State Journal

EXECUTION OF A FEMALE IN PERSIA.

(By an Eye-Witness.)

A considerable crowd had assembled before I arrived at the place of execution. In the centre was a brazen mortar placed on a small piece of rising ground; a match communicating with the interior was at some distance, and not far from it was a firebrand ready lighted. I took my place with a heavy heart in the midst of the crowd and I chose it at that distance which placed me out of all probability of danger. Scarce had I stopped, when I saw the officers of justice approach, for whom the guards opened a passage, with difficulty, and not without dealing some blows amongst the throng. Between two of them advanced the condemned person.

From her head to her feet she was covered with a thick, black veil, to hide her face. Her steps were firm, and her countenance seemed unmoved. She often spoke to an eunuch who accompanied her, but the noise around prevented my hearing a word she uttered. However, she drew near to the place of punishment; the spectators became profoundly silent; and when she arrived at the mortar not a breath was heard. She took the advantage of this silence to raise her voice and address the multitude with a precision and clearness which excited universal astonishment.

But the officers perceiving the impression that she produced on the standers by, soon interrupted her. She made no effort to continue, and suffered herself to be taken close to the mortar: her step was firm, she did not speak, but appeared more resigned than many men would be in the same situation. She did not even shed a tear.

She was told to kneel down, and lean her breast against the mouth of the mortar. She obeyed. Her wrists were bound with cord, and they were firmly tied to some pickets that had been purposely placed there. In the mean time she did not discover the least emotion. She leaned her head on the mortar, and awaited her fate with that calmness that the bravest soldier might envy.

At length the signal was given. A man armed with the firebrand, bent it slowly to the match, and just as it was about to take fire, an universal shudder took place among the crowd. The match was lighted: one moment only had past; a deep groan issued from every bosom; the smoke disappeared: there was no explosion, and the unhappy creature raised her head to see what had happened. A rapid beam of hope shot across my breast; I thought it was meant that she should be saved.

Scarce had this idea entered my mind, when another brand was lighted. The victim raised her head a second time, gave a deep sigh as if her soul had just taken its flight; this long, this dreadful sigh, was scarcely finished, when the explosion took place, and the smoke of the powder hid every object from my sight.

The fatal cloud however, was soon dispersed; the explosion had finished all, all was annihilated, except a few shreds of her garments, and the bones of her arms. Two women rushed forward at the fatal moment towards the scene of punishment, seized these remnants, and hiding them with their veils, hastily returned to their harem, carrying off those dreadful testimonies of the fulfilment of justice.