A complete history and development of all the extraordinary circumstances and events connected with the murder of Mr. Weare : together with the trial at large, including speeches of counsel, examination of evidence, defence, &c. &c. : a faithful picture of all the fashionable "modern hells" and "black-legs" of the metropolis with sketches of the principal individuals who frequent them, whether in the character of "Greeks" or "pigeons" : an exposition of the frauds practised, the immense sums won and lost, and the calamitous events to which this system of nefarious villany has in many instances led : comprising most curious and highly interesting details, furnished from original and authentic sources, with a view to deter the young and unwary novice from this vortex of vice and misery : the whole forming a genuine series of gambling biography.

Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A complete history and development of all the extraordinary circumstances and events connected with the murder of Mr. Weare : together with the trial at large, including speeches of counsel, examination of evidence, defence, &c. &c. : a faithful picture of all the fashionable "modern hells" and "black-legs" of the metropolis with sketches of the principal individuals who frequent them, whether in the character of "Greeks" or "pigeons" : an exposition of the frauds practised, the immense sums won and lost, and the calamitous events to which this system of nefarious villany has in many instances led : comprising most curious and highly interesting details, furnished from original and authentic sources, with a view to deter the young and unwary novice from this vortex of vice and misery : the whole forming a genuine series of gambling biography. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Anecdotes of the Thurtells. r AVAAAy ' y^yyyAAAAAAAyA the worst man win the battle; and so, as he said, the Chelten¬ ham yokels were nick’d,” and he carried off the £200. Another anecdote he related was this :—He was with the English at the storming of St. Sebastian, and when they entered the town, he saw a Polish officer in the French service, leaning against the wall, “ seemingly done up with wounds and hard work”—u I thought by the look of him,” he continued, “ that he was a nob, and must have some blunt about him—so I just stuck my sword in his ribs and settled him ; and I found a hundred and forty doubloons in the—pocket!—a—good booty, wasn’t it, Joe ?” turning to Hunt, who assented with a loud laugh, and another fag end of a song. Thurtell was known among his flash friends by the nick-name of “ Old Flare.” He was always remarkably reserved and thoughtful in company. He would sit for hours and scarcely speak. When he did speak, his conversation was of the most hardened and disgusting kind, and his general conduct was such, that twTo of his worthy com¬ panions made a bet of a dozen of wine, that he would be hanged within three years. The following authentic anecdote would be sufficient to sl>ew that their application of his character was perfectly cor¬ rect. There had been a great deal of agitation among the gaming-house fraternity, in consequence of some Irishmen of desperate character who had lost money at their houses, having given information against them, and carried about them war¬ rants for their apprehension. At a meeting for general safety, which these gambling gentry held, John Thurtell was present, and offered to dispatch the obnoxious persons at £50. a head, adding, “ and when I have done it, if you don’t come down the rag, I will blow your brains out.” It was not stated whe¬ ther the agreement was entered into. Thurtell was dreaded by all his intimates in consequence of his well-known ferocity and fearlessness. On one occasion lie backed and seconded the .Birmingham Youth, or Martin. Thurtell, Probart, and Hunt, are still kept in separate apart¬ ments in Hertford gaol : they are heavily ironed, but not confined in cells. They have good apartments, the use of an airy space of the prison to move in, and each has two attendants, one of whom never quits him. The prisoners are neither allowed to see or communicate with each other : they have permission to write and receive letters, subject of course, to examination. Probart heard from his wife on Monday, and expressed great satisfaction upon the occasion ; he w as yesterday quite ignorant of her having been brought before the Magistrates. None of Thurtell’s friends have hitherto communicated with him,directly \