But bodies, like the soul, invisibly are flown."

DRYDEN.

March 1807.

N

In one of my very early PROJECTORS (No. VIII.) I took the liberty to address my readers on the subject of seeing sights, and going into mobs; and as it was generally confessed that those adventures were accompanied with no small degree of inconvenience, and even of danger, I offered a PROJECT by which both might be avoided. How far that Project was relished, I have not much opportunity of learning; but that it was not universally adopted I have

some very striking reasons for believing. It is the peculiar misfortune of us PROJECTORS that our schemes are generally thought to be impracticable or useless, that they are either laid aside without trial, or that there is something in the success of them which interferes with superior interest, or more favourite propen

sities.

I am not, however, the more disposed to retract what I advanced in that paper on the subject of CURIOSITY, from the rejection of my plan. I am still convinced that, if not kept within proper bounds, Curiosity, and especially that species of it called idle Curiosity, has a tendency to lead to exertions unprofitable or dangerous. It consumes time, which no man has yet found the art of restoring; and it confers a degree of distinction upon persons and things of which they are unworthy. I am likewise still disposed to think that they who imagine they are honoured by the collection of a mob, have very little of which they ought to be proud. That species of curiosity which brings together an immense concourse of people possesses so little of the gift of discrimination, that an election or an execution, a funeral or an air balloon, will collect equal numbers.

But from the mere inconvenience and inutility of vulgar curiosity and mobs, my attention, as well as that of the publick at large, has very lately been diverted, to consider of the danger which arises from these tumultuous meetings. I need scarcely inform my readers, that I advert to what took place at the Old Bailey on the twenty-third of February, a calamity in which thirty persons fell a sacrifice to that species of curiosity which of all others seems in vain to call for an apology; and, I may add, a calamity which for its extent is unparalleled in the history of casualties, there being nothing to account for it of the common kind, as the falling of houses or scaffolds, but merely the force of mutual pressure and resistance, occasioned by a sudden paroxysin, if I may use the expression, of extreme curiosity, excited at one and the same moment of time.

The impression which this calamity appears to have made on the public mind is no other than might have been expected from a people who in general are wise and thinking; but that a great proportion of them are of a very opposite disposition is certain from what has happened, and may be confirmed by what will again happen when the memory of this calamity becomes faint, and some new temptation

of a similar kind presents itself to those who delight in shocking spectacles. Inquiries, too, have been instituted with a view to prevent accidents in future; but however wisely or well these inquiries have been pursued, there is much reason to think that it will be difficult to apply an effectual remedy.

Of all spectacles, that of the execution of criminals appears to be most repugnant to moral and humane feelings; yet in all countries, even in those where executions are attended with circumstances of torture unknown here, executions have ever attracted vast assemblies of the people. All hasten with uncommon eagerness, to behold with their eyes, what others with as much eagerness would dismiss from their imagination and idea, as far as it is possible; what no man of feeling can bear to hear described with minuteness; and what has been generally detailed, if detailed at all, in as few words as can convey the fact.

In France, we have been informed by travellers, that persons of rank and fortune, or what are called genteel company, used to compose a part of the spectators at executions. The case, now at least, is different in this country; the amateurs of such spectacles being, with few exceptions, the very lowest, and, I

am afraid, not the very best members of society. Where it is otherwise, where any per

sons above the lower classes have been induced to attend, they have either concealed the circumstance from shame, or acknowledged that they were induced to endure such a sight from some particular reason, as the quality of the sufferer, or the noise he and his crimes had made in the world. Still the general sentiment is so averse to the indulgence of this species of curiosity, that very few persons of education and refinement can prevail upon themselves to make the attempt; and of those few, there are perhaps none who are not anxious to excuse themselves in the best manner they

can,

Yet for those who make a constant or a frequent practice of attending executions, some apology may be found in the nature of the punishment itself. Our ancestors decreed that our capital punishments should be public, and thus be in conformity to every proceeding in our courts of law, and the exercise of every branch of power invested in any person or persons by our excellent constitution. It has indeed been thought by some writers, that capital punishments would produce more effect, or at least as much, if they were inflicted in