The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-04-20 00:00:00

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EXF.CUTION 011.1ACOIR
WHO SHOT AT Rl*s, TSB "MACS °Meg%
AT STOCKPORT.

(Farther ext from The Moder Connie.)

It will be recollected when in our butt we noticed
the passing sentence upon Ohmic, we adverted
to the infientAilitv and hardihood of the Prisoner,
"4". Ilona the conclusion of the Chief Justice'.
iii the accents of bravado, to the
Thank yon, !tq I,,irst, it good core f•tr
II spinning in the Of his subsequent be.
ltviour, in the intermediate space between I'l4
emit/emulation end execution. it is in our power to
furnish some particulars, for which our reed. rs.
considering the above as • specimen of his moral
condition. will he quite unprepared, and which
prove wi gratifying as they are extraordinary.
We beg to mkt, that the following details rest nii an
authority unquestionable, bring communicated by
a pions gentleman who had constant access to hum
in his cell during the period of which we now par-
ticularly speak. and whose Christian zeal and per-
severance in bringing him to • suitable sense of his
',writ' condition, are as commendable as his efforts
were successful.

Mr. Keeling, immediately on the removal of
Al'lonis from the bar, after his conviction, o► the
evening of Saturday week, followed him to his cell,
nod humanely 'offered his services to assist him in
his devotions, and a preparation for the fate that
awaited him. Mr. Keeling's proposal was met by
the Prisoner with► the most determined repul-
sion ; he blasphemed in the most horrid manner ;
said that Isis sufferings would soon terminate ; was
sore, that when his body was dead, his being would
e annihilated ; and declared, that in the mean time.
ilie Almighty had neither the power to save or to
.Irs►roy
the following day tSundaS•) Mr. Keeling re-
newed his rise, hot no improvement was visitrle in
his mord condition. Oa being asked. whether lie
would permit prayer to be Made by bins, lie sternly
'Aiwa *horning, '4 that he detested pieachisig
wort' pliesteraft, ■trd that he would have smite of
it ;" that .he was so Atheist. and was determined
In leave the world with the persuasion that tin Su-
!Keine ewe► existed. Before the close of this in-
terview, linatalrer. bresu►e somewhat more
disposed to liSten to the evideuces which his friend
itddsteed in support of she Christian system, and to
the espn§.ltilatinits which, wills a reeinig solicitude,
lie addressed to him ; and finally admitted, that if
111 v: Ktttlmg's doctrinelvas correct, he was lost for
tits?.

Oa Monday morning 111‘Iiiiiis received sentence
of death. and was apprised that the law would be
xvcated upon him on the following Saturday.
Mr. Keeling again attended him ; l►e found him
neither surprised. nor apparently appalled. During
this conversation M'lsinis's confidence in his infidel
principles teemed to be staggered. when Mr. K.
pivoted home -with redoubled energy the truths of
Christianity ; and with such effect as produced an
acknowledgment that possibly it might be true.
tie ,siew consented that his spiritual adviser should
pia/ wish him ; lie seemed for the first time
to Alia in devotional exercise ; ou rising from his
knees.. appeared snore thoughtful, and swiftest's,
snot Lk K. would soon ',pent lass vial. Accord.
ley, at four o'clock in the afternoon of the some
day, that Gentleman attended liiui, when lie ex-
pirated au tamest wish to be corrected, if lie had
eastreacert error. On this occasion. the unhappy
maw termed awe cordially to enter into the spirit
of devotion, and wept. When leaving I , Mr.
K. obtained ti premise, that he would address him-
self to God its private prayer; and with this assur-
wwee Mr. K. departed.
We do sot think it needful to make any further
obi...maims here. than to remark. that it was in
reference to this precise period that the following
letter alludes, in the description it gives of his con-
tl►ct, after.bsissing his knee u► private. This letter
was written on the following day, anal address.ed to
sr yputeg woman of his acquaintance its Stockport.
[The letter above alluded to lias already been
gives, in this Pinter.]

!Narver the infidel or the profane may be dis-
posed to treat the smite described otiose. as the
..sionary freirty of fanaticism or delusion, we dare
i.ut deny to it the genuine marks of a divine inter-
position. vouchsafed in an extraordinary manner
eon an ettraorilinaty occasion. There was 1/0•
long ill the character or 11111 1111 l IS Or the 1111111 to
j 'wiry on imputation that his sensations of horror
were poduced from previon. weak iireposstssionsor
prepid.ces; for these leaned all to en opposite di-
; nor from the impulse of fear arisiiig
kis approaching 1.11*111411t1011, ac !wither before nor
alter this occurrence did lie ever betray the alight-
r!.t symptoms of reluctance io meet his fate.
:k!r. Kea- Was called iii to visit him in his
90111 (awl lINVIog left bin above 1111 hour
hrfuri ) and found hilts stretched Oil the flour of
I iv cell, weeping, and bitterly reproaching himself
I.lr his infidelity and his sickeduris; and now be-
-1 ;aiding in hint the character of a nue penitent.
directed lam to the Louth of God, that takrth
away the sin of the world. From this hour the ray*
of hope beamed upon his heart—the gloom of
ao•eptiQsin receded from his countenance—and with
..liest•fol sobtnission, which could only be itisiiirral
• L y • well-grounded hope of a better world. he de.
voted Illa few rrassioiog days to religious purposes.
. .Theft wen one proossi.rot fistl.l:g %that armlet!
Krtadiy to tart luau, loom ly, the anjnry lie had
1:011t 10 111.11.► of los acquaintance*, by instilling
hitt) their minds Isis infidel principles, eraclaimoug,
•• %Vint inultiiudes have I been the Instrument or
10111111 g ! !low shell I make reparation for the
iu-
j try 1 have done !" Ills judiciou. adviser recom-
mended Into to state his {nevem altered views soil
• oinic'ions in writing. which lie would engage to
're pub! shed, cosoctiving that the declarations of
a dying man would be likely to have iiiflurnee
with those *hove minds lie had contaminated. To
nil. lie consented ; and the letter before alluded to
i. the first limit of that ile.tgo. All the renovating
hours of his life, that were not a mph', es! in the
more iimardore acts of religion, were (secured in
prepariiig a memoir of Ins life, or rather, of the
more prominent causes and cutiortpiences s.f his
• rroneuu. principles, woich is now to the 1101.6t1111i011
of Alf. Keeling, and which, after ies correction
and arrangerneut by a plum clergy min of the este-

•.• '.
bli,hment, win Ise given tb themail t tto rem
of a pourphlets.
Oit the night before eitectitiort. Ikl7ftni. retired
to rest alsont ten n'clock, Si,,) on Mr. Keeling's
vitit in the gimping at seven. found him occupied
in writing. Ile_ appeared pl .rid and collected ;
said he h..d 1)111 some reftettling. comfortaltle rest.
and that his meditatinsit foul been delightful. At
ten o'clock, Mr. Keeling ecroimpenied Moroi+ to
the ettain., in the (74.'4., and juicied wit), him in
parteking of the fitly Communion. dnnnq which
Al.l.iiiit WWI olperved to twerp; end in explutatiott
of lasis ciresimollovire, said to Mr. K. alterwardt,
they were triers of j•ty,
Returning from the dispel to the cell. prayer
wit again offered ; and it only he interrstiog to
observe, that in this 'let of devotion Thom'. Mil-
ler, a malefactor under eettteiice of death for bur.
glary. who it it underotood will %offer Hex' Situ,.
day, was 'Permitted to join; thou scene it represented
at very affecting. Nor might the circumstance we
ire just g to mention, to i.e noodled. Soon
'Brier eleven o'clock n clew use's time to Winne,'
who stated that lie had been oxpreody Pent by the
Bishop of Chester to the Prisoner, to sty, " that
his Lordthip wet exttemely gratified to heir of the
happy change which had tak.on place in in. mind ;
that he bail been pleasingly nffected by the info,.
motion ; and bad sent his bkii.ing by the web-
senger."
The hour now approached when the Prisoner had
to leave the Castle. One important affair was yet
to be completed. From the very time of hie trial.
he had constantly affirmed that Bruce had not
shared in the rr mintlity of his atirmpt upon
life. Whether upon hi. own motion, or
upon the suggettion of others we know not, hut at
this awful peplum!, he drew sop, and *ivied with his
own hand a detlaroti iiii purporting—" THAT No
PERSON AVHATEVER WAS CONNECTED WITH. OR
KNEW OF ill! INTENTION OF SHOOTING BIRCH."

It now only remain...) for Al'l • to take trove
of Ins fellow-prisoners; and in ibis lest office of
friendship he was accompanied by Mr. Keeling,
owl the humane Governor, Mr. Hudson. Ise their
peramLulatiou to the different wards one of the
prisoners feelingly remarked, addrers.ing himself I.
.e. " he was sorry to see him its such circum-
stance.," when the latter replied, with a smile.,
" Sorry ! you ought rather to rejoice that I shall
so soon be io bravest." After dlr. Keeling hail in
Mr. Hudson's house 'gam committed the dying
mass to heaves., by prayer, he was placed in 11w
cart, and proceeding to Glover's-stater, was given
ist churge of *lw City Sheriff., send the mournful
procession moved on a. before described.

M.liinis held a Bible in his hand during his pro-
cress through the streets, io which he iiiireinit.
tingly continued to Tool, without liking any notice
of the surrounding multitude. The portion of
Scripture en whit li leis attention was fixed. as re-
commended to him by Mr. Keeling, was the 27t11
chapter of St. Matthew's Goys& That gentle.
man assisted him in descending from the cart.
and on asking how lie felt his mind supported,
tie answered, that he found himself quite com-
fortable. Ahont half en hour was occupied in
the Rouse of Correction before he ascended the
scaffold, during *lad' he preserved the 'distort com-
posure and tir ttttt rris. Mr. Keeling first asersidtd
the drom'and was followed by M'l assisted by
another person. Mr. Willati, chaplain, followed,
and read the service. In the mean tither the Gilmer
gentleman placed himself exactly in front of
my, as a with a view of preventing discomposure of
mind. from beholding the vast concourse of people.
Mr. Keeling remained with him on the drop a few
minuted, reading to him from the ind chapter of
Luke, the short history Of the penitent thief, and
thcituraging Ins hope in Jesus Christ. To the last
moment lie conti tttt erl In express his unshakeu con-
fidence in the mercy of the Redeemer.
It was expected that lie would address the peo-
ple: on this inihject Mr. Keeling had conversed
with him, end he had said that he should lie guided
by his feelings at the time. All that he said, just
before the cap was pulled over his dace, was, with r
firm audible voice, Gentlemen, farewell!" After
his devotions were concluded he al:neared iu great
haste to lie gone; and berme the hangman had
tunic to lower the drop. he had giver the visual, by
dropping his liandkerchef.

That we have been so minute in the account of
this unfortunate moo, way receive an apology from
the peculiarity of his circeinstaocer, whether in re-
ference to the destructive principles 1w had im-
bibed, the striking evidences of his conversion,
or the magnitude of Ins crime. A newspeper
may he thought tit improp, r medium through
which to introduce moral dissertations ; but who
that loves his country, or irsereures his Maker,
will be r fleirded ut our deprecating the doc-
trines of infidelity, which, while they deprive
turn of the hopes of a better world, unloose every
obligation of morality. end give them the unre-
strained license of sporting wills the liar. and pro-
petty of their fellow own. The subject of this
mournful narrative ascribed to the etiolation of these
principles ell ti.esee evils he had been guilty of, and
particularly that which hod brought him to the
gallows.
In Mr. Keeling's intercourse with Al'lnnis, he
greatly deplored the influence of infidel principles
upon his conduct. lie mud, that he sir%er con-
nected I self with the Itadiciels ; that he thought
too meanly of their spirit; but he lied deeply drank
of the essence of disaffec , and was ptrpar►d So
go city lengths in resistance to GOVC/11111C111. It will
be recollec►ed, that in January last Mil aaaa is made
an attempt to escape out of the Castle. In advert-
ing to this circumstance. lie said, that if he hail
effected Ins lourpme, it wet probable many lives
would here been lost ; that his first ititention was
to assassinate Mr. Lloyd. of .Stockpurt. and the,'
Birch; and be declared the pistol actually Grid at
the latter was loaded with an intent to kill the
former: that he hail beer' looking about for Mr.
Lloyd that cirri:lug, but could Hot hod Ia i 000 ; and
stir' wards theetoug with Birch, he directed bra veil-

• liquids, josi befoie he left the Cantle. fur miecatiew,
look lbw precautiuu of declaring before a Magistrate, that
it was his aisle that the IS. should be put into the posers.
shin ref Mr. heeling, mod that lie ►hould be permitted to
make such are a it as hr judged proper; and when at the
iluuse wf t:uriecttuii, just bef.o►e he escaladed the seaffuld,
he repeated the same iiquest to the two Sheriffs. We are
satisfied that the valuable deposit is in Weds which will
du justice to the pious wishes et the writer, and fulfil the es-
peetativas el air public.

• • ....iv r Lien 1.6 a
„send him. whom be knew tu WA&
sway morression of rebellion.
WWI en Irishman by birth. and marmot
the county or ()own was brought up a Prw.
truant ; has been ill E»Rligd about direr years ; •
very ganol-looki..g young mink or shout I 5 years
of age ; and 1,14411 SOIll to he mu the point oh nirr.
kioge with a young Romeo of Stockport; when he
ersnisnitted the crime for which bi•Jde has been
forfeited.

AGRICULTURAL JI RIITING.

The Spring Meeting and Exhibition of Live Stock by the
Members of she Cinches Pie Chris, at Crossgates, is the
West of Fite, took place on Saturday she 1.1. of April.
The Meeting was under the supersesseodoace of Mr. Stuart,a
younger. of 1)11111V;WII ; Mr. Clarke, of and Mr.
Watt, uflberian, as Stewards. Mn.,..1 Cranford, at Pit-
baucklie ; Livingstone. at Guar Maims; abed Roy, at Palls
of Comb., officiated as Judges.
Stallions for agricultural posrposes wet. shown by Mr.
Stuart; Mr. Itussrll, at Balfarg ; seal Mr. Young, of
(kluge.
The hedges pronounced Mr. Stuart'. In lie the hest, but
on account of she nesnber of premiums alrensly awarded to
him, she premium of ten guineas *as silisdgetl to Mr.
Russell.
The Earl of Elgin seat a Suffolk punch horse In be ahem',
which is to cover at Charlestown ; and Mr. Storks, at Kirk-
caldy, skewed Kistessuff. a very powerful and handsome
blued horse, formerly belonging to Cabinet Wasp*, at
Wrospes Castle, which is to cover at Kirkcaldy.

Fife bulls were skews. by Mr. Riessell. mull ►y Mr. Ait-
kegs, younger, of 11.11 of Beath. lite-firensitant tif ten gni-
svis was adjudged In Mr. Aitken. Lis bull being considered
to approach MUM Nearly to Ike Igoe Fife bred than Mr.

The competitors far the best bull of any other breed, were
Mr. Black. of Batudrons, amid Mr. Ihmisiourer, of Callelu, who
produced iVest Highlaud bolls, and Mr. Stuart. who strewed
iwo.year old short-horned hull, from the stork of the late
General &womb The premium of it'll guineas was adjadged
to Mr. Black.

After the exhibition, the Club awl their friends alined to-
!ether au the club-mane ; Jr. &kiwi in the Chair, supportril
by Mr. Ferguson or Keith and Sir It. C. Ferguson, and the
evening was ►pelt( most agreeably soil in.tructivrly in the
thermsoun of interesting agrieultuial subjects. The com-
pany ilid lint separate without expressiug their grateful ac-
khowleiletnents to the griitlenten who bad kindly officiated
as judges uu Ibis occasiuu.

MONTHLY STOCK MA►IKRT.

lIAIDSTONC APRIL 11.

Our Market was heifer supplied this day than (or some
time past, and the quality of the Stork was ram eilingly good,
particithirly Beef. The sale was tolerably brisk, awl the
treater part sold off. There were about 284) Beasts, 1,100
Sheep, 50 Lambs, 250 Pigs, and 12 Calera, which sold as fol.
lowa :—beef from 41. 6J. In Us. 4.1.; Mutton Us. Bsl. to
6.. 4.1; Lamb 7s. to Bs.; Pork 4s. W. to s*. 4.1.; and Veal
Us. 64. to 6s. 441. per stone.
At the allure market some remarkably fine sheep were
exhibited, which excited muds curiosity. Three of them,
Weeps, were bred in Essex by William Philip Honywoud,
Esq. and fattened on grass and turnips only, and six of
them were bred in Kent by the late Sir Edward Knatchball,
and fatigued Sly John Webb, Es' q. of Marrietshani. There
appears to Keen a competition between It.. parties as to
which should produce the finest *beep, and we moiler-
stand many bets were reeding uu their weights. They were
all much admired for their symmetry awl smallness of
bone, particularly Mr. Hon, wood's. They were afterwards
slaughtered by Mr. inert., of this lowa, and the weights
of them were as follow :

DOWNS,
Rrcd BM fined by William Philip Homywriod, Esq.
I Carcass 14si. 31b. 1,4 10Ib. Maul rod Pluck 911 b.
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