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 m a letter from the chaplain of the gaol, the
Rev. W. Horner, to the Honourable and Rev. Horace Powys,
Rector of Warring,ton:

"1 have been with Lim many times to-day, and have taken
down the few disclosures as to his wicked tife, 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 "lhey know to much of that already, I do not like
that to be talked of.' In fact, 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 arbor 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 be deserves his punishment.
"The following I save taken down as he spoke it. ' I wove
at a hand-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 %ears old. I 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 %vaS 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 him I would, but never went. I spent my time in
roving 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 had 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 my
duty to God, has led tne 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 hyoid drink, loose'company, and
sabhath breaking. It may come to their hit 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, I
humbly trust that God has accepted my repentance for Jesus
Christ's sake.'

" William Hill," continues the chaplain, " has often ex-
pressed his full forgiveness of all who have injured him. He
seems most unwilling that any one shonld bear the blame of
his misconduct, which be considers as the natural consequence
of a life of drunkenness and inattention to the worship of God.
lie 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."