The Sun. — 1849-11-13 (London, England)

BERMONDSEY MURDER.  EXECUTION  morning. For two or three days past ;the gaol has been an object of great attraction, but yesterday, owing to the ' near impending fate of the Mannings, the excitement of the public to see it became greater, and the neighbourhood was visited by thousand of people before nightfall. To many, however, the appearance and situation of the prison must be comparatively unknown ; for although it abuts almost close upon one of the largest thoroughfares in London, it is entirely screened by houses from the sight of the pedestrian. About half way between London bridge and the Elephant and Castle there is, on the east side of the road, a small narrow street, which is called Ironmonger-lane, so nearly faces the wall of .the Queen's Bench prison, and although very narrow at the commencement, about half-a.dozen houses down it opens into a wide open road. On the right of this road is the gaol; it is surrounded by brick walls so high that the tops of the buildings inside can scarcely be seen as one walks along. In the centre of this wall, and in a line with it, is the entrance-gate, or tower, which is about 40 or 50 feet from the Upon the roof, which is almost level, is erected the scaffold, painted in black, and of very simple construction. It stands not in the centre, but at the west end of this building, close to a stack of chimneys, and consists simply of a slightly-raised platform, upon which the fatal beam is fixed. The beam is about twelve feet long, and supported by two upright posts, ten feet or so high. The platform is enclosed by a wooden railing, except about three feet at the corner, where steps are made for the criminals to ascend. At the other end is another platform, a little higher, also surrounded by wooden rails, upon which the culprits will first make their appearance, and engage most likely in prayer with the Chaplain before their execution. Only a few minutes' walk of the prison, in that direction to which the faces of the unhappy couple will be turned, and no doubt within sight of the gallows, is Minver-place, the scene of the dreadful tragedy for which they are about to pay the penalty of their lives. Nearly along the whole front of the gaol is a row of small houses, called Winter 'Terrace, each having about 40 feet of garden in front, and therefore affording a most unlimited amount of space for the erection of seats for spectators. It is but justice to state, however, that of these gardens only two at the west end had been fitted up for the occasion, The two houses alluded to were nearly facing the drop, and the seats for the accommodation of visitors were fitted up in a kind of amphitheatre style, one being erected above another; and no doubt the proprietors of them reaped the highest sum of any on the occasion. The Masons'Arms, to the west of the terrace, was filled from top to bottom, and the extensive premises behind running down the corner of Swanstreet had been fitted up .with awnings. The windows of the houses between it and the top of the lane had all been taken out, and were filled with spectators, and some had ensconced themselves on the pointed roofs, and very chimney-pots. On most of the houses placards were fixed intimating that goods were to be let. Thousands of peOple had assembled at an early hour last night, and they kept gradually increasing in numbers until daybreak this morning, when all approaches to the place of execution were completely blocked up. Better order was preserved than could have been expected, owing to the most indefatigable efforts of the police, who mustered in great force. The crushing and swaying to and fro of the crowd was terific, as every now and then the police had to renew their efforts to keep clear the space immediately in front of the scaffold and to prevent the approach of the gradually thickening mob to the baricades which had been placed across the entrances of the different streets. Here were stationed policemen mounted on horseback, and the kicking and plunging of the animals they rode were not sufficient to keep back the crowd. Many who had strength enough to keep their feet, and bear up against the constant pressure and pushing and kicking which they were subject to throughout the night, were at break of day so exhausted as to be compelled to quit their positions, and give them up to those who had more recently arrived. Towards eight o'clock the excitement of the crowd reached its highest point.