on which, he said, he had made with the more
confidence, as he had the honour to quarter part of his majesty's arms.
He expressed some displeasure at being executed as a common felon,
exposed to the eyes of such a multitude. The chaplain who had never
been admitted to him before, hinting that some account of his lordship's
sentiments on religion would be expected by the public, he made answer
that he did not think himself accountable to the public for his private
sentiments; that he had always adored one God, the creator of the
universe; and with respect to any particular opinions of his own, he
had never propagated them, or endeavoured to make proselytes, because
he thought it was criminal to disturb the established religion of
his country, as lord Bolingbroke had done by the publication of
his writings. He added, that the great number of sects, and the
multiplication of religious disputes, had almost banished morality. With
regard to the crime for which he suffered, he declared that he had
no malice against Mr. Johnson; and that the murder was owing to a
perturbation of mind, occasioned by a variety of crosses and vexations.
When he approached the place of execution, he expressed an earnest
desire to see and take leave of a certain person who waited in the
coach, a person for whom he entertained the most sincere regard and
affection; but the sheriff prudently observing that such an interview
might shock him, at a time when he had occasion for all his fortitude
and recollection, he acquiesced in the justness of the remark, and
delivered to him a pocket-book, a ring, and a purse, desiring they might
be given to that person, whom he now declined seeing. On his arrival at
Tyburn he came out of the landau, and ascended the scaffold with a firm
step and undaunted countenance. He refused to join the chaplain in his
devotions; but kneeling with him on black cushions, he repeated the
Lord's Prayer, which he said he had always admired; and added, with
great energy, "O Lord, forgive me all my errors, pardon all my sins."
After this exercise, he presented his watch to Mr. sheriff Vaillant;
thanked him and the other gentlemen for all their civilities;
and signified his desire of being buried at Breden or Stanton, in
Leicestershire. Finally, he gratified the executioner with a purse of
money; then, the halter being adjusted to his neck, he stepped upon a
little stage, erected upon springs, on the middle of the scaffold; and
the cap