| Citation |
NHG-P.759.020
29 Jun 1759:12 (143)
London, April 7. Tuesday night Mr. Fielding having received
information upon oath, of an illegal concert then carrying
on at a public house in Bunhill Fields, at which were
present bawds, whores, apprentices and other disorderly
persons, he granted a warrant which was executed that night
by the peace officers, assisted by a party of guards and all
who could not give a good account of themselves were taken
into custody, and examined the next morning before the above
magistrate, and dealt with according to law. These illegal
hop concerts, are generally set on foot under pretence of
charity, to collect innocent young men together, that the
bawds, who are at the bottom of these concerts, may have an
opportunity of introducing the young ladies under their
tuition to the acquaintance of the apprentices. The bawds
and com[ ] whores who were found at the above concert were
sent to Bridewell. Several reputable persons were found at
this concert, who were decoyed there from being strangers to
the law, which enacts, "That any house, room, garden, or
other place, kept for public dancing, music, or other public
entertainment of the like [ ], in London and
Westminster, or within 20 miles thereof, without a licence
had for that purpose, shall be deemed a disorderly house or
place; and that it shall be lawful for any person,
authorised by warrant from a justice, to enter such house
and seize every person found therein; and that every person
keeping such house, &c. without such licence, shall forfeit
one hundred pounds, and be otherwise punishable as the law
directs in cases of disorderly houses."
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