this Day at Guildhall, by sending it before 12 o'clock, to Mr.
Short, Hair Dresser, Bearbinder-lane, near the Mansion
House."--(_Times, Nov. 9, 1797._)
* * * * *
"Never could any Country boast an equal respect, and even
partiality, for _age_, with our own. Our favourite Sultanas are
grandmothers, at the least: the Actresses that charmed our
grandfathers return to the stage in the full bloom of their
wrinkles: and we have boys of seventy, and fourscore, in our
regiments."--(_Times, Nov. 15, 1797._)
* * * * *
"Amongst the great, and worthy, pluralists of the Church, few can
equal, and none exceed, in spiritual, and temporal, fortune,
young Dr. _Price_, nephew to Bishop _Barrington_;[23] he is
Canon, and Prebendary, of Salisbury, worth £300 per annum, Golden
Prebendary of Durham, worth £1200 per annum: and Rector of
Milksham, worth £1000 per annum, and is possessed of a temporal
fortune of between 2 and £3000 per annum!
[Footnote 23: Shute Barrington. Bishop of Llandaff 1769.
Bishop of Salisbury 1782. Bishop of Durham 1791.]
"Dr. Moss, a lately appointed Residentiary of St. Paul's, worth
£1200 per annum, is Chancellor of the Diocese of Wells,
Prebendary of Wells, Westminster, and Salisbury, and also Canon
Residentiary of the latter, to which he was elected when he was
about 24 years of age, on the resignation of his father. In
addition to the above preferments, Dr. Moss is also rector of
Newington in Oxfordshire, worth £600 per annum. The present
Bishop of Wells, with his family, it is computed has received
upwards of £100,000 out of the Cathedrals of Salisbury and Wells.
He strongly insisted that his son should continue his Canonry of
Salisbury, which Mr. Pitt would not allow."--(_Times, Nov. 17,
1797._)
* * * * *
"In investigating a trivial cause yesterday, at Bow-Street,
arising from an infamous practice, which we hope will be
represented to Lord Kenyon, of issuing Marshalsea Court Writs for
debts of 8s. or 12s., a fraud of some importance was discovered.
It appears that it was the custom of Publicans, when they want to
let their houses, to get a number of people together, whom they
treat with beer.
"They call them show-men, and this is done for the purpose of
deceiving the persons who come to view their house, and to make
them suppose it has good custom."--(_Times, Nov. 23, 1797._)
* * * * *
Advt.
"PROCESSION TO ST. PAULS.[24]
"To BE LET, a DRAWING-ROOM about 20 feet long, the windows nearly
level with his Majesty's Carriage. Twenty Persons may be
comfortably accommodated. It is wished by the Proprietor of the
above Premises, that the Party may be of their own selection: a
strange mixture of Company on these occasions is unpleasant to
most Families who wish to enjoy their own society. Price 20
Guineas. Enquire at Salmon's Goldsmith, No. 49 facing Old Round
Court, Strand, between York buildings and the Adelphi."--(_Times,
Dec. 8, 1797._)
[Footnote 24: To return thanks for Admiral Duncan's victory
over the Dutch fleet.]
* * * * *
Advt.
"ROYAL PROCESSION.
"One of the grandest sights since the days of Queen Anne, and in
all probability we shall never see the like again. Those Ladies
and Gentlemen who are desirous of being accommodated with one of
the best views in the City to see the procession (not only as it
passes by, but of seeing the Company go into Church), will apply
to No. 28 Ludgate-Street, the corner of Ave Maria-Lane, next the
Churchyard. The Front Seats in the Dining Room are only 2
Guineas, the second seats 1-1/2 guinea, third seats 1 Guinea:
seats in the shop, which is very pleasant 1 Guinea each: a two
pair front room, with 3 windows, for a large party, at 20 Guineas
for the day, an excellent prospect. Also a 3 pair of stairs front
room which has a capital view of the Churchyard, for 12 Guineas.
Ladies and Gentlemen will be accommodated with sight of the
procession at the west end of the Town, where they may have small
rooms, or large, on moderate terms, that is to say, a very
handsome dining-room for 15 Guineas, a small room adjoining for 5
Guineas, large room, 2 pair, for 10 Guineas, small room adjoining
for 4 Guineas, by applying to Mr. Farrance, Pastry Cook, the
Corner of Spring Gardens, Charing Cross."--(_Times, Dec. 12,
1797._)
* * * * *
"The eight cream-coloured horses belonging to the King's
State-Coach, are every morning drove to St. Paul's Church to
train them to the _flags_ in Queen Ann's Church-yard."--(_Times,
Dec. 14, 1797._)
* * * * *
"In England the amount of French prisoners is 23,600. In France
the British do not exceed 1500."--(_Times, Dec. 14, 1797._)
In an article of half a column length (_Times_, Jan. 8, 1798),
treating of the French Prisoners of war--the following is the
concluding paragraph:--
"In respect to the quantity of their allowance, we state, on the most
certain authority, that their subsistence is a pound of bread, and
half a pound of good fresh beef, _every day in the week_, together
with a full proportion of vegetables. A subsistence which thousands of
our own poor would be glad to have."
"The firm conduct of our Government in refusing any longer to
make advances for the maintenance of French Prisoners, has had
the good effect of obliging the Executive Directory to come
forward with the necessary supplies, and as the French agents
have now the whole management of this concern, we shall no longer
be subject to their odious calumnies against the humanity of this
country.
The number of French prisoners in England, amounts to about
22,000; the Dutch prisoners are about 2,500. The daily cost of
these men, since the French agents had the charge of them, has
been £1,370 sterling a day (about 1s. 1d. each): and their annual
expence is upwards of One Million sterling. The number of English
prisoners in France does not exceed 4000."--(_Times, Feb. 27,
1798._)
* * * * *
"Southampton was thrown into consternation on Saturday morning,
by an event which was variously reported by different narrators
in the course of the day; but, 'ere night, all ideas of French
spies, _false Emigrants_, &c., subsided, and the event turned out
to be 'that three French prisoners from Porchester, had made
their escape to Southampton.' A party of pleasure had engaged
_Wassell's_ vessel to go to the Isle of Wight. At an early hour
on Saturday morning, on repairing to the Quay, the man could not
discover his pleasure boat. Every one was concerned for his loss,
and many hours elapsed before any tidings could be heard of her,
when some fishing boats gave information that they had met her
near Calshot Castle, about three o'clock in the morning, but had
no suspicion she had been run away with. In the evening, news
arrived, that in steering, to keep as far from Spithead as
possible, the Frenchmen were near running on shore at _Ride_.
This circumstance convinced the pilots that _Wassell_ was not on
board when they went to her assistance, secured the three French
men, and saved the vessel for the owner."--(_Times, July 2,
1799._)
* * * * *
"'To which university,' said a lady, some time since, to the late
sagacious Dr. Warren, 'shall I send my Son?'--'Madam,' replied
he, 'they drink, I believe, near the same quantity of port in
each of them.'"--(_Times, Feb. 19, 1798._)
It was in this year that Jenner first wrote on _Vaccination_. The
following paragraph refers to _Inoculation_, which was introduced into
England, circa 1718, by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who had seen it
practised in Turkey:--
"_Memento narare multis officium alterius._--Mr. W. Holt,
Surgeon, of the parish of Tottenham High Cross, has generously
undertaken (within the last two months) to inoculate the poorer
part of the inhabitants of the parish, for the small pox, which
he has done (and that gratis) to the amount of some hundreds, the
whole of which number have done well, not one patient excepted.
The above act is praiseworthy, and will redound much to Mr.
Holt's honour. It is to be hoped the above example will be
followed by other Medical Gentlemen, if so, in a few years we
shall not see, as we now daily do, the ill-effects of that
dreadful disease, the small pox, in the natural way."--(_Times,
March 28, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Previous to the Humane Society's Procession (at the London
Tavern, next Tuesday) of those who have been restored to life
_this_ year, an _Introductory Dialogue_, written after the manner
of Virgil's pathetic and beautiful pastorals, by John Gretton
Esqre, will be spoken by two young Gentlemen. Rising genius was
fully experienced at the last Anniversary. What then must not be
the gratification to a British heart, where to the solemn scene
of our resuscitated brethren,[25] is superadded the efforts of
these able advocates in the cause of humanity, and the sublime
views of this most excellent Institution?"--(_Times, April 14,
1798._)
[Footnote 25: The persons recovered during the year, by the
instrumentality of the Society, appeared in solemn
procession at the anniversary dinner.]
* * * * *
"ANECDOTE.
"It is a fact of which we can assure our readers, that the
following extraordinary Letter was sent to a worthy Baronet not a
hundred miles from Whitehall. It was tied round the neck of an
unfortunate animal, who, we are sorry to say, appears to have
been made the victim of party malice, and the unfeeling passions
of men:
"THE RATS LETTER.
("Health and F_rat_ernity.)
"Sir,--I am a despe_rat_e _Rat_, g_rat_ified indeed in the
present opportunity of cong_rat_ulating you, though lately
sepa_rat_ed from my family and connexions, having been caught in
the g_rat_ing of Mr. Pitt's cage, in Downing St., prost_rat_e at
his feet, I escaped death, and even cast_rat_ion, in the
conside_rat_ion that I belong to your worthy f_rat_ernity, and
upon condition that I should inform you of certain truths,
however g_rat_ing. Since the discovery of the conspi_rat_ors,
your o_rat_ions have not been unde_rat_ed, for they have not been
_rat_ional. If your treaty with them has been _rat_ified, you
will be well sc_rat_ched, and so forbear p_rat_ing for the
present. Besides it is a deside_rat_um that you should have
nothing to say to Mr. G_rat_tan, and that you should not
Co-ope_rat_e with the Irish-Ma_rats_. Let your nar_rat_ions
concerning _Rat_isbon, or _Rat_stadt, be mode_rat_e, and
endeavour to make repa_rat_ion for all the nonsense you have
talked, and the mischief you have not ope_rat_ed. Sequest_rat_e
yourself with your vene_rat_ed old Aunts, and deal out _rat_ions
of oatmeal, and cheese, to your p_rat_ing b_rat_s, whom everybody
commise_rat_es, and arbit_rat_e between cowherds, and bullock
drivers. Demonst_rat_e that you are a wise man in your
gene_rat_ion: Exempli g_rat_ia, this year, having been beat blind
by the bulk of bullocks, try next to run down your successor in a
race of amelio_rat_ed _Rats_. Full of admi_rat_ion, and great
g_rat_itude, I give you the f_rat_ernal hug, and _rat_e myself,
with great conside_rat_ion, without alte_rat_ion. Your g_rat_eful
F_rat_er (G_rat_is)
"Democ_rat_."
--(_Times, June 4, 1798._)
* * * * *
"We are sorry to hear that the _Rat_ that wrote the famous
letter, was cruelly murdered by the enraged servants. The _Rat_
is now said to have been over-driven, and made mad in Downing
St., in order that he might scratch the Knight into the
_Cat_-aphobia. He anxiously expects the _cat_-astrophe. The
_Rat_'s letter has very much exaspe_rat_ed the Worthy Baronet to
whom he addressed it."--(_Times, June 8, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Colonel Twiss, and other officers of the engineers, have been
employed by government to examine a proposition made by a Mr.
Dodd, for forming a _tunnel under the River Thames_, from
Gravesend, to Tilbury."--(_Times, July 16, 1798._)
* * * * *
"_Tower Hill_ is soon to lose that name, and, in compliment to
the Trinity House, it is in future to be called _Trinity
Square_."--(_Times, July 16, 1798._)
They knew how to puff--in those days:--
"Advt.--Thirty Thousand Pounds gained for Five shillings, without
a Lottery. A Gentleman of the Navy had, for some time, been
paying his addresses to a Lady of Fortune, and gained her
affections: being suddenly ordered off to the West Indies, the
marriage was deferred until his return. On arriving at St.
Domingo, he was attacked by the Yellow Fever, which appeared
externally in scabby eruptions, arising from living in too free a
manner in that destructive climate, which disfigured his face so
much, that, on his return to England, the Lady was disgusted, and
broke off the match. This turn so affected the Gentleman that a
slow nervous fever resulted, which reduced him so low that his
recovery was despaired of. Fortunately, an officer of the Guards,
his intimate friend, calling on him, told him he thought the
perusal of Dr. Brodum's Guide to Old Age would be of service:
and, in consequence, purchased a Guide for five shillings, which,
with the aid of the Dr.'s Botanical Syrup, completely restored
him, and on calling on the Lady after his recovery, she was so
well-pleased at his healthy appearance, as to immediately consent
to unite herself with him, and make over a fortune of
£30,000."--(_Times, Nov. 20, 1798._)
* * * * *
"A story is told at Brighton of a certain Baronet having been
most cruelly imposed upon by some young Bucks, at that place, who
sent him a pretended letter from the wife of a Dentist,
requesting a tender interview. The Baronet flew to her lodgings
on the wings of love, but the first person he met was her
husband. The Baronet, with a ready attention to professional
circumstances, said he came to ask advice for the _toothache_:
the operator rejoined, that an extraction was the most certain
cure, and the unfortunate Baronet actually submitted to an
incision in his jaw, to save the rest of it from being
broken."--(_Times, Nov. 30, 1798._)
* * * * *
"This being the first day of May, Mrs. Montague will give her
annual entertainment of roast beef, and plum-pudding, to the
Chimney-sweepers of the Metropolis, in the court yard of her
house in Portman Square, in commemoration of discovering her
child among them, long after it had been trepanned
away."--(_Times, May 1, 1799._)
* * * * *
"The donations given by Mrs. Montague, of Portman Square, every
May-day, proceed from pure benevolence towards the distressed
poor. The story, which has been generally believed, of her having
once lost a child, who was trepanned from her house, is wholly
unfounded."--(_Times, May 2, 1799._)
* * * * *
"The Lady Mayoress is in the straw, and the _Bambino_, according
to the customs of the City, is to be rocked in a cradle of solid
silver. This is a very ancient privilege, and, as it costs the
City about Five Hundred Pounds, the Aldermen will probably look
twice, before they elect family men again with their wives in the
family way."--(_Times, July 1, 1799._)
What occasioned the following?
"Such senseless extravagance as _eating Bank notes_ has not been
known since the French Courtezan, who curled her hair with them:
or the days of Cleopatra, who swallowed a jewel as a rich
repast."--(_Times, Aug. 22, 1799._)
The singular belief that used to obtain, and still is prevalent,
especially among the lower classes, that a man might sell his wife to
any bidder, provided that he did so in open market, and with a halter
round her neck, was in full force at the latter end of the 18th
Century. That this belief has not died out may be seen in an article
on "Wife Selling," by my brother, in "All the year Round" 20th Dec.
1884, in which he cites cases as recently as 1862, 1870, 1881--and two
in 1882--in one of which, the wife was sold for a glass of ale, and
the other, for a penny and a dinner.
"By some mistake, or omission, in the report of the Smithfield
Market, we have not learned the average price of wives for the
last week.
"The increasing value of the _fair sex_ is esteemed by several
eminent writers as the certain criterion of increasing
civilization. Smithfield has, on this ground, strong pretensions
to refined improvement, as the price of Wives has risen in that
market from half a guinea, to three guineas and a
half."--(_Times, July 22, 1797._)
* * * * *
"An Hostler's wife, in the country, lately fetched _twenty-five
guineas_. We hear there is to be a sale of wives soon at
Christie's. We have no doubt they will soon _go off_
well."--(_Times, Sept. 19, 1797._)
* * * * *
"On Friday a butcher exposed his wife to sale in Smithfield
Market, near the Ram Inn, with a halter about her neck, and one
about her waist, which tied her to a railing, when a hog-driver
was the happy purchaser, who gave the husband three guineas, and
a crown, for his departed rib. Pity it is, there is no stop put
to such depraved conduct in the lower order of people."--(_Times,
July 18, 1797._)
* * * * *
"On Saturday evening last, John Lees, steel-burner, sold his wife
for the small sum of 6_d._ to Samuel Hall, fell-monger, both of
Sheffield. Lees gave Hall one guinea immediately, to have her
taken off to Manchester the day following by the coach: she was
delivered up with a halter round her neck, and the clerk of the
market received 4_d._ for toll. It would be well if some law was
inforced to put a stop to such degrading traffic!! (Sheffield
Register)"--(_Times, March 30, 1796._)
* * * * *
"At the last sale of wives there was but a poor show though there
were plenty of bidders. One alone went off well, being bought by
a Taylor, who outbid eight of his competitors."--(_Times, Dec. 2,
1797._)
* * * * *
Advt. "To the Curious. J. Harrison begs leave to inform his
Friends, and the Public, that he has, for sale, a great variety
of grafted Gooseberry Plants, in pots, with red, white, and black
Currants growing on each, the fruit of the finest flavour: and
handsome standard Currant Trees, 5 feet high, with red, white,
and black, fruit on each, likewise dwarf Apple Trees, handsome
plants, suitable for the borders of pleasure gardens, being full
of fine fruit. Gentlemen and Ladies are invited to come and view
his plants, now the fruits are on them, at his Nursery, opposite
the Turks Head, half-way to Deptford Upper Road."--(_Times, Aug.
9, 1799._)
* * * * *
"When the order for the embargo was received at Gravesend, two
hoys, the one for Margate, the other for Ramsgate, lay off the
town, and were immediately subjected to the restriction. One had
nearly 200 persons on board, the other, upwards of 150; they were
obliged to land, and the place not affording accommodation for so
large, and unexpected, an influx of company, a whimsical scene of
confusion, disorder, and embarrassment, ensued: some in carts,
&c., got on to Rochester, and Canterbury: but, owing to the
march, and embarkation of troops, all the carriages, and horses,
on the road were engaged, and several days elapsed before these
unfortunate people reached the place of their
destination."--(_Times, Aug. 19, 1799._)
* * * * *
"Lately died at Lynn, in her 78th year Miss Mary Breese. She
never lived out of the parish she was born in, was a remarkable
sportswoman, regularly took out her shooting license, kept as
good greyhounds, and was as sure a shot, as was in the county. At
her desire, her dogs, and her favourite mare, were killed at her
death, and buried in one grave."--(_Times, Oct. 8, 1799._)
* * * * *
"Late on Sunday evening last a beautiful Circassian arrived at
the Turkish Ambassador's Hotel. She was brought from Smyrna in
the '_Princess_,' Capt. W. Lee, as a present from the Grand
Seignior to his Excellency the Ambassador. She is peculiarly
elegant, and beautiful, and was escorted hither by six black
eunuchs. The Ambassador showed great attention to Capt. Lee on
account of the care he had taken of his mistress."--(_Times, Dec.
19, 1799._)
* * * * *
"The _fair Circassian_ has not yet made her appearance in public.
A very splendid equipage is now building in Long Acre for her.
Several of our dashing young men of fashion have offered
themselves as drivers to the Eastern beauty."--(_Times, Dec. 24,
1799._)
I have not been able to trace the fate of this lady--she was only a
nine days' wonder in fashionable society.
INDEX.
A
Abington, Mrs., the actress, 189, 190
"Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres," 222
Actresses of good birth, 194, 195
Adams, Daniel, 23
Advertisement, curious, in the _Times_, 325, 330
Albany, Duchess of, 3
Aldermen, regulate price of bread, 148;
visit fraudulent bakers, 150
Aliens, 16, 22
All fours, 180
Ancient Music, Concert of, 226
Androides, 228
Anecdote of Lady E., 330
Angerstein, John Julius, 248, 249, 261
Anson, Hon. Thomas, 59
Anspach, Margrave of, 147, 193, 216
Apprentice, cruel treatment of an, 268
Archer, Lady, 71, 166, 167, 168, 169, 177, 179
Arms, seizure of in Ireland, 44
Army, strength of, 36;
patriotic gift to, by ladies, 95;
convicts enrolled, 95;
French Emigrants enrolled, 95;
curious enlistment, 97, 98;
kidnapping, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106;
young officers, 107, 108;
soldiers' bread, 109;
bounty for soldiers, 110;
courtmartial, 111;
sale of commissions, 111, 112;
hair powder dispensed with, 130
"Army of England," 42
Arnold, Dr., musical composer, 196, 207
Artificers, enticing, punishment for, 270
Ashurst, Mr. Justice, 34
Assessed taxes, 131, 132
Assize of bread, 148
Astrology, 316
Automata, 228, 229
B
Baddeley, the actor, 187
Bailiffs imprisoned, 268
Bakers, fraudulent, 150
Bakewell, Robert, agriculturist, 299
Ballet and Opera, 204, 211
Bangor, Bishop of, indicted for riot, 322
Bank Bill, singular recovery of, 315
Bank of England, 37, 44
Bank notes, issue of, 37;
£1 and £2, 237;
interest on a, 322;
eating them, 342
Bannister, the actor, 188
Barber's shop, inscription over, 318
Baring, Sir Francis, 288
Barrington, the pickpocket, 245
Barrymore, the actor, 188
Barrymore, Lord, his wager, 298
Bartholomew Fair, history of, 328;
description of, 329
Bartolozzi, 220
Bath, its charter, 312;
its freedom, 330
Bath, knights of the, installation supper, 114
Bathing-ladies, 312
Bear's grease, 58
Beau, a, 56
Beef, price of, 146
Bedford, Duke of, 24, 25, 61, 185, 298, 306
Bellamy, Mrs., 190
Bernard, Mrs., the actress, 190
Bigg, W.R., _A.R.A._, 227
Billington, Mrs., 189, 225
Black servants, (Indented), 313
Blood, a, 54
Boarding schools, advance in price of, 146
Boarding schools, lady's, 320
Bonaparte, (see Napoleon)
Bond Street Lounge, the, 64, 76
Borouwlaski, Jos., 222
Boswell, James, 230
Bounty for soldiers, 110
Bourgeois, Sir Francis, 196
Bow Street Runners, 244
Bowes, Mr., 185
Bowyer, Admiral, 26
Box-lobby loungers, 200
Bread, household, recommended by Privy Council, 138;
subscriptions to reduce price of to the poor, 139;
noblemen, &c., pledge themselves to eat household bread, 140;
to make good bread, 141;
to consume but little, 143, 144;
bread used at the Royal table, 147;
price regulated by the Aldermen, 148;
assize of bread, 148;
short weight of, 150
Bridgewater, Duke of, 61
Bridport, Lord, 38, 39
Brighton, dress, 52;
company at, 326
Brothers, Lieut. (a pretended prophet), 317
Bruni, vocalist, 209
Brunton, Miss, the actress, 190
Buck, a, 54
Buckingham, Marquis of, 42
Buckinghamshire, Lady, 166, 167, 168, 172, 177, 179
"Bull," a, 318
Bullock stealing, punishment for, 270
Burke, Edmund, 16
Bute, Lord, 304
Butter, price of, 146
C
Cambacérès, 50
Camelford, Lord, 93, 94
Camperdown, Victory of, 42
"Campus nautica," 321
Cant phrases, 200, 201
Canterbury, Archbishop of, 178
Capital punishment, 246, 265, 266
Card money, 176
Cards, unstamped, 181
Caricature sellers, 320
Carlisle, Earl of, 43
Carlisle House, 218, 220, 222, 223
Cask, large one at Meux's Brewery, 316
Cassino, 180, 181
Cat, funeral of a, 306
Chamber Music, 225
Chaplaincy, sale of, 112
Charing Cross, kidnapping riots at, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102
Charlotte, Queen, 2, 5, 6, 7, 26, 31, 33, 44, 294
Chatham, Earl of, 29, 305
Choice spirit, a, 54
Christmas boxes, 117
Chudleigh, Miss (afterwards Duchess of Kingston), 76
Cibber, Mrs., 190
Cipriani, 220
Circassian, the fair, 344
Clarence, Duke of, 189, 194, 209, 216, 295
Clergyman's stipend, curious, 315
Clerical pluralists, 335
Clive, Mrs., the actress, 189
Clothes, cost of, 62
Clubs, the _Transalpine_, 331;
the _Ubiquarian_, 331
Coals, price of, 155, 156
Cockade, disuse of, 331
Coffin, a patent, 330
Coin, base, 239, 240, 241, 242, 272, 273, 306
Commercial failures, 232, 233, 234