and fisheries, which by employing a multitude of laborious hands, serves
to increase the pleasures of the rich, and the subsistence of the poor.
The elegant treatise of Columella describes the advanced state of the
Spanish husbandry, under the reign of Tiberius; and it may be observed,
that those famines, which so frequently afflicted the infant republic,
were seldom or never experienced by the extensive empire of Rome. The
accidental scarcity, in any single province, was immediately relieved by
the plenty of its more fortunate neighbours.
ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE OF THE EARL OF NITHSDALE, FROM THE TOWER, IN THE
YEAR, 1716.
Lord Nithsdale was one of the Scottish noblemen who were concerned in
the rebellion headed by the Earl of Mar, in the year 1715. The House of
Commons preferred articles of impeachment against him, and several
others, who all, except the Earl of Wintoun, pleaded guilty, and on the
9th of February, 1716, received judgment of death. The countess of
Nithsdale and lady Nairne threw themselves at the king’s feet as he
passed through the apartments of the palace, and implored his mercy in
behalf of their husbands; but their tears and entreaties were of no
avail. The countess finding that nothing would appease the king but the
death of her husband and the other lords, planned the earl’s escape from
the tower in woman’s apparel, which she safely effected. The letter, of
which the following is a copy, written by herself and addressed to her
sister lady Lucy Herbert, abbess of the Augustine nunnery at Bruges,
giving an account of that transaction is still preserved in the family,
and was in the possession of the late Marmaduke Constable Maxwell, Esq.
of Everingham in Yorkshire.
”_Palais Royal de Rome, 18th April, 1718._
“Dear Sister,
“My Lord’s escape is now such an old story, that I have almost forgotten
it; but since you desire me to give you a circumstantial account of it,
I will endeavour to recal it to my memory, and be as exact in the
narration as I possibly can; for I owe you too many obligations to
refuse you any thing that lies in my power.
“I think I owe myself the justice to set out with the motives which
influenced me to undertake so hazardous an attempt, which I despaired of
thoroughly accomplishing, foreseeing a thousand obstacles, which never
could be surmounted but by the most particular interposition of Divine
Providence. I confided in the Almighty God, and trusted that he would
not abandon me, even when all human succours failed me.
“I first came to London upon hearing that my Lord was committed to the
Tower, I was at the same time informed that he had expressed the
greatest anxiety to see me, having, as he afterwards told me, nobody to
console him till I arrived. I rode to Newcastle, and from thence took
the stage to York. When I arrived there the snow was so deep that the
stage could not set out for London. The season was so severe, and the
roads so extremely bad, that the post itself was stopt; however, I took
horses, and rode to London through the snow, which was generally above
the horse’s girth, and arrived safe and sound without any accident.
“On my arrival I went immediately to make what interest I could amongst
those who were in place. No one gave me any hopes; but all to the
contrary, assured me, that although some of the prisoners were to be
pardoned, yet my lord would certainly not be of the number. When I
enquired into the reason of this distinction, I could obtain no other
answer, than that they would not flatter me; but I soon perceived the
reasons which they declined alleging to me. A roman catholic, upon the
frontiers of Scotland, who headed a very considerable party—a man whose
family had always signalized itself by its loyalty to the royal house of
Stuart, and who was the only support of the catholics against the
inveteracy of the Whigs, who were very numerous in that part of
Scotland, would become an agreeable sacrifice to the opposite party.
They still retained a lively remembrance of his grandfather, who
defended his own castle of Carlaverock to the very last extremity, and
surrendered it up only by the express command of his royal master. Now
having his grandson in their power, they were determined not to let him
escape from their hands.
“Upon this I formed the resolution to attempt his escape, but opened my
intentions to nobody but my dear Evans. In order to concert measures I
strongly solicited to be permitted to see my lord, which they refused to
grant me, unless I would remain confined with him in the Tower. This I
would not submit to, and alleged for excuse, that my health would not
permit me to undergo the confinement. The real reason of my refusal was,
not to put it out of my power to accomplish my design; however, by
bribing the guards, I often contrived to see my lord, till the day upon
which the prisoners were condemned; after that we were allowed for the
last week to see and take our leave of them.
“By the help of Evans, I had prepared every thing necessary to disguise
my lord, but had the utmost difficulty to prevail upon him to make use
of them; however, I at length succeeded by the help of ALMIGHTY GOD.
“On the 22d of February, which fell on a Thursday, our petition was to
be presented to the House of Lords, the purport of which was to intreat
the lords to intercede with his majesty to pardon the prisoners. We
were, however, disappointed the day before the petition was to be
presented; for the Duke of St. Alban’s, who had promised my Lady
Derwentwater to present it, when it came to the point, failed in his
word: however, as she was the only English countess concerned, it was
incumbent upon her to have it presented. We had one day left before the
execution, and the duke still promised to present the petition; but, for
fear he should fail, I engaged the Duke of Montrose to secure its being
done by the one or the other. I then went in company of most of the
ladies of quality who were then in town, to solicit the interest of the
lords, as they were going to the house. They all behaved to me with
great civility, but particularly my Lord Pembroke, who, though he
desired me not to speak to him, yet promised to employ his interest in
our favour, and honourably kept his word; for he spoke in the house very
strongly in our behalf. The subject of the debate was, whether the king
had the power to pardon those who had been condemned by parliament? And
it was chiefly owing to Lord Pembroke’s speech, that it passed in the
affirmative: however, one of the lords stood up and said, that the house
would only intercede for those of the prisoners who should approve
themselves worthy of their intercession, but not for all of them
indiscriminately. This salvo quite blasted all my hopes; for I was
assured it aimed at the exclusion of those who should refuse to
subscribe to the petition, which was a thing I knew my lord would never
submit to; nor, in fact, could I wish to preserve his life on such
terms.
“As the motion had passed generally, I thought I could draw some
advantage in favour of my design. Accordingly, I immediately left the
House of Lords, and hastened to the Tower, where, affecting an air of
joy and satisfaction, I told all the guards I passed by, that I came to
bring joyful tidings to the prisoners. I desired them to lay aside their
fears, for the petition had passed the house in their favour. I then
gave them some money to drink to the lords and his majesty, though it
was but trifling; for I thought that if I were too liberal on the
occasion, they might suspect my designs, and that giving them something
would gain their good humour and services for the next day, which was
the eve of the execution.
“The next morning I could not go to the Tower, having so many things in
my hands to put in readiness; but in the evening when all was ready, I
sent for Mrs. Mills, with whom I lodged, and acquainted her with my
design of attempting my lord’s escape, as there was no prospect of his
being pardoned; and this was the last night before the execution. I told
her that I had every thing in readiness, and I trusted that she would
not refuse to accompany me, that my lord might pass for her. I pressed
her to come immediately, as we had no time to lose. At the same time I
sent for Mrs. Morgan, then usually known by the name of Hilton, to whose
acquaintance my dear Evans had introduced me, which I looked upon as a
very singular happiness. I immediately communicated my resolution to
her. She was of a very tall and slender make, so I begged her to put
under her own riding-hood, one that I had prepared for Mrs. Mills, as
she was to lend her’s to my Lord, that in coming out he might be taken
for her. Mrs. Mills was then with child; so that she was not only of the
same height, but nearly of the same size as my lord. When they were in
the coach, I never ceased talking, that they might have no leisure to
reflect. Their surprise and astonishment, when I first opened my design
to them, had made them consent, without ever thinking of the
consequences. On our arrival at the Tower, the first I introduced was
Mrs. Morgan; for I was only allowed to take in one at a time. She
brought in the clothes that were to serve Mrs. Mills, when she left her
own behind her. When Mrs. Morgan had taken off what she had brought for
my purpose, I conducted her back to the staircase; and in going I begged
her to send me in my maid to dress me; that I was afraid of being too
late to present my last petition that night, if she did not come
immediately. I despatched her safe, and went partly down stairs to meet
Mrs. Mills, who had the precaution to hold her handkerchief to her face,
as was very natural for a woman to do when she was going to bid her last
farewell to a friend on the eve of his execution. I had indeed desired
her to do it, that my lord might go out in the same manner. Her eyebrows
were rather inclined to be sandy, and my lords were dark and very thick;
however, I had prepared some paint of the colour of her’s, to disguise
his with. I also brought an artificial head-dress of the same coloured
hair as her’s; and I painted his face with white and his cheeks with
rouge, to hide his long beard, as he had not time to shave. All this
provision I had before left in the Tower.
The poor guards, whom my slight liberality the day before had endeared
to me, let me go quietly with my company, and were not so strictly on
the watch as they usually had been; and the more so, as they were
persuaded, from what I had told them the day before, that the prisoners
would obtain their pardon. I made Mrs. Mills take off her own hood, and
put on that which I had brought for her; I then took her by the hand and
led her out of my lord’s chamber; and in passing through the next room,
in which there were several people, with all the concern imaginable, I
said, “My dear Mrs. Catherines, go in all haste, and send me my waiting
maid; she certainly cannot reflect how late it is; she forgets that I am
to present a petition to-night, and if I let slip this opportunity I am
undone, for to-morrow will be too late. Hasten her as much as possible,
for I shall be on thorns till she comes.” Every body in the room, who
were chiefly the guards’ wives and daughters, seemed to compassionate me
exceedingly, and the sentinel very officiously opened the door to me.
When I had seen her out I returned back to my lord, and finished
dressing him. I had taken care that Mrs. Mills did not go out crying as
she came in, that my lord might the better pass for the lady who came in
crying and afflicted, and the more so, because he had the same dress she
wore. When I had almost finished dressing my lord in all my petticoats
excepting one, I perceived that it was growing dark, and was afraid that
the light of the candles might betray us, so I resolved to set off; I
went out leading him by the hand, and he held his handkerchief to his
eyes; I spoke to him in the most piteous and afflicted tone of voice,
bewailing bitterly the negligence of Evans, who had ruined me by her
delay. Then, said I, “My dear Mrs. Betty, for the love of GOD run
quickly, and bring her with you; you know my lodging, and if ever you
made despatch in your life, do it at present, I am almost distracted
with this disappointment.” The guards opened the doors, and I went down
stairs with him, still conjuring him to make all possible despatch. As
soon as he had cleared the door I made him walk before me, for fear the
sentinel should take notice of his walk, but I still continued to press
him to make all the despatch he possibly could. At the bottom of the
stairs I met my dear Evans, into whose hands I confided him. I had
before engaged Mr. Mills to be in readiness, before the Tower, to
conduct him to some place of safety, in case we succeeded. He looked
upon the affair so very improbable to succeed, that his astonishment,
when he saw us, threw him into such consternation, that he was almost
out of himself, which Evans perceiving, with the greatest presence of
mind, without telling him any thing, lest he should mistrust them,
conducted him to some of her own friends, on whom she could rely, and so
secured him, without which we should have been undone. When she had
conducted him, and left him with them, she returned to find Mr. Mills,
who, by this time, had recovered himself from his astonishment. They
went home together, and having found a place of security, they conducted
him to it.
In the mean while, as I had pretended to have sent the young lady on a
message, I was obliged to return up stairs and go back to my lord’s
room, in the same feigned anxiety of being too late, so that every body
seemed sincerely to sympathize with my distress. When I was in the room,
I talked to him, as if he had been really present, and answered my own
questions in my lord’s voice, as nearly as I could imitate it. I walked
up and down, as if we were conversing together, till I thought they had
time enough thoroughly to clear themselves of the guards. I then thought
proper to make off also. I opened the door, and stood half in it, that
those in the outward chamber might hear what I said, but held it so
close, that they could not look in. I bid my lord a formal farewell, for
that night, and added that something more than usual must have happened
to make Evans negligent on this important occasion, who had always been
so punctual in the smallest trifles; that I saw no other remedy than to
go in person; that if the Tower were still open when I finished my
business, I would return that night; but that he might be assured I
would be with him as early in the morning as I could gain admittance
into the Tower, and I flattered myself I should bring favourable news.
Then, before I shut the door, I pulled through the string of the latch,
so that it could only be opened on the inside. I then shut it with some
degree of force, that I might be sure of its being well shut. I said to
the servant as I passed by, that he need not carry in candles to his
master till my lord sent for him, as he desired to finish some prayers
first. I went down stairs, and called a coach. As there were several on
the stand, I drove home to my lodgings, where poor Mr. Mackenzie had
been waiting to carry the petition, in case my attempt had failed. I
told him there was no need of any petition, as my lord was safe out of
the Tower, and out of the hands of his enemies, as I hoped; but that I
did not know where he was.
I discharged the coach, and sent for a sedan chair, and went to the
Duchess of Buccleugh, who expected me about that time, as I had begged
of her to present the petition for me, having taken my precautions
against all events, and asked if she was at home; and they answered,
that she expected me, and had another duchess with her. I refused to go
up stairs, as she had company with her, and I was not in a condition to
see any other company. I begged to be shewn into a chamber below stairs,
and that they would have the goodness to send her grace’s maid to me,
having something to say to her. I had discharged the chair, lest I might
be pursued and watched. When the maid came in, I desired her to present
my most humble respects to her grace, who they told me had company with
her, and to acquaint her that this was my only reason for not coming up
stairs. I also charged her with my sincerest thanks for the kind offer
to accompany me when I went to present my petition. I added, that she
might spare herself any further trouble, as it was now judged more
advisable to present one general petition in the name of all; however,
that I should never be unmindful of my particular obligations to her
grace, which I would return very soon to acknowledge in person.
I then desired one of the servants to call a chair, and I went to the
duchess of Montrose, who had always borne a part in my distress. When I
arrived, she left her company to deny herself, not being able to see me
under the affliction which she judged me to be in. By mistake I was,
however admitted; so there was no remedy. She came to me; and as my
heart was in extasy of joy, I expressed it in my countenance as she
entered the room. I ran up to her in a transport of joy. She appeared to
be extremely shocked and frightened; and has since confessed to me that
she apprehended my trouble had thrown me out of myself, till I
communicated my happiness to her. She then advised me to retire to some
place of security; for that the king was highly displeased, and even
enraged at the petition that I had presented to him, and had complained
of it severely. I sent for another chair, for I always discharged them
immediately, lest I might be pursued. Her grace said she would go to
court to see how the news of my lord’s escape was received. When the
news was brought to the king he flew into an excess of passion, and said
he was betrayed; for it could not have been done without some
confederacy. He instantly despatched two persons to the Tower to see
that the other prisoners were well secured, lest they should follow the
example. Some threw the blame upon one, some upon another. The duchess
was the only one at court who knew it.
When I left the duchess I went to a house which Evans had found out for
me, and where she promised to acquaint me where my lord was; she got
thither some few minutes after me, and told me that when she had seen
him secure, she went in search of Mr. Mills, who, by this time, had
recovered himself from his astonishment; that he had returned to her
house, where she found him, and that he had removed my lord from the
first place, where she had desired him to wait, to the house of a poor
woman, directly opposite to the guard-house; she had but one small room
up one pair of stairs, and a very small bed in it.—We threw ourselves
upon the bed, that we might not be heard walking up and down. She left
us a bottle of wine and some bread; and Mrs. Mills brought us some more
in her pocket the next day. We subsisted on this provision from Thursday
till Saturday night, when Mrs. Mills came and conducted my lord to the
Venetian ambassador’s.
We did not communicate the affair to his excellency; but one of his
servants concealed him in his own room till Wednesday, on which day the
ambassador’s coach and six was to go down to Dover to meet his brother.
My lord put on a livery, and went down in the retinue, without the least
suspicion, to Dover, where Mr. Mitchell (which was the name of the
ambassador’s servant) hired a small vessel, and immediately set sail for
Calais. The passage was so remarkably short, that the captain threw out
this reflection, that the wind could not have served better if his
passengers had been flying for their lives, little thinking it to be
really the case. Mr. Mitchell might have easily returned without being
suspected of being concerned in my lord’s escape; but my lord seemed
inclined to have him continue with him, which he did, and has at present
a good place under our young master.
This is as exact and full an account of this affair, and of the persons
concerned in it, as I could possibly give you, to the best of my memory,
and you may rely on the truth of it. I am, with the strongest
attachment, my dear sister, your’s most affectionately,
WINIFRED NITHSDALE.
ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST RISE OF FAIRS IN ENGLAND, AND THE MANNER OF LIVING
IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES.
Before the necessaries or ornaments of life from the convenience of
communication and the increase of provincial intercourse could be
procured in towns, through the medium of shops, goods and commodities of
every kind were chiefly sold at fairs, to which, as to one universal
mart, the people resorted periodically, and supplied most of their wants
for the ensuing year.
Fairs and markets were at first held near the castles of the great
barons, and near the cathedrals and principal churches in the cities and
great towns, not only to prevent frauds in the king’s duties or customs,
but also as they were esteemed places where the laws of the land were
observed, and as such had a very particular privilege.
The display of merchandize and the conflux of customers at these
principal and only emporia of domestic commerce were prodigious, and
they were, therefore, often held on open and extensive plains.
It appears from a curious record containing the establishment and
expenses of the Earl of Northumberland in the year 1512, that the stores
of his lordship’s house at Wressle, for the whole year were laid in from
fairs; “He that stands charged with my lord’s house for the whole year,
if he may possible, shall be at all fairs, where the gross emptions
(that is the principal articles) shall be bought for the house for the
whole year, as wine, wax, beeves, muttons, wheat and malt.”
This quotation is a proof that fairs were at that time the principal
marts for purchasing necessaries in large quantities, which now are
supplied by trading towns, and the mention of buying beeves and muttons,
(oxen and sheep) shews that at so late a period they knew but little of
breeding cattle.
The great increase of shops in the retail trade in all the towns and
villages through the kingdom since the commencement of the eighteenth
century, by means of which the inhabitants are supplied with every
article necessary for subsistence as well as for luxury, has in a great
measure rendered useless the purposes for which fairs were originally
established. This change in the domestic trade of the country may be
attributed partly to the facility of payment given by the notes of the
bank of England and inland bills of exchange, and partly to the more
speedy and certain intercourse which has been produced by the regularity
of the post office. The latter may be looked upon as the cause and the
former the effect of this change which has so completely altered the
state of fairs throughout the kingdom.
Connected with fairs as furnishing the necessaries of life may be given
an account of the living of the people in England in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries.
From the household book of the Earl of Northumberland above-mentioned it
appears, that his family, during winter, lived mostly on salted meat and
salt fish, and on that account there was an order for providing 180
gallons of mustard. On flesh days through the year, breakfast for the
earl and his lady was a loaf of bread, two manchets, a quart of beer, a
quart of wine, half a chine of mutton, or a chine of beef boiled. On
meagre days, a loaf of bread, two manchets, a quart of beer, a quart of
wine, a dish of butter, a piece of salt fish, or a dish of buttered
eggs. During Lent, a loaf of bread, two manchets, a quart of beer, a
quart of wine, two pieces of salt fish, six baconed herrings, or a dish
of sprats. The other meals had as little variety, except on festival
days.
At that time capons, chickens, hens, pigeons, rabbits, plovers,
woodcocks, quails, snipes, partridges, and pheasants, were accounted
such delicacies as to be prohibited except at the earl’s table.
From the same book it appears that the earl had only two cooks for
dressing victuals for his household which consisted of 229 persons.
Hollinshed, who wrote about 1577, observes that white meats, i. e. milk,
butter and cheese, formerly the chief food of the English people, were
in his time degraded to be the food of the lowest sort, and that the
wealthy fed upon flesh and fish.