Connecticut western news., 1874-01-16
Bazaine,s Place of Seelusion.
The Isle de Sainte Marguerite--The Man
 im the Iron Mask.

in the Iron Mask.
 Marshal Bazaine, of France, has commenced his term of 30 years seclu- sion, in accordance with the terms of the punishment fixed by Marshal Mac Mahon. The Isle de Sainte Marguerite, where he is to take up his heightened residence, is on the Mediterranean coast of France, Opposite Cannes and about two miles and half from the shore. It lies close to the Italian from tier, and is one of the group of two isles called Lerins. Ste. Marguerite is of small extent, is covered with wood, and the climate, as may be inferred from it's position, is of salubrious character. Bazaine does not exactly go into exile, nor is he to suffer the igno- miny of being transported to @ penal colony. He will always have in view the coast of France, and close at hand are many towns and villages, where, before his eyes, can be constantly seen the industry and every day life of his fellow countrymen in one of the most attractive portions of France.
 Ste. Marguerite was once before the prison of an individual whose life was of romantic interest, and whose history has been the subject of labored and extended research. The Man in the Iron Mask was confined on the island from 16S6 to 1898, when he was removed to the Bastile. The dungeon in which he was incarcerated is still pointed out. It's solid windows are guarded by 12 iron bars. The only approach to it was through the governors rooms. In the midst of small garden is 8 square building with door on each face, and evidently constructed with view to strength and to prevent prisoners con- fined in it from escaping. It is under stood that the condemned Marshal will be accompanied in his seclusion by his wife and children, and that restraint on his movements will extend to his safe- keeping. In other respects he will have the privilege of moving about, within the confines of the island as much as he p1eases.
 The man in the Iron Mask was diff ferently treated. He was closely watched and not allowed to hold conversation with anyone save his jailers. Various surmises as to who this historical char acter really was have been thrown out. At first it was contended that he was an illegitimate son of Louis XIV, by de Ia Valliere, who, having boxed the ears of his half brother, the Dauphin, was condemned to Imprisonment for life. This assumption proved unfounded. It was again insisted that he was the Duke of Beaufort, King of the Markets, !" and afterwards some believed that he was the elder brother of Louis XIV, that he was the son of Anne of Austria by the Duke of Buckingham. The Queen, having the impression removed from her mind that she was barren, af- forwards gave birth to the grand mon arch, who. discovering, on reaching ma turity, the condition of affairs, con- signed his elder brother to lifelong imprisonment. Conjecture has ex- hausted itself to find out who the masked man was, but it has not yet been settled with anything like cer- tainty. He was transferred from one place of confinement to another, and on his journeys wore mask. He was re- moved from Ste. Marguerite in 1898, and confined on litter to the Bastile, where he was treated with distinction. When the latter fell search was made for papers or relics that might lead to his identification, but none were found.
 Marshal Bazaine may not consider the place of his secluion the most agreed ble. The old buildings cannot be sug- gestive of the most cheering emotions. He is, however, close to Italy, and he has the Mediterranean expanse to the north, south and east. If desirous to escape there cannot fail to be many fa- vorable opportunities, but after all the Marshal may expect that at the expira- tion of a few years he may be permit ted to leave Ste. Marguerite free man. A fortune that did not befall the Mys- terious Man in the Iron Mask.