The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-11-14

the first degrees in the scale of civila
tion. His vigorous frame; his enor.
nous head. Augmented in bulk by a
lofty frizzled coifre his huge face,
indented with scars, and furrowed with
seams. from the effect of smallpox in.
judiciously treated in his childhood; his
piercing eyes. the reflection of the tn.
mulfuous passions at war within him
his mouth. whose expression indicated
in turn irony, disdain. Indignation. and
benevolence his dress, always care.
fully attended to. but in an exaggerated
style. giving him somewhat the air Of
a travelling charlaian decked out with
embroidery large frill. and ruffles; in
short, this extrsordinary-looking indi-
yidual astonished tho oouuury folks even
before he oeencd his mouth. But when
his sonorous voice was heard. and his
imagination heated by some interest
ing subject # conversation impaired a
high degree sf energy to his eloquence.
some of the worthy rustic hearers felt
as though they were in the presence Of
saint Others in that of devil: and
according to their several impressions.
they were tempted either to fall down
at his feet, or to exercise him by making
the sign Of the cross, and nttering
prayer
Seated in large antique armchair,
with his foot stretched ont on the floor,
Mirabeau often contemplated. with a
smile playing on his lips, those men
who seemed to belong to the primitive
ages; so simple. frank. and at the same
time clownish. were they in their man.
ners. He listened to their eonversa-
tions, which generally turned upon the
chase, the exploits of their dogs. or the
excellence of their horses. OF whose
breed and qualifications they were very
proud. Mirabeau entered freely into
their notions; took an interest in the
success OF their sporting projects: talk
ed, too, about crops; chestnuis. ofwhich
large quantities are produced in the
Limousin; live and dead stock; ameli-
orations in husbandry. and 90 forth
and he quite won the hearts of the COM
pany by his familiarity with the topics
in which they felt the most interest
and by his good nature.
This monotnnous life was, however.
wearisome TO Mi,abeau:
and in order to vary il. and for the sake
Of exercise. after being occupied for
several hours in writing. he was in the
habit Of taking a fowIing-piece. accord
ing to the custom of the country. and
putting book into his game-bag. he
nj MfpPpdIddr PpdIddr ffl3i ffli essqtj direction. He admired.
the noble forests of chestnut trees which
abound in the Limousin the vast mead
pws. where numerous her.ls Of cattle
Of a superior breed are reared, and the
running streams by which that pictu-
rescue country is intersected. He gen.
orally returned 10 the chateau long af-
ter sunset saying that night scenery
was peculiarly attractive TO him.
I, was during and after supper that
those conversations took place for which
supplied the principal and
most interesting materials. He pos
sessed the kuack Of provoking objec-
lions to what he might advance. in or
der to combat them as he did with
great force of logic and in energetic
language: and thus he gave himself
lessons in argument, caring little abou,
his auditory. his sole aim being to ex-
ercise his mental ingenuity and TO cul-
tivaie eloquence. Above all, he was
fond of discussing religious matters
with the cure Of the parish. Without
much latitudinarianism, he
disputed several points Ct doctrine and
certain preiensions Of the church 50
that the pastor could say but
little in reply. This astonished the Lii
gentry. who, up to that time.
had listened to nothing but the drowsy
discourses of their cures. or the SER
mons Of some obscure mendicant friars.
and who placed implicit faith in the
dogmas Of the church. The faith of a
few was shaken, but the greater num-
Der Of his hearers were very much
tempted to iock upon the visitor as an
e,nissAry Of Satan, sent to the chateau
b destroy them. The cure, however,
did not despair Of eventually convert
inr Mirabeau.
At this period several robberies had
taken place Z: no great distance from
the chateau; four or Eve iarsne had
been stopped shortly after nightfall on
their return from the market-iowns, and
robbed Of their purses. Not one Of
these persons had offered any resist-
ance, jos each preferred to make sa-
criice rather than run the risk Of .
in country fnll Of ravinsss
and covered with rank vegetation
very favorable . the expleits pf brig
anda who might b lying in wait 70
mas6acre any individual VINO mightre-'
sist the ono detachod from The band %
demand the travellers money OF his
life. These outrsses ceased TOT = short
time, but they s0ou reconmence I, and
the robbers remained undiscovered.
One evening, about M hour amer
sunset, . guest arrived IT the chateau.
He was one Of Co1nt du 6aillant's most
Ultimate friends, and was on his way
home from : nsighboring fair. This
eentlemau. appeared to Be very thoogha-
i'll, and spoke bot litfie, which sur
psised svsfy BODY. inasmuch as be was
Usually merry companion. His gas-