"Quoth Dick, I scorn such mean display
As rush-lights, sixes and such trash is;
I show my zeal in a nobler way—
I d—n the French and burn my sashes."
—(Times, July 14, 1794.)
"The following circumstance occurred last week at Long Milford near Bury St. Edmund's: Three young Ladies of that place, one of whom is very much celebrated for her mental, as well as personal, accomplishments, agreed a few days since, to bathe in a river about half a mile distant from the town, there being no private accommodation for that purpose in the neighbourhood.
"An early hour, at which they would be the least liable to be discovered by strangers, was determined on, and at four o'clock in the morning, they proceeded from home to the appointed place. As they walked through the town, they were espied by a blacksmith, who, about the same hour, usually gets up to his work. Curiosity prompted him to find out whither the fair ones were bound: but he did not discover himself to them till they were in the river, the perfect images of their mother Eve; when perceiving him approach, they screamed out, and prudently sat down in the water. The Modern Vulcan, dead to the distresses of the Venus's, determined to divert his uncouth fancy by carrying off their clothes, with which he did not return. In this pitiable situation they were obliged to remain for near an hour, when a poor woman passing that way, on hearing the rude behaviour they had experienced, and their consequent embarrassment, procured them such necessary articles of apparel, as enabled them to get home.
"The blacksmith has since made a public boast of his exploit, saying it was a fine piece of sport: and, owing to his unfeeling and brutish conduct, the young Ladies have ever since been ashamed to be seen, even by their relations."—(Times, Aug. 8, 1794.)
"The three water nymphs at Bury have preferred an indictment against the blacksmith who stole their cloaths, and this may probably turn out a very serious affair, and make poor Vulcan pay for his peeping."—(Times, Aug. 9, 1794.)
"Bath Charter.—A further degree of power, to be vested in the Magistrates, being deemed necessary, a new charter was a short time since granted for that purpose. It was sent by the Mail Coach, and for want of care in the packing, the impression of the Great Seal was knocked to atoms. It was presented to the Lord Chancellor to be resealed: but this his Lordship refused unless the Mayor and Corporation would petition the Court setting forth the reasons. The Charter of Bath conveys the exclusive privilege of electing two Members to the British House of Commons to the select Corporation of 26, excluding ALL the other inhabitants."—(Times, Aug. 9, 1794.)
We have seen, in the Historical Summary attached to this book, how gallantly, year after year, Wilberforce attacked slavery. In England, we see, they euphemised the word slave, and called them Indented Black Servants, the same as those poor wretched white slaves, the "Redemptioners" who sold themselves into bondage in the Plantations. See the following Advertisement.
"Absconded from his master's service at Cheltenham, on Friday night the 8th August, between the hours of 9 and 10, an INDENTED BLACK SERVANT LAD, named TONEY, aged about 19 or 20 years. He is very black, and slender made, but with remarkably long feet. He went off in a striped dressing jacket, nankeen waistcoat and breeches, ribbed cotton stockings, shoes and plated buckles. He is articled for 5 years, from the 21 April last; and upwards of £30 has been laid out upon him, in having him taught to shave and dress, cloathing, and other necessaries for him. A reward of TEN POUNDS will be paid to any person who shall apprehend, and deliver him, to Mr. Coningham, Sherborne Lane, London; or lodge him in any Gaol in this Kingdom, and give notice thereof as above. There is every reason to believe, that great art, and industry, have been used to seduce, and spirit away, the lad; otherwise that he would not have formed a thought of quitting his master. If, therefore, any person will give such information, and evidence, as shall be sufficient to convict any responsible person of having enticed, seduced, or carried away, the negro lad above described, a reward of TWENTY GUINEAS will be paid to the person so informing, and giving evidence."—(Times, Aug. 13, 1794.)
"On Tuesday last, the corpse of a Gentleman, as it was proceeding in a hearse to the Burial Ground, was arrested by a Sheriff's officer and his followers, under a warrant as usual granted against the body. The friends who followed, immediately left their coaches, and told the officer, if he chose, he was welcome to the body, but he should have neither coffin, shroud, nor any particle in which the body was enveloped; and if he took them by force, he should be indicted for a highway robbery, as those matters were the property of the Executors; nay, they went further, and said, that as the deceased had, by his will, bequeathed his body to the Executors, no execution would hold good against the corpse, the process must be against them. The Bailiff, very properly being persuaded that the spirit of the law meant a living, and not a dead body, marched off without insisting on the legality of his capture. This is the first instance of the kind that has happened since the arrest of the dead body of a Sheriff of London, not many years since."—(Times, Sept. 5, 1794.)