The Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, King of the Beggars: Containing his Life, a Dictionary of the Cant Language, and many Entertaining Particulars of that Extraordinary ManUnknown
General
The Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, King of the Beggars: Containing his Life, a Dictionary of the Cant Language, and many Entertaining Particulars of that Extraordinary Man
It was some time before the bellman had the courage to resume his usual
nightly rounds through the church-yard; but after a while, his fear
abating, he ventured upon it again, and met with no interruption. Mr.
Carew happening about a year afterwards to be in Southmolton again, was
afresh insulted by the bellman, which made him resolve to give him a
second meeting in the church-yard; taking therefore the opportunity of a
very dark night, he dressed himself in a black gown, put a great fur cap
upon his head, and at the usual time of the bellman coming, repaired to
the church-yard, holding in his mouth, by the middle, a stick lighted at
both ends, at the same time rattling a heavy iron chain. If the
bellman’s terror before was great, it was now much greater; and indeed
the appearance, joined to the rattling of the chain, was so hideous, that
the boldest soldier might have been terrified by it, without any
imputation of cowardice. The bellman fled away with all the wings of
fear, the spectre following him at a distance, rattling the chain with a
most hideous noise; hence the bellman concluded himself to be haunted by
the devil, and declined ever after his nocturnal employment.
About this time Mr. Carew met with one Mr. Philips, a celebrated limner
in Porlock, who showed him a great many pictures of different likenesses,
and asked him if he knew any of them. He pointed out his old
school-fellow, Edward Dyke, Esq., and Sir Thomas Carew. Mr. Philips then
asked him if he would sit for his picture, as he had been desired to draw
it for Mr. Copplestone Bampfylde; which our hero agreeing to, he went the
next day, and the following, to sit for the picture, undisguised. When
it was finished, Mr. Philips desired him to come again another time in
his mumping dress, which he accordingly promised to do.
After this he went to Minehead, and called on several of his old
acquaintance, viz. Dr. Bell, Parson Beer, and the Collector, who all
treated him very kindly. Having raised contributions from these
gentlemen, he repaired to his quarters, and desired them to lend him a
pair of trowsers. Having a mind to try some of the neighbouring country
parishes, he pretended to be a cast-away seaman, 3500 miles from home,
and picked up a great deal of money, and seven or eight pounds of bacon,
which he brought to his quarters, and gave as a recompense for the loan
of the trowsers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account