The witty jests and mad pranks of John Frith commonly called, the merry-conceited-mason, brother and fellow-traveller : with Captain James Hinde the famous high-way-man. Frith, John. 1673 Approx. 27 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66814 Wing W3239A ESTC R14984 12596342 ocm 12596342 64057 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66814) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 64057) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 970:17) The witty jests and mad pranks of John Frith commonly called, the merry-conceited-mason, brother and fellow-traveller : with Captain James Hinde the famous high-way-man. Frith, John. [2], 22 p. Printed for Tho. Passenger ..., London : 1673. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng English wit and humor. 2006-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-02 Celeste Ng Sampled and proofread 2007-02 Celeste Ng Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE VVITTY JESTS AND Mad Pranks OF JOHN FRITH Commonly called , The Merry-Conceited-MASON , Brother and Fellow-Traveller WITH Captain Iames Hinde The Famous High-way-Man . LONDON , Printed for Tho. Passenger , at the Three Bibles upon the middle of London-Bridge . 1673. And first of his Birth and Boyes Tricks . LIeutenant John Frith , which is the subject of our following Discourse , was born at Deep Dalle in Derbyshire , of honest paren●age , his Father being a free Ma●on , and brought him up to his Latin , and to write all hands usual , intending to send him to the Vniversity , he was an excellent Mason ; having such good par●s he grew proud , and lighting into bad company , being kept short of money , and took wilde courses ; he then studies how to compass money to spend , and chose vile company rather then the Vniversity or his trade ; being for his Mirth , Birth and Trade , called The Merry conceited Mason . How he feasted his Fellows at another time ▪ HE and his Fellows being in an Inn , having been very merry , and their coyn growing very short , and being very hungry , they knew not how to get a dinner , but John that was quick-witted , soon contrived how to get one . In that Inn was a Wedding kept , with variety of good cheer , so soon as dinner was set on the table , one of his Complices went out into the yard , se●● two Mastiff dogs together by the ●are , hollo●● , calls his fellows to see the sport , which stirr'd not , then run all the people out both the family and stran●ers , in runs his friend , l●cks the door in merriment , keeps all out till they had din's ; then opened the door , permitting them to take the rest ; and to make themselves more spor , in the dead of the night they took a ca● , shooes her with Walnut-shells ●●●'d with pitch , ties a Bell about her neck , and turns her into the Bridegrooms Chamber , which made such harmony that affrighted both the Bride and Bridegroom . How he furnished himself with moneys at a Tavern . JOhn being at a Fair , and in a gallant Gard , espied some Graziers and other Countrey-men telling fifty pounds upon a table in a Tavern where they were drinking , the one party would not receive it except more were added to it , the other would not take it back again , saying , it was his bargain ; whilst they were thus contending , in steps Frith , str●kes the moneys suddenly , being most of it gold , into his hat , runs out at the door , draws his sword , betakes him to his heels cries An Arrest , An Arrest , runs to his horse , mounts and out-r ; ides them all , thus bought he fifty pounds at a Fair. An Excellent Prank performed by Frith amongst four Bears . There was a Bearward that kept four lusty Bears , with whom he travelled the Countrey , and coming where Frith at that time lay with his Complices to catch a Purchase . It being Fair-time , the Bears were tied in a great barn on the out-side of the town , close to an house that sold Ale ; they to make themselves sport ●●ls two marrow-bones with honey , casts them between two and two , sets them all to sighting , and then whipt them , having first plac'd themselvs upon a beam ; but in conclusion the bears brake loose , and made at their new game , the Whip●●ers take their heels , and escaped very narrowly with their lives , the Bears brake into the Alehouse , pulled down the drink , pull'd out the caps ; eat up all the raw meat , brake down an Oven , pull'd out the bread : all this while the Bear wards were drunk , and knew nothing ; but missing the bears in the Morning , found them as drunk as they themselves were over-night , and was forc'd to pay for the loss the house sustained . How he served one Anthony Topley which led a Bear about the Countrey . ONe Anthony Topley that lived once a Bisley , having a small parcel of Land lett him by his Father , sold the same , and bought with that moneys a great Year , and a Bear-dog , and hired a man to travel with him ; one time , lodging by a Market-town in the night ▪ his bear brake into the Ale-Cellar , and drank as long as he could find the way up into a Chamber or loft finds a bed , lies down upon it , and falls asleep ; it hapned that a man and two women lay in that bed ; they wak'd , feeling so heavy a weight upon their feet , and having such strong puffings , put forth their hands to feel what it was , and by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and roughness , their actions being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concluded it to be the devil , and so 〈◊〉 all 〈…〉 cross the house ; and 〈◊〉 being 〈◊〉 , cried out in a most horrible manner The devil , the devil , the devil , help Neighbors , good Neighbors help ; John that was su●pected to let the bear loose ▪ bring● in the Watch , where they found 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 drunk , and the three in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rehearsed ▪ all three was sent to Bridewel ●o beat hemp . How he found the aforesaid Topley with his Bear. FRith , as is before rehearsed , being taxed for letting the bear loose , sought revenge on Topley , and so dissembled the m●●●er , that he pro●●r'd assistance to 〈◊〉 , and travelling from Stableforth to Nottingham in hot weather , between Bramcote and Hemlock-hills , his bear being lazy , went into a Pond , and was hard to be gotten forth again : John with his three Gentlemen , riding 〈◊〉 after , 〈◊〉 the Bear laid down at the end of he fallow lands , where the husbandmen were plowing , perswades him to have him drawn by horses , immediately appear a kennel of hounds hunting the Hare on Bramcote-hills with open cry : Anthony fearing his bear would be torn in pieces by the hounds , gave a shilling to the Plough-men , they clapt on their Plough-chains on the bears collar , lashes their horses , John and his men hollow , the bear roars and foams , the horse● hearing so hideous a noise , smelling such a terrible stink , run a full mile towards Lenton , then stopt at a gate that goes into Lenton fields , just opposite to Woollerton-Hall , which is said to have as many windows in it as there are days in the year ; but coming up to the bear they found him as dead as all herring , his head pluckt clear from his shoulders , but John rid strait away to Nottingham ; upon this the free-school-boys made these verses following , Anthony Topley that unluckie heir , Sold his land and bought a bear ; He went to Nottingham to tan his skin , To make a bag to beg bread in . A merry Jest how he hunted the squirril . ON a time he with several Gentlemen went to hunt the squirril , a rare sport in our Countrey , and having a simple fellow in their company , he promised the fel●ow the first Squirril they caught , but did not , notwithstanding the fellow claimed promise ; the next Squirril they took fell down at the feet of the dogs in a Cock gload seeming dead ; John knowing their natures , took the Squirril by the nape of the neck , gives her into the hand of Martin , for so was the fellow named ; the Squirril finding ease and liberty swallows the lower part of his hane , that her teeth met ; but Martin striving to th●ke her off she stuck the faster , till the smart forc'd him to cry out with vehemency , I 'le none of her , I 'le none of her , I 'le none of her ; after much mirth and laughter they look the Squirril off . Martin at that time deeply swore , He ne're would hunt the Squirril more . How he came to London , and cheated an Upholster of a great sum . After this he came to London , and lodged in the house of an Upholster in the suburbs , pretending great dealings in the Countrey for divers commodities , and so demeaned himself , as none mistrusted him paying justly for every thing ; not a boy sent of an errant , but he gave him a good reward ; no linnen wash'd but he pa●d nobly , never was seen to be disguised in drink , his Landlady being a lusty lively young woman , beautiful and fair , to colour his design the better , he made much of his Landlord ; if he went to the Ale-house or the Tavern he paid his R●ckoning for him ; he never went without his pockets well lined with Gold and silver ; but time emptied his pockets ▪ and now he must replenish , or of necessity perish : Where came a pack●t of Letters to his hand from West-Chester ▪ signifying that there was an hundred and fifty pounds lay ready , if he would come and receive the s●me , and withal to bring down fourty pounds worth of Goods more , and receive all his moneys tog●ther : then shewed he these Letters to his Landlord , to confirm his belief , borrows fourty pounds of him to buy these Goods , perswades him to hire two horses to carry them both down , and travelling to West-Chester , took up their Inn : John enquires if such a Gentleman was not yet come , naming a person of quality , Answer was return'd he had not been there yet , then he storm'd , saying , he promised to meet me here about the time ; then hespake be a large Supper , saying , that he expected some friends to sup with him , calls for wine in abundance for the Londoner ; this done , he goes to the Stable , hires a Boy to conduct him to the forenamed Gentlemans house , takes both the horses with the Portmantues a mile out of the town , dismisses the boy , and returns no more to the Vpholster , leaving him to buy another horse , and look for his money . How he left one horse and gained another . IT fortun'd in a skirmish between four thieves , and six true men , one of Friths Complices had his horse shot under him ; he sets his wits at work to get another , and heard that a Parson whom he hated was to ride eight miles to preach a Funeral Sermon ; caused his pretended servant to travel on foot to a convenient place by the way-side : the Parson rid upon a lusty grey Mare , and John upon a black horse as black as Iet , and himself all in black from head to foot , with a coal-black Periwig : his horse can full speed with all his vigour and strength to cover the Mare , and did so be-clout the Parson with his iron 〈◊〉 was , that he almost killed him , and so falling from the beast , the Footman pretending pity , came and took the Mare away to k●ep her from danger ; but the Parson loves not a stone-horse to this very day . Set a Knave to catch a Knave . IT hapned that in a Countrey-town where John lay in the time of the wars , being then a Lieutenant , that he noted the passages between a young couple , and it was thus , an ancient rich Gentleman had married a very fair and beautiful young woman , which before had many Suitors , one of the which , though he was a married man , did often frequent her company ; and walking into the Orchard to solace themselves , free from all company , under a fair pear-tree , whose fruit was much coveted ; it hapned that a School-boy went up in a Moon-wine night , to fill two Satchels with pears . After him came Frith , pretending for to steal pears , the boy fearing that he would beat him , supposing him to belong to the Orchard , begg'd pardon , it was granted , and Silence commanded : immediately came this young Gallant and his young Gentlewoman just under the pear-tree , where the man threw by his weaver-hat , pulls out his purse of moneys , knife and keys , pulls off his coat , spreads it upon the ground to keep his Ladies clothes clean , lays her upon it , and to Venus sport they go with joy and great delight , 〈◊〉 made Johns 〈◊〉 water ; and having no longer power to forbear , with violence threw down a Satchel of pears upon them , then another , saying , then take the bags , the pears and all , then in all haste lept down out of the tree ; but this couple supposing the divel to be there , ran with all speed away , leaving the hat , coat , knife ▪ keys and moneys behinde , next Sabbath John went to the Parish Church in that hat and coat , but the loser durst never own it . Of a merry Jest at a Wakes . IT hapned that these four Gallants went to a Countrey - Wakes to be merry , where there was much dancing , and Musick ; in the midst of this jollity he spied a young man sitting in a corner , with his hand upon or in a young womans placket , one of his Complices call'd to him , demanding what sign to meet at next , he replied with a loud voice , looking them full in their faces , saying , At the sign of the hand in Placket : At this the Youth removes his hand , Hold , hold , ( ●a●s John ) Friend , if you remove the sign , we shall not know the house ; this caused much laughter through the whole multitude of Guests . How he made Captain Hinde merry when Melancholy . IT fell out suddenly af●er that he came to live with Captain James Hinde his Master , who fell into a great Melancholy , whereupon certain of the Society carried both Master and Man into a Tavern , where was variety of Musick , Wine and good Cheer in abundance , not could not all this avail to make Hinde once for to smile : but his man professed , as he was a true man , an honest man , and a Gentleman , if he could not make his Master laugh , and forsake his humor of Melancholy , his Master should se●k a new man , and he for his own part would seek a new Master within two days : the Musicians went to dinner , John privately carried all their Fiddle-cases into a back-room , and unloo●'d a 〈◊〉 into every one of them : then he call'd for a lesson , that he nor none never heard , but they could not answer his expectation : then he ●aused them to be dismiss'd , and putting up 〈◊〉 Instruments they depart : but ●●fore they went to the Sta●●●●●● , he call'd them again , ●aying , Ihave it , I have it , Come , play it quickly , whilst it is in my minde , Play me , The Case is Altered , or , All-turd ; then they brought forth their Instruments , which was so foully bewrayed , that it caused Captain Hinde to laugh so heartily , and all the whole Company , that they w●r● forc'd to hold him in his Chair : so John had five pounds given him for his pains , for the quick curing of his Master . How he Cheated an Inn-keeper of fourty pounds . THe Merry conceited Mason travelled in the habit , and went by the name of a rich Countrey-Grazier , well known in London , and at such time as he know he was not in London , came into an Inn. calls for Beer , drinks with the Inn-keeper : in comes one of his Complices in the habits of a Drover , stands bare to him , and is very observant ; Why , How now , Ned , says he , what good News hast thon brought ? how far are my cattel off ? what time will they be here to night ? Sir , said Ned , two of the biggest oxen , the brended and the black one are both fallen lame , and it is well if they get to London time enough for the next Market ; than demanded he , if such a Friend of his were come to town , naming a rich Grazier . Ned said no , for some of his were fallen sick also , and he stayed to come along with the cattel ; then he ●●ampt , protesting he must pay one hundred pounds the next day before Sun-set upon bond , and as yet he had but fourscore ; the Inn-keeper by their discourse thought be could not have less then four hundred pounds worth of cattel coming out of the countrey lent him fourty pounds ; he promis'd payment next day , but never came . How he caught a silver Bird of great value JOHN being in London in a gallant garb passing along , espied a silver Flagon standing on a Court-Cupboard , a young Gentlewoman being at door , he pretended his bird flew in , she gave him admitance , be thanked her , but the silver flagon was never heard of . How he Cheated a Grazier's Wife of an Hundred pounds . THe merry conceited Mason being quite out of moneys , in a gallant Garb , travell'd the Countrey to finde out adventures to gain a considerable sum of money in a short time , lodging in an Inn where the greatest booty was likely to be had , drinking his pot , heard the discourse betwixt a Grazier and a farmer , the Grazier had bought cattel of the Farmer that came to 100 l. but had not money , but told the Farmer when he came from home be left word with his wife , that if he bought a bargain , he would send a Messenger for a hundred pounds by such a token , with such a receit with his own hand to it , that it is impossible any should deceive her ; John seeing what hand he writ , and having the tenor of the Receit , gets into a back-room , takes horse , having time by the forelock , comes to the woman , and tells her , that he came from her husband , her husband was well , and lodged in such an Inn , he had bought a great bargain of cattel , and hoped to gain twenty pounds by it , tells her all the tokens : She demands why her husband sent such a one as he was for the moneys 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 himself by a great Gentlemans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dwelt there , said , it was because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more conscience 〈◊〉 him ●uen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other , and that he had deal with him 〈◊〉 hundreds of pounds ; 〈…〉 you this , said he ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said the good wife , and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him an hundred pounds , 〈…〉 , and left 〈…〉 , but never came to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any more . How he and his two Complices robb●d a Gentleman and his Man of three hundred pounds , and repaid it again at that time . He and two of his Complices met a Gentleman and his man upon a Plain , that had three hundred pounds in two Port●●●●●● , that they received for Kent , set upon them both , but the serving-man stood at a distance , beholding his Master fight valiantly , crying , Ah , well fought , Master ; Ah , bravely fought , Master ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came to help him ; the Gentle 〈…〉 him for it : so I will , said one ; riding up towards him took away his Portmantue , then beats him with the flat side of his sword , the man cried , You Rogue , do you take away my money , and then beat me ; What , you think to serve me as you did my Master , but I 'le see you hang'd first ; then draws his sword , fought 〈◊〉 , the rest standing amazed the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wounded the Chief , so that he 〈◊〉 , then thrust his sword into the Flanck of the horse : then said the Gentleman , being my Man will fight wee 'll try our Fortunes for our moneys : Mason sets upon the Gentleman , the other upon his man , the skirmish was maintained with courage on both sides , that it was doubtful , but his man cuts one of the Thieves over the pate , he tumbles , and was uncapable to fight : turn both sets upon the Masers , 〈◊〉 compelled him to return the moneyes : the Mason requested friendship , and so they agreed not to discover them , carries the worst wounded man behind the Gentlemans Man to an Inn , where they set up their horses and their woman 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 together , and in the 〈◊〉 brake fast together , swore secrecy in each other with promise not to discover them , and the Gentleman never to be rob'd , ride what road he will , using only a by-word . How they rob●d a man of two hundred pounds , and paid it again at six months . Three of these Blades , meeting with a Londoner with two hundred pounds which he went to pay upon bond for stuffe he had received at London , they carried him to a By-house , where they refresh'd themselves ; the Sun growing low , the Londoner call'd for a Reckoning , but the Mason told him he must pay all the mony he had , if it were five hundred pounds be seeing no remedy , said , I hope you are Gentlemen , you will save my life : Yea , said Frith , but see that you do not discover us , so they set him on his horse , conducted him to the road , and so dismiss'd him . How at six months end they were discoverd ABout six months after , the Tradesman walking the streets espied three horses , at a Tavern-door : well-knowing them , to belong to the Robbers , he takes out a writ , employs two Marshals-men to arrest them : besides a Justices Warrant with a Constable and Aid if need required : then he first attaques their horses , a Watch over them , plants his Marshals men in one Room , the Constable and Aid in another , orders them to call for what Wine they like best , and he would pay for all , then goes he in his own person unto these Gentlemen , presents them with a gallon of the best Sack , drinks a merry C●y to them all , gives them many thanks for their last kindnes , they stiffely deny that ever they saw him before , saying , Come let us be gone , and let us know what is to pay ; Gentlemen said the Tradesman , I can tell you ; how can you tell , said they ; Very well , saith he , for you must pay me two hundred pounds that I lent you in such a place , they utterly denied it ; but he shewed them he had seized their horses : and there 〈◊〉 Marshals-men to Arrest you , or if you please , there 〈◊〉 the Constable with a warrant and a guard to carry you before the next Justice : As you was Civil to me so will I be to you , either pay the moneys , or chuse which of the other pleaseth you best , but they finding no other remedie , paid him all his moneys and charges , and gave him a large Colat●or , gain'd promise not to discover them , and he never to be rob'd , and so part to very good friends . How they rob'd a Rich man in the North , and came to London , and Acquitted themselves of the Fact. THere was a Man who dwelt in the North of England , who never married , nor could 〈◊〉 woman , no not his own Sister ; he was exceeding rich , having Chests full of moneys , and kept but a small 〈◊〉 ; To his house five of these resorts , and being troubled in their minds that so much treasure should be hid from the world , contrived how it might be disposed of for the good of many , to do this , one gains Acquaintance with the Serving-man , and oft repairs to the house in his Masters absence : the Master some time after being abroad , he carried his man to the win● , and made him drunk , leads him home , lays him upon the bed , immediately comes the other Five , takes these Instruments , opens the lock● , fills all their Portmantues , locks up the outer door , having first bound the drunken man upon his hed , then came with all speed for London , where it was agre●● , that one should put the rest in prison , 〈◊〉 but a little before the De●sions , the merry conceited Mason apprehends them , accuses them of suspicion of Felony before the Justice , that they had robd him and a North-Countrey gentleman of several sums of money , but there was no Bill found , and they were quit by Proclamation . A Merry Jest of a Trunk worth 600 l. These merry conceited fellows lying in an 〈◊〉 , understood by the Chamberlains worthe there was such a trunk of moneys and plate : they determined the same into their Portmantues , or convey it out , no notice was taken : but when these Blades were in their beds , the Inn-keeper having been deceived before , brought in another trunk just like the real trunk , and conveyed the real trunk into a safer place , giving notice to the Chamberlain not to mind if , they seeing an opportunity , conveyed away the trunk to an house that was privy to their Actions , supposing it by the weight so be the 〈◊〉 , but opening the same , found it stufft with bags of straw , brick-bats , and such stuff , and for garnish they found a large pair of Rame-horns , together with a Rope and butter , at which they were all amazed , knowing it portended their being hanged . How they committed a notable Robbery , and the Merry conceited Mason was taken , imprisoned , and how he escap●d . These Gallants having bad but bad success in the last Enterprise , resolv'd upon a more sure Purchase ; They all went to a Gentlemans house , alights , tells the Porter they had earnest business , and must speak with his Master immediately , they had admitance , leaving one to look to their horses , having their Pistols cockt and hand upon sword , promising to burt no creature , commanding the Gentleman up-stairs , half of them attending him , and took away 500 l. How he was taken and Escap't . A short time after , being committed to prison for a great crime , and so like to suffer , the assizes being near , where some of his Complices came to see him , invited him to drink , the Cellar being without the prison , his friends takes their leave , he 〈◊〉 two horses bridled and sadled , gets upon one of them , and so went over into Ireland . FINIS .