"The law says to the subjects, with a voice only inferior to that of the Deity, 'Vengeance is mine.' The instant that there is time for passion to cool, and reason to interpose, an injured party must become aware, that the law assumes the exclusive cognizance of the right and wrong betwixt the parties, and opposes her inviolable buckler to every attempt of the private party to right himself. I repeat, that this unhappy man ought personally to be the object rather of our pity than our abhorrence, for he failed in his ignorance, and from mistaken notions of honour. But his crime is not the less that of murder, gentlemen, and, in your high and important office, it is your duty so to find. Englishmen have their angry passions as well as Scots; and should this man's action remain unpunished, you may unsheath, under various pretences, a thousand daggers betwixt the Land's-end and the Orkneys." The venerable judge thus ended what, to judge by his emotion and tears, was really a painful task. The jury, accordingly brought in a verdict of guilty; and Robin Oig M'Combich, _alias_ M'Gregor, was sentenced to death, and executed accordingly. He met his fate with firmness, and acknowledged the justice of his sentence. But he repelled indignantly the observations of those who accused him of attacking an unarmed man. "I give a life for the life I took," he said, "and what can I do more?" [17] _We_ remember the proverb, "Honour among thieves." [18] But we cannot so far forget our country as to be indifferent to them.--See a passage in the _Two Drovers_. * * * * * A PERSIAN FABLE. A little particle of rain, That from a passing cloud descended, Was heard thus idly to complain:-- "My brief existence now is ended. Outcast alike of earth and sky, Useless to live, unknown to die." It chanced to fall into the sea, And there an open shell received it; And, after years, how rich was he, Who from its prison-house relieved it: The drop of rain has formed a gem, To deck a monarch's diadem. _Amulet_. * * * * * THE GATHERER. "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's stuff."--_Wotton_. * * * * * NEW READING. A witty wight, on seeing the following line in our last, _Necessitas non habet_ leg_em_, supplied this new reading, Necessity without a _leg_ to stand upon. * * * * * O. P. RIOTS. "What is doing to-night?" asked Kemble, of one of the ballet-masters; "Oh pis (O P) toujours, Monsieur," was the reply. * * * * * A CURIOUS FACT.