The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-05-12
The Last Ride--Death of Marie
AntOfnette.


Her toilet was at last ended; she was
done with all earthly thingsl Ready to
meet her death, she lay down on her bed
and slept.
She was still sleeping when it was an
nounced to her that priest was there
ready to meet her if she wanted to con-
fess. But Marie Antoinette had already
unveiled her heart before God; she want
{ ed none of those priests of reason whom
the republic had appointed after it had
banished or guillotined the priests of the
church.
As / am not mistress of my own will, "
she had written to her sister Elizabeth,
81 shall have to submit if priest is
brought to me; but solemnly declare
that | shall meet him as a person with
whom / wish to have no relations"
And Marie Antoinette kept her word;
she did not refuse to allow Gerold to en-
ter; but when he asked her to receive the
consolation Of religion from him, she de-
clined.
Then, in order to warm her feet, which
were cold, she walked up and down the
little room. Asit struck seven the door
opened. 1t was Sampson, the public ex-
ecutioner, that entered.
A slight thrill ran through the form Of
the Queen. "You have come early, sir;
could you not delay little?" When
Sampson denied her request, Marie An
toinette put on her calm, cold manner
She drank, without assistance, cup Of
chocolate, which was brought to her; she
remained possessed, and wore her wonted
air Of old dignity as they bound her
hands behind her with thick cords.
At eleven o'clock she left her room,
passed through the corridor, and ascend
ed to the car, which was waiting for her
before the prison door. Not one accom-
panied, no one bade her last farewell,
not look Of pity or compassion was be-
slowed upon her by her keepers.
Alone, between the rows Of gems
d'armes that we're placed along the sides
Of the corridor, the Queen advanced,
Sampson walking behind her, carrying
the end of rope with which the Queens
hands were tied, and behind him two as
sistants and the priest. This is the reti-
nue. of the Queen, the daughter of the
Emperor, on her way to herexecution.
1t may be that, at this hour, thousands
are on their knees offering their fervent
prayers to God in behalf of Marie An
toinette, whom in their hearts they con-
tinued to call the Queen; it may be that
thousands are pouring out teals Of affec-
ton for her who now mounts the wretch
ed car, and sits down on the board which
Is bound by ropes to the sides Of the ye-
] hicle. But those who are praying and
weeping have Withdrawn to the solitude
of their own apartments, and only God
can see their tears and hear their cries
3 The eyes which Witnessed the Queen in
her last drive we're not allowed to shed 8
tear; the words which followed her on her
last way could express no more passion.
All Paris knew .he hour of execution,
and all the people were ready to witness
it. On the streets, at the windows, on
the roofs, immense masses had congrega-
ted, and the whole Place de la Revolution
was filed with dark, surging crowd.
And now the drums of the guard sta
toned before the Conciergerie began to
beat The great white horse (Which drew
the car in which the Queen sat side by
side with the priest, facing backwards)
was driven forward by man who was
upon his back. Behind Marie Antoinette
were sampson and his assistants.
The Queen was pale, all the blood had
left her cheeks and lips, but her eyes we're
red. Poor Queen, she bore even The
marks Of much weeping; but she could
shed no tears then. Not single one OBJ
sc1red her eye as her look ranged, brave
y and calmly, over the mass, up the
houses, to the very roof, then slowly
down. and then away over the boundless
sea Of human faces.
Her face was cold and grave as her
eyes. her lips were firmly compressed, not
culver betrayed whether she shrank
from the thousand and ten thousand
scornful looks which were fixed upon
her. And yet Marie Antoinette saw it
all She saw q woman raise child,
sns "a" me caliu thfoW Alss win its
little handl Atthat she gave way for an
instant, her lips quivered, her eyes were
dsrkened with tear. This solitary sign
Of human sympathy reanimated the heart
Of the Queen, and gave her . little fresh
life. But the people took good care that
Marie Antoinette should not carry one
drop Of comfort to the end Of her jour
ney.
The popnlace thronged around the car,
hoWled, groaned, sang ribald songs, clap