Newgate Narratives Vol 3 | Gary Kelly | Taylor & Francis eBooks, Refer

ABSTRACT

Presents a representative body of Romantic and early Victorian crime literature. This work contains ephemeral material ranging from gallows broadsides to reports into prison conditions. It is suitable for those studying Literature, Romantic and Victorian popular culture, Dickens Studies and the History of Criminology.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

part 1|140 pages

History of George Godfrey.

chapter 1|6 pages

George Godfrey. My Father dies – My Mother is much distressed on account of his loss – I display some very amiable qualities – My Mother consults my Father’s relations on a new offer of marriage – They give their advice, and she acts as might be expected – My Mother goes to a new Residence, and I get something for myself.

chapter 2|5 pages

I fortunately escape all danger of being spoiled by undue kindness – My Mother’s tender recollections of my Father. – Mr. Mason eulogizes himself, is severe upon my Mother, and wanting in politeness to me – Summary of my accomplishments – I am provided with a situation which promises me a splendid independence.

chapter 3|9 pages

I leave my Employer – My Uncle greatly exerts himself to get me a new Situation – Kind attention from eminent Men – My patriotism gains me a Friend – I romp with my Father-in-law’s Maid-servant – Give a Smack and receive a Slap – Assault and battery – I form a very grand Resolution.

chapter 4|10 pages

My friend wants discernment to perceive my talents – I am offered a new engagement – Mr. Haversham’s guilt proved to my entire satisfaction – I meet with an adventure – Am insulted and knocked down, and taken to the watchhouse for the same – I make my appearance at a police office, am proved to be poor and friendless, and condemned accordingly.

chapter 5|7 pages

I am bailed, and, in consequence of the late proceedings, get into a new suit – My Mother, and Mr. Mason, give me a very warm reception, and predict some important changes in my situation – My examination is published – Exact description of my dress, manner, and language, by a professional historian – I deport myself with great modesty, notwithstanding my celebrity.

chapter 6|6 pages

I attend a Sale, hear some very witty things, and see some vastly fine company, with whom I afterwards dine – An unfortunate Joker – Mr. Alderton proves himself a man of wit, and perceives me to be a youth of great discernment.

chapter 7|7 pages

I rapidly improve – Am lectured for my dissipated habits by my Mother, and still more severely by Mr. Mason, whose eloquence experiences a very unfortunate interruption – My Mother advises me not to marry, and in consequence I begin to think of matrimony.

chapter 8|7 pages

I am introduced to one of my father’s old friends, who offers to make my fortune – He forcibly appeals to my judgment – Specimens of my conscientiousness, and amiable sensibility.

chapter 9|8 pages

I determine to be honest – I furnish some specimens of elegant writing and interesting conversation – I proceed to the late abode of the supposed murderer – I venture on a grand display of my talents, and get laughed at accordingly – A romantic night expedition, undertaken in order to get a sight of a murderer in his den. 117

chapter 10|8 pages

We approach the Priory – Symptoms of a troubled conscience pointed out by Skim, in the strange doings of a supposed murderer – I and my companion get into the Priory grounds – Are much astonished and alarmed at what we see – A tremendous mishap occurs, which leads to very alarming consequences.

chapter 11|7 pages

We enter the Priory – The murderer, and his den – Mr. Haversham gives us a lecture, which we might have expected, and something else for which we had no right to look – We are restored to liberty, and regain our courage.

chapter 12|7 pages

Preparations for the sale – An auctioneer and his customers – My improvements in the house produce an awful catastrophe – Glorious news and dismal consequences – A mystery explained.

chapter 13|7 pages

I am sent to the Stock Exchange – The Jobbers pay me extraordinary attention, and insist on my staying where I had no right to intrude – I meet with good fortune, and make some respectable friends.

chapter 14|10 pages

I become a monied man, learn to despise poverty and display considerable talent for waggery – Am introduced to a great man – He gives me his advice for nothing, and I pay for it – I act the lover – Am again fortunate, and very much esteemed in consequence – I find my father’s friend, a treacherous enemy – Am quite ruined, but have recourse to new schemes for getting up in the world.

chapter 15|6 pages

We get an office, for which the landlady gets no rent – Several Members of Parliament join us – An alarming accident occurs, which, however, is not attended with fatal consequences – The M.P.’s prove very clever in matters of finance.

chapter 16|6 pages

The Shares come out, and greatly enrich me and Skim – A new speculation resolved upon, in consequence of which I proceed to Greece – Cockney criticisms on a classic feast – I stumble on Mr. Haversham’s trial.

chapter 17|6 pages

I read Mr. Haversham’s trial, and approve of the result of it – An awkward accident occurs – I meet very unexpectedly with an Englishman, to whom I try to recommend myself by my eloquence, but experience a miserable disappointment.

chapter 18|6 pages

We continue our Journey and overtake Mr. Haversham. – His kindness and cruelty. – We reach Napoli di Romania; and are surprised and disgusted at the strange scenes we witness there.

chapter 19|6 pages

I visit Hydra – Am pleased with the place and inhabitants – Mr. Haversham rejoins me – We witness a scene of deplorable barbarity – I in one instance oppose the perpetration of murder, and am requited by the applause and gratitude of Mr. Haversham.

part 2|116 pages

History of George Godfrey.

chapter 20|4 pages

George Godfrey. I am recalled, and accordingly return to England – Meet with some old friends immediately after my arrival, and feel that I had acted foolishly, in being slow to lend money where there was no chance of payment.

chapter 21|5 pages

A change in the aspect of politics – Classical sympathy below par – Affecting appeal to humanity, and awful threat in consequence of its being unattended to – Public spirit paid for – I seek to obtain a situation under government, but have no hopes of success through my persevering loyalty.

chapter 22|6 pages

I am kindly received by my mother and Mr. Mason – My mother complains of my father-in-law as being false, and proves herself, a true wife – My circumstances being reduced, a respectable practitioner, recommends to my adoption some of the usual modes of getting forward in the world.

chapter 23|9 pages

I become an auctioneer, and am ruined by law, to prove the crown can do no wrong – I resolve upon going to South America, but am prevented by a dismal accident, which leads to important consequences.

chapter 24|6 pages

I find Mr. Haversham a most indulgent friend – His opinion of human nature – He recounts part of the story of his life.

chapter 25|6 pages

Mr. Haversham continues his narrative.

chapter 26|5 pages

I feel surprise that Mr. Haversham does not publicly vindicate his character – He cautions me against love – I pay little attention to his advice – He makes me a very generous offer which I refuse to profit by.

chapter 27|6 pages

I become alarmed, and unreasonably jealous – Mysterious circumstances occur, which inflame my mind more than ever – My doubts are removed, but return in greater force – I ascertain, beyond all question, that a female has been privately brought into the Priory.

chapter 28|6 pages

I overhear Mr. Haversham speak disparagingly of young men – Am convinced that he has brought home a mistress – My attempts to get a sight of the lady are foiled – I suspect great depravity on the part of Mr. Haversham, and make a discovery which convinces me that I had not wronged him.

chapter 29|7 pages

I set off for London, but fleeced by an innkeeper on the road, want cash to enable me to finish my journey – A remarkable piece of good fortune, causes me to witness a very extraordinary outrage.

chapter 30|5 pages

I pursue the robbers, and get apprehended myself, as one of them – Strong circumstances appear against me, and I am committed to Newgate, where I become an object of great contempt – Mr. Scampo defends me, and the result is what might be expected.

chapter 31|7 pages

I am confined in the condemned cells, and am visited by my mother and Mr. Mason – The popular quacks of the day beset me, and proffer great kindness in furtherance of their own views.

chapter 32|6 pages

An unexpected visitor comes to the prison, who makes a communication to me, which astonishes me exceedingly – I am charged to prepare for the worst, but become more agitated, and less collected than ever.

chapter 33|6 pages

Failure of Mr. Haversham’s exertions – A reprobate becomes pious – Despondency succeeds to bravado – I, and my companion look for important news, and receive it.

chapter 34|8 pages

I learn that I have a remarkably good head, but soon find that it is not likely to save my neck – Fatal intelligence arrives in consequence of which I receive some additional proofs of the kind consideration of my relations.

chapter 35|5 pages

I take leave of my mother and Mr. Mason – Adela visits me, and a most surprising disclosure is made by her and Mr. Haversham – I feel very great objections to being hanged.

chapter 36|9 pages

Explanations of some parts of Mr. Haversham’s former conduct – Facts discovered which change his opinion of an individual, his views altogether, and, indirectly, prove the cause of my misfortune.

chapter 37|6 pages

The night before execution – Preparations for the last scene – Behaviour of myself and fellow prisoners on the fatal morning.

part 3|128 pages

History of George Godfrey.

chapter 38|7 pages

George Godfrey. I am reprieved at the last moment – A prison breakfast – Solemn admonitions, and Newgate pleasantries.

chapter 39|6 pages

Notwithstanding my late good fortune, I am very wretched – I leave the prison, sail for New South Wales, and reach my destination in safety – Am landed, and set to work with other convicts.

chapter 40|7 pages

I find myself extremely miserable, and am generally despised, but at length find a friend – Paternal anxiety displayed – I get relieved from labour, and begin to mix with New South Wales society.

chapter 41|7 pages

I again feel the influence of female attractions – Am claimed in a very extraordinary way by a lady – A ticket of leave is obtained for me – I find myself yoked to a sublimely romantic companion, and try to make the best of a bad bargain, but find that there is no making a silk purse of a sow’s ear.

chapter 42|6 pages

It is proposed to me to escape from the Colony, and my wife – I consent to do so – I receive a letter from England, which brings me important news – My wife attempts self-destruction, and I look on.

chapter 43|6 pages

I assist my wife, but do not get thanked for my kindness – I answer Adela’s letter, and leave Sydney, with the intention of escaping from the colony – Lean Iniquity introduces me to a new companion, and suggests to me a measure of monstrous economy, which I have the imprudence to reject.

chapter 44|7 pages

Our journey is continued – We join a party of Bush Rangers – A friend offers to take charge of my property – I meditate a new escape, but the person from whom I seek assistance, scornfully refuses it, in consequence of my having saved his life.

chapter 45|5 pages

I remain with the Bush Rangers, and despair of effecting my escape – We make an attempt at robbery, but are foiled – I believe myself to be an object of suspicion with my companions – We pass Hunter’s River, and enter the woods.

chapter 46|8 pages

I make up my mind to desert from the Bush Rangers, and carry my resolution into effect – I travel alone, but very unexpectedly find a companion, whom I treat with little ceremony, and take a considerable sum from his person.

chapter 47|6 pages

My suspicions induce me to adopt a harsh course of proceeding towards my companion – He objects to a proposed interference with the liberty of the subject, but gives up his opposition – We are much alarmed by the approach of supposed enemies.

chapter 48|5 pages

I ascertain who the parties are, by whom I had been disturbed, and receive information calculated to give me new alarm – We get extricated from our present difficulties, but I am threatened with future evil – Lean Iniquity, in consequence of the change in our circumstances, makes a proposition to me, which meets with but an ungrateful reception.

chapter 49|4 pages

The Bush Rangers re-cross Hunter’s River, lose their way, and experience much distress – Reduced to a state of starvation, they entertain a horrid proposition, which I oppose, but without success – My death is resolved upon.

chapter 50|5 pages

Rafferty proceeds to execute his threat – An unlooked-for interruption prevents its full completion – I am again left alone, but soon fall into other hands – My circumstances are suddenly changed – I am treated with great respect and kindness at Sydney, from which place, I again take my departure.

chapter 51|5 pages

I arrive in England – Am kindly received by my mother, who had become very fashionable in my absence – She teaches me how to be cheaply genteel, and economically liberal.

chapter 52|9 pages

I leave my mother, and am lectured by my uncle Peter – I set out for the Priory, and meet with an old friend, who gives me some important information respecting others whom I had known, and induces me to change my intentions with respect to Adela.

chapter 53|6 pages

I make my appearance at the Priory, and am kindly received by its inhabitants – Mr. Haversham questions me on certain points, which alarm me, but my fears are speedily removed – I am truly happy from having got rid of one wife, and being in expectation of getting another – My transports are suddenly interrupted, by a remarkably awkward accident.

chapter 54|7 pages

I escape from my wife, and become exceedingly candid with Mr. Haversham, on being satisfied that my want of candour had been found out – Adela is shocked at hearing that I am already married, but recovers sooner than I could expect – Mr. Haversham is still kind, and opposes my retreat – I make another strange discovery.

chapter 55|6 pages

I am much embarrassed through the conduct of my friend, but conceive hopes of essentially serving him – Mr. Chiswell attends for the purpose of witnessing the marriage of his son – Mr. Haversham gives up his opposition to the proposed match, and Adela, to my surprise, does the same.

chapter 56|10 pages

Mr. Haversham gives Lean Iniquity a solemn caution, to which he pays little attention – The marriage ceremony is interrupted, and Mr. Haversham becomes very unpolite – He affords Mr. Chiswell a great surprise, and afterwards does as much by me – Some extraordinary statements are made, which are followed by a perfectly common-place occurrence.