 was found guilty and condemned; but in
Scotland six weeks must elapse between the sentence and the execution, and Helen
Walker availed herself of it. The very day of her sister's condemnation she got
a petition drawn, stating the peculiar circumstances of the case, and that very
night set out on foot to London.
    Without introduction or recommendation, with her simple (perhaps
ill-expressed) petition, drawn up by some inferior clerk of the court, she
presented herself, in her tartan plaid and country attire, to the late Duke of
Argyle, who immediately procured the pardon she petitioned for, and Helen
returned with it on foot just in time to save her sister.
    I was so strongly interested by this narrative, that I determined
immediately to prosecute my acquaintance with Helen Walker; but as I was to
leave the country next day, I was obliged to defer it till my return in spring,
when the first walk I took was to Helen Walker's cottage.
    She had died a short time before. My regret was extreme, and I endeavoured
to obtain some account of Helen from an old woman who inhabited the other end of
her cottage. I inquired if Helen ever spoke of her past history - her journey to
London, etc., Na, the old woman said, Helen was a wily body, and whene'er ony o'
the neebors asked anything about it, she aye turned the conversation.
    In short, every answer I received only tended to increase my regret, and
raise my opinion of Helen Walker, who could unite so much prudence with so much
heroic virtue.«
    This narrative was inclosed in the following letter to the author, without
date or signature: -
    »Sir, - The occurrence just related happened to me twenty-six years ago.
Helen Walker lies buried in the churchyard of Irongray, about six miles from
Dumfries. I once proposed that a small monument should have been erected to
commemorate so remarkable a character, but I now prefer leaving it to you to
perpetuate her memory in a more durable manner.«
 
The reader is now able to judge how far the author has improved upon, or fallen
short of, the pleasing and interesting sketch of high principle and steady
affection displayed by Helen Walker, the prototype of the fictitious Jeanie
Deans. Mrs. Goldie was unfortunately dead before the author had given his name
to these volumes, so he lost all opportunity of thanking that lady for her
highly valuable communication. But her daughter, Miss Goldie, obliged him with
the following additional information: -
    »Mrs. Goldie endeavoured to collect further particulars
