Whoe’er’s been at Paris must needs know the Gre’ve,
The fatal retreat of the unfortunate brave,
Where honour and justice most oddly contribute,
To ease heroes’ pains by an halter and gibbet.
There death breaks the shackles1 which force had put on,
And the hangman completes what the judge but began;
There the squire2 of the poet, and knight3 of the post,
Find their pains no more baulked, and their hopes no more crossed.
Prior.
In former times, England had her Tyburn, to which the devoted4 victims of justice were conducted in solemn procession up what is now called Oxford5 Street. In Edinburgh, a large open street, or rather oblong square, surrounded by high houses, called the Grassmarket, was used for the same melancholy6 purpose. It was not ill chosen for such a scene, being of considerable extent, and therefore fit to accommodate a great number of spectators, such as are usually assembled by this melancholy spectacle. On the other hand, few of the houses which surround it were, even in early times, inhabited by persons of fashion; so that those likely to be offended or over deeply affected7 by such unpleasant exhibitions were not in the way of having their quiet disturbed by them. The houses in the Grassmarket are, generally speaking, of a mean description; yet the place is not without some features of grandeur8, being overhung by the southern side of the huge rock on which the Castle stands, and by the moss-grown battlements and turreted9 walls of that ancient fortress10.
It was the custom, until within these thirty years or thereabouts, to use this esplanade for the scene of public executions. The fatal day was announced to the public by the appearance of a huge black gallows11-tree towards the eastern end of the Grassmarket. This ill-omened apparition12 was of great height, with a scaffold surrounding it, and a double ladder placed against it, for the ascent13 of the unhappy criminal and executioner. As this apparatus14 was always arranged before dawn, it seemed as if the gallows had grown out of the earth in the course of one night, like the production of some foul15 demon16; and I well remember the fright with which the schoolboys, when I was one of their number, used to regard these ominous17 signs of deadly preparation. On the night after the execution the gallows again disappeared, and was conveyed in silence and darkness to the place where it was usually deposited, which was one of the vaults18 under the Parliament House, or courts of justice. This mode of execution is now exchanged for one similar to that in front of Newgate — with what beneficial effect is uncertain. The mental sufferings of the convict are indeed shortened. He no longer stalks between the attendant clergymen, dressed in his grave-clothes, through a considerable part of the city, looking like a moving and walking corpse20, while yet an inhabitant of this world; but, as the ultimate purpose of punishment has in view the prevention of crimes, it may at least be doubted, whether, in abridging21 the melancholy ceremony, we have not in part diminished that appalling22 effect upon the spectators which is the useful end of all such inflictions, and in consideration of which alone, unless in very particular cases, capital sentences can be altogether justified23.
On the 7th day of September 1736, these ominous preparations for execution were descried24 in the place we have described, and at an early hour the space around began to be occupied by several groups, who gazed on the scaffold and gibbet with a stern and vindictive25 show of satisfaction very seldom testified by the populace, whose good nature, in most cases, forgets the crime of the condemned26 person, and dwells only on his misery27. But the act of which the expected culprit had been convicted was of a description calculated nearly and closely to awaken28 and irritate the resentful feelings of the multitude. The tale is well known; yet it is necessary to recapitulate29 its leading circumstances, for the better understanding what is to follow; and the narrative30 may prove long, but I trust not uninteresting even to those who have heard its general issue. At any rate, some detail is necessary, in order to render intelligible31 the subsequent events of our narrative.
Contraband32 trade, though it strikes at the root of legitimate33 government, by encroaching on its revenues — though it injures the fair trader, and debauches the mind of those engaged in it — is not usually looked upon, either by the vulgar or by their betters, in a very heinous34 point of view. On the contrary, in those countries where it prevails, the cleverest, boldest, and most intelligent of the peasantry, are uniformly engaged in illicit35 transactions, and very often with the sanction of the farmers and inferior gentry36. Smuggling37 was almost universal in Scotland in the reigns38 of George I. and II.; for the people, unaccustomed to imposts, and regarding them as an unjust aggression39 upon their ancient liberties, made no scruple40 to elude41 them whenever it was possible to do so.
The county of Fife, bounded by two firths on the south and north, and by the sea on the east, and having a number of small seaports42, was long famed for maintaining successfully a contraband trade; and, as there were many seafaring men residing there, who had been pirates and buccaneers in their youth, there were not wanting a sufficient number of daring men to carry it on. Among these, a fellow called Andrew Wilson, originally a baker43 in the village of Pathhead, was particularly obnoxious44 to the revenue officers. He was possessed45 of great personal strength, courage, and cunning — was perfectly46 acquainted with the coast, and capable of conducting the most desperate enterprises. On several occasions he succeeded in baffling the pursuit and researches of the king’s officers; but he became so much the object of their suspicions and watchful47 attention, that at length he was totally ruined by repeated seizures48. The man became desperate. He considered himself as robbed and plundered49; and took it into his head that he had a right to make reprisals50, as he could find opportunity. Where the heart is prepared for evil, opportunity is seldom long wanting. This Wilson learned that the Collector of the Customs at Kirkcaldy had come to Pittenweem, in the course of his official round of duty, with a considerable sum of public money in his custody51. As the amount was greatly within the value of the goods which had been seized from him, Wilson felt no scruple of conscience in resolving to reimburse52 himself for his losses, at the expense of the Collector and the revenue. He associated with himself one Robertson, and two other idle young men, whom, having been concerned in the same illicit trade, he persuaded to view the transaction in the same justifiable53 light in which he himself considered it. They watched the motions of the Collector; they broke forcibly into the house where he lodged54 — Wilson, with two of his associates, entering the Collector’s apartment, while Robertson, the fourth, kept watch at the door with a drawn55 cutlass in his hand. The officer of the customs, conceiving his life in danger, escaped out of his bedroom window, and fled in his shirt, so that the plunderers, with much ease, possessed themselves of about two hundred pounds of public money. The robbery was committed in a very audacious manner, for several persons were passing in the street at the time. But Robertson, representing the noise they heard as a dispute or fray56 betwixt the Collector and the people of the house, the worthy57 citizens of Pittenweem felt themselves no way called on to interfere58 in behalf of the obnoxious revenue officer; so, satisfying themselves with this very superficial account of the matter, like the Levite in the parable59, they passed on the opposite side of the way. An alarm was at length given, military were called in, the depredators were pursued, the booty recovered, and Wilson and Robertson tried and condemned to death, chiefly on the evidence of an accomplice60.
Many thought that, in consideration of the men’s erroneous opinion of the nature of the action they had committed, justice might have been satisfied with a less forfeiture61 than that of two lives. On the other hand, from the audacity62 of the fact, a severe example was judged necessary; and such was the opinion of the Government. When it became apparent that the sentence of death was to be executed, files, and other implements63 necessary for their escape, were transmitted secretly to the culprits by a friend from without. By these means they sawed a bar out of one of the prison-windows, and might have made their escape, but for the obstinacy64 of Wilson, who, as he was daringly resolute65, was doggedly66 pertinacious67 of his opinion. His comrade, Robertson, a young and slender man, proposed to make the experiment of passing the foremost through the gap they had made, and enlarging it from the outside, if necessary, to allow Wilson free passage. Wilson, however, insisted on making the first experiment, and being a robust68 and lusty man, he not only found it impossible to get through betwixt the bars, but, by his struggles, he jammed himself so fast, that he was unable to draw his body back again. In these circumstances discovery became unavoidable, and sufficient precautions were taken by the jailor to prevent any repetition of the same attempt. Robertson uttered not a word of reflection on his companion for the consequences of his obstinacy; but it appeared from the sequel, that Wilson’s mind was deeply impressed with the recollection that, but for him, his comrade, over whose mind he exercised considerable influence, would not have engaged in the criminal enterprise which had terminated thus fatally; and that now he had become his destroyer a second time, since, but for his obstinacy, Robertson might have effected his escape. Minds like Wilson’s, even when exercised in evil practices, sometimes retain the power of thinking and resolving with enthusiastic generosity69. His whole thoughts were now bent70 on the possibility of saving Robertson’s life, without the least respect to his own. The resolution which he adopted, and the manner in which he carried it into effect, were striking and unusual.
Adjacent to the tolbooth or city jail of Edinburgh, is one of three churches into which the cathedral of St. Giles is now divided, called, from its vicinity, the Tolbooth Church. It was the custom that criminals under sentence of death were brought to this church, with a sufficient guard, to hear and join in public worship on the Sabbath before execution. It was supposed that the hearts of these unfortunate persons, however hardened before against feelings of devotion, could not but be accessible to them upon uniting their thoughts and voices, for the last time, along with their fellow-mortals, in addressing their Creator. And to the rest of the congregation, it was thought it could not but be impressive and affecting, to find their devotions mingling71 with those, who, sent by the doom72 of an earthly tribunal to appear where the whole earth is judged, might be considered as beings trembling on the verge73 of eternity74. The practice, however edifying75, has been discontinued, in consequence of the incident we are about to detail.
The clergyman, whose duty it was to officiate in the Tolbooth Church, had concluded an affecting discourse76, part of which was particularly directed to the unfortunate men, Wilson and Robertson, who were in the pew set apart for the persons in their unhappy situation, each secured betwixt two soldiers of the city guard. The clergyman had reminded them, that the next congregation they must join would be that of the just, or of the unjust; that the psalms77 they now heard must be exchanged, in the space of two brief days, for eternal hallelujahs, or eternal lamentations; and that this fearful alternative must depend upon the state to which they might be able to bring their minds before the moment of awful preparation: that they should not despair on account of the suddenness of the summons, but rather to feel this comfort in their misery, that, though all who now lifted the voice, or bent the knee in conjunction with them, lay under the same sentence of certain death, they only had the advantage of knowing the precise moment at which it should be executed upon them. “Therefore,” urged the good man, his voice trembling with emotion, “redeem the time, my unhappy brethren, which is yet left; and remember, that, with the grace of Him to whom space and time are but as nothing, salvation78 may yet be assured, even in the pittance79 of delay which the laws of your country afford you.”
Robertson was observed to weep at these words; but Wilson seemed as one whose brain had not entirely80 received their meaning, or whose thoughts were deeply impressed with some different subject — an expression so natural to a person in his situation, that it excited neither suspicion nor surprise.
The benediction81 was pronounced as usual, and the congregation was dismissed, many lingering to indulge their curiosity with a more fixed82 look at the two criminals, who now, as well as their guards, rose up, as if to depart when the crowd should permit them. A murmur83 of compassion84 was heard to pervade85 the spectators, the more general, perhaps, on account of the alleviating86 circumstances of the case; when all at once, Wilson, who, as we have already noticed, was a very strong man, seized two of the soldiers, one with each hand, and calling at the same time to his companion, “Run, Geordie, run!” threw himself on a third, and fastened his teeth on the collar of his coat. Robertson stood for a second as if thunderstruck, and unable to avail himself of the opportunity of escape; but the cry of “Run, run!” being echoed from many around, whose feelings surprised them into a very natural interest in his behalf, he shook off the grasp of the remaining soldier, threw himself over the pew, mixed with the dispersing87 congregation, none of whom felt inclined to stop a poor wretch88 taking his last chance for his life, gained the door of the church, and was lost to all pursuit.
The generous intrepidity89 which Wilson had displayed on this occasion augmented90 the feeling of compassion which attended his fate. The public, where their own prejudices are not concerned, are easily engaged on the side of disinterestedness91 and humanity, admired Wilson’s behaviour, and rejoiced in Robertson’s escape. This general feeling was so great, that it excited a vague report that Wilson would be rescued at the place of execution, either by the mob or by some of his old associates, or by some second extraordinary and unexpected exertion92 of strength and courage on his own part. The magistrates93 thought it their duty to provide against the possibility of disturbance94. They ordered out, for protection of the execution of the sentence, the greater part of their own City Guard, under the command of Captain Porteous, a man whose name became too memorable95 from the melancholy circumstances of the day, and subsequent events. It may be necessary to say a word about this person, and the corps19 which he commanded. But the subject is of importance sufficient to deserve another chapter.
收听单词发音 |
1
shackles
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| 手铐( shackle的名词复数 )； 脚镣； 束缚； 羁绊 | |
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2
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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3
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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4
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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5
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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6
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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7
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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8
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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9
turreted
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| a.(像炮塔般)旋转式的 | |
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10
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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11
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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12
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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13
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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14
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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15
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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16
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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17
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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18
vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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19
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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20
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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21
abridging
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| 节略( abridge的现在分词 )； 减少； 缩短； 剥夺（某人的）权利（或特权等） | |
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22
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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23
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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24
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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25
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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26
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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27
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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28
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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29
recapitulate
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| v.节述要旨，择要说明 | |
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30
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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31
intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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32
contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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33
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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34
heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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35
illicit
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| adj.非法的，禁止的，不正当的 | |
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36
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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smuggling
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| n.走私 | |
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38
reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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aggression
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| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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42
seaports
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| n.海港( seaport的名词复数 ) | |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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46
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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47
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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48
seizures
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| n.起获( seizure的名词复数 )；没收；充公；起获的赃物 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
reprisals
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| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
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51
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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52
reimburse
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| v.补偿，付还 | |
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53
justifiable
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| adj.有理由的，无可非议的 | |
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54
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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55
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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56
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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59
parable
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| n.寓言，比喻 | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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61
forfeiture
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| n.（名誉等）丧失 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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63
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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pertinacious
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| adj.顽固的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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69
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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70
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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71
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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72
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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74
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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75
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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80
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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alleviating
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| 减轻，缓解，缓和( alleviate的现在分词 ) | |
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dispersing
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| adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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intrepidity
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| n.大胆，刚勇；大胆的行为 | |
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Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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disinterestedness
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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