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HISTORY OP EXGTAXD.

always denied, the truth of the report that he was the person who- sent the Colchester barrel to the Tower.

A more benevolent man, John Sharp, the excellent Deanof Norwich, forced himself to visit the prisoner, ltwasapain-ful task: but Sharp had been treated by Jeffreys, in old times,as kindly as it was in the nature of Jeffreys to treat any body,and had once or twice been able, by patiently waiting tillthe storm of curses and invectives had spent itself, and bydexterously seizing the moment of good humour, to obtain forunhappy families some mitigation of their sufferings. Theprisoner was surprised and pleased. “"What,” he said, “dareyou own me now?” It was in vain, however, that the amiabledivine tried to give salutary pain to that seared conscience.Jeffreys, instead of acknowledging his guilt, exclaimedvehemently against the injustice of mankind. “People callme a murderer for doing what at the time was applaudedby some who are now high in public favour. They call mea drunkard because I take punch to relieve me in my agony.”ITe would not admit that, as President of the High Commission,he had done any thing that deserved reproach. His colleagues,he said, were the real criminals; and now they threw all theblame on him. He spoke with peculiar asperity of Sprat, whohad undoubtedly been the most humane and moderate memberof the board.

It soon became clear that the wicked judge was fast sinkingunder the w r eight of bodily and mental suffering. Doctor JohnScott, prebendary of Saint Paul’s, a clergyman of great sanctity,and authorof the Christian Life, atreatise once widely renowned,was summoned, probably on the recommendation of his intimatefriend Sharp, to the bedside of the dying man. It was in vain,however, that Scott spoke, as Sharp had already spoken, ofthe hideous butcheries of Dorchester and Taunton. To the lastJeffreys continued to repeat that those who thought him cruel