The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-06-21
A PERSIAN EXECUTION.

When VIC halted. found myself enclosed
in a dense ring of spectators, i'll the midst
of which stood great brass mortar, raised
on a mound of earth, and beside it, stuck in
the ground, n linstock with a lighted
match. The nussukchees ranged themselves
on each side Of this horrible engine: and it
was with difficulty that succeeded in gain
ing position, which appeared to me to Sc
cure me from the danger attending the ex-
ploeion, and its consequences, when it should
take place. Having taken my station, be-
gan to look around me, and saw the officers
of justice still pouring into the circle, which
was widened for their reception by dint of
blows. After them, or rather between two
of them, came the prisoner. She was en-
vcloped from head to foot, in a black robe,
which also covered her face. Her step was
firm, and her carriage stately. She frc-
quenty spoke few words to an eunuch
who accompanied her; but the noise was so
great that could hear nothing of their dis
course. As she approached, the spectators
became more quiet; and when she reached
the mortar, not sound was to be heard
Taking advantage of the silence, she spoke
aloud, with distinctness and composure
that surprised every one, and made her
words ineligible to all. The officers per-
ceiyng that her wild address made some
impression on the multitude, here interrupt
ed her. She made no attempt TO proceecs
but resigned herself into their arms. They
led her in front of the mortar, and yet her
steps never faltercd; neither did she speak
or implore as is common for even men to do
in her situation; neither did she curse as
some do; neither did she weep. They told
her to kncel down with her breast against
its muzzle, and she did SO. They put cords
round her wrists, and bound them to stakes,
which had been driven for the purpose; still
she showed no signs of emotion; she laid her
head upon the mortar, and waited her fate
with a camposure which soldier might
have envied. At length the signal was givens
the match was raised; it descended slowly
and at the moment when it was about to
touch the powder, an audible shudder ran
through the crowd The printing caught
fire; a moment of sickenng suspense follow
ed; groan burst from the spectators; the
smoke passed away; and no explosion took
place. The unfortunate wretch raised her
head to see what had happened. 4 faint nope
glimmered in my own heart that perhaps
this was a device to save her life, but 1t was
not permitted to live long. 1t had scarcely
begun to rise within me, when saw the
priming renewed, and the match ra'sea a.
gain. The condemned wretch laid her head
once more on its hard pillow, and uttered a
low groan as if her spirit had departed. It
had scarcely been uttered when the eSpio-
sion took nlace. and the smoke covered eve
rv thing from my view. AS it gradually
rlaarrd away, it drew veil from over a
,, horrid and revolving spectacle. The two
,, hodiless a rms hung, with their mangled and
blackrncd ends, from the stakes to which
: they had been bound; and few yards dis
tant Law a scorched and shattered foot and
leg. No trace of body or of head remained
and a few tattered remnants of clothes were
= all besides that were left. The arms were
: unbound from the stakes; and two women
who had issued from the ark at the sound
the explosion, rushed to the spot, seized then
up, and concealing them under their wells
hurried to the Harem with these proofs tina
> the demands of justice had been fulfilled
. Visits 10 the Hureni.