The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-22

End where these waters roar,
Like human life on a trackless beach,
With boundless sea befOref
Prom Lsmartine's History Of the Girondlsts
Trial and Execution Of Charlotte Csrday.
When she was seated on the bench Of the
prisoners, she was asked If she had de-
fender. She replied that friend had I'M
dertaken this Office, but not seeing him, she
supposed his courage had failed him. The
president then assigned her the young Chau-
veau Lagsrde, s(terward illustrious by his
defence Of the Queen, and already famous
for his eloquence and courage in causes
and times when the advocate shared the per-
il Of his client. Chauveau Lagarde placed
himself at the bar. Charlotte gazed on
him, as though she feared lest, to save her
life, her defender would abandon some part
Of honor.
The widow Of Msrat wept while giving
her evidence. Charlotte, moved by her grief,
exclaimed
Yes, yes-'twas | that killed him.
She then related the pTemeditation Of the
act for three months; her project Of stab
bling him in the Convention; and the rlISe
i confess, said she, with humility, that
this means was unworthy Of me; but il was
necessary to appear to esteem this man, in
order to obtain access to him.
WHO inspired yea with this hatred Of
Maralr she was asked.
i did not need the hatred of any one
else she replied. my own was sufficient
besides. you always execute badly that
which YOU have not devised YOURSELF
What did you hate in him?
His crimes.
what did you hope to effect by killing
him.
'Restore peace TO my country.
DO you, then, think that you have assss-
snated all the MaratsP
Since he is dead, perhaps the Others will
tremble'
The knife was shown her, that she might
recognise it. She pushed il from her with
gesture Of disgust.
Yes replied she; Il recognise it,
What persons did you visit at Caenf
Very Few; | saw Larue, a municipal Of
hcer, and the Cure OF Saint jean
did you confess 10 a conforming OF non
juring PriestP
Neither one nor the other.
Since when had you formed this design"
Since the 31st Of Nav, when the depu-
ties Of the people were arrested. have
killed one man TO save hundred thousand.
] was a republican long before the RevOlu-
ton.
Fauchet was confronted with her.
Il only know Fauchet by sight said she, |
disdainfully. i look on him as a man de-
void Of principles; and desPise him.
The accuser reproached her with having
dealt the fatal stroke downward, in order 70 |
render II more certain, and observed that she |
must doubtless have been well exercised in
crime. At this suggestion, which destroyed
all her ideas, by assimilating her to probes
sed murderers, she uttered cry OF horror.
oh, the monster exclaimed she, 'he
takes me for an assassin
Fouquier Tinville summed up, and de- /
manded that sentence Of death should be pas
sed.
Her defender rose. The accused said |
he, 'confesses her crime, she avows its long
premeditation, and gives the most overwhel-
ming details. Citizens, this is her whole
defence. This impedurbable calm and en-
tire forgetfulness Of SELF which reveals no
remorse in presence OF death-this calm,
and this lorgetlulness, sublime in one point
OF view, is not natural: they can only be
explained by the excitement Of political "a
nsticisn, which placed the poignard in her
hand. Ii is for you to decide what weight
50 stern lanaticism should have in the bal
ance Of justice. leave all to your con-
sciences
The Jury unanimously sentenced her to
die. She heard their verdict unmoved; and
the president having asked her if she had
anything to say relative to the punishment
inflicted on her, she made no reply; but turn
ing TO her defender, Monsieur said she.
you have defended me as wished to be de-
Tended; ! thank you; owe you proof OF :
my gratitude and esteem, and | offer you
one worthy Of you. These gentlemen
(Pointing to the Judges have just declared
my property confscated; owe something s
in the prison, and bequeath to you the pay {
meni OF this debt IL
During her examination, she perceived I
painter engaged in taking her likeness y
without intenupting the examination, she i
smIilngly turned towards the artist, in order a
that be might the better see her features.-Iv
She thought Of immortality, and already sat
for her portrait to immortality. "a
Behind the painter stood young man, K
whose fair hair, bloc eyes and pale complex. e
ION marked him for a native OF the North. u
HIS eyes were rveted on the prisoner; and Il
at each reply ne shuddered and changed col b
Or. He seemed 10 drink IN her words. and SC
TO associate himself, by gesture, attitude and Ii
enthusiasm, with the sentiments she expires o.
sed. Unable. frequently. TO repress his emo b
lon, he drew to himself. by involuntary ex- CO
'lsmstions, the attention Of the audience es
md Of chario'is Cofdsy. Al the moment d