Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-02
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
"REMINISCENCES OF THE LATE JOHN
OWNSEND,
Bow STREET OFFICER.

1
been more prominent than John Townsend, and
few in his station have gone through life with so
much credit. 1t has been said and pretty gener-
ally believed, that Townsend was once a member
of that body whose depredations he was subse
quenty 80 useful in checking. Nothing could
be more unfounded than this report. Townsend
was never a thief. whatever may have been the
| causes which led to his becoming thief aker -
| lie was brought up partly by charitable inst,
tuition, tn which he became in early life subscr-
| Der, without stating who he VAS beyond his name; ;
and many years ago, he who had owed his exis-
tence almost To the institution received letter,
addressed john Townsend. Esq, and announc-
ing that he was become, from the length of time
tina, he had subscribed, Life Governor; and lit
tie was it suspected that this Jnwn Townsend,
Esq. was the Bow street officer Townsend us
ed to tell this himself. and with an honest smile
would exclaim, Wv hU know 8 but John rownseud's
suineas have done, for two or three poor boys,
what was done for him in the institution
Townsend was true disciple Of the old school.
Speaking of George the Fourth, he would say,
- God rest him, he mus King; only two or three
people could get at him; but this new King, (Wil-
liam the Fuurth) why, bless you, Sir, he isn't
half King; he makes himself too cheap. Any
body may get at him. Townsend had great
respect for the Aristocracy, and appeared
shocked whenever he saw a wealthy man, who
had not high birth to boast of vicng with the
biliry in magnifcence.
Abiding to the upstarts as he called them,
whilst speaking of the Opera. he said to friend,
:. Bless you, Sir. knew the Opera, and then it
was worthy of being called Kings Theatre, for
only the Nobility had boxes; but now you may
see a Duchess ON one side, and wholesome
cheesemODger's wife on the other. remember
the time when there we're masquerades, ton. and
the Kiug--God bless him! (he was only Prince
of Wales then) used TO have uice fred..- such
, occasions MANY time have taken him by the
skirt of the coat when he was going III, and said
to him. would advise your Royal Highness, it you
have got any money about you to leave II with
me for safety; and then he would pull out purse
with Fifty sixty gnlneas IN 1t, and say. We'll
but, Townsend, you must allow me something 10
spend, you know and upon that used 10 hand
him over about five gumeas, keeping the rest and
his watch in my own pocket. where few people
would have thought Of lonking for them
MANY years ago Townsend met in Il Jamrs's
Park. the present King " hen Duke OF Clarence,
= iial0a. Tuwnsend. where do you come FROM"
- | am Just come frVm your ROva! brother of
York, and he gave me one of the best glasses Of
i wine that ever tasted" "Well, Townsend"
said the Duke, IS come and see me, and | promise
IN si;e You as good glass of wine as my brother
York can give" "Ah!" SAYS Townsend. - that's
not all. for when admired the VINE, your Roy
al Brother of York calls for his bu tier. and de-
Sire him To bring two bottles for Mr.. Townsend;
and here" says Townsend. s'here they are"
gning one out of each pocket, and showing them
| To the Duke.
About five DAYS before his death. Townsend
called upon friend. and some allusion being
made to the peculiar cut Of his hat. said, - That
| HAT Sir, wa. given to me bv George the Fourth;
| God rest his soul'' Well, but, Townsend,
said the gentleman. " thouahtit had been your
own cut. GOOD bless your soul, and so il was;
the King took his cut from mine. and many times
used to say. that ill that time he had never look
ed like a gentleman.
Townsend is atIlensth sentenced 10 solitary
cell; Townsend. who Tor sixty wears past has been
laboring to keep the wicked of the world 10 or
der! Perhaps no man was ever more famlliarlzed
or less tiDetu,ed with the iniquites OF his fellow
| creatures; for with the shrewdness Of the most
active Of polce officers, he combined the simpi-
city OF Il child. Townsend has officiated N al
most all the domestic festivities of the aIstocracv
for the last half century; christenngs, marriages
and funerals. the cOrOnations aud interments
of monarchs;- besidcs assisting at the finishing
stroke of many an irregular career. He was a
great lavorite with George Ill; and various
ecdotes are related Of his Majesty's condcscen-
sion towards this active and faithful servant.
Among other stories. i, is said that on occasion
of some review at Bsssho,, an impudent fellow
in the crowd having contrivcd 10 rob the prince
of thief takers of his hat the King greatly diver,
ed. sEh, ELI, Ell! lost your castor, Townsend,
lost your castor? Pretts GUARDIAN for ne, truly:
can't keep his hat on his head, ltyou uon't look
| sharper, man, shall be losing ny crown" The
late King used to relate, that we was entering.
as Prince Of Wales, one Of he brilliant enter.
tainments gwen at Devonsb;Ie House, he cbser,.
ed gentleman. very handsomely dressed, a'ight
from his carriage. ard make his entree iD the
usual way with The: rest of the company, whom
from his air and consume he conceived to be
some man OF distinction personally unknown to
him. Townsend, who was standing at the foot
OF the stars with his eye fixed on the stranger.
allowed him to get as far as the landing place,