Des Arc citizen., 1859-02-04
THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND,

uSt as ln1S century drew to close. Fa- rioas chromosomes coneurrea 10 produce a change in mems minds. IL was an uni vcrsally difI'used belief that the world would come to an end, when thousand years from the Saviour's birth were ex- pired. The year 999 was therefore look ed upon as the last which any enc would see. And if.ever signs of approaching dissolution were shown in heaven and earth, then inc people of this century might be pardoned for believing that they were made visible to .hem. Even the breaking up of morals and law, and the wide deluge of Sin which ovefspread all lands might have been taken as d salis- factory token that all mankind were deem ed unfit 10 occupy the earth any more. In addition to these appalling symptoms, fam ines were renewed from year 10 year in still increasing intensity, and brought plague and pestilence in their train. The land was left untitled, houses unrepaired, the right unvinalcated; for who would take the useless trouble of blowing or building, or quasrelling about property, when so few months would pnt an end 10 all ter restrial intefesls2 Yet even for the few days, the multitude must be fed. Robbers frequented every road, en- tered even into walled towns;s and there was no authority left to protect the weak or bring wrong g-doers to punishment Corn and cattle were at length exhaus- ted; and, in n great part of the continent these extremitles were endured; and when endurance could go no further, the last desperate expedient was resofted 10. aud human flesh was commonly consumed. One man went so far as to expose 1t for sale, in malket-town.
 The horror Of this open confession of their deeds was so great that the man was burned, but more for the publicity of his conduct than for his inherent guilt. Des- pair gave loose rein to all his passions. Nothing was sacred, nothing safe. Even when food might have been had. the visia- ted taste made bravado of it's deprivation, and women and children were killed and roasted in the madness of the universal fear. Meantime the gentler natures were drivento the widest excesses of fanati- clsm 10 find a retreat from the impending judgment. Kings and Emperors begged at monastery doors to be admitted breth- ren of the Order. sHenry of Germany and Robert of France were saints, ace0 ding to the notions of the times, and even now deserve the respect of mankind for the simplicity and sbenevolence ol their characters. Henry the Emperor succeed ed in being admitted as a monk, and swore obedience on the hands Of the gentle Abbott, who had failed in turning him from his purpose. ''sme,'' he said, at length, 'ssince you are under my orders, and have sworn to obey me, l command you to go forth and fulfil the daties of the state to God has called you. Go forth, Monk of the Abbe of St. Vanne, but Emperor of the West" Robert of France the son of Hugh Capet placed himself, robed and crowned, among the choristers Of St. Dennis, and led the musicians in singing hymns and psalms of their own Lower men were satisfied with sacrificing the mark of their knight ly and seignorial. rank, and placing bald ricl,s and swords on the altars, and before the images of saints. Some manumilted their serfs, and bestowed large sums upon charitable trusts, commencing their dispo- siion with words implying the approach ing end of all. Crowds of tEe common people would sleep nowhere but in the porches, or at any rate within the shadow ofshe churches, and other holy buildings; and as the day of doom drew nearer, great efforts were made to appease the wrath oi
 Heaven,
 Peace was proclaimed between all classes of men. From "Wednesday night till Monday evening of each week, there
 was 10 be no violence, or enmity or war
 in ali the land. It was 10 be a truce of
 God And now came the dreaded or
 hoped for year. The awful thousand had at last commenced, and men held their breath 10 watch what would be the result
 of this arrival. And he laid hold of the
 Dragon, that old Serpent. which is the
 pevil and Satan, and bound him for a
 thousand years, and cast him into the bot
 tomIess pit, and shut him up, and set his
 seal upon him, that he should deceive the
 nations no more ill the thousand years