Tales and Legends of the English LakesArmistead, Wilson
General
Tales and Legends of the English Lakes
Armistead, Wilson
Folklore -- England -- Lake District; Legends -- England -- Lake District; Tales -- England -- Lake District
On the day previous to his marriage, Hatfield wrote to Mr. Mansfield,
informing him, that he was under the necessity of being absent for ten
days on a journey into Scotland, and sent him a draft for thirty pounds,
drawn on Mr. Crumpt, of Liverpool, desired him to cash it, and pay some
small debts in Keswick with it, and send him over the balance, as he
feared he might be short of cash on the road. This Mr. Mansfield
immediately did, and sent him ten guineas in addition to the balance. On
the Saturday, Wood, the landlord of the Queen's Head, returned from
Lorton with the public intelligence, that Colonel Hope had married the
Beauty of Buttermere. As it was clear, whoever he was, that he had acted
unworthily and dishonourably, Mr. Mansfield's suspicions were of course
awakened. He instantly remitted the draft to Mr. Crumpt, who immediately
accepted it. Mr. Mansfield wrote to the Earl of Hopetoun. Before the
answer arrived, the pretended honourable returned with his wife to
Buttermere. He went only as far as Longtown, when he received two
letters, seemed much troubled that some friends whom he had expected had
not arrived there, stayed three days, and then told his wife that he
would again go back to Buttermere.
From this she was seized with fears and suspicions. They returned,
however, and their return was made known at Keswick. The late Mr.
Harding, the barrister, and a Welsh judge, passing through Keswick,
heard of this impostor, and sent his servant over to Buttermere with a
note to the supposed Colonel Hope, who observed, "that it was a
mistake, and that it was for a brother of his." However, he sent for
four horses, and came over to Keswick; drew another draft on Mr. Crumpt
for twenty pounds, which the landlord at the Queen's Head had the
courage to cash. Of this sum he immediately sent the ten guineas to Mr.
Mansfield, who came and introduced him to the judge, as his old friend
Colonel Hope. But he made a blank denial that he had ever assumed the
name. He had said his name was Hope, but not that he was the honourable
member for Linlithgow, &c., &c.; and one who had been his frequent
intimate at Buttermere gave evidence to the same purpose.
In spite, however, of his impudent assertions, and those of his
associate, the evidence against him was decisive. A warrant was given by
Sir Frederick Vane on the clear proof of his having forged and received
several franks as the member for Linlithgow; and he was committed to the
care of a constable, but allowed to fish on the lake. Having, however,
found means to escape, he took refuge for a few days on board a sloop
off Ravenglass, and then went in the coach to Ulverston, and was
afterwards seen at a hotel in Chester. In the meantime the following
advertisement, setting forth his person and manners, was in the public
prints:--
"Notorious Impostor, Swindler, and Felon!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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