, '^.

SLOUR'D, or SLOUR'D UP, locked, fastened,
buttoned, dfc. >

SLUM, a room.

SLUM. See Rack^v tmd Lonome-sz^M.

SLY. Any business transacted, or intimation giren,
privately, or under the rose, is said to be done upon the
sfy.

SMASHER, a man or woman who follows the gtme
oienuuhing.

SNO 207

SMASHING y uttering counterfeit money; inuuUng
of queer screens^ signifies uttering forged bank notes. To
sma^A guinea^ note, or other money, is, in a common
scase, to procui^, or give, change £or it.

SMISH, a shirt

SMUT, a copper boikr, or fumaoe.

SNEAK. Tkt sneak is the practice of rohhipg
houses or shops, by slipping in unperceived, and taking
whatever may lay most eonvenieiit ; this is ocxnmonly
the first branch of thieving, in which young boys wt
initiated, who, iirom their size and activity, appear well
adapted for it^ To sneak a place, is to rob it upon t^
sneak* A sneak is a robbery £fiected in the above man-
ner. One or rocire prisoners having escaped ftwabi their
oonfinement by steaidi, without using any violence, or
alarming their keepers^ afe said to have ineak*d ^em, or
.givenjiJ^'em upon the sneak, ^t JSee Ruau.

SN'^AKSfiyi Al^y a mitn o^^j^y toko goes upon ike sneak.

S)«££Z£rV o^ S^BEJJSiMG-COFER, a snuff4)Ox.
^ SNITCH ; to impeach, or betray your acCom->
pHc^s; is 4emied miieking upon them* A person vho
becomes king's evidence on such- an occasion, "is said
fc> have turned smteh; an inlbmer, or tak-bearer, m
general, is called a snitdiyOS a smickii^ raacal, in vrhich
sense smtehing is synonymous with nomngy or eammg it.

SNIPES, scissors.

SNIV, an expression synonymous with bender, and
used in the sam^ manner^

SNOW, clean linen from the washerwomau's
hands, whether it he wet or dry, is termed sfuntf.

SNOOZEj to sleep; a snooze sometimes m«ana s

20ft 6PE

lodging ; as» Where can I get a nooze for this darky
instead of saying a bed.

SNUFFING, going into a shop on some pretence,
watching an opportunity to thiow a handful of «nu£r in
the eyes of the shop-keeper, and then running off with any
valuable article you can lay hands on; this is called
muffing him, or giving ii to Aim vpon the snujff^ racket,

SOLD. See Sbll.

SOUND, to sound a person, means generatiy todmw
irom him^ in an artful manner, any particnlars you want
to he acquainted with ; as, to sound a kid^ porter, jrc,
is to pump out of him the parpixt of. his errand, the
' contents of his bundle, or Joad, ^c,y . that your j^aH may
know how to accost him, in order to dram the srxag.
See DftAW and Ktisrio. To sound a. cfyy is io touch
a person's pocket gently on the outside, in order to as*
certain the nature. of its contents*

SPANGLEi, a seven*8hilliog*piece«

SPANK, to ^Hmk a glaztf is to break a pane of
glass in a shop window, and make a sudden snatch at
some article of yalue within your «each, having pre«>
viously tied the shop-door with a strong cord . on the
outside, so as to prevent the shopman from getting out^
till you have had full time to escape with your booty ;
to spank a place, is to rob it upon the spank ; a spank is
a robbery effected by the above means.
- SPEAK, committing any robbery, is called making a
speak; and if it has been productive, you are said to
have made a rum speak.

SPEAK TO, tor speak to a person or place is to rob
them^ and to speak to any article, is to steal it; as, I spoke

SPO 209

to the Cffoefor his monira; I robbed the gentleman of his
watch. I spok€ t0 that crib. for all the toedge^ I robb'd
that hou66 of all the plate* I spoke. io a chest of slop;
I stole a chest of tea, A thief will say to his p(dl who
has been attempting any robbery, " Well, did you speaki
or, have you spoked* meaning, did you get any thibg?

SPELL, the play-house«

8PIC£> the spice is the game of footpad robbery ; de*
scribing an exploit of this nature ; a rogue will say, Ispiced
a sweil of so much, naming the booty obtain^. A spice
is a footpad robbery.

SPICE GLOAK, a footpad robber.

SPIN A YARN. See Y AAV.

•SPLIT, to spUt upon a perscm, ot ium spUtj is syno-
nymous with nosingy sniichingy .or turning nose* > To spU^
signifies generally to tell of any thing you: hear, or see-
transacted.

• SPOIL IT, to throw some obstacle in the way of any
project or* undertaking, so as to cause its failure* is termed
spoiling it. In like manner, to prevent another person
from succeeding in his object,, either by a wilful obstruc-
tion, or by sonre act of imprudence on your part, subjects
you to the charge, of having spoiled him. Speaking of
some particidar species of fraud or :robbery, which after
a long/series of success, is now be<^ome stale or impracti'*
cid>le.fram the. pablio being guarded i^gainst it, thefamfy^
will say, that game is spoiled at last a So having aHeinptod
the ffobbery of any particular. house or shop, and by mis^
carryii^ caused such an alarm as to render a second
attempt dangerous or impolttic, diey will say, ikat place
is spoitdy it is useless to tty it on any more.

210 SQU

SPOKE TO» lauding to any pevson <Mr place ^lat has
been already robbed, tbey aay» that place, or person, has
beeo spoke to bcfoce. Afandfy mopi on diseovering that
he has beeo robbed, will exdaim, I have been spoke to;
and perhaps will tM^for soch a thmg, naming what he
has Idst Spoke to ypom tke scrav, cracky etieak, Aotsf ,
huZf &c. &c., means robbed upoti either <>f those particu-
lar smts or games. Upon any great misfortune be&lting
a man, as bdng apprehended on a very serious charge,
receiving a wound supposed to be mortal, ^., his friends
will say. Poor fellow, I believe he 's spoke tOy meaning it
is all over with him*

SPOONY, foolish, half-witted, nonsensical; a roan
who has been drinking till he becomes disgusting by his
very ridiculoas behaviour, is saki to be spoot^ drunk ;
and, from hence it is usual to call a very prating fallow
fellow, a rank spoon.

SPOUT, to pledge any property at a pawnbroker's is
temod spoaOag it, or dtmag Hyp tke spout*
SPREAD, butter.

SPRING THE PLANT. &e Plakt.
SQUARE, all fair, upright, and honest practices, are
called tke sqw/re^ in oppoeiti<m to the cross* Any thing
you have bought, or acquired honestly, is termed a
spare artide; and any transaction wbidi is-frirly and
equitably condjuded, is said to be a sqaare concern. A
tradesBMm or odbtr peieon who is considered .by the
worUtobe an honest man, and who is. unacquainfeid with*
fmsAf pwfky and their system of operadoBs, is by the>
latter emphadoaUy styled a jfiwfv coee, whereas im old

STA 211

thief who has acquiised an iiKlq)eMleiice» and now con-
fines hin^f to square practicea^ »' still called bj hn
old paila ^^fioih cove^ who has t^d up prigging. See
Cross and Flat. In Hiaking a bargain w contract, any
oveiture considered to be really hat and reasonable, w
declared to be a ifmre tkmgf or to be itptm the square.
To be t^ofi tie square with any person, is to have mo*
tually settled all accompts between you both up to that
moment. To threaten another that you will be «pafi ika
square wUh kirn some time, signifies that you'll be even
with him for some supposed injury, 4rc*

SQUAR£-COV£. iSee Sqvahb.

SQU ARE-CRIBy a respectable house, of good repute,
whose inmates, their mode of life and conoexionsy aire all
perfectly on the square* . See Cmo|s-c&iB.

SQU£EZEt the neck.

STAG, to turn stag was formerly synonymous with
tunmg fHMtfi or smtekings but the phrase is 90W ex*
ploded.

STAG, to stag any ol^ect or person, is to look at,
observe, or take notice of them. •

STAINES, a man who is in pecuniary distress is said
to be a^ Staktes, at at the Bushf alluding to the Bush inn
at that town. See. Bush's*

STAKE, a booty acquired by robbery, or a sum of
money won at play, is called a stakCf and if consider*
aUe, « prime et^e^ ox a keax^ stake. A person alluding
to any thing difficult to be procured^ or which he obtnina
as a great favour, and is therefore^ comparatively invalu*^
ahkj would sayp I consider it a stake to |^ it at all; a

212 STA

valuable or acceptable acquisition of any kind, is em-
phatically called c stake, meaning a great priae.

STALLy a violent pressure in a crowd; made by pick«
pockets for the more easily effecting their depiedatoiy
purposes ; this is called fnakmg « rum stall m the push.

STALL OFF, a term variously applied ; generally it
means a pretence, excuse, or prevarication-— as a person
charged with any fault, entering into some plausible
story, to excuse himself, his hearers or accusers would
say, O yes, that^s a good stall off^'ot. Aye, aye, stallit off
that way if you can. To extricaira person from any
dilemma» or save him from disgrace, ■ is called stalHng
him qlf; as an accomplice of yoiJif'sbeing detected in a
robbery, SfCy and about to be given up to justice, you will
step up as a stranger, interfere in his behalf, and either
by vouching for his innocence, recommending lenity, or
some other artifice, persuade his accusers to forego their
intention, and let the prisoner escape ; you will then
boast of having stalled Mm €ff in prime twig. To avoid
or escape any impending evil or punishment by means of
artifice, submission, bribe, or otherwise, is also called
stalling it off. A man walking the streets, and passing a
particular shop, or encountering a certain person^ which
or whom he has reasons for wishing to avoids will say to
any ^end who may be with him, 1 wish you'd staU me
cfffrom that crtA, (prfrom that cove, as the case may be)'
meatiing, walk in such a way as to cover or obscure me
irom notice, until we are past the shop or person in
question.

STALL UP. To stall a person up, (a term used by

STA 213

pickpockets,) is to surround him in -a crowd, or violent
pressure, and even sometimes in the open street, vrhile
walking along) and by violence force his armft up, and
keep them in that position while others of the gang rifle
his pockets at pleasure, tie cove being unable to help or
defend himself; this is what the newspapers denominate
hustling, and is universally practised at the doors of
public theatres, at boxing matches* ship-launch^, and
other places where the getieral anxiety of all ranks, eithev
to push forward, or to obtain a view of the Scene before
them, forms a pretext for jostling, and every other ad*
vantage which the strength or numbers of one party gives
them over a weaker one, or a single person. It is not
unusual for the buZ'Coves, on particular occasions, to pro*
cure a formidable squad of stout fellows of the lower
class, who, though not expert at knuckhngf render essen-^
tial service by violently pushing and squeezing in the
crowd, and, in the confusion excited by this conduct, the
unconcerned prigs reap a plentiful harvest^ and the
siaUers up are gratified with such part of the gains ac^
quired, as the liberality of the hmckUng gentlemeh may
prompt them to bestow. This coup de guirre is termed
making a regular staU at su<;h a place, naming the scene
of their operations. See Stall.

STAMPS, shoes.

STAND THE PATTER. See Patter'd.

STAR. The star is sl game chiefly practised by
young boysp often under ten years of age, although the
oflence is capital. It consists of cutting a pane of glass
in a shop-window, by a peculiar operation called starring
the glazcj which is performed very effectually by a com*

214 STI

mon penknife ; tbe depredators tiien take out such articles
of Tadue as lie withfn reach of their arm, which if they
are not interrupted, sometimes includes half the contents
of the window. A person convicted of this offence is
laid to have been done for a star.

START. See Pitcrsb.

STASH. To 4toM any practice, habit, or proceed-
ing, signifcfl to put an end to, relinquish, or quash the
same ; thus, & thief detennined to leave off his vicious
courKs will dedare that be^ means to 9imh (pt stow)
frigging. A man in custody for felony, will endeavour,
by odering money, or other means, to induce his pfose*
Ctttoi's forbearance, and compromise the matter, so as
to obtain km liberation ; this is called Hashing the bust*
MM. To stask drinking, card-playing, or any other em-
pfoymenC you may be engaged in, for the time present,
si^ifies to itaw it, kn^ it, cheese it, or cut it, which are all
synonymous, that is, to desist or leave off. See Wakteb.

STASH IT. S«e &row it, which has the same
meaning*

STAUNCH, aresolule ^uthfel associate, in whom one
may place implicit confidence, is said by his paik to be
a stMmck cove.

STEAMER, a tobacco-pipe.

STEVEN, money.

STICK, apistc^.

STICKS, household fumitare.

STING, to rob or defraud a peisea or place is called
«rffigtii^ then, as, that ewe is too^^ ; he has been stttng
before ; meaning that man is upon his guard ; he has
already been trick'd.

STR 215

STINK. When any robbery of momeiit ^as been coan-
mittedy which causes much alacm, or of which much is
said in the daily papers, the family people will say» there
is a ^reat ^ink about it. See Wakteo.

STONE-JUG; STONE-PHX^HER. 5e€ Pitches*
STOOP9 the pillory is called the stoop ; to be Hoop'd^
is to be set on the pillory.

STOOPING-MATCH, the exhibition of one or mora
persons on the pillory. See Push.

STOW, to st^w 9Xky Uusiness, employment, or
mode of life, b the same as to $ta^ '% 4*0- ^<
Stash.

STOW, STOW IT ; oa STOW FAKING, an inti-
mation from a thief to his paUy to desist from %hat he is
about, on the occaskm of some alarm, ifc. See Awake.
STOW, or STOW-MANGING, an intimation froia
ohq Jlash-cove to another in a mixed company to be silent^
or drop the subject, h^e was upon. See Mang.

STOW THAT. When a person advances any asser-
tion which his auditor believes to be fialse, or spoken in
jest, or wishes the former to recant, the latter will say^
stow thati if you please, or, 4:heese that ; meaning don'(
say so, or that's out of the question^

STRETCH. Five or ten itretch^ sigm&es five or ten
yards, ifc. ; so in dealing for any article, as linen, ^r.| I
will ^ve you three koig% ttrtttk, means, FU-give thre«
shillings a yard. See Hf g.
STRING. 5ecLiNB.

STRUMMEL, the hair <»f the head. To get your
atrummel faked in ttsAgy is to have your hair dressed in
style.

216 SWE

STUBBS, nothing.

SUIT, in general synonymous with game ; as, what
jtei^did you give it to 'em upon t in what manner did you
rob them, or upon what pretence, ^c, did you defraud
them ? One species of imposition is said to be a prime
suit, another a queer suit : a man describing the pretext
he used to obtain money from another, would say, J
draafd him of a quid upon the suit of^o and so, naming
the ground of his application. See D&aw. A person
having engaged with another on very advantageous terms
to serve or work for him, will declare that he is upon a
good suit. To use great submission and respect in asking
any favour of another, is called giving it to him upon
the kumiti suit»

• SWAG, a bundle, parcel, or package ; as a swag of
snow J ^c. The swag, is a term used in speaking of any
booty you have lately obtained, be it of what kind it
may, except money," as Where did you lumber the sw<ig'T
that is, where did you deposit the stolen property f
To carry the swag is to be the bearer of the stolen goods
to a place of safety. A swag of any thing, signifies
emphatically a* great deal. To have knap*d a good
swag, is to have got a good booty.

SWAG. Wearing- apparel, linen, piece-goods, Sfc, are
all comprehended under the name of swag y when de-
scribing any spe(^ lately macfey Sfc.) in order to distin-
guish them from plate, jewellery, or other more port-
able articles.

SMTELL, a gentleman ; but any well-dressed person is
emphatically termed a swell, or a rank swelt. A family
man who appears to have plenty of money, and makes a

TAT 217

genteel figure, is said by his associates to he in stoell street.
Any thing remarkable for its beauty or elegance, is
called a sxvell article ; so a nodi crib^ is a genteel house;
a sroeU moJUsher^ an elegantly-dressed woman, Sfc, Some-
times, in alluding to a particular gentleman, whose name
is not requisite, he is styled, the swells meaning the person
who is the object of your discourse, or attention ; and
whether be is called the swells the cove^ or the gory 9 is
immaterial, as in the following (in addition to many other)
examples : — I was turned up at Chtnorstreetf because the
swell would not appear ; meaning, of course, the prosecu-
tor : again, speaking of a person Vhom you were on the.
point of robbing, but who has taken the alarm, and is.
therefore on his guard, you will say to. your pally It 's of
no use, the cove is as iiown as a hammer ; or, We may as
well stow ity the gory's kary. See Cove and Down.

SWIMM£R, a guard-ship, or tender ; a thief who
escapes prosecution, when before a magistrate, on condi-
tion of being sent on board the receiving-ship, to serve
His Majesty, is said by his palls to be swhnnered.

SWISH'D, married.

SWODDY, or SWOD-GILL, a soldier.

TANNER, a sixpence. Three and a tanner^ b three
and sixpence, 4*c.
TAT, to flog or scourge.
TATTS, dice.
TATT-BOX, a dice-box.
TATS AND ALL, an expression used out ofjhtshy in

218 TIN

the same manner as the word bender ; "and has a similar
meaning.

TEAZE, to flog, or whip.

THIMBLE, a watch«

THIMBLED9 having, or wearing a watch;

THRUMS,THRUMBUSKINS, or a THRUM-MOP,
three pence.

THROUGH IT, or THROUGH THE PIECE, get-
ting acquitted on an indictment, or surmounting any other
trouble, or difficulty, is called getting through iV, or tkr</
the piece ; so, to get a man through ity &c., is to extri-
cate him by virtue of ^our counsel and friendly assist-
ance ; sometimes called pvUmg him through it.

THROW OFF, to talk in a sarcastical strain, so as to
convey offensive allusions under the mask of pleasantry,
or innocent freedom ; but, perhaps* secretly vaiting that
abuse which you would not dare to give in direct terms ;
this is called throwing off^ a practice at which the jUnek
ladies are very expert, when any little jealousies arise
among them. To begin to talk^iuA, and speak freely of
robberies past, or in contemplation, when in company
withyami/j/ people^ is also teimed throwing qfi meaning
to banish all reserve, none but friends being present ;
also, to sing when called on by the company present.

5ee Cni.UNT4

TILBURY, a sixpence.

TINNY, afire; a conflagration.

TINNY-HUNTERS, persons whose practice it is to
attend fires, for the purpose of plundering, the unfortu-
nate suiTeiieii^St ««d#r {X(ete9<;e ^of aisisting them to re-
move their property.

TOO 219

TIP, to give, pay, or bribe* To take the tip^ is to re-
ceive a bribe in any shape ; and they say of a person
who is known to be corruptible^ that he will stand the
tip. The tip is a term frequently used to signify the
money concerned in any dealings or contract existing be-
tween parties ; synonymous with the dues. See Dctes.

TITTER, a young woman or girl.

TOBY, to tobj/ a man, is to rob him on the highway ;
a person convicted of thb offence, is said to be <fafie for
a toby. The toby applies exclusively to robbing on horse*
back; the practice of footpad robbery being properly
called the spice^ though it is coinmon to distinguish the
former by the title of high'4oby, and the latter of lovhtoby.

TOBY-GILL, or TOBY-MAN, properly signifies a
highwayman*

TODDLE, to walk dowly, either from infirmity or
choice. Come, let us toddle^ is a fiuniliar phrase, sig-
nifying, let us be going.

TODDLER, an infirm elderly person,^ or a child not
yet perfect in walking.

TOG, a coat 3 to tog^ is to dress or put on clothes ;
to tog a person, is also to supply them with apparel, and
they are said to be well or queerly tog'dy according to
their appearance.

TOG'D OUT TO THE NINES, a fanciful phrase,
meaning aimply, that a person is well or gaily dressed*

TOGS, or TOGGERY, wearing-apparel in general.

TQM CRAY'S BILK, laying out ace and deuce at
cribibage.

TOM BROWN, twelve in band, or crib,

TQOLSi implemenu iox bouse-breAmng; picklocks^

220 TRI

pistols, S^,^ are indiscriminately called the tools. A thief^
convicted on the police act, of having illegal instniments
or weapons about him, is said to he fined for the tools.

TOP, to top a chut or other article (among pick-
pockets) i^ to draw the comer or end of it to the top of a
person's pocket, in readiness for shaking or drawings that
is, taking out, when a favourable moment occurs, which
latter operation is frequently done by a second person.
TOFD, hanged.

TO THE NINES ; or, TO THE RUFFIAN. These
terms are synonymous, and imply an extreme of any
kind, or the superlative degree.

TOUT, to tout a person, is to watch his motions ; to
keep tout, is to look out, or watch, while your pall is
effecting any private purpose. A strong tout, is a strict
observation, or eye, upon any proceedings, or person.

TOW; or, TOWLINE. See Line. To tow a per-
son out ; that is, from his premises, or post : is to decoy
him therefrom by some £ctitious story, or other artifice,
while your pall seizes the opportunity of his absence, to
rob the place he has imprudently quitted.

TRAPS, police officers, or runners, are properly so
called ; but it is common to include constables of any
description under this title.
TRICK, -See Do the Trick.
TRIG, a bit of stick, paper, ^c, placed by thieves
in the keyhole of, or elsewhere about, the door of a
house, which they suspect to be uninhabited ; if the
trig remains unmoved the following day, it is a proof
that no person sleeps in the house, on which the gang
enter it the ensuing night upon the screw, and frequently

TUR 221

meet with a good booty, such as beds, carpets, SfCy the
family being probably out of. town. This operation is
CAll&dLtHgging the jigger. .

TRY IT ONy to make any attempt, or essay, where
success is doubtful* So to try it en with a wcmian,
signifies to attempt her chasti^.

TURN UP, to desist from, or relinquish, any parti-
cular habit or mode of life* or the further pursuit of any
object you had ih. view, is called turmng it up. To
turn up a mistress, or a male acquaintance, is to drop
all intercourse, or correspondence, with them* . To turn
up a particular house, or shop, you have been accus-
tomed to use, or deal at, signifies to withdraw your pa-
tronage, or custom, and visit it no more* To quit a per-
son suddenly in the street, whether secretly or openly,
is called turmng him up. To turn a man up sweety is to
get rid of him effectually, but yet to leave him in per-
fect good humour, i^d. free from any , suspicion or dis-
content; this piece oi finesse often afbrds a field for the
exercise of consummate address, as in the case of turn-
ing up afiati after having stript him of all his money at
play, or a shopkeeper, whom you have just robbed be-
fore his face of something valuable, upon the pinch, or
the hoist.

TURNED UP, a person acquitted by a jury, or dis-
charged by a magistrate for want of evidence, <!^c., is said
to be turned up. See Swell.

TURNIPSj to give any body turnips sigulfles to turn
him or her up^ and the party so turned upy is said to have
knap*d turnips.

TURN UP A TRUMP, to be fortunate in getting a

222 UP

guod 9tak0r ^ ^y «ny oth^i^ mQin» m^oving your
finances^

TWIG, any thing accomplisked deterfy, of a^ It
sliould be, is said to be doiM m ^wi^^ i» good twig, or
in prtme ^ivi;. A person wftll^ drescfd lib said to be^ i»
twig. See Drop, Gammpit t'sb Tw|{ftVB» and Otrr
OF Twig.

TWISTED^ ludigcNi.

TWO POLL ONE. iSec Bridox,

TY£ IT UP^ to ^« 1^ any particakccosEtoiny practice,
orhabit^ is synonymous m^kmifatiigj.st€fwit^ftunmtg ist
t^, or stMking it, 'Fo tye iit^k a phrase^ whick, wed
emphatically, is generally nnderslood to mean quitting a
coarse of depredation and. wick6laess* Set Sqvakb^
and Do the Tjucjl.

UNBETTY, to xaAodk. See BftWiTr

UNDUB, to tmkxtkj tinfasten, ^^ See Dub VP.

UN PALLED, a thief whose assocatfes are all appre^
hended, or taken from htm by o&er mems, is said to be
impalled, and he is then obliged to vfork dngk-kanded.

UNSLOUR, to unlock, uhfasten, or unbottcm. See
Sloub. Speaking of a person whose coat is buttoned,
so as to obstriict the access to his pockets, the hmuiks will
say to each other, the cote is ihuf^d vp, we must msloitt
him to get at his kickset/s.

UNTHIMBLE, to untkhnbie a man, is to rob, or other-
wise deprive him of his watch.

UNTHIMBLED, having been divested of one's watch.

UP IN THE STIRRUPS, a man who is in swell street.

WAT 223

th^ i3, having plenty of nKuney, k said to be vp in the
stirrups.

UPON THjE CRO&S. See Cross.

UPON THE SQUARE. See SqiSAn^,

UPON THE SUJT, Sfc, Sep Sufr.

UPPER^i:N,UPPER-&ENMMIN, UPPER-TOG,
a grpatf<>>at, ^

V ARDO, a waggon.
VARPO'GILL, a waggoner.

WACK, to shar^ or divide any thing equally, as
wack the bkint, divide the money, ^c,

WACK, a sl^are or equal proportion^ as give ipe ray
wod^, that is, my due part.

W^LKE^, an ironical expression, synonymous with
bender J and used in the same manner.

WALKING-DISTILLER. See Carry the Keg.

WANTED, when any of the traps or runners hsive a
private information against z. family person^ and are using
means to apprehend the party, they say, such a one is
xvanted; and it becomes the latter, on receiving such in-
timation to keep out 6f the way^ until the stink is over, or
uRtil he or she can find means to stash the business through
the medium of Mr. Palmer, or by some other means.

WATER-SNEAK, robbing ships or vessels on a navi-
gable river, or canal, by getting on board unperceived,
generally in the night. The water-sneak^ is lately made
a capital offence.

224 WEE

WEAR IT, to toear U upon a person, (meaning to wear
a nose, or a conk^) is synonymous with nosings conking^
splitting^ or coming t^, and is merely one of those fanciful
variations so much admired by Jiask people, -

WEAR THE BANDS, See Bakds.

WEDGE, silver ; as a wedge^eeder^ a silver-spooof
Sfc; but silver coin, as well as silver plate, are both com-
prehended under the name of xvedge* See Ridgb, and
Speak to.

WEED, tobacco.

WEED, to pilfer or purloin a small portion from alarge
quantityof any thing; often done by young or timid depre-
dators, in the hope of escaping detection, as, an appren-
tice or shopman will xveed his master's lob, that is, take
small sums out of the till when opportunity offers, which
sort of peculation may be carried on with impunity for a
length of time ; but experienced thieves sometimes think
it good judgment to weed a place, in order that it-may be
good again, perhaps for a considerable length of time, as
in the instance of a warehouse, or other dep6t for goods,
to which they may possess the means of access by means
of a false key ; in this case, by taking too great a swag, at
first, the proprietors would discover the deficiency, and
take measures to prevent future depredation. To weed the
swag is to embezzle part of the booty, unknown to your
pallSf before a division takes place, a temptation against
which very few oi the family are proof, if they can find an
opportunity. A Jlash-cove, on discovering a deficiency in
his purse or property, which he cannot account for,
will declare that he, (or it, naming the article,) has been
wedded to the ruffian.

WOR 225

WEEDING DUES, speaking of any person, place,
or property, that has been weeded^ it is said weeding, dues
have been concerned. See Dues*

WEIGH FORTY, term used by the police, who are
ab well versed in Jkuh as the thieves themselves. It is
often customary with the traps^ to wink at depredations of
a petty nature, and for which no reward would attach,
and to let a thief reign unmolested till he commits a
capital crime. They then grab him» and, on conviction,
share (in many cases) a reward of 40/., or upwards;
therefore these gentry will say, Let him alone at present^
we don't tvant him till he weighs his weighty meaning, of
course, forty pounds.

WELL, to weU your accomplice, or put him in the
welly is explained under die word Garden, ivhich see.

WHIDDLE, to speak of, or mention any things as,
Don*t you whiddle about so and so, that is, don't men-
tion it.

WHIDDLER, a talkative or tell*tale person, who is
not fit to be trusted with a secret.

WHIDS, words. <$ee Crack a Whid.

WHISTLERS. See Browns and Whistlers.

WIN, or WINCHESTER, a penny.

WIND, a man transported for his natural life, is said
to be lag*dfor his windy or to have knap\d a winder, or
a heUowsery according to the humour of the speaker.

WOOLLY-BIRDS, sheep.

WORK, To work upon any particular. gome, is to
practise generally, that species of fraud or depredation,
as, He works upon the cracky he follows housebreiiking,
3^c. An o^ender having beei> detected in the very fact.

226 TOU

pBfticulvljr in oases «f 4»iiAng» colonripg buse^itietal,
ifc.f is fmplwiliraUy 9aid to have been 4rab*d at work,
meaning to imply, that the proof ag^iaft him being so
plain, he has no graund of defence to set up*

WRINKLE, to lie, or utter a fidsebood.

WRIKKLE, nuntfiUJu

WRINKL£R, A pefson pxeoe to l^pg; such a cha-
racter is called also « g^y which is probably an ab-
breviation of Gulliver, and from hence, to ^ntfy signifies
to lie, or deal in the mftrnelious.

YACK, a watch (obsolete.)

YARN, ^rmng or ipinmng a yam^ is a favourite
amuseaaeiit saaooigJUiih^eopk ; signifyiiig to relate their
i«rious -adveMtnies, exploits, and escapes to «ach other.
This is most oeramoa and gratifyhig, among persons in
confinement or exile, to enliven a dull hour, and pro-
bably excke « seeret hope of one day eiyoying a repe-
tition of their former pleasaies. See BovBO. A per-
son expert at telling these stories, is «aid to spin a fine
yam. A man using a great deal of rhetoric, and exert-
ing all his art to talk another person out of any thing he
is intent upon, the latter wiU answer, Aye, Aye, you can
spiM a good yarUf but it won't do; meaning, all your
eloquence will not have the desired etifeot

YELLOW, jealous ; a jealous husband is called a
yeUffw ghak,

YOKUFF, a chest, or large box.

YORK. To stare or look at any person in an im-

YOU 227

pertinent manner, is termed t^orking; to york any thing,
in a common sense, is to view» look at, or examine it.

YORK, a look, or observation ; ajlask-^ove observing
another person (a fiat) who appears to notice or scruti-
nize him, his proceedings, or the company he is with,
will say to his paZ&, That cint is yorking as strong as a
horse, or. There is York'Street concerned.

YOUKELL, a countryman, or clown.

YOURNABS, yourself; an emphatical term used in
speaking to another person.

FINIS.

*»

- ■ ■ ■ ■ ttmt ^ »^M^»»^IM 1«ll« III ■■fclllBI ■■^^— — WIM^^^^i^— ■ ^.IIMl ■ .l^l— — ■■■■■ ^

Printed by W. CLOWES, Northnmberltnd-coart^Straiid.

*s,

Jm 7 1963

JUH 7 1963

JUn 7 1963

JUU 7 1963

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