66

No," was the answer; "I have no taste for anything of the kind, and I have but little respect for those who have."

theory with us, even in times when our punishments | ever endeavored to drive the thought from my were far more severe than in the present day. I mind, and had placed my money on the desk before lately came across a work on the laws of England, the clerk, when somebody standing behind me said, by a barrister by the name of Lambard, published" There will be an execution to-morrow at Lewes. in the early part of the reign of James the First. Shall you go and see it?" On the subject of capital punishments he calls the attention of the reader to the superior humanity of the English code. "While other nations," he says, "practise many different modes of executing criminals, England confines herself to four, hanging, pressing, burning, and boiling; the two latter," he remarks, "being used, from motives of delicacy, principally for women."

This remark, made purely at hazard and without the slightest allusion to me, annoyed me exceedingly. I colored up, and was leaving the paying-place, when the clerk called out to me, "You have forgotten your change and the ticket, sir."

It was true, I had forgotten both. I took them up hurriedly, omitting even to thank him for his civility, and turned off to the train. I was lucky enough to get into a compartment with only another passenger in it, who, fortunately for me, slept all the

Although in the present day we content ourselves with the first of these modes, it is doubtful whether the criminal is not longer dying with us than in any other country in Europe. The guillotine in France, the garotte in Spain, and even the foreign modes of hanging, deprive the criminal of life instanta-way down. neously. But we frequently read in our newspapers As the train rolled on I brought my mind to bear that "the prisoner struggled violently," or "in a on the approaching execution, and the probable befew minutes life was extinct." Has any one calcu-havior of the prisoner. I particularly dwelt on the lated how long those few minutes were to the dying time which would elapse after the bolt was drawn wretch, or what amount and what quality of thought passed through his mind during them? Physiologists will perhaps tell us that his struggles were simply spasmodic and painless; but was his mental torture less on that account? or is it not likely to have been greater? I hold the latter theory, and consider that if his bodily torture had been greater (though God forbid it ever should be so !), his mental sufferings might have been far less.

before life was extinct, and what amount and quality of thought would pass through his mind in the interim. But I could arrive at no definite conclusion, for no sooner had I succeeded in getting my thoughts in proper train, than some object would pass before me and disturb the current of my reflections. I was for some time fairly puzzled how to carry out my experiment, until at length I remembered that we were approaching Merstham tunnel, where I should be for some time in the dark, without having anything to distract my attention, and thus be able to calculate the amount of thinking of which my mind was capable during the time. I had now to choose a subject for my reflections of such a description as would enable me to come to a just conclusion on the subject. I selected the week's trip I made to Paris with a party of three friends the year before Louis Napoleon was chosen Emperor. We had then enjoyed ourselves greatly, and every circumstance which took place on our journey remained firmly

After reading the above-named work of Victor Hugo's, I determined if possible to discover what is the mental state of a criminal while being executed. I deliberated in what manner I should best make the experiment; and at last I determined to act as assistant to the hangman at an execution, so as to be able to gain as much knowledge as possible of the prisoner's feelings. But to obtain my wish was a far more difficult matter than I had imagined. The authorities rejected my application with, I must say, just disdain. At last I gave up the idea of applying to any but the fountain-head. I soon suc-fixed in my memory. ceeded in making the acquaintance of the hangman himself, and proposed acting on some occasion as his assistant. At first he refused my request in the most decided manner, till an offer of five sovereigns proved to him that I was actuated solely by philanthropic and scientific motives. It was then arranged that I should assist him at a forthcoming execution at Lewes in Sussex. This case suited me exactly, as the crime of the culprit had shut him out from all personal sympathy on my part, and I should thus being of passengers, undergoing the while the criticisms the better able to judge of the results of the punishment. I bade the executioner farewell, promising him I would be in Lewes the day before the execution, whereby I avoided the acceptance of his kind offer of taking me under his protection on the road down. The only advice he gave me was to do myself up "rough," and then nobody would recognize from my appearance that I did not belong to his profession, a compliment I received with far less gratitude than perhaps it merited.

Everything being now satisfactorily arranged, I waited, watch in hand, ready to commence my experiment as soon as we should arrive at the tunnel. The steam-whistle announced that we were on the point of entering, and I glanced at my watch. It was exactly a quarter past three, and that moment, in imagination, the bolt was withdrawn, and we landed opposite the custom-house at Boulogne. We walked across the space roped in for the land

of the well-dressed crowd on each side on our forlorn appearance, for the passage had been a stormy one; we entered the whitewashed waiting-room, and afterwards passed through the smaller room, containing its regiment of police and custom-house officers. Our passports were examined, as well as every little article we held in our hands, and we were then permitted to leave.

We now engaged a coach, and drove off to the railway-station, denouncing the absurd French poThe day previous to the execution at last arrived, lice and custom-house restrictions. By the time we and carpet-bag in hand (I had in it a somewhat were fairly seated in the train the miseries of our coarse-looking decent suit of clothes, with a fur cap sea-voyage were forgotten, the custom-house regulaand a pair of thick common-looking shoes), I pro- tions were forgiven, and we were a thoroughly hap ceeded to the Brighton Railway Station. I do not py party, bent on enjoying ourselves and being at know why, but I had a singular suspicion that the peace with all the world. At Amiens we waited persons who like myself were taking out tickets had the accustomed twenty minutes, and afterwards prosome knowledge of the errand I was on. I how-ceeded to Paris. I remembered with particular

Every Saturday,

Jan. 7, 1866.]

A QUESTION OF MINUTES.

at table."

"If you knew him better your wonder would
cease," said Walsh.
"How so?"

clearness a conversation which took place, shortly | with the exception of the one who sat beside him
after leaving Amiens, respecting the Counts of St.
Pol, whose ruined castle is seen in the distance,
whether they were English or French, and whether
their castle had been within the jurisdiction of the
Calais government at the time the English held it,
or whether it was in the French territory.

"Simply because he lives upon them, and in good style too. He keeps a brougham and two ridinghorses as well, does not owe a shilling in the world, and yet has only his half-pay to rely on."

"He must be a very clever fellow," I said, laughing; "I wish you would give me a leaf out of his book."

At last we arrived at Paris, and drove to Meurice's, where we chose our apartments. Fortunately we were in time for the table d'hôte. There were but five guests at it, as at that time there were but few English in Paris, and those who were present "He is certainly a shrewd fellow, but hardly a were mostly wealthy young men with evidently fast tastes. There was one exception, however, and that clever one," said Walsh; "and if I were to give was a well-dressed gentlemanly man about fifty years you a leaf out of his book, I am sure you would not of age, a major in the army, of most attractive man-only not be grateful for it, but would hold the fellow ners and conversation. All the party seemed well in as much contempt as do myself." acquainted with each other, and a perfectly goodfellowship evidently existed between them. After dinner we walked to the Place du Carrousel. The moon was at its full and the night was lovely; and at about ten o'clock we returned to the hotel thoroughly tired with our day's adventures.

At breakfast the next morning we heard that the troops were to be reviewed by General Cavaignac, in the Champs de Mars. We determined on being present; and after breakfast we strolled leisurely to wards the scene of the review. When opposite the Hotel des Invalides we heard loud shouting behind us, and on turning round, we perceived a general with his staff advancing towards us. We stood aside to allow him to pass, and a bystander informed us it was General Cavaignac, then a candidate for the presidency of the republic. As he passed he bowed most courteously to us in return for our salutation, and we continued our way to the review ground.

The whole manœuvres of the review then came clearly and vividly belore me, even to the dresses of the troops; but it would be a useless waste of time and space to describe them here. In the afternoon we returned to the hotel, and made our preparations for dinner.

his manner.

"You pique my curiosity, Walsh. Tell me something about him."

66

Well, then," said Walsh, "X- and some dozen like him are a disgrace to our service, War Office authorities and all included. Only don't say I said so, or you will get me into the black-book. The fellow entered a good regiment some twenty years since, by what patronage, for the honor of the service, I will not say. He was a man of but little education, but quick at figures; indeed, I have heard he was formerly assistant clerk to an actuary in an insurance office, and in that capacity picked up a somewhat extensive knowledge of the doctrine of probabilities. As soon as he got his commission, he applied this acquirement to short whist and écarté, at which, without much difficulty, he acquired a very considerable amount of skill. Armed with a positive advantage in his favor, he brought his talents to bear in such a manner that he contrived to make a very handsome income out of those less experienced than himself."

"But still," I remarked, "he was always in danger of meeting with others as skilful as himself."

"That in no manner altered his position. He possessed an immense advantage over the great majority of his brother officers, and by continually playing, he was in the end certain to win. The chances he held in his hand were far superior to the probabilities in favor of the tables at Homburg or While at the pubBaden-Baden, and in his case they were exercised in a far less honorable manner. lic gaming-table the probabilities in favor of the bank were openly published, and the profits heavily taxed, he denied holding any advantages, although he possessed chances in his favor quadruple those of the public tables."

At table we found exactly the same company we had met the day before, with the addition of an army surgeon, a friend of mine, who had arrived in Paris for a few days' pleasure. He had been many years in the army, and had seen a great deal of service, and was very much respected by all who knew him. He was apparently slightly acquainted -, with more than one of the company. Major Xthe senior of the party, spoke to him more than once; but although my friend answered courteously, "But," I replied, "surely a system of the kind I could perceive there was a want of cordiality in and would soon be detected, and the perpetrator shunned The dinner over, Major X"In the his young friends left the table, after having taken by his brother officers." "There you are in error," said Walsh. a considerable quantity of wine; and my own party wishing to go to the theatre, for which I had but first place, it is very difficult to persuade the majorlittle inclination, I remained with my friend, Dr.ity of young cavalry officers that there are any perAs we were alone sons in the world sharper than themselves; and, in Walsh, to talk over old times. in the coffee-room, our conversation took a more the second, by far the greater proportion of the confidential tone than it would have done had others young men who join a good regiment are remarkbeen present. At last I casually asked him, as he ably honorable, utterly above a dirty action themThe mischief appeared to be acquainted with the gentlemen who selves, and unwilling to believe in the possibility of a brother officer committing one. had dined with us, who they were. half a dozen such scoundrels as X― are capable of accomplishing is very great. Not only do they in reality win most unfairly, but they imbue into seems a very gentlemanly, intelligent the minds of their brother officers a love of gamI remarked; "so much so that I wonder he bling, which in many cases is never eradicated. would associate so intimately with such a thought-The sad instances I have known of young men, who less set as his companions appear to be,- that is, entered the army possessed of every honorable feel

They are some young fellows in the army," he replied," who, under the ciceroneship of Major are on a visit to Paris."

X

man,

ing which can adorn a man, falling victims to this vice of gambling, would fill a volume. At the present moment X- has a victim in tow. Did you notice that young fellow who sat beside him at dinner? He is a Captain G, who is now so thoroughly inoculated with a love of gambling, that nothing will cure him. He is the only son of a widow, whose husband was a colonel in the line, who left her with a very limited income. Her son is the idol of her heart, and she has already greatly diminished her small capital by paying his debts. Lately she has paid off every liability he had, and advanced him £200 to start him again in comfort. He left her with the best intentions, intending immediately to join his regiment; but in London he met X- who persuaded him to accompany him and four or five others on a fortnight's trip to Paris; and I am sure, before the fortnight is terminated, Gwill not have a shilling left of the money his mother with so much difficulty raised for him."

The next morning we visited the gallery of the Louvre. We stayed more than two hours among the pictures, leisurely examining the chefs d'œuvre as we went along. Conversations which we had held opposite different pictures came to my memory with great vividness. We afterwards visited the gallery of sculpture, and then amused ourselves in the Palais Royal till it was time to return to din

ner.

At dinner we again met the party of officers. X- was in high spirits, as were the rest, with the exception of Captain G-, who talked but little, and appeared to me to be somewhat melancholy. Nor did he rally daring the whole meal, although the quantity of champagne he drank was considerable. One thing I particularly noticed was, that although X- pressed the wine on the others, he drank but very moderately himself. He joked G- from time to time on his low spirits, and accused him of being in love, - - a theme which took immensely with the others, till G showed evident signs of impatience. Good humor, however, was soon restored, and we left the party chatting very amicably together. We determined to pass the evening at the opera.

We hired a fiacre and proceeded to the theatre, where we arrived just in time for the overture to "William Tell," which was as usual admirably played. We were all delighted with the opera, which I had never heard more beautifully sung; and we walked home after the performance.

Next day we went to Versailles. The weather was magnificent, and we enjoyed the ride immensely. After spending a great portion of the day there, we afterwards visited the great and little Trianon, remaining some hours in the gardens, and speculating on the different scenes our guide informed us had there taken place, and visiting the grottos mentioned in Dumas's "Collier de la Reine." We dined that day in one of the restaurants adjoining the park, and afterwards returned to Paris, which we reached long after dark.

On arriving at the hotel, our attention was attracted by some gentlemen who had assembled in the court-yard, and were laughing and talking together in a very noisy manner. We easily recognized X- and his party, all of whom it was evident had very recently quitted the dinner-table. One of the party alone seemed out of spirits, and that was Captain G

"Come with us, G- -," said X

ruined."

I

"How do you know that?" I inquired.

"By his behavior, and the high spirits of X-. am very sorry for his mother, though," he continued, "for a more amiable, worthy woman I believe does not exist."

It was somewhat late when I left my room the next morning, for we were all desperately tired with our exertions the day before. Before entering the coffee-room to breakfast, where my party were to meet, I was much struck with the look of mystery on the faces of the servants, and their frequent whispering together. I inquired if anything par ticular had happened, but they told me they were not aware of anything, although I could easily perceive their answers were not truthful. At that moment Walsh appeared, and I advanced to meet him. "It's all over with that poor fellow, G―,” he said.

"What do you mean?"

"He destroyed himself about half an hour since, and they have sent notice of the event to the police. As soon as the commissary arrives, we will go up with him and ascertain how it happened. I suppose I shall have the unenviable task of breaking it to his mother. Poor thing! I believe it will be her death."

At that moment the commissary of police, accompanied by an assistant and a doctor, entered the court-yard, and Walsh and I joined them as they ascended the stairs. When we arrived at G―'s room, the door was unlocked, and we all went in. Poor G- —was stretched on the ground beside his bed, one side of his head having been blown to pieces. Of course life was totally extinct. He had apparently risen from his bed, and partially dressed himself for the purpose of writing a letter to his mother, for on his dressing-table was a sheet of paper, and some pens and ink. All he had written were the words, "My dear mother," when his despair evidently would allow him to go no further. He must then have gone to his portmanteau near his bed, and taken from it his pistols. The one with which he had committed the deed was by his side, and had evidently been very recently fired; the other was in the case, which was open on the ground.

The commissary and his clerk then examined the servants as to their knowledge of the circumstances; a procès verbal was drawn up, and the commissary and the doctor quitted the house, leaving a police

"Not to-night," he replied, "I shall not go out." agent in charge of the dead body.

Every Saturday,

Jan. 27, 1866.

G

A QUESTION OF MINUTES.

It is hardly necessary to remark that this unfortunate event threw a gloom over us for the remainder of the day. We had no spirits to enjoy any of the sights, and we strolled almost purposeless about the town making a few purchases and at intervals commenting on the sad event of the morning. took place the next The funeral of poor Most of day in the cemetery of Père la Chaise. the Englishmen in the hotel, including Walsh and was not present. He myself, attended it. Xsaid it would only make him feel unhappy if he went, as he really had a great respect for the poor fellow. I saw X- that morning shortly before the funeral procession left the hotel. If he truly felt sorrow at the death of his friend, he contrived to conceal it in a very skilful manner.

As the cortège proceeded up the centre road of the cemetery, Walsh and I walked side by side conversing on subjects connected with the poor fellow's death. Walsh told me he had obtained a lock of his hair for his mother, and his watch, as well as a pocket Bible she had given him, in which was a' somewhat long address to her son written by the old lady herself. From the date, she must have given the book to him when first he joined his regiment, possibly on that very day.

After the funeral, instead of returning to the hotel, Walsh and I walked about the cemetery, he pointing out to me the graves of different celebrated people who were interred there. Those connected with our own profession, I remember, claimed our attention more than any others. Poor Chaupier's struck me particularly, with his bust surmounting it, telling, by the admirable intelligence the sculptor had put into his work, more in favor of the philosopher than any lengthy written memorial could have done. As a conclusion, we visited the graves of Abelard and Héloise, whose ancient gothic monument contrasted remarkably with those around

it.

Tired at last, we took a hackney-coach and proceeded to the gallery of the Luxembourg, in which we spent some time examining the pictures and works of art, and occasionally talking of old times when we were students together in Paris, and the change which had since taken place in that capi

tal.

At dinner we met X- and his friends; but they were far less gay than usual, although nothing like sorrow was visible on the faces of any of the party. One difference I certainly noticed in their took much less behavior. Two days before Xchampagne than his companions; that day he drank far more than the others, without however its having any visible effect on him. He conversed with his friends occasionally, but not continuously. His efforts appeared rather instigated by a wish to conceal his frame of mind from observation, than any desire to communicate with the others. I had for the first time some feeling of respect for him, or rather the abatement of the sentiment of disgust which I had hitherto felt since Walsh had first given me an insight into his character. He now appeared to have some chagrin on his mind, which showed he was not altogether shut out from feelings of common humanity. But I was speedily undeceived in the favorable opinion I had formed of him. During dinner the -'s suicide. It conversation turned on poor Goriginated with the youngest man of the party, who spoke on the subject with sympathy and good feeling, and it was then taken up by the others in a like -spoke. tone, till X

"Well, poor fellow," said he, "I am sorry he has
?" said one of the party.
gone, for more reasons than one."
"How so, X-
"Because I am a great loser by the affair."
"A loser by G— ? Well, I wonder at that,"
said the speaker, with something like an ill-concealed
sneer.
somewhat an-
"Yes, a loser by him," said X-
grily, for he had noticed the tone and manner of the
last speaker. "I lose five hundred pounds by his
death."

Then observing a look of incredulity on the faces
of the others, he placed his hand in his coat pocket,
and took from it a pocket-book, which he opened,
"Of that
and showed that it contained five one-hundred-pound
promissory notes, accepted by G—.
"I shall not in all probability
His travelling things and
amount," said X-
receive one farthing.
clothes are to be sold here to-morrow, but I very
much suspect they will not realize more than suffi-
cient to pay his hotel bill."

"But he cannot owe much here," said one; "I
should have thought that his watch alone, which was
an excellent one, was enough for that."

"That is the mysterious part of the affair," said X- ; "his watch can nowhere be found."

I looked at Walsh's face. He said nothing, but a very ominous frown was on it, and I augured that a quarrel was brewing.

66

But, X-," said a younger man of his party,
a cornet of dragoons, "why do you not apply to his
mother? I suppose she is a person of respectability
and would pay her son's debts, out of regard to his
memory."

"Not she; I have been looking over some of her
letters to him, and she speaks in them of your hum-
ble servant in no very amiable manner, I can assure
you."
"Try her at any rate, X-
"No, I shall write
Hang the hag!" said X-
the whole off my books as a bad debt," and so saying
he filled his glass with wine.

66

As soon as he had done drinking, Walsh said to
-'s mother
him: "Major X-, I know poor G-
well, and I believe a more amiable, excellent woman
Oblige me by retracting the expression
never lived.
you made use of. You would not have done so had
"to retract an
you known it, I am sure."
"I am not the man," said X-
expression under compulsion from any one."
"I did not put it in that light," said Walsh. "It
was simply to show you that you made the observa-
She is an intimate friend of Mr. Gor-
tion in error.
don's mother," indicating a young gentleman who sat
on X's right, "and I ask him if your designa-
tion is a just one."

66

Certainly not," said Mr. Gordon, who had hitherto paid but little attention to the conversation. "If she is the Mrs. G― my mother is acquainted with, I willingly back your statement, Doctor. The lady I mean is the widow of a colonel."

"The same," said Walsh.

"I willingly retract the expression I made use of,
indeed,
Gordon," said X. "I should be sorry,
to say one disrespectful word concerning any friend
of your mother's."

"As

"You spoke also of his watch," said Walsh.
I knew it was a present to him from his mother, I
have taken charge-"

The train now dashed from the darkness of the
tunnel into broad daylight, and I glanced at my