The Washington herald., 1908-07-12

memorate the various places where the
body OF st. Louis rested on its way from
Paris to the royA, vault
Burned Effisy OF Mary.
At Abervilliers the mob entered the par
ish church and dragged from it's position
over the high altar a famous wooden
image OF Notre Dame des Vertus They
tied a cord around its neck and. hanging
It TO one Of the desecrated crosses, set
fire to It. and while they watched it burn
danced around. shouting the Cara" and
the "Carmagnole"
After such ventures ns these II IS easy
10 imagine that by the time this multitude
OF roughs arrived in tho large square op-
posite the Abbey OF ST. Denis they were
ready to commit any vandalism. They
found, however. the splendid bronze gates
given by Charlemagne-clossd. and al
though the great bell tolled at regular in
tervals, there were no signs that any,
Thing unusual was happening inside the
church
Possibly the disappointment at finding
the doors shut against them infuriated
the mob. who presently made a deter
mined and sudden rush forward en- masse
and before the soldiers could stop them
tore down the gates and hacked them TO
pieces. Thus perished one Of the most
perfect relics OF early French art
Pepin's Grave Opened First.
The first grave disturbed was that OF
Pepln, who was buried under the thresh-
old Of the central door His stone coffin
was opened and n copper plate torn from
IT, upon which was engraved "Hic facet
Pippinus. rex. pater Carroll magni." Moth
ing was found In the coffin except a few
ashes and quantity Of little bits Of gilt
metal.
Having satisfied their curiosity with
regard 10 the remains OF Pepin, the mob
proceeded 10 throw down the statues Of
the saints and kings, 70 smash the win
dows-some Of which were filed with
stained glass OF great beauty-and 10
desecrate the altars. Presently a number
OF men in the uniform Of the National
Guard entered the church and restored
some sort OF order by officially announc-
Ing that the exhumations were about TO
begin.
Curiosity now took the place OF riot.
Bowls full OF burning vinegar and other
olsintectans were distributed, and at
noon the grewsome business opened in
earnest
Pit Dug for ROyaI Bones.
In the meantime a big pit had been dug
outside the church. at the entry OF the
cloisters, and near It were placed a num-
Der Of barrels filled with quickIime. One
OF the commissioners. having certified
that everything was IN readiness for the
desecration Of the royal bones. returned
10 the church, followed by his assistants.
Citizens" he cried, we are about TO
empty the rat hole under the high altar"
a statement which was received with
great applause
Al half-past the workmen came upon
The first coffin. It chanced 10 be that OF
Henri " They placed Il alongside the
Wall. on the left hand side Of the entrance
20 the crypt, and Immediately proceeded
70 open II. So great was the curiosity
10 see the remains OF this most popular
OF French kings that every precaution
was taken not 20 inture the body. II
was discovered 20 be very carefully en-
balmed and enveloped IN a series OF mar
row bands Of linen steeped in some chem
ical preparation. These We're unrolled
With the utmost care down 70 the waist.
when, 10 the surprise and terror OF the
spectators. the corpse OF the great King
appeared almost as perfect as when first
buried
Henry's Body Well Preserved.
The face was so well preserved that
even the fan-shaped beard seemed as II
Il had only recently been dressed. The
eyes were open. and the wounds made by
Ravaillac's knife were clearly revealed.
The upper part OF the brain had been re-
moved and replaced by a sponge filed
with aromatic essences.
The interest manifested by The crowd
on seeing the body OF this once popular
idol was such that the remains were IN
molested until quite late ~ night. thou
sands OF persons going IN procession 10
see them. No other body was exhumed
that day The next was Sunday. and al