James Hogg: The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (unabridged)

Lady Dalcastle got plenty of time to read, and pray…

The minister was struck dumb. He leaned him back on his chair…

Wringhim heard all this without flinching. He now and then twisted…

Such were the tenets in which it would appear young Robert was bred.

The very next time that George was engaged at tennis…

When the game was fairly given up, and the party were washing…

The landlord, therefore, had no sooner given them…

For a long time the court was completely puzzled.

The next day George and his companions met as usual…

George found it every day more and more necessary to adhere…

George was, from infancy, of a stirring active disposition…

George conceived it to be a spirit. He could conceive it to be…

At these words, Wringhim uttered a hollow exulting laugh…

We cannot enter into the detail of the events that now occurred…

The day arrived – the party of young noblemen and gentlemen met…

All the young gentlemen of the party were examined…

Miss Logan had never lost the thought of her late master's prediction…

'I am deeply indebted to you for this timely visit, Mrs. Logan,' said she.

Mrs. Logan was now greatly confounded, and after proffering in vain…

The maid was first called; and, when she came into the witness box…

The Judge: 'This is the most singular perversion I have ever witnessed…'

'I beckoned him to follow me, which he did without further ceremony…'

'Yet, mark me again; for, of all things I have ever seen, this was…'

'I roused up my drowsy companion, who was leaning on the bed…'

Why did the man not pursue the foul murderers?

Mrs. Logan ran to the window, and, behold, there was indeed…

Mrs. Calvert turned the latter gently and civilly out of the apartment…

They walked a little way out of hearing, but went not out of sight…

'I never in my life saw any human being,' said Mrs. Calvert…

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Sinner written by himself Read by Peter Kenny

About this time, and for a long period afterwards…

My heart was greatly cheered by this remark; and I sighed very deeply…

John pulled out the keys, and dashed them on the gravel.

This boy, whose name was M'Gill, was, at all his leisure hours…

My arm was again enfeebled, and that of my adversary prevailed.

I wept for joy to be thus assured of my freedom from all sin…

We moved about from one place to another, until the day…

The next day was with me a day of holy exultation.

I confess that I was greatly flattered by these compliments…

Having been so frequently seen in his company, several people…

I was rather stunned at this; but pretended to smile with disdain…

But the most singular instance of this wonderful man's power…

I looked again up into the cloudy veil that covered us…

I had become rigid as a statue, whereas my associate appeared…

It so happened that my reverend father was called to Edinburgh…

I prayed very much in secret about this time, and that with great…

The man apparently thought I was deranged in my intellect.

Who can doubt, from this statement, that I was bewitched…

These were all the words that she uttered, as far as I could ever…

I soon came close upon my brother, sitting on the dizzy pinnacle…

It was some days before he mentioned my brother's meditated…

His lip curled with a smile of contempt, which I could hardly brook…

He enjoyed our success mightily; and for his sake I enjoyed it…

'It is a manifest falsehood!' said I. 'I have never, since I entered…'

I was again going to disclaim all interest or connection in the matter…

In this state of irritation and misery was I dragging on an existence…

I took a cup of wine and water; put on my black clothes and walked out.

I can in nowise describe the effect this appalling speech had on me.

'Asseveration will avail you but little,' answered he, composedly.

So miserable was my life rendered by these continued attacks…

I confess, to my shame, that I was so overcome by this jumble…

The next day the congregation met in the kirk of Auchtermuchty…

The truth is, that the clown's absurd story, with the still more…

'I come with sad and tormenting tidings to you, my beloved…'

These were some of the thoughts by which I consoled myself…

I was conducted into the other end of the house, among looms…

The wife released me soon, and carefully whispered to me, at the…

I attended the office some hours every day, but got not much…

For the first time, I remarked that the animals were snorting…

My case was indeed a pitiable one. I was lame, hungry, fatigued…

After crossing the Tweed, I saw no more of my persecutor that day…

At length he desired me to sit down and take some rest…

August 30. – This day I have been informed that I am to be banished…

The Editor's Narrative Concluded Read by Nicholas McArdle

'Early next morning, Mr. Anderson's servants went reluctantly away…'

The letter from which the above is an extract, is signed JAMES HOGG…

We soon reached the spot, and I confess I felt a singular sensation…

All his clothes that were sewed with linen yarn were lying in separate portions, the thread having rotten…