New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-22

snuesred In the distance the immense crowd paraded
on either SIDE Of the road. At he moment the Minister
and ts rttinue approached, e pei u9ked LED on Roe sae
Diem " enclosed in silver vase, and held by Cath
ojc uries on his way to administer the Sacrament TO
dyirg believer. The bell was held by small boy,
wIo pIeceded the sacred professions four sup
no,ted a canopy over the priests head, and forty or
ffy stupid peasants in wooden shoes followed. Cus-
tom Obliged al 10 knee a. this veDerated " Bon Dieu
nsssed by: but on this occasion most of the spectators
owing to the deep mud, leaned on their canes, with
hats IN their HANDS in respectful posture The cour-
crs checked their horses the carriages stopped and
all were thrown into cor fusion by the unfortunate pres
eDce Of the "Bon Dieu." At this the priest,
ns Il fimpeed by the spirit Of malice, halted the pro-
ceesion and stopped the host directly in front of the
place where i stood, and to my utter smazement,
pointing directly at me with his finger, exclaimed,
u Aux genoux," upon your knees. pointed in vain
to the mud, and the position OF those about me similar
TO my own he again repeated in voice of thun-
der. AUX genoux." Ny Yankee blood famed at
this wanton attack I forgot myself, and with loud
voice replied in French, 'No, Sir, will not" The
nopuace thundersruck to see their B on Dieu thu,
usuted fired with fanstics, broke their ranks, and
were pressing toward me with violent Impressions.
A German gentleman, an acquaintance, and then at
nv aide exclaimed to me, For Gods sake, drop in
an instant. Alarmed at my critical situation, re-
luctantly settled nv knees into mud.puddle. Every
one within my hearing who were respectable Catholics
and Protestans condemned the rash and inexeusable
conduct of the priest.
NV keenest senslbiMs were outraged, and 4
vowed vengeance upon the audacious priest. The
next afternoon set OF, armed with a good hick-
ory to trace out his residence and to effect my de-
termination. / proceeded to the spot where the
offense had been committed, entered the hut Of 8
peasant and inquired the name OF the priest who the
dsy before had passed with the Bon Dieu." He re-
piled Ma fol, oui, ce Monsieur Barsge" Yes, faith,
is M. Bsrage.) He pointed to the steeple of the
church whore he ofiicated, the suburbs Of the
city. soon found his house, and pulled bell-rope.
1o.It, dla tbab hon. kaa
appeared. Contrary 70 her inerdiction, sprang
into the courtyard, and proceeded directly to the
louise, and made my way to his library. The priest
appeared, demanded my business e1caimus
"that was murderer robber," and ordered me TO
quit Lis house. Isprang to the door, locked it, and,
placing the key in my pocket, approached him IN
hostile attitude / compelled him to admit that ne
Recognized my features. then poured forth my de-
testation of him and of the tyranny Of the French
clergy. told him was native Of North America,
the ally OF France; that under the protection Of
DR.. Franklin, and would not leave him until bad re-
ceived adequate remuneration for the unprovoked IN
suit had received. In word, L insisted upon his
apologizng to me in the same posture in which had
been placed. In taking my leave / assured him
should proceed with the American Consul and enter
my formal complaint against him to the Bishop. Ihis
threat alarmed him, and he ferventy urged my for
bearance. went however, Immediately to our Con-
sul Colonel Williams, and communicated to him these
ncidents. He apprised me of the extreme danger |
should be subjected to from the hostility Of the priests,
and admonsed me, the safest course to prosecute
the affair further. By his advice and that of Tom
Paine changed my lodgings, and for two or three
weeks avoided the streets No further unpleasant con-
sequence resulted from this extraordinary occurrence.
One or two incidents of more amusing charac-
ter occur on journey from Nantes to Paris.
A merchant of Nantes, and friend, learning Of my
intended journey to Paris, solicited me to conduct hs
wife under my protection, to that city. Our carriage
was arranged for the convenience of two passengers.
Al rloot hrot tba lo
of La Fleche, and necessarily obliged to stop
for repairs. Madame, former journey, had made
the acquaintance of the Curate of the parish, and we
determined to shelter ourselves under the wings of his
hospitality for the night. II was about o'clock
when we entered the Curate's yard. His servants
took charge Of baggage, and We found the old gen.
tleman seated with two three priests, at supper
upon hssbed mutton and raw onions. Had been an
old friend, and rendered him thousand services he
could not have received with a more cordial vel
come. His face was summer evening;
a few grey hairs were mingled with his dark locks.
90 A Bostone and an ally" exclaimed the good man.
"doubly entitle you to my attentions" mon em,
said he, kissing on each cheek with much fer
yency for men kiss men in France), "Je sus charme
de vous voir chez moi" He stepped back, and /
looked full in his eyes, and thought read in them 20
much bengnity and TRUTH that felt not only strong
prediction for him. but of his sinceSty.
~ am heartily mortified said he, pointing to the
mutton hash, "that we have nothing better on the
table but have the copaisonce to wait ten minutes,
and we will have something plus comme aJaut-
ici."
Madame was to spend the night with friend in the
vicinity, and having only myself to consult, bor-
royed Johnton's couteau," and attacked the NUT
ton, although as tough leather, and mixed up with
raw onions, which abominste. The old mans good
ness and fine appetite supplied all deficiencies.
The supper removed, and desert on the table, the
good Curate gave me a detail of his life.
"He had served" he said, "his king for sixteen
years, with musket his shoulder, but being dis
H. 10 ha a1 chonu fha o.
for the eglise" and obtained his curacy, which
cures him quiet and virtuous Mn. An old soldier,
be felt instructive curiosity to learn the progress Of
military events in America; and was very inqustive
about '"Le grand Washington" When l had fin
shed an account OF the affair at Trenton the Curste
insisted on drinking TO his health and prosperity;
"Alons! Ia sante du grand Vas-sang.ton." He
conducted me to my chamber, and himself adjusted
my night cap.
Early the next morning strolled into az extensive
garden near the house, and feasted on delicious fruit
still moistened with the dew of the night.
was coon joined by the worthy padre" who
made every efiort TO withdraw me from the dangerous
paths of heresy into the fold of the true church. This
led US into curious dialogue, discussing the respect
i've tenets of the Catholic and Protestant religions.
We left this hospitable mansion with deep sensibli-
ty As Madame had some business two or three posts
out of our way and being anxious myself to visit the
celebrated religious institution of " La Trsppe," we
left the Paris road, taking a northery direction NY
companion chose to be cash-keeper, and necessarily
cash-p8yer, on the road. W hile Madame was dsput-
ing with the postilon how much was overpsid, was
tripping ahead, seeing the country, and amusing my.
self chatting with the peasantry along the road. On
our way to La Trappe, imprudenty did 20 Just at
nghtfall, and found myself half league in advance
of the house. in the dark. II occurred me that
might have taken the wrong route, or that an scc-
dent had befalen the carriage. L soon heard wheels
grinding along the finty road, at the foot OF the hill
Standing in the middle Of the road patiently awaiting
the approach of the vehicle, before the horses
crying out, position srrete areteP'-opt what was
nv astonishment TO hear grum voice excaim Sacre
-postilon-quest ce qu'il ysW Thunderstrrck at
nv blunder and expecting he would send ball at me-