Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-12-01
MfsffIIanrous.
THE FRENCH REVOCATION,

Dsnton and Robespierfe. says Dr. Lard
nsr IN recent lecture on the French Re-
voiulion. determined 10 establish asyslem
Of espion sge--in other words. to send
their myrmidons as spies into the houses
sof all suspected persons. Towards the
end Of August. this sirocious measure was
carried into execution, and thousands
were daily arrested, until the prisons were
Literally filled 20 cyetfowing.
On the, I'd Of September. band OF
three hundred hired sssassins arrived 10
Paris. who were exhorted BY Danton and
his associates TO massacre all in prison, and
being promised a louis dor per day for
their services. proceeded toihe execution
Of their bloody engagement. II so hap
pened tina. at the Hotel de Vile. there
were "a arrested persons xho had not YET
i been comrnittedto prison. Among these,
was the Able Sicard. These twenty.
foufpeSsoGs. lest they should escape were
first conducted 10 prison. Their conduc.
tors were no; conientto await until their
arrival at the prison but as they passed
along. the most opprobious language was
used tow ards them. o. their arrival, as
they descended from the carriages, they
Wers all n mastered, with The exception Of
be Able IA ID .s+ n
These three hundred assassins were
!: hen joined by Malsrd, who had led the
women al the insurreclion Of the Tennis
curt, and proceeded 10 work with cool.
Z looded deliberalion. Malafd led them
i ito the hall Of the prision, where the
/ risoners were 10 undergo mock trial.
j ID, down al table as JUICE and call
! on the Tailor 10 produce a register Of
tie names Of his prisoners, and the Of
Z noes with which each was charged.
The prisoners were then separately
3 ought forth. and il was arranged that
hen Mallards after The mock trial, should
y, Set the prisoner free I they shoulds
b conducted out apparently 10 be set At
Ii serty, and massacred by the assassins,
no were arranged in files al the door.
Awaiting bis appearance.
These proceedings we're conducted with
/ a I most hear,less and unnatural cruelty
4 vet there occurred singulsrlv incon-
ii dent instances Of mercy. At one lime,
a q daughter claug around, the neck Of
b II father, the uplifted hand OF the exc
/ { i,ioner was stayed, and they were sui
/ q red 10 escape
Those who manifested fear were sure
/ / Be massacred; while oh the contrary,
/ zen aristocrals VINO exhibited great
rurage, were sometimes escorted home
IN deputalion Of these assassins, who
ishout conseniing 10 receive any thing,
j ! turned 70 their bloody work
On one occasion. daughter was asked.
il 10 save the liiesof her father, she would
Z d ink the blood Of an arisloeraR A cup
of blood was brought, which she 10 des.
r GRAFTON drained. The deed excited their
) pniause, ana The life Of her father was
pared | s.I-5
At q window OF The prison overlooking
a.ae place oflthese horrible bnieherles,
we're collected those who awaited slmi-
i ar fate. And they actually debated a;
none themselves how they could pass
through the files ID such manner as 10
.,e killed most speedily. They observed
hat those who held up their hands
nere not despatched IS soon a. those
who made no effort TO avert their fate
.4lihst these were not generally killed
untiiahsy srrived near toe end Of the iihe,
while those whosmsde no resistance were
almosi Instantly despatched. They, there
fore, determined that they would no,
bold up their hands. The result 81. this
determination was that those nearest the
door 81 the prison. had more murders 10
accomplish than those more distant. and
The latter comptained that they had mol .
fair chancel 1fwas finally arranged that
iallshQuld take atnrn about 10 The bloody
business ,lss,.A ss4sss.i
n, Bssides the 800 hired mnrderers. there
were also present large body Of specta
aors. and, strange al il may seem. many o
these were women As these proceed
inrs weres eontinued Al night, the specta
foss complained that, they could not see
and pesitionedfoF light over the door
which was granted They also ecrplsia
I'd hat par. Of Tie area which The,
occupied Was leo low and stands werl
erected for eaeh 0f the sexes and label
led, s,Fof ihe lsdies'-sFOr the gentle
nen!aA
n one Of ,hebe prisons there were con
fned three hundred scclesiasiies, whI
Uonld moi lake The oath. Some Of thes
Suecssded 10 efisesing their escape bO
hsthe greater number were not equal,
S6eceSsfbl. those who escaped could 40
co5rsni 70 avail themseIres Of an "a van
NO which would MOI BE shared - lhei
k7Sihfsn. i1d returned % De With them
Al xholher prison u1s confined d
Princes, T,snbalIe. She was asleep Whe