DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70300#0385
FEMALE INTREPIDITY. 343
places a stone of fourteen pounds weight (about the size
and shape of a Dutch cheese), between his heels. With an
apparent slight exertion, he kicks up his heels, and the stone,
performing a parabola over his head from behind, alights
upon the bend of his arm, where it rests. He then tosses it
to the same part of the other arm, where it also rests, as if
held by the hand, or caught by magic; thence he throws it
to various parts of his frame, to his wrist, and the back of his
neck. At this latter point it might be supposed it would be
stationary, as one feels very little capacity of twisting any
weighty body from the neck, in a direction different from
what it would take on being shaken off. But even here our
juggler commands its obedience. He again tosses it to his
arm, over his head, and back again to his neck, repeatedly;
and after a few gambols of this sort, he finally, but by a mas-
terly jerk, throws this stone of fourteen pounds weight round
his head I
FEMALE INTREPIDITY,
IN THE PERSON OF MRS. HOWES.
On Monday, October 17, 1814, between four and five
o’clock in the afternoon, as Mrs. Howes, wife of Mr. Howes,
solicitor, of Northampton, was returning to Bugbrook, in
company with a Miss Pirkins, they were stopped by a villain
near the side of the canal, who, with imprecations, de-
manded their money. Mrs. H. positively refused to give
him any ; on which he gave her a slap on the face, which
she very spiritedly returned. The villain then seized Miss
Pirkins, threw her into the hedge, and tore her clothes;
Mrs. H. immediately on his back being towards her, caught
him by the throat, and griped him so tightly, that he begged
she would release him, promising that they should then pro-
ceed without further interruption. The villain, however, on
finding himself disengaged, immediately turned to Mrs. H.
places a stone of fourteen pounds weight (about the size
and shape of a Dutch cheese), between his heels. With an
apparent slight exertion, he kicks up his heels, and the stone,
performing a parabola over his head from behind, alights
upon the bend of his arm, where it rests. He then tosses it
to the same part of the other arm, where it also rests, as if
held by the hand, or caught by magic; thence he throws it
to various parts of his frame, to his wrist, and the back of his
neck. At this latter point it might be supposed it would be
stationary, as one feels very little capacity of twisting any
weighty body from the neck, in a direction different from
what it would take on being shaken off. But even here our
juggler commands its obedience. He again tosses it to his
arm, over his head, and back again to his neck, repeatedly;
and after a few gambols of this sort, he finally, but by a mas-
terly jerk, throws this stone of fourteen pounds weight round
his head I
FEMALE INTREPIDITY,
IN THE PERSON OF MRS. HOWES.
On Monday, October 17, 1814, between four and five
o’clock in the afternoon, as Mrs. Howes, wife of Mr. Howes,
solicitor, of Northampton, was returning to Bugbrook, in
company with a Miss Pirkins, they were stopped by a villain
near the side of the canal, who, with imprecations, de-
manded their money. Mrs. H. positively refused to give
him any ; on which he gave her a slap on the face, which
she very spiritedly returned. The villain then seized Miss
Pirkins, threw her into the hedge, and tore her clothes;
Mrs. H. immediately on his back being towards her, caught
him by the throat, and griped him so tightly, that he begged
she would release him, promising that they should then pro-
ceed without further interruption. The villain, however, on
finding himself disengaged, immediately turned to Mrs. H.