The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-09 00:00:00

familiar now for many years past in the popu-
lar remembrance, reappear upon the scene, and
move with their familiar air among the numerous
historic personages introduced: conspicuous among
these creations being Og, Gog, and Magog, the
the giant Warders of the Tower, and with them
little Xit, their dwarf companion. Here is another
whose grimly features will be at once recognised:

MAIJOER, TEIR HEADSMAN.
The upper part of his frame was strongly, though not
stoutly built, the arms being remarkably muscular, but his.
lower limbs were less powerful, and he seemed to be halt et
the right leg. His physiognomy was singularly repulsive.,
the nose being broad and flat, and the eyes fierce and blood
-
shoot ; the forehead bald, and the hue of the skin dull and
earthy. His cheeks were clothed with a shaggy big
beard, and the sable locks left on either side of his head
,
were wild and unkempt. His habiliments were of red
serge, but above his doublet he wore a leathern jerkin/
which was sullied with dark stains, as if of gore. On his
right hip he carried a broad two-edged knife, protected by
a sheath. But the implement that proclaimed his revolt-
ing, office was an executioner's axe. This he had not the
grace to lay aside, but continued to lean upon it while sioci-
ing before the King. Another axe, similar in sire d
form, was reared against the wall, and near it stood a °ye.
handed sword, sometimes, though but rarely, employed in
capital punishment. When the headsman arose, it instantlY
became apparent that the seat he had occupied was
block—and, moreover, that it was a block which had
frequently used.
Manger, boasting the possession of a raistic
power by means of which he can predict from
a man's face whether his head shall fall by the
hand of the executioner, the following scene ell-
sues, a scene thus vividly described :
" I will go at first, having neither fear nor faith," say
fi
the Constable. And he did as Manger had directed. After
looking fixedly at him for a moment, the executioner W.
served with a grim smile, " your head will never be rattle'
Sir John." " I never deemed it would, thou fell hound;
replied the Constable, turning away. " I will make the
next assay," said Sir Thomas Seymour, stepping
forward, and placing his foot gracefully on the block. TheA
headsman fixed his eyes keenly on him for a moment, all'
then struck the flag with his axe. A hollow ani ominous
sound was returned by the atone, as if the repose of tite
dead had been disturbed. " That signifies that thou ar;
to handle me on the scaffold, thou vile caitiff —ha ?" Grie:
Seymour, with a contemptuous laugh. "My nerves (41.;
unshaken. Does your highness hesitate ?" he added'
turning to the Lord Protector. " Not I, forsooth," re'
turned Hertford, taking his place. " I have no morel:0;
giving than yourself." " Desist, I pray your highness.
like it not," cried Edward. " Nay, I must needs disobeY
your grace, or my brother will say I am afraid," return
Hertford. " That shall I, and think so too," cried Ser.
mour. " I pray your highness look me straight in the
face," said Manger. And as the Lord Protector complied
he again struck the stone with his axe, occasioning th:
same hollow resonance as before. " Soh I your hightlee'
is likewise doomed I" exclaimed Sir Thomas Seyrastir'
with a laugh. "It would appear so," rejoined Hertforw
with a forced smile. " Let me see what my destiny 11l
be," said Lord Lisle, advancing, And, setting his c°,
on the block, he gazed with exceeding sternness at
headsman, hoping to terrify him. Mauger, however, ulf
not quail before the look, but, after a brief scrutiny
e;
the other's countenance, again smote the stone with 11
fatal axe. This time the sound proceeding from tb°
flag was deeper and more awful than on the precedhl°