ass proceeded with extraordinary
success; and, such were his persuasive powers, that people of all ranks
felt an interest in his society; some, however, considered him insane,
while others were of a contrary opinion, and he did not succeed in his
ambition.

He next got mixed up in a smuggling affair, H.M. sloop _Lively_ having
captured a smuggling craft (the _Admiral Hood_) off the Goodwin Sands.
He attended the examination of the smugglers before the magistrates at
Rochester, attired in a fancy costume, and having a small scimitar
suspended from his neck, by a massive gold chain. He defended one of the
men, who, despite his advocacy, was convicted. He then offered himself
as a witness, swore that he had seen the whole transaction, that there
was no smuggling, and that the _Lively_ was to blame. This the
prosecution could not stand; he was indicted for perjury, and was tried
at Maidstone on 25 July, 1833. The sentence of the Court was
imprisonment and transportation, but, being proved to be insane, this was
commuted to confinement in the lunatic asylum, at Barming Heath. After
about four years spent in this establishment, he was released, on
security being given for his future good behaviour. He then went to live
at the residence of Mr. Francis, of Fairbrook, in the neighbourhood of
Boughton, near Canterbury. Owing to some misunderstanding with the
family, he removed to an adjoining cottage, and, at the time of which I
write, he lived at a farm-house, called Bossenden farm, occupied by a
person named Culver.

The influence obtained, by this maniac, over the small farmers and
peasantry in his neighbourhood, is most astonishing. They believed in
all he told them; first that he should be a great chieftain in Kent, and
that they should all live rent free on his land, and that if they would
follow his advice, they should have good living and large estates, as he
had great influence at Court, and was to sit at the Queen's right hand,
on the day of her Coronation. It would seem as if his madness, then, was
personal and political, but the religious mania speedily developed
itself. He told his deluded followers that they were oppressed by the
laws in general, but more particularly by the new poor law; and called
upon them to place themselves under his command. Nearly 100 at once
joined him, and as they marched through the neighbouring parishes their
numbers increased. It was then that he proclaimed his divinity--ass