The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-21
THE PRISONS or PARIS.
mozas, with Its 1,2OO Cciis-Trentment OF
Journalists in ~. Peiagie.


In 1909. as NJ. Laufrey relates in his his
tory Of Napoleon l., his Majesty ordered the
Council Of State to draw M a bill Tor The re-es-
Enlistment Of state prisons, adding, "You will
saEg iSTS 70 be WH sseant
the historian. "how well he knew this unfoftu-
nate country always the dupe uf words and
ready to accept any charlatanism What blood
had been shed TO destroy the rastilel What
longer tho inonensivc Bastlle Of the feeble Louis
XVI. which was to be rebuilt, but eight Dastiles
scattered over the face OF tho empire. and at
the discretion Of an memorable power hut they
were raised in the name Of liberal ideas aud
not a muruur was heard" | have been re-
reminied OF tho above by A descriptIon of
the prisons OF the Seine which l ind In
the STclc. Paris, II appears. has eight prisons
and ~. Denis one. within the walls Of tne capt.
aver Re contains 400 men. 200 women, ana 40
children. There are 100 cells, and 50 most OF
the prisoners are placed in common wards.
Prisoners only remain In the depot iOrty-eight
hours. The ConcierRefie contains long gale
~, the cell Of Marie Antopette, and the prison
IN which the GrOndi-ts passed their last hours
scrbbling on the walls ana preparing to ole. In
addition to prisoners about to be tricd, the Con-
cicrccrie contains persons condemned Tor mis-
demeanora. the two ca'egories generally average
ing about 30. Tho prison ui Jeunes Detenus'
which was constructed IN lSB. j. conducted on
the cellular principle, and Is destined, IA the
name Indicates. FOR youthful Ouenucra, many OF
whom are imprisoned ON the demand of their
parents. This prison can hold so youths, but II
Is seldom more than half occupied.
Mazas Is the largest prison In Paris u stands
on tue site formerly occupied Nv la fuINt. u
trson much IN vogue In the days OF Louis XIV.
and Louis XIV, and In which POOR Sophie
Arnoud and other bright spirits were confined.
Muzas covers supctlcies OF about iOCOD square
yards, contains l2lO cells. and is In fact the
modern Baaule. Many politicians now living
have been within its walls. In addition to the
above there are Ia Santt. which Is a house Of
correction capable ~ holding 1000 prisoners; La
Ruquette. very dismal abode. where criminals
condemned To death and to hard labor are re-
ceived, aud which Gan contain 40 prisoners ST.
LaIate, q prison which dates from the fourteenth
century and which. after being IA convent and
then u leper house. l. now place Of confinement
for women of bad character. \ good desCrip-
ton OF this place. which IS about to bo domul-
ish.d, Is to be found IA Abt6 proyost's cele-
brated book, called "Manun Lescnut." st.
Laz r. can hold as many as LOO Inmates. There
is also IT. Pelagis, a tumble-dOvn building in
the neighoorhOod Of tho Jardin des PlAntes,
well known to gentlemen Of the fourth estate,
for IT Is reserved Tor persons guilty Of tress Of
fences for reapsariaLs, vagabonds, and beRgars.
Ii makes up $40 beds 1t must he added III It
journalists have little to complain Of at 81.
Pelagiv, where they are allowed rooms apart
frSu the other guests, and are treated with
great leuency. In the way OF Dastiles, the forts
around Parts, especially Mont Na6rien, have
sometimes been used a state prisons.