Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29
EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI
The Unhappy King Went to His Death
Bravely.
He Prepared Himself for the AK, but
dignity of binding His Hands.
Frcm the Century.

From the Century
Il was dark. misty. January morning.
The presence of the two soldiers precluded
the possibility of conversation; the priest
therefore handed his breviary to the king.
anG pointed Out appropriate psalms. which
TIE king read devoutly and with perfect
calnness. to the evident astoniShment Of
the gendarmes. The shops Were shut along
the way ard crowds of armed citizens
stood on the pavement as the coach. PIE
.ceGed and followed by cavalry and artil-
Iery. went slowly through the streets.
where all the windows were closed Lines
OF troops stood on each side. while drums
beat sc!eanIy, as If fer military funeral.
as the coach passed along the Bouie-
y@-sis rear the Porte st. Denis. few
young rlen rushed forward, waving swords
ard crying loudly: Come. all who would
save tine kingt There was no response
AID they were Obliged to flee for their own
lives They We're pursued and several
were arrested. with fatal consequences.
Re king. absorbed in prayer and religious
IN oditation. had not even perceived the
vain attempt to effect his deliverance.
The coach lad al last reached the Rue
Royale ana the Place de la Revolution,
where the crowd was immense. The scat
fold stood little to the left of the Place.
where the obeIsFs now stands, but nearer
the Champs Elysees. toward which the
WIS turned A mass oil troops
formed square around the fatal spot.
The coach stopped at a distance of a few
PAGES The king. feeling that the motion
had ceased. looked up frcm his prayer
book saying quietly: We have reached
the place. 1 think
one of the executioner's assistants open
ed the door The king earnestly commend
ed the priest who accompanied him to the
care OF the SeLdarmes, and then stepped
from the coach.
Three surrounded him and tried to
take off his coat. He calmly pushed them
back and removed it himself opening his
shirt collar and preparing his neck for the
TX The exec utioners. who seemed at first
disc oncerted and almost awed. then again
eeme around him. holding a rope.
The king drew back quickly, exclaiming:
What do you want to do?''
ITO tie your hands,"
The king exclaimed Indignantly: "Tie
my handsi No, 1 will net submit to this
Do your duty. but do not attempt to tie
NE; you shall not do it,''
The executioners persisted, and spoke
loudly The king looked toward the Able
EdgeWorth. who at once the impossi-
tiilty of resistance. and said gently: Sire
this last insult will only provide a fresh
point of resemblance between your majesty
and the God who will be your recon-
penSe
The king looked up to heaven Assured
~. HIS example alone could induce me &c
submit to such an indignity." Then. hold
ing out his lands: DO as you please; I
will drink the cup to the dregs"
His hands were tied fast and with the
assistance of his confessor he assembled
the steps of the scaffold. which were very
steep When he reaohed the top he broke
away from the able walked firmly across
the sranold. sileneed the drums by a glance
OF authority, and then in a voice so loud
Ihat 1t was audible on the opposite side of
the Place de la Revolution, he uttered these
words:
Il die innocent of all the crimes imputed
TO me- l forgive those who have caused
my death, and / pray God that the blood
you are about to shed may never fall on
France
There was shudder that ran through the
crowd ike great wave, but at the word of
command the drums beat prolonged roll
ana the voice could no longer be heard
The king, seeing that all further address
10 the crowd would be fruitless turned to
tne guillotine and calmly took his place on
me fatal plank, to which he was fastened
Inc apparatus turned over and the AK
ieil 1T was then quarter past 10 O'Clock
am or the list of January, 1888. The ex-
eeutioner held up the severed head. turning
as ne d,d so to the four sides of the place.
The KING of France was dead
LIE roi est mort
But no one dared to cry the traditional
response: "Vive lie roir'
lie roir The heir to the once elorious
TUE was now poor little child weeping
bitterly in pr.soS by the side of his wild
owed mother.