The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-23

AT length, when the King of Prussia
found he would be compelled to make
peace with France, and possibly be re-
quired to surrender his prisoner, he
sought to prolong the anguish of his
'captive by transferring him to the keep
ing Of Austria As we have before init
mated, the letters of Marie Antoinette to
her family had been filled with the most
violent abuse of Lafayette ;sand to re
venge himself on one whom he had been
ta,ight 70 regard as the embodiment of
alstfiaS was dangerous and deyilish in
the French Radicals, the Austrian EN-
peror consented to become Lafayette's
jailer.
The unhappy man, now broken with
disease and bowed down with sorrow,
was therefore removed to the terrible
dungeons of Olmutz. AS he entered his
cell here,h he was told that be would never
come forth alive-never see anything but
what was inclosed within the four walls
of his dungeon-neyer receive any in.
formation concerning the outer world
that he was in fact buried alive. His
jailers were even prohibited from ever
pronouncing his name, and for years, in
all reports and dispatches, he was only
known as "No. A." Lest the hopeless
ness of his misery should drive him to
madness and suicide, knives and forks,
and all other instruments by which he
might destroy his life and escape Aus
trials vengeance, were denied him.
The transfer from Magdebourg to o.
mutt was performed with such secresy,
and he was guarded with such care at
the new place of confinement, that, after
this last removal, all knowledge of his
place OF confinement was lost to his
friends, and the Austrian officials would
have persuaded them that he was dead.
They, however, believed that he was yet
alive, and did not pause in their efforts
to discover his dungeon.
At length generous and daring spirit
assumed the task, both Of finding his
place Of confinement and releasing him,
if possible. This was DR.. j. Erick Boil
man, young German physician, who
was born of q proud and aristocratic
family, hut was himself an ardent patri
OF. Though personally unacquainted
with Lafayette, he was warm admirer
of his patriotism and virtue, and had al
ready made many attempts to save him
from royal ferocity. Not disheartencd
by his previous failures, he sold his books
to procure means for his journey, and
went to Hamburger, where he was intro
duced to wealthy banker, named Sieve
king, who generously volunteered to fur
nish all the money. necessary to carry
out the enterprise.
After long and careful inquiry Boil
man learned that wnen Lafayette was ia
ken from Magdebourg he had been borne
in the direction of Olmutz Following
this clew, he went on to that renowned
| fortress, where he soon learned that sew
eral state prisoners were confined in the
citadel under mystery that rendered it
highly probable to them that Lafayette
was among the number. Knowing that
Lafayette's health had previously failed,
he concluded that the prison surgeon
must be his frequent visitor, and he de-
termined to make his acquaintance. He
therefore procured letters of introduction
to him, and they were soon friends -
Both were earnest students of all that
pertained to the medical profession, and
they were soon engaged in numerous
discussions concerning their various the.
ories.
Bollman, in accordance with q previ
ously formed plan, managed to direct the
discussion, and one day engaged the sur
geon warmly by asserting that drugs
were comparatively useless in his prac.
tice-that most of the diseases he had to
treat were more diseases of the mind
than of body, caused by the torturing
gloom and hopelessness of the imprison.
ment of the sufferers, and that his worst
cases might be cured without grain oil
physic. simply by giving the patients
some cheering words from the outside
world. The surgeon demurred, when
Bollman said, CHOW, doctor,le us dem,
onstrate this You attend the state pris.
oners, and among them is Lafayette
whose health is much broken, and who
has not heard from his friends in several
years. Give him no more pills, but show
him this pamphlet instead (takng a
small book from his pocket.) Tell him
a traveller left it with you, who lately saw
in London all the persons named in it
his particular friends-aud that they are
well, and as much attached to him as
ever. Do this ,and you will find that tee
information will do him more good than
all the drugs your dispensary can hold.
With this he laid the pamphlet on the
table, and, perceiving the surgeons EN-
barressment, adroitly changed the con-
versation, and soon withdrew.
In a week or so DR. Bollman agair
called at the hospital and after some
casual conversation, reopened the dis
cussion which had led to the sending o.
the pamphlet.
"Well," said he, sam I right? doe;
not your patient improve under the
treatment l suggested ] tell you," he
continued, "give him a month of such
treatment, and Lafayette will be restor
ed to his former robust health"
! The surgeon expressed his doubts
but declared his willingness TO give the
theory a fair trial He then remarked
that Lafayette had been much interest
ed in the pamphlet, and greatly desired
to know more concerning one. or two
Of the persons there mentioned.
DR.. Bollman quickly responded that
in order to give his theory fair trial
the desired information should be fur.
nished The surgeon assented, wher
Bollman sought diligently about his
person for scrap of paper upon which
to write out the desired information
This, however, was merely pretense
as he had previously prepared paper
upon which he had written in sympa
thetic ink words of hope and cheer, as
suring him of his desire to aid him and
asking him to suggest a plan for escape
as he was familiar with the habits, priv
ileges and customs of the prison.
Upon this paper he wrote in penci
! the information wanted, concerning ole
I friends, and closed with these words:
81 am glad of the opportunity of ad
dressing you these words, which, wheI
read Tith your usual ,Darmth, will af