rk; Precautions Adopted; Sword Cases in Coaches; Robbery at Mr.
Yates' house; Proceedings of the Ruffians; Their Alarm; Flight of the
Footman; Escape of Thieves; Their Capture, Trial and Execution; Further
Outrages; Waterloo Hotel; Laird's Roperies; The Fall Well; Alderman
Bennett's Warehouse; The Dye House Well; Wells on Shaw's Brow.

CHAPTER XVII.

Progress of Liverpool; Privateers; Origin of the Success of the Port;
Children owning Privateers; Influence, Social and Moral; Wonderful
increase of Trade; etc.

PREFACE.

The "Recollections of Old Liverpool," contained in the following pages,
appeared originally the _Liverpool Compass_, their publication extending
over a period of several months.

When they were commenced it was intended to limit them to three, or at
the most four, chapters, but such was the interest they created, that
they were extended to their present length.

Those who have recorded the green memories of an old man, as told while
seated by his humble "ingle nook" have endeavoured to adhere to his own
words and mode of narration--hence the somewhat rambling and discursive
style of these "Recollections"--a style which does not, in the opinion of
many, by any means detract from their general interest.

The frontispiece is copied (by special permission) from part of a very
finely-painted view of Liverpool, by Jenkinson, dated 1813, in the
possession of Thomas Dawson, Esq., Rodney-street. The vignette of the
Mill which stood at the North end of the St. James' Quarry in the title
page, is from an original water colour drawing by an amateur (name
unknown), dated 1821.

_November_, 1863.

CHAPTER I.

I was born in Liverpool, on the 4th of June in 1769 or '70. I am
consequently about ninety-three years old. My friends say I am a
wonderful old man. I believe I am. I have always enjoyed such excellent
health, that I do not know what the sensation is of a medical man putting
his finger on my wrist. I have eaten and drunk in moderation, slept
little, risen early, and kept a clear conscience before God and man. My
memory is surprising. I am often astonished at myself in recalling to
mind events, persons, and circumstances, that occurred so long ago as to
be almost forgotten by everybody else.

I can recollect every occurrence that has fallen under my cognizance,
since I was six years old. I do not remember so well events that have
taken place duri