The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-01-29
Irregular CorrespoEdencc.)
PARIS, France, Jan. II, 1881,

lReeular CorresDoHdencc)
PARIS, France, Jan. II, 1881.
A number of visits were paid yesterday to
the house in the Boulevard d'Italie where
Blanqui's remains still lie, and the register is
full of names, but contains none of any par
ticular note.
The old Revolutonist, who had been for
some time past in failing health, had mid
and benevolent aspect, IN striking contrast to
re-conCelvcd notions of the man who preach
ed nothing but force and mob tyranny. He
was of the middle height, and exceedingly
thin and emacated, but was quick in his
movements anu walked with regularity and
at pace that often led the envious to remark
that he was propelled by spring Blanqui's
hold on the people was wonderful. His feeble
voice and his white locks inspired his hearers
with sympathy, and when he spoke he only
did so after mature thought, and with an air
of conviction that always told. The old
atheist never could have excused himself on
the score of hastiness and want of reflection,
tor he was cold and deliberate in word as in
monstratlon over the tomb of Flourens, at
Pere Lachaise, will never forget the sight.
Blanqul was delivering an address, when SUD.
denly terrible thunderstorm burst overhead.
A drenching ram soon wetted the bystanders
to the skln and was accompanied by flashes
of lightning and deafenng rolls of thunder.
Suddenly one flash, more vivid than the 9th.
ers, blinded the crowd for a moment; but
Blanqui stood regarding it txedly, as if he
would seize II, Then with gesture of de.
SPAR, he shook his fist at the heavens and
defed Him "whom Voltalre called the Su.
preme Being" The act was characteristic of
the man.
Blanqui who hated the classical education
that he had himself received, brought his son
up as a peasant, a newer of wood and drawer
of water. For years he would not even have
have him taught to read, saying, "llc Will be
happier without it," lie was most primitive
and simple in his mode of life, never touched
wine, coffee, or any beverage but water, and
fed on herbs, lettuce and fruit. or peaches
he was particularly fond. Banqm had
wholesome taste for fresh air, and never closed
his windows night or day at any season OF
the year. His bed was placed under his open
window, and in the depth of winter the snow
flakes often fell on hi. face as he lay undis.
turbcd IN sound sleep. BIanqai married
young. HIS wife was favorite pupil, and
they had enjoyed seven years Of happiness,
when, after one of his c0nspiracies, he found
himself condemned to lifelong imprisonment.
Madame Blauqui dropped ana wasted away,
and at the end of the first year of separation
she died. Her husband has placed on record
the agony and suspense which he endured in
his solitary confinement, while his wife was
slowly perishlng; land then" he exclaims,
came four whole years in the solitude Of the
cell, with the phantom of her who was no
more. Such has been my punishment, alone,
as was in this Inferno of Dante" At Mi.
Ian Blanqul greatly surprised those who
heard him speak on the occasion of the cree.
ton of the Montana monument. "Citizens,"
he SAID, II put no iaith in those who pretend
to solve the social question in few hours.
When in prison | worked oht an intricate
problem of mathematics or astronomy. |
only discovered its solution after the lapse OF
many months. Often I could not solve it at
all. waited and resumed my task years after
And for the solution of such problem as the
social question, it Is not months or even years
that will suffice, tor one must reckon by cen
turles Those who assert the contrary are
seeking to lead you astray."