1809.] Account of Thomas Major's Confinement in the Bastille. 431 
drawing from the life, in the Royal Aca- 
demy of Painting, [lodged and boarded 
with Monsieur Dennis, in St. James’s- 
street, opposite St. Bennet’s church. 
When I caine home to dinner one day, 
my landlord tole ine that a gentleman, 
very superbly drest, had been enquiring 
for me, who would neither leave his 
name nor business, but said he would call 
again. The same night about eleven 
o’cleck, as [ was in my shirt just’ step- 
ping into bed, my landlord rapt at my 
door, desiring me to open it; upon hear- 
ing his voice I did so, and a person en- 
tered very gaily drest, with several at- . 
tendants, one of whom was in black. 
After the first salutations customary in 
France, (wondering what could bring me 
such a visitor so late at night), he asked 
me if my name was Major, whether I 
came from London, and was a protes- 
tant, to which I answered in the affirma- 
tive. 
to take me before the Lieatenant-Civile, 
<the chief magistrate of Paris), This was 
only a deception, that it should not Le 
known where he was going to carry me ; 
I replied, that it was a very late-hour to 
go before such a person, and that I would 
be ready to attend him any time in the 
morning. He said his orders were fur my 
going with him then, Whilst I was put- 
ting on my cloaths, they went into the 
adjoining chamber, except one of them, 
who staid with me, (I suppose) lest I 
should make an escape. This was La 
Mouche, or spy. As he was sitting, I 
perceived he held a bag with something 
in it; I was afterwards informed that it 
contained the gown of the gentleman in 
black, who was the commissary, or civil 
magistrate, whose attendance on these 
occasions upon the exempt, or king’s 
messenger, (fur such was my fine yven- 
tleman), is merely to keep up the appear- 
2nce and specious forin of liberty, for his 
refusal would subject him to a like ex- 
ecrable instrument, as that which I af- 
terwards found they had provided for 
me, (in gentler language, a Lettre de 
Cachet). Itis said, that these Letires de 
Cachet make more havock in France, in 
one year, than the inquisition in ‘Spain 
and Turkish cruelty do in ten. The mi- 
nister has always a number of these war. 
rants ready to use, upon every occasion, 
6* Mark’d with a secretary’s seal, 
In bloody letters the Bastille.” Churchill. 
Before Iwas quite drest, they returned to 
myroom. As I was going, I knew not 
where, nor on what account, and money 
He told me that he had an order. 
being at all times a necessary article, L 
unlocked my box to take some with me. 
The gentleman hearing it chink, told me, 
I should have no occaston for money 
where I was going—I little dreamt that I 
was to be entertained and lodged at the 
king’s expence.’ I was then about to 
put on my sword ;* he said, I had no need 
of one, I must leave it, they would take 
great care of,me, 
On this occasion the whole house was 
alarmed and in terror, all its inhabitants 
left their beds, peeping through their win~ 
dows, not daring to appear, but secretly 
enquiring who were the objects of such a 
visit, and of what crimes they were 
guilty, My ingenious friend and coun- 
tryman, Mr. Joseph Wilton, sculptor, 
lodged in the same house, above stairs, 
with a Mr. Vammeck, a Flanderkin, wha 
informed him of my being seized by an 
exempt. Mr. Wilton, conscious of his 
coming to France in time of war as a 
Fleming, and passing as such to all, ex~ 
cept his master, Mr. Pival (under whom 
he was studying) and a few friends, was 
fearful a discovery had been made, 
With this idea, he very prudently took a 
little excursion over the tops of the 
houses, to elude their pursuit, believing 
they might also bein search of him; and 
notwithstanding our intimacy and friend~ 
ship, he had no inclination to accompany 
me in such an expedition, which would 
certainly have been the case, had they 
known he was an Englishman. When 
the coast was clear, Mr. Vammeck gave 
him the signal ; he returned, but without: 
rest that night. The dread of sharing the 
same fate made him apply early in the 
morning to Mr, Pigal, who procured him 
a protection, by which his fears vanished, 
aud he pursued his studies in safety. As 
Thad no guilt upon my mind, I had no 
Suspicion of harm, and therefore £ did 
not even desire my landlord to accom- 
pany me, Had I shewn a difficulty, or 
made any resistance, the commissary 
would have put on his magisterial robe, 
to have shewn his function and authority. 
Law is but a poor defence where huma- 
nity is lost, and conscience lulled asleep. 
But a stronger and more irresistible me-: 
thod of commanding obedience on such 
occasions, is the military force attending 
upon the exempt, to strike the greater 
terror to delinquents, and to. keep those 
who are of too volatile spirits (in which 
this country abounds) in subjection. 
LI LEAL Ne CE cleats 
* At that time all the artists of the Royal. 
Academy wore sworday 
The y 
Br Maer 
