The native American., 1838-04-14

BAsTItE AMUsEMENTs.-In the History OF
the .Basiile, and its Principal Captives, recently
published in London we have a curious account
OF the singular manner in which the celebrated
Henry Masters de Latude contrived TO solace
hours OF his long and dreary imprisonment in
The bastle. He was put into the Bastile at the
age oil twenty five years, and was confined
mere ,h'r'y-hve Years. simply, for certainly
very clumsy attempt to obtain the patronage Of
the King sstrumpet. The offence originated from
the system Of Government, which reduced that
unhappy man TO attempt to gain Court favors,
by which SO many others had acquired fame and
fortune. Her beguiing his tedious incarceration
is thns described.
Stripped and reclothed in rags, which were
dropping TO pieces, his hands and feet heavily
ironed, the prisoner was thrown into one Of the
most noisome dungeons ofthe fortress. A sprink-
ling ofstraw formed his bed-covering he had
none. The only light and air which penetrated
into this den OF torment, came through loop
hole, which narrowing gradually from the in
side to tue outside, had diameter of not more
than five inches at the furthest extremity. This
loop hole was secured and darkened by four
fold iron grating SO ingrniously contriyed
that the bars Of one net work covered the inter-
stcts of another, but there was neither glass nor
ther The interior extremity of this aperture
reached within two feet and half OF the ground,
served the captive for chair and table, and
sometimes he rested his arms and elbows on il,
TO tighten the weight Of his fetters.
Shut out from all communication with his ftI-
low beings, Latude found some amusement in the
society OF the rats which infestedhis dungeon.
His first attempt to make them companionable
was tried upon single rat which, in three days,
by gently throwing bits OF bread to it, he rem
dered il so tame that it would take food from his
hands. The animal even changed its abode, and
established itself in another hole, in order 10 be
nearer to him. In a few days female Joined
the first conner. AT the outset she was timid;
but it was not long before she acquired boldness,
and would quarrel and fight for tie morsels
which were given by the prisoner. When nv
dinner was brought in, says Latude. called
my companions; the male ran to me directly: the
female, according to custom came slowly and
timidly, but at length approached close to me
and ventured TO take what offered her from
my hand. Some time after, third appeared, who
was much less ceremonious, than my first ac.
quaintance. After his second visit he constituted
himself one of the family, and made himself
SO perfectly at home that he resolved 10 in
troduce his comrades. The next day he
came accompanied by two others, who in the
course Of the week brought five more; and thus,
in less than fortnight, family circle consist
ed Of ten large rats and myself / gave each Of
them names, which they learned to distinguish.
When called them they came to eat with me,
from the dish or off the same plate; but found
this unpleasant, and was soon forced to, find
them dish to themselves, on account Of their
slovenly habits. They became SO tame that they
allowed me 10 scratch their necks and appeared
to me pleased when | did, but they would never
permit me to touch them on the back Some
times amused myself with making them play,
and joining them in their gambols. Occasionally
threw them piece Of meat, scalding hot the
most eager ran to seize it, burned themselves.
cried out, and left it, while the less greedy who
had waited patiently took it when It was cold,
and escaped into corner, where they divided
their prizes; sometimes made them jump up
by holding peace Of bread or meat suspended in
the air. In the course of year his fonr- footed
companions increased to twenty Whenevep>
an intruder appeared he met with hostile recep-
ton from the old ISLANDERS, and had to fight his
way before he could obtain footing. Latude
endeavored to familiarize spider, but in this he
was unsuccessful.