American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-05-10
INITIATION INTO THE MYSTERIES OF
THE FRENCH JACOBINS.

THE FRENCH JACOBINS.
The following romantic account Of an initiation
into the mysteries Of the Jacobns is taken from
the second series Of Mr.. Grsttan's highly amusing
work entitled Highways and Byways."- The we'll
authenticated Histories of the German Illuminati,
render ii probable that this detail is not altogether
fictitious
"Cornelius stopped for while IN the narrow PATH
on The brow Of the hill, along which his companion
led the way; and while he onttmplaed the calm
beauty OF the scene, and felt his whole thoughts
could smoothly float cn the silver surfaced stream,
ne was reused BY Armand, who stopped short and
said aloud
"'Now citizen, we are arrived. In the name Of
liberty advance and enter
Cornelius started at the summons, but recollect-
led instantly the purpose he had H. mind, and with
unhesltating step he followed close upon his guide.
They entered cavity il the earth, almost wholly
concealed by branching shrubs, and Armand having
whispered some watch word, man dressed in black
received them IN silence, and motioned them to pass
on. The passage was narrow and winding. dmlY
Iligh'ed at intervals by melancholy lamps, which
shone on the dark walls and showed occasionally
grim ornaments of skulls and bones They pene-
trated far into one Of those atoms which are
formed all along the face of the hill and which were
lorIglnay intended for wine vaults and " ost OF them
ussd as such In the depth of one of these recess
lses, the society OF the Uminatl held their secret
meetings Every thing which could impose on the
minds OF the weak, or rouse the Imagination OF the
enthusiastic proseHte, was studied in The decora-
tons OF the council chamber and its APP
proaches Dim lights, black hangings, scattered
instruments OF death and mt mentoes Of mortality,
were displayed IN scanty and solemn arrangement.
Armand led on, followed by Cornelius, who felt
sentiment but contempt TOR The imposing mum
merry; but at length when they reached an opening
space which Armand announced as an anti chamber
OF the council Ioum, our hero started with horror,
ana felt his blood run chill as he observed three
tour naked corpses lying The floor in the breast
OF each OF which dagger was stu, k, while from
each stream OF blood ran trlckling.
:" A mand saw his emotion, and smiled He felt
ia species oil triumph III the momeDtary expression
lof alarm, which Corneius's face displayed. But
the latter construed his smile in different sense.
He thought he saw IN 1t the eJoicng teachery of
murderous intention: He sh ank back, and turned
his head round with the view OF flying from the
place, when he observed two dresss in black,
with naked swords in their hands, who had followed
silently, amt made retreat impossible. They said,
with an encouraging expression OF counlt pances
/ fear nothing, czen this is but preparation tor
the test OF you, cou age and virtue
g. do not hesitate nor doubt me, (whispered Ar
mand y be firm. OF you are lost
"With these words he knocked at door before
them, and on his replying still In VIII spers to
que sons from withln it opened md he and Cor
nelius sdmnted, 1t closed again, with sullen
sound, that like the echoIng of eternal
imprisonment.
"Three men Of fierce aspect sat at table !; their
locks CLAN, cd wildly thtous their raven locks and
seemed to tell story OF leloci US thoughts and
sds. The chamber was like the approaches 1t,
iainlly lighted and sadly adorned A book Law on
he table. with writing materials. Three or tour
daggers its only other furniture, and their
blades were sleeped III blood
| "A few rapid questions were proposed to Ar
|nand, as the name age and quality OF the friend
I " hom he thus introduced Tor admission TO the
society,". These answered, and entered in the
gIsteI, which lay the table, Cornelius asked
III he ready TO give his frs. proof OF his ratrio-
|tlsm, his devotion to The cause OF freedom, and his
hatred oil his Toes. He answered IN the aff NATIVE;
and then It was demanded Of Armand wht Their he
was willing to set the example to his friend OF the
deed which he would be called upon to per form.
Armaud replied that he was and on The VOID
lcurlan was drawn, which disclosed still darker
than the other, from the undislingulshabs depths
OF which, low groans were heard to proLeed. They
became gradual louder and finally blond stained
couch was brought forward by two men, and on
which lay bound another, whiting in apparent a.
lgony.
"tTake the dagger brother, (said he president in
a hollow yet fierce tone) Take the dagger, and
strike the Aris,ocrat to the heart
| "Armand seized the weapon, and advanced to-
wards the couch. The man who lay on II, and who
seemed suffering under the infection OF torture, no
sooner saw the uplilted weapon, than he uttered
lshriek, which seemed TO pierce Cornelus's heart,
and screamed aloud Tor mercy.
| "No mercy for the Atisocrat-no hope tor the
lRoyalist fcried Armand !; blood, blood in rhe name
of our country and revengeH and with the last
word he struck the dagger full against the suppli-
ants breast A stream OF blood followed The weapon
as he drew it back-a deeper gtoan issued from the
body, and both executioner and victim were il slant.
ly concealed by the black curtain which fell between
,l.hx. al The deed