The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard Part 2

His Fetters are not to be found any where about the Jayl, from whence 'tis concluded he has either thrown them down some Chimney, or carried them off on his Legs, the latter seems to be Impracticable, and would still render his Escaping in such Manner the more astonis.h.i.+ng; and the only Answer that is given to the whole, at _Newgate_ is, _That the_ Devil _came in Person and a.s.sisted him_.

He undoubtedly perform'd most of these Wonders in the darkest part of the Night, and without the least Glimpse of a Candle; a word, he has actually done with his own Hands in a few Hours, what several of the most skilful Artists allow, could not have been acted by a number of Persons furnish'd with proper Implements, and all other Advantages in a full Day.

Never was there anything better Tim'd, the Keepers and all their a.s.sistants being obliged to a strict Attendance on the Sessions at the _Old Bailey_, which held for about a Week; and _Blewskin_ having confin'd _Jonathan Wild_ to his Chamber, a more favourable opportunity could not have presented for Mr. _Sheppard's_ Purposes.

The Jaylors suffer'd much by the Opinion the ignorant Part of the People entertain'd of the Matter, and nothing would satisfie some, but that they not only Conniv'd at, but even a.s.sisted him in breaking their own Walls and Fences, and that for this Reason too, _viz._ That he should be at Liberty to instruct and train up others in his Method of House-Breaking; and replenish the Town with a new set of Rogues, to supply the Places of those Transported beyond Sea.

This is indeed a fine way of Judging, the well-known Characters of Mr.

_Pitt_, and his Deputies, are sufficient to wipe of such ridiculous Imputations; and 'tis a most lamentable Truth, that they have often-times had in their Charge Villains of the deepest Die; Persons of Quality and great Worth, for whom no Entreaties, no Sums how large soever have been able to interfere between the doleful Prison, and the fatal Tree.

The Officers have done their Duty, they are but Men, and have had to deal with a Creature something more than Man, a _Protoeus_, Supernatural, Words cannot describe him, his Actions and Workmans.h.i.+p which are too visible, best testifie him.

On _Sat.u.r.day_ the 17th, _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskin_, came upon his Tryal at the _Old Bailey_: _Field_ gave the same Evidence against him, as he had formerly done against _Sheppard_; and the Prisoner making but a triffling Defence, the Jury found him Guilty of Buglary and Felony.

The Criminal when the Verdict was brought in, made his Obeysances to the Court, _and thank'd them for their Kindness_.

It will be necessary that we now return to the Behaviour of Mr.

_Sheppard_, some few Days before his last Flight.

Mr. _Figg_ the famous Prize Fighter comeing to see him, in _NEWGATE_, there past some pleasant Raillery between them; and after Mr. _Figg_ was gone, _Sheppard_ declared he had a Mind to send him a formal Challenge to Fight him at all the Weapons in the strong Room; and that let the Consequence be what it would, he should call at Mr. _Figg's_ House in his way to Execution, and drink a merry Gla.s.s with him by way of Reconciliation.

A young Woman an Acquaintance of his Mother, who wash'd his Linnen and brought him Necessaries, having in an Affray, got her Eyes beaten Black and Blue; says _Sheppard_ to her, _How long hast thou been Married_?

Replyes the Wench. _I wonder you can ask me such a Question, when you so well know the Contrary_: Nay, says _Sheppard_ again, Sarah _don't deny it, for you have gotten your Certificate in your Face_.

Mr. _Ireton_ a Bailiff in _Drury-Lane_ having pursued _Sheppard_ after his Escape from the Condemn'd-Hold with uncommon Diligence; (for the safety of that Neighbourhood which was the chief Scene of his Villainies) _Sheppard_ when Re-taken, declared, he would be even with him for it, and if ever he procur'd his Liberty again, _he would give all his Prisoners an_ ACT OF GRACE. A Gentleman in a jocose way ask'd him to come and take a Dinner with him, _Sheppard_ reply'd, _he accepted of the Invitation, and perhaps might take an opportunity to wait on him_; and there is great Reason to believe he has been as good as his Word.

He would complain of his Nights, as saying, _It was dark with him from Five in the Evening, till Seven in the Morning_; and being not permitted to have either a Bed or Candle, his Circ.u.mstances were dismal; and that he never slept but had some confus'd Doses, he said he consider'd all this with the Temper of a Philosopher.

Neither his sad Circ.u.mstances, nor the solemn Exhortations of the several Divines who visited him, were able to divert him from this ludicrous way of Expression; he said, _They were all Ginger-bread Fellows_, and came rather out of Curiosity, than Charity; and to form _Papers_ and _Ballads_ out of his Behaviour.

A _Welch_ Clergyman who came pretty often, requested him in a particularly Manner to refrain Drinking; (tho' indeed there was no necessity for that Caution) _Sheppard_ says, Doctor, _You set an Example and I'll follow_; this was a smart Satyr and Repartee upon the _Parson_, some Circ.u.mstances consider'd.

When he was visited in the _Castle_ by the Reverend Mr. _Wagstaff_, he put on the Face only of a Preparation for his End, as appear'd by his frequent Attempts made upon his Escape, and when he has been press'd to Discover those who put him upon Means of Escaping, and furnish'd him with Implements, he would pa.s.sionately, and with a Motion of striking, say, _ask me no such Questions, one File's worth all the Bibles in the World_.

When ask'd if he had not put off all Thoughts of an Escape and Entertain'd none but those of Death, would Answer by way of Question, not directly, whether they thought it possible, or probable for him to Effect his Release, when Manackled in the manner he was. When mov'd to improve the few Minutes that seem'd to remain of his Life; he did indeed listen to, but not regard the Design and Purport of his Admonition, breaking in with something New of his own, either with respect to his former Accomplices, or Actions, and all too with Pleasure and Gayety of Expression.

When in _Chapel_, he would seemingly make his Responses with Devotion; but would either Laugh, or force Expressions (when as an Auditor of the Sermon) be of Contempt, either of the Preacher, or of his Discourse.

In fine, he behav'd so, in Word, and Action, (since retaken) that demonstrated to the World, that his Escape was the utmost Employ of his Thoughts, whatever Face of Penitence he put on when visited by the Curious.

An Account of SHEPPARD'S Adventures of five Hours immediately after his Escape from _Newgate_, in a Letter to his Friend.

DEAR FRIEND!

Over a Bottle of _Claret_ you'll give me leave to _declare it_, that I've fairly put the _Vowels_ upon the good Folks at _Newgate, i.o.u._ When I'm able, I may, or may not discharge my _Fees_, 'tis a _Fee-simple_, for a Man in my Condition to acknowledge; and tho' I'm safe out of _Newgate_, I must yet have, or at least, affect, a _New Gate_ by Limping, or Turning my Toes in by making a right _Hand_ of my _Feet_. Not _to be long_, for I hate _Prolixity_ in all Business: _In short_, after _Filing, Defileing, Sawing_, when no Body _Saw_.

_Climbing_ (this _Clime in_) it prov'd a good _Turner_ of my Affairs, thro' the House of a _Turner_. Being quite past, and safe from _Estreat_ on Person or Chattels, and safe in the _Street_, I thought Thanks due to him who cou'd _Deliver hence_; and immediately (for you must know I'm a _Catholick_) to give Thanks for my Deliverance, I stept amongst the _Grey-Fryers_ to come an joyn with me, in saying a _Pater-Noster_, or so, at _Amen-Corner_. The _Fryers_ being _Fat_ began to _Broil_, and soon after _Boild up_ into a Pa.s.sion to be disturb'd at that time of Night. But being got _Loose_ and having no Time to _Lose_, I gave them good Words, and so the Business was done. From thence I soon slip'd through _Ludgate_, but was d.a.m.nably fearful of an _Old Bailey_ always lurking thereabout, who might have brought me to the _Fleet_ for being too _Nimble_, besides, I was wonderfully apprehensive of receiving some unwelcome _Huggings_ from the _W....n_ there; therefore with a step and a stride I soon got over _Fleet-ditch_, and (as in Justice I ought) I prais'd the _Bridge_ I got over. Being a _Batchelor_, and not being capable to to manage a Bridewell you know. I had no Business near _St. Brides_, so kept the right handside, designing to _Pop_ into the _Alley_ as usual; but fearing to go thro'

there, and _harp_ too much on the same _String_, it gave an _Allay_ to my Intention, and on I went to _Shoe-lane_ end but there meeting with a _Bully Hack_ of the Town, he wou'd have shov'd me down, which my Spirit resenting, tho' a _brawny Dog_, I soon _Coller'd_ him, fell Souse at him, then with his own Cane I _strapped_ till he was force to _Buckle_ too, and hold his _Tongue_, in so much he durst not say his _Soul_ was his own, and was glad to pack of at _Last_, and turn his _Heels_ upon me: I was glad he was gone you may be sure, and _dextrously_ made a _Hand_ of my _Feet_ under the _Leg-Tavern_; but the very Thoughts of _Fetter-Lane_ call'd to mind some Pa.s.sages, which made me avoid the _Pa.s.sage_ at the end of it, (next to the Coffee House you know) so I soon whip'd over the way, yet going along two wooden _Logger-heads_ at _St. Dunstan's_ made just them a d.a.m.n'd Noise about their _Quarters_, but the sight of me made perfectly _Hush_ in a _Minute_; now fearing to goe by _Chance-a wry-Lane_, as being upon the _Watch_ my self and not to be _debarr'd_ at _Temple-Bar_; I stole up _Bell-Yard_, but narrowly escap'd being _Clapper-claw'd_ by two Fellows I did not like in the Alley, so was forc'd to goe round with a design to _Sheer-off_ into _Sheer-Lane_, but the _Trumpet_ sounding at that very time, alarm'd me so, I was forc'd to Grope my way back through _Hemlock-Court_, and take my _Pa.s.sage_ by _s.h.i.+p-Yard_ without the Bar again; but there meeting with one of our trusty Friends, (all Ceremonies a-part) he told me under the _Rose_ I must expect no _Mercy_ in _St. Clement's_ Parish, for the _Butchers_ there on the _Back_ on't would _Face_ me, and with their _Cleavers_ soon bring me down on my _marrow_ Bones; you may believe I soon hastened thence, but by this time being Fainty and night Spent, I put forward, and seeing a _Light_ near the _Savoy-Gate_, I was resolv'd not to make _Light_ of the Opportunity, but call'd for an hearty Dram of _Luther_ and _Calvin_, that is, _Mum_ and _Geneva_ mix'd; but having Fasted so long before, it soon got into my Noddle, and e'er I had gone twenty steps, it had so intirely _Stranded_ my Reason, that by the time I came to _Half-Moon-Street_ end, it gave a _New-Exchange_ to my Senses, and made me quite _Lunatick_.

However, after a little Rest, I stole down _George-Pa.s.sage_ into _Oaf-Alley_ in _York-Buildings_, and thence (tho' a vile Man) into _Villiers-Street_, and so into the _Strand_ again, where having gone a little way, _Hefford's-Harp_ at the Sign of the _Irish-Harp_, put me a _Jumping and Dancing_ to that degree that I could not forbear making a _Somerset_ or two before _Northumberland-House_. I thought once of taking the _Windsor_ Coach for my self _John Sheppard_, by the Name of _Crook_---- but fearing to be _Hook'd_ in before my Journey's End, I stept into _Hedge-Lane_, where two Harlots were up in the _Boughs_ (it seems) _Branching_ out their Respects to one another, through their Windows, and People beginning to gather thereabout, I ran _Pelmel_ to _Piccadilly_, where meeting by meer chance a _Bakers_ Cart going to _Turnham-Green_, I being not _Mealy Mouth'd_, nor the Man being _Crusty_ I _wheel'd_ out of Town.

I did call at _Hammersmith_, having no occasion directly. I shall stay two or three Days in that Neighbourhood, so, if you Direct a letter for Mr. Sligh Bolt, to be left with Mrs.

_Tabitha Skymmington_ at _Cheesewick_, it's Safety will _Bear Water_ by any _Boat_, and come _Current_ with the Tyde to

Dear BOB Yours from the Top of _Newgate_ to the Bottom

J. _SHEPPARD_.

_P.S._ If you see _Blewskin_, tell him I am well, and hope he receiv'd my last--I wou'd write by the _Post_ if I durst, but it wou'd be, certainly _Post-pon'd_ if I did, and it would be _stranger_ too, to trust a Line by a _Stranger_, who might _Palm_ upon us both and never Deliver it to _Hand_.

I send this by a _Waterman_, (I dare trust) who is very Merry upon me, and says he wou'd not be in my _Jacket_. _Sat.u.r.day Octob._ 17, 1724.

We shall conclude with what had been often observ'd by many Persons to _Sheppard_; _viz._ That it was very Imprudent in him to take Shelter in the City, or the adjacent Parts of it, after his Escape from the Condemn'd Hold; and withal to commit a _Capital Offence_, almost within Sight of _Newgate_, when his Life and all was in such Danger. His Reply was general, _viz._ That it was his Fate: But being ask'd a particular Reason for his not taking a longer Rout than the City, and the Neighbouring parts: pleaded Poverty as his Excuse for Confinement within those Limits; at the same time urging, that had he been Master at that time of five Pounds, _England_ should not have been the Place of his Residence, having a good Trade in his Hands to live in any populated Part of the World.