EXTRAORDINARY CASE—A MAN-WOMAN.
A creature in the garb of a man, who at the station-house had given the name of Bill Chapman, was placed at the bar with one Isabella Watson, and complained of for being a common cheat and impostor, and creating a disturbance.
Oakley, inspector of the E division, stated that although the thing before them, that called itself Bill Chapman, was attired in man’s apparel, he had ascertained that it was a woman.
Mr. Bennett, who was very much surprised, looked steadfastly at the prisoner and asked her name.
Prisoner (speaking in a rough manner.) “It is Mary Chapman.”
Mr. Bennett. “I never saw a figure more like a man, and the voice is manly.”
Oakley. “I have known her at least ten years, and she always appeared in a dress similar to the one she now wears, namely, a hat, smock-frock, trousers, or knee-breeches, and until last night I always supposed her to be a man. She is known all over England as a ballad-singer and a crier of ‘The last dying speeches,’ &c.”
Mr. Bennett. “She may be a disorderly and disreputable character, which, in fact, her dressing as a man clearly shows, but I know of no law to punish her for wearing male attire.”
Oakley. “She travels the country with a woman named Isabella Watson, and they are both known at every race-course and fair as ballad-singers, and considered to be man and wife.”
Mr. Bennett. “She may have more than one reason for dressing in that manner, and passing as the husband of the woman Watson, and I wish it was in my power to imprison her.”