The persecution1 in this protestant part of France continued with very little intermission from the revocation3 of the edict of Nantes, by Louis XIV. till a very short period previous to the commencement of the late French revolution. In the year 1785, M. Rebaut St. Etienne and the celebrated4 M. de la Fayette were among the first persons who interested themselves with the court of Louis XVI., in removing the scourge5 of persecution from this injured people, the inhabitants of the south of France.
Such was the opposition6 on the part of the catholics and the courtiers, that it was not till the end of the year 1790, that the protestants were freed from their alarms. Previously7 to this, the catholics at Nismes in particular, had taken up arms; Nismes then presented a frightful8 spectacle; armed men ran through the city, fired from the corners of the streets, and attacked all they met with swords and forks. A man named Astuc was wounded and thrown into the aqueduct; Baudon fell under the repeated strokes of bayonets and sabres, and his body was also thrown into the water; Boucher, a young man only 17 years of age, was shot as he was looking out of his window; three electors wounded, one dangerously; another elector wounded, only escaped death by repeatedly declaring he was a catholic; a third received four sabre wounds, and was taken home dreadfully mangled10. The citizens that fled were arrested by the catholics upon the roads, and obliged to give proofs of their religion before their lives were granted. M. and Madame Vogue11, were at their country house, which the zealots broke open, where they massacred both, and destroyed their dwelling14. M. Blacher, a protestant seventy years of age, was cut to pieces with a sickle15; young Pyerre, carrying some food to his brother, was asked, "Catholic or protestant?" "Protestant," being the reply, a monster fired at the lad, and he fell. One of the murderer's companions said, "you might as well have killed a lamb." "I have sworn," replied he, "to kill four protestants for my share, and this will count for one." However, as these atrocities16 provoked the troops to unite in defence of the people, a terrible vengeance17 was retaliated18 upon the catholic party that had used arms, which with[346] other circumstances, especially the toleration exercised by Napoleon Buonaparte, kept them down completely till the year 1814, when the unexpected return of the ancient government rallied them all once more round the old banners.
The arrival of King Louis XVIII. at Paris.
This was known at Nismes on the 13th of April, 1814. In a quarter of an hour, the white cockade was seen in every direction, the white flag floated on the public buildings, on the splendid monuments of antiquity20, and even on the tower of Mange, beyond the city walls. The protestants, whose commerce had suffered materially during the war, were among the first to unite in the general joy, and to send in their adhesion to the senate, and the legislative21 body; and several of the protestant departments sent addresses to the throne, but unfortunately, M. Froment was again at Nismes at the moment when many bigots being ready to join him, the blindness and fury of the sixteenth century rapidly succeeded the intelligence and philanthropy of the nineteenth. A line of distinction was instantly traced between men of different religious opinions; the spirit of the old catholic church was again to regulate each person's share of esteem22 and safety. The difference of religion was now to govern every thing else; and even catholic domestics who had served protestants with zeal12 and affection, began to neglect their duties, or to perform them ungraciously, and with reluctance23. At the fetes and spectacles that were given at the public expense, the absence of the protestants was charged on them as a proof of their disloyalty; and in the midst of the cries of "Vive le Roi," the discordant24 sounds of "A bas le Maire," down with the mayor, were heard. M. Castletan was a protestant; he appeared in public with the prefect M. Ruland, a catholic, when potatoes were thrown at him, and the people declared that he ought to resign his office. The bigots of Nismes even succeeded in procuring25 an address to be presented to the king, stating that there ought to be in France but one God, one king, and one faith. In this they were imitated by the catholics of several towns.
The History of the Silver Child.
About this time, M. Baron26, counsellor of the Cour Royale of Nismes, formed the plan of dedicating to God a silver child, if the Duchess d'Angouleme would give a prince to France. This project was converted into a public religious vow27, which was the subject of conversation both in public and private, whilst persons, whose imaginations were inflamed28 by these proceedings29, run about the streets crying Vivent les Bourbons, or the Bourbons forever. In consequence of this superstitious30 frenzy31, it is said that, at Alais, women were advised and instigated32 to poison their protestant husbands, and at length it was found convenient to accuse them of political crimes. They[347] could no longer appear in public without insults and injuries. When the mobs met with protestants, they seized them, and danced round them with barbarous joy, and amidst repeated cries of Vive le Roi, they sung verses, the burden of which was, "We will wash our hands in protestant blood, and make black puddings of the blood of Calvin's children." The citizens who came to the promenades33 for air and refreshment34, from the close and dirty streets, were chased with shouts of Vive le Roi, as if those shouts were to justify35 every excess. If protestants referred to the charter, they were directly assured it would be of no use to them, and that they had only been managed to be more effectually destroyed. Persons of rank were heard to say in the public streets, "All the Huguenots must be killed; this time their children must be killed, that none of the accursed race may remain." Still, it is true, they were not murdered, but cruelly treated, protestant children could no longer mix in the sports of catholics, and were not even permitted to appear without their parents. At dark their families shut themselves up in their apartments; but even then stones were thrown against their windows. When they arose in the morning, it was not uncommon36 to find gibbets drawn37 on their doors or walls; and in the streets the catholics held cords already soaped before their eyes, and pointed38 out the instruments by which they hoped and designed to exterminate39 them. Small gallows40 or models were handed about, and a man who lived opposite to one of the pastors41, exhibited one of these models in his window, and made signs sufficiently43 intelligible44 when the minister passed. A figure representing a protestant preacher was also hung up on a public crossway, and the most atrocious songs were sung under his window. Towards the conclusion of the carnival45, a plan had even been formed to make a caricature of the four ministers of the place, and burn them in effigy46; but this was prevented by the mayor of Nismes, a protestant. A dreadful song presented to the prefect, in the country dialect, with a false translation, was printed by his approval, and had a great run before he saw the extent of the error into which he had been betrayed. The sixty-third regiment48 of the line was publicly censured49 and insulted, for having, according to order, protected protestants. In fact, the protestants seemed to be as sheep destined50 for the slaughter51.
Soon after this event, the duke d'Angouleme was at Nismes, and remained there some time; but even his influence was insufficient53 to bring about a reconciliation54 between the catholics and the protestants of that city. During the hundred days betwixt Napoleon's return from the Isle of Elba, and his final downfall, not a single life was lost in Nismes, not a single house was pillaged55; only four of the most notorious disturbers of the peace were punished, or rather prevented from doing mischief57, and even this was not an act of the protestant[348] but the arrete of the catholic prefect, announced every where with the utmost publicity58. Some time after, when M. Baron, who proposed the vow of the silver child in favour of the Duchess d'Angouleme, who was considered as the chief of the catholic royalists, was discovered at the bottom of an old wine tun, the populace threw stones at his carriage, and vented47 their feelings in abusive language. The protestant officers protected him from injury.
The Catholic arms at Beaucaire.
In May, 1815, a federative association, similar to those of Lyons, Grenoble, Paris, Avignon, and Montpelier, was desired by many persons at Nismes; but this federation59 terminated here after an ephemeral and illusory existence of fourteen days. In the mean while a large party of catholic zealots were in arms at Beaucaire, and who soon pushed their patroles so near the walls of Nismes, "as to alarm the inhabitants." These catholics applied60 to the English off Marseilles for assistance, and obtained the grant of 1000 muskets62, 10,000 cartouches, &c. General Gilly, however, was soon sent against these partizans, who prevented them from coming to extremes, by granting them an armistice63; and yet when Louis XVIII. had returned to Paris, after the expiration64 of Napoleon's reign65 of a hundred days, and peace and party spirit seemed to have been subdued66, even at Nismes, bands from Beaucaire joined Trestaillon in this city, to glut67 the vengeance they had so long premeditated. General Gilly had left the department several days: the troops of the line left behind had taken the white cockade, and waited further orders, whilst the new commissioners69 had only to proclaim the cessation of hostilities70, and the complete establishment of the king's authority. In vain, no commissioners appeared, no despatches arrived to calm and regulate the public mind; but towards evening the advanced guard of the banditti, to the amount of several hundreds, entered the city, undesired but unopposed. As they marched without order or discipline, covered with clothes or rags of all colours, decorated with cockades not white, but white and green, armed with muskets, sabres, forks, pistols and reaping hooks, intoxicated71 with wine, and stained with the blood of the protestants whom they had murdered on their route, they presented a most hideous72 and appalling73 spectacle. In the open place in the front of the barracks, this banditti was joined by the city armed mob, headed by Jaques Dupont, commonly called Trestaillon. To save the effusion of blood, this garrison74 of about 500 men consented to capitulate, and marched out sad and defenceless; but when about fifty had passed, the rabble75 commenced a tremendous fire on their confiding76 and unprotected victims; nearly all were killed or wounded, and but very few could re-enter the yard before the garrison gates were again closed. These were again forced in an instant, and all were massacred who could not climb over roofs, or leap into the adjoining gardens. In a word, death met them in every place and in[349] every shape and this catholic massacre13 rivalled in cruelty, and surpassed in treachery, the crimes of the September assassins of Paris and the Jacobinical butcheries of Lyons and Avignon. It was marked, not only by the fervour of the revolution, but by the subtlety77 of the league, and will long remain a blot78 upon the history of the second restoration.
Nismes now exhibited a most awful scene of outrage79 and carnage, though many of the protestants had fled to the Convennes and the Gardonenque. The country houses of Messrs. Rey, Guiret, and several others, had been pillaged, and the inhabitants treated with wanton barbarity. Two parties had glutted80 their savage81 appetites on the farm of Madame Frat: the first, after eating, drinking, and breaking the furniture, and stealing what they thought proper, took leave by announcing the arrival of their comrades, "compared with whom," they said, "they should be thought merciful." Three men and an old woman were left on the premises82: at the sight of the second company two of the men fled. "Are you a catholic?" said the banditti to the old woman. "Yes." "Repeat, then, your Pater and Ave." Being terrified she hesitated, and was instantly knocked down with a musket61. On recovering her senses, she stole out of the house, but met Ladet, the old valet de ferme, bringing in a salad which the depredators had ordered him to cut. In vain she endeavoured to persuade him to fly. "Are you a protestant?" they exclaimed; "I am." A musket being discharged at him, he fell wounded, but not dead. To consummate83 their work, the monsters lighted a fire with straw and boards, threw their yet living victim into the flames, and suffered him to expire in the most dreadful agonies. They then ate their salad, omelet, &c. The next day, some labourers, seeing the house open and deserted84, entered and discovered the half consumed body of Ladet. The prefect of the Gard, M. Darbaud Jouques, attempting to palliate the crimes of the catholics, had the audacity85 to assert that Ladet was a catholic; but this was publicly contradicted by two of the pastors at Nismes.
Another party committed a dreadful murder at St. Cezaire, upon Imbert la Plume86, the husband of Suzon Chivas. He was met on returning from work in the fields. The chief promised him his life, but insisted that he must be conducted to the prison at Nismes. Seeing, however, that the party was determined87 to kill him, he resumed his natural character, and being a powerful and courageous88 man advanced and exclaimed, "You are brigands89—fire!" Four of them fired, and he fell, but he was not dead; and while living they mutilated his body and then passing a cord round it, drew it along, attached to a cannon90 of which they had possession. It was not till after eight days that his relatives were apprized of his death. Five individuals of the family of Chivas, all husbands and fathers, were massacred in the course of a few days.[350]
Near the barracks at Nismes is a large and handsome house, the property of M. Vitte, which he acquired by exertion91 and economy. Besides comfortable lodgings92 for his own family, he let more than twenty chambers95, mostly occupied by superior officers and commissaries of the army. He never inquired the opinion of his tenants96, and of course his guests were persons of all political parties; but, under pretence97 of searching for concealed98 officers, his apartments were overrun, his furniture broken, and his property carried off at pleasure. The houses of Messrs. Lagorce, most respectable merchants and manufacturers M. Matthieu, M. Negre, and others, shared the same fate: many only avoided by the owners paying large sums as commutation money, or escaping into the country with their cash.
Interference of Government against the Protestants.
M. Bernis, extraordinary royal commissioner68, in consequence of these abuses, issued a proclamation which reflects disgrace on the authority from whence it emanated100. "Considering," it said, "that the residence of citizens in places foreign to their domicile, can only be prejudicial to the communes they have left, and to those to which they have repaired, it is ordered, that those inhabitants who have quitted their residence since the commandment of July, return home by the 28th at the latest, otherwise they shall be deemed accomplices101 of the evil-disposed persons who disturb the public tranquility, and their property shall be placed under provisional sequestration."
The fugitives102 had sufficient inducements to return to their hearths104, without the fear of sequestration. They were more anxious to embrace their fathers, mothers, wives, and children, and to resume their ordinary occupations, than M. Bernis could be to insure their return. But thus denouncing men as criminals who fled for safety from the sabres of assassins, was adding oil to the fire of persecution. Trestaillon, one of the chiefs of the brigands, was dressed in complete uniform and epaulettes which he had stolen; he wore a sabre at his side, pistols in his belt, a cockade of white and green, and a sash of the same colours on his arm. He had under him, Truphemy, Servan, Aime, and many other desperate characters. Some time after this M. Bernis ordered all parties and individuals, armed or unarmed, to abstain105 from searching houses, without either an order, or the presence of an officer. On suspicion of arms being concealed, the commandant of the town was ordered to furnish a patrol to make search and seizure106; and all persons carrying arms in the streets, without being on service, were to be arrested. Trestaillon, however, who still carried arms, was not arrested till some months after, and then not by these authorities, but by General La Garde, who was afterwards assassinated107 by one of his comrades. On this occasion it was remarked, that "the system of specious108 and deceptive109 proclamations was perfectly110 understood, and had long been practised in Languedoc; it was not too late to persecute111 the protestants simply for their religion. Even[351] in the good times of Louis XIV. there was public opinion enough in Europe to make that arch tyrant112 have recourse to the meanest stratagems113." The following single specimen114 of the plan pursued by the authors of the Dragonades may serve as a key to all the plausible115 proclamations which, in 1815, covered the perpetration of the most deliberate and extensive crimes:—
Letters from Louvois to Marillac.
"The king rejoices to learn from your letters, that there are so many conversions116 in your department; and he desires that you would continue your efforts, and employ the same means that have been hitherto so successful. His majesty117 has ordered me to send a regiment of cavalry118, the greatest part of which he wishes to be quartered upon the protestants, but he does not think it prudent119 that they should be all lodged120 with them; that is to say, of twenty-six masters, of which a company is composed, if, by a judicious121 distribution, ten ought to be received by the protestants, give them twenty, and put them all on the rich, making this pretence, that when there are not soldiers enough in a town for all to have some, the poor ought to be exempt122, and the rich burdened. His majesty has also thought proper to order, that all converts be exempted123 from lodging93 soldiers for two years. This will occasion numerous conversions if you take care that it is rigorously executed, and that in all the distributions and passage of troops, by far the greatest number are quartered on the rich protestants. His majesty particularly enjoins124 that your orders on this subject, either by yourself or your sub-delegates, be given by word of mouth to the mayors and sheriffs, without letting them know that his majesty intends by these means to force to become converts, and only explaining to them, that you give these orders on the information you have received, that in these places the rich are excepted by their influence, to the prejudice of the poor."
The merciless treatment of the women, in this persecution at Nismes, was such as would have disgraced any savages125 ever heard of. The widows Rivet126 and Bernard, were forced to sacrifice enormous sums; and the house of Mrs. Lecointe was ravaged127, and her goods destroyed. Mrs. F. Didier had her dwelling sacked and nearly demolished128 to the foundation. A party of these bigots visited the widow Perrin, who lived on a little farm at the windmills; having committed every species of devastation129, they attacked even the sanctuary130 of the dead, which contained the relics131 of her family. They dragged the coffins132 out, and scattered133 the contents over the adjacent grounds. In vain this outraged134 widow collected the bones of her ancestors and replaced them: they were again dug up; and, after several useless efforts, they were reluctantly left spread over the surface of the fields.
Till the period announced for the sequestration of the property of the fugitives by authority, murder and plunder135 were the daily employment of what was called the army of Beaucaire, and the catholics of[352] Nismes. M. Peyron, of Brossan, had all his property carried off; his wine, oil, seed, grain, several score of sheep, eight mules136, three carts, his furniture and effects, all the cash that could be found and he had only to congratulate himself that his habitation was not consumed, and his vineyards rooted up. A similar process against several other protestant farmers, was also regularly carried on during several days. Many of the protestants thus persecuted137 were well known as staunch royalists; but it was enough for their enemies to know that they belonged to the reformed communion; these fanatics138 were determined not to find either royalists or citizens worthy139 the common protection of society. To accuse, condemn140, and destroy a protestant, was a matter that required no hesitation141. The house of M. Vitte, near the barracks at Nismes, was broken open, and every thing within the walls demolished. A Jew family of lodgers142 was driven out, and all their goods thrown out of the windows. M. Vitte was seized, robbed of his watch and money, severely143 wounded, and left for dead. After he had been fourteen hours in a state of insensibility, a commissary of police, touched by his misfortunes, administered some cordials to revive him; and, as a measure of safety, conducted him to the citadel144, where he remained many days, whilst his family lamented145 him as dead. At length, as there was not the slightest charge against him, he obtained his liberation from M. Vidal; but when the Austrians arrived, one of the aids-de-camp, who heard of his sufferings and his respectability, sought him out, and furnished an escort to conduct his family to a place of safety. Dalbos, the only city beadle who was a protestant, was dragged from his home and led to prison. His niece threw herself on the neck of one of them and begged for mercy; the ruffian dashed her to the ground. His sister was driven away by the mob; and he being shot, his body remained a long time exposed to the insults of the rabble.
Royal Decree in favour of the Persecuted.
At length the decree of Louis XVIII., which annulled147 all the extraordinary powers conferred either by the king, the princes, or subordinate agents, was received at Nismes, and the laws were now to be administered by the regular organs, and a new prefect arrived to carry them into effect; but in spite of proclamations, the work of destruction, stopped for a moment, was not abandoned, but soon renewed with fresh vigour149 and effect. On the 30th of July, Jacques Combe, the father of a family, was killed by some of the national guards of Rusau, and the crime was so public, that the commander of the party restored to the family the pocket-book and papers of the deceased. On the following day tumultuous crowds roamed about the city and suburbs, threatening the wretched peasants; and on the 1st of August they butchered them without opposition. About noon on the same day, six armed men, headed by Truphemy, the butcher, surrounded the house of Monot, a carpenter; two of the party, who were smiths,[353] had been at work in the house the day before, and had seen a protestant who had taken refuge there, M. Bourillon, who had been a lieutenant152 in the army, and had retired153 on a pension. He was a man of an excellent character, peaceable and harmless, and had never served the emperor Napoleon. Truphemy not knowing him, he was pointed out partaking of a frugal154 breakfast with the family. Truphemy ordered him to go along with him, adding, "Your friend, Saussine, is already in the other world." Truphemy placed him in the middle of his troop, and artfully ordered him to cry Vive l'Empereur: he refused, adding, he had never served the emperor. In vain did the women and children of the house intercede155 for his life, and praise his amiable156 and virtuous157 qualities. He was marched to the Esplanade and shot, first by Truphemy and then by the others. Several persons attracted by the firing, approached, but were threatened with a similar fate. After some time the wretches158 departed, shouting Vive le Roi. Some women met them, and one of them appeared affected159, said one, "I have killed seven to-day, for my share and if you say a word, you shall be the eighth." Pierre Courbet, a stocking weaver160, was torn from his loom161 by an armed band, and shot at his own door. His eldest162 daughter was knocked down with the butt163 end of a musket; and a poignard was held at the breast of his wife while the mob plundered164 her apartments. Paul Heraut, a silk weaver, was literally165 cut in pieces, in the presence of a large crowd, and amidst the unavailing cries and tears of his wife and four young children. The murderers only abandoned the corpse166 to return to Heraut's house and secure every thing valuable. The number of murders on this day could not be ascertained167. One person saw six bodies at the Cours Neuf, and nine were carried to the hospital.
If murder some time after, became less frequent for a few days, pillage and forced contributions were actively168 enforced. M. Salle d'Hombro, at several visits was robbed of 7000 francs; and on one occasion, when he pleaded the sacrifices he had made, "Look," said a bandit, pointing to his pipe, "this will set fire to your house; and this," brandishing169 his sword, "will finish you." No reply could be made to these arguments. M. Feline170, a silk manufacturer, was robbed of 32,000 francs in gold, 3000 francs in silver, and several bales of silk.
The small shopkeepers were continually exposed to visits and demands of provisions, drapery, or whatever they sold; and the same hands that set fire to the houses of the rich, and tore up the vines of the cultivator, broke the looms171 of the weaver, and stole the tools of the artizan. Desolation reigned172 in the sanctuary and in the city. The armed bands, instead of being reduced, were increased; the fugitives, instead of returning received constant accessions, and their friends who sheltered them were deemed rebellious173. Those protestants who remained, were deprived of all their civil and religious rights, and even the advocates and huissiers entered into a resolution to exclude all of "the pretended reformed religion" from their bodies.[354] Those who were employed in selling tobacco were deprived of their licenses174. The protestant deacons who had the charge of the poor were all scattered. Of five pastors only two remained; one of these was obliged to change his residence, and could only venture to administer the consolations175 of religion, or perform the functions of his ministry176, under cover of the night.
Not content with these modes of torment177, calumnious178 and inflamatory publications charged the protestants with raising the proscribed179 standard in the communes, and invoking180 the fallen Napoleon; and, of course, as unworthy the protection of the laws and the favour of the monarch181.
Hundreds after this were dragged to prison without even so much as a written order; and though an official newspaper, bearing the title of the Journal du Gard, was set up for five months, while it was influenced by the prefect, the mayor, and other functionaries182, the word charter was never once used in it. One of the first numbers, on the contrary, represented the suffering protestants as "Crocodiles only weeping from rage and regret that they had no more victims to devour183; as persons who had surpassed Danton, Marat, and Robespierre, in doing mischief: and as having prostituted their daughters to the garrison to gain it over to Napoleon." An extract from this article, stamped with the crown and the arms of the Bourbons, was hawked184 about the streets, and the vender185 was adorned186 with the medal of the police.
Petition of the Protestant Refugees.
To these reproaches it is proper to oppose the petition which the Protestant Refugees in Paris presented to Louis XVIII. in behalf of their brethren at Nismes.
"We lay at your feet, sire, our acute sufferings. In your name our fellow-citizens are slaughtered187, and their property laid waste. Misled peasants, in pretended obedience188 to your orders, had assembled at the command of a commissioner appointed by your august nephew. Although ready to attack us, they were received with the assurances of peace. On the 15th of July, 1815, we learnt your majesty's entrance into Paris, and the white flag immediately waved on our edifices189. The public tranquility had not been disturbed, when armed peasants introduced themselves. The garrison capitulated, but were assailed191 on their departure, and almost totally massacred. Our national guard was disarmed192, the city filled with strangers, and the houses of the principal inhabitants, professing193 the reformed religion, were attacked and plundered. We subjoin the list. Terror has driven from our city the most respectable inhabitants.
"Your majesty has been deceived if there has not been placed before you the picture of the horrors which make a desert of your good city of Nismes. Arrests and proscriptions are continually taking place, and difference of religious opinions is the real and only cause.[355] The calumniated195 protestants are the defenders196 of the throne. Your nephew has beheld197 our children under his banners; our fortunes have been placed in his hands. Attacked without reason, the protestants have not, even by a just resistance, afforded their enemies the fatal pretext198 for calumny199. Save us, sire! extinguish the brand of civil war; a single act of your will would restore to political existence a city interesting for its population and its manufactures. Demand an account of their conduct from the chiefs who have brought our misfortunes upon us. We place before your eyes all the documents that have reached us. Fear paralizes the hearts, and stifles200 the complaints of our fellow-citizens. Placed in a more secure situation, we venture to raise our voice in their behalf," &c. &c.
At Nismes it is well known that the women wash their clothes either at the fountains, or on the banks of streams. There is a large basin near the fountain, where numbers of women may be seen every day, kneeling at the edge of the water, and beating the clothes with heavy pieces of wood in the shape of battledoors. This spot became the scene of the most shameful202 and indecent practices. The catholic rabble turned the women's petticoats over their heads, and so fastened them as to continue their exposure, and their subjection to a newly invented species of chastisement203; for nails being placed in the wood of the battoirs in the form of fleur-de-lis, they beat them till the blood streamed from their bodies, and their cries rent the air. Often was death demanded as a commutation of this ignominious204 punishment, but refused with a malignant205 joy. To carry their outrage to the highest possible degree, several who were in a state of pregnancy206 were assailed in this manner. The scandalous nature of these outrages207 prevented many of the sufferers from making them public, and, especially, from relating the most aggravating208 circumstances. "I have seen," says M. Durand, "a catholic avocat, accompanying the assassins in the fauxbourg Bourgade, arm a battoir with sharp nails in the form of fleur-de-lis; I have seen them raise the garments of females, and apply, with heavy blows, to the bleeding body this battoir or battledoor, to which they gave a name which my pen refuses to record. The cries of the sufferers—the streams of blood—the murmurs209 of indignation which were suppressed by fear—nothing could move them. The surgeons who attended on those women who are dead, can attest210, by the marks of their wounds, the agonies which they must have endured, which, however horrible, is most strictly211 true."
Nevertheless, during the progress of these horrors and obscenities, so disgraceful to France and the catholic religion, the agents of government had a powerful force under their command, and by honestly employing it they might have restored tranquility. Murder and robbery, however, continued, and were winked212 at, by the catholic magistrates213,[356] with very few exceptions; the administrative215 authorities, it is true, used words in their proclamations, &c. but never had recourse to actions to stop the enormities of the persecutors, who boldly declared that, on the 24th, the anniversary of St. Bartholomew, they intended to make a general massacre. The members of the reformed church were filled with terror, and, instead of taking part in the election of deputies, were occupied as well as they could in providing for their own personal safety.
Arrival of the Austrians at Nismes.
About this time, a treaty between the French court and the allied19 sovereigns, prohibited the advance of the foreign troops beyond the line of territory already occupied, and traced by the course of the Loire, and by the Rhone, below the Ardeche. In violation216 of this treaty, 4000 Austrians entered Nismes on the 24th of August; under pretence of making room for them, French troops, bearing the feudal217 title of Royal Chasseurs, followed by the murdering bands of the Trestaillons and Quatretaillons, who continued their march to Alais, where a fair was to be held, and carried disorder218 and alarm into all the communes on that route. Nothing now was heard but denunciations of fusillading, burning, razing219, and annihilating220; and while the catholics were feasting and murdering at Nismes, the flames of the country houses of the protestants, rising one hundred feet in the air, rendered the spectacle still more awful and alarming. Unfortunately, some of the peasants, falsely charged with the murder of two protestants, were brought to Nismes while the prefect was celebrating the fete of St. Louis. At a splendid dinner given to the Austrian commanders, and even without quitting the table, it appears, that the French prefect placed the fate and fortune of these unfortunate prisoners at the disposal of Count Stahremberg, who, of course, believing the representations made to him ordered the accused to be immediately shot. To mortify221 and exhaust the protestant communes, the Austrians were directed to occupy them, where they completely disarmed the inhabitants without the least opposition. In fact, these foreigners were soon undeceived. They expected to meet the most perfidious222 and brutal223 enemies in arms, and in open rebellion against their king; but, on the contrary, they found them all in peace, and experienced the most kind and respectful treatment; and though their duty was a most vexatious and oppressive one, they performed it in general with moderation. On this account they could not refrain from expressing their astonishment224 at the reports made to them by the authorities at Nismes, declaring, "They had found a population suffering great misfortunes, but no rebels; and that compassion225 was the only feeling that prevailed in their minds." The commander himself was so convinced of the good disposition226 of the people of the Cevennes, that he visited those districts without an escort, desiring, he said, to travel in that country as he would in his own. Such confidence[357] was a public reproach on the authorities at Nismes, and a sentence of condemnation227 on all their proceedings.
As the persecution of the protestants was spreading into other departments, strong and forcible representations were secretly printed and made to the king. All the ordinary modes of communication had been stopped; the secrecy228 of letters violated, and none circulated but those relative to private affairs. Sometimes these letters bore the postmark of places very distant, and arrived without signatures, and enveloped229 in allegorical allusions230. In fact, a powerful resistance on the part of the outraged protestants was at length apprehended231, which, in the beginning of September excited the proclamation of the king, on which it was observed, "that if his majesty had been correctly and fully9 informed of all that had taken place, he surely would not have contented232 himself with announcing his severe displeasure to a misled people, who took justice into their own hands, and avenged233 the crimes committed against royalty234." The proclamation was dictated235 as though there had not been a protestant in the department; it assumed and affirmed throughout the guilt236 of the sufferers; and while it deplored237 the atrocious outrages endured by the followers238 of the duke d'Angouleme, (outrages which never existed,) the plunder and massacre of the reformed were not even noticed.
Still disorders239 kept pace with the proclamations that made a show of suppressing them, and the force of the catholic faction240 also continued to increase. The catholic populace, notwithstanding the decrees of the magistrates, were allowed to retain the arms they had illegally seized, whilst the protestants in the departments were disarmed. The members of the reformed churches wished at this period to present another memorial to the government, descriptive of the evils they still suffered, but this was not practicable. On the 26th of September, the president of the consistory wrote as follows: "I have only been able to assemble two or three members of the consistory pastors or elders. It is impossible to draw up a memoir241, or to collect facts; so great is the terror, that every one is afraid to speak of his own sufferings, or to mention those he has been compelled to witness."
Outrages committed in the Villages, &c.
We now quit Nismes to take a view of the conduct of the persecutors in the surrounding country. After the re-establishment of the royal government, the local authorities were distinguished242 for their zeal and forwardness in supporting their employers, and, under pretence of rebellion, concealment243 of arms, non-payment of contributions, &c. troops, national guards, and armed mobs, were permitted to plunder, arrest, and murder peaceable citizens, not merely with impunity244, but with encouragement and approbation245. At the village of Milhaud, near Nismes, the inhabitants were frequently forced to pay large sums to avoid being pillaged. This, however, would not[358] avail at Madame Teulon's: On Sunday, the 16th of July, her house and grounds were ravaged; the valuable furniture removed or destroyed, the hay and wood burnt, and the corpse of a child, buried in the garden, taken up and dragged round a fire made by the populace. It was with great difficulty that M. Teulon escaped with his life. M. Picherol, another protestant, had deposited some of his effects with a catholic neighbour; this house was attacked, and though all the property of the latter was respected, that of his friend was seized and destroyed. At the same village, one of a party doubting whether M. Hermet, a tailor, was the man they wanted, asked, "Is he a protestant?" this he acknowledged. "Good," said they, and he was instantly murdered. In the Canton of Vauvert, where there was a consistory church, 80,000 francs were extorted246. In the communes of Beauvoisin and Generac similar excesses were committed by a handful of licentious247 men, under the eye of the catholic mayor and to the cries of "Vive le Roi." St. Gilles was the scene of the must unblushing villainy. The protestants, the most wealthy of the inhabitants, were disarmed, whilst their houses were pillaged. The mayor was appealed to:—the mayor laughed and walked away. This officer had, at his disposal, a national guard of several hundred men, organised by his own orders. It would be wearisome to read the lists of the crimes that occurred during many months. At Clavisson the mayor prohibited the protestants the practice of singing the psalms250 commonly used in the temple, that, as he said, the catholics might not be offended or disturbed.
At Sommieres, about ten miles from Nismes, the catholics made a splendid procession through the town, which continued till evening and was succeeded by the plunder of the protestants. On the arrival of foreign troops at Sommieres, the pretended search for arms was resumed; those who did not possess muskets were even compelled to buy them on purpose to surrender them up, and soldiers were quartered on them at six francs per day till they produced the articles in demand. The protestant church which had been closed, was converted into barracks for the Austrians. After divine service had been suspended for six months at Nismes, the church, by the protestants called the Temple, was re-opened, and public worship performed on the morning of the 24th of December. On examining the belfry, it was discovered that some persons had carried off the clapper of the bell. As the hour of service approached, a number of men, women, and children, collected at the house of M. Ribot, the pastor42, and threatened to prevent the worship. At the appointed time, when he proceeded towards the church, he was surrounded; the most savage shouts were raised against him; some of the women seized him by the collar; but nothing could disturb his firmness, or excite his impatience251: he entered the house of prayer, and ascended252 the pulpit; stones were thrown in and fell among the worshippers; still the congregation remained calm and attentive253, and the service was concluded amidst noise, threats, and outrage. On retiring many would have[359] been killed but for the chasseurs of the garrison, who honourably254 and zealously255 protected them. From the captain of these chasseurs, M. Ribot soon after received the following letter.
"January 2, 1816.
"I deeply lament146 the prejudices of the catholics against the protestants, who they pretend do not love the king. Continue to act as you have hitherto done, and time and your conduct will convince the catholics to the contrary: should any tumult150 occur similar to that of Saturday last inform me. I preserve my reports of these acts, and if the agitators256 prove incorrigible257, and forget what they owe to the best of kings and the charter, I will do my duty and inform the government of their proceedings. Adieu, my dear sir; assure the consistory of my esteem, and of the sense I entertain of the moderation with which they have met the provocations258 of the evil-disposed at Sommieres. I have the honor to salute259 you with respect.
Suval de Laine."
Another letter to this worthy pastor from the Marquis de Montlord, was received on the 6th of January, to encourage him to unite with all good men who believe in God to obtain the punishment of the assassins, brigands, and disturbers of public tranquility, and to read the instructions he had received from government to this effect publicly. Notwithstanding this, on the 20th of January, 1816, when the service in commemoration of the death of Louis XVI. was celebrated, a procession being formed, the National Guards fired at the white flag suspended from the windows of the protestants, and concluded the day by plundering260 their houses. In the Commune of Angargues, matters were still worse; and in that of Fontanes, from the entry of the king in 1815, the catholics broke all terms with the protestants; by day they insulted them, and in the night broke open their doors, or marked them with chalk to be plundered or burnt. St. Mamert was repeatedly visited by these robberies; and at Montmiral, as lately as the 16th of June, 1816, the protestants were attacked, beaten, and imprisoned261, for daring to celebrate the return of a king who had sworn to preserve religious liberty and to maintain the charter. In fact, to continue the relation of the scenes that took place in the different departments of the south of France, would be little better than a repetition of those we have already described, excepting a change of names: but the most sanguinary of all seems that which was perpetrated at Uzes, at the latter end of August, and the burning of several protestants places of worship. These shameful persecutions continued till after the dissolution of the Chamber94 of Deputies at the close of the year 1816. After a review of these anti-protestant proceedings, the British reader will not think of comparing them with the riots of London in 1780, or with those of Birmingham about 1793; as it is evident that where governments possess absolute power, such events could not have been prolonged for many months and even for years over a vast extent of country, had it not been for the[360] systematic262 and powerful support of the higher department of the state.
Farther account of the proceedings of the Catholics at Nismes.
The excesses perpetrated in the country it seems did not by any means divert the attention of the persecutors from Nismes. October, 1815, commenced without any improvement in the principles or measures of the government, and this was followed by corresponding presumption263 on the part of the people. Several houses in the Quartier St. Charles were sacked, and their wrecks264 burnt in the streets amidst songs, dances, and shouts of Vive le Roi. The mayor appeared, but the merry multitude pretended not to know him, and when he ventured to remonstrate265, they told him, "his presence was unnecessary, and that he might retire." During the 16th of October, every preparation seemed to announce a night of carnage; orders for assembling and signals for attack were circulated with regularity266 and confidence; Trestaillon reviewed his satellites, and urged them on to the perpetration of crimes, holding with one of those wretches the following dialogue:
Satellite. "If all the protestants, without one exception, are to be killed, I will cheerfully join; but as you have so often deceived me, unless they are all to go I will not stir."
Trestaillon. "Come along, then, for this time not a single man shall escape." This horrid267 purpose would have been executed had it not been for General La Garde, the commandant of the department. It was not till ten o'clock at night that he perceived the danger; he now felt that not a moment could be lost. Crowds were advancing through the suburbs, and the streets were filling with ruffians, uttering the most horrid imprecations. The generale sounded at eleven o'clock, and added to the confusion that was now spreading through the city. A few troops rallied round the Count La Garde, who was wrung268 with distress269 at the sight of the evil which had arrived at such a pitch. Of this M. Durand, a catholic advocate, gave the following account:
"It was near midnight, my wife had just fallen asleep; I was writing by her side, when we were disturbed by a distant noise; drums seemed crossing the town in every direction. What could all this mean! To quiet her alarm, I said it probably announced the arrival or departure of some troops of the garrison. But firing and shouts were immediately audible; and on opening my window I distinguished horrible imprecations mingled270 with cries of vive le Roi! I roused an officer who lodged in the house, and M. Chancel, Director of the Public Works. We went out together, and gained the Boulevarde. The moon shone bright, and almost every object was nearly as distinct as day; a furious crowd was pressing on vowing271 extermination272, and the greater part half naked, armed with knives, muskets, sticks, and sabres. In answer to my inquiries273 I was told the massacre was[361] general, that many had been already killed in the suburbs. M. Chancel retired to put on his uniform as captain of the Pompiers; the officers retired to the barracks, and anxious for my wife I returned home. By the noise I was convinced that persons followed. I crept along in the shadow of the wall, opened my door, entered, and closed it, leaving a small aperture274 through which I could watch the movements of the party whose arms shone in the moonlight. In a few moments some armed men appeared conducting a prisoner to the very spot where I was concealed. They stopped, I shut my door gently, and mounted on an alder275 tree planted against the garden wall. What a scene! a man on his knees imploring276 mercy from wretches who mocked his agony, and loaded him with abuse. In the name of my wife and children, he said, spare me! What have I done? Why would you murder me for nothing? I was on the point of crying out and menacing the murderers with vengeance. I had not long to deliberate, the discharge of several fusils terminated my suspense277; the unhappy supplicant278, struck in the loins and the head, fell to rise no more. The backs of the assassins were towards the tree; they retired immediately, reloading their pieces. I descended279 and approached the dying man, uttering some deep and dismal280 groans281. Some National Guards arrived at the moment, I again retired and shut the door. "I see," said one, "a dead man." "He sings still," said another. "It will be better," said a third, "to finish him and put him out of his misery282." Five or six muskets were fired instantly, and the groans ceased. On the following day crowds came to inspect and insult the deceased. A day after a massacre was always observed as a sort of fete, and every occupation was left to go and gaze upon the victims. This was Louis Lichare, the father of four children; and four years after the event, M. Durand verified this account by his oath upon the trial of one of the murderers."
Attack upon the Protestant Churches.
Some time before the death of general La Garde, the duke d'Angouleme had visited Nismes, and other cities in the south, and at the former place honoured the members of the protestant consistory with an interview, promising283 them protection, and encouraging them to reopen their temple so long shut up. They have two churches at Nismes, and it was agreed that the small one should be preferred on this occasion, and that the ringing of the bell should be omitted, general La Garde declared that he would answer with his head for the safety of his congregation. The protestants privately284 informed each other that worship was once more to be celebrated at ten o'clock, and they began to assemble silently and cautiously. It was agreed that M. Juillerat Chasseur should perform the service, though such was his conviction of danger that he entreated285 his wife, and some of his flock, to remain with their families. The temple being opened only as a matter of form, and in compliance286 with the orders of the[362] duke d'Angouleme, this pastor wished to be the only victim. On his way to the place he passed numerous groupes who regarded him with ferocious287 looks. "This is the time," said some, "to give them the last blow." "Yes," added others, "and neither women nor children must be spared." One wretch151, raising his voice above the rest, exclaimed, "Ah, I will go and get my musket, and ten for my share." Through these ominous288 sounds M. Juillerat pursued his course, but when he gained the temple the sexton had not the courage to open the door, and he was obliged to do it himself. As the worshippers arrived they found strange persons in possession of the adjacent streets, and upon the steps of the church, vowing their worship should not be performed, and crying, "Down with the protestants! kill them! kill them!" At ten o'clock the church being nearly filled, M. J. Chasseur commenced the prayers; a calm that succeeded was of short duration. On a sudden the minister was interrupted by a violent noise, and a number of persons entered, uttering the most dreadful cries, mingled with Vive le Roi! but the gens-d'armes succeeded in excluding these fanatics, and closing the doors. The noise and tumult without now redoubled, and the blows of the populace trying to break open the doors, caused the house to resound289 with shrieks290 and groans. The voice of the pastors who endeavoured to console their flock, was inaudible; they attempted in vain to sing the 42d psalm249.
Three quarters of an hour rolled heavily away. "I placed myself," says Madame Juillerat, "at the bottom of the pulpit, with my daughter in my arms; my husband at length joined and sustained me; I remembered that it was the anniversary of my marriage; after six years of happiness, I said, I am about to die with my husband and my daughter; we shall be slain291 at the altar of our God, the victims of a sacred duty, and heaven will open to receive us and our unhappy brethren. I blessed the Redeemer, and without cursing our murderers, I awaited their approach."
M. Oliver, son of a pastor, an officer in the royal troops of the line, attempted to leave the church, but the friendly sentinels at the door advised him to remain besieged292 with the rest. The national guards refused to act, and the fanatical crowd took every advantage of the absence of general La Garde, and of their increasing numbers. At length the sound of martial293 music was heard, and voices from without called to the besieged, "Open, open and save yourselves." Their first impression was a fear of treachery, but they were soon assured that a detachment returning from mass was drawn up in front of the church to favour the retreat of the protestants. The door was opened, and many of them escaped among the ranks of the soldiers, who had driven the mob before them; but this street, as well as others through which the fugitives had to pass, was soon filled again. The venerable pastor, Olivier Desmond, between 70 and 80 years of age, was surrounded by murderers; they put their fists in his face, and cried, "Kill the chief of brigands." He was preserved by the firmness of some officers, among whom was his own son; they made a[363] bulwark294 round him with their bodies, and amidst their naked sabres conducted him to his house. M. Juillerat, who had assisted at divine service with his wife at his side and his child in his arms, was pursued and assailed with stones, his mother received a blow on the head, and her life was some time in danger. One woman was shamefully295 whipped, and several wounded and dragged along the streets; the number of protestants more or less ill treated on this occasion amounted to between seventy and eighty.
Murder of General La Garde.
At length a check was put to these excesses by the report of the murder of Count La Garde, who, receiving an account of this tumult, mounted his horse, and entered one of the streets, to disperse296 a crowd. A villain248 seized his bridle297; another presented the muzzle298 of a pistol close to his body, and exclaimed, "Wretch, you make me retire!" He immediately fired. The murderer was Louis Boissin, a serjeant in the national guard; but, though known to every one, no person endeavoured to arrest him, and he effected his escape. As soon as the general found himself wounded, he gave orders to the gendarmerie to protect the protestants, and set off on a gallop299 to his hotel; but fainted immediately on his arrival. On recovering, he prevented the surgeon from searching his wound till he had written a letter to the government, that, in case of his death, it might be known from what quarter the blow came, and that none might dare to accuse the protestants of this crime. The probable death of this general produced a small degree of relaxation300 on the part of their enemies, and some calm; but the mass of the people had been indulged in licentiousness301 too long to be restrained even by the murder of the representative of their king. In the evening they again repaired to the temple, and with hatchets302 broke open the door; the dismal noise of their blows carried terror into the bosom303 of the protestant families sitting in their houses in tears. The contents of the poor's box, and the clothes prepared for distribution, were stolen; the minister's robes rent in pieces; the books torn up or carried away; the closets were ransacked304, but the rooms which contained the archives of the church, and the synods, was providentially secured; and had it not been for the numerous patrols on foot, the whole would have become the prey305 of the flames, and the edifice190 itself a heap of ruins. In the mean while, the fanatics openly ascribed the murder of the general to his own self-devotion, and said "that it was the will of God." Three thousand francs were offered for the apprehension306 of Boissin; but it was well known that the protestants dared not arrest him, and that the fanatics would not. During these transactions, the systems of forced conversions to catholicism was making regular and fearful progress.
Interference of the British Government.
To the credit of England, the reports of these cruel persecutions[364] carried on against our protestant brethren in France, produced such a sensation on the part of the government as determined them to interfere99; and now the persecutors of the protestants made this spontaneous act of humanity and religion the pretext for charging the sufferers with a treasonable correspondence with England; but in this state of their proceedings, to their great dismay, a letter appeared, sent some time before to England by the duke of Wellington, stating "that much information existed on the events of the south."
The ministers of the three denominations307 in London, anxious not to be misled, requested one of their brethren to visit the scenes of persecution, and examine with impartiality308 the nature and extent of the evils they were desirous to relieve. The Rev2. Clement309 Perot undertook this difficult task, and fulfilled their wishes with a zeal, prudence310, and devotedness311, above all praise. His return furnished abundant and incontestible proof of a shameful persecution, materials for an appeal to the British Parliament, and a printed report which was circulated through the continent, and which first conveyed correct information to the inhabitants of France.
Foreign interference was now found eminently312 useful; and the declarations of tolerance313 which it elicited314 from the French government, as well as the more cautious march of the catholic persecutors, operated as decisive and involuntary acknowledgments of the importance of that interference, which some persons at first censured and despised but though the stern voice of public opinion in England and elsewhere produced a reluctant suspension of massacre and pillage, the murderers and plunderers were still left unpunished, and even caressed315 and rewarded for their crimes; and whilst protestants in France suffered the most cruel and degrading pains and penalties for alleged316 trifling317 crimes, catholics, covered with blood, and guilty of numerous and horrid murders, were acquitted318.
Perhaps the virtuous indignation expressed by some of the more enlightened catholics against these abominable319 proceedings, had no small share in restraining them. Many innocent protestants had been condemned320 to the galleys321 and otherwise punished, for supposed crimes, upon the oaths of wretches the most unprincipled and abandoned. M. Madier de Montgau, judge of the cour royale of Nismes, and president of the cour d'assizes of the Gard and Vaucluse, upon one occasion felt himself compelled to break up the court, rather than take the deposition322 of that notorious and sanguinary monster Truphemy: "In a hall," says he, "of the Palace of Justice, opposite that in which I sat, several unfortunate persons persecuted by the faction were upon trial, every deposition tending to their crimination was applauded with the cries of 'Vive le Roi.' Three times the explosion of this atrocious joy became so terrible, that it was necessary to send for reinforcements from the barracks, and two hundred soldiers were often unable to restrain the people. On a sudden the shouts and cries of 'Vive le Roi' redoubled: a man arrives, caressed, applauded, borne in triumph—it is the horrible Truphemy; he approaches[365] the tribunal—he comes to depose323 against the prisoners—he is admitted as a witness—he raises his hand to take the oath! Seized with horror at the sight, I rush from my seat, and enter the hall of council; my colleagues follow me; in vain they persuade me to resume my seat; 'No!' exclaimed I, 'I will not consent to see that wretch admitted to give evidence in a court of justice in the city which he has filled with murders; in the palace, on the steps of which he has murdered the unfortunate Bourillon. I cannot admit that he should kill his victims by his testimonies324 no more than by his poignards. He an accuser! he a witness! No, never will I consent to see this monster rise, in the presence of magistrates, to take a sacrilegious oath, his hand still reeking325 with blood.' These words were repeated out of doors; the witness trembled; the factious326 also trembled; the factious who guided the tongue of Truphemy as they had directed his arm, who dictated calumny after they had taught him murder. These words penetrated327 the dungeons328 of the condemned, and inspired hope; they gave another courageous advocate the resolution to espouse329 the cause of the persecuted; he carried the prayers of innocence330 and misery to the foot of the throne; there he asked if the evidence of a Truphemy was not sufficient to annul148 a sentence. The king granted a full and free pardon."
This catholic system of subornation and perjury was carried to such an infamous332 degree, that twenty-six witnesses were found to sign and swear, that on the 3d of April, 1815, general Gilly, with his own hand and before their eyes, took down the white flag at Nismes; though it was proved that at the time when the tri-coloured flag was raised in its room, the general was fifteen leagues from Nismes, and that he did not arrive there till three days after that event. Before tribunals thus constructed, even innocence had not the least chance for protection. General Gilly knew better than to appear before them, and was condemned to death for contempt of court. But when he left Nismes, he thought either of passing into a foreign country, or of joining the army of the Loire; and it was long supposed that he had actually escaped. As it was impossible to gain any point, or find any security, his only hope was in concealment, and a friend found him an asylum333 in the cottage of a peasant; but that peasant was a protestant, and the general was a catholic: however, he did not hesitate; he confided334 in this poor man's honour. This cottage was in the canton of Anduze; the name of its keeper, Perrier; he welcomed the fugitive103, and did not even ask his name: it was a time of proscription194, and his host would know nothing of him, it was enough that he was unfortunate, and in danger. He was disguised and he passed for Perrier's cousin. The general is naturally amiable, and he made himself agreeable, sat by the fire, ate potatoes, and contented himself with miserable335 fare. Though subject to frequent and[366] many painful alarms, he preserved his retreat several months, and often heard the visiters of his host boast of the concealment of general Gilly, or of being acquainted with the place of his retreat. Patrols were continually searching for arms in the houses of protestants; and often in the night the general was obliged to leave his mattress336, half naked, and hide himself in the fields. Perrier, to avoid these inconveniences, made an under-ground passage, by which his guest could pass to an outhouse. The wife of Perrier could not endure that one who had seen better days should live as her family did, on vegetables and bread, and occasionally bought meat to regale337 the melancholy338 stranger. These unusual purchases excited attention; it was suspected that Perrier had some one concealed; nightly visits were more frequent. In this state of anxiety he often complained of the hardness of his lot. Perrier one day returned from market in a serious mood; and after some inquiries from his guest, he replied, "Why do you complain? you are fortunate compared with the poor wretches whose heads were cried in the market to-day. Bruguier, the pastor, at 2400 francs; Bresse, the mayor, at the same, and general Gilly at 10,000!"—"Is it possible?" "Aye, it is certain." Gilly concealed his emotion, a momentary339 suspicion passed his mind; he appeared to reflect. "Perrier," said he, "I am weary of life; you are poor and want money: I know Gilly and the place of his concealment; let us denounce him; I shall, no doubt, obtain my liberty, and you shall have the 10,000 francs." The old man stood speechless, and as if petrified340. His son, a gigantic peasant, 27 years of age, who had served in the army, rose from his chair, in which he had listened to the conversation, and in a tone not to be described, said, "Sir, hitherto we thought you unfortunate, but honest; we have respected your sorrow, and kept your secret; but since you are one of those wretched beings who would inform of a fellow creature, and insure his death to save yourself, there is the door; and if you do not retire, I will throw you out of the window." Gilly hesitated; the peasant insisted; the general wished to explain, but he was seized by the collar. "Suppose I should be general Gilly," said the fugitive. The soldier paused. "And it is even so," continued he, "denounce me, and the 10,000 francs are yours." The soldier threw himself on his neck; the family were dissolved in tears; they kissed his hands, his clothes, protested they would never let him leave them, and that they would die rather than he should be arrested. In their kindness he was more secure than ever; but their cottage was more suspected, and he was ultimately obliged to seek another asylum. The family refused any indemnity341 for the expense he had occasioned them, and it was not till long after that he could prevail upon them to accept an acknowledgement of their hospitality and fidelity342. In 1820, when the course of justice was more free, general Gilly demanded a trial; there was nothing against him; and the duke d'Angouleme conveyed to Madame Gilly the permission of the king for the return of her husband to the bosom of his country.[367]
But, even when the French government was resolved to bring the factions343 of the department of the Gard, under the laws, the same men continued to exercise the public functions. The society, called Royale, and its secret committee, maintained a power superior to the laws. It was impossible to procure344 the condemnation of an assassin though the evidence against him was incontestible, and for whom, in other times, there would have been no hope. The Truphemys, and others of his stamp, appeared in public, wearing immense mustachios, and white cockades embroidered345 with green. Like the brigands of Calabria, they had two pistols and a poignard at their waists. Their appearance diffused346 an air of melancholy mixed with indignation. Even amidst the bustle347 of the day there was the silence of fear, and the night was disturbed by atrocious songs, or vociferations like the sudden cry of ferocious wild beasts.
Ultimate resolution of the Protestants at Nismes.
With respect to the conduct of the protestants, these highly outraged citizens, pushed to extremities348 by their persecutors, felt at length that they had only to choose the manner in which they were to perish. They unanimously determined that they would die fighting in their own defence. This firm attitude apprised349 their butchers that they could no longer murder with impunity. Every thing was immediately changed. Those, who for four years had filled others with terror, now felt it in their turn. They trembled at the force which men, so long resigned, found in despair, and their alarm was heightened when they heard that the inhabitants of the Cavennes, persuaded of the danger of their brethren, were marching to their assistance. But, without waiting for these reinforcements, the protestants appeared at night in the same order and armed in the same manner as their enemies. The others paraded the Boulevards, with their usual noise and fury, but the protestants remained silent and firm in the posts they had chosen. Three days these dangerous and ominous meetings continued; but the effusion of blood was prevented by the efforts of some worthy citizens distinguished by their rank and fortune. By sharing the dangers of the protestant population, they obtained the pardon of an enemy who now trembled while he menaced.
But though the protestants were modest in their demands, only asking present safety, and security for the future, they did not obtain above half of their requests. The dissolution of the National Guard at Nismes was owing to the prudence and firmness of M. Laine. The re-organization of the Cour Royale was effected by M. Pasquier, then Keeper of the Seals; and these measures certainly ensured them a present safety but no more. M. Madier de Montgau, the generous champion of the protestants at Nismes, was officially summoned before the Court of Cassation at Paris, over which M. de Serre, Keeper of the Seals, presided, to answer for an alleged impropriety of conduct as a magistrate214, in making those public appeals to the Chamber[368] which saved the protestants, and increased the difficulties of renewing those persecutions of which he complained. The French attorney general demanded the erasure350 of his name from the list of magistrates, but this the court refused. Unfortunately since the law of elections in France has been changed, two of the bitterest enemies of the protestants had been chosen Deputies at Nismes. The future, therefore, is not without its dangers, and the condition of the persecuted may fluctuate with the slightest political alteration351; but which, it is to be hoped, may be prevented from any acts that may again disgrace the catholic religion, by the powerful expression of the public mind, actuated with better principles, or by the interference of the protestant influence in this or other countries. Happily, since the year 1820, no fresh complaints have issued from the south of France on the score of religion.
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1
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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revocation
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| n.废止，撤回 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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Vogue
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| n.时髦，时尚；adj.流行的 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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sickle
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| n.镰刀 | |
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atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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retaliated
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| v.报复，反击( retaliate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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legislative
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| n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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31
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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instigated
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| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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promenades
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| n.人行道( promenade的名词复数 )；散步场所；闲逛v.兜风( promenade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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34
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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41
pastors
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| n.（基督教的）牧师( pastor的名词复数 ) | |
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pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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45
carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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46
effigy
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| n.肖像 | |
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vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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49
censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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50
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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51
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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53
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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54
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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55
pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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57
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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58
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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federation
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| n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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armistice
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| n.休战，停战协定 | |
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expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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glut
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| n.存货过多，供过于求；v.狼吞虎咽 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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glutted
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| v.吃得过多( glut的过去式和过去分词 )；（对胃口、欲望等）纵情满足；使厌腻；塞满 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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85
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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emanated
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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101
accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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102
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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103
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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hearths
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| 壁炉前的地板，炉床，壁炉边( hearth的名词复数 ) | |
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abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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assassinated
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| v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
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108
specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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persecute
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| vt.迫害，虐待；纠缠，骚扰 | |
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112
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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113
stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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114
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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115
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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116
conversions
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| 变换( conversion的名词复数 )； （宗教、信仰等）彻底改变； （尤指为居住而）改建的房屋； 橄榄球（触地得分后再把球射中球门的）附加得分 | |
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117
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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118
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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119
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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121
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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122
exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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123
exempted
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| 使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
enjoins
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| v.命令( enjoin的第三人称单数 ) | |
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125
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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126
rivet
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| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
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127
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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128
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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129
devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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130
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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131
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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132
coffins
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| n.棺材( coffin的名词复数 )；使某人早亡[死，完蛋，垮台等]之物 | |
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133
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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134
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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135
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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136
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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137
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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138
fanatics
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| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
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139
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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140
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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141
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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142
lodgers
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| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
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143
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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144
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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145
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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146
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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147
annulled
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| v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去 | |
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148
annul
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| v.宣告…无效，取消，废止 | |
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149
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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150
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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151
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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152
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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153
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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154
frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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155
intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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156
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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157
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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158
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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159
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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160
weaver
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| n.织布工；编织者 | |
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161
loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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162
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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163
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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164
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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166
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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167
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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169
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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170
feline
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| adj.猫科的 | |
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171
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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172
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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173
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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174
licenses
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| n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 ) | |
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175
consolations
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| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
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176
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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177
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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178
calumnious
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| adj.毁谤的，中伤的 | |
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179
proscribed
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| v.正式宣布（某事物）有危险或被禁止( proscribe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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180
invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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181
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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182
functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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183
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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184
hawked
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| 通过叫卖主动兜售（hawk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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185
vender
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| n.小贩 | |
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186
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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187
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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188
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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189
edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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190
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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191
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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192
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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193
professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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194
proscription
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| n.禁止，剥夺权利 | |
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195
calumniated
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| v.诽谤，中伤( calumniate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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196
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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197
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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198
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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199
calumny
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| n.诽谤，污蔑，中伤 | |
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200
stifles
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的第三人称单数 )； 镇压，遏制 | |
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201
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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202
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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203
chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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204
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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205
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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206
pregnancy
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| n.怀孕，怀孕期 | |
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207
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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208
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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209
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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210
attest
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| vt.证明，证实；表明 | |
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211
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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212
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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213
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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214
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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215
administrative
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| adj.行政的，管理的 | |
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216
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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217
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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218
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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219
razing
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| v.彻底摧毁，将…夷为平地( raze的现在分词 ) | |
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220
annihilating
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的现在分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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221
mortify
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| v.克制，禁欲，使受辱 | |
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222
perfidious
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| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
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223
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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224
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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225
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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226
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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227
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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228
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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229
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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230
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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231
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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232
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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233
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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234
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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235
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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236
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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237
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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238
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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239
disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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240
faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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241
memoir
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| n.[pl.]回忆录，自传；记事录 | |
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242
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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243
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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244
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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245
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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246
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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247
licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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248
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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249
psalm
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| n.赞美诗，圣诗 | |
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250
psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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251
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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252
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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253
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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254
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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255
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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256
agitators
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| n.（尤指政治变革的）鼓动者( agitator的名词复数 )；煽动者；搅拌器；搅拌机 | |
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257
incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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258
provocations
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| n.挑衅( provocation的名词复数 )；激怒；刺激；愤怒的原因 | |
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259
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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260
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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261
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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262
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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263
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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264
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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265
remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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266
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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267
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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268
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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269
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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270
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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271
vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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272
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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273
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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274
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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275
alder
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| n.赤杨树 | |
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276
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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277
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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278
supplicant
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| adj.恳求的n.恳求者 | |
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279
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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280
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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281
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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282
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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283
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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284
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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285
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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286
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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287
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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288
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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289
resound
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| v.回响 | |
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290
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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291
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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292
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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293
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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294
bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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295
shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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296
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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297
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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298
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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299
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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300
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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301
licentiousness
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| n.放肆，无法无天 | |
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302
hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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303
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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304
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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305
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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306
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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307
denominations
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| n.宗派( denomination的名词复数 )；教派；面额；名称 | |
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308
impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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309
clement
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| adj.仁慈的；温和的 | |
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310
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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311
devotedness
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312
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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313
tolerance
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| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
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314
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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315
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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316
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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317
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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318
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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319
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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320
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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321
galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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322
deposition
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| n.免职，罢官；作证；沉淀；沉淀物 | |
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323
depose
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| vt.免职；宣誓作证 | |
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324
testimonies
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| （法庭上证人的）证词( testimony的名词复数 )； 证明，证据 | |
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325
reeking
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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326
factious
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| adj.好搞宗派活动的，派系的，好争论的 | |
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327
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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328
dungeons
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| n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 ) | |
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329
espouse
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| v.支持，赞成，嫁娶 | |
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330
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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331
perjury
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| n.伪证；伪证罪 | |
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332
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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333
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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334
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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335
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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336
mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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337
regale
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| v.取悦，款待 | |
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338
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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339
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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340
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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341
indemnity
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| n.赔偿，赔款，补偿金 | |
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342
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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343
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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344
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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345
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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346
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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347
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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348
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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349
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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350
erasure
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| n.擦掉，删去；删掉的词；消音；抹音 | |
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351
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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