Page:Angelo's Pic Nic.djvu/127

 MURDER (Bullock) was to choose the ground. The bet was instantly accepted, and the following day was fixed for this grand exploit. The Prince, who was ever pleased with the many diversions (Lord Barrymore kept the place on the qui vive), was present, with a numerous assemblage, many bets, on both sides, depending; the odds against Bullock, who did not hesitate to take them, when to the surprise of Lord Barrymore (who did not weigh ten stone, the other eighteen) who, considering himself sure of winning his wager, had fixed on one of those narrow alleys (only room for one person to walk), a high wall on each side, well known at Brighton, on the east side of the town; and as the previous wager was specified and witnessed on paper, no objection could possibly be made. At starting, each party took his place, Bullock thirty-five yards in advance, and though Lord Barrymore soon got close to him, the other by his contrivance, what with his breadth of shoulders, his arms extended, and being the most powerful, keeping the other behind, laughing, with ease took his time to win, to the annoyance of the many who lost their money. MURDER At the time I attended at the East India College, at Hertford, a shocking murder was committed at Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire, on the Friday evening, October 20, 1807, by Thomas Simmons, a clown about twenty (through jealousy of a maid-servant he courted, who lived with a Mr. Boreham, a Quaker). Frantic at the time, he wanted to murder all who came in his way. The unfortunate victim with the former was a Mrs. Warner, an inmate in the house; he was so exasperated, brandishing a knife he held, that with dificulty 45