FEASTED WITH HIS OWN FUN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 155, 1 July 1879, Page 4

FEASTED WITH HIS OWN FUN.

A recent libel suit in Moscow, inwhich city the author of a quarto i volpoa? \#a«i aabjected to atnoai ignomtnious punishment, very forcibly re- ; muids one of the inestimable' blessings enjoyed io a country in Which the freedom of the Press is a guaranteed and established fight. The facia in the caao referred to are as follows :— IfV the above-named city a goodlyaia£s'bobk was published in vindication of the rigbta of the subject. The book contained stinging sarcasms aimed at the venality of the officials, with many j saterical and humorous al)bsfons> to the bribe-taking l and other iuiquities. Even the Cear himself was handled without gloves, his acts were fearlessly denounced,. and a powerful argument. Was addaced in behalf of the'r'Tghfs of his subjects. The maladministration of law was set forth in strong, plain, language. The book attracted general notice, but. this was bad. for the author. He waV and' thrown 'Into ■prison. After a short and summary trial, his production was pronounced a libel, and be was condemned to "eat" his own words " or suffdr the, punish, ment of the knout. This terrible idr sirumetffc of torture is itf the shape of a long <triiip or scourge, and ia composed of many tough thonga of thick hard akin, plaited, and interwoven with strands of stout wire. .The criminal is stripped, and is firmly; tfbilnd to two Bti»kes f which are aafliolcnify wftd apart; lo admit the free motion of trie head. The. 010**8' are laid upon the bate oaiilci' every stroke cutting like a knifeyaWcf _jlL_—^— Llli_L_J^_— i y. _;. . ■■■■■ /" .^ >.. '■'

soon the victim of the scourge is a shapelesVmaßs of blood and flesh. One hundred blows ar« equivalent to a death sentence. This was the alternative of the unhappy author. The day fixed for carrying the sentence of the Court Into execution arrived; A pfatform' waffl erected in one of thepublic squares of the city. Bound hand apd foot, the victim of despotic power was seated in the centre of the platform. An immense concourse of ! people had gathered to witness the strange; spectacle. The Imperial provost, the magistrate* the physiciaD, and the surgeon j of the Csar were in attendance. The obnoxious book had been separated fr<*tn its binding, and, as an act of grace, fine margin bad been cat off Tbe leaves were' then rolled up not unlike oirfar lighters. And there they were, a basketful. Now the meal began. Amid roars of laughter from the jgnorant apd degraded populace, the prbVost : aervbd the author leaf by leaf with his own production, putting the rolls of papjer one by one into bis moo tb. fla slowly ohewed and swallowed one-third of 6 is book, when the medical gentlqman concluded he bad received into bis sfoinaich as much of the innutritidus material [as was compatible with safety. He was then reconducted to, his ceil to digest bis meal. The two following days (he same scene was enacted, until every leaf was swallowed, and, asi« matter of fact, he was compelled Htacajty to sat his own words, and' feast" on Ilia own .fun. .. <■ . . V. „. ■ !