OF

EDWARD WRIGHT.

"

BY

EDWARD LEACH,

AUTHOR OF SKETCHES OF CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG THE LOWLY."

CONTENTS.

-

CHAPTER I.

Introduction.-Early days at Bankside.-Curious cure for the

whooping-cough. A young thief. - Expelled several day-

schools.-Employed at breaking up barges.-"Ayes" or

"Noes": a conflict with conscience.-Attends the theatre.-

Becomes one of a gang of thieves.-Petty larcenies.-On board

a coal ship to Hartlepool.—A Jonah on board.—Return home.

CHAPTER II.

A bad companion.-Assault and first imprisonment.--Robbing

the dead.—Apprenticed as a waterman.-Heartless robberies.

-Cholera in a "haunted house."--A blasphemer taken at his

word

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CHAPTER III.

Burglary and escape.-Another robbery and imprisonment. —On

the treadmill in old Brixton prison.-A cunning trick.-Re-

lease.-More bad companions.-A social pest.-Becomes a

soldier, and escapes.-A prize fight.-Imprisoned in Newgate

for felony.-Turning "hundreds and thousands."-Contrivance

secretly to communicate with a fellow-prisoner.—A father's love 31

CHAPTER IV.

Nearly married.-Becomes a pot-boy.-And a sailor.-Dissipation

and debauchery.-Contemplates murder.-In Maidstone Gaol.

-A fight in the prison yard.-On board the Alacrity.-Ned

is flogged." Holy-stone decks."-Further offences and pun-

ishments. In a storm.-Sinful curses.-Escape from ship.-

Certificate of service.

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49

CHAPTER V.

Ned's Marriage.-Scene at the church steps.-Brutal treatment of

his wife. In debt.-Summary ejection of a broker.-Ned an

habitual drunkard.-Summoned for ill-treating his wife.-An

artful contrivance.-The associate of expert thieves.-Sum-

moned for assaulting his mother.-A narrow escape for a

minister. Ned joins the Thames police.-Adventures in tap-

rooms. Fight with a dog.-Nearly murdered.-Sings in the

street; curious result

CHAPTER VI.

Engaged in rowing matches.-Doggett's "Coat and Badge."

Heroic rescue of a drowning boy.-Loss of the race.-The

stolen pump, and sequel after conversion

CHAPTER VII.

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85

Dog rob dog."-Ned grows wild in wickedness.-A challenge to

fight.-Preaching in Astley's Theatre.-NED AND HIS WIFE

CONVERTED.-The happy home.-The sequel of the projected

prize fight.-Ned tells the story of his conversion.-No em-

ployment.

103

CHAPTER VIII.

"Mother, give us some bread."-Prayer answered.-Ned Selling

Bibles. The pipe.-Ned's first temptation. -Ned learns humi-

lity at Victoria Dock.--Ned learns the power of prayer

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