"So great has been the mortality in the metropolis, that the Undertakers, like the distressed Prompter we read of, have been obliged 'to mow away brown.' A hearse with bay horses was actually observed in one of the many melancholy processions in the course of last week."—(Times, March 7, 1795.)
"We are informed there is a Cask now building at Messrs Meux and Co.'s Brewery, in Liquor-pond Street, Grays Inn Lane, the size of which exceeds all credibility, being designed to hold twenty thousand barrels of porter; the whole expense attending the same will be upwards of £10,000."—(Times, April 1, 1795.)
"Numbers, it is said, have gone into the King's Bench and Fleet Prison, under an idea that there would be an Act of Grace, on account of the Prince's marriage—but no such act is to take place."—(Times, April 27, 1795.)
"In the absence of our Reporter, we understand that Mr. Mainwaring, on Monday, presented a Petition to the House of Commons signed by above 10,000 Livery Servants, against the Employing of Foreigners in that capacity; which not being seconded, was not received."—(Times, April 30, 1795.)
Advt.—ASTROLOGY. Mrs. NEWTON respectfully informs her friends and the Public, that she continues at No. 111 in Wardour St. Soho, where she may be consulted on Planetary Influence, as it relates to, involves, and guides all the Events and Occurrences, as Marriages, Legacies, Possession of Wealth, Attainment of any particular Desire, the State of an Absent Friend by Sea or Land, or whatever can interest our Hopes, or agitate our Fears. The private Door in Portland St., and the Name under the one-pair-of-stairs window."—(Times, May 6, 1795.)
Medicinal Waters were in great repute, and if there were any spring, at all charged with mineral matter, near the Metropolis, it was a good thing for the proprietor. They existed at the Beulah Spa, Norwood—Spa fields, Bermondsey—Hampstead—Clerkenwell—Holywell Street, and at this "Duck and Dog" St. George's Fields. This was a famous suburban publichouse—much as the Welsh Harp is nowadays—where shooting matches at small birds was a favourite pastime.
"Advt.—DOG AND DUCK SPA AND BATH, St. Georges Fields.—J. Hedger respectfully informs the Public, that the Gardens of the above Spa are open for the reception of those who wish to drink the Waters on the spot, at the usual terms of 3d. each person. The general salubrity of this Spa is well known: and its happy medicinal effects in Scorbutic, Scrophulous, and eruptive Complaints: as well as in the Gravel, and several other Disorders, have been long and incontestibly established. It will be sent to any part of the town in bottles, corked and sealed at the pump, on receiving orders as above. The Bath and Bowling Green are also open to Subscribers."—(Times, May 26, 1795.)
The Mr. Brothers mentioned in the following paragraph had been a Lieutenant in the Navy—and held most extravagantly visionary religious views—he pretended to have revelations from the Deity, and set up as a Prophet. He was imprisoned in 1794 for fear he should create some political disturbance.
"Many persons were yesterday not a little terrified by St. Paul's clock striking 10 three times within an hour, expecting every moment, that Mr. Brothers's prophecy was about to be fulfilled, which had appointed some dreadful calamity to befal the City of London before the 4th day of June instant."—(Times, June 4, 1795.)
In the next paragraph, we must bear in mind the difference in the value of the Currency then and now.