Mariposa Democrat., 1857-12-17
tCOMMtNICATED.
The French Reign of TerrOr--A Strange
Incident.


Incident.
MEssRs EDIroRs The state of the French
mind during the Reign of Terror, becoming a
theme of conversation few evenings since,
among some friends and myself the following
thoughts and the incident accompanying
them, as related below, were suggested to my
mind after lapse of many years since | had
been deeply interested in the subject.
Whatever difference of opinion may obtain
regarding the aims and objects Of the first re-
volution, however Robespierre may be anath-
ematized, or the orgies presided over by the
Goddess of Reason ridiculed; all must agree
that its action first shook the prestige of
thrones, and that the doctrines then promul-
gated planted those seeds in the European
mind and understanding, which, although
slow of growth, must ultimately produce a ra-
tional comprehension of philosophy and the
science of government
But there was another species Of supersti-
ton dissipated then, besides that antique 10y
atty which led men to grovel a; the foot Of the
false education, to close their eyes to the ac-
tons of powerful aristocracy. 1t was then
that the men of Europe began to think for
themselves in smaller as well as in greater
things, and the truth of those Superstitions
Of tile People," the result of that wretched
want of education which for centuries had
served TO brutalize and darken the common
mind, began to be doubted, and to fade away
before philosophic light. AT this day we are
informed that in some parts of Germany, once
SO famous for its minor superstitions, the
masses, far from reverencing the notions of
their fathers, even mix philosophy with reli-
gon.
There are many anecdotes related of occur
rences in Paris in those days, which, however
ridiculous they may now appear, were then
currently rctailed, and seriously believed, and
to one who reflects, knowledge of them
might serve to throw great light on the state Of
mind prevalent among the masses at that day.
A French gentleman, well advanced in years,
related to me the following, which he seemed
to seriously think was true.
During the Reign of Terror, and when the
minds of the French people was either raised
to the hight of enthusiasm, or sunk to the low
est depths Of dependency, there resided in
Paris young German student who was pos
ssessed Of an ardent temperament and who
twas deeply imbued with that antique lore
which traced its foundation to the philosophy
of the middle ages 1t may well be supposed
that such character would enter with enthu-
siasm into the leading excitements of the day,
and hail with rapture the coming political mil
lenum.
But there was also an under-current pervad
ing tho students imagination, which at once
harrassed and excited him he had ever pres
ent to his minds eye the image of a most love-
ly female, which, spite of all his mental exer-
tions scarcely ever left his presence, sleeping
or waking, until-it might be said, in the Ian
guage of that day-it was wrapped up in the
very essence of his existence.
Returning to his lodgings, late one lovely
summer evening, he perceived by the moons
light, a woman seated on some steps in de-
serted street. This was not an uncommon oc-
currence at that time in Paris, but some un-
known, irresistible power compelled him to
address her. She looked up, when Oh, Hea-
vens he behed before him the very ncarna
ton of that image which had so long haunted
his imagination. The result may be easily an
ticipated- was scarcely formality
at that time in France-the wretched girl in
formed him she had no home, and he led her
to his--a marriage was hastily solemnized-
he pledged himself to be hers .torecer, and the
marriage was consummated.
The next morning, on drawing the curtain
to gaze upon his lovely sleeping bride, he dis
covered, to his horror, that he lay beside a
corpse An investigation took place; the
Commissary of Police was summoned, and
on entering the room he started, and ex-
claimed, "Whcnce came this woman? She
was guillotned yesterday mornngl" There
was scapulary or broad black velvet ribbon
tied around her neck, and on removing it the
head rolled from the body, and plainly showed
the decapitation.
The state of the students mind may be ea-
silly imagined Convinced, now, Of what be-
fore he had partially feared, that he had been
selected as victim 10y some demon, and that
the unholy spirit had at length succeeded in