Transcription
A True and distinct ACCOUNT, Of the Murder of James Campbel of Lawers,
There lyes the Blood, Yet bubbling from his Veins, O more than Savage, Had he a Heart or Eyes that did the Deed ! Could Eyes endure to guide such cruel Hands. Conger IT Would seem a Paradox that in a Land irradiate with Gospel-light whose native Off-spring is Peace, the vital Grace of Religion,That Love the Bafis of Government,which cements Pagan and Turkish Societies from falling Asun- der; and shuffling into Chaos should have forsaken our gladsome Region, aud diabolical Cruelty, the Image and Off-spring of Satan fatally usurps its Room ; did not daily Experience too plainly evidence that Hell is broke loose 'mongst nominal Christians, who poisoned hy his infernal Philters commit Murder in the Face of the Sun, and glut the Grave with their Conquests. To such a surprizing Pitch of Wickedness are Men arriv'd in this serpentine Age, that they pride themselves in affronting God, Civil Government and Humane Na- turei and running á nimble Race to Damnation. This publick Phrenzy displays its bloody Colours in Instances Shoking to Nature. And sure the Reader's Anger will boil over his Eyes ; his Heart burn with Indignation, and Sense, and Nature complain to th' Almighty for Vengeance on the Malefactor, whilst I lead his Attention into the House of Mourning, and entertain him with this melancholy Rehearsal. James Campbel of Lawers, Efq; only Son and Heir to Sir James Campbel of Lowers, a Gentleman of bright Parts, and immaculat Honour, an early Cadet of th' Ancient and Noble Family of Argyle, being occasionally at Greenock with his Cousin Patrick Campbel, Baron of Braemukly, in the County of Brodallin, and too deeply tasting the Juice of the Grape fell into a fatal Quarrel; the Foun- dation of which, they being alone, cannot be known so that he drew his Sword, which he designed to run thro' the Body of his dear Friend, for whom he had art exsessive Affection. Braemuckly finding himself inclosed, snacch'd at a Pistol lying on the Table belonging to Lawers discharged the Shot in his Heart, and sent his Soul to the wide World of Spirits in a Purple Torrent, on Fri- days Ev'ning, the 19th Instant. Braemukly seeing his Friend had received a dead- ly Wound, left his Body in Streams of Blood, run quickly down Stairs, and with a great deal of seeming Composure, called for and mounted his Horse, en- treating the Hostess to make Apology for his hasty Departure, to Lawers, for Bus- siness of Moment called him away. Thus died that unfortunate Gentleman in the Flower of his Age, being only entered upon the thirtyfixth Year, after he had gained the Affection of a fine La- dy, a Lady eminent for Virtue, Birth and Beauty, Daughter to Colonel Camp- tel of Finnab, and the Marriage defign'd to have been solemniz'd within a few Days, if this deplorable Accident had not happened. Th'o' this Murderer made his Escape, unsuspected of so cruel an Action, and came directly to Edinburgh, where he lodg'd for some Hours, in a Stablers at the Sign of the Glasgow Arms, He will not escape the avenging Hand of the Almigh- ty, who in all Ages hath Shown his Vengeance against Murder, and miraculous- ly interpos'd in the Probation. May this short Lecture, thrown out to the Street, be of Use to the Bulk of the People, and fill them with a lasting Abhorrence of shedding of Blood, and all these irregular Passions that have a Tendency to it. S A L M VII. 13 Fior acsuin agus inneal mairbth do dheasigh se pho sein : A shoighde do luchd dimhargidh do ullmhuigh sé gu tréun. 14 Féuch, amhluidh iodnadh mná re saothair, mar sin re holc ata, An taimhleas se bu torrchoios do, breag mgadh leis gun stá. 15 Do chlaoich se slochd, is threachail e, thuit fein san dig do rinn. 16 Thig aimhleas ar a chlaigcean fein is fhorneart ar a cheann. 17 Do réir a cheartais molaidh me an Tighearn' ar gach am : Do dhainm Jehobha sinaidh me, O se is aird, at' ann; FINIS
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Probable date published:
1723- shelfmark: Ry.III.c.36(066)
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