Star.
London, England, 1824-03-23 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Richard the Third was performed last night at this Theatre, and
Mr. KLAN, inspired by the view of a numerous audience, went
through the part of the astucious- and remorseless tyrant with all
the excellence which originally established his fame as a first-rate
Actor. The revived Melo-drama.of Tekeli followed, the last scene
of which is one of the most complete representations of the mag-
nificent horrors of war evenproduced at a Theatre. _

EXECUTION.
•
This morning, at eight o'clock, the dreadfql sentence of death
was carried into effect in the Old Bailey, upon Sunnier Batas, aged
24, and .J 444getstin Wren, aged 20, for highway robbery, attended
with circumstances of considerable aggravation.
These culprits were convicted with a man named Elliott, Who is
respited, in the January Sessions, of an attack on a vrvoit
named Collins, near the road leading to Vauxhall Bridge; but
meeting with rather an unexpected resistance, the ruffirns resorted
to violence, and, finally, in their attempt to escape, one {it it
believed Wren) fired i pistol, the ball front which passed through
Mr. Collins's hat. They were, however, all secured very near the
place of attack. Unfortunately these men had before undergone
the ordeal of trial, and were known to the police as desperate ruf-
fians, capable of any act of violence; this, added to the circum-
stances of their crime, was calculated at nose to decide the necet,-
sity of their being made an example; and although the prosecutor
recommended them to mercy, which recommendation wai joInZl
with an effort from another quarter, it was determined the
should not be altered.

The family of Wren were most respectable, and he, it seems,
was the entire cause of the breaking up of their tortunes. lie was
an only son, and every effort had beet. made by his family to wean
him from the bad associations he had funned ; but hi vain, .s the
unfortunate young man despised every kind of advice. On his being
convicted fur this offence, and the Judge intimating that the law
would take its course, his mother became so shocked that she in a
short time died of a broken heart : his father also, finding himself
reduced nearly to ruin, and seeing his son about to forfeit his
life ignominiously, could not stand against such accumulated
affliction ; he became deranged, and expired yesterday evening,
at six o'clock. This was communicated to Wren last night, and he
became so shocked as since scarcely to be able to attend to any reli-
gious instruction : he, however, fully admitted the justice of his wit-
tence,and expressed great contrition fur his crimes.
•Mains has been extremely penitent, and since his condemnation
has made must unceasing appeals to HrAveri for mercy. Ile has
left a wife and two infant children to deplore his wretched end t
they, we understand, are in a state of the most deplorable distress,
and live in Peter-street, Westminster.
This morning, Mr. Sheriff LA Utllt and his officers arrived at the
gaol, at 20 minutes to eight o'clock, and instantly proceeded to the
press-room, where the culprits were introduced, and pinioned.
Wren was dressed in a blue coat and white trow,ers, and looked
extremely respectable. His demeanour was carel,ss and bold ; but
from the wandering of his eyes and his flushed countenance, it ap-
peared' his senses were wavering. Rains was extremely dejected
and weak, but prayed with great fervour; he shook hands with
the Sheriff, and begged him " to pity" Lis poor wife and children.
The awful preparation: being completed, its 20 minutes the wretched
men were led to the scaffold, attended by the Rev. Mr. Towns and
Mr.•Bser.a. Rains, as he walked through the passages, repeatad
the Responses at the conclusion of the funeral Service, and said.
" Oh ! Loan, in the valley of death thou bast lifted me up ; *ippon
and receive my soul now .y Wren first ascended the platform, and
nodded to some persons in the crowd, and with a smile, exclaimed,
" Good bye, Goo bless you." In a few minutes, the executioner
having completed his arrangements, the drop fell, and they ceased,
after a few struggles, to exist. Considering the wetness of the
morning, an immense crowd assembled.

I'