The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 1/2Griffiths, Arthur
History
The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 1/2
Griffiths, Arthur
Criminals -- Great Britain; Newgate (Prison : London, England); Prisons -- England; Punishment -- Great Britain
“The murderer of her whom he preferred, far preferred to life,
respects the hand from which he has just received such an offer as
he neither desires nor deserves. His wishes are for death, not
life. One wish he has. Could he be pardoned in this world by the
man he has most injured--oh, my lord, when I meet her in another
world enable me to tell her (if departed spirits are not ignorant
of earthly things) that you forgive us both, that you will be a
father to her dear infants!
“J. H.”
The condemned man continued to fill many sheets with his reflections in
the shape of letters to his friend. But they are all rhapsodical to the
last degree. The 19th April was the day fixed for his execution, and on
that morning he rose at 5 a.m., dressed himself, and spent some time in
private meditation. About 7 a.m. he was visited by Mr. Boswell and some
other friends, with whom he went to the chaplain and partook of the
sacrament. During the procession to Tyburn he seemed much affected, and
said but little. After having hung the usual time his body was carried
to Surgeon’s Hall. He appears to have written a few last words in pencil
at Tyburn, while actually waiting to be turned off.
“My dear Charlie,” he wrote, “farewell for ever in this world. I
die a sincere Christian and penitent, and everything I hope you can
wish me. Would it prevent my example’s having any bad effect if
the world should know how I abhor my former ideas of suicide, my
crime?---- will be the best judge. Of her fame I charge you to be
careful. My poorly will....
“Your dying H.”[163]
Miss Reay was buried at Elstree, Herts., where her grave is still
pointed out.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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