The guillotine, as performing its functions more of itself and sparing human agency, though a cruel and disgusting exhibition, in my mind has many ways the advantage over _our way_.

In beheading, indeed, as it was formerly practised in England, and in whipping to death, as is sometimes practised now, the hand of man is no doubt sufficiently busy; but there is something less repugnant in these downright blows than in the officious barber-like ministerings of _the other_.

To have a fellow with his hangman's hands fumbling about your collar, adjusting the thing as your valet would regulate your cravat, valuing himself on his menial dexterity---- I never shall forget meeting my rascal,--I mean the fellow who officiated for me,--in London last winter.

I think I see him now,--in a waistcoat that had been mine,--smirking along as if he knew me---- In some parts of Germany, that fellow's office is by law declared infamous, and his posterity incapable of being ennobled.

They have hereditary hangmen, or had at least, in the same manner as they had hereditary other great officers of state; and the hangmen's families of two adjoining parishes intermarried with each other, to keep the breed entire.