drawn about his neck.

No better description can be given of the ride to Tyburn tree, from
Newgate and along Holborn, than that furnished by one of the _Familiar
Letters_ written by Samuel Richardson in 1741:

I mounted my horse and accompanied the melancholy cavalcade from
Newgate to the fatal Tree. The criminals were five in number. I was
much disappointed at the unconcern and carelessness that appeared in
the faces of three of the unhappy wretches; the countenance of the
other two were spread with that horror and despair which is not to
be wondered at in men whose period of life is so near, with the
terrible aggravation of its being hastened by their own voluntary
indiscretion and misdeeds. The exhortation spoken by the Bell-man,
from the wall of St. Sepulchre's churchyard is well intended; but
the noise of the officers and the mob was so great, and the silly
curiosity of people climbing into the cart to take leave of the
criminals made such a confused noise that I could not hear the
words of the exhortation when spoken, though they are as follows:

All good people pray heartily to God for these poor sinners, who are
now going to their deaths; for whom this great bell doth toll.

You that are condemned to die, repent with lamentable tears. Ask
mercy of the Lord for the salvation of your own souls through the
merits, death and passion of Jesus Christ, Who now sits at the right
hand of God, to make intercession for as many of you as penitently
return unto Him.

Lord, have mercy upon you! Christ have mercy upon you!