1808.] Account of Thomas BMajor’s Confinement in the Bastille. 
the windows, gave this place a most 
frivhttul aspect. ere an awful and 
eternal silence reizns, that adds to it a 
gloomimess aud horror beyond expres- 
gion. 
After T had been here sbout half an 
hour, the Keeper came to teli me T must 
retire to my cell. He held several large 
keys across his arm, tied by a leather 
thong, which wade me compare myself 
to an animal that had been tamed, and 
was following its master to be sbut up in 
aden. My room was not dark, although 
the window was spall, at a great height, 
and tne walls enormously thick, by reason 
that the opening enlarged withinside, 
‘Phere were tree steps of stone to mount 
up, by which means [ could look out 
without difficulty; but then it was only 
a view straight forward. My chief 
amusement, at my window, to pass away 
my dreary hours, and dull solitude, was 
feeding sparrows, who came daily be- 
tween the bars; and as T suppose, have 
some method of cobhmunicaung to one 
another, wud vIvlug intelligence where 
they fare well. I at last was visited by 
manvof them; they were very regular 
to their time inthe morning, being sure of 
findinga plentiful repast. In them [ saw 
a true emblem of mankind ; though there 
was sufhcient for them all, yet furious 
wattles would ensue, attempting to ene 
gross more than they couid tell what toe 
do with, When they were glutted, they 
retited one by one, leaving me a wish to 
accompany them. I would then, with 
a sigh, say to myself, ilappy beings, who 
thus enjoy freedom without restraint, 
may you never 
your enemies, and experience what | 
now feel! Had Leontinued Jonger here, 
I believe, 1 should have brought these 
feathered geutry, to have been partakers 
with me atmy table. 1 hadan excellent 
lesson from Monsieur Peilison, (seerctary 
to the celebrated» Monsi Sieur Fouquet, 
In-endant des Finances,) who was shut up 
here four years and sume months. 
“ Monsieur Pell Son was confined ina 
remote place, that received light ouly 
from a small window. Ele tock a pre- 
caution against the atracks of an enemy, 
that a good couscience and sourage can- 
not alw: ays overcome; that is against an 
ddle imagination, which is a most crvel 
‘executioner in ditinadie, when it becomes 
wid and extravagant. The Spanish 
‘proverb says, Gu urda me Dios de me! 
‘Godseeep me from inyself} He thought 
ofthis stratageny. A spider made ‘her 
‘web at the small ition, while he 
played on-the viele; by iba, the 
fall into the hands uF 
Morton’s sister. 
545 
spider beyan to distinguish the sound of 
this instrument, and came from her hole, 
to seize on the prey that was brought to 
her. He always called her by the same 
note, constantly putting her food near, 
Alter many months discipline, the spider 
knew the sound of the instrument so 
well, that she would come at the firsz 
slenal, to take a fly from the further end 
of the room, aud even on the knee of the 
prisoner.”— Hist, Acad Fren. : 
One day I heard”a sudden report, like 
a violent clap of thunder, that shook my 
habitation, and which was followed by 
several oer Tt was the firing of cane 
nov very hear me from the ramparts. T 
could not cunceive the reason, until I 
was Informed by my keeper, that it was 
a rejoicing for a victory they had ob- 
tained over the allies in Flanders. This 
news damped my spirits; L felt for my 
countrymen, sinecrely wishing they might 
have it in their power to retrieve their 
loss. However, when [ came oat, f 
‘found it bad only been a skinmnish or 
drawn battle, where both sides claimed 
the victory; a thing not uvcomimon in 
tune of war, to keep up the spirits of the 
people. he tops of the tuwers compose 
a platiorm, strovuly built, whereon are 
thirteen pieces of cannon, fired on days 
of solemiity, or public rejoicing. 
After I had been here some time, the. 
governor sent to let me know, that a gen- 
tleman waited to see me. I was at atoss 
to thik, who this could be, and ima-— 
eined [ wastsent for to undereo a strict 
examination, as hitherto nothing had 
passed, but wie it [ have related. 7 was 
preparing myself accordingiy, hoping to 
give a satisfactory account, aod to get 
my discharge. I was brought before the 
governor, to the sane rocm JT had been 
in be Be (the councu- chamber) ; to my 
great surpnize, [ there’ towid by ood 
friend, Mr. Richard Selwin, the banker: : 
he had obtiumed an order of uae 
from the minister of state (as no one js 
suffered to enter here without) to see 
Earl Morton (afterwards president of 
the Royal Saciety), who bad been ken 
up two or three days before me * 
Ile. 
* Lord Morton Staid in prison nearly three 
months, with his wite and child, and Lady 
They were kept in separate 
apartments, , His lordship, Was a free mason, 
ani had scratenesd wich bis fork a sign in 
masonry Qu a pewter-plate ; and whet is re- 
markabje, he received am answer on tne next 
plate that came to him. After my return to 
iengland, L often saw his lordship, who com- 
plained much of the iil treacment he hid 
received. 
hearing 
