The times., 1897-10-31
THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI.
The Unhappy King Went to His
Death Bfavely.

The unhappy king Went TO HIS
Death Bravely.
| In the November Century there liz gra-
| phic article ON THE Last Days of Louis
| XVI and Marie Antoinette y The author,
| Miss Anna L. Bicknell, says:
! As O'Clock the King came out of the
turret, and desired that his family should be
summoned; then with Clery he went into
| the dining room, where Clery pushed the
| table into corner. To give more room, and
/ placed chairs in readiness, Tbs King. ever
| thoughtful and consideration what concern
| ed the Queen then desired Clery TO bring a
] decanter of water and glass, in case of
! need Ciery brought iced water, but the
King Immediately said that IT might max.
| the Queen III, and asked for water without
| ice
The Queen. holding the little Dauphin by
the hand, came first, followed by Madame
| Elisabeth with Madame Royale. All had
learned the dreadful truth through tile
cries OF the news .yenders under their win
dows withfloodzof of tears the Queen threw
herself into the Kings arms, and then at.
/ tempted to draw him into his bedchamber
but he explained that he coHld receive
them al oIly in the dining room where the
guards could watch them through the
glass door Clery closed it, and they could
aJ least speak without being heard. The
King sat Gown; the Queen took her place
at lis left, with Madame Elisabeth on the
other side; the children were before him
All chung ia I'm, and for some time onI5
| a burs6 os grief was manifest At last tie
King spoke.
He wep6 for u.s." says Madame R0yale
in her narrative, but not through fear OF
e.
exeusing the wretches who Were about TO
pat him to death. -" He then dt-
dressed religious exhortatioas to my brother.
he especially commanded him to forgive
those who were the cause OF his death. aud
gave him his blessing, as also 90 me
The child was seen TO raise hts hsnd
spIemnly, the Kln having required hifa
TO take anaoath tliat he would never seek
to revenge ais death; aud the child did 50.
During the last hours OF his life LOUIS
XVI seemed transfigured. His quiet ard
eahn fIfnBess his truly Christian feelings
Of forgiveness TOWARD his enemies, his
1 faith, his resignation, described with
blended wtnder and admiration by all who
came near him.
The interviews SO narrowing to all had
lasted nearly two hours, when, at quarter
past 0, the KineroAe decidedly, signif wing
to the weeping RBnen and children shat
they must leave ilim To prepare for coming
death. The Queen entFeated to be allowed
10 spend the night near him, but he firmly
refused, saying hat he must be alone and
calm
Il will see you tomorrow morning." he
SAID.
You promise thfs?" cried the Queen
"Yes, I promise; 1 Will see you ut 3
O'Clock
why not at 7?' cried the Q ueen anx-
iously.
''well, then, at 7; but now adieul"
The word was uttered with such interse
pathos that fresh burst of grief fol
lowed and Madame Royale faiuted at her
fathers feet. Clery flew 60 raise her
assisted by Madame Elisabeth.
The King repeated, ''Adieul Adieur and
broke away, taking refuge i'll his own bed
chamber
1t was dark, misty, January morning
The presence OF the two soldiers precuded
the possibility OF conversation; the priest
therefore handed his breviary to the King,
and poiEted out appropriate psalms, which
the King read devoutly and with perfect
calmneSs, to the evident astonis hment OF
the Gendarmes. The shops were shut along
the way, and crewdsof armed citizens stood
on the pavement asthe Coach, preceded and
followed by cavalry and artillery, went
slowly through the streets, where all the
windows were closed. Lines Of troops stood
OH each side W whiledrums beat soleninly, as
II for military funeral.
As the coach passed along the boulevartls
near the Forte st. Dennis, a few young men
rushed forward, waving swords and crying
, loudly: Come. all who would save the
Kingi" There WAS no response, and they
were obliged Co flee for their own lives,
They were pursued, and several W ere ar
rested, with fatal consequences. The King,
absorbed in prayer andreligious meditation
had not even perceived the vain attempt TO
effect his deliverance.
The coach had at last reached the Rue
Royale and the Place de la Revolution.
where the crowd was immense. The scat
fold stood little 60 the left OF the Place,
where the Obelisk now stands, but nearer
the Champs Elysees, toward which the
! guilIotiIe was turned. A mass OF troops
formed u squarehround the fatal spot. The
coach stopped at d distanceof a few PAGES
The King, feeling that the motion had
ceased. looked mp from his prayerbook. say.
| ,
l think
One of the exeeutloner's assistants open
ed the door. The King earnestly commended
the priest who accompanied him to the
care OF the gendarmes, and then stepped
from the coach :.
Three men surrounded him and tried to
take off his coat, He calmly pushed them
back and removed it himself, opening hfs
shirt collar and preparing his neck for the
AK. The exeeutloners, who seemed at first
disconnected and almost awed, then again
came around him, holding rope.
The King drew back quickly, exclaiIa-
ing:
What do you want to do?''
To tie your hands"
Tho King exclaimed Indignantly: Tile
my hands! Ne, viii not submit to this.
Do your duty, but do not attempt TO tie me
yCU shall not do it,
The. exeeutioners persisted. and spoke
loudly. The King looked toward the Abbe
! Edgeworth, who at once saw the impossibii