Litchfield enquirer., 1856-09-04
Rovixnan, tho Jeguit.

A Ii
 frs,sflur TX Ravignan, the champion of the s<fe..,st. TIT immense influence in the Fsub0ufg ss R Gsrn.in he is one of the aristocfacy him .s,e srd was for many years one of the leaders .r s.sh;on and dissipation in that aristocratic S,.rter. He has given an account of his call sc rroce and of the origin of the resolution to stsrdon the pomps and sanities of the world, ssr sha hard and laborious life he has since led. "r was stAnding,n says he, l" one evening at ,sa of the windows of the Chateau de Rosly !; n Lad beeh dressing for dinner, and was tray ersinc the g1llsry on my way to the drawing rocm rooa1 when was arrested .by the sonnd of carriaee-wheeis issuing from the gateway over Which stood. had drawn near to the win dow and was looking out i: suddenly a splendid eauipage, with . long train of livericd servants, piauenrs, outriders and runners, dashed down the avenue opposite to where I stood. The setting sun, in all its golden glory, flashed upon the biazoned pannels of the vehicle as 1t flew along the smooth turf, drawn at the utmost speed If sfoar vigorous horses the gay ribbons aud giittering epauIets of the positions autter. ed in the air for moment and then saw the great gates thrown open wide--the equippage dashed through, and was seen no more 1t was to me, at that moment, as an emblem oi hn,nan life. compared the scene to mans brief existence in this world, and to his sudden disappearance and departure none knew whither. know not what led me into these reflections. I had never given thought to these things before, but here I remained so rapt in contenl- plation long after the dinner-beli had sounded heard the servants hurrying to and fro, and calling my uame several times, in their search, they passed by the very place where I was standing, but the window was ina recess, and they beheld me not When all was quiet, and the guests assembled inthe diningroom, Istole gently down the stairs and left the chateau i; my resolution was taken on the instant. walked briskIy on amid the darkness, following the iiglfroad, on foot, almost the whole of that night I felt neither cold, nor hunger, nor fa- tigue, but sped on with triumph and the joy of one who has rescued his treasure from the hands of thieves, and whose only care is now to de- posit it In place of safety, where it shall never more he exposed to the like danger The Par is diligence overlook me towards morning. I mounted the coupe, but slept not, even though my limbs were weary and stiHened with my nights journey, for was too excited to feel tie want of repose. On arriving at Paris, drove that instant to the Jesuits' College in
 
 were shut upon me did feel secure not until l had exchanged my coat of fiue cloth and my shirt of embroidered cambric for the robe of coarse serge and garment of rough-spnn hemp which have never quilted since that hour did I dare to ask for nourishmcnt or lay mo down to rest" Does not this simple and enthusiastic narrative remind one of the Christian heroes of the early ages? Who would have thought there had been warmth and energy enough left in the Christian world, to have induced this abandonment of all the good things of this life, by the force of imagination alone, without per suasion, without intrigue, without captivation of any kind Yet so 1t is; and the ardor of M. dc Ravignan has not whit abated with the years which have passed since then. It is only the othcr day that legacy of considera- ble value fell to his portion by the death of all uncleJ He was compelled to go before nota- ry to renounce his share of the succession, as, by the law of the Jesuits, all inheritance must be delivered up to the community, unless re- nounced by the heir in favor of his family. Af- ter the ceremony of signing and witnessing had been accomplished, M. de Ravignau took his leave of the notary, who, however, with native admiration for one who could thus so coolly abandon a princely fortune, bowed him to the outer door with every show of respect. He ob- served the tears coursing each other down the pale and furrowed cheek Of the Jesuit, and re- mained to watch him as hc descended tho stairs. Presently M. de Ravignau paused, and, draw ing the cruciax from his bosom, kissed it with feryor !; then, throwing his arms aloft to heaven, he exclaimed, with sublime enthusiasm, Now, God Do praised, the world and have said our last farewellto each other" What would not the sturdy Loyclla have given for such maa as this