, and the fire had a fatal effect. No previous malice
was proved against him; and his plea upon the trial was,
that he had taken the life of his assailant in necessary
self-defence.

"A great mass of testimony was delivered. This was commented
upon with considerable ability by the lawyer for the
commonwealth, and by another lawyer engaged by the friends
of the deceased for the prosecution. The prisoner was also
defended, in elaborate speeches, by two respectable
advocates. These proceedings brought the day to a close. The
general whisper through a crowded house was, that the man
was guilty and could not be saved.

"About dusk, candles were brought, and Henry arose. His
manner was ... plain, simple, and entirely unassuming.
'Gentlemen of the jury,' said he, 'I dare say we are all
very much fatigued with this tedious trial. The prisoner at
the bar has been well defended already; but it is my duty to
offer you some further observations in behalf of this
unfortunate man. I shall aim at brevity. But should I take
up more of your time than you expect, I hope you will hear
me with patience, when you consider that blood is
concerned.'

"I cannot admit the possibility that any one, who never
heard Henry speak, should be made fully to conceive the
force of impression which he gave to these few words, 'blood
is concerned.' I had been on my feet through the day, pushed
about in the crowd, and was excessively weary. I was
strongly of opinion, too, notwithstanding all the previous
defensive pleadings, that the prisoner was guilty of
murder; and I felt anxious to know how the matter would
terminate. Yet when Henry had uttered these words, my
feelings underwent an instantaneous change. I found
everything within me answering,--'Yes, since blood is
concerned, in the name of all that is righteous, go on; we
will hear you with patience until the rising of to-morrow's
sun!' This bowing of the soul must have been universal; for
the profoundest silence reigned, as if our very breath had
been suspended. The spell of the magician was upon us, and
we stood like statues around him. Under the touch of his
genius, every particular of the story assumed a new aspect,
and his cause became continually more bright and promising.
At length he arr