Star (London) 14 October 1802

The bucks of Brighton have not been a little amused by the adventures of the celebrated Cyprian (1), Mrs P, in returning to her house near Fitzroy Square London. After opening the ball at a hop, in Bartholomew fair, she went to Brighton for a few weeks in fine feather and golden plumage.

There she dashed about in her light blue chariot, or on horseback, keeping two saddle horses and a footman, besides her carriage; now she was seen in simple muslins, her hair lank like a water nymph; next in a riding habit, mounted; then in silks of yellow, blue and scarlet; afterwards in crêpe, silver, feathers, and diamonds; "laced shoes, pink hose, garter above the knee." She would appear on the Steyne in half a dozen dresses per day, all made of the best materials, though sometimes of an eccentric fashion, and most gaudy colours.

She lived in all respects in the most dashing style; but there was no appearance of the source from which she drew her wealth; she seemed to have no particular friend or protect her. At last, however, the golden dream was out, and the protein nymph began to hum the chorus in Macbeth, we fly by night. (2)

Accordingly, about midnight, on Wednesday, in high spirits and jovial, she mounted the coach box, put the child she keeps into the chariot, and set off for town full gallop, the footman following in the saddle horses.

Arriving at the turnpike on this side of Cuckfield, the carriage passed through, and the footman with the horses, was left to pay turnpike.

The footman said he had no money; and rather insolently that he could not pay. The turnpike man, who is a most resolute dog, made up to the carriage and insisted on payment; but this Mrs P – seemed inclined to give him "more kicks than halfpence;" she poured on him a torrent of abuse, decorated by those flowers of oratory which are used at Bartholomew fair, swearing if she had a pistol she would blow his brains out. The Turnpike man, though stouthearted, was not a little astonished to see so fair a lady in so fine equipage, so well up on his own slang; and fearing the odds were too much against him to enter into a contest with the baggage and escort, he retreated home; but immediately saddled a fleet courser, and pursued, that he might stop the party at Crawley gate. The race between the parties on the road was most desperate, Hambletonian and Diamond (3) all the way; but the turnpike man beat the chariot and procured the Crawley gate to be shut against its further progress. The turnpike man, in conformity to an Act of Parliament, which imposes a penalty of five shillings on anyone refusing to pay turnpike, seized one of the chariot horses, and with assistance obtained possession.

To ride into town with one chariot horse, Mrs P could not do. The noise awakened the people of the inn at Crawley, and the whole village turned out, Mrs P –, being asked who she was, said, she was the wife of a merchant, a Lord, general, Baronet, et cetera.

She seemed to have seven husbands, and the landlord thought she was a Turk; as he had heard of a plurality of wives, he thought there might be a plurality of husbands. At last, the landlord of the inn at Crawley, advised her to pay the five shillings. This she agreed to do, but had no money, and was obliged to leave her saddle horses in pawn for the sum. Since her arrival in London, she has consulted her attorney, who has advised an action against the turnpike man. Mrs P was yesterday driving through the streets in her chariot, but without her footman, who is going to negotiate the release of the horses.

Her fate, will, we trust, be a salutary lesson to all Cyprian's visiting Brighton, to save as much money as will pay turnpikes returning home and remember the turnpike man in Cuckfield.

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cyprian

2. The phrase "We fly by night" appears in Macbeth, specifically in Act 2, Scene 3. The witches, as seen in the play, often associate themselves with the night and magical practices. The phrase is often used in Macbeth to evoke a sense of the supernatural and the hidden aspects of the world. 

3. Hambletonian and Diamond were a pair of thoroughbred racehorses famous for their match at Newmarket in 1799. Hambletonian, owned by Sir Harry Tempest Vane, won against Diamond, owned by Mr. Joseph Cookson, in a race over the four-mile Beacon Course. The race was a significant event, attracting large crowds and significant betting, with Hambletonian starting as the favourite.