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    121 « THE LEADER. [No.^51 , November 13,...

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    Fbance. ¦ ' . ' . .. . (F?'Om Our Oiori ...

    capacity to obtain the condemnation of Orsini and his accomplices at the beginning of the year . Better , far better qualified is M . Chaix d'Est Ange to adulate power as he did in the following terms : "In the midst of different trials of incessant difficulties which beset the possession of power , what sovereign has ever shown himself more calm and moderate than ours ? "When -was his goodness found at fault . Can it be said that ever in his high fortune he allowed himself to be carried away , by anger ? It is he also , it is his example , that have taught ns benevolence . ... Everywhere his moderation is equal to his firmesss . While to the utmost limits of th « earth he upheld by our arms both the eclat of his name and the honour of France , here he anticipates all our wants , and seeks , with his own eyes , to interrogate and to learn . What a lesson for us , gentlemen , and

    trlat an example ! Indefatigable in his love of good , accessible to all , a benevolent address , he listens to complaints and prayers , and those whom lie cannot satisfy , he , at all events , encourages and consoles ! Having spoken of admonition , I may state that the letter to Prince Napoleon itpropos of the Charles-et-Georges , is looked upon as containing a double meaning , and to be a reprimand address , sub rosd , to the Pontifical Government . It is pretty certain that between the Empire and the Papal See no great affection , exists . The remonstrances of the official people have been treated with what looks like contempt . The only answer that has been obtained from Rome to the humble prayers to restore young Mortara to his parents has been the ; everlastingly expected Non possumus . I subjoin , some further details which are likely to make the scandal greater .

    During the journey from Bologna to Rome , the child did nothing but cry , asking to be taken back to his fattier and mother . The brigadier ( sergeant of horse ) who had charge of him , sought to forcibly place a rosary round his neck , which he resisted as long as he could , refusing to kiss it , and crying aloud for the name of God in Hebrew , which Israelite children are accustomed * to wear . All this has been witten to an inhabitant of Bologna and confirmed by the parents of the child in the presence of the rector of Catechnmen . At a visit of the father to his-son , he said that he hoped to obtain the Pope ' s permission to take him back to Bologna , and the child cried quite joyfully that that was what he desired , should he be obliged to sleep in the

    carriage the three days necessary for the journey . When the father and mother arrived in Rome , they learned that their child had been removed to Alatri , fifty miles from the capital . The mother , although broken down by fatigue and grief , determined to proceed thither immediately with her husband . Arrived at Alatri , they got a woman to accompany them to the rector , whom they found was at mass , and had taken the child with him . The Signor Mortara left his wife in the rector ' s house , and went to meet at last his beloved son ; but a brother of the rector had preceded him , and when he was seen under ah arcade that is before the church , the door waa immediately shut against him . The unhappy father decided then to wait in the street , and a short

    afterwards he saw his son leave the church , between the rector and the rector ' s brother ; but instead of going towards him ( the father ) , they took an opposite direction , dragging the child with them , who kept constantly turning round to see his father , and to run to kiss him ; The father . returned to the rector ' s house , where ho had left his wife , and waited for two hours in vain for the arrival of his son . Going to the window , ho perceived that two gendarmes were watching the street , and not doubting that it was for him they were there , ho -went out with his wife to learn their intentions ; the gendarmes followed them step by step without saying anything . Soon they ( the Jewish couple ) perceived a xnob gather round them that pointed to them in a

    • threatening manner , and they learned that tho frightful slander had been spread abroad that they bad coma thither to slay their infant . Seeing their danger , the unhappy pair returned to tho hotel , where they wore joined by a quarter-master of gendarmerie and an inspector of police who asked the n * for their passports , and , after having obtained possession of thorn , gave the Jewish paii the order to follow to tho governor of the town . Tho last-named personage told them that he was not ignorant of tUo object of their journey to Alatri , but that all steps to see their son would bo useless , since the Bishop , knowing the Popo had not given his permission for it , would never consent to it . Lastly , tho Governor signified to them the order to leave Alatri within two hours . Returned to Rome , the Mortara found a more kindly

    reception , and the Secretary of State promised the mother to hnve the child brought back to Rome for her to seo him . " May God render me worthy of him ! " exclaimed tho mother , in tears . In Bhort , Friday , 22 nd Ootobor , she received him in her arms , and this is how the unhappy woman describes tho interview to one of her friends at Bologna : —" This morning my husband and myself were directed to tho Catechumen ; wo found our son and the rector , who had arrived at tho snma tlino from Alatri . Wo wont up direotly , and our dear Ecjgor flew into our arms . Convulsive and trembling , 1 embraced him without ceasing , and ho returned mo with the same warmth ombrncos and kisses , lie wag moved , inflamed , and struggled , while In tours , botwcion tho fear of those who domineered ovor him and his uuitltorod filial

    affection ; but this last was uppermost , and he declared that he desired to return home with his parents , brothers , and sisters . I told him that lie was born a Jew , and that he ought , like us , to remain steadfast in the faith . ? Dear mother , ' said he , ' I never fail to repeat the Sceman ( Jewish prayer ) every day . ' I told him that we were at Rome to have him , and that we would not leave without him . The rector , his brother , and his sisters , were present at this interview , and did not know what to say . " The Ultramontane and Absolutist organs of the press are addicted to quote from English police reports whatever may appear scandalous and revolting , for the pur-^« oo ~ e oviiihiHnfr it as an averae re sample of English

    morality and manners . Whea an unnatural father counselled his daughter to prostitution , and drove her to attempt self-slaug hter , M . Coquille , of the Univers , wrote that such language and conduct were common to English fathers , and the result of their Protestant faith . This gentleman , ontne tettgit quod ornavit , is accustomed to ornament all he touches with a garnish of falsehood and low invective ; he is compelled to season his compositions to suit the worn-out palates of his readers , who , if not the most curious , are the least respectable portion of the community : sinners who do not lack the inclination to sin , but rather the opportunities ; elderly ladies and gentlemen who passed throug h the de'licieux abandon of the Directory and Consulate , delight in the salacious crudities of this journal , Which are slipped into long tirades against Liberty , Parliaments , and Protestantism . The piquant dose of nastiness is conveyed in a lesson of morality , and there is consequently nothing surprising that those whose literary amusement is derived from sources similar to Holy well-street should be the chief subscribers to the Universe Looked upon with disgust by the great body of Catholics—both clergy and laity—it is the refuge from ennui of Lais , in her old age , and of discarded knights , like Sir Pandarus of Troy . , . . Now , I trust it will not be considered intrusive or out of place if , following the example of the Unicers , Constitut ionnel , and Gazette de France , except as regards their weakness for dirtiness and falsehood , I endeavour to glean some insight into the present condition of society here from their own published law reports , and to show how inordinate is the greed of gain among the wealthy p . l . issps . Tn the nabers of vesterdav is an account of a

    : ¦ ¦ : ^^ i ^^ m ^ m ^^^^ m ^^^^^^^ i ^ decided that the Mayor might do as he pleased in such matters , and ordered the acquittal of M . Charles Bouras and the co-desecrators of his brother ' s grave . The defence , I think , must be admitted by all impartial persons to be grounded on untruth , and to be a paltrv subterfuge . Supposing the alleged intention to transport the brother ' s remains to be correct , ami that orders were given for a thirty years grave only , would it have been anymore than decent to have allowed the corpse to repose in peace until the removal could be effected , even though the additional cost should be 14 / . ? or % vhj' was not the removal made at once ? If the deed was not one to be ashamed of , it is not likel y that the disinterbeen effected in

    ment would have the dead of night after the fashion of resurrectionists ; and how came it that the man and wife , whose grief was so acute as not to allow them to follow the funeral , could aid in and superintend the surreptitious digging up and reburial of the dead ? One would have thought that , if no affection existed in the breasts of the brother and sister-in-law a regard for decent appearance would have forbidden the desecration of one who , besides being 1 so near a relative , had bequeathed these unnatural kindred a handsome fortune . But no ; the paltry love of money and contemptible greed to save 14 / ., led them to violate the sanctuary of death , which the most barbarous nations , the most ignorant savages , have in all ages respected .

    It must not bo supposed that this disregard of the better feelings of our nature id rare and exceptirnal among those who call themselves the upper class of . French society—la crenie tie In err me . To the exposure in the police-court I will add a case which has recently occurred , and which has been brought under my notice . The week before last there died ¦ suddenly , after dinner , at his country seat in the Soine-et-Marne , M . le Baron de Beau verger , ancient Prcfet and member of the

    Legion of Honour . Almost immediately after death , the body was sent ofl * by the railway to be buried in Paris ,-at Pere Lachaise . Instead of sending it to the deceased ' s residence in the liue Chauchat , a private house— 'which would have necessitated the expenditure of additional fees—the corpse was received at the station by tho agents of tho Funerals Company ( Pompes Funebres ) . and by them carted off to the cemetery . ! No member of tho familv—although there were two sons

    anil a son-in-law—followed the remains , to perform the last sad ofllccs of n-spect , and to do reverence to the memory of the dead . Like ordinary merchandise , the corpse was carted away ,, with nothing but the scant and purchased show of respect -which the hired , servants of the . company might or might not choose to exhibit . AnfEnglishman who hail known the baron , and heard of his death , was anxious to render him the last honours . He managed to -reach PiVe Lachni . se in time to see the earth shovelled in upon the remains . No member of the family—no servant—no friend—was there to say " Amen !" " to the prayer for resurrection in another life . Xor is this all . The notices of the death which set

    trial which took place on the 5 th instant , before the Tribunal Ccrrectionnel of Privas . M . Charles Bouras , formerly registrar of mortgages in . the department of the Ardeche , was summoned before the police-court , and accused of violation of sepulture . The court was crowded with magistrates , public authorities , and functionaries , and elegantly dressed ladies . And this is what came out on the trial : —M . Guide' Bouras , who for thirty years had been judge of the Tribunal de Premiere Instance at Privas , died on the 28 th of last September , and was buried on the following morning at nine o ' clock . He left to bis brother , the accused , 6400 / ., who already possessed a fortune of 32 , 000 / . On the day of interment Charles Bouras and his wife declined to follow the deceased

    forth the titles of the family—how one son was Deputy to the Corps Legislatif and Conseiller of the Department—how the son-in-law was Holerendaire , & c—ivero not distributed until after burial , because , in order to save the halfpenny postage on each , they were entrusted to a menial to leave at peoples doors . I am very happy to bear my humble testimony that what are called the uneducated and working classes of France are not gangrened by this love for gold , and are not forgetful of the respect due to the dead . I never see a poorfuneralpassth . it is not followed l . y tho relatives , friends , an . l acquaintances even , of the deceased , moy follow with respectful demeanour nn . l uncovered heads , ... . i „ * :...,- » ^ i . itirl ^ mill 111 fllCLr h rain and and ierciwindsniul » n £

    to the tomb , alleging that they desired not to obtrude their grief on public notice , but to weep in silence over the loss of their brother and benefactor . They gave full power to a friend to do what was necessary to tho interment , and he , considering the position of tho deceased , his fortune , and the fortune of his heirs , ordered a firstclass funeral and freehold grave . A week afterwards the secretary of the mayor called on M . Charles Bourns , who happened to be from home , for 18 / ., tho price of a freehold grave , or perpetual concession , as it is called . The secretary then saw the wife , who said , that her husband had spoken to her of a concession trentenaire ( a grave that would not bo disturbed for thirty years ) , for which she was not to pay more than 01 . lla . 8 d ., nnd

    throug snow , p ng , ™ ° boat attire , tho poor corbillard on its sad journey . lUey gather round the / base commune , standing >» jnu . "' , f ' and sprinkle with tho sign of man ' s redemption to bare elm coffin before it is piled up with o hers in tho common ditch . If a mnn dies who was employed » n un atelier , not ono of his fellows , be tho ™ 0 » ' nt "" ° flV ° so slight , would abstain from following him to thoflrm and thia mark of respect is pni . l , bo \ t ren . ombo cd ,, ot tho sacrifice of tho day ' s wages . Your row lew will no , I trust , fancy that in those remarks I Book to lol o * in tho footsteps of Mr . Bright by abusing tho » cU n u unduly exalting tho people . 1 merely nilnto wliftt any ono may witness for himself here , and have no HitU-g capital to make , no ill will to gratify , by niilnhjnfe , m vh \ »«

    which she was then ready to pay . The secretary refused to accept this sum . M . Charles was written to , who came back forthwith , and proceeded to tho mayor ' s office ; , lie declared to tho secretary that his orders had been exceeded , that ho only desired a concession trentenaire , and that ho would pay no more than 3 / . lla . 8 d « The secretary answered that tho thing was clone , and could not bo altered ; moreover , that ho had nothing to do with tho matter . From tho secretary M . Charles Bouras wont to the mayor , to whom ho related tho same story , and from whom ho got tho same answer , with tho additional observation that tho authorities did no more than obey tho instructions of his , M . Charles ' s , agent , who managed tho funeral . A long discussion followed , In tho course of which M . Charles remarked that ho

    should find a means of avoiding payment . Tho upshot wa 9 that a permission , more or loss formal , was given to disinter his bother ' s corpse . In the course of the night M . Charles Bouras , his wlfa holding a wretched lantern , tho gravodiggor , nnd his flvo assistants , dug up the body of tho 8 o-lamontod brother , and cast tho corpse , without ceremonies or prayers , and furtively , into a thirty yonrs grave , fresh dug ; and so this man , n Frenoh millionnaive , saved 14 / . 8 s . 4 d ' . T . lireo days after the desecration became known , and tho public prosecutor took it up , Tho defence , presented by M . Nogcnt St . Lauronn , of tho Paris bar , consisted in tho allocation thutM . Charles Bouras intended , some tlma or other , to romovo his brother ' s corpse to a chapel in hie country float at Fj'oyoiuet , in tho department of tho Dr 6 nio . The ' rcoim

    misrepresentation . Tho French moneyed * m generally speaking , rotten to tho core . 1 hoy ' »* Foal patriotism , and could they have brought it about , would have deserted tho Untfliah alliance in tho l » u «< war . They nro ignorant of family love-tho » ' » J' « J looking upon the Inerooso of family ns an »•' tunato addition to hia expenditure , and » "C 8 M" «» B to moans to prevent it — tho sou looking « 1 >«» ' father as tho withholdor of his properjy » . * ' * have no sympathy with humanity , nnd nro Incnjihum tho most trifling self-saorifioo , In short , the } " ° d veriest slaves , that over bowel down nii { « n » « boforo tho slirlno of tho Golden Calf . Tlio wa king olnsttoA aro mncio of n very dlllbrant stiifl , "" ' "J flB appear to belong to tho same nice . I will n < ' »•[• u groat an o . xtont as their most Inveterate dotrnotoi ««» wlflli , thoir many fnlllii « u . They nro frivolous atjlwej . mid , In momenta of political frenzy , porlmpH «• " «"»' though 1 boliov « theinJnnocout of tho airooiuoB . «»•

    121 « The Leader. [No.^51 , November 13,...

    121 « THE LEADER . [ No . ^ 51 , November 13 , 1858 .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 13, 1858, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13111858/page/8/