Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-03-23
VOL. 53.-NO. 4.


The rarotc ril Is a death Of infamy 10
Spain. The ceremony that accompanies tho
execution Of criminal in that way is original.
But whether it be By the garofe or the mus.
ket. the moment a man Is doomed either by
court nertial or by an ordinary tribunal, ha.
il regarded IN some sort as having already al-
most exniated sis crime, and as IL were. no
longer belonging to the world. He is treat
ed with the utmost care, bio il supplied with
every thing he wants during the last twelve
hours he passes in capilIa--- and every request
Of his is religiously attended to. No matter
what delicacy he requires for his last meal. IT
it can at all be had, it is supplied him and
be is treated with the utmost delcrcnce by
those about him. In fact. he is regarded
with species Interpretations awe
On the morning Of the execution. and ~
the hour appointed, he is taken from The
chapel Of bis prison, where he has been atten-
ded necessarily BY the chaPlaia, aided, 'fhe
wish for it, by the paroehial clergy and The
members Of the religious con.ratcrnltes, who
employ the most, endearing the most soothing
expressions to reconcile him TO his fate, and
who seldom fail to produce an effect ON tho
mast hardened heart; When the last stroke
Of the bell is heard. the prisoner j. clothed IN
bright yellow gown, something If tic same
fashion as lawyers aud bis head l. covered
with the yellow cap. resembling in shape the
French foque A mule low size is placed
at the gate, on Which he is raised ly the
members Of the religious confraterrity. Tho
animal il without a saddle. and is led with
halter generally by q child under II years Of
ago
The prisoner has book or rarer in lis
hand to which are printed or written The
prayers fer the dying. and these he repeats
in loud tone of voice as he moves slowly
along, accompanied by the clergy. Who net
for cue instant quits lis side and proceeded
and accompanied BY the religious confratcr-
mites whom also the military escort pro-
cceds and follows As he passes along the
streets of Toledo. fambcaux arc burning N
the balconies. and men lwomcn and children
are on their knees. praying for pardon and \
happy release from life to the guilty man WHO
passes l-efore them. A number Of the mcn.
bers Of tile fraterhities make collection
amongst the crowds for two objects : FIRST Tor
the widow and orphans Of the criminal II he Lo
married, may leave behind and secondly. to
| distribute aims, or in masses for the fcposo
/ Of his soul
Amongst the crowd there is no Indecent
mrth, no laughing no picking ofpockets; and
when the criminal has taken his sea. on tho
platform. and the last turn Of tho fourniquef.
and the last qniyer Of the bound limbs. tell
that life has fed. the multitude uncover. audi
you see many lips move. " Assty prayer for
the departed. At the last moment, too. n
groan is uttered by tue multitude but it is
not one Of disrespcct--- as it were the last
adicu to the soul as it quits its earthly tene-
ment. The dead body is left seated in tho
same position for an hour. and then removed.
No death can be quicker than the gorofe.--
1t is, in fact. instantaneous. and the fcrce
with which the instruments acts ut nce
makes the neck as fiat as the thincst open
palm.