Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-22
TH6 BEGGARS CLUB.
An Odd Organization that Fiourished In
London Nearly n Century Ago.
From London socicty.I

lF.l
The Beggars' Club in the wear 1890 used
TO meet at Welsh's Head. Dyot street. St.
Glles's, and also at Kent str eet. The
stewards OF the cluo had the right to call
upon every member TO show his way OF
begging, 50 that by comparing the different
sDams all interference with each others
systems might be avoided. The Oldest
"mumper' was allowed the preference,
and each took his turn according to senior
NY. and exhibited his peculiar mode OF ex-
citing charity. Tie first. with q long
beard down TO bis girdle, stepped forward
and began as follows:
"Good. your worship, cast an eye OF
pity upon poor decayed tradesman, who
has been the husband OF three wives, the
father Of thirty children, the master OF
eighteen apprentices, and has kept six
lourneymen at work for many years to.
gethcr; till at last, undone by long sick.
ness and severe creditors. was kept pris-
oner at Ludgate for sixteen years, and
now, in the winter OF my age, forced 10 beg
my bread through downright poverty and
lncurable lameness."
Then followed n second, whose legs wero
covered with artificial ulcers, dirty hand
kerchief bound round his head, and his lace
colored with turmeric. His story was
"Good Christian people, show your tender
hearted charity to disabled wretch who
has been troubled these twenty years with
the running evil. Pray look upon my de-
plorable condition; have been touched
by two kings; have been IN all the hospitals
about London, but turned out as incurable
have been brought TO beggary AID want by
Ill surgeons and unkind relations; and am
now in starving condition, unless the
Lord opens the hearts OF some good char-
table Christians TO relieve a poor distressed
creature under load OF miseries.'
Then third, dressed up like " "decayed
shopkeeper," with his arm bound up in an
old silk sling, thus set forth his hypocriti-
cal complaint in soft wheedling voice:
"Pray. ~yorthy sir, compassionate the SUI
ferings OF poor, decayed citizen, who, af-
ter many crosses in bis family, and losses
by trade, had his house burnt down by the
carolessness OF II servant, and the Use OF his
right arm taken flom him by the dead
palsy, and Is now forced TO ask the charity
OF well-diSposed persons, not ONLY on be-
half OF my poor self, but q distressed wife
that has lain sick and bedridden above these
two YEAR,"
a fourth, with a wooden leg and but
one eye, having lost the one by wrestling
and the other by boxing, with thrum.cap
upon his head, pair Of mttens upon his
hands, and seaman's handkerchief about
his neck. made blunt Grafton as follows:
"God bless you. noble captain. Remem-
bor poor seaman who has lost leg in the
service and an eye IN the battle. Was
able to fight ~ scorn to beg. ! have been
whole man in my time; therefore, pray.
captain, bestow your charity upon whit
the French have left OF me-
Next came a nth, who showed his quail
hcation in the art OF begging by screwing
up his limbs. dislocating his Joints. and
crumbIing up his whole body as II he had
been broken on the wheel. lie assumed
sorrowfnl look like playhouse ghost and
broke out in the words: 80, pity poor
laborer, who, by falling off a scdifold from
the top Of PauPs, had my bones broken, nv
skull cracked, my limbs crippled, and in
one moments time was made this miserable
spectacle, who is row forced to crawl upon
his crutches to beg your charity"
After him cane clean. old fellow, with
a copper cOuntenance, silver hairs, broad
brimmed hat, clean band. but coat
patched with as many different colors as
ale to be seen in herald's mantle. lie
started up. uncovered his gray head, IN ado
an humble bow. and began the following
story: pray, sir, vouchsaie to look up0n
a poor decayed gentleman, who was once
blest with good estate. kept hospitable
home. and had many servants, but by my
oyer-kindnoss to an i'll wife, my friendship
to poor relations, and being bound 10 un-
grateful friends, have unhappiy brought
Inc TO want and misery in the winter OF my
age"
Next TO this lying bypocrite up started
ragged old fellow. whose beard was like an
old stable groom, and, rolling about his
eyes without saying a word, dropped down
at the end Of the table, clenched his hands
fast, fOamed at the mouth like a Siberian
prophet in tit OF ecstasy. and. beating his
head against the floor. most skiliuly as
sumed lit Of epilepsy. At length recoy-
ering, be got up, set his back against the
wall. and then took his seat again at the
table among the other members Of the So
ciety.
Such, very much condensed, is the ac-
count bv the eyewitness OF meeting OF
the Beggars' Club in 1890, and il certainly
gives "a curious peep Of the elaborate tricks
which were played on the public when
there were no Chart Reorganization socie-
ties to keep impOstOrs in check. The beg
rars lived, no doubt, a iOyial, merry life.
caring little for the morrow. But begg;ry
and crime are very nearly allied. and the
is that some Of these clever beg
Iars carried their tricks too far, and ended !
Leir DAYS at TyDurn.