This book is specially interesting, as being an account of the last execution by burning in England.
There is nothing uncommon in her story. Originally a servant, she married, but was deserted by her husband; she then lived with a man named Murphy, a coiner. Of course they were found out, tried, and condemned to death. The man was hanged, and the woman, according to the then law, was burned. Blackstone gives the following curious reason for this punishment:—"In treasons of every kind the punishment of the woman is the same, and different from that of men. For as the decency due to the sex forbids the exposing and public mangling their bodies, the sentence is, to be drawn to the gallows, and there to be burned alive." The law was altered by 30 George III. c. 48 (1790), which provided that after June 5, 1790, women under this sentence should be hanged.
It must be borne in mind that the culprits were strangled before burning (Christian Bowman was hanging forty minutes); although, by the carelessness of the executioner, one woman, Katherine Hayes, was actually burned alive at Tyburn, November 3, 1726.
THE
Drunkard's Legacy.
In Four Parts.
Giving an Account
First, Of a Gentleman having a wild Son, and foreseeing he would come to poverty, had a cottage built with one door to it, always kept fast. His father on his Dying bed, charged him not to open it 'till he was poor and slighted, which the young man promised he would perform. Secondly, Of this young man's pawning his estate to a Vintner, who when poor, kicked him out of doors. Thinking it time to see his Legacy, he broke open the door, when instead of money, found a Gibbet and Halter, which he put round his Neck, and jumping off the Stool, the Gibbet broke, and a Thousand Pounds came down upon his head, which lay hid in the Ceiling. Thirdly of his redeeming the Estate; and fooling the Vintner out of Two Hundred Pounds, who for being jeered by his neighbours, cut his own throat. And lastly, Of the young Man's Reformation.
Very proper to be read by all who are given to Drunkenness.