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K

.J33 1835

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MAY 232

CRIMINAL TRIALS.

INTRODUCTION.

THERE are few books which furnish a larger fund of instruction and entertainment than the State Trials. It has been erroneously supposed that these collections are valuable only to lawyers; but, in fact, their importance and interest equally extend to the general reader. The interest which they excite is universal, being founded upon the same principle which brings persons of both sexes, old and young, and belonging to all classes of society, into our courts of justice to witness the trials of criminals; that principle is to be found in the feeling of reality which prevails on such occasions, and the consciousness that the life or liberty of a fellow-creature is at stake, and the facts upon which his fate depends are actually weighed before our eyes. Hence it is that no procession or solemn show, no theatrical representation, nor the most popular preacher, ever attracted greater crowds than the trials of Hatfield or Bellingham, or, in these later years, of the Cato-street Conspirators; and no orator or actor ever addressed an audience of more breathless attention, than that which witnessed the proceedings in those memorable cases. Next in

point of attraction to actual presence on such occasions, is the perusal of the written report of what has taken place; and the eagerness with which this report is sought is scarcely less remarkable than the

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