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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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THE BERMONDSEY MURDER . TU ' , IHE COSDEMSED SBBMOS . * J ^^ kli edconvict 33 Iannin ? and liis wife at «» U d » me aernoe la tbe chapef of Cemongel gft aj&saa * S ? £ S » SEHS § igp ^ isS SSSiSSmS ^ S - gao 1 ha ™ s cntered * e dSSi ^ 031 thei t «« P « fi « places tbe condemned prisoners were introduced in charge of the aK ™ "S * & *>*> officers appointed to attend upon them . Theculprits were so ulaced that THE TrriTHi U .. LL 1 JLUILL ..- wsJaiUl . MU . KJJ . Lii .
« e . roe could not observe the other ; Manning being seated on the male prisoners'side , and his wife on the , opposite ade , where the female prisoners sit . Ato . Jisitors gallery was eselusively confined to the ^ suingI josuees , of whom there were several prenew aST \ f C A S overnor » occupied his nsnal E ' r Ji ^ * ^ EOTCraOr - »» the ffi pon ^ r tbe P ™ » ^ realso in attendance . 2 lSnVl * nterinS the cnaPel « t °° k their seats without betraying any extraordioarV emotion tr&aed , anddunng portions of the reverend chanhm 6 sermon they both wept litter " . The usual morning service was read by the reverend cbaS who took occasbn to dejire the praveS of fij gregatoon on behalf of the two - convicts . The prayers having been concluded , and a hymn sung the rev . chaplain entered the unlniK % . * Z £ ' _
„ fenced bin sermon , selecting as his text for ill « st " afaon , the second verse of the 65 th P * aim :- " O thou that hearest prayer , onto Thee shall aU flesh come " SiMlf > * * * % knew how Aorta period eKfebed between them and eternity thev would each feel the necesaty of so living as to be able to assist tech other , and thus entertaining a weU-ground ^ hope of assistance hereafter , through tbe heavenly anddivmegracewhichthe blessed Redeemer had graciously thrown m the way and placed at the disposal of all who chose to emhraee it . How mnch more forcibly did this apply to their Unhappy brother k T ? l « . wt ( ? * " *¦ *«« Bwnbered , and who had but a few hours to live . He implored themselves that they mfehfc hem * f « k . „ .
sisted and strengtfiened to meet tt * a ^ proaching end ; and above all , he beseeched them to banish every thought of this world , and confine them ^ t 0 tbe COnnderatlon of tot which would so shortly open upon them . Thereverend preachertben proceeded to dilate upon the importance of repentance to all sinners , after which he addressed the two convicts especially , expressing an earnest hope that they would , both by contrite repentance and an undisguised confession of their sins , prefer the only claim tney could have to be forgiven their trans < res Hons , and made fit partakers of that heavenly place where none bnt truly repentant sinnera could " enter , / he reverend geutleman then proceeded , in a very impressive
manner , to point out the necessity of an € ! ^ 9 « nta nce . in . which the whole heart should be laid bare—contrasting this , the only proper course for the Christian , with that adopted by hvpo-¦ cntes and dissemblers , whose punishment hereafter womd he everlasting misery . The reverend gentleman , after further illustrating the text in a general manner , again addressed the convicfa , assuring them that their hope of salvation depended soWy upon their repentance , and beseechine them to embrace the opportunity without delay { . flaying their hearts open before God , who then invited ' tupm , and not to lose one moment of the short period allotted to them for existence in this world . The reverend preacher concluded an eloquent discourse in these words .
liod be merciful to you both , and to all of us sinners , teach us to look to Jesus , the sinner ' s friend , a « the only true souice of absolution for our transgressions . " The two convicts , as before stated , were deeply affected during the delivery of the sermon , and occasionally when the rer . preacher addressed them per sonally , they gave utterance to the intensity of their sufferings by sobbing audibly . Even after their removal from the chapel they remained exceedingly depressed , and hopes are entertained that the " rev . chaplain's forcible address will not be without its effect on the consciences of both the criminals . We should mention also , that not only the two convicts , but also the other prisoners , and the magistrates present m re very much effected by the sermon .
ATIEMPISft SUICIDE OF MRS . MAXXIXG . Mrs . banning attempted suicide on Sunday morning by forcing her nails into her throat . Her convulsions startled the watchers , who hastened to her bedside , and found her almost black in the face . On finding the watchers by her side , she seemed to rally , and put her head under the clothes .
MAS . VIjTo ' s LAST ATFEili TO HIS WIFE . The reverend chaplain of the gaol visited Manning at an early how on the morning of Friday week for the . purpose of offering the wretched man all the consolation in his power . Manning received the reverend gentleman ' s" exhortations in a very hecoming manner , and during tbe interview added mnch to the statement he had before made to Mr . Roweon the subjects the murder . This statement covers twentyj-five pages of foolscap paper . During the convict ' s interview with the chaplain he again urged the reverend gentleman to use his utmost endeavours to induce his wife to see him , which Mr . Howe promised to do . At a later hour he addressed the following letter to the chaplain , reiterating his request en this subject : —
Friday Evening . Mr de&k Sib , — -Fading an earnest desire to be at peace vn . Hi all men , and with my 'rife in particular , before the close of « mr earthly course , which is so rapidly approaching , may I ask it ef you as an act of kindness , to learn from her ¦ whether an interview may not tale place , as it is truly awful to contemplate the wickedness of any one who shall enter the presence—the awful presence—of God irithout beinsatjieacewithallmen . As such interview would , I think , be calculated to bring peace and comfort to us both in the next world , do . in the name of God , let me implore of you to ask her to grant this last request for the sake of her poor souL Sir , if you could venture to do this forme I hope you wfll promote it I remain , mv dear Sir , yonrs obediently , Fuedhuck Geoegb Manning . The Rev . W . S . Rowe , Chaplain .
This letter was handed to the female convict on Friday night , but it had no effect , a 3 she persists in her refusal to grant her husband an interview unless he first commits himself to the version of the circumstances set forth in her reply to a previous letter . Mr . Binns had an interview with Manning on Saturday morning , and communicated the result of his endeavours to obtain a commutation of the capital sentence on his behalf . Manning had entertained great hopes of hi 3 success , and when he learnt that all the means which had been tried had failed he appeared greatly dispirited .
JTAXXIXC ' S 1 AST INTERVIEW WITH HIS HROTHEIt . At four o ' clock on Saturday afternoon last the convict's brother , Edmund Manning , had an interview to take his final leave of the wretched man . Be was introduced to the condemned cell by the chaplain and Mr . Keane , the governor . On observing his brother enter the convict arose and advancing towards him , said , " How do you do , Edmund ? I am glad to see you . " In reply to his brother ' s inquiries , he said that he felt perfectly happy and resigned to his fate . He added that he slept well , and was not at all disturbed during the night , in proof of which he appealed to the turnkeys in attendance upon him . lie asked his brother if lie had
seen Mr . Binns , and whether he was aware of the wifevourahle result which had attended the applications made in his favour to the Home Secretary . Be then told his brother that he had written another letter to his wife , soliciting an interview , bnt he feared she was as hardened as ever , and would not grant it . Referring to the subject of the murder , he produced a pencil sketch of the back kitchen , showing the position of O'Connor ' s body when ( as he alleges ) he first saw it . He took especial care to exp lain this sketch to his brother , and evinced great anxiety to satisfy him that he was not a participator la the actual " murder . After some other wmvp . rsation on general matters he requested his
brother to give his love and lasfc blessing to his relatives , especially the sister who visited him on Tuesday last , after whom he inquired most particularly . Tfe also desired his respects to his former master , Mr Beeves , a coach builder , of Taunton , and requested that his best thanks should be given to that £ gentlemen for all his kindness to him jwhen a hoy . ffe brotherbeingaWtoleave lfann « . grequested $ ¦ ifr Rowe to offer up a prayer before they parted , % ^ the rever end gentleman did inaverymipres-Is ^ manner all present kneeling and joining in this ^ SKon / After the cbaplaui had [ concluded M * & - *? Jh £ brother asked him if he should come
wms&m ( H gB -tssaatsssrs ilfte enclosed ma letter auare sked ^ ft bsasi&ss ^ BKnffij ^ gf-jfcrsyw
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ATTEMPTS . TO . SAVE MAXM 5 O . Among the foremost to take steps to appeal to the Thronefor ineicy forthe unfortunate man , and " vho at the same time are deeply impressed with the b " lief that Manning was onl y accessory . to theinurdcr and is , therefore , innocent of the actual crime we may mention the benevolent family of the Gurnet of Lombard-street , the bankers ; Mr siw ™ S eminent legal firm of Sudlow , ' sons , 3 ^' orr , Tf Bedford-row ; and Mr . Sergeant Wilkins , who have been unremitting in their exertions to save the unhappy convict . norsemonger-iane presented the appearance of a fair on Sunday , and the . housekeeperVin the neighbourhood , netted a large sum oy letting seats the'TbVth 3 PartiCUlar DOt bei"g sus P ended ° n ATTEMPTS . TO . SAVE 3 U ! Wn « "' ' "
On Saturday afternoon , Mr . Rowe , the chaplain of Horsemonger-lane Gaol , waited upon Mr . Seeker at the Southwark Police-court , and informed him of the disgusting state of Horseraonger-lane , especially that partfacm- thegaol . He stated to the magistrate that nearly all the inhabitants in that locality had raised a number of slender scaffold poles in front of their houses , to which they tied side pieces , and placed planks over them for the purpose of accommodating persons to witness the awful spectacle on Tuesday morning . He wa 3 certain , trom the manner in which these platforms were erected , that some serious accident would occur , unless the magistrate at that court interfered . So great was the curiosity of the public that many persons had paid as much as a guinea to witness the execution ; and other places were publicly let
so low as h : ilf-a-crown . In fact , the state of Horserconger-lane was of so disgusting a nature that he hoped the magistrate would exercise his authority and order the stands to be pulled down . —Mr . Seeker asked the rev . gentleman whether the stands were erected on public property ?—Mr . Rowe replied in the negative . —Mr . Seeker said that if such was the case he could not interfere . He was , however , sorry to hear that people should act in such a disgusting mauner . He hoped the people would have more regard for their morals , and not patronise such people . —Mr . Rowe inquired that if accidents of a fatal nature occurred in any of those places , would not the owners be liable to be indicted for manslaughter ?—Mr . Seeker replied that ne bad no doubt but they would . He , however , hoped the public would not endanger their lives to witness the execution of their fellow-creatures .
APPIICATIOK FOB UAXSIXe ' s PISTOL . During the afternoon of Saturday , Mr . Adams , the pawnbroker of Bermondsey , attended at the Southwark nolice court , to demand from Mr . Seeker , the pistol used by Mm . ManniBgin shooting 0 Connor . —Mr . Seeker told the applicant that the pistols were pledged at his shop after one of them had been nsed to commit murder ; consequently they became the property of the Crown . In fact all property belonging to convicts is forfeited to the Crown . —Mr . Adams ; But not before conviction . I advanced money npon them in a fair way , not knowing that one of them had been used to
commit murder ; consequently I ought to have them returned to me . —Mr . Seeker : I really cannot assist you . The property is in the hands of the Government , and if you particularly , wish the pistols , I should advise you to apply to the Treasury . —Mr . Adams : There is no proof that either of them were used by the murderers . —Mr . Seeker : The male convict has confessed that they were the actual pistols , and that he pledged them at your shop on the 14 th of August . It has also been proved where they were purchased , therefore it is quite clear that the Crown has a right to detain them . —Mr . Adams . I shall take your advice , then , and apply to the Treasury immediately .
Monday . — The vicinity of Horsemonger-lane prison , and all the streets in the neighbourhood , presented a very extraordinary scene . At an early hour in the morning crowds of spectators , from all * parts of the metropolis , began to assemble in the locality , and before noon upwards oflO . OOO persons had con gwgated in front of and near to thegaol . The morbid curiosity , which had attracted them found little , however , wherewith to gratify itself until after twelve o ' clock , when the black timbers forming the dismal apparatus of death became visible on the summit of the prison roof . —A number of workmen were employed at an early hour in erecting strong barricades along the front of the prison , leaving a space of about twelve feet , to he kept clear for the officers on
duty . Barricades were also thrown up at short intervals across the main thoroughfare , and in several of the streets leading thereto , in order to lessen the pressure of the crowd , and prevent the occurrence of accidents . —The sale and hire of seats was carried on with great activity by the occupants of the houses in Winter-terrace , a row of small tenements facing the paol . The prices rose as the demand increased , and during tee afternoon large premiums were offered for places in favourable situation ' s overlooking the gallows . Mr . Chadwick is the owner of this property , and through hi 3 agent he has informed th ? tenantry that he will not allow any scaffolding or seats to be thrown upon the roofs of the houses . The prospect of present" gains , however , aopears to ¦ : have
destroyed all fear of future consequences among Mr , ChadwicVs tenants , and there is scarcely a house in the tow against which a ladder has net been placed to afford the means of access to yarties who n-aywish to occupy places on the roof . The systematic and business-like manner in which tbe whole affair is carried out by these "Winter-ten ace householders is most repulsive to all good feeling . Mr . A . Beckett , the sitting magistrate at the Southwark Police Court , was engaged nearly the whole of the day in hearing complaints from the parish authorities respecting the stages erected in front of Horsemonger-lane gaol , and the great nuisance they caused to the inhabitants . The clerk to the commissioners of pavements for the Borough
and Dover-road districts was in attendance , with the respective surveyors . —The worthy magistrate , after consulting the several acts of parliament supposed toconfer the power of procuring an abatement of these . nuisances , said that , after a mature consideration , lie was of opinion that the Nsw Building Act could be put in force . He should , therefore , recommend the authorities to serve notices on the owners of those buildings , and inform them that unless they immediately pnfled them down they would be fined £ 200 . He thought the parties would soon clear the ground of such disgusting places . —The surveyors , assisted by Mr . Superintendent Haynes , left the court with a number of officers ; and iu a short time all the stages were rased to the ground .
A meeting of the visiting justices was held at the ga 9 l at ten o'clock on Monday , in order to make the final arrangements for the execution . Mr . Keene , the governor of the gaol , was present , and explained to the magistrates the steps he had taken , all of which were approved . The erection of the scaffold was ordered to be commence ! at ence , and- all the necessary preparations were directed to be completed before nightfall . At the meeting it was resolved to apply for a very large additional force of police , several of the justices expressing an opinion that from the excitement at that time prevailing outside the walls of the prison , unles 3 a very strong body of officers were in attendance , great mischief , and probably some loss of life , would take place . Mr . Superintendent Haynes of the M division was sent for soon afterwards and remained in consultation with the magistrates for some time .
The " drop" was finally completed before four o ' clock in the afternoon , and the noiss of its erection must have been plainly heard by the female convict , whose cell is situated almost opposite . We may add that it was found absolutely necessary to barricade the windows of her apartment in order to prevent the possibility of her seeing the men at work . —The noise of the multitude which crowded the vicinity of the gaol was also distinctly audible in the cell , and from a remark which she made to one of the turnkeys during the afternoon , it was quite evident that she was perfectly certain as to her fate * She observed that when she was brought out she would not let the mob see her face , for she would cover it over with a handkerchief . -The reverend chaplain had several
interviews with the convicts . Manning is stated to be perfectly resigned to his fate , and he says his only regret is that his wife should be so hardened . The fenale culprit , on the contrary , is greatly excited at her impending doom . —On Sunday evening she retired to bed early , and did not rise until late on the following morning , but she slept for a short time only . She expressed great indignation at having several women watching over her bed all night , and said they should not do so again , for on the next night ( her last ) she would not go to bed at all . It was hoped that ths impressive address delivered by the chaplain on Sunday would have brought her to something like penitence , especially as during its delivery she exhibited an appearance of contrition ; but within an hour after she left the chapel she resumed her former air of indifference . In the afternoon the rev . chaplain had an interview with her , but she declined his spiritual assistance , and as obstinately refused to
have any interview with her miserable husband . She continued to manifest the same bitter feeling towards him , but inquired how he was and how he looked ; and on being told that he was greatly emaciated and cast down , she jocosely remarked that she supposed his " fat old jowl" was thinner . Up to Monday she was not cognisant of the confession he had made to the chaplain . She has often alluded to the railway robberies , with which he is supposed to have been connected , and has declared that she was tbe means of saving him from transportation , at the same time expressing her regreat that she did so , for she insists that if he had bees sent out of the country at the time she would now be a happy woman , enjoymg her liberty instead of a . prisoner in gaol ' under sentence of death . She refuses all spiritual consolation , hut has written several letters which she desires shall be forwarded to her friends . It has been ascertained beyond a doubt that the wretched woman made an attem pt on her life in the early part of Sunday
morning . ! right o'dockonMonday evenlngtheneighbour hood of the prison was densely crowded by parties who had evidently taken up their position for the night , to await the dreadful exhibition .
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DISCOVERY OF THE MISSING CKOWBAR . A crowbar has been found , and there i 3 very little doubt , from the appearances , that it was the instrument by which O'Connor ' s death was finally effected . Manumg ' s statement that it would be found at a railway station turns out to be perfectly correct , for the instrument was discovered on Monday at the Lewes station , on the Brighton Railway , where a parcel had been lying for some considerable time addressed "Mrs . Smith , Lewes , " and had been put aside amongst other things which were expected to be called for . The parcel was carefully wrapped in orown paper , and when opened it proved to contain a crowbar , with human hair and soots of blood plainly discernableupon it . Mr . Weatherhead , a clerk on the Brighton Railway , left Brighton on Monday with the crowbar m his possession , which he deposited with the authorities m London
.. . THE EXECUTION . . The last scene of this horrible tragedy , which , during the past three months , has occasioned so much painful excitement in the public mind , closed on Tuesday , with the i gnominious death on the scaffold of Frederick George Manning , and Maria , his wife ; two culprits whose atrocities may truly be described to have beea rarely , if " ever , eq ualled in the criminal annals of Great Britain . The vicinity of the gaol presented a scene of great uproar and confusion throughout the whole of Monday night . Themob , whicS was chiefly composed of parties of the lowest class , bore with some degree of patience and good humour the first few hours before midnight , and beyond an occasional outburst
of laughter at some casualty among the crowd , there was little calculated to disgust the observer . Occasionally the roar of voices which always acconv pames the assemblage of large numbers of people , swelled into a chorus to the burden of some vuWr doggerel-a sort of " gallows Marseillaise " -winch the depraved multitude caught up * ith avidity ; hut there were exceptions to the rule , and the behaviour of the crowd altogether was rather more decorous than is usual on similar occasions The same remark , we regret to add , will not apply to the more favoured sightseers whose purses had enabled them to secure places in the adioininir houses . Tn
many of these habitations the boisterous mirth of revelry was heard throughout the night , and large parties-including men whose position in society might have induced them to avoid appearing in such a character , were constantly observed paradin g the gardens in front of Winter-terrace . As the day dawned , the dark timbers of the scaffold , which had been partly hidden during the niriit , loomed drearily over the prison walls , a bright starry sky forming the back-ground . As the morning advanced tbe crowd increased in an alarmin g degree , and but for the excellent arrangements of the police several dreadful accidents must have occurred .
Passing from the exterior of the prison we now proceed to record the incidents attending the last moments of tbe wretched culprits within its walls . Thereverend chaplain , who has been unremitting m his endeavours to bring the convicts to a due sense of their awful position , visited the female prisoner at eight o ' clock on Monday night , and remained closeted with her for mere than two hours . During this long period Mr . Rowe impressed upon the wretched woman the importance of making her peace with God , and as the only means of doing this effectually he urged upon her the necessity of relieving her conscience of any guilt that might affect it . The convict received the reverend gentleman ' s exhortations in a becoming manner , but instead of
maning any admission ot her guilt , she repeated a statement so utterly inconsistent with any reasonable hypothesis , that Mr . Rowe found it quite impossible to attach any credence to what she said . The gist of the statement was , that the murder bad been committed by a young man from Guernsey , whom her husband knew , and that she herself was wholly ignorant of the circumstances . She gave vo description of the individual she referred to , nor did she attempt to account for her possession of O'Connor ' s keys and property afterhis . death : ' ¦ It . mustbo manifest , therefore , that no credibility , could attach to her statement , and Mr . Kowo left her for the night without having effected any favourable change in her conduct . Before taking leave , ' tho chaplain
again mentioned the desire of her husband to- have an interview with her , and Manning ' s-great anxiety to know that she bore him no ill-will . She replied , that she thoroughly forgave him for all . tKatho had done , but that she must decline to see him unless he relieved her from the charges he had made against her . After the chaplain had left she undressed herself and retired to bed , but slept very little , rising up occasionally and exhibitin " great uneasiness . . After leaving the female culprit , Mr . Itowo proceeded to Manning ' s cell for the purpose of offering him spiritual consolation . Manning , in reply to the chaplain , expressed himself quite resigned , ' but at the same time said he had a great desire to know
whether his wife had confessed . Mr . Rowe , not feeling , it his duty to satisfy him on this poin $ , Manning became very petulant , and complained of the reserve exhibited towards him in this matter . The chaplain very kindly pointed , out . to . hini , th a ^ whatever his companion in guilt mighfiiave said , could not concern-him in his position , that he had only one all important duty to perform , and that was to nuke his peace with God . After passing nearly two hours with the convict , Mr . Row . ere ' - tired for the night , Manning remarking as ho left the cell , that he hoped to see him at five o ' clock in the morning . The wretched man exhibited great uneasiness after the chaplain had left , and could neither be prevailed upon to retire to rest , or to sit
down and read . After some time , lie did attempt to do the latter , and opening the Bible , read aloud a portion of the 51 st Psalm , which he said he considered very applicable to his case . He still manifested great disinclination to go to bed , and taking up a pen , wrote several little memorials for presentation to the officers of the prison , in acknowledgement of their kindness to him since bis incarceration . One of these , addressed- to Mr . Moore , the chief officer of the prison ran thus : — " Frederick George Manning , born at Taunton , in the county of Somersetshire , in the year 1821 , April 16 . - Pied . at Horsemongei-lane prisonon
, Tuesday , Nor . 10 , 1849 . May the Lord have mercy on his poor soul , amen . : With Frederick George Manning ' s compliments to Mr . Moore . D To Mr . Taylor , one of the turnkeys of the prison , who has been very constantly in , attendance upon him , the convict presented a small Bible , on which he inscribed his name and the date of its presentation ; and to Mr . Maynard , another of the officers , he gave a memento in his handwriting as follows — "Frederick George Manning died at Horsemonger-lane prison on Tuesday , November 13 , 1 S 49 . I have now only three hours more to live in this world . "
The wretched man threw himself down on the bed two or three times , hut would not undress , and his attendants state that they believe he did not close his eyes during the night . Ho made frequent inquiries as to the degree of bodily suffering occasioned by the death he was doomed to die , and appeared to dread it very much . At seven o ' clock the visiting magistrates , Sir T . Xewby Reeve , Knt ., Mr . T . Puekle , Mr . Preshfiold , air . Ledger , and Mr . Francis , with Mr . Abbott , the under-sheriff , arrived at the prison ( which they entered by the Sessions House ) , for the purpose of
attending to their official duties . The reverend chaplain was early in his attendance upon the male convict , visiting his cell at half-past- six o ' clock . Manning appeared pleased to see Mr . Rowe , and remarked , in reference to what had passed on the previous night , tyiat he feared he had been very putulant , but he hoped the chaplain would forgive him , and make some allowance for the situation in which he was placed . Mr . Rowe assured the wretched man that he freely forgave him , and regretted that the sacred and awful duty he had to perform rendered it necessary that he should be firm as well as
kind m his monitions and instructions . After joining in prayer the chaplain left Manning to visit the female prisoner , the male convict meantime eating sparingly of breakfast , consisting of tea and bread and butter , and subsequently' taking walking exercise in the yard . "While doing this he for the first time heard the distant roar of the populace assembled outside the walls . Ho made no remark to his attendants on the subject ,, but appeared faint , and very soon , at his own request , retired into the chapel , where he sat down until the period arrived for him to receive the sacrament . The . rev . chaplain , on entering the female convict ' s cell , found her in a very depressed state , arising from the irregular rest she had had during
the night . His first act was to importune her solemnly , as she was now so soon to appear before a God , when no falsehood could avail her , and when the opinions of mankind would be no longer of any importance , that if she had anything- to say or to unsay , or any request to make , that she would at once do so . She replied that she had nothing to add to her former statements , the truth of which she asseverated , but she had one . request to make , namely , that the chaplain would write a letter to two noble ladies , whose names she mentioned , conveying to them her earnest and heartfelt thanks for their " kind consideration and exertions on her behalf , though , unhappily , they had not availed her . The chaplain promisedto accede to her wishes , and
having offered up a prayer , left the cell , while the convict partook of breakfast . At half-past seven o ' clock , the prison officials appeared on the roof of the gaol and tested the security of the scaffold by letting the . drop fall two or three times , a proceeding which appeared to excite great interest among the mob . Having assured themselves of its completeness , the officers retired . The interval between this period and the appearance of the culprits on the roof of the prison was one of continued uproar and . excitement , the crowd at some points being so dense that parties fell down in a fainting state , and were only rescued by the extraordinary exertions of the police . Manning , while in the chapel , expressed to the turnkeys in attendance a very strong desire to see
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f , l ™ , - « at twcilty miuutes P <» t ei § ht 0 > clock . by a prevoug arrangement , . the : wretched woman with ffiSr - ? d took hor seat < " » t ^ aamo bench 2 nAl iit f ' male an ( I one female turnkey bo ng seated between them . While in this position , and before the revered chaplain had entered , the S . v ^ SMto between the convicts took place . Manning apparentl y unable to control his leehngs longer , leaned forward towards his wife , and , m the most imploring accent said , "Ihope S'JI = -T ^ part this life with feelings of « SSi ¦ a -u me ' " T " ° aPP ^ ™ s too mucafofhw guilty partner ; and , leaning towards ul \} % 'A ' ,, have no animos W to ™« fe ron . " Ii ^ d' ^ jou not kiss me , then ? " The female convict
said , « Y " and both parties having arisen , they shook hands , and kisselcach other several times . The reverend chaplain here entered ft , H , Sft and 1 iavinS takcn his plaue at the altar , ThSST the 8 aornlh « 't ' ^ both th e convicts tu Z ? e OlcupiLld near | y half an ^^ and 5 . IT % : - ched Pair ™ 'e Permitted to meet again . Manning embraced his wife with great > Z ? K 8 Md , } "g « l . WMS you ! I hope wo ' shall H mi ? v i Hiswifereturncdhis embrace , f ^ J £ ! ts solemn tones for some minutes , Mr . Keene , the governor of the prison , was under the painful necessity of reminding Manning that e ST-S "Z ^ .. *™ S talSn a partirfg embrace 11 V i
" " •" . " - " « " »«»• was conducted to an ad o n njr room , in order to undergo tho process of pin onin ? On entering heobsorveAw o or three person in the apartment upon winch he inquired of the tu " nl ev * bo was the hangman . Calcraft at once stopped & 'A T * . resi 2 ned himseIf in o 2 bands . While undergoing the dreadful process Manning asked Ca craft ft | ie s ) louIJ suffer inuch pain ? Ca craft sa , d f hc would keep himself sti he would suffer no pain at all , an assurance which ZrThfw f oul P VconBWorable satisfaction 1 he convict was now conducted to tho chapel yard , where he awaited the arrival of his wife . lhe female prisoner had retired when Manning left , &na « as conducted to a room on . tho opposite side of the chapoV where it . was arranged she should undergo the process of pinioning . "When Calcraft
entered this room , arid her eye first rested upon him , the wretched woman nearly fainted , and it was found necessary to administer some brandy to her . On recovering herself she took out of her pocket , aamali black silk handkerchief , which she requested might be placed over her eyes before she left the voom . Mr . Harris , the surgeon of the prison , who was m attendance , took the handkerchief from her , and bound it carefully over her eyes , after which at her request , he threw over her head n black lace veil , which was tied tightly under her chin Calcraft then approached and performed his painful office , which the wretched woman bore with creat fortitude . The hangman suggested that the convict should wear a cloak over her shoulders in
order to hide the ropes with which her arms were pinioned , but she objected strongly to do this and at her earnest entreaty , it wa 3 dispensed with At this awful juncture , the scone was so affecting that one of the female turnkeys wept audibly " upon which the convict remarked , with great coo ' lness , " Do not cry , but pray for me ! " Everything being in readiness , the unhappy woman was fod out mtcv the chapel-yard , where her husband had awaited her . The procession now moved towards the scaffold , headed by Mv . Keene , the governor of the prison , Mr . Moore , the chief officer , and Mr Garland ,-. the « high-constable of the district . The chaplam walked immediately in advance of Manning , who was supported , by Taylor and Hallett . two f the
o turnkeys ; and about two paces behind turn came the female convict , supported on one side by Mr Harris , the surgeon , and upon the other bv Mr . Whoatley , an officer of the gaol . The wretched creature s strength somewhat failed her as she walked along the passages of the prison , and Mr . Harris was more than once compelled to support k ? ir ij , kp , with some hesitation from being blindfolded , and more than once requested Mr Harris to be careful that she did not come in contact with anything . She complained also during her progress to tlie scaffold that the cords-with which lier hands were tied hurt her wrists . In the progress of . tbe wretched pair through the chapel corridor they : passed over tho spot . where only twelve hours
aner there . bodies-lay mouldering in a coating of lime—an awful instance of retributive justice ° for the crime of which they had been so righteously convicted . ' The ascent of the narrow staircase to the roof of the -prisoniwas a dreadful undertaking but . it was accomplished with : far Jess difficulty than wasanticip . iited . On reaehing . the top of the stairchise , a- . momentary delay took plnoo while Calcraft T ? I ? 7 ^ . -Minining ' s neck-lumdkerohief-the next instant the pale face and emaciated figure of the miseriible map were observed by tlie" crowd ; from whom ; though there could not have been less than oO . OOO spectators . . within , view of the prison , not a murmur arose . The culprit was assisted on to the scaffold and . placed immediately under tho-fatal
beam by tho turnkeys .-.. Calcraft then advanced , and pulling the nightcap ovor his faoo , adjusted the rope round the neck of . tho convict , and secured ^ e ^ herTmu-to-illena ^ the female culprit was brought upon the scaffold . Her appearance ,, contrary to expectation , excitedno outburst of feeling ; and , in truth , they musthave adamontiiie heartsi w ; ho : could have witnessed unmoved the dreadful ispenO' ; presented at tills moment . Manning , whose head-wns enveloped- in a nignteiijv nulling that his . wife was also ' .. on cthe sciiffolJ , leant over as far as the j'opo would' allow and . -whispering something to hor , held < out his pinionedjiaudstobid her a last farewell ! . One of the turnkeys brought them into contact with those
of the : wretched , woman , and the dying pair took leave , for . tho l . asttime . Calcraft having now completed His attendance upon Manning , turned to the female , and pulled a cap over hor head , but , wo . rogrette . il- ; to observe ,-with considcrable . difficulty ^ in consequence of the . handkerchief and . veil in which it . was already . , enveloped . . . Tho chaplain all this time was standing . on ike scaffold , and readin <* the service for tho burial of the dead , which he had commenced when the procession left the chapel . "When Calcraft had cpmpleted Iu 3 dreadful office Mr . liowe leaned forward and asked the female convict if she had anything to say . Tho wretched
woman , then on the brink of eternity , replied firmly , " Nothing , except to thank you for all your kindness . " The next moment the drop fell heavily , and both the convicts appeared to die without ' a struggle—at any rate , there was far less muscular action than is usual . _ The male convict wore a dress of plain black , similar to that in which he appeared at the trial . Mrs . Manning was attired in a handsome black satin dress , and even the distortion consequent upon the mode of death she suffered could not destroy the remarkably fine contour of her figure as it swayed to and'fro by tlie action of tho wind .
After hanging an houv the . bodies were taken down , and , casts having been taken of the heads , tho remains of both were interred during the afternoon in the corridor' leading to the chapel . The sincerity of the female convict ' s forgiveness of her wretched partner in guilt may be estimated from this fact , that at a , late hour on the night previous sho addressed a letter to Iigv guardian , in which , reiterating her innocence , sho says that he will have to answer . to God for her blood .
CONFESSION OF MANNING . After the execution , the chaplain of tho gaol , tbe llev . Mr . Rowe , read to the representatives of the press ths following document , which had been prepared by Manning before his execution , and left by him for publication after his death : — On . or about the 15 th of March , in thi 3 present year , I left my residence , 15 , Castle-street , Regentitcect , for Guernsey , where I remained three weeks . During my absmce , my . wife took possession of the house , No . 3 , Minver-place . I returned from Guernsey on or about the 5 th of April , landing at Southampton from the Despatch steam-packet . Mr . John Coleraan , the owner of No . 3 , Minver-place ,
required a re / erence , and my wife referred him to the deceased . On the Sunday after entering No . 3 , Minver-place , O'Connor slept there , and he provnised to return on the following night with hi boxes , but did not keep his promise . On the following llmrsday he returned , and told my wife he could not toep . bis promise , as he did not think that he and I could agree , as he said I might return home drunk and make a disturbance with him . She replied that . he ( O'Connor ) was no man , or worthy of the name ; that this was not the first time that he had served her i ,, this manner ; that he was the S 0 ,-f *? n ° n ^ her akint ' t » e King John ' s Head , by which £ 100 was lost ; that he had once before induced her to take Vin 11 j 1 iut
a « a < . .,.,. : ~ n _„ aucea uw u a house , and he might dcpend . on it that be should abide the consequences , stating that she was the same as her own poor father , who despised a man on whom he could not depend , and that she herself would as soon see the devil as a man upon whom she-could not rfly . Shortly after the three weiks from the 31 st of March , my wife made a claun upon O Connor for the payment of what she considered due from aim for three weeks' lodgings , and summoned him-to the County Court for the same , lhe day previous to the time for appearing to the summons , O'Connor paid to my wife 30 s-for the three week
s , ln my presence , and apologised for not taking the lod gings , and trusted that we shou d not be bad . friends in consequence . I replied that it was a matter of . indifference , as the object of his lodging there was of . little moment ; I then said I had been informed that he had spoken disrespectfully of me , and that if I could be certified of it I would bring an action for defamation . He almost shed tears , and said he had always spoken of me in the highest terms , and shook hauds with me . He begged of me to take a glass of porter and smoke a pipe . I then said , O'Connor , I owe you
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not the slightest animosity , I never did . He frequently asked who told me lie had spoken disies . peelfully of me , but to this question I gave no reply ; n was , however , my wife who had said it to me , but begged me not to name it to O'Connor that such bad been the case . O'Connor left , and we parted good friends . When he left , my wife said , lnat old villain has been the cause of my losing much money , and I am determined to have my re . venge \ I w , l | shoot bim , if I am hanged for it . " i then expostulated with her on the impropriety of her conduct . She said there was no more harm shooting him than a dog-that lfe was a perfect brute . I said , " In tbe name of God , banish such thoughts from your mind . " The answer was " 1
W 4 V * 1 I fe * ^ BBS fe >~ b ff A __ - ¦ - ¦ k . __ will now inform you of the plan I shall adopt . I shall frequently a 8 k him here to dinner , and go to his house to ascerlain the amount of money he has , and also the railway shares—that she was quite certain be had foreign bonfo to the amount of £ 0 , 000 , and that she could dispose of them , as there was no name . " O'Connor came frequently to dinner , and she went to Uie house aboat twice a week , and she found O'Connor on one occasion quite drunk , behaving taken brandy at the docks as a remedy for cholera ; she said be went into his bed-room , and brought out all his script and bonds , arid showed them to her , solemnly declaring to her that he had made a will , leaving to her £ 1 , 300 , and that it was
so left that I should not have anything to do with it after his death . She said what the old villain had said to her was a great lie , as sbe believed he would never leave her a shilling ; that she was contented , having seen the amount of money he \ w sessed , and now , she said , I shall begin to get things ready , At this time I was promised a situation at Messrs . Gover , the stationers , at Holbornbars , at a salary of £ 2 per week , and five per cent , on the property sold . I then said to her , banish ill thoughts from your mind with regard to O'Connor , as this is a very excellent situation , and I shall be enabled to save money . She said , you fool , you will never be able to save as much moneyas I shall get by murdering O'Connor , and I had better let her carry out her plans , as sbe was determined to have her revenge on that old vagabond . I insisted on
going to see Mr . Gover . She said I shall now prepare his grave . She purchased a shovel at a shop in Tooley-street , and began next day to dig his grave , which was completed three weeks before the murder . O'Connor had been in the kitchen three or fourtiraes before the grave was fin ished , and on passing over frequently made observations as to what was being done . She told him the landlord wa 3 having the drain altered , and O'Connor observed that it was a long time in action . She said there was a great deal to do , and the men were not constantly at it . The reason of his going to the kitchen was to wash his bands previous to his taking dinner or tea in the house . On the 26 th or 27 th qf July ray wife got Mr . William Massey to write a letter to O'Connor , which was to the following effect : — .
Dear O'Coxson , —I shall bo happy to seo you to dine with mo anil ray sister , as she has come from Derbyshire to remain : i few weeks with me . She will bo most happy to be introduced to you . Dinner will be ready at half-past five . If you are engaged drop me a line . —I am , Mr . O'Connor , yours faithfully , ^' j ,, Massev . 3 , Minvcr-place , New Weston-strcct , Bermondsey . O'Connor came on Thursday , the 26 th , the time specified , in the note .- When be came into the house he asked for Miss wassey and the brothers my wife said they had just gone out , but that she expected them to return in time for dinnert I was sitting in the parlour , relating my intention to bring au action against two men of Taunton for
defamation of character . During the time ray wife called mi ; out and asked me why I did not leave the room , as she wished to gel him into the kitchen to cook his goose . I said 1 would not have anything of the kind done . While tins conversation was going on O'Connor left the house . She tan after him and said , ' Patrick , what made yoa leave in such a mean way ? " He said he did not like my observation about bringing an action , as he believed it was my intention to entrap him in the same manner , and therefore he declin .-d returning to the house . She urged him repeatedly to do so , but he wouldnot . When she came back she said to me , " You coldhpartfid . villain , you have prevented me from carrying out my plan , " and she cried bitter ! v ... She said .
" You will stand for it , for it never will Kg found out . lam now quite certain he will never come . here again . " I then asked her what would become of her soul if she committed an act of murder ? To which she said " We have no soul ; after we are dead we are like lumps of day , and there is no more thought of us ; and 1 shall never . j me to suffer hereafter for ¦ m # ae ' rmg'flnff ' man ^^^ sh . e said to Massey , ' O'Connor was here last even-; ifig , and I . informed him that you were out with jynur sis'er ^ I wish you would write me a note to O'Connor . " Hb said , " Certainly ; but you must dictate , it . Massey then sat down , and said , " Now , Mrs . Wanning , let me know what you wish me to say , " upon which he wrote as follows : —
Dear O Coxsou , —After arriving home late last eveiuV andbeiiiff informed tliatyou had been at my house , lam truly sorry that my sister and myself were not ablo to come home to dinner . We went to our uncle ' s in tbe afternoon , and during-tlie time vro were there lie was taken dangerously ill , and my sister was compelled to stay all night . I hope I shall see you next weelt . Trusting you are quito well , I am , yours faithfully , \ y , Massei . 3 , Minver place . On Monday , about ten days afterwards , my wife wrote to him to come to dine . He never came until ten o ' clock that evening , as he did not receive
the note before seven . He was accompanied by a person named Walsh , and appeared to be quit drunk-He lay upon the sofa , and appeared like in a fainting state . She got a bottle of eau de cologue and applied it to his nose , and washed his face , and implored Mr . Walsh to go strai ght home with him . We all shook hands and parted as the best of friends . The next day , Thursday , the 9 th of August , dt nine o ' clock , a . m ., she wrote a note to O'Connor , and took it to the post-office herself , telling me that there was a certainty of his getting it . The note was as follows .-
Dear O Cossor , —I shall bo happy to see you to dine with us this day , at half-past five . I trust you are quito well . Yours truly , Mauia Manning . He came at ten minutes past five , previous fo which she had laid the table for five , with the dishcovers down , but nothing had been prepared in the way of food . When lie entered the house , he asked , where are Mr . and Miss . Massey . My wife said , dressing for dinner . He inquired how long they had been upstairs . My wife replied " They are only just gone up ; they saw you come to the door . " At this time Massey was not in the house , nor was bis sister in London , nor do I believe she has evfir
seen London . My wife asked O'Connor to go down and wash liis bands ; he declined , and she said "Patrick , Miss Massey . is a very particular lady ; do crime down and wash your hands . " I heard him go down stairs , being at that time in my bed-room , washing . In about a minute after I heard the repoit of a pistol . She then came up stairs to me , and said " Thank God ! I have made him all right at last . A 3 we are on such extraordinary good terms , no one dare ever have the least suspicion of my murdering him . " I replied that I felt certain she would be hanged ; and she replied , " It will not be you that will have to suffer ; it will lie me . I think no mare of what I have done than if I had shot the
cat on the wall . ' She insisted upon my going down stairs . Upon my reaching the kitchen , I found O'Connor ; resting on tbe grave . He moaned ; and , as I never liked him well , I battered in his skull with a lipping chisel . She took from his trousers pocket the keys of hi 3 cash-box , and at twenty minutes to six she put on her bonnet and mantle and proceeded to his house . I said , it will be impossible , for me to stay in this bouse , and 1 went out and smoked my pipe on the wall , and conversed with the landlord of the next house . My wife returned from O'Connor ' s , letting herself in , at about twenty minutes to eight p . m . She appeared
much excited . She said I have the whole of the shares ' and bonds with me . I knocked at his door and Miss Amies let me in . 1 then asked if O ' Connor were in . Miss Armes said no , he has not come from the docks yet . My wife said , I will go ^ up stairs , as 1 have come on business . After she had been up stairs about fifteen minutes , she went from the drawing room to the bed room , and took all the shares she could see , and two gold watches and chains . She saw- the banker's book , by which it appeared there were j £ 3 , flOO in the banker ' s bands , but as the book wasuseless she left it . She staid at Miss Armes' about an hour : when she returned
she said she had not the foreign bond , ¦ which was worth £ 2 , 000 or £ 3 , 000 , that she would go back and get it ; she was quite sure he had it ; as she had seen it before she knew me . She went the next day again , and then she said to Miss Armes , } 'It is very strange that O'Connor has not been home . " On the following Saturday shesiid tome "I want you to go to a sharebroker with these Eastern Counties shares . " I asked the use of my doing so , as 1 should have to commit a forgery . She said the man is dead , and . there will be no wil
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ness agamst you . I said , ' It wi 1 be impossible 10 sell these shares , as fifteen days notice of sale is re * qu ' . red . I , however , went to Messrs . Killick and Co ., and said I wanted to borrow £ 120 upon those shares . They asked his by whom I had been referred . I said a gentleman who had been in lhe habit of doing business with them . The party asked me my name . I replied . " Patrick O'Connor , No . 21 , Greenwooa ' - street , Mile-End-road . " I was told that £ 120 could not be advanced , but that I might have £ 110 ; that their rate of interest was £ 5 for sis months . I said
I should not want it for more than a month . They produced a document , which I signed Patrick O'Connor , 21 , Greenwood-street . They gave me a £ 100 note and tea sovereigns . I left and went to the Bank , had the note changed for fifty sovereigns and a £ 50 note . I returned home and gave the money to my wife . There were other shares with O'Connor ' s name . My wife said I had better take those shares , go to another broker , and turn them into money . The last named shares were six of the Leicester and Birmingham , an India bond for £ 5 and about six scrip of the Bordeaux Railway . I declined to comply ; she declared there was not the least danger , aa the man was dead . I put on my hat aud went out t
asif going to a broker . I returned in two hours , said 1 had been to a broker , though I had not , who would advance money on Thursday . Sh « remarked that it was very strange that he would not do so then , and she had her doubts about my going there . On Monday , the 13 th , I went out ; when I returned my wife said two persons had been there inquiring for O'Connor and myself , I said I thought they were policemen in plain clothes , and I further said , " As sure as you are a woman , both you and myself will be apprehended for this crime . " She said , "Don't tell me that ; I shall faint . " After dinner she said to me " You had better go to Bainbridge'H , and get him to take tbe furniture , so that we may
go off by the mail train to night for Liverpool , and take the packet for New York . " I went to Bainbridge ' s , and after waiting two hours I went home and knocked , but could not make any person hear . I inquired of a person opposite , and was told that my wife had left with her bores . I then went through the house No . 4 , and found everything , except the furniture , taken away , and was therefore left penniless . In about half an hsur I returned to Bainbriilge ' a , and observed to Mis . Bainbridge , "My wife has started for the sea-side , and I think I shall remain with you a fortnight . " I remained there till the Wednesday morning , rose at six , and declared Hiy intention of going into tbe country for a month
w so . I sent Bainbridge ' s girl for a cab , ana quitted the house at half-past seven . I did not eive the man any order where I was to be taken to , until be had driven me a quarter of a mile down tbe street , I then told him to drive me 10 the South Western railway . I took a ticket for Southampton . I left theTe by the Dispatch the . same night . I went to the Navy Arras Tavern Jersey . I then removed to Prospect Villa , where , after remaining five days , I was visited by Langley and others . The rest of the statement , which was very voluminous , detailed at great length his proceedings at Jersey until his arrest . ^ In consequence o { information erven to the police it appeared that the ripping chisel wa 3 left at
the Dover station , to he called for , in the name of Mrs . Smith , it having been sent from Brighton , having been sent there to avoid suspicion . Tbe confession then went on to state that on the day of the murder , about half-past nine , Mrs . Manning went down stairs into the back-kitchen , after partaking of some bread and cheese and » le . She took a large pair of scissors with her , and cut the clothes from off the body . She lit a large fire and burnt them , an operation which was not completed until the next day . The Albert slippers which the murdered man wore were also burned . Some strong pieces of chord were then
procured by his wife , and between them they tied tbe legs back to the haunches , They then put lime over the body , making it wet . They were engaged in treading down the grave for a considerable time , and it was close upon midnight before they retired . Indeed the burial was not completed until the next morning . Rose between five and six , and completed it between ten and eleven , his wife remarking at the cloae , " It is all right ; no one will ever think of looking for him . The lime will destroy the body in a fortnight . " A pint of vitriol which had been purchased at an oil merchant ' s opposite Bsrmendsey Church was poured over the body after it was buried . His wife exclaimed that she was
now happy , as she had put away one of the greatest villains that ever lived . She said she should l \ ve twelve months in the house , put tlie money out to interest in railway renis , and advised him to take tlie situation at Messrs . Grover ' s , as that , and reading in the house , would lull suspicion . She said , " If any one inquires after O'Connor , I will answer them , for I have a nerve like a fcorse , " She assured him that if the murder was found . out lie would be served the same as her . She spoke at
timss of the French revolution , and of the fine fellows who had been destroyed , and asked him what he had to live for if he had no money , for to live in the world without money was miserable After the murder sbe said , " I regret I did not read the prayers over the body . " He said , " What is the use of the murderer reading prayers o ? er a murdered body—you should ask God to forgive you . " She said , " I should ' not have liked to have seen his face after I shot him . "
After some other facts , Mr . Rowe , the chaplain said he did not feel at liberty to give , lhe statement , for it cannot be called a confession , closed as follows ;— " 1 do hereby solemnly declare that tbe foregoing account , as written by the Rev . \ V . s . Rowe the chaplain , at my dictation , is correct and true . Frederick Gkorge Manning . Condemned Cell , Horsemonger-lane Gaol , Nov . 9 , 1849 . Signed in the presence of W . S . Rowe , G . Halleit , S . Deal .
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LETTER OP Mr . CHARLES DICKENS ON THE EXECUTION . TO THE EDITOn OP THE TIMES . Sir , —I was a witness of the execution at Horsemonger-lane on Tuesday morning . I wont there with the intention of observing the cro-rd gathered to behold it , and I had excellent opportunities , of doing so , at intervals all through tho ni ^ ht , and continuously from daybreak until after the spectacle was over . I do not address you on the subject with any intention of discussing the abstract question of capital punishment , or any of the arguments of its opponents or advocates . I simply wish to turn this dreadful experience to some account for tho general good , by taking tho readiest and most public moans of adverting to an intimation given by Sir G . Grey
in the last session of Parliament , that tlie government might bo induced to give its support to a measure making the infliction of capital punishment a private solemnity within the prison walls ( with such guarantees for the last sentence oflnwhcing nexorably and surely administered a 8 should bo satisfactory to the public at large , ) ami of most earnestly beseeching Sir G . Grey , as a solemn duty which hc owes to society , and a responsibility which he cannot for ever put away , to originate such a legislative chango himself . I believe that a sight so inconceivably awful as the wickedness and levity of the immenso crowd collected at that execution on Tuesdav mornin ^ 1 It . **• • .. » D ould be
c imngnicd by no ronn , and could be presented in no heathen land under the sun . The horrors of the gibbet and of the crime which brought the wretched murderers to it , faded in my mind before the atrocious bearing , looks and language , of the assembled spectators . When I came up on the scene at midnight , the shrillness of the cries and howlsthatwercraised fromtimeto time , denoting that they came from a concourse of boys and girls already assembled in tho best places , made my blood run cold . As the night went on , screeching , and yelling in strong chorus of parodies on Negro melodies , with substitution of "Mrs . Manning" for "Susannah , ' and the like , were added to these . When tho dav
dawned , tuiove 3 , low prostitutes , ruffians and vagabonds oi every kind , flocked on the ground , with every Tariety of offensive and foul behaviour . Fightings , faintings , whistlings , imitations of Punch , brutal jokes , tumultuous demonstrations of indecent delight when swooning women were dragged out 01 the crowd by the police with their dresses disordered , gave a new zest to iho general entertainment . When tho sun rose brightly—as it did—it gilded thousands upon thousands of upturned faces , so inexpressively odious in their brutal
mirth or callousness , that a man had cause to feel ashamed of the shape he wore , and to shrink from himself as fashioned in tho image , of the Devil . When tho two miserable creatures who attracted all this ghastly sight about them were turned quivering into the air , tbcro was no more emotion , no mor e pity , no more thought that two immortal BOUls njttl gone to judgment , no more restraint in , any of tHfe previous obscenities , than if the name of Christ had nevor been heard in this world , and there were no belief among men but that they perished like the
beasts . I have seen , habitually , some of the worst source of general contamination and corruption in this country , and I think there are not many phases of London life that could surprise me . I am solemnly convinced that nothing that ingenuity could devise to bo done in this city—in the same compass of time -could work such ruin as one public . exe , cutioB i cni
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. NflTEMBBft 17 , 1849 . , """ ' ••——¦• • - — --- ... THE , NGRTILERN-. JST-A-R " ' viaax . 7 ~^~~ _ ¦ - == ^— ' ' «^———— -- ,- „ ,, ' _
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 17, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1548/page/7/
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