164 POETICAL ESSAYS in MARCH, 1769. Ye that in this enchanted caftle fit, Smile on our fair Knight-errantry to-day, Oft has our author, upon other ground, Read in the clofet, you approv'd her page, Plac'd at the threshold of the weather- The muffled husband ftands and braves the And fix, as fign of peace, the rainbow here; And prove to-day an emblem of fair weather! Thefe, in their turn, with appetites as keen, Mife, not yet full fifteen, with fire uncommon, woman: The little urchin fmiles, and fpreads her lure, care' who's afraid!" Is to feem ev'ry thing-but what they are. Yon Critic too-but whither do I run? WH SAWNEY. 1769. The MONTHLY CHRONOLOGER. Let Middlefex, of Counties first and beft, "I A new-fashioned Duel. W. G. 165 Of those you've ta'en off in your play." For I pray you obferve-'ti myself I take off," Demand fatisfaction," in rage cry'd SirThen, 'taft as he could-hop'd away. [am one "For I hind, F-te, that I, amongst others, NIBBLER. THE MONTHLY CHRONOLOGER. SATURDAY, Feb 25. NDED the feffions at the Old Ba ley, when Francis Winftanley, for burglary; William Woodthey for the fame crime, and George Tremble, for a highway robbery, received fentence of death: twenty one were sentenced to be transported for seven years, one for fourteen years, five were branded, and ten privately whipped. MONDAY, 27. The mafter, wardens, and examiners of the Surgeons company (ten in number, met at their hall in the Old Bailey, in purluance of a letter from the Earl of Rochford, one of his majesty's principal fecretaries of ftate, defiring their opinion in relation to a doubt that had arifen whether the blow which Mr. Clarke received at the election at Brentford was the cause of his death; and the above gentlemen, after examining the furgeons, apothecary, and several other perfons, returned an answer the fame evening to his Lordship, giving it as their unanimous opinion, that the blow was not the caufe of Mr. Clarke's death. (See before, pages 149, 150, 1.) Conduit-ftreet, March 18, 1769. [I was this day fhewn a letter figned Chirurgicus (fee p. 151.) on which I fhall make no farther comments, but to disabuse the public, in respect to one allegation relative to myfelf. It is faid, as a quotation from the Gazette, that I attended Clark from the firit." Nothing can be falfer than this affertion, as I never faw Clark till Tuesday about noon, the 13th of December, 1768, the fixth day, as I was told, from the blow being given. I then directed fuch things as I thought proper for his immediate relief, and fent my fon in the afternoon to know the effect of the medicines, who told me the clyfter only had been given. The next morning, Wednesday the 14th, notice was fent me that the man died in the night. Thefe facts being known, the abfurdity of the fubfequent queries, contained in the letter, must be too obvious to fland in need of any reply. I hope, for the future, your correfpondents as well as yourself, will be better informed of facts before you attempt to traduce my character; which, I flatter myself has hitherto been, and will remain unimpeached, for want of integrity, in my profeffion. W. BROMFIELD. A Card, in answer to the above. CHIRURGICUS prefents compliments to Mr. Bromfield, and is by no means fatisfied with his anfwer to thofe Queries refpe&ting his conduct in the affair of Mr. Clark's wound; wherein Mr. Bromfield avers he ne ver faw Clark but once; and that he did not even then (if any thing can be inferred from his answer, on Mr. Foot's depofition) fo much as examine the wound on his head. If this be allowed, his fuppofed accurate knowledge, and perfect acquaintance with the nature and ftate of the wound on Clark's head had no kind of foundation. But upon what other foundation than this, were doubts of its mortality pretended? The author of the queries therefore hopes Mr. Bromfield will no longer evacé a direct and plain answer to thofe, refpecting his own particular conduct in this very extraor dinary tranfaction. If Mr. Bromfield will not vouchsafe to comply with this most reafonable and just request, he may be affured that Chirurgicus will neither give up this enquiry, or, for the future, conceal his real name.] The great caufe between the guardians of the duke of Hamilton and the Hon. Mr. Douglas, which has been fo long depending, and fo much engaged the attention of the public for fome time paft, was finally decided, almost unanimously, in favour of Mr. Douglas, who by this decifion fucceeds to the Douglas eftate, &c. (See vol. 1767, P. 409-415, &c.) WEDNESDAY, March 1. The ftewards of the Welch fociety had their anniversary feaft, and, waiting on the prince of Wales, he prefented them, as ufual, with 100 guineas. THURSDAY, 2. The following addrefs, of the fheriff, grandjury, gentlemen, and clergy, affembled at the affizes held at Chelmsford, in and for the county of Effex, was prefented to the king. 166 SIR, The MONTHLY CHRONOLOGER. "Whilft we feel the happy effects, and retain in our breafts a moft grateful fenfe of the mildness and benignity of your majefty's government, we cannot fee without the utmoft abhorrence, the fpirit of fedition and licentioufnels which hath lately manifefted itfelf in fuch various fhapes with defign to leffen the refpe&t and affection due to your majefty, To traduce and mifreprefent your parlia ment. And to draw, into contempt the authority of the courts of justice, which, in no time were more happily or more eminently fupplied. Every part of the conduct of thefe difturbers of the public repofe, appears to us as weak and unreafonable, as it is wicked; yet we think fuch proceedings, if not timely checked, may operate to fubvert the conftitation, and deftroy that Liberty which hath been made the fpecious, but falfe pretence, for committing outrages of the most dange rous, and alarming kind. Already the metropolis has been frightened from its fecurity, Your majefty's repofe in the feat of your government has been moft infolently inyaded. And the lawful adminiftration of juftice violently obftructed; - It therefore becomes our duty, as friends to the constitution, and faithful fubjects to your majefty, to lay thefe our fentiments at the foot of your throne, relying, with the firmest confidence, in your majesty's wif dom and justice, for the exertion of fuch prudent and vigorous meafures as may rettore peace and good order amongst us : And we do affure your majefly, that being fully perfuaded that the prefervation of the public tranqu lity, and our own fafety, are infeparable from the fecurity of your majefty' government, we are determined at the risk of our lives and properties, to fupport your royal authority, in fu prefing and fubduing ali riotous attempts which threaten deftruction to the fate, and diffurb the happiness and honour of your reign March At a general court of the Bank of England, a dividend of 2 per cent on their capital flock was declared for the half year ending at Lady-day next. Came on again at Brentford, the fecond re-election of a knight of the hire for the county of Middlesex. Charles Dingley, Efq; was the only gentleman who offered to oppofe the popular candidate, and this morn. ing's papers published his first address to the freeholders for that purpofe. He attended accordingly on the Huftings, before the arri val of the fheriffs, with the view, as was fuppofed, of ftanding the poll, but probably conceiving fome difguft at his reception, be retired foon after, leaving the field open to his antagonist, who was a third time unanimously re-chosen, no períon present think, ing proper to propofe any other candidate. Numbers of electors, in the intereft of Mr. Wilkes, attended on the occafion, many of whom had proceeded this morning, in great cavalcade, with mufick playing, and colours flying, through different parts of the city. Extract of a Letter from Brentford, dated this Day, One O'Clock' "At eleven came on here again the elettion of a reprefentative for this county, in the room of our late-expelled member. After the sheriffs were duly fworn to return the perfon who appeared to have the majority of legal votes. John Sawbridge, Efq; member for Hythe, in a very spuited and constitutional fpeech, propofed and recommend d J. Wilkes, Elq, he was feconded by James Townshend, Eq; member for Weftlose, in Cornwall. The therif's then demanded if there were any other candidates, and mentioned the receipt of a letter from Cha. Dingley, Eq declaring his intention of offering himself. After fome time no fuch perfon appearing, nor any freeholder being to be found e ther to propofe or recommend him, the heritis proceeded to take the fenfe of the freeholders, by thew of hands, which was unanimously in favour of Mr. Wilkes, and after proclamation being three times made, the theriffs declared John Wilker, Eq; duely elected. The greate order and regnlarity was obferved during the whole proceeding, and, the day being uncommonly fine, rendered every thing very agreeable." Mr. Wilkes being judged again incapable, a new writ is ordered for the election of a knight for Middlefex, on April 13. MONDAY. 1769. The MONTHLY CHRONOLOGER. MONDAY, 20. "Yesterday morning, at a very numerous and refpectable meeting of the freeholders of Middlefex, it was unanimously refolved to confirm their right of election by the repeated choice of Mr. Wilkes for their reprefentative in parliament. It was obferved, that the clear right of the freeholders to chufe, and the duty of the fheriffs to receive their votes, and to return Mr. Wilkes, had been put beyond a doubt by the last re-election. A motion was made for a petition to the king, and the freeholders feemed unanimous for that mesfure, but on further confideration the motion was withdrawn, it being fuggefted, that fuch a petition would come with greater propriety and force if the choice of the treeholders thould again be defeated. The thanks of the county were returned to the fheriffs for their honourable and impartial discharge of their truft, and to John Sawbridge and James Townend, Efqrs. for their conduct. Mr. Sawbridge was in the chair. There were near one thousand freeholders prefent, and their unanimous declaration feems to have entirely difconcerted any plan of thofe perfone who may have wished to fneak into the county under pretence of friendship to the caule of liberty, and the pretended ineligibility of Mr. Wilkes. It is impoffibie to defcribe the heartiness of the freeholders, who protefted that they would go to Brentford not only every month, but every day if neceffary, rather than defert or betray their rights; and would fooner lay down their freeholds, or their lives, than give up their inherent and unalienable privileges of chufing. The meeting was adjourned to the Monday after the next election; when the freeholders will meet again to determine on the neceflary steps to be taken in fupport of their tights and liberties." About five o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out at a difliller's, in Great Ruffelfreet, Covent-Garden, which entirely confumed all the houfes up to the Piazzas, and burnt all down to the Bedford Arms, where it happ ly ceased, owing to there being a frong party wall behind that house. The following is a lift of the houfes contumed at the above fire, viz. Mr. Bradley's large fhop and diftill-houfe, where it began; the apartments of Mr. Vincent, muhcian, over it; Mr. Bradley's dwelling-house in Raffel-freet; Mr. Hall, cheefemonger, in the fame feet; Mr. Lovejoy's Bagnio; Mr. Rigg's Hummum; Mr. Carrol, perake maker; another of the fame bufinefs; and great part of the Bedford Arms Tavern, all under the Piazzas. The whole front of the 167 faid Piazza fell down about eight o'clock, with the most terrible concuffion. TUESDAY, 21. The following bills received the royal af fent, by virtue of a commiffion from his majefty, viz. That for raifing 180,001. by loans or Exchequer bills for the fervice of the year 1769. For appointing commisioners for putting in execution an act of this feffions of parliament for granting an aid to his majesty by a land-tax to be raised in GreatBritain for the fervice of the year 1769.For repealing fo much of an act of the 7th and Sth of K. William III, to encourage the bringing plate to the Mint to be coined; and for remedying the ill ftate of the con of this kingdom, as reftrains any perfon keeping an inn or tavern, alehouse, or victualling-house, felling wine, ale, beer, or any other liquors by retail, from publickly ufing wrought or manufactured plate, or any utenhl or velfel, except fpoons; and for patting an end to profecutions commenced for fuch offences. To indemnify perfons who have omitted to take the oaths to qualify themselves for offices and employments within the time limited by law, and for allowing further time for that purpose, &c. -For the general quiet of the fubject against all pretences of concealment whatsoever.And to feveral other bills. WEDNESDAY, 22. At noon about fix hundred of the principal merchants of this city, fet out from the Royal Exchange, in their carriages, in order to present an addrefs to his majefty, attended by the City Marshal and condables. Before they got to Cheapfide, the people fhewed them many marks of their refentment, by hfting groaning, throwing dirt, &c. but when they arrived in Fleetfreet, the multitude grew quite outrageous, broke the windows of the coaches, and threw fonce; and the people on the other fide Temple-bar shutting the gates, the cavalcade was obliged to top. Mr. Cook, the City Marthal, and his attendants going to open the gates, were pelted with mud. The populace then attacked the gentlemen in their carriages; Mr. Boehm and feveral of his friends being covered with dirt, were obliged to take shelter in Nando's coffee-houfe. Some of the coaches then drove up Chancery lane, Fetter-lane, and Shoe-lane; but the greatest part of the gentlemen, finding it impoffible to proceed, 168 The MONTHLY CHRONOLOGER. had all the honour to kiss his majefty's hand. -A hearfe, with two white horses and two black, joined in the train at Exeter 'Change, and followed all the way to St. James's. The riot act was twice read at St. James'sGate, and the mob not difperfing, but still continuing to be riotous, the horse guards were fent for, and feventeen of the most active were laid hold of and fecured, ten of whom were afterwards difcharged. Further particulars. When Mr. Boehm was obliged to get out of his coach, at Nando's coffeehoufe, laft, to avoid the mob, in his hurry he left the original address under the cushion on one of the feats of the coach, and immediately ordered the coachman to go home: fome of the mob opened the coach door, and began to fearch for the addrefs, but the coachman declaring it was fent before (though he knew not where it was) they were lefs diligent in their fearch, and mitted laying hold of it, by not feeling fix inches further on the left. The coachman then drove back; but instead of going home, thinking his mafter or mistress might want the coach next day, he drove to the coachmaker's in Bishopfgate-fireet.-As foon as Mr. Boehm was fafe in the coffee- houfe, fome gentlemen went to St. James's to inform the Lords in waiting of the occafion of their delay, and that Mr. Boehm would follow when the crowd was a little difperfed; but after waiting an hour or more, and no addrefs arriving, a meffenger was difpatched back to the coffee-house for the addrefs, where Mr. Boehm, having miffed it, remained in great fufpenfe, and had fent to his houfe to have the coach fearched; but no coach was arrived there, which caused great confufion for fome time; at laft one of the fervants hinted that the coachman might have gone to the coach-maker's, as it wanted repairing; where they fent, and luckily found the addrefs under the cushion, which was imm diately forwarded to St. James's. This accident retarded the presenting the addrefs upwards of two hours. In the mean time, thole gentlemen who had arrived at St James's, and were waiting for it, by the advice of Sir F. N. had begun to fign a copy, which one of the gentlemen had with him, in order to prefent it; when luckily the addrefs came, after about a dozen had figned the copy. [A proclamation for fuppreffing riots, tumults and unlawful affemblies, was published he fame evening. The addrefs follows: To the King's moft Excellent Majefty. We your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyai fubjects, the Merchants, Traders, and o her principal inhabitants of your city of London, truly fenfible, that it has been your Majefty's conflant care and principal object, fince you afcended the throne of your illuf trious ancestors, to fecure to your people the full enjoyment of their religion, laws, and liberties inviolable, and to make them happy and flourishing, under your majesty's mott aufpicious government, beg' leave to profefs our steady loyalty and duty to your majefty, and our firm refolution to exert our utmoft power in fupporting the honour and dignity of your majefty's crown, in preferving the fafety, peace, and tranquility of your ma jefty's realms, in maintaining public credit, and promoting commerce, for the benefit of your fubjects throughout your dominions. And we beg leave to express our concern and abhorrence of every attempt to spread fed.tion, to inflame the minds, and alienate the affections of a free and loyal people from the best of Kings, and his government, which we apprehend has of late been encouraged, without the leaft fhadow of foundation, by fome ill-defigning perfons, to answer finifter and felfish purposes. And we most fincerely pray Almighty God, that your Majefty's great and bright example of piety, goodness, and clemency, may operate fo effectually upon the minds of your people, as to fupprefs that fpirit of licentioufnels, profaneneis, and irreligion, which has been industriously propagated, to delude the unwary to their own deftruction; and that the fame good providence will grant your majefty a long and happy reign over a dutiful and loyal people, and bless your endeavours with fuccefs, in a firm and permanent eftablifhment of our most excellent conftitution, which is not only admired, but envied by all foreign nations. To which address his majefty was pleased to return this molt gracious answer. The just fenfe you entertain of my defire to fecure to my people the full enjoyment of their religion, laws, and liberties; and the strong affurances you give me of your refolution to fupport the dignity of my crown, to preferve peace among my fubjects, to maintain public credit, and to promote com. merce, afford me the greatest fatisfaction; as well as your abhorrence of that inflammatory fpirit of fedition, which it has been the bufinefs of artful and fpecious misrepresenta tion to propagate. The warm wishes you exprefs for the fta bility and permanence of this happy conftitution, and the intereft you take in my profperity, will always deferve my favour and protection." They were all moft graciously received and had the honour to kifs his majefty's hand.] |