The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-02-05
{ FROM London Paper Of November %. }
EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.

The greatest HOAX that has ever been heard
OF IN tins metropolis, was yesterday prsctsed in
Berner's street, Oxford street The house of
Mrs. Tottenham, Il lady of fortune, at No. s4.
was beset by about dozen trades people at one
lime, with their various commodities and from
the confusion such crowds had collected as te
| render the street altogether impossible War.
| CONS laden with Goals from the Paddinpton
wharfs, upholsterers' goods in cart loads, organs,
piano fortes, linens jewelry, anil every descript
on OF furniture, sufficient to have stocked the
whole street, we're lodged as near as possible tn
the door of 81, with anxious trades people and
laughing mob About this time the Lord
Mayor OF London, arrived in his carri.ge. and
two livery servants. but his lordship's STAY was
short and he was driven to MarlboI ough street.
Police Ofi,e.
At the Office his Lordship informed the S;t.
ting Magistrate that he had received note mr..
porting to have come from Mrs Tottenham
which stated that she had been summoned To an.
pear before him, but that she was confined To her
room by sickness, and requested his lordship's
avor to call on her. Berner's street at this time
was m the greatest confusion, by the multiplicj
ty OF trades people who. were returning with
their goods, and spectators laughing at Them
me oncers belonging to Marlborough street of
nee were Immediately ordered out to keen order
but 1t was impossible for a short time The frs,
scene witnessed by the officers were SIX stout
men bearing an organ, surrounded BY coal mrr
Grants, with permits, BARRIERS with wigs. mantua-
makers with band boxes, opticians with their va
rious articles OF trade, and such was the pre.
sure OF trades people who had been duped. that
at four O'Clock all was CONSERVATION and conf,
sion.
Every officer that could be mustered WAS en-
listed to dispense the people, and thew were pla
ced at the corners of Berner's street, to preyen+
trades people from advancing towards the bouse
with goods. The street was not cleared at la,e
hour' as servants OF every denomination wanting
places began to assemble at five o'cIock.---it
turned out that letters had been written to the
different trades people, which stated recommen
dations from persons ofquaty
Areward has been offered for the apprebens;
on OF the author of the criminal HOAX.
This HOAX exceeded by far that in Bedford.
street, fe " months since; for besides a coffin.
which was brought to Mrs. Tottenham's hons,
made to measure, agreeable to letter, Gve feet six
inches there were accoucheurs, tooth -drawers
mniature-painters, artists of every descript;on
auctioneers, undertakers, grocers MERGERS. INST,
haises, mourning coaches, poultry, pigeons. &c
In fact the whole street was lit rally filed with
the motley group.
The following are few of the notes sent in
the name of Mrs Tottenham, for the purpose of
collecting this most extraordinary group:
Mrs Tottenham requests Mr.. - will call
upon her, al 2 tomorrow, as she wishes TO con
soit MN about the sale OF an estate 81, Berners
street, Monday"
Mrs. Tottenham requests that a post cba;se
and four, may be at her house at two to-morrow.
to convey her to the first stage towards Bath
81, BeTner's street Monday"
Mrs. TotteEhaR begs the hon Mr. - will
be good enough to give her call at 9 tomorrow
as Mrs I. is DESTROYS Of sp liking with him IN
business of importabce.---54, Berner's.street
Monday, &c. &c. &C.