I46 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
to press around him ; and on some gentlemen calling out to secure him, he ran
along the pier a few yards, brandishing his cutlass and uttering defiance. He
then went on board the store-ship lying at the pier, and stationing himself upon
the bowsprit, threatened to stab any one who should attempt to lay hands on
him ; and on some one calling out " Murderer ! " from the pier, he again ran on
shore, chasing the crowd with his cutlass. The boatswain of the Unicorn at last
came up to him, and desired him to sheath his sword, but he refused. The
boatswain then asked it from him, when a struggle ensued, on which one
Fowler Ferguson, a carter and publican in Leith, came up and took the cutlass
out of White's hand. The prisoner was then conveyed to the Council Chamber,
From exculpatory proof led, it was shown that White bore an excellent
character, both for sobriety and humanity ; that he could have entertained no
malice towards Jones, as he had only the day before sheltered him from punishment
for being drunk; and likewise that, as desertions were at the time
prevalent, he had acted under the impression that Jones wished to escape.
Whatever else might have had influence, it was evident that drink had been the
cause of the unhappy act-the ship arrived at Leith on the 14th, and the hands
had received their pay only ten days previous at Stromness, so that a little
irregularity might have been expected.
Although the prisoner was indicted for murder, yet the jury, after a lengthened
examiiation, found him guilty of culpable homicide; and the Lords of
Justiciary, in consideration of the previous good character of the unfortunate
young gentleman, sentenced him to fourteen years' transportation.
No. LXIII.
MR. HENDERSON AND hIR. CHARTERIS,
OF THE THEATRE-ROYAL, EDINBURGH,
IN THE CEARACTERS OF SIR JOHN FALSTAFF AND BARDOLPH.
MR. HENDERSON, as Xir John FuZstu& a character in which he has
probably never been surpassed, will be easily distinguished to the left ; and it
must be admitted, that in this sketch of the scene betwixt the valiant Sir John
and his friend Bardolph, the pencil of the artist has felicitously conveyed a
portion of the genuine animation of the original
It was in February 1746 that Mr. John Henderson first saw the light in
Goldsmith Street, Cheapside ; his family was originally Scotch, and he is said
to have been a descendent in a direct line from the famous Dr, Alexander
Henderson. His father died two years after the birth of our hero, leaving him
and two brothers to the protection of their mother, who retired with them
