The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON, From the Publick Ledger, Oct. 1.

I HAVE not Language to describe the Horror and Remorse, in which a late Affair has involved me, and would to God I had been ignorant both of the Cause and Consequence of it. I am a young Fellow scarce nineteen, apprenticed to an eminent Merchant in the City, and have for some Months past unhappily indulged myself in every Kind of Licentiousness, especially with the abandoned of the other Sex, seldom neglecting any Opportunity of frequenting the most infamous Brothels during my Master's Excursion to his Country House. Lately, my whole Attention has been engrossed by a most beautiful Creature, not more than sixteen Years of Age. Last Monday I went as usual with Rapture to the Infernal House she was kept at: but how is it possible for me to express the Distraction and Astonishment which seized me, when I was informed, that the amiable Wretch died the preceding Friday Evening, and died in so Shocking a Manner, that Humanity must shudder at the bare Imagination: and the Bosoms of the Guilty be almost maddened at the Thought! She was taken ill on Friday Morning -- and immediately declared she knew herself struck with Death, and doomed to all Eternity. In her Ravings she repeatedly cried that the Devil had told her so and that he would drag her to endless Torture at six o'Clock: her Agonics were inexpressible, so that even the Wretches her Accomplices were so much afraid at it, as to mention a Necessity of sending for a Clergyman; but the miserable Girl, with Screams of Horror, exclaim'd, nothing could save her; that the fatal Sentence was already pronounced; and that there was no Possibility of Forgiveness or Escape. The Man who kept the House desired earnestly to see her, but she would by no Means consent to his Request: -- Tell him (say she) that I curse him in the Bitterness of my Heart, and wish, with my latest breath, that he may very soon follow me to endless Misery; it is to him I owe my Destruction: he first seduced me to Guilt and Ruin, when I was but thirteen Years of Age. In Perdition, no Doubt, will be his Portion, as well as the Lot of Numbers besides, who, like him, have so laboured for the Destruction of Innocence and Virtue. -- Here She several Times jumped out of Bed, and screaming in a most dreadful Manner, cried out "You shall not have me yet, it is not six o'Clock!" --She continued raving in this shocking Manner till the Hour he mentioned, and then expired. I assure you Mr. Printer, every Circumstance I have mentioned is an absolute Fact, and I make no Doubt but that you may be satisfied of the Truth of it yourself upon Enquiry. My own Reflections almost make me mad: Good God! If such is the miserable End of the Seduced, what must be that of the Seducers, and those who aid and abet them in the Road to Perdition? This last Crime, with Shame and Sorrow, I confess, I have been most notoriously guilty of. But I have ever revered a virtuous Woman, and cannot accuse myself of betraying or suspecting Innocence; my Crimes want not this Addition: they are already sufficient to make me wish I had never been endued with Reason and Understanding, since I have so unhappily misapplied them. This melancholy Affair has left such an Impression on my Mind, as I believe never can be effaced.