Memoirs of the Celebrated Eugene Aram, by MoRRISON SCATCHERD, Esq.
Excepting the masterpieces of literature, which, being based on the principles of nature or instructing us in matters whereon ignorance is discreditable, have a universal interest, the pleasure we derive from books is traceable to many causes. The family traditions, as it were, that have been impressed upon us from the dawn of reason—the conversations we have beard in early childhood—the books we have read in youth, before the mind was distracted by cares or sharpened by criticism—nay, some spot where we have accidentally sojourned—will one or all leave behind them traces that kindle interesting associations in some minds which others cannst comprehend. The pamphlet before us has been produced by feelings of this kind, aud to such feelings it appeals. The author nearly fifty years ago occupied himself in cc:Beefing all that living memory could tell of his hero. Ho " found out an aged woman who shook hands with Aram in York Castle, and knew his family ; whose eldest bro- ther was his pupil ; whose daughter-in.law lived servant to Daniel Clark's widow fourteen years, and helped to ' lay her out.' He conversed, too, with a man who knew Aram—with another person who lodged at the 11 use of Levi, a Jew—long since forgotten, (whose boy Clark and his friends were supposed to have murdered)—and another who helped to draw Eugene Aram up on his gibbet." Such labours, however, have thrown but little fresh light upon the murder. Mr. SC ATCHERD can only report that the inhabitants of Kuaresborough thought Allem the " best of the set,"—which may be inferred from the trial ; and conjecture that jealousy of CLARK, and not a mere love of plun- der, was his motive to take part in the crime. At the same time,
he has scraped together some personal particulars, and produced the fullest biography we have met of a man whose career anti acquirements are a psychological wonder—if all that is told of his learning is true.
Previous page
