Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-14
MONDAY MORNING, JUNE

| me IntO ule mysteries OF the association Wflch
| the prisoners had set on foot for purpose of re
| lieving the iedium Of confinement and for ban
ishlng the gloomy shadow of speedy and cer-
tain death impending over the major part of
them. He informed me that We we're at lib
erty either to take our meals in common at the
general table in the saloon where we then
| We're. or 10 withdraw with our several messes
| 10 our own cells; but that no gentleman who
| could not show cheerful countenance, under
the peculiar circumstances of the case, was ex
pected to make his appearance either at din
ner or supper. or. indeed. in the saloon at
all, save for the purpose of periodical exer-
else. He argued that dcle ted and sorrow ful
face, though ii might be allowed in the case
of a solitary prisoner, was clearly an offence a
gai.,st he whole assembly each of whom having
his own burden to bear, was emitted TO at
least as good an example of courage ns he
could furnish himself; and that upon those
grounds they had come 10 the understanding.
which was perfectly we'll known and acted
upon among them, that those who had not sut
ficient or,itude 10 oppose asnie to the sco~ |
Of Fate should con6ne their sorrows to theiro own
cabins, and not disturb the enjoymeu,s, short
lived as they were, nor unsettle the constancy
lection. He added that if could collduce to
the amusement Of their circle by any means.
no matter how, should be regarded in the
light Of "A beneiactor; that they had music. pub
lie debates md dramatic representations, though
without scenery or appropriate dresses;and that
IN all or any IF these amnsements, i might
take part if chose, and might feel sure
of their candid appreciation Of my endea
vors. He then. " th the utmost sang fro,d
gave me to understand that their first violla
would that morning leave them. though he
would give them a parting cavatlna hcfo'e he
mounted the tumbrll, which would call on its
way to the guillotne about twelve O'clock
Fifteen other gentlemen of their community
We're bound on the same voyage; they were
liable to such deductions from their social
circle. he was sorry to say-and he shrugged
his shoulders-on occasions far too frequent
for their repose, but then they were instant
ly receiving fresh additions, and their number
was generally very nearly if not quite CON-
plete. He told me that among the twenty or
thirty gentlemen conversing so cheerfully at
the next table, seven would die that morning,
and apologized for not pointing out the parric-
ular indi, iJuals. on the score of ,,s being hard
ly polite to do so.
was perfectly horriGel at the communica
ton of my volube companion. Though ltv-
Ing 50 long IN the very centre and focus OF
revolution. had kept SO carefully clear OF the
terrible drama which had been acting
and had been so wrapped up in my own con-
Germs. that was altogether unprepared for
the recog iton of such state of feeling on
the subject of certain, sudden. and murderous
death, as now found existing around me. 1t
required all the courage and seifcontrol was
master OF TO repress the natural exclamation,
of dlsmay that arose to my lips. ! thanked
my new friend for his courtesy. expressed my
determination not to appear in the social circle
at any time when my spirits were not up to
the mark. and bowling tremendously, with
drew to my own cell To ruminate alone upon
what had heard. You may imagine what
passed in my mind. | had been religiously
educated in Protestant country; had never.
even in France. neglected the daily duties Of
religion. had knelt. morning and evening,
from my earliest childhood. to my fathers
God; and had devoutly sought the special
direction of his providence both in taking the
step which led me to Paris in the first instance.
and in that which had fixed me there " hen my
partners had fled in apprehension of calamity
The idea OF death had been 10 me always ore
OF unmingled solemniiy; and the thought Of
opposing laughter and merriment to the grim
| aspect Of the grisly king was ahhorrent to my
Imagination. | remained all lhe morning in
my cell, prey 10 miserable and and anxious
thought. herad the cavatina played with
frmness and brilliancy by the musician who
knew to certainty that within an hour he
would be a headless corpse. heard the tum
bril- drive up to, the door which was TO convey
sixteen of my fellow prisoners to feed the
dnpping-axe. l saw them defle pass my cell
as the gaoler checked them off IN his list, and
heard him respond gayiy to the "Bon voyage"
of their companions ere they departed in the
fatal cart which was to carry them "ou, OF the
world"
There is. however, force in circumstances
strong enough to overcome the habits and in
stincts Of lifetime l had not been a month
in the Luxembourg before the idea of death
by ,iolencc. once so terrible and appalling, began
to assume very different aspect in my mind
o ir society consisted of above a hundred in
munber.and the majorpart them,incarcerated
for political offences. were but in the position
Of losers in game in which they had played
the stake oflife for the chance of pow er. They
paid the penalty as readily and as recklessly
as they had played the game; and the specta-
Gle which their fate presented 10 my view,
though it never reconciled me to their repul
sive Indifference to the importance Of life, yet
gradually undermined my own estimate of It's
value. Every means Of amusement that could
be thought of was resorted to for DIVERSION
Plays were acted night after night, the fe-
male characters being personated by the
youngest Of the party in robes borrow ed from
the wardrobe of the gaoer's wife. Concerts
we're got up, and the songs Of all nations were
| sung with much taste 10 the accompaniment of
the lutte in the hands of an old professor. who.
II afterwards came out, had been imprisoned
by mistake because he bore the name ofan of.
fender. Gard parties sat down to play every
evening; and men would continue the game.
and deal the card with steady hand. though
they heard their names called over in the list
of those who were to grace the guilloiine on
the morrow. 1t was rare that executions FOL.
lowed on two successive days; there was often.
indeed. a respite for fortnight together; but
noticed with shudder. that whenever the cells
were all occupied. an execution. and usually
of large number, speedily followed.
Months passed away. was unhappy be-
yoad expression. from the " ant of sympathy
and Of occupation. had been allowed to re-
crive box of clothes and linen from nv resi-
dence aud my servant had put few English
hooks into the box. with design to relieve