The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-05-04 00:00:00

WILLIAM HILL.

The following' particulars respecting this unhappy man are
communicated is a letter from the chaplain of the gaol, the
Rev. W. Horner, to the Honourable and Rev. Horace Powys,
Hector of Warrington :

"I have been with him many times to-day, and have taken
down the few disclosures as to his wicked life, which appear
below. He is a man of few words, and I have not ventured
to change any expression which he has used. He is altogether
unwilling to speak of his conduct to the deceased; always
answering, • They know to much of that already, I do not like
that to be talked of.' In tact, strange as it may appear to an
inconsiderate person, it will not appear so to you; that a man,
who, by the grace of God, has been brought to abhor his sinful
conduct, should have great reluctance to dwell, even in me-
mory, on such a filthy as well as cruel transaction. He speaks
generally of his wickedness, but cannot bear the mention of
the particulars, but says he deserves his punishment.
" The following I have taken down as he spoke it. ' I wove
at ,a band-loom from the age of nine to twenty-one when I
went to Mr. Eskrigge's factory. I left off going to church
When about fourteen •or fifteen years old, and spent my Sun-
days in walking about with other young men, often spending
.my. evenings in drinking I have been about two years in the
union; we paid only at times when there was a turn-out. I
began to drink hard when about twenty years old. J drank both
ale and spirits, but not much spirits, and led a sad wild life.
I do not blame any particular person, I was ready enough, and
cannot say that my bad conduct was from anything but drink.
Had I followed going to church, it would not have happened.
About a year ago I was working at Bolton and lodged with
James Kitchen, who advised me continually to go to church.
-I promised hint I would, but never went. I spent my time in
loving about and drinking, but never joined any thieves, nor
was intimate with any I thought such. We had bits of larks,
and all kinds of bad habits such as drinking leads to, as card-
playing for money or ale. The worst company I joined was
them who were given to drinking. which, and neglect of tni,
duty to God, has led me to this*. I should not wish my friends'
to be blamed. My mother was at me every day about drunk-
enness, till it brought me here. I hope all young men will take
warning by my example, and avoid drink, loose company, and
sabbath breaking. It may come to their lot to die suddenly,
and they may not have even the same opportunity of repenting
that I have had. Though 1 have been a very great sinner:l
humbly trust that God has accepted my repentance for Jesus
Christ's sake.' _ _ _

" William Hill," continues the chaplain, " has often ex-
pressetWfis full forgiveness of all who have injured him. He
seems most unwilling that any one should bear the blame.of
his misconduct, which he onsiders as the natural consequence
of a life of drunkenness and inattention to the worship of God.
He was patient and resigned to the last. He said he felt the
weight of his sins a very heavy load, but yet could not think
that he repented as much as he ought. He said his
punishment was just, because he was the cause, through his
wicked attempt, of the poor woman's death. He never for a
moment allowed me to suppose that she had in any way been
consenting to his conduct—she was merely cheerful and good-
natured. He expressed a most earnest desire for the welfare of
his family and friends; and especially for their being prepared
for their great change."