spot, however distant, from which a view of the scaffold could be obtained. In the centre of the square, a rude platform, with the usual apparatus of death, had been erected. On reaching this, a considerable delay occurred; and O'Hara, betraying some impatience, requested that the scene should be hurried to its close. The interruption of the fatal business was explained to him:-the common executioner, who for many years had resided in the prison, practising his fearful trade with perfect indifference, had escaped from his cell, having scrawled upon the walls with chalk his determination not to be the shedder of innocent blood. After some time, a Negro, belonging to a military band, was procured; and O'Hara having assisted the trembling wretch to complete the necessary preparation, and spent a few moments in silent prayer, gave the fatal signal, and the platform fell. No parting pang appeared to convulse him-no struggle was perceptible apoplexy ensued the moment of suspension, and instantaneous death succeeded. After the time required by law had elapsed, the military left the ground, and the body of the deceased was placed at the disposal of his friends. It was expected that a scene of tumult would occur, from the natural anxiety of the populace to see in death him whom in life they had admired; but, acting evidently under previous arrangements, they waited with respectful silence until a bier, arrayed with white plumes, and canopied with laurel boughs, emblematical of innocence and valour, was brought forward to receive the corpse. It was then conveyed in solemn procession to a neighbouring meetinghouse, where, in a private room, many ingenious plans of resuscitation were tried. When those were found inefficient, the body was laid in state on tressels beneath the pulpit, from which a Dissenting Minister pronounced a glowing eulogy on the deceased. The hair was divided with scrupulous exactness among the numerous mourners, and the clothes of the 66 Martyr of Liberty" were shared among the populace, who treasured their hallowed shreds with equal devotion to the devotee when possessed of the relics of a patron Saint. After remaining exposed to public view for three days, the remains of O'Hara were embalmed, and deposited by torch-light in the tomb of his fathers; and it was calculated that thirty thousand men attended the funeral to the shores of the Lake. CHAPTER X. Vengeance, deep-brooding o'er the slain, Lay of the Last Minstrel, [HERE the Editor of these Memoirs thinks it advisable to suppress a few passages of the original MS. Names of persons still alive occur, and events are alluded to which might even yet be disagreeable to individual feelings. Care has been taken to prevent the narrative from becoming confused, and the lituræ shall be as limited as possible.] IT is impossible to describe the sensation which the death of Major O'Hara occasioned. The popularity of the sufferer-the amiable tenor of his private life, and the undoubted man. purity of principle which characterized his public actions, obtained the sympathy of those who, in a political view, were his enemies. They condemned the party, but admired the What then must have been the sentiments of the Revolutionists? With them he was accounted a martyr-his name was never uttered but with tears, while imprecations deep and deadly were showered on those who, in the remotest degree, were considered accessory to his death. The enthusiasm with which the memory of this popular idol was cherished, may be estimated from one simple fact. The rings, broaches, and other trinkets, commemorative of his death, circulated throughout the kingdom, were calculated to exceed one hundred thousand. The calmness with which Henry O'Hara submitted to his father's death was a subject of surprise to all. Whatever might have been his secret sufferings, there was in his outward bearing that cold and morbid sadness which might be equally the consequence of Stoic |