my own part, I am resigned; and I feel nothing in consequence of my approaching fate, but from what I am sensible my miserable friends must suffer on my account." Here Mr. Leeson ended, and the whole court was lost in approbation and tears. He was, however condemned, but pardoned the same day; and his character suffered so little upon this occasion, that the lord-lieutenant gave him, with his life, a place of seven hundred pounds a year; while the merchant, who had been accused from resembling him excessively, dying sometime after, without issue, left him his whole fortune, as a reward for so exemplary an act of justice and generosity. THE BABBLER, No. 116. The association of circumstances in this pathetic story, which fixed the crime of Mr. Leeson on the innocent merchant, has had, I believe, many counterparts in the annals of criminal law: the following detail, however, in which a highly probable and natural association of events was fabricated for the purposes of deception, and with complete success, is perhaps without a parallel. “A stranger, well mounted, and attended with a rich livery, one morning, in the month of July, entered a market town in Somersetshire, where the assizes were then held; and, having put up at one of the principal inns, inquired of the landlord as to the curiosities and amusements of the place. Boniface, who was extremely well qualified to answer these inquiries, assured him, with a low bow, that there was no want of entertainment, as the players were in the town, and A moreover that it was "size time;" accompanying his remarks with a recommendation, that the gentleman should by all means go to hear the trials that morning, as a highwayman was to be brought up. The stranger made some objections to this invitation, upon the ground of his being unknown, and the little chance he stood of meeting with proper accommodation. This difficulty was, however, removed by the loquacious landlord assuring him that a gentleman of his appearance would be readily admitted. Indeed, to make it more certain, he at tended him to the court-house, and represented him in such a way to his friends, the judges' clerks, that he obtained a seat at a little distance from the judge, just as the poor highwayman was about to make his defence. The appearance of the stranger, who was of elegant person and polished manners, arrested, for a moment, the attention of the court, till the prisoner was asked if he had any thing to say. The poor culprit assured the judge that he was not guilty of the robbery, and that, if he knew where to find them, there were people who could prove a clear alibi. At this moment the poor wretch happened to catch sight of the stranger; when he exclaimed, with a degree of frantic joy, "Can it be possible !" and fell backwards on the floor. He was, however, with some difficulty, recovered. When the judge humanely inquired into the cause of his extravagant behaviour, the poor wretch answered, with tears in his eyes, "Oh, my lord, how providential! that gentleman on your left hand can prove my alibi," "How !" replied the judge; "is this true? or is it merely a vain pretext to procrastinate the just sentence of the law? Pray, sir, let me ask you (continued his lordship, addressing himself to the stranger), do you know any thing of this man?" Upon this the traveller surveyed the criminal with the most scrupulous attention; and then said, “I am sorry to assure your lordship, that I do not know the prisoner." "I thought as much,” replied the judge; "it is mere trifling with justice." The prisoner, however, still insisted that the stranger knew him; and the stranger again as positively denied the assertion; till the judge, displeased at his presump tion, was about to receive the verdict of the jury. The culprit now, on his knees, entreated permission to say one word. "Indeed, my lord," cried he, "the gentleman does know me, though he may have forgotten my person. Only give me leave to ask him three questions, and it will save my life." The judge humanely consented, and the curiosity of the court was excited." Pray, sir," cried the prisoner, addressing himself to the stranger, "did not you land at Dover about a twelvemonth since?" "I believe I might," replied the gentleman. "And pray, sir, do you not recollect that a man in a sailor's jacket, carried your trunk from the beach to the tavern?" "I can't say that I remember it," returned the stranger; "but it might possibly be so." At these words the prisoner, not disheartened at the difficulties he had met with, pulled off his wig, and again interrogated the stranger: “Do you not, Sir, remember, that the man who carried your trunk on that day, sheyred you a scar he had got on his head in fighting for his king and country; and that he related the particulars of the action in which he was wounded? This is the same scar; look at it." "Good God!" exclaimed the stranger; "I do, indeed, perfectly remember the circumstance, and have every reason to believe this to be the man, though I had entirely forgotten his face: but, my lord," added the stranger, "I can put it to a certainty, for I have a memorandum of the day I arrived at Dover from Calais." The date was compared with the day laid in the indictment, and found to be the same. The whole court felt the impression, and joy was visible in every face; when, after swearing and examining the gentleman as to his name and place of abode, the foreman of the jury pronounced, Not Guilty. "A few evenings only had elapsed, when the prisoner, the stranger, and his livery-servant, were taken up on the road. their original capacities of experienced highwaymen." jn BREWER'S HOURS OF LEISURE, No. 8, p. 56, et seq. No. CIV. MR. John Wynn Baker, F.R.S. having prac tised, with the greatest success, a method of preventing the fatal effects attending cattle when swelled with eating clover, does, at the desire of the Dublin Society, invite any number of gentlemen of the different counties, to attend at his house at Laughlintown, near Celbridge, early on Tuesday the 12th of this inst. June, 1771; when he will, for the satisfaction and information of the public, shew them the certain good consequences arising from the above method, by turning a beast or two in perfect health into clover, in order to swell them, and he will then instantaneously relieve them according to his method, in the presence of such gentlemen as may be upon the spot.-Any farmer, or poor man who has cattle, shall be welcome to attend the operation." From the several Dublin Papers. To the Right Hon. William Beckford, Esq. My Lord, My character in the literary world must be my apology to your lordship for the freedom of this address.-Let me therefore recommend to your serious attention, the ingenious Mr. Baker's method of curing cows which have been surfeited by feeding on clover. As the gradation between the horned species and aldermen is scarce perceptible, I fancy that gentleman might be of infinite service at the London tavern. I am so well acquainted with your patriotism and public spirit, that I depend, with confidence, on your lordship's patronage in favour of Mr. Baker by your animating encouragement, the arts and sciences flourish in all parts of the British empire. Let it be your boast, my lord, to call forth merit from obscurity. Mr. Baker is now solely employed in preserving the lives of a few Irish cows that deserve to suffer for their gluttony, when I sincerely think, without compliment, that preserving half a dozen patriotic aldermen is of more consequence to the community. Your lordship is wise from experience; you have seen much of the world, and therefore must know, that the season for green peas, and other flatulent vegetables, is fatal to many of your brethren, and causes many vacancies at your council board. At this critical period, my lord, the sudden deaths of men of genius 1 |