* We have only to say, that W—­m O—­k, Esq., of Jj—­sb—­e, sheriff of the county of D—­n. and those who officially attended, about four years ago, the execution of a man named M—­y—­, at the gaol of D—­rip—­k, for a most heinous murder, will, should they happen to see this description, not hesitate to declare that it falls far, far short of what they themselves witnessed upon this terrible occasion.  There is nothing mentioned here which did not then occur, but there is much omitted.

Such, and so slight, after all, is the impression which death makes upon life, when the heart and domestic affections are not concerned.

And now, gentle and patient reader—­for well, indeed, has thy patience been tried, during the progress of this tantalizing narrative—­we beg to assure thee, that unless thou art so exquisitely tender-hearted as to mourn over the fate of Bartle Flanagan, the shadows which darkened the morning and noon of our story have departed, and its eye will be dewy, and calm, and effulgent.

Flanagan’s execution, like any other just and necessary vindication of the law, was not without its usual good effect upon the great body of the people; for, although we are not advocates for a sanguinary statute-book, neither are we the eulogists of those who, with sufficient power in their hands, sit calmly and serenely amidst scenes of outrage and crime, in which the innocent suffer by the impunity of the guilty.  Fame, who is busy on such occasions, soon published to a far distance Flanagan’s confession of having committed the crime for which O’Donovan was punished.  John O’Brien had it himself! from the sheriff’s lips, as well as from a still more authentic statement written by the priest who attended him, and signed by the unhappy culprit’s mark, in the presence of that gentleman, the governor of the gaol, and two turnkeys.  The sheriff now heard, from O’Brien, for the first time, that O’Donovan’s parents, having disposed of all their property, followed him to New South Wales, a circumstance by which he was so much struck at the moment, that he observed to O’Brien,—­

“Do you not think it the duty of the Government, considering all the young man and his parents have suffered by that rascal’s malice, to bring the whole family back at its own expense?  For my part, aware as I am of the excellent disposition of the Secretary, I think, if we ask them, it will be done.”

“Our best plan, perhaps,” replied John, “is to get a memorial to that effect signed by those who subscribed to the former one in his behalf.  I think it is certainly necessary, for, to tell you the truth, I doubt whether they are in possession of funds sufficient for the expenses of so long a journey.”

“I know,” said the sheriff, “that there is little time to be lost, for S——­,” naming the governor of the gaol, “tells me that the next convict ship sails in a fortnight.  We must, therefore, push forward the business as rapidly as we can.”