Mercuriosities

Manslaughter by a doctress.* Mercury used to be prescribed as a treatment for syphilis, so this sailor was probably not in the best of health. If mercury didn’t poison you, then the cure to rid your body of it would kill you anyway. Another treatment for syphilis was the use of sweat baths as it was thought induced salivation and sweating eliminated the syphilitic poisons.

But to get away with murder, or manslaughter in this case, you had to be a proper doctor.

“A woman named Nancy Simpson, a pretended doctress at Liverpool, has been committed to Lancaster Castle for trial at the next assizes, charged by the coroner’s inquest with manslaughter, in having occasioned the death of Wm. Birkett, a fine, stout, comely seafaring man, 21 years of age, by giving him some quack mixture, “to get the mercury out of his bones,” as she said, (it having been lately necessary that he should undergo salivation,) and which mixture had poisoned the young man.–The wretch lived in a cellar in Liverpool, and in her apartment were found numerous powders, pills and other nostrums, of a most potent and dangerous character.”

Stamford Mercury, 21 November, 1828.

*Another alternative for a female doctor was ‘doctrix’.

The pleasure fair would become extinct; such was the prophecy of the writer of this article, lamenting the decline in attendance at the Stamford Mid-Lent pleasure fair. How shocked he would be to see it now, utterly transformed from exhibits of ‘dwarfs, giantesses, extraordinary cows, talking pigs’ to a collection of fairground attractions, from bumper cars, rollercoasters, trampolines to fortune tellers.

‘At one time, before the age of locomotive transit, the Midlent pleasure fair at Stamford was looked forward to by all classes with great expectation, and was considered worthy of patronage by all the élite of the town and neighbourhood ; but now, since access to the great metropolis has become so cheap and easy, there has been a gradual falling off in the attendance of–first of the visitors, & then of the attractions & amusements ; and at length the prophecy, “that in course of time, country fairs would become extinct,” seems to be fast approaching verification. At the mart last week there was a marked decline in the attendance of exhibitions and amusements, as also of visitors ; and even amongst those who did attend there seemed either a scarcity of money or want of excitement ; and it is not at all unlikely many of the proprietors of stalls and shows will be deterred from again visiting this fair, owing to the little support they met with on this occasion. The principal attractions were Wombwell’s collection of wild animals, whose band drew more listeners than the zoological specimens inside did spectators, for at no time was the attendance very large ; Clapton’s exhibition of moving figures, we believe, had the lion’s share of patronage, and Stevens’ menagerie was pretty well supported. There were also a peep show and one or two others of the minor class of exhibitions, consisting of dwarfs, giantesses, extraordinary cows, talking pigs, &c., with the usual complement of photographic and rifle galleries, all of which appeared to suffer from a want of money or an extra expenditure on the Royal wedding-day. There was likewise a diminution in the attendance of the light-fingered gentry, for we have only heard of one case of pocket picking during the whole of the fair : this was probaby owing to the efficient police arrangements.’

Stamford Mercury, 27 March, 1863.

Mary Stuart, who said she was the grand-daughter of Charles Stuart, The Young Pretender to the British throne, importunes Lord Palmerston without success and is punished by being confined for seven years.

‘At Marlborough-street police-court, on the 26th ult., Mary Stuart, needlewoman, about 60 years of age, who said she lived in Great Warner-street, Clerkenwell, was charged with wilfully breaking a square of glass at the residence of Lord Palmerston, Piccadilly. The offence was proved by Henry Bird, groom of the chambers to Lord Palmerston, who said that the prisoner came up to the house and inquired, “Is this Lord Palmerston’s ?” and being told that it was, deliberately threw a stone at the window. The prisoner, in reply to the charge, entered into a long statement, the effect of which was that she was the grand-daughter of Prince Charles Stuart, the Pretender ; that she had made repeated applications to the Government since 1829, also to George the Fourth, to the King of Hanover, and to the late Sir James Graham, but without effect. She had broken the windows of Sir James Graham, and was committed for ten days for so doing. She was afterwards kept in confinement for seven years, on the pretence that she was of unsound mind. A commission was sent to see her : they said she was sane, and she was liberated. She had written to Lord Palmerston for assistance, but as she could get no reply she broke a window. Since she had been discharged from the asylum she had gained her living by needlework. Mr. Knox remanded her for a week.’

Stamford Mercury, April 3, 1863.

Desperation and poverty drove a youth to highway robbery and horse stealing on the Great North Road near Stamford. He might have frightened a small boy, but the boy’s father was made of sterner stuff and he apprehended the culprit at The Bull and Swan.

“One of the most extraordinary cases of highway -robbery and horse-stealing ever heard of occurred last Sunday morning, on the great road a mile and a half north of Stilton. A son of Mr. C. R. Roberts, of Alwalton, between 8 and 9 years of age, was riding to Stilton to fetch his father’s letters from the Post-office, when he was met and accosted, in the parish of Haddon, by a well-dressed youth about 18 years old, who seized the reins and desired young Roberts to dismount. The latter demurred; on which his assailant presented a pistol, and swore that he would blow out his brains unless he instantly obeyed. The boy therefore got off; on which the highwayman mounted, and saying that ‘if the boy’s father wanted the horse, he would find him the next night at York,’ rode away towards Wansford. The poor boy made the best of his way back to Alwalton (about two miles), and informed his father what had occurred. Mr. Roberts called two neighbours to his assisstnace; and after dispatching them in pursuit on the roads to Oundle and Peterboro’, himself set off on the great north road, and soon discovered that he was in the route of the thief. On ascending the hill where the Whitewater toll-bar formerly stood, two miles from Stamford, he perceived him on the road; and remembering that he was represented to be armed, Mr. R. approached leisurely, and accosted him civilly. The thief returned the salutation like a gentleman, and the two jogged on together for a short distance, conversing about the horse which the young man was riding, the paces of which Mr. Roberts affected to admire; and the enquiry whether he could purchase the animal, was answered with the observation that the price would be the only difficulty. On their reaching the toll-bar a mile from the town,it turned out that the young gentleman had (as he said) ‘no change,’ but Mr. Roberts offering to pay the threehalfpence for him, the two again set forward, and renewed the conversation about the horse until they reached the Bull and Swan inn in St. Martin’s, where Mr. Roberts said he should stop for a time, and he invited his companion to turn in and take a glass with him. The latter agreed; and on riding under the gateway, Mr. Roberts alertly slipped off his horse, and catching the young man in his arms as he also alighted, pinioned him so as to prevent his using pistols, and called for help, which being instantly given, the youth was effectually secured. In his side-pocket was found a new pistol loaded with ball, with several other balls, powder, &co. Perceiving that Mr. Roberts was the owner of the hose he had stolen, the youth became disheartened, and in a short time acknowledged the felony, stating that distress had driven him to it, as when he stopped Mr. R’s son he had only one penny in his pocket. He subsequently stated that his name was Charles Cole, and that his friends lived at No. 7, Carter-street, Park-lane, Westminster; that he robbed them, and dare not return; and that he was making his way on foot to the residence of his aunt, Mrs. Ord, Nunthorpe Hall, near York, and slept on Saturday night in a barn at Alconbury Hill. He was given into the custody of the Police, and on Monday was taken back to Huntingdonshire, and underwent a long examination before Lord George Gordon, by whom he was fully committed to Huntingdon gaol for trial at the next session, on the charge of highway robbery.”

The Stamford Mercury, 29th January, 1841.

Catharine Brooks of Red Lion Street, Stamford, in the century before Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management came on the scene, wrote a cookery book that was available nationwide.

‘This day is published, (Price only One Shilling) Adorned with a most beautiful Frontispiece, and other useful Cuts, being the most plain, cheap and easy Book of the Kind ever yet published.)

The Complete English Cook ; or, PRUDENT HOUSEWIFE.

Being an entire New Collection of the most Genteel, yet least Expensive Receipts in every Branch of Cookery and good Housewifery, viz.

Roasting,	Fricaseys,	Potting,
Boiling,	Pies, Tarts,	Candying
Stewing	Puddings,	Collering,
Ragoos	Cheesecakes,	Pickling,
Soups, Sauces,	Custards,	Preserving,
Made Dishes,	Jellies,	Made wines, &c

Together with the Art of Marketing, and Directions for placing Dishes on Tables for Entertainments ; and many other Things equally necessary.–The whole made Easy to the meanest Capacity, and far more Useful to young Beginners, than any Book of the Kind extant.

By CATHARINE BROOKS, of Red-Lion-street.

To which is added, the PHYSICAL DIRECTOR ; Being near Two Hundred safe and certain Receipts for the Cure of most Disorders incident to the Human Body. Also.

The whole art of Clear-Starching, Ironing, &c.

London : Printed for the AUTHORESS, and Sold by J. COOKE, No. 17, in Paternoster-row ; and by most other Booksellers in England.

Of whom may be had, Price One Shilling.‘

Stamford Mercury, 13 January, 1783.

Westend (or West End, as it is now written) is a parish in the borough of Eastleigh, just east of Southampton.  It not only boasts a brewery (perhaps near the site of this pub?), but is also the location of the Ageas Bowl, where Hampshire County Cricket Club has been based since 2001, and which has staged a number of international matches.  Hampshire is also famous in cricketing circles for the village of Hambledon – home of a famous team in the 18th century which defeated many county sides.

“A novel match of cricket was played on the 3d inst., between two female parties (married and single), in the field in the rear of a newly-erected public-house near Westend, Hampshire, kept by Mr. J. Vare. The fineness of the weather and the novelty of the scene drew together an immense concourse of spectators, who signified theri delight by repeated rounds of applause. Vehicles of every description were also in attendance, from the dashing phaeton and pair down to the humble donkey tandem: on the whole, there could not have been less than 3000 persons present. The playing commenced in right earnest at 12 o’clock, the married ladies going in first, and scoring 22 runs; the damsels then took the bat and scored 18. The dames then went in again and scored 27, making 49; the young ladies then went in and got 34, thus beating their opponents by three runs only. After the two first innings, bets varying from 2 to 1 to 5 to 2 were freely offered on the married ladies, and as freely taken. The fielding and batting of Miss Ann Cleaver, of Bitterne, and the Misses Caroline and Patience Lee, were particularly admired, indeed they may be safely backed against any three boys under 18. The bowling of Mrs. Carter on the married side was also very good. The p[eculliar manner of the ladies in stopping and catching, or attempting to catch the ball, was highly amusing. When the game was over they all sat down to a comfortable tea provided by the landlady, and concluded the day’s sport by a dance in the evening. It is proposed to play the return match on Saturday the 13th, at the New Inn, Westend. – Hampshire Adv.“

The Stamford Mercury, 12th October, 1838.

When it comes to revolutions, the English ones are far superior in every aspect: no massacres, no plundering, no opposition against the laws of the country. One may ask how we could call this a revolution. Perhaps the people didn’t care too much.

‘However it may be the cant of some politicians to compare the present revolution in France with the most celebrated of other countries, he who has read, and reflected on what Englishmen properly call the Glorious Revolution of 1688, will find an amazing difference in favour of the latter. In our revolution, there were no massacres, plundering, or burning, no opposition of the people against the national assembly ; it was the whole country, almost to a man, receding from the chains of tyranny, in order to secure their laws, their liberty and their property ; and this they happily effected almost without bloodshed, and under the sanction of the laws of the country. The sacrifice of one Dutch officer, and a few private soldiers, who fell in an accidental skirmish, sealed this glorious convenant between Prince and people, and formed that constitutional basis which is the wonder and the envy of surrounding nations.’

Stamford Mercury, 7 August, 1789.

Street fighting tries to be fair in the face of overwhelming disparities : if a one-legged man fights a two-legged man, how do you bring about a level of equality to make the fight fair ? And was there any dough to be won ? Read on.

‘On Wednesday the 26th ult. a pugilistic contest, rather of a novel nature, took place at Bingham between a disciple of Esculapius, and a baker, both of that town : a great deal of chaffing took place as to the disadvantage the latter laboured under, the doctor being a biped, whilst the dusty knight was minus a leg : the dispute was, whether the contest should be carried on up and down (a-la-Lancashire), sitting, or be a stand-up fight : the last mode was determined upon ; and in order to bring things to an equality as nearly as might be, the knight of the lancet agreed to have a leg tied up. These preliminaries being settled, after peeling, they hopped to the scratch, and a furious set-to commenced : the baker’s oven waxing warm, set the yeast in his batch into such a state of fermentation, that being off his guard, his antagonist administered some bitter pills, let him blood pretty freely, and hammered away with nature’s pestles as though he had been braying in a mortar : but the crusty veteran’s choler abating, he, in his turn, kneaded his opponent’s dough in such a manner, that he reluctantly cried out “enough,” and the man of meal, crowned with bays, was carried off the field with all the uproarious eclat possible.’

Stamford Mercury, 4th April, 1828.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were married on 10th February, 1840. This is a fascinating insight into their life at Buckingham palace.

‘The following important article of information appears in a daily journal: The Queen is an early riser, seldom being in bed later than half past seven, except on the mornings after her state balls, or on those few occasions when she honors the parties of the nobility with her presence. Her bell is rung about 8 o’clock for her “dressers,” and by nine her Majesty, her Royal Consort, and the household, are at breakfast. The time occupied at the meal is about half an hour, when her Majesty, if the weather permit, enoys the air in the pleasure garden attached to Buckingham palace. This garden covers a space of about forty acres. Here the Queen frequently remains an hour and is accompanied by the latter, etiquette prescribes that, except by invitation, the ladies and gentlemen in attendance should walk at a “respectful distance.” Upon her Majesty’s return to the palace she is attended by her secretary, when she affixes her signature to the various documents which acquire their validity by it. These comprise treasury and other warrants, the commissions of militaty officers, state papers, &co., and they are frequently so numerous that it has sometimes required more than two hours to get through the business. The Queen passes the time between one and three either in conversation, reading, painting or music. In these two accomplishments her Majesty is eminently proficient: her drawings are much admired, and her love for music is well known: she is excellent both as an instrumental and vocal performer. There are three grand pianofortes in the suite of three drawing-rooms usually inhabited, but that which is especailly her Majesty’s, and which is only touched by her fingers, is magnificent: it is rosewood, inlaid with gold and vignette pictures, and cost 1,500 guineas. Luncheon is served at three; after which the Queen receives the Cabinet Miniters, and other such persons as it is usual to honor with audiences. At five the royal cortége leaves the palace and proceeds through the park, &co., and generally returns about seven or quarter after. Dinner is generally served at a quarter before eight, except on opera nights, when it is a little earlier. The usual number of persons who dine at the royal table is about 30. The Queen never fails to be present, except upon the nights of a ball either at the palace or elsewhere: on those occasions her Majesty dines in her own suite of apartments. The Queen, who occupies the centre seat of the dinner-table remains from an hour and five minutes to an hour and a quarter: her rising is the signal for the ladies to move after her, and in a short time subsequently to this move, the gentlemen follow. During dinner-time the band of one of the regiments of guards generally attend: the musicians are placed in a situation above the ceiling of the apartment; they are separated from the royal party by large panes of ground glass, which mellow the sound, and prevent the musicians from seeing into the dining apartment. Tea and coffee are served immediately after dinner, in a small room leading from one of the drawing-rooms. The reminder of the evening is passed with music and conversation, in both of which the Queen and Prince Albert take a part, and about half past eleven her Majesty retires to her apartments, which are in the immediate vicinity of the drawing-rooms, and with which there is a communication by means of a door that is ordinarily concealed by a cabinet. This cabinet is on rollers, and it is, when her Majesty expresses a desire to retire, immediately rolled sufficiently far away to enable the door to be opened, and is replaced again as soon as she has quitted the apartment.’

The Stamford Mercury, 18th September, 1840.

Celtic gold is unearthed quite regularly in the UK. However, irrespective of who found the treasure trove the Queen owned it all. In 1996, a new law redefined treasure and what must be done with it.

‘Extraordinary Discovery of Gold.–On Friday Mr. Kell, coroner for the Rape of Hastings, held an inquest “touching the finding and discovery of certain bars and pieces of gold,” in the parish of Mantfield, in East Sussex. Mr. Reynolds, solicitor to the Treasury, was present to watch the inquiry on the part of the Crown, and Mr. W. Savery on the part of two persons supposed to be interested. At the inquest, which lasted five hours, it was elicited that on the 12th of January last, William Butchers, a labourer, whilst ploughing, turned up what he took to be a quantity of old brass, connected by a series of rings or links, and extending about a yard in length. Each link was about an inch and a half long, and an inch wide. Butchers, on weighing it, found that it was a little over eleven pounds, and he sold it as old brass to a man named Silas Thomas for 3s. Thomas, in his turn, sold it to his brother-in-law, Stephen Willett, a cab-driver at Hastings, but who had at one time been a Californian gold-digger, and at once recognised the metal as solid gold. Shortly afterwards suspicion was excited from the fact that both Willett and Thomas appeared suddenly to have become possessed of a large supply of money, and the police were induced to institute inquiries in the matter. The result was that Willett was taken into custody, but afterwards discharged, on the ground that the Magistrates had no jurisdiction, and that an inquest before the coroner was necessary. In the meantime her Majesty’s Treasury, on being apprised of the discovery, directed an investigation to be made, when it was ascertained that Thomas and Willett had taken 300l. to the bank at Hastings, and opened an account there ; and by tracing back the notes it was found that a cheque had been given to Willett by Messrs. Brown, the gold refiners in Cheapside, in payment of a sum of 529l. for 123 ounces of solid gold. The jury, at the close of the inquest, returned a verdict to the effect that the gold so singularly discovered was the property of the Queen, and that Butchers, Thomas, and Willett concealed the finding of the same ; and it is understood that ulterior proceedings will be taken against the latter. It is believed that the bars of gold had lain in the field for nearly two thousand years, and that they were ornaments worn by the ancient Celtic Kings.’

Stamford Mercury, 3 April, 1863.