Page:Some Particulars of the Life and Adventures of James Guidney - third edition.pdf/20

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for the passport, and left the office. On his way to his lodgings, thinking he might as well earn a few coppers, and not understanding the nature of the Vagrant Lot, he began to sing the Freemason's Hymn, when he was seized by two policemen, and taken to Hatton Garden Police Station. The Magistrates then on the Bench having examined his passport and taken it from him, committed him to Cold Bath Fields' Prison for three months, as a vagrant. Here his beard was shaved, for the only time since his adventure with the lamb above related. When he obtained his release, he asked for his passport, but was told that its time was expired, and he never received it. He therefore abandoned his intention of going to France, and continued to perambulate the country, selling his small wares till the 11th of June, 1825, when he went to Tong Castle, in Shropshire, the seat of J. Durant, Esq., who offered him an hermitage on his estate for a month's residence. He accepted. the offer, and left July 11th, and came to Birmingham, where he began to sell "Composition." After a short time he married a woman named Elizabeth Pitt, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Pitt, of Northwood Street, locksmith and bell-hanger.

He has remained in Birmingham ever since, selling his Composition in the streets and Public