The Whig standard., 1843-12-07
PERSIAN JUSTICE

In the Hall Of Justice at the Alee-kapi, sat an
officer, obviously Of high rank, surrounded by
officials both within and without the apartment
and, as Hoossein and his father approached they
discovered that it was the Dewan-Beggee, ol
chief judge, disposing Of the causes that came
before him. 4
There was no want Of criminals; for robbie
rles, as has been seen, were but too frequent
without the walls, and there were plenty Of petty
thieves within them accordingly, the crimina
Judges had enough to do; and, on this particular
morning, there was, as il appeared, no lack o1
work for the executioncFs; for sharp cries would
every now and then, arise above the loud hum
Of the multitude, and as they drew near they
could distinguish many voices, in tones of earn
est entreaty or of harsh abuse and rebuke; and
then the shrill cries of Amaun Amaun in
the name Of Allah Yah Imaun Hoosscin! Yah
Imaun Hussun - keeping time TO the blows Of
the sticks they descended on the feet or thighs
of some unfortunate culprt. So wholesale an
administration Of criminal justice, though not a
pleasing scene, was yet deeply interesting from
its novelty, and Hoossein, dragging his father,
who seemed far less disposed to witness it, press
ed forward to the edge of the semicircle which
surrounded the window of the Apartment where
the Judge sat, and before which stood the accu-
sed, accusers, and officers of justice.
A temporary cessation of the bastinado and
and the continued cries produced by it, had been
succeeded by two or three short loud shrieks,
terminating in lower moans and just as they
forced their way through the ring, SO as to see
what was passing within it, they observed two
or three men standing near block of wood, one
of whom held an instrument in his hand, and
another, supported by the third, appeared halt
fainting, while his head and arm were streaming
with blood He had just suffered the loss Of
both his ears and right hand, and in this condi-
tion he was led groaning away to make room for
another, on whom the same punishment was in
flicted.
Houssein, disguised at the sight, was turning
away, when he observed an opening formed on
the other side Of the ring, through which was
led a camel, with his saddle on, and curiosity in
duced him to remain and see what was about to be
done. He was not long kept In suspense. A
ferosh, girt with sword, going up to the win
dow, made some communication 10 the Dewan.
Beggee, who nodded acquiescence, upon which
two other feroshes, stout truculent looking fel-
lows came forward, dragging a man, naked to
the waist, who resisted greatly uttering loud
cries for mercy. They were unheeded /; for mo-
ment, as the executioners halted in the middle
of the ring, the poor wretch pleaded earnestly
with the most emphatic gestures which his
bound arms enabled him to make; but all in
vain, stern shake of the Judges head was all
the reply, and he was hurried towards the camel,
which was also led TO the spot In another mo-
ment he was thrown on the ground, his heels
were tied together, and hooked over the saddle
peak, SO that his head hung down towards the
ground; the knife of one Of the feroshes gleam-
ed in his hand, and in another moment the belly
OF the criminal was gashed across SO that the en-
trails gushed out. A shout was raised, as if to
drown the victims dying cry, and the sarwan
(camel driver) immediately led the camel away,
TO perambulate the streets, as in such executions
is the custom.