rtaken certain of the most
notorious lewd_ Prostitutes _of the Town, which together with the
laudable endeavours of the great and worthy_ Societies, _has given no
small check to that enormous and spreading_ Vice.

_But here's a_ Criminal _bids Defiance to your_ Laws, _and _Justice _who
declar'd and has manifested that the_ Bars _are not made that can either
keep him_ Out, _or keep him_ In, _and accordingly hath a second time
fled from the very_ Bosom Of Death.

_His History will astonish! and is not compos'd of Fiction, Fable, or
Stories plac'd at York_, Rome, _or_ Jamaica, _but_ Facts _done at your
Doors_, Facts _unheard of, altogether new, Incredible, and yet
Uncontestable_.

_He is gone once more upon his wicked Range in the World. Restless
Vengeance is pursuing, and_ Gentlemen '_tis to be hoped that she will be
assisted by your Endeavours to bring to Justice this notorious
Offender_.

THE LIFE OF

_JOHN SHEPPARD, &c._

This _John Sheppard_, a Youth both in Age and Person, tho' an old Man in
Sin; was Born in the Parish of _Stepney_ near _London_, in the Year
1702, a Son, Grandson, and great Grandson of a _Carpenter_: His Father
died when he was so very Young that he could not recollect that ever he
saw him. Thus the burthen of his Maintenance, together with his
Brother's and Sister's, lay upon the Shoulders of the Widow Mother, who
soon procured an Admittance of her Son _John_ into the _Work-House_ in
_Bishopsgate-street,_ where he continued for the space of a Year and
half, and in that time received an Education sufficient to qualifie him
for the Trade his Mother design'd him, _viz_. a _Carpenter_: Accordingly
she was recommended to Mr. _Wood_ in _Witch-Street_ near _Drury-Lane_,
as a Master capable of entertaining and instructing her Son: They agreed
and Bound he was for the space of seven Years; the Lad proved an early
proficient, had a ready and ingenious Hand, and soon became Master of
his Business, and gave entire Satisfaction to his Master Customers, and
had the Character of a very sober and orderly Boy. But alas unhappy
Youth! before he had compleated six Years of his Apprenticeship, he
commenced a fatal Acquaintance with one _Elizabeth Lyon_, otherwise
call'd _Edgworth Bess_, from a Town of that Name in _Middlesex_ where
she was Born, the reputed Wife of a Foot Soldier, and who lived a wicked
and debauch'd Life; and our young _Carpenter_ became Enamour'd of her,
and they must Cohabit together