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to your Lordships to perform. But it is impossible, in considering the whole circumstances of this distressing case, not to advert to that extraordinary—that most the exampled, and that most unexampled, and that most atrocious system, which every one must feel has been developed by the evidence which has been brought forward. I am sure, and I speak in the presence of your Lordships, who can correct me if wrong, that in the whole history of the country—I may say in the history of civilised society—nothing has ever been exhibited that is in any respect parallel to this case. Murders have been commited before now; crimes of all descriptions have unhappily been too common; but we had flattered ourselves that our country was in a great measure free from the stigma of any great or heinous atrocity committed within its bounds. That there should have been found, therefore, not one but many, leagued and combined together, in order to sacrifice their unoffending fellow-creatures, for the wretched purpose of disposing of their bodies, is to the last degree humiliating. The very announcement of such a system is sufficient to raise ideas of horror which it would be vain to search for words adequately to express. When I take a view of the other features of this case, it exhibits a picture of iniquity which the greatest stretch of imagination can hardly take in, yet it was so clearly brought out in proof, that I am sure it must carry conviction to every one who heard the evidence. It is provided that the prisoner, in going up the street after some of his usual avocations in the morning, fell in with the poor, unprotected old woman, with whom it is quite clear that he was perfectly unaquainted before. Now began his arrangements for ensnaring his victim. With the immediate feeling upon him of the object which he had in view, he claims kindred with her by a fictitous name; and by pretence of kindness endeavours to gain on her affections. He entices her into his house, and there continued his friendship to her, insomuch that she
