DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70267#0466
418 SIR WILLIAM feTAINLS.
Th is however, was not the only prediction which was
hazarded in respect to the figure that Mr. Staines was ap-
pointed to display to the world ; an aged lady many years
ago, is said to have foretold that he would be Lord
Mayor during a period of turbulence and scarcity, that
we should be at war with France; but that during his
mayoralty, peace and plenty would be restored.—The
worthy magistrate during that period related this and
other anecdotes, which he is fond of, over his pipe and
glass; but nevertheless he expressed great doubts on its
being fulfilled with respect to a peace; he, however,
happily lived to see even this part of the predictions veri-
fied, if the peace of Amiens deserved the name. And
he expressed a hope that when he went out of office ;
bread might be Qd. the quartern loaf.; but his benevolent
wishes in this respect, were not fulfilled. This dream
and its consequences have often furnished the worthy
Aiderman, with a subject for conversation, and for that
contrast of his former and present situation, upon which
he is by no means averse to reason upon, and to exhibit
that v in of pleasantry upon so fertile a subject, for which
with his other virtues, in his intercourse with all rafiks of
people, he is both loved and respected; but though hu-
manity has been ever observed as the most prominent
feature of his character. Still in him, this disposition,
has nothing of weakness or irresolution about it; he has
always known how to make himself obeyed ; and as one
instance among many, Lord Nelson’s victory at Copen-
hagen occurring during his mayoralty, instead of ex-
hibiting a blaze of candles as had been customary, Sir
M illiam caused the citizens to be informed by posting
bills, that it was his particular desire, that such person's
as intended to expend money in that way, instead of so
doing would more judiciously add it to the subscription
then*opened, for the benefit of the widows and children
of those who fell in that sanguinary action.—This act
though
Th is however, was not the only prediction which was
hazarded in respect to the figure that Mr. Staines was ap-
pointed to display to the world ; an aged lady many years
ago, is said to have foretold that he would be Lord
Mayor during a period of turbulence and scarcity, that
we should be at war with France; but that during his
mayoralty, peace and plenty would be restored.—The
worthy magistrate during that period related this and
other anecdotes, which he is fond of, over his pipe and
glass; but nevertheless he expressed great doubts on its
being fulfilled with respect to a peace; he, however,
happily lived to see even this part of the predictions veri-
fied, if the peace of Amiens deserved the name. And
he expressed a hope that when he went out of office ;
bread might be Qd. the quartern loaf.; but his benevolent
wishes in this respect, were not fulfilled. This dream
and its consequences have often furnished the worthy
Aiderman, with a subject for conversation, and for that
contrast of his former and present situation, upon which
he is by no means averse to reason upon, and to exhibit
that v in of pleasantry upon so fertile a subject, for which
with his other virtues, in his intercourse with all rafiks of
people, he is both loved and respected; but though hu-
manity has been ever observed as the most prominent
feature of his character. Still in him, this disposition,
has nothing of weakness or irresolution about it; he has
always known how to make himself obeyed ; and as one
instance among many, Lord Nelson’s victory at Copen-
hagen occurring during his mayoralty, instead of ex-
hibiting a blaze of candles as had been customary, Sir
M illiam caused the citizens to be informed by posting
bills, that it was his particular desire, that such person's
as intended to expend money in that way, instead of so
doing would more judiciously add it to the subscription
then*opened, for the benefit of the widows and children
of those who fell in that sanguinary action.—This act
though