claring, what I hope will appear to many, and what many circumstances make probable, that I did not in tend finally to defraud: nor will it become me to apportion my own punishment by alleging that my sufferings have been not much less than my guilt. I have fallen from reputation, which ought to have made me cautious; and from a fortune, which ought to have given me content. I am sunk at once into poverty and scorn: my name and my crime fill the ballads in the streets; the sport of the thought less, and the triumph of the wicked! It may seem strange, my lord, that, remembering what I have lately been, I should still wish to continue what I am! but contempt of death, how speciously soever it may mingle with heathen virtues, has nothing in it suitable to Christian penitence. Many motives impel me to beg earnestly for life. I feel the natural horror of a violent death, the universal dread of untimely dissolution. I am desirous to recompense the injury I have done to the clergy, to the world, and to religion; and to efface the scandal of my crime by the example of my repentance: but, above all, I wish to die with thoughts more composed, and calmer preparation. The gloom and confusion of a prison, the anxiety of a trial, the horrors of suspense, and the inevitable vicissitudes of passion, leave not the mind in a due disposition for the holy exercises of prayer and self-examination. Let not a little life be denied me, in which I may, by meditation and contrition, pre

pare myself to stand at the tribunal of Omnipotence, and support the presence of that Judge who shall distribute to all according to their works-who will receive and pardon the repenting sinner, and from whom the merciful shall obtain mercy. For these reasons, my lords, amidst shame and misery, I yet wish to live; and most humbly implore that I may be recommended by your lordship to the clemency of his majesty.'

Here he sunk down overcome with mental agony; and some time elapsed before he was sufficiently recovered to hear the dreadful sentence of the law, which the Recorder pronounced upon him in the following words:—

Doctor William Dodd,-You have been convicted of the offence of publishing a forged and counterfeit bond, knowing it to be forged and counterfeited;* and you have had the advantage which the laws of this country afford to every man in that situation—a fair, an impartial, and an attentive trial. The jury, to whose justice you appealed, have found you guilty; their verdict has undergone the consideration of the learned judges, and they found no ground to impeach the justice of that verdict: you yourself have admitted the justice of it; and now the very painful duty that the necessity of the law imposes upon the Court, to pronounce the sentence of that law against you, remains only to be performed. You appear to entertain a very proper sense of the enormity of the offence which you

have committed: you appear, too, in a state of contrition of mind, and, I doubt not, have duly reflected how far the dangerous tendency of the offence you have been guilty of is increased by the influence of example, in being committed by a person of your character, and of the sacred function of which you are a member. These sentiments seem to be yours I would wish to cultivate such sentiments; but I would not wish to add to the anguish of a person in your situation by dwelling upon it. Your application for mercy must be made elsewhere; it would be cruel in the Court to fatter you; there is a power of dispensing mercy, where you may apply. Your own good sense, and the contrition you express, will induce you to lessen the influence of the example by publishing your hearty and sincere detestation of the offence of which you are convicted; and that you will not attempt to palliate or extenuate, which would indeed add to the degree of the influence of a crime of this kind being committed by a person of your character and known abilities. I would therefore warn you against any thing of that kind. Now, having said this, I am obliged to pronounce the sentence of the law, which is " That you, Doctor William Dodd, be carried from hence to the place from whence you came; that from thence you are to be carried to the place of execution, when you are to be hanged by the neck until you are dead." To this Dr. Dodd replied, Lord Jesus receive my soul !

Great exertions were now made to save Dr. Dodd. The newspapers were filled with letters and para graphs in his favour. Individuals of all ranks exerted themselves in his behalf, the members of several charities which had been benefitted by him joined in application to the

throne for mercy; parish officers went in mourning from house to house, to procure subscriptions to a petition to the king; and this petition, which, with the names of nearly thirty thousand persons, filled twenty-three sheets of parchment, was actually presented. Even the lord mayor and common council went in a body to St. James's, to solicit mercy for the convict. These were, however, of no avail. On the 15th of June the privy council assembled, and deliberated on the cases of the several prisoners then under condemnation; and in the end a warrant was ordered to be made out for the execution of Dr. Dodd, with two others (one of whom was afterwards reprieved), on the 27th of the same month.

Having been flattered with the hopes of a pardon, he appeared to be much shocked at the intimation of his approaching destiny; but resumed in a short time a degree of fortitude, sufficient to enable him to pass through the last scene of his life with firmness and decency. On the 26th he took leave of his wife and some friends, after which he declared himself ready to atone for the offence he had given to the world. His deportment was meek, humble, and devout, expressive of resignation and contrition, and calculated to inspire sentiments of respect for his person, and concern for his unhappy fate.

He was attended to the fatal spot, in a mourning-coach, by the Rev. Mr. Villette, Ordinary of Newgate, and the Rev. Mr. Dobey. Another criminal, named John Harris, was executed at the same time. It is impossible to give an idea of the immense crowds of people that thronged the streets from Newgate to Tyburn. When the prisoners arrived at the fatal tree, and were placed in the cart, Dr. Dodd ex

horted his fellow-sufferer in so generous a manner as testified that he had not forgotten the duty of a clergyman, and was very fervent in the exercise of his own devotions, Just before the parties were turned off the doctor whispered the executioner. What he said is not ascertained; but it was observed that the man had no sooner driven away the cart than he ran immediately under the gibbet, and took hold of the doctor's legs, as if to steady the body, and the unhappy man appeared to die without pain.

Of his behaviour before execution a particular account was given by Mr. Villette, Ordinary of Newgate, in the following terms:

'On the morning of his death I went to him, with the Rev. Mr. Dobey, Chaplain of the Magdalen, whom he had desired to attend him to the place of execution. He appeared composed; and, when I asked him how he had been supported, he said he had had some comfortable sleep, by which he should be the better enabled to perform his duty.

As we went from his room in our way to the chapel, we were joined by his friend, who had spent the foregoing evening with him, and also by another clergyman. When we were in the vestry adjoining to the chapel, he exhorted his fellowsufferer, who had attempted to destroy himself, but had been prevented by the vigilance of the keeper. He spoke to him with great tenderness and emotion of heart, entreating him to consider that he had but a short time to live, and that it was highly necessary that he, as well as himself, made good use of their time, implored pardon of God under a deep sense of sin, and looked to that Lord by whose merits alone sinners could be saved. He desired me to call in the other gentlemen, who likewise

assisted him to move the heart of the poor youth: but the doctor's words were the most pathetic and effectual. He lifted up his hands, and cried out " O Lord Jesus! have mercy upon us! and give, O give unto him, my fellow-sinner, that, as we suffer together, we may go together to heaven!" His conversation to this poor youth was so moving, that tears flowed from the eyes of all present.

When we went into the chapel to prayer and the holy communion, true contrition and warmth of devotion appeared evident in him throughout the whole service. After it was ended, he again addressed himself to Harris in the most moving and persuasive manner, and not without effect; for he declared that he was glad he had not made away with himself, and said he was easier, and hoped he should now go to heaven. The doctor told him how Christ had suffered for them; and that he himself was a greater sinner than he, as he had sinned more against light and conviction, and therefore his guilt was greater; and that, as he was confident that mercy was shown to his soul, so he should look to Christ, and trust in his merits.

He prayed God to bless his friends who were present with him, and to give his blessing to all his brethren the clergy; that he would pour out his Spirit upon them, and make them true ministers of Jesus Christ, and that they might follow the divine precepts of their heavenly Master. Turning to one who stood near him, he stretched out his hand, and said, "Now, my dear friend, speculation is at an end; all must be real! What poor ignorant beings we are!" He prayed for the Magdalens, and wished they were there, to sing for him the 23d Psalm.

After he had waited some time for the officers, he asked what o'clock

it was; and, being told that it was half an hour after eight, he said " I wish they were ready, for I long to be gone." He requested of his friends, who were in tears about him, to pray for him; to which he was answered, by two of them, "We pray more than language can utter." He replied "I believe it.'

At length he was summoned to go down into a part of the yard which is enclosed from the rest of the gaol, where the two unhappy convicts and the friends of the doctor were alone. On his seeing two prisoners looking out of the windows, he went to them, and exhorted them so pathetically, that they both wept abundantly. He said once, "I am now a spectacle to men, and shall soon be a spectacle to angels."

Just before the sheriff's officers came with the halters, one who was walking with him told him that there was yet a little ceremony he must pass through before he went out. He asked "What is that?" "You will be bound." He looked up, and said, “Yet I am free; my freedom is there," pointing upwards. He bore it with Christian patience, and beyond what might have been expected; and, when the men offered to excuse tying his hands, he desired them to do their duty, and thanked them for their kindness. After he was bound, I offered to assist him with my arm in conducting him through the yard, where several people were assembled to see him; but he replied, with seeming pleasure, "No, I am as firm as a rock."

As he passed along the yard, the spectators and prisoners wept and bemoaned him; and he, in return, prayed God to bless them.

On the way to execution he consoled himself in reflecting and speaking on what Christ had suffered for him; lamented the depravity of human nature, which made sanguinary laws necessary; and said he could gladly have died in the prison-yard, as being led out to public execution tended greatly to distress him. He desired me to read to him the 51st Psalm, and also pointed out an admirable penitential prayer from “Rossell's PriBoner's Director." He prayed again for the king, and likewise for the people.

When he came near the street where he formerly dwelt he was much affected, and wept. He said, probably his tears would seem to be the effect of cowardice, but it was a weakness he could not well help; and added, he hoped he was going to a better home.

• When he arrived at the gallows he ascended the cart, and spoke to his fellow-sufferer. He then prayed, not only for himself, but also for his wife, and the unfortunate youth that suffered with him; and, declaring that he died in the true faith of the Gospel of Christ, in perfeet love and charity with all mankind, and with thankfulness to his friends, he was launched into eternity, imploring mercy for his soul for the sake of his blessed Redeemer.'+

His corpse, on the Monday fol