, 1862-03-15
The Original Blue Beard.

AT Champloce, little village near the right
bank OF Loire, in France, stand some imposing
ruins, the remains of one of the castles of G les
de Relz, Sieur de Laval. called Barbe Bue-the
original of Blue Beard. This nobeman, who Ii, ed
in the first half the fifteenth century, was hand
some In person, captivating in address, acquainted
with books, and full of admiration for such as
spoke the Latin language with ease and elega zee.
lie was considered religious, too, because his taste
and ostenaion led him 10 adopt the fashion then
prevalent of maintaining fnely-ornamented
chapel, with many boy choriSer, educated at great
expense. His band was large, finely disciplined
well supported, and formed part of his train
wherever he went. He belonged to a prIncelv
family was appointed Marshal of France, was
especially honored at the coronation of Charles
VII by an order to repair to Remys and bring
aPPasrqds Pfgsf Ps b2X apd aad ya & talae biz aha u he
ing fear of him gradually spread among the peas
anry. wherever he dwelt. This fear was just, for
within The recesses of his castle at Chamltoce, La
Sue, and elsewhere, he pursued a course of un-
paralleltd atrocy
Having squandered an immense fortune and
ruined his constitution by excesses he reSorted
TO magic He took into his service an Italian
priest of Psloria, who pursuaded him, or permit
ted him to believe, that his property and health
might both be restored by the use Of a charmed
bath made of the blood Of Young Children. He
was not deferred from the trial, either by its diff
Guilty or horror, but Immediately began to tax his
ingenuity to procure victim s. Sometimes an old
woman, called la Aefiraie, travelled about The
country always with her face half hidden by
black scarf Whenever she chanced upon child
rem tending cattle or begging at a distance from
their friends, she carressed and fattered them.
and coaxed them TO the grounds of de Rrlz
Once there they never escaped. They were taken
to the dungeons of the castle where the monster
killed them with prolonged torture, enjoying their
suferngs, and offering them to the devil with
prayer that he would grant him in return gold
knowledge and power" lie went on thus for IA
years. and destroyed, as it was computed, not less
than hundred and forty victims. As long as the
country peole alone suffered, no one dare to ex-
press their suspicion, but his instruments, growing
bolder, began to entice away the children oftowns-
men. and obtained possession of the brother of a
well known artist pro missing to educate him as a
chorisier in the Laval chapel.
Fortunately rare combination of circumstan-
ces led to the arrest and punishment of the Grim
inal. Three powers seldom united in anything
agreed in getting rid of him, Jeen w. of Brittany
Suzprian. who could not endure that the family of
Laval and de Retz should occupy so many for
tresses on the Marches of Maine Brittany and
Poitou the Bishop of Nantes, who held over him
spiritual jurisdiction, and who hated him for hav
ing forced one Of his churches, and the King of
France, Charles VII, whose constable was the
mortal enemy of the sorcerers When therefore,
the Duke was on a visit to his cousin. the Bishop
at Nantes, the latter brought certain charges
against de Retz I he Duke entertained them.
and tribunal was formed of the Bishop, who
was also Chancellor Of Brittany, the Vicar of the
Iuouisition, and the Grand Judge of the Ducny
DE Rez might have escaped but he thought that
no one would dare to proceed to exlremties
against him, and permitted himself to be arrested.
AT this welcome news a crowd of bereaved parents,
brothers and sisters focked TO the court as wit
nesses against him, who were at leng joined by
his own agents, Henriet his body servant, decar-
ing that he had delivered to him with his own
hand forty children. He was driven thus to a
confession which struck terror to the hearts of all
who heard him. He was condemned to be burn
ed. and was placed at the stake but, was out OF
regard 20 his rank, stranged before the flames
reached him. Strangely enough, de Reiz believed
that he had secured the favor of God by masses
and professions, and had eluded the devil by max.
ing rese walton of his life and soul while offering
him service. He parted from his magician with
these words: "Adeu, Francis, my friend. may