Part 30
"In respect to the quantity of their allowance, we state, on the most certain authority, that their subsistence is a pound of bread, and half a pound of good fresh beef, _every day in the week_, together with a full proportion of vegetables. A subsistence which thousands of our own poor would be glad to have."
"The firm conduct of our Government in refusing any longer to make advances for the maintenance of French Prisoners, has had the good effect of obliging the Executive Directory to come forward with the necessary supplies, and as the French agents have now the whole management of this concern, we shall no longer be subject to their odious calumnies against the humanity of this country.
The number of French prisoners in England, amounts to about 22,000; the Dutch prisoners are about 2,500. The daily cost of these men, since the French agents had the charge of them, has been £1,370 sterling a day (about 1s. 1d. each): and their annual expence is upwards of One Million sterling. The number of English prisoners in France does not exceed 4000."--(_Times, Feb. 27, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Southampton was thrown into consternation on Saturday morning, by an event which was variously reported by different narrators in the course of the day; but, 'ere night, all ideas of French spies, _false Emigrants_, &c., subsided, and the event turned out to be 'that three French prisoners from Porchester, had made their escape to Southampton.' A party of pleasure had engaged _Wassell's_ vessel to go to the Isle of Wight. At an early hour on Saturday morning, on repairing to the Quay, the man could not discover his pleasure boat. Every one was concerned for his loss, and many hours elapsed before any tidings could be heard of her, when some fishing boats gave information that they had met her near Calshot Castle, about three o'clock in the morning, but had no suspicion she had been run away with. In the evening, news arrived, that in steering, to keep as far from Spithead as possible, the Frenchmen were near running on shore at _Ride_. This circumstance convinced the pilots that _Wassell_ was not on board when they went to her assistance, secured the three French men, and saved the vessel for the owner."--(_Times, July 2, 1799._)
* * * * *
"'To which university,' said a lady, some time since, to the late sagacious Dr. Warren, 'shall I send my Son?'--'Madam,' replied he, 'they drink, I believe, near the same quantity of port in each of them.'"--(_Times, Feb. 19, 1798._)
It was in this year that Jenner first wrote on _Vaccination_. The following paragraph refers to _Inoculation_, which was introduced into England, circa 1718, by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who had seen it practised in Turkey:--
"_Memento narare multis officium alterius._--Mr. W. Holt, Surgeon, of the parish of Tottenham High Cross, has generously undertaken (within the last two months) to inoculate the poorer part of the inhabitants of the parish, for the small pox, which he has done (and that gratis) to the amount of some hundreds, the whole of which number have done well, not one patient excepted. The above act is praiseworthy, and will redound much to Mr. Holt's honour. It is to be hoped the above example will be followed by other Medical Gentlemen, if so, in a few years we shall not see, as we now daily do, the ill-effects of that dreadful disease, the small pox, in the natural way."--(_Times, March 28, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Previous to the Humane Society's Procession (at the London Tavern, next Tuesday) of those who have been restored to life _this_ year, an _Introductory Dialogue_, written after the manner of Virgil's pathetic and beautiful pastorals, by John Gretton Esqre, will be spoken by two young Gentlemen. Rising genius was fully experienced at the last Anniversary. What then must not be the gratification to a British heart, where to the solemn scene of our resuscitated brethren,[25] is superadded the efforts of these able advocates in the cause of humanity, and the sublime views of this most excellent Institution?"--(_Times, April 14, 1798._)
[Footnote 25: The persons recovered during the year, by the instrumentality of the Society, appeared in solemn procession at the anniversary dinner.]
* * * * *
"ANECDOTE.
"It is a fact of which we can assure our readers, that the following extraordinary Letter was sent to a worthy Baronet not a hundred miles from Whitehall. It was tied round the neck of an unfortunate animal, who, we are sorry to say, appears to have been made the victim of party malice, and the unfeeling passions of men:
"THE RATS LETTER.
("Health and F_rat_ernity.)
"Sir,--I am a despe_rat_e _Rat_, g_rat_ified indeed in the present opportunity of cong_rat_ulating you, though lately sepa_rat_ed from my family and connexions, having been caught in the g_rat_ing of Mr. Pitt's cage, in Downing St., prost_rat_e at his feet, I escaped death, and even cast_rat_ion, in the conside_rat_ion that I belong to your worthy f_rat_ernity, and upon condition that I should inform you of certain truths, however g_rat_ing. Since the discovery of the conspi_rat_ors, your o_rat_ions have not been unde_rat_ed, for they have not been _rat_ional. If your treaty with them has been _rat_ified, you will be well sc_rat_ched, and so forbear p_rat_ing for the present. Besides it is a deside_rat_um that you should have nothing to say to Mr. G_rat_tan, and that you should not Co-ope_rat_e with the Irish-Ma_rats_. Let your nar_rat_ions concerning _Rat_isbon, or _Rat_stadt, be mode_rat_e, and endeavour to make repa_rat_ion for all the nonsense you have talked, and the mischief you have not ope_rat_ed. Sequest_rat_e yourself with your vene_rat_ed old Aunts, and deal out _rat_ions of oatmeal, and cheese, to your p_rat_ing b_rat_s, whom everybody commise_rat_es, and arbit_rat_e between cowherds, and bullock drivers. Demonst_rat_e that you are a wise man in your gene_rat_ion: Exempli g_rat_ia, this year, having been beat blind by the bulk of bullocks, try next to run down your successor in a race of amelio_rat_ed _Rats_. Full of admi_rat_ion, and great g_rat_itude, I give you the f_rat_ernal hug, and _rat_e myself, with great conside_rat_ion, without alte_rat_ion. Your g_rat_eful F_rat_er (G_rat_is)
"Democ_rat_."
--(_Times, June 4, 1798._)
* * * * *
"We are sorry to hear that the _Rat_ that wrote the famous letter, was cruelly murdered by the enraged servants. The _Rat_ is now said to have been over-driven, and made mad in Downing St., in order that he might scratch the Knight into the _Cat_-aphobia. He anxiously expects the _cat_-astrophe. The _Rat_'s letter has very much exaspe_rat_ed the Worthy Baronet to whom he addressed it."--(_Times, June 8, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Colonel Twiss, and other officers of the engineers, have been employed by government to examine a proposition made by a Mr. Dodd, for forming a _tunnel under the River Thames_, from Gravesend, to Tilbury."--(_Times, July 16, 1798._)
* * * * *
"_Tower Hill_ is soon to lose that name, and, in compliment to the Trinity House, it is in future to be called _Trinity Square_."--(_Times, July 16, 1798._)
They knew how to puff--in those days:--
"Advt.--Thirty Thousand Pounds gained for Five shillings, without a Lottery. A Gentleman of the Navy had, for some time, been paying his addresses to a Lady of Fortune, and gained her affections: being suddenly ordered off to the West Indies, the marriage was deferred until his return. On arriving at St. Domingo, he was attacked by the Yellow Fever, which appeared externally in scabby eruptions, arising from living in too free a manner in that destructive climate, which disfigured his face so much, that, on his return to England, the Lady was disgusted, and broke off the match. This turn so affected the Gentleman that a slow nervous fever resulted, which reduced him so low that his recovery was despaired of. Fortunately, an officer of the Guards, his intimate friend, calling on him, told him he thought the perusal of Dr. Brodum's Guide to Old Age would be of service: and, in consequence, purchased a Guide for five shillings, which, with the aid of the Dr.'s Botanical Syrup, completely restored him, and on calling on the Lady after his recovery, she was so well-pleased at his healthy appearance, as to immediately consent to unite herself with him, and make over a fortune of £30,000."--(_Times, Nov. 20, 1798._)
* * * * *
"A story is told at Brighton of a certain Baronet having been most cruelly imposed upon by some young Bucks, at that place, who sent him a pretended letter from the wife of a Dentist, requesting a tender interview. The Baronet flew to her lodgings on the wings of love, but the first person he met was her husband. The Baronet, with a ready attention to professional circumstances, said he came to ask advice for the _toothache_: the operator rejoined, that an extraction was the most certain cure, and the unfortunate Baronet actually submitted to an incision in his jaw, to save the rest of it from being broken."--(_Times, Nov. 30, 1798._)
* * * * *
"This being the first day of May, Mrs. Montague will give her annual entertainment of roast beef, and plum-pudding, to the Chimney-sweepers of the Metropolis, in the court yard of her house in Portman Square, in commemoration of discovering her child among them, long after it had been trepanned away."--(_Times, May 1, 1799._)
* * * * *
"The donations given by Mrs. Montague, of Portman Square, every May-day, proceed from pure benevolence towards the distressed poor. The story, which has been generally believed, of her having once lost a child, who was trepanned from her house, is wholly unfounded."--(_Times, May 2, 1799._)
* * * * *
"The Lady Mayoress is in the straw, and the _Bambino_, according to the customs of the City, is to be rocked in a cradle of solid silver. This is a very ancient privilege, and, as it costs the City about Five Hundred Pounds, the Aldermen will probably look twice, before they elect family men again with their wives in the family way."--(_Times, July 1, 1799._)
What occasioned the following?
"Such senseless extravagance as _eating Bank notes_ has not been known since the French Courtezan, who curled her hair with them: or the days of Cleopatra, who swallowed a jewel as a rich repast."--(_Times, Aug. 22, 1799._)
The singular belief that used to obtain, and still is prevalent, especially among the lower classes, that a man might sell his wife to any bidder, provided that he did so in open market, and with a halter round her neck, was in full force at the latter end of the 18th Century. That this belief has not died out may be seen in an article on "Wife Selling," by my brother, in "All the year Round" 20th Dec. 1884, in which he cites cases as recently as 1862, 1870, 1881--and two in 1882--in one of which, the wife was sold for a glass of ale, and the other, for a penny and a dinner.
"By some mistake, or omission, in the report of the Smithfield Market, we have not learned the average price of wives for the last week.
"The increasing value of the _fair sex_ is esteemed by several eminent writers as the certain criterion of increasing civilization. Smithfield has, on this ground, strong pretensions to refined improvement, as the price of Wives has risen in that market from half a guinea, to three guineas and a half."--(_Times, July 22, 1797._)
* * * * *
"An Hostler's wife, in the country, lately fetched _twenty-five guineas_. We hear there is to be a sale of wives soon at Christie's. We have no doubt they will soon _go off_ well."--(_Times, Sept. 19, 1797._)
* * * * *
"On Friday a butcher exposed his wife to sale in Smithfield Market, near the Ram Inn, with a halter about her neck, and one about her waist, which tied her to a railing, when a hog-driver was the happy purchaser, who gave the husband three guineas, and a crown, for his departed rib. Pity it is, there is no stop put to such depraved conduct in the lower order of people."--(_Times, July 18, 1797._)
* * * * *
"On Saturday evening last, John Lees, steel-burner, sold his wife for the small sum of 6_d._ to Samuel Hall, fell-monger, both of Sheffield. Lees gave Hall one guinea immediately, to have her taken off to Manchester the day following by the coach: she was delivered up with a halter round her neck, and the clerk of the market received 4_d._ for toll. It would be well if some law was inforced to put a stop to such degrading traffic!! (Sheffield Register)"--(_Times, March 30, 1796._)
* * * * *
"At the last sale of wives there was but a poor show though there were plenty of bidders. One alone went off well, being bought by a Taylor, who outbid eight of his competitors."--(_Times, Dec. 2, 1797._)
* * * * *
Advt. "To the Curious. J. Harrison begs leave to inform his Friends, and the Public, that he has, for sale, a great variety of grafted Gooseberry Plants, in pots, with red, white, and black Currants growing on each, the fruit of the finest flavour: and handsome standard Currant Trees, 5 feet high, with red, white, and black, fruit on each, likewise dwarf Apple Trees, handsome plants, suitable for the borders of pleasure gardens, being full of fine fruit. Gentlemen and Ladies are invited to come and view his plants, now the fruits are on them, at his Nursery, opposite the Turks Head, half-way to Deptford Upper Road."--(_Times, Aug. 9, 1799._)
* * * * *
"When the order for the embargo was received at Gravesend, two hoys, the one for Margate, the other for Ramsgate, lay off the town, and were immediately subjected to the restriction. One had nearly 200 persons on board, the other, upwards of 150; they were obliged to land, and the place not affording accommodation for so large, and unexpected, an influx of company, a whimsical scene of confusion, disorder, and embarrassment, ensued: some in carts, &c., got on to Rochester, and Canterbury: but, owing to the march, and embarkation of troops, all the carriages, and horses, on the road were engaged, and several days elapsed before these unfortunate people reached the place of their destination."--(_Times, Aug. 19, 1799._)
* * * * *
"Lately died at Lynn, in her 78th year Miss Mary Breese. She never lived out of the parish she was born in, was a remarkable sportswoman, regularly took out her shooting license, kept as good greyhounds, and was as sure a shot, as was in the county. At her desire, her dogs, and her favourite mare, were killed at her death, and buried in one grave."--(_Times, Oct. 8, 1799._)
* * * * *
"Late on Sunday evening last a beautiful Circassian arrived at the Turkish Ambassador's Hotel. She was brought from Smyrna in the '_Princess_,' Capt. W. Lee, as a present from the Grand Seignior to his Excellency the Ambassador. She is peculiarly elegant, and beautiful, and was escorted hither by six black eunuchs. The Ambassador showed great attention to Capt. Lee on account of the care he had taken of his mistress."--(_Times, Dec. 19, 1799._)
* * * * *
"The _fair Circassian_ has not yet made her appearance in public. A very splendid equipage is now building in Long Acre for her. Several of our dashing young men of fashion have offered themselves as drivers to the Eastern beauty."--(_Times, Dec. 24, 1799._)
I have not been able to trace the fate of this lady--she was only a nine days' wonder in fashionable society.
INDEX.
A
Abington, Mrs., the actress, 189, 190
"Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres," 222
Actresses of good birth, 194, 195
Adams, Daniel, 23
Advertisement, curious, in the _Times_, 325, 330
Albany, Duchess of, 3
Aldermen, regulate price of bread, 148; visit fraudulent bakers, 150
Aliens, 16, 22
All fours, 180
Ancient Music, Concert of, 226
Androides, 228
Anecdote of Lady E., 330
Angerstein, John Julius, 248, 249, 261
Anson, Hon. Thomas, 59
Anspach, Margrave of, 147, 193, 216
Apprentice, cruel treatment of an, 268
Archer, Lady, 71, 166, 167, 168, 169, 177, 179
Arms, seizure of in Ireland, 44
Army, strength of, 36; patriotic gift to, by ladies, 95; convicts enrolled, 95; French Emigrants enrolled, 95; curious enlistment, 97, 98; kidnapping, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106; young officers, 107, 108; soldiers' bread, 109; bounty for soldiers, 110; courtmartial, 111; sale of commissions, 111, 112; hair powder dispensed with, 130
"Army of England," 42
Arnold, Dr., musical composer, 196, 207
Artificers, enticing, punishment for, 270
Ashurst, Mr. Justice, 34
Assessed taxes, 131, 132
Assize of bread, 148
Astrology, 316
Automata, 228, 229
B
Baddeley, the actor, 187
Bailiffs imprisoned, 268
Bakers, fraudulent, 150
Bakewell, Robert, agriculturist, 299
Ballet and Opera, 204, 211
Bangor, Bishop of, indicted for riot, 322
Bank Bill, singular recovery of, 315
Bank of England, 37, 44
Bank notes, issue of, 37; £1 and £2, 237; interest on a, 322; eating them, 342
Bannister, the actor, 188
Barber's shop, inscription over, 318
Baring, Sir Francis, 288
Barrington, the pickpocket, 245
Barrymore, the actor, 188
Barrymore, Lord, his wager, 298
Bartholomew Fair, history of, 328; description of, 329
Bartolozzi, 220
Bath, its charter, 312; its freedom, 330
Bath, knights of the, installation supper, 114
Bathing-ladies, 312
Bear's grease, 58
Beau, a, 56
Beef, price of, 146
Bedford, Duke of, 24, 25, 61, 185, 298, 306
Bellamy, Mrs., 190
Bernard, Mrs., the actress, 190
Bigg, W.R., _A.R.A._, 227
Billington, Mrs., 189, 225
Black servants, (Indented), 313
Blood, a, 54
Boarding schools, advance in price of, 146
Boarding schools, lady's, 320
Bonaparte, (see Napoleon)
Bond Street Lounge, the, 64, 76
Borouwlaski, Jos., 222
Boswell, James, 230
Bounty for soldiers, 110
Bourgeois, Sir Francis, 196
Bow Street Runners, 244
Bowes, Mr., 185
Bowyer, Admiral, 26
Box-lobby loungers, 200
Bread, household, recommended by Privy Council, 138; subscriptions to reduce price of to the poor, 139; noblemen, &c., pledge themselves to eat household bread, 140; to make good bread, 141; to consume but little, 143, 144; bread used at the Royal table, 147; price regulated by the Aldermen, 148; assize of bread, 148; short weight of, 150
Bridgewater, Duke of, 61
Bridport, Lord, 38, 39
Brighton, dress, 52; company at, 326
Brothers, Lieut. (a pretended prophet), 317
Bruni, vocalist, 209
Brunton, Miss, the actress, 190
Buck, a, 54
Buckingham, Marquis of, 42
Buckinghamshire, Lady, 166, 167, 168, 172, 177, 179
"Bull," a, 318
Bullock stealing, punishment for, 270
Burke, Edmund, 16
Bute, Lord, 304
Butter, price of, 146
C
Cambacérès, 50
Camelford, Lord, 93, 94
Camperdown, Victory of, 42
"Campus nautica," 321
Cant phrases, 200, 201
Canterbury, Archbishop of, 178
Capital punishment, 246, 265, 266
Card money, 176
Cards, unstamped, 181
Caricature sellers, 320
Carlisle, Earl of, 43
Carlisle House, 218, 220, 222, 223
Cask, large one at Meux's Brewery, 316
Cassino, 180, 181
Cat, funeral of a, 306
Chamber Music, 225
Chaplaincy, sale of, 112
Charing Cross, kidnapping riots at, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102
Charlotte, Queen, 2, 5, 6, 7, 26, 31, 33, 44, 294
Chatham, Earl of, 29, 305
Choice spirit, a, 54
Christmas boxes, 117
Chudleigh, Miss (afterwards Duchess of Kingston), 76
Cibber, Mrs., 190
Cipriani, 220
Circassian, the fair, 344
Clarence, Duke of, 189, 194, 209, 216, 295
Clergyman's stipend, curious, 315
Clerical pluralists, 335
Clive, Mrs., the actress, 189
Clothes, cost of, 62
Clubs, the _Transalpine_, 331; the _Ubiquarian_, 331
Coals, price of, 155, 156
Cockade, disuse of, 331
Coffin, a patent, 330
Coin, base, 239, 240, 241, 242, 272, 273, 306
Commercial failures, 232, 233, 234
Commissions in the army, sale of, 111, 112
Common Council and dinners, 136; offer bounty for fish brought to market, 137; abolition of dinners, 142
Concannon, Mrs., 171, 172, 177, 179
Concerts, 226
Convicts, cost of transportation, 269; a jocular, 271
Cooper's Fair, abolition of, 332
Cornelys, Mdme., 212, 217, 219, 222, 223
Cornwallis, Lord, 45
Corpse seized by bailiffs, 313
Corresponding Society, 29
"Coterie, the," 221
Court dresses, 59
Covent Garden Theatre, 31
"Coventry Act," the, 249
Cricket match for 1000 guineas, 319; one-armed and one-legged match, 326
Croix, M. de la, 42
Crop, a, 57, 61, 62, 64, 128
Crouch, Mrs., 189, 205
"Culloden," Mutiny on board of the, 85, 86
Cumberland, Duke of, 2-6, 220, 256
Curates, increase of stipend, 318
Curtis, Sir Roger, 25, 26
D
Dandy, a, 56
Death, singular, 315
Deaths, extraordinary number of, in 1795, 316
Debry, Jean, 66
Debtors, 266, 267, 316, 336
Dentist, anecdote of a, 341
Derby, Lord, 185, 189
Devonshire, Duke of, 129
Didelot, a dancer, 212, 213
Dignum, the vocalist, 196
Dillon, Viscount, 111
Dimsdale, Sir Harry (Mayor of Garratt), 289, 290, 292
Dockwra, 21
Dogs, tax on, 128
Dog-kennels, 306
Dollars, forgery of, 238; issue of, 235, 236, 237, 238
Don Giovanni, opera of, 209
Douglas, Capt. Sir A., 87
Draper's Company, the, 139
Drury, Anecdote of Captain, 91
Drury Lane Theatre, 195
Duels, 275, 276
Duncan, Admiral, 42
Dundas, Mr., 84
Dunstan, Sir Jeffrey (Mayor of Garratt), 292
Durham, Bishop of, 213, 214
E
East India Company, 138
Effingham, Lord, 54
Egremont, Lord, 185
Elcho, Lady, 176
Elections, see Politics
Elliston, the actor, 188
Elopement, advertisement respecting an, 319
Elopement with a negro, 268
Embargo, 344
Emigrants, French, 276, 277, 278, 279, 322
Enlistment, curious, 97, 98
E. O., 173, 181, 182, 185
Epigram, on a dull sermon, 319
Erskine, Mr., robbery at the house of, 320
F
"Factotum, Isaac," 300
Farms, large or small, 137, 138
Faro, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 179
Farren, the actor, 190
Farren, Miss, 189, 197
Fast, General, 47
Feadle, Jimmy Lincum, 56
Feathers, 75
Fees to servants, 160
Fitzgerald, Lord Edward, 44
Fitzherbert, Mrs., 196, 305
Fitzroy, Lady Ann, 107, 108
Food, 135
Food riots, 28, 261
Footmen, dissatisfaction of, 331
Forestalling, 150, 152
Fox, Charles James, 5, 25, 27, 34, 169
France, war with, 18
Franking letters, 121, 122, 123
Frederick the Great, 204
French emigrants, 13, 14, 15, 22, 276, 277, 278, 279, 338