[Footnote 157: This was John Lilley, who kept a public-house, called the Bull and Garter. In 1717 he was found guilty, and fined five pounds, for acting as Clerk at a Fleet Marriage. He was a turnkey at the Fleet Prison, and in his house he had a room for solemnizing marriages--which he called a Chapel--issuing certificates bearing the City Arms, and purporting to be the Lord Mayor's Certificates.]
[Footnote 158: Probably John Evans, who married from 1689 to 1729, both at the King's Bench and Fleet.]
[Footnote 159: I am unable to identify these initials.]
Keith's written description of a Fleet Marriage is graphic, but a contemporary engraving brings it even more vividly before us. This was published Oct. 20, 1747, and gives an excellent view of the Fleet Market as it then was. It is called "A FLEET WEDDING, Between a brisk young Sailor, and his Landlady's Daughter at Rederiff."
"Scarce had the Coach discharg'd it's trusty Fare, But gaping Crouds surround th' amorous Pair; The busy Plyers make a mighty Stir! And whisp'ring cry, d'ye want the Parson, Sir? Pray step this way--just to the PEN IN HAND The Doctor's ready there at your Command: This way (another cries) Sir, I declare The true and ancient Register is Here. Th' alarmed Parsons quickly hear the Din! And haste with soothing words t'invite them in: In this Confusion jostled to and fro, Th' inamour'd Couple knows not where to go: Till slow advancing from the Coache's Side Th' experienc'd Matron came (an artful Guide) She led the way without regarding either, And the first parson spliced 'em both together."
[Illustration: THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT.]
The Context to this is a companion Engraving of "THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT," which most aptly illustrates Keith's description, but the poetry attached to it will scarcely bear modern reproduction.
But, if a poetical account of a Fleet Wedding is needed, it may be found in "THE BUNTER'S WEDDING."
"Good people attend, I'll discover, A Wedding that happen'd of late, I cannot tell why we should smother, The weddings of poor more than great; 'Twixt Ben of the Borough so pretty, Who carries a basket, 'tis said, And dainty plump Kent street fair Kitty, A Coney Wool Cutter by trade.