AN EXECUTION OF THE SEVEN TEENTH CENTURY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2739, 1 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

AN EXECUTION OF THE SEVEN TEENTH CENTURY.

Tub attractions of the Paris Exhibition appear to be unabated, to judge by the crowds of immigrants, who continue to absorb all available hotel accommodation. The reproduction of old Paris draws its throngs; the Bastille, looking like solid masonry, is nightly stormed by sansculottes and ex-royal guards, with a prodigal expenditure of gunpowder. By tho way, the melody of the ohanson Bung by the besiegers after the capture of the redoubtable fortress, and which is stated to be the " real article" of '79, is almost identical with that of " The Death of Nelson." The latter must therefore, assuming the performance to bo accurate, be regarded ns stolen property of the French Revolution. A new feature, writes a Paris correspondent, has been added within the last few days to the reproduction of the " Temple " prison, close to the toreadero. A representation is given every afternoon, at 5 o'clock, of an execution in the seventeenth centnry. After passing through the courtyard one enters one of the apartments of 'the edifice. At one corner is a raised platform, and at another an alcove leading to a cell barred by a grating. Behind the grating is to be seen lying en some straw the figure of a man, pale and wan, and dressed in seventeenth oeutury costume. Presently two masked Dominicans appear on the platform, accompanied by the executioner accurately costumed in red, and carrying a long sword over his shoulder. The three then proceed across the room to the cell, and conduct the prisoner to the platform, a Dominican supporting him on either side, the man in red bringing up the rear. One of the Louis Quatorze Guards, of whom there are three or four standing around, then announces the execution by a long roll on a drum, The sentenoe of the " Parliament de Paris" is road in a portentous tone of voico, after which tho headsman is told to proceed with his work. With a single blow be severs the head, and, holding it up, the blood is seen dripping from it, the spectators narrowly escaping being splashed. Cloths are then placed under the neck and head, and the visitors invited to go on the platform and inspect the gory remains. On the first occasion, not having had my dinner, I refrained from examining the matter too olosely, but a day or two afterward, having taken the caution to dine first, I went again, being also desirous of making sure that the same man was ia evidence, so impossible did it appeal that the thing was not real. However, the prisoner was unmistakably the same as on the previous occasion. Accepting the invitation to inspect and handle the head, I can vouch for the fact that what I touched was human flesh, and iu appearance was iu no way distinguishable from the head of the prisoner who has passed close by me a few minutes before, and who had apparently teen decapitated in broad daylight about a yard and a-half in front of ine. I should mention that the trunk was as gorily realistic as the head. Wc have all heard of and seen decapitated ladies and basket tricks done at Egyptian halls, &c, behind the footlights on a stage separated by a considerable interval from the auditorium. But this is a very different thing. How is the astounding illusion produced ?