Year: 1878

Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial


1t is the French fashion to execute
those doomed to die with the guillo-
tine, in the public street, in front of the
prison, without making known the ex-
act time. 1t is the custom to use the
knife-aXe at daybreak. and the prisoners
are not notified until wanted. The
people understand that very soon after
the prayer for mercy of those under
capital sentence is refused, the guillo-
tine will be used, and those seeking to
enjoy the spectacle are watchful ac-
cOrdingly. The representative of the
press are allowed to know the arrange
ments Of the authorities, that they may
certify that the work has been done.


Hearing that the execution would
take place at $50 o'clock this morning,
l started for the spot about l, having a
rendezvous with some journalists at a
cafe where black coffee was the favor
ite beverage of the hour, though brandy
was in competition as q refreshment.


The guillotine is almost as simple an
affair as ladder. Put up for immedi-
ate service by the light of two lanterns
and one gas-lamp, in the midst Of Gu
riOus crowd of reporters and friends of
the authorities, it was not handsome.
Recently it has been improved. The
triangular bit Of steel, called indiffer-
emily the knife and the axe, is conceal
ed by board when drawn up; and this
is thought to be humane, as it masks
from the condemned the instrument of
death. The second Improvement is the
deadening of the sound Of the fall of
the knife by India-rubber. This is sup
posed to be a mercy to the spectators
whose nerves are susceptible to shocks
of noise. When erected, the height of
the frame of the guillotine above the
pavement is perhaps fourteen feet. 1t
is painted dingy red, q dry blood color,
and presents q resemblance to a section
of a tire-ladder. AT the foot on one
side is a large basket, and on the other
a box. Waiting in the chill morning,
in the gloomy assemblage of the priv
ileged, by a faint light, under the shade
Of the dusty chestnuts, was wearisome,
and the minutes passed draarily and
slowly. About o'clock the machine"
was complete. The bolts were fitted in
their places, guided by skilled and
steady hands. The screws turned with
exactness. The ugly knife glided to
the top of the frame on trial trip, the
long, acute angle of the edge showing
for a second, as it answered the cord
by which it is suspended.


Privileged persons increased in
numbers and pressed upon the guard in
a manner not dignifed. In the dis
tance we could hear the hoarse cries
and murmurs of the mOnstrous throngs
kept back by files of soldiers. The
black vans had told the tale that the
hour of expiation was beyond a doubt
at hand. Officers with decorations and
swords moved to and fro. The COM
missioner of security [ think they call
him, appeared with a sash about his
waist. Indications multiplied that the
grave formalities of administration that
distinguish all proceedings in this coun-
try were in progress. The police be-
came irritated by the pressure Of the
crowd, and at last manifested their i'm
portance by driving back the whole
mass without much hypocrisy of polite
ness. [ had gained a front position
on the curbstone, and restrained the
pressure from the police for some time,
but they were not grateful, and two of
them, with the aid Of a soldier, used
me efectually against those in the rear,
and [ pitied huge fat fellow who was
of the second rank, though there was
a degree of consolation in having such
a cushion to strike when employed as a
projectile. The wind was quite knock
ed out Of my corpulent friend, while
the diversion merely enabled me to
obtain a few moments relaxation.
Their duty of demonstration done, the
guardians of the peace relapsed into
attitudes, and were quiet for
nearly an hour, when they again flung
themselves upon the privileged classes
with jealous resentment.


The guillotme was during this time
displayed by the two candles of the
lanterns of the workmen. There was