alluding to the proceedings which took place on the spot during the previous day, a London Paper says: "During the whole of the day, a vast number of idle and dissolute girls and boys continued loitering in front of the prison, uttering the most disgusting and ribald jests. At a late hour the scaffold was brought forth, and the whole of the arrangements completed: the usual wretched mob, to gratify their morbid tastes for such exhibitions, gradually increased, and took up their positions."

With regard to the proceedings on the Sunday evening, another London Paper says,

"As early as seven o'clock last night, there was a great number of persons assembled in the Old Bailey; some selecting their places, others out of curiosity. If any respectable person was passing, his ears were assailed with the following questions: Do you want a room, Sir?' 'A fine view of the scene, Sir; you can have every accommodation, and plenty of refreshment already provided.' 'A good fire, Sir, so that you will not feel the cold,' and many other observations of a similar nature." And we are further told that, "the windows of some of the rooms were actually occupied by parties who had engaged them, and were smoking and

drinking. By order of the City Commissioner, there was a strong body of police stationed at the scene all night, and thus many tumults by drunken persons were prevented."

Of the execution itself the Sun observes: "The majority of those who did attend, as appeared from their language and behaviour, were of the lowest class, on whom the awful fate of the unhappy culprit did not seem to make much impression, and of these a considerable number were females."

On the same day, a man named Quennell was executed at Horsemonger Lane Gaol. A Provincial paper remarks:

"Yesterday week the Old Bailey and Horsemonger Lane Gaols were the scene of two executions for murder; at the former a young woman, and at the latter a young man. The female died penitent, but the man endured his fate with callous indifference." "The sad scene," says the London Journal, "was not relieved by any circumstance of a solemn and impressive character; but was rather made more sad by the exhibition of a feeling among the crowd as if they considered Quennell was about to perform some heroic deed, which found vent in bravoes, as the unhappy criminal swung

to the drop. Robberies, as usual, were committed under the gallows at both places."

The Morning Advertiser of the 7th of January, says, "We refer our readers to the reports of what took place at the execution of two unhappy creatures who were yesterday hurried by the hangman into the presence of their Maker. What was seen and heard on the occasion was only what are seen and heard on all such occasions. The most revolting absence of all right feeling was displayed by the immense concourse of persons who assembled to witness the frightful spectacles. The crowd, we are told, who were drawn together to witness the execution of the female, extended to Smithfield Market. Then the number of persons could not have been less than twenty thousand. We blush while we write it. Fearfully morbid must be the state of feeling which could prompt human beings to witness such a scene. It need not, therefore, to surprise our readers to be told, that, instead of conducting themselves with solemnity and decorum, the most revolting ribaldry was ever and anon indulged in."

The same paper remarks on the many robberies that took place during the violent struggles which followed the falling of the drop-also

the brutal eagerness with which the mob hied. from one execution to the other, actually accompanying and applauding the executioner. It may be noted here, that, on a prosecutor of respectability appearing against two men who had attempted to steal a valuable watch from him while Quennel was hanging, the magistrate, (Mr. Cottingham,) addressed him, saying: "he was astonished that a gentleman of his station in life and education should be present at such exhibitions, which were only fit to be witnessed by the ignorant !"

The two following executions that have taken place during this current year, (1846,) serve to confirm our position. Thomas Wicks comes first.

"As a proof of his utter carelessness and apathy, it may be mentioned that he wrote, on Sunday on the frontispiece of one of the religious books supplied to him, the following words, Thomas Wicks, hung-.' The date was not filled up, but the words quoted were written in a firm, bold hand.

"The miserable man slept soundly during Sunday night, and only awoke shortly before six o'clock. The Ordinary was early in attendance upon him; but Wicks, beyond a quiet

demeanour, betrayed no interest in his ministrations, appearing to feel anxious only to acquit himself bravely' before the spectators of his ignominious end. At seven o'clock, he partook of breakfast, shortly after which Mr. Sheriff Laurie had an interview with him. At a few minutes before eight he submitted to the process of pinioning without betraying any sign of emotion. At the appointed moment the procession left the condemned cell, the Chaplain taking the lead, reading the service for the burial of the dead.

Wicks fell into his

proper position with alacrity, and as he entered the chapel yard, remarked, sufficiently loud to be heard by several persons near him, 'Now, then, as Dr. Dodd said, I shall soon know the grand secret.' On reaching the scaffold, the miserable wretch mounted the drop without the slightest assistance. When in the centre he bowed to the spectators twice, a proceeding which called forth a tremendous cheer from the degraded crowd beneath. He was about repeating the movement in another direction, when the Rev. Ordinary advised him of the impropriety of his conduct, and recalled him to a sense of his awful position. With some apparent reluctance he yielded himself to the executioner,