ecorder: [I suppose the scene to be in
London:] while another disbelieves that any woman could fairly swear
against me. All will crowd after me: it will be each man's happiness (if
ye shall chance to be bashful) to be neglected: I shall be found to be
the greatest criminal; and my safety, for which the general voice will be
engaged, will be yours.

But then comes the triumph of triumphs, that will make the accused look
up, while the accusers are covered with confusion.

Make room there!--stand by!--give back!--One receiving a rap, another an
elbow, half a score a push a piece!--

Enter the slow-moving, hooded-faced, down-looking plaintiffs.--

And first the widow, with a sorrowful countenance, though half-veiled,
pitying her daughter more than herself. The people, the women
especially, who on this occasion will be five-sixths of the spectators,
reproaching her--You'd have the conscience, would you, to have five such
brave gentlemen as these hanged for you know not what?

Next comes the poor maid--who, perhaps, has been ravished twenty times
before; and had not appeared now, but for company-sake; mincing,
simpering, weeping, by turns; not knowing whether she should be sorry
or glad.

But every eye dwells upon Miss!--See, see, the handsome gentleman bows to
her!

To the very ground, to be sure, I shall bow; and kiss my hand.

See her confusion! see! she turns from him!--Ay! that's because it is in
open court, cries an arch one!--While others admire her--Ay! that's a
girl worth venturing one's neck for!

Then we shall be praised--even the judges, and the whole crowded bench,
will acquit us in their hearts! and every single man wish he had been me!
--the women, all the time, disclaiming prosecution, were the case to be
their own. To be sure, Belford, the sufferers cannot put half so good a
face upon the matter as we.

Then what a noise will this matter make!--Is it not enough, suppose us
moving from the prison to the sessions-house,* to make a noble heart
thump it away most gloriously, when such an one finds himself attended to
his trial by a parade of guards and officers, of miens and aspects
warlike and unwarlike; himself of their whole care, and their business!
weapons in their hands, some bright, some rusty, equally venerable for
their antiquity and inoffensiveness! others of more authoritative
demeanour, strutting before with fine painted staves! shoals of people
following, with a Which is he whom the yo