THE MERCER: OR Fatal Extravagance,

OF all the Follies and Vices incidental to mankind, none can be deem'd more Contemptively Erroneous, than that of Living beyond our Fortunes, and running into expenſive Dignities, ſuperior to the Sphere of Life, in which Providence has placed us. The World has been, and daily continue to be convinced of the truth of this aſſertion, yet ſo prevalant is this Folly, (I may call it even a Crime,) that either thro' weakneſs of Judgement, or ill placed Am⯑bition, [4] very near three parts of the World are guilty of it to their own Prejudice, and thoſe whom they are concern'd with.

The following Sheets, contain a genuine Account of an unhappy inſtance of this kind, and it's fatal conſequences, which give me leave to hope may happily prevent any fu⯑ture Ills of this Nature. And tho' Hiſtories are ſo commonly made the Entertainment of the Publick, that Truth and Falſehood are equally regarded, and paſt by, by the Reader only as Fabulous, but this Narrative, has a Claim to Reflection, as it Unfortunately happen'd in the Reign of King Charles the Firſt,, and was the ruin of two worthy Fa⯑milies, whoſe Branches are ſtill in being; one of whom gave me a ſufficient Account as give them by Tradition, and are now notwithſtanding the length of Time ſince the dreadful event, unhappy Sufferers, thro' the Indiſcretion of their Anceſtors.

In the foremention'd Reign there was a Gentleman whoſe name was Weſton, a wor⯑thy Perſon of a large Eſtate near the Ci⯑ty of Canterbury, who had been Father of many Children, but it pleaſed Heaven to [5] deprive him of all, except one Daughter his laſt born, on whom he beſtow'd all that a fond Fater could, to make her a perfectly Accompliſh'd young Lady: As ſhe was heireſs to a very conſiderable Eſtate, Mr. Weſton was reſolv'd to Qualify her in ſuch a manner, as to double the value of her For⯑tune, by inſtilling into her Mind, ſuch Prin⯑ciples as would not only ſecure her own Happineſs, but that of the Perſon who ſhould be deſtin'd her Partner for Life.

Her beauty, Merit and Fortune, from fif⯑teen Years of Age, aſſembled a numerous train of Admirers, but as her heart was not affected by any of them 'till ſhe was above ſeventeen, her Father would not inſiſt on a Union with any, 'till ſhe had met with the Man ſhe thought ſhe could be truly happy with; rather preferring his Daughter's Peace of Mind than her intereſt, as he could make a worthy Husband entirely eaſy in point of Circumſtances, whom gratitude as well as Love, wou'd he conceiv'd, compel him to uſe his Child well not only by the Poſſeſſion of a blooming Amiable Creature, but receiv⯑ing an Advantage of Fortune, the want of which, has too often made way for a Fool, while a Man of Senſe, has been deprived of [6] an Opportunity of tenderly making amends for [...] Deficiency.

Among the number of Mr. Weſton's ac⯑quaint [...] he was Viſited by one Mr. Dennis [...] of his, a great Goldſmith in Lombard-Street, this Gentleman's Intimacy [...] to take with him to Canterbury, his [...]nly Son, accompany'd with his Daugh⯑te [...] [...] agreeable young Lady; and a ſchool [...] of Miſs Weſton's, as he had a very great Friendſhip for her Father, he heartily wiſh'd an alliance between the two Families, and as the two Ladies had contracted a very great Eſteem for each other, he thought his Daughter might kindly become her Brother's Advocate, but that was entirely needleſs, for the Moment Miſs Weſton and young Dennis met they received a Reciprocal Tenderneſs, tho' each was ignorant of the effect of their Interviews at that time; and ſecretly Lan⯑guiſh'd for each other, 'till Miſs Weſton in her private Conferrences with Miſs Dennis, inno⯑cently artleſly diſcover'd the paſſion ſhe had for her Brother, who had not fail'd before that time to make an open Declaration to his Siſter of the fond Regard he conceiv'd at firſt ſight [7] for her agreeable Friend: This did not long remain a Secret in the Family, for Miſs Den⯑nis immediately inform'd her Pappa, who communicated the Affair to Mr Weſton, and in ſhort with all due regard to the modeſt Fears of the Enamour'd young Lady, the old Gentleman contriv'd very ſpeedily to Crown the happy Lover's wiſhes, by a Publick So⯑lemnization of their Nuptials at Canterbury Cathedral.

In a ſhort time after, Mr. Dennis Set up his Son in a Silk Mercer's Shop, giving him a Fortune of four thouſand Pounds, in ready Caſh, beſides Two thouſand more in Stock.

Tho' this was a genteel Fortune, 'twas un⯑equal to the young Lady's; whoſe Father gave her on the Day of Marriage, ten Thou⯑ſand Pounds in Bank Notes, and at his Death left her ten Thouſand more.

In a few Weeks after the young couple were married, they open'd a very Grand Shop in the City, and Mr. Dennis placed with his Son as his Foreman one Mr. Arnold an elderly diſcreet Man, who had ſerv'd in that [] Capacity with young Dennis's maſter, who having acquired a Competent Fortune, left off Trade and retir'd into the Country.

Mr. Arnold was a worthy Man, who having a very large Family, and meeting with mis⯑fortunes in Trade, was in his early Days ſo ſo unhappily reduc'd, as to be oblig'd to throw up his Buſineſs, that without Scandal or reproach he might do Juſtice to his Credi⯑tors, tho' he himſelf ſuffered greatly, from many to whom he had largely intruſted his Goods, for very conſiderable ſums.

But as he was a Man of almoſt unprece⯑dented Principles of honour, he rather choſe to lead a life of ſervitude, than meanly buffet with ill fortune, to ſupport at beſt a broken Reputation.

Young Dennis receiv'd his inſtructions in Trade from Mr. Arnold, who tutor'd him in ſo gentle a Manner, it occaſion'd a great Regard and Tenderneſs on both ſides, and gave the good Man ſuch a power over Dennis that he ſtrictly adher'd to what he adviſed or propoſed, and thought himſelf under a cer⯑tain [9] obligation to pay him the Reſpect due to Father, and was as fearful of Offending the Friendſhip of the one as of diſobeying the Commands of the other.

But Alaſs Time which brings forth all ſtrange and unaccountable things, wrought a fatal change in the diſpoſition of this thought⯑leſs young man, who inſtead of following the worthy examples of his induſtrious friend, ſoon after his kind father had ſettled him in ſuch a manner, as enabled him in a few years to acquire an immenſe fortune; he grew tired of buſineſs, and too fond of every pleaſurable expence that could poſſibly Conſpire to effect his ruin, and deſtroy his fame; the firſt ſtep towards his deſtruction was to ſet up an equi⯑page, and furniſh both his town and country houſe ſuitable to the dignity of a man of qua⯑lity; as the family increaſed as it did every year by the birth of a child, additional ſer⯑vants were provided, and every needful ex⯑pence was ſwell'd into a ſuperfluity.

Among the reſt of the follies he run into the encouragement of a ſet of hangers on, who made him their daily bread, was not the leaſt.

[10] And the only virtue that remained untaint⯑ed in him, was a tender fondneſs for his wife and children, which indeed each had an un⯑doubted claim to; the former for her uncom⯑mon merit in regard to her husband, and the World in general, the other from their inof⯑fended innocence.

Mr. Arnold perceiving his maſter's growing ruin, took upon him to uſe the Priveledge of friendſhip, to warn of the dreadful conſe⯑quences of perſiſting in a continuation of this courſe of life, but he had the mortification to find him cold and unwilling to hear or regard the tender admonitions he frequently made uſe of.

At laſt Mr. Dennis who was ready dreſs'd for a journey to his country houſe one morn⯑ing, rang the bell, at which ſummons a youth who was a turn-over Apprentice to him inſtantly appeared and receiv'd an order from his maſter for Mr. Arnold to ſend him up a bill or caſh, for fifty pounds, inſtead of the money Mr. Arnold ſent his reſpects, and that he would wait upon him himſelf in a few momets, which accordingly he did, carrying [11] with him his book of accompts, inſtead of an⯑ſwering the demand made by the apprentice. When Mr. Arnold enter'd the room, Mr. Dennis perceiv'd the marks of real ſorrow in his countenance, which ſhock'd him, but he ſtill endeavour'd to hide it from the other, and demanded the money, upon which Mr. Ar⯑nold look'd at him very ſtedfaſtly, fetch'd a deep figh, deſir'd him to look over thoſe ac⯑compts and judge how much reaſon he had to ſuppoſe, that 'twas poſſible for him to ex⯑pect ſuch a draught to be anſwer'd, and after ſhewing him the accounts which he knew he would himſelf inſpect, he ſat down by him, and with an almoſt broken heart, inſiſting on his knowing the ſhameful miſery he had redu⯑ced himſelf too, and thus addreſs'd him.

‘"'Tis now Sir, the ſeventh year of your marriage, Six of which you have cruelly ſpent in the Perpretation of your ruin; your wife's fortune and your own, with your ſtock in trade incluſive, is laviſhly waſted in Extrava⯑gances, far beyond your right to run into had you been poſſeſs'd of double the ſum; and give me leave to add, that the figure you have [12] made in life, has given ſuch offence to peo⯑ple of ſuperior fortunes, it has loſt you three parts of your cuſtomers; and farther let me inform you ſir, thoſe Perſons who can afford to lay out large ſums in your ſhop, will na⯑turally think it a high piece of preſumption in you, to put yourſelf upon a footing with them, who are kind enough to lay out that with you for a ſupport, which you baſely and luxuriouſly waſte in needleſs and unwarrant⯑able pleaſures, and unneceſſary grandeur; 'tis true Sir, the character of a Gentleman can never be degraded by being a worthy tradeſ⯑man, but then the tradeſman has no right to run into thoſe exceſſes which even a man of Quality muſt bluſh at if he exceeds the limi⯑tation of his fortune: Pardon me Sir, for this painful friendly liberty, but the concern I feel for yourſelf and family, enforces me to tell you in the plaineſt terms, you are abſo⯑lutely undone.’

Mr. Dennis was too ſenſible of the means he had uſed to prove the truth of his friend's aſſertion, and conſervently remained ſilent for ſome time, at laſt conſcious of his error, he [13] broke through his confuſion, intreating Mr. Arnold to conceal the dreadful ſituation of his affairs from Mrs Dennis, who was entirely innocent and ignorant of them: The fortune (ſaid he) which ſhe brought me obliged me in honour to regard it as a more than ſuffici⯑ent competence to ſupport her without expo⯑ſing her to the care and fatigue of my buſineſs and tho' I have thro' a miſtaken pride, and ridiculous ambition, to ſet myſelf above my⯑ſelf, undone my family, ſhe poor ſoul, never was the leaſt incentive to the ruin in which I have inconſiderately involv'd myſelf: What ſhall I do? the coach now waits at the door to carry her with my Sſter to Woodford where we propoſe to remain 'till after Chriſtmas, but the concern I juſtly labour under renders me incapable of purſuing my intent, or ma⯑king any reaſonable excuſe to her for not go⯑ing with her.

Mr. Arnold, overjoy'd to find he had wrought ſuch an effect on his mind, promi⯑ſed to uſe his utmoſt endeavour to ſoften the rigour of his fortune, and find an excuſe to Mrs, Dennis, that ſhould appear ſo plauſible ſhe ſhould go to her country houſe without her [14] Spouſe or the leaſt ſuſpicion of the cauſe that detain'd him.

He had ſcarce told his maſter his deſign, than Mrs. Dennis enter'd the room, and with her uſual ſweetneſs of temper, fondly ſmiling on her husband, tenderly accuſed him of delay; informing him the coach had wait⯑ed a conſiderable time and the little Pratlers waited with impatience for Papa to mount and ſet forward to Woodford.

Mr Arnold who was ever a ſincere and valuable friend, to prevent his friend's confu⯑ſion, directly told her, he was fearful his ma⯑ſter muſt follow her, for he had receiv'd a let⯑ter to inform him Mr. Edgeworth who was a Merchant, and betroth'd to Miſs Dennis, was arriv'd from the Indies, at Graveſend, and lay there dangerouſly ill, and intreated Mr. Dennis to come forthwith, to ſettle ſome affairs between them, in regard to himſelf and his Siſter, but intreated a concealment of the danger he was in to Miſs Dennis, (whom he lov'd more than life) till either Death or a Recovery ſhould make it neceſſary for her to know it

[15] Mrs. Dennis, eaſily credited the report, and teſtified a ſincere concern for the news, faith⯑fully promiſing to keep the ſecret from her Siſter, and earneſtly injoining her Husband to follow her with the utmoſt Expedition.

He led her to the Coach, and took leave, when ſhe was gone, Mr. Arnold aſſured him, 'twas highly proper for him to abſcond, plain⯑ly proving to him, his perſon was in danger if he remain'd at home a day longer: adding that he had from time to time put off his Creditors, partly with diſtributing money, and partly by fair promiſes, but that the de⯑mands were ſo great, the caſh was exhauſted and their patience tired out; therefore Sir, (ſaid he) let me adviſe you, as your horſes are now ready, leave the Servants at home who were ready to attend you, and take Mr. William with you (meaning the Apprentice) you know he is an honeſt youth, and loves you too well to betray any truſt you repoſe in him; and tho' I have endeavour'd to conceal your unhappy miſmanagement from him as much as poſſible, yet his conſtant aſſiduity in his buſineſs, has laid open to him as much as painfully convinces him, that all is not right [16] tho' he modeſtly conceals by even the moſt diſtant hints even to me, that he knows any thing of the matter, but his grateful heart, hourly obliges him to remember your kindly preventing him from being turn'd over to Mr. Oſwald, who would have made his life hate⯑ful to him, as to his other apprentices; and thinks he can never ſufficiently repay the o⯑bligation you confer'd on him, by your kind acceptation of him, to ſerve the remaining part of his time with you.

Now Sir, added Mr. Arnold, wherever you pleaſe to go, or whatever you think proper to tranſact, you may ſafely truſt him with, and i'm certain he will with the utmoſt fide⯑lity communicate it to me, who will make it my immediate buſienſs, to ſummon all your Creditors and if poſſible gain time enough by prudent conduct to retrieve all yet.

Mr. Dennis thankfully received Mr. Ar⯑nold's friendly advice, and ſet out with his young apprentice undetermin'd what courſe to ſteer, but in the end, he happen'd to ſtop at a lone genteel Inn, upon Blackheath, where after they had refreſh'd themſelves, as it was [17] near town for-expedition's ſake, Mr. Dennis concluded to make that houſe his repoſitory, till he heard what progreſs Mr. Arnold had made in his affairs in London; accordingly William was diſpatch'd home to inform Mr. Arnold where his maſter reſided, and conti⯑nued for three days before he heard from his faithful friend, who made the beſt uſe of his time, to bring the creditors to a Compoſition but in vain; the extravagant courſe of Life Mr. Dennis had led, and bearing himſelf with a loſty pride. by ſcarcely bargaining but referring it to Servants, had ſo exaſpera⯑ted them, they were reſolved to put the Law in force againſt him to the utmoſt extremity; and accordingly one morning the Shop had not been open above half an hour, before there enter'd an execution againſt Body and Goods.

All that Mr. Arnold could do in this ex⯑tremity was to ſend poor afflicted William, with the following Letter.

Mr. Dennis for ſome few moments re⯑main'd unable to expreſs his grief but by his looks, and the poor faithful Boy, who brought the unwelcome News, was equally incapable of uttering his concern; till a flood of tears the dictates of his honeſt heart iſſued from his eyes, and tenderly convinc'd Mr. Dennis of the anguiſh of Soul, the generous Youth en⯑dur'd for the wreck'd fortune of his unhappy maſter.

Mr. Dennis could not collect himſelf ſuffi⯑ciently to write, and only ſent the lad back a⯑gain to Mr. Arnold with his thanks for his care and concern, aſſuring him that his only hope was death for his relief; with this odd disjointed meſſage the youth return'd to Lon⯑don.

[20] Mr. Arnold was concern'd but not much ſurpriz'd, as he conſidered the dreadful Agita⯑tion or Mind, this ungreatful Man muſt na⯑turally feel, from the reſult of his ungoverna⯑ble Folly.

In this Intervel of time, Mr. Dennis had ſent word to his Daughter, that he ſhould pay her a viſit, and bring with him a per⯑ſon, whom he ſaid wou'd be no unwelcome Gueſt to the Family in General, but not mentioning who it was, they could not con⯑ceive who it ſhould be, however at the time appointed, Mr. Dennis arrived at Woodford, accompanied by his worthy Friend Mr. Edgeworth, who naturally on his arrival paid his firſt compliments to his intended Father in Law, who inform'd, him his be⯑loved Harriet was gone to his Brothers Country Houſe to paſs the Chriſtmas there, and that if his impatient Deſire to ſee his betroth'd, Spouſe could hold out till the day following, he would with pleaſure attend him thither: Mr. Edgeworth was oblig'd in Complaiſance to Mr. Dennis, to wait a few Hours, which the fond Imagination of ſeperated Lovers lengthen into Ages: How⯑ever, away they went next Morning, and [21] to the inexpreſſible Surprize of Mrs. Den⯑nis and her Siſter, (from various motives,) who ſhould they behold but Mr. Edgeworth Mrs, Dennis did not know whether ſhe ſhould Congratulate him on his Recovery of his Health, as well as his return to England, ae ſhe ſaw nothing in his Countenance that bore the leaſt Appearance of the violent and dangerous Indiſpoſition deſcrib'd by Mr. Arnold, what to think ſhe know not, but the poor Lady began to grow exceſſive⯑ly uneaſy, when upon asking her Father in Law, when ſhe ſaw Mr. Dennis, who replied not for ſeveral Days paſt, but con⯑cluded to have found him with her; and farther enquiring how long Mr. Edgeworth had been landed, and being inform'd but the day before, ſhe began to be extreamly uneaſy, as Mr. Arnold's Letters to her had been ſtill a Confirmation of his being with the very Gentleman who was then preſent; and ſo far from ſtopping at Graveſend, they never quitted the Ship till they got to Deptford, where ſhe then lay: Mrs. Dennis retir'd to write, during which Time Mr. Edgeworth renew'd his Addreſſes to Miſs Harriet, and the Sunday following was fix'd for the Wedding: The Generous Lover [22] made a voyage extraordinary to make himſelf a more acceptable match for the young Lady and happily ſucceeded in his deſign, by bring⯑ing home in his laſt adventure, as much as compleated with what he had got before, (A Thirty Thouſand Pounder,) Mrs. Dennis diſpatch'd a ſervant to London, with all ima⯑ginable haſte, and tho' full of diſtracted thoughts on her Husband's account, behaved with infinite good Breeding, and as much ſeeming chearfulneſs as her anxious thoughts could poſſibly admit.

The unhappy Mr. Dennis remain'd in a moſt diſconſolate condition at Blackheath, and reflecting on the ſorrow he knew his poor Wife muſt endure when ſhe ſhould become acquainted with his miſerable Circumſtances and the pain of ſeparation from her, drove him almoſt diſtracted; in the violence of his agony he had been two or three times over⯑heard by his Landlord to exclaim againſt himſelf, and urge the heniouſneſs of his crime in the ſtrongeſt Terms, and vowing ven⯑geance on himſelf, for being the cruel Author of thoſe Ills he was too ſenſible his dear Wife and little Innocents too ſoon would feel the dreadful effects of.

[23] The Landlord to whom he thought him⯑ſelf a ſtranger broke in upon his Grief, and greatly apologizing for his intruſion, begged his permiſſion to endeavour to aſſuage the ex⯑tremity of his uneaſineſs, by unfolding the real cauſe of his, aſſuring him to the extent of his Power, he would be of ſervice to him, at the ſame time giving him to underſtand he was no ſtranger to his Perſon; This alarmed Mr. Dennis as he wiſhed to be concealed, and telling the Landlord as he had the advantage of him, begged to know when and where he became acquainted with him, upon which the other withdrew, and in about ten minutes ſent in the following Letter, directed to Mr. Dennis.

On Peruſal of the Letter, Mr. Dennis was ſtruck into aſtoniſhment, and could not reſolve within himſelf what Anſwer he ſhould make to his Landlord's advice in order to repair his fortune, for notwithſtanding he had run thro' various Indiſcretions; he could not eaſily be ſubborned to part with his Honeſty, and purchaſe Wealth at the ex⯑pence of Fame; or the hazard of an Igno⯑minious Death; He was too ſenſible of the Sorrows he had drawn upon himſelf and Family, without heaping more wretched⯑neſs upon them by an everduring Infamy, therefore reſolved not to liſten to ſuch a [25] flagrant piece of advice, ſo called for the Landlord and thanked him for his concern, aſſuring him the Secret ſhould be for ever bu⯑ried in his Boſom, but deſired him never more to urge the Subject, and that he would not be thought guilty of compounding with Fe⯑lony; inſiſted on returning the Notes, which the Landlord begged he would not, but the other inſiſted upon it, upon which the Land⯑lord as ſtreniouſly inſiſted that he would make his Houſe his own, and as freely Command all that was in it; Mr. Dennis thankfully in⯑formed him that he was obliged to him for his offer, but that he was under no neceſſity at that time to accept on it; while they were converſing poor William arrived with the ſe⯑cond ſhocking Account, that the Creditors had ſent their emiſſaries to Woodford, and that they had even taken the Watch from Mrs. Dennis's ſide, ſo the ſad Cataſtrophe was no longer a Secret to the whole Family.

Old Mr. Dennis was ſo violently exaſpera⯑ted, he refuſed the leaſt Aſſiſtance towards his Son's Redemption, yet pitied his unhappy Daughter in Law, and behaved very tender towards her and her Children as a fond Fa⯑ther [26] poſſibly could, intreating her to go home with him and ſtrongly urged her though 'twas his own Child to endeavour to forget him; but her fondneſs was too powerful to liſten to his Advice, which in the mood the old Gentleman was in, he order'd his Coach and went away highly diſpleaſed at his Daughter's refuſal of his offer, Mr. Edgeworth, who had a ſincere regard for young Dennis, which was greatly ſtrengthened by the inviolate fondneſs he had for his Siſter, kindly and generouſly reſolved to repair his Fortune, by bringing his Creditors to a Compoſition, or if that fail⯑ed he reſolved to pay his Debts, and give him a Term of Years to make him an Acknow⯑ledgment.

Miſs Harriet took this as the higheſt proof of his Regard to her, tho' ſhe was ſorty he ſhould hazard any part of his Fortune to ſerve her Relation, and that ſhe wanted no ſuch ſevere proofs of his Paſſion for her, for ſuch ſhe term'd it, as it was doubtful whether it would ever be in her Brother's power to make him a ſuitable return; but theſe fears did not prevent his generous deſign, which he put in⯑to immediate Execution the moment he got [27] to Town, and with Mr. Arnold's aſſiſtance, every Creditor was paid to the full extent, the amount of which came to upwards of Fourteen Thouſand Pounds.

Mr. Dennis upon receiving the News of Woodſtock being ſurrounded with his Credit⯑ors, he grew deſperate and madly and reſol⯑ved to take the Advice of his Landlord, who directly furniſhed him with Arms and a Horſe that had been trained up to that Buſineſs, and having diſpatched William to Mr. Arnold, he ſet out and was not heard of for two or three Days, in which time, Mrs. Dennis, Mr. Edge⯑worth, Mr. Arnold, and Miſs Harriet, went down to bring him, but to their great mor⯑tification he was gone before their Arrival, which diſtracted his poor Wife, who had plu⯑med herſelf up with the hopes of being re⯑ſtored to her much lov'd Husband, the Land⯑lord told them it was poſſible he might return in a Day or two, befori which he did not ex⯑pect him, but where he was gone he was en⯑tirely Ignorant.

Mr. Edgeworth prevailed on Mrs. Dennis, [...] go to Town again, faithfully promiſſing [28] her to go every Day in ſearch till he found him, which he did, and in about four Days time Mr. Dennis return'd to his Landlord's a⯑gain, and having met with great ſucceſs in his new fatal Expedition, he ſet out towards London, and met a Gentleman on the Road within two miles of his Lodging, and without any heſitation clap'd on his Mask, and bid him Deliver, which the Gentleman refuſing, he immediately ſhot him thro' the Head, and robbed him of a conſiderable Booty, among which was a Letter Caſe all which he rode haſtily off with, leaving the Deceas'd welter⯑ing in his Blood upon the Road; the Body was ſoon found and carried into the firſt houſe to be owned, and the Horſe who ſtood by his dead Maſter, was alſo convey'd thither.

As ſoon as Mr. Dennis got to the Inn where he had lodged from the time he went from his own houſe, he directly ſat down to count [...] Booty, which in Caſh was upwards of Twenty Guineas, but on peruſing the Let⯑ter Caſe, and finding in it Receipts for his own Debts, pay'd by his worthy friend and intended Brother in Law, his Diſtraction con⯑ſequently aroſe by an inexpreſſible height▪ [29] there was no more room left for deliberate Reflection in ſo deſperate a Caſe, and Mad⯑neſs raging, he directly ſnap'd a Piſtol at his head, which miſs'd Fire, and the Landlord coming that Inſtant into the Room, he was prevented making a ſecond attempt, but within an hour was taken by ſome of the Peo⯑ple, who were ſent out in ſearch of the Mur⯑derer, and the houſe which he was in, being greatly ſuſpected to be a Receptacle for high⯑waymen, that was the firſt they routed; nor had they much trouble in queſt of their Man, for he directly own'd the Robery and Murder quietly ſurrendering himſelf to the rigour of the Law, the Penalties of which he thought too little for his Crime.

As he had attempted his Life, proper care was taken to prevent his deſtroying himſelf, and as ſoon as he was committed to Newgate, a ſufficient Guard was ſet over him on that Account.

Miſs Harriet was directly ſeized with a violent Fever for the loſs of an honourable Lover, barbarouſly depriv'd of Life by the hand of her unhappy Brother, whoſe ſhame⯑ful [30] End anticipitated the Decrees of Heaven in regard to both, and in a few days gave a fatal Period to that young Lady, who ex⯑pir'd in the height of Madneſs.

Mrs. Denais had not ſo happy a Relief, for ſhe lingered in Anguiſh and Deſpair, till the Morning her hapleſs Spouſe was to be execu⯑ted, during whoſe Confinement ſhe conſtant⯑ly attended him, contrary to the Commands of his and her own Father, who took the Children down into the Country, that they might not be pointed at as the unhappy Of⯑ſprings of their unfortunate Father; what ad⯑ded to the immoderate Grief of this Inconſo⯑lable Creature, was the knowledge of her Husband being Coddemned to be hung in Chains on Account of the Murder.

The Night before his Execution ſhe per⯑ſiſted in ſtaying in the Preſs-Yard, on the outſide of the Cell, where her deſtin'd Huſ⯑band lay; as ſoon as he was brought forth in the Morning in order to receive his Fate, with ſpeechleſs Grief ſhe fell into his Arms, with the tendereſt Marks of deep and ſilent Sor⯑row; [31] in this conflict of Deſpair and Love, expired.

This ſhocking ſcene drew Tears from each Spectator, and ſent the Dying Husband quite delirious to his ſhameful End. Mr. Arnold, who at his requeſt attended his laſt Moments, ſoon after died with Grief: And poor Mr. William the Apprentice who had many Obli⯑gations to Mr. Dennis, grew into a ſettled Melancholly which he never overcame, the Parents of this unhappy Couple lived but few Years after this dreadful Cataſtrophe, one re⯑tire from Buſineſs, and the other languiſh'd out a miſerable Life at his country ſeat, where he denied himſelf the benefit of Light, from the fatal Hour of his Daughters Death.

This Story is too True to be diſtruſted, or Diſregarded by the Reader, or thoſe who may hear it told; and as every Perſon who breaths may be liable to the ſame dreadful Misfortune; 'tis not to be deem'd an Offence to relate the ſad conſequences ariſing from Ill-plac'd pride, and unreaſonable Ambition. The ſtrongeſt Motive that could poſſibly induce me to pub⯑liſh this Melancholly, was an Obſervation I [32] have made for many Years of the preſumpt⯑iae Vanity daily increaſing and prompting many Perſons in Trade to live up to the State of thoſe, whoſe Birth and Fortune might juſt⯑ifie the running into ſuch Expences, as muſt naturally terminate in the Ruin of Trading Families, and be the unhappy cauſe of Multi⯑plying the numerous Indigent, who but for this failing in Parents might live comfortably to themſelves and be generally beneficial to the World.