Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-21

requested TO attend and console linn in his last
moments, introduced the religious Solemnities
by reading Al, hiSrevueSt the SSth Psalm. The
Jlst lsaim first part, common metre, OF Watts
Version, WAS tiicn read and sung-and after Al,
appropriate and solemn prayer BY Mr. Hiwe
low, the 5iSt Psalm, long metre OF Watts
Version, was read and sung. These prepare
tory exercises being closed, after premisn@
that he was limited to Is minutes, he addressed
the audience and the prisoner, in Il very aztec
ting and solemn discourse, which did him no
hOr, aud ii is hoped made asalutary impression
upon many ofhis hearers. lie spoke from these
words oh! wretched man that l ann who
shall deliver me from the body of this death -
Romans 7til, 2ith.
From this theatre of solemn devotion. the
prisoner was led TO the place OF executions
whittier the anxious and curious crowd repair
ed To witness the heart rendine scene. Before
the priSoner asceuded the steps OF the scaiiold
Whence he was 10 be plunged into eternity, he
raised his hands to Heaven, and addressed his
Maker IN prayer for the space OF ten minutes
lie tnen assembled the steps, wItha firm, com
posed AR, and stood upon the stage anout ten
or fifteen minutes, when he was seated.
Ii was now announced, that he had less than
AN hour TO livel ana all who wished, were in1i-
ted To take their last leave the diving criminal
This short interval presented most affecting
ana interesting scene. The newly elected
Sheriff, whose painful duty 1T was 10 send tue
Inflated captive TO his doom, discharged the
obls, tons OF his Office. in manner which did
utn honor. olUcl ana uSCOfum prevailed
throughout the day, aud every attention and
tenderness was shewE the prisoner, which was
compatible with his official requirements. At
the earnest request ot the diving man, the She
rift cautioned all present against molcstlng his
remains AT their peril. Just before the awful
moment, MIR. Bigelow, the officiating clergy
man, called the attention of the spectators,
and declared, at the request of the prisoner,
his sorrow and peuiencc, tor his great and
grieNouS crime, also in his behalf, he begged
nt II tal a
byasSurng them, that he expected . soon to be
in Paradise"
lien the Sheriff announced TO the prisoner,
that he had but five minutes TO live, all ewes
were upon him ; all were expecting TO witness
some symptoms OF alarm and agitation-bu
no. he was cUmpoSed-he was rcsgned-he
was prepared, OF seemed to be prepared for
his awful fate. Five minutes soon eXpired-the
Sherfi,a prompt in his duty, rs afiectionate
81 the discharge of il, stepped forward and
addressing the prisoner" HENRY your time
Is come'-cut the rope which sustained him,
aud lie sunk To his DOOM
How such a scene must strike every serious
bcholder, the reader can better imagine, than
the writer describe. " hat spectacle man
loaded with guilt; bowling under the enormous
weight othls crime the victim of folly and
cupidity One moment, he stands before
You, the image OF health and strength; The
next, You see him stretched, a liteless corpse,
between the Heavens and the Earth. What a
crowd OF sensations rush into tho considerate
mlnd But all were not considerable; manv
on the contrary, were seen, upon whose minds
II Is TO be feared, no impression was made.
". X. Chronicle.