 example was judged necessary; and such was the opinion of
the Government. When it became apparent that the sentence of death was to be
executed, files, and other implements necessary for their escape, were
transmitted secretly to the culprits by a friend from without. By these means
they sawed a bar out of one of the prison-windows, and might have made their
escape, but for the obstinacy of Wilson, who, as he was daringly resolute, was
doggedly pertinacious of his opinion. His comrade, Robertson, a young and
slender man, proposed to make the experiment of passing the foremost through the
gap they had made, and enlarging it from the outside, if necessary, to allow
Wilson free passage. Wilson, however, insisted on making the first experiment,
and being a robust and lusty man, he not only found it impossible to get through
betwixt the bars, but, by his struggles, he jammed himself so fast, that he was
unable to draw his body back again. In these circumstances discovery became
unavoidable, and sufficient precautions were taken by the jailor to prevent any
repetition of the same attempt. Robertson uttered not a word of reflection on
his companion for the consequences of his obstinacy; but it appeared from the
sequel, that Wilson's mind was deeply impressed with the recollection, that, but
for him, his comrade, over whose mind he exercised considerable influence, would
not have engaged in the criminal enterprise which had terminated thus fatally;
and that now he had become his destroyer a second time, since, but for his
obstinacy, Robertson might have effected his escape. Minds like Wilson's, even
when exercised in evil practices, sometimes retain the power of thinking and
resolving with enthusiastic generosity. His whole thoughts were now bent on the
possibility of saving Robertson's life, without the least respect to his own.
The resolution which he adopted, and the manner in which he carried it into
effect, were striking and unusual.
    Adjacent to the tolbooth or city jail of Edinburgh, is one of three churches
into which the cathedral of St. Giles is now divided, called, from its vicinity,
the Tolbooth Church. It was the custom that criminals under sentence of death
were brought to this church, with a sufficient guard, to hear and join in public
worship on the Sabbath before execution. It was supposed that the hearts of
these unfortunate persons, however hardened before against feelings of devotion,
could not but be accessible to them upon uniting their thoughts and voices, for
the last time, along with their fellow-mortals, in addressing their
