and pathetic ſpeech he was frequently interrupted by tears and emotions, too exquiſite for deſcription, and ſuch as produced a general ſympathy.—After a ſhort pauſe, the recorder addreſſed him with the utmoſt tenderneſs; ſaid he had a fair and impartial trial, which he himſelf had acknowledged; that he was happy to find he entertained a juſt ſenſe of his offence, and adviſed him to make a public acknowledgment thereof, without any paliation, as the beſt atonement his ſituation would admit. He ſaid there was no doubt a power yet remained in which mercy dwelt, but he adviſed him not to flatter himſelf with vain hopes. And now, ſays the humane judge, the very painful duty only remains of pronouncing that awful ſentence which the laws have provided for offences of ſo high a nature.—While the ſentence was pronouncing, the hangman ſtood in readineſs to perform the barbarous and unmeaning ceremony of tying the priſoner's thumbs; but the jailor, whoſe general conduct is truly amiable, prevented that diſgraceful operation. The trembling convict could hardly ſupport himſelf upon his return to his friends, who were obliged to aſſiſt him to the doleful manſions allotted for all in his melancholy ſituation.
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