Note 1 — Chapter XXII · “BETWEEN SILENCE AND A DUNGEON LAY MY ONLY CHOICE.”

Keeping watch, in the times of which we are speaking, was not exclusively from the constable’s point of view. The hand of intrigue was always prepared, in order to purchase silence, as it had been for a century past. When the Hunts were about to enter prison on account of their libel upon the Regent, they had the opportunity of refusing an immunity from punishment if they would consent to hold their tongues for the future. And an offer was sent to Cobbett to remit the 1000l. fine, just before his release in 1812, if he would promise not to support the cause of the Princess of Wales.