The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-28
OUR PARIS LETTER.
SPECIAL PARIS CoRREsPoNDENoE OF THE EVEN.
ING TELEGRAPH
PARIS, March 16, 1867.
THE EXECUTION OF LEMAtRE.

1he great event OF the week has been the
execution of the murderer Lemaire. Many
efforts had beenmade since his condemnation,t to
obtain Communication of the sentence, but the
prisoner absolutely discountenanced all, and
urged that quick work be made of the affair.
On Thursday orders were issued to the Prefect
of Police, instructing him to take the neces-
sary measures for the execution of the con-
demned on the following morning at o'clock
The utmost secresy was observed in the trans
mission of these orders-still, before dark, it
was whispered about among the kno,Otng ones
that the guillotine was to perform its bloody
work on the morrow. Multitudes of the curl
Gus, determined not to lose sight of the inte-
resting spectacle, took their positions on the
ground the night before, and, notwithstanding
the freezing wintry weather, kept their
long watch until the victims head
had fallen and his soul was ushered into
eternity. The scalIold was erected at an early
hour in the morning, and when our carriage
arrived, was only awaiting the fatal knife.
Many handsome equipages were present, and
we remarked among the spectators severa
fair women dressed in furs and velvets, to
protect their frail forms from the piercing
cold. At last the executioner arrived, ex-
amined the framework, and tested the
slide, to see that it worked smoothly. He
then let fall the mass of lead to which the
knife was to be attached, to be assured that it
would operate properly in it's grooves. In
the meantime troops arrived, took their stand
around the scafold, and drove back the en-
oroaching crowd. That crowd, on the tip-toe
of expectation, was silent, and scarce a sound
was heard during all the preliminaries of this
mournful ceremony. AT 6 O'Clock the gates
of the Grand Roquette prison were opened.
The soldiers stood with drawn swords, a faint
buzz was heard in the crowd, and silence again
prevailed. An aide appeared ascended the
steps of the scaffold and placed the gilt
tering knife in its socket The prisoner
then came forward, sustained on his
right by the executioner and on the left
by an assistant His hands were bound
behind his back with a cord, which, descend
ing, was attached to his feet, allowing them
just enough play to enable him to walk with
difficulty His head was bare and hair closely
cut his shirt collar, turned down over a blue
blouse, displayed handsome white neck. He
was tall, fair, and rather fne-looking man,
with light-colored hair, and diStingut moustache
and imperial. He marched upright, looking
at the crowd on the right and left with a COM
posed and Indifferent air, and assembled the steps
of the scaffold without evidencing the least
symptom of feebleness or trepidation. The
attending priest then conversed short time
IL IL, L..
which he declined, and embraced the priest
instead; the executioner then approached, ad-
iusted the neck of the victim, and detached the
elevated knife-a dull, heavy sound followed,
and the head was severed from the body. A
long, low murmur arose from the spectators
on all sides, and many expressed qualification
on seeing that the poor fellow had died game
to the last. The executioneI removed the
head from the block and threw it into bas
ket while his assistant took charge of the
body. and afterwards placed them together fol
burial. The crowd dispersed, as the fun wa
all over.
GETTING READY FOR WAR.
SIN time of peace prepare for war; seem
to be the maxim upon which European Gov
ernmentS are HOW dCIllS' 4OI Ollly al0 IIu
larger powers actively engaged in perfectint
their military organizations and preparing
for coming trouble, but the smaller States ant
petty principalities are talking of thei
armies as il they "scented the battle from
affair."" The great study of all is the mos
feasible manner of putting every available
man in service when the necessity arises; anC
general conscription will, doubtless, be re
sorted to for the attainment of that end.
ADJUSTMENTS FOR LENT.
To relieve the monotony Of Lent, musica
soirees and concerts are being commenced
The first at the Tuileries will come off o.
Monday next, when the artistes of the Oper
Comique will have the honor of inauguratin
them. Ponsard's Galii6o was performed 70
the first time at the Theatre Francais o
Friday evening, and was witnessed by tn
Emperor and Empress 1t has been well re
ceived by the public and favorably spoken
by the press. At the Opera, Don Carlos, a
opera in five acts, music by Verdi, was repre-
sented on Monday, and an eager, expectaI
crowd filled the house to overtowing.
The Italian opera has been engaged for Oh
month next summer by an English speculate
named Knowles, proprietor of theatre
Manchester, and the person who first lntr
duced Jenny Lind into the United klngdor
During that month the famous piece "" a"
r;con Cousin. with Mr.. Sothern in his role
=, 1..o~,, - will he DlaVed night