The only Social News between this date and July is the account of mere riots at Nottingham and Leeds—together with State trials—which we will skip.
On the 1st of July were issued the new gold Coin "the Sovereign," and from that date the old Guinea was doomed, and only now survives in professional fees, and wherever any one can stick on an extra shilling to a Sovereign. They were taken very kindly to, only some exception was taken to the name, many thinking they ought to have been called a "George." The half-sovereigns soon got a nickname, that of "Regents." This is what a wicked wag thought of the "New Sovereign":
"The Horse on the Coin is more fit for a Waggon,
Than meet for St. George to encounter the Dragon!
And, as for the Effigy, meant for the Saint,
He appears like a Sans Culotte, ready to faint;
With his head hanging down o'er a lean hungry paunch,
He has struck, with his spear, his poor horse, on the haunch;
While the Dragon in pity, looks at the incision,
And cocks up his nose, at St. George in derision!!!"
One of the most famous Criminal Cases of modern times occurred this year—singular for the fact that it revived the old Ordeal, "Appeal by battle," which had been in obeyance since 1771, and which no one ever dreamed would be revived. One Abraham Thornton had been accused of murdering Mary Ashford by drowning her on the 27th of May. He was tried, and acquitted, but was subsequently arrested in October on an appeal. This was heard in the King's Bench on the 17th of November, and both Appellant and Appellee answered to their names. The first, William Ashford, brother of the deceased, is described as being a slight made lad, about seventeen years of age, and short in stature. Thornton stood about five feet four inches high, very stout and robust.
After the preliminary formalities were over, Mr. Leblanc, clerk to the Crown, read over the record against him, and asked him whether he was guilty or not." "His Counsel, Mr. Reader, then put a piece of paper in his hand from which the prisoner read:
"'Not guilty; and I am ready to defend the same with my body.'
"Mr. Reader had likewise handed a pair of large gauntlets, or gloves, to the prisoner, one of which he put on, and the other, in pursuance of the old form, he threw down for the appellant to take up. It was not taken up, and
"Mr. Reader moved that it should be kept in the custody of the officer of the Court.
Mr. Leblanc: Your plea is that you are not Guilty, and that you are ready to defend the said plea with your body?
"The Prisoner: It is.