Puslapio vaizdai
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the west end of the town, entered into articles with her father, and took her apprentice; but Bates and Catley could not agree, and the former, it is said, was once so provoked, as to threaten to turn her out of doors, and sue her father for £200, the penalty of the bond executed when she was bound.

Her first appearance was at Vauxhall, in the Summer of 1762; and, on the 8th of October, in the same year, she appeared at Covent Garden, for the first time on the stage, in the character of the Pastoral Nymph, in "Comus."

The succeeding year, she became the object of public attention, from a very remarkable circumstance. Sir Francis Blake Delaval being smitten with her beauty, and understanding that the master and fair apprentice could not agree, resolved on releasing her entirely from the coercion of Mr. Bates, and making her his mistress. Accordingly, it was agreed, that Sir Francis should pay Bates the penalty of the father's bond, and also give him two hundred pounds more, in lieu of what she might earn for him, by the engagement he had made for her with the managers of Covent Garden Theatre, and Marylebone Gardens. For this purpose, Mr. Fraine, an attorney, was or

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dered to draw up on paper a transfer of her indentures from Bates to Sir Francis; and she and her mother were removed into lodgings, where she lived publicly with Sir Francis, was attended by his servants, and rode out with him every day.

The attorney having made the father a party to the articles, waited on him to obtain his signature and seal. Mr. Catley lived, at this time, with the very respectable Mr. Barclay, of Cheapside, as private coachman; and having got possession of the articles, consulted Mr. Barclay on the nature of them. This gentleman, who was a Quaker, was shocked at the wickedness of transfering a girl, by legal process, for the purpose of prostitution. He advised with his lawyer, who laid the case before counsel; and, in the ensuing term, two motions were made to the court, founded on these articles. The first of these motions was, for a habeas corpus, directed to Sir Francis Blake Delaval, to bring the body of Anne Catley into court. The second was, for a rule to shew cause, why an indictment should not be granted against Sir Francis Blake Delaval, Bates, the master, and Fraine, the attorney, for a conspiracy to prostitute Ann Catley, under the forms of law.

On the ensuing day, our heroine, in conse

quence of the habeas corpus, appeared in court, accompanied by Sir Francis, and was then discharged out of his custody; the affidavits for the prosecution were read, and a day was fixed for cause to be shewn. On the lady's release, her father attempted to seize her, and to carry her off by force. Sir Fletcher Norton, counsel for Sir Francis, immediately complained to the court, and the violent conduct of the father was very severely reprimanded by the Chief Justice, Earl Mansfield, who observed, that though the girl was not of legal age, she was at full years of discretion; and the question being put, whether she would return with her father, or Sir Francis, she declared her attachment to the latter, put her hand under his arm, and, making a curtesy to the judges, and another to the bar, walked with him out of Westminster Hall, to his carriage, which waited at the gate, and carried them home.

On cause being shewn, the Court were clearly of opinion, that the information should be granted. Lord Mansfield observed, that the Court of King's bench was custos morum of the country; and had authority, especially where the offence was mixed with conspiracy contra bonos mores.

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