Notwithstanding the seeming insanity which characterized these works of his in the prison, yet other parts of his performance there indicated the most astonishing genius and invention; perhaps in a manner and degree unequalled in the memory of man. On the 1st of March, on entering his prison in the evening, we found him walking in front of an _effigy or likeness of his wife_, which he had made and placed before him against the wall as large as life. When the light was thrown upon this scene, which he had prepared and got up in the dark, it not only filled us with amazement, but drew out all the sensibilities of the heart with the magic of a tragedy, not so much imaginary as real. This effigy he intended to represent his wife, visiting his wretched abode, and manifesting signs of disconsolation, anguish and despair, on beholding her wretched husband moving before her in chains and fetters, with dejected mien, and misery and despair depicted in his countenance. The effigy was formed out of his bedding and the clothes and shirt he tore off his body, together with a trough three or four feet in length, which was used in the jail to contain water for his drink. Rough as the materials were, yet he displayed such ingenuity in its formation, and conducted the scene in a manner so affecting, that the effect it produced when viewed with the light of the candles, was really astonishing, and had a kind of magical power in drawing out the sympathies of every one who witnessed it. He continued noisy and troublesome till the 5th of March, when we took his irons off, and caused him to wash himself and comb his hair, which had not been cut since he was put in jail; neither had his beard been shaved. On receiving a piece of soap for washing, he ate a part, and used the rest. We then gave him a clean shirt, which he put on himself with the rest of his clothing, after which we replaced his irons, which he received in the same manner as an ox would his yoke, or a horse his harness. [Illustration] CHAPTER VI. Second Trial Ordered—Smith Continues to Break Chains and Relieved Himself of Fetters Rivetted on by a Blacksmith—Reads Bible and Makes Straw Figures—Feigns Insanity when Placed on Trial—Refused to Plead—Found Guilty and Sentenced to Death.