The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-03-06

MED, make them appear rather as the
brilliant efforts of genius and enter
prize, 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
endeavour to conceal their deformity
from themselves, and to quiet their own
eonsciences as when in the case before
us, robbery when it is termed only lift.
ing, and picking pockets, only borros.ing
money and where, especially, their
vices are represented as associated with
virtues, which serve as compensation,
and the character of the crime is at
tempted 10 be softened by the bestow-
ment of the plumber in charity; and,
finally, where the story of an almost
unparalleled series of crimes, is given
in way rather to make them laugh
than to make them shudder---there the
effect must be bad. This is the objec-
ton that we make to the book before
us ; and it is applicable in all its extent
and force.
We have another objection TO this
narrative, of kind not unlike the fore
going. The writer seems to have taxi
en- particular pains to persuade US, that
the death of this wretched man was
that of hero and good Christian
He repels the suggestion that Martin
discovered any emotions of fear or alarm
as the last hour drew nigh, as he wit
messed the preparations for his execu-
ton, as he ascended the fatal platform.
He would have US believe that after
this atrocious villain had made his last
extraordinary but unsuccessful attempt
to escape, and had given up all hopes of
afterwards accomplishing it, his mind
underwent most favourable change !;
and having made his confessions to the
priest, and received the holy sacrament,
which, TO our views, appears to be moth
ing short of proclamation of this sacred
rite and having obtained dissolution,
the bestowment of which, though claim
ed as a privilege on the part of the
Romish Church, is, in the opinion of this
Protestant community, an unhallowed
usurpation; he deems his crimes expi-
ated, and is prepared to die with the
self-complaceney of good man sat-
isfied, according 10 his own account,
(trom which we think something may be
inferred as to the sincerity of his peni-
tence) that the continuance of his life
would only restore him to the same
course of crimes, which was now a.
bout to be cut off by the righteous
Judgment of the laws. On the whole,
we can hardly conceive of any thing of
this nature of a more pernicious moral
tendency with a considerable part of
the community, or more likely to en-
courage and embolden men in the COM
mission of crimes than such history
ms this-in which we see young man,
after long course of most atrocious and
bold iniqulty, always successful III bis
crimes, and always escaping detection in
the most extraordinary manner, until
the last act; and when unprecedented and
condemned, and there remained no
chance of escape, represented as sud-
denly atoning for his crimes by his con-
LESSONS, receiving a sentence of for
glyeness, and an assurance Of future fe-
Lefty from Minister Of religion, ex-
pressing his wish that others could know
how easy and happy he felt; and then
departing in a manner rather to excite
sympathy and admiration, than the de-
testation and horrour which his crimes
and their terrible consequences ought
to inspire -