A NOVEL. This is all true as it is strange; Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth I 2 NEW YORK: BAKER AND SCRIBNER, 145 NASSAU STREET AND 36 PARK ROW. 1850. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by BAKER AND SCRIBNER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. C. W. BENEDICT, 201 William st. PREFACE.. THE leading purpose of the following story is to illustrate the strength of what is commonly called "circumstantial evidence." An idea is prevalent that this sort of evidence is fallacious, and ought not to be a ground of conviction. Many a villain 66 goes unwhipt of justice," through this unreasonable squeamishness, since it unfortunately happens that this class of men are not in the habit of calling witnesses to their deeds who can testify in so positive a manner, as to satisfy the unhealthy appetite that most jurors have for what they call " proof." Newspaper stories, and the florid declamations of lawyers on the defence, have excited men's imaginations on this subject, almost as much as the former cause has alarmed them with the apprehension of being buried alive. Now, the fact is, that both of these occurrences—an improper conviction upon "circumstantial evidence," and burying a living man for dead-are equally rare. Neither of them can happen without great care |