The National Register.
London, England, 1813-03-21 00:00:00

BILLY FA IVCETT.

efilld of whom so much has been said, who is kninvn by
name of Billy Fawcett, hut whose real name appears to be .t
Austin, was b rn in 13rowitlow-.treat Hospital, on Sunday, July liii
I fl:)v, and baptized at the house of the Institution on the 15th of th e
saw. miwth.

Auttin, the father, having been discharaed from the Dock-yard at
Deptford, in consequence of the peace 0f.139f2, Mr. Austin petitioned
the Princess of Wales to get him ieinstated, having heard that several
men Ind been restored through her means. When she went with the
p-titian to Montagu* House, she cwied the child in her arms, who at-
tracted the notice of Mr. Stikeman. Ile told her he thought be could
get it tal:en eitre of for her, and by his directions she presented her:elf
on a day named by him at Montagu!! House.
Her Royal Highness came to her as she stood with the child in her
arms, and tont.thin!_* the child tinder the chin, said, 1‘ 0 what erwiee
one ;.--I.lm, old is it ?" MrF. Austin replied, about three months. tiler
Royal 11.ghness then, ‘vithotat sayinit another word, turned to her" L-
adies, and conversed v.ith them in French ; but of the purport of Ail
conversati n Mrs. Austin coald form no idea. Immediately afterwasds
her Royal Highness retired, with one of the Ladies, into the same
room from whence •he came, leaving the other Lady and Mr. Stike-
twin, with 11.1. and the child. Mr. Stiteman and this Lady, also, Te-
ed fer a few minutes into an adjoining room ; and as they were shut-
ting the door, Oe heard the Lady say to Mr. Stikeman, " What do you
Ithlw of this woman i" the door closing, she heard no more.
The Lady then returned and asked her whether she thought she
could make up her mind to part from the child, and laeve it with her
Royal Highness. observing " what a fortunate woman she would be
to have het child taken under the protection so illustrious a per.
swage, and that the Odd would, in all respects, be brought up and
treated as a young Prince; and if he should bahave properly as he
grew up, what an excellent thing it would be I,r him." Mrs. Men
tin replied, that she thought could part from it to such a personas
her Royal Highness, rather than keep it, and suffer it to want. The
Lady then gave her a pound note, and desired he; to go isle the Collie
room, and get some arrow- root and other necessaries, for the ptttpox
of. weaning the child, as she then suckled it.
The child was weaned, and on Mond ty, Nov. 15th, 1802, given to
I.er Royal Highness. Miss Sander seeing thc mother much affected
at parting with it, slid, " It is still your option whether to leave it
or not with her Royal Highness." Mrs. Austin replied, " she would
certainly -let her Royal Highness have it, as she knew it would be
taken care ot." Miss Sander then took the child, saying, " T-ike a
kiss of Your mother, my clear, at parting," and conveyed it to her
Royal Highness.—Mrs. Austin waited for a considerable time before
Miss Sander returned, who (as she was told) was dressin,, the child;
new clothes having hen provided for it by her Royal Highnessit
orders. Miss San ter then brought the clothes which the child wore,
when it was brought, even to the very pin,. She now signified to
Miss Sander a desire to the child once more before she filially left
it, but this favour was denied her.

" The next day Mr. Stiltem Ai came -to Deptford, to inform Mrs.
1u tiu that the child was very will ; that her Royal nighties, had
(lout: every thin, for it I;er-tdt ; p.od that she a:ipeared to be very fond
of it. She tidied him when it would he agree zdth.rfor her to see her child;
and he said ifshe would comer oil Wediw,dav c‘ciiii,g, he t. ouled then en-
dtavo.,r to pracure at, interview for her. !..)1!e accordingly went at nite
appointed. hat was 'Wormed by Mr. Stikeman, that her Royal
ilivhors• was eiwaged with the child, that %lte :lid not like to be Os.
Imbed, and that she must cline some other tiote.

" Mrs. Austin ihru sail, that scrend persos.s at Dyptfoid bid beam
hct that alte would tie,Nl. see the child aga.n ; and matt ti*l