This is a portion of what the writer calls "a series of the most
singular and mysterious events," commenced January 29,1791. It is
perhaps a romance of _real life_, although there is something in it
beyond probability--but nothing impossible. Our _student_ is at first
almost _cut_ by an acquaintance for neglecting to notice him in the
park, when in fact he was not in the park: the hall butler of the Temple
proves by the parchment that he dined there four days of term, when he
was sick, and some distance from town: next he is _cut_ by a second
acquaintance for not recognising him at a masquerade: then a similar
affair occurs with a beautiful girl in ----- square; at the Theatre; and
on the Serpentine. He is next recognised by an old friend at a
gaming-table, who mentions the sale of an estate there for his last
stake, which property our student really had sold, though under
different circumstances; and then rejected by his _chère amie_ for a
slight which he never offered. The last event or link of this mysterious
chain is familiarly narrated as follows:--
In returning one morning from Westminster, as I was passing through one
of those small courts between Essex-street and Norfolk-street, (for of
late I had sought the most retired ways,) I observed that two persons,
of rather mean appearance, seemed to be dogging my footsteps. Uneasy at
this circumstance, I hastened directly on to my chambers. I had,
however, scarcely seated myself, when my servant informed me that two
men wished to speak to me. On being admitted, they told me that they
were officers of the police, and that they had a warrant to arrest me on
a charge of felony. Surprise at the moment prevented my speaking; but as
soon as I recovered myself I offered to accompany them to the
magistrate. He was sitting, and the witnesses being in attendance, my
examination took place immediately. A young man, of gentleman-like
address, swore, that on the preceding evening he had been induced by one
of his friends to visit one of the gambling-houses in the
Haymarket--that he there saw me both playing and betting very
rashly--that I appeared to be losing--that at length I quitted the room,
and that soon afterwards his friend and himself followed. Now came the
accusation. He swore, that just as he was leaving the door he felt some
person drawing his purse from his pocket--that he immediately pursued
the man, and at the corner of Jermyn-street seized _me._ That at first I
submitted, and he dragged me to one of the lamps, and there most
distinctly saw my countenance, when at that moment, by some piece of
adroitness, which he could not explain, I slipped from his grasp, and
instantly disappeared. His friend corroborated the story. The
magistrate, after cautioning me, and expressing his regret at seeing a
person of my appearance before him, asked me whether I wished to say any
thing in my defence, I answered that I was the victim of some secret and
devilish conspiracy, and that I would prove that I was at my chambers on
the night in question. "I hope you may be able to do so," said the
magistrate; "but in the mean time it is, my duty to commit you;" and I
was conducted to gaol in a hackney-coach. I immediately summoned one or
two of my friends, and after laying open to them the circumstances in
which I had been placed, we concerted the best means of defence. My
laundress could swear that I was in chambers the whole of the evening
when the robbery was committed; and though this was the only direct
evidence in my favour, yet I assembled at least a dozen persons, men of
repute and station, as witnesses to my character. The trial excited
prodigious interest, but what was that interest to the agony with which
I regarded the issue! Should I be convicted, my mysterious enemies would
enjoy, in triumph, my disgrace and degradation, and might probably
proceed by the same diabolical contrivances to attempt even my life. The
day came, and I was arraigned among a herd of common felons; but the
consciousness of my innocence, and the hope of establishing it,
supported my heart. No sooner had I heard the witnesses for the
prosecution, than that hope died within me. A number of persons deposed,
that on the night in question they had seen me in the gambling-house;
but they were men of indifferent character, and not personally
acquainted with me. At last, with astonishment and horror I saw my
venerable friend, Mr. B----, put into the box, and heard him swear in
positive terms that he was present in the room, and saw me at play. My
defence availed nothing. The wretched old woman, whom I produced, as the
court and jury believed, to establish my defence by perjury, was
immediately discredited, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty. I
was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. My feelings I will not
attempt to describe.
During my confinement I made the most energetic attempts to reconcile
myself to my fatal destiny. I formed a plan for my future life, complete
in every particular. My character being destroyed, and most of my
friends alienated, I determined to convert my property into money, and
to seek a refuge in the United States. At length the term of my
imprisonment approached its close, and on the 30th of September, 1791, I
was liberated--my flesh creeps as I name the day.
I waited in the prison till it was dusk. Finding that I had the key of
my chambers upon my person, I resolved, in the first instance, to visit
once again the scene of my former tranquil studies. Before I reached the
Temple the gates had been closed, and the gatekeeper, as I entered, eyed
me with an unpleasant curiosity. I reached my chambers. There was still
light sufficient to enable me to select some papers which I particularly
wished to secure. I entered the chambers and walked in to my
sitting-room, but suddenly stopped on seeing a figure reclining on the
sofa. My library-table was before him, covered with law books. At first
I imagined that my laundress had permitted some stranger to occupy my
rooms during my incarceration. As I entered the chamber the figure rose,
and with feelings of indescribable horror I perceived the semblance of
myself--
--"And my flesh's hair upstood,
'Twas mine own similitude."
--I cannot relate what followed, for my senses deserted me. On
recovering, my mysterious visiter had departed without leaving the
slightest clue by which I might fathom the impenetrable secret of my
persecutions. I have sometimes imagined that they arose from one of
those wonderful natural resemblances which in some instances appear to
be well authenticated; but, natural or supernatural, they changed the
current of my life. Unable to endure the disgrace of being pointed at as
a convicted felon, I converted my property into money, and, under
another name, I now live respected in a foreign land.--_Ibid._
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