very far beyond my power to describe.  Besides, the anxiety and impatience produced by the immense distance which now separates us from him, and the uncertainty attending the packet, render it difficult and sometimes impossible to hear of him so often as we would wish—­and, may I not add (though Heaven in its mercy forbid it—­for alas! the bare idea is too dreadful, yet it is in the scale of possibility), that some accident might happen to deprive us of my dearest brother:  how insupportably bitter would then be our reflections, for having omitted the opportunity, when it was in our power, of administering comfort and consolation to him in person.  For these reasons, I earnestly hope Mr. Heywood will not judge it improper to comply with my request, and shall wait with eager impatience the arrival of his next letter.  Think not, my dear Madam, that it is want of confidence in your care and attention which makes me solicitous to be with my beloved brother.  Be assured we are all as perfectly easy in that respect as if we were on the spot; but I am convinced you will pardon the dictates of an affection which an absence of five years, rendered still more painful by his sufferings, has heightened almost to a degree of adoration.  I shall, with your permission, take the liberty of enclosing a letter to my brother, which I leave open for perusal, and at the same time request your pardon for mentioning you to him in such terms as I am apprehensive will wound the delicacy which ever accompanies generosity like yours; but indeed, my dearest Madam, I cannot, must not, suffer my beloved boy to remain in ignorance of that worth and excellence which has prompted you to become his kind protectress.

     ’I have the honour to be, with every sentiment of gratitude,
     &c., &c, &c,

     ‘NESSY HEYWOOD.’

Among the numerous friends that interested themselves in the fate of this unhappy youth, was his uncle, Colonel Holwell.  The testimony he bears to his excellent character is corroborated by all who knew him while a boy at home.  About a fortnight before the trial he writes to him thus:—­

     ’21st August, 1792.

’MY VERY DEAR PETER,—­I have this day received yours of the 18th, and am happy to find by its contents that, notwithstanding your long and cruel confinement, you still preserve your health, and write in good spirits.  Preserve it, my dear boy, awful as the approaching period must be, even to the most innocent, but from which all who know you have not a doubt of your rising as immaculate as a new-born infant.  I have known you from your cradle, and have often marked with pleasure and surprise the many assiduous instances (far beyond your years) you have given of filial duty and paternal affection to the best of parents, and to brothers and sisters who doated on you.  Your education has been the best; and from these considerations alone, without the very clear evidence of your own testimony,