Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-27
A CONVICT HISTORIAN.
Probably ~ Slsiifui and Successful
n Thief ~ Ever Lived.

n Thief ns Ever Lived.
In the secondhand bookstores one can
find occasionally quaint, diminutive
volume. usually well worn and yellow
with age, which IS entitled "A History
of New South Wales" Its author was
George Darlington, officer TO the Crown,
and the history Of his life is given in
old-fashioned style in the introduction
to the book. which was dated 1893 IL
there was ever a romance of crime that
history embodies it.
George Darlington, whose real name
was Henry Waldron, was the son OF "a
MayuoOth silversmth and mantua-
maker. When a boy he quarreAed with
"a fellow scholar at Dublin grammar
school. and was whipped. in revenge
he stabbed his opponent and, if possible
would have murdered him. For this
affair he was logged so furiously that
he determined 10 run away from
school SO he stole fl2 and silver watch
from his preceptor, and disappeared in
the middle of "a May night.
At Droeheda ne met a. company OF
strolng players and lodged at the inn
where they were staying. Their mana
ger. John Price, took fancy TO Bar
rineton, and engaged him as an actor.
Indeed. it was Price who suggested tho
changing Of Henry Waldron 10 George
Darlington, because it looked better on
the bills. Under this name he made MS
first appearance ON any stage as Jainer'
I'm Otway's "NcuiCc Preserved in
barn i'm the Droehcda suburbs. Inc
debut was q success. and, pawning the
stolen watch 10 pay expenses, young
HARRINGTON set out with the company for
Londonderry Price brought him into
tender connection with a member OF the
cornD4rv who called herself Miss Eyer
Ton. and. when he had him enamored
completely Of the young woman, pro-
posed 30 him TO share the management
of the troupe.
manager with Price. 1t was not long
before Price found 1t eXpedient 10 in
siuuate 10 Darlington that young man
of his address might introduce himself
easily into public places, and that he
might find opportunities of picking
uocl<ets unnoticed and of escaping UNI
detected. more especially at that particu-
lar time when the fair was beng
held. Prices scheme pleased Barring
ton. and the next day he carried 1t into
execution with great success. The ac-
QUESTION amounted 20 about $3.50 in irish
currency Ballyshannon was the next
place visited where Darlington spent
the autumn and winter of III, playing
ON Tuesdays and Saturdays and picking
uockets every day i'm the week. if there
was opportunity. While IN this place
Bqrrington quarreled with Price, with
the result that the two Adventures part
cd company. Accompanied by Miss
Egerton. the young man left Ballyshan-
non and journeyed southwark, until, IN
crossing the River Boyne, she was
drowned. After the funeral he went to
limerick and IN "a few weeks more 10
Cork. There harrington found Price
penniless and his company dispersed.
They formulated a scheme by which Bar
rington was to pass for gentleman OF
fortune while Price was TO play SER
want The plot worked 10 charm. They
had credit enough to secure horses and
an outfit. and Barrington's plausible adj
dress did the rest. Operating among the
hest class Of the extravagant gentry Of
the time. the two rogues bcc-me fami-
liar and popular figures in the first So
ciety Of ireland. and at the end Of ZIP
had a capital Of II 100 on this they
settled in Cork, where Price was detect
ed I'm an attempt to rob a young Squire,
arrested. and sentenced to seven years
TRANSFORMATION. harrington escaped to
Dublin. where he lived quietly for time.
Then he obtained passage as a guest in
Sir Alexander SchombergS yacht 10
England SchOmberg was very useful TO
him. and the adventurer also found OF
great service the friendship Of fellow
passenger on the yacht, the Duke Of
Lcinster.
A more profitable acquaintance to Bar
ringtOn. however. was a young captain
I'm the army For many months they
lived a wild life In London. Then Bar
rngton's funds ran low, and he went TO
work again. lie picked pockets right
and left. even dipping unsupported into
his friends, the Duke OF Leinster. On
one occasion, while the Duke was dining
him and some friends at Ranleagh he
emptied the pockets of the whole COM
many. Another pickpocket who was
after the same game, detected bin and
demanded a share OF the spoil. To save
himself. harrington divided the proceeds,
and over the dinner. they sealed
comuact OF friendship. Barrington's
rartner introduced him TO the fences IN
London. and the pair thus disposed OF
thunder Of very high value. firing or
London, Darlington visited Brighton IN
the summer of 1775, and there met the
Duke OF Ancaster, who received MIN as
n gentleman OF fortune anu hoDlS nanny
rhis opcned up TO him o royal array or
victims. and brought him into contact
with the most fashionable circles lie
spent the day at court on the anniversary
OF the Queens birth, when he not only
contrived TO rob the nobility present. but
he cut off the diamond order OF noble
man. lie got IL away from the palace
without suspicion. AS this was an article
az too much value 10 be disposed OF In
England he sold II 70 a Dutch jew.
In 1875 the Russian Prince Orion paid
his first visit to England. The Empress
had expressed her appreciation
Of his merits by presenting TO him gold
snuff box. set with brlliants. This trophy,
which was said TO be worth 10000, was
fancled by Darlington. and he determined
"a get IL. one night at Covent Garden
Theatre he took II from the pocket OF
the Prince. but was caught before he
loft the box In which the nobleman was
seated and for the first time was arrest