"MR. CENSOR, Oxford, Nov. 27. "I have read your account of Nova Zembla with great pleasure, and have ordered it to be transcribed in a little hand, and inserted in Mr. Tonson's late edition of Hudibras. I could wish you would furnish us with more notes upon that author, to fill up the place of those dull annotations with which several editions of that book have been encumbered. I would particularly desire of you to give the world the story of Taliacotius, who makes a very eminent figure in the first Canto; not having been able to meet with any account of the said Taliacotius in the writings of any other author. I am, with the most profound respect, the most humble of your admirers, "Q. Z." To be answered next Thursday, if nothing more material intervenes. MR. CENSOR, "In your survey of the people, you must have observed crowds of single persons that are qualified to increase the subjects of this glorious island, and yet neglect that duty to their country. In order to reclaim such persons, I lay before you this proposat. Your most obedient servant, TH. CL.*" This to be considered on Saturday next. *Thomas Clemens. No 259. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1710. -Vexat censura columbas. JUV. Sat. ii. 65. Censure acquits the crow, condemns the dove. ANON. A Continuation of the Journal of the Court of Honour, held in Sheer-lane, on Monday the twentyseventh of November, before ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. Censor of Great Britain. ELIZABETH MAKEBATE, of the parish of St. Cathe rine's, spinster, was indicted for surreptitiously tak ing away the hassock from under the lady Grave. Airs, between the hours of four and five, on Sunday the 26th of November. The prosecutor deposed, "that as she stood up to make a courtesy to a person of quality in a neighbouring pew, the criminal conveyed away the hassock by stealth; insomuch, that the prosecutor was obliged to sit all the while she was at church, or to say her prayers in a posture that did not become a woman of her quality." The prisoner pleaded inadvertency; and the jury were going to bring it in chance-medley, had not several witnesses been produced against the said Elizabeth Makebate, that she was an old offender, and a woman of a bad reputation. It appeared, in particular, that, on the Sunday before, she had detracted from a new petticoat of Mrs. Mary Doelittle, having said, in the hearing of several credible witnesses, that the said petticoat was scoured," to the great grief and detriment of the said Mary Doelittle. There were likewise many evidences produced against the 66 criminal, that though she never failed to come to church on Sunday, she was a most notorious sabbath, breaker; and that she spent her whole time, during divine service, in disparaging other people's cloaths, and whispering to those who sat next her. Upon the whole she was found guilty of the indictment, and received sentence "to ask pardon of the prosecutor upon her bare knees, without either cushion or hassock under her in the face of the court." N. B. As soon as the sentence was executed on the criminal, which was done in open court with the utmost severity, the first lady of the bench on Mr. Bickerstaff's right-hand stood up, and made a motion to the court, that whereas it was impossible for women of fashion to dress themselves before the church was half done; and whereas many confusions and inconveniences did arise thereupon; it might be lawful for them to send a footman in order to keep their places, as was usual in other polite and well-regulated assemblies." The motion was ordered to be entered in the books, and considered at a more convenient time. Charles Cambrick, linen-draper, in the city of Westminster, was indicted for speaking obscenely to the lady Penelope Touchwood. It appeared, that the prosecutor and her woman going in a stage. coach from London to Brentford, where they were to be met by the lady's own chariot, the criminal and another of his acquaintance travelled with them in the same coach, at which time the prisoner talked bawdy for the space of three miles and a half. The prosecutor alledged, "that over-against the Old Fox at Knightsbridge he mentioned the word linen; that at the further end of Kensington he made use of the term smock; and that, before he came to Hammersmith, he talked almost a quarter of an hour upon wedding-skifts." "The prosecutor's woman confirmed what her lady had said, and added further," that she had never seen her lady in so great a confusion, and in such a taking as she was during the whole discourse of the criminal." The prisoner had little to say for himself, but that he talked only in his own trade, and meant no hurt by what he said. The jury, however, found him guilty, and represented by their forewoman, that such discourses were apt to sully the imagination; and that, by a concatenation of ideas, the word linen implied many things, that were not proper to be stirred up in the mind of a woman who was of the prosecutor's quality, and therefore gave it as their verdict," that the linen-draper should lose his tongue." Mr. Bickerstaff said, he thought the prosecutor's ears were as much to blame as the prisoner's tongue, and therefore gave sentence as follows: "that they should both be placed over against one another in the midst of the court, there to remain for the space of one quarter of an hour; during which time the linen-draper was to be gagged, and the lady to hold her hands close upon both her ears;" which was executed accordingly. Edward Callicoat was indicted as an accomplice to Charles Cambrick, for that he the said Edward Callicoat did, by his silence and smiles, seem to ap、 prove and abet the said Charles Cambrick in every thing he said. It appeared, that the prisoner was foreman of the shop to the aforesaid Charles Cambrick, and, by this post, obliged to smile at every thing that the other should be pleased to say: upon which he was acquitted. Josiah Shallow was indicted in the name of Daine Winifred, sole relict of Richard Dainty, esquire, for having said several times in company, and in the hearing of several persons there present, "that he was extremely obliged to the widow Dainty, and that he should never be able sufficiently to express his gratitude." The prosecutor urged, that this might blast her reputation, and that it was in effect a boasting of favours which he had never received, The prisoner seemed to be much astonished at the construction which was put upon his words, and said, "that he meant nothing by them, but that the widow had befriended him in a lease, and was very kind to his younger sister." The jury finding him a little weak in his understanding, without going out of the court, brought in their verdict ignoramus. Ursula Goodenough was accused by the lady Betty Wou'dbe, for having said, that she, the lady Betty Wou'dbe, was painted. The prisoner brought several persons of good credit to witness to her reputation, and proved by undeniable evidences, that she was never at the place where the words were said to have been uttered. The Censor, observing the behaviour of the prosecutor, found reason to believe, that she had indicted the prisoner for no other reason but to make her complexion be taken notice of, which indeed was very fresh and beautiful: he there. fore, asked the offender with a very stern voice, how she could presume to spread so groundless a report? and whether she saw any colours in the lady Wou'dbe's face that could procure credit to such a falsehood? Do you see," says he, any lilies or roses in her cheeks, any bloom, any probability ?" The prosecutor, not able to bear such language any longer, told him, that he talked like a blind old fool, and that she was ashamed to have entertained any opinion of his wisdom :" but she was put to silence, and sentenced "to wear her mask for five months, and not to presume to shew her face until the town should be empty." |