The Virginia Gazette

The following particulars, relating to an unfortunate incident at the university of Oxford, are come to hand, which merits the serious attention of parents and guardians.

Mr. [blank] was a minor, and under the guardianship of Mr. [blank] who had an only daughter between whom, being bred up and living together, there was a most strict friendship, which naturally terminated in an affection and love for each other. This being disapproved by the parents, occasioned the young Gentleman's removal to college, and the daughter was sent into the country; but the passion was too firmly fixed to be unsettled by art, as the sequel will show.

The young Lady one evening, at the close of last summer, went into the parlour, where her parents both were, and addressing herself to her father, in words to this effect, said, "Sir, I have one request to make to you; deny it me not; I will ask no more." To whom the father replied, "What is that request?" "That you will consent to my marrying Mr. [blank] I want no fortune, for with him I shall be, what I never can be without him, happy." The father bid her be silent upon that head.

The young Lady retired, and going into the nursery took up her brother's child, kissed and wept over it for half an hour; then sighing, said, "Sweet innocent, Heaven preserve you!" and went to her chamber, as the nurse observed, in great perturbation of mind.

The next morning, not coming down as usual, the maid was sent up to call her, who returning said the door was locked, and nobody within answered. The parent suspecting something wrong, went up with the coachman, and after knocking and waiting some time to no purpose, the door was broke open, when the young Lady, his only daughter, whom he most tenderly loved, appeared, to his inexpressible confusion, hanging before him.

The manner of her death was most carefully concealed, which however at last reached the ear of her fond lover, Mr. [blank] who from that time resolved to destroy himself, and in the same manner as the young Lady had done, saying it was a sin to survive her. For a month before he executed this purpose he frequently argued with his fellow students concerning the lawfulness of suicide, particularly with an intimate friend, who endeavoured to dissuade him from it, and prevented him from doing it the night before the fact, by lying with him, which however he accomplished on the Sunday afternoon, whilst this friend was gone to chapel, who upon his return went to his room, and breaking open the door found him hanging at the foot of the bed.

Mr. [blank] was a young Gentleman of good parts, and well beloved by his fellow students, who are not a little concerned for the loss of an agreeable and sensible companion.