The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-12-08
THE Ex1LEs OF SIBERIA

or the country they may have received
! sentence, should pass through Moscow on
their way to Siberia the traveller who may
have chanced to be there during the weekly
! gathering, will have little difficulty in
| recognizing facts in the following account:
On reaching that city they are allowed a
brief rest in the convict prison, their daily
journeys being so calculated that the
separate bands all arrive there from divers
| directions each Saturday night. After
| resting throughout the ensuing week, dur
ing which term they are relieved of their
chains, they are dispatched in one common
band on the second Monday after their ar
| rival. The prison is divided into two or
three courts, each strictly guarded by SEN
tinels. In the first of these both sexes are
to be seen mingling indiscriminately, and
are dressed alike in loose great coats, made
of q kind of gray cloth; the only distin-
gushing mark is that the men have half
their heads shaved, whilst the women retain
their long hair-a privilege also granted
to the men as regards their boards, which
decoration is the pride and delight both of
the merchant class and the pcasantry.
They are then led to the second court.
where there names are registered, as also
their crime and history. Here they mako
their petti"ns; some soliciting leave to
travel by the side of brother, fellow
exile-a poor consolation, that, of being to-
gether in disgrace-but the boon, if grant
ed, is hailed with the greatest joy. wo-
man will also sometimes petition to accom-
pany her husband but only in rare cases
is this permitted. According to the laws
of Russia she may marry again, for the
banishment of her husband cancels tho
marriage bond as completely as death;
but, if her prayer be granted, Government
pays her expenses and she assumes the
convict dress, though not the letters.
The examination past, the exiies are led
to third court, where fetters arc placed
upon the whole band. This is a most cruel
and brutal affair. The fetters consist of
couple of heavy iron rings, one for each
ankle, united by chain, not adapted to
the size of the person and the length OF
stride, bnt of one unvarying length, about
two feet. This is connected, by means of
links, from four to FIVE inches long, with an
other chain fastened around the wrist. The
hoors round the ankles are not fastened by
a paddock, so as to be renewed at night,
but are riveted by the executioner, who
drives an iron bolt through the rings, and
by strong and careless hammering, (for he
often misses the mark and strikes the fiesh,)
tlattens the bolt at both ends, in such
way that removal is impossible except by
means of the file; and with these chains
the poor, weary, foot sore wrctchcs are to
walk every step of journey which takes
them only few days short of six months.
Meanwhile a sergeant stands by who must
answer for their security with his own life.
as he takes charge of them during their
pilgrimage. and he sees them properly
secured and fastened together in fours by
their wrists.
This ceremony over, the gates are thrown
open and the world ceases to exist for them.
1t is surprising to witness the calm bear
ing, the sad but resigned looks of that
assemhlage. Hope 10 now
dead and in its place dim vague glim-
rner appear in the distance of life, to which
they look, perhaps with more dreamy
curiosity, than with any active feeling OF
terror or despair. The gates are thrown
open, the exies are handed over to a strong
guard, employed exclusively on this duty.
and each soldier loads his gun in their
there is also q mounted escort,
with spears, the commander Of which car
ries long whip to lash the cayalcade into
order and then they move on the males
first then the carts, and lastly the females.
Persons of rank are not treated otherwise
than the lowest serf, noblemen being COM
PEELED to march the dreary journey on foot
and as heavily chained as the yilest fellon.
Those destined for the mines are shut out
even from the light of heaven, they not only
lose rank and riches, but by n refinement
Of cruelty, are deprived even of their names
and a number given them instead, by
which the driver of each band calls when
he has need to addressed them.
SINGULAR INsANITY.-Mr F. Ange.
wealthy planter from Louisiana. left day
or two since en- route for Europe, where
his friends are taking him for the purpose.
if possible, of dispelIing singular halluci-
nation or species of insanity with which he
is affected. Two years ago he took it into
his head that his pedal extremities were
paralysed, and although assured by emil
nent medical practitioners that bis UNDER
standings are as firm and strong as they
ever were. he insists upon bis being carried
about hde a child, and not even rn alarm
Of fire in his rssideace could induce him to
llazaTa q perpeadicplar position. 1t is said
that he Is perfectls- sane upon all other
matters.
Habits are as easily caught as "yaifsf =
BIRDS Let circus arrive in town. aud
IN town aud in less than a week half the