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diff --git a/43691-0.txt b/43691-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..69deeb3 --- /dev/null +++ b/43691-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9096 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43691 *** + +[Illustration: THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS, AND THE TWO CATNACHS, +JOHN & JAMES, FATHER & SON, _Printers_, 1769-1841.] + + + + + THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS. + + LARGE PAPER COPY. + + Only Two Hundred and Fifty Printed. Each Copy + numbered and Signed + + [Signature: Charles Hindley.] + + + No. ________ + + _Purchased by_ + + ____________________________________________________ + + _of_ + + ____________________________________________________ + + + _on the ___________ day of ____________ 18_____ + + + + + THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS, + AT BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, + ALNWICK AND NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, + IN NORTHUMBERLAND, AND + SEVEN DIALS, LONDON. + + + BY CHARLES HINDLEY, ESQ., + + _Editor of "The Old Book Collector's Miscellany; + or, a Collection of Readable Reprints of Literary + Rarities," "Works of John Taylor--the Water Poet," + "The Roxburghe Ballads," "The Catnach Press," "The + Curiosities of Street Literature," "The Book of + Ready Made Speeches," "Life and Times of James + Catnach, late of the Seven Dials, Ballad Monger," + "Tavern Anecdotes and Sayings," "A History of the + Cries of London--Ancient and Modern," etc._ + + + London: + CHARLES HINDLEY + [THE YOUNGER,] + BOOKSELLERS' ROW, ST. CLEMENT DANES, + STRAND, W.C. + 1886. + + + + + TO + MR. GEORGE SKELLY, + of + THE MARKET PLACE, + and + MR. GEORGE H. THOMPSON, + of + BAILIFFGATE, ALNWICK, + _In the County of_ + NORTHUMBERLAND, + THE + HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS. + + IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY + THE AUTHOR + + [Signature: Charles Hindley.] + + _St. James' Street, Brighton. + Lady Day, 1886._ + + + + +[Illustration: + + HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION + + OR + + A Pursuit of Knowledge + under Difficulties.] + + + + +[Illustration: THE CATNACH PRESS.] + + "'Tis education forms the common mind; + Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."--_Pope._ + + +----There can be little doubt that Jemmy Catnach, the printer, justly +earned the distinction of being one of the great pioneers in the cause of +promoting cheap literature--he was for a long time the great Mæcenas and +Elzevir of the Seven Dials district. We do not pretend to say that the +productions which emanated from his establishment contained much that was +likely to enlighten the intellect, or sharpen the taste of the ordinary +reader; but, to a great extent, they served well in creating an impetus in +the minds of many to soar after things of a higher and more ennobling +character. Whilst for the little folk his store was like the conjuror's +bag--inexhaustible. He could cater to the taste and fancies of all, and it +is marvellous, even in these days of a cheap press, to look back upon the +time when this enterprising man was by a steady course of action, so +paving the way for that bright day in the annals of Britain's history, +when every child in the land should be educated. + + + + +[Illustration] + + +HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION OR A PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE UNDER DIFFICULTIES. + + ----Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know + where we can find information upon it.--BOSWELL, _Life of Johnson_. + + +That history repeats itself is fairly and fully exemplified by the +reproduction of "THE CATNACH PRESS," the _first_ edition of which was +published in 1869, and "GUARANTEED ONLY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY COPIES +PRINTED."--Namely: 175 on fine, and 75 on extra-thick paper. _Each copy +numbered._ The outer and descriptive title set forth that the work +contained:-- + + "A COLLECTION of Books and Wood-cuts of James Catnach, late of Seven + Dials, Printer, consisting of Twenty Books of the Cock Robin-Class, + from, 'This is the House that Jack Built,' to 'Old Mother Hubbard,' + (printed with great care) _specialite_ at THE CATNACH PRESS, from the + old plates and woodcuts, prior to their final destruction, to which is + added a selection of Catnachian wood-cuts, many by Bewick, and many of + the most anti-Bewickian character it is possible to conceive." + +The announcement of the publication of the work was first made known +through the medium of the metropolitan press, some few days prior to the +copies being delivered by the book-binders, and so great was the demand +of the London and American trade, that every copy was disposed of on the +day of issue. + +The work is now eagerly sought after by book collectors who indulge in +literary rarities. + +While engaged in collecting information for "The Catnach Press," and +interviewing the producers of ballads, broadsides and chap-books, we met +with a vast assemblage of street-papers and of a very varied character, +which we proposed to publish in quarto form under the title of "The +Curiosities of Street Literature," and when in London in 1869, still +seeking for information on the subject, met by mere chance in the Strand +with the street ballad singer of our youth, one Samuel Milnes, who used +between the years of 1835 and 1842 to visit Fetter Lane every Thursday +with the newest and most popular ballad of the day. We so often met with +him at other times and places in and about London in after years that a +peculiar kind of a friendly feeling grew up towards him in preference to +all other street ballad singers of the time, so much so that at our +meetings--and friendly greetings, we invariably purchased the ballad he +was singing, or, gave him a few halfpence as a fee for having detained him +from his calling--or shall we say bawling, for to tell the truth, Samuel +Milnes was but a very indifferent vocalist. + +Time rolled on--"still on it creeps, each little moment at another's +heels"--and we continued to meet our old ballad singer either in London or +Brighton. The meeting with him on this particular occasion was most +opportune for we wanted him. First we obtained from him "Wait for the Turn +of the Tide," and "Call her back and kiss her," then the following +information:-- + + "Oh, yes, I remember you, remember you well; particularly when I see + you down at Brighton: when you treated me to that hot rum and water; + when I was so wet and cold, at a little snug public-house in one of + the streets that leads off the main street. I don't remember the name + on it now, but I remembers the rum and water well enough; it was good. + You said it would be, and so it was, and no mistake. How old am I now? + Why, 59. How long have I been at it? Why, hard on fifty years. I was + about nine or ten year old--no, perhaps I might have been 12 year old, + when I come to think on it. Yes, about 12 year old; my mother was a + widow with five children, and there was a boy in our street as used to + go out singing ballads, and his mother said to my mother, 'Why don't + you let your boy (that's me) go out and sing ballads like my boy.' And + I said I didn't mind, and I did go out, and I've been at it ever + since, so you see 'aint far short of 50 year. How many do I sell in a + day? Well, not so many as I used to do, by a long way. I've sold me + four and five quires a-day, but I don't sell above two and three dozen + a-day now. That's all the difference you see, sir--dozens against + quires. How do I live then? Why, you see I am so well-known in + different parts of London, that lots and lots of people comes up to me + like you always do--and say's--'How do you do, old fellow? I remember + you when I was a boy, if it's a man, and when I was a girl, if it's a + woman.' And says, 'So you are still selling songs, eh?' Then they give + me a few coppers; some more and some less than others, and says they + don't want the songs. Some days--very often--I've had more money given + me than I've took for the ballads. Yes, I have travelled all over + England--all over it I think--but the North's the best--Manchester, + Liverpool, and them towns; but down Bath and Cheltenham way I was + nearly starved. I was coming back from that way, I now remember, when + I met you, sir, at Brighton that time. I buy my ballads at various + places--but now mostly over the water, because I live there now and + it's handiest. Mr. Such, the printer, in Union-street in the Borough. + Oh! yes, some at Catnach's--leastways, it ain't Catnach's now, it's + Fortey's. Yes, I remember 'old Jemmy Catnach' very well; he wa'n't a + bad sort, as you say; leastways, I've heard so, but I never had + anything of him. I always paid for what I had, and did not say much to + him, or he to me--Writing the life of him, are you indeed? No, I can't + give you no more information about him than that, because, as I said + before, I bought my goods as I wanted them, and paid for them, then + away on my own account and business. Well he was a man something like + you--a little wider across the shoulders, perhaps, but about such a + man as you are. I did know a man as could have told you a lot about + "old Jemmy," but he's dead now; he was one of his authors, that is, he + wrote some of the street-ballads for him, and very good ones they + used to be, that is, for selling. Want some old 'Dying Speeches' and + 'Cocks,' do you indeed; well, I a'nt got any--I don't often 'work' + them things, although I have done so sometimes, but I mostly keep to + the old game--'Ballads on a Subject.' You see them other things are no + use only just for the day, then they are no use at all, so we don't + keep them--I've often given them away. You'd give sixpence a piece for + them, would you, indeed, sir; then I wish I had some of them. Now I + come to think of it I know a man that did have a lot of them bye him, + and I know he'd be glad to sell them, I don't know where he lives, but + I sometimes see him. Oh! yes, a letter would find me. My name is + Samuel Milnes, and I live at No. 81, Mint-street, that's in the + Borough; you know, Guagar is the name at the house. Thank you, sir, + I'm much obliged. Good day sir." + +Our next adventure--in pursuit of knowledge under difficulties--occured at +Brighton in the month of August, 1869, and when we were winding our way +through a maze of small streets lying between Richmond and Albion Hills, +in the Northern part of the town, our ears voluntarily "pricked up," on +hearing the old familiar sounds of a 'street, or running patterer' with +the stereotyped sentences of "Horrible."--"Dreadful."--"Remarkable letters +found on his person."--"Cut down by a labouring man."--"Quite +dead."--"Well-known in the town."--"Hanging."--"Coroner's +Inquest."--"Verdict."--"Full particulars."--"Most determined +suicide."--"Brutal conduct."--&c., &c., _Only a ha'penny!--Only a +ha'penny!_ Presently we saw the man turn into a wide court-like place, +which was designated by the high-sounded name of "SQUARE," and dedicated +to RICHMOND; hither we followed him, and heard him repeat the same +detached sentences, and became a purchaser for--'_only a ha'penny!_' when +to our astonishment we discovered a somewhat new phrase in cock or +catchpenny selling. Inasmuch as our purchase consisted of the current +number (253) of the _Brighton Daily News_--a very respectable looking and +well printed Halfpenny Local Newspaper, and of that day's publication, and +did in reality contain an account of a most determined suicide of an old +and highly respected inhabitant of Brighton and set forth under the +heading of:-- + + THE DETERMINED SUICIDE OF AN AGED ARTIST. + REMARKABLE LETTERS OF DECEASED. + +Calling the man aside, we ventured upon a conversation with him in the +following form:-- + + ----"Well, governor, _how does the cock fight?_" "Oh, pretty well, + sir; but it ain't a cock; its a genuine thing--the days for cocks, + sir, is gone bye--cheap newspapers 'as done 'em up." "Yes; we see this + is a Brighton Newspaper of to-day." "Oh, yes, that's right enough--but + its all true." "Yes; we are aware of that and knew the unfortunate man + and his family; but you are vending them after the old manner." + "That's all right enough, sir,--you see I can sell 'em better in that + form than as a newspaper--its more natural like for me: I've sold + between ten and twelve dozen of 'em to-day." "Yes; but how about + to-morrow?" "Oh, then it will be all bottled up--and I must look for a + new game, I'm on my way to London, but a hearing of this suicide job, + I thought I'd work 'em just to keep my hand in and make a bob or two." + To our question of "Have you got any real old 'cocks' by you?" He + replied, "No, not a bit of a one; I've worked 'em for a good many + years, but it 'aint much of a go now. Oh, yes, I know'd 'old Jemmy + Catnach' fast enough--bought many hundreds, if not thousands of quires + of him. Not old enough? Oh, 'aint I though; why I'm turned fifty, and + I've been a 'street-paper' seller all my life. I knows Muster Fortey + very well; him as is got the business now in the Dials--he knows his + way about, let him alone for that; and he's a rare good business man + let me tell you, and always been good and fair to me; that I will say + of him." + +Having rewarded the man with a few half-pence to make him some recompense +for having detained him during his business progress, we parted company. + +While still prosecuting our enquiries for information on the literature of +the streets, we often read of, and heard mention made of, a Mr. John +Morgan, as one of the "Seven Bards of the Seven Dials" and his being best +able to assist us in the matter we had in hand. The first glimpse we +obtained of the Poet! in print was in an article entitled "The Bards of +the Seven Dials and their Effusion" and published in "THE TOWN," of 1839, +a weekly journal, conducted by the late Mr. Renton Nicholson, better known +as "Baron Nicholson," of Judge and Jury notoriety:-- + + REVIEW. + + _The Life and Death of John William Marchant_, who suffered the + extreme penalty of the law, in front of the Debtor's door, Newgate, on + Monday, July 8th, 1839, for the murder of Elizabeth Paynton, his + fellow servant, on the seventeenth of May last, in Cadogan Place, + Chelsea. By John Morgan. London: J. Catnach, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court, + 7 Dials. + + The work is a quarto page, surrounded with a handsome black border. + "Take no thought for to-morrow, what thou shalt eat, or what thou + shalt put on," says a certain writer, whose wisdom we all reverence, + and then he adds "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"--a + remark particularly applicable to the bards of Seven Dials, whose pens + are kept in constant employment by the fires, rapes, robberies, and + murders, which, from one year's end to the other, present them with a + daily allowance of evil sufficient for their subsistence. But, at + present, it is only one of these poets, "John Morgan," as he modestly + signs himself, whom we are about to notice; and as some of our readers + may be curious to see a specimen of the poetry of Seven Dials, we + shall lay certain portions of John Morgan's last effusion before them, + pointing out the beauties and peculiarities of the compositions as we + go along. After almost lawyer-like particularity as to dates and + places, the poem begins with an invocation from the murderer in + _propria personæ_. + + "Oh! give attention awhile to me, + All you good people of each degree; + In Newgate's dismal and dreary cell, + I bid all people on earth farewell." + + Heaven forbid, say we, that _all_ the people on earth should ever get + in Newgate, to receive the farewell of such a blood-thirsty + miscreant. + + "John William Marchant is my name, + I do confess I have _been to blame_." + + And here we must observe that the poet makes his hero speak of his + offence rather too lightly, as if, indeed, it had been nothing more + than a common misdemeanour. + + "I little thought, my dear parents kind, + I should leave this earth with a troubled mind." + + Now this _is_ modest; he is actually surprised that his parents are at + all grieved at the idea of getting rid of such a scoundrel, and well + he might be. + + "I lived as servant in Cadogan Place, + And never thought this would be my case, + To end my days on the fatal tree: + Good people, pray drop a tear for me." + + There is a playfulness about the word "drop," introducing just here + after "the fatal tree," which, in our mind, somewhat diminishes the + plaintiveness of the entreaty; but we must not be hypocritical. + + * * * * * + + Then comes his trial and condemnation, the account of which is most + remarkable precise and pithy. + + "At the Old Bailey I was tried and cast, + And the dreadful sentence on me was past + On a Monday morning, alas! to die, + And on the eight of this month of July." + + A marvellous particularity as to dates, intended, doubtless, to show + the convicts anxiety that, although he died young, his name should + live long in the minds of posterity. Then follows his farewell to + father and mother, and an impudent expression of confidence that his + crime will be forgiven in heaven, an idea, by-the-by, which is + reported to have been confirmed by the Ordinary of Newgate, who told + him that the angels would receive him with great affection; and this + it was, perhaps, which induced our bard of Seven Dials to represent + his hero as coolly writing poetry up to the very last moment of his + existence; taking his farewell of the public in these words:-- + + "Adieu, good people of each degree, + And take a warning, I pray, by me; + The bell is tolling, and I must go, + And leave this world of misery and woe." + + But we cannot exactly see what business the fellow--"a pampered + menial," had to speak ill of the world, when he was very comfortably + off in it, and might have lived long and happily if it had not been + for his own wickedness; a hint which we throw out for the benefit of + Mr. John Morgan, in his future effusions, trusting he will not make + his heroes die grumby, when poetic justices does not require it. + + But we must now take our leave, with a hearty wish to the whole + fraternity of Seven Dials' bards, that they may never go without a + dinner for want of the means of earning it, or that, in other words, + though they seem somewhat contradictory, "Sufficient unto the day may + be the evil thereof." + +Again, the writer of an article on "Street Ballads," in the "National +Review," for October, 1861, makes the following remarks:-- + + "This Ballad--'Little Lord John out of Service'--is one of the few + which bear a signature--it is signed 'John Morgan' in the copy which + we possess. For a long time we believed this name to be a mere + _nom-de-plume_; but the other day in Monmouth Court, we were informed, + in answer to a casual question that this is the real name of the + author of some of the best comic ballads. Our informant added that he + is an elderly, we may say old, gentleman, living somewhere in + Westminster; but the exact whereabouts we could not discover. Mr. + Morgan followed no particular visible calling, so far as our informant + knew, except writing ballads, by which he could not earn much of a + livelihood, as the price of an original ballad, in these buying-cheap + days, has been screwed down by the publishers to somewhere about a + shilling sterling. Something more like bread-and-butter might be made, + perhaps, by poets who were in the habit of singing their own ballads, + as some of them do, but not Mr. Morgan. Should this ever meet the eye + of that gentleman (a not very probable event, we fear), we beg to + apologise for the liberty we have taken in using his verses and name, + and hope he will excuse us, having regard to the subject in which we + are humble fellow-labourers. We could scarcely avoid naming him, the + fact being that he is the only living author of street-ballads whose + name we know. That self-denying mind, indifferent to worldly fame, + which characterised the architects of our cathedrals and abbeys, would + seem to have descended on our ballad-writers; and we must be thankful, + therefore, to be able to embalm and hand down to posterity a name here + and there, such as William of Wykeham, and John Morgan. In answer to + our inquiries in this matter, generally, we have been told, 'Oh, + anybody writes them,' and with that answer we have had to rest + satisfied. But in presence of that answer, we walk about the streets + with a new sense of wonder, peering into the faces of those of our + fellow-lieges who do not carry about with them the external evidence + of overflowing exchequers, and saying to ourselves, 'That man may be a + writer of ballads.'" + +At every enquiry we made for information in regard to street-literature, +we still continued to be referred to Mr. John Morgan as the most likely +person living to supply what we needed on the subject. + +But the grave question arose in our own minds of the How, When, and Where: +could we find out and interview this said Mr. John Morgan, Poet! First we +made enquiry at the office of Mr. Taylor, Printer of Ballads, &c., 92 and +93, Brick Lane, Spitalfields, but, they "had not the least idea where we +could find him. In fact they had only heard of him as a ballad-writer, and +knew nothing about where he lived, never having employed him: had perhaps +printed some of his ballads. Thought Mr. Such, of the Borough, might give +some information, but, sure to find out all about him in the Seven Dials +district." + +Mr. H. Such, Machine Printer and Publisher, 177, Union Street, Borough, +S.E., on being applied to could give us no positive information as to the +whereabout of Mr. John Morgan--he knew him, but where he lived he could +not tell. Mr. Fortey or Mr. Disley, in the Dials-way, would be most likely +to know. + +Mr. William S. Fortey, (late A. Ryle, successor to the late J. Catnach), +Printer, Publisher, and Wholesale Stationer, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court, +Seven Dials, London, W., on being applied to could not exactly tell where +Mr. John Morgan did live, it was somewhere Westminster-way: it was very +uncertain when he should next see him, because he did not sometimes call +in for weeks together, yet he might by chance see him to-morrow, or the +next day. Anyway, we felt that we had no right to press the question any +further, more particularly so because Mr. Fortey had been very civil and +obliging to us on other occasions--in fact we have been under great and +lasting obligations to him, so changed the conversation. + +Mr. Henry Disley, Printer, 57, High Street, St. Giles', London, who we +found to be a very genial sort of a man, and that he had formerly been in +the service of James Catnach; he was working in his front shop at a small +hand-press on some cards relative to a forthcoming FRIENDLY LEAD,[1] to be +held at a public-house in the immediate neighbourhood, while Mrs. Disley +was hard at work colouring some Christmas Carols, and which she did with a +rapidity that was somewhat astonishing. In answer to our inquiry whether +he knew of one John Morgan--who was--as we described him, "something of a +song writer." Well! both Mr. and Mrs. Disley together--"did know +him--should think they did." But when we came to enquire about his private +address they knew nothing about that. He (Mr. Morgan) wrote ballads for +them at times: often called on them--whenever he did it was always to sell +a _good_ ballad he had on hand, or to tell them what _bad_ times it was +with him: but as to where he lived, beyond that it was somewhere +Westminster-way, they did not know--in fact, had not the least idea. But, +most likely, Mr. Fortey, him in Monmouth Court, did. Yes! come to think of +it, he would be sure to know. + +The very unsatisfactory and evasive answers received in reference to the +address of Mr. John Morgan gave a zest to our zeal in the matter--so much +so, that we then determined "to work the oracle" out in our way. + +At this time we had a near relative occupying chambers in Barnard's Inn, +which we held to be a good central and lawyer-like address--one that had +the "true ring," of business and substantiality about it. Yes! Barnard's +Inn, Holborn, London, E.C., looked to our mind to be likely to serve our +stratigical purpose to the point we desired. Having made all the +preparatory arrangements, we then procured from a neighbouring stationer's +shop a sheet of mourning note-paper and an envelope of large proportions, +each having the very blackest and broadest of black borders we could find +in stock. Then we wrote in a law-like hand:-- + + _No. 6, Barnard's Inn, + Holborn, London, E.C., + February 26, 1870._ + + _THIS IS TO GIVE NOTICE:--If Mr. John Morgan, ballad-writer, &c., will + call at the above address on or after Wednesday next. He will hear + something greatly to his advantage._ + + _(Signed)_ + [Signature: Charles Hindley.] + + _Mr. John Morgan, + care of............ + ..............London._ + +The above document having been duly intrusted to Her Majesty's Post Master +General for delivery, we had to abide our time for the result. We had not +to wait long, for although we had appointed the next following Wednesday +to communicate "_something greatly to the advantage of Mr. John Morgan_," +he turned up a little sooner than we expected, or desired, by reason of +his putting in an appearance at Barnard's Inn on Tuesday evening, where he +arrived "happy and glorious," and made earnest enquiries for "the +gentleman who had sent him a letter to say he had got a something to his +advantage--perhaps a fortune! For sometimes he thought somebody would die +and leave him one. Where was the gentleman who wrote him the letter? He +says that I am to call here. He sent it in a black-bordered envelope for +him. Where is the gentleman? See here is the letter, and all in +black--black as your hat--look for yourself, sir." + +All the above was spoken to a friend of ours who lived on the ground-floor +at the particular house in Barnard's Inn, where Mr. John Morgan had been +requested to call on Wednesday. It was then only Tuesday, and that fact +had to be explained; also, that the gentleman in question was not at +present in his chambers on the third-floor, but would be in the morning up +to 10 o'clock. Our friend on the first-floor--who had received +instructions from us in the event of Mr. John Morgan turning-up while we +were not at home--informed us of all that had taken place when we arrived +a little later on in the evening. + +On the next morning preparations were made for the reception of our +expectant friend--a good fire, a good breakfast, and a half-pint of "Old +Tom" from Carr's well-known Establishment, St. Clement Danes, Strand. + +Very soon after the old clock of the ancient hall of Barnard's Inn, and +all the public clocks in the surrounding neighbourhood had proclaimed +aloud that the hour of 10 a.m. of that Wednesday morning had arrived, +there was heard a knock at the outer door of our chamber-rooms, and on the +same being opened, Mr. John Morgan announced himself as the party to whom +the gentleman had sent a black-bordered letter and envelope for him to say +there was a something to his advantage to be had. Then Mr. John Morgan, +full of bows and scrapes, was ushered into our presence.--He was the party +who had received the letter. Oh! yes, Mr. Morgan we added: take a seat +sir. Yes, sir, and thank you to, he replied, at the same time sitting down +and then very carefully despositing his somewhat delapidated hat +under--far under--the chair. We then enquired whether he would have +anything to eat, or have a cup of coffee. No! it was a little too early in +the morning for eating, and coffee did not always agree with him. Or, a +drop of good "Old Tom," we somewhat significantly suggested. Mr. John +Morgan would very much like to have a little drop of gin, for it was a +nasty raw cold morning: In answer to our enquiry whether he would prefer +hot or cold water, elected to have it neat if it made no difference to us. + +Mr. John Morgan at our suggestion having "wet the other eye," _i.e._, +taken the second glass, the real business part of the question we had met +upon commenced thus:--"We have been informed that you were acquainted +with, and used to write for the late James Catnach, who formerly lived in +the Seven Dials, and that you can give us much of the information that we +require towards perfecting a work we have in hand treating on Street +Literature. If you are willing to do so, we are prepared to treat with you +in a liberal manner, and that, please to at once to understand is the +'_Something greatly to your advantage_ that is mentioned in the note we +addressed to you.'" Here Mr. John Morgan hinted that he thought it was--or +he had hoped it was, a little fortune some one had been kind enough to +leave him, he always expected that old Jemmy Catnach would--after what he +had done for him, have left him a bit, however small, but no such luck. + +Mr. Morgan expressed his willingness to give all the information he could +on the subject and leave it to our generosity to pay him what we pleased, +and adding that he had no doubt that we should not fall out on that score. +And so we proceeded, we talked and took notes. Mr. Morgan talked and took +gin. Mr. Morgan got warm--warmer and warmer--and very entertaining, his +conversational powers increased wonderfully, he became very witty and +laughed _ha! hah!!_ he joked and made merry at some old reminiscences in +connection with old Jemmy Catnach--and admitted, that after all old Jemmy +wasn't a particular bad sort--that is, when you knew him, and could handle +him properly--then old Jemmy was as right as my leg! Still we continued to +talk and take notes, still Mr. Morgan talked and took gin, until he +emulated the little old woman who sold "Hot Codlings," for of her it is +related that--"the glass she filled and the bottle she shrunk and that +this little old woman in the end got----." + +At length it became very manifest that we should not be able to get any +more information out of Mr. John Morgan on that day, so proposed for him +to call again on the morrow morning and at the same time and place to +pursue the thread of our narrative. Then having presented him with a +portrait of Her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, set in gold, we +volunteered to see him down stairs which we observed were very +crooked--Mr. Morgan thought they were very old and funny ones: up and down +like--in fact what old Charley Dibdin would have called regular "whopping +old stairs!" Being safely landed from the last stone step on to the +stone-paved way, we thought it advisable, for appearance sake, to conduct +our friend out of Barnard's Inn by a sideway leading into Fetter-lane. +After that it occurred to us that it would perhaps be better to see him to +the Fleet-street end of the lane and then to put him into a Westminster +omnibus, but we had reached Somerset House before one going that way came +in sight. Then it was Mr. John Morgan suddenly recollected that he could +not pass his old friend Short--who was Short? why surely you know +Short--old Short, him as sells the wine so good and so cheap, there over +the way--that's Short's--"WINES FROM THE WOOD," that's out of the cask you +know, you remind me to-morrow, sir, and I'll tell you a good tale about +old Short before he made such a lot of money as he has got now.--Capital +chap old Short, he knows me--it's all about a song I wrote--but I'll tell +you all about it to-morrow. Besides I must have change ye know for there's +no one got any at my home--my landlord--There's no change about him, Oh! +dear no--He's never got any change but he's always got an old account, do +you see? an old account--but no matter let's go in! + +Respectfully, but firmly declining the kind and very pressing invitation +to have "only just one drop with old Short." We left Mr. John Morgan to +take care of himself for the day and to be sure to meet us on the next +morning in Barnard's Inn at 10 o'clock--sharp. + +At length the wishful morrow came, also ten of the clock, but not so Mr. +John Morgan, nor did he call at any hour during the day. But soon after 11 +o'clock the next day he made his appearance, but being so stupidly drunk +we gave him some money and told him to call again to-morrow. And he did, +but still so muddled that we could make nothing out of him, so we somewhat +curtly dismissed him and returned to Brighton. + +The next day the letter--of which we give a _verbatim et literatim_ +copy--was received and then forwarded on to us. + + 90 Great Peter Street + Westminister, S.W. + + Saturday the 5th of March 1870. + + My Dear and Kind Sir:--I return you my most sincere and heartfelt + thanks for the Kindness I received from you and deeply I regret if I + caused you any displeasure the fact is I have been greatly put about + And you having been so kind as to give me refreshments it overpowered + me I fell and hurt myself. And I am now destitute without a penny in + the world or a friend to help me. I feel as though I offended you I + hope not I think by the Little conversation we had I may be able to + please you I have been considering in my doleful moments matters of + importance if my kind and good friend you can favour me with a Line + this Saturday Evening I will be most grateful I shall not go out + waiting to hear from you I am placed in a most Sad position accept my + thanks write Me a Line in answer to this Befriend me if it is possible + And I will make all right and with gratitude, + + Anxiously waiting your kind and I trust favourable reply. + + [Signature: Your Hum{ble} Servt + John Morgan] + + Charles Hindley, Esq + 6 Barnard's Inn + Holborn + W.C. + +Having no desire to incur the expense of another journey to London in the +matter, and believing that we had obtained sufficient information on the +subject, we published, in the year 1871, a limited number of copies of our +work under the title of:-- + + CURIOSITIES OF STREET LITERATURE: + COMPRISING "COCKS," OR "CATCHPENNIES," + A Large and Curious Assortment of + STREET DROLLERIES, SQUIBS, HISTORIES, COMIC STORIES + IN PROSE AND VERSE, + + BROADSIDES ON THE ROYAL FAMILY, + + POLITICAL LITANIES, DIALOGUES, CATECHISMS, ACTS OF PARLIAMENT, + STREET POLITICAL PAPERS. + + A VARIETY OF "BALLADS ON A SUBJECT," + _DYING SPEECHES AND CONFESSIONS_, + TO WHICH IS ATTACHED THE ALL-IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY + AFFECTIONATE COPY OF VERSES, AS + + "Come, all you feeling-hearted Christians, wherever you may be, + Attention give to these few lines, and listen unto me; + It's of this cruel murder, to you I will unfold, + The bare recital of the same will make your blood run cold." + + + "What hast here? ballads? I love a ballad in print, or a life; for then + we are sure they are true."--_Shakespeare._ + + "There's nothing beats a stunning good murder, after all."--_Experiences + of a Running Patterer._ + + + LONDON: + REEVES AND TURNER + 196, STRAND, + 1871. + + + CURIOSITIES OF STREET LITERATURE. + + Guaranteed only Four Hundred and Fifty Six Copies Printed, + + NAMELY,-- + + £ s. d. + + 250 on Fine Toned Demy 4to Published at 1 1 0 + 100 on Large Post 4to, printed on one side of the + paper only " 1 5 0 + 100 on Fine French Linear Writing Paper, printed + on one side only, + and in imitation of the Catnachian tea-like + paper of old " 1 11 6 + 6 on Yellow Demy 4to paper " 2 2 0 + --- + 456 + + [Symbol: Pointing hand] EACH COPY OF EACH EDITION NUMBERED. + +Our work on the Curiosities of Street Literature soon ran out of print. +But we continued to gather from time to time fresh information on the +subject of the "Two Catnachs--John and James," and in the early part of +1876 we determined on publishing a work, to be entitled "The Life and +Times of James Catnach--late of Seven Dials--Ballad Monger." And for the +purpose of obtaining the verification, amendment, or denial to the several +scraps of information we had obtained, we wrote to our old friend, Mr. +John Morgan, on the subject, and from him we received the letters that +follow:-- + + No. 1, Model Cottages, Little St. Anne's Lane, + Great Peter Street, Westminster, + London, S.W. + + _16th February, 1876._ + + Sir, + + I received your Letter this Morning: I have removed to above address + two years and seven months, I have been in Bed seven weeks suffering + from Bronchitis; but am now recovering and shall get up to-day, but + the Doctor will not permit me to go out. + + Whatever you may require I am ready and willing to do to the utmost of + my abilities, and be happy to serve you, and much regret I have not + the strength to venture to ---- Street. If anything can be done by + Letter or otherwise, I will willingly attend to your request, your + reply will greatly oblige, + + [Signature: Your Hum{ble} Servt + John Morgan] + + P.S.--Please excuse the illegible scribble as I write this in Bed. + + Charles Hindley, Esq., + 76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton. + + + No. 1, Model Cottages, Little St. Ann's Lane, + Great Peter Street, Westminster, London, S.W. + + _17th February, 1876._ + + Sir, + + I have just received yours, 7 p.m., and in reply I beg to say that + when I came to London in 1818 Catnach's Father was not living. + + Catnach, his Mother, and Sister Julia the youngest, resided at 2, + Monmouth Court, the old woman and Julia worked at a small hand + press--I joined him about 1818--his father died before.--I understood + Julia went astray--the Mother Died about 1826. Anne Ryle was the widow + of an Officer: a Waterloo man--with one child--had a pension. + + Catnach had but little type, and no stock to speak of: he had a Sister + at Portsea the wife of a mate of a ship in harbour, and kept a + song-shop. His Mother lived with him 7 or 8 years.--I understand about + the "Horses-heads." Cox and Kean, I forget except the title and + chorus:-- + + COX _versus_ KEAN; + OR + LITTLE BREECHES. + + "With his ginger tail he did assail, and did the prize obtain, + This Merry Little Wanton Bantam Cock of Drury Lane-- + LITTLE BREECHES." + + Ann Stanton was tried for cutting the Cock's Head off there was no + verses. + + As regards the Sausages, Catnach printed a few lines on a + quarter-sheet, that caused a great uproar, he was taken to Bow Street. + Catnach had six months. There was no verses, it was quickly done. He + printed the life of Mother Cummins, of Dyot Street--now, George + Street, and that was knocked into "pye" in quick sticks. There was a + change after he went to Alnwick in Northumberland, where he carried a + small press and printed the state of the poll every day, while there + he took up his freedom.[2] He came home and printed "Cubitt's + Treadmill":-- + + "And we're all treading, tread, tread, treading, + And we're all treading at fam'd Brixton Mill." + + and kept going forward--retired and went to Barnet, left the business + to James Paul and Ann Ryle. That is many years ago. I seldom go near + the Seven Dials, perhaps once in 3, 4, 5, or six months. I remember + many occurrances but 56 years is a long time, I have just entered my + 77th year. Anything you require as far as I can I will send and + remain, + + [Signature: Your Hum{ble} Servt + John Morgan] + + Charles Hindley, Esq., + 76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton. + + + 1 Model Cottages, Little Ann's Lane, + Great Peter Street, Westminster, London, S.W. + + _29th February, 1876._ + + Dear Sir:-- + + If I was to go back and think of passing events it would fill a + volume. First in 1820--Catnach then being very poor--at the death of + George the third, and the Duke of Kent he printed an Elegy: + + "Mourn, Britons mourn! Your sons deplore, + Our royal Sovereign is now no more." + + Then comes the election for Westminster: Burdett, Hobhouse, and Lamb. + He had a song:-- + + "Oh, Cammy Hobby is the man, + And so is daddy Sir Franky, O; + The Hon. W. Lamb is going mad + And kicking like a donkey, O." + "Oh, the naughty Lamb-- + The miserable sinner, O + We'll have him roast and boil'd + And cut him up for dinner, O." + + During the whole time of the election party spirit ran very high. A + real lamb's head with a real rat in its mouth, was stuck upon the top + of a pole. From the rat's tail hung a cock's comb. On the lamb's head + was placed a lawyer's wig, surmounted with a fool's cap. On a board + immediately below the head, was inscribed in front--"Behold the + ratting lamb, with a cock's comb at his tail." On the other side, the + inscription was-- + + "If silly lambs will go ratting, + 'Tis fit they get this sort of batting."[3] + + Then came The Dog's Meat Man-Founded on fact:-- + + In Gray's Inn Lane, not long ago. + An old maid lived a life of woe; + She was fifty-three, with a face like tan, + When she fell in love with a dogs'-meat man. + Much she loved this dogs'-meat man, + He was a good-looking dogs'-meat man; + Her roses and lilies were turn'd to tan, + When she fell in love wi' the dogs'-meat man. + + Every morning when he went by, + Whether the weather was wet or dry, + And right opposite her door he'd stand, + And cry "dogs'-meat," did this dogs'-meat man. + Then her cat would run out to the dogs'-meat man, + And rub against the barrow of the dogs'-meat man, + As right opposite to her door he'd stand, + And cry "Dogs' Meat," did this dogs'-meat man. + + He said his customers, good lord! + Owed him a matter of two pound odd; + And she replied, it was quite scan- + Dalous to cheat such a dogs'-meat man. + "If I had but the money," says the dogs'-meat man, + "I'd open a tripe-shop," says the dogs'-meat man, + "And I'd marry you to-morrow."--She admired the plan, + And she lent a _five-pound note_ to the dogs'-meat man. + + He pocketed the money and went away, + She waited for him all next day, + But he never com'd; and then she began + To think she was diddled by the dogs'-meat man; + She went to seek this dogs'-meat man, + But she couldn't find the dogs'-meat man; + Some friend gave her to understan' + He'd got a wife and seven children--this dogs'-meat man. + + Mother Cummins lived and kept Brothels in Dyot Street, Bloomsbury + Square, after, and still called George Street, named after the Prince + Regent George 4th, at that time "Beggar's Opera" where the Prince and + nobles resorted was at the Rose and Crown, Church Lane, St. Giles. + Catnach printed her life. In the Beggar's Opera, were assembled + matchmakers, beggars, prigs and all the lowest of the low. There was + old black Billy Waters, with his wooden leg, dancing and playing his + fiddle, and singing:-- + + Polly will you marry me--Polly don't you cry, + Polly come to bed with me; and get a little boy. + + some were dipping matches, some boiling potatoes and salt herrings, + some swearing, some dancing--all manners of fun, _&c._ + + Then comes Queen Caroline's trial; Catnach gets out a song:-- + + As I walked down the Greenwich-road one evening in June, + I never saw so fine a sight as on that afternoon. + I never saw so fine a sight, or, one half so good, + As for to see Queen Caroline supported by a Wood. + That Wood shall never be cut down, but stand for ever more; + And he'll protect our innocent Queen Sweet Caroline on our shore. + + which was followed by a skit on George IVth called:-- + + "THE GREAT BABE IN A MESS." + + then another on Queen Caroline's _crin con_ case with Bergami who + couldn't _remember_ nothing at all. + + "BERGAMI, THE _Non mi recordo_." + +[Illustration] + + Who are you? "_Non mi recordo._" + + What countryman are you--a foreigner or an Englishman? "_Non mi + recordo._" + + There was something fresh everyday until the end of the Trial. Catnach + then prints some "papers" belonging to J. Pitts, Printer, Gt. Saint + Andrew-street, which causes a flare-up and a bother. + + Then comes the sheet of "Horses Heads" which heads were like Eldon, + Peel, Canning, &c. Just before they were out Mr. Rockcliff, a Printer + in Old Gravel Lane, Radcliff-Highway sends for me--there was bottles + of whisky. Rockcliff had engaged with a man called Oliver Cromwell to + get him one of the first sheets printed off Catnach's press of the + "Horses Heads" and he would give him half-a-crown. Rockcliff then + requested me to bring him the first sheet of "Horses Heads" and get + the half-a-crown. I went and got the sheet and meets Oliver Cromwell + going into Catnach's as I came out, so I got the half-a-crown. + Rockcliff copies the sheet, then engaged with Lowe the Printer in + Compton-street to supply all the West-end. So it went on and made + plenty of bother between them. + + Catnach got on like a house on fire printing Religious Sheets, then + came the murder of William Weare Esq. by John Thurtell, Hunt and + Probert. I remember all that affair well,--Then the execution of + Thurtell. A twelve-month after Probert was hanged for horsestealing. + Then came the trial of Henry Fauntleroy a banker in Berner's Street + Oxford Street executed for forgery. Then came Corder and Maria Marten + and the Red Barn, so that is the way Catnach got on from a poor man to + be a gentleman. There is many little things I may think of but close + for the present and remain:-- + + [Signature: Your Hum{ble} Servt + John Morgan] + + + 1, Model Cottages, Little St. Ann's Lane, + Great Peter Street, Westminster, + London. _17th March, 1876._ + + Sir, + + I received yours. My recollection is not so good as I would wish. + + I think to the best of my recollection in 1819 there were some old men + who had been forty-years in the streets at that time, their names were + old Jack Smith, Tom Caton, old Jack Rush, Tom Anderson and a few + others. When they wanted anything they made up fresh reports, and + things were done without the least hesitation. As respects Mr. Pizzy + the Pork Butcher, it was some of these men that went to Blackman + Street, Clare Market, and created an uproar about the sausages, crowds + assembled, and windows were broken, they were charged with rioting and + taken to Bow Street, before--as they told me, Sir Richard Burnie, and + I think Mr. Minshull. Catnach was sent to Clerkenwell for trial, and + was afterwards sentenced to six months, and he served the full time. + Then there was the trial of the four poor Irishmen for coining, in the + first year of the mayorality of the late Sir Matthew Wood, and a lot + of other things which I think would answer the purpose. + + About twenty-six years ago Henry Mayhew sent for me, and he began a + work something like yours, but by some means it stopped. There is + matters that would help to fill up a Book without going to much + expense. + + [Signature: Your Hum{ble} Servt + John Morgan] + + Charles Hindley, Esq., + 76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton. + +At this date we were through the instrumentality of Mrs. Paul, widow of +Mr. James Paul--formerly in the service of Catnach, introduced to Mrs. +Elizabeth Benton, the last surviving daughter of John and Mary Catnach. +Mr. Benton was assistant treasurer, and box-book keeper to Mr. Alfred +Bunn, of Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres, Mrs. Benton, at the time +being wardrobe-mistress and _costumier_. At one period Mr. and Mrs. Benton +lived with Mr. Bunn in St James' Place, St. James' Street, Mrs. Benton +acting in the capacity of housekeeper. During several seasons Mr. Benton +was also treasurer for the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens, afterwards he +filled the same office for E. T. Smith--_Dazzle Smith!_ at Cremorne +Gardens. He died abroad in 1856. The interview we had with Mrs. Benton led +up to receiving the two letters that follow:-- + + 5, Sonderburg Road, + Seven Sisters' Road, Holloway. + London. _November, 13th, 1876._ + + Dear Sir, + + In reply to your letter, in which you ask if I know where my Father + and mother were married, I regret to say I do not know for certain if + it was in Edinburgh or Berwick-on-Tweed, but I am certain it was not + in Alnwick. + + * * * * * + + I shall feel obliged for the [Alnwick] Journal, and also for the + Register of Baptisms. + + I always understood that my father was a descendant of Catnach, King + of the Picts. + + [Signature: I remain yours & + E Benton] + + P.S.--The paper has not arrived--shall be glad to hear from you by + return of Post. + + Charles Hindley, Esq., + 76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton. + + + 5, Sonderburg Road, + Seven Sisters' Road, Holloway, + London. _November 18, 1876._ + + Dear Sir, + + I am sorry I have not answered your letter before, but I have been + very ill. + + I am sorry I can give you no more information than I have already + given you, but about Mrs. Ryle and Mr. ---- I cannot exactly say, and + as my niece Mrs. Harding was but a girl when her uncle died I should + not like to apply to her as it would be painful. + + My father was dead when the Battle of Waterloo was fought, but was in + Alnwick at the Battle of Trafalgar, and for some time after. My Father + had 3 residences in London. 1. (only a shop) in Wardour Street, Soho + Square, and ditto also Gerrard Street, and also in Charlotte Street, + Fitzroy Square (apartments). + + My Father had a severe illness, also a fever of which he died. I + should feel very much obliged if you could find me a copy of the + Hermit of Warkworth, and I will willingly pay for it, and also Blair's + Grave. + + I am very much obliged for the Registers, and if I can supply you with + further information I will do so with pleasure. I have not heard from + Mr. [Mark] Smith. + + [Signature: I remain Yours &c. + E Benton] + + P.S.--I received the Paper [Alnwick Journal] with thanks. + + C. Hindley, Esq., + 76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton. + +It was at this particular date of our history--1876--that we had the good +fortune to get acquainted with Mr. George Skelly, of Alnwick--who, like +ourselves, is possessed of the _cacoethes scribendi_, and was at the time +supplying, _con amore_, an article to the _Alnwick Journal_, entitled +"John and James Catnach," which we found to contain certain information +relative to the elder Catnach, and also of the earlier portion of the life +of James, of which we had no previous knowledge. At our solicitation to be +allowed to make a selection from the same, we received a most courteous +and gentlemanly letter, which, in addition to containing several pieces of +information and answers to many queries we had put to Mr. Skelly, he wound +up by saying:--"You have full liberty to make use of anything that I have +written, and it will afford me much pleasure if I can further your +intentions in any way." + +From that date, Mr. George Skelly continued to correspond with us on the +subject of the "Two Catnachs," nearly up to the last moment of our going +to press with our own "Life and Times of James Catnach," and to him we are +greatly indebted for much of the information therein contained. And it was +at his suggestion that we wrote the following letter to the _Alnwick +Journal_--Mr. Skelly at the same time furnishing the local paragraph. + + Letter to the Editor. + + _To the Editor of the Alnwick Journal._ + + 76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton, + June 16th, 1876. + + SIR,--Your townsman, Mr. George Skelly, in the concluding chapter of + his excellent article of "John and James Catnach," makes mention of my + name as being engaged in preparing for publication "The Life and Times + of James Catnach, formerly of Seven Dials, printer of ballads, &c." + Such being the fact, I shall therefore be glad if you would allow me + sufficient space in the _Alnwick Journal_, to ask your readers and + correspondents who possess any additional facts, sayings, doings, or + letters of the two Catnachs--John and James--to supply me with the + same, when I shall have much pleasure in assigning to any such + contributions a proper chronological place in my work, and of + acknowledging the source of the same, while all documents or books + will be faithfully returned by yours, &c., &c., + + CHARLES HINDLEY. + + * * * * * + + JOHN AND JAMES CATNACH.--It will be seen by a correspondence in + another page that Mr. Charles Hindley, of Brighton, is preparing for + publication the "Life and Times of James Catnach," and he respectfully + solicits from our readers any facts and scraps they may be possessed + of, also the loan of any letters or books suitable for the extention + of the life of the celebrated and withal eccentric printer, who, + although a native of Alnwick, settled in London, and occupied a + peculiar position for upwards of a quarter of a century in the Seven + Dials district. We trust that our correspondent may be enabled to add + to his all ready large stock of material in hand a few more items, by + the publication of his letter in our columns. Mr. Hindley's work, + will, it is expected, be published by Messrs. Reeves and Turner, of + the Strand, London, during the coming autumn. + +The above letter to the _Alnwick Journal_ was the means of obtaining +another valuable correspondent--Mr. George H. Thompson, also of Alnwick, +who volunteered his services to aid and assist, to the best of his time +and ability, in supplying all the information he possessed or could glean +from his friends and acquaintances in the good old borough of Alnwick, or +the county at large. And _inter alia_ copied out _verbatim_ from the +Parish Register of Baptisms in St. Michael's Church all the entries in +connection with the family of John and Mary Catnach and which will be +found _in extenso_ at pages 2-3 of this work. + +Mr. George Skelly and Mr. G. H. Thompson are fortunate by their residence +in Alnwick in having had the acquaintance and friendship of the late Mr. +Mark Smith--James Catnach's fellow apprentice, Mr. Thomas Robertson, Mr. +Tate, the local historian, and several other _Alnwick-folk_. And they have +made the best possible use of the circumstance to supply us with +information on the subject of our enquiry. + +Recently Mr. Geo. Skelly has forwarded to us an original trade invoice of +John Catnach of which we here append a _fac-simile_ copy:-- + + [Illustration] _ALNWICK_ + + _Mr. Smart_, + _Bought of_ J. CATNACH, + + 1807. + _July 29._ _£ s. d._ + + _Printing 500 Bills_ 8 ,, 6 + ---------- + + [Signature: Paid + J. Catnach] + +We have now brought up the history of our pursuit of knowledge to the eve +of the publication of the Life and Times of James Catnach--late of Seven +Dials, Ballad-monger--which was first announced in 1878 in the manner +following. + + YE LIFE OF JEMMY CATNACH. + + [Illustration] + + Now, my friends, you have here just printed and pub--lish--ed, the + Full, True, and Particular account of the Life, Trial, Character, + Confession, Condemnation, and Behaviour, together with an authentic + copy of the last Will and Testament: or DYING SPEECH, of that + eccentric individual "Old Jemmy Catnach," late of the _Seven Dials_, + printer, publisher, toy-book manufacturer, dying-speech merchant, and + ballad-monger. Here, you may read how he was bred and born the son of + a printer, in the ancient Borough of Alnwick, which is in + Northumberlandshire. How he came to London to seek his fortune. How he + obtained it by printing and publishing children's books, the + chronicling of doubtful scandals, fabulous duels between ladies of + fashion, "cooked" assassinations, and sudden deaths of eminent + individuals, apocryphal elopements, real or catch-penny accounts of + murders, impossible robberies, delusive suicides, dark deeds and + public executions, to which was usually attached the all-important and + necessary "Sorrowful Lamentations," or, "Copy of Affectionate Verses," + which, according to the established custom, the criminal composed, in + the condemned cell, the night before his execution. + + Yes, my customers, in this book you'll read how Jemmy Catnach made his + fortune in Monmouth Court, which is to this day in the Seven Dials, + which is in London. Not only will you read how he did make his + fortune, but also what he did and what he didn't do with it after he + had made it. You will also read how "Old Jemmy" set himself up as a + fine gentleman:--JAMES CATNACH ES--QUIRE. + + And how he didn't like it when he had done it. And how he went back + again to dear old Monmouth Court, which is in the Seven Dials + aforesaid. And how he languished, and languishing, did die--leaving + all his old mouldy coppers behind him--and how being dead, he was + buried in Highgate Cemetery. + + Furthermore, my ready-money customers, you are informed that there are + only 750 copies of the work print-ed and pub-lish-ed, viz., namely + that is to say;--500 copies on crown 8vo, at 12/6 each. + + 250 copies on demy 8vo., at 25/- each. + + LONDON: + REEVES AND TURNER, + 196, STRAND, W.C. + 1878. + +The Seven Dials!--Jemmy Catnach and Street Literature are, as it were, so +inseparably bound together that we now propose to give a short history of +the former to enable us to connect our own history with the later:-- + +The Seven Dials were built for wealthy tenants, and Evelyn, in his +_Diary_, 1694, notes: "I went to see the building near St. Giles's, where +Seven Dials make a star from a Doric pillar placed in the middle of a +circular area, in imitation of Venice." The attempt was not altogether in +vain. This part of the parish has ever since "worn its _dirt_ with a +difference." There is an air of shabby gentility about it. The air of the +footman or waiting-maid can be recognised through the tatters, which are +worn with more assumption than those of their unsophisticated neighbours. + + "You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will; + But the scent of the roses will hang round it still." + +The Seven Dials are thus described in Gay's Trivia:-- + + "Where famed St. Giles's ancient limits spread, + An in-railed column rears its lofty head; + Here to seven streets, seven dials count their day, + And from each other catch the circling ray; + Here oft the peasant, with inquiring face, + Bewildered, trudges on from place to place; + He dwells on every sign with stupid gaze-- + Enters the narrow alley's doubtful maze-- + Tries every winding court and street in vain, + And doubles o'er his weary steps again." + +This column was removed in July, 1773, on the supposition that a +considerable sum of money was lodged at the base; but the search was +ineffectual. + +Charles Knight, in his "London," writes thus of Seven Dials:-- + + "It is here that the literature of St. Giles's has fixed its abode; + and a literature the parish has of its own, and that, as times go, of + a very respectable standing in point of antiquity. In a letter from + Letitia Pilkington, to the demure author of 'Sir Charles Grandison,' + and published by the no less exemplary and irreproachable Mrs. + Barbauld, the lady informs her correspondent that she has taken + apartments in Great White Lion Street, and stuck up a bill intimating + that all who have not found 'reading and writing come by nature,' and + who had had no teacher to make up the defect by art, might have + 'letters written here.' With the progress of education, printing + presses have found their way into St. Giles's, and what with + literature and a taste for flowers and birds, there is much of the + 'sweet south' about the Seven Dials harmonising with the out-of-door + habits of its occupants. It was here--in Monmouth Court, a + thoroughfare connecting Monmouth Street with Little Earl Street--that + the late eminent Mr. Catnach developed the resources of his genius and + trade. It was he who first availed himself of greater mechanical skill + and a larger capital than had previously been employed in the + department of THE TRADE, to substitute--for the excrable tea-paper, + blotched with lamp-black and oil, which characterised the old + broadside and ballad printing--tolerably white paper and real + printer's ink. But more than that, it was he who first conceived and + carried into effect, the idea of publishing collections of songs by + the yard, and giving to purchasers, for the small sum of one penny (in + former days the cost of a single ballad), strings of poetry, + resembling in shape and length the list of Don Juan's mistresses, + which Leporello unrolls on the stage before Donna Anna. He was no + ordinary man, Catnach; he patronised original talents in many a bard + of St Giles's and is understood to have accumulated the largest store + of broadsides, last dying speeches, ballads and other stock-in-trade + of the flying stationer's upon record." + +Douglas Jerrold in his article on the Ballad Singer, published in "Heads +of the People; or Portraits of the English"--1841, writes thus of Seven +Dials and its surroundings:-- + + "The public ear has become dainty, fastidious, hypercritical; hence + the Ballad-Singer languishes and dies. Only now and then, his pipings + are to be heard * * * With the fall of Napoleon, declined the English + Ballad-Singer. During the war, it was his peculiar province to vend + halfpenny historical abridgments to his country's glory; recommending + the short poetic chronicle by some familiar household air, that fixed + it in the memory of the purchaser, who thus easily got hatred of the + French by heart, with a new assurance of his own invulnerability. No + battle was fought, no vessel taken or sunken, that the triumph was not + published, proclaimed in the national gazette of our Ballad-Singer. If + he were not the clear silver trump of Fame, he was at least her tin + horn. It was he who bellowed music into news, which, made to jingle, + was thus, even to the weakest understanding, rendered portable. It was + his narrow strips of history that adorned the garrets of the poor; it + was he who made them yearn towards their country, albiet to them so + rough and niggard a mother. + + Napoleon lost Waterloo, and the English Ballad-Singer not only lost + his greatest prerogative, but was almost immediately assailed by + foreign rivals, who had well-nigh played him dumb. Little thought the + Ballad-Singer, when he crowed forth the crowning triumphs of the war, + and in his sweetest possible modulations breathed the promised + blessings of a golden peace, that he was then, swan-like, singing his + own knell; that he did but herald the advent of his own provençal + destroyers. + + Oh muse! descend and say, did no omen tell the coming of the fall? Did + no friendly god give warning to the native son of song? Burned the + stars clearly, tranquilly in heaven,--or shot they madly across + Primrose-hill, the Middlesex Parnassus? + + * * * * * + + Evening had gathered o'er Saint Giles's, and Seven Dials. So tranquil + was the season, even publishers were touched. Catnach and Pitts sat + silent in their shops; placing their hands in breeches-poke, with that + serenity which pockets best convey, they looked around their + walls--walls more richly decked than if hung with triumphs of Sidonian + looms, arrayed with Bayeux stitchings; walls, where ten thousand + thousand ballads--strips harmonious, yet silent as Apollo's unbraced + strings,--hung pendulous, or crisply curling, like John Braham's hair. + Catnach and Pitts, the tuneful masters of the gutter-choir, serenely + looked, yet with such comprehensive glance, that look did take their + stock. Suddenly, more suddenly than e'er the leaves in Hornsey wood + were stirred by instant blast, the thousand thousand ballads swung and + rustled on the walls; yet wind there was not, not the lightest breath. + Still like pendants fluttering in a northern breeze, the ballads + streamed towards Catnach, and towards Pitts! Amazing truth--yet more; + each ballad found a voice! 'Old Towler' faintly growled; 'Nancy + Dawson' sobbed and sighed; and, 'Bright Chanticleer' crowed weakly, + dolorously, as yet in chickenhood, and smitten with the pip. At the + same instant, the fiddle, the antique viol of Roger Scratch, fell from + its garret-peg, and lay shivered, even as glass. + + A cloud fell upon Seven Dials; dread and terror chilled her many + minstrels: and why--and wherefore? + + At that dread moment, a ministrel from the sunny south, with + barrel-organ, leapt on Dover beach! Seven Dials felt the shock: her + troubadours, poor native birds, were to be out-carrolled and + out-quavered, by Italian opera retailed by penn'orths to them, from + the barrel-organs: and prompt to follow their masters, they let the + English ballad singer sing unheard. + + The Ballad-Singer has lost his occupation; yet should he not pass away + unthanked, unrecompensed. We have seen him a useful minister in rude + society; we have heard him a loud-mouthed advocate of party zeal, and + we have seen him almost ground into silence by the southern + troubadour. Yet was he the first music-seller in the land. Ye + well-stocked, flourishing vendors of fashionable scores, deign to cast + a look through plate glass at your poor, yet great original, + bare-footed and in rags, singing, unabashed, amidst London + wagon-wheels: behold the true decendant of the primative + music-seller." + +Charles Dickens, as Boz, long since "sketched" the Seven Dials, and at the +same time and place given us his--"Meditations in Monmouth Street":-- + + "Seven Dials! the region of song and poetry--first effusions, and last + dying speechees: hallowed by the names of Catnach and Pitts--names + that will entwine themselves with costermongers, and barrel-organs, + when penny magazines shall have superseded penny yards of song, and + capital punishment be unknown." + +Several years ago Mr. Albert Smith, who lived at Chertsey, discovered in +his neighbourhood part of the Seven Dials--the column doing duty as a +monument to a Royal Duchess--when he described the circumstance in a +pleasant paper, entitled "Some News of a famous Old Fellow," in his "Town +and Country Magazine." The communication is as follows:-- + + "Let us now quit the noisome mazes of St. Giles's and go out and away + into the pure leafy country. Seventeen or eighteen miles from town, in + the county of Surrey, is the little village of Weybridge. + + One of the lions to be seen at Weybridge is Oatlands, with its large + artificial grotto and bath-room, which is said--but we cannot + comprehend the statement--to have cost the Duke of Newcastle, who had + it built, £40,000. The late Duchess of York died at Oatlands, and lies + in a small vault under Weybridge Church, wherein there is a monument, + by Chantrey, to her memory. She was an excellent lady, well-loved by + all the country people about her, and when she died they were anxious + to put up some sort of a tribute to her memory. But the village was + not able to offer a large some of money for this purpose. The good + folks did their best, but the amount was still very humble, so they + were obligated to dispense with the service of any eminent architect, + and build up only such a monument as their means could compass. + Someone told them that there was a column to be sold cheap in a + stonemason's yard, which might answer their purpose. It was + accordingly purchased; a coronet was placed upon its summit; and the + memorial was set up on Weybridge Green, in front of the Ship Inn, at + the junction of the roads leading to Oatlands, to Shepperton Lock, and + to Chertsey. This column turned out to be the original one from Seven + Dials. + + The stone on which the dials were engraved or fixed, was sold with it. + The poet Gay, however, was wrong when he spoke of its seven faces. It + is hexagonal in its shape; this is accounted for by the fact that two + of the streets opened into one angle. It was not wanted to assist in + forming the monument, but was turned into a stepping stone, near the + adjoining inn, to assist the infirm in mounting their horses, and + there it now lies, having sunk by degrees into the earth; but its + original form can still be easily surmised. It may be about three feet + in diameter. + + The column itself is about thirty feet high and two feet in diameter, + displaying no great architectural taste. It is surmounted by a + coronet, and the base is enclosed by a light iron railing. An + appropriate inscription on one side of the base indicates its erection + in the year 1822, on the others are some lines to the memory of the + Duchess. + + Relics undergo strange transpositions. The obelisk from the mystic + solitudes of the Nile to the centre of the Place de la Concorde, in + bustling Paris--the monuments of Nineveh to the regions of Great + Russell Street--the frescoes from the long, dark, and silent Pompeii + to the bright and noisy Naples--all these are odd changes. But in + proportion to their importance, not much behind them is that old + column from the crowded dismal regions of St. Giles to the sunny + tranquil Green of Weybridge." + +We are now approaching--"The beginning of the end"--of our history. We +were not taken by surprise as we know that "coming events cast their +shadows before," and that:-- + + Often do the spirits + Of great events stride on before the events, + And in to-day already walks to-morrow. + +Therefore we were well prepared to read in the newspapers of October, +1883, the following paragraph:-- + + The old-established printing and publishing house formerly occupied by + James Catnach, 2, Monmouth-court, Seven Dials, will soon be amongst + the lost landmarks of London. The Metropolitan Board of Works have + purchased the house, and it is to be pulled down to make the new + street from Leicester-square to New Oxford-street. The business of the + literature of the street was founded by James Catnach in 1813, who + retired in 1840. The ballads and broadsides he printed, many of them + illustrated with cuts by Bewick, helped to furnish the people with + news and political and social ballads for generations. + +All that is fortold in the above has since taken place, Monmouth-court and +the house and shop wherein old Jemmy Catnach established the "Catnach +Press" in the year 1813 has disappeared to make way for the "New +Thoroughfare" from Leicester-square to New Oxford street, and:-- + +THE CATNACH PRESS + +removed by Mr. W. S. Fortey--Catnach's successor--to Great St. +Andrew-street, Bloomsbury, W.C. + +_O tempora! O mores!_ + + + + +[Illustration: THE HISTORY OF THE CATNACH PRESS, AND THE TWO CATNACHS, +JOHN & JAMES, FATHER & SON, _Printers_, 1769-1841.] + + +[Illustration] + +THOMAS BEWICK, + +Thomas Bewick died at his house on the Windmill-Hills, Gateshead, November +the 8th, 1828, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and on the 13th he +was buried in the family burial-place at Ovingham, where his parents, +wife, and brother were interred. + + +[Illustration] + +THE CATNACH PRESS. + +In addition to the full title of our work--"The History of the Catnach +Press"--the two Catnachs--John and James--father and son, we deem it +necessary to incidentally introduce into our pages some notice of Alnwick, +an ancient borough, market-town and parish of Northumberland, also a few +passing remarks on the life and doings of Mr. William Davison, who, in +conjunction with the elder Catnach as a business partner and subsequent +successor, employed Thomas Bewick--an English artist, who imparted the +first impulse to the art of wood-engraving--for many of their +publications. + +Of the early life of John Catnach, (_Kat-nak_), the father, we have little +information. He was born in 1769, at Burntisland, a royal burgh and parish +of Fifeshire, Scotland, where his father was possessed of some +powder-mills. The family afterwards removed to Edinburgh, when their son +John was bound apprentice to his uncle, Sandy Robinson, the printer. After +having duly served out his indentures, he worked for some short time in +Edinburgh, as a journeyman, then started in a small business of his own in +Berwick-upon-Tweed, where he married Mary Hutchinson, who was a native of +Dundee, a seaport-town in Scotland. While at Berwick a son and heir, John, +was born. In 1790 they removed their business to Alnwick, and during their +residence there seven children were born to them and from the Register of +Baptisms in St. Michael's Church we glean that four of them were baptised +at one time, viz., September 24, 1797, and there described as "of John +Catnach, printer, and Mary his wife: Dissenter."[?] John Catnach had been +brought up in the Roman Catholic faith, and his wife as a Presbyterian. +The following is taken _verbatim_ from the Parish Register:-- + + Sep{t.} 24, 1797. + + Margaret, Daug{r.} of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born + Dec{r.} 26{th}, 1790. Dissenter. + + James, son of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born August + 18{th}, 1792. Dissenter. + + Mary, Daug{r.} of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born + February 26{th}, 1794. Dissenter. + + Nancy, Daug{r.} of John Catnach, printer, and Mary his Wife. Born + Sep{r.} 2{nd}, 1795. Dissenter. + + May 23, 1798. + + Elizabeth Catnach. Born March 21, 1797, 4{th} Daughter of John + Catnach, printer, native of Burnt Island, Shire of Fife, by his wife + Mary Hutchinson, Native of Dundee, Angus Shire, Scotland. + + Dec{r.} 14, 1798. + + Isabella Catnach. Born Nov{r.} 2, 1798. 5th Daughter of Jn{o.} + Catnach, Stationer, Nat. of Scotland, by his wife, Mary Hutchinson, + Nat. of Dundee, Angus Shire, Scotland. + + March 28, 1800. + + Jane Catnach, 6{th} Daughter of John Catnach, printer, Native of + Edinburgh (_sic_) by his wife Mary Hutchinson, Native of Dundee, + Scotland. + +To the above we have to add that there were two sons--John, born to John +and Mary Catnach. John I. who was born at Berwick-upon-Tweed, died August +27, 1794, aged 5 years and 7 months, and we find him duly recorded in the +Register of Deaths. John II., whose name appears at the end of the +inscription on a tombstone in Alnwick churchyard, and of which further +mention will be made in another portion of our work, died, presumably +unbaptized, March 5, 1803, aged 4 months. + +John Catnach was not long a resident in the borough of Alnwick before he +became acquainted with many of the principal tradesmen in the place. +Naturally he was of a free-and-easy disposition, and, like many of his +kinsman on the Borders, was particularly fond of the social glass. The +latter practice he allowed to grow upon him in such a way that it +ultimately interfered very much with his business prospects, and finally +hastened his death. + +The shop that he commenced business in, was situated in Narrowgate-street, +and adjoining the old Half-Moon hostelry. In gaining access to the place +one had to ascend a flight of steps. Whilst in this shop he secured a fair +amount of patronage, and the specimens of printing that emanated from his +press are of such a character as to testify to his qualifications and +abilities in the trade which he adopted as his calling. He possessed a +fond regard for the traditions and customs which for centuries had been so +closely associated with the Border country. + +When the printing press was first introduced into Alnwick is not exactly +known; but that it was considerably before the time of Catnach is certain. +John Vint, the bookseller and author of the "Burradon Ghost," for several +years used a press for printing purposes in the town, and Thomas Lindsay +carried on a similar business at a still earlier period. + +John Catnach had a great relish for printing such works as would admit of +expensive embellishments, which, at the time he commenced business, were +exceedingly rare. The taste he displayed in the execution of his work will +be best exemplified in examining some of the printed editions of the +standard works which emanated from his press; and in no instance is this +more characteristically set forth than in those finely printed books which +are so beautifully illustrated by the masterly hand of Thomas Bewick and +his accomplished and talented pupil, Luke Clennell. Notably among which +are:-- + +1.--"The Beauties of Natural History. Selected from Buffon's History of +Quadrupeds, &c. Alnwick: J. Catnach, [n. d.] _Circa_ 1790, 12mo., pp. 92. +With 67 cuts by Bewick."--Another edition. Published and Sold by the +Booksellers. By Wilson and Spence, York, and J. Catnach, printer, Alnwick. +(Price 1_s._ 6_d._ sewed, or 2_s._ half-bound.) [n. d.] _Circa_ 1795. + +The embellishments of "The Beauties of Natural History" form an unique and +valuable collection. They are very small and were done at an exceedingly +low price, yet every bird and animal is exquisitely brought out in the +minutest detail; whilst many of the illustrations which served as "tail +pieces" are gems of art. + +2.--"Poems by Percival Stockdale. With cuts by Thomas Bewick. Alnwick: +printed by J. Catnach. 1800." + +3.--"The Hermit of Warkworth. A Northumberland Ballad. In three Fits. By +Dr. Thos. Percy, Bishop of Dromore. With Designs by Mr. Craig; and +Engraved on Wood by Mr. Bewick. Alnwick: Printed and Sold by J. Catnach. +Sold by Lackington, Allen, and Co., London; Constable and Co., Edinburgh; +and Hodgson, Newcastle. 1806." The Arms of the Duke of Northumberland +precedes the Dedication, thus:-- + + [Illustration] + + TO HER GRACE FRANCES JULIA, + DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND, + _This Edition of_ + THE HERMIT OF WARKWORTH, + Is respectfully Inscribed + By Her Grace's Obliged and Humble Servant, + J. CATNACH + + ALNWICK, _October, 1805_. + +4.--A Second Edition; of which a few copies were printed on extra thick +paper, royal 8vo., to match with some of his other works, illustrated by +Bewick, pp. xiv., 182, with 13 cuts. At the end of the Poem are a +Postcript, a Description of the Hermitage of Warkworth, Warkworth Castle, +Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Abbey, and A Descriptive Ride in Hulne Park, +Alnwick: Printed and Sold by J. Catnach. Sold by Wilson and Spence, York. +1807. + + +THE HERMIT OF WARKWORTH. + +[Illustration] + + "And now, attended by their host, + The hermitage they view'd." + +[Illustration] + + With hospitable haste he rose, + And wak'd his sleeping fire: + And snatching up a lighted brand, + Forth hied the reverend sire. + + * * * * + +[Illustration] + + He fought till more assistance came; + The Scots were overthrown; + Thus freed me, captive, from their bands, + To make me more his own. + +The illustrations of "The Hermit of Warkworth" are, upon the whole, very +creditable, and are well calculated to enhance the value of the book, but +as works of art some few of them fall far short of many of Craig or +Bewick's other productions. + +John Catnach also printed and published a series of Juvenile Works, as +"The Royal Play Book: or, Children's Friend. A Present for Little Masters +and Misses." "The Death and Burial of Cock Robin, &c. ADORNED WITH +CUTS.--Which in many cases were the early productions of Thomas +Bewick.--Alnwick: Sold Wholesale and Retail by J. Catnach, at his Toy-Book +Manufactory." + +[Illustration] + + +In the year 1807, John Catnach took an apprentice--a lad named Mark Smith, +of whom more anon; a few months afterwards he entered into partnership +with a Mr. William Davison, who was a native of Ponteland, in the county +of Northumberland, but he duly served his apprenticeship as a chemist and +druggist to Mr. Hind, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and for whom he ever +cherished a fond regard. The union was not of long duration--certainly +under two years--but it is very remarkable that two such men should have +been brought together, for experience has shown that they were both +morally and socially, the very opposite of each other. + +During the partnership: Mr. Davison held his business of chemist, &c., in +Bondgate-street; while the printing and publishing continued at +Narrowgate-street, and among the works published by the firm of CATNACH +and DAVISON we may record:-- + +"The Minstrel; or, The Progress of Genuis. In Two Parts. With some other +Poems. By James Beattie, LL.D. With sixteen Cuts from Designs by Mr. +Thurston; and engraved on Wood by Mr. Clennel, Alnwick. Printed by Catnach +and Davison. Sold by the Booksellers in England and Scotland. 1807. 12mo. +and Royal 8vo., pp. 142." + +"The Grave. A Poem. By Robert Blair. To which is added Gray's Elegy. In a +Country Church Yard. With Notes Moral and Explanatory. Alnwick: Printed by +Catnach and Davison. Sold by the Booksellers in England, Scotland, and +Ireland. 1808. 12mo., pp. xiv., 72. With a frontispiece and other cuts by +Thomas Bewick." + +[Illustration: _T. Bewick._] + +THE GRAVE. + + "Prone, on the lowly grave of the dear man + She drops; whilst busy meddling Memory, + In barbarous succession, musters up + The past endearments of their softer hours + Tenacious of its theme." + +After the dissolution of the strange partnership, Mr. Davison still +prosecuted with vigour the several departments of the business; for +although reared to the prescribing of physics, he had a fine taste and +relish for the book trade, and the short time that he was with Catnach +enabled him to acquire a good amount of valuable information on this +subject. Be this as it may, he soon laid the basis of a large and +lucrative business. About the first work Mr. Davison issued on his own +account was:-- + +[Illustration] + +THE REPOSITORY OF SELECT LITERATURE. + +Being an Elegant Assemblage of Curious, Scarce, Entertaining and +Instructive Pieces in Prose and Verse. Adorned with beautiful Engravings +by Bewick, &c. Alnwick: Printed by W. Davison. Sold by the Booksellers in +England and Scotland. 1808. + +This work is a fine specimen of provincial book-printing; its pages are +adorned with some of Bewick's excellent cuts. There is one that we would +particularly refer to, and that is "Shepherd Lubin." In size it is very +small, but, like most of Bewick's pieces, sufficiently large to show the +inimitable skill of the artist. The picture tells its own tale:-- + + "Young Lubin was a shepherd's boy, + Who watched a rigid master's sheep, + And many a night was heard to sigh, + And may a day was seen to weep." + +[Illustration: _And for whole days would wander in those places she had +been used to walk with Henry._] + +"The History of Crazy Jane, by Sarah Wilkinson, with a frontispiece by +Bewick: Alnwick. Printed by W. Davison; _and Sold by all the Principal +Booksellers in England and Scotland_. 1813." + +[Illustration: "WILLIE BREW'D A PECK O'MAUT."] + +"The Poetical Works of Robert Burns. Engravings on Wood by Bewick, from +designs by Thurston. Alnwick: Printed by Catnach and Davison, 1808." And +London: Printed for T. Cadell and Davis, Strand, 1814. With cuts +previously used in Davison's publications. + +[Illustration] + +"Many of the engravings produced for Burns' Poems, are of a very superior +class, and cannot be too highly commended."--_Hugo._ + +[Illustration: "SANDIE AND WILLIE."] + +"The Poetical Works of Robert Ferguson, with his Life. Engravings on Wood +by Bewick. ALNWICK: Printed by W. Davison." + +Mr. Davison, following up the actions of his former partner, had a great +regard for the standard poets. Previous to the issuing of the poems of +Ferguson they had tried to imbue a better taste into the minds of the +general reader, by means of publishing nothing but what was of an +elevating character. And this will be seen by examining such works as +Buffon, Beattie, Percy, Burns, &c. Almost simultaneously with the poems of +Burns appeared those of Ferguson. Both works are uniform in size and +price--_viz_: 2 vols., Foolscap 8vo.--12s. in boards; they contain some of +Bewick's choicest and most exquisite wood-engravings. + +"The Northumberland Minstrel: A Choice Selection of Songs. Alnwick: +Printed by W. Davison." + +There were only three numbers of this work published,[4] each of which +contained 48 pages. The object of this undertaking was for the carrying +out a project which at that time was becoming very popular, and consisted +in bringing together in a collected form some of the best and most admired +of our ballad-poetry. In fact, the object Mr. Davison had in view was only +to extend what had been so successfully accomplished by Herd, Ramsay, +Motherwell, Ritson, and others. + +Mr. Davison continued in business at Alnwick up to the time of his death, +in 1858, at the ripe age of 77. He was by far the most enterprising +printer that had settled in the North of England. His collection of wood +blocks was very large, and it is hardly possible to form an adequate +conception of the many hundreds of beautiful specimens which he possessed. +He stated that he had paid Thomas Bewick upwards of five hundred pounds +for various woodcut blocks. With a view of disposing of some of his +surplus stock, he printed and published in 4to., a catalogue:--"NEW +SPECIMENS OF CAST-METAL ORNAMENTS AND WOOD TYPES, SOLD BY W. DAVISON. +ALNWICK. With impressions of 1,100 Cast Ornaments and Wood Blocks, many of +the latter executed by Thomas Bewick." This Catalogue--now exceedingly +rare--is of the greatest interest and utility, as it embraces a series of +cuts dispersed, as Mr. Hugo plainly shows, among a considerable number of +publications, and enables those who collect Bewick's pieces to detect the +hand of the Artist in many of his less elaborated productions. + +Those of our readers who desire more information as to the many books +printed by W. Davison, the Alnwick publisher, are referred to "The Bewick +Collector," and the Supplement thereto, by the Rev. Thomas Hugo, M.A., &c. +London: 1866-68. These volumes, illustrated by upwards of two hundred and +ninety cuts, comprise an elaborate descriptive list of the most complete +collection yet formed of the works of the renowned wood-engravers of +Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Not only to Bewick collectors, but to all persons +interested in the progress of Art, and especially of wood-engraving, these +volumes, exhibiting chronologically the works of the Fathers of that Art +in England, cannot fail to be of the highest interest. + +Mr. Davison printed and published a series of Halfpenny Books; they are +not only well printed, but in addition to this it is not unusual to see +them illustrated by some of Thomas Bewick's choicest engravings. Mr. Hugo +possessed twenty-seven in number, the titles of which he enumerates in his +"Bewick Collector" and the Supplement thereto: adding the remarks that +follow:-- + + "The cuts in these little publications are for the most part the same + which were used by Davison in the other and more important works which + issued from his press. The volumes are in 32mo, and in typographical + excellence are far in advance of all other children's books of the + period of their publication with which I am acquainted." + +Herewith we publish one of the series from our own private collection. The +justness of Mr. Hugo's opinion will be at once seen. + + + + + THE GUESS BOOK, + A COLLECTION OF + _INGENIOUS PUZZLES_. + + [Illustration] + + ALNWICK: + Published and Sold by W. Davison. + + _Price One Halfpenny_, + + +2 + + a b c d e + + f g h i j k + + l m n o p + + q r s t u v + + w x y z & + + +3 + +THE + +GUESS BOOK. + +[Illustration] + +THE MOON. + + There was a thing a full month old, + When Adam was no more; + But ere that thing was five weeks old, + Adam was years five score. + + +4 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A CAT. + + In almost every house I'm seen, + (No wonder then I'm common), + I'm neither man, nor maid, nor child, + Nor yet a married woman. + + +5 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A CANNON. + + I am the terror of mankind, + My breath is flame, and by its power + I urge my messenger to find + A way into the strongest tower. + + +6 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +AN OWL. + + My patron is Wisdom--if Wisdom you prize, + In me put your confidence, borrow my eyes, + Who into a mill-stone can see quite as far + As the best of you all, by the light of a star. + + +7 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A TOP. + + I ne'er offend thee, + Yet thou dost me whip, + Which don't amend me, + Though I dance and skip; + When I'm upright, + Me you always like best, + And barbarously whip me + When I want rest. + + +8 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +BOOKS. + + With words unnumber'd I abound; + In me mankind do take delight; + In me much learning's to be found; + Yet I can neither read nor write. + + +9 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A DRUM. + + My sides are firmly + Lac'd about, + Yet nothing is within: + You'll think my head + Is strange indeed, + Being nothing else but skin. + + +10 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A SAND-GLASS. + + Made of two bodies join'd, + Without foot or hand; + And yet you will find + I can both run and stand. + + +11 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +TIME. + + Ever eating, never cloying, + All devouring, all destroying, + Never finding full repast + Till I eat the world at last. + + +12 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +DEATH. + + The gate of life, the cause of strife, + The fruit of sin, + When I appear, you drop a tear, + And stay within. + + +13 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A PAIR OF SHOES. + + To rich and poor + We useful are; + And yet for our reward, + By both at last + We're thrown away, + Without the least regard. + + +14 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A SQUIRREL. + + I am a busy active creature, + Fashion'd for the sport of nature, + Nimbly skip from tree to tree, + Under a well-wrought canopy; + Bid Chloe then to Mira tell + What's my name and where I dwell. + + +15 + +_Guess Book._ + +[Illustration] + +A FISH. + + Though it be cold I wear no clothes, + The frost and snow I never fear; + I value neither shoes nor hose, + And yet I wander far and near. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +[Signature: John Catnach] + +AT NEWCASTLE. + + "There is no fooling with Life, when it is once turned forty: the + seeking of a Fortune then is but a desperate after-game: it is a + hundred to one if a man fling three sixes, and recover all; if his + hand be no luckier than mine."--_Cowley._ + +In or about the latter part of the year 1808, John Catnach, with his wife +and family, left Alnwick for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and commenced business +in a small shop in Newgate-street, and among other Works which he printed +there, mention may be made of "The Battle of Chevy Chase," a selection +from the works of "Dr. Samuel Johnson, in two volumes," and "The Life of +John Thompson, Mariner. Written by Himself: Also, his Divine Selections, +in Prose and Verse. _From esteemed Authors._ Embellished with steel +Engravings. Newcastle: _Printed for the Author_. By J. Catnach, +Newgate-street. 1810. 12mo., pp. lxxvi., 214. With two tail-pieces by +Thomas Bewick." + +John Thompson, _alias_ Godfried Thomas Leschinsky, born at Riga, 1782, was +a seaman. He sailed with Nelson's fleet to Copenhagen, 1801. Continuing at +sea he endured many hardships from severe accidents and ill health, and +was at length discharged as not being fit for his Majesty's service. In +1806, while in the Infirmary at Newcastle, one of his legs--from old +injuries, rapidly mortified and had to be amputated. Subsequently, in +consequence of the bones and joints of his right hand decaying, his arm +was taken off below the elbow. He for years made a living out of his +misfortunes and assumed piety. Catnach was induced, by specious reasoning, +to undertake the printing of the book, but the eleemosynary author dying +just as it was all worked off but not bound, he had the whole of the stock +thrown on his hands to do the best he could with. There were between fifty +and sixty claims set up by persons who averred that they had in part, or +whole, paid for a copy each to the author on signing his subscription +list, and most of these claims were allowed on the payment of sixpence +extra: the work was subscribed for at 3s. 6d., but being extended to 20 +pages more than was expected, the price was advanced to 4s. + +John Catnach, at Newcastle, worked attentively for awhile, but without +finding his expectations realised. Alas! time and the change of scene and +companions had not improved the man. He contrived to get into a great +amount of debt, without the least possible chance, from his irregular mode +of living, of being able to pay it off. Eventually, he made up his mind +for the worst, and the downward course would seem to have been the only +way open to him. From bad to worse, and from one extreme to the other, he +rapidly drifted. The loose and irregular manner in which he had existed +was beginning to tell upon his constitution. His business had been +neglected, and his adventures were nearly at a climax. The wreck came, +with a terrific blow; but it was not unlooked for. Poor Catnach was a +bankrupt, and as such sent to the debtor's gaol. But just before, he had +managed to send his wife and daughters to London, together with a wooden +printing press, some small quantity of type, and other articles of his +trade that could be hurriedly and clandestinely got together. + +During the five years' residence of John and Mary Catnach in Newcastle, +they had one child, Isabella, burned to death, and another, Julia Dalton, +born to them. + +Mr. Mark Smith, who had been bound apprentice to John Catnach, but by +reason of whose removal from the Borough of Alnwick, the indentures had +been rendered void, was then in London, serving out his time as a turnover +and improver with Mr. John Walker, of Paternoster Row, and on being made +acquainted with the arrival of Mrs. Catnach and her family, paid them a +visit at their lodgings in a court leading off Drury-lane, and assisted in +putting up the press and arranging the other few matters and utensils in +connection with their tiny printing office, there to await John Catnach's +release from prison and arrival in the metropolis. + +London life to John Catnach proved very disastrous, matters never went +smoothly with him. It was evident to all his friends that he had made a +great mistake in leaving the North of England. Mr. Mark Smith continued to +visit the family as opportunities presented themselves. On one occasion he +found them in extremely distressed circumstances, so much so, that he had +to afford them some temporary relief from his slender earnings and then +left the northern sojourners for the night, promising that he would return +to see them at an early date. Anxious to learn how they were succeeding in +the crowded metropolis, it was not many days before he again visited them, +but this time he found them in a sorry plight; the landlady had distrained +upon their all for arrears of rent. This was an awkward predicament; but +the indomitable young Northumbrian, like the more burly Dr. Johnson of +old, when his friend Oliver Goldsmith was similarly situated, resolved to +do all he could to rescue him from the peril in which he was placed. Not +being prepared for a case of such pressing emergency, the full debt and +costs being demanded, he was compelled to borrow the required amount of +Mr. Matthew Willoughby, a native and freeman of the Borough of Alnwick, +then residing in London, and once more his old master was free. + +John Catnach then removed his business to a front shop in Soho, when, in +the absence of work of a higher class, he had to resort to printing +quarter-sheet ballads, here is the title and imprint of one example:-- + +[Illustration] + +TOM STARBOARD AND FAITHFUL NANCY. + + Tom Starboard was a lover true, + As brave a tar as ever sail'd; + The duties ablest seamen do + Tom did, and never had fail'd. + +LONDON.--Printed by J. Catnach, and Sold Wholesale and Retail at No. 60, +Wardour-street, Soho-square. + +For his wife and family he took apartments in Charlotte Street, +Fitzroy-square. Again he shortly removed his business to Gerrard-street, +where he had hardly got his plant into working order, when on returning +home on the evening of the 29th of August, 1813, he had the misfortune to +fall down and injure his leg. He was immediately taken to St. George's +Hospital, Hyde-park Corner, when rheumatic fever supervened, and although +placed under the skilful treatment of Dr. Young, he never rallied, his +constitution being completely broken, but by means of superior medical +treatment and good nursing he lingered until the 4th of December in the +same year, on which day he died. + +Such is a brief _résumé_ of the latter years of John Catnach's life. It is +apparent that, by a little application and self-denial, this man might +have made for himself a name and position in the world. He possessed all +the necessary talents for bringing success within his reach. The ground +which he took is the same which in after years proved to be of inestimable +value to hundreds of publishers who never possessed half the amount of +ability and good taste in printing and embellishing books that was centred +in him. + +After his death, and just at the time when his widow and daughters were +sunk in the greatest poverty, his son James, who in after years became so +noted in street literature publications, made his way to the metropolis. +It appears that this extraordinary man at one time contemplated devoting +his life to rural pursuits; in fact, when a youth he served for some time +as a shepherd boy, quite contrary to the wish and desire of his parents. +Every opportunity he could get he would run away, far across the moors and +over the Northumbrian mountains, and, always accompanied with his +favourite dog Venus, and a common-place book, in which he jotted down in +rhymes and chymes his notions of a pastoral life.[5] Thus he would stay +away from home for days and nights together. + +This project, however, was abandoned, and he commenced to serve as a +printer in the employment of his father. It is rather remarkable that he +and Mr. Mark Smith + +[Signature: Mr. Smith.] + +were both bound on the same day as apprentices to Mr. John Catnach, and +that they afterwards worked together as "improvers" in their trade with:-- + +[Illustration: _Joseph Graham, Printer, Alnwick._] + +Mr. Hugo, in the Supplement to his "Bewick Collector," pp. 256 (5137), +says:--"This very beautiful Cut was done by Thomas Bewick, sometime about +the year 1794, for a well-known Alnwick printer." + + +[Signature: James Catnach] + + "Death made no conquest of this man, + For now he lives in fame, though not in life." + +At the time James--or, as he afterwards was popularly called "_Jemmy_," +or, "_Old Jemmy_" Catnach commenced business in Seven Dials it took all +the prudence and tact which he could command to maintain his position, as +at that time "Johnny" Pitts,[6] of the Toy and Marble Warehouse, No. 6, +Great St. Andrew street, was the acknowledged and established printer of +street literature for the "Dials" district; therefore, as may be easily +imagined, a powerful rivalry and vindictive jealousy soon arose between +these "two of a trade"--most especially on the part of "Old Mother" Pitts, +who is described as being a coarse and vulgar-minded personage, and as +having originally followed the trade of a bumboat woman at Portsmouth: she +"wowed wengeance" against the young fellow in the court for daring to set +up in their business, and also spoke of him as a young "Catsnatch," +"Catblock," "Cut-throat," and many other opprobrious terms which were +freely given to the new comer. Pitts' staff of "bards" were duly cautioned +of the consequences which would inevitably follow should they dare to +write a line for Catnach--the new _cove_ up the court. The injunction was +for a time obeyed, but the "Seven Bards of the Seven Dials" soon found it +not only convenient, but also more profitable to sell copies of their +effusions to both sides at the same time, and by keeping their own counsel +they avoided detection, as each printer accused the other of obtaining an +early sold copy, and then reprinting it with the utmost speed, which was +in reality often the case, as "Both Houses" had emissaries on the constant +look-out for any new production suitable for street-sale. Now, although +this style of "double dealing" and competition tended much to lessen the +cost price to the "middle-man" or vendor, the public in this case did not +get any of the reduction, as a penny broadside was still a penny, and a +quarter-sheet still a halfpenny to them, the "street-patterer" obtaining +the whole of the reduction as extra profit. + +The feud existing between these rival publishers, who have been somewhat +aptly designated as the Colburn and Bentley of the "paper" trade, never +abated, but, on the contrary, increased in acrimony of temper, until at +last not being content to vilify each other by "Words! words!! words!!!" +alone, they resorted to printing off virulent lampoons, in which Catnach +never failed to let the world know that "Old Mother Pitts" had been +formerly a bumboat woman, while the Pitt's party announced that:-- + + "All the boys and girls around, + Who go out prigging rags and phials, + Know Jemmy _Catsnatch_!!! well, + Who lives in a back slum in the Dials. + He hangs out in Monmouth Court, + And wears a pair of blue-black breeches, + Where all the "Polly Cox's crew" do resort + To chop their swag for badly printed Dying Speeches." + +But however, in spite of all the opposition and trade rivalry, Catnach +persevered; he worked hard, and lived hard, and was fitted to the +stirring times. The Peninsular wars had just concluded, politics and party +strife ran high, squibs, lampoons, and political ballads were the order of +the day, and he made money. But he had weighty pecuniary family matters to +bear up with, as thus early in his career, his father's sister also joined +them, and they all lived and huddled together in the shop and parlour of +No. 2, Monmouth-court. He did a small and very humble trade as a jobbing +master, printing and publishing penny histories, street-papers, and +halfpenny songs, relying for their composition on one or two out of the +known "Seven Bards of the Seven Dials," and when they were on the drink, +or otherwise not inclined to work, being driven to write and invent them +himself. + +The customers who frequented his place of business were for the most part +of the lowest grades of society:--those who by folly, intemperance, and +crime, had been reduced to the greatest penury. Anyone with a few coppers +in his pockets could easily knock out an existence, especially when +anything sensational was in the wind. + +The great excitement throughout the country caused by the melancholy death +of the Princess Charlotte, on the sixth day of November, 1817, was an +event of no ordinary description. It was, indeed, a most unexpected blow, +the shining virtues, as well as the youth and beauty of the deceased, +excited an amount of affectionate commiseration, such as probably had +never before attended the death of any royal personage in England. + +The Seven Dials Press was busily engaged in working off "papers" +descriptive of every fact that could be gleaned from the newspapers, and +that was suitable for street sale. Catnach was not behind his compeers, as +he published several statements in respect to the Princess's death, and +_made_ the following lines _out of his own head_! And had, continued our +informant--a professional street-ballad writer--"_wood_ enough left for as +many more":-- + + "She is gone! sweet Charlotte's gone! + Gone to the silent bourne; + She is gone, She's gone, for evermore,-- + She never can return. + + She is gone with her joy--her darling Boy, + The son of Leopold, blythe and keen; + She Died the sixth of November, + Eighteen hundred and seventeen." + +The year 1818, proved a disastrous one to Catnach, as in addition to the +extra burden entailed on him in family matters, he had, in the way of his +trade, printed a street-paper reflecting on the private character and on +the materials used in the manufacture of the sausages as sold by the pork +butchers of the Drury-lane quarter in general, and particularly by Mr. +Pizzey, a tradesman carrying on business in Blackmore-street, +Clare-market, who caused him to be summoned to the Bow-street Police Court +to answer the charge of malicious libel, when he was committed to take his +trial at the next Clerkenwell Sessions, by Sir Richard Burnie, where he +was sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the House of Correction, at +Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex. + +[Signature: John Morgan] + +During Catnach's incarceration his mother and sisters, aided by one of the +Seven Dials bards, carried on the business, writing and printing off all +the squibs and street ballads that were required. In the meanwhile the +Johnny Pitts' crew printed several lampoons on "Jemmy Catnach." Subjoined +is a portion of one of them that has reached us, _vivâ voce_, of the +aforesaid--John Morgan--professional street-ballad writer:-- + + "Jemmy Catnach printed a quarter sheet-- + It was called in lanes and passages, + That Pizzy the butcher, had dead bodies chopped, + And made them into sausages. + + "Poor Pizzey was in an awful mess, + And looked the colour of cinders-- + A crowd assembled from far and near, + And they smashed in all his windows. + + "Now Jemmy Catnach's gone to prison, + And what's he gone to prison for? + For printing a libel against Mr. Pizzey, + Which was sung from door to door. + + "Six months in quod old Jemmy's got, + Because he a shocking tale had started, + About Mr. Pizzey who dealt in sausages + In Blackmore-street, Clare-market." + +Misfortunes are said never to come singly, and so it proved to the Catnach +family, for while Jemmy was _doing_ his six months in the House of +Correction at Clerkenwell, we find in the pages of the _Weekly Dispatch_ +for January 3, 1819, and under POLICE INTELLIGENCE, as follows:-- + + CIRCULATING FALSE NEWS.--At Bow-street, on Wednesday, Thomas Love and + Thomas Howlett, were brought to the office by one of the patrole, + charged with making a disturbance in Chelsea, in the morning, by + blowing of horns, with a tremendous noise, and each of them after + blowing his horn, was heard to announce with all the vociferation the + strength of his lungs would admit of:--"The full, true, and particular + account of the most cruel and barbarous murder of Mr. Ellis, of + Sloane-street, which took place, last night, in the Five Fields, + Chelsea." The patrole, knowing that no such horrid event had taken + place, had them taken up. The papers in their possession, which they + had been selling at a halfpenny each, were seized and brought to the + office with the prisoners. But what is most extraordinary, the + contents of the papers had no reference whatever to Mr. Ellis! They + were headed in large letters, "A HORRID MURDER," and the murder was + stated to have been committed at South-green, near Dartford, on the + bodies of Thomas Lane, his wife, three children, and his mother. The + murderer's conduct was stated very particularly, although, in fact, no + such event occurred. The magistrate severely censured the conduct of + the whole parties. He ordered the prisoners to be detained, and + considered them to be very proper subjects to be made an example of. + On Thursday these parties were again brought before the magistrate, + together with Mrs. Catnach [the mother] the printer of the bills, + which gave a fictitious statement of the horrid murder said to be + committed at Dartford. She was severely reprimanded. The two + hornblowers were also reprimanded and then discharged. + +The busy year of 1820 was a very important one to Catnach, in fact the +turning point in his life. The Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III., +and father to Queen Victoria, died on the 23rd of January--the event was +of sufficient consequence to produce several "Full Particulars," for +street sale. Just six days after his death, viz., on the 29th of January, +1820, George III. died, and that event set the "Catnach Press" going night +and day to supply the street papers, containing "Latest particulars," &c. + + "Mourn, Britons mourn! Your sons deplore, + Our Royal Sovereign is now no more," + +was the commencement of a ballad written, printed, and published by J. +Catnach, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials. Battledores, Lotteries, and Primers +sold cheap. Sold by Marshall, Bristol, and Hook, Brighton. + +The royal body was committed to the family vault in St. George's Chapel at +Windsor, on the 16th of February, amidst a concourse of the great and the +noble of the land. The usual ceremony of proclamation and salutation +announced the accession of George IV. and another important era commenced. + +Immediately following these events came the Cato-street conspiracy. On the +24th of February the newspapers contained the startling intelligence +that, on the previous evening, a party of eleven men, headed by Arthur +Thistlewood, who was already known as a political agitator, had been +apprehended at a stable in Cato-street, an obscure place in the locality +of Grosvenor-square, on the charge of being the parties to a conspiracy to +assassinate the greater part of the King's Ministers. The truth of the +intelligence was soon confirmed by the proceedings which took place before +the magisterial authorities; and in due course all the parties were put on +their trial at the Old Bailey, on a charge of high treason, Arthur +Thistlewood, the leader, being the first tried on the 17th of April; the +Lord Chief Justice Abbott presiding. The names of the other prisoners +were--William Davidson, a man of colour; James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, +Richard Tidd, James William Wilson, John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, James +Shaw Strange, and Charles Cooper, of whom the first four, together with +Thistlewood, were executed as traitors on May 1st. + +The Cato-street conspiracy proved a rich harvest to all concerned in the +production of street literature. Catnach came in for a fair share of the +work, and he found himself with plenty of cash in hand, and in good time +to increase his trade-plant to meet the great demand for the street-papers +that were in a few months to be published daily, and in reference to the +ever-memorable trial of Queen Caroline; then it was that his business so +enormously increased as at times to require three or four presses going +night and day to keep pace with the great demand for papers, which +contained a very much abridged account of the previous day's evidence, and +taken without the least acknowledgment from an early procured copy of one +of the daily newspapers. + +Great as was the demand, the printers of street literature were equal to +the occasion, and all were actively engaged in getting out "papers," +squibs, lists of various trade deputations to the Queen's levées, lampoons +and songs, that were almost hourly published, on the subject of the +Queen's trial. The following is a selection from one which emanated from +the "Catnach Press," and was supplied to us by John Morgan, the Seven +Dials bard, and who added that he had the good luck--the times being +prosperous--to screw out half-a-crown from Old Jemmy for the writing of +it. "Ah! sir," he continued, "it was always a hard matter to get much out +of Jemmy Catnach, I can tell you, sir. He was, at most times, a +hard-fisted one, and no mistake about it. Yet, sir, somehow or another, he +warn't such a bad sort, just where he took. A little bit rough and ready, +like, you know, sir. But yet still a 'nipper.' That's just about the size +of Jemmy Catnach, sir. I wish I could recollect more of the song, but +you've got the marrow of it, sir:-- + + 'And when the Queen arrived in town, + The people called her good, sirs; + She had a Brougham by her side, + A Denman, and a Wood, sirs. + + 'The people all protected her, + They ran from far and near, sirs, + Till they reached the house of Squire Byng, + Which was in St. James's-square, sirs. + + 'And there my blooming Caroline, + About her made a fuss, man, + And told how she had been deceived + By a cruel, barbarous, husband.'" + +Street papers continued to be printed and sold in connection with Queen +Caroline's trial up to the date of her death, in the month of August, +1821. + + +[Illustration] + +A COPY OF VERSES IN PRAISE OF QUEEN CAROLINE. + + "Ye Britons all, both great and small, + Come listen to my ditty, + Your noble Queen, fair Caroline, + Does well deserve your pity. + + Like harmless lamb that sucks its dam, + Amongst the flowery thyme, + Or turtle dove that's given to love: + And that's her only crime. + + Wedlock I ween, to her has been + A life of grief and woe; + Thirteen years past she's had no rest, + As Britons surely know. + + To blast her fame, men without shame, + Have done all they could do; + 'Gainst her to swear they did prepare + A motley, perjured crew. + + Europe they seek for Turk or Greek, + To swear her life away, + But she will triumph yet o'er all, + And innocence display. + + Ye powers above, who virtue love, + Protect her from despair, + And soon her free from calumny, + Is every true man's prayer." + +J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + +[Illustration] + + +Immediately following the Queen's death, there were published a whole host +of monodies, elegies, and ballads in her praise. Catnach made a great hit +with one entitled--"Oh! Britons Remember your Queen's Happy Days," +together with a large broadside, entitled "An Attempt to Exhibit the +Leading Events in the Queen's Life, in Cuts and Verse. Adorned with Twelve +splendid Illustrations. Interspersed with Verses of Descriptive Poetry. +Entered at Stationers' Hall. By Jas. Catnach, Printer, 7 Dials. Price 2d." +A copy is preserved in the British Museum. Press Mark. _Tab._ 597, _a_, +1-67, and arranged under CATNACH, from which we select two pieces as a +fair sample of Jemmy's "poetry-making!"--Which please to read carefully, +and "Mind Your Stops!" quoth John Berkshire. + + +AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF THE QUEEN. + + Curs'd be the hour when on the British shore, + She set her foot--whose loss we now deplore; + For, from that hour she pass'd a life of woe, + And underwent what few could undergo: + And lest she should a tranquil hour know, + Against her peace was struck a deadly blow; + A separation hardly to be borne,-- + Her only daughter from her arms was torn! + And next discarded--driven from her home, + An unprotected Wanderer to roam! + Oh, how each heart with indignation fills, + When memory glances o'er the train of ills, + Which through her travels followed everywhere + In quick succession till this fatal year! + Here let us stop--for mem'ry serves too well, + To bear the woes which Caroline befel, + Each art was tried--at last to crush her down, + The Queen of England was refus'd a crown! + Too much to bear--Thus robb'd of all her state + She fell a victim to their hate! + "They have destroy'd me,"--with her parting breath, + She died--and calmly yielded unto death. + Forgiving all, she parted with this life, + A Queen, and no Queen--wife, and not a wife! + To Heaven her soul is borne on Seraph's wings, + To wait the Judgment of the KING of Kings; + Trusting to find a better world than this, + And meet her Daughter in the realms of bliss. + + +CAROLINE THE INJURED QUEEN OF ENGLAND. + + Beneath this cold marble the "Wanderer" lies, + Here shall she rest 'till "the Heavens be no more," + 'Till the trumpet shall sound, and the Dead shall arise, + Then the perjurer unmask'd will his sentence deplore. + Ah! what will avail then? Pomp, Titles, and Birth, + Those empty distinctions all levell'd will be, + For the King shall be judg'd with the poor of the earth, + And perhaps, the poor man will be greater than he. + Until that day we leave Caroline's wrongs, + Meantime, may "Repentance" her foes overtake; + O grant it, kind POWER, to whom alone it belongs. + AMEN. Here an end of this Hist'ry we make. + + _Quod._ JAS. C-T-N-H, Dec. 10th, 1821. + + +[Illustration] + +In the early part of the year 1821, the British public were informed +through the then existing usual advertising mediums that there was about +to be published, in monthly parts, "Pierce Egan's Life in London; or, the +Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn, Esq., and his elegant friend +Corinthian Tom, accompanied by Bob Logic, the Oxonian, in their Rambles +and Sprees through the Metropolis. Embellished with Scenes from Real Life, +designed and etched by I. R. and G. Cruikshank, and enriched with numerous +original designs on wood by the same Artists." + +And on the 15th of July, the first number, price one shilling, was +published by Messrs. Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, of Paternoster Row. This +sample, or first instalment, of the entire work was quite enough for +society to judge by. It took both town and country by storm. It was found +to be the exact thing in literature that the readers of those days wanted. +Edition after edition was called for--and supplied, as fast as the +illustrations could be got away from the small army of women and children +who were colouring them. With the appearance of numbers two and three, the +demand increased, and a revolution in our literature, in our drama, and +even in our nomenclature began to develope itself. All the announcements +from Paternoster Row were of books, great and small, depicting life in +London; dramatists at once turned their attention to the same subject, and +tailors, bootmakers, and hatters, recommended nothing but Corinthian +shapes, and Tom and Jerry patterns.[7] + +[Illustration] + +TOM AND JERRY. + + "Of Life in London, Tom, Jerry and Logic I sing." + To the Strand then I toddled--the mob was great-- + My watch I found gone--pockets undone: + I fretted at first, and rail'd against fate, + For I paid well to see "LIFE IN LONDON." + +As may be readily conceived; the stage soon claimed "Tom and Jerry." The +first drama founded upon the work was from the pen of Mr. Barrymore, and +produced--"in hot haste," at the Royal Amphitheatre, on Monday, Sept. 17, +1821. The second dramatic version was written for the Olympic Theatre, by +Charles Dibden, and first played on Monday, Nov. 12, 1821. + +Mr. Moncrieff appeared as the third on the list of dramatists, and it was +announced at the Adelphi Theatre in the following style:--"On Monday, Nov. +26th, 1821, will be presented for the first time, on a scale of +unprecedented extent (having been many weeks in preparation under the +superintendence of several of the most celebrated Artists, both in the +_Ups and Downs_ of Life, who have all kindly come forward to assist the +Proprietors in their endeavours to render the Piece a complete +out-and-outer), an entirely new Classic, Comic, Operatic, Didactic, +Aristophanic, Localic, Analytic, Panoramic, Camera-Obscura-ic +Extravaganza-Burletta of Fun, Frolic, Fashion and Flash, in three acts, +called 'TOM and JERRY; or LIFE in LONDON.' Replete with Prime Chaunts, Rum +Glees, and Kiddy Catches, founded on Pierce Egan's well-known and highly +popular work of the same name, by a celebrated extravagant erratic Author. +The music selected and modified by him from the most eminent composers, +ancient and modern, and every Air furnished with an attendant train of +Graces. The costumes and scenery superintended by Mr. I. R. Cruikshank, +from the Drawings by himself and his brother, Mr. George Cruikshank, the +celebrated Artists of the original Work. + +"Corinthian Tom, Mr. Wrench; Jerry Hawthorn, Mr. John Reeve; Logic, Mr. +Wilkinson; Jemmy Green, Mr. Keeley; Dusty Bob, Mr. Walbourn; African Sal, +Mr. Sanders; Billy Waters, Mr. Paulo; Kate, Mrs. Baker; Sue, Mrs. Waylett, +&c., &c. + +[Illustration: BLACK SAL AND DUSTY BOB.] + +Besides the authors already mentioned, Tom Dibden, Farrell, and Douglas +Jerrold, each produced dramas upon the popular theme, and during the +seasons of 1821-2, "Life in London" was performed with _éclat_, at ten +theatres in and around the metropolis, to overflowing houses. But Pierce +Egan at length became tired of the successes of the playwrights in using +his book, and resolved to try his own hand at a dramatic version--or, as +he termed it, to "take a leaf out of his own book,"--and the AUTHOR'S +PIECE was "got up" and performed for the first time at Sadler's Wells, +under the management of Mr. Egerton, on Monday, April 8, 1822, with most +decided success. + +It was thus announced by Mrs. Egerton, in the address written for the +occasion by T. Greenwood, Esq.:-- + + "To-night my friends, this modern taste to meet, + We show you JERRY at his country seat: + Then up to town transport the rustic beau, + And show him 'Life in London,' HIGH and LOW." + +At length TOM and JERRY had been repeated so often in the Metropolis, that +the performers, notwithstanding the great applause they nightly received +in the above piece, absolutely became tired and worn-out with the +repetition of their characters, when the following piece of satire, +written by T. Greenwood, Esq., was published, entitled, "The Tears of +Pierce Egan, Esq., for the Death of 'Life in London;' or, the Funeral of +Tom and Jerry, dedicated to Robert and George Cruikshank, Esqs. Price Two +Shillings, with an engraving by George Cruikshank." + + "Beat out of the Pit and thrown over the Ropes, + TOM and JERRY resign'd their last breath, + With them, too, expired the Managers' hopes, + Who are left to deplore their sad death! + + "Odd and various reports of the cause are about, + But the real one was _this_, I opine: + They were run to a _standstill_, and, therefore, no doubt, + That the cause was a rapid _decline_. + + "When Death showed his _Nob_, out of _Time_ they were beat, + And neither would come to the _scratch_; + They hung down their heads and gave up the last heat, + Not prepared with the Spectre to _match_. + + "All wept at the FUNERAL! the FANCY and all-- + Some new, but a great many mended: + And EGAN, while CRUIKSHANK and _Bob_ held the pall, + As _Chief-Mourner_ in person attended!!! + + "Their _Sprees_ and their _Rambles_ no more shall amuse, + Farewell to all nocturnal parleys: + The Town felt regret as the bell tolled the news, + And no one rejoiced--but the _Charleys_! + + "A monument, too, their kind Patrons will raise, + Inscribed on--'Here lies TOM and JERRY, + Who, departing the _stage_ to their immortal praise, + ONE THOUSAND NIGHTS made the _Town Merry_!!!' + + "May their souls rest in peace, since they've chosen to flit, + Like other great heroes departed; + May no mischief arise from the _sudden_ exit, + Nor PIERCE EGAN die--_broken-hearted_!" + +In reference to the above, Pierce Egan states in "The Finish to the +Adventures of Tom, Jerry, and Logic," that Catnach, in less than twelve +hours after the publication, produced a pirated edition for street sale, +for twopence. + +Mr. Pierce Egan, in his "_Finish_," states that he reckoned no less than +sixty-five separate publications, which he enumerates _in extenso_, all +derived from his own work, and adds, with his usual amount of large and +small CAPITALS and _italics_--"We have been _pirated_, COPIED, +_traduced_; but unfortunately, not ENRICHED by our indefatigable +exertions; therefore NOTORIETY must satisfy us, instead of the smiles of +FORTUNE." + +Jemmy Catnach, true to his line of life, soon joined what Pierce Egan +designates as the "Mob of Literary Pirates," and brought out a "whole +sheet" for street-sale, entitled "Life in London," with twelve woodcuts, +which are reduced and very roughly executed copies of the centre figures +of the original plates by the Brothers Cruikshank--but all in reverse. The +letter-press matter consists of a poetical epitome of the plot and design +of the original work of "Life in London." And taking it as it stands, and +from whence it emanated, rather a creditable performance, particularly +when we take into consideration--as duly announced by the street-patterer, +that it was "Just printed and pub--lish--ed, all for the low charge of +twopence." + +On the rarity of this Catnachian and pirated edition of "Life in London" +it is superfluous to enlarge, and it is easy to account for this +circumstance, if we reflect that the broadside form of publication is by +no means calculated for preservation; hundreds of similar pieces printed +for street-sale must have perished. The more generally acceptable a +broadside or street ballad became, and was handed about for perusal, the +more it was exposed to the danger of destruction. No copy of Catnach's +version is preserved in the British Museum, therefore, and for the reason +above stated, it must be considered as a great "Literary Rarity."[8] + + +CUT I.--JERRY IN TRAINING FOR A SWELL. + +[Illustration] + + Now Jerry must needs be a swell, + His coat must have a swallow-tail, + And Mr. Snip, so handy, O, + Soon rigg'd him out a Dandy, O. + + +CUT II.--TOM AND JERRY AMONG THE LADIES. + +[Illustration] + + Ladies, your most humble servants, + Tom and Jerry stand before you. + Our blood is thrilling, you're so killing; + At once we love you and adore you. + + +CUT III.--JERRY LOSES AT PLAY. + +[Illustration] + + At St. James's they dine, when, flushed with new wine, + To the Gaming Tables they reel, + Where blacklegs and sharps, often gammon the flats, + As their pockets do presently feel. + + +CUT IV.--JERRY LEARNING TO SPAR. + +[Illustration] + + Now Jerry's become a Fancy blade, + To Jackson's he often goes, + And to shew his skill in the milling trade, + He crack'd poor Logick's nose. + + +CUT V.--TOM AND JERRY AT A FORTUNE-TELLER'S. + +[Illustration] + + Here lives a Fortune-Telling Gipsy, + Wrinkled, crabbed, grim and old; + And Tom and Jerry's fancy ladies + Are gone to get their Fortunes told. + + +CUT VI.--BEGGAR'S OPERA. TOM, JERRY, AND LOGICK AMONG THE CADGERS IN THE +HOLY LAND. + +[Illustration] + + Now to keep up the spree, Tom, Jerry and Logick, + Went disguis'd to the Slums in the Holy Land; + Through each crib and each court, they hunted for sport, + Till they came to the BEGGAR'S OPERA so named. + + +CUT VII.--NIGHT SCENE.--TOM AND JERRY UPSETTING THE CHARLEYS. + +[Illustration] + + Hark! the watchman springs his rattle, + Now the midnight lark's begun; + Boxes crashing, lanthorns smashing, + Mill the Charleys--oh! what fun. + + +CUT VIII.--BROUGHT BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. + +[Illustration] + + An' please your Worship here's three fellows + Been hammering of us all about; + Broke our boxes, lanthorns, smellers, + And almost clos'd our peepers up. + + +CUT IX.--TOM, JERRY, AND LOGICK IN A ROW. + +[Illustration] + + Mercy! what a din and clatter + Breaks the stillness of the night, + Lamps do rattle--'tis a battle, + Quick, and let us see the sight. + + +CUT X.--SCENE IN A GIN-SHOP. + +[Illustration] + + Here some are tumbling and jumping in, + And some are staggering out; + One's pawn'd her smock for a quartern of gin, + Another, her husband's coat. + + +CUT XI.--POOR LOGICK IN THE FLEET. + +[Illustration] + + All in the Fleet poor Logick's moor'd + His swaggering's now at an end! + + +CUT XII.--JERRY GOING BACK TO THE COUNTRY. + +[Illustration] + + Three merry boys were Logick, Tom and Jerry, + And many funny larks they have seen; + Farewell, gay London, the country calls me home again, + The coach moves on--the play is done--Goodbye, Goodbye. + + _Quod._ JAS. C-N-H, March 23, 1822. + +How delightful Pierce Egan's book was to the youths of England, and how +eagerly all its promised feasts of pleasure were devoured by them, +Thackeray has told us in his "Roundabout Papers--DE JUVENTUTE" in the +"Cornhill Magazine" for October, 1860. + + * * * * * + +Mr., afterwards Sir William Cubitt, of Ipswich, erected a treadmill at +Brixton Gaol, and soon afterwards in other large prisons. A street ballad +on the subject was issued from the "Catnach Press" and had a most +unprecedented sale, keeping the pressmen and boys working for weeks-- + + "And we're all treading at fam'd Brixton Mill." + +The treadmill--that "terror to evil doers"--excited much attention, and +the inventor's name gave rise to many jokes on the subject among such of +the prisoners as could laugh at their own crimes, who said they were +punished by the _cubit_!. + +THE TREADMILL. + + This Brixton Mill's a fearful ill, + And he who brought the Bill in, + Is threat'n'd by the _cribbing_ coves, + That he shall have a _milling_. + They say he shew'd a simple pate, + To think of felons mending; + As every _step_ which here they take + They're still in crime _ascending_. + + Tom, Jerry, Logic, three prime sprigs, + Find here they cannot _come_ it, + For though their _fancy_ soars aloft, + They ne'er will reach the _summit_. + Corinthian Kate and buxom Sue + Must change their _warm_ direction, + For if they make one _false step_ more + They'll have _Cold Bath Correction_. + + +[Illustration: "The gallows does well: But how does it well? it does well +to those that do ill."--_Hamlet_, Act v., sc. i.] + +There can be little doubt that Jemmy Catnach, the great publisher of the +Seven Dials, had his mind mostly centred upon the chronicling of doubtful +scandals, fabulous duels between ladies of fashion, "cooked" +assassinations, and sudden deaths of eminent individuals, apochryphal +elopements, real or catch-penny account of murders, impossible robberies, +delusive suicides, dark deeds, and--though last, not least, in _his_ +love--public executions, _vulgo_ "Hanging Matches," to which was usually +attached the all-important and necessary "Sorrowful Lamentations," or +"Copy of Affectionate Verses," which according to the established custom, +the criminal composed in the condemned cell the night before his +execution, after this manner:-- + +[Illustration] + +THE FLYING STATIONER, OTHERWISE PATTERER. + + "All you that have got feeling, I pray you now attend + To these few lines so sad and true, a solemn silence lend; + It is of a cruel murder, to you I will unfold---- + The bare recital of the tale must make your blood run cold." + + "Mercy on earth I'll not implore, to crave it would be vain, + My hands are dyed with human gore, none can wash off the stain, + But the merits of a Saviour, whose mercy alone I crave; + Good Christians pray, as thus I die, I may His pardon have." + + + A mournful and affecting + COPY OF VERSES + on the death of + ANN WILLIAMS, + Who was barbarously and cruelly murdered by her sweetheart, + W. JONES, near Wirksworth, in Derbyshire, July, 1823. + + William Jones, a young man aged 20, has been fully committed to Derby + gaol for the murder of his sweetheart, under circumstances of unheard + of barbarity. The poor victim was a servant girl, whom under pretence + of marriage he seduced. On her proving with child the villain formed + the horrid design of murdering her, and carried his diabolical plan + into execution on Monday evening last. The following verses are + written upon the occasion, giving a complete detail of this shocking + affair:-- + + Come all false hearted young men + And listen to my song, + 'Tis of a cruel murder, + That lately has been done + On the body of a maiden fair + The truth I will unfold, + The bare relation of this deed + Will make your blood run cold. + Near Wirksworth town in Derbyshire, + Ann Williams she did dwell, + In service she long time had lived, + Till this to her befel. + Her cheeks were like the blushing rose + All in the month of May, + Which made this wicked young man + Thus unto her did say: + Nancy, my charming creature, + You have my heart ensnared, + My love is such I am resolved + To wed you I declare. + Thus by his false deluding tongue + Poor Nancy was beguil'd, + And soon to her misfortune, + By him she proved with child. + Some days ago this damsel fair + Did write to him with speed, + Such tenderness she did express + Would make a heart to bleed. + She said, my dearest William, + I am with child by thee; + Therefore, my dear, pray let me know + When you will marry me. + The following day at evening, + This young man did repair, + Unto the town of Wirksworth, + To meet his Nancy there. + Saying, Nancy dear, come let us walk, + Among the flowery fields, + And then the secrets of my heart + To you I will reveal. + O then this wicked young man + A knife he did provide, + And all unknown to his true love + Concealed it by his side. + When to the fatal spot they came, + These words to her did say: + All on this very night I will + Your precious life betray. + On bended knees she then did fall, + In sorrow and despair, + Aloud for mercy she did call, + Her cries did rend the air; + With clasped hands and uplift eyes + She cried, Oh spare my life, + I never more will ask you + To make me your wedded wife. + O then this wicked young man said, + No mercy will I show; + He took the knife all from his side, + And pierced her body through. + But still she smiling said to him + While trembling with fear, + Aä! William, William, spare my life, + Think on your baby dear. + Twice more then with the bloody knife + He ran her body through, + Her throat was cut from ear to ear, + Most dreadful for to view; + Her hands and arms and beauteous face + He cut and mangled sore, + While down upon her milk white breast + The crimson blood did pour. + He took the shawl from off her neck, + And round her body tied, + With pebble stones he did it fill, + Thinking the crime to hide. + O then into the silver stream + He plunged her straightway, + But with her precious blood was stained + Which soon did him betray. + O then this young man taken was, + And into prison sent, + In ratling chains he is confin'd + His crime for to lament, + Until the Assizes do come on + When trembling he must stand, + Reflecting on the deed he's done; + Waiting the dread command. + Now all you thoughtless young men + A timely warning take; + Likewise ye fair young maidens, + For this poor damsel's sake. + And Oh beware of flattering tongues, + For they'll your ruin prove; + So may you crown your future day, + In comfort, joy, and love. + +Or take another and stereotyped example, which from time to time has +served equally well for the verses _written by_ the culprit--Brown, Jones, +Robinson, or Smith: + + "Those deeds I mournfully repent, + But now it is too late, + The day is past, the die is cast, + And fixed is my fate. + + I see the hangman before me stand, + Ready to seize me by the law's command; + When my life is ended on the fatal tree, + Then will be clear'd up all mystery." + +Occasionally the Last Sorrowful Lamentation contained a "Love Letter"--the +criminal being unable, in some instances, to read or write, being no +obstacle to the composition--written according to the street patterer's +statement: "from the depths of the condemned cell, with the condemned pen, +ink, and paper." This mode of procedure in "gallows" literature, and this +style of composition having prevailed for from sixty to seventy years. + +Then they would say: "Here you have also an exact likeness of the +murderer, taken at the bar of the Old Bailey by an eminent artist!" when +all the time it was an old woodcut that had been used for every criminal +for many years. The _block!_ opposite, to our own knowledge, served as the +_counterfeit_ presentment of all popular murderers for upwards of forty +years. + + +[Illustration: LIKENESS OF THE MURDERER.] + +"There's nothing beats a stunning good murder after all," said a "running +patterer" to Mr. Henry Mayhew, the author of "London Labour and London +Poor." It is only fair to assume that Mr. James Catnach shared in the +sentiment, for it is said that he made over £500 by the publication of:-- + + "The Full, True and Particular Account of the Murder of Mr. Weare by + John Thurtell and his Companions, which took place on the 24th of + October, 1823, in Gill's Hill-lane, near Elstree, in + Hertfordshire:--Only One Penny." + +There were eight formes set up, for old Jemmy had no notion of +stereotyping in those days, and pressmen had to re-cover their own +tympans with sheep-skins. But by working day and night for a week they +managed to get off about 250,000 copies with the four presses, each +working two formes at a time. + +[Illustration: THURTELL MURDERING MR. WEARE.] + +As the trial progressed, and the case became more fully developed, the +public mind became almost insatiable. Every night and morning large +bundles were despatched to the principal towns in the three kingdoms. + +One of the many street-ballads on the subject informed the British public +that:-- + + "Thurtell, Hunt, and Probert, too, for trial must now prepare, + For that horrid murder of Mr. William Weare." + +The circumstances immediately attending the murder are so fully and so +well detailed in the proper channels that we need not here say more than +that the trial took place at Hertford on the 5th January, 1824. + +The prisoners who stood indicted were John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt. The +latter was at the time well known as a public singer and was somewhat +celebrated for the talent which he possessed. Both prisoners were found +guilty, but Hunt was reprieved and subsequently ordered to be transported +for life. Thurtell, who fully confessed to the crime, was executed in +front of Hertford gaol on Friday, the 9th of January, 1824. + +As before observed, Catnach cleared over £500 by this event, and was so +loth to leave it, that when a wag put him up to a joke, and showed him how +he might set the thing a-going again, he could not withstand it; and so, +about a fortnight after Thurtell had been hanged, Jemmy brought out a +startling broad-sheet, headed, "WE ARE ALIVE AGAIN!" He put so little +space between the words "WE" and "ARE" that it looked at first sight like +"WEARE." Many thousands were bought by the ignorant and gullible public, +but those who did not like the trick called it a "catch penny," and this +gave rise to this peculiar term, which ever afterwards stuck to the issues +of the "Seven Dials' Press," though they sold as well as ever. + +Probert, who had been mixed up in the affair, was admitted as King's +evidence and discharged at the rising of the Court. He subsequently met +the fate he so richly deserved, for, having been found guilty at the Old +Bailey of horse stealing, he was executed there on the 20th of June, 1825. + +[Illustration] + + + THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF JOHN THURTELL + At HERTFORD GAOL, On Friday, the 9th of January, 1824. + + THE EXECUTION. + + _Hertford, half-past twelve o'clock._ + + This morning, at ten minutes before twelve, a bustle among the + javelin-men stationed within the boarded enclosure on which the drop + was erected, announced to the multitude without that the preparations + for the execution were nearly concluded. The javelin-men proceeded to + arrange themselves in the order usually observed upon these melancholy + but necessary occurrences. They had scarcely finished their + arrangements, when the opening of the gate of the prison gave an + additional impulse to public anxiety + + When the clock was on the stroke of twelve, Mr Nicholson, the + Under-Sheriff, and the executioner ascended the platform, followed on + to it by Thurtell, who mounted the stairs with a slow but steady step. + The principal turnkey of the gaol came next, and was followed by Mr + Wilson and two officers. On the approach of the prisoner being + intimated by those persons who, being in an elevated situation, + obtained the first view of him, all the immense multitude present took + off their hats. + + Thurtell immediately placed himself under the fatal beam, and at that + moment the chimes of a neighbouring clock began to strike twelve. The + executioner then came forward with the rope, which he threw across it. + Thurtell first lifted his eyes up to the drop, gazed at it for a few + moments, and then took a calm but hurried survey of the multitude + around him. He next fixed his eyes on a young gentleman in the crowd, + whom he had frequently seen as a spectator at the commencement of the + proceedings against him. Seeing that the individual was affected by + the circumstance, he removed them to another quarter, and in so doing + recognised an individual well known in the sporting circles, to whom + he made a slight bow. + + The prisoner was attired in a dark brown great coat, with a black + velvet collar, white corduroy breeches, drab gaiters and shoes. His + hands were confined with handcuffs, instead of being tied with cord, + as is usually the case on such occasions, and, at his own request, his + arms were not pinioned. He wore a pair of black kid gloves, and the + wrists of his shirt were visible below the cuffs of his coat. As on + the last day of his trial, he wore a white cravat. The irons, which + were very heavy, and consisted of a succession of chain links, were + still on his legs, and were held up in the middle by a Belcher + handkerchief tied round his waist. + + The executioner commenced his mournful duties by taking from the + unhappy prisoner his cravat and collar. To obviate all difficulty in + this stage of the proceedings, Thurtell flung back his head and neck, + and so gave the executioner an opportunity of immediately divesting + him of that part of his dress. After tying the rope round Thurtell's + neck, the executioner drew a white cotton cap over his countenance, + which did not, however, conceal the contour of his face, or deprive + him entirely of the view of surrounding objects. + + At that moment the clock sounded the last stroke of twelve. During the + whole of this appalling ceremony, there was not the slightest symptom + of emotion discernible in his features; his demeanour was perfectly + calm and tranquil, and he behaved like a man acquainted with the + dreadful ordeal he was about to pass, but not unprepared to meet it. + Though his fortitude was thus conspicuous, it was evident from his + appearance that in the interval between his conviction and his + execution he must have suffered much. He looked careworn; his + countenance had assumed a cadaverous hue, and there was a haggardness + and lankness about his cheeks and mouth, which could not fail to + attract the notice of every spectator. + + The executioner next proceeded to adjust the noose by which Thurtell + was to be attached to the scaffold. After he had fastened it in such a + manner as to satisfy his own mind, Thurtell looked up at it, and + examined it with great attention. He then desired the executioner to + let him have fall enough. The rope at this moment seemed as if it + would only give a fall of two or three feet The executioner assured + him that the fall was quite sufficient. The principal turnkey then + went up to Thurtell, shook hands with him, and turned away in tears. + Mr Wilson, the governor of the gaol, next approached him. Thurtell + laid to him, "Do you think, Mr Wilson, I have got enough fall?" Mr + Wilson replied, "I think you have, Sir. Yes, quite enough." Mr Wilson + then took hold of his hand, shook it, and said, "Good bye, Mr + Thurtell, may God Almighty bless you." Thurtell instantly replied, + "God bless _you_, Mr Wilson, God bless _you_." Mr Wilson next asked + him whether he considered that the laws of his country had been dealt + to him justly and fairly, upon which he said, "I admit that justice + has been done me--I am perfectly satisfied." + + A few seconds then elapsed, during which every person seemed to be + engaged in examining narrowly Thurtell's deportment His features, as + well as they could be discerned, appeared to remain unmoved, and his + hands, which were extremely prominent, continued perfectly steady, and + were not affected by the slightest tremulous motion. + + Exactly at two minutes past twelve the Under-Sheriff, with his wand, + gave the dreadful signal--the drop suddenly and silently fell--and + + JOHN THURTELL WAS LAUNCHED INTO ETERNITY. + +On the 10th of September, 1824, Henry Fauntleroy, of the firm of Marsh, +Stracey, Fauntleroy, and Graham, bankers, in Berners-street, was +apprehended in consequence of its being discovered that in September, +1820, £10,000 3 per cent stock, standing in the names of himself, J. D. +Hume, and John Goodchild, as trustees of Francis William Bellis, had been +sold out under a power of attorney, to which the names of his co-trustees +and some of the subscribing witnesses were forged. It was soon ascertained +that the extent to which this practice had been carried was enormous, no +less than £170,000 stock having been sold out in 1814 and 1815 by the same +fraudulent means. + +Every exertion was used by Mr. Fauntleroy's counsel, his case being twice +argued before the Judges, but both decisions were against him; and on the +30th of November, 1824, his execution took place. The number of persons +assembled was estimated at nearly 100,000. + +The station in society of this unfortunate man, and the long-established +respectability of the banking-house, in which he was the most active +partner, with the vast extent of the forgeries committed, gave to his case +an intensity of interest which has scarcely ever been equalled, and during +the whole time it was pending afforded plenty of work for the printers and +vendors of street literature. Catnach's advanced position, which was now +far beyond all his compeers, caused him to get the lion's share. Every +incident in the man's character, history, and actions was taken advantage +of. The sheets, almost wet from the press, were read by high and low; by +those who lived and revelled in marble halls and gilded saloons, as well +as by those who thronged our large towns and centres of industry. + +The parliamentary election of 1826, for the county of Northumberland, the +principal seat of which was at Alnwick, gave early promise of being +severely contested. There were four candidates in the field, namely, Henry +Thomas Liddell, afterwards first Earl of Ravensworth, of Ravensworth +Castle, county Durham; Mr. Matthew Bell, of Woolsingham, Northumberland; +Mr. Thomas Wentworth Beaumont, and Lord Howick, afterwards Henry the third +Earl Grey, K.G. The nomination of the candidates took place on Tuesday, +June 20th, 1826, and the polling continued till July 6th, when the result +was as follows:-- + + Liddell 1562 + Bell 1380 + Beaumont 1335 + Howick 997 + +This contest was the greatest political event in the history of the +county. It is estimated that it cost the candidates little short of +£250,000. + +Now, as we have before observed, Mr. Mark Smith--who till the time of his +death, on the 18th of May, 1881, aged 87--carried on the business of +printer and bookseller at Alnwick--and James Catnach, were fellow +apprentices, both being bound to learn the art of printing to the elder +Catnach on the same day. This early-formed acquaintanceship continued +throughout the remaining portion of Catnach's life, and whenever Mr. Mark +Smith came to London in after years, he always visited Jemmy's house. + +It was in consequence of the continued friendship existing between Mr. +Mark Smith and Jemmy Catnach that the latter had often expressed a desire +to serve his fellow-apprentice, should circumstances occur to render it +necessary. The Alnwick election of 1826 promised to be a good one as +regarded printing, and Mr. Smith anticipating a difficulty in getting +through his work, applied to Catnach to know if he could render him any +assistance. The result was that Jemmy at once proffered to go to Alnwick +and take with him a small hand-press. After his arrival he seldom went out +of the house, as all hands worked early and late, for, besides addresses, +squibs, &c., they had to get out the state of the poll every afternoon, +shortly after four o'clock. The number of addresses and squibs, in prose +and verse, during this memorable election was enormous. The whole, when +collected together, forms four good-sized volumes. The principal printers +in Alnwick at this time, and who were engaged by the candidates, were +Smith, Davison, and Graham. But there was a great deal of printing done at +Newcastle, Gateshead, North Shields, Morpeth, and other towns. + +There can be but little doubt that all who were professionally engaged at +this election made a good thing out of it. The money spent upon printing +alone must have been very great. And nearly all the public-houses in +Alnwick were made "open houses," as well as most of those in the principal +towns throughout the county. Old people talk to this day, with a degree of +pride of "those good old times" that existed at the Parliamentary +elections previous to the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832. As far as +Catnach was concerned, he merely went to help to pay off a deep debt of +gratitude owing by him to the Smith family for many past favours to his +own family when they were in dire distress in _auld lang syne_. Besides, +Jemmy was now getting towards that state known as being "comfortably +well-to-do," and the trip was a change of air--a bit of a holiday, and a +visit to the town of his birth. And as he had buried his mother in London +during the early part of the year, he took the opportunity to erect in the +parish churchyard, that which at once stands as a cenotaph and a +tombstone, bearing the following inscription:-- + + "JOHN, Son of JOHN CATNACH, + Printer, died August 27th, + 1794, Aged 5 years & 7 months. + JOHN CATNACH died in + LONDON, 1813, Aged 44. + MARY, his wife died Jany. + 24th, 1826, Aged 60 years, + Also John, Margaret, and + Jane Catnach, lie here."[9] + +During Catnach's absence from London on the Alnwick election, his old +rivals--the Pitts family--were, as usual, concocting false reports, and +exhibiting lampoons, after the following manner:-- + + "Poor Jemmy with the son of Old Nick, + Down to Northumberland he's gone; + To take up his freedom at Alnwick, + The why or the wherefore's known to none. + + "Before he went, he washed in soap and sud, + The Alnwick folks they found the fiddle; + Then they dragged poor Jemmy through the mud, + Two foot above his middle. + +The above was in allusion to the old ceremony of being dragged through the +dirty pool to be made a Freeman of the town of Alnwick. But, as far as +Catnach was concerned, there is no truth whatever in the matter, it was +simply "a weak invention of the enemy." It was in the latter part of June +and the beginning of July in the same year, that Catnach was at Alnwick, +and the ceremony of making freemen always took place on St. Mark's Day, +April 25th, or at least two months earlier. + +Thus the statement of the Pitts' party was-- + + "As false + As air, as water, as wind, as sandy earth, + As fox to lamb, as wolf to heifer's calf, + Pard to the hind, or step-dame to her son." + +Catnach, as the high priest of the literature of the streets, surrounded +by trade rivals, "stood like a man at a mark with a whole army shooting at +him," but he was as firm as a rock and with the strength of a giant, and, +as Hyperion to a Satyr, defied them all. + +The destruction of the Royal Brunswick Theatre, Well-street, +Wellclose-square, East London, on the 29th of February, 1828, by the +falling in of the walls, in consequence of too much weight being attached +to the heavy cast-iron roof, made a rare nine-day's wonder for the workers +of street-papers. Fortunately the catastrophe happened in the day-time, +during the rehearsal of "Guy Mannering," and only fifteen persons +perished, viz:-- + + Mr. D. S. Maurice, a master printer, of Fenchurch-street, one of the + Proprietors, + + Mr. J. Evans _Bristol Observer_ + Miss Mary A. Feron _Actress_, + Miss Freeman _Corps de ballet_, + Mr. E. Gilbert _Comedian_, + Mr. J. Blamire _Property Man_, + Mr. G. Penfold _Doorkeeper_, + Miss Jane Wall _Visitor_, + Mr. J. Purdy _Blacksmith_, + Messrs. J. Miles, W. Leader, + A. W. Davidson, M. Miles, + and J. Abbott _Carpenters_, + J. Levy, _A Clothesman_ (accidentally passing). + +"Oh yes, sir! I remember well the falling of the Brunswick Theatre, out +Whitechapel way. It was a rare good thing for all the running and standing +patterers in and about ten miles of London. Every day we all killed more +and more people--in our "Latest Particulars." One day there was twenty +persons killed, the next day thirty or forty, until it got at last to be +worked up to about a hundred, and all killed. Then we killed all sorts of +people, Duke of Wellington, and all the Dukes and Duchesses, Bishops, +swell nobs and snobs we could think of at the moment." + +[Illustration: ATROCIOUS MURDER OF A YOUNG WOMAN IN SUFFOLK. + + SINGULAR DISCOVERY OF THE BODY FROM A DREAM. + + THE RED BARN. + + THE SCENE OF THE MURDER, AND WHERE THE BODY OF MARIA + MARTEN WAS FOUND CONCEALED.] + +Four years after the Thurtell and Weare affair, namely, in the month of +April, 1828, another "sensational" murder was discovered--that of Maria +Marten, by William Corder, in the Red Barn, at Polstead, in the county of +Suffolk. The circumstances that led to the discovery of this most +atrocious murder, were of an extraordinary and romantic nature, and +manifest an almost special interposition of Providence in marking out the +offender. As the mother of the girl had on three several nights dreamt +that her daughter was murdered and buried in Corder's Red Barn, and as +this proved to be the case, an additional "charm" was given to the +circumstance. The "Catnach Press" was again set working both day and +night, to meet the great demand for the "Full Particulars." In due course +came the gratifying announcement of the apprehension of the murderer! and +the sale continued unabatingly in both town and country, every "Flying +Stationer" making great profits by the sale. + +[Illustration: LIKENESS OF WILLIAM CORDER.] + +The trial of Corder took place at Bury St. Edmonds, on the 7th of August, +1828, before the Lord Chief Baron (Anderson). The prisoner pleaded "_Not +Guilty_," and the trial proceeded. On being called on for his defence, +Corder read a manuscript paper. He declared that he deeply deplored the +death of the unfortunate deceased, and he urged the jury to dismiss from +their minds all that prejudice which must necessarily have been excited +against him by the public press, &c. Having concluded his address, the +Lord Chief Baron summed up, and a verdict of "_Guilty_" was returned. The +Last Dying Speech and Confession had an enormous sale--estimated at +1,166,000, a _fac-simile_ copy of which with the "Lamentable Verses," said +to have been written by Old Jemmy Catnach will be found on the next page. + + CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF WILLIAM CORDER, THE MURDERER OF MARIA + MARTEN. + + Since the tragical affair between Thurtell and Weare, no event has + occurred connected with the criminal annals of our country which has + excited so much interest as the trial of Corder, who was justly + convicted of the murder of Maria Marten on Friday last. + + + THE CONFESSION. + + "Bury Gaol, August 10th, 1828.--Condemned cell. + "Sunday evening, half-past Eleven. + + "I acknowledge being guilty of the death of poor Maria Marten, by + shooting her with a pistol. The particulars are as follows:--When we + left her father's house, we began quarrelling about the burial of the + child: she apprehended the place wherein it was deposited would be + found out. The quarrel continued about three quarters of an hour upon + this sad and about other subjects. A scuffle ensued, and during the + scuffle, and at the time I think that she had hold of me, I took the + pistol from the side pocket of my velveteen jacket and fired. She + fell, and died in an instant. I never saw her even struggle. I was + overwhelmed with agitation and dismay:--the body fell near the front + doors on the floor of the barn. A vast quantity of blood issued from + the wound, and ran on to the floor and through the crevices. Having + determined to bury the body in the barn (about two hours after she was + dead). I went and borrowed a spade of Mrs Stow, but before I went + there I dragged the body from the barn into the chaff-house, and + locked the barn. I returned again to the barn, and began to dig a + hole, but the spade being a bad one, and the earth firm and hard, I + was obliged to go home for a pickaxe and a better spade, with which I + dug the hole, and then buried the body. I think I dragged the body by + the handkerchief that was tied round her neck. It was dark when I + finished covering up the body. I went the next day, and washed the + blood from off the barn-floor. I declare to Almighty God I had no + sharp instrument about me, and no other wound but the one made by the + pistol was inflicted by me. I have been guilty of great idleness, and + at times led a dissolute life, but I hope through the mercy of God to + be forgiven. WILLIAM CORDER." + + Witness to the signing by the said William Corder, + + JOHN ORRIDGE. + + + Condemned cell, Eleven o'clock, Monday morning, + August 11th, 1828. + + The above confession was read over carefully to the prisoner in our + presence, who stated most solemnly it was true, and that he had + nothing to add to or retract from it--W. STOCKING, chaplain; TIMOTHY + R. HOLMES, Under-Sheriff. + + + THE EXECUTION. + + At ten minutes before twelve o'clock the prisoner was brought from his + cell and pinioned by the hangman, who was brought from London for the + purpose. He appeared resigned, but was so weak as to be unable to + stand without support; when his cravat was removed he groaned heavily, + and appeared to be labouring under great mental agony. When his wrists + and arms were made fast, he was led round towards the scaffold, and + as he passed the different yards in which the prisoners were confined, + he shook hands with them, and speaking to two of them by name, he + said, "Good bye, God bless you." They appeared considerably affected + by the wretched appearance which he made, and "God bless you!" "May + God receive your soul!" were frequently uttered as he passed along. + The chaplain walked before the prisoner, reading the usual Burial + Service, and the Governor and Officers walking immediately after him. + Tho prisoner was supported to the steps which led to the scaffold; he + looked somewhat wildly around, and a constable was obliged to support + him while the hangman was adjusting the fatal cord. There was a + barrier to keep off the crowd, amounting to upwards of 7,000 persons, + who at this time had stationed themselves in the adjoining fields, on + the hedges, the tops of houses, and at every point from which a view + of the execution could be best obtained. The prisoner, a few moments + before the drop fell, groaned heavily, and would have fallen, had not + a second constable caught hold of him. Everything having been made + ready, the signal was given, the fatal drop fell, and the unfortunate + man was launched into eternity. Just before he was turned off, he said + in a feeble tone, "I am justly sentenced, and may God forgive me." + + + The Murder of Maria Marten. + + BY W. CORDER. + + Come all you thoughtless young men, a warning take by me, + And think upon my unhappy fate to be hanged upon a tree; + My name is William Corder, to you I do declare, + I courted Maria Marten, most beautiful and fair. + + I promised I would marry her upon a certain day, + Instead of that, I was resolved to take her life away. + I went into her father's house the 18th day of May, + Saying, my dear Maria, we will fix the wedding day. + + If you will meet me at the Red-barn, as sure as I have life, + I will take you to Ipswich town, and there make you my wife; + I then went home and fetched my gun, my pickaxe and my spade, + I went into the Red-barn, and there I dug her grave. + + With heart so light, she thought no harm, to meet him she did go + He murdered her all in the barn, and laid her body low; + After the horrible deed was done, she lay weltering in her gore, + Her bleeding mangled body he buried beneath the Red-barn floor. + + Now all things being silent, her spirit could not rest, + She appeared onto her mother, who suckled her at her breast, + For many a long month or more, her mind being sore oppress'd, + Neither night or day she could not take any rest. + + Her mother's mind being so disturbed, she dreamt three nights o'er, + Her daughter she lay murdered beneath the Red-barn floor; + She sent the father to the barn, when he the ground did thrust, + And there he found his daughter mingling with the dust. + + My trial is hard, I could not stand, most woeful was the sight, + When her jaw-bone was brought to prove, which pierced my heart quite; + Her aged father standing by, likewise his loving wife, + And in her grief her hair she tore, she scarcely could keep life. + + Adieu, adieu, my loving friends, my glass is almost run, + On Monday next will be my last, when I am to be hang'd, + So you, young men, who do pass by; with pity look on me, + For murdering Maria Marten, I was hang'd upon the tree. + + Printed by J Catnach, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court.--Cards, &c., Printed + Cheap + + +[Illustration] + + "Oh, she lives snug in the Holy Land, + Right, tight, and merry in the Holy Land, + Search the globe round, none can be found + So _accommodating!_ as Old Mother Cummins--of the Holy Land." + +Catnach, like many others connected with the getting up of news broadsides +and fly-sheets, did not always keep clear of the law. The golden rule is a +very fine one, but, unfortunately, it is not always read aright; in some +cases injured innocence flies at extremes. Jemmy Catnach for a long time +had been living upon unfriendly terms with a party connected with the +management of one of Mother Cummins's lodging-house establishments in the +immediate neighbourhood, so out of spite printed a pamphlet, purporting to +be the "Life and Adventures of Old Mother Cummins." Here Catnach had +reckoned without his host, by reason of his not taking into consideration +the extensive aristocratic and legal connection Mother Cummins had for her +friends and patrons. The moment she was made acquainted with the "_dirty +parjury_" that Jemmy Catnach had printed and caused to be publicly +circulated, she immediately gave instructions to _her_ Attorney General to +prosecute the _varmint_, when a warrant was applied for and obtained to +search the premises of the Seven Dials printer. But Catnach got the news +of the intended visit of the Bow Street Runners, and naturally became +alarmed from having a vivid recollection of the punishment and costs in +the case of the Drury-lane sausage makers, so the forme containing the +libellous matter was at once broken up--"pied," that is, the type was +jumbled together and left to be properly distributed on a future occasion. +What stock of the pamphlets remained were hastily packed up and carried +off to the "other side of the water" by John Morgan, one of Catnach's +poets! while another forme, consisting of a Christmas-sheet, entitled "The +Sun of Righteousness," was hurriedly got to press, and all hands were +working away full of assumed innocence when the officers from Bow Street +arrived at Monmouth-court, when, after a diligent search, they had very +reluctantly to come to the conclusion that they were "a day behind the +fair," and that the printer had been a little too sharp for them this +time. But Mother Cummins did not mean to be so checkmated by Catnach and +Co., and vowed to pursue him and his dirty blackguards to the end of the +world and back again, and instructed her lawyers to serve him with several +notices of action for libel, defamation of character, and, more +particular, as she expressed it, for "_parjury_." Then Catnach became +somewhat alarmed by her known vindictive disposition and long purse, that +he consulted his own solicitor in the matter, who took "counsel's opinion" +when an instant compromise at all costs, together with an ample apology, +was recommended as the only safe way out of the dilemma; a course which +was ultimately agreed to by both sides. An apology was drawn up and +approved of, with the understanding that Catnach was, after paying all +costs incurred to print the apology and publish the same on three several +places in front of his business premises in Monmouth Court for fourteen +clear days. All this--and more--Jemmy promised steadfastly to observe. Yet +in effect, he evaded the conditions by printing the apology in small pica +type and sticking the three copies so high up on the premises, that it +would have required Sam Weller's "pair of double million magnifying gas +microscopes of hextra power" to have been able to read the same. + +Immediately after Mother Cummins's death and funeral, March, 1828, the +following announcement appeared:-- + + _Published this Day, Price Sixpence, embellished with a humorous + Coloured Plate._ + + THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF MOTHER CUMMINS, + + The celebrated Lady Abbess of St. Giles's; with a curious Description, + Regulations, &c., of her singular Establishment. An account of her + Funeral, &c. Interspersed with numerous Anecdotes of Living + Characters, Visitors of Mother Cummins's Nunnery,--Capt. Shiels and + the Forty-four Nuns--Poll Hankey and Sir Charles Stanton,--Jane Sealey + and an Illustrous Person, &c.--With an Account of some of the + principal Nuns of the Establishment; particularly Mrs. Throgmorton and + Lord Al...n..y--Bell Chambers and the D... of Y...,--Miss Wilkinson + and Captain Featherstone--Marianne Hempstead, the Scotch Beauty--Miss + Weltern Davis and the Rev. Mr. H...l..y Be..rs..d--Mary Thomas, the + Female Chimney-Sweep, and Captain T...t...s, &c. + + + THE TRIAL, SENTENCE, FULL CONFESSION, AND EXECUTION OF BISHOP & + WILLIAMS, THE BURKERS. + + [Illustration] + + + BURKING AND BURKERS. + + The month of November, 1831, will be recorded in the annals of crimes + and cruelties as particularly pre-eminent, for it will prove to + posterity that other wretches could be found base enough to follow the + horrid example of Burke and his accomplice Hare, to entice the + unprotected and friendless to the den of death for sordid gain. + + The horrible crime of "Burking," or murdering the unwary with the + intention of selling their bodies at a high price to the anatomical + schools, for the purpose of dissection, has unfortunately obtained a + notoriety which will not be soon or easily forgotten. It took its + horrifying appellation from the circumstances which were disclosed on + the trial of the inhuman wretch Burke, who was executed at Edinburgh + in 1829, for having wilfully and deliberately murdered several persons + for the sole purpose of profiting by the sale of their dead bodies. + + + APPREHENSION OF THE BURKERS. + + On Tuesday, November 8th, four persons vis., John Bishop, Thomas + Williams, James May, and Michael Shield, were examined at Bow Street + Police Office on the charge of being concerned in the wilful murder of + an unknown Italian boy. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that + May, _alias_ Jack Stirabout, a known resurrection-man, and Bishop, a + body-snatcher, offered at King's College a subject for sale, Shield + and Williams having charge of the body in a hamper, for which they + demanded twelve guineas. Mr Partridge, demonstrator of anatomy, who, + although not in absolute want of a subject, offered nine guineas, but + being struck with its freshness sent a messenger to the police + station, and the fellows were then taken into custody, examined before + the magistrates, when Shield was discharged and the others ultimately + committed for trial + + + THE TRIAL. + + Friday, December 2nd, having been fixed for the trial of the prisoners + charged with the murder of the Italian boy, the Court was crowded to + excess so early as eight o'clock in the morning. + + At nine o'clock the Deputy Recorder, Mr Serjeant Arabin, came into + the court, when the prisoners severally pleaded "Not Guilty." + + The Jury were then sworn, and at ten o'clock Chief Justice Tindal, Mr + Baron Vaughan, and Mr Justice Littledale entered the Court, with the + Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. + + The Bench was crowded with persons of rank, amongst whom was the Duke + of Sussex. + + Mr Bodkin having opened the case, Mr Adolphus proceeded to state to + the Jury the leading facts, as they were afterwards stated in the + evidence produced. The case for the prosecution having closed, the + prisoners were called upon for their defence. + + The prisoner Bishop in his defence stated that he was thirty-three + years of age, and had followed the occupation of carrier till the last + five years, during which he had occasionally obtained a livelihood by + supplying surgeons with subjects. He most solemnly declared that he + had never disposed of any body that had not died a natural death. + + Williams' defence briefly stated that he had never been engaged in the + calling of a resurrectionist, but had only by accident accompanied + Bishop on the sale of the Italian boy's body. + + May, in his defence, admitted that for the last six years he had + followed the occupation of supplying the medical schools with + anatomical subjects, but disclaimed ever having had anything to do + with the sale of bodies which had not died a natural death. That he + had accidentally met with Bishop at the Fortune of War public house on + the Friday on which the body was taken for sale to Guy's Hospital. + + At eight o'clock the jury retired to consider their verdict and on + their return they found the prisoners were Guilty of Murder. + + The Recorder then passed the awful sentence upon them. "That each of + them be hanged on Monday morning, and their bodies be delivered over + for dissection and anatomization." + + The prisoners heard the sentence as they had the verdict, without any + visible alteration. May raised his voice, and in a firm tone said, "I + am a murdered man, gentlemen." + + + THE FULL CONFESSION OF BISHOP AND WILLIAMS. + + On Saturday morning Williams addressed a note to Mr Wontner, stating + that he and Bishop wanted particularly to see him and Dr. Cotton, the + Ordinary. In the course of the interview which immediately followed, + both prisoners made a full confession of their guilt, both exculpating + May altogether from being party to any of the murders. Having received + the confessions, Mr Wontner immediately waited upon Mr Justice + Littledale and Baron Vaughan, and upon communicating to them the + statements, they said they would at once see the Home Secretary on the + subject. + + On Sunday morning the Sheriffs visited all three of the prisoners in + succession, and with the Under-Sheriffs were engaged between three and + four hours in taking down the statements of the convicts. The result + of all these investigations was that the same afternoon a respite + during his Majesty's pleasure arrived at Newgate for May, and his + sentence will be commuted to transportation for life. + + + THE EXECUTION. + + During the whole of Sunday crowds of persons congregated in the Old + Bailey, and the spot on which the scaffold was to be erected was + covered with individuals conversing on the horrid crimes of the + convicts, and in the course of the day strong posts were erected in + the Old Bailey and at the ends of Newgate street Giltspur street, and + Skinner street, for the purpose of forming barriers to break the + pressure of the crowd. + + At half-past twelve o'clock the gallows was brought out from the yard, + and drawn to its usual station opposite the Debtor's door. The crowd, + as early as one o'clock amounting to several thousand persons, + continued rapidly increasing. + + By some oversight three chains had been suspended from the fatal beam, + and this led the crowd to suppose that May had not been respited. Mr. + Wontnor, on hearing of the mistake, directed that one of the chains + should be removed. The moment this was done an exclamation of "May is + respited," ran through the crowd, and, contrary to the expected tokens + of indignation, distinct cheers were heard amongst the crowd on + witnessing this token that mercy had been shown to May. + + At half-past seven the Sheriffs arrived in their carriage, and in a + short time the press-yard was thronged with gentlemen. The unhappy + convicts were now led from their cells. Bishop cams out first, and + after he was pinioned he was conducted to a seat, and the Rev. Mr. + Williams sat alongside of him, and they conversed together in a low + tone of voice. + + Williams was next introduced, and the wonderful alteration two days + had effected in his appearance astonished everyone who was present at + the trial. All the bold confidence he exhibited then had completely + forsaken him, and he looked the most miserable wretch it is possible + to conceive. He entered the room with a very faltering step, and when + the ceremony of pinioning him commenced, he was so weak as to be + scarcely able to stand. + + Everything being ready, the melancholy procession moved forward. + Bishop was then conducted to the scaffold, and the moment he made his + appearance the most dreadful yells and hootings were heard among the + crowd. The executioner proceeded at once to the performance of his + duty, and having put the rope round his neck and affixed it to a + chain, placed him under the fatal beam. Williams was then taken out, + and the groans and hisses were renewed. The dreadful preparations were + soon completed, and in less than five minutes after the wretched men + appeared on the scaffold the usual signal was given, the drop fell, + and they were launched into eternity. Bishop appeared to die very + soon, but Williams struggled hard. Thus died + + THE DREADFUL BURKERS OF 1831 + + Printed in London for the Venders. + +It may be remarked, _en passant_, that Mr. Corder, with Paragalli and +Colla, the two Italian witnesses, who gave evidence as to the identity of +the body, said to be that of the Italian boy, at the trial of Bishop, +Williams, and May, appeared at Bow Street, in consequence of doubts being +entertained by a portion of the public as to the body being that of Carlo +Ferrari, to re-assert their former evidence. Mr. Corder afterwards +published a statement in the "Times" newspaper, which gave scarcely the +possibility of doubt that the body offered at King's College _must have +been_ that of Ferrari notwithstanding the murderer's assertion to the +contrary. On December the 10th, a _Post-obit_ prosecution of Williams, the +Burkite murderer, took place in the Court of Excise, where he was charged, +on information, with having carried on an illicit factory for making glass +at No. 2, Nova Scotia Gardens, Bethnal Green. An officer proved the +seizure of goods used in the manufacture of glass, at the house of the +person charged, and that Bishop was at the time in company. The Court +condemned the goods seized. + +A drama on the subject of the "Burkers" was produced at an unlicensed +theatre, designated THE SHAKESPEARE, in the Kingsland Road, and not far +from Shoreditch Church, and for a time was specially attractive. In the +young actor, who played Carlo Ferrari, the Italian boy, might now be +recognised an eminent tragedian.[10] + +[Illustration] + + +Street-ballads on political subjects, though not regarded as of great +interest by the whole body of the people, are still eventful among certain +classes, and for such the street author and ballad singer cater. The +measure of Reform by Earl Grey's administration, was proposed in the House +of Commons by Lord John Russell, 1st March, 1831. On the first division, +_second_ reading 22nd March, there stood for it, 302; against it, 301. +Ultimately, the Bill for that session was abandoned, and Parliament +dissolved. The Reform Bill of 1832 was read for the _third_ time on the +23rd of March, when the numbers stood thus:--for the Bill, 355; against +it, 239--majority for it, 116. In the Lords, the Bill was carried through +the Committee on the 30th of May, and read a _third_ time on the 4th of +June. For the Bill, 106; against, 22--majority, 84. + +During the whole of the time the Reform Bills of 1831-2 were before the +Houses of Parliament, the "Catnach Press," in common with other printing +offices that produced street-literature, was very busy in publishing, +almost daily, songs and papers in ridicule of borough-mongering and of the +various rotten boroughs then in existence, but which were entirely swept +away by the passing of this Bill; fifty-six boroughs in England being +disfranchised, while thirty were reduced to one member only; twenty-two +new boroughs were created to send two members, and twenty to send one +member; other important changes were also made. Songs upon the subject +were sung at every corner of the streets, to the great delight of the +multitude. + +THE REFORM BILL. + + As William and _Bill_ are the same, + Our King, if he "weathers the storm," + Shall be called in the annals of fame, + The _Glorious_ BILL _of Reform_! + + +[Illustration] + +ATTACK ON KING WILLIAM IV. AT ASCOT HEATH, + +ON TUESDAY, THE 19TH OF JUNE, 1832. + +The Ascot Races for 1832 will be rendered memorable in the history of this +country by reason of a stone thrown at his Majesty while on the grand +stand at Ascot Races, which hit him on the forehead. The man by whom it +was thrown was immediately secured, and proved to be Dennis Collins, a +seaman with only one leg, formerly a pensioner of Greenwich Hospital, from +whence he had been dismissed for ill-conduct. On his examination he +confessed he committed the outrage in revenge because no notice had been +taken of petitions which he had sent to the Lords of the Admiralty and the +King. He was committed to Reading gaol to take his trial, which took place +at Abingdon, on August 22nd. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the +fifth count, that of intending some bodily harm to his Majesty, but not +guilty of the intent to kill. + +Mr. Baron Gurney passed sentence on the prisoner, that he _be drawn on a +hurdle to the place of execution_, and being hung by his _neck_ until +dead, his _head_ be afterwards _severed from his body_, and his body +_divided into four pieces_, and disposed of as his Majesty should think +fit. His sentence was afterwards respited. + +Nothing better than the above circumstance could have suited the producers +and workers of street-literature. King William and Queen Adelaide were +very popular at the time. "Yes, sir, we all did well out of that job of +the wooden-legged sailor and old King Billy. It lasted out for months. We +had something fresh nearly every day. We killed old Billy five or six +times; then we made out that the sailor-chap was a love-child of the +Sailor King and Madame Vestris; then that he was an old sweetheart of +Queen Adelaide's, and that he was jealous and annoyed at her a jilting of +him and a-marrying of old King Billy, and so on. But it was an awful sell, +and a robbery to us all, because they didn't hang and cut the chap up into +four quarters--that would have been a regular Godsend to us chaps, sir. +But I think old Jemmy Catnach, as it was, must have cleared pretty nigh or +quite fifty pounds for himself out of the job. A-talking about Madame +Vestris, sir, reminds me that once we had a song about her, and the chorus +was:-- + + "'A hundred pounds reward + For the man that cut the legs above the knees + Belonging to Madame Vestris.'" + +[Illustration] + +The year 1837 produced two sensational murders and executions. The first +case--that of Pegsworth--made a great stir, particularly in the east part +of London. It was on the evening of the 9th of January, 1837, that a most +atrocious and cold-blooded murder was committed in Ratcliff Highway. The +individual who suffered was Mr. John Holliday Ready, who for some time +carried on the trade of a tailor, draper, and milliner. John Pegsworth, +was a messenger in the tea department of St. Katherine's Docks, he had +formerly kept a small tobacconist's shop in the same street, and had +contracted a debt of £1 with Mr. Ready, who being unable to obtain +payment, took out a summons against him in the Court of Requests, +Osborne-street, Whitechapel. The court gave judgement against Pegsworth +for the full amount and costs, which he was ordered to pay by instalments. +On the evening of the same day Pegsworth proceeded to a cutler's shop in +Shadwell, where he bought a large pig-knife, armed with which he +immediately repaired to the house of Mr. Ready for the purpose of +executing his diabolical intention. He entered the shop, and having spoken +to Mrs. Ready, passed on to the parlour and got into conversation with Mr. +Ready. Pegsworth, although pressingly asked to do so, declined taking a +seat, and after he had been talking about ten minutes in a calm and +collected manner on the subject of the debt and the misfortunes he had met +with in business, he pointedly asked Mr. Ready if he intended to enforce +the payment of the debt? Ready said he should be compelled to issue an +execution against his goods if the money was not paid. The words had +scarcely left the lips of the unfortunate man than Pegsworth uttered some +exclamation which is supposed to have been "Take that!" and plunged the +knife with great force into his breast up to the hilt. Ready called out to +his wife, "O, I am stabbed!" fell back in his chair, and almost +immediately expired. Mrs. Ready, who saw Pegsworth move his arm, but was +not aware her husband was stabbed until she saw him fall back, screamed +aloud for assistance, and several of her neighbours rushed into the shop +for the purpose of securing the murderer, who did not make the least +attempt to escape, but having completed his purpose, withdrew the knife +from the body of his victim, laid it on the table, and calmly awaited the +arrival of the police. + +Pegsworth was tried at the Central Criminal Court of London on the 12th of +February, and found guilty of wilful murder, and was executed in front of +the debtor's door in the Old Bailey on the 9th of March following. + + * * * * * + +During the whole of the time that was occupied in the trial and execution +of Pegsworth, a circumstance took place which excited an extraordinary +sensation throughout the metropolis and its neighbourhood--namely, the +discovery near the Pine Apple Gate, Edgware Road, of the trunk of a human +being, tied up in a sack, dismembered of the arms, legs, and head. + +The utmost vigilance was exercised to trace out the murderer, but for +several days no light was thrown upon the transaction. At length, on the +6th of January, as a barge was passing down the Regent's Canal, near +Stepney, one of the eastern environs of London, the bargeman, to his +unspeakable horror, fished up what proved to be a human head. Proper +notice of this circumstance was forwarded to the police. It was now very +generally supposed the head would prove to belong to the body found in the +Edgware road, although at a distance of nearly five miles, and this +conjecture proved to be correct. + +On the second of February the remaining portions of the human being was +discovered in a sack in an osier bed, near Cold Harbour Lane, Camberwell. +These mutilated remains were carefully matched together, and at length +recognised as those of a Mrs. Brown, and suspicion fell, and justly so, +upon James Greenacre and his paramour Sarah Gale. + +In respect to the last two murders we have cited, Mr. Henry Mayhew +received from an old "running patterer" the following +statement--"Pegsworth was an out-and-out lot. I did tremendous with him, +because it happened in London, down Ratcliff Highway--that's a splendid +quarter for working--there's plenty of feeling--but, bless you, some +places you go to you can't move nohow, they've hearts like paving stones. +They wouldn't have 'the papers' if you'd give them to 'em--especially when +they knows you. Greenacre didn't sell so well as might have been expected, +for such a diabolical out-and-out crime as he committed; but you see he +came close after Pegsworth, and that took the beauty off him. Two +murderers together is no good to nobody." + +In the Greenacre tragedy Catnach did a great amount of business, and as it +was about the last "popular murder" in which he had any trade concern, we +give a statement in respect to the sale of "Execution Papers," of the +chief modern '_popular_' murders, thus:-- + + Of Rush murder 2,500,000 copies. + Of the Mannings 2,500,000 " + Of Courvoisier 1,666,000 " + Of Greenacre 1,650,000 " + Of Corder (Maria Marten) 1,166,000 " + Of the Five Pirates (Flowery Land) 290,000 " + Of Müller 280,000 " + +So that the printers and publishers of "Gallows" Literature in general, +and "The Catnach Press" in particular must have reaped a golden harvest +for many a long day, even when sold to the street patterers at the low +rate of 3d. per _long_ dozen. + +[Illustration] + + + LIFE, TRIAL, CONFESSION, & EXECUTION OF JAMES GREENACRE, FOR THE + EDGEWARE ROAD MURDER. + + [Illustration] + + On the 22nd of April, James Greenacre was found guilty of the wilful + murder of Hannah Brown, and Sarah Gale with being accessary after the + fact. A long and connected chain of evidence was produced, which + showed, that the sack in which the body was found was the property of + Mr. Ward; that it was usually deposited in a part of the premises + which led to the workshop, and could without observation have been + carried away by him; that the said sack contained several fragments + of shavings of mahogeny, such as were made in the course of business + by Ward; and that it contained some pieces of linen cloth, which had + been patched with nankeen; that this linen cloth matched exactly with + a frock which was found on Greenacre's premises, and which belonged to + the female prisoner. Feltham, a police-officer, deposed, that on the + 25th of March he apprehended the prisoners at the lodgings of + Greenacre; that on searching the trowsers pockets of that person, he + took therefrom a pawnbroker's duplicate for two silk gowns, and from + the fingers of the female prisoner two rings, and also a similar + duplicate for two veils, and an old-fashioned silver watch, which she + was endeavouring to conceal; and it was further proved that these + articles were pledged by the prisoners, and that they had been the + property of the deceased woman.--Two surgeons were examined, whose + evidence was most important, and whose depositions were of the + greatest consequence in throwing a clear light on the manner in which + the female, Hannah Brown, met with her death. Mr. Birtwhistle deposed, + that he had carefully examined the head; that the right eye had been + knocked out by a blow inflicted while the person was living; there was + also a cut on the cheek, and the jaw was fractured, these two last + wounds were, in his opinion, produced after death; there was also a + bruise on the head, which had occurred after death; the head had been + separated by cutting, and the _bone sawed nearly through_, and then + broken off; then were the marks of a saw, which fitted with a saw + which was found in Greenacre's box. Mr. Girdwood, a surgeon, very + minutely and skilfully described the appearances presented on the + head, and showed incontestibly, that the head had been severed from + the body _while the person was yet alive_; that this was proved by the + retraction, or drawing back, of the muscles at the parts where they + were separated by the knife, and further, by the blood-vessels being + empty, the body was drained of blood. This part of the evidence + produced a thrill of horror throughout the court, but Greenacre + remained quite unmoved. + + After a most impressive and impartial summing up by the learned Judge, + the jury retired, and, after the absence of a quarter of an hour, + returned into court, and pronounced a verdict of "Guilty" against both + the prisoners. + + The prisoners heard the verdict without evincing the least emotion, or + the slightest change of countenance. After an awful silence of a few + minutes, the Lord Chief Justice said they might retire, as they would + be remanded until the end of the session. + + They were then conducted from the bar, and on going down the steps, + the unfortunate female prisoner kissed Greenacre with every mark of + tenderness and affection. + + The crowd outside the court on this day was even greater than on + either of the preceding; and when the result of the trial was made + known in the street, a sudden and general shout succeeded, ans + continued huzzas were heard for several minutes. + + + THE EXECUTION. + + At half past seven the sheriff arrived in his carriage, and in a short + time the press-yard was thronged with gentlemen who had been admitted + by tickets. The unhappy convict was now led from his cell. When he + arrived in the press-yard, his whole appearance pourtrayed the utmost + misery and spirit-broken dejection; his countenance haggard, and his + whole frame agitated; all that self-possesion and fortitude which he + displayed in the early part of his imprisonment, had utterly forsaken + him, and had left him a victim of hopelessness and despair. He + requested the executioner to give him as little pain as possible in + the process of pinioning his arms and wrists; he uttered not a word in + allusion to his crime; neither did he make any dying request, except + that his spectacles might be given to Sarah Gale; he exhibited no sign + of hope; he showed no symptom of reconciliation with his offended God! + When the venerable ordinary preceded him in the solemn procession + through the vaulted passage to the fatal drop, he was so overcome and + unmanned, that he could not support himself without the aid of the + assistant executioner. At the moment he ascended the faithless floor, + from which he was to be launched into eternity, the most terrific + yells, groans, and cheers were vociferated by the immense multitude + surrounding the place of execution. Greenacre bowed to the sheriff, + and begged he might not be allowed to remain long in the concourse; + and almost immediately the fatal bolt was withdrawn, and, without a + struggle he became a lifeless corse.--Thus ended the days of + Greenacre, a man endowed with more than ordinary talents, respectably + connected, and desirably placed in society; but a want of probity, an + absolute dearth of principle, led him on from one crime to another, + until at length he perpetrated the sanguinary deed which brought his + career to an awful and disgraceful period, and which has enrolled his + name among the most notorious of those who have expiated their crime + on the gallows. + + On hearing the death-bell toll, Gale became dreadfully agitated; and + when she heard the brutal shouts of the crowd of spectators, she + fainted, and remained in a state of alternate mental agony and + insensibility throughout the whole day. + + After having been suspended the usual time, his body was cut down, and + buried in a hole dug in one of the passages of the prison, near the + spot where Thistlewood and his associate were deposited. + +Catnach received a very indifferent education, and that little at the +establishment of Mr. Goldie, in Alnwick, where his attendance was very +irregular, and this drawback assisted very much in blunting his relish for +the higher walks of literature. The father had not carried out the +heavenly injunction so much practised in Scotland, by giving to his son +the best of blessings--"a good education." + +Jemmy had a tenacious love of money, and this propensity he retained +throughout life. As a man of business he was rough and brusque in his +manners, but this mattered little, as his trade lay amongst a class who +were low and insensitive in their habits and modes of living. + +The productions issued at the "Catnach Press" were not destined to rank +high in the annals of literature; and they bear a sorry appearance when +placed alongside of several works of a similar kind, which were printed at +the same period in many parts of the kingdom. In this respect Jemmy +Catnach was very unlike his father, for, whilst the former had a niggardly +turn in all his dealings, the latter was naturally inclined to the +reverse. + +One class of literature which Jemmy Catnach made--by reason of greater +mechanical skill and a larger capital than his rivals--almost his own, was +children's farthing, halfpenny, and penny books. Among the great many that +he published we select from our own private collection, those that follow +as a fair sample. + +Many other nursery books of a similar kind might be mentioned as some of +the chief attractions that emanated from the "Catnach Press," and which, +to the juvenile population, were more eagerly welcomed than the great +sensational three-volume novels are by many in our day. + + + + + "THE CATNACH PRESS." + + [Illustration] + + A COLLECTION + OF JUVENILE BOOKS. + + + PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY + JAMES CATNACH, + LATE OF + MONMOUTH COURT, + SEVEN DIALS, + LONDON. + + +[Illustration: JAMES CATNACH TO HIS JUVENILE READERS. + + Little Boys and Girls will find + At CATNACH'S something to their mind, + From great variety may choose, + What will instruct them and amuse; + The prettiest plates that you can find, + To please at once the eye and mind, + In all his little books appear, + In natural beauty, shining clear, + Instruction unto youth when given, + Points the path from earth to heaven. + He sells by Wholesale and Retail. + To suit all moral tastes can't fail.] + + + Nurse Love-Child's LEGACY + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth + Court, 7 Dials. + + +2 + +[Illustration] + + The Lion and the unicorn, + Were fighting for the crown, + The lion beat the unicorn, + All round about the town, + Some gave them white bread + And some gave them brown, + Some gave them plum cake + And sent them out of town. + + +3 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + What is the news of the day, + Good neighbour I pray, + They say the balloon, + Is gone up to the moon. + + +4 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + The little mouse + Doth skip and play, + He runs by night, + And sleeps by day. + + +5 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + This is the Cat + That killed the Cock, + For waking her + At five o'clock. + + +6 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + And this is the Dog + That bit the thief, + For stealing all + His master's beef. + + +7 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + Who comes here + A Grenadier, + What do you want + A pot of beer, + Where's your money + I've forgot. + Get you gone + You drunken sot. + + +8 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + Be not a glutton when you eat, + But spare some for the needy, + Or people will, when filled with meat, + Say, like a wolf, you are greedy. + + +9 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + There was a little man, + And he had a little gun, + And his bullets were made of lead, + He shot John Sprig + Thro' the middle of his wig, + And knock'd it off his head. + + +10 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + Now what do you think + Of little Jack Jingle, + Before he was married, + He used to live single. + But after he married, + To alter his life, + He left off living single + And lived with his wife. + + +11 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + + Tom Trueby was a good and sensible boy, who neither played the truant + nor kept company with naughty children. He did not like tossing up nor + chuck up farthing, because he thought it might lead him to love + gaming, when he was grown up; but he liked very well to play at ball + or top, and most particularly at marbles, at which he was very clever, + never cheated, and played so well that he used to teach the + neighbouring children. + + +12 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + And here you see him instructing Master Manly, a Baronet's son in the + place, as he did in matters of more consequence, and behaved so well + towards him, that he was his friend all his lifetime. + + +13 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +Fire-Works and Crackers. + +[Illustration] + + Fire-Works are things that look very pretty when they are properly + managed by those who understand them, but children ought to take care + how they meddle with gunpowder lest they should hurt themselves or + other people. + + +14 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + + Tom Hazard for example was always fond of playing with serpents + crackers &c. At one time he was near doing damage by his fireworks + falling into a cellar, and at another time as you see in the cut he so + much frightened one of his schoolfellows that he fell down, and put + his ancle out, for which Tom was severely corrected and you must own + he richly deserved it. + +[Illustration] + + +15 + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + See the Mother, + Good and mild, + How she plays + With her dear Child. + + +NURSE LOVECHILD'S LEGACY. + +[Illustration] + + See the Maid + By kindness led, + To feed the Fowls + With crumbs of bread. + + +FINIS. + +J. Catnach, Printer. + + + + + THE GOLDEN PIPPIN. + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: + Printed by J. Catnach. + 2, Monmouth + Court, 7 Dials. + + +2 + +THE Lord's Prayer. + +[Illustration] + + Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy Kingdom come, + thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven, Give us this Day our + daily Bread, and forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that + trespass against us, and lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us + from Evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the Glory, for ever + and ever. Amen. + +[Illustration] + + +3 + +[Illustration] + +A + +Was an Arch Boy. + +[Illustration] + +B + +A Beauty was. + + +4 + +[Illustration] + +C + +A comely Wench but Coy. + +[Illustration] + +D + +A Dainty Lass. + + +5 + +[Illustration] + +E + +Loved Eggs, and eat his fill. + +[Illustration] + +F + +Was full and fat. + + +6 + +[Illustration] + +G + +Had Grace and wit at will. + +[Illustration] + +H + +Wore a Gold Lace Hat. + + +7 + +[Illustration] + +I + +Stands for little Jackys name. + +[Illustration] + +K + +For Kitty Fair. + + +8 + +[Illustration] + +L + +Loved Learning & got fame. + +[Illustration] + +M + +Was his Mother dear. + + +9 + +[Illustration] + +N + +Was naughty & oft crying. + +[Illustration] + +O + +An Only Child. + + +10 + +[Illustration] + +P + +Was pretty Peggy sighing. + +[Illustration] + +Q + +Was a Quaker mild. + + +11 + +[Illustration] + +R + +Was Rude, & in disgrace. + +[Illustration] + +S + +Stands for Sammy Still. + + +12 + +[Illustration] + +T + +For ever talked a-pace. + +[Illustration] + +V + +Was fond of Veal. + + +13 + +[Illustration] + +W + +He watched the house & hall. + +[Illustration] + +X + +Does like a Cross appear. + + +14 + +[Illustration] + +Y + +A Youth well shaped & tall. + +[Illustration] + +Z + +Whips up the Rear. + + +15 + + Let all good children come to me, + And I'll learn them their + + A B C + +[Illustration] + + And when your Great Letters you know, + Then I'll teach you the Small also. + +[Illustration] + +J. Catnach, Printer. + + + + + JERRY DIDDLE, AND HIS FIDDLE. + + [Illustration] + + _If you are bad + I pray reform, + And praise will all + Your acts adorn._ + + London: + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth + Court, 7 Dials. + + +2 + + JERRY DIDDLE. + Bought a fiddle, + To play to little boys, + He wax'd his string, + And began to sing, + Youth is the time for joys. + +[Illustration] + + He went to a pig, and play'd a jig. + + +3 + + The pigs did grunt for joy, + Till the farmer came out, + And made a great rout, + Saying "Off, or I'll cane you, my boy." + +[Illustration] + + He met an old woman to market a prancing, + He took out his fiddle, and set her a dancing. + + +4 + + She broke all her eggs, + And dirtied her butter; + At which her old husband + Began for to splutter. + +[Illustration] + + Oh! then, said Jerry, + I'll soon make you merry. + + +5 + + And the way with his fiddle he led, + The old man heard the tune, + As he sat in his room, + And danc'd on top of his head. + +[Illustration] + + +6 + +[Illustration] + + He next met a barber, + With powder and wig, + He play'd him a tune, + And he shaved an old pig. + + +7 + +[Illustration] + + Then up in his arms + He carried the boar, + And went to the ale-house, + To dance on the floor. + + +8 + +[Illustration] + + He met an old man, + With beer in a can, + And a bundle of clothes on his shoulder, + He bade Jerry play, + And threw all away, + To astonish each gaping beholder. + + +9 + +[Illustration] + + He went to a tailor, + Who was ill in bed; + When he got up to dance, + With a goose on his head. + + +10 + +[Illustration] + + He went to a fishwomen, + Tippling of gin, + When she like a top, + Began for to spin. + + +11 + +[Illustration] + + The publican star'd, + As he fill'd out the glasses, + But when Jerry play'd, + He danc'd with the lasses. + + +12 + +[Illustration] + + He next met an old man, + With beard white and long, + Who laugh'd at poor Jerry, + And scoff'd at his song. + + +13 + +[Illustration] + + His name was Instruction, + The friend of the wise, + Who teaches good youth, + To win honor's prize. + + +14 + +[Illustration] + + He broke Jerry's fiddle, + And taught him to read, + And told him that honor + Would daily succeed. + + +15 + +[Illustration] + + Jerry now is a lad + At school always true, + The joy of his friends, + And a pattern for you. + + +[Illustration] + + Be instructed by him, + To avoid folly's snare, + And your bosom thro' life, + Will escape every care. + +FINIS. + + + + + JUMPING JOAN. + + [Illustration] + + Here am I, little + Jumping Joan, + When nobody's with me, + I'm always alone. + + London: + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth + Court, 7 Dials. + + +2 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Joan had a dog, and + Joan had a cat, + Look at them both, see + How pretty they're sat. + + +3 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Joan she lov'd skipping, + And was not at a loss, + At jumping or hopping, + Or going a cross. + + +4 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Joan had a parrot + Could chatter and bawl, + But Joan could talk faster, + And longer withal. + + +5 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Joan's dog, Prinny, + No learning did lack, + He'd carry Poll in his mouth + And Puss on his back. + + +6 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + As Joan lov'd jumping, + She learned her cat, + Look at them both, + And see what they're at. + + +7 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Here's Pussy a washing + Joan's linen you know, + She could wash for herself + A long while ago. + + +8 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Now Prinny, Joan's dog, + To market would go, + But what he'll bring back, + I'm sure I don't know. + + +9 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Here's Pussy drest out + Like a lady so gay, + She's going to court, if + She finds but the way. + + +10 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Here's Prinny and Pussy + To dancing have got, + While Joan plays a tune + On the lid of a pot. + + +11 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Here's Joan with a whip, + Taking very long strides, + And vows if she finds 'em, + She'll bang both their hides. + + +12 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Here's Prinny with gun, + Sword and gorget so smart, + He's going to France, + To fight Bonaparte. + + +13 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + And Joan's threat had fill'd + Poor Prin with alarms, + He said he'd not fight, + And so grounded his arms. + + +14 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Then Puss in a fright + Ran back to the house, + She pull'd off her clothes, + And has just caught a mouse. + + +15 + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + Then Joan she came in, + Call'd the cat saucy puss, + And said Prin was a puppy, + To frighten her thus. + + +_Jumping Joan._ + +[Illustration] + + They fell on their knees, + Her pardon to crave, + And promis'd in future, + They'd better behave. + + +J. Catnach, Printer. + + + + +[Illustration] + + This Milk Maid and + Book for a halfpenny. + + +[Illustration] + + TO THE Juvenile Reader. + + Little Boys and Girls will find + At CATNACH'S something to their mind. + From great variety may choose, + What will instruct them and amuse; + The prettiest plates that you can find, + To please at once the eye and mind, + In all his little books appear, + In natural beauty, shining clear, + Instruction unto youth when given, + Points the path from earth to heaven. + + He sells by Wholesale and Retail, + To suit all moral tastes can't fail. + + + + + THE Butterfly's Ball, + AND Grasshopper's Feast. + + [Illustration] + + _Come take up your hats, + And away let us haste, + To the Butterfly's Ball, + Or the Grasshoppers Feast._ + + J. Catnach, + 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + + +[Illustration] + + THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL + AND Grasshopper's Feast. + + +[Illustration] + + The trumpeter Gad-fly, + Has summon'd the crew, + And the revels are now, + Only waiting for you. + +[Illustration] + + On the smooth shaved grass, + By the side of a wood. + Beneath a broad oak, + Which for ages had stood. + +[Illustration] + + See the children of earth, + And the tenants of air, + To an evening's amusement, + Together repair. + +[Illustration] + + And there came the Beetle, + So blind and so black, + And carried the Emmet, + His friend on his back. + +[Illustration] + + And there came the Gnat, + And the Dragon-fly too, + And all their relations-- + Green, orange and blue. + +[Illustration] + + And there came the Moth + With her plume of down, + And the Hornet with jacket + Of yellow and brown. + +[Illustration] + + Who with him the Wasp, + His companion did bring, + But they promised that evening + To lay by their sting. + +[Illustration] + + The sly little Dormouse, + Peep'd out of his hole, + And led to the feast, + His blind cousin the Mole. + +[Illustration] + + And the Snail with his horns, + Peeping out of a shell. + Came fatigued with the distance, + The length of an ell. + +[Illustration] + + A Mushroom the table, + And on it was spread, + A water-dock leaf, + Which their table-cloth made. + +[Illustration] + + The viands were various, + To each of their taste, + And the Bee brought the honey, + To sweeten the feast + +[Illustration] + + With steps most majestic, + The Snail did advance, + And he promised the gazers + A minuet to dance. + +[Illustration] + + But they all laugh'd so loud, + That he drew in his head, + And went in his own + Little chamber to bed. + +[Illustration] + + Then as the evening gave way + To the shadows of night, + Their watchman the glow-worm + Came out with his light. + + +[Illustration] + + So home let us hasten, + While yet we can see, + For no watchman is waiting, + For you or for me. + +J. Catnach, Printer. + + + + +[Illustration] + + A halfpenny Pay + and take honest Tray. + + + Let all good children come to me, + And I'll learn them their + + A B C + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration: + + THE _Easter Gift_; + BEING A USEFUL TOY + FOR + _Little Miss & Master_ + TO LEARN THEIR ABC + + J. Catnach, Printer, + 2, & 3, + Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials.] + + +[Illustration] + + A Was an Archer and shot at a frog, + But missing his mark shot into a bog. + +[Illustration] + + B Was a Butcher and had a great dog, + Who always went round the streets with a clog. + +[Illustration] + + C Was a Captain so brave and so grand, + He headed in buff the stately train'd band. + +[Illustration] + + D Was a Drunkard and lov'd a full pot, + His face and his belly shew'd him a great sot. + +[Illustration] + + E Was an Esquire, both lofty and proud, + His servant was softy though he was full loud. + +[Illustration] + + F Was a Farmer and followed the plough, + And gathered good from the sweat of his brow. + +[Illustration] + + G Was a Gamester, and oft would he play, + A poor single ace against a bold tray. + +[Illustration] + + H Hunted the buck, and likewise the doe, + The hart and the fox, and also the roe. + +[Illustration] + + I Was an Image set up at Rome, + Many that see it were better at home. + +[Illustration] + + J Was a Joiner and built him a house, + A little time after there came in a mouse. + +[Illustration] + + K Was a King, who would drink and carouse, + Affrighted was he at a stand and a mouse. + +[Illustration] + + L Was a Lady that lov'd a fine tree, + Though none understood it so little as she. + +[Illustration] + + M Was a Merchant to foreign lands gone. + To bring home fine tea and rich silks anon. + +[Illustration] + + N Was a Noble of birth and high power, + To the poor most gentle, to the haughty most sour. + +[Illustration] + + O With her Oysters, a delicate cry. + Come buy my sweet Oyster, come buy, come buy. + +[Illustration] + + P Was a Parson, and wore a black gown, + For goodness and virtue of high renown. + +[Illustration] + + Q Was a Quaker, both stiff and upright, + In yea and nay they chiefly delight. + +[Illustration] + + R Was a Robber on the highway, + For which he's been hung this many a day. + +[Illustration] + + S Was a Sailor and liv'd in a ship, + He made the Spaniards and French for to skip. + +[Illustration] + + T Was Tom Tinker and mended a kettle, + While he was hammering was deaf as a beetle. + +[Illustration] + + U Was an Undertaker at work for his bread. + The living must pay, though he works for the dead. + +[Illustration] + + V Was a Vintner that loved his pottle, + Went seldom to bed without his full bottle. + +[Illustration] + + W Was a Watchman, to guard the warehouse, + That rogues did not strip it of every souse. + +[Illustration] + + X Was expensive, and so became poor, + With his little dog begged from door to door. + +[Illustration] + + Y Was a Youngster that lov'd not his school, + But trundled his hoop though out of all rule. + +[Illustration] + + Z Was a Zany that look'd like a fool, + With his long tassell'd cap he was the boy's fool. + + + And when your great letters you know, + Then I'll teach you the small ones also. + +[Illustration] + + +Printed by J. Catnach. + + + + + THE Tragical Death + OF AN _Apple Pie_, + + [Illustration] + + Who was Cut to Pieces + AND EATEN BY + _Twenty-Five Gentlemen_, + WITH WHOM + All Little People + OUGHT TO BE ACQUAINTED + + PRINTED BY J. PAUL & Co., + LONDON; + _2 & 3, Monmouth Court_. + + +[Illustration] + + An apple pie when it looks nice, + Would make one long to have a slice, + And if its taste should prove so too, + I fear one slice would scarcely do, + So to prevent my asking twice, + Pray mamma, cut a good large slice. + +[Illustration] + + +THE LIFE AND DEATH OF AN APPLE PIE. + +[Illustration] + +A + +An Apple-pie. + +B + +Bit it. + +[Illustration] + +C + +Cut it. + +D + +Dealt it. + +[Illustration] + +E + +Did eat it. + +F + +Fought for it. + +[Illustration] + +G + +Got it. + +H + +Had it. + +[Illustration] + +J + +Join'd for it. + +K + +Kept it. + +[Illustration] + +L + +Long'd for it. + +M + +Mourned for it. + +[Illustration] + +N + +Nodded at it. + +O + +Open'd it. + +[Illustration] + +P + +Peeped into it. + +Q + +Quartered it. + +[Illustration] + +R + +Ran for it. + +S + +Stole it. + +[Illustration] + +T + +Took it. + +V + +View'd it. + +[Illustration] + +W + +Wanted it. + +XYZ and & All wished for a piece in hand. + + +[Illustration] + + At last they every one agreed, + Upon the apple pie to feed; + But as there seem'd to be so many, + Those who were last might not have any, + Unless some method there was taken + That every one might have their bacon, + They all agreed to stand in order, + Around the apple pie's fine border, + Take turn as they in hornbook stand + From great A down to &, + In equal parts the pie divide, + As you may see on the other side. + +[Illustration] + + +_A curious Discourse that passed between the Twenty-five Letters at dinner +time._ + + + A 1. Says, A, give me a good large slice. + B 2. Says B, a little bit but nice. + C 3. Says C, cut me a piece of crust. + D 4. Take it, says D, 'tis dry as dust. + E 5. Says E, I'll eat it fast, who will? + F 6. Says F, I vow I'll have my fill. + G 7. Says G, give it me both good and great. + H 8. Says H, a little bit I hate. + I 9. Says I, I love the juice the best. + K 10. And K, the very same confess'd. + L 11. Says L, there's nothing more I love. + M 12. Says M, it makes your teeth to move. + N 13. N notic'd what the others said, + O 14. O, others plates with grief survey'd. + P 15. P prais'd the cook up to the life. + Q 16. Q quarrell'd because he'd a bad knife. + R 17. Says R, it runs short I'm afraid. + S 18. S, silent sat and nothing said. + T 19. T, thought that talking might lose time. + U 20. U understood it at meals a crime. + W 21. W wish'd there had been a quince in. + X 22. Says X, those cooks there's no convincing. + Y 23 Says Y, I'll eat, let others wish. + Z 24. Z sat as mute as any fish. + & 25. While & he lick'd the dish. + + +Having concluded their discourse and dinner together, I have nothing more +to add; but if my little readers are pleased with what they have found in +this book they have nothing to do but to run to J. Paul & Co's., 2, & 3, +Monmouth Court; 7 Dials, where they may have a great variety of books not +less entertaining than this of the same size and price. + +[Illustration] + +But that you may not think I leave you too abruptly, I here present you +with the picture of dame Dumpling, who made the Apple pie you have been +reading about; she has several more in her basket, and she promised that +if you are good children you shall never go to bed supperless while she +has one left. But as good people always ask a blessing, as a token that +you are good and deserve a pie, you must learn the two following Graces, +that one be said before your meals, and the other after. + + * * * * * + +_Grace before Meat._ + +Good Lord, bless us, and these thy creatures, to our use, which we are +about to receive, of thy bounteous liberality, through Jesus Christ our +Lord. _Amen._ + + +_Grace after Meat._ + +We thank thee, O Lord, for all the benefits of this time, and of our whole +lives. Make us thankful for all thy mercies now, and for evermore. _Amen._ + +[Illustration] + + +THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PUT INTO SHORT RHYME. + + 1. Thou shalt have no other God but me. + 2. Before no idol bow thy knee. + 3. Take not the name of God it vain. + 4. Nor dare the Sabbath-day profane. + 5. Give both thy parents honour due. + 6. Take heed that thou no murder do. + 7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean. + 8. Steal not, tho' thou art poor and mean. + 9. Tell not a wilful lie, nor love it. + 10. What is thy neighbour's, dare not covet. + +J. Paul & Co., Printers. + + + + + OLD MOTHER HUBBARD + AND HER WONDERFUL DOG. + + [Illustration] + + Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard + To get the poor dog a bone; + But when she came there the cupboard was bare, + And so the poor dog had none. + + LONDON: + Printed by J. CATNACH, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + + +[Illustration] + + She went to the baker's to buy him some bread, + When she came back the dog was dead. + Ah! my poor dog, she cried, oh, what shall I do? + You were always my pride--none equal to you. + +[Illustration] + + She went to the undertaker's to buy him a coffin, + When she came back, the dog was laughing. + Now how this can be quite puzzles my brain, + I am much pleased to see you alive once again. + +[Illustration] + + She went to the barber's to buy him a wig, + When she came back he was dancing a jig. + O, you dear merry grig, how nicely you're prancing; + Then she held up the wig, and he began dancing. + +[Illustration] + + She went to the sempstress to buy him some linen, + When she came back the dog was spinning. + The reel, when 'twas done, was wove into a shirt, + Which served to protect him from weather and dirt. + +[Illustration] + + To market she went, to buy him some tripe, + When she came back he was smoking his pipe. + Why, sure, cried the dame, you'd beat the great Jocko. + Who before ever saw a dog smoking tobacco? + +[Illustration] + + She went to the alehouse to buy him some beer, + When she came back he sat on a chair. + Drink hearty, said Dame, there's nothing to pay, + 'Twill banish your sorrow and moisten your clay. + +[Illustration] + + She went to the fruiterer's to buy him some fruit, + When she came back he was playing the flute. + Oh, you musical dog, you surely can speak: + Come, sing me a song, then he set up a squeak. + +[Illustration] + + She went to the tavern for white wine and red, + When she came back he stood on his head. + This is odd, said the dame, for fun you seem bred, + One would almost believe you'd wine in your head. + +[Illustration] + + The dog he cut capers, and turned out his toes, + 'Twill soon cure the vapours, he such attitude shows. + The dame made a curtsey, the dog made a bow, + The dame said, Your servant, the dog said Bow wow. + +[Illustration] + + + + + THE Royal Book. + + [Illustration] + + OF Nursery Rhymes. + + A present for little Masters and Misses. + A Good Book to Instruct and Amuse. + + [Illustration] + + Pussy-Cat, pussy-cat, where have you been? + I've been up to London to look at the queen. + Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there? + I frighten'd a little mouse under the chair. + + London: + Published by RYLE and PAUL, + 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials. + + +NURSERY RHYMES. + +[Illustration] + + See-saw, sacradown, + Which is the way to London town? + One foot up, and the other down, + And that is the way to London town. + +[Illustration] + + Hey diddle, the cat and the fiddle, + The cow jumped over the moon. + The little dog laughed to see the sport, + And the dish ran away with the spoon. + + Ding, dong, bell! + Pussy's in the well. + Who put her in? + Little Johnny Green. + Who pulled her out? + Little Johnny Snout, + What a naughty boy was that, + To drown poor pussy cat, + Who never did him any harm, + And kill'd the mice in his father's barn. + +[Illustration] + + Jack and Jill went up the hill, + To get a pail of water: + Jack fell down and broke his crown, + And Jill came tumbling after. + +[Illustration] + + Cock a doodle do, + The dame has lost her shoe, + And master's lost his fiddle stick + And don't know what to do. + + Simple Simon met a pieman, + Going to the fair! + Says Simple Simon to the pieman, + Let me taste your ware. + +[Illustration] + + Says the pieman unto Simon + First give me a penny; + Says Simple Simon to the pieman, + I have not got any. + + Once Simon made a great snow ball + And brought it in to roast, + He laid it down before the fire, + And soon the ball was lost. + +[Illustration] + + He went to ride a spotted cow, + That had a little calf, + She threw him down upon the ground + And made all the people laugh. + + Now Simple Simon went a fishing, + For to catch a whale, + But all the water he had got + Was in his mother's pail. + +[Illustration] + + He went to catch a dickey bird + And thought he could not fail + Because he had a bit of salt, + To put upon his tail. + + He went to see if cherries ripe, + Did grow upon a thistle, + He pricked his finger very much, + Which made poor Simon whistle. + +[Illustration] + + He went to take a bird's nest, + 'Twas built upon a bough, + A branch gave way, down Simon fell + Into a dirty slough. + + Simon was sent to market, + To buy a joint of meat, + He tied it to his horse's tail, + To keep it clean and sweet. + +[Illustration] + + He went to slide upon the ice, + Before the ice would bear, + Then he plunged in above his knees, + Which made poor Simon stare. + + He went to shoot a wild duck, + But the duck flew away, + Says Simon I can't hit him, + Because he would not stay. + +[Illustration] + + Then Simple Simon went a hunting, + For to catch a hare, + He rode an ass about the street, + But could not find one there. + + He went for water in a seive, + But soon it all run through, + And went all o'er his clothes, + Which made poor Simon rue. + +[Illustration] + + He washed himself with blacking ball, + Because he had no soap, + And then said to his mother + I'm a beauty now I hope. + + He went to eat some honey, + Out of the mustard pot, + It bit his tongue until he cried, + That was all the good he got. + +[Illustration] + +Simple Simon cutting his mother's bellows open to see where the wind lay. + + +JACK JINGLE. + +[Illustration] + + Little Jack Jingle, + Played truant at school, + They made his bum tingle + For being a fool; + He promised no more + Like a fool he would look + But be a good boy and attend to his book. + +[Illustration] + + See little Jack Jingle + Learning his task, + He's a very good boy, + If the neighbours should ask, + To school he does run, + And no truant does play, + But when school is done, + He can laugh and be gay. + +[Illustration] + + Here sulky Sue, + What shall we do. + Turn her face to the wall, + Till she comes to; + If that should fail, + A touch with the cane + Will do her good, + When she feels the pain. + +[Illustration] + + Now Suky never pouts, + Never frowns, never flouts, + But reads her book with glee, + Then dances merrily, + No girl so good as she, + In all the country; + Cheerfully doth all things do, + She lost the name of sulky Sue. + +[Illustration] + + Jack Jingle went 'prentice, + To make a horse-shoe, + He wasted the iron, + Till it would not do, + His master came in, + And began for to rail; + Says Jack, the shoe's spoil'd, + But 'twill still make a nail. + +[Illustration] + + Little Jack Jingle, + Went to court Suky Shingle, + Says he, shall we mingle + Our toes in the bed; + Fye! Jacky Jingle, + Says little Suke Shingle, + We must try to mingle, + Our pence for some bread. + +[Illustration] + + Suke Shingle when young, + Did what others have done, + She could dirty two clouts, + While her mother wash'd one. + But now grown a stout wench, + With her pail and her mop, + If she don't clean the board, + She can make a great slop. + +[Illustration] + + Suky you shall be my wife, + And I'll tell you why; + I have got a little pig, + And you have got a sty; + I have got a dun cow, + And you can make good cheese, + Suky will you have me? + Say yes, if you please. + + +DEATH & BURIAL OF COCK ROBIN. + +[Illustration] + + Who kill'd Cock Robin? + I said the sparrow, + With my bow and arrow. + I kill'd Cock Robin. + + Who caught his blood? + I, said the fish, + With my little dish-- + I caught his blood. + +[Illustration] + + This is the fish + That held the dish. + + Who saw him die? + I, said the fly + With my little eye-- + I saw him die. + +[Illustration] + + This is the fly + That saw him die. + + Who made his shroud? + I, said the beetle, + With my little needle-- + I made his shroud. + +[Illustration] + + This is the beetle, + With his little needle. + + Who'll be the Parson? + I, said the rook, + With my little book-- + I will be the Parson. + +[Illustration] + + Here is Parson Rook, + Reading his book. + + Who'll carry the coffin? + I, said the Kite, + If it's not in the night-- + I'll carry the coffin. + +[Illustration] + + Behold the Kite, + How he takes his flight. + + Who'll be the clerk? + I, said the Lark, + If its not in the dark-- + I will be the clerk. + +[Illustration] + + Behold how the Lark, + Says Amen like a clerk. + + Who will carry the link? + I, said the linnet: + I'll fetch it in a minute-- + I will carry the link. + +[Illustration] + + The Linnet with a light, + Altho' it is not night. + + +LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD. + +[Illustration] + + And now her riding hood is on, + How pretty she does look; + _Mamma_ made it to keep her warm + Because she learn'd her book; + So be good girls all who hear this + And boys be good also, + And your _Mammas_ will give you all + Great coats and hoods, I know. + +[Illustration] + + You see this pot of butter nice, + And likewise this plum-cake, + Which little _Biddy's_ dear _mamma_ + For _grandmamma_ did make: + Who lived in a little house, + A mile or two away, + And _Red Riding Hood_ must take them, + To _Grandmamma_ next day + +[Illustration] + + The morning come--the hood put on, + The pot and cake she took, + _Biddy_, good bye--good bye, _mamma_ + And then her hand she shook: + And so set off for _grandmamma's_ + _Mamma_ stood at the door, + And watched her little _Biddy_ till + She could see her no more. + +[Illustration] + + Now in the road to _grandma's_ house, + A lonesome wood there lay, + And _Goffip Wolf_ popp'd from a bush, + And stopp'd her in the way + He was a fierce and cruel beast, + And would have eat her there, + But turning of his head about, + He found he did not dare. + +[Illustration] + + I'm going to my _grandmamma's_, + She is not very well, + With cake and pot of butter; + Says _Wolf_ where does she dwell? + In yonder house, by yonder mill + Good bye--I cannot stay-- + And with her pretty finger, she + Pointed out the way. + +[Illustration] + + The _Wolf_ got first to grandma's door, + And knocked toc, toc, toc; + Who is that, said _grandmamma_, + That at the door doth knock; + 'Tis your _grandaughter_, said the _Wolf_ + And mimic'd Biddy's voice, + _Mamma_ has sent you a plumb cake, + And pot of butter nice. + +[Illustration] + + Now _grandmamma_ being very ill, + She on the bed did lie, + And called out, the bobbin pull, + And up the latch will fly; + The bobbin pull'd, up flew the latch, + The _Wolf_ popp'd in his head + And soon he eat up _grandmamma_ + And then got into bed. + +[Illustration] + + Toc, toc, toc, at _grandma's_ door + Knocked _Little Red Riding Hood_, + Who's there, says _Wolf_, and with a voice, + Like _grandma's_ as he could; + 'Tis your _grandaughter_, little _Bid_ + With cake and pot of butter; + The bobbin pull, the latch will fly, + The wicked _Wolf_ did mutter. + + +CINDERELLA. + +[Illustration] + + Here Cinderella you may see + A beauty bright and fair, + Her real name was Helena, + Few with her could compare + Besides she was so very good, + So affable and mild, + She learned to pray and read her book, + Like a very good child. + +[Illustration] + + Her mother-in-law you see, + One of the worst of hags, + Who made her do all drudgery work. + And clothed her in rags; + And after she had done her work, + Her mother-in-law would tell her + The cinders she might sit among, + Then call'd her Cinderella. + +[Illustration] + + These are her two sisters-in-law, + Both deformed & ordinary, + Altho' they dress as fine as queens, + Which you may think extraordinary; + But neither of them scarce can read, + Nor pray to God to bless'em + They only know to patch and paint, + And gaudily to dress'em, + +[Illustration] + + This is the king's fine gallant son, + Young, handsome, straight and tall + He invited all the ladies round + For to dance at his ball; + Which when the ugly sisters heard + They dress'd themselves so fine, + And off they set, being resolv'd + At this grand ball to shine. + +[Illustration] + + Her god-mother came to lend her aid, + And her power is not small + To help her god-daughter to go + To this fine prince's ball. + This coach was once a pumpkin, + By the fairy changed from that, + The footmen once were lizards green, + The coachman once a rat. + +[Illustration] + + Now having danced with the prince, + He led her to her place, + While all the ladies at the ball + Envied her handsome face; + Behold the clock now striking twelve, + Out Cinderella run, + And happily got out of door + Just as the clock had done. + +[Illustration] + + But in her haste to get away, + One of her slippers fell, + Which the young prince himself pick'd up, + And it pleased him so well, + That straight he offer'd a reward, + It was ten thousand pound, + To any person that could tell + Where the owner could be found. + +[Illustration] + + And now the sisters tried in vain + The slipper to get on; + Said Cinderella, let me try, + Dear sisters, when you've done; + She tried, and on it went with ease + To the foot of Cinderella, + Said She, I think the slipper's mine, + See here I've got the fellow. + + +THE CHILD'S NEW YEAR'S GIFT. + +[Illustration] + +_A pair of Spectacles._ + + Without a bridle or a saddle, + Across a thing I ride and straddle. + And those I ride by help of me, + Tho' almost blind are made to see. + +[Illustration] + +_A pair of Stays._ + + My legs I can venture, + To say within bound, + Are twelve, if not more, + Tho' they ne'er touch the ground; + If you search for my eyes, + More than thirty you'll find + And strange to be told + They are always behind. + +[Illustration] + +_A Pin._ + + And tho' I'm a brazen-fac'd sharper at best, + No lady without my aid can be drest, + When I'm wanted, I'm dragg'd by the head to my duty + And am doomed to be slave to the dress of a beauty. + +[Illustration] + +_A letter M._ + + I'm found in most countries, + Yet not in earth or sea, + I am in all timber, + Yet not in any tree, + I am in all metals, + Yet, as I am told, + I am not in iron, lead, + Brass, silver, nor gold. + +[Illustration] + +_A Pair of Snuffers._ + + A mouth I have got, that's not whiter than ink. + And all I devour doth most nauseously stink; + So much valued am I, that by none I'm refused, + And the light shines the brighter whenever I'm used. + +[Illustration] + +_A Watch._ + + My form is beauteous to allure the sight + My habit gay, of colour gold & white, + When ladies take the air, it is my pride, + To walk with equal paces by their side, + I near their persons constantly remain, + A favourite slave, bound in a golden chain. + +[Illustration] + +_A Wheelbarrow._ + + No mouth, no eyes, nor yet a nose, + Two arms, two feet, and as it goes, + The feet don't touch the ground, + But all the way the head runs round. + + And tho' I can both speak and go alone, + Yet are my motions to myself unknown. + +[Illustration] + +_A Salamander._ + + What all consumes best pleases me, + I covet that which others flee, + Strange thing to tell, unhurt I lie + And live, where all the world would die. + +Printed by A. Ryle & Paul. + + + + + THE GOOD CHILD'S + ILLUSTRATED + ALPHABET + OR FIRST BOOK. + + [Illustration] + + LONDON: + Published by RYLE & PAUL, + 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials. + + +[Illustration: A] + + Was an Archer, + Who shot at a frog. + +[Illustration: B] + + Was a Butcher, + And kept a great dog. + +[Illustration: C] + + Was a Captain, + All covered with lace. + +[Illustration: D] + + Was a Drunkard + And had a red face. + +[Illustration: E] + + Was an Esquire, + With insolent brow. + +[Illustration: F] + + Was a Farmer, And + Followed the plough. + +[Illustration: G] + + Was a Gamester, + Who had but ill-luck. + +[Illustration: H] + + Was a Huntsman, + And hunted a buck. + +[Illustration: I] + + Was an Inn-keeper, + Who loved to bouse. + +[Illustration: J] + + Was a Joiner, + And built up a house. + +[Illustration: K] + + Was King William, + Once governed this land. + +[Illustration: L] + + Was a Lady, who + Had a white hand. + +[Illustration: M] + + Was a Miser, + And hoarded up gold. + +[Illustration: N] + + Was a Nobleman, + Gallant and bold. + +[Illustration: O] + + Was an Oyster-wench, + And went about town. + +[Illustration: P] + + Was a Parson, and + Wore a black gown. + +[Illustration: Q] + + Was a Queen, + Who was fond of flip. + +[Illustration: R] + + Was a Robber, + And wanted a whip. + +[Illustration: S] + + Was a Sailor, + Who spent all he got. + +[Illustration: T] + + Was a Tinker, + And mended a pot. + +[Illustration: U] + + Was a Usurer, + A miserly elf. + +[Illustration: V] + + Was a Vinter, who + Drank all himself. + +[Illustration: W] + + Was a Watchman, + And guarded the door. + +[Illustration: X] + + Was Expensive, + And so became poor. + +[Illustration: Y] + + Was a Youth, + Who did not love school. + +[Illustration: Z] + + Was a Zany, + A silly old fool. + + +THE ALPHABET. + +The Letters promiscuously arranged. + + D B C F G E H A X U Y M V + W N K P J O Z Q I S L T R + + z w x o c l y b b f p s m q n v h + k r t g e j a u i + +Double and Triple Letters. + + fi fl ff ffi ffl + fi fl fff ffi fl + +Diphthongs, &c. + + AE OE æ oe & &c. + Æ OE ae oe and _et cætera_ + +Arabic Numerals. + + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 + +Roman Numerals. + + I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. + X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. + +[Illustration] + + + + + THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES + OF DICK TURPIN. + + [Illustration] + + London: W. S. FORTEY, PRINTER & PUBLISHER, + MONMOUTH COURT, BLOOMSBURY, W.C. + + +THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN. + +RICHARD TURPIN was born at Hempstead, in Essex, where his father kept the +sign of the Bell; and after being the usual time at school, he was bound +apprentice to a butcher in Whitechapel, but did not serve out his time, +for his master discharged him for impropriety of conduct, which was not in +the least diminished by his parents' indulgence in supplying him with +money, which enabled him to cut a figure round the town, among the blades +of the road and the turf, whose company he usually kept. + +His friends, thinking that marriage would reclaim him, persuaded him to +marry, which he did with one Hester Palmer, of East Ham in Essex, but he +had not long been married before he became acquainted with a gang of +thieves, whose depredations terrified the whole county of Essex, and the +neighbourhood of London. He joined sheep stealing to foot-pad robbery; and +was at last obliged to fly from his place of residence for stealing a +young heifer, which he killed and cut up for sale. + +Soon after, he stole two oxen from one Farmer Giles, of Plaistow, and +drove them to a Butcher's slaughtering house, near Waltham Abbey. + +He was followed there, but made his escape out of the window of the house +where he was, just as they were entering the door. + +He now retreated into the Hundreds of Essex, where he found more security: +he adopted a new scheme; and that was to rob the smugglers, but he took +care not to attack a gang, only solitary travellers, this he did with a +colour of justice, for he pretended to have a deputation from the Customs, +and demanded their property in the king's name. + +He again joined the gang with whom he had before connected himself, the +principal part of those depredations were committed upon Epping Forest, +&c. + +But this soon becoming an object of magisterial enquiry, he again returned +to the solitude of the country, with some more of the gang, and they +became notorious deer-stealers, and Turpin being a good shot, sent many a +buck up to his connections in London. + + DICK TURPIN. 3 + +They next determined to commence house-breakers; and in this they were +much encouraged by joining with Gregory's gang, as it was then called, a +company of desparadoes that made the Essex and adjacent roads very +dangerous to travel. + +Somehow or other, Turpin became acquainted with the circumstances of an +old woman, that lived at Laughton, that kept a great quantity of cash by +her; whereupon they agreed to rob her; and when they came to the door, +Wheeler knocked and Turpin and the rest forcing their way into the house, +blindfolded the eyes of the old woman and her maid, and tied the legs of +her son to the bedstead, but not finding the wished-for booty, they held a +consultation, as they were certain she must have a considerable sum +concealed. Turpin told her he knew she had money, and it was in vain to +deny it, for have it they would. The old lady persisted that she had none, +but Turpin insisting she had money, he swore he would put her on the fire. +She continued obstinate and endured for some time, when they took her off +the grate, and robbed her of all they could find, upwards of four hundred +pounds. + +They next proceeded into Surrey, where Turpin and his company robbed Mr. +Sheldon's house, near Croydon Church, where they arrived about seven +o'clock in the evening. They secured the coachman in the stable. His +master hearing some strange voices in the yard, was proceeding to know the +cause, when he was met by Turpin, who seizing hold of him compelled him to +show them the way into the house, when he secured the door, and confined +the rest of the family in one room, here they found but little plate and +no cash. From Mr. Sheldon's person they took eleven guineas, two of which +Turpin returned him, begged pardon for what they had done, and wished him +a good night. + +These robberies hitherto had been carried on entirely on foot, with only +the occasional assistance of a hackney coach but now they aspired to +appear on horse-back, for which purpose they hired horses at the Old +Leaping Bar in Holborn, from whence they set out about two o'clock in the +afternoon, and arrived at the Queen's Head, Stanmore, where they staid to +regale themselves. It was by this means that Wood, the master of the +horse, had so good an opportunity of observing the horses, as to remember +the same again when he saw them afterwards in Bloomsbury, where they were +taken. About five they went from Mr. Wood's to Stanmore and staid from six +until seven and then went together for Mr. Lawrence's, about a mile from +thence, where they got about half-past seven. On their arrival at Mr. +Lawrence's they alighted from their horses at the gate; whereupon Fielder +knocked at the door, and calling out Mr. Lawrence. The man servant +thinking it to be some of the neighbours, opened the door, upon which they +all rushed in with pistols, and seizing Mr. + + 4 DICK TURPIN + +[Illustration] + +Lawrence and his man, threw a cloth over their faces then fell to rifling +their pockets, out of which they took one guinea, and about fifteen +shillings in silver, with his keys. They said they must have more, and +drove Mr. Lawrence up stairs, where coming to a closet, they broke open +the door, and took out from thence two guineas, ten shillings, a silver +cup, 13 silver spoons, and two gold rings. They then rifled the house of +all they could get, linen, table cloths, shirts, and the sheets off the +bed, and trod the beds under feet, to discover if any money was concealed +therein. Suspecting there was more money in the house, they then brought +Mr. Lawrence down again, and threatened to cut his throat, and Fielder put +a knife to it, as though he intended to do it; to make him confess what +money was in the house. One of them took a chopping bill, and threatened +to cut off his leg: they then broke his head with their pistols, and +dragged him about by the hair of his head. Another of them took the kettle +off the fire, and flung it upon him; but it did no other harm just wetting +him, because the maid had just before taken out the greater part of the +boiling water, and filled it again with cold. After this they dragged him +about again, swearing they would "do for him" if he did not immediately +inform them where the rest of the money was hid. They then proceeded to +make a further search; and then withdrew; threatening to return again in +half an hour, and kill every one + + DICK TURPIN. 5 + +[Illustration] + +they found loose. So saying they locked them in the parlour and threw the +keys down the area. + +Turpin by this robbery got but little, for out of the 26_l_, they took in +the whole, he distributed it among them all but three guineas and six +shillings and six pence. + +A proclamation was issued for the apprehension of the offenders, and a +pardon and 50_l_ was offered to any of the party who would impeach his +accomplices, which however, had no effect. The white Hart in Drury-lane +was their place of rendezvous. Here they planned their nightly visits, and +here they divided their spoil, and spent the money they acquired. + +The robbery being stated to the officers of Westminster, Turpin set off to +Alton, where he met with an odd encounter, which got him the best +companion he ever had, as he often declared. King, the highwayman, as he +was returning from this place to London, being well dressed and mounted, +Turpin seeing him have the appearance of a substantial gentleman, rode up +to him, and thinking him a fair mark, bid him stand and deliver, and +therewith producing his pistols, King fell a laughing at him, and said +"what dog rob dog! Come, come, brother Turpin, if you don't know me, I +know you, and shall be glad of your company." After a mutual communication +of circumstances to each other, they agreed to keep company, and divide +good or ill fortune as the trumps might turn up. In fact King was true to +him to the last, which was for more than three years. + +They met with various fortunes; but being too well known to + + 6 DICK TURPIN. + +remain long in one place, and as no house that knew them would receive +them in it, they formed the resolution of making themselves a cave, +covered with bevins and earth, and for that purpose pitched upon a +convenient place, enclosed with a thicket, situated on the Waltham side of +Epping, near the sign of the King's Oak. + +In this place Turpin lived, ate, drank, and lay, for the space of six +years, during the first three of which he was enlivened by the drollery of +his companion, Tom King, who was a fellow of infinite humour in telling +stories, and of an unshaken resolution in attack or defence. + +One day, as they were spying from their cave, they discovered a gentleman +riding by, that King knew very well to be a rich merchant near Gresham +College. This gentleman was in his chariot, and wife with him; his name +was Bradele. King first attacked him on the Laughton road; but he being a +man of great spirit, offered to make resistence, thinking there was but +one; upon which King called Turpin, and bid him hold the horses' heads. +They proceeded first to take his money, which he readily parted with, but +demurred a good while about his watch, being the dying bequest of his +father. King was insisting to take it away, when Turpin interposed, and +said, they were more gentlemen than to deprive anyone of their friend's +respect which they wore about them, and bid King desist from his demand. + +On the day after this transaction they went to the Red Lion ale house, in +Aldersgate street, where they had not been more than half an hour, when +Turpin heard of the approach of the chief constable and his party; they +mounted each their horse; but before King could get fairly seated he was +seized by one of the party, and called on Dick to fire. Turpin replied, +"If I do, I shall hit you." "Fire, if you are my friend." said +King--Turpin fired, but the ill-fated ball took effect in King's breast. +Dick stood a moment in grief, but self-preservation made him urge his mare +forward to elude his pursuers; it was now he resolved on a journey to +York, and raising himself in his saddle, he said, "By G--, I will do it." +Encouraged by "Harkaway Bess," she flew on. + +Astonishing to relate, he reached York the same evening and was noticed +playing at bowls in the bowling-green with several gentlemen there, which +circumstance saved him from the hands of justice for a time. His pursuers +coming up and seeing Turpin, knew him; and caused him to be taken into +custody; one of them swore to him and the horse he rode on, which was the +identical one he arrived upon in that city; but on being in the stable, +and its rider at play, and all in the space of four-and-twenty hours, his +alibi was admitted; for the magistrates of York could not believe it +possible for one horse to cover the ground, being upwards of 190 miles, in +so short a space. + + DICK TURPIN. 7 + +For the last two years of his life he seems to have confined his residence +to the county of York, where he appears to be a little known. He often +accompanied the neighbouring gentlemen in their parties of hunting and +shooting; and one evening, on a return from an expedition of the latter +kind, he saw one of his landlord's cocks in the street, which he shot. + +The next day Mr. Hall received a letter from Robert Appleton, Long Sutton, +with this account:--that the said John Palmer had lived there about three +quarters of a year, and had before that been once apprehended, and made +his escape, and that they had a strong suspicion he was guilty of +horse-stealing. + +Another information gave notice, that he had stolen a horse from Captain +Dawson, of Ferraby; his horse was that which Turpin rode on when he came +to Beverley, and which he stole from off Hickinton Fen in Lincolnshire. + +He wrote to his father upon being convicted, to use his interest to get +him off for transportation, but his fate was at hand, his notoriety caused +application to be ineffectual. + +After he had been in prison five months, he was removed from Beverley to +York Castle to take his trial. When on his trial his case seemed much to +affect the hearers. He had two trials, upon both of which he was convicted +upon the fullest evidence. After a long trial the Jury brought in their +Verdict and found him Guilty. + +He was carried in a cart to the place of execution, on Saturday, April, +7th, 1739. He behaved himself with amazing assurance and bowed to the +spectators as he passed. It was remarkable that as he mounted the ladder, +his right leg trembled, on which he stamped it down with an air, and with +undaunted courage looked round about him; and after speaking near half an +hour to the topman, threw himself off the ladder, and expired in about +five minutes. + +[Illustration] + +W. S. Fortey, Printer, Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury. + + + "THE CATNACH PRESS," + (ESTABLISHED 1813.) + + WILLIAM S. FORTEY, + (Sole Successor to the late J. Catnach.) + Printer, Publisher, + AND WHOLESALE STATIONER, + 2 & 3, MONMOUTH COURT, + SEVEN DIALS, LONDON, W.C. + + The Cheapest and Greatest Variety in the Trade + of Large Coloured Penny Books; Halfpenny + Coloured Books; Farthing Books; Penny and + Halfpenny Panoramas; School Books; Penny and + Halfpenny Song Books; Memorandum Books; Poetry + Cards; Lotteries; Ballads (4000) and Hymns; + Valentines; Scripture Sheets; Christmas Pieces; + Twelfth Night Characters; Carols; Book and + Sheet Almanacks, Envelopes, Note Paper, &c. + + W. S. FORTEY begs to inform his Friends and the Public + generally, that after 19 years service he has succeeded + to the business of his late employers (A. Ryle & Co.), + and intends carrying on the same, trusting that his + long experience will be a recommendation, and that no + exertion shall be wanting on his part to merit a + continuance of those favours that have been so + liberally bestowed on that Establishment during the + last 46 years. + + 1859. + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE LONG SONG-SELLER. + +SONGS AND SONG LITERATURE. + + "Old songs, old songs--what heaps I knew, + From 'Chevy Chase' to 'Black-eyed Sue'; + From 'Flow, thou regal, purple stream,' + To 'Rousseau's melancholy Dream!' + I loved the pensive 'Cabin Boy,' + With earnest truth and real joy. + To greet 'Tom Bowling' and 'Poor Jack'; + And, oh! 'Will Watch,' the 'Smuggler' bold, + My plighted troth thou'lt ever hold." + ELIZA COOK. + + +"Songs! Songs! Songs! Beautiful songs! Love songs! Newest songs! Old +songs! Popular songs! Songs, _Three Yards a Penny_!" was a "standing dish" +at the "Catnach Press," and Catnach was the Leo X. of street publishers. +And it is said that he at one time kept a fiddler on the premises, and +that he used to sit receiving ballad-writers and singers, and judging of +the merits of any production which was brought to him, by having it sung +then and there to some popular air played by his own fiddler, and so that +the ballad-singer should be enabled to start at once, not only with the +new song, but also the tune to which it was adapted. His broad-sheets +contain all sorts of songs and ballads, for he had a most catholic taste, +and introduced the custom of taking from any writer, living or dead, +whatever he fancied, and printing it side by side with the productions of +his own clients. + +He naturally had a bit of a taste for old ballads, music, and song +writing; and in this respect he was far in advance of many of his +contemporaries. To bring within the reach of all the standard and popular +works of the day, had been the ambition of the elder Catnach; whilst the +son was, _nolens volens_, incessant in his endeavours in trying to +promulgate and advance, not the beauty, elegance, and harmony which +pervades many of our national airs and ballad poetry, but very often the +worst and vilest of each and every description--in other words, those most +suitable for street-sale. His stock of songs was very like his customers, +diversified. There were all kinds, to suit all classes. Love, sentimental, +and comic songs were so interwoven as to form a trio of no ordinary amount +of novelty. At ordinary times, when the Awfuls and Sensationals were flat, +Jemmy did a large stroke of business in this line. + +It is said that when the "Songs--_Three-yards-a-penny_"--first came out +and had all the attractions of novelty, some men sold twelve or fourteen +dozen on fine days during three or four of the summer months, so clearing +between 6s. and 7s. a day, but on the average about 25s. a week profit. +The "long songs," however, have been quite superseded by the "Monster" +and "Giant Penny Song Books." Still there are a vast number of half-penny +ballad-sheets worked off, and in proportion to their size, far more than +the "Monsters" or "Giants." + +As a rule there are but two songs printed on the half-penny +ballad-sheets--generally a new and popular song with another older ditty, +or a comic and sentimental, and "adorned" with two woodcuts. These are +selected without any regard as to their fitness to the subject, and in +most cases have not the slightest reference to the ballad of which they +form the head-piece. For instance:--"The Heart that can feel for another" +is illustrated by a gaunt and savage looking lion; "When I was first +Breeched," by an engraving of a Highlander _sans culotte_; "The Poacher" +comes under the cut of a youth with a large watering-pot, tending flowers; +"Ben Block" is heralded by the rising sun; "The London Oyster Girl," by +Sir Walter Raleigh; "The Sailor's Grave," by the figure of Justice; "Alice +Grey" comes under the very dilapidated figure of a sailor, or "Jolly Young +Waterman;" "Bright Hours are in store for us yet" is _headed_ with a +_tail-piece_ of an urn, on which is inscribed FINIS! "The Wild Boar Hunt," +by two wolves chasing a deer; "The Dying Child to its Mother," by an Angel +appearing to an old man; "Autumn Leaves lie strew'd around," by a ship in +full sail; "Cherry Ripe," by Death's Head and Cross Bones; "Jack at the +Windlass," falls under a Roadside Inn; while "William Tell" is presented +to the British public in form and style of an old woman nursing an infant +of squally nature. Here follow a few examples of the style, also that of +some of the ballad-sheets: together with various _verbatim_ imprints used +by "THE CATNACH PRESS," chronologically arranged from _circa_ 1813 to the +present time. + + +[Illustration] + + THE GALLANT _SAILOR_. + + London: + Printed by J. Catnach, and sold Wholesale and Retail at + No. 60, Wardour Street, Soho Square. + + Farewell thou dear and Gallant Sailor, + Since thou and I have parted been, + Be thou constant and true hearted, + And I will be the same to thee. + + CHORUS. + + May the winds and waves direct thee, + To some wishful port design'd, + If you love me, don't deceive me, + But let your heart be as true as mine. + + * * * * * + + When oft times my fancy tells me, + That in battle thou art slain, + With true love I will requite thee, + When thou dost return again. + May the winds, &c. + + +[Illustration] + +O RARE TURPIN. + + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + Sold by J. Sharman, Cambridge, Bennet, Brighton; & R. Harris, Salisbury. + + As I was riding over Hunslow Moor, + There I saw a lawyer riding before, + And I asked him if he was not afraid, + To meet bold Turpin that mischievous blade. + CHORUS.--I asked him if he was not afraid, + To meet bold Turpin that mischievous blade. + Says Turpin to the lawyer and for to be cute, + My money I have hid all in my boot, + Says the lawyer to Turpin they mine can't find, + For I have hid mine in the cape of my coat behind. + I rode till I came to a powder mill, + Where Turpin bid the lawyer for to stand still, + For the cape of your coat it must come off, + For my horse is in want of a new saddle cloth. + Now Turpin robbed the lawyer of all his store, + When that's gone he knows where to get more, + And the very next town that you go in, + Tell them you was robb'd by the bold Turpin. + + +[Illustration] + +MOUNTAIN MAID. + + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + Travellers and Shopkeepers supplied with Sheet Hymns. Patters, and Slip + Songs as Cheap and Good as any Shop in London. + + The Mountain Maid from her bower has hied, + And speed to the glassy river's side, + Where the radiant mead shone clear and bright, + And the willows wav'd in the silver light. + On a mossy bank lay a shepherd swain, + He woke his pipe to tuneful strain, + And so blythely gay were the notes he play'd, + That he charm'd the ear of the Mountain Maid. + + She step'd with timid fear oppress'd, + While soft sighs swell her gentle breast, + He caught her glance, and mark'd her sigh, + And triumph laugh'd in his sparkling eye. + So softly sweet was the tuneful ditty, + He charmed her tender heart to pity; + And so blithely gay were the notes he play'd, + That he gain'd the heart of the Mountain Maid. + + +[Illustration] + +MEET ME IN THE WILLOW GLEN + + J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. Cards, &c. Printed + Cheap. [Symbol: Pointing hand] Country Shops and Travellers supplied. + + Meet me in the willow glen, + Where the silvery moon is beaming, + Songs of love I'll sing thee then, + When all the world is dreaming. + + Meet me in the willow glen. + When the silver moon is beaming, + Songs of love I'll sing thee then, + If you meet me in the willow glen. + + No prying eye shall come love. + No stranger foot be seen. + And the busy village hum, love, + Shall echo through the glen. + Meet me, &c. + + +[Illustration] + + DRINK TO ME ONLY + WITH THINE EYES. + + J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. Sold by W. Marshall. + Sold by T. Pierce, Southborough. (Cards Printed Cheap.) + + Drink to me only with thine eyes, + And I will pledge with mine, + Or leave a kiss but in the cup, + And I'll not look for wine; + The thirst that from my soul doth rise, + Doth ask a drink divine; + But might I of Jove's nectar sip, + I would not change for thine. + + +[Illustration] + +The Mistletoe Bough + + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. Sold by Pierce, + Southborough, Bennet, Brighton; and Sharman, Cambridge. + + The mistletoe hung in the castle hall, + The holly branch shone on the old oak wall, + The baron's retainers were blithe and gay, + And keeping their Christmas holiday. + The baron beheld with a father's pride, + His beautiful child, young Lovell's bride: + While she with her bright eyes, seemed to be + The star of the goodly company. + Oh! the mistletoe bough! + + "I'm weary of dancing now," she cried! + "Here tarry a moment--I'll hide--I'll hide, + And, Lovell, be sure thou'rt the first to trace + The clue to my secret lurking place." + Away she ran--and her friends began + Each tower to search, and each nook to scan; + And young Lovell cried, "Oh! where dost thou hide? + I'm lonesome without thee, my own dear bride." + Oh! the mistletoe bough! + + +[Illustration] + + THE _Rose will Cease to Blow_. + + Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. Sold by T. Batchelor, + 14, Hackney Road Crescent; W. Marshall, Bristol. Sold by Bennet + and Boyes, Brighton. + + The rose will cease to blow, + The eagle turn a dove, + The streams will cease to flow, + Ere I will cease to love. + + The sun shall cease to shine, + The world shall cease to move, + The stars their light resign, + Ere I will cease to love. + + +[Illustration] + + I'M A TOUGH + True Hearted Sailor. + + J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials, & at 14, Waterloo + Road, (late Hill's). Country Shops, and Travellers supplied. + + I'm a tough true-hearted sailor, + Careless and all that, d'ye see, + Never at the times a railer-- + What is time or tide to me? + All must die when fate must will it, + Providence ordains it so; + + Every bullet has its billet, + Man the boat, boys--Yeo, heave, yeo! + + Life's at best a sea of trouble, + He who fears it is a dunce, + Death, to me, an empty bubble, + I can never die but once, + Blood, if duty bids, I'll spill it, + Yet I have a tear for woe, + + Every bullet has its billet, &c. + + +[Illustration] + +WHEN BIBO THOUGHT FIT. + +Printed and Sold by J. CATNACH, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + + When Bibo thought fit from the world to retreat, + As full of champagne as an egg's full of meat; + He wak'd in the boat, and to Charon he said, + He would be rowed back, for he was not yet dead. + 'Trim the boat, and sit quiet,' stern Charon replied-- + 'You may have forgot--you were drunk when you died!' + + +[Illustration] + + THE SUN + That Lights the ROSES. + + A. Ryle and Co., Printers, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials, and 35, + Hanover Street, Portsea, where upwards of 4000 different sorts of + ballads are continually on sale together with 40 new penny song books. + + Tho' dimple cheeks may give delight + Where rival beauties blossom; + Th'o balmy lips to love invite, + To extacy the bosom. + Yet sweeter far yon summer sky, + Whose blushing tints discloses, + Give me the lustre beaming eye, + The Sun that lights the Roses. + + +[Illustration] + + THE Woodpecker. + +London:--Printed by J. Paul & Co., 2 & 3, Monmouth Court. + + I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curl'd + Above the green elms, that a cottage was near, + And I said if there's peace to be found it the world, + A heart that is humble might hope for it here. + + CHORUS. + + Every leaf was at rest, and I heard not a sound, + But the woodpecker tapping in the hollow beech tree. + + And here in this lone little wood, I exclaim'd, + With a maid who was lovely to soul and to eye, + Who would blush when I prais'd her, and weep if I blam'd, + How blest could I live, and how calm could I die. + Every leaf, &c. + + +[Illustration] + + YE Topers All. + + London:--Published by Ryle and Paul, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials. + Where an immense number of songs are always ready. + + Ye topers all drink to the soul, + Of this right honest fellow; + Who always loved a flowing bowl, + And would in death be mellow. + The lamp of life be kindled up, + With spirit stout and glowing; + His heart inspired thus with a cup, + Ascends where nectar's flowing. + + +[Illustration] + +Death of Nelson. + +London:--Ryle & Co., Printers, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury. + +RECITATIVE. + + O'er Nelson's tomb, with silent grief oppress'd + Britannia mourns her hero now at rest. + But these bright laurels ne'er shall fade with years, + Whose leaves are water'd by a Nation's tears. + +AIR. + + 'Twas in Trafalgar's bay, + We saw the Frenchmen lay, + Each heart was bounding then; + We scorned the foreign yoke-- + Our ships were British oak, + And hearts of oak our men, + Our Nelson mark'd them on the wave, + Three cheers our gallant seamen gave, + Nor thought of home or beauty; + Along the line this signal ran-- + "England expects that every man + This day will do his duty!" + + +[Illustration] + +THE SCARLET FLOWER. + +A. Ryle & Co., Printers, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury. + + She's gentle as the zephyr, + That sips of every sweet, + She fairer than the fairest lily, + In nature's soft retreat; + Her eyes are like the crystal brok, + As bright and clear to see? + Her lips outshine the Scarlet Flow'r + Of bonny Ellerslie. + + +[Illustration] + +THE THORN. + + London:--Printed at the "Catnach Press" by W. Fortey, (late A. Ryle) + 2 & 3, Monmouth Court. Bloomsbury. (Established 1813.) The Oldest and + Cheapest House in the World for Ballads, (4,000 sorts) Song Books, &c. + + From the white blossomed sloe, + My dear Chloe requested, + A sprig her fair breast to adorn; + No by heavens I exclaimed, may I perish + If ever I plant in that bosom a thorn. + + When I shewed her the ring and implored her to marry + She blushed like the dawning of morn, + Yes I'll consent she replyed if you'll promise, + That no jealous rival shall laugh me to scorn, + No by heavens I exclaim'd may I perish, + If ever I plant in that bosom a thorn. + + + BANKS OF THE NILE. + +[Illustration] + + Printed at the "Catnach Press" by W. FORTEY, Monmouth Court, + Bloomsbury, the Oldest House in the World for Ballads (4,000 sorts) Song + Books, &c. &c. + + Hark! I hear the drums a beating--no longer can I stay, + I hear the trumpets sounding, my love I must away, + We are ordered from Portsmouth many a long mile, + For to join the British soldiers on the banks of the Nile. + + Willie, dearest Willie, don't leave me here to mourn, + You'll make me curse and rue the day that ever I was born, + For the parting of my own true love is parting of my life, + So stay at home dear Willie, and I will be your wife. + + I will cut off my yellow locks, and go along with you, + I will dress myself in velveteens, and go see Egypt too + I will fight or bear your banner, while kind fortune seems to smile, + And we'll comfort one another on the banks of the Nile. + + + Poor Crazy JANE. + +[Illustration] + + London:--Printed at the "Catnach Press" by W. S. Fortey, 2 & 3, Monmouth + Court, Bloomsbury. (Established 1813.) The Oldest and Cheapest House in + the World for Ballads, Song Books, Children's Spelling & Reading Books, + Panorama Slips, Almanacks, Valentines, Hymns, Toy Cards, Poetry Cards, + Lotteries, Characters, Note Paper, Envelopes, &c. + [Symbol: Asterism] Shopkeepers and Hawkers supplied on the lowest terms. + + Why fair maid in every feature, + Are such signs of fear expressed, + Can a wandering wretched creature, + With such horror fill thy breast. + Do my frenzied looks alarm thee, + Trust me, sweet, thy fears are vain, + Not for Kingdom would I harm thee, + Shun not then poor crazy Jane. + + Fondly my young heart believed him, + Which was doomed to love but one; + He sighed, he vowed, and I believed him, + He was false, and I'm undone. + From that hour has reason never, + Had her empire o'er my brain, + Henry fled, with him for ever + Fled the wits of Crazy Jane. + + +[Illustration] + + "It was Christmas morning--dear Christmas morning + When bright angels and men kept watch for its dawning-- + And merrily Christmas bells were out ringing, + And blithely the children their carols were singing-- + 'Twas a hundred years agone--or more." + +From time immemorial the ballad singer, with his rough and ready +broad-sheet, has travelled over the whole surface of the country in all +seasons and weathers, yet there was one time of the year, however, when he +went out of his every-day path and touched on deeper matters than +accidents, politics, prize fights, sporting matches, murders, battles, +royalty, famous men and women. Christmas time brought, both to him and his +audience, its witness of the unity of the great family of heaven and +earth, its story of the life and death of Him in whom that unity stands. +Several examples, of Christmas carols and Scripture-sheets, bearing +Catnach's imprint lie before us, thanks to the kindness of Mr. W. S. +Fortey, Catnach's successor; these broadsides bear several distinctive +marks which show that it was an object of more than ordinary care to +publishers and ballad singers. In the first place, these Christmas sheets +are double the size of the ordinary broad-sheet--measuring 30 inches by +20--and contain four or five carols--generally one long narrative ballad, +and three or four short pieces. Each of them having two or three large +woodcuts and several of smaller sizes, and having the following +distinctive titles--The Trial of Christ. Faith, Hope, and Charity. Our +Saviour's Love. The Tree of Life. The Crucifixion. The Saviour of Mankind. +The Messiah. The Harp of Israel. The Saviour's Garland. Divine Mirth. And +The Life of Joseph, to which is appended:-- + + LONDON: PRINTED AND SOLD BY + J. CATNACH, 2, MONMOUTH COURT, 7, DIALS, + WHERE MAY BE HAD THE FOLLOWING SHEETS, WITH CUTS. + +The Last Day, Our Saviour's Letter, The Son of Righteousness, Travels of +the Children of Israel, Glory of Solomon, The Morning Star, The Noble Army +of Martyrs, Christmas Gambols, The Hertfordshire Tragedy, and a Variety of +Others are in a state of forwardness for the Press. + +[Illustration] + +"Looking at these Christmas broad-sheets," says the writer of an article +on street-ballads, in the "National Review," for October, 1861, "it would +really seem as if the poorest of our brethren claimed their right to +higher nourishment than common for their minds and souls, as well as for +their bodies, at the time of year when all Christendom should rejoice. And +this first impression is confirmed when we examine their contents. In all +those which we have seen, the only piece familiar to us is that noble old +carol 'While shepherds watched their flocks by night,' where the rest come +from, we cannot even conjecture; but in the whole of them there is not one +which we should wish were not there. We have been unable to detect in them +even a coarse expression; and of the hateful narrowness and intolerance, +the namby-pamby, the meaningless cant, the undue familiarity with holy +things, which makes us turn with a shudder from so many modern collections +of hymns, there is simply nothing. + +"Account for it how we will, there is the simple fact. Perhaps it may lead +us to think somewhat differently of those whom we are in the habit of +setting down in the mass as little better than heathens. We cannot +conclude this article better than by giving an extract or two from these +Christmas broad-sheets." + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +"The Saviour's Garland, a choice Collection of the most esteemed Carols," +has the usual long narrative ballad, which begins: + + "Come, all you faithful Christians + That dwell upon the earth,-- + Come celebrate the morning + Of our dear Saviour's birth: + This is the happy morning,-- + This is the happy morn + Whereon, to save our ruined race, + The Son of God was born." + +And after telling simply the well-known story, it ends: + + "Now to him up ascended, + Then let your praises be, + That we His steps may follow, + And He our pattern be; + That when our lives are ended + We may hear His blessed call: + 'Come, Souls, receive the Kingdom + Prepared for you all.'" + +[Illustration] + +Another, "The Star of Bethlehem, a collection of esteemed Carols for the +present year," opens its narrative thus: + + "Let all that are to mirth inclined + Consider well and bear in mind + What our good God for us has done, + In sending His beloved Son. + + Let all our songs and praises be + Unto His heavenly Majesty; + And evermore amongst our mirth + Remember Christ our Saviour's birth. + + The twenty-fifth day of December + We have great reason to remember; + In Bethlehem, upon that morn, + There was a blessed Saviour born," &c. + +One of the short pieces, by no means the best, we give whole: + + "With one consent let all the earth + The praise of God proclaim, + Who sent the Saviour, by whose birth + To man salvation came. + + All nations join and magnify + The great and wondrous love + Of Him who left for us the sky, + And all the joys above. + + But vainly thus in hymns of praise + We bear a joyful part, + If while our voices loud we raise, + We lift not up our heart. + + We, by a holy life alone, + Our Saviour's laws fulfil; + By those His glory is best shown + Who best perform His will. + + May we to all His words attend + With humble, pious care; + Then shall our praise to heaven ascend, + And find acceptance there." + +We do not suppose that the contents of these Christmas broad-sheets are +supplied by the same persons who write the murder-ballads, or the attacks +on crinoline. They may be borrowed from well known hymn books for anything +we know. But if they are borrowed, we must still think it much to the +credit of the selectors, that, where they might have found so much that is +objectionable and offensive, they should have chosen as they have done. We +only hope that their successors, whoever they may be who will become the +caterers for their audiences, will set nothing worse before them. + +Christmas broad-sheets formed an important item in the office of the +"Catnach Press," as the sale was enormous, and Catnach always looked +forward for a large return of capital, and a "good clearance" immediately +following the spurt for Guy Fawkes' speeches, in October of each year. But +although the sale was very large, it only occupies one "short month." This +enabled them to make Carols a stock job, so that when trade in the Ballad, +Sensational, "Gallows," or any other line of business was dull, they used +to fill up every spare hour in the working off or colouring them, so as to +be ready to meet the extraordinary demand which was sure to be made at the +fall of the year. + +[Illustration] + +Like most of the old English customs, Christmas-carol singing is fast +dying out. Old peripatetic stationers well remember the rich harvest they +once obtained at Christmas times by carol selling. Now there are very few +who care to invest more than a shilling or two at a time on the venture; +whereas in times long past, all available capital was readily embarked in +the highly-coloured and plain sheets of the birth of our Saviour, with the +carol of "Christians awake," or "The Seven Good Joys of Mary:"-- + + "The first good joy our Mary had, + It was the joy of one, + To see her own Son, Jesus, + To suck at her breast-bone. + To suck at her breast-bone, God-man, + And blessed may He be + Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, + To all eternity." + +[Illustration] + +Now, whether carol singing has degenerated with carol poetry, and +consequently the sale of Christmas carols diminished is a question we need +not enter upon; but when we turn to the fine old carols of our +forefathers, we cannot help regretting that many of these are buried in +the records of the long past. + +Here are a couple of verses of one, said to be the first carol or +drinking-song composed in England. The original is in Anglo-Norman +French:-- + + "Lordlings, from a distant home, + To seek old Christmas are we come, + Who loves our minstrelsy-- + And here unless report mis-say, + The greybeard dwells; and on this day + Keeps yearly wassail, ever gay + With festive mirth and glee. + + * * * * * + + Lordlings, it is our host's command, + And Christmas joins him hand in hand, + To drain the brimming bowl; + And I'll be foremost to obey, + Then pledge we, sirs, and drink away, + For Christmas revels here to day, + And sways without control. + + Now _wassail_ to you all! and merry may you be, + And foul that wight befall, who drinks not health to me." + +One can well imagine the hearty feeling which would greet a party of +minstrels carolling out such a song as the above in Christmas days of +yore; and then contrast the picture with a _troupe_ from St. Giles's or +Whitechapel bawling out "God Rest you Merry Gentlemen!" The very thought +of the contrast sends a shudder through the whole human system; and no +wonder the first were received with welcome feasting, and the latter +driven "with more kicks than half-pence" from the doors. + +In an old book of "Christmasse Carolles newely emprinted at London, in the +fletestrete at the sygne of the Sonne by Wynkyn de Worde. The yere of our +Lorde, m.d.xxi. Quarto." Is a carol on "Bryngyng in the Bore's Head":-- + + "The bore's head in hand bring I, + With garlandes gay and rosemary, + I pray you all synge merely, + _Qui estis in convivio_. + + The bore's head, I understande + Is the chiefe servyce in this lande, + Loke wherever it be fande, + _Servite cum Contico_. + + Be gladde, lordes, both more and lasse, + For this hath ordayned our stewarde, + To chere you all this Christmasse + The bore's head with mustarde." + +[Illustration] + +With certain alterations, this carol is still, or at least was very +recently, retained at Queen's College, Oxford, and sung to a cathedral +chant of the psalms. + +It would occupy too much space to search into the origin of Christmas +carols. They are doubtless coeval with the original celebrations of +Christmas, first as a strictly Romish sacred ceremony, and afterwards as +one of joyous festivity. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +This "Moral-Sheet" entitled "THE STAGES OF LIFE: or, The various Ages and +Degrees of Human Life explained by these Twelve different Stages, from our +Birth to our Graves," had a great sale. + + +[Illustration] + +INFANCY + +_To 10 Years old._ + + "His vain delusive thoughts are fill'd + With vain delusive joys-- + The empty bubble of a dream, + Which waking change to toys." + +_From 10 to 20 Years old._ + + "His heart is now puff'd up, + He scorns the tutor's hand; + He hates to meet the least control + And glories to command." + +_From 20 to 30 Years old._ + + "There's naught here that can withstand + The rage of his desire, + His wanton flames are now blown up, + His mind is all on fire." + +_From 30 to 40 Years old._ + + "Look forward and repent + Of all thy errors past, + That so thereby thou may'st attain + True happiness at last." + +_From 40 to 50 Years old._ + + "At fifty years he is + Like the declining sun, + For now his better half of life, + Man seemeth to have run." + +_From 50 to 60 Years old._ + + "His wasted taper now + Begins to lose its light, + His sparkling flames doth plainly show + 'Tis growing towards night." + +_From 60 to 70 Years old._ + + "Perplex'd with slavish fear + And unavailing woe, + He travels on life's rugged way + With locks as white as snow." + +_From 70 to 80 Years old._ + + "Infirmity is great, + At this advanced age, + And ceaseless grief and weakness leagued, + Now vent their bitter rage." + +_From 80 to 90 Years old._ + + "Life's 'Vital Spark'--the soul, + Is hovering on the verge + Of an eternal world above, + And waiting to emerge." + +[Illustration] + +_From 90 to 100 Years old._ + + "The sun is sinking fast + Behind the clouds of earth, + Oh may it shine with brighter beams, + Where light receiv'd her birth." + +[Illustration: + + Printed by + J. CATNACH, + ***2,*** + _Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials_, + LONDON.] + +Catnach was now at the height of his fame as a printer of ballads, +Christmas-pieces, carols, lotteries, execution papers, dying speeches, +catchpennies, primers and battledores, and his stock of type and woodcuts +had very considerably increased to meet his business demands. And it may +be said that he was the very Napoleon of buyers at sales by auction of +"printers' stock." On one occasion, when lot after lot was being knocked +down to him, one of the "Littlejohn crew" of "knock-out-men" of the +period, observed to the auctioneer, "Why, sir, Mr. Catnach is buying up +all the lots." "Yes," replied the auctioneer, "And what's more, Mr. +Catnach will pay for them and clear away all his lots in the morning;" +then adding somewhat pointedly, "which is a thing I can't say of all +parties who attend my sales." + +But although we are informed, _vivâ voce_ of a contemporary, that Jemmy +Catnach was so large a buyer at sales by auction of "printers' stock," we +may, with some degree of safety, come to the conclusion that he could have +only bought such lots that would be considered by other master printers as +worthless, and that it was the apparent cheapness that would be the +incentive for his buying up all the worn-out and battered letter, for +Jemmy was a man who hated "innowations" as he used to call improvements, +and he, therefore, had a great horror in laying out his money in new and +improved manufactured type, because, as he observed, he kept so many +standing forms, and when certain sorts ran short he was not particular, +and would tell the boys to use anything which would make a good shift. For +instance, he never considered a compositor could be aground for a +lowercase "l" while he had a figure "1" or a cap "I" to fall back upon; by +the same rule, the cap. "O" and figure "0" were synonymous with "Jemmy;" +the lowercase "p," "b," "d," and "q," would all do duty for each other in +_turn_, and if they could not always find Roman letters to finish a word +with, why the compositor knew very well that the "reader" would not mark +out Ita_lic_, nor wrong founts. + +From a small beginner in the world, Catnach was soon able to see his way +clear to amass a fortune. He had now established his reputation as a man +of enterprise, and he was very sensitive to maintain a sort of +shabby-genteel appearance. It was amusing, especially when over his glass, +to hear him describe the effect the "awfuls" had on the public. The +proprietor of any of our leading journals could not have felt prouder than +did Catnach, as he saw drafted from his press the many thousands of varied +productions. + +We will now briefly allude to the wood-blocks which Catnach had in his +possession, and which served for the purpose of illustrating during the +time that he had been in business. He had a large collection, such as they +were; but as works of art they had little or no pretension, being, upon +the whole, of the oddest and most ludicrous character. Those that were +intended for the small books were very quaint--as we have shown by the +fac-similed specimens we have given--whilst the larger portion, which were +chiefly intended for the "awfuls," were grotesque and hideous in their +design and execution. No more ghastly sight could be imagined than one of +Jemmy's embellishments of an execution. It would appear that for the last +discharge of the law he had a large collection of blocks which would suit +any number of victims who were about to undergo the dread penalty. It +mattered little how many Jack Ketch was going to operate upon, wood-blocks +to the exact number were always adopted, in this particular the great +"Dying Speech Merchant" would seem to have thought that his honour and +reputation were at stake, for he had his network so formed as to be able +to secure every information of news that was passing between the friends +of the culprits and the prerogative of the Crown. But we are informed that +upon one occasion he was nearly entrapped. Three victims were upon the eve +of being executed, and in those days--and in later times--it was not an +uncommon thing to see the confession and dying speech printed one or two +days previous to the event. This we are told by those in the trade was +almost necessary, in order that the sheets might be ready for the +provinces almost as soon as the sentence of the law had been carried out. +It so happened that on the night previous to an execution, one of the +culprits was reprieved. It was solely by a piece of good luck that Catnach +heard of it. Several sheets had been struck off; and Jemmy was often +chaffed about hanging three men instead of two; but our informant assures +us that the error was corrected before any of the impressions were +dispatched from the office. Had they gone before the public in their +original state, the _locus standi_ of the great publisher in Monmouth +Court would have been greatly imperilled. To those who are fond of the +fine arts, _in usum vulgi_, Catnach's embellishments will afford a fund of +amusement. Amongst the lot were several well known places, the scenes of +horrible and awful crimes, engravings of debauchery and ill-fame, together +with an endless number of different kinds, suitable at the shortest +possible notice, to illustrate every conceivable and inconceivable +subject. + +The Seven Dials in general, and "The Catnach Press" in particular, had no +dread of copyright law--the principal Librarian of the British Museum, +Stationers', or any other Hall in those days--and as wood engravings were +not to be had then so quickly or cheaply as now-a-days, Jemmy used at +times to be his own engraver, and while the compositors were setting up +the types, he would carve out the illustration on the back of an old +pewter music plate, and by nailing it on to a piece of wood make it into +an improvised stereo-plate off-hand, for he was very handy at this sort of +work, at which also his sister, with his instruction, could assist; so +they soon managed to rough out a figure or two, and when things were dull +and slack they generally got one or two subjects ready in stock, such as a +highwayman with crape over his face, shooting a traveller, who is falling +from his horse near a wide-spreading old elm tree, through which the moon +was to be seen peeping; not forgetting to put the highwayman in top boots +and making him a regular dandy. This was something after the plan of the +artists of the cheap illustrated papers of the present day, who generally +anticipate events sometime beforehand to be ready with their blocks. As a +proof of this, the editor of the "London, Provincial, and Colonial Press +News," says "I happened to call one day on an artist for the 'Illustrated +Press,' and found him busily engaged in sketching a funeral procession +with some twenty coffins borne on the shoulders of men who were winding +their way through an immense crowd. Upon inquiry, I was told that it was +intended for the next week's issue, and was to represent the funeral of +the victims of the late dreadful colliery explosion, for although the +inquest was only then sitting, and all the bodies had not yet been found, +there was sure to be a funeral of that kind when it was all over, and as +they did not know how many bodies were to be buried at one time, it was +very cleverly arranged to commence the procession from the _corner of the +block_, and so leave it to the imagination as to how many more coffins +were coming in the rear; something after the plan of a small country +theatre, when representing Richard the Third, and in the battle scene, +after the first two or three of the army had made their appearance, to cry +'halt!' very loudly to all those behind who were not seen, and leave the +spectators to guess how many hundreds their were to come." + +For the illustrating of catchpennies, broadsides, and street-literature in +general, particular kinds of wood-cuts were required. In most cases one +block was called upon to perform many parts; and the majority of +metropolitan printers, who went in for this work, had only a very limited +number of them. Very often the same cuts were repeated over and over +again, and made to change sides as one another, and that simply to make a +little variation from a ballad or broadside that had been printed at the +same office on the day, week, or month previous. It mattered little what +the subject was, it required some adornment, in the shape of illustration, +to give effect to it. The catchpennies, especially those connected with +the awful, were in general very rough productions. A lover strangling his +sweetheart with a long piece of rope. A heartless woman murdering an +innocent man. Vice punished and virtue rewarded, and similar subjects, +were always handled in such a manner as to create a degree of excitement, +sympathy, and alarm. The broadsides, generally adorned with some rough +outline of the royal arms of England, a crowned king or queen, as the +subject might be, received their full share of consideration at the hands +of the artist. Scions of royal blood, and those connected with the court, +were often painted in colours glaring and attractive, whilst the matter +set forth in the letterpress was not always the most flattering or +encouraging. + + CATCH-PENNY:--Any temporary contrivance to obtain money from the + public; penny shows, or cheap exhibitions. Also descriptions of + murders, fires, and terrible accidents, &c., which have never taken + place. + + Hotton's: _Slang Dictionary_. + + +AN ACCOUNT OF THE DREADFUL APPARITION + + That appeared last night to Henry ---- in this street, of + Mary ----, the shopkeeper's daughter round the corner, in a + shroud, all covered in white. + +The castle clock struck one--the night was dark, drear, and +tempestuous.--Henry sat in an antique chamber of it, over a wood fire, +which in the stupor of contemplation, he had suffered to decrease into a +few lifeless embers; on the table by him lay the portrait of Mary--the +features of which were not very perfectly disclosed by a taper, that just +glimmered in the socket. He took up the portrait, however, and gazing +intensely upon it, till the taper, suddenly burning brighter, discovered +to him a phenomenon he was not less terrified than surprised at.--The eyes +of the portrait moved;--the features from an angelic smile, changed to a +look of solemn sadness; a tear stole down each cheek, and the bosom +palpitated as with sighing. + +[Illustration] + +Again the clock struck _one!_--it had struck the same hour but ten minutes +before.--Henry heard the castle gate grate on its hinges--it slammed +too--the clock struck one again--and a deadly groan echoed through the +castle. Henry was not subject to superstitious fears--neither was he a +coward;--yet a hero of romance might have been justified in a case like +this, should he have betrayed fear.--Henry's heart sunk within him--his +knees smote together, and upon the chamber door being opened, and his +name uttered in a hollow voice, he dropped the portrait to the floor; and +sat, as if rivetted to the chair, without daring to lift up his eyes. At +length, however, as silence again prevailed, he ventured for a moment to +raise his eyes, when--my blood freezes as I relate it--before him stood +the figure of Mary in a shroud--her beamless eyes fixed upon him with a +vacant stare; and her bared bosom exposing a most deadly gash. +"Henry!--Henry!!--Henry!!!" she repeated in a hollow tone--"Henry! I come +for thee! thou hast often said that death with me was preferable to life +without me; come then, and enjoy with me all the ecstacies of love these +ghastly features, added to the contemplation of a charnel-house, can +inspire;" then grasping his hand with her icy fingers, he swooned; and +instantly found himself--stretched on the hearth of his master's kitchen; +a romance in his hand, and the house dog by his side, whose cold nose +touching his hand, had awaked him. + + +FRIENDS + +It is with feelings of the deepest regret that we are at present +compelled, for the support of our friends and families, to offer this +simple, but true tale to your notice, trusting, at the same time, that you +will be pleased to purchase this paper, it being the only means at present +to support the tender thread of our existence, and keep us and our +families from utter starvation which at present surrounds us. + +PRICE ONE PENNY. + +_Printed for Author and Vendor._ + + +[Illustration] + +MURDER OF CAPTAIN LAWSON. + +[Illustration] + +CRUEL AND INHUMAN MURDER, LAST NIGHT. + + +[Illustration] + +THE SCARBOROUGH TRAGEDY. + +Giving an Account how Susan Forster, a Farmer's Daughter, near +Scarborough, was seduced by Mr. Robert Sanders, a Naval Officer, under +promise of Marriage.--How she became Pregnant, and the wicked hardened and +cruel Wretch appointed her to meet him at a well-known, retired spot, +which she unhappily did, and was basely Murdered by him, and buried under +a Tree--and of the wonderful manner in which this base Murder was brought +to light, and he committed to Gaol. + + Young virgins fair of beauty bright, + And you that are of Cupid's fold, + Unto my tragedy give ear, + For it's as true as e'er was told. + In Yorkshire, liv'd a virgin fair, + A farmer's only daughter dear, + And a young sea-captain did her ensnare, + Whose station was her father near. + + Susannah was this maiden's name, + The flower of all that country, + This officer a courting came, + Begging that she his love would be. + Her youthful heart to love inclin'd + Young Cupid bent his golden bow, + And left his fatal dart behind, + Which prov'd Susannah's overthrow. + + Ofttimes at evening she would repair, + Close to the borders of the sea, + Her treach'rous love would meet her there, + The time it passed most pleasantly. + And while they walked the sea-banks over, + To mark the flowing of the tide, + He said he'd be her constant lover, + And vow'd that she should be his bride. + + * * * * * + + He did confess--they dug the ground while hundreds came to view, + And here the murder'd corpse they found, of her who lov'd so true; + In irons now in Prison strong lamenting he does lie; + And, by the laws condemn'd ere long, most justly he will die. + +J. CATNACH, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials. + + +[Illustration] + +HORRID MURDER, COMMITTED BY A YOUNG MAN ON A YOUNG WOMAN. + +George Caddell became acquainted with Miss Price and a degree of intimacy +subsisted between them, and Miss Price, degraded as she was by the +unfortunate step she had taken, still thought herself an equal match for +one of Mr. Caddell's rank of life. As pregnancy was shortly the result of +their intimacy, she repeatedly urged him to marry her, but he resisted her +importunities for a considerable time. At length she heard of his paying +addresses to Miss Dean, and threatened in case of his non-compliance, to +put an end to all his prospects with that young lady, by discovering +everything that had passed between them. Hereupon he formed a horrid +resolution of murdering her, for he could neither bear the thought of +forfeiting the esteem of a woman whom he loved, nor of marrying one who +had been as condescending to another as to himself. So he called on Miss +Price on a Saturday and requested her to walk with him in the fields on +the following day, in order to arrange a plan for their intended marriage. +Miss Price met him at the time appointed, on the road leading to Burton, +at a house known by the name of the "Nag's Head." Having accompanied her +supposed lover into the fields, and walked about till towards evening, +they sat down under a hedge, where after a little conversation, Caddell +suddenly pulled out a knife and cut her throat, and made his escape, but +not before he had waited till she was dead. In the distraction of his mind +he left behind him the knife with which he perpetrated the deed, and his +Case of Instruments. On the following morning, Miss Price being found +murdered in the field, great numbers went to take a view of her body, +among whom was the woman of the house where she lodged, who recollected +that she said she was going to walk with Mr. Caddell, on which the +instruments were examined and sworn to have belonged to him. He was +accordingly taken into custody. + +J. CATNACH, Printer, Monmouth Court. + + +[Illustration] + +THE SECRETS REVEALED, OR THE FASHIONABLE LIFE OF LORD & LADY ******. + +[Illustration] + +DREADFUL MURDER BY A SOLDIER, YESTERDAY MORNING. + + +THE LIVERPOOL TRAGEDY. + +[Illustration] + + Showing how a Father and Mother + barbarously Murdered their own Son. + +A few days ago a sea-faring man, who had just returned to England after an +absence of thirty years in the East Indies, called at a lodging-house, in +Liverpool, for sailors, and asked for supper and a bed; the landlord and +landlady were elderly people, and apparently poor. The young man entered +into conversation with them, invited them to partake of his cheer, asked +them many questions about themselves and their family, and particularly of +a son who had gone to sea when a boy, and whom they had long given over +as dead. At night the landlady shewed him to his room, and when she was +leaving him he put a large purse of gold into her hand, and desired her to +take care of it till the morning, pressed her affectionately by the hand, +and bade her good night. She returned to her husband and shewed the +accursed gold: for its sake they mutually agreed to murder the traveller +in his sleep. + +In the dead of the night, when all was still, the old couple silently +creeped into the bed room of their sleeping guest, all was quiet: the +landlady approached the bedside, and then cut his throat, severed his head +from his body; the old man, upwards of seventy years of age, holding the +candle. They put a washing-tub under the bed to catch his blood, and then +ransacking the boxes of the murdered man they found more gold, and many +handsome and costly articles, the produce of the East Indies, together, +with what proved afterwards, to be a marriage certificate. + +In the morning early, came a handsome and elegantly dressed lady, and +asked, in a joyous tone, for the traveller who arrived the night before. +The old people seemed greatly confused, but said he had risen early and +gone away. "Impossible!" said the lady, and bid them go to his bed-room +and seek him, adding, "you will be sure to know him as he has a mole on +his left arm in the shape of a strawberry. Besides, 'tis your long lost +son who has just returned from the East Indies, and I am his wife, and the +daughter of a rich planter long settled and very wealthy. Your son has +come to make you both happy in the evening of your days, and he resolved +to lodge with you one night as a stranger, that he might see you unknown, +and judge of your conduct to wayfaring mariners." + +The old couple went up stairs to examine the corpse, and they found the +strawberry mark on its arm, and they then knew that they had murdered +their own son, they were seized with horror, and each taking a loaded +pistol blew out each other's brains. + +PRINTED BY J. CATNACH.--Sold by Marshall, Bristol. + +Just Published.--A Variety of Children's Books, Battledores, Lotteries, +and a quantity of Popular Songs set to Music. Cards, &c., Printed cheap. + +[Illustration] + + + + + THE LIFE, TRIAL, CHARACTER, CONFESSION, BEHAVIOUR, + AND EXECUTION OF JAMES WARD, + + Aged 25, who was hung in the front of the Gaol, + For the wilful Murder he committed on the + Body of his own Wife. + + [Illustration] + + To which is added a Copy of Affectionate Verses + which he composed in the Condemned Cell + The night before his + EXECUTION. + + PRINTED AT LONDON. + PRICE ONE PENNY. + + +[Illustration] + +THE ARREST OF THE PRISONER. + + "For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak with most miraculous + organ." + +The prisoner was arrested while drinking with his companions in a +public-house, and after two Magistrates had heard the evidence he was +fully committed to the Assizes to be tried before my Lord Judge and a +British Jury, at the County Hall. + +[Illustration] + + +THE TRIAL! + + "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein." + +At an early hour on the morning of the trial, the Court was crowded to +excess, the Judge taking his seat at nine o'clock. The Prisoner on being +placed at the bar, pleaded "Not Guilty," in a firm tone of voice. The +Trial lasted many hours, when, having been found 'GUILTY.' the learned +Judge addressed the prisoner as follows:-- + + "Prisoner, you have been found guilty of a most cold-blooded Murder, a + more deliberate murder I never heard of. You and your wife had been to + a neighbouring town, and were returning home, when you did it. She was + found in a ditch. I cannot hold out the slightest hope of mercy + towards you in this case." During this address the whole court was + melted into tears. His Lordship then put on the black cap and passed + the sentence as usual, holding out no hope of mercy to the prisoner. + +[Illustration: THE COUNTY GAOL.] + + +[Illustration: THE HOME OF THE GOOD MAN.] + + "Sundry blessings hang about his Throne, that speak him full of + Grace." + +LETTER WRITTEN BY THE PRISONER AFTER HIS CONDEMNATION. + +Condemned Cell. + +DEAR SISTER, + +When you receive this you will see that I am condemned to die; my Father +and Mother are coming to take their last farewell, and I should very much +liked to have seen you, but knowing that you are on the eve of bringing +into the world another to your family, I beg that you will refrain from +coming; if that you do serious may be the consequences, therefore, dear +Sister, do not attempt to come. I hope that no one will upbraid you for +what I have done; So God bless you and yours; farewell! dear Sister, for +ever. + + J. WARD. + + +[Illustration] + +THE EXECUTION. + + "A threefold cord is not quickly broken." + +The Execution of the above prisoner took place early this morning at eight +o'clock, the people flocking to the scene at an early hour. As the period +of the wretched man's departure drew near, the chaplain became anxious to +obtain from him a confession of the justice of his sentence. He +acknowledged the justice of his sentence, and said he was not fit to live, +and that he was afraid to die, but he prayed to the Lord for forgiveness, +and hoped through the merits of his Saviour that his prayer would be +heard. Having received the sacrament, the executioner was not long in +performing his office. The solemn procession moved towards the place of +Execution, the chaplain repeating the confession words, "In the midst of +life we are in death." Upon ascending the platform he appeared to tremble +very much. The cap being drawn over his eyes and the signal given, the +wretched man was launched into eternity. He died almost without a +struggle. After the body had hanged the usual time it was cut down and +buried according to the sentence in the gaol. + + +[Illustration] + +THE HOME OF THE BAD MAN. + + "One Sin doth another provoke." + +COPY OF VERSES. + + Come all you feeling hearted christians, wherever you may be, + Attention give to these few lines, and listen unto me; + Its of this cruel murder, to you I will unfold, + The bare recital of the same will make your blood run cold. + + Confined within a lonely cell, with sorrow I am opprest, + The very thought of what I've done, deprives me of rest; + Within this dark and gloomy cell in the County Gaol I lie, + For murder of my dear wife I am condemned to die. + + For four long years I'd married been, I always lov'd her well, + Till at length I was overlooked, oh shame for me to tell; + By Satan sure I was beguiled, he led me quite astray, + Unto another I gave way on that sad unlucky day. + + I well deserve my wretched fate, no one can pity me, + To think that I in cold blood could take the life away; + I took a stake out of the hedge and hit on the head, + My cruel blows I did repeat until she were dead. + + I dragged the body from the stile to a ditch running by, + I quite forgot there's one above with an all-seeing eye, + Who always brings such deeds to light, as you so plainly see, + I questioned was about it and took immediately. + + The body's found, the inquest held, to prison I was sent, + With shame I do confess my sin, with grief I do repent; + And when my trial did come on, I was condemned to die, + An awful death in public scorn, upon the gallows high. + + While in my lonely cell I lie, the time draws on apace, + The dreadful deeds that I have done appear before my face; + While lying on my dreadful couch, those horrid visions rise, + The ghastly form of my dear wife appears before my eyes. + + Oh may my end a warning be now unto all mankind, + And think of my unhappy fate and bear me in your mind; + Whether you are rich or poor, young wives and children love, + So God will fill your fleeting days with blessings from above. + +[Illustration] + + + + + THE BURNING SHAME. + OR + + [Illustration] + + MORALITY ALARMED + IN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD. + + JUST PUBLISHED + PRICE ONE PENNY. + + +[Illustration] + +A short time since, some of the moral-mending crew of Parsons, +Magistrates, Quakers, Shakers, Puritans, Old Maids, and highly +respectable, and, now retired from active business "Young Ladies," who now +assume a virtue, though they have it not, and a variety of other goodly +persons ever ready to compound for sins they are inclined to, by exposing +those they have no mind to, living not 50 miles hence, determined on +reforming doings, manners, and customs:-- + +IN THIS TOWN! + +and a meeting in consequence took place at "Rosebud Cottage" the residence +of Miss Mary Ann Lovitt, when, as a first step, it was determined to +remove the facilities and _accommodation_ afforded a +certain--_You-know-what!_ crime very general _in this neighbourhood_ by +hunting out of the town:-- + +A CERTAIN LADY ABBESS!! + +who keeps a very genteel house for the _accommodation_ of "single young +men and their wives" and one who never offends, or bores her patrons by +asking for a sight of their 'Marriage Certificates.' + +At the meeting, the armchair was taken by the Rev. John ---- ---- ---- +B.A., of this parish, Mr. Churchwarden Smith, and Mr. J. Brown, the +draper, supporting him on either side; when a variety of methods were +suggested for the removal of the alledged social evil, one thought +_entreaty_ might best answer, another was for _force_, a third recommended +the Religious Tract Society, while a fourth was for the aid of the Very +Rev. Rowland H------l, Miss A. and Miss B. were both loud in their praise +of the Rev. Jabez B------g, mention was made of the Society for the +Suppression of Vice, at length the Reverend Divine Chairman was called on +for his opinion, when he--conscious of the integrity and purity of his own +life and _experience!_ at once pronounced:-- + +A BURNING SHAME!!! + +as the only effectual remedy for the ever increasing evil. This was indeed +a harsh measure, and some of the worthies looked a variety of colours on +the occasion, but as none had the moral courage for personal character +sake to oppose the parson's proposition, it was carried unanamously. A +board bearing on it in legible characters:-- + +BEWARE OF A BAD HOUSE!!!! + +was soon prepared, and with a lanthorn attached, was paraded before the +house of the fair--but frail duenna's mansion. It did not remain long in +this position as the following letter from the lady abbess of the +_Agapemone!_ soon had its deserved effect:-- + + GENTLEMEN:--"If the board and lanthorne is not removed from the front + of my house in one hour from this time, I will publish the _name_, + _profession_, and _address_, of every _gentleman_--together with that + of the _lady_ accompaning him who has visited my "_Establishment for + Young Ladies_" during the last six months. Some of your worships know + on whom this would fall heaviest." + + Yours with thanks for past favours, + AUNT. + +It is almost needless to say that the _board and lanthorne_ were very soon +removed, and, that, the old, and _accommodating_ lady is doing a good +business again:-- + +THUS CONSCIOUS DOES MAKE COWARDS OF US ALL. + +[Illustration] + + + + + THE FULL, TRUE AND + PARTICULAR ACCOUNT + OF THE + + [Illustration] + + EXTRAORDINARY MARRIAGE + That took place in THIS TOWN on Thursday last. + + LONDON: + PRINTED FOR THE VENDORS. + + PRICE ONE PENNY. + + +[Illustration] + + "Who would have thought he had been a-- + He was such--a nice young man." + +About a week since, a dashing young blade, dressed in the very height of +the prevailing fashion, having long black and curly hair, together with a +pair of out-and-out slap-up whiskers and moustaches, and calling himself +Count de Coburgh Aingarpatzziwutchz, and professing to be a foreigner and +a man of enormous fortune, and one of the _haut ton!_ took up his lodging +at the principal inn, The ---- Arms, in this town, where the swell +foreigner looking blade soon made a great stir among the ladies of the +place; the old, the young, the tall, the short, the fair, and the dark, +were all alike smitten over head and ears in love with the distinguished +visitor, but none seemed to make so much impression upon his heart as Mary +Jane Jemima S----w, the youngest of the landlord's daughters of The +----Arms Inn, of this town. She is well known in this neighbourhood to be +very handsome, with light brown hair all in ringlets, light blue eyes, a +fine aquiline nose, and of a tall and commanding figure, aged about sweet +17 years of age, and very tender. + +The foreign Count! soon won the affections of the young lady, and while +she was all cock-a-hoop at the thought of having such a fine handsome +young blade for a husband, all the other women of the town, old and young, +were ready to tear out her eyes and boil them in their own blood with +womanly vexation and revenge, and spoke of the intended bridegroom as the +Count _Don't-know-who_! + +On Thursday the bells of the old parish church rang merrily +ding!-dong!!-ding!!! and the happy couple were married, our old and +respected Rector officiating; assisted by his Curate, Rev. Mr. ----, and +all the parish was gay from one end to the other. + +[Illustration] + +A few hours after the ceremony had taken place, whilst the happy couple +were feasting on all of the very best with their friends and relations, a +stranger, fat and greasy, and looking like a master or journeyman butcher +in his Sunday clothes, and about forty years of age, and black whiskers, +made his appearance, and not being acquainted with the occasion that +brought the party together, without hesitation exclaimed, loud enough to +be heard by all in the room, "Well, brother-blade, you are a lucky fellow! +the business about Sal Saunders is all settled to our satisfaction, the +lawyer made a good job of it for you, poleaxed the lot on the other side +in prime style, and skinned 'em alive, so you may now return home to +Whitechapel and put on your blue apron and steel."--The company stood +aghast, the bride fainted, and all was confusion. At length it came out +that the newly-married man had a wife and four children at home, and that +his visit to the above town was in consequence of a woman swearing a child +to him. In the midst of the confusion which this discovery occasioned, the +bridegroom and his brother slaughterman from Whitechapel--which is in +London--made a sudden retreat, and--have not since been heard of. + + + + +THE EFFECTS OF LOVE. + +SAD SHOCKING NEWS! + + CRUEL SEDUCTION: DREADFUL WARNING TO ALL YOUNG + WOMEN IN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD TO BEWARE OF + YOUNG MEN'S DELUDING AND FLATTERING TONGUES. + +The following melancholy account of her cruel seduction and desertion by +her base lover was forwarded to that very worthy man Mr. ---- a +churchwarden, well-known and respected by all in this neighbourhood by +Miss S----h W----r, the night before she committed suicide. + + Young lovers all I pray draw near, + Sad shocking news you soon shall hear, + And when that you the same are told, + It will make your very blood run cold. + + Miss S----h W---- Is my name, + I brought myself to grief and shame, + By loving one that ne'er loved me, + My sorrow now I plainly see. + + Mark well the words that will be said, + By W---- E---- I was betray'd, + By his false tongue I was beguil'd + At length to him I proved with child. + + At rest with him I ne'er could be, + Until he had his will of me, + To his fond tales I did give way, + And did from paths of virtue stray. + + My grief is more than I can bear, + I am disregarded every where, + Like a blooming flower I am cut down, + And on me now my love does frown. + + Oh! the false oathes he has sworn to me, + That I his lawful bride should be, + May I never prosper night, or day, + If I deceive you, he would say. + + But now the day is past and gone, + That he fix'd to be married on, + He scarcely speaks when we do meet, + And strives to shun me in the street. + + I did propose on Sunday night, + To walk once more with my heart's delight, + On the Umber's banks where billows roar, + We parted there to meet no more. + + His word was pledged unto me, + He never shall prosper nor happy be, + The ghost of me and my infant dear, + They both shall haunt him every where. + + William dear when this you see, + Remember how you slighted me, + Farewell vain world; false man adieu, + I drown myself for love of you. + + As a token that I died for love, + There will be seen a milk-white dove, + Which over my watery tomb shall fly, + And there you'll find my body lie. + + These cheeks of mine once blooming red, + Must now be mingled with the dead, + From the deep waves to a bed of clay, + Where I must sleep till the Judgement Day. + + A Joyful rising then I hope to have, + When Angels call me from the grave + Receive my soul, O Lord most high, + For broken hearted I must die. + + Grant me one favour that's all I crave, + Eight pretty maidens let me have, + Dress'd all in white a comely show, + To carry me to the grave below. + + Now all young girls I hope on earth, + Will be warned by my untimely death, + Take care sweet maidens when you are young, + Of men's deluding--flattering tongue. + +PRINTED IN LONDON FOR THE VENDERS. + + +SHOCKING RAPE AND DREADFUL MURDER OF TWO LOVERS. + +[Illustration] + + SHOWING HOW JOHN HODGES, A FARMER'S SON, + COMMITTED A RAPE UPON JANE WILLIAMS, + AND AFTERWARDS MURDERED HER AND + HER LOVER, WILLIAM EDWARDS, + IN A FIELD NEAR PAXTON. + +This is a most revolting murder. It appears Jane Williams was keeping +company, and was shortly to be married to William Edwards, who was in the +employment of Farmer Hodges. For some time a jealousy existed in John +Hodges, who made vile proposals to the young girl, who although of poor +parents was strictly virtuous. The girl's father also worked on Farmer +Hodges' estate. On Thursday last she was sent to the farm to obtain some +things for her mother, who was ill; it was 9 o'clock in the evening when +she set out, a mile from the farm. Going across the fields she was met by +the farmer's son, who made vile proposals to her, which she not consenting +to, he threw her down, and accomplished his vile purpose. In the meantime +her lover had been to her house, and finding she was gone to the farm, +went to meet her. He found her in the field crying, and John Hodges +standing over her with a bill-hook, saying he would kill her if she ever +told. No one can tell the feelings of the lover, William Edwards. He +rushed forward, when Hodges, with the hook, cut the legs clean from his +body, and with it killed the poor girl, and then run off. Her father +finding she did not return, went to look for her, when the awful deeds +were discovered. Edwards was still alive, but died shortly afterwards from +loss of blood, after giving his testimony to the magistrates. The farmer's +son was apprehended, and has been examined and committed to take his trial +at the next assizes. + +Thousands of persons followed the unfortunate lovers to the grave, where +they were both buried together. + + +COPY OF VERSES. + + Jane Williams had a lover true + And Edwards was his name, + Whose visits to her father's house, + Had welcome now became. + + In marriage soon they would be bound, + A loving man and wife, + But John Hodges, a farmer's son + With jealousy was rife. + + One night he met her in the fields, + And vile proposals made; + How can I do this wicked thing, + Young Jane then weeping said. + + He quickly threw her on the ground, + He seized her by surprise, + And did accomplish his foul act + Despite her tears and cries. + + Her lover passing by that way, + Discovered her in tears, + And when he found what had been done + He pulled the monster's ears. + + Young Hodges with the bill-hook, + Then cut young Edwards down; + And by one fatal blow he felled + Jane Williams on the ground. + + There side by side the lovers lay + Weltering in their blood: + Young Jane was dead, her lover lived, + Though ebb'd away life's flood. + + Old Williams sought his daughter dear, + When awful to relate, + He found her lifeless body there, + Her lover's dreadful fate. + + Now in one grave they both do lie, + These lovers firm and true, + Who by a cruel man were slain + Who'll soon receive his due. + + In prison now he is confined, + To answer for the crime. + Two lovers that he murdered, + Cut off when in their prime. + +[Illustration] + + + _A Funny_ DIALOGUE + + BETWEEN A + FAT BUTCHER + And A + + [Illustration] + + MACKEREL + _In Newport Market_ + Yesterday. + +BUTCHER.--Well, Mr. Mackerel, pray let me ask you how you come to show +your impudent face among those who don't want to see you or any of your +crew? + +MACKEREL.--That my company is not agreeable to many such as you I very +well know; but here I am, and will keep my place in spite of you. Don't +think to frighten me with your lofty looks, Mr. Green. You are an enemy to +the poor, I am their true friend, and I will be in spite of you. + +BUTCHER.--I will soon see the end of you and your vain boasting. What's +the poor to me? + +MACKEREL.--I and thousands of my brethren are come to town for the sole +good of the industrious poor. We will soon pull down your high prices, +your pride and consequence, and Melt your fat off your overgrown Carcass. +I am their sworn friend, and although you are biting off your tongue with +vexation, yet I am determined they shall have a cheap Meal--good, sweet, +and wholesome--put that in your pipe and smoke it. + +BUTCHER.--Aye, aye. You are a saucy set, confound you altogether. +Oddzbobs, I wish the Devil had the whole of your disagreeable tribe. + +MACKEREL.--I would advise you, Mr. Green, not to show your teeth when you +can't bite. Millions of my friends are on their way to town to make the +poor rejoice. We have had a fine seed time, everything looks promising. +Meat must and will come down. The poor will sing for joy, and you may go +hang yourself in your garters. + +[Illustration] + + Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth Court, + Cards, Bills, &c., Printed on Low Terms. + + +Catnach, to the day of his retirement from business in 1838, when he +purchased the freehold of a disused public-house, which had been known as +the Lion Inn, together with the grounds attached at Dancer's Hill, South +Mimms, near Barnet, in the county of Middlesex, worked and toiled in the +office of the "Catnach Press," in which he had moved as the pivot, or +directing mind, for a quarter of a century. He lived and died a bachelor. +His only idea of all earthly happiness and mental enjoyment was now to get +away in retirement to a convenient distance from his old place of +business, so to give him an opportunity occasionally to go up to town and +have a chat and a friendly glass with one or two old paper-workers and +ballad-writers, and a few others connected with his peculiar trade who had +shown any disposition to work when work was to be done. To them he was +always willing to give or advance a few pence or shillings, in money or +stock, and a glass-- + + "Affliction's sons are brothers in distress; + A brother to relieve, how exquisite the bliss!" + +But Jemmy knew the men that were "skulkers," as he termed them, and there +was no coin, stock, or a glass for them. He invariably drank whiskey, a +spirit not in general demand in England in those days. Gin was then, as +now, the reigning favourite with the street folks. When the question was +put to him in reference to his partiality to whiskey, he always +replied--the Scotch blood proudly rising in his veins, and with a strong +Northumberland burr, which never wholly forsook him, particularly when +warmed by argument or drink--that, "He disdained to tipple with 'stuff,' +by means of which all the women of the town got drunk. I am of Catnach. +Yes! there's Catnach blood in me. Catnach--King Catnach--Catnach, King of +the Picts. We descend in a right straight line from the Picts. That's the +sort of blood-of-blood that flows in the veins of all the true-bred +Catnachs." Jemmy would be for continually arguing when in his cups, and +the old and the more artful of the street-folk would let him have all the +say and grandeur that he then felt within him on the subject, well knowing +that they would be much more likely to have their glasses replenished by +agreeing with him than by contradicting him. Even in his sober moments +Jemmy always persisted, right or wrong, that the Catnachs, or Catternachs, +were descended direct from a King of the Picts. Yet, what is somewhat +anomalous, he was himself a rigid churchman and a staunch old Tory, "one +of the olden time," and "as full of the glorious Constitution as the first +volume of Blackstone." + +On Catnach's retirement from the business, he left it to Mrs. Annie Ryle, +his sister, charged, nevertheless, to the amount of £1,000 payable at his +death to the estate of his niece, Marion Martha Ryle. In the meanwhile Mr. +James Paul acted as managing man for Mrs. Ryle. This Mr. Paul--of whom +Jemmy was very fond, and rumour saith, had no great dislike to the +mother--had grown from a boy to a man in the office of the "Catnach +Press." He was therefore, well acquainted with the customers, by whom he +was much respected; and it was by his tact and judgment that the business +was kept so well together. He married a Miss Crisp, the daughter of a +publican in the immediate neighbourhood. + +Catnach did not long enjoy or survive his retirement. After the novelty of +looking, as the poet Cowper puts it, and no doubt in his case found it, +"Through the loop-holes of retreat, to see the stir of the Great Babel, +and not feel the crowd," had worn itself out, "James Catnach, Gentleman, +formerly of Monmouth Court, Monmouth Street, Printer," grew dull in his +"Old Bachelor's Box;" he was troubled with hypochondriasis, and a liver +overloaded with bile, and was further off than ever from being a happy +man. He had managed to rake and scrape together--as far as we can get any +knowledge--some £5,000 or £6,000, although £10,000 and upwards is mostly +put down to him. However, he had grabbed for and caught a fair amount of +"siller and gold," but it failed to realize to him-- + + An elegant sufficiency, content, + Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books, + Ease and alternate labour, useful life, + Progressive virtue, and approving Heaven! + +No! all he had realized was that unenviable position so popularly known as +of a man not knowing what to do with himself. His visits to town were now +much more frequent and of longer duration, and for hours he would sit and +loiter about the shops and houses of his old neighbours, so that he might +catch a glimpse, or enjoy a friendly chat with his old friends and +customers. At length he got sick at heart, "wearied to the bone," and +sighed for the bustle of London Life. + +From the following letter written to his sister, Mrs. Ryle, in 1840, and +now before us, we glean something of his state of mind and bodily +health:-- + + July, 4th, 40. + + Dear Sister,-- + + I have been very ill for these last three weeks. I was obliged to send + for Dr. Morris to cup me, which did some good for a few days, since + then the pains have gone into my breast and ribs, and for the last + three days I have kept my bed, and could take nothing but a little tea + and water-gruel. I wish you to procure me 6 Bills to stick on my + window shutters, outside and in, "This House to be Let," and send them + with 1/2lb Tea as soon as possible--but do not send them by Salmon's + Coach, for he will not leave them at Jackson's as Wild does, but + sends a boy with it, which costs me double porterage. I feel the loss + of my jelly now I am so ill, and can eat little or nothing, it would + have done my throat good. I have a great crop of black and red berries + [currants] if you choose I will send them up, and you can make some + jelly for us both; let me know as soon as you can, say Wednesday + morning and I will make the Postwoman call for the parcel at + Jackson's. I also wish you to enquire of Carr what is the lowest he + will take for the rooms over Mrs. Morgan, by the 1/2 year. + + I have nothing more to say but to be remembered to Mary and Paul, and + remain + + [Signature: Yours truly + James Catnach] + + Pray send a paper of the execution of the Valet, and the trial of + Oxford--Mrs. Westley has not sent me 1 paper since I was last in + town--neither has Thornton. + + Mrs. Ryle, + 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, + Compton Street, London. + +Ultimately Catnach hired the rooms he speaks about in the body of his +letter to his sister, which were on the first floor of No. 6, Monmouth +Court. All the vacant space in his old premises being now fully occupied +by Mrs. Ryle, and her assistants, now "the humble cottage fenc'd with +osiers round," which to his leisure afforded no pleasure, was entirely +deserted, and in London he fretted out the remaining portion of his life. +He soon grew peevish, and his brain got a little out of balance, then he +listlessly wandered in and out of the streets, courts, and alleys, "infirm +of purpose." On stormy days and nights to stand and view the lightning +from Waterloo Bridge was his special delight, and wonder. His temper and +liver were now continually out of order, and which whiskey, even +"potations pottle deep," failed to relieve. At length he died of jaundice, +in the very London court in which he had muck'd and grubbed for the best +part of his life, on the first day of February, 1841. Like other great men +of history he has several _locales_ mentioned as his final +resting-place--Hornsey, Barnet, South Mimms, &c. + + _Urbes, certarunt septem de patria Homeri, + Nulla domus vivo patria fuit._ + + Seven cities strove whence Homer first should come, When living, he no + country had nor home:--_Tom Nash, 1599._ + + Seven Grecian cities vied for Homer dead, + Through which the living Homer begged his bread. + + Seven cities vied for Homer's birth, with emulation pious,--Salamis, + Samos, Colophon, Rhodes, Argos, Athens, Chios.--_From the Greek._ + +But Catnach lies buried in Highgate Cemetery, in one of the two plots that +Mrs. Ryle purchased sometime previous to her brother's death. The official +number of the grave is 256, SQUARE 29, over which is placed a flat stone, +inscribed:-- + + IN MEMORY OF + JAMES CATNACH, + _Of Dancer's Hill_. + DIED 1ST FEBRUARY, 1841, + Aged 49. + + + ANNE RYLE, + Sister to the above, and widow of Joseph Ryle, who died in + India, 10th October, 1823. She died 20th April, 1870, + Aged 75. + + _Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord._ + +The freehold in the other plot of ground, after Catnach's death, was +transferred to Mr. Robert Palmer Harding, the accountant of London, who +married Catnach's niece. The stone records the death of ELIZABETH +CORNELIA, third daughter of Robert Palmer Harding and Marion Martha +Harding, born 9 June, 1848, died 8 of November, 1848; and GREVILLE, second +son of the above, born 29 May, 1856, died 3 September, 1856. This grave is +now numbered 5179. We have been thus minute in respect to Catnach's grave, +from the circumstance of our having received so many contradictory +statements as to its whereabouts. But however, we have removed all doubt +from our mind by a personal visit to the Highgate Cemetery where under the +guidance of the very civil and obliging superintendent of the grounds, Mr. +W. F. Tabois, we were conducted to the spot we required, then introduced +to Mr. Marks, the sexton, "here man and boy thirty years," and whom we +found very intelligent and communicative on various _subjects_-- + + "From _grave_ to gay, from lively to severe." + +After Catnach's death, Mr. James Paul entered into partnership with Mrs. +Ryle, and then the business was carried on under the title and style of A. +Ryle and Paul. In 1845 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Paul receiving +£800 in settlement. He then entered into the public line taking the +Spencer's Arms, at the corner of the Monmouth Court. A son that was born +to him in 1847, he had christened James Catnach Paul. He died in the year +1870, just six weeks after Mrs. Ryle, and lies buried in the next grave +but one to Catnach and his sister. + +After Mr. Paul had left the business it was carried on as Ryle & Co., and +ultimately became the property of Mr. W. S. Fortey, who still carries on +the old business in the same quarter. + +For the purpose of clearing up, if possible, some contradictory +statements, a few years ago we made personal search through the +musty-fusty red-tapeism of Doctor's Commons for the Will and Testament--or +"LAST DYING SPEECH" of "James Catnach, of Dancer's Hill, South Mimms, in +the county of Middlesex, Gentleman, formerly of Monmouth Court, Monmouth +Street, Printer," an office copy of which, together with Probate and +Administration Act, we give below, by which it will be seen that the +Personal Effects are sworn to as under three hundred pounds. But this +gives us no idea of the value of his "Freehold, Copyhold, or Leasehold +Estate" mentioned in the body of the Will. + + "Extracted from the principal Registry + of Her Majesty's Court of Probate. + +"In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury-- + +"This is the last Will and Testament of me JAMES CATNACH of Dancers Hill, +South Mimms in the County of Middlesex Gentleman formerly of Monmouth +Court Monmouth Street Printer I direct that my just debts funeral and +testamentary expences be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my +decease and subject thereto I give devise and bequeath all my real and +personal Estate whatever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever +to my Sister Anne the Widow of Joseph Ryle now residing in Monmouth Court +aforesaid her heirs executors and administrators according to the nature +and qualities thereof respectively In trust nevertheless for her Daughter +Marion Martha Ryle her heirs executors administrators and assigns +respectively when she shall attain the age of twenty one years absolutely +with power in the meantime to apply the rents interest dividends or +proceeds thereof for and towards the maintenance education and advancement +of the said Marion Martha Ryle and notwithstanding the private means of my +said Sister may be adequate to such purpose but if the said Marion Martha +Ryle shall depart this life before she shall attain the age of twenty one +years then I give devise and bequeath all my said real and personal Estate +to my said Sister her heirs executors administrators and assigns +absolutely I hereby direct that during the minority of the said Marion +Martha Ryle it shall be lawful for the said Anne Ryle her heirs executors +administrators to demise or lease all or any part of my freehold copyhold +or leasehold Estate for any term consistent with the tenure thereof not +exceeding twenty one years so that on every such demise the best yearly +rent be reserved that can be obtained for the property which shall be +therein comprised without taking any fine or premium and so that the +tenant or lessee be not made dispunishable for waste I hereby nominate +constitute and appoint my said Sister sole Executrix of this my Will and +hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore +made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I +have hereunto set my hand the twenty second day of January one thousand +eight hundred and thirty nine--JAMES CATNACH--Signed and acknowledged by +the above named James Catnach as and for his last Will and Testament in +the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence and the +presence of each other have hereunto set our names as Witnesses--William +Kinsey 13 Suffolk St. Pall Mall Solr.--Wm. Tookey his Clerk." + + +[THE PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION ACT.] + + "EXTRACTED from the principal Registry + of Her Majesty's Court of Probate. + +"In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury-- + +April, 1842. + +"JAMES CATNACH--On the second day of April administration (with the Will +annexed) of the Goods Chattels and Credits of James Catnach formerly of +Monmouth Court Monmouth Street Printer but late of Dancers Hill South +Mimms both in the county of Middlesex Gentleman deceased was granted to +William Kinsey Esquire the Curator or Guardian lawfully assigned to Marion +Martha Ryle Spinster a Minor the Niece and usufructuary Universal Legate +until she shall attain the age of twenty one years and the absolute +Universal Legatee on attaining that age named in the said Will for the use +and benefit of the said minor and until she shall attain the age of twenty +one years have been first sworn duly to administer Anne Ryle Widow the +Sister sole Executrix Universal Legatee In trust and the contingent +universal Legatee named in the said Will and also the natural and lawful +Mother and next of kin of the said minor having first renounced the +probate and execution of the said Will and the Letters of administration +(with the said Will annexed) of the goods of the said deceased and also +the Curation or Guardianship of the said Minor and consented (as by Acts +of Court appear)-- + +_EFFECTS UNDER THREE HUNDRED POUNDS._ + + +It is gratifying to be able to record that what the late Mr. Catnach was +to the masses in the way of news provider some fifty years ago, the penny +papers are now, with this exception, that the former tended to lower and +degrade their pursuit after knowledge, the latter, on the contrary, +improve and elevate them while they amuse and instruct all who peruse +their contents. With the march of intellect, and the thirst for knowledge +blended with the desire for truth, out went, to a great extent, the penny +broad-sheet. Several persons made the attempt to revive it long after the +death of the great original Jemmy Catnach, but without success. + +[Illustration: FINIS.] + + + + +[Illustration: THE INDEX.] + + +[Symbol: Pointing hand] The be-all and the end-all here. + + + + +INDEX. + + + Adelaide, Queen, 89 + + A Funny Dialogue, 294 + + Alnwick--The Borough of, 1 + " St. Michael's Church, 2 + " Parish Register, 2 + " Catnach's shop in, 3 + " Register of Death, 3 + " Printing Press in, 4 + " The Catnach Press, 4 + " The Castle, 6 + " The Abbey, 6 + " Davison's business, 9 + " Election at, 74 + + Attack on William IV, 88 + + + Ballads:--Banks of the Nile, 239 + " Crazy Jane, 240 + " Death of Nelson, 236 + " Drink to me eyes, 228 + " Gallant Sailor, 224 + " Meet me Willow Glen, 227 + " Mistletoe Bough, 229 + " Mountain Maid, 226 + " O Rare Turpin, 225 + " Rose will cease to blow, 230 + " Scarlet Flower, 237 + " Sun that lights Roses, 233 + " The Thorn, 238 + " True Hearted Sailor, 231 + " When Bibo though fit, 232 + " Woodpecker, The, 234 + " Ye Topers all, 235 + + Benton, Mrs. _nee_ Elizabeth Catnach, 38 + + Bewick, T., wood-engraver, 14 + + Bewick Collector, The, 16 + + Bewick:--See BOOKS + + Bewick's Illustrations--See BOOKS. + + Bishop and Williams, 84 + + Black Sal and Dusty Bob, 45 + + Books printed by John Catnach:-- + " Beauties of Natural History 4 + " Chevy Chase, 34 + " Cock Robin, 8 + " Dr. Johnson's Works, 34 + " Hermit of Warkworth, 5 + " Life of Thompson, 34 + " Stockdale's Poems, 4 + + ----By Catnach and Davison:-- + " Beattie's Minstrel, 9 + " Blair's Grave, 9 + " Burn's Poems, 13 + " Gray's Elegy, 9 + + ----By Davison:-- + " Crazy Jane, 12 + " Ferguson's Poems, 14 + " Guess Book, The, 17, 32 + " Halfpenny Books, 16 + " Northumberland Minstrel, 15 + " Repository, The, 11 + + ----Illustrated by Bewick. + " Beauties of Natural History, 4 + " Burn's Poems, 13 + " Blair's Grave, 9 + " Hermit of Warkworth, 5 + " Repository, The, 11 + " Stockdale's Poems, 4 + + Brown, Mrs., murdered, 91 + + Brunswick Theatre, The, 77 + + Burkers, The, 84 + + Burnie, Sir Richard, 43 + + Burradon Ghost, The, 4 + + + Caroline, Queen, The trial of, 46 + Verses on, 47, 48, 50 + Death of, 49, 51 + + Cato Street Conspiracy, The, 45, 46 + + Catchpennies:--Apparition, The, 261 + " Burning Shame, 281 + " Cruel Murder, 264 + " Execution of Ward, 273 + " Extraordinary Marriage, 285 + " Horrid Murder, 267 + " Liverpool Tragedy, 270 + " Murder by a Soldier, 269 + " Murder of Capt. Lawson 264 + " Murder of Two Lovers, 291 + " Secrets Revealed, 269 + " Scarborough Tragedy, 265 + " Shocking News, 289 + " Shocking Rape, 291 + + Catnach, John--the father, born 1 + " Married, 2 + " At Alnwick, 3, 4, 5, 8 + " At Newcastle, 33 + " A Bankrupt, 35 + " In London, 35, 36 + " Death of, 37 + + Catnach, James, born 1792, 2 + " His early life, 38 + " Arrives in London, 40 + " Imprisoned for 6 months, 43 + " Queen Caroline, 47 + " Verses on Caroline, 48 + " Life in London, 57, 63 + " At Alnwick, 75, 76 + " And Mother Cummins, 81 + " His education, 94 + " Nursery books, 94 + " Christmas Carols, 242 + " His Woodcuts, 257 + " Dying Speeches, 258 + " His Retirement, 295 + " At Dancer's Hill, 296 + " Letter to his sister, 297 + " Return to London, 298 + " Death of, 299 + " Will of the, 301 + + Charlotte, The Princess of, 42 + " " " Death of, 43 + + Christmas Carols, 241 to 255 + + Collins, Dennis, 88 + + Copy of Affectionate Verses, 65, 66, 67, 68, 80, 292 + + Clennell, Luke, 4 + + Corder, Wm., The murderer, 79 + " " Execution of, 80 + + Cruikshank, George, 54 + + Cruikshank, Robert, 55 + + Cubitt's Treadmill, 64 + + Cummins "Mother", 81 + and Catnach, 81-2-3 + + Davison of Alnwick:-- + + Davison and Catnach, 1 + " Partnership, 9-11 + " His chemistry, 9 + " Death of, 15 + + Dennis Collins, 88 + + + Earl Grey, 87 + + Executions--Public of:-- + Bishop and Williams, 85 + Courvoisier, 92 + Corder, 92 + Fauntleroy, Mr. H., banker, 73 + Five Pirates, The, 92 + Greenacre, 92 + Muller, 92 + Mannings, 92 + Pegsworth, 91 + Thurtell, 72 + + + False News, circulating of, 14 + + Flying Stationer, The, 66 + + Fortey, Mr., 242-300 + + + George the III, death of, 45 + + George the IV, 45 + + Goldie, Mr., of Alnwick, 94 + + Graham, printer, Alnwick, 39 + + Greenacre and Gale, 91 + + Gurney, Mr. Baron, 89 + + + Haines, Mrs. _nee_ Mary Catnach, 38 + + "Hanging Matches", 65 + + Hugo, Rev. Thomas, 13, 15 + " his Bewick collector, 16, 39 + + + Jane Williams, 292 + + Juvenile Books:-- + A Apple Pie, 177 + Butterfly's Ball, 163 + Cinderella, 203 + Cock Robin, 199 + Easter Gift, The, 171 + Golden Pippin, The, 113 + Good Child's Alphabet, 207 + Guess Book, The, 17 + Jack Jingle, 197 + Jerry Diddle, 129 + Jumping Joan, 145 + Mother Hubbard, 187 + New Year's Gift, 205 + Nurse Love-child's, 97 + Nursery Rhymes, 193 + Red Riding Hood, 201 + Simple Simon, 195 + + + Kent, Duke of, his death, 45 + + + Life in London, by Pierce Egan, 52 + on the Stage, 54 + Catnach's version 57, 63 + Thackeray on, 64 + + Likeness of the Murderer, 69 + " " William Corder, 79 + + Lindsay, Printer, &c., 4 + + Long, Song Seller, The, 221 + + + Marten, Maria, Murder of, 78 + " " Verses on, 80 + + Mayhew's "London Labour", 69, 92 + + Morgan, John, Poet!, 43, 47, 82 + + + Paul, Mr., 296, 300 + + Pitts, John, 40 + " Old Mother, 41 + + Pizzey, Sausage Maker, The 43, 44 + + Pocock, Mr. C. J. of Brighton, 57 + + + Red Barn, The, 78 + + Reform Bill, The, 87 + + Ryle, Mrs. Anne, 296, 297 + " death of, 299 + " Marion Martha, 296 + + + Sarah Gale, 91 + + Seven Dials, The Bards of, 40, 41 + " " The Trade in, 42 + " " and Queen Caroline, 47 + + Shocking Rape and Murder, 291 + + Smith, Mark, of Alnwick:-- + " Apprenticed to Catnach, 9 + " in London, 35 + " in Alnwick, 74 + " his autograph, 39 + " the death of, 74 + + Songs, 3 yards-a-penny, 222 + + + Thistlewood, The Conspirator, 46 + + Thompson, John, Life of, 34 + + Thurtell, and Weare, 70 + " Execution of, 72 + + Tom and Jerry, 53, 55 + " the Tears of, 55 + + Treadmill, The, 64 + + + Vestris, Madame, 89 + + Vint, John, Printer, &c., 4 + + + Walker, Mr., Paternoster Row, 35 + + Weare, Mr., Murder of, 70 + + William the IV, 88 + + Willoughby family Alnwick, 36 + + +[Illustration] + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] FRIENDLY LEAD, a gathering at a low public-house, for the purpose of +assisting some one who is "in trouble," _i.e._, in prison, or who has just +"come out of trouble," or who is in want of a "mouthpiece" to defend him, +and so forth. + +[2] This is an error--See page 76. + +[3] The numbers at the close of the Poll on Saturday, 24th March, at three +o'clock, stood as under:-- + + Sir Francis Burdett 5,327 + J. Cam Hobhouse, Esq. 4,884 + Hon. W. Lamb 4,436 + +[4] Mr. George Skelly--_Alnwick_. + +[5] At an interview which we had in 1877 with + +[Signature: E Benton] + +_Née._ Elizabeth Catnach, the last survivor of the family of John and Mary +Catnach, she informed us that the MS. book alluded to above, remained in +the family for many years, and was last known to be in the possession of +the sister Mary--Mrs. Haines, of Gosport, to the date of about 1863. + +[6] Pitts, a modern publisher of love garlands, merriments, penny ballads, + + "Who, ere he went to heaven, + Domiciled in Dials Seven!"-- + G. DANIEL'S "Democritus in London." + +[7] The late John Camden Hotten's Introduction to the new edition of "Life +in London." Chatto & Windus: Piccadilly. + +[8] Our thanks are due, and are hereby given to Mr. Crawford John Pocock, +of Cannon Place, Brighton, for the loan and use of his--what we feel +almost inclined to consider--unique copy of Catnach's broadside of "Life +in London." + +[9] The above copied, _verbatim_ At our request, by Mr. George Skelly, of +Alnwick. + +[10] E. L. Blanchard, in an article entitled, "Vanished Theatres," in the +_Era Almanack_, 1877. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_. + +Superscripted characters are indicated by {superscript}. + +The original text includes various symbols that are represented as +[Symbol: description] in this text version. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Catnach Press, by +Charles Hindley + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43691 *** |