Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-06-16

The brief scenes which we have related,
taken as they are from actna. history, are
interesting, AS presenting a picture Of the
times Immediately preceding the revoca-
tion Of the Eiict Of Nantes We have
seen how the smouIding fires Of hatred IN
the minds Of the Cashoic -6oaL4e sent
out, as it were, paris and je,s o. aalne-
proving that the tire-brand 81 hereditary
hatred was not cxtinguished, only covered
with thin coating OF ashes
We are nos 10 see the breaking forth
of the fire in alIits fairy: the rush Of the
desouring flame whicn burned NJ all to
ward which the royal breath directed it --.
The events which we have narrated oecur-
red in the spring aud summe. Of 1854
BY the autumn Of 1885 ali was ripe, and
soon the infamous decree rcyokjug the
edict OF federation was thuudered from p
ris throughout the whole Of Francn.
Before, there had been simply Ill feel
ing. and a disposition to annoy the Pro
testants, among the baser classes Of their
enemies a state Of things which Fon -
taine's arrest and trial truth}aiiy &. play
ed; now, however, all had changed. In
October, Of the wear 1855, there was tie
bloody and determined purpose, armed
with all the power of the royaI edict and
the loyal troops, to massacre every Calvin
lst, whethor man or woJnau boy or giri
who did not publicly aIjuIe the protes-
tant faith, and receive the sarr.ueor at the
hands of priest.
There was no deav~uo time given to
escape. With the passage Of tie edict
commenced the horrible persecution. .-
Like thunder following d fash Of light
ming came the terrible dragonuades--theae
forays of ferocious Dragons iuto every
town and hamlet, and chateau cutting.
burning, Staying, rioting holding orgies
from mere contemplation Of which eve
ry heart must recoi! in horror and disgust
Intoxicated with hland, Hose t+,vt,~ seerued
to have lost their senses in the sensual and
deviish career fmurder-ike a victorious
army in the enemys country, they gave
free rein to taaig brutal &at .taod7 ln~
stincts-torture anu death seemed to pre-
cede them and follow in their wake like
blood-hounds. As to the unfortunate people
upon whom they were let loose, the HUI
gucnots, they no longer assembled ever
in the forests-the ten thousand spe.
which swarmod in every village would have
given information, and the meeting fo
prayer would have terminated in blood.
The troops desceuded like an avalanche
upon the province Of Saintogne, and with
the sword in one hand, and The sacrameD
in the other, cried, " Allure allure par
take of the host, or prepare for instan
death !" These dragons had fixed day
for the conversion" of every district, anl
on these days they fell upon it, took pos
session of the Protestants' houses turue,
the parlors into stables for their horses
and treated the owners with monstrou,
cruelty beatng them, burning some alive
half roasting others, and then letting then
go-securely tying mothers TO the bed
posts, and leaving their sucking infants /
perish at their feet-hanging some upor
hooks in chimneys, and smoking then
with wisps of wet straw till they were SUI
located dipping others in wells bndin
down others and pouring wine into thei
mouths until they died-eXhausting ever
where the direst crueltes, and al in th
name of Christ
This is the picture which an eve witnes
of the dragounades has drawn; let us no'
see what further befelI the personages {
our history.
At the window of a small chamber, hig
up in the turret Of an old chateau, crown
ing gentle ACTIVITY, and looking on
beautiful landscape, sit two men Of notab
appearance-those whom we have fir.
presented to the reader. They have chang
ed but little, save that aspecies Of caution
watchtulness characteristics their demeano
and they are somewhat thinner. Fro
time to time they direct keen gIances to
ward the highway leading TO the villag
and upon brdle-road, disappearing
the bright foliage Of the forest.
"Ah, well, BartheIemi," says Fontair
with deep sigh, at last the moment b
come when l despair for France. Yes,
Is lost r'
81 told you as much year ago, Jat
ques," replies the soldier, " and You won
not believe me. Do you remember o
arraignment for the assembIage in tt
woods OF Chatelars-our meeting in Il
Town Hall, when that villain, the Sen,
schal, oppressed you--do YOU rememb
these pleasing events 2"
"Ycs," said Fontaine, gloomily.
well, Jacques" continued the soldit
"you doubtless remember further, that