that I was at my chambers on the night in question.  “I hope you may be able to do so,” said the magistrate; “but in the mean time it is, my duty to commit you;” and I was conducted to gaol in a hackney-coach.  I immediately summoned one or two of my friends, and after laying open to them the circumstances in which I had been placed, we concerted the best means of defence.  My laundress could swear that I was in chambers the whole of the evening when the robbery was committed; and though this was the only direct evidence in my favour, yet I assembled at least a dozen persons, men of repute and station, as witnesses to my character.  The trial excited prodigious interest, but what was that interest to the agony with which I regarded the issue!  Should I be convicted, my mysterious enemies would enjoy, in triumph, my disgrace and degradation, and might probably proceed by the same diabolical contrivances to attempt even my life.  The day came, and I was arraigned among a herd of common felons; but the consciousness of my innocence, and the hope of establishing it, supported my heart.  No sooner had I heard the witnesses for the prosecution, than that hope died within me.  A number of persons deposed, that on the night in question they had seen me in the gambling-house; but they were men of indifferent character, and not personally acquainted with me.  At last, with astonishment and horror I saw my venerable friend, Mr. B——­, put into the box, and heard him swear in positive terms that he was present in the room, and saw me at play.  My defence availed nothing.  The wretched old woman, whom I produced, as the court and jury believed, to establish my defence by perjury, was immediately discredited, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty.  I was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.  My feelings I will not attempt to describe.

During my confinement I made the most energetic attempts to reconcile myself to my fatal destiny.  I formed a plan for my future life, complete in every particular.  My character being destroyed, and most of my friends alienated, I determined to convert my property into money, and to seek a refuge in the United States.  At length the term of my imprisonment approached its close, and on the 30th of September, 1791, I was liberated—­my flesh creeps as I name the day.

I waited in the prison till it was dusk.  Finding that I had the key of my chambers upon my person, I resolved, in the first instance, to visit once again the scene of my former tranquil studies.  Before I reached the Temple the gates had been closed, and the gatekeeper, as I entered, eyed me with an unpleasant curiosity.  I reached my chambers.  There was still light sufficient to enable me to select some papers which I particularly wished to secure.  I entered the chambers and walked in to my sitting-room, but suddenly stopped on seeing a figure reclining on the sofa.  My library-table was before him, covered with law books.  At first I imagined that my laundress had permitted some stranger to occupy my rooms during my incarceration.  As I entered the chamber the figure rose, and with feelings of indescribable horror I perceived the semblance of myself—­