Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-09

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opod in Tire dames before they were
aware Of their danger. Horrible indeed
was the sceae. The shrieks Of the suf-
icrers, naiogiing with the hoarse shouts
Of the ropulaco-the shadowy forms ol
tho naas seen tottering upon the rafters
stretching oui their hands Tor aid that nc
hisasan power could afford 'tiIem-ihen
all at once sinking among the,ycrash OF
euins, was too dreadful to gaze dpoD;--
Disniay took possession OF the spectators,
and whch the las, wing OF the building
| foil, a suppressed murmur Of horror arose
FROM the multitude, followed by o pro.
found silence. -
II was many days before the impress
ion Of this scene wore away from the
minds Of the restless and busy Parisians.
Accounts were published OF the victims
who had persisted, and the few who were
saved were received into other convents.
Among The sufferers was Theresa dc Sc
lieny, ~ Young lady Of high birth. Her
fate exciled. tho deepest interest in the
circle in which she had moved, and even
the thoughtiess and hard hearted gave a
sigh to her memory. ;..'-,''.. 81. -
II is well known how often, in former
times, the youngest sisters Of families
have been sacrificed to tire splendid es-
tablishmcnt Of the frs, born Theresa
was one Of these distinguished beings.
She was taught from he, infancy that the
honors and wealth of the famil. were to
centre tn her; that at a suitable age shc
was to be allied TO too young Marquis do
Luccrnc, who was descendant Of kings,
while Louise, her younger and only SIS
ter, was told in a manner equally per-
emptory, that she was destined to take
the veil. -. ..... st
1t is not difficult 10 impress the minds
Of children, aud give to their future des-
tiny all the colour of late. Theresa ear
ly assumed the state of a Marchioness
Though naturally of all amiabIe and gen.
tie disposition, the seeds of vanity and
caprice were early sown, and their usual
fruits, arrogance and sclfishncss, sprung
us.. Louise, on the contrary, lived in
perfect retirement, and already appeared
like devotee. Both Of shc sisters, how
ever, had been equally perverted by ed.
uca,ion, and both were alike actuated by
ambition The one dreamed Of worldly
honours, OF dress, Of jewels; of giving
the tone Of fashion and elegance TO all
Paris; Of making the spacious Chateau
dc Laccrne, that seat Of ancient and
consequently somewhat gloomy grandeur
OF which at twenty she was TO become
tho mistress, a gay and modern court,
over which she was to preside as its inn
.perial queon. The nun, too, dreamed
Of honors; but they were to be won by
rcnouncing the very world that was to
consummatc her sis,el's sp!cndour; her
path TO glory was to be by sacrifices, by
humiliation and prayer; her crown to
be crown ofthorns. Already she look
cd forward to the supremacy Of the con-
vent, to be the distinguished successor
ofthc Lady Abbcss. Her rank, the in
fuence Of her parents, and her own zeal,
all promised distinction, nvain ambition
not more purified than her sisters, though
differently directed, burnt in her heart.
In external appearance, nature had
apparently suited herself to their differ
ent atoms, but it is difficult to say
how much effect education and habit
ual train of thought may produce
Train up a child in the way you mean
ho shall go,'i is maxim Of profound pol
icy. Theresa was brilliant and COM
lnanding; Louise delicate and shrinking.
Thus far the plans Of the parents had
been peculiarly successful. Their eld-
est born was all they desired. When sho
appeared in public, at the theatre, The OPP
ora, or the drawing room, she received
involuntary homage. AT public gardens
the people clustered to see her pass ;'but
her parents were among the most devot-
ed of her worshippers. That fountain
Of affection which springs up in the heart
found but one channel; Louise was
scarcely thought OF or regarded. In her
own apartment, which her youthful zeal
had arranged like the cell in which her
future life was to be passed, she counted
her beads, said her pater nosters and be-
lieved hersolfa saint, because she wor-
shipped the craven image of that being
whose r,ues while on earth ought to
have mode. ed her life.
With her SISTERS dreams Of ambition,
none Of icee or domestic happiness min
gled. She thought of the young Mar
quis as enc who was to pay her daily
homage, who was to die when she frown-
ed, and come TO life again VIXEN she
smiled. She was fully determined 10
make her husband her prime minister,
to consult his taste where il was not de-
cidedly opposed to her own, and to do
him credit by the arrangement Of their
splendid establishment.
Such was tho system Theresa had
| fnrned whan the Marnuis de Lucernc