A complete history and development of all the extraordinary circumstances and events connected with the murder of Mr. Weare : together with the trial at large, including speeches of counsel, examination of evidence, defence, &c. &c. : a faithful picture of all the fashionable "modern hells" and "black-legs" of the metropolis with sketches of the principal individuals who frequent them, whether in the character of "Greeks" or "pigeons" : an exposition of the frauds practised, the immense sums won and lost, and the calamitous events to which this system of nefarious villany has in many instances led : comprising most curious and highly interesting details, furnished from original and authentic sources, with a view to deter the young and unwary novice from this vortex of vice and misery : the whole forming a genuine series of gambling biography.

Date:: 1824

Credit: A complete history and development of all the extraordinary circumstances and events connected with the murder of Mr. Weare : together with the trial at large, including speeches of counsel, examination of evidence, defence, &c. &c. : a faithful picture of all the fashionable "modern hells" and "black-legs" of the metropolis with sketches of the principal individuals who frequent them, whether in the character of "Greeks" or "pigeons" : an exposition of the frauds practised, the immense sums won and lost, and the calamitous events to which this system of nefarious villany has in many instances led : comprising most curious and highly interesting details, furnished from original and authentic sources, with a view to deter the young and unwary novice from this vortex of vice and misery : the whole forming a genuine series of gambling biography. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Anecdotes of the Thurtells. :t having set fire to the premises and defrauding the Fire Office, by making a return of his loss to the amount of £2,000. when it was not more than £100. (as is supposed), are facts very generally known; and we lament that, whether the fire was accidental or otherwise, the consequence to other persons has been very calamitous. Three houses were burnt down by the conflagration ; and the property of a Mr. Penny, a wine- merchant, who was not insured, was destroyed, as well as the property of another person whose premises adjoined those of the Thurtells. The discovery of the alleged crime of arson, is said to be owing to Miss D-having peached to the Insurance Company, in consequence of John Thurtell’s ill-treatment and desertion of her. In the Spring of last year (after the fire in Watling-street) he took the Cock, in the Haymarket, in the name of his brother Thomas ; but Thomas was at that time, and for a long time afterwards, a prisoner in the King’s Bench, at the suit of John, for a trifling debt; having previously, in an application for relief, under the Insolvent Debtors’ Act, stated that he had no property whatever, and was supported by the assistance of friends. The transactions which went on at this house rendered the Thurtells the terror of the neighbourhood. The house was the resort of swindlers, thieves, and prize-fighters. Goods were continually pouring in from tradesmen of all descriptions, and clandestinely removed. Thomas Thurtell was the general dealer. Elegant furniture, mirrors, clocks and watches, carriages, horses, carts, fine cutlery, wearing apparel in profusion, bundles of coral, and entire brick-kilns were liberally ordered, and chiefly paid for with the acceptances of Thomas Thurtell. No less than one hundred and sixty pounds of meat were sent in during the week before Thomas Thurtell appeared in the Gazette. Many complaints had been made of robberies committed in this house; and on a late occasion, when the head beadle was making his annual visit to the public-houses, he remarked at the Cock a dice-box going in one room, a bagatelle-board in full play in ano¬ ther, and an active row in the bar, arising out of the complaints of an itinerant jeweller, who said he had been robbed of a gold ring by the wraiter while he was shewing his goods. The license of the house was refused on the last licensing day, and T. Thurtell was declared a bankrupt in the Gazette of October 18th. A man was left in possession of the house, was cau¬ tioned as to the characters he had to deal with, and accord¬ ingly armed himself, and fastened bells to all the windows and doors. About three o’clock in the morning, he found there was an attempt to open the kitchen window; he went down, [appendix.] , ji

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