Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-06-27
From the Watchman and Reflector.
Blue Beard.

velled in human form. He actually
lived, moved, and had being in the tif-
tecnth century not, however. as a long
robe turb aned Oriental, as the pictures
which used to make our blood curdle.
would lead us to think.
On Oil eminence which overlooks the
little village of Champtoce, near the
Loire. stands the imposing ruin of an
old fcudal castle. Its grey walls. bare
and broken, rear themsc elves against the
glorious sky; and amid the tumbling
turrcts, the bat and the owl beat their
wings and shrek in their midnight rev.
els. The superstitious peasantry avoid
the neighborhood from fear. and when
the storm whistles and the wind means,
they imagine the sounds to be walls
from the injured dead of the old ruin
The dread of the place is no new feel
ing, but has existed among succeeding
generations of peasantry since the reign
OF Charles the seventh 1t was at that
time the dwelling of Giles de Retz, a
teudal baron, who, as he was tHen, and
still is called, the "Barbc Beu,'' was,
no doubt, the original Of our time lon-
orcd, or rather feared, Blue Beard. II s
deeds Of blood, which were but the every
day incidents of his life, made him the
terror of the surrounding region. The
bare mention of his name was enough to
subduc the most rcbellious urchin into
submission; and even the parents belicv-
ed that the winds which reached them
by passing over his domain, were sui
phur- tainted.
We'll does the history of this man re-
veal the dark superstition OF tn. fifteenth
century, and also the impunity with
which one in high rank might commit
the most revolving crimes against hu-
manity De Retz had oncc been in pos
session Of immense estates and untold
wealth. But by the most debasins ex-
cc3scs he nc. only s9uand red his for
tune. but also ruined his constitution,
50 that. while yet young man, he bore
the appearance of decrepitude and old
age. lie could not. however, consent
10 pay the penalty Of his sin BY beeom-
Ing old before his time, In the blind
ness OF his Superstition he conceived the
hope Of rlcl@!ln!ns both healta ami
wealth by t1e power nf magic. Having
heard o. famous Italian alchymist who
had performed some great miracles BY
this art, h sent for him to the castle.
The cunning magician at one read
his man, aad encouraged his hopes he
WAS, therefore, cnp,oyed a: high price
to undertake the work, and invited to
make the lofty castle his home. The
first act was the winning buck OF health
aul vigor, without which all other treas
ures are Of little avail. Numberless
wtre arts h. tried, AMI mysterious the
preparations he made. Tae dark dan
gcons and secret subterranean passages
work. Here the terrified peas s,ntry iH
ayined that the Italiln m ID compac
with tAc Prince of Darkness, and sold
tLe dupol De Retz to him in compensa-
ton for hi aid in restoring his health.
Among many nonsansicAl aud harmless
experiments, were also some OF Il cruel
aud abominable character He induced
his infatuated employer to believe there
existed in the blood of infants charm
Tor restoring youth and vi gor. He as
sured him that by bathing daily in the
blood OF these innocants, the pure young
life which had 50 lately coursal through
their tiny veins would be transferred to
his own.
The bloody baron did not shrink for
one moment from the commission Of the
horrid crime which this prescription rem
dcred necessary. Tender infants were
secretly stolen or forcibly torn from their
parents. and kept in the dungeons of tha
castle till their blood was required, 1t
is believed that not less than one hun
dred humble mothers We're thus depriv-
cd of their youngest born. This tiend
IN human shape hired ma5ician but not
murderer. That office he res rived for
himself, nor did his savage nature shrink
from the horrid work it imposed With
his own hand did he pjcrce the hearts of
his atirightcd little victims until there
was blood sufficient to cover his emacia-
ted body. This is but one instance OF
the monstrous cruelty of De Retz. We
think very likely his wives shared the
fate of the poor Infants, and thnt the
story OF Blue Beard in wide trousers,
loose robe and tulban, Wa, not exag 5cra-
ted.
But crime cannot always go unpunish-
ed. Even then when the rich ruled over
the poor, justice and mercy triumphed at
last The cries and entreates Of the
heart broken people around MS domains
reached the ears Of his superior Jean V.
He was arrested and brought before
tribunal Of justice. His palace was
thrown open to the public gaze, and its
horrid dens and vaults were swift wit
nesses against him. He was found
guilty OF murders by scores, and after
contessing many crimes, before unknown,
Re was burnt at the stake in Nantes,
l44O. This was the original of Blue
Beard" and there, although more than
four hundred years have passed away
since he paid the penalty of his crimes,
the proken walls and jagged turrets still