imprisonment. To return to myself. Monsieur Le Bas, (under whom I was studying,) waited on the governor at his house in the city, desiring that I might be permitted to engrave for him in my apartment, and he would furnish me with materials. The governor, upon enquiry, found the implements to be such, as, by the duty of his office, he could by no means entrust me with, lest I might be tempted to do myself an injury. It is not unlikely, the account the governor had received of me by the exempt, from my landlord, being strengthened by the recommendations, and good opinion of Mousieur Le Bas, might contribute greatly to the lenient manner in which I was treated. The noise of bolts, locks, keys, and bars, are terrible beyond description; I could hear the prison-doors unlock, and lock, a great while before they came to me, and a long time after; this made me conclude there were several others in my condition. One day, I asked the keeper, if there were inany of my countrymen fellow-inhabitants with me; it was very natural for me to enquire. He stopped me short, by desiring me not to ask him any questions; and said, he was not suffered to talk with the prisoners. From that time, I never held any conversation with him, but merely for necessaries. However, I found him to be a very keen artful fellow; for one day he accosted me in this manner; pray Sir! how is your money made in England; is it like ours? I immediately perceived what he aimed at. Money to me then was, like the diamond to the cock in the fable, of no kind of value. I gave's six livre piece (5s. 3d.) and some small pieces besides, telling him it was all the money I had, and as he behaved civilly, he was welcome to it. He took it, and was very thankful and obliging. This was a most insinuating and genteel way of making me sensible of recompensing him for his trouble. It is true, he did not ask me for money, not being permitted to take any from the prisoners; and had this circumstance been known, he would certainly have been discharged from his place, and perhaps punished. The French are very nice in these affairs, receiving no money in royal prisons, or palaces, which redounds much to their honour. The trifle I gave, was entirely at my option, and therefore cannot be deemed any other than as a gift. I did not think this money ill bestowed; (not that I thought a composition here could set a prisoner free,) for among other reflections, that intruded themselves at times, I had more than once this uneasiness occurred to me, that if I remained long here, I might perhaps be forgotten, and the impossibility of making my wants known, would have made starving an additional distress to imprisonment, and would have rendered ny state truly deplorable, and superlatively wretched. As I had occasion for linen, &c. the following billet was sent to my landlord, by "Monsieur Denorder of the governor : nis will be so good as to send to Mr. Major, a flannel waistcoat, a night-cap, and shirts, to the Bastille.-To Monsieur Dennis, opposite St. Bennet's Church, St. James's Street, Paris." In the evening, the keeper used to bring a lighted candle. Being remarkably uneasy and fatigued, having racked my tortured mind to no purpose, closely scrutinizing into every circumstance and transaction, that I could recollect, to find out, if possible, the cause of my being thus shut up; for in uncertainties, the mind is abundantly employed in raising a thousand phantoms, more terrible in idea, than in reality. In this plight, I used to go to bed early, and put out my candle, in hopes that sleep, which brings to a level the prince and the slave, would free me from reflection. One night, the keeper not coming to me so soon as usual, and being in the dark, I endeavoured to light my candle, which by the following accident I was enabled to do; in the strict search of my room, I had left no corner unexamined, I had found upon the ledge of the chim. ney-piece, almost buried in dust, two or three matches, a steel, and a flint, but no tinder-box; upon which I struck a light into the snuffers, and accomplished my wish. When the keeper came, opening the door, and seeing me reading by a candle, his astonishment was very great; he started, and gave a sudden spring backwards, believing me the devil. He could not conceive how it was possible for me to obtain a light, as he knew there was no tinder-box in the room. I soon undeceived him, by shewing him the operation; otherwise he might (knowing me to be an he retic,) have raised some strange reports of witchcraft, by no means to my advantage, a bigoted and superstitious among people. When I had been here a few days, the surgeon came to shave me; they still continue in France the old appellation of barber-surgeons, these branches being yet connected. He was not very expert at this part of his profession, or his tools were bad; perhaps it might be owing to the length of my beard. A little time longer, would have qualified me for a Capuchin Friar. He wanted to draw something from me, by the questions he asked, whether I had served in the English army. I told him, I was only a military man by name; those in the English service, were very different sort of men; that I was one of the least of my countrymen. He very politely asked my pardon; and said, he hoped it was no offence, it was purely for conversation. He then asked me, if I chose to have a confessor, (the confessor is always a Jesuit, and by their artifices, they had contrived to have this office hereditary to their fraternity). I did not half relish this question, lest it might be a prelude to something else, being generally the last ceremony before execution. As I did not know why or wherefore I was confined, I could not tell whether some tricks were not hatching up against me; in this respect I certainly did him great injustice: in the thought, I told him, as I was of a different persuasion, I would not give any gentleman an unnecessary trouble. He said, perhaps his company and conversation might be agreeable to me. I thanked him for his civility, and begged to decline it. I was therefore uninterrupted in my melancholy meditations, during my abode there.* Had I admitted one of these reverend fathers to visit me, he would then naturally, out of pure charity, have touched upon his profession, and by his insinuations, have laboured at my conversion. My non-compliance with his weak and fallacious arguments, might have been deemed as obstinacy, and possibly might have brought me into some inconveniencies. I was perfectly well acquainted with their system of religion, and sufficiently prepared for an attack of that kind, especially upon their most essential article-Transubstantiation. The following anecdote is unanswerable, and more expressive than all the volumes that have been written upon that subject A protestant gentleman, who I met him once afterwards in the street. I had a great inclination to speak to him; but the recollection of what had passed, damped my spirits, gave a sudden check to my curiosity, and kept me silent. MONTHLY MAG. No. 186, had been long intimate with a Romish priest, was by bim frequently importuned to change his religion. The gentleman at length asked him, if he truly, in his own conscience, believed, that he had power to convert the wafer and the wine, into the real body and blood of Christ; he replied, that he firmly believed it. His friend then told him, that he would be a Roman catholic immediately, provided he would do one thing, which was, to give him a wafer; that he would poison it, and if he (the priest) had power to change and convert it, by his prayers, into the body of Christ, it was no longer hurtful. Eat that, and I am of your religion. The priest very prudently declined the test, conscious of his inability to perform what he had so confidently asserted.* This pagan priesteraft, is mentioned by Horace, Sut. V. wherein he says, at Bari, they would have persuaded him, that the sweet incense, on their altars, burnt without fire. The liquifying of St. Januarius's blood, at Naples, is a remnant of that antent imposture, and still esteemed a miracle by the Roman catholics. I had contracted a violent cold, attended with a fever, occasioned by the excessive dampness of the place, insomuch, that one day I was obliged to keep my bed. The surgeon came the next day to see me, and acquainted the governor, that he thought it requisite for me to have a fire, which was continued daily to the time of my going out. To the names of my unfortunate predecessors, which ornamented and covered these walls, I could not help following the example, by adding my own, notwithstanding the old Proverb, He is a fool, &c. In one place of the room, I perceived, was written, though almost defaced by time, James Dubuisson is confined here for nothing. This is exactly my case, said I to myself; I am not the only innocent man, who has felt the iron hand of adversity, and visited the inside of these dismal walls; drank here the bitter cup of affliction, and felt the dreadful effects of arbitrary power, and ministerial cruelty; and though many have felt the like, thou art not less bitter on that account: it is but cold comfort to find others as wretched as ourselves. In a despotic state, the mind insensibly becomes languid, and loses its faculty of exertion. Tyranny suffocates the effects of genius and emulation: renders mankind inactive, and debases its existence. The finest country in the world, when subjected to tyranny and oppression, by degrees becomes deserted. Liberty is the darling object of all beings, and much more so to a rational mind. This is verified in Bishop Burnet's Travels; speaking of the Grisons, in SwitzerTand, he says; "the liberty of the country is such, that the natives, when they have made estates elsewhere, are glad to leave even Italy, and the best parts of Germany, and to come and live amongst those mountains, of which the very sight is enough to fill a man with horror. An easy government, though joined to an ill soil, and accompanied with great incon veniencies, draws, or at least keeps, people in it; whereas a severe government, though in general ideas it may appear reasonable, drives its subjects even out of the best and most desirable seats." Some time after, I took notice of the dates of years, upon the hexagon tiles, with which the floor was paved, and traced then to the top; Monsieur Dubuisson had there cut his name at length, and underneath were the years, successively, that he had been shut up in this place. He had been confined eighteen, or twenty years, I cannot now remember which.* This excruciating thought made me excessively uneasy at times; when I beheld them with a steadfast eye, it shrunk my very soul within me; for a heart, filled with anguish, undergoes the severest agonies of mind: my blood was chilled, a cold damp insensibly overspread my vital frame: all nature revolted at the idea of perpetual imprisonment, consigned over to the hopeless prospect of ending my days in confinement. And this aggravated the thought; reflecting, that it possibly might be my own hard fate; and if the prime of my life should be sacrificed in this manner, the test of my days would scarcely be worth the having; believing that I had taken an eternal adieu of the arts I loved. Spes et Fortuna, valete. How, or which way, Monsieur Dubuisson had contrived to cut these indelible * A mournful sight for a heart possessed of any feeling. characters, I cannot comprehend, unless he made use of the flint, or perhaps, of the iron fork; certainly it was a work of great patience; however, it cannot be said, he was straitened for time to finish his tedious undertaking. On the demise of Louis XV. the prisoners were released from the Bastille, (as is customary on the death of a king). Monsieur de la Salle, of the family de la Salle, in Canada, in 1687, a gentleman of fortune, who had been confined fortytwo years, at his release, was reduced to the greatest degree of misery, by his brother (who thought him dead) having squandered away all his patrimony. Upon his application to the minister, they procured for him, of the present king, a pension of 3000 livres. The death of Louis XV. gave liberty to an infinite number of unhappy people, and to many, who would have been released sooner, but had been forgotten. When some of these were told they might go out, they' replied, 'Then we are sure Louis XV. is dead.' He died the 10th of May, 1774. After I had been here some days, the governor very genteely sent to let me know, that I might come down into the court-yard, for the benefit of the air; I cheerfully accepted this offer, and gladly followed my keeper. It was about noon, the sun at that time shining, whose enlivening rays were welcome to me, as the smallness of the window, and the thickmess of the walls of my apartment, which were at least 10 feet, had entirely excluded his visiting me; I could see his beams enlighten the tops of the houses, a dreary view, and which was almost my only prospect. After I had stretched my legs, by walking to and fro, I sat down in a disconsolate mood, on a bench adjoining the governor's apartments, meditating on my hard fate. I had not long been seated there, before a venerable officer, adorned with the order of St. Louis, came and placed himself by me; he very kindly en-** quired how I did, who I was, and what brought me to France. I satisfied his curiosity, by acquainting him with every particular circumstance. He seemed to sympathize with me, encouraging me not to be disheartened, to keep up my spirits, and hoped I should soon obtain my liberty; and wishing me well, took his leave. In all probability, this was one of the commanding officers in this fortress. He was the only person I saw in the court, except the centinel, walking in the palisades. The height of the walls, of. one hundred feet, and the iron grates to the spider began to distinguish the sound of this instrument, and came from her hole, to seize on the prey that was brought to her. He always called her by the same note, constantly putting her food near. After many months discipline, the spider knew the sound of the instrument so well, that she would come at the first signal, to take a fly from the further end of the room, and even on the knee of the prisoner.”— Hist. l'Acad Fran. One day I heard a sudden report, like a violent clap of thunder, that shook my habitation, and which was followed by several others. It was the firing of can non very near me from the ramparts. I could not conceive the reason, until I was informed by my keeper, that it was a rejoicing for a victory they had obtained over the allies in Flanders. This news damped my spirits; I felt for my Countrymen, sincerely wishing they might have it in their power to retrieve their loss. However, when I came out, I found it had only been a skirmish or drawn-battle, where both sides claimed the victory; a thing not uncommon in time of war, to keep up the spirits of the people. The tops of the towers compose a platform, strongly built, whereon are thirteen picces of cannon, fired on days of solemnity, or public rejoicing, After I had been here some time, the governor sent to let me know, that a gentleman wanted to see me. I was at a loss` to think, who this could be, and ima gined I was sent for to undergo a strict examination, as hitherto nothing had passed, but what I have related. I was preparing myself accordingly, hoping to give a satisfactory account, and to get my discharge. I was brought before the governor, to the same room I had been in before, (the council-chamber); to my great surprize, I there found my good friend, Mr. Richard Selwin, the banker; he had obtained an order of admittance from the minister of state (as no one is suffered to enter here without) to see Earl Morton (afterwards president of the Royal Society), who had been taken up two or three days before the.* He the windows, gave this place a most frightful aspect. Here an awful and eternal silence reigns, that adds to it a gloominess and horror beyond expres sion. After I had been here about half an hour, the keeper came to tell me I must retire to my cell. He held several large keys across his arm, tied by a leather thong, which made me compare myself to au auimal that had been tamed, and was following its master to be shut up in a den. My room was not dark, although the window was small, at a great height, and the walls enormously thick, by reason that the opening enlarged withinside. There were three steps of stone to mount up, by which means I could look out without difficulty; but then it was only a view straight forward. My chief amusement, at my window, to pass away my dreary hours, and dull solitude, was feeding sparrows, who came daily be tween the bars; and as I suppose, have some method of communicating to one another, and giving intelligence where they fare well. I at last was visited by many of them; they were very regular to their time in the morning, being sure of finding a plentiful repast. In them I saw a true emblem of mankind; though there was sufficient for them all, yet furious battles would ensue, attempting to engross more than they could tell what to do with. When they were glutted, they retired one by one, leaving me a wish to accompany them. I would then, with a sigh, say to myself, Happy beings, who thus enjoy freedom without restraint, may you never fall into the hands of your enemies, and experience what I now feel! Had I continued longer here, I believe, I should have brought these feathered gentry, to have been partakers with me at my table. I had an excellent lesson from Monsieur Pellison, (secretary to the celebrated Monsieur Fouquet, Intendant des Finances,) who was shut up here four years and some months. Monsieur Pellison was confined in a remote place, that received light only from a small window. He took a precaution against the attacks of an enemy, that a good conscience and courage cannot always overcome; that is against an idle imagination, which is a most cruel executioner in solitude, when it becomes wild and extravagant. The Spanish proverb says, Guarda me Dios de me! God keep me from myself! He thought on this stratagem. A spider made her web at the small window, while he played on the viole; by degrees, the له * Lord Morton staid in prison nearly three months, with his wife and child, and Lady Morton's sister. They were kept in separate apartments. His lordship, was a free-mason, and had scratened with his fork a sign in masonry on a pewter-plate; and what is remarkable, he received an answer on the next plate that came to him. After my return to England, I often saw his lordship, who com plained much of the ill treatment he had received. hearing 1 hearing I was taken up, and imprisoned thought liberty my birth-right; and did also in the same place, had very obligingly not look on this as an obligation, or an got me inserted in the same warrant; by act of justice, but a claim that was my which means I had the pleasure of this due; not then knowing, how few perkind visit. From the joy at seeing him, sons, who unhappily enter this place, I immediately accasted him in English, come out alive froin ihese subterraneous upun which the governor desired we sepulchres, and that it may be alınost would speak French; he placed me in a said to be the bourn, from whence no chair on one side of the chimney, oppo- traveller returns, unless it be feet forsite iny friend, and seated himself be- wards, to the parish of St. Paul, where tween us. He was witness to all our they are buried (if Roman-catholics), conversation; for it is not permitted to and generally registered under the false speak of the cause of a person's con- denomination of servants, let their conSinement, or any thing relative thereto; dition be what it will. This is done this is an invariable rule. Mr. Selwin with a view to deceive posterity. Had I told me to make myself easy, that my died in this place, (as an herecie) the friends were endeavouring to get my re ceremony would have been short. I lease, he doubted not of their success, should have been thrown upon a dungand hoped he should see me at his hill. I was a sorrowful witness of this table in a few days. His friendship in method of burial, at the interment of my coming at this time, and the hopes he intimate friend, Mr. Andrew Lawrence, had given me of a speedy deliverance, engraver, natural son of Mr. Lawrence, chased the cloud of sadness, and entirely apothecary to Queen Anne. lle was an dispelled all apprehensions of my long honour to his country, as an Englishman, continuance here. I now began to be by his unrivalled performances in the reinarkably impatient and uneasy, at arts, and to the world in general, as a uint hearing from my friends, fearing pious good man, endowed with the most their good intentions towards' me would extraordinary talents. Ile was buried at prove ineffectual, and felt å sinking of midnight, in a timber-yard, without the spirits, and sickness of heart, from hope gates of St. Anthony, at Paris. Mr. deferred; for I could by no means fami- Soubeyran, engraver, (afterwards diliarize myself to my loathsome cage, as rector of the academy at Geneva), Mr. , every hour seemed a day, from the sus- Blakey, painter; Mr. am, engraver;* pense I was in. To the unfortunate, days and myself, went in a Hackney-coach, seem as tedious as years; and to embitter and by order of the commissary of that their condition, every thing is seen in quarter, we were attended by four solthe worst light. Ať length, however, diers, armed, to protect us from the inthe keeper came one afternoon, and told solence and rage of the populace, who me to make up my packet, for there was otherwise would have torn us in pieces, an order coine for iny going out. This so strong are the prejudices of the comwas joyful tidings to a mind, that had non people, which are continually just before been cruelly agitated. I fomented by the Romish clergy, against inade up my bundle of linen in a land- the protestants. They carry their inkerchief, and followed my guide.* He brought me before the governor, who Mr. Ingram, (who had lived many years in * My countryman, and intimate friend, said, he had received an order for my France, had been a pupil of Mr. Le Bas, and release, and congratulated me thereun. was constantly employed by Mr. Cochin, che At that time, I did not fully comprehend king's engraver), having occasion to come to the extensive meaning of a congratu. England, to see his relations, had made some lation on my lucky discharge. As an stay, much longer than he intended, and innocent man, and as an Englishman, I therefore he was unwilling to return France, notwithstanding he had an employe ment there, as engraver to the Royal Academy * Although some instances have been of Sciences; and being a Roman Catholic, be known of persons being restored to society, had a pension settled upon him. after having been immured in the Bastille His knowlenge of the persons then in for a great length of time, yet such is the gioom and horror of its appearance, that power, and the little reliance he could have of their probity, made him apprehensive of every part of it seemed to repeat, to its his being confined, at his return. The dread wretched inhabitants, the words which of the Bastille determined him to finish his Danté read on the gates of hell. days in his own country, where he knew he 66 Lasciaté ogni speranza, voi che’ntrate." was in salety, and enjoy that liberty and Co You who enter here, abandon all hopes. freedom, that other nations envied. veterate to |