New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-10-26

and the meanest citizen would have preferred death
to that act which the authorities of Bourges had I'M
posed, under the name of penanee, upon man OF
ancient and honorable race, and one who had long
stood high in the favor oil a crowned head.
AT the dawn OF day, on the 9Th Of June, l456, an
agitation began on the marketplace of Bourges,
which announced that something, as unusual as It
was important was about to take place. Out Of all
the houses streets and alleys streamed men and wo-
men of all ages, who assembled round circle marked
out with posts in the middle of the marketplace the
entrance to which was strongly guarded by well,
armed soldiers. Although the morning twilight did
not afford clear sight of what was prepared upon
the enclosed spot still there was general idea of
what to follow, and those who stood nearest could
discern lightly erected stage, the sight Of which left
no doubt as to its object. It was scafold, which
awaited it's victim. VI
The expectation and the interest depicted on the
countenances of the constantly increasing mass was
very decidedly different from that which was usually
observed on like occasions. This difference has its
rise in the circumstance that the present occasion
not one of common execution, but, as was already
known to the inhabitants Of Bourges, an example Of
the administration of justice hitherto altogether with
out precedent Besides this, the unusual time Of day
as well as the place contributed much to lend SO.
lemnity to the whole; for gaows had never before
been known to be erected within the precincts of the
dwelling houses of the citizens of Bouges and added
to this the sword of justice to be in the
band of man who, although he had not been par.
ticuarly beloved by the people, had at least always
been looked up to by them with respect.
Asat length, during the continuation of that rust
ling and confused noise which snseparabe even from
silent multitude the daylight increased by degrees
and announced the approaching rising Of the sun in
the east, deep and wul stiffness suddenly prevailed
Througha passage formed by the crowd, picket OF
soldiers approached the fatal ring surrounded by
these soldiers was miserable cart, in which sat the
executioner, and by his side a haggard-looking man
who evidently about to suffer the death of male
factor At little distance from the cart followed a
clergyman, accompanied by o man whose face was
rfopt1u mil hut wi firm md
proud and his aspect imposing His dress richly en-
broidered with gold, but to which the armoria
ments were nevertheless wanting, showed him to be
of high rank. 1t was the Marquis de Giac. When he
appeared suppressed exclamation OF sympathy ran
through the crowd. 1.7'
In the meantime five members of the judicial body
of Bourges had approached the scaold from oppo-
site direction and after laying several rolls of paper
down upon table, awaited earnestly and silently the
approach of the condemned. A few moments after
the victims appeared upon the place of execution.
The clergyman drew near to the culprit who had
been convicted of murder, prayed with him for a
short time and then led him to the fatal seat after
which, amidst the breathless stiffness which prevailed
the senior of the five judicial officers proceeded to
read aloud the first sentence Of the murderer, and
then that of the Marquis de Gac to whom he turned
at the conclusion with these words
az demand of you, Arthur PhGbus Charles, Marquis
de Giac whether you are willing, under your own
handwriting and signature, to give yourself up to the
royal mercy and thus escape the sentence Of death
which hangs over your
'No,' answered the Marquis, in a firm voice.
''Then," continued the officer Of Justice, "you will
have to perform the penance imposed on you and do
the part Of executioner to the delinquent who has
been adjudged to suffer death at the hands of the
headsman."
Saying this, he made sign to the executioner,
who drew from under his cloak sword which he
presented to the Marquis de Giac.
An Undesirable expression of anxiety was de-
picted on every countenance After short pause,
the Marquis. pale as DEATH seized the sword with
firm grasp barred his right arm, and. A shrek
of horror burst from the crowd-he had cut OFF his
right hand by desperate stroke of the weapon which
he held in his left.
Returning the sword to the exeeutioner, and turn.
ing to the judicial authorities, whilst the blood
streamed from his arm, he said $50, tell the Con-
stable, gentlemen, that the Marquis de Giac has no
hand with which to perform the duty of execu-
TONER"
He could say no more, but fell fainting from loss
of blood.
Before the expiration of an hour, the Marquis re.
ceived the pardon of the Constable, who admired
courage still more than he hated political crime.