CHAPTER III.

OLD LEICESTER-WALLS, GATES, INNS-LORD'S HOUSE-TREES

IN THE STREETS.

1774. When the plague raged here in 1669, the high road from the north, which passed by the Abbey, was turned through Belgrave, and so on to Leicester, outside the walls, to avoid the pestilence-hence arose the suburbs of the Belgrave-gate, Church-gate, and Humberstone-gate. The principal inns near the High Cross were deserted, and the Three Crowns and Three Cranes, in Gallowtree-gate, became the chief resort for travellers. The town, within the walls, was at that time not more than a quarter of a mile square. The four gates were taken down in 1774. Over the east gate there was an upper story, which made the opening so low, that a loaded waggon could not pass under it. The Church-gate was the town ditch, full of mire, with a few houses standing on the eastern bank. The houses were all made of wood and plaster, not more than two storeys high. The varieties of roof and gables lunging upon one another, gave the old place a picturesque appearance. The chief street was Highcross-street, where stood the building of the Old Cross, which left scarcely room for a carriage to pass. In the High-street, was a mansion built of stone, belonging to the Huntingdon family, called the Lord's House, of which only one turret remains, now cased

ORNAMENTAL TREES.

11.

with brick, and the highest object in the street. A very enlivening feature were the trees scattered through the town. Opposite to the Borough gaol (which was made out of St. Peter's church) were the elm trees, two gigantic fellows, who stretched their arms completely across the street. In summer time they formed a pleasant shade, where many a pot of stout October regaled the idlers of that day. Near to King Richard's house, stood a remarkably tall holly. Its smooth silver stem, with bushy top, mounted greatly above the houses. Just below the Confrater's house, was a row of massive chestnut trees, hiding some wretched buildings. On this spot stand the white houses, built by our townsman, Johnson, who, I believe, visited Italy after he had become a London banker, and introduced the art of stuccoing-probably the first instance of its being used in England.

In the Market-place was the Pigeon Tree, under which country women sat to sell pigeons, a great article of food brought from the open corn fields that surrounded Leicester in all directions. Opposite the Post-office there was a grove of trees, under which stood the small thatched inn called the Jolly Miller. Between this and the coal-yard, at the corner of Rutlandstreet, was a horse pond, where the porters from the Crowns and the Cranes washed their horses. All these rural features have disappeared. As our manufactures and population have increased, the ground has become too valuable to allow these sylvan ornaments to remain.

CHAPTER IV.

ELECTION-PRETENDER-CORPORATION-POCHIN AND HUNGERFORD-RIOTS-MUSIC BURNT-W. EVANS, ESQ.-DUKE OF

WELLINGTON.

1775. In this year, the contested election of Pochin and Hungerford took place, which was carried on with unexampled violence and animosity. To explain this excess of party feeling, it is necessary to state, that such were the Jacobite principles of the Corporation, in 1745, that when the Pretender was at Derby, every bakehouse was put in requisition to cook victuals for the rebel army, expected in Leicester the very next day; thus avowing their hatred to the Hanoverian succession. The opponents were the Whig families of the county, who had mainly assisted to place the present family upon the throne. At the head of these, were Lord Stamford, the Duke of Rutland, Sir John Danvers, and many others. The Corporation, a self-elected body, possessed a powerful influence, and to counteract this, the Whigs made a common purse to support the election. My father being an active person, and a great friend to constitutional liberty, was entrusted with untold gold to bribe the voters, in the cause of Mr. Pochin, the Whig candidate. Scarcely a person could be found who did not enter into the contest with ungovernable warmth, and the females especially, who were, in their electioneering fervour, decked

out profusely in party-coloured silks and ribbons. The contest continued through several weeks, and, powerful as the country gentlemen were on the Liberal side, the Corporation triumphed, and Mr. Pochin lost his election.

Another scene of drunkenness and riot, was the contest of Parkyns and Montelieu, which lasted many weeks; and had not a compromise taken place, numbers would have lost their lives, and probably half the town would have been destroyed. The votes being nearly balanced, the madness of the parties increased, as the polling drew near to a close; and, to save the town from further tumult and disorder, it was agreed that each side should withdraw a candidate. The moment the hitherto contending mobs saw that there was an end put to their drunkenness, they cordially united to be revenged on the candidates. The Exchange and the Concert-room, where the committees sat, were instantly gutted. The archives of the Corporation, with the library of music, were torn to pieces, and, with the musical instruments, were committed to the flames of a huge bonfire in the Marketplace. If a troop of horse had not at that moment entered, dispersing the wretches in all directions, the consequences might have been dreadful.

In the election of 1826, not less than sixty thousand pounds were spent in this disgraceful way. The upright William Evans, Esq., told me that his committee had spent him twenty-two thousand pounds;

which sum was found insufficient to send him to Parliament. What an improvement is the present mode of election, compared with that which had been practised for the last hundred years! How true was the observation made by the Duke of Wellington to a friend of mine, that the Municipal Reform was one of the best measures the Whig Ministry ever passed.

CHAPTER V.

EDUCATION

TRIGONOMETRY ARTHUR KERSHAW FRENCH LANGUAGE-BASHFULNESS BOYS' TRICKS-SUPERSTITIOUS

FEARS.

1777. In this year, I was sent to Mr. Carrick's day school, where I learnt little more than writing, and the first rules of arithmetic. As soon as school was over, I ran home, anxious to be employed in anything I could do in my father's manufactory, for I had no inclination to join in the sports of my schoolfellows. My father had a taste for literature, so that in associating with him, I had many more subjects presented to my mind, than if I had been placed at a boarding school. I have often lamented that I had not the advantage of a classical education; yet, in some respects, this loss has quickened my exertions in obtaining information wherever I could find it. Among my father's acquaintances were some of superior talent. When