THE RETURN;--AND A LITTLE UNKNOWN.
The kitchen was again getting crowded. The fire once more gave notice
that it was busy with chops and steaks; and as for the gambling-table,
it had literally become thronged. The bawlers of catch-penny papers,
or "booksellers," as they styled themselves, were now beginning to
make their appearance, in parties of three or four; every one having a
copy of the news he had been so loudly proclaiming stuck in the front
of his hat, with that awful word, "murder," printed in large letters
as the head-line; or the more melancholy announcement of the dying
speech of one John So-and-so. They busied themselves in arranging
their papers and dividing the gains.
We have before noticed that these people have partners or mates. A
quarrel was now about to take place between a publisher and his Co.
The Co. swearing that the principal was going to put him in the hole
(cheat him); but after a recasting up of accounts, business was at
length amicably adjusted. These lung-labourers then threw away all
further care for the night, and each sought after his own individual
amusement--as smoking, eating, gambling, and larking.
A singular being now entered the kitchen--one who would have afforded
a fine treat to such observers as Sir Walter and the American
Irving--those accurate delineators of the human race. Such places as
these, we have before observed, teem with originality; they, in fact,
run wild (if we may so use the expression) with character.
The man, (for the creature was in masculine garb,) was between four
and five feet high; he was long armed, and one leg was rather longer
than the other, which caused one of his shoulders to rise a little
when he walked or stood, and which gave his shoulders, which were
naturally broad, a very square appearance.
He was dressed in one of those flash coats already described whose
full make, too, by no means diminished his breadth. A kind of shawl
crossed his neck, or rather bosom, for his neck, was bare, in a style
as if arranged by the hand of a female; and underneath of which peeped
two corners of his shirt. His features were of that kind, that
carried precisely the expression of those of a masculine woman; and
when he spoke, it was a perfect puzzle to the stranger, to know
whether he heard the voice of a man or a woman.
The creature himself (as if conscious of those singularities) affected
a superior degree of manliness. Swaggered around the room, his hat
half pulled over his brows, and slouched a little on one side;
assuming the scowling look of a bully, and at times the flashy air of
a gallant.
He had a wife; and, as if that was not enough for any man, likewise
had a mistress; and, to show that he was a professed admirer of the
kind of Eve, took hold of his mistress when he entered with one hand,
and waving the other above his head, sung "My love is like the red,
red rose," in a voice at once powerful and sweet. Then taking her upon
his knee struck up "the light, the light guitar," in a style so
exquisitely musical and rich, as fairly to disturb the card-table, and
draw form the whole company a thundering round of applause, with
"Bravo, Bill!"
He appeared to be a creature of great spirit and vivacity, dashed
about, throwing himself into pugilistic attitudes, and striking out,
right and left, at his cronies, in sportive play, using at the same
time the true slang of low, blackguard life; as, with great emphasis,
"I'll ---- into you, your ---- pall!" with a vast deal more of such
high-toned language so appropriate for the gallant of a cadging
house.[1] He fell a capering, singing all the while with great
animation, and beating time most elegantly with heel and toe, and
giving vent to the fulness of his spirits in shouts, as "He hows,"
"the Cadger Lad," "A roving life for me," &c.; and, catching hold of
his wench again, thrust his hand into his bosom--pulled out a handful
of silver; swore, bravadoed,--squirted tobacco juice in the grate, and
boasted of always being able to earn his ten shillings a day, and
thought nothing of picking up a guinea in the same time at a race or
fair.[2]
[Footnote 1: See Glossary at end.]
[Footnote 2: This portrait, with the whole of the work, was written,
and given to the publisher of one of the first magazines of the day,
in November 1834, and the following report appeared in the papers in
February 1835, and which, we think, authenticates pretty clearly the
correctness of our statement. The reader will perceive a likeness.
HATTON GARDEN.
EXTRAORDINARY CASE--A MAN-WOMAN.
A creature in the garb of a man, who at the station-house had given
the name of Bill Chapman, was placed at the bar with one Isabella
Watson, and complained of for being a common cheat and impostor, and
creating a disturbance.
Oakley, inspector of the E division, stated that although the thing
before them, that called itself Bill Chapman, was attired in man's
apparel, he had ascertained that it was a woman.
Mr. Bennett, who was very much surprised, looked steadfastly at the
prisoner and asked her name.
Prisoner (speaking in a rough manner.) "It is Mary Chapman."
Mr. Bennett. "I never saw a figure more like a man, and the voice is
manly."
Oakley. "I have known her at least ten years, and she always appeared
in a dress similar to the one she now wears, namely, a hat,
smock-frock, trousers, or knee-breeches, and until last night I always
supposed her to be a man. She is known all over England as a
ballad-singer and a crier of 'The last dying speeches,' &c."
Mr. Bennett. "She may be a disorderly and disreputable character,
which, in fact, her dressing as a man clearly shows, but I know of no
law to punish her for wearing male attire."
Oakley. "She travels the country with a woman named Isabella Watson,
and they are both known at every race-course and fair as
ballad-singers, and considered to be man and wife."
Mr. Bennett. "She may have more than one reason for dressing in that
manner, and passing as the husband of the woman Watson, and I wish it
was in my power to imprison her."
Oakley. "For upwards of seven years she has occasionally lodged with
Watson, at Mr. ---- in ---- street, St. Giles's, and they always
passed as man and wife; and, moreover, Chapman smokes; and whenever
Watson gives her any offence, she beats her and blackens her eyes,
though Watson is so much taller and apparently stronger."
Mr. Bennett. "It is a very extraordinary case. What have you to say,
prisoner?"
Prisoner. "Isabella has lived with me as my companion for many years."
Mr. Bennett. "Why do you dress as a man?"
Prisoner. "I own I am disguised, and it was owing to the cruelty of a
father-in-law that I first dressed in this manner. I never did harm to
any person. I have been all over the kingdom, and never was in prison
in my life before."
Mr. Bennett. "Well I should advise you to be careful; if I could
punish you, I would."
Isabella Watson. "The poor fellow has been with me hundreds of miles
as my companion, and he never got into a scrape before."
Mr. Bennett. "It is a case that puzzles me, but I must discharge the
prisoner."
The prisoner, who was chewing tobacco, then bowed his head, and walked
out of the office with Isabella, who exclaimed, "Never mind, my lad,
if we live a hundred years it will be in this manner."
Watson is about five feet seven inches in height, with rather an
intelligent countenance; and Chapman is not more than five feet high.
Her hair is light brown, and cut short, the same as a man's; and she
has the gait of a man, and looks like a costermonger.
We agree with this account in every thing except the height of the
individuals. The reporter, we think, is a little man, who always sees
inches through a magnifier. The man-woman is the height we have
stated, or rather less, and his wife is five feet two inches, instead
of five feet seven. It is curious but nevertheless a fact, that,
although this strange being had lodged for a number of years at the
house alluded to, it was never known it was a woman, though at the
same time it was never supposed that the creature was a man.]
This money-making man, it may be supposed, was a street singer; and
was reported to be a native of that country--the land of leeks and
cheese; that place where goats are said to abound--Wales.
The landlord opened the door, and gave orders for the card players to
cease; it was twelve o'clock. The gamblers were loth, but the master
was peremptory.
[Illustration]