The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-17
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
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Translated the Unioal
This morning the Sire de Montbazon left his castle al
early hour, attended by his whole retinue His lord
ship was mouated upon white charger bore his
hawk upon his wrist, and ared became his rank
IN his family colors OF red and blue His attendants OF
every grade, dressed in the livery Of the house of Mont
bazon rode after him until they reached place called
/" The Table OF Stone" where they dlsmounted and the
chief alone took his seat.
A gentleman who held his lands as a yassal of the
Sire de Montbazon was the first 10 approach He pre-
scented himself without sword spurs with his head bare
and his hands joined and kneeed al the feet OF his lord
ship, who, casping his hands in his own, repeated to
him the following oath OF fealty You acknowledge
yourself our bounden yassa in virtue of the by
which you hold your castle and you swear TO God,
upon your personal faith. that you will serve us as
vassa with your life, and TO the DEATH against all who
oppose sovereign lord The King alone excepted"
To this the gentleman having answered do so solemn
ly swear his lordshp kissed him upoa the mouth raised
him. and directed that the act Of homage should be regis
tered.
Next came gentleman and his son, who petilioned
for the privilege of exercising judicial rights the
peasanry on the western part of their estates, which
they held under his ordshp that power having been al
ready conceded TO them relation TO the portion
This request involving the sovereignty large body
of tenantry, the Sire de Montbazon was graciously
pleased TO grant
To another gentleman who, upon his knees presented
petition of different character his lordshp made this
reply Since you think the situation of your dwelling
is somewhat exposed, willing that you should forth
fy with trench, curtain walls. and turrets for look
OUTS but towers SPIRES and above all, no donjon
keep"
The gentry having had their audience the Sire de
Montbazon made sign that the crowd of villagers laden
with provisions and supplies who had heretofore stood
al "A should In hriaf
space of time the whole vicinity covered with offer
ings OF corn, wine, fowls, hams butter eggs, wax
honey vegetables fruits, cakes and bouquets of flowers
which the etainers of the Chateau Monbazon as speed
lily removed, and left the ground free for the tenantry
who surrounded his lordship, and testified their humility
by the most ludicrous grimaces and genufections Still
another offering 10 be made howeverone to which
the great noble was entitled by segnoral right and one
which sometimes valued above all others bash
full country girl who simpered and blushed as she was
led forward, presented TO his ordship for his own
USE In the present instance the damsel was no great
beauty, and the Sire de Montbazon, apparently to the
great disappointment Of all present. herself included said
to her, with laugh, "Go away, my good girl I've no
occasion for your services" Then commenced the per-
Torrance OF the petty acts OF homage by which the viii
layers held their little efs. One kissed the key of the
great gate of the CASTLE another the hem of his ordshps
doubel the rosee OF his shoe; some presented their
ears noses to the Major Domo be lightly pulled or
their cheeks 10 receive gentle buffet When all this
was over, the Sire pronounced their acquitlance and
ordering them to form in close order around him. adj
dressed them follows:
my friends have this year received too much money
from you on some accounts, and not enough others
You have paid too much in the shape of fines for bad con-
duct and breach Of the laws, and too little of your rents
This must not be so another time You know me-you
know my power beware Those OF you who are arti-
sans and pay your dues in work. have done toleraby
we there several dresses for my pages yet to be
finished, and my household has been very lily supplied
with boois." Monsegneur" replied poor man by the
name of Simon, the iaors and cordwaners have
worked faithfully all the time required of them. II we
cannot supply your ordshps household fully they
WISH is il possible that they their clothes
and boots faster than is necessary" "That is worth
nqurng into" returned his lordship "Do your duty
however and leave the rest to me-. Then. addressing
tie assembly anew he continued " have reason, ALSO
to complain that when my rumpeis sound to arms, you
do not take the field readily you ought This as
well as your remissness IN paying your rents, is a very
great fault, Another thing you let too much OF your
lands lie allow, instead OF cultvang them with gran
you ought for your benefit and my own. Now, these
evils must be remeded; and il you do not correct them
shall have to do it for you. II you do not turn more
promptly for military service, I'll put you under martial
law and subjec, you TO military punishment. " you do
no, pay your rents I'll seize your goods and pay myself
II you lei your lands lie faow I'll take them away from
member this and bear in mind that if give you lands
and protect yon in the occupation Of them, you
in return faithful service and strict obedience the which,
if you do not willingly and cheerfuy render. will
at the edge Of the sword"
Dlsmssing the ienan,ry with this plthy exordium, the
Sire de Montbazon then gave audience TO the seris
farm.laborers 10 whom he much more gracious,
they formed the rank and he Of his forces, with which
he baved his enemies, dominated his neghbors, and
coerced his tenants Individual cases then attended
TO, and applications for favor heard and decided.
youth approached and made an humble obelsance
Do YOU belong 10 " said bis orlsbip "I belong TO
burgher Of yours, Monseigneur," the reply. my
master has given permission 10 enter the church; but
as he is vassa OF yours need your consent ALSO and
have come mos, humby 10 petition for it," Examine
him little and zee what he knows" said The Sire de
Montbazon. turning TO me. | accordingly put several
questions TO him upon The liberal arts which he
so imperfec,ly that his odshp interrupted me-
and remarked to the applicant with smile; You are
no, fit for priest; get you we-get you wlie-you
find il much more amusing, and am sure II will be more
profitable than having your head shaved and taking the
vows" Willing to give the poor fellow chance, has
tened 10 examine him upon matters better suited TO his
comprehension, and for long time he answered very
satisfactorily At last the Sre tired OF hearing chat
ter Latin, exclaimed THAT will do the church needs
hell ringers as well as learned doctors, and you
stou, fellow you may be suited 10 the former capacity u
no, 10 the latter Go to my notary and tell him to draw
up my consent in form then bring II TO me and her lady
ship, and will put our seals TO IT,"
family Of serfs TO be divided between him and
one OF his higher vassals There were belonging TO two