New-York tribune., 1908-03-30

Alba whose name has been SO often mentioned as
a suitor for the hand OF -drs- Mathilde Townsend.
of Washington, and his brother. Don Hernando.
Duke OF Penaranda. Count of Montijo. are among
the grardees Of the oldest and most blue-booded
of SPANS aristocracy. who form part OF the an
cient Society OF Hermandad de Ia Paz Carload
that is to say, the Fraternity of Peace ana OF
Charity-which. founded by Don Juan Manara
Mendoza, the original OF the hero Of Lord Byron s
Don Juan takes charge OF the prisoners under
sentence of death during the twentyfour hours
Immediately preceding theirsexecutfon- AS there
are about fifty capital sentences imposed by the
courts each year In Spain, the duties Of the mem
bers of this fraternity which is extremely exciu-
sive and restricted entirely TO the members OF the
oldest families of the Spanish pat-iciate are far
from being merely honorary.
When on duty they wear a black robe reach1nS
almost to the ground surmounted by q peaked
hood of the same material, the features being
wholly concealed by a black cloth. in which two
holes for the eyes Twenty-four hours be-
fore the execution the condemned prisoner Is
brought into what is known the capilla-that Is
to say, ce-which, draped entirely IN
black is arranged chapel. with an altar, a
crucffx and lighted candles. AS as he crosses
its threshold the black robed, black masked breth-
OF this society take charge Of him II IS there
that the sentence of death is read to him. that the
executioner first of all to measure the length
Of his spine and the size of his neck that there
may be mistake about its fitting the garotte.
crave his pardon for being the instrument of his
justly merted death Immediately before the man
is led 20 the scaffold
The members of the fraternity read TO the pris.
oner. they pray with him. they write letters for
him to his family and relatives they take charge
of the conveyance OF his last messages and of the
fu1ment of his last wishes, while a dozen of
them, arrayed in the garb which have described
above. and which wholly concea1s their identity.
make house-to-house visits in various portions Of
~ff rI,ot t-
about to die. Their appeals seldom spurned.
They invariably manage to collect quite q large
sum or money, which is turned over in full to the
unfortunate criminal. The latter usually. in defer
ence TO the recommendations of the brothers. as
signs portion Of 1t to the payment Of masses for
the repose of his soul while the remainder is turned
over sometimes 10 his family and sometimes too.
If he wishes It, TO the family of his victim.
The brethren remain with him throughout the
night, and in spite of their uncanny appearance
their kindly talk and sympathy serve in a sure
TO counteract the terribly depressing effect created
by the presence of the priests. who relay an
other at the altar throughout the entire time in
reciting masses the prayers for the dying. At
ter making his confession an4 receiving the last
sacraments the man is furnished with anything
that he wants in the way OF food and drink and
then the brothers-that is to say, these grandees
of Spain-lnen. have mentioned above. of the
loftest rank, accompany him to the scafold. sup
port mis- faltering steps. and mounting the scat
counsellor until the executioner. standing behind
his victim, turns that crank of the garote which
in second crushes the vertebre at the neck.
causing instant death. After that the brethren as
charge of the burial OF the corpse.
There several fraternties modelled on that
of the Spanish Herrnandad de la Paz Carload in
three four OF the Italian cities all OF them Of
Spanish origin. But inasmuch capital punish
ment does not exist in Italy they never called
upon 30 fulfil any such duties those which fall
Of ne Of
fellow grandses. The grandezza has often been
made the subject of abuse both in the peninsula
and abroad But, aside from Its traditions Of
chivalry and Of honor, which in conjunction with
its pride. constitute powerful incentive to keep
escutcheons free from stain. this strange and
unique work of caring for prisoners under sentence
of death and os soothing their last moments
bounds TO the credit of It's members who belong
to the fraternity, showing as 1t does very human
sympathy for the suffering of their fellow creatures
MARQCISE DE EONTENOY :.