22
ing of many waters, was heard so early as five o'clock in the morning.
During the whole of last evening, Burke was unusually tranquil, and even slept soundly for some time. He said to those in attendance that he had committed no more murders than those which were comprised in the declaration he made, since his conviction, to the Sheriff. He exclaimed, at one time, that the hour were come, which is to separate me from the world!" He ascribed the commencement of his enormities to a harvesting, which, we presume, was meant to imply the formation of his intimacy with M'Dougal.
Early in the morning, Burke was visited by two Catholic clergymen, the Rev. Messrs Reid and Stewart. At half-past five o'clock, he complained of the weight of his shackles, and expressed a strong desire, to have them struck off, which was at once complied with. Upon holding out his leg to the smith, and on the fetters falling from it, he exclaimed, turning up his eyes to Heaven, "So may all my earthly chains fall from me!" At seven o'clock, the culprit was brought into the keeper's room, attended by one of the priests; he walked with much firmness, nor was there the slighest agitation distinguishable about him. There were present at the time, three of the Magistrates, Bailies Child, Chrichton, and Small. What is somewhat singular, he exhibited no emotion on the executioner making his appearance. He cooly remarked, "I am not yet ready for you."
Precisely at eight o'clock, the procession began to move. When Burke, who was tightly pinioned, supported by the two priests, arrived at the place of execution, his face denoted great anxiety, as if uncertain of his reception from the immence mob, and he hurried on with his eyes half closed, seemingly eager to anticipate his fate. What was most terribly appalling, and yet most gratifying, the assembled crowd, which could not be short of 30,000 souls, rent the air with shouts of ex-
