The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-10-04 00:00:00

THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.

Our friend Curry stands as high as his neighbours this
month, and has done, what has never been done before,
brought out an Irish Magazine which has succeeded.
We wish him joy, for he well merits the public patron-
age. The following is full of interest :

THE CONDEMNED SOLDIER.

EY TUE ALI'IIOR OF "TALES OF WATERLOO."

If the present times be chargeable with increase of crime, it
will be admitted that there is a striking change in the grade
and character of the criminals—a certain order of things has
made state offences infrequent. Enactments against treason
are now a dead letter in the statute book. The headsman's axe
rusts in the armoury of the town. " Noble Lords," and
" Gentlemen of ancient decent" seldom appear at the bar of
justice—and rarer still does capital punishment fall upon any,
removed by birth and fortune from the lowlier classes of the
community. .

That this change is attributable to any reformation in the
principles of the upper ranks, would be a very questionable in-
ference. In our days the high-born and the wealthy have small
inducement to violate the salutary restrictions of the law.
However the moral code may be infringed, the criminal one is
respected. In breaches of privilege and honour, aristocratic
delinquency is chiefly comprised, and loss of character and caste
the severest penalty incurred by the offenders.
There arc, however, within our own recollection some melan-
choly exceptions to be found. Men of superior rank have
occasionally presented themselves as criminals—and as the
well-being of society demands, the impartial hand of justice
visited the offence with unmitigated severity.
Of the few unhappy cases, one will be remembered with lively
regret. For no crime were there more apologists—for no
punishment more general sympathy—and while his sentence
was accordant to the letter of the law, the sternest ethic
lamented that justice required a victim like Major Alexander
Campbell.
This unfortunate gentleman was the descendant of an ancient
family in the Highlands. Having entered the army at an early
age, he served abroad under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and in
Lgypt had particularly distinguished himself. Ile was trans
ferred to the 21st Fusileers from a Highland corps, and his
promotion to a brevet majority, it was said, had given offence
to the senior captain of the regiment. Certain it is, that be-
tween these officers no cordiality existed—little pains were
taken to conceal a mutual dislike—frequent and angry alterca-
tions took place, and the temper of Campbell, constitutionally
warm, was often irritated by the cool contradictory spirit of
his unfortunate victim.

The 21st Regiment was quartered in Newry when the half-
yearly inspection occurred. As senior officer, Major Camp-
bell commanded on that occasion. After dinner, in the
course of conversation, Captain Boyd asserted that Campbell
had given au order incorrectly on parade. A hot and teasing
argument resulted—unfortunately that evening the mess tabie
had been deserted for the Theatre, where the officers had
patronized a play, and the disputants were left together at a
moment when the presence of a judicious friend might have
easily averted the catastrophe. Heated with wine, and exaspe-
rated by what he conceived a professional insult, Campbell left
the table, hastened to his apartments, loaded his pistols, returned,
sent for Captain Boyd, brought him to an inner mess-room, closed
the door, and, without the presence of a friend or witness, de-
manded instant satisfaction. Shots were promptly interchanged,
and in the first lire Boyd fell, mortally wounded. The dying
man was removed to his barrack-room, and Campbell hastened
from the scene of blood. The storm of passion had subsided,
and the bosom of the wretched homicide was tortured with
unavailing remorse. In a state of mental phrenzy he rushed to
the chamber where his victim lay, supported by his distracted
wife, and surrounded by his infant family. Throwing himself
upon his knees, he supplicated pardon, and urged Boyd to
admit "that every thing was fair." The dying man, whose
sufferings were intense, to the repeated intreaties of his oppo-
nent, replied " Yes—it was fair—hut, Campbell, you are a bad
man—you hurried me," and shortly afterwards expired in his
wife's arms.

When the melancholy event was communicated, at the solici-
tation of his friends Campbell left the town. No attempt was
made to arrest him, and he might have remained in partial re-
tirement had he pleased. But his high spirit could not brook
concealment; and, contrary to the entreaties of his family, and
the opinion of his professional advisers, he determined to risk
a trial, and in due time surrendered himself, as the summer
assizes were approaching.
From the moment the unfortunate duellist entered the prison
gates, his mild and gentlemanly demeanour won the commi-
seration of all within. The governor, confident in the honour
of his prisoner, subjected him to no restraint—he occupied the
apartments of the keeper—went over the building as he pleased
—received his friends—held unrestricted communication with
all that sought him—and, in fact, was a captive but in name.
I shall never forget the 13th of August, 1808. I arrived in
Armagh the evening of the major's trial, and when I entered
the court-house, the jury had retired to consider the verdict
they should pronounce. The trial had been tedious—twilight
had fallen, and the hall of justice was rendered gloomier, if pos-
sible, from the_partial glare of a few candles, placed upon the
bench where Judge Mayne was seated. A breathless anxiety
pervaded the assembly, and the ominous silence that reigned
through the court was unbrohen by a single whisper. I felt an
unusual dread, a sinking of the heart, a difficulty of respiration,
as I timidly looked round the melancholy crowd. My eyes
rested on the judge—he was a thin, bilious-looking being, and
his cold and marble features had caught an unearthly expres-
sion, from the shading produced by an accidental disposition of
the candles. I shuddered as I gazed upon him, for the fate of
a fellow-creature hung upon the first words that should issue
from the lips of that stern and inflexible old man. Front the
judge eyes turned to the criminal, and what a subject the
contrast to the artist's pencil !—ln the front of the bar,
habited in deep mourning, his arms folded across his breast,
the homicide was awaiting the word that would seal his destiny
—his noble and commanding figure thrown into an attitude of
calm determination, was graceful and dignified; and, while on
every countenance beside, a sickening anxiety was visible, not
the twinkle of an eyelash, or motion of the lip, betrayed on the
prisoner's face the appearance of discomposure or alarm. Just
then a slight noise was heard—a door was softly and slowly
opened—one by one the jury reluctantly returned to their box
—the customary question was asked by the clerk of the crown,
and—Guilty, was-faintly answered, accompanied with a recom-
mendation to mercy.
An agonizing pause succeeded—the court was silent as the
;rave—the prisoner bowed respectfully to the jury—then, plant-
ing his foot firmly on the floor, he drew himself up to his full
height, and prepared to listen to his doom. Slowly Judge
Mayne assumed the fatal cap, and, all unmoved, he pronounced,
and Campbell heard his sentence.
While the short address that sealed the prisoner's fate was
being delivered, the silence of the court was broken by smother-
ed sobs—but when the sounds ceased, and "Lord have mercy
on your soul" issued from the ashy lips of that grace old man, a
groan of horror burst from the auditory, and the Highland sol-
diers who thronged the court ejaculated a wild " Amen," while
their flashing eves betrayed how powerfully the fate of their un-
happy countrviiian had affected them.
Nor did the result of his trial disturb the keeper's confidence
in the honour of the condemned soldier. On his return to the
jail,
au assurance that lie would not escape was required and
given—and to the last, Campbell continued to enjoy all the
comfort and liberty the prison could afford.
Meantime, strong exertions were made to save him—petitions
from the jury, the grand panel of the county, and the inhabitants
of Armagh Were forwarded to the Lord Lieutenant. But the
judge declined to recommend the convict, and consequently, the
Irish Government refused to interfere. A respite, however, was
sent down, to allow the case of the unfortunate gentlemen to be
submitted to the King.
The mental agony of Campbell's attached wife was for a time
severe beyond endurance, but by a wonderful exertion she re-
covered sufficient fortitude to enable her to set out in person for
London to throw herself at the Queen's feet, and implore her
commiseration. To cross the channel before steam had been
introduced was frequently tedious and uncertain, and when the
lady reached the nearest point of embarkation, her journey was
interrupted; a gale of unusual violence was raging, and every
packet storm-stayed at the other side. She stood upon the pier
in a state of exquisite wretchedness. The days of that being
whom she loved best on earth were numbered, and to reach the
seat of mercy was forbidden'. The storm was at its height—a
mountainous sea broke into the harbour, while a crowd anxiously
watched the progress of a fishing boat, which under close-reefed
canvass was struggling to beat up to the anchorage.
The success of the little bark was for a time uncertain. The
spray flew in sheets over the mast head, and frequently shut the
vessel from the view of those on shore. But seamanship pre-
vailed—the pier was weathered—and amid the cheers of their
companions, and the caresses of their wives the hardy crew dis-
embarked.

At that moment the sorrow 'of the lady attracted the notice of
the crowd, and it was whispered that she was wife to the
unhappy convict, whose fate even in that remote spot had ex-
cited unusual sympathy. An aged fishermen stood near her,
and Mrs. Campbell enquired "if the weather was likely to mo-
derate ?" The mariner looked at the sky attentively, and
shook his head. "Oh God ! he will be lost," she murmured—
" Could I but cross that angry sea, he might yet be saved !"
Her words were overhead by the crew of the fishing boat, who
were securing its moorings. A momentary consultation took
place, and with one consent they offered to carry her across or
perish. "It is madness," said the old man, "no boat can live
in yonder broken sea." But the courage of the hardy fishermen
was unshaken. The lady was placed on board; the skirt of
the sawn-sail set; and after a passage as remarkable for its short-
ness as its danger, they reached the Scottish shores in safety.
To the honour of these noble fellows be it recorded, that they
refused to accept one shilling from the mourner, and followed
her carriage with their eyes, invoking blessings on her journey.
The commiseration of all classes was painfully increased, by
the length of time that elapsed between the trial and death of
Major Campbell. In prison he received from his friends the
most constant and delicate attention ; and one lady, the wife of
Captain seldom left him. She read to him, prepared his
meals, cheered Ins spirits when he drooped, and performed those
gentle offices of kindness, which are so peculiarly the province
of woman. When intelligence arrived that mercy could not be
extended, and the law must take its course, she boldly planned
an escape from prison, but Campbell recoiled from a proposition
that would compromise his honour with the keeper. "What,"
he exclaimed, when assured that otherwise his case was hopeless
—" Shall I break faith with him who trusted in it? I know rev
late, and am prepared to meet it manfully ; but 'lever shall I
deceive the person who confided in my honour."
Two evenings before he suffered, Mrs. urged him ear-
nestly to escape. The clock struck twelve, and Campbell hinted
that it was tune she should retire. As usual he accompanied
her to the gate, and on entering the keeper's room they found
him fast asleep. Campbellplaced his finger on his lip. " Poor
fellow," he said in a whisper to his fair companion, " would it
not be a pity to disturb him ?" Then taking the keys softly
from the table, he unlocked the outer wicket. ." Campbell,"
said the lady, " this is the crisis of your destiny—this is the
moment of escape—horses are in readiness, and"—The convict
put his hand upon her mouth—" Hush !" he replied, as he
gently forced her out, "would you have me to violate mypro-
miss ? ' Bidding her 'good night,' he locked the wicket care
fully, replaced the keys, and retired to his chamber without
awaking the sleeping jailor.
The last scene of his life was in perfect keeping with the
calm and dignified courage he had evinced during his confine-
ment. The night before his execution, the chaplain slept in
his room, This gentleman's exertions to obtain a remission of
punishment had been incessant, and now that hope was at an
end, he laboured to prepare the doomed soldier for the trying
hour that awaited him. On that melancholy night he never
closed his eyes, while Campbell slept as quietly,as if no extra-
' ordinary event should happen on the morrow. To the last his
courage was unshaken, and while his friends were dissolved in
grief, he was manly and unmoved. lie mounted the stone
stairs leading to the scaffold with a firm and measured step, and
while the rope was being adjusted, the colour never left his
cheek, nor did his countenance betray the slightest agitation.
One circumstance disturbed his equanimity for a moment.—
On entering the press-room' the executioner, frightfully dis-
guised, presented himself suddenly. Campbell involuntarily
shrunk from this loathsome being, but as if annoyed that the
wretch should shake his firmness for an instant, he calmly de-
sired him to proceed, and take care that the arrangements for
death were such as should make his transit from tha world as
brief as possible.

It was a curious incident attendant on this melancholy'erent,
that the 421 regiment, with whom he had served in Egypt, then
garrisoned the town; and the same men he led to a bayonet
charge against the invincibles of Napoleon formed the jail-
guard to witnesss his .execution. The feelings of the High-
landers when drawn out to be present at the ignominious end
of their lion-hearted comrade, were indescribable. When the
sufferer first appeared at the fatal door, a yell of anguish pealed
along the ranks, and every bonnet was respectfully removed.
Campbell addressed a few words to them in Gaelic. Instantly
every face was upturned to heaven ; every lip uttered a prayer
for mercy at the judgment seat, and when the board descend-
ing with thundering violence, announced the moment of disso-
lution, the fearful groan that burst from the excited soldiery
will never be forgotten.
After being suspended only till life was extinct, the body was
placed in a shell, and a hearse in waiting received it and drove
off rapidly. The remains of the ill-starred soldier were con-
veyed to Scotland. There the clan and relatives of the deceased
were waiting to pay the last tribute of their regard. In im-
mense numbers they escorted the body to the family cemetry,
and in the poet's words, " They laid him in his father's grave."