The Pictorial Press Part 9

[1] There is an Admiral Batten often mentioned by Pepys. If this is the same man who was an active commander under the Parliament he must have trimmed his sails well to hold a place in the Navy office under Charles II.

[2] _Old and New London._ By Edward Walford.

CHAPTER V.

Decrease of Newspapers after the Civil War--_Mercurius Democritus_--_The Faithful Post_--_The Politique Post_--Broadsides for the People--The Hollow Tree at Hampstead--Prodigious Monster taken in Spain--The Restoration--Trial of the Regicides--Execution of the Regicides--Licenser of the Press appointed--Popular Taste for the Supernatural--Apparition in the Air in Holland--Revival of _Mercurius Civicus_--Murder of Archbishop Sharpe--_The Loyal Protestant_--Frost Fair on the Thames--Monmouth's Rebellion--The b.l.o.o.d.y a.s.sizes--Funeral of Queen Mary, Consort of William III.--Increase of Newspapers after the Revolution.

When the Civil War was over the newspapers it had called into existence disappeared. The printing-press was, of course, not idle during the rule of Cromwell, but its productions were narrowly watched, and there is reason to suppose the newspapers were to a great extent under the influence of the party in power. Examples of ill.u.s.trated journalism during this period are rare. We have '_A terrible and bloudy Fight at Sea_' between Blake and Van Tromp, and '_A great and wonderful Victory_'

obtained by the English in the West Indies, each ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut that had done duty in the pamphlets of the Civil War. A rough representation of an owl seated at a table writing in a book heads a tract ridiculing Lilly, the astrologer; while '_Black Monday, or a full and exact description of the great and terrible Eclipse of the Sun_,' is adorned with a representation of 'the true Figure of the Eclipse.' The grim and unsocial character of the times is set forth in '_The Vindication of Christmas_,' a pamphlet ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut representing Old Christmas welcomed on one hand and forbidden on the other. After a pitiful lament for the misery of the times, Christmas sets out on a pilgrimage to London, where he enters a fair house that had once been an Alderman's, but is now inhabited by a sour-tempered miser. Here he meets with such a cold reception that he is fain to take himself off, 'and wandering into the country up and down from house to house, found small comfort in any.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE VINDICATION OF CHRISTMAS, 1653.]

I have spoken of _Mercurius Democritus_ as being the _Punch_ of the seventeenth century. It is singular that such a publication as this should have existed under a Puritanical Government. The humour is so exceedingly broad that it is difficult to understand how it could be circulated at a time when the rulers of the land professed a stern and rigid morality. Unlike the modern _Punch_, who is refined and courteous even when he is most severe, _Mercurius Democritus_ could seldom be facetious without being coa.r.s.e and even indecent. In the same number that contains the cut of the Smithfield ghost, referred to in Chapter III., occur the following jests, which are comparatively mild specimens of the humour of _Mercurius Democritus_:--'The last Monday a Herd of Swine being driven through Long Lane 600 Jews were suddenly converted by them; some think it was for fear those Rumford Cattell should serve them as they served the Devill in the country of the _Gergesens_ when they carried him headlong into the sea.'

'A Mad Country Parson coming riding up to London between Islington and the Red Bull met with a small-coale man, very black, with his sack of small coale at his back. The pitiful Parson minding to put a jeer on the small-coale man, made a sudden stop with his Horse, saying with a loud voyce, that those that rid after him might partake of the jest, Fellow, fellow (quoth he) I prithee tell 's some news from h.e.l.l, I see thou hast a whole sack full at thy back. Truly quoth the small-coale man, I can tell you but very little news from h.e.l.l, only the Devill wants a Chaplaine, and you ride but a little faster you may perchance have the place.'

Much of the news printed continued to be circulated by means of pamphlets and broadsides, but some regular newspapers were also published. An ill.u.s.trated example of the latter occurs in the _Faithful Post_ of 1653. The full t.i.tle of the number for April 8, 1653, is '_The Faithful Post Impartially communicating the Proceedings of the Parliaments forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland, comprising the sum of Intelligence from the English and Dutch Fleets; with the Affairs and Designs now on foot in France, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, and all other parts of Europe_.' It has a woodcut portrait of Admiral Van Gallen, and contains the following news from Amsterdam relating thereto:--

'Wednesday, April 6.

'From Amsterdam thus; Van Gallen Admiral of the Dutch Fleet in the Streights, has a golden chair sent him for his little great gallantry in the last service. And the Commons forsooth adore him extremely; insomuch that many of the Bores have erected his Statue and Portraiture, and hung it up as a memorial in the most eminent places of their Low country Fabrics, according to the figure following; with two silver keys in his hands; which, say they, are to unlock the Treasury of their enemy. _Pure Youths_.' (Here follows the portrait.)

'And as we are informed, hath a golden Leg delicately set forth by Mr.

Painter, in lieu of that shot off in the fight.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: PORTRAIT OF ADMIRAL VAN GALLEN. FROM THE 'FAITHFUL POST,'

1653.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FLAG OF COL. CHARLES JAMES. FROM THE 'POLITIQUE POST,'

1653.]

In the foregoing _Faithful Post_ there is a good deal of news about the English and Dutch fleets; and in the news from Lubeck it is reported that the English have printed a 'picture of Admiral Van Tromp represented with a man opening his breast to find his heart; but, searching, it was found in the Calf of his Leg, whereas, saith the Dutch Print, they know very well that Tromp behaved himself most gallantly, and like a man of courage.' In another number of the _Faithful Post_ is an ill.u.s.tration of a comet or 'Blazing Star' seen in Germany. The foregoing portrait of Admiral Van Gallen, and the blazing star, together with a map showing the effects of a great storm and flood in Holland, are printed in the _Politique Post_ for January 4, 1653; but there is no reference made to the engraving of Van Gallen; and the blazing star is described as having been seen at Pembroke, in Wales. In the same number of the _Politique Post_ is a woodcut of the flag of Colonel Charles James, which is thus alluded to:--'By the last Post and intelligence from the Navie, we have received very certain and credible intelligence, that Colonel Charles James having received a commission from the King of Scots, is launched forth into the deep with the Brest men of war who has now struck sail upon the Coast of Brittain, and there set up his Flag on the p.o.o.p of the Patrick, called the Vice-Ambral as here represented in the ensueing Figure.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE HOLLOW TREE AT HAMPSTEAD, 1654.]

In 1654 there was a remarkable tree at Hampstead, which was visited as a curiosity. It was called 'The Hollow Tree,' and was probably the central attraction of a place of entertainment. In a broadside of 1654 there is an etching of it by Hollar, with descriptive and other verses. There was a door in the trunk of the tree, and a turret on the top, the ascent to which was in the hollow of the tree. The turret was large enough to seat six, 'and round about roome for fourteene more.' The following is a specimen of the verses accompanying Hollar's etching:--

'THE SALUTATION.

'Welcome, before! welcome all you that follow!

Our heart is sound although our Tree be hollow, Yet know nor age, nor weaknesse did distresse Its willing bulk into this hollownesse: But a desire markt out for n.o.ble ends, To finde more room to entertain fast friends, And in the compa.s.se of itself to try Laws of true Mirth and Hospitality.

In such a Hollow, Musick dwells; thus love Laies forth itself, yet ne'er doth bankrupt prove.

And having read the riddle doth impart Things sometimes hollow have the soundest heart.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: PRODIGIOUS MONSTER TAKEN IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ZARDANA IN SPAIN, 1655.]

This broadside was an agreeable change from the prodigies and monstrosities with which the public were so liberally supplied. A specimen of the latter was published in 1655, which must have tried the faith of even the most credulous. It is described as '_The True Portraiture of a prodigious Monster, taken in the Mountains of Zardana_; the following Description whereof was sent to Madrid October 20, 1654, and from thence to Don Olonza de Cardines, Amba.s.sador for the King of Spain now resident in London. Its stature was like that of a strong well set man, with 7 heads, the chief of them looking forward, with one eye in its front; the other heads have each two eyes in their natural situation, the ears of an a.s.s; with its princ.i.p.al head it eates, drinks, and cryes with an extraordinary and terrible voice; the other heads are also moved to and fro; it hath seven Arms and Hands of a Man, very strong in each of them; from the middle downward it is like a Satyr, with Goats feet, and cloven,' &c. This broadside has a very well-executed copperplate engraving of the monster; and another sheet of the same date has a woodcut copy of the same engraving, together with a long account in verse 'to the tune of Summer Time,' and the following additional particulars: 'The News of this Satyrical Monster being noysed abroad throughout all Spain, France, and Italy, made a desperate fear, and general distemper amongst all the Popish Prelates, Cardinals, Jesuites, Monks, and Fryers; yea, the very Pope himself trembled to hear this strange Report. There is a Prophesie in the 13 of the Revelation, of a great Red-Dragon and a Beast with seven heads that should arise out of the Sea, that should continue 42 moneths, which was to come to pa.s.s before the great and terrible day of judgement; which by the appearing of these strange Monsters is neer at hand now.'

At the Restoration several broadsides of news were published containing engravings. There is one giving an account of the coronation of Charles II., which is ill.u.s.trated with a copperplate engraving of the King seated on his throne, robed and crowned, with the following complimentary lines:--

'The Second Charles, Heire of the Royal Martyr Who for Religion and his Subjects Charter Spent the best Blood, that unjust Sword ere dy'de Since the rude Souldier pierced our Saviours side.

Who such a Father had'st, and such a Son; Redeem thy people and a.s.sume thy own, Ascend thy Ancestors Imperial seat Of Charles the Good, thou second Charles the Great, That adds the worth; this l.u.s.tre to the Crown, Whose solid Glorious weighed Usurpers down.

Such Majesty as never was profan'd While Tyrants rul'd 'twas only Charles that reigned.'

Another broadside of the same date (1660) is ent.i.tled '_A Looking-Gla.s.s for Traytors, being the manner of the Tryall of those Barbarous Wretches at Justice-Hall in the Old-Baily, who contrived and compa.s.sed the Death of his late Sacred Majesty King Charles the First, of ever blessed memory; with an Account of their Severall Araignments, Conviction, Condemnation, and Execution_.' This sheet is also ill.u.s.trated with a copperplate engraving, representing the Old Bailey Court at the trial of the Regicides, which is interesting if it truly represents the appearance of the court at that time. Numerous letters of reference are given under the engraving to explain its different parts, and a short summary is given of the trial: 'His Majesty (in pursuance of an Act of Parliament which had left the persons following to be tried according to Law, for being the princ.i.p.al Actors in the said Tragedy of his Father's death) issued out a special Commission of _Oyer_ and _terminer_ to the Judges and other Commissioners for that purpose; and accordingly _Wednesday_ the 10th of _October_ they met at the Sessions house in the _Old-Baily_, and the same morning the following persons were ordered to be brought from the _Tower_ to _Newgate_, and a way was made from the Press-yard backwards to the Sessions house, privately to convey them to and again, to keep them from the pressing of the people.' Then follows a list of twenty-eight persons, including Major-General Harrison and Hugh Peters, 'all which being brought to the Bar, were indicted and arraigned to the following effect:--

'_That they not having the fear of G.o.d before their eyes, but being led by the instigation of the Divel had maliciously, traiterously, and advisedly imagined, consulted, contrived, and compa.s.sed the death of his late Majesty Charles the first of ever blessed memory, and that they had aided, procured, abetted, a.s.sisted, and comforted a certain person with a vizard upon his face, and a frock upon his body for that purpose._

'Major-General _Harrison_ in his Pleadings carried himself so confidently to the Court as if he thought himself Careless and Unconcerned in the businesse, and seemed to justify not only the Power under which he Acted but also the Act itself, saying that Kings had formerly been privately a.s.sa.s.sinated and Murthered, but what they had done was in the face of the Sun and in the fear of the Lord; whereat the Court was much troubled to see that he should make G.o.d the Author of that Horrid Murther.'

Harrison was found guilty at once, and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. The like fate awaited Hugh Peters. The sort of evidence that was brought against the prisoners is exemplified in this broadside, where it is stated that 'Mr. _Hugh Peters_ stood strangly amazed and could say nothing for himselfe against that Jury of witnesses that appeared against him; as that he said, _England_ could not be settled till 150 were taken away which he said were L L L viz. the Lords, the Levites, and the Lawyers; that he was often conspiring privately with Oliver Cromwell the King's death, that he could even reverence the High Court of Justice, it lookt so like the judgement of the world which should be at the last day by the Saints; with many other blasphemies too large to enumerate.'

Amongst the prisoners arraigned on this occasion was the William Hewlett already referred to. In the other cases the jury promptly found the prisoners guilty without leaving the court; but it was a proof of the weakness of the evidence in Hewlett's case that 'they did withdraw themselves, and after a little consultation they found him guilty, and accordingly sentence was p.r.o.nounced against him.' This sentence, however, as before stated, was never carried into effect.

The engraving of this historical trial at the Old Bailey is too crowded to admit of reproduction here. Other broadsides relating to the trial of the regicides were published at the time, but they are more of the nature of caricatures than ill.u.s.trations of news.

It is well known that General Harrison, Hugh Peters, and others were executed with all the barbarous circ.u.mstances indicated in the words of their sentence. Peters was made to sit upon the scaffold, exposed to the jibes and jeers of the mob, and compelled to witness the mutilation of his fellow-victims. The executions were continued day after day both at Charing-cross and at Tyburn, and were stopped at last, not for lack of victims, or disinclination for more slaughter on the part of the authorities, but from a dread of the effect such bloodthirsty proceedings might have on the minds of the people. The horrors of such a scene, of course, attracted the sensational news-writer of the day; and a broadside of the time gives us a picture and description of the executions, coupled with a representation of the execution of Charles I.

This broadside was evidently intended to exhibit at one view the commission of a great crime and its just punishment. The engraving shows on one side the execution of the King and on the other the punishment of the regicides. The description of the latter is preceded by an account of the trial and death of Charles. The t.i.tle runs thus: '_A true and perfect Relation of the Grand Traytors Execution, as at severall times they were Drawn, Hanged, and Quartered at Charing-Crosse, and at Tiburne. Together with their severall Speeches and Confessions which every one of them made at the time of their Execution. London, printed for William Gilbertson, 1660_.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: EXECUTION OF THE REGICIDES, 1660.]

The following account is given of the execution of Major-General Harrison: 'The next day being _Sat.u.r.day_ Major-Gen. _Harrison_ was drawn upon a Hurdle from Newgate to the Round, or railed Place near Charing-Crosse, where a Gibbet was set upon which he was Hanged. Many of his acquaintance did seem to triumph to see him die so Confidently; whiles numbers of true Christians did grieve in earnest to see him die so impenitently. We have been told that when he took his leave of his wife, he comforted her, and told her that he would come again in three days; but we hear nothing as yet of his Resurrection.' In describing the execution of Hugh Peters, it is said, 'He came to the Ladder unwillingly, and by degrees was drawn up higher and higher. Certainly he had many Executioners within him; he leaned upon the Ladder being unwilling to part from it, but being turned off, the spectators gave a great shout, as they did when his Head was cut off, and held up aloft on the point of a Spear. The very souldiers themselves whom heretofore he did animate to slaughter, and a thorough execution of their Enemies were now ashamed of him, and upon the point of their Spears showed that guilty head which made them guilty of so much blood.'

Pepys, in his Diary, says, under date October 13, 1660:--'I went out to Charing Cross, to see Major-General Harrison hanged, drawn, and quartered; which was done there, he looking as cheerful as any man could do in that condition. He was presently cut down, and his head and heart shown to the people, at which there were great shouts of joy. It is said, that he said that he was sure to come shortly at the right hand of Christ to judge them that now had judged him; and that his wife do expect his coming again. Thus it was my chance to see the King beheaded at White Hall, and to see the first blood shed in revenge for the King at Charing Cross.'

It will be seen by the copy made from this woodcut that the design is of the rudest possible description, and must have been the work of a common ballad ill.u.s.trator, whose fee was probably on a par with his ability. He evidently thought that, in such a scene as the execution of Charles I., the Church should be paramount, for he has made Bishop Juxon a much more prominent figure than the King.

The reign of the 'Merry Monarch,' though not the most creditable period in English History, would have supplied abundant materials for the journalist if there had been any newspapers. The Great Plague, the Fire of London, the sea-fights with the Dutch, were splendid opportunities for the pencil of the 'special artist' or the pen of 'our own correspondent.' A law had been pa.s.sed prohibiting the publication of newspapers without being duly licensed. Sir John Birkenhead was appointed Licenser of the Press, and he was succeeded by Sir Roger L'Estrange. There was scarcely anything that could be called a newspaper except the _London Gazette_, and it only contained such news as the Government thought proper to make public, and it was never ill.u.s.trated.

The little that was done in the way of pictorial journalism was of a satirical or humorous character, or had reference to foreign affairs, and was either published in the form of broadsides or was put before the public in such a questionable shape that it was difficult to tell whether it was truth or fiction. As soon as the people were released from the domination of Puritanism a reaction set in, and the humours of _Mercurius Democritus_ were supplemented by the still broader fancies of _Mercurius Fumigolus_. Occasional entertainment of a more serious character was supplied, such as '_A True and Perfect Relation of the Happy Successe and Victory obtained against the Turks of Argiers at Bugia_.' The popular taste for the mysterious and supernatural was touched by '_A true and perfect Relation, of a strange and wonderful Apparition in the Air, the Fourteenth of August, near Goeree in Holland_.' This was an ill.u.s.trated broadside containing the following account:--'On the fourteenth of August this year 1664, towards the evening near Goeree in Holland, there was seen by many Spectators an Apparition upon the Ocean of two several Fleets of s.h.i.+ps engaged in a Fight, which lasted for the s.p.a.ce of about half an hour, and then vanished. Afterwards there appeared two Lyons, who with great fury and violence, a.s.saulted each other three several times, neither of them prevailing against the other, till at length both of them wearied with their continual striving, did, as it were, give over for breath, when on a sudden a third Lyon of a very great and huge stature appeared and falling first upon the one, and then on the other, destroyed them both.

They being vanished, there appeared a King, with a Crown upon his head, and he so plainly and visibly discerned as that the spectators did discover the very b.u.t.tons on his Coat. After all was vanished, the said Spectators continueing there, and walking too and fro upon the sands, the Ocean, so far as they could see, seemed to be Blood. On the next morning, the same Apparition, in all its Circ.u.mstances, was seen again, and the truth thereof attested upon Oath, before the Magistrates of Goeree, by the said Spectators; so that there is no doubt made of the truth thereof. And this happening in this juncture of time, begets some strange apprehensions; for that about six Months before Van Trump was slain in the former Wars with England, there was seen near the same place, an Apparition of several s.h.i.+ps in the Air, as it were fighting with each other.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: APPARITION IN THE AIR AT GOEREE IN HOLLAND, 1664.]

This broadside was printed at London, 'by Thomas Leach in Shooe Lane in the Year 1664. _With Allowance_ October 13, 1664. Roger L'Estrange.' The ill.u.s.tration is an etching, very well and freely executed.

Amongst other things which appear to have been revived at the Restoration was the _Mercurius Civicus_. In Dr. Burney's collections in the British Museum there is preserved a copy of Number 4 of _Mercurius Civicus_, dated May 1, 1660. On the t.i.tle-page it is stated to be 'published by order of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen;' but it is not ill.u.s.trated, as was its predecessor of the time of the Civil War.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE MURDER OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP, 1679.]

One of the most atrocious deeds of the time, and one that had a powerful effect upon public feeling, was the murder of Archbishop Sharp in 1679.

This prelate was held to have betrayed the Presbyterians at the time of the Restoration, and was hated accordingly. This hatred had been manifested by an attempt on his life in the streets of Edinburgh in the year 1668; but on that occasion the Archbishop escaped, and another person was wounded. On May 3, 1679, Archbishop Sharp was returning in his coach to St. Andrews from Kennaway, where he had pa.s.sed the night, when, at a place called Magus Moor, he was set upon by nine men, who murdered him with pitiless barbarity in the presence of his daughter, who accompanied him. This dreadful event was commemorated in a broadside ent.i.tled '_The Manner of the Barbarous Murther of James, late Lord Archbishop of St. Andrews, Primate and Metropolitan of all Scotland and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council of that kingdom, May 3, 1679_.' A copperplate engraving represents the murder, and some verses are printed underneath. I have copied the engraving on this broadside, which forms part of the Luttrell collection in the British Museum.

In 1681 there existed a newspaper ent.i.tled _The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligencer_. In the number for April 2, 1681, there is printed the following curious news from Rome:--