The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1824-01-13 (London, England)

EVENING, JAN. lg.  Hunt continues to decline, and is reduced almost to a skeleton. 1 l)iri:ig the whole of Itirr!ay he etas so very ill, that medical aid was obliged to be called to his aseisutnee. lie was much disappointed on Saturday right, and more so on Sunday mornir g, having fully expected information fmm hoyden that his sentence was rummuted to transportation for life. Indeed so prevalent was the report in Hertford, during the whole of Sunday, that the inqdiries at the gaol vere numberless. The town was thronged with strangers of all ranks ; and the road, part of which was, on the fat::( morning of Thurtell's execution, railed in, was tilled with different equimiges. Two constables placed themselves on the spot to answer the different icquiries made by the over-anxious strangers, who, on Friday morning, were so numerous, that the dilapidanons ensuing therefrom are estimated at nearly 301. Houses, which had been erected to shelter cattle from the inclemency of the weather, in • field facing the prison, were levelled with the ground, and all the young wood, forming part of several newly-planted hedge, was destroyed : indeed the execution of Simmons, II years since, for the murder of two young females at Hoddesdon, four miles from Hertford, did not *raw together so vast a concourse of spectators, by hundreds. Various reports as to the disposal of Thortell's body prevail ; one is, that his father has paid 2001. for it, the law having first been satisfied, by the Critsian incision being made. Some say his mother is as yet ignorant of the wretched fate of her son ; others say, sir.ce his condemnation, she has laboured under a state of mental derangement, likely to be produced in a maternal parent, by so ignominious a death. At the time of his suffering a hearse waited for his remains; this was not considered an advisable conveyance for the body to London ; a stagecoach, which had been under repair, without name or number, was therefore resorted to as is proper conveyance, and in that it was sent off for town, where it arrived about eight o'clyck on Friday night. The necessary offices having been performed, we understand that it au then delivered over to the father for his disposal in the mode of interment ; and that the report of this day (Tuesday) being appointed for its dissection is a mere fabrication. A number of persons in Hertford have locks of Thurtell's hair, and we have heard of as much as 500. being given for one lock by a resident of East Barnett, who has bed it glazed, and i$ now becomes one of the ornamental displays of his parlour. Nothing can equal the sensation that is produced by this horrible event in the minds of persons inhabiting houses by the road-aide between town and Hertford; indeed it is the topic of conversation with high and low, and an appeal is instantly made to the stranger, as to what will he Hunt's doom ; and many do not forget to vociferate their feelings of indignation against him. That he expected to suffer with Thurtell is erroneous ; he on Saturday, evening declared to 31r. Wilson that he conceived and still hoped, as his hands were not imbrued in " the blood of the slams" that he should escape the jaws of death, since which he has scarce made any communication to any one, but has evinced great penitence for his offence, by evident feelings of remorse, blended with • reduced habit, and great depression. When speaking of his mother on Saturday, it was with a tear of sorrow, that " he had ever been born, thus to deheretic the best of parents, and end life in penury and disgrace." Wednesday week, in the event of no reprieve, is the time appointed for his execution ; and the populace of Herttnrd seem to express a sincere wish that the former may be the result. The Hertford-road is infested with a bad gang. On Friday even. inn one of the Hatfield waggons was attacked by several men, who ' plundered it of tso pigs and other property, with which they made Off. - . _ .  On our reporter leaving Hertford last evening, a rumour pre. railed that Hunt'A life wee spared, but not being able to see Mr. Wilson, he could not ascertain the fact. He however lenrut from a person connected with the prison that it was erroneous.