The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-20
CHOLERA IN PARIS.

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CHOLERA IN PARIS.
The following is extracted from an arti-
Gle written by Nathaniel P. Willis for the
New York Mirror, when the Cholera was
at 1t its height in Paris. 1t will be read at
the present time with peculiar interest.
CHOLERA! CHoLERA! Is now the only
topic. There Is no other interes: no other
dread, 10 other occupation, for Paris. The
invitations for parties are at least recalled
the theatres are at least shut or languishing
the fearless are beginning TO he afraid
people walk the streets with casaphor bags
and vlnalgrettes at their noStrils-there is
universal terror in all classes, and gen.
eral flight Of III who can afford 10 Gel
away. | never saw people so eDgrossed
with one single and constant thought. The
waiter brought my breakfast this Booming
with pale face, and an apprehcnsive ques
ton, whether | was quite we'll. sent tc
my boot maker yesterday, and he was dead
l called on friend, Il Hanoverian, one OF
those broad-cbested, fioriL, immortal look
ing men, of whose health for fifty wears
violence apart, one is absolutely certain
and he was at deaths door with the cholera
Poor fellow He had fought all through
the revolution in Greece he had slept in
ram and cold, under the open sky, many Il
night, Though Il ten years pursuit Of the pro-
iesSiun OF il soldier of fortune, living one oi
the most remarkable of lives hitherto, OF
which ever heard. and to be taken down
here IN the midst of ease and pleasure, re
duced to Il shadow with SO vulgar and un-
warlke disease as this, was quite too
much for his philosophy. He had heen i'll
for three days when found him. He was
emacIated TO a skeleton in that short time,
weak and helpless, and though he is not a
man to exaggerate suffering, he said he
never had conceived such intense agony as
he had endured. He assured me, that il
he recovered, and should ever be attack
ed with it again, he would blow out his
brains at the first symptom. Nothing hut
his iron constitution protracted the disorder.
Most people who are attacked die in from
three to twenty -four hours.
For myself, have felt and still feel quite
safe. My rooms are in the arrest Place in
Paris, facing the gardens of the Tulleries,
with windows overlooking the Kings; and,
de far as all is concerned, if his majesty
considers himself well situated, it would be
quite ridiculous IN so insignificant person
as myself to be alarmed. With absolute
health, confident spirits, and ;olerahly reg.
ular habits, have usually thought one may
defy almost any thing but love or bull
let. To-Day, however, there have been,
they say, two cases within the palace walls,
members Of the royal household, and CAST
mir Perier, who probably lives well and has
enough to occupy his mind, is very low with
it, and one cannot help feeling that he has
no certain exemption, when disease has
touched both above and below him. Invent
to-day TO the messagerie to engage my
place for Marseiles, on the way to Italy,
but the seats are all taken, in both mail
post and diligence, for fortnight to come,
and as there are no extras in France, one
must wait his turn. Having done my duty
to myself by the inquiry, snail he content
to remain quiet.
| have just returned from a social tea
party at a house of one Of tine few English
families left in Paris. 1t is but IA little al
ter ten. and the streets as | came along.
were as deserted and still, as fit we're city
of the dead. Usually, until four or five in
the morning, the same streets are thronged
with carriages hurrying to anil fro, and al
ways till midnight the trottous are crowded
with promenaders. To night scarce met
foot-passenger, and but one solitary ca
briolet in walk Of mile. The contrast
was really impressive. The moon was
nearly full, and high in the heavens, and
the sky absolutely Vthout trace of
cloud nothing interrupted the full broad
light of the moon, and the empty streets
were almost as bright as noon-day; and.
as | crossed the Place ytndome, | could
hear, for the first time since have been in
Paris, though have passed it at every hour
Of the night, the echo of my footsteps re-
verherated from the walls around You
should have been in these crowded cities
OF Europe to realize the impressive solemn
ty of such solitude.
1t is said that fifty thousand people have
left Paris within the past week. Adding
this to the thousands who are struck with
the. cholera, and the attendance necessary
to the sick, and a thinned population is sui-
fclen,ly accounted for. There are, how
ever, hundreds i'll of this frighlful disease,
whose cases are not reported. 1t is only
those who are taken to the hospitals, the poor
and destitute, who are numbered in the Of
fetal statements. The physicians are wea-
rleu out with their private practice. The
medical lectures are suspended, and reg
nlar physician is hardly to lie had at all.
There Is scarce house in which some one
has not been taken. You see biers and lit
tiers issuing from almost every gate. and the
better ranks are no longer spared. A SIS
ter OF the premier, NJ. Perier, died yester-
day and II was reported at the Bourse,
that several distinguished persons, who have
been Ill OF It, are also dead. No one feels
safe; and the CONSERVATION and dread on ev-
cry countenance you meet is enough to chill
ones very blood. l went out to-day for
little exercise, not feeling very well, and
was GLAD to get home again. Every crea-
ture looks stricken with mortal fear And
this among II French population, the gayest
and rferrlest of people under all depressions
felt painfully. There is something singular
in the air, too; disagreeable, depressing
dryness, which the physicians say INST
change, or all Paris will be struck with the
plague. 1t is clear and cold, but almost
suifocating with dryness.
1t is very consoing in the midst of so
much that is depressing that the preven-
tives recommended against the cholera are
so agreeable. Live WELL" say the doc
tors, sand battle often. Abstain from ex-
cesses, keep clear head and good spirits,
and amuse yourself rs much and rs ration
ally as possible" 1t is very excellent
recipe for happiness, let alone the cholera.
There is great room for nice observance
nf D.. 4. II. II