The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-20 00:00:00

PUBLIC EXECUTIONS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—When I wro.e to you on Tuesday last I had
a ) intention of troubling you again ; but as one of
your correspondents has t )- day expressed a reason-
able desire that I would explain myself more clearly,
and as I hope I may do no injury to the cause I
would serve by statin, my views upon it a little more
in detail, I shall be gI7KI to do so, if you will allow
me the opportunity.
My positions in reference to the demoralizing na-
ture of public executions are—
First, that they clgfly attract as spectators the
lowest, the most depraved, the most abandoned of man-
kind, in whom they inspire no wholesome emotions

whatever.
Secondly, that the public infliction of a violent death
is not a salutary spectacle for any class of people ; but
that it is in the nature of things that on the class by
-whom it is generally witnessed it should have a de-
basing and hardening influence.
On the first head I must appeal again to my own
experience of the execution of last 'ruesday morning;
to all the evidence that has ever been taken on the
subject, showing that executions have been the
favourite sight of convicts of all descriptions ; to the
knowledge possessed by the magistracy and police of
the general character of such crowds; to the police
reports that are sure to follow their assemblage; to the
unvarying description of them given in the news-
papers ; to the indisputable fact that no decent
father is willing that his son, and no decent master
is willing that his apprentices or servants, should
mingle in them ; to the indisputable fact that all
society, its dregs excepted, recoil from them as
masses of abomination and brutality. (That there
were not more robberies committed at this last exe-
cution was not the fault of the assembled thieves,
whom numbers on the occasion the Home Secretary
may easily learn from the Commissioners in Scotland-
yard, but the merit of the police, whose vigilance was
beyond all praise.)
On the second head, after a passing allusion to the
hardening influence which familarity even with na-
tural death produces on coarse minds, I must again
refer to my own experience. Nothing would have
been a greater comfort to me—nothing would have so
much relieved in my mind the unspeakable terrors of
the scene, as to have been enabled to believe that any
portion of the immense crowd—that any grains of
sand in the vast moral desert stretching away on every
side—were moved to any sentiments of fear, repent-
ance, pity, or natural horror by what they saw upon
the drop. It was impossible to look around and rest
in any such belief. With every consideration and
respect for your suggestion that the concourse may
have been belying their mental struggles by frantic
exaggerations, 1 am confident that if you had been
there beside me, seeing what I saw, and hearing what
I heard, you could never have admitted the thought.
Such a state of mind has its signs and tokens equally
with any other, and no such signs and tokens
were there. The mirth was not hysterical,
the shoutings and fightings were not the efforts
of a strained excitement seeking to vent itself in any
relief. The whole was unmistakeably callous and
bad. As the ferocious woman who was charged on
the same day with threatening to murder another in
the midst of the multitude, proclaiming that she had
a knife about her, and would have her heart's blood,
and be hanged on the same gibbet with her namesake,
Mrs. Manning, whose death she had come to see—as
she had her evil passions-excited to the utmost by the
scene, so had all the crowd. I believe this was the
whole and sole effect of what they had come to see,
and I hold that no human being, not being the better
for such a sight, could go away without being the
worse for it.
To prevent such frightful spectacles in a Christian
country, and all the incalculable evils they engender,
I would have the last sentence of the law executed
with comparative privacy within the prison walls.
13fere I state how, let me strengthen this proposal
with some words of Fielding on this subject, to whose
profound knowledge of human nature you, I know,
will render full justice :
" The execution should be in some degree private. And
hero the poets will again assist us. Foreigners have
found fault with the cruelty of the Englsh drama, in re-
presenting frt quent murders upon the etage. In fact
this is not only cruel, but highly injudicious; a murder
bshind the scenes, if the poet knows how to manage it,
will affect the audience with greater terror than if it
was acted before their eyes. Of this we have an in-
stance in the murder of the king in Macbeth. Terror
hatia, I believe, been carried higher by this single in-
stance than by all the blood which hath been spilt upon
the stage. To the poets I may add the priests, whose
politics have never been doubted. Those of Egypt in
pat ticular, where the sacred mysteries were first devised,
well knew the use of hiding from the eyes of the vulgar
what they intended should inspire them with the greatest
awe and dread. The mind of man is so much more
capable of magnifying than his eye, that I question
whether every object is not lessened by being looked
upon, and this more especially when the passions are con-
cerned ; for those are ever apt to fancy much more satisfac-
tion in those objects which they affect, and much more
of mischief in those which they abhor, than are really to
be found in either. If executions, therefore, were so
cslitrived that few could be present at them, they would
be much more shocking and terrible to the crowd with-
out doors than at present, as well as much more dreadful
to the criminals themselves."
From the rnement of a murderer's being sentenced
to dew h, I would dismiss him to the dread obscurity
to which the wisest judge upon the bench consigned
the murderer Rush. I would allow no curious visi-
tors to hold any communication with him; I would
place every obstacle in the way of his sayings and
doings being served up in print on Sunday mornings
for the perusal of families. His execution within the
walls of the prison should be conducted with every
terrible solemnity that careful consideration could de-
vise. Mr. Caleraft, the hangman (of whom I have
some information in reference to this last occasion),
should be restrained in his unseemly briskness, in
his jokes, his oaths, and his brandy. To attend the
execution I would summon a jury of 24, to be
called the witness jury, eight to be summoned on
a low qualification, eight on a higher, eight on a
higher still ; so that it might fairly represent all
classes of society. There should be present, likewise,
the governor of the gaol, the chaplain, the surgeon,
and other officers, the sheriffs of the county or city,
and two inspectors of prisons. All these should sign
a grave and solemn form of certificate (the same in 1
every case) that on such a day, at such an hour, in
such a gaol, for such a crime, such a murderer was
hanged in their sight. There should be another cer-
tificate from the officers of the prison that the person
hanged was that person, and no other; a third, that
that person was buried. These should be posted on
the prison gate for 21 days, printel in the Gazette,and
exhibited in other public places; and during the hour of
the body's hanging I would have the bells of all the
churches in that town or city tolled, and all the shops
shut up, that all might be reminded of what was being
done.
I submit to you that, with the law so changed, the
public would (as is right) know much more of the
infliction of this tremendous punishment than they
know of the infliction of any other. There are not
many common subjects, I think, of which they know
less than transportation; and yet they never doubt
that when a man is ordered to be sent abroad
he goes abroad. The details of the commonest
prison in London are unknown to the pub-
lic at large, but they are quite satisfied
that pri,oners said to b 3 in this or that gaol are really
there and really undergo its discipline. The "mys-
tery " of private executions is objected to; but has
riot mystery been the character of every improvement
in convict treatment and prison discipline effected
within the last 20 years? From the police van to
Norfolk Island, are not all the changes changes
that make the treatment of the prisoner mysterious ?
His seclusion in his conveyance hither and thither
from the public sight, instead of his, being walked
through the streets, strung with 20 more to a chain,
like the galley-slaves in Don Quixote (as I remem-
ber to have seen in my school-days), makes a mys-
tery of him. His being known by a number in-
stead of by a name, and his being under the rigor-
ous discipline of the associated silent system—to
say nothing of the solitary, which I regard as a
mistake—is all mysterious. I cannot understand
that the mystery of such an execution as
I propose would be other than a fitting
climax to all these wise regulations, or why, if
there be anything in this objection, we should no
return to the days when ladies paid visits to high-
waymen, drinking their punch in the condemned
cells of Newgate, or Ned Ward, the London spy,
went upon a certain regular day of the week to Bride-
well to see the women whipped.
A r!other class of objectors I know there are, who,
desi ring the total abolition of capital punishment, will
have nothing less ; and who, not doubting the fearful
influence of public executions, would have it protracted
for an indefinite term, ratlines; thane r
sparei the demorali-
z ition they do not dispute, a th
for a while of their final end. __
Bale of losing sight
of these I say
nothing, considering them, however good and pure in
intention, unreasonable, and not to be argued with.
With many thanks to you for your courtesy, and
beg,zing most earnestly to assure you that I write in
a deep conviction that I incurred a duty when I be_
came a witness of the execution on Tuesday last, from
which nothing ought to move me, and which every
hour's reflection strengthens,
I am, Sir, your fait ARLES,
CH DICKENS.
Devonshire-terrace, Saturd ty, Nov. 17.

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE.—Yesterday morning a
hog pig, the property of Mr. John Boardman, gardener,
Lower-road, Deptford, rubbed open the stye door and
made its way into the parlour, where the animal at
tacked a male infant, about five months old, lying asleep
in the cradle. The cries of the child alarmed Mrs.
Boardman, who was in the kitchen at'joining, and with
much difficulty she beat off the beast, which also bather
severely in the leg. The child was shockingly lace-
rated, the left foot being entirely gnawed off. It is not
expected to survive. The animal was at once destroyed.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. 1
Nov. 13, 1849.
JOSHUA FIELD, Esq., President, in the Chair.
In accordance with the resolution of a special 1
meeting of members, the session of the institution i
commenced on Tuesday evening, instead of, as here-
tofore, in the middle of January. This is a great
improvement, as it assimilates the routine of this
useful soeiety to that of other scientific bodies ; it
will also prove very convenient to the country mem-
bers, give a greater number of meetings, and enable
the session to terminate brilliantly with the President's
conversazione.
The annual general meeting for the election of
the president, council, and officers will take place on
Tuesday, December the 18th.
The paper read was a "Description of the Coffer-
dam at the Grimsby Docks," by Mr. Charles Neate,
Assoc. Inst. CE. It commenced by briefly noticing
the importance of preliminary structures in all works
of hydraulic engineering, and the difficulties generally
attending their execution. The position of Grimsby,
on the south shore of the Humber, :was then de-
scribed • its proximity to the sea ; the natural shelter
afforded' by the opposite shore of Spurn Head ; and
the various advantages it presented for the construc-
tion of extensive docks.
A general description followed of the enclosure
made for the purpose of the dock-works, which com-
prised an area of 138 acres, and projected five eighths
of a mile beyond the margin of the high-water line of
the shore. It was explained that the flatness of the
coast necessitated this great projection, as it was
requisite to found the new entrance locks in
the low-water channel of the river, in order
to secure, at all times, a sufficient depth of
water for large vessels. These conditions regulated
the position of the coffer-dam, which stood in a very
exposed situation, and was entirely self-supported; its
principal features were stated to be its extent, and the
form of its construction. The length of the coffer-
dam was 1,500 feet, supporting at high water a head
of water of 25 feet, whilst the excavation behind it was
carried to 11 feet below low-water. The form of the
dam was that of a circular curve, with a versed sine
of 200 feet, or nearly one fifth of the span.
Several of the constructive arrangements were
peculiar; the work consisted of a triple row of whole
timber sheet piling, which derived interior support
from counterforts or buttresses of solid sheet piling,
driven at intervals of 25 feet throughout its length.
The long or through-bolts were made to break joint
and terminate at the middle row of piling, so that no
water could pass along them through the dam. In
the middle row of piling, wrought-iron plating was
substituted for timber walings, which formed excellent
longitudinal ties, and left an uninterrupted surface on
the piling, against which the puddle would lie
compactly.
It was stated that these arrangements had imparted
an extraordinary degree of stability and tightness to
the structure, which had resisted the effects of storms,
and the pressure of the tides, in the most perfect
manner, during a period of fourteen months.
A portion of the ground between the works and
the shore was described as being of a soft, silty clay,
probably the site of an old channel ; and as it was
found, after all precautions, impossible to raise any
solid structure upon it, the alternative was adopted of
displacing it completely by raising a bank of chalk-
stone rubble, which sunk down to the hard bed of
clay beneath. This method was successful in forming
a very fine embankment.
The abundant supplyof water from Artesian wells in
Grimsby was adverted to, and referred to the vicinity
of the chalk hills.
The conclusion of the paper drew attention to the
magnitude of the masonry works now advancing at
Grimsby, and for the formation of which the coffer-
dam was erected, and which, when completed, from
the designs of Mr. Rendel, the chief engineer, and
under the superintendence of Mr. Adam Smith, the
resident engineer, will form perhaps one of the most
useful, as well as the most important, maritime works
of modern times.
The paper announced to, be read at the meeting of
Tuesday, November the 20th, was " A Description of
the 0!d Southend Pier Head, and the exten,ion of
the Pier, with an inquiry into the nature and ravages
of the ' Teredo Navalis,' and the means hitherto
adopted for preventing its attacks," by Mr. John
Paton.

ST. GEORGB'S HARMONIC SOCIETY.—The second
concert given by this society took place on Friday even-
ing, before a numerous and select audience. The mem-
bers exhibit a decided improvement every time we hear
them, and deserve an especial word of praise in that
respect. The principal vocalists were Miss Ellen Lyon,
who elicited a rapturous encore in " Let the bright
Seraphim" (Mr. Harper trumpet obligato); her sister,
Miss Eliza Lyon, also obtained an unanimous redemand
for " Charlie is my darling" (from Allmann's selection),
which she sang with great feeling and spirit. Miss
Collins in " Oh, Araby," deserves special mention; she
has a fine contralto voice. Mr. Frank Dudley, in
" Phiiip the Falconer;" Mr. Pelham, in " Ellen Lo•
raine;" Mr. Mattacks, in " Nan of Battersea;" Mr. H.
Buckland, in " The avalier;" and last, but d(ed(dly
not least, Mr. W. H. Seguin, in " The Sea Kings,"
rendered their respective songs with artistical excellence.
Mr. T. Harper performed " The Soldier tired" on the
trumpet superbly, and was tumultuously encored. M.
Zerbini also played Do Beriot's " II Tremo!o" on the
violin, in which he was much applauded. Mr. J. C.
Beuthin and Mr. A. Jackson officiated at the pianoforte
very creditably. Mr. S. T. Lyon c,nducted.
DENIAL BY A PROTESTANT CLERGYMAN OF CHRIS-
TIAN BURIAL TO A ROMAN CATHOLIC.—It is our very
painful duty, this week, to record one of those outrages
upon the Christian character, which arc alike revolting
to an intelligent community and a disgrace to that system
of religion by which they are sanctioned. The circum
stances of the case, as neat ly as we can gather them, are
briefly these:—The family of John Gully, Eici , of Ack
worth-park, having recently been visited by a painful
bereavement, application was made to Mr. Kenworthy,
the clergyman, to have the deceased interred in the
churchyard of Ackworth, where a former branch of Mr.
Gully's family had been already buried. Permission was
given for the interment (which the Rev. Gentleman knew
he durst not refuse), but the deceased young lady having
been a Roman Catholic, he would not allow the corpse
to be taken within the precincts of the church. It was
not likely that a high-minded and honourable man like
Mr. Gully would submit to such an insult. What pa-
rent, with a heart bleeding under the loss of an amiable
child, could endure to have the mark of degradation
stamped upon the remains of that child, by being denied
the right of Christian burial ? And yet this most
undoubtedly would have been the case, had the par-
ties been without the means of providing another place
of sepulture. Happily this was not Mr. Gully's position,
and a remedy in his case was at baud, though the cir-
cumstances must have cost the mourning family much
additional sorrow. Ackworth-park being contiguous to
the churchyard, a spot was selected as near as possible
to the place where the other members of the family had
been buried; and this being by a Catholic clergyman
set apart as a place of sepulture, the remains of Miss
Gully were deposited there on Thursday morning last.
according to the rites of that church in whose faith she
died. The conduct of Mr. Kenworthy needs no com-
ment. Surely such a system will soon lack defenders,
and will give place- to one whose principles are more
equitable and just. We have no quarrel with episcopa
lianism as such, but we do object to a church being
called national, and being supported by national funds,
denying its citizens a right to its privileges.—Leeds
Mercury.
THEATRICALS AT WINDSOR CASTLE.--Her Ma-
jesty has expressed her entire approval of the arrange-
ments effected by Mr. Charles Kean relative to the en
suing theatrical entertainments at the Castle (luring the
Christmas holidays. Messrs. Grieve, Telbin, and their
assistants are now eneaged in preparing the scenic and
decorative accessories for the pieces to be played. The
first piece selected by her Majesty and her Royal:consort
ii the tragedy of Julius Cesar, which will be very
powerfully cast, it being understood that Mr. Macready
wilt personate the noble Roman Brutus, and Mr.
Charles Kean, Mark Anthony. It is not at present ar-
ranged as to who will enact Cassius, probably Mr. Van-
denboff, or Mr. James Walteck. The first representa-
tion is appointed to take place in the Christmas holiday
week—viz , Friday, the 28th of December. The first
part of King Henry IV., in which it is said Mr.
Murray, the manager of the Edinburgh Theatre, will
play Falstaff, is also named amongst the repertoire of the
Court performances for the present season.—Sunday

Times.
AGONISING DEATH.—The Penang (Prince of
Wales's Island) Gazette of June 30th describes a most
distressing accident. A party of,gentlemen from Pulo-
Ticoose college were on a visit to Batu-Kawan, some of
whom went out to shoot, in the plantation of the late
Mr. A. M'lntyre, on the morning alluded to. The Rev.
Mr. Thivett, superior of the college, and another, had
separated themselves from the rest of the party, and one
or other of these gentlemen having shot a bird, it fell;
but its wing only being broken, it attempted to escape
by running, and took the direction of a small inclosure,
at the only opening into which it entered, the two gen-
tlemen following in pursuit. Mr. Thivett was in ad-
vance, and immediately on crossing the entrance of this
inclosure he disappeared: his friend, who was close upon
his heels, had hardly time to check himself, and so escape
the cruel death Mr. Thivett suffered. His friend heard
him call out, " he was a lost man," but on approaching
the edge of the pit he could not see his person on ac
count of a quantity of grass and other rubbish which
covered him. The pit proved to be a trap carefully
disguised, covered with grass and attap leaves laid upon
slender sticks, set for tigers, about twenty feet deep, and
planted at the bottom with strong nebong spears, set
perpendicular, or slightly inclining towards the sides of
the pit, and rivetted in the soil so that they could not be
moved; on one of these the unfortunate gentleman had
fallen, which transfixed his body, maintaining him in the
onlylet down
instrument
position in which he fell upon it.' A rope was procured,
uonpeeeokf
etthke
upiafer,tythweasof
hand,it, andh e with
by
meanast
suc-
ceeded in dividing the spear near where it was fixed to
the ground. Mr. Thivett died at three o'clock the fol-
lowing morning.
THE TWEED BANK.—We see that a further and
final dividend on the estate of the proprietors of the
Tweed Bank is to be declared in the District Court of
Bankruptcy, in this town, on the 22d instant. It is un-
derstood that this dividend on the joint estate of the
parties • will amount to twopence in the pound, in addition
to the dividends made at various times since the failure
of the bank eight years ago, amounting in the whole to
los. 2d. in the pound.—Newark Guardian.