of which comprised three large cuts of beef steak, which he totally disposed of. Thus fortified he was in good condition for the Rev. Mr. Thomson, w h o persisted in entreating him to make an acknowledgment of his guilt, in the hope of obtaining pardon for his sins; but to no purpose. Dauncey yvas next led back to his cell, where he donned his white shirt and trousers, and yvith his own hands put on the ill-omened white cap. Devotions yvere renewed, in which the criminal joined in a distinct and apparently cheerful voice. T h e appointments for the execution were the same as before, and Dauncey looked up at the "drop" and smiled. Politely declining the executioner's arm in the ascent of the ladder, and bowing that functionary on before him, he closely followed, and on reaching the top briskly kicked off his shoes. H e advanced close to the wall, and elevating his voice he thus spoke :—" Gentlemen, and all of you ; I have just a few words to say to you; I hope you will all take warning by me." (Here he stopped for some seconds, as if unable to proceed. H e seemed to make an effort to articulate ; but all utterance ceased, as if his tongue had been temporarily paralysed. H e soon recovered, and was able to proceed.) " I a m quite innocent of the crime for which I a m going to die, and I hope G o d will forgive them who syvore against me. M a y G o d bless you all 1 " Retiring a little he was immediately in the hands of the hangman, who rapidly completed his arrangements. T h e Chaplain proceeded with the burial service, in the midst of yvhich Dauncey passed without a struggle into eternity. O n this occasion there were about two thousand persons present, and their behaviour indicated m u c h improvement. There was a marked falling off in the number of w o m e n and children as compared with previous executions. Augustus Dauncey was a native of AVooten-under-edge, in Gloucestershire, England. H e was born on the 25th July, 1829, and was in his nineteenth year. H e was by trade a blacksmith ; had been half-a-dozen times in prison, and ultimately was sentenced to seven years' transportation. H e was transferred to the Parkhurst Reformatory, where his conduct was good, and he was permitted to become yvhat was known as an " Exile." O n the passage to Melbourne, he made the acquaintance of the murdered lad, yvho conceived a strong affection for him, and regarded him in the light of a protector. During his incarceration no criminal could be better behaved, nor, considering his years, display more fortitude. So well did prison life agree with him, that he fattened on it, an incident recorded of no other criminal cast for death. A singular occurrence happened in connection with this tragedy. O n the morning of the execution there was found a heap of stones piled on the spot at Stoney Creek where Lucke was murdered, and on the top yvas planted a small, rudely constructed gallows, from which dangled the figure of a doll. This yyas removed by the police, but the next day there was a second doll exhibit, and on the disappearance of this, the third morning yvitnessed the suspension of a piece of wood in the doll's place. This was regarded as a demonstration of feeling by some of Lucke's shipmates. In the course of the yveek the Sheriff placed at the service of the Melbourne newspapers a yvritten statement prepared by Dauncey. It yvas an ingeniously and evasively constructed narrative, in yvhich the author persisted in asserting his innocence. It yvent back to his early life, and his honest and industrious parentage, his father being a small farmer and market gardener. H e was the only member of a family of seven, who had ever been in prison. His troubles began by disobeying his parents, Sabbath breaking, and running away from home. H e was grateful for the consideration shown him by Mr. and Mrs. AVintle (the gaoler and his wife), and the kind offices of the Rev. Mr. Thomson, Miss Langlands, a Mr. Smith, and Mr. Joseph Lowe. THE MOUNT ROUSE AVIFE SLAYER.—I8TH OCTOBER, 185 I.
Patrick Kennedy convicted of the murder of his wife, was after his condemnation, religiously ministered to by Dr. Geoghegan, the senior pastor of the R o m a n Catholic Church, the Revs. J. J. Bleasedale, H . Geoghegan, and Madden. It was decided by the Executive that the point of law reserved at the trial should receive every consideration, and it was accordingly transmitted to the Full Court at Sydney. T h e prisoner, therefore, in any case, would have the benefit of " a long day ;" for supposing the decision to be averse to him, his execution could not take place for some weeks. During the terrible interval of his suspension between life and death, the condemned criminal passed his time in quiet and resignation, indulging in fitful gleams O'f hope of a reprieve, never to be realised. In addition to the ecclesiastical staff before mentioned, a youth named O'Farrell, was delegated to read frequently to the prisoner. If this youth had bad the gift
