The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, April 16.

MONDAY last a poor widow, whose husband has been dead upwards of two years, leaving her two children to support (who both appeared decently dressed with their mother) was summoned before the court, for repeatedly entreating her hard-hearted husband's father, who is a tradesman in affluence, to allow her some trifling provision for her fatherless children, herself being in the most indigent circumstances, her goods being seized for three quarters lodging by her landlord, and incapacitated to support them. He alleged that the parish ought to take them, where he said he had often advised her to send them; but that she was too obstinate to agree to it, and was continually troublesome to him. The Lord Mayor heard, with great attention, the afflicted mother's story, which drew tears from several Gentlemen in court. His Lordship candidly expostulated with the unnatural father in law, and compelled him to allow the indigent mother half a crown a week (as it was proved he could well afford it) for each of the children. His Lordship mentioned that it would be an act of charity to recommend the eldest child (a fine boy about seven years of age) to Christ's hospital, then made a motion for a contribution, to alleviate the poor woman's immediate exigence, giving her a guinea himself; which laudable example was followed by several present, to the amount of five guineas and a half, with which the affectionate mother and her children walked happily home, to the great mortification of her litigious summoner.