Aged ..., London. This is a married woman, and was servant in a family
in London. The family being out of town, she one night set fire to the
house in the following manner. She had seen her husband, on the night
alluded to, with whom she had very high words, on what account is not
known, but, mortified and driven to desperation, she resolved on her
own destruction. With this view she procured a quantity of laudanum and
gin mixed together: she then went to rest, doubly intoxicated, having
first placed a lighted candle underneath the bed.
She soon became insensible. The bed and furniture caught fire, and
the flames spread. The watchman on his post observing it, obtained
assistance, broke into the house, repaired to the room on fire, where
he found the unfortunate woman in a state of complete insensibility,
and much burnt. She was taken out; but the house and furniture received
considerable damage. She remained ill a long time, from the double
effects of poison and fire, and was ultimately found to be deranged.
She betrays no symptoms of insanity, attends divine service, is orderly
and regular, and conducts herself very well, but does not recollect
setting fire to her master’s house.