die." This wish was so strictly complied with that on the last evening that he saw his wife and children they went from him with the same hopefulness as before, quite unconscious that they would never again see him alive. On the morning of the 30th of August, his last day, he engaged earnestly in devotional exercises. From the roofs of the adjacent houses the scaffold could be seen, and many paid considerable sums for the "privilege" of sharing this commanding view. Some residents, however, left home to avoid countenancing the spectacle. One hundred and twenty-five persons were admitted into the gaol yard, as spectators, by passes from the Sheriff. "At half-past 9 o'clock Sheriff Eveleth summoned to the rear office of the gaol those gentlemen whom he had requested to be present as witnesses. He stated to the gentlemen present that they had assembled, by invitation from him, as lawful witnesses of the execution of John White Webster, for the crime of murder, for which he had been convicted and sentenced. He detailed to them the order in which the proceedings would take place, and expressed his hope that the utmost quiet and good order would be maintained, as consistent with the solemnity of the occasion. He hoped that he should not hear any loud talking, not a voice during the progress of the

"the

proceedings." The Sheriff, witnesses,"" the reporters for the press," and " the spectators," then proceeded to the prisoner's cell. Religious offices were impressively performed, the prisoner devoutly kneeling, and seeming absorbed in his prayers. In the procession to the scaffold the prisoner walked firmly, but with profound dejection of face. Deputy-Sheriffs Rugg and Freeman adjusted the rope. Before the cap was drawn over his eyes he shook hands with Gaoler Andrews, Mr. Holmes, and last with the Sheriff, and thanked them for their kind treatment to him. Sheriff Eveleth then said,—

"In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and in accordance with the warrant of the Chief Executive, I now, before these witnesses, proceed to execute the sentence of the law upon John White Webster, convicted, at the March Term of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the murder of Dr. George Parkman.'

"This said, the Sheriff placed his foot upon the fatal spring, and in an instant more the victim was launched into eternity. After remaining some thirty minutes, Drs. Stedman and Clark pronounced the body lifeless, when it was lowered into a black coffin, and conveyed back into the cell. It would be delivered to the family that afternoon.”