In the advertisement sheets of these sessions’ papers are notices of other criminal publications proving how great was the demand for this kind of literature. Thus in 1731 is announced ‘The History of Executions: being a complete account of the thirteen malefactors executed at Tyburn for robberies, price 4_d._,’ and this publication is continued from year to year. In 1732 “T. Applebee and others” published at 3_s._ 6_d._ the ‘Lives of the most Remarkable Criminals,’ a volume containing as a frontispiece the escape of Jack Sheppard from Newgate. In the description of this book the public is assured that the volume contains a first and faithful narration of each, “without any additions of feigned or romantic adventures, calculated merely to entertain the curiosity of the Reader.” Jack Sheppard had many biographers. Seven accurate and authentic histories were published, all purporting to give the true story of his surprising adventures, and bequeathing a valuable legacy to the then unborn historical novelist, Mr. Harrison Ainsworth. Again, Rich, the Manager of the Lincoln’s Inn Theatre, brought out ‘Harlequin Jack Sheppard’ in the year of that desperado’s execution, an operatic pantomime founded upon his exploits. A little before this another dramatic performance, the ‘Beggars Opera,’ having a criminal for its hero, had taken the town by storm; and many strongly and with reason condemned the degradation of national taste which could popularize the loves of ‘Polly Peachum’ and ‘Captain Macheath.’ Besides these books and plays there was a constant publication of broad-sheets and chap-books of a still lower type, intended to pander to the same unwholesome taste, while a great novelist like Fielding did not hesitate to draw upon his personal acquaintance with crime, obtained as a police magistrate, and write the life of Jonathan Wild.