Execution Of Mr. Fauntler...
The Times, 1824-12-01T00:00:00

Ye6terday being the day appointed for the execution of. Mlr. Fauntleroy, its arrival wa looked forward to with no small degree of anxiety, by that portion of thec population of this great city~ which. does not scruple to ivitnesi suck scenes. Dutnteorscfln day, small groups sollected ooxte te sing the orse of Muton. -usually take place in the Old Bailey, who wcre occupied in con- versing on thte subject of the approaching event. At midnight the cpeisters began to erect the sca'ffld, and from that timneitsne# be saids the'rowdl, which was anxious to witness thle executiozi, comn. inenced to assemble. It being expected ihat the croua'd ould be unusually great, additional timber barriers were constructd,.to weaken the pressure of the multitude in particular places. Oa similar occasions, it is usual to fix strong ralings arcound the -drop, to prevent the near approachi of the crowdt. In the present in. stance these were not only laced, but istrenigthiened by sirong iron spars diriven into the groan , and attached to the pasts of -the rail- ing. To, the -outhward, near the end ot' Fleet-lanie, anotlher staong barrier was placed, as well as acros-s the lane, thiese two joining and forming an angle, so thtat in case of at ruish either way, the sparta. tors were safe; between this and the Sessions-house, another very strong railin g wa-s placed comnpletely across the street, and the posaf strengthenea by Strang Spars, one of the ends placed in the ground,. aind the other tlisatened withi spikeil to the posts, and'bound round with iron hooping. Beyond this again, and inear the gat-t of the Sessions-house.yard, was placedl anothier, equally strong_ isnd' at the end of the Old Bailey, coming on to Luxdgate-hill, a str ong chain ~wasuaffixed acerossi, from one post to thec othier. -On the north side of the drop similar barriers wiere placed across, trIiinating westward, near sorme of the openings on that aide of the Old Bailey, therebv giving an opportunity of escape in case of dan. ger.i In the space liotim the drop to the comner of Newgate-street, no less than three of these barriers were placed, beside the one used on ordinary occasions, Within the railing, in-bte. srea immediately surrounding the fatal platform, were placed, inELdoubl~ row, betwreen 300 and 400constables, undert eledirection of Mr. Brown andAMr. Cope, tbeCity Marshals, and anumber of their assistanits.. These extratordinar,y-preparations were judged 'necessaryr by the shenifl,:, Aldermen Brown and Iey, on account of~ the intense excitement created ; and to ptevent, as far as possible, a repetition of the sad ca- tastrophethat occurrd some yeara back, on the occasion oftiheexe- cution of Hageerty and Holloway. As the morning advanced, the crowd proportiantilly increased, anid about six o'clock a continued linie of persons miglht be seen hurrying through Fle-street, Holborn, Cheapside, and other principali streets which lead to the Old Bailoy. At eight o'clock the crowd as- sembled was immense. Not only did the multitude extend in one comnpactrniassfromLudgate-.hiAlitonearIy thelleg'inningofSmnithfield, but Skinner-strct, Newrgate-street, LuZdgate-hiplaces froms which fIt was impossible to catch a glimpase of the scaffbld-were blocked up by' persons who we.re prevented by the dense crowd before. them fromi adivancing fart her, Every window or house-roof which &ould com- mand a view of the dreadful ceremony was likewime occupied.. We thinik that we do not overrate the numbier of persons assemble wheni we estimate it at nearly 100,1000. It is certain that the crowd wvas equal to that which attended the execution of Thistlewood anld bis associates. At seven o'clock Alcssrs. Brow-n and Cope, the City Mlarshals, advanced on horseback, and took up their station in the circle round the scaffold, On Alonday Mlr. Fauntleroy, soon after he rose~ from a sound night's repose, was visited by the Rev. Mlr. Springett, who informed him thiat thte SherifiTi hiad given direetions, that his son and brother should be permittetd to remnain v.ith hini until 3 o'clock and that they then must take their final leave of hima. He appearet extremely chieerful after breakfast, anid after he hiad prayed with Mr. Springett for half an hour, his son and brothler entered his apartment. He said upon Seeing them, "1 I do not fear this interview, because I know that we shall be all able to bear it. We are met for the last time, and you see me resigned and without fear." His son tooklilt right hiand, while his brother, whio made a great effort to be as calm and tranquil as himself, satt by, him and took his left. The turn- key who has barn employed -in watchiing and waiting upon him retired to anothie- corner of the apartment. 1 Mly only pain, my dear brother and son," said Mr. Fauntleroy, "1now is. thiat the stain upon nmy mnemory will, I fear, ex tend itself to aill who are dear to me-that the sin I have committed, and commnitted, God kcnows, not without remorse that turned my days and nights to bit- terniess, w,iIl be visited in the natural indignation of mankind uponl those who bear all my- aff'ections;, that they willlhave to bear the scorn of men, and to be brandedI with the offence of an unfortunate butt penitent criminal." His brother combatod this apprehension, which indeed has powerfully affected him during the whiole period of his imprisonment. The time was passed in alternate converstion and prayer, and at hanlf-past two o'clock tlhey were in the attitude of Supplication when the Shieri%ffsent up noticethat theynmustseparate.I he unfortuniate Fauntherny rose slowly, the tears, gushing ffom his eyes over hisbro. ther and hischiild, who still clung to his knees,. Mr. Fauntleroyem-. braced Iiis brother, who was scarcely able to support hiimself, and then his son, who seemed upon this awful occasioni to cxhiibit some evidence of1his father's firmnness. His son kissed both his hands and exclaimed,"1 God take you to hiniself--God bless you." His brother uttered not a word, but wvas led out of the apartmient by the turnkey. Five minutes- after their departure, Mlr.Fauintleroy recoveredliisusuaI calmness, and expressed a wish to see Alr. .9pringett, to whom he said, "1I have, my dear S-r experienced the niost extraordinary kindness from those good peop.le by whom Ilam surrounded. To the humanity of Mlrs. Harris and her husbandI (one of thie turnkeys), f am under particuLar obligations, and I request that, in the miorn- ing whien I am going to die, you will take a ring off my finger and present it to the good woman." Mtr. Sprinigett promised to do so. " I have now," said hfe. "S pringett, one request to make of you- I believe it is the la8t, altlhouglh ceannot say, for I san a poor com- plaining creature." "1Ask nie any thing," said Mvr. Springett, "1 it glhall be donr.` " And yet," saidi AMr. Fauntleroy, " it is hiard to expect 'It. an you,will you,stay up with mie until my timne arrives ?" "4ECertainly," said Mir. Springett, " I wil not leave you a moment; hut then vou mustIliedown and rest." Mlr. Fauntleroy reilied thatbhe didl not thiink he should sleep more until his tiine camie.I c,h~owever, consented to do, or to attempt, any thing his friend thought proper. Mlr. Fauntleroy was visited in the eycning by iMr. Forbes and Mlr. Ahlayhew, wvho took leave of him, and then his time was wholly occupied in prayer tip to II o'clock. Mlr. Springett then beg- ged that lie would take off his clothes, and take a lit e sileep. He said he woiild lie down in his dressing gown for a short time, but befoe h di so he equste tht hs friend would not sitay away fromhim ny lngthof tme, ut tatie would return and join bins in paye. Mr Spingei dd no levehi-n for more thani a quarter of anhour urin the ightwhichas sent by both oftlheni in prayr Neiter o thm cold b sad tohavehadten minutes' sleep, but M~lr. Fauntleroy appeared refre-shed after hiavingz washed his face and hiards in cold water. At five o'clock he breakfasted lipon tfea and biscuit, and boon after was, visited by the Ordinary and Air. Baker, and the sacramient wast administereg to him. He betrayed no im- patienice for the mioment of execution, but waited firmly, and in a state of the msost perfect-resignation. He made no inquiry a to the crowds who were collected to witlness his execution, an seemed quite indifferent to every, thing except the thought of eternity. He remainedI in this comiposed state' tor two hours and three quarters,, when lie was told by the Ordinary that his time was, nearly arrivad. THE EXECUTION. At a quarter before eight o'clock, the Shieriffs arrived at Ncwgate, and Proceeded immiedlittely to the prisoner's room. The prisoner gently bowed to them on perceiving that they were present; bat he made no observations, remaining as if his thoughts were wholly, ben onpraerandetenit. esies heOrdinary of Newgate, the Rev.Mr.Coton,thee wee tme ev.Mr.Sprinaett and Mlfr. Baker withthe risner.Mr. prigeechadremained all nighit. Air. Bake ivurud t th prsonabot terro'clock in the morning. TheSheiff son aterard casedit to be intimated that the hour for the fatal close of the prisoner's sulfferiaugs approached, and 'that they must proceed to theli upper cotmdlemned room. Mr. Faunt.. leroy was so absorbedl in reflection, that he did not hear the comnau- nication. Mr. Baker repeated the Shicriffs' iiitimation. Mr. Faunt. lerov again gently -bowed, aud signified that he was prepared; Alir. Sprmtsgett anil Mr. Baker conducted the prisonet- from hisi apartment, and, though he wralle.., somewhat firmly, but slowly, they had to guidle hiis steps, as lie kept hils eyes conistantly cloisedl. It was in' the tipper condemined room that we were enabled to see MVr. Fauntleroy. [le was dressedl in a black coat, wvaist.. coat, and trousers, wvith - rilkt stockings, and shoes. The de- iiicanour of the ulnhiappy mnan was perfectly composed ; but it ap- peared to us that this was not, as in the case of Thuitell, Beiling. lham, and atber cr-iminals, the result of self.posseBsion and the mas. tery of tlie feelings, but rather the effec-tof anabsence offeeling. Hec seemedT to he labouring under a kind of torpor or " numbness of the mind."like one" h1leart-struck," withi "1every sense bound up." The Rev. Mr. Springett and the Rev. Mtr. Baker stoodi one on each side of him, and Mlr. Cotton, the Ordinary, in front, end addressed him in a mianner and on topics suitable to his awful situation ; but he htid not, thiat we perceived, make any observati'on himsel f.Hie eyes all thmis tim-e continiued closed, aiid no em-otion was visible in his counte-. nance. W"e rememberthiat altlioughionkly aday intervened betwecen the trial and execution of Thurtell, hiis countenance in that abort initerval underwent astriking change. His face on theday ofIsis trial bespoke anaianin the fall possession of health and peace oftmind. On the noirning of execution his c',untenance was discoloured and haggard, the effiectevidentlyvof violent internial struggle. Mfr. Fauntleroy's appearance, on the contrary, had undergone little or no change since. the trial,-a circumnstance whiich seem3sto strengthen tile conjecture that liis feelings had become deadened under the weight of his affliction. Mfr. Cottoni took him aside, ;snd said a feiv words, probably to inform him -that he tmust submit to hitvc his arnias pinioned, for immiediately after the executioner ap- proached and bound his arms to his tides with a cord. Thie prisoner was quite passve tinder the operation as if unconscious of what was going on., The Sheriffs then mnoveti forward, and Alr. Spritigett andAMr. Baker each took hold or one of the prironer's arms. and, thus accompanied, lie followed the Shierifti and the Ordinary, as it were mechanically, his eyes being still closed, and his bands ex- tended before him anti elapsed as in thie act of prayer. As the mournfuil proc',%ion passetl dowis stairs anid througRh the gloomny passages reading to thie place of execution, thte Ordlinary read, as is customnary, part of tile burial service, and the bell of the pri'son clock tolled the deathi-knell. The prisoner never turned Iisi head to the right nor the left till he reached the foot of the steps leading to the scaffold. The moment lie appeared on the scaffodd the vast crowrd took off their hate, and the nioise and confusion which had heretofore prevailedl was succeedled by breathlesmsf slence and "attention still ast night." W1e could not at this moment see Air. Fatuntleroy's face, bttwe understand that he did net Open his eyes evon fiora moment. AMr. Springett and Alr. Baker, who liad accesis, ivnied him to the foot of the scaffold, pressed his hands and left him. Thevseeined much affected. The executioners without a momnent's delay,pulled thecapover theprisoner's face,and overthat tied hisneck- cloth across his eyes, which we believe is not usunlly done. The rope wvas likewise adjusted witlh equal expelition; so that in less than two minutes after the unhappy criminal ascended the scaffold, every thing was prepared for his execution. Mlr. Cotton now placed himself before the prisoner, who stood- with his facc towards Liadgate-bill, and commenced reading the passage,-" Yet, 0 Lord God, niost Holy! 0 Lord, most Mighty. 0 hely and most nmer- ciful Saviour ! deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, iord, the secrets of our hearts ;" towards the coz. elusion of which the ttap.4oor fall. No expression of feeling pro- ceeded from the crowd. The poor criminal did no. appear to suffer much; a few convulsive-lheavings of the shoulders were observable, but they ceased in a few moments- In about a quarter of an hour, the crowd began to disperse; but many remained to wit- ness the cutting down of. the body, whicli took place at a few minutes after nine o'clock. Workmen immediately set about removing the scaffold, and in a shert time nothing remained to rlenote the dread. fisl scene which had passed. Notwithstanding the great crowd, we did not hear that any serious accident eccurred. There were several females present; but they were chiefly of a description wl7ose cha- racters were not likely to suffer from the circumstance. Mr. Fauntleroy wrote letters of tbanks to the-Governor of New- gate, and the Sheriffs, for their humane and unremitted attention to hir ring lit Imtprnent. Helefthis SPect&cez toX Mr. Baker as a'mnesnori of his sateemi his YritIn r-desk to Harri, the turn. ands c said :before) si Sringso Mf re. Harris asacnluiowledg. great kindness tbey had shown to him in his captivity. Whens the cap was taken ofhis face, there was no appearance of cmn vulsion-the Countenance was quite ptacid. tFrom a (Correspendent.1 Thefather of the unfortunate Henry Fauneleroy was a Wirinsmer. chant of respectabllity in the city, and was for some time *n1 the banking.houte of Barclay and Uo., residing at the time if the birtl,.o Henryin London.street, Fenclurch-street, and manny years bact ;oineda rr.ara,tkenavy..gent, dSir JamesSibbald, yr t, kirngZbousa in Berlle--seel; where they,4,tcqurd odb Sx^Gs?. IntmiscorlcernHenrywas forsomeiimit'acting asaclerk; bii on the death-of his ather he iecase.a tner. Atflis perlod,it b iai44hfJinances of the. housewereby no mesas in a prosperous %eate, an6d&he: were of coarse rendered still worse by bad debts, and by four partners annually drawini out no inconriderable snums for their private expenses. Air. Faunteeroy has been heard to say dua.g his lateimprlsonment, that thehouse ought-tohava stoppedpayment mathe year 1810. None of the partners, as it haa since appearedi-were reilly mei.of; property; they had every one overdrmwn their aecounts; and but for the fraudulen-t transaetions for which the subject of theme eremsri has forfeited bis life, the creditors-would not haveTeesived 2s. in the pound upon their reaDective debts. It is .difficult -to ascertxin the precise period at which Mir. Fauntleroy first began the dangerous practice of forgery, ortheamouut whichfrom time totimehe seCret- rr removed and replaced, but it has appeared that in the course of' the last eight or ten years the extent has been immense. During-this period, aithough leading a life of apparent ease and gaiety, he de- scribed his titnd as having bten the seet of intene anxnety and per- turbation --bid -rest but little in the night, and wx4tmquently observed by his friteds to dose when in company; and swheni in con- finement in Coldbadi-fieldg Prison, hedeplared, pointiNtto his hard bed, that he had slept more soLundly upon it than he ad done for ten years before. He sddom spoke of his wife, but it appears thbt she was in the habit of going to him periodicaly, at the banking. hoase, for the pirpose ot receivinga certain. alowance, it is said 4011, per annum, which he made to her. He must have been married young, being little abave forty at thetine of his death; and his son, who is mi his fteenth year, is a fine yoath, educated at Wimchester and who visited his unhappy father almost every day after he wa removed to Necgate. 01 this gloomy place lr. Fantleroy felt a great dread; but on his being committed there, he found that ha en oyed more privilegea than he could have expected, and expressed tto his latest hour, ufigned gratitude for-the kindness and humanity which had beens manifested towards him by the Sheriffs, Aldermea, the Ordinary, the Governor, aad, indeed, by all connected wita tshe gaoL H"is fricnds Mwere allowed to visitbt to the last, and periicu- rly, except during ashoriperiod, Mr s. Forbes, the lady of whom so mRuch has been said: she is about 22' years of age, and possessed of personalbeauty; shehas two children,daughters, of the ages of seven. teen and three monthss lt is true thatahe was educated at a convent at Rouen but Mr. Fauntleroy did not first see her there as 4%.was never in Prance, except once at Calais, and then for only al@a and thirty hours. Alrs. Forbes speaks the French language with the propriety of a native, and is a proficienm in music; she Ls de_ scribed as having been much beloved at the convent, whither she bas twice been on a visit since her acquaintance with MAr. Fauntleroy- her rame is nor Forbes, but she has assumed it at leiss since Zir. Fauntleroy's troubles. He appeared to be much attached to her. He did not deny that aboutt 8 or 9 years back he had some acquainterce wiLththeinfamous woman Mrs.BertranbtitdecLared that henever suf- fered himself to be duped iathe way that has been represeited. Ithas been alleged that he expended large sums UPon a Alias C., an actress: this report he contradicted in the most unqualified terms, and ex. plained the probable manner in which that lady has become possessed of so much propertv. AIr. Fauntleroy had apartments at the banking-house in Berners- street, vihere his mother and sister resided; but his home was at Lanibeth, where he kept two femele servants and a gardener: he had also his elegant house at Brighton, which cost aboat 7,0001., where his mother spent many months everv year. He stated his annual expenses to be about 3,O00L to 3,5001. He always spoke in high terms of the affection and fidelity of his brother, Mr. John Fauntleroy, who is a solicitor, and who was unremitting in his attention to hin in the hour of calamity. During his imprisonment, he was visited by, and received letters from, very many gentlemen of great respectability: persons who were strangers to hnm aso vwrote to him, and sent him books. He appears to have possessed the art of gaining the esteem and confidence of th6se who became acqaainted with him. He wasi many instances appointed trusteeuad executor, and acted in the latter capacity to the late Mr. West, President of the Royal Academy. About three weeks before he suffered, he had nn interview with his wife, which is said to have been very affecting to them bath. She was afterwsards in the habit of visiting himn almost every day. Aremarkablechange took place in hIIispirits subsequently to his trial: his mind seemed to be relieved from a weightof anxiet- and apprehension, and a degree of tranquillity and even cbeerfulness ensued. Heonceohservedtoafriend, thattithappened mostremarkabit that the magistrate by wham he was committed was Mr. Conant, with whom, as wsell as with his father (the late Sir Nathaniel), he had fer years been on terms of friendship; and that he had occasionally, at the house of a friend, spent an evening with the Judge who pro. nounced the sentence of death upon him. He paid most respectful attention to the admonitions of the Rev. Mr. Cotton, the Ordinary: lie was favoured, also, with the religious atssistance of two other very espectableclergvmen *he Rev. Mr. Borrows Chaplain to one of the Sheriffs, ana the Rev. Mir. Sprina gett, of ieckham; all these gentlemen are saia to have expressed themselves as satisfied with regard to Iis sincere desire to avail him- self of the instruction and consolation afforded by their means. The latter of these three clergymen was introduced td Air. Fauntleroy by onie of his most intimate friends, and to this Reverend Fentleman he beamme most affectionately attached, and.towards the close of his life was desirous of enjoying his society as much as possible. He was in the habit ef rising early while'in Newgate, and spending sonie time in reading and devotion: after breakfast he attended prayers in the chapel, and antil about five o'clock he was engaged witn his friends or solicitors: he then took his dinner. The re- mainder of the evening was generally occupied in reading, or in con- versation with those who visited him for religious purposes. Daring the whole ofhis imprisonment,one of the turnkeysinrotatien was con. stantlyin autendance in theroom by night.and day. Hespokeia high terms of their decent and rcspectfal behaviour at all times, and was astonished to find so much good feeling and propriety of ccnduct in persons of that class of litfe and of that employment: tbis, he con- sidered, reflected great cre3it on the Governor (Mr. Notontner), who possesses the happy talent of discharging the painful and severe duties of his office with firmness and humanity, and inspires those who are subordinate to him with the like qualities. Although Mr. Fauntleroy was accustomed to a very active life, his hcaltli was generally good throughout the petiod of his confinement; his appe- tite scarcely ever failed, a2d, considering that he took no exercise, and w::s not out in the open air once after he went to Newgate, he usually slept welL Se preferred reniaining closely in the aparunent aUodto hi rather than to walk ocasionally in the yatds of the prison, which he might have done had he chosen. Mlr. Fauntleroy was in the 41st year of his age, of middle statture, rather inclined to stoutness his complexion war pale, and his hair quite gray; being sbort-sighted, be constantly wore glasses; his snanners were easy and gentleranliker and bespoke his having been accustomeAd to genteel society. He might be aid to have a good taste on certain subjects, and was not deficient of inteligence and readine$s of perception; he was gifted with a consider.t'le portion of application and expertness in business; his temper appeared to be mild and equable, but he was by no tmeans endewed with intel. lectual excellence, or possessed of general information; his educa- tion could aot have been liberal as it is balieved he was acquainted with no language but his own. iVithout referring with unnecessary severity to his faults, it cannot be disguised that his babits ot lite had been voluptuous, nor can it be said by his most partial friends, that he wes entitled to the character of a man of honest principles, when, conscious that he was an insolvent, and had been guilty of frauds and forgteries to perhaps the extent of half a million or mnoney, he could live r,t the rate Of' nearly fbur thousand a year, and build and furnish a houseof pleasure at Brighton, Fs gn expense of seven thousand poundts: he has, however, appeared en an advaritageous point of view since his confinemaent, daring which time he has ever manitested a disposition to aequiesce in every arrangement proposed by his fliends, acknowledg- ing, with gyreat gratitude, every masrkof kindness shown to hims, either by them or by the authorites of the prison. He was particu- larly atrcntie to the religious instruction and counsel aforded him, which he received wvith thankcfulness; and of his sincerity in those imnportant matters wlich relate to a preparation for a future state of existence, no doubt was entertained by the persons best qualified to form an opinion on such subjects. The following lines having been transmitted to bimn by an unknown hand, he showed them to a fricnd, s eaking of them in terms of wvrm admiration: a copy being requestedl, he seat it with the subjoined note " WHAT IS FmAYER ?" " Praver is the soul'a sincere desire, ."Utte'd or unexpress'd_ The motion of a hidden fire, " That trembles in the breast. "Prayer is.the burden of a sigh, " The falling of a tear- "The upward glancing of an eye, " rWhen none but God is near. "Prayer is the simplest form of speech " That any lips can trv; "Prayer the sublhnest strains that reach "The Majesty on high. "Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, " The Christian's native air; "His watchword at the gates of death, "l i:e enters Heaven with priyer, "Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, "R Returning from his ways, "While Angels in their songs rejoice, " And say, ' Behold! lie prays.' - " The saints in payer appear as one, " In word, and deed, and mind, "When with the Fatber and the-Son " Their fellowslip they find. "Nor prayer Is made on earth alone.. "The Holy Spirit pleads, "And Jesas, on the ternal throne, "For sinners intercedes "Oh Thou, by whom we come to God, " The life, the truth, the way, "The path of prayer Thyslf hast trod, "' Lord, tacen us how to pray.' " "ly dear Sir,-Wbat is prayer? I1end you the above: it has been read over and over agan by me with great delight. " Yours very sincerely, Nov. 17. " HIBNRY FAUNTLEROY." Unlesws hen distressedby theapprehensionof being exposed to the gaze of the publi, or after parting-for ever with one or other o his neavrelasives or friends, his spirits were not depressed ; nd htis re- slgnation and compsure of mind were singularen Ote very last day of his life. The OrdinaTyf Newgate, who has witnessed the cls- ing honrs of some hundreds of unios aenate persons, bas been -heard to declare, that he never knew a man who discoveredso m uchl eihe. ness and tortltude. . Having, on his last day, bid farewell to those friends who had ecc cess to him, lie spent the evening, in exercises of devotion with the Reverend Gentleman whose nlume has been so frequlently,ten- tioned, andwhowasis-theadjoiniug room, or withhim all night, About 12-o'clock, hetbrew hinusclf on the bedwitbout ta iug offhis clothes; and lay fbr about an hour, when he atose, and wiote two-- orhree letters. Soon after this. undressed and we nt to bedt Lut- slept.little. At 5 o'clock he again e,and was-shaved and drmsseti, tok acup of tea, and was conveyed to the condemned room asicie call"e here the time was spent in reading, prayer, in ainDgng two hymns,and in the administration of the sacrament; during the whole of this time he conducted himself with his wonted composure. It hs said, that on the day before the execution of Mr. atleroyl his Wi e made an application to Afr. Peel, imploring the favour of an audience. The right hon. gentleman, aware that granting such a request could not be produetive of any advantage, but would rather have the efect of inflicting additional anguish on the afflicted anpli- cant, thought it his duty to decline haviag an interview -with Mrs. Pauntleroy, but wrote to her a letter couched in terms of so much kindnes and condolence a3 were highly honourable to the heart of the Right -lon. Secretary. The following is an extract from a lettersentbgy Ar.HenryFaunt- leroy to a friend, shortly preceding his execution, charging him to console hlis wife and regard his children :_ " The time is fast approaching, when at length the gloomy veil of death wil encompa"s the setting sun of human existence. and the meritdian gleams of earthly enjoyments will be eclipsed from all worldly parsuits: the sotul will be separated from the excitement of all human depravity of action-from thevoic? ofrelatives ard friends, to await the call of an Alrighty pewer, till a celestial tribunal shall sit in judgment over the sinFul coarse of man. The doleftl vibra- tions of the solemn sound of the prison-bell will soon betoken the soul of its awful change from the present to the future state. "Feign vwould I leave this transitory stage without a worldly care, but such are the feelings of nature bursting forth on the agonies of my life, that I cannot quit, davold of a husband's and parent's feel- ing, without casting a lingering and longing hope for those from whom I am parted. Oh I my wife, my children, my all that is dear and in- jured by me on earth,'for thee with t contrite heaTtmercy is imnploredi and I trust that by thee forgiyeness Is sought. I am brouglht to a due sense of toy state; I feel as a man, but die as a Christian, in the faith of mercy from the all supreme omnipotence of a Divine will, throqgh repentance of an ill.spent life. " Regard my fate, and kindly remember the entreaties of my parting breath. As aD expiring victim of crime, I enjoin ye, the uarents of my dear children, to bestov on them thy naternel kindness, and as you value their oxistence, so regulate their merals. Awaken them with a due knowledge of the solemn and awful event | of their father's fate, that they ma y avoid the track of the evil path of ] mazr; check in the spring of their years the budding growth of vice, ere they are overrun with the thorns of human depravity; cultivate their minds with spiritual grace, that they may seek affiance in an overruling power: for thy euide take a divine precept_' Train up a child in the wav he should go, and when he is old he will not de- part from it.' With fervent pTayer I hope that under their tender mother's care, they may prove a moral examale to posterity, and by the rt.tltude of their lives 6efy the stigma of a censorious world. MIay their father's of fences never be cruelly adverted to to imbitter their days_..may the IJ ht of wisdomn direct the way of their course tl they depart hither to receive the rewards of their virtues from the Heavenly Father of all." The foUowing stories are in circuistion respecting Mr. Faunt-- es*::_A few years back, a lady in the country employed o purchase 13,0001. Bank Stnck* and some time aer, she x^/iup authority to an agent to sell it out for her. The agent went to the Bank, and, to his- astonishment, learnt that the ladv had no stock there I He went to Mr. Fauntleroy to seek an explanation. 3I r. Faunderoy expressed the utmost surprise at the visit-said he had received, but a day or two hetore, a letter from the lady, desir- inelhinto sell out-which hehad doie, andfgoing nutand returning with several Exchequerbills) "1 here," hesaid, "' is the produce." He delivered them to the lady's agent; and nothinz more, it is added, waR heard otf the affAir, except that she declared that she had never written to Mr. Fauntleroy to sell. On another occasion, it is stated that MIr. Fauntleroy forged the name of a gentleman while the latter was sitting with himn in his private room, and took the instrument out to his clerk with the ink not drv.-P.ramilner. A weekly paper, the proprietor of which was the legal adviser of Faunderoy, states, that his forgeries were so extensive as to requite IS,0Ol. to be paid yearly in dividends alone, in order to preveut detection. EXECUTrON OF MR. rAUNTLEROY.