[3] This case affords an additional confirmation of the truth of a physiological hypothesis, to which I have been led by numerous observations, and which, if true, is of considerable importance: viz. that the _nervous_ and _nervous bilious_ temperaments favour the manifestation of the _moral_ and _intellectual_ faculties, the _sanguine_ and _lymphatic_, that of the organs located in the basilar and posterior region of the brain. I have never found, within the walls of a prison, a purely _nervous_ or _nervous bilious_ temperament. THE CONFESSION OF WILLIAM MILLER, _Who was convicted of the murder of Solomon Hoffman, and executed at Williamsport, Lycoming county, Penn., on the 27th of July, 1838; made in the presence of the sheriff and attending ministers, June 7, 1838._ I was born in York county, in the state of Pennsylvania, A. D. 1815. My mother died when I was eleven years of age. My _natural disposition_, from my _earliest infancy, was grossly depraved. I seemed fatally bent on mischief_, and had a _relish_ for _dark and secret crime_; and never having received any religious education or instruction, (except from occasionally hearing the gospel preached,) my _evil passions_ and _malice_ of my nature grew with my growth, and strengthened with my years. Before my imprisonment, I had not learned any principles of religion or precepts of morality, by which I could discover the full deformity of my character, or the deep wickedness of my conduct. The after survey of my acts and conduct, and the _review of my crimes, were scarcely ever attended, with a feeling of regret. I seemed too spell bound, in my evil to relent_; and _my conduct so accorded with my evil passions that reflection was without remorse._ I was greatly addicted to _theft_. But I stole not through want so much as through the _gratification of my wicked disposition_. _This disposition_ was carried into action first when I was _nine years_ of age. I then stole an half dollar from my father, and gave it to my mother. I told her I had found it. She believed me, and bought a handkerchief for me with it. Some time after the death of my mother, my father and family removed from York county to Lycoming county, and resided in the Block-house settlement. I lived with the family there till I attained the age of nineteen years. During my stay at the Block-house settlement, previously to learning a trade, I _stole a pocket knife_ while at a religious meeting, held at the house of Mr. Knodle. I then became more bold, and having discovered where Samuel Hartman kept his money, I _attempted to rob_ him, by breaking into his drawer; but in that I did not succeed. Soon after this, I was living a short time in the family of Mrs. Bastian, who then, and always, treated me with great kindness. I _stole_ from her twenty-five cents.