FROM THE ORIGINAL PAINTING IN POSSESSION OF DR. ILAY ES: EDINBURGH.

Published by Blackie & Son, Glasgow

I tried to make another observation when the master was leaving the cell; but, this time I could not get the words out: my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, and my speech seemed gone: I made two desperate efforts; but it would not do-I could not utter. When they left me, I never stirred from my place on the bed. I was benumbed with the cold, probably from the sleep, and the unaccustomed exposure; and I sat crouched together, as it were, to keep myself warmer, with my arms folded across my breast, and my head hanging down, shivering: and my body felt as if it were such a weight to me that I was unable to move it, or stir. The day now was breaking, yellow-and heavily; and the light stole by degrees into my dungeon, showing me the damp stone walls and desolate dark paved floor; and, strange as it was—with all that I could do, I could not keep myself from noticing these trifling things -though perdition was coming upon me the very next moment. I noticed the lamp which the turnkey had left on the floor, and which was burning dimly, with a long wick, being clogged with the chill and bad air, and I thought to myself-even at that moment -that it had not been trimmed since the night before. And I looked at the bare naked iron bed-frame that I sat on; and at the heavy studs on the door of the dungeon; and at the scrawls and writing upon the wall, that had been drawn by former prisoners; and I put my hand to try my own pulse, and it was so low that I could hardly count it:-I could not feel-though I tried to make myself feel it-that I was going to DIE. In the midst of this, I heard the chimes of the chapel-clock begin to strike; and I thought -Lord take pity on me, a wretch! it could not be the three quarters after seven yet! The clock went over the three quarters-it chimed the fourth quarter, and struck eight. They were in my cell before I perceived them. They found me in the place, and in the posture, as they had left me.

What I have farther to tell, will lie in a very small compass : my recollections are very minute up to this point, but not at all so close as to what occurred afterwards. I scarcely recollect very clearly how I got from my cell to the press-room. I think two little withered men, dressed in black, supported me. I know I tried to rise when I saw the master and his people come into my dungeon; but I could not.

In the press-room were the two miserable wretches that were to suffer with me; they were bound with their arms behind them, and their hands together; and were lying upon a bench hard by, until I was ready. A meagre-looking old man, with thin white hair, who was reading to one of them, came up, and said something