egree of doubt with which men of
judgment receive every species of traditional history. Woodrow, however,
whose veracity is above suspicion, says he had it from the most
unquestionable authority. It is not in itself unlikely; and who is there
that would not wish it true? What a satisfactory spectacle to a
philosophical mind, to see the oppressor, in the zenith of his power,
envying his victim! What an acknowledgment of the superiority of virtue!
What an affecting and forcible testimony to the value of that peace of
mind which innocence alone can confer! We know not who this man was; but
when we reflect that the guilt which agonised him was probably incurred
for the sake of some vain title, or, at least, of some increase of
wealth, which he did not want, and possibly knew not how to enjoy, our
disgust is turned into something like compassion for that very foolish
class of men whom the world calls wise in their generation.

Soon after his short repose Argyle was brought, according to order, to
the Laigh Council-house, from which place is dated the letter to his
wife, and thence to the place of execution. On the scaffold he had some
discourse, as well with Mr. Annand, a minister appointed by government to
attend him, as with Mr. Charteris. He desired both of them to pray for
him, and prayed himself with much fervency and devotion. The speech
which he made to the people was such as might be expected from the
passages already related. The same mixture of firmness and mildness is
conspicuous in every part of it. "We ought not," says he, "to despise
our afflictions, nor to faint under them. We must not suffer ourselves
to be exasperated against the instruments of our troubles, nor by
fraudulent, nor pusillanimous compliances, bring guilt upon ourselves;
faint hearts are ordinarily false hearts, choosing sin rather than
suffering." He offers his prayers to God for the three kingdoms of
England, Scotland, and Ireland, and that an end may be put to their
present trials. Having then asked pardon for his own failings, both of
God and man, he would have concluded; but being reminded that he had said
nothing of the royal family, he adds that he refers, in this matter, to
what he had said at his trial concerning the test; that he prayed there
never might be wanting one of the royal family to support the Protestant
religion; and if any of them had swerved from the true faith, he prayed
God to turn their hearts, but, at any