But should any reader wish to see good specimens of real Queen Anne's

houses, I would recommend a visit to Nos. 10 and 11 Austinfriars. They

are undoubtedly genuine (mark the date 1704 on the waterspout); and

the staircase of No. 10, with its beautifully turned and carved

balusters, and boldly yet easily carved soffits, is a real treat to

see; and were it to be cleansed from its many coats of paint, and

appear in its original state, it would be an almost matchless specimen

of the domestic building of the time. The ceiling, too, at the top of

the staircase is very beautifully painted, and was most probably the

work either of Laguerre or Thornhill. It is good enough for either of

them. No. 11 is inferior to No. 10, but were its neighbour away it

would be looked upon as a very good type of a house in the reign of

Queen Anne. See also an old house, now used as a Ward School, formerly

the residence of Sir C. Wren, in a courtyard in Botolph Lane,

Eastcheap.

But a good plan is to judge of the houses by contemporary evidence and

description. 'To be Let, a New Brick House, Built after the Newest

Fashion, the Rooms wainscotted and Painted, Lofty Stories, Marble Foot

paces to the Chimneys, Sash Windows, glaised with fine Crown Glass,

large half Pace Stairs, that 2 People may go up on a Breast, in a new

pleasant Court planted with Vines, Jesamin, and other Greens, next

Door to the Crown near the Sarazen's Head Inn in Carter Lane, near St.

Paul's Church Yard, London.' So we see even as late as 1710 that a

staircase capable of accommodating two people abreast was a novelty,

only to be found in 'the last thing out' in houses. The windows of

these houses were long but narrow; the smallness of the panes being

rendered necessary by the fact that no large size could be made in

window-glass, it being only of late years that the manufacture has

improved to that extent. Here is another house described, _temp._

1712. 'To be Lett, near Cheapside, A large new-built House that fronts

two Streets of great Trade: The Shop is lined with Deal all round, and

is about 60 Foot deep one way. There is under the Shop a very good dry

Warehouse that is brickt at Bottom. Joyce and boarded over it, the

Sides and Top is lined with Deal, it is 9 foot between Floor and Top.

There is above Stairs 4 Rooms on a Floor, almost all Wainscotted, and

a large Staircase all Wainscotted. All the Flat is covered with very

thick Lead, with Rails and Bannisters round the Leads and a large

Cupolo on the Top. Inquire of Mr. Richard Wright at the Perriwig in

Bread Street.'

This must have been an extra good house, for they were mostly roofed

with tiles, a fact which has practical demonstration, for after the

terrible storm of Nov. 26, 1703, which damaged London alone to the

extent of a million sterling, and cost us many men-of-war, the loss of

over 1,500 sailors of the navy, and an unnumbered quantity of merchant

seamen, the price of tiles rose tremendously. On Dec. 7 'there is to

be sold Plain Tiles 50_s._ a Thousand, and Pan Tiles for 6_l._ a

Thousand.' The plain tiles went still higher, for on Dec. 24 they were

65_s._ a thousand.

As a rule the rooms were fairly lofty, and the walls of the better

class were mostly wainscotted with oak, walnut, chestnut, or cedar,

and sometimes beautifully carved, and in the lower-class houses with

deal, painted. But wall papers were coming in.[77] 'At the Blue Paper

Warehouse in Aldermanbury (and nowhere else) in London, are sold the

true sorts of figur'd Paper Hangings, some in pieces of 12 yards long,

others after the manner of real Tapistry, others in imitation of Irish

Stitch, flower'd Damasks, Sprigs and Branches; others yard Wide, in

imitation of Marble and other coloured Wainscoats; others in yard

wide, Emboss'd work, and a curious sort of Flock work in imitation of

Caffaws, and other Hangings of curious figures and colours. As also

Linnen Cloath, Tapestry Hangings, with a variety of Skreens and

Chimney pieces, and Sashes for Windows, as transparent as Sarconet.'

And another advertisement in next year gives 'imitation of Marbles and

other Coloured Wainscoats, which are to be put in Pannels and

Mouldings made for that purpose, fit for the Hanging of Parlours,

Dining Rooms, and Stair Cases; and others in Yard wide Emboss'd work,

in imitation of Gilded Leather.' The old style of hangings did not go

out at once, for in 1704 was advertised 'Three Suites of Hanging: one

of Forrest Tapistry, one of clouded Camlet, and one of blue Printed

Linsey; the 2 first very good, scarce the worse for wearing--to be

sold very reasonable.'

[Footnote 77: _Postman_, December 10/12, 1702.]

Stained glass was not used, generally, for decorative purposes, save

for coats of arms; indeed, the art seems to have been in a bad way,

judging from the following advertisement:[78] 'Whereas the ancient Art

of Painting and Staining Glass has been much discouraged, by reason of

an Opinion generally received, That the Red Colour (not made in Europe

for many Years) is totally lost; These are to give Notice, That the

said Red, and all other Colours are made to as great a Degree of

Curiosity and Fineness as in former Ages by William and Joshua Price,

Glasiers and Glass Painters near Hatton Garden in Holborn, London,

where any Gentlemen, who have the Curiosity, may be convinc'd by

Demonstration, there being a large Window just now finished for his

Grace the Duke of Leeds, which will be sent into the Country in a few

days.'

[Footnote 78: The _London Gazette_, June 14/18, 1705.]

Houses were not always let by Agreement, but the leases were sold; and

it is by means of such advertisements that we are able to get at the

rents, which seem to have been very low--even reckoning the difference

of value in money. Certainly they had none of our modern appliances

and conveniences, which add so considerably to the cost of buildings,

nor do they seem to have been saddled with exorbitant ground rents.

'To be sold a lease of 33 years to come in 5 Houses standing together

on the North side of the Pall Mall, whereon 25_l._ per Ann. Rent is

reserved. The Houses are let at 200_l._ a year.' 'A Gentleman has

occasion for a lightsome fashionable House in some Genteel part of the

Town, or very nigh the Town, and if accommodated with Coach House and

Stables it will be better lik'd, of about 30_l._, 40_l._, or 50_l._ a

year Rent.'

A little way out of town rents were even cheaper than this. Here

would be a boon for rowing men. 'To be let at Barns adjoyning to

Mortlack, fronting the River Thames, is a convenient little New House,

2 rooms on a floor, so well situated that it may be shut up, and the

Furniture Safe. The benefit of the air may be had at pleasure, for

6_l._ 10_s._ per Ann.' 'Also another House for more private Dwelling,

well accommodated with a Garden, River Water, etc., well situated for

a Gentleman belonging to the Custom, East India, or African House, or

Navy or Victualling Office, and the rent but 10_l._ per Annum. Also a

Brick House in the Country, 2 Miles off, standing pleasantly in a good

Air, and but 5_l._ per Annum to be Lett.' These instances clearly

prove that house rent was cheap in those days, which makes the price

paid for apartments seem rather high. When Swift came to London in

1710, he says:[79] 'I lodge in Bury Street, where I removed a week

ago. I have the first floor, a dining room and bed chamber, at eight

shillings a week; plaguy deep, but I spend nothing on eating,' etc.

When he removed to Chelsea he had to pay more. 'I got here in the

stage coach with Patrick and my portmantua for sixpence, and pay six

shillings a week for one silly room, with confounded coarse

sheets.'[80] On one of Ralph Thoresby's visits from Leeds to

London[81] he 'was surprised with the old gentlewoman's (Mr. Atkin's

mother) demand of 4_s._ per week for my lodgings;' but then that could

only have been a bedroom, for the old gentleman was always out the

whole day.

[Footnote 79: _Journal to Stella_, letter 4.]

[Footnote 80: _Ibid._ letter 21.]

[Footnote 81: _Diary of Ralph Thoresby_, August 22, 1712.]

It is needless to say that there was more danger of fire then than

now; and the inhabitants of London, very many of whom must have had a

vivid remembrance of that awful fire in 1666, were not altogether

neglectful of their interests in this matter. In 1710 an Act was

passed amending an Act made in the sixth year of Anne's reign, 'for

the better preventing of Mischiefs that may happen by Fire.' This Act

dealt with parochial fire-engines, rewards, rates for water supply and

maintenance of same, the thickness of party walls,' etc., and

contained one very useful little clause. 'It is further enacted, That

there shall be left at the House, upon which there is a Notice of a

Fire Plug, a Key to open the Stop Cock, and also a Pipe for the Water

to come thereout, to be made use of as Occasion shall require.'

They were also fully alive to the necessity of keeping life-saving

appliances in their houses. 'This is to give Notice, That the Rope

Ladders and other Ropes, so useful for preserving whole Families from

the dismal Accidents of Fire, are to be sold,' etc.

There were three fire insurance companies, whose leaden badges used to

be nailed on to the houses, to show they were insured, and in what

office; and a reward was offered by the Friendly Society on July 14,

1705, for the discovery of persons who had stolen some of them.

These three insurance companies were: first, the Phœnix, which was

at the Rainbow Coffee House, Fleet Street, and also by the Royal

Exchange, established about the year 1682, and the assurers in 1710

numbered about 10,000. The system was to pay 30_s._ down, and insure

100_l._ for seven years. Second, the Friendly Society, in Palsgrave

Court, without Temple Bar, which was the first (in 1684) that insured

by mutual contribution, where you could insure 100_l._ for seven years

by paying 6_s._ 8_d._ down, and an annual subscription of 1_s._ 4_d._

In 1710 the number of assured was 18,000. And thirdly, the Amicable

Contributors, at Tom's Coffee House in St. Martin's Lane (commenced

about 1695). Here a payment of 12_s._ would insure 100_l._ for seven

years, at the expiration of which time 10_s._ would be returned to the

assured--who in 1710 numbered over 13,000. This society seems to have

changed its name to the Hand-in-Hand Fire Office, who gave up their

two establishments at Tom's Coffee House and the Crown Coffee House,

behind the Exchange, for more suitable premises in Angel Court, Snow

Hill, and notified the change in the _Gazette_ of Jan. 1, 1714.

[Illustration: A Fire.]

All these employed several men in liveries, and with badges on their

arms, to extinguish fire. The accompanying contemporary illustration

is very rude, but it gives a vivid representation of a fire at that

time.

Gay gives the following graphic description of a fire, so that we may

almost fancy we see the firemen at work.

But hark! Distress with Screaming Voice draws nigh'r,

And wakes the slumb'ring Street with Cries of Fire.

At first a glowing Red enwraps the Skies,

And borne by Winds the scatt'ring Sparks arise;

From Beam to Beam, the fierce Contagion spreads;

The Spiry Flames now lift aloft their Heads,

Through the burst Sash a blazing Deluge pours,

And splitting Tiles descend in rattling Show'rs.

Now with thick Crouds th' enlighten'd Pavement swarms,

The Fire-man sweats beneath his crooked Arms,

A leathern Casque his vent'rous Head defends,

Boldly he climbs where thickest Smoak ascends;

Mov'd by the Mother's streaming Eyes and Pray'rs,

The helpless Infant through the Flame he bears;

With no less Virtue, than through hostile Fire,

The _Dardan_ Hero bore his aged Sire.

See forceful Engines spout their levell'd Streams,

To quench the Blaze that runs along the Beams;

The grappling Hook plucks Rafters from the Walls,

And Heaps on Heaps the smoaky Ruine falls.

Blown by strong Winds the fiery Tempest roars,

Bears down new Walls, and pours along the Floors:

The Heav'ns are all a blaze, the Face of Night

Is cover'd with a sanguine dreadful Light.

..............................................

Hark! the Drum thunders! far, ye Crouds retire;

Behold the ready Match is tipt with Fire,

The Nitrous Store is laid, the smutty Train

With running Blaze awakes the barrell'd Grain;

Flames sudden wrap the Walls; with sullen Sound,

The shatter'd Pile sinks on the smoaky Ground.

The sanitary arrangements of these houses were very defective, and the

streets at night time must have been anything but pleasant walks.

'We had not walk'd the usual distance between a _Church_ and an

_Alehouse_, but some Odoriferous _Civet Box_ perfum'd the Air, and

saluted our Nostrils with so refreshing a Nosegay, that I thought the

whole City (_Edenborough-like_) had been over-flow'd with an

inundation of Surreverence.'[82]

[Footnote 82: _The London Spy._]

The water supply, too, was not good. Old-fashioned wells and pumps,

sunk in a crowded city full of cesspools and graveyards, could not

have furnished a healthy supply. Of course there was the water brought

by the city from Highgate and Hampstead, and there was the New River,

but it evidently was not sufficient for the use of the inhabitants, or

it would not have been hawked about.

[Illustration: 'New River Water!']

More was furnished by the Thames Water Works by means of a huge

water-wheel, which worked many force-pumps, and which was erected by a

Dutchman named Peter Morrice, in 1582. This occupied a position on the

old bridge, similar to its being placed close to the stairs by

Fishmongers' Hall at the present time. Although the river was

infinitely purer than at present, yet, being tidal, and the supply

being taken from in shore, it could not have been good for drinking

purposes. There was a new company formed to work this machine, and in

the _London Gazette_, Oct. 28/ Nov. 1, 1703, is an advertisement:

'This is to give Notice to such Persons as have subscribed for Shares

in the Thames Water, That the Transfers of the said Shares will be

ready to be made to the respective Subscribers to-morrow the 2nd

Instant, being the last day limited in the Contract, at Mr. Nicholas

Opie's in Bartholomew Lane, where the said Contract or Subscription

Roll now lies.'

Hatton says in his 'New View of London' that 'besides the old work

erected by Mr. _Morris_, the New placed in the 4th Arch of the Bridge

consists of 2 Wheels with 7 Engines set up about the Year 1702, so

there are in all 13 Engines.

'They are the contrivance of that great English Engineer Mr.

_Sorocold_, whereby the _Thames_ Water is raised from the N. end of

the Bridge to a very great altitude, by which means many parts of the

City &c. are served with the _Thames_ Water. The Flux and Reflux of

the Water worketh the Engine. Here are several Proprietors who serve

Houses for the most part at 20_s._ _per Ann._ paid quarterly, and they

have proportionately more from Brewhouses, &c., according to what they

Consume. To this Company also belongs the Works at _Broken Wharf_ and

the City Conduit Water.

'The Old Stock was 500 Shares, and valued at 500_l._ a Share, since

which those Shares were divided into 1,500 Shares, each valued at

about 100_l._ _per Share_. They pay the City 700_l._ _per Ann._ for

the Conduit Water, and about 10_l._ _per Ann._ for the Bridge; Also

300_l._ to Sir _Benj. Ayloff_ or his Assignees for the _Broken Wharf_,

to which place 2 of the Engines at the Bridge do Work, and there are

also at that Wharf 2 Horse Works.

'They chiefly serve _Goodman's Fields_, _Minories_, _Houndsditch_,

_White Chapel_, and _Birchin Lane_.

'_Merchant's Water Works_ are in _Hart's Horn Lane_.[83] He serves

with the _Thames_ Water by Horse Work and Engines. His Rates are

20_s._ _per Ann._

[Footnote 83: Afterwards Northumberland Street, Strand.]

'_Mill Bank Water_ is raised and laid into Houses in the Parish of

_St. Margaret's, Westminster_, from the _Thames_. The Water House is

situate on the E. side of _Mill Bank_, for which the Proprietors, who

are in Number 5, had a Patent granted them by K. Charles 2 about the

Year 1673. Their Stock and Income is divided into 8 Shares. Rates are

at least 10_s._ _per Ann._, but commonly 20_s._, and for Brewers and

extraordinary Occasions more than so many Pounds.'

The water was supplied in primitive pipes of wood, some being of the

very small bore of one inch. 'The Governor and Company of the New

River, being inclined to contract for Wooden Pipes of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6,

and 7 Inches Diameter in the Bore, to be delivered at any Place within

the Bills of Mortality, as occasion shall require, do hereby give

notice, that they shall be ready to receive proposals for that

purpose, any Thursday, at their Office at Puddle Dock.'[84]

[Footnote 84: _London Gazette_, Feb. 27/Mar. 1, 1714.]

An adventurer's share in the New River Water Company was then worth

4,500 guineas; and Hatton, in his 'New View of London,' says: 'They

now Let the Water to most Houses without Fine or Lease, according as

they Consume Water, to none less than 22_s._ 8_d._ per Ann., but to

some Brewers, &c., for 40_l._ per Ann., which, and all common Cocks,

they Let by Lease and Fine.'

The river was scoured out twice a year, and a staff was kept of '12

Walkers between _Ware_ and _London_ (who daily take care that no

Infectious or other thing be thrown into the River that might in any

way prejudice it, whereby it is kept Sweet and Wholesome).'

The following advertisement appears in the _London Gazette_, April

20/May 3, 1703: 'The Governor and Company of the _New River_ brought

from _Chadwell_ and _Amwell_ to _London_, having from time to time

made several Orders and Regulations for the Ease and Benefit of those

who make use of their Water; but being informed, that several

Misrepresentations are Industriously spread abroad to their Prejudice,

they have thought fit to publish the following Orders, which have been

made from time to time since at several Courts. Viz:

'_Ordered._ That no Private Family that is served with the Water of

the _New River_, shall be required to take a Lease of the said Water;

but that what Rent shall be agreed on with the Collectors to be paid,

shall be received by them without the Charge of a Lease.

'Whereas Strict Charge hath been given to the Collectors, and all

other Officers of the said _New River_, That they behave themselves

Civilly and Respectfully to such as use the said Water: If any do

otherwise

'_Ordered_. That upon any Complaints to the Meetings of the Company

every _Thursday_ at Three in the Afternoon, at their Office at _Puddle

Dock_, Reparation shall forthwith be made to the Party grieved.

'_Ordered._ That any Tenant may employ their own Plummer to do their

Work in mending, or laying any Branch, such Plummer first acquainting

the Collector, and making use of the Company's Paviour of that Walk to

dig the same.'

The leaden cisterns for holding the family supply were often very

artistically and elaborately ornamented, either with flowers or

classical subjects, and are nearly all dated. The few now spared in

London are of course extremely curious, as being exemplars of the art

manufactures of the time.

The houses were principally heated by coals, except in the bedrooms,

and, coals being all sea-borne, prices were sometimes very high; thus,

latter end of April 1702--'Coals are at 33_s._ per Chaldron in the

Pool, because of the great Impress. No Ships are to sail till the

Fleet is compleatly mann'd.' Besides this there was a tax of 2_s._ per

chaldron, 'to be applyed towards finishing St. Paul's Cathedrall,'

which was, on Nov. 26, 1702, ordered to be continued till after the

year 1708.[85] This high price was partly fictitious, a 'ring' having

been formed in coals; but they managed those things better then than

now, and held public inquiry on 'forestalled and regraters.'[86] 'The

lords ordered several persons to attend upon account of engrossing

Coals, and among them two noted quakers; 'tis said the chief reason of

their being so dear is, that several persons in the north, and some

Londoners, have farmed most of the Coal pits about Newcastle, with

design to sell them at what price they please.' It was even suggested

that Government should take the matter up. ''Tis said a proposal is

made to the parliament, that the queen be the free importer of Coals,

and that they shal never exceed 25_s._ per Chaldron, nor be under

20_s._'[87]

[Footnote 85: _Luttrell's Diary_, Nov. 26, 1702.]

[Footnote 86: _Luttrell's Diary_, Nov. 13, 1703.]

[Footnote 87: _Ibid._ Nov. 20, 1703.]

Not only were they dear, but at times poor in quality. 'The late

Common Practice at Sunderland of mixing bad sorts of Coals with the

right Lumley Coals, giving such Mixtures the Name of 'pure Lumley

Coals,' &c., was counteracted by certificates being given of their

genuineness. In Oct. 1711 coals in the Pool were 25_s._ to 26_s._ a

chaldron. Scotch coals had, however, been introduced, for we find an

advertisement: 'At Mr. Folley's Warehouse on White Fryers Wharf, are a

parcel of Scotch Coals to be Sold Reasonably, being the best that have

come to London for many Years, and out of the Earl of Marrs

Collyary.'[88]

[Footnote 88: _Daily Courant_, Jan. 21, 1713.]

[Illustration: 'Small Coale!']

But if they were this high price, ex ship, and wholesale, those who

bought in small quantities had to pay very heavily. Swift in his

letters to Stella is always grumbling at the expense of his modicum of

coals, and would stop longer in, and go earlier to, bed, in order to

save. Then was it that the cry of 'Small coale!' was heard in the

streets--a cry that will always be associated with the memory of

Thomas Britton, the 'musical small coal man,' who died Sept. 14, 1714.

The stoves used to burn coal were small and portable, taking the place

of the old andirons, and standing unfixed in the somewhat wide

chimney-pieces. It is needless to say that the modern 'Queen Anne'

stoves bear very little likeness to the genuine article. The back

plates were frequently very ornamental, sometimes having the arms of

the owner of the house upon them. The accompanying illustration, being

taken from an ironmonger's handbill, is probably copied from one he

had in stock--if not, it most certainly represented those in use.

[Illustration: Fireplace and Utensils.]

Of the furniture of the time--the houses were, to our idea, very

scantily furnished. Take any of the very few engravings of social life

in this reign, and one is astonished at the bare look of the

apartments: a table in the centre, a few high-backed and clumsy

chairs, a square, box-like settee, are all that are movable; on the

walls a picture or two, sometimes, not always, a looking-glass,

occasionally an alcove with shelves for china and bric-a-brac, and

window curtains--always curtains,--the possession of which must have

entailed much trouble on many housekeepers. _Vide_ the following

advertisement:[89] 'London, Nov. 24.--Having no longer since than last

Night had the misfortune (with other of my Neighbours in Leicester

Fields) to be robb'd by a very uncommon method; I desire you would

(for the Good of the Publick) incert in your Paper the underwritten

Advertisement, that Persons may thereby be put upon their Guard, and

make such provision as may prevent the like Robberies.

[Footnote 89: _Daily Courant_, Nov. 27, 1704.]

'_The Thieves observe those Houses whose Window-shutters, either

outward or inward, reach not up to the top of the Windows; and taking

out some Quaries of the Glass, put their Hands in and rob the Houses

of their Window Curtains._'

Without doubt, the houses of the wealthy were better furnished, and

more artistically. The virtuoso would bring with him on his return

from his 'grand tour' some specimens, both of pictures and furniture,

of the lands he visited. Of the former, they were invariably originals

or copies of the Caracci, Titian, Palma, Van Dyck, etc., and they were

always being imported or changing hands; but of good furniture we

seldom find any to be sold, such as, for instance, 'Two Cabinets, the

one of 48 drawers, containing great variety of curious Shells, Agates,

Corals, Mocus's' (the Mocha or Moco Stone), 'Medals, Minerals, and

other Rarities. The other finely inlaid with Flowers and Birds of

Stone by Baptist.'

And the merchants and well-to-do people undoubtedly had furniture

almost invented to show off their china:[90] 'Whereas the New East

India Company did lately sell all their China Ware, These are to

Advertise, that a very large parcel there of (as Broken and Damag'd)

is now to be sold by Wholesale and Retail, extreamly Cheap, at a

Warehouse in Dyer's Yard. _Note._--It's very fit to furnish

Escrutores, Cabinets, Corner Cupboards or Sprigs, where it usually

stands for Ornament only.'

[Footnote 90: _Harl._ 5996, 147.]

Naturally, almost all the ornamental ceramics came from China or

Japan--for the state of our own ceramic art was at a very low ebb; in

fact, it was only in its infancy in the middle of the last century.

Some pottery was made in Staffordshire and York, but it was near

London that the manufacture of the best, such as it was, was seated.

The potteries at Fulham were at work, as also Lambeth and Vauxhall.

Thoresby tells us of this latter:[91] 'We went by water to Foxhall and

the Spring Garden: I was surprised with so many pleasant walks &c. so

near London. After dinner there, we viewed the pottery and various

apartments there; was most pleased with that where they were painting

divers colours, which yet appear more beautiful, and of different

colours when baked.'

[Footnote 91: _Thoresby's Diary_, May 24, 1714.]

None of these wares were remarkable at that time for their beauty, and

so the oriental porcelain was naturally the most admired, and

consequently bore away the palm, both for beauty of form and design.

The use of tea, too, largely helped the consumption of oriental China.

The cups and teapots were home articles for the Chinese to make, and

it was very many years before we, in England, were even nearly

rivalling them.

Tea necessitated a smaller and more elegant table, so we find the want

supplied by tea and Dutch tables. Lacquer ware was also in much

request, as well for 'Tea Tables, Bowls, Dressing Suites, Cabinets,

and Bellows Boards,' as for screens to keep off draughts.

But perhaps the most glorified piece of furniture in the house, was

the bed, which could be had at all prices, from the[92] 'new sacking

bottom'd Bedsteads at 11_s._ a piece' to that imperial couch which was

a prize in a lottery 'by her Majesty's permission,'[93] 'A Rich Bed, 7

Foot broad, 8 foot long, and about 14 foot high, in which is no less

than Two Thousand Ounces of Gold and Silver wrought in it; Containing

four Curtains Embroidered on both sides alike, on a white Silk Tabby,

Three Vallains with Tassels, three Basses, two Bone-graces, and four

Cantoneers Embroider'd on Gold Tissue Cloth, cost 3,000_l._, put up at

1,400_l._' This, of course, was an extraordinary bed; but the price of

bed Furniture really seems to have been 'from 6_l._ or 7_l._ per Bed

to 40_l._ per Bed, with all sorts of fine Chain Stitch Work.' Velvet,

both in crimson and other colours, was also a favourite for

bed-hangings, and cost 40_l._ at least. One quilt is described, but I

fairly give it up--'Stole out of the house of John Barnes, &c., a

_Culgee_ quilt.'

[Footnote 92: _Harl._ 5996, 87.]

[Footnote 93: _Ibid._ 5961, 326.]

[Illustration: A Bed.]

CHAPTER VI.

SERVANTS.

Number of servants -- Footmen -- Wages -- Liveries -- 'How d'ye'

-- The Upper Gallery -- Footmen's Parliament -- Accomplishments

-- White slaves from Barbary -- Negro slaves -- Runaways --

Apprentices.

The quantity of servants in vogue at that time, especially of male

servants, seems to us to be excessive, but when we look how useful

they were, apart from their menial duties, as guards, and assistants

when the carriage stuck in a deep rut when travelling, and remember

that the old feudal system of having retainers about one for show was

then only moribund (it is not yet dead), their number is accounted

for. First on the list stands my lord's page, who wore his livery,

although of more costly material than that worn by the footman. He

served his apprenticeship as 'a little foot page,' but it was always

understood that, afterwards, his rise in life should be looked to by

his patron. It was very much the same relation that existed between

knight and squire. How he accompanied his lord on state occasions is

shown in one of the illustrations of carriages. Steele speaks

disparagingly of the lad's position.[94] 'I know a Man of good Sense

who put his Son to a Blacksmith, tho' an Offer was made him of his

being received a Page to a Man of Quality.'

[Footnote 94: _Spectator_, 214.]

But it was the footman of that age, and indeed of the whole of

the early Georgian era, who was the perpetual butt of the

satirist--probably not without reason. 'There's nothing we Beaus take

more Pride in than a Sett of Genteel Footmen. I never have any but

what wear their own Hair, and I allow 'em a Crown a Week for Gloves

and Powder; if one shouldn't, they'd Steal horridly to set themselves

out, for now, not one in ten is without a Watch, and a nice Snuff Box

with the best Orangerie; and the Liberty of the Upper Gallery, has

made 'em so confounded pert, that, as they wait behind one at Table,

they'll either put in their Word, or Mimick a body, and People must

bear with 'em or else pay 'em their Wages.'[95] Steele, of course,

could not resist such a tempting theme for his pen, and, consequently,

devotes a whole _Spectator_ (No. 88) to footmen. He says: 'They are

but in a lower Degree what their Masters themselves are; and usually

affect an Imitation of their Manners; and you have in Liveries, Beaux,

Fops, and Coxcombs, in as high perfection, as among People that keep

Equipages. It is a common Humour among the Retinue of People of

Quality, when they are in their Revels, that is when they are out of

their Master's Sight, to assume in a humourous Way the Names and

Titles of those whose Liveries they wear.'

[Footnote 95: _Tunbridge Walks_, ed. 1703.]

Indeed, the footmen of that age must have had a good time of it, for

the custom of feeing them, or, as it was called, of giving them

'vails,' was very prevalent. It got worse later on--indeed, it became

such a nuisance that it was obliged to be stopped. Yet even now it has

to be done, like feeing waiters. Certainly their wages were not great.

'I love punctual Dealings, Sir; Now my Wages comes to at Six Pound per

Annum, Thirty two Pounds the Five Years and four Months, the odd Week

two Shillings Sixpence, the two Hours one halfpenny,' etc.[96] This,

certainly, even at the then enhanced value of money, was not a great

yearly wage, and to a certain extent must plead excuse for the custom

of giving vails. As a rule they were treated like dogs by their

masters, and were caned mercilessly for very trivial faults. They were

very far from being faultless, and Swift's man Patrick seems to have

been a specimen of his kind. How humorously Swift used to describe his

faults to Stella! how he was always going to get rid of him, and never

did!

[Footnote 96: _The Perplexed Lovers_, by Mrs. Centlivre, ed.

1712.]

Their liveries were, perhaps, not so gorgeous as in the later

Georgian time, but they liked fine clothes. 'Her footmen, as I told

you before, are such Beaus, that I do not much care for asking them

Questions; when I do, they answer me with a sawcy Frown, and say that

every thing, which I find fault with, was done by my Lady Mary's

Order. She tells me that she intends they shall wear Swords with their

next Liveries, having lately observed the Footmen of two or three

Persons of Quality hanging behind the Coach with Swords by their

Sides.'[97]

[Footnote 97: _Spectator_, No. 299.]

One part of their duty was to call on their master's or mistress's

acquaintances, and ask, with their compliments, 'How do

ye?'--equivalent to our sending in a card; and this custom is

frequently mentioned in contemporary literature. 'And I'll undertake,

if the How d'ye Servants of our Women were to make a Weekly Bill of

Sickness,' &c.,[98] 'While she sleeps I'm Employ'd in Howdee's,'[99]

'We have so many come with How-dee's, I never mind 'em.'

[Footnote 98: _Ibid._ 143.]

[Footnote 99: _The Basset Table_, sc. i., ed. 1706.]

The upper gallery at the play was theirs by prescriptive right; their

verdict greatly influenced the success or failure of a play, and they

were worth conciliating. Pinkethman, who played to the gallery, knew

this, and in Mrs. Centlivre's comedy of 'The Basset Table,' where he

took a footman's part, spoke the prologue, in which he not only

addressed them in preference to the other portion of the audience, but

showed his power over them by making them rattle their sticks and clap

their hands at his command.

Therefore dear Brethren (since I am one of you)

Whether adorn'd in Grey, Green, Brown or Blue,

This day stand all by me, as I will fall by you;

And now to let--

The poor Pit see how _Pinky's_ Voice Commands,

Silence--Now rattle all your Sticks and clap your grimy Hands.

I greet your Love, and let the vainest Author show, }

Half this command on cleaner hands below, }

Nay, more to prove your Interest, let this Play live by you. }

So may you share good Claret with your Masters,

Still free in your Amours from their Disasters;

Free from poor Housekeeping, where Peck is under Locks.

Free from Cold Kitchings, and no Christmas Box:

So may no long Debates i' th' House of Commons,

Make you in the Lobby starve, when hunger summons;

But may your plenteous Vails come flowing in,

Give you a lucky Hit, and make you Gentlemen;

And thus preferr'd, ne'er fear the World's Reproaches,

But shake your Elbows with my Lord, and keep your Coaches.

Whilst waiting in the House of Commons, as alluded to in the

foregoing, the footmen used to form a parliament of their own, and

discussed politics like their masters. As a joke upon the poverty of

the Scotch lords, it used to be said that, in the footmen's House of

Lords, many questions were lost to the court party, which were

carried in the real House, owing to there being so few footmen

belonging to them. Swift alludes to this practice[100]: 'Pompey,

Colonel Hill's black, designs to stand speaker for the footmen. I am

engaged to use my interest for him, and have spoken to Patrick to get

him some votes.'

[Footnote 100: _Journal to Stella_, letter 10.]

'Give you a lucky Hit' shows that the spirit of Chawles Jeames Yellow

Plush was then in existence, and that he sometimes speculated; and, if

the following newspaper paragraph is reliable, he sometimes won: and

would be in a position to realise the last line in the prologue: 'The

Ticket which entitled the Bearer to 10,000_l._ drawn in this present

Lottery, belongs to a Brewer's Man and Maid Servant.'[101]

[Footnote 101: _Postboy_, Jan. 21/23, 1714.]

The accomplishments of male servants seem to have been varied. Addison

says,[102] 'I remember the time when some of our well-bred Country

Women kept their _Valet de Chambre_, because, forsooth, a Man was much

more handy about them than one of their own Sex. I myself have seen

one of these Male _Abigails_ tripping about the Room with a looking

glass in his Hand, and combing his Lady's Hair a whole Morning

together.' And another of the fraternity advertises thus: 'A likely

sober Person, who can give a very good Account of himself, by several

Gentlemen and others: He has a Mind to serve a Gentleman as a _Valet

de Chambre_ or Buttler; or to wait on a single Gentleman in Town or

Country; he is known to shave well, and can make Wigs; he well

understands the Practice of Surgery, which may be of great Use to a

Family in the Country or elsewhere; he is a Sportsman; he understands

shooting flying, Hunting and Fishing, and all other Sports relating

thereunto; he well understands a Horse.'

[Footnote 102: _Spectator_, No. 45.]

But (and it is a curious little revelation of social life) men did not

monopolise the position of body servants to their masters. Steele,

writing as Isaac Bickerstaff, about his club, says:[103] 'This may

suffice to give the world a taste of our innocent conversation, which

we spun out until about ten of the clock, when my _maid_ came with a

lantern to light me home.'

[Footnote 103: _The Tatler_, No. 132.]

There was, however, another class of servants--black slaves; for the

children of Ham were still in their cruel bondage here--and many are

the advertisements respecting them, from 'a parcel of beads for the

Guinea trade' to a 'Mulatto Maid missing.' It seems curious to us,

now, to think of the somewhat inconsequent behaviour of those times,

keeping black slaves with one hand, and redeeming white ones from

Barbary with the other. One thing is, the poor whites only changed

their method of slavery, for they were draughted into the navy, and in

the long war that followed, there was very little hope of their

release. The papers of March 10, 1702, tell of 143 out of 190 of these

poor wretches going to St. Paul's, where the Bishop of London gave

them 70_l._ between them, and the dean, Dr. Sherlock, 'admonished

them to return thanks to the Government for their Deliverance, and to

the People for their Charity, and that they should not pursue the

Practices to which Sailers, &c., are too much addicted, viz. Swearing

and Cursing. There are about 42 left behind, as 'tis said because some

of the Powder, which was carried thither, happened not to be Proof.'

And the London _Post_, March 11/13, tells a touching little romance of

this event: 'This day the Slaves lately arrived from Barbary, went in

a Body to the Admiralty Office, in order to enter themselves on Board

the Queen's Ships; And 'twas observable, that when they came Yesterday

out of Paul's, one of them was spy'd out by 2 of his Daughters who

came thither only out of Curiosity, and so soon as they saw their

Father, run with open Arms, imbraced and kissed him.'

It is needless to say that the negro slaves were always running away,

and being advertised for; but, as the rewards given were not high, it

is probable that recapture was almost certain. One or two instances

will suffice: 'A Slender middle sized India Black, in a dark grey

Livery with Brass Buttons, went from Mrs Thwaits, in Stepney, the 4th

of June, and is suppos'd to be gone on board some Ship in the Downs;

whosoever secures and gives notice of him to Mrs. Thwaits or Mr.

Tresham, two doors within Aldgate, shall have 10_s._ reward and

reasonable Charges.' 'Went away from his Master's House in Drury Lane,

upon Monday the 6th Instant, and has since been seen at Hampstead,

Highgate and Tottenham Court, an Indian Black Boy, with long Hair,

about 15 Years of Age, speaks very good English; he went away in a

brown Fustian Frock, a blew Wastecoate, and scarlet Shag Breeches, and

is called by the name of Morat; Whoever brings him to, or gives Notice

of him, so as he may be brought to Mr. Pain's House in Prince's Court,

Westminster, shall have a Guinea Reward, and the Boy shall be kindly

received.' Judging by his 'long Hair,' this boy was not a

negro--indeed it would seem that it only needed a dark skin to

constitute a slave; for 'an East India young man, named Cæsar,' ran

away. 'A Negro Maid, aged about 16 Years, much pitted with the Small

Pox, speaks English well, having a piece of her left Ear bit off by a

Dog; She hath on a strip'd Stuff Wastcoat and Petticoat ... they shall

have a Guinea Reward and reasonable Charges.' Sometimes (indeed it was

rather fashionable) the poor wretches had collars round their necks.

'A Tall Negro young fellow commonly known as Jack Chelsea, having a

Collar about his Neck (unless it be lately filed off), with these

Words; Mr. Moses Goodyeare of Chelsea his Negro, ran away from his

Master last Tuesday evening.' This habit of wearing collars is noticed

by Steele,[104] who inserts a letter from 'a blackamoor boy--Pompey.'

'Besides this, the shock dog has a collar that cost almost as much as

mine.' Sometimes these collars were of silver. 'Run away from his

Master about a Fortnight since, a lusty Negroe Boy about 18 years of

Age, full of pock holes, had a Silver Collar about his Neck engrav'd

Capt. Tho. Mitchel's Negroe, living in Griffith Street in Shadwel.'

[Footnote 104: _Tatler_, No. 245.]

They were rarely advertised to be sold--indeed, I have only found one

instance in all the newspapers of the twelve years of Anne's reign,

and that is very simple. 'A Negro boy about 12 years of age, that

speaks English, is to be sold. Enquire of Mr. Step Rayner, a

Watchmaker, at the sign of the Dial, without Bishopsgate.'

Another kind of servant must not be forgotten, although his servitude

was but a limited one--and that is the apprentice, of whom Misson

says: 'An Apprentice is a sort of a Slave; he wears neither Hat nor

Cap in his Master's presence: he can't marry, nor have any Dealings on

his own Account. All he earns is his Masters.' Misson is slightly in

error in one part of this description, but it is a piece of delicate

etiquette, which probably escaped a foreigner's eye: the apprentice

might wear his cap in his master's presence during the last year of

his time. A branch of industry then existed--although probably it was

practised by very few:--'Attendance will be given at the Sun Coffee

House in Queen Street, very near Cheapside, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays,

and Fridays, where Youth may be furnished with Masters to go

Apprentices to Merchants, Wholesale or Retale Trades, or Handicraft

Trades.'

CHAPTER VII.

DAILY LIFE.

(MEN.)

Out-of-door amusements -- A holiday -- Hatred of French fashions

-- Beaus' oaths -- Kissing -- Fops: their daily life.

Passing to the social habits of the people, it is difficult where to

commence the description. The men of the time were humdrum and

prosaic--they went nowhere, at least according to our ideas--a journey

to York or so was really fraught with peril and hardship, consequently

no one ever moved about unless they were compelled. The suburbs were

sparsely inhabited, and there was nothing much to see when one got

there except at Hampstead or Highgate. 'Your Glass Coach will go to

_Hide Park_ for Air. The Suburb fools trudge to _Lambs Conduit_ or

_Totnam_; your sprucer sort of citizen gallop to _Epsom_, your

Meckanick gross Fellows, showing much conjugal affection, strut before

their wives, each with a Child in his Arms, to Islington or

Hogsdon.'[105] What a suburban holiday was like we may see in the

following description, which, however, is somewhat condensed and

revised:[106] 'Fearing Time should be Elaps'd and cut short our

intended Pastime, we Smoak'd our Pipes with greater Expedition, in

order to proceed on our Journey, which we began about Eleven a Clock;

and marching thro' Cheapside, found half the People we either met, or

overtook, equip'd for Hunting; walking backwards and forwards, as I

suppose, to shew one another their Accoutrements. The City Beaus in

Boots as black as Jet, which shin d, by much rubbing, like a stick of

Ebony; their Heels arm'd with Spurs, the travelling weapons to defend

the Rider from the Laziness of his Horse, carefully preserv'd bright

in a Box of Cotton, and dazzled in the eyes of each beholder like a

piece of Looking glass; their Wastes hoop'd round with Turkey Leather

Belts, at which hung a Bagonet, or short Scymitar, in order to cut

their Mistresses Names upon the trees of the Forest: In the right Hand

a Whip, mounted against the Breast like the Scepter of a King's Statue

upon the Change, adorn'd with twisted Wiggs and crown'd with edg'd

Casters; being all over in such Prim and Order, that you could scarce

distinguish them from Gentlemen. Amongst 'em were many Ladies of the

same Quality, ty'd up in Safeguards so be-knotted with their two penny

Taffaty, that a Man might guess by their Finery, their Fathers to be

Ribbond Weavers. We crowded along, mix'd among the Herd, and could not

but fancy the major part of the Citizens were Scampering out of town

to avoid the Horse Plague. We mov'd forward, without any

discontinuance of our Perambulation, till we came to the _Globe_ at

_Mile End_, where a Pretious Mortal made us a Short hand complement,

and gave us an Invitation to a Sir-Loine of Roast Beef, out of which

Corroborating Food we renew'd our Lives; and strengthening our Spirits

with a flask of rare Claret, took leave of my Friend's Acquaintance

and so proceeded.

[Footnote 105: _The Virtuoso_, ed. 1704.]

[Footnote 106: _The London Spy._]

'By this time the Road was full of Passengers, every one furnish'd

with no small Appetite to Veal and Bacon. Citizens in Crowds, upon

Pads, Hackneys, and Hunters; all upon the _Tittup_, as if he who Rid

not a Gallop was to forfeit his Horse. Some Spurring on with that

speed and chearfulness, as if they intended never to come back again:

Some Double, and some Single. Every now and then drop'd a Lady from

her Pillion, another from her Side Saddle; Sometimes a Beau would

tumble and dawb his Boots, which, to shew his Neatness, he would clean

with his Handkerchief. In this order did we march, like Aaron's

Proselites, to Worship the Calf, till we came to the New rais'd

Fabrick call'd _Mob's Hole_, where the Beast was to be Eaten. We

press'd hard to get into the House, which we found so full, that when

I was in, what with the smell of Sweat, Stinking Breaths and Tobacco,

I thought there was but a few Gasps between the Place and Eternity.

Some were Dancing to a Bag pipe; others Whistling to a Base Violin,

two Fidlers scraping Lilla burlero,[107] my Lord Mayor's[108]

Delight, upon a Couple of Crack'd _Crowds_[109], and an old Oliverian

trooper tootling upon a Trumpet.' After a rest and some liquid

refreshment, they chatted and bantered with the holiday folk, until

'from thence went into the Kitchin, Built up of Furzes, in the Open

Air, to behold their Cookery; where the Major part of the Calf was

Roasting upon a Wooden Spit: Two or three great Slivers he had lost

off his Buttocks, his Ribs par'd to the very Bone, with holes in his

Shoulders, each large enough to bury a _Sevil_ Orange, that he look'd

as if a Kennel of Hounds had every one had a Snap at him. Under him

lay the Flitch of Bacon of such an _Ethiopian_ Complection, that I

should rather have guess'd it the side of a _Blackamore_; It looking

more like a Cannibal's Feast than a Christian Entertainment. Being

soon glutted with the view of this unusual piece of Cookery, we

departed from thence, and hearing a great bustle in the Upper Room of

an Outhouse, we went up Stairs to see what was the matter, where we

found a poor Fidler, scraping over the tune of _Now Ponder Well you

Parents Dear_;[110] and a parcel of Country People Dancing and crying

to 't. The Remembrance of the Uncles Cruelty to the poor Innocent

Babes, and the Robin Red Breasts Kindness, had fix'd in their very

Looks such Signs of Sorrow and Compassion, that their Dancing seem'd

rather a Religious Worship, than a Merry Recreation. Having thus given

ourselves a Prospect of all that the place afforded, we return'd to

Stratford, where we got a Coach, and from thence to London.'

[Footnote 107: See Appendix.]

[Footnote 108: See Appendix.]

[Footnote 109: Fiddles.]

[Footnote 110: See Appendix.]

[Illustration: The Merry Fidler.]

This stay-at-home lot naturally disliked all who differed from them;

and their especial hatred, on whom all their vials of wrath was poured

out, and who provoked their most pungent satire, was the travelled fop

who had brought back with him Continental ideas and fashions. In this

matter John Bull, until he began to move about a bit, has always been

most conservative. Anything 'un-English' was certain of condemnation,

and of course, during the war the French, and all belonging to them,

were especially hated.

Our Native Speech we must forget, ere long,

To learn the _French_, that much more Modish Tongue.

Their Language smoother is, hath pretty Aires;

But ours is _Gothick_, if compar'd with theirs.

The French by Arts of smoother Insinuation,

Are now become the Darlings of the Nation;

His Lordship's Valet must be bred in _France_,

Or else he is a Clown without Pretence:

The _English_ Blockheads are in Dress so coarse,

They're fit for nothing, but to rub a Horse,

Her Ladyship's ill-manner'd or ill-bred,

Whose Woman, Confident, or Chamber Maid,

Did not in _France_ suck in her first breath'd Air,

Or did not gain hir Education there;

Our Cooks in dressing have no Skill at all.

They're only fit to serve an Hospital,

Or to prepare a Dinner for a Camp;

_French_ Cooks are only of the Modish Stamp.[111]

[Footnote 111: _The Baboon A-la-mode, A Satyr against the

French_, ed. 1704.]

These affectations offended our insularity, and, probably, the

following sketch was not at all ungenerous or uncalled for:--

And he who to his Fancy puts no Stop,

Goes out a Fool, and may return a Fop;

And after he Six Months in _France_ has been,

Comes home a most Accomplish'd Harlequin,

Drest in a tawdry Suit at _Paris_ made,

For which he more than thrice the Value paid.

_French_ his Attendants, _French_ alone his Mouth

Can speak, his native Language is uncouth.

If to the Ladies he does make Advance,

His very Looks must have the Air of France,

The _English_ are so heavy and so dull,

As if with Lead, not Brains, their Heads were full.

But the brisk _Frenchman_, by his subtil Art,

Soon finds Access to any Lady's Heart.

And again,[112] 'Then before they can Conster and Pearse,[113] they

are sent into _France_ with sordid illiterate Creatures, call'd Dry'd

Nurses, or Governours; Engines of as little use as Pacing Saddles, and

as unfit to Govern 'em as the Post Horses they ride to Paris on; From

whence they return with a little smattering of that mighty Universal

Language, without being ever able to write true English.'

[Footnote 112: _The Virtuoso._]

[Footnote 113: Construe and parse.]

If these descriptions be true, and they are so numerous and widely

scattered as to leave little doubt of it, the young fellow came back a

fribble, an emasculated nothing, except as regards his periwig, his

clothes, and his snuff-box.

[114]But _Art_ surpasses _Nature_; and we find

Men may be transform'd into Womankind

[Footnote 114: _Almonds for Parrots_, ed. 1708.]

--a creature who 'can Sing, and Dance, and play upon the Guitar; make

Wax Work, and Fillagree, and Paint upon Glass'[115]--who swore pretty

little oaths--odsbodikins![116] oh me! and never stir alive! or

blister me![117] impair my vigour! enfeeble me! or could say to a

lady,[118] Madam, split me, you are very impertinent! who painted

himself[119] 'purely to oblige the ladies,'--and who, when he met a

friend, must needs fall a-kissing him, described in one old play as

'the Embracing[120] and the fulsome Trick you Men have got of Kissing

one another.' Or, as in another play, one of those travelled pretty

dears says,[121] 'Sir--You Kiss Pleasingly--I love to Kiss a Man, in

_Paris_ we kiss nothing else.'

[Footnote 115: _Tunbridge Walks._]

[Footnote 116: _Tatler_, No. 13.]

[Footnote 117: _The Beau's Duel._]

[Footnote 118: _Tatler_, No. 2.]

[Footnote 119: _St. James's Park, a Satyr_, 1709.]

[Footnote 120: _Tunbridge Walks._]

[Footnote 121: _Love Makes a Man._]

[Illustration: Men Kissing.]

What was their life composed of, and how did they spend it? Naturally

they got up late, breakfasted _en déshabillé_, held a sort of levée,

till it was time to go to White's or the Cocoa Tree, or else lounged

in the Mall, where Ward describes the scene as 'It seem'd to me as if

the World was turn'd Top-Side turvy; for the ladies look'd like

undaunted Heroes, fit for Government or Battle, and the Gentlemen like

a parcel of Fawning, Flattering Fops, that could bear Cuckoldom with

Patience, make a Jest of an Affront, and swear themselves very

faithful and humble Servants to the Petticoat; Creeping and Cringing

in dishonour to themselves, to what was decreed by Heaven their

Inferiours; as if their Education had been amongst Monkeys, who (as it

is said) in all cases give the Pre-eminence to their Females.' Or

perhaps he would lounge down to the Exchange to buy a pair of gloves

or a sword knot, and, under any circumstances, to ogle the shop girls.

Ward's language may be a little rough, but it is sound, and it touches

one of the social cankers of the day. Then dinner at Pontac's, or some

ordinary; then a little more coffee-house, and a wind up at some side

box--favourite haunt of beaus--at the play, where probably other of

the _jeunesse dorée_--this time those who had received a home

education--would arrive; would-be men-about-town, things of sixteen

years old or so--whose future development would be first Mohock, then

sot:[122] 'Such as come Drunk and Screaming into a Play House, and

stand upon the Benches, and toss their full Perriwigs and empty Heads,

and with their shrill unbroken Pipes, cry _Dam me, this is a Damn'd

Play_.' A little Tunbridge or Bath in the season, and this was the sum

of their existence, which, if the money held out, lasted until they

either physically rotted, or settled down to married life! sated and

blasé; or, if it was soon spent, and the brilliant meteor had flashed

its course across the heavens, there was nothing but the living death

of the debtors' gaol, from which release was next to impossible.

[Footnote 122: _The Virtuoso._]

CHAPTER VIII.

DAILY LIFE.

(WOMEN.)

Receiving in bed -- A lady's life -- A fine lady's diary --

Walking -- Visiting -- Tea-table scandal -- Shopping -- Daily

church -- Pets -- Dancing -- Books on ditto -- A dancing master.

And how did the women fare? We have seen that among the middle classes

the domestic virtues were encouraged and highly extolled, and to be a

'notable housewife' was a legitimate and proper ambition; but how did

the fine-lady class spend their time? Were their lives more usefully

employed than those of the beaus? Addison says that he remembers the

time when ladies received visits in bed, and thus graphically

describes the custom:[123] 'It was then looked upon as a piece of Ill

breeding for a Woman to refuse to see a Man, because she was not

stirring; and a Porter would have been thought unfit for his Place,

that could have made so awkward an Excuse. As I love to see everything

that is new, I once prevailed upon my Friend Will Honeycomb to carry

me along with him to one of these Travelled Ladies, desiring him at

the same time, to present me as a Foreigner who could not speak

_English_, so that I might not be obliged to bear a part in the

Discourse. The Lady, tho' willing to appear undrest, had put on her

best Looks, and painted herself for our Reception. Her Hair appeared

in a very nice Disorder, as the Night Gown which was thrown upon her

Shoulders was ruffled with great Care.'

[Footnote 123: _Spectator_, No. 45.]

There is an amusing little pamphlet--not a chap book

proper[124]--which, though undated, bears internal evidence of the

time of its birth, which gives an account of a fine lady's life.

[Footnote 124: _The English Lady's Catechism._ I have seen

the original edition, dated 1703.--J. A.]

'How do you employ your time now?'

'I lie in Bed till Noon, dress all the Afternoon, Dine in the Evening,

and play at Cards till Midnight.'

'How do you spend the Sabbath?

'In Chit Chat.'

'What do you talk of?'

'New Fashions and New Plays.'

'How often do you go to Church?'

'Twice a year or oftener, according as my Husband gives me new

Cloaths.'

'Why do you go to Church when you have new Cloaths?'

'To see other Peoples Finery, and to show my own, and to laugh at

those scurvy, out of fashion Creatures that come there for Devotion.'

'Pray, Madam, what Books do you read?'

'I read lewd Plays and winning Romances.'

'Who is it you love?'

'Myself.'

'What! nobody else?'

'My Page, my Monkey, and my Lap Dog.'

'Why do you love them?'

'Why, because I am an English Lady, and they are Foreign Creatures; my

Page from Genoa, my Monkey from the East Indies, and my Lap Dog from

Vigo.'[125]

[Footnote 125: This settles the date as being early in

Anne's reign, as the galleons were captured at Vigo in 1702,

and everything from Vigo was fashionable.]

'Would not they have pleased you as well if they had been English?'

'No, for I hate everything that Old England brings forth, except it be

the temper of an English Husband, and the liberty of an English wife;

I love the French Bread, French Wines, French Sauces, and a French

Cook; in short, I have all about me French or Foreign, from my Waiting

Woman to my Parrot.'

And Addison tells much the same story when he gives a portion of the

diary of a lady of quality.[126]

[Footnote 126: _Spectator_, No. 323.]

'Wednesday _From Eight 'till Ten_. Drank two Dishes of Chocolate in

Bed, and fell asleep after 'em.

'_From Ten to Eleven._ Eat a Slice of Bread and Butter, drank a Dish

of Bohea, read the _Spectator_.

'_From Eleven to One._ At my Toilet, try'd a new Head. Gave orders for

_Veney_ to be combed and washed. _Mem._ I look best in Blue.

'_From One till Half an Hour after Two._ Drove to the Change. Cheapned

a couple of Fans.

'_Till Four._ At Dinner. _Mem._ Mr. _Froth_ passed by in his new

Liveries.

'_From Four to Six._ Dressed, paid a Visit to old lady Blithe and her

Sister, having heard they were gone out of Town that Day.

'_From Six to Eleven._ At Basset. _Mem._ Never set again upon the Ace

of Diamonds.

'Thursday. _From Eleven at Night to Eight in the Morning._ Dream'd

that I punted to Mr. _Froth_.

'_From Eight to Ten._ Chocolate. Read two Acts in _Aurenzebe_[127]

abed.

[Footnote 127: By Dryden.]

'_From Ten to Eleven._ Tea Table. Sent to borrow Lady _Faddle's Cupid_

for _Veney_. Read the Play-Bills. Received a letter from Mr. _Froth_.

_Mem._ Locked it up in my strong box.

'_Rest of the Morning._ _Fontange_ the Tire woman, her Account of my

Lady _Blithe's_ Wash. Broke a Tooth in my little Tortoise-shell Comb.

Sent _Frank_ to know how my Lady _Hectick_ rested after her Monky's

leaping out at Window. Looked pale. _Fontange_ tells me my Glass is

not true. Dressed by Three.

'_From Three to Four._ Dinner cold before I sat down.

'_From Four to Eleven._ Saw Company. Mr. _Froth's_ opinion of

_Milton_. His Account of the _Mohocks_. His Fancy for a Pincushion.

Picture in the Lid of his Snuff-box. Old Lady _Faddle_ promises me her

Woman to cut my Hair. Lost five Guineas at Crimp.

'_Twelve a Clock at Night._ Went to Bed.

'Friday. _Eight in the Morning._ Abed. Read over all Mr. _Froth's_

Letters. _Cupid_ and _Veney_.

'_Ten a Clock._ Stay'd within all day--not at home.

'_From Ten to Twelve._ In Conference with my Mantua Maker. Sorted a

Suit of Ribbands. Broke my Blue China Cup.

'_From Twelve to One._ Shut myself up in my Chamber, practised Lady

_Betty Modely's_ Skuttle.

'_One in the Afternoon._ Called for my flowered Handkerchief. Worked

half a Violet Leaf in it. Eyes aked and Head out of Order. Threw by my

Work, and read over the remaining Part of _Aurenzebe_.

'_From Three to Four._ Dined.

'_From Four to Twelve._ Changed my Mind, dressed, went abroad, and

play'd at Crimp till Midnight. Found Mrs. _Spitely_ at home.

Conversation: Mrs. _Brilliant's_ Necklace false Stones. Old Lady

_Loveday_ going to be married to a young Fellow that is not worth a

Groat. Miss _Prue_ gone into the Country. _Tom Townley_ has red Hair.

_Mem._ Mrs. _Spitely_ whispered in my Ear that she had something to

tell me about Mr. _Froth_, I am sure it is not true.

'_Between Twelve and One._ Dreamed that Mr. _Froth_ lay at my Feet and

called me _Indamora_.[128]

[Footnote 128: The Heroine in _Aurenzebe_.]

'Saturday. Rose at Eight a Clock in the Morning. Sate down to my

Toilet.

'_From Eight to Nine._ Shifted a Patch for Half an Hour before I could

determine it. Fixed it above my left Eye-brow.

'_From Nine to Twelve._ Drank my Tea and Dressed.

'_From Twelve to Two._ At Chappel. A great deal of good Company.

_Mem._ The third Air in the new Opera. Lady _Blithe_ dressed

frightfully.

'_From Three to Four._ Dined. Miss _Kitty_ called upon me to go to the

Opera before I was risen from Table.

'_From Dinner to Six._ Drank Tea. Turned off a Footman for being rude

to _Veney_.

'_Six a Clock._ Went to the Opera. I did not see Mr. _Froth_ till the

beginning of the second Act. Mr. _Froth_ talked to a gentleman in a

black Wig. Bowed to a Lady in the Front Box. Mr. _Froth_ and his

Friend clapp'd _Nicolini_ in the third Act. Mr. _Froth_ cried out

_Ancora_. Mr. _Froth_ led me to my Chair. I think he squeezed my Hand.

'_Eleven at Night._ Went to Bed. Melancholy Dreams. Me-thought

Nicolini said he was Mr. _Froth_.

'Sunday. Indisposed.

'Monday. _Eight a Clock._ Waked by Miss _Kitty_. _Aurenzebe_ lay upon

the Chair by me. _Kitty_ repeated without Book the Eight best Lines in

the Play. Went in our Mobbs to the dumb Man,[129] according to

Appointment. Told me that my Lover's Name began with a G. _Mem._ The

Conjurer was within a Letter of Mr. Froth's Name,' &c.

[Footnote 129: Duncan Campbell, who pretended to tell

fortunes by second sight.]

Virtually, these two different versions of how an idle woman passed

her time agree remarkably well, and they let a whole flood of daylight

into the inner life of the time--on what they breakfasted when they

dined, what time the opera began, etc. Apart from opera, the play, and

cards, how were the females of the middle class to amuse themselves of

an evening? Say they had been busy all day, the evenings had to be

passed somehow. There was very little of that domesticity and home

life of which we are so proud, for the men spent their evenings at

their club, their coffee-house, the tavern, or the play, so they had

to amuse themselves with such innocent games as hot cockles, questions

and commands, mottoes, similes, cross purposes, blindman's buff, and a

game called 'Parson has lost his Cloak,' or else 'Bouts rimés,' which

consisted of giving four terminal words of any kind so that they

rhymed, and then some one else filling up the blank lines, and making

four lines of sensible poetry.[130] In fact, just the same amusements

that are now compelled to be resorted to as pastimes in a village

home. The better class had musical evenings, for chamber music was

popular, but the spinets and harpsichords were of moderate compass,

and very slight in sound. They danced country dances too, any quantity

of them; and there was the curse of the age--cards--as a never-failing

resource.

[Footnote 130: See _Spectator_, No. 60.]

The women did not walk much. Swift seems to think they did; but then a

little walking went a long way with him. He quite boasts of his walk

from and to Chelsea of a day, a good two-mile walk each way, as

somewhat of a feat, and he repeatedly grumbles at Stella for not

walking more--tells her to knock off her claret and buy a pair of good

strong boots and use them.[131] 'When I pass the Mall in the evening

it is prodigious to see the number of ladies walking there; and I

always cry shame at the ladies of Ireland, who never walk at all, as

if their legs were of no use, but to be laid aside.... I tell you

what, if I was with you, when we went to Stoyte, at Donnybrook, we

would only take a coach to the hither end of Stephen's Green, and from

thence go every step on foot; yes, faith, every step.'

[Footnote 131: _Journal to Stella_, letter 23.]

The Mall was the fashionable lounge, or the Parade, where smoking was

not allowed.[132] 'From thence we walk'd into the Parade, which my

Friend told me us'd, in a Morning, to be cover'd with the Bones of Red

Herrings, and smelt as strong about Breakfast Times as a Wet Salter's

Shop at Midsummer. But now, says he, its perfum'd again with _English_

Breath; and the scent of Oroonoko Tobacco no more offends the Nostrils

of our squeamish Ladies.' And there were the ducks to feed on the

canal. But the Mall was _the_ place. Ward goes into ecstasies over it:

never was there such a sight. 'From thence we went thro' the _Pallace_

into the _Park_ about the time when the Court Ladies raise their

extended Limbs from their downy Couches, and Walk into the Mall to

refresh their charming Bodies with the Cooling and Salubrious Breezes

of the Gilded Evening. We could not possibly have chose a Luckier

Minute to have seen the delightful _Park_ in its greatest Glory and

Perfection; for the brightest Stars of the Creation sure (that shine

by no other Power than humane Excellence) were moving here with such

awful State and Majesty that their Graceful Deportments bespoke 'em

Goddesses,' etc.

[Footnote 132: _The London Spy._]

[Illustration: A Tea Party.]

Of course they paid visits--how could women live without a little

gossip? The invaluable Misson takes a note of the practice. 'Persons

of the first Quality visit one another in _England_ as much as we do

in _France_, generally about Evening; but the ordinary Sort of People

have not that Custom. Among us all the little Shopkeepers,

particularly the Women, go with their Gowns about their Heels to visit

one another by Turns, either to crack and bounce to one another, or

else to sit with their Arms a cross, and say nothing. What can be more

tedious, impertinent, and ridiculous than such Visits? Here, Persons

of that Condition go to see one another with their Work in their Hands

and Chearfulness in their Countenance, without Rule or Constraint.

Upon certain Occasions, as upon Mourning or Marriage, they pay one

another Visits of Ceremony.' Brown gives a most amusing

description[133] of 'the City Ladies Visiting Day, which is a familiar

Assembly, or a general Council, of the fair and charming Sex, where

all the important affairs of their Neighbours are largely discuss'd,

but judg'd in an arbitrary manner, without hearing the Parties speak

for themselves. Nothing comes amiss to these Tribunals; matters of

high and no consequence, as Religion and Cuckoldom, Commodes and

Sermons, Politicks and Gallantry, Receipts of Cookery and Scandal,

Coquetry and Preserving, Jilting and Laundry; in short, every thing is

subject to the Jurisdiction of this Court, and no Appeal lies from it.

The Coach stops at the Goldsmith's or Mercer's Door, and off leaps Mr.

_Skip Kennel_ from behind it, and makes his Address to the Book Keeper

or Prentice, and asks if his Lady (for that is always the name of the

Mistress) receives any Visits that day or No; some stay must be made

till the Woman above stairs sends down her Answer, and then the Pink

of Courtesie is receiv'd at the top of the Stairs, like King James by

the French King, and handed to her stool of discourse.... Thus they

take a sip of Tea, then for a draught or two of Scandal to digest it,

next let it be Ratafia, or any other Favourite Liquor, Scandal must be

the after draught to make it sit easie on their Stomach, till the half

hour's past, and they have disburthen'd themselves of their Secrets,

and take Coach for some other place to collect new matter for

Defamation.'

[Footnote 133: _The Works of Thomas Brown_, ed. 1708, vol.

iii. p. 86.]

Tea was then in its infancy, but it was an extremely fashionable

beverage, in spite of its expense, and the tea-table was the very

centre of scandal and gossip.

How see we Scandal (for our sex too base), }

Seat in dread Empire in the Female Race, }

'Mong Beaus and Women, Fans and Mechlin Lace, }

Chief seat of Slander, Ever there we see

Thick Scandal circulate with right Bohea.

There, source of black'ning Falshood's Mint of Lies, }

Each Dame th' Improvement of her Talent tries, }

And at each Sip a Lady's Honour dies; }

Truth rare as Silence, or a Negro Swan,

Appears among those Daughters of the Fan.

Naturally, when out walking they did a little shopping, or what passed

as such; for then, as now, many a fine lady would go into a shop and

look at the goods simply to pass away the time, regardless of the

loss and inconvenience to the shopkeeper. Steele notices this--indeed,

what little social blot ever went undetected by the omniscient

_Spectator_?--in the following amusing strain:[134] 'I am, dear Sir,

one of the top China Women about Town; and though I say it, keep as

good Things and receive as fine Company as any o' this End of the

Town, let the other be who she will. In short I am in a fair Way to be

easy, were it not for a Club of Female Rakes who, under pretence of

taking their innocent rambles, forsooth, and diverting the Spleen,

seldom fail to plague me twice or thrice a day to cheapen Tea, or buy

a Skreen. What else should they mean? as they often repeat it. These

Rakes are your idle Ladies of Fashion, who having nothing to do employ

themselves in tumbling over my Ware. One of these No Customers (for,

by the way, they seldom or never buy anything) calls for a set of Tea

Dishes, another for a Bason, a third for my best Green Tea, and even

to the Punch bowl; there's scarce a piece in my Shop but must be

displaced, and the whole agreeable Architecture disordered, so that I

can compare 'em to nothing but to the Night Goblins that take a

Pleasure to overturn the Disposition of Plates and Dishes in the

kitchens of your housewifely Maids. Well, after all this Racket and

Clutter, this is too dear, that is their Aversion; another thing is

Charming, but not wanted. The Ladies are cured of the Spleen, but I am

not a Shilling the better for it.'

[Footnote 134: _Spectator_, No. 337.]

[Illustration: A Lady and Footman.]

One famous place for shopping was the New Exchange, in the Strand,

which must have been something like our arcades; and many are the

allusions, in contemporary literature, to the dangerous allurements of

the Exchange shop-girls. 'Did you buy anything? Some Bawbles. But my

choice was so distracted among the Pretty Merchants and their Dealers,

I knew not where to run first. One little lisping Rogue, Ribbandths,

Gloveths, Tippeths. Sir, cries another, will you buy a fine Sword

Knot; then a third, pretty voice and Curtsie, Does not your Lady want

Hoods, Scarfs, fine green silk Stockings. I went by as if I had been

in a Seraglio, a living Gallery of Beauties--staring from side to

side, I bowing, they laughing; so made my escape.'[135]

[Footnote 135: _The Lying Lover._]

This was the universal description of the New Exchange, and the

character of their wares has been immortalised in a song by Ward:--

Fine Lace or Linnen, Sir,

Good Gloves or Ribbons here;

What is't you please to Buy, Sir?

Pray what d'ye ask for this?

Ten Shillings is the Price;

It cost me, sir, no less,

I Scorn to tell a Lye, Sir.

Madam, what is't you want,

Rich Fans of India paint?

Fine Hoods or Scarfs, my Lady?

Silk Stockings will you buy,

In Grain or other Dye?

Pray, Madam, please your Eye;

I've good as e'er was made ye.

My Lady, feel the Weight,

They're Fine, and yet not Slight;

I'd with my Mother trust 'em.

For Goodness and for Wear,

Madam, I Vow and Swear,

I show'd you this same Pair

In hopes to gain your Custom.

Pray tell me in a Word,

At what you can afford,

With Living Gain to sell 'em:

The price is one Pound five,

And as I hope to Live,

I do my Profit give,

Your Honour's very welcome.

Knives, Penknives, Combs or Scissors,

Tooth Pickers, Sirs, or Tweesers;

Or Walking Canes to Ease ye.

Ladies, d'ye want fine Toys,

For Misses or for Boys?

Of all sorts I have Choice,

And pretty things to please ye.

I want a little Babye,

As pretty a one as may be,

With Head dress made of Feather:

And now I think again,

I want a Toy from Spain,

You know what 'tis I mean:

Pray send 'em home together.

Another female practice, then, was to go to daily service at church

especially--and St. Paul's, Covent Garden, was a very fashionable

church at which to worship, or ogle the beaus.[136] 'This Market and

that Church,' says my friend, 'hides more faults of kind Wives and

Daughters among the Neighbouring Inhabitants than the pretended Visits

either to my Cousin at t'other end of the Town, or some other distant

Acquaintance; for if the Husband asks, Where have you been, Wife? or

the Parent, Where have you been, Daughter? the Answer, if it be after

Eleven in the forenoon, or between Three and Four in the Afternoon,

is, At Prayers. But, if early in the Morning, then their excuse is, I

took a walk to Covent Garden Market, not being very well, to refresh

myself with the scent of the Herbs and Flowers; Bringing a Flower, or

a Sprig of Sweet Bryar, home in her Hand, and it confirms the matter.'

[Footnote 136: _The London Spy._]

When not walking, ladies used either a coach or a sedan chair, and but

seldom rode on horseback; but, when they did so, they generally

preferred the pillion to the side-saddle, as in the accompanying

illustration, and held on by the belt either of her cavalier or groom.

In the country, horse exercise was much more in vogue, and Swift

repeatedly alludes to, and reminds Stella of, her riding. When riding,

ladies very frequently wore masks to protect the countenance from the

rays of the sun.

[Illustration: Riding Pillion.]

Frequent allusions are made to a lady's pets, her lap-dog or her

parrot; but very few people know the very wide range of choice she had

in the selection of those pets. Needless to say there were monkeys,

both Marmoset and other kinds; there were paroquets, paroquets of

Guinea, cockatoos and macaws, scarlet nightingales from the West

Indies, lorries or lurries, canaries, both ash and lemon colour, white

and grey turtle doves from Barbary, white turtle doves, and the turtle

doves from Moco, no bigger than a lark, spotted very fine. There were

milk-white peacocks, white and pyed pheasants, bantams, and furbelow

fowls from the East Indies, and top-knot hens from Hamburg. She would

hardly want the 'Parcel of living Vipers, fresh taken, fat and good,

are to be sold by the dozen,' nor would she care about the 'fine Tyger

from the East Indies, who was brought over together with some fine

geese from the same part of the world,' and some 'Amedawares.' In fact

there were 'Jamrachs' then as now, and many of the bird shops were in

St. Martin's Lane, near which locality they still abound. There is a

curious advertisement in the _Postman_, January 12/15, 1706, which

settles the date of bird-seed glasses. 'The so much approved and most

convenient new fashion Crystal Bird Glasses, which effectually prevent

the Littering of the Seeds into the Rooms.'

An innocent amusement, of which they were very fond, was dancing. And

of dances there were a considerable quantity: country dances and jigs,

of which there was an infinite variety, and minuets, rigadoons, and

other more stately and stagey dances, as the 'Louvre and the French

Brittagne.' These latter were elaborate, and absolutely inaugurated a

fresh literature devoted to their cult. This seems to have been

started by one Thoinet Arbeau, in a book published by him in 1588, and

he may be called the originator of the ballet. Both Beauchamp and

Feuillet wrote on this subject in French. Feuillet's book was

translated and improved upon by Siris, in 1706. John Weaver wrote on

this subject (in his 'Orchesography') about 1708, and John Essex (in

the 'Treatise of Chorography') in 1710. The object was to teach the

different steps and dances, by means of diagrams. Thus coupées,

bourées, fleurets, bounds or tacs, contretemps, chasses, sissones,

pirouettes, capers, entrechats, etc., all had their distinguishing

marks.

The effect of learning by this method is whimsically given by

Addison.[137] 'I was this morning awakened by a sudden shake of the

house, and as soon as I had got a little out of my consternation I

felt another, which was followed by two or three repetitions of the

same convulsion. I got up as fast as possible, girt on my rapier, and

snatched up my hat, when my landlady came up to me and told me "that

the gentlewoman of the next house begged me to step thither, for that

a lodger she had taken in was run mad, and she desired my advice," as

indeed everybody in the whole lane does upon important occasions. I am

not like some artists, saucy, because I can be beneficial, but went

immediately. Our neighbour told us "she had the day before let her

second floor to a very genteel youngish man, who told her he kept

extraordinary good hours, and was generally home most part of the

morning and evening at study; but that this morning he had for an hour

together made this extravagant noise which we then heard." I went up

stairs with my hand upon the hilt of my rapier, and approached this

new lodger's door.

[Footnote 137: _The Tatler_, No. 88.]

[Illustration: A Bourée and a Contretemps.]

'I looked in at the keyhole, and there I saw a well-made man look with

great attention on a book, and on a sudden jump into the air so high,

that his head almost touched the ceiling. He came down safe on his

right foot, and again flew up, alighting on his left; then looked

again at his book, and holding out his right leg, put it into such a

quivering motion, that I thought he would have shaked it off. He then

used the left after the same manner, when on a sudden, to my great

surprise, he stooped himself incredibly low, and turned gently on his

toes. After this circular motion, he continued bent in that humble

posture for some time, looking on his book. After this, he recovered

himself with a sudden spring, and flew round the room in all the

violence and disorder imaginable, until he made a full pause for want

of breath.

[Illustration: A Sissone.]

'In this _interim_, my women asked "what I thought." I whispered,

"that I thought this learned person an enthusiast, who possibly had

his first education in the Peripatetic way, which was a sect of

Philosophers, who always studied when walking." But observing him much

out of breath, I thought it the best time to master him if he were

disordered, and knocked at his door. I was surprized to find him open

it, and say with great civility and good mien, "that he hoped he had

not disturbed us." I believed him in a lucid interval, and desired "he

would please to let me see his book." He did so, smiling. I could not

make anything of it, and therefore asked "in what language it was

_writ_." He said, "it was one he studied with great application; that

it was his profession to teach it, and he could not communicate his

knowledge without a consideration." I answered "that I hoped he would

hereafter keep his thoughts to himself, for his meditation this

morning had cost me three coffee dishes and a clean pipe." He seemed

concerned at that, and told me "he was a dancing master, and had been

reading a dance or two before he went out, which had been written by

one who had been taught at an Academy in France." He observed me at a

stand, and went on to inform me, "that now _Articulate_ MOTIONS as

well as SOUNDS were expressed by _Proper_ CHARACTERS, and that there

is nothing so common as to communicate a _Dance_ by a letter." I

besought him hereafter to meditate in a ground room.'

The public dancers were utilised in rather a curious way, if we may

credit Mrs. Centlivre--who certainly ought to know. She says, in 'Love

at a Venture,' '_Sir Paul Cautious_, Go to the Play House, and desire

some of the Singers and Dancers to come hither,' and the servant,

later on in the play, announces, 'The Singers and Dancers are come,

Sir. (Here is songs and dances.)'

CHAPTER IX.

GAMBLING AND SPECULATION.

Games at cards -- Curious cards -- Price -- Tax on Cards --

Female passion for gambling -- The Groom Porter's -- Gaming

houses -- Gamesters -- Noted gamesters -- Debts of honour --

Speculation -- Life insurances -- Marine and other insurances --

Shopkeepers' lotteries -- Government lotteries -- Prizes and

winners.

But primest and chief delight of men and women in this age was CARDS.

Never, perhaps, was such a card-playing time--certainly not in

England. Ombre, which is so vividly described in the third canto of

the 'Rape of the Lock' was a game which could be played by two, three,

or five persons--generally by three; to each of whom nine cards were

dealt. It takes its name from the Spanish, the person who undertook to

stand the game making use of the words 'Yo soy l'hombre,' 'I am the

man.' It was an improvement on _Primero_, which disappeared after its

introduction. L'hombre is still played in Spain under the name of

_Tresillo_, and in Spanish America it is called _Rocambor_. _Piquet_

is now played. _Basset_ was a very gambling game, closely resembling

the modern _Faro_; _Whisk_ or _Whist_, _Brag_, _Lanterloo_, or

_Lanctre loo_, in which _pam_, or the knave of clubs, is the highest

card:[138] 'Were she at her Parish Church, in the Height of her

Devotion, should any Body in the Interim but stand at the Church Door

and hold up the _Knave of Clubs_, she would take it to be a Challenge

at _Lanctre Loo_; and starting from her prayers, would follow her

beloved _Pam_, as a deluded Traveller does an _Ignis Fatuus_'; and

_One and Thirty_, which does not seem a very extravagant game, judging

by Swift's account of it.[139] 'Lord Treasurer has had an ugly fit of

the rheumatism, but is now near quite well. I was playing at _one and

thirty_ with him and his family the other night. He gave us all

twelvepence apiece to begin with.' These were some of the games[140]

they delighted in; and the accompanying illustration very vividly

brings before us a quiet and pleasant game at cards.

[Footnote 138: Ward's _Adam and Eve stript of their

Furbelows_.]

[Footnote 139: _Journal to Stella_, letter 53.]

[Footnote 140: Other games were cribbage, all fours, ruff

and honours, French ruff, five cards, costly colours, bon

ace, putt, plain dealing, Queen Nazareen, pennech, post and

pair, bankafalat, beast.]

[Illustration: A Card Table.]

The implements of gaming, the cards themselves, were much smaller and

thinner than those we are accustomed to play with. They were not

always confined to the prosaic display of the pips and Court cards, as

ours are, but took a far more fanciful flight. 'Geographical,

Geometrical, Astronomical and Carving Cards, each Pack price 1_s._'

'Orange Cards, Representing the late King James's Reign and

Expedition of the Prince of Orange, Plots of the Papists, Bishops in

the Tower and Trial, Consecrated mock Prince of Wales, Popish Midwife,

Fight at Reading, Pope's Nuncio, Captain Tom, Essex's Murder, burning

Mass Houses, Army going over to the Prince of Orange, etc.'; cards

delineating the victories of Marlborough and other events in Anne's

reign; Sacheverel cards; and anything for fashion--cards from Vigo--in

1702--after the great victory there; proverb cards; all kinds of

cards. The ordinary playing cards were cheap enough in all conscience,

'the best Principal superfine Picket Cards at 2_s._ 6_d._ a Dozen; the

best Principal superfine Ombro Cards at 2_s._ 9_d._ a Dozen; the best

Principal superfine Basset Cards at 3_s._ 6_d._ a dozen' (packs

understood). The price to retailers averaged 1-1/2_d._ per pack, and

it is marvellous how they could, at that time, be made for the money.

By an Act of 10 Anne, c. 18, s. 176, etc., a duty of sixpence per pack

for cards, and five shillings a pair for dice, was imposed; and all

cards made and unsold before June 12, 1711, were to be brought in to

be stamped, and pay a duty of one halfpenny per pack, and dice 6_d._ a

pair.

The passion of women for gambling was a fruitful theme for satire in

those days. 'She's a profuse Lady, tho' of a Miserly Temper, whose

Covetous Disposition is the very Cause of her Extravagancy; for the

Desire of Success wheedles her Ladyship to play, and the incident

Charges and Disappointments that attend it, make her as expensive to

her Husband, as his Coach and six Horses. When an unfortunate Night

has happen'd to empty her Cabinet, she has many Shifts to replenish

her Pockets. Her Jewels are carry'd privately into Lombard Street, and

Fortune is to be tempted the next Night with another Sum, borrowed of

my Lady's Goldsmith at the Extortion of a Pawnbroker; and if that

fails, then she sells off her Wardrobe, to the great grief of her

Maids; stretches her Credit amongst those she deals with, or makes her

Waiting Woman dive into the Bottom of her Trunk, and lug out her green

Net Purse full of old Jacobuses, in Hopes to recover her losses by a

Turn of Fortune, that she may conceal her bad Luck from the Knowledge

of her Husband.'[141]

[Footnote 141: 'The Gaming Lady, or Bad Luck to him that has

her,' in _Adam and Eve stript of their Furbelows_.]

Nay, worse subterfuges than these are more than openly hinted at in

divers authors. One or two examples will suffice.

This Itch for play has likewise fatal been,

And more than Cupid draws the Ladies in,

A Thousand Guineas for Basset prevails,

A Bait when Cash runs low, that seldom fails;

And when the Fair One can't the Debt defray

In Sterling Coin, does Sterling Beauty pay.[142]

[Footnote 142: Epilogue to _The Gamester_, ed. 1705.]

No wonder that Steele bursts out,[143] 'Oh, the damned Vice! That

Women can imagine all Household Care, regard to Posterity, and fear of

Poverty, must be sacrificed to a game at Cards.

[Footnote 143: _The Tender Husband._]

[Illustration: A Gambling Scene.]

But we must not think that the fair ones monopolised the enjoyment of

this passion--the sterner sex were equally culpable. Gaming houses

were plentiful. The 'Groom Porter's' was still in full swing, _vide_

this advertisement:[144] 'Whereas Her Majesty, by her Letters Patent

to Thomas Archer Esq. constituting him Her Groom Porter, hath given

full Power to him and such Deputies as he shall appoint, to supervise,

regulate, and authorize (by and under the Rules, Conditions and

Restrictions by the Law prescribed) all manner of Gaming within this

Kingdom. And, whereas several of Her Majesty's Subjects, keeping Plays

or Games in their Houses, have been lately abused, and had Moneys

extorted from them by several ill disposed Persons, contrary to Law.

These are therefore to give Notice, That no Person whatsoever, not

producing his Authority from the said Groom Porter, under the Seal of

his Office, hath any Power to act anything under the said Patent. And

to the end that all such Persons offending as aforesaid may be

proceeded against according to Law, it is hereby desired, that Notice

be given of all such Abuses to the said Groom Porter, or his Deputies,

at his Office at Mr. Stephenson's, a Scrivener's House, over against

Old Man's Coffee House near Whitehall.'

[Footnote 144: _The London Gazette_, Dec. 6/10, 1705.]

The Groom Porter's own Gaming House must have been the scene of

brawls.[145]

[Footnote 145: _The Busy Body._]

_Sir Geo. Airy._ Oh, I honour Men of the Sword; and I presume

this Gentleman is lately come from Spain or Portugal--by his

Scars.

_Marplot._ No, really, Sir George, mine sprung from civil Fury:

Happening last night into the Groom Porter's--I had a strong

Inclination to go ten Guineas with a sort of a--sort of a--kind

of a Milk Sop, as I thought; A Pox of the Dice, he flung out, and

my Pockets being empty, as Charles knows they sometimes are, he

prov'd a Surly North Briton, and broke my face for my Deficiency.

If scenes like this were enacted at the Groom Porter's, what must have

taken place at the other gaming houses? Let two contemporary writers,

whose language, though rough, is trustworthy, answer the question.

'Gaming is an Estate to which all the World has a Pretence, tho' few

espouse it that are willing to keep either their Estates, or

Reputations. I knew two _Middlesex Sharpers_ not long ago, that

inherited a West Country Gentleman's Estate, who I believe, wou'd have

never made them his Heirs in his last Will and Testament.

'_Lantrillou_ is a kind of Republick very ill ordered, where all the

World are Hail Fellow well met; no distinction of Ranks, no

Subordination observed. The greatest Scoundrel of the Town, with Money

in his Pockets, shall take his Turn before the best _Duke_ or _Peer_

in the Land, if the Cards are on his side. From these Privileg'd

Places not only all Respect and Inferiority is Banish'd; but every

thing that looks like Good Manners, Compassion, or Humanity: Their

Hearts are so Hard and Obdurate, that what occasions the Grief of one

Man, gives Joy and Satisfaction to his next Neighbour....

'In some Places they call Gaming Houses _Academies_; but I know not

why they should inherit that Honourable Name, since there's nothing to

be learn'd there, unless it be _Slight of Hand_, which is sometimes at

the Expence of all our Money, to get that of other Men's by Fraud and

Cunning. The Persons that meet are generally Men of an _Infamous_

Character, and are in various Shapes, Habits and Employments.

Sometimes they are Squires of the _Pad_, and now and then borrow a

little Money upon the _King's High Way_, to recruit their losses at

the _Gaming House_, and when a Hue and Cry is out, to apprehend them,

they are as safe in one of these Houses as a _Priest_ at the _Altar_,

and practise the old trade of _Cross biting Cullies_, assisting the

Frail _Square Dye_ with high and low _Fullums_, and other _Napping_

Tricks, in comparison of whom the common Bulkers, and Pickpockets, are

a very honest Society. How unaccountable is this way to _Beggary_,

that when a Man has but a little Money, and knows not where in the

World to compass any more, unless by hazarding his Neck for't, will

try an Experiment to leave himself none at all: Or, he that has Money

of his own, should play the Fool, and try whether it shall not be

another Man's. Was ever any thing so Nonsensically Pleasant.

'One idle day I ventur'd into one of these _Gaming Houses_, where I

found an _Oglio of Rakes_ of several Humours, and Conditions met

together. Some that had left them never a Penny to bless their Heads

with. One that had play'd away even his Shirt and Cravat, and all his

Clothes but his Breeches, stood shivering in a Corner of the Room, and

another comforting him, and saying, _Damme_ Jack, who ever thought to

see thee in a State of Innocency: Cheer up, Nakedness is the best

Receipt in the World against a Fever; and then fell a Ranting, as if

Hell had broke loose that very Moment.... I told my friend, instead of

_Academies_ these places should be call'd _Cheating Houses_: Whereupon

a Bully of the _Blade_ came strutting up to my very Nose, in such a

Fury, that I would willingly have given half the Teeth in my Head for

a Composition, crying out, Split my Wind Pipe, Sir, you are a Fool,

and don't understand _Trap_, the whole World's a Cheat.'[146]

[Footnote 146: _The Works of Mr. Thomas Brown_, ed. 1705.]

Ward,[147] also, writing of gaming, says: 'Pray, said I, what do you

take those Knot of Gentlemen to be, who are so Merry with one another?

They, reply'd my Friend, are Gamesters, waiting to pick up some young

Bubble or other as he comes from his Chamber; they are Men whose

Conditions are subject to more Revolutions than a Weather Cock, or the

Uncertain Mind of a Fantastical Woman. They are seldom two Days in one

and the same Stations, they are one day very richly drest, and perhaps

out at Elbows the next; they have often a great deal of Money, and

are as often without a Penny in their Pockets; they are as much

Fortunes Bubbles, as young Gentlemen are theirs; for whatever benefits

she bestows upon 'em with one Hand, she snatches away with t'other;

their whole Lives are a Lottery, they read no books but Cards, and all

their Mathematicks is to truly understand the Odds of a Bet; they very

often fall out, but very seldom Fight, and the way to make 'em your

Friends is to Quarrel with them.... They generally begin every Year

with the same Riches; for the Issue of their Annual Labours is chiefly

to inrich the Pawnbrokers. They are seldom in Debt, because no Body

will Trust 'em; and they never care to Lend Money, because they Know

not where to Borrow it. A Pair of False Dice, and a Pack of mark'd

Cards sets 'em up; and an Hours Unfortunate Play commonly breaks 'em.'

[Footnote 147: _The London Spy._]

These professional swindlers belonged to all classes of society, and

some who died in this reign have left names behind them: St. Evremont,

Beau Fielding, Macartney, who was Lord Mohun's second in his

celebrated duel with the Duke of Hamilton, and the Marquis de

Guiscard, who stabbed Harley, the Earl of Oxford. Their Lives, and

many others, are given by Lucas,[148] from whom I shall only borrow

one example, to show the equality that play made between the different

social grades. Bourchier died in 1702, so that he just comes within

this reign. 'Being at the _Groom Porter's_, he flung one Main with the

Earl of _Mulgrave_ for 500 Pounds, which he won; and his Honour

looking wistly at him, quoth he, _I believe I shou'd know you_. _Yes_

(reply'd the Winner) _your Lordship must have some Knowledge of me,

for my Name is_ Dick Bourchier, _who was once your Footman_. Whereupon

his Lordship supposing he was not in a Capacity of paying 500 Pounds

in case he had lost, cry'd out, _A Bite, A Bite_. But the _Groom

Porter_ assuring his Lordship that Mr. _Bourchier_ was able to have

paid 1,000 Pounds provided his Lordship had won such a Summ, he paid

him what he plaid for, without any farther Scruple.'

[Footnote 148: _Memoirs of the Lives, Intrigues, and Comical

Adventures of the most famous Gamesters and Celebrated

Sharpers in the Reigns of Charles 2, James 2, William 3, and

Queen Anne, etc._ By Theophilus Lucas. London, 1714.]

'Once Mr. _Bourchier_ going over to _Flanders_, with a great Train of

Servants, set off in such a fine Equipage, that they drew the Eyes of

all upon them wherever they went, to admire the Splendor and Gaiety of

their Master, whom they took for no less than a Nobleman of the first

Rank. In this Pomp, making his Tour at K. _William's_ Tent, he

happen'd into Play with that great Monarch, and won of him above

£2,500. The Duke of _Bavaria_ being also there, he took up the

cudgels, and losing £15,000 the Loss put him into a great Chafe, and

doubting some foul Play was put upon him, because Luck went so much

against him, quoth Mr. _Bourchier_: _Sir, if you have any suspicion of

the least Sinister Trick put upon your Highness, if you please I'll

give you a Chance for all your Money at once, tossing up at Cross and

Pile, and you shall have the Advantage too of throwing up the Guinea

yourself_. The Elector admir'd at his bold Challenge, which never the

less accepting, he tost up for £15,000, and lost the Money upon

Reputation, with which Bourchier was very well satisfied, as not

doubting in the least; and so taking his leave of the King, and those

Noblemen that were with him, he departed. Then the Elector of

_Bavaria_ enquiring of his Majesty, who that Person was, that could

run the Hazard of playing for so much Money at a time, he told him it

was a subject of his in _England_, that though he had no real Estate

of his own, yet was he able to play with any Sovereign Prince in

_Germany_. Shortly after _Bourchier_ returning into _England_, he

bought a most rich Coach and Curious Sett of Six Horses to it, which

cost him above £3,000, for a present to the Elector of _Bavaria_, who

had not as yet paid him any thing of the £30,000 which he had won of

him. Notice hereof being sent to his Highness, the generous Action

incited him to send over his Gentleman of Horse into _England_, to

take care of this Present, which he receiv'd Kindly at _Bourchier's_

Hands, to whom he return'd Bills of Exchange also, drawn upon several

eminent Merchants in _London_, for paying what Money he had lost with

him at Play.'

Bourchier became very rich, and purchased an estate near Pershore, in

Worcestershire, where he was buried--although he died in London.

The lower classes followed the example of their social superiors, and

gambled; but once only can I find such an instance of gaming fever as

the following:[149] 'An Inditement is presented against a Person in

Westminster, for playing away his Wife to another Man, which was done

with her own consent.'

[Footnote 149: _The English Post_, October 12/14, 1702.]

Losses at cards, or debts of honour, as they were then and are now

called, were supposed to be punctually paid. See 'The Gamester.'

_Hector._ Then, Sir, here is two Hundred Guineas lost to my Lord

_Love-game_, upon Honour.

_Sir Thos. Valere._ That's another Debt I shall not pay.

_Hector._ How, not pay it, Sir. Why, Sir, among Gentlemen, that

Debt is look'd upon the most just of any: you may Cheat Widows,

Orphans, Tradesmen without a Blush; but a Debt of Honour, Sir,

must be paid. I cou'd name you some Noblemen that pays no

Body--yet a Debt of Honour, Sir, is as sure as their Ready Money.

_Sir Thos._ He that makes no Conscience of Wronging the Man whose

Goods have been deliver'd for his use can have no pretence to

Honour, whatever Title he may wear.

There was a speculating mania arising, which boded ill for the future.

In this reign was born the 'South Sea Bubble,' which burst so

disastrously in the next, and involved thousands in ruin. Perhaps the

mildest form it took was in insurances. We have already glanced at the

fire insurances in Queen Anne's time; they now began to think of life

insurance, and the first advertisement on this subject that I have

noticed is in 1709. 'The Office of Assurance of Money upon Lives is at

the Rainbow Coffee House in Cornhill, where Men or Women may Subscribe

on their own Lives for the benefit of their Children, or other

Person's Lives for the benefit of themselves, and have them approv'd

without their Knowledge, paying 10_s._ Entrance, and 10_s._ towards

the first Claim for each Life, and shall have a Policy for £1,000 for

each Life subscribed upon in the said Society. This Office may be

proper for such Persons as have Annuities, Estates, or Places for

Life; and for such Persons to make Assurance upon Lives where Debts

are dubious if the Person die. This Office will assure Money much

Cheaper per cent. than private Persons.' This looks very much as if it

were the first life insurance company that was started, in lieu of

private enterprise; and as this is the only company that is advertised

in Queen Anne's reign, it was probably the sole forerunner of the

numerous similar enterprises now in existence.

Hatton says, 'Offices that _Insure Ships_ or their Cargo are many

about the _Royal Exchange_, as Mr. Hall's, Mr. Bevis's, etc., who for

a _Premium_ paid down procure those that will subscribe Policies for

Insuring Ships (with their Cargo) bound to or from any part of the

World, the _Premium_ being proportioned to the Distance, Danger of

Seas, Enemies, etc. But in these Offices 'tis Customary upon paying

the Money on a Loss to discount 16 per cent.'

A curious marine insurance was in existence early in 1711, of which

the following is the advertisement; but it seems a sporting insurance,

and only meant to cover the war risk. 'For the Encouragement of

Navigation for Masters, Mates and other Seafaring Men that are Burnt,

Sunk or Taken. That 4,000 Persons by paying 2_s._ 6_d._ for a Policy,

and 5_s._ to the 1st Quarter, which will be paid 21 days after

Midsummer for the Lady Day Quarter, to the Sufferer or Sufferers

£1,000 in full, or in proportion to what is paid in, and continuing to

pay 5_s._ every Quarter or 14 days after; likewise if 4,000 persons by

paying 2_s._ 6_d._ for a Policy, and 2_s._ for the 1st if full, £400

or in proportion to be paid 21 days after Midsummer for this Lady Day

Quarter, and likewise 4,000 by paying 2_s._ 6_d._ for Policies and

1_s._ per Quarter, the Sufferer or Sufferers to receive the benefit of

£200 if full, or else in proportion, to be paid in 21 days after

Midsummer; the Office was opened on Saturday last, the 27th past, by

Hen Willson, Gent, in Jacob Street, Southwark. Note. When 1,000

Policies are taken out, Trustees will be Chosen and Land Security

given. Any Person may Insure in all 3 Offices. Proposals at large may

be had at the Office. Note, that £6 per cent. will be deducted out of

the Money paid for the trouble and charges.'

There were besides--and they sprang up as if by magic--insurances for

everything: for marriages, for births, for baptisms--rank swindles

all. And lotteries! why, every thing, unsaleable otherwise, was tried

to be got rid of by lottery. The papers teemed with advertisements.

Take one newspaper haphazard; for example, the _Tatler_, Sept. 14/16,

1710: 'Mr. Stockton's Sale of Jewels, Plate, &c., will be drawn on

Michaelmas Day.' 'The Lottery in Colson's Court is to be drawn the

21st Inst.' 'The Sale of Goods to be seen at Mrs. Butler's, &c., will

certainly be drawn on Tuesday the 19th Inst.' 'Mrs. Povy's Sale of

Goods is put off to Saturday 23rd Inst. 'Mrs. Symond's Sale of Goods

will begin, &c., on Wednesday the 20th of this Instant.' 'Mrs.

Guthridge's Sixpenny Sale of Goods, &c., continues to be drawn every

Day.'

The financial atmosphere was getting unwholesome, Government had to

step in, and an Act was passed which duly appeared in the _London

Gazette_, June 28/July 1, 1712, which enacted 'That every Person who,

after the 24 June 1712, shall erect, set up, or keep any Office or

Place for making Insurance on Marriages, Births, Christnings, or

Service, or any other Office or Place, under the Denomination of Sales

of Gloves, of Fans, of Cards, of Numbers, of the Queen's Picture, for

the improving of small sums of Mony,[150] or the like Offices or

Places under pretence of improving small sums of Money, shall Forfeit

for every such Offence the sum of 500_l._, to be recovered with full

Costs of Suit, and to be divided as aforesaid.' This had the desired

effect, and both in the _British Mercury_, June 27/30, 1712, and the

_Post Boy_, Aug. 21/23, 1712, we hear of prosecutions of illicit

lotteries--and they soon ceased.

[Footnote 150: Here is a sample of one of these traps to

catch gulls: 'At Nixon's Coffee House, at Fetter Lane End in

Fleet St, is open'd an Office call'd the Golden Office,

where by putting in Monys, not exceeding 5 Guineas, may

receive Cent per Cent in three Weeks time. Proposals may be

had at the Place aforesaid.'--_Postboy_, April 26/29, 1712.]

Of course, morally speaking, the Government had no right to complain,

for they had begun the system--by legalising a lottery for £1,500,000

in 1709--from which time until 1824 no year passed without Parliament

sanctioning a Lottery Bill. It is not worth while going into the

schemes of the various lotteries in Queen Anne's reign, but it may be

interesting to note the constitution of the one which inaugurated an

indefensible system of immoral finance, which lasted over a century.

There were 150,000 tickets at £10 each, making £1,500,000, the

principal of which was to be sunk, and 9 per cent. to be allowed on it

for 32 years. Three thousand seven hundred and fifty tickets were

prizes from £1000 to £5 per annum; the rest were blanks--a proportion

of thirty-nine to one prize, but, as a consolation, each blank was

entitled to fourteen shillings per annum during the thirty-two years.

People rushed after the tickets, and they were taken up at once. '21

Jan. 1710.--Yesterday books were opened at Mercer's Chappel for

receiving subscriptions for the lottery, and, 'tis said, above a

Million is already subscribed; so that, 'tis believed, 'twill be full

by Monday 7 night.'[151]

[Footnote 151: Luttrell.]

[Illustration: A Lottery.]

And the same authority tells us[152] that 'Mr. Thomas Barnaby, who

lately belonged to the 6 clerk's office, has got the £1000 per ann.

ticket in the lottery.'

[Footnote 152: _Ibid._ August 15, 1710.]

Among the prize-holders of the next lottery (at least, so Swift writes

Stella, Aug. 29, 1711) was a son of Lord Abercorn's. 'His second son

has t'other day got a prize in the lottery of four Thousand pounds,

beside two small ones of two hundred pounds each; nay, the family was

so fortunate, that my lord bestowing one ticket, which is a hundred

pounds, to one of his servants, who had been his page, the young

fellow got a prize, which has made it another hundred.'

In some of the lotteries the prizes were very valuable, for we read in

the _Post Boy_, Jan. 6/8, 1713, that 'Yesterday was drawn No. 22858,

which entitles the Bearer to £36,000.'

The accompanying engraving shows us exactly how the lotteries were

drawn; and, as it is taken from a book published in 1710, in all

probability it is a correct representation of the famous first State

lottery of 1709. Bluecoat boys, then, as in 1824, drew out the

tickets.

As in all lotteries, superstition attaches a peculiar value to some

number, or combination of numbers, in the ticket: so it was in Anne's

time, and the _Spectator_ (191) comments on an advertisement in the

_Post Boy_ of Sept. 27, 1711--'This is to give notice, That Ten

Shillings over and above the Market Price will be given for the Ticket

in the £1,500,000 Lottery No. 132, by Nath. Cliff, at the Bible and

Three Crowns in Cheapside.'

CHAPTER X.

SUPERSTITION.

Astrologers -- Their advertisements -- Their

tricks -- Witchcraft -- Cases of witchcraft.

It is not for us to decry the superstition of that age--we should look

to ourselves in this matter. Perhaps they were more open in their

expression of belief in the supernatural, and perhaps that belief was

wider spread than at present. The seventh _Spectator_ gives a very

good account of the minor superstitions, but does not touch on the

grosser ones, such as the consulting of astrologers, and the belief in

witches. These two things still exist in England, though nothing like

to the extent they did in the early part of the last century. In spite

of Hudibras and Sidrophel, an astrologer was a very important entity.

He published his almanacs--he drew horoscopes; and, as to witches,

why, of course there were plenty of them. An old, ugly, soured, and

malevolent woman earned a right to be considered such.

As for the astrologers, it is needless to say they were unscrupulous,

needy sharpers, who lived 'in all the By-Allies in Moorfields, White

Chappel, Salisbury Court, Water Lane, Fleet Street, and Westminster.'

Their advertisements have come down to us, and a selection of two or

three of them will furnish both amusement and information.

'_In_ Cripplegate Parish, _in_ Whitecross Street, _almost at the

farther End near_ Old Street (_turning in by the sign of the_ Black

Croe _in_ Goat Alley, _straight forward down three steps, at the sign

of the_ Globe) _liveth one of above Thirty Years Experience, and hath

been Counsellor to Counsellors of several Kingdoms, who resolveth

these Questions following_--

'Life Happy or Unhappy? If Rich, by what means attain it. What manner

of Person one shall Marry? If Marry the Party desired. What part of

the City or Country is best to live in? A Ship at Sea, if safe or not.

If a Woman be with Child, with Mail or Female, and whether Delivered

by Night or by Day? Sickness, the Duration, and whether end in life or

death? Suits at Law, who shall overcome, With all lawful Questions,

that depend on that most Noble Art of CHRISTIAN ASTROLOGY.

'Likewise, he telleth the Meaning of all _Magical Panticles_,

_Sigils_, _Charms_, and _Lamens_, and hath a Glass, and helpeth to

further Marriages.

'He hath attained to the Signet Star of the Philosopher.

'He likewise hath attained to the _Green_, _Golden_, and _Black

Dragon_, known to none but _Magicians_, and _Hermetick Philosophers_;

and will prove he hath the true and perfect Seed and Blossom of the

_Female Fern_, all for Physician's uses. And can tell concerning every

serious Person, what their Business is on every Radical figure, before

they speak one Word; secondly, What is past in most of their Life,

What is present, and what is to come; where that they have Moles, what

colour they are, and what is the meaning of them, &c.

'He hath a Secret in Art, far beyond the reach or Knowledge of common

Pretenders.'[153]

[Footnote 153: _Harl. MSS._ 5931, 231.]

In this case we see the astrologer using the jargon of the alchemists,

to enhance his value in the eyes of his dupes. It was still familiar

to the ears of the people, and Jonson's 'Alchemist' was a popular

play. The succeeding examples are more commonplace:--

'To be spoken with every day in the Week except _Saturday_ at the

_Golden Ball_ (being the Third House on the Left Hand) in _Gulstone

Square_, next Turning beyond _Whitechappel Bars_: And for the

convenience of those who live in _Westminster_, _Southwark_, &c., He

is to be spoken with every _Saturday_ at the _Golden Ball_ and _2

Green Posts_, (There being a Hatch with _Iron spikes_ at the door)

near the Watch House in _Lambeth Marsh_.

'A Person who by his Travels in many Remote parts of the World, has

obtained the Art of Presaging or Foretelling all Remarkable Things,

that ever shall happen to Men or Women in the whole course of their

Lives, to the great Admiration of all that ever came to him; and this

he does by a Method never yet practised in _England_: He might give

Multitudes of Examples, but will give but one of a Sort.

'A Young Woman, who had a Person pretended Love to her for many Years;

I told her, she would find him False and Deceitful to her, and that he

never design'd to Marry her, which was a great Trouble to her to hear,

by reason she had plac'd her Affection on him, but she found it True,

for shortly after he Marryed another: Soon after she had several

Sweethearts at a Time, and came to me again for Advice; I told her,

there was but one of those she could be happy with, and describ'd him

to her; she took my Advice and Marryed him, and they prove a very

Happy Couple.

'I have prevented the Ruin of Hundreds of Young _Men_ and _Women_, by

advising them to whom to dispose of themselves in Marriage.

'Another who had been many Years Plagued with a Bad Husband, I told

her very few Months she'd Bury him and Marry again very happily, which

she found True,' &c., &c.[154]

[Footnote 154: _Harl. MSS._ 5931, 233.]

The next is much shorter: 'Noble, or Ignoble, you may be foretold

anything that may happen to your Elementary Life: as at what time you

may expect prosperity: or, if in Adversity, the end thereof: Or when

you may be so happy as to enjoy the Thing desired. Also young Men may

foresee their fortunes, as in a Glass, and pretty Maids their

Husbands, in this Noble, yea, Heavenly Art of ASTROLOGIE. At the Sign

of the _Parrot_ opposite to _Ludgate_ Church within _Black Fryars_

Gateway.'[155]

[Footnote 155: _Ibid._ 5931, 236.]

Ward,[156] with his keen observation, naturally attacked these gentry,

lashed them unmercifully, and at great length. A short extract must

suffice for our purpose, and will sufficiently show the estimation in

which these astrologers were held by persons of common sense.

[Footnote 156: _The London Spy._]

'No common _Errours_, _Frauds_, or _Fallacies_, in the World, have so

far subdued the Weaker, and Consequently the Greater part of Mankind,

as the _Juggles_ and _Deceits_ practicable in a parcel of pretending

_Astrologers_; who undertake to resolve all manner of Lawful

Questions, by Jumbling together those distant Bodies, in whose Nature

or Influence they have just as much Knowledge, as a Country _Ale

Woman_ has of _Witchcraft_, or a _German Juggler_ of _Necromancy_. In

the first place, I have had an opportunity of examining several

Nativities Calculated by those who have had the Reputation of being

the best Artists of this Age; wherein I have observ'd Sickness, Length

of Days, and all other Fortunate and Unfortunate Contingencies

assign'd the Natives, have been as directly opposite to what has

happen'd thro' the whole Course of their Lives, as if the Fumbling

_Star Groper_ had rather, thro' an Aversion to _Truth_, study'd the

_Rule_ of _Contraries_, that he might always be found in the _Wrong

on't_.

[Illustration: An Astrologer.]

'In the next place, their method in deceiving people who come to

enquire after _Stolen Goods_, is such a bare fac'd ridiculous piece of

Banter, that I wonder any Creature that bears Humane Shape, can be so

stupidly Ignorant, as not to plainly discern the Impositions that are

put upon them by their _canting Albumazer_; Who, in the first place,

enquires about what time, and in what manner the things were lost; and

what strangers they had in the House? From whence he reasonably

infers, whether the Spoon, Cup, Tankard, or whatsoever it be, was

taken away by the Common Thief, or stolen by a Servant, or Person that

uses the House, or whether Conceal'd by the Master or Mistress on

purpose to make the Servants more diligent. If his Conjecture be, that

it was taken by a Common Thief, he describes a Swarthy Black Ill

looking Fellow, with a down look, or the like; most wisely considering

That such sort of Rogues are seldom without a Gallows in their

Countenances: Telling withall, That the Goods are Pawn'd, and will

scarcely be recoverable, without they take the Thief speedily, in

order to effect which, he will give them his best Directions; which

the credulous _Ignoramus_ desires in Writing, for fear he should

forget; which the Sower look'd Conjurer gives him accordingly, after

the following manner:--_Go a quarter of a Mile from your own Dwelling,

and then turn_ Easterly, _and walk forward till you come to the Sign

of a large Four Footed Beast, and Search within three or four Doors of

that Sign, and you will go near to take him, if you go soon enough, or

hear of him, who is of a middle Stature and in poor Habit._ Away goes

the Fool, as well satisfied with the Note, as if he had the Rogue by

the Elbow, and if by any Accident they do hear of the Thief, all is

ascrib'd to the wonderful Cunning of their _Wissard_: But if on the

contrary, he believes it to be taken by a Servant, or any Body that

uses the House, he bids 'em, hab nab at a venture, _Go home satisfied,

for they shall certainly find the Spoon, &c. in three or four days'

time, hid in a private Hole, in such a part of the Kitchen, or he'll

make the Devil to do with those that have it; and force them to bring

it in open shame and disgrace at Dinner time, and lay it down upon the

Table in the Sight of the whole Family_. Away goes the Person well

satisfied with what their _Ptolomist_ had told 'em: and declares to

every one in the House how the Thief was Threaten'd, and after what

manner the Spoon should be found within the time appointed, or else

woe be to them that have it. This Frightful Story coming to the Ears

of the Guilty, brings 'em under such dreadful Apprehensions of the

Conjuror's Indignation, if they do not lay what they've taken within

the time, according to the Direction; that the first opportunity they

have, they will place it to the utmost exactness in whatever Hole or

Corner he has appointed for the finding of it.'

The belief in witchcraft was still firmly rooted in the country in

spite of the more enlightened feeling on the subject which prevailed

in the metropolis. Addison[157] tells us of the Coverley Witch, Moll

White, how he and Sir Roger went and visited her hovel, and found a

broomstick behind the door, and the tabby cat, which had as evil a

reputation as its mistress, and how 'In our return home, Sir Roger

told me that Old Moll had been often brought before him for making

Children spit Pins, and giving Maids the Night Mare; and that the

Country People would be tossing her into a Pond and trying Experiments

with her every Day, if it was not for him and his Chaplain.'

[Footnote 157: _Spectator_, No. 117.]

A little before this was written, two women had been executed at

Northampton for witchcraft, and at that very time an old woman named

Jane Wenham, living at a little village in Hertfordshire called

Walkerne, was charged with, and next year tried for, witchcraft. She

was condemned, reprieved, and pardoned. But in 1716 Mrs. Hicks and her

daughter were executed at Huntingdon, and their crime was that of

selling their souls to the devil, etc. Indeed, the capital sentence

against witchcraft was only abolished by an Act 9 Geo. II. cap. 5.

There are two other published cases of witchcraft in Queen Anne's

time. One[158] is the 'Full and True Account of the Apprehending and

Taking of Mrs. Sarah Mordike, who is accused for a Witch. Being taken

near Paul's Wharf on Thursday the 24th of this Instant, for having

Bewitch'd one Richard Hetheway, near the Faulken Stairs in Southwark.

With her Examination before the Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Lane, Sir

Owen Buckingham, and Dr. Hambleton in Bow Lane.' It was an ordinary

case: the bewitched person lost his appetite, voided pins, etc., and

got better when he had scratched and brought blood from Moll Dyke, as

she was familiarly called. The other, if at all credible, is a much

worse case:[159] 'A Full and True Account of the Discovering,

Apprehending and taking of a Notorious _Witch_, who was carried before

Justice _Bateman_ in _Well Close_, on _Sunday July_ the 23. Together

with her Examination and Commitment to _Bridewel Clerkenwel_.

[Footnote 158: British Museum, 515, l. 2./15.]

[Footnote 159: British Museum, 515, l. 2./199.]

'_Sarah Griffith_ who Lived in a Garret in _Rosemary lane_ was a long

time suspected for a bad Woman, but nothing could be prov'd against

her that the Law might take hold of her. Tho' some of the Neighbours'

Children would be strangely effected with unknown Distempers, as

Vomiting of Pins, their Bodies turn'd into strange Postures and such

like, many were frighted with strange Apperitions of Cats, which of a

sudden would vanish away, these and such like made those who lived in

the Neighbourhood, both suspicious and fearful of her: Till at last

the _Devil_ (who always betrays those that deal with him) thus brought

the Truth to Light. One Mr. _John_ ---- at the _Sugar loaf_ had a good

jolly fellow for his Apprentice: This Old _Jade_ came into his Shop to

buy a quartern of Sope, the young fellow happened to Laugh, and the

Scales not hanging right, cryed out he thought that they were be

Witch'd; The Old Woman hearing him say so, fell into a great Passion,

judging he said so to Ridicule her, ran out of the Shop and threatned

Revenge. In the Night was heard a lumbring noise in the Shop, and the

Man coming down to see, found a strange Confusion, every thing turn'd

topsy turvy, all the goods out of order; but what was worse, the next

day the poor fellow was troubled with a strange Disease, but (by) the

good Prayers of some Neighbouring Divines the power of the _Devil_ was

restrain'd.

'Two or three days after it happened, that the Young Man with two or

three more walking up to the New River Head, who should they see but

Mother _Griffith_ walking that way. They consulted together to try

her, and one of them said let us toss her into the River, for I have

heard that if she Swims 'tis a certain sign of a Witch; in short they

put their design in Execution, for coming up to her, they tossed her

in; but like a Bladder when forc'd under Water pops up again, so this

Witch was no sooner in but Swam like a Corke; they kept her in some

time, and at last let her come out again; she was no sooner out but

she smote that Young Man on the Arm, and told him he should pay dear

for what he had done. Immediately he found a strange pain on his Arm,

and looking on it found the exact mark of her Hand and Fingers as

black as a Cole; he went home where he lay much Lamented and

wonderfully affrighted with the Old Woman coming to afflict him, and

at last died with the pain, and (was) Buried in St. _Pulchers_ Church

Yard.

'Mr. John ---- fearing some further mischief, takes a Constable and

goes to her Lodging, where he finds the Old Woman, and charges the

Constable with her. She made many attempts to escape, but the Devil

who owed her a shame had now left her, and she was apprehended. As she

was conducted towards the Justices' House she tried to leap over the

Wall, and had done it, had not the Constable knocked her down. In this

manner she was carried before the Justice, there was Evidence that was

with him in his Sickness could Witness that he had unaccountable Fits,

Vomitted up Old Nails, Pins and such like, his body being turned into

strange postures, and all the while nothing but crying out of Mother

_Griffith_ that she was come to torment him, his Arm rotted almost

off, Gangreen'd, and Kill'd him. When she came before the Justice she

pleaded innocence, but the Circumstances appeared so plainly that she

was committed to Bridewel, where she now remains.

'Witness my Hand,

'July 24, 1704.'

'THOS. GREENWEL.

And Thoresby, in his semi-pious way, mentions (Feb. 18, 1712), 'With

Mrs. Neville, Cousin Cookson, and others of the Grand Jury to see a

reputed witch, who, though aged, could not repeat the Lord's Prayer; a

fit instrument for Satan.'

CHAPTER XI.

COSMETICS, ETC.

Habit of snuff-taking -- Perfumes -- Charles Lillie -- List of

scents -- Soaps -- Wash balls -- 'Complections' -- Tooth powder

-- Hair dye -- Spectacles.

There was one social habit that the two sexes had in common, and that

was in taking snuff: nay, it was more than hinted that some of the

fair sex smoked--not nice little fairy 'Paquitas' or dainty little

cigarettes, but nasty, heavy, clumsy clay pipes. The subject will be

discussed in another part, but now we merely glance at the prevalence

of the habit--not so much with the ladies, as it was later on in the

century, but with the gentlemen; and the quantity taken, in the latter

part of the reign, was excessive.

It is a marvel how the ladies at first allowed it, for it was the

custom in society for a gentleman to kiss all the ladies in a room--a

custom frequently mentioned in contemporary literature, and therefore

only requiring one quotation[160] to illustrate it: 'The other Day

entering a Room adorned with the Fair Sex, I offered, after the usual

Manner, to each of them a Kiss; but one, more scornful than the rest,

turned her Cheek. I did not think it proper to take any Notice of it

till I had asked your Advice.'

[Footnote 160: _Spectator_, No. 272.]

Besides, the ladies were undoubtedly fond of sweet smells, perfumes,

and scents; and one, in particular, seems to have possessed remarkable

properties. 'The Princely Perfume. Being a most delightful Powder,

which incomparably scents Handkerchiefs, Gloves, and all Sorts of

Linnen, making them smell most deliciously oderiferous, fine and

charming; it perfumes the Hands, the Hair of the Head, and Periwigs

most delicately, also all Manner of Cloaths, Beds, Rooms, Scrutores,

Presses, Drawers, Boxes, and all other Things, giving them a most

admirable, pleasant and durable Scent, which is so curiously fragrant,

so delectably sweet, reviving and enlivening, that no Perfume or

Aromatick in the World, can possibly come near it; it never raises the

vapours in Ladies, but, by its delicious Odour, Fragrancy and charming

Perfume (which is really Superior to all other Scents upon Earth) it

refreshes the Memory, cures the Head Ach, takes away Dulness and

Melancholy, makes the Heart glad, and encreases all the Spirits,

Natural, Vital, and Animal, to a Wonder.'[161] And there was a much

bepuffed scent called the 'Royal Essence,' which, besides being a

paragon of perfume, had the useful quality of curling the Periwig.

[Footnote 161: _Daily Courant_, Feb. 14, 1708.]

But the prince of perfumers and puffers was Charles Lillie, whose

connection with the _Tatler_ is so well known, and who was so

belauded, that Addison, or Steele, in No. 96, had to issue a

disclaimer. 'Whereas several have industriously spread abroad, that I

am in partnership with CHARLES LILLIE the perfumer, at the corner of

Beaufort Buildings; I must say with my friend PARTRIDGE, that they are

_Knaves_ who reported it. However, since the said CHARLES has promised

that all his customers shall be mine, I must desire all mine to be

his; and dare answer for him, that if you ask in my name for Snuff,

Hungary or orange water, you shall have the best the town affords at

the cheapest rate.'

When Lillie died, he left his MS. receipts behind him, made into a

book, but it was never published till 1822; and he gives a long list

of the scents in use.

Spirit of ambergris

" " musk

" " benjamin (benzoin)

" " orange

" " lemons and citrons

" " bergamot

" " lavender

Red spirit of lavender

Otto of roses and sandal citron

Perfumed catchui

Essence of jessamine

" " orange flowers

Lavender water

Hungary water

Aqua Mellis, or King's honey water

Portugal and Angel water

Oil of Rhodium

" " roses

" " lavender

" " rosemary

" " cloves

" " cinnamon

" " marjoram

" " coriander

Eau Sans Pareil

Eau de Carm

Jessamine water

Bergamot water

Orange flower water

Myrtle water

Rose water

Cordova water

This reads like a very sufficient list of scents; that it was not

greater was undoubtedly owing to the disturbed state of trade, and the

absence of geographical discovery--which of late years has greatly

increased the perfumer's _répertoire_.

There were soaps enough, in all conscience--Joppa, Smyrna, Jerusalem,

Genoa, Venice, Castille, Marseilles, Alicant, French, Gallipoly, Curd,

Irish, Bristol, Windsor, Black, and Liquid Soaps--and yet the ladies

would use abominations called 'Wash balls.' These must have been a

profitable manufacture, for the makers advertised freely in the

papers. Let us look into a 'Composition for best Wash balls. Take

forty pounds of rice in fine powder, twenty-eight pounds of fine

flour, twenty-eight pounds of Starch powder, twelve pounds of white

lead, and four pounds of Oris root in fine powder; but no whitening.

Mix the whole well together, and pass it twice through a fine hair

seive; then place it in a dry place, and keep it for use. Great care

must be taken that the flour be not Musty, in which case the balls

will in time crack, and fall to pieces. To this composition may be

added Dutch pink, or brown fine damask powder, &c., according to the

Colour required when the wash balls are quite dry.' These wash balls

were in some variety--common, best camphor, ambergris, Bologna,

marbled, figured, Greek, Marseilles, Venice, and chemical.

This making up of complexions was an art, and would not bear trifling

with. 'Madam, who dress'd you? Here's this Tooth set in the wrong way,

and your Face so besmear'd! What Complection do you use? This is worse

than they daub Sign posts with; I never saw any thing so

frightful.'[162] Naturally, with such an ingredient as white lead in

their composition, these wash balls were injurious to the skin--_vide_

a letter in _Spectator_, No. 41. 'Her skin is so tarnished with this

Practice, that when she first wakes in a Morning, she scarce seems

young enough to be the Mother of her whom I carried to bed the night

before.' No wonder, for they used carmine, French red, Portuguese

dishes, Spanish wool and papers, Chinese wool, and they had, also,

pretty little lacquered boxes of paints for the toilette sent over

from China. There was a wonderful 'bloom' advertised, 'The famous

Bavarian Red Liquor, which gives such a blushing Colour to the Cheeks

of those that are white or pale, that it is not to be distinguished

from a natural fine Complection, nor perceived to be Artificial by the

nearest Friend, is nothing of Paint, or in the least hurtful, but good

in many Cases to be taken inwardly; it renders the Face delightfully

handsome and beautiful, is not subject to be rub'd off like Paint,

therefore cannot be discovered by any one.' There were also pearl and

bismuth powders for the face.

[Footnote 162: _The Gentleman Cully_, ed. 1702.]

Rose and white lip salves were used as now, but their dentifrices were

peculiar, to say the least, if this is a fair sample: 'Take four

ounces of Coral, reduced to an unpalpable powder, eight ounces of very

light Armenian bole, one ounce of Portugal Snuff, one ounce of Havanah

Snuff, one ounce of the ashes of good tobacco, which has been burnt,

and one ounce of gum myrrh, which has been well pulverised. Mix all

these well together, and sift them twice.' An inferior tooth powder

was made by leaving out the coral and substituting _old broken pans_

(brown stone ware) reduced to a very fine powder. These mixtures were

either rubbed on the teeth with the finger, or else used with a

vegetable tooth brush or 'Dentissick Root,' which seems to have been

made out of the roots of the marsh mallow, partially dried, and then

fried in a mixture of rectified spirits, dragon's blood, and conserve

of roses, until they were hard; when one end was bruised with a

hammer, in order to open the fibres and form a rudimentary brush.

There were dentists, both male and female, and they seem to have been

so far successful that some of them guarantee their patients being

able to eat with the false teeth after they were fixed. 'So firm and

exact as to be eat on, and not to be discover'd by any Person from

Natural Ones.'

The usual way of darkening the hair was by the mechanical means of a

leaden comb.[163] 'Jenny Trapes! What that Carrot pated Jade that

Lodges at the Corner of _White Horse Alley_!--The Same indeed, only

She has black'd her Hair with a Leaden Comb.' But there were also

'Hair Restorers' in those days, as we find by an advertisement, that

'All Persons who, for themselves or Friend, having red or grey Hairs,

and would have them dy'd, or turn'd black or dark brown, will find

entire Satisfaction, as a great many have already, by the use of a

Clear Water,' etc.

[Footnote 163: _Tunbridge Walks_, ed. 1703.]

Should the sight fail, it could be aided by spectacles, as now--but

they were awsome things--with heavy horn, tortoiseshell, or silver

rims, and were certainly no adjuncts to personal appearance. They

varied in price from 4_d._ to 25_s._ per pair.

CHAPTER XII.

TRADE, ETC.

The penny post -- Dockwra's vindication of himself -- Abolition

of penny post -- Post days and rates -- Halfpenny post -- Method

of doing business -- The Exchange -- Description of frequenters

-- Bankers -- Curious advertisement of Sir Richard Hoare's.

Among the social institutions then in existence, was the penny post,

which cannot be better, or more tersely, described than in Misson's

own words: 'Every two Hours you may write[164] to any Part of the City

or Suburbs, he that receives it pays a Penny, and you give nothing

when you put it into the Post; but when you write into the Country,

both he that writes and he that receives pay each a Penny. It costs no

more for any Bundle weighing but a Pound, than for a small Letter,

provided the Bundle is not worth more than ten Shillings. You may

safely send Money, or any other thing of Value, by this Conveyance, if

you do but take care to give the Office an Account of it. It was one

Mr. _William Dockwra_ that set up this New Post, about the beginning

of the Reign of King Charles 2, and at first enjoy'd the Profits

himself; but the Duke of _York_, who had then the Revenue of the

General Post, commenc'd a Suit against him, and united the Penny Post

to the other.'

[Footnote 164: Besides the six great offices for taking in

letters, there were 600 smaller ones in different parts of

London, for the convenience of correspondents.]

Misson makes a slight error here. The penny post was started in 1683

by Rob. Murray, an upholsterer, but next year, several charges being

brought against him, he was removed, and the concern was handed over

to Dockwra, who was dispossessed as above, by an action in which he

was cast both in damages and costs; but, about a year after, he was

appointed Controller of the District Post. He was allowed a pension in

the time of William and Mary (variously stated of from £200 to £500 a

year), but he only enjoyed it four years, when he was discharged on

account of some charges of malversation, etc., which were brought

against him.

In January 1703, when Dockwra tried for the Chamberlainship of the

City of London--which candidature, however, he soon abandoned--he

found it necessary to issue disclaimers, and tell his version of the

history of the penny post.[165]

[Footnote 165: _Daily Courant_, January 11, 1703.]

'Whereas a malicious false Report has been industriously spread, that

one _Robert Murray_ was the first Inventor of the _Penny Post_, and

that he has been in Articles with me _William Dockwra_, and wrong'd

and hardly used; the World is desired to take notice, That as to the

first Pretence, it is utterly false, for _Dr. Chamberlen_, one _Henry

Neville_, _Payne_, and others pretended themselves the first

Inventors; And after I had actually set up the Office, one Mr.

_Foxley_ came and shew'd me a Scheme of his concerning a _Penny Post_,

which he had offer'd to Sir _John Bennet_, Post Master General, eight

Years before I ever Knew Murray, but that was rejected as

impracticable, as indeed were all the rest of their Notions; nor was

it by any of them, or any other Person whatsoever, put into any Method

to make it practicable, till at my sole Charge and Hazard I begun it

in the Year 1680.