Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-04-07
r,ecut,on of Orsini and Pierri.

q Execution of Orsini and Pierri.
Orsini and Pierri, the principal parties en-
gagged in the conspiracy 10 assassinate the French
Emperor, were executed in Paris on the 18Th
ult. De Rudio's punishment was committed TO
penal servitude for life. The correspondent OF
the London Times gives the following interest
ing account of the last moments Of the wretch
ed men:
Precisely at o'clock Orsin and Pierri were
awoke from their sleep by the governor OF the
prison. who announced that their last hour was
come. There were two assistant executioners
one from Rouen, the other from Caen-besides
him of Paris. These lost no time in preparing
the convicts for the scattold.
During the dreadful operation Orsini remain
ed calm and though he was not so loud or con-
Trajectory as during his trial, Pierri was some.
what excited. The strait waistcoat interterred
with his gesticulation, but he hardly ceased
talking for moment. When the executioner
was pinioning him he asked that the fasten-
ings should not be drawn too tight, as he had
no intention of escaping. The cold touch OF the
steel on his neck when the scissors cut OH his
hair. so as not to interfere with the guillotine,
for an instant appeared to thrill through him
but he recovered himself when he found that bis
beard was left untouched. He thanked the exc
cutioner for letting him die with his face as
became man. When the hood, to which
the veil which covers the features OF the pari
eide is suspended, was put over his head, he is
said to have laughed, and attempted a. joke a.
bout the figure he must cut. At this moment
he turned his head and perceived Orsini; he sa-
Iuted him gaily, and asked how he was getting
On. He was interrupted by Orsini, who was
himself undergoing the same operation with the
same sanq froid as if hs were under the hands
If a valet dressing for party, with the words,
BE calm, be calm, my friend" Perri's tongue
Fan on, however The assistant proceeded to
strip him of his shoes, for in pursuance of the
sentence they were to proceed to the scaffold
barefooted. The man appeared to hesitate, but
Pierri encouraged him to proceed, and assisted
him as much as he could, still talking. The op.
Grafton being over and the toilette complete, he
turned towards the turnkey and asked to be al
lowed to embrace him. This request was COM
plied with. The moment of moving now came,
and the Able Hugon cried out "Courage!"-
"Oh am not afraid am not afraid" he
said, "we are going to Calvary, and in sort OF
feverish excitement he repeated to himself,
Calvary, Calvary"
Orsini was, on the other hand, as calm and
TRANQUIL as his fellow convict was excited. lie
spoke little; but when the governor OF the pris-
On and some of the officers approached him be
babe them ina low tone of voice FAREWELL
The turnkey of his cell announced to him in q
tone of regret that his last moment was come
Orsini thanked him for his sympathy. His hair
was also cut away from his neck, but he under,
went the operation without tiinching. AT the
moment when the hood was put on his head,
his face, which up to that moment was calm
and impossible, became flushed for monet and
his eye lighted up.
The prison clock struck Z; before the last
sound died away the door leading to the scatfold
opened as of itself. The Able Hugon entreated
Pierri to profit by the few moments still lett to
collect his thoughts and assume calm att
tude. He promised to be calm, but said be
should chant patriotic hymn; and it is sale
that he actually began to sing the well known
Mourn pour Ia Patrie." Leaning on the Able
Hugon he mounted Is steps of the scaffold, still
repeating the verses of the song.
Orsini was supported by the chaplain of the
Conciergerie, and his calmness never abandon
ed him for moment. When he appeared or
the platform it could be seen, from the move
ment of his body and Of his head, though GOV
cred with the veil. that he was looking out fol
the crowd, and probably intended addressing
them. But they were too far off. The greftiel
then directed the Usher to read the sentence O
the Court condemning the prisoners to The death
of paricides. The usher, who was an old man
over 60, was evidently much moved at hav
ing to perform this duty, and ne trembled a.
much from emotion as from cold as he read the
document, which no one listened to.
After this formality was terminated Orsin
and Pierri embraced their spiritual attendants
and messed their lips on the crucifix offered tt
them. They then gave themselves up to thu
beadsman. Pierri was attached to the plank IL
an instant. He was executed first. The mo
ment his veil was raised, and before his heac
was laid on the block, it is affirmed that he
cried g V7ue pItazie- Vioe Ia Repubtique.
Orsini was then taken in hand His veil wa;
raised, and bis countenance still betrayed no g
motion. Before he was fastened to the plank
he turned in the direction of the distant crowd
ard, it is said, cried "ViUe la France" 1t was
but five minutes past when the second heat
fell into the basket A cold shudder raj
among those whose attention was fixed upoI
what was passing Oh Ilie eeaiioius auu III on AZ
slant there was deep silence. ltpassed of, how
ever, very soon. When all was over men wen
to their work, and parties who had gone togeth
or to the spot from distant quarters OF the towr
FASTENED home to breakfast. The morning
| was becoming clearer every moment, The
troops began to move as if about to leave the
ground The guillotine was lowered and takeI
off; the crowds gradually thinned; some few
groups still fingered about the spot; but the
cold was bitter, and the snow began to fall, ant
| in few hours the place was deserted.
| The number of deaths from the attempt TO
which these wretched men suffered now amounts
| am assured, to IA.
EX-SENATOR BENToN.-The Washington cor