of two hours betwixt the injury and the fatal retaliation. In the heat
of affray and _chaude melee_, law, compassionating the infirmities of
humanity, makes allowance for the passions which rule such a stormy
moment--But the time necessary to walk twelve miles, however speedily
performed, was an interval sufficient for the prisoner to have
recollected himself; and the violence and deliberate determination with
which he carried his purpose into effect, could neither be induced by
anger, nor fear. It was the purpose and the act of pre-determined
revenge, for which law neither can, will, nor ought to have sympathy.

* * * * *

"The law says to the subjects, with a voice only inferior to that of the
Deity, 'Vengeance is mine.' The instant that there is time for passion
to cool, and reason to interpose, an injured party must become aware,
that the law assumes the exclusive cognizance of the right and wrong
betwixt the parties, and opposes her inviolable buckler to every attempt
of the private party to right himself. I repeat, that this unhappy man
ought personally to be the object rather of our pity than our
abhorrence, for he failed in his ignorance, and from mistaken notions of
honour. But his crime is not the less that of murder, gentlemen, and, in
your high and important office, it is your duty so to find. Englishmen
have their angry passions as well as Scots; and should this man's action
remain unpunished, you may unsheath, under various pretences, a thousand
daggers betwixt the Land's-end and the Orkneys."

The venerable judge thus ended what, to judge by his emotion and tears,
was really a painful task. The jury, accordingly brought in a verdict of
guilty; and Robin Oig M'Combich, _alias_ M'Gregor, was sentenced to
death, and executed accordingly. He met his fate with firmness, and
acknowledged the justice of his sentence. But he repelled indignantly
the observations of those who accused him of attacking an unarmed man.
"I give a life for the life I took," he said, "and what can I do more?"

[17] _We_ remember the proverb, "Honour among thieves."

[18] But we cannot so far forget our country as to be
indifferent to them.--See a passage in the _Two Drovers_.

* * * * *

A PERSIAN FABLE.

A little particle of rain,
That from a passing cloud descended,
Was heard thus idly to complain:--
"My brief existence now is ended.