most implicated in the villany of the transaction, were confiscated for the benefit of the sufferers. The directors, in obedience to the orders of the house, delivered in inventories of them; a certain allowance from each estate being deducted for each director, according to his conduct and circumstances.

On the 11th of June, 1720, the king issued a proclamation relative to those projects named bubbles, which, for a few days, gave some check to that fatal traffic; yet, in the face of all authority, it soon revived, and even increased more than ever; and whilst the shares daily advanced every one was a gainer, so that the lower classes fell into luxury and prodigality, as well as others. From morning till evening pur chasers applied in such crowds in Change-alley, as to choke up the thoroughfare; and such was the wild confusion in the multitude, that the same project or bubble was known to have been sold, at the same moment, ten per cent. higher at one end of the alley than the other.

The mania was so great at that time, that no fewer than two hundred and forty bubbles, of different descriptions, were blown by needy and knavish projectors; which shortly burst, and left but a wreck

behind.

The government now determined to put them down; fatal writs of scire facias were issued on the 18th of August, and the crown lawyers were ordered strictly to prosecute all such as had opened books of subscription, and all who subscribed to them.

In the series of essays called the Guardian, Mr. Addison alludes to Steele's "Multiplication Table," a species of lottery which was proved illegal; further notice of it is to be found in No. 413 of the Spectator, in a letter addressed by Steele himself to Mr.

Addison, wherein he says, "this scheme of gain is called the multiplication table, and is so far calculated for the immediate service of her majesty, that the same person who is fortunate in the lottery of the state, may receive yet further advantages. The manner of executing the design is by giving out receipts. for half-guineas received, which shall entitle the fortunate bearer to certain sums in the table, as is set forth at large in the proposal."

Soon after, Steele sent the following advertisement to a subsequent number of the Spectator: "Whereas the proposal called the Multiplication Table is under an information from the Attorney-General, in humble submission and duty to her majesty, the said undertaking is laid down, and attendance is given at the office, in order to repay such sums as have been paid in the said table, without deduction."

In 1825, the general feeling was again led captive by the unreasonable hopes of speculation. In January of that year there existed no less than one hundred and twenty speculations, carried on, as it was termed, by companies, under the heads of Railroad Companies, Bank and Loan Companies, Gas Companies, British and Irish Mines' Companies, Foreign Companies, Ship and Dock Companies, and Miscellaneous Companies; which often consisted of only the jector and his clerk. Though great misery, and frequent ruin, were the undoubted consequences of these speculations, yet no such extensively disastrous results occurred as those which followed the infamous South Sea Bubble.

pro

CHAPTER XIX.

ATTEMPT TO STEAL THE REGALIA FROM THE TOWER.

First Opening of the Regalia to public Inspection-Edwards appointed Keeper-Plan formed by Biood to steal the RegaliaHe visits the Tower with his pretended Wife-Means by which he contrived to become intimate with Edwards - His Arrangements for carrying his Scheme into Execution-He knocks down Edwards, and obtains Possession of the Jewels-Fortunate Chance by which his Scheme was frustrated-He is taken-Charles II. is present at his Examination-Blood contrives to obtain a Pardon, and the Gift of an Estate from the King.

BAYLEY, in his History of the Tower of London, has very circumstantially related the attempt made by a desperado, named Blood, to steal the regalia from thence; though it failed in the execution, this scheme was most ingeniously planned. The subsequent ingenuity of the culprit, on his examination before the king, also saved him from a just punishment, and not only procured him pardon for his offence, but even a handsome reward in the form of an annuity.

Soon after the appointment of Sir Giles Talbot to the office of Master of the Jewel-House in the Tower, the regalia first became the object of public inspection. The privilege of showing them was granted by Charles II. to the keeper, in consequence of certain reductions in the emoluments of the office. The person appointed to take charge of them was a confidential servant, named Talbot Edwards; and soon after, in 1673, the attempt of the notorious Blood was made.

Three weeks before the execution of his plan, Blood went to the Tower, in the canonical habit of a clergyman, accompanied by a woman whom he called his wife. They desired to see the regalia, and just as

their wishes had been gratified, the lady feigned indisposition: this circumstance called forth the kind offices of Mrs. Edwards, who courteously invited her into the dwelling-house. The lady, however, soon recovered, and, on departing, professed great gratitude.

A few days after this, Blood came again, bringing Mrs. Edwards four pair of white gloves, as a present from his pretended wife. This civility opened a way to a more intimate acquaintance, and, at length, Blood offered a proposal of marriage between his nephew, (whom he represented as possessing two hundred pounds per annum in land), and Miss Edwards, if agreeable to all parties, on a longer acquaintance. A treaty was entered into, and the young gentleman was to come in a day or two to be presented.

At the time appointed, Blood went with three others to the Jewel-House, armed with rapier-blades in their canes, and every one had a dagger, and a brace of pistols. Two of the friends, to fill up the time whilst the daughter was adorning herself, expressed a wish to view the regalia before dinner, and it was arranged, that, together with Blood, they should accompany old Mr. Edwards for that purpose, whilst the anxious lover should wait below for the coming of his mistress, but in reality to watch lest interruption should take place. When the three had entered with Edwards into the room, a cloak was thrown over him, a gag was placed in his mouth, and he was threatened with death if he made the least noise; but, as he was not intimidated, and made attempts to sound an alarm, he was silenced by some blows on the head with a mallet, and a stab in the belly, when he lay as if dead.

They then proceeded to secrete the booty about

their persons. One of them, named Parrot, put the orb into his pocket, Blood held the crown under his cloak, and the third was about to file the sceptre into two pieces, to place it in a bag, when fortunately the son of Mr. Edwards visited his father, and, regardless of the opposition made by the watchful pretended lover, persisted to force his way in. The scuffle below was heard, and, this unexpected incident spreading confusion among them, they instantly decamped, leaving the sceptre undivided. The aged keeper, recovering, forced the gag from his mouth, and cried "Treason!" The alarm was given, and parties were sent to the several gates to stop them. They escaped, however, out at St. Catherine's gate, where horses were waiting for them, but were speedily overtaken. Under Blood's cloak was found the crown, and, even when a prisoner, he had the impudence to struggle for his prize, and said it was a gallant attempt, however unsuccessful, as it was for a crown.

In the struggle the great pearl, and a large diamond, with a few smaller jewels, were lost from the crown, but fortunately they were afterwards found and restored.

Blood being carried before Sir Gilbert Talbot, the king went to hear his examination and confession. This was a fortunate circumstance for the culprit, who artfully worked at once on the vanity and the apprehensions of the monarch. He told him that he had formerly been engaged with others to kill his majesty, while he was bathing at Battersea, and had concealed himself in the reeds to effect his purpose; but that when he had taken aim the awe inspired by the royal presence unnerved his hand, and he desisted from his sanguinary design. He added, that he was but one of three hundred, who were sworn to revenge each