2.09: A murderess caught in the act! — The libertine is exposed as a thief! — We learn of The real-life Boxing Baroness, Lady Barrymore

A Sunday-evening full episode IN WHICH —

0:05:10: TERRIFIC REGISTER ARTICLE:

• The miracle in the burning house, that saved a young John Wesley, the later founder of Methodism.

0:09:00: SPRING-HEEL'D JACK, Ch. 16:

• In this chapter, we cut back to the libertine who we saw badgering the poor ballet-girl two chapters ago. Now he is being upbraided by a very young woman. We learn that this girl is his old fancy-piece, whom he ruined with the kind of fair promises he’s been laying on the ballet-dancer; now he’s ready to cast her aside and move on to a new toy. But she has a little surprise for him … and there's a hint about that surprise in the title of this episode!

0:25:00: EARLY VICTORIAN DAD JOKES:

• Five mild-mannered funnies from "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-Mecum," first published in 1739.

0:27:30: THE BLACK BAND, CH. 16:

• A lot happens in this short chapter! Millionaire Robert Merton is very excited; he finally gets to have a quiet dinner alone with his wife, the lovely Lady Edith. She, though, is pale and seems very nervous. It looks like she is really going to use that little phial of poison that Colonel Bertrand gave her at the ball the night before. Will she come to her senses in time to avoid a terrible mistake? Will Robert Merton die if she does not? Will she get away with it? We shall see.

PLUS —

• We learn (starting around 0:42:45) about the spirited life and sad end of Mary Ann Pierce, a.k.a. Lady Barrymore, a.k.a. The Boxing Baroness. Lady B. was the wild and untamed mistress of Richard Earl of Barrymore, perhaps the most notorious rake of the Regency and a boon companion to the young prince who would soon be King George IV. There are drinking songs and even a published street ballad. Don't miss this segment!
• Learn the meaning of "ridge coves," "romoners," "squail," and a few other words of highway-robber slang, and ...
• What the nursery rhyme "Hey diddle diddle" is really singing about. (Hint: Diddle is a flash-cant word for something babies don't usually drink!)

Join host Finn J.D. John. for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! Grab a flicker of blue ruin, unload your stumps, and let's go!