The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-08-31
The Women and Children Prisoners al
TerSailleS,

Paris (4August y Cor. Of the London Times.
There stands in the Rue des Chantiers
at Versailles large three storied granary,
surrounded by walledin court, the en-
trance to which is guarded by sentries =
In this building are lodged upward OF
four hundred women and children who
were arrested during the late events in
Paris. The women were for the most
part of the very lowest type, with brazen
features, slatternly attire and unkempt
hair, evidently not the result Of imprison
ment or hardship, but normal condition.
On the left as we enter there was a
corner set apart for visits, where few
women of a better class were receiving
some Of their friends, and under canvas
screens erected against the walls had been
e1temporized a range of kitchens, where
cooking was going forward actively. The
prison rations consist of bread, soup and
vegetables, with meat occasionally ; but
besides this cart comes to the prison
door every morning with all sorts of pro
vendcr, and they are allowed to buy as
they can afford. The result is that some
Of the most enterprising and speculative
have established sort of restaurant,
where tolcrable array Of dishes was ex
posed -rrS2 ba2LL Of earth levelcd for the
purpose.
Altogether, the court yard looked some
thing like gypsy encampment, and the
very Bohemian aspect of its female popu
lation was quite in keeping with it.
observed very few occupied in sewing or
industry of any kind. They were bask
ing in groups in the sun, taking and
laughing loudly, or strolling about link
ed together, and apparently without care
in the word. Some were washing their
children's clothes, the latter running
about half dressed till the process was
concluded.
These gansins have proved more de
sperate and incorrigible than their elders,
and it is possible they may, with that pre-
ternatural acuteness which characterizes
the juvenile Arabs of the street, have
contributed their share to the incendiar
Isms and even to the resistance behind
barricades. Those below ten years old
are not liable to trial. but, even if they
were, it is not probable that they would
be punished. Excepting in very aggra.
waited cases among the older boys, those
who have no homes, where there is a pro
spect OF their reformation, will be sent to
schools of agriculture in the country. ]
was told by Lieutenant Marceau, who has
charge of the establishment, that the con.
duct of the women was often riotous and
disorderly, and were it not for the exer
else of strict discipline would lead to
outbreaks.
In court at the back bathing house
has been erected, with tubs and plenti.
ful supply of water. Ascending to the
first story | found myself in vast hall
supported by iron columns, all round
which were upon the floor straw paliases
This room was well lighted and veutilat-
ed, the floor perfectly clean, and
the women were lying on their beds OF
sitting upon them, working or chatting
One dark-eyed, fiery looking young wo
man, with jet black hair and an almost
olive complexion, was writing She was
vlvandiere of La Cecella's s, and had sho,
an officer and fought furiously behind a
barrlcade. A friend who was with me
saw her captured and brought into the
Prevote on the night of the 23d of Nav
Fart OF the room was screened off for
the children, who were similarly accom-
modated. The floor, above was arranged
in like manner, but the highest of all was
not used as domitory, but was partition
ed of with Offices, in which the examina.
tlons were carried on, while an alter show.
Cd that on Sundays it did duty as church
Here met two Sisteres of Mercy, who
told me that they observed marked i'm,
provement in the women from day to day;
that now the greater number of them
attended mass and behaved reverently
while their language was less coarse ana
violent