The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-16 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF MART CALM

This morning the awful sentence of the law
was executed on Mary Gain, who was convicted
on Friday last, for the wilful murder of Maurice
Fitzgerald, Notwithstanding the density of the
fog, the space in the front of Newgate was
crowded before the usual hour, curiosity being
excited, as it appeared in some degree from the
sex of the unfortunate alaioractor.

This miserable woman appears to have been of extremely
depraved habits, and under the influence of the most unite,
vernable passions, by which she was almost constantly led iota
disturbances and broils among her neighbours, as well as Lt
her own domestic circle. It appeared that on the night of the
dreadful catastrophe for which her life has been Justly forfeited,
she was in one of those paroxysms of rage which was vented
with splenetic fury towards her husband, and in the
attempt to assuage which the unfortunate Fitzgerald lost
his life by the furious woman stabbing him to the beam—.
During the short time she had been in confinement the
miserable creature instead of evincing compunctuous feel.
ings for the dreadful crime she had committed, and thepro.
bable awful result to herself in consequence of the sanguinary
deed manifested the greatest apathy—nay, she has used ex.
preasions which shewed that in her own mind she had enly
committed a venial offence.

On the morning of trial (Friday last) a short time before
she went to the Court she observed, Well Tam going
to be tried to-day, but if I am to be hanged, it shall not
be for nothing, for I will kill my child," (Alluding to a suck-
ling at her breast.) In consequence of the ferocious conduct
of the woman the persons attending her became alarmed
for the safety of the infant and by absolute force only could
it be taken from her. When she became more reasonable, the
infant was restored to her and she bore it into Court, but WON
narrowly watched until the verdict of the Jury sealed her fate
when it was separated from her for ever. After the awful sen-
tence of the law had been palmed upon her, and her fate ap.
peered inevitable, the culprit evinced symptoms of alternate
despondency and phrenty, and at intervals declared, that If
she committed the murder it was when she was incapable of
judging of her actions in consequence of her having drank two
glasses of ardent spirits a short time before, which statement
was entirely at variance with the evidence on her trial...—
In consequence of this, and several asseverations of a min',
hit nature, enquiries have been made among her most intimate
friends and neighbours who umilormly agree that she perpe-
trated the dreadful act in order to satisfy the inordinate cravings
of *revengeful and depraved mind. During the short interval
between her sentence and its etecution every attention has been
paid her, but beyond the gentlemen connected with the gloomy
mansion, her visitors have been confined to the Rev. Alr. Deve,
reux, the Catholic Priest, her husband and daughter, and a
female acquaintance of her own 'persuasion who appeared ex.
tremely anxious to arouse the unhappy woman from that unac-
countable lethargy which pervaded her mind, and direct her
attention to the Redeemer of mankind, but her etlbrts were ap-
parently almost unavailing. Yesterday Father Devereux viqted
her and attempted to ciente her thoughts above the world she
was so soon to leave, and pointed out to her the necessity, not
only of a sincere but a speedy repentance. On the afierpr.r. of
the day her husband and eldest daughter (who was a witness
on the trial) were admitted to pay the last visit to their afflicted
relative, she joined with them in mere common place converse.
tion as though her mind was entirely estranged from every re.
tional consideration of futurity. She seemed to shrink from
death rather than to be alive to an awful responsibility at &thigh
tribunal, therefore she attempted to insinuate that she was
encicsfe, but upon investigation it turned out that she had not
even the shadow of a pretext to claim an arrest of judgment on
that recount.

The unhappy woman only slept for one hour during the
night, but she did not apply herself to devotional exercises, the
prmcipal part of her time being taken up in bewailing the fu,
ture condition of her children, end lamenting that diehard not
irot a
_favourite gown to die tn. At an early hour in the morn.
ing, AIL Baker visited the unfortunate woman, and conversed
with her upon those topics of religion upon which both Pro.
testant and Catholic agree, carefully avoiding controversial
subjects.
Devereux soon after arrived ,and then took the exclusive
charge. of the prisoner, and administered the mdinences pre.
scribed by the rites of the Church of Rome, exhorting her to
faith and repentance, until the officers summoned the culprit to
the room where the yeoman of the halter was waiting to pinion
lier arms, &c. The unfortunate woman now appeared to have
lost her former confidence, and eddremsed some ahnoAt inarticu.
late petitions to the throne of mercy. She wes then led to the
scafibld, which she ascended with a firm step,while the exe-
cutioner was performing his duty, she paid devout attention to
the exhortations of her Confessor. At length the Rev. Mr.
Cotton read a *host portion of the burial service, and give the
signal, when the platform fell, and after a few struggles the
sufferings of this misguided woman terminet d.
We cannot refrain tram noticing the forlorn silultion of an
interesting intent, (13 months old) who is thus deprived of its
mother, and owing to the miserable eircurmtences or Its un-
happy father, be is unable to procure it that assistance which
its tender aAc requires. Wu trust that in this age of beneve..
hence the hint will not he thrown out in vain. Yesterday a
lady, who styled herself Countess Drummond, professing her-
self of the Catholic persuasion, applied to the Sheriff to obtain at;
interview with the prisoner., but was refused admisson : so urgent
was she to see the poor woman, that she got into Newgatelatt
lost night and desired to be introduced to the Governor and the
(Winery._

She applied again this morning, but met with the Mlle rt.,
fuss], upon which she renionstratesi with some asperity, whtta
dr. Wontner ordered his officers to conduct her out of the
prison and through the Court. ~
It appears that the unfortunate lady is hthopring Wet Om,
ration of mind.

The unfortunate woman was 44 years of age, and hss Went
14 children, live of whom survive her ; the eldest is about: 241
years old, and was 4 WilllC33l against her 3 the youngest is an in-
fant of 13 months old, whom we have already noticed.,-at least
it would seem so from her incoherent discourse.
The body of the unfortunate malefactor, after having beet;
suspended an hour, was conveyed away in a cart, for the par,
pest of dissection.

A FATAL ACCInENT occurred yesterday, at
Lea-bridge, near Upper Clapton. The ice on the
river Lea was crowded with skaiters, and several
females were amtmgst them, whet' seven Rends.-
men venturing too near a barge on the river, the
ice gave way, and they were instantly plouged
into the -water. Drags, ropes, and boat-hook*
were speedily I rocured, and in about ten
'mkt six were rescued from the vt.a.r, but
unfortunately the seventh was carried by theca)...
tent under the barge, and after a hour's search
the body could not be found. Active meaw
were resorted to, in order to restore suspended
animation in those who were rescued. When our
informant left the place, about six p.m. thesq
means had succeeded with all ; and it is remark.,
able that the sister of one of the sofferers we,
close to the bank, and bad been solicited a few
minutes before the accident to join the skuitet•s.
Site refused, alleging the difficulty of walking on
the ke, and danger of falling in the water. lier
brother laughingly said, Oh ! we insult all tumble
in tottether.—The words were scarcely spoken,
when the accideut occurred. We heard the name
of the person drowned, is conjectured to he
Dickenson, brother to one of the gentlemen why,
were saved, and to whom, wiser three.quartirs of
an hour's active means, life was slowly restored.
They are said to be of a very respectable fatuity
at Domerton. Much praise was slues to the barge-
men, who promptly supplied hooks and ropes,
ke. In taking up one of the gentlemen the boat,
hook was stack under his chin, and ho Ir,rt a
great quantity of blood, but be was , stored t*
life, after being about ten minutes under

I

- .
A lion, which w i brought. by Captain,Cti,kr,
MAN from the vaat coast of Africa, for Nohlo
Lord at the !wad of tie Admiralty Hoard, 143
been landed from the A►irrctnrs, forivartlo4l up.
L *lon.--(llanapshire l'atgraph.) .

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