“Not for myself—­not for my sake,” at last faintly murmured the trembling woman; “but for that of my poor dear infant—­my poor witless boy!  I do not think, sir, I was in my right mind.  I was starving.  I was friendless.  My husband, too, whom you have heard”—­She stopped abruptly; a choking sob struggled in her throat; and but for the supporting arm of one of the turnkeys, she would have fallen to the ground.

“Unhappy, guilty woman,” said the recorder, with the coolness of a demon, “the plea of insanity you would set up is utterly untenable.  Your husband, it seems, is serving his majesty in the royal navy; defending his country, whilst his wife was breaking its laws, by the commission of a crime which, but for the stern repression of the law, would sap the foundations of the security of property, and”—­

I could endure no more.  The atmosphere of the court seemed to stifle me; and I rushed for relief into the open air.  Before, however, I had reached the street, a long, piercing scream informed me that the learned judge had done his duty.

No effort was spared during the interval which elapsed previous to the recorder presenting his report to the privy-counsel—­a peculiar privilege at that time attached to the office—­to procure a mitigation of the sentence.  A petition, setting forth the peculiar circumstances of the case, was carefully prepared; and by the indefatigable exertions of an excellent Quaker gentleman—­whom, as he is still alive, and might not choose to have his name blazoned to the world, I will call William Friend—­was soon very numerously signed.  The prosecutor, however, obstinately refused to attach his name to the document; and the absence of his signature—­so strangely did men reason on such matters in those days—­would, it was feared, weigh heavily against the success of the petition.  The amiable and enlightened Sir Samuel Romilly not only attached his name, but aided us zealously by his advice and influence.  In short, nothing was omitted that appeared likely to attain the desired object.

Two days before the petition was to be forwarded to the proper quarter, Henry Mason arrived in England, the exertions of his employers having procured his discharge.  The “Active” was one of Captain Hoste’s squadron, which obtained the celebrated victory off Lissa, over the Franco-Venetian fleet commanded by Admiral Dobourdieu.  Henry Mason, it appeared by the testimonials of the captain and officers of his ship, had greatly distinguished himself in the action.  We inclosed these papers with the petition; and then, having done all in our power, awaited with anxious impatience the result of the recorder’s report.  It was announced to me, as I was sitting somewhat later than usual at chambers, by Mr. William Friend.  The judgment to die was confirmed!  All our representations had not sufficed to counterbalance the supposed necessity of exhibiting terrible examples of the fate awaiting the perpetrators of an offence said to be greatly on the increase.  Excellent William Friend wept like a child as he made the announcement.