The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-04-21
THE. IACORINS.

The following romantic account %
an initiation into the mysteries ot th,
Jacobins. is taken from the second
series Of Mr.. Grattan's highly-amus
my work entitled " Highways and
Byways. The we'll authenticated
Histories of the German illuminate
render ii probable that this detail is
not altogether fictitious
" Cornelius stopped for wlriIc in
the narrow path, ON the brow of the
hi,l, a long which his companion led
tie way and while he contemplated
the calm beauty Of the scene, and felt
as it his whole thoughts could
smoothly float on the silver-suriaced
stream, he was reused by Armand,
who stopped short and said aloud
4" Now. citizen, we are arrived,
in the name of liberty advance and
enter"
- Cornelius started ut the sum
mons, hut rccollected instantly the
purpose "a had in mind, and with
Undertaking step he followed close
upon mis- guide. They entered a en-
witty in tie earth, almost wholly con-
ccaled by branching shrubs, and
Armand having whispered some
watch-word. n man dressed IN black
received then IN silence, and mo
TONED them . Ass on. The pas
sage Wa aaprnW and winding, dim
~ aSh'e1 ~ s.tervals by mclancho-
~ lampss which shode on the wall,
and stewed occasionally grim orpa-
m,utq Of skulls ard bones. They
penetrated tar into one Of those ex-
caiatlona winch are formed all along
TIL faa OF the hill, and which were
originally intended for wine vaults,
ard most Of them used as such. In
tie depth Of one of these rocesses.
the society of the illuminate nell their
secret meetings. Every thing
which could impose on the minds oil
TIE weak. or rouse the imagination
u lhe enthusiastic proselyte, was
STUDIED in the decorations OF the ca
yern CounCll-c hamber and its ap-
Iyr0aches. Dim lights, black hang
ines scattered ms ruments of death,
and meUentoes of mortality, were
displayed in scanty and solemn ar
rangement. Armand led on follow
ed by Cornelius, who felt no senti-
ment but contempt for the imposing
mummery but Il length when
they reached an opening space which
Armand announced as an anti-cham-
Der of the ceuncil room, our hero
started with horror, and felt bis
blood run chill as he observed three
or four naked corpscs lying on the
floor. in the breast of each of whIe h
"A dagger was stuck, while from each
"a stream of blood ran triCkling.
1. Armand saw his emotion, and
smiled. lie felt a species Of triumph
in momrnlary expression OF alarm,
whi,A Cornelius face displayed.
But the latter constr ued in his smile
in different sense. lie thought he
saw In it The rejoicing trcachery oil
a murderohs intention lie shrank
back, and turned his head round with
the view Of flying from the place,
when he observed two NTH dressed
in black, with naked swords in their
hands who had followed silently, X
made retreat impossible. They said,
with an encouraging expression OF
countcnance, fear nothing, citizen !;
this is but preparation for the test
of your courage and virtue
8" DO not hesitate nor doubt me,
Whispered Armand,) be firm, or
you are lost
+" With these words he knocked at
door before them, and on his re-
plying still il. whispers to some ques-
tions from within, it opened, and he
and Cornelius once admitted, it clos
ed again, with a sudden sound, that
was like the echoing sentance Of e
ternaI imprisonment.
Three men of fierce aspect sat ut
table their looks glanced wildly
through theirraven locks. and seem
ed to tell story of ferocioas
thoughts and deeds. The chamber
was, like the approaches to it, faint
ly lighted and sadly adorned. A
book lay on the table, with writing
materials. Three or four daggers
were its only other furniture, and
their blades we're STEPPED in blood.
IA few rapid questions were pro-
posed to Armand, as the name, age,
and quality of the friend whom he