Bassoon reed thief at the Old Bailey

Thomas Rowlandson

More Miseries: Being Nervous and Cross Examined by Mr Garrow (1808).

British Museum Prints and Drawings, Satires 10841. © Trustees of the British Museum.

From Old Bailey Proceedings, 21st April 1819.

Third Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant.

Case Number 653. JAMES FRAZIER was indicted for stealing, on the 28th of March, one waistcoat, value 3s., and one pair of breeches, value 10s., the goods of Benjamin Hillias Weedon; one box, value 3d., six bassoon reeds, value 6d., and one pair of stockings, value 1s., the goods of Robert Bennett.

BENJAMIN HILLIAS WEEDON. I am a shoemaker, and live at the Goat, public-house, at Brentford ; the prisoner lodged there, in the same room; I lost these things out of my box, and found the prisoner in custody next day with them.

ROBERT BENNETT. I lodge at the Goat, public-house. I lost these thing out of my box, which was open. I took the prisoner that evening, and found the things on him.

(Property produced and sworn to.)

JOHN BARFOOT. I am a pawnbroker. The prisoner pledged the waistcoat with me.

WILLIAM CAMP. I am a pawnbroker. The prisoner pledged a pair of breeches with me.

PRISONER. I beg for mercy.

GUILTY. Aged 18.

Confined Two Months, and Whipped.