Another instalment in our occasional series of court reports from the archives of the Old Bailey, the English criminal court.
Young Elizabeth Conner, aged 23, incurred the wrath of judge Mr Recorder on 20th February, 1799. She:
was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 4th of January, two neck handkerchiefs, value 12d. a pair of cotton stockings, value 6d. and a ball of worsted, value 1d. the property of George Combie.
Elizabeth was caught in the act by Mrs Combie, who handed her over to the night watchman, John Cowell. A further witness came forward. The young woman confessed to having pawned the handkerchiefs, whilst, “the stockings I thought were of no value to any body, and therefore I put them on.”
Not surprisingly found guilty by the second Middlesex jury, she was “whipped in the jail, and discharged”, presumably to face a long, uncomfotable walk home.
Always knew stockings were bad for you… teasing, tantalising things that they are…
Yes… but *cotton* stockings???
I agree that stockings are a bad thing. Girls should be made to take them off at the earliest available opportunity.
(I think I’m unusual in not being a fan of stockings. Of course, they beat tights any times. But give me – in order – hold-ups, bare legs or socks…)