Execution.
The Times, 1824-07-06T00:00:00

Yesterday morning t}lree unfortunate beings were executed at Newgate. Their names were John Williai, aged 19 * Tomnsas Davis, 24; and Jolen Reading, 32. Williams was convicted on the 5th ult. of a burglary committed on the night ofthe 20th of April, in the house of John Anderson, Esq., at Chelsea, and mal. treating one of the inmates with a crow.bar ; Davis suffered for a like offence; andReading was convicted ofstealingin a dwelling.house. On Saturday the relatives and friends of the sufferers took a lastl axLd long farewedl of them. The meeting and separation of Reading l and his wife and two children were afflictmig in the extreme.. Davis and Williams slept a good sdeal in the course of the night, but Reading only dozed at intervals, between which he indulged in his devotional exercis. About six o'clock yesterday morning they were brought from a condemned cell into the press.room, where the Xev. Mr. Baker was in readiness. They walked with a firm and steady s:ep, and were assisted to their seats at a long table or desk at the extreme end of the room near a fire, each being provided with a sacred volume, which he perused with eager attentiveness. Some water was placed before them, and AVilliams drank once or twice pretty heartily. About half past seven the Rev. Ordinary joined Air. Baker, and admninistered spiritual reliet to the unfortunate men, who listened to hts discourse very studiouisly. Shortly ofter the two sheriffs, Sir P. Laurie anol v. B. Whittaker, E;s., arrived and then the operation of pinioning commenced. hilst Williams was undergoing this ceremony, Davis paced the room with his handg clasped in -absurried step. Reading- walked slowly to and fro with Illr. Baker, the former repeating the sinner's prayer in an audible voice, and occasionally lifting his eves to Heaven, and ex- elaiming-" Where shall I be by-and-by ?" Williams having un- dergone the task of pinioning, took his seat on a form ; then Daris was made secure, after which he apnroached Sir Peter Laurie, and said that he had one request to make before he left the world. Sir Peter told him to name it, and, if possible, it should be complied with. Davis then said, "I understand the clothes in which I am hanged become the property of the executioner; now all I want to ask is, that the clothes I now have on may be Fiven to my yoang woman after I am no more." The worthy sheriff replied, that hc would take care his wisl should be granted. " Then I die satis. fed," said Davic. After Reading had been pinioned, he took his seat by the side of his unfortunate companions: they all shook hands. and Kissed each other. The awfal throng then moved from the room towards the fatal scaffold,preceded by the Sheriffs and the Rev. Ordinary; next followed Williams, then Davis, and next Reading who was still attended by AIr. Baker. As the procession passed through the dark winding passages, the prison bell began to toil, and the Rev. Mr. Cotton read the funeral service in a very impres- sive and solemn manner. Ga reaching the door leading to the plat- foim, the procession halted for a ew moments, when Williams Mounted the stage first, with a firm step; next followed Davis, who hid all present farewell, anl fervently shook hands with Mr. Baker, saying, "GfSod bless you; the world will lose a good man when you Ce no mnore." When lhe reached the platform, he bowed several times to the poptulace, and then took his station next Williams. Rcatding was then led up and stood by Davis. After every thing had bean adjusted, the (rdinary dre w a white handkerchief from his pocket, as a Y~nigl; the drop fell, and the world closed upon thenm for ever. Williams and Rcading died almost immediately, but Davis, w ho was very ligt,semd ounerfew momoents. EXECUTION.