FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   2537   2538   2539   2540   2541   2542   2543   2544   2545   2546   2547   2548   2549   2550   2551   2552   2553   2554   2555   2556   2557   2558   2559   2560   2561  
2562   2563   2564   2565   2566   2567   2568   2569   2570   2571   2572   2573   2574   2575   2576   2577   2578   2579   2580   2581   2582   2583   2584   2585   2586   >>   >|  
Louis Capet is DEATH!" Previous to the passing of the sentence the President announced on the part of the Foreign Minister the receipt of a letter from the Spanish Minister relative to that sentence. The Convention, however, refused to hear it. [It will be remembered that a similar remonstrance was forwarded by the English Government.] M. de Malesherbes, according to his promise to the King, went to the Temple at nine o'clock on the morning of the 17th?. [Louis was fully prepared for his fate. During the calling of the votes he asked M. de Malesherbes, "Have you not met near the Temple the White Lady?"--" What do you mean?" replied he. "Do you not know," resumed the King with a smile, "that when a prince of our house is about to die, a female dressed in white is seen wandering about the palace? My friends," added he to his defenders, "I am about to depart before you for the land of the just, but there, at least, we shall be reunited." In fact, his Majesty's only apprehension seemed to be for his family.--ALISON.] "All is lost," he said to Clery. "The King is condemned." The King, who saw him arrive, rose to receive him. [When M. de Malesherbes went to the Temple to announce the result of the vote, he found Louis with his forehead resting on his hands, and absorbed in a deep reverie. Without inquiring concerning his fate, he said: "For two hours I have been considering whether, during my whole reign, I have voluntarily given any cause of complaint to my subjects; and with perfect sincerity I declare that I deserve no reproach at their hands, and that I have never formed a wish but for their happiness." LACRETELLE.] M. de Malesherbes, choked by sobs, threw himself at his feet. The King raised him up and affectionately embraced him. When he could control his voice, De Malesherbes informed the King of the decree sentencing him to death; he made no movement of surprise or emotion, but seemed only affected by the distress of his advocate, whom he tried to comfort. On the 20th of January, at two in the afternoon, Louis XVI. was awaiting his advocates, when he heard the approach of a numerous party. He stopped with dignity at the door of his apartment, apparently unmoved: Garat then told him sorrowfully that he was commissioned to communicate to him the decrees of the Convention. Grouvelle, secretary of the Executive Council, read them to him. The first declared Louis XVI. guilty of treason against the general safety of the State; the second
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   2537   2538   2539   2540   2541   2542   2543   2544   2545   2546   2547   2548   2549   2550   2551   2552   2553   2554   2555   2556   2557   2558   2559   2560   2561  
2562   2563   2564   2565   2566   2567   2568   2569   2570   2571   2572   2573   2574   2575   2576   2577   2578   2579   2580   2581   2582   2583   2584   2585   2586   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Malesherbes

 
Temple
 

sentence

 

Convention

 

Minister

 

affectionately

 

embraced

 

inquiring

 

happiness

 
choked

control

 

raised

 

LACRETELLE

 

deserve

 

complaint

 
voluntarily
 

subjects

 
reproach
 

formed

 

declare


sincerity
 
perfect
 
comfort
 

commissioned

 

sorrowfully

 

communicate

 

decrees

 

Grouvelle

 

apartment

 

apparently


unmoved
 

secretary

 

Executive

 
general
 

safety

 

treason

 

guilty

 

Council

 
declared
 
dignity

stopped
 

affected

 
emotion
 

distress

 

advocate

 

surprise

 

sentencing

 

decree

 

movement

 

Without