The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-02-22
Empaneling of Jury of Matrons in the
Old Bailey.
From the London Globe, Jan. IL.

Inc scene that was enacted Yesterday
evening at the Ola Bailey on the occasion
of the conviction and sentence of Christi
ana Edmunds was one of rare occurrence,
and for its romantic ghastliness was almost
unexampled, even in the annals of the
Neweate Calendar. The old and dingv-
looking Court was densely crowded dur
inc the reply of Serieant Balantine and
the summing-up of Baron Martin. The
prisoner sat uumoved and seemingly I'M
concerned. A female warder of the prison,
who sat behind her in the dock exhibited
far more emotion. and looked far more
wretched. The prisoner wore no bonnet,
but her hair was carefully and even coquet-
ushlv arranged in heavy folds across her
head She was dressed neatly. with
black velvet cloak and well-fitting gloves
of some dark color AT ? 40 O'Clock the
Jury retired and We're absent for an hour
The prisoner was removed from the dock,
hut Baron Martin retained his seat upon
the bench. and the crowd OF spectators
hardly dwindled during the weary hour
of waiting for the verdict There was
much talking and even some laughing.
strange reaction from the enforced silence
and stiffness OF suspense during the pre-
vious hours of the dav. The Judge perus-
ed the Times, the ShertfS and the chap
lain chatted pleasantly, the members of
the Bar engaged in learned discussions on
the relation of insanity to crime, and in
criticisms upon the speeches OF counsel
and the personal appearance of the beau
titul Young ladies who sat behind the bar
seats and so the time passed until the
return of the Jury, when to the buzz of
conversation succeeded q solemn stiffness,
=. IL a.. =
were called over. the prisoner during this
process standing at the front of the dock.
with the female warler in close attend
ance, and two uniformed turkeys taking
their places nnlselesSlv behind her. You
say that she is guilty, gentlemen, and
that is the verdict OF YOU all ." There is
a dreadful pause. Mems hearts beat with
sympathetic excitement, and women's
faces blanch with terror; bat the bonnet
less woman in the dock neither moves a
muscle nor CHANGES color in the least de-
gree dul ing the dreadful proclamation.
"Slence while sentence of death and ey-
ecution according to law is passed upon
the prisoner at the bar" Has she any
thing to saw Yes. she has. She whis-
pers to the female warder, who whispers
to the taller. who SAYS alnna that the
I a.
silence her voice is heard, clear, musical
and steady, as il that awful moment was
one of the most ordinary occasions Of her
life. She desired. she said. to be tried
upon the other charges that had been
brought against her. in order that the
urv and every one sbould know the nature
of her intimacy with DR. Reard of tbe
treatment she had received. and how she
had been s.hrouohf into Tins dreadful b,,si-
ness'-these were her words When she
ceased to sneak the learnel ind,o nro-
ceeded 10 pass santerce topchinrIv md
feelnglv enouoh Baron Martin wa
much overcome with emotion and at tho
dreadful words ..hanred bv tbe neck I'm
vour body he dead he brnke town eni
b;4 hi, f,ce J,rin,,. d, ,.,,s, ,,l,,, . 49,,
migbt have been heard IA dron Present
/ l. he recovered his self-nossossion and At
| the conclusion Of the sentence the solemn
"Amen' Of the Nawgate Chanlain sound
ed Ike a kneI
| Then occurred A scene hnt sa1dom~wit.
messed and the like of which may not of-
ten be seen ayain In tl,. merrvand ms
tice ofthe English law woman condemn
ed to death who is f4cje,3tt i resnitnd
until after the birth of her cbiId T. J.;
usual. therefore tn int4rrooat. rho con ,-;ot
upon the point at the time of sentence
and before the date is fixed for execution
The ouestion was nut hv tbn Clerk ~ A.
raigns in the usual WAY The prisoner
again whispered to the female warder
who whisprred to tba Tailor who saij
/ aloud. "She saws she is NV lord There
was profound sensation AMONG the bv-
4 ISLANDERS at the unavnactad announcements