The Fleet. Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages

June 21, 1725.

"Reverend Sir, – There was lately, at Southam, in Warwickshire, one Edward Ashwell, who, in my absence, got possession of our School, and preach'd in Several Churches in this Neighbourhood. I take the Liberty to Inform you, Since I hear he is at Kettering, that he is A Most Notorious Rogue and Impostor. I have now certificates on my hand, of his having two wives alive at this present time, and he was very Near Marrying the third, in this Town, but the fear of a prosecution upon the Discovery of the flaming and Scandalous Immoralities of his life, forc'd him away from us. In a short time Afterwards, in a Village not far from us, he attempted to Ravish a Woman, but was prevented by a Soldier then in the house. I Can assure you he is in no Orders, tho' the Audacious Villain preaches when he Can get a pulpit. I have a whole packet of Letters by Me, all tending to the Same Character, which I think Exceeds, for variety of all Manner of Inormous practices, what Can be Charg'd upon the very Scum of Mankind. The Accounts are from persons of integrity and known Reputation.

"I prevented him preaching one Day at Brawnstin, Mr. Somes's parish. It would be A very kind and Christian Office to give some information among the Clergy, that they may not be Impos'd upon by him, particularly to Mr. Heyrick, for I Married Mr. Allicock's sister of Loddington. I know you will pardon this trouble if the fellow be amongst you.

"I am, your affectionate Brother,W. Hodgson."

We hear occasionally of this "professional beauty" in the Registers, and give two or three examples: —

"June 21st, 1740. John Jones of Eaton Sutton in Bedfordshire, and Mary Steward of the same, came to Wood's in Fleet Lane about six o'clock in the morning. Mr. Ashwell and self had been down the Market. Wood called him, and I went with him there, found the said man and woman, offer'd Mr. Ashwell 3 shilling to marry him; he would not, so he swore very much, and would have knocked him down, but for me. was not married. took this memorandum that they might not Pretend afterwards they was married, and not Register'd."

"July 15 (1744). Came a man and wooman to the Green Canister, he was an Irishman and Taylor to bee married. Gave Mr. Ashwell 2: 6. but would have 5s., went away, and abused Mr. Ashwell very much, told him he was a Thief, and I was worse. Took this account because should not say they was married, and not Registered. N.B. The Fellow said Mr. Warren was his relation."

It was the custom for these Fleet Parsons to carry with them pocket books, in which were roughly entered the names of the Married Couple, and, occasionally, if they wished their names to be kept secret, and paid, of course, a proportionate fee, their full names were not transcribed into the larger Register, as the following shows: —

"September ye 11th, 1745. Edwd. – and Elizabeth – were married, and would not let me know their names, ye man said he was a weaver, and liv'd in Bandy leg walk in the Borough.

Pr. E. Ashwell."

He was so famous that he was honoured with an obituary notice in the press, vide the General Advertiser, Jan. 15, 1746. "On Monday last, died, in the Rules of the Fleet, Doctor Ashwell, the most noted operator in Marriages since the death of the never-to-be-forgotten Dr. Gaynam."

John Floud, or Flood, did a good business from the time of Queen Anne, 1709, to Dec. 31, 1729, when he died within the Rules of the Fleet. He was a very queer Character, keeping a mistress who played jackall to his lion, and touted for couples to be married. He died suddenly whilst celebrating a wedding. Yet even he seems to have had some compunction as to his course of life, like Walter Wyatt: for, in one of his pocket books is the following verse.

"I have Liv'd so long I am weary Living,I wish I was dead, and my sins forgiven:Then I am sure to go to heaven,Although I liv'd at sixes and sevens."

John Floud had a peculiarity; if ever he wanted to make memoranda, which were not convenient to introduce into his ordinary Register he partially used the Greek character, as being "Caviar to the general," thus:

"13 Jan. 1728. μαρρ: τhρηη ςhιλλινγς & ονη δo χηρτιfιχατη. Τhη βριδηγροομ wας τhη βροτhηρ οf τhη μημοραβλη Jονατhαν Wιλδ Eχηχυτηδ ατ Tyβυρν."

Marr.: three shillings and one ditto Certificate. The bridegroom was the brother of the memorable Jonathan Wild, Executed at Tyburn.

"8 Mar. 1728. Νοτhινγ βυτ α νοτη οf hανδ fορ τhις μαρριαγη whιχh νηυηρ wας φαιδ."

Nothing but a note of hand for this marriage, which never was paid.

"27 August, 1728. μαρριαγη τhιρτηην σhιλλινγς & ονη & ςιχπηνχη χηρτιfιχατη. τhη wομαν νοτ χαρινγ το βη μαρριηδ ιν τhη Φληητ Ι hαδ τhημ μαρριηδ ατ μρ Βροwνς ατ μρ Hαρριςονς ιν φειδγηονη χουρτ ιν τhη Ολδ Βαιληy ατ fουρ αχλοχχ ιν τhη μορνινγ."

Marriage thirteen shillings, and one and sixpence Certificate. The woman not caring to be married in the Fleet, I had them married at Mr. Brown's, at Mr. Harrison's in Pidgeone Court, in the Old Bailey at four a'clock in the morning.

"12 Aug. 1729. φδ fιυη ςhιλλινγς φηρ τοταλ. N.B. Τhη 28th οf Αφριλ 1736 μρς Βηλλ χαμη ανδ Εαρνηςτλy ιντρηατηδ μη το Εραςη Τhη μαρριαγη ουτ οf τhη βοοχ for τhατ hηρ hυςβανδ hαδ βηατ ανδ αβυςηδ hηρ ιν α βαρβαρους μαννηρ… Ι μαδη hηρ βηλειυη Ι διδ ςο, fορ whιχh Ι hαδ hαλf α γυινηα, ανδ ςhη ατ τhη ςαμη τιμη δηλιυηρηδ μη υφ hηρ χηρτιfιχατη. Νο φηρςον φρηςηντ (Αχχορδινγ το hηρ δηςιρη)."

Paid five shillings per total. N.B. – The 28th of April, 1736, Mrs. Bell came and earnestly intreated me to erase the Marriage out of the book, for that her husband had beat and abused her in a barbarous manner… I made her believe I did so, for which I had half a guinea, and she, at the same time, delivered me up her certificate. No person present (according to her desire).

Perhaps, next to Dr. Gaynam, the bishop, no one did more business in Fleet Marriages than Walter Wyatt. We have already read some of his moral apothegms. He made a large income out of his Marriages, and, looking at the value of money, which was at least three times that of the present time, his profession was highly lucrative. Take one Month for instance. October, 1748 —

Or nearly £700 a year – equal to about £2,500 of our Currency. No wonder then, that when he died, March 13, 1750, he left a will behind him, which was duly proved; and by it he left his children in ward to his brother, and different legacies to his family – to his married daughter Mary, he bequeathed five pounds, and his estate at Oxford.

He describes himself, on the cover of one of the Registers, as "Mr. Wyatt, c, is removed from the Two Sawyers, the Corner of Fleet Lane (with all the Register Books), to the Hand and Pen near Holborn Bridge, where Marriages are solemnized without imposition." But there seem to have been other establishments which traded on Wyatt's sign, probably because he was so prosperous. Joshua Lilley kept the Hand and Pen near Fleet Bridge. Matthias Wilson's house of the same sign stood on the bank of the Fleet ditch; John Burnford had a similar name for his house at the foot of Ludgate Hill, and Mrs. Balls also had an establishment with the same title.

He seems to have attempted to invade Parson Keith's peculiar in May Fair, or it may only be an Advertising ruse on the part of that exceedingly keen practitioner, in order to bring his name prominently before the public. At all events there is an Advertisement dated August 27, 1748. "The Fleet Parson (who very modestly calls himself Reverend), married at the Fleet, in Mr. L – yl's house, Mrs. C – k's, at the Naked Boy, and for Mr. W – yt, the Fleet Parson. And to shew that he is now only for Mr. W – yt, the Fleet Parson's deputy, the said W – yt told one in May Fair, that he intended to set up in opposition to Mr. Keith, and send goods to furnish the house, and maintains him and the men who ply some days at the Fleet, and at other times at May Fair. But not to speak of the men, if he himself was not a Fleet Parson, he could never stand in Piccadilly, and run after Coaches and foot people in so shameful a manner, and tell them Mr. Keith's house is shut up, and there is no Chapel but theirs; and to other people he says, their Fleet Chapel is Mr. Keith's Chapel, and this he hath said in the hearing of Mr. Keith's clerk, and it is known to most of the people about May Fair, and likewise Mr. Keith appeals to the generality of people about the Fleet and May Fair, for proof of Mr. Reverend's being only W – yts, the Fleet parson's deputy."

CHAPTER XXVIII

OF James Starkey, who married from 1718 to 1730, very little is known, except that he had run away to Scotland, and could not be produced when wanted at a trial in the Old Bailey. And also of Robert Cuthbert, 1723-30 – very little is known except through the medium of his pocket books, and they recount his love of horse flesh, and the prices he paid for his mounts.

Of Thomas Crawford, 1723-1748, we hear something from a letter in that curious mélange of News, the Grub Street Journal, June 10, 1736: —

"Gentlemen, Having frequently heard of the many abominable practises of the Fleet, I had the Curiosity, May 23, to take a view of the place, as I accidently was walking by.

"The first thing observable was one J – L – , 166 by trade a Carpenter (whose brother, it is said, keeps the sign of the B – and G – r), 167 cursing, swearing, and raving in the street in the time of divine service, with a mob of people about him, calling one of his fraternity (J. E.), 168 a Plyer for Weddings, an informing rogue, for informing against one of their Ministers for profane cursing and swearing, for which offence he paid three pounds odd money: the hearing of which pleased me very well, since I could find one in that notorious place which had some spark of grace left; as was manifested by the dislike he shewed to the person that was guilty of the profanation of God's sacred name.

"When the mob was dispersed, I walked about some small time, and saw a person, exceeding well-dress'd in flower'd morning gown, a band, hat and wig, who appeared so clean that I took him for some worthy divine, who might have, accidentally, be making the same remarks as myself; but upon inquiry was surpris'd at being assured he was one T – C – 169 a watchmaker, who goes in a Minister's dress, personating a Clergyman, and taking upon him the name of Doctor, to the scandal of the Sacred function. He may be seen any time at the Bull and Garter, or the Great Hand, and Pen and Star, with these words under written. 'The old and true Register' near the Rainbow Coffee House. – T. S."

Peter Symson, who married 1731-1754, describes himself in his handbill, as "educated at the University of Cambridge, and late Chaplain to the Earl of Rothes."

His "Chapel" was at the Old Red Hand and Mitre, three doors from Fleet Lane, and next door to the White Swan. As were most of his fellows, he was witness in a bigamy trial in 1751. He was asked,

"Why did you marry them without license?

"Symson. Because somebody would have done it, if I had not. I was ordained in Grosvenor Square Chapel by the Bishop of Winchester – the Bishop of Lincoln. Can't say I am a prisoner in the Fleet. Am 43 years old. Never had a benefice in my life. I have had little petty Curacies about £20 or £30 per year. I don't do it for lucre or gain.

"Court. You might have exposed your person had you gone on the highway, but you'd do less prejudice to your country a great deal. You are a nuisance to the public; and the gentlemen of the jury, it is to be hoped, will give but little credit to you."

When Keith of Mayfair was committed to the Fleet, Symson married for him from 1750 to 1754.

There was another Fleet Parson named William Dare, 1732-1746, who had such a large connection that he employed a Curate to help him; but then, his marriages were 150 to 200 a month.

James Lando is somewhat shrouded in mystery, for it is possible that he was identical with the gentleman who is described at the end of one of the Fleet Registers as "John Lando, a French Minister, in Church Street, Soho, opposite att a French pastry or nasty Cook's. His Landlord's name is Jinkstone, a dirty chandler's shop: he is to be heard of in the first flower next the skye."

He really was a "Chaplain of the Fleet," for he was Chaplain on board H.B.M.S. Falkland from May 29, 1744, to Jan. 17, 1746. He had a house in Half Moon Court, the first house joining to Ludgate, which was at the Corner of the Old Bailey. This he called St. John's Chapel, and here he not only solemnized marriages, but taught Latin and French three times a week.

An advertisement of his states that "Marriages with a Licence, Certificate, and a Crown Stamp, at a Guinea, at the New Chapel, next door to the China Shop, near Fleet Bridge, London, by a regular bred Clergyman, and not by a Fleet Parson, as is insinuated in the public papers; and that the town may be freed (from) mistakes, no Clergyman being a prisoner in the Rules of the Fleet dare marry; and to obviate all doubts, this Chapel is not in the verge of the Fleet, but kept by a Gentleman who was lately on board one of his Majesty's men of war, and likewise has gloriously distinguished himself in defence of his King and Country, and is above committing those little mean actions that some men impose on people, being determined to have everything conducted with the utmost decency and regularity, such as shall be always supported in law and equity."

Burn gives a list of others who married in the Fleet, but does not pretend it to be exhaustive. Still, the list is a long one.

Which of these is the one referred to in the Gentleman's Magazine for April 1809? "I should be much obliged to you also, Mr. Urban, if you, or any of your numerous and intelligent correspondents, could acquaint me with the name of a tall black clergyman, who used to solicit the commands of the votaries of Hymen at the door of a public-house known by the sign of the Cock in Fleet Market, previously to the Marriage Act."

Before dismissing the subject of Fleet parsons, reference must be made to the Rev. Alexander Keith of Mayfair Chapel, who has a claim to be noticed here, as he was an inhabitant of the Fleet. The Chapel in Mayfair was built somewhere about 1736, to meet the wants of the increasing neighbourhood, which was then becoming fashionable, after the abolition of the fair in Brook-field, and the first incumbent was the Rev. Alexander Keith, who claimed to have been ordained priest by the Bishop of Norwich, acting on Letters Dimissory from the Bishop of London, in June, 1731. He also stated that at the time of his appointment as preacher in the Chapel, he was Reader at the Roll's Chapel. He did a roaring trade in irregular marriages, and it was at Mayfair Chapel that the Duke of Hamilton espoused the youngest of the beautiful Miss Gunnings, "with a ring of the bed curtain, at half an hour past twelve at night."

He had also a private chapel of his own, as we read in an advertisement of his, April, 1750. "Several persons belonging to Churches and Chapels, together with many others, supposing the Marriages at May Fair New Chapel to be detrimental to their interest, have made it their Business to rave and clamour, but in such a Manner, as not to deserve to Answer, because every Thing they have said tends to expose their own Ignorance and Malice, in the Opinion of People of good Sense and Understanding. We are informed, that Mrs. Keith's Corpse was removed from her Husband's House in May Fair, the Middle of October last, to an Apothecary's in South Audley Street, where she lies in a Room hung with Mourning, and is to continue there till Mr. Keith can attend her Funeral! The way to Mr. Keith's Chapel is thro' Piccadilly, by the End of St. James's Street and down Clarges Street, and turn on the Left Hand. The Marriages (together with a Licence on a Five Shilling Stamp, and Certificate) are carried on as usual, any time till Four in the Afternoon, by another regular Clergyman, at Mr. Keith's little Chapel in May Fair, near Hyde Park Corner, opposite the great Chapel, and within ten Yards of it. There is a Porch at the Door like a Country Church Porch."

His wife died in 1749 whilst he was in the Fleet prison, which accounts for his inability to attend her funeral. Why he was imprisoned is as follows. By advertising, and other means, his Marriages at Mayfair were very popular, and interfered greatly with the Vested Interests of the neighbouring clergy, one of whom, Dr. Trebeck, rector of St. George's, Hanover Square, brought a lawsuit against him, in the Ecclesiastical Court. He defended himself, but unsuccessfully, for a sentence of excommunication was promulgated against him on Oct. 27, 1742.

Two could play at that game, so Keith excommunicated, at his Chapel in Mayfair, his bishop, the judge who condemned him, and the prosecutor, Dr. Trebeck, but none of them seem to have been any the worse for the operation. Such, however, was not the case with Keith, for, on Jan. 24, 1743, a decree was issued for his apprehension. This did not take effect till April, 1743, when he was committed to the Fleet; the marriages at Mayfair being continued, as we have seen, by Symson and Denevan.

He lay in the Fleet about fifteen years, and in 1753, when Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act was being discussed, he thence issued a pamphlet of thirty-two pages, with his portrait attached, entitled, "Observations on the Act for preventing Clandestine Marriages." In it he gives what seems to be "a plain, unvarnished tale" of Fleet Marriages. "As I have married many thousands, and, consequently, have on those occasions seen the humour of the lower class of people, I have often asked the married pair how long they had been acquainted; they would reply, some more, some less, but the generality did not exceed the acquaintance of a week, some only of a day, half-a-day, &c… Another inconveniency which will arise from this Act will be, that the expence of being married will be so great, that few of the lower class of people can afford; for I have often heard a Flete parson say, that many have come to be married when they have but half-a-crown in their pockets, and sixpence to buy a pot of beer, and for which they have pawned some of their cloaths… I remember once on a time, I was at a public-house at Radcliffe, which was then full of Sailors and their girls, there was fiddling, piping, jigging, and eating; at length one of the tars starts up, and says, 'D – m ye, Jack, I'll be married just now; I will have my partner, and'… The joke took, and in less than two hours ten couple set out for the Flete. I staid their return. They returned in coaches; five women in each coach; the tars, some running before, others riding on the coach box, and others behind. The Cavalcade being over, the couples went up into an upper room, where they concluded the evening with great jollity. The next time I went that way, I called on my landlord and asked him concerning this marriage adventure; he first stared at me, but, recollecting, he said those things were so frequent, that he hardly took any notice of them; for, added he, it is a common thing, when a fleet comes in, to have two or three hundred marriages in a week's time, among the sailors."

The Marriage Act was passed, and came into force on March 26, 1754. On the 25th Sixty-one Couples were married at Mayfair Chapel.

It was a death blow to the Reverend Alexander, although he tried to laugh it off, if Horace Walpole may be believed. In a letter to George Montagu, Esqr. (June 11, 1753), he says: "I shall only tell you a bon mot of Keith's, the marriage broker, and conclude. 'G – d d – n the Bishops,' said he (I beg Miss Montagu's pardon), 'so they will hinder my marrying. Well, let 'em, but I'll be revenged: I'll buy two or three acres of ground, and by G – d, I'll under bury them all.'"

This may have been true, but it was mere bravado, for he appealed from his prison to the benevolent, as we see by the following advertisement. "To the Compassionate. By the late Marriage Act, the Rev. Mr. Keith, from a great Degree of Affluence, is reduc'd to such a deplorable State of Misery in the Fleet Prison, as is much better to be conceiv'd than related, having scarce any other thing than Bread and Water to subsist on. It is to be hoped he will be deemed truly undeserving such a Fate, when the Publick are assured, that not foreseeing such an unhappy Stroke of Fortune, as the late Act, he yearly expended almost his whole Income (which amounted to several Hundred Pounds per Annum) in relieving not only single distress'd Persons, but even whole Families of wretched Objects of Compassion. This can be attested by several Persons of the strictest Character and Reputation, as well as by Numbers who experienced his Bounty. Mr. Keith's present calamitous Situation renders him perhaps as great an Object of Charity himself, as all Circumstances consider'd, as ever in his better Days partook of his own Assistance, or that of others equally compassionate; and is indeed sufficient to awaken Humanity in the most uncharitable. Any Gentleman or Lady may be satisfied of the above by applying to Mr. Brooke, Engraver, facing Water Lane, Fleet Street, by whom Donations from the Publick will be received for the Use of Mr. Keith."

CHAPTER XXIX

KEITH'S written description of a Fleet Marriage is graphic, but a contemporary engraving brings it even more vividly before us. This was published Oct. 20, 1747, and gives an excellent view of the Fleet Market as it then was. It is called "A Fleet Wedding, Between a brisk young Sailor, and his Landlady's Daughter at Rederiff."

"Scarce had the Coach discharg'd it's trusty Fare,But gaping Crouds surround th' amorous Pair;The busy Plyers make a mighty Stir!And whisp'ring cry, d'ye want the Parson, Sir?Pray step this way – just to the Pen in HandThe Doctor's ready there at your Command:This way (another cries) Sir, I declareThe true and ancient Register is Here.Th' alarmed Parsons quickly hear the Din!And haste with soothing words t'invite them in:In this Confusion jostled to and fro,Th' inamour'd Couple knows not where to go:Till slow advancing from the Coache's SideTh' experienc'd Matron came (an artful Guide)She led the way without regarding either,And the first parson spliced 'em both together."

The Context to this is a companion Engraving of "The Sailor's Fleet Wedding Entertainment," which most aptly illustrates Keith's description, but the poetry attached to it will scarcely bear modern reproduction.

But, if a poetical account of a Fleet Wedding is needed, it may be found in "The Bunter's Wedding."

"Good people attend, I'll discover,A Wedding that happen'd of late,I cannot tell why we should smother,The weddings of poor more than great;'Twixt Ben of the Borough so pretty,Who carries a basket, 'tis said,And dainty plump Kent street fair Kitty,A Coney Wool Cutter by trade.The guests were all quickly invited,Ben order'd the dinner by noon,And Kitty was highly delighted,They obey'd the glad summons so soon:An ox cheek was order'd for dinner,With plenty of porter and gin,Ben swore on the oath of a sinner,Nothing should be wanting in him.Joe the sandman, and Bessy the bunter,We hear from St. Giles's did prance,Dick the fiddler, and Sally the Mumper,Brought Levi the Jew for to dance.Tom the Chanter he quickly was present,And squinting black Molly likewise,With Billy the Dustman quite pleasant,And Nell with no nose and sore eyes.Ned the drover was also invited,Unto this gay wedding to come,From Smithfield he came quite delighted,Before that the market was done.And Fanny the pretty match maker,A sister to young bunting Bess,She wished the devil might take herIf she was not one of the guests.Dolly the rag woman's daughter,From Tyburn road she did stride,And Jenny the quilter came afterWhose nose it stood all of one side;There was Roger the chimney sweeper,No soot he would gather that day,But, because he would look the compleater,His soot bag and brush threw away.There was bandy leg'd sheep's head SusanWe hear from Field Lane she did hie,And draggle tail'd Pat with no shoes on,Who pins and laces doth cry;Ralph the grinder he set by his barrow,As soon as he heard of the news,And swore he would be there to-morrow,Atho' he'd no heels to his shoes.Sam the grubber, he having had warning,His wallet and broom down did lay,And early attended next morning,The bride for to give away;And Peggy the mop yarn spinner,Her Cards and her wheel set aside,And swore as she was a sinner,She'd go and attire the bride.Nan the tub woman out of Whitechapel,Was also invited to go,And, as she was 'kin to the couple,She swore she the stocking would throw;So having all gather'd together,As they appointed to meet,And being all birds of a feather,They presently flocked to the Fleet.But when at Fleet Bridge they arrived,The bridegroom was handing his bride,The sailors [? plyers] they all to them drived,Do you want a Parson? they cry'd;But as they down Fleet Ditch did prance,What house shall we go to? says Ben,Then Kitty, in raptures, made answerLet's go to the Hand and the Pen.Then into the house they did bundle,The landlady shew'd them a room,The landlord he roar'd out like thunder,The parson shall wait on you soon:Then so eager he came for to fasten,He staid not to fasten his hose,A fat bellied ruddy fac'd parson,That brandy had painted his nose.But before (he) the couple did fastenHe look'd all around on the men,My fee's half a crown, says the parson, —I freely will give it, says Ben:Then Hymen he presently follow'dAnd the happy knot being ty'dThe guests they whooped and hollow'd,All joys to the bridegroom and bride.Like Malt horses home they all pranced,The bride she look'd not like the same,And thus thro' the City they danced;But, when to the Borough they came,The bride to look buxom endeavour'd,The bridegroom as brisk as an eel;With the marrow bones and cleavers,The butchers they rang them a peal.And, as they were homewards advancing,A-dancing, and singing of songs,The rough music met them all prancing,With frying pans, shovels, and tongs:Tin Canisters, salt boxes plenty,With trotter bones beat by the boys,And they being hollow and empty,They made a most racketting noise.Bowls, gridirons, platters, and ladles,And pokers, tin kettles did bruise,The noise, none to bear it was able,The warming pans beat with old shoes:Such a rattling racketting uproar,Had you but have heard it, no doubt,All hell was broke loose you'd have swore,And the devils were running about.The Mob they all hollow'd and shouted,In the streets as they passed along,The people to see how they scouted,Together in clusters did throng;They made all the noise they was able,And thus they were ushered in,But e'er they all sat down to table,They each had a glass of old gin.Dinner being decently ended,The table was cleared with speed,And they to be merry intended,So strait did to dancing proceed;But Harry the night man so jolly,With madness he almost cry'd,And all the night sat melancholy,For he had a mind for the bride."

There are four more verses, but they are not worth transcribing – besides, there is a very good prose account of the doings at the Fleet, which, certainly, bears the impress of truth. It is in No. 270 of the Grub Street Journal, Feb. 27, 1735: —