Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-09-17

drowned in the popular clamor or silenced un-
der the blade of the guillotine. But for one of
those wicked men the day of retribution was at
hand. In remote province Of France, lived a
young woman named Charlotte Corday de Ar
mus. With exquisite charms of person, she u
nited rare courage and dauntless spirit. Her
lover was an officer in the garrison of Caen, and
she naturally watched the movements OF the pat
riots with intense interest. She often thought
Of the time when peace should once more come
to her beloved France-when, the scenes Of dis
quiet and bloodshed ended, her lover would re-
turn to the quiet Wales of their native province,
to make her happy. But her fond hopes were
crushed, and her long cherished joys blighted
by his death. Being suspected OF treason by
Marat, one of the hated trumvirate, he was as
sassinated and by this act of cruelty, Marat
brought upon himself the merited vengeance of
a wronged and desperate woman, and sealed his
own doom. When Charlotte Corday was told
of the brutal murder of her lover, her cheek did
not flush, nor her voice falter, but the combined
emotions of love and patriotism, gave birth to a
new feeling within her, and thenceforth her res
oution was fixed, at once to avenge the death
of her betrothed, and to rid the land of one of
its tyrants, though in so doing she should sacri-
flee her own life. Without asking advice or
coniding her plans to any one, she conceived
an idea-bold as to its desgn-patriotc as to
it's aims, yet criminal as to its means. Seeking
pretence for visiting Paris alone and unfriend-
ed, she went to the metropolis and took lodg-
ngs in the same street with Marat Her first
act was to purchase knife selecting it with
great care and now that she possesses the in
strument of her revenge, and is in the immediate
vicinity of her victim, does she hesitate at the
fearful step she is about to take! Does she fall
ter and shrink from the execution Of her cher
ished purpose? Not SO. Feeling herself one
step nearer her object, her heart beats freer, she
moves with firmer step, and feels almost sure
of success; and if successful does she not quail
at the certain doom which she knows will await
her! Not for moment does hesitation or fear
come over her spirit, nor does she rush on in the
blindness of desperation. All her movements
are marked by calmness and loftiness OF pur-
pose. Having addressed a note to Marat, stat
ing that she had important intelligence to CON-
municate relative to a conspiracy at Caen, she
was soon admitted to his presence. in his private
apartments. When she had related to him the
details of the conspiracy, and revealed the names
of those implicated, he replied to her. his coun-
tenance flushed with exultation, "To-morrow
they shall be guilotined." These words nerv-
ed Charlotte to strike the fatal blow. Instant
ly drawing the dagger from her bosom, and sum-
moning all her strength she plunged it into the
tyrant's heart. Then bending over him with
scornful looks, she said, "To.morrow thou shalt
be testing the reward of thy crimes" The deed
was now done-the object of her vengeance, and
as she believed, her country's worst foe, lay at
her feet in the agonies of death. But his dying
groans soon brought his attendants and confed-
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wrought by Charlotte's hand, their fury knew
no bounds; in an instant she was trodden un-
der foot, and her immediate execution was de-
manded. A speedy trial and condemnation fol-
lowed, but through it all she betrayed not sin
gle sigh of fear. With perfect composure she
replied to the questions put to her, and spoke
of the deed she had done, as duty she owed
to her country Four days after the death of
Marat, this heroic girl was conducted to the gull
lotine. As she passed through the gazing crowd,
eager to get sight of the woman who had dared
to assassinate the triumvir-jeers and SCOTS, in
sulting taunts and ribald jests assailed her, but
when they saw her pale but serene countenance
and the lofty expression she wore, admiration
took the place of hatred, and plying eyes fol-
lowed her to the place of death.
As meteor shooting across the sky glows
with more intense brilliancy the darker the night
and vanishing from sight, leaves its mysterious
pathway, illuminated by track of light so the
character of Charlotte Corday bursts upon us,
from the gloomy night of horror which sur
rounds the history of the Revolution, and shines
with brighter lustre, on the dark sky of tyran-
ny. Suddenly she appears before us, quickly
performs the one great Decd which renders her
name immortal, and is soon lost to us forever.
Lost! no-her name and her memory leave a
track oflight clear and lustrous, which will long
shine on the world as a warning to tyrants; for
as long as the Reign of Terror is remembered,
the name of Charlotte Corday will not be for
gotten; and although we may call her deed a
crime, we cannot withhold our admiration OF the
unsefish patriotism and the noble spirit of self
sacrifice, which, while they brought her to the
scaffold, stamp her the true heroine
Daily Wisconsin.
DIR. Reid, traveller through the highlands of
Peru, found lately in The desert of Atacama,
Al 4 = L