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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
From a Country Gentleman in Town, to his Brother in the Country, describing a publick Execution in London.
Dear Brother,
I have this Day been satisfying a Curiosity I believe natural to most People, by seeing an Execution at Tyburn: The Sight has had an extraordinary Effect upon me, which is more owing to the unexpected Oddness of the Scene, than the affecting Concern which is unavoidable in a thinking Person, at a Spectacle so awful, and so interesting, to all who consider themselves of the same Species with the unhappy Sufferer.
That I might the better view the Prisoners, and escape the Pressure of the Mob, which is prodigious, nay, almost incredible, if we consider the Frequency of these Executions in London, which is once a Month; I mounted my Horse, and accompanied the melancholy Cavalcade from Newgate to the fatal Tree. The Criminals were Five in Number. I was much disappointed at the Unconcern and Carelessness that appeared in the Faces of Three of the unhappy Wretches: The Countenances of the other Two were spread with that Horror and Despair which is not to be wonder’d at in Men whose Period of Life is so near, with the terrible Aggravation of its being hasten’d by their own voluntary Indiscretion and Misdeeds. The Exhortation spoken by the Bell-man, from the Wall of St. Sepulchre's Church-yard, is well intended; but the Noise of the Officers, and the Mob, was so great, and the silly Curiosity of People climbing into the Cart to take leave of the Criminals, made such a confused Noise, that I could not hear the Words of the Exhortation when spoken; tho’ they are as follow:
“All good People, pray heartily to God for these poor Sinners, who now are going to their Deaths; for whom this great Bell doth toll.
“You that are condemn’d to die, repent with lamentable Tears. Ask Mercy of the Lord for the Salvation of your own Souls, thro’ the Merits, Death, and Passion of Jesus Christ, who now sits at the Right-hand of God, to make Intercession for as many of you as penitently return unto him.
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