Wecome，now，totheconsiderationofthosemurderswhicharecommitted，orattempted，withnootherobjectthantheattainmentofaninfamousnotoriety。ThatthisclassofcrimeshasitsorigininthePunishmentofDeath，wecannotquestion;because（aswehavealreadyseen，andshallpresentlyestablishbyanotherproof）greatnotorietyandinterestattach，andaregenerallyunderstoodtoattach，onlytothosecriminalswhoareindangerofbeingexecuted。
Oneofthemostremarkableinstancesofmurderoriginatinginmadself—conceit;andofthemurderer’spartintherepulsivedrama，inwhichthelawappearsatsuchgreatdisadvantagetoitselfandtosociety，beingactedalmosttothelastwithaself—complacencythatwouldbehorriblyludicrousifitwerenotutterlyrevolting;ispresentedinthecaseofHocker。
Hereisaninsolent，flippant，dissoluteyouth:apingthemanofintrigueandlevity:over—dressed，over—confident，inordinatelyvainofhispersonalappearance:distinguishedastohishair，cane，snuff—box，andsinging—voice:andunhappilythesonofaworkingshoemaker。Bentonloftierflightsthansuchapoorhouse—
swallowasateacherinaSunday—schoolcantake;andhavingnotruth，industry，perseverance，orotherdullwork—a—dayquality，toplumehiswingswithal;hecastsabouthim，inhisjauntyway，forsomemodeofdistinguishinghimself——somemeansofgettingthatheadofhairintotheprint—shops;ofhavingsomethinglikejusticedonetohissinging—voiceandfineintellect;ofmakingthelifeandadventuresofThomasHockerremarkable;andofgettingupsomeexcitementinconnectionwiththatslightedpieceofbiography。TheStage？No。Notfeasible。TherehasalwaysbeenaconspiracyagainsttheThomasHockers，inthatkindofeffort。IthasbeenthesamewithAuthorshipinproseandpoetry。Istherenothingelse？A
Murder，now，wouldmakeanoiseinthepapers！Thereisthegallowstobesure;butwithoutthat，itwouldbenothing。Shortofthat，itwouldn’tbefame。Well！Wemustalldieatonetimeorother;