The Daily Advertiser ; Political, Historical, And Commercial

A dreadful murder was committed some time since in the South of France, on the body of the venerable Marquis d'Allanvill, by his man servant who had lived with him upwards of 26 years. Avarice prompted the wretch to the commission of the horrid deed, and the manner in which he did it is extraordinary. It was the custom of this old nobleman to retire to bed every evening at nine o'clock, and on the morning of the day in which the murder was committed he had sold an estate, and had the money in his bedchamber. The wretch went to the bed-side, and asked his master if he had said his prayers? To which he replied, "Yes," and with great affection added, "and I did not forget you, Ferdinand, in my prayers." This had such an effect on the fellow that he laid aside his intention, and had recourse to brandy, as a stimulus to harden him; on being intoxicated, he again went to the bed-side, and with a razor cut off the Marquis's head; but such was his agitation when he recovered his senses, that he voluntarily confessed the horrid deed, and gave himself up to justice.