THE Ordinary of NEWGATE His Account, &c.

EDward Bird< no role > , Gent. condemn?d for the Murder by him committed on the Person of Samuel Loxton< no role > , a Servant in Mr. Seedwell?s Bagnio Silver-street , in the Parish of St. James Westminstert on the 25th of September last .

This Mr. Bird, aged about 27 years, said to be born of wealthy Parents at Old Windsor , was well brought up by them, who gave him a Christian and Gentlemen-like Education. They put him early to the Care and Instruction of the late Reverend Dr. Busby, Master of Westminster School; and thence, when pretty well advanc?d in his Learning, remov?d him to Eaton College . After some stay there, they finding his Inclination was to see the World abroad, fitted him out for his Travels; and then he made a Tour in France , and went also into Italy , &c. When he had spent some time abroad in foreign Countries, and seen variety of Things (which, whether he improve?d and made good use of, or no, I shall leave to the Judgment of others) he return?d into England, and not long after had a Lieutenant ?s Commission in the Regiment of Horse commanded by the Lord Marquess of Winchester. Before this, he had in a great measure, given himself up to a vicious Course of Life; and his evil Inclinations growing stronger in him, he at last abandon?d himself to all manner of Lewdness and Debauchery; the Consideration whereof I put close to him, endeavouring to bring him to a due Sense and true Repentance of his past Follies. And here I put him in mind likewise of his ill Usage to a Virtuous Gentlewoman he formerly married, defiling the Marriage Bed, &c.

While, I was laying these things, and many more of a heinous nature, before him, and telling him, that the World abroad rung of them, he deny?d them not; but said, he was not guilty of Murder, the Crime he stood condemn?d for; and that, as to other Sins, he had begg?d Pardon of GOD for them, and did not doubt of his Mercy. Many private Admoniions and Directions I gave him, and offer?d to pray by him in his Chamber, which I did when he gave me leave; but very often he defin?d me to spare that Part of my Service, because be was very busy, was to write Letters, expected Company, and suchlike frivolous Excuses.