Part 16 (2/2)

Here you have likewise a copy of a most affecting letter, written by the criminal in the condemned cell the night afore hexecution to his hinnocent vife and hunoffending babbies, vith a copy of werses consarning the same--all for the small charge of von halfpenny. Yes, my friends, von halfpenny buys the werses as follows--von arter the 'tother:--

”Come, all you blessed Christians dear, That's a-tender, kind, and free, While I a story do relate Of a dreadful tragedy, Which happened in London town, As you shall all be told; But when you hear the horrid deed 'Twill make your blood run cold.-- _For the small charge of a ha'penny!_

”'Twas in the merry month of May, When my true love I did meet; She look'd all like an angel bright, So beautiful and sweet.

I told her I loved her much, And she could not say nay; 'Twas then I stung her tender heart, And led her all astray.-- _Only a ha'penny!_”

JAMES--or as he was popularly called, ”_Jemmy_,” or, ”_Old Jemmy_”

Catnach, (_Kat-nak_,) late of the Seven Dials, London, printer and publisher of ballads, battledores, lotteries, primers, &c., and whose name is ever a.s.sociated with the literature of the streets, was the son of John Catnach, a printer, of Alnwick, an ancient borough, market town, and parish of Northumberland, where he was born on August 18th, 1792.

At the time Jemmy Catnach commenced business in Seven Dials it took all the prudence and tact which he could command to maintain his position, as at that time ”Johnny” Pitts,[12] of the Toy and Marble Warehouse, No. 6, Great St. Andrew-street, was the acknowledged and established printer of street literature for the ”Dials” district; therefore, as may be easily imagined, a powerful rivalry and vindictive jealousy soon arose between these ”two of a trade”--most especially on the part of ”Old Mother” Pitts, who is described as being a coa.r.s.e and vulgar-minded personage, and as having originally followed the trade of a b.u.mboat woman at Portsmouth: she ”wowed wengeance” against the young fellow in the court for daring to set up in their business, and also spoke of him as a young ”Cats.n.a.t.c.h,”

”Catblock,” ”Cut-throat;” many other opprobrious terms being also freely given to the new comer. Pitts' staff of ”bards” were duly cautioned of the consequences which would inevitably follow should they dare to write a line for Catnach--the new _cove_ in the court. The injunction was for a time obeyed, but the ”Seven Bards of the Seven Dials” soon found it not only convenient, but also more profitable to sell copies of their effusions to both sides at the same time, and by keeping their council they avoided detection, as each printer accused the other of buying an early sold copy, and then reprinting it off with the utmost speed, and which was in reality often the case, as ”Both Houses” had emissaries on the constant look-out for any new production suitable for street-sale.

Now, although this style of ”double dealing” and compet.i.tion tended much to lessen the cost price to the ”middle-man,” or vendor, the public in this case did not get any of the reduction, as a penny broadside was still a penny, and a quarter-sheet still a halfpenny to them, the ”street-patterer” obtaining the whole of the reduction as extra profit.

The feud existing between these rival publishers, who have been somewhat aptly designated as the Colburn and Bentley of the ”paper” trade, never abated, but, on the contrary, increased in acrimony of temper until at last not being content to vilify each other by words alone, they resorted to printing off virulent lampoons, in which Catnach never failed to let the world know that ”Old Mother Pitts” had been formerly a b.u.mboat woman, while the Pitts' party announced that--

”All the boys and girls around, Who go out prigging rags and phials, Know Jemmy _Cats.n.a.t.c.h_!!! well, Who lives in a back slum in the Dials.

He hangs out in Monmouth Court, And wears a pair of blue-black breeches, Where all the 'Polly c.o.x's crew' do resort To chop their swag for badly printed Dying Speeches.”

A mournful and affecting COPY OF VERSES on the death of ANN WILLIAMS, Who was barbarously and cruelly murdered by her sweetheart, W. JONES, near Wirksworth, in Derbys.h.i.+re, July, 1823.

William Jones, a young man aged 20, has been fully committed to Derby gaol for the murder of his sweetheart, under circ.u.mstances of unheard of barbarity. The poor victim was a servant girl, whom under pretense of marriage he seduced. On her proving with child the villain formed the horrid design of murdering her, and carried his diabolical plan into execution on Monday evening last. The following verses are written upon the occasion, giving a complete detail of this shocking affair:--

Come all false hearted young men And listen to my song, 'Tis of a cruel murder, That lately has been done On the body of a maiden fair The truth I will unfold, The bare relation of this deed Will make your blood run cold.

Near Wirksworth town in Derbys.h.i.+re, Ann Williams she did dwell, In service she long time had lived, Till this to her befel.

Her cheeks were like the blus.h.i.+ng rose All in the month of May, Which made this wicked young man Thus unto her did say: Nancy, my charming creature, You have my heart ensnared, My love is such I am resolved To wed you I declare.

Thus by his false deluding tongue Poor Nancy was beguil'd, And soon to her misfortune, By him she proved with child.

Some days ago this damsel fair Did write to him with speed.

Such tenderness she did express Would make a heart to bleed.

She said, my dearest William, I am with child by thee; Therefore, my dear, pray let me know When you will marry me.

The following day at evening, This young man did repair, Unto the town of Wirksworth, To meet his Nancy there.

Saying, Nancy dear, come let us walk, Among the flowery fields, And then the secrets of my heart To you I will reveal.

O then this wicked young man A knife he did provide, And all unknown to his true love Concealed it by his side.

When to the fatal spot they came, These words to her did say: All on this very night I will Your precious life betray.

On bended knee she then did fall, In sorrow and despair, Aloud for mercy she did call, Her cries did rend the air; With clasped hands and uplift eyes She cried, Oh spare my life, I never more will ask you To make me your wedded wife.

O then this wicked young man said, No mercy will I show; He took the knife all from his side, And pierced her body through.

But still she smiling said to him, While trembling with fear, Aa! William, William, spare my life, Think on your baby dear.

Twice more then with the b.l.o.o.d.y knife He ran her body through, Her throat was cut from ear to ear, Most dreadful for to view; Her hands and arms and beauteous face He cut and mangled sore, While down upon her milk white breast The crimson blood did pour.

He took the shawl from off her neck, And round her body tied, With pebble stones he did it fill, Thinking the crime to hide.

O then into the silver stream He plunged her straightway, But with her precious blood was stained, Which soon did him betray.

O then this young man taken was, And into prison sent, In ratling chains he is confin'd His crime for to lament, Until the Asizes do come on When trembling he must stand, Reflecting on the deed he's done; Waiting the dread command.

Now all you thoughtless young men A timely warning take; Likewise ye fair young maidens, For this poor damsel's sake.

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