Page:A century of Birmingham life- or, A chronicle of local events, from 1741 to 1841 (IA centuryofbirming02lang).pdf/255

Rh preposterous were it to give thanks that they are incorporated into a Church of which they are not to be members, to require their attendance upon Sermons which they will not hear, their repetition of a Cateclhism which they will not learn, and their introduction to a Bishop whose office they will disparage, and whose imposition of hands they will be taught to disregard!

What the Religious Opinions of the Sponsors may be is of no moment. They would be called upon to promise what would never be performed. It is this promise which discriminates the office of Baptism from all others whatsoever, unless it can be proved that the matrimonial engagement is binding on none but members of the Church.

The charge of uncharitableness, bigotry, and intolerance, I spurn with honest indignation. I only wish that all Teachers were men of letters, and at the age of discretion. The right of private judgment must ever be liable to abuse, especially in men of inferior education. Let none, however, in claiming the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of their own consciences presume to tyrannise over the conscience of others, much less endeavour to make us the dupes of gross prevarication.

I am, Gentlemen, yours, &c.,

G. ,

We have now to record an attempt at murder committed in this town, which is memorable from the fact that it led to the only execution with which our annals are sullied. Would we could add that it was Our only murder!

July 14, 1806.—On Tuesday, night about Twelve o'clock, Robert Twyford, a watchman stationed upon Snow Hill and its environs, being informed that some suspicious characters were lurking about his round, made for the quarter he was directed to, and, upon questioning one of the villains of the object of his being out at that time, he received a pistol shot in his breast, and the ruffian immediately decamped. The unfortunate man was directly taken to the Hospital, where he remains with some hopes of recovery. The ball, which has been extracted by Mr. G. Freer, entered at his left breast, passed through the lungs, right blade-bone, and was lodged in the fleshy part of his shoulder. The Constables have very laudably offered a reward of fifty pounds for the apprehension of the daring villain, and the Commissioners of the Birmingham Streets Acts one hundred guineas more.

The criminal was discovered. His name was Philip Matsell; he was tried at the Warwick Summer Assize, found guilty, and condemned to be hanged on the spot where he shot Twyford. The following is the contemporary report of our one execution

August 25, 1806.—We have this week the melancholy task of recording a rare, and, within our memory, an unprecedented transaction. The nan found guilty of shooting at and wounding Robert Twyford, the watchman. was condemned to be executed in this town, and on Friday the dreadful sentence of the law was put in force. About half-past eight o'clock in the morning, Mr. Tatnall, the keeper of the county gaol, set out of