Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-04-19
The Wife Of John Bunyan.


1t has been observed by some one, we cannot
recollcct who, that there is only one instance in
the whole history OF England of woman max.
iDp her appearance at Westminster Hall, aud
before the Judges Of Assize. in order to make
formal defeuce in tavcr of the unfortunate.
That woman was the young aud interesting
wife OF John Buuyan, who had become sacri-
fee for conscience sake.
Although Elizabeth stands alone among her
sex as au advocate, yet there never was offered
more eloquent and uDsophistioated defence
than that which she made on behalf of her
husband. She, first OF all, had the courage to
appear before the House of Lords, to ask the
Supreme Court Of Appeals to relax the rIgors
of prosecuting law. Their Lordships, it is said,
rudeiy told bcr to 60 to the Judges OF Asslze,
who had condemned her husband, and without
fail she did so. At the Asslze Sir Matthew
Hale presided, and he was accompanied by
Judge Twisden, magistrate OF terocrous tem-
perament, whose couutenaUce and demeanor
strangely contrasted with the mlldDeSs and
placdity of the Lord Chief justice. We are
Indebted to Johu Buuyou himself for descTip-
tiou of the conduct of Judge TwiSdeu on the
memorable OCCASION He says: Judge Twis-
deo snapt at my poor wife, Elizabeth, and
aperily told her that her husband was con-
victed persoo, aud could not b. released unless
he would preach no more
But Elizabeth, however much she loved her
husband, Was more enamUred OF tie gospel,
and she gave the court TO understand that her
husband could not purchase freedom a the ex-
pcnse of keeping silence about the mercy aud
compassion OF God.
1T is false" continued Elizabeth ito say
that he has doDe wrong; for at the meetings
where they preached they had Gods presence
with them.
''Will he leave off preaching?" roared Twis.
deu.
My Lord" said Elizabeth, "he dares not
leave off preaching as long as he can speak.
But my Lords, she proceeded with tears in
her eyes, lust consider that We have four
sua children, one of them blind, and all Of
them have nothing to live upon while their
ia her is in prison, but the charity of Christian
people. o my Lords, myself 'sn,ayed at the
news wheD my husband was apprrhcuded, and
being but young and uoaccustomed to such
things, fell in labor and Was delivered OF a
dead child.
This was too much for Sir Matthew Hale,
who now inte5posed with the ejaculation !:
Alas poor woman" He then inquired what
was her husbands calling.
"A ticker, please you nv L,rd,' said his
wife, "aud because he il tinker and a poor
man, he is dcspised, and cannot have justice.
Law is stronger than tears. The Lord Chief
Justice told her that her husband had broken
III he told her that there was but one person IN
iie realm that could pardon her husband, and
thar person was the king. But how was the
broken hearted wife Of tinker to 6nd her way
to the footstool of a monarch -? ALAS poor
woman he said, Il am sorry for your pitable
case"
r. 4zabeth DOW became convinced how vain it
was TO expect justic. aud mercy from an earth ly
tribunal, and with heroic glory which can only
be found in the annals OF the Christian faith,
she pointed to her tears as she departed, and
uttered words which never should die as long
as the Euglsh language exists.
See these tears, said she, but | do not
weep for myself weep for you, when think
what au account such poor creatures as you
will have to give at the coming Of the Lord. T"
This scene took place, We will add, not only
before John Bunyan was known as the author
of book, but before he had ever conceived
the outlines Of his ''Pllgrim's Progress. He
Was kept 10 Jail 10 order that be might not
preacn but by this persecution ne Was en
abed to write book 10 his prison cell, which
has preached to Engand for many generations.
and which will edify aud enlghten the world
to the remotest posterlty.
MoDEs OF DYING.-Augustus Caesar chose
to die in standing position and was careful
iu arranging his person aud dress for the occs-
sion. julius Cn ,ar, when slain by the conspl-
rators 10 the Capitol, concealed his face be-
meath the folds Of his toga, so that his enemies
might DOT see the death panZ upon his couute-
nance. Siward, Earl OF Northumberland,
when at the point of death quilted his bed and
put on his armor, saying: III becomes not a
uan to die like beast. Maria Louisa OF
Austria, short time before she breathed her
lasr, had fallen into an apparent slight sluD
ber, aud one of the ladies 10 attendance re
marked that Her Majesty seemed to be asleep.
mo, replied she: II could sleepif would
indulge rcposc, but am sensible of the near
approach of DEATH aud would not allow my
self to be surprised by him iu my sleep; | wish
to meet him wide awake" Lord Nelson, 90
receiving the fatal shot, said to Captain Hardy ::
They have done for me at last, Hardy; my
ence Of miad. while carried b"Iuw, t. take out
his handkerchief and cover his face and stars,
to be concealed from the gaze pf the crew.
And last of all, the great Bouaparte died in bis
h.li marshal's uniform and boots, which he
had ordered to be put on a short time previous
to his dissolution.
There are 10, 900 meu aud women aud n 900
children who live 10 the canal boats on the
Eugllsh rivers and cauals.
When Adam got tired Of naming his desce6.
dants, aod when be got half through he sad,
lets quit and call the rest Smith,
I HAS BEEN FOUND!
Did you try }. SCHNEIDERS FIVE CT.
SEGAK? Warranted Havana filler. If not
do SO at once Call for the OPERA. The great
eSt inducement ever offered. He has also
great curiosity tor sale in the shape of CEN
TENNlAL PIPE. which absorbs al the nico
tine, and gives the smoker the pure flavor O.