The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-05
THE PLACE DE LA GREvE.
Some OF the Little Entertainments that
Took Place There in Times Past,

oTeu Win MS presence q bull FIGHT nj
Madrid, as indicating lack of refine.
ment and humanity, ] was reminded OF
q certain royal advertisement which mn
to the sixteenth or seventeenth cen.
fury took place annually at Paris. on
the eve OF the feast Of 81. Jean, In front
OF the Hotel de Vile. BY direction OF
the city magistrates tall tree was
planted, ornamented with ribbons and
bouquets, and garlanded with roses. AT
Its base fagots were piled; TO the sum-
NIT was attached large wire basket
containing q fox and two dozen cats. A
large blare Of trumpets announced the
arrival Of the King, with bis Queen and
all the royal family, ladies, courtierg.
priests and mighty men OF war. Around
the tree stood the provost. aldermen
and sheriffs In their robes or civic atate.
each holding q long torch OF yellow way.
One OF white wax, with a handle bound
with red velvet, was presented to the
King, who first set fire to the combusti-
bles. AS the flames reached the poor
victims, already frantic and clamorous
with rage and terror, and the air be-
came filled with their cries Of agony
and the stencil OF their burning. the vast
multitude OF merTy-makers burst into
acclAmations, and continued to laugh
and applaud till the last CAB was dead
and the King had entered the Hotel ia
Vile TO partake OF q sumptuous cola.
ton. The great Francois and the good
Henri were fox and cat burning kings.
and there fs nothing to prove that they
were not we'll pleased with q ceremonv
calculated to rend with Retrospective
anguish the soul OF q Bergh, but sus-
tanned, as says an old chronicler. at the
city's expense, ito give pleasure to his
Majesty" Still more lately have been
reminded OF q scene on this same Place
de Greve. It was when reading that
MOncasi, the International. had had q
second trial, and that though con-
demned there was for his great offense
no question OF any punishment more
grievous. than the simple and speedy |
death OF an ordinary homicide. nv |
mind went back little more ia an q |
century. to the scene Of the torture and
abortive attempt on the life Of that ex-
emplary sovereign Louis XIV. This en-
tertainment took place on an afternoon
In spring, and lasted three or four [
hours. First, that offending member.
the right hand, was put into 1
me hre. holding the regicidal
knife, and slowly burned. Then. to
compel the wretch to name his accom-
plices, he was tortured with hot min
GERS, hot lead and hot wax; then hot
Dill. sulphur and red pepper, mixed. and
pour ed into his wounds; then q strong D
young horse was fastened to each limb.
and all whipped and driven In opposite
directions, for the purpose OF dismem-
1erment. But all the time he declared
hat he alone had conceived and done
he deed to aveuge the wrongs OF an
oppressed and starving people; all the
lime he called on God to have pity ON
him and give him strength and pa
fence. 1t seemed that his prayers we're
leard, for his cries finally ceased. and
T Is recorded that he watched every
tage OF his horrible punishment with .
singular and mournful curiosity" So
'rodigious was his vitality and muscu-
Or strength that he did not die while a {
limb remained to his trunk, and that
could not be Effected ]
Ill after an hour OF effort on the part OF | (
lorses and executioners. In fact. it !
!as expedited by partial amputation bv I
ne advice OF the surgeons and plysf- 8
1ans present, who intorfered. not for q
be sake OF the poor criminal. but la the 7
interest OF the noble spectators, who I
'anted to see 1t out. It was growing g
ark, and they must get back to Yer. 9
allies Tor supper and cards. e