The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK. 357
usurpation, and Christian would have as soon uncaged a lioness to combat
with, as have given me the slightest power of returning to the struggle with
him. But time had liberty and revenge in store - I had still fiiends and
partisans in the island, though they were compelled to give way to the
storm. Even among the islanders at large, most had been disappointed in
the effects which they expected from the change of power. They were
loaded with exactions by their new masters, their privileges were abridged,
and their immunities abolished, under the pretext of reducing them to the
same condition with the other subjects of the pretended republic. When
the news arrived of the changes which were current in Britain, these sentiments were privately communicated to me. Calcott and others acted with
great zeal and fidelity; and a rising, effected as suddenly and effectually as
that which had made me a captive, placed me at liberty and in possession
of the sovereignty of Man, as Regent for i:ly son, the youthful Earl of
Derby. Do you think I enjoyed that sovereignty long without doing justice
on that traitor Christian?"
"How, madam," said Lady Peveril, who, though she knew the high and
ambitious spirit of the Countess, scarce anticipated the extremities to which
it was capable of hurrying her-" Have you imprisoned Christian?."
" Ay, wench - in that sure prison which felon never breaks from," answered the Countess.
Bridgenorth, who had insensibly approached them, and was listening
with an agony of interest which he was unable any longer to suppress,
broke in with the stern exclamation" Lady,:I trust you have not dared "
The Countess interrupted him in her turn.
" I know not who you are who question-and you know not me when you
speak to me of that which I dare, or dare not, do. But you seem interested
in the fate of this Christian, and you shall hear it.-I was no sooner placed
in possession of my rightful power, than I ordered the Dempster of the
island to hold upon the traitor a Iligh Court of Justice, with all the formalities of the isle, as prescribed in its oldest records. The Court was held in
the open air, be-fore the Dempster and the Keys of the island, assembled
under the vaulted cope of heaven, and seated on the terrace of the Zodwald
IIill, where of old Druid and Scald held their courts of judgment. The
criminal was heard at length in his own defence, which amounted to little
more than those specious allegations of public consideration, which are ever
used to colour the ugly front of treason. IHe was fully convicted of his
crille, and he received the doom of a traitor."
" But which, I trust, is not yet executed?" said Lady Peveril, not without
an involuntary shudder.
" You are a fool, Margaret," said the Countess, sharply; "think you I delayed such an act of justice, until some wretched intrigues of the new
English Court might have prompted their interference? No, wench - he
passed from the judgment-seat to the place of execution, with no farther
delay than might be necessary for his soul's sake. HI-e was shot to death
by a file of musketeers in the common place of execution, called Hangohill."
~ The reader will find, in an Appendix to the Introduction, an account of this tragedy', as related by one
who may be said to favour the sufferer. It must be admitted, on the other hand, that Captain Christiahn's
trial and execution were conducted accordilg to the laws of the island. BIe was tried in all due fltrm, by the
Dempster, or chief judge. then named Norris, the Keys of the islandt and othler constituted authorities, ilaking what is called a Tinwald court.'Ihis word. yet relained in 1may parts of Scotland, signilies VFllis NV
gotii, and is applied to thoose artificial mounds whichl were in ancient timles assigred to the rmeetinr of the
inhlabitants for holding their Comilia. It was pleaded that the articles of accusation a;gaist Christian were
found flliv relevant. and as lie refused to plead at the bar, that ihe was, according to thte Laws of Mlan, mtost
justly sentenced to death. It was also stated, that full time wvas left for appeal to Etngland, as he was alpprehended about the end of September, and tiot executed until the 2d Januttry, 1G62. Tlhese defelces were
mnade for the various officers of tile Isle of Man, called beftore the l'rivvy Council, on account of Christian's
dettlt, and supported wvith Inmany quotations from tile Laws of the Islatd, and appear to have been received
as a sufficient defenlce fttr their share in those proceedillnps.
I am obliged to the present reverend Vicar of all.Lew, fin' a certified extract to the following effect:-" Ma.
lew Burials. A. D. 1662. Mr. William Chlristian of Ronalds-wing, late receiver, was shot tto death at Hange