Hide Article Text (OCR)
__ The following dislogue appears in a Sunday Paper,, It is of no importance; but it contains nothing offensive, and we give it a5 ore of those passing: things which form the subjects of talk for the mo ment ;and, therefore, whatever may be the dictates of good taste, raiate a place amongst the miscellaneous contents of a Daily ournals— “PIERCE EGAN’S INTERVIEW WITH THURTELL. * It was nearly ten o'clock on Thursday morning when I sent my card into ‘Thurtell. He immediately sent an answer that he was dressing, and should be ready to see me in a few minutes, and presently afterwards I was ushered into the office. Thurtell en tered. He advanced towards me with a cheerful step and smil ing countenance. Mr. Wilson, the governor, was present. I never saw Thurtell look better; in fact, his personal appearance was alto gether considerably improved. He was fashionably attired in a blue coat with gilt buttons, a yellow waistcoat, and dark trousers. His irons, which are rather heavy, were tied up with a silk handkerchief. His shirt and handkerchief white as snow, his pin tastefully displayed, and wristbands corresponding with the style of the present period. The following dialogue took place the moment he entered :— “* Thurtell (holding out his hand with great good humour)—What, Pierce Egan, how do you do? This is kind, and I am very glad to see you; (and immediately sat himself down in a chair.) © . « E.—You look well, Thurrell; nay, look as if you had been in trainings T.—Yes, thank God! I was never in better health and spirits. But you are come down to Hertford to take a few minutes about me, I suppose?—( Smiling.) « E. Yes, to cast my eyes around ; to report what is going on ; you know my forte. ““Pi—Yes; have often read many of your Sporting Accounts with great pleasure; but I suppose you, like the rest of the Press, have lashed me severely. * .—No, upon my word, I have not written a single line at pre sent about you to the public. « T.—Well, I feel obliged to you. But what a piece of work this affair has made, an’t it--( Feeling for his snuff-box, and looking down at his fetters.— What a parcel of lies the papers have inserted against me; and in addition to, which, they say I am sullen and dejected?—(Laughing.) ‘Those who know me well, know that I have done nothing to be dejected about. “ F.—You have seen the Newspapers then? ~' Ti—Yes, S am now reading the whole of them. It is too bad; the paragraphs are all false. I never committed any serious crime in my life. My friends know it full well. You may believe me, Mr. Wilson, L never was before a Magistrate on any charge in my life till the present. —I do the crime for which I am charged indeed? (indignantly. ) ‘sH.—I saw Mr. Weare at Doncaster Races. (The name of pate did not make any impression, although his eyes met Mr. or, , ¢ ‘Ty—There again is another direct falsehood among one hundred others. I never was at Doncaster in the whole course of my life, and I declare to you I have not been in a gambling house for upwards of two years; its also nearly three years ago since I was at a prize fight, not since Sanders and Israel Belasco fought. I, indeed, kill Weare, and take his money !—i t is well known that I have been more duped than engaged in duping others; and when I first entered the Sporting World, no person behaved more honourable than I did , or spent him blunt more freely.There was but one individual who stood to be shot at like myself—and that was the late unfortunate Elliott. Did I not make a fight at Norfolk for 1002. a side, when I could only collect seven pounds, although I was surrounded by all the Swells from the Metropolis, and 55,000 persons were present ?—— (The recollection of this circumstance seemed to give him pleasure, as he smiled, and was quite animated. : ‘© J,—] suppose you mean to read your defence? 'T, No, no! I shall speak for myself—and (with much energy) LT will give some of the Papers pepper for what they have said falsely against me. But I shall not be tied now; I want three witnesses to complete my defence; but so much prejudice has gone forth to the world, they are affraid to come; they must put it off without they mean to murder me. Gui l do not likes; you understand me. “« E.—I understand you wished to have to conduct your defence ? . . ‘ “'T.—Yes, yes; indeed I did; he is a clever fellow; but he is too much in difficulties to appear in Court for me. When did you see him last? « E.—About a month since, at Brighton. « T.—(Laughing. )At Brighton! aye, he wished me to appear some time since on the Stage, as Richard the Third, there. (Thur rell recollecting himself, and rising from his seat with the greatest indignation. )—Could anything be more cruel, unmanly, or diaboli cal, than to publish in a play bill at the Surrey Theatre that the chaise and horse should be exhibited in which it is said I committed the murder? It is a most infamous falsehood, and the Press has dealt with me most unfairly. « Mr.Wilson—Mr. Thurtell, I wish to call your attention to a letter I have received from Barber Beaumont. He wished me to voice to you; ‘he wishes you to answer whether you set your house on fire. «T. (with great indignation)—What do you think of such a fel low, to send such a letter to me—to divert my attention at this period —an answer indeed! To acknowledge setting fire to my house! people like to break his head into a thousand pieces first (clenching his fist. “ At his juncture, Bishop, one of the turnkeys of Newgate, opened the door; buten Mr. Wilson saying he was engaged, Bishop retired, _ Ti Who is that ? “ Mr.W.—He brought your brother down to-day. 46 T.—I should like to speak to him... . « Mr. W.—p ersonally I have no objection; but the Magistrates assert that it would be improper, as your brother is to be called as witness for the prosecution. . . « T.—Well, then, I suppose it must be so—but (with conside rable feeling)—1 should like to shake hands with him.—‘So P. Eh, What do those persons say about me in London to whom I am known? but, if they believe the Newspapers, I have been con demned long ago without any trial. .. YeeCan I do anything for you respecting your trial ? «S.—_No. Yes. if you see Mr. Chitty this morning, tell him I wish to consilt him respecting my defence. « E.—I must now take my leave. Pee « T.—Goodbye. I thank you kindly for this visit ; but I shall see you again. A trial must be put off. [He then returned to his own room with as much cheerfulness as he entered the Lodge. « In the course of the conversation, Mr. Wilson observed, I wish to impress on your mind, and I hope you will give me your romise,, that on meeting with Blunt you will behave decorously. ..—his countenance exhibiting various sensations, and in a hurried man ner.—No, no; I will not hurt nor abuse him ; I will behave pro perly you may rely on it.”
Newspaper Details
Courier
London, Middlesex, GB
Mon, Dec 08, 1823
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Joleen G.
USA 21 Aug 2026
Other Publications Near London, Middlesex
London Standard
Morning Chronicle
London Morning Post
London Daily News
Guardian
