BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 355
undertaker, very rich, and who usually promenaded in the Park, rather foppishly
dressed, with a gold repeater, set with diamonds, ostentatiously displayed.
Aware that he regularly entered by Spring-Garden gate about four o’clock, BilI
Drake and Mackcoull took care to arrive before him; and as the Old Raven
(as they called him) approached, the one passed on in front, and, wheeling
round, was ready to clutch the watch, just as the other, coming up behind, struck
his hat down over his eyes. This adventurous affair, committed in broad day,
was accomplished with such celerity, that the young rogues escaped without
pursuit j but the circumstance creating considerable excitement, Mackcoull
became apprehensive of detection. Having consulted with his father, whose
house he had previously abandoned, and expressed regret for his past conduct,
he obtained the old man’s concurrence to assist him in going to sea. He
was accordingly put on board the Apollo, where he served as an officer’s servant
for two years. In the same capacity he remained for several years in the
Centurim, and conducted himself with so much propriety, that, on being drafted
on board another ship, on the North American station, he was appointed
purser’s steward, on the recommendation of his former captain. After having
been nine years at sea, he returned to London about 1785, with a considerable
sua in wages, prize-money, and presents.
His former propensities revived almost as soon as he revisited the place
of his birth; and he gave way to every species of debauchery, attending the
cock-pit, the ring, and the gaming-table, at which he acquired much expertness.
His funds speedily vanishing, he now became a gentleman pick-pocket; and
as such attained a degree of eminence surpassed by few. Greatly improved
by his foreign travels, his appearance was genteel, his address good, and he
could tell an excellent story. He generally represented himself as the Captain
of a West Indiaman, whose last trip had been unfortunate; and he seldom
failed, by the relation of his adventures, to involve his audience in a game
at cards, or a debauch, when he was sure either to clear the board, or drink
his friends under the table, leaving them minus their money and watches.
It is asserted that the modern system of “hocussing,” used rather extensively
at Bristol not long since, was familiar to him, and that he found it very
advantageous.
One instance may
be given peculiarly illustrative of his talents, and worthy the honorary title of
the Heathen Philosqiber, conferred on him by the fraterhity with which he
associated The circumstance occurred at Brentford, during an election, where
he and two friends proposed to do business. At the hustings they found nothing
could be accomplished. They retired to the principal inn, where they dined ;
and having ingratiated themselves with a party of merry-making electors,
Mackcoull’s associates commenced operations in a small way. The Philosopher,
intent on higher game, observed a baker with a well-lined pocket-book ; but the
“master of rolls ” being a sort of leading man, was for some time constantly
surrounded by groups of electors. Ascertaining, in the course of his inquiries,
-
To enumerate a tithe of his exploits would fill volumes.