The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register. (Wilmington, Del.) 1824-1825, 1825-03-10

ped off his coat, hat and powdered wig, and
giving them to the waterman, together with
half crown and his card Of address, he babe
him take to his garden until the press-gang
passed; and then to make the best OF his
way to London in his disguise. In the mean
while the doctor had equipped himself In the
waterman's Jacket, which being too small,
remained half way over his broad shoulders,
and the sleeves but little below his elbows, to
which he tucked up his white shirt-sleeyes,
leaving his arms bare-his bald head ne
concealed by tying on his coloured SIX
handkerchief Gas if he had the tooth-acke)
and popped on the watermanss hat, forming
a most ndicrous appearance-but there was
no time for laughter, for although these chan
gcs were effected with surprising alacrity,
the quick flashing of oars announced the
press-gang to be near; they soon came up,
when the following dialogue took place be-
tween them and the metamorphosed Poet
aWhat are you doing there?" culing sim
ples''-s'are you the master OF that boat r.
s'no, she masters me- (which way are
you going, ''out ofyour zvay." Upon this,
one of the men stood up in the boat, and or
dered the helmsman to near the wherry,
but she lay SO far in among the rushcs that
he did not seem willing to obey the order,
but called to the livery servant, and asked,
whether he belonged to the ladies i'll that
boat? upon being ans wered i'll the affirmative,
they spoke little while together, and then
rowed otf'-as soon as they were out OF hear
| ing, hearty laugh burst from the party,
and the doctor congratulated himself on the
success of his stratagem. 1t was with some
difficulty he extricated the boat from the mud
and rushes; after which she was soon safely
landed the MiilBank stairs, and the ladies'
and the doctor entered the public house,
while the man-servant was dispatched for Z
hackney coach. AS they we're shown into
little back parlour, the doctor, forgetting his
disguise, wasmarcnng in too, but was roughly
repused by the host, and desired to @eeh his
distance, that the bench at the door was ms
place, he replied (throwing sly glance at
the ladies) "I'll not buGgc without my
fair" and, closing the room door, he told the
Landlord the trick he had played the press
gang, which produced much merriment /;
and the story soon spread to the wharf, SO that
by the time the coach arrived, crowd OF
watermen had collected aroud the door, who
greeted the doctor, with cheers and huzzas
as the party drove off-they were soon set
down at their respective dwellings, and the
next day the waterman (who had been true
to his appointment in calling at the doctors
LODGINGS with his hat, coat, and wig) had
the ioy to receive an X" Earl's Protection
from Lord Viscount Falkland, by which not
only present danger was removed from the
man, but he was secured from future dread
of prcss-gangs, and the prayers and blessings
of all honest family were added to the doc
tors acknowledgment in having performed a
benevolent action
In former times every Peer was allowed a
certain numbero Thames watermen to row
them to and from the parliament house, and
their protection is still allowed to limited
degree.