The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-04-09

FIVE sioe AJisceiiaoy.
4 FRENCH CRIMINAL COrRT.

IktNiH tklnlNAl tUlk
From Miss PARpoE's late work we
extract the following graphic scene in
French Criminal Court:
At the appointed hour, bell rang,
and the officers Of The court entered and
took their seats The President wore
n black cloak, lined and edged wlhSa
scarlet sash about his waist. The Pro-
cureur de Ia Rcpublique was also robed
in black edged with white fur, with a
blue sash, and two rows of broad silver
lace upon his cap while the counsel for
the prisoner--a young and eloquent
man, who had volunteered 10 undertake
her defence wore gown Of black silk,
and differed little in his appearance from
a student at one Of our universities.
After some examination Of papers,
and an exhibition Of that by-play among
the officials appears to be the usual pre-
liminary Of all legal investigations, a
second bell rang out. The twenty in
disiduals composing the jury were called
and sworn; and they had no sooner en-
tered the box, than the President ad-
insted his spectaclcs, and fell back in
his seat. The small door-that which
has been the door Of doom TO so many
trembling and iustice-fearing criminals,
and which is doub,lessly still iated to
afford ineress to scores Of others-open.
ed as noisclessly MS though ii feared to
drown the hearl-ihrob of the wrciched
woman who stood upon its Threshold
and, behind stalwart eendarme, enter
ed a female peasant with her head bow
ed upon her bosom, followed in her turr
by second armed guardian.
1t is not my purpose to excite false
sympathy, by describing the prisoner a
one ofthosc fair beings whose persona
beauty is adapted to disarm justice b!
captivating the pity of its ministers; bu
| may, nevertheless, be permitted to re
mark that her appearance was singular
Iy prepossessing, and that il was eas,
TO decide at the first glance, that, unde
other circumstances, she could not hay'
failed to attract notice. She was young
and although her features were nos
swollen from incessant weeping, an
her complexion almost purple from emo
ton, the luxuriance Of her pale brow
hair, the long lashes by which her eye
were shaded, the extreme neniness o
b her dress, and the remarkable, thong
somewhat redundant, symmetry of he
figure, could not be passed over wiihou
remark. A. she dropped upon III
bench, 80 obedience 10 the gesture {
one Of her guardians, her head fell heat
ily upon her bosom, and she coyere
her face with ber handkerchief, whic
= was already STEPPED with tears.
% There was momcnlary hush through
oul the crowded court. interrupted onl
, by the ruslliug Of papers or the occ'
sional heavy sob Of the prisoner; az
then the yoice Of the Presiden, brol
ooldly and harshly upon the silence.
Accused, stand up"
lie was obeyel bat slill the burniI
& cheeks were hidden by the friend
handkerchief
Remove your hand from your "a
hold up your head-aud answer me
The hand was Withdrawn, the he'
raised, bot only for moment, and ID,
the inierrogstory was resumed.
What Is your name
Rosalie Marie --"
Your age Z"
"Twenty-four years"
. Your calling
Wifi of Bap'i,te ---, farmer
q assisted him on bic farm"
=. ~ An able assistant p remarked /
as' Proeufeur sarcasiicaiiy 10 ihe Preside
who replied by quie smile.
Az yua aware n ihe crime of uh
sos afc accused ?"
The answer uas ,io'cu, passl0a
~ iear
.s 81 l1En," .aid tle cold voice
'- GreGlcr, mad abe areu,aiioH"
This formidable doesmeni. lasoi
ii,o yeoass-re.i.d dra~n aP On sbe .
= b. ne mayor Il ihe village amid
Astnr 49,. Il fl.r Fra. tet hFtl 1
Rosalic, having been hlrcd - grn'
servant by the irolrlears - "a
- - f-.rIn. the ioini property a aH aged d
AL A,s si,icF. hai cueugsl lhs ~
-7- t..os a be- masi9rs san. she. nut
." fi..t d. o.at'A "a i,slarr be- g. rti
his rsssin ef-la rsfIrr frrr-. tsi d