AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXECUTION OF THE PRISONERS, AND THEIR BEHAVIOUR AFTER THEIR CONVICTION. (From Contemporary Sources.) WILLIAM BRODIE appears to have been a man of a most singular and unaccountable character. During his confinement, and from the time of his receiving sentence till his execution, which was thirty-four days, he showed a mixture of character almost incredible. At times serious and sensible of his situation; and the next moment displaying jocularity and humour. He appeared to possess an undaunted resolution and at times even a daring boldness, frequently turning to ridicule his situation and the manner of his exit, by calling it “a leap in the dark.” This disposition continued with him till almost the last moment of his existence. He declared that, notwithstanding the censures and opinion of the world he was innocent of every crime excepting that for which he was condemned; and endeavoured to extenuate his guilt by saying that the crime for which he suffered was not a depredation committed on an individual, but on the public, who could not be impressed by the small trifle the Excise was robbed of. The hopes of obtaining a pardon or an alteration of his sentence to transportation seems strongly to have impressed his mind. In this view he immediately occupied himself in writing letters, and many of them were sensible, forcible, and well written; in particular, one to the Duke of Buccleugh, requesting his interest to be sent to Botany Bay. He complained much or the interruption he met with from the ministers attending him, and his fellow-convicts’ singing of psalms, &c. Applications were also made to the jury, to the magistrates, and counsel, and many others, to second this view; and it was natural and commendable in his friends to use every exertion in his favour. The examples, however, of a Lord Ferrers, a Dr. Dod, the Perreaus, and Ryland, the King’s engraver, are convincing proofs that the laws are not to be infringed with impunity, and that justice is impartial. The situation of criminals in the prison of Edinburgh, after condemnation, is, from unavoidable circumstances, peculiarly irksome. They are chained by one leg to a bar of iron, along side of which they may walk; and their bed is made by the side of it. Mr. Brodie was allowed a longer chain than usual, a table and chair, with pen, ink, and paper; and the visits of any of his friends and acquaintances he wished to see, till the night before his execution, when none were permitted to visit him but clergymen. To the same bar of iron on which he was chained, were, on this singular occasion George Smith, and two men condemned for robbing the Dundee Bank. Brodie was offered a separate room, but declined it.