identical patties, by which, independently of his partnership in those frequent robberies, he had made a fortune.

This case was of so terrific a nature, it was made part of the sentence of the law, that besides the execution of the monsters upon the rack, the houses in which they perpetrated those infernal deeds, should be pulled down, and that the spot on which they stood should be marked out to posterity with horror and execration.

PUNISHING AN UNSUCCESSFUL PHYSICIAN.

When Lorenzo il Magnifico, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, laboured under his last illness, a famous physician of Padua was summoned to attend him ; he did so, and exerted his utmost skill, but to no purpose. Lorenzo died; when some of his household, frantic with grief, met the unsuccessful physician, and threw him down the well in the quadrangle. The dead body was, of course, drawn up, and the well so nicely cleaned, that its water has ever since been peculiarly fine. It is remarkable that this physician, when resident at Padua, had his nativity cast, and was told he would be drowned; he therefore quitted Padua, whence he was frequently obliged to go by water to Venice, and went to settle at Florence, as a place where water carriage was unnecessary; thus furnishing an example,

"That human foresight

In vain essays to 'scape th' unerring stroke
Of heaven-directed destiny."

TRAGICAL DEATH OF ARDEN OF FEVERSHAM.

About the year 1550, in the reign of Edward the Sixth, there lived at Feversham, in Kent, a gentleman of the name of Arden. He enjoyed abundantly the blessings of this life; he was prosperous and wealthy, and joined in marriage to one whom he loved with the utmost sincerity, but who was entirely undeserving of his affection. In this respect he was most unfortunate. Alice Arden appeared to have possessed those acquired accomplishments, which constituted the exterior of the gentlewoman of those times. Nature, too, had bestowed upon her those gifts which please in every age-personal beauty in form and feature. Yet was there one excellence wanting, for the absence of which nothing can atone, since without it the most dazzling female qualities are empty as air-Chastity was not in the catalogue of her virtues.

Arden could by no means be accused of any deficiency of affection towards her; on the contrary, unhappily for him, his love had rendered him negligent and blind, where his duty might have called for severity and circumspection; for he alone was unable to discover what was too evident to all besides. In the following account, the page shall not be sullied by the slightest indelicacy; yet it shall not, on the other hand, in the least degree extenuate vice. The object which had alienated the heart of this woman from her allegiance, was a person of the name of Mosby, lately an attendant upon Sir Edward North, the father of Alice Arden: he was a man remarkable neither for person nor manners. Unlawful passion also blinds its followers, and leads

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them to the edge of a précipice. Mosby, indolent and vicious, was easily persuaded to abuse the hospitality of Arden, at whose house he had been received as a friend; and a criminal attachment had now subsisted between the parties for the space of two years, in which time they had lost all sense of honour and religion. They swore fidelity to each other for life, and, upon this occasion, in a church in London, had secretly profaned the holy sacrament, by receiving it together as a seal of their guilty vows. At the altar, and in the presence of a God of purity, where formerly she had, by the most awful compact devoted herself for life to Arden; at that sacred place she shuddered not to call that God of purity solemnly to witness her infidelity and enormous crimes.

After an action of this nature, what might not be expected from a mind so depraved? She had not yet attained the summit of iniquity; another step remained to be ascended. It may be easily imagined, as it is actually true, that Arden was now become offensive to her sight: she detested him in her heart, and wished him out of existence. From desiring his death, she easily passed to the horrible gradation, the endeavouring to become his executioner, and soon proved the truth of that Roman maxim, that the adulteress is capable of poisoning her husband.

There dwelt at that time in Feversham, a painter skilled in the preparation of poisons. From him, either by artifice or some feigned purpose, or by a bribe, she procured one of the most deadly nature, and speedy operation. Wretched case, where a man's foes are those of his own household! One morning, when Arden proposed to ride to Canterbury, Alice prepared and brought him his breakfast, of which, as usual, milk was the chief ingredient. She had, however, mingled with it the fatal dose. But, probably owing to some degree of agitation and confusion, had forgotten a principal circumstance she had put the poison into the milk, instead of pouring the milk upon the poison, according to the direction she had received from the painter; therefore it did not blend in a proper manner; and this error saved for the present the life of her victim. Arden had no sooner swallowed a spoonful or two of the liquid, and cast his eyes upon it, than he discovered it was not as it should be, and found fault with the taste and colour. "Alice," said he, "what milk have you given me here?" At this question she perceived that she was in danger of being discovered, and angrily replying, "Nothing, I think, can please you," immediately spilt the whole mess, by tilting it over with her hand. Arden endured this without any farther observation; many such gusts of passion he had, doubtless, experienced before; and, mounting his horse, rode towards Canterbury. The poison presently began to affect him, and he was seized with a violent sickness upon the road: but he soon recovered; and what may seem singular, certainly appears, from his conduct throughout the whole of the affair, neither at this, nor any subsequent period, to have entertained the suspicion that his wife was plotting his destruction.

It was not long before a second scheme was formed, in which the murderous task devolved upon others, who have not yet appeared upon the scene. An accomplice in this horrible design was a person of the name of Green, living also at Feversham, and in the service of Sir Andrew Ager. This man bore a deadly hate to Arden. Green claimed a right to some lands, originally belonging to the Abbey of Feversham: the other disputed it with him; and at length prevailing, obtained from the Crown a grant in his own favour, by which he wrested them altogether out of the hands of Green. In the course

of this contention, threats, and even blows, had passed between them: but as soon as the decision of the law had rendered Arden victorious, Green became his mortal foe. Under these circumstances, the adulteress found no great difficulty in prevailing with this man, to attempt or procure the murder of her husband; and the promise of an ample reward devoted him to her service, whenever an opportunity should occur of putting his design into execution.

Soon after this, it was necessary for Green to go up to London, in order to transact some business for his master, Sir Anthony Ager, who then resided there. Arden was also in London at this time. Now Green had property about his person to a considerable amount; and, as in those days it was particularly dangerous to travel alone upon such an occasion, he agreed with one Bradshaw, his neighbour, to accompany him as far as Gravesend, from which place he intended to proceed by water. Bradshaw was a person of exemplary honesty; and it will appear, that the precaution was by no means unnecessary.

They reached Rainham Down in perfect safety; and as they were proceeding over it towards Rochester, they observed three or four soldiers coming across the Down from Leeds. Two other persons were also in sight; but they were ascending the hill from Rochester, and were of an extremely suspicious appearance. Such sturdy vagabonds are often seen, when war is ended, boldly begging in the highways, to the alarm of solitary travellers; or in retired spots, idly stretched upon the grass, sleeping under edges, beneath the noon-day sun. One was armed with a sword and buckler, and the other bore a great staff upon his shoulder.

When Bradshaw had espied them at a distance, he said to Green, We are fortunate that some company from Leeds is about to join us upon the road; for here is coming up the hill against us, as murderous a knave as can be found in all England. If it were not for these other persons, we should, perhaps, hardly escape without loss of our money and lives. A thought immediately darted across the mind of Green; he recollected Arden, and the service he was engaged to perform; and something, as he afterwards confessed, suggested to him, that such an one would admirably suit his bloody purpose. Therefore he hastily inquired, Which is he?" • Yonder he is," said Bradshaw; he that you see with the sword and buckler: his name is Black Will.' How do you know that?' said Green. I knew him,' replied the other, at Boulogne, where we both served: he was a soldier, and I was Sir Richard Cavendish's man. His character, as a cutthroat, was infamous at that time; and he committed many robberies, and dreadful murders, upon travellers in that part of France.' Little did Bradshaw suspect what was passing in the mind of his companion, who secretly coveted the acquaintance of such an abandoned monster.

By this time the company of soldiers joined them; and as they proceeded together, they met Black Will and his comrade. The soldiers knew and saluted him. After mutual salutations, the soldiers asked Black Will, whither he was going? He answered, I neither know nor care; but set up my staff, and whichsoever way it falls, that way I go.' If thou wilt go back again with us to Gravesend,' said they, we will give thee thy supper.' 'I care not,' replied he, agreed; I am content; come along; and so returned with them towards Gravesend.

As the whole party were journeying onward, Black Will looked stedfastly at Bradshaw, and at last familiarily accosted him. • Fellow Bradshaw, how

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dost thou?' Bradshaw, not equally desirous of renewing acquaintance with a ruffian, of whom he was quite ashamed, affected surprise: Why, do you know me?''Know you,' said the other, yea, that I do. Did not we serve in Boulogne together?' Indeed, then, you must pardon me,' said Bradshaw; for I have quite forgotten you.' Then Green entered into conversation with Black Will, and said to him, before they parted, When you have supped, come to the inn where I lodge, at such a sign, and I will treat you with sack and sugar.' Thank you,' said the ruffian: never fear; I will come and take it, I warrant you;' and he came thither, according to his promise, at the appointed time. When their cheer was ended, and Black Will was about to depart, Green seized an opportunity of drawing him aside, and, out of hearing of Bradshaw, held a conference with him concerning the murder of Arden. He proposed it to the villain, and promised him ten pounds as his reward. Will you agree to kill him?' said he in a low voice. That I will,' replied the other instantly, if I can but see him to know him.' Well,' continued Green, to-morrow I will shew him thee in St. Paul's;' and breaking off the conversation, raised his voice, and bid him go home to his host's house. On that same night Green wrote a letter upon the subject to Alice Arden, in which were these memorable words: We have found a man for our purpose; for which we may thank my friend Bradshaw.' This letter he delivered into the hands of Bradshaw, who sa an unsuspecting witness of this diabolical proceeding; and, ignorant of its contents, or the effect it was hereafter to produce, delivered it to Alice Arden, the next morning, upon his return home.

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From Gravesend, Green and Black Will went up to London, at the flowing of the tide; and, faithful to the promise which he had made upon certain intelligence, Green pointed out Arden walking in St. Pauls. The murderer hastily inquired, Who is he that follows him?' • One of his men,' replied the other. I will kill them both,' added he with an oath. Nay,' said Green, do not so; for he is concerned with us in the plot.' I care not for that,' said the blood-thirsty wretch; I will kill them both.' Nay, replied his companion, do not at any rate act thus.' However, Black Will would most assuredly at that time have killed Arden openly in St. Paul's Church-yard, if he could have assaulted him with any degree of safety. But he was surrounded by such a crowd, and so many gentlemen accompanied him to dinner, that he found it impossible to execute his purpose.

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It has been mentioned, that one of Arden's servants, who then attended him in London, was engaged in the conspiracy; and the cause of this remains to be explained. Michael Saunderson (this was the name of the man) had long been privy to the shameless conduct of Alice Arden, but was engaged to preserve the secret, and assist in the design, by the hopes of marrying a relation of Mosby, to whom he paid his court. The next time Green met Michael, he unwarily described to him his violent conduct, and related those furious expressions of Black Will; which so alarmed the unfaithful servant, that he suspected the ruffian ever after, and was continually apprehensive, lest he should be slain with his master.

Little confidence is to be expected among murderers; and this distrust impeded once more the execution of the scheme. Michael and Green had agreed that Black Will should come in the night to the house where Arden resided in London; and all the doors were to be left unfastened, that, without any impediment, he might have immediate access to the bedchamber of Arden. When this gentleman had retired to rest, Michael, as

he had appointed, left all the doors unfastened. What was, however, rather singular, his master, after he was in bed, called to him, to know if he had made fast the doors. He treacherously answered in the affirmative, and went also to bed. But he could not rest; the thoughts of his approaching danger harrassed his imagination; he fancied that he heard the murderer approaching to kill him as well as Arden. To put an end to his agitation, he arose, and, through the dark, creeping to the doors, shut them, and made them fast with the bolts.

At the dead of the night Black Will repaired to the spot, and finding the doors shut, departed in disappointment and rage. The next day he came to Green, with a countenance and words expressive of the utmost fury; he complained that he had been deceived; and with many dreadful oaths and frowns, threatened to kill Michael first, wheresoever he should chance to meet him. No,' said Green, in a pacifying tone, do not act in this manner. First let us know the cause of his shutting the doors, before we proceed farther.' Then he went in search of Michael, and asked him why he did not leave open the doors, according to his promise. I will tell you the reason,' said Michael, a most curious affair happened last night: my master did then a thing which I never knew him to do before. After I was in bed, he arose, and fastened the doors; and in the morning scolded me for not making them fast.' With this plausible falsehood Green was satisfied, and the wrath of Black Will appeased.

A fourth attempt proved equally unsuccessful. Arden was now about to return to Feversham; and Green, receiving intelligence of his design, posted Black Will to way-lay him upon Rainham Down. When Arden and his servant arrived at Rochester, the latter, knowing what was shortly to occur, and still haunted with cowardly alarms for his personal safety, purposely lamed his horse, that he might protract the time, and loiter behind. As soon as they set out again, his master observed it, and inquired why his horse was so lame. He pretended that he did not know. Well,' said the master, when you come to the smith's shop, here before us, between Rochester and the foot of the hill opposite to Chatham, let his shoe be removed, and search him, and then follow me.' Gladly he obeyed; while the other, at a gentle pace, rode on, as Michael thought, to certain death : but before he came to the place where Black Will lay in wait for him, several gentlemen of his acquaintance overtook him, and accompanied him over Rainham Down: they knew not at that moment they composed his bodyguard; but the impatient murderer, to his great mortification, saw him pass by the place of ambush too well attended to admit of any attempt against his life.

Providence seemed wonderfully to interpose in his behalf; but this, instead of deterring the conspirators, appears rather to have increased their vigilance. When Arden had returned to Feversham, he sent his servant upon some business to Sir Thomas Cheney, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who resided at Shorland, in the isle of Shepey; and this nobleman gave him a letter to be delivered to his master. When Michael came back, Alice Arden took it into her possession, and ordered him to tell his master, that Sir Thomas Cheney had entrusted a letter to his care, but that he had unfortunately lost it on the way; recommending Arden at the same time to go himself to Sir Thomas the next morning, because the lost letter might contain matter of great importance. The servant implicitly followed her instructions; and his deluded master, falling into the snare, resolved to go to Shorland