The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-05-15


to have resided; and now to be standing
above the very dust which once con-
tributed to form the fine intellect and
throbbing hearts of these celebrated
lovers, seemed to be humiliation of in
tervening centuries, throwing the mind
back to that remote period when Eloisa,
from the deep solitudes and awful
cells" of her convent, endited those
loye-breathing epistIes which have
spread through the world the fame of
her unhappy attachment. Quitting
this interesting spot, wildness of little
enclosures presented itself, almost ev-
cry one profusely planted with flowers,
and oyershadowed by poplar, cypress,
weeping-willow, and arbor vita, inter-
spersed among Towering shrubs and
fruit-trees; for the ground, before lis
present appropriation, had been laid
out as a pleasure-garden. Many of the
tombs were provided with watering
pot for the refreshment of the flowers,
and the majority had stone seat for
the accommodation of those who came
bither TO indulge in melancholy retro
spection, as they stationed themselves
upon the grave in which their affections
were deposited. Here and there the
sufferers from filial, parental OF conju-
gal deprivation, were seen trimming the
foliage OF flowers that sprung up from
the remains of their kindred flesh and
as they handled the shrubs, whose roots
struck down into the very grave, one
could almost imagine that the dead
stretched forth their leafy arms from
the earth TO embrace once more those
whom they had so fondly encircled wheE
alive. In many instances, however, it
must be confessed that this pious duty was
deputed TO the keepers of the ground,
who for small stipend maintained the
tombs in a perpetual greenness. Some
contested themselves with hanging
funeral garland on the monuments of
their friends, by the number and fresh
ness of which tributes we were enabled
to Judge, IN some degree, of the merits
of the deceased. and of the regency
with which sad bosoms and glistening
eyes had occupied the spot on which
we then stood. Some were blooming
all over with these flowery offerings,
while others, with single foriorn and
witbered chaplet, or absolutely bare,
Showed that their Wondering tenants
had left no friends behind or that time
had wrought his usual effect, and either
brought them to the same appointed
house, or /" stepped their senses in
forgetfulness."
10 ascending the hill, extensive family
vaults are seen, excavated in its side.
in the style Of the ancients, with numer-
Gus recesses for coffins, the whole in
closed by bronze gates of exquisite
tasse Sad workmanship, through " hich
might be seen the chairs for those who
wish to shut themselves up and medi-
tate in the sepulchre which they are
permanently to occupy while the yell
low wreath upon the ground, or coffin.
pointed out The latest occupant of the
chamber of death. Some well-known
name was perpetually representing it.
self 10 our notice. In one place we en-
countered the tomb of the unfortunate
Labedoyere, who was the first to Join
Napoleon when he advanced to GFeno-
Bile in 1915, and expiated his offence
with his life. The spot on which the
hapless Ney was deposited, was also
shown US, but his monument had been
removed. A lofty and elegant pyramid
on the height bore the name of the
celebrated Massena and as we roamed
about, we trod over the remains of
republicans, royalists, marshaIs, dema-
gogues, liberals, ultras, and many of the
yictors and victims of the revolution.
whose exploits and suffcrings have filled
our gazettes, and been familiar in our
mouths for the last twenty OF thirty
years.
A few steps more brought us to the
summit of the hill, commanding a noble
view of Paris, the innumerable white
buildings of which stood out with pan
oramick and lucid sharpness in the deep
blue of cloudless sky, NOT single
wreath Of smoke dimming the clearness
of the view. Nothing was seen to
moye-a dead silence reigned around
the whole scene resembled bright
and tranquil painting.
On the highest point of the whole
cemetery, under the shade Of eight
lIme-trees, planted in square, is the
tomb of Frederick Mestezart, Prot
estant pastor of the Church of Geneva.
a Erench .uritor .rou oLsan..oa - AZ !