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this panel; -the Professor occupying a chair in that College; Little-
field holding a place in part under Dr. Webster, and Dr. Webster a
man of fair character and reputation in the world. Yet, this brief con-
versation, as Littlefield said, forced upon his mind the clear, settled,
firm conviction, that Dr. Webster, the man whom he was talking
with, was a murderer. He had a sharper vision than the police officer,
Fuller, who visited Dr. Webster, and had more conversation with him
that evening.
So clear and certain was Littlefield, that he went to his wife, his
bosom companion, unfolded to her his convictions; and she replied to
him, °' For mercy's sake, don't say or think of such a thing as that! "
Now, Gentlemen, is not that somewhat remarkable, that this strong,
mighty, overwhelming conviction-that this should have come into
the mind of Littlefield, at that time, from that conversation-not from
what had transpired elsewhere, but ,from that conversation ? Now we
have this point of observation: - This witness says that at this period
of time his suspicions were strong and overwhelming-thorough,
certain, complete, and undoubted. Now marls his conduct before and
after that time, and see whether it squares with the statement that he
makes, that his conviction was so strong upon his mind that it
was only under the exhortations of his wife that he was silent for a
moment.
Before that Sunday, on Friday, again and again during the after-
noon, he visited all the doors, in order to enter and make fires. He
went to the party; he came home late ; he went to all the doors at
that time of night-and what for ? Surely, not to make fires at that
time, when the next day was not lecture-day! He testifies that he
went to the party, and came home in his party dress; that he went to
these rooms, and examined them all.
In a man who had no suspicions, this vigilance was remarkable.
You are called upon to note extraordinary circumstances in the
prisoner;-note them in the witness who testifies against him.
Saturday he watched; Sunday be tried the doors of Webster. Why?
Surely not to make the fires on Sunday, in the morning ! Remember
no suspicions were then excited.
Chief Justice Shaw. Of what Sunday are you speaking?
JaIge Merrick. The first after the disappearance.
Chief Justice Shaw. It was Sunday evening that he had this inter-
view.
Judge Merrick. I am speaking of his conduct before the interview
as incompatible with his want of suspicion. Wherefore all this action
before the suspicion ? Now go to the day after. You see the
vigilance before his suspicions were excited : see bow it was after.
On Monday morning-the very next morning after this deep and awful
conviction came upon his mind - when he came to the overwhelming
conclusion that the Professor, his friend, the teacher, had been guilty
of the most awful crime that had been committed in, the community,
-he goes into that room ; he passes through that laboratory alone, that
day, twice-three times, I believe, and once with the police! Yes,
three times! He was there four times; three times alone, and with
an opportunity to search just as much as he pleased ! In the morning,
Dr. Samuel Parkman first came there. Mr. Littlefield was not found
by Dr. Samuel Parkman, who found, on the contrary, Mrs. Littlefield,
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