with a naked sword on
defense-less people, introduces into his animal and moral machine two
extraordinary and disproportionate emotions which unsettle it, on the
one hand, a sensation of omnipotence exercised uncontrolled, unimpeded,
without danger, on human life, on throbbing flesh[31103] and, on the
other hand, an interest in bloody and diversified death, accompanied
with an ever new series of contortions and exclamations;[31104]
formerly, in the Roman circus, one could not tear one's self away from
it; the spectacle once seen, the spectator always returned to see it
again. Just at this time each prison court is a circus, and what makes
it worse is that the spectators are likewise actors.--Thus, for them,
two fiery liquids mingle together in one draught. To moral intoxication
is added physical intoxication, wine in profusion, bumpers at every
pause, revelry over corpses; and we see rising out of this unnatural
creature the demon of Dante, at once brutal and refined, not merely
a destroyer, but, again, an executioner, instigator and calculator of
suffering, and radiant and joyous over the evil it accomplishes.

They are merry; they dance around each new corpse, and sing the
carmagnole;[31105] they arouse the people of the quarter "to amuse
them," and that they may have their share of "the fine fete."[31106]
Benches are arranged for "gentlemen" and others for "ladies": the
latter, with greater curiosity, are additionally anxious to contemplate
at their ease "the aristocrats" already slain; consequently, lights are
required, and one is placed on the breast of each corpse.--Meanwhile,
the slaughter continues, and is carried to perfection. A butcher at the
Abbaye[31107] complains that "the aristocrats die too quick, and that
those only who strike first have the pleasure of it"; henceforth they
are to be struck with the backs of the swords only, and made to run
between two rows of their butchers, like soldiers formerly running a
gauntlet. If there happens to be well-known person, it is agreed to take
more care in prolonging the torment. At La Force, the Federates who come
for M. de Rulhieres swear "with frightful imprecations that they will
cut the head of anyone daring to end his sufferings with a thrust of
his pike"; the first thing is to strip him naked, and then, for half
an hour, with the flat of their sabers, they cut and slash him until he
drips with blood and is "skinned to his entrails."--All the monstrous
instinc