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ANECDOTE OF THE LATE MR BRADBURY, THE CELEBRATED CLOWN.--In the year
1814, when Mr Bradbury was in the heyday of his popularity, he lodged in
Portsmouth, in the well-known and elegant establishment called the Crown
Hotel, then kept by a Mr Hanna, where a number of the fashionable and
gay daily resorted. It happened at a dinner party where a considerable
number were present, Mr Bradbury introduced a most splendid gold
snuff-box which had been shortly before presented to him by the members
of a convivial club to which he belonged, in token of their estimation
of him as a convivial friend and of his talents in his line of acting,
which qualities he was known to possess in a very high degree. This
box he highly prized, and it was sent round the table and admired by
all. After some time, however, it was found not to be forthcoming.
Every one stared--no one had it--all had seen it the moment before,
but could not tell what could possibly have become of it. In vain the
owner entreated every gentleman to search his pocket, as some one
might have taken it inadvertently. All tried without success. After
remaining an hour in the greatest anxiety, in which the company seemed
to participate, they separated. Mr Bradbury consulted some of his
friends on this very unpleasant business, who advised him to send for a
Bow Street officer, who might from his habits be able to suggest some
means of detection. This advice was instantly followed, and Rivett, the
well-known peace-officer, was sent for. The same company met next day
at dinner, and the most anxious inquiries were made by all for the box,
but still no account of it. Amongst the company was a Captain C----, who
was aide-de-camp to General Leake, who was then going out to India, and
waiting for the first fair wind. This gentleman was the first to quit
the room after dinner, and by a preconcerted arrangement was followed
into his bedroom by Rivett, who was waiting outside. Mr Bradbury also
followed; and it was immediately communicated to Captain C---- that he
must submit to a search, a warrant for that purpose having been obtained
against every gentleman in the room. This was instantly submitted to in
the most cheerful manner by Captain C----, who invited them to make it,
and expressed great satisfaction at such a course as the only means of
detection; but he could not bring himself to believe that any gentleman
could be guilty of so infamous an act except through inadvertence.
After his trunk and dressing-case had been searched, he hoped they were
perfectly satisfied of his integrity in the business. Rivett, however,
observed that as far the search was made, he was satisfied that all was
correct, and nothing now remained but to search his person. These words
were scarcely uttered when he was observed to change colour and stagger;
a smothered groan escaped him, and he fell back in a chair; and in a
state scarcely conscious of existence, the box was taken from his pocket.
He remained in this state of stupor for a few moments, whilst Bradbury
and the peace-officer stood looking at each other, scarcely believing the
evidence of their senses; and recovering himself a little, he stood up,
gazed wildly at one and then at the other, and gasping with the intensity
of his feelings, he rushed to his dressing-table, and like lightning drew
a razor across his throat. Surgical assistance being on the spot, the
wound was first pronounced not to be mortal. The effect of the scene--the
look of the man--his maniac look, and the act or desperation accompanying
it--his rank in life, and every circumstance connected with it, had
such an effect on poor Bradbury that he lost his reason, and did not
recover it for a year afterwards. The matter could not be kept a secret.
The truly unfortunate and miserable Captain C---- of course lost his
commission, and it is not known what afterwards became of him. There was,
however, no prosecution. The punishment was sufficient.