The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-17 00:00:00

DEATH OF PLACIDO.

HAVANNAIL JULY 16.—The curtain has just fallen on
the execution of the chief conspirator, Placido, who met
his fate with heroic calmness.
Nothing was positively kno..vn of the decision of the
Council concerning him, till it was rumoured a few clays
since that he would proceed, along with others to the
"chapel" for the condemned. On the appointed day a great
crowd was assembled, and Placido was seen walking
along with singular composure under circumstances so
gloomy, smoking a cigar, and saluting with graceful
ease his numerous acquaintances. Are you aware what
the punishment of the "chapel " means ? It is worse
a thousand times than the death of which it is the sure
precursor. The unfortunate criminals are conducted
into a chapel hung in black, and dimly lighted. Priests
are there to cha tint in sepulchral voice the service of the
dead, and the coffins of the trembling victims are arrayed
in cruel relief before their eyes. Here they arc
kept for twenty-four hours, and are led hence to
execution. Can anything be more awful ?—and
what a disgusting aggravation of the horror of
the common death Placido emerged from the chapel
cool and undisniayed, whilst the others were nearly or
entirely overcome by the agonies they had already under-
gone. The chief conspirator held a crucifix in his hand,
and recited in a loud voice a beautiful prayer in verse,
which thrilled upon the hearts of the attentive masses
which lined the road he passed. On arriving at the fatal
spot he sat down on a bench, with his back turned, as
ordered, to the military, and rapid preparations were
made for his death. It was well known that in some
affecting poem written by Placid() in prison, he had said
it would be useless to seek to kill him by shooting his
body-that they must strike his heart to make it cease
its throbbings. And now the dread hour had arrived—
at the last moment he arose, and said "adios monde"
(adieu world), and sat calmly down. The word was
given, and five balls entered his body. Amid the mur-
murs of the horror-struck spectators he got up, and
turned his head upon the shrinking soldiers, his face
wearing an expression of superhuman courage. "Will no
one have pity on me ?" he said. " JHere (pointing to
his breast), fire here !" At that instant two balls pierced
his breast, and he fell dead, whilst his words still echoed
in our cars. Thus has perished the great leader of the
attempted revolt. Nineteen were shot at tke same time
with Placido. They all died miserably.

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

The Counte.;s of GL•ngall, in Grosvenor-street, from
Brighton ; tho Hon. Lindsey Burrell, at the York Hotrl.
Albe:»arle-street ; Mr. T. S. Dunrombe, M.P., in the
Albany, from the Norfolk Hotel, at Brighton ; Captain
Scott, 31st Regiment, and Mrs. Scott, at the York Hotel,
Albemarle-street, from a tour ; 11. Villebois, Esq., and
family, in Gloucester-place, from Regency House,
Brighton ; Lord George Bentinck, at Harcourt House,
Cavendish-square.
DEPARTURES.

The Countess of Effingham, for the Park Hotel, at
Norwood ; Lord Edward Chichester, from Norfolk-
street, Park-lane, for the Bedford Hotel, Brighton ;
the Hon. Thomas Browne and Mr. Valentine Browne,
from the York Hotel, Albemarle-street ; the Hon. Vice-
Chancellor Wigram and the Misses Wigram, from Port-
land -place, on a tour ; Lady E. Hope Vere and Miss
Hope Vere, from Park-lane, for Brighton ; Miss De
Capel Brooke, for St. Leonard's-on-Sea ; the Earl of
Weinyss and Lady Jane Charteris, from Stratford-
place, for Goslord House,.Haddington, North Britain ;
Colonel Campbell, from the York Hotel, Albemarle-
street, on a tour ; Count Holy ski, from ditto, for Paris ;
Lord Clements, the Earl of Leitrim's, Cumber-
land-place, on a tour in the north ; Bourke, Esq.,
from the Cavendish Hotel, Jermyn-street ; Sir
C. Burrell, Bart., M.P., from Richmond-terrace, for
Knepp Castle, Sussex ; Captain Rochfort, R.N„ and
family, for Cheltenham ; the Russian Baron Fredericks,
Baron Lamsdorff, and the officers of the Russian frigate
Aurora, from the York Hotel, Albemarle-street ;
Majoribanks, Esq., and Mrs. Majoribanks, for Field
House, Eastbourne ; Lord Northwick, for the Albion
Hotel, Brighton ; r. Bailey, M.P., for Glanusk Park,
Brecon ; the Right Hon. Sir Charles Vaughan, for
Brighton ; Mr. J. H. Campbell, M.P., and Mrs. Camp-
bell, from Montagu-square to Hampshire.
CHANGES.
Lord Henry Beatinck, from the Duke of Portland's,
Welbeek Abbey, Notts, for the moors of Fifeshire ; Sir
A. and Lady Corbet and family, at the Warrior, St. Leo-
nard's-on-Sea, from their seat, in Shropshire ; Lieut.-
General Sir W. Kier Grant,. at Brighton, from a tour ;
the [lon. Captain and Lady Susan Hotham, at Oakfield
Lodge, from Brighton ; the Earl of Harrowby, from a
visit to Lady Grenville, at Dropmore Lodge, Bucks, on
a tour ; Lady Blakeney, at Twickenham, from Suffolk-
square, Cheltenham ; Sir W. P. Gallwey, Bart., at
Cowes, in his yacht the Charm, from a cruise off the coast
of Ireland ; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sugden, at the Victoria
Hotel, St. Leonard's-on-Sea, from a tour ; Lady and
Miss Arbuthnot, from Cheltenham, for Liverpool ; the
Earl and Countess of WinchilSea, at Eastwell Park, near
Ashford, from Brighton ; Hon. W. Browne, from Chef,
tenliam, on a tour ; Don and Donna Ysidro Lopez de
Arze, on a visit to the Hon. and Rev. Leland Noel, Exton
Vicarage, from the Rev. J. Gill's, Scraptoft.