children, was the circumstance which made the deepest impression on his mind. That the cruel intelligence might not be conveyed to Mrs. Smith by the unfeeling tongue of common report, he employed one of the company who guarded him to write an account of the transaction to Dr. Duncan, one of the ministers of Dumfries; requested him to communicate the information to his wife in the "gentlest manner that the circumstances of the case would allow." This letter was conveyed to Dumfries by a person who had some acquaintance with the prisoner, and who happened to be passing whilst the man was engaged in writing it. It was received by Dr. Duncan about ten o'clock that night, and he lost no time in performing the painful task which it enjoined. The poor woman was partly prepared for the horrible relation. She had heard a vague report, and dreaded the worst. Dr. Duncan found her in a state little short of distraction. He had no comfort to offer, but such as her mind was not then in a proper frame to receive; and after saying and doing everything which humanity could suggest, he left her with a determination to return as soon as the first tumult of her feelings had subsided, and religious considerations might be expected to make some impression.

In the meantime, the wretched man remained in the most deplorable condition. His feelings, worn out with excessive perturbation, would sometimes subside into a death-like stupor, and then collecting strength from his temporary rest, would burst out afresh in all the agonies of despair. In this situation he continued till next day about noon, when the Stewart-depute of Kirkcudbright, Sir Alexander Gordon, of Culvennan, having received information of the murder, arrived at Druinjohn, and, with his usual activity and acuteness, immediately set on foot a precognition. On this occasion, Smith emitted a declaration, which, on account of its candour and distinctness, left a favourable impression on the minds of the hearers; as it bore the strongest evidence, that he neither wished to conceal nor palliate any part of the truth. As soon as the precognition was concluded, he was escorted to Kirkcudbright, and that same night committed to one of the cells of the public jail. Here he remained till a few days previous to his trial, and was treated with humanity. His mind, however, continued for some time in a state of the most inexpressible agony. By night, and by day, the image of the poor murdered man haunted his imagination, and disturbed his reason. He fancied

that he saw him sometimes falling lifeless on the ground, and at other times starting from the grave, and calling on heaven for vengeance. On such occasions he felt the torments of the damned, and imagined that hell itself could have no horrors to surpass them. He now thought of applying for relief to the comforts of religion but, alas! religion had no comfort for an unpardoned murderer. He procured a Bible; and, when his calmer moments would permit, perused it with reverence and attention. He marked with eagerness the words of encouragement, and endeavoured to apply them to his own unhappy case; but conscience revolted against the attempt. He read that "no murderer has eternal life abiding in him ;" and this sentence blasted all his hopes. His soul shuddered with prodigious terror; he beat his breast, he tore his hair, and cried aloud in the madness of agony.

He was hitherto, however, only affected by the terrors of the law. He dreaded the vengeance of man; he dreaded infinitely more the vengeance of God: but he did not, as yet, see vice in its native deformity, nor abhor it for its own sake: he earnestly desired, however, to be instructed. He prayed with fervour, and read such devout books as the jailor or his

friends could procure for him. His fears by degrees began to subside, and hope, at intervals. mingled with his despair. He rested his expectations on some vague ideas of the mercy of God; but had, as yet, no clear views of the terms of salvation offered in the Gospel. The flattering opinion, however, being once formed, was eagerly entertained, and fondly cherished, and, the state of his mind became gradually more composed. Under these impressions he remained for several weeks previous to his trial; and, when removed to Dumfries, had acquired a considerable degree of confidence in his spiritual welfare.

Smith's trial came on at Dumfries, before the Circuit Court of Justiciary, in the beginning of September. He had hitherto considered his condemnation as inevitable; and had, under this conviction, endeavoured to prepare his mind for the fatal event; but it was the opinion of his counsel, that an attempt might, with some probability of success, be made, either to prove him insane, or to invalidate the indictment, and he was strongly advised to plead not guilty. With this advice, he, after some hesitation, complied, and the trial proceeded. An endeavour was unsuccessfully made to prove a flaw in the indictment; and, after a very clear and circum