|GLOOMY was the morn, and in unison with the sombre deed about to take
place.
Already a scaffold, draped in black, on which the Earl of Derwentwater
and Lord Kenmure were to pay the forfeit of their lives, had been
erected on Tower-hill.
At an early hour three strong detachments of Life Guards marched from
Whitehall, and posted themselves round the scaffold.
At the same time, a crowd of curious observers of both sexes began to
assemble, and increased so rapidly that within an hour the whole summit
of the eminence was densely thronged.
Some sympathy was expressed for the unfortunate lords about to suffer,
but it would almost seem that the majority of the spectators were drawn
thither by curiosity rather than by any other feeling.
Like all other crowds they exhibited great impatience because they
supposed they were kept waiting, and manifested their displeasure by
groaning at the Life Guards, who, however, treated them with supreme
contempt.
Not till ten o'clock did the sheriffs make their appearance, and way was
cleared for them by their guard through the crowd. They proceeded to the
Transport Office--a building at the rear of the scaffold--where rooms
were prepared for those about to die.
At the same time, a bell within the Tower began to toll, and almost
immediately afterwards, a party of grenadiers issued from the Bulwark
Gate, followed by two hackney-coaches, in which were the condemned
nobles and their chaplains.
With Lord Derwentwater was Father Norham; with Lord Kenmure was the
Reverend Mr. Sharp, a Presbyterian minister.
On either side of the coaches marched javelin men to keep off the crowd.