The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1847-03-31 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

FLORENTINE DEPRAVITY—HORRIBLE AFFAIR. Captain Napier, in his History of Florence, relates a frightful story of a lady, who, being early left a widow with one son, a very beautiful boy, married a moo who soon became devotedly attached to his little stepson, so much MIA he Mken with the child's amiable disposition and the general excellence that distinguished him, although only ten years of age. The mother, with a mixture of natural levity and ungovernable passions, began to nourish guilty inclinations towards a young Perugian citizen whom she was determined to obtain for a husband, and not only give him her own ample fortune, but that of her child also, which was still more respectable. Dietracted by the violence of this passion.lshe conspired with her paramour to murder both husband and son, and a certain night was settled in which he was to strangle the latter while she administered poison to the former. When all was ready. this impious woman ordered the boy to carry certain articles to her lover's dwelling, and not to quit the place until the latter should "desiatth him." Be tripped alon cheerfully with his errand, delivered the things, then playfully asked to be despataed The young man at once softened by this artless confidence, and suddenly struck with remorse, said in a compassionate tone, "Go back to thy mother, boy, for this is not the time to do what she requires." The woman, surprised and alarmed at her son's return, demanded in a hurried voice why he bad not been despatched! and on bearing the expression of her faltering accomplice. instantly remanded the child with pereinptory injunctions not to return Until he be really despatched on the preconcerted 'usiness. Anxious to please her, the poor boy retraced his steps and with affectionate eagerness entreated her companion to do what she desired, but he burst into tears and replied," Tell thy mother, child, that this business ain't not be confided to me, for I will not do it." The child once more returned with this message upon which the implacable monster ordered him down into the cellar, and instantly following, exclaimed, to if addressing herself, " That which he has feared to do I will myself accomplish." Then with a determined hand she coolly drew a knife across her little victim's throat, and, leaving him dead upon the pavement, walked quietly to her chamber! Boon after this her husband returned, and, as was his custom, immediately asked after the boy, to which the murderess, with a calm tongue and the guilt of a serpent, replied, "Thou knowest well, but go down to the cellar, and peradventure thou shalt find him." Alarmed at her manner, he hastened down, and, at the sight of the child's bloody corpse, gasped a moment for breath and then fell senseless. The fiend, who closely followed. Instantly locked him in with the body, and then with distracted screams and shrieks of murder the house was soon filled by a crowd of terrified neighbours, to whom she declared that her husband had killed the ehild for his inheritance. Tearing her hair and face she again burst into screams and tears of oounterfeited agony, but would not suffer the 'cellar to be unclosed until the officers of justice came and examined her husband by torture, which being unable to bear, the unhappy man admitted everything so nefariously alleged against him. While preparations were making for his execution, the wife's paramour overcome by rem roe and compassion, and after stipulating for his pelt don, discovered the truth, and related every circumstance of hi., own conduct. The miserable woman then made a minute and circumstantial confession without torture, and was condemned to ha-is part of her flesh pulled away by red-hot pincers, and the remainder sliced off piece after piece with sharp razors until she expired in agonies, a terrible example to the Perugian people.