Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-19

great pride is taken in the slight Of hand with
which he flourishes it over his head, creating a
perfect uproar with its lash, notifying the posts
Of his approach, and amusing himself with the
variety of its notes He comes forth and starts
upon his route with every thing about him tr''n;
fresh supply of powder to his hair' new crack
err to his whip. and abundance OF grease upon MS
boots, although the first puddle IN the road may
sprinkle him with mud from head To ioot; a near
ty French oath rolled under the tongue win
necuIiar twang. and rousing lash on some unoi-
f.ndno horse is the result Of his discontinue,
and he dashes on as good hulnored and merriIy as
before, =,
At Bolbec, a little town three posts and halt
! from Havre, where we rested for an hour or two,
we encountered ballad singer, the hrst had
ever seen. She was apparently about thirty;
marks OF beauty had not yet been oo'iterateu
from her sun burnt vsage, partially shaded oy
| RUSTY cap from beneath which hung IN loose neg
! lisence luxuriant growth OF hair, black as tue
ravens wing; its gloss deadened by re" lines
of sray. a coarse brown shawl scarcely cover
ed her bosom that 'heaved a deep heart piercing
SIGH as she placed her hand upon the shoulder OF
a dark visased, gypsy looking boy, such one as
Murillo would delight to paint. and commenced
her strain. love music, come from whence II
may. and when from heavy oppressed SOUL u
has charm about it like the diving noes OF the
swan; however rude il speaks language TO the
heart that must open every avenue oi teei'ng. -
VINO could look upon that figure, her sIghtless
eyebaIs turned TO heaven, and listen to voice
that once perhaps spoke the soft Language of love,
now excited with that peculiar energy which want
aud misery give? who could look upon that wan
picture of fading mortality, and withhold the trib.
ute that would afford moments comfort? IT there
be any such in the world, may that man never
call himself my friend
Half Of the enchanting landscape was in sha-
dow as we turned high point IN the road, and
the city of Rouen lay before situated in rich.
extensive valley on the right bank OF the Seine,
through which IL courses IN graceful quiet. The
lofty towers and seepIes of the city were tinged
with the RAYS of the declining sun; il was one OF
those delightful evenings in summer when nature
sinks gradually aud TRANQUILITY to rest, like
young hearts after day of joyous festivity -
With the view, the distant hum and hustle OF the
CITY arose upon the senses, the Positions were
pre-. aicd upon To stop few moments that we
might enjoy the scene; day fingered as it were
unwilling to depart and seemed TO take his flight
from the towers of the cathedral. short time
and we were ratliing over the pave through a long
avenue of trees to the city itself.
Early this morning we started cut to seek the
"ons'' of Ruuen-I found myself in the public
square, the statue OF female stood in the GEN.
ire of tit was Joan of Arc. How rapidly the
mind wanderS into reflections upon events Of 9th
er days, when Tie scenes where they were acted
are present. Four centuries have only elapsed
since these old walls witnessed deed which has
left deep dive upon the page that tells Of poor
humanity. On the 30th ot Nav, in that season
uf natures existence when the sun shone upon SO
many objects of loneliness, man was busy here,
Dr. paring stake for murder; faggots were piled
around, bright eyes filled with tears aud turned
With horror from the awful scene OF preparation
There was no murmur, there dared be none, tor
the foot of the mailed sentinel was every where;
as he struck his halbert against the pavement
with authoritative air, the faint hearted shulder
ed, and the bravest looked sad, for it was held
by stranger.
The throng gradually increased-the drum
sounded and then came the show y authority;
the elevated cross, the gaudy robes OF priests
mingiing their glitter with the show of arms, and
all for what? Presently figure clad in white
approaches towards the fatal spot; her step fal
tiers. not from mental weakness, but wounds re-
ceived when she leaped from the tower in which
she was confined; ,nomentary paleness over.
shadows her face as her eye rests Upon the scat
fold Of plaster, conrived to proIons her torments
but it kindles with fire as it meets that of the
infamous john of Bedford; the look was such the
diving eagle gives his murderer
Twenty summers had not Drowned her vsage,
though the tolls aud care Of had marked it
with lines that were not womau's. The r.coi-
lection that she, woman as heaven had formed
her. had replaced her monarch on his throne. had
given 10 her country ne~ eXistence-had faced
these very warriors in the field and made them
tremble; the recollection OF Jerseau, the haush-
" Suffolk himself her prisoner. filed her suul
with fortude and animation at the last terrible
hour Of her existence: her look was that of Joan
OF Arc. Phe cross was upon her bosom, and
her eye turned heavenward a, the thick smoke
enveloped her form, and the sun looked dim as
thu blaze dashed from the burning mass upon
the gloomy gothic piles around, while the bright
reflection seemed to dance in mockery among
the polished armor. and waving pumes.
shuider went through the assembled multitude;
France then felt; the tyrants trembed, and long
the ashes Of the fatal pile cold, scat
tered by the winds of heaven. not one soul in
Rouen, friend or foe,, English French, but
wished the deed of infamy could be undone. A
cloud gathered and burst upon the cOnuuerors: