Part 3
The managers of Spa-fields chapel improving upon the above hint, caused a board to be placed in front of their chapel for the same purpose, and printed bills which can be very soon filled up, describing the child lost or found, in the following forms:--
CHILD LOST. CHILD FOUND.
Sex Age | Sex Age Name | Name Residence | May be heard of at Further particulars | Further particulars
The severe affliction many parents suffer by the loss of young children, should induce parish officers, and others, in populous neighbourhoods, to adopt a plan so well devised to facilitate the restoration of strayed children.
TICKET PORTERS.
By an Act of common council of the city of London, Heygate, mayor, 1823, the ticket porters are not to exceed five hundred.
A ticket porter, when plying or working, is to wear his ticket so as to be plainly seen, under a penalty of 2_s._ 6_d._ for each offence.
No ticket porter is to apply for hire in any place but on the stand, appointed by the acts of common council, or within six yards thereof, under a penalty of 5_s._
+--------------------------------------------------------+-------+ | FARES OF TICKET-PORTERS. | For | | | every | +----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ half | | | Qr. | Half | One | 1½ | Two | mile | | | Mile. | Mile. | Mile. | Mile. | Mile. | far- | | | | | | | | ther. | | | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | | |_s. d._|_s. d._|_s. d._|_s. d._|_s. d._|_s. d._| |For any Package,| | | | | | | |Letter, &c. not | | | | | | | |exceeding 56 | | | | | | | |lbs. | 0 4 | 0 6 | 0 9 | 1 0 | 1 6 | 0 6 | |Above 56 lbs. | | | | | | | |and not ex- | | | | | | | |ceeding 112 lbs.| 0 6 | 0 9 | 1 0 | 1 6 | 2 0 | 0 9 | |Above 112 lbs. | | | | | | | |and not ex- | | | | | | | ceeding 168 lbs. | 0 8 | 1 0 | 1 6 | 2 0 | 2 6 | 1 0 | +----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | For every parcel above 14 lbs. which they may have to bring | | back, they are allowed half the above fares. | +----------------------------------------------------------------+
A ticket porter not to take more than one job at a time, penalty 2_s._ 6_d._
Seven, or more, rulers of the society, to constitute a court.
The governor of the society, with the court of rulers, to make regulations, and annex reasonable penalties for the breach thereof, not exceeding 20_s._ for each offence, or three months’ suspension. They may discharge porters who persist in breach of their orders.
The court of rulers to hear and determine complaints in absence of the governor.
Any porter charging more than his regular fare, finable on conviction to the extent of 20_s._, by the governor, or the court of rulers.
Persons employing any one within the city, except their own servants or ticket porters, are liable to be prosecuted.
* * * * *
~Manners.~
OLIVER CROMWELL.
The following is an extract from one of Richard Symons’s Pocket-books, preserved amongst the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum, No. 991. “At the marriage of his daughter to Rich, in Nov. 1657, the lord protector threw about sack-posset among all the ladyes to soyle their rich cloaths, which they tooke as a favour, and also wett sweetmeats; and daubed all the stooles where they were to sit with wett sweetmeats; and pulled off Rich his peruque, and would have thrown it into the fire, but did not, yet he sate upon it.”
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OLD WOMEN.
De Foe remarks in his “Protestant Monastery,” that “If any whimsical or ridiculous story is told, ’tis of an _Old Woman_. If any person is awkward at his business or any thing else, he is called an _Old Woman_ forsooth. Those were brave days for young people, when they could swear the old ones out of their lives, and get a woman hanged or burnt only for being a little too old--and, as a warning to all ancient persons, who should dare to live longer than the young ones think convenient.”
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DUEL WITH A BAG.
Two gentlemen, one a Spaniard, and the other a German, who were recommended, by their birth and services, to the emperor Maximilian II., both courted his daughter, the fair Helene Scharfequinn, in marriage. This prince, after a long delay, one day informed them, that esteeming them equally, and not being able to bestow a preference, he should leave it to the force and address of the claimants to decide the question. He did not mean, however, to risk the loss of one or the other, or perhaps of both. He could not, therefore, permit them to encounter with offensive weapons, but had ordered a large bag to be produced. It was his decree, that whichever succeeded in putting his rival into this bag should obtain the hand of his daughter. This singular encounter between the two gentlemen took place in the face of the whole court. The contest lasted for more than an hour. At length the Spaniard yielded, and the German, Ehberhard, baron de Talbert, having planted his rival in the bag, took it upon his back, and very gallantly laid it at the feet of his mistress, whom he espoused the next day.
Such is the story, as gravely told by M. de St. Foix. It is impossible to say what the feelings of a successful combatant in a duel may be, on his having passed a small sword through the body, or a bullet through the _thorax_, of his antagonist; but might he not feel quite as elated, and more consoled, on having put his adversary “into a _bag_?”
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“A NEW MATRIMONIAL PLAN.”
This is the title of a bill printed and distributed four or five years ago, and now before me, advertising “an establishment where persons of all classes, who are anxious to sweeten life, by repairing to the _altar of Hymen_, have an opportunity of meeting with proper partners.” The “plan” says, “their personal attendance is not absolutely necessary, a statement of facts is all that is required at first.” The method is simply this, for the parties to become _subscribers_, the amount to be regulated according to circumstances, and that they should be arranged in classes in the following order, viz.
“_Ladies._
“1st Class. I am twenty years of age, heiress to an estate in the county of Essex of the value of 30,000_l._, well educated, and of domestic habits; of an agreeable, lively disposition and genteel figure. Religion that of my future husband.
“2d Class. I am thirty years of age, a widow, in the grocery line in London--have children; of middle stature, full made, fair complexion and hair, temper agreeable, worth 3,000_l._
“3d Class. I am tall and thin, a little lame in the hip, of a lively disposition, conversable, twenty years of age, live with my father, who, if I marry with his consent, will give me 1,000_l._
“4th Class. I am twenty years of age; mild disposition and manners; allowed to be personable.
“5th Class. I am sixty years of age; income limited; active, and rather agreeable.
“_Gentlemen._
“1st Class. A young gentleman with dark eyes and hair; stout made; well educated; have an estate of 500_l._ per annum in the county of Kent; besides 10,000_l._ in the three per cent. consolidated annuities; am of an affable disposition, and very affectionate.
“2d Class. I am forty years of age, tall and slender, fair complexion and hair, well tempered and of sober habits, have a situation in the Excise of 300_l._ per annum, and a small estate in Wales of the annual value of 150_l._
“3d Class. A tradesman in the city of Bristol, in a ready-money business, turning 150_l._ per week, at a profit of 10_l._ per cent., pretty well tempered, lively, and fond of home.
“4th Class. I am fifty-eight years of age; a widower, without incumbrance; retired from business upon a small income; healthy constitution; and of domestic habits.
“5th Class. I am twenty-five years of age; a mechanic, of sober habits; industrious, and of respectable connections.
“It is presumed that the public will not find any difficulty in describing themselves; if they should, they will have the assistance of the managers, who will be in attendance at the office, No. 5, Great St. Helen’s, Bishopgate-street, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between the hours of eleven and three o’clock.--Please to inquire for Mr. Jameson, up one pair of stairs. All letters to be post paid.
“The subscribers are to be furnished with a list of descriptions, and when one occurs likely to suit, the parties may correspond; and if mutually approved, the interview may be afterwards arranged. Further particulars may be had as above.”
Such a strange device in our own time, for catching would-be lovers, seems incredible, and yet here is the printed plan, with the name and address of the match-making gentleman you are to inquire for “up one pair of stairs.”
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~Topographical Memoranda.~
CLERICAL LONGEVITY.
The following is an authentic account, from the “Antiquarian Repertory,” of the incumbents of a vicarage near Bridgenorth in Shropshire. Its annual revenue, till the death of the last incumbent here mentioned, was not more than about seventy pounds per annum, although it is a very large and populous parish, containing at least twenty hamlets or townships, and is scarcely any where less than four or five miles in diameter. By a peculiar idiom in that country, the inhabitants of this large district are said to live “in Worfield-home:” and the adjacent, or not far distant, parishes (each of them containing, in like manner, many townships, or hamlets) are called Claverly, or Clarely-home, Tatnall-home, Womburn-home, or, as the terminating word is every where pronounced in that neighbourhood, “whome.”
“A list of the vicars of Worfield in the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, and in the county of Salop, from 1564 to 1763, viz.
“Demerick, vicar, last popish priest, conformed during the six first years of Elizabeth. He died 1564.
Barney, vicar 44 years; died 1608. Barney, vicar 56 years; died 1664. Hancocks, vicar 42 years; died 1707. Adamson, vicar 56 years; died 1763.
Only 4 vicars in 199 years.”
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SPELLING FOR A WAKE.
Proclamation was made a few years ago, at Tewkesbury, from a written paper, of which the following is a copy:--
“HOBNAIL’S WAKE--This his to give notis on Tusday next--a Hat to be playd at bac sord fore. Two Belts to be tuseld fore. A plum cack to be gump in bags fowr. A pond of backer to be bold for, and a showl to danc lot by wimen.”
THE BEAUTIES OF SOMERSET.
A BALLAD.
I’m a Zummerzetzhire man, Zhew me better if you can, In the North, Zouth, East, or West; I waz born in Taunton Dean, Of all places ever seen The richest and the best.
OLD BALLAD
Tune, _Alley Croker_.
That Britain’s like a precious gem Set in the silver ocean, Our Shakspeare sung, and none condemn Whilst most approve the notion,-- But various parts, we now declare, Shine forth in various splendour, And those bright beams that shine most fair, The western portions render;-- O the counties, the matchless western counties, But far the best, Of all the rest, Is Somerset for ever.
For come with me, and we’ll survey Our hills and vallies over, Our vales, where clear brooks bubbling stray Through meads of blooming clover; Our hills, that rise in giant pride, With hollow dells between them, Whose sable forests, spreading wide, Enrapture all who’ve seen them; O the counties, &c.
How could I here forgetful be Of all your scenes romantic, Our rugged rocks, our swelling sea, Where foams the wild Atlantic! There’s not an Eden known to men That claims such admiration, As lovely Culbone’s peaceful glen, The Tempe of the nation; O the counties, &c.
To name each beauty in my rhyme Would prove a vain endeavour, I’ll therefore sing that cloudless clime Where _Summer_ sets for ever; Where ever dwells the Age of Gold In fertile vales and sunny, Which, like the promis’d land of old, O’erflows with milk and honey; O the counties, &c.
But O! to crown my county’s worth, What all the rest surpasses, There’s not a spot in all the earth Can boast such lovely lasses; There’s not a spot beneath the sun Where hearts are open’d wider. Then let us toast them every one, In bowls of native cider; O the counties, &c.
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~Weather.~
A NEW HYGROMETER.
A new instrument to measure the degrees of moisture in the atmosphere, of which the following is a description, was invented by M. Baptist Lendi, of St. Gall:
In a white flint bottle is suspended a piece of metal, about the size of a hazle nut, which not only looks extremely beautiful, and contributes to the ornament of a room, but likewise predicts every possible change of weather twelve or fourteen hours before it occurs. As soon as the metal is suspended in the bottle with water, it begins to increase in bulk, and in ten or twelve days forms an admirable pyramid, which resembles polished brass; and it undergoes several changes, till it has attained its full dimensions. In rainy weather, this pyramid is constantly covered with pearly drops of water; in case of thunder or hail, it will change to the finest red, and throw out rays; in case of wind or fog, it will appear dull and spotted; and previously to snow, it will look quite muddy. If placed in a moderate temperature, it will require no other trouble than to pour out a common tumbler full of water, and to put in the same quantity of fresh. For the first few days it must not be shaken.
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~Omniana.~
CALICO COMPANY.
A red kitten was sent to the house of a linen-draper in the city; and, on departing from the maternal basket, the following lines were written:--
THE RED KITTEN.
O the red red kitten is sent away, No more on parlour hearth to play; He must live in the draper’s house, And chase the rat, and catch the mouse, And all day long in silence go Through bales of cotton and calico.
After the king of England fam’d, The red red kitten was Rufus nam’d. And as king Rufus sported through Thicket and brake of the Forest New, The red red kitten Rufus so Shall jump about the calico.
But as king Rufus chas’d the deer, And hunted the forest far and near, Until as he watch’d the jumpy squirrel, He was shot by Walter Tyrrel; So, if Fate shall his death ordain, Shall kitten Rufus by dogs be slain, And end his thrice three lives of woe Among the cotton and calico.
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~Twelfth-Day~
SONNET
TO A PRETTY GIRL IN A PASTRY-COOK’S SHOP.
_Sweet_ Maid, for thou art _maid_ of many _sweets_, Behind thy counter, lo! I see thee standing, Gaz’d at by wanton wand’rers in the streets, While _cakes_, to _cakes_, thy _pretty fist_ is handing.
Light as a _puff_ appears thy every motion, Yet thy replies I’ve heard are sometimes _tart_; I deem thee a _preserve_, yet I’ve a notion That warm as _brandied cherries_ is thy heart.
Then be not to thy lover like an _ice_, Nor sour as _raspberry vinegar_ to one Who owns thee for a _sugar-plum_ so nice, Nicer than _comfit_, _syllabub_, or _bun_.
I love thee more than all the girls so natty, I do, indeed, my _sweet_, my _savoury_ PATTY.
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“HOLLY NIGHT” AT BROUGH.
_For the Table Book._
The ancient custom of carrying the “holly tree” on Twelfth Night, at Brough in Westmoreland, is represented in the accompanying engraving.
Formerly the “Holly-tree” at Brough was really “holly,” but ash being abundant, the latter is now substituted. There are two head inns in the town; which provide for the ceremony alternately, though the good townspeople mostly lend their assistance in preparing the tree, to every branch of which they fasten a torch. About eight o’clock in the evening, it is taken to a convenient part of the town, where the torches are lighted, the town band accompanying and playing till all is completed, when it is removed to the lower end of the town; and, after divers salutes and huzzas from the spectators, is carried up and down the town, in stately procession, usually by a person of renowned strength, named Joseph Ling. The band march behind it, playing their instruments, and stopping every time they reach the town bridge, and the cross, where the “holly” is again greeted with shouts of applause. Many of the inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus; and rockets, squibs, &c. are discharged on the joyful occasion. After the tree is thus carried, and the torches are sufficiently burnt, it is placed in the middle of the town, when it is again cheered by the surrounding populace, and is afterwards thrown among them. They eagerly watch for this opportunity; and, clinging to each end of the tree, endeavour to carry it away to the inn they are contending for, where they are allowed their usual quantum of ale and spirits, and pass a “_merry night_,” which seldom breaks up before two in the morning.
To every branch a torch they tie, To every torch a light apply; At each new light send forth huzzas Till all the tree is in a blaze; And then bear it flaming through the town, With minstrelsy, and rockets thrown.
Although the origin of this usage is lost, and no tradition exists by which it can be traced, yet it may not be a strained surmise to derive it from the church ceremony of the day when branches of trees were carried in procession to decorate the altars, in commemoration of the offerings of the Magi, whose names are handed down to us as Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, the patrons of travellers. In catholic countries, flambeaus and torches always abound in their ceremonies; and persons residing in the streets through which they pass, testify their zeal and piety by providing flambeaus at their own expense, and bringing them lighted to the doors of their houses.
W. H. H.
~Note.~
COMMUNICATIONS for the _Table Book_ addressed to _me_, in a parcel, or under cover, to the care of the publishers, will be gladly received.
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS will appear on the wrappers of the monthly parts _only_.
THE TABLE BOOK, therefore, after the present sheet, will be printed continuously, without matter of this kind, or the intervention of temporary titles, unpleasant to the eye, when the work comes to be bound in volumes.
LASTLY, because this is the last opportunity of the kind in my power, I beg to add that some valuable papers which could not be included in the _Every-Day Book_, will appear in the _Table Book_.
MOREOVER LASTLY, I earnestly solicit the immediate activity of my friends, to oblige and serve me, by sending _any_ thing, and _every_ thing they can collect or recollect, which they may suppose at all likely to render my _Table Book_ instructive, or diverting.
W. HONE.
Vol. I.--2.
The genial years increase the timid herd Till wood and pasture yield a scant supply; Then troop the deer, as at a signal word, And in long lines o’er barren downs they hie, In search what food far vallies may afford-- Less fearing man, their ancient enemy, Than in their native chase to starve and die.
The deer of Cranbourn chase usually average about ten thousand in number. In the winter of 1826, they were presumed to amount to from twelve to fifteen thousand. This increase is ascribed to the unusual mildness of recent winters, and the consequent absence of injuries which the animals are subject to from severe weather.
In the month of November, a great number of deer from the woods and pastures of the Chase, between Gunvile and Ashmore, crossed the narrow downs on the western side, and descended into the adjacent parts of the vale of Blackmore in quest of subsistence. There was a large increase in the number about twelve years preceding, till the continued deficiency of food occasioned a mortality. Very soon afterwards, however, they again increased and emigrated for food to the vallies, as in the present instance. At the former period, the greater part were not allowed or were unable to return.
The tendency of deer to breed beyond the means of support, afforded by parks and other places wherein they are kept, has been usually regulated by converting them into venison. This is clearly more humane than suffering the herds so to enlarge, that there is scarcely for “every one a mouthfull, and no one a bellyfull.” It is also better to pay a good price for good venison in season, than to have poor and cheap venison from the surplus of starving animals “killed off” in mercy to the remainder, or in compliance with the wishes of landholders whose grounds they invade in their extremity.
The emigration of the deer from Cranbourn Chase suggests, that as such cases arise in winter, their venison may be bestowed with advantage on labourers, who abound more in children than in the means of providing for them; and thus the surplus of the forest-breed be applied to the support and comfort of impoverished human beings.
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_Cranbourn._
Cranbourn is a market town and parish in the hundred of Cranbourn, Dorsetshire, about 12 miles south-west from Salisbury, and 93 from London. According to the last census, it contains 367 houses and 1823 inhabitants, of whom 104 are returned as being employed in trade. The parish includes a circuit of 40 miles, and the town is pleasantly situated in a fine champaign country at the north-east extremity of the county, near Cranbourn Chase, which extends almost to Salisbury. Its market is on a Thursday, it has a cattle market in the spring, and its fairs are on St. Bartholomew’s and St. Nicholas’ days. It is the capital of the hundred to which it gives its name, and is a vicarage valued in the king’s books at £6. 13_s._ 4_d._ It is a place of high antiquity, famous in the Saxon and Norman times for its monastery, its chase, and its lords. The monastery belonged to the Benedictines, of which the church at the west end of the town was the priory.[8]
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_Affray in the Chase._