The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-05
CHARLES THE ELEyENTH,S VISION.
BY PROSPER MERIMEE.

BY PROSPER MERIMEE.
Although we ridicue visions and super
natural warnings some Of them are so well
attested that if we refuse to give them ere
dence We must, to be consistent, reject en-
n,dsSe all facts in history
An official report, signed by four witnesses
Of high standing and undoubted veracity,
authenticates what | am about to relate.
will furthermore add that the prediction con-
tanned IN this State paper was known to and
discussed by the public long before the occur
renee Of modern events tended so strongly to
fulfill the prophecy.
Charles NJ father of the famous Charles
XII, was one of the most despotic, but also
one of the wisest mOnarchs that ever reigned
over Sweden. He restrained the unbounded
privileges Of the mobiles; abolished the power
OF the Senate, and established laws upon his
own authority; in a word, he changed the
constitution of the country, which had hith-
erto been Oligarchical and compelled the
| states to invest him with absolute authority.
He was a man of infexibe character, brave.
studious, cold and decided in manner, without
a spark of Imagination. He had Just lost his
wife, Unique E,onora. Though his harsh
treatment OF his queen has, it was said, has
tened her end, he esteemed her noble chaTac-
ter, and seemed deeply affected by her death.
After this event he became more gloomy and
| taciturn, stunning society and devoting HIM
self to hard study with pertinacty that
showed he was bent upon drowning painful
thought.
On dreary autumn evening he sat i'll his
dressing gown and slippers before glowing
fire in his cabinet at Stockholm. With him
were his tavorite chamberlain, Count Brahe
and his physician, Baumgarten, who, by the
way, was free thinker, and believed in moth
ing save the science of medicine. He had
been summoned to the palace upon this occa-
sion to prescribe for the king, who was feeling
unwell
The night wore on, and the king, instead of
dismissing his companions, sat with bent
brows gazing txedly at the fire. He preserved
an unbroken silence; weary of his company,
but fearing, without knowing why, to remain
alone. Count Brahe, perceiving that his pres
ence was not agreeable, had several times ex-
pressed fear that his majesty needed repose,
but the king motioned to him to keep his seat
Then the physician remarked upon the injuri-
BUSINESS of sitting up late when the mind and
body were wearied out Charles gloomily re-
Piled without raising his eyes REMAIN
am not sleepy
Then they attempted to discuss different
subjects, which dropped after receiving one or
two careless responses from his majesty, who
was evidently in a gloomy frame OF mind.
Upon such an occasion the position of a cour-
tier is as delicate as embarrassing. Count
Brahe, thinking the kings sadness arose from
| regrets for the loss of his wife, looked at the
queens portrait hanging over the mantel and
| exclaimed: ''What striking likeness! The
expression is so life-like in its sweetness,
and
"Nonsenser' sternly interrupted the king,
rhn fo1f <1,n
name was mentioned. "This portrait is too
fattering! The queenis ugly!" Then, vexed
at having spoken so harshly, he got up and
walked towards the window looking out on
the courtyard. The night was dark and the
moon in its first quarter. The palace in which
the kings of Sweden now reside was not then
finished, and Charles Nj, who had commenced
to build it, lived in the old palace, situated at
the point Of the Ritterholm, opposite Lake
Mooler. 1t was an immense building, in the
form of a horseshoe. The kings cabinet oc-
cupied one Of the extremities, and almost OPP
posite was the grand saloon where the states
assembled to receive communications from the
crown.
Charles was surprised to see the saloon bril-
liantly lighted. He supposed at first that some
OF the servants were carrying about flambeaux;
but what could they be doing in the saloon
which was never opened except upon formal
state occasions? Moreover, the light was too
brilliant to come from torches; it rather looked
like fire, except there was no smoke, no
noise, not even a pane Of glass broken. II
must be an illumination. AS Charles stood
silently watching the lights, Count Brsahe
reached out his hand towards the bell rope to
summon page, and send him to inquire into
the cause OF this singular light but the king
prevented him. Il will go into The saloon
myself, he said. AS he spoke he turned
deadly pale, and look of religious terror came
over his face, but he walked from the room
with firm tread. The chamberlain and ply
sician followed him, each carrying lighted
wax candle.
The doorkeeper, Gorton, who had charge of
the keys, was in bed Baumgarten aroused
him, and in the name Of the king, ordered him
to Immediately open the saloon. Gorton, as
tonished at this command, hurriedly dressed
himself and carried his bunch of keys to the
king. First he opehed the door of gallery
which served as an ante-chamber or private |
entrance to the saloon. The king entered, |
but what was his surprise at seeing the walls |
entirely covered with black cloth
WHO ordered the gallery to be thus hung ~
he demanded in voice of thunder.
''No one that | know Of, SIRE" replied the |
doorkeeper; ''and the last time l |
had the gallery swept the oak wainscoting was |
came not out of your majestys store-room; / |
never saw them before"
The king walked rapidly on, followed by
Count Biahe and Gorten ; Baumgarten Jagged
behind, unwilling to remain alone, and
equally loath to expose himself to the dangers
ofan adventure SO mysterious III its surround
ings.'
$50 no further, sire, entreat you" said
Gorton; There is witchcraft in this -every
night at this hour-the lamented queen-your
gracious spouse, walks this gallery-more per-
sons than one have seen her-Heaven protect
us.
"Stop, sire. and listen," exclaimed the
Count IN his turn. DO you not hear voices
IN the saloon? You may be exposing yourself
to great danger"
Sire, said Baumgarten, whose candle had
been extinguished bya puff of wind, "per-
NIT me, at least, to summon twenty of your
Trabans?"
Let US enter" said the king quietly, as he
StOpped in front Of the saloon. ..and Won