The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 2: Who was a sailor, a soldier, a merchant, a spy, a slave; among the moors...Sala, George Augustus
General
The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 2: Who was a sailor, a soldier, a merchant, a spy, a slave; among the moors...
Sala, George Augustus
Adventure and adventurers -- Fiction
A very sad sight at this memorable Trial was the Appearance and
Demeanour of J. Murray, of Broughton, Esq., that had been the
Chevalier's Secretary,--deepest of all in his Secrets, and most loved
and trusted by him. The unhappy man, to save his Life, had betrayed his
master and turned King's Evidence, not only against Lord Lovat, but many
other unhappy Gentlemen. I never saw such a shrinking, cowering,
hang-dog figure as was made by this Person in the Box; and burned with
shame within myself to think that this should be a Man of Gentle birth,
and that had touched the hand of a King's Son--Grandson, I mean.
Accomplished scoundrel as Lovat was, even a deeper abhorrence was
excited by this Judas: when he first stood up, the Lords, after gazing
at him for a moment with Contempt, turned their Backs upon him. The
Crown Lawyers treated him in the manner that an Old Bailey Counsellor
would cross-examine an approver in a case of Larceny; and as for the
Prisoner, he just shut his eyes while Murray was giving evidence; and
when he had finished, turns to the Gentleman Gaoler, and asks, with his
eyes still shut, "Is IT gone?" meaning Judas. At which there was some
merriment.
'Twas just a month after this trial, on April 9th, that Justice was done
upon Simon Fraser. He had eaten and drunk heartily, and cracked many
scurril Jokes while under sentence, and seemed not to care Twopence
whether he was Reprieved or Not. On the fatal day he waked about three
in the morning, and prayed, or pretended to pray, with great Devotion.
At all events, we Warders heard him; and he made Noise enough. At five
he rose, and called for a glass of Wine-and-Water, after drinking which
he Read till seven. Then he took some more Wine-and-Water, and at eight
desired that his Wig might be sent to the Barber to be combed out
genteelly. Also, among some nicknacks that he kept in a casket, he
looked out a purse made somewhat in the Scotch fashion, of sealskin, to
hold the money which he desired to give to the Executioner. At half
after nine he breakfasted very heartily of Minced Veal, which he hoped
would not indigest, he facetiously remarked, ordering Chocolate and
Coffee for his Friends, whose Health he drank himself in Wine-and-Water.
At eleven the Sheriffs sent to demand his Body, when he desired all
present, save we who were at the Door, to retire, that he might say a
short prayer. Presently he calls 'em again, saying, "I am ready." At the
bottom of the first Pair of Stairs from his Chamber, General Williamson,
the Commandant of the Garrison, invited him into his room to rest
himself. He complied most cheerfully, and in French desired that he
might be allowed to take leave of his Lady, and thank her for all the
civilities--for she had sent him victuals every day from her own Table,
dressed in the French fashion, which he much affected--which she had
shown him during his confinement. But the General told him, likewise in
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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