Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-06-11
From Bells london Heskty Messenger
DEATH OF VITERBI.

Whoever reflects upon the sad weak
ness of human nature--on the tatolty
of man, when he suffers his mind to be
subdued by the assaults of pain, and
Yields TO the depression of his physical
powers, will hardly credit the pros
louged tenacity of Viterbi; his invinci.
BILE resolution to die, inhexibly psrse-
vered in; unmoved oy the pang OF hum
ger, which 10 the cause Of the commits
sion of so many crimes. An ecstaey OF
enthusiasm suf6ced to impel Cato to stab
himself, and with his last sigh Roman
liberty expired. 1t was also enthusi-
asm. Of liberty which rendered Mutlus
Scsyola insensible TO the fire In which
he thrust his hand, when he found that
he had aiken his victim. Socrates.
on drinking toe poisoned draught, con-
yersed with his friends, and his dying
hour was cousoled by the conviction OF
the Immortality of his soul, and that
of his wisdom; the poison freed him
from earth, and onened TO him the
gates of heaven. Men have been seen,
especially among the martyrs, to en-
dure, with eonstancy, almost divine,
the necessity of a horrible death; but,
again repeat it, no exercise of will
ever bore parallel to the perseve-
rance of Luc Antoine Viterbi.
Condemned to death as an accom-
plice in the assassination of Frediana, a
crime which he denied to the last mo-
ment, Viterbi appealed against sem
tence passed upon him by Court COM
posed of his personal enemies. shall
abstain from investigating this point,
and merely state the facts that the sem
tence was contirmed-that the court of
Cessation, not having found any infor-
mality in the application of the law,
twas bound to pronounce its validity ;
and, finally, that the petition of the
friends of yiterbi to obtain his pardon,
was Intellectual. ..
Indulgence, and even respect is due
TO hone : error; but the strength of
mind displayed by Viterbi is not less
admirable. Read what follows, and
say, whether you do not think it equal
TO any thing In the history of the first
Romans,
Towards the end of last November,
Wit i(knowing his condemnation, &
being confined in the prison of of Bas-
tia, where he was guarded in the same
manner, as are all those who are sen.
fenced to death) resolved to die. TIC
effect this purpose, he abstained from
food during three days, and then ate
voraciously, and to forced excess, in
the hope that after fasting so long, he
should thereby put an end to has exls-
tence. Nature deceived him, and on
the Sd Of December, he determined to
starve himself to death. From that day
nothing could subdue this terrible re-
solve; although Viterbi, who had alrea'
dy sustained two dangerous attacks OF
illness, did not expire until the night oil
the 2lst of that month. Let US now
venture to lift the veil of this endu-
rance of professive agony; follow its
phases during an incredible interval OF
eighteen days; and above all bear in
mind, that the death to which lie was
doomed, was the punishment of Tanta.
lus. The lailor was careful to supply
him daily with meat and drink.
During the three first days. Viterbi,
as was the case when he made the first
attempt, felt himself progressively tor.
mented by hunger. and did not endure
these early sufferings with less courage
than ne had on former occasion. I'm
der these circumstances report was
made to the public Minister who orr
dered bread, water, wine and soup, to
be taken daily to his cell, aud placed
conspicuoasly in view, This order was