The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-05-30
SONNET TO MY OWN NOSE.

for haWtnorn lanes ana copses OF young oak,
Seeming the gales of heaven that have not yet
Lost their fresh fragrance since the morning
broke,
AAnd breath of flowers "with rosy May-dews
wet,''
The primrose, cowslip, blue-bsll, violet"
From late London paper.l
HOAX.
The greatest hodr that has ever been
heard of in this metropolis was yester-
day practised in Bernet's street, Oxford
place. The house of Mrs. Tottenham,
a lady of fortune, at No. 81, was beset
by about dozen trades-people at one,
time. with their various commodities
and, from the confusion, such crowds
had collected as to render the street
impossible. Wagons laden with Goals
from the Paddington wharfs, upholster-
er's goods in cart-loads, organs, piano
fortes, linens, jewelry, and every other
description of furniture, sufficient to have
stocked the whole street, were lodged
as near as possible to the door of "a.
with anxious trades-people and laugh
ing mob. About this time, the Lord
Mayor of London arrivedin his carriage.
and two livery servants ). but his Lord
ships stay was short, and he was driven
tc Marlborough-street PoIice-office. At
the Office his Lordship informed the sit
ting. magistrate that he had received
notey purporting to have come fromMrs.
Tottenham. which stated that she had
been summoned to appear before him,
but that she was confined to her'room.
by sickness, andrequested his Lordship's
favour to call on her. Bernet's-street
was, at this time, in the greatest confu-
sion, BY the multiplicity of trade's-peo-
pie who were returning with their goods,
and spectators laughing at them. The
officers belonging to Marlborough-street
were Immediately ordered out to keep
order; but it was impossible for short
time.
The first scene witnessed by the Off.
GERS was six stout men bearing an organ,
surrounded by coal-merchants with per-
mits, BARRIERS with wigs, mantuamakers
with band-boxes, opticians with, their ar
ticles of trade and such was the pres
sure of trades-people who. had been
duped, that at o'clock all was con-
sternation Every officer that could be
mustered was enlisted to dispense the
people; : and they were placed at the
corner of Bernet's-street, to prevent
trades-people from advancing towards
the house with goods. The streets
were not cleared at late hour, as SER
wants of every denomination wanting
places began to assemble at 5 o'clock.
1t turned out that letters had been writ
ten to the different trades-people, which
stated recommendations from persons of
quality. A reward has been offered for
the apprehension of the author of the
criminal hoar. This Hoar exceeded by
far that in Bedford-street, afew months
since for, besides a, coffin which was
brought to Mrs. Tottenham's house,
made to measure, .agreeably to letter, tive
feet sir sirteenths, there were accouch-
ers, tooth-drawers, miniature painters.
artists of every description, auctioneers,
undertakers, grocers, merchants, post
chaises, mourning coaches, poultry, rab-
bits, pigeons, &c. In fact, the whole
street was literally filled with the mot
ley group. The following are few of
the notes sent in the name of Mrs. Tot
tenham, for the purpose of collecting
the most extraordinary group -
"Mrs. Tottenham requests Mr.. -
will call upon her at tomorrow, as
she wishes to consult him about the sale
of an estate.-54 Bernet's-street, Mon
day.
Mrs. Tottenham requests that a
post-chaise and four may be at herhouse
at tomorrow, TO convey her to the
first stage towards Bath.--54 Bemet's-
street, Monday"
"Mrs. Tottenham begs the Hon. Mr..
- will be good enough to give her a
call at twelve tomorrow; as Mrs. t. is
DESTROYS Of speaking with him on bust
ness OF importance.--54 Bernet's-street,
Monday