1. JOHN STANLEY< no role > , was convicted of giving Hanah Maycock< no role > a mortal Wound under the Left Pap, of the Depth of 8 Inches, and the breadth of one Inch, on the 20th of October last .

In Compliance with Custom, and with what is requir'd of us, we are here to give some Account of this unfornunate Person, to show all People by what gradual Steps he proceeded from Gaiety to Vice; That observing his Life, others may the better direct their own, and learn to avoid the first Beginnings of Debauchery, and in Time to curb their Passions.

The Mother of this unhappy Gentleman was deliver'd of him at Duce-Hall in Essex , (being the Seat of Mr. Palmer her Brother) in the Year 1698. The Father, being an Officer, was wont, it seems, to exercise the Boy at 5 Years old, by parrying with him, and pricking him, and causing other Officers to do the same; to prevent his fearing any Weapon. The Lad was prais'd, and encourag'd with strong Liquors, and esteem'd a Wonder of his Age, being very active, and very witty. When a Lad, his Father took him (as he said) into Spain and Portugal , where he beheld several Fights; and delighting unaccountably in those Things, would often run from his Tent, and expose himself to Dangers at the Engagement; tho' oftentimes severely used by his Father, for leaving the Ground that he left him upon. He said many were the Fatigues and Hardships that he likewise endured in Portugal ; but he added, that his Pleasure was to walk to and fro upon the Carcasses after an Engagement, and to look at them.

But returning to England ; when his Father was committed Prisoner to Newgate, for stabbing a very near Relation of the Lord Newburg's, and remain'd a considerable Time in the Press Yard; Misfortunes of a different Nature shock'd the Family, too tedious here to mention; but they blew over. Being order'd to Ireland , his Son John went also, and had an Ensign's Commission given him; which he soon after parted with, being in some Extremity thro' want of Money. In Ireland he was much esteem'd by some Noblemen, and a great Number of Officers were particularly fond of him, and continued their Acquaintance to his Death, several of them visiting him very constantly in Newgate , and expressing a great Concern at his Misfortunes: Some of them offer'd to make up a large Sum of Money, if it would be of any real Service to him.

Leaving Ireland , he enter'd into the Vices of London , when a very little Stripling, having heard those Things talk'd of by his Acquaintance in Ireland . His Father, he said, desired him to make Application to the (then) General Stanhope, and he need not fear Preferment, for his Sake: But being well liked by the Women, it made him give himself wholly to the pleasing them, tho' he never thought of marrying, but resolv'd against it. He told a great many People, when first confin'd in Newgate , of his having Intrigues with two different Gentlewomen near Cheapside Conduit . But those Things I shall omit: Being check'd for having no Concern for such Offences, he said, they were Gaieties, and Gaities that all Men practiced, or wished to practice, which was all one; nor would hear any thing against his own Opinion. Such was his extream Airyness and gay Carriage when first a Prisoner. Nor did he then make any scruple of talking publickly of several vicious Tricks by him play'd at Richmond .

But soon after, he told me, he accompanied a Friend of his to Flanders , and from thence (I think) to Holland : He gave an exact Account of the Fortifications at Lisle, Mons, &c. and observ'd, That as the Trade was some Years ago removed from Antwerp to Amsterdam, it might now be as easily transfer'd from Amsterdam to London, or Canterbury; &c. He was also in France , and stay'd a considerable Time at Paris , but upon what Affairs, it imports not much: He boasted indeed, when in Prison, and told certain Gentlemen, of some fine Ladies that had confer'd Favours upon him at Paris , but 'tis very probable that might be only a Boast. But it was there that he improv'd himself, as he said, in Fencing; which, when he return'd into England , he put too much in Practice: For instead of being obliged to Companies, for Treats they sometimes gave him, (when he went in among them) his Temper was so unhappy, that he too frequently quarrel'd with them, and bad them look at his Sword, &c.

But notwithstanding this unhappy Humour, he escaped being kill'd; tho' he had, in the fore-Part of his Body, 6 or 7 large Scars, which he show'd me. He