Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-22
Alexandra Dumas and the Execu
aTG toner.

In the independence of Naples, NJ. Alex
andre Dumas has published, under the title
of sMemoires de Monsieur de Paris" the fol-
lowing curious and characteristic narrative:
{" L had read" says that writer, sin many
narratives of the death of Louis XVI. that
he refused to ascend the scaffold, that it was
found necessary to use force and that q
struggle took place between him and the
eXecutioner's assistants. This incident SEEM
ed to me SO contrary to the character of the
king that was anxious to ascertain the
truth, if possible, and, for that purpose, re-
solved to apply to Monsieur de Paris him
self, who was the son Of Samson, who gull
lotined Louis XVI; he was only twelve or
1 fourteen years old at the time, and, as he was
present on the scaffold, he must certainly
remember all that took place on that me-
morable occasion.
| IL told him who | was, and, after an eX-
clamation of surprise, he eagerly requested
to know what he could do to oblige me-
you can clear up / said, IAN historical
doubt. You were present at the execution
of Louis FXYI.?' Il was.'f And you re
member it perfectly?' 4 do well, sir,
some historians say that at the foot of the
lscaffold Louis XVI. shrank from death !;
that he struggled with the execution
ers, and was, in a manner lifted on
to the scaffold.' For my part l do not be-
| lieve the statement, IS it was o0ntrary,te his
character and temperament, There. is
nevertheless, some truth in it, replied the
other, as Louis XVI did struggle violently
for moment with my father'si assistants,
and for the reason | am about to explain.
You are aware that Louis XVI, was con-
veyed to the place of-eXeeution in his own
carriage and-without being -pinioned.- Be-
| fore he assembled the steps, the executioner's
4 assistants, fearing he might struggle at the
last moment, wished to bind his hands with
a cord; but this indignity reused all the
pride still surviving in the unhappy mon
arch, and he resisted exclaiming, No, no, |
will never submit to that The men were
about to use force, when my father stepped
Z forward, and, taking from his pocket ahand-
'tkerchief, said, In O tremulous voice and with
fearful eyes, with this handkerchief, Sire?
lLouis sXVIs had not heard himself called
Sire for SIX months before. He looked al
my father, saw his tears, and atsonce, held
out his hands, which my father tied with
1.-THE handkerchief. The rest passed as re-
lated by the historians -.
.saiaving obtained Sanson's permission I'd
ask few other questions, requested tC
know whether itwas true that the office hi
held was hereditary and obligatory in hi
family. No, sir he ereplied, sbutirthe abb
sence Of positive law, there is q law, o.
a adproprietie g What profession but his IA
> fther's can the son of an executioner follow
await your other questions.' My next in
lquiry was whether 1t was true that he could
mot have carriage except on condition tina
, his name should be inscribed on the doors
There isSno Obligation replied he, 'bu
Isuch is the custom. Should you like to Sc
lhowlwe elnde 1t In practiceY. Having an
swered in the affirmative, he said that h
would take me down to see the carriag'
and accordingly ordered the servant I