Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-21
AN EXECUTION IN PARIS.
Fr0m N. de Kock's Sketches.


The newspapers having announced that man
who had assassinatcd a wine merchant, would bc
executed at four O'Clock, the Place de Grere, /
resolved to be present, for had never seen u gull
lotine.
The current of people carried me along to the
sprco which the police maintained unoccup ed
around the fital instrument. An immense multi
tude assembled; II consisted solely of people Of L.
lowest ciass-great numbers Of women and chill
drcn swrlled it's ranGs!-WbIle the blood.thirsty
rahbie pressed on behind and the feet OF the hurs.
es and the waving sabres OF he gems d'ormes re-
strained Them III iron, officer vi the police not =
ced me, and polite ell, desired me u tlke place
amongst the soldiers, who privileged to Occur
ny the vacant space around the scdlfold Hcre
then stood within five steps of the instrument
which, though II was now brought out to work the
vengeance OF society on one Of its gully members,
had rot, many years since, served thu mad btrbn.
rous anger of an Infatuated mob, let loose the
innocent supporters OF aniquaicd prrludices ana
interests: but those scenes are passed; the ebul
which Occasioned them has been tenn cred by the
triumph OF reason. and, in France at least, thcy
can never be acted again.
The clock from tie ncjghboring townhal pcaled
forth tho hour appointed for the execution. a
dreadful pause seemed to follow each heavy stroke
as " tell with a duh aud apparently nghencd
tone upon the For d moment til. crowd
was silent Tor a moment slight shudGer appeared
~ steal over its dScordant and rushing blloWs.
supernatural chill Fccncd to peryade the air, the
White iag nD the tow Of the Hotel de Vile seem
cd TO Hat IN more hurried and ouinous folds upon
the rushing gale; the clouds above dark aud
lowering: Tor one short Instant all nature seemed
I" wear becoming aspect, to he III accordance
with tho deed II about to witness. But soui
The click was again silent; rush made
by The crowd; the harsh voices Of the guard wer,
again heard endeavoring to rcpcl them; and th,
whole square again presented scene Of hcllish
passions, and holllsh curiosity.
Ileavcns what can occasion THAT burst Of laugh
teri general hurst OF laughter ut such rnon,enl!
His hat lad fallen from the head Of one 81 th,
crowd. who, without being able TO recover il, wa
pushed away by the current, rufjan near. fcoin
advantage in tho change Seiz ri upon It, and ihrov
us own high in the air above the surrounding mil
titude; another actuatcd 10y the same calculation,
exchanged ii FOR his own, which he cast from hin,
| md thus for some socouds-when every secon.
seemed ago--the sight Of this Succession Of q
| ING hats, occasoned discordant aud arring nirt!
| The clock again strkos this quarter! On. occa
! ions Ike the present, how SLOW the moments ro
past, and such am Dvrgcsd, must IN tho feeling
| of every anxious bro thlCss ouiFri though be we
| knows that hs existence wilt have coased befei
The evening hour shall havs toiled from his prise
clock.
! Flo comes. know not, but think the crov
/ is silent. With what bo'lov sound tho u heel.
tho c lrt pass along the .sigcwGa,! bow acay..
tbCV 't.- 0-'-g j.. d. 2. .