KIRBYS
WONDERFUL
AND
ECCENTRIC MUSEUM
OR,
MAGAZINE
OF
INCLUDING ALL THE
CURIOSITIES OF NATURE AND ART,
FROM THE REMOTEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME, Drawn from every authentic Source.
ILLUSTRATED WITH
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR ENGRAVINGS.
CHIEFLY TAKEN FROM RARE AND CURIOUS PRINTS OR ORIGINAL DRAWINGS.
SIX VOLUMES.
YOL. VI.
LONDON:
R. S. KIRBY, LONDON HOUSE YARD, ST. PAUL’S.
1820.Jhibli<r7u>zï 7>y Zi.t fJúrbi/,Materno Jterllow, June. 2/i,z8:iö.2-%
Ktsl
Ij	„ C$'	^
.?	Cor' KIRBY'S
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3 WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
, V
SOME ACCOUNT OF
GEORGE BIDDER,
THE DEVONSHIRE CALCULATING PHENOMENON WITH A PORTRAIT, TAKEN FROM THEJ LIFE*
This wonderful boy, who in early age has already outstrip* ped all former calculators that appear on record, as the famous Jedediah Buxton, tfie apprentice boy at Bridport, the Neg£Q calculator at Philadelphia*, and Zerah Colborne* the American boy, lately exhibited in this kingdom (see vol. iv, of our Museum,) was born at Morton Hempstead, about twelve miles from the city of Exeter, in the county of Devon, on the 14th of June, 1806, His father* William Bidder, by trade a stone-mason, was principally occupied in building those stone fences with which that part of the county abounds; his family being large, consisting of nine children—six boys, and three girls—the elder of the hoys were employed in assisting the father in his handicraft trade, while the girls, when at proper age, were placed out at service with the neighbouring farmers. George (our hero,) the youngest but three of the family, when about the age of four y$ars, was placed at the village school, kept by an old wool-comber, at three-halfpence" per week, for the purpose of being initiated in the art of reading, but more particularly to keep him from mischief, and allow his mother more time to follow her domestic concerns at home. And it has been well ascertained, that no calculations were ever made in his hearing, or had ever come to his knowledge, at the time when
VOL. VI.
u%	kirby’s wonderful museum.
the first display of his intellectual powers, which was entirely accidental, made its first effort. Standing at the forge of the village Blacksmith, with seeming unconcern, whilst the proprietor and a butcher were in dispute respecting the value of a hog, which the smith had sold to the butcher; the weight having been previously ascertained, and price fixed per pound or stone, neither could convince the other of the actual value of the hog, each reckoning it his own way ; of course, the weight and price was frequently referred to by the disputants ; the boy, during a pause in their dispute, suddenly exclaimed,
u The price of the pig is —------mentioning the actual
Value to a farthing. The parties were struck with surprise, as the sum mentioned by the boy was different from either of their own calculations, and they pettishly asked him how he came to know ? his answer was that of a child—that he did know ; and insisted, with great vehemence, that he was right, and they were wrong. The parties not willing, however, to trust to the judgment of young George, finally referred the dispute to a person in the village, more conversant in figures, when the calculated sum, as given by the boy, was found to be exact to a fraction. This wonderful effort, in one so young, soon became known throughout the village district ; and many a question was proposed by the more learned in the science of figures, and as readily answered by the untutored boy. One of these early questions was reckoning the nails in a horse’s four shoes, and by degrees doubling them from a farthing thirty-two times.
His ready and correct replies to the many questions now put to him, induced his father to leave his handicraft employment, and make a tour with thé boy to the principal cities and towns in the kingdom, as Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bath, Cambridge, London, &c. &c. At each Qf these places he gave universal satisfaction by the quickness and correctness of his answers to the questions proposed, not only by gentlemen well skilled in mathematical acquirements, ^ut others who endeavoured to frame questions of the mostGEORGE BIDDER.
abstruse, difficult, and complex form; but to the capacious mind of young Bidder, these appeared of no effect; the most difficult he met and solved apparently with as much ease as those of a more simple combination; discovering not only the faculty of memory and powers of calculation in a most surprising and almost supernatural degree, but also a quickness of conception and a power of abstract reasoning rarely to be met with, if ever it has been surpassed by persons regularly educated in the habits of scientific investigation. In London he has appeared before the Dukes of York, Kent, and Sussex, the Master-General of the Ordnance, Sir Joseph Banks, Lord Stanhope, and most of the principal nobility and gentry in the kingdom. Her Majesty having heard of his wonderful powers, signified her com* mands, and he appeared before her and three of the Princesses at Windsor, where he answered the questions proposed to him by the Bishop of Salisbury, without the least agitation or hesitation, so quickly and correctly, as highly to please and delight her Majesty, who made him a handsome present: at this time, it appears by his card, he was of the age of eight years and ten months. Lord Stanhope, who much noticed him, advised his friends to get him instructed in writing, but not at present to study the science of arithmetic by numerical figures (neither could he at this time make one single figure,) his Lordship fearing it might in some measure interfere with that intuitive faculty that he at present possesses ; and certainly the knowledge of figures could not make him more ready than he now is. At the age of nine years he was examined before ^ the Philosophical Society by the late Dr. Lettsoni, where he gave universal satisfaction. At Cambridge, he was minutely examined at St. John’s College, and acquitted himself so much to the satisfaction of all the gentlemen there assembled, that they took upon themselves to place him in a schpol near town until he was fit for college. Here he made such progress in the Latin language, that he far outstripped his competitors,
b 24
KIRBY'S WONDERFUL MUSEUM,
without in the least impairing his wonderful powers of calculation* For some private'reasons, his parent has thought proper to withdraw him for the present from this seminary; and he still continues to exhibit his astonishing and truly wonderful talent in this metropolis.
We shall now select for our readers a few of the most wonderful questions solved by this Devonshire phenomenon, for the truth of which no doubt can for a moment be entertained.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY MASTER GEORGE BIDDER.
If a newspaper consists of four pages, each page six columns, each column 191 lines, each line forty-five letters— how many letters are there in the whole newspaper ? Ans. £06,$80 letters.
In what space of time can a workman compose the whole of the above newspaper, at the rate of thirty-three letters in a minute and a quarter? Answer, 5 days, 10 hours, 13 minutes, 30 seconds.
Suppose a gentleman dying leaves an estate of twelve houses to nine of his children, each house valued at 730/. what is each child's share in farthings ? Answer, 934,400 farthings each.
If the ministers have taken of the income tax twelve millions of money in one pound notes, how many miles would they cover a road thirty feet wide, each note being eight inches by four and a half? He directly answered, 18 miles* 1633 yards, and 1 foot.
Suppose the earth to consist of 971 *000,000 of inhabitants, and suppose they die in thirty-three years and four months* how many have returned to dust since the time of Adam, computing it to be 5*950 years ? Answer, 170,410*500,000. Multiply it again by 99. Answer, 16,870,639,500,000.
In 6,424 years, 365 days 6 hours to a year, how many minutes? Answer, 3,378,767*040.
If 143 letters arrive by the mail daily for 365 days, what will*they amount to at 7fd. a letter? Ans. 1685/. 9$*GEORGE BIDDER.
5
Suppose a circular reservoir to contain 10,669 hogsheads, at six feet in depth, what will it contain if made 10* inches deeper, and in what time would the whole be full from a spring producing one hogshead per minute? Answer: it would contain 12,193 hogsheads, and would be full in 8 days, 11 hours, and 13 minutest
If a coach travels from Exeter to Plymouth, forty-four miles, every day in a year, how often does a wheel turn round that is two feet nine inches ? Answer, 30,835,200.
If a mouse can draw one ounce and a half, how many mice can draw 50,000 tons? Answer, 1,194,666,666, and one ounce over.
If two snails set out together from Dudley to ham, one goes through West Bromwich, making the distance teri miles, at the rate of eight feet in a day, the other through Oldbury, making the distance eight miles and a half, at the rate of six feet six inches in a day, how long will one arrive at its journey’s end before the other ? Answer: the one which goes through West Bromwich will arrive 304 days and 4 feet before the other.
If sound flies at the rate of 1,142 feet in a second, and I see a flash of lightning, and count eighteen seconds before I hear the thunder, how far is the thunder-cloud off? Ans. 3f miles, 1176 feet.
If 64,032 people were sacrificed in four days at the dedication of an idolatrous temple at Mexico, how many were murdered every hour ? Ans. 667«
What is the cube of 642? Ans. 264,609,288.. Multiply it again by 642 ? Ans. 169,879,162,896.
If there were 48,768 leaves on a tree, and three fall off every hour for 12 hours, and increase one every 12 hours afterwards, how long would they be falling off ? Answer, 46 days.
If a fan of a windmill goes round fifteen times in a minute, how many times will it go round in seven years, four months, one week, two hours, three minutes—365 days 66
kirby’s wonderful museum*
hours to the year, and 28 days to the month. Answer, 57,897,245.
He numerated the following figures, after being distinctly read to him, and an hour after was asked to repeat the same, which he did correctly:—£,563,721,987,653,461,598,746, £31,905,607,541,1 £8,975,231.
What number taken from the square of 56 will leave 13 times 4£ ? Ans. £590.
Suppose 15£,399,025 soldiers were ordered to form a solid square, how must they be in rank and file ? Answer, 12,345.
Multiply 54,910. by 63,214? Ans. 3,471,207,168.
Whät is the cube root of 673,373,097,125. Answer, 8765.
What is the cube root of 13,549,359,104? Ans, £384.
Multiply 974,260 by 287,548 ? Ans. 280,146,514,480.
Multiply 684,525 by the same ? Ans. 468,574,475,625.
What will 7904 yards of cloth, at 13|c?. per yard, cost? Ans. 452/. 16s. 8d.
How many 27s are there in 68,431 times 45,297 ? Ans. 114,804,407, and 18 over.
If there is 9>999 grains of corn in one half pint, how many grains in 99 sacks ? Ans. 506,829,312.
In 987,321,987/. how many times 2s. 8c?.? Answer, 7,404,414,902, and 2s. 4d. over.
If a gill contain 553 grains of corn, how many are there in 999 quarters? Ans. 1,131,411,456.
How far would five hundred million guineas reach placed m a straight line, each guinea one inch in diameter ? Ans. 7,891 miles, 728 yards, 2 feet, 8 inches.
What two numbers are those whose product is 35 and the difference of cubes 218? Ans. 5 and 7.
If the distance from Cheltenham to London be ninety-seven miles and seven furlongs, and a man steps eight inches and a half, how many steps would he take to London ? Ans. 729,571.GEORGE BIDDER.
7
If the distance from Gloucester to London be 9mijes, and I travel in a carriage, the fore-wheels of which are 41-feet in diameter each, and the hind-wheels how many times will the fore-wheels make more than the hind-wheels ? Ans. 8120 times.
If 37 horses cost 1137/ 12$. 8\d. what willone horse cost at that rate ? Ans. 30/. 14s. 11 \d. and T2^.
Answered within one minute each at ihe-Assembly Rooms, Cheltenham, 1817.
True Copy of a Paper written and signed by R. Gwalkin, MA. Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge.
Multiply 900,900,900 by the same? Ans. 811,622,431, 620,810,000.
What is the cube root of 1,178,420,165,015,625 ? Ans. 105,625.
His memory appears from the following facts :—He was asked to add three numbers consisting each of eleven figures, which he did correctly ; and about half an hour after, being requested, he repeated the question and answer with the utmost readiness.
In three combs Of wheat how many grains, supposing 1761 grains ina pint, 3 pints in a quart, 5 quarts in a gallon, 7 gallons in a peck, 11 pecks in a bushel, and 4 bushels in a comb ? He answered this question : and three days after, he was asked to repeat the question and answer, which he did correctly, and without hesitation.
His powers of abstract reasoning will appear in his answering the following questions.
A vintner sold seven dozen of sherry and twelve of claret for 50/. ; he sold three dozen more of sherry for 10/. than of * claret for 61. ; what was the price of each dozen ? Answer, sherry 3/. claret 2/.
Forty-one persons, men, women, and children, spent among them 40s. of which each man paid 4s. each woman8
kirby’s wonderful museum.
paid 3s. and each child 4d. the number of each is required ? Ans. 5 men, 3 women, and 33 children.
Find three square numbers in arithmetical progression ?
—---------
The following questions were proposed by me, Samuel Cooper, II, Dartmouth-street, Westminster, and auswered mentally by Master George Bidder, a youth only eleven years of age, April 22, 1818.
What number must be added to 2, 152, and 1202, to make them three proportionals ? Ans. 23.
If I have 965/. a part of which I vested in the 3 per cents, and the other in the d per cents, at the end of thirteen years the amount will be 1460/. 6s. allowing simple interest, what was the sum laid out in each fund? Ans. 915/. in the fours, and 50/. in the threes.
What two numbers are those, that twice the first, with three times the second, will make 83, and twice the square of the first, with three times the square of the second, will make 1421 ? Ans. 13 and 19.
There are seven numbers in geometrical progression, the first is 6, and the seventh 705,894; what are all the intermediate terms ? Ans. 7 the ratio, and the intermediate terms are 42, 294, 2058, 14,406, and 100,842.
If the circumference of the earth is 25,020 miles, and that of the moon 6736 miles, and the national debt 900,000,000 of money in halfpence, each to measure one inch in diameter, how many times will they encircle the earth and moon? Ans. 214 time's and a fraction.
In a box which I lost was a number of guineas and crown-pieces, but the only recollection I have of their number is, that the crown-pieces were seven times the number of guineas, and that the shillings of the whole were 1624; how many guineas and crowns did I lose ? Ans. 29 guineas, and £03 crowns.
What number is that when divided by 3, 4, and 8, the sumGEORGE BIDDER.
9
of the quotients, \ihen squared, will be 48,841 ? Answer, 312.
A question resolved by George Bidder, at the Old Thatched House, Red Lion Street, in forty seconds, February 9, 1819-
Suppose the ball at the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral is six feet in diameter, what did the gilding of it cost at 3fi/. per square inch ?
Answer, 237/» 105. lei.
A question proposed by Mr. Straton, schoolmaster, Ripley, Surrey, and answered by George Bidder, in 32 minutes, Oct. 17, 1818:—
A. and R. made the following bet for 1000 guineas, to be decided on Ripley Common, in Whitsun week. The proposer has ten choice cricketers in full exercise, who, on this occasion, are to be distinguished by the ten first letters in the alphabet. These are to run and gather up, and carry singly 1000 eggs, laid in a right line, just two /ards asunder, putting them gently in a basket, placed just a fathom behind the first. They are to work, one at a time, in the following order:—A is to fetch up the first 10 eggs, B the second 10, C the third 10, and so on, to K, whose turn it shall be to fetch up the hundredth egg; after which, A sets out again for the next 10, B the second 10, and so alternately, till K shall have carried up the thousandth egg, at 100 eggs the man. The men are to have 300/. for their three days’ work, if they do it; and it is to be distributed in proportion to the ground each man shall in his course of ground have gone over.
I require, first, how many miles each person shall have gone over; secondly, what part of the 300/. will come to his share; thirdly, whether, if the men had been posted at proper places, they had not better run from London to York twice, and back, in the time, taking the distance at 180 miles?10
kirby’s wonderful museum.
Answer:—<
Shares.			Fractions.	Yards.	Miles.	Fur.	Yds.
A—*27^	6$.	Oid.	509	182,100	103	4	40
B—27	18	oi	14	186,200	105	«	80
C—28	10	o*	439	190,£00	108	0	1£0
D—29	£	0	864	I 194,£00	110	£	160
E^—29	14	0	£88	! 198, £00	11£	4	£00
• F—30	5	lit	713	■ £0£,£00	114	7	£0
G—30	17	ni	137	! 206,200	117	1	60
H—31	9	ii|	56£	1 £10,£00	119	3	100
1—32	1	nt	987	>£14,£00	121	5	140
K—32	13	nt	411	£18,£00	123	7	180
£300	0	0			1,137	4	
Question proposed to Zerah Colborne, the American calculating boy, November 4, 1818,. at the Yorkshire Stingo, Paddington New Road, before a respectable company of gentlemen :—If the globe is £4,912 miles in circumference, and a balloon travels 3,878 feet in a minute, how long would it be travelling round the world ? Colborne continued nine minutes in study, and gave it up, saying he could not do it. It was then proposed to George Bidder, who answered it in two minutes : £3 days, 13 hours, 18 minutes.
If eight cows and three calves cost 136/. 10$. and two cows and thirty calves cost the same money, what is the price of a cow and calf? This Colborne also refused to try. George Bidder answered the same in half a minute: 15/. 15$. th^ cow, and 3/. 10$. the calf.
The following questions were answered by Master George Bidder, in one minute and twenty seconds each :
Suppose a city to be illuminated with 9,999 lamps, each lamp to consume one pint of oil every four hours in succession, how many gallons would they consume ia forty years i Ans. 109,489,050 gallons.GEORGE BIRDER.
11
Suppose Saturn to be 777,000,001 miles from the earth, bow many men, at five feet six inches, one upon another, will reach that star? Ans. 745,920,000,000.
If the diameter of the earth is 7,9 H miles through, how long would a man be digging through it, at the rate of twelve feet a day? Ans. 9,536 years, 28 weeks, 4 days.
In a rookery containing 769 nests, built by 1538 rooks, each nest having 549 sticks, each rook bringing eleven sticks a day, how long would they be building ? Ans. 24 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes.
If the moon be distant from the earth 123,256 miles, and sound to travel at the rate of four miles in a minute, how long before the inhabitants of the moon could hear of the battle of Waterloo? Ans. 21 days, 9 hours, 34 minutes.
If a flea spring two feet three inches in every hop, how many hops must it take to go round the world, the circumference is 25,020 miles, and how long would it be in performing the journey, allowing it to take sixty hops every minute, without intermission? Ans. 58,713,600 hops, and 1 year, 314 days, 13 hours, 20 minutes.
Suppose 70,000 soldiers to be allowed three quarters of a pound of beef per day, how many pounds will they consume in a year? Ans. 19,162,500.
In 999,998,354 farthings, how many pounds ? Answer, 1,041,664/. 19$. 0\d.
Add together the following sums, viz.
343,554,620,740/.	6s.	7 id.
450,230,630,220	5	1
120,340,220,150	3	H
Ans. 914,125,471,110	14	'9Î
A question resolved by George Bidder in three minutes, proposed by Mr. Robert Eden, 1, Windsor-court, Strand, Feb. 17, 1819.
If I have ten millions of pounds in my hands, the greaterm
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM«
part of which I want to divide between 51 persons, in the following manner:
1,946,579/. IBs*. b\d. between 15 persons,
, 2,597,428 17	8|	-------- 17 persons,
5,455,991	3 5f .......... - 19 persons,
in equal shares, how much will each 15 persons’ share be, and the 17 persons’, and the 19 persons’; and how much will all the fifty-one men share, and what shall I have remaining ?
Answered: Each 15—129,771/. 19$. lOJtf.
----- 17—152,789 18 8f
— 19—287,157	8	7\
1,946,5791. 18s. 5*d.
2,597,428	17	8J
5,455,991	3	5|
9,999,999	19	7\	Inhand4|df.
An Account of the Tornado or Hurricane, from the sea-side at Bexhill, in Sussex, to Newingden Level, on the 20th of May, 1729, between nine and ten in the evening ; with an account of the damage and devastation of buildings, timber, 8?c. that stood in the way of its course. The whole time of its duration was twenty minutes, and the extent of its line was twelve miles, and about seventy roods in width. The particulars of this extraordinary phenomenon are copied from a Pamphlet written by Richard Bugden, and published by John Senex,atthe Globe, over against St. DunstarCs Church in Fleet-street, 1730, accompanied with a very curious plate of the passage of this Tornado or Hurricane.
The first considerable damage was received by Thomas Hollands, at the lower side of Bexhill Down, about a mile from the sea-side. The east end of the roof of his house was taken off, with the chimney, almost down to the chamber floor; and the other end of the house was blown down,, and, the timber carried three or four hundred yards upon theTORNADO.
13
common; and a hovel of forty feet long taken off from the posts, was set upon the ground, with scarce any of the thatch broke or disordered.
About a furlong to the south-west from Thomas Holland’s, John Nash had some slight damage in the covering of his house and out-buildings; a hay-stack near the house was thrown down to the westward; and a timber tree carried to the eastward, over a hedge, just by the hay-stack, above thirty roods.
Woodgate, belonging to Henry Goldsmith, was left upon the western verge of the hurricane, so that it only slightly touched the thatch of some of the out-buildings. In a valley, upon the same farm, some oaks, &c. were blown down, shattered, and very much damaged. A birch, whose boughs were brushed off before, was pretty much singed on the north-west side.
John Philcock’s house, at Sidney Green (between two ways) was next in its passage, vwhich it nearly uncovered, and drove by the violence of the shock, to the north (from an out-building, joined up to the house, on the south side) two inches. A large barn, within a few yards of the western side of the house, was thrown down to the westward. A cheese-bail and voler (a cheesebail is a hoop that encompasses and gives form to the cheese in the press, and the voler is a round piece of inch board, fitted into the bail, that communicates the force of the press upon the cheese,) were taken from a shelf in a chamber, and a duck's wing that lay upon the same shelf was left: the voler was found some days after, about a furlong from the house, over a rough high hedge and woody pit, but the cheesebail was never heard of after.
Across the way, and about twenty roods more to the eastward, William Gybson had two rafters taken from the southwest corner of his house.
Engrim Wood> belonging to George Naylor, Esq. lies about two furlongs to the north of Sidney Green, in which the width of the hurricane was considerably increased; 'for,14
KIRRy's WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
from the sea-side to Sidney Green, it scarcely any where exceeds thirty roods, but here it is about sixty in width, and seventy roods across the wood, in the way of the hurricane, wherein about one hundred and fifty oaks were torn up by the roots, broken down, and shook to pieces, or very much damaged. (The reason of the trees falling in all directions will readily be understood by a view7 of the spiral line of the plan.) The Coal Wood, belonging to the said Mr. Naylor, was next in its way, but being almost ready to fall, it is very difficult to give any tolerable estimate of thfe damage in the underwood or timber; but the storar passing over the wood, nearly a hundred roods in length, it cannot be supposed very inconsiderable. Adjoining this wood, on the north, one side of a hovel, in a fatting pound, was taken off, and the other left standing.
In the Heniker Wood, but one field further, in the space of about twenty-five roods wide, and the same space in length, in the way of the hurricane, about fifty oaks were tom up by the roots, broken dbwn, and shattered in pieces.
The farm house, Buckhold, was the next considerable obstacle in the way, where a stack of chimneys, on the west side of the house, was turned down upon the house, with a direction to the east, and took off most part of the ridging of the house. A large barn, on the east side of the house,1 was biown down, and some of the timber and tiles carried over a standing wood, above a quarter of a mile. A hovel, malt-house, and another barn, were very much damaged in the covering. A hog-pound and sty, covered with a roof, and thatched, in a very unaccountable manner, had all the middle part taken away, from top to bottom, and only the two gable-heads remained standing, with the thatch entire. In another wood, about a furlong over, near the house, it demolished a considerable number of timber-trees in the same manner as before, where it left Mr. Naylor's estate; and after brushing the boughs from most of the oaks in the hedges, in passing over about a huqdred roods of plansTORNADO*
15
land belonging to Mr. Ralph Norton, it took off one stack of chimneys, and the upper floor of one end of the house, and untiled nearly all the rest; a large barn, a coach-house of stone walls two feet thick; a large (but which appeared to have been a crazy) old building of offices belonging to the house, and all the trees in a pretty large orchard, except two or three, were blown down.
Descending abopt a furlong below Mr. Norton’s house, it swept down the timber in a small coppice, passed over a rivulet, and drove up a gill (a gill is a small rivulet with a sharp ascent on both sides) into the Forwood, a large quantity of woodlands, near a mile over, in its way, belonging to Thomas Pelham, Esq. of Lewes; but the underwoods being advanced to such a considerable height, and so large a quantity lying in the way of its course, I dare not venture to give an estimate of the number of timber trees that now bear the badge and marks of its fury. Adjoining the Forwood, on the north side, it ran through some woodlands belonging to Forster of Telham, but left his house upon the western verge of its course.
After shattering a gill of fine young timber near Loose, it turned down a chimney at the west end of the house, which belongs to Sir Thomas Webster, Bart, and pretty much damaged the tiling, blowTed down a bam near the house, and a malt-house; besides most of the apple-trees were taken out of the ground and scattered about the orchard; two were carried together in one hedge, and a pretty large one carried over one hedge, and into the next. In a closet on the west side of the house, lay some butcher’s wooden, skewers, that were carried from the closet across a large parlour, and stuck fast in a piece of oak timber in the parlour wall. In the same closet, a pot was placed in a pair of scales that hung against a wall on the other side of the room, in the same position as it stood before. Here, and likewise at most of the other houses that had the misfortune to lie in the way of the tempest, they had all the doors and16	kirby’s wonderful museum;
windows thrown open in a moment ; and the very instant, particularly here, the brew-house door opened into the kitchen with a discharge of fire and ashes from the kiln, which were soon joined by the fire and ashes in the kitchen ; these, together with the dirt, dust, stones, boughs, and leaves, from without, formed and dispersed a horrid mixture all over the house in a moment. About two furlongs from Loose, it crossed the road from Battel to Hastings, unpoled a hop-garden across the way, and took off the hop-garden gate, and carried it away; the head was found at one place, and the slits at another, above a quarter of a mile from the place where taken off. To this hop-garden joins the Bothurst Woods, very full of timber, likewise belonging to Sir Thomas Webster, where it tore up by the roots, twisted asunder, and broke down most of the timber by the course of a gill in its way, for about a hundred roods wide, and demolished a very strong barn at Marliy, near the western verge of its course, as appears by the farm-house, &c. standing entire, nòt above fifty yards more to the westward. After it had slaughtered down the timber in the Bothurst Woods, nearly a mile in length, and at some places half a mile in breadth ; it forced 2l glade through the Petly Woods, likewise very thick set with timber, which was either torn up by the roots, twisted and shook in pieces, or the tops cropt off and demolished. The whole quantity of timber trees blown up by the roots and broke down, upon Sir Thomas Webster’s Battel estate, is computed at least to thirteen or fourteen hundred trees. From these woods it crossed the brooks, and no.more woodland nor buildings lying in the way till it reaches Sedlescomb-street, what appears is only the hedges disordered, and drove out of their places, stems; turned up by their roots, and the earth of some sowed lands drove into the hedges with such violence and quantities, as entirely to cover the wood and leaves of the,hedges. Richard Elliot, on the south side of Sedlescomb-street, had two barns blown down; one of them was just raised new, and only thatched: his house was
3TORNADO»
17
somewhat damaged in the tiling; lower down the street the thatch was a little touched at some places, but the damage was inconsiderable.
The next house to the westward belonged to John Heed, who had the corner of an out-house blown down, and his house pretty much uncovered.
William Wallis’s house stood in a piece of ground, inclosed by the highway; the occasion of his house’s falling seems partly owing to a large apple-tree brought out of a neighbour’s orchard, over three hedges, with the roots and earth about it, which fell upon his house: he had the misfortune to have his thigh broke in the fall. Over against Wallis’s house, Mrs. Tomlin had a house and barn blown down.
Over against the church, Samuel Plummer, gentleman, had the roof of a large out-building taken off, some rafters out of his barn, and his^ house pretty much damaged in the tiling.
The parsonage-house had the ridge and corners uncovered, and a barn by the way-side blown down. The house by Castleman’s oak, belonging to Mrs. Tomlin aforesaid, had a stack of chimneys turned down upon the house; which, in their fall, broke two or three rafters.
‘ From Sedlescomb-street.it bore up a small valley, between two woods (pretty much damaging the timber of the said Mrs. Tomlin, on the western side of its passage, and some woodlands belonging to William Bishop, Esq. on the east,) to Great Saunders, the seat of the said Mr. Bishop, where, out of five, it beat down three stacks of chimneys; a barn and lodge by the house, and a malt-house, were very much shook and damaged in the covering ; and above two hundred yards in length of brick wall, of which, some /was little more than three feet high, arid appeared by the situation, as well as height, to have been secure from the utmost violence of the wind.
Mrs. Tomlin had another house and barn blown down, about two furlongs east-by-south of Great Saunders; the
VOL. vx.	€18
kirby’s wonderful museum.
woman, her tenant, with the fright, and some hurt received by the fall of the house, was taken dangerously ill.
About three furlongs from Great Saunders, in a gill, it passed through more woodlands of the said Mr. Bishop’s, which was very full of fine timber, where it raged with great violence, sparing scarcely any thing in its way ; and about a furlong down the gill, at Horsford, belonging to Henry Bishop, Esq. demolished one barn and lodge, and took off the corner of another barn, from thence ascending through woodlands of the said Mr. Henry Bishop, where it not only tore the trees up by the roots, but took the earth that was rent up in prodigious ditches, with such violence, that it covered the bodies, boughs, and leaves of the trees. And in the next field, it blew up a barn, and scattered the timber to the north and west, at three or fourscore roods distance. The next building in its way belonged to Thomas Holman, who had the roofs of his house and barn taken off, and the chimney down to the middle. A man in bed slept out the storm, and knew not the conveniency he had for star-gazing, till awakened by the rest of the family.
From thence it passed through some woodlands belonging to Sir Thomas Webster; but there being but little timber in its way, the damage was not very considerable.
About a mile from Staple Cross, in the road to Northyham, Mr. John Collier had a barn blown down, and the ridging of the house unheeled. The next house towards Staple Cross, belonging to William Reed, was pretty much damaged in the tiling. At Collier’s Green, a house belonging to Mr. Richard Boys, had the chimney taken off in the middle, all the windows broke, and some of the rafters, and the house uncovered. Near the house, a barn was blown down, in which stood a waggon, that was turned bottom upwards; and two dung^ carts were carried away in the storm, of which they could find only some broken pieces about the fields. His tenant, just as the windows were drove in by a violent impulse, was pushed against his wife, and beat her down inTORNADO*
19
thé chamber ; a child that sat in a chair at thè foot of the bed, was carried in his chair and set in the fire*place; and the gravel stones from the highway, and glass from the win* dows, were brought in with such violence, as to stick in the chairs, &c. like shot discharged from a fowling-piece.
About ten roods further, Mr. Magick’s house had two chimneys blown off, and a barn beat down. Twenty roods back to the north, Margaret Russell had a house slightly damaged in the tiling. To the west of hers, fifteen foods, Mr. Magick had another house, which lost some of its covering.
From Collier’s Green, it hurried through woodlands belonging to the Earl of Thanet, and John Lade, Esq* turned up a barn, and carried a very strong chimney clean over an outlet that joined up to the west side of Casileden farmhouse, belonging to Mr. John Blackman ; and spoiled a great quantity of good timber in the hedge-rows of his farm. From thence, it broke furiously into more woodlands of Mr. Lade, belonging to his Sempstead farm, where he had a barn and lodge rent down, the windows of the house shattered in pieces, and the covering of the house very much ruffled and disordered. Mr. Lade had about four hundred trees damaged; of which, account was taken of one hundred and thirty-six that were tom up by the roots, and shattered to pieces. About half a mile further, at the entrance of New-ingden Level, the violence of the hurricane began to abate, insomuch that at the ascent of the uplands, on the nqrth side of the Level, there was scarce any appearance of its way, till about three miles further, at Rolvenden church, it slightly touched some thatched buildings.
About two miles further, in the east part of Benenden parish, it had pretty well recovered its former violence, driving down most of the barns, timber-trees, &c. in the way of its course, and continued through the parish of Bidenden, and some parts of Smarden, where, entering a largè vale (at crossing the eastern branch of the Medway,) under ihe ridgë
c 2to	kirby’s wonderful museum.
of Kentish hills, the force visibly abated; and if the matter was not exhausted, yet it was so far diminished or chilled, as to leave no appearance of its passage through the other part of Kent.
A LIONESS
SEIZING ONE OF THE EXETER MAIL COACH HORSES.
The Exeter mail coach, on its way to London, was attacked on Sunday night, Oct. 20,1816, at Winterslow Hut, seven miles on this side of Salisbury, in a most extraordinary manner. At the moment when the coachman pulled up to deliver his bags, one of the leaders was suddenly seized by a ferocious animal. This produced great confusion and alarm: two passengers who were inside the mail got out, ran into the house, and locked themselves up in a room above stairs; the horses kicked and plunged violently, and it Was with difficulty the coachman could prevent the carriage from being overturned. It was soon perceived by ¿he coachman and guard, by the light of the lamps, that the animal which had ' seized the horse was a huge lioness. A large mastiff dog came up, and attacked her fiercely, on which she quitted the horse, and turned upon him. The dog fled, but was pursued and wounded by the lioness within about forty yards of the place. It appears that the beast had escaped from a caravan that was standing on the road side, belonging to the proprietors of a menagerie, on their way to Salisbury fair. An alarm being given, the keepers pursued and hunted the lioness into an hovel undejr a granary, which served for keeping agricultural implements. About half past eight they had secured her so effectually, by barricading the place, as to prevent her escape. The horse* when first attacked, fought Nwith great spirit, and if at liberty, would probably have beaten down his antagonist with his fore feet, but in plunging he embarrassed himself in the harness. The lioness, it ap-A HORSE SEIZED BY A LIONESS.	21
pears, had attacked him in front, and springing at his throat, had fastened the talons of her fore feet on each side of his neck, close to the head, while the talons of her hind feet were forced into his chest. In this situation she hung, while the blood was seen flying, as if a vein had been opened by a lancet. The ferocious animal missed the throat and jugular vein, but the horse is so dreadfully torn, he is not expected to Survive* He was a capital horse; the best in the set. The expression of agony in his tears and moans was most piteous and affecting. A fresh horse having been procured, the mail drove on, after having been detained three quarters of an hour by this extraordinary obstruction. The horse attacked was the off leader, and as the mail drew up, stood exactly abreast of the caravan from which the lioness made the assault. Had the carriage been a little more advanced, she would probably have darted upon the coachman or guard, who, in that case, would have been more immediately within her eye. The coachman at first proposed to alight and stab the lioness with a knife, but was prevented by the remonstrance of the guard, who observed, that he would expose himself to certain destruction, as the animal, feeling herself attacked, would turn upon him, and tear him to pieces. The prudence of the advice has been clearly proved in the fate of the poor dog. It was the engagement between him and the lioness that offered time for the keepers to rally. Had it not been for that interference the mischief at the mail would have been more considerable.—We understand that it was by no means ascertained when the mail-coach drove off from Win-terslow Hut, after the attack, that the ferocious animal which made it was actually secured. She seemed, however, not to be in any immediate hurry to move; for, whether she had carried off with her any prey, or from some other cause* she continued growling and howling in so loud a tone, that they could hear her for nearly half a mile. Nothing could exceed the anxiety of all present to have the animal killed, and they called out loudly to the guard to dispatch it with his blunder-22	KIRBYS "WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
buss, which he appeared disposed to do, but the owner cried out to him, “ For God*« sake do not kill her—she cost me 500/. and she will be as quiet as a lamb, if not irritated.” This arrested his hand, and he did not fire, notwithstanding many entreaties from the passengers. The extreme danger which might occur to the inhabitants of that neighbourhood, if she was not soon secured, and the negligence of the keepers in letting her get loose, had such an effect on one of the gentlemen, who was an inside passenger in the mail, that he felt it his duty, after his own narrow escape, to do all in his power to prevent others from being subjected to the same risk. Finding that the caravan from which this savage ani-mal issued was going to the fair at Salisbury, he determined, on his arrival at Andover, to use his efforts to prevent any further mischance, and, accordingly, while the horses were putting to, he wrote a short note to the mayor of Salisbury, informing him of the occurrence that had already taken place, owing, in his opinion, to the want of proper care and caution in the custody of such a ferocious creature; and re-quested that he would give his officers special orders to examine the caravan, and have it clearly ascertained that every animal contained in it was properly secured.
It appears from the last accounts, that the lioness did not kill the dog. The Salisbury Gazette says, u The lioness, on finding herself attacked, quitted her hold, and turned upon the dog, which, it was expected, would very soon become the victim of her fury; but the animal, with more reproach than viciousness, inflicted a slight punishment on it, and on hearing the voice of the keeper, retired underneath a steddle granary, where soon after, the keeper tery deliberately got in> put his arms around her neck, and secured her without any further injury*”
Observer, Octf 27> 1816.
-FOUR PERSONS FOUND DEAD AT DEANHEAD. 23
ACCOUNT OF
FOUR PERSONS FOUND DEAD
AT DE AN ÜE AD.
On Friday, the 14th of November, 1817, the constable and overseers of Stainland were summoned before the magistrates at Halifax, in consequence of the death of Tweed and his family, for the purpose of their conduct being investigated ; but ou its being stated that no application had been made to them for relief, and that they were not even aware that such a family lived within their township, they were discharged.
u On the following day the overseer of Deanhead was ordered to attend the same magistrates ; and on his appearance, he produced an account, for the purpose of shewing that he had afforded sufficient relief to the deceased, during their illness ; and this account could only be disproved by the event; for, alas! Tweed and his wife, and their two children were in the grave 3 It was further stated, that there was fpund in the house sufficient meat and drink, at the time the four dead bodies were discovered : and that is very possible ; for I know that several humane persons, under the influence of their compassionate feelings for this miserable family, went round the neighbourhood begging for them, before their death, and representing, at the various places where they called, that Tweed and his family were in the greatest distress, at that moment; and where they could not get money, they said that oatmeal, flour, or potatoes, would be thankfully received. With the money so raised, some flour was purchased, and conveyed into the house of quarantine, and this flour was found untouched on the morning that the dead bodies were found. Famine and disease, it is supposed, had bereaved them of their senses ; and there was no friendly hand to administer the nourishment which charity had provided. In addition to this food, a large tub of fresh water was placed at the outside of the door ; but neither nurse nor medical attendant was sent within the dwelling to arrest the24	kirby's wonderful museum.
progress of the fever, or to smooth the rugged passage to the grave! After the death of the heads of the family and their children, a nurse had been provided by the overseer to take care of the surviving orphan.
i( I have been this moment informed that the towns-people of Deanhead threaten to commence a prosecution against the person who has transmitted the shocking details for publication to your paper; and on this point, I have only to say, that if any of them make application to you for information, you have my authority to give them my name and place of residence/— Leeds Mercury.	Times, Nov. 25, 1817.
SIGNORA JOSEPHINE GIRALDELLI.
Account of Signora Josephine Giraldelli, denominated the original salamander; with her Portrait from Life.
*'The memoirs of this celebrated lady, by birth an Italian, as appears by her name, and whose natural and physical powers seem to resist the action of fire to a great degree, must be received with the same degree of scepticism which delusions of slight of hand, and other tricks, are generally viewed by the more enlightened part of mankiud. That the whole is a trick, cannot be doubted; but the vulgar gape and stare, and are fully prepossessed that the fair heroine is by nature gifted with this extraordinary repellant. Various compositions have been noticed by several old authors, extracted both from the vegetable and mineral kingdom, which possess the singular property of protecting the human frame from the action of fire, and extraordinary heat, and we have no /hesitation in saying, that the present performers of this trick have undoubtedly discovered a secret much more powerful than any before known: whether -of a simple or compound nature we know not; but the secret of the art does not seem to rest with Giraldelli, as, since her performance in this metropolis, about two years ago, several others of this salamander tribe have appeared, and may nowSKKK'OÜRA JOSEMINB GlJRAUMEM,!» • J//*' Ôa^,^tuz// .
1\lò1ù7i(xL Mca'cfbi6t].8ig, 7ry Jl.S.2ûr7)j\ 20, WäriviekZwie.SIGNORA JOSEPHINE GIRALDELLI.	£5
be seen travelling from town to town, and from village to village, throughout the kingdom, wherever a fair or great market is held, exhibiting their wonders to. the astonished crowd; one of which, under the denomination of the “ English Salamander,” is at this present time perambulating, in a wretched caravan, the various streets of this metropolis, professing to exhibit the same feats as the heroine of this memoir, of whose history, we possess no other document than the description of her wonderful performances, as contained in her bill of exhibition; in this she professes to have exhibited before most of the crowned heads of Europe. She commences her performances by passing plates of red-hot iron over her legs ; she then stands with her feet naked, on a plate of red-hot iron, and afterwards draws the samé plate over her hair and across her tongue ; she washes her hands, without any symptom of pain, in boiling oil, and takes a portion of the same into her mouth; she passes a bunch of burning candles under her arms, and also under her feet; she next washes her hands in aqua-fortis, and puts some of it into her mouth ; she takes up melted lead with her fingers, and conveys it into her mouth ; then concludes' her mysterious performance, by putting into her mouth boiling lead, and producing it again to the company with the impression of her teeth marked thereon : returning thanks to the company, in four different languages, the exhibition finishes.
That these feats are actually done by her, we cannot doubt; but the scepticism to which, in the former part of this memoir, we allude, is, that no human being has ever been born possessing this inherent fire-resistance ; and that the whole is performed by a secondary agent, with which the part to be produced to the fire and heat is first rubbed or saturated; of course it then becomes, on the part of the performer, a mere trick, though, to the general class of visitors of these exhibitions, a wonderful phenomenon.
Since thé performances of this lady in England, another of these wonderful fire-resisters has amused and astonished the£6	kirby’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
metropolis of/France. A Monsieur Chaban, in Paris, exhibited his astonishing powers of resisting heat, in so won* derful a manner, that the National Institute, and other learned societies, appointed delegates to view and inspect the performances, and to report thereon. Among other singular feats exhibited by this man, and reported to the National Institute, was his going into a common baker’s oven, with a leg of mutton in his hands, and remaining, in the usual man-* mar, closed in until the mutton was completely dressed : another, that standing in the midst of a tar barrel, he remained therein till the whole was consumed to ashes around him* In 1818, he arrived in London, and publicly exhibited him* self in Piccadilly, where he offered to repeat these last two exhibitions, before any number of persons, on being properly remunerated for the same ; at the same time, he generously offered himself to the fire-offices and the public, in cases of calamitous fires, whenever they should be pleased to call on him, without fee or reward.
Nothing can more clearly prove that this resistance of heat is from a secondary agent, than that on his appearance in the tar barrel, which is in flames around him, he is perfectly clothed, as appears from his portrait, exhibiting this part of his performances, now before us. Surely we cannot say that his linen and woollen garments, with his leather shoes, were all gifted with this phenomenon; of course they must have either been saturated with a liquid, or well rubbed with a composition (if of a dry nature) that possesses the astonish* ing property of resistance to fire and extreme heat, and that it must have been of an harmless nature, is evident* from its being necessary to wash and prepare the mouth ; and it is presumed, in the feat of the oven and leg of mutton, that such composition must have been taken inwardly* in order to protect the lungs and internal parts of the body from thé actual violence of the great heat and suffocating air which must necessarily have been produced in an heated and close shut oven.MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY.
&7
A NARRATIVE OF THE
MUTINY ON BOARD THE BOUNTY,
CAPTAIN BLIGH, COMMANDER,
WITH
A most interesting account of Pitcairn! s Island, as described by Lieut. John Sillibeer and others, in a Voyage of Discovery) on board his Majesty's ship, the Briton, of 38 gunS) in the year 1814, and their finding John Adams, one of the mutineers of the ship Bounty, under the command of Captain Bligh, in the year 1788, after a lapse of twenty five years.
[Copied from the valuable and interesting narrative of the Briton’s Voyage to Pitcairn’s Island, including a sketch of the present state of the Brazils and Spanish South America, by Lieut. S, Shillibeer, R.M. illustrated with sixteen etchings by himself*]
The Bounty sailed from England in the autumn of 1787, on a voyage to the Society Islands, for bread-fruit trees, intended for our West India settlements ; in which climate, it was the opinion of Sir Joseph Banks, they might be successfully cultivated) and prove a succedaneum for other provisions in times of scarcity. The Bounty had made good the object of her voyage, so far as to have received on board a great number of these trees, in various stages of growth, and there was every prospect of their being capable of preservation. The ship, thus laden, quitted Otaheite on the 4th of April* 1789, and continued her course, in a westerly direction, touching at one more island, and then meditating her progress through the Pacific Ocean, towards the Moluccas. The ship lost sight of the Friendly Islands on the (27th of that month, and every thing like good order was supposed to prevail on board ; even the mid-watch was relieved without the least apparent disorder; but at day-break, on the 28th, the cabin of Captain Bligh, who commanded the Bounty, was$8	kirby’s wonderful museum.
forcibly entered by the officer of the watch, assisted by three others ^pon the watch, who dragged him instantly on deck, menacing his life if he attempted to speak. His endeavours to exhort and bring back the conspirators to their duty, proved of no avail. Each of the desperadoes was armed with a drawn cutlass, or fixed bayonet, and all their muskets were avowed to be charged. Captain Bligh discovered, oyhen he came upon deck, several of the crew, and most of the officers, pinioned ; and while he was thus contemplating their perilous state, the ship’s boat was let over her side, and all who were not on the part of the conspirators, to the number of eighteen, besides the captain, were committed to the boat, and no other nourishment afforded them than about one hundred and forty pounds of bread, thirty pounds of meat, one gallon and a half of rum, a like portion of wine, and a few gallons of water. A compass and quadrant were secured by one of the devoted victims, as he was stepping into the boat; and thus abandoned, the mutineers, after giving them a cheer, stood away/ as they said, for Otaheite.
The captain, in this dreadful situation, found his boatswain, carpenter, gunner, surgeon’s mate/two midshipmen, and one master’s mate, with Mr. Nelson, the botanist, and a few in-ferior officers, among those Who were likely to share his fate. After a short consultation, it was deemed expedient to put back to the Friendly Islands; and, accordingly, they landed on one of these, in hopes they might improve their ¿mall stock of provisions, on the 30th of April, but were driven off by the natives two days after, and pursued with such hostility that one n\an was killed, and several wounded* It was then deliberated whether they should return to Otaheite, and throw themselves on the clemency of the natives; but the apprehension of falling in with the Bounty^ determined them, with one assent, to make the best of their way to Timor; and, to effect this enterprise, astonishing to relate, they calculated the distance/near four thousand miles; and, in order that their wretched supply of provisions might endure tillMUTINY OF THE BOUNTY.	29
they reached the place of destination, they agreed to apportion their food to one ounce of bread and one gill of water a-day for each man. No other nourishment did they receive till the 5th or 6th of June, when they made the coast of New Holland, and collected a.few shell-fish; and with this scanty relief, they held on their course to Timor, which they reached ori the 12th, after having been forty-six days in a crazy open boat, too confined in dimensions to suffer any of them to lie down for repose, and without the least awning to protect them from the rain, which almost incessantly fell for forty days. A heavy sea and squally weather, for great part of their course, augmented their misery. The governor of this settlement, which belonged to the Dutch, afforded them every succour they required. They remained here to recruit their strength and spirits, till the 20th of August, when they procured a vessel to carry them to Batavia. They reached Batavia on the 2d of October, and, from thence Captain Bligh and two of the crew embarked for the Cape of Good Hope ; and the rest of the crew were preparing to follow, as soon as a passage could be obtained. Captain Bligh reached the Cape about the middle of December; and soon after took his passage for England, which he reached on the evening of the 13th of March, and arrived in London on the 14th.
The leader of the mutineers was named Fletcher Christian, a man of respectable family and connexions, and considered a good seaman; he was of the rank of master’s mate of the Bounty, and served regularly the watch from the time the ship sailed from England. The command of the Bounty thus devolving upon him, there was no possibility of defeating his purpose, as not the least previous circumstance could be traced, from the testimonies of the faithful part of the crew, after they were in the boat, of a mutiny being pn foot. The mutineers were to the number of twenty-five, and those who remained true to their duty, nineteen; consequently, had the slightest suspicion been entertained of the design, it might have been easily frustrated, as all the principal officersâO	KlftStf’S WONÜËimJl SfÜSËUM.
remained 'faithful to their commander* A conjecture, not improbable, is, that the plot was projected while Captain Bligh was engaged onshore at Otaheite and other islands collecting plants, and making charts. This officer only held the rank of lieutenant in the navy. His merit pointed him out to the Admiralty, as highly qualified for this expedition ; and the distresses he had undergone entitled him to every reward. In navigating his little skiff through so dangerous a sea, his seamanship appeared as matchless, as the undertaking séems beyond the verge of probability* Mr. Nelson, the botanist, died sooii after the boat reached Timor* This gentleman went out with his Majesty^ particular approval : and a secondary object of the voyage was to collect curious plants for the botanic garden at Kew.
PITCAIRN’S ISLAND.
We left the friendly Marquesané on thè 2d of September,, and were proceeding òn our voyage, to regain the port of Valparaiso, steering a course which ought, according to the charts, and every other authority, to have carried us nearly three degrees of longitude to the eastward; of Pitcairn’s Island ; and our surprise was greatly excited by its sudden and Unexpected appearance. It was in the second watch whem we made it. At day-light we proceeded to a more close examination ; and soon perceived huts, cultivation, and people ; of the latter, some were making signs, others launching their little canoes through the surf, into which they threw themselves with great dexterity, and pulled towards us.
At this moment, I believe, neither Captain Bligh (of the Bounty) nor Christian, had entered any of our thoughts; and ill waiting the approach of the strangers, we prepared to ask them some questions in thé language of those people we had so recently left. They came ; and for me to picture the wonder which was conspicuous in every countenance, at being hailed in perfect English, what was the name of the ship ? and who commanded her ? would be impossible ; our surprise can alone be conceived* The captain answered;FÌTCAÌItN’S ISLAND.
31
and now a regular conversation commenced. He requested them to come alongside ; and the reply was, “ We have no boat-hook to hold on by.” a I will throw you a rope.” a If you do, we have nothing to make it fast to,” was the answer. However, they at length came on board, exemplifying not the least fear, but their astonishment was unbounded. After the friendly Salutation of good morrow, Sir, from the first man who entered, Mackey, for that was his name, “ Do you know,” said he, “ one William Bligh, in England?” This question threw anew light on the subject; and he Was immediately asked if he knew one Christian ; and the reply was given with so much natural simplicity, that I shall here use his own words : “ O yes,” sard he, “ very well ; his son is in the boat there, coming up—his name is Friday Fletcher October Christian ; his father is dead now-—he was shot b,y a Mack fellow.” Several of them had now reached the ship, ahd the scene was become exceedingly interesting ; every one betrayed the greatest anxiety to know the ultimate fate of that misled young man, of whose end so many vague reports had been in circulation ; and those who did not ask questions, devoured with avidity every word which led to an elucidation of the mysterious termination of the unfortunate Bounty.
The questions which were put were numerous, and as I am inclined to believe their answers, being arranged accordingly, will convey to the reader, the circumstance as it really took place, with greater force, than a continued relation, I shall adopt that plan ; and those occurrences which did not lead immediately to the end of Christian, and the establishment of the colony, 1 will relate faithfully as they transpired. (But in our present narrative, we shall give the facts without the questions.)
That Christian was shot by a black fellow, as was supposed, by a jealousy which was known to exist between the people of Otaheite and the English; he was shot in the back, while at work in the yam plantation ; the man who shot Christian was afterwards shot by an Englishman. A further32
KIRBY'S W0NDERFUL MUSEUM.
dispute arose between the Otaheiteans and English, after the death of Christian, when the blacks rose and shot two Englishmen, and wounded John Adams, the only surviving man of the mutineers, who saved himself from being murdered, by hiding himself in the wood; and the same night, the women, enraged at the murder of the English, to whom they were more partial than their countrymen, rose and put every Otaheitean to death in his sleep. This saved Adams: his wounds were soon healed; and, although old, he enjoys good health. Christian brought with him from Otaheite, in the Bounty, nine white men, and six blacks, and eleven women; and at that time there were forty weight persons on the island. Adams had told them he had been on the island about twenty-five years; that the Bounty was run on shore, and every thing useful taken out of her, and then set fire to and burnt. Christian was shot about two years after he came to the island; his wife having died, soon after the birth of his son, and he taking by force the wife of one of the blacks to supply her place, was the chief cause of his being shot. And this son, Fletcher October Christian, was the oldest person on the island, except John Adams. They are allowed to marry at the age of nineteen or twenty, but not to have more than one wife, as it is considered to be wicked to have moré. And being asked if they had been taught any religion ; they answered, “ A very good religion and to their belief, they went through the whole of the belief; and that John Adams had taught it them, by order of F. Christian; and he caused a prayer to be said every day at noon : “ I will arise, and go' to my father, and say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” 'Which they continued to say every day, and never neglected it*
They always use the English language. . They understand the Otaheitean language a little; but not so well as the English. The old women do not pronounce the English so well as they understand it; and they consider themselvesPITCAIRN VlSLANH.
33
half English and half Otaheite, but acknowledge King George to be their king. They had seen four ships from the island, but only one stopped; Mayhew Folgier was the captain; saying, “ I suppose you know 1111115” he staid two days. One being asked if he would like to go to England j said, “No—I cannot; l am married, and have a family.” i Before we had finished our interrogatories, the hour, of breakfast had arrived; and we solicited our half countrymen, as they styled themselves, to accompany us below, and partake of our repast, to which they acquiesced without much ceremony. The circle in which we had surrounded them being opened, brought to the notice of Mackey a little black terrier* He was at first frightened, ran behind one of the officers, and looked over his shoulder, and said, pointing * to the dog, “ I kndw what it is—it is a dog; I never saw’ a dog before; will he bite ?” After a short pause, lie addressed himself to Christian, saying, with great admiration, “ It is a pretty thing too to look at—is it not P
The whole of them were inquisitive; and in their questions^ as well as answers, betrayed a very great share of natural abilities. They asked the names of every thing they saw, and the purposes to which they were applied. ,This, they would say, was pretty—that, they did not like; and were greatly surprised, at our having so many things which they were not possessed of in the island. The circumstance of the dog, the things which at each step drew their attention, or created their wonder, retarded us in our road to the bre&kfast table; but, arriving there, we had a new cause for surprise. The astonishment which before had been sa strongly demonstrated in them, was now become conspicuous in us, even to a much greater degree than when they hailed 11s in our native language; and, I must confess, I blushed when I saw nature in its most simple state, offer that tribute of respect to the Omnipotent Creator, which, from, education, I did not perform, nor, from society, had been taught its necessity. Before they began to eat, on their knees, and voi,. vi,	nSi
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
with hands uplifted, did they implore permission to partake in peace what was set before them ; and when they had eaten hearülyj resuming their former attitude, offered a fervent prayer of thahksgiving, for the indulgence they had just experienced. Our omission of this ceremony did not escape their notice ; for Christian asked me whether it was not customary with us also. Here nature was triumphant; for I should do myself irreparable injustice, did I not with candour acknowledge, I was both embarrassed and wholly at a loss for a sound reply, and evaded the poor fellow’s question, by drawing his attention to the cow, which was then looking down the hatchway ; and as he had never seen any of the species before, it was a source of mirth and gratification to him*
The hatred of these people to the blacks is strongly rooted, and which, doubtless, owes its origin to the early quarrels which Christian and his followers had with the Ota-heiteans, after their arrival at Pitcairn’s Island ; to illustrate which, I shall here relate an occurrence which took place at breakfast :—Soon after young Christian had begun, a West Indian black, who was one of the servants, entered the gunroom, to attend table, as usual. Christian looked at him sternly, rose, asked for his hat, and said, a I don’t like that black fellow—I must go	and it required some little per-
suasion, before he would again resume his seat. The innocent Quash ‘was often reminded- of the anecdote by his fellow-servants. After coming alongside the ship, so eager Were they to get on board, that several of the canoes had been wholly abandoned, and gone adrift : this was the occasion of an anecdote which will shew, most conspicuously, the good nature of their dispositions, and the mode resorted to in deciding a double claim. The canoes being brought back to the ship, the Captain ordered that one of theffi should remain in each ; when it became a question, to which that duty should devolve; however, it was soon adjusted, for Mackey observed, that he supposed they were all equally^ITCAIRK S ISLAND.
M
anxious to see the ship, and the fairest way would be for them to cast lots, as then there would be no ill-will on either side. This was acceded to ; and those to whom it fell to go into the boat, departed without a murmur. We all wished to do what we could for them ; but being short of provisions^ yve were under the necessity of expediting our departure for South America ; and, after ascertaining the longitude tp be 1S0P £5' W. and latitude £5° ^ b" S. we again, set sail, and proceeded on our voyage.
, No one but the captain went on shore, which will be a source of lasting regret to me, for I would rather have seen the simplicity of that little village, thau all the splendour and magnificence of a city. The remainder of the narrative comes from one of the gentlemen who landed on the island.
After landing (he says,) and we had ascended a little eminence, we were imperceptibly led through groupes of cocoa-nuts and bread-fruit trees, to a beautiful picturesque little village, formed on an oblong square, with trees of various kinds irregularly interspersed. The houses are small, bukregu-lar, convenient, and of unequalled cleanliness. The daughter of Adams received us on a hill. She came, doubtlessly, as a spy ; and had we taken men, or even been armed oiirsejvés, she would certainly have given her father tiinely notice ¡ter escape, but as we had neither, she awaited our arrival, and conducted us to where her father was. She was arrayed in nature’s simple garb,, and wholly unadorned; hut she was beauty’« self, and needed not the aid of ornament. She be* trpyed some surprise ; timidity was a prominent feature,
John Adams is a hoe-looking old man, sixty year« of age. We conversed w ith him ia (long time, relative tp the muduy of the -Bounty, and the mltimate fete pf Christian. .He denied b^mg accessary to, or having the Jeaat knowledge ofi the conspiracy, and expressed great horror at the conduct of Claptain BUgh, not only towards hk me«, hart officers nfem Tasked him jf he had a desire teS6	KIRBY?S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
return to England; and I must confess, his replying in the affirmative, caused me great surprise.
He told me he was perfectly aware how deeply he was involved; that by following the fortune of Christian, he had not only sacrificed every claim to his country, but that his life was the necessary forfeiture for such an act, and he supposed would be exacted from him, was he ever to return; notwithstanding all these circumstances, nothing would be able to occasion him so much gratification as that of seeing once more, prior to his death, that country which gave him birth, and from w hich he had been so long estranged. There was sincerity in his speech ; I can hardly describe it; but it was a very powerful influence in persuading me that these were his real sentiments. My interest was excited to so great a degree, that I offered him a conveyance for himself and any of his family who chose to accompany him. He appeared pleased at the proposal; and as no one was then present, he sent for his wife and children. The rest of the little community surrounded the door. He communicated his desire, and solicited their acquiescence. Appalled at a request not less sudden, than in opposition to their wishes, they were all at a loss for a reply. His charming daughter, although inundated with tears, first broke silence. u Oh do not, Sir/’ said she, “ take from me my father—do iiot take away my best, my dearest friend.” Her voice failed her—she was unable to proceed—leaned her head upon her hand, and gave full vent to her grief. His wife too (an Otaheitean) expressed a lively sorrow. The wishes of Adams soon became known among the others, who joined in pathetic solicitation for his stay on the island. Not an eye was dry> the big tear stood in those of the men, the women shed them in full abundance; I never witnessed a scene so fully affecting, or more replete with interest. To have taken him from a circle of such friends, would have ill become a feeling heart y to have forced him away, in opposition to theirPitcairn's island.
37
joint and earnest entreaties, would have been an outrage to humanity. With an assurance that it was neither our wish nor intention to take him from them against his inclination, their fears were at length dissipated. His daughter too had gained her usual serenity; but she was lovely in her tears— for each seemed to add an additional charm. Forgetting the unhappy deed which placed Adams in that spot, and seeing him only in the character he now is, at the head of a little community, adored by all, instructing all, in religion, industry, and friendship, his situation might be truly envied, and one is almost inclined to hope that his unremitting attention to the government and morals of this extraordinary little colony, will ultimately prove an equivalent for the part he formerly took—entitle him to the praise, and should he ever return to .England, ensure him the clemency, of that sovereign he has so much injured,
The young women have, invariably, beautiful teeth, fine eyes, an open expression of countenance, and looks of such simple innocence and sweet sensibility that render their appearance at once interesting and engaging; and it is pleasing to add, their minds and maimers were as pure and innocent, as this impression indicated. No lascivious looks, or any loose forward manners, which so much distinguish the character of the females of the other islands. The island itself has an exceedingly pretty appearance, and I was informed by Christian every part was fertile, and capable of being cultivated. The coast is every way bound with rocks, insomuch that they are at all times obliged to carry their little boats to the village, and the timber is of so light a nature, that one man is adequate to the, burden of the largest they have. Each family has a separate allotment of land, and each strive to rival the other in their agricultural pursuits, which is chiefly confined to the propagation of the yam, and which they have certainly brought to the finest perfection I ever saw* The bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees have been reared with equalkibby's wonberful museum.
success. The pigs also came by the same conveyance, as well as goats and poultry. They had no pigeons ; and I am sorfy to say, no one thought of leaving those few we had on board with them. The pigs have got into the woods, and many are now wild. Fish of various sorts are taken here* atid in great abundance; the tackling is all of their own manufacturing ; and the hooks, although beat out of old iron hoops, not only answer the purpose, but are fairly made. Jîeedles they also make from the same materials. Those then Who came on board, were finely formed, and of manly features ; their height about five feet ten inches ; their hair black and long, generally plaited into a tail. They wore a Straw hat, similar to those worn by sailors, with a few feathers Stuck into them by way of ornament. On their shoulders Was a mantle, resembling the chilinan-poncho, which hung down to the knee ; and round their waist, a girdle, corresponding to that of the Indians at the Marquesas ; both of which are produced from the bark of trees growing on the island. They told me they had clothes on shore, but never wore them. ï Spoke to Christian particularly of Adams, Who assured me he was greatly respected, insomuch that no one acted in opposition to his wishes ; aitd when they should lose him, their regret Would be general. The inter-marriages Which had taken place among them, have been thé occasion of ¡relationship throughout the colony. There seldom happens to be à quarrel, even of the most trivial nature, and then, (using their OWU term) it is nothing more than a word-ofrmouth quatre), which is always referred to Adams for ad-
justment.
The Bounty having entered the Pacific Ôcèaïhbÿ thé Cape Of Good Hope, occasioned her to gain sixteen hours tithe, on her arrival at Pitcaïrn-s Islatid ; the Briton entering by Cape Horn lost eight hours, bh her arrivai there, making à difr ference of one day in our calculation. John Adams under* Stood very little Of Writing ; still he had contrived to iharfe*Pitcairn’s island.
SS
the arrival of every day—commencing anew at the expiration of every year. He had long ago used all the paper, ink, &c. which lie had taken out of the Bounty, but a slate and a stone pencil supplied his wants ; and I think Sir Thomas Staines told me he saw the slate on which the account was kept, and that it wras divided into weeks, months, and years. According to their own calculation, they had gained one day, which was perfectly correct ; for had hé returned by the Cape of Good Hope, instead of Cape Horn, we should have lost one. The natives themselves could not write, their names being insufficient ; but Adatns was anxious to have some paper, which, with various articles of culinary utensils, Sir Thomas generously sent him.
Several bboks belonging to Captain Bligh, which were taken out of the Bounty, were then in the possession of Adatns, and the First Voyage of Captain Cook was brought on board the Briton. In thé title page of each volume thè name of Captain Bligh was written* and I suppose in his own writing. Christian had written his own name immediately under it, without running his pen through, or in any way defacing that of Captain Bligh. On the margin of several of the leaves, were written in pencil, numerous remarks on the work ; but as I consider them to have been the private observations of Captain Bligh, and written unsuspecting the much-lamented event which subsequently took place, they shall by me be held sacred.
■Mr. Shillibeer concludes his narrative of this interesting island by saying, if the out-line I have here given has not been adequate to the reader’s expectation, I trust thé short period in which I had to collect the materials, will, in some degree, plead my apology ; under which impression, I shall leave Pitcairn’s Island, but not without a hope that its interesting inhabitants will receive that support from this country, the peculiarity of their situation so justly entitle t them to, and proceed to Valparaiso, where we arrived after a voyage of thirty days, when we had neither bread in our lockers, nor wine in our. casks; therefore, the reader will not40	KIRBY’S wonderful museum.
be surprised, if, while he rests, I should indulge myself with a few of the luxuries of the port.
[The following must he read as a continuation of the narrative of the Bounty, page 30.]
The entire annihilation of the object of the voyage, in consequence of this mutiny, and the ultimate fate of Christian was uncertain, and the prevailing opinion was, that after he had left and destroyed the Bounty, he returned to the coast of South America, and entered the Spanish service; nay, it has even been asserted in the account given of him by Mayhew PoJgier, the master of the first ship which touched at Pitcairn’s Island. There were many who retained the same opinion, but the matter is at present too clearly demonstrated to admit of a doubt.
The" following account is given in the Missionary Voyage, of the conduct of the mutineers at, and their departure from, Otaheite, since which period, to the time of Captain Folgier’s' touching at Pitcairn’s Island, every thing relative to those infatuated men has been but a vague conjecture.
“ The wind blew fresh from Toubouai, and the intention of our captain was not to go near this island, but for the sake of some who were desirous of seeing it, we tacked to windward, and towards evening got within a few miles of it; he thought it not prudent to land, on account of the natives being prejudiced against the English, through the mutineers of the,Bounty, who had destroyed near a hundred of them. This island was discovered by Captain Cook, in the year .1777 ; and upon it the unhappy Fletcher Christian, with his companions, the mutineers of the Bounty, attempted a settlement dn 1789. They had with them some natives of Ota-<hei(e, and live stock of different sorts. Notwithstanding the opposition they met with from the natives on their arrival, they warped the ship through the only opening in the reef, then landed, chose, a spot of ground, built a fort thereon, and taking their live stock on shore, they intended, had the natives proved friendly to their stay, to have destroyed thepitcairn’s island.
41
Bounty, and fixed themselves there; but their own unruly conduct alienated the natives from them, who withheld their women, which they were ready to seize by violence; this excited the ¿jealousy of the chiefs, by a friendship formed with one in preference to the rest; they were disunited amongst themselves, and many longed for Otaheite; they resolved to leave Toubouai, and carry with them all the live stock which they had brought, the benefit of which the Tou-bouians began to understand, and were unwilling to see them again all collected and removed. This caused the first brawl between the Otaheitean servants, who were driving in the hogs, and the natives. Insolence, and want 6f gen* tleness and conciliation, led to all the bloody consequences which ensued. The natives were numerous, and fought with great courage, forcing the mutineers to avail themselves of:a high, ground, where, with their superior skill, and the advantage of fire-arms, and the aid of the Otaheiteans, who fought bravely on this occasion, they at last came off victorious, with only two of themselves wounded, whilst the dead bodies of the Toubouians covered the spot, and were afterwards thrown up in three or four heaps. Thus finding that no peaceable settlement was now to be obtained in this place, they shipped their live stock, abandoned their fort, and taking their friendly chief on board with them, weighed anchor, and steered towards Matavai Bay, in the island of Otaheite. On their passage thither, it is said, Christian became very melancholy, confining himself to his cabin, and would hardly speak a word to any person, lamenting, most probably, that the resolution he had formed without deliberation, and executed with rash haste, had now involved his life, and those of his adherents, in misery. As soon as they anchored in Matavai Bay, in Otaheite, those who wished to stay there went on shore; but nine mutineers, and also some of the native men and women, remained on board. With these^ Christian cutting his cable in the night, put to sea, and steer-4£	KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
ing to the N.W. had never been heard of since.” Several of the men were found at Otaheite afterwards, brought home and tried, the particulars of which will be found in the Annual Register for 1792*1793; also, in the Gentleman’s Magazine.

ISLE OF PINES.
The following account of the discovery of the Isle of Pineá Will, no doubt, be acceptable to our readers. The pamphlet, consisting of thirty-one pages, having become so very scarce, we shall copy the whole that will make it interesting, leaving out those passages that are not a part of the narrative, being so similar to the discovery of Pitcairn’s Island, we cannot do otherwise than print it.
The Isle of Pines; or, a late Discovery of a fourth Island near Terra Australis Incognita, by Henry Cornelius Van Sloetten: wherein is contained a true relation of certain English persons, who, in Queen Elizabeth's time, making a voyage to the East Indies, were cast away, and wrecked near to the coast of Terra Australis Incognita, and all drowned, except one man and four women. And now lately, Ann. Dom. 1667, a Dutch ship making a voyage to Hie East Indies, driven by foul weather there, by thahte have found their posterity (speaking English,) to amount (as they suppose) to ten or twelve thousand per-sons. The whole relation (written and left by the man himself, a little before his death, and delivered to the Dutch by his grandchild) is here annexed with the longitude and latitude of the Island, the situation and felicity thereof \ With other matter observable. (Licensed July	1668.9
London; printed for Allen Banks and Charles Harper,ISLE OF PINES.
43
next door to the Three Squer rills, in Fleet Street, over against St. DumtarCs Church, 1668.
Letters concerning the Isle of Pines, to a credible person in Covent Garden.
Amsterdam, June 29, 1668.
It is written by the last post from Rochelle, to a merchant in this city, that there was a French ship arrived, the master and company of which report, that about 200 or 300 leagues north-west from Cape Finis Terre, they fell in with an island, where they went on shore, and found about 2000 English people, without clothes, only some small coverings about their middle; and that they related to them, that at their coming to this island (which was in Queen Elizabeth’s time,) they were but five in number, men and women, being cast on shore by distress, or otherwise, and have there remained ever since, without having any correspondence with any other people, or any ship coming to them. This story seems very fabulous—yet the letter is come to a known merchant, and from a good hand in France, so I thought fit to mention it; it may be, that there may be some mistake in the number of the leagues, as also of the exact point of the compass, from Cape Finis Terre; I shall inquire more particularly about it. Some English here suppose it may be the Island of Brasile, which has been so often sought for, southwest from Ireland ; if true, we shall hear further about it.
Your friend and brother,
Abraham Keek.
Amsterdam, July 6, 1668.
It is said that the ship that discovered the island, of which I hinted to you in my last, is departed from Rochelle, on her way to Zeland ; several persons here have writ thither, to inquire for the said vessel, to know the truth of this business. I was promised a copy of the letter that came from France, advising the discovery of the island above-said, but ’tis not44
kirby’s wonderful museum.
yet come to my hand ; when it cometh, or any further news about this island, I shall acquaint you with it.
Your friend and brother,
A. Keek.
The Isle of Pines, discovered near to the coast of Terra Australis Incognita, by Henry Cornelius Van Sloetten, in a letter to a friend in London, declaring the truth of his voyage to the East Indies.
Sir,—I received your letter of this second instant, wherein you.desire me to give you a further account concerning the Land of Pines; on which we were driven by distress of weather the last summer; I also perused the printed book thereon you sent me, the copy of which was surreptitiously taken out of my hands, else I should have given you a fuller account, upon what occasion we came thither, how we were entertained, with some other circumstances of note, wherein that relation is defective. To satisfie, therefore, your desires, I shall briefly, yet fully, give you a particular account thereof, with a true copy of the relation itself; desiring you to bear with my blunt phrases, as being more a seaman than a scholar.
April the 26th, 1667* We set sail from Amsterdam, intending to sail for the East Indies; our ship had the name of the place from whence we came, the Amsterdam, burthen 350 tons; and having a fair gale of wind, on the 27th of May following, we had a sight of the high Peak of Teneriffe, belonging to the Canaries; we would have touched at the Island Palma, but having endeavoured it twice, and finding the winds contrary, we steered on our course, by the Isles of C&pe Verd, or Insulas Capitis Viridis, where, at St. James’s, we took in fresh water, with some few goats and hens, wherewith that island doth plentifully abound*
June 14th. We had a sight of Madagascar, or the Island of St. Lawrence, an island 4000 miles in compass, and situate under the southern tropick ; thither we steered ourISLE OF PINES.
45
course, and trafficked with the inhabitants for knives, beads, glasses, and the like, having in exchange thereof cloves and silver. Departing from thence, we were encountered with a violent storm; and the winds holding contrary for the space of a fortnight, brought us back almost as far as the Isle Del Principe; during which time, many of our men fell sick, and some died ; but at the end of that time, it pleased God the wind favoured us again, and we steered on our course merrily, for the space of ten days: when on a sudden we encountered with such a violent storm, as if all the four winds together had conspired for our destruction, so that the stoutest spirit of us all quailed, expecting every hour to be devoured by that merciless element of water; sixteen days together did this storm continue, though not with such violence as at the first, the weather being so dark all the while, and the sea so rough, that we knew not in what place we were. At length, all on a sudden, the wind ceased, and the air cleared, the clouds were all dispersed, and a very serene sky followed, for which we gave hearty thanks to the Almighty, it being beyond our expectation that we should have escaped the violence of that storm. At length one of our men mounting the main-mast, espyed fire, an evident sign of some countrey near adjoyning, which presently after we apparently discovered; and steering our course much nigher, we saw several persons promiscuously running about the shore, as it were wondering and admiring at what they saw. Being now near to the land, we manned out our long-boat with ten persons, who approaching the shore, asked them in our Dutch tongue, Wat Eylant is dit 9 To which they returned this answer in English, that They knew not what we said. One of our company, named Jeremiah Hanzen, who understood English very well, hearing these words, discoursed to them in their own language; so that in fine we were very kindly invited on shore, great numbers of them flocking about us, admiring at our clothes which we did wear—as we on the other side did to find, in such a strange placg, so many that46	kirby’s wonderful museum.
could speak English, and yet to go naked. Four of our men returning back in the long-boat to our ship’s company, could hardly make them believe the truth of what they had seen and heard; but when we had brought our ship into harbour, you would have blest yourself to see how the naked islanders flocked unto us, so wondering at our ship, as if it had been the greatest miracle of nature. In the whole we were very courteously entertained by them, presenting us with such food as that countrey afforded, which indeed was not to be dispised ; we eat of the flesh both of beasts and fowls* which they had cleanly drest, though with no great curiosity, as wanting materials wherewithal to do it; and for bread, we had the inside of a kernel of a great nut, as big as an apple, which was very wholesome, and sound for the body, and tasted to the pallat very delicious.
Having refreshed ourselves, they invited us to the palace of their prince or cheif ruler, some two miles distant off from the place where we landed, which we found to be about the bigness of one of our ordinary village houses; it was supported with rough unhewn pieces of timber, and covered very artificially with boughs, so that it would keep out the greatest showers of rain, the sides thereof were adorned with several sorts of flowers, which their fragrant fields there do yield in great variety. The prince himself (whose name w7as William Pine, the grandchild of George Pine, that was first on shore in this island,) came to his palace door, and saluted us very courteously, for though lie had nothing of majesty in him, yet had he a courteous, noble, and deboneyre spirit, wherewith your English nation (especially those of the gentry) are very much endued. Scarce had he done saluting us when his lady or wife came likewise forth of their house or palace, attended on by two maid-servants; she was a woman of an exquisite beauty, and had on her head as. it were a chaplet of flowers, which being intermixed with severer variety of colours, became her admirably. She wore in front some pieces of old garments, the relicts of those clothes (tI
4ISLE OF PINES.
47
suppose) of them which first came hither, and yet being; adorned with flowers, those very rags seemeth beautiful; and indeed modesty so far prevaileth over all the female sex of that island, that with the grass and flowers interwoven and made strong by the peelings of young elms (which grow there in great plenty,) they do plait together so many of them as serve to make aprons.
We.darned him as a present some few knives, of which we thought they had great need, an ax or hatchet to fell wood, which was very acceptable unto him* the old one which was cast on shore at the first, and the only one they ever had, being now so quite blunt and dulled, that it would not cut at all; some few other things .we also gave him, which he very thankfully accepted; inviting us into his house or palace, and causing us to sit down with him, where we refreshed ourselves agaiti, with some more country viands, which were no other than such we tasted before—prince and peasant here faring alike; nor is there any difference betwixt their drink, being only fresh water, which the rivers yield them in great abundance. After some little pause, our companion (who could speak English,) by our request, desired to know of him something concerning their original, and how that people, speaking the language of such a remote country, should come to inhabit there, having not, as we could see, any ships or boats amongst them, the means to bring them thither, and which was more, altogether ignorant, and mere strangers to ships or shipping, the main thing conducible to that means, to which request of burs, the courteous prince thus replyed.
Friends (for so your actions declare you to be, and shall by ours find no less,) know that we, the inhabitants of this island, are of no great standing, my grandfather being the first that ever set foot on this shore, whose native country was a place called England, far distant from this our land, as he let us to understand; he came from that place upon the waters, in a thing called a ship, of which no question, but you may have heard; several other persons were in his com*48
kirby’s wonderful museum.
pany, not intending to have come hither (as he said,) but to a place called India, when tempestuous weather brought him and his companions upon this coast, where falling among the rodks, his ship split all in pieces, the whole company perishing in the Waters, saving only him and four women, which by means of a broken piece of that ship, by divine assistance, got on land. What after passed (said he) during my grandfather’s life, I shall show you in a relation thereof written by his own hand, which he delivered to my father, being his eldest spn, charging him to have a special care thereof, and assuring him, that time would bring some people or other thither to w?hom he would have him to impart it, that the truth of our first planting here might not be quite lost, which, his commands, my father dutifully obeyed; but no ope coming, he, at his death, delivered the same, with the like charge, to me, and you being the first people^ w'hich (besides ourselves) ever set footing in this island, I shall, therefore, in obedience to my grandfather’s and father’s commands, willingly impart' the same unto you. Then stepping into a kind of inner room, which, as we conceived, was his lodging chamber, he brought forth two sheets of paper fairly written in English (being the same relation which you had printed with you at Xondon,) and very distinctly read the same over unto us, which we hearkened unto with great delight and admiration, freely proffering us a copy of the same, which w^e afterwards took, and brought away along with us ; which Copy hereafter followeth:
tc A way to the East Indias being lately discovered by sea to the south of Affrick by certain Portugals, far more safe and profitable than had been heretofore, certain English merchants encouraged by the great advantages arising from the eastern commodities, to settle a factory there for the advantage of trade. And having to that purpose obtained the Queen’s royal license, Anno Dom. 1569« 11. or 12. of Eliz. furnisht out for those parts four ships, my master being sent as factor to deal and negociate for them, and to settle there, took withISLE OF PINES.
49
him his whole family, (that is to say) his wife and one son of about twelve years of age, and on£ daughter of about fourteen years* two maid-servants, one negro female slave, and myself, who w'ent under him as his book-keeper; with this company, on Monday the third of April next following, (having all necessaries for house-keeping, when we should .come there), we embarkeclourselves in the good ship the India Merchant, ^of about 450 tons burthen, and having a good wind* we, on the 14th day of May, had sight of the Canaries, and not long after of the Isles Cape Vert or Verd, where taking in such things as were necessary for our voyage, and some fresh provisions, we steering our course south, and a point .eastf, about the first of August, came within sight of the Island of Sb Hellen, where we topk in some fresh water; we then set our, faces for the Cape of Good Hope, where, by God’s blessing, after some sickness, whereof some of our company died, though none of our family; and hitherto we had met with none but calm weather, yet so it pleased God, when we were almost in sight of St. Lawrence, an island so called, one of the greatest in the world, as mariners say, we were overtaken and dispersed by a great storm of wind, which continued with such violence many days, that losing all hope of safety, being out of our own knowledge, and whether we shall fall on flats or rocks, uncertain in the nighis, not having the least benefit of the light, we feared most, always wishing for day, and then for land—but it came too soon for our good ; for, about the first of October, our fears having made us forget how the time passed to a certainty, we, about the break of day, discerned land (but what we knew not,) the land seemed high and rocky, and the sea continued still very stormy and tempestuous, insomuch as there seemed no hope of safety, but looked suddenly to perish. As we grew near land, perceiving no safety in the ship, w hich we looked would suddenly be beat in pieces ; the captain, my master, and some others got into the long-boat, thinking by that means to save their lives; and presently after, all the seamen cast
VOL. VI.
E50
KIBBY's WONBEKFtfL MUSEUM.
themselves overbbard, thinking to save their lives by swimming ; only myself, my master's daughter, the two maids, and the negro, were left on board, for we could not swim; but those that left us might as well have tarried with us, fbr we saw them, or most of them, perish, ourselves now ready after to follow their fortune; but God was pleased to spare our lives, as it were by a miracle, though to further sorrow ; for when we came against the rocks, our ship having endured two or three blows against the rocks (being now broken and quite foundered in the waters,) we having with much ado gotten ourselves on the bowsprit, which, being broken off, was driven by the waves into a small creek, wherein fell a little river, which being encompassed by the rocks, was sheltered from the wind, so that we had an opportunity to land ourselves (though almost drowned,) in all, four persons, besides the negro. When we were got upon the rock, we could perceive the miserable wrack to our great terrour. I had in my pocket a little tinder-box and steel and flint, to strike fire at any time, upon occasion, which served now to good purpose, for its being so close, preserved the tinder dry; with this, and the help of some old rotten wood, which we got together, we kindled a fire, and dryed ourselves ; which done, I left my female company, and went to see if I could find any of our ship’s company, that were escaped, but could hear of none, though I hooted and made all the noise I could ; neither could I perceive the footsteps of any living creature (save a few birds and other fowls.) At length, it drawing towards the evening, I went back to my company, who were very much troubled for Want of me—I beirig now all their stay in this lost condition. We were at first afraid that the wild people of the country might find us out, although we saw no footsteps of any, not so much as a path; the woods round about being full of briers and brambles : we also stood in fear of wild beasts— of such also we saw none, nor sign of any. But above all, and that we had greatest reason to fear, was to be starved to death for want of food; but God had otherwise provided forISLE OF FINES,
5}
us, as you shall know hereafter: this done, we spent our time in getting some broken pieces of boards and planks, apd some pf the sails and rigging on shore for shelter. I set up two or three poles, and drew two or three of the cords and lines from tree to tree, over which, throwing some sail-cloathes, and having gotten wood by us, and three or four sea-gowns, which we had dryed, we took up our lodgings for that night altogether, (the black-mpor being less sensible than the rest, we made our centry;) we slept soundly that night, as having not slept in three or four nights before (our fears of what happened preventing us,) neither could our h^rd lodging, fear, and danger hinder us, we were so over-watch t.
“ On the morrow, being well refresht with sleep, the winde ceased, and the weather was very warm, we went down the rocks on the sands at low water, where we found great part of our lading, either on shore, or floating near it. I, by the help of my company, dragged most of it on shore; what was too heavy for us we broke, and unbound the casks and chests, and taking out the goods, secured all; so that we wanted no clothes, nor any other provision necessary for house-keeping, to furnish a better house than any we were likely to have; but no victuals (the salt water having spoiled all,) only one cask*of bisket, being lighter than the rest, was dry ; this served for bread a while ; and we found on land a sort of fowl, about the bigness of a swan, very heavy and fat, that by reason of their weight could not fly; of these we found little difficulty to kill, so that was our present food. We carried out of England certain hens and cocks, to eat by the way—some of these, when the ship was broken, by some means got to land, and bred exceedingly, so that in the future they were a great help unto us ; we found, also, by a little river in the flags, store of eggs of a sort of fowl much like our duck;, which were very good meat, so that we wanted nothing to keep us alive.
On the morrow, which was on the third day, as soon as it was
e £kirby’s wonderful museum.
morning, seeing nothing to disturb us, I lookt out a convenient place to dwell in, that we might build us a hut to shelter us from the weather, and from any other danger of annoyance from wild beasts (if any should find us out.) So close by a large- spring, which rose out of a high hill overlooking the sea, on the side of a wood having a prospect towards the < sea>) by the help of an ax and some other implements (for we had all necessaries, the working of the sea having cast up most of our goods,) I cut down all the straitest poles I could find, and which were enough for my purpose, by the help of my company (necessity being our master,) I digged holes in the earth, setting my poles at an equal distance, and nailing the broken boards of the casks, chests, and cabins, and such like to them, making my door to the seaward, and having covered the top with sail cloths strained and nailed, I* in the space of a week, had made a large cabbin big enough to hold all our goods and ourselves in it. I also placed our i hamocks for lodging, proposing (if it pleased God to send any ship that way,) we might be transported home; but it never Came to pass, the place wherein we were (as I conceived) being much out of the way.
u We having now lived in this manner full four months, and not scr much as seeing or hearing of any wild people, or of any of our company, more than ourselves, (they being found now by experience to be all drowned,) and the place, as we after found, being a large island, and disjointed, and out of sight of any other land, was wholly uninhabited by any people, neither was there any hurtful beasts to annoy us ; but, on the contrary, the countrey so very plesant, being always clothed with green, and full of pleasant fruits, and variety of birds, ever warm, and never colder than.in England in September, so that this place (had it the culture that skilful people might bestow on it) would prove a paradise. The woods afforded us a sort of nuts, as big as a large apple, whose kernel being pleasant and dry, we made use of instead of bread, that fowl before-mentioned, and a sort of water-fowl like ducks,ISLE OF PINES.
33
and their eggs, and a beast about the size of a goat, and almost such like creature, which brought two young ones at a time, and that twice a year, of which the lowt lands and woods ¿ were very full, being a very harmless creature and tame, so that we could easily take and, kill them: fish, also,; especially shell-fish (which we could best come by) we had: great store of7 so that in effect as to food, we wanted nothing > and thus, and by such dike helps, we continued six months, without any disturbance or want.
u Idleness, and fulness of ever^ thing, and nothing to do, I,began to think of increasing our family; therefore, agreeing amongst ourselves, ;we soon found our wishes realised—the first year; produced us one boy and three girls, and when out of their mother’s arms* they were laid down on the moss to sleep; and no further care taken of them. And having now no thought of ever returning home, as we had resolved and sworn,, one to the other, never to part, or leave orte another, or the place; and in the course of time, having by my several wives, forty-seven children, boys and girls, but most girls, and growing up apace. My negro had twelve children, my master’s daughter had fifteen children, as she was most fond of me and I of her; my tallest wife had thirteen children,; and the second, seven children, in . all forty-seven. Thus we lived for twenty-two years, as happy as at first; then my negro died suddenly, but I could not perceive any thing, that ailed her. Most of my children being grown up, and as fast as we married them, I sent them and placed them over the river by themselves, because we would not pester one another.
“ Thus having lived fo the sixtieth year of my age, and the fortieth of my coming thither, at which time I sent for all of them to bring their children, and there were in number descended from me by these four women, of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, five hundred and sixtyrfive of both sorts, I took off the males of one family, and married them to the females of another, not letting anjM
KIRBY S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
to marry their sisters, as \ve did formerly out of necessity, so blessing God for his providence and goodness, I dismist them* I having taught some of my children to read for* itierly, for I had still the Bible left, I charged it should be read once a moneth, at a general meeting. At last one of my wives died, being sixty-eight years of age, which I buried ih a place set out on purpose; and within a year after, another; so I had none now left but my master’s daughter, and we lived together twelve years longer—at length she died also; so I buried her also next the place where I proposed to be buried myself, and the tall maid, my first wife, next me, on the other side, the negro without her, and the other maid next my master’s daughter. I had now nothing to mind, but the place whether I was to go, being very old, almost eighty, I gave my cabbin and furniture that was left to my eldest son, after my decease, who had married my eldest daughter by my beloved wife, whom I made king and go* Yertiour of all the rest. I informed them of the manners of Europe; and charged them to remember the Christian religion, after the manner of them that spake the same language, and to admit no other, if hereafter any should come and find them Out.
And, now, once for all, I summoned them to come to me, that I might number them, which I did, and found the estimate to contain, in or about the eightieth year of my age, and the fifty-ninth of my coming there, in all, of all Sorts, one thousand seven hundred eighty and nine. Thus praying God to multiply them, and send them true light of the Gospel, I last of all dismist them : for, being now very Old, and my sight decayed, I could not expect to live long. I gave this narrative, (wiitten with my own hand) to my eldest soil, who now lived with me, commanding him to keep it, and if any strangers should come hither by chance, to let them see if, and take a copy of it, if they would, that our name be not lost from off the eaUh. 1 gave this people (descended from me) the name of the English Pines, GeorgeIStE OF PINES*
5$
Pine being my name, and my master’s daughter’s name Sarah English ; my two other wives were Mary Sparkes, and Elizabeth Trevor, so their several descendants are called the English, the Sparkes, and the Trevors, and the Phills, from ,the Christian name of the negro, which was Philippa, she having no surname, and the general name of the whole of the Eng* lish Pines ; whom God bless with the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth. Amen.”
Thus, Sir, have I given you a brief but true relation of our Voyage, which I was more willing todo, to prevent false copies which might be spread of this nature* As for the Island of Pines itself, which caused me to write this relation, I suppose it is a thing so strange as will hardly be credited by some, although perhaps knowing persons, especially conn sidering Our last age being full of discoveries, that this place should lie dormant for so long a space of time ; others, I know, are such nullifidians, as will believe nothing but what they see, applying that proverb unto us, that travellers may lye by authority. But, Sir, in writing to you, I question not but to give credence, you knowing my disposition so hateful to divulge falsities. I shall request you to impart this my relation to Mr. W* W* and Mr. P> L., remembering me very kindly unto them; not forgetting my old acquaintance Mr* J. P* and Mr. J. B* No more at present ; but only my best respects to you and your second self. I rest,
Your’s, in the best of friendship,
Henrv CoftNEi/ics V^n Sloetten*
Jfuly %% 1668.
an ox on the top of a HOUSE,
The following extraordinary accident occurred about ©’clock on the morning of Friday, the of Nove^nher, 1817, m Caerm»rthe»;~A§ a drove of oxen were passing
a56	kibby’s wonderful museum.
through Spilman-street, one of them strayed to the Castle-green, whence, in his headlong course, he fell over the precipice facing the bridge, upon a houses of which the inhabitants w^ere asleep in bed. It will naturally be supposed, that the terror and alarm excited on the occasion were great. Fortunatély* however, part of thé roof fell in, while the ox was balancing athwart a beam, exactly over a bed, in which were two children, fast asleep, and who were awakened by a rafter falling upon thé bed. The parents had hardly removed these poor children from their perilous situation, when the beam, giving ?way, fell with its burden upon the,bed, Notwithstanding all the alarm and bustle created by this occurrence, we are happy to add* no personal injury was sustained on the occasion ; and what is remarkable, the ox does not appear to have suffered materially from this extraordinary descent.—From the Gloucester Herald.
Times, November 1817.
••>»/•	-A/'
THE PERUVIAN GIANT,
BASILIC HU A Y LAS,
The giant Basilio Huaylas, here represented, came in May, 1792, from the town of Joa, to Lima, in South America, and publicly exhibited himself. He is by birth an Indian, from■ the province of Castro Virreyna, and was then twenty-four years old. He measured upward of seven Castilian feet two inches in height. The different parts of his body are not duly proportioned. From the waist, upwards, they are of prodigious dimensions. The head forms nearly one-third of his stature ; his shoulders are five-sixths of an ell in breadth ; and his arms are so long, that whén he stands upright, the ends of his fingers reach to his knees. From the waist, downwards, his limbs are of much smaller dimen-BASULIO TOMOLAS,
.
J-^ifflifTipd/JáárcJüS^LSlS fy'7¿S.l&óyJiZmdó?ÍIM¿rfr3jzrd, SïPcud'sACCIDENT AND PRESERVATION.
57
sions. The right leg is an inch shorter than the left, owing, it is said^to a blow which he received in his youth.
This Engraving is copied from an original painting, in .which, asmusician with a harp, is placed beside Huaylas, as a standard to judge of his extraordinary stature.

ACCIDENT AND PRESERVATION.
Ramsgate, Nov. 28, 1817.—A distressing occurrence ^happened in this neighbourhood, early yesterday morning:— A sergeant, corporal, and three private marines, stationed at this place for the prevention of smuggling, were out on duty during the night, and having proceeded upon the sands > to a place called Dumpton-stair-gateway, between this place and Broadstairs; they, for the purpose of shelter, and the more effectually to secrete themselves, took up a position under a projection of the cliff, where they remained until day^bregk, when the sergeant ordered one of the privates to call in a party, who were stationed on the opposite side of the gateway, nearer to Broadstairs. The man had gone but a few paces, when an immense portion of the cliff gave way, and buried in its fall his four hapless companions;? The fall was so sudden, that it struck his musket from his shoulder, and he fortunately escaped, though in a very terrified state of mind, to give an alarm of the fate of his unhappy comrades. Immediately on its being known, Mr. D. B. Jarnian, an inhabitant of this town, accompanied by Mr. N..Gott, and a gang of men from the works at the harbour, proceeded to the spot, and commenced cutting a trench through the middle of the chalk; and after two or three hours’ laborious exertion, they found the sergeant and corporal extended on their faces, and presenting a mo^t shocking spectacle. In the course of a few hours more,¿/he two privates were found as having been in a sitting posture, but with their heads forced between their legs, and crushed in a most dreadful manner.58	KIRBV’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
The bodies, as taken out, were placed iu a boat, preparatory to the Coroner’s Inquest, the accident having happened within the limits of the parish of St. Peter.
Sunday Advertiser, and Times, December 1, 1817.
SINGULAR ACCOUNTS
Of UNUSUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT A BIRTH.
May 21, 1766. A woman at Rennes, aged thirty-seven, was delivered of three boys and a girl, much smaller thm new born infants are, and all in good health.
Annual Register, 1760. p. [105.
March 5, 1761. A poor woman at Topsham, in Devonshire, was delivered of four children.
Annual Register, 1761. p.[80.
June 4, 1764. A young woman of Netra, in Angermar nia, a province in the north of Sweden, was brought to bed of a boy,on the 6th of a girl, the next day anpther girl, and died the 10th, in the delivery of a fourth infant.
Annual Register, 1764. p. [91.
December, 1764. The wife of Mr. William Plomer, clerk to Mr. Willet, in Corn-street, Bristol, was lately delivered of a gill, and in about twelve hours after of two more girls and a boy. They were baptized by the names of Hannah, Sarah, Mary, and William; they were larger than many twins; and at first seemed very hearty and likely to live, but died some days after.
Annual Register, 1764. p. [116.
May 31, 1765. Sarah Banks, of Barham, near Thetford, was lately delivered of three boys and a girl.
Annual Register, 1765. p. [96.
June 1, 1765. The wife of a collier at Sitzeroda, near Torgna, in Saxony, was lately delivered of five daughters* who were all baptized, but died soon after.
Annual Register, 1765. p. [108.PROLIFIC RlRTHS.
59
•July, 1765. Martha de Orellan, aged 30, wife of Dominic Gonzales, of Rocca in Estremadura, in Spain, was lately delivered of four children ?, three were baptized, the fourth was still born.	Annual Register, 1765. p. [116.
July 3, 1765* Susan, the wife of John Guttridge, of Had-leigh, near Ipswich, pensioner, was delivered of three children; the two first a boy and a girl, joined together, from the breast to the umbilical vessels, who died almost as soon as born.	Annual Register, 1765. p. [116.
August 31, 1765. The wife of a porter in Berwick-^ street, Soho, was delivered of three girls, and a boy.
Annual Register, 1765. p. [134.
April 30, 1765. A woman in the ten-mile Bank between Ely and Downham, was delivered of a healthy boy, with fourteen toes, and fourteen fingers.
Annual Register, 1765. p. [69.
May, 1766. At Burrowden, in Rutlandshire, a poor labourer’s wife, was safely delivered of three boys and a girl. The woman did well, but the children all died.
Annual Register, 1766. p. [101.
October, 1766. The wife of a master of a ship at Blyth, near Newcastle, was safely delivered of five male children, and likely to do well. Annual Register, 1766. p. [147.
5 November £9? 1766. The wife of Thomas Coe, of Cambridge, was delivered of two boys and two girls.
Annual Register, 1766. p. [154.
On last Saturday week, the wife of Moses Solomon, a Jew, in Stoney-lane, Petticoat-lane, was safely delivered of four children, three girls and a boy, all likely to live.
British Press, January 12, 1803.
A professor of surgery gives an account in the MoniteUr of the two Sicilies, of assisting at a very difficult and extraordinary accouchement, the result of which w'as, that thirteen small children were produced, six males and seven females. He adds, that these children, although of microscopic di-60	kirby’s wonderful museum.
mensions, were as perfectly formed as children born of the usual size.	Observer, June 16,1811.
r There is now living in a small village near Hornsea, North Holder# ess, Yorkshire a #oman who has had three children at a time, three different times; twice four children at a time, and five single births; and but one girl among them all. She was married at the age of eighteen^ is now thirty-five, and hei>youngest child was on the 2d of April, 1812, nine years old. She is of the middle size, a neat, dapper, good-looking woman, and at present in good health. Her children are all alive, excepting her only daughter, and a boy who died young; the girl aged three years, and the boy eleven months. And what is further remarkable, both these were single births. The truth of the above is certified by Mr. John Day, parish clerk of Sigglesthorne; who has known the person alluded to from childhood.
Boston Gazette, April 21, 1812.
On the 23d of April, 1812, Mrs. Alexander McConnell, of Bangor, was safely delivered of four sons; and we are happy to add, that the mother and her four fine little fellows are doing well.	Belfast News Letter.
,Qir Friday se’nnight, the wife of William Satchwell, button turner, of Walmer-lane, Birmingham, was delivered of four children (three ,of them alive). The poor woman and two of the children have every appearance of doing well.
Cumberland Packet, May 5, 1812.
March 12, 1813. The four boys of Gilbert Crown, and Rose, his wife, of No. 16, Colchester-street, Whitechapel, born on Sunday, March 7, 1813, (the same evening they were all baptized by the Rev. Dr. Mathias, by the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ; they were rather small;) are at present all living, and, with the mother, doing well. This uncommon occurrence has excited much of public curiosity, and has brought many visitors to the house, who have not left it without proofs of their benevolence. The father,PROLIFIC BIRTHS.
61
though poor, promises to give a faithful account of them; and the Rev. Dr. Mathias, rector of the parish, and Mr. Clarance, grocer, No. £6, High-street, Whitechapel, (to whose management the monies will be intrusted), have made themselves responsible for the right application of them.
Morning Post, March 1£, 1813.
August 15/1817. At Framingham, near Norwich, the wife of Edward Rigby, M. D; of Norwich, of three sons and a daughter. Before the birth of these little ones, Dr. Rigby was the father of eight children, the two eldest of whom are twins. Remarkable as is the above event, .there are circumstances wdiich render it peculiarly so. Dr. Rigby is a great grandfather; and probably never before were born, at one birth, three great uncles, and a great aunt; such being the relationship between the above-mentioned parties and the infant son of Mr. John Bawtree, jun. of Colchester. The Corporation of Norwich have voted a piece of plate, value twenty-five guineas, to Dr. Rigby and his lady, as a memento of the birth at one time of their four children. The event is to be recorded in the city books, and inscribed with the names of the children on the plate.
Nov. 3.—Died, aged eleven weeks and three days, John, the infant son of Dr. Rigby, of Norwich, being the first in the series of the late quadruple birth; and November 5, aged eleven weeks and five days, Caroline Susan, the fourth in the series, and last surviving child ; (Charles Henry, the second in the series, having died October 1% and the third in the series some days before him).
Gentleman!s Magazine, Nov. 1817, pp.273,464, and 478.
The wife of a labouring man, named Joseph Richardson, of Cooksey, near Broomsgrove, Warwickshire, was delivered, on the 23d of March, of four children at one birth, all girls. They are likely to live, and the mother is going on well. He has three children in addition to the above.
Times, April 3, 1819.KIRBY’S ; WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
SINGULA R PRESERVATION,
AFTER FALLING DOWN AN OLD SHAFT NINETY-SIX FEET DEEP, IN CORNWALL.
On Sunday evening, March 3, 1816, Mr. John Holman, a farmer of Perran, Cornwall, was returning from a place of worship, across a common, to his own house. A heavy mist falling) he mistook his way, and fell into an exposed shaft of a mine, ninety^six feet deep, besides nine feet of water in the bottom; and, almost miraculously, he reached the water without receiving any serious injury. Being an expert swimmer, he kept himself afloat during the night, occasionally relieving himself by clinging to the projecting points of the rock in the sides of the shaft. The return of daylight, on Monday, enabled him to see a kind of ledge, on which be contrived to get, and on which he lay the whole of Monday, calling for assistance; but no person approached the place, and Monday night came on whilst he continued in his perilous situation; where, overcome by fatigue, he fell asleep, and again fell into the water. The darkness of the night prevented his regaining his resting-place, and he had to support himself as before, until Tuesday morning, when he regained the spot from which he fell. He had now become quite hoarse from cold, and almost incessant calling for help ; so that the only resource he had for drawing the attention of those whom, hes supposed, would be sent to seek for him, was by throwing stones into the water. Tuesday night came without affording him any relief; but the terror of again falling into the water effectually prevented his sleeping. On Wednesday, however, the noise made by the stones which he continued to throw into the water, attracted the attention of some persons; whom h?s distressed family had dispatched in search of his remains, and he was extricated from the dreadful abyss, without sustaining any serious contusion.	Observer, March 10, 1816.DEATH FROM FRIGHT.
m
DEATH FROM FRIGHT.
An inquisition was taken, August 20, 18IB, before Hugh Lewis, Esq. at the Pine Apple, Pimlico, on the body of Mrs. Mary Banday, of Palace-street, Pimlico. Sarah Garner deposed, that she was servant to the deceased ; she had lived with her about nine years. On Tuesday morning, about one o’clock, she heard a violent knocking at the street-door : she got up immediately, opened the window, and saw two %atchmen at the door. They called out, that there were thieves in the house, and they wished to come in, to search for them. She was going down stairs, to let the watchmen in, when the deceased called to know what was the matter; she told her what the watchmen said, and the deceased went in an apparent fright to her chamber. Wit* ness opened the door, and the watchmen searched about the premises, and could find no, one, though a gentleman said that he had seen a man get over the railings of the area. Witness returned Up stairs, and the deceased seemed greatly frightened. She eudeavoured to pacify her; but her terror was so great, that she fell on the floor, and soon became senseless; a surgeon was sent for; she died in three hours after. Her death was occasioned, in witness's opinion, from excessive fright.
Mr. Charles Edward Clarke, surgeon, Pimlico, stated, that he was called on Tuesday morning to attend the deceased, and found her lying in the drawing-room in a senseless state. He eudeavoured to stimulate the system, and restore animation, but failed. She died at five o’clock the same morning. The death of the deceased might have been produced by excessive terror.
The jury then took a view of the body, and observed a blackness round the throat, and oil the shoulder. The sur* geon at their request went and examined the body; and when he returned, he said, the marks were produced by the strings of the deceased’s cap being tied tight round hqr throat, and the blackness on the shoulder was from putre*64
KIRBY'S WONDERFUL .MUSEUM.
faction. The jury consulted for some time, and agreed to return the following verdict. u The death of the deceased was produced by excessive fright.” Times,August £1, 1818.

CAVERNS NEAR LAKE ONTARIO.
We are informed, says the Northern Whig, by a gentleman from Sackett’s Harbour, that a very remarkable cavern has lately been discovered near that place, on the shore of Lake Ontario. Our informant, in company with five others, descended about thirty feet, and proceeded more than half* a mile through various apartments, wonderfully wrought by nature, some of which were ten feet high, and others barely sufficient to pass with difficulty. Through inattention, the torches with which they descended, went out, and the company remained in despair, momently expecting to perish, for five hours ; when a person left at the entrance, alarmed at their long absence, entered with a few neighbours, and rescued them from destruction. The air of the cavern was very impure, and respiration extremely difficult.
Courier, August 5, 1815»
A REMARKABLE SMALL HORSE
IN INDIA.
Lieut.-Colonel Fitzclarence, in his Journal of a Route across India, through Egypt to England, page 11£, says—
“ On the army taking possession of Nagpoor, our principal inducement for. visiting the stable was the fame of a little horse, four years old, and only thirty-three inches high. This diminutive creature was, I think, the most beautiful model of a horse in miniature I ever saw. It was very playful, perhaps vicious; and when I stood across it on tiptoe, it attacked my knees on its sides, striving to bite them.”>:/rì:
■ 6rgT'1rrjffny'A\.crg;az}S'0'Li,¿a?v¿[	ß<L V9tLs‘ì-l(VM
WmABRAHAM THORNTON
65
THE
EXTRAORDINARY CASE
OF
ABRAHAM THORNTON,
ACCUSED AND TRIED FOR VIOLATION OF THE PERSON, AND WILFUL MURDER, OF MARY ASHFORD.
Never was a case of more interest brought forward to public notice, than that of the unfortunate Mary Ashford, a female of strict virtue, and represented as possessing , every grace, of person that could ornament the human frame* who untimely fell a victim to the brutal lust of some base mui> derer! Circumstances, and those too of, ;the strongest proofs, fixed the crime on Abraham Thornton, who; was in. consequence apprehended, and took his trial at the county hall, Warwick, August 8, 1817, for this .offence. When, after a minute investigation of evidence*: which occupied the attention of the court upwards of twelve hours and a half, the prisoner, to the surprise and disappointment of most unprejudiced persons, obtained a verdict of acquittal.
The only difficulty that seemed to dwell on the minds of the jury, was the variation of time that was sworn to, as when the deceased and Thornton were last seen together. By his own voluntary confession, he* admitted he had been iii: her company at four o’clock on the fatal morning; and her bonnet, shoes, and bundle, were discovered near the pit where she met her death, by a labouring man soon after the clock struck five. Thornton evidently was indebted for his escape, to the variation in the different country time pieces, one of which was proved by a respectable and competent witness, to have been forty-one minutes too fast*
Under every circumstance, it was deemed requisite to go to a new .trial, which only could be effected; by the appeal of the next of kin to the murdered party; and in consequence, William Ashford, the deceased’s brother, became appellant. On Thursday, October 9th, 1817, Abraham Thornton was again apprehended by virtue of a warrant
VOL. VI.
F6§	KIRBV’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
issued by the high sheriff of the county of Warwick, and lodged in the county gaol, from whence he was removed, November 5th following, to London, in order to appear in the Court of King’s Bench the next day, to put in his answer, or to plead the general issue.
The Law of Appeal has several times been acted on within the last century; and the appellees took their trial at the bar, without the thought of the wager by battle. One case in particular, was that of James Clough, tried and acquitted for the wilful murder of a pot-girl at a public-house in Holfiorn. But on an appeal by the next of kin, he was a second time indicted, tried, found guilty, and executed at Tyburn.
Every one was led to think Thornton would have been again remanded by the court, to take a second trial at Warwick, or that it would have taken place at the bar of the court of King’s Bench. But Thornton having the skilful aid of Mr. Reader and Mr. Reynolds for counsel, when called upon to answer, whether guilty or not guilty, of the felony and murder whereof he stood appealed,-—replied, on Mr. Reader’s putting a slip of paper into his hand, u Not guilty; and I am ready to defend the same with my bodyand receiving likewise from Mr. Reader, a pair of large gauntlets, or gloves, one of which he put on, and the <^ther, in pursuance of an old form, he threw down upon the floor, between the bar and the bench, for the appellant to take up. This singular mode of defence staggered the appellant’s counsel; and not being prepared to argue the law on the case, obtained from the court some days to prepare and put in a counterplea. This, however, when brought forward, was answered by a replication of the appellor’s; and as this feudal law was then unrepealed, the court could not interfere i:o do away with this ancient custom, as established by our ancestors; and Thornton a second time escaped, through the ingenuity of his counsel.ABRAHAM THORNTON.
67
The leading feature m this most interesting case, is the opening speech of the counsel for the prosecution, which was ably detailed by Mr. Clarke, in the following words: u Gentlemen of the Jury.—I am of counsel for the prosecution ; and, by the indictment, which has just now beeii read to you by the officer of the court, the prisoner at the bar is charged with one of the highest offences that human nature is capable of committing ;—nothing less than shedding the blood of a fellow-creature!	1 need Nnot enlarge
upon this subject; the crime itself is incapable of aggravation. It is my painful province, however, to lay before you a statement of that evidence which will be produced in support of that charge; and, as it is not my duty, so neither is it my inclination, to exaggerate any thing upon this occasion; but public justice requires that the w'hole proof should be brought fully and fairly before you.
“ Gentlemen, the deceased was a young girl of the most fascinating manners, of lovely person, in the bloom and prime of life, and wfio, up to the very period of this horrid transaction, had borne the most irreproachable character; she was of poor but of honest parents, and had been living for some length of time under the protection of her uncle, a small farmer, residing at Langley, in this county. The deceased was well known and well respected in the village of Erdington, and in the very neighbourhood of the spot where she fell a victim tathe lust and murderous grasp of an assassin ! For, it will appear, gentlemen, from the evidence of an eminent surgeon, who examined the body soon after it Was taken out of the pit, that her person had been violated, and that, immediately previous to that violation, she had been a pure virgin. I will forbear, gentlemen, commenting upon the enormity of this barbarous transaction, but shortly state to you the facts which will be produced in evidence. The unfortunate* young woman went, on the £6tb, from her uncle’s, at Langley, where she lived, to Birmingham. On her way she called upon Hannah Cox, at Erdington, and ar-68
kirby’s wonderful museum.
ranged that she should be back early in the evening to go to a dance at Tyburn. This was an annual feast, and a dance always followed. She was not in the habit of attending dances, but she did attend at this dance. The prisoner was there, admired the figure and general appearance of Mary Ashford, and • was heard to say, < I have been intimate (I won’t use the coarse expression he made use of) with her Sister, and I will have connexion with her, though it should cost me my life.’ He accompanied her from the dancing-room, and was seen with her at a stile, about three in the morning. At four she called at her friend Cox’s, and was calm, composed, and in good spirits. On her leaving Er-dington at this time, between four and five in the morning of the 27th, the fatal deed was done which now forms the subject of your inquiry. Gentlemen, it will be shewn to you that the footsteps of a man and a woman were traced from the path through a harrowed field by which she was going towards Langley. These footmarks exhibited proofs of running, chasing, and struggling. They, at length, led to a spot where a distinct impression of the human figure was found, and a large quantity of coagulated blood was also, discovered ; in the same place w^ere seen the marks of a man’s knees and toes. From that spot, the blood was distinctly traced for a considerable space on the grass by the side of the pathway towards the pit where the body was found; but along with this blood no footstep was traced. There was dew upon the grass ; consequently, had any foot gone along there, the dew would have been brushed away, it appeared plainly as if a man had walked along the footway carrying a body, from the extremity of which the blood dropped upon the grass. At the edge of the pit, her shoes, her bonnet, and her bundle, were found, but only one footstep could be seen there, and that was a man’s. It was deeply impressed, and seemed to be that of a man who thrust one foot forward, to heave the body he had iri his arms into the pit. When her body was examined, there wereABRAHAM THORNTON.	63
marks of laceration upon it, and both her arms had the .-visible marks of hands, as if = they had pressed them with violence to the ground lit her stomach some duckweeds .were found, which proved that she breathed after she had been thrown into the water; but the small quantity merely shews that she had not previously been quite dead. The evidence of a skilful siurgeon will shew that, down to\ this violence, she had been a virgin. It is, therefore, natural to suppose, that the violent agitation and outrageous injury of such an assault stunned hei\ and deprived her of animation for the moment; that, in this state, she was thrown into the water ; and that the animation restored for a moment, was instantly cut off by drowning. Hitherto, however, the prisoner is not connected with the act ; but you will not only find him with her at three o’clock, you will also find, by his owmàd-mission, that he was with her at four. You will , find thè marks of the man’s shoes in the running and I struggling cor-respond exactly to his. You will find, by his Own admission; that he was intimate with her; and this admission made, not before the magistrate, never till1 the evident próofs were discovered on his .clothes. Her clotheà, too,t afford most - powerful evidence^ At fier friendüCox^s,; àt foufi in the morning, she put off her dancing dress, and put on'the dress in which she had gone to Birminghamio ¡The dlothes she put on there, and which she had on at the time: of hèr death, ale all over bloody and dirtied. The Surgeon will tell you, that the coagulated blood could not have proceeded except from violence. Therefore, thé case appears to have been, that he had, paid attention to her during <the; night shewn, perhaps, those attentions which she .might naturally have been pleased with,,and; particularly;from.one her superior in life; but that,* afterwards, hé waited for,her on her return from £rdiugton^,and firsts forcibly violated her, arid then threw her apparently lifeless body into; the, pitxi It,will be attempted to shew you, that he returned home; and that some other person must have met her, and brought her to70
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
the dismal end she met with. But, gentlemen, as footsteps were traced through the harrowed field to a stile leading to his father’s by the very course he took, and he admits an intimacy with her, that is a circumstance of the utmost importance, and you will bear in mind, that he did not admit this till the proofs were adduced against him. [Here Mr. Reader expostulated with Mr. Clarke, for making such observations.'] Gentlemen, the evidence will be laid before you. From it you will form your judgment, and 1 desire you to lay out of view every thing that I may have said, unless it shall be confirmed by the learned judge who presides at this trial.
THE EVIDENCE.
In support of the charge the following witnesses were called;
Hannah Cox sworn. Examined by Mr. Sergeant Copley. I lived in the service of Mr. Machell, of Erdington, in the month of May last. I slept at my mpther-in law’s, Mrs. Butler, on the morning of the 27th; her house is nearly opposite to my master’s. I was acquainted with Mary Ashford; $he lived with her uncle, at Langley Heath, about three miles from Erdington. I know her grandfather very well; he lives in the same parish, at the top of Bell Lane, against Mr. Freeman’s. I remember Mary Ashford coming to Erdington on the morning of Monday, the 26th of May. She called on me at Mr. MachelPs, about ten o’clock, on her road to Birmingham market; she had on a pink cotton frock, a straw bonnet, with straw-coloured ribbons, a scarlet spencer, a pair of black stockings, and a pair of half boots. We agreed to go to a dance at Tyburn. On her return from market in the evening, she had a bundle with her, which she left with Mrs. Butler, my mother-in-law ; it contained a clean cotton frock, a white muslin spencer, and a pair of white cotton stockings. The deceased returned about six o’clock in the evening, and called on me at MachelPs. I went with her to Mrs. Butler’s, where she put on the clean dress she had left there in the morning, and a newABRAHAM THORNTON.
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pair of shoes, which I bought for her at a shoemaker’s at Erdington in the course of the day. The clothes she pulled off she made up into a bundle, and left at Butler’s. We set off for Tyburn between seven and eight o’clock. The dance was at a public-house there, kept by Mr. Daniel Clarke. ‘Tyburn is about two miles from Erdington, and by the side of the turnpike-road. I did not pass the whole of the evening in the dancing-room ; I might be in the room about a quarter of an hour. Whilst I was there I saw Mary Ashford dancing, but do not recollect that I saw thé prisoner there. I left the public-house alone, between eleven and twelve o’clock. Mary Ashford was at the room door when I was going ; she told me she would not be long before she followed me. I walked to the bridge, which is but a short distance from Clarke’s, and waited for her there some length of time. Whilst I was standing on the bridge, Benjamin Carter came to me. I sent him back for Mary Ashford, who came to me soon after, in company with the prisoner Thornton. All four of us then proceeded towards Erdington. The prisoner and Mary Ashford went on first, Carter remained talking with me a few minutes, and I then followed them. About ten minutes afterwards Carter over* took me ; lie continued with me a short time, and then said he would go back to the dance. Upon leaving Carter, I walked on and joined Mary Ashford and the prisoner, and parted with them between Reeves’s and the Old Cuckoo, a little before you come to the road on the left, which leads to Erdington. 1 did not go with them to the place where the road separates, but very near it. I walked to Erdington alone, and when I got to Mrs. Butler’s, I went to bed* About twenty minutes before five I was knocked up by the deceased. I immediately got up and let her into the house. She was in the same dress as she was the over night. It was not in the least disordered ; she appeared perfectly calm and in good spirits. The deceased then changed her dress, and put on the pink frock, scarlet spencer, and black stock**5®
kirby’s wonderful museum.
ings, which she had left at my mother-in-law’s the evening before. Her new shoes she kept on. She remained in the house, as near as 1 can guess, a quarter of an hour. My mother’s clock was too fast. After tying her clothes up into a bundle, in which she had got her market things, she left: the house, and I never saw her again.
Benjamin Carter sworn. Examined by Mr. Perkins* I am a farmer’s son. I live at Erdington. I was at the dance at Tyburn, on Monday, the £6th of May. The prisoner 'and Mary Ashford were there; they danced together. I left between eleven and twelve o’clock, and followed Hannah Cox to the bridge, which is about twenty yards from the house. I stopped with her about a quarter of an hour. She desired me to go back to Clarke’s, and fetch M&ry Ashford, which I did. About a quarter of an hour afterwards the deceased came to us upon the bridge; she was Accompanied, by Abraham Thornton. We then took the road towards Erdington. The prisoner and the deceased walked on first; Hannah Cox and I followed. We overtook Thdrnton and Ashford near the road leading to Mr. Freeman’s; I ; then left Cox, telling her that I would return to the dance. I returned again, and overtook the prisoner and the deceased a second time, between Reeves’s and Potter’s. I walked with them as far as the turn of the road, and then went home. I never saw any thing more of the deceased that night.
John Homfidoe sworn. Examined by Mr. Clarke, I live at Witton, near the village of Erdington. .A little before three in the morning, of the £7th'of May last, I was sHtihg ini Mr. Reynolds’s house, near Penn’s Mill, when I heiard some persons talking out of doors. As they passed by the;housed I heard their voices very distinctly. I continued to hear a* conversation, with some little intermission, till within a few minutes of my leaving the house. I left about three o’clock, v: I did not see any body immediately on my going-out; but* a few minutes after* when I got into the Ford-ABRAHAM THORNTON.
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drift, I saw a man and woman sitting on the stile leading into Bell-lane. On reaching the stile I observed the prisoner, whom I knew; I bid him good morning, and he answered me. I did not discern who the young girl Was; she held down her head, so that I could not see her face. I left them at the stile, proceeded, and saw no more of them afterwards.
Thomas Aspree sworn. Examined by Mr, Sergeant Copley. I live at Erdington; and knew the deceased perfectly well. Qn the morning of the £7tb, I. remember going down Bell-lane, and passing by Greensall’s house, leaving Erdington on my left, and the lane on my right hand. I saw Mary Ashford in the lane, walking very fast towards Erdington. She was then against the horse pit, which is on the right hand side. 1 looked up the lane, in the direction in which she was coming, but saw no other person there, or any where about. This was about half past three o’clock.
J<;hn Chesterton sworn. Examined by Mr. Per-kins. I live at Erdmgton, with Mr. Thomas Greensall, a farmer. I was up fettling my master’s horses, on the morning of the £7th of May, soon after two o’clock. Theistable looks towards the road which leads into the village. I put my horses to the waggon about four o’clock, and then went to the pit in Bell-Jane, to water them. I then drove the team through the village, on my way to Birmingham. I knew Mrs. Butler’s house. I had passed it a little way, when I looked back, and saw Mary Ashford coming out of the entry. I smacked my whip, and she turned and looked towards me. This was about ten minutes past four o’clock. The deceased turned up Bell-lane, towards Freeman and Penn’s, and seemed to be in a hurry. I saw no other person in the lane but her; the road was broad, and a person might see up it for a great distance.
Joseph Dawson sworn. Examined by Mr. Clarke. I am a labourer. I rose on the morning of the £7th of May, a little before four o’clock. I met Mary Ashford near to Henry Holmes’s; she was coming towards Erdington, as I was going to the Swan, which is very pear Ma-74
kirby’s wonderful museum.
chell’s house. We asked each other how we did. This was, as near as I can guess, about a quarter past four. The deceased had a bundle on her left arm, and was dressed in a straw bonnet, and a scarlet spencer. Holmes’s, the place where" I met her, is between Butler’s house and Bell-lane. When I parted with her, she proceeded up Bell-lane, at a smartish pace. I saw no person with her, or near the lane, at that time.
Thomas Broadhurst sworn. Examined by Mr. Sergeant Copley.—I was, on the morning of the 27th of May, on that part of the Chester road which leads from Tyburn to Stennall. When I was very near to Freeman’s house, I saw Mary Ashford crossing the turnpike road, from Bell-lane. She was going from Erdington, in the direction of Penn’s Mill. She had a bundle on one of her arms, and was walking very fast. This, as near as I can judge, was about twenty minutes past four o’clock by the day. When I got home, it wanted twenty minutes to five by my clock, which w as a quarter of an hour too fast. I was about seven minutes in walking home.
George Jackson sworn. Examined by Mr. Perkins.
I am a labourer. I live in Hurst-street, Birmingham. I was at the top of Moor-street, on the morning of the 27th of May, when the clock struck five. I was then on my road to a place between Newhall-fields and Sutton, where I was going io work ; and went by the way of Erdington work-house and Penn’s Mill. I turned out of Bell-lane, and took to the footpath which leads to the mill. On coming near to a pit, I discovered a bonnet, a pair of shoes, and a bundle, lying close by the edge of the slope which leads down to the pit. Observing one of the shoes smeared writh blood, I was alarmed, and I immediately hurried from the spot to get some assistance. Lavelfs house being the nearest, I called there, and having told Lavell what I had seen, he returned with me to the pit, where he stopped until I Went to Penn’s Mill, to fetch more assistance. On my road there, about thirty yards distant from thé pit, I saw drops of blood on the foot road,Dril
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75
continued in a zig-zag direction, for nearly two yards. There was some blood also on some grass more to the left of the pit, and a much laiger quantity by the side of a bush. After relating what I had seen, at the works at Penn’s Mill, I returned with some assistance to the pit, and then went to my work.
William Lavell sworn. Examined by Mr. Clarice. I am a workman belonging to Penn’s Mills. I recollect seeing George Jackson, on the morning of the £7th of May. In consequence of what I heard from him, I went to the pit. In going along the ploughed field towards Erdington, I examined the foot-path, to see if 1 could see any footsteps—and I soon discovered several impressions of a man’s foot; the toe part of which were pointing to the corner of the field, where there is a dry pit. About eight yards further, on the foot-path, I saw the impression of a woman’s foot, leading to the right, in the same direction as the man’s; I traced them for fifteen yards further. [By the plans produced, it seemed as if the woman, going towards Langley, had made an attempt to pass the man, by running out of the path, and making a circuitous race out of his line: and that the man, (who had been either waiting for her, or coming on to meet her,) seeing this, had run out of the path to intercept her. It was clear, also, that she had been coining from Erdington, and that he had beeh moving in a contrary direction.] They then came together; and from that spot I traced the footsteps of both to the corner of the field, within a dozen yards of the dry pit, near to which appeared a number of foot-marks in all directions, apparently made by two persons dodging each other, or as if one had been pursued by the other. The foot-marks up to* this spot appeared to have been made by two persons running. I then traced the'foot-steps upon the grass near to the dry pit, and from thence to another pit in the harrowed field. These footsteps appeared to be made by persons walking. The woman’s footsteps were sometimes on the harrowed ground, and sometimes on the grass at the edge of the field; the man’s were mostly76	KIRBY V WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
on the harrowed part. I then traced them to the water pit, in the harrowed, field ; the woman’s I suddenly lost sight of, but I saw. those of the man to the very edge of the path. On the opposite side of the pit, I saw footsteps on the harrowed ground, in a contrary direction to those I have described; they extended more than three parts across the field, they took a turn to the left, crossed the foot-path near the middle of the field, and continued up to tiie gate at the far corner of the piece. These footsteps appeared to be the footsteps of a man running. There were no impressions of a woman’s shoe to be seen in this last tracing. The field intol w hich the gate leads is a clover field, leading towards Pipe-hall. A person at the spot where the tracks ceased, wanting to go to Castle-Bromwich, might, by going through this piece, and others, upon trespass, go a much nearer way than by the regular turnpike-road. The nearest regular road to Castle-Bromwiçh, from Venn’s Mill, is up the foot-path towards Erdington and through Bell-lane. I afterwards went to the field with Joseph Bird, with a pair of the prisoner’s shoes. They were what are called rights and lefts. We compared them particularly .with a dozen of the tracks; they fitted exactly ; and I have not the least doubt the other impressions of a man’s foot X had tracked in different parts of the field were made by the same shoes. We compared the shoes with the tracks on the foot-path, with the footsteps which first went off the fooUroad, with those , where the doubling was, with those which appeared to be , made by a person running, with those leading to the gate, and with those near the pit, and they all exactly corresponded. I covered some of the man’s tracks ^dth boards, that they might not be disturbed, either by the weather, or by persons walking about. Among those that were covered, there were two that were very plain ; they evidently were made by a man’s shoe that had had two. square-headed, nails in a particular direction ; on examining the prisoner’s, shoe, there were two nails projecting out of the shoe, which corresponded with the impression on the ground with the greatest exactness. TheseA COMECT
i
3>F THE
ztir/r ///’/////?;///////A’ MA.K Y Asii !■•(.> Rl)
2.	The Spot where theRape was cornmdtted, and where was sera the impression of a human injure evtendrd.
2.	Mere it appeared that the hodzj was put down, as there was a con-
siderable c/uzzntztz/ of hlood nea7' the place, d trade of blood was discovered from JSttl. to N? 2.
3.	From this spot it is supposed die bodg was t/avwn into die pit.
From M?2. towards die edge of the pit, drops of hlood'were seen.
4.	Sd2r leading into theJuurowed field, near to which it is imagined
die Murderer lag in wait for the unfortunate Girl.
6. Gate trailing to Feruis Mill.
IkthUshed In/ It Slurb//, laiemo.vtrr Bow;ulut/l.j. />">,■;).ABRAHAM THORNTON.
77
tracks were near the dry pit, where the doubling was. We then compared the shoes of the deceased with the tracks of the woman, and they agreed in every situation. I know the pit, in which the body of the-deceased was found. Nèar thè edge of the slope oh the pit side, I saw one footstep, which appeared to have been made by the left foot of a rnan standing sideways/ inclining towards the pit. There were no foot-marks upon the slope. I saw a bundle, a bonnet/and a pair of shoes on the edge of the slope ; they were the same shoes with which I compared the woman’s foot-marks. I discovered some blood below the gate/ and about forty yards from the pit ; and for fourteen yards nearer, there appeared to be a train of bloòd. I traced it for fifteen yards across the foot-path, and on the clover, in the direction of the pit; I saw no footsteps in the clover, the dew was on it at that time. On the foot-path there were the impressions of a man’s shoe ; and the clover which was bloodied was about a foot from it. The blood, which at first appeared to be a regular train, terminated in drops.
Joseph Bird sworn. Examined hy Mr. Sergeant Cop-ley. I was called to go to the pit on the morning of the £7th of May last. I found Lavell, the last witness, there, with some other persons. I accompanied him into the harrowed field, for the purpose of tracking the footsteps. We took the shoes both of the prisoner and the deceased with us, and went on the foot-path which crosses the harrowed field, and leads towards Erdington. In going along the field, I observed the footsteps described by the last witness : those of the man, turning across the foot-path up to the corner of the piece—those of the woman, on going a little further towards Erdington, turning to the right ; and those of the man and woman meeting each other, and continuing in a straight line towards the dry pit. In the corner of the piece, the footsteps appeared to have beén made by two persons who had been dodging each other : the footsteps, from the turning off at the path, appeared to have been made by a man and78	kirby's wonderful museum.
woman running; this I judge from the length of the stride, and the depth of the step. From the deep impression at the top of the shoe, I thought the woman must have ran upon her toes; the man's step appeared to be that of a heavy person running fast; the heel of the shoe had struck very deep into the soil. From the dry pit at the corner, the tracks took a direction along the hedge side to the bottom of the ploughed field ; the tracks appeared hereto have been made by persons walking; the strides were shorter, and the impressions not so deep. I traced these steps very near to the water pit. . It was a dewy morning, and I could discern, in some places, the print of a woman’s shoe, sometimes on the grass and sometimes on the ploughed land; the man’s, I think, were never off the grass. I tracked the marks of a man’s foot from the pit turning short to the left across the path to the gate at the farthermost end of the field; they were those of £ man only; they seemed to be made by a person running. At this spot, there were two tracks, which we covered with a board; we examined them thoroughly. I first looked at the impression made by a shoe of the right foot. %I knelt down and blowed the dirt out, anc| discovered two nail marks in the toe part of the impression; a bit of wood which had come between the person’s foot and the ground, had raised the foot, and inclined it a little on that side, which made the impression much deeper in that part than in any other. I got the prisoner’s shoes from Tyburn about one o’clock; I examined them with the man’s footsteps, and they precisely agreed; and the shoe of his right foot, which had two nails near the toe, precisely corresponded with the impressions on the ground. There were also about two inches round the toe of the shoe without nails*— there were then nails again— another space occurred—-and then nails again. This position of the nails appeared also in the foot-marks. I examined the footsteps of the woman also, with the shoe of Mary Ashford, and they exactly corresponded; this was about ten o’clock. 1 have not the leastABRAHAlf THORNTON.
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doubt on my mind but that the tracks of the man and woman, which I noticed in the field, were made by the shoes of the prisoner and the deceased. From the gate to where the footsteps of the man led there was no road. A person pur» suing the man’s footsteps from the gate would be led into the Chester road, considerably before he got to Tyburn-house. A person going to Castle-Bromwich by the regular turnpike road, must have passed Tyburn-house, and several other houses. By turning to the right, a person might get to Castle-Bromwich over the fields, upon trespass, and so avoid passing Tyburn-house. There is no foot-path that way, except a bit of a road that turns off by Samuel Smith’s, which is used by the market people, and leads to Occupation-bridge, and crosses the Canal by the side of Adams’ piece. In pursuing that road a person could either get to IS^r. Holden’s, by walking upon the towing path, or along the road.
James Simmonds sworn. Examined by Mr. Perkins. I am a labourev. I was at Penn’s Mills ou the morning of the 27th of May last. I accompanied two or three persons to the pit; the first thing I observed was a bonnet, a pair of woman’s shoes, and a bundle. I then dragged the pit with a heel-rake and a pair of long reins, three or four times, and succeeded in bringing up the body of Mary Ashford. There were some leaves and mud about her face. This was about eight o’clock in the morning.
John Webster, Esq. sworn. Examined by Mr, Clarke. I am the proprietor of a considerable manufactory at Penn’s Mills. I recollect the body of Mary Ashford being extricated from a pit on the morning of the 27th of May; it was just brought to the edge of the pit when 1^ arrived. As near as I can judge it was about eight o’clock*
I ordered the body to be immediately taken to Lavell’s house, and the bonnet, bundle, and shoes with it. I examined the ground on all sides of the pit, and, about forty yards from it, observed a considerable quantity of blood—-as much as I could cover with my extended hand. On examining the spot
480
kirby’s wonde^ul museum.
more closely, I discovered on the grass the impression of a human figure ; the legs of the figure were extended, and the arms,stretched out to the full length. In the centre of the figure was a small quantity of blood, and, at the feet, a con-siderable quantity of coagulated blood, the same which first caught mÿ attention. Between the extension of the legs were the marks of knees and the toes of a man’s large shoes; I judged them to have been made by the same person. I traced blood for nearly ten yards up the foot-path, in the direction of the pit. A little further from the pit* and near the stile, on the other side, in a contrary direction from the harrowed field' there was the mark of some person who had sat down.4 I could not tell exactly whether it was made by one or more persons. I then retired from the spot to dress, but returned in the course of an hour afterwards. I accompanied Bird into the harrowed field, and there perceived traces of a man and woman’s foot. I sent for the shoes which had been taken to LavelPs house with the body. They Were brought; and I examined them with the footmarks on the ground, and they perfectly corresponded. I have not the least doubt in my own mind, that the footsteps I there saw were made by the shoes of the deceased. One of the shoes was stained with blood a little on the outside, and the other, a little in the inside.
[The shoes of the deceased were then produced by a police-officer, and handed to his Lordship and the Jury for examination ; they were marked with blood in the manner described by Mn Webster, who stated them to be the same which were foundîât the edge of the pit, on the &7th of May.]
By thé Court. The black spot observable on the outside of one of the shoes, Mr. Webster, is, I suppose, one of the marks' you allude to ?	;
Mr .Webster. It is, my Lord; the marks of blood were very plain, when I first- saw ; them ; they are now much darker. <■	/	• ' ••
Examination of Mr. Webster continued. I then went t®ABRAHAM THORNTON*
81
Lavell’s to examine the body of the deceased. I perceived marks on each arm, which appeared to me to have been made by the grasp of a man’s hand. I saw the clothes the body had on; they consisted of a red spencer, a pink coloured gown, and a pair of black worsted stockings. The seat of the gown was in a very dirty state; and I observed some blood upon other parts of it. These'were the same clothes which I had sent from the pit with the body, and intrusted to the care of Lavell’s wife. Next day, I had them sent to my house; where they were put under lock and key in my possession, until they were given to Dale, the police-officer. X know Butler’s house very well. After the first examination of the prisoner at Tyburn, I went to examine her clock. X compared it with my own watch, which I consider to be a very accurate one, and found it to be forty-one minutes too fast. My watch was set by Mr. Crompton’s, which, I believe, keeps time very correctly.
Fanny Lavell sworn. Examinedby Mr. Sergeant Cop* ley. I am the wife of William Lavell. I remember the body of Mary Ashford being brought to my house, on the morning of the 27th of May. Mr. Webster gave me a bundle, of clothes 5 it was undone by him in my presence. He also delivered to me a pair of shoes and a bonnet. 1 delivered the whole of them back to him the next day, in the same condition in which they were given to me. I undressed the body of the de* ceased. Her clothes were in a very dirty condition; they were very bloody. The pink gown was particularly so in the seat. The blood had stiffened them so much in some parts that I was obliged to tear some of them off. The front of the shift had a rent of about five or six inches in length.
JBy the Court. Did you perceive the marks of blood upon the black stockings ? A. I can’t say I did, my Lord.
Fanny LaveWs examination continued. I examined the dresses of the deceased. The gown in which she danced had 2l small drop of blood on the seat; the white stockings
VOL. VI.	G82
kirby’s wonderful museum.
too had marks of blood upon them; the back and every other part of the gown was clean, and the muslin spencer appeared to be but little soiled. The deceased had made no preparation for the return of her monthly complaint. She had no flannel petticoat on.
[Thomas Dale, the police-officer, here produced a bundle, which he stated to be the same he had received from Mr. Webster. It was sealed up by Mr. Webster before it was given to him. The seal was then broke, and the two dresses of the deceased handed to the jury. The pink gown,’as-described by Mrs. La veil, appeared to be much bloodied, and the mark of a drop of blood was observable on one of the black stockings.]
Mary Smith sworn. Examined by Mr. Perkins. I live at Penn’s Mills. On the 27th of May I assisted in examining the body of the deceased. It was then lying at the house of William Lavell, and might be about half past ten o’clock in the morning. The body at that time was not cold. I did not see the clothes of the deceased taken off. On each arm, just above the elbow, was a black mark, which appeared to have been made by the grasp of fingers. The lower parts of her body were very bloody ; I could not tell the cause.
W. Bedford, Esq. sworn. Examined by Mr. Clarke•> I am a magistrate for this county. The prisoner was brought before me, at Tyburn, on the 27th of May last. The deposition of the prisoner now produced, was taken by me ; it was read over to him, and signed by him in my presence.
[The deposition was then put in and read. The substance of it was, that he had been with the deceased very early that morning, walking about the fields. That, while they were sitting together on a stile, a man came by, who wished them good morning. They continued there conversing together for about a quarter of an hour. He then wént patt of the way with the deceased to Mrs. Butler’s, and, after stopping for her at thè Qreea about five minutes, went away, and sawAEBAHAM tHORNTON.
6$
no more of her. He then proceeded homewards, and met young Mr. Holden, and a man and woman near his (H.'s) father's house. After meeting some other persons in and hear Castle-Bromwich, with some of whom he stopped and conversed, he arrived at his father's house about twenty minutes to five. He changed his coat and hat, but not his shoes; although they \tfere wet from walking through the grass. The deposition further stated, that he had been drinking a great deal in the course of the night, but that he was not much intoxicated.]
Mr. Bedford's examination continued. The deposition just read, was taken by me about one o’clock, on the 27tb of May, at the house of Daniel Clarke, at Tyburn.
Thomas Dale sworn. Examined by Mr. Sergeant Copley. I am one of the assistant constables of Birmingham. ' I was applied to on the morning of the 27th of May, to go to Tyburn-house. I arrived there about ten o'clock, and took the prisoner into custody. Daniel Clarke, the landlord^ was then in company with him. Mr. Bedford, the magistrate, arrived there about eleven o’clock. The prisoner was then in my custody. The prisoner said, when he was before the magistrate—
Mr. Reynolds. My Lord, I humbly submit to your Lordship that my learned friend cannot pursue this course of examination.
Mr. Justice Holroyd. Certainly not—if the object is to mike an addition, by oral testimony, to the prisoner’s written examination taken before the magistrate^
Mr. Reader. My Lord, I know the worthy magistrate before whom this examination was taken, too well to believe that a fact of any importance transpired which was not put into the deposition.
Mr. Sergeant Copley. We submit, my Lord, to your Lordship's decision.
The examination of Thomas Dale teas then resumed.— After the examination was taken before the magistrate, I took
g 284	KIRBY’S WONBERFUL MUSEUM.
the prisoner up stairs and examined his person. Two persons of the name of Benson and Saddler were present. I examined his linen, and questioned him about the state in which it was in. He then acknowledged to us, that he had had connexion with the deceased, but that it was with her own consent; and declared he knew nothing of the murder.
William Benson sworn. Examined by Mr. Perkins. J live at Pehn’s Cottage, near Penn’s Mills. I was at Tyburn on the 27th of May last, and assisted Dale in examining the person of the prisoner. What he has stated is perfectly true. I was not present when the prisoner’s shoes were taken off. He was sitting in a chair, without shoes on, and a pair of shoes, which seemed to be his, stood by him. Mr. Bedford asked me to take up the prisoner’s shoes, and bring them to him. I took the pair up by the prisoner, and the prisoner did not deny their being his.
Joseph Cooke sworn. Examined by Mr. Clarke. I am; a farmer’s son, and live at Erdington. I was at the dance at Tyburn, on the night of the £6th of May. The prisoner Thornton was there. I saw Mary Ashford come inU> the room. Thornton inquired who she was, and I heard Cot-terill say, “ it is Ashford’s daughter.” Prisoner then said, u I have been connected with her sister, three times, and I will with her, or I’ll die by it.”
Daniel Clarke sworn. Examined by Mr. Sergeant Copley. I am the landlord of Tyburn-house. As soon as I heard of the murder of Mary Ashford, I went to * Castle-Bromwich. I met the prisoner on the turnpike-road, near the chapel, on a little pony. I asked him what had become of the young woman he had taken away with him the Aver night) to which he made no answer. I told him she was murdered, and thrown into a pit.^ The prisoner said, “ Murdered!” .1 said, u Yes! murdered!” He made a pause, and then said, a I was with her till four o’clock this morning.” 1 then asked him to come along with me, to Sutton, and clear himself; he said he would, for he could soon do that. Pri-ABRAHAM THORNTON*
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soner then went with me to my house, which was about a mile from the spot where I met him, Prisoner never mentioned a word all the way about the murder:	On getting to
hiy house, he put his pony up, and said he should walk the nearest way over the grounds to Sutton. He then came into the house and had something to eat and drink. The constable came in half an hour afterwards, and took him into custody. He never attempted to go to Sutton, nor to mention a single word about the murder all the time he was in the house. He talked about farming.
Mr. George Freer sworn. Examined by Mr, Clarke. I am a surgeon. I live at Birmingham. I recollect being sent for to attend at Penn’s Mills, on the £7th of May last, to examine the body of the deceased. It was about half past seven in the evening when I arrived; Mr. Hortin, a surgeon, of Sutton Coldfield, was also there. The body being placed in a small dark room, I desired it to be removed into a larger room. During the time it was removing, I went to examine the pit where the body was found; I there saw the blood in various directions. When I returned from the pit, they had undressed the deceased, and washed the upper surface of the body. Much coagulated blood was found on the lower part of the body, occasioned by recent laceration, which must have proceeded from a degree of violence. I took a cursory survey of the body then, but it being night, I deferred the examination till the following morning. Next day I proceeded to open the body. [It would be improper, and indeed unnecessary, for us to detail the whole of this gentleman’s evidence; the result was, that in his judgment the deceased died from drowning, that she had the menses upon her, that she had been recently violated, and that, up to the period of that violation, she. had been a pure virgin. The coagulated blood that he saw by th$ human figure was not produced by the menses.]
»Mr. Fowler, a land-surveyor, of Erditfgton, produced a plan of the different places alluded to by the witnesses farKlRBy’s WONDERFUD MUSEUM*
86
the prosecution, the admeasurements of which he believed to be quite correct, [See correct copy of the Plan alluded to.]
Mr* Henry Jacobs, land-surveyor, of Birmingham, stated that the plan in the hands of the prisoner’s counsel, was per* fectly correct; the distance had been measured with a chain. By these plans, it appeared, that the distance from Mrs. Butler’s, along Bell-lane, to the pit, was one mile, three furlongs, one hundred and fifty yards ; and from the pit, by the towing-path, to Mr. Holden’s, two miles and a quarter, therefore, the distance from Butler’s to Holden’s would be a little more than three miles and a half.
prisoner’s defence.
Court. Prisoner, this is the proper time for^you to make your defence; your Counsel cannot address the Jury in your behalf. The Court and Jury will attend to what, you have to say with great patience.
Prisoner. My Lord, I leave it to my Counsel.
The following witnesses were called, and deposed as fol* lows, in the defence :■—«\
W. Jennings sworn. Examined by Mr. Reader. I am a milkman, and live at Birmingham. I buy milk of Mr. Holden, of Erdington; myself and wife were at his house on the morning of the 27th of May. I remember seeing the prisoner coming down the lane which leads from Erdington to Mr. Holden’s. He was going towards the house. It was, as near as I can judge, then about half past four. I had no watch with me. We milked a cow a*piece in the yard, after we saw him, which might occupy us ten minutes. My wife then asked Jane Heaton, what o’clock it was. The prisoner was walking very leisurely. My wife saw him as well as I.
Martha Jennings sworn. Examined by Mr. Rey* nolds. I saw the prisoner, on the 27th of May, walking gently along the lane leading to Mr. Holden’s house* I thenABRAHAM THORNTON.
87
went to milk the cows, and inquired of Jane Heaton the time of the day a little while afterwards. Between the time of milking the cows and seeing the prisoner, might be a quarter of an hour. I was standing near Holden’s house when he passed me.
Jane Heaton sworn. Examined by Mr. Reader. I live servant with Mr. Holden. I was getting up at half past four on the morning of the 27th of May. My bed-room window looks into the lane which leads from Erdington to Castle-Bromwich. I saw a man, whom I supposed to be the prisoner, walking towards Castle-Bromwich. He was walking quite slowT. About a quarter of an hour after, Jennings’s wife came and asked me what time of the day it wras. I looked at the dock, and observed, that it wanted seventeen minutes of five. The clock was not altered for several days after that.
John Holden sworn. Examined by Mr. Reynolds. I was at home on the 28th of May last, when Mr. Twamley came to examine my clock. I believe it to be a very good one. I do not know7 whether it kept Birmingham time. The clock had not been altered since the day before.
John Holden, jun. sworn. I am son to the last witness. I live with my father. I remember Jennings and his wife being at our house on the morning of the 27th of May* My mother was ill in bed at the time. I had been to the field to fetch the cow7s for Jennings, when I met the prisoner about two hundred yards from my father’s house. I knew him very well by sight. He was then proceeding very slowly towards Castle-Bromwich. I cannot say what time it was; but it was early in the morning.
Mr. William Twamley sworn. I live at Newhall Mills, near Sutton-Coldfield, and within three miles of Castle-Bromwich. I first caused the prisoner to be apprehended.
I compared my watch and Holden’s clock on the 28th of May ; they were exactly alike, as to time. From Mr. Hoi-88
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
den’s I immediately went to Birmingham, and my watch agreed exactly with St. Martin’s Church clock there.
John Haydon sworn. Examined by Mr. Reynolds. I am gamekeeper to Mr. Rotton, of Castle-Bromwich. I left my own house about ten minutes before five on the morn* ing of the 27th of May. As I passed by Mr. Z. Twam-ley’s stables, I heard Mr. Rotton’s stable clock strike five. About five minutes after I saw the prisoner. He was then coming towards Mr. Twamley’s Mill, as if from Erdington to Castle-Bromwich, I knew him very well. I asked him where he had been; he said, <( To take a wench home.” After stopping-with me a quarter of an hour, he then went on in a direction to his own house.
By the Court. What is the distance from Holden’s to the spot where you met the prisoner ? A. It is, my Lord, as near as I can guess, about half a mile.
John Woodcock sworn. Examined by Mr. Reader. I am a miller. I work at Mr. Zachariah Twamley’s mill. I know the prisoner. I saw a man, whom I thought to be hini, talking to Mr. Rotton’s gamekeeper, near the floodgates ; it was then about ten minutes past five.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Copley. I know the prisoner very well. I was not certain it was him, but I thought it was at the time. I had heard the clock strike five just before the prisoner came up to' Haydon^ I had been into a field belonging to Mr. Smallwood, and back again to the mill, after the clock struck. I have walked the distance over since then, at my usual pace, and find I can do it in ten minutes.
W. Crompton, Esq. sworn, I saw Mr. Webster on the morning of the £7th of May, in the field ih which were the footsteps. We rode to Castle-Bromwich together. Mr, Webster compared his watch with mine; we perfectly agreed. Our watches were according to Birmingham time. We found our watches were fifteen minutes slower than Mr*ABRAHAM THORNTON.
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Rotton’s stable clock; the Birmingham clocks and those at Castle«*Bromwich differed fifteen minutes.
James White sworn. Examined by Mr. Reader? I remember seeing the prisoner near to Mr. Wheelwright's, in Castle-Bromwich, about twenty-five minutes past five on the morning'of the %7th of May; he was then on his road to his father's house, which was about half a mile distant.
William Coleman sworn. Examined by Mr. Rey-nolds. I live at Erdington. I am the grandfather of the unfortunate young woman who was found in the pit. She did not sleep at my house on the night of the dance. She resided with her uncle, at Langley.
Mr. Justice Holroyd, in summing up, observed to the Jury, that it was his duty to put them on their guard, that a just indignation to the heinousness of the crime charged against the prisoner, might not lead them to condemn, without proper evidence. He intreated them to lay aside all the prejudices that were so naturally, though so insensibly, imbibed without doors, and which especially arise in the mind, from the unfavourable situation in which a supposed criminal must necessarily appear. He hoped that they would, in retiring to consider of their verdict, come to a full determination to yield only to the force of truth. The counsel who had so ably and feelingly conducted the case on the part of the prosecution, pretended not to have produced any direct evidence of the prisoner at the bar being the perpetrator of this horrid murder; they inferred his guilt only from a variety of circumstances, which it now belonged to them to consider.
The Jury deliberated for a few minutes, and then returned a verdict of—Not Guilty.
The prisoner was then put to the bar a second time, and charged with committing a rape on the body of the said Mary Ashford; but the counsel on the part oLthe crown declining to offer any evidence, in support of this charge, the90	kirby’s wonderful museum.
Jury, under his Lordship’s directions, returned a verdict of— Not Guilty.
This interesting trial occupied the attention of the Court upwards of twelve hours and a half. The examination of witnesses, on the part of the crown, took up nearly eight hours and a half, and his Lordship’s summing up, about two hours. The prisoner, who seemed not in the least affected by his situation, is a short, but stout made man, and about twenty-five years of age. The prisoner is by trade a bricklayer, and, previous to the murder, resided with his father, a very respectable builder and farmer, of Castle-Bromwich. The Court w;as crowded to excess, during the'whole, of the day.
It is not our duty, nor can we be called on, to investigate a case that has already been judged, and decided in favour of the accused party; but must leave the evidence, as it appears on the trial, to the mature consideration of that public, who will impartially decide, whether Mary Ashford was a suicide, or Abraham Thornton a lustful murderer.
The primes of October 26, 1818, extracts from the Liverpool Courier, that Thornton, in attempting to go to America, in the ship Independence, was discovered, and the passengers unanimously refused to take their passage in the same ship with him; in consequence, he was obliged to find another conveyance—which took place soon afterwards.
UNCOMMON RESOLUTION.
On Wednesday, Aug. IS, 1817, Robert Grove and John Johnson, two workmen at the metal-mills in the dock-yard at Port-sea, had an altercation on some subject. After considerable provocation on the part of Grove, Johnson seizedBONES BECOMING PEEXIBLE.
91
an iron ladle, and gave Grove such a dreadful blow on the head as to fracture his skull; but what is most extraordinary, Grove continued at work until his face was so covered with blood that he could not see; he then deliberately washed himself, and walked to the surgery, where it was found necessary to remove part of the skull, which was forced in on the brain. His resolution did not even then forsake him, and he submitted quietly to the formidable operation of trepanning, without further complaint, than that the man holding him, occasionally hurt his leg, which, he said, was an unnecessary pain. After several pieces of bone had been removed from the brain, and his head dressed, he proposed walking home. Johnson has been discharged from the yard, and is in gaol, until the result of the accident is known.
Times, Aug, 20, 1817*

SUDDEN SINKING OF THE EARTH.
Petersburg!!, July 30, 1817.—The ground of a village, distant twenty-two versts from Abo, has sunk suddenly to the depth of many fathoms, and twelve peasants’ houses have been buried in a manner that no trace remains of their former position. A similar event happened at the same place, in the years 1755 and 1788. Among other unknown causes of this phenomenon, it is attributed to the situation of the village upon a swampy soil, and to a river which flow's beside it* It is not stated, whether any lives were lost.
Morning Post, Aug, 30, 1817*

BONES BECOMING FLEXIBLE.
In the Philosophical Transactions, No. 470, and Abridgment of Vol. VIII. p. 682, Mr. Sylvanus Bevan, F.R.S. communicates the following extraordinary case :92	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
The wife of one B. S. in the year 1738* was taken with a diabetes, with the usual symptoms; with a gradual wasting of the body, a hectic fever, with a quick low pulse, thirst, great pains in her shoulders, back, and limbs, and loss of appetite. She continued thus two years, much emaciated, though using the common medicines; at which time she was attacked with an intermittent, which soon left her; after which the diabetes gradually decreased, so that in a few months she was free from that disorder; but the pains of her limbs still continued. She recovered her appetite, breathed freely, and her hectic much lessened, though she had some appearance of it at times. About eighteen months since she had such a weakness and pains in her limbs, that if confined her to her bed altogether; and in a few months the bones in her legs and arms felt somewhat soft to the touch, and were so pliable, that they were bent into a curve; but, for several months before her death, they were as limber as a rag, and would bend any way, with less difficulty than the muscular parts of a healthy person’s leg, without the interposition of the bones. On April 12, 1742, she died, after a tedious illness, near the age of forty; and with the consent of her friends, Mr. B. had the curiosity to examine more particularly into the several matters before-mentioned. On raising the cutis, he found the membra adiposa much thicker than he expected in a person so much emaciated ; the sternum and ribs, with their cartilages, were very soft; and all the cartilaginous parts of the ribs, at their articulations, from the clavicle downwards,, were doubled over each other on the left side, about an inch. On raising the sternum, he found the lungs adhered very close to the ribs, for four or five inches on each side, but were more loose and flaccid than usual, and much less in size : her heart was of the common size. Upon viewing the liver, he found it at least a third part larger than common; and the spleen was'about 11 inch in the longest part, and | thick; the intestines were very much inflated. She had appearances of several anchy-*HUMAN BONES BECOME PLIABLE.
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loses formed in the small joints, viz. carpal and metacarpal bones ; but on laying them open, he found them only like a thin shell: the cartilaginous epiphyses of the bones were entirely dissolved, and no parts of the heads of the bones remaining, but an outside, not thicker than an egg-shell. On making incisions in her legs and arms, five or six inches long, he found the outer laminae of the bones soft, and become perfectly membranous, about the thickness of the peritoneum, containing, instead of a bony substance, a fluid of the consistence of honey, when it is thick, of a reddish colour, and not at all disagreeable to the smell. There was no appearance of any bones in the legs and arms, except near the joints, which work in part dissolved, and what remained were very soft, and full of holes, like a honeycomb; the bbnes of the head would also * easily give way to the pressure of the finger.
It is remarkable, that those parts of the bones that are the most compact and hard, were first dissolved, while their heads, which are spongy and soft, had not so entirely lost their substance. When she w7as in health, she was five feet high ; but after her death she was three feet seven inches in length, though all her limbs were stretched out straight, which is seventeen inches shorter than she was in her health.

A WONDERFUL ACCOUNT OF
HUMAN BONES
BECOMING SO VERY TENDER, AS TO BREAK, UPON ONLY TURNING IN THE BED, AND AFTERWARDS BECAME FLEXIBLE.
Of the most extraordinary case, perhaps, ever seen in this country, I have been an eye-witness to-day. It is of a poor labouring man’s wife, in the parish of Dallinghoe, near Wickham-market, in Suffolk, whose name is Mary94	KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM,
Bradcock, and from whom I received the following singular narrative : that in the severe winter of 1783, she was seized with pain in most of her limbs, which she attributed to cold and the rheumatism; when one day, walking across the house, she tripped her foot slightly against a brick, and was surprised to find her leg broken near the ancle. Before sh£ was perfectly recovered from this accident, she became pregnant; and growing weak and infirm, was assisted by her husband in getting out of bed, when her left thigh-bone snapped in pieces, without any other force than its own weight falling against his back. She was safely delivered by an experienced gentleman of the faculty; after which her left atm was fractured near the shoulder, by putting it over an assistant’s neck to get out of bed. This likewise formed a callus, and grew well. She then found her right thighbone broken, as she lay in bed, very high up near the hip, as it was also, some time after, lower down towards the knee. Her collar-bone has likewise separated without accident or violence. Her right arm has met with the same misfortune, by only lifting a pint bason off a table. She now lies with the third fracture of her right thigh, which happened last Sunday, from being gently raised in her bed, at or near the part by her knee before broken and callused. The bones are permitted to grow together in an irregular manner, with the assistance of bathing and bandage only, as an extension of her limbs would endanger breaking them into twenty pieces. So deplorable is this unhappy woman’s situation, that they dare not move her to make the bed, for fear of breaking her bones. She is thirty-two years of age, of a delicate make, lax fibre, fair complexion, and pale brown hair; has had eight children, and always lived a sober temperate life, and nevei’ took medicines of the mercurial, or any kind, but has generally enjoyed a fair state of health. There dues not appear any evident cause of this singular phenomenon. Before the bones break, she always complains of pain on the very spot several weeks, which keeps 4HUMAN BONES BECOME PLIABLE.
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increasing till they snap, and then goes off in a few days, and the bones unite in five, six, or seven weeks. She has now a fresh pain seized one arm, that she expects will ter«* minaie in a broken bone. This poor woman has had eight fractures within a year and a half, seven of which befel her in the last twelve months; and all without any external cause to attribute them to. The curious, humane, and charitable, have a singular opportunity-of exercising their philanthropy, by inquiring of Mr. Samuel Thompson, of Charsfield, who will direct them to this cottage of hopeless misery and want.
To prevent the disbelief that usually accompanies ano-nymous singularities, I take the liberty of signing my name and place.
W. GOODWIN, Surgeon,
August 5, 1785.	Earl Soham, Suffolk.
Gentleman'$ Magazine, September, 1785. p. 677.
A letter dated Wickham Market, December 26, 1786* says,—Mary Rradcock, of Dallinghoe, (whose case is related above) died on the 19th instant. I was sent for the next day, to examine the state of her bones, which were become soft and flexible, like cartilage; as I could with the greatest ease, bend her limbs into any shape. I removed a portion of the radius from her right arm, in which I included a part where a fracture had formerly been. The bone was become so soft, as to be divisible with ease by the knife. The part where the callus had formed, was equally soft and flexible with the other parts. This change in the bones has been mentioned and accounted for by the anatomists. The above unhappy sufferer has had several fractures since the publication of her case \ and at the time of her decease, was in the sixth month of her pregnancy.
Your’s, &c.	W. Salmon, Surgeon.
Supplement to Gent. Mag. 1786. p. 1141.96
kirby’s wonderful museum.
REMARKABLE TOKENS BEFORE DEATH*
Mr. Zachariah Pearce, aged 21, died at Cranbrook, Kent, October 17, 1786. The following remarkable occurrences are related as matters of fact, which can be attested by many persons in Cranbrook. Mr. W. Pearce, the father of the above Zachariah, died of a frenzy fever, November SO, 1785. Some time before he died, a small bird, of the dish-water kind, came often every day, and pecked hard against the chamber window where Mr. Pearce lay sick. The window was set open, to try if the bird would enter the room, but it did not; and means were used to catch it, but in vain. The bird continued to come and do the same, till Mr. Pearce died, and was buried, and then it ceased to return. Since the above Zachariah Pearce was taken ill, the same bird, or one of the like kind, frequented , bis chamber window, and continued to do so occasionally to the time of his death. A similar circumstance occurred in the same parish, about two years and a half before. These are real facts.
Something not dissimilar to this is related in one of HowelPs letters, dated July 1, 1684.	“ As I passed by St.
Dunstan’s, in Fleet-street, I stepped into a stone-cutter’s to treat with the master for a stone to be put upon my father’s tomb; and casting my eyes up and down, I espied a huge marble, with a large inscription upon it, which was thus, to the best of my remembrance:—
*	Here lies John Oxenham, a goodly young man, in whose chamber, as he was struggling with the pangs of death, a bird with a white breast was seen fluttering about his bed, and so vanished,
( Here lies also, Mary Oxenham, sister of the said John, who died the next day, and the same apparition was seen in the room.
*	Here lies, hard by, James Oxenham, the son of the said John, who died a child in his cradle, a little after, and suchSUBTERRANEAN FIRE.
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a bird was seen fluttering about his head, a little before he expired, which vanished afterwards.’
“ At the bottom of the stone there is—
€ Here lies Elizabeth Oxenham, the mother of the said John, who died sixteen years since, when such a bird with a white breast was seen fluttering about her bed before her death.’ “ To all these were divers witnesses, both squires and ladies, whose names were engraved on the stone. This stone was to be sent to a town hard by Exeter, where this happened.”	Gentleman's Magazine, 1786. p. 999»
A SUBTERRANEAN FIRE
DISCOVERED ON DIGGING A WELL.
At Antignac, a village in France, near Besiers, in Lower Languedoc, some workmen in digging a well, when they had reached the depth of about twelve yards, were surprised with a sudden explosion, and a gush of water that immediately followed. Frightened, they quitted their work till the noise abated; but on approaching the pit, and looking into it, they perceived one of their company lying motionless. His brother instantly descended in a bucket to bring him tip, but he too came up no more; a third ventured down, and then a fourth, with a rope fastened round the waist. Those who held the rope, perceiving his head droop, instantly drew him up; but it was fiiore than two hours before he recovered his senses. They then let down a cock in a bucket, and he came up with his feathers scorched, on the point of expiring. A cat was the next subject of experiment, and was almost instantly drawn up; she was in the same condition, singed, and almost lifeless. The three men who unfortunately perished, were drawn up by means of barbed hooks: their clothes were consumed, and their skins calcined. It is added, that a subterraneous npise continued, apd that vitrified matter has been drawn up, which it is supposed had been in a VOL. VI.	h<)8	kirby’s wonderful museum.
state of fusion. Chemists were at a loss to investigate the cause.	Gentleman's Magazine^ 1786. p. 899.
A LITTLE HORSE.
August 14? 1765- A little mare, only twenty-seven inches high, though between four and five years old, was presented to her Majesty by the Duke of Gloucester. It was brought from the East Indies, in the Medway, Captain Tinker, as a present to the Duke of Gloucester. She was remarkably well formed, of a dun colour, the hair somewhat resembling that of a young fawn, with a handsome long tail, mane, and foretop, the legs quite black. It is said this little animal was deemed so great a curiosity in the East Indies, that one of the nabobs offered a thousand pounds for her.
In November following, a little black horse, only thirty-three inches high, was landed at Newcastle from Shetland.
Annual Register, 1765, p. [117*
SMALL CATTLE.
January, 1760. A breed of bulls and cows are now in the neighbourhood of London, brought from the borders of the Gulph 6f Persia, whose stature, although at their full growth, is inferior to a Lincolnshire sheep. They have a large protuberance of fat upon their shoulders.
Annual Register, 1761. p. 59.
One of the same breed, or of no larger dimensions, was exhibited in London during the years 1812 and 1813, of a dark brown colour, and very broad horns.
DREADFUL EXPLOSION AT NOTTINGHAM, The following account of this awful visitation, on Monday, the 28th of September, 1818, by the carelessness of anDREADFUL EXPLOSION.
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individual, will, we trust, be ft warning to every one, not to joke in a similar way ; for by making a Jlash, the grains of powder being dropped, a train was made unperceived, which in a single moment precipitately destroyed so many human Jives, and made such havoc and devastation with property. This will fully appear, being the substance of the evidence given before the coroner’s jury, by Hezekiah Riley, captain of the boat which contained the powder, and who survived the explosion :—
a That the end of one of the barrels was out, and had been matted up ; that all the barrels were matted round, butt the wood-end of one of them had broken and let out thè powder, as this informant was carrying the barrel from the boat into the warehouse ; that thè dowels or peg fastenings, which bound the piece of the end together, had broken, and so loosened the end and let out the gunpowder ; that he never perceived the said end of the barrel to be defective, till he removed the barrel from the boat to the warehouse ; that on first setting down the barrel from the boat on the wharf, a considerable quantity of powder, as much as three or four pounds, fell on the wharf side, between the boat and the warehouse door. He does not know whether or not any of the powder fell from the barrel into the boat ; the barrels lay sidewise in the boat ; and the barrel in question was delivered from the boat to him on the wharf by Benjamin Wheatley; and this informant never saw any powder fall from the barrel until and except upon the landing-place of the wharf. That this examinant put back into the barrel the powder which so fell out, or as much of it as he could ; there might be a couple of ounces or so left amongst the dirt ; whether any had fallen into the boat or no, he cannot tell.” Riley having thus seen the powder, as he conceived, safely deposited, went away towards the counting-house : and Joseph Musson went across the wharf, to a boat, in which was Richard Alcock, William Bish, and Joseph Champion, and addressing himself to the former^ said—
h £100
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cc You’ve got a fire in your boat, I want a live cokeadding, “ Lads, Fm going to have a flash !” or words to that effect. Musson accordingly took an ignited coal, and carried it a great part of the way between two sticks; bat letting it fall, he took it up in his hands, and chucking it from one hand to the other, proceeded to the spot where the powder had been landed, and in a moment the whole exploded, and precipitated himself and nine others into eternity.
Numbers of men have been employed in the yard ever since the calamity happened, but the ruins are not yet all removed. The amount of damage it is impossible to calculate. The inquest was held on the bodies of the unfortunate sufferers, at the Navigation Inn, on Tuesday last, before Henry Enfield and Jonathan Dunn, Gents, coroners for the town; and after a very minute inquiry into the circumstances of the case, the verdict returned was, “ That they all did accidentally, casually, and by misfortune, to wit, by the explosion of a quantity of gunpowder, come to their several and respective deaths.”
In addition to the above, we find in the Nottingham Review of October % that the body of the unfortunate man who was the cause of the late dreadful accident, was blown across the canal and the hauling path, into the meadows, over what is called Tinker’s Leen, on the opposite bank of which, it appears as though his body first touched the ground: one of his legs was left fyere, while the other mutilated parts of his body were propelled with great violence along the ground, at least a dozen yards further, leaving a hideous track of blood and brains, pieces of skull and flesh, upon the grass, where his mangled remains had passed along. Benjamin Wheatley, aged twenty-eight, a single man, of Stoke' Bardolph, a boatman; George Hayes, of Trowell, a labourer to the company, aged twenty-five, who has left a wife and one child; and Job Barnes, aged thirty-six, of the Company’s House Stone Quarry, half a mile of this side Trowell, were found dead in Riley’s boat, theirDREADFUL EXPLOSION»
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bodies being dreadfully shattered. The latter has left a wife and five children in totally destitute circumstances; his eldest son lives with Mr. Alderman Wilson. Samuel Hall, of Bridge-street, in this town, a stonemason, was also in the boat at the time, and saw the powder fired; but the shock did not visit him so fatally, though he is very much hurt. The singular and remarkable preservation of this man, who is expected to recover, is attributed to his being at the moment stooping down for the purpose of removing some stones in the boat. He now lies in the General Hospital, where he has every assistance which that noble institution can furnish him. We now pass on to the other victims of this heart-rending catastrophe; and, perhaps, the first that claims our notice, is John Howell, a boy aged only eleven, the son of one of the book-keepers belonging to the concern, who resided at the house in the yard. This youth, like the rest of his fellow-sufferers, presented a horrid spectacle ; not a feature could be recognised. Their bodies, or rather trunks, were so mangled, that it was only by their clothes that their remains could he identified. About fifty yards east of the building, in a direct line from it, stood Mr. J. Pyatt, a respectable wharfinger of this town, who providentially escaped unhurt. He was at the moment calling to three of his men, and giving them directions about the loading of a cart they were drawing into the yard, one at the shafts, and two pushing behind. Being in a northerly direction, they fell victims to the blast, and they were driven with the utmost violence towards the large gates. Their names were John Seales, a single man, aged thirty, who lived at what is called the barracks, in High-cross-street; William Norman, living at the sajiie place, aged sixty, a widower, with no family dependent on him; and William Stevenson, or Steem-son, aged twenty-three, who had represented himself as coming from Leicester. The two former were killed on the spot, and the latter was so dreadfully hurt, that he was immediately taken to the Infirmary; he cried out several102
kirby’s wonderful museum.
times, u O my heart,” and died about six o’clock that evening.’ This man had only been three days, in Mr. Pyatt’s employ. The next subject of fatal misfortune whom we shall notice, is William Parker, aged only fifteen, the soil of a poor man living at Carlton, in this neighbourhood. This lad had an ardent desire to engage himself in a boat, and on Saturday se’nnight rose at an early hour to collect mushrooms, which he sold that day in Nottingham market, and with the produce bought some small articles of clothing, which he wanted, in order to fit him for his intended new employment. He came to Nottingham on Monday, to hire himself to go in Riley’s boat, and was standing at the moment of the accident on the wharf. The blast took him acfoss the canal and ha tiling-path, through the hedge into the meadows, and there his corpse was found most terribly disfigured. Thomas Baker, aged forty-two, forms the last of the shocking catalogue of ten, who are known to have been thus suddenly cut off by this dreadful stroke, and his case has some peculiar circumstances attending it. He was Mr. Richard Hooton’s maltster; but the regular waggoner being sick, was employed that day in attending to the waggon, and was with it standing at his horse’s head, when the building fell and crushed him and the shaft horse to death, as well as utterly demolishing the waggon. This man lias left a wife and five children; the eldest of the children is a girl aged sixteen, and there are four boys, the youngest only two years old.
Mr. Riley, who was going across the yard to the counting-house, was blown down; and Alcock, Champion, and Bish, three men in Mr. Simpson’s boat, where the fire was, were also blown down, but not materially injured. Mr. Richard Barrows, the owner of Riley’s boat, and the principal acting partner of the boat company, had been in the warehouse a few minutes before the explosion, and had sent Mr. Faubert, a book-keeper, on an errand ; and to a man of the name of Ashton, he gave orders to go into the wool-shed, across theDREADFUL EXPLOSION*	108
yard, and the latter was entering the door of the wool-shed when the building he had quitted blew up, Mr. Barrows also had just entered the counting-house when the glass flew out of the windows, and wounded him in the face; provi-» dentially he sustained no other injury. A principal corn-merchant in the town (Mr. Stainbank) had been in the warehouse till one o’clock, superintending the delivery of a large quantity of corn, and having been home to dinner, was returning again to the warehouse, when he was met in the street by a gentleman who detained him, and thus, providentially, his life was saved. Indeed, considering the extensive nature of the business transacted at these warehouses, we cannot refrain from thinking that the hand of Providence has been peculiarly manifest, in that the above catalogue of victims was not considerably enlarged.
A gentleman, crossing the meadows at the time, has expressed to us the surprise which filled his breast, when, on looking that way, he saw the whole building lifted up in the air to the height of several yards, and then burst asunder in innumerable fragments; the bricks, the beams, the slates, the packages, the bales, and the hogsheads, flying in uU dp rectipns, so that, literally, there is not one brick left upon another that is not thrown down. The stone floor of the warehouse where the powder stood has been forced into the ground a considerable depth. Huge pieces of timber and bricks were propelled several hundred yards, both north, south, and south-west. The property deposited in the warehouses consisted of oil, vitriol, paper, groceries, cotton, wool, and several thousand quarters of corn, some hundreds pf which had only been deposited there last Saturday ; many of these articles were entirely destroyed, and the remainder so injured, as to be comparatively of little value. Some parts of the mass of ruins were on fire, and two fire-engines were speedily brought down, and by their powerful agency extinguished the flames. Mr. Wilkes’s and Mr. Howell’s houses, within the walls, suffered most severely; the roofs104
kirby’s wonderful museum.
were much injured, the casements blown out, and not a pane of glass is left entire in either house. Mr. Wilkes was fortunately from home, on a journey ; Mrs. Wilkes was thrown with great violence from a table to the other side of the house, and the furniture has sustained considerable damage; the carpets, curtains, &c. were tom to ribands. But the dreadful effects of this catastrophe are by no means confined to the premises. Most of the buildings on the wharfs along the canal are partially unroofed, and more or less injured. In the north-west direction, Mr. Thomas Atherstone’s dye-houses and premises have suffered most severely in the win-^ dows, roofs, and furniture. Mr. Pyatt’s house, in Canal-street, as well as Miss Barnsdall’s, were much injured, the doors torn off, the casements blown out, the roofs damaged, &c. A view of the immediate neighbourhood of the wharf is truly distressing. There is scarcely a house that has escaped some trace of the desolating shock; and the windows, which are now boarded up instead of being glazed, give the houses a very peculiar appearance. Canal-street, Navigation-row, Finkhill-street, Chesterfield-street, Broad-marsh, Turncalf-allev, and Drury-hill, have suffered more than other places ; but the devastation reached the castle, where many panes were broken, as well as Standard-hill, where the mansion of Daniel and Samuel Freeth, Esqrs., as well as the Infirmary, bear evident marks of the violence of the concussion. Many panes of glass were broken in St. Nicholas’s church, at the back and front of the houses in Castle-gate, and even in the market-place, not only at the Exchange, but also on the Long-row. The shock was so violent in the shop of Mr. Bujffin, surgeon, Bridlesmith-gate, as to throw down and break some of his bottles; and panes of glass were forced out both at Wilford and at Sunton.J5¿bh\fhed' 7)1/	ŸJûi'ii/, .Tatemo.fO’rJio w,. 7/m r 93,1818.RENÉE BORDEREAU.
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ACCOUNT OF
TtENfcE BORDEREAU,
COMMONLY CALLED
LANGE VIN,
THE MILITARY HEROINE OF VENDEE.
[AS WRITTEN BY HERSELF.]
This celebrated heroine was born at the village of Sou-laine, near Angers, in the month of June, 1770, of poor, but honest, parents.
The insurrection of the royalists of Vendee, in the year 1793, brought to that country the armies of the republic, which ravaged and massacred, without mercy, wherever they came. Forty-two of her relations perished by their hands successively; but the murder of her father, before her eyes, so transported her with rage and despair, that from that moment, she took the resolution of devoting herself entirely to the king; and solemnly offering her soul to God, swore to avenge herself on his and her enemies, and to conquer or die.
Having formed this resolution, she immediately purchased a light musket, with double sights ; with this, she privately practised the art of loading, firing, and taking aim, marching by single files and in column, and diligently making herself acquainted with the military step, in all its divisions and directions. Being, as she now presumed, sufficiently taught, she purchased a suit of men’s clothes, and enrolled herself, together with about five hundred men of the parish, under the command of M. Coeur-de-Roi, a name which their commander had on this occasion assumed.
On joining this little band, she took the name of Hyacinthe, being that of her brother; but soon after, her comrades in arms designated her by the name of Langevin, which she ever after retained.
This second Joan of Arc, during a w^ar of six years, was engaged in above two hundred battles and sanguinary skir-
4106
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mishes, the most of which she fought on horseback, but at times quitted her horse and fought on foot, for the purpose of being nearer danger, and that, by her example, her comrades in arms might be encouraged to revenge and the combat. In battle, she always led the attack, and at all times solicited to be preferred to the most dangerous posts, which she never quitted, till compelled by wounds, or the toils and fatigues of the day. All the soldiers of Vendee were witnesses of her exploits—each of whom strove to emulate, but not one dared compete with her; they applauded, at the finish of the combat, the valour and bravery of the courageous Langevin, without ever suspecting that this example of loyalty and bravery was a woman. Her manners were as correct and pure, as her courage was enthusiastic and ardent. Her only ambition, and her sole passion, was warped in the triumph of religion and the re-establishment of her lawful and legitimate king. Even when Bonaparte had subdued the Vendeans, so fearful was he of Langevin being at liberty amongst them, that, after granting them a general amnesty, he excepted our heroine from being a partaker thereof, and fixed the vast sum of forty millions of francs on her head; this procured her arrestation ; when Bonaparte loaded her with irons, and consigned her to end her days in loathsome dungeons. In the dungeons of Angers she remained three years, and in that of Mount St. Michael, two years, where she was fed only with the coarsest of bread, and water which fell from the clouds, which she contrived to collect by means of a bason, was her drink. During these unparalleled hardships, her piety and fortitude never forsook her; her hopes nobly triumphed over the cruelty of her persecutors; and she still lived to regain that liberty, upon the restoration of the monarch for whose cause, in part, she had so long lost it.
While serving with her brave comrades in arms, a singular adventure detected her sex :•—The daughter of the Brigadier D^Argenton was violated—Langevin was suspected, accused,VALENTINE GREATRAKES.
107
arrested and thrown into prison, from whence she obtained her release, only by discovering her sex.
Renée Bordereau , is at this time (1818), in her forty-eighth year. About two years since she was presented to the present king, Louis XVIIL; but what remuneration she received from bis hands, her memoirs do not mention*

VALENTINE GREATRAKES,
FAMOUS FOR CURING ALL DISORDERS BY THE TOUCH OR STROKE OF THE HAND.
This extraordinary character was the son of William Greatrakes, Esq. of Affane, in the county of Waterford, by a daughter of Sir Edward Harris, Knt. one of the justices of the King’s Bench, in Ireland, in the reign of King Charles. He was bom at Affane, February 14, 1628, and received a classical education at the free school at Lismore, where he continued till he was thirteen years of age, when he returned home, in order to prepare himself for entering Trinity College, Dublin. At this time the rebellion broke out; owing to the then distracted state of the nation, he was obliged, with his mother, (who had several other small children) to fly for refuge into England, where they were relieved by his uncle, Mr. Edward Harris; after whose death, young Greatrakes was committed to the care of Mr. John Daniel Getseus, a German, and then minister of Stoke Gabriel, in the county of Devon, who for several years instructed him in theology, philosophy, &c. About the year 1644, he returned Jid his native country, but was sp exceedingly affected by the miserable and reduced state it was in, that he retired to the castle of Caperquin, where he spent a year in serious contemplation on the vicissitudes of state and fortune. In the year 1649> he became lieutenant in the regiment of Roger Lord Broghill, afterwards Earl of Orrery, then acting in Munster against the Irish and Papists;108
kirby’s wonderful museum.
but, upon the regiment being disbanded, (1656), he retired to his estate at Affane ; he was soon after appointed clerk of the peace for the county of Cork, and register for transplantation, and justice of the peace. About the year 1662, he began to conceive himself possessed of an extraordinary virtue, in being enabled to remove the king’s evil, or other diseases, by touching or stroking the parts affected, with his hand. This imagination he concealed for some time; but at last revealed it to his wife, who ridiculed the idea. Resolved, however, to make a trial, he began with one William Maher, who was brought to the house by his father, for the purpose of receiving some assistance from Mrs. Greatrakes, who was always ready to relieve the sick and indigent, as far as lay in her power. This boy was sorely afflicted with the king’s evil, but was, to all appearance, cured, by Mr. Greatrakes laying his hands on the parts affected. Several other persons having appeared to be cured in the same manner, of different disorders, he acquired considerable fame in his neighbourhood. But being cited into the bishop’s court at Lis more, and not producing a license for practising, he was prohibited from laying his hands on any person for the future; but he still continued to do so, till January 1665-6, when he came to England at the request of the Earl of Orrery, in order to cure the lady of the Lord Viscount Conway, of Ragley, in Warwickshire, of a continual violent head-ach. He staid at Ragley about a month, but failed in his endeavours to relieve this lady, notwithstanding he is said to have performed several miraculous cures in those parts, and at Worcester, and was sent for to Whitehall by his Majesty’s orders ; and is likewise said to have wrought many remarkable cures here in the presence of several eminent skilful persons. A declaration of his cures in Warwickshire, was published by Mr. Stubbe (who was witness), at Oxford, in 4to. in which the author maintained “ that Mr. Greatrakes was possessed of a peculiar temperament, as his body was composed of some particular ferments, the effluviaMARY TOFT.
109
whereof being introduced, sometimes by light, sometimes by a violent friction, restore the temperament of the debilitated parts, re-in vigórate the blood, and dissipate all the heterogeneous ferments out of the bodies of the diseased, by the eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet.” This publication was a “ Letter, addressed to the Hon. Robert Boyle, Esq.” who, in a private letter to the author, expressed his displeasure at being thus publicly addressed on such a subject, particularly as Mr. Stubbe endeavoured to shew that Mr. Greatrakes’s gift was miraculous. Mr. Glanville also imputed his cures to a sanative quality inherent in his constitution; and others (perhaps with greater probability) to the force of imagination in his patients. Mr. Boyle, having seen Mr. Greatrakes’s performances in April, 166*6, acknowledged his remarkable cures. This extraordinary man afforded much matter for the press, and various pamphlets were published pro and con; particularly one in 4to. and supposed to have been written by Mr. David Lloyd, reader, of the Charter-house, under the tide of u Wonders no Miracles; or, Mr. Valentine Greatrakes’s Gift of Healing examined, upon occasion of a sad effect of his stroking, March 7, 1665, at one Mr. Cressell’s house, in Charter-house-yard, in a letter to a Rev. Divine, living near that place.” This attack obliged Mr. Greatrakes to vindicate himself; and accordingly, he published a list of his u Strange Cures.” It is a fact, that this man’s reputation rose to a prodigious height, but latterly declined almost as fast, for the expectations of the multitude that resorted to him were not always answered.
MARY TOFT.
A short Narrative of an extraordinary delivery of seventeen Rabbits, from Mary Toft, of Godaiming, in the county of Surrey, performed by Mr. John Howard, surgeon, of Guildford, assisted by Mr. St. Andref sur-110
kirby's wonderful museum.
geon and anatomist to his Majesty. To which is added, An exact Diary of what was observed during a close at-> tendance upon the Rabbit Breeder, from Monday, November <iS, to Wednesday, December 7, 17£6, by order of his Majesty. With an account of her confession of the fraud, at Lacey's Hotel, Leicester Square. By Sir Richard Manningham, Knt. Fellow of the Royal Society, and of the College of Physicians, London.
The following extraordinary narrative of Mary Toft, occupied the attention of the whole community at the time* equal to Ann Moore, or Joanna Southcott; and when the names of such respectable surgeons are accompanied with the tale, the public are more easily led astray, and an imposition not so soon detected, thereby numbers of well-meaning and charitable people are duped of their money:—
“ Whatever may be the fate of this account, I think myself indispensably obliged to relate the facts that I saw and transacted myself, as also the reasons which first induced me to inquire into the truth of such an extraordinary event; but I here declare, that I take on me no other part of this narration, than that in which I was actually concerned.
“ As Mr. Howard himself intends shortly to publish the whole account, and prove every circumstance of it, by such evidences as will put this matter out of all possibility of, doubt, I must refer to him for several particulars here omitted.
“ And as it will be impossible to judge impartially of this fact, till the evidences above mentioned are produced, it cannot be doubted but all such persons as are not governed by prejudice, or some worse motive, will suspend their judgment till these facts come to their knowledge by a more certain way, than by flying reports and conjectures.
“ The first intelligence which I received of this matter, was on the 5th instant, when I saw a very particular account, taken the 4th instant, at Guildford, by Mr. Davenan.t, ofMARY TOFT.
Ill
a womein living at Godaiming, lately delivered of five rabbits, by Mr. John Howard, surgeon, at Guildford, in Surrey, a man of known probity, character, and capacity, in his profession, who has practised midwifery for above these thirty years.
“ This account was again confirmed by two letters from the said Mr. Howard, directed to Mr. Davenant, the first dated November the 6th, four o^clock in the afternoon; the substance of which is, that from the 4th instant to the 6th, he had delivered the woman of three more rabbits ; that the last of them had leaped within her for the space of eighteen hours before it died, and that the moment it was taken away, another was perceived to struggle for birth. The second is dated November 9> and is here transcribed verbatim —
c Sir,—Since I wrote to you, I have taken or delivered the poor woman of three more rabbits, all three half grown, one of them a dun rabbit; the last leaped twenty-three hours before it died. As soon as the eleventh rabbit was taken away, up leaped the twelfth rabbit, which is now leaping. If you have any curious person that is pleased to come post, he may observe another leap within her, and shall take it from her if he please; which will be a great satisfaction to the curious. If she had been with child, she has but ten days more to go; so I do not know how many rabbits may be behind; I have brought the woman to Guildford for better convenience.
* I am, Sir, your humble servant,
i John Howard.
* If you send a person, let him bring a letter from you/
“ These letters, with others to persons of distinction in town, which all agreed with the above-mentioned, were sufficient to make me desirous of being convinced personally of a fact, of which there was no instance in nature. Accordingly, on the 15th instant, I attended the Hon. Mr. Moly-neux, secretary to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, 1Î12
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who was inclined to inquire into the truth of this extraordi* nary case, and desired me to go with him to Guildford. We arrived there about half an hour after two in the afternoon. We sent to Mr. Howard, who came to us immediately, and told us that the woman was actually in labour of the fifteenth rabbit. We had not been at his house long, before the nurse, who attends the woman, came to call Mr. Howard to her, she being then in one of her labour pains.
“ She was lodged over against Mr. Howard’s house. We found her dressed in her stays, sitting on the bed-side, with several women near her. I immediately examined her, and not finding her prepared for her labour, I waited for the coming on of fresh pains, which happened in three or four minutes, at which time I delivered her of the entire trunk, stripped of its skin, of a rabbit of about four months growth, in which the heart and lungs were contained, with the diaphragm entire. I instantly cut off a piece of them, and tried them in water; they seemed but just specifically lighter than it, and Mr. Molyneux pressing them to the bottom, they rose again very slowly ; the heart was very large, and its foramen ovale entirely open; the lungs were remarkably small, and of a much darker colour than commonly the lungs are of such raibbits, who have breathed for some time. No person but myself touched her, from the first time that I had examined her, to the time of her being delivered by me. Her pains were pretty smart, and lasted for some minutes. They went off the moment she was delivered, and she seemed cheerful and easy; walked by herself from the bedside to the fire, and sat on a chair, where I examined her: there were some inequalities, but more sensibly felt on .the right side, which made me conjecture that the rabbits were bred in those tubes, and only came down when they gave her those agitations, which, according to the account of Mr. Howard, and of several other persons, were sensibly felt many hours before their exclusion.
“ As there w as no blood nor water that issued after I hadHARY TOFf;
113
delivered her, I again examined her, and found her not in the least inflamed or lacerated.
“ Upon examining her breasts, I found milk in orie df them, but only a little yellowish serum in the other.
Her pulse was regular, but somewhat low ; her tongue florid. She informed us, that in the intervals of her labour-pains, she was tolerably easy, and had no inclination for any sort of food but beef.
“ Abput two hours after we had left her* they came again to call Mr. Howard, she being at that time in violent laboür-pains ; but he and myself were gone to see the mayor, who was then ill. The nurse that attended her had delivered her, before our return, of the lower part of a male rabbit, which we found to tally with the trunk; which I had before extracted. This w^as also stript of its skin, and completely perfect in all its parts.
“ In the rectum of this animal, which remained affixed to the' body, we found five or sk> pellets> much of the same colour and consistence as the common dung of a rabbity little bodies, like dried fragments, being matted together with a mucous matter.; The like was observed in some lother parts of those rabbits, which had come away before. In the other bowels there wras a dirty coloured mucus, of the nature of that which is constantly found in the bowels of all foetus animals, and which in those that void their excrements in pellets, is commonly hard and dry; butthe matter in the guts of the first animal was of an entire different kind, colour, and substance, from any of the rest, this being like ^ittle, filaments of an animal substance. In the middle of the gut ilium of this i creature, I found a very slender, brittle, white body, of the length of half an inch, which in shape was like a very small fish-bone.
“ Between six and seven the same evening, we again visited her; wre had not been there long, before she fell into violent Jabour-pains, insomuch that four or five persons could hardly confine her to an arm-chair. As soon as the violence of
VOL. vi.
i114	*urbv*s Fonder FU £ siuseu^.
the first pain was somewhat abated, I examined her as be* fore. I constantly stood before her, nor did any person Whatsoever touch her, during that period. After three or four very strong pains, that lasted several minutes, I delivered her of the skin of the above-said rabbit, rolled and squeezed up like a ball^ without the least moisture or blopd about it ; upon which she recovered of her pain.
“ From that time I did not stir from before her, nor did Ï Withdraw my htfhd, but to deliver the skin io a stander by* About ten minutes after* as near as I can judge, she again fell into labour-pains* though more sudden and short than the former \ at which time I again delivered her of the head of the rabbit with the fur on it, part of one of the ears being torn off, also without any blood or moisture. And as to these two deliveries, and particularly as to the circumstances of the latter* Mr. Molyneux having drawn up an account of this whole affair, for his own private satisfaction, immediately Upon our return to London, I beg leave to refer, for the conviction he had of the truth thereof, to that account* which I have his leave to say, he will communicate to any gentleman that is desirous to peruse it.
“ After this she soon grew easy* and Mr. Howard gave her t sleeping draught*
u About ten in the evening, we saw the woman for the last time, she being then in bed. Having examined her, I found only those lumps* which still wrere in the same place, as before mentioned*
“ Between the times of visiting the woman, we examined the several rabbits, which w^ere all kept separate in distinct |70ts, with spirits of w-ine, in the < order that they were brought away.
“ The first animal did not appear to be a perfect rabbit in all its parts, three of the feet being like the paws of a cat ; the stomach and intestines like those parts in the same animal, as also the shape and figure of the thorax ; the lungs and heart of which were entirely out of their natural situa-MARY TOFT*
113
tioii> and sqüéezed out between the upper ribs and vertebrae Of the neck, to which parts they strongly grew and adhered; The lungs of this creature, had they been placed in their natural cavity, would not have filled aboVe a sixth part of it. The bones of this creature being also so different iri substance and structure, frdm those of common rabbits, the head and one paw only excepted*
u All the other thirteen animals were, in every particular, like well formed, common, natural rabbits, from the size of two months’ growth to four. They were all broken in pieces, and much in the same manner. I shall describe these pieces in the order that Mr. Howard told us they had commonly been brought away. First the fore paws with the fur on; then the liver and intestines; the trunk and shoulders iri another part. In three or iotir animals the loins separated from the os sacrum; and in the rest, the ischium and thighs in one piece, with the loins : the head with its fur, and lastly the skin.
a When all these several parts were put together Su their proper order, they manifestly made up, and appeared to be* long to the above-mentioned animals ; but the viscera were wanting in four or five of them. One remarkable circumstance is, that most of these animals were females, as far as I could judge.
u The heart and liver of those which we examined, appeared inuch larger than usual, when compared with the lungs and intestines which belonged to them; which, on the contrary, Were-extremely small* The coecum and colon, which are remarkably large in rabbits, appeared not to exceed in big* hess the other intestines, and the spiral structure of the coecum was not yet unfolded; the stomach Was in like manner much contracted, and its pylorus very straight and narrow* I could not discover, in any of the livers that I examined, the ductus venosus, nor the implantation of the umbilical vein in that organ*
\ 8ilô	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
“ I opened three or four of thehearts, and found in every one of them the foramen ovale, and the ductus arteriosus* fully open, the two trunks of the descendant cava united at the right auricle of the heart, agreeable to that structure which is peculiar to natural rabbits, and some few other animals.
“ The flesh of these creatures, particularly of that which I extracted, had the smell of rabbits just killed; and the substance of their bones were, in all respects, like the bones of foetus rabbits ; in several of them thè epiphyses were separated from the bones themselves.
All the heads which I examined had their complete lium-ber of teeth, four cut before, and ten grinders on each side; but they appeared not in the least worn nor strained, as the teeth of other rabbits are by mastication.
“ The nails of the paws were most ©f them exceedingly sharp.
“ The skins were all produced, being dressed in alum; they were of several colours, as to their fur, which was considerably long> and in one particularly (which was the fifth rabbit), that part which covered the head was curled.
“ The rabbit which I extracted, weighed twenty-one ounces avoirdupois, making an allowance for one of the paws not yet come away, and part of the viscera that was lost.
“ From all these considerations, I was fully convinced, that àt the same time that the external appearance of these animals was exactly like such creatures, as must inevitably undergo the changes that happen to adult animals, by food and- air, they Carried within them the strongest marks of foetuses, even by such parts as cannot exist in an adult, and ¿without which a foetus cannot possibly be supposed to iivèéi This^t I think; proves, in the strongest terms possible, that thèse animals were of a particular kind, and not bred in ¡a natural way ; /nor will there ;be any doubt remaining (even with the least knowing in these matters), when those parts which are subservient to the circulation of theMARY TOFT.
117
blood, and nourishment between an adult creature and its foetus are brought away ; which I am fully satisfied must shortly happen, or, if retained, be the cause of this woman’s death.
*( All these facts were verified before his Majesty, on Saturday, November^), by the anatomical demonstration of the first, the third, fifth and ninth of these animals, which were compared with the parts of two natural rabbits, the one of the age of four months, the other of five days, Dr. Steiger-thal and Dr. Tessier being present.
fi I shall, with all convenient speed, publish the anatomy of these preternatural rabbits, with their figures taken from the life, and compared with the parts of rabbits of the same growth, that the difference before-mentioned may be fully understood.
€t In the mean while, I shall relate what appeared in the dissection of two rabbits, which I performed in the presence of Mr. Molyneux, the very day that he returned from Guildford ; the one was of four months’ growth, and much of the size of that which t had taken from the woman, the other was barely fifteen days old. The lungs of the larger were, as nearly as I can judge, twenty times bigger in capacity than those of the preternatural one, and the lungs of the smaller were at least eight times the bigness of the fore-mentioned; both these were exceedingly different in colour and consistence, from those of the preternatural rabbit.
“ The foramen ovale of the smaller rabbit was more than two thirds open, and that in the larger was so far closed, as but just to admit a very small probe.
“ As to the stomach' and intestines, the difference was so notoriously great from those we had examined, that even in the sucking rabbit, the stomach and coeeum were at least three times larger than those parts in the preternatural ones.
■	“ I shall give no other account of the woman, than what I
think pertinent to this subject. By the several questions which I put to her, I was informed that she was born andUS	kikby’s wonderful museum,
bred at Godalmmg. She seemed to be of a healthy, strong constitution, of a small size, and fair complexion; of a very stupid and sullen temper; she can neither write nor read. She has been married about six years to one Joshua Toft, jun, a poor journeyman clothier at Godaiming, by whom she has httd three children. The account she further gave of her* self, was, that on the 23d of April last, as she was weeding in a field, she saw a rabbit spring up near her; after which she ran with another woman that was at work just by her; this set her a longing for rabbits, being then, as she thought, five weeks gone with child ; the other woman perceiving she was Uneasy, charged her with longing for the rabbit they could not catch; but she denied it. Soon after another rabbit sprung up pear the same place, which she endeavoured likewise to catch, The same night she dreamed that she was in a field with those two rabbits in her lap, and awaked with a sick fit, which lasted till morning; from that time, for above three months, she had a constant and strong desire to eat rabbits; but being very poor and indigent, could not procure any, JUbout seventeen weeks after her longing, she was taken with violent cholic pains, which ipade her to miscarry. Three weeks after this, she was again taken in the same way, Notwithstanding these accidents, she did not perceive heir self to grow less, but continued with the symptoms of a breeding woman; insomuch, that in the beginning of September, as she was working in the hop-ground, the milk flowed profusely from her breasts; and as she had children before, she thought she felt very differently from what she used tp dp. That on the 27th pf September last she was taken very ill in the night, and sent for her mother-in-law, whq is a midwife, and a neighbouring woman ; at which time she was relieved of somewhat, which she took to be the inside of 3 pig, which her husband carried to Mr. Howard, who some days after came to her and delivered her of some parts of the animal first mentioned. After a fortnight she ^ap churched, and thought all was over with her. She toldMARY TOFT.
119
ine that her husband had not cohabited with her, from the time of her first miscarriage. The account Mr. Howard gave, was, in every material circumstance, the same with the woman’s relation. He said, the inside (as he thought) of a rabbit were brought to him, but he never knew or heard of the woman or her friends till then; and that at first he took this to be intended as an imposition upon him ; but was at last with much persuasion prevailed on to go to assist her at Godalrning; that he did accordingly deliver her of part of the first rabbit: that he attended her at Godalrning till she was delivered of the ninth rabbit: but that it being very inconvenient to attend her there, which made him neglect all his other business, he had brought her to Guildford for better convsniency.
a Mr. Howard further related, that when she was delivered of one rabbit, another was immediately felt, struggling with such violence, that the motion thereof could be sensibly felt and seen. That this motion has sometimes been so strong as to move the bed-clothes, and that it has lasted for twenty, and above^ thirty hours together. This particular fact was unanimously agreed on, and attested by most of the people at Guildford, who have had the curiosity to go to see her, and was confirmed to Mr. Molyneux and myself by above ten different persons, who all seemed to be indifferent in this matter.
“ Mr. Howard further told me, that during this motion, she was always free from pain, and cheerful; but that immediately upon the ceasing of it, she^rew sick, and soon began to perceive her labour pains drawing near; that upon her first pains, the bones of the animal were sensibly heard to snap, and break, by the violent convulsive motions of her pains. This last circumstance was likewise related by the same person that attested the former.
“ On Wednesday, the 23d instant, I set out again for Guildford, with Mr. D’Anteny, being resolved to bring the woman to town, if there was any further prospect of more rabbits. We arrived there at one in the afternoon, and we found Mr.120	kirby’s wonderful museum.
Howard standing at bis door, whp told us that she had been delivered of two more rabbits since i had seen her, and that he hoped all was over, as he did not perceive in the uterus any motion as usual. I visited her several times thaIt day, and proceeded in every respect as before ; her pains, which, when I saw her the first time were mixed with intervals of quiet and rest, now were constant and fixed on her right side ; fier pulse was more irregular; she described her pain as if very cqarse brown paper was tearing from within her. Toward eight o’clock that evening she voided a piece of one of the membranes of a placenta, rolled up like parchment; when it was extended, it measured about six inches over. The next morning, as I was packing up some of the rabbits to bring to town with me, Mr. Howard was sent for over, and Mr. D’Anteny, Dr. Hampe, and myself attended him. We found her in exquisite torture, and after seven or eight minutes, she was again disburdened of a membrane, in structure, shape, and size, exactly like the former. This was the first part that I saw come from her with some effusion. She did not seem in the least relieved after this operation? her pulse continued irregular, and her tongue white.
“ Mr. Ahlers having been at Guildford, by his majesty’s order, (as Mr. Howard told us) to inquire into the truth qf this fact, was fujly convinced of it, as he himself declared, having assisted the greatest part of Sunday, the 20th instant, at the delivery qf some of the 16th rabbit, which he brought to town with him. But as on this occasion his behaviour has been represented here different from what it was at Guildford, I cannot better vindicate tliat gentleman’s character, than by subjoining the following affidavits, which were taken in the presence of Mr. D’Anteny, apd Doctor Hampe, And that the truth, so far as it relates tq this point* may be known, I think he is strictly obliged, in justice to the public, forthwith to give an account of \vhat he saw and transacted there, as I here have done.	N. St« Andre,
f London, Monday, Noy. 28, 1726.”MARY TOFT.
J£1
*	1 have carefully read the above narrative. Whether the animals mentioned therein were preternaturally produced in this woman, or that a fraud is practicable in this case, I do not take upon me to say : gentlemen, who are sufficient judges, will determine that matter upon proper evidence; I cjm only certify, that I did draw up a relation, as is above-mentioned, which, in the most material circumstances of fact* agrees with this narrative; and I can further affirm, that I did not perceive the least circumstance of fraud in the con* duct of this affair while I was at Guildford.
‘ Nov. 29, 1726.	S. Molyneux.’
*	John Howard, of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, surgeon, maketh oath, that on Sunday the 20th day of this instant month of November, at or about ten o’clock in the morning, he, this deponent, was called home to á person who told him his name was Ahlers; that he was come to see Mary Toft; that he was ordered by liis majesty to attend her till all was over; and that he was surgeon to his majesty’s German household. And this deponent saith, that at that very time the nurse of the said Mary Toft came tp acquaint this deponent, that the said Mary Toft was in labour: and thereupon this deponent carried the said Mr. Ahlers over to her with him, and having touched her in his presence* desired him to examine her, for that he found all things ready for a delivery. That Mr. Ahlers did accordingly examine ; but tfiis deponent finding that he did not hasten her delivery, nor that he proceeded as one who understands midwifery should do, this deponent directed him how to proceed in the extraction, which after some time Mr. Ahlers effected, ^having brought away the Joins and inferior parts of a rabbit, of about }hree months growth. That after this Mr. Ahlers told this deponent, and all the persons present, that lie was fully satisfied, and convinced of the truth, and that he could have no doubts after such proofs. That at the same time he gave the pypm^n a guipea, expressing great satisfaction, and promising180	kirby’s wonderful museum.
that he would procure her a pension from his majesty : that he repeated the same things to Mr. Thomas Howard in this deponent's presence, nor did he offer any objections or doubts to them. That some time after Mr. Ahlers desired to touch the woman again; but as at the time before he had put her to a great deal of unnecessary pain, this deponent desired him to forbear. That some time after Mr. Ahlers said he was not well, and that he must hasten back to Lon*? don. That this deponent pressed him to stay, that he might assist at the bringing away the remainder of the rabbit, but could not prevail on him ; and soon after he accordingly set out for London, although it was almost dark.
4 John Howard.
* Jur. vicésimo quinto die Novembris
Anno Reg. Regis Geo. Sfc. 13, AnnoDom. 1726, coram 4 Jos. Burtt, Mayor.
4 James Cljffton.*
4 Mary Toft, the wife of Joshua Toft, of Godaiming, in the county of Surrey, clothworker, and Mary Costen, nurse to the said Mary Toft, severally make oath, That Mr. Ahlers declared it was wonderful, people would not believe a fact that was so true as this appeared to him, and the said Mary Toft saith, that Mr. Ahlers examined her breasts, and found
inille ip one of th§ip,,
* The mark of Mary J Toft.
^Themarkof Mary x Costen,
Í Jur. Die et Anno supradict. coram f Jos. JJurtt, Mayor. f James Cliffton.’
* Elizabeth Helmes, of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, Widow, maketli oath, That on Sunday, the twentieth day gf this instant November, at about four in the afternoon, ffhe asked Mr. Ahlers, who dined then at her house, bearing the sign of the White Hart, whether he believed this ac*^ 5MARY TOFT.
m
count; and that his answer was, That he fully did believe it. To which this deponent replied, Then I hope, Sir5 you will convince a great many unbelievers, when you return to Lon* don, as some other gentlemen have already done; to which he said he should, as this deponent apprehended.
6 Eliz. Helmes,
f Jfur. vicésimo quinto die Novembris, e jin. Reg. Regis Geo. &c. 13, Anno Domini 1726, coram * Jos. Burtt, Mayor.
■ * Jam$s Cljffton.’
*	Olive Sands, the wife of John Sands, of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, saddler, maketh oath. That she was constantly in the room on Sunday, the twentieth instant, with Mr. Aiders, from eleven in the morning to three in the after* noon. That Mrs. Helmes called him to dinner, that during the whole time the woman was in violent labour, and that he did not leave her, in all that time, but to go to dinner, That this deponent sawr Mr. Ahlers examine the woman’s breasts, and found milk in one of them, and that she heard him say he was ordered by his majesty to attend the said woman, Mary Toft, till it was all over. And further saith, that the said Mr. Ahlers said he would endeavour to get the woman a pension from his majesty, or words to that effecf, op his seeming satisfied of the misery the woman underwent.
< Olive Sands,
t Jur. Die et Anno supmdictf poram ‘Jos. ButyTT, Mayor.
4 James Cliffton.*
*	Thomas Howard, of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, surgeon, maketh oath, That on Sunday, the twentieth'day of this instant month of November, this deponent went to see the poor miserable woman, Mary Toft, about three of the clock in the afternoon, where he fecund in her chamber one Mfv Ahlers, a surgeon, who told this deponent he was CQing124	kirby’s wonderful museum,
to see her the said woman, and that he was ordered by his majesty to attend her till ’twas all 9ver. That the said Mr. Ahlers himself, in the aforesaid chamber, shewed this deponent the loins and inferior parts of a rabbit, which, he told this deponent, he extracted. That this deponent asked him what his opinion was in this case; to which he answered, and told this deponent, he was fully convinced and satifed. That after this, deponent was with him at the White Hart Inn, in Guildford, and there Mr. Ahlers repeated part of what he had said before. That this deponent there pressed him very much to stay all night, to take away all the rest of the parts of the aforesaid rabbit: upon which he said he had a giddiness, and a turning round in the head, with a pain on his neck and shoulders, and a soreness of his throat, which made him very uneasy, and that he was resolved to go back to London. That the said Mr, Ahlers gave the woman money, and told her he would procure her a pension, and so took his leave of her. And this deponent saith, that the said Mr. Ahlers went from Guildford about five o’clock in the afternoon. i	Tho. Howard.
f Jur. vicésimo séptimo die Novembris,
* Anno Reg. Regis Geo. &c. 13, Anno Domini 1726, corani
< Jos. Burtt, Mayor.
* James Cliffton/
AN E£ACT DIARY, &C.
On Sunday evening, the 27th pf November, 1726, Mr. St. Andre, anatomist to his majesty, having received an express from Mr. John Howard, surgeon and man-midwife in Guildford, giving him an account that another rabbit was then leaping in Mary Toft, sent me notice of it by letter, about eleven o’clock the same night, desiring withal that I wrould keep at home, and he would call upon me some time that night, iii order to carry me with him to Guildford.
I sat up till two ih the morning waiting for him, and thenMARY tOFT.
Sent my servant to his house, desiring to be excused, for I was then going to bed; my servant returned before I was got into bed, and told me Mr. St. Andre would be with me presently, and desired I would not go to bed.
Accordingly, between three and four in the morning, he and Mr. Limborch, a German surgeon and man-midwife, came to my house ; and Mr. St. Andre told me he had been at Kensington since he wrote to me, and desired me to go immediately with him to Guildford ; adding, that it was his majesty’s pleasure that I should go and see this Godaiming woman so much talked of, and after a strict examination, to make my report concerning her.
Immediately, we set out together for Guildford about four in the morning, and arrived there a little after twelve at noon : we stopped at Mr. Howard’s house, who being out of town, we went directly over the way to the house wherè Mary Toft (the woman said to be delivered of seventeen rabbits) then lodged.
I found her in bed, and after asking her several questions in the presence of Mr. St. Andre, Mr. Limborch, and several women and midwives, I proceeded to examine her. She appeared by no means like a woman with child ; her right side, indeed, was somewhat1 bigger than the left^ with a hardness across it, which, when I pressed, she said it gave her pain.
I afterwards diligently searched her; and was well* assured at that time all was clear from imposture.
* While I was thus examining, I applied my other hand at different times to the several parts of her body; but feeling no motion all this while, I inquired of the women then present how long it was since the rabbit leapt (as they termed it) and1 whether they were of opinion it was now dead ; to which they answered, the last time it leapt was about òhe in the morning.
I left her for that time, and did not visit her again till about five i*n the afternoon, jointly with Mr. John Howard, her sur-ÎCIRËV*S WONUERFÜt MÜSËUM*
geon, when I again examined her in like manner as before, ünd asking Mr, John Howard, whether he then thought the rabbit Was dead ? He answered, he could not exactly tell, but had lately observed, if hot cloths were applied, the rabbit (if alive) would leap again; upon which, I immediately or* dered cloths to be made very hot, and applied them myself, beitig very desirous to feel that leaping motion they so much talked oh Upon applying of the first cloth, the motion began, which they called the leaping up of the rabbit; it was indeed a motion like a sudden leaping of something within the right side, where I had before felt that particular hard* ness.
The 'motions were Various, sometimes with very strong throes, especially on the right side ; at other times, with sudden jerks and riisiags, and tremulous motions and pant* ings, like the strong pulsations of the heart; and as I sat on the bed, in company with five or six women, it would sometimes shake us all very strongly : the whole appeared to me very different from any convulsive or hysteric motion I had ever met with before.
We then left the woman, and Mr. Howard parted from us, Mr. St. Andre, Mr. Limborch, and myself went to the White Hart Inn ; but within less than an hour, Mr. John Howard brought us, wrapt in a paper, a piece of membrane, Which he said he had just taken from the woman, and shewed it us. I told him he ought to have sent for me, that I might have taken it away myself, being come down for that pur* pose ; to which he replied, ?twas true ; but he believed there was more to come, which I should take away, before I returned to London, or to that effect. Upon examining the membrane which he brought, it appeared to me like a piece of bladder ; but he insisted it was a part of the chorion, and that he ha4 more of it at home : upon which, I walked with him to his house, to see the rabbits and membranes, which he said he had taken from the woman, and preservedin spirit© of wine.mary tom.
12?
Mr. John Howard asked me to go with him and see one of his patients iriio was very ill ; adding, he believed it would be some time before any more membranes Would come ; and having left orders to be sent for so soon as the woman’s pains came on, we forthwith went thither, and from thence to Mr. Castle’s, at the Priory, where we met Mr. Thomas Howard, his brother, and several gentlemen of the neighbourhood.
About eight in the evening, a messenger came to us from the woman, and told us she was in pain : we went immediately, and I found her sitting in a great chair by the fire-side ; I asked her if she was then in pain, she answered—no; but that she had some sharp pains just before I came in : I presently took from her, and upon examining it, confess I was much surprised, it appearing to me so like a piece of hog’s bladder, that I was not able to form any other judgment of it, as I then told Mr. Howard, Mr. St. Andre, Mr. Limborch, and all that were there present.
The woman, Mary Toft, from whom I had taken it, seemed much concerned at what I said, and cried. I asked her the reason of her crying, to which she gave me no answer ; but the women about her said, it was because she supposed Î thought her a cheat*
I asked for a hog’s bladder, and they presently brought one fresh blown up, which, it seems, they had in the house ; this Udded to my jealousy. Then I compared the membrane which I took from the woman with the hog’s bladder, and could perceive no difference but in the thickness, in which the bladder somewhat exceeded the membrane ; they had both the same strong urinous smell, peculiar to a hog’s bladr der. I still insisted I should not be satisfied as to that affair.
Mr. John Howard and Mr. St. Andre bid me have a little patience, and I should soon be fully satisfied. I still urged the similitude of the membrane to a hog’s bladder, requiring them to tell me what they themselves thought it did most resemble ? Both of them agreed, nothing looked more like ai£g	KIREY*S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
hog’s bladder than it did ; and Mr. St. Andre added, that had he not .actually delivered the woman of par# of a rabbit—i this circumstance would also induce him to believe the whole a fraud.
The same evening, Mary Toft had several pains like labour-pains while I sat before her, which I believe w as full three hours, and I was all that time in expectation of receiving something from her; the pains were sometimes very pressing, but they went off again suddenly.
When we returned from the, woman to the White Hart, I told them ^gain, that the more I considered the thing, the more strongly I vvas convinced that the membrane I took from the woman, was really a piece of hog’s bladder, artfully conveyed there.
Upon this, very warm disputes arose amongst us, and Mr. St. Andre urged it was not more surprising, than that rabbits should come from her, adding, that he was convinced of that truth by examining the rabbit he had taken from her, which at the same time had the exact external appearance of animals, like such creatures as must inevitably undergo the changes that happen to adult animals by food and air; and that they carried within them the strongest marks of foetuses, even by such parts as cannot exist in an adult, and without which a foetus cannot possibly be supposed to live, or to that effect. This he thought proved in the strongest terms possible, that these animals were of a particular kind, and not bred in a natural way, saying, Why therefore might not this membrane, which looks like a hog’s bladder, come also the same way r from whence he verily believed that it did, and that it might be part of the chorion; to which Mr. Howard an^ Mr. Limborch assented*
After this dispute, and at their joint desire, I determined to make no public mention of this affair till I had seen the event of the whole transaction, or had fresh reason to suspect a fraud, lest by such an alarm I should rather obstruct than forward the finding out the truth. 1 then marked the mem*MAETY TOFT.
brane which I took from her, by cutting a small part of it, which I brought with me to London.
Tuesday, the 29th, we brought Mary Toft to London with us, and lodged her at Mr. Lacey’s bagnio in Leicester Fields : I sat up with her ail that night; she often had the motion on the right side, and sometimes very strongly.
Wednesday, the 30th, the motion was more faint, and she passed the night tolerably well. Some time that day, I told Mr. Douglass what I had observed at Guildford, and took out of my pocket-book the piece of membrane, which I called a piece of hog’s bladder, and shewed it him, and asked his opinion ; he said it looked like a piece of hog’s bladder, and added, Surely this must be a cheat, or to that effect. The same day I told the story of the hog’s bladder to his Grace the Duke of Richmond, Duke of Montague, Lord Baltimore, and Mr. Molyneux, but did not declare it publicly, for the reasons I have given.
Thursday, the 1st instant, about ten in the morning, the motion was very languid, and having intermitted for a while, sKe was seized with pains like those of labour : I then prepared, as before at Guildford, to deliver her ; and having diligently searched her, I found all clear, and received a pain or two, which were strong, and exactly like labour pains. Upon this I desired Dr. Douglass, who was then present, that he would please likewise to examine her, and openly declare his opinion, which he did, and in the hearing of several persons of distinction, confessed that he found all clear, and was of opinion that the pains were of the same nature with labour pains. I then took my place again, and received more pains of the like nature.
After some time, the motion on the right side of her, which, they called the leaping up of the Rabbit, began again, and thbse pains like labour pains went suddenly off; her pulse soon became calm as before, and the hushing of her face 'disappeared ; she passed the remainder of the daÿ indifferently welly having/for the most part the motion on the right side,
VOL. VI.	K130	kirby’s wonderful museum.
which I never observed had any influence on her pulse ; her diet was beef, rabbit, red-herring, and such like ; that night she slept very well.
Friday, the 2d instant, she had the motion the greatest part of the day ; towards evening it increased extremely, insomuch that she fell into violent convulsions, which I never before observed in her, with frequent contractions of her fingers, rolling of her eyes, and great risings in her stomach, &c.
During the fit she would often make a whining noise, and at intervals be more than ordinary faint. She continued in her fit near two hours ; for some minutes I could scarcely perceive she had any pulse ; when she came out of her fit, she perceived herself very weak for some time, and when I asked if she remembered she had been in a fit, she answered, No ; she rested well that night.
On Saturday, the 3d, in the morning she was brisk, and all that day had the motion by intervals ; towards evening she had another convulsion fit, though not so violent as the former ; this night she was very restless, and sometimes convulsed«,
On Sunday, the 4th instant, about eleven o’clock in the morning, Dr. Douglass and myself did carefully examine her.
About three in the afternoon, the pains, like labour pains, came on again ; I touched her as before, and Dr. Douglass, Dr. Mowbray, Mr. Limborch, the German surgeon and man-midwife, who was then present, did the same ; and we agreed, that the nature of the pains were such, and so violent, as we apprehended something would soon issue, arid this we declared in the hearing of many persons of distinction, who were then present : and I well remember, the room being very full, I desired if there was any person present willing to examine her, that they would do it then while her pains were upon her. Accordingly, several persons did examine her, and declared to the same purpose : after having received several pains, they, together with the other symptoms of approaching labour, vanished on the sudden, as formerly.MARY TOFT.
151
In the evening, Thomas Howard, porter to Mr. Lacey’s bagnio, made an information against Mary Toft, before Sir Thomas CJarges, bart. one of his Majesty’s justices of peace, concerning ax rabbit she had clandestinely procured by his assistance; upon which she was taken into custody, and strictly examined by Sir Thomas; she very obstinately denied all the porter had sworn; but her sister, who nursed her, being examined on the said fact upon oath, acknowledged the procuring the rabbit in a clandestine manner; but that it was not designed for the use we suspected, but for eating only,
Soon after, Mary Toft confessed she had procured the rabbit, according to the porter’s deposition, but that it was her intention to eat it, she having longed for it, and most obstinately persisted that she w?as still big with a rabbit.
The same evening I examined her again, whereupon I earnestly pressed Sir Thomas Clarges that she might not be sent to prison that night, being still apprehensive there might something come from her in a little time; and as the fraud was not fully detected, I judged it might prove of very ill consequences to remove her till the whole was found out.
On Monday, the 5th, I gave my opinion to Sir Thomas, concerning Mary Toft; and, lest he should commit her to prison, I spoke to several persons of distinction, and that day wrote to the honourable Mr. Molyneux to assist me in thpt affair, well knowing how industrious they had always been, in endeavouring to find out this supposed fraud; for I believed a sudden commitment of her to prison, before the cheat did manifestly appear, would be a means of preventing a discovery. The copy of my said letter is as follows :
c TO THE HON. MR. MOLYNEUX,.
* Dear Sir,
I have, since I left you, very maturely considered what youjsaid this morning, and the contents of the letter fl anked by Lord Onslow, which you also shewed us, importing a
k 21S2	kirby’s wonderful museum.
discovery of a fraud in the affair in the country; and adding* that, to what happened to myself at Guildford, in relation to my taking away from Mary Toft, the Godaiming woman? what I call the piece of hog’s bladder, and the deposition about the rabbit last Sunday night, which I heard Thomas Howard, the porter of Lacey’s bagnio, make before Sir Thomas Clarges, in the presence of several persons of quality, and the unnaturalness of the production, supposed to have been; all this, I say, laid together, is to me such evidence of roguery, as makes me strongly believe the whole to be a fraud. Therefore, that our endeavours fully to detect the cheat may prove most effectual, and the unnatural imposture may most clearly appear to the public, I think Mary Toft should by no means be sent to prison, till the truth comes out; but that she should rather be kept, and most strictly watched in some private house, where all persons, those of the faculty especially, may have free and convenient access to her, which a prison will not well afford, till the matter be as plainly and fully detected as possible; for which purpose I will wait upon Sir Thomas Clarges to take measures accordingly ; and, if you will give leave, will call on you as I come from him, to acquaint you with our resolution.
6 I am, Sir,
* Your most humble servant, f Dec. 26, 1726.	R. Manningham.’
After some difficulty, I prevailed with Sir Thomas Clarges to let her remain in the custody of the high constable of Westminster, at Mr. Lacey’s bagnio, till the cheat should be found out, or at least for a few days longer; to which he agreed.
On Tuesday, the 6th, Sir Thomas threatened her severely, and began to appear the most proper physician in her case, and his remedies took place, and seemed to promise a perfect cure; for we heard no more of her former labour-like pains.
I urged her much to confess the truth; and told her, I believed her to be an impostor, and that she was differentlyMAHY TOFT.
m
formed from other women, of imposing upon the world by her motions and pains, and therefore I resolved to try a very painful experiment upon her, and was accordingly prepared ibr that purpose ; whereas if she would ingenuously confess the whole truth, I would speak to several of the nobility iti her behalf, some of whom then present, promised her their good offices on the like condition.
I assured her also there was no time left for delay ; and if she would not confess, I should immediately proceed to the operation.
These threats made great impressions upon her, and being withal in a most particular manner exhorted by his Grace the Duke of Montague, Lord Baltimore, Dr. Douglass, and myself, to make a free and open confession, before it should be done by any other person in the country; and to avoid so terrible an operation; she at last begged very heartily to be let alone till the next morning, and if she did not then confess; I might proceed as I pleased.
Accordingly, on Wednesday, December 7, in the morning, in the presence of the two noblemen before mentioned, Dr. Douglass, and myself, She began her confession of the fraud ; and in her confession She Owned, that upon her miscarrying she was seized with violènt fain tings, and she thought as if she had been just delivered of a full grown child ; she did verily believe one 9/ her wicked accomplices did then produce the monster (as she calls it) being the claws and body of a cat, and the head of a rabbit ; this put her to much pain : after that time she believed nothing was done only by thè advice of a woman accomplice, whom she has not yet named, and who told her she had now no occasion to work for her living as formerly, for she could put her into a way of getting a very good livelihood, and promised continually to supply her with rabbits, and should therefore expect part of the gain, or to that effect. Mary Toft asked what way that wâs. The woman told her she must have so many pieced of rabbits as would make up the number of rabbits 1134
kirby’s wonderful museum.
which a doe rabbit usually kindles at one time* otherwise she would be suspected. Mary Toft asked how many that was; the woman told her, sometimes thirteen.
From that time Mary Toft did often, by the assistance of that woman, convey parts of rabbits to her, till at last she could do it by herself, as she had an opportunity, and that she did continue so to do.
Now, by the constant irritation of those extraneous bodies, thus artfully conveyed tp her, she suffered much, and fancied herself larger in bulk than she ought to be in her natural state; and the bones, and other parts of those rabbits, so conveyed, which, together with artful management of herself, did occasion those violent pains, which came on by intervals, and very exactly counterfeited the true labour-pains. The motions of her inside were partly artifice, and partly real convulsions; for I have often observed some of the motions in her soundest sleep, and even since she has confessed the fraud, part of her motions being involuntary.
Mary Toft owned there was nothing when * I examined her, only that time when I took the piece of bladder which she had put there, a little before I came to her, on Monday the 28th of November, 1726, about eight in the evening; and ever since that time she was afraid to procure any thing else, because I had often told her, if I found twenty rabbits at a time, it would go for nothing with me; for I should never be convinced, unless I did take some parts of the rabbits away myself, which I was very well assured could never get there by art.
Dr. Douglass, who was so kind as to write down her confession from her own mouth, will, I hope, shortly oblige the world with it at large, when she has discovered the whole.
Thus have I given a full and faithful account of every material thing which occurred to me during my constant attendance upon Mary Toft, from Monday the 28th of November, 1726, to December the 7th following, which ICAVES OF ELLORA.
185
thought myself obliged to communicate to the world, as well for their satisfaction, as the justification of my own conduct.
4 Dec. 8, 1726.	R. Manningham/
CAVES OF ELLORA,
called keylas, or paradise.
A Description of the wonderful Caves of Ellora, in the East Indies, taken from the very entertaining Journal of Lieut. CoL Fitzclarence, extracted from a Letter written by him the £8th of January, 1818, from Rowash.
“Having returned, though dreadfully fatigued, I will not permit my feelings to pass away, without recording them on a more secure tablet than that of my memory. My eyes and. mind are absolutely satiated with the wonders I have seen : the first are weary with objects so gigantic and extraordinary, to which they were totally unaccustomed: from the admiration which 1 experienced of these early and stupendous works of human genius, of unremitting toil and perseverance, of the religion which had effected a labour so immense and remarkable, and so prodigious an undertaking, a work which has successively withstood the barbarous attempts of the Mahometans, and outlived the name or era of its founder, which is hidden in the most remote antiquity. The Bramins and the Hindoo nations, in their original purity, long before our era, had the power, and made the various changes which have taken place throughout India within the last 2000 years. I was struck with astonishment as I stood in Keylas, casting a rapid glance over the stupendous monuments of art before me had arisen, I sought in vain for an incident in the lapse of time, which could cpnvey an equal conception of the power of man over matter. A period of time has elapsed since the first excavation of the Caves of Ellora, so immense, that even their sanctity has been effaced; for, though containing in a perfect state the deities at this mo-136
kirby’s wonderful museum.
ment worshipped in the Hindoo Mythology, yet no pilgrims now visit them, nor are they in any manner, or to any one (except a cursory traveller) an object of veneration. Whatever may have been the cause of the erection of the stupendous buildings in Egypt) or the religious feeling which prompted their construction) I am not surprised that a satisfactory account of their founder and era has been lost in ages so remote, as to leave in existence no remains of that worship, except themselves and tradition, although the same religion still maintains its ground ; that these surprising monuments should be held in such a degree of disrespect, cannot well be explained, unless upon supposition, that the excesses of the Mahometans, who entered the most sacred places, may have rendered them impure, and thus have deprived them of their former holiness.
u We descended the face of the hill, which is of red granite and very steep, and enjoyed a fine view of the extensive plain beneath us, with the village of Ellora, about a mile from the foot, embosomed with trees. About two-thirds down the hill, which Captain Sydenham informed me, was hollowed for near two miles, into vast halls and chambers, we came in front of the great excavation called in the* Sanscrit, Keylas, or Paradise. The first object which strikes the traveller is a gateway, having apartments over it, connected with the sides of the hill by two walls with coarse battlements, and apparently built across an old stone quarry ; and above, and on each side within the gateway are seen a confused crowd of pagodas and obelisks, so that should a stranger view it from the outside, not being aware of the peculiarity of the work, he would wonder at the taste of thus burying so many buildings in so obscure a situation. But on approaching the wall and gate> you search in vain for the usual separation of stones in building, and thé whole is found to be one mass of rock,4 and all worked out by manual labour, and without great exertion, for by entering the gateway, and passing into the immense area, 240 feet long, 150 broad, andCAVES OE ELLOEA.
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100 feet high, and viewing the principal temple supported by stone elephants, and bearing in mind that this stupendous* yet elaborately worked mass, is formed of kindred material, with the coarse perpendicular wall stone which shuts you in on three sides, that the astonishment and the admiration is felt, far from wearing off, I think increases on reflection.
u On entering the gate, which has several rooms over it, the first object which presents itself, immediately opposite, is a colossal figure about ten feet high, surrounded with sculpture, and two small elephants joining their trunks above his head. This important personage is in a sitting posture, and by being daubed with red paint, is rendered, if possible, more hideous than when he started from his mother rock. The openings into the area are to the right and left. Facing these openings, in the bottom of the area, stand two stone elephants, of the size of life, both more or less mutilated, and with no other decoration than two coarse ropes carved round their bodies. It is from the vicinity of these elephants that the eye and mind first explore and comprehend the whole Of the exterior of the great pyramidical temple, 90 feet high in the centre of the excavation. The minute and;beautiful carving on the outside is very happily contrasted with the cliff around. Above the elephants, above 30 feet higher, are two beautiful obelisks, stated to be 38 feet high, covered with carvings, and not only light in appearance, but much relieved by each compartment or story being variously and beautifully sculptured. These are very perfect. The main temple stands rather towards the further end, and the middle of the area, and is connected w'ith the apartment over the gate, by a small temple, in which stands the Bull Nundee, and beyond it, by a sort of bridge, directly, oyer the figure seen Oft entering, and over the openings, into the area opposite to the elephants, all similarly cut out of the solid rock. \Fbe Bull is not large, and rather disfigured. The centre Staple has several smaller, and not so high, beyond it, which, the neighbourhood off the elephants, appear attached to % but ate so in reality, except by the floor of rock,138
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
which leaves the whole, as if supported by the statues of animals, projecting more or less from the solid mass, some with half their bodies protruded from it, others with only their hind and fore-quarters. The principal of these are éléphants of the size of life, and lions larger than life, and some imaginary animals. For the sake of diversity, these statues are all in different attitudes ; several in fierce conflict with their neighbours, and all looking as if executed at the whim of the workmen. The feet, talons, ears, trunks, tusks, &c. have suffered much ; it is supposed from the intemperate zeal of the Mahometans.
“ The distance from the sides of the temple, to the face of the scraped rock, is not more than forty feet on each side, and it is painful to look up for any length of time. The flights of steps, of which there are two, according to the floor, supported by the animals on which the temple is formed, are on each side, and rather beyond the smaller temple which contains the Bull Nundee. Between the principal temple and the gateway, on the outside walls, there is much sculpture in nine rows of figures, about a foot long, of men fighting ; some armed with bows, others with clubs and long strait swords. On the right side, among others, are some figures in cars, with two and four wheels, drawn by horses, and monkeys seem in every part to be very active, and by no irieans second rate performers. This is supposed to allude to the conquest of Ceylon by Rama ; the image of Hunomaun is represented in heaving rocks to form the bridge between the continent and Ceylon. The steps turn inwards about half their rise, and meet on an uncovered landing-place, between the small temple containing the bull, and the great temple, about three or four feet below the level of the latter. The door facing the west 12 feet high by 6 broad, ornamented with colossal statues on each side, is now before you, and on ascending, I believe, four steps, and passing between the gigantic porters, you arrive at the great chamber of the principal temple ; though, for the first moments after you enter, the gloomy light does not permit youCAVES OF ELliORA.
13 9
to s$e distinctly, which, added perhaps to the dead silence, the massy pillars, and the Goliah-like figures at the other end, but partially discerned, together with the feeling inspired in the area, tends to absorb the faculties. The interior, from the door to the recess at the other end, is 103 feet long, 65 feet wide, and the height but 17 ; the lowness of thè roof adds materially to its effect. The size of the pillars, being in thickness out of proportion with their height, bespeak the weight above, and excite the peculiar sensation of a desire to, crouch when inside : I then felt the real circumstances of the mighty work around me. Here, had the perseverance of man ornamented a mass coeval with the world, and which differing from all other temples on the face of the earth, had grown like a statue from an uncouth block, under the hands of an artist. It is sustained by four rows òf pillars, not above four being of the same workmanship, the shafts minutely carved, but the capitals quite plain ; and the roof between these supports, appears resting on an imitation of great beams. The roof is plain, excepting the centre, which has a round medallion, in basso-relievo, representing a man between two female figures ; though that on the left is almost destroyed, and appears, by accident or design, to have been detached from the roof and to have fallen, leaving a mark of what is the original colour of the stone, nearly the whole of the interior having been blackened by Aurungzebe, who, to shew his contempt for the opinions of the Hindoos, filled it with fuel, which he caused to be set on fire. It would, however, almost have bid defiance to his cannon; and, with the other caves in its vicinity, exists to this day, a wonder of the world, only equalled by the pyramids, and likely to stand to the end of time, as firmly as the neighbour? ing hills. Opposite the entrance is a recess, the sanctum sanctorum, with a group of colossal figures on each side, whose heads touch the roof. This recess runs back about thirty or forty feet on the outside, beyond the back wall of the temple, and contains the lingam, on each side of the great140
kirby’s wonderful museum.
chamber, protruding by pillars resting, like the other parts, on elephants. ~ The four centre pillars of the interior of the temple are wanting, thus leaving an open passage from the door of one portico to the other. These are rather below the level of the floor of the temple, and are richly sculptured throughout, and instead of the pilasters to uphold the roof, on each side of the doors from the main temple are two female "figures, twelve feet high, whose heads, touching the cornice, appear to bend, yet in a graceful attitude, under the weight they sustain. It will be recollected and observed how strong a similarity these figures have to the Caryatides of the Greeks, and I believe it would be a difficult question to solve, whether the Indians borrowed them from that people, or vice versa. The porticos have seats, on one of which I attempted to cut my name, at the expence of my knife. From that which is to the south of the temple, there is supposed to have been, and appearances countenance the idea, a bridge thrown across the area to the excavated halls of the cliff, from which there is no communication from below, as there is with them on the northern side. Behind the recess, or sanctum sanctorum, (opposite the principal entrance), which runs backwards outside the temple near forty feet, is a balcony or open gallery, which passes from two doors, one on each side of the colossal groups, out of the great chamber, round its side, and the end of it, and has five smaller temples of a similar shape to the principal one, two on the sides and three on the eastern termination, which complete the whole structure. They are all sculptured in the same manner, and supported by the animals beneath, of which I fency there must be in all from eighty $0 one hundred* The roofs of the great and smaller temples gradually rise to points, and thé outside walls of all are carved in pannels of grotesque and obscene figures. The Whole has, at some late period, re* curved a coating of sand*colouted plaster, Which has been painted oter in different colours, and even now, though more than half destroyed,' takes much from the sculpture. TheCAVES OF RLLORA.
141
architect was not content with performing this gigantic Work in the centre, but has excavated the face of the cliff on each side three or four stories, each twenty feet in height, and of considerable depth ; these last I had not time to enter, as the other caves I had to visit extended to Jthe north and south, about three quarters of a mile each way. When one considers the immense labour expended on Keylas, where nothing but the chisel and hammer could be used, which differs from nearly all other temples, in not being built, but formed by the superfluous rock torn from it, and the construction of which is so contrary to the usual principles (as blocks of stone were carried from, not to it, for its contemplation), one hardly knows Which to admire most, the projector, or the person who carried the design into execution. Yet I feel almost a partiality for the former; for, in what an original and expanded mind must the idea first have been Conceived of hollowing out, and decorating, by the hand of man, a very “ rib of the world,” spurning the detail of piecemeal building, and thus taking advantage of the primeval materials placed by nature on the spot, and wresting from her very bowels a place of worship. Some of the sculptured decorations, and the taste in the ornaments, would do credit to the best period of the Grecian school, "though in general an evidently uncultivated style of architecture predominates ; and the irregular shapes and devices on the shafts of the pillars, with their plain capitals, in the principal temple, are, in my opinion, more rich than the plain Grecian pillar with its ornamental capital, though not so chaste. The fluting of the Corinthian order is but a poor attempt of this description. Some of the minute ornaments are eVen classical. Î observed, in several instances, the bust of a man from the head to the middle, ending in a scroll or flourish, &c., and the wings of birds having similar terminations. Nearly the entire bodies of the largest figures project from the wall, and there is not, throughout the whole, a single arch. Immediately on the outside the gateway is a cistern of very fine water, whichî4â
kirby's wonderful museum.
being also cut out of the granite rock, would in any other spot be a curiosity in itself; but here, for an extent of nearly two miles, man has gone beyond himself, and Captain Sydenham heard one of the Sepoys lecturing another before the rest, for expressing doubts of its being the work of the gods. The plan and some of the important measurements of this extraordinary place, which Capt. Sydenham assured me were perfectly correct, I have taken from the Asiatic Researches.
"The dimensions of Keylas are as follows: height of the gateway 14 feet; length of the passage of the gate way > having on each side rooms 15 feet by 9> 42 feet; length of the inner court or area, from the gate to the opposite scarp, 247 feet. The breadth 150 feet. Greatest height of the rock, out of which the Court is excavated, 300 feet. The centre balcony over the gateway, 14 feet by 8, and 8 high. A room within it, 9 feet square and 9 feet high. Another within it, the same dimensions. One on each side from the centre, 22 feet by 15 each. Bridge, 22 feet by 18, with a parapet 3 feet 6 inches high. Ascent by nine steps from the bridge into a distinct room, in ^which is the Bull of Nundee, 16 feet 3 inches square. Another bridge, 21 feet by 23 feet broad, leading to the upper portico of the temple. This portico, with the parapet wall, is 18 feet by 15 feet 2 inches, and 17 feet high ; within, a bench that is rounded off, 4 feet high by 3 feet 7 inches broad» You can enter this portico from the gateway by a passage that the filling up of the rubbish has afforded ; but the proper passage is by flights of steps of 36 steps each, leading up on each side the body of the temple.
" The grand temple door; of the portico, 12 feet high by 6 feet broad; length of the portico entering the temple to the back wall of the temple, 103 feet 6 inches ; length of the same place, to the end of the raised platform behind the temple, 142 feet 6 inches. Greatest breadth of the inner part of the temple, 61 feet. Height of the ceiling, 17 feet 10 inches. Two porches on each side, measured without, 34 feet 10 inches by 15 feet 4 inches. Height of theANN MARTIN«
143
grand temple steeple or pyramid, computed about 90 feet from the floor of the court, and the smaller on es about 50 Height of the obelisks about 38 feet; base, 11 feet square, being 11 feet distant from each side of the room in which is the Bull of Nundee. The shaft above the pedestal is seven feet square. The two elephants on each side of the court or entry are larger than life. After gratifying our curiosity with these wonders, we proceeded to the southward, along a bad, dangerous path, to visit the other caves; but I saw none at all like Keylas, though the three we examined paid us well for our trouble.
PRESERVATION OF ANN MARTIN,
OF LEWES,
Found in a Wood, on the road to Maidstone, after remaining eleven days and nights without food, and nearly eaten up by maggots.
On Sunday, the 2£d of September, 1816, as some young men were nutting in the woods, near the Old Upper Blue Bell, on the old road to Maidstone, they observed a female lying under a tree, apparently asleep, and passed on without disturbing her. On the succeeding Friday the young men again went nutting to the same place, when to their extreme surprise, they saw the female lying in the precise place and attitude in which they had seen her before. One of them went to her, and took her by the hand; she was alive, but in such a situation as excited the most shuddering sensations of horror and disgust, mixed with surprise, that a human being could retain any portion of animation under such complicated sufferings of want and wretchedness. She was almost in a state of putrefaction, large maggots were feeding on every part of her frame. Exposed to the attacks of flies, her nostrils, and even her mputh, were infested by them; behind her ears, between her fingers, and between her toes, they were crawling in sickening quantities ; and her clothes were literally rotten from long exposure to the vary-144
kirby’s wonderful museum.
mg and humid atmosphere; With a laudable alacrity they applied for assistance at the Blue Bell, and with the assistance of two men, the unfortunate sufferer was placed upon a hurdle, and conveyed to an outhouse, where such necessaries and comforts as could be procured, were immediately prepared for her. Mr. Browne, surgeon, of Rochester, was sent for, and immediately came to visit her; and through his humane, kind, and constant attention, this unfortunate woman was rescued from the jaws of death, and is now in a fair ypy of recovery. The account she gives of herself is, that her name was Ann Martin; she came from Lewes some time t>ack, with an artillery soldier to Chatham Barracks ; but that she had left him, and had determined on returning home to Lewes ; that being destitute of money, and oppressed by fatigue, she, in a fit of despair, laid herself down to die ; that she had lain where she was discovered ever since the Sunday preceding that on which she was first seen, and consequently had been eleven days and nights without any kind of food!	Observer, October 13, 1816.
SINGULAR WATER-SPOUT
SEEN IN YORKSHIRE.
Otf Tuesday, August 8, 1815, the very singular phenomenon of a water-spout was observed at Marsden, pear Huddersfield. It appeared to be formed of a dense black cloud, and resembled a very long inverted cone, the lowest part of which seemed nearly to touch the ground; above it the clouds were WhîÜé and fleecy, forming a striking contrast with it, but they appeared strongly agitàted ; our correspondent concludes * his description with stating, u that the spout, when completely formed, appeared" to be round and smooth, and hollow Within, and there appeared a stïèajnri of water running down thé inside, part of which in its descent passed to the outside, and was Curried tip again very rapidly by a Spiral motion. The whole duration of this phenomenon Was about twenty minutes/1	Courier ¡August 16, làl5.^PubìisTicci 3£ay zo,i6ij, ~by J£.SJârby, Paterno ¿-tei'How.ENGLISH GIANT AND DUTCH DWARF.
145
ACCOUNT OF
MR. JAMES TOLLER, THE ENGLISH GIANT,
AND
MR. SIMON PAAP,
The celebrated Dutch Dwarf now exhibiting in and around the Metropolis. With their Portraits from Life.
Amongst the various exhibitions which are daily to be seen in this metropolis, not any for some time have attracted so much notice as these two celebrated personages; Toller, it is presumed, being the tallest man, and Mr. Simon Paap the shortest, at present in this kingdom. For the sake of contrast, we have engraved their portraits at whole length, on the same plate, where the wonderful disparity in their respective heights will be immediately recognised, and the mind is struck with astonishment and awe, at these occasional sports of Nature. At the same moment it fully proves the great wisdom of the Almighty in the works of his hand ; and by permitting these occasional prodigies at times to appear, leads to astonish and instruct the world by the amazing variety he is enabled to display in the works of his creation, proving that capacity of mind and intellectual powers are not confined to any particular given standard*
Mr. James Toller, who is designated by the title of the Young English Giant, was born on the 28th of August, 1795, at St. Neot’s, in Huntingdonshire; at the age of ten years he had attained the surprising height of five feet and upwards; his growth has always been regular from Lis birth, and at the age of eighteen years he had attained the height of upwards of eight feet, one inch and a half, and was then considered to be still in progress of growth. At this time he measured from his foot to the knee twenty-six inches, and each of his feet measured fifteen inches in length. His two sisters appear to partake of the gigantic growth of their brother; the one at the age of thirteen years having advanced in height to five feet eight inches and a half, and the
VOL. VI.
L146
KIRBY'S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
younger sister, at the early age of seven years, was nearly five feet in height. The parents of this gigantic family are Of the ordinary stature, as is also his brother. His appetite is moderate, eating but little more than the generality of youths at his age.
Toller’s first public exhibition was in London, in the autumn of 1815, where he had the honour of being presented to the Emperor of Russia, and King of Prussia, who appeared highly gratified at his exhibition.
On taking a survey of the most remarkable tall men that have appeared in modern days, we find Toller to surpass in height most of them, and not to have been exceeded, but by one, that appears on record. This giant,* if we may be allowed the term, was exhibited in the year 1664; and was denominated the German Giant. He stood about nine feet and a half high.
The porter of Oliver Cromwell, Daniel, was only seven feet six inches high.
Maximilian Christopher Miller, a native of Saxony, was near eight feet high. He died A. D. 1734, at the age of sixty years.
Edward Bamford, a native of Staffordshire, and a hatter in Shoe-lane, London, was seven feet ten inches in height. He died in the year 1768, at the early age of thirty-six years.
Bernardo Gigli, an Italian, attained the height of eight feet, when only eighteen years of age.
Henry Blackler, denominated u The British Giant,” was seven feet, ten inches in height, and exhibited himself in the year 1743.
Sam, the Prince of Wales’s porter, stood very near eight feet high; and he was frequently to be seen amusing himself looking over the gate of Carlton House, by which means he saved him self much trouble in opening the gates to inquirers, whose principal business was for the purpose of contemplating Sam, He was unfortunately drowned by theENGLISH GIANT AND DUTCH DWARF.
147
shipwreck of the packet in which he had taken a passage to his native land (Wales) on a visit to his friends.
We have now7 to record a solitary instance of a female of Extraordinary stature, who exhibited herself in the metropolis during the year 1818, under the title of
THE CELEBRATED GIANTESS, MRS. COOKE.
This lady was bom at Merriott, in the county of Somerset, arid completed her seventeenth year on the 1st of October, 1817; she stands near seven feet high, is remarkably stout and well-proportioned, with a pleasing and interesting countenance, and as her exhibition bill states, “ is allowed by all visitors to be the tallest, largest, and strongest woman in the world.”
On the 15th of April, 1818, she had the honour of being exhibited at the Earl of Yarmouth's, Seymour-place, May Fair, London, when the Prince Regent, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, and other branches of the royal family, together with 100 of the principal nobility, attended on the occasion, who appeared to have been highly gratified with her exhibition.
We shall now proceed to give a brief memoir of the companion of Toller. ( Vide Plate.)
MR. SIMON PAAP
Is a native of Holland, born at Landvoort, in the year 1789. His father was a fisherman, and besides our little hero, has four children, two sons and two daughters, who are all of the ordinary height. Simon in early infancy was a fine thriving infant until he attained the age of three years; when to the astonishment and dismay of his parents, he ceased to grow, and from that period he became. stationary, even to the present time, 1818, when we last saw7 him exhibiting himself at Bartholomew Fair, Smithfield. His appetite is moderate, and seldom exceeds more than what a child of three or four years would consume. His height is twenty-eight inches, and he weighs only twenty-seven pounds. He
l CZ148
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is handsome and well proportioned in his limbs and body, but his head is disproportioned, being rather large. He takes his wine freely, but without excess; and like his countrymen, is fond of his pipe, in which he finds solace and enjoyment, when not otherwise occupied. He is extremely affable and communicative, and speaks the Dutch, French, and English languages, with fluency and correctness. Previous to his arrival in England, in 1815, he publicly exhibited himself in Holland, where he received very flattering encouragement, and some considerable presents, A# the time when we first saw him in Bond-street, soon after his arrival, he wore a jacket of blue silk, large loose breeches of blue figured satin, of the Dutch costume, white silk waistcoat, and white silk stockings, with buckles in his shoes, On his left side he wore a miniature portrait of the late Prince of Orange, set in gold, being a present to him from the present princess. The front of his dress is also ornamented by two large gold buttons, and on his fingers are several rings; the whole of this paraphernalia he gave the company to understand, were presents made to him when in Holland. Soon after his arrival in England, he had the honour of being presented to the Queen and Royal Family at Carlton House ; on which occasion his Royal Highness made him a very handsome present. He has also twice appeared at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, where he went through his usual exhibition of the manual and platoon exercise with the greatest precision, in which he fires off his small gun, marching and counter-marching, and performing the various evolutions of the soldier. We have lately seen him in various parts at the west end of the town, and in St. James’s Park, dressed as a boy of about four years old, generally with a small whip in his hand. A servant or companion is always with him, probably for the purpose of not attracting notice, the female acting the assumed part of a nursery-maid.
In addition to Mr. Paap, several other dwarfish person-ENGLISH GIANT AND DUTCH DWARF.
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ages have exhibited themselves in the metropolis, during the years 1816,1817, and 1818. Two of which we shall record.
-MISS SMITH,
Denominated “A Wonderful Female/5 seventeen years of age, only thirty-three inches high, weighing upwards of a hundred pounds, perfectly straight and well formed; her skin was described of the most beautiful texture, and announced as the greatest curiosity of the female se^: ever exhibited.
MR. LEACH,
Called u The Wonderful Youth/5 when exhibited, was said to have been about the age of eighteen years, of a pleasing countenance, possessed of great accomplishments, and was of his age ce the shortest person in the world/5 This wonderful youth had the honour of walking under the arm of the famous dwarf, Lady Morgan, without touching it, by nearly four inches; and by the numerous feats of agility with which he amused his company, he was deemed one of the greatest curiosities in existence. Standing upright on his feet, he could touch the floor with his fingers; he could sit on the floor in a way no other person was able to do ; he walked down a flight of stairs on his hands, with his feet in the air, faster than any other person could on their feet. He took a pin out of the wall with his mouth, standing on one hand and his feet upwards, higher by twenty inches than any other person that could be produced. He balanced himself on his hands on the top of a chair back, front which he throws himself, and alights on the ground on his hands, walking off on the same, with the greatest ease. He places a pin on the floor, takes it up with one hand, and supports his balance on the other, while he puts it into his mouth. He lays himself on the floor by the strength of his arms, then raises himself up feet foremost, andy walks off on his hands. He also walked in a horizontal position on his hands under a common table, without touching the table with his feet» Standing on a150
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chair, he threw it backwards from him, alighting on his hands; and in that posture walks round the room. He possessed a peculiar and surprising way of running, totally different from any other person ; and in his exhibition bill, he challenges the whole world for 1Q00 guineas, to produce any other person capable of competing with him.
ACCOUNT OF THE SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE OF THE
LAKE OF CANTERNO.
Leghorn, August 1817. On the 24th of July, about mid-day, after a very loud detonation, the Lake of Canterno, also called Porciano, totally disappeared. A large opening was discovered in the bottom, through which the waters have probably escaped into sinuosities of the neighbouring mountains.	Morning Post, August 30, 1817.
ASTONISHING NATURAL PHENOMENON,
OBSERVED AT SEA. A REFLECTION OF A MAN IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
On the 27th of August, 1814, while the Majestic, Capt Hayes, was cruising off Boston, a strange figure was perceived in the eastern horizon, about two o’clock in the morning; which, as the sun arose, gradually became more distinguishable, and, at length, assumed the perfect appearance of a man, dressed in a short jacket and half boots, with a, staff in his hand, at the top of vdxich was a colour hanging over his head, marked with two lines, perpendicularly drawn at equal distances, and strongly resembling the French flag. The figure continued visible as long as the rays of the sun would permit it to be looked at. On the 28th the figure displayed itself in the same posture, but rather broken. On the following morning, it seemed entirely disjointed, and faded into shadow, until?, at last, nothingNICHOLAS HART*
151
more could be seen than three marks on the sun’s disk.— Captain Hayes, his officers, and about 200 of the crew, witnessed the spectacle, both with the naked eye and through glasses. In superstitious times, such a phenomenon would have been construed into a providential warning or ominous token of some unexpected event; in this enlightened age, however, it may be easily accounted for by the reflee* live power of the atmosphere, which is well known to be wonderful. Most probably the figure represented was some one ashore, or on the deck of the Majestic.
Courier, June 13, 1815,
NICHOLAS HART,
THE GREAT SLEEPER.
If is probable, this lethargic gentleman, and prince of impostors, had in the first instance been afflicted with a natural fit of somnolency ; for it is recorded of him, that on the 5th of August, 1711, he was first seized with a sleeping fit, from whence his friends could not by any means which they then tried, awake him. Under this impression,' hé was removed to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where various methods vyere made use of to relieve him, but to no purpose, and he continued sleeping until the 11th of the same month. During this time he received no nourishment whatever ; numerous persons from curiosity visited him, at the hospital, and pitying his situation, uniformly left him some pecuniary aid to assist him when he should awake. At the expiration of this fit, finding he had gained a very considerable sum, even in a great degree more than he could have earned by his labour, if he had been awake, he soon afterwards contrived, by the means of narcotic drugs, and other arts, to drop into a similar slumber, in which he continued for some days ; at the end of which time, on awaking, he found himself again possessed of a considerable sum. Feeling the great and bénéficiai- advantage of sleeping over waking, he152
KIRBY S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
was now frequently heard of, as being in a trance or sound sleep; and his case being more generally known, his visitors became more numerous, and their credulity filled his pockets in such a manner, that it is said, that he not only supported himself in a degree of affluence, but even several others, who it was probable, were necessary to him in carrying on his nefarious deceptions thus practised on the public.
iMr. Addison, who wrote and noticed the periodical account of this sleeper, says, “ Nicholas Hart, who slept last year in St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, intends to sleep this year at the Cock and Bottle, in Little Britainprobably hinting at some other imposition intended to be practised by him in that neighbourhood at ”that period. One gentleman who attended him, put down his observations in the follow7-ing manner :—u On the first of the month he grew dull, on the second he appeared drowsy, on the third fell a yawning, on the fourth began to nod, on the fifth dropped to sleep, on the sixth was heard to snore, on the seventh turned himself in his bed, on the eighth recovered his former posture, on the ninth fell a stretching, on the tenth about midnight, awaked, on the eleventh in the morning, called for a little small beer.”
SLEEP-WALKERS.
Captain Crabb, of Abchurch-lane, on the 14th of March, 1762, getting out of bed in his sleep, opened the sash, and fell out of the window. He was hurt, but not dangerously.	Annual Register, 1762. p, [80.
A curious circumstance occurred at the Bush Tavern, Bristol, on Monday night, May the 4th, about eleven o’clock. A young man, who has since been discovered to be a sailor, belonging to the Union ship of war, lying at Plymouth, went to bed apparently composed; but before the servant had left the room five minutes, the house wasFATAL EFFECTS OF FEAR.
153
alarmed by his cries of “ Help me out,” and by the breaking of glass, occasioned by his bursting through the sash. Though asleep, he continued walking from one roof to the other, and along the narrowest ridges, and at length jumped from the surprising height of thirty feet, without receiving any material injury. He was conveyed to bed, and left the inn the following morning on his journey for Plymouth.
Oxford Herald, May 9, 1812,
THE FATAL EFFECTS OF FEAR,
EXEMPLIFIED IN THE CASE OF A SOLDIER FANCYING AN OLD WOMAN TO HAVE BEEN A SPECTRE.
One of the officers of Haslar Hospital being dangerously ill, a medical gentleman who was attending him, had occasion, about two o’clock on Saturday morning, the 25th of December, 1814, to send the nurse from the officer’s house to the dispensary; the weather being bad, the nurse wrapped herself round with a piece of red baize, with which she covered, in part, a candle and lantern, to prevent the light from being blown out, as the wind was very high. The rays of light issuing from the red covering, to the imagination of a sentry at a distance, she appeared a terrific spectre ; and as she approached him his fear so increased, that he ran from his post with haste to the guard-house, where, in about half an hour, he expired !
Courier, Dec. 28, 1814.

SINGULAR CASE OF LAW
CONCERNING A BARBER’S HONOUR.--PALACE COURT,
SEPTEMBER 5, 1817.
Cox versus Merry.-—Mr. Hart stated this case to the jury on the part of the plaintiff, whom he represented as an unmarried female, about thirty-eight years of age, of respect-kijiby’s wonderful museum.
154
able character, who resided with her father, and possessed some property. It was an action brought by her to recover a compensation in damages for an outrageous and unmanly assault, that was equally injurious to her feelings and her character. The defendant exercised the trade of a barber and hair-dresser, and had been in the habit of attending the father of the plaintiff. One morning the defendant came, as usual, to shave and dress the old gentleman, who had not then come down stairs. The plaintiff called out to her father to come down, and at the same time used these words, a Here is the barber waiting for you.” Mr. Hart continued to observe, that, strange as it might appear, the word barber g&ve great offence to this knight of the razor, who conceived that he ought to have been designated with the more honourable title of hair-dresser. He immediately addressed the plaintiff in the most insolent and abusive language. Her father in the mean time came down, and while he was undergoing the operation of being shaved, his daughter complained to him of the defendant’s behaviour. 'The defendant denied the charge, told Miss Cox that she was a liar, and repeated the expression two or three times. The other, incensed at this language, told the insolent barber, that, if it was not for the law, she would pull him by the nose. He however, did not wait for her to become the first assailant; he immediately came up to her before her father was half shaved, and struck her a violent blow on the cheek. The father got up in a rage, with an intention of inflicting a summary vengeance upon this rude assailant. But reason and reflection instantly arrested his progress; his anger cooled, and he very deliberately sat down again under the defendant’s razor, and allowed him to complete the work he had begun. The learned counsel, after commending the forbearance of the old gentleman, and dwelling on the disgraceful manner in which his client had been treated, hoped the jury would give her an ample compensation for the suffering she had undergone.
The father of the plaintiff was then called; and corrobo-SINGULAR CASE OE LAW.
155
rated the statement of the counsel. He said, on a question being put to that effect, that the defendant did not strike his daughter with the hand in which he held the razor.
Mr. Agar, on behalf of the defendant, reprobated the action, as unworthy the attention of a court of justice ; and considered the whole case as one of those trumped up stories which it should be the duty of juries to discountenance. The fact was, that a great animosity existed in the mind of this woman against the defendant, because she conceived that he had done some injury to a friend of her’s.
Mr. Agar called no witnesses.
The judge said, that in this action a justification had been put upon the record; and that, as the defendant had not attempted to justify by calling any witnesses, a verdict must be found for the plaintiff. It would be for the jury to determine what injury she had sustained, and w'hat damages she was entitled to ; and in doing so, they must bear in mind that her character had not been injured, and that the assault was not attended by any disgraceful circumstances, as would have been the case, had the defendant spit in her face. Indeed, a considerable degree of coolness and circumspection seemed to prevail among all the parties during their anger. The lady very coolly contemplated the law, which restrained her from pulling the barber’s nose; the defendant was cool enough not to strike her with the hand which held the razor; and the father, still more cool than either, suppressed his wrath, and sat down quietly to have the remainder of his face shaved by the very man, wdiom, but a moment before, he threatened to chastise. Had he at that time kicked the barber out of his house, and had the latter brought an action for the assault, he would be entitled to no more than a farthing damages. Indeed, lie considered this altogether as a frivolous action; and he would leave it to the jury to say what should be the amount of the damages.
The jury found for the plaintiff—Damages, One Farthing.
Observer, September 14, 1817*156
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL museum.
MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION OF
MR. RAINBRIDGE, OF BOLTON.
January 29; 1766.—As Mr. Bainbridge, of Bolton, near Lancaster, Mas attempting to cross the Seven Mile Sands, in a thick fog, he lost his road, and wandered about till the flood-tide came in and surrounded him ; he killed his horse by,galloping backwards and forwards to escape the tide; and he was fortunately taken up (after floating on the surface of the water about five hours) seated on the dead horse, motionless, and benumbed with cold, by two youths belonging to the sloop Providence, from Milnthorp, then riding at anchor (since arrived,) who towed him with their boat to the side of the vessel, hoisted with a tackle; on board, rolled and rubbed his body, and by continued exertion, he recovered in a few hours,	Annual ¡Register, 1766, p. [55.
ACCOUNT OF A SWARM OF BEES
RESTING THEMSELVES ON THE INSIDE OF A LABY?S PARASOL.
A swarm of bees last week made their appearance in the market-place at Nottingham, during the throng of the market, and after moving in several directions, they chose for their resting-place the inside of a lady’s parasol, which she bore in her hand. This, as might be supposed, gave a temporary shock to the feelings of the fair one, who was, however, soon freed from her fears, by a hive being procured, into which they were safely deposited.
Observer, July £5, 1813»
DREADFUL INUNDATION.
157
DREADFUL INUNDATION. .
Marienhurg (Eastern PrussiaApril 3, 1816.
a Our unhappy country had just begun to recover from the miseries inflicted by the late war, when a calamity as terrible as it was unexpected, has plunged our citizens and farmers into the greatest distress. The winter here, compared with preceding ones, was of moderate severity; and the signal of its departure, which is the breaking up of the ice of the Vistula, was looked to with pleasure, as renewing the busy scenes incident to an inland port. Marienburg, jyou are aware, possesses considerable trade, on account of its being situated upon the right bank of the Vistula, which is, navigable to a great extent.
“ On the 18th of March last, the frost broke, and the weather became extremely mild, and continued so till the morning of the 20th, when the ice on the Vistula broke up. This event w:as unattended by any circumstance to excite immediate alarm ; but next day, the wind rose, and impelled the floating ice in the direction of the dykes. These were thought sufficiently strong to resist any danger; and possibly they might, had not the wind continued so long and so violent, that an immense quantity of these masses became accumulated, and defied all attempts to remove them. The consequences proved terrible. A few minutes after seven, the first dyke was cut, and the breach being seventy rods broad, and twenty rods deep (English measure,) an immense body of water, rushed like a torrent over the adjoining country. Horses, barns, cattle, in short, every thing was swept before the flood. The screams of human beings, and the bleating of cattle were intermingled, and heard for many miles. Darkness added to the horror of the scene. Of the families and individuals who, quitting their residence, at-» tempted to escape the danger, the greater part perished in the inundation. The bodies of many of these have been picked up. Those who remained within doors, and escaped158
kirby’s wonderful museum.
immediate suffocation, gained the upper story, and even the roofs of the houses. Here a more lingering death from hunger and cold awaited them. Immediate assistance was impossible, as whole districts were insulated, and cut off from giving or receiving succour.
“ This was the situation of the country people on the night of the 21st instant, occasioned by the first breach. Marienburg had, to that period, been exempted from injury. The inhabitants laboured under great alarm, however, from reports which were spread. The Governor and Council were making preparations to give every assistance to the country people at break of day ; and were dispatching messengers to procure horses, boats, and ladders. In the midst of these preparations, and while the alarm was at its height, the ice made a breach in another dyke, which adjoins the southern suburb. The water flowed in with great rapidity; and all the passages in that quarter became inundated. Judge the consternation that now spread through the town. The inhabitants, not immediately aware that the calamity was so limited in its extent, and was in fact confined to that suburb, where the walls of the warehouses and other buildings pent it in, prepared to abandon their homes and fly. Some well-minded, but ill-judging persons, at this juncture extended the alarm, by causing the church bells to be rung. There needed no more to convince many of the inhabitants that it was the signal of departure ; and that to remain, was to incur, with loss of property, inevitable destruction. The streets, in consequence, became thronged, and several persons were trampled to death in attempting to pass through the gates.
" At break of day, I went, with others, to the suburbs, to view the inundation. In passing along, we met persons carrying the dead bodies of those who had been trampled to death ; and in every street was scattered wearing apparel, household furniture, and domestic utensils, which had been brought out during the night to convey away, but were after-DREADFUL INUNDATION.
159
wards abandoned by their owners as too cumbrous. In the suburb the spectacle was extremely distressing; the water was in many places fourteen English feet deep—in none less than ten or twelve. Of many buildings, which were low-built, only the roofs were discernible. The inmates of many of these were drowned. The more lofty buildings withstood the flood. We counted thirty-two bodies which were floating, but were not within reach. Many of these must have been relatives. In the last moments of existence, they appeared to have embraced and clung to each other—and even in death they were united, being still fast locked in each other’s arms. In the whole, seventy-three souls perished in the suburb.
C( Turning from this mournful scene, I returned home; but in the course of the day, I received orders to join a party which was to proceed to Holtzum, to afford assistance to the unfortunate people who had survived the inundation. We vrent out through the Eckzburg gate, and passed over some elevated ground, which afforded an extended view of the country. I had frequently admired the scene from the same spot: but how much was the prospect now changed! A vast lake extended as far as the eye could reach, out of which rose houses and trees. At the windows, and on the roofs of the former, might be discerned human beings, waving something fixed at the top of poles, to denote their distress, and supplicate assistance. We noticed several houses on fire. The inmates, as we afterwards learned, benumbed with cold, had kindled them even on the roof, and had in consequence perished in the conflagration. Approaching the edge of the water, we launched two boats. With these, and by means of ropes and ladders, we had rescued before dark, sixteen men, thirty-two women, and twenty-three children. In these humane exertions, however, four of our party were killed, and several others sustained severe bruises. Next day our labours were renewed, and have continued up to the present time. Upwards of seven hundred people have been saved160
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in this manner, but with the loss of all their property. Many were taken from the watery waste in a state of insensibility-—others had existed by killing and eating their domestic animals. The inundation extends over districts comprising four hundred and thirty English square miles 2 the land was extremely fertile, and was in a state of high cultivation. It is impossible at present to ascertain the extent of the pecuniary loss : it must amount to many millions of rix-dollars.
“ The loss of human lives cannot be less than between three and four hundred. The loss of cattle may perhaps amount to six thousand head, exclusive of sheep. Several churches and other buildings which withstood the first shock, have had their foundations sapped by the water, and have fell in ruins. Such is a brief description of the calamity, of which you may possibly have heard, has befallen us. My own loss, compared with that of others, is very trifling.”
Observer, April 28, 1816,
WONDERFUL ESCAPE OF
CHARLES STURT, ESQ. M. P.
FOR BRIDPORT, OFF THE COAST OF DORSETSHIRE.
On the 23d of October, 1800, Charles Sturt, Esq. of Brownsea-castle, near Poole, Member for Bridport, and who is owner of a fast-sailing cutter stationed in the bay, went out early in the morning, and after dinner, being about two leagues from shore, made a match for his cutter to sail against that of Mr. Weld, of Ludworth-castle. When, in the outset, Mr. Sturt’s cutter having the boat fastened to her stern, he ordered a boy to go into the boat, and put off to the shore. The sea running high, the boy was afraid, when Mr. Sturt requested any man on board, but they declined the tciskj on which, he jumped into the boat, when just at thatMIRACULOUS ESCAPE OP MR. "W HITE.
.161
instant, the rope by which it was fastened parted from the vessel, and he wras, by the force of the tide, drifted to a considerable distance, when the boat overset. In this perilous situation, left to the mercy of the waves, Mr. Sturt had the presence of mind to pull off all his clothes, except his trowsers and stockings, keeping his station as well as he could, sometimes bn the keel of the boat, and then dashed off by a tremendous wave, compelled to swim, and regain his station. But here may be seen the all-protecting care of Divine Providence. Some transports which were intended to carry the troops to Guernsey and Jersey, by contrary winds were obliged to put back ; all had passed him but the last vessel, when one of the mates exclaimed, “ Good God! there is a man in distress !” Four resolute fellows embarked in a boat, and after two hours came up with him. When they lifted him into the boat he was almost exhausted; a few minutes woujd have fatally closed the scene, it being nearly dark, with a heavy sea, when the sailors took him up.
On the 31st of January, 1798, Mr. Sturt, at the imminent hazard of his life, was the means of rescuing several fellow-beings from a situation somewhat similar, who were shipwrecked near Poole. Seldom it is that a noble action goes unrewarded.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF
MR. WHITE, OF ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL,
ON FALLING DOWN THE GEOMETRICAL STAIRS.
June 30, 1766.—Mr. White, belonging to St. Paul's Cathedral, shewing the Geometrical Stairs, by some accident fell down the well, near ninety feet, and pitched on the engine at the bottom, which broke his fall, and to the surprise of every body, he walked home seemingly unhurt.
Annual Register, 1766, p. [113*
VOL. vx.
M162
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AFFECTING ANECDOTE OF A EWE AND LAMB.
On Saturday, July 6, 1806, while John Gardner, fisherman, was going up Loch Long, he perceived something floating on the water, and a Jamb standing upon it. When he came up he found it was the mother of the lamb. She had been grazing on the side of a rock, when, by accident, she fell into the water. The little lamb observing the mother in the water, leaped from the rock, and descending upon the jbody of the mother, about three feet from the shore, in that posture went round bleating and licking the sides of the mother.	-Tyne Mercury, July 15, 1806.
SINGULARANDMIRACULOUS PRESERVATION
OF A YOUNG LADY AND HER HORSE.
As Miss Nicholas was riding a few days ago, on the bank of the Rhymay, in Wales, her horse took fright, and gallopped furiously along the road overhanging the river; her servant endeavoured to come up with her, but in vain: perceiving that her own horse exerted himself to keep the lead when he heard the other coming up, she made a signal to the servant to check his pace : her own horse, however, continued his course with desperate speed till she arrived at a place where a rock fallen from the cliff occupied half the road; here the animal had scarcely room to pass between the rock and the precipice ; in the attempt to pass, his hind legs and body slipped down the precipice, while his fore legs only retained hold of the road: in this awful situation, without assistance, or any prospect but destruction, the young lady did not delay a moment, to attempt her deliverance from the dangers that surrounded her ; she sprang from her seat to a twig that overhung, and regained the road in safety. ThePRESERVATION OP PERSONS» BURIED ALIVE, &C.	l63
horse fell (a depth of £00 feet) into the waters below, and swam to the opposite shore without material injury.
Public Advertiser, Oct. £8, 1814.
PRESERVATION OF VARIOUS PERSONS
WHO HAD NEARLY BEEN CONSIGNED TO THE GRAVE
ALIVE.
On Sunday last, after the performance of the funeral service over the remains of a woman in Shoreditch churchyard, and when the coffin had been nearly covered with earth, a moan was heard from the grave, which arrested the hand of the grave-digger; it was followed by another, which convinced him that the sound came from the coffin. No time was lost by the persons still remaining around the grave to open it, when the woman was found struggling for breath.— She was immediately carried into the vestry-room, where she revived, and was shortly afterwards carried home.
Courier, Jan. 4, 1815.
Cork, Jjune 7, 1815.—It has been repeatedly insisted upon, that the custom of too hastily interring human bodies has frequently proved the causé of death to persons whose lives might have been preserved for some time longer. A most striking instance in support of this assertion occurred yesterday evening in this city. A soldier of the 93d regiment, quartered in the barracks, was looked upon to be dead, and after having been laid out in the usual w ay during two days, was conveyed to the place of interment (St. Nicholas’s churchyard) on yesterday evening* when, on lowering the body into the graye, the sqldiers.¿assisting heard the noise of struggling in the coffin, and on examination found the man whom they were in the act of burying, endeavouring with his hands and knees to force up the lid. To their great surprise they found their comrade still alive, and conveyed him home in the open coffin. This should prove an additional warning against premature interment.	Courier, June 13, 1815.
m £164
kirby’s wonderful museum.
May 20, 1766. Mrs. Bradford, a lady of Wallingford^ in Berkshire, was found, to appearance, dead, in a field near thatt town, and put into a coffin, where she remained three days; when, to the astonishment of all her friends, she re-* vived just as the coffin was going to be screwed up, and continued in good health. Annual Register, 1766. p. [99*
ACCOUNT OF PERSONS WHO HAVE
HAD HORNS GROW OUT OF THEIR HEADS,
AND WHO HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY EXHIBITED.
MEMOIRS OF MARY DAVIES.
A brief Narrative of a strange and wonderful old Woman, who hath a 'pair of Horns growing upon her heady giving a true account how they have, several times after their being shed, grown again. Declaring the place of her birth, her education and conversation ; with the first occasion of their growth, the time of their continuance, and where she is now to be seen, viz. at the sign of the Swan, near Charing Cross.
Ye who love wonders to behold,
Here you may of a wonder read:
The strangest that was ever seen or told;
A woman bearing Horns upon her head.
London, printed by T. J. 1679*
The above is the exact copy of the title of a pamphlet published at the time of the exhibition of this phenomenon, giving a full account of her. We shall conteht ourselves by saying, it appears, she was exhibited at the sign of the Swan, in the Strand, near (pharing-Cross.
She w?as seventy-six years of age, and had horns growing upon the hinder part of her head, was born and bred in the parish of Shot wick, in Cheshire, within four miles of Chester,ACCOUNT OF PERSONS HAVING HORNS.
165
tenant to his sacred Majesty, upon a farm of sixteen pounds a year, and married to one Henry JDavies, who died thirty-five years before the period of her exhibition. The strange appearance first began from a soreness in that place where now the horns grow, w hich (as it was thought),'was occasioned by wearing a straight hat. This soreness continued twenty-five years, in which it miserably affected her, and gradually ripened into a wen, near the biguess of a large hen-egg* which continued for the space of five years, after which time it was, by a strange operation of nature, changed into horns, which wTere in shew and substance, much like a ram’s horns, solid and wrinkled ; but sadly grieving the old woman, especially upon the change of w7eather. She hath cast her horns three times already ; the first time was but a single horn, which grew long, but as slender as an oaten straw. The second was thicker than the former, llie two first, Mr. Hewson, minister of Shotwick, (to whose wife this rarity was first discovered) obtained from this old woman, his parishioner. They did not fall off at equal periods of time, but three, four, and four years and a half each time. The third time grew two horns, both of which were beat off by a fall backward. One of them was obtained by an English lord, and it is reported he presented it to the French king, for the greatest rarity, in nature, and was received by him with no less admiration. The other (which was the largest) was nine inches long, and two inches about. It was much valued for its novelty: Sir Willoughby Aston had another, which dropped from her head. When she was shown she had a pair upon her head of six months growth; which bid fair to be larger than those described above.
The original picture of Mrs. Davies was in the possession of the learned Sir Richard Mead, M. D. And a Mi\ Ward, then a peruke-maker, in the Strand, had a horn several inches in length, which, he affirmed, was from the head of another woman, and which he used ns a snuff-box.166
kirby’* Wonderful museum.
ELIZABETH LOVE.
In the university library at Edinburgh is preserved a horn, which was cut from the head of Elizabeth Love, in the fiftieth year of her age; it grew three inches above her ear, and was growing seven years. -
MRS. ALLEN.
There is an engraved portrait of a Mrs. Allen, who was to be seen in Coventry-street, near the Haymarket, in the year 1790, who had a horn of some years growth, cut from above her ear; after which there appeared in different parts of her head, several hard substances, one of which ripened into the crooked horn the print represents ; and it was the opinion of an eminent surgeon, that the rest might grow into horns in a few years. She settled in Leicestershire soon afterwards, and no further account was ever known of her.
MARGARET VERGH GRYIFITH.
The account of this woman appeared also in a pamphlet, like Mary Davies, but of which we could only procure a copy of the title-page. It was entitled, {A miraculous and monstrous, but yet most true and certayne discourse of a woman (now to be seen in London), of the age of threescore years or thereabouts, in the middle of whose forehead^ by the wonderful worke of GW, there groweth out a crooked home of four ynches long. Imprinted at London, by Thomas Or win, and are to be sold by Edward White,dwelling at the little north dore of Paul's Church, at the signe of the Gun, 1588.’
She w as the wife of David Gwyn, of the parish of Llahan Gaduain, in the county of Montgomery, but like several married women in Scotland at the present day, went by her father’s sirname in preference to that of her husband : it is probable she came to London to be exhibited as a wonderful phaenomenon.CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF A BAT.
16?
MRS. BUMBY.
In the year 1810, a Mrs. Bumby died, April the 7th of that year, at Ekring, in Hampshire, in the eightieth year of her age. An account of her was given in the Hampshire Telegraph of Monday, April 13, 1810. That in the former part of her life she acted as school-mistress till the age of fifty, at which time she married, and on the day of her marriage, immediately after coming from church, a mental derangement took place, from which she never wholly recovered1. What is very remarkable, a horn sprung within the last few years ''from qne side of her forehead, and grew in a crooked form to the length of nearly six inches: another.also made its appear-4 ance; but owing, as it is supposed, to her frequently rubbing it, its growth was stopped.
It is said Mr. Ashley Cooper, the celebrated surgeon, had a horn in his possession, which came from the head of a man.
Caulfield.
ACCOUNT OF
A SINGULAR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION,
AT WORKING, IN SURRY.
In the church-yard at Working* Surry, as long as any thing is left of a corpse interred there besides the bones, a kind of plant grows up from it, about the thickness of a bulrush, with a top like the head of an asparagus, which comes near the surface, but never above it. The outside is black, the inside red, and when the corpse is consumed, the plant withers away.	Observer, April 11, 1811.
CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF A BAT.
On opening the vault belonging to the family of J. Norris, Esq. in the church of St. Peter’s Mancroft, Norwich, on168
KIRBY S WONDERFUL MUSEUM«
Monday, February the third, 1803, a live bat was found therein, of a greyish colour, where it had probably laid in a torpid state, a solitary companion for the dead, more than thirty-two years, the distance of time since the vault was before opened.	Bell's Messenger, Feb. 16, 1806.
ACCOUNT OF PERSONS
WHOSE HAIR SUDDENLY FELL OFF.
; March 20, 1759* Mr. Haynes,a carpenter, in St John’s-street, was seized with a giddiness. While his wife was employed in rubbing the part affected, his hair came off from his head and his eye-brow's. The same accident happened some years before to Mr. Stanley, of St. Andrew’s* Holborn.	Annual Register, 1759, p- 58,
A WONDERFUL POTATOE.
1759, February 17, Thomas Siddal, gardener, at Chester* took up a potatoe, weighing seventeen pounds four ounces, measuring, in circumference, thirty-eight inches, and, in length, forty-seven inches and a half.
Annual Register, 1759, p. 72*
MARRIOT,
THE GREAT EATER.
This extraordinary man was a lawyer of Gray’s Inn, who piqued himself upon his brutal qualifications of a voracious appetite, iand a powerful digestive faculty, and deserves to be placed, no higher in the scale of beings than a cormorant or an ostrich. He increased his capacity for food by art and application; and had as much vanity in eating to excess, as any monk ever had in starving himself. In the works of Charles Cotton, Esq. there are two copies of verses uponEXTRAORDINARY LARGE GUNS.
169
him ; the only print of him appears to be a wood cut, and he is represented in carrying several sheeps’ heads, hearts, &c. followed by boys hooting after him, under which are the following lines.
' Here to your view’s presented the great eater,
Harriot, the lawyer, 0ray’s-lnnes cormorant;
Who for his gutt is become a meer cheater;
Those that will feed him, councell shall not want/
->/////////////'///////<-
EXTRAORDINARY LARGE GUNS.
An Account of the great Gun at Agra, in the East Indies, described by Lieut. Col. Fitz-Clarence, in his Journal of a Route across India, through Egypt to England, in the yeaf 1817, p.243.
“The natives of India, and indeed, of every eastern nation, seem to have been anxious, at all periods, to render this destructive engine, from its size, more powerful than those of the western world. At Agra I have seen a gun, more like an immense howitzer, above fourteen feet long and twenty-two and a half inches in the bore, into which persons can get. The following is a table of its dimensions ; The weight, 1049 cwt. 1 quarter and 4lbs. ; diameter of the dalibre, £2 inches; chamber, 10 inches ; muzzle, 46 inches; trunnions, 11 inches; base ring, 48 inches; length of the chamber, 51 inches; chase, including the chamber, 159 inches; the piece, l69y inches. Weight of the shot, if iron, 1494.39lb. if marble, 567lb.; weight in maunds, 1469* Value of the gun, as old brass, in Soraut rupees, 53,400; but, if serviceable, it may bees timated at one lac and 60,000.	■	.
This gun was once supposed to contain much gold; and, even as old brass, it is valued at 7000/.; but, if serviceable, it may be estimated at about 18,000/. It at present lies near the banks of the Jumna, outside the wall of the fort. An attempt was made to transport it down to Calcutta, but its embarkation failed. I wished exceedingly,170
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
when I saw it on my first arrival in India, that it should find its way to England, to be placed in Saint James’s Park, near the trophies*of Africa and Europe; represented by the Egyptian gun, and the Spanish mortar from Cadiz, and thus complete the military tribute to the British arms from three quai~~ tiers of the globe. At Delhi, opposite the Lahor gate, is a gun of a very large bore; and the reader will doubtless recollect the two guns at Nagpoor, called Gog and Magog, about twenty-five feet long each, which were, I think, finer pieces and better proportioned than this at Ahmednuggur, which has drawn from me these observations.
u The same place was taken possession of by the Duke of Wellington, August the 12th, 1803, and has ever since remained in our hands. There is also here a famous gun, about twenty-five feet long, which is stated to have carried shot into the camp of the Duke, though out of range of all reasonable weapons.”
(The Egyptian gun, in St. James’s Park, is described in vol. I. page 173 of our work), and the description of the Spanish mortar, from Cadiz, is as follows.
REGENT’S BOMB.
In 1812, the city of Cadiz having endured a long siege by the French, it was raised on the 24th and 25th of August, when, amongst the artillery abandoned by the French to the Spaniards, was this enormous Bomb or Mortar, which, being left spiked, was, with one of smaller dimensions, presented by the Cortes to the Prince Regent. It had been employed in throwing shells the immense distance of three miles ; and it has actually thrown to the distance of three miles and a half. Soon after its arrival at Woolwich, orders were issued for constructing an appropriate carriage. Its station being fixed on the Parade in St. James’s Park, a few yards from the iron-railing enclosing the canal, and immediately opposite the centre of the Horse-(jluards, the work proceeded within a canvas enclosure. On August 2 the mortar was lifted on aEXTRAORDINARY LARGE GUNS.
171
carriage, cast in gun-metal, under the directions of General Cuppage.- It was four years in completing. It was uncovered for public inspection on Monday, August 10, 1816.
On the breech of the gun is the founder’s ¡inscription : a No. ,7,390—Sevilla, 1 de Marzo, 1811.”
The length of the mortar is eight feet; the diameter of its bore at the mouth is twelve inches; its weight five tons. The pedestal is nine feet long, four feet wide, two feet eight inches high, and weighs five tons and a half: it was cast all in one piece. The total weight of the mortar, its carriage, and pedestal, is about fifteen tons. The height of the whole, from the ground, is about nine feet and a half. The mouth of the mortar points at an elevation of forty-three degrees over the Horse-Guards. The front of the pedestal bears the prince’s plume of feathers in alto-relief.
The following are in raised brass letters :—-Inscription on the back of the pedestal.—“ Constructed in the carriage department, royal arsenal, Earl of Mulgrave, Master-General, 1814.”
The inscription on the south side, next Westminster Ah-bey :—u Devictis, a, Wellington, Duce prope Salamancam, Gallis, solut&qae exinde Gadium obsidione, hanc quaint as-picitis, basi super impositam bombardam, vi praeditam adhuc in audita. Ad urbem portumque gaditanum destruendum, conflatam— Et a copiis turbatis relictam, Cortes Hispanici pristinorum haudquaquam—Beneficiofum obliti, sum mas ve-nerationis testimonio donaverunt
Georgio. illus. Brit. Princ.
Qui in perpetuam rei memoriam hoc loco ponendam, et or-namentis decorandam jussit.”
Inscription on the north side, next Carlton-house.—“ To commemorate the raising of the siege of Cadiz, in consequence of the glorious victory gained by the Duke of Wellington over the French, near Salamanca, on the xxii of July, MDCCCXII. This mortar, cast for the destruction of that gr'eat port, with powers surpassing all others, and,17 <2,
KIRBY S WONDERFUL MUSEUM,
abandoned by the besiegers on their retreat, was presented, as a token of respect and gratitude, by the Spanish nation, to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent/’
The largest piece of ordnance that has been made in Britain was a carronade cast at the Carion-works, Scotland, during the late war. It is of cast iron, and carries a ball of 124lbs. weight, and was placed at the entrance of the ArtiL lery-fort, Leith, for the purpose of commanding the roadstead of that harbour. Another, blit of something smaller dimensions, was cast at the same manufactory, aud placed on the other side of the gate of the fort, for the same purpose*
***/'«■•
A NEW ELECTRICAL FISH.
In a Letter from Lieut. Paterson, to Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. F. R, S. and inserted in the Philosophical Transactions.
Mr. Paterson, while at the island of Johanna, in the way to the East Indies, ¡vet with the fish, here delineated and described, iu the cavity of a rock hollowed by the sea, the w ater in which w7as about i>6° or 60° of heat of Fahrenheit’s thermometer. He caught two of them., in a linen bag, closed up at one end and open at the other ; but in attempting to take one of them in his hand, it gave him a severe electrical shock, which obliged him to quit his hold; he however secured them both in the bag, and carried them to the camp at tw;o miles distance : w here, on opening the bag, one of them was found dead, and the other with only so much life as to convince the Surgeon and Adjutant of its electrical powers.
The fish is seven inches long, twTo inches and a half broad, has a long projecting mouth, and seems to be of the genus Tetrodon. The back of the fish is of a dark brown colour; the belly part sea green ; the sides yellow, and the fins and tail a sandy green. The body is interspersed with red, green andBLUE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HOLLAND.
173
white spots, the white ones particularly bright; the eyes large, the iris red, its outer edge tinged with yellow.
Gent. Mag. Dec. 1786, p. 1007.
BURNING SPRING AT FINCASTLE,
IN AMERICA.
A letter from New York, mentions the discovery of a spring in the county of Fincastle, in Virginia, the waters of which have a singular quality unparalleled in any country in the world ; for, by flashing a little gunpowder over it, the water will take fire, and burn like spirits.
Gent. Mag. Sept. 1786. p. 801.
This phenomenon, which the letter writer thinks so singular's not unparalleled, for it will be found, a similar spring or W’ell is particularly described in our first volume, page 210, near Colebrooke Dale ; also described in the Philosophical Transactions, 1748.
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HOLLAND.
The extraordinary exertions made to reach the summit of these mountains, have at last been successful. The following Narrative of an Expedition to explore the Ter-ritory beyond the Blue Mountains, by an Officer of the 101 st regiment, we copy from the Gent. Mag. for Jan. 1813, p. 23.
“ The territory beyond the Blue Mountains has long been an object of considerable anxiety and conjecture, not only among the inhabitants of New Holland itself, but even among the learned men of almost every civilized country in the world—an anxiety not springing from idle curiosity, but deriving its origin from that laudable thirst of knowledge to which may be attributed almost every gteat and,useful dis-J 74
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
covery, of which the modern world so justly boasts. The investigation of this hitherto unknown country presents an object in all respects worthy the speculation and research of the philosopher and the merchant. With this impression, a party of spirited individuals, residing at Sydney-Town, having obtained the sanction of the Governor, undertook to pass the mountain-boundary which had so often baffled the labours of previous adventurers; and the result of this last effort of perseverance, has nòt only justified the undertaking, but realized the calculations of those who have accomplished the extraordinary task.
(( On the 0th of April, 1814, the party, consisting of twenty* seven persons, (of whom nineteen were workmen, the rest being gentlemen well acquainted with geology, botany, &c.)set out from Sydney, and having by the 13th reached the celebrated cataract (which supplies the river emptying itself into Shark's Bay) where all prior attempts had ceased, they immediately commenced active operations. The cataract issues from a large circular opening in the immense ridge of rocks composing the front line of the Blue Mountains, the terrific barrier which runs from one end of the country to the other, preserving almost the whole way the regular perpendicular height of about 300 feet. The aperture through which this awful cataract falls in one column to its basin, is about 120 feet from the ground, being rather more than 30 feet less than the celebrated Falls of Niagara. The first idea which suggested itself to the travellers, was to' explore a passage through the fissure from whence the cataract issued ; but on more accurate observation, it w as ascertained that the column of water completely filled the whole diameter of the opening ; so that no alternative remained but to scale the awful wall of rocks.
“ After innumerable attempts, they at length adopted a plan used many years since in repairing the great tower of the monastery at Raucoux in Westphalia—by making a hole in the rock at about tw7o feet from the ground, and driving the
3175
BLUE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HOLLAND.
end of a strong stake into the opening, and so continuing to make fresh holes (each two feet above the former, not in a straight, but in a slanting direction of ascent), and to introduce as many stakes, they were enabled to construct a firm flight of steps, connected by coarse basket-work, about the texture of common hurdles, the materials being furnished in abundance from the neighbouring woods. This was a task requiring of necessity much labour and considerable time, so that it was not until the &7th the workmen attained an elevation parallel with the upper par t of the opening throughwhich the cataract rushed; they were, however, most agreeably surprised to fihd that here the rock ended, the immense continuation of the precipice consisting of a kind of bituminous Coblon earth, firm, but very yielding to the spade* By the following day was hollowed out a space sufficient for the workmen to move at will with their wheelbarrows, &c. and the noble undertaking was now determined on, of excavating a flight of steps to the summit! Within about thirty feet of the top, the labourers discovered the petrified skeleton of an unknown animal, the head and body resembling those of a bear, with a tail similar to that of a crocodile, only not so long. It is a remarkable fact, that when about 14Q feet from the ground, the thermometer (Fahrenheit) fell to 37* and continued so till the party had ascended within fifty feet of the. surface, when the mercury as suddenly rose to 72 !
“ On the 28th of May, the adventurers had the inexpressible satisfaction of landing on the surface of the terrific elevation over which their indefatigable exertions had triumphed ; exertions (independently of that sweet gratification which always accompanies successful, and not dishonourable perseverance) amply repaid by the scene which presented itself to their view. At the distance of about three miles a second ridge of rocks bounded their view; but, the intermediate country on either side, displayed a level and beautiful track of land, at once exhibiting the boldest figures arid the softest beauties of nature: stupendous columns of basalt, studded176
KIRBY S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
with a silvery copper ore, shooting out from the soil in all directions, afforded a wonderful and most pleasing contrast to trees and shrubs of the finest growth and most luxuriant richness, boasting a variety of species and an extent of beauty hitherto unwitnessed even in that country, so celebrated i$i the annals of botany. Nature must have been in her most sportive humour when this spot was formed, the basalt and ore being thrown into such fantastic shapes, that bn a cur? sory view they had the appearance of a herd of gigantic copper-coloured cattle, attended by colossal shepherds of variegated silver.
“ On inspecting the,smaller ridge of rocks, which formed the next barrier opposed to them, it was discovered that the river supplying the cataract before alluded to, found a rapid descent through a tolerably wide opening in the rocks, and by its own force at once excavated a passage in the soft soif on which it fell, to the depth of about 170 feet, when meeting the solid rock, it continues its course for three miles under ground, and finally issues from the immense aperture described at the commencement of the undertaking. This fully explained the mystery of the cataract issuing more than half way down the Blue Mountains, instead of flowing over their top.
(< The travellers having sent a report of their progress to Sydney-Town, received a considerable supply of necessaries, particularly of the famous New Holland ponies, which with very little difficulty they were enabled to lead up the wicker steps: these animals were of the greatest use in conveying tlie provisions and tents from day to day, as the party advanced ; for the second ridge of mountains was passed in two days, with comparatively very little labour in excavation. Several most extraordinary trees, of species before totally unknown, presented themselves. Of one kind there were some that measured the wonderful extent of forty-five feet round the trunk; another very curious genus exhibited an immense number of spikes or thorns, nearly a foot long andBLUE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HOLLAND.	177
as hard as iron, dispersed all over the trunk. It was remarkable that at the feet of these last-mentioned trees were invariably seen considerable quantities of bones, which’, there was little doubt, were the remains of unfortunate animals, that, either in the ardour of pursuit, or the darkness of night, had been at different times transfixed by the terrific spikes in question.”
Mr. Wentworth, in his description of the colony of New South Wales, says: “ The country to the west of these mountains ranks next in contiguity to Sydney, and claims pre-eminence, not so much from any superiority of soit in those parts of it which have been explored, as from its amazing extent and great diversity of climate. These mountains, where the road has been made over them, are fifty-eight miles in breadth ; and as the distance from Sydney to Emu Ford, at which place this road may be said to commence, is about forty miles, the beginning of the vast tract of country to the westward of them, it will be seen, is ninety-eight miles from the capital.
li The road which thus traverses these mountains is by no means difficult for waggons, until you arrive at the pass which forms the descent into the low country. There it is excessively steep and dangerous; yet carts and waggons go up and down it continually, nor do I believe any serious accident has yet occurred in performing this very formidable undertaking. Still the discovery of a safer and more practicable pass would certainly be attended with a very beneficial influence on the future progress of colonization in this great western wilderness. Every attempt, however, to find such a one has hitherto proved abortive, and should the future efforts which may be made with this view7 prove equally so, there can be little doubt that the communication between the eastern and western country will be principally maintained by means of horses and mules with packs and panniers. The elevation of these mountains above the level of the sea, has not yet been determined, but I should imagine that it cannot ex*» ceed four thousand feet.”
VOL. VI.	N178
Kirby’s wonderful museum.
A GREAT EATER.
Extract of a letter from Dr. James Burrough to Mr. Houghton, F.R.S. (1700.)—About a month &go, at Stanton, a labouring man of a middle age, had for some time so inordinate an appetite, that I had it attested by an eye-witness, that he eat up an ordinary leg of veal roasted at a meal, and fed at such an extravagant rate for many days together. He would eat sow-thistles and other herbs, as greedily during the time his bulimia lasted, as beasts which use such food. I am told he voided divers worms, as long as an ordinary tobacco-pipe, and some of them thicker than its shank. After which, his appetite declined, by degrees, till it came to be of a common rate with that of others. He cannot do so good a day’s work now as he was wont, but has almost recovered his wonted strength again.—Philosophical Transactions, No. 264, p. 598 ,* or, Abridgment of ditto, vol. 4,jp. 503.
DESCRIPTION OF A
SINGULAR AND WONDERFUL BULLOCK’S KIDNEY.
On Saturday, January 25, 1818, a bullock’s kidney was exhibited for public inspection at Wisbeach, of the extraordinary weight of six stones, three pounds-—fourteen pounds to the stone. It measured six feet, one way, and four feet, four inches, the other.
Morning Advertiser, Monday, February 3, 1818.
SINGULAR BILL FOR A NIGHT’S LODGING.
Marlrorough-street.—Yesterday, Mrs. Hickinbot-tom, the wife of Mr. Hickinbottom, the keeper of the St. Petersburgh Hotel, in Dover-street, Piccadilly, appeared toSINGULAR BILL FOR A NIGHT’S LODGING. 179
a summons to answer the complaint of a gentleman, for unlawfully detaining his luggage under the following circumstances:—
The complainant stated, that on Thursday evening last, on his arrival in town from Aberdeen, he went to the White Horse Cellar, Piccadilly ; but the house being full, he was recommended to the St. Petersburgh Hotel, in Dover-street —where, having taken some refreshment, and wrote a letter, he went to bed, and on the following morning, after breakfast, he desired the waiter to bring him his bill, which he did, and the first item that presented itself was the moderate charge of one pound ten shillings for his bed ; and then fol* lowed, amongst many others, sixpence for a pen, a shilling for wax, a shilling for the light, and two and sixpence for other lights—-so that the bill amounted in the whole to thé sum of two pounds one shilling, for his "night’s lodging. To this very exorbitant charge he had refused to submit, in consequence of which, he had been put to great inconvenience, by the detention of his luggage.
The magistrate animadverted with much severity on such extravagant charges on the part of the tavern-keeper, and advised, that upon the gentleman paying 15$. the things might be immediately delivered up. To these terms, however, Mrs. H. Refused to accede ; adding, at the same time, that, the gentleman had only been charged the regular prices of the house, and that she should insist upon the whole amount of the bill being paid, for that the persons who were in the habit of coming to their house never objected to such, the regular price of their lodgings being ten guineas per week.
The magistrate lamented that he had no power to enforce the things bçing given up, but he recommended the complainant to bring an action against the tavern-keeper for the detention.	Observer, Oct. 13, 1817*S80
KIRBY^ WONDERFUL MUSEUM
MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION OF
MR. SCHMITT, MISSIONARY, & A HOTTENTOT*
FROM THE JAWS OF A TIGER, AT THE CAPE OF GOOD
HOPE, AS RELATED BY MR. LATROJBE, IN HIS TRAVELS INTO AFRICA.
In the year 1811, the wolves having done much mischief at Groeue Kloof, an attempt was made to destroy them. For that purpose, the missionaries, Bonaty and Schmitt, with thirty Hottentots, set out early in the morning towards the Lanweskloof hill. One of these animals was seen, and lamed by a shot, but escaped and entered the bushes. The Hottentots followed, and called to the missionaries, that the wolf was in the thicket. Brother Schmitt rode back, and alighting, entered with a Hottentot of the name of Philip Moses. The dog started some animal, which those within the thicket could not seebut the Hottentots on the outside perceiving it to be a tiger, called aloud to the missionary to return. He, therefore, with Philip, began the retreat backwards, pointing his gun, and ready to fire, in case the animal made its appearance. Suddenly a tiger sprang forwards, but from a quarter not expected, and, by a flying leap over the bushes,, fastened upon the Hottentot, seizing his nose and face with claws and teeth. I measured the distance from whence the tiger made his spring, to that on which the Hottentot stood, and found it full twenty feet, over bushes from six to eight feet high. Brother Schmitt observed, that had it not been for the horror of the scene, it would have been an amusing sight, to behold the enraged creature fly, like a bird, over that length of ground and bushes, with open jaw and lashing tail, screaming with violence. Poor Philip was thrown down, and in the conflict, lay now upon, now under the tiger. The missionary might easily have effected his escape, but his own safety never entered his thoughts—-duty and pity made him instantly run forwards to the assist-PRESERVATION OF MR. SCHMITT, &C.
181
since of the sufferer. He pointed his gun, but the motions both of the Hottentot and tiger, in rolling about and struggling, were so swift, that he durst not venture to pull the trigger, lest he should injure Philip. The tiger perceiving him take aim, Instantly quitted his hold, worked himself from under the Hottentot, and flew like lightning upon Brother Schmitt. As the gun was of no use in such close quarters, he let it fall, and presented his left arm to shield his face ; the tiger seized it with his jaw; brother Schmitt, with the same arm, catching one of his paws, to prevent his ’outstretched claws from reaching his body. With the other paw, however, the tiger continued striking towards his breast, and tearing his clothes. Both fell in the scuffle, and providentially, in such a position, that the missionary’s knee came to rest on the pit of the tiger’s stomach. At the same time, he grasped the animal’s throat with his right hand, keeping him down with all his might. The seizure of his throat made the tiger instantly quit his hold, but not before brother Schmitt had received another bite, nearer the elbow. His face lay right over that of the tiger’s, whose open mouth, from the pressure of the windpipe, sent forth the most hideous, hoarse, and convulsive groans, while his starting eyes, like live coals, seemed to flash with fire. In this situation, brother Schmitt called aloud to the Hottentots to come to his rescue, for his strength was fast failing-rage and agony supplying to the animal extraordinary force in his attempts to disengage himself. The Hottentots at last ventured to enter the thicket; and one of them, snatching the loaded gun, presented it, and shot the tiger, under the missionary’s hand, sight through the heart. Brother Schmitt and Philip were materially injured in the conflict.
IM
kirby’s wonderful museum.
ACCOUNT OF A SINGULAR SHRUB,
THE GIZANTEUM, DESCRIBED BY MR. THUNBERG, 5N HIS TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Mr. Thunberg, the celebrated Swedish naturalist, was informed, when at the Cape of Good Hope, that there grew in one of the distant cantons of that country a certain shrub which produced several articles of wearing apparel naturally, ready made, and fit for use, such ag gloves, very soft and fine, fur caps, stockings of fine wool, &c. This account being confirmed by the unanimous concurrence of all the inhabitants of that district, determined our philosopher to go in quest of the plant, though not with the expectation of finding what the inhabitants asserted, but from a desire to account for the phenomenon which had given risen to this fable.
After a considerable search, he at length obtained some branches of this marvellous shrub ; its leaves were covered with a fine, soft, thick, whitish down (which, on drying, changes to a dirty, yellowish brown,) which gave them a good deal the appearance of some kinds of velvet ; the leaves were of different forms, oblong, oval, or rounded, according to their age, and the greater or less maturity they had attained ; the women split them—separating the two surfaces from each other with great address, without dividing them at the edges, and turning them carefully inside out. They thus formed different kinds of gloves, bonnets, &c, of a rude fashion, according to the size and form of the leaf, which answered the purpose of defending the natives from the cold very effectually : thus was explained this astonishing wonder, as all others of a similar nature may be explained, by a little attention to facts.
Mr. Thunberg found that this singular plant belonged to the genus Bupleurum ; and as its species was unknown in Europe, he gave it the name of B. Gizanteum.
As doubts still exist in the minds of many persons, that the above is an exaggerated and fabulous account, we, for theDOMESTICATION OF HARES.
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credit of Mr. Thunberg, beg to state, that some years since we purchased at a sale of curiosities, imported from Holland* a glove formed from this very plant; and that we have in our cabinet the nest of a bird, which is formed by dividing the plant, and fitting it to its own proportions, forming a very secure and warm hybernaculum.	J. Laskey.
CURIOUS EXPERIMENTS IN THE
DOMESTICATION OF HARES.
[JBj/ the late TV. Cowper, Esq.]
In the year 1774, being much indisposed both in mind and body, incapable of diverting myself either with company oi book,s, and yet in a condition that made some diversion necessary, I was glad of, any thing that would engage my attention without fatiguing it. The children of a neighbour of mine had a leveret given them for a plaything; it was at that time about three months old. Understanding better how to tease the poor creature than to feed it, and soon becoming weary of their charge, they readily consented that their father, who saw it pining and growing leaner every day, should offer it to my acceptance. I was willing enough to take the prisoner under my protection, perceiving that* in the management of such an animal, and in the attempt to* tame it, I should find just that sort of employment which my case required. It was soon known among the neigh« bours that I was pleased with the present; and the consequence was, that in a short time I had as many leverets! offered to me as would have stocked a paddock. 1 under« took the care of three, which it is necessary that I should here distinguish by the names I gave them—Puss, Tiney, and Bess. Notwithstanding the two feminine appellatives, I must inform you that they were all males. Immediately commencing carpenter, 1 built them houses to sleep in; each had a separate apartment, so contrived that their ordure184
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would pass through the bottom of it; an earthen pan placed under each received whatsoever fell, which being duly emptied and washed, they were thus kept perfectly sweet and clean. In the day time they had the range of a hall, and at night retired each to his own bed, never intruding into that of another.
Puss grew presently familiar, would leap into my lap, raise himself upon his hinder feet, and bite the hair from my temples. He would suffer me to take him up, and to carry him about in my arms, and has more than once fallen fast asleep upon my knee. He was ill three days, during which time I nursed him, kept him apart from his fellows, that they might not molest him—for, like many other wild animals, they persecute one of their own species that is sick—and by constant care, and trying him with a variety of herbs, restored him to perfect health. No creature could be more grateful than my patient after his recovery ; a sentiment which he most significantly expressed by licking my hand, first the back of it, then the palm, then every finger separately, then between all the fingers, as if anxious to leave no part of it unsaluted ; a ceremony which he never performed but once again upon a similar occasion. Finding him extremely tractable, I made it my custom to carry him always after breakfast into the garden, where he hid himself generally under the leaves of a cucumber vine, sleeping or chewing the cud till evening; in the leaves also of that vine he found a favourite repast. I had not long habituated him to this taste of liberty, before he began to be impatient for the return of the time when he might enjoy it. He would invite me to the garden by drumming upon my knee, and by a look of such expression as it was not possible to misinterpret If this rhetoric did not immediately succeed, he would take the skirt of my coat between his teeth, and pull at it with all his force. Thus Puss might be said to be perfectly tamed : the shyness of his nature was done away; and, on the whole, it was visible, by many symptoms, which I have not room to enumerate, thatDOMESTICATION OF HARES.
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lie was happier in human society than when shut up with his natural companions.
Not so Tiney; upon him the kindest treatment had not the least effect. He too was sick, and in his sickness had an equal share of my attention; but if, after his recovery, I took the liberty to stroke him, he would grunt, strike with his fore feet, spring forward, and bite. He was, however, very entertaining in his way; even his surliness was matter of mirth, and in his play he preserved such an air of gravity, and performed his feats with such a solemnity of manner, that in him too I had an agreeable companion.
Bess, who died soon after he was full grown, and whose death was occasioned by his being turned into his box, which had been washed, while it was yet damp, was a hare of great humour and drollery. Puss was tamed by gentle usage; Tiney was not to be tamed at all; and Bess had a courage and confidence that made him tame from the beginning, t always admitted them into the parlour after supper, when the carpet affording their feet a firm hold, they would frisk, and bound, and play a thousand gambols, in which Bess, being remarkably strong and fearless, was always superior to the rest, and proved himself the Vestris of the party. One evening the cat being in the room, had the hardiness to pat Bess upon the cheek, an indignity which he resented by drumming upon her back with such violence, that the cat was happy to escape from under his paws and hide herself.
I describe these animals as having each a character of his own. Such they were iu fact, and their countenances were so expressive of that character, that, when I looked only on the face of either, I immediately knew which it was. It is said, that a,shepherd, however numerous his flock, soon becomes so familiar with their features, that he can, by that indication only, distinguish each from all the rest; and yet, to a common observer, the difference is hardly perceptible. I doubt not that the same discrimination in the cast of countenances would be discoverable in , hares, and am persuaded,186
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
that among a thousand of them no two could be found exactly similar; a circumstance little suspected by those who have not had an opportunity to observe it. These creatures have a singular sagacity in discovering the minutest alteration that is made in the place to which they are accustomed, and instantly apply their nose to the examination of a new object. A small hole being burned in the carpet, it was mended with a patch, and that patch in a moment underwent the strictest scrutiny. They seem, too, to, be very ftiuch directed by the smell in the choice of their favourites: to some persons, though they saw them daily, they could never be reconciled, and would even scream when they attempted to touch them; but a miller coming in, engaged their affections at once; his powdered coat had charms that were irresistible. It is no wonder that my intimate acquaintance with these specimens of the kind has taught me to hold the sportsman’s amusement in abhorrence; he little knows what amiable creatures he persecutes, of what gratitude they are capable, how cheerful they are in their spirits, what enjoyment they have of life, and that impressed as they seem with a peculiar dread of man, it is only because man gives them peculiar cause for it.
That I may not be tedious, I will just give a short summary of those articles of diet that suit them best.
I take it to be a general opinion that they graze; but it is an erroneous one; at least grass is not their staple; they seem rather to use it medicinally, soon quitting it for leaves of almost any kind* Sow-thistle, dent-de-lion, and lettuce, are their favourite vegetables, especially the last. I discovered, by accident, that fine white sand is in great estimation with fhem, I suppose as a digestive. It happened that I was cleaning a birdcage while the hares were with me. I placed a pot filled with such sand upon the floor, which being at once directed to by a strong instinct, they devoured voraciously; since that time I have generally taken care to see them well supplied with it. They account green corn a delicacy, both blade and stalk, but the ear they seldom eat.DOMESTICATION OF HAEES.
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Straw of any kind, especially wheat straw, is another of their dainties; they will feed greedily upon oats, but if furnished with clean straw, never want them; it serves them also for a bed, and, if shaken up daily, will be kept sweet and dry for a considerable time. They do not indeed require aromatic herbs, but will eat a small quantity of them with great relish, and are particularly fond of the plant called musk; they seem to resemble sheep in this, that, if their pasture be too succulent, they are very subject to the rot; to prevent which, I always made bread their principal nourishment, and filling a pan with it cut into small squares, placed it every evening in their chambers, for they feed only at evening and in the night; during the winter, when vegetables were not to be got, I mingled this mess of .bread w ith shreds of carrot, adding to it the rind of apples cut extremely thin ; for, though they are fond of the paring, the apple itself disgusts them. These, however, not being a sufficient substitute for the juice of summer herbs, they must at this time be supplied with water—but so placed, that they cannot overset it into their beds. 1 must not omit that occasionally they are much pleased with twigs of hawthorn, and of the common briar, eating even the very wood when it is of considerable thickness.
Bess, 1 have said, died young; Tiney lived to be nine years old, and died at last, I have reason to think, of some hurt in his loins by a fall; Puss is still living, and has just completed his tenth year, discovering no signs of decay, nor even of age, except that he is grown more discreet, and less frolicsome than he was. I cannot conclude without observing, that I have lately introduced a dog to his acquaintance—a spaniel that had never seen a hare, to a hare that had never seen a spaniel. I did it with great caution ; but there was no real need of it. Puss discovered no token of fear, nor Marquis the least symptom of hostility. There is, therefore, it should seem, no natural antipathy between dog and hare, but the pursuit of the one occasions the flight of188
kirby’s wonderful museum.
the other, and the dog pursues because he is trained to it : they eat bread at the same time out of the same hand, and are in all respects sociable and friendly.
I should not do complete justice to my subject, -did I not add, that they have no ill scent belonging to them ; that they are indefatigably nice in keeping themselves clean, for which purpose nature has furnished them with a brush under each foot ; and that they are never infested by any vermin, May%%,\ 784.
In addition to the account of Mr. Cowper, many instances of the tractability of hares are recorded ; and it is well known to many persons now living, that at Sadler’s Wells, its greatest attraction was the exhibition of hares, at that place of amusement, in beating the drums, and a variety of tricks, that occupied a length of time. And so lately as the years 1817 and 18J18, a Frenchman went about the streets of London, and its vicinity, with two hares, who, at the word of command, would beat a drum, load a pistol, and ram it down, by taking the end of the ram-rod in its mouth, and striking it several blows, afterwards put its foot to the trigger, and lire it off.
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LOSS OF THE SYLVAN.
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
From the Cork Mercantile Chronicle, of Nov. 18, 1818.
<c In our paper of Friday, we stated the loss of the Sylvan, of Cork, Captain Pugh, from Liverpool for Cork, on the Sovereign’s Islands, near the harbour of Kinsale, and some circumstances connected therewith; amongst others, the loss of three passengers, two of whom, a man and his wife, were believed to be natives or inhabitants of Youghal, and the third a young person, whose name was unknown.LOSS OF THE SYLVAN#
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({ Towards the close of Wednesday evening, when a fog which had arisen, was in some measure dissipated, and when the sea had somewhat abated, the mast of the vessel could be descried from the shore of Oysterhaven, with something of the appearance of a man clinging to the rigging. Night, however, and the tempestuous sea which still prevailed, rendered it impossible to make any effort to afford assistance ; and those who witnessed the perilous situation qf the unfortunate being, did not doubt but a few hours, nay minutes, would terminate their suspense and his life. The night closed: it was one of great horror ; there was a high wind and heavy rains ; it was generally dark, save when now and again a gleam of moonshine made the scene more visibly terrific. The morning broke without any abatement having taken place in the violence of the elements ; but the boats from Oysterhaven, which had witnessed the scene of the preceding night, were early in motion, and rowed in a tremendously heavy sea, towards the islands. As they proceeded, they encountered several pieces of wreck, and did not doubt that the unfortunate person, who had been seen clinging to the rigging, had met that fate which appeared to be inevitable ; upon nearing the islands, however, they could discern, upon one of them, something with the appearance of a human being, moving backwards and forwards; and upon approaching as close as the heavy surge would admit them, they distinctly saw that it wag a man or a boy# To relieve him at the moment was impossible. The destruction of thè boat and crew would have been the certain consequence of any attempt of the kind ; for the sea still continued dreadfully agitated, and the wind extremely high. These circumstances being communicated to Mr. Gramer, living near Oysterhaven Bay, he immediately had them made known to Mr. Newman, the sovereign of Kin-sale; and about ten o’clock on Thursday morning, the king’s boat, stationed at Oysterhaven, with Mr. Marniseli, a gentleman of the revenue from Kirisale, young Mr. Holmes, and190	kirby’s wonderful museum.
the crew, proceeded towards the island, with a small punt in tow. On coming as close within its range as the surf allowed them, the former gentleman and two of the crew took to the punt, and were almost immediately lifted upon the very rocks of the island, at the very spot where the miserable inhabitant was watching them with the most intense anxiety. The wave which thus threw them in, receded, and left the punt for a few minutes on the rock, during which time they threw out a rope, w'bich the person caught, and almost at the same moment another w ave bore off the punt filled with water, and nearly capsized* They were then writh difficulty taken on board the pinnace, from whence signs were made to the boy (for they had been able to discover that he was quite a young lad) to tie the rope round his body and trust himself to the waves. Afraid, however, or ignorant of the meaning of their gestures, he wound the rope round his hand, but in a moment hastened to take it off, threw it away, and again mounted the cliffs.
“ Night was now fast ^closing in, and the sea and wind continued unabated. The boats w^ere reluctantly obliged to retire, and to leave the unfortunate boy for the second night upon the rock, without food or shelter, and with all the fearful anticipations that before morning cold and hunger would terminate his existence. As they retreated, he was seen collecting in a particular spot (a kind of cavern), a quantity of weeds, with the intention of making a bed, and picking from the earth some wild vegetables with which the rock abounds, and which he was observed to eat. A fog suddenly concealed him from further observation while thus employed.
“ Reluctant to suffer such an interval as between night and morning to pass without making a new effort in behalf of the boy, at eleven o’clock at riight Mr. Gibbon’s whaleboat was again manned, and attempted to get out, but could not succeed. In the morning, long before day, she again started with Lieuts. Sevan and Nason, of the royal navy,LOSS OF THE SYLVAN.
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and John Heard Isaac, Esq. and rowed towards the island; but with no Hope of reaching* it, as the sea and wind were still higher than on either of the two preceding mornings, and the scene altogether more terrific. The worst apprehensions were entertained for the boy, who had been then two days and two nights on the rock, without any other food than the wild vegetables which it yielded. Those fears, however, were in Some degree relieved, when he was again seen from the boat, moving about; but hope derived no support from the aspect of the morning, which promised as bad as the former day. After renewed but fruitless efforts to gain any point of the island, the whale-boat was again obliged to return to Kinsale, which it reached about twelve o'clock, after having been several times in danger of swamping. Here a most interesting scene took place : the crew of an American vessel, the D/yad, which w?as undergoing some repairs in the dock-yard of Messrs. Gibbons and Co., volunteeied to go out in the whale-boat, and make an effort to rescue the boy. Their services were gratefully accepted* and they swore they never would return, if they did not sue-» ceed. They then proceeded to make an experiment, by firing a musket-ball with a rope attached to it, which was found to convey it with ease as far as they considered would be necessary; and thus provided, they proceeded to sea.
“ In the mean time the boats from Oysterhaven had got into activity, and they could be seen for three hours in sue* cession, contending with, but scarcely living in, the breakers at the base of the rock. As the situation of the boy became more hopeless, their exertions increased, and their desperate daring was more visible. It was impossible that he could have survived another night; and the knowledge of this circumstance seemed to infuse new resolution in the /hearts of the men. Two boats were for a long time seen supporting each other in their perilous undertaking ; yet they were frequently concealed for minutes together, in the dip of the sea, or in the surge of the breakers. The day was 8192
K1RBY?S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
then far advanced; and to those who were on the coast provided with glasses, and who could see what was going forward, there appeared as little hope of rescuing the boy as on the preceding day, and his fate seemed inevitable. They did not know the resolution which the crews formed, either to succeed or perish; and the interest of the scene was excited into intense and feverish agitation, when one of the men, a brave and dauntless fellow, named Jack Carty, the owner of one of the Oysterhaven boats, was observed to be tying a rope round his body, and in a few minutes to throw himself, with the most fearless devotion, into the surge, in which bis boat could not live. We need not describe the sensation which prevailed: all the attention was now turned towards this heroic fellow: and the suspense was unutterable, until he was seen clinging to, and occasionally climbing, the cliffs, where an immense sea had left him.
“ He succeeded in mounting beyond the reach of the sprays, and was soon most actively employed in assisting 7 the poor boy, who was in a completely exhausted state of mind and body, and who could with difficulty descend to where his preserver beckoned him. At length he reached him, and Jack Carty proceeded to invest his body with the rope which he had taken from his own, and then performed the duty of ushering him to the spot where he had himself been thrown, where he consigned him to the waves. Doubt and anxiety were again painfully excited, while the men in the boat were drawing him through the breakers and seas, through which he must pass before his safety could be said to be ensured ; but both were despatched, when he \vas seen taking in over the gunnel, which was announced by three cheers in the boats. During these few moments of agitation, the intrepid Jack Carty, who remained on the island, was forgotten; but the boy’s safety being known, all eyes were turned to the former, and we could distinctly see him sitting down with the utmost composure on a point of rock, waiting for his own chance of being released. This,LOSS OF THE SYLVAft.
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happily, was not long accomplishing ; a rope was flung on the cliffs, and Jack, more adroit than his predecessor on the island, soon seized, and tied it round his waist and shoulders. Notwithstanding the perils of the scene, it was almost whimsical to see this fine fellow collecting the boy’s and his own clothes, which he deliberately tied up in a bundle, and put under his arm; and then, descending to the most favourable spot, he watched his opportunity, and threw himself into the sea; from which, in the course of about five minutes, he was released by his companions, who signified his safety by loud cheers, which were returned from those parts of thé land where they could be heard. It was then exactly half past two o’clock. The whale-boat, with the American crew, arrived almost at the moment Carty had got into his boat; but they were in sight some time before, and were also seen rowing in the most undaunted manner in the heavy sea, and almost in the surge, advancing towards the most accessible point of the island. Upon learning the safety of the boy, they gave three cheers, and returned to Kinsale, scarcely less entitled to public gratitude, than if they had been the instruments of preservation. Other boats also arrived at the moment, ignorant of what had occurred, but all determined to make a simultaneous effort. Lieutenant Desprang, of the royal navy, and Lieutenant Blackyer, had proceeded in one boat, with geese and turkeys, to which were attached such pieces of bread as they could be supposed to carry, and which were to be fled in the direction of the island, when the boat got sufficiently near for that purpose. These preparations were happily rendered unnecessary ; but those who provided them, and undertook their superintendence, are entitled to the greatest praise.
“ The king’s boat from Oysterhaven, with the Messrs. Holmes, also arrived at the moment, and into this the boy was transferred, and conveyed to Mr. Holmes’s, wrhere every attention that his forlorn situation required, was bestowed upon him by that gentleman and his family.
VOL. VI.
o1&4	KIRBY’S WONDERFÜt /MUSEUM.
a Having now brought the narrative to a conclusion, we have only further to state, that the name of the young boy thus providentially rescùed by the heroic interposition of Carty and his associates, is A usten ; that he is a native of Limerick, and has a brother residing there, who is a chan« elier. Such is the account the lad gives of himself, and there is no reason to doubt it. At eleven o’clock dn Saturday, at which hour the accounts from Oysterhaven came away, he was better than could have been expected, and Was very voracious for food, which, with the exception of Warm wine, was very sparingly, but sufficiently, given to him, for his situation.”
A subscription, we find, has been properly set on foot, to reward the heroism thus conspicuously displayed ; and the Cork Chronicle concludes in the following manner
“We shall be very happy to receive and acknowledge at this office, any sum given by way of donation, to assist iri purchasing a boat for the humane and intrepid fellow, Jack Carty 5 and we do not know of a better mode of completely putting ah end to the savage custom of pillage, and frequently of murder, after a shipwreck, than to give very ample compensation to the men who on such occasions risk their own safety, to save the lives or property of their fellow men.”	Times, Nov. 0$, 1818.
SINGULAR CASE OF OBSTINACY.
The extraordinary case of obstinacy and obduracy, as related in the narrative of Pfiineas Adams, see Yol. IV. p. 173, can scarcely find a parallel. We now present our readers With another extraordinary individual, whose self-determination was such, that even at the bar qf life and death, he resolutely withstood all attempts made to induce him to plead, affecting to be mute by the visitation of God, and actuallyCASE OF OBSTINACY.
19 5
suffered sentence of death to be passed on him, without pleading to his indictment.
This man was arraigned in the preceding Assizes, and putting on the appearance of insanity, was then declared by a Jury—Mute by the visitation of God. His brother, who was tried at the same time, and for the same crime, was found guilty, and executed.
Michael McDonnell, aged27> a labourer, from Glasgow', was indicted for having, on the 11th of June, 1810, broken into the parish church of Church Lawton, and stolen thereout a silver flaggon, a silver cup, and a silver salver, the property of the churchwardens of Church Lawton. On the prisoner being put tq the bar, he was seized with a real or affected fit of trembling, and an apparently convulsive motion of the muscles of the face. The indicithent was then read, but be appeared not to notice it in the slightest way.
u The Chief Justice then addressed him to the following effect Prisoner at the bar, you are charged with a capital offence, and are called upon to plead guilty or not guilty to an indictment for sacrilege. I do hope that you are aware of the situation in which you stand; for if a Jury be em-panoelled, and on the evidence adduced before them, they give in a verdict that you are mute through fraud and obstinacy, and not by the visitation of God, the pnly course which the Court will have to adopt, will be immediately to pass upon you the sentence of death/ Mr*. Humphreys, the jprolhonotary, then read the indictment, and he was called upon to pleado After some little time had elapsed, in the coupe of which, the trepidation in his left arm had evidently ceased, he was again asked the usual question—*
4 Guilty, or not guilty f9 wfien he said, with great rapidity of utterance, * Yes, yes/ ,
The Chief Justice told him such a pleading could not fee taker*, as the Court could not say whether he meant to ackupwledge his guilt, or put himself upon his trial by his
o 2196
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country. His lordship, for the first time, then asked him to plead.
u The prisoner uttered the same words as before, when a Jury was about to be empannelled, to inquire whether he was mute through fraud and obstinacy, or by the visitation of God. In this stage of the proceedings, Dr. Llewellyn Jones, who had seen the prisoner professionally, suggested to the bench the propriety of more strenuously urging the prisoner to plead to the indictment, expressing an opinion (formed from a close observation of his conduct) that he would eventually plead. The Chief Justice humanely declared himself ready to adopt any suggestions offered, and to wait any length of time that might be necessary to put them in practice. Being again urged to plead, and the nature of the indictment, together with the danger of his situation, being explained to him in a loud voice by Mr. Hurst, he now distinctly said, 4 Guilty, guilty/
44 The Chief Justice declared himself at a loss what course to follow, as the most satisfactory in a case so entirely new, but thought, under the circumstances it would be better for the prisoner, that the Court should proceed on the inquiry, as if no plea had been uttered. Dr. L. Jones then deposed: 61 saw the prisoner a few days before the last assizes, and then declared myself unable to decide on the true nature of his case. I visited him last night, and re-. mained with him about an hour, and formed an opinion that he is capable of understanding the situationdn which he now stands, and that he is able to plead to the indictment. Finding, however, that the maffs life might be affected by the opinion now7 given, I determined to call a consultation. I saw him again this morning, in company with three other physicians. We are unanimously of opinion that he can both hear and speak/ Other evidence was produced to the same effect. Samuel Needham (a prisoner, charged with stealing silk, but not then tried:) 41 have known the prisonerCASE OF OBSTINACY.
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sk months, and sometimes have had a conversation with him. I think him, however, not altogether in his senses ! I have helped him sometimes to dress and undress/
a The evidence being closed, the learned Judge proceeded to address the Jury. He observed, a case like that of the prisoner at the bar very seldom occurred ; for himself he did not recollect a single instance. The ancient law of the land, in instances of this description, had its barbarous peculiarities. If a prisoner remained mute, whilst possessed of his understanding, the Court would then order him back to his prison, where he must be stripped, thrown on the ground on his back, tied down, and a weight placed on his breast for sustenance, he was allowed a small portion of bread, and his drink was water, obtained from the nearest place to his cell. This inhuman mode had, however, long been abolished, and a very different system had been adopted. In the course ©f the examination of this case, the Jury had heard the evidence of two eminent physicians; they had examined the prisoner, and upon their oaths had declared him to be in a fit state of bodily and mental health to be put upon his triaL This opinion was corroborated by the testimony of Mr. Hurst, who had observed him at various periods, and remarked, that under the supposition of not being seen, he conducted himself as any other person wrould. The medical gentlemen had said, that in their judgment, he could plead to the indictment; and with respect to the conduct of the prisoner in confinement, he could dress and undress himself, and superintend the cooking of his own victuals. The only question for the consideration of the Jury was, whether they considered the prisoner’s demeanour as mere artifice ; and in favour of this were the whole of the physicians, who had swrorn that it was wholly put on. Upon the whole, and he hoped the most mature consideration wrould be given to the evidence, if the Jury thought that the prisoner’s standing mute was not by the visitation of God, they must say so ; if, on the contrary, they were of opinion that he was not capablel£)8;	. KIRBY’S WÒtfDEXtFlfL MUSEUM.
of answering, they must bring in their verdict, that he did not stand fruite by fraud and obstinacy, but by the visitation of God. After about ten minutes consideration, the Jury brought in a verdict, that the prisoner stood mute by fraud and obstinacy, and not by the visitation of God.
u His lordship immediately proceeded to pass sentence on thè prisoner. * À Grand Jury of the county/ said the lèkrtìed Judge, * has returned into this court a true bill agàiriM you for burglary and sacrilege. To that bill of in-dictttiefrt you have refused to plead, and by so doing, have thrown an impediment in the way Of the progress of public justice. The law, notwithstanding, has a provision in this Case, and the Jury have found, that it is not by the visitation of God that you have so stood mute, but by fraud, obstinacy^ and Contumacy. The Court, therefore, has only one course to follow, and that is to proceed against you, as though yon had beeii tried and found guilty. Tbe sentence which this Gotirt awards is, that you, Michael McDonneilJ, be takers from hence to the place from whence you came/ &c. Judgment of death was passed upon the prisoner in the usual form. Before he left the bar, the movement of the hands had much abated ; but the prisoner’s head continued to move rapidly till he was taken below the bar.”
Observer, May II, 1817-
GLUTTONY.
!■
Nicholas Wood, of Harrisom, in the county of Kent, yeoman, did with ease eat a Whole sheep of sixteen shillings price, and that raw, at one meal; at another time he eat thirty dozen of pigeons. At Sir Wm. Sedley’s, he eat as much as would suffice thirty men ; at the Lord Wutton’s, in Kent, he eat, at one meal, fourscore ami four rah mis, winch number would have sufficed a hundred tlneescore and eight men, allowing to each, half a rabbit. He suddenly ^devouredG1AJTT0NY.
19$
eighteen yards of black pudding, London measure ; and when at once he had eaten threescore pounds weight of cherries, he said they were but wash-meat. He made an end of a whole hog at once,; and after it (for fruit,) swallowed three pecks of damsons, after he had broken his fast, having (as he said) eaten one pottle of milk, one pottle of pottage, with bread, butter, and cheese. “ He eat in my presence,” saith Taylor, the water poet, u six penny wheaten loaves, three sixpenny veal pies, one pound of sweet butter, one good dish of thornback, and a shiver of a peck loaf, of an inch thick—and all in the space of an hour; the house yielded no more, and so he departed unsatisfied.” One John Dale was too hard for him at a place called Lenham; he laid a wager that he would fill Wood’s belly with good wholesome victuals for two shillings; and a gentleman that laid the contrary, wagered, that when he had eaten put Dale’s two shillings, he should then forthwith eat up a good sirloin of beef. Dale bought six pots of gopd mighty ale, and twelve new' penny white loaves, which he sopped in the ale ; the powerful fumes whereof conquered this conqueror, and laid trim in a sleep, to the preservation of the roast beef, and unexpected winning of the wager. He spent all 'his estate, to provide food for his belly; and though a landed man, and a true labourer, died very poor, about the year 1030.	Fuller’s Worthies^ p, 8Q9
November, 1765. Walter Willey, a brewer’s servant, devoured at a public-house in Aldersgate-street, a roasted goose, that weighed six pounds, and a quartern loaf, and drank three quarts of porter, in an hour and eight minutes, for a wager of two guineas. He was allowed an hour and a half.	Annual Register, 1765. p. [147.
May 1760. A young man, about nineteen, an apprentice to Ml*. Turner, watchmaker, in Aldersgale-strept, eat a leg pf pork, of sin pounds weight, and a pease-pud» diiig weighing in proportion, at a public-house in Islington, for a trifling wager, in less than three quarters of an hour;£00	kirby’s wonderful museum.
after which, he drank a pint of brandy off, at two draughts, and went away, seemingly in perfect health.
Annual Register, 1766. p. [96-
On Monday last, at the Bull Inn, near Tunbridge Wells, a farmer’s servant drank, for a trifling wager, a quart of Hollands in the space of three minutes and a half; the limited time was fifteen minutes. He immediately left the inn, and was found in an adjoining field, about an hour after, in a state of insensibility; and, notwithstanding every assistance, he expired within a few hours.
Times, March 4, 1804.
At the same time and place other feats of gormandizing took place, though ,not attended with such fatal consequences. The performers were two sons of Crispin; one of whom undertook to eat the length of himself in pork sausages, which was 5 feet 9? inches, weighing 3 Jib. including £lb. of new bread, a quart of porter, and two glasses of brandy, which he performed with ease in twenty-two minutes. The other eat a pound of salt butter with a spoon, without bread or vegetables, in ten minutes; and afterwards a dumpling, weighing Iflb. made of flour and water, by way of keeping down the grease.
London Packet, March £, 1804.
A blacksmith at Strood eat, on Tuesday, for a trifling wager, a pint of perriwinkles, with the shells, in the space of ten minutes. Being desired to repeat this disgusting feat, he readily did it; but is now so dangerously ill, that he is not expected to recover.
A man at Misson, near Bawtry, eat, last week, for a trifling wager, sixty-five raw eggs in eight minutes.
Observer, March £4, 1811.
On Tuesday evening, a journeyman weaver, of the name of Cunningham, about fifty years of age, engaged to eat, at a public-house in the neighbourhood of Church-street, Bethnal-green, four pounds of fat bacon, raw, four pounds of boiled potatoes, and half a quartern loaf, and to drinkHEN WITH A HUMAN FACE.
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two pots of beer and a pint of gin, within the space of an hour, which task he performed six minutes within the time, to the astonishment of every person present. The glutton, however, was almost immediately taken ill', and sent home to his lodgings: and such is his situation, that he is not expected to survive.	Observer, December £9, 1811.
On Wednesday last, two gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Ratcliff Highway, laid a wager of 5/. upon a man named Leurnen, a coal-heaver, that he should devour, in the space of three quarters of an hour, nine pounds of bullock's heart roasted, three pounds of potatoes, a half quartern loaf, and a pot of porter. The parties met at the Queen's Head public-house, Broad-street, Ratcliffe Highway; and the spectators, of which there was a considerable number, paid sixpence each to be admitted! He completed his task, and drank three or four glasses of rum besides, within the time allowed him, without producing the smallest apparent inconvenience to himself.
Times, November 4, 1812.

HEN WITH A HUMAN FACE.
Curious Description of a Hen, having the Profile of the Human Face. With sqme Observations by Professor Fischer.	Translated from the Russ, by Dr, Lyall,
Physician to Count Or ¿of at Moscow, 1816.
[with a plate.]
Never was there a hen attracted so much attention; never has any animal, even the most rare, so greatly excited the curiosity of the public, as the lien with the human profile, which was found in the district of Belef, in the government of Tula, and sent to the Imperial University of Moscow, by his Excellency the civil governor, Mr. Bogda-noff.
For the satisfaction of such individuals as have not had202	kikby’s wonderful museum*
an opportunity of seeing this animal, I here present them with a faithful sketch, accompanied with some observations* The hen is of the middle size, that is eight inches high, and fourteen long; her feathers are of a pearlish grey colour* and brown in some places, particularly at the points. The form of her body, as well as her manner of living, is the same as that of other hens; but her head presents an extraordinary phenomenon; for, at the place where the beak ought to be, she exhibits a human profile, resembling that of an old woman, The beak is entirely wanting, and the jaw-bones are shortened in such a maimer, that they terminate where, in other hens, the nostrils are found. They are covered with flesh, and resemble lips. The comb, in a front view, in this hen, forms a kind of nose; which appears the more astonishing, as the nostrils are found between the termination of the nose and the jaw; but we are most liable to be deceived, when we see, as sometimes hap*» pens, some drops of liquid in them, or when the dust is accumulated there. To the inferior jaw is attached a fleshy excrescence, not to be found in other hens, and which forms a kind of chin. This chin is bare, or naked, with the exception of some hairs of beard, and is prolonged with naked skin, even to the ears, as in other hens. The eyes are round and black, and surrounded with an iris of a cinnabar-red colour. The parts of the head under the eyes are of a flesh colour, mixed with blue, and almost naked, or covered like the chin, with a kind of stiff hairs, which form towards the ears, a sort of whiskers, and conceal the aperture of the ear. These peculiarities of the head, united, present a great resemblance between the profile of this hen and that of an old woman, particularly if one does hot attend to the tlift of feathers on the head of this animal; and the longer and more attentively we look at this profile, especially when the hen feeds, the more striking does the resemblance become. In consequence of this conformation, the animal cannot take the kind of food which suits it*HEN WITH A HUMAN FACE.
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As the beak is wanting, and has for substitute a kind of mouth, it is very difficult for her to eat, and still more so to collect grains* The too great advancement of the nostrils prevents her altogether from drinking; it is, therefore, necessary to feed her with bread soaked in water, or in milk. She prefers eating white bread with cream; and when hemp-seeds are presented to her in the hand, she appears to'swallow them with great avidity; yet she likes, as well as all other hens, hashed meat, corn, Sec, I have heard that she has also been seen to eat cheese with much eagerness. She is very tame, as is the case with all birds which have the beak maimed, whether done by the hand of man, or by chance. She prefers eating from the hand, as the soft parts about the mouth (the comb under the chin), are Soon injured when she is obliged to peck her nourishment on hard bodies. Since I have had her in my chamber, and nourished her from my hand, she know s me very well,- and approaches the place where I sit, whether while dining or drinking tea, and calls for something to eat by a particular cry. Her voice, although feeble, resembles that of other hens; and often when alone, she cackles like a hen abotit to lay. Notwithstanding the loss of the beak, after having eaten, she makes the ordinary motions of the head, to wipe and clean the two sides of the jaw upon hard bodies, as on the table or the ground. This hen appears better pleased to be in human society than among other fowls. When another hen is carried into the chamber, and placed near her, she begins to be angry, lets her wings fall, swells and raises herself, and makes a noise like that of a cock which is preparing for combat. In the kitchen she is at cbntinuai warfare with the other hens, which she chases; but she herself takes to flight as soon as she perceives the cock. The cock appears now, however, to inspire more confidence. In the open air she appears to be timid ; and she conceals herself among the grass on the approach of crows or birds of prey, or on the least noise. If she hap-£04
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pens to be at the chamber window, and to observe crows passing, she sinks at every one of their movements, and gapes with fear. This hen was changing her feathers when I received her, (four months ago) and the change is not yet finished; which proves that it is more slowly effected than in other hens; because her nourishment being insufficient, renders her unhealthy, yet the feathers become more thick and lucid, and the plume on the head and neck, is become much more bushy. The feet are strong, and the scales which cover them are almost the same as those of a hen of two years of age. She is without the spurs; and I ani unable to determine whether she was hatched without them, or has lost them in battle, or by cold. On the right foot one nail is deficient, and on the left two. This is a true description of the hen, and of the facts which I have observed.
Explanation of *the Plate.—Fig. 1. is a true profile of the hen’s face, like to that of an old woman. Fig. £. is a front view of the head. Fig. 3. is a profile view of the head, with the mouth open, to shew the tongue, which is short and fleshy, and has the form of a triangular and arched spade.
JOAN D’ARC,
THE MAID OF ORLEANS.
This heroine, whose exploits we are about to recite, was the daughter of James d’Arc, a peasant in the village of Dompre, or Damremy, near the borders of Lorrain. In her younger years she assisted in attending her father’s little farm; but her disposition even then appeared of such a military turn, that the old man was under perpetual apprehension lest Joan should follow the camp. When she attained the age of eighteen, she was no despicable figure. Her mien was graceful, her figure comely, and her agility andJOAN ©'ARC.
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vigour very uncommon in her sex. Soon after she eloped from her father, and hired herself to a female innkeeper, who let out horses, at Neufchastel in Lorrain. Here she followed, in the quality of a servant, the business she thought most suitable to her disposition, as it gave her an opportunity of taking journies, riding the horses to water, and knowing how to manage them. In this station she continued five years, and then returned to her father., The old man being fond of his daughter, did not perhaps choose to hazard a second elopement, and therefore indulged her in a more quiet life than she had hitherto known. As Joan was remarkable both for wit and genius, this new life of inactivity caused her to indulge reflection ; and though distant from the scenes of the misery of her country, she heard of its distress, and was deeply impressed with its calamities.
Great part of France had been subdued by the victorious arms of our fifth Henry, who had been crowned at Paris, from which the French monarch was now an exile. Though Henry, the terror of France, was by this time dead, yet his armies, under the conduct of his brother and other experienced officers, was still proceeding in the career of victory, and had laid siege to Orleans. These things, which would scarcely have excited emotion in any ordinary mind, particularly of a female, filled the heart of Joan with deep regret. She figured to herself the unfortunate king Charles, as the most deserving prince ever formed by the hand of Nature; his followers as so many heroes, undeservedly miserable for preserving their loyalty. She thought there was no toil too painful for her to endure, no danger too great for her to undertake, to serve men so highly revered; and she had doubtless, already, within the walls of a cottage, triumphed over the English battalions, and humbled the pride of the ambitious regent.
Filled with sentiments like these, her impatience for action so inflamed her mind, that she mistook the impulses of her passion for heavenly inspirations. She fancied she saw vi-£06	KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
sions, and heard voices, exhorting her to establish her favourite prince on the throne of his ancestors, and repel the foreign invaders of her country. Thinking herself, therefore, destined by heaven to perform this service, she threw off that bashfulness and timidity which would otherwise have naturally adhered to her sex, her years, and her mean station. She repaired to Vaucouleurs, procured admission to Baudricourl the governor, informed him of her inspirations, her visions, and her intentions, and conjured him not to neglect the voice of Heaven, who spoke by her mouthy but to second those celestial revelations which irresistibly impelled her to undertake this glorious work. Baudricourt, who considered her as a mere visionary, treated her application at first with some neglect; but on her frequent and importunate solicitations, he began to remark something extraordinary in the maid, and was inclined at all hazards, to try so easy an experiment.
It is uncertain, whether this general had discernment sufficient to perceive, that great use might be made of so uncommon an instrument; or whether, as is still more likely in that credulous age, he became himself a convert to this enthusiast. Be this as it may, he at length adopted the scheme of Joan, and gave her a few attendants, who conducted her to the French court then' residing at Chi non.
Every historian should endeavour to distinguish between the miraculous and the marvellous; to reject the former in all transactions merely human, to scruple the latter, and when obliged by the concurrent testimony of all cotemporary writers, as in the present case, to admit of something extraordinary, but at the same time tp receive as little of it as is consistent with known facts and circumstances. It is pretended by some visionary writers of these times, that she immediately knew the king, though she had never seem his face before, and though he purposely mingled in the crowd of courtiers, and had even laid aside every thing in his dress and apparel that might distinguish him. It is added^ that
3JOAN »’AEG.
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slie offered that prince, in the name of the Supreme Creator, to raise the siege of Orleans, and conduct him to Rheims, to be there crowned and anointed; and on his expressing some doubts of her mission, revealed to him, before some sworn confidants, a secret unknown to all the world except tiimseif, and which it was impossible for her to know, but by a heavenly inspiration; demanding, at the same time, as the instrument of her future victories, a particular sword, carefully kept in the church of St. Catherine de Fierbois, and which, though she had never seen, she described with all its marks, mentioning the place in which it had long laid neglected and forgotten. It is very certain that all these miraculous stories were circulated m order to engage the attention of the vulgar.
The more the king and his ministers were determined to make use of this religious visionary, the more scruples they pretended to raise against her mission. An assembly of grave doctors and divines cautiously examined Joan’s pretensions, and pronounced them undoubted and supernatural« She was therefore sent to the parliament then assembled at Poictiers, where she was closely interrogated. The president and council, who came thither fully persuaded of her inir? posture, returned convinced of her inspiration,, A ray of hope now began to break through the clouds of despair, which had for some time surrounded the court of Charles. Heaven, they said, had now declared in favour of France, and had laid bare its almighty arm to take vengeance on her invaders. Few were able to distinguish between the im* pulse of inclination, and the force of conviction; and still fewer were willing to undertake the trouble of making a scrutiny so disagreeable to their wishes.
In the mean time the siege of Orleans was pushed by the English with the utmost vigour, and the besieged still continued to matke a noble resistance ; but the want of provisions increasing everyday, it became absolutely necessary to feeiid the garrison a supply; and Charles determined v that208
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this service should be Joan’s first essay in war, and a proof of the truth or falsity of her mission. He accordingly ordered her to be dressed in a complete suit of armour, and conducted into the council. She was well acquainted with the situation of the English camp, and all the passes leading to the city of Orleans, so that she spoke with great perspicuity on the measures necessary to be adopted for introducing the convoy. Having satisfied the council, she was carried to Blois, the place intended for the general rendezvous of the troops designed for the convoy. She immediately, on her arrival, ordered a white standard, in the centre of which was embroidered a picture of the Divine Being, surrounded by fleur-de-lis, to be consecrated, and displayed upon the ramparts.
The English officers meanwhile looked upon Charles’s affairs as truly desperate, since he was obliged to have recourse to a visionary for relief, But the expedient had already, in some measure, answered that prince’s intentions. Instead of a convoy, an army of 12,000 men assembled at Blois, and Joan marched immediately at the head of these forces, for the relief of Orleans. Her first design was to enter the city on the side of the Beausse, but she was met by a messenger from Dunois, who commanded in Orleans during the absence of the governor, advising the attempt to be made on the Salogne side, the English having strongly fortified that of the Beausse; adding, that he had already made the necessary dispositions for a sally on the English, on the side of the latter.
In the mean time Florentine d’llliers had been detached by Joan’s particular directions, at the head of 400 horse. This gallant officer passed the river in boats, and threw himself with his detachment ¿into the city. The garrison and inhabitants were greatly rejoiced at the dispositions made for their relief, and expressed the highest confidence in the supernatural abilities of the intrepid leader.
As soon as the convoy reached the bank of the riverJOAN d’aRC.
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below the first intrenchment of the English, they found boats ready to receive the ammunition and provisions* While these were embarking, Joan drew up her troops with such a shew, of resolution, that the English did not think it prudent to attack her. They even abandoned one of their towers, called St. John le Blanc ; of which she immediately took possession, and the convoy got safe into Orleans.
This success fully answered all the ideas the French had conceived of their heroine’s mission and virtues. The next morning the Count de Dunois himself passed over to the tower of St. John, where Joan still continued. He was attended by some of the principal inhabitants, and all joined to invite her to cross the river, and take upon herself the defence of the city. Joan received their offers with as much state and dignity, as if she had been always used, to command the most powerful armies. She, however, yielded to their intreaties, though her first resolution was to have attacked the English quarters, and brought on a general engagement. When she entered Orleans, the people gazed at her as a divinity, and from that moment considered themselves invincible. She lodged in the house of one Bouchier, the treasurer to the Duke of Orleans, whose wife and daughter she kept constantly about her person, to prevent any suspicion of her chastity.
The garrison and citizens or vjrieans tmnKing they had an army in the person of their female commander, suffered the troops who had guarded the convoy, to return to Blois, under the conduct of St. Severe, who engaged in two or three days to introduce another convoy on the side of Beausse, by which they would be free from the inconveni-ency of embarking the provisions in boats. As they expected a very strong opposition in this quarter, the detachment that guarded the Convoy was strengthened by forces from all the neighbouring garrisons belonging to Charles. When the French first presented themselves before the English lines, which happened early in the morning, Joan,
VOL. vi*	p£10
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assisted by the Count de Dunois, made so vigorous a sally from the city, that the English turned their whole force to oppose them, and suffered the convoy to pass unmolested into Orleans.
This success astonished the English ; they appeared like men disconcerted and infatuated; the common soldiers began to believe all the stories propagated by the French, concerning the supernatural power of Joan; while their officers were struck with the masterly manner in which every thing was disposed and executed on the side of the besieged. The latter had now even the boldness to think of investing the works of the besiegers. Accordingly, a body of volunteers, more hardy than wise, agreed to sally out of the city, the same day the convoy entered, and attack the tower of St. Loupe, on the side of the Beausse.
Joan, fatigued with the service of the morning, had retired to rest; but when she awoke, she received the disagreeable news that the volunteers had been repulsed, and were then making a precipitate retreat back into the city. Alarmed at, this defeat, she instantly sallied out to stop their shameful flight, while the Count de Dunois posted himself at the head of another party, to cut off all communication between the fort that had been attacked, and Lord Talbot’s quarters. Joan no sooner appeared, than the fugitives recovered their strength, their spirits, and their courage. The fortune of the day was changed; the English were driven back to their tower, which Joan, with her party, entered almost at the same time. Scarcely a man of them escaped being put to the sword, and the tower was immediately razed to the foundation, while Lord Talbot was obliged to remain an idle spectator.
This amazing success roused Joan’s enthusiastic partisans to the highest point of fury. Nothing was now considered as impossible. She even urged the generds to attack the main body of the English in their intrenchments; but Dunois, unwilling to hazard the fate of France by too greatJOAN »’ARC.
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temerity, ana gensiole that the least reverse of fortune would be sufficient to dispel all the mists of enthusiasm, and restore every thing to its former condition, checked her vehemence, and proposed an attempt to expel the enemy from their forts on the other side of the river, and open a communication with the country, before she attempted the more dangerous enterprise. It was with some difficulty that Joan could be persuaded to agree with this disposition ; and the next day Sir William Gladdesdale, who commanded an important post of the besiegers, drew all his men into the tower of St. Augustine, strengthened the garrison which had been left in the tower of Tourelles, and the bulwark erected at the diead of the bridge. By these means the besieged had a free communication with the river, and great part of the garrison immediately passed over in boats to the other side, in order to attack the bulwark erected upon the Portereau.
Joan, who commanded the attack in person, advanced with her consecrated standard before her at the head of Her men. But the English being supplied with fresh troops from, the next tower, made so brave a defence, that Joan soon found herself abandoned by her soldiers, and almost surrounded by the enemy. Brave as she was, she had no other resource than that of a retreat ; but it was only to reanimate her troops, whom she instantly rallied, and led back with so much fury to the assault, that the bulwark was carried by storm, and all the English that defended it were put to the sword. On this occasion Joan shewed at once her prudence and her bravery. The place she had just taken was filled with provisions, and the baggage of the English officers. She was afraid lest her soldiers^ by employing themselves in securing the booty, should give the enemy an opportunity of retaking the bulwark ; she therefore ordered thé whole to be set on fire, and commanded all her men to take their several posts, as if she expected every moment to be attacked by the English. She had herself been wounded
v £$12	kirby's wonderful museum.
ki the foot, and was therefore obliged to return that night to Orleans.
She, however, continued no longer in the city than was absplutely necessary. She rose early in the morning, and crossed the river to her troops. On her arrival, she found that the English had not only declined all attempts to regain what they had lost, but had also abandoned several other considerable posts, and drawn all their troops on that side of the city within the Tourelles, and the bulwark that defended it. Joan, after reconnoitring the works, proposed immediately to attack both places, but was opposed by the joint voice of all the French generals. They remembered at how dear a rate the English had purchased these works ; they represented, that the English could never have carried these fortresses, had not their attempts been favoured by the lowness of the river when they made the attack ; that there were but two ways of approaching it, one by the bridge, the arches of which were broken down ; the other by thè river, which was now too high to be forded. Joan, however, slighted all these reasons and remonstrances with an air of authority ; and the soldiers, who thought themselves invincible under her standard, calling aloud to be led on by their brave deliverer, the council was obliged to submit, and it was accordingly agreed to make the attack immediately.
On a nearer and more accurate survey, Joan thought the attempt both difficult and dangerous, though far from being impracticable, and ordered the cannon to be placed on that part of the bridge which had not been broken down. Some of the archers were so desirous of beginning the attack, that they swam across the river, and climbed to the top of the ruined arch, in order to discharge their arrows with greater effect. These precautions being taken, Joan ordered a violent cannonade to be made on both sides of the river, under which she attacked the bulwark at the head of her troops. The English made a noble defence. Joan was wounded in the neck with an arrow at the beginning of theJOAN D’ARa
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action; she retreated for a moment behind the assailants, pulled out the arrow with her own hands, exclaiming, “-It is glory, not blood, that flows from the wound!” and returned in a few moments to the attack. The English still made a gallant defence, and the Count de Dunois proposed to give over the assault. But Joan was determined to carry the place; she flew again to the attack, mounted the bulwark sword in hand, and planted her victorious banner on the ramparts of the e^emy.
The walls of Tourelle were by this time totally ruined by the artillery on the bridge, so that the place was immediately stormed, and the greatest part of the garrison put to the sword. The English had now lost above 6000 men in these different actions ; and, what was of still greater importance to the enemy, their wonted courage and confidence had forsaken them, and been succeeded by astonishment apd despair.
Joan returned triumphant over the bridge, and was again received as the guardian angel of the city. She had now convinced the most obdurate incredulity of her divine mission. Persons felt themselves animated as by a superior energy, and thought nothing impossible to that divine hand which so visibly conducted all their undertakings. It was in vain even for the English generals to oppose the prevailing opinion of supernatural influence; they themselves were probably infected with the same superstitious sentiments. The utmost they dared to advance was, that Joan was not an instrument of God, but a tool of the devih The English, however, having felt by sad experience, that the devil had sometimes power to prevail, derived very little consolation from this opinion.
The $avl of Suffolk saw the danger that must attend his army, if he suffered his intimidated troops to remain any longer before Orleans, in the presence of such a courageous and victorious enemy, and therefore raised the siege, and retreated with all the precaution necessary in so critical a214
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Conjuncture. In the mean time the French wisely determined to push their advantages, without giving the English time to recover from their consternation. A body of 6000 men were detached to attack Jergeau, whither the Earl of Suffolk had retired with a great part of his army. But the spiritless condition of his soldiers rendered all attempts to defend it vain and useless. Joan, who served as a volunteer in this detachment, displayed her usual intrepidity. She descended into the ditch in leading the attack, and there received a blow with a stone upon the head, by which she was felled to the ground. She soon recovered herself, and success crowned the enterprise. Suffolk was obliged to surrender to a Frenchman, named Renaud; but before he submitted, he asked his adversary whether he was a gentleman. On receiving a satisfactory answer, he demanded whether he was a knight. Renaud replied, he had not yet obtained that honour. “ Then I make you one,” replied Suffolk, and immediately gave him the blow w7ith his sword, and surrendered himself his prisoner. John -Pole, the earl’s brother, was also taken prisoner, together with five hundred of the garrison.
Lord Talbot now succeeded to the command of the army. He retired, on raising the siege of Orleans, to Meun, which he fortified, took possession of the town of Laval, and threw a reinforcement into Beaugenci. The French, who now considered the' overtaking of the English equivalent to a victory, immediately determined to fall down the Loire in boats, and attack those places, particularly Meuti and Beaugenci. This resolution was no sooner adopted, than every loyal Frenchman seemed to be in arms; even the constable of France, who had long continued at Parthenay, came to the camp, attended with a great! train of noblemen, and twelve hundred soldiers, in express disobedience to the orders of Charles, who had dismissed him from his service. The maid of Orleans was for arresting him as a traitor ; but the other officers soon made her sen-JOAN D?AUC.
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sible, that the present conjuncture was improper for taking any step of that nature ; they even engaged to procure Charles's consent that the constable should serve. Orleans was appointed for the general rendezvous ; and the constable, who still retained great authority in the army, promised Joan, that he would merit his master’s forgiveness by bis future conduct.
Every thing being now ready for the intended expedition, the army fell down the Loire, and after taking Meun by assault, invested the important town of Beaugenci. The English, who had foreseen this, were extremely solicitous to defend the place, and had therefore strengthened it with the garrison of Ferré Hubert. But the siege was no sooner formed, than they abandoned the town, and prepared to defend the castle, together with the bridge. The French soon assaulted both with great fury, and the bailiff Devereux, who commanded in the castle, hung out a flag of truce, and demanded a capitulation. The French readily agreed to the offer, having learned that the Lords Talbot and Scales, with Sir John Fastolf, had taken the field, with a view of raising the siege of Beaugenci ; but finding that to be impracticable, they marched to surprise the French troops left at Meun. The capitulation of Beaugenci was therefore no sooner signed, than the French troops marched back towards Meun, the bridge of which the English had already attempted ; but being repulsed, were again returning to the assault, when the van of the French appeared iu sight. Upon this the English drew off towards Jenville, where they joined a body of five or six thousand of their countrymen, sent by the Duke of Bedford to reinforce them. The French, desirous of improving the panic of the English, sent out a detachment to observe their motions, and to harass them in their retreat ; while the main body of the army followed by forced marches, and at last overtook them at the village of Patay.
The French army greatly exceeded that of the English&16	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM«
in number; but this was a consideration of so very little moment, that it had never before affected the success of the latter. On this occasion, however, their native courage yielded to their fears. The prepossessions of the maid’s infernal alliance, now damped their spirits, unbraced their nerves, and gave wings to their terror. Even the brave Sir John Fastolf himself was affected with the epidemical panic; for, being placed in the first division, he fled as soon as attacked; and the order of the garter was afterwards taken from him for this instance of cowardice. The flight of Sir John left the Lords Talbot, Scales, and Hungerford, together with Sir Thomas Ramps ton, to sustain tl\e whole fury of the French attack. These, indeed, made a noble defence, because they were above the weaknesses of their countrymen; but all their efforts could only suspend for a few minutes, the total rout of their army, which was soon completed with great slaughter. Nearly two thousand of the English were killed upon the spot; and among the prisoners were the Lords Talbot, Scales,* and Hungerford, with all the general officers who behaved like Englishmen. * The French immediately after the battle, made themselves masters of the strong fortress of Jenville, where the English magazines, both of provisions and ammunition, were deposited.
The loss of the battle of Patay struck the English with such consternation, that they abandoned all the strong places and passes they possessed near Orleans, and retired towards Paris; and Charles took the field in person, after ordering a general rendezvous of his troops at Giac.
The maid had now performed one part of her promise to Charles; the siege of Orleans was raised; but the other, which related to his coronation at Rheims, was not yet accomplished. She appeared very uneasy at this, and urgently requested, that he would immediately set out on that enterprise. A few months before, a proposal of this kind would have appeared the height of madness. The cityJOAN d’aRC.
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where the ceremony was to be performed, lay in a very distant quarter of the kingdom, and was then in the hands of a powerful, and, till very lately, a victorious enemy. Besides, the roads leading to Rheims were occupied by the English troops, so that rio imagination, not filled with the extravagant notions of supernatural assistance, could think of such an attempt in the present conjuncture. It was, however, the interest of Charles to maintain the belief, so happily propagated, of something extraordinary and divine in those events, and to avail himself of the present consternation of the English. He therefore resolved to follow' the dictates of this enthusiast, and to lead his army on this romantic adventure. He accordingly set out at the he&d of twelve thousand of his f>est troops, towards Auxerre, in his way to Rheims. He proceeded to Troyes, where there was a garrison of six hundred English and Burgundian soldiers. The place was strongly fortified, the garrison resolute, and Charles’s army but ill furnished with provisions, and still worse with artillery. These circumstances had such weight in the council of war, that the greater part7 were for abandoning the enterprise. They represented that the distance to Rheims wras yet thirty leagues, through a country in possession of the enemy; that Giac was the only place whence they could draw any support, and that it would be plunging into inevitable destruction to pursue their march any farther. But the maid with invincible spirit maintained the contrary, requesting they would leave the whole management to her; adding, that if she did not reduce Troyes in three or four days, she would very readily abandon the undertaking. This being agreed to, detachments were sent out to all the neighbouring places to procure provisions for the army. These necessary precautions being taken, Joan flew from corps to corps, to animate the troops; and at the same time ordered a large quantity of fascines to be immediately procured for filling up the ditches. The soldiers, animated by her presence, flew to£18	kirby’s wonderful museum.
the charge, filled up the ditches, and mounted the walls, under the discharge of a few field-pieces. The garrison and inhabitants were amazed at this alacrity. Some considered the maid as divinely commissioned; others as aided by infernal spirits; both equally contributing to increase the first panic which had seized them when the French first mounted the walls. Reduced to this extremity, the governor demanded a capitulation, which was readily granted on his own terms. The inhabitants were pardoned for the defection from their lawful prince, and they willingly returned to their obedience.
This decisive advantage removed every difficulty that attended the march of the French army. Chalons, the next place of importance, made no resistance; and the city of Rheims sent a deputation to the king with the keys of the town, before the French approached the walls ; so that Charles scarcely perceived, as he passed along, that he was marching through an enemy’s country.
Soon after his arrival in this city, the ceremony of his coronation was performed with the holy oil, which a pigeon had brought to king Clovis from heaven, on the first establishment of the French monarchy. The maid of Orleans stood by the king’s side dressed in complete armour, and displaying her sacred banner, which had so often confounded and dispersed her fiercest enemies; while the people shouted with unfeigned joy on beholding such a complication of wonders. As soon as the ceremony was completed, the maid threw herself at the king’s feet, embraced his knfees, and with a flood of tears, extorted by tenderness and pleasure, congratulated him on the singular and wonderful event, which she had' foretold. This ceremony had such a prodigious effect on the common people, that they joined Shis standard in crowds; while Laon, Soissons', Chateau Thierri, Provins, and several other towns and fortresses in that neighbourhood) opened their gates, and received him as their kiflgiJOAN D’Alte.	%\Q
The war was carried on with various success. Many places were taken, arid several skirmishes happened between the detachments of the two armies. About this time the Maid of Orleans declared to the Count de Dunois, that having relieved Orleans, and seen the coronation of Charles at Rheims, her Wishes were satisfied : and she was now desirous of returning to her former domestic tranquillity, and spending the remainder of her days with her aged father, in employments more suited to hier sex and condition. But the count, sensible of the great advantages that might yet be derived from her presence in the army, exhorted her still to persevere, and not abandon the cause she had undertaken, till, the English were entirely driven out of the kingdom.
These expostulations had the desired effect. The Maid of Orleans agreed to continue in the army; and immediately threw herself into the town of Compeigne, then invested by the Duke of Burgundy, assisted by the Earls of Arundel and Suffolk. At her appearance the garrison thought themselves invincible, and determined to make a desperate sally Oh the enemy, in order to open a communication with the adjacent country. Accordingly, Joan put herself at the head of five or six hundred men> arid made so furious a sally on the quarters of Luxemburg, the Burgundian gene-fa^ that she drove him from his post ; ¿ut pursuing her advantage top far, a large party of the enemy advanced, and cut off her retreat. Reduced to this extremity, she did every thing in her power /to favour the escape of her men, ffiariy of whom retreated to thè city. Had the officers of the garrison made, a brisk sally, this imprudent step might perhaps have been rectified. But the French commanders, finding every advantage they gained over the enemy, ascribed Wholly to her, remained within the walls, and suffered her to be taken prisoner by Lionel de Vendosme, a Burgundian Officer.
This acquisition was Considered by the English as a decisive advantage. Te Deum Was sung publicly at Paris*
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The Duke of Bedford was persuaded, that by the captivity of this extraordinary person, who had blasted all his hopes, and laid his conquests in the dust, he should again recover his former ascendancy over France. He therefore purchased the prisoner from Lionel, in order to carry on a prosecution against her. In the "mean time the Duke of Burgundy, being obliged to repel an invasion in Brabant, left the siege of Compeigne, with the greater psirt of his forces, and the English not being sufficiently numerous to invest the place, were forced to raise the siege with considerable loss.
While Joan continued a prisoner under Luxemburg, she considered herself as in a place of safety, and might be either ransomed or exchanged: but she no sooner heard of his having treated with the English for the delivery of her person, than she gave herself over for lost, and therefore endeavoured to make her escape from the tower where she was confined, by jumping from the very top to the ground. But the effect of the fall was so great, that she was unable to walk, and therefore easily retaken. Soon after this attempt she was delivered up to th£ English, wrho sent her to Rouen, where she was loaded with chains, and confined in the castle.
The English council thought it absolutely necessary that the very idea of her virtue, and divine commission should, as much as possible, be erased from the minds of the people, and that the most proper method of doing this was to have recourse to some religious prosecution. Accordingly the bishop of Beauvais, in whose diocese she was taken, presented a petition against Joan, desiring she might be tried before an ecclesiastical tribunal for sorcery, impiety, idolatry, and magic. The university of Paris were also meaiLenough to join in the same request. Joan was accordingly brought in her military habit before the ecclesiastical court at Rouen; but though the trial lasted two months, and she was examined twice every week, they were not able to fix upon her any crime that merited either imprisonment or death.
Historians have stated with great inaccuracy the proceed*JOAN D’ARC.
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lngs of this extraordinary trial; we shall therefore give a circumstantial account of the result of Joan’s various examinations. It is extracted from a manuscript in the French national library, and is as follows
(C At the age of thirteen/’ said she, “ I heard a voice in my father’s garden at Domremy, proceeding from the right on the side of the church, accompanied with a great light. At first I was afraid, but presently found that it was the voice of an angel, who has protected me ever since, who has taught me to conduct myself properly, and to frequent the church. It was Saint Michael. I have also seen Saint Gabriel, but never Saint Denys. I have also seen Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret, who spoke to me, exhorted me to go frequently to confession, and directed me in almost all my actions. These two Saints appeared to me almost daily, and often more than once in the same day. I have seen them as distinctly as I see my Judges. I wept when they left me, because I wished that my spirit might accompany them. I spoke of these occurrences to no one except to the Captain de Baudricourt and the king : not because I ^vas forbidden to do so ; but I feared, if it were known, that my father, or the Burgundians of the neighbourhood, would create obstacles to my departure.
“ The angels were sometimes accompanied by many other angels, for they come often among Christians. I have seen them many times amongst them, although the others did not see them. They have never written me any letters. I can easily distinguish whether it is the voice of an angel or a saint that speaks to me. They are generally accompanied by a light, but not always. Their voices are soft and kind. They spoke to me in French and notin English, because they are on the side of the former. I have never failed to see the two saints, even during my trial. The angels appeared to me with heads in their natural shape.' I see them and have seen them with my own eyes. I am convinced of it as
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strongly as I believe that God exists. Both the saints were always richly crowned.
# It is God who hath given them the form under which they shewed themselves to me. I bent the knee to them, and made reverences, joining my hands together; but I never made offerings of flowers or of my hair, or burnt wax-tapers to their honour, but in the church and before the images of the holy saints who are in heaven, and never before the tree of the fairies.
“ Saint Michael hath appeared unto me under the shape of a true and honest man. He certified that it was God who sent the two saints to me, and that they only spoke to me by his orders. I am sure that it was Saint Michael, from the expressions he used, for it was the language of angels. I cannot explain myself more particularly as to their appearances. They had hair, and their faces were perfect. I have often embraced the two female saints by the middle of the body; and when they left me, I kissed the earth where they passed. I have been asked how I could prevent being deceived, if a demon had presented itself to me under the resemblance of Saint Michael ? I answer, that after the proofs I had, I could easily distinguish that saint from any other. He hath never said any thing to me but what was good: he hath instructed me rightly, and I believe in his words and deeds as firmly as I believe that Jesus Christ suffered for our redemption.
" It is true that there is at Domremy, as has been said, a beech tree, which they call le beau Mai ou Parbre des fees, and a spring in the neighbourhood where sick persons come to drink to be cured of a fever ; but I do not know whether they are relieved by it. Old people in the neighbourhood say, that fairies formerly came to this tree. A woman said that she bad seen them. For myself I do not know whether it be true or not, for I have never seen them. They also say at Domremy that a mandrake is concealed in the earth near 1JOAN ©’Alte.
to this tree, who could discover hidden treasures ; but I know nothing more about it. The young girls are wont to amuse themselves near this tree ; I have been there with others, but I have neither sung nor danced, but have made nosegays for the holy virgin of Domremy. However, since the age bf discretion, and since I have seen the angels, and the holy saints,
I no more amused myself with these childish games. I have neither had visions nor revelations near this tree ; but the two saints have appeared to me near the fountain, but I do not recollect what they said to me at that time. There is in the neighbourhood a wood, called the oak-wood, which may be seen from my father’s house ; and when I went to find the king, they asked me if that were true, because they told me that the prophetesses had foretold that there would come from near the oak-wood a girl who would perform wonders: but I have no other knowledge in this respect.
u Saint Michael informed me long ago of the calamities which France would experience. He told me that I was a good young girl, and that I should go to the king’s assistance. The two saints have also told me that I must go intoTrance, and cause the siege of Orleans to be raised, and rènder great services to the king. I asked them how that could be, as I was but a poor girl, and could neither ride nor fight. They told me to go and find out the Captain de Baudricourt, who commanded for the king at Vaucouleurs. I had only quitted once my father’s and mother’s house, excepting as I am going to inform you. My mother instructed me in religion* She taught me the Pater Noster, which I repeat freely, and which I never refused to do but once, in order to prevail upon the .Bishop de Beauvais to confess me. She also taught me the salutation of the angels and the creed, which I repeated to my confessor. I was only employed in my father’s house in domestic affairs, and not out of doors, and but seldom to take care of the flocks.
u I was obliged to go to Toul, onacount of a man’s having cited me before the magistrates, in order to oblige me tokirby’s wonderful museum.
marry him ; but I gained my trial, on affirming, as the truth was, that I never promised him ; on thé contrary, from the first day that I had seen the two saints, I made a vow of virginity both as to body and soul between their hands, although they did not demand it ; and they assured me that, if I kept my vow, they would conduct me into Paradise, for which cause I do not believe myself to be in deadly sin, because if I had that misfortune they would not have come and shewn themselves to me. Therefore, if I observe my vow, I believe as confidently in my salvation as if I were now in heaven. Why do you ask me for what reason I confess having this belief ; I answer that I believe no person can purify his conscience too much. In short, if I had committed a deadly sin, it would be to my confessor that I would reveal it.
“ About two years before I went to seek the king, my father dreamt that I should one day join the army, which made him watch me with extreme care, and keep me in the greatest subjection during my youth. My father was so much afraid of this, that he said he would hurt me sooner than permit it, and he desired my brothers to do it if he failed. I have always obeyed my father and mother in every thing. I have only disobeyed them in this instance, and they have never forgiven me since, notwithstanding the grief which they felt on my departure, with which they were extremely affected.
if It was one of my uncles who carried me to Yaiicouleurs to see the Captain de Baudricourt, for I was so resolved to obey what was commanded to me on the subject from God, that I would have preferred being torn in pieces by horses sooner than not have obeyed ; and although I had had a hundred kings for my father, I should nevertheless have gone, seeing that the voices of the saints came from God, and as they assured me that the king would receive and employ me in his service, and because I was also as sure that they spoke to me by the order of God himself, as I am of the truth of the Christian religion, and that God has redeemed us fromJOAN ©’ABC.
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the torments of hell. _ I was yet more resolved to act in mis manner, because the two saints had assured me that the king would recover his kingdom entirely, either by will or force.
On entering the house of the Captain de Baudricourt, I recognised him immediately from among those who were with him, although I had never seen him before; for the two paints pointed him out to me. Notwithstanding what I told him of the revelation which had been made to me, he twice Refused, at different times, to pay any regard to itbut at length, on the third visit, he made me set out, dressed in the habit of a man, as the voices of the saints had commanded me, with a sword which he gave me, and caused me to be carried to the king, attended by a knight, a squire and four servants; saying, as we parted, Farewell: go, come on it what may.
u I add, that I have never wished to quit the dress of a man, and I have refused many times to do it, before, as well as since, my confinement; because I did fight in obeying my sovereign master. If I have been confessed, or received the communion in this dress in many large towns, I was never in armour at the time. I have always had a woman to sleep with me, and when I could not have one, I always lay down entirely clothed and armed. On my arrival before the king, I was examined and interrogated for three weeks at Chinon and Poitiers. They wrote down all that I said. I wish that my judges had it now before them.
u It was revealed to me that I should cause the siege of Orleans to be raised. I assured the king of it, whom I recognised at first, among those who surrounded him, although I had never seen him before, by means of a vision which I had that moment, accompanied with a great light. They found at St. Catherine de Fierbois, in the place which I had described after a revelation which the saints had made to me, a sword concealed in the earth. It was entirely rusty, but this disappeared all at once, without any superstitious cere-vol. vi.	g226	kirby’s wonderful museum.
mony being employed. This I wore a long time, and left it at Lagni.
“ I wished to prevail upon the Duke of Burgundy to make peace with the king ; and I told the king that he would one day compel him to do it, if the duke would not then consent ; but it is true that I said at the same time that no peace was to be made with the English, but that they must be compelled to return to their own country.
“ From this time I have done nothing but under the guidance of the revelations which were made to me, and even now upon my trial, I only speak, after it has been revealed to me, what I may be permitted to say. You reproach me with having commanded in battle, at the head of 6000 men, of princes, of barons, and of nobles, as if I were their captain ; but if I havje been a leader in the war, it Was in obedience to the saints and angels, and for that my reliance is in God, as it is for all that I have done. For the rest I have never practised any sorcery, or enchantment, or any thing which has the least relation to either.
“If my standard, or the particular banners of my troops, represented two angels supporting God, who held the World in his hands, with the words Jesus Maria, the voices of the saints pointed them out to me, and many persons advised me to it. Nothing particular was done with respect tô thèse colours, and the angels were painted upon them in the saine manner as they are painted in churches. If I have often said that these colours and banners were fprtunate, it was not because I pretended to attribute to them any particular virtue, but because I wished that they might be so, and to encourage thé Soldiers : but without that, the two saints had assured me of success. If I had been wounded in the neck at the siege of Orleans, the two saints would have previously informed iilë of it, and I should have told it to the king ; but I was not quite sure of bëing able to raise the siege, because they had told me so.JOAN D’ARC.
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u If I have always borne my own standard myself, I have never had any other object in doing so but to avoid shedding human blood. I have never, in fact, killed one man in battle. If I {mve hung up my arms in the church of St. Denys, it was that I might thank God for not having been killed at, the attack of the city of Paris, where I was wounded, and without having any other motive, much less that of exposing them for public veneration. If many persons have kissed my hands and my rings, they have done it in spite of me, I did all that was in my power to prevent them, and I only received with pleasure poor persons who came to me, and whom I consoled in the best manner that I could. As to my rings, I never had but two, one given me by my father, and the other by my brother, and I have never attributed any charm or power to them.
u If there were any who did not approach me until they had made the sign of the cross with holy water, I have said to them, Approach without fear, I shall not jly away. If one Friar Richard has pressed me to adopt thé revelations of a woman whom he caused me to seè, I have not believed in them after having made the examination which I judged necessary. If they have painted portraits of me, I have only seen onë, which represented me kneeling arid presenting a letter to t?he king. If they have made images or other representations of me on paper, in lead, or any other metal; if they have beën worn suspended at the neck, if they have called me a saint, if they have taken me for the first saint in Paradise after the Holy Virgin, if they have taken me for an angel rather than a woman, if they named me in church in their prayers, or if they have raised statues to my honour, as you pretend, I know nothing at all about it. I am even ignorant Whether those who'are on the king’s side believe me sent by ■■i'dkici^'Îor'the purpose of doing what I have; but whether they believe it or not, it is not the less true, since I have only acted fey virtue of the revelations which have been made to the»
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“ You ask me if I think that he, whom I call my king, hath done right in putting the Duke of Burgundy to death,, I will tell you upon that point, that his death hath been a great misfortune to France; but, whatever might exist between those two princes, God hath not the less sent me to the assistance of the king of France. If my letters bear the words Jesus + Maria, with a cross between them, it is what the ecclesiastics advised me to; and I will own to you, that when I added another cross it was to indicate, for some secret reason, that the contents of the letter should not be obeyed.
u If it be alleged, as the truth is, that the Count d’Armag-nac wrote to me, desiring to know which of the three pretenders to the papal chair he should obey, I made no other answer to him than what is contained in the letter produced to me, and which says, that I would inform him on my arrival in Paris, to which of the three he should give credit, and that by the counsel of my rightful and sovereign Lord, the king of all the universe. I was upon the point of mounting my horse. I had only time to write that I could not answer him then, but would do it at Paris, which made it important, because his messenger run the risk, if he did not immediately return, of being thrown into the river. But I never wrote to him on the subject of the three popes, other than that I always had been, and was now, subject to the Pope who was at Rome.
u If it be alleged that I brought to life an infant at Lagni, I will tell you how that happened. It gave no signs of life for three days after it was born, and had not been baptized : the girls at Lagni prayed for it before the image of the Holy Virgin. The voices of the two saints said to me that, if I went, life would be restored to it. I accordingly repaired to the church, and saw the infant, black as my tunic, and without any motion. I joined the girls of the village, and prayed with them. The infant revived—it appeared at first less^black, cried three times, was baptized immediately, and, dying, presently afterwards, was buried in holy ground \ but I have noJOAN D*AKC.
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other information on the subject, nor do I know whether they attribute its being brought to life to me.
u If I called upon the people of Paris to surrender the city, it was not to me that I called upon them to do so, as you allege, but to the king. If I gave out that God loved the French, but’did not love the English, I never intended to speak of the salvation of the latter, for I am totally ignorant on the subject; but I said that God loved the King, the Duke of Orleans, and some others; that is, I meant that he would protect them, and I have said no more than what I knew. I said, what I know well, that the will of God is that the English should be driven out of France, and that God would, give victory over them to the French, because if the English had success at the first, God only permitted it in order to punish the sins of the French. It is certain,-that a day hath not yet elapsed, since the two saints told me that, before the expiration of seven years, the English would be in a still worse situation than they were at the siege of Orleans, and that they would lose more than they have yet lost, for they would lose all that they have in France, I neither know the day nor the hour, nor do they know any more than I, but I am afflicted that it is so distant, yet, before the next feast of St. Martin, the English will see many things. I know, from the two saints, that before that time many of them will be prostrate on the ground—I mean either wounded or killed.” (It is worth while to observe here, that Paris submitted to Charles the Vllthin 1436, before six years had elapsed after this prediction, and that the affairs of the English continued more and more to fall into disorder after the death of Joan.)
“ I also apprized M. the Bishop of Beauvais, that in undertaking my affair he put himself in great danger, and as you wish to know what the danger is, I will inform you. You say that you are my judges. I do not know by what right you are so ; but take care that you judge not wrong ; for by doing so, you will put yourselves in great danger, and I warn£30
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you of it to the end, that if God will punish you for it, I have done my duty in cautioning you. The saints never called me the daughter of Gdd but before the raising of the siege of Orléans, and I never asked of them but three things : the first was> to go into France; the second, that Çr°d might aid the French ; and the third, the salvation of my soul. They promised me a fourth) which you cannot know for three months yet.” (Joan never told what this fourth was.) “ I have not been influenced by any motive of interest. What my brother may have received from the liberality of the king, I did not ask from him. As to myself, I had nothing more than the state which he provided for me, and . the money tiecessary to pay the soldiers. If I was engaged in military business on certain holy days, as the nativity of the Holy Virgin, it was because the service of the king required it. I was informed by the two saints in the last Easter week (1430), that I should be taken prisoner before the feast of St. John, and not to frighten myself but to submit, and that God would aid me. This they repeated to me many times. I entreated them ¡to solicit for me death rather than confinement. They ordered me to submit myself in all things, and that it must be as they had said. From that moment I gave no more orders, but obeyed the officers in all things, and if I had known the day on which I should have been taken, I would not have joined the sortie from Compeigne, where I was made prisoner. Further, I have never prophesied events, nor poured ointment upon infants to foretel their good or bad fortune; and if I have held children at the baptismal font, I have done nothing more than to give to the boys the name of the king, and to the girls sometimes the name of Joan, as the mothers desired.
u It is true that, after remaining for four months a prisoner in the tower of Beaurevoir, I was in despair at learning that I was about to be delivered up to the English, and that they were coming to seize upon trie. The fear which 1 had of them, induced me, notwithstanding I was forbidden by the
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two saints, and in spite of the height of the tower, to leap down from the top, in order to save myself, by which I received a severe woiind. I was induced to it, because I preferred death to falling into their hands, but I still hope that 1 shall not perish. I recommended my soul to God, and crossed myself before I took the leap. I did not think I should kill myself in doing it, but I hoped to escape falling into the hands of the English. When my senses returned, after the falJ, I did not, as you pretend, blaspheme God and the saints, for I have never been in the habit of swearing. Saint Catherine told me that Compeigne would be relieved” (this was actually the case), “ and that 1 ought to put on a good countenance. She added, that I had committed a great sin jn thus precipitating myself from the tower, after she had forbidden me; but I confessed for it, and she assured me that my sin would be forgiven. I know not what to answer to your question, whether I believe myself capable to commit mortal sin, except that I know nothing about it, and that I refer myself entirely to God.	'
“ There is not a single day that I do uot hear the saints speaking to me in m'y prison, and 1 follow their advice in every thing, because they come to me from God, and I have never said or done any thing, up to this day, but by their direction. They revealed to me, on the second day of my examination, many things concerning the king, of which I much wish he were informed. I deprived myself ©f drinking in wine the king’s health, according to what was said to me by the two saints. I do not know whether they would, as you suggest to me, charge themselves with informing the king of those things. I am ignorant whether he has any revelations, but if he has not, it is no doubt tjie will of God, and I have nothing more to do with it.
“I will refuse always to answer upon any thing which regards the king and queen of Era nee. I have s^vorp to speak the truth, only with respect to what regards this trial, and232
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what relates to them forms no part of it, but I am very certain that the king will recover the whole kingdom of France.
<c You ask me if I believe myself in a state of grace in alleging that the just sin seven times a day? I answer, that if I am not, I pray God to put me in it; and if I am, that he will keep me so': for 1 would choose death rather than not be in the love of God; but I believe that if 1 were not, the two saints would not come to visit me, and I would desire that many persons should hear them when they come to visit me. When I have need of them, I pray to God that he will send them, addressing to him a prayer of this nature :—‘ Most merciful God, in honour of thy holy passion, I intreat, if thou lovest me, that thou wilt reveal to me how I should answer these men of the church. I know well how I came to take the habit I wear, but am ignorant in what manner I should leave it off. In this please to instruct me.’ The saints then presently appeared to me. They have always told me to answer you boldly, and that God would aid me. They told me also that I should see the king of England, but I prayed that that might be dispensed with,
6t Saint Catherine has told me that I should be succoured. I do not know whether this will be by delivering me from prison now, or whether it will be done in case I should be condemned ; but I presume that it will be one or the other. The two saints have assured me, many times, that I shall be delivered by a great victory ; they have commanded me to take all that happens with submission, and not to disturb myself at my martyrdom, for that I should come at last into the kingdom of Paradise ; and this they have told me absolutely and plainly. For myself, I understand by my martyrdom, the pains and adversities which I suffer by confinement I am ignorant whether I shall suffer greater punishments, but I rely on God, and I believe as strongly that I shall be saved, as if it were already done, provided that 1 retain my vow of virginity.JOAN »’ARC.
£33
u Why do you ask me if I have been promised that I should escape from prison ? Would you wish me to speak against myself? It has been told me, that I should be delivered, and to put on a joyful countenance : but I neither know the day nor the hour.
“To conclude, I have never had any intercourse with evil spirits ; I am a good Christian* I love God with all my heart, obey him in every thing, and hate the devil so sincerely, that although the saints have led me to hope for my deliverance, yet, were it to be effected by means of the devil, I would not leave my prison. To this I affirm and swear.”
Hence it appears that her breast was still filled with her enthusiastic notions. She persisted in the story of her heavenly visitations, and was even extravagant enough to believe that it was unlawful for her to reassume the habit of her sex, because she had been commanded by her saints to lay it aside. She was therefore condemned as guilty of all the crimes of which she had been accused, aggravated by that of heresy ; her revelations were declared to be the inventions of the devil to deceive the people ; and she was accordingly sentenced to be delivered over to the secular power, in order to be punished.
This sentence pronounced by men invested with the ensigns of a sacred character, which Joan had been long accustomed to revere, banished all those ideal inspirations which had so long supported her spirits, and her visionary dreams of celestial intercourse gave way to the, terrors of that punishment she was sentenced to endure. She therefore declared herself willing to make a public recantation, to acknowledge the illusion of those revelations which the church had rejected, and never more to pretend to be inspired by heaven. This recantation changed her sentence into perpetual imprisonment.
The people were now no longer deceived, they saw that all the pretended revelations and intercourses with the spirits of departed saints were nothing more than the extravagant ima-2$é	kirby’s wonderful museum.
ginations of an enthusiastic brain. But the inveterate malice of Joan’s enemies was not yet satisfied; no tiling less than her death could atone for her faults ; but this could not be accomplished, unless she relapsed into some, at least, of her former errors. There was great reason to suspect, that she still thought it a crime to lay aside the habit she had worn pursuant to her revelations. Her enemies therefore artfully conveyed a suit of men’s clothes into her room, and she was found dressed in them the next morning. The court therefore declared her a relapsed heretic, and delivered her over to the secular power, by which she was condemned to the flames. Joan, who had fearlessly braved death in the field, could not support the thought of meeting it at the stake. This idea shook her whole frame, and banished that enthusiasm which had hitherto possessed her brain. She sent for her confessor ; she prepared herself for death with a becoming piety, and suffered her infamous sentence in the old marketplace at Rouen, in the year 1431.
“ Blessed be God!” were the last words that she uttered ; her ashes were scattered to the winds, and thus ignominiously perished in the thirtieth year of her age, a female, to whom statues and altars ought to have been erected.
EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE OF
A RAT BEING CAUGHT BY AN OYSTER.
A rat, lately visiting a tub of oysters at the post office in Falmoutli, and whisking his tail between the open shells of one of them, it closed upon him, and held him so firmly, that he was prevented from escaping through his hole, and was found in the morning with the oyster still holding fast of his tail at thé entrance of it.
La Belle Assemblée, January, 1800,THE
MÍ' %&uá¿MaÁ6e*/. okM	cfcfo&v.
Jh¿bTi¿}i6cL by £JJsM>yJ?acnrwjtzrAerw.Ætyh4,i8iy.SELF-TOUT If RE IN THE EAST INDIES.
£35
Account of the singular Modes of Self-Torture, as practised in different par s of ihe East Indies, by the Devotees, described by various Travellers ; some having travelled in one direction, others in a contrary one, a variation will be found in their different Accounts, but in the whole of them, there is enough to satisfy us, that such severities are most surprising, when it is considered that thousands are in the habit of devoting themselves to them during the whole of their lives.
AN ACCOUNT OF
TWO FAKEERS, WITH A PORTRAIT.
BY JONATHAN DUNCAN, ESQ.
Extracted from the Supplement to Sir W. Jones’s Works, voL II. page 834.
“ I beg leave to lay before the Society, the accompanying pictures of two Fakeers, now living at Benares, which I had drawn there from life. The first is named Pu-rana Poori, or (as usually pronounced in Hinduee) Praun Poory, a Sunyassy, distinguished by the epithet Oordh-bahu, from his arms and his hands being in a fixed position above his head ; and as he is a very intelligent man, and has been a great traveller, he consented, in the month of May, 1792? to gratify my curiosity, by allowing to be committed to writing, by a servant of mine, from his verbal delivery in the Hindustan language, a relation. Praun Poory is a bative of Canouge, of the Khetrv or Raujepoot tribe. At nine years of age he secretly withdrew from his father’s house, and proceeded to the city of Bethour, on the banks of the Ganges, where he became a Fakeer, about the time (for he cannot otherwise fix the year), of Munsoor Ali Khan’s retreat from Delhi to Lucknowy and two or three years before the sack of Mathura by Atoned Shah Abdalli, which two events are iii Scott’s ‘ History of the Dekkan,’ related under the, years I751-£ and 1756 ; within which period he came to Allahabad to the great annual meeting of pilgrims, where hearing of§36	KIRBY'S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
the merits attached to what he describes as the eighteen different kinds of tupisya, or modes of devotional discipline, he made choice of that of Oordhbahu, above noticed; the first operation of which he represents to be very painful, and to require preparation by a previous course of abstinence.
“The name of the other Hindu Fakeer, or Brahmechary, (whose picture reclining, in his ordinary position, on his bed of iron-spikes, accompanies this), is Perxasanund; and he assumes the title or epithet of Furrum Soatuntre, which implies self-possession, or independence, and as his own relation of this mode of life is not very long, I deliver an iSnglish translation of it, as received from him in August, 179% only observing that the Jo walla Mookhi, which he mentions to have visited, is not the one on the Caspian, but another ; for there are at the least three famous places know n to the Hindus under this general denomination; one near to Naugercote, another (whither Praun Poory went) in the vicinity of Bakee, and the third (as I have been informed by Lieut. Wilford) at Corcoor, to the eastward of the Tigris ; but whether it be the first or last of these Jowalla Mookhis that Perkasanund visited, his narrative is not sufficiently clear to enable me to distinguish ; neither are his general knowdedge and intelligence at all equal to Praun Poory’s, which may account for his observation as to the difficulty of reaching the Maun Surwur lake, whither not only Praun Poory, but other fakeers that 1 have seen at Benares, profess to have nevertheless penetrated, so that my present notice of Perkasa-nund to the society, is principally, on account of the strange penance he has thought fit to devote himself to, in fixing himself on his ser-seja, or bed of spikes, where he constantly day and night remains; and, to add to what he considers as the merit of his state of mortification, in the hot weather he has often burning around him logs of w7ood; and in the cold season, water falling on his head from a perforated pot, placed in a frame at some height above him; and yet lie seems contented, and to enjoy good health and spirits..SELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.	237
Neither do the spikes appear to be in any material degree distressing to him, although he uses not the defence of even ordinary cloathing to cover his body as a protection against them; but as the drawing exhibits an exact likeness as well of his person as of this bed of seeming torture, I shall not here trouble the society with any further description of either, and conclude by mentioning, that he is now living at Benares on a small provision that he enjoys from government.”
Strabo, in his account of India, gives us two remarkable instances of the voluntary severities which two of these gymno-sophists inflicted upon themselves: the first, far advanced in years, hoped to obtain heaven by lying constantly extended upon the hard ground, without any covering, exposed to all the fervours of a tropical sun, and without any shelter from the drenching rains, which at particular seasons, descended in torrents. The second, who was more in the vigour of life, Iaty6ured to obtain the same immortal boon, by standing on one leg for a whole day, and at the same time bearing aloft, with both his erected arms, an immense piece of wood.
Bald^us, an excellent and authentic writer, who resided many years in India, says, that beside their usual purifications, some of the Yogees carry huge iron collars about their necks; others travel about constantly encumbered with heavy fetters and chains of the same metal, while sharp nails, with their points terminating inwards, line their wooden slippers or sandals. Others, he adds, have caused themselves to be bound immoveably with strong ropes or chains to a tree, and in that posture expired, after lingering for many months, in the greatest torture; and that, in 1657; he himself saw a Yogee at Columbo, whose arms were grown together over his head from being kept long erect in that posture.
Sancass Pooja, or Hindoo Lent, which lasts from the first to the thirtieth of March, oh which last day the penance of£38	kîrîby’s wonderful museum.
the chérec, or wheel, is submitted to by the Yogee ; a penance not the least painful and eccentric of those endured in India, and which is thus described by Captain Hamilton, who has given an engraving of the swing-machine on which the penance is performed, u On the coast of Canara,” says our humorous Captain, whom the severe pains of the penitents do not seem very sensibly to have touched, a several thousands of people assemble in the middle of a grove, around a shapeless black stone of 300 or 400 weight (it is the phallus of Seeva,and the performers are rigid Saivites), besmeared with red lead mixed with oil, to serve for a mouth, eyes and ears, with a vase of incense burning before it, and a young virgin, ten years old/’ (an Indian vestal, we must suppose, for few are virgins in that warm climate after that age), u to attend and cherish the flame. Some priests, all naked, except a cloth of decency, run and dance round the stone and fire for half an hour like madmen, making strange distortions in their faces, and now and then bellowing like calves. This was the first scene. Those priests had previously erected a scaffold abolit fifteen feet long, and as many broad, in the middle of which was elevated a piece of wood about £0 feet high. In the upper end of this beam was cut a notch, on which rested a lever about forty feet long, and two cross beams at the end, eàeh four feet in length, with a rope fastened to the ends, on which the actors are to hang, and perform their parts. The penitents were four in number ; and presenting themselves to thé priests, the latter took two tenter hooks, exactly such as the butchers in Britain use to hang their meat on, and fixed those hooks in the muscles of the back. The hooks being fastened to the ropes at each end of the cross-beains^be penitents were then drawn up into the air. They are kept hanging by their backs in this manner at the distance of ten yards from the ground, while hundreds of other de«* votees dragged the scaffold, which went upon wheels, about a mile over ploughed ground ; the suspended penitents all the while swinging round in a circle, whence the name ofSELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.
2S9
cherec, a circle, or wheel. They were then let down in a bleeding condition, but both exulting themselves and amidst the exulting acclamations of the spectators/9
Mr. Cr auford, in his Sketches of Indian Mythology, mentions an Indian penitent, who, not long ago, finished measuring the distance between Benares and Jaggernaut with his body, by alternately stretching himself upon the ground ànd rising; which he observes, if faithfully executed, must have taken up some years to have accomplished.
One of the mahommedan travellers, who visited India, in the ninth century, informs us that c6 there are in India certain men who profess to live in the woods and mountains, and déspise whatever is considered valuable by the rest of mankind. They go all their life-time stark naked, and suffer the hair of their head and beard to grow till it nearly covers their whole body. They religiously forbear to pare their nails, so that they become pointed and sharp as swords ; and around the neck of each is suspended an earthen porringer, intended to contain the rice and other food which charity may supply. They, for the most part, stand motionless as statues, with their faces always turned to the sun/9
Du Halde, in his History of China, vol. Ï. describes some of them considering all nature as contaminated, and the earth itself labouring under some dreadful defilement, have embraced the resolution of never touching the earth, and cause themselves to be suspended aloft in cages upon boughs of trees, to which elevation the admiring multitude raise the scanty provision necessary to the support of the small portion of life that animates their emaciated carcases. One among thé fèst enclosed the trunk of his body in an iron“ Case; while bis Head and feet alone were at liberty. In this situation he ebtdd neither sit nor lie down at anytime; and round the cage were suspended a hundred lamps, whichfour other£40
kirby's wonderful museum.
Yogees, his companions, lighted at certain times. Thus walked he in his perpetual prison, as a light unto the world, in his vain-glorious opinion.
Others bury themselves in pits hollowed in the ground, with only a small hole left open at the top to breathe through.
These authentic accounts of the indifference w hich the devout Indians feel at the severest inflictions of corporeal pain, may strike Europeans with astonishment; but they will not those who have resided in India, and seen the Yogees assembled under their sacred trees in acts of penance. For what will not frantic superstition perform ? In India, even women themselves reject the natural softness and timidity of their sex, with determined resolution brave the dreadful ordeal of boiling oil, walk over plates of burning iron, and mount with serenity the funeral pile: while the men, by nature more daring and intrepid, perform such acts as can scarcely be admitted for true, even by credulity itself. An instance or two of this more desperate kind now lies before me in Rena udot’s Arabian Travellers, which for resolution and horror cannot possibly be paralleled among any nation of the earth, except among the sanguinary savages who sing the Death-Song on the plains of America.
A certain person, determined, like Celanus, to sacrifice himself alive in the flames, when he approached the altar, drew out his sabre, and, with his right hand, gave himself a wide and dreadful gash that reached from his breast far down the abdomen, and laid bare his entrails to the view of the spectators. He then, with his left, tore out a lobe of the liver, which he cut off with the same sabre, and gave it to one of his brothers who stood by, conversing all the time with the utmost indifference, and with apparent insensibility to the torments that racked him. He then, with undaunted countenance, leapt into the flames, and, without any visible emotion, was burnt to cinders.SELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.
241
In the early periods, when these travellers visited India, it was the custom of the Yogees of the mountains to dare to acts of singular austerity those who lived in the plains* Among others, there once came down a Yogee who called upon the penitents of the plain either to follow the example he was about to set them, or else to own their zeal and fortitude inferior. He sat himself down in a plantation of canes which grew in the neighbourhood. These canes, say our travellers, resemble our sugar canes, are supple, and bend likethem, have a large stem, and often grow to a vast height. When bowed down by force, they obey the pressure without breaking, but, as soon as the pressure is removed, they violently fly back, and regain their first rectitude. One of the loftiest and largest of these canes, he ordered to be bent down to his height, and fastened his long and bushy hair strongly to the end of it; then, taking his sabre, which from its keenness, sparkled like fire, he severed it from his body, and it mounted into the air. None of the spectators had resolution to follow his example, and the mountaineers triumphed over their brethren of the valley.
Dr. FitYER, an eminent physician, and Fellow oi the Royal Society, who was at Surat, about the time of Baldasus, has also given a very ample and particular account of Indian penitents, whom he visited under the great banyan-tree in its neighbourhood. One of these penitents, he remarked, whose nails, by neglect, were grown as long as a man’s fingers, absolutely pierced into the flesh; and another, whose bushy, plaited, sun-burnt hair trailed upon the ground, being above four yards in length. Some he saw with their arms so dislocated, that, as the Doctor expresses himself, the joints were inverted, and the head of the bone lay in the pit or valley of the arm. In that situation they must necessarily be defrauded of their nourishment, and hang down useless appendages to the body; so that unless relieved by charitable attendants, which are numerous at these holy retreats, the sufferers must
VOL. VI.	RQM	sllrbVs wonderful museum.
perish, feeing totally unable to help themselves. 0thei% he observed, who kept their ey^s immutably fixed on heaven* like Pliny’s gymnosophists, their heads hanging over their shoulders, and incapable of being moved from that posture,! fr*om the stiffness contracted? during a long uninterrupted rest, by the tendons of the muscles and the ligaments of the neck, so that no aliment nor liquid can possibly pass, and even that, that is swallowed witfi much difficulty. Others by continued abstinence, were so emaciated, that they appeared like Walking skeletons. All were bedaubed with ashes, and slept upon the bare ground'.
He gives two other remarkable Distances of penitentiary buffering; the former of which will corroborate what was before inserted concerning the penance between four fires*? under a meridian sun, and which must have appeared, to ono who has not been an eye-witness of these horrible exhibitions, absolutely incredible.
“ A Yogee had resolved/’ says our traveller, u for forty days, to endure the purgatory of five fires, the blazing sun £bove his head making the fifth. The solemn act was to take place during a public festivity, and before an innumerable crowd of spectators. Early in the morning, the penitent was seated on a quadrangular stage, with three ascents to it* He now fell prostrate, and continued fervent at liis devotion# till the sun began to have considerable power. He then rose, and assumed the position of the Yogee, as in his print described, looking steadfastly at the sun, and standing on one of his legs, while the other was kept in a bent posture drawn up undfj him. In the interim/’ says our traveller, u four fires being kindled (either of them large/enough to roast an ox) at each corner of the stage, the penitent, counting ovep his beads, and occasionally using his pot of incense, like Scaevola, with his own hands increased the flames, adding to them combustible matter by way of incense; he then bowed himself down, in the centre of the four fires, with his eye «till fixed upon the sun, and stood upon his head, his feetSEL^-TORTURE IN THE EÀSÏ INDIES.	S4S
being bolt upright in the air for three hours ; after which, he seated himself cross-legged, and Remained so all the rest of the day, roasting between those fires, and bathed in the profuse exudation of his own grease/’
u Three others of these devotees,” according to Fryer* ** had made a vow not to lie down for sixteen years, but to remain standing oh their feet during that time. The elder of them had completed the full period of fais painful discipline ; of the two others, the first had passed five, the second three, ki that position. The legs of all three were swollen in a dreadful mamier, and deeply ulcerated; but being unable to support the weight of their foodies* they leaned upon pillows Suspended on a string, which hung from one of the branches of the banyan-tree. He who had completed his penance, was afterwards entombed, in the same standing position, for trine days, without taking any sustenance ; and* to prove that lie actually continued in his earthy bed, during all the nine days, be caused,” says our author, u a bank of earth to foé thrown up before the mouth of his cave, on which was sown «a certain grain* which ears exactly in nine days, and which* in fact, did actually ear, before his removal thence.” Fryer saw the squalid figure of this penitent immediately after fais s'esiirrectioh from his subterraneous prison.”
M. Sonnerat was the eye-witness of many of these extravagant penances on the coast of Coromandel. The following particulars are thé result of his observations and inquiries. After having described some of their penances of inferior note, he proceeds to remark—
u The Indians have, besides these, other more rigid penitents, whom fanaticism induces to quit friends, relatives, possessions, every thing in order to live a miserable life. The majority afe of the sect of Seevà. The only goods they' can possess are a lingam, to which they continually offer their adorations;, and a tiger’s skin, on which they sleep. They exercise on their bodies all that a fanatic fury can convey to
R ££44
kikby’s wonderful museum.
their imagination : some tear their flesh with the strokes of a whip* or fasten themselves to the foot of a tree by a chain, which death only can break; others make a vow to remain all their lives in an uneasy posture, such as keeping the hands shut* while their nails, which they never cut, in the course of time pierce through them. Some are seen who have their hands always crossed on their breasts, or lifted above their heads in such a manner that they can no more bend tjiem. These unfortunate people can neither, eat nor drink* without the assistance of some disciples who follow them; and it may be easily judged what they must suffer during several years, to reduce their arms to this state of inaction. Many bury themselves, and breathe only through a little hole ; and it is wonderful, considering the time they remain under ground, that they are not suffocated. Others, who are less enthusiastic, are contented with burying themselves only up to the neck. Some are found, who have made a vow always to stand upright, without ever lying down; they sleep leaning against a wall or a tree; and to deprive themselves of all means of sleeping comfortable, they put their necks into certain machines, that resemble a kind of grate, which, when once they have riveted on, can no more be taken off. Others stand whole hours upon one foot, with their eyes fixed oh the sun, contemplating that planet with the most earnest application of mind. Others, again, observe the saipe position, with one foot in the air, the other resting 'only on tiptoe, and with both arms elevated ; they are placed in the midst of four vases full of fire, and keep their eyes intensely fixed on the solar orb.
“ The number of these more rigid penitents is much lessened since the Indians have been oppressed, and reduced to a state of slavery. The only person of this kind I ever saw, pierceddiis cheeks with an iron, which went through hi& tongue, and was riveted on the other side of the cheek with another piece of iron, which formed a circle underneath the chin.SELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES. 245
€e The characteristic of these penitents is great pride, self-love, and a belief that they are saints.
“ The Indians have a feast of fire, daring which the zealous devotees amongst them walk on that element. It was instituted in honour of Darmah-raja, and should be more properly called a fast than a feast, for those devotees are to refrain from food during all the eighteen days which it lasts, sleep on the bare ground, and walk on a brisk fire.. On the last, or eighteenth day, they assemble to the sound of instruments, their heads crowned with flowers, and their bodies besmeared with saffron, and follow the image of Darma-raja and Drobedehis wife, which are carried in procession three times round a fire, kindled to the honour of those deities.” After this, the devotees actually pass through the fire, which M. Sonnerat asserts, is extended to about forty feet in length, walking through the flames, slowly or quickly, according to their zeal, and often, like the superstitious votaries of Moloch, carrying their children in their arms.
On those most holy festivals, on which their greater gods are carried about on vast machines, drawn by several thousand devotees, our author has seen fathers and mothers of families, bearing also their children in their arms, throw themselves headlong under the broad and ponderous wheels, in hopes of gaining immediate admission into heaven, by so exalted a fate as that of being crushed to death by the chariot of the god. By these suicidal executions, he informs us, the procession is never impeded, nor the people shocked. The machine is drawn over the bodies of these unfortunate wretches without emotion, and its weight, in passing, pounds them unlamented to atoms.
The Account M. Sonnerat gives, in his u Voyage aux Indes Orientales,” Tom. /. p. 244, of this practice, as prevailing under the name of “ Quedil” on the Coast of£46	KIRBY’S WQNBERRUfc MUSEUM.
Coromandel, at the Festival of the Goddess Mariatale.
He has given a large Engraving of a Scene of thm
nature—m exact copy of which we have also given.
V Those persons?/* he says, <c who consider themselves to have obtained some distinguished benefits from Mariatale, Ur wish to obtain such, make a vow to suspend themselves in the air. This ceremony consists in fastening to the skin of the devotee’s baclt two iron hooks, attached to the end of a long lever. This lever plays on the fop of a mast twenty feet from the ground. As soon ^ the* devotee is fastened, the opposite end of the lever is weighed down, and he is hoisted aloft $ in this state, he is whirled round the circle as many times as he directs. He is commonly armed with a sabre and buckler, and gesticulates like a man in the act of fighting. Whatever he may suffer, he must not betray his feelings. If a tear escape him, he is driven from his caste; this, however/very seldom happens. He drinks a sufficient quantity of some inebriating liquor, to render him almost insensible to pain, and to lead him to regard ttiis dangerous adventure as a sport. After many circuits, he is let down; and is soon healed of his wounds. A speedy cure passes for a miracle among zealous worshippers of the goddess. Brahmins never assist on these occasions, but hold the ceremony in contempt,—the worship of this goddess being confined to the lowest castes/’
Dr. Carey in a letter dated from Mudnahatty, Aprif 5th, 1799? and inserted in the Baptist Magazine, Vol.T. page 593*says*—•
“• The:Hindop. worsvhip lasts the threp last days of the old year and the first of the new year, and is performed in honour of Seeb. Some reckon the preparation for it, whiph begins seven or eight days earlier, to be part of the worship itself: it is, however, distinct, and consists chiefly in the beating of drums and other instruments, attended by a number of people called Bhoktars, or believers, who pa*
5SELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.
247
-fade the neighbourhood with dancing, odd dresses, and ^gesticulation^ begging money for the ceremonies that are to follow, preparing articles, &c. But the four days first mentioned are the time that is employed in various forms of worship and self-torment. The first of the last three days of their year, or of the month Chytre, is the day called JoJ, Sunyas, on which dead bodies of men, if they can be pro-* cured, which is seldom a difficult matter, or if they are not to be had, dead mei/s skulls, and pieces of the wood which was employed in burning the dead, are brought near to a house of Seeb and Kallee, where they are placed in the form of an offering. After a little time, a number of the Bhok-$ars appear, dressed some as women, others with a kind of horrid vizors, like digitated crowns, put over their faces; others disfigured with paint; some with artificial hair, or hemp, or a hunch of ropes, like a mop, on their heads. Some have artificial tongues, i#ade of sackcloth, reaching to ;their feet; and others go with their tongues put out of their mouths as far as possible. Some of these men have swords; others khorgos, a kind of crooked weapon of war; others take up a piece of wood before-mentioned; others a skull; and others have earthen pots in their bare hands, containing a small quantity of wood, which is oiled and kindled. Taking oil into their mouths, they spirt it at intervals into these pots of fire, which makesxa horrid blaze, and is thus kept up for some hours. It is accounted to be a wonderful interposition of Seeb, that tfieir hands are not burnt, nor even the wood in the pot; but the oil preserves the wood and hands too, I suppose, as they are well oiled all the time. After thus dancing and parading about with these bpnes, &;c. the dead bodies, bones, wood, &c. are carried to a river, or other water, where they are thrown in. The people bathe, and all go home; but towards the close of the night, they meet again, make a large fire, and dance upon the coals.
“ The second day is called Neel, on which day they fast more severely than on any of the other days; for on all these£48
KIRBY^S WONDERFUL MUSEUM,
days theyeat nothing boiled, but on this day they eat nothing but meal <pf wheat or barley, and drink nothing. In the evening, a burnt-offering is presented to Seeb, of Sesanum* seed and Ghee, or leaves of the Beal tree, Caeteva Mar-fhelos, mixed with Ghee, which concludes the worship of the day.
“ The third day is employed in various kinds of torture—-as falling from a stage on iron spikes, dancing with threads of bamboos drawn through their sides, or spits through their tongues. The first of these is called Pat Bhanga, the second Parso Ban, and the third Zoobha Ban. But as none of these modes are practised in this neighbourhood, the people here end the worship by swinging, which is not performed till the second day in the southern parts.
“ The trees are first erected in an open place, and the bamboo, which turns horizontally, is fixed on them, so as to turn freely, and a rope is suspended from each end. After this, an offering is made to Seeb, at the bottom of the tree, by a man who, though not a Brahman, yet acts as a priest on this occasion. He begins by laying the different articles in order at the foot of the tree, or upright post. This consists of rice, beaten from the husk, but boiled, a ^vild edible herb called sanchee—though I suppose other herbs may be used -*—a bunch of plantain, some water, and two young pigeons. A coal of fire is then procured, and a small quantity of dhoona, or Indian pitch, thrown on it; on this, some small quantity of the rice and herb; after this, the man who officiated as priest, seemed as if in prayer, quite silent, and then put a sprig of the plant upon his own head, where he let it remain about a minute. The person who is to swing is all this time apparently engaged in prayer, with the hooks placed under his feet. The heads of the pigeons are then pulled off, one after the other, by the priest, and the blood made to run down the bottom of the tree, which concludes the consecrative offering.
i( The man who is to swing then prostrates himself beforeSELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.	£49
the tree, and a person makes a mark with his dusty fingers, where the hooks are to be put. Another person immediately gives him a smart clap on one side of the back, and pinches up the skin hard with his thumb and fingers, while another passes the hook through, taking hold of about an inch of the skin—the other hook is then in like manner put through the skin of the other side of the back, and the man gets up on his feet. As he is rising, some water is thrown in his face. He then mounts on a man’s back, or on some other eminence, and the strings which are attached to the hooks in his back, are tied to the rope at one end of the horizontal bamboo, and the rope at the other end is held by several men, who, drawing it down, raise up the end on which the man swings, and by their running round with that rope, the machine is turned.^ In swinging, the man describes a circle of about thirty feet in diameter; and he carries a basket containing the herbs before offered to Seeb, which are thrown down by handfuls; but I saw nobody pick them up.
“ Only two men swung this year, at this place, and one of them only five minutes; the other swung a quarter of an hour, and smoked his hooka as he was whirled round. In less than two days, I examined his back, which was quite welt, and scarcely a mark of the hooks left. I saw a man, when he descended, chew some piper betel, the juice of which he injected from his mouth into the wounds ; he then applied two leaves of the same plant, and tied on a cloth ; no other application was used, except a squeezing up of the wounds with the hand, and setting the knee of another man against his breast, which he pushed hard, holding his shoulders by his hands. I asked the man if the pain was not great ? He said no—it was much like the bite of an ant.”
In page £8, Mr. Thomas says—“ The two iron flesh-hooks pass through the integuments on each side the backbone, and they are suspended above forty feet in the air, and250	kirby’s wonderful museum.
are twirled round for a considerable time, which he bears without any expression of pain or impatience. Whatever he throws down of fruit, or the like, is caught up with great avidity, and counted sacred. Sometimes the skin has given way, and the person has been dashed to pieces : so now, in all that I have seen, cloth has been passed round the middle, for the hooks to hold by with the skin. The ceremony may be seen in almost every town once a year*
WIDOWS BURNING WITH THEIR HUSBANDS.
This inhuman practice at present prevails most in the Mahratta dominions, and in the countries of the ancient Rajahs, where instances of the kind are frequently to be met with. Their law says, “ It is proper for a woman to burn herself with her husband’s corpse and the Bramins teach, that those who burn themselves with their husbands, shall be exalted to the Suttee, or high sphere, where the god Brhima^ and his particular favourites reside.
A number of instances have been given to the public by Europeans who have been witnesses to the miserable scene* Two cases may give the reader of these sheets some idea of the barbarous rite: the first is thus described by Mr. Hodges.
“ The first person whom I saw was of the bhyse (or merchant) cast; upon my repairing to the spot on the banks of the river, where the ceremony yfas to take place, I found the body of a man on the bier, and covered with linen, already brought down, and laid at the edge of the river. At this time (about ten in the morning) only a few people were assembled, who displayed the most perfect apathy and indifference at the catastrophe that was to take place. After waiting a considerable time, the wife appeared, attended by the Bramins, and music, with some few relations. The procession was slow and solemn; the victim moved with a steady and firm step, and* apparently, with a perfect composure of countenance, approached cio$e to the body of her husband, where, for some time, they halted. She then ad-SELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.
dressed those who were near her with composure, and with-put the least trepidation of voice or change of countenance. She held in her left hand a cocoa-nut, in which was a red colour mixed up, and dipping in her fore-finger of her right hand, she marked those near her to w’hom she wished to shew the last act of attention. As at this time I stood close to her, she observed me attentively, and with the colour she marked me on the forehead. She might be about twenty-four or five years of age, a time of life when the bloom of beauty has generally fled the cheek in Iudia ; but she still preserved a sufficient share to prove she must have been handsome: her figure wras small, but elegantly turned; and the form of her hands and arms w as particularly beautiful. Per dress was a loose robe of white flowing drapery, that extended from her head to her feet. The place of the sacrifice \vas higher up qn the bank of the river, one hundred yards or more from the spot where we now stood. The pile w'as composed of dried branches, leaves, and rushes, >yith a door on one side, and arched and covered on the top; by the side of the door stood a man with a lighted brand. From the time the woman appeared, to the taking up of the body to convey it to the pile, might occupy a space of half an hour, which was employed in prayer with the Bramins, in attention to those who stood near her, and conversation with her relations. When the body w?as taken up she followed close to it, attended by the chief Bramin ; and when it was deposited in the pile, she flowed to all around her, and entered without speaking. The moment she entered, fhq door w as dosed, the fire was put to tfle combustibles, which instantly inflamed, eod immense quantities of dried wood and other matters were thrown upon it. This last part of the ceremony wa& accompanied with the shouts of the multitude, which now became pniei aiis, and the whdle seemed a mass of confused rejoicing.5’
Hodges’ Travels in India, p. 81—-S3.kirby’s wonderful museum.
A second instance, more dreadful than the former, is contained in a letter from Father Martin, a Jesuit missionary in Madua:—
“ The prince of Marava dying in 1710, his wives, to the number of forty-seven, were burned with his corpse in the following manner :—They digged a deep ditch without the town, and in it erected a pile of w ood, on the top of which the deceased w7as laid, richly clothed and adorned; when they had set this on fire, with a world of ceremonies performed by the Bramins, that company of unfortunate women appeared, covered with jewels, and adorned with flowers, like so many victims designed for the sacrifice. They walked several times about the pile, the heat of which was perceived at a great, distance. The chief of them having addressed the successor of the late prince, resigned the dagger of the deceased into his hands, who took it without shewing the least sign of grief or compassion. Alas! said she, what farther comes of all human happiness ! I am sensible I am throwing myself headlong into hell! These words struck all the spectators with horror. She had a Christian woman in her service, who frequently discoursed with her concerning the truths of revealed religion, in order to persuade her to embrace Christianity, but without success. She having spoke thus, boldly turned her face to the pile, and calling up her gods, flung herself into the midst of the flames. The second of these women was the sister of Raya, a prince of the blood, who assisted at that detestable ceremony: when he received the jewels from his sister, with which she was adorned, he broke out into tears, and embraced her most tenderly: she seemed moved at it; and with a resolute countenance, looked some time at the pile, sometimes at the assistants, cried with a loud voice Sheeva, Sheeva, which is the name of one of her idols, and threw herself in the midst of the flames, as the first had done. The other women followed her soon after; some of them appeared composed,SELF-TORTURE IN THE EAST INDIES.	253
and others cast down and bewildered. One of them, frighted above the rest, ran to a Christian soldier, who was present, and begged of him to save her; but he, stunned with surprise, pushed the unfortunate creature from him into the glowing pit, and retired immediately, but so terrified, that he soon fell ill of a fever and frenzy, of which he died the night following. Whatever intrepidity some of these women discovered at first, yet, as soon as they felt the flames, they roared out in a most dreadful manner, and tumbling over each other, strove to gain the brim of the pit; but in vain, for the assistants prevented it, by throwing upon them large pieces of wood. The next day the Bramins gathered their bones, which they threw into the sea. The pit was levelled, a iemple built on the spot, and the deceased prince, with his wives, reckoned among the deities.”
Propagation of Christianity, Vol. II. p. 156.
Mr. Carey describes another burning of a widow, that he was witness to, page 26, Vol. II. of the Baptist Missionary Society, he says-^-
“ As I was returning from Calcutta, I saw the Saha-moran, or a woman burning herself with the corpse of her husband, for the first time in my life. We were near the village of Noya Serai. [Rennel, in his Chart of the Hoogly river, spells it Nieserai.] As it was evening, we got out of the boat to walk, when we saw a number of people assembled on the river side. I asked them for what they were met ? and they told me, to burn the body of a dead man. I inquired, whether his wife would die with him ? They answered, yes; and pointed to the woman. She was standing by the pile, which was made of large billets of wood, about two feet and a half high, four feet long, and two wide, on the top of which lay the dead body of her husband. Her nearest relation stood by her, and near, her a small basket of sweetmeats, called kivy ; I asked them, whether this were the woman’s choice, or whether she was 1£54	KiKüY S WONDERFUL MIJSEUlVt«
brought to it by any improper influence. They answered; that it was perfectly voluntary. I talked till reasoning was of no use,' and then began to exclaim with all my might against what they were doing, telling them it was a shocking murder. They told me it was a great act of holiness, and added in a very surly manner, that if I did not like to see it; I might go further off, and desired me to go; I told them that I would not go; that I was determined to stay and see the murder, and that I should certainly bear witness to it ai thé tribunal of God. I exhorted the woman hot to throw away her life ; to fear nothing, for no evil would follow her refusing to burn. But she in the calmest manner mounted the pile, and danced on it, with her hands extended; as if in the utmost tranquillity of spirit. Previous to her mounting the pile, the relation whose office it was to set fire to it, led her six times round it, at two intervals; that is; thrice at each circumambulation. As she went round, she scattered thé sweetmeats above-mentioned among the people, who picked them up, and eat them as very holy things; This being ended, and she having mounted the pile and danced as above mentioned, (which appeared only designed to shew Us her contempt of death, and to prove to us her dying was voluntary), she theh laid down by the corpse, and put one arm under his neck, aiid the other over it; when a quantity of dry cocoa leaves, and other substances, w ere heaped over them to a considerable height ; and then ghee, or melted preserved butter, poured on the tbp. Two bamboos were then put over then*, and held fast down, and fire put to the pile, which immediately blazed very fiercely, owing to the dry and combustible materials of which it w as composed. No sooner was the fire kindled, than all the people set up a great shout, “ Hurree Bol, Hurree Bol !” which is a common shout of joy, and an invocation of Hurree, the wife of Hur, or Seeb. It w'as impossible to have heard the woman, had she groaned, or even cried aloud, on account of the mad noise of the people ; and it wras impossible for her to stirM&LÁNCÜOLY SHIPWRECK.
£55
dr struggle, on account of the bamboos which were held down upon them, like the levers of a press. We made much objection to their using these bamboos, and insisted that it was using force to prevent the woman getting up when the fire burnt her. But they declared it was only done to keep the pile from falling down. Wé could not bear to see more, but left them, exclaiming loudly against the murder, and full of horror at what we had seen.” v -At page £41 of the same volume, Mr. Ward in his jour-¿ nal, says, “ Some suppose that 80,000 widows aré burnt annually, with the bodies of their husbands.”
MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK
OF THE HARPOONER,
IVlTri THE WONDERFUL PRESERVATION OF MANY OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS, BY MEANS OF A DOG CARRYING A ROPE TO THE ROCKS.
The following affecting narrative of the melancholy disaster, has been sent by one of the survivors
“ On the £6tl> of October, 1816, detachments of the 4th Royal Veteran Battalion, and their families, with a few be-* longing to other corps in Canada^ in all 380, embarked on board the ship Harpooner, Joseph Bryant, master, and sailed from Quebec on the afternoon of the £7th, bound to Dept* ford, in charge of Capt. Prime. On the passage to the Gulph of St. Lawrence, moderate weather and favourable winds prevailed; but on arriving in the Gulph> the weather proved boisterous, and the wind contrary ; not a sight of land, nor an observation of the sun, could be depended upon for several days. On Sunday evenings Nov. 10, a few minutes after nine o’clock, the second mate, on watch, called out “ The ship’s aground;” at which time she lightly struck on the outermost rock of St. Shotfcs, in the Island of Newfoundland. She beat over, and proceeded; a short distance, when she struck again, and filled. Encircled among$36
kirby’s wonderful museum.
rocks, and the wind blowing strong, the night dark, and a very heavy sea, she soon fell over on her larboard beam-ends; and, to heighten the terror and alarm, it was perceived a lighted candle had communicated fire to some spirits in the master’s cabin, which, in the confusion, was with difficulty extinguished. The ship still driving over the rocks, her masts were cut away, by which some men were carried overboard. The vessel drifted over near the high rocks towards the main. In this situation every one became terrified, thè suddenness of the sea rushing in, carried away the births and staunchions between decks, when men, women, and children were drowned, and many were killed by the force with which they were driven against the loose baggage, casks, and staves, which floated below. All that possibly could, got upon deck ; but, from the crowd and confusion that prevailed, the orders of the officers and master to the soldiers and seamen were unavailing; death staring every one in the face—the ship striking on the rocks as though she would instantly upset ! The screeching and pressing of the people to the starboard side was so violent, that several were much hurt. About eleven o’clock the boats on the deck wrere washed overboard by a heavy sea ; but even from the commencement of the disaster, the hopes of any individual being saved were but very slight ; and from this circumstance, combined with it appearing that the bottom of the ship was separating from the upper deck, while the surf beat over her most violently, it was considered as impossible. From this time until four o’clock the next morning, all on the wreck were anxiously praying for the light of day to break upon them ; the boat from the stem was lowered down, when the first mate and four seamen, at the risk of their lives, pushed off to the shore ; they with difficulty effected a landing upon the main land, behind a high rock, nearest to where the stern of the vessel had been driven. They were soon out of sight, and it was feared they were lost ; but it was so ordained by Providence, these deserving men,MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.	257
in scrambling up the rocks, made their appearance. They hailed us from the top, and reported their situation; saying to return was impossible, as the boat was staved. The logline was thrown from the wreck, with a hope that they might lay hold of it; but darkness, and the tremendous surf that beat, rendered it impracticable. During this awful time of suspense, it occurred to the master the possibility of sending a line to them by a dog. The animal was brought aft, and thrown into the sea with a line tied round his middle, and with it he swam towards the rock upon which the mate and seamen were standing. It is impossible to describe the sensations which were excited at seeing this faithful dog struggling with the waves, and, reaching the summit of the rock, dashed back again bv the surf into the sea, until, at length, by his exertions, he arrived with the line; one end of which being on board, a stronger rope was hauled and fastened to the rock, and by this rope the seamen were enabled to drag on shore from the wreck a number of souls. At about six o’clock in the morning of the 11th, the first person was landed by this means; and afterwards, by an improvement in rigging the rope, and placing each individual in slings, they were with great facility extricated from the wreck ; but during the passage thither, it was with the utmost difficulty that the unfortunate persons could maintain their hold, as the sea beat over them; some were dragged to the shore in a state of insensibility. Lieut. Wilson was lost, being unable to hold on the rope with his hands ; he was twice struck by the sea, fell backwards out of the slings, and after swimming for a considerable time amongst the floating wreck, by which he was struck on the head, he perished. Many who threw themselves overboard, trusting to their safety by swimming, were lost; they were dashed to pieces by the surf on the rocks, or by the floating of the wreck, About half past one o’clock, on the afternoon of the 11th, about thirty lives were saved by the rope, several of whom were hurt and maimed. At this period the sea VOL. VI,
s£5&	TOKENS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
beat incessantly over the wreck, and it being evident the deck was separating, the only means of saving the distressed sufferers failed. For the rope, by constant work, and by swinging across the sharp rock, was cut in two. From that hour, there being no means of replacing the rope, the spec-* tacle became more terrific than ever; the sea beating over the wreck with greater violence, washed numbers overboard; their heart-rending cries and lamentations were such as cannot be expressed,-¿-families, fathers, mothers, and children, clinging together! The wreck breaking up, stern from midships and forecastle, precipitated all on it into one common destruction? Under these melancholy circumstances, 206 souls perished, and the survivors have to lament the loss of dear relatives and friends. The officers and men of the Royal Veteran Battalion, who were returning home after a long and arduous service in Canada, and other remote climates, have now lost their all—the savings of many years, which they had looked upon with a pleasing hope of making themselves and their families comfortable with, on retiring from the service of their king and country. By^this unfortunate event the Orphan daughter of Surgeon Armstrong lost her father, mother, brother, and two sisters: and the wife and surviving daughter of Lieut. Wilson are left wholly destitute. The disaster was so sudden and unlooked for, that not an article of baggage was saved ; not even money, of which some had considerable sums, the produce of their effects sold at Quebec, which were paid for in guineas, on account of bills of exchange being attended with a loss of seven and a half per cent.: for immediately after the ship struck, she bilged and filled, drowning some who, from motives of humanity, attempted to secure articles of dre^S for the distressed females, who were hurried on deck in in undressed state. The rock which the survivors wei^ landed upon, was about, 100 feet above the water,Surrounded at the flowing of the tide. It being high water soon after the latter of them was saved, it was found impossible for theseMELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.	$59
distressed objects to be got over to the main land until thé iaéxt morning ; on the top ojf this rock they were obliged to remain during the whole of the night, without shelter, food, or nourishment, exposed to wind and rain, and many with* out shoes* The only comfort that presented itself was a fire, which was made from pieces of the wreck that had been washed ashore. At daylight on the morning of the 3$th, at low water, their removal to the opposite land was effected, some being let down by a rope, others slipping down a ladder to the bottom. After they crossed over, they directed their course to a house or fisherman’s shed, distant about a mile and a half from the wreck, where they remained until the next day;( the proprietor of this miserable shed not having the means of supplying relief to so considerable a number as took refuge, a party went overland to Trepassy, about fourteen miles distant, through a marshy country, not inhabited by any human creature, and the footpath through a morass. This party arrived at Trepassy, and reported the event to Messrs. Jackson, Burke, Sims, and the Rev. Mr. Browm, who immediately took measures for assisting the distressed,^ dispatching men in their employ with provisions and spirits, to assist in bringing all those forward to Trepassy who could walk. Necessity prompted many to undertake this journey barefooted 5 the hardships and privations which they were enduring were so excessively great. On the lâtli, in the evening, the major part of the survivors (assisted by the inhabitants, who during the journey carried the weàk arid feeble upon their backs), arrived at Trepassy, where they were billeted by order of the magistrate, propor-tionably upon each house. There still remained at St. Shotts, the wife of a serjeant of the Veteran Battalion, who Was delivered on the fop of the rocks shortly after she was saved ; the child and herself are doing well. A private whose leg was broke, and a woman severely bruised by the wreck, Were also necessarily left there. Immediately after the arrival at Trepassy^ measures were adopted for thé com-060	kirby’s wonderful museum.
fort an|d refreshment of the detachment, boats were provided for their removal to St. John’s. This being effected, his Excellency Admiral Pickmore, the governor, Major King, cpmmanding the troops, the merchants, and gentlemen of St. John’s, most promptly and generously came forward in the most handsome manner to the relief of the surviving sufferers. After remaining ten days at St. John’s, refitting the distressed with clothing and necessaries, his Excellency the Admiral chartered the Mercury, of Poole, to bring them to Portsmouth. On this melancholy circumstance, it is but justice to mention, that Mr. Joseph Bryant, master, Mr. Atkinson, mate, and the seamen of the Harpooner, deserve great credit for their unceasing exertions; to their labour, those that came on shore by the rope, in a great measure pwe their safety.”	Observer, Dec. 22, 1816.,
BEES FOUND IN A STONE.
An extraordinary discovery in Natural History was made •at Liverpool about a fortnight ago. As one of the stonemasons in the employ of the Dock Trustees, was dressing, on the sea wall of the Regent’s Dock, a huge stone, brought from the Western Point Quarry, and after he had broken a considerable thickness from its outside, he discovered, in a hole of small diameter, which was partially filled with clay, and a loamy sand, three bees, in a state of animation, to the inexpressible astonishment of himself and fellow-workmen, many of whom were witnesses of this strange phenomenon. The foreman of the works put them into his handkerchief, where they remained for several hours afterwards; but, while exhibiting his newly resuscitated strangers, two of them flew, away, and he voluntarily gave the third its liberty. These bees are described to us as having been of the drone species. We have questioned the person as to the truth of so singular a statement, and he affirms, that they were foundBEES FOUND IN A STONE.
261
in the interior of the ¿olid stone, as we have described above, without any perceptible communication from without. Toads, and other similar animals, have been found, in a living state, in situations equally extraordinary; but we never heard before of any of the winged tribe being incased in the heart of a solid stone. The discovery is singular, and will furnish matter of curious speculation to the naturalist and the philosopher.
Liverpool Advertiser. Times, Nov. 24, 1817.
The following statement will probably elucidate this strange phenomenon:—-As soon as we heard of the above circumstance, which occurred on Saturday, the 1st ult. we went on the Tuesday morning following, to inspect the stone in which the bees, as they are called, had been lodged; but it had, about an hour before, been put into the barge, for the purpose of being taken to another part of the dock. In our inquiries of Mr. Dowell, the master mason, the person who had the bees in his possession, whether any crevice had been observed outside of the stone, by which they could have gained access to the abode in which they were found ; he could give us no certain information on this point, neither negatively nor affirmatively. But he shewed us a stone of the exact description of the one in question, in which there was what he called “ a sand-hole,” filled with loamy sand, which extended from the surface to the depth of ten inches into the stone. This loamy road, it is conjectured, would, after being exposed to the air, become sufficiently dry to be capable of removing itself on the least change of situation in the stone, and thereby excavating a hole, such as had been found in the stone where the bees were discovered. As soon as we had ascertained this fact, our wonder in the preceding statement ceased, as we think that our reader’s will also, after they have read this article. This will alsó account for our not having before noticed the circumstance. The stone from which the bees were; taken, had, we understand, been some weeks lying at the quarry252	KIRBX’g WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
/
for transmission to this place. In the early part of Septein-ber we had some sharp frosts; and it is not improbable the bees had sheltered themselves in the cavern in which the masons found them, from the inclemency of the weather at that time. When they were first discovered, we understand they were in a state of torpor; but the warmth of Mr. Powell’s pocket, in which they had been placed, completely re-animated them.
Liverpool Advertiser. Times, Dec. 5,1817*
ACCOUNT OF THE DISCOVERY OF
HUMAN SKELETONS.
Ten human skeletons have been discovered at Futtey Llyn, near Llandebie, at a depth of thirty feet from the surface of a limestone rock. The skulls are of a very uncommon size and thickness, and all the bones are of a larger calibre than those of the present race of men.
Edinburgh Star, August 27, 1813.
During the winter of 1818-19, some labourers were digging gravel near the town of Aylesbury, on the road leading to Buckingham, they discovered about 258 human skeletons, and twenty skulls only; they appeared to be all males, and full grown. No historical, or even traditional account exists as to when they were deposited there. Lord Nugent has directed the bones to be collected together, and intends erecting over them a tablet.
Morning Advertiser, Feb. 20,1819-
THE HORNED HEIFER.
This extraordinary animal was bred by a Mr. Sharp, near Melton-Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was, in the month of February, 1809* in the possession of Mr. Matón, of Comp-IGNIS FATUUS.	263
ton-street, Clerkenwell; it was about three years old, perfectly healthy, and in good condition. It had been viewed by many gentlemen, members of the Royal Society, and who appeared to consider it a great natural curiosity. From the head to the shoulders, and the neck, it was covered with innumerable horns, from the size of a large pin, to the length of eight inches : and the horns were as perfect as those projecting from its head. The dew-lap, which hangs down very low, had also a great number of small projections, resembling those of a hedge-hog. The body had a small quantity, as well as the legs and the tail. The eye-lids, nostrils, and ears, had several projecting horns; the two former were nearly covered with them. On the rump there was a complete excrescence, resembling a fowl’s claw inverted (as in the annexed wood-cut,) but was at that time nearly rubbed off. The roots of these horny substances were only skin deep, and the animal did not seem affected by their being handled. They came out in various parts of the body and limbs, first, with a scrophulous protuberance, which, by degrees, became a hard horny substance, and produced at first an irritation, which caused the beast to rub them till they bled; but in every other respect, qxcept as to those wonderful excrescences, the beasj; was well shaped« and enjoyed a good appetite and health. The print of this beast we shall give at some future time.
IGNIS FATUUS.
ACCOUNT OF THE SINGULAR PHENOMENON COMMONLY
CALLED IGNIS FATUUS, WILL-OF-THE-WISP, OR JACK-
o’-LANTERN.
These meteors are in fact nothing more than a real exhalation from the earth, as vaporous gas, or some other weaker substance, combined with the matter of light and heat, or even with both mixed, which has been elicited either from264	kirby’s wonderful museum.
animal, vegetable, or mineral substances. They are at all times of a rare and subtle matter, and are mostly generated in low marshy plains, though, at times, but rarely^ they may be seen on the tops of lofty mountainous tracts, where boggy springs are situated. The Editor has often seen them on Dartmoor and Exmoor, in Devon, and twice on the side of a mountain in the Highlands of Scotland. To the weak-minded and the supersiitious, they are a source of real terror; and, it is probable, that they have frequently seduced a timid and benighted traveller into the dangerous bogs and quagmires where themselves have been generated. Goldsmith, in his beautiful poem of the Hermit, alludes ip this fact in the following couplet:
“ Forbear, my son, the hermit cries,
To tempt the dang’rous gloom,
For yonder faithless phantom flies,
To lure thee to thy doom.”
These luminous exhalations are designated by the learned, Ignes Fatui, or Mock Fires—and by the vulgar, Will o’-the-Wisps, and Jack>o’-Lanterns; and when seen at sea, or near the coast, Mariners’ Lights, or St. Helmo’s Fires.
To account for the true cause of these singular appearances, has occupied much of the time and labour of the most skilful naturalists and philosophers in ¡former times, but their explanations have not been attended with success. From the present state of knowledge of natural philosophy, we find it not difficult to be either given or comprehended, and we are not a l.-ttle astonished to find our early philosophers travelling to Italy, and other parts, for documents which they might have found even near their own fire-side.
For the amusement of our readers, we shall extract some Of their vague opinions from the Philosophical Transactions of their day:—The Rev. Mr. Dereham, and Sir Thomas Dereham, seem to have been the most successful in describing it. Mr. F. Willoughby and Mr. Ray, with others, think the Ignis Fatuus are only the shining of a greatIGNIS FATUtfS.
265
number of the male glow-worms in England. Others contend, that it must in Italy be the pyraustae (a species of fly,) which are numerous in June and July, flying about at nightfall. Sir T. Dereham says, these pyraustae are called lucciole, i. e. small lights, and that they are not the farfalls, as Mr. Ray thought, which are butterflies. The Rev. Mr. Dereham has reason to think, that insects are not concerned in the ignes fatui, from the following observations, the first made by himself, and the others received from Italy, by the favour of Sir Thomas Dereham.
Dr, Dereham relates, that in a valley between rocky hills, which he suspected might contain minerals, in some boggy ground, near the bottom of those hills, lie saw an ignis fatuus in a calm dark night; he got up to it within two or three yards, and viewed it with all possible care. He found it frisking about a dead thistle growing in the field, till a small motion of the air made it skip from place to place.
It appeared like a complete body of light without any division, so that he was sure it could not be occasioned by insects, but a fire-vapour.
He admits, the male glow-worms emit their shining light as they fly, by which means they discover the females; but never observed them fly together in such great numbers, as to make a light equal to an ignis fatuus.
As to the communications from Italy, it is observed i— These lights are very common in the plains in the territory of Bologna, and are called cularsi, perhaps from some fancied similitude to those birds; the belly and other parts of which'are resplendent, like our shining flies. They are most frequent in watery and morassy ground, and there are some such places, where they might be seen almost every night; some of them giving as much light as a lighted torch; and some of them no larger than the flame of a common candle. All of them have the same property in resembling, both in colour and light, a flame strong enough to reflect a lustre on the objects around, They are continually in motion, but£66
kirby’s wonderful museum.
this motion is various and uncertain. Sometimes they rise up, at others they sink. Sometimes they disappear of a sudden, and appear again in an instant, in some other place. Commonly they keep hovering about six feet from the ground. As they differ in size, so also in figure, spreading sometimes pretty wide, and then again contracting themselves ; sometimes breaking to all appearance into two, then meeting again, and appearing as one; then floating like waves, and dropping sparks as if out of ^ fire. And that they are observed more frequent in the depth of winter, when the ground is covered with snow, than in the hottest summer ; that it has been observed, that they throw a stronger light in wet weather than in dry; the wet having no effect on it; and yet nothing was ever observed to be set on fire by it; and he was assured, that there was not a dark night throughout the whole year, in which they were not to be seen.
M. Beccari observes, he found these lights very frequent about rivers and brooks, and says—“ An intelligent gentleman, travelling sometime in March, between eight and nine in the evening, in a mountainous road, about ten miles south of Bologna, perceived a light which shone very strongly, by a river called Rioverde, on some stones which lay on its banks. It seemed to be about two feet above the stones, and not far from the water of the river. In figure and size it had the appearance of a parallelopiped, somewhat more than a foot in length, and half a foot high, the longest side lying parallel to the horizon. Its light was so strong, that he could plainly discern by it part of a neighbouring hedge, and the water of the river—only in the east corner of it the light was rather faint, and the square figure less perfect, as if it was ciit off or darkened by the segment of a circle. On examining it a little nearer, he was surprised to find that it changed gradually from a bright red to a yellowish, and then to a pale colour, in proportion as he drew nearer; and when he came to the place itself, it quite vanished. Upon this, he stepped back, and not only saw it again, but found that the 4IGNIS FATUUS.
267
farther he went from it, the stronger and brighter it grew. When he examined the place of this luminous appearance, he could perceive no smell nor any other mark of actual fire*” This same observation was confirmed by another gentleman who frequently travels that way, and who asserted, that he had seen the very same fire five or six times in the spring and autumn; and that it always appeared in the shape, and in the very same place. One night, in particular, he observed it come out of a neighbouring field, and settle in the same place.
Dr. St. Clair speaks of the same flame, and says corn grows within a few yards of it, and he conjectures the flame arises from a vein of bitumen or naphtha.
The opinion of the learned of the present day, respecting these singular exhalations, is, that the principal source of these meteors is to be sought for in the light exhaled by the decomposition of animal and vegetable matter, magnified and deepened in hue by the vapoury haze of the atmosphere of the moist and swampy low lands, in which they are chiefly met with, and which, in consequence of their moisture and swampiness, are particularly favourable to the process of decomposition.
Thus, they say, may be accounted for those meteors that evince no sensible heat during their illumination, for the light exhaled or thrown off from these substances possesses no sensible heat whatever.
It, however, is acknowledged, that a greater or less degree of heat, a strong proof of actual, though slow combustion, has been evinced, during the existence of these phenomena ; as, also, that they have extended more widely than any local decomposition would induce us to expect, and that they have even appeared to change their situation, and to dance from place to place.
A modern philosopher says, a To explain meteors of this kind, it is only necessary to observe, that the earth is perpe-â68	kirby’s wonderful museum.
tually exhaling a variety of inflammable gases, and other ma« tenais, as hydrogen gas, or inflammable air, phosphorus, car*» bonic acid gas, and, occasionally, sulphureous vapours ; at times, separately, at others, in a state of union ; and that the most active of these are particularly evaporating in the low stagnant marsh grounds, where these luminous meteors chiefly make their appearance, and may at any time be collected with the greatest ease, by placing over the surface of the soil an inverted glass tumbler. Now7, although these gases will not spontaneously inflame in the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere, yet they readily inflame from a great variety of natural causes to which they are perpetually exposed. Electricity may be a common cause of such inflammation. The heat generated during the decomposition of the animal or vegetable materials that may be locally decomposing, may be far more than sufficient for that purpose, for we know it to be sufficient to ignite hay-stacks, when the grass has been put together too damp, and it is not improbable that some of these materials may catch the illumination as from a candle, from a body in the immediate vicinity that is in the act of spontaneous illumination.
Now the ball, or general mass of inflammable vapour, being once lighted or inflamed from whatever cause, will continue to burn so long as its inflammable principle remains, and its combustible pow7er may be more or less, in proportion to its purity ; whence, in some instances, it may pour forth light, with little or no sensible heat; in others, the heat combined with it may be sufficient to produce slow combustion like that of a dunghill ; and in others, palpable and rapid flame. From the levity of the illumined or burning vapour, it must necessarily change its place in various instances, according to the current of air which it either finds, or by burning, makes for itself; hence it must appear to move in various directions, upwards and downwards, to the right and to the left ; it will seem to advance and then to recede, from object to object, in a constant motion or dance before theCHILD SHALLOWING A TWO-BLADED KNIFE. 269
spectator, according fo the motion of the current of air that operates upon it, while its dimensions and colours must vary according to the varying density of the fog or haze through which, in different places or situations, it is seen, or according to its actual increasing or diminishing and decaying bulk.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE
OF A CHILD HAVING SWALLOWED A TWO-BLADED KNIFE.
In March, 1802, a child of Jonathan White’s, South-gate, Chichester, about six months old, had a small double-bladed knife, nearly two inches and a half in length, given it to play with in the cradle. The infant swallowed it, and, as may be supposed, soon became uneasy in its stomach, though otherwise healthy. On the £4th of May, the shortest blade was discharged by the bqwels ; the back of it was ,very much corroded, its edges ragged, uneven, and saw-like ; the rivet was entirely dissolved. On the 16th of June, after more than usual uneasiness, and the rejection of food, the child vomited one side of the horn handle, very much softened, and bent double ; a small bit of iron passed a few days after; and on the 24th of July, another bit of a wedge-like shape, much corroded, and full of holes, and, apparently, the large blade. The child was now much emaciated, the faeces blackish, and the abdomen inflamed externally. On the 11th of August, the back of the knife, and soon after, the other side of the horn handle, were vomited; and the infant, thereafter, recovered entirely. This case, fully authenticated, has been published.
Literary Gazette, Saturday, July 11, 1818.
&7P	KIRBY’S WONDERFVt MU'SEtiM.
WHlMSICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE PROPERTIES OF A GOOD WIFE, COMPARED WlfBt WHAT SHE SHOULD, AND SHOULD NOT, BE LIRE,
A good wife should be like three things—‘which three things she should not be like:—-
First. She should be like a town-clock, keep time and regularity: she should not he like a town-clock, ^peak so loud that all the town may hear her.
Second. She should be like an echo, speak when she is spoken to :* she should not be like an echo, always to have the last word.
Third, She should be like a snail, keep within her own house : she should not be like a snail, carry all she has oh her back.
•++S++++++******"
LONGEVITY.
[Continued from p. 253 of Vol. V. of our Work.]
Francis Narodsky, aged 1£5, a Polish gentleman* He married his second wife at the age of ninety-two. A daughter, now alive, vyas the fruit of this marriage. In 1806, the Polish government granted him a pension of 3000 florins, which the Emperor Alexander continued till his death. He died January the 6th, 1816, at Warsaw. Further particulars of this extraordinary person will be found in Vol. V. of our work, p. £51.
David Ferguson, aged 1£4 years. Ferguson was a Scotchman; but had resided in the ville of Dunkirk between fifty and sixty years; lie was, until a few years back, a very industrious, active, and hard-working labourer. The following account, which he gave of himself, is extracted from a memoir of this remarkable old man, lately published :—“ He was born at I^etherud, in the parish of Kirkurd, about ten miles north of Drutneigiur, the youngest of fifteen children; his father’s name was James, his mother’s maiden name wasLONGEVITY •
271
SomeiVille. He w'as- at school at Dunsgre, in Lanarkshire, about nine miles from Lanark. His mother’s friends came from Niebikin, in the parish of Carnwaith. He was bred a shoemaker at Linton, on the Dumfries road, about three miles from Cair Muir; he first entered into the army in a regiment of dragoons, called the Glasgow * Grays (not the present Scotch Grays;) after this, he served in the 70th regiment; he was about twelve or thirteen years old at the battle of Malplaquet; had seen the Duke of Marlborough in England; he recollected Lord Stair calling upon his father, who was a farmer, and left the estate of Cair Muir, in consequence of Lawson, of Cair Muir, throwing three farms into one, for sheep.” The remains of the old man were interred in JBoughton church-yard, on Sunday, attended by a numerous assemblage of both old and young persons; and one common sentiment of regret seemed to pervade all classes, at the last farewell of their old friend, who was universally beloved. He died August the 6th, 1818, at the ville of Dunkirk, near Boughton under the Blean.
Marguerite Reinaud,—117, at Toulouse. She was born in the year 1701, married in 1721, and became a widow in 1735. She lived free from infirmities, and preserved to the last moment the full use of her faculties; her principal occupation was spinning at a distaff, which she continued till the day before her death; she died, December, 1818.
Alice,—116, a female slave, bom in Philadelphia, of parents who came from Barbadoes. At ten years old she was removed to Dunk’s Ferry, in which neighbourhood she continued to the end of her days. At the age of 100 she was quite blind; at 102 she gradually regained her sight; before she died her hair became perfectly white. She died at Bristol, in Pennsylvania, 1803.
Maurice Bingham,—116, of St. Just, Cornwall, fisherman; died 1780.
Valentine Cateby,—116, of Preston, near Hull. He went to sea in his eighteenth year, and continued a sailor£7&	kirby’s wonderful museum.
thirty-six years; he then commenced farmer, which occupa-* tion he followed thirty-six years; his diet for the last twenty years, was milk and biscuit; his intellects were perfect, till within two days of his death ; he died 178£.
Judith Cowley;—116, of the county of Dublin; she died 1765.
Robert Cumming,—:116, of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea; 'i/vas a dragoon in King William’s army; died 1767-
Mr. Coward,—116, of Arnside-castle, Westmoreland; he was able to read without spectacles to the time of his death; lie lived in seven reigns; Charles II. James II. William, Anne, and the three Georges ; and died 1789.
Elizabeth Freer,—116, at Wigston poor-house, near Leicester; she retained her faculties, and could work in the house, till within a few days of her death ; she was a Kentish woman, and died, July, 1813.
Richard Griffin,—116, of Southwark; died 1736.
Mr. Gundy,—116, of Hyde Park Corner, a gentleman of very laige fortune; he died 1733.
Mrs. Hewetson,—116, of Houghton-le-Spring, Northumberland; she died 1766.
John Hussey,—116, of Sydenham, Kent, formerly a farmer at Crawford; his breakfast was balm-tea, sweetened with honey, and pudding for dinner, above fifty years, by which he acquired long and regular health ; he died 1748.
Alexander Kilpatrick, Esq—116, of Longford, in Ireland; was formerly colonel of an Irish regiment of foot, and served under John, Duke of Marlborough; he died 1783.
John Lyon,—116, of Brandon, county of Cork, in Ireland ; he was born at Londonderry, and was present at all King William’s wars in Ireland ; he died 1761.
William Riddell,—116, of Selkirk, in Scotland. This man, who, in the early part of his life, was a considerable smuggler, and remarkable for his love of brandy, which he drank in very large quantities; was always so fond of good ^le, that he never drank a draught of pure watqr. He wasLONGEVITY,
27S
not a drunkard, but had frequent paroxysms of drinking, which continued several successive days. After his ninetieth year, he at one time drank for a fortnight together, with only a few intervals of sleep in his chair. He was three times married: when he married his third wife, he was ninety-five years of age. He retained his memory, and other faculties, to his death. For the last two years of his life, his chief subsistence was a little bread infused in spirits and ale; he died 1788.
Charles Roberts,—116, of Berkeley county, in Virginia. He was a native of Oxfordshire, in England, but had resided in America nearly eighty years. Two years before his death, he rode to church alone: during his long life he knew not sickness, and his death was not preceded by indisposition, being sudden, as he was eating his supper; he died 1796.
Ann Smallwood, widow,—116; she was born in 1702, the year Queen Anne came to the throne; she was the mother of fifteen children, the eldest of whom, now living, is eighty years old; she had been nearly blind a few years, but all her other faculties she retained to the last; she died the 13th of October, 1818, at Hands worth, Staffordshire.
John Ursulak,—116, of : Lem burg, in Prussia, a silk weaver. lie had six wives; the last, who survived him, brought him a son twelve months before his death. He was extremely healthy and active, and walked six miles the day before his death, in 1812.
John Wilson,—116, of Worlingworth, Suffolk; his suppers, for forty years, were roasted turnips ; he died 1782.
Mr. Brett,—115, of Mallow, in Ireland; he died 1764.
Edmund Branagh,—115, of Wicklow, in Ireland; he died 1766.
Andreev Buchols,—115, of Tucheiin, in the duchy of Magdebtirgh ; had been a soldier from his youth, and served at the battle of Malplaquet; he died 1783.
VOL. VI.	T£74	KIRBYyS WONDERFUX MUSEXTM.
Mr. Clayton,— lip, a wealthy farmer of Berkshire;* he rented one farm ninety years, and retained all his.faculties to the last; he died 1775.
Belinda Cratjford,—115. She was 18 years old the SgcLof April, 1715, the day of the great and tot^l eclipse of the sun, and had her match made the same year with her first husband, Jaimes Smyth, Esq. of the county of Leitrim. She retained all her faculties to the last hour; could read and sew without spectacles, and what is remarkable, looked as youthful as a girl of eighteen years; had a blooming complexion, her eyes animated and lively, and walked occasionally the distance of two miles to prayers. About seventeen years ago, she was asked in marriage by two gentlemen of considerable property, whom she refused, contrary to the wishes of her friends. She died the beginning of June, 1812, at Richmond, county of Galway, the seat of James Burke, Esq.
Mr. Dives,—115, of Queen-square, Westminster; he was descended from Sir Lewis Dives, who was a cavalier in the reign of King Charles I.; he died 1769.
John Dwyer,—115, of Ballinderry, in Ireland; he died April, 1763.
Peter le Grand,—115, of Caen, in Normandy; he died 1766.
; Henry Grosvenor,—115, a gentleman of French extraction, of Inch, county of Wexford, in Ireland, surveyor of the coast at Blackwater. He was very sparing of his diet, and used much exercise; ncj one preserved more of what the French call the youth of old age, being an agreeable, cheerful companion* at the age of one hundred, when he married his last wife; he died 1780.
Raeph Hart,—115, of Newcastle: he died 1764.
Mrs. Herriman,—115, of St. MartinVle-Grand ; she died 1732.
Anthony Hopper,—115, of Cork; was a soldier in the service of Queen Aniie; he died 1779.LONGEVITY.	£75
£li2A^£th Van HuysTer,—-115, of the Hague; she died 1760.
Thomas Hume, Esq. of York; he died 1780.
Hugh Rowland Hughes,“115, of Alnwick, North* Umberland; he married four wives, by whom he had twenty* three children 5 he died 1784.
Mrs. Hunter,—115, of Liverpool; she died 1795.
Mary Jeffries,—115, of Pye-street, Westminster; she died November 27, 1798.
William Iven,—115, of Wednesfield, near Wolverhampton,7 Staffordshire; he married his fourth and last wife at the age of one hundred and five, because, as he said, he Was resolved to die virtuous; he died 1778.
Andrew Larsson,—115, of Laiini, in Sweden ; he left no issue, though married to three wives; he died 1772.
Hugh Llewellyn,—115, of Lean Cadwaller, in North Wales. He was well known in the neighbouring counties for his musical skill; and was much celebrated by his performance on the Welsh harp—on which instrument few have excelled him, and on which he performed till within a fortnight of his death, in 1790.
Robert Magrath,—115, of Kilburrow, county of Glare, in Ireland. At the time of the restoration, he was a student at the Temple; had a daughter born in 1664, and another in 1737; he died 1752*
Patrick M'Cabe,—115, of Rath moony, in Ireland; he died 1778.
Jacob Meyer,—115, of Berne, in Switzerland; died 1764*
;Jean MourtiEyTffl 15, of Monheurt, .in, .the -department of Lot and Garonne. He was bom in January, 1608, ^and married in 1720. By this marriage he had seyen children, one daughter and six sons, the eldest of whom would now have been eighty-five years old, had not a fatal accident terminated his. life; the youngest, aged fifty-seven, carries; on his father’s business as a file-maker. Jean Mourtie was for some time in the array, during the mmoirity of Louis, XV. ;
T 2&76	KIRBY'S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
but havirtg returned to his trade, he worked at it without interruption to the age of 109 years; and was never confined to his bed by illness, except for about twenty-four hours before his death. Every Sunday, in all weathers, this venerable man went to Monheurt, where, seated beneath the aged elm, which overshadows the public place, amidst generations whose birth he remembered, he beheld with delight the amusements of youth, and emptied at leisure the little flask with which he had taken care to provide himself. At sunset he returned to his family, in which he knew how to keep up invariable happiness and mirth. A sober, active, and laborious life, an upright mind and sound judgment, rendered Jean Mourtie a pattern of honour and integrity; his gaiety made the young fond of his society; his mild and eve® temper and kind disposition gained him the love of all who knew him. His memory is venerated in the country where he lived; he died January 1, 1813.
Peter Nielson,—115, of Copenhagen; he died April, 1764.
Anthony Noble,—115, of Miltown, near Dublin, gardener to Henry Sevan, Esq. ; this old man worked in his garden till within a few days of his death ; he died 1790.
Robert Oglebie,—115, of Rippok, Yorkshire, a travelling tinker, born Nov. 6, 1647, as appears by the register of Rippon; was married seventy-three years, and had twelve sons and thirteen daughters; had all his senses perfect, and could see to work a short £ime before his death. His wife lived to be 106 years old. He died 1762.
Mr. Osbaldeston,—115, near Whaly, Lancashire; he died Aug. 1763*
John Rimmoni,—115, of Friesland, in Holland; he died 1766.
Mr. Rice,—115, of Southwark, a cooper; he died 177&
Thomas Spratt,—115, of Haltwhistle, Northumberland. His faculties were so strong, that he could sing a song a little before his death. He died 1763.LONGEVITY.
277
Marianne Stanzy^—115, of Rottemburgh, à widow. She died 1802.
Mrs. Touch it*—115^ of Barbadoes; unfortunately killed by the hurricane* in 1780.
Mrs. Elspet Watson,—115, of Perth. She was born in 1685, and was the last living subject born in the reign of Janies II. She died 1800.
Mr. Winb,—-115, of Bishop Wilton, near York, farmer, died 1784.
Rebecc a Widmear,—115, of Deptford,Wilts; died 1778.
Daniel Ammyer,—114, of Grosdeteen, belonging to the French colony. He served in France, Sweden, and for the Emperor; enjoyed perfect health, until within a fortnight of his death, 1761.
Patrick Bemwell,—114, of Killegrew Court, Whitehall; died 1750.
Jane Blake,—114, of North Leeds, Yorkshire; died 1768.
Robert Blakeney, Esq.—114, of Armagh, in Ireland; was an officer in the army, 1782.
Margaret Bonefaut,—114, of Wear-Gifford, near Barnstaple, Devon, could see to read to the last; died 1774.
Joseph Buller,—114, of Paris, a native of Savoy; died 1786.
William Billings,—114, of Fairfield Head, near Longnor, Staffordshire, formerly a soldier. He travelled through this extensive length of time free from sickness, and at last expired without a groan. He was the only surviving private in England, who had served under the great Duke of Marlborough. His life and death were equally extraordinary; he was born under a hedge, in the year 1679, not a hundred yards from the cottage where he died, in 1798.
Timothy Cowarb,—114, of Kendal, Lancashire ; died
1781. .
Samson Collins,—114, of the Lizard* Cornwall. He possessed all his faculties perfect to the time of his dissolution; died 1754.?7S
kirby’s wonderful museum.
...A|3S[t.oniNe Cambitlas,—114, minister of the parish of Barbarouge, in the diocese of Castries ; died. 1773.
•*rHugh Crummy,-—114, of Rathfryland, Ireland; died 1773.
Patrick Connolly, Esq.—114, of Gallow; died 1788. t ]^r. Eltoff,—114, of Ladstone, Yorkshire; died 1756.
David Evans,—114, a pensioner of Greenwich Hospital; died 1764.
Moses Gonzara,-~1 14, of Amsterdam, a Popish priest; sold toys in that city; died 1766;.
John Gill,---114, of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire;; , died 1796.
: Ead,y Haddujm,—114, of St. Christopher’s work-house, near the Bank, London. She had been an inhabitant there;for fifty years; died 1762.
Mr. Hopley,—114, of Newnham, Gloucestershire, hop-merchant ; died 1773.	,/	;
Mrs. HoLMEs,rr-l]4, of Liverpool. She was married at forty-eight years of age, and had six children ; died 1783. ^Antony; Lqypi>*t--114^ of Amezquet, in the "'province of Guipuscoa, husbandman ; never had any sickness but the oppression of his, lungs, with which he was seized a few days before his death. He always had an aversion, to physic, and refused to take what; vyas ordered him during>his illhess. (He retained his senses, and all his; teeth and hair, to ihe daty
his death. JFIe ale nothing hut breads made df Turkey wheat, and constantly abstained from wine and tobacco. Jftied, 1783.
. GhrisI ian Modesty,-M l4, a poor woman of Park-,gate; died :l 802.
JotfiN ¡Noble,r-rl 14, of Cornevj Cumberland; died 1772. i,j-pATR4QK QlBiRlAN^114,i of Meath, iii Irelaiid^car-penter; which avocation he was able to pursue till within jMo years of his1 death, 1758*
Mrs. Otb e it le Yj-i-114, of Naples ^/died September 176L
James O’Brian,—] 14, of Carrickfergus, Ireland. HeLONGEVITY.
279
.was paymaster-sergeant in the wars in Ireland, in the reign of King James IL ; died 1780.
Francis Purdigo,—114, of Jamaica. He was at the ¿conquest of the island, and must have seen: twelve generations there; for it is computed that they bury every seven years a number equal to the whole. Died 1743.
Jane Petitt,—114, of St. Martin’s Workhouse, Lon-* don; died 1780.
Magnus Reid,—114, of Dunbar. When about eighty years of age he commenced travelling chapman, which he followed till within eight weeks of his death, 1786.
« Rachael Street,—114, of Crpwcombe, Somerset. About three years before her death, she lost lier sight ; but her other senses remained perfect. Died'1782.
Maurice Supple,-^-1 14, of Kerry, Ireland; died 1$90.
Francis Tatton,—114, of Causton, Derbyshire ; r minstrel of the ancient description. Died 1780.
John Weeks,—114, of New London, Connecticut. He married his tenth wife, when 106 years of age, she being only sixteen ! His grey hairs had fallen off, which were renewed by a dark bead of hair ; and several new teeth had made their appearance. A few hours previous to his decease, he ate three pounds of pork, two or three pounds of bread, and drank nearly a pint of wine. Died 1798.
Margaret Brider,—113, of Willy, Shropshire. She danced with the morice-dancers the year before her death, 1756.
Gaspard Balcke,—113. Of Teifenau, near Gros-senhayn; had his first child at eighty*five years of age. Died, 1762.	!
Pierre la BoRiEy—113, of Puisailli, in France> husbandman; died 1771.	;	/
James Bell,—113, of Eamont Bridge, near Penrith* He was a Dutchman, and came to England-with King Wil* liam* Died 1773%
Francis Brousseau,—113, of Beynac, in France; died 1778.£80
kirby’s wonderful museum.
Jane Davis,—113, of Hackney, Middlesex, a maiden lady. She enjoyed some post under Queen Anne. Died 1777.	N
Mary Finlater,—113, of Wigtown, in Scotland; died 1767. '
Mrs. Gillman,—113, of Aldersgate-street, London; died 1761.	i
Nicholas Callagher,—113, of Castle-knock, in Ireland ; died September 1763.
Simon Gjlliwray,—113, of the Island of St. Kilda; from which he was never absent; died 1767.
William Hunt,—113, of Maryland, the oldest inhabitant there died 1772.
John Jackson,—113, of Exeter, gardener; died 1764.
* Fockje Joannes,—113, of Oldham, Friesland; had •been a widow from the year 1710; died 1773.
Lewis Jones,—113, of Llanowedyn, Montgomeryshire; died 1784.
Peter Martin,—413, of Auvergne, in France; died 1764.	'
't- Hugh Moran,—113, a soldier of the Royal Hospital, Dublin; died 1773.
Alexander Macdonald,—-113, of North Keyme, Lincolnshire. He enjoyed a good state of heath, smoked two pipes, and drank some ale, 09 the day of his death, in .1783. ;
Rebecca Mills,—113, of the parish of Elizabeth, island of Jamaica; died 1805.
Tarquil McLeod,—113, near Stonaway, in the island of Lewis, in Scotland. He had fought at the battles of Killicrankie, Sheriffmuir, and Culloden, under the banners of the Stuarts. He sent, in the year 1755, six sons to fight for King George, in a regiment then raised by Colonel Montgomery, Died 17,87.
James Pratt,—113, of Winchcomb, Berks, labourer; died 1780.LONGEVITY,	281
Jane Petrie,—113, of Peterhead, in Scotland; died 1798*
Mr. Price,—113, of Ledbury, Hertfordshire. His wife was 109. They lived together in great harmony, upwards of 80 years. Died 1770.
James Roberts,—113, of Penny Bridge, Lancashire ; died 1764.
Peter Schurman,—113, of Groningen, in Holland; died 1763.
Elizabeth Stoneham,—113, of the village of Chick-* ley, Berks ; died 1768.
Ann Simms,—113, of Studley Green, Wilts. Till within a few days of her death, she was able to walk to and from the seat of the Marquis of Lansdown, near three miles from Studley. She had been, and continued, till upwards of 100 years of age, the most noted poacher in that part of the country ; and frequently boasted of selling to gentlerhen, the fish taken out of their own ponds. Her coffin and shroud she had purchased, and kept in her apartment more than twenty years. Died 1785.
Jonathan Simpson, Esq.—113. He died at his son's house in Buckinghamshire, 1788.
John Tucker,—113, fisherman, Itching Ferry, Southampton ; died 1806.
Anne Welling,—113, of Northall, in the parish of Eddlesborough, Bucks; died 1747.
Margaret Wylie,-— 113, of Lidsdale, in Scotland; died 1753.
Thomas Azbey,—112, of Chelsea College; died 1737*
Janet Blair,—112, of Monimusk, Aberdeenshire; died 1759.
Captain Bromfish,—112, of Koningsberg, in Prussia. He had been in that service ninety-three years. Died January, 1761.
Sarah Brown,—112, of South. Waltham, Norfolk; died 1761.KÍKBY’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
■sm
John Bouree,—112, of the Isle of Marl; died 1764.
Jonas Berry,—112, of the Grange, Southwark ; formerly saddler to Queen Anne ; died 1770.
Dr. William Broughbridge,—112, of Charles-street, Westminster ; formerly one of the masters of the Charter-House School ; died 1772.
John Co use,—112, of Calvinstown, county of Kildare, in Ireland. He was jjorn in France, and ^bred á Protestant ; but forced into the army of Louis XIV. and served three ¿campaigns in Flanders ; then entered the-Dutch service, and came to Ireland under the Duke of Schomberg ; snlisted under King William, and distinguished himself in most of the battles against King James II. for which he was ¡/veil rewarded; then quitted the army, and took a farm. He left three sons, the eldest near sixty years old, and the youngest but twenty-two. Died 1752.
Philip Collett,—112, of Whitechapel, London, cobbler ; was a soldier in the service of King James II. Died 1773-
Mr. Clarkson,—112, of Birmingham;^ died 1773. i Mary Coen,—112,of Websborough, in Ireland; died 776.
^Dorothy Clark,‘—L12> of Westrope,'near Southwell, Nottingham shire. At the age of 102, she reaped wheat against a man the whole day. Died 1776.
John Davis,—1.12, of Ludlów, Shropshire. He was a light dragoon in the Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion. Died 1758.
Allen Duncan,—112, of Nairn, in Scotland^ Was in thè rebellion in 1715, and also in 1745. Died 1774.
John Dyer,—112, of Burton-upon-Tyne, Lancashire; was a soldier in the service oF King William, and afterwards in that of Queen Aúne, under the Duke of Marlborough. Died 1777.
Mr. EarLy;^—Í12, of Dublin, hii old soldier; died 1768.
M. Esfagno,—112, surgeon in' a village of France;LONGEVITY»
283
was ninety years of age when he had his first child by his second wife. Died 1759«
Mrs. Fairburn,—112. Housekeeper in the Bishop of Winchester’s family upwards of seventy years. Died 1758.
Mrs. Gannet,—112, of Wells, Somersetshire, widow; died 1751.
Joseph Green,—112, of Windsor, Berks. He was in full possession of his intellects till within two days of his death, 1758.
John Martin Gardy,—112, of Brussels ; died 1769#
Mrs.Golden,—112,of Hilton, in Cleveland; died 1802#
Mary Gold,—112, of Ryegate, Surrey; died 1770;
William Haseling,*—112, of Chelsea College, id which he was the oldest pensioner. He served in the parliament army at Edgehill; under King William in Ireland’; and the Duke of Marlborough in Flanders; He married and buried two wives, after he was 100 : and the third, who survived him, he married at the age of 11Q; Besides his pension from the College, he was allowed a crown a week from the Duke of Richmond and Sir Robert Walpole. He died 1733.
Mary How,—112, of Mapleton, Derbyshire, widow. Her death was occasioned by pulling apples from a tree, a limb of which breaking, fell on her arm, and broke it. About two years before her death, she cut several new teeth, and her hair changed its colour. Died 1751.
Mongo Humphries,—112, of Folkstone, fisherman; died 1773.
Thomas Hughes, Esq.—112, of Holloway; formerly of the Oxford Blues. Died 1780.
Ja mes Hayley,—112, of Middlewich, Cheshire, farmer and grazier; died 1781.
James Jobson,—112, of Waldershare, Kent, farmer. He had been married to seven wives, by whom he had nineteen sons and nineteen daughters. Died 1743.
Busan Juett,—112, of Greenwich; died 1749*
4284
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
John Lorkan>—112, of Meelick, near Galway, Ireland; died 1755,
Mrs. Lindsay,—112, of Kirwen-street, Dublin; died 1803.
David Lacey,—112, of Limerick, in Ireland; never lost a tooth. Died 1760.
SINGULAR ACCOUNT OF
THOMAS LAUGHER,
WHO LIVED TO THE EXTREME OLD AGE OF 112 YEARS.
Thomas Laugher, more commonly known by the name of Old, Tommy, is one of the instances of the good effects of habitual temperance from early life, on the human constitution ; for to this cause the patriarchal years to which he lived must in a great degree be ascribed. The exact date of his birth we are not acquainted with; but we find that on the 6th day of January, 1700, (Old Style), he w'as baptized at the village church of Markley in Worcestershire. His parents were natives of Shropshire, and were themselves examples of unusual longevity ; his father having lived to the age of 97, and his mother died at the advanced age of 108. In the year 1701 his parents removed to London, where Tommy afterwards resided to the time of his death. His education he received at Christ Church College, Oxford; where he remained eleven years and a half, from which he made a tour on the continent, visiting many parts of Turkey, &c, and was absent nearly seven years. In the early part of his life he commenced business in Tower-street, which appears by his own account to have been a wholesale wine and liquor-merchant; and if we are to believe this account, his trade must have been of the first magnitude ; for it relates, that he lost by the bankruptcy of the house of Neele, Fordyce, and James, no less a sum than Jg 198,000. This great defalcation in his affairs took such an effect upon him, that upon hearing of his loss, he immediately became blind and speechless; and his skin peeledTHOMAS LATCHE,®, Aged 111 Year s,
Rublwived by RSRCirby, PatriosterRow Jbuy%4.p-8ig.LONGEVITY,
£85
of^f the whole of his body. He was now reduced from a state of affluence to that of want and beggary ; in consequence of which he was obliged to relinquish his business.
In the early part of his life Laugher followed a regime of abstinence, living principally on milk, tea, coffee, bread, and spring water, and until he was about the age of 53 years, never knew the taste of wine, spirits, or even strong beer. Laugher remembered most of the principal occurrences of the last century, and used to relate with much pleasure to his customers, and to those whose curiosity led them to visit him, the story of his seeing Queen Anne going to the House of Peers on horseback, in the year 1705, seated on a pillion behind the Lord Chancellor; knd particularly remembers, when a little boy, the death of King William and Que<en Mary. He used also to relate, that during his time, the quartern loaf was sold for twopence farthing, and fresh butter twopence halfpenny per lb., and that the best butcher’s meat was sold at only one penny per lb. At all times Laugher appears extremely willing, as far as his memory reaches, to answer any questions put to him, without that austerity and peevishness, which so frequently accompany extreme agev He always seems highly delighted to hear spoken of Old Jenkins, and Old Parr; and at all times closes the account by saying, “ The latter came from the same county as his family : and that his grandmother died at the age of 141‘years, and that she lived most of her time on dry bread and cold pump water.” To all appearance he has been a remarkably well made man, and rather above the middle stature, though now he appears bent with age, and the weight of years. In 1808, when the memorandums of this account were taken, he appeared to falter much in his speech, having lost his teeth; but his lungs appeared to be then very strong and sound ; his memory had begun to fail him ; but all other of his faculties he enjoyed in a surprising degree. His residence was in Kent-street, in the Borough ; from which; when the weather permitted, he constantly walked every£86	iCIRBY’s WOtfDBJti'UL MUSBtTM.
Sunday morning, to the chapel of the Rev. Mr. Coxhead, inf Little Wild-street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and a short time since he even walked as far as Hackney and back again the same day.
At the age of eighty years, after a severe fit of illness, he renewed his hair and nails, both on his fingers and toes; by this illness, a contraction of a finger on each band took place, which continued to the time of his death in 1812* His hair at that time was thick and flowing : not thoroughly white, but grey on the outside, and brown underneath, as were also his eye-brows.
Laugher had a son, who died either in the year 1804 or 1805, at the age of eighty years. This son he always designated by the name cf his “ Poor Tommy.” In fact, he had the appearance of being considerably older than himself, which at several times occasioned curious mistakes among others, the following anecdote is well known. Walking some years since in Holbom with his son, the difficulty which the latter found to keep up with him, attracted the attention of a humane gentleman, who stopped old -Laugher, and expostulated with him, for not assisting his venerable father, as lie supposed him to have been. When informed of his mistake, he could scaicely credit the assertion, till convinced by a person passing, who knew them both, of the truth of his testimony. This inversion of the order of Nature was attributed by the old man to his son’s not taking his advice in his early days, and living too freely. His observation constantly was, “If the young fool had taken as much care of his health as I have, he might now have been alive and hearty.”
This venerable old man in his latter days,, was supported by the donations of charitable and humane persons; but possessing a spirit of independence, he for several years used to sell paper, pens, laces, thread, needles? and other small articles of that kind, for which he found customers among his friends, who always liberally encouraged his in-LONGEVITY.;	£87
(Jusfry ; and there was scarcera street ui nouse in Southwark, but he visited in his daily peregrinations. He was an early riser, and set off as soon as the inhabitants began tos open their shops and houses; as if fearful of being forestalled by some other itinerant dealer in his wares.
John Leary,—11£, an honest faithful domestic, in the family of Currah, county of Limerick, Ireland, for upwards pf eighty years. He commenced his servitude with the late Vere Hunt, Esq. as groom, in the year 1730; and remained with him until his death ; since which period he continued his services with Sir Vere Hunt, Bart, until within the last ten years, when he retired to a cottage built for him within the demesne. He was married to eight wipes,* by seven of whoin he had children ; his last he marriéd in his 103d year. He lived in the reign of six monarchs, and saw from five to six generations of most of the families in the country, of the vicissitudes of which honest John Leary was the spectator for above a century ; and before his death, he declared that he never suffered a day’s illness, or an hour’s pain, unless for the death of a friend, or occasionally, for the loss of à wife! Died, May 181£.
Mrs. Lent,—11£, of Downham Market, Norfolk; died 1766.
Anne Maynard,—11£, of Finchley. She lived with moderation, and took much exercise. Died 1756*	1
Tou|saint Moratrai,—11£, of Dijon, in France. At thè age of seventy-five, he married his second wife, by whom he had children. He was a labouring man, and always enjoyed a good state of health. Died 1762.
James Martin, Esq.—11£, of Ballynainch, in Ireland; died 1763.
John Morse,-—11£, of Hackney work-house ; died 1772. ; Colonel McDonald,—11£, of Glasgow; died 1772.
Timothy Macnamara,, Esq.—112,hnear Londonderry, in Ireland.
Alexander Mackintosh,—112, of Marseille^, For the Jfèars he ; lived. entirely pn vegetables, and eiyoyipfl a288
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
good state of health, till within two days of his death. He was born at Dunkeld, in Scotland; but being in the rebellion, in 1715, was obliged to leave his country; from which time he resided at Marseilles on a small pension allowed him by some of the Pi‘etender’s family. Died 1783.
John Mannikin,— 112, of Maryport, Cumberland. Towards the latter part of his long life, he became rather feeble. He, however, retained his sight and memory to the last, though his hearing became very defective. He often related the following curious anecdote of himself, at which he seldom failed to laugh heartily, as well as his friendsr About thirty years preceding his death, he sold his head of hair to a person in a neighbouring tow n, for a penny loaf per day during the remainder of his life. The hair w as cut off, and a note given for the performance of the covenant on the part of the purchaser, who failed soon after. It is further worthy of remark, that more than twenty wigs were made of the hair of this singular personage; and that he possessed, but a short time before his death, such an abundance, as few' people can boast of, even in the vigour of youth. Died 1793.
John Phelan,—112, of Kilkenny, in Ireland, tinker; at which employ he was able to work, and subsist by his labour, till be w^as 106 years of age. Died 1756.
Thomas Pearce,—A12, of Hawley Hill Farm, Wilts, labourer; died 1772.
John Segar,—112, of Burnley, Lancashire; died 1668.
Grace Sundry,—112, of Bew'dlev, Staffordshire. She never was ill, and therefore never took any physic. Died 1751.
Margaret Stephenson,—112, of Chapleburn, near Brampton, Cumberland. She enjoyed all her senses perfect to the time of her decease, and walked to bed the night before. Her two sons, being together 170 years of age,
. attended her funeral. Died 1756.
J. Simpson,—-112, near Knaresborough, Yorkshire; died 1766.
John Salgado,—112, of Quimbres, near Coimbra, inLONGEVITY.
289
Portugal. He was never sick, till within a few days of his death; never lost a tooth; and his intellectual faculties never suffered decay, till within eight days of his death«,
Died 1789-
Mr, Truss,—112, of Clayhill, near Enfield) Middlesex. He was a soldier in the army of Oliver Cromwell. Died 1733.
Adam Turnbull,-—112, of Newcastle. He was aide to walk twelve miles a day, till within three years of his death. Died 1744.
William Vandeleur,—112, of Amsterdam, shoemaker; died 1765.
Mr. Wallace,—112^ of Paris ; died 1763.
John Woodworth,—112, of Ballynakill, Queen’i County, in Ireland; died 1780.
Mrs. Warren,—112, of Tollagh, county of Dublin. She had a grandson and a grand-daughter, who were grandfather and grandmother to children upwards of twenty years of age. Her brother died two years before, at the age of 120. He ploughed tlie east side of Grafton-street, and sowed wheat in it. This land he held for two shillings and sixpence per acre, and had six or seven hundred acres at the same rent. He was, on the day of the battle of the Boyne, conducting some farm carts of his father’s, which were impressed by the army of King William, to carry luggage into the camp. Died 1794.
Rev. Peter Alley,~111, of Dunamoni, in Ireland, of which place he was vicar seventy-three years; he did the duty of his church until within a few days of his death; he was twice Uiarried, and had thirty-three children; and died } 763.
Elizabeth Beal,-—111, near Castle Howard, Cumberland ; died 1760.
The Sieur Castra,—111, of Bourdeaux, a Celebrated advocate; died 1710.
VOL, vi.	u$Q0	kirby’s wonderful museum.
Marie be Chapelet,—111, of Cronstadt, in Russia; aha was sister to M. de Resen, brigadier in the Russian service, into which he entered in the reign of Peter the Great, and died a few years before, at the age of one hundred and one years. The case of these persons is the more singular, as, notwithstanding their age, they preserved their faculties even to tlm last moment of their lives. She died 1789*
John Craig,—111, of Kilmarnock. He served as a soldier in the North British dragoons, and was at the battle of Sheriffinuir, in 1715. He was never married, nor ever had any sickness, but worked as a day-labourer, till within a few days of his death, and retained his memory and senses to the last. There were found in his possession, secreted in an old chest, a number of crown and half-crown pieces, and other smaller coins. Died 1793.
Matthew Champion,—111, of Great Yarmouth, a very industrious man. At the decline of his life he was supported by a weekly payment from some of his benefactors, and the casual gifts of others. He was born in French Flanders, in 1082, and came over to England with King William in 1688; his father was a farrier in the king’s army; died 1793.
Isabel Darling,—ill, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne5 she left a daughter eighty-eight years old; died 1757*
Mrs. Edwards,—111, of Kendal, Westmoreland; died 1772.
Mary Firth,--*! 11, of Marsden, in the parish of Al-mondbury; died 1784.
Anne Froste,—111, of West-Raisin,Lincolnshire5 she was the wife of a labourer, had been married three times, and left a daughter ninety years of age; she was married to her last husband in her ninety-third year; for many years past she had lived on milk and tea; died 1792.
Mrs. Fitzger ald,—-! 11, of West Horsley, Surrey; died 1795.LONGEVITY*
m
Thomas Grant,—Hi,of Norfolk; died 1765.
Richard Gower,—111, of Angel-alley, Dublin, attor* Hey; died 1779*
Mrs. Goldre,—111, of Stonehousd, in Scotland; died
2786.
John Houseman,—11, of Sessays, near Thirsk, Yorkshire, labourer; died 1777.
George Harding,«—!!!, of Manchester; he served as a private soldier in the reigns of Queen Anne, George I., and II.; died 1784.
John Jenkins,~1U, of Westerham, Kent, labourer; died 1784.
William Kellqck,-Mil, of Sanquhar, in Scotland; he served the town as one of their common officers ninety«» five years, enjoyed all his senses, and never used spectacles; died 1743.
Lawrence Kinnenmont,—111, near Perth, in Scotland ; he was able to walk till within a few days of his d^atfa, in 1751.
Mrs. Kerr,—111, of Akeld, Northumberland; she re-tained her mental faculties tathe last; died 1786.
George Lehman,-—! 11, of Camentz, in Upper Lusatia; was never sick till the time of his death, in 1761.
Daniel Boll M'Carthy,—111, of the county of Kerry, in Ireland. At the age of eighty-four he married a fifth wife, aged fourteen, and had by her twenty children, one every year; he was always very healthy, and never observed to spit; no cold affected him ; he could not bear the warmth of a shirt at night, but put it under his pillow; for the last seventy years, when in company, he drank plentifully of rum and brandy, which he called naked truth; and if, in compliance with solicitations, he drank claret or punch, he always drank an equal glass of rum or brandy, which he called a wedge/ died 175&
William Marsh,-Mil, of Liverpool* pavior; died
1761.292
Kirby’s wonderful museum.
John Nicholls,—111, of Darlington, Durham; died 1773.	a
Florence O’Sullivan, Esq.—111, of Beerhaven, in Ireland ; died 1807.
Mr. Price,—111, of Ledbury, Herts; died 1767.
Matthew Richardson,—111, of Ogle, Northumberland; died 1766.
John Roberts,—111, of Chelsea Hospital ; died 1772.
Alexander Rawlinson,—111, of Diss,near Norfolk farmer; died 1781«
John Roberts,—111, of Llantrithyd, Glamorganshire, blacksmith f died 1782.
Elizabeth Smith,-r-111, of Hipley, Derbyshire; died
1762.
John Stewart,—-111, a tinker at Aberfeldie, in Perthshire : died 1804.
Elizabeth Swanbrook,—111, of BrightValley, GrayVinn-lane, London, a poor woman ; died 1780.
Mrs. Anne Straunge,—111, of Eltham, Kent; died
1806.
Paschal Séria,—111, of Valentia; he subsisted, towards the latter part of his life, principally on vegetables, and frequently smoked tobacco ; died 1791*
Alice Wilson,—111, of Newburgh, Northumberland; died 1765.
William Wootten,—111, of Virginia, a soldier; died 1773.
Elizabeth Williams,—111 ; she died at Brentor, near Tavistock, in June, 1812 : within the last four years, she cut all new teeth.
Mrs. Armstrong,—110, of Stepney ; died 1780.
Major Barnwell,—110, of Kiliegrew-court, Scotland-yard* London ; died 1750.
Rev. Mr* Braithwaite,—110, of Carlisle; he had been one hundred years in the cathedral, having commenced singing-boy in the year 1652; died 1754.LONGEVITY*
293
Ann Barthelems,—110, of Lorraine ; she was wet-nurse to the Marquis of Bassompierre, in 1765; died 1782.
Stephen Brigg,—110, of Hopber Hill, hear Craven* Yorkshire; died 1782.
John Brown,— 110, of Foulis Castle, Ross-shire; died
1782.
Richard Brent,-—110, of Bristol, commonly called Tom Thumb, which appellation he acquired from selling histories of that little hero’s life and adventures; died 1793.
James Charlewhite,—110, of Sea Town, in Scotland; died 1761J
Rqbert Creed, Esq.—110, captain of a man of war in the service of King George I.; died 1772.
Captain Cespedes,—110, of the Caraccas; lie belonged to the militia of Pardo, and was esteemed a prodigy of that climate, where the life of the human race seldom exceeds sixty years; died 1789*
Mrs. Cooba,*—110, of St. Elizabeth’s Island, a negro; died 1791.
Mr. Dayis,—110, of Harry’s Coffee-house, Fleet-street, London; he retained all his faculties to the time of his death, and could see to read well; died 1740.
4 John Dartnell,—110, of Bourdeaux, in France, gardener; at the age of eighty-six he became blind, at one hundred and six recovered his sight by couching; died 1758.
Margaret Doyle,—110, of Kilkenny, in Ireland; died 1779.
Martin Fountain,—110, of the Island of Jersey, from which he was never absent; died 1767.
Jean George^I 10, of Wallauton, Ayr; died 1804.
Joan Godfrey,—110, of Benham, Sussex; she carried a bucket of water a great distance within a week of her death, in 1773*
Elizabeth Hodgson,—110, of Scampston, near York; died 1760.
Mrs. Wiptash,—110, of Warwickshire; died 1763.tm
kjrby’s wondb**it£ museum.
Mrs. Hero,n,—110, of Felton, Northumberland; died 1703*
Elizabeth Hayes,-—110, of Park-lane, Liverpool; died 1794.
Mary Jenkins,—110, of Cloth Workers’ Alms-houses, London; she was never afflicted with illness, and died suddenly, in 1753.
Rebecca Jenkine,-—110, of the parish of Cadoxton, near Neath, Glamorgan, widow ; died in 1787*
EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES
07 TOADS AND OTHER EXTRANEOUS SUBSTANCES EMBEDDED IN TREES, STONES, &C.
TOAD EMBEDDED IN A TREE.
A tew days ago, as two sawyers were employed in cutting lip an oak tree about thirteen inches in diameter, for the use of the Earl of Derby’s colliery, at Rainsford, in Lancashire, the man in the pit perceived something to move in the part they were then cutting, which, on examination, proved to be a full-grown toad. The animal was quite alive, when taken up, notwithstanding one of the legs had been cut off by the saw; the cavity in which it was found was exactly in the centre of the tree, just large enough to contain the body, and measured three and a half yards from the root or bottom. The tree was perfectly sound in every part, and not the least crack or aperture could be discovered that had a communication with the atmosphere.
La Belle Assemble, January, 1810.
HORSE-SHOE EMBEDDED IN A TREE.
As some workmen were cutting down an elm-tree belonging to Mr. Jepson, of Comsbrough, they discovered in theFACTS IN NATURAL HISTORY.	QQÙ
heart of the tree a horse-shoe with a nail in it, in excellent preservation ; it is supposed, it must have been lying there for fifty years and upwards : the tree measures five feet in circumference. Mr. Green, of Sheffield, has the shoe now in his possession, where it may be seen by the curious.
Idem, January, 1810.
TOAD EMBEDDED IN A BLOCK OF STONE.
Lately some workmen employed in a quarry at Byker Hill, on splitting a huge block of free stone, nearly three tons weight, found a living toad in the middle of it; the cavity that contained the animal, to which there w as no apparent passage from the outside, was the exact model of its figure, and was lined with a black substance suffused with moisture.
Monthly Magazine, April, 1812.
LIZARD EMBEDDED IN A BLOCK OF COAL.
Lately, in a coal-pit situated upon the outwood, near Wakefield, and belonging to Wm. Fenton, Esq. out of the lower bed or seam, at a distance of 150 yards from the surface of then earth, a block of coal was dug up, which, when broken, contained a lizard, of the species vulgarly called askers; the animal was alive, but upon being exposed to the air, it soon died. The cavity in which it was found, being the exact mould of its own form, no chasm, hole, or external crack appeared on the surface of the block.
Monthly Magazine, 181$.

EXTRAORDINARY FACTS
IN NATURAL HISTORY.
LARGE Ol.
A large fat ox (bred by R. GrimsfottC, Es^j. of Kiline-wick) was lately killed at Hull, which weighed two hundred296
kirby’s wonderful museum.
stone, stood six feet in height, was six yards in length, and nearly eight yards in girth ; he was six years old.
Monthly Magazine, Jpril, 1790-
large eel.
Lately, near Malden, in Essex, was taken an eel, measuring five feet six inches in length, seventeen in girth, and weighing twenty-six pounds ; it is supposed to have been the largest of the species (Muroena Anguilla, Lin. Syst. or fresh water eel) ever caught, or described in Natural History.
Mon. Mag, 1811.’
The largest eel recorded by Pennant, in his British Zoology, weighed about twenty pounds.	Editor.
EXTRAORDINARY GBOWTH OB SALMON.
The rapid growth of this fish is astonishing; which appears from the testimony of a gentleman at Warrington. A salmon taken on the 7th of February, 1818, then weighed seven pounds and three quarters; being marked with scissars on the back fins and tail, and turned into the river, was again taken on the 17th of the following March, and was then found to weigh seventeen pounds and a half.
New Monthly Magazine, Nov• 1818.
FECUNDITY OF RABBITS.
The fecundity of the rabbit is truly astonishing; it breeds seven times in the year, and generally produces eight young lat a time; from which it is calculated, that one pair may increase in the course of four years, to the amazing number of 1,274,840. In Spain, they once increased to such a degree as to become so noxious, that the inhabitants were obliged to procure ferrets from Africa to destroy them.	Editor.
LONGEVITY OF FROGS.
In digging a well at Judge Lane's, near the river Onion, at the depth of twenty-four feet, wood was found ; at aboutTENACIOUSNESS OF LIFE OF THE BLATTA. 297
thirty, frogs -were discovered, but so apparently petrified, that it was difficult to distinguish them from so many small stones; when brought out of the well, disengaged from the earth, and exposed to the air, they gradually felt the vivifying beams of the sun, and to the surprise of all present, leaped away with as much animation as jf they had never lain in their subterraneous prison. The place where this well was sunk was on high grounds, often surrounded by the river in flobd times. Large pines, and the ancient fragments of them, are found on this land. From the appearance of the growth of this timber, we may well suppose these frogs to have remained under ground six hundred years. To account for this phenomenon, we must suppose some convulsion of nature to have buried these animals thus deep whilst in a torpid state, and thus being excluded from the air, continued in the state in which they were found.—Allen’s Natural and Political History of Vermont in America.
LARGE TROUT.
A trout of the astonishing weight of thirty-six pounds was taken in the river Colne, near Watford, in Hertfordshire, by a gentleman who resides at Stanmore, who has preserved the bead of it, on account of its uncommon size.
Courier, i»i6.
THE TENAGIOUSNESS OF LIFE OF THE BLATTA OR COCK ROACH OF THE WEST INDIES.
On the €9th of December, 1811, being at Greenock, Scotland, a West India ship was unloading her cargo: on shifting the coffee on the quay, I found that it was greatly infested with the blatta or cock roach, I procured six, and enclosed them in a small oval chip box. A few days after, on inspecting them, I found (as I presumed) that a fierce battle had taken place amongst them; two of the smallest lay dead, two others had lost their legs and thighs and part of their antennae, but the two largest remained to appearance598	kirby’s wonderful museum.
unhurt These I placed in two separate small round chip boxes, and often inspected them; they continual healthy and lively until about the latter end of July following, when pne of them, appeared weakly, and died on the 5th of August; the other preserved his health and liveliness until the 10th of August, and died on the 22d following. No holes were pricked in the chip boxes for the admission of air, neither was any kind of food given them, neither had either of them gnawed the wood of their domicile.	Editor.
A LARGE LOBSTER.
September 4, 1819, an enormous large lobster was exhibited during Bartholomew fair, Smithfield, London; its length was three feet three inches, and weighed thirty pounds.
EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE OF A SWAN.
At Pensey, in Buckinghamshire, a swan sitting on her eggs, on one side of the river, observed a fox swimining towards her from the opposite side ; rightly judging she could best grapple with the fox in her own element, she plunged into the water; and after beating him off for some time with lier wings, at length succeeded in drowning him.
Monthly Mag. April, 1796?
EXTRAORDINARY EGGS.
A duck belonging to Mr. J. Clemenshaw, of Winmoor, near Leeds, laid an egg rather above the ordinary size, which was broken for the purpose of being cooked for dinner ; but, pn examination, the contents were found to consist of a dark muddy , slime, neither resembling the white nor the yolk of an egg y ¡*1 the middle of which was deposited a young snake of the length of ten inches. When the egg was broken, the reptile unfolded itself, and remained apparently in a healthy state for about twenty hours, when having coiled itself up again, it soon after died, and is now preserved in spirits by Mr. Çlemenshaw.	La Belle Assemblée, July, 1810.EXTRAORDINARY VEGETABLES.
299
DOUBLE E0G.
It was formerly esteemed a very rare circumstance to find one egg included in another; of late, however, more than one instance has been noticed. Mr. Sherwin, of Alerdon, near Whitehaven, has a dunghill hen which lately deposited an egg of unusual size; on examination, a complete and proportionate egg was found in the place where the yolk was ex* pected.	ha Belle Assembleey Aug. 1810.
In the possession of Mr. George Murray, confectioner, Edinburgh, there is now a turkey’s egg, which contains, besides a complete yolk and white, a perfectly-formed egg as large as a pigeon's.—-1816.	Editor.
WONDERFUL LARGE RAT.
A gigantic female rat was caught, December 1817, by two labourers, while cleansing the sewer that runs under Somerset House, in the Strand, London. It made a stout resistance, to the attempts they made to take it; but at last it was overcome and killed with their spades; its length was three feet three inches, its weight ten pounds three quarters, and measured '-'twenty-four inches in circumference around the body; the tail was sixteen inches long, and three inches round ; at the end was a short tuft of white hair; its teeth appeared very strong, and stood out like those of a beaver. The colour of the hair was the same as the common Norway rat. The skin was stuffed, and exhibited as a curiosity by Mr. Wyeth, No. 5, Sweeting’s-alley, May 5, 1818.
ACCOUNT OF THE
EXTRAORDINARY LARGE GROWTH, &c. OF SEVERAL VEGETABLES.
; In Mr. Stobbs’s orchard at Wiserly Hall, near Walsing* ham, Durham, was gathered an apple of the Yorkshire Green
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kirby's wonderful museum.
species, measuring thirteen inches in circumference, and weighing thirteen and a half ounces.
New Monthly Mag. Nov. 1818.
In the garden of J. Fillbridge, Esq. of Woodford, Durham, was gathered an apple measuring twenty-two inches in circumference.	Idem.
A single tree in the garden of John Forster, Esq. of New-town, Cumberland, produced in the year 1818, upwards of ten thousand apples.	Idem.
In a field belonging to Colonel Burnet, of Gudgirtb, Scotland, was pulled a turnip of the globe kind, which weighed twenty-four pounds eight ounces, arid measured four feet eleven inches round both ways.—1813.
The Editor has seen in the district of East Lothian, turnips frequently of, and near, this size; and on an estate near Dunbar, in 1812, he saw a turnip weighing 32 pounds, and another of 28 pounds was in the same field.—Editor. .
In the garden of James Cunningham, Esq. of Kelso, Scotland, a cabbage was gathered, of so enormous a size, that when growing, it covered with its external leaves a space or circuit of eighteen feet, and measured in the solid body of the plant thirty-nine inches in circumference.
Edinburgh Courant, 1811.
EXTRAORDINARY FUNGUS.
A phenomenon, which tends much to elucidate the origin and nature.of vegetable funguses, particularly of that species termed mushroom, lately occurred to the observation of Sir Joseph Banks.v Having a cask of wine, rather too sweet for immediate use, he directed that it should be placed in a cellar, that the saccharine matter it contained might be more decomposed by age. At the end of three years, he directedLARGE CHESNUT AND OAK TREE«	301
his butler to ascertain the state of the wine, when, on attempting to open the cellar door, he could not effect it, in consequence of some powerful obstacle. The door was consequently cut down, when the cellar was found to be completely filled with a fungous vegetable production, so firm, that it was necessary to use an axe for its removal ! This appeared to have grown from, or have been nourished by, the decomposed particles of the wine, the cask being empty, and carried up to the ceiling, where it was supported by the surface of the fungus.	The Age, March 21, 1819.
EXTRAORDINARY LARGE MELONS.
In the garden of Sir William Rowley, at Tendering Hall, there are now growing three melons of the extraordinary size of thirteen feet in circumference, two of them measuring four feet each, and the third full five feet.
Statesman, Sept. 16, 1811.
EXTRAORDINARY LARGE CHESNUT TREE.
In Lord Ducie’s park, at Tortworth, in Gloucestershire, there is a chesnut tree of most extraordinary age and dimensions : at five feet from the ground, its circumference is fifty feet, and at three feet, fifty-two feet. The body is only ten feet from the base to the fork, yet that part alone measures one thousand solid feet. In the reign of King Stephen, this tree was so remarkable for its magnitude, that it was called the Great Chesnut Tree of Tamworth (now Tortworth) i from this circumstance, it is calculated, that the tree must; have been planted in the reign of Egbert, A. D. 800, and this Calculation is founded on the supposition, that a chesnut tree is three hundred years before it is in prime, so that allowing this conjecture, the tree, at this time, is no less than one thousand years old. La Belle Assemblée, Jan• 1810.
LARGE OAK. >
The following are the dimensions of one of the largest oaks ever cut down in this kingdom i it grew in the parishS0&	KIRBY’* WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
of Bassaleg* Monmouthshire, about four miles from New-» port, near the canal, and was cut down last year, and pur-chased by Mr. T. Harrison. The trunk, ten feet in length, measured 470 solid feet; twelve limbs, respectively 60, 106, 355, 45% 233, 113, 28, 136, 84, 70, 98, and 73 feet; making altogether 23Q2 feet of sound timber. Dead limbs, 126 feet of timber, making a total of 2428 feet of timber. It required the labour of four men for twenty days, to fell it and strip the bark.	General Chronicle, 1811.
REMARKABLE GREAT YEW TREE.
The great yew tree at Fortingall, in Perthshire, was measured by the Hon. Judge Barrington, previous to the year 1770, and was found in girth to measure fifty-two feet.
—------ Editor.
REMARKABLE GREAT ASH TREE.
The great a$h tree in the churchyard of Kilmalie, in Locbaber, burnt down during the troubles in 1746, was long considered as the largest and most remarkable tree in Scotland. Its remains vrere measured in October, 1764, at the ground, and the circumference was found to be no less than fifty-eight feet.—Editor.
GREAT ELM TREE IN ROXBURGH.
The great Elm Tree growing in Roxburgh, in Tiviot Dale, Scotland, called the Try sting Tree, measured in the year 1796, in girth, four feet from the ground, thirty feeW-Editor.
TWO REMARKABLE LARGE BEECH TREES.
The large Beech Tree growing at Ormiston Hall, in East Lothian, measured in May, 1762, in circumference, eighteen feet, ten inches.
Another large Beech Tree growing near the house of Oxenford, Mid Lothian, was measured in June, 1763, at three feet high from the ground, and found to have been nineteen feet, six inches in circumference.—Editor*SIGNS TN THE SKIES.	SOS
LARGE SILVER FIR.
A large tree of this species growing at Drumlanrig, Niths« dale, North Britain, was measured in April, 1779>and found to be twelve feet in circumference.
LARGE SCOTS FIR.
A Scots fir at Castle Huntley, in Perthshire, was measured in 1798, at three feet from the ground, and found to be thirteen feet six indies in circumference.
We saw in Gordon Castle, an uncommonly large square plank or board, of Scots fir, made from a tree which grew in Glenmore Wood, measuring five feet six inches sqqpre. It was presented to the Duke of Gordon by the company who bought that wood from his grace. Editor;
SIGNS IN THE SKIES.
Letters from Breteuil (Oise), state, that, on the night of the 5th or 6th of September, about twelve or one o’clock, a globe of fire was seen, of the apparent size of the moon; which, according to the account of a traveller, who was returning from the fair of Beauvais, appeared to rise from the plain of St. Denis, and to take a northern direction. This globe described a curve froni west to north, and shed so bright a light, that many, who were on the great road from Beauvais to Breteuil, could easily perceive the neighbouring villages. It is stated even, that a dealer in cattle, who was driving a number of oxen, could hardly restrain the frighted animals, that fled into the plain. This meteor illuminated the horizon a long time. Arrived to a certain point in the north, it exploded, and produced an intonation similar to a loud clap of thunder, diffusing around a multitude of lights, the effect of which was agreeable to the eye. The appearances of these luminous bodies are very frequent in this plain; but particularly at the foot of the mountain called Catalat. This is, perhaps, what has contributed to give credit to the popular notion, that a304
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
neighbouring vrood, the wood of Colmont, is inhabited by spirits. There is even in this canton, a place called i6 The Spirit’s Pit/’ The learned of the country pretend, that upon this spot a Druidical temple once existed, where adoration was paid to a golden calf, which is buried there. Searches have been made to discover it without effect.
New Times, September 22, 1818.
RED SNOW AT GENOA.
On St. Joseph’s Day* 1678, on the mountains called La Langhe, there fell, on the white snow, that lay there before, a great quantity of red, or if you please, of bloody snow. From which, being squeezed, there came a water of the same colour. Communicated by Sig. Sarotti, the Venetian Resident there* to Mr. Boyle.
1 Philosophical Transactions, Vol. XII. 1678. p. 976.
A MAN SWALLOWING IRON AND STONES.
In a letter, dated Cardigan, November 4, 1746, it gives an account of Reeves Williams, a Welshman, in the year 1746, a native of Cardigan, calling himself the Man Ostrich, then about twenty-seven years of age, a labouring man, a stout hale fellow, of very ruddy complexion, exhibited himself at sixpence a head; when he swallow ed four pieces of irop, of an inch and a quarter long, and three quarters of an inch broad, and of considerable thickness. These he had made by the smith of the town to fit his throat, and always carried some of them about him. Besides these, he swallowed stones, coach-nails, halfpence, and many other things of the kind. Having satisfied, curiosity in that part of the country, he was then about setting out, to exhibit himself in London.
British Magazine, November 1746. p. 344»n erfiQieAW^
'/o h <mn lillà ferì i
Uyf/atuj mctmfus , (rocca /peòx(u<) (ciic^at f Ùrs mire J’uypùb (^tuòcjiuè natura necjmit interòum cjuocjut natura ^cecunèi^ir anf CJÌ7 CjjuU mamfuj fecibf feòiixts cjitcò p&r^icit vpS&
JPiiòThrfied Ifctrch 16,j.8jg, lyy JLSJ&t'lry, 2.0, Wàrwie7: Lazze.JOHN VALERIUS.
305
JOHN VALERIUS.
WITH A PORTRAIT.
This extraordinary man was born in the Upper Palatinate, in the year 1667, without arms, or even the remains of any ; the shoulders being perfectly smooth and rounded, with the exception of the right, from the centre of which a thumb only projected. From this singular mutilation by Nature, he, being bereaved of parents and friends by death, was under the necessity of exhibiting himself, and his various performances, in order to gain a livelihood ; and about the year 1705, he arrived in London, where he attracted much attention by the various feats of dexterity, he was by necessity and habitual practice obliged to perform with his feet and toes. In fact, all that other persons, in the full possession of their limbs could execute, was executed by Valerius, with these only.
In the absence of all other documents relating to this \Vonderful man, we are necessitated to draw up this slight sketch from a set of prints, consisting of sixteen, the first being his portrait, from which our plate is taken ; these are extremely rare, and it is presumed this book of prints was engraved for, and sold by himself to such persons who by curiosity were induced to visit him. They are descriptive of the following feats :—
Beating a drum,—-Shaving himself, and combing his wig,— Elevating bis leg to his head, and with his great and adjoining toe, he was enabled to take his hat off, and make an obeisance, standing in an erect posture. He writes with his right foot, keeping the paper steady on the ground with his left. He plays at cards, holding the cards between his toes, and throws dice with great dexterity. Standing erect, he grasps with his toes a stool (on which he usually sits) by the lower rail, and holds it out in a horizontal position. He places his stool on a table, with one of the legs overhanging, on which, at the top of the overhanging leg he places a die ; then resting his left foot on the centre of the stool, his right leg and foot
VOL. VI,
x306	kirby’s wonderful museum.
being stretched out as an equilibrium for the other part of the body, he stoops down and takes the die off the spot where it was placed, with his mouth. He stands with his left foot on the edge of a table, at the second joint of his great toe he places a die, and stooping down, takes the die in his mouth; his right foot being off the ground, forms a balance to his body. He stands erect on the tips of his great toes alone. He stands erect, and balances a glass of liquor on his forehead, walking backwards and forwards, without spilling the liquor. He stands on the edge of a table on his left foot, and bending backwards, brings his body in a parallel line with the table, the right foot being placed under the front edge of the table, by the strength of his great toe he forms the point of resistance to his body. Standing on his four-legged stool, his feet being placed close together, and bending forwards between his knees, he takes up a glass of liquor that is placed on the ground at the foot of the stool, in his teeth. Sitting on his stool, he places a glass of liquor on his head; at the same time elevating his legs in a perpendicular line to his head, his two; feet being on each side , of his head behind. Standing in an erect position, with a foil held by his toes, and supported by the bottom of his right fpot, which is rendered as pliable as a hand, he elevates his leg to a horizontal position, and parries any thrust that might be made against him by the most expert fencer. The last of his extraordinary feats with which he usually closed his exhibition, was firing a musket; this feat he performed sitting on his stool, the musket being supported between the great and fore toe of the left foot, his right foot is turned inwards towards the butt end of the musket, the great and fore toe being much extended for the purpose of support, he pulled the trigger with hi^ little toe, at the same time looking intently along the barrel, as if taking good aim.
The great flexibility of his legs and feet was such, that he could use them for every office in which persons born with arms and hands were accustomed to do, his n toesMARTHA BAGSHAW.
3Q7
supplying every deficiency of the want of fingers; and front constant habit and use, they had attained such flexibility and prodigious strength, that few with their hands could cope with him.
MISS BEFFIN.
This extraordinary female was exhibited as a great curiosity in London and its vicinity, during the years 1815, 1816, apd 1817. She was generally called the miniature painter, ^ome ,of her performances we have seen her execute in a yery neat manner. She at last became very lusty. Her exploits w£te usually described at the tirne>of her exhibition, ]by the following handbill
“This young lady was born deficient of armsf, ha$ds, and legs; she is of a comely appearance, twenty-four years of age, and only thirty-seven inches high. She displays a great genius, aud is an admirer of the fine arts. But what renders her so worthy of public notice, is the industrious and astonishing meaus she has invented and practised, in obtaining the use of the needle, scissors, pen, pencil, &c. wherein she is extremely adroit. She can cut out and’ make any part of her own clothes, sews extremely neat, and in a most wonderful manner, writes well, draws landscapes, paints miniatures, and many more wonderful things, all of which sh§ performs principally with her mouth.
“ The reader may easily think it impossible she should be capable of doing what is stated in the bill, all of which she performs principally with her mouth.”
MARTHA BAGSHAW.
This lady is a native of New York, in América, borni without arms,, was exhibited in the years 1816, 1817, and 1818, iii London. At first she went under the name of
x £308
kirby’s wonderful museum.
Miss Honeywell, the American Wonder. Her attainments are, thus explained by those attending upon her“ She works embroidery, and nets very fine silk purses; cuts %atch-papers, with initials, or pieces for framing, according to any design that may be given, writes, draws, threads the needle, ties the knot, and is capable of doing any kind of needlework ever attempted by any other lady ; the whole of which she performs with her mouth and toes, in the presence of the company. As a proof of her countenance being perfectly agreeable, her portrait, a perfect likeness, was exhibited at the door of her exhibition ; likewise a specimen of her work. This lady rose superior to every obstacle which Nature has placed jn her way. Possessed of un^ common talents, her industry has not suffered them to lie dormant. Those acquirements she now possesses, have been attained by her own natural vigour of mind, without any scholastic education; and whilst contemplating these united qualifications, all must acknowledge her a phenomenon.
a Her countenance is a living lesson of the greatest philosophy that can possibly be attained; namely, possessing feeling, and yet being happy under the heaviest calamities and deprivations, perfectly resigned to her most peculiar lot, and thankful to the Supreme Being, for the blessings she possesses ; and in the formation of her mind, Nature has amply made amends for the deficiency of arms. In short, this lady’s performances astonish every beholder.”
MASTER VINE.
This juvenile artist was bom in the year 1809, at Bury St. Edmunds, where his father was in the employ of A farmer. He is not in the same situation as any one of the foregoing prodigies. He was born with remarkable short arms, and only a thumb and little finger on each; at theTHOMAS JOHN.
309
early âge of two years, he began to practise drawing, without any instructions, and proceeded progressively till the age of four, when he was exhibited publicly, to shew the masterly manner in which he executed landscapes, and for several years since has visited all the principal fairs in the kingdom. He possesses a handsome well-proportioned person, except his arms, which Nature has amply compensated for, by bestowing on him the means to display his extraordinary genius. He was in London, September 1819*
THOMAS JOHN,
A REMARKABLE CALCULATOR, AT TEN YEARS OF AGE.
Thomas, the son of David John, a poor labourer of Merthir Tidvil, in the mountainous part of Glamorganshire, was ten years of age in November 1786. He first discovered an extraordinary talent for enumeration by the power of the mind. At six years of age, when listening to the story of a young man who had been in the army, and who was telling the father of the child that he had been absent four years ; the boy in a few minutes said, then you have been absent so many months, weeks, and days ; mentioning the specific number. The soldier then took a pen, and found the child’s calculation was perfectly correct*
Mr. Miles, a schoolmaster in the neighbourhood, who taught him to r.ead, put a variety of questions to him; such as, the number of minutes that had elapsed since the birth of our Saviour, calculated to a given period; which he presently answered, both by the solar and Julian year. The amount of the national debt, laid out in guineas in a straight line, each measuring an inch ; this he answered immediately; when he was allowed each guinea to be only three quarters of an inch, he answered also correctly. Many other trials, and proofs of his calculating powers were given, and attested by the Rev. John Davis, curate of Mer*SIO
KIRBY'S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
thir Tidvil, Isaac Jones, attorney-at-law, and Thomas Rees, gentleman.
Gentleman's Magazine, December 1786. p. 1035.
NARRATIVE OF THE
SUFFERINGS OF MATTHEW COX, ESQ.
OF ENFIELD;
The original Projector of an Attempt to raise the Royal George, sunk at Spit head. Taken from his own Journal of a Voyage from St. Christopher's to Jamaica, in the West Indies, commenced on the \5th of January, 1757? and presumed to have never before been made public.
At four P. M. on board the Duke packet, Capt. Owen Phillips, mounting eight four-pounders, six swivels, sixteen men, ten boys, and three passengers, viz. myself, Lieut. M. Leord, and a young lady. At five P. M. weighed with a plfeasant gale, which continued till the 21st inst. when it fell almost calm, and at daybreak saw two sail, as we were running down on the south side of Hispaniola ; one was a brigantine, the other a large sloop, both to the southward. The latter gave us chase; at 6 A. M. made Cape Tiberoon, bearing N. W. distant about eight leagues, the Wind failing, she came up with us fast, by the assistance of her oars : at nine A. M. she fired a gun to leeward, and hoisted a, St. George’s pendant, which we answered, and hoisted an English ensigns We then stood in for the land ; at ten A. M. she gave us a bow chaser ; when we hoisted Our pendant, and got ready for engagement, as she now rowed fast up with us, it still being a dead calm. At eleven A. M. we had a small breeze, when we put about and stood for her ; she then hoisted/a French pendant. At meridian we were alongside of her, when we gave her two broadsides, and received one ; she stood after us, but we dropped her fast, she keeping up a constant fire with her bow chasers ; on whichMATTHEW COX, ESQ.
311
we got one of our aftermost larboard guns on our quartet deck, and discharged it a few times, when to our great joy we found we were out of her reach. But in about half an hour afterwards it fell calm, and she soon again, with the assistance of her oars, rowed upon our starboard side, when a warm engagement commenced. Her first broadside shot our foresail from the yard, which created great confusion: about two P. M. she attempted to board us, and manned her bowsprit with fifteen or sixteen men. She laid us on board afore the foremast shrouds; we received their fire from their pistols, and returned it with our small arms, which brought every man down upon our ship’s gunwale, or into the sea; they then backed astern, and we raked them with round and grape shot, arid were in hopes that she intended leaving us; but after a short consultation, she rowed alongside of us, at about thirty yards distance, when they kept a constant fire with their cannon and small arms, and throwing hand grenades, Ice, in showers on our decks, which blew our compasses out of the binnacle, which was soon after carried off the deck by a shot. Between three and four o’clock she attempted laying us on board the second time, between our main and fore shrouds. They rigged out a large stinkpot from their bowsprit end, and manned the same, which we received on our deck with a volley of pistols; but we soon drove them all on board but five, Which we killed. About five P. M. she got under our quarter; we could not now bring a gun but the one on our quarter-deck t6 bear On them, which was loaded with grape-shot, and kept up also a fire with our small arms. At last, we were informed that om cartridges were all expended, but what were in our guns; we then called for quarter, thinking our behaviour deserved »it, and hauled dowti our ensign ; two or three lads attempted to fetch down the petldamt, but when in jthe shrouds, the enemy fired at them,- Which presented their going aloft. We how discovered that she wdS striking to tis/dnd her colours were half down j the ismoke clearing312	KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM«
off, they found we had struck to them. One round of powder more had saved the following misfortunes : three men came on board about a minute before any other of the:crew, one of which we found afterwards to be a volunteer of the name of St. Sander. He ran up to the captain as he was stepping on the quarter deck, (he had been in the cabin to see the mail thrown overboard), and took off his nose at one cut; another deprived him for ever of the use of his right arm, and he received also sixty-one other wounds. The other villain went to the quarter deck, and cut the hands of two boys almost off, who were stowing away the colours; the third came up to me, and with his cutlass struck at my head, but happily missed me. I called for quarter, when he told me in English, they w'ould kill every Englishman on board, at the same time St. Sander called out a tuer a tout. My antagonist’s cutlass striking in the bulk head, gave me time to pick up one of our own cutlasses, which, with our small arms, pistols, &c. were throw n on the quarter deck; the second stroke I put by, and with my cutlass laid him dead at my feet. The privateer’s crew was then coining over our quarter-deck in great numbers^ when I went between decks, where I found most of our people stowed away in different places. I concealed myself under part of our stream cable, from whence I saw my shipmates cut and hacked in a most cruel manner, and then drove on deck. What happened the next hour I was not an eye-witness of; concealing myself till I thought they were pretty quiet, I ventured to pull a scuttle back, that went through into the steerage, where Mr. Salmon, our master, was lying on my chest, with a large clasp knife in his hand, which he had just pulled out of his belly, that was stuck there by a Frenchman, whom he had asked for a drink of water. He had also his skin torn off from his waist to his shoulders by the bursting of a stinkpot. Going into the cabin, I perceived the young woman almost naked, who, after they had Stripped her, pinched her breasts till they were as black asMATTHEW COX, ESQ.
313
a coal, then gave her only two petticoats to go on shore in.
I being soon perceived by the plundering crew, they called out “ kill him ! kill him !” on which I ran on the quarterdeck, where 1 instantly had a brace of pistols fired at my head, which missing me, I was knocked down by the French boatswain, who attempted to stab me; but putting up my left arm, received the cutlass in at my elbow, which went in almost to my shoulder. On getting up, I,had the same arm broken in two places, wheu I was thrown overboard, and fell amongst our rigging, which was hanging over our sides ; and by fortunately laying hold of a fast rope, I shifted it from my hand to my mouth, and with my feet against the ship’s side, I lifted myself up Getting my feet on the gunwale, and my hand on the quarter-rail, I received a cut across my fingers, which obliged me to let go my hold, and as the privateer was dropping astern, I fell on board her, the grapplings being still fast on our vessel’s deck; those who were received on board with myself, were now put into the hold, where we lay for near twenty-four hours without our wounds being dressed. I received nine wounds, two with a cutlass on my head, and with a blow nearly the loss of my sight for several weeks; Afterwards, when we were brought on deck, we saw our mate floating by the side, and was informed he had his legs and arms almost cut off, and thrown into the sea alive,
Lieut. M* Leord never came on deck during the engagement) which lie informed the first-Frenchman that accosted him: he called him a coward, and taking up a handspike, broke his arm, and then knocked him down. They then rowed the sloop into La Cotto Bay, being to leeward, having the packet in tow. Coming to an anchor, they buried their captain, and then put us on shore, confining us in a small room) with eleven more Englishmen they had on board. We were marched to Aux Cayes) which is about fifteen leagues across the mountains, many of us almost naked; I haid nothing but a pair of trowsers to cover me.314
kirby’s wonderful museum.
the sun burning my brains, and the skin peeling from my back. They allowed us no provisions during our march ; our captain and a few men were left at the place of out landing, being unable to travel, as were many of our companions, who dropped on the road, where they were left, and of whom we never more heard.
By the English we found on board the privateer, we w ere informed, that the French captain, two lieutenants, the master’s mate, and thirty men, were killed, and thirty wounded. Some of our people, who were allowed to walk the deck after they came to an anchor, saw them sent on shore.
While I was in the hospital, several of them were brought there, and fifteen of them suffered amputation of their legs and arms. We dismounted six of their guns, drove her three after-ports into one, and her two foremost ports also into one. She was called the America, Capt. Blankies, mounting fourteen guns, six-pounders, sixteen swivels, and 110 men.
On our arrival at Aux Cayes, we vrere put in gaol, and the commandant, with some gentlemen, came to see us; from whom we received uncommon marks of civility, giving the seamen money for their gallant behaviour. The engagement being about four miles from the shore, they saw it all, and expected we should have taken the privateer. I w as ordered into the gaoler’s house, and put into bis bed, after having iny wounds dressed, and a charge given by the commandant for me not to be disturbed till he sent. Here I remained till next day, when I was sent to the hospital, with two other miserable objects. The commandant kindly sent me, three days after I was in the hospital, two shirts, two suits of clothes, stockings, caps, &.c. and more cafe could not be taken in an hospital, than was taken of me there. Here I remained till the £2d of March, when I was removed to the prison, to make room for Mr, George Monslow, master of the ship Swan, belonging to Bristol, who was ill of a fever. Though I had not as yet recovered the use of my arm, duringMATTHEW COX, ESQ.
315
my stay in the prison, I had liberty to walk in the fields till evening, when thoughts of making my escape from so dismal a situation, often made great impressions oil my mind; but several companies of sailors having attempted it before in vain, met with the most cruel treatment after being retaken; some of them had been put on an iron bar, three feet from the ground, and eighteen inches from the wall, in a close place, with a shackle on one leg, the other on the bar, till they were cramped, and then fell to the ground. Others they put into the cashoot, which is like an oven with double doors, filling it with as many as they could cram in, some of which were dragged out, nearly suffocated.
At last I Came to the resolution of attempting an escape by the assistance of an English negro, who was cook of our vessel, and who was now taken into the french service against his will. He procured a barge, with six oars, masts, and sails, but no compass. I had mentioned my scheme to my fellow sufferers, a surgeon and a mate of a Guineaman, who were also prisoners ; we had bread, cheese, raisins, and water, sufficient for fourteen days, at short allowance. On the l6th of May, we set off at about eight o’clock at night; my boy had our provisions on his head, and went first, the negro carried the water, and we followed at some distance from each other. We had agreed to go off at the fort, thinking it most secure. Passing the guard-house, the boy was stopped by tbe centinel, and confined, with all our stock of provisions. We got safe down to tbe shore, and by the darkness of the night concealed ourselves while the negro went to buy a pound Of bread, which cost three shillings, being all the silver we had, and we could not trust him with gold; for if a negro has gold, he is taken up for examination. We dared not venture ourselves into the town at this time of the night ; we then took a small boat, and put off with one oar to our own barge; but when we Game alongside of her, how great was our consternation, when we found the masts, sails, and oars, taken out : we £316
KIEBY's WONDEEFUL MTJSEtTM.
then were convinced that we were deceived. To go back would be to a lingering death, undbr the greatest cruelties; to proceed had no other prospect than the ocean for our grave, as ,the boat we left the shore in was but eight feet nine inches keel. We had no time to dispute ; so taking the back-boards out of the barge, of which we afterwards made paddles, put off, and instead of going directly out of the harbour, went to the leeward of the ships, and got under the stern of a large Dutchman, by which means our pursuers went ahead of us; and the dashing of their oars was our guide out of the harbour. By four o’clock next morning, with one oar and the two boards, we got past the Isle of Ayche, being eighteen or twenty miles; there was a great swell of the sea near shore, so that we dared not venture into the bay till daylight. About six A. M. we ventured in, and hauled our boat ashore, but the musquitoes and sandflies were so numerous, we could hardly Jive. We tied our handkerchiefs over our faces, to guard them from the insects. The wood on the shore where we landed, was so thick, that we could not get fifty yards up; we cut a small tree, made a mast, &c. stripped the bark of a maple tree, and made ropes and twine. While we lay here, we saw our pursuers pass the mouth of the bay; but our boat being covered with boughs, they passed by us to our great joy. As soon as we had completed a stout “rope, we launched our boat, and of our shirts we made two sails ; fortunately I had two sail-needles in my pocket, which assisted us much: with the bodies we made a mainsail, and the sleeves made a good foresail; got up our mast, rigged out a bumkin, and put in throats ; we having each of us a good knife, made our work the easier.
At meridian the 18th day of May we left the island, and stood out to sea, the skin of all our heads by the musquitoes and sandflies peeled off. We had only one pound of bread, and sixty-four raisins ! had in; my pocket, with about six gallons of water. Running between the west end ofMATTHEW COX, ESQ.
317
the Isle of Ayche and Hispaniola, we saw a boat in chase of us. We then stood for the offing, but found in an hour’s run she came up with us fast. We perceived she had eight hands in her; We then determined to stand towards her, though we had ho weapons but sticks and knives, but were resolved to sell our lives dearly. We stood on, and they did not alter their course till we were within musket shot; they then put about, and stood in for the land, with their oars, and all the sail they could make, to our great joy ; we then kept our course about five leagues from the shore, that we might not be seen from thence, and in hopes of meeting some vessel in the offing. We had a fine breeze till about nine o’clock P. Mr when it began to blow very hard, and our compass, which was the land, we could no longer see. We were how obliged to strike our mast, and drove at the mercy of the waves, keeping our boat before the sea. About twelve it rained very hard, and continued with the wind till about six A. M. when the wind abated, and the weather clearing up, we found ourselves about eight leagues to the westward of Hispaniola, Cape Tiberoon bearing about E. by N. We then stuck up a knife, the sheath of which we steered by, as we do by the stars at night. We had very little sun this day, and the waves running so very high, could not keep our intended course. We this day arranged our watch, two and two ; one steered, and the other kept constantly bailing, the sea breaking over us; the other two were obliged to lie at the bottom, instead of ballast. The doctor desired us to tie our -handkerchiefs round our bellies, to keep what we had within us; which answered the end, except to himself, who was very laxative and very sick. At sunset this day we could descry the cape bearing E. N. E. the sea began to moderate, with a gentle breeze , all night. At daybreak on the 19th we lost sight of land: we had at this time only about half of our bread left, but on examining our water, found to our great grief that it was above half lost by the rolling of the boat, and the leaking of the cask. The weather continuing fine, we judged that by318	kirby’s wonderful museum.
midnight we should make the Island of Jamaica. We, kept on; our course W. by S. as near as we could judge, though I am certain we often varied many points, by the clouds oyerv easting in the night, and for want of the sun by day.
About two o’clock A. M. of the 20th, we thought we saw the land; at least one and all agreed we did. It being quite calm, we got to our paddles with a good will. About four A. M. being heartily fatigued, and no wind, we agreed to lie down to rest, being certain of the land, which now seemed not more than two miles distant. , We ate the last of our bread, which was grown green w ith the sea yvater, and made each of us a hearty dinner ; but it is impossible for pen to write, or tongue to express our grief, when, at daybreak we perceived, that we had been labouring after a fog-cloud, which now began to leave us to the southward about three leagues. The sea breeze now began to set in so violent, that we were obliged to strike our mast, and drive at the mercy of the winds and waves. About nine A. M. of the 21st the wind shifted to the southward, and began to rain in torrents, which lasted twenty-four hours, when the wind began to fall, but the rain rather increased ; we got up our mast, and made sail; our sails were now become very bad, having often mended them with our handkerchiefs. We had constant thunder, with a deal of lightning. We continued in this situation three days, twenty-four hours of which we were without water or bread. The doctor was very ill, and we expected he would have lost his senses ; he had very nearly twice overset our little bark. Starving was what we now expected, and I believe not one of us thought of the danger we were in by the smallness of our boat in so great a sea. Thirst at last obliged us to drink our own urine; when we came to the resolution to kill the negro for sustenance ; but he being a stout man, and living when on shore better than ourselves, we could not accomplish it; our boat being small, we found we could but one attack him at a time, and he being suspicious of our actions, watched an oppor-MATTHEW COX, ESQ.
319
tunity of throwing three of our knives overboard; which proved the means of saving his life. I had two musket balls in my pocket; put one of them into my mouth, and by rolling and chewing them, kept it cool and moist; the first I undesignedly swallowed when asleep; the other lasted me three d.ays> by taking it out of my mouth when I slept; and to this I have always attributed the preservation of my life and senses. In the evening we saw a great quantity of gulph-weed floating, which we caught and ate; one afternoon the negro came up to steer, but we never after permitted him to be in the stern. The next day being the 26th, it became more moderate weather, but so thick we could not see a mile from us; and as we had steered N. from the 21st, began to be afraid of running between the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, and getting into the northern seas. We now began to despair, and wished for death, to relieve us from the pangs of hunger and thirst, having nothing to sa* tisfy either but the floating gulph-weed. About two A. M. as I was steering, a bird called a noddy, flew several times round me, and at last settled on my breast, where it remained till I shifted my oar, with which I steered under my left arm, which was then in a sling. I took it from my breast, with hardly patience to kill it, before I put its head into my mouth, and kept picking it, while I sucked its blood. I then waked my companions, it being almost daylight, and gave it to the doctor to divide, which he performed very justly, each man’s share being about three quarters of an ounce. The head of this bird I sucked for near four hours. Surely such a sudden alteration was never known in four human creatures ; as we considered ourselves now as strong as we were on the day we set out.
On the 22d the weather began to clear, but we could , see no land. We then agreed that the negro must die, if we did not make the land soon; having one knife only left, we intended getting him between us, and attacking him all together. But in the midst of our consultations, he jumped320	kirby’s wonderful museum.
overboard, and endeavoured to overset the boat, saying, we should all die together: but we prevented this desperate act* by beating him off with our paddles. At last he prayed to be taken on board, which we did at the stern, and the next morning it pleased God to prevent our design being carried into execution; for on the 23d, about four P. M. we saw the land bearing N. about eight leagues; at six A. M. on the 24th, we were within four leagues ; we now found there was a strong current against us. At ten A. M. we appeared to be no nearer ; at eleven A. M. we saw a sloop to the westward plying to windward: we immediately stood for her, and hoisted a handkerchief on a pole as a signal of distress. / She soon after hove to, but finding we made no way, she stood towards us, and thanks to God, about four P. M. was alongside. They threw us a rope, which we caught; but had not strength sufficient left to hold the boat. One of the sailors jumped into our boat, and assisted us : we now found ourselves so weak, that we could not stand, and were obliged to be lifted on deck, where we lay suffering the greatest pains, the skin being all peeled from off our shoulders, hips, &c. The ship was a Spaniard, belonging to Cuba; they took all the care of us in their power, and we began soon to recover our strength. Their strongest liquor was water, and their food jerked beef and plantains; and though we ate sparingly of their green food, it had nearly cost us our lives. They had no boat on board, and fancying ours, hoisted it on deck. About ten P. M. it began to blow a gale, with heavy rain, and continued s6 all night. In the morning of the 2oth we found that we had lost one of our purses, with about five pounds in gold dust and coin, which but the day before was considered of no value; but we now found the want of it. The gale continued^ and our new bark became little better than a wreck. On the 29th, about six A. M. we were obliged to bear away, and at the same time shipped a heavy sea ; and our mainsail being but half hoisted, and not reefed^ fell in it, and set us on ourMATTHEW COX, ES£.
321
beam ends. The Spaniards began counting their beads* and falling on their knees, prayed to their Santa Maria. The doctor and myself ventured on the boom, and cut away the sail, by which means she righted. We then stood before the wind, until we made a small bay, and not being able to keep her free, she having but one pump, run in, and came to anchor with two rotten cables, from which in about half an hour she parted, and we all went ashore together, which was what we had many days before wished for. Butin a few hours, oil the gale moderating, we would have been glad to have ventured to sea again in our own small boat, in order to have reached Jamaica, if they would have sold us provisions ; but our sufferings were not so soon to be at an end, for they kept our boat, and would not part with it for any consideration. They all got into it, except two, and went round to some port unknown to us. We remained on this desolate part of Cuba three days, when the two Spaniards agreed to shew us over the mountains to a port called M'Kacaw, about ninety miles distant. Accordingly, we set out on the 2d of June, and soon discovered that the Spaniards were all well acquainted with the mountains, though at first we had some suspicion of them, that they intended unfair play. We seldom travelled in a path, except where the mountains were very steep; we often saw the track and dung of mules, and they informed us they travelled that w’ay to prevent their being seized, when their cargoes were designed, for the English islands, it being death to export mules. We found the loadstone in plenty on these mountains. The third day we arrived at M'Kacaw, very much fatigued for want 6f water, when we were instantly seized by the chief magistrate, under a pretence of smuggling; M'Kacaw being a small port, much frequented by smugglers. We w'ere here detained until the 7th of June, when w?e were sent on foot under a strong guard to the city of Byam, about 120 miles inland from McKacaw. We met with nothing material on our journey, but bad roads, oftentimes up to our waists in VOL. VI.	Y3££	kiuby’s wonderful museum,
mud and water, and expected at every step to fall into some deep pit, and be smothered. Our guards having horses, escaped the fatigues of the swamps, which were now overflowed by the rainy season having set in. We had only two Spaniards with us as guards, but it was impossible now to escape; therefore we submitted patiently, hoping to pass a sea port in our journey. After five days excessive fatigue, we arrived at Byam without shoes, hats, and almost naked. We should have appeared as objects of pity and compassion to Englishmen, though we were not so to the Spaniards; for we were immediately ordered to prison, after a short examination, and were given to understand, that we were to maintain ourselves while in confinement, as the crown of Spain was not at war, there was no allowance for Englishmen that should be taken trading with the inhabitants, or should be unfortunately cast ashore upon their islands. On our representing the impossibility of our subsisting in a prison without any allowance, there was given to us half a bit each daily (the? value of three-pence sterling), to buy provisions; and this was all we received for ten days, being the time we were detained here. We had upwards in value of fifty pieces of eight in coin and gold dust, which we secreted, for fear of their plundering us. We had leave to go about the town in the day-time to beg, but our spirits were too great for that mean employ.
On the ££d of June, we received orders to get ready for removal; and we set out for the city of St. Eauger, under a guard of soldiers. The road* we found to be very good; and arrived there on the third day (June 25th,) being ninety-five miles, about four o’clock in the afternoon. We were immediately, as usual, put into the condemned hole, as prisoners, without any examination. The miserable inhabitants of this place were all confined with irons on their legs, and placed in the stocks: this place might very properly be called a dungeon, there being but one hole that admitted light, and that at the top of the wall, with ho place for the necessary relief
3MATTHEW COX, ESQ.	323
of nature, but the floor, and that was already covered with above an inch thick in human ordure; and had it nit been for the generosity of one of the sailors that belonged to the vessel that took us up, we must have starved : this poor generous fellow, as soon as he heard we were arrived, pretended to have sold his slebve-buttons and his only jacket to purchase provisions for us^ which he brought with him the first visit he made us. This was the man who we suspected had robbed its of our gold dust; and indeed we were now convinced of it—when we gbt oh shore, he was almost naked, but immediately he bought silver buttons, new clothes, &c.; however, he was now friendly inclined towards us ; and by his advice, we had a petition presented to the governor, setting forth the usage wh had met with in the island, the distress we were then irt, and that we wanted ho other favour but our liberty, as we might then be enabled to procure the means of returning home.
The only bed we had in this wretched place was sitting astride the stocks, and lying on our backs, from which we were often awakened by falling on the ground, where we were almost smothered in the filth that lay thereon.
On the fourth day (the £9th of June), the governor4 complied with our petition; and we agreed with the governor for a boat for forty pieces of eight; finding we raised the mouey readily, he insisted oil fifty pieces of eight, which obliged us to sell every thing we bad, and which they would purchase. After paying for our boat, he obliged us to take eight Englishmen (which had been put oh shore by a French privateer) over to Jamaica with us. We represented the difficulty w6 were under to provide provisions for ourselves, having no more than about four shillings sterling left ;• our petitions were in vain. Accordingly,* we set sail on the 1st of July, at six P. M. Our main-sail was made of a blanket, belonging to one of the prisoners; we had no compass to direct us in our voyage; and our provisions only two cassada cakes, 24 plantains, and about 20 gallons of water. It however
y 2324
kirby’s wonderful museum.
pleased God, and we had fiue calm weather; and on the 3d of July, about six A. M. went ashore at Howard’s Bay, on the N. E. end of Jamaica, wh£re we got some little refreshment, and again made sail. Soon after, it began to blow very hard from the southward, with a very heavy sea, which made it impossible for our little bark to get round Morant Point, and we stood in for Manchonel harbour, where we got safe ashore once more, about five P. M. We then separated—being determined to hazard our lives no more on the turbulent ocean, in so small a boat; accordingly, six of our party set out for Kingston, being eighty-five miles distant; our route lay over a high and rugged mountainous country, and the whole of us in the most deplorable state, being literally almost naked; I had only a pair of ragged trowsers, a flannel waistcoat, and a handkerchief about my head ; but the thoughts of soon seeing our friends, made our difficulties seem easy. On the 6th of July, about four P. M. we reached Rock Fort, where the commanding officer pressed the whole of us for his Majesty’s service, and sent us under a strong guard to Kingston. Here (on making myself known) I soon found friends who obtained my release ; and after five months and fifteen days of severe hardships, it pleased God to return me to my surprised friends in Kingston, in Jamaica, the 6th of July, 1757, saving only out of Spool, which I carried out with me, the small sum of 5l. Os. in the foot of my stocking.
On the 14th of July, I purchased at vendue (a sale) a vessel called The Rover, late Captain Stoddart, from Liverpool, which had been drove on shore in a hurricane, at Savanna la Mar; she now lay in three feet water and sand. Oh the 16th, we hired four seamen, and took our passage in a sugar dogger ; on the 18th, arrived at Savanna; and on the 25d, I got her afloat. (N. B. This vessel had been purchased twice before, but given up by reason of its being supposed impossible to get her afloat.)
On the 28th I got a slight repair made on her, and sailedMATTHEW COX, ESQ-	325
For Black river, to load for Kingston. On going round the Point, in company with many small vessels, we were taken by a French privateer, who put four men on board, and chased the remainder of the small fleet; we had only one puncheon of rum on board, which the Frenchmen made very free with; and at nine o’clock A. M. we clapped the hatches over them, and camp safe to an anchor in Black river. Here we completed the necessary repairs of the vessel, atid took in a loading of building-timber for Kingston. On the 16th of August, we were ready to sail; but were informed a privateer lay round the Point, on which we remained until the 26th, when we set sail, in company with fourteen other sail of sloops, schooners, &c. On the 28th, about five P. M. stood in for Withy Wood ; saw a strange sail, at six A. M.; she came up, fired a gun, and hoisted French colours, and I was again made prisoner. The crew informed us, that Admiral Knowles, the governor, had sailed for England, and that all the guns in the fort had been dismounted the day before, and that they had eaten their dinners on shore. On going on board the French privateer, I was known to the captain, who offered to let me ransom, which I refused; he then told me, in hopes to make me comply, that if he, carried me to Aux Cayes, I should be hanged for carrying off the negro. I informed him that he was originally my property, and that I had as great right to take him from them as his countrymen had to take him from me. Finding I would not comply to ransom, he gave me leave to go on board my vessel for my chest, quadrant, and liquors ; the latter, themselves were in great want of. They sent me on board in a canoe with two seamen, and the first lieutenant, an Irishman. When I came on board the lieutenant took a fancy to my swinging-compass which hung in my state room, my spy glass, quadrant, &c. which he converted to his own use. I then ordered my boy to make some hot weather punch (which is.very strong,) set a cold fowl before him, drew a cork of Madeira; gave him a large tumbler of Bristol beer,sm	kiuby’s wonderful museum.
&c.; his people were at the same time enjoying themselves on deck. The privateer was at this time about one mile ahead, with a light. The lieutenant having got all the plunder he could, ordered the canoe alongside, and went into her. I then desired he would order his two men over the side to ease my chest down into the canoe, which he did; they, at the same time, laid down their pistols and cutlasses on deck, which we immediately took possession of; and prevented them from coming on bqard, passing the painter of the canoe to the stern, we made it fast; at the same time put about, and stood in for the shore: we then hoisted out our boat, put into her four oars, a bag of bread, some pieces of beef, wine, beer, &c. in order to escape in her, if pursued by the privateer.
On the 28th, about eleven, P. M. we discovered the boat bad cast off her chain, and got off with the lieutenant and his men. In the meantime we carried all the sail we could set, in hopes of getting into Port Royal, before the boat could get on board the privateer; but in the morning of the 29th, about two, ,A. M. wre perceived the privateer’s signal-Jights out, by which we concluded they had got safe on board, and at four, A. M. a shot was fired, which went through our main-sail. They continued chasing and firing at us til,l daybreak, when a ship bound to Bristol, lying without the harbour, seeing us chased, sent their boat to acquaint Admiral Coats, who, with promptitude, ordered a frigate to sea for our protection ; on which, the privateer gave us a broadside, and bore away, at the instant we were going to run our vessel on shore: we received twenty-six shot through our main-sail, but fortunately none of our rigging was cut, and we thus providentially got into Port Royal harbour, about nine, A. M. I immediately waited on the admiral, to thank him; he informed me that he was entitled to one-eighth of the vessel and cargo; but as I had twice retaken my vessel, with so few men, and no guns, he would, for my courage, appoint me bis agent The vessel and cargo being valued, I waited onWONDERFUL LEAP ON HORSEBACK.
39,7
him with the eighth part of the net produce, as demanded, which he very politely presented to me again, attended with many compliments.	M. C.
A DOG LOST IN A COAL-PIT EIGHT WEEKS.
Eight weeks ago, a terrier dog, in pursuit, it is supposed, of a hare, was seen to fall into the shaft of an unwrought coal-pit, in Elswick-fields, near this town. Its howling was frequently heard, and many persons threw stones down, with the view of putting it out of its misery, but without effect# On Wednesday last, a mason of this town, prompted by humanity, sent down his boy, who brought up the poor sufferer, a mere skeleton; but by care it is recovering. When first brought up, it could not eat, but lapped water; which, during the whole of the dismal period of its confinement (except the hare which probably fell in with it) must have been its only sustenance.	Tyne Mercury, July 17* 1806.
MR. HOWE FAILED IN THE BARCLAY MATCH.
Mr. Howe, who had undertaken the Barclay match, in Somersetshire, resigned the task yesterday se’nnight, the fifteenth day’s performance only having been completed; and he thereby lost a stake of two hundred guineas, and threw himself into a state which will require some months to recover.	Observer, July 30, 1809.
WONDERFUL LEAP,
STANDING ON HORSEBACK WITHOUT A SADDLE.
April 13, 1761.—Captain Maney, of the Norfolk militia, standing on a horse’s back, without a saddle, in full328
kirby’s wonderful museum*
speed, leaped over a five-barred gate ; and performed several other amazing feats of horsemanship, in Hyde Park, before the Duke of York and Prince William Henry, and many others*	Annual Register, 1761, p. 98,
MR. DOWLEN’S PEDESTRIAN FEAT*
Mr. Dowlen, a publican at Towcester, Somerset, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 1808, completed perhaps the most wonderful performance ever heard of. For a wager of one hundred guineas, he engaged to go five hundred miles iri seven days, on chosen ground, and to take his rest as he thought proper. He started on Thursday se’nnight, and finished the distance in Hampshire, at three o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, having taken his course through Berks, Wilts, Somerset, Herefordshire, and a part of Devonshire. The pedestrian is a stout made man, not more than five feet in height, and a native of Merionethshire, in Wales.
Courier, Nov, 12, 1808.
EQUESTRIAN RIDE DOWN A STEEP HILL,
BY T. POOLE, ESQ.
On Tuesday morning last, October 17, 1815, T. Poole, Esq. of Hodshrove, undertook, for a wager of fifty guineas, to ride down the steepest part of the Devil’s Dyke, near Brighton, on horseback—a descent of at least three hundred yards, and, in many places, almost vertical! Mr. Poole is not only one of the most daring, but of the best riders in this country; and the frightful and rash task above-named he performed with the greatest ease, in the presence of a field of nearly one hundred sportsmen ! In the descent he wasM. BAUPETRI.
S£9
allowed to diverge ten yards only to the right or left of the starting point, but so nearly straight was his progress, that he did not deviate more than three yards from the line. He rode an aged mare of his own, who rapidly executed her task with her fore feet, and sliding upon her hocks, to the astonishment of all present.
Observer, October	1815.

JCCOUNT OF
M. BAUPETRI,
AN ECCENTRIC TEACHER OF LANGUAGES IN, LONDON.
[With a Portrait^]
M. L’Abbe I Barpetri, whose eccentricities have excited much notice in this metropolis, is a native of France. He emigrated to this country, during the revolution oft his own ; where, being noticed by many respectable families at the west end qf the tow n, for his mild and inoffensive manners, he commenced a teacher of languages at their request, and also for the purpose of enabling himself to obtain a livelihood, without the assistance of his friends. ¿He now took a house in Denmark-court, Denmark-street, reserving to himself the attic story, and letting off the remainder to various tenants. His business increasing, he purchased a very small pony, which immediately became his only inmate and companion; he taught him to mount and dismount the stairs : and a small dark room adjoining his own, was allotted to him for his stable, where the Abbe always fed him himself, on wash, potatoes, cabbage leaves, or, in fact, any thing he could get, whereby a great degree of attachment between the Abbe and his little horse was soon mutually commenced. His moments of leisure from business were now spent' with his pony in cleaning and dressing him, and this operation occu-330
kirby's wonderful'muséum.
pied much of his time. In the morning, preparatory to his setting out, he washes and rubs his legs and feet with chamber-ley, at the same time using the most soothing and affectionate language, the pony neighing to him in return; and it is presumed that he never once struck him. So great is the attachment between these two eccentric beings, that when the Abbe remains longer than ordinary at the house where he is giving his lessons, the animal neighs with frequent and great vehemence, as if calling on him to proceed; and if able to loosen his reins, and the door of the house should be open, he immediately enters, and proceeds to find his master, whether above stairs or below, these being no bar or impediment to his progress, entering the room, if open, to the great terror of his young pupils, and the amusement of the elder.
The Abbe, when mounted, forms altogether a most grotesque and eccentric appearance—a shabby black coat, small round hat, face at all times very dirty, and a real French postilion's whip in his hand. From the stirrup leathers having been so frequently broke and tied in knots, his knees are nearly on a level with the pummel of the saddle. The girths are also in the same predicament, as well as the bridle and, crupper, a knot with the two ends sticking out, being the most ready mode the Abbe has recourse to on these occasions : on the pummel is fastened by pieces of cord, this being presumed to have been obtained from the streets during his perambulations, also full of knots, an old and ragged greatcoat, clumsily made up into a roll; the tail and mane of the horse are rugged in the extreme, being cut in notches, as if done with a bad knife, so that even two hairs seem not of a length. On horseback he appears in great haste, his motions in the saddle being much faster than the pace of his horse, which never proceeds beyond a shuffling trot. In this manner, he daily proceeds to the various quarters of the town, where his avocation calls him, and at all times with the greatest punctuality, may be met with going his rounds. His usual hour of going out, is about nine o'clock in the morning;M. BARFETRI.
331
tvlien, frequently, a number of boys and others, attracted from curiosity to see this harmless, eccentric being, give him three huzzas at starting, which, on him, has no effect, and he deigns not even to notice it. The labour of the day being over, he retires to his room,' which, it is reported, is full of .good furniture, piled one on another, and so covered with dust and dirt that scarcely the colour of the wood is discernible. For his safety, he places a deep trough the size of the stairs, on one of them, which he fills full of water, so that a casual visitor is endangered by stepping into it, and thereby falling, together with the trough, &c. to the bottom; should he providentially escape without any bones being broken, he is certain of obtaining a good ducking for his temerity. The luxury of a clean shirt, or even any at all, is to him of no consequence, except on very particular days (probably some religious festival which, as a Catholic, he attends to), when he will appear full dressed, as if going to Court.
The late Duke of Queensberry, some years since, made him a present of an old one horse chaise ; in this he used to drive his little horse; and, though parsimonious to a degree, his vanity made him pay the duty for it; but time, the destroyer of all things, even laid his grasp on this poor vehicle of the Abbe’s, and it became at last so crazed and broken, that at the end of his diurnal journey, it scarcely ever re* turned without one piece having fallen from the other; pieces of knotted cords, and old straps of leather, supplied the place of nails, which kept it together for a time : this failing, his ingenuity contrived to build another body to the wheels and shafts; this was accomplished in the manner of a platform, with a seat raised on it, executed in the most rude manner; this he contrived to fasten firm on the springs with his usual succedaneum, knotted cords; the wheels also, as well as the shafts and springs, were mended, and strongly bound with the same materials. In this vehicle, he has frequently been seen driving a well-dressed female, but who or33Ô
kirby's wonderful museum.
what she was we cannot procure any account; it could not have been his wife, as celibacy is enjoined to all the Catholic clergy; neither could it have been his servant, as he performs all his domestic concerns himself.
A finishing blow, however, was given to this eccentric machine, by the following accident:—Passing down Crown-street, he came in contact with a waggon, which nearly blocked up the passage; on endeavouring to pass, he drew up his little horse on the foot pavement, which proving too smooth for his feet, he fell, and overturned the vehicle with the Abbe, among a quantity of earthen ware, placed, as was the custom, before Mr, Michael Angelo Taylor's Act, in front of the shop of the vendor; by the concussion, a large quantity of the fragile ware was broken and destroyed; and the man of pots and pipkins loudly demanded remuneration, which was as obstinately refused by the Abbe, who alleged it was by accident, and that even his own chaise was destroyed by means of the pots and pans being placed on the foot pavement, on which it fell. JNFo remuneration having for some time taken place, the Abbe was summoned into one of the minor Courts for the damage sustained, where he appeared in person—but was cast with costs. The Abbe shook his head, and shrewdly asked the Court, whether, if he paid the damages, he was not entitled to the broken pieces ? be was answered in the affirmative; turning to the plaintiff, he bid him bring home the broken earthen ware, and he would then pay him the damages ; he then walked with great sang froid out of the Court. The unfortunate plaintiff not being able to comply w7ith this demand, the whole having been consigned to the dust-carts, was obliged to rest satisfied with the loss, and'the Abbe proved the victor..
It has been asserted, that the Abbe frequently had robberies and dilapidations committed on his property, by letting ready furnished lodgings, the parties presuming qn his eccentric and parsimonious habits, thaTthey should be permitted to escape with impunity. However, w7e find the milk ofWILLIAMS, THE STRONG MAN.
333
human kindness soured in the breast of the Abbe, from the frequency of the act, and he became determined to follow up the law on the next aggressor; consequently* on the 20th of March, 1819* we find him charging Edmund Kelly, at the Marlborough-street police office, with robbing his ready furnished lodgings of a bed and other articles, for which act he was committed for trial at the following Sessions, and the Abbe bound over to prosecute.
WILLIAMS, THE STRONG MAN.
Williams, the famous English deserter, who for two years had found refuge with the Sieur Barbazan, in the Isle Jourdain, has, according to accounts from Auch, at length been arretted. The prodigious strength and violent character of this man had rendered him the terror of all the peasants and servants in the canton. M. Barbazan was the only person who could controul him. His terrible strength was particularly displayed when he was intoxicated. Nothing could resist his efforts. He then twisted bars of iron as if they were frail twigs; with a blow of his fist he broke through partitions ; and with no other help than his fingers, tore out the largest nails. In one of his fits, he one day took up a servant by the middle of the body, run with him to the distance of fifty paces, and threw him over a wall twenty feet liigh, on the other side of which a small rivulet flowed. Happily some trees broke the fall of the new Lycas, who got off with no other harm than a good fright. The prefect has, on the application of the mayor, ordered him to be conducted from brigade to brigade, until he be lodged in Toulon.
Observer, May 5, 1810.
334	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
WONDERFUL PRESERVATION
OF A BOY FALLING INTO A WELL.
On Sunday, the 29th of August, at Carnglas, near Cole-rain, a boy, servant to James Taggart, was engaged in raising water from a draw-well ; the bucket falling in, he was let down to bring it up, and when in the act of hauling him up, the sides of the well fell in, and filled it entirely to the top. A crowd instantly collected, who used every exertion to get out the body (thinking it impossible he could remain alive.) They, however, cleared out sixteen feet that day, and qext morning resumed their labour ; but it soon became so deep, and the sides, which were a light sandy substance, constantly tumbling in, rendering the descent so dangerous, that all present refused working any longer, and advised that the well should be filled up again. But Mjy Taggart could not be persuaded to leave off the search ; and two men (Archibald McMullin and Alexander Anderson) Were procured, who, rpuch to their credit, went down and wrought till three o’clock jn the afternoon, when they heard a cry, which at first a good deal disconcerted them ; but at length being satisfied it came from the boy, they redoubled their exertion. Encouraged by the boy speaking to them several times, as they got nearer him, until six o’clock, when they discovered him twenty-six feet deep from the surface (the well was thirty-five feet deep,) surrounded by earth, with a large stone over his head, that had supported the Weight above him, until, with sôtfte difficulty, they extricated him, without sustaining any other damage than his body being so much swollen that his clothes had to be cut off him. The surgeons, however, have proclaimed him out of danger, and he is now doing well.
Timesy September 15,1819.
DtLEADFUL EXPLOSION PREVENTED.	335
DREADFUL EXPLOSION PREVENTED.
FIRE AT THE ROYAL ARSENAL, WOOLWICH.
On Sunday night, June 30, 1805, a dreadful fire, took place in the Warren, Woolwich, which, from its situation (being only 100 yards from the magazine), excited the greatest consternation and alarm. There is reason to fear that it was intentionally set on fire. The long range of wood-built storehouses,, full of ordnance stores, is totally destroyed. The greatest praise is due to the officers, cadets, &c. of the Royal Artillery, for their prompt exertions to stop the flames, and for the means adopted to prevent the magazine from taking fire. They covered all the roof and walls of the magazine with waggon tilts, and by keeping all thè engines playing on them, and keeping the cloths constantly wet, farther mischief was prevented# Had the magazine taken fire, the consequences must have been dreadful, as it contained 8000 barrels of gunpowder.
On Tuesday, Sir Richard Ford went down to Woolwich,, to investigate, and endeavour to discover how the fire happened, which took place on Sunday, whether from accident or design ; and to examine some persons who were in custody, on suspicion of being concerned in effecting this dreadful calamity. The examinations commenced about one o’clock, and continued until six, before Sir Richard Ford, assisted by his clerk. The Earl of Chatham, Master General of the Ordnance, was present, as were Generals Lloyd and Rochfort, and many officers of distinction, and Mr. Harrington, a magistrate, residing near Woolwich.
After the examinations of several persons, it clearly appeared that the fire could not have been thè effect of accident, as no fire or candle were ever allowed to be made use of in the building where the fire burst out, which the ceri-tinel who first discovered it, described to appear like a lighted candle burning through the roof \ and in a moment afterwards, a sudden burst took place, and the flames for several yards round rushed forth with the greatest violence.3&6
hetaby’s wonderful museum.
It appeared in the course of the investigation, that a labourer of the name of Samuel Margatroyd, who worked in a part of the buildings that were consumed, called the Lobby, had, on the Sunday morning preceding the fire, made use of very violent expressions to a brother workman, of the name of Norton, who generally worked in a loft over the room where Margatroyd was stationed, and which loft Norton and his companions ascended by a ladder, purporting that he, Margatroyd, would take care that Norton and his shopmates should not go up that ladder again ; adding, with an oath, that he would take care so many of them should not go up there any more. Norton also stated, that he saw Margatroyd on the Monday morning, and recollecting the conversation on the Sunday, he asked him if he would say what he had said to him the day before ; which Margatroyd said he would do, as he meant no harm by it. Several other circumstances came out on examination, which it would be imprudent to disclose, as they involved other persons in a suspicion of being concerned in this horrid transaction.
Margatroyd was committed by Sir R. Ford for further examination.
Government took every possible measure, in order to discover the persons who were concerned in this business. The Board of Ordnance offered a reward of 500/. A proclamation from his Majesty was likewise issued, offering a free pardon to any one concerned in this horrid transaction, who would give information of him who actually set the place on fire. We understand great hopes were entertained of the villains being speedily brought to condign punishment.
The dreadful act must have been premeditated for some time, and planned for the execution and prevention of extinguishing the flames; as when the engines belonging to the yard were brought out, they were rendered nearly useless by four of the brass screws belonging to the leather pipes* being injured so much* that they would not screw together»THJG jQOMAM JFOGIEI,

$c/?.
Published ti/ P.Slürbif, Patern ostet'Plow, Pf ai/ 21,1818.INDIAN JUGGLERS.	337
A number of the fire buckets were likewise rendered useless by being cut, and holes made in them.
Mr. Harrington, a magistrate for the county of Kent, who resides near the place, attended constantly to receive information, and will communicate the same to Sir Richard Ford.
Nothing more was said to have transpired about the fire; but every exertion is still followed up to make discoveries.
Bell's Messenger, July 7,1805.
THE INDIAN JUGGLERS.
WITH A PORTRAIT.
The astonishing tricks of legerdemain, and also the more astonishing feats of activity and agility, as performed by that cast of the natives of the East, denominated from their profession, jugglers, or conjurors, has been deemed generally in Europe, by those who never witnessed their exhibitions, the romances of the traveller, or in more modern language, a Munchausen. We have heard related, the account of men swallowing swords, others suspending themselves at a great height in the air on a tightened rope, by the slight projection of the heel only, and performing, various and astonishing feats while thus suspended, and many others equally surprising are enumerated, and though well authenticated, an European will scarcely give credit or belief to the tale* However, some of these very extraordinary exertions of the jugglers of the eastern clime have been within these few years past exhibited in our metropolis ; about the year 1814 or 1815, Captain Campbell on his return from India, imported on a speculation, three of these extraordinary personage^ who exhibited their wonderful feats^ for nearly two years, ■; in Pall Mall; one of which, the swallowing of a sword, was not the least attractive. The portrait of thi^ person, in the act of engulphing the sword, forms the subject of our plate accompanying this memoir. Perhaps it is not generally known, that the immense population of
VOL,. VI.	Z338	kirby’s wonderful museum.
India are graded into classes, or, as there denominated, casts, and from that cast they never deviate, it forming a part of their religious tenets, to which they are most scrupulously attached. These various casts practise and follow generally, the same kind of trade or occupation; and the son of a travelling tinker or juggler becomes of the same occupation as his father, and so on ad infinitum. Of course the son of the juggler becomes early initiated in the secrets and mysteries of his father’s profession, and from infancy is regularly trained to feats of agility, activity, and deception; and from these early exertions we may account for the very many extraordinary and almost seeming impossibilities which they with the greatest ease are enabled to perform for the amusement of their respective audiences. It is a trade in which they lyust endeavour to excel or starve; and with this stimulus strongly marked on their minds, they leave nothing unattempted that is possible to be attained, and the more dextrous in the science, the greater the eclat and profit that necessarily accrue to themselves. Having thus endeavoured to account for the general activity of this class of wonderful performers of the eastern clime, we shall briefly proceed to describe the exhibition of the Indian Jugglers, as exhibited in this metropolis. Having been a spectator, and minutely examined the sword, stone, and other articles, we are enabled positively to state, no deception was here used, to which fact we pledge ourselves.
Having obtained a portrait of the Indian Juggler (See the Plate) who performed the wonderful feat of swallowing the sword, we shall proceed to describe the manner in which it was done, with as much accuracy as in our power; premising, that though we commence our description with this, to us appalling exhibition, it was always used by the jugglers as the grand finishing part of their performance, and considered by themselves as one of their greatest efforts.
The operator having taken the sword from the carpet, on which it lay, seemed to survey it with apparent satisfactionINDIAN JUGGLEBS.
m
to himself, his countenance became animated, and he surveyed his audience with a look of pleasure; at the same time holding the sword, as it was denominated, by the small end, presented it to the audience for thejr inspection, evidently to shew that no deception was about to be used. 7’his sword or spit of iron was exactly inches in length, from dm point to the cross-bar forming the guard, which was about three inches; the handle was about four inches in length beyond the cross-bar; consequently the whole length <pf the iron was inches. The blade was strong and stiff, not unaptly to be compared to the strength and consistence of an iron trussing skewer, and of a similar form* It gradually tapered from the guard, where it yyas on the flat side about; half ¿n inch; to the point, which was blunt Having received back the instrument, he wiped it carefully with hip hand, and drew it several times through his mouth, moistening the surface with his saliva, kneeling on one knee, hi® commenced the operation, by throwing back his head, so that his open mouth appeared in a direct line with the passage of the throat; balancing the sword, with his left-arm, stretched up, the hijt nearly to the guard, he inserted it into his mouth, guiding it carefully with his right hand; and thus in a very slow manner, and keeping himself perfectly still, it Jby degrees and almost imperceptibly was epgulphed up to the guard within his throat and stomach; which, when done, he with great care withdrew his hands from the instrument, and tfre audience then sayy nothing but the handle and guard remaining beyond his mouth. We observed fre used nearly the same precaution in withdrawing the sword, from hip stoma<?h, as he took in swallowing it; when withdrawn, he again presented it to the audience, §nd making a ealaum, witlufrew with his two companions,
have since heard, that during one of his e^bitions in Ireland, he wounded the coat of the stomach with tho point of; dhe iron, which caused an effusion of blood, from which accideni h is said he died, some time in the year J§17.
z 2340
K.IRB'Y’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM;
We shall now describe the other parts of the performance of these two wonderful jugglers, the third person being a young lad, whose only employment was beating two small cymbals of brass, about the size of a moderate teacup, at the same time emitting a sound resembling the clucking of a hen, during the exhibition of the brass balls; in which the operator also joins, modelling the quickness of his song with the slow or rapid evolutions of the balls.
This exhibition of Indian talent takes place upon a raised platform, on which, having performed his salaam, or Eastern obeisance, the chief performer takes his seat, and behind him sits the second juggler, or sword-swallower. All the preliminaries settled, the legerdemain begins. The first tricks are performed with cups and balls. These are similar in their mode to the deceptions of our own conjurors, and only remarkable for the superiority of their execution under the hands of this black juggler. The cups seem enchanted: the balls fly : they increase in number: they diminish: now one, now two, now none under the cup: and now the serpent, the cobra de capella, usurps the place of a small globule of cork,-and winds its snaky folds as if from under the «puny vessel. The facility with which this dextrous feat is accomplished, gives life and animation to the sable countenance of the artist. He seems as if he could laugh in his sleeve; but his dark arm is bared to the elbow, to shew that the whole is done by slight of hand* During his performances, the juggler keeps up an unremitting noise, striking his tongue against his teeth, like the clack of machinery, and uttering sounds, as if he were repeating, with inconceivable rapidity, the words, u CricJcery-tick, crickery-tick, crickery-tick, atom, geret, tow, crickery-tick, atom, geret, tow, $c.”
The next feat is that of breaking a cotton thread into the consistency of scraped lint, as used by surgeons, and presto, crickery-tick, reproducing it continued and entire.
The third trick was performed by each of the three Indians holding the corners of a large white muslin handker-INDIAN JUGGLERS.
341
chief; the principal juggler then produces a handful of rice, and throws it into the centre of the handkerchief, and they begin to shake it together, singing in unison all the time.^ After about two minutes5 amusement in this manner., the principal looks into the handkerchief, and appears in extacy at finding the rice now apparently nicely boiled, which he takes out, and presents to his audience.
The trick next in order of succession is a curious one> and new to this country. The Indian juggler lays upon the palm of his hand a small quantity of common white sand, and, taking a pinch between his finger and thumb, he drew it across a half sheet of writing paper, leaving a yellow line of sand, then a black, red, and green, and lastly a white line of the original sand. This is an extraordinary deception, and not the less so from the wonderful change, and the apparent simplicity of the means.
The next feat of the jugglers is, to perform a series of evolutions with four hollow brass balls, abopt the bigness of oranges. His power over these is almost miraculous. He causes them to describe every possible circle almost horizontally, perpendicularly, obliquely, transversely, round his legs, under his arms, about his head, in small and in large circumferences, and in serpentine forms, crossing each other. At times, they are all thrown into the air, one above the other; and on their return to the hand of the master, they instantly follow their former evolutions, and keeping the whole number in motion at the same time, with such wondrous rapidity, that the separate distinction of the balls are lost, and they form to the eye of the observer a zone of brass. This being the sole fruit of effort, activity, quickness of eye, and rapidity of action, no one who has not witnessed it, can form an idea of its excellence.
Attapolo (or whatever is his name) then exhibits his astonishing power of balancing. He places on his two major toes (over which he seems to have the same command that less favoured whites enjoy over their fingers only),KIRBY'S WONÍJÉ&BUli MUSEUM.
a couple Of thin rings of about four inches in diameter, a páir of Similar rings he places on his thumbs, and then sets the whole into rotation, and round they all whirl, arid con-tiriiie describing' their orbits without cessation, as if set to work by machinery endowed with the principle of perpetual motion. 4 Throwing himself back, the performer then balances a sword upon his forehead, and with his mouth strings a number of very small beads upon a hog’s bristle, which he holds between his lips. All the wheels kept in regular movement, the sword nicely poised, and arts and manufactures (under the emblem of bead-stringing), carried on in peacefulness; for, during this part of the show, even crickery-tick, atow, geret, tow, is compelled to be still and quiet.
Having concluded this, the juggler executes the following admirable exploit. Upon the tip of his nose he balances a small wooden parasol, from the circumference of which about a dozen of cork tassels are pendant. With his tongue arid lips hé inserts into each of these tassels a quill of about thé length of nine or ten inches, and the thickness of that of the porcupine. The bases of these he places with his tongué between his upper lip and nose; the rings on his toes and thumbs all the while performing their circuits.— Having succeeded in putting a quill into every tassel, he takes out the centre stick on which the parasol was originally supported from the top of his nose, and it then remains balanced on the quiljs. Thus far the work is difficult enough: but this is nothing to its conclusion. He undermines his structure by a quill at a time, till only three remain. Of these he takes orie away; and the top, which resembles thé roof of a pagoda, swings down and hangs by two, the Indian preserving the astonishing balance even throughout this motion, which might be deemed sufficient to disconcert ány huitem ingenuity. But even here he does riot stop ; the last prop but one is removed, and on that one the erect balance of the machine rests.
After a variety of other feateotis displays, the IndianFEMALE INTREPIDITY.
343
places a stone of fourteen pounds weight (about the size and shape of a Dutch cheese), between his heels. With an apparent slight exertion, he kicks up his heels, and the stone, performing a parabola over his head from behind, alights upon the bend of his arm, where it rests. He then tosses it to the same part of the other arm, where it also rests, as if held by the hand, or caught by magic; thence he throws it to various parts of his frame, to his wrist, and the back of his neck. At this latter point it might be supposed it would be stationary, as one feels very little capacity of twisting any weighty body from the neck, in a direction different from what it would take on being shaken off. But even here our juggler commands its obedience. He again tosses it to his arm, over his head, and back again to his neck, repeatedly; and after a few gambols of this sort, he finally, but by a masterly jerk, throws this stone of fourteen pounds weight round bis head!

FEMALE INTREPIDITY,
IN THE PERSON OF MRS. HOWES.
On Monday, October 173 1814, between four and five o’clock in the afternoon, as Mrs. Howes, wife of Mr. Howes, solicitor, of Northampton, was returning to Bugbrook, in company with a Miss Firkins, they we're stopped by a villain near the side of the canal, who, with imprecations, demanded their money. Mrs. H. positively refused to give him any ; on w hich he gave her a slap on the face, which she very spiritedly returned. The villain then seized Miss Pirkins, threw her into the hedge, and tore her clothes; Mrs. H. immediately on his back being towards her, caught him by the throat, and griped him so tightly, that he begged she would release him, promising that they should then proceed without further interruption. The villain, however, on finding himself disengaged, immediately turned to Mrs. H.344
kirby's wonderful museum.
and said, u Now, my lady, I will be revenged of you; I have a knife in my pocket, and I will have both your lives and your money.” Mrs. H. replied, he should not have her money but with her life. A violent scuffle ensued, when Mrs. H. was again fortunate enohgh to get such hold of him as to enable her to prevent him from carrying his threats into executipn, and to secure him till a person came to her assistance. They immediately took the fellow before a magistrate, who committed him to the county gaol.
Courier, October 21, 1814.
JOHANNA SOUTHCOTT’S FOLLOWERS.
We gave a full account of Johanna Southcott in Vol. V. of our Work, page 337, with an account of her death, a sin» gular will, and a list of persons who had presented her with a great variety of articles, for what they foolishly expected, a Shiloh. Having so exposed them, every one thought their folly would have died with her. Instead of that, the following will shew, that she is not yet quite forgotten:—
Notwithstanding the ridicule and contempt to which the followers of Johanna Southcott were exposed some years back, when that unfortunate creature paid the debt of Nature without bringing forth the promised Shiloh, of whom her disciples publicly declared she was pregnant, a scion of the old stock has again sprung into something like celebrity, and has contrived to draw round him a few credulous fools, whom he has taught to believe that Shiloh was actually born, although invisible to the eyes of the disbelievers, and will shortly come forward, and, as he says, “ Shame the devil,” and put an end to all doubts of his divine mission. This wretched fanatic made his appearance at'Camden Town, on Wednesday last, October 14, 1818, attended by about a dozen of his followers. He took up his station near the pound, and delivered a long discourse onJOHANNA SOUTHCOTT?S FOLLOWERS.	345
the virtues and heavenly attributes of Johanna; after which he launched out into a wild and incomprehensible rant, in which he prophesied the immediate coming of Shiloh, the real Saviour of mankind. Those who appeared to be his disciples, listened to this jargon with the most ardent attention, and by their sighs and groans proved how deeply they were; affected. Those, however, who were attracted by curiosity, soon evinced their disgust at the scene which was presented, and bursting into groans of a different character, drove the prophet from his post. He retired with a devout humility, and with expressions of pity for the deluded rabble, on whose impious heads, he said, the vengeance of God would, ere long, fall^ with a heavy hand. He then proceeded with his chosen few to the Chalk Farm Tavern, in which they took refuge, calling for and drinking several pots of ale, and smoking several pipes. The prophet carried in his hand the fragment of a bush, from the branches of which were suspended pieces of coloured ribbou, and at the conclusion of the repast, he led the way to the top of Primrose Hill, where he again held forth, and contrived to get about him sixty or seventy people^ who listened with great forbearance to his sermon “ on the Mount,” as he figuratively called it, no doubt pitying the insanity which could have led to such an exhibition. It is not a little remarkable, that there was among the followers of this maniac, one man of a most respectable appearance, who resides near to Hampstead, and is known to have been a most liberal contributor to the fund raised for purchasing a silver cradle, and other necessary Furniture, shortly previous to the expected accouchement of poor Johanna Southcott. We find a grand step to delusion in the following account
A lamentable instance of the effects of infatuation was exhibited at Guildhall on Wednesday, January 13, 1819. Samuel Sibley, and Maria Catherine Sibley his wife; Samuel Jones and his son, a boy about ten years old; Thomas Jones, John Angel, James Dodd, Thomas Smith, and Edward Slater, a boy twelve years of age, were brought up34Ô	kirby’s wonderful museum.
from the Compter by Beaton and Gibbons, two officers of Cordwainer’s Ward, who had with great difficulty, and at thé hazard of tlieir own lives, rescued the prisoners from the fury of an immense mob in Budge-row, Cannon-street, about ten o’clock on Wednesday morning. These deluded people, it appeared, were disciples of the lately famous Johanna Southcott, and conceived themselves commanded by God to proclaims the coming of Shiloh on earth. For this purpose they assembled at the west end of the town, in order to enter the city at the only remaining gate, Temple Bar, through which they marched in procession about nine o’clock on Wednesday morning. They were each decorated with a white cockade, and wore a small star of yellow riband on their left breasts. Sibley led the procession, bearing a brazen trumpet adorned with light blue ribands, and the two boys carried each a small flag of light blue silk. In this manner they proceeded through Fleet-street, up Lüd-gate-hill, and along St. Paul’s Churchyard to Budge-row, a great crowd following them, which was continually increasing as they proceeded. Having arrived, as they conjectured, in the middle of the great city, they halted, and began their ceremonies. Sibley sounded the trumpet, and proclaimed the second coming of the Shiloh, the Prince of Peace on earth ; and his wife cried out, aloud, u Woe ! woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the coming of Shiloh !” This was Repeated several times, and joined in, with a loud voice, by others of the company. By this time the crowd was terrific ; every avenue was stopped up, and the passage of coaches and carts rendered impossible. The mob, who began with shouting and laughing at these miserably deluded people, at length proceeded to pelt them with mud and every missile they could procure ; they, on their part, being mostly stout young men, resisted. The fight became general and tremendous ; the flags were torn down, the mob was triumphant, and Sibley and his associates were with great difficulty preserved by the exertions of the officers, from falling victims to their infuriated rage^ and conveyed toJOHANNA SOUTHCOTT’s FOLLOWERS.	347
the Compter. Their appearance, when placed at the bar, bespoke the dangers they had gone through ; the men had all been rolled in the mud, and the high priest, Sibley, bore evident marks of violence on his face. On being called upon by the magistrate, Mr. Alderman Bridges, to give an account of their conduct in thus disturbing the public peace, Sibley, with an air of authority, directed the others to be ¡silent; and addressing the Alderman, said, he regretted there was not time for him to enter into the particulars of the mission of God to him. He had been commanded by a voice through that boy (pointing towards Slater), to announce that the Prince of Peace was come upon earth. He was commanded to proclaim this second coming of Shiloh in the same manner, and with the same authority, as John the Baptist proclaimed his first coming. This proclamation he was to make three times in the midst of the great city by the sound of the brazen trumpet. He and his companions were obeying the commands of (Sod, and in so doing had conducted themselves peaceably, and interfered with no one till they were attacked by the mob. He was proceeding to explain the nature of the visions with which the boy had been favoured, who, he said, had seen no less than 500 visions within the last fourteen months; and" his wife was raising her voice to bear testimony to the fact of the Shiloh being come, whom she declared she had held in her arms four times, when the magistrate interrupted them, observing, that it was evident, if they were not insane, they were acting under a strong delusion. He pointed out to them, how much better they would have been employed in pursuing their regular avocations, than in being the cause of disturbing the public peace, and endangering their own lives; and Recommended them to desist from any repetition of these gross absurdities and delusions. The men in reply said, it was right they should obey God; but they would do Whatever the magistrate directed, and abstain from making any further proclamation; assuring him, however,348
kirby’s wonderful museum.
that the fact was unquestionable that Shiloh was come upon earth. The Alderman said he could not rely upon their promises, and should detain them in custody till they could procure him better assurance than their own words for their good behaviour in future. They were accordingly conveyed back in coaches to the Compter, in order to protect them from the mob assembled round the office ; one of the men, on stepping into the coach, unbuttoned his coat, displayed his yellow star, and proclaimed aloijd that it was God’s colour. The orie who borb a brazen trumpet, fulfilled his voluntary duty, by sounding a loud blast. The male disciples are journeymen mechanics, and appeared simple, deluded, but peaceable men. Sibley, the leader, is a watchman in Coleman-street Ward.
On Thursday, Sibley, his wife, and the other poor deluded men and children were again brought up before the sitting magistrate, Mr. Alderman Christopher Smith. Sibley was again the spokesman: and, in repL^ to the magistrate, who asked him if he had ever been in Bedlam ? said, the gentleman might laugh, but he was not mad; he had vestigated the matter thoroughly, before he was convinced of its truth. He believed the Bible from cover to cover, and could point out the prophecies, which were now fulfilling. He jhen went into a flourishing rhapsody of nonsense and absurdity respecting the visions with which the boy had been favoured, and declared he had witnessed miracles performed by him. In the course of his long address, he quoted the Scriptures very fluently, and concluded by referring, in justification of the propriety of his belief, to the passage which states, “ that, in the latter days, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men see visions.” Being asked what place of worship he attended? He said his church wras his own house, No. 3, Gooch-yard, Upper Whitecross-street: there were about thirty of them, who assembled there frequently to read the Bible^ and receive the commands of the Lord. He had now receivedPERSONS RENEWING THEIR AGE, &C.	549
the command of God to desist from any further proclamation : and if the Prince Regent were to collect all the money in the world, and lay,it at his feet, he dare not do it; The magistrate might therefore rely that there would be no repetition of the conduct which had brought them under his cognizance. In this declaration he was joined by his wife and the rest of his associates, who declared aloud, that they dared not proceed any further in that business. On this assurance from them, they were discharged, with a suitable admonition from the worthy Alderman.

PEDESTRIAN AND MAIL COACH.
James O’Neal,.an Irish lad, about eighteen years of age, and who had served on board his Majesty’s brig Mutine, in the battle of Algiers, left Exeter on Friday morning, April -18, IB 17> at a quarter after nine o’clock, with the Subscription Coach, and arrived in Plymouth-dock, a quarter before five in the afternoon, distancing the coach, and performing the journey (forty-six miles) barefooted, in the short space of seven hotirs and a half.	Times, April 25, 1817*
SOME ACCOUNT* OF
PERSONS WHO HAVE RENEWED THEIR AGE, TEETH, AND HAIR.
Concerning Makel Wian, Dr. Fuller hath set down a letter sent him from Alderman Atkins, his son, thus
“ There is an acquaintance of mine, and a friend of yours, who certified me of your desire of being satisfied of the truth of that relation I made concerning the old minister in the north. It fortuned in my journey to Scotland, I lay at Alnwick, in Northumberland, one Sunday, by the way; ^nd un~350
kirby’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
derstanding, from the host of the house where I lodged, that this Minister lived within three miles of that place, I took my horse after dinner, and rode thither to hear him preach, for my own satisfaction. I found him in the desk, where he read unto us some part of the common prayer, some of holy David’s Psalms, and two* chapters, one out of the Old, and the other out of the New Testament, without the use of spectacles. The Bible, out of which he read the chapters, was a very small printed Bible. He went afterwards into the pulpit, where he prayed and preached to us about an hour and a half. His text was, “ Seek ye the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added unto you.” In my poor judgment, he made an excellent good sermon, and went clearly through, without the help of any notes. -After sermon I went with him to his house, where I proposed these several following questions to him —Whether it was true, the book reported of him, concerning the hair ? Whether or no hé had a new set of teeth come ? Whether or no his eye-sight ever failed him ? And whether, in any measure, he found his strength renewed unto him ? He answered me distinctly to all these, and told me, he understood the news-book Reported his hair to become a dark brown again, but that it is false; be took his cap off, and shewed me it. It is come again like a child’s, but rather flaxen, than either brown or grey. For his teeth, he had three come within these two years, not yet to their perfection ; while he bred them he was very ill. Forty years since, he could not read the biggest print without spectacles, and now, he blesseth God, there is no print so small, no written hand so small, but he can read it without them. For his strength, he thinks himself as strong now as he hath been these twenty years. Not long since he walked to Alnwick to dinner, and back again, six north country miles. He is now one hundred and ten years of age, and, ever since last May, a hearty body, very cheerful, and stoops very much. He had five children after he was eighty years of age, four of them lusty lasses, now living with him, thePERSONS RENEWING THEIR AGE, &C~	351
other died lately; his wife yet hardly fifty years of age. He writes himself Machel Vivan. He is a Scottish man, born near Aberdeen; I forget the town’s name where he is now pastor. He hath been there fifty years.
Your assured loving friend,
Thomas Atkins.”
Windsor, September 28, 165?.
Fuller's Worthies, p. 308, 309. Northumberland♦
To this may be fitly annexed a letter which Plempius saith he saw under the hand of this wonderful old man himself, dated from Lesbury, October the 19th, 1657, to one William Lialkus, a citizen of Antwerp, which is as followeth :
“ Whereas you desired a true and faithful messenger should be sent from Newcastle to the parish of Lesbury, to inquire concerning John Maklin; I gave you to understand, that no such man was known ever to be, or hath lived there for these fifty years last past, during which time I, Patrick Makel Wian, have been minister of that parish; wherein I have all that time been present, taught, and do yet continue to teach there. But that I may give you some satisfaction, you shall understand that I was born at Whithorn, in GalloWay, in Scotland, in the year 1546, bred up in the University of Edinburgh, where I commenced Master of Art, whence travelling into England, I kept school, and sometimes preached; till, in the first of King James, I was conducted into the church of Lesbury, where I now live. As to what concerns the change of mjy body, it is now the third year since I had two new teeth, one in my upper, and the other in my nether jaw, as is apparent to the touch. _# My sight, much decayed many years ago, is now about the hundred and tenth year of my age, become clearer; hair adorns my heretofore bald skull. I was never of a fat, but a slender, mean habit of body*; my diet has ever been moderate; nor was I ever accustomed to feasting and tippling ; hunger is the best sauce: nor did I ever use to feed to satiety. All this is most certain352	kirby’s wonderful museum.
and true, which I have seriously, though over hastily, confirmed to you* under the hand of
Patrick Makei/ Wian,
Minister of Lesbury.” Francisc. Plemp. Fundam. Med Munic. sect. 4. c. 8. jp. 120.
That worthy person, D. Pieruccius, a lawyer of Padua, and host to the great Scioppius,did assure me, that a certain German, then living in Italy, had, at sixty years of age, recovered to himself both new teeth and black hair, and had extended his life to a great many years, by the use only of an extract of black hellebore with wine and roses.
Barthol, Hist. Anatomic, cent. 5. Hist. 28. p. 51.
Alexander Benedictus tells of Victoria Fabrianensis, a woman being fourscore years of age, that her teeth came anew; and though the hair of her head was fallen off, yet it also came afresh.
Donat. Hist. Med. Mirab. 1. 6. c. 2. p. 300.
Tbrquemada assures us, that being at Rome, about the year 1531, it was reported throughout Italy, that at Taren-tum there lived an old man, who at the age of an hundred years wTas grown young ^gain: he had changed his skin like unto the snake, and had recovered a new being; withal he was become so young and fresh, that those who had seen him before could then scarce believe their own eyes ; and having continued above fifty years in this estate, he grew at length to be so old, that he seemed to be made of barks of trees ; whereunto he further adds another story of the like nature.
HaheweFs Apolog. 1. 3. c. 1. sect. 6. p. 16?, 168.
Ferdinand Lopez of Castegnede, Historiographer to the King of Portugal, in the eighth book of his Chronicle, re-lateth, that Nonnio de Cugne, being Viceroy at the Indies, in the year 1536, there was a man brought unto him,,X>-ß's*Ki
Pubb’shePl- bi/ R SKzrbi/. Paternoster Row,	.MISS M'àVOY.
353
ns a thing worthy of admiration; for that it was averred by good proofs, and sufficient testimony, that he was three hundred and forty years old. He remembered that he had seen that city, wherein he dwelt, unpeopled, being then, when he spake of it, one of the chief cities in all the East Indies* He had grown young again four times, changing his white hair, and recovering his new teeth. When the Viceroy saw him, he then had the hair of his head and beard black ; although he had not much: and there being by chance a physician at the time present, the Viceroy desired him to feel the old man’s pulse; which he found as good and as strong as a young man in the prime of his age. This man was born in the realm of Bengal, and did affirm, that he had at times near seven hundred wives, whereof some were dead, and some were put away. The King of Portugal being told of this wonder, did often inquire, and had yearly news of him by the fleet which came from thence. He lived above three hundred and seventy years.
Carrier. Hor. Subcis. cent. 2. c. 68. p.	Hakew.
Jpol. p. 168.
**+++++++++++++«>
MISS M'AVOY,
WHO POSSESSED THE WONDERFUL POWERS OF ASCERTAINING COLOURS, &C. BY THE TOUCHY
[ With a Portrait.]
Miss Margaret M'Avoy, the heroine of the follow« ing narrative, was born at Liverpool, on the £8th of June, 1800. From her birth, to about nine months old, it appears that she was a healthy child, and at that age was able to walk alone; during the following nine months she was often indisposed. Her complaints increased with her age; and at last were of so serious a nature, that her death was looked VOL. VI.	A A354
KlItBY^S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
upon as inevitable, by her medical attendants and friends, when she was suddenly relieved by a discharge of a thick matter from the ear and nostrils. Being removed into the country, for a change of air, after the lapse of about seventeen weeks, she returned home, fully re-established in her health. Soon after her return, she was attacked with scarlet fever, and afterwards with hooping cough, which continued for six months, with so great a degree of violence, as to cause blood to be discharged from the eyes, nose, and ears. The hooping-cough was succeeded by an affection of the eyes, which severely afflicted her, and was attended with a very considerable and constant discharge of a bloody watery fluid. Her friends despaired of saving the eyes. At this time, no professional man had been employed, and the applications made use of were of the most simple kinds, such as brandy diluted with water, bread and water poultices, rose water, &c. These remedies produced no material benefit; the disease gradually increased, and the exposure to light caused insupportable pain: when the eyelids were raised up, the eyeballs appeared as one mass of blood. Johnston’s Golden Ointment being recommended by a friend, it was used with great benefit; and in a short time the pain and irritation of the eyeS/Were removed. She now gradually recovered her sight —perfectly with the right eye—but the left was so weak she could scarcely open it, and saw every thing through it, as it were through a mist. In appearance, she continued delicate ; but her appetite was good—nor could she be said to be unhealthy, until the month of October, 1814: about this period, she caught a violent cold, attended with cough, loss of appetite, and great debility. From this period, from various causes, she gradually became worse; when, on the 4th of June, 1810, it was found necessary to call in medical advice; she now complained of violent pain in the fore and back part of the head, with a throbbing and beating sensa« lion. She was so much affected with giddiness, as to stagger in walking across the room« With the left eye she couldMISTS M^AVOY.
m
scarcely distinguish any object, and with the right every ob« ject at a distance appeared white. The firing of the guns at the fort, on the 4th of June, was the cause to which she at* tributed the increase of head-ach, of the palpitation of the heart, and of the general symptoms of her disorder.
On the 7th of June, it was discovered that she could not distinguish any object whatever, and she appeared totally blind; the pupils were considerably dilated, and did not contract upon the application of strong light. From this date* up to the month of July following, she remained in a very distressing state, being frequently attacked with convulsions* paralytic affections, and other complaints, from which, at times, she partially recovered. On the 2d of August, she Was again visited by Dr. Thomas Renwick, Physician to the Liverpool Infirmary, her medical attendant, who>in his Narrative of her case, states as follows:
u Upon my return from the Isle of Man, August 24, the convulsions which had frequently appeared, ceased; and it was observed, that after each attack, her appetite became extremely keen, her general health was also much improved* and her spirits good. In the sight there appeared to be iio improvement; the pupil was dilated, and insensible to the action of light. In the general business of the house, she was more active than ever she had been, assisting in making the beds, attending upon her half brothers and sisters, and was cheerful and agreeable in her manners to every body about her, and more particularly to those who visited at the house.**
We shall now present our readers with an account of th© manner in which it is stated Miss M'Avoy found herself possessed of certain powers of ah extraordinary nature, as published in the Liverpool Mercury, of the 5th of August, 181^7, in a narrative drawn up by Mr. Egertou Smith.
u Some time in September, 1816, I accompanied Dr* Renwick, on a professional visit he paid, to Miss M6Avoy, at her residence i$ St. Paul*s-squarey ou the east side* She
A A %356	KIRBY*» WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
was then between sixteen and seventeen years of age, of pleasing and ingenious countenance, and apparently of amiable and artless disposition. Her mother informed me, that in the preceding June, her daughter had been attacked with the hydrocephalus, or water in the head, together with a paralytic affection on one side, and a complication of other disorders, which I forbear to enumerate, because I am wholly ignorant of that part of the subject. According to her own statement, corroborated by that of her mother, the hydrocephalus preceded, and, in their opinions, produced blindness, or gutta serena, under which she is supposed to labour, but' which has since been called in question, I understand, by some of the professional gentlemen who have attended her. Her mother, however, declared, that the light of the sun produced not the slightest sensible effect upon her eyes; and some of the professional gentlemen who happened to be present at one of my repeated visits, declared, that though some flight contraction of the pupil was perceptible upon the approach of a lighted candle to the eye, it was by no means such as uniformly occurs when the visual organs perform the regular functions.
“ At my first interview, I learned* from herself, what I had indeed previously been told by others, that she had recently acquired the faculty of distinguishing, not only the colours of cloth and stained glass, but that she could actually decypher the forms of words in a printed book; and, indeed, could read, if the phrase may be permitted, with tolerable facility. To put these pretensions to the test, she permitted a shawl to be passed across her eyes, in double folds, in such a way that all present were convinced that they could not, under similar circumstances, discern day from night. In this state, a book vvas placed before her, and opened indiscriminately, when, to our extreme surprise, she began to trace the words with her finger, and to repeat them correctly. She appeared to recognise a short monosyllable by the simple contact of the finger; but in ascertaining a long word, she placed theMISS M(AV0Y.
35?
forefinger of her left hand on the beginning, whilst with that of her right hand, she proceeded from the other extremity of the word—and when the two fingers, by having traversed over all the letters, came in contact with each other, she invariably and precisely ascertained the word. By my watch, I found that she read about thirty words in half a minute; and jt very naturally occurred t;o us, that if, notwithstanding her supposed blindness, and the double bandage over her eyes, she could still see, she would have read much more rapidly, if her motive had been to excite our astonishment; And here it may not be amiss to state, that there does not appear to be any adequate motive for practising a delusion upon the public : her situation in life is respectable; and her mother disavows any intention of ever exhibiting her daughter as the means of pecuniary remuneration. Fifteen months have now elapsed since the period at which she laid claim to the extraordinary faculty which has given rise to so much curiosity, astonishment, and perplexity ; during which time, the reputation of so wonderful a circumstance has subjected her to the fatigue and inconvenience of daily, and almost hourly visits.
a According to her own statement, her powers of touch vary very materially with circumstances. When her hands are cold, she declares that the faculty is altogether lost; and that it is exhausted also, by long and unremitted efforts; that she considers the hours of from ten until twelve, of each alternate day, the most favourable for her performance. Her pulse, during the experiments, has varied from 110 to 130 degrees.
“ One circumstance which has excited much doubt and suspicion, must not be concealed, which is, that if any substance, for instance, a book or a shawd, be interposed between her face and the object she is investigating, she is much embarrassed, and frequently entirely baffled. She explains this by saying that it is necessary there should be an uninterrupted communication between her fingers and her breath. I leave358	kirby’s wonderful museum.
it to others to draw their own conclusions upon this point, as my object is not to establish ariy theory, or give currency to any mystery, but to relate the simple facts. I am, therefore, compelled to express my conviction that she can neither ascertain colours, nor the words of a book, in total darkness : and as many persons will very naturally ask, Why has not such a test been proposed ? the reply must be, that as the young lady is Dot the subject of a public exhibition, and as an introduction to her is merely a matter of favour, it might might not be very courteous or delicate, under such circumstances, to make any proposal which seemed to imply a suspicion that she was an impostor.
** There are persons, however, who, giving her implicit credit for the reality of the extraordinary powers to which she lays claim, will contend, that it is altogether unfair to propose the test of total darkness. Proceeding upon their belief that she actually ascertains colours, Sec. by the finger, or that the visual organ is transferred to the touch—still they say that light is essentially necessary to produce that effect upon the surface of the body felt, which enables her to distinguish one shade from another; they add, that as there is no such thing as colour in total darkness, it is perfectly ridiculous to expect that she could ascertain the various shades, without the presence of that light which alone produces those shades. It is, according to their mode of considering the subject, as absurd as to expect an effect without a cause, It has already been stated, that with the double bandage over her eyes, she read several lines of a book indiscriminately opened; as it was possible that the letters of a printed book might leave some slight impression, sensible to an exquisite touch, I took from my pocket-book an engraved French assignat, which was hot-pressed, and smooth as glass; she read the smallest lines contained in this, with the same facility as the printed book, A letter received by that day’s post was produced, the direction and post-mark of which she immediately and correctly decyphered. She also named the colour of theMISS m'AVOY.
859
separate parts of the dresses of the persons in company, as well as various shades of stained glass, which were purposely brought.
“.What I had seen at my first interview was so extremely astonishing, and so far surpassed any thing I had ever known or read, of the powers ascribed to persons deprived of sight, that I could only account for it, on the supposition that she was not blind, and that she had some secret mode of discerning an object, notwithstanding the bandage, through which I myself could not distinguish night from day, when it was applied to my own eyes. I therefore made the best apology I could, for visiting her house again the same evening, having previously prepared myself with several tests, which I begged permission to submit to her examination, when the candle was withdrawn. JSTot the slightest objection was offered to my proposal, and the candle was extinguished; her mother stationed herself before the fire, which was extremely low, and offered so little light that I could not have read one word of moderate size print, if it had been brought almost in contact with the bars of the grate. I then took from my pocket a small book, the type of which was very little larger than that of an ordinary newspaper ;s observing at the time, that I was afraid the print was too minute—to which she replied, that her fingers were in excellent order, and that she had no doubt but she should be able to make it out. The candle, as I before observed, had been extinguished; and her mother and myself were so stationed, that had there been any light afforded by the fire, we must have completely intercepted it: Miss M'Avoy sat in the farthest part of the room, with her back towards the grate, in such a situation that I could hardly discern even the leaves of the book which lay open before! her—the title of which she proceeded to read with complete success, with the exception of one very minute word.
“ I then presented to her a small piece of smooth writing-paper, whicji was ruled with horizontal feint blue lines, be-$60
KIRBY?S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
tween each of which were traced lines with a pen and black ink; there were also perpendicular red lines, between which were scored black lines. All these, with their direction and order, she determined without any apparent difficulty. She also told correctly the colour of a variety of pieces of cloth, procured immediately before at a draper’s shop. All the experiments hitherto described, as well as those which follow, were performed by Miss M‘Avoy, with the bandage before her eyes; and as the shawl, which was usually applied to this purpose, produced considerable warmth and inconvenience, a pair of what, in the opticians7 shops are called gogglers, had been provided, which so completely excluded the light, that no person who tried them, could discern the difference between day and night, when they were fitted to the face. As these gogglers have been generally used, when Miss M'Avoy has exhibited her surprising talent, it is necessary that the reader should have a correct idea of them. They are intended to be worn by travellers, to guard the eyes against the wind or the dust, and consist of two glasses, sometimes green, fitted into a bandage of leather, which is passed horizontally across the face, and is tied with ribbons round the back of the head. The gogglers provided for Miss M'Avoy instead of glasses, were fitted up wdth opaque pasteboard, lined with paper, and not an aperture was left through which a single ray of light could penetrate. [We exhibit the same, as worn by Miss M‘Awy in a plate accompanying this account.] Mr. Nichol, a scientific gentleman, who was delivering a course of philosophical lectures in Liverpool, having heard of this extraordinary property, applied to me to obtain an introduction to Miss M‘Avoy, and I accompanied him to her house, along with Mr. James Smith, printer, of this town. At this interview the experiments I have already detailed were repeated, and with complete success, whilst the goggled were applied. One part ot the performance was so truly astonishing, that I should almost hesitate to relate it, if those two gentlemenMISS M*AVOY.
361
had not been present to vouch for the truth. I had furnished myself with a set of stained landscape glasses, usually termed Claude Lorrain glasses. They were seven in number, contained in a frame. She ascertained the precise shade of each correctly; one glass, however, appeared to embarrass her, and after considerable scrutiny, she said it was not black, nor dark blue, nor dark brown ; but she thought it very deep crimson. We did not know whether her conjecture was correct or not, as we could not ourselves ascertain the shade. By reflected light it appeared to us perfectly black ; nor was the flame of the lire, which was stirred for the occasion, visible through it ip the faintest degree. We had abandoned all expectation of determining this point, when the sun suddenly emerged from behind the clouds; and by that test, and that alone, were we enabled to discover that she was correct, as we could just discern the solar image of a very deep crimson. It has been said, and with some plausibility, that this must have been a bold guess upon her part; if not, it will puzzle our physiologists to explain, how a person reputed to be blind, with an opaque bandage also over her eyes, could declare the colour of a glass, which persons in full enjoyment of their eyesight, and without any such obstacles, could not discern by any other light than that of the meridian sun.
At this meeting we were informed, that Miss'M^Avoy had recently found out that this extraordinary faculty was not confined to her fingers; that she could also distinguish the colour of an object which was brought into contact with the back of the hands. This was immediately made the subject of experiment by Mr. Nichol, who successively applied several objects which he had with him, to that part of the hand ; in placing which, he used so much precaution, that I could not see them myself, although my eyes were fixed upon his hands. She was completely successful also upon this occasion. I have now given a faithful narrative of what I have actually witnessed, and what has been the¿162	kirby’s wonderful museum.
subject of notoriety and astonishment, probably to thousands in this town. I shall only trespass further upon thè public patience, whilst I briefly state what has been related to me by several professional gentlemen of the town, as the result of their experiments, since the time when I discontinued my visits, for a reason which candour obliges me not to con« ceal, although I am loth to say any thing which might wound the sensibility of an individual who has afforded me much amusement, and uniformly received me with the utmost affability and politeness. I have never believed it possible, that all the experiments I have witnessed, were performed by the simple medium of touch ; and though I admit,,with our master poet, that “there are more things ’twixt heaven and earth than our philosophers dream of,” yet I could never divest myself of the impression, that the eye was in some way or other concerned in these mysteries. It was a delicate point, as I before observed, to scrutinize too closely ihto all the minute of a performance which was gratuitous, and politely conceded to a stranger in her own house, and which, however it can be explained, is abundantly wonderful. As I could not, however, like some of my friends, become a proselyte tò these miracles, I did not think proper any longer to harass her with an impertinent and a hopeless curiosity. She had begun to assume powers of a more extraordinary character than any I had described, and by proving too much, she defeated her own object, at least in my imperfect estimation. I had seen her seven or eight times in the course of a few weeks, previous to my declining my visits ; but still continue^ to hear of her, from those whose faith had survived mine, and is as lively to the full at this moment as it was fifteen months ago. From these, her truly faithful follówers, I heard that the experiments I have detailed, and many others, had been repeated, with the boiled whites of eggs fixed upon the eyes ; and, also, that goldbeaters’ skin had been used for the same purpose. She had also began to tell the hour and minuteMISS M*AVOY*
363
through the watch-glass, without opening the case.' But,the most wonderful thing of all, and which forms an appropriate climax to the other mysteries, was the newly-acquired power of ascertaining objects at a distance, with her back towards them; and by simply stretching out the fingers in the direction8 of such objects. I have heard it gravely asserted, and corroborated by herself in an interview on Monday last, that she has thus from her parlour-window identified several persons passing through St. Paul’s Square, and declared the colour of their dress, See. 1!!
“ In the preceding protracted narrative, it has been my object to detail facts, rather than indulge in theories. Whatever contrariety of opinions may prevail on this point amongst true believers or sceptics, there are two conclusions, to one of which they cannot withhold their assent.
“ First, Either Miss M'Avoy, although blind, possesses the faculty of distinguishing objects and colours by the touch, or some other means than the eyes;—or,
“ Secondly, Miss M‘Avoy, reputed to be blind, and with a bandage over her eyes, through which no other person can see, in á place also, so dark that others can distinguish little or nothing, can see better than any other person.
a Leaving to physiologists the further investigation of this extraordinary case, I shall, for the present, conclude, by affixing to the preceding statement my name at full length, which I conceive to be indispensable in the present instance* Signed,	Egerton Smith,”
Liverpool, Septembers, 1817-
The following experiments were made with Miss M'Avoy, Jifly 31,1817:
After having been completely blindfolded, she was first presented with six different coloured wafers, pasted between two plates of common window-glass. She first laid her fingers on each red wafer, and named it. Does it now ap-364
KIRBY^S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
pear like a piece of red cloth ? She answered no; I think it is a wafer. The six wafers she named as follows :—dark ruby, red, black, green, stone, or light drab, pea green. She pointed out, unasked, the cracks, openings, and deficiencies of the wafers. She said the glass was white.
2d.—She traced the outline of a very irregular figure, formed by squeezing the portions of two wafers, one black, the other red, between two plates of glass.
3d.—The seven prismatic colours being painted on a card in water colours, she gave them the following names :—scarlet, buff, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, or purple, lilac.
4th.—The red and orange rays of the solar spectrum being thrown by a prism upon her hand, she said it appeared as gold% All the colours being thrown on the back of her hand, she distinctly described the different colours on the different parts of her hand. She marked the moments when the colours became faint, and again vivid, by the occasional passing of a cloud, without being desired to do so. The prismatic colours have afforded her the greatest pleasure which she has experienced since her blindness. Never saw a prism in her life. She felt the spectrum warm. The violet rays were the least pleasant.
5th.—She perceived the coloured rings formed by pressing together two polished plates of glass. Feels them at the edge of her fingers flying before them. Feels the reflecting rays much better than the transmitted: could just perceive the latter.
6th.—The prism being put into her hands, she declared it was white glass; but on turning it, she said, a No, it is not, it is coloured, it has colours in it; and she traced what she called stripes of colours, ribands, one coloured stripe above another. Could discover no colours on that side of the prism on which the direct rays of the light fell.
7th.—Several attempts were made to discover colours in the dark, by presenting different coloured objects to herMISS m‘aVOY.
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hands, concealed under a pillow. She always failed ; every thing appeared black. On one occasion she said a green card was yellow.
8th.—She read a line or two in small print by feeling the letters. Read through a convex lens at the distance of nine inches; the focal length of the lens was fourteen inches. Reads much easier through this lens than without ; the letters appear larger, and as if they were printed on glass. When a hand was interposed between the lens and the book, she immediately perceived it. A penknife was laid on the line which she was reading, and she named it.
9th.—A concave lens was put into her hand ; she tried to read at the distance of seven or eight inches ; said all the letters are confused ; she moved the lens gradually towards the paper, and observed the letters were very small. Could not read easily until the lens was laid on thé paper.
10th.—When she touched a plain glass mirror, could not perceive any reflected image but that of her own fingers. <( I feel,” she said, “ the picture of my own fingers.”
11th.—Distinguished by the feel the difference between polished glass and cairngorum crystal, between silver, steel, gold, and brass ; gold and silver have the finest feel. The silver of a watchcase felt finer than the gold of the seal. She distinguished between ivory, tortoise-shell, and horn; which last she called bone, but seemed to have meant horn. A pin which was supposed to be crystal, she pronounced to be glass ; afterwards, on trial, it proved to be glass.
12th.—Read common print easily by touching a piece of window-glass held twelve inches from the book ; at a greater distance she could not read, but could read much easier when the glass was brought nearer the book. In the like manner, at the same distance, she discovered a sixpence, half-guinea, three-shilling-piece, &c. She mentioned which had the head, which the reverse upwards, read the dates, pointed out,, on the sixpence, the portion of the harp, lions, crown, &c. She observed, fiinasked, that one half-guinea366
kirby’s wonderful museum.
Was crooked; said it did not lay flat on the paper, that the crown was downward ; that it was not a brass counter; does not think it is the shadow of the half-guinea, which makes her know it to be crooked.
13th.—Declared by feeling on the plain glass, at the distance of three or four inches, that two substances below were red and white rose-leaf. Being asked if it was not ted and white paper or cloth, replied no, it is a rose-leaf.
14th.—Again she distinguished by the feel, the difference between stone and glass ear-rings, seals, broaches, &c.; and pointed out orie glass seal, which was supposed to be crystal, being tried by a file, it proved to be glass. She named the colours of all the different articles. £>he says, stone feels more solid than glass, more firm.
15th.—Could not discover colours by the tongue; but closing between her lips, the red, yellow, blue and white petals of flowers, she told each accurately.
16th.—She told the prismatic colours as accurately as on the preceding day, whether cast on the back, or the palm of the hand; said she perceived something on the hand; observed when it moved, and when it was stationary. Being bid to move her fingers, she exclaimed oh, it is the shadow of my own fingers, which was the fact. \
17th.—^Uncovering her eyes, we cast the most brilliant prismatic colours upon her eyes, w hich she received firmly, without either winking, or shewing any signs that she was aware of it. The most rapid vibrations of the same light, did not produce the smallest effect ; her eyes remained equally firm and motionless. When the prismatic spectrum wa^thrown upon her mouth and cheeks, she perceived that there were colours on her face, but could not describe them so easily, or so accurately, as when they were thrown on her hands.
18th.—She distinctly felt, through a plain glass, at the distance of four inches, the prismatic colours thrown upon a white paper.MISS M'AVOY.
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I9th.—With her hands upon the window, perceived two newly cut stones, of a,yellow colour, lying one on the other, against a wall on the other side of the street, distance about twelve yards : also, a heap of cast iron railing, piled upon each other. One of the company being dispatched to place himself on the ground, stones, rails, &c. she mentioned whenever he moved his position; perceiving him jump off the railing; mentioned the colours of his dress correctly, only said that a plum-coloured coat was black ; mentioned two children accidentally passing by at the time. She said> they appear very small indeed ; the person who was sent appeared about two feet high, when at the distance of twelve, yards; as he came nearer, she observed, that she felt him grow bigger. All objects appear as if painted on the glass.
August 2d, eleven o’clock. Found Miss M'Avoy much agitated; was unable to distinguish colours; her agitation increased at the arrival of many visitors; her pulse rose,, from 96 to 120; attempted several times to distinguish different coloured cloths, but all in vain; at length became, unable to stand. At five o’clock, found Miss McAvoy quite recovered; had been in two or three fits after we left her this morning; pulse 96 : her touch in the finest order.
20th.-—A stone ornament, in the shape of an orange, she took for a real orange, at the distance of two or three inches, feeling through the plain glass. At the distance of fifteen inches it appeared like a nut, the brightness of the colour not diminished. At thirty inches it appeared no larger than a pea, colour still vivid. Still imagines it to be an orange. When she touched it, she immediately found out her mistake.
21st.—An orange and an apple (stone ornaments), being placed at different distances, she told which was the nearest, distance five or six inches; felt them both upon the glass, but the orange appeared the smaller, and therefore she thought it further off.
22d,~Accurately described the features, &e* of two per-
*368
K1IIBY?S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
sons, whom she had never seen before, distance of the plain* glass from the face, three or four inches.
£3d.—Perceived her own face in a plain glass, distance three or four inches ; at a greater distance her face appeared very small, her face also reflected from a plain mirror, holding the plain glass at three of four inches from the mirror, when the mirror was withdrawn, said her face diminished. All objects constantly appear as a picture on the glass she touches.
£4th.—Perceived the sun through a plain glass; also the reflected image of the sun from a plain mirror; was not dazzled with it; found it very pleasant.
£5th.—Several small articles were held over her head; she perceived them all in her plain glass. She asked doubtingly, if a three-shilling-piece was not a guinea; but raising her glass, and bringing it nearer to the object, she corrected her error*
£6th.—With her fingers on the window, described a workman in the street, distance ten yards ; a cart loaded with barrels of American flour; another, with two loaves of sugar; a third empty; a girl, with a small child in her arms, &c. all accurately true, except there were three loaves of sugar in the second cart.
£7th.—Could not distinguish by the touch the difference between pure water, and a solution of common salt in water.
£8th.—Accurately described by the touch several small engravings.
SUPERB ORIENTAL TOY.
It represents the tomb of Confucius, and is one of the most elaborate, costly, and beautiful specimens of oriental ingenuity, ever imported into Europe. It long constituted one of the most attractive objects in the late Museum of Sir Ashton Lever*ORIENTAL TOY.
309
This inimitable performance is composed of the following articles:—
The model of the tomb and sepulchral monument of Confucius, represents an artificial rock, highly picturesque and romantic in its appearance. [The Chinese, when they intend to do honour to the memory of any great man, erect their sepulchral monuments in form of artificial rocks* situated over a lake with temples.]
Under this rock is a superb grotto in the oriental style, the outside of which is adorned with diamonds and rubies; and around the same are the heads of horses and other animals, very finely executed.
Within the grotto áre six fabulous creatures, the upper parts of which resemble women, the lower winged dragons.
These fabulous creatures support a splendid bier, in the antique taste, on which the coffin rests.
Encircled by a garland of roses at the top of the bier, is the representation of the bones and head of the deceased Confucius.
On each side of the bier are two angels seated on red cushions, each holding a label in his hand.
On one side of the bier between the two angels, is an escutcheon, or entablature, with inscriptions^
The grotto has a japan covering, adorned with diamonds and rubies.
Above the grotto is a lake, with a variety of aquatic herbs and flowers, appearing in full bloom, which afford shelter to different kinds of reptiles, as tortoises, lizards, toads, frogs, &c. c
In the midst of the lake is a swan darting on a frog.
Near this spot is a fierce dragon combating with two serpents.
Another dragon is engaged tvyith a serpent, which he Wounds, and the blood seems to flow; but in return he appears to be wounded in his head.
A third dragon, a most terrific object, with its breasts
VOL. VI.	b Bmo
kirby’s wonderful museum.
.hanging down, is seen as if running on a rock, and fighting with a crocòdile and a serpent.
Above the lake is an elevated platform, having eight pillars.
On the platform are eight highly grotesque or pantomi-mical figures, forming a circle, and holding a gold chain in each hand, and dancing round the platform.
Adjoining the platform, and over the lake, is a bridge which leads to the temples or chapels on the upper part of the rock.
The first object on the bridge is a black and white dog, with a red collar, following a Chinese pilgrim, who is mounted on a camel.
Very near the dog stands a venerable and aged hermit, supporting himself with a stick which he holds in his right hand, while his left is extended to receive alms.
Next the above is a Chinese pilgrim mounted on a stately camel equipped with red furniture ; he guides the camel with his right hand, his left supports a beautiful umbrella. On each side of the camel hangs a bale, containing perfumes for the sacrifice.
Above the Chinese pilgrim, sitting in a cavity of the rock, is a beggar, having only one arm, with which he suspends a small silver basket, to receive alms of the charitable pilgrims.
Before the camel runs a little dog ; he stops short at a seCònd beggar, seated in another cavity of the same rock, with only one lég, holding ih his left hand his hat, to receive alftis, and in his right hand à rattle, which he seems to shake, in order to draw attention from the charitable as they pass along. This figure proves the ability of the artist, in conceiving and expressing so finely the passions of thé human
countenance.
■ \
i Directing the eye a little farther, you see another pilgrim sitting oh a bench, holding a letter over the gallery, Which he appears to read with a marked attention.
The iiex& object is a monkey riding oh an ass, CarryingORIENtAL TOY.
two empty silver panniers ; the monkey guide« the animal with a small gold chain.
.Near these objects you see a white dog, with a green collar, looking at its master.
The master follows, to whom the monkey, ass, and dog belong, having a bag on his back, and a stick in his hand.
Immediately after the eye passes these objects, you quit the bridge, and enter upon a spacious platform* formed through the centre or body of the rock, in which are the following figures :—â handsome tiger dog, with red spots, and a golden collar, looking towards its master, who is a mandarin, seated on a white horse, a most lively arid firiely proportioned figure.
Next appears the mandarin in a splendid habit, mounted on the above horse, richly caparisoned ; he guides thé horse with his left hand, whilst with his right he bestows alms on a beggar, sitting near the spot.
The ground-work or bottom of this spacious vacuity or hollow is covered with japan, the bordering of which is de* coràted with diamonds and rubies.
On the side of this mandarin is the last mentioned béggar, sitting on the ground, holding by a chain in his hand, a little dog, trained, as may be supposed, to drawr the' attention of the passenger by his sportive tricks; in his left hand this beggar holds a bell so exceedingly minute, as to be agitated fey the gentlest motion.
Next may be seen, at the bottom of the staircase which leads to a chapel, an idolatrous priest, on his knees, having before him a lamb, and in his right hand an uplifted knife, prepared to strike the devoted victim.
Near these stairs is the projection of the rock, covered with coral trees, on which are several beautiful birds of different species *
At the top of the staircase is the magnificent quadrangular ctapel already alluded to, ornamented with fefctoons of dia*> monds,aBdthe roof embellished With diamonds and rubies;
B B %372	KIRBY’S wonderful museum.
on the top there is a ball, with an elevated spire, terminated with a crescent or half moon; this chapel is called the Temple of the Moon.
Above the chapel is a large and venerable owl: it appears as if going to descend out of a cavity in the rock; and near it, a very diminutive ówl, seated in a grave and solemn posture.
In the centre of the chapel is an idol, in the form of a large monkey, with a crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand: supposed to be the idol Fo.
Around the chapel is a covering of japan, adorned with diamonds and rubies, on the side of which is seated an idolatrous priest, holding a knife in his hand, as if preparing for the sacrifice.
Behind the chapel is a beautiful coral tree, on which are several elegantly formed birds.
From this chapel you ascend a ladder by twelve steps through the rock towards another chapel.
At the entrance of this higher chapel is a priest on his knees, holding a censer in his hand, which is suspended by a small gold chain so very delicate, as to be almost imperceptible.
Underneath is a japan covering, embellished with rubies and diamonds, upon which, before the chapel, opposite the altar, sits the idol Anachi, in a human form, except the head, which is that of a dog, having in his right hand a terrestrial globe, and in his left a caduceus with winged serpents.
On the side of this idol is a crocodile.
Behind this chapel is an infernal spirit ringing a silver bell, by means of a gold chain, and is represented as having a fire in his bowels, which, amongst the Chinese, is an emblem of the infernal flames.
On one side of the said evil spirit is a bright and glittering peacock.
This upper chapel is of an hexangular form. The roof is adorned with diamonds and rubies, with a superb belfry,THE FONT OF RAPHAELS
373
in which is the before-named silver bell, having over it a beautiful globe and a spire, terminated by the figure of the sun; the chapel being called the Temple of the Sun, from its being dedicated to that luminary.
Within this chapel is an altar.
On the other side of the chapel is a cragged rock, oft which are to be seen several finely executed figures, such as goats, storks, &c. ; one of these goats appears to be in the act of browsing on the herbage on the rock.
Besides the before-mentioned particulars, there are dispersed several beautiful coral trees, with vario its birds and beasts, which have a most striking effect.
Whatever may remain undescribed will be discovered by attentively surveying this master-piece of human ingenuity.
The late Mr. Cox declared it to be one of the most extraordinary productions of art he ever beheld ; and that he could not undertake to make one like it for a less sum than 1500l -
THE FONT OF RAPHAEL.
This admirable performance was originally in the Florence Gallery, and by mistake was put out with Various duplicates committed to public sale. The late Admiral Broderick became the purchaser, and on his demise it came into the possession of Sir Ashton Lever.
It is indubitably the finest and best proportioned extant, and is the admitted work of Raphael.
The following detailed description of it was written by that distinguished connoisseur, the late Noel Jennings, Esq.
u The magnificent laver of an oval form with a recurved edge and pointed bottoni, which as well as the raised zone on the belt encircles the middle of thè outside, is wrought in fluted or gadrooned work. Each side is ornamented with a laughing cornuted satyr’s head ; two grotesque sphinx-like figures, half satyr and half dragon, with each a double tail, serve as supporters. Their arms are extended to the374
kirby's wonderful museum.
edge, and their hind parts with wings expanded underneath, Testing on an oval base, which has a hollow gadrooned edge. The whole is painted in the most lively colours and glazed, On the inside within a grotesque border, is represented a Roman,naval engagement. The boarding of two ships by a number of soldiers in, boats, sword and shield in hand ; jailors fixing their grappling-hookS to facilitate the entrance pf the assailants, who are opposed by soldiers on board the ships, armed in like manner. The exterior is enriched with grotesque figures, supporting festoons of flowers, / interspersed among which are birds, military achievements, foliage, &c. &c.
Sir Ashton Lever repeatedly refused 500 guineas for this font. This beautiful specimen was sold at the Egyptian Hall, June £1, 1819, by Mr. W. Bullock, for £50 guineas, tp Mr, TJpcott, of the London Institution.
A CARVED MODEL OF A FONT
OF EXQUISITE WORKMANSHIP.
Among the many works of art produced by the monks of former times, it may be confidently said, that no one surpasses in tasteful execution, persevering labour, and uniform excellence, the object above noticed. It is a small Catholic refic, or ornament of box wood, divided into eight pieces, the whole of which forms a curious model of a font.
The execution of this work, however, constitutes its chief merit and value; and of this it is impossible tp convey an idea by language, or to speak of it in terms adequate to its merits. It is evidently the work of an artist; one who could design, draw and execute; and who, regardless of time and labour, seemed only ambitious of producing a work of superlative curiosity and transcendent excellence. The general design may be regarded as architectural, embellished with several compartments of sculpture or carving, consist* ing of various grojupes of figures in alto and basso-relievos. These display different events in the life of Jesus Christ,CARVED MODEL OF A FONT.
375
from the Annunciation todiis Crucifixion on Mount Calvary. The groupes are disposed in pannels and niches on the out* side, and in different recesses within. Some of the figures are less than a quarter of an inch in height, but though thus minute, are all finished with the greatest precision and skill; and what renders this execution still more curious and admirable, is the delicacy and beauty with which the back and distant figures and objects are executed, though only twelve inches in height, and from half an inch to four inches in diameter, it is adorned with various .architectural ornaments in the richest style of Gothic, and also figures of the Virgin and Child, a pelican with its young, six lions in different attitudes, several inscriptions in church text, and thirteen compositions of basso and alto-relievo: to describe the whole correctly and fully, is more than we are enabled at present to accomplish; in fact, without engraved representations it would seem tedipqs. It must suffice to observe, that the work is of unrivalled merit and beauty, will bear the most microscopic inspection, and as an entire work of art, may be regarded as invaluable. It was the work of Domi-nicus Acavala, in the year 1568, and was presented by an Emperor of Germany to Philip II. King of Spain. The fine wrought gold enclosed case which contains this precious; relic, testifies this royal union, by having the armorial bearings of the two monarchs superbly worked on it.
This invaluable curiosity having lately become the property of two individuals, it was consigned to this country for public sale, and placed for that purpose in the hands of Mr. William Bullock, at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, who advertised it on the £lst of June, 1839* A few hours pre^ vious to the sale, letters arrived from Spain, stating that some difference had arisen between the parties, and it was proposed to stay the sale until the spring following^ in order that all disputes might be settled ad interim between them, by which we are for the present unable to state the value such a precious morceau would have brought in a London market, w’here every specimen, whether of nature or art, is376
IURBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM*
certain of being duly and fairly appreciated by the Cogno-scienti.
HAWK AND LARK.
A circumstance of rather a singular nature excited the attention of the company in the Argyle steam-boat, on Monday, October 17, 1814, during her voyage from Glasgow.—When a little way above Renfrew, a lark flew from the land, closely followed by a hawk, which pursued it for a considerable time, almost immediately above the vessel. The lark continued, with a surprising dexterity, to elude the grasp of its intended destroyer, till quite exhausted with its fruitless attempts to escape, it flew to the boat, and alighted on the deck. A gentleman instantly sprung forward to its succour, but with a precipitation which caused the little warbler to fear that its confidence in man had been misplaced ; for it flew off, and committing itself to its fate, was again pursued by its nimble enemy. During this second pursuit, half a dozen crows generously interposed between the pursuer and the pursued, beat off the hawk, and compelled it to change its course; unfortunately, however, on the retreat of the crows, the hawk again espied its prey, again pursued it, and after a long flight, the lark a second time ventured to descend on the ffeck for protection. Once more, the same error as formerly exposed it to the determined enmity of its pursuer, now joined by another haw7k, which entered with fresh vigour on the chase, and all hopes of the lark’s escape were now abandoned; when its former deliverers, the crowds, having nearly doubled their number by a reinforcement from a neighbouring wood, suddenly arrived to its rescue ; the little animal, perfectly exhausted by its efforts, the third time appealing to the humanity of man, descended on the deck, and was secured, till considered sufficiently distant from its enemy, when it was suffered to escape*	Courier3 October 35, 1814^M? HEUMARS BIAS.
.Pubì>.??ud ~bz/ li.SJxírbi/, .Paternoó*te?'Jîow, Sept2z$jßic).MU. HERMANES BRAS.
377
MR. HERMANES BRAS.
[with a correct likeness.]
In conformity to our original plan of recording all sports of nature, whether of dwarfish appearance, gigantic stature, or the attainment of immense bulk, of the human frame, we now present our readers with a faithful likeness of this youth, obtained expressly for this work.
We are sorry, from the absence of materials, we cannot enter more particularly into his former mode of life. It is related of him that he is a very regular liver, and moderate eater; that at six months of age, he began to get amazingly lusty; and when he was fifteen months old, weighed a hundred and six pounds weight; therefore his growth is somewhat like Mrs. Everington’s gigantic child, which we have recorded in one of our former volumes. At his birth he was not more than of the ordinary stature : however, this singular phenomenon of extraordinary bulk now forms a striking counterpart to our countryman, Mr. Daniel Lambert, (see the second volume of this work.)
Mr. Hermanes Bras, designated the gigantic Prussian Youth, was born at Tecklenbourg, in the county of Westphalia, between the bishopricks of Munster and Osnabruck, in the year 1801 ; and at the time of his exhibition, at Bartholomew fair, 1819? was eighteen years of age; he then weighed five hundred pounds, and stands near six feet in height; his countenance is juvenile and pleasant, and his general appearance pleasing and prepossessing. He measures round the body five feet six inches, round the calf of his leg three feet, and his arm measures two feet in circumference. He appears as active as a man of the common size, and is particularly fond of music, playing on the violin fof his amusement, in no despicable manner. He converses in the German, French, and Dutch languages, with great fluency ; and has had the honour of being presented to the Emperor878
kirby’s wonderful museum.
of Austria, the Kings of France, Prussia, and the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange, and most of the nobility of the different kingdoms, who have all pronounced him to be the greatest prodigy of nature now extant.

MR. EDWARD BRldHT*
OF MALDEN, IN ESSEX, GROCER.
This extraordinary fat man appears to have descended from families inclined to corpulency, both on father’s and mother’s side. Many of his ancestors could boast of being of large dimensions—but nothing in comparison with our hero. He was from his childhood a very fat boy ; at the age of twelve years and a Half he weighed ten stone four pounds horseman’s weight—144 pounds : and he increased in bulk as he grew up, so that in seven years more, and while under twenty, he weighed twenty-four stone, or three hundred and thirty-six pounds. He went on increasing, and pretty nearly in the same proportion, for the last time he was weighed, about thirteen months before he died, his weight was forty-two stone twelve pounds, with only his waistcoat, shirt, breeches, and stockings on; these clothes being afterwards weighed, were sixteen pounds—so that his neat weight was five hundred and eighty-four pounds. His exact weight, at the time of his death, was not known; but as he was grown bigger, since his last weighing, which he himself, and every body about him, were sensible of, if in the same proportion, in which he had increased for many years (upon an average, about two stone a year,) and only allowing four pounds additional for the last year, on account of his moving but little, while he continued to eat and drink as before, this will bring him to forty-four stone, or six hundred and sixteen pounds, neat weight, which was reckoned a near calculation by those who were about him, and knew him well.
3MR. EDWARD BRIGHT.
379
He measured five feet nine inches and a half iu height; his body, round the chest, under the arms, five feet six inches, and round the belly, six feet eleven inches; his arm, in the middle of* it, was two feet two inches round; his leg, two feet eight inches.
While in his youth, lie used to eat very heartily, but not more than any other ordinary person using good exercise— for we find he was always very active and strong. He could walk very well and nimble, and ride a horse with most men, either trotting or gallopping; and used to travel to Loudon, backwards and forwards, very often, till Within a very few years of his death, when he became of so enormous a size, that he was a wonder to every one; and his amazing size and* weight so fatigued him, and his breath became so short, that he was compelled to remain at honie. His prin* cipal drink was ale or strong old beer—-but towards the latter part of his life he drank small beer; he now and then would indulge himself with a little wine and water, or a little punch. He enjoyed a good state of health, most of his time, except that in the last three years of his life, he was two or three times seized with an inflammation in his leg, attended with fever—and every time with such tendency to mortification, as to make it necessary to scarify the part, but by proper treatment, was always soon relieved; as it was always ne^* cessary to bleed him, when in this state, not less thaii two pounds of blood was taken from him at a time, and he felt no more from it, than an ordinary man would by losing a few ounces. He was of a very cheerful disposition, a good-natured man, a good husband and father, and was well respected, and beloved by all that knew him. He married when lie was about the age of twenty-two or twenty-three, and had five children: he died November 10, 1750, in the thirtieth year of his age, leaving his wife near her time with her sixth child.
His last illness, which continued about fourteen days, was 0. miliary fever. It began with pretty strong inflammatory380
kirby’s wonderful museum.
symptoms, a very troublesome cough, difficulty of breathing, &c. and the eruption was extremely violent. For some days, he was thought to be relieved in tfye other symptoms by the eruption; but it seems to be no wonder at all that His constitution was not able to struggle through such a disease, which proves so fatal to many, who appear to be much more fit to grapple with it.
His body began to putrify, very sqoli after he was dead, although the weather was very cold ; it became very offensive the next day, before they could get a coffin made. As the corpse was of a surprising bulk, the coffin must be so too : it was three feet six inches broad, at the shoulders, two feet three inches and a half at the head, twenty-two inches at the feet, and three feet one inch and a half deep. Great numbers of people came to see the coffin while it was making ; and at the funeral there was a vast concourse, not only of the town, but from the country, for several miles round, out of curiosity, to see how such a corpse could be got to the ground. It was drawn to the church on a low wheeled carriage, by ten or twelve men, and was let down into the grave by an engine fixed up in the church for that purpose.
MR. JOHN LOVE,
OF WEYMOUTH, BOOKSELLER.
In the early part of his life, he lived with Mr. Ryland, an engraver, and was a remarkably thin young man; his friends considered him in a decline; but the unhappy situation of Ryland at the time compelled him to return to his friends ; and from his delicate habit of body, .by the advice of his physicians, he had every kind of delicious nutriment, which gave him such a habit of ease and indulgence, that Mr. Love gave himself up entirely to wine and dainties.
When he became a bookseller, in Weymouth, he gaveCASES OF FATNESS.
081
himself full scope to his desires; through overeating and drinking he now grew remarkably heavy and corpulent, as he was before light and thin; his weight and bulk at last became the astonishment of every one. He used to have his smallclothes made so as the waistband nearly reached his chin, to prevent their falling off. He generally wore a nightgown, seldom a coat, for he could not bear the confinement of the sleeves. He increased in bulk so much that at last he was choked in his fat and died in the forty-first year of his age, and was buried at Weymouth, in October 1793. When living he weighed 26 stone, or 368 pounds. The coffin and corpse is supposed to have weighed about a ton altogether. He was obliged to be put out of the window, and conveyed down by ropes on two pieces of timber.

ADDITIONAL CASES OF
OBESITY, OR FATNESS.
Mr. Spooner, a farmer at Shuttington, near Tamworth, in the county of Warwick, died in June 1775, aged fifty-eight, About five years before he died, he weighed thirty-six stone, horseman’s weight, 14lb. to the stone avoirdupoise. The last five years he was much increased in bulk, having in that time become extremely fat; but he would not suffer himself to be weighed, though requested by several gentlemen.
His widow verily believes he would have weighed considerably more than forty stone, had he been weighed some time before his death. He was five feet ten inches in height; his appetite moderate, both as to eating and drinking, and his food such as plain country farmers generally live upon. He was very stout and active, and of a cheerful merry temper. For the last five years, from his being so greatly fed in that time, he was very indolent.sm
KIRBY^S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
He had eight children, six sons and two daughters, who are all living* Mr. Spooher’s parents were not inclined to be fat, but one of his sons is remarkably so. Mr. S. first began to grow fat at the age of twenty-five ; at thirty-five he was stabbed by a Jew with a knife, and lost a considerable quantity of blood, but soon recovered of bis wound.
His undertaker says, he believes, Without exaggeration, that the corpse and the coffin, though only of wood, weighed 700lbs. The coffin was six feet long, three feet wide in the inside, and twenty-three inches deep.
This account was taken the 10th day of August, 1775, from the widow of Mr. Spooner, at her house at Shutting-ton, by Mr. John Vaughan, and Mr. Samuel Heath, bailiffs of the borough of Tamworth.
Monthly Mag. November 1, 1818.
A respectable farmer within five miles of Hexham, Northumberland, has a daughter who has just completed her twelfth year, of such amazing bulk, that she is supposed to weigh above sixteen stone.	General Chronicle, 1812.

ACCOUNT OF
CORPULENT PERSONS OF FORMER TIMES/,
FROM WAN LEY.
Zacutus speaks of a young man who was grown to that htigè thickness, ànd fatness, that he could scarce move him* selfj much less was he able to go and set one foot forward. He Continually sat in his chair; some time he was oppressed with that difficulty of breathing that he seemed to be choked; he was iu perpetual fear of being suffocated, or that he should die of an apoplexy, Convulsion or fit* He Was afterwards cured by Zacutus himself.
See ¿¡acuto LmiL Pfu$* Admit* S. Ofa* 108. fi* 418*CASES OF FATNESS.
383
Polyguctus Sphettius was a man of great corpulency* He one time made a long oration amongst the Athenians to persuade them to enter into a war with Philip of Macedon; in the speaking pf which, by reason of the heat, and his own fat, he had frequent recourse to a bottle of water, which he had about him for that purpose. When he had ended, Pho* cion rose up : f6 And my masters,” said he, “ is it fit to give credit to this man concerning the management of a* war ? What think you would become of him in the midst of a battle when his helmet and breastplate were on, seeing he is in such danger of death, with the bare labour of speaking*” Pint* in Phocine, p. 746. Trenchfield’s History improved? p. 42.
DroNYSics (the son of that Cleaschus who was the first tyrant in Heraclea), by reason of his voluptuous life, and excessive feeding, became so corpulent, that he wrasi oppressed with difficulty of breathing, and in a continued fear of suffocation.. Whereupon his physicians appointed, that as oft as he fell into a profound sleep, they should prick his sides add belly with very long and sharp needles. He felt nothing while they passed through the fat, but when they touched upon the sensible flesh, then he awaked.. To such as demanded justice he gave answers, opposing a chest betwixt him and them, to cover all the rest of his body, so that nothing but his face did appear without it. He died in the fifty-fifth year of his age, when he had reigned thirty* three yearS.^Athenmus 1. 12. c. 12. p. 549« JElian. Far. JT.l. 9, c. 13. p. 242.
Gabriel Fallopius tells, that he Saw a man, Who being so extremely fat, his skin was so thickened, that he lost all féèliog.	Dmm. Hut Mtd. Mìk 1.5. c. 2. p.
pTOLòtàMm »Èm'tt&ÈtÈS, the menth king ài Egypt, My reason of his sensuality and luxuriouslife, ** was grown/*384
kirby’s wonderful museum.
saith Possidonius, “ to a vast bulk; his belly was swollen with fat, his waist so thick, that scarce any man could compass it with both his arms. He never came out of his palace on foot, but he always leaned upon a staff. His son Alexander (who killed his mother), was much fatter than he; so that he was not able to walk, unless he supported himself with two crutches.” ¿Elian, Hist. 1. 9« c. 14. p. £44, &c.
Agatharcides tells of Morgan, who reigned fifty years in Cyrene, and living in peace, and flowing in luxury, he grew to a prodigious corpulency in his latter years, insomuch that at last he was suffocated with his own fat, which he had gained by his idleness, sloth, and excessive gluttony.
Athen. 1. 1£. c. 1£. p. 550.
I have seen a young Englishman who was carried throughout all Italy, and suffered not himself to be seen without payment of money; he was of that monstrous bulk both in fatness and thickness, that the Duke of Mantua and Montserrat commanded his picture to be drawn to the life /naked, as of a thing altogether extraordinary.
Donat. Hist. Mirab. 1. 5. c. £. p. 274-
Vit;us A Mater a was a learned philosopher and divine, but so fat, that he was not able to get up a one pair of stairs. He breathed with great difficulty: nor could he sleep lying along without present danger of suffocation.
Donat, ibid. p. £74.
In the year 15£0, there was a nobleman bom at Dieth* marsia, but lived some time in the city of Stockholm, in Sweden. This man was sent to prison by command of Christian II. king of Denmark. When he came to the prison door, such was his extreme corpulency, that they who conducted him were not able to thrust him in at it. The guard that went to convey him thither, were to hasten back3DAV1D OWE#.
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tb assist in torturing some other persons; so that being ex-tremely angry to be thus delayed, they thrust him aside into a corner thereabouts. By this means the man escaped being put into a prison, as was intended.
Zuing. Theatr. Vol. II. 1. 2. p. 279.
Pope Leo X. had so mighty a belly, and" was so extremely corpulent, that to this very day his fatness is proverbial in Rome: so that when they would describe a man that is very fat, they were wont to say of him that he was as fat as Pope Leoi	Zuing. Theatr. Vol. lL 1. 2. p. 279.
SANGUINARY REVENGE)
BY DAVID OWEN,
We have to relate one of those dreadful instances of desperate depravity which reflect disgrace, not merely on the age, but on human nature itself. On Friday, September 26, 1817, about two o'clock at noon, a Welshman, named David Owen, caine to town from Edmonton, and proceeded to the house of one Jones, his brother-in-law, who is a cow-keeper, resident in Gibraltar-row, Prospect-place, St. GeorgeVfieldS. After knocking at the door, he was admitted by a maid-servant. He asked for Jones, but before an answer could be given, he rushed forward through a short passage, into the kitchen, where the object of his projected violence was sitting at his dinner with his wife ; and without uttering a syllable, he darted upon him, and with a large knife, with which he was provided, inflicted on his head and neck several wounds* Mrs. Jones and her servant endeavoured to restrain his cruel rage, and in the effort were themselves wounded. Owen succeeded in getting poor Jones on the ground; and kneeling on his body, was proceeding in his murderous work, vox.* vi*	c G386	KIRBŸ’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
when the servant girl rushed into the street, streaming with blood, and called for assistance.
A young man, named Hopkins, who was formerly a sailor, but who then earned a livelihood by mending shoes, heard, as he was sitting at his work, the cries of distress, and instantly came out. On ascertaining the place where his interferencè was necessary, he ran into Jones’s house, and seeing Owen prostrate on Jones’s body, he threw himself upon him, thereby for a time preventing further mischief ; but not until Jones had received, in addition to many wounds on his head and neck, a large incision on the abdomen. Hopkins carried Jones into the street ; upon which, Owen produced a second knife, and flying at Mrs. Jones, his own sister, inflicted upon her several shocking wounds : he stabbed her in the forehead, cut her severely, though not dangerously, between two of her ribs, and having thrust his knife in her mouth, drew it clean through the face to her ear/ lacerating her tongue, and laying the cheek completely open.
The poor servant girl, Mary Berry, in again attempting to save her mistress, shared her fate, and was not only dreadfully wounded in the face and hands, but received so severe a cut in her arm, as to render her recovery ëxtremely doubtful ; one of the main arteries was completely divided.
The poor wretches, though faint, and almost insensible with terror and loss of blood, contrived to make their way into the street, where they were immediately observed by their neighbours, and were carried into the adjoining houses till medical assistance could be procured.
In the mean time, the assassin had fastened thé door of Jones’s house, and with loud imprecations threatened to destroy any person who should dare to approach him. This threat, together with the impression of the horrible scene before them, and the circumstance of Owen (who is a remarkably large and powerful man) being armed with two knives, completely deterred the multitude, though soon consisting ofDAVID, OWEN.
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many hundreds, from attempting to enter the house. Police officers, however, were sent for; and on their arrival, after an interval of nearly an hour, it was determined to break into the house, and seize the desperate villain. For this purpose, a great number of persons armed with pokers, clothes-props, and bludgeons, made a simultaneous attack-^-some at the back of the house, and some in front; and by means of forcing windows, and with the aid of ladders, they succeeded in gaining admission. During these efforts, Owen was seen at the window on the first floor, with two knives in his hands, which he kept whetting one upon the other, as if for the purpose of rendering them more effectually murderous. On the approach of his assailants, he threatened destruction to any who should approach him, and actually did make several desperate lounges at those who were nearest him, which were parried by the weapons with which they were armed. In a few minutes he wras knocked down by a blowr from a clothes-prop; but while on the ground, he made the most obstinate resistance, and it became necessary, in order to overpower him, to strike him some severe blows. He for a long time refused to part with the knives; and they were at length taken from him by force only^ after some incisions on his own hands. Having been finally overcome, he exhibited all the rage of p madman, and could only be moved by main force—his arms and legs being confined by strong ropes. Holmes, the most active of the officers, then sent for a hackney-coach, and had his prisoner lifted in, and driven to Union Hall, where he underwent a partial examination, before Mr. Evance, the sitting magistrate. Nothing could exceed the terrific and bloody spectacle which he exhibited on this occasion; he was covered both with his own blood, and that of his un-happy victims, from his head to his feet, and had more the appearance of a demon than a human being.
On being placed at the bar, he fixed his eyes on a Jew attorney, named Cohen, and gnashing his teeth, he exclaimed,
You have been the cause of all this.” Upon the evidence c q £38S	KIRBYS WONDERfUI* MUSEUM.
Of Holmes, he was committed to’ Horsemonger-Iahe-gaof, whither he was followed by some hundreds of persons, who overwhelmed him with their execrations.
While these proceedings were going on towards the prisoner, every attention was paid to the objects of his diabolical attack* Mr. Jones, and his servant girl, Mary Berry, were .conveyed to St, Thomas’s Hospital, where, on examination, it was found that both had been most dangerously wounded, although hopes were entertained that their wounds might not prove mortal*
Mrs. Jones, on being dressed by Mr. Dixon, surgeon, of Newington, was carried back to her house, and placed in her bed, in a very precarious state. There were none of them for some time considered out of danger. By direction of the surgeons by whom they were attended, they Were kept quiet, and in the event of any danger of immediate death, their depositions were to be taken before a magistrate. The prisoner Owen maintained a sullen silence, and his person exhibited the most lasting marks of that violence which it be«* Came necessary to use in order to secure him. He had received a severe cut on the head, and one of his fingers was nearly severed from his hand; his legs and arms were also dreadfully bruised.
Our readers will now naturally inquire what could hav£ been the cause, however inadequate, of this savage barbarity* Upon this subject we have inquired, and have ascertained that some years back, Jonest and his wife brought up from Wales two lads, the sons of Owen, whom they treated as their own—educating and supporting them in the best tnanner their circumstances would permit. The prisoner Owen in the meantime carried on the business of a publican at Edmonton, and having been guilty of some act of unkindness towards his brother-in-law Jones, the latter thought proper/about a year back, as a step of retaliation, to commence an action at law against him for the board and education of his two sons# In this action he employed the JewDAVID OWEN.	389
attorney, Cohen, whom Owen addressed with So much bitterness, on his entering Union-Hall. Cohen lost no time in furthering the views of his client, and proceeded without delay to serve the copy of a writ on Owen, at his house at Edmonton. The effect of this proceeding was so powerful upon Mrs. Owen, that she actually died two days subsequent to the writ having been served, and to this event, melancholy as it certainly was, may perhaps be traced that hatred which at last led to the dreadful scene we have been describing. The action was in the meantime pursued, but upon being brought into Court, a reference was recommended, and adopted, and the facts of the case were submitted to the arbitration pf Mr. Barrow and Mr. Reynolds. It appeared that a set-off was made by Owen against Jones's bill, in which he charged the latter for the work and labour of his sons, during the number of *years they had been living with him. And as it appeared that the boys had been very generally employed in assisting Jones in his business of a cow-keeper, this setroff was admitted, and an award actually made in favour of Owen, over and above the sum demanded by Jones, of one hundred pounds* The effect ofl this award was to drive Jones and his wife from the possession of^some premises which belonged to Owen, situate at Newington. These premises Owen let to other tenants; and on Friday, on his coining up to look after hij9- rent, to his surprise and vexation, lie found the house deserted, and the late occupants gone. It turned out that the tenants had been detected in carrying on an unentered soap-work, and had found it convenient to fly, without the usual notice to the landlord. The effect of the discovery on the mind of Owen was such, added to the recollection that his law-suit with his brother-in-law was the original cause, not alone of bis present loss, but of his wife’s death, as to produce a temporary tit of frenzy, during which he determined to be fully ayenged by the death of him whom he conceived to be the original offender. He immediately went to a bouse in the39 0
kirbVs wonderful museum.
neighbourhood, where he dined, and having increased his passion by the use of spirituous liquors, he set out on his atrocious expedition, in which he succeeded in the melancholy manner we have already detailed. It is stated, that he expressed a design equally sanguine towards his son, who happened to be absent at the time of his visit ; but of this there is no other evidence than the vague reports of the neighbours, \yhose feelings have induced them nota little to magnify that which actually did take place.
The parties are all Welsh. Jones and his wife are about forty years of age : the servant girl about twenty. Owen is between forty-five and fifty, and is, as we have before stated, a man of remarkably formidable size and strength. The age of the eldest son is about eighteen ; both this lad and his brother, it appears, have always preferred the society of their uncle and aunt to that of their father; and upon the elder one has now devolved the whole management of his uncle's business, which consists of an extended mjlk-walk—a great part of which, it is feared, from the confinement of himself and his wife, he will lose. The servant girl, Mary Berry, had lived with them from her infancy, and is sincerely attached to them. She was a witness for Jones before the arbitrators, a circumstance which may perhaps account for the enmity of Owen towards her.
Jones’s house exhibited a most desolate appearance, from the means which were taken to apprehend the assassin. The sashes at the back of the house had been forced out ; and from the number of persons who pressed up stairs together, thé bannisters were completely demolished.
After the unfortunate victims of his brutal attack had escaped from Owen into the street, their appearance drew a large concourse of persons together. In a few minutes, a sailor that was passing, vowed that he would secure him or lose his life*. He began to enter at the window, but retreated in dismay at seeing Owen in such a frightful attitude, with two large knives in his hands, and a piece of bar iron lyingDAVID OWEN.
sgi
by him. He got a pistol loaded with ball, and again made an attempt to secure Owen : he told him that unless he threw down the knives, that he would shoot him; instead, however, of throwing them away, Owen brandished them, vowing that the first that attempted to secure him should lose his life. The sailor pulled the trigger, but the pistol missed fire. By this time, Mr. Sandbach, butcher, of Lambeth Walk, a very powerful aud spirited man, came up and got a large pole, which was used to prop a clothes-line. Holmes, the constable, got another, and both of them forced the poles against Owen, and pinned him up in one corner of the room, while the sailor and others disarmed him. Owen said to Holmes the constable,- " You know me, Mr. Holmes, very well, and have no need to handcuff me” Holmes replied, “ Well, if you will act as you ought, and go quietly, I will not handcuff you.”
Mr. Sandbach said, that he insisted upon Holmes doing his duty, by handcuffing him, for he was not a person fit to be trusted with his liberty. After he was handcuffed, he was put in a hackney-coach, and conveyed to Union Hall. On the way he was asked, what could have caused him to commit such a horrible act ? when he replied, “ Had you been in my place, you would have acted as I have done. Why, Jones has robbed me within this fortnight, of 600/. by false swearing.”
Observer Office, Saturday Night, 11 o’clock.
The surgeons at St. Thomas’s Hospital are of opinion that Jones and his servant are not in very imminent danger, and they have great hopes of their ultimate recovery.
Mr. Dickson, surgeon, of Newington, visited Mrs. Jones last evening, and is of opinion she is in a fair way of reco* very.
FIRST PUBLIC EXAMINATION OF MR. OWEN. Union Hall.—Although it was not exactly known on Friday, that the examination of Owen, for attempting toSQ£	kirby’s wonderful museum.
murder Mr. John Jones (his brother-in-law), Mrs. Mar« garef Jones (his sister), and Mary Berry (their servant)* on Friday, the £6th of September last* was to take place on that day, yet for hours previous to the examination crowds of persons assembled, and the business of the office was much interrupted. The magistrates therefore thought proper to examine the prisoner in the private room*—About one o’clock Mr. Jones and Mary Berry arrived in a hacl^ ney-coach from St. rf7io)na$?s Hospital; they were in the care of two nurses, and were very weak. About two o’clock the prisoner was brought into the room, and confronted with Jones and his servant. The servant fainted as soon as she ^aw him, and it was with difficulty that Mr. Jones was roused to sensibility. When he recovered, he exclaimed,
O God ! I thought I saw him with a knife in his hand.”
The magistrates ordered the prisoner to be taken out of fhe room, as his presence so much agitated the prosecutors.
About two o’clock Mrs. Jones arrived in a hackney-coach front her house in Newington; she is still in a very weak state.
Mary Berry sworn.—She is servant to Mr. Jones, and a single woman. On Friday, September £6, about one o’clock in the day, she was at home with her master and mistress, and heard a noise at the front door. She went and opeued'it, and saw the prisoner, David Owen, standing at the door. As soon as she opened the door, he forced himself by her into the house. Her master was in the back room, and she called out to him—“ Mr. Owen is here.%. Her master came out of the back room into the passage * before he came the prisoner had bolted the door, which by fhc time he had done, her master came to. the far end of the passage. The prisoner opened his coat, took a large sharp pointed knife out of his coat pocket, and struck at her master with it. IN ot a sicgle word parsed between the prisoner and her master until after the prisoner cut him with the knife; the first blow he received was on the back of hisDAVID OWEN«
393
hand. Her master called out as soon as he was attacked, and her mistress came out of the back room to assist him ; she (witness), also went to his assistance, and they struggled with the prisoner; she grasped the knife, and he drew it through her hand; she bled very much, and was going to the door, when the prisoner became desperate, and cut and carved at all three of them: he cut her right arm, stabbed her in the neck, and on the forehead. She got from the prisoner, and ran to the door; the blood was running down her clothes; she saw a young man at the door, and called to him; she ran intp the house again, and was very faint from her arm bleeding so very profusely. She saw the prisoner and her master on the ground struggling; the prisoner had the knife in his hand, and the blade appeared to her to be in her master’s side, but fortunately it was between the clothes and the flesh. The young man whom she called, came into the house, and as the prisoner was struggling with her master, she took hold of the prisoner’s arm, and the young man. seized the knife, and forced it out of his hand. She saw that her master was cut and bleeding : she did not see at that time what was become of her mistress, She ran out of the house when the knife was taken from the prisoner, and was taken to a house in the neighbourhood, apd from thence to St. Thomas’s Hospital in the Borough.
John Jones, of Gibraltar-row, Prospect-place, sworn.— He heard a knock at his door on the 26th of September, about one o’clock in the day; - Mary-Berry went to the door, and called to him as soon as she had opened it, and said, iC Mr. Owen is come.’’ He got up and went towards the door; he met the prisoner in the passage; he took a knife out of an inside pocket of his coat, and struck at him with it. He defended himself with his arm, and the prisoner cut his left hand; he rushed upon him to get the knife from him, and they struggled very much, apd fell on the ground; he was undermost. He received several stabs in the throat and on his head; part of his left ear was. cut off; his neck394	KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
was cut very bad, and bled very much. He remembered seeing his wife and servant endeavouring to assist him, hut he was so contused, that he scarcely recollects what was done to them. He lost the use of his hand. He and Owen had a law-suit in 1815 ; he gave up the lease, which was the cause of their contention, in August, 1816, and never spoke tp him since until the day he was attacked.
Margaret, the wife of John Jones, of No. 6, Gibraltar-row, sworn.—On Friday, the 26 th day of September last, she heard a knock at the front door, about dinner time ; she knew that her husband was in the back room ; the servant, Mary Berry, went to the door, and when she had opened it, she called out to her husband, u Mr. Owen wants you.” Her husband went towards the door; she remained at the dinner-table, but had an opportunity in that situation to see Owen, who was in the passage; she saw him take a knife out of his coat pocket, and exclaim to her husband, “ You wretches, I am come to kill you all.” She then saw him strike her husband on one of his hands, which he put up to guard his body from the knife. She ran to assist him ; the prisoner struck at her with the knife, and cut her' on the head; he then forced the knife into her mouth, and drew it to her throat, then turned it round, and cut in another direction, from her mouth to her eye, and cut her tongue very much; the prisoner then stabbed her husband in the side. [Here the witness grew so faint, it was some time before she could proceed with her evidence.] The servant came to her and her husband’s assistance; Owen got her husband down, and her also; she grew so faint from loss of blood, that she did not recollect what took place afterwards, until she was in the care of Mr. Dickson, surgeon, who dressed her wounds, and she was conveyed to bed at her own house, where she has been ever since.
Charles Hopkins, shoemaker, No. G, Gibraltar-row, Prospect-place, sworn.—He was in his house on Friday, the 26th of September, and a little after one o’clock he heardDAVID OWEN,
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the cry of Murder! several times. He went to the door, and saw that Mary Berry was bleeding at Mr. Jones’s house, calling Murder! He ran over to Mr. Jones’s house, and saw him lying on the ground in the passage, and the prisoner, Owen, was lying across his body. Owen had a knife in his hand, and the blade of it was between Mr. Jones’s side and arm.^ Mrs. Jones came up at that; moment, Mr. Jones called out to them to take the knife from Owen. Owed raised himself up a little, seized Mrs. Jones by her apron and dragged her down. Mary Berry then took hold of Owen’s arm, and he (the witness), took the knife out of Owen’s hand. When he had taken the knife from him, he assisted Mr. Jones into the front room> and from thence to Mr. Ratty’s, surgeon, in thè London Road, and he went with him and Mary Berry from thence to St. Thomas’s Hospital. The knife he produced was that which he took from the prisoner.
John Francis Holmes, constable of St. George’s, Southwark, sworn—On Friday, the 26th of September, he was informed of the prisoner’s having attempted to murder three persons, and proceeded to Mr. Jones’s house. He put the handcuffs on the prisoner at the door ; he had been previously secured, and the knife taken from him. A young man gave him à knife, which he said the prisoner had in his possession, after the former knife had been taken from him. On the prisoner’s person he found two small knives (pocket-knives), a bunch of keys, and a razor-case. He took him to Union Hall, and he was committéd to Horsemonger-lane Gaol.
The prisoner, who was a very robust man, about five feet ten inches in height, dark complexion, and about fifty years of age, was thep brought into the room again, and the above evidence was read over to him. The prisoner bowed svhen he entered the room; he seemed rather agitated at first, but soon became quite calm, and during the remainder of the tirnè his countenance assumed an appearance which could396
kirby's wonderful museum*
not be misunderstood: he looked at the victims of Jiis revenge with stern malignancy, and never uttered a word during the whole time-. He was remanded for another examination, as the surgeons could not attend on Friday.
The parties who gave evidence entered into recognizances to prosecute the prisoner at the next assizes at Kingston.
It is supposed that the knife the prisoner took with him to Jones’s house was carried in the razor-case, which was found in his coat pocket when he was apprehended.
PINAL EXAMINATION OF OWEN.
Union Hall,—Tuesday David Owen was fully conv mitted for trial at the next Kingston Assizes, upon a charge of attempting to murder Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones, and Mary Berry, his brother-in-law, his sister, and their servant.
Two knives were produced which were bloody: one was the carving knife, carried to Mrs. Jones’s house by Owen, and the other w as a table knife which Mr. Jones identified as his own property: he supposed the prisoner seized it from the dinner table after the carving knife was taken from him.
Thomas Topper, a worker of the telegraph in West-square, w as on the telegraph on the day of the 26th of September, about one o’clock, and heard an outcry of “murder!” He looked towards Jones’s house, and saw Sarah Berry or Mrs. Jones standing at the door with blood running from her face. He ran with all possible speed to the house, and found a mob collected both back and front. Owen had run Up stairs on the first floor; the front door was shut, and he could not get admission into the house. He climbed up to the window of the first floor, and saw Owen in the passage with two knives in his hand, sharpening one against the other. Owen then came towards him in a menacing attitude, and he leaped frpm the window on the ground to get a ladder, which he reared up to the window that was open. He called to Owen, and said, “ You had better surrender, for we shall have you presently.” He replied, “ No, you will not,”DAVID OWEN.
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and drew one of the knives across his throat. He (the witness) called out, “ He is going to cut his throat/7 but found that he had not made any incision. A sailor ran up the ladder, with an iron bar, but retreated from the window of the room when he saw Owen with the knives, brandishing them, and threatening to kill all who came to take him. Some persons got into the back room and fastened the door, which prevented his entering the room. Shortly after Owen went out of the front room, upon the head of the staircase, a Mr. Sandbacb, a butcher, rushed into the front room, and prevented him from coming in again by fastening the door. A young man got a pistol, and threatened to shoot Owen if h© did not give himself up to them. He refused, and thè young man was going to shoot him, but was prevented by a gentleman present. He, the sailor, and Mr. Sandbach, opened the door, when the prisoner was off his guard, and he seized him by the collar and the right arm. The sailor seized him by the other arm, and several others came up on the instant, and endeavoured to assist. Owen struggled very much; the railing of the staircase was broken down," and they fell down stairs j he kept hold of the prisoner, and the knife being taken from him, he was delivered into Holmes’s custody.
George Winton corroborated the chief of the above evidence. He had a pistol loaded with ball, and was going to shoot the prisoner, when a gentleman (Captain Porter) desired him not, and pulled his arm back. He assisted the last witness and two others to secure the prisoner. The knife produced (the dinner knife, which is identified by Mr. Jones as his property), was the one, he believed, the prisoner had in his possession when he was secured.
Mr. Peter Dixon, surgeon, of Newington, on the afternoon of Friday, the £Óth of September, was called upon to attend a wounded woman, whom he since understands to be Mrs. Jones. She was then at her house in Gibraltar-row. He examined the wounds, and found there were three several 5398	kirby’s wonderful museum.
cuts of a sharp instrument on her face, one on her neck, and on the left side of her chest. As far as he could judge, he believed they were inflicted with a knife. He did not consider either of the wounds dangerous at the time. She is still under his care, and the wounds are all healed, except the one on the side of her chest.
John Carter, surgeon, and dresser to Mr. Chandler, senior surgeon at St. Thomas’s hospital, said, that on Friday the 26th of September last, two wounded persons were brought to the hospital: one was Mr. Jones, the other his servant, Mary Berry. He examined and dressed the wounds; they appeared to be incised wounds, and had every appearance of being inflicted by a sharp instrument: they might have been done by a knife like the one then produced. [Here the witness was shewn the knife the prisoner took with him to Jones’s house.] Mr. Jones was wounded on the left side of the cheek and neck, and part of his left ear was cut off; there was also a wound on the back of his left hand, which had divided one of the tendons and part of another; he did not consider the wounds dangerous. Mary Berry was wounded on her right arm by a very deep cut, her hand was cut, and one of the tendons of her finger was dividbd; she had also a cut on the left side of her neck, and one on her forehead; he did not consider her wounds were likely to prove mortal, when he examined them; both Mr. Jones and Mary Berry are still under his care.
Mr. Wm. Lukes, surgeon, St. Thomas’s hospital, said, that on the 26th of September, Mr. Jones and his servant were brought to the hospital. The clothes he produced were those worn by Mr. Jones when he was wounded; they were covered with dirt and blood, and exactly in the same state at that time as when he first received them. The knife he produced he received from a young man; it was bloody then, and is become quite rusty; he delivered the knife to Holmes and Mr. Hall; an officer received the bloody clothes.DAVID OWEN.
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. Robert Hail said the clothes now produced were those he received from Mr. Lukes. He examined them when he received them, and found the coat was discoloured with blood, and covered with dirt on the back, as if the person who had worn it had been struggling on the ground. The waistcoat was very much cut on the collar, and almost dyed with blood from the collar to the pockets. The small-clothes were also clotted with blood.—The Magistrate ordered the officer to produce them on the trial of the prisoner.
The witnesses were bound over to give evidence, and the prisoner was fully committed for trial.
The office was crowded during the examination. The prisoner was silent (as advised by his solicitor) during the whole of the time ; he paid no attention to the witnesses who were giving their evidence, but during the time the clerk was reading it, his features exhibited considerable expression of surprise at various parts of it. At the close he bowed, looked at the witnesses very sternly, and left the room. He was conveyed to Horsemonger-lane gaol in a coach.
At the following Surrey Assizes at Kingston, April 4, 1818, this sanguinary monster was indicted for feloniously, wilfully, and maliciously stabbing and cutting John Jones on the £6th September last, with intent to murder him; the prisoner pleaded not guilty. He now appeared much dejected, and sighed frequently during his trial ; the horrid savageness of his countenance, which appeared so strong on his examinations before the magistrates, had now left him, and his aspect Was meek and mild: on the examination of the witnesses nothing new was elicited in addition to their former depositions: on his defence he called several witnesses to his former character, who uniformly deposed, that he appeared always an inoffensive and well disposed man, but that since the loss of his wife and the termination of his lawsuit with Jones, he appeared at times much injured in his S400	Ktnnt9» wpr&ERFut, MvsÉtiùt.
mind, talking incoherently, and betraying a wildness and inconsistency of conduct.
The jury found him guilty, but recommended him to mercy. The learned judge then proceeded to pass the awful sentence of death on him in the usual manner*
HORRID CRUELTY,
IN THE MURDER OF a SLAVE IN AMERICA. .
The New York Commercial Advertiser extracts from the Raleigh Star, the report of thè trial of a human monster} one John R. Cooke, who was convicted of having murdered a negro slave, in North Carolina, under circumstances of the most atrocious cruelty, but who was pardoned at the foot of the gallows, by the governor of that State. This was the first instance that came under the operation of the law, but lately enacted, by which the murders are declared capital offences.
The persons tried were Cooke, Davis, and Baily ; the last/ being the owner of the slave. One man, Heslin, was indicted, but had absconded. Davis and Baily were acquitted ; Cooke was found guilty. It appeared in evidence, that Cooke and Heslin dragged the poor negro by force along the road, making him keep up with their horses on a fast trot, to the house of a Mrs, Stephens. The wretch begged for water ; they would give him only spirits, and, on his tasting it but slightly, ihey threw a full glass in his face. Here they were joined by Davis, who interrogated the negro about a runaway« The miserable being protested his ignorance of Davis’s run* away ; they tied him to a horse-rack, and whipped him so unmercifully, that Mrs. Stephens begged they would not whip him more at her house. Davis said when they got theMUHDEK OF A SLAVE.
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tiegro to a certain log, the truth would come out. They again dragged him on, pinioned—themselves on horseback* travelling rapidly. After going some miles, they turned into thè woods, and tied the negro lengthways to a log. He said, they would break his legs. Heslin replied, he did not care. Here some witnesses deposed to have heard the cracks of whips, and a “ beating as with a stick, or something like a person getting tan-bark.” Heslin and Cooke quarrelled violently who should whip the murdered man. In crossing a creek the slave begged for water ; Cooke bid him drink it if he could ; being pinioned, he was obliged to get down on his knees id the water to drink, and he was drawn on his face, by Cooke’s horse moving. This caused laughter! At the house of a Mr. Gallihòn, the slave stopped, quite exhausted, and quivered all. over ; Cooke then gave him many severe strokes with a long switch of hickory, before he could be made to move. This was at sun-set, in July, and seventeen miles from Raleigh, which place the party left at two in the afternoon. They again travelled On, their horses sometimes gal* loping, till they reached Baily, the owner’s house, twenty-five miles from Raleigh ; it was then dark ; Baily came out, and proposed that they should whip again ; but not at a tree near the house, for fear of disturbing the family. They took the wretch to a log at a little distance, laid him on it crosswise, tied his feet and hands together, and passed a rail between his feet and hands ; his shirt was turned up to his neck, and his breeches let down. Cooke and Heslin whipped, giving each from fifteen to thirty stripes ! Baily asked, if any others would like to whip ! Davis promised to w hip the next day, when the slave might be brought to his shop to be ironed. Baily bid the slave again get on the log, for he would whip on the belly ! The slave asked to rest. The witness, who stated these circumstances, declared, that he then turned aside for a few minutes, when he heard an exclamation from Cooke and Davis. Théir victim was released by death : his neck was broken, as the Coroner’s Jury declared : but one of VOL. vi.	» d40£
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these gentlemen said, he had seen slaves worse whipped. Mr. Gallihon, one of the Inquest, stated, that the body appeared to be bruised to a jelly from one end to the other. He confirmed that the neck was broken, and that the breast of the deceased was considerably bruised. The Jury, as stated^ found Cooke guilty, and the others not guilty.
The convict was brought out of gaol, seated on his coffin in a cart, and carried to the gallows; after remaining some time, and hearing the discourse of some pious men who attended him, a noose was put round his neck, and the cap drawn over his eyes. He began now seriously to think it was really intended to hang him, which he had not believed before. He asked the sheriff if lie had not a pardon for him ? The sheriff said not; and ordered the carter to drive off. The criminal then moaned bitterly; when the Governor’s secretary stepped up, and handed the sheriff a pardon, and Cooke was turned loose! Numerous petitions were presented in his favour !!!
Observer, December 17, 1815. ABDUCTION OF MISS MARIA GLENN,
A MOST EXTRAORDINARY CONSPIRACY, AS EXHIBITED IN THE FOLLOWING. TRIAL, &C.
The trial of James Bowditch, Joan Bowditch, William Bowditch, Susanna Bowditch, Elizabeth Ellen Gibbens, Susanna Mulraine, Thomas Paul, and Juliana his wife, Jane Marke, and Elizabeth Snell, at the suit of the king, and on the prosecution of George Lowman Tuckett, Esq. for conspiracy, assault, and false imprisonment, at the summer assizes for the county of Dorset, July £5, 1818, before Mr. justice Park, and a special jury.
In presenting to our readers this account of the most premeditated conspiracy ever formed, we have taken everyAEDTJCTiQN OF MISS &1RNN«
403
possible care to draw it circumstantial!}’ from notes of the evidence lake« at the trial. We have omitted nothing that was material, either on the one side or the other, and our readers will find by the narrative, the full evidence as it was given, we having avoided only the prolixity of the questions of the judge and counsel to the witnesses.
Mr. Williams opened the pleadings to the folio wing effect: Gentlemen of the Jury,
This is an indictment in which James Bowditch, late of the parish of Taunton, Saint JjJary Magdalen, in the county of Somerset, yeoman; Joan Bowditch, late of the same place, widow; William Bowditch, of the parish of Taunton, Saint James, in the county of Somerset aforesaid, yeoman v Susanna Bowditch, late of the parish of Taunton, Saint Mary Magdalen, in the county of Somerset aforesaid, spinster; Elizabeth Ellen, wife of William Gibbens, late of the parish of Taunton, Saint Mary Magdalen, in the county of Somerset aforesaid, gentleman; Susanna Mulraine, late of the parish of Taunton, St. Mary Magdalen, in the county of Somerset, married woman: Thomas Paul, late of the parish of Thornford, in the county of Dorset^ yeoman, and Juliana his wife; Jane Marke, late of the parish of Taunton, Saint James, in the county of Somerset aforesaid, spinster ; and Elizabeth Snell, late of the parish of Taunton, Saint James, in the county of Somerset aforesaid, spinster; are the defendants. The declaration charges these persons .with being persons of evil dispositions, and with unlawfully and maliciously devising and intending to disparage, injure, and aggrieve one Maria Glenn ; and wickedly, fraudulently, and unlawfully confederating among themselves, and with other persons unknown, fraudulently and clandestinely to take and carry away the said Maria Glenn, being the daughter of Mary Fenton Glenn, of the island of St. Vincent; the said Maria Glenn then being under the age of twenty-one years, being of the age of sixteen years, or thereabouts, and being then under the custody, care, and protection of
D D £404
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George Lowman Tuckett, Esq. who intermarried with the sister of the said Mary Fenton Glenn. Maria Glenn had no guardian legally appointed, but her mother was seized and possessed of certain real and personal estates; and the defendants are charged with having taken the said Maria Glenn from and out of the custody and care of the said George Lowman Tuckett from his said dwelling-house, to cause and procure her the said Maria Glenn to be married to the said James Bowditch in a secret and clandestine manner, without the knowledge or consent, and against the will of the said Mary Fenton Glenn, her mother, and of the said George Lowman Tuckett, respectively, he the said James Bowditch then and there being a person of low and mean condition and circumstances in life, and having little or no substance. It further states that the said defendants, in pursuance of their said unlawful combination and conspiracy, and in order to complete and bring the same to effect, on the 21st of September for the sake of the lucre of the estate and fortune which it was supposed by James Bow-ditch and the other defendants, that the said Maria Glenn possessed, and without the knowledge and against the will of the said Mary Fenton Glenn the mother, and the said George Lowman Tuckett, respectively, did craftily, wickedly, and unlawfully take and carry away the said Maria Glenn from and out of the custody of the said George Low-' man Tuckett, and from and out of his said dwelling-house, and did there and with force and arms secretly, clandestinely, and without the knowledge or consent and against the will of the said Mary Fenton Glenn and George Lowman Tuckett respectively, carry and convey, and cause and procure, the said Maria Glenn to be taken, carried, and conveyed to the dwelling-house of the said Thomas Paul, situate and being in the parish of Thornford, in the county of Dorset; and then and there clandestinely, and without the knowledge or consent, and against the will of the said Mary Fenton Glenn and George Lowman Tuckett respectively, kept andABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
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detained, and procured the said Maria Glenn to be kept and detained in the said dwelling-house of the said Thomas Paul for the space of two days, that the said Maria Glenn might be secretly and clandestinely, and without the knowledge and against the will of the said Mary Fenton Glenn and the said George Lo wman Tuckett respectively, married to the said James Bowditch; and in further pursuance of the said conspiracy, combination, and agreement, fraudulently, clandestinely, and without the know ledge or consent, and against the will of the said Mary Fenton Glenn and George Lowman Tuckett respectively, procure and obtain from one Blakely Cooper, clerk, one of the surrogates to Robert Morris, clerk, M. A. official lawfully constituted of the Reverend and Worshipful Charles Talbot, clerk, B. D. Dean of the Cathedral Church of Sarum, within whose peculiar jurisdiction the said parish of Thornford is situate, a licence for the said James Bowditch to be married to her the said Maria Glenn, by and under the name and description of Maria Glenn, of Thornford, in the said county of Dorset, and peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean of Sarum, a spinster, of the age of twenty-one years. There are other counts varying the form of the indictment; the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and upon this issue has been joined.
Mr. Serjeant Pell then stated the case on the part of the prosecution to the following effect:*—
May it please your Lordship,
Gentlemen of the Jury,
My learned friend has stated to you pretty much at lengthy the nature of the first count? of this indictment ; the other counfs, in addition to the first, bring nothing further to your consideration, as they only vary the nature and substance of the first count; but, Gentlemen, the parties to this record are these: in behalf of the prosecution you have a gentleman of the name of Tuckett.—Mr. Tuckett is at the bar; he is a gentleman of consideration in the county of Somerset, and known to us all; and not only known to us ail, but highly respected by408	kirby’s wonderful museum.
us all: the defendants are James Bowditch, Joan Bowditch, William Bowditch, Susanna Bowditch, Elizabeth Ellen Gibbens, Susanna Mulraine, Thomas Paul and Juliana his wife, Jane Marke, and Elizabeth Snell. You will observe, Gentlemen, that a great many of the defendants are of one name, and of the name of Bowditch. I will therefore describe to you all those persons to whom that name belongs, and you will see how much they are affected by the cause which I am about to open to you. James and William Bowditch are the sons of Joan Bowditch, and Joan Bow-ditch lives at a farm called Hoi way Farm, at a small distance from Taunton; James and William, being her sons, Were employed to assist her in carrying on the farm. Susanna Bowditch is the daughter of Joan Bowditch, and of course the sister of the other two. Elizabeth Ellen Gibbens is another daughter of the same person, but was not married at the time when a part of this transaction took place. Susanna Mulraine you will find to have been a very important personage in this prosecution or inquiry, add she is represented to me to have been a woman of a low situation in life, very much connected with the Bowditches. Thomas Paul; married another daughter of Joan Bowditch, whose name is Juliana, and who is also one of the defendants; so that all these are of the Bowditch family, Mr. Paul, as I before observed, having married orie of the daughters. Jane Marke, the last defendant but one, was the cook in the prosecutor’s family; and Elizabeth Snell, the last defendant, Was housemaid in Mr* Tuckett’s family.
The charge against these persons ¿is, that they conspired together to withdraw a !young lady of the name of Glenn from out of the protection of Mr. Tuckett, the prosecutor, for the purpose of marrying her to the first defendant upon the record, James Bowditch.
Gentlemen, that introduces to my mind the necessity of now mentioning to you who the youpg lady is, because every thing in this cause will turn upon her* She is only sixteenABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
407
years old, for she is not yet turned seventeen ; an early age; and if you find that she is not to be believed, you must agree that there never has been found Before in the history of our fellow-creatures, an instance of a young lady having arrived at a climax of infamy at the early age of seventeen years; shewing a conduct totally unprecedented in the annals of guilt.
I shall put this young lady in the foremost ranks of the battle, and you will judge of the credit to be given to what she will relate as facts. Miss Glenn is described on the one side and on the other in a very, very different manner; she is represented to me to be a person of perfect simplicity, innocence, and virtue. On the other side, she is represented as a young woman of the worst principles, whose character hereafter will lay under a stigma for treachery and a degree of guilt, as great as ever attached to any human being.
Gentlemen, Miss Glenn, not yet seventeen, is the daughter of a widow lady, now living in the island of Saint Vincent; she came to this country for the purposes of education in the year IB 11, and was placed under the care and protection of Mr. Tuckett, a barrister, that gentleman having married the sister of the mother of this young lady. She was entirely put under the protection of Mr. and Mrs. Tuckett, and in better hands she could not have been placed.
Miss Glenn is described to me to be a young lady whose manners are peculiarly simple. I am told so, and you will have to judge, whether they be so or not; for in that part of the case you ihtist exercise your judgment. I am told that there is a softness of manner about her, and a shyness of temperj joined with kindness of heart, which of necessity rendered her subject to every impression in favour of those who were appearing to suffer uneasiness. It is a very striking part of this case, that the young lady of whom I am speaking, is of that description of reserve and temper, and that she is unacquainted with the world, never having till the time when this wretched affair happened had occasion to enter much into the affairs of life; totally destitute of all acquaint-408
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ance with the character of her fellow-creatures, always moving in innocence, and therefore never suspecting guilt.
Gentlemen, in the month of July, 1817, Miss Glenn having suffered indisposition for some time previous, it was thought necessary that she should be removed from Mr. Tuckett’s house to some other place near Taunton, for the benefit of change of air; and in a most evil hour, certainly, and under the influence of most inauspicious stars, she was removed to the house of Mrs. Bowditch, one of the defendants. I have already represented to you, that Mrs. Bowditch occupied a farm at no great distance from Taunton ; I believe within a mile or a mile and a half from Mr. Tuckett’s house; being thus within reach of Mr. Tuckett, that gentleman had the opportunity day after day of seeing the young lady, and she also had the frequent opportunity of going to Mr. Tuckett’s house, which she did from time to time.
Gentlemen, Mrs. Bowditch was represented to be a widow woman, and there were living in the house, besides herself, two sons, James and William (although William does not appear to have been a part of the family at that time) ; but there were at all events living with her James Bowditch and two of the daughters. I think it was on the 11th of July that Miss Glenn first went to Holway Farm, and she returned home to Mr. Tuckett’s house on the 2d of September. About a week before she returned home, she was, as it is represented to me through the medium of my instructions, first made acquainted with what she thought a singular thing,—the affection of James Bowditch. She was told, and you will hear in what manner she was told,^ she was told that James Bowditch had conceived an extraordinary affection for her, and that in consequence, his life had become perfectly miserable. I believe the observation which she made upon that was, that she should be sorry if he had conceived any affection for her, as she should regret that any body should suffer upon her account; that it must strike him in his very inferior situation of life,ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
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that he was the last person whom she could ever entertain a notion of forming a serious connexion with; and she requested from that moment that she might hear no more of it.
I forbear to go through with any great minuteness the different measures which were resorted to for the purpose of impressing upon the young lady's mind (such as have not occurred before) the effect of that man’s attachment: she was told from time to time that life was no longer of any avail to him; that he not only would destroy her, but that he would destroy himself, if she refused to accept him. Miss Glenn became much distressed; she was told this from time to time by different persons, both during the day and during the night, and by those persons who had constant means pf access to her. This was told her so repeatedly, and with so, much seriousness, that at last her mind came to be firmly impressed with the notion, that in one way or the other, her life as well as his life would depend on this most extraordinary circumstance,-^-the completion pf his at* tachment to her.
Gentlemen, Miss Glenn returned home on the £d of September ; and I believe, as I stated to you, that the first time she had - any intimation given to her of the attachment of James Bowditch was on the Saturday previous to that gd of September. Upon Miss Glenn’s; return home she found Mr. Tuckett’s family composed among other persons of Jane Marke and Elizabeth Snell, two of the defendants, and a third person who is not a defendant, pf the name of Mary Whitby, who was nurse maid in the family. Gentlemen, every opportunity; was taken advantage of by Jane Marke and Elizabeth Snell to further the views of the Bowditches; and you will find both by Miss Glenn’s evidence as well as by the testimony of Mary Whitby,; who was a p$rty concerned in the transaction at the time, and before; I come to that part of the subject, I shall have to make a few observations upon a person who is now about to give evidence, not410
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only of her own guilt but also of the guilt of her accomplices, in their having from time to time, from the £d of September till Miss Glenn left her uncle’s house on the of that month, continually acted upon her mind for the purpose of leading to a result of the nature which I have men^ tioned.
I now come to a most important part of the transaction ; and I see sitting at the table a gentleman whose name must of necessity be introduced. Gentlemen, on the day before Miss Glenn left her uncle’s house, having occasion to go into the town of Taunton, she met, among other persons, Mrs. Mulraine and James Bowditch, and they prevailed upon her, and you will hear in what way;—they prevailed upon this young lady to go up a court ; and having induced her to go up the court, they further induced her to go into a house in thé court, which is described as a house of a very mean sort. In that house and in the presence of Mrs. Mulraine they prevailed upon this unfortunate victim to their artifices to put her name to a paper.—Now I call upon them in the name of justice to produce' that paper! they must do it; I know the nature of it ; I know what it did contain ; I know what it does contain ; and I demand of my learned friend (and I am not using the language improperly, as he well knows)— but I demand, iii the name of my client, that my learned friend does produce this day the paper which was signed by this unfortunate girl, the day before she was prevailed upon to leave her uncle’s house.
Gentlemen, Miss Glenn signed a paper, whatever it was, atid you Will hear what it was. She signed the paper, but that was hot enough for thé purposes of this conspiracy ; a gentleman, Whom this young lady described before she ever saW him i(fôr she Saw him afterwards) ; — a gentleman came into lîïe house, Whom she afterwards, When she saw him, fiked upon as Mr. Oxenhâm, who is mow sitting at the table; she did not know Mr. Oxenham at that time ; she was a
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ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
perfect stranger to Mr. Oxenham, who, Gentlemen, is an attorney living at Taunton; and I have no hesitation in saying (for it is right I should say it) that up to the time of this transaction 1 have no reason but to believe that Mr. Oxen-ham has obtained, and deservedly obtained, a fair character. Mr. Oxenham, Gentlemen, and Miss Glenn will swear him to have been the person-Mr. Oxenham produced another paper, of which, from the language in which the young lady describes it, I do not even now know the contents; she speaks of it as a paper written in characters with which she was not acquainted; whether it was German text or libt she does not know; but being requested, she signed also that paper; the characters of the paper being one with which she was totally unacquainted; still she was induced to put her name to that paper;—now that paper to-day must be produced.
If it should turn out to be Mr* Oxenham who did this, Mr. Oxenham will have to explain how it happened that he, knowing who Miss Glenn was, should meet her under1 süCh circumstances, and that, knowing her to be the ward of Mr. Tuckett, and under his protection. It will befor him to explain how he happened to be there, because, äs it strikes me, every Aing (if it should turn out that he was there) must depend upon it. To clear up this mysterious affair, Mr. Oxenham must then give an explanation. You will require such an explanation at his hands as wiilafccbuhtfor his being there With Miss Glenn and with the other persons such as they are described.
Gentlemen, after Miss Glenn had sighed both these papery she was permitted to return to her uncle’s hoüse. She was Wretched beyoud human endurance, and you will •hear the account of her whole demeanour. 'I pretest io God, if 1 am not misinstructed in this part of tfie'ease, greater misery no human being could have endured. A hiore 'severe inflictionbf misery upon the mind of a fellow* creature never **an have been heard of beyond* what 'this	Vvüetcfied girl41£
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must have endured, if she speak the truth; and it will all depend upon that one point;—all will depend upon that. I know what my learned friend Mr. Casberd will ask ; I know that, and I will anticipate his question. He will ask why did Miss Glenn endure all this ? Why, being under the protection of Mr. Tuckett, whom we all know to be a gentleman practising the law in this part of the country, and a barrister of considerable estimation-^Why did she not apply to him? Why not apply to her aunt, her mother’s sister? One word from them would have dissipated this imaginary charm which was operating upon her mind! It is singular ; I admit it to be singular; I always have thought it singular; but who can account for the operations of the human mind ? Who is the man that can well explain how far the influence of terror may overcome all the judgment and destroy the vivacity of a person’s mind ? Who can tell how far this unfortunate girl, of the age of sixteen years,—how far her mind might have been operated upon under continued persecution; her feelings too operated upon with the threat that her life would be in danger, and that hers would be an untimely end if ever she communicated any part of this extraordinary story to her uncle or to her aunt.
Gentlemen, feeling a belief of this, was it likely that it should not canker her peace ? You will hear her demeanour described; that will be detailed to you by other witnesses. You will find how far this matter operated upon her whole character and conduct; and you will have to say, when you hear the representation made upon this part of the case, whether you do not believe, that the proposal of the Bowditches was not really kept from the view of the uncle and aunt, and from their knowledge,—whether she did not forbear to tell them, because she really did believe, if ever she told it, her life would be in danger in one manner or another, as you will hear afterwards.
This affair took place on Saturday the S 1st of September. On the morning of the Sunday following she appears i®ABDUCTION' OP MISS GLENN.
418
great agitation; and a very singular circumstance occurred oh that Sunday, which, though it is little and trifling in itself^ it is necessary for me to mention, and you will hear it de«< tailed in proof. On the Sunday morning a singular circumstance with reference to this young lady occurred. It had been determined by Mr. and Mrs. Tuckett, that as Miss Glenn’s health was completely re-established, and the purposes of her education requiring it,—it was determined that she should leave Mr. Tuckett’s house, and that she should go to a boarding school at Chelsea. You will find, Gentlemen, that the instant the communication was made to her that she was to be removed from the county in which she had been suffering the utmost mental anguish under most extraordinary circumstances;—that the moment it was mentioned to her that she was to be removed to a distance, her countenance was seen to shine, and she is described in fact as becoming perfectly happy the instant it was communicated to her. What can be inferred from this, but that she felt relieved from a load—a load which had so long oppressed her ? that she should be at last happy in the thought of being relieved from the wretched thraldom under which her mind had so long laboured ? ■,
On the Sunday, however, Gentlemen, the purposes of Mr. Tuckett were altogether frustrated; and there is no doubt, I understand, that they were frustrated under circumstances of so much terror, that I never remember to have heard any thing at all equal to them. Gentlemen, this unfortunate young lady was actually taken out of her bed, and, under the influence of a degree of terror beyond conception, was deprived of- her voice, and actually despoiled of her senses. She was lifted out of Mr. Tuckett’s house, and put into a carriage (a gig I think it was), James Bowditch, and his brother William Bowditch, being there; they took her a great way, and her first recollection was at finding herself without her shoes. She was carried over field after field which she was totally unacquainted with before. They then414	kirby’s wonderful museum:.
carried this wretched, miserable person from the place whence she was first taken, to Hoi way Farm, where they acU ministered to her an infamous potion, which fully completed the object they had in view, .and totally deprived her of her returning reason, that for the first time she appeared to be regaining during the night, and which she had for the first time an opportunity of enjoying.
Miss Glenn was taken into a room at Holway Farm ; and here a singular circumstance occurred, which probably my learned friends on the other side will be able to clear up. In the bed-room in that house was a lady of the name of Owen, who, as it is represented to me, expressed herself in a very striking way with reference to this transaction. That Mrs. Owen made every possible attempt she was able to ascertain the real state of it; and I must say if that lady be forthcoming she must be produced on the other side. She is not one of the defendants, but she seems to have been an acquaintance either of Mrs. Mulraine or of Mrs. Bowditch; but at all events she was there, and, being there, could give as well as any body a true account of the matter, if she means to speak the truth; for every thing will depend on that sort of evidence. If Mrs. Owen is produced to-day, Gentlemen, you will hear what account she gives of the transaction. Gentlemen, they then put Miss Glenn, after having persuaded her, or rather forced her, to drink something similar to that which they before gave her;—they then put her into a gig, and in this gig James Bowditch drove her from Holway Farm for the remainder of the night, to a place called Thornford in this county. This, Gentlemen, brings me to that part of the transaction which took place at the house of Mr. Paul at Thornford; Mr. Paul having married one of the Bowditches. Thornford appears to have been the place fixed upon for the last act of this infamous transaction—infamous as it stands upon the representation made to me. Here was to be the last act of this infamous transaction •, for at Thornford she was to have been married.ABDUCTION OF Miss GLENN.
415
They got to Thornford early on Monday morning, and you will hear* for I again forbear to describe it to you ;—you will hear the state of this young lady when she arrived at Mr. Paul’s house, and you will hear the condition she was in during the day, for that is part of the defence : for I am satisfied this part will be much rested upon.
Gentlemen, a respectable gentleman of the name of Tern-pier, who is, I believe, a clergyman, came to Mr. Paul’s house on the Monday, for the purpose of shooting. I am told that Mr. Templer dined at the table at which this young lady was seated*; and the way in which this dinner is supposed to have passed, will be much rested upon on the other side. My learned friends will say, supposing this yoimg lady could account for her not telling lier uncle and aunt; how is she to account for her not telling Mr. Templer her situation, at the time when Mr. Templer was at Mr. Paul’s house. To which I answer in direct terms; she was an utter stranger to Mr.Templer; she was an utter stranger to Mr. Paul. She had been in the hands of people who were treating her with the greatest possible cruelty. She was, as 1 before observed, an utter stranger to Mr. Templer ; she was hemmed in with the belief that those about her were the most determined enemies of her peace of mind. You cannot be surprised* then, that on seeing a stranger at Mr. Paul’s house, herself also a stranger there, and other persons sitting at the table ;■—you are not to feel surprised that Miss Glenn did not say, u Mr. Templer, I am hère a prisoner against my will,” at the time when she firmly believed (most erroneously indeed) that her fate was decided from the earliest stage of the business. This is my answer to what I anticipate upon this part of the case ; that I say, is the reason why she did not mention her situation to Mr. Templer.
Gentlemen, in the course of the following night, an intimation had been given to Mr. Tuckett where this unhappy girl was ; and the persons who were properly deputed by Mr. Tuckett for the purpose of effectuating her return, ar-416	kirby’s wonderful musEUm.
rived with all possible dispatch at Mr. Paul’s house, and there they found Miss Glenn. They found her under cir-cumstances of great pain, and rejoicing at the idea of being removed immediately. They did remove her, and this prosecution immediately ensued.
Now, Gentlemen, I can scarcely anticipate how this case is to be answered, except in the way I have described, by impressing your minds with the full persuasion that this young lady consented to all that was done, by having eloped from her uncle’s house; and that it having been afterwards discovered that she had eloped with James Bowditch ; that then, for the first time, in vindication of her own character, she invented the account which you will this day hear her give of the transaction. Gentlemen, that is the sort of defence which I take for granted will be attempted to be put up to-day. Gentlemen, I mentioned to you that some time on the preceding evening, or during the Monday night, intimation was given to Mr. Tuckett where the young lady was; I will state to you who the person was that told Mr. Tuckett, and you will be a little surprised when you hear that it was one of the defendants, Mrs. Mulraine. This part of the case you will perceive at first to be a little strange,— at first sight it certainly does appear a little strange, that such an intimation should have been given by Mrs. Mulraine, if it be proved that Mrs. Mulraine had taken steps in order to effectuate the marriage on the Monday morning* Mrs. Mulraine called indeed on the Monday evening; but during all that time she thought that every thing was completed to the satisfaction of the Bowditches. Mrs. Mulraine then with great candour communicates the matter to Mr. Tuckett, when she supposed it was too late for any useful interference on his part; she then, and not till then, communicates to Mr. Tuckett where the young lady is.
Therefore, Gentlemen, upon the whole of this case, the outline of which I have described to you, you will have ultimately to decide whether there has been a conspiracyABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN*
417
to take away this young lady in the manner charged upon thè record. The offence. Gentlemen, is charged in two Ways; first, with having taken her away against her consent; but they are also charged with a conspiracy to take her away independent of the consent, and out of the care, and from under the protection, of those who had the legal custody of her person. Gn the latter part of the case, there can be no doubt that these persons must be convictedJ Now with reference to the other part ; even that part will be made out Completely,, provided the facts I have stated to you are proved to your satisfaction. I shall say no more, either on the one side or op the other, further than that part will also be made out agairist them if you believe the testimony of'Miss Glenn ; the whole, I repeat, and it is the last observation I shall trouble you with—the whole of that part of the case depends upon her. I shall, however, be able to confirm her testimony in all the material parts of the case in'which it is necessary she should be confirmed for the purpose of obtaining your verdict. Still the very foundation of the case rests upon the character of this young lady for truth*
You will have an opportunity of seeing her, and hearing her, and a great deal will depend upon the impression on your minds, as to the nature of her character. That, Gentlemen, is an advantage of no little consequence ; the manner in which criminal cases are entered upon and conducted in our courts, is of the greatest advantage in the dispensation of justice.
Gentlemen, I must have the Opportunity of addressing you again. I know I must have that opportunity; I am satisfied of it* for it is impossible to be avoided. I forbear, therefore, to take up more of your time and the time of his Lordship, beéause it is a case which rests not only upon proof, but also upon a great variety of facts. When those facts shall have been proved, and after they have been attempted to be answered, I shall have the opportunity of
VOL. VI,
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addressing you again. 1 sit down, therefore* under the full persuasioni, not only that I shall be able to make out all that I have stated to you, but that I shall make Out a great deal more, when I lay before you the facts which confirm that statement. When I have done that* if the defendants give no direct answer in proof on the other side, you must agree with me in what I said at the outset of this prosecution, that it is a prosecution on the behalf of inuocénce, virtue, and happiness, against the most complicated treachery and guilt which can by any possibility be found in the annals of human nature.
George Lowman Tuckett, Esq. sworn.—I am à barrister, residing in Taunton. Here Mr. Casberd requested the witnesses on both sides should withdraw.
Mr. Justice Park.—Let them remain without thè door.
Mr. Tuckett then continued.—I married a sister of Mrs. Glenn, who is now living at St. Vincent’s; her name is Mary Fenton Glenn ; her daughter’s name is Maria Glenn. Her age is certainly not more than seventeen. She was sent by her mother to England for her education, and placed under my care. She was resident in my house in June, and the early part of July, 1817 ; but almost all July she was at Hol-way ; she was ill of a hooping-cough. He was recomhiended by a medical gentleman to let her have change of air. The place selected for that purpose was Holway Farm, occupied by Mrs. Bowditch. Miss Glenn’s former schoolmistress recommended die place, she having lodged in the family ; he had a good opinion of the family, or should not have sent her there. Mrs. Bowditch’s name is Joan ; she is a widow ; there is no John. Mary Whitby and my two daughters who also bad the hooping-cough* accompanied Miss Glenn to Holway Farm ; one is four, and the other five years of age. Mrs. Bowditch’s family consisted of herself and tWo or three daughters ; I knew nothing of a son. Miss Glenn continued there till the 2d of September ; she was there two months* and there was scarcely a day passed that he did notABDUCTION ÒF MISS GLENN*	419.
go to see them* sometimes twice a day* except at the Somersetshire assizes and sessions, at Bridgewater. Mrs. Tuckett is an invalid 5 but exercise having been recommended to her, she used to go also. Holway Farm is not more than a mile, or a mile and a half, from his house. We used to send to Miss Glenn every day, and the servant came home for the children's victuals ; and during his visits he never sa\V any thing improper, but quite the reverse* The first time he heard any thing of James Bowditch, that he recollected, was seeing him at work in the field amongst the reapers, in a common workman^ jacket* He did not know his age ; lie is a young man* and may be twenty-Jonr or twenty-five years of age. Miss Glenrt has very great ex* pectations in point of circumstances; her mother has pro-pert}7* and her grandfather is very rich; he is possessed of two sugar estates ; and she is the only child now living* and heiress tò her grandfather* and daughter of a favourite soin In person Miss Glenn is plain, but of the gentlest nature he ever saw in jiis life, and possessing a mind the most easily worked upon, of any mind that ever was formed. She has been a great deal secluded from the world, She returned from Holway Farm on Wednesday, the 2d of September* Maria Glenn; swora.-^-Examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell.— Miss Glenn, will you haye the goodness to raise your head* and turn your face towards the Jury. She remembered going to Holway Farm* about the 11th of July. Mary Whitby* the servant of Mr. Tuckett, accompanied ber there, vas well as two of Mr* Tackett's children. The servant was to attend on her, and also to attend on the children. She slept' with one of her cousins* the other slept in a bed by her. [She was then requested to take off her bonnet.]) When she arrived at Holway Farm, she did not find Mrs. Bowditch’s son, James Bowditch* living there ; but after she had been there about three weeks, and need to walk in the garden, she saw him, but took him at first to be a common labourer* When passing by with her cousins* he moved his
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hat. She was informed James Bowditch was a son of Mrs* Bowditch, and William was another son of hers; Susanna Bowditch was the daughter; Elizabeth Gibbens was also a daughter; she was not married when she went there first; she knew Mrs. Mulraine, but did not know she was a relation of Mrs. Bowditch ; fancied she was a friend of theirs, Mr. Paul, she understood, lived at Thornford. Jane Marke was a servant of Mr* Tuckett, and Elizabeth Snell was another servant; she returned to her uncle’s the 2d of September. On the Saturday before the 2d of September; was the first day she heard any thing particular of James Bowditch. Mrs. Mulraine and Mrs. Bowditch came into her room; Mrs. Bowditch spoke first, and asked if it was true that her uncle said she was to leave on the Monday following. She answered it was, as he had been there in the morning. Mrs. Bowditch then said her son was lost, and asked what was to become of him, for he was as good as lost. She asked what she meant ? Mrs. Mulraine said, she could not be ignorant, that I could not have been so long there without being sensible of the attachment of James Bowditch. I replied, that I was excessively surprised, and very much astonished, at what she said, and could not believe it; and that, during the time I had been there, James Bowditch always appeared to be one of the family; and that of course I looked upon him in no other light, and asked what would her uncle and aunt thinks if they knew they had spoken to her in such a way, and begged them to say no more, for she could not possibly believe it; and that it distressed her very much. Mary Whitby the servant was not there, and I took my two cousins by the hand and went up stairs. This was on the Saturday. On Tuesday evening Mrs. Mulraine came into her room, where she was with her two cousins, and the servant, she believed, but not quite sure she was there. She entreated her.to come out and speak fo Mr. Bowditch ; for since he had heard she was going to leave, he was like one distracted; and that all the family had tried to reason withABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
421
kirn, but to no effect; and she thought, if she would come out, she was sure he would be sensible of the difference; and if she spoke to him he would be contented. This she refused for a great while, as she thought it extremely wrongs but at last she did. Mrs.*Mulraine said, she must speak to him, for all the family could have no effect. She said, Oh nonsense; she would go with me. She then went out and saw some one; but whether it was James Bowditch or not, she could not tell, as it was dark. She went to the door of the garden, and found a man there, whom she took to be James Bowditch, and told him she was surprised at what she had heard; for on the Monday before she had told his sister what his mother had said, and how uneasy it had made her; and she then said, it was merely a joke of her mother’s. I told him I was surprised to hear it spoken of again; this was Betsey Bowditch, now Gibbens. 1 persuaded him to give up all thoughts about it; but he made no reply ; when I retired to the parlour. Mrs. Mulraine accompanied me home on the Wednesday, when she said she was exceedingly sorry at what had passed, and said how foolishly James Bowditch had behaved; but it was not to be helped, when there was such a young girl, and such a nice young girl in the house. It was not to be supposed a young man could help being fond of her. She begged that I would not make myself uneasy; she was sure he was sensible of the difference between them, and it would all come to nothing. On the loth of September M^s. Mulraine and Betsey Bowditch came to her uncle’s house; Mrs. Mulraine first desired me to ask my aunt’s leave to walk out, as she had something very particular to say to me. I said, I could not think of asking my aunt’s leave, as 1 was persuaded she would not allow me to go. I felt fully assured she would not let me go; but I went and asked her, but she did not permit me to go. When I went back, I told Mrs; Mulraine so, who said to JBetsey Bowditch, “ So I thought.” She then asked me if422	kirby's wonderful museum.
I bad considered what she Jiad told me; if I recollected what she had mentioned of James Bowditch’s attachment. Before I replied, Mrs. Mulraine said, James Bowditch was like one distracted; he said he could not live, and was determined not to live; and that if I did not do him justice, he was determined to murder me and himself afterwards. Upon which Betsey Bowditch said, that he would do it; for $he never saw any one so resolute as her brother was; and when he said a thing, he was sure to do it. Mrs. Mulraine then said, that from the first moment she alway had a great regard for me; she said, that it could not be supposed that it was any interest to her, but that she acted merely out of attachment to me; that what she spoke was merely from friendship, for she was fully assured, if I did not consent to what Mr. Bowditch required, she was certain he would murder me; that in whatever part of the world I was, he would find me out, and certainly destroy me. That I was not to suppose, by telling my aunt or uncle, it would do any good, it*wou!d be only putting me in greater danger.
At this conversation I felt very much terrified, and believe ed as true every thing that she told me. Mrs. Mulraine then said, “ Recollect what a shocking thing it would be to he murdered; swear upon your life and soul, that you will do what Mr. Bowditch wishes you. Only think what a dreadful thing it would be, to be murdered, for that would certainly be the case; for if you were to go to any part of the. world, he would find you out.” She repeated the same thing again, and said, “ Swear upon your life and soulI hardly, knew what I said, for I felt exceedingly alarmed and frightened, and I said, “ Yes.” Mrs. Mulraine then got up, as did also Betsey Bowditch, and Mrs. Mulraine said she must wish me good bye, for she was going very shortly to Bristol, They then went away. On the same day after dinner, I remember meeting Jane Marke upon the stairs; she was the cook: she said she had just met Mr. Bowditch; but withoutABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.	423
my speaking to her I went into my bed-room, where she followed me, I had not given her any encouragement to follow me into my bed-room. She then said she always had a great regard for me; that she felt very much Mr, Bowditch’s attachment to me, and spoke in the same manner about it as Mrs. Mulraine had done, and about the difference between us; and also said, she never saw any thing so resolute as Mr. Bowdifcch; that was her expression. He had sworn that if he could not have me, no one else should ; and that in whatever part of the world I went, he would find me out and murder me, and she prayed me not to tell either her master or mistress, meaning my aunt and uncle, and she used to come to me every opportunity : J never went to my room at any other time, but she used constantly to come to me, and always spoke of the same subject, entreating me not to tell my aunt and uncle, for that I was too young to know the danger I should be put into. Elizabeth Snell was the housemaid, and she used to talk to me upon the same subject: once when she came into the bed-room she found me crying, and told me not to vex myself. 1 came home on the Wednesday, and Monday was the 15th. I was crying when Elizabeth Snell came into my room. I was crying about what Mrs. Mulraine, Betsey Bowditch, and Jane Marke, had been speak* ing to me. Elizabeth Snell begged me not to vex myself as J did. I asked her how I could help it, and that it made me so miserable, that to relieve my mind I must speak to my aunt and uncle about it. She then said, “ So, Miss, I would devise you to door some such expression. I said, What, and to do what Mr. Bowditch tells me, or be murdered ? “ Oh Miss,” said she, and she shook her head and wrung her hands, what a dreadful thing it is; I would not be you for all the Indies in gold, but 1 will have nothing to do with it one way or the other.” I think she then left the room, and did not say any more; it was in the same week of the Saturday I put my name to some paper. I also saw Jane Marke and Elizabeth Snell, but not together, and Jane424
kirby’s wonberful museum.
Marke took every opportunity of speakiug to me. I.-was sitting one evening in the parlour when Elizabeth Snell came in and told me she saw Jane Marke, near the next house, which was at a little distance, talking to Mr. Bowditch, and heard them mention my name. That was before she spoke to me in the bed-room. There was also a person of the name of Mary Whitby, who expressed herself in the same way to me; she was the nurse maid. On Saturday the 25th September, I was returning from market, my aunt had sent me there ; I cannot tell exactly the time, but I think» it may have been between nine and ten o’clock in the morning. I met James Bow ditch and Mrs. Mulraine, Mrs. Mulraine first spoke, and said, “ You have been to market.” I said yes; she then said, “ Come with us, I want to tell you something,” I said, no, I could not, for I must return to my aunt. She said, ie Don’t be foolish, come, come at once.” I still said, no, I could not, for that I must go to my aunt. James Bow'ditch then said, waving his hand, “ Go; you knowr already what X have stated, and it is no use to repeat it again.” He looked in a fierce manner, and waved his hand. Mrs. Mulraine said the same thing: “ Go; why don’t you go.” She said, “ You know what Mr. Bowditch has said.” He said, then, u Aye, add I’ll do it too.” I felt greatly alarmed, and followed them both directly up East-street, I think. They came to some court. Mrs. Mulraine and James Bowditch were sro* ing into a court; but I stopped. She said, “ Come in; now don’t be foolish again.” I refused to go, and said I must return home. She then said what she said when we first met, I then w ent into the court with them, into a house? that appeared to be at the bottom of the court. 1 saw Mrs. William Bowditch there, the wife of William Bowditch. I did not see any one else. There was not any one there when I first went in. Mrs. Mulraine and James Bow?ditch went into a small room; Mrs. William Bowditch then appeared, and desired me to follow, and Mrs. Mulraine directly after left the room, and then William Bowditch came in. Mrs. MulraineADDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
425
then returned with pen, ink, and paper. She said, [ want you to write something. I said, no, I could not; I must go home. Mrs. Mulraine then said, “ Don’t begin again, it is no use to repeat, but you know what Mr. Bowditch has said.” James Bowditch merely said, “ It is no use to repeat, you know already what 1 have said, and I will doit.” Mrs. Mulraine then said, “ Take up a pen, and I will tell you what to write.” I do not"recollect the precise words; I merely recollect the substance, which was, that I would comply with every thing James Bowditch required, or what James Bowditch would wish me to do, and that my age was sixteen. She made me leave several spaces in the paper. I put my name to it, and as soon as I had written the paper, Mrs. Mulraine put her hand over my shoulder and took it away, and a person came in I was certain I had not seen before. William Bowditch went out at this time. William Bowditch remained in the room while I was writing, and then went out and returned with a person whom I had not seen before. I have seen that person since, but I did not then know him. I now know him to be Mr. Oxenham, and I have not the slightest doubt of him; he had a large paper in his hand, but not the paper I had be£n signing; it looked like Greek to me, I do not know what it was; he told me to sign my name at the bottom of the paper, in the presence of some of these peo* pie. He pointed with his finger. I took up a pen, and put my hand to the middle of the bottom of the paper, buthe pushed my hand and said, “ Not there.” Then I signed it. After this Mrs. Mulraine opened the door of the parlour; after I had signed the paper Mr. Oxenham left the room first, as Mrs. Mulraine got up and opened the door. I then walked up the court, Mrs. Mulraine on one side, and James Bowditeh on the other. Mrs. Mulraine said I need not now be alarmed, for Mr. Bowditch would not hurt me. I then returned home. On the Sunday I went to church with my aunt, and saw Mrs. Bowditch at church. My aunt walked4%6	kirby’s wonderful museum.
home, and Mrs. Bowditch walked by my aunt’s side. It was at the Scotch Church, where my aunt is not in the habits of going, and they sat in the same pew. My aunt told Mrs. Bowditch, she was going to send me to school to London. This was after church ; she said Chelsea, or near London; I am not sure. Mrs. Bowditch appeared greatly surprised, and hoped my aunt would bring me to take leave of her before I went. My aunt said, yes ; and she would accompany me. I w7as first told of it on the Sunday morning, while my aunt and I w'ere walking to church. I felt vefyglad; I felt highly pleased at going. After I returned from church in the morning Jane Marke brought me a note from Mrs. Mulraine. I do not know what became of that paper; I do not know any thing of it; I do not recollect what I did with it; I fancy I may have put it in a small red trunk, where I sometimes used to put my letters in ; I have searched for it, but have not been able to find it; the contents, as near as I can recollect it, w'as about James Bowditch : still speaking in the same manner of James Bowditch, saying he would have me; that there would be no use in my telling my aunt and uncle; that they were going to take me away, but when she could not state ; it might be the latter end of the week, or the beginning of next. Mrs. Mulraine’s name was signed at the bottom. My aunt said I was to go very early in the week to Chelsea. I heard her tell Mrs, Bowditch so. I received the note as soon as Jane Marke saw me by myself; she gave me the note when I went into my bed-room to go to bed, I believe between nine and ten, but I am not sure. When I went to bed, I did liot know what was to happen during the night. My mind when I went to bed was composed and easy; much more happy and tranquil than it had been the whole of the vreek before, under the idea of my going to school. I thought I should escape the danger from these people. My two cousins, the two little children, slept in the same room; I shut the door, but I w as never in the habit of locking the door.ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.	42?
My room was the next bed room to my uncle’s. My aunt always locked her door. I had fallen asleep, afid Jane Marke came to the bed side and waked me. f did not sleep with a light in my room ; Jane Marke had no light with her; it was a moonlight night. I should not have known whether it had been Jane Marke or not, but by her voice. She, appeared much taller, and had something coming over her face, which appeared like a handkerchief; it covered great part of her face« She said, u Get up, they are all waiting; get up, you know what James Bowditch has said ; come, come at once.” She said again, (C You know what Mr. Bowditch has said,” and then lifted me out of bed. Is felt quite unable either to speak or cry. She then put on my clothes without either tying or lacing any of them. I have a confused recollection of her going to my drawers (I always kept my drawers open), and hearing her pushing from one end of the drawers to the other end; pushing up something, but whether it was my clothes or not, I do not know. She took me by the arpi and pulled me down the stairs; when I was about half-way down, I spoke in a whisper, for I could not speak loud, though I tried several times. I said, “ Oh Jane!” upon which she pushed me down the remainder of the stairs. I was sensible of the great noise made by pushing me, and I saw7 the door of my uncle’s office, which w7as the back par-* lour, wide open, and the window shutters open. The window was down to the ground of the garden; Jane Marke then took me up and put me out of the window7, and I saw some per* son in the gravel w?alk. Mr. James Bowditch was there. There were several persons outside the gate, and Mr. William Bowditch was on the step of my uncle’s garden. The only people I knew w?ere Mrs. Mulraine, Betsey Bowditch, James Bowditch, and William Bowditch, and several more whom I did not know, I recollect James Bow7ditch taking my arm ánd pulling me dow?n the garden; William Bowditch took the other arm ; the gate of my uncle’s garden was wide open. I have iio recollection after that .of any thing more. I do428,
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not recollect how it was, or where it was, they took me. When I first came to myself I recollect sitting on a step, and Betsey Bow ditch putting on one of my shoes. Mrs. Mul-raine was there. She said, “ Only think of her walking all this way without her shoes;” and Betsey Bowditch said, “ Her feet must be blistered.” They took me to a house where 1 saw Mrs. William Bowditch. It was not day-light at this time. I cannot be exact to the time I remained in the house; but it was not long. I afterwards went to Hoi way Farm/and remember going up stairs at Holway Farm, into Mrs. Mulraine’s bed-room. Mrs. Owen was in bed with Mrs. Mulraine. She had walked to Holway Farm before, with James and William Bowditch. My reason for going there, was Mrs. Bowditch coming to me saying, “ Only think of Mrs. Mulraine being gone to bed.” I did not know in which room she slept; 5but in the first room l saw a candle, and in this room Mrs. Owen and Mrs. Mulraine were in bed. In answer to what I first said to Mrs. Mulraine— u What will become of me! Oh ! that I could but go to my uncle’s;” she then said, u You had better not let Mr. Bow-ditch hear you say this.” She also said, “ However, I have had nothing to do with it, nor will I have.” Mrs. Owen said to Mrs. Mulraine, u This is a most scandalous and abominable thing for a young creature like this to be left in this way; such a young thing as she is.” Mrs. Bowditch came up Stairs, and said, “ Come directly this way;” or else, “ Come with me directly.” In a very resolute manner she said, “ Come, you must go with me,” and 1 did go down stairs with her, where I saw the two Bowditches in the kitchen, and MrsI Bowditch took from the table a cup, which had something black in it. She then desired me to drink it, which Ir did. I did not then know what it was, bul l do since. I was only desired to drink it, and never had at any time tasted any. thing like it before. It appeared more like medicine; it was something bitter. After that, one of the Mr. Bow^ditches, I think it was James, came and said, “ Now it is time for tisABDUCTION OF MISS GLUNN.
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to be off.». William Bowditch was there too. James Bow-ditch took me by the arm ; and when I was taken out of the door, William Bowditch took me by the other arm. They took me down the garden and through a field at the end of the garden. I then saw a gig. James Bowditch lifted me into the gig, and old Mrs. Bowditch threw up the leather and stood upon the step of the gig ; she then gave me something of the same which she had before given me in the cup. Upon her offering me this to drink, I refused it. They insisted upon my taking it, and said, “ Drink it directly.” I then did drink it, and I recollect passing through some fields, and perfectly recollect the gig setting off from that place. I fell into a stupor after I left the place where they put me into the gig; and I did not recollect any thing further. The first thing I recollect afterwards was I heard James Bowditch call out in the middle of the night to know what o’clock it was; but I did not hear any answer. I saw William Bowditch in the morning. 1 did not know7 at first who it was ; I sayi a man riding before the gig at some distance, and afterwards found that to be William Bowditch. I w as taken to Thorn-ford, to Mr, Paul’s house. It might have been between seven and eight o’clock ; it was early in the morning; but what time it was I cannot exactly say. I have no recollection of any thing from the time they gave me the second mixture until I arrived at Thornford between seven and eight o’clock. When we got to Thornford James and William Bowditch were still holding me at the door, when at another door camé Mrs. Paul, who took me by the hand, and without speaking led me into a room. Mrs. Paul is a daughter of Mrs. Bowditch. It appeared to be a kitchen. Susanna Bowditch was standing by the fire. I had knowrn Susanna Bowditch before at Holway. She was in the house as one of the family at Holway. I was put up stairs in a bed-room. I do not recollect seeing Mr. Paul when I first came in, but I saw him a few minutes after I came into the room. He was walking up and down the room, and said in an exulting4-30
KIUSy's WONDEKi’UIi MUSEUM.
manner, u I suppose all the bells in the parish will be ring-* ing by and bye.” Mrs. Paul asked James Bowditch if lie had not had a tiresome journey, or something to that purpose. He said, " Yes, that I have;” and pointing to me said, “ I could not keep her in the gig, she was one minute laughing and the other crying ; I thought I should not have been able to keep her in the gig; I never saw any thing like it.” 'After that 1 was taken to a person who was standing by the window. I have seen him since; it was Mr. Gould. Mrs. Paul took me to him and said, “ Come with me ;” she then took me by the hand, and the others follow ed. I saw a tall mail standing with a large paper in his hand, and several smaller papers on the window seat close by him. He appeared to be reading it very earnestly. He asked me what age I was. I said I was sixteen. He asked me whether I had the eon* sent of my friends or parents. I said “ No.” He looked over the paper very rapidly, and then said, “ Nonsense; this marriage can never be legal.” James Bowditch was stand* irig opposite to him, and heard this said. He only gave me a very severe look, but did not speak. The man that had the paper said the marriage would not be law ful; again looked over the large paper, and said, “ Never mind, you can be married just the same,” and looked at the parties and smiled. I began to cry and put my head upon Mrs. Paul’s shoulder; I was sick and giddy, and doubted that i was going to fall, and therefore leant on Mrs. Paul. In consequence of that Mrs. Paul carried me up stairs. I remained up stairs all the time I was there, except at some intervals, when Mrs. Paul desired me to come to dinner where Mr, Templer was; and when Susanna Bowditch desired me to come down, when I was shivering with cold, to come down and warni myself. Except upon those occasions, I was up Stairs the whole of the day. I heard before I came down that Mr. Templer was coming to dinner. I heard it from Susanna Bowditch, I think; I understood from her or Mrs. Paul, ¿hat Mr. Templer, a nephew of Mr* Paul, was coming to dinner,ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
431
They did not tell me he was a clergyman. When J was first desired to come down I refused ; hut Susanna Bowditch said that I should die if I sat up there ; that she saw her brother in the field, and that I need not be alarmed. When I came down Mr. Templer was there, and I sat down to the dinner table; but I did not eat, Mr. Templer helped, and asked to help me to some beef. He sent me some beef; I put a bit in my mouth, but could not take any more, for I felt that I was going to cry. I was not there above five or ten minutes; I left the room just after Mr. Templer helped me, and before the cloth was removed. 1 could not have sat above a few minutes at the table. Susanna Bowditch and I went into the kitchen, and James Bowditch came in at another door. In the room before the kitchen I saw some pens and ink; that was in the third room, and in the first room I supposed there might be some paper. When Susanna Bowditch was gone out I began a letter, and then James Bowditch came in. He snatched the paper from me, and said no one could blame him if he treated me ever so unkindly, as I provoked him to do so. He also said,<c Your saying you were only sixteen to-day to that gentleman, and saying you had not the consent of your parents when yon know you have, and when you know you are twenty-one, and have the consent of your friends and parents;” and called me by very foul names. He called me a little bitch. I then left him and went up stairs, and I locked my door, and remained there the greatest part of the time till the next day,, when Mr. Leigh came from Mr. Tuckett, and took me away to my uncle's.
Cross examined hy Mr! C as herd.
I was born in the West Indies, and have been in this* country six years last August. My mother, l believe, was married very early in life. I do not know at what age she was married, I was two months at Mrs. Bowditch's house at Holway. When I first went there the impression upon my mind, with respect to James Bowditch, was that he was
44 32	KI it BY* S* WONDEilFU L MUSEUM.
a common labourer. I had no communication with him at all; when I have walked and met him he has moved his hat* I had none except the time I went out with Mrs. Mulraitie, within the last fortnight. T had no communication with James Bowditch for the first six weeks, and was therefore quite surprised at his expressing professions of attachment. He lived in the same house, and formed part of the family, I believe; I did not frequently see him. I saw him with Mrs. Mulraine, but otherwise he was always at work with the labourers. I might have seen him in passing from the bed-room to the parlour, when I was obliged to pass the kitchen door. I did not dine and eat with the family; I used to ride sometimes: they had a small pony, which I was welcome to whenever I chose to ride. It was about three weeks or a month before I rode out on the pony. I have had no communication with him in the house, and never conversed with him outside, farther, than after I rode out he used to assist me on the pony, and his sister or the servant used to call him to assist me off. That might have been within the first six weeks. I never walked out before breakfast, except at my aunt’s request; I did two mornings; he saw me twice home from Holway to Taunton, during which time I had no conversation with him ; he walked behind me* I never walked out with him at any other time, nor ever took out an umbrella to him when in the fields. I have seen a farmer of the name of Puddey pass by, when 1 have been in the garden with my cousins, walking up and down.
I saw this man, though I did not know him at the time, pass by with James Bowditch, and both moved their hats. I do not remember being near a hay-rick with him when Puddey was there; nor do I remember Puddey getting me up a ladder to the top of a hay-rick that was in the field; and I never had any conversation with this Puddey at all. I was told by Betsey Bowditch, the sister, that his name was Puddey.
I usually went to bed at Holway Farm about nine, and sometimes before. My bed-room window was generally left openABDUCTION OÏ? MISS GLENN.
43 S
before I went to bed, to air the room ; the servant used to gô and prepare the room while I staid below with my cousins, before we wenjt' actually to bed. I never desired James Bow-ditch to shut the window before I went to bed. The window7, after there had been some rain, would not shut; I sent the servant, and she said she could not do it, and asked my leave to tell James Bowditch to do it ; and I said certainly. I was waiting with my cousins till it was done; this might have been two or three nights, in which he was obliged to do it ; I staid in the room below during that time. I never held any communication with him until the Tuesday night, when Ï went with Mrs. Mulraine, and that was the only time I spoke to him, and had not any other conversation with him. He never walked out with me, or rode out with me, except by my aunt’s desire. I might have seen him in the kitchen if I w'ent to call the servant, or if I wanted to call one of the sisters. I never said that I w'ould meet him in the French Wear Fields. I do not know who w<as godmother to Mrs. Mulraine’s child, nor who was godfather; I remember the circumstance of the christening of the child ; that was wdien I was at Hoi way ; I do not know' what church the child w as christened’at. ; I returned home to my uncle’s on the 2d of September. In that week, I think on the Wednesday of the same week that I saw Mrs. Mulraine and Betty Bowditch, I wras walking with my little cousins, and saw a man and woman at a great distance upon the bridge leading to the French Wear Fields. They ran after me ; but I avoided them, and got home before them. The place called the North Town, is where ihy uncle lives; I did nôt see James Bow'ditch in that part of the town during the three weeks I was at home, and never walked w ith him.
I had been playing at chess in the course of the afternoon, with iny cousin, a child of seven years old. Jane Màrke was in the room before I finally left it, I think a few' minutés; I did not go near the door of my uncle in passing down the stairs ; his door was from the stairs, mine w as near.
VOL. VI.
T F4S4	kirby’s wonderful museum.
It is on the same landing-place ; his door is further on; Jane Marke took me by the arm, and pushed me down stairs. There was .noise; I said so. The children were fast asleep all this time; they were in the same room with myself, but neither of the children in the same 'bed. My bed room was not over my uncle’s office, it was in the other part of the house. I said, “ Oh Jane t” I tried to speak loud, but was not able. A box was taken with me5 which I afterwards saw at Thornford ; I did not pack it. It was a small box, in which I kept letters and bits of tape. I think it was in the same state I left it> and it was brought back in the same state; except my missing a pincushion. I did not see the trunk till I got to Thornford. It was first in Mr. Paul’s house that I saw it; now I recollect it was in the house where 1 saw Mrs. William Bowditch; I saw the trunk in Mr. William Bowditch’s hand. I only recollect seeing Mr. William Bowditch riding on horseback; I recollect being taken out of the gig, and walking through a field ; the gig stopped opposite some gate, or by the side of some gate. When walking through the field, there was with me James and William Bowditch; the one had hold of one arm, and the other of the other. I saw no person at all, after I got into the gig, in my way to Thornford. I wak sick at dinner, and unwell, at Mr. Paid’s. 1 very soon rose from table; the mention of my uncle’s name made me feel as if I was going to cry, and I left the table and went up stairs before the cloth was removed.
Mr. Casberd.r—Have the goodness to look at those letters (handing oner a letter to the witness). That is not my writing. But I have seen those letters before at Mr. King-lake’s office.
Re-examined by Me. Serjeant Pell.
I had no reason to believe that Mr. Templer was a clergyman at the time I saw him at Thornford ; but I do recollect Susanna Bowditch mentioning something of his being a clergyman« When I came down stairs, Mrs. Paul took meABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
4 35
by the hand and led me to the table ; there was a servant as \ve passed the kitchen, and Mrs. Paul said every thing is ready. She entreated me to go in, and pushed Susanna Bowditch in first. Mr. Templer was at the top of thp table, and I believe Mr. Paul at the bottom; they had begau to dine. ^Neither of the letters, I am quite positive, and quite sure, are of my hand-writing. I saw the papers produced now to me before at Mr. Kingiake’s office. Mr. Oxenham was there ; he produced these papers, it being reported the Bowditches had some letters of mine; Mr. Oxenham, Mr. Kinglake, my uncle, and myself, w ere present at that time. I think Mr. Templer had some intimation pf my being connected with Mr. Tuckett, but do not recollect what passed when Mr. Templer mentioned Counsellor Tackett’s name.
Mr. Tuckett again called; examined by Mr. Gaselee.
Miss Glenn returned'from Holway thk 2d of September. I remember seeing an alteration in her manner preceding that time; the first time I recollect to have observed her, was, when in my own mind she looked very bad, and I spoke to her upon the subject. Her eyes looked inflamed, as if she had been crying. I was not at home when Mrs. Mulraiue palled; but it was in the afternoon at dinner when I observed it. it was on the Monday preceding the day she went away. At dinner-time I observed her eyes looked very bad. On that evening she walked out with me and her aunt, and then for the first time I observed something Strange and altered in her manner. I saw James Bowditch on the Sunday morning ; the day she was taken away. It was early iiuthe morning, before church; it was before breakfast, and just as I was going out to walk; I came upon him as he was talking to Mary Whitby, who had gone out with the two children. I came very suddenly upon him as I turned just round the corner, when he was standing by the turnpike-gate 5 he first turned, red as scarlet, and then shuffled off in a very abrupt manner, and receded from me in a quick kind of pace till
f f 2436
kirby’s wonderful museum.
he got out of sight. I observed a considerable alteration in her after she returned from church with her aunt. In the morning, previous to her going to church, I observed her in much distress and perturbation, and I determined to speak to her about it; but upon her return she seemed perfectly happy, and appeared quite tranquil when she came into the parlour. That was the cause of my not speaking to her, as I intended ; I dreaded to speak to her, and was astonished on being informed, that her going to school had been the occasion of so happy a change. I went to bed that night about ten o’clock; she retired before I did ; but from the time of her coming from church, to her going to bed, she was not out of my sight for live minutes together. She was very much attached to her home, and the most affectionate girl that ever lived; devoted to her mother and my children. I never knew her to go out without leave; she had not done it for the last quarter; she may, during the time I was absent, have been sent once or twice to school with her cousins, and once she was sent up to town to buy something at a shop for her aunt. She almost lived in my presence. On the morning she went away, Mrs. Tuckett was unwell, and I went into Miss Glenn’s room, about four
\
o’clock, or before four. When she was missed, I took all possible pains to discover where she was gone to. I sent expresses in all directions; and in going up to town for the purpose of making inquiries, in passing over Tone Bridge,
I met a woman who appeared agitated, and who asked me if I had heard any news of my niece. This woman was Mrs. Mulraine. This was about six o’clock in the evening, and I was going, in consequence of some information, to make further inquiry; when I was accosted by this woman, who in an agitated way asked me 'if I had had any intelligence. She held out a note in her'handy and told me she had already written me a note to inform me where my niece was; that she had written that note in case I had not received the other. I told her to give me news of my-nieceABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
437
who had been taken away (her conversation arose from what I said), undfer one of the foulest conspiracies that ever existed ; that I was determined to bring all the parties to justice, be the consequences what they might. I said further, that they had wrung my mind, destroyed her peace of mind, broken the heart of her mother, and would be the cause of her being left without a shilling. She exclaimed, “ I had nothing to do with it.” I had not that note she mentioned. She further told me that she was a mere visitor at the Bow-ditches, and had come down out of friendship to tell me where Miss Glenn was, I then asked if Mrs. Bowditqh the mother had any thing to do wjth it. She told* me my niece had beeit carried to Thornford; it was in a gig w ith a top and of a yellow colour. Mrs. Mulraine first assignedas a reason, for knowing it was her, having met the gig returning; on the road. I went immediately to Mr. Leigh. I believe Thornford is from Taunton about four or five and thirty' miles ; or it may foe more, but I am not exactly certain. I went to Mr. Kinglake’s office, as Miss Glenn had given me the description of the person whom she had seen in the court, and wdio produced to her a paper in a strange character. I saw the person answering that description exactly ; it was Mr. Oxenham. As soon as Miss Glenri had seen Mr. Oxenham, she immediately pointed him out to be the persbn she had seen before. I was present when the letters were produced. [Here an altercation arose among the Counsel and Judge, on the subject of the letters, and Mr. Casberd then handed in the letters.] These were the letters shewn to Miss Glenn at Mn'Kinglake’s office. The first letter was put into her hands, and the moment she looked at it, she said, she did not think she ever wrote it; she could not read it: and that it w^as not her hand-writing,.. She positively declared the second letter w;as not her handwriting, and that she had never written to Mrs, ^lulraine in her life. X sent Jane Marke to Holway early in the morning, She returned in three quarters of an hour; it would438	kirby’s wonderful museum.
take her ábóüt that time to get there and return back again. My reason for sending there was this When 1 found Miss Glenn was gone, I ordered all the servants to open the gate for me, that I might go in pursuit of her ; I called out, *c You aré all detaining me for the purpose of preventing my going in pursuit of my niece.” They all protested their innocence, and declared they knew nothing at all about the matter. I said, “ I could hardly think she would have attempted it by herself: that she was not bold enough to do Such a thing.” I added, “ Convince me of your innocence ; go directly to Holway, and bring me back my niece.” I think previous to this, Mary Whitby told me, if I would forgive her, she Would tell thé truth. I told her I would, if I found she did not deceive me. She then said, that Miss Glenn was gone off with James Bowditch, and that she had said she would poison herself, if she could not have him. I never before heard of any attachment in my life, on his part towards her. I heard of his being in the house, but nothing further. The reason assigned for his being there, was, that he had work to do at Norton. He was a labourer With his mother generally ; I knew of his being in the house, and did not like it, and inquired the cause ; and was told that he had got some work in repairing a mill. I had no Suspicion of him before Mary Whitby told me of it.
Maria Glenn again called.—Examined by Mn Serjeant Pell.—«Miss Glenn, have the goodness to describe to the Court, the sort of man who came into the house in the court, ànd produced the paper with the writing upon it, the characters of which you did not understand; describe the height, general make, and general appearance of him. But first let me ask you, did you ever describe his person, and what sort of a mai* he was, to Mr. Tuckett?—I did : he was a shott fattish man,7 with black hair and greasy face. N
Mr. Justice Park.—Let Mr. Qxenham come in.
Mr. Oxenhàm then came into the witness box by the side of Miss Glenn.ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
439
That gentleman was the one that was in the court on Sa* turday. I have not the slightest doubt but that that man was the person ; he is the man also who was at Mr. Kinglake’s office, and produced the two papers to me.
Mary Whitby sworn.—Examined by Mr. Moore.—In June last I was servant to Mr. Tuckett, as nursemaid, and was at Mrs. Bowditch’s, at Holway, with Miss Glenn arid two children ; it was iriy business to wait upon Miss Glenn and the children there. 1 was living at Mr. Tuckett* s at the time when Miss Glenn was missed from the house, and fre* quently in the presence of Miss Glenn, before she was missing from the house. It was my business to attend upon her in her room when she went to bed. I know a person of thè Dame of Jane Marke. I first spoke to Miss Glenn by the desire of Jane Marke, after her return from Hoi way, ôn the Tuesday before she was taken away. She said I must tell Miss Glenn that she must go away with Mr. James Bowditch, for that he would murder her if she did not ; which I did ; and as well as I can recollect, I think it was in the nursery. I told her several things more which re* garded James Bowditch ; that he would murder her if she did riot go away with him ; she was very much frightened* Jane M arke induced me to carry messages ; she was repeatedly teas* ing irie to do it ; and James Bowditch was continually talking of his love to Miss Glenn, arid asking me to try to make her like him. Several tiriies he spoke'to me in that way ; WiIJiarn Bowditch did also, and Mrs. Bowditch did, at Hol-Wriy, about three days after we came there. Mrs* BoWditch Said, she dared say Miss Glenn was-a lady of large fortune* I said I did not know, but I dared say she had, as she Was an only child. I know Mrs. Multarne; have seen her at Holway, and have spoken to her upon the subject of James Bowditch. She said she wished Miss Glenn to marry James Bowditch, as he was very unhappy about her. It Was about a month after going to Holway, she said this, f Ipiew Miss Glenn was to be taken away ; Jane Marke told me so òri the Tuesday before the Sunday, In thè afternoon440
kirby’s wonderful museum.
of Tuesday I met James Bowditch at thè cottages just be-low Mr. Tuckeit’s house. He talked of his love for Miss Glenn, and asked me if I could not leave Mr. Tuckett’s parlour window and the front door open; I,said that I was sure I could not do that. On that evening, after I had seen James Bowditch, I saw Jane Marke again; 1 told Jane Marke that I had seen James Bowditch; she said, she wished she could have seen him, as she would have put him up to something. That was on the Sunday morning of the Sunday night Miss Glenn was removed. I met James Bowditch in the French Wear^Fields, by Waterman’s, the farmer. It is not far from Taunton ; I walked as far as the turnpike-gate. It was about eight o’clock. Mr. and Mrs. Tuckett came by; they were coming out of the lane, and came sud-denly upon us. James Bowditch then left me and walked away : James Bowditch theh said, I could contrive to take her away ; I said I was sure I could not. He said he only wanted her, and not her clothes ; there would be no difficulty. On that night I had a conversation with Jane Marke, that Miss Glenn was to be taken away. Jane Marke said she had seen Mrs. Mulraine; that she had brought a letter from Mrs. Mul-raine to Miss Glenn. I did not see the note, nor do not know whether the note was given to Miss Glenn by any body else. In the course of the evening she said I must give thè note to Miss Glenn, and do it in a minute. She said, that I must leave Miss Glenn’s bed-room door open; that Miss Glenn was going to be taken away that night. I said I could not. She said, “ Leave her bed-room door open ; we can do it in a minute.” I said, that Miss Glenn would cry and make a noise ; she said, “ I don’t care, I shall do it in a minute and repeated what she had said. She said, I must leave the back parlour window open. That night we had a further conversation about Miss Glenn. When we were sitting down to tea, we were then talking together. Jane Marke said, that “ When we are told of it, we must have a stare upon our countenances, and afterwards say, we knew nothing of it.” I said, What could I do, asA INDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
441
my master would ask many questions? She said, “ If I ever was to tell, we should all be hanged.” And it was again a matter of conversation after we went into the bed-rdorii. Jane Marke said, I had not left Miss Glenn’s bedroom open, and then said, u Never mind, I have been down and opened it.” We all went to bed together; I left Jane Marke up in the room, and Elizabeth Snell was in bed with me. Jane Marke was uudressed, but she put on her pelisse. We all awoke at the same time, and then Jane Marke waj| sitting on a trunk, and a candle was burning on the table. This was all that I recollect.that night.
She was cross-examined by Mr. Jeremy, but nothing new was‘drawn from her.
The Rev. Blakely Cooper sworn.—Examined by Mr. Williams.—I am one of the surrogates to the Rev. Robert Morris, official to the Dean of the cathedral church of Sarum. J recollect James and William Bowditch. They came to me on the 18th of September, in the afternoon. 1 had a friend to dine with me, and excused myself from transacting business on that account; I requested them to call again early the following morning. They came again the following morning about eight o’clock. James Bowditch requested me to grant him a licence for his marriage. I asked him where; and he said, at Thornford. My residence is at Yet-minster, within the peculiar of Salisbury. Thornford is not more than two miles from Yetminster. Before I grant a licence I inquire where the parties reside, in order that I might know whether they reside within the jurisdiction of the Dean of Salisbury. James Bowditch said, he resided at Taunton, in Somersetshire, but that the lady was on a visit at Mr. Paul’s, at Thornford. I immediately inquired, how long she had been visiting there, knowing, if she had not been resident there a month, the marriage could not take place. His answer was, that she had been resident more than a month. I should observe, that I was induced more particularly to ask what lady it was at Thornford, for I knew44£	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
of no lady at Thornford. But when he told me, that the lady was on a visit to Mr. Paul, I was satisfied, not being acquainted with Mr. Paul; and am positive he mentioned that the lady had been there more than a month. I proceeded to fill up the bond; and after I had filled up the bond I proceeded to fill up the licence. In the body of the licence it is usual to describe the lady exactly, as to her age and place of residence. When I inquired her age, there teemed to be a little hesitation on the part of James Bow-ditch ; he turned round and looked towards his brother for information, as I suppose, as to what answer he should give. The brother said, “ I know she is twenty-oneupon which James acquiesced, and said, “ It must be so.” I told him, that he would not merely have to state, that she was twenty-one, but that I should, upon his peril, oblige him to swear so. I was induced to be so particular from the slight hesitation I observed on the part of James Bowditch, and I stated to him the necessity of"swearing it. He said he could readily sweiar it; and I then completed the licence, and administered the oath; he signed the bond in the presence of t\v6 of my servauts. The oath was merely parole; it was not in writing. As I was filling up the licence I asked him the name of the lady as a matter of course:—“ Maria Glenn,” was the answer. I wrote the word Maria, and then asked as to the other name. I spelt it G, L, Y, N, N ; and he approved of that mode of spelling it.
On the cross examination of Mr. Casberd, Mr. Cooper repeated the oath which he had administered to James Bow-ditch, and stated that there Were some words omitted which Were inserted in the usual oath. At the time of administering he had omitted the first words, but not wishing to disturb the thing by beginning De novo, he thought it best to let it pass.
Mr. Casberd then rose on the part of the Defendants, and spoke to the following effect:ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
443
May it please your Lordship ;
Gentlemen of the Jury,
My learned friend, in bis opening address to you on the subject of this prosecution, has stated to you, and no doubt most truly, that he laboured under considerable embarrassment; but, Gentlemen, after the case which you hawe heard proved on the part of (he prosecution, if with the impressions Upon liis mind, my learned friend could state that he felt considerable embarrassment in the view which he had taken of the case, what must be my sensations of anxiety when I rise to address you on the part of these defendants, charged as they áre by the record, upon which you aré im-pannelled, with one of the foulest crimes which ever exhibited itself in á court of justice.
Gentlemen, I stand here to defend ten different persons who are enumerated upon this record;—persons whom Í will venture to say, up ta the hour in which I am now addressing you, have borne, throughout the whole career of life, a most irreproachable character. The character, indeed, which these persons have uniformly borne, has been perfectly correct and proper; and I refer to Mr. Tuckett’s conduct as an illustration of this as regards some of the principal personages. Mr. Tuckett, besides having nothing generally to say against them, did by his own act appear to entertain the highest opinion of some of them, by entrusting them with the care and management of his family.
Gentlemen, it is therefore ail anxious task for me, under the circumstances, in which the case now presents itself before you, to rise to address you on the part of the defendants p because, I am not so blind and so void of understanding as not to see and feel that the case which has been made out is most undoubtedly a strong case. I do not wish to conceal the view which I have taken of the subject; and if I did not know and feel thoroughly assured of the truth of what my learned friend has indeed stated to you, namely, that this would turn out in the event a most extraordinary case, I444
KIRBY’S WONDERFUL MUSEUM#
should certainly fold up my brief, and consign the defendants to the fate that would necessarily await them. You have heard only one side ; you have heard the evidence only on the part of the prosecution; and undoubtedly, Gentlemen, if the case rested upon that evidence alone, the defendants must be convicted.
Gentlemen, I repeat, you have heard one side; but I have a body of testimony to adduce on the part of the defendants, which, if I am not inis instructed (and I have no reason to suppose that any nfisinformation has been given to me upon the subject)—testimony, I say, which will give to this case a very different character and complexion from that which it at present wears.
Gentlemen, there is some little singularity in the mode in which this prosecution has been instituted, and I know not why the prosecution should he reserved to be decided in this county. It does not properly belong to this county ! I have some difficulty, I confess, in finding out how it was that the county of Dorset could have jurisdiction in this case, for I find that which is the body of the charge took place in the county of Somerset; that it was wholly engendered in that part of the world. Gentlemen, that is not a slight circumstance among the many which will be submitted for your consideration. There is, however, that (a trifling part, indeed), which gives this county a jurisdiction, and enables yon to decide upon the case.
Gentlemen, is it not somewhat singular that this matter should not have been brought forward in the very neighbourhood where these persons resided ?—The place of habitation of most of the individuals implicated in this charge ? Why, Gentlemen, are you called upon to decide it in preference to its being decided by persons, whose knowledge of the parties could best enable them to appreciate their Conduct? This is a fact to be estimated as of the greatest importance; for to this is fairly to be ascribed the weight of evidence adduced on the other side. That is a singular feature;—it is> a singu-ABDUCTION OF MTSS GtENN.
445
iar feature, as I have already observed, that the defendants should have been brought before a jury of tlie county of Dorset, instead of a jury who would have been enabled to form a more correct judgment, and to have decided more correctly the fate of the defendants upon this record.
Undoubtedly it is a most extraordinary case; and the many witnesses that have been called have given, to a certain extent, a connected story. If, Gentlemen, we are to infer, that because a person has sworn to a fact, that, therefore, that fact must be true, then the defendants have no case; unquestionably, they have no case. But there are certain circumstances which have transpired in the course of the testimony, which fairly and candidly must be decided by the credit which the witness obtains at your hands; or rather, I should say, that tjiere are certain circumstances mentioned in the course of the examination of the principal witness for the prosecution, which, according 16 the notion and judgment I have been able to form of human nature upon this occasion, are to me perfectly unaccountable. Her story is, that this was a matter of violence, and that it was. effectuated against her imperfect opposition to her consent; that it was entirely a matter of aggression, and that she was carried away against her will.
On the other hand I shall have to exhibit to your view, on tlie part of the defendants, that so far from its being a matter of aggression against the particular individual, it was a ma'iter of election, and undoubtedly there were other circumstances occurring at the time which, I conceive, make it appear to have been no more than an ordinary case; and, I will venture to say, that it is one of those cases which, supposing they make out the facts which took place on the days mentioned, which occur every day, and which never should have been thought fit to have been made the subject of a public prosecution.
Gentlemen, I cannot help thinking but that there mlist be some mistake in the evidence on the part of this lady; be-* Gause to me it seems perfectly inconsistent and unaccount-
4446	kirby’s -wonberful museum.
able, how, considering the time of life at which she had arrived; considering the confidence she reposed in Mr. Tuckett with whom she lived; considering the interval which elapsed between the threats which are supposed to have so powerfully operated upon her mind, and the time when she finally went away;—-how could she, under such circumstances, withhold the tale from Mr. Tuckett, the friend of her bosom, her patron and guardian at the time? Mr. Tuckett, too, a person whose situation in life, and whose means of information, gave him such competent powers of affording protection! Under circumstances of such peculiarity, and with the want of explanation, it does certainly appear to me to be perfectly unaccountable. How came it to pass that Miss Glenn, living under the roof of Mr. Tuckett, he being the friend of her bosom ; how came it to pass that she should not have confided to him those representations which w'ere made to her, from time to time, of an event which has actually taken place is a most extraordinary thing which she would have you believe, namely, that her mind w7as so affected by my clients as she would have you suppose it to have been;—so affected, indeed, that she was compelled to take refuge in the arms of the man she detested.
Gentlemen, I think it w as on the 15th of September, that a most extraordinary conversation took place between Mrs. Mulraine and Jane Marke, at different periods of the same day, and Miss Glenn. This is singular, not only with reference to the tenour of the conversation, but singular also in being in the very same terms; the same words being spoken and used by both, if the witness is to be credited. I think, according to those expressions, Miss Glenn was to be followed wherever she went, and the result of her refusal to do what was required of her by James Bowditch was, that he would follow hef to any part of the world and murder her. These are the expressions which you are to suppose operated upon the mind,/and produced the result which afterwards £ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
447
ensued. This, Gentlemen, is said to have occurred on the 15th of September, when Miss Glenn constantly resided with Mr. Tuckett, with whom she continued to remain the time of her quitting his house on the 21st. Gan it be believed, that she actually did place herself finder the authority, awed by the threats, of persons in a very inferior sitúa* tion in life to herself?—I will ask you, looking at all the circumstances, if her account is to be believed ! Can you give credit for a moment to the supposition that all this affair did actually take place in the way represented ? It is certainly a most extraordinary thing that Miss Glenn should not have confided an affair to Mr. Tuckett which to her was of the greatest importance; but, according to her account, nothing whatever was said between the 15th and £2d of the same month.
Gentlemen, I say this is very extraordinary ; but it is even more than extraordinary, for it makes that case of forcible abduction, as stated on the other side, and made out under the circumstances which you have heard, absolutely improbable and incredible; because the story comes to nothing unless you believe the whole. Gentlemen, you are told, that Miss Glenn was sleeping in the adjoining room to Mr* Tuckett; a person enters this room—a room in which two children actually slept, the one seven years of age aud the other five; a person comes in, I say (not secretly, for her voice made her known), and forces the lady put of the room and finally out of the house; liable undoubtedly to be over-beard by Mr. or Mrs. Tuckett, who slept in the adjoining room, and still more so by the children who slept in the same room j that person liable to be apprehended, and made the subject of that punishment which must have awaited her upon the discovery of her criminal attempt. Yet this is the story you are now called upon to believe. But, Gentlemen, in a moment I shall show you that this story is false, absolutely false; that the account now given of what happened at that particular period, is widely different from the true uc-448
KiKBY*S WONDJSllFtJL MUSEUM.
count. That true account I shall make known to you, and
fm will then believe what were the real reasons which in* 'iced Miss Glenn to refrain from making an immediate disclosure to her uncle. Gentlemeu, my story is, that it was a matter of election on her part. That story I shall make out to your satisfaction, if the witnesses which I shall call before you are to believed, and I shall call many of them, and Some of them will tell you that they are totally unconnected' with the.family. I confess I do not see how it is possible to believe Miss Glenn in the major part of her story. I do not see how it was possible for her to have been conducted out of the house in the manner she has described. But you, when you have heard the whole of the testimony to be adduced in the cause, will be the most competent judges : but, Gentlemen, this consequence must necessarily follow;—rif you do not believe her on this most important point—neither can you respect any part of the evidence which she has given in the cause.
Gentlemen, if this case is important as it affects the defendants upon this record, it acquires an additional importance from the circumstance of Mr. Oxenham being introduced into it. Gentlemen, I will venture to say to my learned friends on the other side, that up to the moment of this transaction there has not been the slightest imputation cast upon the character of Mr. Oxenham. Gentlemen, Mr. Ox-eoham is a respectable solicitor, in Taunton, who succeeded a person equally respectable in life with himself. Now you are told, Gentlemen, that Miss Glenn, never having seen Mr. Oxenham before this transaction took place, ventures now to decide upon her oath that the person who tendered her the paper for the purpose of her sighing it, and about which'there is so much doubt—that that person was the Mr. Oxenham to whom I have alluded.
Gentlemen, I shall call before you persons of unquestionable veracity, as well as bring persons actually concerned with Mr. Oxenham at the time to which I refer, who willABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN*
449
prove to you that Mr. Oxenhatn never had the slightest concern, either in the nearest or remotest degree with this trans -action. .
Gentlemen, if that be so, what are you to think? what are you to think of Miss Glenn’s evidence, when she swears so positively to Mr. Oxenham being the person ? Having fixed upon him too, in a way to make an impression upon the court, by having previously given a description of fyis person in such a way as must be calculated to induce you to believe that she could not be mistaken if he came forwards. Gentlemen, you will have no doubt that he certainly was not the person, and your belief of that will be fully confirmed in my being able to show you where Mr. Oxenham was at that very time.
What then must become of all the rest of her evidence, for she was equally positive upon this subject as she is upon the rest? If you disbelieve her upon this point, you must necessarily disbelieve her in all the rest. But I shall not rest here; there are other circumstances in the case to which I shall be able to give a contradiction equally positive as to her conduct.
Gentlemen, you then find Miss Glenn at Thornford, at the house of Mr. Paul, and I am happy to find that in that place there was a person of great respectability in life; a gentleman in the church, coming from a remote part of the country, and happening to be at this particular spot purely by accident. In fact, they have not cast any imputation on this gentleman, but, on the contrary, his conduct has met with commendation; now let see what Miss Glenn says upon that part of the subject. Miss Glenn says that she came down when the family was at dinner, and that she at*> tempted to eat; that a gentleman of the name of Templer invited her to eat, and helped her; but she was so uneasy, she really only tasted a bit, and retired before the cloth was removed.
But, Gentlemen, you will now hear what Mr. Templer will
VOL. VI.	G G450
KIRBV’s WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
say upon the subject;—upon this very part of the subject* Mr. Templer will tell you, that so far from not tasting any thing at dinner and never eating any thing, that she ate like Other people: that she ate heartily, and made an exceedingly good dinner; and that, with respect to her being ill, he will tell you that she was in as good spirits as the rest of the company ; that there was no apparent difference except, as he believes, for he will not vouch for the truth, as perhaps his memory might not be quite correct;—but he rather thinks she was even in better spirits than the rest.
Gentlemen, I will not fatigue you by going through all the incongruities which you will iind in the course of Miss Glenn’s evidence, but shall proceed to lay before you that which must convince you that Miss Glenn has been endeavouring to give a false account of this transaction. I do not wish to deal harshly or uncivilly by her, but I must think, that SO far from this being a forcible transportation from one place to another, you will find it to have been entirely voluntary oil her part, she herself having contracted a passion for the young man~And, Gentlemen, here let me remind you, whatever may be the event, that because there was a disparity in the circumstances of jife, that is no reason why a marriage ought not to take" place.
Gentlemen, we have heard something upon the subject of the independence of this young lady, and of the fortune likely to be in her possession ; but I see nothing of the kind that she possesses, if it be true that she has a mother now living, and that her grandfather is still in existence. By whose evidence does it appear that thiHyoung lady is independent, and that the bulk of the grandfather’s and mother’s fortune is to eome to her? I recollect perfectly well Mr. Tuckett’s say* ¿ng something about feeling exceedingly alarmed at his niece’s being cut off with a shilling by the proceedings then going forward. If this is a case, then, which rested upon expectation (for it is in part stated that she could expect lio-tifiog after such a marriage), let me ask what expectation a451
ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN,
husband could entertain upon the marriage taking effect? what benefit could a man in a station in life, comparatively humble, have to look forward to with a person so different $i situation, and so different in habits ? A person moving under these circumstances could not be a very valuable acquisition. If we do pot forego the consequences, then this is a cise not to be supported, because it rests entirely upon being expectations, and you have it in evidence that those expectations might have been cut off.
Gentlemen, this is the sort of case to which 1 have alluded. The whole depends upon the evidence of the pripci,ptl witness, Miss Glenn. ¿If you disbelieve her, then, ps she^s the substratum of all the rest, the whole case ¿mggt ^IJutf the ground.
Gentlemen, if 1 shall show you that the account given by Miss Glenn is not a correct account; if 1 do that by the testimony of witnesses, whose veracity I apprehend has never been impeached, and is totally unimpeachable; if by means of these witnesses you find the account already .given to be perfectly inconsistent with truth and reason; then the defendants will be entitled to your verdict of acquittal, and to that verdict 1 most confidently look,
John Oxenham sworn.—Examined by Mr. Selwyn. —I am an Attorney, and reside at Taunton. Have resided there about fifteen years, or nearly fifteen years. I came there in 1803. I was first a writing clerk to Mi:. Kinglake, and after that was articled to him, and I have been afipiit four years an Attorney in Mr. Kinglake’s office, and had some part of the business some part of the time. Mr« J£iiig-lake gave up business at Midsummer, and I pay him a pertain sum out of the profits of the business. I know die young lady who has been called here as a witness to-day. I have seen her about four times. The first time I saw her, to fhe best of my recollection, was when she came )tp Mr. JECuiglake’s office with Mr. Henry Leigh, her Attorney, the
q g 2452
kirby’s wonderful museum.
latter end of last January, since the indictment was preferrédv 1 never saw her to the best of my recollection before the time she came to Mr. Kinglake’s office. I had no knôw-ledge of her whatever when she came with Mr. Leigh to the door ; and did not know there was such a person as Miss Glenn in Mr. Tuckett’s family until about the time I have just before named ; about that time I understood there was, because I had seen the affair advertised in the newspapers ; but during the time of the elopement I never knew there was such a person. I remember having been engaged with Mr. Weaver of Staple Grove, on the morning of Saturday the 20th of September. I cannot exactly say whether he camé before nine in the morning, but he was there about that time, and I was engaged .with him about two hours ; though I cannot positively say, for I was sometime engaged with Hénrÿ Foy. Mr. Weaver and the other person called about the same hour. There was a Mr. Slade, and I think a man of the naine of Uttermere. That was at Mr. Kinglake’s office ; it is, in Mary-street, at the corner of Brick-street, 'Taunton ; and I never produced any deed, paper, or writing, to Miss Glenn, antecedent to the time she came to the office
with Mr. Henry Leigh ; that I swear most positively.
)
Cross examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell.
I remember Mr. Leigh and Miss Glenn coming to Mr. Kinglake’s office, and produced two papers to them, in consequence of a proposal which Mr. Leigh made for the purpose of abandoning the prosecution, if it could be proved, to their satisfaction, that the story which Miss Glenn had told was not correct. I am the solicitor of some of the defendants; they have come to me upon some occasions, and am now concerned for these defendants. When the indictment w'as preferred I was not, (but to the best of my recollection I have not seen Mr. Paul), Mrs. Bowditch came to me, and I did receive those two papers, I believe, to the best of my recollection, from old Mrs. Bowditch, Mrs. Joan SABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.	453
Bowditch; but I cannot exactly say ; they were brought to me in the course of business; I speak to the best <# my recollection. I remember Mrs. Bowditch showing me some letters which purported to be in the handwriting of Miss Glenn; but it is impossible for me to answer the question exactly; I cannot say how long it was, but it was soon after Miss Glenn went away; 1 think it was just after that. It was soon after the 22d of September that old Mrs. Bowditch delivered me these papers, but I cannot say how long. I beg leave to say that I cannot speak with certainty as to whether she brought both the papers at the same time. I know William Bowditch’s house in Taunton ; the house in which/ he lately lived is up a sort of court. I swear, I was not in that house on the 20th of September. It is just at the head of East-street; perhaps, it may be a quarter of a mile, or something that way. A person may possibly go round in a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes. It would take to walk from William Bowditch’s to my office, I should think, between eighteen and twenty minutes ; it is just at the head of East-street, but I am not exactly certain whether the house is in the same parish; I do not know whether it is in Taunton, St: James, or St. Mary Magdalen. I have known old Mrs. Bowditch several years; she has been at my office several times ; I never considered her as a client of mine ; she has been at the office, I believe about writings, but she was never a client until I was employed about this business* I had known her before, many years, and she has spoken to me upon matters of business. I do not remember to have done, business for any of the other defendants; but I may have advised James Bowditch about business. I remember preparing a marriage settlement for a daughter of Mrs. Bow-ditch, who married a person of the name of Scarlett, and I prepared a marriage settlement for William Bowditch. I was applied to as a professional man, by the defendants, about three weeks or a month after the affair took place on the 22d of September; I remember Mrs. Bowditch showing me a letter, and telling me that Mr. Tuckett had threatened454	kirby’s Wonderful museum.
a prosecution. I cannot possibly say as to the time ; it may or ml^not haitérbèÀi so long ; all I recollect is that it was very shortly after ; I cannot say the specific time. I know I am on my oath, and it is quite impossible for me to say how soon after the 22d of September it was before l was applied to by any body upon the subject as an attorney; I cannot speak positively. (Mr, Serjeant Pell here said, “ I am quite satisfied;”)	I knew Mr. Tuckett. 1 never knew Mr.
Tucltett had a niece before I heard she was gone off. I understood the time of her going off before I had seen ahy of the defendants ; I understood she went off on the Q&d, for there was a paragraph the same week iri the newspaper. But I cannot fix the precise time after the 22d, before I saw the defendants. The first time that I heard there was any intention of James Bowditch marrying any body, I believe, was on Saturday, the ^Oth of September, that William Bowditch called at MW Kinglake’s office. Here, my Lord (addressing the Judge), I beg leave to observe, that he called upon me to advise him, and I considered it a confidential communication; biit if your Lordship thinks 1 ought to disclose it, I will. (Mr. Justice Park. An attorney has no right to disclose the secrets of his client. Mr. Serjeant Pell. The witness may surely be allowed to answer that question, or so much of it as relates to whether William Bowditch did call upon him upon business respecting the marriage of his brother or of some of the family. The Witness. But before I say any thing upon thè subject, I beg leave to observe, that af tlie time of his calling, I had no knowledge of this young Wòman ;) and he never mentioned the name òf the young wdhian to me at that time : the impression on my mind is that William Bowditch did consult me on the Saturday before Miss Glenn went off ; on Saturday the 20th of September.
Re-examined by Mr. Selwyn.
Between eight and nine o’clock in the evening ; it w>as late in the evening, for it was after the clerks had left the office.ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
455
I was advised to produce two papers which had been given me about the same time, by Mr. Kinglake, in consequence of an application from Mr. Leigh; the object was to'satisfy Mr. Tuckett that the hand-writing was the hand writing of Miss Glenn. They were given to me, I believe, by old Mrs. JBowditcb; she alleging them to be in the hand-writing of Miss Glenn. When the papers were produced, Mr. King-lake, Mr. Tuckett, Mr. Leigh, Miss Glenn, and myself were present. I beg to explain : one letter was given back immediately ; she said she could not read it ; afterwards she said she might have written such a letter, except the direction. J. understood that to be an admission on her part that she had written it. I mean to represent that she admitted one of them to be in her hand-writing, except the direction, on the letter addressed to James Bowditch. (Mr. Selwyn, handing the two letters to the witness.) Were these two, the two papers you produced to Mr. Leigh ? They certainly are. Pointing to the first, she admitted to be in her hand-writing.' All except the direction ? I certainly understood it so.
(The letter was then put in and read by the Associate. It was signed Maria Glenn, and directed to James Bowditch at Hoi way Cottage, and was to the following purport.)
C( My dear James,
u In answer to your last letter, I wish you to buy the Usence, and assure that I was 21 the 28th of last August, remember that 1 have no independent fortune, can there then be blame in our forming this alienee, when love not interest actuates the deed;
Sept. 14th, 1817.	Yours truly,
Mr. J. Bowditch,	“ Maria Glenn.”
“ Holway Cottage.
Mr. Justice Park.—Let us see how this other is evidence*456
KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM,
Mr. Serjeant Pell.—The difficulty is got over by what Mr. Oxenham has said.
Mr. Jeremy.—But the other was not admitted to be in the hand-writing.
Mr. Justice Park.—I am of opinion that it is evidence under the circumstances. These letters are not professional letters; we know them only as letters brought by Mrs. Bow-ditch to Mr. Oxenham her attorney, and merely given to him in the course of his profession. They are tendered here in confirmation of what the witness has sworn ; being produced to the lady, she expressly asserts that one is not, but does not deny the other. It is therefore evidence to show that.
[The other paper was then put in and read ; it had no direction, but was dated Sunday morning. It was as follows:—-
u Miss Glenn sends her kindest love to Mrs. Mulraine, and informs her it will be perfectly out of her power to see her before half past 1£ to night, as her aunt and uncle both will be with her if she goes out td walk. She understands that she has something to communicate to her of consequence, if so she should be obliged to Mrs. Mulraine, if she would write and inform her what it is by the bearer.
“ Sunday Morning”
Charles Puddey sworn ; examined by Mr. Jeremy.
I live in the parish of Taunton, St. Mary Magdalen; my house is near Mrs. Bowditch’s; it is the adjoining farm. I have been in the farm three years come Michaelmas; 1 lived there at the time this transaction took place, and was frequently at Mrs. Bowditch’s. I was in the constant habits of intimacy; there was scarce a day we did not see each other, and I saw Miss Glenn frequently during the time .of her residing there, when she was riding as well as walking. James Bowditch generally accompanied her, and sometimes his sister; he was generally leading the horse, with his arm rest-ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN,
457
ing upon the horse's mane, talking to her. I suppose I have seen them ten times in that situation ; I have seen her walking as well as riding upon my farm ; I cannot say that she ever catched hold of his arm, but he used to walk by the side of her; they seemed a little in the sweethearting line; he was more like a lover than a servant, and I have seen them together in the barton, that is, Mrs. Bowditch's farm-yard. I saw her upon the wheat-mow; that was at the time when it was not quite finished ; there were none of the men working, but Mr. Bowditch was there. I was in the house when she asked me to assist her in getting up this mow, and I went out to her, in company with those that were in the kitchen. James Bowditch was out in the barton by himself. She asked me to hold the ladder for her; I said, u You had better give me leave to proceed; I will hold the ladder, and then you can come up." James Bowditch was in the waggon, pitching to the mow. I have seen her on more occasions than one in the kitchen. I have knowTn her spend her evenings in the kitchen ; she was always there. In my opU nion James Bowditch took the liberties of a sweetheart with her; he used to talk to Miss Glenn freely, and she used to sit down upon the same seat with him, but I never saw him kiss her. I have seen him take those kind of liberties which are considered to be the privilege of a sweetheart; but he never advanced so far as to kiss her. I don't know that she said any thing upon the occasion, but I saw there was a kindness between them. I said to Mr. Bowditch; “I think this young lady seems to have an inclination for you." He said, il Do you think so ?" This was about a week or a fortnight after I saw them in the habits of being together; this was, I suppose, about a fortnight, or within three weeks after Miss Glenn came to reside at Mrs. Bowditch’s. I do not know at what time Miss Glenn came, to reside there. It was at the time of carrying hay; it was hay harvest time. They have often walked out together, and I Have seen how they went out hay-making. When she458
kirby’s wonderful museum.
the servant was not always with her. She appeared very shy at first. When I came into the kitchen, she often left it in the evening. Miss Glenn at one time, when the man Was busy, came to me and said, a Mr. Puddey, will you oblige me in one thing ?” I asked her how she could he obliged to me ; she then asked me to catch the horse for her, and assigned as a reason that James Bowdilch would not catch it, as be was sulky. I have been in the house frequently, when Miss Glenn was there, morning and evening. I do not know that I ever met her in a morning, but she used to exercise in the fields. I have not seen her ride early in the morning; she asked one time to borrow my wife’s saddle and bridle for the servant to ride to Hestercombe. I know that onetime in the morning, about ten o’clock, just after breakfast, 1 heard lier ask him to go up and fasten the window', and I suppose he did. When she went into the kitchen, he did not go immediately; I heard her say, “ Why do you not go ?” He left the room, but whether fee went up stairs, l am not certain. I wfenfc home, and did not see Mr.Bowditch again ; they have walked to my house together; they looked as if they were suitors ; they came to see a print we had got ; it was not Mr. Bowdilch that was with her then : it w as one of his sisters. James Bowdilch was not then with her; she came with James Bowditch, but not to see the prints ; but he has been with her in my house; I suppose they came out of curiosity.
Mr. Justice Park.—I might wonder at her taste, perhaps, but that has nothing to do with it. If she w^as with James Bow^diteh at the witness’s house, it is material; Let ns hear why she went there first ; I want merely the fact.
She used to corne there very often ; but I think it was to drink tea at that time ; I am not certain ; but we were drinking tea. James Bowditeh was not with her when she saw the picture. I recollect seeiiig them after they went home. I went part of the way With them from Holway to Taunton. lHalked on a little way with them ; they had little conversa-ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.	45Q
tion, for she was so very low ; It was the very morning she left Holvvay to return to Taunton. I have seen them walk-ing together in Taunton after her return, upon the occasion of the christening of a child to which Janies Bowditch , and the yoilng lady stood. On that, occasion I saw James Bowditch with her in thè town going to church. Janies Bowditch frequently said so himself. I did not hear her say any thing myself that she stood godmother ; but Jaines Bow-ditch sard so. Mrs. Mmirarne owned the child. I have seen him not ten yards from her when they have been walking together. He did not go exactly like a servant.
Samuel Mansfield sworn; examined by Mr. Casberd.
I recollect seeing Miss Glenn at Mrs. Bowditch’s in July last; on the seventeenth. I live in Taunton. I have many times seen Miss Glenn and Janies Bowditch w alking arm in arnf very loving together about the fields of the farm belonging to Mrs. Bowditch ; and sometimes walking up and down the garden ; in July and August too. I have seen them in the su miner- house many times, very loving indeed. She used to ride out in the waggon that was carrying the hay and corni I saw him kiss her in the waggon.* She has many a night detained me only to catch the pony. James Bowditch sometimes ran by her side. I never saw him ride with her. 1 have seen her in the kitchen sitting on his: knee. ■ 1 recollect their going together with Miss Susan Bowditch to Hester* combe* I saddled the pony. She appeared to be very fond of him.
Cross examined by Mr. Seiue ant Pelìl. *
Did not know her before she came to Mrs. Bowditch ■$ to live. I am a labouring man there. I know Miss Glenn very well.
; [The remainder of this evidence is so very matèrni, that We think it advisable to give it fully as it occurred.];
Mr. Serjeant Pell.—Now, Sir, turn your head round to the right; now 1 ¿¿$k you this question ; Is that the young lady460	kirby’s wonderful museum.
you have been describing, by whom all these things have been done ?
[The witness looked at Miss Glenn, hut made no answer?]
Q. Are you drunk ?— [He made no answer.']
Q. (By Mr, Justice Park.) Was she the lady who sat down on Mr. James Bowditch’s knee in your presence ?— A. Not in my presence.
Q. Then, Mr. Mansfield, you did not see her sit upon James Bowditch’s knee?—A. Not in my presence, I was walking through the passage.
Q. (By Mr. Justice Park.) Still it was in your presence, for you saw it?—A. Yes, my Lord.
Q. You know who the young lady was ?—A. Yes.
Q. You are sure of it?—A. Yes, Miss Glenn.
Q. Was it that young lady? (pointing to 3Iiss Glenn.)— A. I don’t think that was the lady.
[A noise in court prevented the proceedings for a moment.]
Mr. Justice Park.—Brother Pell, this cannot be endured.
Mr. Serjeant Pell.—It is really excusable, my Lord; I am ready to jump out of coutt myself.
Q. (By Mr. Justice Park.) That is not the young lady you saw him kiss in the waggon ?—A> I don’t think it is, my Lord,
Anne Warren morn / examined by Mr. Selwyn.
I live opposite Mr. Tuckett’s at Taunton, and know James Bowditch and Miss Glenn perfectly well. Have seen James Bowditch and Miss Glenn together in the beginning of September; I cannot exactly say the time, but it was some time in the beginning of September; it was in the evening. I saw' Mary Whitby come out and: speak to James Bowditch opposite the house, and I then saw7 Miss Glenn come out, and speak to him likewise. It was after tea, about six or seven in the evening. Mary Whitby remained: Miss Glenn nodded with her head towards the French-Wear-Fields; at least that way, It appeared to me that she did that for himABDUCTION OR MISS GLENN.	401*
to go on.s James Bowditch, at the time she nodded her head, was with her. I saw James Bowditch go on. He went on before. She followed him, and looked through the pales of Mr. Tuckett’s garden; she then ran to the steps and, spoke to the servant, Mary Whitby, and then went in. She returned, and ran after him as fast as she could. She ran on the causeway, towards the French-Wear-Fields; and she overtook him. I saw her look back towards her uncle’s house; Mr. Tuckett’s house; she then took hold of his arm, in this manner, (showing how)9 and then walked on to the entrance of the fields, and I lost sight of them then. I do not exactly know how far I was from them when she took hold of his arm; they were not out of sight; I suppose about twenty or thirty yards; but I do not exactly know. It may be more, I should rather suppose. My husband is a bricklayer*
Cross examined by Mr. Gaselee.
I did not remark the day of the month nor the day of the week on which this happened; and cannot tell the day of the week. It did not occur tome that I should be called as a witness. I thought it improper. I am a married woman, and I have a great many children. I did not communicate it to Mr. Tuckett; I did not concern myself about it; I had enough to do with my own family; I took no notice of it. I cannot particularly say how near 1 was to the lady; I was about my own house, and I saw her pass the causeway across the road. She had got on a light-coloured shawl. I do not know what else. I know Miss Glenn’s face; and I did see her face. Not for any length of time; I suppose about eight minutes; but I cannot tell what her dress was like. She had a bonnet on ; a straw bonnet. I cannot tell the shape of the bonnet. She had nothing at all on her bonnet. I mentioned it to my next door neighbour, Mrs. Northam. Mrs. Northam came out and saw her too.46®	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
Re-examimd by Mr. Selwyn,
I think i;t was about a fortnight before the affair ha ppened at Mr. Tuckett’s hoirse. James Bowditch is a well-looking young man. The turnpike road where this happened is wider ¿tbaia from the judged bench to me; it is as far from where X.Sitood, as it is up the court. She could see me if I could see her. Mrs. Northam was by the door. X have lived there six years. Mr. Tuckett has lived there not half so long $$ J have. My eldest child is three years old.
Q. (By Mr. Justice Park.) When you saw a child come ciiitfrom Mr. Tackett’s, should you not as a neighbour have gone over to him, and told him that it was his niece or daughter* you did not know which, who had run off with a labouring man up the street in apparent wantonness ?
A . I did not do it. I would solemnly take my oath a hundred times that she done it.
William Warren sworn; examined by Mr. Jeremy.
I live in North Town, Taunton, just opposite Mr. Tackett's; I am husband of the last witness. I have seen James Bow-ditch and Miss Glenn as near together as that a little thorn hedge parted them ; the one just standing in the garden and the other just at the outside. I know his person well. He is a small growth man. He appears of the station of life of a farmer. He does not look like a labourer. He is rather decent than otherwise. I have never seen him and Miss Glenn walking together. I have seen them talking together, one on one side of the hedge, and the other on the other side, twice. It was about the middle of September, in th« evening.
Cross examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell.
My wife has many children; my eldest may be about or »ear twelve, but I cannot say exactly. I should not suppose that my wife should have said any such thing that my eldest child was only three, years old ; it cannot be true, if she has sworn so.
4ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.	403
SamufTl Poole sworn; examined by Mil Casberd.
I know Mr. James Bowditch, and know Miss Glenn. I saw them walking together in the month of September last. I was coming home from work between six and seven o’clock in the evening, and 1 saw Mr. James Bowditch coming towards me. 1 passed him and went a little further and stopped. He spoke to a servant girl who was there. I was about twenty yards from her. 1 went on twenty yards more; and the girl went into Mr. Tuckett’s house- Mr. Bowditch stopped about twenty yards off, and Miss Glenn came out at the gate ; then Mr. Bowditch saw her and turned and walked away; she ran after him* ¿and they walked off arm in arm* Cross examined by Mr. Moo^re.
It was between six and seven in the evening. It was as light as it is now. It iwas at Mr. Tuckett’s front i^ate. I believe the sun was down, t I suppose it may be forty yards ffrom the house to the gatei There is ail iron rail before the house. It is not a close fence, but an opefi fence. I was at a little distance ; and I saw her running down from the house as fast as she could run. I had seen her before this: I dare say it was twice, but I would not swear it. I frx on twice, because I saw her with Mr. Bowditch; she was walking with him. That was the last time. I saw her three or four davs before, in the evening, between six and seven o’clock. I did not see her come out of Mr. Tuckett’s house. I met her in the path against Mr. Tuckett’s house. They were not walking arm in arm; but one by the side of the other. I passed by the side of them, but did not take much notice how far they walked together. I saw them, the first time, near the same place, within a hundred yards, in the same path. They were walking in the same way, and in the same direction. The second time I met them I was coming from work, which I chiefly left at six. Both the Other timesi were between six and seven as well as the first. There were no people about. I am not certain ; I did not see any. s The third time John Burroughs was there. I know Master464
kirby’s wonderful museum.
Warren whom we have had here to day. I have been drink« ing with him a little to day ; and I have been drinking wuth John Burroughs, and with different people; and with Mr. William Bowditch and Joseph Broom : nobody else. There vrere several persons in company drinking. William Warren the last witness was not there the last time. I have seen him in a room drinking to day. He had been drinking part of a pot of beer with me. I suppose I had forgot to mention his name when I told the other three names. I knew* Miss Glenn very- well; I had seen her at times when she was not walking with James Bowditch, at her uncle’s house. I had done business at the garden beside the house. That is Miss Glenn.
John Burroughs sworn; examined by Mr.Selwyn.
I am a gardener living in North Towm, in Taunton. I know Miss Glenn. That is the lady. I have been acquainted with her person two years. I know' James Bowditch. I have known him three years. I have seen Miss Glenn and James Bowditch together in North Tow n, and in other places besides that, in September, 1817. I do not recollect whether it was about the time the affair happened at Mr. Tuckett’s. I cannot say how long ago. I recollect the affair at Mr. Tuckett’s. It was before the affair happened. I cannot say how long. It was in the beginning of September, between six and seven o’clock in the evening. The first time I saw James Bow7ditch coming towards Mr. Tuckett’s house lie came as far as Mr. Tuckett’s gate and spoke to the nurse maid, who went into the house. I know the house maid at Mr. Tuckett’s. * Then out came Miss Glenn; she had not a bonnet nor a cap on: and then they went to meet one another ; and went and shook hands. They then walked arm in arm together; she took hold of his arm. She took hold of his right arm with her left arm. They went towards a place called the French-Wear-Fields, down through North Towm. I kept them in sight for about seventy yards. She had no shawl, but had on a white gown. They went into the little lane called French-Wear-Lane, and within fiveABDUCTION OK? MISS GLENN.	465
minutes they came back that way again; towards Mr. Tuck-ett’s house. They walked about arm in arm; but they had changed arms then. They then shook hands and parted. They were arm in arm when they came out of the little lane* I did not say it was the first time; I had seen them once before; that was on the Thursday night before she went off oil the Monday morning. I have seen them two or three times walking arm in arm in North Town.
Cross examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell*
, It was so light that I am quite sure it was Miss Glenn* Any body migjit have seen that it was her. I was about twenty yards from them. She had on a white gown. They were walking arm in arm together, and went towards the French«Wear-Fields. The day of the week I saw them was on a Thursday.
Q. (By Mr. Justice Park.) On the night you speak of, this Thursday night, when the parties interchanged first their right and then their left arms, did you take particular notice whether it was observed, by any woman; did any woman look after her, or did any one else look after her.—There were a great many people in North Town.
I know Mrs. Warren, she lives pretty nearly opposite Mr. Tuckett’s house. I did not see Mrs* barren look after them.
There was a great number of people about, but I, did not see them take any notice. Yes, Samuel Poole, my partner, was with me, and took notice of it to me. There were a great many people walking about. That is the young woman, (,'pointing to Mary Whitby); that is the nurse maid; she was with Mr. Bowditeh when Miss Glenn came out. I saw Mr. Bowditch speak to her.
Mary Priest sworn; examined by Mr. Jeremy.
I am the wife of Aaron Priest. He is a relation to Mrs. Mulraine. I live at Taunton. Mrs. Muh-aine was staying at my house in the course of last year; in September; she staid there a month or five weeks. Miss Glenn called occa* sionally to inquire for Mrs. Mulraine. She came once, and
VOL. VI.
H H466
kirby’s wonderful museum.
inquired if Mr. James Bowditch was there. They called together once. At another time she called again, when he was not there, and asked for him. She sent me to Mr. William Bowditch?s, to see if he was there, that is, James Bow-ditch, and I found him. I came back with him about two or three minutes after. They then walked away together; Miss Glenn and James Bowditch. I did not take particular notice, but they seemed very fond of each other. I saw them walking across the Old Plott, arm in arm. It isjiear East Street, I do not think I have ever seen them walking any where else. I recollect the christening of Mrs. Mulraine’s child. James Bowditch was the godfather, and Miss Glenn and Betsy Bowditch were the godmothers. The christening was at St. Mary Magdalen’s. They all went to church. I took the child. It was a female child. I dined with them at Mrs. Bowditch’s at Holway Farm. I saw Miss Glenn at Holway. I did not see any fun at all going forwards. Mrs. Bowditch’s part}*, and Miss Glenn dined with us in the kitchen, and Mrs. Bow-ditch’s family. There was Betsy Bowditch, Susanna Bowditch, Sarah Bowditch, and James Bowditch. As soon as I had dined 1 returned home again j and do not know any thing more.
Cross examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell.
Now, Mrs. Priest, I give you warning before I begin your cross examination, that what you say will be taken down with great accuracy. Now, I ask you, Madam, at what church; give me the name of the church where this christening took place.—St. Mary Magdalen. Miss Glenn was there. Miss Glenn stood godmother to the child upon that occasion. For Mrs. Mulraine’s child. It was the first time I ever saw Miss Glenn. I am certain it was that young lady, who now sits at my right hand. I am quite sure it was on a Wednesday, the 27th of August. Mrs. Mu!raine is a first cousin ito my husband. I do not recollect the clerk’s name at St. Mary Magdalen’s church.-*-Being asked, if it was Long, she answered, yes.—Mr. Seijeant Pell. I give you notice, Mrs. Priest, that the clerk is here, who was present at the christen*
3. ABblJCTION OF MISS GLENN".
461
ing.—Long is the clerk's name. I will swear that Miss Glenn Was present at the christening. I never saw atiy body but the two girls of Mr. Tuckett’s at the dinner. I did not see Mary Whitby there; only Mr. Tuckett’s two daughters| the two little girls. I was not often at Hoi way Farm. I never was there but during the christening ; and never saw Mary Whitby there. The five weeks Mrs. Mulraine was staying at my house was part of September, and part of August ; not in continuation; she would stay a week or two, and go to Mrs. Bowditch’s.
James Scarlett sworn; examined by Mr. Casberd*
I recollect being at Mrs. Bowditch’s house, in the course of last year, when Miss Glenn was there, two or three times a week, and recollect seeing James Bowditch there. I saw James Bowditch and Miss Glenn together, walking in' the garden on a Sunday morning. , I am uncertain whether one of Mr. Tuckett’s children was not with them, but there was no other grown person with them. I have seen them in the kitchen together many times, alid remember their going to a place called Gotten together; it is about three miles from Mrs. Bowditch’s; and they appeared familiar with each other.
Cross examined by Mr. Gaselee.
I have married Mary, one of the daughters of Mrs. Bowditch. I went to Gotton about a fortnight after Miss Glenn came to lodge there; it is near the seat of a gentleman at Hester-combe; the party were, myself, Mi’s. Bowditch, my wife, James Bowditch, Sarah Bowditch, and Miss Glenn* We walked; the distance is near three miles. I am a printer, and live at Gotton, when I am ait home; but I work at Taunton*
Joseph Broom sworn ; examined by Me. Selwyn.
I am a labourer ; I remember being at Mrs. Bowditch’s, at Holway Farm, last year. I was employed to cut the wheat some time in August. I remember the christening of Mrs. Mulraine’s child; I knew when the christening was. going on* That is Miss Glenn, I will s/wear to her. [Look-ing at her.] I remember seeing her at that time, at Holway,
H H £468	kirby's wonderful museum«
when I went in after the liquor, into the pump-house> at the backside of the house. I saw Miss Glenn that day, in the morning when I went in after the liquor, in the passage with Mr. Bowditch, and one of his sisters. I< was in the pumphouse ; she came over the step out of the passage ; she was at the outside, and stood over the step in the passage. She said she was going to be married to Mr. James Bowditch ; he was in the passage, and she went back to him ; she came hack again towards me, and held out a ring which she said she was going to be married with; at the time she shewed me the ring, she did not say any thing more then. I remember seeing her in Mr. Paddey’s orchard ; she went out through the front of the house, and through Mr. Puddey’s orchard; she went with James Bowditch and his sister Betsey, they went out right through the orchard. They went to St. Mary Magdalen’s, and they returned about twelve o’clock; they went out somewhere about ten. They came back through the reaping fields where we were. I said, “ Miss, is the knot tied?” “ Aye, and so tied,” she said, ie that thank God it cannot be untied.” I afterwards wished her much joy, for I did not know whether she had not been married. (By Mu. Justice Park.) This was in August ?— Somewhere in August, but I do not know the day. I saw Miss Glenn and James Bowditch in the wheat-field together. She came put about twelve o’clock after him, and I saw her there in the afternoon. Four or five times she came out after him and called him, and wanted to have him in the house. I saw them sitting together when I was reaping, upon some sheaves of wheat taken Off the stitch, between eight and nine o’clock at night, there were three of them together; the sister, James, and; Miss Glenn* She came out about six o’clock, and insisted upon taking hold of him with her right arm round his neck. This was after they had been to St. Mary Magdalen’s. I had seen this behaviour only that once.
The Rev. Geo. Templer examined by Mr. Jeremy.
I am a clergyman and a magistrate; I had occasion to b$ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
469
at Thornford in the course of the last year ; in September twice; I was there on the first of September, and I was there about the 20th. I apprehend it might be the 22d, but I am not confident whether it was the 23d or not. 1 dined at the house of Mr* Paul, and recollect the parties present : Mr. Paul, and a person whom I had never seen, but who was ^represented to me as Mr. James Bowditcb, and two ladies whom I did not know, having never seen either before. (Pointing to Miss Glenn.) That lady was there.
Q. As you were at dinner, was any thing remarkable, either of gaiety or sadness in her conduct?—Was there any thing remarkable either way?—Certainly, with respect to sadness, there was not the least; but with respect to the other word, I beg to say something. With respect to the word gaiety, there was an observation made by me jocosely with respect to the cheese; it was said by me to Mr. Paul, and said jocosely to him, “ I believe your ribbons have been taken out of this cheese.” There was a jocose answer returned to me, and the lady certainly did smile upon that occasion. When that observation with respect to the cheese had been made, and Mr. Paul had made a reply to it, this lady and the other certainly withdrew from the table. Miss Glenn ate her dinner like any other person. I beg to be particular here, because L have heard à great deal upon the subject ;, the dinner was roast beef, and I helped the lady myself ; she ate what was put upon her plate* except, I believe, the skin and fat which attaches to roast beéf. She Certainly ate the other part. This will be corroborated by the servant who was in the room. I did not help her to more than she ate ; there was vegetables, a boiled apple-pudding* and 1 believe the dinner ended with cheese. I will repeat as nearly as I can recollect what she ate: she ate of the roast beef and some of the apple pudding. I saw her in the evening; I believe between severi and eight o’clock. She crossed the room where I was sitting reading^ and went into another room with the other lady ; they put on their bon-470	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
nets, and told me they were going out walking, and they went out of the room.
Cross examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell.
It is impressed upon my mind that this young lady did eat her dinner in an ordinary way. Mr. Paul said, that he had »been taking some luncheon, as he made a bad dinner; but I do not remember his using the word “ damper,” I do not believe that I said, “ This young lady has done so too.” I turned to the young lady, and I believe I said, **■ Ladies, you have taken a luncheon too.” 1 cannot say I did not say to Mr. Tuckett, in the presence of Dr. Thomson, that I could not tell whether she ate her dinner or not; but I do not believe I did. Mr. Paul is my, uncle, and Mrs. Juliana Paul was formerly one of the Misses Bowditch; but I never knew any of her connexions. She is the sister of James Bowditch, who is the person so particularly con-' cerned in this matter.
Edward Jones sworn; examined by Mr. Casberd.
I am a servant to Mr. Templer, and recollect in the month of September, in the course of the last year, being with my master at Thornford ; we got there about two o’clock; Miss Glenn and James Bowditch were there at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Paul were at home, and I recollect seeing Miss Glenn and James Bowditch in the kitchen. Miss Glenn Stood up against James Bowditch by the lire; I do not think William Bowditch was there. He was not there when I first went in; afterwards I recollect having seen James Bowditch in the kitchen. Miss Glenn was there then; they were standing and walking about; I did not hear their conversation. While they were there, l did not observe her conduct towards James Bowditch, but I did in the morning; there was nothing remarkable in the kitchen before dinner; I waited upon them all the time of the din* ner, and I was near enough to observe what sort of a dinner Miss Glenn made. My master helped her to some roast jbeef^ and slue ate it all, except a little of the skin of theABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
471
sweat, which was left. Master also helped her to some apple pudding, and she ate that. She seemed to be in very good spirits; when she left dinner she went into the kitchen, she and Miss Bowditch. I saw her in the kitchen with James Bowditch; she was sitting on his knee playing at dominos, with her arm round his neck ; I recollect on the following morning seeing these persons at breakfast together in the kitchen; that young lady breakfasted in the kitchen before master got up. The others that breakfasted there were Mr. and Mrs. Paul, Miss Bowditch, and Mr. Bowditch and his brother. There might have been conversation, but I did not understand it; I did not listen to any conversation. Mr. Bowditch did not say a word; I heard Miss Glenn say something about that she had learned to make butter, and should learn to make cheese, as she had an idea about it. Miss Glenn walked out in the evening; I think it was near eight o’clock, when I saw her in the evening. She appeared to be in good spirits.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gaselee.
During the dinner, I was to and fro from the dining-room to the kitchen. Soon after this, Mr. Tuckett came and inquired of me in the presence of my master, what had passed. I did not say upon that occasion that I had merely seen them at dinner, but that I took little notice, and could say very little about it. I know'd nothing about the matter; I told master I know’d nothing of the affair of the lady being taken away. I did not say to Mr. Tuckett that there was a young lady at dinner, but that I knew very little more about the matter, and was told that she was Mr. Bowditch’s sister. I went over to Mr. Tuckett’s the next day; I did not give a different account of the matter: it was the same account, only that Mr. Guppey came to Mr. Paul’s, and I forgot to say so at master’s house, but I recollected it after he was gone. I did not recollect any body; Mr. Guppey the horse-dealer, (I forgot Mr, Guppey), and another person, the other’s name I do not know.Kirby’s wonderful museum.
John Weaver sworn; examined by Mr. Selwyn.
I have not been in court during the time the trial has been going on ; I have just been on the stairs about a minute; I have not been in court above two minutes.
To a Question of Mr. Serjeant Pell, Did you not hear the order given for the witnesses to withdraw ?—I did not expect to be called upon at this trial.
Mr. Serj. Pell. My Lord, I object to his being called.
Mr. Jus. Park. Let him repeat what he has said before,
I have not heard any of the evidence given in the cause; I was here when a witness was examined, but I could not hear so clearly as to know what was said, I heard a very few words, I have been in Court not above two minutes.
By Mr. Justice Park, How long have you been here while Jones has been under examination?—I thought he had been in the box now. I saw the last witness Jones here; I heard a few words. I am a miller, and live at Staple Grove. I remember in September last going to Taunton, on a Saturday, the ?Oth of September. I had got a power of attorney of a man whose goods had been seized for rent and taxes, and I came with the intention of getting a bill of sale ; I went* to him and came back to Taunton to Mr* Oxenham, somewhere about nine; a little after nine; it may have been half past nine when J came to Taunton. I found Mr. Oxenham at home, at Mr, Kinglake’s office, in Mary-street; the corner of Mary-street and Brick-street. I remained with Mr. Oxenham in Mr, JKinglake’s office two hours or more. He was with me making out a copy of a bill of sale: he was not with me the whole of the time. I went to Messrs. Badcock^s bank for some money, and left Mr. Oxenham at the office. I was absent not half an hour. I had been with him before I went for the money, not above half an hour. When I returned, I found Mr. Oxenham at the office, and my friends remained there during the time X was out; they were Mr, Slade and Mr. Uttennere, Mr, Slade is the person whoABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN,
473
«was going to give the bill of sale. The time I finally left the office that day was nearly twelve o ’clock.
Sarah Bowditch sworn; examined by Mr. Jeremy.
I am acquainted with Miss Glenn, and I am acquainted with her hand-writing; I have seen her write.
[The letter to James Bowditch, dated 14th of September, 1817, vvas shown to the witness.]
I believe that to be her hand-writing.
[Another letter was then shown to the witness, addressed to Mrs. Snow, Sadler, St. Thomas’s Street, Exeter; signed Maria Glenn, and dated July the £4th, 1817*]
I believe that to be her hand^writing.
[The letter was then put Jn as evidence, and read by the Associate.]
I lived during the last year at Hoi way with my mother,
at the time when Miss Glenn and the Miss Tucketts came #
to my mother’s, the whole of the time. The occupation of Miss Glenn, generally, during the time she was there, was mostly with the children; she amused herself in the evening with us in the kitchen. I mean myself, and my brother James, and sister; it was about a week or ten days after she camp to reside there she did do this; she went out occasionally in the evening ; she often rode out, and walked; she rode on my brother’s pony, who used to accompany her in these rides; shve was sometimes alone; my brother always went, and sometimes my sister would go. When she came home from these rides, she employed her evenings in the kitchen, with us* I have often seen them playing together at blindman’s-buff, and other things, and at cards. I observed a great deal of impropriety in Miss Glenn’s behaviour with regard to flay brother, such as treading upon his toes, and throwing her handkerchief at him. I have seen her on his knee. I observed it about a fortnight, or (it may be a little more, after she came to reside at my mother’s, and continued till she left us.474
kirby’s wonderful museum«
Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Pell.
I never talked in the family about my brother marrying her. I was much surprised to hear, that my brother had taken her off from her uncle’s house on the Sunday night. 1 heard of it the same night, or rather on the following morning. I was at Holway when she came there. I never knew of her coming till she actually came. She came there between one and half past one in the morning. I did not see Mrs. Mulraine till after Miss Glenn came. We went to bed about half past ten. Mrs. Mulraine was not in the house at the time. My brother, James Bowditch, was hot at home. My brother William did not live with us. The house was shut up when we went to bed. My mother went to bed at the same time with us. I did not directly get up when Miss. Glenn bame to the house, at such an extraordinary hour of the night. I heard her voice. I did not dress myself, but I got out of my bed. I was very much surprised. Miss Glenn was not in a great deal of distress. She . was very lively and in very good spirits. She did amuse herself the time she was there with playing upon the harp and singing ; she did not play upon the harp at the time she came to the house so late at night. I have not seen her since till to-day. I was surprised when I saw her impropriety at Holway, in treading on my brother’s toes, throwing handkerchiefs at him, and sitting upon his knee. I did not mention it to my mother, but I mentioned it to Miss Glenn. I did not know of any probability of my brother being about to be married to her, any farther than she said she would have him, and I was not sorry for it when I found the marriage was prevented, and that she had returned to Mr. Tuckett’s: the impression upon my mind was, that Miss Glenn was a young lady of very loose behaviour. 1 did not complain to my mother of her being a young lady who conducted herself with great impropriety; my mother did not know it. She was away most days. I did not say any thing to my motherABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.	475
about such improper behaviour. I am twenty-two years of age. Miss Glenn is a young woman to me. The lodgings were taken for her, but she was not under my mother’s care in any particular manner. My mother is a widow with a large family of children, and I did think as far as I was capable of thinking, that there was a great and striking difference between a labouring man and Miss Glenn; the reason why I did not go and tell her guardian of it was, I thought Miss Glenn would not be long in the house. I was not afraid that my morals would be hurt in the mean time ; Miss Glenn was not a person to hurt my morals. I thought if I had seen Mr. Tuckett I would have told him.
Joseph Broom again called and examined.
[Looking at the last witness said\ This is not the young woman I spoke of as being in the passage; it was Betsy.
William Snow sworn; examined by Mr. Casberd.
I live* at Exeter; I have had a letter shown to me, which Mr. Serjeant Pell admitted to be in the hand-writing of Miss Glenn.
MaryO wen sworn; examined by Mr. Selwyn.
I have seen Miss Glenn. That is her. I remember being at Mrs. Bowditch’s house on the night of the % 1st Sept. last. Miss Glenn came there between 1 and 2 o’clock in the morning. I was in bed with Mrs. Bowditch. 1 heard Mrs. Bowditch speak to Miss Glenn; I believe she asked her how she came to take so imprudent a step. I believe those were the words to the best of my recollection; she did not say any thing more; not directly. I did not rise out of bed myself. I suppose it was about 40 minutes after she came, she said this to Miss Glenn. I did not get up. Miss Glenn did not come into our bed-room. IT cannot possibly he certain what answer Miss Glenn made to Mrs. Bowditch’s question how she came to tpke so imprudent a step. She seemed very cheerful and lively. I could not see her manner, because I did not see her. all the time. After that she left the room, and came back in about ten minutes. She did not come to me, for476	ki&êy's wondemul muséum»
she did not know I was there, she came to speak to Mrs» Mulraine. Mrs. Mulraine had put off her clothes and got into bed by the side of me instead of Mrs. Bowditch. Mrs. Bovvditch had got up ; I recollect that Miss Glenn asked Mrs. Mulraine if she would not go with her. Mrs. Mulraine said she would not, as she had to go to her husband the next day. After that Miss Glenn, I believe, said some such words as this u If you will not go with me, I will go by my-self»” Mrs, Mulraine either said that she could not go, or that she w;otild not go. I recollect Miss Glenn called out to know if the gig was ready. She had just moved from the bedside ; she had been sitting down upon the bed. She got up at that time and went out of the room. She was just at the door, or going out. I desired her to take Mrs. Bowditch’s advice ; those were the very words I spoke to Miss Glenn, to the best of my recollection, I do not recollect that Miss Glenn spoke at all. She \vent out of the room into the next room, where Sarah Bow’ditch lay. I was not near enough to hear her conversing with Sarah Bowditch, after she went oiit of the room, I heard some words, but I am not positive what they were. I do not recollect any thing more that I can positively speak to*
Cross examined by Mb. Gas elee.
I had been at Holway before that night; I suppose about a day before the affair happened. I am a relation to Mrs. Bowditch, by marriage. Mrs. Bowditch is my aunt by marriage ; she is my husband’s aunt. I had gone to bed that night with Mrs. Bowditch. It was drawing 1 suppose towards the middle of the night ; it was drawing towards twelve. I do not know, hut it may have been later. I am not positive as to the time. ^Ve all got to bed about the same time. Mrs. Bowditch, Sarah Bowditch, and me. All the people were in the houses except the servant girl. It was near 12 o’clock, but I am not positive to the hour. Mrs. Mulraine had not been in the house all the day ; but she had a part of the day. She slept the night before, I believe, in the town»ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
477
1 believe I had slept there the night before. Mrs. Mulraine was perhaps every day in or out; but I am ndt certain; I cannot bring it to my mind ; she had been there that day; I cannot say what brought her there that night. I cannot say, to be certain, whether she slept there; I believe she had not dined there. I do not wish to say what I do not know; she was there to tea. I do not know exactly what time she did go away; we usually drank tea sometimes at five, and sometimes at six o’clock; that night, perhaps, it might have been seven when she left. I had not been at Bolway, at the time Miss Glenn was living there. It was after that I came to Mrs. Bowditch’s. I was in lodgings first. I know her person, but never before Miss Glenn came into the house. I staid there at first, I think, three days. Miss Glenn did not know I was there when she was sitting on the side of the bed. She talked to Mrs. Mulraine.
Francis Smith sworn/ examined by Mr. Jeremy.
I was at Mrs, Bowditch’s on the night of the 21st of September. Mr, James Bowditch came after me. It was about nine o’clock when he fetched me. It was ten when 1 came there. I went to town after a gig. I drove the horse and gig over to Holway, and left it standing under a hay rick. I staid there. I got up in the gig and dropped asleep. James Bowditch came and waked me, and told me I should not ga to sleep; I then went into the house, when a young lady came out of Mrs. Bowditch’s house. , James and William Bowditch came out with her. The young lady went up into the gig, and Mr. James Bowditch went up into the gig. The young lady said to Mr. William Bowditch, " Come up, there is plenty of room.” He said, “ No, I shall come on upon the pony.” They had got two bundles with them. I reached them up to the young lady in the gig. Mr. Bowditch went on, and as they went away, the young lady said, “ Let we drive along.” He told me to light out a candle upon the common. They told me to open the gates. I went into the house and,took out the pony for Mr. William Bowditch,478	kirby's wonderful museum.
Cross examined by Mr. Moore.
1 was not in Mrs. Bowditch’s employ in October last. I came to be employed upon this occasion, by having worked there about a fortnight before that.; In September I was in their employ. I know Mr. Tuckett and Mr. Leigh. I remember their speaking to me upon the subject not long after this happened. I did tell them that James Bowditch had spoken to me a few days before, and that he was talking to me in thè fields. I did not tell Mr. Leigh and Mr. Tucketty that James Bowditch had told me in the fields a few days before to tell Mr. Tuckett, if he should ask me, that Miss Glenn got up into the gig first, nor that she helped up James Bowditch. I did not say to these gentlemen that James Bowditch told me to say that Miss Glenn got into the gig first. He did not tell me so ; he told me to speak the truth, and I did speak the truth.
Re-examined by Mr. Jeremy.
Q. Did she, or did she not, get into the gig first i
A. She did get up into the gig first.
Mr. Justice Park.—Then you told these gentlemen what you have sworn is not true ; however the jury will judge of it.
Sarah Bowditch again called/ and examined by Mk.* Justice Park.
I have been out of court; my mother keeps a maid-servant ; she was in bed before us ; she went to bed, I suppose about half past nine, and we went to bed about half-past ten. The doors are always locked before we go to bed ; they were locked that night; I saw them locked. Mrs. Owen slept with my mother. My mother got up and let all these people in, between twelve and one o’clock, and I saw her go to bed. Mrs. Owen slept in the same room. I heard them knock and come in ; they did not wait long ; it might have been a minute or two : there was a candle burning, for we expected my brother home, and, upon my oath, I did not expect that party, and I am certain I went to bed at half past ten. If any body has sworn that it was near twelve o’clock^ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
479
that is not true. We all went to bed at the time Mrs. Owen went to bed. If she has said that it was near twelve, that is riot true. We did go to bed at half past ten.
William Cridland sworn; examined by Mr. Casberd.
I recollect being near the church-yard at Bradford, on the morning of the 2£d of September last. The public road passes by the church-yard; it was between six and seven o’clock in the morning. Upon looking along the turnpike road towards Yeovil, I remember seeing the same lady passed by Bradford in a chaise and four; a post chaise with four horses. They were coming towards Yeovil. It was the day after I had seen her in a gig at Bradford. On the 22d of September I saw' her in the chaise; on the 23d a gentleman and lady were in it, and a man on horseback. I was in the church-yard. I went to the church-yard gate to give them the meeting. The man on horseback asked me if they could put up the horses at the public-house; I told them I believed they could, but they had better ask the landlady. The gentleman and lady got out of the gig; the gentleman got out first. There was taken out of the gig a bundle, which the gentleman haniled to me, and I took a small trunk from where the seat is, and I handed it to the gentleman. She then got out of the gig. They went through the churchyard towards Thornford, and asked me to let them know the road. The lady hitched hold of the gentleman’s left arm. They continued to walk that way as far as I could see them go. She had something like a veil over her bonnet; but it was so that I could see her face. The following day I saw her upon Yeovil bridge, in a chaise and four, between two gentlemen.
Cross examined by Mr. Gaselee.
I am a mason by trade. I saw the gentleman and lady walking arm in arm, between six and seven in the morning. She had a bonnet on, and something green tied round it; op the top part of it there was something like a veil. She had a pelisse; a kind of greenish pelisse. I am sure it was the480	KIRBYS WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
same lady that I saw the next day upon Yeovil bridge between the two gentlemen in the chaise* The chaise was going pretty fast. I had never seen the lady before the £Sd, to the best of my knowledge.
Mr. Serjeant Pell called evidence to credit.
Miss Glenn again called ; examined by Mr. Serjeant Pe£l.—I have seen a person called Charles Puddey. I never did ask him to assist me in getting upon the wheat mow by means of a ladder. I never did tell him that I stood ctod-mdther to Mrs. Mulraine’s child, and that James Bow-ditch at the same time stood godfather. I never did stand godmother to any of Mrs. Mulraine’s children. I recollect having seen such a person as Mrs. Warren. It is not true that I came out of my uncle’s house and walked with James Bowditch in the French-Wear-Fields. I have heard of such a person as Poole; he is a gardener. I never in my life waited at my uncle’s gate until James Bowditch came up, and then go out walking with him. 1 was never in the parish church of St. Mary Magdalen, at the christening of Mulraine’s child. It is quite false that I stood as godmother. I do not know John Burroughs. It is quite false, that after my return from Holway Farm, and before I was taken away, as they have described, that I came out of my uncle’s house without either bonnet or cap, and with a white gown; and that I met James Bowditch and walked with him into the French-Wear-Fields. I do not remember a person of the name of Joseph Broom; at that time I never said such a thing to Broom, in the wheat field, when they were reaping, that I was going to be married to Mr. James Bowditch; nor in the passage to the pump-house, I did never say to him,
" Thank God the knot was tied.” I do not remember saying to any body in Mrs. Bowditch’s house about my being to be married, or going to be married to James Bowditch, in the passage. I did never say to any person in Mrs. Bow-ditch’s house that, that was the ring, showing it to them, and telling them I was to be married with it. It is false, thatABPÜCTION OF MISS GLENN,
481
Joseph Broom, after I had been absent two hours, asked me whether the knot was tied, and that 1 said, “ Yes, and thank God it cannot be untied.” I recollect the time I was at Thornford at dinner, on the Monday, Mr. Templer helped me to a plate of roast meat; but I could not eat. I saw no apple-pudding. It is quite false, that Jones saw me at Mr. Paul’s house sitting on James Bowditch’s knee, with my arm round his neck, and playing at dominos with him, I know Miss Sarah Bowditch, and have seen her here. Did never in my life play at blindman’s-buff with James Bowditch. Did never tread upon his toes, or throw handkerchiefs at him. It is quite false, when it is said I came to Hoi way Farm in the middle of the night, that I found Mrs. Owen there. If is false, that I said, if Mrs. Mulraine would not go with me I would go-by myself. It is quite false, I never got up into the gig first, and never helped up James Bowditch; and never asked William Bowditch to get up.
James Long sworn; examined by Mr. Gaselee.
I am parish clerk at St. Mary Magdalen’s, at Taunton; and I do remember when Mrs. Mulraine’s child was christened perfectly well. I do know Mrs. Mulraine. The godmothers upon that occasion, I believe, were the Bowditch family, I have seen Miss Glenn. I saw her at Mrs. Bow-ditch’s after the child was christened; the day after. I did not dine there the day the child was christened. I can give a reason in a moment, on the occasion of my going to Mrs. Bowditch’s; there was no sexton, and the sextoness was a widow woman: the entry I thought was not made right, and I went to ascertain the Christian and Surname. I went, in short, to see if the register did not want alteration. I do not know that that lady (looking at Miss Gjenn) was the person that stood godmother. I cannot recollect that I ever sawr her before the christening. I do not recollect whether I have either seen her or not the day before that; she was not the person who stood godmother.
VOL. VI.	i i482
kirby’s wonderful museum.
Cross examined by Mr. Casberd.
It was a person of the name of Bowditch who stood godmother. I am not so positive as to swear. To my knowledge Miss Glenn was not at the christening. She was not the person who stood; and I will venture to say positively, that she was not there. I never saw her till I saw her at Hoi way Farm; that was some time in August last; there might have been three or four persons there, without the parson and clerk; in gossiping it is not required there should be more. That lady was not there.
Mary Whitby again called.
On the Tuesday after Miss Glenn was gone back to Mr. Tuckett’s, and before Miss Glenn had gone away, James Bowditch said to me, that I was to say, Miss Glenn had been at the christening of Mrs. Mulraiiie’s child ; and that Miss Glenn stood to the child.
Mr. Tuckett again called.
I have carefully examined both the letters supposed to have been written by Miss Glenn. The paper marked A is very nearly like her writing, but I believe it is not. The other piece of paper, marked B, I positively pronounce not to be her’s. I recollect having a conversation with Mr. Templer about Miss Glenn’s eating a good dinner. He said first of all, when Tasked him whether he meant it jocosely or not, I cannot say; but he said, a She did pretty well.” I said, Mr. Templer, you know that Mr. Paul said to you, “ You cannot expect me to eat, because I have had a damper of beefsteaks and you then said, addressing yourself to the young lady, that she had dined too. Mr. Templer admitted the first part, but was not sure as to the other part. Mr. Templer also said, that he helped the young lady to some beef, but could not say whether she might noi have eaten it, not taking much observation of her. Jones did say to me, that he had only seen Miss Glenn at dinner, and had taken very little notice of her. I believe he said, that he was told she wasABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
483
Mr. Bowditch’s sister. The next morning the man was extremely positive, over and over again, that not any man had come to the house; but he said, he had forgot to relate a circumstance, which was, the circumstance of the young lady sitting upon James Bowditch’s knee.
Sarah Northam sworn.	,
I live nearly opposite Mr. Tuckett’s house. I remember being with Mrs. Warren when 1 saw Mr. Bowditch and Miss Glenn together. I did go out with her. She called me out, and said, u Come out now, here is Mr. Bowditch and Miss Glenn.” I went out in consequence, and I saw a young lady run down the garden path and shake hands with the nursemaid with great eagerness; she seemed to look downward. Mrs. Warren had described her, and said that was her. The nurse-maid was in Mr. Tpckett’s garden. After shaking hands with the nurse-maid she ran towards Mr. Bowditch and took hold of Mr. Bowditch’s arm, and went over to the French-Wear-Fields:—I said, if I saw any thing more of the kind, I would acquaint Mr. Tuckelt with it. She was dressed in a white bonnet and light gown. I had not an opportunity of seeing her face. My daughter was there; she went after some water; she went tq the Rhine to see whether it was Miss Glenn or not: she had heard from Mrs. Warreu that it was, and disputed it: it was not Miss Glenn. She said this in the presence of Mrs* Warren# I could not see her face.
Cross examined by Mr. Selwyn.
I did not see her come out: when I first saw her it was upon the causeway shaking hands with the nurse-maid, under Mr. Tuckett’s garden.
Sarah Northam 9 the younger, sworn.
I am the daughter of the witness who has been just examined. I am acquainted with Miss Glenn’s person. I recollect my mother and Mrs. Warren talking about Miss Glenn and Mr. Bowditch walking past the house. I heard
i i £484	kirby’s wonderful museum.
-my mother say that if she saw any thing more she would tell Mr. Tuckett. I went out after with a pitcher, and coming up saw Mr. Bowditch and a young lady; I was fully determined to see who it was; I put down the pitcher, and looked earnestly, and saw it was not Miss Glenn. It wras the same lady that was with Mr.Bow'ditch, when my mother and Mrs. Warren were together. I have seen her walking with her uncle before. I know Mrs. Warren : she has a family of six children : the eldest is nine or ten.
Mr. Serjeant Pell.—I propose now, my Lord, to call some persons w*ho have had the superintendance of Miss Glenn, who w ill speak to the great propriety of her conduct, and to her moral behaviour.
Mr. Justice Park.—I cannot receive it; it is not evidence.
Mr. Seijeant Pell.—Then it is for my learned friend, Mr. Casberd, to reply to the witnesses X have last called.
Mr. Selwyn.—Mr. Casberd waves the right of reply.
Mr. Justice Park.—I hear something about Mr. Casberd waving the privilege of reply; if so, brother Pell, you had better proceed.
Mr. Serjeant Pell then rose to address the Court and Jury, in reply, to the following effect:
May it please your Lordship ;
Gentlemen of the Jury,
I have now to address you, in reply, upon this most extraordinary and infamous case ; a case in w'hich the degree of infamy committed-----—-
Henry Bankes, esq., who acted as Foreman to the Jury, desired leave fpr them to consult for a minute or two—he then turned round and addressed the Court as follows:
My Lord,
The Jury have come to a determination upon the subject, and I rather think we can save your Lordship the trouble of summing up, unless you have any particular wish to do so. Our attention has been closely directed to the proceedings;
3ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
485
and we have no doubt that there has been a conspiracy, and that the persons, named as defendants, have been concerned with it, or had some knowledge of its existence;—but that there has been a conspiracy, we think, there cannot be a doubt.
Mb. Justice Pabk. Gentlemen of the Jury; the case before you is a question of fact depending upon a mass of conflicting testimony, to which I am confident you have paid infinite attention. I have, myself, taken full notes of every thing arising in the course of the trial, to lay before the Judges of the Court of King’s Bench, when they give their judgment: being under an obligation to report every thing that has passed. If you, Gentlemen, are satisfied that a conspiracy has existed, there can be no necessity for my taking up your time; but I cannot help observing upon the demeanour and manner of the young lady. You have heard her evidence; you have seen the manner in which she has given her testimony upon this trial ; and I agree with what has been stated by the learned counsel for the prosecution, as to the nature of the case; it appears, as far as my judgment goes, to be fully confirmed and proved by the evidence.
The young lady has stood a very severe ordeal; she has heard a great deal of testimony addressed to her conduct and character, and I ain bound to say (for the advantage I have at present may not again occur), that I never saw, since I have had the honour of sitting in a court of justice, which now, as man and boy, has been about nine-and-thirty years;—I never did see a young woman apparently (for God only can read people’s hearts), sit more patiently and listen to all the obloquy which has been attempted to be heaped upon her.
With respect to the material parts of Mr. Templer’s evidence, which does not seem to be mainly relied upon, that her mind did not seem to be at all distressedupon that subject it would appear, that till some one happened to mention her uncle’s name, she was unmoved; but when her486
kirby’s wonderful museum.
uncle’s name was mentioned, it appears she felt herself affected. All the persons, at least most of them, at the table were strangers to her; she was oppressed, and, she says, she left the room. In this part of her story she is clearly correct, for Mr. Templer states that she did actually leave the room.
Except in the first part of what I have mentioned, her account of the transaction itself^ and an amazing transaction it is, is uncontradicted. There is no contradiction on the other side ; the only thing which raised a doubt in my mind was as to the fact itself, and there was much singularity in it. It does appear a little extraordinary, that this young lady should have been pulled out of bed, and that she should have been pulled down stairs without waking her uncle or aunt. But we ail know that the deepest sleep we have is sometimes, if not generally, in the early part of the evening ; and that the first sleep is always the soundest. It is highly probable, therefore, that neither this gentleman nor his wife heard any thing of what was going forward.
Under these circumstances, and not doubting your judgment, because if you had been determined the other way, against the present impression upon my mind, I should have thought it my duty to have summed up the case, and stated the different points for your consideration;—I certainly cannot say that I am disposed to trespass upon your attention, or of calling upon you to hear my brother Pell, who, I see, wgs prepared to address you in reply.
Mr. Bankes. My Lord, I think I ought to state, that the Jury conceive, that the evidence against Elizabeth Snell is not so strong as against the others; she appears to have been much less implicated.
Mr. justice Park. I ought to have remarked upon that: I have anxiously looked, and, I think, the evidence against her is too slight to warrant a conviction-—perhaps my brother Pell will consent to her acquittal.
Mr; Serjeant Pell. I would not press her conviction*ABDUCTION OF MISS GLENN.
487
whatever might be my private feelings upon the subject: the purposes of justice are now answered.
The Jury then returned a verdict of Guilty, generally, against all the Defendants, with the exception of Elizabeth Snell.
Mr. Justice Park, as soon as the verdict was returned, saidAs this case now seems to be disposed of, I cannot but remark, that all the evidence given on the part of the Defendants is only a continuation of the conspiracy. Now the verdict is given, I feel at liberty to state this as my opinion, but I would not say so till after the verdict had been returned. \	*
The trial lasted from about half past ten in the morning till past eleven at night.
Counsel for the prosecutionMr. Serjeant: Pell, Mr. Gaselee, Mr. A. Moore, and Mr. C. F. Williams. For the defendants;—Mr. Casberd, Mr. Selwyn, and Mr. Jeremy.
In Hilary -term followingAFr. Scarlett obtained a rule to show cause why a new trial should not be granted ; after hearing arguments at great length on both sides, which lasted near two days, the Court declared they were perfectly of opinion, “ that there was no pretence for a new trial.” The rule was accordingly discharged. Mr. Justice Bailey then in a most solemn and impressive manner delivered the sentence of the Court. He dwelt on the enormity of the offence, of which the defendants had been convicted, and told them, that if they had succeeded in their object, they would have been guilty of a capital crime. The evidence against Susanna Bowditch was but slight; and as the counsel for the prosecution had consented to enter a nolle pro* sequi as to her and Mr. and Mrs. Paul, no punishment would be inflicted on them. It could not be denied, how^ ever, that the conduct of Mr. and Mrs. Paul was very blameable. The sentence of the Court was, that Joan Bow-ditch, and William Bowditch, should be imprisoned in the gaol of Dorchester for twenty-one months ; that Susanna Mulraine should be imprisoned in the same gaol for two488
kirby’s wonderful museum.
years; and that James Bowditch should be imprisoned in the same gaol for eighteen months.
Since the above sentence was passed, a bill has been preferred before the London grand jury, assembled in September, 1819, who found a true bill of indictment against Miss Maria Glenn and Mary Whitby, for perjury; and on Friday, the 24th of September, 1819, the defendants arrived in London, accompanied by Mr. Tuckett, the guardian of the former, to put in their plea and give bail; and on Saturday, the 25th, the defendants attended, at Mr. Shelton’s office, and pleading not guilty, were admitted to bail. The case, it is understood, will be removed by certiorari, into the King’s Bench for trial. Should any thing particular occur in this interesting cause, we shall watch its proceedings, and preserve it for our next volume.
MADEMOISELLE LEFORT.
[WITH A CORRECT LIKENESS.]
In recording this very extraordinary personage in our pages, we present to our readers the most singular phenomenon that has occurred in our day ; in fact, we are at a loss whether to describe this human being by the term masculine or feminine, so equally blended are the sexes, that it is almost impossible to say which has the predominance ; but finding she attaches herself more to the latter than the former, and names herself Mademoiselle (or Miss), we shall continue to designate her as a female, according to her own prescription.
Mademoiselle Le fort is of French origin, born in the south of France, and is one of the few instances where nature, stepping out of her usual track, produces to the wondering world a magnet of irresistible and universal attraction. The hands, arms, feet, and bust possess perfect femi-ninè beauty, likewise the upper part of the face ; the lowerMADEMOISELLE LEFOUT.
489
part is also beautiful, but possessing all the masculine accompaniments, as nmstachoes and whiskers, of very strong black hair, with which the chin is also thinly sprinkled ; she appears to be about the age of twenty two years; walks like a female, and possesses a pleasing feminine voice; her eyes are black, with a sparkling brilliancy, and her strong jet black hair on her head, which she wears tastefully dressed, gives her a striking and not unprepossessing appearance. During her exhibition she wears a remarkable short dress, displaying a beautiful and well formed muscular leg, with small ancles and feet; when perambulating the streets, we have seen her, always dressed in male attire, wearing a green jacket, with white trowsers, and a round hat. When receiving coin« pany, her manners are always modest and dignified, and as her hand-bill expressed, ladies may divest themselves of apprehension, as the exhibition is conducted with the strictest delicacy. Her first exhibition, after arriving in this country, early m the year 1819, wag at No. 8* Gerrard Street, Soho; after which, finding the influx of visitors to be great, she removed for their accommodation to the Great Room, Spring Gardens, and received company from the hours of one till ten o’clock. We presume to think she never exhibited herself out of London, and it is probable from the sums of money she has been known to receive in the course of a day, being from fifty to one hundred pounds and upwards, for private and public exhibitions; for the first, one guinea was the admission ; for the latter half a crown; she soon acquired a competency, and immediately retired, we are informed, to France, to enjoy in peace what she had thus earned. Delicacy forbids us to be more explicit in respect to this extraordinary person, but we must state, that to the medical world this personage has proved an inexhaustible source of professional inquiry, who all declare that have seen her, that take her for all in all, they never shall look on her like again.
END OF THE SIXTH VOLUME,
VOL. Via
K KINDEX
TO THE SIXTH VOLUME.
A	page
EDUCTION, of Miss Maria GJenn................402
Accident and preservation, at
Ramsgate................... 07
Age renewed by various persons 349 Allen, Mrs. a horned woman * • 166 Allice, a female slave, aged 116 271 Apples, extraordinary large
ones,&c......*........... 300
Arc, Joan, D’, account of* * • . • * 204 Arms, account of persons born
without ■ • ...........-...305
Ash tree, remarkable large one 302 Ashford, Mary, acfcounfc of her
murder ••••*•»............. 65
Avoy, AT, Miss, who names colours by the touch of her
fingers ...........*.......« 353
B
Bagshaw, Martha, horn without
arms ..................* • •» 307
Bainbridge, Mr. preservation of 156 Bandey, death by fright« • • - - -	^3
Barber’s honour, singular lawsuit .................*...... 1^3
'Barclay match, failure of Mr.
Howe - -.......................327
Barpetri, Mows. L’Abbe, eccentric character*...............329
Bat, longevity of the............ 168
Beech-trees, two remarkable
large ones • • * ............. 302
Bees, swarm in a parasol...... 156
Bees found in a stone-• 260 Bidder, George, mental calculator ......................* • • • l
Biffin, Miss, born without arms 307 Bill, singular one for a night’s
lodging................- • • 178
Births, singular account of« • • •	58
Bomby, Airs, the horned woman 167 Bomb, Regent’s, account of • • • • 170 Bones, flexible ones ••«••»*•••	91
------, brittle ones.......... 93
Bounty, account of the mutiny 27 Bowdheh’s trial for abduction
of Aliss Glenn • • *...»• • 402
Brag, Henri anes, the gre^t Prussian youth • • .......*...... 377
Bright, Air. Edward, fat man- • 378 Buried alive, persons rescued
from • • • ..*............. 163
Burning-spring, at Fincastle,
America............-....... 173
C
Cabbage, extraordinary large one • • • • -............ • • • • • 300
PAGE
Canterno lake, sudden disappearance of -......  150
Caverns, near lake Ontario • • «	64
Caves of Ellora* •. • -...... 135
Chesnut-tree, large growth of one 301 Children, singular births of - • • •	58
Cock-roach, tenacious of life.. 297
Cooke, Mrs. Giantess	- ........... 147
Corpulency, remarkable, of persons of ancient times ...... 382
Cows, remarkable small race.- 98 Cox, Matthew, Esq. narrative of his sufferings..................... 310
Crabb, Capt. sleep-walker .... 152 Cruelty and murder of a slave 400 D
Davis, Alary, the horned woman 164 Death by fright of Mary Bandey 63 Devil’s Dike, near Brighton,
ride down .................. 328
Devotees, singular in India «... 246 Dog, lost a coal pit .. . *,.. 327 Duane], Mich. Ale, obstinacy of 194 Dowlens, Mr. pedestrian feat.. 328 Drinking, excessive, cause of
death....................... 200
E
Earth, sudden sinking of......	91
Eater, great one at Staunton.. 178
— Marriot the great........... 168
Eels, extraordinary large ones - - 296
Eggs, remarkable ones........	298
Electrical fish, account of*..... 172
Eilora, singular caves at*.... ]35
Elm-tree, remarkable large one 301 Escape of Clias, Sturt, Esq. M.P. 160
-------of Mr. White........... 161
Ewe and lamb, affecting account of.....................
Explosion at Nottingham....... 98
*----------the fire at Woolwich prevented.................335
F
Fear, fatal effects of.......... 153
Female intrepidity........- -. 343
Ferguson, David, aged 124 «... 270 Fire, subterranean one*.......	97
Fir, silver, large growth of one 303
-— Scotch, ditto ..............303
Font of Raphael, extraordinary
work of art..................373
-—- carved model, of exquisite
workmanship«..............  374
Fort, Le, Mademoiselle ...... 488
Frogs, longevity of............ 296
Fungus, extraordinary large one ............. *...... 30ftINDEX
&	PAGE
Giraldelli, Signora (salamander) 24
Giants, account of............* 146
Giantess, Mrs. Cooke * •«..... 147
Glove plant of Africa, account of 182 Gluttony of Nicholas Wood* • • • 198 ——------of Walter Willey ••• • 199
- ------of a young watchmaker 199
--------— of two shoemakers • • 200
--------— of a blacksmith at
Stroud..................... 200
—  --—— in eating raw eggs • • 200
*-------— of a weaver.........200
G reatrakes, Valentine,account of 107 Gryifith, Mrs. horned woman* • 166 Guns, large ones, account of* • 169
H
Hair, sudden falling off, account
of...*..................... 168
Hares, Domestication of....... 183
Hart, Nicholas, the great sleeper and impostor •••«••.•••••«• 15] Harpooner, shipwreck of the** 255 Hawk, lark, and crows, singular
account of.................*» 376
Heifer, horned, account of * * * • 262 en, with a human face, account of * * *.....*..........201
Heroine of La Vendee*....... 105
Holman, John, falls down a bha&
96 feet.........*.......... 62
Horns growing on the heads of
women ...................... 164
Horse, remarkable	small one «•	64
—---------------------—- ** 98
Horse-shoe found in the body of
a tree ..................... 294
Howes, Mrs. her intrepidity* * • • 343
Iiuaylas JBasilio, a	giant.	56
Hurricane, or Tornado, at Bex-
hill......................* 12
I&J
I gnis Fatuus, account of..* 263
Inundation at Marie»burg . • • • 157 John,Thomas, mental calculator 309 iron, &,c. swallowed by Reeves
Williams ....................304
Jugglers, Indian, singular feats
of**.......................  337
IC
Key las, see Ellora.....	135
Kidney of an ox, enormously
large .........*.......... 178
Knife, two-bladed, swallowed by
a child....................  269
L
Lake of Canterno, sudden disappearance of ............. 150
Langevin, heroine of Vendee * • 105 Laugher, Thomas, account of *» 284 Leach, Master, a dwarf*....... 149
Leap, wonderful one without a
saddle*..*-----............ 227
Lioness and Exeter mail coach horse ................ a....	20
PAGE
Lizard found in a large block of
coal.........................295
Lobster, a large one...........298
Lodging, singular bill for a night 178 Longevity of divers persons, 270
to ........................  294
Love, Elizabeth, a horned woman.......................   165
-—Mr. John, a fat man...... 380
. M
Mail coach and pedestrian .... 349 Man, reflection of in the atmosphere. ... .................  150
Marriot, the great eater.....168
Martin, Ann, found in a wood, singular preservation of .... 143 Melons, extraordinary large
growth of ...................301
Morgan, Lady, a dwarf ........ 149
Mountains, Blue, New Holland 173 N
Narodsky, Francis, aged 125 • • 470
Nottingham, dreadful explosion
at*...................... 98
O
Oak, remarkable large one • • « « 301 Obstinacy of Michael McDonnell ........................ 194
Ordnance, large pieces of, at
imum	      172
Oriental Toy, extraordinary
piece of mechanism.........368
Owen’s sanguinary revenge* * * * 385 Ox on the top of a house....	5&
— a remarkable large one .... 295 P
Paap, Mr. Simon, a dwarf .... 147 Pedestrian feat of Mr. Dowlens 328
Pines, Isle of, account of.....	42
Pitcairn’s Island, account of •»	30
Potatoe, extraordinary large
growth of  ................. • 168
Poole, T. Esq. singular ride down the Devil’s Dike at Brighton 328 Preservation, singular, at Ramsgate ..........................  57
---------------------■ of John
Holman....................... 62
Martin ....................  143
-----.— -------------— of Mr.
Bainbridge of Bolton...... 156
----------———--------of Miss
Nicholas and her horse....162
■---------------------- of Mr.
Schmitt from the jaws of a
tiger ................ .... ]80
----------—o.—.—~~~ of a boy
who fell into a well ........334
------------------------ of Mr.
Sturt, M.P. ................  160
R
Rabbit Breeder. (See Toft.)» • • * 109 —— Fecundity of *••«**••• • 296INDEX
PAGE
Ramsgate, accident at, and preservation.......... • • ....... 57
Rat caught bv an oyster.......284
Rat, gigantic one..............299
Reinaud Marguerite,aged 117.., 271 Resolution of Grove and Johnson at Portsea*...........* • •	90
Revenge, sanguinary one of
David Owen................ • • • 315
Rigby’s, Dr. lady, delivered of
four children at a birth...	61
S
Salmon, rapid growth of • 296
Shipwreck of the Sylvan....... 188
—---------------- Harpooner •• 255
Signs in the Skies........	303
Skeletons, human, discovery of • • 262 Slave, murder and cruelty of a • * 400 Sleepwalkers, account of ...... 152
Smith, Miss, a dwarf •......... 149
Snow, red, fell at Genoa *.....304
Southcott, Joanna, account of
her followers...............344
Spooner, Mr. a fat man*....... 381
Stones swallowed by Reeves
Williams............**«. — . 304
Sturt, Mr. M. P. preservation of 160
Swan, courage of a..........	298
Swinging of Devotees in India* • 246
Sword swallowed by Indian Jug-
glen	-----....... 337
Sylvan, Shipwreck of ........ 188
T
Thornton, Abraham, trial of* • • •	65
Tiger, miraculous escape from
one  ....................... 180
Toads found embedded in various substances.......... 294
Toft, Mary, the rabbit-breeder.. 109 Tolle«, James, giant, account of 145 Tornado at Bexhiil, Sussex • • * *	12
PAGE
Torture, self, of devotees in India .............*............235
Trees, horse-shoe found in one 294
------ toad found in one* <«•• • ibid
—=—-— extraordinary large
growth of .................. 301
"front, remarkable large size * * 297 Turnips, extraordinary large
growth of .......*.......... 300
Tweed, Joseph, shocking death
of, and family * ........... 23
V
Valerius, John, born without arms ................*........305
Vegetable production, singular one at Woiking, in Surrey •. 167 Vegetables, account of several extraordinary large ones • * * » 299 Vine, Master, born with remark-
able short arms............308
W
Water Spout at Mar- den *•»*«• 144 White’s, Mr. miraculous escape in falling down the geometrical stairs at St, Paul’s ..... 161
Wian, Patrick Makel, renewal of
his age*»***................ 351
Widows burning with their husbands • • • *	........ 250
vrue, whimsical account of what she should be, and what she
should not be like...........270
Will-o’-the-Wisp, account of •* 263 Williams, Reeves, account of his swallowing iron and stones •• 304 —the wonderful strong
man and deserter • • • ......333
Woolwich, dangerous fire at • * 335 Y
Yew-tree, remarkable large one 303
LIST OF PLATES TO VOL. VI.
Madame Lefort ........Face Title
George Bidder .................. 1
Signora Giraldelli • * *......  24
Basib'o Huaylas................ 56
Abraham Thornton .............  65
Plan of the Field .........•	74
View of the Pond, &c........... 76
Rene Bordereau.............. • • • 105
James Toller J	l
Simon Paap £••••••••••••••	°
Hen with a human face .......201
Hindu Fakeer ...»........... 235
Devotee Swinging............ 246
Thomas Laugher .»* ..........284
John Valerius................305
Monsieur l’Abbe Barpetri • * * • 329
Indian Juggler.............  337
MissM‘Avoy...................353
Mr. Hermanes Bras..... • * • • 377
SARXAÍU) AND F.iaiK , ■Skinner Street, London,