Copied from, “THE TOWER”  by Derek Wilson, Page 207 1979 by Charles Scribner’s Sons There was a great deal of popular feeling against the proposed executions, though this did not prevent the mob displaying its usual macabre curiosity and flocking out to Tower Hill to watch Earl Derwentwater and Viscount Kenmure go to their deaths on 24 February. Two weeks later a violent display of the aurora borealis was seen in London and was widely interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure at the recent executions. The government was badly shaken. The sanguine Robert Walpole wrote to his brother, 'I don't well know what account to give you of our situation here. There are storms in the air, but I doubt not they will all be blown over'.26 The King was certainly relieved when one of the condemned men, William Maxwell, Earl of Nithsdale, solved the government's problem by escaping on the eve of his execution. This escape is the most celebrated in the history of the Tower. Others have been more difficult and more audacious but they lack the romantic elements which have commended Nithsdale's to generations of visitors. The architect of the plan was the resourceful Lady Nithsdale who travelled all the way from Scotland through atrocious winter weather. Having unsuccessfully petitioned George I for her husband's release she immediately made preparations for the scheme which must have been maturing in her mind for some time. She went to visit her husband in the Lieutenant's Lodgings, taking her maid and two female companions who had come to say their sad farewells. The ladies were appropriately lachrymose and flustered and no suspicion was aroused by their agitated comings and goings. So often did the gaoler open the door to let one or two of the visitors in or out that he soon lost track of how many had come and gone. One of the 'ladies' had, of course, been the Earl, got up in a dress and hood, with rouge on his cheeks and a tear-stained kerchief held to his face to hide his beard. The last to leave was Lady Nithsdale who held a long conver- sation with herself in two voices, then said goodbye to her 'husband' from the half open doorway of the chamber. As she left she told the Earl's servant not to disturb him because he was at his prayers. By this time Nithsdale was already concealed in the house of London friends. A few days later he left the country in the livery of a servant to the Venetian ambassador. (The Jacobite Rebellion of 17151716, under George 1st)