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A Comly Matronly Woman (whom I shall for∣bear to nominate) lately lived in the Burrough of Southwark, who wanting things necessary both for the Ornament of the body, and furniture of a house, held a long consultation with her self how
she might effect her desires by a well contrived cre∣dit. Many plots she laid, but found none of them firm enough to build the structure of her designed advantage, till she chanced to hit upon this strata∣gem. She had a Daughter which was more han∣some than honest, and much more witty than wise, in short, both Mother & Daughter were as right as my leg, and as good as ever twang'd. These two consulting together, concluded thus, that they should in the first place change their habitation, but before they did it, the Daughter went to one of the Devils Factors, alias a Tally-man (with whom she was acquainted) and took up all the Materials belon∣ging to man's Apparel, which she said was for her Husband, who was returned home to receive what pay was due to him for serving his Majesty by Sea, against the Hollander. She told her story so plausi∣bly, expressing so much joy for his escape, and what great advantages were like to accrue to her by the Valour of her Husband, that the Tally-man did not only trust her with a Suit of mans apparel, but fur∣nisht her self with many necessary things she wan∣ted. Being laded with credit, home she came, and having removed all their goods to a place conve∣nient for their future projects, the old Gentlewo∣man plaid the changling with her sex, by throwing off her Female weeds, and cloathing her self, in every respect like a man; the young Baggage for a while pretended her Mother was lately dead, and that being left to the wide world, she knew not what course to steer for want of advice; there was a young man who belonged to the Sea, did court her, but she was fearful of engaging; she at length and that in a little time had so wrought upon the af∣fections of divers of the Neighbours, partly by her good face and notable smooth tongue, that they
undertook not only to advise but assist her. Whe∣reupon understanding that her Sweet-heart lay as a Lodger in her house, some of them came to enqui∣re into his estate, and being very well satisfied the∣rein, they then inquired into his resolution of mar∣rying this young woman, he protested he loved her before any in the World, and if she would they should be marryed the next day, it was agreed upon, and accordingly the Mother in a Masculine habit went to Church where they were marryed accor∣ding to form; great was the jollity that day, and night approaching they went to bed together, but without any hopes of reaping the sweet enjoyment of a Marriage bed, but by a dream or the strength of imagination. The next day their mirth increa∣sed, neither was there any diminution of it for one whole week. Having spent time enough in reioi∣cing, they now pretended to mind their business, the one for the house and the other abroad, who carryed her business so craftily, that she was not in the least suspected to be any other than she seemed to be, for she was a Woman of an undannted Spi∣rit, and having a nimble Tongue and quick inven∣tion, she had learned to bounce and huff with any Bully-Ruffin in the Strand, Holbourn, or Convent∣garden; besides as a further qualification to that boy∣strous occupation, she could Smoak, Drink, and Swear with any Damme, within twenty miles of London; but when she returned home, and was amongst her Neighbours, she always wore the Vi∣zor of temperance and sobriety, never Swearing, nor seldom Drinking more but what might be the Oyl to cheerfulness and hilarity. Having gotten the good opinion of her Neighbours, she was now resolved to make use of their Purses, which she might easily do, by pretending she had a great deal
of mony due from the Navy office, and which she had not received, but should speedily; and to con∣firm their belief shewed them several counterfeit Tickets. This so wrought with some, that they lent her mony, and though not every one much, yet many a little makes a Mickle. Having enriched themselves with the spoils of others, and not daring to stay any longer in that place, they secretly remo∣ved and took a house remote from the former to prevent discovery; in this house they intended to sell all sorts of Liquors for the entertainment of men, and Women, and therefore the old one thought it requisite to appear in a Garb suitable to that profession, which was very plain, and that she might possess the People with an Opinion that she was (as so drest) an innocent harmless Cuckold she behaved her self so simply to her supposed Wife, that every one jndged him what he seemed, and the∣reupon made addresses to the young one at such convenient times as the old one went abroad on purpose, or was more than ordinary busie below; by this means they had a very great Trade, especially by that Venery which was winkt at as aforesaid; in this manner they continued a good while, and I ha∣ve been credibly informed, that the Mother, (and supposed Husband to her own Daughter) when she had a desire to the same satisfactions she had pimpt for her Daughter, she would put on her own Female Habit, and sitting in the house as a custo∣mary Plyer, the Daughter frequently by way of a kind return, did play▪ the Bawd for the Mother so long till they were apprehended, for keeping a dis∣orderly house, and being carryed to a justice upon Examination were found guilty of what was alled∣ged against them and so were committed to Bride∣well, the Keeper viewing the Faces of them both
very strictly imagin'd he had seen before the Face of the elder which personated the man, but could not for the present tell where; at length he verily belie∣ved she had been formerly under his Jurisdiction, hereupon he seized her doublet, and striping it o∣pen, found by lier Breasts what he had suspected; the former Justice was informed hereof, who sent for them both to appear before him, upon further examination the seeming man was found to be only a lusty woman, and Mother to that young woman she had marryed; likewise it was proved against the young woman that she had frequently drest her self in mans apparel to enjoy her Amours with the grea∣ter security abroad, for which, they were both sent back again to Bridewell, where they were severely lasht for their cheating Metamorphosis.