The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-05-07
An EEistOriCaA Sketch - Last
Hours ana Execution of Louis
XVI, Of France.

XVI, OF France.
On the morning of the goth of JAN
uay, 1892, the decree went nth
which declared LOUIS XVI. of France,
guilty of general treason against the
safety of the State, and condemn
ed to death. lie demanded of tho
! Convention respite Of throo days &C.
prepare for death, a confessor to assist
him in his lust moments, liberty to
see his family, and permission for
them To leave France. The Conven-
ton granted HIM an interview with
his funny and tho assistance of a priest,
! but refused tho other requests.
The execution was liked for the fol-
lowing morning at ten o'clock. A
heart-rcnding sccno was the last in.
tcrvlow OF The Royal Family. At
hoif-past eight that evening the door
Of his apartment opened, ana Maria
] An.oinette entered, leading the Dauph
hin by tho hand. followed by tho
yodEg princess and Madame Elizabeth
They thrcngcd together IN the poor
Kings arms weeping, s0bbing,
and II scene of silent despair, broken
only by the bursting anguish of the
afflicted family. A glass door was be-
tween this and the adjoining apart
ment, from which tlro municiple Off
GERS and guard, and the conicssor, who
had now arrived, were witnesses of
what passed. The Queen, his daughter
aud sister, leaned upon the King, aud
pressed hIm in thor arms. He con
tinued to speak, with their tears and
lamentations Intcruptmg his words.
This terrible scene OF anguish lasted
for two hours AT length Louis rose
to put All end 10 tho painful inter,
view, and gave his blessing TO them.
The princesses still clasped their arms
around him. II assure you," sald he,
chat | will see you at eight o'clock
tomorrow morning" "Wby not at
seven p they all said at once. "Wclt
yes at seven, said he. "Farewelll'
lilo prououncLd "FarowGll'so I'M
pressively that their sobs Wero renow-
cd, and hls d0ughtes tainted at his feet.
They raised her from tho floor he
embraced them tcndorly, ono by one,
and broke away from them, again
mournfuIly prououncing Adieu
Adleul
AObe Edgcworth, the confessor, was
now admitted to the King and remains
ed with him until twelve O'clock that
night, during which timo it had been
arranged between him and tho ppies:
that mass should be sad on the follow
lug morning If the municipality should
consent TO 1t, Mt about miduIghJ
Louis retired to rest, having made up
his mind not to see his family in tho
morning, and desiring hIs vale to call
him at live o'clock at the same lime,
GIVE this ring to tho Queen" said he
"and toll her with what regret l leave
her give her also this lockeJ, contain
ing lhe hair Of my children give this
seal to tho Dauphln, and tell them all
what l shall suffer without receiving
thor last embraces, but wish to spare
thcm the pain Of 80 cruel a separation y
This faithful vhet, CIery, took his
place beside the pillow of his master,
! watching tho peaceful slumber into
which the later sunk even tho night
before he was to ascend the scatfold.
Meanwhile few ardent minds were
in II ferment hore and there, whilo the
great mass, either indifferent or awe
struck, remained immovable. A young
man resolved TO avcngo the fato OF
Louis XVI. upon one of the judges
Lepelletier ST Fargeau, orc OF the dep
uLles, was of noble birth and his tor
tune was Immense. L!tio many 9th.
l ers Of his rank, he voted for death, in
order to throw the veil OF oblivion over
his birth and fortune. He had excited
the more indignant Of the loyalists on
account of the class to which he belong
ed. On the evening of the goth he
was pointed out ID the guardnIan, as he
was sitting down to dine in restau-
ranteur's in tho Palals Royal. The
young man, wrapped in cloak, step
ped up to him ana sald
, "Are you Hepolletier, tho william
who voted for the death Of the King ?
"Yes" replied tho deputy, 'but | an
not william l voted according to my
> conscience"
# "There then,' rejoined the guards
man, "take that for your reward 7
plung:ng a sword into his side.
IIepelletIer fell and the young mar
s escaped before the persons present hac
tlmo to secure him.
5 The clock IN the temple struck fy,
n on tho 2lst, when his valot, rising t
y y light tho fire, awoke the King, who
y drawing the curtains, inquired th'
= hour. IL nave slept soundly," said til,
!, King, "and l stood IN need Of it. Yes
J, terday was n trying day to me"
! Ills Majesty" says Clery's nara
tive, " as soon as ho was dressed, bad
mo go and call his coDfessor, who
found already risen, | Iplaccd chcs
of drawers IN the middle of the Cham
! ber, and arrangedl 1t in the form of al
u alter Tor saying mass. Whom every
thing was ready l informed tho King
Q The priest came in and mass began u
,f six o clock. There was profound alenc
Il during tho ceremony. Louis, all tn
J. time on. his knees, heard mass witt