The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-05-06
a.sre-isne sLeach.

aIt was al she eloss OF one OF the.early
autumn days OF tho year 1794--the period
when, with the fall Of the tyrant philanlhro-
pist Robespierre, the Reign Of Terror lost
its sway, and France began slowly to ava
ken, with still throbbing heart, as from
deadly nightmare A thick autumnal haze
hovered over the shore enclosed between
the two advancing horns Of cliff, which
marked out the small bay Of Euetat and
added somewhat premature gloominess to
the thickening twilight Seen through this
fantastic veil Of fog, the beach presented in
one part strange and almost phantasnago-
ric picture. Here and there, at irregular
distances, gliminered lights, casting siclxly
halo round them, which, but for their being
stationary, might have been mistaken for
the phosphoric CLEANS Of 9 congregation Of
agnes fatiai; whilst out Of the thick haze
pierced the discordant noise OF many shrill
voices, which, at some distance, might have
impressed credulous imagination with the
idea that party Of water-sprites were hold
ing their rsvels upon the beach; until, upon
a nearer approach, the sounds were too evil
dent to be mistaken for anything but the
reality-the intense and unceasing chatter
ing Of several female tongues. The group.
or rather groups Of woplen, from which
arose this confusion Of voices, formed so
strange a scene, and one Of nature so pc
culiar to the locality, rs to demand some
explanation.
according to the tradition Of the coun-
try, a river formerly pursued its course
through the valley leading to Euetat. and
hurried foaming and bubbling through the
village, before il lost itself in the sea, until,
struck by curse, il afterwards took an UNI
derground course. Certain il is, that from
among the pebbles Of the shelving beach
glshes. from some subterraliean spring, a
broad fresh-water source, that finds its way
to the sea under the masses Of single with
which the shore Of Etretat is heaped; and,
although checked and covered by the rising
tide, this subterranean stream flows freely
upon its ebb. It's water is used by the vii
lage housewives as reservoir for the pur-
pose Of washing their family linen; and at
the hour of low-tide they come down to the
beach, with buck basket, wooden iiappers,
and other symbols of the mysteries of French
washing, scoop themselves a rude basin
among the heap Of pebbles, until they reach
the fresh flow beneath, and then kneel down
to their work by its side. These daily meet
ings thus naturally depend upon the time OF
low water: bat be it at morning, noon, OF
night, the washing hour is never neglected
the less 50, as il is at that point and hour
OF general rendezvous that the village COS
sip and scandal have full play.
"Upon the evening in question, every
good housewife and danlsel had brought hel
dim horn lanthorn to aid her in her labors,
for the hour of low water had fallen late in
the twilight, and the haze was thick ant
gloomy; and as the pale light Of the small
candle CLEANED family through the mist OF
each STOPPING form enveloped in a dusky
cloak, the hood Of which was drawn ovel
the face to keep off the chill air, and CLAN
ced from tie water which splashed beneath
the hands, strange picture was formed
the meaning or even The separate parts o
which. it would have been difficult for Z
stranger to comprehend or sunder. No
less confused was the Babel discourse Of the
several fisher gossips, as their chatter ros,
from the various detached groups above the
noise Of the incesSant beating and rubbing
Of the rough materials which filled each i'm
promptu basin OF single.
"'lndeed, and you may say it, said ont
voice among the number, these are learfu
times, when no! bit Of bread is TO be hat
oftimes for the poor hungry babes. WoulC
we could have fitted away like seamews
5 with the great folks who left the land. Why
commereS, the very fishes have fled tn,
shores. Ever since the death of the poo
king under the axe, not herring has conn
10 net upon the coast. One would hav,
! thought the waters were troubled with blood
and too bitter for the poor creatures: ant
this year it is no better. And why shoul'
id? she added in tone OF very questionable
+ resignation. Who is to pay for our fish
when there are none TO buyf
"'And what good did they do Us wheI
they were here, your rich folks and you
grea. folks!' said a souriaced, middle-age,
woman, raising up her pinched features L
the full light of her lanthorn, What goOc
did they do TO US, ramping and tearing abou
r the country with their horses and dogs, ant
: grudging a bit OF hardly earned bread to
! poor lone woman | should like to know
5 that, Ma'ame Jacqueline.
"While the poor murdered Marquis an
his sainted wife were still al Rockville, the
were ever kind to me and mine. We new
er wanted bread them replied the sturd,
, Jacqueline. 'And let but tongue wag GU
against them, and know where there's
bold one ready for a wipe in their defence
and stout heart to back it, or may be al
arm also--do ye hear, Ma'ame BelIotte?'
"'lie was bloolthrsty aristocrat, and
Pilt, and Coburg, for all that, munmure'
Madame Belloae between her teeth, evi
IDENTIFY not well aware Of the sense of her oh
iuigation, but satisfied with the consolator
Consciousness that she was calling har
names.
"'And whose eye was dry at Rockville
whose heart was not heavy at Etretat-
pursued Jacqueline, raising up her head an
putting back tes hood with much energy
when the sad news came how his head ha
. fallen under the knife--the new-(ashione
ins.ualenE Of death, that works day AN
night, they say, in the capital, mounting an
descending like a living thing! But lher
! are some people whose hearts are as bite
as gall; or may be, their tempes have bee
soured in their youth, because the lads am