Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London

This penny dreadful issue features "Spring-Heel'd Jack: A Romance of the Nineteenth Century," attributed to the author of "The Confederate's Daughter." The narrative depicts London's terror during a quarter-century when an eccentric figure in a Spanish cloak terrorizes pedestrians through sudden appearances and supernatural leaps, causing panic without theft or violence—though some victims never recovered from the shock. The primary chapter "Spring-Heel'd Jack—The Officer's Fright—Catch If You Can" recounts an encounter at a Liverpool Road public house where a mysterious stranger challenges a confident policeman regarding his ability to capture the legendary figure. Revealing himself as Spring-Heel'd Jack through a hideous mask and dramatic cape flourish, the character demonstrates his supernatural jumping ability, bounding over the officer's head into the roadway while mocking the constable's failure to apprehend him. The publication includes numerous wood engravings illustrating these dramatic confrontations.