The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-10-25 00:00:00

SWINDLING EXTRAORDINARY.

(From the Greenwich Gazette.)
The town of Deptford has been lately on the qui vice, in
consequence of two fashionably-51ressed females (calling them-
selves " Sisters of Charity") having lately visited various
quarters of the two parishes, fur the ostensible purpose of
administering relief, in the shape of clothing and other useful
articles, to such
.poor individuals as were likely to need them
during the ensuing winter. The objects of their charitable
notice were, of course, exclusively persons of scanty means;
and as the appearance and manners of the visitants, in con-
junction with their professed disposition to alleviate indiscrimi-
nately all who were poor and in want, were calculated to
operate on the minds of a class of society ever ready to Court
relief at the hands of the humane and affluent, it is not sur-
prising that the labours of these industrious Samaritans met
the fullest success. The mode in which they practised their
calling was rather novel. llabited in the plainest attire, and
gifted, by nature, with commanding figures and an insinuating
address, they sought out such districts of the town as are but
moderately frequented, and tapping gently at the door of the
humble oceepante, they at once introduced the object of their
call by interrogating them as to their several wants, and even
wishes; and then enumerate the several articles (such as cotton
prints for gowns, stockings, flannels, blankets, &c.) which it
was their intention to bestow. Then, affecting to be preposessed
either by the cleanliness of the house or the conduct of the
individual whom they addressed, it was their plan to observe
that they had it in their power to procure one or two articles of
a finer quality (such as a bombasin dress, or a counterpane,)
which, as a reward for the recommendatory domestic traits
before alluded to, they would make a point of obtaining for the
object of their exclusive preference. The names of the party,
and of all the children, and even lodgers, were then duly en-
tered in the book; and, after politely demanding the sum of
half-a-crown entrance money (which was usually scraped toge-
ther,) they stipulated the most profound secrecy, in order that
the neighbours might be contented with that inore ordinary
apparel, which " would be good enough for them." This
plausible game was practised from house to house, and, in one
instance, perceiving an old-fashioned watch hanging at the
manttepieee of a bed-ridden widow, named Chureher, they
offered to purchase it at the sum of ten guineas, and as the
old lady modestly declined selling it for less than £2O, they
proposed to take it home to their mamma, in Elliott-vale,
Blackheath, and if she approved of it, to return with the £2O
at three o'clock. They added, they would bring with them the
family physician, to cure the old lady, and lead her their
mamma's pony chaise for an airing. Such an appeal, coupled
with a promise of bed-clothing and a new gown, of course
proved irresistible; and it is needless to add, that the watch was
duly approved, but not paid for.'
It was not till upon their departure, and when every female
tongue in the street had been moved in audible self-congratu-
lation of her own preferred chances, that the secret became
known, and the " Sisters of Charity" suspected. A hue and
cry was raised, but without effect; and although a minute
d_:scriptien of the persons of the swindlers, and of the several
articles carried off, was immediately furnished to the superin-
tendent of the police force, the " ladies" have not yet been
discovered. The same scheme was also successfully practised
on the same day in Coldbath-row, Greenwich.

The splendid mansion of Earl Brownlow, at Belton, Lincoln
shire, as been a scene of great festivity during the past week,
in celeliration Tiscount Alford (his lordship's eldest son) at-
taining his nt ty. Amongst the visitors assembled on this
joYous'.occas- ere—Countess of Bridgewater. Marquis of
Granbv; La.. elaa,Manners, Lord and Lady Farnborough,
Sir. Ahrabasti ume, Dowager Lady Browulow, Sir Edward
and Lady.. , Sir William and Lady Middleton' Captain and
the s. Peregrine Cust, the Rev Henry and Lady Ann
Cust, 110 Misses Cust, Mr. Gregory, and a large party of the
gentry the vicinity. A grand"discharge of fire-works, under
the,d4tion of artists from London, took place.iu front,or the
house( on three successive evenings; and the band of the
G.raitham Beginient, of Yeomanry were in attendance,