_Fully committed for Trial.—Acquitted for want of
Evidence.—Fatal Consequences of consigning a young Person to
a Jail.—Meet with a fellow Prisoner, who introduces me to the
Company of professed Thieves.—Live by Fraud and Robbery.—Trip
to Staines.—Am at length apprehended for what I am innocent of._
On entering the gates of the gloomy receptacle to which I was now
consigned, and which on many accounts has not been unaptly named the
Bastille, the sensations I felt may be more easily conceived than
described. Besides that this was the first prison I had ever entered,
every thing around me had an air of unspeakable horror. After being
viewed and reviewed by the surly Cerberuses of this earthly hell, I was
conducted up some stairs to a long gallery, or passage, six feet wide,
having on either side a number of dismal cells, each about six feet by
nine, formed entirely of stone, but having a small grated window near the
roof, at the further end, which admitted a gloomy light, and overlooked
a yard, in which other prisoners were confined; there was also a similar
grate over the door; but, owing to their height, both these apertures
were very difficult of access. The cells on the other side the passage,
were exactly similar, but overlooking another yard, and the doors were
immediately opposite each other. The only furniture of these dreary
apartments was an iron bedstead, on which were a bed, blanket, and rug,
but all of the coarsest kind. I afterwards found, that by paying an
extravagant price, I might have had better accommodation; but as I had
then only a few days to stop, and I found no want of cleanliness in my
present lodging, I declined the favour. My conductor having given me a
pitcher of water, without vouchsafing a word, locked the door, and left
me in utter darkness. I retired to my homely couch, and having well
refreshed myself before I left the Brown Bear[18], I soon forgot my
misfortunes in the arms of Morpheus, and did not awake till I was roused
by the turnkey, at a late hour in the morning. This personage now behaved
with some little civility, and let me know that if I had any money I
might be supplied with a good breakfast; at the same time tossing upon
my bed a small loaf (about fourteen ounces,) of bread, which he told
me was the daily allowance of the prison. I gladly accepted his offer,
and desired to have some tea, which was presently sent up to me; and I
continued to have three tolerable good meals, (at least in quantity,)
every day during my stay here; but I paid for each on delivery, and
through the nose.
In order to amuse my mind during this solitary week, I climbed up to
the grated aperture over the door of my cell, and listened to the
conversation of the neighbouring prisoners, who were also confined for
re-examination; and from their discourse I acquired a more extensive
knowledge of the various modes of fraud and robbery, which I now found
were reduced to a regular system, than I should have done in seven
years, had I continued at large. I was indeed astonished at what I
heard, and I clearly perceived that instead of expressing contrition for
their offences, their only consideration was how to proceed with more
safety, but increased vigour, in their future depredations. And here I
was struck with the fallacious notions entertained by the projectors of
this prison, which was reputed to be upon the plan of the benevolent and
immortal Howard, who had recommended the confinement of offenders in
separate cells, in order to prevent the effects of evil communication
among persons who had not all attained an equal degree of depravity.
This object, however, was not effected here, for being within hearing of
each other, they could, by sitting up over the door as I have described,
converse each with his opposite neighbour, and even form a line of
communication, where the discourse became general, from one end of the
gallery to the other. As a proof of what I have advanced, I knew several
of the prisoners then confined with me in this passage, who were at that
time but striplings, and novices in villany, and who after several years’
continuance in their evil courses, at length became notorious offenders,
and having narrowly escaped a shameful death, are now prisoners for life
in this colony.
On the morning of the appointed day, I was again taken to Bow-street,
where I found in attendance Mr. Pettit, and the three shopkeepers from
whom I had obtained the goods. I also saw to my mortification, that
they had searched my lodging, and had actually the various articles so
obtained in their custody, ready to produce. The first person who came
forward, was the woollen-draper’s shopman, who, producing some yards of
cloth and kerseymere, deposed that I had applied for such articles in
the name of Messrs. Giffard and Co., and that having frequently served
me with the like goods, he delivered them to me without hesitation. Mr.
Pettit then denying that I had been deputed by him, or his partner,
and the property being sworn to, the magistrate observed that here was
sufficient matter to convict me, and it was therefore unnecessary to bind
over the other tradesmen, who were ordered to retain their goods. Having
nothing to offer in my defence, his worship ordered the clerk to commit
me for trial, on which I earnestly begged the magistrate to send me to
some other prison, where my friends might have access to me, (this being
denied at the Bastille à la mode de Paris,) and in compliance with my
request, I was ordered to New Prison, Clerkenwell; at which I was much
rejoiced.
On arriving at this prison, of the rules of which I had acquired some
idea, from the information of my late fellow prisoners, who had indeed
advised me to petition as I did, I desired to have the best accommodation
I could, and was therefore called upon to pay fees, garnish, _&c._,
together with two shillings for a bed the first night, but after that,
one shilling only. Having complied with every demand, I was introduced
to a little room adjoining the turnkey’s lodge, where I found several
persons in my own predicament, and some others who were confined for
certain periods. We spent the day together in this part of the prison,
having also free access to the lodge, in which we walked for air, and at
night were locked up in different rooms above stairs, each containing
two or three tolerable beds; so that having society both night and day,
I felt less melancholy than I had done in the house of correction. My
first care was to send for a young man, who, being reputed honest by
the world, I thought I could intrust to arrange matters at my lodgings,
and take care of the effects I left in my apartment. I requested him to
pay the rent due, and remove my chest to his own residence, supplying
me occasionally with such articles as I might need. On his return,
he informed me that he had done everything for the best; but, from
his report, I found that twenty guineas in money, and many of my best
clothes, had taken flight. This he attributed to the officers, who, he
said, had paid several visits to the chest, on pretence of searching by
authority. As I knew how fruitless any complaint would be, I was obliged
to submit to these losses, and thought myself very fortunate in having
thirty pounds about me on my apprehension, which escaped the fangs of the
officer who searched me.
It was about the middle of April when I was taken up, and this being
what is termed long vacation, I had nearly seven weeks to lie in jail,
before the sessions came on. This time I passed in the most agreeable
manner I could, reading sometimes books and newspapers, at others,
smoking, drinking, and conversing with my fellow-prisoners; having all
plenty of money, we formed a pretty respectable mess, and lived on the
most sociable terms. Our society was increased by several new chums
before the sessions, and as these persons were some degrees above the
common class of thieves, I found much satisfaction in their conversation.
There were indeed among them some of the first characters upon the town,
leading men in the various branches of prigging[19] they professed; both
toby-gills[20], buz-gloaks[21], cracksmen[22], _&c._, but from their
good address and respectable appearance, nobody would suspect their real
vocation. As for the unfortunate prisoners, who had no money to pay for
indulgence, they were confined in a large yard, called the common side,
where they were indeed exposed to “variety of wretchedness.” The part I
inhabited was termed “between gates,” being that space which is between
the outer-gate of the prison, and the gate leading to the common-side.
My knowledge of life, as it is termed by the knavish part of mankind,
and my acquaintance with family people[23], every day increased; but,
as all who heard my case concurred with myself in opinion that I had no
chance of escaping conviction, I did not form any intimacy, or devise any
plans beyond the present moment, concluding that I should, at least, be
confined for two years, if not transported for seven.
A week before the Old Bailey sessions, the prisoners were as usual
removed to Newgate; but to my surprise, I was not included in their
number; and I found that my offence being considered a misdemeanour, I
was to be tried at the Quarter sessions held at Hicks’s-hall. For the
reason before-mentioned, I had been advised not to employ a counsel,
which indeed I conceived would be only money thrown away, as the case
was too clear against me. I therefore patiently awaited the issue, and
the day of trial being come, I was taken, with many other prisoners of
both sexes, from the prison to the sessions-house on Clerkenwell-green,
at which Mr. Mainwaring, the member for Middlesex, has for many years
presided as chairman.
Being put to the bar, I stood indicted for knowingly and designedly,
and by false pretences, obtaining from Joseph Addington, five yards
of superfine blue cloth, and three yards of black kerseymere, _&c._
Having pleaded “Not guilty,” the first witness called, was Henry York,
shopman to the prosecutor, who deposed, that on the 7th of April, I
came to his master’s shop, and said I wanted the articles mentioned in
the indictment; and that he, the witness, knowing me well by sight, as
the servant of Messrs. Giffard and Co., and taking for granted that I
was still in their service, immediately cut off, and delivered the same
to me. Here the chairman pressed the witness repeatedly, to state the
exact words that I used; but the man was so evidently embarrassed, (I
suppose from his never being before in a court of justice,) that nothing
more could be extracted from him; he would persist in speaking only in
the third person. “He said he wanted, _&c._” Indeed, to the best of my
recollection, he had sworn exactly the truth; but the reader will soon
see the chairman’s motive for wishing his evidence to be more pointed. I
now felt my hopes revive, and Mr. Pettit being sworn to depose that he
had not empowered me to demand the said goods, which were now produced
and identified, I was put upon my defence, upon which I addressed
the court to the following effect: “May it please your worship, and
gentlemen of the jury, I am here indicted for obtaining goods under
false pretences. From the evidence of the witness York, you hear of no
pretences whatever which I used; he merely swears that I said I wanted
such and such articles, and that he delivered them to me without scruple.
However, I may have been morally culpable, I hope, gentlemen, you will
only be guided in your verdict by the evidence before you, and I humbly
submit that the charge against me has not been formally substantiated.
Gentlemen, I leave my case in your hands, and the question of law to the
learned chairman, who, I am persuaded, will impartially decide thereon.”
The chairman now addressing the jury, spoke as follows: “Gentlemen, I am
sorry, for the ends of public justice, that there is but too much reason
in what the prisoner has advanced; but he is a very young man, and I
sincerely hope that if he this day escapes the correction of the law, he
will never again transgress in a similar way. Gentlemen, the prisoner
is charged in the indictment with falsely obtaining these goods in the
names of William Giffard, Christopher Fisher, and James Orrell Pettit.
Now in the evidence of York, the shopman, we hear not a syllable of such
pretence, or of the prisoner using either of those names, consequently,
the case is not made out, and you must acquit the prisoner.” This they
immediately did, and after an admonition from the chairman, I was
discharged, having first applied for the money, _&c._, taken from me
on my apprehension, which the court ordered to be restored. Mr. Pettit
seemed much chagrined at my escape, and I was in some fear that he would
endeavour to have me detained; but it is probable that he thought it
not worth his while, as he could not hope to obtain any restitution
from me; however, he suffered me to depart in peace, to my great joy. I
have reason to believe that he had not discovered the full extent of my
depredations on his property at this time, and that he had not yet come
to a knowledge of the money I received in payment of bills at the West
end of the town.
On regaining my liberty, my first step was to go in quest of the person
to whose care I had consigned my effects; and who, on pretence of much
business, had abstained for a fortnight past, from visiting me in the
prison. Inquiring at his usual place of abode, I found that he had
quitted his lodging a few days after the period of my apprehension, and
the people of the house knew not where he was gone. I then called at the
printing-office in which he was employed when I first knew him, and there
learnt that he had suddenly absented himself, and was reported to have
engaged with some person of that profession in the country. Every inquiry
I could make was equally fruitless, and I had the mortification to find
that this supposed friend had treacherously converted all my little
property to his own use, without regard to the helpless situation in
which he left me. I had no longer any doubts about the fate of my twenty
guineas, and articles of apparel, which he had persuaded me the officers
must have purloined.
My situation was now deplorable enough; I possessed only the clothes on
my back, and about five pounds in money, the expenses of living, _&c._,
during my confinement, having consumed the rest of my stock. However, I
had regained my freedom, which I little expected, and I consoled myself
with the reflection that I might have been still worse off than I really
was. I engaged a cheap but decent lodging, and furnished myself with such
necessaries as were indispensable for my present comfort, and external
appearance; and I next began to muse upon the course now to be adopted
for my future subsistence.
A few days after my acquittal, I was accosted one afternoon, in
Fleet-street, by a young man, whose face I had some faint recollection
of; while I was considering where I had seen him, he anticipated
me, by asking if I did not remember him in New-prison, where he was
confined on the common side, and had frequently conversed with me
through the gate of the lodge, at which I sometimes amused myself with
viewing the proceedings in the yard below me. This young man was then
only confined till the sessions on a charge of assault, but, being
poor in circumstances, was unable to pay the expenses of admission
“between gates.” I immediately recognised him, and he gave me joy on my
deliverance. He was now very well attired, and invited me to drink a
glass; to which, as I had always found much pleasure in his conversation,
I willingly consented, and accompanied him to a house, called the
White Swan, near Temple-bar. Here my inviter seemed quite at home; he
introduced me to a neat little parlour, in which were a number of persons
smoking their pipes, and drinking wine, punch, _&c._ I observed that my
conductor, whom I shall in future call Bromley, appeared to know and be
known by them all, and that they regarded me with an inquiring eye.
Having taken our seats in a vacant part of the room, our conversation was
at first upon general topics; at length Bromley inquired in a friendly
manner, how I employed myself, and on my answering candidly, that I
really was destitute of employment, and almost of money, he observed
that I was to blame if I wanted money while any body else had any; that
for his part he never would; and that if I would take a walk with him,
I should be welcome; he added that he had that day turned out three
readers[24], but without finding a shilling in either of them; however,
said he, we cannot expect to be always equally lucky. I confess I was
ashamed to own that I had never practised thieving, for (thanks to my
late seven weeks’ education,) I understood his meaning well. I therefore
told him that I had not been accustomed to buzzing, and should be unable
to do my part. On this, Bromley replied that we should have at least
one other person with us, and that he himself would work, while he only
required me and the third man to cover[25] him. Having thus answered my
objection, as I had no scruples of conscience to overcome, I agreed to
accompany him. Shortly afterwards a genteel looking man, advancing to our
table, from among the other company, asked Bromley if he was inclined
for a walk; at the same time looking significantly first at me, then at
my companion. The latter answered, “Yes, sir, with all my heart; this
gentleman is a friend of mine, he’ll take a turn with us: it’s all right:
he’s one of us.” Bromley having discharged our reckoning, we then set
out, and proceeded up Fleet-street, till we observed a crowd of gazers
at the windows of Messrs. Laurie and Whittle, print-sellers. Bromley
immediately joined the throng, we keeping close behind him, wherever he
moved; at length he gave us a sign to cover, and we had scarcely taken
our stations, before Bromley drew back, and pulling the skirt of my coat,
left the crowd, and crossing the way, turned up a court which led into
another street. We followed him close, till he entered a public house,
and we were no sooner in a private room, than Bromley drew from under his
coat a large green pocket-book, which, it seems, he had, unobserved by
me, extracted from the pocket of a gentleman by whose side he stood, when
we advanced to cover him. The book, being opened, was found to contain a
complete set of valuable surgeon’s instruments, some private letters, and
other papers, and in one of the pockets eleven pounds in bank notes; the
money was immediately divided in equal shares, and the stranger observing
that he knew where to fence[26] the book, allowed Bromley and myself five
shillings each on that account. The papers, _&c._, having been committed
to the flames, we then left the house; but my two companions having
observed some police-officers in Fleet-street, deemed it imprudent to
prolong our stay in that quarter, and it being now nearly dusk, at my
request, we all three returned to the White Swan, as I was curious to
know more of the various characters I had seen assembled there.
The seasonable relief my finances had experienced by this adventure,
without any exertion or risk on my part, gave me much satisfaction; and
I thought, to use the words of Mrs. Peachum, in the Beggar’s Opera, that
this was “pretty encouragement for a young beginner.”
It was no sooner dark and the candles lighted, than the room began to
fill apace, and my friend Bromley gave me a description of each person
as he entered, explaining the various branches of prigging, _&c._, in
which they excelled, as well as their good or bad dispositions towards
each other. I recognised among them several faces which I remembered
to have seen at different public places, and even at coffee-houses and
ordinaries, where they intermixed with the best company, and were treated
with every respect.
From this time Bromley and myself became inseparable. This young man
was the son of a respectable master-tailor, and was himself bred to the
same trade. Having formed bad connexions, (the usual root of all evil,)
he had quitted his father’s house about a year before I first knew
him, and associating with “family people,” had since supported himself
by depredation; he was two years older than myself, and his father
considering him irreclaimable, had long since given him up.
For a few weeks we continued to go out[27] with one or other of the
gentlemen frequenting the Swan; and after I had made the first essay,
I became pretty expert in the art of buzzing. Our success was various,
but we managed to live well, and I for my part soon acquired a good
stock of clothes, books, and other comforts, as they were considered
by me. As for Bromley, he was not so good a manager, and when absent
from me, he led a very irregular life, lavishing his money without
discrimination on the most unworthy objects, without taking any thought
for the morrow, so that though our gains were equal, I became every day
richer, while he was seldom master of a guinea beforehand. By degrees
we detached ourselves from the society of those veteran prigs[28],
with whom we had first associated, and not confining our operations
to one branch of depredation, we had recourse to various methods of
getting money. It would be tedious to particularize every species of
fraud and robbery, which we practised in the short space of three
months, at the end of which period, it will be seen that the hand of
justice arrested our further progress; and it is hardly credible, (but
such is the fact,) that during this our limited career, we exercised
alternately the following numerous modes of depredation; which, least
the reader should be unprovided with a cant dictionary, I shall briefly
explain in succession: _viz._, buzzing[29], dragging[30], sneaking[31],
hoisting[32], pinching[33], smashing[34], jumping[35], spanking[36], and
starring[37]; together with the kid-rig[38], the letter-racket[39], the
order-racket[40], and the snuff-racket[41].
In these various exploits, we were sometimes assisted by a third person;
and at others, though very rarely, we formed part of a numerous gang;
but in general we acted by ourselves, and, considering our youth and
inexperience, evinced a good deal of dexterity.
In the month of July, 1800, finding myself inclined for a summer
excursion into the country, I determined on a trip to Plymouth, having
never been in the West of England, and invited my friend Bromley to
accompany me. As we, neither of us, possessed much money, I proposed
to travel in the same manner as I had formerly done, in my Portsmouth
expedition, and to defray our expenses by practising the same imposition,
which I now well knew to be a systematic fraud, known among “family
people” by the title of “the letter-racket.”
We accordingly left town together, equipped with a few indispensables,
contained in a small bundle which we carried alternately, and provided
with a new edition of “Carey’s Itinerary.” Our first resting-place was
Hammersmith, where, in the course of four hours, I realized as many
pounds; my companion in the mean time lying dormant in a public-house,
for in this practice he was not qualified to bear a part; but we intended
to omit no opportunity which might offer of obtaining money by any other
means.
Quitting Hammersmith, we proceeded to Hounslow, where we arrived the
same evening, and reposed for the night. The following day was spent
in collecting from the well-disposed inhabitants of the town, and on
the ensuing morning, we walked to Staines a distance of seven miles.
Arriving at the latter place about one o’clock, we put up at a genteel
public-house, and regaled ourselves with a good dinner. We had just
dined, and were enjoying a pipe, and a bowl of punch, when a respectable
looking old gentleman entered the room, and begged, if it was agreeable,
to take a pipe with us. This being a sort of public parlour, of course
we could have no objection, and we soon entered into familiar chat, the
stranger proving a very pleasant companion. Having passed about an hour
in conversation, I rose, and, apologizing to the old gentleman, told
Bromley I would step out and transact a little business, desiring him to
entertain the stranger until my return. My intention was to visit some
of the most respectable inhabitants with my petition, and Bromley, of
course, well understood my meaning.
On quitting the inn, which was situated in the principal street, and
about the centre of the town, I turned to my right hand, towards London,
proposing to take the houses and shops on that side the street, until I
came to the extremity or entrance of the town, and then to return on the
other side, until I arrived opposite our inn; calculating that this task
would occupy the remainder of that day, and meaning on the next to make a
circuit of the other half of the town.
My first essay was at a watch-maker’s, about six doors from the house
at which we put up. Entering the shop with my letter in my hand, I was
rather surprised at finding no person in attendance, and still more
so, when upon knocking on the counter, not a soul appeared to answer
me. Casting my eyes round, I perceived a door of communication with a
back-room, in which I distinctly heard a child crying, and the voice
of a woman soothing it. There were a number of watches hanging in
the window, and conceiving I ought to profit by this opportunity, I
determined without hesitation to do so. Having, therefore, first slightly
repeated my knock, and then looked up and down the street, in which
(as frequently happens in country towns,) not a creature appeared, I
commenced my depredations. The window, as is usual with watchmakers, was
enclosed with a kind of lattice-work, and there was no means of access
to the watches, but by a small gate, which opened behind the counter.
The attempt was rather hazardous, but the temptation predominated, and
over the counter I jumped. Having entered the little enclosure, I took
down the watch nearest to me, which was a silver one, and put it in my
pocket, then another, also silver, and had just extended my hand towards
a third, which from the colour I supposed to be gold, when lo! to my
utter confusion, the very same old gentleman I had left in the company of
Bromley, advanced to the window, as if passing by; but stopping short,
and looking earnestly towards me for a moment, he suddenly turned round,
and appearing much agitated, retraced his steps as fast as his age would
permit him towards the inn. This transaction was of course momentary, and
I had no time for reflection; but the terror and alarm always consequent
on conscious guilt, operated so strongly upon my mind, that it instantly
struck me the old man had been aware of my depredations, and had hurried
away to give an alarm, and cause my apprehension. My fears were so great
that I had not even power to take down the third watch, but hastened
out of the shop, and on gaining the street, turned to my right hand,
(not daring to return to the inn,) and putting the best foot foremost, I
found myself in a few minutes at the end of the town, and the London road
lying before me. However, as I every moment expected to be pursued and
overtaken, I was afraid to continue in that road; but, availing myself
of the first turning I came to, which was a narrow lane on my right, I
quitted the turnpike road, intending to take a circuitous course, in
order to avoid a pursuit.
It was now about five o’clock, and although I much regretted the
situation in which I had left poor Bromley, who had no money about him,
as I was always purse-bearer, yet I conceived it would be madness in me
to return to Staines, convinced as I was of the danger to which I had
exposed myself. I therefore determined to proceed direct to town, not
doubting that Bromley would find means to extricate himself, and speedily
follow me. I was for some time at a loss to find my way, but meeting a
countryman, he directed me; and after crossing a number of fields, and
scrambling over hedges and ditches, I gained the high road once more, and
pushing forward, stopped at length to refresh myself at a public-house
about five miles from Staines.
It was by this time dusk, and, while I was baiting at this house, one of
the Bath stages luckily stopping at the door, I applied to the coachman
for a passage, and ascending the vehicle, arrived safe at Hyde-park
corner, about nine o’clock the same night.
The following day I was, of course, anxiously solicitous about poor
Bromley. I made inquiry for him at every place he was accustomed to
frequent, but without success, during the whole morning. At length,
about four in the afternoon, as I was walking through Leicester-fields,
I unexpectedly met him, to my great satisfaction. Mutual inquiries
immediately took place; and I was surprised to hear him express the
greatest astonishment at my sudden departure from Staines, for which he
told me he was unable to account. This of course produced an explanation,
when it appeared that nothing whatever had transpired respecting the
robbery I had committed, nor had Bromley seen or heard any more of the
old gentleman after the latter quitted his company, which he did a few
minutes after myself. I must, therefore, have been mistaken in my notion
that he had observed my actions through the watch-maker’s window, of
which, at the moment, I entertained no doubt; so true it is, that a
guilty conscience needs no accuser. What could have occasioned his sudden
retreat, is therefore still a mystery to me.
Bromley then proceeded to inform me, that on finding I did not return
about my usual hour to tea, he began to fear something unpleasant had
happened, and had accordingly taken a walk through the town, in quest
of me; but not succeeding in his object, his astonishment and fears
increased, and both were heightened when bed-time approached without my
appearance. That being willing, however, to hope for the best, he had
supped by himself, and telling the landlady, that he supposed his friend
was detained on business which prevented his return, he had at length
retired to bed. The following morning he renewed his search, and meeting
with no better success, he took French leave of the landlady, suffering
her to retain our common bundle of necessaries, which, indeed, were of
more value than our reckoning could amount to; and quitting Staines about
eight o’clock, the poor fellow had travelled on foot to town, (a distance
of sixteen miles,) having accidentally one shilling in his pocket, which
procured him a breakfast, at the same public-house at which I took the
Bath stage.
Thus ended our projected expedition to Plymouth; for having been so
disappointed in the outset, we had no inclination to make a second
attempt. I sold the two watches for five pounds, and dividing that sum,
as well as the residue of what I had acquired by the “Letter racket,”
with Bromley, we turned our thoughts to other modes of obtaining money.
Soon after my return to London, from Staines, I was one day passing
through Newgate-street, immediately opposite the walls of Newgate,
when observing a grave-looking elderly gentleman, who was walking just
before me, to have a pocket-book in his outside coat-pocket, I made an
attempt to ease him of it; but it being of an unusual size, and rather
ponderous, it slipped from my fingers, and alarmed the gentleman; who,
turning round sharply, and seeing me close behind him, clapped his hand
upon my shoulder, saying very drily, “Holloa! young man, when did you
come to town?” I of course affected to be much surprised, and with a look
of displeasure at his freedom, begged he would explain his meaning. The
stranger staring me full in the face, and smiling sarcastically, pointed
with his finger to the opposite walls; and, in a low voice, said, “You
see that stone building, my pretty youth; mark my words, that will be
your resting-place very soon.”—Then, without suffering me to reply, he
crossed hastily towards Snow-hill, leaving me to reflect at leisure upon
his words, and wonder at the strangeness of this adventure!
This gentleman, one would think, possessed the gift of prophecy; for,
as he had foretold, in less than six weeks after, I actually became an
inmate of Newgate!
On Sunday the 17th of August, 1800, Bromley and myself, after
breakfasting together, agreed to walk into the city; our business there,
being to purchase some base half-guineas and seven-shilling pieces, of
a Jew in Petticoat-lane, Whitechapel. We accordingly set out, and about
one o’clock entered Cheapside, when we observed a great concourse of
people, assembled round the door and windows of a draper’s shop. As is
natural to persons in London, we entered the crowd out of curiosity;
at least that was my sole motive, for I always opposed robbing on the
Sabbath-day: (at which the reader may perhaps smile.)—My partner Bromley,
however, had an eye to business, and I soon perceived by his motions,
that he was scrutinizing the pockets of the spectators. I was, however,
at some distance from him, and signified my dissent by a look; in fact,
I had no sooner ascertained the object of the people’s curiosity, which
was an attempt made in the preceding night, to break the shop open, of
which the shutters bore evident marks, than I beckoned to Bromley, and
made the best of my way out of the crowd. I had no doubt but he would
immediately follow me, and having got clear of the mob, and proceeded
slowly about thirty yards from the spot, on my way towards Whitechapel, I
made a stand, and turned round to see if Bromley was coming. The reader,
(_unless he doubts my veracity_) will judge of my surprise, when I saw
my poor companion, struggling with a man who held him at arm’s length
with one hand, and had in the other a silk handkerchief; at the same time
calling after a person who had also left the crowd, and was proceeding
the contrary way, (towards Saint Paul’s,) “Stop Sir, come back, you’re
robb’d.” The person called to, immediately turned back, and at the same
moment, the fellow who held Bromley, seeing me looking earnestly at the
transaction, exclaimed pointing at me, “Stop him in the blue coat! that’s
the other.” Knowing my innocence, I did not attempt to escape; and a man
now advancing to the spot where I stood, seized me by the collar, and
dragged me back to the crowd. The person said to be robbed, had by this
time returned, and being desired to search if he had lost any thing, did
so, and missed his handkerchief. The man who had apprehended Bromley,
proved to be a turnkey at the Poultry-Compter, and a city constable;
the other, who seized me, was brother to the former, and also a peace
officer, their name, Alderman. These two having now taken the address of
the stranger, who identified the handkerchief, and having desired him
to attend the next day at the Mansion-House, they proceeded to escort
Bromley and myself to the Compter. On arriving at this prison, they
immediately searched us, and took from each of us a silk handkerchief,
a pocket-book, and other articles, all our own property; but unluckily
Bromley had a second handkerchief about him, (I believe a white muslin
one,) which he had worn round his neck the preceding day.—Being now
locked up by ourselves, we had leisure to talk over this unfortunate
affair, and I could not help censuring Bromley for the imprudent act he
had committed, especially where the object was so insignificant. Indeed,
I had frequently, since our connexion, had occasion to blame him for
taking so petty an article as a handkerchief, which, notwithstanding, he
persisted in doing, particularly if it was of a fancy pattern. However,
as there was no recalling the event, it was agreed that he should make
the best defence he could for himself, and deny any knowledge of me,
which, as I was not near him, when he was detected, I conceived would
effectually procure my liberation. Thus, after committing numerous acts
of robbery with impunity, I was at last apprehended for what I had no
more actual concern in, than the reader of the page I am now writing.