[129] Many of the immediate successors of Brandon above-mentioned were called Gregory. [130] ‘Natural History of Oxfordshire,’ cap. 8. [131] See _ante_, chap. i. [132] The most ingenious and painstaking attempt of this kind was that made by some Thugs awaiting sentence in India, who sawed through the bars of their prison with packthread smeared with oil and coated with fine stone-dust. [133] In the proclamation for his apprehension after his second escape, he is described as about twenty-two years of age, five feet four inches in height, very slender, of a pale complexion, having an impediment or hesitation in his speech, and wearing a butcher’s blue frock with a great-coat over it; a carpenter or house-joiner by trade. Twenty guineas reward was offered to any who might discover or apprehend him. [134] I have followed the text of Ainsworth’s novel, which gives a clear and picturesque account. It is also accurate, and based on the best accounts extant. [135] I am quoting now from the ‘Tyburn Calendar,’ the wording of which is preserved in all other accounts. [136] The following stanzas were written at the time, and appeared in the ‘British Journal’ of Nov. 28, 1724:-- “Thornhill, ’tis thine to gild with fame The obscure and raise the humble name; To make the form elude the grave, And Sheppard from oblivion save. Tho’ life in vain the wretch implores, An exile on the farthest shores, Thy pencil brings a kind reprieve, And bids the dying robber live. * * * * * Apelles Alexander drew, Cæsar is to Aurelius due, Cromwell in Lilly’s works doth shine, And Sheppard, Thornhill, lives in thine.” [137] See _ante_, p. 268. [138] See _ante_, p. 254. [139] Ordinary’s account of executions, Nov. 1736. [140] See _ante_, p. 273. [141] Luttrell, iii. 1695. [142] _Ibid._ [143] I have described this in detail in the next chapter. [144] ‘Life of Lord Hardwicke,’ i. 215. [145] ‘An inquiry into the causes of the late increase of robbers,’ &c. London: 1751. [146] Fielding, ‘Robbers,’ p. 35. [147] Soldiers in the Guards, after long and faithful service, were granted leave of absence from military duty in order to take civil situations which did not monopolize all their time. By this means they eked out their scanty pay. [148] ‘A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis,’ by P. Colquhoun, LL.D. London, 1800. [149] Fielding, p. xxviii. [150] _Ibid._, p. xxix. [151] Savage was tried before Sir Francis Page, commonly known as “the hanging judge,” and whose severity was most notorious. He afterwards admitted that he had been most anxious to hang Savage. In his old age when his health was inquired after, he is reported to have replied, “I keep hanging on, hanging on.”