in the neighbouring town of
New-R--, by bonfires, illuminations, and other rejoicings; which have
made such an impression upon the minds of the people, that in the
place where they happened, and the contiguous parishes, several hundred
persons have already declared their knowledge and remembrance of this
event, in spite of the great power of the claimant's adversary in
that quarter, and the great pains and indirect methods taken by his
numberless agents and emissaries, as well as by those who are interested
with him in the event of the suit, to corrupt and suppress the evidence.

"Lord A--, after the birth of his son, who was sent to nurse in the
neighbourhood, according to the custom of the country, where people of
the highest distinction put their children out to nurse into farmhouses
and cabins, lived in harmony with his lady for the space of two years.
But having, by his folly and extravagance, reduced himself to great
difficulties, he demanded the remainder of her fortune from her father,
the duke of B--, who absolutely refused to part with a shilling until a
proper settlement should be made on his daughter, which, by that time,
he had put out of his own power to make, by his folly and extravagance.

"As her ladyship, by her endeavours to reform the economy of her house,
had incurred the displeasure of some idle profligate fellows, who
had fastened themselves upon her husband, and helped to consume his
substance, they seized this opportunity of the duke's refusal; and, in
order to be revenged upon the innocent lady, persuaded Lord A--, that
the only means of extracting money from his grace, would be to turn her
away, on pretence of infidelity to his bed, for which they hinted there
was but too much foundation. At their suggestions, a most infamous
plan was projected; in the execution of which, one P--, a poor, unbred,
simple country booby, whom they had decoyed into a snare, lost one of
his ears, and the injured lady retired that same day to New-R--, where
she continued several years. She did not, however, leave the house,
without struggling hard to carry her child along with her; but far from
enjoying such indulgence, strict orders were given, that the boy should
not, for the future, be brought within her sight. This base, inhuman
treatment, instead of answering the end proposed, produced such a
contrary effect, that the duke of B--, by a codicil to his will, in
which he reflects upon Lord A--'s evil temper, direc