CULL, Alias Silly Billy, of Newcastle Upon Tyne
This well known character, William Scott, commonly called Cull Billy, a name known in most parts of the north, is a native of Newcastle, where he resided along with his mother, a poor old woman, who made her living by retailing wooden ware; she like her son was an object of distress, being not above four feet high.
Billy, poor man, oft excited compassion from his fellow creatures, while reciting (which he did with a great degree of exactness, and in such a distinct and clear manner as to surprise many) the Lord’s Prayer, several other prayers, passages from scripture, &c. to a numerous audience of boys; but they generally repaid his endeavours for their welfare with a shower of dirt or stones.
Oft have they followed him around the streets, beating and hooting him, as boys hunt a cat or dog; and yet no notice was taken of this, until one, more compassionate than the rest, stept forward and interceded for him, in the following lines, which were published in the Newcastle Chronicle of the 28th of August, 1802, with the signature of J.S.
Whence those cries, my soul that harrow?
Whence those yells, that wound my ear?
’Tis the hapless child of sorrow!
’Tis poor Billy’s plaint I hear.
Now, in tatter’d plight I see him,
Teazing crowds around him press;
Ah! will none from insult free him?
None his injuries redress?
Fill’d with many a fearful notion,
Now he utters piercing cries;
Starting now, with sudden motion,
Swiftly thro’ the streets he hies.
Poor, forlorn, and hapless creature,
Victim of insanity!
Sure it speaks a ruthless nature,
To oppress a wretch like thee.
When, by generous friends protected,
All thy actions told thee mild,
Tho’ by reason undirected,
And the prey of fancies wild.
Of those friends did Heav’n deprive thee,
None, alas! supply’d their place?
And to madness now to drive thee,
Ceaseless strives a cruel race.
Youth forlorn! tho’ crowds deride thee,
Gentle minds for thee must grieve;
Back to reason, wish to guide thee,
And thy ev’ry want relieve,
O from this sad state to snatch thee,
Why delay the good and kind?
Pity calls them on to watch thee,
And to tranquilize thy mind.
Soon after the publication of this, the overseers of the parish of Saint John’s, (in which parish Billy resided) had him conveyed to their Poor House, without the walls of Newcastle, where he was kept confined until the turbulence of his spirit was reduced.
Several persons have felt the power of Billy’s wit, which on some occasions has been very severe. Once, when a person of the name of —— (not one of the wisest beings of the world) came swaggering out of a tavern, while Bill was haranguing the mob at the door. “Stand out of the way!” cries this would-be great man, shaking his cane in the air, “Stand out of the way! I never give way to fools!” “But I do,” cries Billy, bowing, and instantly stept on the pavement: Mr —— felt the severity of this remark, and instantly made off, leaving the spectators of the transaction almost convulsed with laughter.