Now! Then! 2024! - Yorkshire On This Day

Excerpt

Το one denied the advantages of birth, without education, except such as is to be gained at a day school, in a provincial town; to one whose mind is too juvenile to have gained knowledge from experience, and too volatile to confine its operations within the sphere of reason; “trifles light as air” fascinate the eye, and captivate the passions. This observation was fully verified in the pleasure I enjoyed on beholding a cousin of mine, dressed in the costume of a midshipman in the Royal Navy, when on a visit at the residence of my parents, and in the transport with which I listened to his relation of nautical anecdotes. From those circumstances I date the cause of the following narrative; for, fired with his description of things unaccountably strange, which a fervid imagination painted in glowing colours, I formed the design of seeing foreign nations, though wanting the means to effect my project, and unaided by parental support, which an inexperienced youth of sixteen could not hope for, and therefore would not solicit. But, when the mind is once fixed in its resolves, though detrimental to its best interests, in vain may reason exert its influence, and authority impose its power. From the moment I heard the young midshipman’s adventures, I desired to participate in similar events, and to behold scenes so fascinating. What engrossed my thoughts by day, seemed realised in dreams at night, till every wish became absorbed in that of seeing other climes.

Nor was it long before a circumstance happened, which fostered my project, by generating a hope of the accomplishment of my desires, though at the risk of destruction to my future prospects in life. I was encouraged by the persuasion of a companion, my senior in years; who, determined on adventures himself, wished for an associate in his peregrinations.

Like conspirators, we held nocturnal meetings, projected a thousand schemes, and defeated them with facility. However, I at length consented to elope from parents, whose care for my welfare then appeared restraint, and whose admonitions I considered as censures on my conduct.

At these meetings we arranged matters for our intended journey; but, surely, never did adventurers undertake an expedition with such scanty means for prosecuting it, with either pleasure or advantage. Conscious that we were about to enter the mazes of error, and desirous of eluding detection, night was made choice of to leave home. Accordingly, we turned our backs on Leeds, and our best friends, on a Saturday night, and urged our way over many a heath-clad steep. “Faint and weary,” we entered the populous and flourishing town of Manchester, at two o’clock on the afternoon of Sunday. Here fortune beamed on us its first ray: during the time we were refreshing ourselves at an inn, in Toad-lane, we were noticed by some of the company, who paid the most polite attention to us, and who generously presented us with a discharged bill of expenses we had been at. May beneficence wrap such souls in its downy mantle, and corroding care ever be a stranger to their breasts! Nothing could have been more timely; nothing more welcome. Our resources for future operations lay in one shilling each! However, hope, the poor man’s god, promised much, and urged to perseverance. At six the next morning [Monday], to the tune of “Farewell Manchester,” we commenced our march for Liverpool, and, after many a weary step, entered that place, at six p.m. the same day. We soon found this town to be a place, whose commercial pursuits collected, as in a focus, the diversified inhabitants of Asia, Africa, and America, and her quays presented the most gratifying spectacle, resembling a well-stocked hive of bees.

We lost no time in visiting the docks, those grand depots of commercial wealth, and were amazed by the contemplation of the stupendous pieces of naval architecture which there presented themselves, with the no less wonderful complication of masts, yards, blocks, and ropes. The first impulse of surprise had scarcely subsided, when a genteel-looking man came up to us, and accosted us with, “What ship, young men?” “We are unprovided with one, Sir,” said I. He quickly replied, that he had it in his power to befriend us, if the sea was our choice; that, if we would accompany him, he would not only introduce us to the Captain, but ensure us engagements. This was gratifying intelligence, and we accepted the seeming favour with cheerfulness.

We accompanied the stranger to a vessel, and had not been long on board, when the Captain made his appearance, to whom we were introduced, with an intimation of our intentions. An intimacy seemed to subsist between them; and the Captain requested Mr. Deacon (as he called him) to accompany us to his house, in St. Paul’s-square, at half-past seven o’clock that evening. We bowed to the Captain, and went with this good man (as we thought him) to his residence, in Ormond-street; where Mrs. Deacon received us with a good grace, was very affable, prepared for us a comfortable repast, and, with much humility, washed our feet. After regaling, and trimming ourselves out to the best advantage, we repaired to St. Paul’s-square, to meet the Captain; and were introduced into a room, where sat his wife, and an aged lady, both of whom appeared embarrassed on our entrance. The Captain, previously acquainted with the object of our visit, without ceremony proceeded to read over to us certain articles, chiefly relating to our duty on board. We then received fifty shillings each, as two months pay in advance, in bills, negotiable at those emporiums of imposition, the slop-shops. At this interview, we learnt that the Captain’s name was Evans, that of the ship Hudibras: and here I first learned to sympathise in another’s grief. Mrs. Evans, under evident emotion, drew her husband’s attention aside, when, after fixing her’s earnestly on us, she said something to him, to which he paid no respect; she again gazed on us, and then gave vent to suppressed feelings in a flood of tears. The old lady seemed confused; and I felt I knew not how. To divine the cause, required more philosophy than I was master of; though I have often thought since, that, possessed of a feeling heart, and knowing the dangers of a voyage to the Coast of Guinea, Mrs. Evans might, perhaps, pity the fate of two young men, whose appearance no way indicated that they had been accustomed to contend with hardships. Here Captain Evans was all condescension, politeness, and civility; so that his subsequent actions proved him to be a consummate hypocrite; for, when on board the Hudibras, he was morose, peevish, and tyrannical. In him were blended the most discordant passions: this moment phlegmatic, the next choleric, in the extreme: contracting an agreement, your very humble servant; his end attained, an unlimited despot!

With hearts sensibly affected at the situation of Mrs. Evans, we bade good night to the party, went to Mr. Deacon’s, where we were again kindly received by Mrs. Deacon, accommodated with supper and a bed, and, too inexperienced to perceive that they were baiting with a sprat to catch a mackerel, we became an easy prey to these dealers in human flesh. With joyous hearts we rose the next morning, paid an early visit to a slop-shop, at the corner of the Salthouse Dock, and, without much difficulty or scruple, rigged ourselves out, seaman-like; which done, our worthy friend told us in plain English, that it was customary for persons in our situation, to make a very handsome present to the individual who procured for them an engagement; but that a breechespiece would satisfy him; which very modest demand we complied with, and paid for accordingly. Equipped in our new costume, we spent the day in perambulating the streets, and surveying the differently constructed vessels; during which time we were frequently importuned to leave our long clothes with Mrs. Deacon, who would take the greatest care of them, as they would be of infinite service to us on our return (which her husband never expected). So pressing were his solicitations, and so unsuspecting our minds, that we consented to this arrangement, and never saw them more! In the course of this day, had not infatuation warped my judgment, or stupidity hood-winked reason, I might have profited by the conversation of an elderly seafaring man, who unreservedly depicted the horrors of a voyage in the slave-trade, immured in the loathsome hull of a ship, where the healthy and the sick are indiscriminately huddled together, with scarcely room sufficient to breathe in; besides being subjected to the caprice and ill treatment of unprincipled officers, who, he said, were too often selected from the desperate and abandoned. With emphatic earnestness he assured me, that such a voyage proved a grave to hundreds yearly, and that thousands deplored the day when they first engaged in so horrid a traffic. But the old man might as well have whistled to the winds. Unable to invalidate his assertions, though unwilling to be thought incapable of a reply, I, ignorantly enough, answered, that others had risked their lives and fortune, therefore why might not I? Thus, in an unguarded moment, I spurned that advice, which, if cherished and acted upon, would have prevented whole weeks and months of anxious solicitude, and removed me far from scenes, which I afterwards be held, outraging the best feelings of the heart, and sinking God’s rational creatures below the level of brutes!

On the third day, we were informed, that the Hudibras was about to sail. Our trunks were still in Ormond-street, whither we hastened, and immediately had them removed to the ship, which we found, on our arrival, clearing out of dock; we jumped on board, shook hands with Mr. Deacon, bidding him farewell, and rendered what assistance we could in getting her into the river. This was effected in excellent order, and she now rode majestically on the green waves of the Mersey, drifting to the Cheshire shore. We cast anchor between Seacombe and the Rock Perch, opposite the Magazine, and received on board 60 barrels of gunpowder for the African trade. Of the principles of this trade I gained a cursory knowledge, during the three days we remained in the river, from the information of several of the hands, who had been some time in the same employ. Activity was now seen in every department; the watches were formed; hammocks served out, and spun yarn given to sling them with. Mine I slung in no contemptible way, by paying attention to others who were proficients therein. I now discovered my want of a bed, which the officious Mr. Deacon, in his zeal to take care of our clothes, forgot to point out to me, as essentially necessary.

Comment

Comment

The boys’ departure date from Leeds is derived from SlaveVoyages.org, which says that the Hudibras, under Captain Jenkin Evans, left Liverpool on 26 May 1786. Butterworth’s 16th birthday wasn’t until later that year – ODNB gives his birth as 2 October 1769 at 55 Kirkgate, Leeds.

Butterworth’s final paragraph recapitulates his opening argument:

Strange are the vicissitudes of eventful time, and inscrutable the ways of Providence! In the sunshine of prosperity, therefore, bask not in heedless apathy! In the gloom of adversity, yield not to despondency! Cultivate the social virtues at home, in preference to seeking adventure abroad; for bitter are the draughts drunk from disappointment’s cup, and few indeed are the adventurers who have not drained its dregs from the bottom, though deep and capacious. Adventure promises much, but performs little. Covet not then, ye youths of Britain, to tread on such uncertain ground! Its paths are intricate, and, at best, dangerous! Here and there small plots of flowering shrubs delight the eye; but much more frequently extensive wilds, rugged and barren, present a dreary prospect, creating despondency and exciting alarm!

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Original

Το one denied the advantages of birth, without education, except such as is to be gained at a day school, in a provincial town; to one whose mind is too juvenile to have gained knowledge from experience, and too volatile to confine its operations within the sphere of reason; “trifles light as air” fascinate the eye, and captivate the passions. This observation was fully verified, in the pleasure I enjoyed on beholding a cousin of mine, dressed in the costume of a midshipman in the Royal Navy, when on a visit at the residence of my parents, and in the transport with which I listened to his relation of nautical anecdotes. From those circumstances I date the cause of the following narrative; for, fired with his description of things unaccountably strange, which a fervid imagination painted in glowing colours, I formed the design of seeing foreign nations, though wanting the means to effect my project, and unaided by parental support, which an inexperienced youth of sixteen could not hope for, and therefore would not solicit. But, when the mind is once fixed in its resolves, though detrimental to its best interests, in vain may reason exert its influence, and authority impose its power. From the moment I heard the young midshipman’s adventures, I desired to participate in similar events, and to behold scenes so fascinating. What engrossed my thoughts by day, seemed realised in dreams at night, till every wish became absorbed in that of seeing other climes.

Delightful views! where’er we turn the eye,
Still varied prospects crowd upon our sight!

Nor was it long before a circumstance happened, which fostered my project, by generating a hope of the accomplishment of my desires, though at the risk of destruction to my future prospects in life. I was encouraged by the persuasion of a companion, my senior in years; who, determined on adventures himself, wished for an associate in his peregrinations.

Like conspirators, we held nocturnal meetings, projected a thousand schemes, and defeated them with facility. However, I at length consented to elope from parents, whose care for my welfare then appeared restraint, and whose admonitions I considered as censures on my conduct.

At these meetings we arranged matters for our intended journey; but, surely, never did adventurers undertake an expedition with such scanty means for prosecuting it, with either pleasure or advantage. Conscious that we were about to enter the mazes of error, and desirous of eluding detection, night was made choice of to leave home. Accordingly, we turned our backs on Leeds, and our best friends, on a Saturday night, and urged our way over many a heath-clad steep. “Faint and weary,” we entered the populous and flourishing town of Manchester, at two o’clock on the afternoon of Sunday. Here fortune beamed on us its first ray: during the time we were refreshing ourselves at an inn, in Toad-lane, we were noticed by some of the company, who paid the most polite attention to us, and who generously presented us with a discharged bill of expenses we had been at. May beneficence wrap such souls in its downy mantle, and corroding care ever be a stranger to their breasts! Nothing could have been more timely; nothing more welcome. Our resources for future operations lay in one shilling each! However, hope, the poor man’s god, promised much, and urged to perseverance. At six the next morning [Monday], to the tune of “Farewell Manchester,” we commenced our march for Liverpool, and, after many a weary step, entered that place, at six p.m. the same day. We soon found this town to be a place, whose commercial pursuits collected, as in a focus, the diversified inhabitants of Asia, Africa, and America, and her quays presented the most gratifying spectacle, resembling a well-stocked hive of bees.

We lost no time in visiting the docks, those grand depots of commercial wealth, and were amazed by the contemplation of the stupendous pieces of naval architecture which there presented themselves, with the no less wonderful complication of masts, yards, blocks, and ropes. The first impulse of surprise had scarcely subsided, when a genteel-looking man came up to us, and accosted us with, “What ship, young men?” “We are unprovided with one, Sir,” said I. He quickly replied, that he had it in his power to befriend us, if the sea was our choice; that, if we would accompany him, he would not only introduce us to the Captain, but ensure us engagements. This was gratifying intelligence, and we accepted the seeming favour with cheerfulness.

We accompanied the stranger to a vessel, and had not been long on board, when the Captain made his appearance, to whom we were introduced, with an intimation of our intentions. An intimacy seemed to subsist between them; and the Captain requested Mr. Deacon (as he called him) to accompany us to his house, in St. Paul’s-square, at half-past seven o’clock that evening. We bowed to the Captain, and went with this good man (as we thought him) to his residence, in Ormond-street; where Mrs. Deacon received us with a good grace, was very affable, prepared for us a comfortable repast, and, with much humility, washed our feet. After regaling, and trimming ourselves out to the best advantage, we repaired to St. Paul’s-square, to meet the Captain; and were introduced into a room, where sat his wife, and an aged lady, both of whom appeared embarrassed on our entrance. The Captain, previously acquainted with the object of our visit, without ceremony proceeded to read over to us certain articles, chiefly relating to our duty on board. We then received fifty shillings each, as two months pay in advance, in bills, negotiable at those emporiums of imposition, the slop-shops. At this interview, we learnt that the Captain’s name was Evans, that of the ship Hudibras: and here I first learned to sympathise in another’s grief. Mrs. Evans, under evident emotion, drew her husband’s attention aside, when, after fixing her’s earnestly on us, she said something to him, to which he paid no respect; she again gazed on us, and then gave vent to suppressed feelings in a flood of tears. The old lady seemed confused; and I felt I knew not how. To divine the cause, required more philosophy than I was master of; though I have often thought since, that, possessed of a feeling heart, and knowing the dangers of a voyage to the Coast of Guinea, Mrs. Evans might, perhaps, pity the fate of two young men, whose appearance no way indicated that they had been accustomed to contend with hardships. Here Captain Evans was all condescension, politeness, and civility; so that his subsequent actions proved him to be a consummate hypocrite; for, when on board the Hudibras, he was morose, peevish, and tyrannical. In him were blended the most discordant passions: this moment phlegmatic, the next choleric, in the extreme: contracting an agreement, your very humble servant; his end attained, an unlimited despot!

With hearts sensibly affected at the situation of Mrs. Evans, we bade good night to the party, went to Mr. Deacon’s, where we were again kindly received by Mrs. Deacon, accommodated with supper and a bed, and, too inexperienced to perceive that they were baiting with a sprat to catch a mackerel, we became an easy prey to these dealers in human flesh. With joyous hearts we rose the next morning, paid an early visit to a slop-shop, at the corner of the Salthouse Dock, and, without much difficulty or scruple, rigged ourselves out, seaman-like; which done, our worthy friend told us in plain English, that it was customary for persons in our situation, to make a very handsome present to the individual who procured for them an engagement; but that a breechespiece would satisfy him; which very modest demand we complied with, and paid for accordingly. Equipped in our new costume, we spent the day in perambulating the streets, and surveying the differently constructed vessels; during which time we were frequently importuned to leave our long clothes with Mrs. Deacon, who would take the greatest care of them, as they would be of infinite service to us on our return (which her husband never expected). So pressing were his solicitations, and so unsuspecting our minds, that we consented to this arrangement, and never saw them more! In the course of this day, had not infatuation warped my judgment, or stupidity hood-winked reason, I might have profited by the conversation of an elderly seafaring man, who unreservedly depicted the horrors of a voyage in the slave-trade, immured in the loathsome hull of a ship, where the healthy and the sick are indiscriminately huddled together, with scarcely room sufficient to breathe in; besides being subjected to the caprice and ill treatment of unprincipled officers, who, he said, were too often selected from the desperate and abandoned. With emphatic earnestness he assured me, that such a voyage proved a grave to hundreds yearly, and that thousands deplored the day when they first engaged in so horrid a traffic. But the old man might as well have whistled to the winds. Unable to invalidate his assertions, though unwilling to be thought incapable of a reply, I, ignorantly enough, answered, that others had risked their lives and fortune, therefore why might not I? Thus, in an unguarded moment, I spurned that advice, which, if cherished and acted upon, would have prevented whole weeks and months of anxious solicitude, and removed me far from scenes, which I afterwards be held, outraging the best feelings of the heart, and sinking God’s rational creatures below the level of brutes!

On the third day, we were informed, that the Hudibras was about to sail. Our trunks were still in Ormond-street, whither we hastened, and immediately had them removed to the ship, which we found, on our arrival, clearing out of dock; we jumped on board, shook hands with Mr. Deacon, bidding him farewell, and rendered what assistance we could in getting her into the river. This was effected in excellent order, and she now rode majestically on the green waves of the Mersey, drifting to the Cheshire shore. We cast anchor between Seacombe and the Rock Perch, opposite the Magazine, and received on board 60 barrels of gunpowder for the African trade. Of the principles of this trade I gained a cursory knowledge, during the three days we remained in the river, from the information of several of the hands, who had been some time in the same employ. Activity was now seen in every department; the watches were formed; hammocks served out, and spun yarn given to sling them with. Mine I slung in no contemptible way, by paying attention to others who were proficients therein. I now discovered my want of a bed, which the officious Mr. Deacon, in his zeal to take care of our clothes, forgot to point out to me, as essentially necessary.

1857 words.

Tags

Tags are assigned inclusively on the basis of an entry’s original text and any comment. You may find this confusing if you only read an entry excerpt.

• Atlantic slave trade (5) ·
• Bight of Biafra (2) ·
• Butler, Samuel (1613-1680) (3), poet and satirist, chiefly remembered for Hudibras ·
• Butterworth, William (1769-1834) (5), Leeds engraver and sailor, unrelated to Henry Schroeder, good secondaries are ODNB and Thoresby Society ·
• Earle, Thomas (1754–1822) (2), slave trader responsible, with his brother William, for the transportation of over 19,000 people, mayor of Liverpool in 1787 ·
• Hudibras (3), a mock-heroic narrative poem by Samuel Butler, published in the aftermath of the English Civil War, and satirising Puritanism and the Parliamentarian cause from a Royalist perspective ·
• 📌Leeds (235) ·
• Liverpool (8) ·
• Manchester (18) ·
• Nigeria (4) ·
• Port of Liverpool (2) ·
• Royal Navy (10) ·
• Slavery (20) ·

All tags.

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