History of Dover

Peggy Harris an old lady wearing a bonnet which, from its size and fashion might have been worn by the mythical friend of Mrs. Gamp, who was known in the flesh by the same appellation was placed at the bar by P.C. James Johnson on the charge of drunkenness, it appearing that she had been found by the officer in that condition in one of the public thoroughfares on the preceding night. It transpired that the defendant was an inmate of the Union and that having obtained a few hours leave of absence to visit her friends on the previous day she had availed herself of this opportunity to make a successful appeal to the generosity of the worthy Magistrate upon the Bench who said he felt in some measure responsible on that account for the infringement of the law of which the defendant had been guilty. The defendant said she hoped her little indiscretion would be forgiven. It was unfortunately true that on the day before in her joy at meeting old friends, she had taken a drop too much to drink and this had overcome her, but she promised that she would immediately get back to “the house” and never see the inside of a Police Station again if the magistrate would add to his kindness of the preceding day by now discharging her.

Mr. Worsfold; you did tell me yesterday you had the habit of drinking although pleading guilty to the weakness of smoking. (Laughter) The defendant admitted that she had kept from his Worships knowledge her love of a little “drop” to moisten her clay. Mr. Worsfold; I suppose in your case like a great many others, smoking leads to drinking. Let me advise you to give up both habits or you will run the risk of being placed again in this position. You are discharged now but mind you - you must not come here again. (1860)