BRIDGET SMITH."

S1mith was pronounced by the Coroner's Jury, _felo de se_, and guilty of murder with respect to the child: his wife they declared a lunatic.

2At a Sermon preached at Bow-church in 1734, before eight Bishops, many Magistrates, and a numerous auditory, by the Rev. Mr. Bedford, on the Anniversary of the Society for the Reformation of Manners; it was stated, that the Society had prosecuted, between December 1732 and December 1733, 89 persons for disorderly and lewd practices; 13 for keeping disorderly houses, and for exercising their trades on Sundays 395.

3Three different sets of sharpers infested the Metropolis in the following winter, who went from house to house with counterfeited letters of request from the Magistrates and Rectors of Tid St. Mary's, Lincolnshire, and Outwell and Terrington, Norfolk; representing, that dreadful fires had almost desolated those places; when, in truth, no such events had happened.

4The Weekly Register of December 8, 1733, declares: "Those honest City Tradesmen and others, who so lovingly carry their wives and mistresses to the neighbouring villages in chaises to regale them on a Sunday, are seldom sensible of the great inconveniencies and dangers they are exposed to; for besides the common accidents of the road, there are a set of regular rogues kept constantly in pay to incommode them in their passage, and these are the drivers of what are called waiting jobs, and other Hackney travelling coaches, with sets of horses, who are commissioned by their masters to annoy, sink, and destroy all the single and double horse chaises they can conveniently meet with, or overtake in their way, without regard to the lives or limbs of the persons who travel in them.

5What havock these industrious sons of blood and wounds have made within twenty miles of London, in the compass of a Summer's season, is best known by the articles of accidents in the newspapers; the miserable shrieks of women and children not being sufficient to deter the villains from doing what they call their duty to their masters; for, besides their daily or weekly wages, they have an extraordinary stated allowance for every chaise they can reverse, ditch, or _bring by the road_, as the term or phrase is.

6"I heard a fellow, who drove a hired coach and four horses, give a long detail of a hard chace he gave last Summer to a two-horse chaise which was going with a gentleman and three ladies to Windsor.

7He said he first came in view of the chaise at Knightsbridge, and there put on hard after it to Kensington; but that being drawn by a pair of good cattle, and the gentleman in the seat pretty expert at driving, they made the town before him; and there stopping at a tavern-door to take a glass of wine, he halted also; but the chaise not yet coming on, he affected another delay, by pretending that one of his horses had taken up a stone, and so dismounting, as if to search, lay by till the enemy had passed him; that then they kept a trot on together to Turnham-green, when the people suspecting his design, again put on; that he then whipped after them for _dear blood_, thinking to have done their business between that place and Brentford.

8But here he was again disappointed, for the two horses still kept their courage, till they came between Longford and Colnbrook, where he plainly perceived them begin to droop or _knock-up_, and found he had then a sure game of it. He went on leisurely after them, till both parties came into a narrow road, where there was no possibility of an escape, when he gave his horses a sudden jerk, and came with such violence upon the people, that he pulled their machine quite over. He said, the cries of the women were so loud, that the B--s might be heard to his Majesty's garden, Piccadilly; that, there being nobody near to assist the people, he got clear off with two or three blind old women his passengers some miles beyond Maidenhead, safe both from pursuit and evidence.

9"I have been credibly informed, that many of the coachmen and postillions belonging to the gentry, are seduced by the masters of the travelling-coaches to involve themselves in the guilt of this monstrous iniquity, and have certain fees for dismounting persons on single horses, and overturning chaises, when it shall suit with their convenience to do it with safety (that is, within the verge of the law); and in case of an action or indictment, if the master or mistress will not stand by their servant, and believe the mischief was merely accidental, the offender is then defended by a general contribution from all the Stage-coach masters within the Bills of Mortality.

10"Those Hackney gentlemen who drive about the City and suburbs of London, have by their overgrown insolence obliged the Government to take notice of them, and make laws for their regulation; and as there are Commissioners for receiving the Tax they pay to the publick, so those Commissioners have power to hear and determine between the drivers and their passengers upon any abuse that happens: and yet these ordinary coachmen abate very little of their abusive conduct; but not only impose in price upon those that hire them, but refuse to go this or that way as they are called; whereas the Law obliges them to go wherever they are legally required, and at reasonable hours.

11This treatment, and the particular saucy impudent behaviour of the coachman, in demanding the other _twelver_ or _tester_ above their fare, has been the occasion of innumerable quarrels, fighting, and abuses; affronting gentlemen, frighting and insulting women; and such rudenesses, that no Civil Government will, or, indeed, ought to suffer; and above all, has been the occasion of killing several coachmen, by gentlemen that have been provoked by the villainous tongues of those fellows beyond the extent of their patience. Their intolerable behaviour has rendered them so contemptible and odious in the eyes of all degrees of people whatever, that there is more joy seen for one Hackney-coachman's going to the gallows, than for a dozen highwaymen and street-robbers.

12"The driver of a Hackney-coach, having the misfortune to break a leg and an arm by a fall from his box, was rendered incapable of following that business any longer; and therefore posted himself at the corner of one of the principal avenues leading to Covent-garden, with his limbs bound up in the most advantageous manner to move the passengers to commiseration. He told his deplorable case to all, but all passed without pity; and the man must have inevitably perished, had it not come into his head to shift the scene and his situation. The transition was easy; he whipped on a leather apron, and from a Coachman became a poor Joiner, with a wife and four children, that had broke his limbs by a fall from the top of a house. Showers of pence poured daily into his hat, and in a few years he became able to purchase many figures as well as horses; and he is now master of one of the most considerable Livery-stables in London.

13"The next are the Watermen; and indeed the insolence of these, though they are under some limitations too, is yet such at this time, that it stands in greater need than any other of severe Laws, and those Laws being put in speedy execution.

14A few months ago, one of these very people being steersman of a passage boat between Queenhithe and Windsor, drowned fifteen people at one time; and when many of them begged of him to put them on shore, or take down his sails, he impudently mocked them, asked some of the poor frighted women if they were afraid of going to the Devil, and bid them say their prayers; then used a vulgar water-phrase, which such fellows have in their mouths, '_Blow, Devil, the more wind the better boat_.' A man of a very considerable substance perishing with the rest of the unfortunate passengers, this villain, who had saved himself by swimming, had the surprising impudence to go the next morning to his widow, who lived at Kingston-upon-Thames.

15The poor woman, surrounded by a number of sorrowful friends, was astonished to think what could be the occasion of the fellow's coming to her; but thinking he was come to give some account of her husband's body being found, at last she condescended to see him. After a scurvy scrape or two, the monster very modestly 'hoped his good mistress would give him half a-crown to drink her health, by way of satisfaction for a pair of oars and a sail he had lost the night before, when her husband was drowned.'

16"I have many times passed between London and Gravesend with these fellows; when I have seen them, in spite of the shrieks and cries of the women, and the persuasions of the men-passengers, and indeed, as if they were the more bold by how much the passengers were the more afraid; I have seen them run needless hazards, and go as it were within an inch of death, when they have been under no necessity of it; and if not in contempt of the passengers, it has been in mere laziness, to avoid their rowing. And I have been sometimes obliged, especially when there have been more men in the boat of the same mind, so that we have been strong enough for them, to threaten to cut their throats, to make them hand their sails, and keep under shore, not to fright, as well as hazard the lives of the passengers, when there was no need of it. But I am satisfied, that the less frighted and timorous their passengers are, the more cautious and careful the Watermen are, and the least apt to run into danger. Whereas, if their passengers appear frighted, then the Watermen grow saucy and audacious, show themselves venturous, and contemn the dangers they are really exposed to.

17"_Set one knave to catch another_, is a proverbial saying of great antiquity and repute in this kingdom. Thus the vigilant Vintner, notwithstanding all his little arts of base brewings, abridging his bottles, and connecting his guests together, does not always reap the fruits of his own care and industry. Few people being aware of the underhand understandings, and petty partnerships these sons of Benecarlo and Cyder have topped upon them; and the many other private inconveniences that they, in the course of their business, are subjected to.

18Now, to let my readers into this great _arcanum_ or secret, I must acquaint them, that nothing is more certain and frequent, than for some of the principal customers to a tavern to have a secret allowance, by way of drawback, of 6_d._ or 7_d._; nay, sometimes I have heard of 8_d._ on every bottle of port-wine that themselves shall drink, or cause to be drank in the house, and for which they have seemingly paid the price of 2_s._; and so are a sort of Vintners in vizards and setters of society.

19Those are mostly sharping Shopkeepers, who, by being considerable dealers, hold numbers of other inferior tradesmen in a state of dependency upon them; officers of parishes, old seasoned soakers, who, by having served an age to tippling, have contracted a boundless acquaintance; house-stewards, clerks of kitchens, song-singers, horse-racers, valets-de-chambre, merry story-tellers, attorneys and solicitors, with legions of wrangling clients always at their elbows. Wherefore, as they have got the lead upon a great part of mankind, they are for ever establishing clubs and friendly-societies at Taverns, and drawing to them every soul they have any dealings or acquaintance with.

20"The young fellows are mostly sure to be their followers and admirers, as esteeming it a great favour to be admitted amongst their seniors and betters, thinking to learn to know the world and themselves. One constant topic of conversation is, the civility of the people, the diligent attendance, together with the goodness of the wines and cheapness of the eatables, with a side-wind reflection on another house. And, if at any time the wine is complained of, it is answered with 'People's palates are not at all times alike; my landlord generally hath as good, or better, than any one in the town.' And often the poor innocent bottle, or else the cork, falls under a false and heavy accusation.

21"In a morning there is no passing through any part of the town without being _hemmed_ and _yelped_ after by these locusts from the windows of Taverns, where they post themselves at the most convenient views, to observe such passengers as they have but the least knowledge of; and if a person be in the greatest haste, going upon extraordinary occasions, or not caring to vitiate his palate before dinner, and so attempts an escape, then, like a pack of hounds, they join in full cry after him, and the landlord is detached upon his dropsical pedestals, or else a more nimble-footed drawer is at your heels, bawling out 'Sir, Sir, it is your old friend Mr. Swallow, who wants you upon particular business.'

22"The sums which are expended daily by this method are really surprising. I knew a clerk to a vestry, a half-pay officer, a chancery solicitor, and a broken apothecary, that made a tolerable good livelihood, by calling into a tavern all their friends that passed by the window in this manner. Their custom was, to sit with a quart of white port before them in a morning; every person they decoyed into their company for a minute or two never threw down less than his sixpence, and few drank more than one gill; and, if two or three glasses, he seldom came off with less than one shilling. The master of the house constantly provided them with a plain dinner, _gratis_. All dinner-time they kept their room, still in full view of the street, and so sat catching gudgeons (as they used to call it) from morning till night; when, besides amply filling their own carcases, and discharging the whole reckoning, they seldom divided less than seven or eight shillings per man, _per diem_.

23"Some people, unacquainted with this fellow-feeling at Taverns, often wonder how such-a-one does to hold it; that he spends a confounded deal of money, is seldom out of a Tavern, and never in his business: when, in reality, he is thus never out of his business, and so helps to run away with the chief profits of the house.

24"Nor are these all the hardships many of the Vintners lie under; for, besides, their purses must too often stand a private examination behind the bar, when any of these sort of customers necessities shall require it.

25"It is such dealings drives the poor Devils to all the little tricks and shifts imaginable. I went one day into a Tavern near Charing-cross, to enquire after a person whom I knew had once used the house. The Mistress being in the bar, cried out, 'What an unfortunate thing it was, Mr. ---- being that instant gone out of the house, and was surprised I did not meet him at the door, but that he had left word he expected a gentleman to come to him, and would return immediately.' I staid the sipping of two or three half pints, and began to shew some uneasiness that he did not come according to her expectation, when she again wondered at it, saying, 'it was one of his times of coming; for that he was a worthy good gentleman, and constantly whetted four or five times in a morning.' At length being out of all patience, I paid, and went to my friend's house, about twenty doors farther; where his wife informed me, he had been gone about three months before to Jamaica.

26"The bankruptcies so frequently happening among the sons of Bacchus, are doubtless to be attributed chiefly to such leeches as I have been describing, lying so closely upon them; and then an innocent industrious man is to be called forsworn rogue, villain, and what not: and to be told that he affected a failure, to sink a dozen or fourteen shillings in the pound upon his creditors, when, in reality, he hath not a single shilling left in the world, and shall oftentimes be obliged to become a common waiter to a more fortunate fellow, and one perhaps too that he once had thoughts of circumventing in his business and trade, by no other means than a more humble and tractable behaviour.

27"A Vintner, who has been looked upon by all mankind to have been a 20,000_l._ man at least, hath died not worth eighteen-pence; and then the poor wretch has been worried to his grave, with the character of a private gamester."

28Colonel De Veil, as celebrated for his address and the number of his commitments as Sir John Fielding afterwards was, had two legal culprits brought before him for examination, in 1737, who were a Counsellor and an Attorney, and as rare bucks and swindlers as ever disgraced the annals of turpitude. These gentlemen were charged with defrauding Mrs. Eddowes, keeper of a Bagnio in St. James's-street, and two other persons, of 12_l._, by proceeding to the Bagnio in the characters of country gentlemen just arrived; the Attorney styling himself Sir John Peering, and the Counsellor plain _Tom_. After remaining a short time with Mrs.

29E. they sent a porter for _ladies_, and one kind soul even left her bed to visit them; they then proposed to hire a coach and four, in order to make an excursion for pleasure, and promised the woman a velvet cap and riding habit if she would make one of the party; this she consented to do, provided they would permit her to go home to dress; but Sir John and Tom, entertaining doubts whether she would return, demanded, and received, _and kept_ two guineas as a pledge. The coach was hired and used, and two days and two nights were passed at the Bagnio; but when the _charges_ were to be _discharged_, the Knight and Tom had nothing to produce but a valuable box carefully corded, containing the writings of Sir John's vast estates and several bank notes.

30This they offered to leave as _security_ till _their return_; but Mrs. E. suspecting a fraud, had them immediately conveyed to the Magistrate, in whose presence the following _writings_ were taken from the box: a parcel of rags and some hay, an empty bottle, an earthen pipkin, an earthen candlestick, and a japanned tin box. They were bound over for trial.

31While the unthinking part of the community fled from place to place, rather in search of amusement than the means of preserving their health, the Police of the City appointed Beadles and Watchmen as follows, under the then recent Act, for better regulating the night watch of London:

32£. _s._ In Aldersgate ward, one beadle at 30_l. per annum_, 25 watchmen at 13_l. per annum_. To be raised, for defraying the charges 415 0

33In Aldgate ward, one beadle at 40_l._ 31 watchmen 13_l._ each, charge 501 0

34In Bassishaw ward, one beadle at 40_l._ 6 watchmen at 13_l._ 131 0

35In Billingsgate ward, two beadles at 70_l._ 20 watchmen at 13_l._ 381 0

36In Bishopsgate ward, two beadles at 100_l._ 49 watchmen at 13_l._ 794 0

37In Bread-street ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 12 watchmen at 13_l._ 220 0

38In Bridge ward, one beadle at 30_l._ 22 watchmen at 13_l._ 360 0

39In Broad-street ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 38 watchmen at 13_l._ 634 0

40In Candlewick ward, one beadle at 25_l._ 16 watchmen at 13_l._ 293 8

41Castle-Baynard ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 24 watchmen at 13_l._ 442 0

42Cheap ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 26 watchmen at 13_l._ 430 0

43Coleman-street ward, one beadle at 40_l._ 24 watchmen at 13_l._ 407 0

44Cordwainer's ward, one beadle at 45_l._ 16 watchmen at 13_l._ 318 14

45Cornhill ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 18 watchmen at 13_l._ 305 0

46Cripplegate Within, one beadle at 50_l._ 26 watchmen at 13_l._ 430 0

47---- Without, one beadle at 32_l._ 28 watchmen at 13_l._ 550 0

48Dowgate ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 16 watchmen at 13_l._ 300 0

49Farringdon Within, two beadles at 85_l._ 49 watchmen at 13_l._ 764 10

50---- Without, four beadles at 100_l._ 89 watchmen at 13_l._ 1550 0

51Langbourn ward, one beadle at 40_l._ 23 watchmen at 13_l._ 450 0

52Lime-street ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 10 watchmen at 13_l._ 200 0

53Portsoken ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 28 watchmen at 13_l._ 474 5

54Queenhithe ward, one beadle at 30_l._ 10 watchmen at 13_l._ 202 0

55Tower ward, one beadle at 40_l._ 32 watchmen at 13_l._ 571 0

56Vintry ward, one beadle at 40_l._ 16 watchmen at 13_l._ 312 0

57Wallbrook ward, one beadle at 50_l._ 18 watchmen at 13_l._ 349 0

58By this arrangement, the guardianship of the City was intrusted to 32 beadles and 913 watchmen.

59The wretches, kept in some degree of awe by the above members of the Police, when nothing occurred to set their passions afloat, or to assemble them from all parts of the town to one point, committed horrid excesses at Tyburn this year, by the brutal practice of throwing stones and dirt; besides which they had one ludicrous contrivance that will force a smile, though disgust and abhorrence must succeed, when it is recollected it was performed at the hour of execution. The mob dug two large holes in the fields, and filled them with soil: those they carefully covered with turf; the populace of course walked into the filth, from which they were ushered amidst loud huzza's and laughter, while every effort was made to entice or force others into them.

60The extreme misery of the lowest description of Londoners received some amelioration, about 1750, through the commendable inquiries and remedies made and applied by the Legislature, relating to their monstrous excesses in drinking ardent spirits. The evidence given before a Committee is too interesting to be omitted; yet it is a disgusting and melancholy picture of London, as it was at that date.

61An eminent Physician to one of our Hospitals gave the following information: "That the increase of patients in all the hospitals from 1704 to 1718, being 14 years, the total increase was from 5612 to 8189, which was somewhat above one-fourth; that from 1718 to 1734, being 16 years, the total increase was from 8189 to 12,710, or perhaps 13,000, which was above one-third; but that from 1734 to 1749, being 15 years, the total increase was from 12,710 to 38,147, which was near three times the number." Being asked his opinion, whence he apprehended so great an increase could arise, he answered from the melancholy consequences of Gin-drinking principally; which opinion he enforced with such strong reasons (in which he was supported by another eminent Physician to one of the Hospitals) as gave full conviction to the house.

62It appeared by the evidence of John Wyburn, of Whitechapel, and John Rogers, of Trinity-lane, both of whom had followed the trade of bakers for 30 years: "that the consumption of bread amongst the poor was greatly diminished since the excessive drinking of Gin, which would proportionably increase again as that vice abated; that the poor laid out their earnings in gin, which ought to purchase them bread for themselves and families; and that, in many of the out-parts, the bakers were obliged to cut their loaves into halfpenny-worths, a practice unknown to the trade till gin was so universally drank by the poor."

63It appeared "that one house in seven, from the Hermitage to Bell-wharf, was a gin-shop: it appeared there were about 16,000 houses in the City of London, and that there were about 1050 licences granted yearly to victuallers, which was about one house to fifteen."

64"It appeared by the evidence of the High Constable of Westminster, that there were in that City about 17,000 houses, of which 1300 licenced, and 900 unlicenced that sold liquors, which was about one house in eight.

65"It appeared by the evidence of the High Constable of Holborn, that there were in his division 7066 houses, of which 1350 licenced and unlicenced, being about one house in five and a quarter. That in St. Giles's there were about 2000 houses and 506 gin-shops, being above one house in four; besides about 82 twopenny-houses of the greatest infamy, where gin was the principal liquor drank."

66Hateful as the subject is, its ramifications spread, though rather softened, into higher scenes of life. Cordials, _alias_ drams, were not _quite_ unknown to the ladies; it was almost noon--

67----ere Celia rose, But up she rear'd, and rang her bell, When in came dainty Mistress Nell; "Oh dear, my lady, e'ent you well?" "Well! yes--why what's o'clock?--Oh Heaven"-- "A little bit a-past eleven." "No more! why then I'll lay me down-- No, I'll get up--Child, bring my gown; My eyes so ache I scarce can see; Nelly, _a little Ratifia_[170:A]."

68A vile impostor was detected in January 1757, and committed to Bridewell by John Fielding, Esq. This wretch had a practice of lying upon his back in some court or narrow passage, and feigning insensibility; at other times he would appear in the habit of a countryman just arrived in London, where he knew no person, and would declare that, being destitute of money, he had not eaten for four days: another trick represented him as an old worn-out and pennyless Soldier, just arrived from Jamaica; but the repetition of the first performance proved fatal to his _finesse_. A physician found him in the fainting scene, conveyed him to a comfortable bed, and gave him money; but meeting Master Anthony Needham a second time, to all appearance breathing his last, he adopted a new prescription, which procured the healthful exercises of Bridewell. Cash and provisions were found in his pockets when he arrived at the Police-office, though he had just declared he had fasted four days.

69When an author is to be found who disinterestedly examines into any particular abuse, another writing on the same subject cannot surely do amiss in quoting such facts from his publication as may suit his purpose. A person who assumed the signature of Philanthropos exposed the villainy of Register-offices, as they were in 1757, in the following forcible manner: "I come now to the article of places under the Government, &c. to be sold, which we see frequently advertised from Register-offices in these or such like terms, and which you generally find in their hand-bills: 'A place to be disposed of for 100 guineas, which brings in 100_l. per annum_. A public office to be sold, where nothing less than gold is taken for any business transacted, &c.'

70"I have the happiness to assure the publick, that most of the advertisements that have appeared within these twelve months past have been carefully perused, and an impartial enquiry made after several of the places to be disposed of (which are not confined to private life, but comprehend Church and State), by a public-spirited gentleman, who has been at the expence of applying to the offices from whence they were advertised, and was so kind as to furnish me with the remarks I offer to the publick, on the exposing to sale public offices and employments.

71The result of an enquiry after the place which brought in 100_l. per annum_, and might be purchased for 100 guineas, was, that the proprietor of the office took one shilling for answering to the question, 'What is the place?' notwithstanding it was so publicly advertised; and then told the gentleman, that it was a place in the Custom-house, and that he must apply for particulars to Mr. ----, at a certain Coffee-house. This the gentleman patiently submitted to; but when he came there, on enquiring for the person he was directed to, he was told at the bar, that he was just gone, and the place sold; and, notwithstanding the most diligent enquiry, the gentleman could never find out either who bought, or who sold the place.

72On his return to the Register-office, he naturally demanded his shilling again; but was told it was only the customary fee of the Office, that it was a pity he had not applied earlier (it was then only three o'clock on the very day the advertisement appeared in the paper); and if the place had not been gone, perhaps it would not have suited the gentleman's talents, as accompts were requisite; and if that had been the case, it was no fault of the Office; thus intimating, let what would be the success attending the enquiry, the Office-keeper was intitled to one shilling. It is highly probable that eight or ten more might have paid for the same enquiry."

73Sir John Fielding received an _involuntary_ present, in November 1757, from a number of Publicans, consisting of Billiard-tables, Mississippi-tables, Shuffle-boards, and Skittles, which the worthy Magistrate caused to be piled in a pyramidal form, near thirty-feet high, at the end of Bow-street near the Police-office, where they were consumed. A good hint for the Magistrates at present, as the word Billiards is really very conspicuous in various parts of the Metropolis every night, and, indeed, may be found not an hundred doors from the facetious Knight's old office.

74One of the most wicked impositions practised by knaves in London, is the adulteration of Bread. The wretch who improves his circumstances by this detestable method of increasing his profits, is an assassin, full as wicked as the celebrated Italian Tophana: that human fiend poisoned her victims by degrees, suited to the malice of her employers; the Baker who throws slow poisons into his trough does worse, for he undermines the constitutions of his supporters, his customers.

75He that eats bread without butter or meat, throughout London, at the present moment, and afterwards visits a friend in the country who makes his own, cannot fail of perceiving the delicious sweetness which the mercy of our Creator hath diffused through the invaluable grain that produces it; the inducement held out to us, to preserve life by the most innocent means, is thus in a great measure lost to the inhabitants of London. I once broke a piece of alum with my teeth, which lay in the depth of a slice of bread, when at breakfast, as large as a pea; and was only deterred from prosecuting the baker by the dread of that obloquy which attends the least interested informers.

76At another time I lodged a week at a baker's house in a country-town, and during a lazy fit, strolled into the bake-house where bread was mixing; in an instant my landlord's countenance changed, and I was rudely desired to leave the place, as he would allow no one to pry into his business. This conduct from a man who had before behaved with the utmost civility, convinced me all was not right, and that other materials were within view than simple flour, yeast, and a little inoffensive salt. Let me not, however, be understood to apply this censure indiscriminately; it is aimed only at the guilty; the honest baker will adopt my sentiments, which are merely an echo of a little work published in 1757, intituled, "Poison detected: or, Frightful Truths, and alarming to the British Metropolis," &c.

77The Author asserts that, "Good bread ought to be composed of flour well kneaded with the slightest water, seasoned with a little salt, fermented with fine yeast or leaven, and sufficiently baked with a proper fire; but, to increase its weight, and deceive the buyer by its fraudulent fineness, lime, chalk, alum, &c. are constituent parts of that most common food in London. Alum is a very powerful astringent and styptic, occasioning heat and costiveness; the frequent use of it closes up the mouths of the small alimentary ducts, and by its corrosive concretions, seals up the lacteals, indurates every mass it is mixed with upon the stomach, makes it hard of digestion, and consolidates the fæces in the intestines.

78Experience convinces me (the Author was a physician) that any animal will live longer in health and vigour upon two ounces of good and wholesome bread, than upon one pound of this adulterated compound; a consideration which may be useful, if attended to in the times of scarcity."

79After explaining many deleterious effects produced by alum, the Author proceeds, "But it is not alum alone that suffices the lucrative iniquity of bakers: there is also added a considerable portion of lime and chalk; so that if alum be prejudicial alone, what must be the consequences of eating our bread mingled with alum, chalk, and lime? Obstructions, the causes of most diseases, are naturally formed by bread thus abused. I have seen a quantity of lime and chalk, in the proportion of one to six, extracted from this kind of bread; possibly the baker was not so expert at his craft as to conceal it, the larger granules were visible enough: perhaps a more minute analysis would have produced a much greater portion of these pernicious materials."

80An _Author_ cannot be suspected of wishing to restrain the inoffensive liberty of the press; but he may, without fear or resentment, venture to reprobate the turpitude which it too often promotes. There have been, and still are, persons who will take a few facts, and compound them with many falsehoods, and, thus prepared, present them to some hungry printer or editor, to answer their own base purposes; the unsuspecting read them with avidity, and public bodies and individuals suffer without remedy; an instance of this description produced the following address to the community from John Fielding, Esq. in November 1759.

81"About twelve months ago a very salutary law took place, to the great benefit of a large and useful body of men, commonly called Coal-heavers. By this law they were not only relieved from the impositions they then complained of, and the profits of their severe labour secured to themselves; but a provision was made for the infirm, sick, and disabled coal-heavers, and their dead buried, by their paying two shillings in the pound out of their earnings into an office established by the said law, and under the inspection of so worthy and so able a magistrate in the City, that it is impossible for any coal-heaver to be deprived of any advantage, privilege, or support, that the nature of this institution entitles them to.

82On Sunday the 28th of last month, one Patrick Crevey, a coal-heaver, chairman, and an Irishman, was buried according to the usual custom of burying coal-heavers, and was carried from Gravel-lane to St. Pancras church-yard; his corpse being preceded, as is customary, by the beadle of the coal-heavers' office, with a long staff in his hand, the common ensign of his office; the pall was supported by six chairmen, and eight others followed the corpse as mourners in black cloaks; for whenever a chairman is buried, he is constantly attended by as many of his brethren as can be got together: these mourners were followed by a considerable number of coal-heavers, who walked two and two.

83This procession gave rise to that extraordinary paragraph in the London Chronicle, on the 30th day of October last, wherein it is confidently asserted, that a Roman-catholic was carried through the streets of London to be buried at St. Pancras, and that the Host was carried, and Priests walked publicly before the corpse; and that the numerous attendants that followed, insulted and knocked down all who did not pay due obedience to their foreign foppery, and beat many persons whom common curiosity excited to ask any questions relative to the said procession.

84Should any part of this alarming account be true, the offenders cannot be punished with too much severity; but should it be a misrepresentation of facts, the publick would be equally pleased to be undeceived, and he who indiscreetly or wickedly propagated the report without foundation will be the only offender.

85"In order therefore to get at the real truth of this matter, a few days ago, the informations on oath of the beadle of the said coal-heavers office, of the pall-bearers, mourners, undertaker, his servant, the landlord of the house from whence the corpse was carried, and some other inhabitants who followed the corpse (several of whom were Protestants), were taken before John Fielding, Esq.; and they all positively declared that at, or from the house, whence the man was carried to the grave in Pancras church-yard, no Host, representation of Host, crucifix, or other visible and external mark of the deceased Patrick Crevey being a Roman-catholick, was carried either before or after the said corpse; and that no Catholic Priest of any sort, to their knowledge, attended the said burial; but that the said Crevey (though a Roman-catholic) was buried by a Clergyman of the Church of England, and strictly conformable to the ceremonies of the said Church.

86And the aforesaid beadle, pall-bearers, mourners, and undertaker, further declare, that they themselves during their passage from the house to the grave, neither met with, nor were witnesses to any obstruction whatever; but that they afterwards heard that some of the coal-heavers who were at farther distance from the corpse behind had some dispute, which occasioned blows, with some persons who imitated the Irish howl, and called out _Paddy_, by way of derision to the deceased and his attendants, &c. &c.