The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-31 00:00:00

LATEST N E WS.

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF AN
ARCHBISHOP IN NAPLES.
NAPLES, JAN. 29.
An attempt has just been made by a Neapolitan
priest to assassinate the Archbishop of Matera
while pronouncing the benediction in the cathedral.
The attempt failed, but the Archbishop was
wounded.

A Canon who was endeavouring to defend the
prelate was shot dead with a pistol by the same

assassin.

A period has been fixed within which the
political prisoners must decide whether they will
implore the royal clemency or suffer transportation.
A decree has been issued effecting certain re-
forms in the postal system. Other decrees of
reform are expected.

EXECUTION OF VERGER.
PARIS, FRIDAY.

Orders were gives on Thursday for the execu
ion to take place to-day, and this morning, al

half-past 8 o'clock, the criminal expiated his
guilt on the scaffold. He who for a long year

had brooded over murder, and who, without hesi-
tation or compunction, stabbed to the heart his
unoffending and defenceless victim—he who had

n solitude conceived, cherished, and perpetrated

his crime—trembled at the last moment when the
real terrors of violent death displayed themselves
before his own eyes.
The order of the Court for carrying out its
sentence was received at the prison of La Roquette
at midnight. The bearer was the executioner
himself. At 2 o'clock this morning the scaf-

fold was already erected in front of the prison. In
spite of the silence which had been observed as to
the day of the execution, and the early hour at
which the preparations were made, an immense
crowd assembled on the spot, and so early as 3
o'clock a considerable number of carriages were
arriving. Before 7 o'clock the Place de la Ro-
quette and the streets adjoining were encumbered.
The whole of yesterday Verger, passed in a state
of feverish restlessness ; his agitation increased
as the day wore on. He frequently asked
questions about what was going on in the Court
of Cassation, and manifested intense anxiety
as to the result of his appeal. As night came
on he began to entertain hopes of its suc-
cess, from the fact of his having received
no news of the proceedings ; and about 10
o'clock be asked those who watched with him in
his cell how many days were usually accorded to
convicts after the rejection of their appeal iu
Cassation. This question he repeated as the hour
waxed later. Of the Court he at last began to
entertain misgivings ; but he still clung tenaci-
ously to the hope that his safety would come
from the Emperor, and that the capita sentence
would be commuted to perpetual banishment.
He threw himself on his pallet, but for some
time he found little repose. His agitation was
extreme, and his slumbers feverish, till 2 o'clock,
when, nature being exhausted, he fell into a
profound sleep, which was not broken by the
noise made by the workmen preparing the scaf-
fold. It lasted till half-past seven, when the
director of the prison, the inspector-general, the
Chief of Police, and the Chaplain (Abbe Hugon),
came to awaken him, and announce the terrible
news that his last hour was approaching, and that
he must prepare for death. It was the chaplain
who undertook the office of informing him that
his appeal had been rejected, that his petition to
the Emperor was equally unsuccessful, that no fur-
ther hope remained, and that all that was now left
him was to prepare for death. The wretched man
raised himself on his pallet, he held his head
down for some instants, and turned it about
bewildered, as if he had awoke from some ter-
rible dream. When he became conscious of what
was passing, and when the dismal words, that
hope was no more—were full comprehended
by him—he cried " Impossible, impossible 1"
The chaplain repeated that, unfortunately, it was
too true, and that all was over. At once he
became excited, and his excitement rose to fury.
" I will not die !" he shouted. "It is impossible
that my appeal and my pardon are both refused—
impossible ! I cling to life ; my life is my own,
and you have no right to take it from me 1" The
chaplain endeavoured to calm and console him,
but in vain. He refused to listen to his prayers ;
he broke out in violence, and reviled the priest
with language similar to that which he had used
before the Court of Assize. The director of the pri-
son at length interfered. Verger cried, " Give me
but an hour—an hour—but one hour—no more. I
must write—l must send an express to the Emperor !"
The Director told him it was impossible. " Im-
possible ! no, I will not die ! I will not—l will
defend myself to the last 1 You may murder me
in this cell, but from it I will not stir I" At these
words he threw himself again on his bed, clung to
it with head, hands, and feet, and resisted all
attempt to lift him. The gaolers had to be called
in, and they were obliged to put on his clothes by
main force. During the operation Verger made
the greatest resistance, but finding all his efforts
vain,lie all of a sudden relaxed and fell into a
state of prostration.

At a quarter to 8 the executioner entered the
cell to put on him the dress of the scaffold. Verger
underwent this last operation without making a
movement or uttering a word ; he only shrank a
little when the cold steel of the scissors that cut
the hair from the back of the head touched his
meek. The chaplain again approached him, and
with tears in his eyes and a tremulous voice once
more exhorted him to think of his soul. He at
first listened to the priest in silence, and then
retired with him to a corner of the cell. He knelt,
joined in prayer, and probably confessed, for the
chaplain priounced the absolution. 8 o'clock
sounded, and at the last stroke he issued from the
cell, and proceeded to the scaffold. He appeared
calmer, and almost resigned to his fate. Never-
theless, when bidding farewell to the Director of the
prison and his assistants, he once more implored
for one hour "to write to the Emperor." At
a few minutes after 8 he issued from the prison
gate, when at once the scaffold, in all its hideous
reality, met his eye. During the short passage he
was supported by the chaplain on one side, and on
the other by the Director of the prison and the
executioner. As he moved he was heard to utter
the words " Amende honorable—Jamais ; plus
tard." He mounted the steps of the platform
slowly, and on reaching it he appeared as if
he wished to speak, but auy words he uttered
were not heard distinctly. It was thought they
were (c Vivo Jesus Sau ve la France ; sauve
l'Empereur." He was again exhorted by the at-
tendant priests. He knelt on the ground, and
once uttered some words_it is hoped repentance
for his crime, and prayer to Heaven for pardon.
He slowly rose, cast a glance in the distance, took
the crucifix in his hands and kissed the image of
the Saviour ; gazed for an instant or two on the
cold and clear sky above, flung himself into the
arms of the Abbe Hugon, and then surrendered
himself to the executioner. Be was fastened to
the plank, and his neck placed under the instru
went of death. A t the given; signal it fell, flash-