New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24

some dozen persons being imprisoned for the open
manner in which they had spoken concerning what
most people considered horrible sacrilege. not.
however. without precedent in history: fer at the
time OF the dissolution OF the English monasterles
under Henry VIII hundreds of glorious and even
royal monuments were destroyed and the bones
ruthlessly scattered to the winds.
Early the morning % October r. 1923.
multitude OF people. mostly belonging to tho lower
orders, FASTENED from Paris to st. Denis On their
way to this magnificent basca they stopped to
desecrato twelve beautiful Gothic wayside crosses,
erected in the thirteenth century by Philippe le
Hardi to commemorate the various places where
the body of St Louis rested on its way from Paris
TO the royal vault. At Aubervlllers the mob en-
tered the parish church and dragged from its posi-
ton over the high altar famous wooden image
of Notre Dame des Vertus They tied a cord round
its neck, and. hanging 1t to one OF the desecratd
CROSSES. set fire 10 It. and while they watched it
consuming away danced around. shouting the
'NCa ira and the "Carmagnole." After such vent
ures these it is easy to imagine that by the
time this multitude Of roughs arrived In tho large
square opposite the Abbey Of st. Denis they we're
ready to commit any description Of vandalism. They
found. however the splendid bronze gates-gven
by Chariemagne-closed. and although the great
bell tolled at regular intervals there signs
that anything unusual happening inside the
church. Possibly the disappointment az finding the
doors shut against them Infatuated tho mob. who
presently made determined and sudden rush for
ward en- masse and, before the soldiers could stop
lHeHl, lo4e uoNH INo gates ana haChed them to
pieces Thus persisted Of the most perfect
relics OF early French art.
The first grave disturbed that of Pepin, who
buried under the threshold Of the central door
His stone coffin opened. and a copper plate
torn from It, upon which was engraved ''IIic facet
Plppinus rex pater Carroll mugni" Nothing was
found in the coffin excepting few ashes and
quantity Of little bits OF gilt metal. Having salts
fed their curiosity with regard to the remains of
Pepin. the mob proceeded to throw down the
of the saints and kings. 10 smash the win
dows-some OF which were filed with stained glas
of the greatest beauty-and to desecrate the affairs
Presently number of in the uniform Of the
National Guard entered the church and restored
some sort Of order by officially announcing that
tho examinations were about 10 begin. Curiosity
now took the place OF riot. Bowls full of burning
vinegar and other disinfectants were distributed
and at the business opened in earnest In
the mean time big pit had been dug outside the
church. at the entry OF the cloisters. and near IT
were placed number OF barrels filed with quick
lime. One of the commissioners. having certified
that everything was in readiness for the deseora-
ton OF the royal bones. returned 10 the church
followed by his assistants. Gentlemen" he cried
I'VE are about to empty the rat hole under the
high aItarl''-a statement which was received with
great applause
At 1870 o'clock the woTkmen upon the first
coffin. 1t CHANGED to be other than that OF
Henri ". They placed 1t alongside the wall, on
the left hand side of the entrance the crypt and
Immediately proceeded TO open it. So great 80 the
curiosity to the remains of this most popular
OF French kings that every precaution was taken
not to injure the body. 1t discovered TO be
very carefully embslmed. and enveloped in a series
OF narrow bands Of linen STEPPED in some chemical