beach, he fell into a rent to the middle; | and then, with the other stationed below, he fled from the spot to the station near Axmouth. From thence they returned, at daylight of the 26th, with others, and found the whole beach changed, together with the under-cliff, east and west of it, and a large reef raised in the sea.

The following day, the inhabitants of Dowlands and Bindon farms came in great alarm to the cultivated cliff, and found that the eastern end of the part projecting to the sea, together with the under-cliff adjoining it on the east, and the beach adjoining it on the west, were all in agitation; they were sinking and rending in all directions. There were noises like the screams of many children at once, or like linen when torn across, with rumbling and grinding of a low and mournful kind. About seven or eight o'clock, they saw the great mass, now forming the bottom of the chasm, begin to sink, not suddenly, nor all at once, but piece by piece, proceeding, however, in succession towards the west. Sometimes a mass would stay a few minutes, then sink again; and thus it continued through the day, till the remarkable scene appeared, which the engraving exhibits. The chasm is about a mile long, two hundred yards wide, and two hundred and forty feet deep, at the greatest depression. The hollow space is filled up with terraces, confused heaps, pinnacles and splinters, blocks and mounds, in such variety of form and hue as cannot be conceived. The cliff left standing between the chasm and the sea, is torn, shivered, partly raised and partly sunk; terraces are formed on its top, and the whole is a blending of the sublime, the terrible, and the beautiful.

On examining the sea, near the ridge raised there, about parallel to the chasm, though half a mile from it, the bottom is found to be altered considerably. The reporter says, that to a great distance, there are now eight and nine fathoms of water, where formerly there were only two or three; and, instead of a foul bottom of sharp rocks, there is now a firm, hard sand: so that he thinks the convulsion has extended far into this part of the channel, if it did not originate there. The banks along the cliffs extend full four miles. A pond of fresh water on the beach bubbled violently, for some days after the event, but was as cold as before.

There has since been a slip at Whet

lands, about two miles to the east, but on a much smaller scale: there is, however, a ridge also raised there, in the sea. Of the cause of these disturbances, we think there is at present too little evidence to form a decided opinion. Some eminent geologists refer it to the action of water; others imagine there was a cavity, into which the depressed part has sunk; and others incline to the idea of galvanic operations originating in the sea, producing something resembling earthquake: but the first opinion is the one generally preferred.

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT.
PART IV.

GARNET DISCOVERED AND EXECUTED.

FAWKES was repeatedly examined, in order to draw from him the names of his accomplices. At first, he stoutly refused to implicate any one. According to the cruel practice of the times, he was tortured. The effects of the torture may be seen by comparing his signature to two examinations, one taken before, and the other after, its infliction. The first is written with a firm hand; but, in the second instance, he was evidently unable to hold his pen, and the signature is therefore incomplete.

Four days after his apprehension, he made a general confession of the whole plot. The other conspirators soon followed his example. Their trials took place on Monday, January 27, 1606, when they were all found guilty, (seven of them by the verdict of the jury, and sir Everard Digby by his own confession,) and received sentence of death. They were executed the same week: Digby, Robert Winter, Grant, and Bates, on Thursday, at the West end of St. Paul's churchyard; and Thomas Winter, Rookwood, Keyes, and Fawkes, on Friday, opposite the Parliament House. It is not necessary to describe the manner in which traitors were put to death in that age. Suffice it to say, that they were hanged, disembowelled, and quartered, and their heads and mangled limbs exposed in public places; a horrid and revolting spectacle. Several others suffered death in the country, of whom no record has been kept.

Father Gerard, who had administered the sacrament to the conspirators, escaped to the continent. Greenway followed him. But Garnet was not so fortunate.

He had taken refuge at Hendlip hall, | near Worcester, the seat of Mr. Abington, a zealous Papist, who had caused a number of hiding places to be constructed on the premises, for the purpose of concealing Popish priests, who might be visiting him.

The house was still standing at the commencement of the present century, and was thus described a few years ago: "There is scarcely an apartment that has not secret ways of coming in or going out: some have back staircases concealed in the walls; others have places of retreat in their chimneys; some have trap doors; and all present a picture of gloom, insecurity, and suspicion." Its situation, too, was very favourable for purposes of concealment. Built on high ground, with an uninterrupted prospect on all sides, it afforded means of observing, in the distance, all unwelcome visitors. Here Garnet remained several weeks, solacing himself in the company of Anne Vaux. But in the month of January, information was received that some Jesuits were probably concealed at Hendlip, and sir Henry Bromley, of Holt castle, a neighbouring magistrate, was commissioned to search the house. On his approach, Garnet and Oldcorne (the latter was Mr. Abington's domestic priest) withdrew into one of the hiding places, and their servants, Owen and Chambers, into another.

The house was immediately surrounded with men, and all the approaches to it closely watched and guarded. Every room in the building was carefully and repeatedly examined; but no discovery was made, so ingeniously had the means of access to the secret apartments been concealed. At length, on the fourth day, the servants were compelled, by cold and hunger, to leave their hiding place. They declared, that during their confinement, they had eaten but an apple between them. Still their masters were safe, though their situation was far from comfortable. "After we had been in the hole," said Garnet, in a letter written in the Tower, and addressed to Anne Vaux, 66 seven days and seven nights, and some odd hours, every man may well think we were well wearied; and indeed so it was, for we continually sat, save that sometimes we could half stretch ourselves, the place not being high enough; and we had our legs so straitened, that we could not, sitting, • Beauties of England, vol. xv. part i. p. 184.

find place for them, so that we were in continual pain of our legs; and both our legs, especially mine, were much swollen." After the surrender of the servants, the search was resumed with activity and success. Several secret chambers were discovered; and on the eighth day, January 27, an opening was found into the cell in which Garnet and Oldcorne were concealed. Notwithstanding the uneasiness of their position, they had been " very merry and content" in it; for their friends had contrived to take care of them, and to supply them abundantly with nourishment. "Marmalade and other sweetmeats were found lying by them; but their better maintenance had been by a quill or reed, through a little hole in a chimney that backed another chimney into a gentlewoman's chamber; and by that passage, caudle, broths, and warm drinks, had been conveyed to them." They were conveyed to London, and committed to the Tower.

During the frequent examinations to which Garnet was subjected before his trial, he resolutely denied, at first, all knowledge of the plot. He acknowledged the reception of the letter from Digby, informing him of its failure; but would have it believed that, till then, he had been wholly ignorant of the enterprise. A scheme was then hit upon, by means of which an amount of selfaccusing information was drawn from him, and used afterwards with fatal effect. He and Oldcorne were confined in cells adjoining each other. They were both informed, by the lieutenant of the Tower, whose affected kindness had won their confidence, that by opening a concealed door they might see and converse with each other. Strange to tell, they fell into the snare. Persons were placed in a situation where they could overhear what passed between them; and from their notes of the conversation, a clue was obtained to sundry important facts, evidently criminating Garnet. In short, he felt obliged, at last, to confess his guilty acquaintance with the plot. But before he was brought to this, he had repeatedly denied having had " 'any speech or conference" with Oldcorne, reiterating his denial "with so many detestable execrations, as it wounded the hearts of the lords to hear him." He justified this afterwards, by saying that his protestations were "made with equivocation;" as though a purpose to Jardine, p. 206.

deceive did not constitute the very essence of falsehood!

His trial took place March 20, 1606, and lasted from eight in the morning till seven in the evening. It excited unusual interest. The king and queen were privately present, with a large assemblage of courtiers, several of the foreign ambassadors, then in England, and an immense concourse of people. He was found guilty, and sentenced to the usual punishment of traitors. Oldcorne and some others were tried in Worcestershire, with similar results.

had denied all knowledge of the plot, until betrayed by the conferences with Oldcorne; and he denied those conferences, until he plainly perceived that he only injured himself by so doing; and when afterwards abashed and confounded at the clear discovery of his falsehood, he admitted, to the Lords, that he had sinned, unless equivocation could save him.' From the beginning to the end of the inquiry, he had acted in strict consistency with the principles he now acknowledged, never confessing any fact until it was proved against him, and never hesitating to declare palpable falsehoods respecting matters which tend

This is very mildly expressed. It is scarcely possible to speak of Garnet's sentiments, and his own practical illustration of them, in terms sufficiently strong. Concerning equivocation, he said, "this is my opinion. In moral affairs, and in the common intercourse of life, when the truth is asked amongst friends, it is not lawful to use equivocation; for that would cause great mischief in society: wherefore, in such cases, there is no place for equivocation. But in cases where it becomes necessary to an individual for his defence, or for avoiding any injustice or loss, or for obtaining any important advantage, without danger or mischief to any other persons, then equivocation is lawful." The plain English of this is, That it is lawful to lie, if any thing is to be gained by lying. This was written March 20, before his trial. On April 28, only five days before his death, we find him asserting, "that in all cases where simple equivocation was allowable, it was lawful, if necessary, to confirm it by an oath, or by any other usual way, though it were by receiving the sacrament, if just necessity so require." These sentiments were not entertained by him merely as abstract and speculative doctrines; for he had practically adopted them in the whole course of conduct during the examination. * Jardine, p. 315.

his

He

them by the most solemn oaths and protestations." He retained his monstrous and demoralizing opinions to the last. When reminded, at the foot of the ladder, of the "strange doctrines" he had recorded in his written confessions on the subject of equivocation, he replied, "In those confessions, I have stated my real opinions, and to them I refer you."

Garnet's execution took place May 3, 1606, in St. Paul's Churchyard. Strong efforts were made, by the Recorder of London, and the deans of Winchester and St. Paul's, who were directed, by the king, to be present on the occasion, to draw from him a thorough confession of his guilt. But he still equivocated and lied, though the dreadful instruments of death were before him. It was proved, by his own acknowledgments, "that Greenway had confessed the matter to him, not as a sin, but for the sake of advice; that Catesby and Greenway had come together to him, to obtain his advice; that Greenway, long afterwards, had a conference with him in Essex, concerning the particulars of the plot; and that Greenway, being asked by him, who should be the Protector after the crime was committed, answered, that this matter was deferred till after the plot should have taken effect." And yet, when he was urged, by the dean of Winchester, to make a full confession, he boldly asserted, that he never understood any thing of the design of blowing up the Parliament House." "6 Nay," replied the dean, "it is manifest that all the particulars were known to you; and you have declared, under your own hand, that Greenway told you all the circumstances in Essex." That," said Garnet, 66 was in secret confession, which I † Jardine, p. 318.

66

Jardine, p. 340.

could by no means reveal." But this was utterly false; and to prove it, the Recorder produced his own confessions, and was about to read them, when Garnet said, "that he might spare himself that trouble; that he readily acknowledged whatever he had signed with his hand to be true; and that inasmuch as he had not declared the knowledge of the plot, which had been generally imparted to him, he owned himself to be justly condemned, and asked pardon of the king."

The closing scene is thus described: "He then ascended the ladder, and when he had entirely undressed himself, he requested the executioner to give him notice before he threw him off. He then addressed the people in the following words: 'I commend myself to all good Catholics. I am grieved that I have offended the king by not revealing the design entertained against him; and that I did not use more diligence in preventing the execution of the plot. Moreover, I pray God to bless the king's majesty, with the queen, and all their posterity, and grant him long to live and reign. I commend myself, also, to the lords of his majesty's council, and beseech them not to judge hardly of me. I am sorry that I dissembled with them, and that I did not declare the truth until it was proved against me; but I did not think they had such sure proofs against me, till they showed them to me. As soon as I perceived this, I thought it most becoming to confess, although, before, it would have been unlawful for me to have accused myself. As to my brother Greenway, I wish the truth respecting him were known. I would never have charged him, if I had not believed him to be beyond sea. But it seemed right to me to confess the truth, which I wish he had done also, that false rumours might not make both of us more criminal than we really were. I beseech all men, that Catholics may not fare the worse for my sake; and I exhort all Catholics to take care not to mix themselves with seditious or traitorous designs against the king.' Having thus spoken, he raised his hands, and made the sign of the cross upon his forehead and breast, saying, 'In nomine Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti! Jesus, Maria! Maria, mater gratiæ ! mater misericordiæ! Tu me ab hoste protege, et horâ mortis suscipe!** Then he said,

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! Jesus, Mary! Mary, mother of

'In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum; quia tu redemisti me, Domine, Deus veritatis!' Then again crossing himself, he said, 'Per crucis hoc signum fugiat procul omne malignum! Infige crucem tuam, Domine, in corde meo.' And again, Jesus, Maria! Maria, mater gratiæ,' etc. In the midst of these prayers, the ladder was drawn away, and, by the express command of the king, he remained hanging from the gallows, until he was quite dead. All that he said, from first to last, was spoken in a hurried, timid, and disturbed manner; not using any clear and steady course of prayer; not confessing his unworthiness, and praying for forgiveness, nor professing his faith in Christ. His mind appeared to suggest nothing to him which could enable him to address himself to God with comfort, or rely with satisfaction upon his Redeemer. Confiding wholly in his superstitious usages, he seemed to have no prayers to use besides those forms which daily repetition had impressed upon his memory."||

So died Henry Garnet, superior of the Jesuits in England. Such a death is inexpressibly awful. Of Garnet's guilt no reasonable doubt can be entertained. He was a convicted traitor, and justly suffered the penalty of his crime. For months before the time appointed for the dreadful blow, he knew that it was intended, and was frequently consulted respecting it. Yet he solemnly denies all knowledge of the conspiracy. When proof is brought against him, he confesses. He subsequently enlarges his confession. Then he contradicts it. He asserts-retracts-swears-denies. When can we believe him? With the rope round his neck, he avows his sorrow for having dissembled; but, for any thing we can tell, he was equivocating even then, for lying words had but just before issued from his lips. "Your apologies, your palliations for Garnet," says Mr. Townsend, addressing the late Charles Butler, "are made in vain. He died with a lie in his mouth. He died asserting a falsehood. He died the traitor to his king, the foe to his country, the hater of its laws, the friend of its grace! mother of mercy! Protect thou me from

the enemy, and receive me in the hour of death!"

"Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth!"

"By this sign of the cross may every evil thing flee away! Fix thy cross, O Lord, in my heart!" § Jesus, Mary! Mary, mother of grace," etc. Jardine, p. 343.

enemies. He died peacefully and piously, supporting the legends of his church with his last breath; and gaining strength from the superstition which venerated the wood of the cross, instead of the Holy One who bled upon it. He died not the death of a hypocrite; for his falsehood was justified by his faith, and he might have believed it to be sanctioned by his church. By wickedness, he would have served God; by equivocation, he would have supported religion. He died a martyr, a liar, and a traitor."*

Although Garnet has not been regularly canonized, he, as well as other priests, who suffered death for treason during the reigns of Elizabeth and James, are commonly considered, by Romanists, as martyrs for religion; and their political innocence continues to be obstinately maintained, in defiance of the clearest proofs to the contrary.†

Shortly after Garnet's death, a ridiculous tale was invented, which requires to be noticed, as it illustrates the spirit and tendency of Popery. William Wilkinson, a young Papist, attended the execution, anxious to obtain some relic of the criminal, and expecting to "witness some immediate testimony from God, in favour of the innocence of his saint." He succeeded in procuring an ear of straw from the scaffold, stained with Garnet's blood, and took it home to his lodgings. Some days afterwards, he gave it to Mrs. Griffiths, a tailor's wife, at whose house he lodged. She put the straw in a bottle. In the month of September following, Thomas Laithwaite, a footman, who was visiting Griffiths, was shown the bottle, and discovered, as he thought, a man's head depicted on a part of the husk of the ear. It was immediately noised abroad. Crowds flocked to see Garnet's straw. The miraculous image, as it was deemed, was regarded as an undoubted proof of his innocence. A month afterwards, a greater discovery was made. Instead of one face, and that on a single husk, two faces were

* Rev. G. Townsend's "Accusations of History against the Church of Rome," p. 315.

See Imago primi Sæculi Societatis Jesu, p. 536. Also Challoner's Memoirs of Missionary Priests," passim. Dr. C. says, that Garnet was "put upon the rack :" this is absolutely false. He states that Owen, Garnet's servant, "was so cruelly racked in prison, that he died soon after he was taken off the torture:" the fact was, the man committed suicide. Dr. C. says, in his preface, that "the first and most necessary quality that ought to recommend history, is truth." It is a great pity that he did not think of this when he wrote his "Memoirs."

seen, in the centre of the ear, with rays of glory surrounding them. One of them represented Garnet, with the crown of martyrdom on his brow; and in the midst of his beard appeared a cherub. But the miracle was not destined to live long. The privy council having commissioned archbishop Bancroft to inquire into it, the inquiry was instituted in the latter part of November, somewhat more than two months after the discovery of the alleged wonder. But the straw was not forthcoming. Well knowing that it would not stand the test of a searching scrutiny, the parties concerned had concealed or destroyed it. One gentleman, who had seen it, deposed "that he saw nothing in the straw but what any painter could readily have drawn there," that "the face seemed to him to be described by a hair, or some very slender instrument; and that, upon the whole, he saw nothing whatever wonderful in the thing, except, that it was possible to draw a man's face distinctly upon so very small a space." Francis Bowen, a painter, made a drawing of the straw from recollection, and said, that "he thought that beyond all doubt a skilful artist might depict, upon a straw, a human countenance quite as artificially as that which he had seen, and more so; and therefore, that he believed it quite possible for an impostor to have fabricated this pretended miracle." As to the supposed likeness to Garnet, Griffiths the tailor said, "As far as I could discover, the face in the straw was no more like Garnet, than it was like any other man with a long beard; and truly, I think that no one can assert that the face was like Garnet, because it was so small; and if any man saith that the head was surrounded with a light, or rays, he says that which is untrue." The result of this inquiry put an end to the affair. It was evident enough that Wilkinson had procured the drawing to be made, and then would have passed it off for a miraculous attestation of Garnet's innocence. Many a Romish miracle stands on no better foundation. The annals of Popery are crowded with records of "lying wonders" of a similar character, as disgraceful to their inventors as they are injurious to the profession of Christianity.

An engraving of the straw is given in the frontispiece to an " Apology for the Most Reverend Father Garnet," by Eudæmon-Joannes, [L'Henreux, a learned Jesuit,] published in 1610, § Jardine, p. 353,