Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-07-25

ms Dare neck resting on q semicircular 3
framework, that was carved to receive
1T; the other half Of the framework.
closed above and confined il. On ei.
Their side Of the neck thus placed, arose
. post TO the height Of fifteen feet; and
aiosf, between these, hung the heavy
triangular blade. which, On the removal
Of peg, WAS to slide. with one angle
underneath, in the grooves carved in the
ne'ghboring posts: and, in its passage
downwards, was, by its swn weight, 10
sever whatever should impede its pro-
gress;. Every part Of the instrument
was painted red.
From the time when the euior;, l.hs
the cart to tho present moment. not
enc minute and half had elapsed
For an instant. ] turned my eyes away.
When again looked up, the bloody
head OF the murderer was falling into
tine case placed to receive il, and the
body was lying without the slightest
eohvuis,ve movement, in the position
IN which ] had last seen il. For a
while. the executioners seemed affect
cd. but, rsco!lectiug themselves. thew
suddenly loosened the thongs that
bound 1T, and the beadless trunk rolled
into large wicker hamper placed ia
teraily beside it-snd then again every
thing resumed its vented appearances.
Not live minutes had elapsed since
he was frst exposed in the cart, liviur
being and now-hgain I ask, what is
life, what 10 death
Though I have learned not 10 lea
that which l do not know iotsrf.r.
with that which | do know, vet I could
not but feel sentiment almost Of envv
Tor that poor murderer; how much in
sight had they not given him into the
lmPenetrable mysteries Of our creation!
fes' assert u, nothing 10 moro CAL
cuiated than the sight Of such a death
10 impress Us with due sense of IN.
dreadful wonders that hover round our
existence; 1t makes US feel inferior
10 the wretch whose head we had iust
seen fall beneath the knife Of the quill
lotine; for II is no longer him that We
see; lump of senseless fssh 10 alone
before rs; while the spirit that 90 late.
~ animated IL can appreciate at their
true value the various passions that
suil degrade and exalt our ever-contra-
dictory natures Byron, toe, has this
sentiment
When tho mountain, rear
ncir peaks beneath your human foot. aud ,herc
~, ioa hook down Der the prccipice, and drc.r
Iv;,su,' o. oek yasns,-you can't gaze minute
VIII, uncut an awful wish To plunge within IL.
tis true you doat-but, pale and struek viii,
1 terror, -'e'
Retirc-but look into YOUR mas, ;,n,-...;,,
And will find, though .huaIirr;nr Al The miro,
vi your own thoughts In all their seh-eonfrs-
III he lurking bias be IL truth or errr
=, 10 Tie unknown, a secret prepossessioo
iop'unge with all Jour feArs--6ut ~h..rrp',-
With . siekening heart, I selected
narrow, unirequsnted street, and
with e;ouded. wandering thoughts, I
needie,sly threaded my way from the
Iriace de scarcely raising nv
looks from the pavement beneath nv
ieet. Once. indeed, ! bent an uneon.
se'ous gaze on 9 dead wall, till nv
leyes resting upon a play bill, quick.
ly withdrew them with an involurts,v
'hudder! A low door was open On
my right: knew il to be a passage 70
church; and never did my feeling.
more strongly invite me TO enter
place OF worship. IL was a fine eo,h;r
building which had not before seen.
walked TO lofty column, and rested
my head against It's worn and poIisheJ
base; while, with the feeling iueule.,sd
by the church. and ratified by our own
oo'oms, fesVently exclaimed, Lord
have mercy upon him! :"