The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-17 00:00:00

TRE WEATHER AND THE PARK.'%

The severe frost, which has now continued three
days without intermission, this morning enabled
those having the time and inclination to recreate
themselves on the various waters and canals in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis. A little before
11 a.m. yesterday the glass had fallen to 25 degrees,
being seven degrees below freezing point, and, of
course, during the previous night it must have been
much lower. Such an intense degree of cold is
seldom experienced in this comparatively temperate
climate, and of late years our winters have pawed
almost without making a sign. Last year we had
a few days' frost during the month of November,
since which there has been none till the present
time.

....._.
The evolutions and misfortunes of the sliders and
skaters during the day were sources of considerable
amusement to the hundreds of persons who lined
the shores of the respective waters, and who were
not venturesome enough to trust themselves on the
ice, which, in spite of the sharp frost, was in any-
thing but a safe condition, and bent. and cracked in
a fearful manner under the weight of the persons
passing over its surface. The water in St. James's
Park was that most freely ventured on during the
day, as, since Sir Benjamin Hall's improvement, by
causing the lake to be paved with a firm concrete,
and reducing the water to an uniform depth of be-
' twecn three and four feet, no immediate danger was
to he apprehended.
Two skaters were plunged into a hole up to the
neck and shoulders. A peripatetic vender of skates,
having perhaps an interest as proprietor of either or
both of the immersed gentlemen's skates, and fear-
ing their loss in the struggle to get out, incau-
tiously ath-anced too near, and was himself uncere-
moniously admitted to the conference, accompanied
by his chair, which he had brought with him.
Their endeavours to escape were for a long time
futile, the edges of the ice round the hole in which
they were not being strong enough to support
their weight when they attempted to get out. A
rope having been procured, one of the victims was
enabled to seize it, and by this means he was pulled
out to his own length on the ice, when it again
broke and let him in a second time. After this pro-
cess had been repeated several times they were all
three extricated, with no other injury than lacerated
hands and cut knees, and their clothes completely
saturated. The Royal Humane Society had not
completed the erection of their usual building, and
they had to find their way home in the best man-
ner possible. Several accidents of the same nature
occurred, chiefly to boys, who, their weight being
less, were more easily rescued, till the ice was almost
deserted. In Hyde Park, on the more dangerous
water of the Serpentine, no one ventured, except a
few boys round the edges, that place having been
the scene of so many unfortunate deaths from going
on too early. Notwithstanding, however, the
efforts of the Royal Society men, who, with their
cork; jackets and coils of rope, paraded the shores,
warning persons anxious to go on of the extremely
insecure state of the ice, and notices placed at dif-
ferent localities with " dangerous" in large charac-
ters painted on them, several immersions took place
four in all— although, happily, unattended
with fatal results. One of them was a narrow
escape. A boy, who had been repeatedly
warned by the men, persisted in going on, and
when at a distance of some thirty yards from the
shore, the depth being eight or ten feet, the ice
gave way and precipitated him into the water.
He luckily had a large basket with him,
which materially assisted him in maintaining his
position above water till he was rescued from his
perilous situation by one of the Humane Society's
men, who skilfully threw him one end of a coil of
rope, and hauled him out.
If 11 be in a fine
anotherl nt hs t 'ps
ifercoes t
oefo nwt, ianttet
re ,
was
is in all proba-
bilitycondition for skating and sliding, as it has not been
broken like the ice in St. James's Park, and will
; present a smooth glassy face—the reel pride of the
true skater. Thus, as far as we can learn, no acci-
dent attended with fatal effects has as yet occurred.

THE EXECUTION OF OLD JOE BROWN.

The Boston Journal contains the following tele-
graphic account of the execution of Brown at
Charlestown :

CHARLESTOWN, DEG. 2.

The prisoner was brought out of gaol at 11 o'clock.
Before leaning he bade adieu to all his fellow-pri-
soners, and 'was very affectionate to all except
Cook. He charged Cook with having deceived and
misled him in relation to the support he was to
receive froth the Alves. He was led to believe
that they were ripe for insurrection, and had found
that his representations were false. Cook denied
the charge, but made little reply.
The prisoner then told the sheriff he was ready.
His arms were pinioned, and with a black slouch
hat on, and the same clothes he wore during the
trial, he proceeded to the door, apparently calm
And cheerful.
As he came out, the six companies of infantry and
one troop of horse, with Gen. Tallaferro and his
entire staff, were deployed in front of the gaol, while
an open waggon, with a pine box, in which was a
fine oak coffin, was waiting for him.
He looked round and spoke to several persons he
recognised, and, walking down the steps, took a
seat on the coffin box along with the gaoler, Avis.
lie looked with interest on the fine military dis-
play, but made no remark. The waggon moved off,
flanked by two files of riflemen in close order.
On reaching the field the military had already
full possession of it.
Pickets were stationed, and the citizens kept back
at the point of the bayonet from taking any posi-
tion but that assigned them.

Through the determined persistence of Dr. Raw-
lings, of Frank Leslie's, the order excluding the
press was partially rescinded, and they were as-
signed a position near the Major-General's Staff.
The prisoner walked up the steps firmly, and was
the frst man' on the gallows. Avis and Sheriff
Campbell stood by his side, and after shaking hands
and bidding an affectionate adieu he thanked them
for their kindness.

The cap was then put over his face, and the rope
round his Neck.

Avis asked himn to step forward on the trap. He
replied, "You must lead me ; I cannot see."
The rope was adjusted, and the military order
given—" Not ready yet."
The soldiers: marched, couNtermarched, and took
position as if an enemy were in sight, and were thus
occupied for nearly 10 t m .nn . es.
The prisoner standing all the time, Avis inquired
if he was not tired. Brown said—" No, not tired ;
but don't keep me waiting longer than necessary."
He was swung off at 15 minutes past 11.
A slight grasping of the hands and twitching of
the muscles was seen, and then ail was quiet.
The body was several times examined, and the
pulse did not cease until 35 minutes had passed.
The body was then cut down, placed in a coffin,
and conveyed, under military escort, to the depot,
where it was put in a car, to be carried to the
Ferry, by a special train at four o'clock.
All the arrangements were carried out with a
precision and military strictness that was most

annoying.
The general conviction everywhere entertained
was that the excitement about the rescue was an
egregious hoax.
Brown executed an instrument empowering
Sheriff Campbell to administer on all property of
his in the State, with directions to pay over the
proceeds of the sale of the weapons, if recovered,
to his widow and children.
Sheriff Campbell bid the prisoner farewell in
the cell, the latter returning thanks for the sheriff's
kindness, and speaking of Captain Pate as a brave
man.

The prisoner wss then taken to the cell of Cope-
land and Green. He told them to stand up like
men and not betray their friends. He then handed
them a quarter each, saying he had no more use for
money, and bid them adieu,
He then visited Cook and Coppie, who were
chained together, and remarked to Cook, " You have
made false statements." Cook asked, " What do
you mean ?"
Brown answered, "Why, by stating that I sent
you to Harper's Ferry."
Cook replied—" Did you not tell me in Pittsburg
to come to Harper's Ferry, and see if Forbes had
made any disclosures ?"
Brown—" No, sir ; you know I protested against
your coming."
Cook replied—" Captain Brown, we remember
differently," at the same time dropping his head.
Brown then turned to Coppie, and said, " Coppie,
you also made false statements, but I am glad to
hear you have contradicted them. Stand up like a
man." He also handed him a quarter.
He shook both by the hand, and they parted.
The prisoner was then taken to Stevens's cell and
they kindly interchanged greetings.
Stevens—" Good bye, Captain ; I know you are
going to a better land."
Brown replied—" I know I am." Brown told
him to bear up, and not betray his friends, giving
him a quarter.
He did not visit Hazlitt, as he has always per-
sisted in denying any knowledge of him.
On his way to the scaffold a Mr. Sadler, an un-
dertaker, who was in the waggon with him, re-
marked—" Captain Brown, you are a game man."
He answered, " Yes, I was so trained up. It was
one of the lessons of my mother ; but it is hard to
part from friends, though newly made. This is a
beautiful country; I never had the pleasure of see-
ing it before."
On reaching the field where the gallows was
erected, the prisoner said, " Why are none but mi-
litary allowed in the enclosure ? lam sorry citizens
have been put out." On reaching the gallows he
observed Mr. Hunter and Mayor Green standing
near, to whom he said," Gentlemen, good bye," his
voice not faltering.
While on the scaffold Sheriff Campbell asked him
If he would take a handkerchief to drop as a signal
when he was ready. He replied, " No, Ido not
want it, }):t., do not detain me any longer than is
absolutely ,:ecesary."
Shortly after the execution, and while the body
was heir tlkon to the depot, great excitement was
raised t 7,, arrival of a horseman announcing that
Whe.lll': the late residence of George W. Tur-
ner, 171,-,r, at Harper's Ferry, was on fire,
and t' r. --as extending to the farm and

_ _ _
The latter, -cv<2.s in town, said that he had
left home at 10 o'clock in the morning, and that se-
.veral of his horFez; had died very suddenly, and also
H,.is sheep. He intended to have their sto-
ialysed, a;; he believed them to have been
The stock of Mr. Castleman and Mr.
ieighbourhood, had also died

urner.

some

mz

1)07

very mystcrlon.,'.y.
The exciternclt c:lu-,e(l by this was very great.
Colonel Davis had the Faquier cavalry in readiness
to go out, and inquire into the truth of the report
about the fire.-
The body of Brown arrived by the special train,
and will be taken on by Mrs. Brown and friends
direst to Albany. It is desired to avoid all public
demonstration, and it is determined that the body
shall not be visible anywhere on the route to North
Elba, where it will be deposited in the family
burying ground.
Mrs. Brown speaks in the highest terms of the
great kindness shown her by the citizens and
authorities of the State. She is, of course, in great
distress. She has most favourably impressed all
who havf- met her as a woman of fine feeling and
of great affection for her husband.
ANOTHER, ACCOtNT.
CHARLESTOWN, DEC. 2.

The interview between Brown and his wife yes-
terday lasted from four o'clock in the afternoon
until eight o'clock in the evening, when General
Taliaforro informed her that the period allowed her
had elapsed and that she must prepare for departure
to the Ferry. A carriage was again brought to the
door, the military took possession of the square, and,
with an escort of 20 mounted men, the cortege
moved off, Captain Moore, of the Montgomery
Guards, accompanying her.
The interview was, I learn, not a very affecting
one, rather of a practical character, with regard to
the future of herself and children, and the arrange-
ment and settlement of business affairs. They
seemed considerably affected when they first met,
and Mrs. Brown was for a few moments quite
overcome, but Brown was as firm as a rock, and
she soon recovered her composure.
There was an impression that the P r;sone,- might
possibly be furnished with a weapon or strychnine
by his wife, and before the interview her person
was searched by the wife of the gaoler.
A strict watch was kept over them during the
time they were together. At the time of separation
I
they both seemed fully self-possessed, and the part-
ing, especially on his part, exhibited a composure,
either feigned or real, that was surprising.
I learn from Captain Moore that she rather re-
pelled all attempts on his part to express sympathy
with her under her afflictions. She resented the
idea that Captain Brown had done anything to
deserve death or to attaint his name with dishonour,
and declare that the ignoinious character of the
unishment d that was about to be inflicted upon him
p
was as cruel as it was unjust.
She regarded him as a martyr in a righteous
cause, and was proud to be the wife of such a man.
The gallows, she said, had no terrors for her or him.
She stated that she had not seen him since last
June, about six months ago, and that they had been
separated, with the exception of a few days, for
nearly two years. They bad, however, corresponded,
and she had always felt a deep interest in the cause
in which he was engaged. The character of the
interview may be judged to some extent from his

conversation with Captain lk.loore, which took place
previous to it.
I learn from Captain Avis, the gaoler, that the
interview between the prisoner and his iv :e was
characteristic of the man, and the directions given
for the management and distribution of his property
embraced all the minor details of his last will and
testament.
General Taliaferro was also present, and Captain
Brown urged that his wife might be allowed to re-
main with him all night. To this the General re-
fused assent, allowing them but four hours.
On first meeting they kissed and affectionately
embraced, and Mrs. Brown shed a few tears, but
immediately checked her feelings. They stood,
embraced, and she sobbing, for nearly five minutes,
and he was apparently unable to speak. The pri-
soner only gave way for a moment, and was soon
calm and collected, and remained firm throughout
the interview. At the close they shook hands, but
did not embrace, and as they parted he said, " God
bless you and the children." Mrs. Brown replied,
" God have mercy on you," and continued calm
until she left the room, when she remained in tears
a few moments, and then prepared to depart.
The interview took place in the parlour of Capt.
Avis, and the prisoner was free from manacles of
any kind. They sat side by side on a sofa, and
after discussing family matters proceeded to busi-
ness. He stated that he desired his property to
pass entirely into her possession, and appeared to
place full confidence in her ability to manage it
properly for the benefit of his younger children.
He requested her to remain at North Elba, New
York, on her, farm, where she now resides, and
which belongs to her. He desired that his younger
children should be educated, and it she could not
obtain facilities for their education at home to have
them sent to a bearding school. •
He then gave directions, and dictated to She-
riff Campbell a will, which directed that ail his
property should go to his wife, with the exception
of a few presents and bequests which he made. To
one of his sons he gave a double spy-glass, and to
another a watch, while a third was directed to take
a tombstone or monument that marks the grave of
his father at North Elba, and have his name, age,
and the manner of his death, together with the
cause for which he had suffered, cut upon it. He
directs that it 'hall remain at North Elba as long
as his family resides there. To each of his children
he bequeathed the sum of 50 dols., and to each of
his daughters a Bible, to cost 5 dols., to be pur-
chased out of the money coming to him from his
father's estate. He also directed that a Bible, to
cost 3 dols., shall be presented to each of his grand.
children, and that 50 dols. each he paid to three
persons whom he named, if they can be found, and
if not, to their legal representatives.
During the conversation Mrs. Brown asked
him if he had heard that Gerrit Smith had become
insane, and had been sent to the, asylum at Utica.
He replied that he had read it in the papers, and
was sorry to hear it, but immediately changed the

subject.
The subject of the death of his two sons was
spoken of, and Mrs. Brown remarked that she had
made some effort while at Harper's Ferry for the
recovery of their bodies, to which object she said
Col. Barbour had kindly consented to give his
assistance. Captain Brown remarked that he would
also like the remains of the two Thomusons re-
moved if they could be found, but sus,gested that
it would be best to take his body, with the bodies
of his four sons, and get a pile of pine logs, and
burn them altogether ; that it would b-, much
better, and less expensiv6, to thus gather up
all their ashes together, and take them to their
final resting place. Sheriff Campbell told him that
this would not be permitted within the State, and
Mrs. Brown objected to the proposition altogether.
The prisoner said that he contemplated his
death with composure and calmness. It would
undoubtedly be pleasant to live longer; but, as it
was the will of God he should close his career, he
was content. It was doubtless best that he should
be legally murdered for the good of the cause,"and
he was prepared to submit to his fate without a
murmur. Mrs. Brown becoming depressed at these
remarks, he bid her cheer up, telling her that his
spirit would soon be with her again, and that they
would be reunited in Heaven.
With regard to his execution, he said that he
desired no religious ceremonies, either in the gaol
or on the scaffold, from ministers who consent to
approve of the enslavement of their fellow-creatures
—that he would prefer rather to be accompanied to
the scaffold by a dozen slave children and a good
old slave mother, with their appeal to God for
blessings on his soul, than all the eloquence of the
clergy of the commonwealth combined.
During the past week several letters, contain-
, ing checks and draughts, had been forwarded to him
by his friends in different sections of the country.
These he endorsed and made payable to his wife,
Mary A. Brown (one of them was for 100 dols.
and one for 50 dols.), and handed them to her.
During the day the bells were tolled in many
places in New England, as well as in the other
States. Immediately after prayers in each branch
of the Legislature, a motion was made to adjourn,
out of respect for Brown and the cause for which
he suffered. A debate ensued in both branches upon
the motions, both of which were rejected.