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their shoulders planks and beams： these materials being all
brought forth； the rest bestirred themselves； and the dull sound of
hammers began to echo through the stillness。
Here and there among this knot of labourers； one； with a
lantern or a smoky link； stood by to light his fellows at their work；
and by its doubtful aid； some might be dimly seen taking up the
pavement of the road； while others held great upright posts； or
fixed them in the holes thus made for their reception。 Some
dragged slowly on； towards the rest； an empty cart； which they
brought rumbling from the prison…yard； while others erected
strong barriers across the street。 All were busily engaged。 Their
dusky figures moving to and fro； at that unusual hour； so active
and so silent； might have been taken for those of shadowy
creatures toiling at midnight on some ghostly unsubstantial work；
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which； like themselves； would vanish with the first gleam of day；
and leave but morning mist and vapour。
While it was yet dark； a few lookers…on collected； who had
plainly come there for the purpose and intended to remain： even
those who had to pass the spot on their way to some other place；
lingered； and lingered yet； as though the attraction of that were
irresistible。 Meanwhile the noise of saw and mallet went on
briskly； mingled with the clattering of boards on the stone
pavement of the road； and sometimes with the workmen’s voices
as they called to one another。 Whenever the chimes of the
neighbouring church were heard—and that was every quarter of
an hour—a strange sensation； instantaneous and indescribable；
but perfectly obvious； seemed to pervade them all。
Gradually； a faint brightness appeared in the east； and the air；
which had been very warm all through the night； felt cool and
chilly。 Though there was no daylight yet； the darkness was
diminished； and the stars looked pale。 The prison； which had been
a mere black mass with little shape or form； put on its usual
aspect； and ever and anon a solitary watchman could be seen upon
its roof； stopping to look down upon the preparations in the street。
This man； from forming； as it were； a part of the jail； and knowing
or being supposed to know all that was passing within； became an
object of as much interest； and was as eagerly looked for； and as
awfully pointed out； as if he had been a spirit。
By and by； the feeble light grew stronger； and the houses with
their signboards and inscriptions； stood plainly out； in the dull
grey morning。 Heavy stage waggons crawled from the inn…yard
opposite； and travellers peeped out； and as they rolled sluggishly
away； cast many a backward look towards the jail。 And now； the
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sun’s first beams came glancing into the street； and the night’s
work； which； in its various stages and in the varied fancies of the
lookers…on had taken a hundred shapes； wore its own proper
form—a scaffold； and a gibbet。
As the warmth of the cheerful day began to shed itself upon the
scanty crowd； the murmur of tongues was heard； shutters were
thrown open； and blinds drawn up； and those who had slept in
rooms over against the prison； where places to see the execution
were let at high prices； rose hastily from their beds。 In some of the
houses； people were busy taking out the window…sashes for the
better accommodation of spectators； in others； the spectators were
already seated； and beguiling the time with cards； or drink； or
jokes among themselves。 Some had purchased seats upon the
house…tops； and were already crawling to their stations from
parapet and garret…window。 Some were yet bargaining for good
places； and stood in them in a state of indecision： gazing at the
slowly…swelling crowd； and at the workmen as they rested listlessly
against the scaffold—affecting to listen with indifference to the
proprietor’s eulogy of the commanding view his house afforded；
and the surpassing cheapness of his terms。
A fairer morning never shone。 From the roofs and upper stories
of these buildings； the spires of city churches and the great
cathedral dome were visible； rising up beyond the prison； into the
blue sky； and clad in the colour of light summer clouds； and
showing in the clear atmosphere their every scrap of tracery and
fretwork； and every niche and loophole。 All was brightness and
promise； excepting in the street below； into which （for it yet lay in
shadow） the eye looked down as into a dark trench； where； in the
midst of so much life； and hope； and renewal of existence； stood
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the terrible instrument of death。 It seemed as if the very sun
forbore to look upon it。
But it was better； grim and sombre in the shade； than when； the
day being more advanced； it stood confessed in the full glare and
glory of the sun； with its black paint blistering； and its nooses
dangling in the light like loathsome garlands。 It was better in the
solitude and gloom of midnight with a few forms clustering about
it； than in the freshness and the stir of morning： the centre of an
eager crowd。 It was better haunting the street like a spectre； when
men were in their beds； and influencing perchance the city’s
dreams； than braving the broad day； and thrusting its obscene
presence upon their waking senses。
Five o’clock had struck—six—seven—and eight。 Along the two
main streets at either end of the cross…way； a living stream had
now set in； ro