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 Unruly 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 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 't is 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 .