Now! Then! John Nicholson, “the Yorkshire Poet,” an “uncouth clownish-looking man,” appears at Bow Street charged with creating a disturbance at Drury Lane

Excerpt

Sir Richard Birnie, after glancing at the strange cut coat, corduroy breeches, unshorn chin, and yarn stockings of the prisoner, observed, that it was certainly unusual for persons of his appearance to go to the boxes. The prisoner, in a rough northern accent, said he had just arrived in London from Yorkshire, and had no time, if he even had the means, to equip himself in a more fashionable garb. His friend, Mr. Beverley, a barrister, residing in the Middle Temple, at whose chambers he had dined the day before, took him to the theatre in the evening, and after showing him the saloon, and introducing him to several ladies of quality with whom he was intimate, he suddenly disappeared. The ladies very kindly pressed him to remain, and even offered to treat him with “some of the nice things,” but he declined the compliment, and went in pursuit of his friend. On failing to meet with him in the street, he thought it best to return to the theatre, when he was denied admittance, and treated in a very uncivil manner.
Sir Richard: “How much wine did you drink at dinner?”
“Why, I think we had five bottles of sherry between four of us,” said the poet.
“A tolerable fair allowance,” said Sir Richard. “I suppose you went to the Saloon for the purpose of seeing little of what is called Life in London?”
“Oh dear no,” said the poet, “I wished to hear the music in the orchestra, and I was told I should pick up some ideas in witnessing the entertainments.”
“And did you?” said the magistrate.
“Yes, I caught several very fine ideas,” replied the poet, “but the plaguey fellows I afterwards met with drove them out of my head.” He then proceeded to describe the rude manner in which he had been treated, and, by way of a practical illustration, he seized Bond, jun., suddenly by the collar, and giving him two or three terrible shakes, he exclaimed, “This is the way that this man took a hold of me.”
The officer looked a good deal astonished, and Sir Richard Birnie observed to the poet that if he got a shake, he had paid it off with interest. “However,” said the magistrate, “as it seems you are a man of genius, a poet, and so forth, I cannot think of detaining you, and therefore you are discharged.”

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To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.
Abbreviations:

ER: East Riding
GM: Greater Manchester
NR: North Riding
NY: North Yorkshire
SY: South Yorkshire
WR: West Riding
WY: West Yorkshire

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Original

BOW-STREET. George Nicholson, alias the Yorkshire poet, was brought in custody from the watch-house, charged by Bond, jun., an officer of this establishment, with creating disturbance in the hall of Drury-lane Theatre.
The prisoner, an uncouth clownish-looking man, apparently about 40, strong built, and “more gross than bard beseems” was highly indignant at the manner in which, he said, he had been treated at the watch-house. He was proceeding to run on in a strain of vehement remonstrance, when Sir RICHARD BIRNIE begged he would be calm until the officer stated the charge which he had against him.
Bond, jun., accordingly stated, that while on duty at the theatre the night before, his attention was attracted by a great noise in the hall leading to the boxes. He proceeded to the spot, and discovered the prisoner engaged in a violent altercation with some of the servants of the theatre, who it seemed were opposing his entrance, supposing that he had no right to go to that part of the house. He appeared to be exceedingly angry, and repeatedly announced himself as the Yorkshire poet, threatening that although he was a stranger in London himself, he had powerful friends who would see him righted. He mentioned the name of a barrister belonging to the Middle Temple, in whose company he said he had dined that day, and who afterwards accompanied him to the theatre. He at last became so violent and unmanageable, that Bond said he was obliged to take him into custody, and lodge him in the watch-house.
Sir RICHARD BIRNIE, after glancing at the strange cut coat, corduroy breeches, unshorn chin, and yarn stockings of the prisoner, observed, that it was certainly unusual for persons of his appearance to go to the boxes.
The prisoner, in a rough northern accent, said he had just arrived in London from Yorkshire, and had no time, if he even had the means, to equip himself in a more fashionable garb. His friend, Mr. Beverley, a barrister, residing in the Middle Temple, at whose chambers he had dined the day before, took him to the theatre in the evening, and after showing him the saloon, and introducing him to several ladies of quality with whom he was intimate, he suddenly disappeared. The ladies very kindly pressed him to remain, and even offered to treat him with “some of the nice things:” but he declined the compliment, and went in pursuit of his friend; on failing to meet with him in the street, he thought it best to return to the theatre, when he was denied admittance, and treated in a very uncivil manner.
Sir R. BIRNIE. Perhaps you forgot to ask for a pass on going out; and not being provided with one, the door-keepers refused to admit you. How much wine did you drink at dinner?
“Why, I think we had five bottles of sherry between four of us,” said the poet.
“A tolerable fair allowance,” said Sir RICHARD BIRNIE: “I suppose you went to the Saloon for the purpose of seeing little of what is called Life in London?”
“Oh dear no,” said the poet; “I wished to hear the music in the orchestra, and I was told I should pick up some ideas in witnessing the entertainments.”
“And did you?” said the magistrate.
“Yes, I caught several very fine ideas,” replied the poet: “but the plaguy fellows I afterwards met with drove them out of my head.” He then proceeded to describe the rude manner in which he had been treated; and, by way of a practical illustration, he seized Bond, jun., suddenly by the collar, and giving him two or three terrible shakes, he exclaimed – “This is the way, Sir Richard Birnie, that this man took a hold of me.”
The officer looked a good deal astonished,and Sir RICHARD BIRNIE observed to the poet, that if he got a shake, he had paid it off with interest. “However,” said the magistrate, “as it seems you are a man of genius, a poet, and so forth, I cannot think of detaining you, and therefore you are discharged.”
The poet, however, was an injured man, and complained bitterly of his treatment in the watch-house, declaring that he was determined to seek redress at the Throne if he could find it no where else. “Why,” said he, “my poetry is at this present time before His Majesty; and the Premier himself, Lord Goderich, to whom I also enclosed a copy of my poems, wrote me a letter containing a sovereign, and said he was sure one should feel much pleasure in reading my book. I shall send you a copy, too, Sir Richard Birnie,” he added, “and as you say I am at liberty, I shall go to the Temple, and bring my friend Mr. Beverley here, just to show you that I told you the truth.”
Here the poet, who, like most of his brethren, appeared to be used to sudden impulses, snatched up his hat, and disappeared in a twinkling. He however returned in a short time with his friend Mr. Beverley, who, in a merry conference with Sir RICHARD BIRNIE, confirmed the statement of the Yorkshire poet; the latter, bowing, presented the magistrate with a copy of his poems, and then withdrew, accompanied by his friend.

902 words.

Now! Then! 2024! - Yorkshire On This Day

16 November 1827: John Nicholson, “the Yorkshire Poet,” an “uncouth clownish-looking man,” appears at Bow Street charged with creating a disturbance at Drury Lane

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