Pennant, writing at the end of the last century, gives us his personal reminiscences of Fleet Parsons ("Some Account of London," 3rd ed., 1793, p. 232), "In walking along the street, in my youth, on the side next to the prison, I have often been tempted by the question, _Sir, will you be pleased to walk in and be married?_ Along this most lawless space was hung up the frequent sign of a male and female hand conjoined, with, _Marriages performed within_, written beneath. A dirty fellow invited you in. The parson was seen walking before his shop; a squalid profligate figure, clad in a tattered plaid night gown, with a fiery face, and ready to couple you for a dram of gin, or roll of tobacco." Burn gives a list of Fleet Parsons, first of whom comes John Gaynam, who married from about 1709 to 1740. He rejoiced in a peculiar soubriquet, as will be seen by the following. In the trial of Ruth Woodward for bigamy, in 1737, he is alluded to by a witness:-- "_John Hall._ I saw her married at the Fleet to Robert Holmes; 'twas at the Hand and Pen, a barber's shop. "_Counsel._ And is it not a wedding shop too? "_Hall._ Yes, I don't know the parson's name, but 'twas a man that once belonged to Creed Church, a very, lusty, jolly man. "_Counsel._ Because there's a complaint lodged in a proper court, against a Fleet Parson, whom they call The Bishop of Hell." Some verses, however, absolutely settle the title upon Gaynam. "THE FLEET PARSON A Tale, BY ANTI MATRIM.... OF LONDON. Some errant Wags, as stories tell, Assert the gloomy prince of Hell In th' infernal Region has His Officers of all degrees, Whose business is to propagate On Earth, the interests of his State, Ecclesiastics too are thought To be subservient to him brought; And, as their zeal his service prize, He never fails to make them rise As Dignitaries in his Church, But often leaves them in the lurch; For, if their Fear surmount their Zeal, (They) quickly his resentment feel; (Are) sure to meet with dire disgrace, (And) warmer Zealots fill their place. (To) make these Vacancies repleat, He borrows P----ns from the Fleet, Long has old G----m with applause Obeyed his Master's cursed Laws, Readily practis'd every Vice, And equall'd e'en the Devil for device. His faithful Services such favour gain'd That he, first B----p was of H--l ordain'd. Dan. W----e (rose) next in Degree, And he obtained the Deanery. Ned Ash----ll then came into grace, And he supplied th' Archdeacon's place, But, as the Devil when his ends Are served, he leaves his truest friends; So fared it with this wretched three, Who lost their Lives and Dignity." There is mention of Gaynam in two trials for bigamy--first in chronological order coming that of Robert Hussey.