“The square on which the execution was to take place was not hard to find: the whole town was streaming there from all directions. In that grim bygone era an execution was considered one of the most engaging spectacles, not only for the masses but also for the aristocracy. Devout old women, matrons and timid young girls refused to pass up the opportunity to satisfy their curiosity, though they would afterword dream all night of blood drenched corpses and shout in their sleep as only drunken Hussars can. On the square, many were to call out in feverish hysteria, “Oh how they torture them!” covering their eyes and turning away, yet none were prepared to forgo the gruesome spectacle.”
Nikolai Gogol, “Tarus Bulba”, 1835
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