The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-08-05
QUENTIN DURW ARD.


an int : sting rogtrlii. The character Of
Louis the / 18th Is one of the hnest chef
RGHtfsSof the illustrlous Novelist. Itmay
be agreeable 10 the reader to compare the
representations of the Historian with those
OF the Novel This account is tkeu from
late Loadhn pamphlet "The Cry Of
France"--but the author MS he CUES along
lays his huger upon the authorities on which
lac relies
Afterwards came Louis the Eleventh,
the pen drops from my hand--t the task
Is too much fur me | must for u moment
leave him to the historians.
" Louis the Eleventh" says Robertson,
WAS u bad son, u bad father, barbarous
brother, an uograteful master, n DANCE
rons friend, an implacable aud perlidious
enemy as n prince cunning and cruel,
devoid of sonsiblity, stranger IN every
principle of Justice, without one idea of
deeency who dtspiscd all those restraints
which the sense of honor, or the love Of
fame, imposes, even on ambitious men.
.-------------- who,n observes another
writer, +" took delight in inycnting new
slow toltures the better 10 torment those
whom he hated who constituted the
execuioner Tristan his dearest friend, his
most intimate confdani, iniormcr aud wit.
ness against his victims, also their Judge
and d, stroyer.
But is al this founded IN truth "Whnt
was II that this 50 much dctestcd falois did
Ia deserve the saiites circulated against
him ~ said the flaltrrer puelos. What did
he ! will tell your Majesty mas few words
as possible.
Now for informal g,diofaiion.
lie began by constructing two iron ca
ges of his own invention, IN the castle of
Loshes, in one Of which Ludwick Storza,
Duke OF Milan, his prisoner Of war, nxpif-
cd aitcrten years misery and left the
Bishop of Nefdun TO die in the other
lMezerai's, His. of France, )--.Iie put to
death more than four thousand innocent
persons by various puiahmcnls, which it
was his delight to witness. Philip de
Comlnes.) Louis counted the sighs Of
his victims he watched Their palcncss
with the most severe eagerness, and de
lighted to observe its gradations. Almost
all those whom he destroyed were execu-
ted without any formal trial many thrown
into the water with stones attached Ia
Ah'H h'th91 olAi'i0 lii bAbufIlN uOhU illIb
trap doors, whence they fell upon wheels
armed with spikes and cutting Instruments;
others stltied in dungeons. Philip dc
Confines, Syssel, Me2arai, Benlanyellies
Histories Of Fraace,1 When he had the
torture applied TO the accused, he conceal
ed himself behind a screen IN order 10 enjoy
the groans of his victims. (Leiters on he
Pdritdmems.) lie had the children of the
Duke OF Nemonrs, whom he dressed 10
white for the occasion, placed under their
fathers scailold, IN order that they might
be sprInkled with his blood aud the un-
fortunate princes were after that buried
alive in dungeons 6oored with points, that
their feet might find 40 resting place, their
bodies no rePose, they were brought out
twice week to be scoureed before Philip
PIleillier, the governor of BastaI, and every
two or three months, 10 have one or two
Of their teeth forced oil. Boudainyrllers
Letters on The oncient Pnriiaments, Enl.
ed. p. 1876; letters dc Cachet .. 3o.--TO
sum up all, according TO his pancgyrist
Duclos-" Nothing but gbbets were TO be
seen round his castle; by those dreadful
marks were known the places inhabited by
the king--who, after all" adds Duclos,
+" vas a king"
Debtor and Creditor in Paris.--Thc fol-
lowing extraordinary story is told in a Pa
ris journal, aud its truth youcbed for. True
ii possibly may he, though it has much the
Appearance OF a fabrication. We can on
ly say, in the words of AN author of the
country ia which the sentimental! scene is
laid, that
" lie rrai NEST p0s toqiours ie urai6cnlJla-
bic p
A respectable phy 5ician had contracted
debt Of 1900 francs, which q heavy loss
rendered him unable 10 pay. His creditor
prosecuted him, The attorney aud the
baili1, in disehargng their respective du-
lies, observed all the dellcacy and modera-
ton which were due to Il inun whose mis-
conduct had placed in SO isagreaablc
a situation. aud they would have granted
linn some indulgences. The creditor, how.
ever, was incxorabe, and INSISTED that
they should proceed with all the yigour
OF the law. onlearning this determination,
The wife OF the physicislan was seized with
paralysis. Her distracted husband solicit
cd a delay of few hours that he might
have time 10 apply TO one Of his friends, a
wealthy banker. the bailf took upon
himself to grant this request but, uufor-
tunately, the banker had gone 10 The coun-
try. The bailiiT was then obliged TO obey
the orders of the creditor, aud to execute
the writ. With much regret, he proceed
cd TO perform this duty, aud his appear
ance made such terrible impression on
the doctor, that he fell dead before him.
treaty moved, the ballih withdrew with
out doing any thing, and the attorney APP
proved Of his conduct. Two hours after,
the wife Of the physician, being informed Of
the irrcparahlc loss she had sustained, also
expired.
But what adds TO the fatality OF these