Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-09
WHOLE NO. 43e.


dents decision he spoke and wrung concession
even from his enemies. .sh ~
1t was an eventful morning, FIVE times he spoke,
or rather thundered, and as often triumphed.--
Never had he seemed so grand, never had he
been SO imperious and never had he proved him
self more perfectly to be the greatest mind in
France. H.. .-Feea,B45
But even that scene of triumph was only part
of his dying agonies. To all human endurance
there is limit, and now Mirabeau was carried
faintng and dying to his own house. The dema-
gogues of the Convention had crouched before the
lion for the last time.
Paris had never felt an event like this "The
great Mrabeau is dying!" rang from lip to lip
Business and amusement were suspended. The
populace allowed no carriage to rumble over the
stone pavement, lest it would disturb him, Those.
men were in tears, and spoke in whispers. =.
5"Who will defend us now that Mirabeau is dy-.
ng!" was the agonized question of one man.
sWho will give US bread now?" asked another,
fully believing this man to be the dispenser of
food ...-~.,t,
"Who will cut off the heads of those aristo,
Gratis, who are sucking out the blood of France!"
asked another with clenched teeth, as he remem-
bered Mirabeau's apostrophes, which had shaken
the privileged classes as earthquake. It was
wonderful spectacle. The streets were crowd
ed with anxious mHlttudes, silently and teaEfully
awaiting the issuing bulletins announcing the
progress of the death struggle. MI Il sr.l7 .
But look! yonder is strange sight! The King
of France has sent special messenger, of noble
birth, to inquire after the health of Mirabeau.-
The crowd gave way, and for once felt grateful to
Louis for feeling so much for their favorite. The
messengers of the convention stood, with one
from the King, at the door of DEATH Prostitutes
and the lowest of the Partisan mob, mingled with
the hgh-born and the great before the house in
which Mirabeau was dying. Scarcely could
greater tribute have been levied on the affections
of that populous city.
The over wearied giant fallen down to die, was
as great in death as an Atheist libertne could be-
Look at this man, the victim corroded to dissolu-
tion by his own execrable vices, and from that
scene let these words of his take their emphasis.
1t was the last time Dumont saw him, and he
flung his arms around the neck of his friend, and
exclaimed in an agony of weepings ts,L55s.a
81 would pass through furnace heated seven
times to purify the name of Mirabeau! But for
this name so polluted, all France would be at my
feet.' r- ....., .-..;....4 .sla.G
Ponder that exclamation, ye corrupt libertnes
in high places; it is aphorism of wisdom dstill-
ed from the experience of the greatest of such as
you.
"In this, the end of my glory" said Mirabeau,
81 would restore France, but life is going out,
yes going out forever!' ~s.i e.fs1
Talleyrand stood by him. Mirabeau gazed up
| 20 ofh h;.;r
portance at this crisis, and yet with mournful
conviction that all was over. a-,s - ~ @
"My friend" said he to Talleyrand, 81 carry
with me the lost shreds Of monarchy. In my
heart carry the death-dirge of the French mon
archy: the dead remains of it will be spoils for
the factions. re ..fle4
His feet had lost feeling, and death was creep
ing on slowly up to the seat of life. Suddenly
the peal OF distant cannon was heard, and start
ing up, he exclaimed magnifcently: s-r q-r,
i "What, have we the funeral of Achilles al
ready!" Truly, as Talleyrand said: t.eel -ai
i "Mrabeau's death was drama, the principal
actor in which had never failed to act his part in
the grandest style!' . Ie ad5 @
/ His companion raised him in bed, and support
ed his head. His bodily anguish was forgotten
moment, as he SAID: "a
eyes, support that head, it is the greatest In
France. Would could will it to your ,.
He seemed to feel that Europe would exult over
his death. "Iwoud have given Pitt some trouble,
but now he will do as he lists'' There was much
in his self complacent words.
! A Roman Catholic Priest offered bis services
to Mirabeau, who declined them with jest
"I would gladly accept your offer, but have
f been shrven by your ecclesiastical superior, my
Lord Bishop of Autun!' alluding to Talleyrand
who had been with him. a....
8 Death was near and he said to those about him,
, come my friends sprinkle me with perfumes, and
crown me with flowers that may thus enter up
on eternal sleep"
His agony of body was so great as to master
even his own resolution, and looking at his physi-
+ clans; he said passionately,
s'I wish to sleep, give me opium to make me
< sleep!' s.. +,
A moment more he was dead. His physician,
like true Atheist, said, he felt for the pulse,
"he will suffer no more!'' I've
> Was it so!
Paris was wild with grief, and did this mans
remains such honors as no Emperor ever had. A
hundred thousand followed his body to the Pan
theon, dedicated by "France to great men," -..i
:, The gloomiest predictions of Mirabeau were
!. fulfilled, and soon the reign of Terror began.
, A COOP Ru1E.-A man who is very rich now,
| was very poor when he was a boy, When asked
how he had got his riches, he replied, bfy father