PATRICK O’BRIAN.
Patrick O’Brian was a native of Ireland, and his parents were very indigent. He came over to England, and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards. He was, however, not so dexterous in the use of his arms as he was in the practice of all manner of vice. Patrick was resolved not to want money, if there was any in the country. He first ran into debt at all the public houses and shops that would trust him; then borrowed from every person, as long as any one could be found to believe him.
When fraud failed him, he had recourse to force. Doctor Clewer, rector of Croydon, was the first whom he attacked. This man had been, in his youth, tried at the Old Bailey, and burned in the hand, for stealing a silver cup. Alluding to this, Patrick said, that “he could not refuse lending a little assistance to one of his old profession.” The doctor assured him that “he had not made a word, if he had had any money about him; but he had not so much as a single farthing.” “Then,” said Patrick, “I must have your gown, sir.” “If you can win it,” cried the doctor, “you shall; but let me have the chance of a game of cards.” To this O’Brian consented; and the doctor pulling out a pack of cards, they commenced. Patrick was victorious, and obtained the black gown.
One day, Patrick attacked a famous posture-master, and commanded him to “stand and deliver!” The latter instantly jumped over his head, which led Patrick to suppose that it was the devil come to sport with him before his time. By this display of his agility the harlequin escaped with his money, and had the good fortune never to afford to O’Brian an opportunity to be revenged of him for his fright.
Our adventurer at last commenced highwayman. For this purpose he purchased a horse and other necessaries, and began in due form. He one day met with the celebrated Nell Gwynne in her coach, and addressed her, saying: “Madam, I am a gentleman; I have done a great many signal services to the fair sex, and have, in return, been all my life maintained by them. Now, as I know that you are a charitable woman, I make bold to ask you for a little money, though I never had the honor of serving you in particular. However, if any opportunity shall ever fall in my way, you may depend upon it I will not be ungrateful.” Nell made him a present of ten guineas, and he went off in quest of more plunder.
It was with O’Brian as with every other wicked man: he was solicitous to lead others to the same line of conduct. In particular, he seduced a young man, of the name of Wilt, who was apprehended, and suffered for his first offence. O’Brian was also apprehended, and executed at Gloucester; and when he had hung the usual time, his body was cut down, and given to his friends; but when carried home, he was observed to move, on which a surgeon was immediately sent for, who bled him; and other means being used, he recovered life. This fact was kept a secret, and it was hoped that it would have had a salutary effect upon his future conduct. His friends were very willing to contribute towards his support, in order that he might live in the most retired manner, and O’Brian engaged to reform his life, and for some time kept his promise; but the impressions of death, and all its tremendous consequences, soon wearing off his mind, he returned to his vicious courses. Abandoning his friends, and purchasing a horse and other necessaries, O’Brian again visited the road.
In about a year after his execution he met the very gentleman who was his former prosecutor, and attacked him in the same manner as before. The gentleman was surprised to see himself stopped by the very same person who had formerly robbed him, and who was executed for that crime. His consternation was so great that he could not avoid exhibiting it, and he addressed O’Brian, saying, “How comes this to pass? I thought that you had been hanged a twelvemonth ago.” “So I was, and therefore you ought to imagine that what you now see is only my ghost. However, lest you should be so uncivil as to hang my ghost too, I think it my best way to secure you.” Upon this, he discharged a pistol through the gentleman’s head, and, alighting from his horse, cut his body in pieces with his hanger.
One barbarity was followed by a greater. O’Brian, accompanied by four others, attacked the house of Launcelot Wilmot, Esq. of Wiltshire; entered, and bound all the servants; then went up to the gentleman’s own room, and bound him and his wife. They next proceeded to the daughter’s chamber, whom they stabbed to the heart, and having returned, in the same manner butchered the old people, and rifled the house to the value of two thousand five hundred pounds.
This miscreant continued his depredations two years longer, until one of his accomplices confessed his crime, and informed upon all who were concerned. Our adventurer was seized at his lodgings at Little Suffolk street, and conveyed to Salisbury, where he acknowledged the crime. He was a second time executed, and, to prevent another resuscitation, was hung in chains, near the place where the crime was perpetrated, on the 30th of April, 1689.