Part 14

My character soon taken was, And I was sent to jail, My friends they tried to clear me, But nothing could prevail. At the Old Bailey Sessions, The Judge to me did say, “The Jury’s found you guilty, lad, So you must go to Botany Bay.”

To see my aged father dear, As he stood near the bar, Likewise my tender mother, Her old grey locks to tear; In tearing of her old grey locks, These words to me did say, “O, Son! O, Son! what have you done, That you’re going to Botany Bay?”

It was on the twenty eighth of May, From England we did steer, And, all things being safe on board, We sail’d down the river, clear. And every ship that we pass’d by, We heard the sailors say, “There goes a ship of clever hands, And they’re bound for Botany Bay.”

There is a girl in Manchester, A girl I know full well, And if ever I get my liberty, Along with her I’ll dwell. O, then I mean to marry her, And no more to go astray; I’ll shun all evil company, Bid adieu to Botany Bay.

_VAN DIEMAN’S LAND._

COME all you gallant poachers, that ramble free from care, That walk out on moonlight nights, with your dog, gun and snare, The jolly hares and pheasants, you have at your command, Not thinking that your last career is to Van Dieman’s Land.

Poor Tom Brown from Nottingham, Jack Williams, and poor Joe, We are three daring poachers, the country does well know, At night we are trepanned, by the keepers hid in sand, Who for 14 years transported us unto Van Dieman’s Land.

The first day that we landed upon this fatal shore, The planters they came round us, full twenty score or more, They rank’d us up like horses, and sold us out of hand, And yok’d us up to ploughs, my boys, to plough Van Dieman’s Land.

Our cottages that we live in, are built of brick and clay, And rotten straw for bedding, and we dare not say nay, Our cots are fenc’d with fire, we slumber when we can, To drive away wolves and tigers (?) upon Van Dieman’s Land.

It’s often when in slumber I have a pleasant dream, With my sweet girl a-sitting down, all by a purling stream, Through England I’ve been roaming, with her at command, Now I awake broken hearted upon Van Dieman’s Land.

God bless our wives and families, likewise that happy shore, That isle of great contentment, which we shall see no more, As for our wretched females, see them, we seldom can, There’s twenty, to one woman, upon Van Dieman’s land.

There was a girl from Birmingham, Susan Summers was her name, For fourteen years transported, we all well know the same, Our planter bought her freedom, and married her out of hand, She gave to us good usage upon Van Dieman’s Land.

So all you gallant poachers, give ear unto my song, It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long, Throw by your dogs and snares, for to you I speak plain, For if you knew our hardships, you would never poach again.

_FAREWELL TO JUDGES AND JURIES._

HERE’S bad luck to you, Mr. Justice Paley, And also to you, Gentlemen of the Jury, For seven years, you’ve sent me from my true love, Seven years, I’m transported, you know.

To go to a strange country don’t grieve me, Nor leaving old England behind, It is all for the sake of my Polly, And leaving my parents behind.

There’s the Captain that is our commander, The Boatswain, and all the ship’s Crew, There is married men, too, and there’s single, Who knows what we transports do.

Dear Polly, I’m going to leave you For seven long years, love, and more, But that time will appear but a moment, When return’d to the girl I adore.

If ever I return from the Ocean, Stores of riches I’ll bring for my dear, It’s all for the sake of my Polly, I’ll cross the salt seas for my dear.

How hard is the place of confinement, That keeps me from my heart’s delight, Cold chains and irons surround me, And a plank for my pillow at night.

How often I wish that the eagle Would lend me her wings, I would fly, Then I’d fly to the arms of my Polly, And on her soft bosom, I’d lie.

_MY BONNY BLACK BESS._

DICK TURPIN bold! Dick, hie away, Was the cry of my pals, who were startled, I guess, For the pistols were levelled, the bullets whizzed by, As I leapt on the back of Black Bess. Three Officers mounted, led forward the chase, Resolv’d in the capture to share; But I smil’d on their efforts, tho’ swift was their pace, As I urg’d on my bonny Black Mare. So when I’ve a bumper, what can I do less, Than the memory drink of my bonny Black Bess?

Hark away, hark away! still onward they press, As we saw by the glimmer of morn, Tho’ many a mile on the back of Black Bess, That night I was gallantly borne; Hie over, my, pet, the fatigue I must bear Well clear’d! never falter for breath, Hark forward, my girl, my bonny Black Mare, We speed it for life or for death. But when I’ve a bumper, what can I do less, Than the memory drink of my bonny Black Bess?

The spires of York now burst on my view, But the chimes, they were ringing her knell, Halt! Halt! my brave mare, they no longer pursue, She halted, she staggered, she fell! Her breathing was o’er, all was hushed as the grave, Alas! poor Black Bess, once my pride, Her heart she had burst, her rider to save, For Dick Turpin, she lived, and she died. Then the memory drink of my bonny Black Bess, Hurrah for poor bonny Black Bess!

_LIFE OF THE MANNINGS._

EXECUTED AT HORSEMONGER LANE GAOL ON TUESDAY, 13 NOV., 1849.

SEE the scaffold it is mounted, And the doomed ones do appear, Seemingly borne wan with sorrow, Grief and anguish, pain and care. They cried, the moment is approaching, When we, together, must leave this life, And no one has the least compassion On Frederick Manning and his wife.

Maria Manning came from Sweden, Brought up respectably, we hear, And Frederick Manning came from Taunton, In the county of Somersetshire. Maria lived with noble ladies, In ease and splendour and delight, But on one sad and fatal morning, She was made Frederick Manning’s wife.

She first was courted by O’Connor, Who was a lover most sincere, He was possessed of wealth and riches, And loved Maria Roux most dear. But she preferred her present husband. As it appeared, and with delight, Slighted sore Patrick O’Connor, And was made Frederick Manning’s wife.

And when O’Connor knew the story, Down his cheeks rolled floods of tears, He beat his breast and wept in sorrow, Wrung his hands and tore his hair; Maria, dear, how could you leave me? Wretched you have made my life, Tell me why you did deceive me, For to be Fred Manning’s wife?

At length they all were reconciled, And met together night and day, Maria, by O’Connor’s riches, Dressed in splendour fine and gay. Though married, yet she corresponded, With O’Connor, all was right, And oft he went to see Maria, Frederick Manning’s lawful wife.

At length they plann’d their friend to murder, And for his company did crave, The dreadful weapons they prepared, And in the kitchen dug his grave. And, as they fondly did caress him, They slew him--what a dreadful sight, First they mangled, after robbed him, Frederick Manning and his wife.

They absconded but were apprehended, And for the cruel deed were tried, When placed at the Bar of Newgate, They both the crime strongly denied. At length the Jury them convicted, And doomed them for to leave this life, The Judge pronounced the awful sentence, On Frederick Manning, and his wife.

Return, he said, to whence they brought you, From thence unto the fatal tree, And there together be suspended, Where multitudes your fate may see. Your hours, recollect, are numbered, You betrayed a friend, and took his life, For such there’s not one spark of pity, For Frederick Manning and his wife.

See what numbers are approaching, To Horse Monger’s fatal tree, Full of blooming health and vigour, What a dreadful sight to see. Old and young, pray take a warning, Females, lead a virtuous life, Think upon that fatal morning, Frederick Manning and his wife.

_THE LIFE AND TRIAL OF PALMER._[69]

OH listen unto William Palmer, Who does in anguish sore bewail, Now guilty they at last have found me, And sent me back to Stafford Jail. Every one appears against me, Every person does me hate, What excitement is impending, On guilty William Palmer’s fate.

_Chorus._

My trial causes great excitement, In town and country everywhere, Now guilty found is William Palmer, Of Rugeley town in Stafford Shire.

Many years I was a sportsman, Many wondrous deeds I’ve done, Many a race I have attended, Many a thousand, lost and won. They say I poisoned my wife’s mother, And took away her precious life, And slew poor Cook and my own brother, And poisoned my own lawful wife.

Everything looks black against me, That I really must confess, The very thoughts that do oppress me, Causes me pain and distress, Now the jury did convict me, And prove I did commit the deed, And, sentence passed on William Palmer, To Stafford I was sent with speed.

In Rugeley I was once respected, A gentleman, lived at my ease, With noblemen I was connected, And sporting men of all degrees. Although a Doctor no one knew me To do anything amiss, Now each one strives to undo me, I never thought I’d come to this.

My poor old mother now at Rugeley, My awful end must now bewail, To know her son must die with scorn, A felon’s death in Stafford Jail. Every charge alleged against me, I have strongly it denied, Twelve long days my trial lasted, And now I am condemned to die.

Dreadful is my situation, Before the awful bar I stand, I might have filled a noble station, Unfortunate, unhappy man. Infants yet unborn will mention, When to manhood they appear, The name of Doctor William Palmer, Of Rugeley town, in Staffordshire.

Will no one sympathize with Palmer, Who every charge did strong deny, You are all aware I am found guilty, For by a Jury I’ve been tried. My situation makes me tremble, I am borne down with grief and care, All conversation is of Palmer, Of Rugeley town, in Staffordshire.

A COPY OF VERSES ON

_MARY ARNOLD, THE FEMALE MONSTER_.

OF all the tales was ever told, I now will you impart, That cannot fail to terror strike, To every human heart. The deeds of Mary Arnold, Who does in a jail deplore, Oh! such a dreadful tale as this, Was never told before.

_Chorus._

This wretched woman’s dreadful deed, Does every one affright. With black beetles in walnut shells, She deprived her child of sight.

Now think you tender parents, What must this monster feel, The heart within her breast must ten Times harder be than steel. The dreadful crime she did commit, Does all the world surprise, Black beetles placed in walnut shells, Bound round her infant’s eyes.

The beetles in a walnut shell, This monster she did place, This dreadful deed, as you may read, All history does disgrace, The walnut shell, and beetles, With a bandage she bound tight, Around her infant’s tender eyes, To take away it’s sight.

A lady saw this monster, In the street when passing by, And she was struck with terror, For to hear the infant cry. The infant’s face she swore to see, Which filled her with surprise, To see the fatal bandage, Tied round the infant’s eyes.

With speed she called an officer, Oh! shocking to relate, Who beheld the deed, and took the wretch, Before the Magistrate. Who committed her for trial, Which did the wretch displease, And she’s now transported ten long years, Across the briny seas.

Is there another in the world, Could plan such wicked deed, No one upon this earth before, Of such did ever see. To take away her infant’s sight, ’Tis horrible to tell, Binding black beetles round it’s eyes, Placed in walnut shells.

THE UNDERTAKER’S CLUB.

ONE night, being pressed by his old friend Chubb, To go to an Undertaker’s Club, I’ll furnish you all, if that I dare. With a mournful account of this grave affair.

_Chorus._

For such a black looking lot is this Club of Undertakers, such a black looking set You never did see.

This selfsame Club, and House of Call, Was held at Blackheath, or else Blackwall, The landlord’s name it was Blackmore, And an African Chief hung over the door.

The Undertakers had all met. They were dress’d in black a dingey set, The picture frames black, and so were the walls, And the window curtains were made of palls.

The stove black leaded not long had been, On the table was laid Blackwood’s magazine, The carpet was black and so was each chair, The chairman’d black whiskers and raven hair.

The supper was laid, there were lots of black game, With polonies in mourning to match with the same, There were blackbird pies, and nothing but good ’uns, And a quantity of good black puddings.

The knives were black, and so were the forks, Black strap in black bottles, with black sealed corks, The rules of the club, were done in black figures, And the waiters and cooks were all of them niggers.

The dessert was black grapes, and black heart cherries. Blackcurrants, and mulberries, and blackberries. Prunes and elder wine were there, Which just made up this black bill affair.

Mr. Sable sang first, and what should he choose on, But the favourite ballad of black eyéd Susan, The coal black steed, Mr. Hatband choose, And Mr. Merryhall sang coal black rose.

The best that was sung and that all did confess, Was the favourite song of My bonny Black Bess, The Chairman then whistled, when his throat was clear, The fav’rite grand march that is played in Black Beard.

_A TIDY SUIT FOR ALL THAT._

I REMEMBER well,--a slap-up swell-- With lots of cash, and all that,-- I used to quiz each lady’s phiz, And sport them out, and all that; And all this, and all that, But I’m done brown for all that. With Crockford’s[70] crew my money flew, But I skittles play, for all that.

I used to dwell up in Pall Mall: In a house up steps, and all that-- With porter tall to mind the hall, To take in notes, and all that. And all this, and all that, My feather beds, and all that, But now I snore upon the floor, And I lay till twelve for all that.

I used to wear, I do declare, A slap up coat and all that-- I made good for trade, though I never paid, But there’s many swells do all that. And all that, and all that, Yet clothes I’ve got, for all that! The suit I’ve got, cost me a pot, And it’s a tidy suit for all that.

I had a cab, ’twas lin’d with drab, With a velvet seat, and all that-- My horse was brown, the best in town, With a tiger smart, and all that. And all that, and all that, Yet I cab it still, for all that, For, if one I find, I jump up behind, So, you see, I ride, for all that.

I used to dine off goose and wine, And couldn’t eat my meat fat, But it’s turn about, for I go without, I live on air, and all that. And all that, and all that, Faggots, peas pudding, and all that, At the Carlton Club, I used to grub, But I like Cann’s soup for all that.

With patent boots like “Romeo Coates.”[71] With nice square toe and all that, With good high heel for spur or steel, To rattle about and all that. And all that, and all that, Yet boots I’ve got for all that, Though they’ve no sole, yet on the whole, The tops look well, for all that.

My gloves were black, without a crack, But they’re gone to wrack for all that, With my kerchief silk, as white as milk, When it’s wash’d and all that. And all that, and all that, It saves the cuff for all that, In life says Burns, there’s many turns, But a man’s a man for all that.

THE RAGGED COAT.

O, WHAT a world of flummery, there’s nothing but deceit in it, So you’ll find all through life, as you travel on, High and low, rich and poor, every one you meet in it, ’Tis the same, I will maintain, and prove it in my song; When I was poor, I found that friends did very seldom heed me, Till true ones came, and left me cash that set me all afloat, So I thought among my friends I’d try who would relieve me, And, to fathom out deception, I put on a ragged coat.

I thought my friends I’d try the first, for I had got a many, At least that professed to be--at Kew was Mr. Ford-- So I thought a trip by steam would be as cheap as any, Went down to London Bridge, and set my foot on board. I heard a puppy say, though lowly he did breathe it, “It’s a shame, to let such ragged people board a steam boat,” But, says I, My foolish fellow, there’s a good heart beats beneath, So don’t despise a man because he wears a ragged coat.

The journey o’er, and safe arrived, I set my foot on shore, Sir, Glad enough from such a crew was I to get relief, So I walk’d up to the house, and knock’d loud at the door, Sir, All the people eyeing me, as if I was a thief. But the door was slammed in my face, with many a bitter snarl, Sir, So I shouted out, Good Mr. Ford, I’ve come to pay that note; O dear, (says Ford) pray step this way, and show’d me to the parlour, Sir, We thought you came a begging in that ragged coat.

A chair was quickly placed for me, and down I sat instanter, You came from town, you must be tired, pray stop here and dine, Jane, bring the glasses, and likewise the decanter, Ah, Sir, you’ll find this some excellent port wine. Your wine, Sir, you may keep, although I have no dress on, I have changed my mind, and mean to keep my note. And put it to some better use, so let this be a lesson, Don’t despise a man because he’s got a ragged coat.

Next I went courting the brisk widow Moore, Reached the house, gave a tap, and boldly in I goes, My suit I pressed, but she exclaim’d, Here, show the knave the door, For at sight of my appearance, she turn’d up her nose, But, when I show’d a bag of gold, she wish’d to be a talker, At the sound of the rhino she quickly chang’d her note, But, says I, I’m off, dear ma’am, it’s time my name was Walker. So don’t despise a man because he’s got a ragged coat.

_THE COLLIER SWELL._

I USED to be a vulgar clown, with cash and money short in, Till my old uncle died in Town, and left me all his fortune, A collier I was by trade, but I’ve chang’d as you may tell, sir, And since a richer purse I’ve got, I’ll be a regular Swell, sir.

_Chorus._

But I’m so plagued with vulgar folks, since I’ve got cash to sport in, Why can’t a collier cut a swell, when he’s been left a fortune?

I used to go with low bred chaps, and talk to every put low, Get drunk in Tom and Jerry shops, and go a purring foot bo; But now, with all the swells in town, I sport my bobs and tanners, And I am going to London town, to learn some genteel manners.

And when I’ve been to London town, I mean to go to France, Sir, To practice two or three times a week, to learn to hop and dance, Sir, Besides, I’ve got a quizzing glass, to see things far and near o, Which caused me the other day, to fall reet o’er a barrow.

O my family are a vulgar set, tho’ they’ve got clothes in fashion, They put them on all inside out, which puts me in a passion, The lads when’er we go to church, tho’ they have lots of riches, They all go in their clogs, smock frocks, and leather breeches.

My wife she is the worst of all, when we give genteel dinners, She uses neither knife nor fork, but pops in all her fingers, And when they hand the wine about, she tells the gents it stinks, Sir, Gets full her mouth, and squirts it out, and calls for treacle drink, Sir.

If I give a dinner to my lord, and bid her make a good ’un, Perhaps she will make some pea soup, or else a great black pudding: And when the tea it is brought in, the tray she always flings, Sir, Stirs up the sugar with her fist, and then she licks her fingers.

My lord once ask’d us out to dine, and there we had a rum start, Instead of her new carriage fine, she would ride in a dung cart, And when he sent a horse for her, and wanted her to ride, Sir, But what do you think of the ignorant jade, she would get astride, Sir.

_THE LONDON MERCHANT._

IT is of a rich merchant near London we hear, Had a comely young daughter most beauteous and fair, Twenty thousand bright guineas was her portion in gold, Till she fell in love with a young sailor bold.

O! when that the merchant these tidings did hear, Upon the young sailor, he vengeance did swear; He says, your true love shall no more plough the sea, For before to-morrow morning his butcher I’ll be.

O, when that she heard her own father say so, Her mind was o’erwhelmed with sorrow and woe; She thought to herself, If I could see my dear, I quickly would warn him of the danger that’s near.

In a suit of bold sailors apparel complete, She dressed herself from the head to the feet, With pumps on her feet, and a cane in her hand, She met her dear William as he walked through the Strand.

She says, My dear William, O, instantly flee, For my father doth swear that your butcher he’ll be, So straight unto Dover, I’d have you repair, And in forty-eight hours, I’ll meet you there.

As he kiss’d her fair cheek, the tear stood in each eye, She says I will save you, or else I will die. Then straightway she gave him a handful of gold, And she marched up the street like a sailor so bold.

She, meeting her father, as she walked up the Strand, He mistook her for William, saying, You are the man, A Sword from his side then he instantly drew, And her beautiful body he pierc’d it quite through.

When he found what he’d done, he sunk down in despair, He wringed his hands, and he tore off his hair, Crying, wretched monster, Oh! what have I done? I have killed the flower of fair London town.

Then up from the ground he did instantly start, And leaned on his sword, till he pierced his heart; Forgive me, he cried, as he drew his last breath, Then he closed his eyes in the cold arms of death.

Now when that young William the tidings did hear, He died broken hearted by grief and despair, Thus father, and daughter, and a young sailor bold, Met an untimely death for the sake of curs’d gold.

_RILEY’S FAREWELL._

AS I rov’d out one evening down by a river side, I heard a lovely maid complain, the tears fell from her eyes, It is a cold and stormy night, these words she did say, My love is on the raging sea, bound for America.

My love, he was a sailor bold, his age was scarce sixteen, He was as nice a young man, as ever you did see, My father he has riches great, and Riley he was poor, Because I loved this sailor, they could not him endure.