FATALITIES
IN THE CITY
Some
of the advertisements were very odd indeed, such as this
one published in 1732. ''Whereas it hath been maliciously
reported, that I, Doctor William Bibb, was the operator
that cut the corns of James Saunders, Esq, Mayor, lately
deceased; This is to satisfy all gentlemen and ladies,
that I was not the Operator, nor concerned at all in the
case, having never had any misfortune of that nature,
nor any other, in the thirty years which I have practised
the art of corn-cutting, and having my abode in the Angle-lane,
shall be ready to attend and relieve, all such shall send
for their Humble Servant, William Bibb.'' And another
from the same period: ''Whereas Richard Eysam, a lad of
about 15 years old, born at Leominster, wearing an olive
colour'd coat and black wig,
eloped from the service of his master, John Gwyer, a hosier,
of Leicester, about five week ago: This is to discharge
every person and persons whatever from entertaining him
at their peril.'' At about this time, the paper used to
list the fatalities in
the city at the end of each year.
Here
is a typical list:
| Broken
leg |
3 |
| Drowned |
59 |
| Executed |
17 |
| Bruised |
2 |
| Excessive
Drinking |
4 |
| Frightened |
1 |
| Found
dead |
39 |
| Murdered |
11 |
| Overlaid |
47 |
| Planet
struck |
1 |
| Made
away themselves |
28 |
| Killed
by several accidents |
55 |
|
In 1748
Stephen Bryan's health began to fail and the following notice
appeared in the Journal: ''To the
Publick: Mr Bryan having declined the printing of this
paper, it is now undertaken by H Berrow (Who served a regular
apprenticeship in London) and will be conducted in such manner,
and contain such a variety of news, miscellaneous pieces etc
as shall render it, in all respects, both useful and entertaining.
Note - the said H Berrow having purchased all Mr Bryan's materials
carried on the printing business in all its branches, neatly
and correctly at his office in Goose Lane near the Crown.''
