LIFE OF MABY BATEMAN.
299
here, a striking instance, that the judgments of that Almighty
Power, who executeth judgment in righteousness, though
long deferred will assuredly overtake the guilty.
“ You have continued to practise your wicked machina-
tions against that man down to a late period; and when he
became clamorous for restitution, you appear to have pro-
vided that bottle found upon you and produced in court, in
order to administer the fatal dose it contained, had you met
him alone; for to no other purpose can I account for your
having it in your pocket. Though you felt no mercy for
those misguided persons, but washed to send them to their
graves without preparation, yet your country is far more
merciful to you. You will be provided with those means of
repentance which may even yet avail you. Its laws allow
you the assistance of pious and devout men, to provide for
your spiritual wants.
“No hopes of mercy remain for you here; and I earnestly
exhort you to use the little time you have to live in preparing
for another world. I have only now to pass sentence upon
you—that you be carried back to the place from whence you
came; and that you be taken from thence, on Monday next,
to the place of execution, to be there hanged by the neck
until you are dead; and that your body be given to the sur-
geons for dissection; and the Lord have mercy on your
soul!”
The prisoner, on being asked if she had any thing to say
why the sentence passed on her should not be executed,
pleaded that she was twenty-three weeks gone with child. A
jury of matrons was immediately impannelled, who returned
a verdict of “ not quick.”
The trial lasted nearly twelve hours. The court was more
crowded than ever known.
This devoted and profligate creature, was a follower of
the principles of Joanna Southcott; only improving decep-
2 2 2
299
here, a striking instance, that the judgments of that Almighty
Power, who executeth judgment in righteousness, though
long deferred will assuredly overtake the guilty.
“ You have continued to practise your wicked machina-
tions against that man down to a late period; and when he
became clamorous for restitution, you appear to have pro-
vided that bottle found upon you and produced in court, in
order to administer the fatal dose it contained, had you met
him alone; for to no other purpose can I account for your
having it in your pocket. Though you felt no mercy for
those misguided persons, but washed to send them to their
graves without preparation, yet your country is far more
merciful to you. You will be provided with those means of
repentance which may even yet avail you. Its laws allow
you the assistance of pious and devout men, to provide for
your spiritual wants.
“No hopes of mercy remain for you here; and I earnestly
exhort you to use the little time you have to live in preparing
for another world. I have only now to pass sentence upon
you—that you be carried back to the place from whence you
came; and that you be taken from thence, on Monday next,
to the place of execution, to be there hanged by the neck
until you are dead; and that your body be given to the sur-
geons for dissection; and the Lord have mercy on your
soul!”
The prisoner, on being asked if she had any thing to say
why the sentence passed on her should not be executed,
pleaded that she was twenty-three weeks gone with child. A
jury of matrons was immediately impannelled, who returned
a verdict of “ not quick.”
The trial lasted nearly twelve hours. The court was more
crowded than ever known.
This devoted and profligate creature, was a follower of
the principles of Joanna Southcott; only improving decep-
2 2 2