MAJOR SEMPLE LISLE, 93 



made fuch a noife as rendered it impofiible to 

 hear a word. As foon as the King came upon 

 the fcaffold, he looked at the fatal machine, and 

 then walked towards the front, bowing to the 

 people as if he meant to ifpeak. Notwithftand- 

 ing the drums and trumpets had been placed 

 for the purpofe of drowning his voice, no fooner 

 did his Majefty appear to be preparing to ad- 

 drefs the fpe(fl:ators, than the noife ceafed in an 

 inftanr, and the moft profound and folemn li- 

 lence prevailed. He attempted to fpeak, but 

 inflantly Santerre called to the executioner to 

 do his duty, who going behind his Majefty, at- 

 tempted to pull him away by the arms ; but 

 not being able, his affiftant got before him, and 

 pufliing againft his breaft, they together forced 

 him near to the centre of the fcaffold, in a line 

 with the guillotine, he likewife called immedi- 

 ately to the drums ,and trumpets, v/ho again 

 began to make a noife. 



The pried now approached; but the King 

 faid fomething to them, on which they retired 

 a ftcp, and he continued uttering, probably a 

 prayer, for a few feconds. He then laid him- 

 felf voluntarily on the board of the guillotine, 

 uhich was inftantly put in its place; the execu- 

 tioner immediately proceeded to tie him, and 

 his alliiiant to fix the collar that was to fecure 

 his neck. While he was doing this with one 



hand 



