Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1827-04-13
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MARY AYIIJ CL.lARIsEg3.

MARY ANN CLART&I.
The Providence Literary Cadet, in
noticing the late Duke of York, inirodu-
ces The following biographical sketch of
the celebrated Mrs. Clarke, whose con-
nection with the NOBLE Dake has made
her name notorious throughout Europe
and America.
Mrs. Mary Ann Clarke, was the daugh,
ter OF a Nir. Thompson, matchmaker
OF London, who dying when his offspring
was quite young, left her under the pro-
lection other mother, whose circumstan-
ces were exceedingly limited, SO far as
pecuniary resources were connected with
them; and anxious to improve her con-
dition, she was married second time, to
man named Farquhar, jouEneyman
printer respectable for his talents and in
dustry, who, having thus assumed the
guardianship of the mother and daugh-
Ter, obtained employment for Mary Ann
IN the same Office, as reader of copy TO
the corrector OF the press. 1t was whilst
thus employed that she attracted the at
tention of a Mr.. Day, son of the foreman
of the establishment, who was SO rreSisti-
bly, struck with her charms, and so COM
pletely enamouTed, that he conceived the
project OF educating her in a manner
commensurate with her personal allure
ments, and 10 carry his designs into exc
cution, sent her to distinguished board
ING school, where she made great prof
cheney, and soon became sensible Of her
powers over the passions Of the sterner
sex.
ttllis school she remained two years,
at the expense Of her benefdctor, who
now sent Tor her, with an intention of
making her his wife. On her return
home, 3ir. Day found that she vas not
the same grateful and unaffected gifl that
she was when she LETT niGl, bat grown
austere and naughty uuccr the culture of
her generous patron; she looked upon
him with disdaiD, and aspired 70 an union
Wilh some one OF higher distinction. She
treated him with cold indifference and
contempt, and after having one or two
alterations with her, he withdrew HIM
self from her acquaintance, and abandon
ed her 10 her faEe.-iier mother now re-
sided in part Of the town not particular
ly famous for the morality of its inhabi-
tants; and thus having frequent opportu-
mites OF associating with the dissou:e &
dissipated, Mary Ann acquired habits
not exactly congenial with female delica-
cy: and was not over scrupulous about
her engagements, and commenced the
business OF protested coquete. Her
first amour was with a London trades
man, who having become enamoured of
her charms, was easily LED astray by her
wles, and when she found herself secure
in conquest, she drew so literally from
his pockets, that in short tine me was
reduced to a state ofa5solute bankruptcy,
when she denied him her acquaintance,
having already secured the objects she
had in view.
She was next addressed by Mr.. Jo-
seph Clarke, Il stone mason, young
man, vino, having just merged from his
apprenticeship, ana enjoying unreStralu-
Ell liberty offered her his hand in Wediock,
which was cheeriully accepted; aud the
misguided and deceived husband, as he
supposed, sat himself quietly down with
his young and beautiful wife, to spend ii
life of happiness. But sadly was The un-
fortunate Clarke deceived; and all the
happy and golden dreams OF bliss hls
fancy had generated, and oil the splen-
did castles ne had erected ~ the air,
were destined to be dissipaied by faith
less woman. Proud ofpUssesslng one SO
beautiful and who appeared to have been
formed by the very graces themselves,
he cherished her VITA all the fondness of
Il Lednder; but at last betakng 10 dis
spatel habits, reduced himself and wife
70 misery and want; and when no lou.
ger capable OF protecting fcr, she aban-
doned him, and with her offspring sought
for safety and for bread upon tie WIDE
world. 1t would be disgusting 10 our
readers, TO have lain before them a full
history of the amUurs and lntriguts to
which Mrs. CLARKE was party, previous
60 her connexi5l with tue Duke OF York,
ana We snail spare ourselves such an Of
ienslye recital.
IN tie year 1904, or about that period