true narrative of the transactions of Isabella Perston, of Cambuslang, who is accused of child-murder, and now a prisoner in the goal [sic] of this city

A true Narrative of the Transactions of IS A B E L L A P E R S T O N, Of Cambuslang, who is accused of Child-Murder, and now a Prisoner in the, Geal of this City. THE public are ever anxious to hear of the character of any unhappy ; wretch, who, by a wicked course of life, becomes amenable to the law; but when Murder happens to be the crime imputed, curiosity becomes still greater; and from the moment the law lays hold of the person suspected, Rumour is ever ready to relate a thousand circumstances that perhaps never happened. Being fully aware that this is but too often the case, 'for the information of the public, we think it highly proper to state the following account of this unhappy woman, who has now become so much the subject of common conversation, which was related to us by a person who resides near the place where she lives, and may be depended on as fact:- ISARELLA PERSTON, who is how confined in the Tolbooth of Glasgow, being accused of Child-Murder, is the daughter of an industrious weaver, near Cambuslang , where, it is said, she committed the horrid crime. It appears, much to the distress of her disconsolate Parents, that, for a long time past, she has led a very irregular life, despising all advice, and indulging, even to excess, those passions, which, When not kept in due bounds, inevitably prove the destruction of the weaker sex. It seems she had connected herself with a young man belonging to the above place, with whom she has unlawfully cohabited for many years past, in spite of every effort her poor, father made to make her leave off her wicked practices, and regain the Path of Virtue - a path, alas! to the disgrace of this enlightened age, which is too often forsaken. By this man she has had five children, two of whom died last year of the smallpox ; some indeed say she has had seven illegitimate children, but as our informist only knows of five, we are inclined, to think that that is the number. It was a circumstance so common to fee her in a slate of pregnancy that the people in the neighbourhood began to take little notice of it; and indeed she became so ha bituated to this sinful manner of life her-self, as to treat with indifference whatever was said to her reflecting it. However, about two months ago, she Was brought-to-bed, but not being seen as usual with the fruits of her unlawful pleasure in her arms, the people about the place began to make enquiry about what might have Become of the child, testifying , at the same time, their suspicions respecting its fate, This passed On for some time, till several religious people in the neighbourhood thought proper to consider the report which now began to prevail, That she had actually murdered the infant, in a more serious manner. They at last concluded, that it was a duty incumbent on them to enquire strictly Into the fate of the little innocent, in order , that if she had committed so detestable a crime, she might be apprended, and brought to condign punishment.- Having made up their minds in this respect , they had her sent for, and after interrogating her sharply respecting the infant , she seemed disposed, at first, to give no satisfactory answers to the questions asked till at last they theatened touring her before those that would compel her to behave in another manner, she at last said. That, being unable to earn her breaand take care of the child, she gave it in charge to a beggar-woman, who faithfully promised to call occasionally, and shew the child. This flimsy pretence, however, by no means satisfied the people; therefore information was immediately lodged against her, when she was apprehended, and safely conveyed to the goal of this city, where in all pro remain, till her fate is decided by a due course of law