THE NEWGATE STREET PETITION TO MR MAYOR

Alack! and well-a-day!
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor;
We all are to grief a prey,
Mr. Mayor:
They are pulling Newgate down,
That structure of renown,
Which so long hath graced our town,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.

Antiquarians think't a scandal,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor;
It would shock a Goth or Vandal,
They declare:
What ! Destroy the finest Lion
That ever man set eye on!
'Tis a deed all must cry fie on,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.


St. Andrew's Parishioners,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
Loud blame the Gaol Commissioners,
Mr. Mayor;
To pull down a pile so splendid
Shows their powers are too extended,
And The Act must be amended,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.

If Blackett Street they'd level,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
Or with Bond Street play the devil,
Who would care?
But on Newgate's massive walls,
When destruction's hammer falls,
For our sympathy it calls,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.

'Tis a Pile of ancient standing,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
Deep reverence commanding,
Mr. Mayor:
Men of Note and Estimation,
In their course of Elevation,
Have it in held a station,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.

'Tis a first-rate kind of College,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
Where is taught much useful knowledge,
Mr. Mayor:
When our fortunes "gang aglee,"
If worthy Mr. Gee
Does but on us turn his key,
All's soon well, Mr. Mayor.

In beauty nought can match it,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor:
Should you think we throw the Hatchet,
Mr. Mayor:
John Adamson, with ease
(In purest Portuguese),
Will convince you, if you please
To consult him, Mr. Mayor.

He'll prove t'ye in a trice,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
'Tis a pearl of great price,
Mr. Mayor:
For of ancient wood or stone,
The value-few or none
Can better tell than John,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.

Of this edifice bereft,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
To the neighbourhood what's left?
Mr. Mayor:
The Nun's Gate, it is true,
Still rises to our view,
But that Modern Babel few
Much admire, Mr. Mayor.

True, a building ' tis unique,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
A charming fancy-freak,
Mr. Mayor.
But candour doth impel us
To own that strangers tell us
The Lodge of Oddfellows,
They suppos'd it Mr. Mayor.

Still if Newgate's doomed to go,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor,
To the Carliol Croft-heigh-ho!
Mr Mayor,
As sure as you're alive
(And long, sir, may you thrive),
The shock we'll ne'er survive,
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor.

Then pity our condition,
Mr. Mayor, Mr.Mayor,
And stop its demolition,
Mr. Mayor;
The Commissioners restrain
From causing us such pain,
And we'll pay and ne'er complain,
The Gao! Cess, Mr. Mayor.

-Anonymous, Marshall's Collection, 1827

Carliol Croft- site of new gaol to replace Newgate.

Mr. Gee- Gaoler of debtor's prison.

John Adamson- Famous Portuguese scholar translator of The Lucaid.

Bond Street- Now called Prudhoe Street.

The destruction began in June 1828. Nothing stopped it.