The pathetic history of George Barnwell, the London apprentice; : who, by keeping company, and following the advice of a woman of the town, named Milwood, was reduced to the lowest pitch of infamy; detailing every particular of his guilty career, from the robbing of his master to the dreadful murder of his uncle! With the history of Maria, his sweetheart.

Date:: [1822?]

Credit: The pathetic history of George Barnwell, the London apprentice; : who, by keeping company, and following the advice of a woman of the town, named Milwood, was reduced to the lowest pitch of infamy; detailing every particular of his guilty career, from the robbing of his master to the dreadful murder of his uncle! With the history of Maria, his sweetheart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Cover
Cover

11/24 page 11

attention to business, which until now had j indefatigable and unwearied, was remitted, and peared to be the result of a painful struggle, rath than the effect of a will devoted to his master •. interest. Having gained the information by a letter from Milwood, that she had removed to a lodging in Moorfields, thither Barnwell repaired in the evening; i and, bringing with him a considerable sum of money, i he was welcomed by the designing woman with an i appearance of the sincerest affection. At this visit he related to her the suspicions which his absense had occasioned, and consulted her as to the most ready method of continuing his connection with her, without the hazard of a discovery. Milwood, determined to try the nature of his attachment to her, declared, in reply, that as she had taken these apartments, she expected that he would give up his Companions, quit his master’s house, and take up his residence with her; who, as she said, had given up every thing on his account. On consideration of his putting this project into execution on the following day, she consented to allow his absence on that night; and, after an hour or two, Barnwell submitted to the conditions which his mistress had imposed, and accordingly took his leave of her. A thousand thoughts now engaged his harassed mind ; it was the grand struggle between virtuous honour to his master and patron, and all-powerful illicit love to a fascinating wicked woman ; to such a woman he might have exclaimed :— “ Woman, by whom you are the source of joy, With cruel arts you labour to destroy; A thousand ways our ruin you pursue, Yet blame in us those arts first taught by you.” Love seemed to have gained entire ascendancy over him ; and just as he had made up his mind to inform his uncle he could no longer remain with him, his kind patron met him at the door, and received

Licence and re-use

Contents