The other eight towers were also prisons. The one called "La tour de
la surintendance" contains cells six feet square; the bed places are
of stone. There is a square hole to descend into the vaults beneath,
where, like a tomb, the miserable prisoner was immured for ever!!!
Often, alas! for imaginary crimes, or for causes which make us shudder
at their wantonness and barbarity, an unfortunate victim has been torn
from the bosom of his family, to perish unheard of and unknown!
The French Government have, I understand, issued an order to prevent
any one from entering this place from motives of curiosity; and let us
hope that the humane and enlightened policy of the restored Monarch
will close its cells for ever!
The following beautiful lines, with which I close an account of the
most horribly interesting spot I ever visited, are from the pen of
Delille:
"..........................
Voyez gemir en proie a sa longue torture,
Ce mortel confine dans sa noire cloture.
Pour unique plaisir et pour seul passe-temps,
De sa lente journee il compte les instans,
Ou de son noir cachot mesure l'etendue,
Ou medite en secret sa fuite inattendue;
Ou, de ceux qu'avant lui renferma la prison,
Lit, sur ces tristes murs, la complainte et le nom:
Et lui-meme y tracant sa douloureuse histoire,
A ceux qui le suivront en transmet la memoire.
C'est peu d'etre enchaine dans ces tristes tombeaux,
Combien de souvenirs viennent aigrir ses maux!
Helas! tandis qu'aupres de leurs jeunes compagnes;
Dans les riches cites, dans les vastes campagnes;
Ses amis d'autrefois errent en liberte,
Lorsque l'heure propice a la societe,
Reconduit chaque soir la jeunesse folatre
Aux entretiens joyeux, a la danse, au theatre,
Ou, d'un plaisir plus doux annoncant le retour,
Du moment fortune vient avertir l'amour,
Il est seul; .
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