460 The Massacre of Saint Bartholomew. [May, 
up,” -said he, “ they are no longer here,” and put a shabby cloak upon 
his shoulders. As he conducted him, some of the executioners asked 
him, “ Who is that boy?” <“ It is my nephew,” said he, “who has got 
drunk ; you see what a state he is in: I am going to give him a good 
whipping.” At last the poor marker took him to his house, and asked 
thirty crowns for his reward. From thence the young La Force was 
taken, in the disguise of a beggar, to the arsenal, to his relative, Marshal 
Biron, grand master of the artillery. He was concealed some time in 
the girls’ chambers. At length, hearing that the court were hunting 
after him to destroy him, he made his escape in the dress of a page, 
under the name of Beaupug. 
Although bigotry and fanaticism were the chief motives with the 
murderers, part of the crimes committed on the occasion were the effect 
of other bad passions, and many true Catholics were involved in the 
massacre. Those who were rich were sacrificed by their heirs, and 
many fell victims to private resentments. The Marshals Biron and 
Cossé were both devoted to destruction through the effect of personal 
dislike ; but Cossé found a powerful intercessor in the Duke of Anjou’s 
mistress ; and Biron, who was commander of the Bastile, defended him- 
self by pointing cannon against the infuriated mob. This attempt against 
him ensured his assistance for those Huguenots who sought his help. 
In the meantime, Coligny’s body was the object_of every kind of in- 
sult. His head was cut off and sent to Catherine. What became of it 
afterwards is unknown. Some say it was sent to the Pope ; others, to 
to the King of Spain. His body was mangled, and drawn through the 
streets during two or three days. The populace threw it into the river, 
but afterwards drew it out again, and hung it up by the heels at the 
gibbet of Montfaucon: a fire was placed underneath and disfigured it 
horribly. 
It was in this state when Charles went with his court to indulge in 
the sight of his murdered enemy, the same whom a few days before he 
had calied his father, assuring him that he should always consider him 
a faithful subject and a brave general. Some of the courtiers stopping 
their noses on account of the smell, the king remarked, “I do not as you 
do, for the smell of a dead enemy is always good.” __ 
Marshal Montmorency employed some persons to take down the 
miserable remains at night, and placed them in a secret place, being 
afraid to trust them in the chapel at Chantilly lest they should be taken 
away. They were afterwards interred at Montauban ; and, subsequently, 
when the decrees against Coligny’s memory were reversed, they were 
removed to the tomb of his ancestors at Chatillon sur Loire. a 
The savage passion for blood was mingled with the horrid mirth of — 
savages. The king and his companions enjoyed the popular sport, and _ 
even the ladies of the court made a promenade through the squares of — 
the Louvre to amuse their curiosity by walking among the bleeding © 
bodies of the Protestant gentlemen who had been at their parties but a — 
few hours before. All that fell on this dreadful occasion were not — 
butchered at once. Among them were nearly eight hundred who had — 
taken refuge in the prisons, expecting, of course, that this proof of re- 
liance on the government would have saved them from its rage. The — 
soldiery, however, were sent after them; they were brought out one-— 
by one, murdered, and then thrown into the Seine. AEN one 
The orders had rapidly spread to the provinces, and not only the 
ia 
