Page:Life of David Haggart who was executed at Edinburgh, 18th July, 1821 for the murder of the Dumfries jailor (2).pdf/22

 22 with dark and deep despair strongly paint- ed on his countenance. He speedily how- ever, regained his composure: and when the executioner did appear, at once allow- ed his arms to be bound; he was then re- moved to a hall in the lower part of the Lock-up house, where he was received by two of the clergymnen of Edinburgh, and the magistrates. After prayers, the cession proceeded to the scaffold. The conduct of the unfortunate youth there was in the highest degree becoming While the beneficial influence of religion was apparent in his whole demeanour, his natural firmness of character never for a moment forsook him; he kneeled down, and uttered an earnest prayer; and, after addressing a few words of deep and anxious exhortation, to the great multitude by which he was surrounded, he met his fate with the same intrepidity, which distin- guished all the actions of his short, but guilty and eventful life.

"The following Lines were made by Hag- gart, the day after his condemnation; but his mind soon changed to a more serious subject, and his whole deportment was extremely pious.