You imagine, perhaps, that a contempt for your own life, gives you a right to take that of another: but where, Sir, is the difference between a duelist who hazards a life of no value, and the murderer who acts with greater security?
Is it any diminution of the gamester's fraud when he alledges that he has staked a counter ?' 'Alas, Sir,' cried I, 'whoever you are, pity the poor misguided creature; for what he has done was in obedience to a deluded mother, who in the bitterness of her resentment required him upon her blessing to avenge her quarrel.

Here, Sir, is the letter, which will serve to convince you of her imprudence and diminish his guilt.' He took the letter, and hastily read it over.

'This,' says he, 'though not a perfect excuse, is such a palliation of his fault, as induces me to forgive him.

And now, Sir,' continued he, kindly taking my son by the hand, 'I see you are surprised at finding me here; but I have often visited prisons upon occasions less interesting.

I am now come to see justice done a worthy man, for whom I have the most sincere esteem.