Chapter V

"_Torn by Horses_" (Vol. ii., p. 480.).--This cruel death was suffered by _Ravaillac_, who accomplished what Jean Châtel failed in doing.

The execution took place on the 27th of May, 1610, with the most atrocious severities of torture, of which the drawing by horses was but the last out of a scene that continued for many hours. The day before he had been racked to the very extremity of human suffering. The horses dragged at the wretch's body for an hour in vain; at length a nobleman present sent one of his own, which was stronger; but this even would not suffice. The executioner had to sever the mangled body with his knife, before the limbs would give way. I could add more of these details, but the subject is intolerable.

The execution of _Ravaillac_ was followed with the utmost exactness, but with more cruelty, if possible, in the case of _Damiens_ (sentenced for the attempt on Louis le Bien-Aimé), who suffered on the Place de Grève, March 28. 1757. The frightful business lasted from morning till dusk! Here again the knife was used before the body gave way, the horses having dragged at it for more than an hour first; the poor wretch living, it is said, all the while!

I believe this was the last instance of the punishment in France, if not in Europe.

A concise summary of the trials of these men, and all the hideous details of their tortures and execution, will be found, by those who have a taste for such things, in the third volume of the new series of the _Neuer Pitaval_, edited by Hitzig and Haring (Leipzig, Brockhaus),--a collection of _causes célèbres_ which has been in course of publication at intervals since 1842. The volume in question appeared in the present year (1850).