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1
OR,
ANECDOTES OF
MENDICANT WANDERERS
THROUGH THE
STREETS OF LONDON;
WJTH PORTRAITS OF THE MOST REMARKABLE,
t .
DRAWN FROM THE LIFE BY
JOHN THOMAS SMITH,
Late Keeber of the Prints in the Brltish Museum.
A NEW EDITION.
I ¿e loe
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HonUon:
chatto and windus, piccadilly.
1874.■] 'I - ,
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IPV
PREFAOE.
Mr aranaer at tU alose of hU BiograpUcal Ektory of England, says, I shall conclude Jkts
Mr. somewhere remarhed, ihat Uography has heen confi,^d
whmie wiíh ohseim g,
^
^ersonages only deserved ihe notice of the inqumhve parí
saithin too narrow foregoing strictares extended the sphere of it too far. 1 legan with
of manlcind. Im , p P , admney-Sweepers, and Beggars. But they that fiU the
Manareis, and lave ended respecte, to le more nearly allied than even
Ughest and the ^ lowest cZas f
^
míe or nO difference, in disseoting the lody of a king
in diseussing the nature and qualiiíes of their nnnds.
EGGtAHY, of late, partíeularly for tte last six
years, liad become so dreadñil in London, tliat tbe
more active interference of tbe legislatiire was
deemed absolutely necessaiy; indeed, tbe decep-tions of tbe idle and sturdy were so various,
cnnning, and extensivo, tbat it was in most
instances extremely diídcnlt to discover tbe real
object of cbarity from tbe impostor.
Concluding, tberefore, from tbe reduction of
tbe metropobtan beggars, tbat several curiona
cbaracters wonld disappear by being eitber
com-pelled to industry, or to pai-take of tbe bberal
parocbial ratos, provided for tbem in tbeir re
spective work-bonses, it occurred to tbe antbor of
tbe present pnblication, tbat likenesses of tbe
most remarkable of tbem, witb a few particnlars of tbeir babits, wonld not be
,iimmnsing to tbose to wbom tbey bave been a pest for several years.
In order to convince bis Eeaders tbat be does not stand alone as a
deüneator of mendicants, be begs leave to observe, tbat several of tbe very
first-rate artists bave stndied from tbem.
MVbael Angelo Bnonarotti often drew from beggars; and report says,
fl, f +be early part of bis life, wben be bad not tbe means of paying tbem in
moneT be wonld make an additional sketch, and, presenting it to tbe party,
desme bim to take it to some particular person, wbo wonld pnrcbase xt
Enseli in bis life of Micbael Angelo, says tbat "a beggar rose from bis band
tte piiareh of povertf
The eame aa-tkt in OM of Me leetnree, delijered
at tL Boyal Academy, aleo observes, that «Miehael Ange o ennohled Ms
beggars IntK, Patriarchs and Prophets, in the ceilmg of the Sistim Chapel.
PREFACE.
Aunibal Caraeci frequently drew subjects in low Ufe. His "Cries of
Bologna, etcbed by Giuseppe María Mitelli, pub. 1660, in folio, are evidently
from real cbaraeters. It will also be recollected, tbat some of tlie finest
productions of Murillo, Jan Miel, and Drogsloot, are beggars. Callot's
twenty-four beggars are evidently from nature; and among Eembrandt's
etchings are to be found twenty-tbree plates of this descrij)tion.
Sir Josbua Eeynolds frequently pamted from beggars, and from tbese
people bave originated some of bis finest pietures, paríicularly bis "
Mercuiy
as a Pickpoclcet," and "Cupid as a Link-boy." His Count UgoUno, was
painted from a pavier, soon after be bad left St. George's Hospital, from a
severe fever. Mr. West painted tbe portrait of a beggar, on tbe day vehen be
became a bundred years oíd; and considered bim as a pensioner for several
years afterwards. Tbe same person was used also as a model, by Copley,Opie, &e. Wbo can forget tbe lovely countenance of Gainsborongb's Sbepberd's
Boy, tbat bas once seen Earlom's excellent engraving from it ? He was a lad,
well Imown as a beggar to tbose wbo walked St. James's-street tbirty years ago. Tbe model for tbe celebrated pictnre of tbe Woodman, by tbe same
artist, is now Uving in tbe Borongb, at tbe venerable age of 107.
Mr. Hollekens, in 1778, wben modelUng tbe bust of Dr. Jobnson, wbo tben
wore a wig, called in a beggar to sit for tbe bair. Tbe same artist was noteqnally fortúnate in tbe locks of anotber great cbaracter; for on bis application to a beggar for tbe like purpose, tbe fellow declined to sit, witb an obseiwation
tbat tbree balf-crowns were not sníficient for tbe trouble.
Tbe late Mir. Hatbaniel Hone, in tbe year 1760, pamted tbe portrait of
James Tumer, a common beggar, wbo valued bis time at a sbilling an bonr. Captain BaiUie bas made an etcbing of tbis pictm-e.
Tbat tmly spfrited painter, Mr. Ward, made similar overtures to a lame
sailor, wbo tbongbt fit to reject tbem and prefer bis begging occupation. One of tbe many fine tbings produced by Flaxman, is a figure of a blind sailor, Jack Stuart, mentioned in page 19 of tbis work. Tbe artist bas introduced bim in a beautiful monnment, erected in Campsal Cbnrcb, to tbe
memory of Misses Tarborougb.
Beggars bave not only been useful to artists as models, bnt serviceable to
tbem in otber instances. Prancis Perríer, wbo was bom of poor parents, wben
a boy, entered into tbe service of a blind beggar, for tbe express purpose of getting from Prance to Eome, to pursue bis studies in tbat city; and Oíd Scbeemaker, tbe Sculptor, HoUekens's master, absolntely begged bis way from
Planders to Eome, for tbe same purpose.
Tbougb tbe biograpbical part of tbis pnbUcation exbibits some curious
cnstoms of tbe London beggars wbicb bave fallen witbin tbe autbor's
observa-tions, and tbougb it may in some instances be deemed original, yet be confesses tbat be bas adopted tbe usual craft of tbe common vender, wbo invariably puts
tbe best sample into tbe moutb of tbe sack,—sncb be needs not state tbe truly
interesting Introduction to be. It was written and presented to bim by bis bonoured and valuable friend, Prancis Douce, Esq.
INTRODUCTION.
HE present work is very far from being offered as a general
view of tbat peculiar brancb bf pauperism, wbicb includes tbe many wandering classes of mankind tbat are supported
by tbe casual and irregular bounty of otbers, or by means tbát bave at least tbe appearance of industry or bonom'able ingenuity; for tbat woidd be a task requiring tbe united efforts of tbe bistorían, tbe legislator, and tbe antiquary. It
may be deemed sufficient to submit to tbe reader's notice sncb acconnts and
gleanings as immediately relate to tbe particular cbaraeters wbicb are bere
once more embodied and presented to bim by tbe aid of tbe grapbick art. In tbe mean time a sUgbt sketch of tbe state and progress of mendicity in formerages may be neitber miacceptable ñor vrítbout its use.
Tbe Beggar^s caUing, if not one of tbe most respectable, may doubtless be
regarded as one of tbe most ancient. In every part of tbe globe wbere man is
congregated, tbe inequaUty of bis condition, tbe too frequent indolence of bis
babits or tbe sbifts to wbicb bmnan misery is occasionaUy reduced, willcompel bim to depend for bis suppoi-t on tbe generosity of bis fellow-creatures,
and even sometimes lead bim to prefer tbis disgraceful state of existence. Tbe sacred volume bas supplied us witb evidence of tbe mendicant profession
at an early períod. Xing David, wben imprecating curses on tbe bead of bis
enemy, prays tbat "bis cbildren be continuaUy vagabonds, and
and
tbe story of Ulysses and tbe beggar Iims, as related in one of tbe oldest works
extant, is known almost to every one.Tbe state of mendicity among tbe Greeks and Eomans is bnt obscurely
recorded; ñor bave any specific laws or regulations tbat tbey migbt bave framed
relating to tbat subject been transmitted to us. Tbe Beggars in Horace, wbo
lamented tbe deatb of tbe musician TigeUinus, were probably of tbe common
kind tbongb some bave supposed tbem to bave been fortune-tellers or
propbets. Tbeir dress would be of tbe ragged sort, tbe mendicula impluviata
of Plautus. We learn from Seneca, tbat tbe beggars of bis time practised
every species of imposture, and even amputated tbeir Umbs for tbe purpose of
exciting compassion. ^ _
During tbe middle ages, we meet witb a few legislative acts relatmg to tbe
yagrant classes. In a capitulaiy of tbe Emperor Cbarlemagne, beggars were
* Psal. cix. V. 10. The passage in 1 Samuel, ii. 8. " He lifteth iip tlie beggar from the dungliill," has not been used, becausc tbe original word docs not seem to mean a common beggar. Strictly rendered,
rAGABONDIANA.
prohibited from wanderiiig about tbe coimtiy; and auother aucieiit law of tbe
rranks is cited by Beatus Rbenanus in bis Germán cbi-onicle, by wbicb every city is ordered to maintain its own poor, who are nevertbeless to be compelled to
manual labour, or otberwise not to be entitled to relief; a vagrant bfe is also strictly probibited. For a considerable tune tbe kingdom of France was mucb
uifested witb a set of itinerant beggars, usually kno"\vn by tbe appellation of
Truands, and tbeir occnpation by tbat of Truandise; from wbicb terms oui* own
language bas adopted an obvions word of mncb significance. Tbese people bkewise gave ñame to one of tbe streets of Paris, called La Truanderie; and
under pretence of begging alms, committed tbe most atrocions crimes and excesses, practising every kind of frand and impostare; so tbat tbe ñame
gradnally became tbe representative of every tbing tbat was bad and infamous.
In later times tbey were called Argotiers, Tbey assnmed tbe form of a regular* govemment, elected a king, and establisbed a fixed code of laws and a language pecubar to tbemselves, constructed probably by some of tbe debaucbed and licentions yontbs wbo, abandoning tbeir scbolastic studies, associated witb tbese
vagabonds. Tbe facetious autbor of a poetical life of tbe famous Frencb robber
Cartoucbe, bas given a very bumorous account of tbe origin of tbe word Argot,
wbicb, at tbe expense of graver etymologists, be derives from tbe sbip Argos;
contending tbat tbis jargon, a term tbat would perbaps bave snpplied tbe real
and perverted meaning of tbe otber, was eitber invented by tbe navigators of
tbat celebrated vessel, for tbe purpose of deceiving bis majesty of Colcbos, or
constr-ucted by Agamemnon at Argos, and transpor*ted after-wards to Troy,
wbere tbe Greek generáis nsed it to barangue tbeir soldiers. Tbe same writer
bas likewise compiled a dictronary of tbe language in qnestion, wbicb is given
at tbe end of Cartoncbe's bistory. Tbeir king assnmed tbe title of tbe Great
Chosroes, in imitation of tbe Persian monarcb of tbat ñame, and bis officers bad tbeb* several cant denominations contrived witb considerable ingenuity. One of tbese sovereigns tbougbt fit to prefer bis own ñame, arrd was called Roi de Thunes. Tbis feUow nsed to be dr-awn triumpbantly tbrougb tbe streets in a
little cart by two stout dogs, and at lengtb finisbed bis career on a gibbet at
Bourdeaux. Tbe new members of tbis bonoui'able fraternity were graciously
received by tbe monarcb, and consigned to bis officers for instruction. Tbese
tangbt tbem to counterfeit wounds, sores, and ulcers, by means of tbe jnice of
celandine and otber berbs; to make preparations of grease, &c., for tbe purpose
of bindering dogs from barking, and many otber tricks and contrivances essen-tial to tbe profession of a beggar. Tbe necessary qnabfications for an officer at
court was tbe possession of masks, rags, plaisters, bandages, cratcbes, and otber
matters calcnlated to excite cbarity and compassion; a candidate for tbe monarcby, wbicb was electivo, rnnst bave passed tbrougb one or more offices and bave sported a limb in aU appearance sbockmgly diseased, but curable in a
day's time. Tbe royal babits were composed of a tbousand bits of rag, of
varions colours. Every year tbe king beld a coimcil of bis officers and subjects
wbo reported tbeir proceedings, and paid bim tbe legal and accustomed tribute
money; offences were inquired into, and summary punisbment inflicted. Many
of tbe above officers were mnaway scbolars and debaucbed priests, wbo taugbt
tbe novices tbe Argot language, and performed otber duties wbicb exempted
VA GABONVIANA.
tbem from tbe usual tribute to tbe sovereign. Tbese impostors were divided
into numerous classes, assumbig varions appeUations. Tbose wbo counterfeited maimed soldiers were caUed Narguois, corresponding witb om* Eufflers. Tbe little urcbins, wbo before tbe estabbsbment of regular bospitals, were permitted
to beg in groupes, and appeared as balf-starved, were denominated Orplielins or
Orphans. FeUows assuming tbe cbaracter of broken mercbants and tradesmen
called tbemselves l^larcandiers and Rifodes: tbese, pretending to bave beenruined by war, by fire, and otber calamities, made use of false certificates of
tbeir loss, and were frequently accompanied by tbeir wives and cbildren. Tbe
Malingreux were tbe dropsical and otberwise diseased impostors wbo freqnented
tbe cburcbes, and demanded alms to enable tbem to make pilgrimages and
perforin masses to particular saints. Tbe Siibins sbewed certificates of baving
been bitten by wolves or dogs, and placed tbemselves under St. Hubert s
pro-tection. Tbe Cogidllarts pretended to bave made a pilgrbnage to St. James or
St. Micbael, and sold tbeir cockle-sbells. even to tbose fools wbo bad done so.
Tbe Saboideux counterfeited demoniacs, by means of soap beld m tbe moutb,
witb wbicb tbey produced tbeir foam, and exbibited false wounds on tbeir beads
and bodies, wbicb tbey pretended to bave inflicted on tbemselves during tbeir
fits Tbese last were tbe most faitbful subjects of tbe Great Chosroes, and paid
bim a mncb bigber tribute tban any of tbe rest. Besides tbe above, tbere were
tbe Fietres, tbe Courtaux, tbe FoUssons, tbe Capons, tbe Franonitoux, and a
variety of otbers, all assuming different cbaracters, to defraud tbe unwary in
every possible manner. Tbese particulars bave been coUected togetber as
exbibiting a general view of tbe manners and prácticos of tbe begging tribe in
tbe kingdom of France, wbere tbe regulations concerning tbem appear to bave
been very ñ-equent and severe. In tbe reign of Francis I. many edicts of tbe
court issued against tbem, by some of wbicb aU tbe beggars in Paris were
compelled to clear tbe city sewers and ditcbes, and to assist in repab-iag tbe
fortifications; and for tbis pui'pose tbe pólice officers seized upon aU tbat were
able-bodied and competent to work. Many were banisbed to tbe provinces,
and' if tbey continued to beg, and refused to assist in tbe vintage, tbey were
ordered to be banged. Wbipping was tbe more pneral punisbment; and
wbere licensed, tbey were not suffered to go about in troops, but confined to
travel in Paris only, to prevent robberies and otber miscbief. Tbose wbo could
not laboui-, on account of infirmity, were maintained in bospitals, or by
con-tributions at tbe cburcbes, wbere tbey were not permitted, as at present, to
beg under pain of wbipping. In tbe admirable Pictures of Paris by Mercier,
tbere is an interesting article on tbe sturdy beggars of tbat city, wbere tbeir
noisv orgies at tbeir places of rendezvous, wben tbey bave stripped tbemselves
of tbeir false Ibnbs and bideous plasters, are eloquently described. He
men-tions one cruel and wicked practice among tbese impostors, nainely, tbat wben
tbey steal otber people's cbildren for want of tbeir own, tbey distort and even
dislócate tbe members of tbe unfortunate vmtuns, to give tbem wbat tbey
impiously term, tbe arms and legs of God Almigbty. .
Witb respect to tbe vagabonds of Spain, wbo wiU be found to resemble,
witb smaU difference, many of tbe classes above described, it wiü be sufficient
to refer tbe reader to tbose exceUent novéis. Lazarillo de Toimes, and
Bwn ¡
1° VAÜABONDIANÁ.
Guzman de Alfarache. Tlie manners of tlie Italiaii meudicants and iinposfors
are admirably dej)icted, witli maiiy entertaining stories, in tlie veiy curious
work of Eafael Prianoro, entitled " II vagabondo, overo sferzo de bianti e vagabondi. Viterho, 1620, 12ino. in wbich tbe catalogue of ñames of tbe
partios, and of tbe impostm-es practised, far exceeded those of any otber
country.
Della Yalle, in bis travels to tbe East Indios, informs us, tbat tbe beggars
tbere make use of a tmmpet to express tbeb* wants, freqnently terrifying tbe
people into cbarity by tbeir loud clamours. Of tbe Cbinese mendicants
some particulars will be found in explaining one of tbe plates of tbis woi'k. It would amount to positivo negligence, if, in tbe present sketcb, tbose wanderers tbat are usually knovm among ourselves by tbe appellation of
Gypsies, and on tbe continent by tbat of Bobemians, on account of tbeir first
appearance in tbat country, were passed over witbout some notice; but tbeir bistory bas been so learnedly and copiously detailed by M. Grellmann, tbat it may be tbougbt sufficient on tbis occasion to advert to tbe Englisb translation of tbat excellent work by Mr. Eaper, pubbsbed 1787, in quarto.
IsTor sbould tbe mention of tbe orders of mendicant friars be omitted, wbo, no doubt, bad tbeir prototypes in tbe knavisb priests of Cybele. Of tbese
persons tbere were fonr orders; viz. tbe Augnstinians, tbe Carmelites, tbe
Dominicans, and tbe Minorites. Tbey wandered from j)]ace to j)lace, professing
poverty, and exciting tbe cbarity of otbers. Tbey bad assumed and acquired
an nnlunited control over tbe consciences of tbe deluded victims of tbeir artifice,
and at lengtb became particularly odions to tbe monks and tbe clergy in
general, continuing nevertbeless to maintain tbeir power and inflnence, from
tbe marked favonr and protection of tbe Eoman Pontiffs, wbo regarded tbem as some of tbeir best friends and supporters. In our own country tbese peojjle
encountered a most bitter and invetérate enemy in tbe celebrated Wickliffe,
wbo in bis sermons, and otber works, declaimed against tbem witb mucb
vebement eloquence as tbieves, bypocrites, and cbildren of Judas Iscariot; teUing tbem tbat Cbrist nevar commissioned any one to appear in tbe cbaracter of a beggar; and tbat altbougb be preferred a state of jjoverty, be never
demanded abns bimself, ñor allowed of otbers doing it, but in cases of extreme necessity.
Anotber set of ecclesiastical mendicants were tbose pseudo-monks, wbo, among many otber irregularities, scrupled not to take to tbemselves wives, wbilst tbeir bretbren contentad tbemselves witb concubinas. Tbese were
brandad by tbe regular monks witb tbe appellation of Beghards, and are specifically termed sturdy heggars, in a very bitter invective against tbem by
Eebx Hammerlein, a civilian and canon of Zuricb, in tbe fifteentb century, wbo
empbatically calis tbem tbe legitímate sons of Belial. Many otber writers declaimed against tbem witb great acrimony, and some of tbe more rigid
Papists seem to bave classed tbem among tbe Lollards, an appellation tbat bas
very mucb arrested tbe attention of tbe learned in etymology, tbougb witbout any certainty as to its origin.
Tbe records of our early bistory supply few, if any, materials tbat tbrow ligbt
upon tbe subject before us ; and tbe laws of tbe Saxons, as well as tbose of our
/
rAGABOyCIANA. n
Britisb ancestors, are entirely silent as to any regulation concemiug vagrants
or mendicants of any kind. A curious incident bowever in tbe life of Edward
tbe Confessor, as related by bis bistorian Alured of Rievaulx, is wortby of being
mentioned. Tbis sovereign is said to bave been remarkable for bis benevolence
to tbe poor, many of wbom be privately supported, Among tbese was one Ralpb, a Norman, a miserable object, wbose limbs were sbockiugly contracted by disease. Tbis man, scarcely able to creep along on bis knees, as was tbe
usual practico witb sucb persons, and urged by necessity, tbe motber of
invention, was tbe first wbo is reported as making use of a bollow vessel of wood, in tbe form of a bason, in wbicb be placed bis binder parts, guiding and supporting bis cripj)led limbs by means of bis bands, and tbus saüed along, as
it were, uiDon tbe ground. On tbe king's deatb be made a pilgrimage to bis
tomb, and addressing bimself to tbe monarcb as if alive, was bealed, as says
tbe legend, of bis disease.
Tbe next two centm-ies of Englisb bistory are equally barren of incident to
our purjjose. From tbat time bowever tbe statute laws of tbe kingdom
furnisb abundant regulations concerning tbe vagrant classes; and it bas
tbere-fore been tbougbt wortb wbile to submit to tbe reader's notice tbe foUowing
extracts and abridgments.
Tbe statute of labourers, made in tbe 23d year of Edw. III., recites tbat tbere are many sturdy beggars Avbo prefer a bfe of indolence to active labom-, and commit tbeft and otber crimes; and tberefore witb a view to discourage
sucb prácticos, and compel tbese persons to work for tbeir living, it enacts, tbat none, on pain of imprisonment, sbaU, under colour of pity or of abns, give any tbing to tbose wbo are competent to labour, or presume by sucb means to "favoiír them towards their desires."
By stat. xii. Ricb. II. c. 6. every beggar wbo is able to work sbaU be put m
tbe stocks, and sucb as are unable to work sball abide in tbe cities and towns wbere tbey be dwelling át tbe time of proclaiming tbis statute; and if tbe
inbabitants sball not be able to maintain tbem, tben tbe said beggars sball
witbdraw tbemselves to otber places witbin tbe bundred, rape, or wapentake, or to tbe places of tbeir nativity, witbin forty days as above, and tbere
con-tinually abide during tbeir lives: and all tbat go in pilgrimage as beggars, but
are able to work, sbaU be punisbed witb tbe stocks, unless tbey bave letters
testimonial from a justice of tbe peace. Tbe sberifEs and gaolers are also
cbarged witb tbe custody of beggars, tbougb it does not appear for wbat
particular ofí^ence. Rebgious persons and bermits wbo beg must bave Hcence
from tbeir ordinarios, and scbolars of tbe universities from tbeir cbanceUors,ünder tbe like penalties.
Tbe stat. xix. Hen. "VTI. adverting to tbe rigour of tbe last-mentioned
reo-ulations, and to tbe great expense of confining vagabonds and beggars in
prison enacts, tbat an immediate discbarge from tbe gaols sball take place,
and all beggars be set m tbe stocks for a day and a nigbt, witbout otber
food tban bread and water, and tben sent to tbe place of tbeir nativity, or
wbere tbey may bave resided for tbe space of tbree years. It also enacts, tbat
sucb beggars as are not able to work be passed to tbeir own tovms, wbere only
tbey ai'o to be allowed to beg.
VA OABO.VD/AxVA.
By statute xxii. Hen. Viil. persons unable to work are to be licensed by
certifícate from mayors, sberifís, bailifís, or justices, to beg -witbin certain
districts; and if they be foimd begging mtbout sncb licence, tbey are to be set in tbe stocks for tbree days and tliree nigbts, and fed only on bread and -water,
or else wliipped, at tbe discretion of tbe magistrate, wbo is afterwards to give tbe party a licence and dismiss bim. Persons being "wbole and migbty in
body, and able to labour," and found beggmg, are to be wbipped at tbe cart's
tail till blood come, and tben dismissed to tbeir o-wn district, receiving a licence, stating tbeir pnnisbment, and antborizing tbem to beg by tbe way.
Scbolars at tbe nniversities begging witbont licence, to be pnnisbed as above. Persons wandering about -witb unla-wñil games, and fortuné-tellers of all kinds, to be pnnisbed for tbe fírst offence by two days wbipping; for tbe second, by
like wbipping, -witb snbseqnent pillory and loss of one ear; for tbe tbird, tbe
like pnnisbment, witb loss of tbe otber ear. Tbe licence was in tbese words : " Memorándum, tbat A. B. of Dale, for reasonable considerations, is licensed to
beg witbin tbe bnndred of P. K. in tbe connty of L. and tbe licence after
wbipping is as foUows: " I. S. wbipped for a vagrant strong beggar, at Dale,
in tbe connty of L. according to tbe law, tbe 22 Jnly, in tbe 23 year of King Henry tbe Eigbtb, was assigned to pass fortbwitb and directly from tbence to Sale, in tbe co-unty of M. wbere be saitb be was bom, or wbere be last dwelled by tbe term of tbree years, and be is limited to be tbere "witbin fourteen days
next ensning, at bis peril, &c."
By tbis act, persons delivered from gaol, or acqnitted of felonies, wbo could
not pay tbe usnal fees, were to be licensed by tbe keeper to raise snob fees by begging for tbe space of six weeks, on pain of wbipping for default of sucb licence.
By tbe 27tb Hen. VIII. furtber provisions were made for tbe labour and
employment of ^ugabonds and beggars. Cburcbwardens to gatber abns for
snpporting tbe poor on Sundays and bolidays. Begging cbildren, between tbe
ages of fíve and fourteen years, to be placed under masters of busbandry; and
tbose between tbe ages of twelve and sixteen to be wbipped for mnning away.
Beggars offending again after tbe fírst pnnisbment to be marked by cutting off
tbe upper gristle of tbe rigbt ear; and if found still loitering in idieness, to be
indicted as felons at tbe quarter sessions, and on conviction to suffer death. Tbe mendicant friars are specially excepted in tbis act, wbicb provides many additional supports for tbe poor besides tbe vast donations from tbe still
éxisting monasterios, and tbe alms-bouses and bospitals.
At tbe commencement of tbe reign of Edw. VI. a most severe and
extra-ordinary statute was made for tbe pnnisbment of vagabonds and relief of poor
persons. It does not appear wbo were tbe contrivers of tbis instrument, tbe
preamble and general spirit of wbicb were more in accordance witb tbe
tyran-nical and arbitrary mensures of tbe preceding reign, tban witb tbe mild and
merciful cbaracter of tbe infant sovereign, wbo is weU known to bave taken avery active part in tbe affairs of govemment. It repeals all tbe former statutes
on tbis subject, and enacts, tbat if any beggar or otber person, not being lame
or impotent, and after loitering or idly wandering for tbe space of tbree days
or more, sball not offer bimself to labour, or being engaged in any person's
i
VAGABOA'B/AiVA. 13
service, sball rnn away or leave bis work, it sball be lawful for tbe master to carry bíi-n before a justice of peace, wbo, on proof of tbe ofience, sbaU cause
tbe party to be marked "witb a bot iron witb tbe letter V on tbe breast, and adjudge bíin to be bis master's slave for tbe space of -two years, wbo sbaU feed
Tiim " on bread and water, or, at bis discretion, on refase of meat, and cause
tbe said slave to work by beating, cbaining, or otber-wise in sucb work or labour
(bow vile soever it be) as be sball put bim unto." If tbe slave sboidd run away
or absent bimself for a fortnigbt -witbont leave, tbe master may pursue and
punisb bii-n by cbaining or beating, and bave bis action of damage against any
one wbo sball barbour or detain bim. On proof before tbe justice of tbeslave's escape, be is to be sentenced to be marked on tbe forebead or baU of tbe
cbeek witb a bot iron -witb tbe le-tter S, and adjudged to be bis master's slave
for ever; and for tbe second offence of mnning away, be is to be regarded as a
felón and suffer deatb. Tbe cbildren of beggars to 'be taken ffom tbem, and,
witb otber vagrant cbildren, to be apprenticed by tbe magistrate to wboever
wiU take tbem
; and if sucb cbildren so apprenticed run away, tbey are to be
retaken, and become slaves tül tbe age of twenty in females, and twenty-four
in males, witb pnnisbment by cbains, &c., and power to tbe master to let, sell,
or bequeatb tbem, as goods and cbattels, for tbe term aforesaid. If any slave
sbould maim or wound tbe master, in resisting correction, or conspire to wound or murder bim, or burn bis bouse or otber property, be is to suffer deatb as a
felón, unless tbe master -will consent to retain bim as a slave for ever; and if
any parent, nurse, or bearer about of cbildren, so become slaves, sball steal or
entice tbem away from tbe master, sucb person sbaU be liable to become a
slave to tbe said master for ever, and tbe party so stolen or enticed away
restored. If any vagrant be brougbt to a place, wbere be sbaU state bimself to
bave been bom,
and it sbaU be manifest tbat be was not so bom tbere, for sucb
lie be sball be marked in tbe face witb an S, and become a slave to tbe
inbabitants or corporation of tbe city for ever. Any master of a slave may put
a ring of iron about bis neck, arm, or leg, for safe custody, and any person
taking or belping to take off sucb ring, witbout consent of tbe master, sbaU
forfeit tbe sum of ten pounds.Tbis diabolical statute, after remaiaing for two years, was repealed, on tbe
ground tbat, from its extreme severity, it bad not been enforced; and,-nnstead
of it tbe xxii. Hen.
VIII. was revived. Tbe taking apprentices tbe cbildren of
beo-g'ars was, bowever, continued; but, instead of slavery, for tbe offence of
mming away, tbe pnnisbment of tbe stocks was substituted. In tbe last year
of King Edward's reign, furtber provisions for snpporting tbe poor were made,
by o-atbering alms at cburcb by tbe parisb ofiicers, wbo were "
gently to ask
and^demand of every man and woman wbat tbey of tbeir cbarity -will be
con-tented to give weekly toward tbe relief of tbe poor, and tbe same to be "written
in a register-or book." Tbe coUectors are empowered to make sucb of tbe
poor labour as tbey sbaU tbink fít; but none are permitted «to go, or sit
openly a hegging." . • . j.
Tbe last statute tbat it will be necessary to refer to, is tbat of tbe xxxix.
Eliz. c. 4. for tbe punisbment and suppression of rogues, vagabonds, and stui-dy
:'T;™PWPIÍPP
. »■■-.
14 VAGABOynjANA.
VA GABOyjJ/AyA
*.5
all persons calling themselves scliolars, and going about begging, fellows
pre-tending losses by sea, persons using unlawful games, fortune-tellers, procurers,
coUectors for gaols and bospitals, fencers, bearwards, common players of
interlndes, minstrels (except sucb players as are licensed by any barón of tbe realm), jugglers, tinkers, pedlars, common laboimers able in body, but begging and refusing labour for reasonable wages, persons delivered from gaol and begging for fees, all persons wbatever tbat beg in any manner as wanderers, and all gypsies, or pretending to be so, sball be adjndged rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars, and be Hable to tbe punisbment of wbipping till tbe blood come, and passed to tbeir respective parisbes, and cpmmitted to tbe bouse of correction nntil fnrtber provisión by Avork, or placing in almsbouses. If any of
tbe above persons sbaU appear to be dangerous to tbe inferior sort of people, or
wül not otberwise be reformed, tbey sbaU be committed to tbe bouse of correc
tion or county gaol, and at tbe quarter sessions, if necessary, banisbed from
tbe tingdom to sucb places as sball be assigned by tbe privy councü, or otber
wise be sent to tbe galleys of tbe kingdom for life, witb pain of deatb on
returning from banisbment. No vagabonds or beggars to be imported from
Ireland, Scotland, or tbe Isle of Man, or, if already bere, to be sent back to
tbeir respective conntries. No diseased pooi' persons to be suffeied to repair to
tbe batbs of Batb or Bnxton for cure, unless tbey forbear to beg, and arelicensed by two justices j and tbat tbe above cities be not cbarged witb íinding
rebef for sucb persons. Tbis statute not to extend to cbildren under seven years oíd, ñor to glassmen of good bebaviour, travelbng witb bcence, and
forbearing to beg.
It is impossible to look upen a more ñnisbed picture of tbe general inanners
of tbe begging classes, a bttle before tbe Reformation, tban in tbe following
extract from tbe once deservedly celebrated satire, entitled tbe Ship of Fools,
A Itbougb of foreign construction, it is not tbe less calculated foi tbe meridian
of England ,■ and indeed tbe translator bas in some degree adapted it to bis
own countiy. Tbe aiitbor tbus addresses tbe pai-ties in question
"All vacabondos and mygbty beggers, tbe wbycbe gotbe beggynge from
dore to dore, and ayletb lytell or nougbt, witb lame men and crepyUes, come
unto me, and I sball gyve yon an almesse saluberryme and of grete vertue. Tbe mendycans be in grete nombre, wberfore I wyll declare unto yon some of tbeyr
foolyssbe condycyons. Tbese fooles, tbe wbicbe be founde in tbeyr corporal
bodyes, wyl nomysb and kepe dyvers cbyldren. Tbe monkes bave tbis myscbefe
and tbe clerkes also, tbe wbicbe bave tbeyr coífers ful of grete rycbesses and treasoures. Nevertbeles yet tbey applye tbemselfe in tbe offyce of tbe men
dycans, in purcbasyng and beggynge on every syde. Tbey be a grete sorte
replenyssbed witb unbappynes, saynge tbat tbey lede tbeyr lyves in grete
poverte and calamyte; and tberefore, tbey praye evry man to gyve tbem tbeyr good almesse, in release of tbeyr payne and myserye. And yet tbey bave golde
and sylver grete plentye, but tbey wiU spende notbinge before tbe comyn
people. Somtyme tbe cursed taketb tbe almesse of tbe poore indygente. I
fynde grete fautes bi tbe abbottes, monkes, pryours, cbanons, and coventes, forall tbat tbey bave rentes, tenementes, and possessyons yiiougb, yet, as folkes
devoyde of sense and undcrstondynge, tbey be never satysfyed witb goodes.
Tbey goo from vyUage to vyUage and from toAvne to towne, berjoige grete
bagges upon tbeyr neckes, assemblynge so mocbe goodes tbat it is grete
mervayle, and wban tbey be in tbeyi- relygyous cloysters, tbey make tbem
byleve tbat tbey bave bad lyteU gjwen tbem or notbjmge; for God knowetb
tbey make beven cbere in tbe countre. Tbere is anotber soi-t of pardoners,
tbe wbicbe beretb retyques aboute witb tbem, in abusynge tbe pore folkes; for
and yf tbey bave but one poore peny iu tbeju- pm-ses tbey must bave it. Tbey
garde togyder golde and sylver in every place, lyke as yf it grewe. Tbey make
tbe poore folkes bjdeve mocbe gay gere. Tbey sel tbe feders of tbe Holy
Gboost. Tbey bere tbe bones of some deed body aboute, tbe wbicb,
para-ventui-e, is damned. Tbey sbewe tbe beer of some oíd bors, saynge tbat it is of tbe berde of tbe Innocentes. Tbere is an innumerable sygbt of sucbe folkes
and of vacabondes in tbis reabne of Englonde, tbe wbicb be bole of aU tbeyr
membres and mygbte wynne tbeyr lyves bonestly. NotAvitbstondynge tbey go
beggynge from dore to dore, because tbey wyU not Averke, and patcbetb an olde mantell or an olde gowne AAdtb an hondred colours, and byndetb foule cloutes aboute tbeju- legges, as wbo say tbey be sore. And offcentymes tbey be more
rycber tban tbey tbat gyvetb tbem abnesse. Tbey breke tbeyr cbyldren's
membres in tbeyi- youtbe, because tbat men sbolde bave tbe more pyte of tbem.
Tbey go wepynge and Avi-yngynge of tbeyr bandes, and counterfettynge tbe
sorrowfuU, praynge for Goddes sake to gyve tbem an abnesse, and maketb so
weU tbe bypocrytes tbat tbere is no man tbe wbicbe seetb tbem but tbat be is abused, and must gyve tbem an almesse. Tbere is some stronge and puysaunt rybaudes, tbe wbicbe wyU not laboure, but lyve, as tbese beggers, Avdtbout doynge ony tbynge, tbe wbicbe be dronke oftentymes. Tbey be weU at ease to bave grete legges and beUyes eten to tbe bonis; for tbey AvyU not put noo medycynes tberto for to bele tbem, but soner envenymetb tbem, and dyvers
otber begylynges of wbicb I bolde my pease. O poore frantyke fooles, tbe wbicbe robbetb tbem tbat batbe no brede for to ete, and by adventure daré not aske none for sbame, tbe auncyent men, poore wedowes, lazars, and blynde
men. Alas! tbynke tbereon, for truely je sbaU gjre aceomptes before H;yTn
tbat created us."
In tbe year 1566, Tbomas Haiman, Esq, probably a justice of peace, pub-lisbed a very singular and amusing work, intitled, " A Caveat, or Waming for
Commen Cursetors (ranners) vulgarely called Vagabones iu wbicb be bas
described tbe several soi-ts of tbieving beggars and otber rogues witb consider
able bumour, and bas coUected togetber a great number of words belonging to Avbat be bumorously caUs tbe " leud lousey language of tbese leAvtering luskes and lazy lorrels, wbereAvitb tbey bye and seU tbe common people as tbey
pas tbrougb tbe countrey." He says tbey term tbis language Pedlar's French, or canting, wbicb bad not tben been invented above tbirty years. As tbe book
bas lately been reprmted, it will be proj)er, on tbis occasion, to use it more sparingly, and to mention only sucb of Harman's vagabonds as faU under tbe
begging class. Tbese are, 1. Tbe particularly mentioned in tbe
stat. xxvii. Hen. VIII. against vagabonds, as feUows pretending to be wounded
soldiers. Tbese, says Harman, after a yeai' or two's practico, unless tbey be
rfj -i — •í'i
c"::>
16
served in the wars, and oíFering, thougli iiever intendiiig, to work for their
liviag. They decline receiving meat or drink, and take notking bnt money by
way of cbarity, bnt contrive to steal pigs and ponltry at nigbt, chiefly
plnndering tbe farmers. Of late, says tbe antbor, tbey bave been mneb
wbipped at fairs. Tbey attack and rob otber beggars tbat do not^ belong to
tbeir own fratemity, occasionaUy admitting or installing tbem into it by
ponring a qnart of bqnor on tbeir pates witb tbese word^
"
I do staU tbee
W.
T. to tbe rogne, and tbat from bencefoi-tb it sball be lawfnl for tbee to cant
for tby bving in aU places." All soi-ts of beggars are obedient to tbem, and tbey
snrpass aU tbe rest in pilfering and stealing. 3 RooJcers or Anglers:-these
knaves bee by day, and pilfer at nigbt, by means of a pole mtb a book at tbe
e„a
Ly
Uy hold of Unen, or any ttog hangmg from wmdo™ or
Soie. TUe antUor relates a enrions feat of dexterrty practn^ed by one ot
ttem at a farm honse, where, in tbe dead of tbe mght, he eontraved to hook oíf
Sed-elotbes from three men wbo we
lymg asleep, leavmg bem m
tbeu-stws! and when tbey awoke from cold. supposmg to nse tbe antbor s words,
^Hbat Eobin Goodfellow bad bene mtb tbem timt nigbt." 4, Bejae., going
abont witb a wbite bandkerobief tied ronnd tbe bead, and pretendmg to be
lame Tbese people committed yarious otber frands and impostnres, in order
to obtain cbarity. 5. Pall^arcls, witb patcbed garments, coUectmg, by way of
alms proyisions, or wbateyer tbey conld get, wbicb tbey sold for ready money;
tbey'are cbiefly Welsbmen, and make artificial sores, by applymg spearwort, to
raise blisters on tbeir bodies, or else arsenic or ratsbane, to create incurable
wonnds 6. Abraham men
;
pretending to be bmaticks, wbo baye been a long
time confined in Bedlam, or some otber prison, wbere tbey baye been
nnmerci-foUy nsed witb blows, &c. Tbey beg money or proyisions at farmers bonses, or
bnUy tbem by fierce looks or menaces. 7. Tratera, or feUows trayelling abont
tbe conntry witb black boxes at tbe girdle, containing forged briefs, or licences
to beo- for bospitals. Some baye clonts bound round tbeir leg-j and walk as if
lame "witb stayes in tbeir bands. 8. Freshwater Jfniyner. or WJnpachs, wbose
sbips, says tbe witty antbor, were drowned in Salisbnry Plain. Tbese
comter-feit ¿eafc losses at sea by sbipwreck and piracy, and are cbiefly Irisbmen,
beggifig witb false bcences, nnder tbe snpposed seal of tbe Admiralty so
artfnlly constmcted as to deceiye eyen tbe best lawyers. 9. Tbe counterfeU
cmufc, wbo is described at large, witb a fignre, in anotber part of tbis work.
10 Dommerars, cbiefly Welsbmen, pretending to be dnmb, and forcibly
keéping down tbeir tongnes donbled, groaning for cbarity, and keeping np
tbeir bands inost piteonsly, by wbicb means tbey procure considerable gains.
11 Demanders for glymmar, wbo are cbiefly women tbat go abont witb false
licences to beg, as snfferers from flre; glymmar, in pedlars' langnage,
signi-fying tbat element. Many otber classes are enninerated in tbis cnrions
yolmne as prigo-ars of prauncers, swadders, jarkman, patríeos, bawdy baskets,
antem 'morts, w"alking morts, doxies, dells, kyncbin moids, and kyncbin coes ;
bnt all tbese are ratber pilferers tban beggars. ^ ,
As eyery trade or profession bad its patrón samt, so tbe beggars made
cboice of St. Martin, wbo appears to baye bad a great regard for tbem. Tbis
person was originally a soldier of rank m tbe armies of tbe Emperors
1
VAGABONDIANA.
Constaiitins and Julián; bnt prefenáng a religious Ufe, be applied to Saint
Hilary, of Poiton, wbo appointed bini bis sub-deacon, and soon affcerwards becoming a saint bbnself, be of conrse acqim-ed tbe power of working miracles,
many of wbicb, witb mncb otber legendaiy matter, baye been related by bis crednlons bnt elegant historian, Sulpitins Seyeins; and transferred, witb due additions and improyements, into tbat grand repertory of pions írauds, tbe
Golden Legend, and some otber works of similar antbority. It is related of
bim, tbat wben a soldier, as be passed by one of tbe gates of Amiens in winter
time, be met a poor naked man, on wbom none woiüd bestow abns. Martin
drew ont bis sword, and cutting bis mantle asnnder in tbe middle, gaye one
Pn.lf to tbe poor man, liaying notbing else to bestow on bim, contenting
bimself witb tbe remainder to keep bim from tbe cold, On tbe ensning nigbt be saw tbe Sayioni- of tbe world in beayen, cloatbed witb tbat part wbicb be
bad o-iyen to tbe poor man, and exclaiming to tbe angels tbat sorronnded bim,
" Mai-tin, yet new in tbe faitb, batb coyered me witb tbis yesture." Eyer
aftei-wards be became particularly attacbed to beggars and poor people. Tbe
cripples and lepers seeni, boweyer, to baye made exclnsiye cboice of St. Gües
for bbeir patrón, to wbom tbe bospitals and otber places for tbeir relief were
nsnally dedicated. So tbe parisb cbnrcb of Cripplegate was dedicated to bim,
and tbe ward itself named after a yery ancient gate, to wbicb tbe crippled
beo-gars particularly resoided. Tbere would be some difficulty to acconnt for
tbrir preference of tbis Saint, as be does not appear to baye been eitber lame
or leprous. He was a noble Cbristian, born at Atbens, a man of singular
cbarity, giving largely to tbe poor, and on one occasion doing more tban
St Martin, by giving tbe ivhole of bis coat to a diseased and naked beggar,
wbo is said to bave been immediately bealed on putting it on.
As an exempbflcation of tbe legend of Saint Martin migbt be acceptable to
many readers, it bas been tbougbt flt to select, as an appropriate
embellisb-ment one of tbe oldest figures of tbe Saint tbat remain, and to place it before
x-t p x-xip of tbe work. Tbis print bas been copied witb scmpulons fidelity from
an ancient engraving in copper, in tbe tmly yalnable coUection of Tbomas
Llovd Eso by a Gei-man artist, wbose ñame unfortunately bas not been
pre-seryed, and'wbo probably executed it between tbe years 1460 and 1470. In
tbis instance tbe story bas not been correctly adbered to; for tbe desiper of
tbe print bas tbere introduced a coupU of beggars; an error tbat is sufíiciently
compensated by tbe yariety it affords of tbe mendicant costume, one of tbese
feUows making use of a creeper and disb, tbe otber of a cmtcb. A later prmt
of tbis subiect, and of extreme cnriosity on aU accounts, may bkewise
con-sulted It is from a design by Jerom Boscbe, an artist of grotesqne celebnty,
and represents Saint Martin in a boat, fnll of beggars, witb crowds of otbers on
sbore, in every possible form and attitnde. It is accompanied i^b tbe
foUow-ing inscription, in tbe Elemisb langnage: "Tbe good Samt Martín is bere
represented among tbe crippled, nasty, wi-etcbed tribe, distnbutmg to tbem bis
cloak instead of money; tbe miserable crew cpntending for tbe spoü."
In tbe year 1741, a spirited presentment to tbe Coui-t of Kmg's Bencb was
máde by tbe Grand Jury of Middlesex against ^e unusual swarms of sturdy
i8 VAÜABONDIANA.
streets; in wliicli they state, that iiotwithstandmg a very strong presentrnent to
tlie same efifect liad been made by a former jury in 1728, tbey bad found tbe
evil ratber increased tban remedied. Tbis tbey ascribe to negbgence in tbe proper officers, and trust tbat a proper remedy will be appbed, and tbemselves
not troubled witb tbe peor, at tbe same time tbat tbey are every day more and
more loaded witb taxes to provide for tbem; and tbat bis Majesty's subjects
may bave tbe passage of tbe streets, as in former bappy times, free and undis-turbed, and be able to transact tbe little business to wbicb tbe decay of trade
bas reduced tbem, witbout molestation.
In tbe last session of tbe present paiiiament tbe matter bas been again
taken üp witb a degree of skül and vigour tbat reflects great bonour on its
con-ductors; and we may indulge a bope to see tbe streets of tbe metropobs freed
from tbe many public and disgusting nuisances tbat bave increased witb its
population, and tbe real objects of cbarity and compassion bumanely and
properly cberisbed and protected, as weU as tbe vast and oppressive expense of
supporting tbem reduced.
Already we perceive tbe alarm bas been taken by tbe members oí tbe
men-dicant tribes; and it may not be too mucb to add, tbat tbe interest and
curiosity of tbe present work are likely to augment in propoidion as tbe
cbaracters tbat bave led to its composition sball decrease iu numbers. Tbat
tbey sbould entirely disappear, may be more tban can be reasonably expected.
)1
The %ure atove represeuts an Eiiglish Beggar about tbe middle of tbe fifteenth century, and has been copied from a Pontifical among tbe Lansdowne MSS. in tbe British Museumj on ene of the margina of
wbicb tbe illuminator bas ratber strangely introduced it.
h
YAGABONDIANA.
If the style and execttiion of the Wood-Dngravings lelonging to this ivorTc should perchance be found
deserving of ang commendation, the author feels it a dutg to exprese hís oblígations to the verg
beauiiful specimens of this hind that decórate the last edition of The Píeasttbes OB Memoet, and
which are attributable to the exquisite taste and superintendence of Mr. Stothard.
AlLOES, according to tbe oíd adage, find a port in every storm. Tbe appeal of " My wortby beart, stow a copper in Jack's locker—for poor Jack bas not bad a quid to-day," is as piercingly felt by tbe lowly cottager as tbe Biitisb Ad^
miral.
Wbo can recollect Bigg's
patbe-tic picture of tbe " Sbipwi-ecked
Sailor - boy," or Mrs. Ludlam's
cbarming poem of " Tbe Lost
Cbild," witbout sbedding tbe tear of sympatby ?
Tbe public are not, bowever, to conclude, tbat because a felloW
sports a jacket and trowsers, be
must bave been a seaman; for tbere
are many fresb-water sailors, wbo never saw a sbip but from London Bridge;
sucb an impostor was Jack Stuart, Flaxman's model, wbose effigy is attacbed
to tbe capital letter of tbis page. Jack's latter bistory is truly cimous. Affcer
lino-ering for nearly tbree montbs, be died on tbe 15tb of August, 1815, aged 35;
bis'^funeral was attended bybis wife, and faitliful dog, Tippo, as cbief mommers,
accompanied by tbree bbnd beggttrs in black cloaks; namely, Jobn Fountain,
Geor^e Dyball, and Jobn Jewis. Two bbnd fiddlers, WiUiam Wortbmgton
and Josepb Symmonds, preceded tbe cofiin, playing tbe 104tb Psabn. Tbe
wbbnsical procession moved on, amidst crowds of spectators, from Jack's
bouse bi Cbarlton Gardens, Somers Town, to tbe Cburcbyard of St. Paneras,
Middlesex. Tbe mourners afterwards returned to tbe place from wbence tbe
funeral bad proceeded, wbere tbey remained tbe wbole of tbe nigbt, dancing,
drinking, swearing, and figbting, and occasionaUy cbaunting Tabernacle
bymnsj for it rnust be understood, tbat most of tbe beggars are stañucb
VA GABONDIANA.
Methodists. The person from whom these partieulars were obtained, and -wlio was one of the party, thouglit hiinself extremely bappy tbat ]ie carne off with a pair of black eyes only. Tbe conduct of tbis maii's associates in vice was
bowever powerfully contrasted by tbe extraordinaiy attaobment and fidebty of
Jack's cur, Tippo, bis long and stedfast guide, wbo, after remaining tbree days upon bis master's grave, refnsing every sort of food, died witb inter-mitting sigbs, and bowbng sorrow. Tbe dog of WooUett, tbe engraver, died nearly a similar deatb.
Tbe following píate exbibits Stnart's pnpil, George Dyball, a fellow of con
siderable notoriety. He sometimes dresses as a sailor, in nankeen waistcpat
and trowsers ; bnt George, bke bis master, never was a seaman: Stuart tangbt Tii-m to mannd, by allowing bim to kneel at a respectful distance, and repeat bis supplications.
Dyball was remarkable for bis leader, Helson, wbose tricks displayed in an
extraordinai-y degree tbe sagacity and docüity of tbe canine race. Tbis dog would, at a word from bis master, lead bim to any part of tbe town be wisbed to traverso, and at so quick a pace, tbat botb animals bave been obseiwed to get
on mncb faster tban any otber street-walkers. His business was to make a
responso to bis master's " Fray pity the Blind" by an impressive wbine,
accom-panied witb nplifted eyes and an importúnate tui-n of tbe bead; and wben bis eyes bave not caugbt tbose of tbe spectators, be bas been seen to rub tbe tin
box against tbeir knees, to enforce bis solicitations. TVb.en money was tbrown
into tbe box, be immediately put it down, took out tbe contents witb bis moutb,
and, joyfully wagging bis tail, carried tbem to bis master. After tbis, for a
moment or two, be would venturo to smell about tbe spot; but as soon as bis
master uttered " Come, 8ir," off be would go, to tbe extent of bis string, witb
bis taü between bis legs, apprebensive of tbe eífects of bis master's correctivo switcb. Tbis animal was presented to Dyball by Josepb Symmonds, tbe blind
fiddler, wbo received bim of James Garland, anotber blind beggar, wbo bad
taugbt bim bis tricks. TJnfortunately for Dyball, tbis treasure bas lately been
stolen from bim as is supposed by some itinerant j)layer, and be is now obliged to depend on a dog of inferior qualifications, tbougb George bas declared bim
to " 8hew very pretty for tricJcs,"
Tbis custom of teacbing dogs to beg witb cans in tbeir moutbs is not new. A few years since, tbere was sucb an animal in a bootb at Bartbolomew fam,
wbo made bis supplications in favour of an Italian rope-dancer. Tbe practico is indeed very ancient, as appears in a truly curious iUuminated copy of tbe
Speculum Humanse Salvationis, written in tbe early pai-t of tbe fifteentb century, in tbe possession of a friend of tbe autbor.
Tbe next píate is of a beggar, weU known at fairs near tbe metrópolis : be is certainly blind, and perbaps one of tbe most cunning and witty of bis tribe; for, in order tbat bis blindness may be manifest, be literally tbrows up bis
eye-balls as if desirous of exemplifying tbe foUowing Hnes in Hudibras :
"As men of inward light are wont
To turn their opticks in upon't."
He is a foreigner, and probably a Frencbman; at all events be professed to
VA GABONDIANA.
be so on tbe commencement of tbe war; but baving acquired a tolerable stock of EngKsb, and perbaps not cboosing to retum borne, be now declares bimself " A poor 8pcmiard Man."
Sometimes be will, by an ai-tful mode of singing any stufF tbat comes into
bis bead, and by merely sounding tbe last word of a line, so contrive to impose
upon tbe waggoners and otber coimtry people, as to make tbem bebeve tbat be fougbt in tbe field of TV^aterloo.
"Poor fellow," exclaimed a spectator, "be bas been in tbe battle of Waterloo." " Tes, my helove friends," returned tbe mendicant, " Be money de
money go vei'y low too."
However, tbis fellow is now and tben detected, in consequence of a pictm-e,
wbicb is painted on a tin píate, and fastened to bis breast, being tbe portrait of
and worn many years ago by a marine, wbo bad lost bis sigbt at Gibraltar.
His bair, wbicb is sometimes busby, is now and tben closely put imder bis bat,
or tied in a taü; and wben be alters bis voice, be bécomes a different cbaracter
^tbe form of a decrepit vender of matches. Tbe seated beggar in tbis píate is
frequently to be seen at tbe wall of Privy Cbambers; be never asks cbarity, ñor
goes any great distance from Westminster, wbere be resides.
Tbe foüowing píate of a walking beggar, attended by a boy, was taken from
a drawing made in West Smitbfield. Tbe object of it is well known about
Pinsbury Square and BunbiU Eow; sometimes be stands at tbe gates of
Wesley's meeting-bouse. His cant is, "Do, my wortby, tender-bearted
Cbristians, remember tbe blind—pray pity tbe stone dark blind." Tbe tricks
of tbe boy tbat attended tbis man wben tbe di-awing was made, brougbt to
mind tbe sportivo Lazarillo De Toimes, wben be was tbe guide of a beggar;
from wbicb entertabiing bistory tbere are two very spirited etcbings by
Tbomas Wyck; tbe one wbere be defrauds bis master, wben partaking of tbe
buncb of grapes; and tbe otber, wbere be revenges a tbrasbing received from
bis master, by causing bim to sfrike bis bead against a pülar, and tumble into
a ditcb tbat be was attempting to leap.
Tbe next subject is a taU blind man, witb a long stafiP, witb wbicb be strikes
tbe curb stones. He is seldom to be seen in any particular place, and was drawn wben be stood against tbe waU of Mr. Wbitbread's brewbouse.
He is frequently a vender of tbe penny religious tracts, dispersed by a
society of Metbodists, tbougb perbaps witb little use, for tbey are often
pur-cbased by people wbo are actuaUy going to tbe gin-sbop. It is bere stated, on
credible autbority, tbat tbere are no less tban 27,000 of tbe Metbodist and 21 500 of tbe Evangelical Magazines, publisbed every montb; and it is also
reported tbat not less tban 800 Metbodistical meeting-bouses bave been erected
in England witbin tbe last year. Tbe beggar pom-trayed in tbe next píate is
a blind man, wbo remains for many bours successively witb bis legs in one
pósition. He observes a profound süence wben on bis stand, but makes noise
enougb wben be attends tbe Tabernacle Walk on tbe Sabbatb; on tbe week
days, bowever, be is frequently beard singing obscene songs. He is introduced,
witb bis wife, in tbe background of George DybaU's píate.
Tbe next píate afíbrds a remarkable instance of sobriety in a blind man,
wbo
never tasted gin in bis life. He was some years since to be found on tbe
22 VÁGABONDIANA.
historicaUy and beggarly-famed road of Bethual Green, and obtaiued au bonest
livelibood by trafficting in balfpenny ballads.
Tbe ensuing etcbing is of Charles Wood, a blind man, with an orgau and a
dancing dog, which he declares to be " The real learned French dog, Boh" and extols his tricks by the foUowing never-failing addi-ess. " Ladies and
Oentle-men, tliis is the real learned French dog; flease to encourage htm; throiu any thing down to him, and see how nimhly he'll p' iclc it up, and give it-to his ptoor hlind
master. LooTc about, Boh ; he sharp ; see luhat you're ahout, Boh." Money being
thrown, Bob picks it up, and puts it into his master's pocket. " Thanh ye, thanh ye, my good masters; should any more Ladies and Gentlemen wish to
encourage the poor dog, he's now quite in the humour; he'll picJc it up almost
hefore you can throw it down." It is needless to add, that this man, whose station is against Privy Garden-waU, makes what is caUed " a pretty penny" by
his learned French friend.
This little anünal is of so interesting a nature, that
it has been thought worth while to give a side view of
him, in order to exhibit the true cut of his tail.
The two succeeding plates are of a class that must insure attention from the gaping multitude, and are
commonly termed industrious beggars.
The female figure is that of Priscilla, an inhabitant
of St. James, Clerkenwell, who is often to be seen iir the sumoner, seated against the waU of the Reservoir of the New River water-works, Sj)a-fields, and employed
in the making of patchwork quilts. She threads her
own needle, cuts her own patches, and fits them entirely
herself. The other píate exhibits the portrait of Taylor, a blind shoe-maker, who lost his sight eighteen years since by a blight. This harmless man, who
lives at No. 6, Saffron-Hill, maintains a family by his attention to his stands,
which are sometimes at Whitehall, and the wall by Whitfield's Chapel, Tottenham Court Road. This meritorious pair may be justly regarded as true
objects of compassion, as they never associate with the common street-beggars.
The next píate, which wiU cióse the series of blind beggars, exhibits the portrait of Wüliam Kinlock. He was employed many years ago to turn a
wheel for a four-post bedstead turner in Oxford-street, but afterwards lost his sight at Gibraltar, under the great Lord Heathfield. His stands are at
Purnival's Inn and Portugal-Street, near which latter place he resides.
Industrious beggars are sometimes confounded with sturdy impostors. Of the latter description is the man whose figure is given in the next píate. His
employment is to cut a chain out of a piece of ash, which chain he calis
" Turkish Moorings."
After this feUow had agreed to accept two shillings for half an hour's
sittmg for the present work, he had not been seated in the kitchen ten minutes before he began to nestle, and growled a hope that he night not be detained
long, adding, that he coidd get twice the money in less time either at Charing-Cross or Hyde Park Comer. In order to soften the brute, he had the offer of
bread, cheese, and small beer: he said he never took any. At this moment.
VA GABONDIANA. 23
the servaut being employed in making a veal pie, he was asked whether he would accept of a steak, and take it to a public-house for his lunch. After
slowly turning his head, without giving the least motion of his body, he
sneer-ingly obseiwed, that the veal had no fat.
It was then determined to keep him the fuU time; and after a few cióse
questions, he observed, that no one dared to keep him in prison; that he
worked with tools, and was not a beggar, Tme it was, indeed, that his hat was on the ground; and if people would put money into it, surely it was not for him to turn it out. As to his chains, few f)ersons would give him his
price; they were five shillings a yard ; ñor did he care much to seU them ; for
if he did, he should have nothing to shew. After tuming his money over several times, and for which he did not condescend to make the least
acknowledgement, he exclaimed on leaving the house, "Noiv that you have draughted me off, I suppose you'll malee a fine deal of money of it."
The annexed re]Dresentation is of a fellow,
whose figure was recently copied in Holbom; and although he was so scandalously in-toxicated in the middle of the day, that it was with the greatest difiiculty he cordd stand,
yet many people foUowed to give him money,
because the inscription on his hat declarad
In'iTi to be " Out op Emplotmbnt." Such are
the efíects of impostura, and the mischief of
ill-directed benevolence. As a contrast to
the two preceding characters, see the next
plata, which affords the portraits of two truly industrious persons, Joseph Thake
and his son. These people are nativas of
Watford, in Hertfordshire, who finding it
impossible to procure work, and being deter
mined not to beg, emifioyed themselves in
makin<r nuzzles The boy learnt the art when mrder a shepherd in
Cambridge-,hire.° These epeetaens of iogenmty as-e .nade of pieces of ,rflow, wlnch
contain smaU stones, eerving for ohildren's ratUes, or as an amusement for grown
persons
: who unaciuainted with the key, after taking them to pieces, are
' ' - • When honest Thake and his son had
puzzled to put them together again.
filiad a sack they trudged to the great City, where they took their station in
St. Paul's Churchyard, vending their toys at the modérate price of sixpence
Their rustic simplicity quickly procurad them customers; among whom the
author's friend, Mr. Heniy Pocknell, after purchasing a few specimens of their
handy-work, procm-ed for him the pleasm-e of imitating his example
The woHhy parent transferred the money to his son, who requested that he
might have the satisfaction of presenting his benefactor mth a bird.
The succeeding plata displays the efiigy of Joseph Johnson, a black, who in
consequence of his having been employed in the merchante' seiwice only, is not
entitled to the provisión of Greenwich. His wounds rendenng him incapable
p.
»4 VA GA BONDIANA.
of doing fiirth.er duty on tlie ocean, and having no claim to relief in any parisli, lie is obliged to gain a living on shore; and in order to elude the
vigilance of tbe parochial beadles, be first stai-ted on Tower-bill, wbere be
amused tbe idiers by singing George Alexander Stevens's " Storm," By degrees be ventured into tbe pubbc streets, and at lengtb became wbat is cabed a " Eegular Cbaunter." But novelty, tbe grand secret of aU
exbibi-tions, from tbe Magic Lantern to tbe Panorama, induced Black Joe to build a
model of tbe sbip Nelson; to wbicb, wben placed on bis cap, be can, by a bow of tbanks, or a supplicating iacHnation to a dramng-room window, give tbe
appearance of sea-motion. Jobnson is as frequently to be seen in tbe rural
village as in great cities; and wben be takes a jouniey, tbe kind-bearted waggoner wib often enable bim in a few bours to visit tbe market-places of
Staines, Eomford, or St. Albans, wbere be never fails to gain tbe farmer's
penny, eitber by singing " Tbe Britisb Seaman's Praise," or Green's more
popular song of " Tbe "Wooden Walls of Oíd England." Tbe foUowing píate
presents tbe portrait of anotber black man of great notoriety. Charles M'Gee,
a native of Eibon, in Jamaica, bom in 1744, and wbose fatber died at tbe
great age of 108. Tbis singular man usually stands at tbe Obelisk, at tbe foot of Ludgate-Hill. He bas lost an eye, and bis wooUy bair, wbicb is abnost
wbite, is tied up bebind in a tail, witb a large tuffc at tbe end, borizontally resting upon tbe cape of bis coat. Charles is supposed to be wortb money. His stand is certainly above aU otbers tbe most popular, many tbousands of
persona crossing it in tbe course of tbe day. He bas of late on tbe working-days sported a smart coat, presented to bim by a city pastry-cook. On a
Sunday be is a constant attendant at Eowland Hill's meeting-bouse, and on tbat occasion bis apparel is appropriately varied. Tbis man's portrait, wben in bis 73d year, was drawn on tbe 9tb of October, 1815, in tbe parlour of a
public-bouse, tbé sign of tbe Twelve BeUs, opposite to tbe famous well of St. Brigit, wbicb gaxe ñame to tbe ancient palace of our Kings, Bridewell;
but wbicb bas, ever since tbe grant of Edward VI., been a bouse of correction
for vagabonds, &c. It is a truly curious circumstance, tbat tbis establisbment gave ñame to otber prisons of a similar kind; for instance, Clerkenwell Bride well, and Totbill-fields' BrideweU. Over tbe entrance of tbe latter, tbe
following inscription bas been placed :—
HEEE ABE SEVEEAL SOKTS OF WOEK
POE THE POOE OF THI8 PAEISH OF ST.
maegaeet's, WE S T M i N STE E ;
AS ALSO THE OOUNTT, ACCOEDING TO
LAW, AND FOE SUCH AS WILL BEG, AND
live idee in this city and LIBEETT
OF W E S T M I NSTE E. ANNO 1 6 5 5.
Black people, as well as tbose destitute of sigbt, seldom fail to excite compassion. Eew persons, bowever bumble tbeir situation, can witbbold
VA GA BONDIANA. íS
cbarity from tbe infant smiling upon featirres necessarily dead to its
suppbca-tions, and deeply sbrouded from tbe prying eyes of tbe Yulgar by tbe bonnet,
placarded witb
I
■l EAT PITT THE' BLIHD AND PATHEELESS!
A lady, on seeing tbis wood-cut, composed tbe
following Hnes:
Lo ¡ yonder Widow, reft of sigbt,
A Motber, wbo ne'er knew
Tbe joys wbicb Parents' eyes debgbt,
Wben first tbeir Babes tbey view.
Cióse to ber breast, witb cberub snule,
Tbe cberisb'd Infant bes;
And t'wards tbose darkened orbs tbe wbüe
Lifts its unconscious eyes.
Tben, Stranger, pause, and yield a gifb
To Misery's CbUdren due;
Lo 1 e'en yon grasping Miser's tbrift Now drops like ballowed dew.
Doctor Jobnson, wbo generaUy gave to importúnate beggars, never faüed to
relieve tbe silent blind. j.i t, ^
Bkcl men
eriremely omming, and oñen witty: they haje mos% short
ñames, sueh as Jmnbo, Toby, &o.; but the last seems of late to ^ ^
fashionable, for it has not only been used by
of
Pmch, e
street-strolUug puppet, as a name for that merry btUe fellow s dog, but by the
proprietor of tbe Sapient Pig.
Tbe last negro beggar cabed Toby, w;as a cbaracter web kno
metroDobs. He was destitute of toes, bad bis bead bound witb a w i e
bandkercbief, and bent bimself abnost double to walk upon two b^d-crutcbes,
witb wbicb be nearly occupied tbe widtb of tbe pavement. Master Toby
generaby affected to be tired and exbausted wbenever be approacbed a bouse
wbere tbe best gin was to be procured; and was perbaps of ab tbe mbabitants
of Cburcb-lane, St. Giles's, tbe man wbo expended tbe most money in tbat
national cordial. • i t
But tbis man was notbing wben corapared witb a Lascax, wbo lately sold
D
