_ diversions. 
1809. | 
both women of the common size. The habits 
of young Lambert were not, in any respect, 
different from those of other young persons, 
till the age of fourteen. Even at an early 
period he was strongly attached to the sports 
of the field. This, however, was ‘only the 
natural effect of a very obvious cause, aided 
probably by an innate propensity to those 
We have already mentioned the 
profession of his father and uncle, and have 
yet to observe, that his maternal grandfather 
was a great cock-fighter. Born and bred 
among horses, dogs, and cocks, and all the 
other appendages of sporting, in the pursuits 
of which he was encouraged even in his 
childhood, it cannot be a matter of wonder 
that he should be passionately fond of all 
these exercises and amusements, which are 
comprehended under the denomination of 
field sports. About the year 1793, when 
Mr, L. weighed 32 stone, he had accasion to 
visit Woolwich, in company with the-keeper 
of the county gaol of Leicester. As the tide 
did not serve to bring them up to London, 
he walked from Woolwich to the metropolis, 
with much less apparent fatigue than several, 
middle-sized men who were of the party.- 
Such were the feelings of Mr. Lambert, that 
na. longer than four years ago, he abhorred 
the very idea of exhibiting himself. Though 
he lived exceedingly retired at Leicester, the 
fame of his uncommon corpulence had spread 
over the adjacent country to such a degree, 
that he frequently found himself not a little 
incommoded by the curiesity cf the people, 
which it Was impossible to repress, and which 
they were continually devising the means of 
gratifying, in spite of his reluctance, A 
gentleman travelling through Leicester, con- 
ceived a strong desire to see this extraor-i- 
‘nary phenomenon, but being ata loss for a 
Dretext to introduce himself to Mr. Lambert, 
he first took care to enguire what were his 
particular propensities; being informed that. 
he was a great cocker, the traveller thought. 
himself sure of success. | He accordingly. 
wentto his house, knocked at the door, and 
enguired for Mr. Lambert; the servant said. 
he was at home, but that be never saw 
Strangers. -€* Let him know,” replied the 
curlous stranger, ‘* that I called about some 
cocks.” Lambert, who chanced to be ina 
situation to over-hear what passed, imme- 
diately rejoined, ‘* tell the gentleman that I 
am a shy cock.” On another occasion, a gen- 
tleman trom Nottingham was extremely im- 
portunate to see him, pretending that he 
had a particular favour to ask. After consi- 
derable hesitation, Mr. Lambert directed him 
tobe admitted. On being introduced, he 
Said, he wished to enquire the pedigree of a 
certain mare.—=** Ob | if that is all,’’ replied 
Mr. Lambert, perceiving from his manner, 
the real nature of his errand, ‘¢ she was got 
by Impertinence, out of Curiosity.” Finding, 
Leicestershire, : 4 
‘at length, that he must either submit to be a: 
112 
‘close prisoner in his own house, or endure alll 
the inconvenience, without receiving the pro- 
fits of an exhibition, Mr. Lambert wisely 
strove to overcome his repugnance, and de- 
termined to visit the metropolis for thar 
purpose. As it was impossible to prooure.a 
carriage large enough to admit him, he hada 
vehicle constructed expressly to carry him te 
London, where hearrived in the spring of 1806,, 
and fixed his residencein Piccadilly. Hisaparte. 
ments there had more theair of aplaceof fashi- 
onable resort than an exhibition 3 and as long 
as the town continued full, he was visired 
by a great deal of the best cempany. The’ 
dread he felt on coming to London, lest he: 
should be exposed toindignity and insult from 
the curiosity of some of his visitors, wassoon 
removed by the politeness and attention. 
which he universally experienced. There 
was not a gentleman in town, from his own: 
county, but went to see him, not merely’ 
gazing at him as.a-spectacle, but treating him” 
in the most friendly and soothing manner, 
which, he declared, was teo deeply impressed. 
upon his mind ever to be forgotten. Many 
of his visitors seemed incapable of gratifying 
their curiosity to its full extent and called: 
again and again; one gentleman, a bankers in 
the city, jocosely observed, that he had fainly 
had a pound’s worth. - Ever since that period, 
Mr. Lambert has been chiefly, engaged in 
travelling to the pringipal provincial towns,’ 
where many thousands have beheld with 
admiration his astonishing bulk. He was.a. 
cheerful. companion; possessed a generous 
heart; and was as fond of rural sposts-as any - 
man in England. His game chickens ani. 
his dogs, when he was at home, were his. 
chief amusement, and the Raciag Calendar: 
his-study. : 
a LEICEST-ERSHIRE. n 
Married] At Hinckley, Mr. Thomas. 
Murcott, te Miss S. S. Newham. 
At Castle Donington, Sir William Rum- 
beld, bart. to Miss H. Parlyns, sister to Lari: 
Rancilitte. 
At Barleston, Edward Whitby, esg. of 
Osbaston Lodge, to Miss Baker. 
At Boltesford, Mr. John Webster, to Miss. 
Smith. ; 
At Knighton, James Knox, esa. captain iia 
the Leicestershire militia, to Catharine, eldest. 
daughter of the late James Davie, esg. of: 
Stamford. : ; 
At Quorndon,, Mr. Thomas Norris, af: 
Nottingham, to Miss Mary Smith, of Park 
Nooks, Derbyshive- Ff 
At Newark, Mr. Whieldon, of Sutterton,. 
Lincoln, to Miss Ann Berks, daughter of the- 
late Richard B. esq. of Tuxford, Notts. 
Died.| At Scraptoft, Mrs. Carter, wife. 
of John E. C. esq. second daughter of the: 
late Henry Lutwidge, esq. and niece ito Ad-- 
miral-L. 36. 
At Market Harborough, Mr. Smith, wife: 
of Mr. Samuel S, - 
