_A Pin._
And tho' I'm a brazen-fac'd sharper at best,
No lady without my aid can be drest,
When I'm wanted, I'm dragg'd by the head to my duty
And am doomed to be slave to the dress of a beauty.
[Illustration]
_A letter M._
I'm found in most countries,
Yet not in earth or sea,
I am in all timber,
Yet not in any tree,
I am in all metals,
Yet, as I am told,
I am not in iron, lead,
Brass, silver, nor gold.
[Illustration]
_A Pair of Snuffers._
A mouth I have got, that's not whiter than ink.
And all I devour doth most nauseously stink;
So much valued am I, that by none I'm refused,
And the light shines the brighter whenever I'm used.
[Illustration]
_A Watch._
My form is beauteous to allure the sight
My habit gay, of colour gold & white,
When ladies take the air, it is my pride,
To walk with equal paces by their side,
I near their persons constantly remain,
A favourite slave, bound in a golden chain.
[Illustration]
_A Wheelbarrow._
No mouth, no eyes, nor yet a nose,
Two arms, two feet, and as it goes,
The feet don't touch the ground,
But all the way the head runs round.
And tho' I can both speak and go alone,
Yet are my motions to myself unknown.
[Illustration]
_A Salamander._
What all consumes best pleases me,
I covet that which others flee,
Strange thing to tell, unhurt I lie
And live, where all the world would die.
Printed by A. Ryle & Paul.
THE GOOD CHILD'S
ILLUSTRATED
ALPHABET
OR FIRST BOOK.
[Illustration]
LONDON:
Published by RYLE & PAUL,
2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials.
[Illustration: A]
Was an Archer,
Who shot at a frog.
[Illustration: B]
Was a Butcher,
And kept a great dog.
[Illustration: C]
Was a Captain,
All covered with lace.
[Illustration: D]
Was a Drunkard
And had a red face.
[Illustration: E]
Was an Esquire,
With insolent brow.
[Illustration: F]
Was a Farmer, And
Followed the plough.
[Illustration: G]
Was a Gamester,
Who had but ill-luck.
[Illustration: H]
Was a Huntsman,
And hunted a buck.
[Illustration: I]
Was an Inn-keeper,
Who loved to bouse.
[Illustration: J]
Was a Joiner,
And built up a house.
[Illustration: K]
Was King William,
Once governed this land.
[Illustration: L]
Was a Lady, who
Had a white hand.
[Illustration: M]
Was a Miser,
And hoarded up gold.
[Illustration: N]
Was a Nobleman,
Gallant and bold.
[Illustration: O]
Was an Oyster-wench,
And went about town.
[Illustration: P]
Was a Parson, and
Wore a black gown.
[Illustration: Q]
Was a Queen,
Who was fond of flip.
[Illustration: R]
Was a Robber,
And wanted a whip.
[Illustration: S]
Was a Sailor,
Who spent all he got.
[Illustration: T]
Was a Tinker,
And mended a pot.
[Illustration: U]
Was a Usurer,
A miserly elf.
[Illustration: V]
Was a Vinter, who
Drank all himself.
[Illustration: W]
Was a Watchman,
And guarded the door.
[Illustration: X]
Was Expensive,
And so became poor.
[Illustration: Y]
Was a Youth,
Who did not love school.
[Illustration: Z]
Was a Zany,
A silly old fool.
THE ALPHABET.
The Letters promiscuously arranged.
D B C F G E H A X U Y M V
W N K P J O Z Q I S L T R
z w x o c l y b b f p s m q n v h
k r t g e j a u i
Double and Triple Letters.
fi fl ff ffi ffl
fi fl fff ffi fl
Diphthongs, &c.
AE OE æ oe & &c.
Æ OE ae oe and _et cætera_
Arabic Numerals.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Roman Numerals.
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX.
X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV.
[Illustration]
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF DICK TURPIN.
[Illustration]
London: W. S. FORTEY, PRINTER & PUBLISHER,
MONMOUTH COURT, BLOOMSBURY, W.C.
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN.
RICHARD TURPIN was born at Hempstead, in Essex, where his father kept the
sign of the Bell; and after being the usual time at school, he was bound
apprentice to a butcher in Whitechapel, but did not serve out his time,
for his master discharged him for impropriety of conduct, which was not in
the least diminished by his parents' indulgence in supplying him with
money, which enabled him to cut a figure round the town, among the blades
of the road and the turf, whose company he usually kept.
His friends, thinking that marriage would reclaim him, persuaded him to
marry, which he did with one Hester Palmer, of East Ham in Essex, but he
had not long been married before he became acquainted with a gang of
thieves, whose depredations terrified the whole county of Essex, and the
neighbourhood of London. He joined sheep stealing to foot-pad robbery; and
was at last obliged to fly from his place of residence for stealing a
young heifer, which he killed and cut up for sale.
Soon after, he stole two oxen from one Farmer Giles, of Plaistow, and
drove them to a Butcher's slaughtering house, near Waltham Abbey.
He was followed there, but made his escape out of the window of the house
where he was, just as they were entering the door.
He now retreated into the Hundreds of Essex, where he found more security:
he adopted a new scheme; and that was to rob the smugglers, but he took
care not to attack a gang, only solitary travellers, this he did with a
colour of justice, for he pretended to have a deputation from the Customs,
and demanded their property in the king's name.
He again joined the gang with whom he had before connected himself, the
principal part of those depredations were committed upon Epping Forest,
&c.
But this soon becoming an object of magisterial enquiry, he again returned
to the solitude of the country, with some more of the gang, and they
became notorious deer-stealers, and Turpin being a good shot, sent many a
buck up to his connections in London.
DICK TURPIN. 3
They next determined to commence house-breakers; and in this they were
much encouraged by joining with Gregory's gang, as it was then called, a
company of desparadoes that made the Essex and adjacent roads very
dangerous to travel.
Somehow or other, Turpin became acquainted with the circumstances of an
old woman, that lived at Laughton, that kept a great quantity of cash by
her; whereupon they agreed to rob her; and when they came to the door,
Wheeler knocked and Turpin and the rest forcing their way into the house,
blindfolded the eyes of the old woman and her maid, and tied the legs of
her son to the bedstead, but not finding the wished-for booty, they held a
consultation, as they were certain she must have a considerable sum
concealed. Turpin told her he knew she had money, and it was in vain to
deny it, for have it they would. The old lady persisted that she had none,
but Turpin insisting she had money, he swore he would put her on the fire.
She continued obstinate and endured for some time, when they took her off
the grate, and robbed her of all they could find, upwards of four hundred
pounds.
They next proceeded into Surrey, where Turpin and his company robbed Mr.
Sheldon's house, near Croydon Church, where they arrived about seven
o'clock in the evening. They secured the coachman in the stable. His
master hearing some strange voices in the yard, was proceeding to know the
cause, when he was met by Turpin, who seizing hold of him compelled him to
show them the way into the house, when he secured the door, and confined
the rest of the family in one room, here they found but little plate and
no cash. From Mr. Sheldon's person they took eleven guineas, two of which
Turpin returned him, begged pardon for what they had done, and wished him
a good night.
These robberies hitherto had been carried on entirely on foot, with only
the occasional assistance of a hackney coach but now they aspired to
appear on horse-back, for which purpose they hired horses at the Old
Leaping Bar in Holborn, from whence they set out about two o'clock in the
afternoon, and arrived at the Queen's Head, Stanmore, where they staid to
regale themselves. It was by this means that Wood, the master of the
horse, had so good an opportunity of observing the horses, as to remember
the same again when he saw them afterwards in Bloomsbury, where they were
taken. About five they went from Mr. Wood's to Stanmore and staid from six
until seven and then went together for Mr. Lawrence's, about a mile from
thence, where they got about half-past seven. On their arrival at Mr.
Lawrence's they alighted from their horses at the gate; whereupon Fielder
knocked at the door, and calling out Mr. Lawrence. The man servant
thinking it to be some of the neighbours, opened the door, upon which they
all rushed in with pistols, and seizing Mr.
4 DICK TURPIN
[Illustration]
Lawrence and his man, threw a cloth over their faces then fell to rifling
their pockets, out of which they took one guinea, and about fifteen
shillings in silver, with his keys. They said they must have more, and
drove Mr. Lawrence up stairs, where coming to a closet, they broke open
the door, and took out from thence two guineas, ten shillings, a silver
cup, 13 silver spoons, and two gold rings. They then rifled the house of
all they could get, linen, table cloths, shirts, and the sheets off the
bed, and trod the beds under feet, to discover if any money was concealed
therein. Suspecting there was more money in the house, they then brought
Mr. Lawrence down again, and threatened to cut his throat, and Fielder put
a knife to it, as though he intended to do it; to make him confess what
money was in the house. One of them took a chopping bill, and threatened
to cut off his leg: they then broke his head with their pistols, and
dragged him about by the hair of his head. Another of them took the kettle
off the fire, and flung it upon him; but it did no other harm just wetting
him, because the maid had just before taken out the greater part of the
boiling water, and filled it again with cold. After this they dragged him
about again, swearing they would "do for him" if he did not immediately
inform them where the rest of the money was hid. They then proceeded to
make a further search; and then withdrew; threatening to return again in
half an hour, and kill every one
DICK TURPIN. 5
[Illustration]
they found loose. So saying they locked them in the parlour and threw the
keys down the area.
Turpin by this robbery got but little, for out of the 26_l_, they took in
the whole, he distributed it among them all but three guineas and six
shillings and six pence.
A proclamation was issued for the apprehension of the offenders, and a
pardon and 50_l_ was offered to any of the party who would impeach his
accomplices, which however, had no effect. The white Hart in Drury-lane
was their place of rendezvous. Here they planned their nightly visits, and
here they divided their spoil, and spent the money they acquired.
The robbery being stated to the officers of Westminster, Turpin set off to
Alton, where he met with an odd encounter, which got him the best
companion he ever had, as he often declared. King, the highwayman, as he
was returning from this place to London, being well dressed and mounted,
Turpin seeing him have the appearance of a substantial gentleman, rode up
to him, and thinking him a fair mark, bid him stand and deliver, and
therewith producing his pistols, King fell a laughing at him, and said
"what dog rob dog! Come, come, brother Turpin, if you don't know me, I
know you, and shall be glad of your company." After a mutual communication
of circumstances to each other, they agreed to keep company, and divide
good or ill fortune as the trumps might turn up. In fact King was true to
him to the last, which was for more than three years.
They met with various fortunes; but being too well known to
6 DICK TURPIN.
remain long in one place, and as no house that knew them would receive
them in it, they formed the resolution of making themselves a cave,
covered with bevins and earth, and for that purpose pitched upon a
convenient place, enclosed with a thicket, situated on the Waltham side of
Epping, near the sign of the King's Oak.
In this place Turpin lived, ate, drank, and lay, for the space of six
years, during the first three of which he was enlivened by the drollery of
his companion, Tom King, who was a fellow of infinite humour in telling
stories, and of an unshaken resolution in attack or defence.
One day, as they were spying from their cave, they discovered a gentleman
riding by, that King knew very well to be a rich merchant near Gresham
College. This gentleman was in his chariot, and wife with him; his name
was Bradele. King first attacked him on the Laughton road; but he being a
man of great spirit, offered to make resistence, thinking there was but
one; upon which King called Turpin, and bid him hold the horses' heads.
They proceeded first to take his money, which he readily parted with, but
demurred a good while about his watch, being the dying bequest of his
father. King was insisting to take it away, when Turpin interposed, and
said, they were more gentlemen than to deprive anyone of their friend's
respect which they wore about them, and bid King desist from his demand.
On the day after this transaction they went to the Red Lion ale house, in
Aldersgate street, where they had not been more than half an hour, when
Turpin heard of the approach of the chief constable and his party; they
mounted each their horse; but before King could get fairly seated he was
seized by one of the party, and called on Dick to fire. Turpin replied,
"If I do, I shall hit you." "Fire, if you are my friend." said
King--Turpin fired, but the ill-fated ball took effect in King's breast.
Dick stood a moment in grief, but self-preservation made him urge his mare
forward to elude his pursuers; it was now he resolved on a journey to
York, and raising himself in his saddle, he said, "By G--, I will do it."
Encouraged by "Harkaway Bess," she flew on.
Astonishing to relate, he reached York the same evening and was noticed
playing at bowls in the bowling-green with several gentlemen there, which
circumstance saved him from the hands of justice for a time. His pursuers
coming up and seeing Turpin, knew him; and caused him to be taken into
custody; one of them swore to him and the horse he rode on, which was the
identical one he arrived upon in that city; but on being in the stable,
and its rider at play, and all in the space of four-and-twenty hours, his
alibi was admitted; for the magistrates of York could not believe it
possible for one horse to cover the ground, being upwards of 190 miles, in
so short a space.
DICK TURPIN. 7
For the last two years of his life he seems to have confined his residence
to the county of York, where he appears to be a little known. He often
accompanied the neighbouring gentlemen in their parties of hunting and
shooting; and one evening, on a return from an expedition of the latter
kind, he saw one of his landlord's cocks in the street, which he shot.
The next day Mr. Hall received a letter from Robert Appleton, Long Sutton,
with this account:--that the said John Palmer had lived there about three
quarters of a year, and had before that been once apprehended, and made
his escape, and that they had a strong suspicion he was guilty of
horse-stealing.
Another information gave notice, that he had stolen a horse from Captain
Dawson, of Ferraby; his horse was that which Turpin rode on when he came
to Beverley, and which he stole from off Hickinton Fen in Lincolnshire.
He wrote to his father upon being convicted, to use his interest to get
him off for transportation, but his fate was at hand, his notoriety caused
application to be ineffectual.
After he had been in prison five months, he was removed from Beverley to
York Castle to take his trial. When on his trial his case seemed much to
affect the hearers. He had two trials, upon both of which he was convicted
upon the fullest evidence. After a long trial the Jury brought in their
Verdict and found him Guilty.
He was carried in a cart to the place of execution, on Saturday, April,
7th, 1739. He behaved himself with amazing assurance and bowed to the
spectators as he passed. It was remarkable that as he mounted the ladder,
his right leg trembled, on which he stamped it down with an air, and with
undaunted courage looked round about him; and after speaking near half an
hour to the topman, threw himself off the ladder, and expired in about
five minutes.
[Illustration]
W. S. Fortey, Printer, Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury.
"THE CATNACH PRESS,"
(ESTABLISHED 1813.)
WILLIAM S. FORTEY,
(Sole Successor to the late J. Catnach.)
Printer, Publisher,
AND WHOLESALE STATIONER,
2 & 3, MONMOUTH COURT,
SEVEN DIALS, LONDON, W.C.
The Cheapest and Greatest Variety in the Trade
of Large Coloured Penny Books; Halfpenny
Coloured Books; Farthing Books; Penny and
Halfpenny Panoramas; School Books; Penny and
Halfpenny Song Books; Memorandum Books; Poetry
Cards; Lotteries; Ballads (4000) and Hymns;
Valentines; Scripture Sheets; Christmas Pieces;
Twelfth Night Characters; Carols; Book and
Sheet Almanacks, Envelopes, Note Paper, &c.
W. S. FORTEY begs to inform his Friends and the Public
generally, that after 19 years service he has succeeded
to the business of his late employers (A. Ryle & Co.),
and intends carrying on the same, trusting that his
long experience will be a recommendation, and that no
exertion shall be wanting on his part to merit a
continuance of those favours that have been so
liberally bestowed on that Establishment during the
last 46 years.
1859.
[Illustration]
THE LONG SONG-SELLER.
SONGS AND SONG LITERATURE.
"Old songs, old songs--what heaps I knew,
From 'Chevy Chase' to 'Black-eyed Sue';
From 'Flow, thou regal, purple stream,'
To 'Rousseau's melancholy Dream!'
I loved the pensive 'Cabin Boy,'
With earnest truth and real joy.
To greet 'Tom Bowling' and 'Poor Jack';
And, oh! 'Will Watch,' the 'Smuggler' bold,
My plighted troth thou'lt ever hold."
ELIZA COOK.
"Songs! Songs! Songs! Beautiful songs! Love songs! Newest songs! Old
songs! Popular songs! Songs, _Three Yards a Penny_!" was a "standing dish"
at the "Catnach Press," and Catnach was the Leo X. of street publishers.
And it is said that he at one time kept a fiddler on the premises, and
that he used to sit receiving ballad-writers and singers, and judging of
the merits of any production which was brought to him, by having it sung
then and there to some popular air played by his own fiddler, and so that
the ballad-singer should be enabled to start at once, not only with the
new song, but also the tune to which it was adapted. His broad-sheets
contain all sorts of songs and ballads, for he had a most catholic taste,
and introduced the custom of taking from any writer, living or dead,
whatever he fancied, and printing it side by side with the productions of
his own clients.
He naturally had a bit of a taste for old ballads, music, and song
writing; and in this respect he was far in advance of many of his
contemporaries. To bring within the reach of all the standard and popular
works of the day, had been the ambition of the elder Catnach; whilst the
son was, _nolens volens_, incessant in his endeavours in trying to
promulgate and advance, not the beauty, elegance, and harmony which
pervades many of our national airs and ballad poetry, but very often the
worst and vilest of each and every description--in other words, those most
suitable for street-sale. His stock of songs was very like his customers,
diversified. There were all kinds, to suit all classes. Love, sentimental,
and comic songs were so interwoven as to form a trio of no ordinary amount
of novelty. At ordinary times, when the Awfuls and Sensationals were flat,
Jemmy did a large stroke of business in this line.
It is said that when the "Songs--_Three-yards-a-penny_"--first came out
and had all the attractions of novelty, some men sold twelve or fourteen
dozen on fine days during three or four of the summer months, so clearing
between 6s. and 7s. a day, but on the average about 25s. a week profit.
The "long songs," however, have been quite superseded by the "Monster"
and "Giant Penny Song Books." Still there are a vast number of half-penny
ballad-sheets worked off, and in proportion to their size, far more than
the "Monsters" or "Giants."
As a rule there are but two songs printed on the half-penny
ballad-sheets--generally a new and popular song with another older ditty,
or a comic and sentimental, and "adorned" with two woodcuts. These are
selected without any regard as to their fitness to the subject, and in
most cases have not the slightest reference to the ballad of which they
form the head-piece. For instance:--"The Heart that can feel for another"
is illustrated by a gaunt and savage looking lion; "When I was first
Breeched," by an engraving of a Highlander _sans culotte_; "The Poacher"
comes under the cut of a youth with a large watering-pot, tending flowers;
"Ben Block" is heralded by the rising sun; "The London Oyster Girl," by
Sir Walter Raleigh; "The Sailor's Grave," by the figure of Justice; "Alice
Grey" comes under the very dilapidated figure of a sailor, or "Jolly Young
Waterman;" "Bright Hours are in store for us yet" is _headed_ with a
_tail-piece_ of an urn, on which is inscribed FINIS! "The Wild Boar Hunt,"
by two wolves chasing a deer; "The Dying Child to its Mother," by an Angel
appearing to an old man; "Autumn Leaves lie strew'd around," by a ship in
full sail; "Cherry Ripe," by Death's Head and Cross Bones; "Jack at the
Windlass," falls under a Roadside Inn; while "William Tell" is presented
to the British public in form and style of an old woman nursing an infant
of squally nature. Here follow a few examples of the style, also that of
some of the ballad-sheets: together with various _verbatim_ imprints used
by "THE CATNACH PRESS," chronologically arranged from _circa_ 1813 to the
present time.
[Illustration]
THE GALLANT _SAILOR_.
London:
Printed by J. Catnach, and sold Wholesale and Retail at
No. 60, Wardour Street, Soho Square.
Farewell thou dear and Gallant Sailor,
Since thou and I have parted been,
Be thou constant and true hearted,
And I will be the same to thee.
CHORUS.
May the winds and waves direct thee,
To some wishful port design'd,
If you love me, don't deceive me,
But let your heart be as true as mine.
* * * * *
When oft times my fancy tells me,
That in battle thou art slain,
With true love I will requite thee,
When thou dost return again.
May the winds, &c.
[Illustration]
O RARE TURPIN.
Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials.
Sold by J. Sharman, Cambridge, Bennet, Brighton; & R. Harris, Salisbury.
As I was riding over Hunslow Moor,
There I saw a lawyer riding before,
And I asked him if he was not afraid,
To meet bold Turpin that mischievous blade.
CHORUS.--I asked him if he was not afraid,
To meet bold Turpin that mischievous blade.
Says Turpin to the lawyer and for to be cute,
My money I have hid all in my boot,
Says the lawyer to Turpin they mine can't find,
For I have hid mine in the cape of my coat behind.
I rode till I came to a powder mill,
Where Turpin bid the lawyer for to stand still,
For the cape of your coat it must come off,
For my horse is in want of a new saddle cloth.
Now Turpin robbed the lawyer of all his store,
When that's gone he knows where to get more,
And the very next town that you go in,
Tell them you was robb'd by the bold Turpin.
[Illustration]
MOUNTAIN MAID.
Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials.
Travellers and Shopkeepers supplied with Sheet Hymns. Patters, and Slip
Songs as Cheap and Good as any Shop in London.
The Mountain Maid from her bower has hied,
And speed to the glassy river's side,
Where the radiant mead shone clear and bright,
And the willows wav'd in the silver light.
On a mossy bank lay a shepherd swain,
He woke his pipe to tuneful strain,
And so blythely gay were the notes he play'd,
That he charm'd the ear of the Mountain Maid.
She step'd with timid fear oppress'd,
While soft sighs swell her gentle breast,
He caught her glance, and mark'd her sigh,
And triumph laugh'd in his sparkling eye.
So softly sweet was the tuneful ditty,
He charmed her tender heart to pity;
And so blithely gay were the notes he play'd,
That he gain'd the heart of the Mountain Maid.
[Illustration]
MEET ME IN THE WILLOW GLEN
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. Cards, &c. Printed
Cheap. [Symbol: Pointing hand] Country Shops and Travellers supplied.
Meet me in the willow glen,
Where the silvery moon is beaming,
Songs of love I'll sing thee then,
When all the world is dreaming.
Meet me in the willow glen.
When the silver moon is beaming,
Songs of love I'll sing thee then,
If you meet me in the willow glen.