The Sun.
London, England, 1829-08-20 00:00:00

STEWART the MURDERER and his WIFE

In the annals of crime the last year stands un-
paralleled for the premeditated and diabolical
character of the murders which have been perpe-
trated in our own land. Astonishment and
horror have been more largely excited in the
bosom of civilized society than ever they were in
the most barbarous age or nation. Beings have
sprung up from the mass of the people, and in
ordinary circumstances, where man is generally
found docile and industrious, with propensities
which, coupled with their total want of feeling,
are found to realise the most fearful attributes
that the morbid imaginative have conferred on
demons.

These cursory remarks have been suggested
by the approaching period when Stewart and his
wife are to render their guilty souls into the hands
of their Creator. With the exception of Burke,
no criminal has excited so much public detesta-
tion as the hardened villain of whom justice is
about to rid society. The fate of the woman,
though, in a legal point of view, she is equally
criminal with her husband, has excited com-
paratively a degree of compassion in the breasts
of those acquainted with the circumstances in
which she has all along been placed with regard
to Stewart. Attached to him in au infatuated
degree, she suffered every kind of abuse at his
hands ; and yet she continued to act as his co-
adjutor, and to serve him as faithfully as if he
had behaved to her with incessant kindness.

This point in the murderer's character suffi-
ciently testified the brutality of his nature, even
in a matter where the greatest crimival is found
to display a greater portion of animal sympathy
than even generous minds. But it would appear
that he has at length brought himself to reflect
with regret upon this portion of his conduct ;
for he has, since his condemnation, frequently
expressed an anxiety as to the fate of his com-
panion. On the occasion of an individual in-
forming Stewart that a petition for mercy had
been intended to be presented in favour of his
wife, but which had since fallen to the ground,
from the utter hopelessness of success, he ex-
claimed, with a sigh, " And maun the wife gang
too ?"

The official paragraph which has appeared in the
papers we know to be greatly exaggerated when
it mentions the penitential resignation of Stewart.
He is so settled in his mind that, from his

manner, no observer could believe, that he was
placed in the awful circumstances in which he
stands. He speaks freely, and without the
slightest remorse of his past life. II e is also
particularly callous to the end which awaits him.
In fact, such conduct is in exact accordance with

the whole tenour of his past actions. By those
who have the best opportunities to observe the
workings of his dispositions, he is considered to
be one of the most accomplished villains that
ever came under the cognizance of the law. He
is ardent and fearless—resembling in these re-
spects the lower animals, which rush forward
with an impetuosity . which nothing can impede,
As an instance of this trait in the character of

Stewart we may mention that previous to his
trial, in conjunction with the criminals amongst.
whom he mixed in the prison, he planned and
actually commenced operations by which he ex-
pected to effect his escape. His intention was to
murder the turnkey who was in immediate attend-
ance, and, after perpetrating this atrocity, to kill
Mr. Fisher, the Lieutenant- Governor of the gaol,
in whose possession are the keys of the principal
entrance. Luckily the scheme was disco-
vered in time to counteract the daring ope-
rations of the prisoner. In addition to these
facts we may mention that he is almost perpe-
tually to be found smoking his pipe, to which it
would appear he has always been greatly addict-
ed. He indulges in this luxury, however, not
from a demand of the nervous system, which one
would suppose must be greatly agitated, but from
being quite unable to do any thing else—read or
meditate—to take up his time. He has fre-
quently expressed to individuals who have con-
versed with him on the subject, great gratitude
to his legal advisers, whom he consider to have
done all that man could do for one in his situa-
tion. In reference to this matter he said, " that
he was very sorry the lawyers had so little to
work on." At present Stewart wears the com-
mon prison dress, of a brown red colour ; and
he is to he seen quietly smoking his pipe, as if
it were alane the subject of his thoughts. in
fact, his personal appearance, which is rather
. .

, _ - .....•••
• •
good, with the scowling aspect of his counte-
nance, the peculiarly fine formation of his fore-
head, and the sharp cunning expression of his
eye, all conduce to render him, even in any cir-

cumstances, an object of interest. In conclusion
we may remark, that the sensation which has

been produced amongst all classes by the ap-
proaching event, is almost as intense as that

which was excited on the occasion of Burke's

execution. There is little to create surprise in

such a circumstance, when we consider how ex-

;ensively and how long the parties exercised their
denial calling.—Edinburgh Evening Post.

WHITBY, AUG. 16.—We have had incessant
rain for the last three days, and yesterday the brooks had
so much swollen that they completely inundated the low
lands in the neighbourhood. The damage dune to corn
will he great, particularly to oats, several fields of which
were entirely covered with water, and the greatest part of
the crop of cut wheat was swept out of a field belonging
to Mr. ELGIE, of Ruswarp. The inmates of some cottages
belonging to Col. WILSON, M.P., had to get into their
chambers until they could be extricated from their perilous
situation.— York Courant.

The character of most of the European na-
tions may be discovered from their popular works of fic-
tion. ' Gil Bias,' the production of a Frenchman, con-
sists of the adventures of a swindler. ' The Decatueron'
of BOCCACIO, en Italian, is a collection of tales of in-
trigue. The Don Quixote' of the Spaniards has for its
hero a madman of chivalrous notions, fur which he is con-
tinually punished by his countrymen ; while the English
Robinson Crusoe' exhibits a man who, by resolution and
piety, rescues himself from the most imminent dangers and
trying situations to a state of comfort.

DISTRESSING AND FATAL ACCIDENT.--
On Saturday last, as Mr. JOHN WALKER, a son of Mrs.
WALKER, of Compton Abdale, in this county, was feeding
a thrashing machine which is impelled by water, the cape
of his great coat was caught by the wheel, and before he
c.old be extricated from the machinery, his clothes were
twisted round him with such force that he died of stran-
gulation. The deceased was about 26 years of age, and
much esteemed by an extensive circle of acrinaintatice.-:
Cheltenham Chronicle.

Olympus, close the prospect. From the ancient
Tower of Leander, near Scutari, and imme-
diately opposite the .Seraglio, the whole of these
objects are seen in one brilliant and interesting,
coup d'ceil—a combination of nature and art so
imposing and magnificent, as to defy the power
of language adequately to describe. We under-
stand, however, that Mr. Burford has taken ad-
vantage of this favourable situation, and has
nearly finished a panorama of this beautiful scene,
which, from the interest at present felt in all that
is connected with Turkey, we venture to predict
will be one of the most popular, as well as most
splendid, ever produced.