Good People, I am now brought to this place to suffer a shameful and ignominious death, and of all such unhappy persons, ’tis expected by the world that they should either say something at their death, or leave some account behind them.  And having that which more nearly concerns me, viz., the care of my immortal soul, I choose rather to leave these lines behind me than to waste my few precious moments in talking to the multitude.  First, I declare, I die like a member, though a very unworthy one, of the Church of England as by Law established, the principles of which my now unhappy father took an early care to instruct me in.  And next for the robbery of Mr. Stone, for which I am now brought to this fatal place.  I solemnly do declare to God and the world, that I never had the value of one halfpenny from him, and that the occasion of his being so ill-used was that he offered to me that detestable and crying sin of sodomy.

I take this opportunity, with almost my last breath, to give my hearty thanks to the honourable Col.  Pitts, and Col.  Pagitt, for their endeavours to save my life, and indeed I had some small hopes that his Majesty, in consideration of the services of my whole family, having all been faithful soldiers and servants to the Crown of England, would have extended one branch of his mercy to me, and have sent me to have served him in another country.  But welcome be the Grace of God, I am resigned to His will, and die in charity with all men, forgiving, hoping to be forgiven myself, through the merits of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ.  I hope, and make it my earnest request that nobody will be so little Christian as to reflect on my aged parents, wife, brother, or sisters, for my untimely end.  And I pray God, into whose hands I commend my spirit, that the great number of sodomites in and about this City and suburbs, may not bring down the same judgement from Heaven as fell on Sodom and Gomorrah.

    William Casey.

FOOTNOTES: 

   [12] Sir Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham, was a distinguished
        general who had served under Marlborough.  In 1719 he led an
        expedition to the north coast of Spain and seized Vigo and the
        neighbouring towns and harbours.

The Life of JOHN DYKES, a Thief and Highwayman

It is a reflection almost too common to be repeated that of all the vices to which young people are addicted, nothing is so dangerous as a habit and inclination to gaming.  To explain this would be to swell a volume.  Instances which are so numerous do it much better.  Perhaps this unhappy person John Dykes is as strong a one as is anywhere to be met with.  His parents were persons in middling circumstances, but he being their eldest child, they treated him with great indulgence, and to the detriment of their own fortune afforded him a necessary education.