Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-01
THURSDAY, MAY /, 1928.
For the Phenix Gazette.

marketable instance of somnobulism is translated
from the 'Couricr DIES Eta,s-Unis,' French
paper lately published at New-iork, possess
ing. as does the EagRsh paper the Albion al
so edited in that city, much merit IN Tie h'era-
nv and miscellaneous departments; particularly
as regards their respective countries
As itrela,es merely ha'lucinaiion OF "biood
and carnage" it may amuse your readers DUR
ing The Presidential ,Carfafe. II.
Don DuhagGt, formerly Prior of the Char
,reuse Of Pierre Cha,el, was OF very respecta-
Die family in Gascony, and had served win
distinction; he had been Captain OF infantry
for twenty wears, and was Knight Of the or.
der of ST. Louis. Seldom was person oil sin-
rerer piety. and one more amiabe in consersa>
ton, 10 be met with.
He related the following singular crcum-
stance, which happened TO himself:
1--WE had Che said,l al ----, where was
Prior before I>came To Pierre Chatel, monk
of melancholy dispositon,of sombre eharac
ter, and who was known to BIZ 4 somnohuhst.
"Sometmes, during his fits, he would quit
his cell and return alone; on other occasions ne
wandered away, and 1t was necessary TO recon-
duct him; consultations were held, and reme>
dies administered; after which, his relapses
ed to.
zone night that had not gone to bed at my
usual hour, I was al my wiring desk, engaged
in examining some papers, when heard the
door of my partment open, which never lock-
ed: aud Immediately saw the monk enter IN
complete state Of somnobuiism.
ellis eyes we're open, but fixed; he wore only
the woollen tunick in which he slept, and held
a large knife in his hand.
ale went strait to my bed, Of which he knew
The posi,ion; seemed TO assertion, in cropping
with his hand, if was actually there; alter
which he struck three violent blows, so torcIbie,
that after penetrating the bed clothes, the blade
entered deeply into the matr.,s, or rather into
the rush mat (natte) which served me In lieu OF
one.
"When he passed me, on entering, his coun-
tenance was stern and his eve brows knit-
When he had struck, he returned; and observ-
ed that his vlsage was open, and expressed an
air Of satisfaction.
"Ihe strong light Of two lamps which stood
90 my writing desk, made no impression on MS
eyes, aud he returned as he came, opening and
shutting cautiously two doors which led To my
cell; and shortly felt confident that he retired
directly and quietly into his own.
"You may suppose, Continued the Plior,) In
what a state was during this terrible aPpari-
ZION. ! shuddered with horror at tie danger
which | had just escaped, and returned thanks
TO Providence; but such was my emotion that
found il impossible to shut my eyes during
the remainder Of the night.
"The next CAV, / directed the somrobulist TO
be called, and asked him, with composure,
what ne dreamt tf the pr ccding night.
"At this question he appeared in much ,rou>
Die. "My father, Che rrpli,d) have had
strange dream, which, in truth, have great
uueasiness in discovering 10 you: il is perhaps
the work Of demon; and ~ order you,
replied; a dream is always involuntary; ii is
only an illusion. speak with siMce,ily.'
"My father Che then ssid,) scarcely had
gone to sleep, when dreamed that you had kill
ed nv mother; tina, her bloody shade had APP
peared before me demanding revenge, and that
at this sight was transported TO such state OF
fury, that | ran like mad man to your apart
ment; and, having found you in bed. poisnard-
ed vow A little afterwards | awakened in
most profuse sweat, shuddering st my crime:
and Immediately thanked God that so atro-
cious an act had not been committed 1t
was nearer being commitred than you are aware
Of, l remarked, with serious and tranquil
manner.
Then related to him what had passed, and
Showed him the marks OF the blows which he
thought he had Inflicted on me.
"At The sight thereof he threw himself Oh
his knees before me, overwhelmed and IN tears,
deeply grooming at the involuntary misfortune
that might have happened, and im2loring me
to intlict on him any peLitenoe nigh, think
proper.
No, no, exclaimed, will not punish you
for an involuntary act; but henceforlh dis
pense with your assisting at the services Of
the night; and announce 10 you that your cell
shall be shut on the outside after the night re-
past, and will only be opened for you 10 attend
mass at the dawn of day" it is added
IF on this occasion the Prior had been killed
and the escape was almost miraculous-the
somnobulist, monk would not have been pun
ished, because, on his part, The murder was in
voluntary.
The smallest sized English Type is called
Diamond. II is smaller than any ever used In
hut ha Erench have ms de q tyne