delicate female, who calls herself Miss T--lb--t, and who is said
to be related to some families of distinction; her story is very
singular:--At an early period of her life, having been deprived
by the villany of a trustee, of a sum of money bequeathed her by
a deceased relation of high rank, she followed the fortunes of a
young Naval officer, to whom she was attached, and personated a
common sailor before the mast, during a cruise in the North Seas.
In consequence of a lover's quarrel, she quitted the ship and
assumed for a time the military character: but her passion for
the sea prevailing, she returned to her favourite element, did
good service, and received a severe wound, on board Earl St.
Vincent's ship, on the glorious 14th of February, and again bled
in the cause of her country, in the engagement off Camperdown. On
this last occasion her knee was shattered, and an amputation is
likely to ensue. This spirited female, we understand, receives a
pension of £20, from an illustrious Lady, which is about to be
doubled." (_Times, Nov. 4, 1799._)
In 1793, the war with France, which was, on and off, to last so long,
was an accomplished fact--and one of the first notices thereof, at
least, pictorially, makes fun of the good intentions of the patriotic
ladies of England, towards the personal comforts of the army.
[Illustration: British Ladies Patriotic Presents to the Army.--1793.]
Men were most urgently wanted--but it had hardly come to the
following:--
"Major Hanger has made a proposal to Government, rather of a
singular nature, to raise a corps of men, from among the
convicts. He has received his answer, that, at present,
Government can give no countenance to his application." But it
did come.--(_Times, March 23, 1793._)
* * * * *
"We have already mentioned that a number of convicts in Newgate,
under sentence of transportation, have within the last few days,
been permitted to enter into marching regiments. The crown
debtors in the various prisons, have received similar
offers."--(_Times, Oct. 9, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The French Emigrants, who are to serve in the legion now
assembling at Jersey, have received orders to keep themselves
ready, at a short notice, to repair to their destinations. About
400, have enlisted in town, and between 500, and 600, at
_Jersey_."--(_Times, Jan. 29, 1794._)
Here is a very early Notice of Volunteers:--
"We are happy to hear that the Grand Juries of the different
counties, intend to recommend the forming Volunteer Companies, to
augment the _Militia_. The Grand Jury, at Reading, greatly
approved this measure, and the sum of 14, or £1500, has already
been subscribed, at that place, for carrying it into
effect."--(_Times, March 8, 1794._)
* * * * *
"The following are the terms for raising Independent Companies.
For a Company, a Lieutenant on full pay is to raise fifty men,
including three corporals, to be allowed five guineas levy money,
and the pay of three serjeants, and two drummers, during the
levy, and to receive £150 from the successor to his lieutenancy.
A Lieutenant on half pay, to raise the like number, but to be
allowed eight guineas levy-money. For a Lieutenancy, an Ensign on
full pay is to raise twenty men, including a corporal, and to be
allowed five guineas levy-money with the pay of a sergeant, and a
drummer, during the levy. An Ensign on half-pay, to raise the
like number, but to be allowed seven guineas
levy-money."--(_Times, March 7, 1794._)
* * * * *
"The following, we understand to be the heads of the plan to be
proposed for the consideration of the Lords Lieutenants of the
different counties, for the internal defence of the Kingdom.
"1st. The Militia is to be augmented by Volunteer Companies, or
by an additional number of privates to each company, in the
option of His Majesty.
"2ndly. Volunteer Companies are to be formed in particular towns:
in those particularly situated on the sea coast, for purposes of
local defence.
"3rdly. A certain number of soldiers for each Regiment: to act as
pioneers, as well as persons in different parishes, and
districts, not attached immediately to the Militia, to act in the
same capacity: and certain places to be appointed for their
rendezvous, particularly upon the sea coast; but these to be
ready to assist the regular forces upon every emergency.
"4thly. Volunteer Troops of Fencible Cavalry are to be raised,
consisting of from 50, to 80, men per troop, which are liable to
serve only during the war, and within the Kingdom: the Officers
are to have temporary rank only, and are not to be entitled to
half pay: arms, clothing, and accoutrements, to be furnished by
the Government, but the levy-money to be found by the persons
raising such troops, or troops, as also the horses; for the
horses, however, they are to be allowed the Government contract
price. The person who, upon the above terms, raises two troops,
is to have the temporary rank of Major; he who raises four, that
of Lieutenant Colonel; and he who raises six, that of Colonel.
"Fifthly, Bodies of Cavalry are, besides, to be raised within
particular districts, or counties, to consist of the Gentlemen
and Yeomanry, or such persons as they shall recommend, according
to a plan to be approved of by the King, or by the Lords
Lieutenant, under authority from His Majesty; the Officers are to
receive Commissions from His Majesty, and the Muster Rolls are
also to be approved of by His Majesty, or by the Lords
Lieutenant, at particular periods to be hereafter fixed; no levy
money is to be given, and the horses are to be provided by the
Gentry or Yeomanry who compose the particular corps; the arms and
accoutrements, are, however, to be supplied at the public
expense. Such corps are to be exercised only at particular times,
fixed by warrant from His Majesty, or by the approbation of the
Lords Lieutenant. They are to be liable to be embodied, or called
out of their respective counties, only by special direction from
His Majesty, in case of actual appearance of invasion; and to be
liable to be called upon by order from His Majesty, or by the
Lords Lieutenant, or Sheriff of the county, to act within the
county, or in the adjacent counties, for the suppression of riots
and tumults. In either case, they are to receive pay as cavalry,
and are to be liable to the provisions of the Mutiny
Bill."--(_Times, Mar. 13, 1794._)
* * * * *
_Qualifications._--"The officers of the London Militia, according
to the Bill now in the House of Lords, are to be qualified
according to the Act of the 26th George III. Cap. 107, Sec. 8.
Real or Personal.
Field Officers £300 £5,000
Captains 150 2,500
Lieutenants 30 750
Ensign 20 400
One Moiety in the City, the other in any part of the Kingdom
seised of an estate, either in law, or equity, the claim or grant
whereof was originally made for 20 years, of the same annual
amount, to be a qualification."--(_Times, June 26, 1794._)
* * * * *
"An extraordinary circumstance lately happened to a sheriff's
officer, in the neighbourhood of Covent Garden. Hot with _juniper
berry_, not the _Tuscan Grape_, he had an idea of beating the
_Carmagnols_; and in consequence, going to a recruiting party in
Bow Street, said he would _enlist_. The Captain of the party gave
him a shilling, in the usual phrase of _His Majesty's name_:--he
said he must have more:--a guinea was given him in His Majesty's
name, to serve so and so; he took it, and departed. The matter
thus rested for five or six days, when he came back to return the
money, which he said he had taken _in a frolic_. The money was
refused. He said he would be revenged, and, having a writ some
days after, against one of the enlisted recruits, he went to the
rendezvous house to execute it, where the Captain took him up as
a _deserter_, and sent him to the _Savoy Prison_, from whence he
has been released by a _Habeas Corpus_, contrary, as military men
say, to the law by which the military are governed. This will
occasion a most curious contest."--(_Times, June 30, 1794._)
* * * * *
"Something like a _legal mutiny_ has, it seems, already arisen in
the _long robed_ Corps of Volunteers. By a clause in their
_engrossed agreement_, every Member neglecting to attend the
regular _drill_, is _bound_ to pay a _fine of three shillings and
four-pence_, towards purchasing _parchment_ to new head their
drums. Against this _penalty_ being _levied_, some of the
absentees have _demurred_, on the _plea_ that the _instrument_ is
not _valid_ in _law_, from its not being _drawn_ on a _six
shilling stamp_."--(_Times, July 17, 1794._)
* * * * *
"A melancholy accident happened yesterday, about one o'clock, at
the Recruiting Office, Angel Court, Charing Cross. A sergeant
having kidnapped a man, for the better securing him, had
confined him in a back-garret at the top of the house, after he
had cut off his hair, to disfigure him, and, tying his hands
behind him, and locking the door, left him by himself. By some
means, the man got his hands loosened, and chose rather to risk
his life by jumping from the window, than suffer himself to be
any longer in their clutches; accordingly, he attempted to pitch
upon a leaded roof, which was about half way to the bottom, but,
unfortunately, jumping short, he fell back, and his head falling
against the wall, his skull was fractured in such a shocking
manner, that he died in about an hour afterwards. The populace
were so much enraged at this shocking enormity, which we are
sorry to believe is too often repeated, that they almost
demolished the Recruiting Office. The mob had increased to so
great a degree at ten o'clock last night, that it was found
necessary to call out a party of the Horse Guards, for the
protection of the neighbourhood."--(_Times, Aug. 16, 1794._)
[Illustration: Kidnapping, or a disgrace to Old England]
This was a serious riot. The mob at that time was peculiarly
excitable, and had a great deal more of its own way than it has now.
So a spark only was wanted to make a flame. This was found in a
rumoured case of kidnapping for the army; impressing for the navy
could be understood, because it had obtained from time immemorial,
that when the king wanted men to man his war vessels, he took seamen,
or fishermen, but this was something new, and must be put down,
otherwise no man was safe. The truth was not scrupulously adhered to,
and the print shops, ever eager to make money by pandering to the
passions of the hour, published exaggerated, and heartrending
pictures, of the way in which the army was recruited, and, altogether,
a very pretty riot was got up.
"On Saturday morning, early, a mob again collected before Angel
Court, Charing Cross, and attacked the house from whence the
unfortunate young man had thrown himself into the street. The
populace proceeded to gut the house, throwing the furniture out
of the windows. The street was covered with feathers from the
beds which were torn to pieces: they were proceeding to demolish
an adjoining house, when the military were called in, and several
officer's detachments, both of horse, and foot, again paraded the
streets at Charing Cross. The mob having assembled again
yesterday morning, and becoming very riotous, a troop of Horse
Guards was very properly ordered out, and two or three of the
principal rioters about the King's Arms Public House, taken into
custody.
"It is some satisfaction that we have heard the Coroner's report
on the investigation of this unpleasant business. A most
respectable jury sat five hours, on Saturday night, to consider
of the verdict: and, after the most minute testimony of several
witnesses, it was proved that the young man, whose name was
_Howe_, and lived at Wandsworth, was a Lunatic, and had been
several times confined by his friends. He had himself offered to
enlist; no blame whatever attaches in this instance, to the
people of the house. We trust that this impartial enquiry will
satisfy the minds of every one, and that there will be no more
mobs."--(_Times, Aug. 18, 1794._)
* * * * *
"In consequence of a mob again assembling at Charing Cross,
yesterday evening, the Horse Guards were again called out, and
paraded the streets till midnight."--(_Times, Aug. 19, 1794._)
* * * * *
"THE RIOTS IN LONDON.
"We had flattered ourselves with the hope, that the very fair,
and public, investigation which took place on the Coroner's
Inquest, which sat on Saturday last on the body of the
unfortunate man, Howe, who threw himself out of a window of a
Recruiting House, would have satisfied every man's mind, that
Howe was a Lunatic, and had been so for many years past: and that
it was in a fit of Lunacy, that he destroyed himself. We hoped
after this investigation, all kinds of mobs would have ceased.
"We are sorry to observe, that the people are instigated to riot
by the false representations daily made in those Jacobin prints,
which are, at all times, so eager to announce, and magnify, every
public misfortune. One of these yesterday asserted, 'that a poor
woman with five children, and herself now pregnant, suspecting
the crimps had decoyed her husband into a house in Whitcomb St.,
watched it, and _by chance saw her husband chained to the
floor_.' An evening paper of yesterday, observes 'that the
guards, both horse and foot, were _as usual_, grossly insulting
inoffensive passengers,' and it concludes with a piece of advice
to these military gentlemen, 'that they are not always with
musquets, and swords, in their hands, and that the people may be
roused to resistance.' Now we know that no gentlemen could have
observed greater caution than the military have done on this
occasion: and the above remarks have no other object than to
excite riot.
"On Tuesday last, _John Kerr_ and _John Ruggle_, were committed
to Newgate for stripping a man of his cloaths. Kerr is the man
who keeps a house in Whitcomb Street, Charing Cross; which was
assailed by a mob on Tuesday night, and very much damaged. It was
owing to this riot, that the Horse Guards were again called out,
and paraded the streets, through the night, as well as yesterday,
to keep the peace.
"Six of those who were found in Kerr's house throwing the
furniture out of the windows, were taken into custody, and,
yesterday morning, were all committed to Tothill-fields
Bridewell.
"A riot also was attempted to be raised at a recruiting-office in
Tooley St., Southwark, on Tuesday night.
"Yesterday, a mob assembled before a house of the same
description, in Shoe Lane, at which several stones were thrown:
and, at length, it became so serious, that the Lord Mayor was
called upon to interpose his assistance, and attended, and, by
the interference of a few constables, the mob dispersed, but, in
the evening, the number of people continuing to increase, a party
of guards were sent from the Tower, and the Lord Mayor, at eight
o'clock, read the Riot Act. The mob, after being driven out of
Shoe Lane by the soldiers, rushed suddenly to Bride Lane, where
they broke open a house which had been employed as a
recruiting-office, and proceeded to throw the beds, and some
little furniture that remained in it, out of the windows; but,
hearing of the approach of the military, they fled, saying they
had plenty more business to do. It was reported, at the time this
paper was going to press, that the Recruiting Offices on Mutton
Hill, and Cow-Cross, near Clerkenwell Green, had likewise met a
similar fate."--(_Times, Aug. 20, 1794._)
* * * * *
"On Wednesday, the examinations closed respecting _Mrs. Hanna_,
who kept the recruiting office at Charing Cross, when she was
acquitted, no evidence being adduced to criminate her. This
acquittal has been the consequence of a very scrutinizing
investigation.
"The riots were not confined, on Wednesday night, to Fleet St.
and the neighbourhood, but extended to the Raven, in Golden Lane,
and the Sash, in Moorfields, and very much damaged the Rum
Puncheon, in Old St., and a private house in Long Lane. They
were all recruiting houses. A recruiting house, opposite Fetter
Lane, in Holborn, was completely gutted.
"Yesterday, bills were very properly stuck up in different parts
of the town, to the following purport:--'You are earnestly
requested to depart hence, and not by remaining, encourage others
to stop, by which a crowd will be accumulated, and your personal
liberty may be endangered.' Parents were likewise warned from
suffering their children to appear abroad.
"It is greatly to be apprehended that there exists a scheme to
raise mobs, and disturb the peace of the metropolis. On Friday,
and Saturday, during the riots at Charing Cross, great pains were
taken to persuade the people, that there were subterraneous
passages from the houses to the Thames, and that men were sent
off in the night. On Monday, and Tuesday, hand-bills were
distributed, telling the people that men, and children, were
kidnapped, and sent off to Canada, and elsewhere. Nothing can be
more notoriously false than such assertions."--(_Times, Aug. 22,
1794._)
* * * * *
"On Thursday night there was an attempt made to raise a riot in
St. George's Fields, at the Milk House, the corner of the London
Road, the master of which is a temporary Serjeant to recruit for
some of the volunteer corps; but by the spirited behaviour of the
recruits, soldiers and light horse volunteers, in that quarter,
the incendiaries did not proceed to acts of violence. It was
evidently apparent that the mob was led on by persons above the
common rank, whose sole aim is, if possible, under the idea of
some pretended grievance, to raise a general riot in the
metropolis. On Thursday, several persons were committed to the
New Compter, by the Lord Mayor, for being concerned in the riot
in Shoe Lane; and six men were committed to Newgate, from the
Public Office, in Worship Street, for being concerned in the
riots at the Sash, in Moorfields, and at the Black Raven, in
Golden Lane.
"In the course of the same day, several attempts of a similar
nature were made in different quarters of the town, which were
prevented, however, by the appearance of the regular military,
and, in some places, by the City Horse Volunteers, who have been
out on duty every day. The recruiting offices in Drury Lane, and
at Shoreditch, were attempted to be demolished. As the
continuance of these riotous proceedings is of the most
dangerous nature, we trust that some more decisive steps will be
taken, by Government, for their suppression."--(_Times, Aug. 23,
1794._)
* * * * *
"The activity of the Magistrates, and the arrival of the Oxford
Blues, to assist the Civil Power, caused the mobs to be cautious
of appearing on Saturday. They found that it was determined to
fire upon them if they did not desist; and, therefore, they
thought personal safety the best policy. A very rigid, and
severe, investigation will, no doubt, be made into the practice
of _crimping_, and a stop put to the disgraceful manner of
_recruiting_."--(_Times, Aug. 26, 1794._)
* * * * *
"Old Bailey.
"Five men were indicted for a riot, on the 20th of last month, at
a Public House, known by the name of the Old Sash, in Moorfields.
After a trial of five hours, the Jury found all the
prisoners--_Not Guilty_. _John Osborn_ and _R. Piggott_ were
indicted for riotously assembling on the 20th August last, in
Golden Lane, and beginning to demolish the dwelling house of
_Hugh Case_. _Piggott_ found guilty, sentence, _Death_. _Osborn_,
not Guilty. _J. Strutt_, was afterwards tried for beginning to
demolish the dwelling house of W. Ostiff, in Johnson's Court,
Charing Cross, and, after a trial of several hours, was found
guilty, sentence _Death_. Antony Purchase, and R. Warnbeck, were
next tried, for beginning to pull down the house of R. Lazell,
and found guilty, sentence _Death_. They were both of them
strongly recommended, by the Jury, to mercy, on account of their
youth, and the goodness of their character."--(_Times, Sept. 22,
1794._)
* * * * *
"Sunday evening, an affray happened in Whitcomb Street, between a
recruiting party, and the mob, on account of the former
attempting to trepan a young man, in a state of intoxication. The
windows of the recruiting-house were broke, and the affair, which
for some time bore an alarming aspect, was at last terminated by
the arrival of a party of the Horse Guards." (_Times, Dec. 23,
1794._)
* * * * *
RIOT IN ST. GEORGE'S FIELDS.
"However expedient it is to recruit our Land Forces, and strongly
as it is requisite to make our Navy respectable, and superior to
the enemy, yet, in attaining these essential points, the
constitutional liberty of the subject should be preserved. It is,
therefore, with a degree of regret, we mention that the power of
enlisting men for the Land Service, in particular, has been
entrusted to persons who have abused the confidence reposed in
them, and who have used the most unjustifiable means to
accomplish their purposes. As an instance, among others that have
previously been brought before the public, we are authorised,
from the circumstances of the case, to state, that on Friday
last, a very great mob assembled in _London Road_, leading from
the Obelisk, in St. George's Fields, to the Elephant and Castle,
at Newington Butts, and, having intimation that a number of men
were there imprisoned by a certain description of _Crimps_, they
attacked the house where these persons were confined, demolished
the windows, and released eighteen men, who were chained together
by hand-cuffs, and other iron ligaments.
"The Borough Magistrates, on hearing of this outrage, immediately
sent down their officers: and the _Acting Recruiting Serjeant_
being taken into custody, he was, after a short examination,
committed to the New Gaol. The circumstances which led to the
discovery of this imprisonment, was, that of kidnapping a
pot-boy, who, before he was chained down, contrived to break a
pane of glass in the drawing-room window (for the house was a
private one, and elegantly furnished), from whence he cried out
'Murder!' This alarmed the neighbourhood, and, as it had been
suspected by them, that persons were illegally confined there,
the doors, and windows, were soon demolished, and the prisoners
liberated. The Serjeant, and his crew, had two women of the town
genteelly dressed up for the purpose of inveigling young men into
the house, which they styled their lodgings, where the deluded
were instantly hand-cuffed, and, about three or four o'clock, in
the morning, sent off in coaches, hired for the purpose, to the
country. On Saturday, several more youths, who were confined in
other parts of the Fields, were released by the Magistrates,
amidst the plaudits of a numerous multitude of
spectators."--(_Times, Jan. 12, 1795._)
* * * * *
"On Tuesday night some disturbance happened in Charles Streets,
Westminster, occasioned by some crimps having inveigled a boy
from his parents, and lodged him in a house there. The mob broke
the windows of it, and the boy was rescued. We have every reason
to hope that the most severe punishment will be inflicted on the
crimps, Government having taken every possible pains to prevent
such abuses."--(_Times, April 16, 1795._)
* * * * *
"Yesterday evening, about seven o'clock, a very considerable mob
assembled about Charing Cross, and, under the pretence of
delivering a man from the Crimping House, they attacked the
house, which is up a little court near Northumberland House, and
threw all the furniture out of the windows. Charing Cross was
covered with feathers. The mob became so numerous, and
disorderly, that it was found necessary to call in the assistance
of the Horse Guards: and the Riot Act was twice read by a
Magistrate. The street was much thronged, and the tumult
continued, when this Paper went to press: although there had been
no other act of serious mischief. No one can detest the business
of Crimping more than we do: but we have strong reasons to
believe that this is very frequently made a stalking horse with
the factious, to provoke a riot."--(_Times, July 12, 1795._)
* * * * *
"A Mob collected themselves again, last night, at Charing Cross,
when, after making every one pull off their hats, as they passed,
they proceeded to Mr. Pitt's, in Downing St., and broke several
windows in his house; but, the Guards being immediately called
out, and appearing in sight, very soon dispersed them.