The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-12 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF JOHN ROBERTS.

CAItNAILVON, AcutsT 10.

This morning the sentence of the law vita carr:ed
into etfet on the body of John Roberta, about 20 minuti a
after 8 o'clock. Seldom has an execution taken place
under circumstances more calculated to startle and disgust.
It hid been intended to er..ct the scaffold eatable the gao!
wall, in a part which abuts over a slate-yard; but the
tenant and landlord alike objecting, it was finally decided
that the execution should take place within the wall, and
be public only to the extent which a large aperture therein
would permit. The scaffold was small, and only capable of
accommodating the Deputy-Sheriff, 11. U. It sberis, Esq., the
governor of the prison, the chaplain, the surgeon, the exe-
cutioner, the culprit, and a gentleman who had acted as a
spiritual friend to the unhappy man both before and sub-
sequent to his condemnation. The name of this wt 11-known

philanthropist is Wright, a resident of Manchester. Out
of these individuals, the culprit, the executioner, and Mr.
Wright, were all that could Le seen through the aperture ;
and when they made their appearance, at about a quarter
pat 8 o'clock, a start of horror and a shrill cry took place
amongst the spectators, who, notwithstanding the inconve-
nience of the spot, numbered several thousands. The
religious service took place within the walls, and none was
heard from without ; abd the only feature that could tend
to mitigate the horror of the picture being the benevolent
. . .

ministrations which Mr. Wright rendered t i the deceased.
It was obvious that the good man had won the regard of
him on whom he tended. The latter waved his hands to
the crowd, saying, "Good people, take warning by me:
this comes of Sabbath breaking and poaching. All that 1
said about William Evans (the man whom he had accused
of having bribed him to the deed) is false. lie had no baud
in the murder." His last words were, "Jesus, re-
member me." While his lips were still probably
moving in prayer the signal was given by the sheriff
and the drop, fell. The sad spectacle lasted about tire
minutes. The executioner was from York, a young man,
probably inexperienced, f is. the knot was tied on the wrung
side and above the ear, se that though the faU was full four
feet, the spine was not broken, and death did not ensue
until after a few minutes of convulsive struggle. After
hanging for an hour the body was cut down and interred
within the precincts of the gaol according to the sentence.
The culprit had evinced the greatcA horror at the idea of
not being buried in the churchyard. Ile was a small
slender man, and about 23 years of age ; but grief and re-
morse had worn him so that he seemed really aged. The
grotesque horror of the sight was enhanced by the strange
black head dress worn by the hangman, and there, within a
small square aperture of a few feet,were the busts of the two
figures seen—the one in the foreground waving his hands
and making motions of agony and woe, and tho other darkly
1 miming from behind in a costume as hideous as any which
fancy can suggest.
Up to the very afternoon of yesterday, Roberts persisted
in asserting to the chaplain and to his kind visitant, Mr.
Wright, that his accusation of William Evans was true.
Towards evening, however, he admitted its falsity, and as-
signed as the resaoa for his mendacity is lingering hope
that his life would thereby be prolonged. Having made
this statement he became apparently more easy. Ile said
that a heavy load was taken from his mind, requested his
spiritual advisors to inform William Evans of his regret,
and to take care to make his confession public. Ile ad-
mitted that his conduct towards the murdered man had
been most ungrateful no lees than treacherous, for that he
was in the habit of writing letters for Lim, and doing him
several other kindnesses.

EXECUTION OF THE GLASGOW MURDERERS.

Hans Smith Macfarlane and Helen Blackwood
suffered the extreme penalty of the law on Wednesday
morning, in front of the South Prison, Glasgow, fur the
murder of Alexander Boyd, ship carpenter.
From 2 o'clock in the morning groups of men and
women of the lower class began to assemble, and continued
gradually to increase till about 7 o'clock, when the ground
was taken by the whole body of police, numbering upwards
of 600 men, and there could not be less than 40,000 human
beings present, amongst whom were a considerable number
of respectable persons of both sexes.

At 8 o'clock the criminals were brought into the Court-
house, accompanied by Mr. Reid, chaplain of the gaol, and
Captain Mullen, the governor. Rana Smith Macfarlane
was brought in first, accompanied by Captain Mullen, and
Blackwood was led in by Mr. Reid, on whose arm she sup-
ported herself. Chairs were placed for both, and having
been seated, they were severally asked by Mr. Mullen if
they had anything to say. Both replied in the negative.
A glass of wine was then handed to each, and both lifted
the glass to their mouths as well as they could with their
pinioned hands. Raving expressed their readiness, the
mournful procession, preceded by the town's officers, then
left the Courthouse, and proceeded towards the scaffold.

The two criminals ascended the scaffold with a firm step,
and after taking their places on the platform the ropes were
adjusted by the executioner, and the white caps haying
been drawn over their head., a napkin was put into the
band of the male prisoner, when the Rev. Mr. Reid engaged
in prayer, in which the culprits appeared to join. After
the lapse of a few seconds the signal was given, and the
fatal bolt was drawn. The struggles of the wretched
creatures were painful and protracted, especially in the case
of the woman, with whom life appeared to remain for four
minutes after the drop. The lest offices of the law were
performed by Caleraft. Neither of the prisoners made any
confession. .

Macfarlane, with the greatest solemnity, continued to as-
sert his innocence to the last. The question was put to
him immediately before be was going to the drop, but the
same answer was again returned. Macfarlane confessed
that his conduct was such as to merit death, but not for the
alleged crime. Neither of them could read. The woman,
however, showed considerable aptitude in learning. The
chaplain remarked that their knowledge chiefly referred to
the mysteries of " wee pawns," " thimblerigging," and
" prick the garter." Both were given to drink, Blackwood
particularly. During the night neither of them rested
much. Macfarlane rose at three o'clock, but Blackwood
WAS so we►k that she could scarcely be said to rise at all till
she was conducted to the drop. The chaplain conducted
divine service in the condemned cell in which the female
prisoner was confined, and Macfarlane was present. The
prisoners were sentenced, as usual, to be fed on bread and
water, and this part of the sentence was literally carried
oat, except that on Wednesday morning they were in-
dulged with a cap of tea and a glass of wise in their cell,
besides a glass of wine given them before approaching the
scaffold.

UNIVERSITY op LONDON.—M.B. FIRST EXAMl-
traitott.-1853.—First division :—Robert Henry Borten's,
Guy's Hospital ; Thomas Edwin Burton Brown, Guy's
Hospital; St. John Edwards, University College; Joseph
Ravesseroft Elm, Guy's Hospital; David Conway Evans,
King's College; James Fawcus, University College ; Wil-
liam Price Jones, University Collage; Henry Walter
Kiallmark, University College; William Whitehead
Morris, Leeds School of Medicine; George Mayris Pittock,
Guy's Hospital; Augustus Pout, King's College ; Frank
Powell, St. Bartholomew's Hospital ; John Dewhent
&areal, University College • Frederick Porter Smith,
King's College; Clement Williams, Guy's Hospital. Se-
cond division : George Augustus Falcher, St. Bartholo-
mew's Hospital; Edward Ash Itadow, Bristol Medical
School ; Robert George Hardwick. Leeds School of Medi-
cine; Vaughan Henry Alexander Holberton. King's Col-
lege; Risen Mautell, London Hospital; James Lewis
Siordet, University College • William Isaac Spencer,
University College; James Howard Thornton, King's
College.
FARE TABLES FOR HACKNEY CARRIAGES.—The
Commissioners of Police have issued orders, under the pre-
visions of the New Hackney Carriage Act, for the proprie-
tors of hackney carriages immediately to post tables of fares
inside and outaido their vehicles. Forms of the tables may
be seen et Scotland-yard ; they contain a statement of the
fares to be charged by time and distance, the quantity of
luggage that may be taken, and the charge allowed for
extra luggage and passengers. The Hansom cabs must
carry them inside, on the off side, close to the roof, near to
the front - blind, to be clear of the same up or down ;

and outaidgel,llssonlhe near side elm to the roof, to the right
hand of the window panel. Clarence cabs and others mu-t
have them ioside the panel of the off-door, immediately
under the window, and on the outside on the back panel in
the centre close to the roof. Ail who neglect to supply
their vehicles with these tables forthwith are to be sum-
moned, and the penalties enforced. That there may bo no
excuse, the commissioners supply the tables for Is., on
application.
DEATH FROM A FROLIC.—We regret to 'record
that a fine young man, named Archibald Campbell, in the
employment of a manufacturer in Paisley as a salesman,
was killed on the Paisley and Renfrew Railway on Friday
morning. Along with many others, the deceased proceeded
by one of the carriages for the purpose of getting the
steamer at Renfrew, and making au excursion to Loch Lo-
mond. The excursionists were in high spirits; and, when
about a mile from the 'station, Campbell and some of the
other young men leapt from the carriage in a frolic, for the
purpose of showing that they would run faster than the
horse could dm/ them. Unfortunately this was the case ;
for Campbell, when about twenty yards in advance, fell
across one of the rails in attempting to cross the line, and
before he could recover himself both wl:eels of the carriage
passed over his body, whereby he was instantly deprived of
life.-I.4inburgh 1114 nos.