Part 9

"A melancholy accident happened yesterday, about one o'clock, at the Recruiting Office, Angel Court, Charing Cross. A sergeant having kidnapped a man, for the better securing him, had confined him in a back-garret at the top of the house, after he had cut off his hair, to disfigure him, and, tying his hands behind him, and locking the door, left him by himself. By some means, the man got his hands loosened, and chose rather to risk his life by jumping from the window, than suffer himself to be any longer in their clutches; accordingly, he attempted to pitch upon a leaded roof, which was about half way to the bottom, but, unfortunately, jumping short, he fell back, and his head falling against the wall, his skull was fractured in such a shocking manner, that he died in about an hour afterwards. The populace were so much enraged at this shocking enormity, which we are sorry to believe is too often repeated, that they almost demolished the Recruiting Office. The mob had increased to so great a degree at ten o'clock last night, that it was found necessary to call out a party of the Horse Guards, for the protection of the neighbourhood."--(_Times, Aug. 16, 1794._)

This was a serious riot. The mob at that time was peculiarly excitable, and had a great deal more of its own way than it has now. So a spark only was wanted to make a flame. This was found in a rumoured case of kidnapping for the army; impressing for the navy could be understood, because it had obtained from time immemorial, that when the king wanted men to man his war vessels, he took seamen, or fishermen, but this was something new, and must be put down, otherwise no man was safe. The truth was not scrupulously adhered to, and the print shops, ever eager to make money by pandering to the passions of the hour, published exaggerated, and heartrending pictures, of the way in which the army was recruited, and, altogether, a very pretty riot was got up.

"On Saturday morning, early, a mob again collected before Angel Court, Charing Cross, and attacked the house from whence the unfortunate young man had thrown himself into the street. The populace proceeded to gut the house, throwing the furniture out of the windows. The street was covered with feathers from the beds which were torn to pieces: they were proceeding to demolish an adjoining house, when the military were called in, and several officer's detachments, both of horse, and foot, again paraded the streets at Charing Cross. The mob having assembled again yesterday morning, and becoming very riotous, a troop of Horse Guards was very properly ordered out, and two or three of the principal rioters about the King's Arms Public House, taken into custody.

"It is some satisfaction that we have heard the Coroner's report on the investigation of this unpleasant business. A most respectable jury sat five hours, on Saturday night, to consider of the verdict: and, after the most minute testimony of several witnesses, it was proved that the young man, whose name was _Howe_, and lived at Wandsworth, was a Lunatic, and had been several times confined by his friends. He had himself offered to enlist; no blame whatever attaches in this instance, to the people of the house. We trust that this impartial enquiry will satisfy the minds of every one, and that there will be no more mobs."--(_Times, Aug. 18, 1794._)

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"In consequence of a mob again assembling at Charing Cross, yesterday evening, the Horse Guards were again called out, and paraded the streets till midnight."--(_Times, Aug. 19, 1794._)

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"THE RIOTS IN LONDON.

"We had flattered ourselves with the hope, that the very fair, and public, investigation which took place on the Coroner's Inquest, which sat on Saturday last on the body of the unfortunate man, Howe, who threw himself out of a window of a Recruiting House, would have satisfied every man's mind, that Howe was a Lunatic, and had been so for many years past: and that it was in a fit of Lunacy, that he destroyed himself. We hoped after this investigation, all kinds of mobs would have ceased.

"We are sorry to observe, that the people are instigated to riot by the false representations daily made in those Jacobin prints, which are, at all times, so eager to announce, and magnify, every public misfortune. One of these yesterday asserted, 'that a poor woman with five children, and herself now pregnant, suspecting the crimps had decoyed her husband into a house in Whitcomb St., watched it, and _by chance saw her husband chained to the floor_.' An evening paper of yesterday, observes 'that the guards, both horse and foot, were _as usual_, grossly insulting inoffensive passengers,' and it concludes with a piece of advice to these military gentlemen, 'that they are not always with musquets, and swords, in their hands, and that the people may be roused to resistance.' Now we know that no gentlemen could have observed greater caution than the military have done on this occasion: and the above remarks have no other object than to excite riot.

"On Tuesday last, _John Kerr_ and _John Ruggle_, were committed to Newgate for stripping a man of his cloaths. Kerr is the man who keeps a house in Whitcomb Street, Charing Cross; which was assailed by a mob on Tuesday night, and very much damaged. It was owing to this riot, that the Horse Guards were again called out, and paraded the streets, through the night, as well as yesterday, to keep the peace.

"Six of those who were found in Kerr's house throwing the furniture out of the windows, were taken into custody, and, yesterday morning, were all committed to Tothill-fields Bridewell.

"A riot also was attempted to be raised at a recruiting-office in Tooley St., Southwark, on Tuesday night.

"Yesterday, a mob assembled before a house of the same description, in Shoe Lane, at which several stones were thrown: and, at length, it became so serious, that the Lord Mayor was called upon to interpose his assistance, and attended, and, by the interference of a few constables, the mob dispersed, but, in the evening, the number of people continuing to increase, a party of guards were sent from the Tower, and the Lord Mayor, at eight o'clock, read the Riot Act. The mob, after being driven out of Shoe Lane by the soldiers, rushed suddenly to Bride Lane, where they broke open a house which had been employed as a recruiting-office, and proceeded to throw the beds, and some little furniture that remained in it, out of the windows; but, hearing of the approach of the military, they fled, saying they had plenty more business to do. It was reported, at the time this paper was going to press, that the Recruiting Offices on Mutton Hill, and Cow-Cross, near Clerkenwell Green, had likewise met a similar fate."--(_Times, Aug. 20, 1794._)

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"On Wednesday, the examinations closed respecting _Mrs. Hanna_, who kept the recruiting office at Charing Cross, when she was acquitted, no evidence being adduced to criminate her. This acquittal has been the consequence of a very scrutinizing investigation.

"The riots were not confined, on Wednesday night, to Fleet St. and the neighbourhood, but extended to the Raven, in Golden Lane, and the Sash, in Moorfields, and very much damaged the Rum Puncheon, in Old St., and a private house in Long Lane. They were all recruiting houses. A recruiting house, opposite Fetter Lane, in Holborn, was completely gutted.

"Yesterday, bills were very properly stuck up in different parts of the town, to the following purport:--'You are earnestly requested to depart hence, and not by remaining, encourage others to stop, by which a crowd will be accumulated, and your personal liberty may be endangered.' Parents were likewise warned from suffering their children to appear abroad.

"It is greatly to be apprehended that there exists a scheme to raise mobs, and disturb the peace of the metropolis. On Friday, and Saturday, during the riots at Charing Cross, great pains were taken to persuade the people, that there were subterraneous passages from the houses to the Thames, and that men were sent off in the night. On Monday, and Tuesday, hand-bills were distributed, telling the people that men, and children, were kidnapped, and sent off to Canada, and elsewhere. Nothing can be more notoriously false than such assertions."--(_Times, Aug. 22, 1794._)

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"On Thursday night there was an attempt made to raise a riot in St. George's Fields, at the Milk House, the corner of the London Road, the master of which is a temporary Serjeant to recruit for some of the volunteer corps; but by the spirited behaviour of the recruits, soldiers and light horse volunteers, in that quarter, the incendiaries did not proceed to acts of violence. It was evidently apparent that the mob was led on by persons above the common rank, whose sole aim is, if possible, under the idea of some pretended grievance, to raise a general riot in the metropolis. On Thursday, several persons were committed to the New Compter, by the Lord Mayor, for being concerned in the riot in Shoe Lane; and six men were committed to Newgate, from the Public Office, in Worship Street, for being concerned in the riots at the Sash, in Moorfields, and at the Black Raven, in Golden Lane.

"In the course of the same day, several attempts of a similar nature were made in different quarters of the town, which were prevented, however, by the appearance of the regular military, and, in some places, by the City Horse Volunteers, who have been out on duty every day. The recruiting offices in Drury Lane, and at Shoreditch, were attempted to be demolished. As the continuance of these riotous proceedings is of the most dangerous nature, we trust that some more decisive steps will be taken, by Government, for their suppression."--(_Times, Aug. 23, 1794._)

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"The activity of the Magistrates, and the arrival of the Oxford Blues, to assist the Civil Power, caused the mobs to be cautious of appearing on Saturday. They found that it was determined to fire upon them if they did not desist; and, therefore, they thought personal safety the best policy. A very rigid, and severe, investigation will, no doubt, be made into the practice of _crimping_, and a stop put to the disgraceful manner of _recruiting_."--(_Times, Aug. 26, 1794._)

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"Old Bailey.

"Five men were indicted for a riot, on the 20th of last month, at a Public House, known by the name of the Old Sash, in Moorfields. After a trial of five hours, the Jury found all the prisoners--_Not Guilty_. _John Osborn_ and _R. Piggott_ were indicted for riotously assembling on the 20th August last, in Golden Lane, and beginning to demolish the dwelling house of _Hugh Case_. _Piggott_ found guilty, sentence, _Death_. _Osborn_, not Guilty. _J. Strutt_, was afterwards tried for beginning to demolish the dwelling house of W. Ostiff, in Johnson's Court, Charing Cross, and, after a trial of several hours, was found guilty, sentence _Death_. Antony Purchase, and R. Warnbeck, were next tried, for beginning to pull down the house of R. Lazell, and found guilty, sentence _Death_. They were both of them strongly recommended, by the Jury, to mercy, on account of their youth, and the goodness of their character."--(_Times, Sept. 22, 1794._)

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"Sunday evening, an affray happened in Whitcomb Street, between a recruiting party, and the mob, on account of the former attempting to trepan a young man, in a state of intoxication. The windows of the recruiting-house were broke, and the affair, which for some time bore an alarming aspect, was at last terminated by the arrival of a party of the Horse Guards." (_Times, Dec. 23, 1794._)

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RIOT IN ST. GEORGE'S FIELDS.

"However expedient it is to recruit our Land Forces, and strongly as it is requisite to make our Navy respectable, and superior to the enemy, yet, in attaining these essential points, the constitutional liberty of the subject should be preserved. It is, therefore, with a degree of regret, we mention that the power of enlisting men for the Land Service, in particular, has been entrusted to persons who have abused the confidence reposed in them, and who have used the most unjustifiable means to accomplish their purposes. As an instance, among others that have previously been brought before the public, we are authorised, from the circumstances of the case, to state, that on Friday last, a very great mob assembled in _London Road_, leading from the Obelisk, in St. George's Fields, to the Elephant and Castle, at Newington Butts, and, having intimation that a number of men were there imprisoned by a certain description of _Crimps_, they attacked the house where these persons were confined, demolished the windows, and released eighteen men, who were chained together by hand-cuffs, and other iron ligaments.

"The Borough Magistrates, on hearing of this outrage, immediately sent down their officers: and the _Acting Recruiting Serjeant_ being taken into custody, he was, after a short examination, committed to the New Gaol. The circumstances which led to the discovery of this imprisonment, was, that of kidnapping a pot-boy, who, before he was chained down, contrived to break a pane of glass in the drawing-room window (for the house was a private one, and elegantly furnished), from whence he cried out 'Murder!' This alarmed the neighbourhood, and, as it had been suspected by them, that persons were illegally confined there, the doors, and windows, were soon demolished, and the prisoners liberated. The Serjeant, and his crew, had two women of the town genteelly dressed up for the purpose of inveigling young men into the house, which they styled their lodgings, where the deluded were instantly hand-cuffed, and, about three or four o'clock, in the morning, sent off in coaches, hired for the purpose, to the country. On Saturday, several more youths, who were confined in other parts of the Fields, were released by the Magistrates, amidst the plaudits of a numerous multitude of spectators."--(_Times, Jan. 12, 1795._)

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"On Tuesday night some disturbance happened in Charles Streets, Westminster, occasioned by some crimps having inveigled a boy from his parents, and lodged him in a house there. The mob broke the windows of it, and the boy was rescued. We have every reason to hope that the most severe punishment will be inflicted on the crimps, Government having taken every possible pains to prevent such abuses."--(_Times, April 16, 1795._)

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"Yesterday evening, about seven o'clock, a very considerable mob assembled about Charing Cross, and, under the pretence of delivering a man from the Crimping House, they attacked the house, which is up a little court near Northumberland House, and threw all the furniture out of the windows. Charing Cross was covered with feathers. The mob became so numerous, and disorderly, that it was found necessary to call in the assistance of the Horse Guards: and the Riot Act was twice read by a Magistrate. The street was much thronged, and the tumult continued, when this Paper went to press: although there had been no other act of serious mischief. No one can detest the business of Crimping more than we do: but we have strong reasons to believe that this is very frequently made a stalking horse with the factious, to provoke a riot."--(_Times, July 12, 1795._)

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"A Mob collected themselves again, last night, at Charing Cross, when, after making every one pull off their hats, as they passed, they proceeded to Mr. Pitt's, in Downing St., and broke several windows in his house; but, the Guards being immediately called out, and appearing in sight, very soon dispersed them.

"The Mob, afterwards, went over Westminster Bridge, and paraded to St. George's-fields, where they attacked the _Royal George_ Public-house, near the Obelisk, and threw all the furniture of it into the road, and there burnt it. They gutted another Recruiting house, in Lambeth-Road, and, afterwards, made a bonfire of the furniture. This was mistaken by many, to be houses on fire. There were some of the Mob who kept watch on the outside of the houses, to give notice of the arrival of the military, who did not come till after the furniture of these two houses were consumed. The Mob compelled the inhabitants of the houses in the neighbourhood, to put up lights.

"The Riot at Charing Cross, on Sunday night, was begun by a very few persons who wished for mischief, and called out the words, Crimps, and Kidnappers! The damage was done almost instantaneously, and the villains escaped, leaving a numerous assembly of people, who were only drawn together by an idle curiosity, on the Surrey-road, near the Circus. Yesterday morning, however, about seven o'clock, it was assailed by a mob, and, notwithstanding it was well defended, and that the door was plated with iron, it was forced, and the prisoners rescued. Last night the mob again assembled about half past eight o'clock, near the Obelisk, in St. George's fields, where they gutted another Recruiting Office, and threw the furniture into the road, of which they made a bonfire. At first, the mob consisted only of about one hundred men, but the flames soon attracted great numbers. About nine, the Horse Guards arrived, and soon dispersed the crowd. We wish they had come sooner, as it is extremely injudicious to the public interest, that such indecent sights should be repeated. It was very well known that a Mob meant to assemble, and, of course, the Military should have been at hand, to meet it. Several persons were much hurt, in not being able to disperse soon enough, which ought to be a warning not to mingle in such a crowd. The Duchess of Gloucester, who was at the Circus, with her daughter, was escorted home by a party of horse."--(_Times, July 14, 1795._)

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"The Riots continued on Monday evening in St. George's Fields, until the Military arrived to disperse the mob. Several persons were taken into custody, and lodged in the watch-house."--(_Times, July 15, 1795._)

The way in which the patronage in the Army was managed, was a crying shame--children in their cradles had Cornetcies presented to them, and their promotion went on several steps before they left school. We hear of the natural consequence, in the following extract from the _Times, 4th Jan. 1794_:--

"We are extremely sorry that our public duty should call upon us to make any unpleasant remarks on the officers of our Army abroad, but repeated letters from the Continent, received by all descriptions of persons, agree in saying that there is a great want of Subordination among our troops. We shall not enter into particulars on this subject, as our only object is, that this observation should meet the eye of the Commander-in-Chief, and other General Officers, and that they should take the matter into their serious consideration. The evil is certainly increased by having so many young men introduced into the Army, and placing them over the heads of veteran Soldiers."

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"The scandalous abuses which have been so often, and so justly, complained of, as detrimental to the public service, of children being taken from school, and appointed Officers, cannot be too soon remedied, though it will be a Herculean task to cleanse the Augean stable. In mentioning the following circumstance, we have certainly no kind of ill-will towards the party concerned; but it is a fact, that a child, _not fourteen years of age_, is now under orders for embarkation at Plymouth, who has been taken from school, to join his regiment at _St. Domingo_, as Captain!!! It is impossible for any man, who has the interest of his country at heart, to hear of such abuses without commenting on them with the utmost severity. The fault is not with Government, but is attached to the custom which prevails in officering the army; a custom which cannot be too soon corrected."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Duke of York has ordered circular letters to be sent round to the Colonels of Regiments, desiring a return to be immediately made to his Office, of the number of Captains in each Regiment, under TWELVE years of age; and of Lieutenant Colonels under the age of EIGHTEEN!!! The very scandalous abuses that have, of late, crept into the mode of officering the army, are such, as to have demanded a very serious enquiry: for numberless are the evils that have resulted from it, besides that it has given so much disgust to veteran Officers, whose fortunes were not adequate to the purchase of rank. Various are the instances of boys having been taken from school, to take the command of Companies of Regiments."--(_Times, March 20, 1795._)

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"Over a Warehouse for fashionable dresses, in Fleet St., is written up 'Speculum modorum,' or, the mirror of the fashions; and several young Gentlemen of the Guards are actually learning Latin, in order to understand them. Others have sent for the Alphabet, in gingerbread, as preliminary education."--(_Times, Oct. 27, 1795._)

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"An alteration, we understand, is shortly to take place in the uniform of the officers of all the regiments of the line. The present full dress coat is to be abandoned in favour of a very short one, without any lace, or lappels, which the officers are always to wear when on duty, but discretionally at other times."--(_Times, Nov. 16, 1797._)

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"A number of _baby_ officers have threatened to sell out of the Guards. They purchased for the privilege of wearing handsome regimentals, and the new uniform they say is so ugly."--(_Times, Nov. 20, 1797._)

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"Some of the sucking Colonels of the Guards have expressed their dislike of the short skirts. They say they feel as if they were going to be flogged."--(_Times, Nov. 21, 1797._)