IF we should go about to innumerate or lay down the Misfortunes and Calamities that attend on Humane Life in their Particulars, it would not only prove tedious, but a Theam exceeding large, if not impossi­ble, to delineate them in their many and various Circumstances: And it is held as a true Maxim, That no Person can account himself happy till his Latter End; and that we may always be careful not to depend too much upon long Life, the Wise Men of all Ages have compared Life to very short and momentary things, as a Span, a Bubble, a Shadow, a Flower that fadeth, &c. How then ought we to set a Watch over our Actions! and especially over Ʋnruly Passions, to prevent our being accessory to our own Miseries, and hastning our Ends, which of themselves are wound off too fast by Time, and the many Casualties that happen, as daily Experi­ence teaches; so that we are rarely acquainted with the time of our Change, till it comes upon us like a Thief in the Night; and when we think our selves in the midst of Life we are in Death; and of this kind we might instance many Modern Examples: But seeing that of the Barbarous Murder of Mary Cox has lately made a considerable Noise, not only in and about this great City, but in remoter Parts, it may not, we hope, be censured as a thing amiss, if we give a further Account of what since has happened relating to that Murder.

To return then to our Promise. Mrs. Deacon (after murdering her Maid-Servant) was kept a Prisoner in her own House under a Guard, and the Jury, after a full Enquiry into the Premises, and some hours Debate [Page]finding Mary Cox to die of the bad Usage, and giving it in Wilful Murder, Elizabeth Deacon was thereupon committed to the Custody of the Keeper of Newgate, and sent in the most private manner the Affair would admit, least any violence might happen from the incensed Rabble, who threatned no less than the pulling down the House, about which they gathered in Crowds, and about which a Guard was afterwards placed. She appeared at first somewhat resolute and unconcern'd for the great Misery her unad­vised Rashness had [...] being in a closer Confinement, Sadness visibly overspread her Face, and she relented o [...] [...], con­tinuing very pensive, wishing she had been timely wiser, than to give way to her Passion, &c. and shews a considerable Remorse d [...]in [...] this Affliction of the Family. And indeed whatsoever vain Thoughts Persons may in the heat of their Youth or Passion entertain of Religion, yet they will sooner or later feel a Testimony which God hath given into every ones Breast, which will one day make them serious, either by the inexpressible Fears, Terrors and Agonies of a troubled Mind, or by the inconceivable Peace, Joy and Comfort of a good Conscience.

The House was much troubled and disturb'd that Night the Maid died, which is confirmed by a Person then present: There was a Noise like the Noise of a Drum, and sometimes another strange Noise, like scratching behind a Partition in another Room, all which was very affrighting, to the Persons then present.

Her Carriage before the Jury was undaunted, till she saw her Man declare to the Jury, That he saw her strike the Maid on the Head with a Hammer; then she fell out a weeping, and was much concerned. She was soon after sent to Newgate, and put into the Dungeon, but the next day removed to the Press-yard, where she now is, but very melancholy and pensive, and cares not to discourse any Body. Her Husband resolves to part (as 'tis said) with all, if her Life can be saved.

Mr. Deacon being sent for in great Hast, left his Affairs imperfect at Bristol, and upon his Arrival decently interr'd the Body of Mary Cox, expressing his Sorrow for so sad a Disaster in his Absence; and visiting his Wife, la­boured to comfort her, as other Friends have done. Some Reports there fly abroad, that she is with Child, but with what certainty we know not, but must leave the issue of the rest to the Event and Justice of the Nation, desiring in the mean while all People to beware by this Misfortune, how they give themselves up to be transported by unruly Passion.