The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-03-19
From the Worcester .SBy.

From the Worcester SBY
life Of Ifartin."-We notice that the third edi-
ton Of the life OF Martin, who lately executed for
highway robbery, has issued from the Press The fact
is 10 be regretted both it indication Of the viii
aed Of the publick, and account Of the injury
il is likely the morals Of youth. Although
we never could submit 10 the degradation Of following
him through more than FIVE six pages, have seen
enough ofthe work to lead concur heartily in the
sentiments expressed in the following from
review Of in the Christian Disciple -
Where the vices Of man are 50 garnshed
over, thar we can look at them without any pow
erful alarm 10 our moral sensibility where the
circumstances by which they are accompanied,
make them appear rather as the brilliant efforts
Ofgenius and enterprise, than as the gross crimes
which they actually are-where, in speaking Of
them, an effort is made to soften them by the
use OF terms, by which, without doubt, those who
commit them endeayour 10 conceal their deforrn-
ity from themselves, and 10 quiet their own con-
sciences as when in the case before rs, robbery
when III termed only lifting, ana picking pock-
cts, only borrowing money and where, espe-
cIaly their vices are represented as associated
with virtues, which serve as a compensation, and
the character OF the crime is attempted 10 be
soitened by the bestowment of the plumber in
charity ; and, finally, where the story Of an al
most unparalleled series OF Crimes Is given in
way rather 10 make them laugh than to make
them shulder--there tho effect must be bad
This IS the objection that make 90 the book
be. US and IT Is applicable IN all its extent
ami force.
We have another objection to this narrative,
of a kind not unlike the foregoing. Tie writer
seems to have taken particular pains to persuade
US, that the death Of this wretcbed man was that
of hero and good Christian.--He repols the
suggestion that Mar n discovered any emotions
OF fear or alarm as tie last hour drew nigh. as
he witnessed the preparations for his execution,
as he assembled the fatal platform. He would
have US believe that after this airocious villain
had made his last extraordinary bnt unsuccess-
tul attempt to escape, and had given up ell hopes
of afterwards accomplishing it, his mind under
went most favourable change aud havinr
made his confessions to the priest, and received
the holy sacrament which to our view, appears
I 10 be nothing short OF a PROCLAMATION Of that sa-
cred rite; and having obtained absoution tie
bestowment of which, though claimed as priv
I iege on the part of the Romish Church. Is. in
the opinion of this Protestant community. m
unhaiowed usurpation; he deems bis crimes ey
plated, and is prepared 10 die with the selfcom
placency Of good man. satisfied, ACCORDING to
! his own account, from which we think sometime
may be inferred as 20 the sincerity of his peni
tcnce) that the continuance of his life would only
restore him to the same course of crimes. which
was now about to be cut of bv the righteous
judgment OF the laws. On the whole we can
hardly conceive Of any thing Of this nature OF
more pernicious moral tendency with , copsid-
cradle part Of the community, or more likely n
encourage and embolden men in the commission
of crimes than such history as this-in which
we see young man. after long course of most
atrocious and bold iniquity, always successful in
his crimes, and always escaping detection in the
most extraordinary manner, until the last act
and when apprehended and condemned. and
\ there remained 10 chance of escape. represented
as suddenly atoning for his crimes bv his con-
LESSONS, receiving sentence Of forgiveness. and
an assurance Of future felicity from Minister
Of religion, expressing wish that others could
know how easy and happy he felt; and then de-
parting IN a manner rather 10 excite sympathv
and admiration, than the detestatisn and horror
which his crimes and their terrible consequences
ought TO inspire !"
/ Ptdad Clodks.--No man can enjoy any com,
fort IN our present deplorable weather, (savs The
charleston Courier) unless he provides himself
with good plaid cloak. 1t is the most formld-
able shield against the piercing nvasions Of wat
er, which rudely runs its hand into our bosom,
e'iu SO'<Ca lbC Oi llle--BoSluGS the CRATE
ful warmth OF the plaid, there is cheerfulpess
IN Its color, and an expansive beneyolencc Ill is
folds, winch enables you to protect cBy sLiyerng
associate, as hen gathers her chickens under
her wings.
| Tice-Presiders To1aphins--We observe. bv
an advertisement il the public papers, that ali
the property, real and personal Of Tie vice pres
ident Of the United States, IS assigned over for
the benefit OF his creditors and his larre and IL
egant mansion-honsc on Staten Island. Is ID IN
rented from the lst OF April next Mr. Tor,n-
lEins. who might have been decent. rpsre /.
bic man, il is understood, has fallen sacrneei
70 the destructive effects ofhis own irnprudepce.
| Sheep.-A writer II the Utica Sentinel. saws
MS sheep, having access TO 4 heap of apnie pun,
is, led on 1t all winter, and that ther were new
er before IN SO good a condition. The rnnice
seems 70 supply, in degree, the place Of the
green heritage and succu!ent food, TO which
they were accustomed during summer This y
the time to destroy tick n sheep, which Il best
done by opening the WOO! on the shoulder TANKS
and back and Stalking Scotch snuf from . in
pep7er-f3cx i1tr tho N-r-Dl