The Montreal museum, or Journal of literature and arts, 1 juillet 1833, Juillet

THE MONTREAL MUSEUM.No.S.JULY, 1833.Vol.I.THR SPECTRE GIEL.I should not have dared, twenty years 050, to relate what I once witnessed in a journey from Paris to Marseilles.At that period the truth alone was not sufficient in a narrative, there must also be probability ; and readers chose for this reason, to remain ignorant of a host of circumstances which gives endless variety to human life, and an ever-changing aspect to human nature.We now perhaps incline to the opposite extreme.A philosopher has truly said “ all is possible;” and as I am a convert to the truth of this opinion, I have no hesitation in relating the following anecdote.On the 21st.of October 1812, I was a passenger in a diligence which as it slowly ascended the hill of Autun, gate me leisure to examine a landscape of vineyards just stripped of their rich fruit—a sad sisrht to one who had no interest in calculating n o the value of the produce.My fellow travellers were vulgar people, and to our general misfortune one of them was nursing a little boy, whom I should have considered a fine child any where but in a public conveyance carrying nine insides ; of whom however, there were yet only seven.At a short distance from Autun we perceived, on our right a magnificent country scat, whose principal avenue led to the 58 ?+ : ( 45i ) high road.Tlie lodge gate was wide open, and at its entrance stood a carriage, several saddle horses, and a group of individuals, consisting ofelegant women, attended by well-dress-ed men and a host of liveried menials.The diligence stopped in the middle of the group, from which two servant» advanced, the one carrying a large travelling trunk, the others carpet hag, which the conductor stowed away upon tho çoof.*.Whilo this was being attended to, a fine-iooking young man was taking leave of the party.Two ladies and an old gentleman, who stood at a little distance from the rest, seemed to occupr the groatest share of his attention.The ladies wore evidentlj mother and daughter ; the young traveller held a hand of each which he kissed alternately.At length that of the young ladj received the last kiss, and the old gentleman gently pushed the youth towards the door of tho diligence, which the letter entered, and seated himself without paying any attention to its prew occupants ; then thrusting his body half through tho window,^ seemed desirous not to lose a word addressed to him* •u A pleasant journey !” repeated several voices.•“ In a week, at Beaupréau” said the mother.¦“ Adieu, Maurice !” was added by a youthful, m timid voico, more calculated to touch the heart than thq ear.-The traveller also repeated tho word Adieu !” waving bit hand and agitating his body, without scorning to care the lem for the inconvenienco to which ho put his unhappy fellow»p*j-sengers.At length the diligence began once more to moWi and, as there was a bend in the road, all further signals of lean taking soon bocame impossible.M.Maurice now seated him* I I self, and bogan to look at bis fellow-travellers, who examina! him in their turn, and seemed flattered by the elegance of lw appearance.Ilis figure was symmetry itself, and nothin) could be more strikingly handsome than his features ; but ther* was an expression of recklessness in his dark eye, and he smiled too often to be of my taste ; iu short, there was alight-hearti joyousness in his countenance which vexed me, for I had begu( H > I t -! \ [ 455 J by setting him down as a hero of romance.We had scarcely advanced two leagues further ere we knew that he Was in the Srlity , that his family dwelt in the Chateau de Bëaujrtéau bit the banks of the Drome ; the old gcntleirtàrt In his avenue one t>f the richest landholders in Burgundy, at whose house, he had just spent six weeks with the Countess of T * * *, and her daughter Augusta, that he had been betrothed to the latter from her infancy, because their estates lay contiguous ; that he 4 y Was going to make preparations for their marriage, which was to fake place a fortnight after, at the Chateau of the Countess ; and lastly, that he was going to resign his Commission, in order to live six months in the year, in the quiet of philosophy, upon his own estate, and si* months as a courtier at Paris.Education and good manners prevented him from being tiresome, yet he was naturally talkative, and the buoyancy of his spirits made him eager to communicate to others the feelings of happiness by which he was then excited.He seemed anxious to bo on good terms with every otic in the diligence.In short, his good nature was such, and even his flightincss in such good taste, that * I at last became interested in him, although I am much better « • • disposed to weep with those that weep, than to laugh with those who are joyful.On a sudden our vehicle was slopped ; our progress was impeded by a crowd of men, women, and children, all mingling their cries with notes of a dozen fiddles, the pressing invitations ôftwo merry-andrews, and the energetic remonstrances of four gendarmes.We were in the midst of a fair.“ What saints day can this be ?” said our fellow-passenger, Madame Pinguet, taking an almanack from her reticule ; “ ah ! it is the 21st., St.Ursula’s day” “ Ürsula !” repeated M.Maurice looking at the woman with an air of surprise.“ Ves,” replied the latter giving him the almanack, “ look ! (he 21st., that is to-day St.Ursula’s day.” M.Maurice instinctively took the almanac, and pronounced— f [ 456 ] tho word Ursula in a low voice, ; then, as if but in thought, remained silent.On receiving back her almanac, Madame Pinguet asked him whether his intended bride bore the name of Ursula in addition to that of Augusta.But M.Maurice was so absent that tlie good lady was obliged to repeat tiie question several limes, a faintly articulated—“No” issued from his lips : after which he uttered not another word.Wo were at that hour of the day so solemnly described bv Alighieri :— Che paja ’I giorno piar.gcr clic si muoro : an hour at which even the postillions cease to swear, and involuntarily participate in the calmness spread over naturc.-Silcncc led to reverie, reverie to sleep ; and neither of us knew how time had latterly past, when the coach stopped, and \\t found ourselves at Châlons-sur-Sâonc.Here we had supper.The linen was clean, the fare excellent, and all seemed well satisfied, except M.Maurice.The diligence again started.Arc we out of Chalons ?” constantly inquired M.Maurice.“ Why do you ask ?” said at length one of the female passe», gers.“ Oh ! 1 have no particular reason.” “ "Were you ever before at Chalons ?” “ Yes ; I was once quartered there.” TIcrc the conversation ceased ; for ihc motion of the coacii, the darkness, and the heat of the weather, disposed us to sleep; to which, for.my own part, I lmd yielded, when 1 was awoke by i a horrible jolt : tho vehicle had slopped.“ What is the matter ?what has happened ?” But wc had no time for conjecture ; the door opened.“ There is still a vacant place,*’ said the conductor.This was true, and yet we grumbled, for wc were so comfortable at that moment.“ 1 fore’s a young lady, said the conductor “ who will not take up much room and a small figure in white appeared upon the steps.“ She will not trouble you much, lor she in deaf and dumb.1 know her, and have already taken her twice to Lyons.The devil be with her !” said he, in an under tone : m “ She has always brought me bad luck :—You can place her between you on the front scat.Take care of your horses postillion !—the poor beasts seem frightened ; they stopped suddenly before, and now they arc rearing.YVonh ! so ! so !—Oh ! you may be easy on that score, Monsieur le Curd, I will take good care of the young lady.” These last words were addressed to a man in the garb of a priest, whom by the light of the coach lantern, we could perceive standing in the road.The new corner having seated herself, the conductor gave the signal to the postillion, and off we started.We were all anxious to know something of our new fellow-traveller, but as she was deaf and dumb that was impossible.” The woman in the diligence, and particularly Madame Pinguct, seemed disposed to talk a little upon this double infirmity, but were prevented by the screams of the baby, which would neither sleep or take the breast.An unpleasant scnsali-onofcold nowerept over us all.In vain did we pull up the glasses, and wrap our shawls and cloaks about us,—we all felt chilled.M.Maurice at length let down the glass on his side, declaring that the external air was warmer than the atmosphere wo now breathed in the diligence ; and, without being able to assign a cause lor it, we found that lie was right.The deaf and dumb girl who had come among us, was laughingly declared to be the cause of our feelings ; a general malediction was jestingly cast upon her, and each endeavoured again to relapse into sleep ; but this was impossible.One awoke in a fright—another was continually starting,—a third had frightful dreams,—and I shook and awoke M.Maurice who was moaning dreadfully : he told me he had the night mare ; amid these uncomfortable feelings.which seemed like a sudden blight fallen upon our hearts, the poor deaf and dumb girl was forgotten.The first beams of day reflected upon her white dress, at length attracted our attention t «8 ] towards her.We long looked at her in silent astonishment* tor wc seemed afraid of trusting to our senses.Each of us thought it was an illusion or the cfTcct of twilight.But the sun soon appeared above the horizon, and put an end to our doubts.Our fellow traveller struck us with afright.Her 9kin, of a iivid and deadly white seemed just fastened upon bare bond ; • the orbits of her eyes presented an immense circumference ;her thin skinny lips could scarcely cover a perfect Set of projecting teeth ; and the muscles and blood-vessels of her neck stood out in perfect relief.In a word, her face was a perfect death’s head with the exception of two small eyes, sparkling like live coals, from the bottom of their immense orbits, and a vivacity of mo* tion which made her turn her singular countenance from oné side to the other with an appearance of insatiable curiosity.After scanning this strange figure for a considerable time, we looked at each other, in silence as if fear had held our tongues.— The little black eyes of the object of our surprise, seemed to interrogate us in succession, and her large mouth smiled, but with an expression of gaiety so out of character with her countenance, that we cast down our eyes under the glance of hers : sheseemj ed like death laughing in our face.Now that we have read thé fantastic talcs, such an object might appear simple enough, hut, in IS 12, it soemed to us like the wild phantasm of a dream.M.Maurice spoke first.“ But for my respect for the present company, I would say with the conductor,—‘ the devil take her! Did you ever see such a face as hers ?I have often beliéld corpses on the field of battle ; I have often seen dissecting- rooms ; but never did I-.Upon my word she makes us all shudder.Look at the poor little baby ; it is too much afraid even to cry.” Meantime, the poor object of these remarks looked at us all, and hurst into a fit of laughter ; but to the sight only, for wo heard no sound.This silent laughter raised in us feelings of horror, but not tho least sympathy for her misfortunes.( know not what confessions we should have made to each other concerning our feelings, had not the axle-tree broke.I shall say [ 459 J nothing of the confusion consequent upon such an accident.— The deaf and dumb girl quickly scrambled over our prostrate bodies, and got out first.'When we hud followed her and stood contemplating the carriage lying upon its side, and our baggage strewed about the road, we were content to offer short congratulations to each other, for the preservation of our lives.Not so the conductor : bo gave vent to curses and imprecations.“ Did I not tell vou so?” he exclaimed, “ that cursed little • • dead woman, as they call her in her own neighbourhood, has brought misfortune upon us.This is the third time she has gone in my couch to Lyons.The first time, one of the horses fell dead ; the second, a postillion broke his leg, and now—.” A house by the road side offered us an asylum whilst the diligence was being repaired.There the conductor deposited us, whilst a postillion mounted one of the horses to fetch the blacksmith and wheelwright from a neighbouring village.It was not yet nine o’clock, and we thought this a good op- 9 portunity for taking a comfortable breakfast.The weather was beautiful ; the sun shone brightly, and whilst our meal was getting ready, wc rambled about the neighborhood.But the see- ncry was not very picturesque or beautiful.There was indeed % nothing to attract attention save a huge cross, about fifty yards from the house, surrounded by three young elms.A few branches of sweet-briar and common bramble were gently waving around a small grass plot extending around the stone at the foot of the cross.All this was very common ; but it was so tastefully done, that it would have formed a beautiful little vignette for a keepsake.“ Well,” said Maurice, “ as I have nothing else to do, I will sketch tliis pretty spot.” At this moment Madame Pinguet knelt upon the Stone, and began to tell a long chaplet of beads, “ Admirable !” continued Maurice, she will be a good figure in my sketch.Can you conceive any tiling like that young [ hatching of the eggs, the turtles frequent only peculiar shores ; but these arc often several hundred miles from their feeding places.The eggs arc hatched in less than a month after they arc laid ; and in about eight or ten days, the young reptiles crawl to the water.Few, however, reach their native element, in proportion to the number produced.They become the prey of sea-fowl and various quadrupeds of prev.The tiger is an especial enemy to the tortoise ; but man is still more actively engaged in their destruction.The collection of tortoise eggs forms one of the most important of the occupations of the Indians of tho Orinoco. [ «9 ] The wood-cut at the head of this article represents the manner in which the marine tortoises arc caught on the coast of Cuba and on parts of the South American continent.The Count de Lacepede, in his History of Oviparous Quadrupeds, has described the various inodes in which the business of tortoisc-catchins is carried on ; and we shall conclude this notice with an abstract of his account.It must be remarked that the turtle is a most important addition to the ordinary mode of victualing a ship ; and that, therefore, the war in which the human race engages against them is rendered absolutely necessary by the wants of navigators.“ In spite of the darkness which is chosen by the female tortoises for concealment when employed in laying their eggs,-they cannot effectually escape from the pursuit of their enemies ; the fishers wait for thorn on the shore, at the beginning of the night, especially when it is moonlight, and, either as they conic from the sea, or as they return after laying their eggs, they dispatch them with blows of a club, or turn them quickly over on their backs, not giving them time either to defend themselves or to blind their assailants, by throwing up the sand with their fins.When very large, it requires tho efforts of several men to turn them over, and they must often employ the assistance of handspikes or levers for that purpose.The buckler of this species is so flat as to render it impossible for the animal to recover the, recumbent posture, when it is once turned on its back.“ A small number of fishers may turn over forty or fifty tortoises, full of eggs, in less than three hours.During the day, they are employed in securing those which they had caught in the preceding night.They cut them up, and salt the flesh and the eggs.Sometimes they may extract above thirty pints of a yellow or greenish oil from one largo individual ; this is employed for burning, or, when fresh, is used with different kinds of food, sometimes they drag the tortoises they have caught, on their ‘'¦•ck, to enclosures, in which they arc reserved for occasional use.CO ( 470 ) 4k The tortoise fishers, from tho West Indies and the Bahamas, who catch these animals on the coast of Cuba and its adjoining islands, particularly the Caymanas, usually complete their cargoes in six weeks or two months ; they afterwards return to their own Islands, with the salted turtle, which is used for food both by the whites and the negroes.This salt turtle is in as great request in the American colonies, as the salted cod of Newfoundland is in many parts of Europe ; and the fishing is followed by all these colonists, particularly by the British,in small vessels, on various parts of the coast of Spanish America, and the neighbouring desert islands.“ The green tortoise is likewise often caught at sea in calm weather, and in moon-light nights.For this purpose two men go together in a small boat, which is rowed by one of them while the other is provided with a harpoon, similar to that used for killing whales.Whenever they discover a large tortoise,bv the froth which it occasions on the water in rising to the sur* face, they hasten to the spot as quickly as possible, to prevent it from escaping.The harpooncr immediately throws his harpoon witli sufficient, force to penetrate through the buckler to the flesh ; the tortoise instantly dives, and the fisher gives out 3 line, which is fixed to the harpoon, and, when the tortoise i* spent with loss of blood, it is hauled into the boat or on shore."-London Penny Magazine.MODE OF TRVELLING IN KAMTSCHATKA.lion ses are very scarce in Kamtschatka.They merely sen! during the summer for carriage of merchandize and effects h-longing to the crown, and lor the convenience of traveller: Dogs, however, abound in this country, and serve all the purposes of carriage.They arc fed without difficulty or expense in summer, which is their season for rest, little care is taken « them ; they know how to provide for themselves, by rangi- < » [ 471 ] over the country, and along the sides of lakes and rivers ; and ;lio punctuality with which they return is one of the most striking proofs of the fidelity of the animals.When winter arrives, their labour and slavery begin anew, to support which it is necessary that these dogs should be extremely vigorous.They are not, however, remarkably large, but resemble pretty much our shepherd dogs.Every inhabitant possesses at least live of these, which they use when they travel, and when they go to cut wood, and for the conveyance of their effects and provisions, as well as their persons.These dogs are harnessed to as|edne, two and two together, with a singfl one before as a leader.This honour is bestowed on the most intelligent, or the best trained dog ; and he understands wonderfully the terms used by the conductor to direct his course.The cry of tagtag turns him to the right, and kouglia to the left ; the intelligent animal understands it immediately, and gives the rest the example of obedience ; ah, ali, stops them, and ha makes them set otE The number of dogs that is necessary to harness depends upon the load , where it is little more than the weight of the person who mounts the sledge, it is considered as a common sled, j ft]-.7.m I A K ?L I\ •* K&3 Knf _ • r'v ?i II| r 4-si ] all his family ihe authorization of llis Majesty to exact proper reparation of the same.The King grew pale with rage, but nevertheless with more prudence than 1 had expected from him, he answered mildly declaring in general terms how much pain this quarrel had occasioned him, not the less, as chance alone had brought it all on ; for.added Louis XVI, 1 am certain that neither of the parties lmd any intention of offending the other ; we should not then give this affair more importance than it deserves, and the best thing we can do is reciprocally to forget what has passed.The King paused, persuaded that the Prince would dontirm his words by acquiescing to his proposal.Lut the Prince affecting not to understand the monarch, answered that for his part he would be ready to forget all when reparation should have been made.-Well then ! all may be instantly terminated if, like me, you sincerely desire peace.-But you know, Sire, that when war is declared, it cannot be honourably terminated without a battle.-What signify these words,sir?demanded the King angrily.-They signify, Sire, that my daughter’s honor has beert outraged, and that wc should bo unworthy of the name wc bear, did wc not demand satisfaction for the same.% -Sir, said the King, 'know that you will incur my displeasure, if you or your son draw thé sd'ord : seeing that the conversation was becoming too animated, and that the Count de Maurcpas did not dare to let his voice be heard, I thought it time to interfere.-Sir, said I to the Prince, the King requires nothing that can wound your honor, but he wishes his decrees to be respected.The Prince kept silence, aiid Ï continued studying on his / countenance the effect of my words.-1 complied with your desires by coming hère, daid I to him ; may I in return demand a service of you ?-1 will grant you any thing that is not incompatible with my honor, he answered bluntly. [ 482 ] -Tho Count d’ Artois is deeply afflicted by ins mistake.-We should always be sorry lor having insulted a woman.-What more do you wish for ?said the King.That the repentance that does him honor, should be made as public as was the offence ; in a word, that it be expressed by His Royal Highness in presence of the Court.-Vou exact too much, 1 said.-Then let us employ a mean which, I am sure, will answer his Royal Highness as well as us.——I shall always oppose it, said Louis XYJ, as a King and a brother.I swore at my Coronation, to punish duellists, and 1 cannot without forfeiting my oath authorize a duel.-Sire, rejoined the Prince de Condé, 1 came to demand justice of your Majesty, if you refuse it 1 shall be forced to do it to myself.Speaking thus, he bowed ; and without waiting for the King to dismiss him, left the cabinet.1 signed to M.de Maurepas to follow the Prince with whom he remained some time in conference.While awaiting the return of the Minister, Louis XVI paced the room for some minutes in silence, seemingly in profound meditation, at least 1 thought so, when suddenly drawing a small key from his pocket, he tried to open a casket with it, saying to me : ——Would you believe I have been eight days at this cursed key, and that there is something wanting to it yet ?Rut see, he added, I have not entirely lost my time.-In troth it was a masterpiece of patience and industry.— The King took it again when 1 had examined it, and after turn-ins it on all sides, he said : vJ -Ah ! I see where the fault lies, and it only wants two strokes of a file.In saying this the King opened the door of tire stairs, and disappeared.I was confounded, for I could not conceive that the King ol France could be more taken up with the mechanism of a key ( 483 ) than with the important aflair in question.Experience ami the study of man have since taught me that the human mind is capable of the most extravagant contradiction.My eyes were still fixed on the door, when the Count de Maurcpns entered.He was astonished at the perseverance of the Prince de Condé in supposing his resolution, and could not comprehend his sangfroid throughout these explanations.I answered him by this verse : “ Ira quœ tcgilur noccl.” “ Restrained animer is but more terrible.” This citation, which 1 explained to him, did not contribute to rc-assure the Minister.lie leaned towards pacific measures, and showed me a form of excuse he had composed in sucha manner as to satisfy the offended, without humiliating the aggressor too much.-This is very well, said I, as far as regards my brother, but—what will you make the Dutchess de Pourbon answer 1 r M.de Maurepas had thought of’ all, and also gave the answer he destined for the Princess.-Here are two words, said I, pointing them out with my linger, which can never be pronounced by a Condé.Never will a Condé say he had no intention to be wanting in respect to the Royal family ; you are aware that to pronounce this sentence is to touch on their most tender part ; for their aim is at all events and against all opposition to make a part of the family, while we persist in regal ding them as a branch of the family, distant, as it was not connected with it until Henry 1M became King.O -Do you think then, Monseigneur, that they will reject this means for a word ?-1 fear it, but hope still remains.After deliberating some time longer, we agreed to use every endeavour to reconcile the parties, in order not to open the lists to the champions until the last extremity.We were preparing to leave the King’s cabinet, when he re-entered with the key in his hand, after assuring himself that it fitted, by locking and un- [ 484 j locking the casket several times, ho cried in a tone of triumph, at length I have come ofFwith honor ! and then turning towards us : Well ! he added, what have you decided upon ?We informed | lis Majesty of the result of our deliberations, and he told M.dc Maurepas to neglect nothing to settle the affair amicably, and to take measures with me, for that purpose ; and then dismissed us.This audience took place on Thursday the 5th of March, the next day and Saturday were spent in making proceedings, the Queen who would not allow the Count d’Artois to fight, put some restraint on all the measures I thought necessary to take.I was forced to act with the utmost circumspection, as malignity might have accused me of wishing to place the Count d’Artois’ life in danger.His followers were constantly dissuading him to fight, saying that ins dignity forbade him to measure arms with any but a King's son.While awaiting a decision of some kind, time passed on, the public declared itself for the Condo parly ; and the Court did the same, and we were about to find ourselves alone at Versailles as at the time of Duke de Choiçeul’s exile.The Queen only, did not perceive this.She saw but through the eyes of those who surrounded her like an impenetrable battery, and avoided my presence, which prevented me from enlightening her.The Count de Maurpas and Amelot, were in agonies.The first spent his days imagining plans of accommodation which the Condos always refused ; they required excuses from the offender, and would abate nothing of their pretensions.The most unpleasant rumours circulated on all sides.The lieutenant of Police gave us to understand that the Count d’Artois should avoid appearing in public ; we knew that the project of hissing him had been formed.The Duke de Pour-bon had remitted to the Count de Maurepas a memorial in which insolence pierced through an affected respect ; but we were forced to suffer all, being under the necessity of supporting our dignity at any price. [4S5] During this general confusion,the Princes d’Orleans remained quiet.The father in the society of Madame Montesson, forgot the injury his daughter had received,and even seemed ignorant of it.The Duke dc Chartres by a still more extraordinary abnegation had in this quarrel taken the part of the Count d’Artois; disinterested magnanimity for which he received no ciedit.Ile ne-ver left my brother, they showed themselves together every «here ; 1 would willingly think that he wished to reserve himself as a conciliator in case of need ; but at all events his conduct did him much injury with the public.Î learned that the baron de Bozen val and the Chevalier de Crus* sol were using their endeavours to have the quarrel settled by ami!.As soon as the Queen heard this, she redoubled her efforts to hasten an accommodation without recurring to this extremity.She sent Madame «le Polignac to speak to the Dutchess do Bom bon ; Madame >€