Part 10

Kelsey's was a famous fruiterer's, &c., in St. James's Street, and we are here presented with one of the boy officers, whose legs cannot reach the ground, and who has not yet lost his childish predilection for "Sugar Plums." As a foil to him is given Colonel Burch, of the Royal Household Troops--who is actively engaged in demolishing Ice Creams.

The following paragraph tells a sad tale:--

"The late order of the Cabinet for furnishing all His Majesty's troops with bread, in the same manner as if in camp, namely, a loaf of six pounds weight for five-pence, will, we doubt not, have the desired effect in preventing a continuance of those outrages, to which the military, in many parts of the kingdom, have been compelled, by absolute want."--(_Times, April 27, 1795._)

But this order was modified, as we see.

"A new regulation has been made throughout the whole Army, that instead of the additional allowance of Bread-Money, each Soldier is to receive 8d. per day clear."--(_Times, Oct. 2, 1795._)

The fate of a prisoner of War is always hard, and, as a rule, they are not too luxuriously treated. When first we had large quantities of French prisoners over here, they were nearly starved, but, afterwards, their lot was much ameliorated. Probably they were better treated than our people who were imprisoned in France, for, if the following letter can be believed, they certainly were neither luxuriously housed, nor fed.

"The following is an Extract of a letter from an Officer of the 'Castor' Frigate, captured some time since, by the French, dated _Quimper_ near Brest, Feb. 27, 1795:--

'I wrote by Lady Ann Fitzroy, which I hope you have received; we were in a very bad state at that time: but since she has been gone, we have been a great deal worse. They now serve out nothing but bread, and horse-beans, for three weeks, or a month, together: and, when they do give meat, it is but six ounces of salt pork per man. It would make your heart ache, to see our poor sailors, without money, without cloaths, worn down by sickness, and emaciated to the last degree, fighting over the body of a dead dog, which they sometimes pick up, and devour with the most voracious appetites: and it is a fact, that the head, and pluck, of a dog, sold for 30 sous, the other day. Such scenes as this, was I obliged to undergo: but I am now in a house allotted for the officers, and am rendered very comfortable by the friendship of our second lieutenant, Mr. Hadaway. I am the only surviving midshipman of four, who came here, belonging to our ship. I have lost all my hair by sickness: but I live in hopes of seeing Old England, and my friends again.'--(_Times, April 16, 1775._)

* * * * *

"Several persons escaped from prison, bear the strongest testimony of praise towards Lady Ann Fitzroy, late a prisoner of war at _Quimper_, in France, who perhaps, suffered more insults, and bad usage, from her jailors, than any of her rank ever suffered before: but, regardless of her own distresses, she made it her sole business to alleviate those of her fellow-prisoners: made shirts, and caps, for all those in need, besides purchasing some hundreds of jackets, and trowsers, which she distributed amongst her unfortunate countrymen, in want of cloathing. Her Ladyship, also, every day, had a great quantity of veal, and soup, dressed, to distribute amongst the sick. Her unparalleled benevolence saved the lives of hundreds."--(_Times, June 12, 1795._)

* * * * *

"TWENTY GUINEAS BOUNTY.

"Gray's Inn, in the county of Middlesex, 13th Dec., 1796.

"To all able-bodied MEN, willing to serve in His Majesty's Army.--The Hon. Society of Gray's Inn will give Twenty Guineas, without any deduction whatever, to any Man who shall be approved by the Regulating Officer. No Volunteer who shall enter, as above, can be arrested for Debt, or taken out of his Majesty's Service, but for a criminal Matter.--Application to be made any Day, from the Hour of 10, till 3 o'clock, at the Steward's Office, Gray's Inn.

"Persons enrolled are not liable to serve more than one Calendar Month after the end of the present War."--(_Times, Dec. 17, 1796._)

* * * * *

"At the Roscommon Assizes, Lord Viscount Dillon was cast in a verdict of £60, for illegally confining a poor mechanic, a fortnight underground, with a view of _forcing_ him to enlist."--(_Times, Sept. 20, 1797._)

* * * * *

"On Saturday last, the sentence of a Regimental Court Martial was carried into execution, on a private soldier, belonging to the 2nd Battalion of the Breadalbane Fencibles, now in the Castle of Edinburgh. He received 1000 lashes, and was drummed out of the Battalion, for having, while on sentry at Leith, on the night of the 15th of September last, loaded his piece, and fired the same into the house of an inhabitant, the Civil Magistrates having delivered him over to the Military Law."--(_Times, Oct. 7, 1797._)

The sale of Commissions is here openly acknowledged, although it was not allowed, _vide_ the two following advertisements in the same paper (1798, Jan. 15):--

"Militia.--Any young Gentleman wishing for an Ensignsy in a highly respectable Regiment of Militia, where he will have the opportunity of forming the very first connections, may, on certain conditions of honour, solely between the parties, be so respectably introduced. The Advertiser, who is of the Church, and of undoubted character, as will be known, means to apply this only to a young person of some income of his own; or whose friends would add an allowance to his pay, so as to place him upon a more equal footing with his brother Officers, and superior rank. On a proper behaviour, there is no doubt but that he would soon have a Lieutenant's Commission, and it is to be considered that at the end of the War, he will be entitled to half pay, the same as the line. It is apprehended, too, that it might still more peculiarly suit one who may mean to ultimately go into the regulars, and would prefer having his first steps in the Militia. The Advertiser, not residing in London, a letter at Messrs. Wilson and Wright's, Walker's Court, Soho, for A. P., will be duly honoured in the course of 2 or 3 days, provided it is signed with real name, and address, without which it cannot be noticed.

"Marines.--A young man of respectable connections, and of the best morals, is very anxious to be in the service of his King, and Country, in these momentous times, and therefore ardently intreats the patronage of any Lady or Gentleman, who has the interest to procure him, or the power to bestow upon him, a Lieutenancy of Marines. He does not mean to offer the insult of any pecuniary recompence; but he will assure a greatly more pleasing return to a benevolent mind, that of everlasting gratitude, and the most unimpeachable conduct. The honor of a line to F. G.," &c.

"A company in the _Guards_ has lately been sold for the enormous sum of 8000 guineas."--(_Times, April 26th, 1796._)

Commissions in the army were notoriously sold, but one would imagine that a line would be drawn at Chaplains.

Advt.--"TO BE DISPOSED OF, A CHAPLAINCY, in a new Regiment of Dragoons, and a Quarter-Master's Warrant, in a Regiment of Dragoon Guards. Apply to Mr. Hawkes, No. 17 Piccadilly."--(_Times, June 9, 1795._)

* * * * *

"MILITIA INSURANCE.

Advt.--"Such persons as wish not to venture the risk of finding a substitute, by being drawn for the Old Militia, Supplementary Militia, and Tower Hamlets, may be secured on the following Terms, viz. Old Militia--7s. 6d. or 10s. per annum; Supplementary Militia £1 1s. or £1 11s. 6d.; Ditto, together, £1, 7s. 6d., or £2 per annum; Tower Hamlets £1, or £1 10s., per annum; by Mr. Cox, Junr., No. 36 Holborn."--(_Times, Feb. 7, 1798._)

* * * * *

"The trial of Capt. F. Arthur of the Yeoman Artillery, commenced on Saturday, at Limerick, and terminated, on Monday, the 25th, when he was sentenced by the Court-Martial, _to be transported for life, and to pay a fine to the King of £5000_."--(_Times, July 2, 1798._)

* * * * *

"Some accounts of our present Volunteer Associations will, no doubt, when read a few years hence, excite no small degree of surprise. Of this class are the following paragraphs. 'The Reverend Doctor F---- gave the word of command.'--'Counsellor G---- led his detachment to the charge with uncommon spirit and vigour.'--'An Anthem was sung by Captain-Lieutenant _Sale_,' &c."--(_Times, Sept. 5, 1798._)

* * * * *

"Lewes.--Last week the Volunteers for regular Service from the Derby, Westminster, North Gloucester, and Surrey regiments of Militia, marched into this town, from their respective stations, on their routes to the grand depot, at Horsham. The large bounties which these men have received, enable them to keep up a scene of drunkenness, and insubordination, which it is very difficult to restrain. After parade here, on Saturday evening, Sir Joseph Mawbey, and other Officers, commanding the Surrey Volunteers, were compelled to have recourse to their drawn swords, to enforce order, and maintain their command, which was for some time powerfully resisted, on their ordering a man to the guard-house. And, on dismissing the parade, yesterday evening, a similar disturbance took place. No swords were then drawn, but the clamour demanded the interference of General Hulse, who, in consequence, ordered out a piquet guard of infantry, and a patrole of horse, by which tranquillity was restored, and preserved. Others who have passed through this town, in their drunken frolics, distinguished themselves by swallowing Bank-notes between slices of bread and butter, and lighting their pipes with them, to the no small advantage of the Bankers."--(_Times, July 31, 1799._)

SOCIAL ECONOMY.

Under this head are placed many matters which could scarcely be classified.

Take, for instance, the series of groups copied from a long picture of the "Installation Supper, as given at the Pantheon, by the Knights of the Bath, on the 26th of May 1788."

In looking at this series, we must never lose sight of the fact, that, here, we are getting a peep at _haut ton_--none of your common folk--and, if the picture be a true one, they must have been contented with the roughest accommodation. Hard seats, plain tables, with no Plate, nor floral decorations, no napkins; Knives and forks brandished in a most reckless, and uncouth manner; an utter disregard for the proprieties of the table, even to drinking the gravy out of a plate; and intoxication, in its various phases, passing, seemingly, unchallenged. A tankard of beer admitted to such a banquet, and two people sharing the same "dish of tea," are all, to us, astounding revelations of the social manners of our grandfathers.

From the following we get a curious glimpse of the Social economy, of the times--a phase of thinking which would scarcely do nowadays:--

"In a complicated machine, any of the inferior parts getting out of order, will soon obstruct the whole: and, conceiving such may be the case with public society, we are led to make a few observations on some improprieties which occur in the present day.

"The wages given to servants have increased during the last 10 years, more than for 30, or perhaps 40, years before: and the misfortune is, that dissipation, and want of morals, have also much increased, particularly among manufacturing labourers, who now have got, in many places, only to work three, or four, days in the week, and to be drunk the remaining time, leaving their wives, and children, neglected, and in rags.

"As to household servants, the accommodation offices for hiring of them, have had the worst effect. They make them indifferent about keeping their places; lure them on with false hopes, and often before a servant gets fixed, they, and the pawnbroker, put them under difficulties.

"Travelling expences, by the profusion in the perquisites given to waiters, post boys, &c., have become enormous, and their attention is less; but, if those who give in that way, were to consider the injury they do the public, and of how little use it is to those who receive it, they would certainly think such money so squandered away, would have been better bestowed, if applied to some public charity, or left for the poor of the parish.

"Increase of trade, and wealth, having produced an increase of luxury, and made the necessaries of life more expensive, it is proper that wages should be increased: but yet not beyond the bounds of proportion; for it will be found in those manufacturing occupations, in which labourers get the most money, they are the most disorderly, continually combining together to leave their work, unless their masters consent to increase their wages, and which only proves a temporary compromise, till they have an opportunity of making a further demand. On the contrary, where less wages are given, we shall find the people more happy, and contented, their wives more attended to, and their children brought up with more religion, and better morals."--(_Times, Sept. 5, 1794._)

* * * * *

"To the CONDUCTOR of the TIMES.

"Sir,--Various are the receipts for cheap puddings, and many long, and useful, letters have appeared in your very excellent paper, towards alleviating (as much as is in the power of every Housekeeper) the scarcity, and dearness, of bread: by substituting rice, and potatoes, in the room of pies, or flour puddings: but there still exists an evil which I have not seen spoken against, and which certainly occasions a very great consumption of starch: I mean the general fashion which has prevailed for some years, and does still, from the highest, to the lowest, of wearing white dresses, which, upon a moderate computation, for every individual, must consume at least double the soap, and starch, than when coloured callicoes, silks, and stuffs, were in fashion: Added to this, that every maid servant (who, though she is perhaps not worth a second pair of shoes) will wear her muslin handkerchiefs. I think it is the duty of every good master, and mistress, to stop, as much as possible, the present ridiculous, and extravagant, mode of dress in their domestics. View, on a Sunday, a tradesman's family coming from church, and you would be puzzled to distinguish the porter from his master, or the maid from her mistress. Formerly a plaited cap, and a white handkerchief, served a young woman three, or four, Sundays. Now a mistress is required to give up, by agreement, the latter end of the week for her maids to prepare their caps, tuckers, gowns, &c., for Sunday, and, I am told, there are houses open on purpose, where those servants who do not choose their mistresses shall see them, carry their dresses in a bundle, and put them on, meet again in the evening, for the purpose of disrobing: and where, I doubt, many a poor, deluded, creature, has been disrobed of her virtue. They certainly call aloud for some restraint, both as to their dress, as well as insolent manner. Tell a servant, now, in the mildest manner, they have not done their work to please you, you are told to provide for yourself, and, should you offer to speak again, they are gone. Surely no set of people are more capable of rendering our families comfortable, or the reverse, than domestic servants, nor any set of people who feel the present dearness of provisions so little. I look upon their exorbitant increase of wages, as chiefly conducive to their impertinence: for, when they had five, or six, pounds a year, a month being out of place, was severely felt; but now their wages are doubled, they have, in a great measure, lost their dependence: And what is this increase of wages for? not in order to lay by a little, in case of sickness, but to squander in dress. No young woman, now, can bear a strong pair of leather shoes, but they must wear Spanish leather, and so on in every article of dress. No wonder, then, that there should be so many prostitutes, and so few good wives.

"By inserting these hints, as soon as you conveniently can, you will much oblige,

_A Constant Reader_."

--(_Times, Dec. 25, 1795._)

* * * * *

"We trust that the measure, which was, last year, so laudably attempted by the Brewers, Bakers, and Publicans, for the abolishing Christmas-Boxes, will not only be continued by them, but will also be followed up by the other trades, who have hitherto been compelled, by custom, to continue a practice so destructive to the lower orders of people."--(_Times, Dec. 17, 1794._)

* * * * *

Advt.--"CHRISTMAS BOXES.--The BUTCHERS, resident within the Parish of HACKNEY, beg leave respectfully to inform their Customers, and the Public, that, on account of the excessive high price of Provisions, they find it impossible to continue the practice of giving CHRISTMAS BOXES to the servants of their customers, without sustaining, on the one hand, a deduction from their profits, which the trade will not allow, or, on the other hand, increasing their charges: they have, therefore, unanimously resolved to discontinue the practice, in time to come, and hope that their conduct, on this occasion, will not be deemed improper, or disrespectful."--(_Times, Dec. 9, 1795._)

The following Advertisements, which are only a few out of many, shew how common was the sale of Government appointments:--

"Place under Government. £2000 or £3000 or more will be presented to any Gentleman, who has interest to procure for the Advertiser, a Place in any of the Public Offices, of respectability, and an adequate income. No Agent, or Broker, will be attended to. Letters to be addressed &c., &c."--(_Times, March 13, 1793._)

* * * * *

"Place under Government. To be DISPOSED of, a Genteel Place under Government: present Salary £100 a year, with the chance of rising, and other advantages: the next rise will be a considerable one.--Any Young Gentleman, who can command from 500£ to 1000£ will be treated with: and by addressing a line to A. Batson's Coffee-house, with real name and place of abode, will be informed of further particulars. N.B. No Brokers will be attended to."--(_Times, April 15, 1793._)

* * * * *

"A PLACE under GOVERNMENT.

"To be sold, a permanent Place, which can always be disposed of at pleasure, the salary £76 per annum, net, payable quarterly, the attendance not more than 20 times in the year, and about 2 or 3 hours each time: the duty is agreeable, and in the line of a Gentleman, and can at all times at a small expence be executed by a Deputy. Address &c., &c."--(_Times, Feb. 3, 1798._)

* * * * *

Advt.--"Three hundred Pounds. An adequate Premium of £300 or upwards, will be given to any Lady, or Gentleman, who has interest to procure the Advertiser a Place in one of the Government Offices. As the parties are of the utmost respectability, the greatest honour and secrecy may be depended on. Address to &c., &c."

* * * * *

Advt.--"Fifty Guineas will be given to any Gentleman, or Lady, who has interest to procure the Advertiser, a young Man, 25 years of age, a Situation in any of the Public Offices under Government. Address &c., &c."

* * * * *

Advt.--"A Douceur. Wanted, Information as to Situations in Public Offices, or other Appointments under Government, at home, or abroad, which are at present vacant, or like soon to be, or where those who hold such may be willing to resign, on account of their advanced time of life, or other circumstances, on a Douceur being made them. Any person who can give information of this kind will be waited on at any time, or place, he may appoint. At meeting, all particular terms, and circumstances, can be explained. The Advertiser is a person who can give the most satisfactory testimonials of connections, and abilities, and he wishes to be understood that the object of this Advertisement respects Appointments where the emoluments derived from the Situations may be from £500, down to £200 per ann. The most perfect secrecy may be relied on--"

* * * * *

Advt.--"Five Hundred Pounds will be given to any Lady or Gentleman, who can procure the Advertiser a Place under Government, where the emoluments will be a liberal compensation for the sum proposed, and but little attendance required: or, if constant attendance is necessary, it will be expected that the emoluments should be in proportion. The person who wishes such a situation, is respectable in his connections, and the most inviolable secrecy will be observed. No broker will be attended to. Either in a Civil department, or otherwise. For reference &c. &c. &c."--(_Times, Jany. 4, 1799._)

The _Penny Post_ was an institution of those days, although its action was limited as to distance. The following excerpts will enable us to notice its different phases, during the years treated of:--

"The Postmaster General has lately established a Penny Post at Manchester, which promises great convenience to the inhabitants of that place, and its vicinity."--(_Times, April 17, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The new Penny Post Office is likely to prove such a very great accommodation to the public, that the only wonder is--it has been so long neglected. Instead of the number of deliveries, and the hours of despatch, varying in different parts of the town, as at present, there will be six deliveries, each day, in all parts of the town: by which means, a person living at Mary-le-bonne, may send letters to, or receive letters from, Limehouse, a distance of seven miles, five times a day. Persons putting in letters by nine in the morning at the distance of ten miles from the chief Penny Post Office, and later, at less distant parts, may receive answers from London the same afternoon. There will be three deliveries of letters, in most parts of the country, within the limits of the Penny Post; and there will be two posts, daily, from all parts within the distance of ten miles from Lombard St."--(_Times, Feb. 28, 1794._)