The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-09-10
FRENCH POLICE SKILL.

y
ago, the lieutenant general of the po-
lice at Paris had upon his register the
names of no fewer than two thousand
whose pursuits wero known to DO of
criminal nature; yet by making the de-
partment of police the immediate OBJ
iect of the close and uniform attention
of one branch of the executive govern
ment crimes were much less frequent
than in England. and the security ex-
tended to the public with regard to the
protection of life and property against
lawless depreciation was infinitely
greater. The following narratives
were authenticated by an English mag
istrate at the time, and record OF
them, written at the commencement OF
this century. is now in the possession
of the present writer:
A merchant of high respectability in
Bordeaux had occasion to visit Paris
upon commercial business, carrying
with him bills in money to u very large
amount On his arrival at the gates
of the French metropolis, genteel-
looking man opened the door of the
carriage and addressed him to this
effect: .Sir. have been waiting for
you some time. According to my notes,
you were to arrive at this hour; and
your person, your carriage, and your
portmanteau exactly answering the de-
scription hold in my hand. you will
permit me to have the honor of con-
Quoting you to Nj. do Sartine."
The gentleman, astonished and
alarmed at this interruption. and still
more at hearing the name of the
lieutenant Of police mentioned, de-
wanted with him. adding that no never
committed any oifense against the
laws, and that the police could have
ger declared himself ignorant of tho
cause of the detention, and said that
when he had conducted him to Nj. de
Sartine he should have executed his
orders. After some further explana-
tions the gentleman permitted The Ofli-
Ger TO conduct him to tho police offi-
cial.
M. do Sartine received him with
great politoncss, and. after requesting
him to DO seated, to his aslonishment
described his portmanteau. and told
him the exact amount in bills and cash
which no had brought with him to
Paris, where he was to lodge, his
usual time OF going to bed. and num-
Der of other circumstances which he
had conceived were known only to
himself Having thus excited his at
tention, Nj. do Sartine asked him:
"Sir. arc you man of coarsgep"
The gentleman. still more astonished
at tho singularity of this interrogatory.
demanded the reason why such quos-
ton was put. adding that no man had
ever doubted his courage.
nj. de Sartino replied: ''Sir, you
are to be robbed and murdered this
night. II you are man of courage.
you must go to your hotel. and retire
to rcst ut the usual hour. But be care.
full not to fall asleep; neither will it be
proper for you to look under your bed
or into the closot which is in youl
chamber. You must place your port
manteau in its usual situation neal
your bed. aud betray no suspicion
Leave what remains to me. If You dc
not feel your courage sufficient to beal
you out will procure someone wht
shall personate you aud go to bed il
your stcad.
The merchant being convinced tina
NJ. de Sartine's intelligence was accu
rate in every particular refused to b,
pcrSonalcd, and resolved to follow
literally ihe directions he had received
lie accordingly drove to the hotel. an,
went to bed at his usual hour.
| O'Clock. AT ha f-past 12-the tim
mentioned by Nj. dc Sartine-tho doc
of his bedchambcr burst open, an,
three men entered with dark lantern
daggers. and pistols. The merehan
perceived one of them to be his owl
servant. Tncy ritied his portmantea
undisturbcd, and settled the plan G
putting him 10 death. Hearing NJ
| this, and not knowing by what mean
| hu was TO be rescued, 1t may be SUP
posed no WAS under great perturaatiol
of mind during such an interval of sus
pcnsc. At the moment the villain.
were preparing to take the merchant;
life four police officers, who wero con
cealcd under the bed and in the closet
rushed out and seized the offender
with the property in their possession
The consequence was that the perpe
tration of the murder was prevented
and sufficient evidence obtained to con
vict the offenders. III. de Sartine's in
telligencc Thus enabled him to preven
many cases of murder and robbery.
the second story is as follows: Th,
emperor of Austri:I, Joseph H., having
in the year 1857 formed and promul
gated a new code of laws relative t.
criminal aud civil affairs, and having
also established what he conceived t.
be the best system of police in Europe
could scarcely ever forgive the Frencl
nation in consequence OF tho sccurac,
ami intelligence of NJ. do Sartine's po
lice having been found superior to hi:
own, Notwithstanding the pains he hat
bestowed on that department of hi
government A notorious Austrian
offender, who had committed mani
atrocious acts of violence and depreda
ton in Vienna, was traced to Paris b.
the police established by his majesty
who ordered his ambassador at th,
court of France to demand that thi
delinquent should be delivered up t,
public Justice. Nj. dc Sartine acknowl
edged to the imperial ambassador tina
the person he inquired after had beel
in Paris; that, il he wished it. ho woul'
inform him where he lodged, and tn
different gaming tables and othe
places of resort which he had frequent
cd while there; but that he was nov
gone.
The ambassador insisted that tn
offender must still be in Paris, other
wise the emperor would not have com
manded him to snch an application.
Nd. de Sartine smiled ut the incredul
ity of the imperial minister, and re
piled to the following effect: DO M
the honor, sir, to inform the emperor
your master, that the person he look
for left Paris about the 10th of la.
month, and is now lodged in q back
room, looking into . garden. in tn
third story Of q house, No. 9S, =
street. in his own capital of Vienna
whore his majesty will. by sending {
the spot, be sure to find him."
1t was literally as the French minis
ter had stated. The emperor. to hi
astonishment. found the delinquent
the house and apartment described
but he was greatly mortified Mt thi
proof of the superiority of the Frenc
police. Chambers Journal.
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