And here poor Matthew they fell on. He soon defeated them;
His arms were long, and he struck hard, they could not bear his blows,
The French threw stones, like some petard; he ran, and thus did lose.
James Wilkinson, he lived here then, he’d sons and daughters fair,
Barber he was in great esteem, the Frenchmen oft drew there.’
To this the sender appended a note:
‘In the houses round Bedale there are hand-screens decorated with landscapes in straw, and I have a curious doll’s chair in wood with knobs containing cherry stones which rattle. These were made by French prisoners, according to tradition.’
Derby
I am indebted to Mr. P. H. Currey, F.R.I.B.A., of Derby, for the following extract, dated June 20, 1763, from All Saints’ Parish Book, quoted in Simpson’s History of Derby:
‘These men (the prisoners during the Seven Years’ War), were dispersed into many parts of the nation, 300 being sent to this town on parole about July 1759, where they continued until the end of the War in 1763. Their behaviour at first was impudent and insolent, at all times vain and effeminate, and their whole deportment light and unmanly, and we may venture to say from our observation and knowledge of them, that in any future war this nation has nothing to fear from them as an enemy. During their abode here, the road from this place to Nottingham was by act of Parliament repaired, the part from St. Mary’s Bridge (which by reason of the floods was impassable) being greatly raised. Numbers of these people were daily employed, who worked in their bag-wigs, pig-tails, ruffles, etc., etc., a matter which afforded us much merriment. But, to their honour let it be remembered, that scarce one act of fraud or theft was committed by any of them during their stay among us. These men were allowed 6d. a day each by the British Government.’