The Express. — 1867-08-30 (London, England)

EXECUTION OP THE WOOL VECTOR MURDERER. -  George Britten, who murdered his wife and burned 1-er body, was banged yesterday morning in front of the gaol at Taunton. Since the trial the convict behaved as became one in his awful position. Strenuous efforts were made to obtain a commutation of the sentence, on the grounds that the act was committed under great provocation, and in a fit of jealousy. On Sunday the condemned sermon was preached by the Rev. F. Howse, the chaplain, who took for his text the 143rd Psalm, 2nd verse, " And enter not into judgment with thy servant. for in thy sight shall no man living be justified" OnTuesday morning all hop the reprieve vanished, a communication ha been received by Mr. Meyler, solicitor, Taunton, the Home Secretary,. to the effect that he saw no sufficient grounds to justify him in advising her Majesty to interfere with the due °ourse of the law in this ease. The convict received the announcement apparently without emotion, and evidently had made up his mind for the worst. It being popularly believed that the execution would take place on Tuesday hundreds arrived in Taunton by rail on Monday evening, and took up a position in front of the gaol, where they remained until long after the hour when persons are hung at Taunton. Calcraft arrived on Tuesday evening and a crowd of persons were again disappointed on Wednesday morning. Yesterday morning at an early hour crowds began to assemble, and the Shire-hall grounds in front of the gaol were speedily filled with upwards of three thousand persona. Britten was visited by the chaplain on Wednesday, and listened with much earnestness to the exhortations of the rev. gentleman. At an early hour on Thursday morning the chaplain was again with him, and he appeared to be deeply penitent, and hoped God would forgive him his great crime. At 9 o'clock a procession was formed, and in a moment there was a subdued hush in the crowd. The prisoner now mounted the scaffold with • firm step and stood under the beam, accompanied by the chaplain, the hangman, and several of the prison officials'. Whilst the chaplain was concluding the burial service, Cslcraft adjusted the rope, and having shaken bands with the doomed man, who also took a last farewell of the chaplain, he was left alone upon the scaffold. He swayed to and fro, and appeared as if he would fall. In a moment the bolt was withdrawn. He fell a considerable distance, and died after a fearful struggle.  As Chief Justice Bovill was proceeding to Wigan on Saturday, after his day's work at the anises, a rather amusing circumstance occurred at the Lime-street station. His lordship bad got into a carriage, with his eldest son, and Mr. Dickenson, the high sheriff, the three being the only occupants, and the compartment being lockedto secure them from intrusion. Just as the train was starting a gentleman, well known on the Exchange flags, came to the door of the compartment, and, finding it locked, requested admission, in evident ignorance of the parties seated therein. Being informed that the compartment was enmed, but seeing only three seats occupied, be got very inftriant, and assured the occupants that be would soon have the door opened. " Not," added he, " that I set any value on your company, but to check ignorance, insolence, and presumption.'