Page:Malefactor reformed, or, The life of Philip Parson, of Birmingham.pdf/4

4 ture was quite exhausted, and I was overpowered by sleep, I used to imagine myself pursued by justice, conveyed to prison, arraigned, condemned, carried to the gallows, and suspended by the neck, when I have been suddenly awaked, and transported with joy on finding it was only a dream. The agitation of my mind was sometimes visibly expressed by a pale countenance, and a trembiingtrembling [sic] hand: especially when any of my associates were arrested and brought to justice, fearing lest they should impeach me, and that my crimes would find me out. I often resolved to amend, and support myself by honest industry; but having been so long accustomed to vice and idleness, my resolutions proved ineffectual.

In the beginning of the year 1802, I began to think again about religion: and one day in particular, my mind was powerfully impressed with this thought,—‘Perhaps the Christian Religion is true.’ I then determined to act the part of a wise man, by being on the safe side of the question. The temptation which I felt to attend the execution at Washwood-Heath, on Easter Monday, was too powerful to be resisted. I approached the awful spot with trembling steps. I arrived a considerable time before the unfortunate sufferers, when I began to reflect on the many and highly aggravated crimes of my past life. I felt what I cannot describe. For some time I was unable to look upwards. I smote upon my breast, and said, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’ When the approach of the malefactors was announced, I asked myself, ‘Why am I not one of them? for