Isaac Cooper was born in 1796. He was by trade a tailor, and at the early age of 14 went to Grantham as a journeyman, in (as he has told me) a shop, where he had companions of the worst description possible; and, influenced by their conversation and example, he very soon became addicted to every vice that one of his age and in his position could practise. At the death of his father, he returned to his native place, to gain his livelihood by following his calling there; and was soon known in the neighbourhood as a notorious character for card-playing, cock-fighting, drunkenness, fighting, revelling, and such like, with other practices not fit to mention.