Variorum Viewer

Chap. 14

I was soon ~~int~~ introduced into the presence of the Magistrate; an d old benevolent man with calm & mild manners. He looked

~~towards~~

^{^}

upon

me however with some degree of severity, and then turning towards my conductors wh he h asked who

~~it was that~~

~~there were who~~ appeared as witnesses on this

occasion

^{^}.

about half a dozen men came forward and one being selected by the magistrate he deposed that he had been out fishing the night before with his son &his brother-in-law, Daniel Nugent, when about nine o clock they observed a strong northerly blast rising & they accordingly put in for port. It was a very dark night as the moon had not yet risen; They did not lan

^{^}d

at the harbour but, as they had been accustomed, at a creek about two miles below. He went first carrying a part of the fishing tackle & his companions followed him at some distance. As he was walking along the sands he

~~hit~~

^{^}

struck

his foot against somthing & fell all his length on the ground; his comrades came up to assist him & by the light of their lantern they discovered that he had fallen on the body of a man who was to all appearance dead.

Their first supposition was that it was the corpse of

~~man~~

^{^}

some person

who had been drowned & thrown on shore by the waves, But

upon

examination they found that the clothes were not wet &

^{^}

even

that the body was not yet cold. They instantly carried it to the cottage of an old woman near ^{^}the spot & endeavoured

^{^}but in vain

to restore it to life ~~but~~

~~In vain~~ . He appeared to have been a handsome young man about twenty years of age. He had apparently been strangled for there

^{^}was no sign of any violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck. ¶

The first

^{^}

part

of this deposition did not in the least interrest me but when the mark of the fingers was mentioned I remembered the ~~the~~ murder of my brother & felt myself extremely agitated; my limbs t

^{^}re

mbled & a mist came over my eyes which obliged me to lean on a chair for support; the Magistrate observed me with a keen eye & of course drew ^{^}an unfavourable augury f

^{^}

^{^}r

~~it.~~

my manner. ¶

The son confirmed his fathers account but when Daniel Nugent was questioned he swore positively that just before the fall of his companion he saw a boat with a single man in it

~~push~~

~~about fifty yar~~

^{^}at a short distance

from the shore & as far as he could judge by the light of a few stars it was the same boat in which I had just landed. ¶

A woman deposed that she lived near the beach & was standing at the door of her cottage waiting for the return

~~when~~

^{^}

of the

fisherman

about

~~ten minutes~~

~~^{^}half a quarter of~~

~~^{^}half~~

^{^}

an hour

before she heard of the discovery of the body she saw a boat with only one w man in it push off from that part of the shore where the corpse was afterwards found. ¶

Another woman confirmed the ac c count of the fisherman having brought the bo

^{^}dy

into her house.–It was not cold &they put

^{^}

into a bed & rubbed it and Daniel went to the town for an appothecary, but life was quite gone. ¶

Several other men

~~deposed con~~

were examined concerning my landing & they agreed that with the strong north wind that had arrisen during the night it was very probable that I had beaten about for many hours & have been obliged to return

^{^}nearly to the same

~~place~~

^{^}

spot

from which I had

~~set out~~ departed. Besides, they

observed,

that it appeared I had brought the body from another place & it was likely that

~~I might~~

p as I did not appear to know the shore I might have put in to the harbour ignorant of the distance of the town of —— from the place where I had deposited the

~~body~~

. corpse. ¶

>M r . Kirwin on hearing this evidence desired that I should be taken into the room where the body lay for interment that it might be observed what effect the sight of it ^{^}would produce d upon me. This idea was probably suggested by the extreme agitation I had exhibited

th when the mode of the murder had been

~~describ~~ described. I was accordingly

conducted by the Magistrate & several other persons to the Inn. I could not help being struck by the strange coincidences that had taken place during this eventful night but knowing that I had been in conversing with several persons in the island I had inhabited about the time that the body

~~was~~

^{^}

had been

found

I was perfectly tranquil as to the consequences of the affair. ¶

I entered the room where the

~~body~~

^{^}

corpse

lay

& was led up to the coffin. How can I describle?my sensation. I feel yet parched with horror nor can I ever reflect on that terrible moment without shuddering & agony that faintly reminds of the anguish of

^{^}the

recognition. The trial, the presence of the magistrate & witnesses passed like a dream from my memory when I saw the lifeless form of Henry Cl

^{^}e

rval stre ^{^}t ched before me – I gasped for breath & throwing myself on the body I exclaimed. And have my murderous machinations deprived you ~~alls~~ also my dearest Henry of life— Two

~~victims~~

I have already destroyed; other victims await their destinny – But you, Cl

^{^}e

rval, my frend, my benefactor!—

The human frame could no longer support the agonizing suffering that I endured & I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions. ¶

A fever succeeded to this. I lay for two months on the point of death. My ravings, as I afterwards heard were frightful. I called myself the murderer of William of ✗—Jus Wil liam —✗, & of Justine & of Cl Cl

^{^}e

rval. Sometimes I entreated my attendants to assist me in the destruction of the fiend by whom I was tormented – and at others I felt the

~~fangs~~

^{^}

fingers

of the mosn ^{^}s ter already grasping my neck & screamed aloud with agony & terror. Fortunately as I spoke my native tongue M r . Kirwin alone understood

^{^}me

. But my gestures and bitter cries were sufficient, to affright the other witnesses. ¶

Why did I not die? More miserable than man ever was before why did I not sink into rest & forgetfullness? Death snatches away many blooming children the

~~oly~~ only hopes of their doating

~~per~~ parents;

How many brides & youthful lovers have been one day in the bloom of health &hope & the next a prey for worms & the decay of the tomb! Of what materials was I made w that I could thus resist so many shocks which like the turning of the wheel

^{^}continually renewed the torture.

But I was doomed to live & in two months found myself

^{^}

awaking from a dream, in a prison, stretched on a wretched bed surrounded by gailors–turnkeys, bolts & all the miserable apparatus of a dungeon I ^{^}t was morning I remember when I thus awoke I had forgotten

^{^}

the particulars of

what had happened & only felt as if some great misery had overcome me. But when I looked around and saw the barred windows, & the squalidness of the room in which I was, all flashed across my memory –& I groaned bitterly. This sound disturbed an old woman who was sleeping in a chair beside me. She was a hired nurse, the wife of one of the turnkeys & her countenance expressed all those bad qualities which

~~usually~~

^{^}

often

characterize ~~that~~ that class. her face was hard & rude like that of per

^{^}s

ons accustomed to see without sympathizing in sights of misery.

~~She spoke with a~~

^{^}

Her

voice

~~that~~

^{^}expressed

her entire indifference – She addressed me in Eglish & the words struck me as one that I had heard during ^{^}my suff ering ^{^}s– Are you better now,

^{^}S

ir, said she. ¶

I replied in the same language with a feeble voice; I believe I am but if it all be true – if indeed I did not dream I am sorry that I am still alive to feel misery & horror.

For that matter, replied the old

~~wan~~ woman, if you mean about the gentleman that you murdered I believe that it were better for you if you were dead – for I fancy it will go hard with you, ~~but~~ you will be hanged when the next session comes on – however that is none of my business I am sent ~~for~~ to nurse you & get you well–I do ~~no more~~ my duty with a safe conscience; it were well if everybody did the same.–

I turned ~~fro~~ with lo o athing from the woman who could utter so unfeeling a speech to

^{^}

~~man~~

^{^}

person

just saved on the very edge of death; but I felt languid and unable to reflect on all that had passed;

~~It sometimes~~

^{^}The whole series of my life

appeared as a dream I sometimes I doubted if indeed it

was not

all true but it never presented itself to my mind with the face of reality. ¶

~~But~~

^{^}A

s the images that floated before me became more distinct I grew feverish; a darkness pressed around me

~~and~~

no person was near me who soothed me with the gentle voice of love; no dear hand supported me. The ph

^{^}y

~~i ^{^}y~~

^{^}i

cian came & prescribed medecines & the old woman prepared them for me but utter carelessness was visible in the first & the

~~marks~~

^{^}

expression

of brutality

~~were~~

^{^}was

strongly impressed on the visage of the second – ~~Besides~~ who could be inte r rested in the fate of a murderer

~~none~~

but the hangman who would gain his fee? ✗—if he recovered only to die by his hands. —✗

These were my first

reflections

but I soon learned that M r . Kirwin had shewn me extreme kindness – He had caused the best room in the prison to be prepared for me, (wretched indeed was the best) And it was he who had provided a physician & attendants for me. It is true he seldom came to see me for although he ardently desired to relieve the sufferings of every human creature he did not wish to be present at the agonies and miserable ravings of a murderer— He came therefore sometimes to see that I was not neglected, but his visits

wh were short & at

^{^}l

ong intervals. ¶

One day when I was gradually recovering

^{^}I was

seated in a chair, my eyes half

^{^}open, and my cheeks livid like those of death I was overcome by gloom & misery and often reflected whether I had better

not seek death

that wait miserably pent up only to be let loose in a world replete with ~~whrect~~

^{^}wretchedness.

At one time I considered whether I should not delare myself guilty & suffer the penalty of the law which in depriving me of w life would afford the only consolation that I was capable of receiving. Such were my thoughts when the door of my prison opened and M r . Kirwin entered. His countenance expressed sympathy and kindness: he drew a chair close to mine & addressed me in french.

I fear, ~~said he~~ , that this place is very shocking to you; Can I do anything to make you more comfortable.

I thank you, replied I, but all that you mention is nothing to me;

~~No one on earth is capable~~

on the whole earth there is no comfort which I am capable of receiving.

I know, ~~said Mr. Kirwin,~~ that the sympathy of a stranger can be

^{^}but

little relief to one borne down as you are by so strange a misfortune But you will I hope soon quit this unhappy abode– for doubtless

^{^}evidence

can be easily brought to free you from the criminal charge

That, ~~I replied~~ is my least concern–I am by a course of strange events, become the most miserable of mortals. Persecuted & tortured as I am & have been can death be any evil to me?

Nothing indeed ~~said M Kirwin~~ could be more unfortunate ^{^}

agonizing

than the strange chances that have lately ~~taken~~ occurred. You were thrown, by some surprising accident, on this shore, renowned for its hospitality ~~but prejudiced against you.~~ Siezed immediately & charged with murder the first sight that was presented to your eyes was the body of your friend murdered in so unaccountable a manner and placed by some fiend as it were across your

path— ~~I What a~~

~~Could such incidents~~

As M r . Kirwin said this, notwithstanding the agitation that I

~~fel~~ endured on this retrospect of my

sufferings–I also felt considerable surprise at the knowledge he seemed to possess concerning me. I suppose some astonishment was expressed in my countenance – for M r . Kirwin hastened to say – It was not untill a day or two after your illness that I thought of examining your dress that I might discover some trace by which I could send to your relations an account of your misfortune and illness. I found several letters among others one

^{^}

which I

discovered by its commencement to be from your father – I instantly wrote to Geneva – nearly two months has passed since the departure of my letter — But you are ill – even now you tremble

^{^}You

appear unfit for agitation of any kind.

This suspence, ~~I cried~~ is a thousand times worse than the most horrible event –Tell me what new scene of dea l th has been acted & whose murder I am now to lament. Your family are all perfectly ~~well~~ well, ✗—said M r . Kirwin —✗

^{^}said M r . Kirwin

, with gentleness; and some one, a friend, is come to visit you.

I do not know by what chain of thought the idea presented itself but it instantly darted into my mind that the monster had come to mock at my misery & taunt me with the death of Cl

^{^}e

rval as a new incitement to comply with his hellish desires. I put my hand before my eyes & cried out in agony –Oh! take him away – I cannot see him for Gods sake do not let him enter! ¶

~~Mr. Kirwin changed countenance~~

M r . Kirwin regarded me with a troubled countenance. He could not help regarding my exclamation as a presumption of my guilt & said in rather severe tone – I should have thought, young man, that the presence of your Father would have been welcome instead of inpiring such violent repugnance.

My father, said, I, while every feature& every muscle was relaxed from anguish to pleasure – Is my father indeed come – how kind, how very kind! But where is he, why does he not hasten to me?

My change of manner suprised &pleased

~~Mr. Kirwin~~

^{^}the magistrate

, perhaps he thought that my former exclamation was a momentary return of delirium and now he instantly resumed his former benevolence – He rose and quitted the room with my nurse & in a minute my father entered it. ¶

Nothing at this moment could have given my greater pleasure than the arrival of my father – I stretched out my hand to him & cried – Are you then safe & Elizabeth & Ernest.

My father calmed me by his assurances of their welfare & told me that he had not communicated my imprisonment to my cousin but merely mentioned my he illness—And what a place this is that you inhabit, my son continued he looking mournfully at the barred window

^{^}s

and the wretched appearance of the room; You travelled to seek happiness but a fatality seems to

~~hang over~~

^{^}

pursue

you –And

poor Cl

^{^}e

rval.

The name of my unfortunate &murdered friend ~~agitated~~ was too great an agitation to be endured in my weak state—I shed tears; Alas, yes, my father said I,

^{^}

some

destiny of the most horrible kind hangs over ^{^}me, and I must live to fulfil it, or surely I should have died on the coffin of