Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-06-22

the interest he appeared to take in her, and
quietly sat to him, as though while she per-
mitted him to transmit her form and features
to posterity, she also charged him to hand
down her mind and her patriotism to unborn
generations. She conversed with M. Hauer
on his profession. the events of the day, and
the peace of mind she felt after the execu-
ton of her desi gn; she also spoke of her
young friends at Caen, and requested him
TO paint miniature from the portrait, and
send it to her family.
Suddenly gentle knock was heard at the
door, and the execulioner entered. Char
lote, turning round perceived the scissors
and red chemise he carried over his arm.
what! already exclaimed she, turning
pale.
Then, recovering her composure, and
glancing at the unfinished portrait, Mon
sieur,' said she to the artist j know not how
to thank you for the trouble you have taken;
| have only this TO offer you. Keep it in
memory of your kindness and my graft
tude'
As she spoke, she took the scissors from
the execulioner, and severing lock of her
long fair hair, gave it to NJ. Hauer.
This portrait, interrupted by death is still
in the possession of the family of M. Hauer.
The head only was painted, and the bust
merely ske,ched. But the painter, who
watched the preparations for the scafold,
was so struck with the sinister splendor adj
ded by the red chemise to the beauty of his
model; that, after Charlotte's death, he paint
ed her in this costume.
A priest, sent by the public accuser, pre-
sented himself to offer the last consultations
ofreligion. ''rhank,' said she to him, those
who have had the attention to send You,
but need not your ministry. The blood !
have split, and my own which ] am about
to shed, are the only sacrifices ! can offer
the Eternal The executioner then cut off
her hair, bound her hands, and put on the
chemise des condazanes. This said she,
lis the toilette Of death, arranged by some
what rude hands, but it leads to immor-
tality'
She collected her long hair, looked at it
for the last time, and gave it to Madame
Richard. As she mounted the fatal cart,
violent storm broke over Paris, but the
lightning andran did not disperse the crowd
who blocked up the squares, the bridges
and the streets which she passed. Hordes
of women, or rather furies, followed her,
with the fercest imprecalion, but insensible
to these insults, she gazed on the populace
with eyes beaming with serenity and COM
passion.
The sky cleared up, and the rain, which
wetted her to the skin, displayed the exgui-
site symmetry of her form. like those Of a
leaving the bath. Her hands bound
behind her back, obliged her to hold up her
head. and this forced rigidity of the muscles
gave more fixidity to her attitude, and set
off the outlines of her figure. The rays of
the setting sun fell on her head and her
heightened by the red chemise
seemed of an unearlhly brilIiancy. Robes
pierre, Danton and Camille Desmoulins,
had placed themselves on her passage, TO
gaze on her; for all those who anticipated
assassination were curious TO study in her
features the expression of that fanatcism
which might threaten them on the morrow.
She resembled celestial vengeance appeased
and TRANSPORTED, and from time to time she
seemed to seek glance Of intelligence on
which her eye could rest. Adam Lux a.
waited the cart at the entrance of the Rue
ST. Honore, and followed it to the foot of
the scaffold 'He engraved in his heart to
quote his own words, 'lhis unutterable sweet
ness amid the barbarous outcries of the
crowd, that look SO gentle, yet penetrating
those vivid flashes that broke forth like burn
ing ideas from these bright eyes, in which
spoke soul as intrepid as tender. Charm
ing eyes, which should have melted stone.'
Thus an enthusiastic and unearlhly at
accompanied her, without her
knowledge, to the very scahold, and prepar-
ed to follow her, in hope of all eternal re-
union. The cart stopped and Charlotte at
the sight of the fatal instrument, turned pale,
but soon recovering herself, assembled the
scaffold with as light and rapid step as
the long chemise and her pinioned arms per-
mtted. When the executioner 10 bare her
neck, removed the handkerchief that cover
ed her bosom, this insult TO her modesty
moved her more than her impending death ;
then: turning to the guillotine she placed
herself under the axe. The heavy blade
fell, and her head rolled on The seaffold.-
One Of the assistants, named Legros, took
it in his hand and struck it on the cheek.
1t is said that deep crimson suffnsion over
spread The face, as though dignity and mo-
desty had for an instant lasted longer even
than life.
Such was the death of Murat; such were
the life and death of Charlotte Corday. In
the face of murder, history da'es not praise,
and in the face of herosm, dares not con-
denim her. The appropriations of such an
act places us in the terrible alternative of
blaming virtue or applauding assassination.
Like the painter who, despairing of render
ing the exp: ession Of mingled sentiment,
cast veil over the face of the figure, we