1302 (Vol. 3)

On Monday evening, about a quarter to 10, a private watchman, belonging to Serle’s wharf, near the foot of Westminster-bridge, was passing Astley’s Theatre, when he observed a well-dressed female, apparently about 30 years of age, making for the bridge; she seemed very much agitated, and trembled violently. At the foot of the bridge she stopped, tore from her neck a handsome silk shawl and handkerchief, a gold chain and eye-glass, which she placed in her reticule, and then rushed down the steps on the left-hand side of the bridge, with the intention of throwing herself into the water: fortunately, she was prevented from the completion of her objective by some palings that are nailed up on that side. Upon observing this obstacle, she immediately ran up the steps again, was across the road in an instant, and, rushing down the steps on the other side of the bridge, would have precipitated herself into the water, had not the watchman, who was closely observing her, rushed down the steps time enough to prevent her. He expostulated with her on the rash act she was about to commit, but could gain no answer from her; she wept bitterly, and was conveyed to the house of Mr. Swinborough, the bridgemaster, almost in a state of insensibility from extreme agitation.