The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-04
Dickens Letter.


Mr. Charles Dickens has published the following
letter the scenes which he witnessed AT Horse
mongcr Ialli
81 was a witness Of the execution at Horsemongcr
lane this morning went there for the purpose of
observing the crowd gathered 10 behold IL, and
lad excellent opportunities Of doing at intervals
all through the night and continuously from day
break until after the spectacle was Oyor
II Simply wish a. turn this dreadful experience
to some account for the general good and by taking
the rcadies and most public means Of adverting 70
an intimation given by SIR G. Grey in the last
sion Of Parliament, that the government might be-
induced 10 give its support ~ making the
infection OF capital punishment private soleinnity
within The prison walls, with such guarantees for
the last sentence Of the Law being ineKOrably and
surely administered should be satisfactory to the
public al largc,) and If most earnestly bcsccchng
Sir g. Grey, a. a solemn duty which hc TO so
rioty, and responsibility which he cannot for ever
put away 10 originate such Legislative change HIM
self
- believe that a sight 80 inconcciyably awful a.
the Wickcdness aud leyity Of the immense crowd
collected az the execution this morning could be
imagined by no man, and could BE- presented in NO
itcathen land under the The horrors Of the
gibbet and Of the crime which brought the wretChcd
murderers H. il, faded in my mind before the afro
,iOus bearing, looks, and language Of the assem-
blcd spec tatOrs. When came upon the scene at
midnight the Siyiiiiess q the cries and hOwls that
were raised from time 90 time, deuOtIng that they
came from the COncOursc Of boys and girls already
assembled in the best places. made blood run cold
A. the night went on, screening and laughing, and
yelling ~ strong chorus oi parOdic- on negro melo-
dies, with the substitution Of Mrs. Manning for
'Susannah,' and the like we're added to these.
When the dag dawncd, thieves low prostitutes, ruff
fans and vagabonds Of every kind hocked on Ia
the ground, with every variety Of offensive and foul
behaviour.
"Fightings. faintings, whistliugs limitations Of
Punch. brutal jokes, tumultuous demonstrations OF
indecent delight when swOOning women were
dragged out Of the crow by the police with their
dresses disordcrcd, gave "A new zost 20 the general
entertainment. When the Sun rose brightly as il
Hid il gidcd thousands upon thousands 81 up.
turned faces 20 inexprcssiby odiDus in their bruta
fnirth or callJusncss, that man had 10 fee
acclaimed of lIe shape he wore, and 10 shrink from
himself as fashioned in the image of the devil
When the two miserable creatures who attracted al
this CHASTITY sight about them were turned quiver
ing into the air, there was no more emotion u,
more pity more thought that two immorta
souls fad gone To- judgment, no more restraint ~
any Of the previous obsce entities than If the o
Christ had never been heard in this world and tina
there we're no belief among men but that they per
ishcd like the beasts.
81 have seen, habitusy, some Of the wors
sources Of general contamination and corruption
an this country, and think there are not many
phases Of London life that could surprise me. arr
solctonly convinced that nothing that ingenuity
could devise 10 be done in this city, in the sam,
commas Of time, could work such ruin ~ one pub
Iic execution, and stand astoundcd and appallc,
by the wickcdness 1t exhibits. ! do not bcliev'
that any community can prosper where such
scene Of horror and Generalization as was cnactct
this morning outside Horsemonger lane jail ia pre-
scented at the very doors Of good citizens, and j
rassed by, unknown or forgotten. And when ~
our prayers and Thanksgiving for the season. VI
are hpmbly expressing before God our desire TO re
move lie moral eyils ~ tic land, would ask YOU
readers L, consider whether il Is not time 10 thnl
Of this one and to root IL oft I am, sir, YOU
faithful servant, CHARLES DICKENS