livered according to its address. The brothers agreed to go to the tavern, where they told the waiter to shew any lady to them who might enquire for de la Fontaine. In a short time the lady came, and was astonished to be introduced to her brother and husband; but the latter was so affected, that he promised a full remission of all that was past, on her promise of future fidelity. These generous terms she rejected with contempt, and immediately left the room. De la Fontaine being acquainted with this circumstance, was oppressed with a sense of the husband's generous behaviour, and advised the lady to return to her duty. At first she insulted him for his advice, but at length thought proper to comply with it. Having now seen his own conduct in an unfavourable light, he went into the country with his wife for some time, to avoid his old associates, and when he returned to London, determined to abandon his former course of life. Un fortunately, however, he had not long formed this resolution, when Zannier went to him, begging his forgiveness for obliging him to pay the debt. De Ja Fontaine too easily complied with his request, and once more considered him as a friend. They went together to a tavern,where they met with a woman, whom Fontaine had formerly known, and a man who was dressed in black. While de la Fontaine was conversing with the woman, the stranger (who afterwards appeared to be a Fleet parson) read the marriage ceremony from a book which he held in his hand; and the next week de la Fontaine was apprehended on a charge of bigamy, and committed for trial at the Okt Bailey. The villain Zannier visiting him in Newgate, de la Fontaine was so enraged at his perfidy, that he beat him through the

press

press-yard with a broomstick with such severity, that the turnkey was obliged to interpose to prevent murder. In revenge of this, Zannier swore that de la Fontaine had been guilty of forgery, in imitating the hand-writing of a gentleman named Parry in consequence of which de la Fontaine was brought to his trial, and capitally convicted; though a gentleman swore that the writing resembled that of Zannier. He received sentence of death, and was ordered for execution; and after repeated respites for five years, he was transported in September, 1752.

FRANCIS, JOHN. See DESPARD, E. M.

:

FRANKLIN, ROBERT, (FORGERY,) was a genteel young man, born in Holborn, of very respectable parents, who gave him an education suitable to his expectations in life. At the age of fitteen, he was apprenticed to an eminent merchant in the city, with whom he remained till his time had expired his master and he had frequent quarrels about keeping late hours, the former seriously expatiating on the evil tendency of his conduct, but without effect. When his apprenticeship was completed, he went and lived with his parents. In this situation he bridled his passions for some time, but at length they broke out again; however, by the tender persuasions of an affectionate mother they were kept within bounds. One fatal Sunday evening, he accidentally met with an old companion, who insisted on his accompanying him to see a fa vourite mistress. Franklin unfortunately consented; and they went to St. George's Fields, where they drank tea, and afterwards visited the Apollo Gardens. Here Franklin, whose heart was very easily caught, beheld, and instantaneously admired,' 2G3

the

the beautiful, but perfidious Mary Jones; he requested her to be seated, to which she readily assented, and they soon afterwards went home together. By her persuasions he immediately left his parents, and lived with her, in every extravagance, as long as he could obtain money, which he procured from every person who would trust him ; but that failing, he took the fatal resolution of forging Bank notes. Struck with horror at his situation, he applied to his friends to procure him a place in the navy, which they did; and he soon after left his fair decoyer, to go on board the Hydra frigate. Here, perhaps, the unfortunate Franklin might have avoided his fate; but he received a letter from Mary Jones, stating, that his departure had such an effect on her, as to occasion a violent disorder, of which she then lay without friends or money, in Middlesex Hospital; and that, as she had abandoned all the world for him, she hoped he would not now forsake her. In this snare Franklin was caught he procured leave of absence for some time, and immediately returned to town. He went to Charles-street, Middlesex Hospital, to a Miss Dixon, an acquaintance of Mary Jones's, whose sei vant he sent out to get change for a forged ten pound note, which she obtained of Mr. Kearse, the One Tun, in Goodge street. When he got the change, he left with Miss Dixon, for her to give to Mary Jones, a two pound note, one shilling, and two sixpences. After passing this note, he again left town to join the Hydra trigate, which then lay at the Nore. On his way thither he slept at the George Inn, Rochester. His behaviour here cau-ed some suspicion, and made him be particu larly noticed by one J. North, a waiter; he went

to

at

to bed intoxicated, and complained next day of being robbed of upwards of forty pounds. It seems he had been robbed by two men, who went off immediately for London; the notes being forged, they were stopped in attempting to pass them; Bow-street they confessed how they came by them. In consequence Lavender and Rivet went to Rochester, and traced Franklin on board the Hydra, from whence they brought him to London. He had in his possession, when taken, four hundred and fifty pounds in notes and cash. He was tried in December sessions, 1797, convicted, and received sentence of death. At the time of his execution he appeared very penitent, and met his fate with a becoming resignation. He suffered on the 24th of January, 1798, aged 29. His body was taken away in a hearse to an Undertaker's in Aldersgate-street.

G.

GARDELLE, THEODORE, (MURDERER,) as a native of Geneva: having received an university education, he went to Paris, where he studied miniature-painting, and having made a great proficiency in the art, returned to Geneva, where he inarried, and carried on his business for some years; but not being happy in his domestic connexions, he came to London, and lodged with Mrs. King in Leicester fields. Some time afterwards he removed to Knightsbridge; but finding that place inconvenient for his business, he returned to town, and took possession of his former lodgings. On the 19th of February, 1761, Mrs. King's maid-servant opened the doors of her parlour, and being ordered by her mistress

mistress to make a fire, she afterwards went to Gardelle's room, and found him employed. He now gave her two letters to carry to the Haymarket and a guinea to change, to buy a pennyworth of snuff; but returning to her mistress, she ordered her not to go, as there was no one to give an answer at the door. This the girl told to Gardelle, who came down into the parlour to give attendance if any one should call. When the maid was gone out, Mrs. King hearing him walking in the room, called out, "Who is there?" At this instant Gardelle had just sat down to read; but she called him, and saying some harsh things to him, he told her she was an impertinent woman, on which she struck him a violent blow on the left side, and he gave her a push, as if he despised her; but, as she was retreating, her foot hitched in the floor-cloth, she fell, and her head struck against the bed-post with great force. He professed his sorrow for what had happened, and, observing the blood gushing from her mouth, attempted to lift her up, and stop the bleeding; but she threatened to have him punished, and continuing these threats, he became so enraged, that he seized an ivory comb, which had a long sharp-pointed handle, and vowed her destruction, unless she desisted from her threats. The woman, however, persevered in her menaces, and at length, in the heat of passion, he pushed the handle of the comb into her throat, which killed her; and then he covered her with the bed clothes. Terrified himself at the fatal blow, he fainted away; and, on his recovery, found the maid-servant in the front parlour, just returned with his snuff. The girl now called her mistress, but not being answered, she got her own breakfast, and then went to clean and adjust Gardelle's apartment,