Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-08-02
From a London Paper.
I'm affecting Case-Ua,ulebone Office

.4n affecting Case-JNayylebone office.
About three o'clock yesterday morning, one of the
watchmen, or park keepers of Regents Park, whose
station IS contiguous TO the basin OF the canal. observed
q lady and gentleman ofvery elegant appearance stan-
ding, evidently in earnest conversation. Shortly after
he first noticed them, they walked away, and soon were
out OF his observation. On patrolling his station again
the next hour, he observed the same female walking
among the strawberries, crying bitterly, and evidently
under the weight of great mental agony. The man lis.
tened to herasseverations, which were loud and freouent
and IN which he thought he heard the name of a noble
lord mentioned, and being aPprehensive the lady con-
tenpiated self destruction, lie was proceeding in the
direction likely 10 lead him towards her for few min.
utes, and on reaching the enclosure, he perceived her
descend The bank TO the basin, and in a hurried and
agItated manner, strip offsome of her dress, and in the
act OF raising her arms towards the Heavens, she ex-
claimed, oh! God, have mercy,D and rushed towards
the water. lie jumped down and seized her Just in tine
TO prevent The rash resolve. She screamed on his
Catching hold OF her, and was so overcome, by her api-
tatIon and struggles, that she tainted. However. the
Park-keeper procured the assistance of another watch
man, and very soon succeeded in restoring her senses.
lie assisted her towards the new road, and 6DdiDp from
the Incoherencyo other language, and the evident dis
tress OF her mind, that she, if left alone, would apaiu
repeat the, attempt at self destruction, he conducted
her, with a great deal of difficulty, TO the residence of
Gibbs, one ofthe Police Officers, and left her in his care.
That officer, on the opening of the business at this Office.
conducted her thither, and the following particulars
transpired:-
The Lady's name is Mary Anne D., and she is
a member OF a highly respectable family.--Some wears
since, her father w9s distinguished for his mercantile
knowledge, and, as was customary with his family, en-
tertainments were given, to which honorable, distin-
guiSlied' and noble persons, appeared as guests. Her
great personal attractions excited much admiration.
and, unfortunately, her ardent imagination led her too
easily TO believe the alluring promises ofan accomplish
ed and noble scducer, to whom she fell a victim. His
promises she soon found were mere professions. and he
abandoned her. She returned 10 her family; but short
" after her father failed. She then adopted a course
of life, from the proceeds of which she supported an
elegant establishment, and soon obtained such celebrity
that her fashionable sphere was extended 10 the first
circles. However, this did not last long. She, too. expe-
rlenced reverse; ~ from an adherence of the courses of
the lover orders of the unfortunate females Of the town.
she preferred adopting the dreadful alternative of self
destruction, and concealed herselftle whole of the NIGHT
10 the Park, with a view of accomplishing that object.
The person to whom she was speaking was a casual
stranger, who Coldly advised her to return home, with
out the slightest offer of assistance; andI the scenes of
happiness of her life recurring to her imagination, she
IN a moment OF desperation, rushed into the water, cal
ling on God for mercy, and bitterly imprecating His
vengeance on her seducer.
On being brought before the magistrate, she appear
cd much depressed, and her very fine countenance por-
trayed lines Of the deepest detection. She was elegantly
dressed, and her manners and demeaner bespoke a per
son who had lived in good society.
The magistrate, having pointed out the extreme fol-
ly and guilt of suicide, directed her to be conducted 10
her home.