DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70301#0058
44,
ktRey’s wonderful museum.
was over, the master miner ventured down to the entrance of
the gallery, and could see nothing, but heard a noise, which
lasted for some time, and a scent of. sulphur and saltpetre
continued for several hours, which changed to an insupport-
able stench. The waters abated by degrees, but continued
to the last to take fire, if a lamp was brought near the surface,
though the flame might be easily extinguished by the fanning
of a,hat.
Ann. Reg. 1759, p- 386.
LIFE AND TRIAL OF RICHARD PATCH.
Never, perhaps, was a stronger interest excited in the
minds of persons of all classes, than by the case detailed
in the following pages. It. affords another awful exam-
ple, in addition to the many that might be produced,
of the little chance which the murderer has to escape
detection, with what art soever the horrid crime may have
been planned, and carried into execution. The aggra-
vated circumstances under which it was, in this instance, com-
mitted seem to authorize us to consider it as a peculiar dis-
pensation of Providence, that the chain of evidence, though
only circumstantial, should be so strong, so complete, and so
convincing, as to leave not a shadow of doubt respecting the
guilt of the accused.
Richard Patch was born about the year 1765, at Heavitree,
near Exeter, in Devonshire.. His family was of some respec-
tability among the yeomen of that county, his grandfather
having possessed a landed estate of 50/. per annum, in a
neighbouring village. His father, like many of the petty far-
mers residing near the sea coast, united with his agricultural
avocations the character of a smuggler, and was distinguished
for the dexterity and-courage with which he eluded or baffled
ktRey’s wonderful museum.
was over, the master miner ventured down to the entrance of
the gallery, and could see nothing, but heard a noise, which
lasted for some time, and a scent of. sulphur and saltpetre
continued for several hours, which changed to an insupport-
able stench. The waters abated by degrees, but continued
to the last to take fire, if a lamp was brought near the surface,
though the flame might be easily extinguished by the fanning
of a,hat.
Ann. Reg. 1759, p- 386.
LIFE AND TRIAL OF RICHARD PATCH.
Never, perhaps, was a stronger interest excited in the
minds of persons of all classes, than by the case detailed
in the following pages. It. affords another awful exam-
ple, in addition to the many that might be produced,
of the little chance which the murderer has to escape
detection, with what art soever the horrid crime may have
been planned, and carried into execution. The aggra-
vated circumstances under which it was, in this instance, com-
mitted seem to authorize us to consider it as a peculiar dis-
pensation of Providence, that the chain of evidence, though
only circumstantial, should be so strong, so complete, and so
convincing, as to leave not a shadow of doubt respecting the
guilt of the accused.
Richard Patch was born about the year 1765, at Heavitree,
near Exeter, in Devonshire.. His family was of some respec-
tability among the yeomen of that county, his grandfather
having possessed a landed estate of 50/. per annum, in a
neighbouring village. His father, like many of the petty far-
mers residing near the sea coast, united with his agricultural
avocations the character of a smuggler, and was distinguished
for the dexterity and-courage with which he eluded or baffled