The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-10 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING-, JANUARY 10, 1848.

these countries themselves,whereby it must not be over-
looked that, in .a. certain measure (the payment of
higher shipping dues), their ships even now laboUr
under disadvantages in the ports of all the German
states (llamburgh excepted) with which they have no
reciprocity treaties. 'thus even when viewing th(-
projected Navigation Act which w e are discussing.
from the point of view whence its originators started,
we cannot consider it otherwise than as a very unad-
visable measure.

But there is another important point that must be
taken into consideration. In proposing to place the
ships of certain foreign nations under certain disad
vantages in our ports, with a view to forcing these
nations into treating German trade and German
shipping more favourably than hitherto, so favourably
indeed as Germany is inclined to treat theirs in re-
turn ; the projected law marks out a system of retali-
ation which will be of long or short duration, accord
ing to the more or less liberal commercial policy, the
greater or less obstinacy of the foreign states, and
which will gradually die out as one restriction after
another shall be blotted out of the commercial codes
of other nations. This is not, however, the sense in
which the differential system is understood by the
great majority of Germans who declare themselves
warm adherents of such a system. In their eyes it
is solely the first of the two principal objects named
in the commencement of our inquiry, which
is of importance. They seek in differential duties
not the means of retaliation, but the means of pro-
moting the national welfare, and they therefore do
not regard the restrictions to be imposed as tempo-
rary evils, which are to be obviated as speedily as
possible, but as protective measures which ought to
be considered permanent. If the system is to be
understood in this manner, then we must renounce
all hope of seeing our trade and our shipping placed
in a more favourable position than hitherto, in the
countries where they are now suffering under disad
vantages. On the other hand, it is much to be feared
that this perpetuation of the restrictive system should
it even not be desired, would nevertheless force itself
upon us. It would be a great mistake to suppose that
home interests, artificially fostered and protected by
such a system, might at any time and at will again
be exposed to a contest with free competition ; it is
on the contrary in the nature of such systems that
one protection necessitates another.
We have already pointed out how the higher duties
levied on the direct importation of transatlantic pro.
duce from certain European countries would, in order
to prevent evasion, necessitate the levying of similar
imposts on the indirect imports of such goods from
all European countries, and on crossing the land
frontiers, or the introduction of still more burdensome
measures, such as certificates of origin, entrepots, &c.
Supposing that one of the more important commercial
countries against whose customs laws complaints had
been made, should be induced to modify the same,
according to our wishes, we should nevertheless he
obliged to continue our prejudicial treatment of this
one state, as long as we maintained our system against
other countries in general. Should England, for in-
stance, in future admit transatlantic produce from
Germany, it would nevertheless he necessary to ex•
elude from Germany imports of such articles from
England, because it might be imports from the
Netherlands which were introduced by the circuitous
route through England ; and should Austria not
accede to the union, Trieste would, when supplying
the south of Germany with colonial goods, be obliged
to submit to the higher duties. It will not be pos-
sible for us to take off the burdens we have imposed
upon the trade of other nations, merely because they
remove the restrictions they have placed on ours ;
it will even be necessary, in our intercourse with
nations which have hitherto acted upon princi-
ples of commercial freedom, to introduce restrictive
measures, which will call forth counter-measures of
a still more burdensome character, and the ultimate
object, universal free trade, will be removed further
and further from our grasp.
As regards the furtherance of a more liberal spirit
in the commercial intercourse of nations, the result
of the projected system thus seems as doubtful as the
adoption of it seems reprehensible, in every other
point of view from which we have examined it.
To resume : the results come to by us in the course
of our inquiry are as follows :
The proposed syetem of differential duties, whether
considered as the means of promoting the national
welfare, or as the means of retaliation against foreign
states, is likely to fail in the attainment of its object.
As regards the shipping interests, the principal, and
indeed the only branch of industry which can be
brought into consideration here, they are not likely to
be benefited by this system, in a measure at all com-
parable to the great development which they have
already attained through the unaided exertions of our
shipowners, and if we are to judge by the experience
of other nations, they are not likely to be benefited
at all.

The increase occasioned in the direct imports of
non-European produce would be of very little lin-
portance.

The import trade in general would be injured—
the transit trade endangered.
The German emporiums, instead of growing in im-
portance, would, on the contrary, decline.
This decline would threaten the German export
trade, or, in other words, German industry, with
dangers which could in no way be compensated for
by the distant prospects of an increased sale in non-
European countries.

Finally, as regards the obtaining more favourable
conditions in other countries for German ships, or for
importation from Germany, or the attainment of
greater commercial freedom, it seems the more dan-
gerous to enter into a contest of this kind, because in
the case of the more important commercial countries
the weapons would be unequal, and the result very
doubtful ; were she to grasp the double-edged sword
of retaliation, Germany would be more likely to
wound herself than her opponent.
(To be continued.)

IRISH SPECIAL COMMISSION.
LIMERICK, JAN. 7.
At the opening of the court this morning, James
Sheahan, a wild-looking Tipperary " boy," about
twenty. five years of age, was arraigned for the
murder of a man named Ralph Hill, at Rathure,
within a mile and a half of Limerick, in the month of
November last; and Daniel Quaine and James
Quaine were at the same time arraigned for aiding
and assisting him in the murder.
The prisoners having been arraigned, and pleaded
Not Guilty, were immediately removed.
Andrew Dee was then placed in the dock to be
tried for killing one Edmund Murphy, and the
Court was occupied during the early part of the day
in hearing the sickening details of this most cold-
blooded murder.

The prisoner is about nineteen years of age, but
looks considerably younger. He is of small stature,
with fine features and an intelligent and pleasing
countenance. He stood in the front of the dock,
and throughout the trial evinced not the slightest
emotion.

He was defended by Mr. O'Hea.
From the statement of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL,
who opened the case, it appeared that the prisoner's
father held some land in the county under the Court
of Chancery, but in the latter part of May, or early
in June last, he was put out of possession for non-
payment of rent. A man named Nornan became the
tenant of the land, and immediately there sprang up,
as usual in such cases, a feeling of extreme hostility
on the part of the Dees towards Nornan and his
family. On the 9th of June, within ten days from
the time of Nornan's becoming tenant of the land, he
and the man who was murdered were walking to-
gether towards Galbally, and when within a mile of
that town, in the open day, it being then three o'clock
in the afternoon, they were waylaid by the prisoner
and his brother, Patrick Dee. Until Norman and
Murphy approached they had concealed themselves in
a ditch. On Nornan and Murphy coming within six
yards of them, they stood up from their hiding place
and presented a pistol at each. The pistol of Patrick
Dee, which was aimed at Nornan, hung fire; he snap-
ped it again, and again it missed, but the pistol of the
prisoner was sure and fatal in its aim. A ball from it
struck Murphy in the head; he fell and was dead in
a few moments. The two brothers instantly ft-d.
Patrick was captured in a few days, and was tried at
the last assizes and found guilty ; but as it was
proved that he had not fired the pistol by which
Murphy was killed, his sentence was commuted from
death to transportation for life. The prisoner was
pursued, but it was not until the month of November
the police could meet with him. In that month he
was arrested at Liverpool, under an assumed name, on
board a vessel bound for America.

Nornan proved the principal facts of the case, and
said, the prisoner had a pistol in each hand, whilst his
brother had but one. On his cross-examination he
was asked how he could see who fired the pistol when
he had to take care of the man who was shot ? " Oh,
indeed," was his expressive answer, " that man's case
was over "

A smith proved that a few days before the murder
the prisoner had taken to him a pistol to be re-
paired.
A little boy, who was examined, saw the prisoner
running from the scene of the murder. He was told
by the prisoner's friends directly after it occurred,
that he would be examined on the inquest, but that
he was not to say one word about what he had seen.
Mr O'HEA made a most able address on the pri-
soner's behalf ; but,
The CHIEF BARON having summed up,
The jury, without the least hesitation, returned a
verdict of Guilty.
The prisoner heard the fearful announcement with-
out moving a muscle or the slightest change of coun-
tenance. He was ordered to be removed from the
dock, and to be brought up again to. morrow morning
to hear the sentence of the Court.

Ina case of robbery of arms, and in another, where

the party was indicted for assaulting a man, and
siding ,a person unknown in shooting at him, with
intent to do hiin bodily harm, the prisoners pleaded
Guilty as they were arraigned.
In the latter case a bill had been found against the
Arisoner for a capital offence, but on his pleading
guilty to the former charge the Attorney-General
leclined proceeding any further with it. The cir-
cumstances of it, however, exhibit such evidence of
-he daring audacity with which offences have been
committed in this country that we state them in de-
Wail as they are given by the Chief Justice in passing
sentence upon the prisoner.
The CMIEF James; addressing him, said, you
have pleaded "guilty" to two indictments, and the
Crown is satisfied to receive that plea, and not to put
you on your trial for the capital offence, for which, if
found guilty, your life would be forfeited. But when
e look at the facts as they are deposed to in the
informations of the charge of which you havo con-
fessed yourself guilty, they exhibit one of the most
flagrant and sanguinary outrages that could occur in
'any country. It is remarkable, even in this country,
ror its audacity, and I would call to it the attention of
those to whose consideration these trials are entitled.
The case against you is this :—you and an armed
party attacked the house of John Nornan, a person
in a humble class of life, from whom you expected to
extort by threats and compulsion a sum of money to
aid you, by way of subscription, in your unlawful
purposes. There is one remarkable feature in
.your
case. The man had constantly paid his rent. A 11.
note was the sum first demanded, then 103., and hav-
ing said that he had neither the one or the other to
give, you warned him to be ready with his contribu-
tion en the following Monday to aid the most nefa-
rious and flagitious system of crime that can disgrace
any country. What was the result ? This man, as
he was bound to do—and I am glad to have the op-
portunity of remarking here on the fortitude and
determination of a person in his class of life—resolved
that he would not submit to be plundered by robbers
and assassins. He gave information to the police,
and upon the Monday night following a party of them
being admitted into the house for its protection, you
and your wicked associates, armed, came to the house
ind demanded the money you made him promise to
pay that night. Such a degree of audacity is so re-
markable that it stands peculiarly worthy of public
observation. You had not the least suspicion that
the man would have dared to violate your order.
You went there with the perfect conviction that the
house was unprotected, and that he had not availed
himself of the right of every man—recourse to
the police officers for the protection of his life and pro-
perty. You went there with an armed body, and the
police in the discharge of their duty detected you in
'he very fact of assaulting this man and levying your
contribution. But mark the remainder of this
transaction. You are indicted and have pleaded
guilty to the charge of having with an armed party
reloniously discharged a gunshot upon that occasion,
and by that gunshot one of the police was actually
wounded, and for that offence your life would have
been forfeited if the Crown had not in its clemency
declined to put you on your trial for that offence.
But mark what follows : the police in their duty, and
even for their own defence against this armed ban-
ditti, were obliged to fire, and one of the gang was
wounded and shot dead on the spot. No one who
has heard the facts of this case can doubt that it is
our duty to pronounce upon you the severest penalty
the law allows, and that penalty is, that you be
transported for the term of your natural life.
The prisoner with the greatest coolness walked
from the dock.

The next else was the trial of two men, named
Patrick and John Farrell, for attacking a house and
demanding a gun. Another was arraigned with
them, but as he was one of the parties engaged in the
assault of Malony's house, mentioned in our report of
yesterday, and of which he was found guilty, he was
nwt put on his trial with the others.
One of the jurors who had tried the preceding case
objected to sit upon this, as he came from the neigh-
bourhood where the outrage was committed; and the
prisoner's counsel not objecting, he was allowed to
withdraw and was replaced by another.
The trial then proceeded ; and on the conclusion,
the jury not agreeing to their verdict retired from the
box, and had not returned when our dispatch was
obliged to be closed.
The rest of the day was occupied with a compara-
tively unimportant case of a man named Ilinchey,
for " appearing in arms to the terror of her Majesty's
subjects." _ .

In the case of the six men who were yesterday
tried for an attack on the house of a man named
Molony, and carrying away his daughter, the jury
found them all Guilty ; but sentence has not yet been
passed.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
On Saturday James Tytler, under warehouseman
to Messrs. Wilcoxon and Co., of Monument-yard,
wholesale to )king-glass manufacturers, was brought
up for final examination, charged with having plun-
dered his employers to a considerable extent.
Mr. W. H. Cooper, principal warehouseman to
Messrs. Wilcoxon and Co., said, it was the duty of
the prisoner to enter all goods sent out in the day
hook, and in witness's absence to attend to the cus-
tomers, make out invoices of goods which he might
have sold, and see that they were properly packed and
set out by the porters. Witness, by the direction of
the firm, went to the prisoner's lodgings, and saw
there certain articles which had not been entered and
which had been in fact stolen from the premises.
Thomas Glennie, ironmonger, of 44, Farringdon-
street, of the firm of Nash and Glennie, said, " I have
known the prisoner for about ten years past. I
bought a chimney glass and four chairs of Messrs.
Wilcoxon and Co., at their house in Monument-
yard, in July last. I was served by the prisoner and
King. The amount was 71. ss. I had a regu-
lar invoice, and a Mr. Fisher called upon me for the
money at my warehouse. The invoice I received was
in the name of Wilcoxon and Co. I knew the
prisoner as under warehouseman to that firm. I
bought goods to the amount of 19/. 9s. 6d.,
and also of 81. Is., from the prisoner, but for
the latter sum he had had goods from our firm. I
also bought a chimney-glass of the prisoner, for which
I paid him in cash 61. All these transactions took
place at an interview I had With the prisoner at
Messrs. \Vilcoxon's premises. The prisoner said that
as I was an old schoolfellow he wished to serve me,
and he would get the goods from his employers at the
wholesale price, as he had that privilege. I have
paid him the 191. Ss. 61. in cash at different times,
' and also the 61. I did not inquire of Messrs. Wil-
coxon whether that was the fact, but part of the goods
were sent to me by Messrs. Wilcoxon 's van. All the
goods.l bought were articles of fUrniture and were
delivered at my private house. For one of the
articles I bargained at the prisoner's lodgings in
Stamford-street. Ile said he was going to leave his
situation, and that he should be in want of money,
and that he had a chest of drawers and a table for
which he had no use. I asked him why he was
going to leave his situation, and he replied that it
was in consequence of a quarrel with one of the
clerks. I was told at the house such was the fact.
Subsequently to this I bought part of the other goods
of the prisoner, but I did not go to the warehouse to
select the goods, but gave the prisoner the order for
the articles, and he was paid 101. on account of
them by my partner. I bought the glass of the
prisoner in September last, and paid him a day or two
after wards.
A. G. Fain, carman in the employment of Messrs.
Wilcoxon and Co., proved that he took to Mr. Glen-
nie's house several articles from the prisoner's
lodgings by the prisoner's directions.
These articles were proved to have been stolen
from the premises of the prosecutor.
The prisoner said he had nothing to say but that
he was guilty.
He was fully committed for trial.
BO W. S MEET.
The reporter was requested to acknowledge a do-
nation of 51. from the " Rev. S. Burgess," and ano-
ther of the same amount from " Mr. Curteis," of
Devonshire-street, for the poor-box of the court.
MAR YL EBONE.
On Saturday Mr. BROUGHTON requested that our
reporter would, in compliance with the wish of the
kind donor, acknowledge the receipt of 51. from "Mrs.
Joseph Hambleton," 8, Northwick-terrace, for the
poor-box of the court.
WORSHIP-STREET.
Two cab-drivers' named William Watson and
Daniel Driscoll, the first in the service of Mr. Lowe,
cab proprietor, in the Downham-road, Kingsland,
and the other in that of Mr. Edward Nann, cab pro-
prietor, in the Curtain-road, were charged at the in-
stance of Mr. Thomas, the secretary to the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the
following shocking brutality to horses belonging to
their respective employers.
David Watson, one of the society's constables,
stated, that in consequence of an information being
laid at the office of the association by Mr. Lowe, who
complained that one of his horses, which had been
perfectly sound and in good working condition pre-
viously, had been brought home in a most scandalous
state of ill usage, he went to his stable on the follow-
ing morning, and after examining the animal's flanks
and the tender part of the thighs, found that it had
been so cruelly whipped that the skin had been cut
completely through in several places, and was hang-
ing down in little rihands, and small pieces of flesh
taken out. The defendant came in at the moment,
and upon asking him if it was he who had beaten the
horse in that terrible manner, he replied, " Yes, that
it was of no use denying it, but that it was not alto-
gether his fault, as he had had a load of three persons
inside, had to go through Shrubland-road, Ralston,
which was a very heavy one, and that, finding the
animal was not able to drag the cab through it, he
was obliged to lash it as he had." Understanding

that the whip used upon the occasion bore evidence
of the shameful treatment to which the horse had
been subjected, he inquired for that, and found it to
be quite stiff with the coagulated blood upon it.
This defendant simply said that his whip was too
short, and that he could not whip ti.e animal where
he wished.

In the second case it appeared that Driscoll went
out with the horse, which was then perfectly sound,
about ten o'clock in the morning, and did not return
with it until between one and two the next morning,
when upon being let in at the gates the poor brute
was observed to be in great agony and trembling all
over, and this leading to an examination into the cause
of it, it was found to be bleeding very much under
the flank from a great number of cuts, and the whole
of the tender part o! the belly was beaten into a com-
plete jelly, that although it had been continually
fomented since and great care taker) of the animal, it
had not perfectly recovered even yet, although more
than a week had elapsed.
This defendant said, that he should not have been
able to get the horse along if he had not beaten it
where and as much as he had done.
Mr. 1-lAsimiLL in both cases condemned the con-
duct of the defendants in terms of the severest repre-
hension, and after regretting extremely that his
powers as a magistrate had been so restricted, sen-
tenced each of the defendants to pay the full penalty
of 40s. and costs, or in default, to be imprisoned
for fourteen days in the House of Correction, with
hard labour.

Neither of the penalties was paid, and the defen-
dants were removed in the van.
CLERKENWELL.
Our reporter is requested to state that a cheque
for 51. has been received from the " Rev. W. Sheep-
shanks Burgess" for the poor-box of this court, with
a request that it might be acknowledged.
lIAMMERSMITII.
A large number of Irish, of both sexes, making in
all forty-two families and seventy•two
appeared before Mr. W. P. Beadon, with Mr. T.
Madden, the relieving-officer of the parish of Ken-
sington, who complained that they had all applied to
him for relief, which he had granted them, but on
his questioning them as to the places of their settle-
ment they either equivocated or refused to state from
what part of Ireland they came, and one and all re-
fused to go back to Ireland. Some of them had not
left their native country above two months, and not
one of them had obtained any settlement in this
country.
In answer to questions put by the Magistrate, a
part of them said, if they were sent back to Ireland
they had no homes to go to ; and others said, all their
friends and relative 3 were either dead or dispersed,
and what were they to do when they got there ?
Mr. BEADON told them, that if they chose to come
over to this country in the hope of getting work, and,
finding they could not, applied to the parish officers
for relief, they must expect to be sent, back again to
their own parishes, the same as other paupers in this
country are. In all cases of Irish paupers brought
before him to be passed, he would sign the orders and
enforce:their execution, and the relieving officer, if they
became chargeable. could arrest them and bring them
before him (Mr. Beadon) to be passed. Ile would
advise the officers of parishes not to relieve any of
those who refuse to go back, and if they applied to
him he would make no order for their being relieved.
None of those present expressed any readiness to go,
and all left the court, apparently reckless as to the
consequences.

THE GOLDEN-LANE MURDER.
Harriett Parker, who stands charged with the
wilful murder of Robert Henry Blake and Armenia
Blake, the two children of Robert H. Blake, with
whom she had been two years previously cohabiting,
was on Saturday finally examined before Mr. Tyr
whitt, the sitting magistrate, at the Clerkenwell
police •court.

The wretched woman when brought into the court
walked boldly into the dock, and having coolly sun
veyed the numerous assemblage in the crowded court,
seated herself in the seat provided for her.
The first witness called was Robert Henry Blake,
the father of the murdered children, who repeated the
evidence he gave at the opening of the inquest.
Mr. TYRWIIITT, at the conclusion of the evidence,
asked the prisoner if she wished to ask any questions
of the witness. The prisoner firmly said—l want to
ask him whether he is sure that it was lead tied up
in the corner of my handkerchief, as he has stated,
when I was following him about as he has described.
Blake—l am not, but I believe that it was.
Prisoner—lt was not—it was a square piece of tile.
That is all I have to ask.

Jane Jones, a genteel-looking young woman, about
20 years of age, was the next witness examined. She
repeated the evidence she gave at the adjourned in-
quest on Monday last.
The prisoner declined putting any question to that
witness.

Joh❑ Hewlett was the third witness. He also re-
peated the evidence he had given at the inquest on
Monday last.

The whole of the witnesses who had been examined
in the case having signed their depositions,
Mr. TYRWHITT addressed the prisoner, and in-
formed her that she was at liberty to make any state-
ment she pleased, but it was at the same time his
duty to tell her that whatever she might think proper
to say would be taken down in writing, and in all
probability used against her at her trial.
The prisoner then rose from her seat, and in a firm
voice said, " I merely wish to state why I followed
Blake. He came home at a quarter before five in the
afternoon of the 31st of December, and said to me,
Make haste and get the tea, and get me some water
to wash me, for I'm in a hurry, and have got to meet
a girl at the top of Old-street. I'm going to take her
to the play.' I then said, If that's the case you may
go to her to make your tea, for I won't ;' after which
he washed himself and went out, and I followed him
to the Duke of Bedford, where he said he had to be
at the stump or post at fifteen minutes after five. I
said I wouid follow, and I would see his party ; and
he said, "rhen come, she will not be ashamed of
looking at you ;' and then we went away, me and
him and Hewlett, to the post, whereßlake said, ' This
stump knows me, and I'll kiss it for the sake of them
I'm going to see;' and he did kiss it, and he looked
at Hewlett and laughed, and said (pointing to me),
hat do you think of her ? She is jealous ? Hew-
lett laughed and made some remark, and hoped we
should be comfortable. We had previously been in a
liquor vault, and nad some gin. Well, from the stump
we came down Goswell-street, where Blake said,
Hewlett (alluding to me), I can get her monkey up
at any time; I'm going to meet
.a little wench.' He
went down Fan-street, and back to the Duke of Bed-
ford, and I lost sight of him up to to-day."
The prisoner here raised her voice, and pointing
to Blake and Jones, said, " Him and that woman
there has been the cause of all our misfortunes, and
the death of the children lies at their door. Until
he became acquainted with her we had plenty, but
during the fortnight' he knew her, me and the chil-
dren had nothing to eat but bread and dripping.
That is all."

Mr. TYRWIIITT then committed her to Newgate
for trial.

Previous to her departure she said to Waddington,
the gaoler, she wished to be hanged, and hoped she
would not be ti ansported. Her firmness astonished
every one in court.

EXECUTION OF PATRICK REID
FOR THE MURDERS AT MIRFIELD.
YORK, JAN. B.—Long,before daybreak this morn-
ing the carpenters were busily engaged in erecting
the scaffold, and soon after their work was completed
the unhappy youth—unhappy as regards his sad fate,
and a youth as applied to his age, having only attained
the age of 20—was removed, as is customary, from the
condemned cell, and conducted to a room set apart for
the purpose close to the spot where he was to expiate
his offence. During the forenoon he was attended by
his spiritual advisers, who administered to him the.
peculiar rite of the Roman Catholic Church, of which
he was a member.
Between eleven and twelve o'clock the operation of
pinioning was commenced, and shortly before the fatal
hour the Under-Sheriff, Mr. NV. Gray, arrived at the
Castle, and in the usual form, demanded the body for
execution. The culprit being brought forth, the
mournful procession was formed, and moved forward
to the scaffold, in front of which an immense body of
persons were assembled.
Long indeed before twelve o'clock, the hour of exe-
cution, crowds of I arsons were wending their way to
the fatal spot in order to secure the best positions for
seeing the proceedings at the drop.
At precisely two minutes past twelve o'clock the
unfortunate culprit, attended by the usual officials,.
came with a firm step upon the scaffold. Hij first
appearance drew forth from the crowd mingled emo-
tions of sympathy and execration. As soon as lie had
approached the front of the scaffold, where the fatal
rope was suspended, he turned his back upon the
spectators and knelt down. Dr. Gillett, the Roman
Catholic priest, then also knelt, facing the culprit, and
read aloud a long form of prayer. When the reverend
gentleman had given his parting benediction,
.both
rose, at precisely twelve minutes past twelve o'clock.
Reid apparently regained his feet without any diffi-
culty. He then turned towards the spectators, seem-
ingly with the most perfect resignation to his fate, but
with a countenance ghastly pale. Howard, the county
hangman, then advanced, and having firmly secured
the culprit's legs put on the black cap, and with much
seeming care adjusted the hope roiled his neck. But
a moment more elapsed, and the profound silence, with
which the spectators had viewed these preliminaries,
was broken by the drawing of the fatal bolt, which
excited some involuntary manifestations of a chilling
horror, as the body dropped—dropped, we regret to
say, not with the effect of instant deprivation of
life, but to strangle rather than hang the unfortu-
nate man, owing to the looseness of the rope, which

considerably bent the neck. Nevertheless, not more
than two minutes elapsed before the evidently severe
expiring convulsions were over, and the world closed
upon the murderer for ever.
It had generally been rumoured that some remarks
to the people would be made by Reid on the scaffold,
but this expectation was not realised, and many of
the morbidly curious spectators expressed disappoint-
ment in consequence.
Ila did, however, just before the fatal bolt was re-
moved, make the following statement to the officers
around him :

" Well, gentlemen, I wish to say that I alone am
the guilty person, that M'Cabe is entirely innocent;
that no human being in the world had anything to do
with it but myself."
There were present at the execution probably
not less than between thirty thousand and forty
thousand people of both sexes, of all ages and
classes. Probably on no occasion has an execution,
within our recollection, or that of our readers, drawn
together so vast a concourse of spectators. Besides
bringing together a very large proportion of the in-
habitants of York and its more immediate vicinity,
many towns in the West Riding added their thou-
sands to swell the general throng. From Leeds,
Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Mirfield (the locality of
the murders), Halifax, Bradford, Wakefield, Barns-
ley, Pontefract, and indeed from every other place,
great and small, .contributions of inhabitants to the
vast multitude took place. Some idea of the propor-
tion which Leeds bore, may be formed from the fact,
that by the 7.20 A.M. train alone there were conveyed
to York more than 1,000 extra passengers. All the
available carriages were put into use, and still hun-
dreds were left behind, at that time, to be conveyed
in a subsequent train. This, however, gives but a
very imperfect estimate of the number of persons
that went from Leeds to York, as it is exclusive of
pedestrians, many of whom, even as early as the
previous night, left this town to visit the scene of the
execution.

It was stated in York that no execution has been
attended by so many spectators at any period, except
those of Eugene Aram, for the murder of Daniel
Clark, at Knaresborough, and Mary Bateman, for
poisoning, at Leeds.