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Returning about midnight homeward, by Regent's Park, two young men, one about 5ft. 7in., the other 5ft. 5in. or 6in., rather fashionably dressed, going in the same direction, accosted me as I passed between them, when, after a few remarks on the weather, &c., in an instant I found myself prostrate, and, recovering, as from a shock, with my pockets rifled, I struggled and threw one or both over, but found my mouth bandaged round with some machine composed of strands of whipcord or whalebone, and my head constricted as in a vice. Immediately I was again felled, by a blow from behind, as from a life-preserver, and, on again rising I heard distinctly the footsteps of the Thugs running away at perhaps 60 or 70 yards distance. Having power just barely sufficient to call "Murder!" it occurred to me that chloroform was used on their infernal mask; and, in about three minutes, three policemen came to my aid, one of whom said he had met the runaways near the toll-gate, who then affected to be drunk, or "fresh," as he termed it, and that "one challenged the other to run towards the turnpike for a sovereign." "This," said the constable, "put me off my guard, as I thought they were 'gents' after dinner."

from a letter to The Times, September 25, 1850

Sir, - I trust you will kindly afford me your valuable assistance towards placing that portion of the public residing in the suburban districts of London on their guard, and also enable me to call the attention of the Commissioners of Police to the fact, that highway robbery, with violence to the person, is in this year 1851, likely to be as common, and, in consequence of the mode of effecting it more easy and free from detection that it ever has been within the present century.
    On Saturday, the 1st inst., when returning home at night, and as usual walking quick, I was, without any warning, suddenly seized from behind by some one, who, placing the bend of his arm to my throat, and then clasping his right wrist with his left-hand, thereby forming a powerful lever, succeeded in effectually strangling me for a time, and rendering me incapable of moving or even calling for assistance, although there was plenty at hand, whilst a second me easily rifled me of all he could find. I was then violently thrown on the ground, or rather I found myself lying there when I came to my senses. Two passengers, one a neighbour, raised me up, when we were immediately joined by a policeman, and by two more in less than a minute; but as I could not express myself coherently at first, the men had plenty of time to escape, and pursuit was impossible.
    I believe the approach of these persons disturbed the men, for they did not get all I had about me, and I escaped the finishing rap on the head usual in these cases. I could give no description of the thieves, as I saw neither distinctly.
    Now, this robbery was committed on one of the most frequented highways out of London, viz., Hampstead-road, within a few yards of Haverstock turnpike, and within three miles of Temple-bar, in sight of two other passengers, the gatekeepers, and within hearing and almost within sight of three policemen.
    But the worst is that I have been obliged to call in medical assistance, and am still under medical treatment, for this violence brought on a return of an old complaint with tendency to an effusion of blood on the brain, besides giving a great shock to the entire nervous system; and I am convinced that an application of this human garrotte to an elderly person, or any one in a bad state of health, might very easily occasion death.
    There are many men in this very district, and others who occasionally visit their friends here, who are in the habit of walking home after dark, hitherto without a thought of danger. In a case like this carrying firearms or a life-preserver, &c., is useless, for the attack and strangulation are too sudden.
    Therefore, I think, Sir, it is not too much to ask whether the police authorities ought not to render us more security for life and property in what may now be fairly termed part of London itself; for since this most cowardly and atrocious system of Thuggee has prevailed, we have no more protection, if so much, than our forefathers had on Hounslow-heath a hundred years ago.
    In conclusion, I wish to say that the present police force apparently keep as good watch as they can over this neighbourhood.
    I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
 Middle Temple, Feb.11.        JAMES BROOKSBANK

a letter to The Times, February 12, 1851

THUGGEE IN LONDON

Sir, - Observing in your paper of to-day a letter from a gentleman who was nearly strangled and robbed of his watch by this abominable practice, I think it right to say that about a month since I was treated in exactly a similar manner. This was also in a public thoroughfare, and within a few yards of a publichouse that was open. I suffered considerably for some days from the constriction of the throat I had endured. I applied to the police, but they could not succeed in tracing the parties, although I believe they have a suspicion whom one of them is who perpetrated this and various other outrages of a similar description. The difficulty is that the sufferer scarcely ever sees his assailant, as he is seized round the throat from behind. It certainly is high time that decisive steps should be taken to put a stop to these serious outrages, which I believe are much more common that most people are aware of.
    I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
        ANOTHER SUFFERER
Lincoln's-inn, July 17.

Sir, - I wish to add my testimony to that already given in your paper with respect to the cowardly system of Thuggee now being carried on in the streets of London. About three weeks back I was returning home along the Haymarket about 12 o'clock at night, and, having occasion to turn aside up a court, I was suddenly seized round the throat by one ruffian, while another snatched my watch and struck me on the head with a life preserver, or some heavy instrument, rendering me senseless . . . 

letters to The Times, July 19, 1851

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EFFECT OF THE ANTIGAROTTE COLLAR ON A GARROTTEUR.

Punch, September 27, 1856

MR. TREMBLE BORROWS A HINT FROM HIS WIFE'S CRINOLINE, AND INVENTS WHAT HE CALLS HIS "PATENT ANTI-GAROTTE OVERCOAT," WHICH PLACES HIM COMPLETELY OUT OF HARM'S REACH IN HIS WALKS HOME FROM THE CITY

Punch, December 27, 1856

THE BAYSWATER BROTHERS (whose height is respectively 6 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 11, and the united breadth of whose shoulders extends to as much as 3 yards, 1 foot, 5 inches) give, respectfully, notice to the Gentry and Public of Paddington, Kensington, Stoke Newington, Chelsea, Eaton Square, and Shepherd's Bush, that they will be most happy, upon all social and jovial expeditions, such as dinner and evening parties, as well as tee-total meetings, to escort elderly or nervous persons in the streets after dark, and to wait for them during their pleasure, so as to be able to escort them home again in safety. No suburb, however dangerous, objected to. and the worst garotting districts well known, as the Brothers, both BILL and JIM, were for several months in the Police Force. - Terms, so much a head per hour, according to the person's walk of life. A considerable reduction on taking a party of twelve or more. Distance no object. Testimonials, and ample security given. For further particulars, Apply to B.B., Royal Humane Society, Trafalgar Square.

Punch, January 31, 1857

Elderly Gentleman thinks that Garotting's come to a pretty pass when it's openly practised in broad daylight. Where are the Police?

Punch, March 14, 1857

THE GAROTTE SENTENCES

Mr. Punch has not yet been informed that the counsel for the very few Garotters upon whom MR. JUSTICE BRAMWELL passed a sufficiently severe sentence have had interviews with SIR GEORGE GREY, in favour of their clients, and of course it logically follows that Mr. Punch is not aware that the Home Secretary has commuted the sentences. He may think that MR. JUSTICE BRAMWELL has been sufficiently lenient, and the public, for once, will concur with SIR GEORGE GREY. But perhaps MR. JUSTICE BRAMWELL, who is an acute gentleman and good at irony, drew his charming picture of the gaol life, the warm room, the comfort, and the light work, by way of promoting a change in our present system of prison discipline. If so, Mr. Punch is inclined to accept this service to society, and to abstain from observing that most of the scoundrels sentenced last week got off in a way which must please their friends and imitators, as was proved by the number of garotte assaults which took place on the night after the sentences.

A CHARGE OF HUGGERY

ONE of the thieves' terms for Garotting is "putting the hug on." They would have been nearer the truth, if they had said "Thug" in this instance, considering the love of violence and murder that seem to be inherently connected with the pursuit.

Punch, December 6, 1862

A HINT
TO PARTIES WHO RESIDE IN A GAROTTING NEIGHBOURHOOD

Punch, December 6, 1862

TO GAROTTERS - "CAVE TOMKINS."
TOMKINS (loq.) "Let 'em try it on again, that's all."

Punch, December 13, 1862

THE SONG OF THE ANTI-GAROTTER

ALL around my neck, I wear a spiked steel collar,
A revolver and a bowie-knife I carry up my sleeves,
And if any one should ask of me the reason why I wear them,
I'll tell him 'tis to guard myself from these garotting theives.

Last night in walking home a skulking vagabond addressed me,
Says he, "Pray what's o'clock?" and, not intending any pun,
Full in his ugly face I let out my left, and floored him,
Observing as I did so, "My dear friend, it's just struck one!"

So, ruffians all, take warning now, and keep respectful distance,
Or a bullet, or a bowie-knife clean through your ribs I'll send:
Well armed, we'll straightaway shoot or stab the rascal who attacks us,
If SIR GEORGE GREY won't protect us, why, ourselves we must defend.

Punch, December 20, 1862

THE SONG OF THE GAROTTER

OH, Meet me by moonlight alone,
And then I will give you the hug,
With my arm round your neck tightly thrown,
I'm as up to the work as a Thug.
Behind you I softly will creep,
And taking you quite unawares,
On my prey like a tiger I'll leap;
If I happen to choke you, who cares?
I'm out with a ticket of leave,
Which by gulling the chaplain I got,
And I'm free to maim, murder and thieve,
For a cove he must live, must he not?
So meet me by moonlight alone,
Kind stranger, I beg and entreat,
And I'll make all your money my own,
And leave you half dead in the street.

Punch, December 27, 1862

Punch, Almanack, 1863

ANTI-GAROTTE MOVEMENT
Brown and Jones return home to the Suburbs, with safety, taking front and rear rank alternately.

Punch, January 10, 1863

A PARLIAMENTARY return just issued affords us the gratifying information that the Garotters' Act of 1863, punishing attempts at robbery, accompanied by violence, with flogging, has not been allowed to remain a dead letter. In the first year of the operation of this salutary measure, under its beneficent provisions, according to the document above referred to, 19 prisoners were flogged in England. Three of those ruffians underwent the unpleasant application of the cat-o'-nine-tails in Coldbath-fields Prison, one at Horsemonger-lane Gaol, three at Kirkdale (Liverpool), one at Salford New Bailey, four in Birmingham Borough Prison, four in Leeds Gaol, one in the County Gaol at Reading, and two at Durham. Out of the three rascals who experienced the ecstasies of deserved flagellation at Kirkdale, there was one, a young villain of 19, who, in addition to four years' penal servitude, had been sentenced to fifty lashes. These appeals to the only tender feeling which a Garotter has, were addressed thereto with such vigour that the subject of them was completely subdued, and became so deeply affected that the surgeon in attendance was obliged to order him to be taken down from the whipping-post by the time that he had writhed under thirty-six.
   The infliction of useless pain, however, is to be deprecated, and the pain inflicted on the nineteen villains flogged in 1863 under the Garotters' Act was not so useful as it might have been rendered. It has had little publicity beyond that given to it by respectable papers, and its exemplary effect, which constitutes its use, has been proportionally limited. Yells and shrieks have, indeed, not been wasted on the prison air, wherein they have doubtless made a desirable impression on many ears; but their vibrations, arrested by walls, have not extended to the atmosphere of thieves' houses of call, and other haunts of the felonry iii the slums. There are objections to public flogging similar to those which would apply to surgical operations. But one thing might be done to give the roughs, who are inclined to be Garotters, some idea of what the flogging inflicted on a Garotter is. An elaborate photograph of the face of every such criminal condemned to be flogged taken whilst he is experiencing the sensations excited by the scourge, at the moment when his features are contorted with their strongest expression. What a pretty portrait-gallery might thus have been derived from rthe nineteen Garotters who were flogged in 1863! The police might distribute copies of these sun-pictures amongst those whom they would be calculated to edify; and engravings from them might be published in the low illustrated papers which are principally devoted to reports and narratives of crime.
   The utilisation of flogging, thus effected, would soon reduce the statistics, so painful to many an amiable mind, of the infliction of that cruel punishment on the poor offender who, for the sake of a little money, or a watch and chain, has only crushed somebody's windpipe or knocked his front teeth down his throat, or cracked his skull without
    MERCY.

    MESSRS. P. A. TAYLOR and JACOB BRIGHT, in deprecating the flagellation of garotters, cannot be said to sympathise with their kind; for they sympathise only with scourged rascals, and not at all with maltreated and maimed honest men. It is to be wished that the garotter's kind could be made to sympathise with the garotter, when he is under the lash, with a perfect sympathy. Then they would feel his stripes in their own persons, and, in effect, would be the whole of them flogged at once. Animal Magnetism is still in its infancy, but the day may come when it will be so perfected as to enable a skilled mesmerist to place any number of criminals convicted of robbery with violence en rapport with each other; so that one flogging will do for them all. This would save executioner's labour, and greatly diminish any brutalisation which may be the effect of its performance on some warders.
    The brutalisation possibly arising from this cause would be minimised by the contrivance of a whipping-engine or thrashing-machine, wherewith garotters could be steam-flogged; a device which would have the advantage of inflicting stripes with a certainty of uniform force, graduated to order, and unmitigated in any ease by weakness of mind or muscle.
    It is gratifying to think how much superior in humanity we are to our ancestors. Otherwise, with our modern mechanical knowledge and resources, we should long ere this have been provided with a penal apparatus worked by steam, and consisting of a cylinder into which a rogue could he thrust at one end in a state of nature, and presently turned out with his back scored, his ears cropped, his nose slit, and his forehead branded, at the other.
    But we have too much of the milk of human kindness to employ such machinery as our savage forefathers would have been sure to invent and use for penal purposes, if they had been able. A model, however, of the machine above suggested might be made and exhibited at South Kensington.