Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-01-06
THE PARIS MASSACRE.

The fARlS MASSACRE.
The accounts which are reaching this country
through the correspondence of Americans, who
were in Paris at the time of Napoleon's "coup
d'etat," show that tho measures by which no
established his authority may more properly be
termed a massacre than resistance to an organi-
zed opposition. The extracts which we give be-
low from the letter OF "New Yorker" published
in the Courier and Enquirer, give thrilling mar
! ration Of some OF the fearful scenes which he
witnessed He was in the streets at the time
the emueie commenced and was forced to take
refuge in the house of an asirologer. From the
window he saw what followed:
The strest presented singular spectacle
People were dragging along coupe and two or
| three carts; others carrying tables, benches and
| planks, and half dozen were shouldering long
ladder; but with all this there was little noise,
saving continual rapping at doors, which ere
| long reached our own, and then understood it to
| be demand for articles of furniture. My host
| looked round his scanty furnished chamber, aud
darling on wooden flap, which opened and shut
against the wall, he easily wrenched this from its
holdings and passed 1t out of the window, the
contribution was deemed sufficient. This course
| o! things continued all night and rather ncreas-
| ed than diminished towards morning and for
| some time after. 1t was my impression that bar
ricades were erecting both right and left, but if
| SO, they were out of reach of my view, and |
have not since learned that the fact was so.
The night was ANXIOUS but the shortest, think,
ever knew. Done | am sure slept but the children,
and Tiny friends were like myself, no one of us ielt
inclined to sleep. 1t must have been long after day
break when the House was fairly shaken by tremen.
dous discharge OF small arms and cannon, tar off
but on which side OF us could not tel. This con-
tnued for an hour it may be but had quite lost all
measure OF tme aud do not pretend to report with
certainty. Atilmes, the air was thick with smoke
The street was entirely deserted except that at inter-
walls failing combatant (of the people would sagger
along, slaunching his hurt with handkerchief or tum
bling into door that opened TO receive him. At last
there sesmed to be complete route, and people were
| flying along peH nell. l fixed my eye on comely
| young man in a dark frock but hatless with drawn
sword In his hand AS he ran he severed the straps
OF his scabbard and let it drop, then swinging sudden
y round cut desperately at two soldiers close behind
but before his arm came back, both bayoneis had
| pierced him. One poor fellow had good chance for
escape, but he tripped over something and fell on his
face-in twinkiDg, first and then two or three
marderers, with vertical aud repeated thrusts soon fin
ished his pain l was sick at the sight, but worse
was yet TO come. halt dozen soldiers it NAV be
| more, were dragging along poor wretch whose looks
and Cries seemed hopelessly TO AK for pity.
Arrived at lamp post his breast was quickly cross.
ed by strap or cord, which passing under the arm
pits was loosely tied above him. | am sure the least
effort on his part would have released hm-he made
none, but hung his head as if resigned A ruffian
then stepped out slowly and evenly, twelve PAGES
TO his 'front.' and with the air OF the parade first or
dered then ported his fre-lock-wheeIed to the rear
presented, took long aim, and fired doubt not with
suficIng effect Tor his comrades shouted out "Bravo
vlve Napoleon ~ could stand this no longer MOI
once only but several times, heard the shot and ac.
companylns shout the meaning of which [ now too
well knew. My host and hostess had long since re-
tired IRON the window, and even from the room. |
found them bathed in tears, and was quite ready to
cry myself at the earliest moment should find il use
tul to DO So meditated escape from the back part
OF the house, but checked by the thought how I'M
generous 1t was to desert friends who had generously
protected me. Platoons were now either firing into
the upper windows of houses, or breaking doors to
enter them. 10 my great delight found that, for
some unexplained reason, my hosts wishes conceded
with my own. He willingly gave me some unintel
sibe direction, and assisted me into unknewn ter
fio'y' beyond the bOu"dry Of his little yard
Alter walking perseveringly for some time, found
myself approaching the Boulevards, but the crowd
was encountering them at the very of the Cafe
de Paris, with which was so familiar | eIbowed
my way withredoubled energy, kept the walll close
to my right mounied the crowded steps and at last
reached the interior. There was an awful press
around the door, but the back of The room was less
crowded. | accosted one whom took to be wal
ter-iRdeed. recoleced his face when he had bee
acting in that capacity-and telling him that was
very hungry desired to have my wants supplied at the
earliest moment
He solcmny assured me that there was not enough
u,
garcons would be obliged TO consume the propretors
and then to demosh one another. The mans manner
was earnest, and certainly the matter serious TO
me. II was most fortunate for me that | had aresdv
entered the house; Tor now there commoiop at
the door, couple OF bayonets Jottcd aloag above the
crowd of heads and stern proclaimed the &C.
neras command, that the door of every house in the
street should be Instantly closed No one appeared
te resist the order, but there great effort made
by outside TO get within the doorway though
how many succeeded in this cannot say. Inow went
sto;r, ~ tbo nj Gpdip h.
chances OF seeing into the greater but ia bo
respects disappointed, for the room waa s. full as
below and the windows competelyablocked by peopl.
standing on chairs and tables, assembled a 81 cond
and, think, third story. only with the like result bur
at last, what seemed to be the top of the house
entered a which appeared to be occupied prnci-
pally by cooks walters, aad Other domest cs of the
establishment, and was OF overcrowdsd. Tntse peo.
pie presented droll spectacle But what was so Iu-
dcrous me, sesmed to strike them at all in that
light. Four or five had large French pillows fastened
10 the lore, and one large with velvet cheeks and
troundish limbs had tied himself TO ing feather
bed, by most Ingenious arrangement of tackling
AT times a. the feathers swagged too much below
his hands frightened or pulled at a rope behind and
Instantly like putting pigeon he sweled out under
the chin Another had his head buried in alcoa scut-
tle resting on the window Bill with holes pierced in its
bottom, through which he surveyed the with in
teres and apparently without danger; and yet another
held large fire shovel reversed, before him, over
the edge OF which his eyes peeped while his tongue
increasingly chartered behindit. had uninterrupted
View rom "iuaoW fas lar az my ewes Could reach
10 either direction, long line OF tool stretched aloue
each side pavement, each facing I'd the houses
across the way, while through the middle of The
street poured westward continuous stream of all
arms. Not civilian was to be seen below but every
window and balcony of every house was crowded
with people. All the time | had been in the house,
and even before had occasionally heard distant firing
but my attention not nty directed to it,
Now there were repeated shots on The Boulevard |
least officers assisted from their horses sew
eral soldiers falling down. and al one point another
considerable stir or disorder in the ranks Presently
there wns laundering voey, and the whole front Of
house far 10 the left Instantly cleared of speca-
ers. Again and agaia the sound rang in my ears,
aid several other houses cleared but still many
remained full as before. Suddenly nv companions
stared back, and while most of Them fell fiat on their
backs pressed against the wall inside Of The win.
dow. II was not a second too soon We heard vol
lev bepea h our feet tho crash of falling glass and