A

JAMES FORBES;

A Tale,

FOUNDED ON FACTS.

"A writer of great note in the philosophical and medical world,
tells us, that he never saw a criminal dragged to execution,
without asking himself, 'Who knows whether this man is not less
blameable than I am?' A question, which we should all of us do
well to ask ourselves, when we hear of, or see any person brought
to shame and punishment for sin.”

Bishop Horne. Discourse XLII.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD AND SON,

187, PICCADILLY,

M.DCCC. XXIV.

TO THE READER.

THE author of the following little tale is anxious that the salutary and impressive caution which it conveys should not be weakened through any doubts respecting the probability of the events by which this caution is enforced. He, therefore, requests the reader will be assured, and will bear in mind, that the principal transaction in this narrative is copied from a real occurrence, which, a very few years ago, attracted a considerable degree of attention; and to the facts of which the author has adhered.