The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-11-27

seats bear the name Of Benches and Accused:
but behind them rises a third beside which
opens small door, and which is DISTINGUISH
ed by the frightful appellation of the Bench
of 1nfamy. In minor trials, this elevated
seat is occupied only by two gendarmes, who,
after having escorted their prisoners to the
entrance of the court, and delivered them
into the keeping of the proper officers, after
wards introduce themselves by the small door
already alluded to; but, in ait cases involving
life or the gaileys, they seat themselves on eli
ther side the cul prit, over whose every move
ment they keep scrupulous watch
10 complete the picture, it is only neces-
sary to add, that in the center of the platform
facing the President, and consequently with
Its back to the audience, was placed large
armchair, raised one step from the floor. and
appropriated to the witnesses; while four
ranges of enclosed benches formed the reserv-
ed seats, and shut in the dais. being them
selves separated from the main body of the
court by stout wooden partition, breast-hish
behind which all ingress is free, and is ac-
complishcd through separate door.
At the appointed hour, bell rang. and the
officers of the court entered and took their
seats. The President wore black cloak.
lined and edged with scarlet, and HIGH cap
OF black cloth, with scarlet sash about his
waist. The Procureur de la Rcpublique was
also robed in black, edged with white fur.
with blue sash, and two rows of broad silver
lace upon his cap; while the counsel for the
prSoner-a young and eloquent man, who
had volunteered to undertake her defence
wore Gown of black silk, and differed little
IN his appearance from a student at one of
our own universities.
After some examination of papers, and an
exhibition Of that by-play among the officials
winch appears to be the usual prclminar,
OF all legal investigations. second bell rauo
out Inc twenty individuals COMPOSING. the
I"'. "'rc cdiIed ana sworn and they had
no sooner entered the box. than the President
adjusted his >pectaclcs, and fell back in his
seat. The small ,loor-that which has been
'he ''""r oi doom to so many trembling and
ln>tce-tcaring criminals, and which is Doubt
lcSSll still tacd to afford incrc>s TO scores of
"thrrS-opcnch as noScle>>ly as though it
feared to drown the hcart-trob Of the wretch
ed woman who stood upon its threshold and
behind stalwart gendarme. entered a female
peasant with her head bowed upon her bosom
followed in her turn hy a second armed ,,u,r
dian-
1t is not my purpose to excite false svm-
path!y, by describing the prisoner as one of
those fair beings whose personal beauty is
adapted TO di>arm Justice by captiyatipo tho
pity of its ministers but NAV. nevertheless
be permitted to remark that her appearance
t',,'SS''l-' anu mat 1t was
o.,,or o;r,,,,,,..o.,,. = V '''"'' '''''Fr
70 ,t,r,ot no.;aa 9, " ''''' ''"' nave Iai'cd
,boroh har s,a.,,uo va" '''"- "hd' al
NV" S"oieh from
r'"-' '','' ''et complexion al
,ou,a,. ,u,-. INV '"N'r'ahc" OF
|, ''''- ''>'''S "v "hlch
her eyes were shaded, the extreme ncatnesS
OF her dress, and the remarkable. aItbonob
somewhat redundant svr,r,otr, oc.oc
could not bo n,ssoa ' '-"'''
S' '''' without remark As
"o '''f'i'eo upon 'he bench. IN obedience to
.he gesture OF one OF her guardians. her head
'P'" "'i "'''"h ana she covered
~ '','o WIFI her handkerchief, which was
''rea's S'eeped with tears.
A"ere was momentary hush throughout
the crowded court, interrupted ONLY bv the
lS !, Vi papers, or the occasional heavy
,o' u '"e prisoner; and then the voice of the
,es'uehe oroke cold!y and harshlv upon the
.Acc,sod st,n,
He was obeve5 bnt ..;,,.ho
were hidden by tho fr;or,u, 1ann,.c 't'AS
aRemovo vorr b,n1 Co.,. ~ = - ''',
IN vour head ana .n.,. ,,' ''''-loD'
The hand was v;th1n,ma M .,
but onIr G., ,aon'''. Nv =, ''a' raised
roo,tory wa. ro.um,o1 ''''' '''O'' '''' inter-
What is your name ;"
'Rosalie Marie -"
,,I our age
aYnnr c,,Iu IIGuo ', years
..IIv:r 20