Litchfield enquirer., 1856-09-18
Aav.sssssag.
Tho Fxsoutisn of Loais tho sixteentl


 The Execution of Louis the Sixteenth.
 The condemned man traversed the inner court on foot. At the entrance of the external court, a green carriage was waiting, with two gendaimes holding open the door. Louis en- tered his confessof taking seat by his side, and the soldiers mounting in front. The signal is given, and the caytage moves on. It was mournful scene. From the prison to. the place Of death was ranged a double line of pkes or guns, borne by men who, in their immovable si- fence, seemed like armed statues. The wealth CT was cold and misty. A leaden stiffness, on ly once broken at the gates of the Temple by cry of Mercy ! mercy r uttered by the trembling voices of some women, reigned along the entire line of march. Here and there, few shops were half open everywhere the shutters were closed. For the foot passengers there were no means of issue nor was single carriage in these streets. except that one which toiled on amid universal silence, bearing the un- happy one then called Louis the Last.
 At ten minutes past ten they reached the foot of the scaffold. It had been erected in front of the Palace of the Tuilcries, in the square caiied after Louis the Fifteenth, and near the spot where stood the statue of the most corrupt king--a king who died tranquil ly in his bed. The condemned was three miu- 1tes desccnding from thecarriage. Upon quit ting tho Temple hs had refused the rediugote which Clery had offered him, and now appear cd in brown coat, white waistcoat, grey brooches, aud white stockings. His hair was not disordered, nor was any change preccptible in his countcnance. The Abbc Firmont was dressed in black. A large open space had been kept round the scafFold--with cannons ranged on every side--while beyond, as far as the eye could reach, stood an unarmed multitude gag ing. #* Descending from his carriage, Louis fixed his eyes upon the soldiers who surrounded hin, aud with c mcnacing voice crird, "Si- lence P Tho drums ceased to beat, but a sig nal from their officer, the drummers again went on. "What treason in this r he shoated--- {" ! am lost Iam lost r For it was evident thot up to this moment he had been cling ing to hopc. Tho executieners now approach ed to take of part of his clothes he repulsed them 6ercely, and himself removed tho collar from his neck. But all the blood in his frame seemed to be turned into fire when they sought to to his hands Tie my hands |" ho shrick- cd. X struggle was inevitable came. It is indlsputahle, soys Mercics, that Ioasfought with the axecutionefs. The Abhe Edrcworth stood by, pcrplexed, mortified, speeches.. At lest, nshis master seemed to look iuquiringly at hin. he said. \ Sir. in this additional outrage 0nly sec last tEnit of the resemblance between yolir Majcsty and tho God, who will give you your rewardn At these words, the indignation ofthc man gave way to the humility of the Chrlstian, and Louis said to the executioners, 'I win drain the cup to the dregsn They tied his konds, they cut on his hair, and then, leau- ing on the arm Of his coniessor, he began, with slow tread and sunken demeanor, to mount the steps, then very steep. of the guillotine.- Upon tho last step however, he seemed sudden N to rouse, and walked rapidly across to the other slde of the scafIold when, by a sign commanding silence, he exclaimed. 1" die inno- q mt of tho crimes imputed to me" His face was very red. and according to the narrative of his confessor. his voice vas 60 lond that it could hs heard as fir as the Pont Touruant.- Soms other expressions were distinctly heard, ~I pardon the authors of my death, and Ipray Heaven that the blood you are about to shed nay neyer Do visited upon France" He was About to continue. when his voice was drowned ty.the renewed rolling of tho drums, at sig- na Whlrh, it is afirmed, was given by the eoQedInn Dugayoa. in, anticipation of the. or Asss q Banterre "Silencc 1 be silent r, cried Lssis the 6lxtaeath, losing sll self contrCl, and etamplng violently with his foot. Richard, one ofthe executioners. then sciEed . pistol, and tonk sin q tAe hing It was necessary to drse hlm along by force. With difficulty fhs- tssed to tAs fatal plank. he consinued to utter tsesIble cries, oaly Interrupted bg tho fall of tls kniie:-- xen 1ssss Hisssvy 2 fiAs EFssds Hegc(uf6cM M
 A Rz1erous (i) Csrrb. The cred of Rev Tkeo Hozksfs es cxpeesasd In . recent dis ceeiGD tD. nct believe in tho miraculous