Ossian Collection > History of the Highlands and of the Highland clans > Volume 3

•EXKrUTlON OP LORDS KILMARNOCK AND RALMERINO. 351
my life " During the time spent in Kilmarnock's execution Balnierino
Im I ('onversed eliferfully witli liis friends, and twice refrcslu'd liimseH
witli a bit of bread and a glass of wine, desiring tiie company to drink
liini "a degree to iieaven." Saluting tacli of his friends in the most
affectionate manner, he bade them all adieu, and leaving them bathed
in tears, he hastened to the scaffold, which he mounted with a firm step.
The strong feeling of pity with which the spectators had beheld the
handsome though emaciated figure of the gentle Kilmarnock gave place
to sensations of another kind when they beheld the bold and strong
built personage who now stood on the stage before them. Attired in
tlie same rcLrimentals of blue turned up with red which he had worn at
the battle of CuUoden, and treading the scafiold with a firm step and
an undaunted air, he gloried in the cause for which he suffered, and
forced the assembled multitude to pay an unwilling tribute of admira-
tion to his greatness of soul. His friends, on beholding the apparatus
of death, expressed great concern ; but his lordship reproved their
anxiety. His lordship walked round the scaffold, and bowed to the
people. He then went to the coffin, and reading the inscription, said
it was correct. With great composure he examined the block, which
he called his "pillow of rest." He then put on his spectacles, and
pulling a papei from his pocket, read it to the few persons about
him, in which he declared his firm attachment to the house of Stuart,
and stated that the only fault he had ever committed deserving his
present fate, and for which he expressed bis sincere regret, was in hav-
ing served in the armies of the enemies of that house, Queen Anne
and George the First. He complained that he had not been well used
by the lieutenant of the Tower, but that having received the sacrament
tlie day before, and read several of the psalms of David, he had forgiven
liim, and said that he now died in charity with all men.
Calling at last for the executioner, that functionary stepped forward
to ask his forgiveness, but Balmerino interrupted him, and said, " Friend,
vou need not ask my forgiveness ; the execution of your duty is com-
mendable." Then presenting him with three guineas, his lordship added,
" Friend, I never had much money ; this is all I have, I wish it was
more for your sake, and am sorry I can add nothing else to it but my
coat and waistcoat." These he instantly' took off, and laid them down
on the coffin. He then put on the flannel waistcoat which he had pro-
vided, and a tartan cap on his head, to signify, as he said, that he died
a Scotchman ; and going to the block, placed his head upon it in order
to show the executioner the signal for the blow, which was by dropping
his arms. Returning then to his friends, he took an affectionate fare-
well of them, and surveying the vast number of spectators, said, " I am
afraid there are some who may think my behaviour bold ; but," ad-
dressing a gentleman near him, he added, " remember, Sir, what I tell
you ; it arises from a confidence in God, and a clear conscience."
Observing at this moment the executioner with the axe in his haiid.