Litchfield enquirer., 1849-06-21

himself mn IN bis room, often passing the
dav without food, and the night without
sleep. To complete all, an unfortunate
nassion added to his excitement; he fell |
n love with the daughter of one OF his
neiOhbors. She, however, soon grew
tired of the young author, was inconsis-
tent to him, and did not even allow him
the consolation of a doubt. During a
whole year, the anguish of the poor
dreamer was more bitter from conceal
ment. At length, one day, he saw the
absuldity of his despair, and passing from
one extreme to the other, gave himself
up to every kind Of excess. His reason
fed, and taken to the Bicetre IN a raging
fit, he remained confined for twelve years
in the dark cell where Pinel found him
finging about his chains with violence.
This mailman was more turbulent than
dangerous, and, incapable of understand
ing the good intended to him, it was ne
cessary to employ force to loosen his irons.
Once he felt himself at liberty, he COM
menced running round and round the
courty ard, until his breath failing, he fell
down quite exhausted This excitement
continued for some weeks, but unaccom-
panied by violence, as formerly. The
kindness shown to him by the doctor and
the especial interest he took in the inva-
lid, soon restored him to reason. I'm
fortunately, he was permitted to leave
the asylum and return to the world, then
in such a state of excitement; he joined
the political factions Of the day, with all
the vehemence of his passions, and was
behesded on the 9Th Thermidor.
Pinel entered the fourth cell. 1t was
that Of Chevinge, whose liberation was
one of the mostmemorable events of that
day.
Chevinge had been soldier Of the
French Guard, and had only one fault
that of drunkenness. But once the wine
mounted into his head, he grew quarrel
some, violent and most dangerous, from
his prodigious strength. Frequent ex-
cesses caused his dismissal from his corps
and he soon squandered his scanty re-
sources. At length shame and misery
plunged him in despair, and his mind be-
came affected. Heimagined that he had
become general, and fought all who did
not acknowledge his rank. 1t was at the
termination of mad scene of this kind
that he was brourht to the Bicetre in a
state of fury. He had been chained for
ten wears, and with stronger letters than
his companions, for he had often succeed
ed in breaking his chains by the mere force
of his hands. Once, in particular, when
by this means he had obtained few mo-
ments of liberty, he deied all the keep
ers together to force him to return to his
cell, and only did so after compelling them
top pass under his uplifted leg.
This inconceivable act of prowess ne
performed ON the eight men who were
trying to master him. From henceforth
tioc0fo.--'-Alsy l>~a4zaa- proYerb at the
Pinel discovered that good disposition.
lay hidden beneath violence of character
constantly Kept excited by cruel treat
ment. On one occasion, he promised tc
ameliorate his condition, and this promise
alone had greatly tranquilized him. Pine
now ventured to announce to him that he
should no longer BE- forced to %earo J biz
6dence in you,' said he, 'and that con-
slider you to be man capable of doing
good, you shall assist me in releasing
these unfortunate individuals who do not
possess their reason like you. Ifyou con-
duct yourself properly, as have cause
to hope you will, shall then take you
into my service, and you shall not leave
me-
Never in the mind of man was there
seen so sudden or complete change;
the keepers themselves were forced to re-
spect Cheyinge from his conduct. No
sooner was he unclaimed than he became
docile, attentive, watching every move
ment OF Pinel, so as to execute his orders
dexteriously and promptly, addressing
words of kindness and reasons TO those
lunatics with whom he had been on a le-
vel but a few hours previously, but in
whose presence he now felt the full dig
nifty of liberty. This man, who had been
unhumanized by his chains during the
best seven years of his life, and who
doubtless would have dragged on this
agonizing existence for length of time,
became at once model of good conduct
and gratitude. Frequently, in those Pc
Tilous times he saved Pinel's life and one
day, amongst others, rescued him from
band Of ruffians, who were dragging him
off a Ia Ianterne, as an elector of 1889.
During threatened famine, he every
morning left the Bicetre, and never re-
turned without provisions. which at that
moment was unpurchasable even for gold.
The remainder Of his life was but one con-
tinued act of devotion to his Elevator.
Next room to Chevinge, three unfortu-
nate soldiers had been in chains for years,
without any one knowing the cause of
this rigor. They were generally quiet
and inofensive. speaking only to each
other, and that in a language unintelligi-
hlA tn the rAsf of the nrisona~s Tbev