The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 489, May 14, 1831

THE GATHERER

 
A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.
 

SHAKSPEARE.

SHIP LAUNCH

In a few months a new ship will be launched, called the Reform. Admiral, William the Fourth—Chief Mate, Grey—Pilot, Brougham—Purser, Russell—Crew, the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Bound to Palace Yard, Westminster; freight uncommonly cheap, with good stowage.

N.B. For further particulars inquire of Bob Oldborough, at the sign of the Tumble down Dick, Borough, Southwark.

P.T.W

Gold coins (ix James I.) were raised by proclamation, 2s. in every 20s.

Groat.—In the Saxon time, we had no silver money bigger than a penny, nor after the conquest, till Edward III. who about the year 1351, coined grosses (i.e. groats, or great pieces) which went for 4d. a-piece; and so the matter stood till the reign of Henry VII. who in 1504 first coined shillings.

G.K

TWO THOUSAND POUNDS REFUSED BY A BURGESS FOR HIS VOTE

Oldfield, in his History of Boroughs, says, "On the death of the late Lord Holmes, a very powerful attempt was made by Sir William Oglander and some other neighbouring gentlemen, to deprive his lordship's nephew and successor, the Rev. Mr. Troughear Holmes, of his influence over the Corporation of Newport, Isle of Wight. The number of that body was at that time twenty-three, there being one vacancy amongst the aldermen, occasioned by the recent death of Lord Holmes. Eleven of them continued firm to the interest of the nephew, and the same number was equally eager to transfer that interest to Sir William Oglander and the Worsley family. A Mr. Taylor of this town, one of the burgesses, withheld his declaration, and as his vote would decide the balance of future influence, it was imagined that he only suspended it for the purpose of private advantage. Agreeably to that idea, he was eagerly sought by the agents of each party. The first who applied is said to have made him an offer of 2.000l. Mr. Taylor had actually made up his mind to have voted with his party, but the moment his integrity and independence were attacked, he reversed his determination, and resolved to give his suffrage on the opposite side. That party, however, like their opponents, being ignorant of the favour designed them, and of the accident to which they owed it, assailed him with a more advantageous offer. He informed them that he had but just formed the resolution, in consequence of a similar insult from their adversaries, of giving them his support, but since he had discovered that they were both aiming at power by the same means, he was determined to vote for neither of them; and to put himself out of the power of further temptation, he resolved to resign his gown as a burgess of the corporation; which he accordingly did the next day."

P.T.W

CARDINAL WOLSEY

Limington, one mile east from Ilchester, in Somersetshire, is noted on account of a school having been kept there by the great Cardinal Wolsey in the early part of his life, who whilst in this situation was, for a misdemeanour, put into the stocks by Sir Amias Pawlett. This indignity was never forgiven by the haughty prelate, who, when in power, made Sir Amias feel the weight of his resentment, by making him dance attendance at the court for many years, whilst soliciting a favour.

C.D

On an unsuccessful Oculist, who became a Tallow Chandler

 
So many of the human kind,
Under his hands became stone blind,
That for such failings to atone,
At length he let the trade alone;
And ever after in despite
Of darkness, liv'd by giving, light;
But Death who has exciseman's power
To enter houses every hour,
Thinking his light grew rather sallow,
Snuffed out his wick, and seized his tallow.
 

I.H

TO CORRESPONDENTS

We are again compelled to remind our Correspondents that by the multiplicity of their well-intended communications, we are unable to answer them individually otherwise than by the insertion of their papers. We receive upwards of 150 letters during the month, and were we to promise replies to all of them, our Editorial duties would he heavy indeed, especially as the correspondence is but one of the many features of the Mirror.