but though the frontispiece apparently points to an earlier date, it
seems to have been executed specially for this work, as the nearest
approach to it, a ballad in the Bagford Collection (British Museum,
(643, m. 10)/44), varies from it in some slight particulars, and this
is undoubtedly the finest engraving of the subject extant. Almost all
the ballads of the seventeenth, and the Chap-books of the eighteenth,
century give a similar treatment: the duel between the ruffians, the
birds covering the children with leaves, the deserved chastisement of
the good robber, and the fearful punishment that fell upon the wicked
uncle thus described in this book. "But tho' he had contriv'd all this
so privately, yet Divine vengeance follow'd him; affrighting Dreams
terrifying him in his Sleep, and the image of the murther'd children
still staring him i' th' Face; and he that egg'd him on to all this
wickedness, now in most horrid Shapes appear'd to him, and threat'ning
every Moment to destroy him. Besides, most of his Cattle dy'd of the
Murrain, his Corn was blasted, and his Barns were fir'd by Lightning;
Mildews and Catter-pillars destroy'd all his Fruits; two of his Sons,
for whom he coveted his Brother's Lands, were cast away at Sea. His
company was hated by all honest Men, and he was forc'd to herd with
Rogues and Villains out of meer necessity, amongst whom when he had
profusely lavish'd his Estate, he run in Debt, and was cast into
Prison, where through Despair and Want he dy'd unpitied."
"The Old Song upon the Same" is identical with the earliest (1640)
in the British Museum (Rox. I. 284), and may be considered as the
standard ballad. Indeed, another ballad (Rox. III. 588) in the same
collection (1720) has been corrected in ink from this model.
"THE NORFOLK GENTLEMAN'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, ETC.
"Now ponder well, you Parents dear, these words which I shall write,
A Doleful Story you shall hear, in time brought forth to light;
A Gentleman of good account, in Norfolk dwelt of late,
Whose Wealth and Riches did surmount, most men of his Estate.
Sore sick he was, and like to dye, No help that he could have;
His Wife by him as sick did lye, and both possess'd one Grave,
No love between these two was lost, each was to other kind,
In love they liv'd, in love they dy'd, and left two Babes behind.
The one a fine and prity Boy, not passing three Years old,
The other a Girl more young than he, and made in Beauty's Mould;
The Father left his little Son, as plainly doth appear,
When he to perfect Age should come, three hundred Pounds a year.
And to his little Daughter Jane, five hundred Pound in Gold,
To be paid down on Marriage day, which might not be controul'd;
But if the Children chance to dye, e're they to Age should come,
Their Uncle should possess their Wealth, for so the Will did run.
'Now, brother, (said the dying Man) look to my children dear,
'Be good unto my Boy and Girl, no Friends else I have here:
'To God and you I do commend my children night and day,
'A little while be sure we have within this world to stay.
'You must be Father and Mother both, and Uncle all in one;
'God knows what will become of them, when I am dead and gone.
'With that bespoke their Mother dear, O Brother kind quoth she,
'You are the Man must bring my Babes to Wealth or Misery.
'If you do keep them carefully, then God will you reward.
'If otherwise you seem to deal, God will your Deeds regard.
With lips as cold as any stone, he kist the Children small,
'God bless you both, my Children dear; with that the tears did fall.
These Speeches then their Brother spoke, to this sick Couple there,
'The keeping of your Children dear, sweet Sister, do not fear;
'God never prosper me nor mine, nor aught else that I have,
'If I do wrong your Children dear, when you are laid in Grave.'
Their Parents being dead and gone, the Children home he takes,
And brings them home unto his House, and much of them he makes.
He had not kept those prity Babes, a Twelvemonth and a Day,
But for their Wealth he did devise to make them both away.
He bargain'd with two Ruffians rude, that were of furious Mood,
That they should take the Children young, and slay them in a Wood.
And told his Wife and all he had, he did the Children send
To be brought up in fair London, with one that was his friend.
Away then went these prity Babes rejoycing at that Tide,
Rejoycing with a merry mind, they should on Cock horse ride:
They prate and prattle pleasantly, as they rode on the way,
To those that should their Butchers be, and work their Lives decay.
So that the prity speech they had, made Murtherers hearts relent,
And they that took the Deed to do, full sore they did repent.
Yet one of them more hard of heart, did vow to do his charge,
Because the wretch that hired him, had paid him very large.
The other would not agree thereto, so here they fell at Strife,
With one another they did fight about the Children's Life:
And he that was of mildest mood, did slay the other there,
Within an unfrequented Wood, where Babes did quake for fear.
He took the Children by the hand, when tears stood in their eye,
And bade them come and go with him, and look they did not cry:
And two long Miles he led them thus, while they for Bread complain,
Stay here, quoth he, I'll bring ye Bread, when I do come again.
These prity Babes with hand in hand, went wandering up and down,
But never more they saw the Man, approaching from the Town:
Their prity lips with Black berries, were all besmear'd and dy'd,
And when they saw the darksome night, they sat them down and cry'd.
Thus wandered these two prity Babes, till death did end their grief;
In one another's arms they dy'd as Babes wanting Relief;
No Burial these prity Babes of any Man receives,
Till Robin red breast painfully, did cover them with Leaves.
And now the heavy Wrath of God upon their Uncle fell,
Yea, fearful Fiends did haunt his house, his Conscience felt an
Hell:
His barns were fir'd, his goods consum'd, his lands were barren
made,
His Cattle dy'd within the Field, and nothing with him staid.
And in the Voyage of Portugal, two of his sons did dye;
And to conclude, himself was brought unto much Misery;
He pawn'd and mortgag'd all his land, e're seven years came about;
And now at length this wicked Act, did by this means come out:
The Fellow that did take in hand these Children for to kill,
Was for a Robbery judg'd to dye, as was God's blessed Will;
Who did confess the very Truth of what here is exprest;
Their Uncle dy'd while he for debt, did long in Prison rest.
All you that be Executors made, and Overseers eke,
Of Children that be Fatherless, and Infants mild and meek;
Take you Example by this thing, and yeild to each his Right,
Least God with such like Misery, your wicked Minds requite.
"FINIS."
In "The History of the Children in the Wood; or Murder Revenged,"
published in Aldermary Churchyard, and all other Chap-books, the name
of the father is changed from Arthur Truelove to Pisaurus, the wicked
uncle is called Androgus, and the children are named Cassander and
Jane.
The three illustrations therefrom tell their own story.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
THE
HISTORY
OF
SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON
THRICE
Lord Mayor of London.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD.
BOW LANE.
The common version of Whittington's story is well known, and not
worth repeating at length. The headings of the chapters tell the tale
succinctly, and are all that is wanted to explain the illustrations.
"Chap. 1. Of Whittington's obscure Birth and hard Fortune; and of his
being drove to London.
"Chap. 2. Of Mrs. Alice putting him under the Cook, with her cruel
Usage to him; and Mrs. Alice's interposition in his favour.
"Chap. 3. Of his being troubled with Vermin in his Garret; of his
buying a Cat to destroy them; and of his sending her for a venture
abroad.
"It was a custom with the worthy merchant Mr. Hugh Fitz Warren, that
God might give him a greater blessing to his endeavours, to call his
servants together when he sent out a ship, and cause every one to
venture something in it to try their fortune; for which they was to
pay nothing for freight or custom."
The two illustrations, one taken from a Chap-book published at
Newcastle (1770?), show Fitzwarren receiving his servants' ventures.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
"Chap. 4. Of Whittington's Elopement on Allhallow's Day; and his
Return on hearing Bow Bells ring; and of the Disposal of the Cat by
the Factor abroad."
This illustration shows the dreadful condition of the Court of Barbary
as regards rats, and by the style the cat is killing her foes,
the casket of jewels, valued at £300,000, was not too dear for her
purchase.
"Chap. 5. Of the Riches received for the Cat; the Unbelief of
Whittington on their Arrival; and of his Liberality to some of his
Fellow Servants.
"Chap. 6. Of Mr. Whittington's Comely Person and Deportment; of Mrs.
Alice's falling in Love with him and marrying him, and of his being
Sheriff of London.
"Chap. 7. Of his being thrice Lord Mayor, his entertainment of Henry
V., and his Death, Burial, etc."
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
As a matter of fact, the common story of Sir Richard Whittington is
full of error. So far from being a poor obscure boy, he was the third
son of Sir William Whittington, lord of the manor of Pauntley, in
Gloucestershire, who died in 1360. He was sent to London to be a
merchant, then a not unusual course to pursue with cadets of good
families, and eventually became enormously rich. He was thrice Lord
Mayor of London, in 1397, 1406, and 1419, besides having been named by
Richard II. to succeed a Mayor who died in his year of office. He was
a mercer, and enjoyed royal patronage, his invoices of the wedding
trousseau of the Princesses Blanche and Philippa, daughters of Henry
IV., being still in existence. He died, leaving no issue, in 1423.
He rebuilt Newgate, founded the library in Guildhall, and the
Grey Friars, repaired St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and materially
contributed towards the rebuilding of the nave of Westminster Abbey.
These are the bare facts of his life. His cat still remains a mystery.
It has been said that he made money by carrying coals in vessels
called cats or "cattes." Mr. Riley, who edited the famous "Liber
Albus" (which compilation we owe to Whittington), suggests that his
fortune was made by "achats," which was the French name for trading;
and Mr. Lysons, in his charming book, "The Model Merchant of the
Middle Ages," defends the ordinary story on these grounds:
1st. From the ancient and generally received tradition;
2nd. From the scarcity and value of domestic cats at that period;
3rd. From its not being a solitary instance of a fortune made by such
means;
4th. From the ancient portraits and statues of Whittington in
connection with a cat, some of which may be reasonably traced up to
the times and orders of his own executors.
The reader may decide which of the three theories he prefers.
[Illustration]
THE
_HISTORY_
OF
WAT TYLER
AND
JACK STRAW.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD.
This Chap-book gives a very fair account of the domestic troubles of
Richard II.'s reign, especially of the poll-tax rising of 1381; but it
stigmatizes as "scum," "rake shames," and "rake hells" those poor men
who then rose against oppression.
The frontispiece represents Sir William Walworth, and gives due
prominence to the famous dagger, with which he is said to have killed
Wat Tyler, and which is still shown at Fishmonger's Hall.
There was a play, "The Life and Death of Iake Straw, a notable Rebell
in England; who was kild in Smithfield by the Lord Maior of
London--Printed at Lond. by Iohn Danter and are to be sold by
William . Barley 1593;" and a tract, which was taken from the
"Chronicle of the Schoolmaster of St. Albans," called "The just Reward
of Rebels, or the Life and Death of Jack Straw and Wat Tyler 1642."
There was also another little book, of which two editions appeared in
1654, called "The Idol of the Clownes or Insurrection of Wat the
Tyler."
THE
HISTORY
OF
JACK OF NEWBURY
CALLED
_THE CLOTHIER
OF ENGLAND_.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN LONDON.
Of Jack of Newbury, as he is familiarly called, very little is known
certainly. He lived in the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII., and
was said to be the largest clothier or clothmaker in England. He
sumptuously entertained Henry VIII. and Queen Catherine on their
visit to the town, and built the vestry to the church, besides having
liberally contributed towards its improvement. He also left £40 for
the same object. In his will he describes himself as "John Smalwoode
the Elder a[~l]s John Wynchcombe." He was twice married, and left his
wife Joan behind him. There is a brass to him and his first wife: "Off
yo charitie pray for the soule of John Smalwode als Wynchcom & Alys
hys Wyfe. John dyed the 15 day of February A^o Dm. M^oCCCCC^oXIX."
The Chap-book version is, that he was apprenticed to a rich clothier
at Newbury, and married his master's widow, and a great portion of
the book is taken up with their courtship. "Shortly after the king had
occasion to raise an army against the Scots, who were risen against
the English, Jack of Newbury raised at his own expense one hundred
and fifty men, and cloathed them with white coats, red caps and yellow
feathers, and led them himself." This was to the famous battle of
Flodden.
[Illustration]
Jack's wife died, and he married one of his maids, whose father came
to see her, and was astonished at Jack's magnificent establishment,
making a speech which would delight the Philological Society. "Sir,
quoth the old man, I wize you be abominable rich, and cham content
you should have my daughter, and God's blessing and mine light on you
both. I waith cham of good exclamashon amongst all my neighbours, and
they will as soon ask my 'vize for any thing as rich men. So thick I
will agree. You shall have her with my very good will, because we
hear a very good commendation of you in every place, therefore besides
thick, I will give you twenty marks and a weaning calf that's a year
old, and when I and my wife die then you shall have the revolution of
our goods."
Jack, however, gave the old man twenty pounds and other things. The
book ends with Jack's death, and an imaginary epitaph.
Thomas Deloney wrote a novel called "The Pleasant History of John
Winchcomb, in his younger yeares called Jack of Newberie, the famous
and worthy clothier of England," which was licensed to three several
persons in 1595 and 1596; but the earliest known edition is the
eighth, published in 1619.
THE
=Life and Death=
OF
FAIR ROSAMOND
CONCUBINE TO
_King Henry the Second_
SHEWING HER BEING POISONED BY
QUEEN ELEANOR.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD, LONDON
Perhaps the earliest book about this frail beauty is "The Life and
Death of Fair Rosamond, King Henry the Seconds Concubine, and how she
was Poysoned to death by Queen Elenor. Printed for F. Coles" (circa
1640); but afterwards her story became very popular, and numerous
editions were published. She has more than once been made the subject
of a drama. There is one, however, by John Bancroft, which is replete
with historical recollections. It is called "Henry the Second, King
of England; with the death of Rosamond. A Tragedy Acted at the Theatre
Royal, by their Majesties Servants. Printed for Jacob Tonson, at the
Judges Head in Chancery Lane near Fleet Street 1693." Thackeray's
"poor Will Mountfort" wrote the "epistle dedicatory;" Dryden wrote the
epilogue. Betterton played King Henry II.; Doggett took the part
of Bertrand, a priest; whilst Queen Eleanor and Rosamond were
respectively represented by Mrs. Barry and Mrs. Bracegirdle!
Respecting Rosamond's tomb, there is no doubt she was buried at
Godstow, for her father, Walter de Clifford,[19] granted the nuns
there certain property at Frampton-on-Severn (which tradition says
was the birthplace of the fair one), "pro salute animæ meæ, et pro
animabus uxoris meæ Margaretæ et filiæ nostræ Rosamundæ." And in
another document (same page) Osbertus, son of Hugh, gave to the
convent a certain saltpit at Wich, at the instance of the said
Walter de Clifford, "pro salute animæ uxoris suæ Margaretæ et
animæ filiæ suæ Rosamundæ _quarum corpora ibidem requiescunt_."
The history of the "Rosa Mundi" is not told to advantage in this
Chap-book, but its facts are mainly in accordance with the popular
tradition; and probably the stratagem used by Queen Eleanor to effect
an entrance into her rival's bower, _i.e._ by sending a sham postman,
may be as correct as the generally received notion of the ball of silk
being dropped and unrolled, thus betraying the place of her seclusion.
The bowl and dagger scene so vividly given in the frontispiece, is in
accordance with tradition, although among nearly contemporary writers
there is no mention of her dying a violent death, nor was such
suggested till long afterwards. In fact, we have no evidence at all in
support of Eleanor's jealous violence. As before mentioned, Rosamond
was buried at Godstow, a convent near Oxford, of which a very ruined
portion still exists; but her remains were not suffered to remain
undisturbed, for Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, coming to Godstow in 1191,
asked whose tomb that was, and was told it was the tomb of Rosamond,
"some time Lemman to Henry II." Then said the stern bishop, "Take out
of this place the Harlot, and bury her without the Church." Tradition
says her poor bones were then laid in the nun's chapter-house, but
at the Reformation they were taken up and her tomb destroyed.
Hearne[20] says, "After this Removal, it continu'd at rest 'till about
the time of the Reformation, when 'twas taken up, as Mr. Leland
himself acquaints us, and at the same time a Stone was found with it,
on which was this Inscription 'Tumba Rosamvnda' which is a different
Inscription from this common one:[21]
'Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa Mundi, non Rosa Munda
Non redolet, sed olet, quæ redolere solet.'
But the latter possibly is the Epitaph that was fix'd in the Quire of
the Church before the Body was remov'd. Mr. Leland, I think, saw the
Stone himself, and he tells us that when her Coffin was open'd they
found her Bones in it, and a very sweet smell came from it."
[Footnote 19: Monasticon, vol. ii. p. 884, ed. orig.]
[Footnote 20: Leland's "Itinerary" (2nd edit.), p. 101.]
[Footnote 21: In Corio's "History of Milan" (vol. i. p. 47)
this epitaph is stated to have been placed on the tomb of
Rosamunda, queen of the Lombards, who died by poison, in the
sixth century.]
THE
STORY OF KING EDWARD III
AND THE
COUNTESS OF SALISBURY
[Illustration]
"Know this plain Truth (enough for Man to know)
"Virtue alone is Happiness below."
PRINTED BY J. BRISCOE, IN THE
MARKET PLACE WHITEHAVEN.
This Chap-book seems the only edition extant. It is no great loss in a
literary point of view, for the supposed history is pure fiction.
The countess is represented as the daughter of Earl Varuccio, and the
whole novelette is about the endeavours of the king to seduce her.
He tries when her husband is alive, and when she is a widow he
still presses her to be his mistress, and is firmly but respectfully
repulsed. He makes her father and mother sue to her, without success;
and finally, being overcome by the sight of such immaculate virtue,
marries her amid the plaudits of the people. The episode of the garter
only occupies a paragraph at the end of the book.
THE CONQUEST OF FRANCE
_With the Life and Glorious Actions of_
=Edward the Black Prince=
Son to Edward the Third King of England, his Victory, with about
Twelve thousand Archers and Men at Arms, over Philip of France, and an
hundred thousand Frenchmen; his Vanquishing King John of France, and
taking him and his Son Prisoners; his Love to the Earl of Kent's fair
Daughter, and Marriage with her; Being a History full of great and
noble Actions in Love and Arms, to the Honour of the English Nation.
[Illustration]
LONDON: PRINTED AND SOLD BY C. DICEY, IN BOW CHURCH YARD; SOLD ALSO AT
HIS WAREHOUSE IN NORTHAMPTON.
THE
_HISTORY_
OF
JANE SHORE,
CONCUBINE TO KING EDWARD IV.
GIVING
An account of her Birth, Parentage, her Marriage with Mr. Matthew
Shore, a Goldsmith in Lombard Street, London. How she left her
Husband's bed to live with King Edward IV. And of the miserable End
she made at her Death.
[Illustration]
NEWCASTLE: PRINTED IN THIS PRESENT YEAR.
According to this Chap-book version (and it is as reliable as any
other), this lovely, but erring, woman was the daughter of Mr. Thomas
Wainsted, a mercer in Cheapside, whose business lay among the ladies
of the Court, whither his daughter frequently accompanied him. Her
conduct seems to have been of extreme levity, and her father rejoiced
when she was married to Matthew Shore, a rich goldsmith in Lombard
Street. Lord Hastings, having in vain tried to seduce her, and being
forbidden the house by her husband, told the king, Edward IV., of her;
who went to Shore's house, disguised as a merchant, and saw her. By
the contrivance of Hastings and a go-between named Mrs. Blague, Jane
was enticed to a Court ball, where the king discovered himself and
told her of his affection for her. This was too much for the weak
woman, and next day she left her husband's home. Shore, finding where
she had gone, was heartbroken, and went abroad; returned in poverty,
took to evil ways, and was executed for clipping coin in the reign of
Henry VIII. Jane lived in great splendour until the death of Edward,
and then Lord Hastings took her; but at his death she was apprehended,
and had to do penance in a white sheet, with a cross and wax taper
in her hand, walking barefoot and bare-headed through Cheapside.
The Chap-book gives a graphic account of her sad fate: "Richard, not
content with this, put out a severe proclamation to this effect; That
on pain of death, and confiscation of goods, no one should harbour her
in their houses or relieve her with food and raiment. So that she
went wandering up and down to find her food upon the bushes and on the
dunghills, where some friends she had raised would throw bones with
more meat than ordinary, and crusts of stale bread in the places where
she generally haunted. And a baker who had been condemned to die for a
riot in King Edward's reign and saved by her means, as he saw her pass
along in gratitude for her kindness would trundle a penny loaf after
her, which she thankfully took up and blest him with tears in her
eyes. But some malicious neighbour informing against him: he was taken
up and hanged for disobeying King Richard's proclamation; which so
terrified others, that they durst not relieve her with anything, so
that in miserable rags, almost naked, she went about a most
shocking spectacle, wringing her hands, and bemoaning her unhappy
circumstances." After Bosworth Field and Richard's death, she hoped
for help from Henry VII.; but receiving only fresh persecution, "she
wandered up and down in as poor and miserable condition as before,
till growing old, and utterly friendless, she finished her life in a
ditch, which is from thence called Shore Ditch adjoining to Bishopgate
St."[22]
There is a very lugubrious and classical poem of nearly two hundred
verses, or twelve hundred lines, called "Beawtie dishonoured written
vnder the title of Shore's wife" (London, 1593).
[Footnote 22: It is needless to say that this derivation is
utterly erroneous. It was probably called so because the ditch
was a shore or sewer, or from Sir John de Soerdich, lord of the
manor, _temp._ Edward III.]
THE
_HISTORY_
Of the most Renowned
QUEEN ELIZABETH
_And her great Favourite_
THE EARL OF ESSEX.
[Illustration: ELIZABETHA REGINA]
NEWCASTLE: PRINTED BY J. WHITE.
More than half this book is taken up with an elaborate confession
by Elizabeth, to the Countess of Nottingham, of her love for the
unfortunate Earl of Essex; and, historically speaking, it has many
blunders, such as making him privately marry the Countess of Rutland,
instead of Sir Philip Sidney's widow, etc. It is mainly taken from
"The Secret History of the most renowned Queen Elizabeth and the Earl
of Essex. By a Person of Quality London 1695;" and, like that book,
was sometimes published in two parts.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
ROYAL MARTYR
_King Charles the First_
WITH THE
_EFFIGIES_ of those _WORTHY PERSONS_ that
Suffered; and the Time and Places where they lost
their Lives in his Majesty's Cause, during the Usurpation
of _OLIVER CROMWELL_
[Illustration]
SOLD IN BOW CHURCH YARD, LONDON.
Of this book there are two parts, and it is interesting, as it gives
portraits of the celebrated men in Charles I.'s reign, with brief
biographical notices of each, out of Clarendon. Space will only admit
of the portraits out of the first part.
[Illustration: WILLIAM LAUD, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
BEHEADED 10TH JANUARY, 1644.]
[Illustration: DR. HEWIT.
BEHEADED 8TH JUNE, 1658.]
[Illustration: EARL OF LITCHFIELD.]
[Illustration: EARL OF KINGSTON.]
[Illustration: EARL OF NORTHAMPTON.]
[Illustration: EARL OF STRAFFORD.]
[Illustration: EARL OF CARNARVON.]
[Illustration: EARL OF LINDSEY.]
=England's Black Tribunal;=
BEING THE
Characters of King _CHARLES_ the First, and
the Nobility that Suffer'd for him.
[Illustration]
_Ecce Spectaculum dignum ad quod respiciat Deus operi suo
intentus, Vir fortis cum mala fortuna compositus._
Sen. de Prov. c. 2.
_LONDON_: Printed for _E. M._ near _White-Hall_.
This Chap-book is extremely like the "History of the Royal Martyr," as
it simply consists of portraits and short biographies of
Sir Bevil Granville.
Viscount Falkland.
Earl of Lichfield.
Sir Ralph Hopton.
Earl of Carnarvon.
Earl of Holland.
Marquis of Montrose.
Earl of Kingston.
Archbishop Laud.
Earl of Lindsey.
Dr. Hewit.
Earl of Northampton.
Lord Capel.
Sir Henry Slingsby.
Earl of Strafford.
Duke of Hamilton.
Colonel Penruddock.
Sir Charles Lucas.
Sir George Lisle.
Earl of Derby.
_The Foreign Travels of_
SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE
CONTAINING
An Account of remote Kingdoms, Countries, Rivers, Castles, &c.
Together with a Description of Giants, Pigmies, and various other
People of odd Deformities; as also their Laws, Customs, and Manners.
Likewise, enchanted Wildernesses, Dragons, Griffins, and many more
wonderful Beasts of Prey, &c. &c. &c.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD LONDON
The earliest printed English edition seems to be that by Wynkyn
de Worde: "Here Begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan
Mandeuyll Knyght born in Englonde in the towne of saynt Albone, and
speketh of the wayes of the holy londe towards Iherrusalem, and of
marueyles of Ynde and of other dyuers co[=u]trees;" colophon: "Here
endeth the boke of Johan Ma[=u]deuyll Knyght, of the wayes towarde
Jerusalem and of the meruayles of Ynde and of other diverse
co[=u]tries. Emprynted at Westmynster by Wynkyn de Worde. Anno d[=n]i
1499." But the British Museum possesses earlier editions in other
languages--for instance, in French, 1478; Dutch, 1470; and Italian,
1488; which goes to show how universally his work was read.
The original of this book was intended as a guide for pilgrims for
Jerusalem. Of Sir John Maundeville, Knight, very little is known but
what he tells us--that he set out on his travels in 1323, and returned
and wrote the account in 1356. He afterwards went to Liége, and is
said to have died there, according to one authority in 1371, and
to another in 1382. He either was extremely credulous, and believed
everything told him, or he drew very largely upon his imagination for
his facts. Anyhow, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries his work
was most popular; and even the marvels contained in the condensed form
of a Chap-book are sufficient to satisfy the most rabid craving for
literary stimulants. As this history is not well known, it is given in
its entirety.
CHAP. 1.
SIR JOHN'S TRAVELS TO THE HOLY LAND; AND OF THE ENCHANTED HAWKE.
I, Sir John Mandeville Kn^t born in the Old town of S^t Albans set
forward to travel on Michaelmas Day 1322,[23] to the Holy Land; and
shall give an account of all the remarkable things in the countries
thro' which I passed, as follows; First, In my way to Jerusalem, I
passed through Almain, Hungary, and so to Constantinople where before
S^t Stephen's Church is the image of Justinian the Emperor, sitting on
horseback crowned, holding an apple in his hand. From thence I passed
thro' Turkey, Nika, and several islands, where I beheld men hunting
with pampeons like leopards, catching wild beasts quicker than hounds.
From thence I passed to Hierusalem and went on a pilgrimage to the
Church where is the holy grave; in the middle of the Church is a
tabernacle, on the right side of which is the Sepulchre of our Lord
Jesus Christ; and the Cross on which he was crucified standing in a
Mortis by it. In this mortis, it is said Adam's head was found after
the Flood.
Travelling on further I came to a country whereon stands the Castle
of Cyprus; where I beheld a curious hawk sitting on a porch, and a
beautiful Lady of Fairy Land keeping it; and it is said, he that will
watch seven days and seven nights, without company or sleep, this lady
will come and grant him the richest of worldly things he shall crave;
and the truth of which hath been proved often by experience.
The men here are proper and of fine complection, their cloaths richly
beset with rubies and gold; but the women are short, hard favoured,
and go for the most part barefooted, their garments poor and short,
that it comes but to the middle of their thighs, yet their sleeves, so
extraordinary long that they hang down to their toes. Their hair long
and lank.
[Footnote 23: The Chap-book says 1372, but that is a misprint.]
CHAP. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF AN ODD SORT OF PEOPLE, OF INDIA'S EXTRAORDINARY EELS;
AND OF OTHER REMARKABLE WONDERS.
From thence I came to the land of Ethiope, where I beheld many strange
things. Here is a well, whose water is so cold in the day, as no man
dare drink it, and so hot in the night as you cannot bear your finger
in it. There is still one thing remarkable in this place, for there is
a sort of men who have one foot, yet so swift as to exceed the deer in
running. This foot is so large in compass, as when they are minded to
rest, lying on their backs it shelters the body from the heat of the
sun or showers of rain--When their Children come first into the
world they are of a russet complection; but as they grow up they
turn perfect black.--One of the wise men who sought for Our Lord in
Bethlehem, was King of this Country.
From thence I went thro' many Islands into India, where there are
eels thirty feet in length, and the men who commonly fish there are of
different colours, such as green, yellow, blue, &c. In the heat of the
day the men and women lay themselves under water, and the women are
not ashamed to appear naked before the men.
In the island of Lombe they worship images according to their own
imaginations; and here there are wonderful rats, exceeding the tallest
hounds; and they hunt these rats with mastiff dogs, who can scarce
conquer them.
From thence I passed thro' the forest of Tombar, where grows abundance
of Spices, and came to a city called Polomes, where there is a well,
whose waters are variable every hour of the day, taking of changeable
spices and rich odors; and whoever drinks of this water three times
is cured of all diseases: They call it, The Well of Youth. I drank
thereof myself, and believe I am the better for it ever since.
Here they worship an Ox for his simplicity, whose dung and urine they
preserve in vessels of gold, and present it to the King, who puts
his hand into it, and anoints his breast and forehead, saying, "I am
anointed with the virtue of the Ox." And after him the Nobles do the
like, as long as any is left. The idols they constantly worship are
half men and half oxen, before whom they often slay their Children
by way of sacrifice. And when any man dies they burn him, in token of
penance; and if he leaves no children, they burn his wife with him,
saying she ought to bear him company in the next world, as she did in
this.
CHAP. 3.
OF THE COUNTRY OF LEMORY. OF THE KING OF JAVA'S GOLDEN PALACE. AND OF
THE KINGDOM OF TELONOCK.
From thence I came to Lemory, where the men and women go naked, and
glory in it, saying God made Adam and Eve both naked, and why should
they be ashamed of what God made? Here is no marriages, but all are
common one with another. Their riches is as common to each other as
themselves; and though they have plenty of corn and other dainties yet
their chief food is Man's flesh.--Children from other Countries are
brought hither as Merchandise to be sold; and those that are fat and
plump are killed like pigs for stately banquetting; and those that are
lean they fatten and kill also. Near this isle is another, where the
nobility, as a mark of distinction are burned in the face with a red
hot iron. These people hold a perpetual war with the aforesaid naked
men and women.
From thence I travelled to Java, a place abounding with all manner of
Spices; the King thereof has seven Kings under him, and so wealthy is
he, that the stairs and floors of his palace are covered with massy
gold and silver; and the walls with the same. On which are written
ancient stories of renowned Knights and valiant men at arms.
Travelling from thence by sea, I came to the land of Telonoch; the
King of which has as many wives as he pleases, and never lies but once
with each woman. Here is a miraculous wonder, for the various sorts of
fishes that breed in the sea, come once a year to land, and lie there
three days, in which time the inhabitants take what they please, and
the rest return. Then comes another sort and does the like, till all
have taken their turns; and no one knoweth the reason, except it be,
as they say, that they come to worship their King; who is a mighty
Prince, and has at his command forty thousand elephants, upon whose
back, when he goeth to fight he placeth mighty Castles, whereby he
conquers his enemies.
CHAP. 4.
OF A BLOODY KIND OF PEOPLE; AND OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEADS LIKE HOUNDS.
Not far from the last mentioned place is an island called Tarkonet,
inhabited by a wicked kind of people, whose delight is in the
slaughter of mankind, whose blood they drink with as much pleasure
as if it was the richest wine in the world. Moreover, he is accounted
most famous who commits most murders; and if two are at variance they
must drink of each other's blood before they can be reconciled.
Departing from thence, I came to the isle of Macumerac, where the men
and women have heads like hounds, and worship the Ox. They fight well,
and send the prisoners to their King; who is a peaceable and virtuous
man, hindering nobody from passing through his country. About his
neck he wears three hundred pearls, with which he says three hundred
prayers every morning before breakfast. Here are wild beasts,
serpents, &c.
CHAP. 5.
OF THE SAVAGE PEOPLE DWELLING IN THE ISLE OF DODYN.
After three days journey I came to Dodyn, where the Child eats its
parents, and its parents the child; the husband his wife, and the wife
her husband. If a parent lies sick, the son goes to enquire of the
Oracle whether they are for life or death? if for death, he returns
with the priest and immediately stops the breath of the parent; which
done, the body is strait cut in pieces, and the relations invited to
come and feast upon it; having eat the flesh, they bury the bones with
joy and musick.
The King of this place has twelve isles under his government, viz. in
the first are men that eat fish and flesh raw, having but one eye,
and that in the middle of their foreheads--In the second are men whose
eyes are in their shoulders, and their mouths in their breasts, having
no heads.--In the third are men with plain faces, without noses or
eyes, but have two holes instead of eyes, and flat mouths--In the
fourth are men with plain faces, without nose, mouth or eyes; but they
are on their back and shoulders.--In the fifth are men with lips so
large that they cover their faces while asleep.--In the sixth are men
very small, being but two feet high.--In the seventh are men hanging
below their shoulders--In the eighth are men that have feet like
horses, and run as swift--In the ninth are men that run upon all
fours; their skins are as rough as bears--In the tenth are men going
upon their knees, with eight toes on each foot--In the eleventh are
men with fingers and toes a yard long--And in the twelfth are people
that are both men and women.
CHAP. 6.
OF THE KINGDOM OF MANCIA. OF PIGMIES. OF THE PROVINCE OF CATHAY, AND
THE GRANDEUR OF ITS EMPEROR.
Departing from Dodyn, I came to Mancia, in which is the City of Cassa,
having ten thousand bridges, and on each bridge a stately tower. Here
married women wear crowns on their heads by way of distinction. The
fowl are six times as large as in England--Hens instead of feathers
wear wool like sheep--Men have beards like Cats, yet are rational, and
of good and sound understanding.
From thence I passed along the river that leads to the Line of
Pigmies, where the men and women are but three spans long, and marry
when but half a year old; for as they are but of small stature, so
their days are short; for he is looked on to be old who lives eight
years. They are very ingenious at working silk and cotton, which is
their employ. Large men that live among them till the land, because
they are not strong enough to perform such hard labour.
From thence I travelled to the province Catha, where are two Cities,
the Old and the New. The New has twelve gates, each a mile asunder. In
these cities the palace of the great Caan is; in the hall are thirteen
pillars of fine gold, the walls covered with red skins of beasts. In
the center is a lofty seat for the great Caan, adorned with rubbies,
pearls, and diamonds; and underneath are fountains flowing with liquor
for the supply of his court. At the left hand are three seats for his
three wives who sit in a degree below each other; and on his right
hand sits his son and heir. In this hall is an artificial vine which
extends its branches over every part of the hall, on which appears
fine clusters of grapes.
Here the Emperor informed me of the origin of his title, which was as
follows; Under his government are seven Lineages, and it is not long
since a poor man, named Chanius, sleeping on his bed, was visited by
an apparition in the likeness of a Nobleman, saying unto him, Arise,
for God hath sent me unto thee to say unto thee, Go unto the seven
Lineages, and tell them, that thou shalt be their mighty Emperor
to deliver them from their enemies. The old man went, and having
delivered his message, they not only laughed at the old man, but
called him an hundred fools.--Soon after this, he appeared to the
Seven Lineages, telling them it was the will of God it should be so
for their deliverance; whereupon they took the old man, and made him
Emperor, calling him Great Caan, which continues to this day. To try
the loyalty of his nobility, he summoned them together and ordered
them to smite off the heads of their eldest sons with their own hands;
which they accordingly did. After this convincing proof he sent them
forth, and conquered all the countries around him; together with the
land of Catha, and then died, leaving his eldest son Chico Emperor
whose grandeur made him the greatest Emperor in the World.
This Caan is great, and may expend forty millions yearly; but his
money is made of leather, for he builds his palaces of silver: in his
presence chamber is a gold pillar, in which is fixed a carbuncle that
gives continual light in the dark; his subjects have as many wives
as they please: some have forty, fifty, an hundred, or more; and they
marry their relations, except mothers, sisters, and daughters. Men and
women go all in one sort of apparel. When the Emperor dies he is put
in a cart, and placed in the midst of a tent, and they set before him
a table furnished with meat and mare's milk and close by it a horse
saddled and bridled, loaded with gold and silver; and having dug a
deep pit, they lay him in it, with all the stuff about him, and also
the horse, mare and colt, that he may not want for horses in another
world, and one of his Chamberlains is buried alive with him, that he
may do him service in another world.
CHAP. 7.
OF THE LANDS OF GORGY AND BACTRINE.
Travelling from thence I came to the land of Gorgy, where dwell
many Christians. A great part of this Country is hid with perpetual
darkness; nevertheless they have often heard the crowing of cocks,
the cries of men, the trampling of horse, and clashing of arms, though
none know what sort of people they are; but it is said, a bloody
minded Emperor who pursued the Christians to put them to death, and
was opposed by the hand of heaven, and the land covered with darkness,
so that he could pursue them no longer; but remains with his host in
continual darkness.
Then I travelled to the land of Bactrine, where are many marvels.
Trees bearing wool, with which they make Cloth. Likewise creatures
that are half horses, living sometimes in water, and sometimes on
land, and they devour men when they meet with them. There I have seen
griffins, and the fore part like an eagle, and the hinder parts like
a lion. There is likewise another kind of griffin much larger and
stronger than the former; also a great number of wild animals of all
kinds.
CHAP. 8.
OF THE LAND OF PRESTOR JOHN, AND PARTS ADJACENT; AND SIR JOHN
MANDEVILLE'S HAPPY RETURN TO ENGLAND, &C.
From thence I went to the Country of Prestor John, who is a noble Lord
and wedded the only daughter of the Great Caan. Such plenty of rich
stones and diamonds there is in this country that they make them into
Cups and dishes. In this land is a gravelly sea, which ebbs and flows
like the ocean, yet not one drop of water is to be seen therein, yet
never the less men catch fishes in it. A sand runs in three days in a
week, among which are found many rubbies. Trees grow from sun rising
to mid day, bearing apples that are harder than iron, which fall into
the earth at noon successfully each day. Here are wild men, who are
very hairy, with horns on their heads, they speak not but roar like
swine.
At Pitan, a place in this Kingdom, are men very small, but not so
small as the Pigmies. They live on the smell of Apples. On another
island are men overgrown with feathers, like the fowls of the air.
Near the river Poison there is an enchanted valley between two hills;
here are tempests and storms like shrieks and cries so that they call
it the Valley of Devils; both day and night the sound of musick and
much feasting is heard in it; it also contains great store of gold and
silver, for the lucre of which, many have gone into it but never came
back again. Beyond this valley is the isle of Girty, where men are 40
feet high, and sheep bigger than oxen.
The Emperor Prestor John when he goes to battle hath three golden
Crosses carried before him, set with precious stones, and each cross
guarded by One Thousand fighting men. He has a most superb palace, and
seven Kings, seventy two Dukes, three hundred Earls, and thirty two
bishops to wait upon him every day.
Beyond this place is a large wilderness, in which grow speaking Trees,
called The Trees of the Sun and Moon; and whoever eats of the fruit
thereof live four or five hundred years; and some never die. These
trees foretold Alexander his death. I would willingly have gone to see
them, but was prevented by lions, dragons, etc.
The reason of this Emperor's being called Prestor John was as follows;
He happened in his progress to go into a Christian Church in Egypt,
on the Saturday after Whitsunday, when the Bishop gave Orders; and he
asked who they were that stood before the Bishop? the answer was, They
are priests. Then said he, I will no longer be called Emperor, but
according to the name of the first that comes forth, whose name was
John. Therefore the Emperors of that country ever since have been
called Prestor John.
Towards the East of this place is an island wherein is a mountain of
gold dust, kept by pismires, whose industerous labours is to part the
fine from the coarse. They are larger than the English hounds, and it
is difficult for any one to gain the treasure, through fear of them,
for they sting to death.
Near this place is a dark Wilderness, full of mountains and craggy
rocks, no manner of light appearing to distinguish the day from night.
Beyond this is the Paradise where Adam and Eve were, whose ground
is the highest in the world. The Flood was not so high as this
mountain.--No man can come to the Paradise by land for huge rocks and
mountains, nor by sea for restless waves and dangerous waters; some
that have attempted it have been struck dead, others blind.
This Prester John and his people are baptized, hold with Three Persons
in the Trinity, and are very devout in what they profess. They have
plenty of Cattle; and the land is divided into twenty two provinces,
every one of which hath a king. In this Country also is a gravelly sea
containing the like wonders in that before mentioned.
Towards the east side of Prester John lies the Island of Taprabone,
being a very pleasant and spacious place, abounding with unspeakable
plenty, and all manner of rich fruits and spice. The king of this
Country pays obedience and is subject to Prester John; to whom he pays
a very large revenue. This king is always made by election. To our
wonderful admiration here are two summers and two winters every year;
they have two harvests, and as for their herbs and flowers they always
flourish. The people are of a kind and loving disposition, being
for the most part of them Christian professors; whose laws, customs,
manners, and actions are as reasonable as their profession; to which
they adhere very strictly.
Between Prester John's Country and this island is a small river
that men wade over from country to Country, without danger of being
drowned.
These islands and kingdoms of Prester John are directly under the
earth, from England. We are foot to foot I can assure the reader,
from the great experience of my long travels; of which I at last grew
weary, and being desirous once more to see the land of my nativity,
and accordingly I set sail for England, and after a very favourable
passage, arrived safe on my native shore, to the great joy and
satisfaction of all my friends. And since my arrival, have been
employed by the help of my journals, in compiling this book, which
gives an account of what I have seen in my travels, some of which for
their strangeness may seem incredible; but those that will not believe
the truth of these things, let them but read the book of Mappa Mundi,
and they will find a great part of it there continued; and great many
stranger things than are here recited.
FINIS.
_The Surprizing_
LIFE
_and most Strange_
ADVENTURES
OF
ROBINSON CRUSOE
Of the City of York, Mariner.
GIVING
An Account how he was cast on Shore by Shipwreck (none escaping but
himself) on an uninhabited Island, on the Coast of America near the
mouth of the great River Oroonoque, where he lived twenty eight Years,
till at length he was strangely delivered by Pirates, and brought Home
to his native Country.
PRINTED IN THIS PRESENT YEAR.
[Illustration]
From Defoe's original edition of three volumes in 1719, to the
12mo Chap-book, is a great drop, and, naturally, the story is much
condensed. As it is so well known, only the illustrations are given,
which in this edition are quainter than in the earlier one published
at Aldermary Churchyard.
[Illustration: ROBINSON AND XURY ESCAPING FROM THE MOORS.]
[Illustration: HE SETS SAIL ON HIS EVENTFUL VOYAGE.]
[Illustration: THE WRECK.]
[Illustration: HE KEEPS A RECORD OF TIME AND EVENTS.]
[Illustration: ADVENT OF FRIDAY.]
[Illustration: ARRIVAL OF SAVAGES WITH CHRISTIAN PRISONER.]
[Illustration: LANDING OF MUTINOUS CREW ON ISLAND.]
A Brief Relation of the
_ADVENTURES_
OF
=M. Bamfyeld Moore Carew=
_For more than forty Years past the_
KING OF THE BEGGARS.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN LONDON.
This Chap-book gives a very fair account of the adventures of this
misguided man, who so wasted his fair natural abilities. It is hardly
worth giving _in extenso_, but, as generally, his eventful life is
not much known, it may be interesting to give the story, and some
extracts.
Bamfylde Moore (so named from his two godfathers) Carew was the son
of a clergyman near Tiverton, and was born in 1693. While at Tiverton
School, he and some of his schoolmates got into serious trouble for
hunting a deer, and, rather than face the certain chastisement, they
ran away, and joined a company of gipsies, with whom Carew abode. He
swindled a lady out of twenty guineas by pretending to tell her where
a treasure was buried, and generally followed the bad example of his
companions, until the fancy took him to return home. He did so; but
the fascination of his wild life was too great, and he once more ran
away and joined his beloved gipsies. His disguises were innumerable,
and he even feigned madness successfully, at all events in a
monetary point of view. Once, when disguised as a rat-catcher (see
frontispiece), he was recognized, and a gentleman present, one Mr.
Pleydell, said he had often wished to see him, but never had. "Yes,
you have, replied Carew, and given me a suit of cloaths; do you not
remember meeting a poor wretch one day at your stable door, with a
stocking round his head, an old mantle over his shoulders, without
shirt, stocking or scarce any shoes, who told you he was a poor
unfortunate man cast away upon the coast with sixteen more of the
crew, who were all drowned; you believing this story, generously
relieved me with a guinea and a good suit of cloaths. Mr. Pleydell
said he well remembered it, but on his discovery it is impossible to
deceive him so again, come in whatever shape you will--The company
blamed him for thus boasting, and secretly prevailed upon Carew to put
his art in practice to convince him of the fallacy thereof; to which
he agreed, and in a few days after, appointing the company present to
be at Pleydell's house, he put the following scheme into execution.
He shaved himself closely, and cloathed himself in an old woman's
apparel, with a high crowned hat, and a large dowde under his chin;
then taking three children from among his fraternity, he tied two
to his back, and one in his arms; thus accoutred he comes to Mr.
Pleydell's door, and pinching one of the brats, set it a roaring; this
gave the alarm to the dogs who came out with open mouths and the whole
family was soon alarmed; out came the maid, saying, Carry away the
children, good woman, they disturb the ladies.--God bless their
ladyships, I am the poor unfortunate grandmother of these helpless
infants, whose mother and all they had, was burnt at the dreadful
fire at Kirton, and hope the good ladies, for God's sake, will bestow
something on the poor famishing starving infants. In goes the maid
with this affecting story to the ladies, while our grandmother keeps
pinching the children to make them cry, and the maid returned with
half a crown and some good broth, which he thankfully received, and
went into the court yard to sit down to eat it, as perceiving the
gentlemen were not at home. He had not been long there before they
came, when one of them accosted him thus--Where do you come from,
old woman?--From Kirton, please your honours, where the poor unhappy
mother of these helpless infants was burnt in the flames, and all they
had, consumed.--Damn you said one of them, here has been more money
collected for Kirton than ever Kirton was worth; however, they each
gave the old grandmother a shilling, commiserating the hard case of
her and the helpless infants; which he thankfully receiving, pretended
to go away; but the gentlemen were hardly got into the house before
their ears were saluted with a Tantivee, Tantivee, and a Holloo to
the dogs, on which they turned about, supposing it to be some other
sportmen, but seeing nobody, they directly suspected it to be Carew,
in the disguise of the old Kirton Grandmother; so, bidding the
servants fetch her back, she was brought into the parlour among them
all, and confessed herself to be the famous Mr. Bamfylde Moore Carew,
to the astonishment and mirth of them all; who well rewarded him for
the diversion he had afforded them."
This is a fair specimen of his tricks, and he was very successful in
duping the not-over-acute country gentlemen of his time. On the death
of Clause Patch, the king of the gipsies, he was elected to succeed
him; and there the Chap-book leaves him.
His after career was very chequered. Soon after his accession to regal
dignity, he was apprehended as an idle vagrant, tried at the quarter
sessions at Exeter, and transported to Maryland, where on his arrival
he ran away. He, however, gave himself up, and was severely punished
with a cat-o'-nine-tails, and had a heavy iron collar fastened round
his neck. He excited the pity of some ships' captains, who helped him
to fly, by giving him some biscuits, cheese, and rum; he travelled
some time until he fell in with some friendly Indians, who relieved
him of his iron collar. He gave them the slip, and stealing one of
their canoes, landed near Newcastle, in Pennsylvania. Here he plied
his old trade of deception, pretending to be a Quaker, and made it pay
very well. Thence he got to New York, and set sail for England, where
he rejoined his beloved gipsies. His ultimate fate is unknown, but he
is said to have died in 1770, aged 77.
There seem to have been at least two books written about him during
his lifetime--"Accomplish'd Vagabond, or compleat Mumper, exemplify'd
in the bold and artful Enterprizes, and merry Pranks of Bamfylde
Carew" (Oxon., 1745); and "An Apology for the Life of Bamfylde Moore
Carew (by Robert Goadby)" (London, 1749).
_The Fortunes and Misfortunes of_
=Moll Flanders=
WHO WAS BORN IN NEWGATE.
And during a life of Continued Variety for Sixty Years was 17 times
a W---- 5 Times a Wife, whereof once to her own Brother, 12 Years
a Thief, 11 Times in Bridewell, 9 Times in New Prison, 11 Times in
Woodstreet Compter, 6 Times in the Poultry Compter, 14 Times in the
Gate house, 25 Times in Newgate, 15 Times Whipt at the Carts tail,
4 Times Burnt in the Hand, once Condemned for Life, and 8 Years a
Transport in Virginia. At last grew rich, lived honest, and died
penitent.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD. BOW LANE LONDON.
Defoe wrote "Moll Flanders" in 1721, and his book is chiefly
remarkable for the graphic account of the plantations in Virginia.
This Chap-book is a condensed version, and is not very edifying
reading. Its contents may be imagined by the titlepage, which is far
fuller than Defoe's.
YOUTH'S WARNING-PIECE
OR, THE TRAGICAL
_HISTORY_
OF
GEORGE BARNWELL
WHO WAS
_UNDONE BY A STRUMPET_
THAT CAUSED HIM
TO ROB HIS MASTER, AND
MURDER HIS UNCLE.
By other's harm learn to be wise
And ye shall do full well.
STOCKTON
PRINTED AND SOLD BY R. CHRISTOPHER.
[Illustration: GEORGE BARNWELL.]
And behold there met him an Harlot, subtle of heart; and she kissed
him, and said unto him, I have decked my bed with fine linen, come let
us take our fill of love until the Morning.
[Illustration: SARAH MILLWOOD.]
The lips of a strange Woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth
is sweeter than oil; but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a
two-edged sword.
Editions of this popular story were published in several towns,
and the present one has been chosen as having the most curious
illustrations, there being none specially illustrated to exemplify
the text, any female head doing duty for Sarah Milwood. The story of
George Barnwell, of his lapse from virtue, and his rapid declension
from theft to murder, together with his penitence and execution, is so
well known that it needs no repetition. It is a very old story, dating
back, it is said, to Queen Elizabeth's time. The earliest ballad on
the subject in the British Museum is,[24] "An excellent ballad of
George Barnwell, an apprentice in the City of London, who was undone
by a strumpet, who caused him thrice to rob his master and murder his
uncle in Ludlow" (London, 1670). Lillo dramatized it in 1731, and
within very few years since it was always acted at the minor theatres
on Boxing night, previous to the pantomime, as a warning to
apprentices.
[Footnote 24: (643, m. 10)/109.]
THE
=Merry Life and Mad Exploits=
OF
CAPT JAMES HIND
_The great Robber of England_.
[Illustration: The true Portraiture
of Captain
_JAMES HIND_,
the Robber, who
died, for Treason.
]
NEWCASTLE: PRINTED IN THIS PRESENT YEAR.
The history of the famous highwayman Captain Hind, is evidently taken
from a little black-letter book, published 1651, Old Style (or 1652 of
our calendar), called "Wit for Money;" and in that also is found the
original of this frontispiece, even more roughly executed. In place of
"The true portraiture," etc., is
"I rob'd men neatly
as is here exprest.
Coyne I ne'r tooke
unlesse I gave a Jest."
Indeed, most of the accounts of Hind are full of his "merry pranks,"
as, for instance, "We have brought our Hogs to a fair Market; or
Strange Newes from New-Gate," etc. (London, 1652), a book which was
of such importance, that two pages of "The Faithful Scout" for January
9/16, 1651-2, are taken up with extracts from it. In this book are two
portraits of Hind, which, from their resemblance to each other, are
probably authentic. In one he is represented as "Unparallel'd Hind,"
in full armour on horseback; the other is similar to that given on
next page, which is taken from "The Declaration of Captain James Hind
(close Prisoner in Newgate)," etc.
In "The True and perfect Relation of the taking of Captain James Hind"
(London, 1651), it says that "A Gentleman or two, desired so much
favour of him [the keeper], as to aske Mr. Hind a civil question;
which was granted. So pulling two books out of his pocket, the one
entituled, Hind's Ramble, The other Hind's Exploits, asked him whether
he had ever seen them or not: He answered, yes; And said upon the word
of a Christian, they were fictions: But some merry Pranks and Revels
I have plaid, that I deny not." Nay, his exploits were even dramatized
in "An excellent Comedy called the Prince of Priggs Revels or The
Practises of that grand Thief Captain James Hind," etc. (London,
1651). A play in five acts.
Hind was born at Chipping Norton, in Oxfordshire, and, according to
one account, his father was a saddler. He was sent to school, but
being too fond of play, he was apprenticed to a butcher, from whom
he ran away, and came to London, where he fell in with "a Company of
idle, roaring young Blades," and he became a highwayman. The Chap-book
is full of his robberies, and introduces "How Hind was enchanted by an
old Hagg, for the space of Three Years," a performance which seems
to have provided for his personal safety during that time. Finding
England too hot for him, he went to Holland; but "Hind finding that
this country was not fit for his purpose, resolved to retire as soon
as an opportunity offered," and he went to Scotland to join Charles I.
The king put him under the command of the Duke of Buckingham, "because
his own life guards were full," and he was present at the engagements
at Warrington and Worcester. He escaped from the latter, and came to
London, where he was apprehended on November 6, 1651, in a barber's
shop in Fleet Street. He was examined at Whitehall on the charge of
rebellion, and committed to Newgate. On December 12, 1651, he was
tried at the Old Bailey, and remanded to Newgate, where he lay till
March 1, 1652, when he was sent to Reading to take his trial for
killing a companion at a village called Knowl. It was, however, proved
to have been only a case of manslaughter, and he was pardoned through
an Act of Oblivion; only, however, to suffer death for treason against
the State, being hanged, drawn, and quartered, at Worcester, on
September 24, 1652.
[Illustration:
[The true
Portraiture
of Captain
_James Hind_.
_London_, Printed for _G. HORTON_, 1651.]
THE HISTORY
OF
JOHN GREGG
_AND HIS FAMILY_
OF
ROBBERS AND MURDERERS
_Who took up their Abode in a Cave near to the Sea Side, in Clovaley
in Devonshire, where they liv'd Twenty five Years without so much as
once going to visit any City or Town._
_How they Robbed above One Thousand Persons, and murdered, and eat all
whom they robbed._
_How at last they were happily discover'd by a pack of Blood hounds;
and how John Gregg, his Wife, Eight Sons, Six Daughters, Eighteen
Grand Sons and Fourteen Grand daughters were all seized and executed,
by being Cast alive into three Fires, and were burnt._
LICENSED AND ENTERED ACCORDING TO ORDER.
This Chap-book is precisely similar to the History of Sawney Beane,
who lived _temp._ James I., only the names and locality have been
changed. The lovers of horrors can be fully gratified by reading
Sawney Beane's life, either in Captain Charles Johnson's "History of
the Lives and Actions of the most famous Highwaymen, Street Robbers,"
etc., 8vo (Edinburgh, 1813), pp. 33-37, or vol. i. p. 161 of "The
Terrific Registers."
THE
BLOODY TRAGEDY
OR
_A Dreadful Warning_
TO
DISOBEDIENT CHILDREN
GIVING
A sad and dreadful Account of one John Gill in the Town of Oborn
[Woburn] in Bedfordshire, who lived a Wicked Life.
How, coming home drunk one Night, he asked his Father for Money to
carry on his Debaucheries, who putting him off till next Morning, he
grew so impatient and desparately wicked, that he arose in the Dead of
the Night, and cut his Father, and Mother's Throats in their Beds.
How afterwards binding and ravishing the Maid Servant he murdered
her also, and then robbed the House of Plate and Money, and set it on
Fire, burning the dead Bodies to Ashes.
With the Manner of the Discovery, and being apprehended, what
Confession he made before the Magistrates.
How the Ghosts of the dead Bodies appeared to him in Jail.
Together with his Dying Speech at the Place of Execution.
With several other Things, worthy the Observation of Young People.
LONDON, PRINTED IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD. BOW LANE.
THE UNFORTUNATE FAMILY:
_In Four Parts_.
Part 1. How one John Roper, through want of Grace, broke the Heart
of his Mother, and strangled his Father, taking what Money was in the
House, and fled to a Wood.
Part 2. How the Spirit of his Mother appeared to him in a Wood, in an
Angry manner; and how Conscience drove him into the hands of Justice.
Part 3. His Lamentation in Dorchester Gaol.
Part 4. His last dying Speech desiring all Young Men to take Warning
by him.
To which is added, A Notable Poem upon the uncertainty of Man's Life.
_Licensed according to Order._
PRINTED FOR E. BLARE ON LONDON BRIDGE.
THE
=Horrors of Jealousie=
OR
THE FATAL MISTAKE
Being a Terrible and Dreadful Relation of one Jonathan Williams, a
Gentleman of a Considerable Fortune near Sittingburn in Kent, who
had a Beautiful and Virtuous young Lady to his Wife, who disgusting a
light Huswife, her Chamber Maid, she vowed a Bloody Revenge upon her
Mistress; then forged a Letter to make her Master Jealous: When one
Day, as the Plot was laid, sending up the Butler into her Bed Chamber
when she was in Bed, and sent her Master after him; who immediately
killed him with his Sword, and afterward did the like by his Wife,
protesting her Innocency with her dying Breath; upon which horrible
Tragedy the Chamber Maid confessed her Treachery, shewing her Lady's
Innocency; upon this he killed her, and after fell upon his own Sword
and died.
TOGETHER WITH
_The Copy of the LETTER, and all the Circumstances attending so
Tragical an End; and how upon the sight of this Bloody Tragedy their
only Son and Heir run Distracted and Died Raving Mad._
LICENSED ACCORDING TO ORDER.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. WILLIAMS NEAR WOOD STREET 1707.
THE CONSTANT, BUT UNHAPPY
LOVERS
_Being a full and true Relation_
OF ONE
=Madam Butler=
A young Gentlewoman, and a great Heiress at Hackney Boarding School,
who being by her Father forced to Marry Mr. Harvey, a Rich Merchants
Son near Fanchurch Street, against her Will; one Mr. Perpoint, a young
Gentleman of Considerable Estate, who had courted her above two Years,
grew so Discontented that he went a Volunteer to the wars in Spain,
where being Mortally Wounded at the late Battle of Almanza he writ
a Letter with his own Blood, therein putting a Bracelet of Madam
Butler's Hair, and then ordering his Servant to bake his Heart to a
Powder after his death, he charg'd him to deliver them in a Box to the
above-said Gentlewoman. His Man came to England, and went on 6th June
to deliver the Present to Madam Butler, but it was took away by her
Husband, who gave her the Powder in a Dish of Tea; which when she knew
what she had Drank, and saw the bloody Letter and Bracelet, she said
it was the last she would ever Eat and Drink, and accordingly going to
Bed, she was found dead in the Morning, with a copy of _VERSES_ lying
by her on a Table, written in her own Blood.
LONDON: PRINTED BY E. B. NEAR LUDGATE 1707.
_A Looking Glass for Swearers, Drunkards, Blasphemers, Sabbath
Breakers, Rash Wishers, and Murderers._
Being a True Relation of one Elizabeth Hale, in Scotch Yard in White
Cross Street; who having Sold herself to the Devil to be reveng'd on
her Neighbours, did on Sunday last, in a wicked manner, put a quantity
of Poyson into a Pot where a Piece of Beef was a boyling for several
Poor Women and Children, Two of which dropt down dead, and Twelve more
are dangerously Ill; the Truth of which will be Attested by several in
the Neighbourhood. Her Examination upon the Crowners Inquest and her
Commitment to Newgate.
A Full and True Account of a horrid, barbarous and bloody Murder,
committed on the Body of one Jane Greenway and Four of her Children,
by Robert Greenway her Husband, on Sunday last being the 2nd of this
instant January, near Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. His Examination
before the Worshipful Justice Lewis Esqre of Beaconsfield, and his
commitment to Ailsbury Gaol. Note the Truth of this will be Attested
by the Beaconsfield Carriers that comes to the Bell in Warwick Lane.
Likewise an Account of several Damages and other Accidents that have
happen'd in Town and Country, by the present great Frost and Snow.
First Four Men that were lost in a Boat going from Gravesend to the
Buoy of the Nore. 2dly. Two Boys that were drown'd by sliding on the
River of Thames. 3rdly. Two men drown'd at Battersea. 4thly. A Farrier
that dropt down dead off his Horse near Paddington, as he was going
Home. 5thly. A Gentleman in Surry that was found dead on Horseback at
his own Door. 6thly. A Carrier that was lost on the North Road with
two of his Horses.
TOGETHER WITH
An Account of a dreadful Fire that happen'd on Sunday Morning at the
Cock Pit near Grays Inn; where one of the Feeders was burnt, and the
other missing.
TO WHICH IS ADDED.
A True and Amazing Relation of one Mr. B----l an Eminent Butcher in
White Chapple; who having made a Vow never to kill any Cattel on a
Sabbath Day, and on Sunday Night last, as he was opening the Bowels
of a Calf, there issued out of its Paunch a dreadful flash of Fire
and Brimstone; which burnt his Wigg, and His Apprentice's Face and Eye
Brows in a sad and dismal manner.
LONDON: PRINTED BY W. WISE AND M. HOLT IN FLEET STREET 1708.
_Farther, and more Terrible
Warnings from God._
Being a sad and dismal Account of a dreadful
Earthquake or Marvelous Judgments
of God.
_That happen'd between Newcastle and Durham on Tuesday the 24th day of
August last; which burst open the Earth with such Violence, that near
an Hundred Souls, Men, Women and Children were Kill'd and Destroy'd;
being Buried Alive in the sad and dreadful Ruins thereof. Besides
great Damage to many Houses and Persons for several Miles round. With
the Names of some of the Persons Destroy'd thereby. With a Sermon
Preach'd on that deplorable Occasion, and of the late dreadful Thunder
and Lightning._
BY THE REVEREND MR. SALTER MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT HARETIN NEAR
NEWCASTLE.
LONDON, PRINTED BY J. NOON, NEAR FLEET STREET 1708.
[Illustration]
=The Constant Couple.=
OR THE
TRAGEDY OF LOVE
_Being a True and Mournful Relation of one Mrs. Sophia Elford, a Young
Lady near St. James's, that Poyson'd herself for love of a Captain in
Flanders; who hearing that her Lover was kill'd, and not having any
Account from him since the Campaign, on Monday last being the 21st of
this Instant, she took a strong Dose of Poyson that ended her Life._
ALSO,
How the same Night she was Buried, there came a Letter from her Lover,
giving an Account of his being now a Prisoner in France; which her
Parents receiv'd and having read the same, they fell into a greater
Agony of Grief than before.
WITH
The Melancholly Answer they return'd him back, and the Copies of
several Endearing Letters that have pass'd between these Unfortunate
Lovers this Campaign.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. D. NEAR FLEET STREET 1709.
_The Distressed Child in the Wood_;
OR, THE CRUEL UNKLE
BEING A
True and dismal Relation of one Esq: Solmes of Beverly in Yorkshire;
who dying left an only Infant Daughter, of the Age of two Years,
to the care of his own Brother; who with many Oaths, Vows, and
Protestations promised to be Loving to her; but the Father was no
sooner Dead, but out of a wicked Covetousness of the Child's Estate of
three hundred Pounds a Year, carry'd it into a Wood, and there put it
into a Hollow Tree to Starve it to Death; Where a Gentleman and his
Man being a Hunting two days after, found it half Famish'd, having
gnawed its own Flesh and Fingers end in a dreadful manner.
With an Account how the Cruel Unkle to hide his Villany, had caused
the Child's Effigies to be buried in Wax, and made a great Funeral, as
if it had been really Dead; with the manner of the whole Discovery by
a Dream, and taking the Wax Child out of the Grave; with the Unkle's
Apprehension, Examination, Confession before Justice Stubbs, and his
Commitment to Gaol, in order to be Try'd the next Assizes, for that
Barbarous Action. To which is added a Copy of Verses on the said
Relation.
[Illustration]
LONDON, PRINTED BY J. READ, BEHIND THE GREEN DRAGON TAVERN IN FLEET
STREET.
THE LAWYERS DOOM.
Being an Account of the Birth, Parentage, Education, Life and
Conversation of Mr. Edward Jefferies, who was Executed at Tyburn
on Friday the 21st of December 1705, for the Murther of Mr. Robert
Woodcock the Lawyer. With an Account of his being Clerk to a Lawyer in
Clifford's Inn; the many Pranks he has play'd after he came out of his
time; his Marriage; and spending an Estate of One Hundred a year,
on Leud Women; with the manner of Murthering Mr. Woodcock; his
being Apprehended, Committed to Newgate; his Tryal, Examination,
Condemnation, with a true Copy of his Reprieve, and last Dying Speech
and Confession at the Place of Execution.
[Illustration]
LONDON: PRINTED FOR W. PATEM BY FLEET STREET
THE WHOLE
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
=Miss Davis=
COMMONLY CALLED
THE BEAUTY IN DISGUISE
_With a full, true and particular Account of her robbing Mr. W. of
Gosfield in Essex of Eleven Hundred Pounds in Cash and Bank Notes for
which she now lays to take her Trial at Chelmsford Assizes._
[Illustration]
PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1785.
The Chap-book version and the _Annual Register_ agree as to Frances
Davis's story, but, as the latter is more concise and truthful, it is
here given:
"Sep. 3, 1785. An extraordinary robbery was committed last Saturday
morning at Mrs. Bennet's the sign of the Three Rabbits on the Rumford
Road. Mr. W---- of Gosfield in Essex, who is agent for the Scots and
Lincolnshire salesmen, came to the above house on the evening before,
in order to proceed to Smithfield market, with upwards of eleven
hundred pounds, in drafts and bank notes, besides a purse containing
162 guineas and a half in his pocket. He went to bed early that night,
and placed the above property in his breeches beneath his head. A
youth, genteelly dressed, lay in the same room, and found means to
convey the notes and money from under Mr. W----'s pillow, and departed
with the whole, before break of day.--At seven o'clock, Mr. W----
discovered the theft; and sent immediately to all the different public
offices in London. After a long search, a woman was taken into custody
yesterday morning, at an obscure lodging in the Mint, Southwark, who,
upon examination, was discovered to be the identical person who had
taken up her quarters at Mrs. Bennet's on Friday night. Eight Hundred
pounds in Notes and Cash were found concealed in her cloaths. She was
soon after carried to the public office in Bow Street, where the
Notes were sworn to by Mr. W---- and her person ascertained by the
chambermaid of the inn. Her boy's apparel was also produced. She
denied any knowledge of the transaction with great composure, and was
committed to Tothill fields Bridewell. It appeared in course of the
evidence, that on her coming to town she had changed some of the notes
at different shops, and had on Saturday last visited a female convict
in Newgate, to whom she had made a present of a pair of silver buckles
and other trifling articles. The name of the above offender is Davis;
she is extremely handsome, and not more than eighteen years of age.
It is said she is connected with a numerous gang, and has long been
employed in robberies similar to the above."
[Illustration]
Neither the Chap-book nor the _Annual Register_ give her ultimate
fate, but there can be little doubt that it was that so vividly
portrayed in the frontispiece. A portrait is given as hers. It may
be: but the practice of using any blocks that came handy renders it
doubtful; besides, the costume is too early for the period.
_THE LIFE AND DEATH OF_
CHRISTIAN BOWMAN, ALIAS
MURPHY;
Who was burnt at a Stake, in the Old Bailey, on Wednesday the 18th
of March 1789 for High Treason, in feloniously and traitorously
counterfeiting the Silver Coin of the Realm.
_Containing her Birth and Parentage, youthful Adventures, Love Amours,
fatal Marriage, unhappy Connections, and untimely Death._
[Illustration]
ARREST OF HUGH MURPHY AND CHRISTIAN BOWMAN.
[Illustration]
This book is specially interesting, as being an account of the last
execution by burning in England.
There is nothing uncommon in her story. Originally a servant, she
married, but was deserted by her husband; she then lived with a man
named Murphy, a coiner. Of course they were found out, tried, and
condemned to death. The man was hanged, and the woman, according
to the then law, was burned. Blackstone gives the following curious
reason for this punishment:--"In treasons of every kind the punishment
of the woman is the same, and different from that of men. For as the
decency due to the sex forbids the exposing and public mangling their
bodies, the sentence is, to be drawn to the gallows, and there to be
burned alive." The law was altered by 30 George III. c. 48 (1790),
which provided that after June 5, 1790, women under this sentence
should be hanged.
It must be borne in mind that the culprits were strangled before
burning (Christian Bowman was hanging forty minutes); although, by
the carelessness of the executioner, one woman, Katherine Hayes, was
actually burned alive at Tyburn, November 3, 1726.
THE
DRUNKARD'S LEGACY.
IN FOUR PARTS.
_Giving an Account_
First, Of a Gentleman having a wild Son, and foreseeing he would come
to poverty, had a cottage built with one door to it, always kept fast.
His father on his Dying bed, charged him not to open it 'till he was
poor and slighted, which the young man promised he would perform.
Secondly, Of this young man's pawning his estate to a Vintner, who
when poor, kicked him out of doors. Thinking it time to see his
Legacy, he broke open the door, when instead of money, found a Gibbet
and Halter, which he put round his Neck, and jumping off the Stool,
the Gibbet broke, and a Thousand Pounds came down upon his head,
which lay hid in the Ceiling. Thirdly of his redeeming the Estate; and
fooling the Vintner out of Two Hundred Pounds, who for being jeered
by his neighbours, cut his own throat. And lastly, Of the young Man's
Reformation.
_Very proper to be read by all who are given to Drunkenness._
[Illustration]
PRINTED BY DICEY AND CO. IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD.
As the title is so voluminous and exhaustive, it is unnecessary to
reproduce any of the text, and the three following illustrations tell
their own story very well.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
=Good News for=
ENGLAND
BEING
A strange and remarkable _ACCOUNT_ how a stranger in bright Raiment
appeared to one Farmer Edwards near Lancaster, on the 12th of last
Month, at night; containing the discourse that past between the said
Farmer and the Stranger, who foretold what a wonderful Year of Plenty
this will be, and how wheat will be sold for four shillings a bushel,
and barley for two shillings this Year; all which was confirmed to the
Farmer by four wonderful signs.
PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1772.
A
_DIALOGUE_
BETWEEN
A Blind Man and Death
TO WHICH IS ADDED
A HEAVENLY DISCOURSE BETWEEN
A DIVINE AND A BEGGAR.
[Illustration]
PRINTED AND SOLD IN ALDERMARY CHURCH YARD BOW LANE LONDON.
The argument of this metrical dialogue is that Death comes to a blind
man, who asks him his name and business, and on hearing it, tries to
escape from him. Death, however, explains matters to him, and brings
him into such a seraphic state of mind that he exclaims--
"Now welcome Death upon my Saviour's score
Who would not die to live for ever more.
DEATH.
Sir, I perceive you speak not without reason,
I'll leave you now and call some other season.
BLIND MAN.
Call when you please, I will await that call,
And while I can make ready for my fall;
In the mean time my constant prayers shall be,
From sudden and from endless Death, good Lord deliver me."
THE
_DEVIL upon two STICKS_
OR THE
TOWN UNTIL'D
With the Comical Humours of Don Stulto and Siegnior Jingo; As it is
acted in Pinkeman's Booth in May Fair.
[Illustration]
LONDON, PRINTED BY J. R. NEAR FLEET STREET. 1708.
This is a condensed version of a portion of Le Sage's famous "Diable
Boiteux," only substituting Don Stulto for Don Cleofas, and Siegnor
Jingo for Asmodeus. There is nothing about Pinkeman (details of whose
life would be interesting) in the book. This worthy seems first to
have acted at the Theatre Royal in 1692, in the play of "Volunteers,
or the Stock Jobbers," where he had the part of Taylor (six lines
only). He afterwards was a useful member of Drury Lane Company, and
had booths, as had also Dogget, in Bartholomew and May fairs; in fact,
he notices his ill success at the latter in the epilogue to the "Bath"
(Drury Lane, 1701). He there said that he had made grimaces to empty
benches, while Lady Mary, the rope-dancer, had carried all before her
at May fair--
"Gadzooks--what signified my face?"
His value as an actor may be taken from a play presumably by Gildon,
"Comparison between the Two Stages," printed 1702:
"_Sullen._ But Pinkethman the flower of----
_Critick._ Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of the rabble; a
fellow that overdoes everything, and spoils many a part by his
own stuff."
He died 1740.
ÆSOP'S FABLES.
[Illustration]
FABLE 1.
A FOX AND A SICK LION.
[Illustration]
A Lion falling sick, all the beasts went to see him except the Fox,
upon which the Lion sent for him, telling him he wanted to see
him, and his presence would be acceptable. Moreover he desired
the messenger to assure the Fox that for several reasons he had no
occasion to be afraid of him, since the Lion loved the Fox very well,
and therefore desired to see him; besides he lay so sick, he could
not stir to do the Fox any harm. The Fox returned an obliging answer,
desiring the messenger to acquaint the Lion, he was very desirous of
his recovery, and he would pray to the Gods for it; but desired to be
excused for his not coming to see him as the other beasts had done;
for truly, says he, the traces of their feet frighten me, all of them
going towards the palace but none coming back.
FABLE 2.
THE STAG AND THE VINE.
A Stag, who was hard pursued, ran into a Vineyard, and took shelter
under a Vine; when he thought his enemies were gone, and the danger
over, he fell to, browsing on the leaves; the rustling of the boughs
gave a suspicion to the huntsmen, and on search he was discovered
and Shot, and as he was dying he said, How justly am I punished for
offering to destroy my shade.
[Illustration]
FABLE 3.
THE CRANE AND GEESE.
[Illustration]
As some Geese and Cranes were feeding in a Countrymans Corn field, he
heard their noise, and came presently out upon them. The Cranes seeing
the man fled for it, but the Geese staid and were caught.
FABLE 4.
A TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER.
[Illustration]
When an army had been routed, a trumpeter was taken prisoner, and as
the soldiers were going to kill him, Gentlemen, says he, why should
you kill a man that hurts nobody? You shall die the rather for that,
says one of the company, when like a rascal you don't fight yourself,
you set other people by the ears.
FABLE 5.
THE HUSBANDMAN AND STORK.
[Illustration]
A poor innocent Stork happened to be taken in a net that was laid
for geese and cranes. The Storks plea was simplicity and the love
of mankind, together with the service she did in picking up venemous
creatures--It is all true says the husbandman, but they that keep ill
company, if they are catched with them, must suffer with them.
FABLE 6.
THE WASP AND THE PARTRIDGES.
[Illustration]
A Flight of Wasps and a covey of Partridges being hard put to it for
water, went to a farmer to beg some. The partridges offered to dig his
vineyard for it, and the Wasps to secure it from thieves. Pray hold
your peace says the farmer, I have oxen and dogs to perform those
offices already, and I am resolved to provide for them first.
FABLE 7.
A DAW AND PIGEONS.
A Daw took particular notice that the Pigeons in the Dove House were
well provided for, so went and painted himself of a dove colour and
fed among the Pigeons. So long as he kept silence, it passed very
well, but forgetting himself he fell a chattering--On which discovery
they beat him out of the house, and on his returning to his own
companions, they also rejected him.
[Illustration]
FABLE 8.
THE FOX AND SNAKE.
[Illustration]
A Fox and Snake meeting, she began to entertain the Fox with a long
story concerning the beauties and colours of her skin. The Fox, weary
of the discourse, interrupted her, and said, The beauties of the mind
were better than those of a painted outside.
FABLE 9.
THE CHOUGH AND SWALLOW.
[Illustration]
The Chough and the Swallow fell into a warm dispute about beauty, and
the Swallow insisted mightily on hers, and claimed the advantage. Nay
says the Chough, you forget that your beauty decays with the Spring,
whereas mine lasts all the year.
FABLE 10.
A FATHER AND HIS SONS.
[Illustration]
An honest man who had the misfortune to have contentious children,
endeavoured to reconcile them; and one day having them before him,
he bought a bundle of sticks, then desired each of them to break it,
which they strove to do, but could not. Well, said he, unbind it, and
take every one a single stick, and try what you can do that way. They
did so, and with ease they snapped all the sticks. The father said
to them, Children, your condition is exactly like unto that bundle of
sticks; for if you hold together you are safe, but if you divide you
are undone.
FABLE 11.
THE FOX AND HUNTSMEN.
[Illustration]
A Fox that had been run hard, begged of a countryman, whom he saw hard
at work in a wood, to help him to a hiding place. The man directed him
to a cottage, and thither he went. He was no sooner got in, but the
Huntsmen were at his heels, and asked the cottager, If he did not see
the Fox that way? No, said he, I saw none; but pointed with his finger
to the place. Though the Huntsmen did not understand, yet the Fox saw
him; and after they were gone, out steals the Fox; How now, said the
countryman, have you not the manners to take leave of your host? Yes,
said the Fox, if you had been as honest with your fingers, as with
your tongue, I should not have gone without bidding you farewell.
FABLE 12.
THE FOX AND BRAMBLE.
[Illustration]
A Fox being closely pursued, took to a hedge, the bushes gave way and
in catching hold of a Bramble to break his fall, he laid himself
down, and fell to licking his paws, making great complaint against
the Bramble. Good words, Reynard, said the Bramble, you should never
expect any kindness from an enemy.
A CHOICE
COLLECTION
OF
COOKERY RECEIPTS
[Illustration]
NEW CASTLE: PRINTED IN THIS PRESENT YEAR.
This is really a useful book of recipes, although some of them are
scarcely in use now. A few examples may be acceptable.
"TO BROIL PIDGEONS WHOLE.
Cut off the Wings and Neck close, leave the Skin at the Neck to
tie close, then having some grated Bread, two Pidgeons Livers, one
Anchovy, a Quarter of a Pound of Butter, half a Nutmeg grated, a
little Pepper and Salt, a very little Thyme and Sweet Marjoram shred;
mix all together, put a piece as big as a Walnut into each Pidgeon,
sew up their Rumps and Necks, strew a little Pepper Salt and Nutmeg on
the Out side, broil them on a very slow Charcoal Fire on the Hearth;
baste and turn them very often. Sauce is melted Butter; or rich Gravy,
if you like it higher tasted.
A PRETTY SAUCE FOR WOODCOCKS OR ANY WILD FOWL.
Take a Quarter of a Pint of Claret, and as much Water, some grated
Bread, two or three heads of Rocumbile, or a Shallot, a little whole
Pepper, Mace, sliced Nutmeg, and Salt; Let this stew very well over
the Fire, then beat it up with butter, and pour it under the Wild
Fowl, which being under roasted, will afford Gravy to mix with this
Sauce.
A WHIPT SILLIBUB EXTRAORDINARY.
Take a Quart of Cream and boil it, let it stand till it is cold; then
take a Pint of White Wine, pare a Lemon thin, and steep the peel
in the Wine two Hours before you use it; to this add the Juice of
a Lemon, and as much Sugar as will make it very sweet: Put all this
together into a Bason, and whisk it all one way till it is pretty
thick. Fill your Glasses, and keep it a Day before you use it; it will
keep three or four Days. Let your Cream be full Measure, and your
Wine rather less. If you like it perfumed, put in a Grain or two of
Amber-grease.
EGG MINCED PIES.
Take six Eggs, boil them very hard, and shred them small; shred double
the Quantity of good Suet very fine; put Currants neatly wash'd and
pick'd, one Pound or more, if your Eggs were large; the Peel of one
Lemon very fine shred, half the juice, and five or six Spoonfuls of
Sack, Mace, Nutmeg, Sugar, and a little Salt; and candied Citron or
Orange peel, if you would have them rich."
There are recipes for making "Raisin Elder wine; Sage wine, _very
good_; Raspberry wine, _very good_; Cowslip or Marigold, Gooseberry
and Elder-flower wines"; besides strong Mead and Cinnamon Water, as
well as a curious compound--
"BIRCH WINE, AS MADE IN SUSSEX.
Take the Sap of Birch fresh drawn, boil it as long as any Scum arises;
to every Gallon of Liquor put two Pounds of good Sugar; boil it Half
an Hour, and scum it very clean; when 'tis almost cold, set it with
a little Yeast spread on a Toast; let it stand five or six days in an
open Vessel, stirring it often: then take such a Cask as the Liquor
will be sure to fill, and fire a large Match dipt in Brimstone,
and put it into the Cask, and stop in the Smoak till the Match is
extinguished, always keeping it shook; then shake out the Ashes, and,
as quick as possible, pour in a Pint of Sack or Rhenish wine, which
Taste you like best, for the Liquor retains it; rainge the Cask well
with this, and pour it out; pour in your Wine, and stop it close for
Six Months, then, if it is perfectly fine, you may boil it."
_The Pleasant History of TAFFY'S
Progress to London; with the
WELSHMAN'S Catechism._
[Illustration]
Behold in _WHEEL BARROW_ I come to Town
With Wife and Child to pull the Taffies down
For sweet _St. DAVID_ shall not be Abus'd
And by the Rabble yearly thus Misus'd
LONDON PRINTED FOR F. THORN NEAR FLEET STREET.
This octavo is principally taken up with "Taffy's Catechism," which
is in a kind of Welsh _patois_, and is not very interesting. The
frontispiece is explained as under.
"TAFFY'S PROGRESS TO LONDON."
"The much renowned Taffy William Morgan having receiv'd a Letter
sent by word of Mouth from London, which gave him an Account how
Despiseable the poor Welshmen alias Britains were made in England on
Saint Tafy's day, by the Rabbles hanging out of a Bundle of Rags in
representation of a Welshman mounted on a red Herring with a Leek in
his Hat, truly poor Morgan's Blood was up, he Fretted and Fum'd till
he Foam'd at Mouth agen, and being exasperated as much as the French
King was Joyful when he first heard of the great Victory obtain'd
by Marshal Tallard over the Duke of Marlborough at Hochstet, he in
a great Passion Swore by the Glory and Renown of all his Ancestors,
famous in the Books of Rates for their being ever chargeable to the
Parish, that he wou'd be Reveng'd on those that thus presum'd to
affront Goatlandshire, and in order thereto he prepar'd for his
Journey, taking Coach in a Wheel Barrow, Drove along by his Wife, who
with a Child at her Back went Barefooted all the way, and by Taffy
were compell'd to take this tedious Journey that they might be
Witnesses to his Prowess and Valour; in case it was questioned by
any after his return to Wales; so accordingly poor William Morgan
ap Renald et Cetera, for his Name would take an hour to tell it at
length, set out for his great Adventures about One in the Morning,
it being the 33th of January last in the year 1890 after the Welsh
Account, making it Six days before he Arriv'd in the abovesaid Pomp
to Leominster, where he and his Wife and Children were charitably
entertain'd in a Barn; the next Day he came to Worcester, where
begging Charity to bear their Charges forwards, poor Taffy and his
Wife were Whipt out of Town; but however this harsh Usage daunted not
his Heart, which all Wales knew for certain to be bigger than a Pea,
for resolv'd he was to be reveng'd still on those that Affronted his
Countrey, and by Cruising all the way he came, he at length reacht
London, just the Eve before the Welshmen's great Festival of Saint
David, which is Solemnis'd with so much Devotion, as to get every
Welshman Drunk by Night, now being Arriv'd in this great City, he
fortunately lit upon some of his Acquaintance who in Commiseration of
his and his Wifes great Poverty made him pretty Boosie, and being Pot
valiant he fell like Fury to breaking of Windows where a Taffy was
hung out, but being first well Beaten by the Mob, he was then sent to
Bridewell for an idle drunken Vagabond, and being well Flaug'd and
put to hard Labour for a while, he and his tatter'd Family were
pass'd down to their Countrey, to his great Grief in that he could
not Vindicate Saint Taffy; and Swearing hur would never see England
again."
_The Whole Life_
CHARACTER AND CONVERSATION OF THAT FOOLISH CREATURE CALLED GRANNY
Being a true Account of one Mr. Wilson an Eminent Lawyer of the
Temple, who above all things, doated to Distraction on this Simple
Creature; and how he had two children by her, and the means he us'd to
decoy her, and keep the thing secret.
Likewise That by his last Will and Testament which you may find in
Doctors Commons, he has left her six hundred pounds in ready Money,
five hundred pounds a Year in Land, for her and her Heirs for ever,
she being at this time, with Child by him.
And lastly you have a Copy of Verses made on Granny's good Fortune.
[Illustration]
_Licensed according to Order._
PRINTED BY A. HINDE IN FLEET STREET 1711.
A
YORK DIALOGUE
BETWEEN
=Ned and Harry=
OR
_Ned giving Harry an Account of his Courtship
and Marriage State_
TO WHICH IS ADDED--
TWO EXCELLENT NEW SONGS.
[Illustration]
A very mild description of the particularly uninteresting courtship
and marriage of a small tradesman and a chambermaid, with the details
of the subsequent hen-pecking the husband underwent, and of his
wife's taste for gossiping, ending up with advice from Ned, and a
determination of Harry's never to marry a chambermaid.
THE FRENCH KING'S WEDDING
OR THE
ROYAL FROLICK
_Being a Pleasant Account_
Of the Amorous Intrigues, Comical Courtship, Catterwauling and
Surprizing Marriage Ceremonies of Lewis the XIVth with Madam
Maintenon, His late Hackney of State.
_With a List of the Names of those that threw the Stocking on the
Wedding Night and Madam Maintenon's Speech to the King._
As also, a Comical Wedding Song Sung to his Majesty, by the famous
Monsieur La Grice to the Tune of The Dame of Honour.
[Illustration]
LONDON
PRINTED FOR J. SMITH NEAR FLEET STREET 1708.
APPENDIX.
LIST OF CHAP-BOOKS PUBLISHED IN ALDERMARY AND BOW CHURCHYARDS.
Academy of Courtship.
Arimathea, The History of that Holy Disciple Joseph of.
Argalus and Parthenia, The History of, being a Choice Flower
gathered out of Sir Phillip Sidney's Rare Garden.
Art of Courtship.
Armstrong, History of Johnny (of Westmoreland).
Bacon, History of the Learned Friar.
Barleycorn, The Arraigning and Indicting of Sir John.
Barnwell, The Tragical History of George.
Bateman's Tragedy.
Bellianis, Don, of Greece, The History of.
Bethnal Green, The History of the Blind Beggar of.
Bevis, Sir, of Southampton, The History of the Life and Death of
that most Noble Knight.
Bloody Tragedy, The, or a Dreadful Warning to Disobedient Children.
Bowman, Life and Death of Christian.
Bunch: Mother B.'s Closet newly broke open.
Bunch: The History of Mother B. of the West (Part II.).
Cabinet, The Golden.
Cambridge Jests, being Wit's Recreation.
Canterbury Tales, by J. Chaucer, Junr.
Card Fortune-Book.
Champions, The History of the Seven (Parts I. and II.).
Charles XII., The History of the Remarkable Life of the Brave and
Renowned.
Chevy Chase, The Famous and Memorable History of.
Children in the Wood, The History of.
Coachman and Footman's Catechism, The.
Countries, A Brief Character of the Low.
Courtier: The History of the Frolicksome C. and the Jovial Tinker.
Crusoe, The Life of Robinson.
Cupboard Door opened, The, or Joyful News for Apprentices and
Servant-Maids.
Cupid's Decoy, The Lover's Magazine, or.
Delights for Young Men and Maids.
Dialogue, A, between a Blind Man and Death.
Dialogue, A Choice and Diverting, between Hughson the Cobler and
Margery his Wife.
Dialogue between John and Loving Kate (Parts I. and II.).
Dialogue, A New and Diverting, between a Shoemaker and his Wife.
Divine Songs.
Dorastus and Faunia.
Drake, Voyages and Travels of that Renowned Captain Sir Francis.
Dreams and Moles, with their Interpretation and Signification.
Drunkard's Legacy, The.
Edward the Black Prince, The History of.
Egyptian Fortune-Teller's Legacy, The Old.
Elizabeth, History of Queen, and her Great Favourite the Earl of
Essex (Parts I. and II.).
England, Antient History of, from the Invasion of Julius Cæsar to
the Roman Conquest.
England, The History of, from the Norman Conquest to the Union of
the Houses of York and Lancaster.
England, The Present State of; to which is added an Account of the
New Style.
Erra Pater.
Fairy Stories (Blue Bird and Florinda and the King of the Peacocks).
Faustus, History of Dr. John.
Figure of Seven, The.
Flanders, Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll.
Fortunatus, History of.
Fortune-Book, Partridge and Flamsted's New and Well-experienced.
Fortune-Teller, The High German.
Franks, Birth, Life, and Death of John.
Friar and Boy, The (Parts I. and II.).
George, The Life and Death of Saint.
Ghost, The Portsmouth.
Gotham, Merry Tales, or the Wise Men of.
Grissel, History of the Marquis of Salus and Patient.
Gulliver, The Travels and Adventures of Captain Lemuel.
Guy, Earl of Warwick, History of.
Hector, Prince of Troy, History of.
Hercules of Greece, History of the Life and Glorious Actions of
the Mighty.
Hero and Leander, Famous History of.
Hero's Garland, The.
Hickathrift, History of Thomas (Parts I. and II.).
Hind, Merry Life and Mad Exploits of Captain James.
Hippolito and Dorinda, Loves of.
Hocus Pocus, or a New Book of Legerdemain.
Hood, A True Tale of Robin.
Horner, History of Jack.
Jack and the Giants, History of (Parts I. and II.).
Jack of Newbury, History of.
Jew, The Wandering, or the Shoemaker of Jerusalem.
Joak upon Joaks.
Joseph and his Brethren, History of.
Kings, History of Four, their Queens and Daughters.
Lady, The Whimsical.
Laurence, Lazy, The History of.
Legerdemain, The Whole Art of.
Long Meg of Westminster, Whole Life and Death of.
Long, History of Tom, the Carrier.
Maiden's Prize, The, or Bachelor's Puzzle.
Mandeville, The Foreign Travels of Sir John.
Martyr, History of the Royal, King Charles the First.
Matrimony, The Whole Pleasures of.
Merryman, Doctor, or Nothing but Mirth.
Montellion, The History of.
Mournful Tragedy, The.
Nimble and Quick.
Nixon's Cheshire Prophecy.
Parismus, Prince of Bohemia, The History of.
Poets' Jests, or Mirth in Abundance.
Prentice, The Famous History of the Valiant London.
Puss in Boots.
Rarities of Richmond.
Reading, Directions for, with Elegance and Propriety.
Reading, History of Thomas of.
Reynard the Fox, History of.
Rich Man's Warning-Piece, The, or the Oppressed Infants in Glory.
Rome, The Famous History of the Seven Wise Masters of.
Rome, The Famous and Renowned History of the Seven Wise Mistresses
of.
Rosamond, Life and Death of Fair.
Shipton, History of Mother.
Shoemaker's Glory, The, or the Princely History of the Gentle Craft.
Shore, Life and Death of Mrs. Jane.
Simple Simon's Misfortunes.
Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.
Swalpo, Merry Frolics, or the Comical Cheats of.
Tom Thumb, The Famous History of (Parts I., II., and III.).
Tomb Thumb, The Mad Pranks of (Parts I., II., and III.).
Unfortunate Son, The, or a Kind Wife is worth Gold.
Valentine and Orson, History of.
Wanton Tom, or the Merry History of Tom Stitch the Taylor (Parts
I. and II.).
Wat Tyler and Jack Straw, History of.
Welsh Traveller, The, or the Unfortunate Welshman.
West Country Garland, The New.
Whetstone for Dull Wits.
Whittington, History of Sir Richard.
Wit, a Groat's worth for a Penny, or the Interpretation of Dreams.
Witch of the Woodlands, or the Cobler's New Translation.
Witches, The Famous History of the Lancashire.
World turned Upside Down, The.
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES.
[Illustration]
Transcriber's Note:
- - signifies italic text; = = signifies Old English text;
^ or ^{} signifies a superscript.
[=] signifies a letter with a macron (straight line over) accent;
[~] signifies a letter with a tilde over, sometimes indication an
omitted letter.
The footnotes, originally marked with asterisks and daggers, have
been numbered in the text version.
The spelling is not necessarily consistent. The Author appears to
have updated some of the originals, but quoted directly from
others. Errors persist, and most have not been corrected by the
transcriber. It seemed best to retain original sentence
structure, spelling, and punctuation. (e.g. 'No sooner had
Faustus sent his name to the writing,...' for 'No sooner had
Faustus set his name to the writing,...')
The 18th century had no spelling or punctuation rules. Acceptable
variants have been retained. Before about 1860-70 (and the various
Victorian Public Instruction Acts) apostrophes were often absent.
(e.g. brethren/bretheren; Pharoh/Pharaoh/Pharoah; 'youll' for
you'll; fathers for father's).
Sundry missing or damaged punctuation has been repaired, but only
apparent printer's errors have been corrected:
Page 120: 'eady' corected to 'ready'.
"they made ready to receive them;"
Page 140: '=Guy. Earl of Warwick=' Period is as clearly printed in
large Old English type; retained.
Page 150: 'solilude' retained. An error, or variant, for
'soliloquy'? 'solitude' doesn't seem to fit the context.
"While Guy was in this repenting solilude,..." Perhaps solilude is
a made-up word for a state of soliloquising.
Page 164: extra 'to' removed (at original line break)
"/ On a tyme he came to the prouynce of Lybye to [to] a cyte which
is sayd Sylene /"
Page 174: 'pheasants' corrected to 'peasants' (though 'pheasants'
may perhaps be correct).
"and peopled with the best sort of gentry and peasants.
Page 196: 'hirting' perhaps 'hurting', connected to 'bate' (bait)
later in sentence.
Page 338: 'downstars' corrected to 'downstairs'.
"and ran downstairs for more liquor,"
Page 354: 'Ill' for 'I'll'. Retained. Apostrophes were often notable
by their absence.