The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, Jan. 1. From Cremona we have an Account of a tragical Affair that lately happened at Soncino, the Particulars of which are as follows.

A young Lady of noble Extraction, but, it seems, not of noble Sentiments, forgot her Rank so far as to fall in Love with one of her Footmen and the Laws of the Country not being quite so arbitrary as in some other Parts of Italy, to warrant the confining her to a Cloyster in order to effect a Cure, the Lady gave Way to her Inclinations so far as to resolve to marry her Servant; than which there cannot be a greater Crime in Italy, it being better to commit Fornication, Sodomy or Bestiality, than to match beneath one's Birth. But the Day before the intended Wedding the Object of her Love was found murdered in a Ditch; and the young Lady, who seemed in good Health, died about the same Hour, suddenly, as is supposed, no Marks of Violence being found on her Body. However, as there was sufficient Cause for Suspicion, the Episcopal Court took Cognizance of the Affair, and ordered Inquiry to be made after the Assassins, who are supposed to be some of the Lady's Kindred; but all Informations were quickly stifled, and in less than a Week there was no more Noise made about the Murder of the Footman, nor of the sudden Death of his intended Bride, who is supposed to have been poisoned, lest she should have brought the Assassins to Justice, or at least cut them off from any Expectations they might have in her Fortune, which was very considerable.