required to make diligent search and inquiry into
such complaints as are brought against the felons, concerning the goods
that are set before you, and to make such just, equitable, and faithful
determination betwixt party and party, as you will answer between God
and your own conscience." He then addressed them on the separate charges
against the prisoners. From Samuel Colbeck, of Warley, they were alleged
to have stolen sixteen yards of russet-coloured kersey, which the jury
valued at 1s. per yard. Two of the prisoners were alleged to have stolen
from Durker Green, two colts, which were produced in court, one of which
was appraised at L3, and the other at 48s. Also, Abraham Wilkinson was
charged by John Fielden with stealing six yards of cinnamon-coloured
kersey, and eight yards of white "frized, for blankets." After some
debate concerning certain evidence against the above, and "after some
mature consideration, the jury, as is customary in such cases,"
adjourned to the 30th day of April. Upon this day they met, and after
further full examination gave their verdict in writing, and directed
that the prisoners Abraham Wilkinson and Anthony Mitchel, "by ancient
custom, and liberty of Halifax, whereof the memory of man is not to the
contrary, the said Abraham Wilkinson and Anthony Mitchel are to suffer
death by having their heads severed and cut off from their bodies at the
Halifax gibbet, unto which verdict we subscribe our names." The felons
were executed upon the same day.

The stone scaffold or pedestal upon which the gibbet was erected was
discovered by the Town Trustees in 1840, in attempting to reduce what
was known as Gibbet Hill to the level of the neighbouring ground; and
except some decay of the top and one of the steps, it is in a perfect
state. It is carefully fenced round, and an inscription affixed, which
was done at the cost of Samuel Waterhouse, Mayor, in 1852. The gibbet
axe, formerly in the possession of the Lord of the Manor of Wakefield,
is now preserved at the Rolls Office of that town. It weighs seven
pounds twelve ounces; its length is ten inches and a half; it is seven
inches broad at the top, and nearly nine at the bottom, and at the
centre about seven and a half.

The Scottish Maiden.

[Illustration: THE TOLBOOTH, EDINBURGH.]

Towards the middle of the sixteenth century, the Earl of Morton, Regent
of Scotland, during a visit to England, witnessed an execution by the
Halifax gibbet. H