with various feelings, which, however, gave way to one of mingled admiration and astonishment among all, as they saw him coolly advance towards the furious animal, who stood tionary the while, and again and again veering hither and thither to avoid her blind rage, bury his sword in some vital part of her frame. The lioness tumbled on the sand dead.

The gladiator breathing hard, deluged in gore, standing beside the monster, gazed indifferently round, as one in whom the fear of death, braved so often, had expired.

Whereupon an immense clamour, a many-voiced cry of vengeance rose from the lower seats, whose occupants rising demanded that a third lion should be brought forth. But at the same instant all such voices were overwhelmed by the outnumbering multitude above, who, inspired with a sense of pity and admiration of the Gaul's bravery, appeared resolved that he should be rescued; upon which after a little, the editor of the sports, casting his eyes round the amphitheatre and seeing the vast masses of people with thumbs reversed, demanding the execution of their will, he gave orders that the slave should be led from the arena;-an order presently carried into effect amid thunders of acclaim.

"Tis the slaves devoted to the Christian superstition who have saved this fellow," an old senator said, looking up with flushed and angry countenance around the higher benches. "It is time a census ascertains their number; stringent means are necessary, now that we have become isolated in such an ocean; 'tis time an imperial edict terminates this superstition."

"What is the name of this gladiator?" inquired a Roman of his friend. "Nectanius, I am told."

"That's your Roman way of pronouncing," said a richly dressed merchant of Gaul, on the next bench, speaking with much volubility. "The man's name is Nechtain, I am acquainted with his history; he is the

son of a chieftain of my nation, taken prisoner in the wars of the late emperor, and purchased in hither Gaul by the amphitheatre agents. Life is full of strange chances! That gladiator traces his descent from the great leader of the Gallic tribes, taken as a hostage by divus Cæsar."

"What, Vercingetorix!-the grandson of a king!" exclaimed a young advocate.

"We have no kings in Gaul," returned the merchant. "When a war occurs, the most able leader is chosen to command the tribes; such was Nechtain's ancestor, not as you say, Vercingetorix, but Fear cinn gach tauris, the man at the head of every expedition, the greatest hero in the nation. This Nechtain, who has fought so well to-day, could have made his livelihood in Rome by teaching rhetoric, for which, like most of us, he has a turn, had he not associated with the Christians, as many of his countrymen have done."

"Christians-what wretches!" exclaimed a Roman. "I've heard they eat human flesh at their feasts."

"Of that there can be no doubt," his neighbour returned in a satisfied tone. “That many of the Gauls should join their communion is not extraordinary, as I've learned from a trader who travelled to the end of the western country of the barbarians, that several of these tribes, not to speak of those of Britain, its neighbouring islands, and the Cimbric peninsula, are cannibals.”

"Well, how like you our sports?" said Publicus to Susarion.

"Immensely," the latter returned coolly. "I see it is by familiarizing the people with death, their rulers have made them a nation of conquerors."

"We, Romans, live between the temples of Venus and Libitina," said Publicus, gaily; "but come, you will have enough of this sort of thing if you remain in Italy-come, let us to one of the theatres, after which, when night sets in, we shall look up some curious phases of night life in the city."

IN 1802, Governor Wall was hanged for a murder committed twenty years before; and in 1803, Colonel Despard underwent the extreme penalty for high treason, after having loyally served his king and country for more than thirty years. The evidence was considered ample on both sides- we do not say otherwise; but the law was more readily satisfied in those days than it is now. The proofs on which Miss Blandy suffered death for poisoning her father, in 1752, would obtain no conviction in 1865. The Irish Executive reprieved Kirwan, less because they believed him innocent of killing his wife, than that they probably regarded the evidence as legally insufficient, and thought, perhips, as others did, that the doubtful jurors give in, to avoid protracted incarceration. A Bellingham to-morrow would undoubtedly escape on a plea of lunacy. Our criminal code, long signalized as Draconic, inclines now to the opposite extreme. The total a solition of capital punishment, cases of murder incinded, has many advocates. Profounder political economists tean we assume to be, must determine what is best for the common good, and how the medium should be adinsted. The subject is under consideration of a special committee, who will, doubt less, deliver a sound judgment.

Joseph Wail was descended from a good family, and entered the army at an early age. He had reached the rank of heutenant colonel, when he was appointed lieutenant governor of the band of Goree, on the coast of Africa, in the year 170. The emoluments were cons derable, as, besides lis mintary anp intments, he acted as superintendent of trade to the coInv. His family were originally Roman Cathoites, but, of course, he conformed to the Protestant Church, or, in those days of exclusiveness, he could not have held his commission. Hs temper was harsh and atwolute, with rendered him unpopular with his brother officers. When he retirred to London, after the event which ultimately cost han his life, he said to a frend that his chief reason f. a trial was be tause

several of those who would have been witnesses against him were his personal enemies. But though severe, he had the reputation of being just ; and even on his trial it appeared that the alleged mutiny amongst the troops at Goree arose from the idea that if they were not paid their arrears in his time they would not receive them at all. These arrears were not, however, incurred during his command, neither had he allowed any fresh ones to accumulate. It is but fair to state that the soldiers appealed to him, under a favourable impression of his sense of justice, rather than to his successor, who was then on the spot, and equally well acquainted with the circumstances. The crime with which he stood charged was flogging several of the soldiers without a court martial, of which more than one died; but he left the island in ignorance of the fatal consequences of his violence.

When sent for to Bath by Lord Sydney, then Secretary for the Colonies, two years later, he surrendered himself to stand a trial; but the public mind was so inflamed against him that he bribed the officers who had him in custody during the journey to London, and contrived to es espe. Under a feigned name he lived for many years on the Continent sometimes in Italy, but more constantly in France. He associated chiefly with officers of his own country who served in the French army, and was well known at the Scotch and Irish Colleges in Paris. After his mustortune he spoke little concerning his fanely and relations. He Was married to a lady of rank, the daughter of Lord Seaforth, and had one son in a respectable line of life; also a daughter, who, after his death, became so reduced in circumstances and position as to marry a private soi For, and to subsist on charity. In 1797 Colonel Wall returned to England, as if by a kind of fatality, without any apparent reason, and applied, throu, h the medium of a friend, to obtain a safe retreat, which was procured for lomat a house in Lan; cth Cut, where his wife visited him frequent v, and be remained several m2 n'lis, se dom gos

ing out, and that either very late or early. He was frequently advised by the friend who had procured him the lodging to leave the country again, and questioned as to his motive for remaining. He never attempted to give any, but appeared, even at the time when he was so studiously concealing himself, to have a distant intention of encountering trial. His mind was evidently unsettled, and he was incapable of a firm resolution, one way or the other. Even the manner in which he finally gave himself up, showed a similar want of determination, leaving it to chance whether the minister should send for him or not; for, rather than go of his own accord, he wrote to say "he was ready to surrender, if required" -a less becoming, but not a less perilous mode of encountering danger. He hesitated before deciding even on this half step, when he found some of the witnesses still living who had been represented to him as dead, and thought of again going abroad; but the eminent counsel, Mr., afterwards Chief Justice Sir Vicary Gibbs, who had materially assisted in getting off Horne Tooke, Hardy, and Thelwall, told him there was little danger, and advised him to risk the issue of a trial.

a

One of the Secretaries of State also concurred in the same opinion. In 1801 he was apprehended at house in Upper Thornhaughstreet, Bedford-square, to which he had removed some time before. The £200 offered by the King's proclamation, in 1784, after his first escape, was paid to the police officers who took him into custody, notwithstanding his voluntary surrender of his person. That this unfortunate man, under the influence of passion, and the apprehension, well or ill-grounded, of a mutiny, acted with great and unnecessary cruelty, admits of no dispute; but it is difficult to believe that he anticipated the consequence, and intended to commit murder. Even the surgeon said he was not prepared to expect the fatal results of such a punishment in that climate.

On Wednesday, the 20th of January, 1802, a special commission sat at the sessions-house, Old Bailey, for the trial of Joseph Wall, indicted for the wilful murder of James Armstrong, by flogging him with a cord, on the 10th of July, 1782, of which

flogging he languished for a few days and then died. The Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, Sir Archibald Macdonald, presided, assisted by Mr. Justice Rooke and Mr. Justice Lawrence. The indictment was opened by Mr. Abbott, Solicitor-General. The Attorney-General, Sir Edward Law, afterwards Lord Ellenborough, then addressed the court and jury. His statement, supported in all the leading points by evidence, went to show that the prisoner had been Governor of Goree, and the deceased a sergeant in the African corps doing duty there. It being known that the former was going over to England the day previous to his intended departure, the deceased, with about fifteen or twenty more, passed by the governor's house, and stopped at the commissary's, who was to accompany him home. On a message sent by the prisoner to know what they wanted, they returned for answer that they wanted the commissary, in order to settle with him for their short rations-a compensation always made by government in money, when there has existed a preceding necessity of putting soldiers or sailors on reduced allowance of food. The prisoner ordered them to return to their barracks or he would flog one-half of them. They quietly dispersed at once. In about an hour, or an hour and a-half, a body consisting of nearly the same number as at first, was proceeding to the same place; the prisoner went out to meet them, and calling to the deceased, asked what they wanted To which the latter, with his hat off, and in a very respectful manner, repeated the answer he had given before. They were again ordered to go back, and again quietly obeyed. They were without arms, and not in uniform. This was in the forenoon. After dinner, the governor, coming upon parade, struck one of the guard, who was under arms, and who was believed by the witness who stated the fact to have been in liquor; the weapon he used was a bayonet, which he had taken from the sentry at the main gi ad, and whom he confined along with the other. He then had the men summoned to parade, though before the usual hour, and a circle of two deep being formed, the officers came into the centre, into which was

IN 1502, Governor Wall was hanged for a murder committed twenty years before; and in 1803, Colonel Despard underwent the extreme penalty for high treason, after having loyally seived his king and country for more than thirty years. The evidence was ens.dered ample on both sides- we do not say otherwise; but the law was more readily satisfied in those days than it is now. The proofs on which Miss Blandy suffered death for poisoning her father, in 1752, would obtain no conviction in 1865. The Irish Executive reprieved Kirwan, less because they believed him innocent of killing his wife, than that they probably regarded the evidence as gally insuthcient, and thought, perhips, as others did, that the doubtful Jurors gave in, to avoid protracted inCarceration. A Bellingham to morrow would undoubtedly escape on a plea of lunacy. Our criminal code, long signalized as Draconic, inclines now to the opposite extreme. The total a'olition of capital punishment, cases of murder included, has many advocates. Profounder political economists tan we assume to be, must determine what is best for the common good, and how the medium should be adiusted. The subject is under consideration of a special committee, who will, doubt loss, deliver a sound judgment.

Joseph Wall was descended from a good family, and entered the army at an early age. He had reached the rk of heutenant colonel, when he was appointed deutenant governor of the island of Goree, on the const of Africa, in the year 170. The emoluments were considerable, as, besides Ìis military and intments, he acted as superintendent of trade to the cony. His family were originally Roman Cathoites, but, of course, he conformed to the Protestant Church, or, in those days of exclusiveness, he could not have held his commission. His temper was harsh and absolute, which rendered him unpopular with his brother officers. When he returned to London, after the event which ultimately cost him his life, he end to a friend that his chief reason fr av a trial wis, because

several of those who would have been witnesses against him were his personal enemies. But though severe, he had the reputation of being just ; and even on his trial it appeared that the alleged mutiny amongst the troops at Goree arose from the idea that if they were not paid their arrears in his time they would not receive them at all. These arrears were not, however, incurred during his command, neither had he allowed any fresh ones to accumulate. It is but fair to state that the soldiers appealed to him, under a favourable impression of his sense of justice, rather than to his successor, who was then on the spot, and equally well acquainted with the circumstances. The crime with which he stood charged was flogging several of the soldiers without a court martial, of which more than one died; but he left the island in ignorance of the fatal consequences of his violence,

When sent for to Bath by Lord Sydney, then Secretary for the Colonies, two years later, he surrendered himself to stand a trial; but the public mind was so inflamed against him that he bribed the officers who had him in custody during the journey to London, and contrived to escape. Under a feigned name he lived for many years on the Continentsometimes in Italy, but more constantly in France. He associated chiefly with officers of his own country who served in the French army, and was well known at the Scotch and Irish Colleges in Paris. After his misfortune he spoke little concerning his family and relations. He was married to a lady of rank, the daughter of Lord Seaforth, and had one son in a respectable line of life; also a daughter, who, after his death, became so reduced in circumstances and posation as to marry a private soldier, and to subsist on charity. In 1797 Colonel Wall returned to England, as if by a kind of fatality, without ary apparent reason, and applied, through the medium of a friend, to obtain a safe retreat, which was procured for him at a house in Lambeth Cut, where his wife visited him frequent v, and he remained several months, seldom gos

fl

ing ont, and that either ter late or ear.v. tie was requently uprised by the bieni who Laɑ zneural aim the lodging to eave the untry again, ho and questioned as is motive for remaining. He never attempted to give any, it appeared, even at the time when he was so studiously eencealing aimseif, to have a distant tention of encountering tria mind was evidently unsettled, an was incapable of a firm read ne way or the other. manner in wabes be final ▼ self up, slowed a similar w termundo Leaving it Whether the minister 20 for Lem or not; for, rather his own accord, he writes was ready to surrender. -a less becoming, but rilous mode of encorHe hesitated before this half sten, when the witnesses stil. C represented o thesizer of Losin the elder