Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-13

his mistress began to entertain suspicious OF his
having met with some foul play, and sent to the
Morpue where her servant was behed, freshly
taken out The river, into which he had no
doubt been thrown by his companions, for the
sake Of the money he was known TO have had
in his pocket.-But the frequency and enorml-
~ of these crimes are known only to those
whose feelings can endure the ordeal of repeat
ed visits TO this universal receptacle, the Nor
que. The Inhabitants of the thickly-peopled
streets where it stands, are so much accustom-
ed to the scenes it presents, that they visit It,,
every day, and several times in the day, with as
much gout and interest as if it had been CO.
medic or Franconis. But no knowledge is
ever obtained concerning the Inflated individu-
ais who are brought there; their families and
relatives sometimes alarmed at their long alb
sence, come here to gaze through the window,
and strive to trace those they have lost. When
this is the case, they are conveyed away instant
ly, and with the greatest secresy. But ranks
and conditions are also COMPOUNDED here: in this
respect, ii may sometimes be compared to the
general sepulchre of all: yoa will sometimes
see the garments suspended over the body de-
note, by their fashion and excellence, that the
wearer was gentleman. The greater part Of
those who have unlimely persisted, are taken
out of the river; and when, in single night,
four or five bodies, Of both sexes, are drawn up
by the boats employed for this purpose, and
brought here, is it probable that they have all
come to their death by their own hand? The
wounds so often discovered prove that assassi-
nation is more common in Paris than in the
English capital, that fruitful theatre Of crimes.
Yet the number Of suicides who adop, this ca
sy and quick mode of death, is astonishingly
great. Want, extreme want, frequently drives
many of the poorest class to throw themselves
into The Seine; for within the last week, the bo-
dies Of several elderly and mlserabe-looking
people have been observed at the Morgue, who
could present no possible temptation to plumber
or destroy. And the universal facility Of gamb-
ling in this city, and the desperation that often
follows it, cause the sight of the Seine, flowing
TRANQUILITY through the streets, to infuse thoughts
Of many fatal deed.
An action marked by peculiar atrocity, took
place in the Palais Royal about two months
ago. that astonlshed the French, WHO observed
with pleasure that the perpetrators were TIA
lians, and not of their country. 1t was yet day
light and scarcely six in the evening, when two
Italians passing by the shop Of one of the mo-
ney changers, observed, as is usual, a quantity
of Silver and gold on he counter. They form
ed their plan Of getting possession oft, and, en-
tering the shop requested to have some money
changed One of them stood near the door on
the lookout, and the other in changing the mo-
ney, purposely dropt Napoleon within side
the counter, and while the master OF the shop
stopped to pick it up, he drew his slietto, and
gave him several wounds in the head and neck,
while his companion snapped up the piles OF
dollars as fast as he was able, and hastily quit
ted the shop He was quickly followed by the
assassin, and they both made their escape with
out being observed by the numerous crowds
who continued to pass on every side. But the
unfortunate Frenchman, though severely wound
ed, was soon after found alive, and able 10 give
an account OF the transaction. In consequence, |
the police were on the alert, and twenty days
afterwards the two Italians were arrested near
the barrier, for they were never able to escape
without the city for the want of passports
They have been tried and condemned, and are
to be guillotined in few weeks. 1t has a
strange effect to pass from scenes OF horror and
suspected crimes, such as the receptacle OF
death on the river so often presents, to those OF
outrageous and heartfelt gaity, not more than a
hundred yards distant. in fact, this people Of
fers here, as on other occasions, startling con-
trast Look at the FIVE or six puppet-show5
ranged on Sunday morning on the bridge
close blythe dancing groups, the laughter, and
the refreshments cat and drank in the open air !
on every side.
The burning Of Franconi's equestrian theatre
was one of the greatest misfortunes Paris has
sustained for many years. an enemy in full
march for the capital would not have excited
more CONSERVATION and regret. "Quee mel
heur pour Paris!' was the frequent observation
on the next morning. The passion for public
exhibition is never satiated in this place; out
the private parties, or sorees, are almost uni
versally dull, and destitute of interest or amuse-
ment. Foreigners sometimes talk OF the exclu-
sveness of English clubs, but nothing can be
more exclusive than the French soirees A
stranger, it is true, finds the apartments per-
fectly open to his reception, but he sees, in the
haute socie,e, the ladies ranged in solemn guise
on one side of the saloon, ana the gentlemen on
the other, and he must converse with his next
neiphbor. for the remainder of the company
are in general neither comeatible nor CONVERSE
bic.
In the societies Of rather lower grade, the
greater part of them break up into innu-
merable small parties, and seat themselves at
variety of small tables at cards; every half hour