Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-20

was always covered with a black velvet
mask. who was brought by Mons. Cling
Mars on his return from Pgnerol, died
and was buried in the cemetery of the
parish Of ST. Paul"
A third document is a letter written
by one Forbanoir de Paltot to Freron, a
publicist. telling him that in 1868 Mons
Cinq-Mars, Oh his way from the Isle OF
Etc. Marguerite to tho Bastile spent a
day on the Paltot estate. He had with
him at the time a prisoner whose face
was covered with thick black mask.
The prisoner was tall man with white
hair Mr.. Funck- Brentano also found
references to the Count Maccholi in the
of Choiseu and Madame Cam
pau. and in an Italian pamphlet published
in 1859. confirming the description of his
appearance.
THE BURIAL CERTIFICATE.
The most convincing proof. however,
is one that appears very simple now.
but does not appear TO have occurred to
any one before Mr.. Funck- Brentano. 1t
consists Of an examination of the records
of the burials Of the cemetery OF st. Paul,
in which Lieutenant du Jonca stated the
celebrated mysterious prisoner was bur-
led. There it is SGT forth that Macchioli
was buried in 16es. and that he had died
without receiving the sacraments Of the
church.
Much speculation has bone INDUCED in
as to the identity of the mysterious pris-
oner. Noltaire expressed the opinion that
has was the younger brother of Louis
XIV. Others pretended that he was a
twin brother OF tie great monarch. while
some went even 81 far as to say that he
was Louis XIV himself. masquerading.
The history of the man in the iron mask,
however according to the lecturer. was
altogether different from that OF the
greater number OF the celebrated people
confined in the notorious old prison. The
Eastile was built as n royal castle under
Charles v. became fortress and was
made q State prison under Richelieu. 1t
was rather mark Of distinction to be
confined within its walls, for it was re-
served TO the officers, diplomats and
young mobiles who were dissipating their
estates. or had committed some indiscre-
ton that rendered their confinement de-
sirable.
THE MISREPRESENTED BASTILE.
The mystery and terror which surround
ed the old prison were due rather to the
extra ordinary precautions observed about
the treatment Of prisoners. than to the
actual treatment of those confined there
in. Prisoners arrived there at night and
left at night. They were sworn to secrecy
as to what happened during their incar-
ccration. II any one died during the
period of confinement. he was buried in
the little cemetery Of the Bastion. These
precautions, OF which the origin is un-
known, were the only basis for the sinis-
ter stories OF ill-treatment OF prisoners
within its walls, according to the lee
turer.
Delicious idleness, Il cuisine which can
mot he equalled in these degenerate days
agreeable company and attentions which
made the stay as agreeable rs possible
were the regulations governing prisoners
in the celebrated old keep. The kins
made nm allowance OF from ten to one
hundred and twenty pounds a day. nc
cording to the rank of the prisoner. An,
portion Of this sum not spent in thu
prisoners behalf was handed to him al
he left the portals. This became known
and for time it was quite In order FOL
some young mobiles to get into cscapade'
which would bring their confinement il
the Bastile to enjoy rest and gathe
some savings. Thus the young Duke o
Richelieu WAS sent thither for six week
for failing to pay due respect to tn
Duchess. On coming out he more thai
made up to her in devotion for the mat
tentiOn he had manifested previously
Madame dc Stahl in her writings declare
that the brightest idyll OF her life ha'
been lived out during her incarceration
IN tho old Bastile.
At the conclusion az the lecture Their
were shown several limelght views.