THE EXECUTION OF CARL CADWALLER. 231 



that I, with two or three others, started in a carriage 

 to witness the execution of the murderer above-named. 

 We left the Hotel Weber, which is near to and over- 

 looks the falls of the Rhine at Schaffhausen, soon 

 after five, the execution being fixed for half-past six 

 at a place four or five miles distant. Wishing to 

 get a suitable place to witness what turned out to 

 be a most extraordinary and solemn sight, as well as 

 a most unusual one, we started earlier than was really 

 necessary, and arrived at the place appointed for the 

 execution a full half-hour before there was any great 

 stir amongst the people, who were coming from all 

 quarters to see it. The morning was beautifully fine, 

 and the sun shone out in all his splendour, and seemed 

 as if he was going to sanction some gay holiday 

 meeting instead of the dreadful event that was about 

 to take place. As we neared the spot we passed 

 several peasants, men and women, and even children, 

 all decked out in their holiday clothes, and dressed 

 as smartly as if they were going to some fair, or other 

 amusement. On arriving at the place of execution, 

 a curious sight presented itself, and one which I shall 

 endeavour to describe. 



On the left-hand side of the road there was a 

 natural kind of amphitheatre, with green grassy sloping 



