a reply, she endeavoured to pass him, in which she partly succeeded, but recoiled with terror at finding herself in a brilliantly-lighted apartment, where a number of men were seated around a supper-table. The noise occasioned by her entry attracted the attention of a man with square high shoulders, his hair in disorder, and wearing a ribbon at the breast of his coat, who angrily demanded the cause.

Citizen minister, it is a woman.'

'Ah, she wishes to see me, I suppose? We must attend to the ladies,' added he, coming forward and endeavouring to assume an air of politeness. Madame Duportail lowered her eyes as she presented the letter, which Danton opened and perused. Madame Duportail, my colleague has already spoken of you: we must look after this affair.'

You know, monsieur, how pressing it is.' "Yes, yes; I know all about it,' replied Danton, as he rudely gazed at her.

Monsieur, one line from your pen-'

:

Assuredly we shall see: but I cannot allow so pretty a woman to depart so soon. I have a few friends with me, but there need be no ceremony. Favour us with your company. Come!'

A dizziness seized her, as she entered the room, on perceiving that the eyes of all the guests were directed towards her. I present you, madame, to the friends of whom I have spoken; they will be delighted, I am sure, at seeing you amongst them,' said Danton as he handed a chair, which she, however, removed some distance from the table.

'Will you not, then, honour us by taking supper?' Madame refused by a gesture. For a time her presence seemed to throw a constraint over some, while others continued their conversation, glancing at her with looks of impertinent curiosity. Danton alone addressed her, endeavouring from time to time to persuade her to join them at table. During supper he drank deeply, and now and then joined the conversation which was passing around him, his stentorian voice, when he spoke, drowning all others. A discussion at length arose, which was put an end to by Danton's health being proposed and drunk.

Madame Duportail, pale and indignant, and with the sensitive feelings of a woman, though she felt that the life of her husband might perhaps depend on her acquiescence, endeavoured, when the harp was brought, to excuse herself; but those by whom she was surrounded seemed to take a fiendish pleasure in the misery they were inflicting.

I Will you refuse me, then?' said Danton half aloud. 'Take care, madame; recollect it is the first favour I have asked.'

Having sat down before the harp, with a trembling hand she played a prelude, and sang with tolerable conposure one of the favourite songs of that period, which Danton applauded with ecstasy, and obliged her to repeat. The effects of the wine became every moment more perceptible on all. Several coarse jests were hazarded; and at length became of such a nature, that she arose, under pretext of requiring air. Very well,' said Danton in a brusque manner, and without leaving his chair, you can wait for me in the neighbouring apartment.'

She was conducted by a valet along a corridor into a room, the walls of which were hung with costly pictures. In the centre, strewed with papers and writing materials, was a table from which in all likelihood had emanated those fearful warrants of death which had made so many hearths desolate. Such was the involuntary thought of Madame Duportail; and as the idea smote on her heart that her husband's condemnation might at that moment be lying before her, she was seized with a vague feeling of terror, and sank powerless on a chair. The sound of boisterous mirth caused her frequently to start, and her apprehensions were further increased by perceiving that the candle was nearly exhausted. She had been nearly two hours alone, when a domestic entered, bearing a lighted candle in each hand. When shall I be able to see the minister?' she asked in an agitated voice.

'He is coming,' replied the man, as he deposited the candles on the table and retired. At the same moment a door at the opposite side of the apartment opened with a shock, and before the young woman uttered the cry which rose involuntarily to her lips, she recognised Danton, who, staggering into the room, threw himself on a chair. He was without his cravat, and the frills of his shirt were disordered, and stained with wine. On perceiving his visitor, his inflamed countenance assumed a maudlin expression as he exclaimed, 'Ah, is it you, citoyenne?'

The injunction of the deputy, when giving the letter, flashed vividly across her memory.

'I shall surely die of apoplexy!' muttered the minister in a maudlin voice; that is, if they give me time. These suppers are very pleasant, but-the morning!'

Madame Duportail's terror changed to agony at the thought that he might be too inebriated to write, and hastily approaching him, she exclaimed, Citizen minister, you surely have not forgotten the promise you gave me?'

Ha! What do you say?'

"The woods with echoes rang

From the tone in which I sang."" While all laughed at the quotation, he leant gallantly towards Madame Duportail. With such a charming countenance, you must have a divine voice. Do you sing? A reluctant affirmative escaped her lips. You will sing, then?' added he; 'but we must procure a harp.'

'Well, it is but necessary to erase his name from the

'What bundle?' exclaimed the wife with feverish anxiety: Where is it?'

'Give me air. I am stifled !'

Not daring to go within reach of the drunken monster, she ran and opened the window.

That Robespierre is a scoundrel-he never drinks unless it be blood. Baptiste, undress me!'

'Monsieur-monsieur!' interrupted the young woman, where is this bundle-this list? Give it me.' Danton turned with impatience to the other side, and growled, Call Fauquier; he knows where it is: or take it yourself,' added he, pointing to an escritoir, the nests of which were filled with papers.

Following his directions, she quickly stood on a chair, and commenced her researches. 'Carton A?' asked she in a voice trembling with anxiety, taking down a lettered bundle.

'I ask pardon, my dear, for my gaiety. I feel obliged to R for having sent you. Do let me hear another chanson; you sing so divinely.'

For a moment she remained silent, but perceiving that he was again falling into a lethargy, she once more broke silence- Carton B?'

'What's his name?' 'Duportail.'

'Duportail!-Carton A!-Carton B! Seek then in D. How stupid you are, my dear! You amuse me with your Carton A!' added he, giving way to a burst of laughter as he sunk back in his chair.

Without loss of time she took the bundle of warrants marked D, and opening the string, hastily perused the name written on the back of each. Her husband's was the third; the warrant bore the minister's signature, and his execution was to have taken place the following morning. Securing the paper with an inward thanksgiving, she moved forward to thank Danton; but seeing that his eyes were closed, noiselessly glided towards the door, and disappeared.

The next morning, with the warrant in her possession, she found little difficulty in getting Duportail's name erased from the jailer's book, and she and her husband were soon on their route to Bourdeaux, where, reunited to their family, they sailed for Martinique. At the Restoration they returned to France; and the Heroic Wife is, we believe, still alive.

EDUCATION OF IDIOTS AT THE BICÊTRE.

SECOND ARTICLE.

THE means of educating the juvenile idiots at the Bicêtre, as formerly mentioned,* consists of a variety of exercises likely to rouse the dormant capacities of the pupils. Some of the exercises, not already described, consisted of marching in various figures, as arranged by small ornamented flags. These evolutions seemed to impart much pleasure.

The next series of exercises, though less attractive as a spectacle, were probably equally useful, if not more so, as a means of exciting attention and compliance with the particular directions of the instructor. At his request each pupil held up first the right hand, then the left, then both hands. Subsequently, the right hand was ordered to be pointed to the right side, and then to the left; the same also with the left hand: the corresponding leg and arm were now required to be advanced, then those of the opposite side; and lastly, they were desired to kneel and rise again at the word of command. They then embraced each other, and remained standing two and two in an easy and graceful posture, producing an appearance of mutual good-will and friendship. Indeed it is more than probable that the mere assumption of such attitudes may become the means of exciting some small share of fellow-feeling and attachment between the different members of this singular community. These various positions and motions of the limbs were simultaneously performed by the whole of the pupils at the instant the order issued from their preceptor.

A large mat was now unrolled, and placed in the centre of the room, when various gymnastic exercises were entered upon by several couples. At this time it was especially gratifying to witness the amount of observation and attention excited in the bystanders, as was manifested by their hearty laughter, whenever a failure or accident happened. As only a few could be engaged in these gymnastics, the rest were left to their own discretion, and in a little while they became

* Journal, No. 158.

distributed in various parts of the room: the majority, however, remained watching those at play, others loitered near the musicians, touching, with simple curiosity, the various instruments which had performed an important part in leading and guiding their feeble and wandering faculties. Before entering on the next series of instructions, it was desirable that the whole should assume an orderly demeanour, and they were accordingly required to arrange themselves, and prepare to march round the room. Having done this once or twice, they were ordered to halt opposite the seats placed ready for them; then desired to be seated; each taking his place at once, and all seeming ready to attend to their next lesson.

Several pieces of wood, cut in the shape of different geometrical figures, were now brought into the room. These were placed in the hands of different pupils, who named with much readiness the various forms-as round, square, oval, oblong, &c. In order to exercise the sense of touch without the aid of that of sight, a bandage was placed over the eyes of one or two, and the different pieces were put into their hands, when each of them slowly passed his fingers along the edges, and when satisfied with the examination, named the form of the respective portions. In doing this, no error was committed. The utterance was of course imperfect; but although the words were pronounced in what to the visitors was a foreign tongue, no difficulty was felt by the other pupils in distinguishing what was said.

A large black board was now brought forward and placed on a rest. One or two of the more proficient were desired by M. Valleé to draw upon it first a horizontal, then a perpendicular line, and afterwards to describe a circle, square, and hexagon. Words also were well and readily written in a good round legible hand. The same feebleness and uncertainty of grasp, arising from an imperfect power over the fingers, was again observable, but the writing was fairly executed, and the figures correctly described. They were slowly done, it is true, but still they were well done. Remarking that the compasses used in describing the mathematical diagrams had a movable hinge, I was surprised to obsteadiness of muscle, yet such a degree of adjusting serve, that although there was so much apparent unpower over the motion of the fingers had been acquired, that the various points necessary to form the different figures were marked on the board without causing the least variation in the limbs of the instrument.

One of the more elderly of the pupils, but one who in England would be called a hopeless idiot, was now brought forward. His whole appearance and expression previous to the moment when he was desired to approach the table, were indicative of an utterly hopeless, mindless object. Being raised on a seat, a set of dominoes were placed before him, the sight of which caused evident signs of pleasure, and he proceeded to make preparations to enter on the game. Although having a very imperfect control over his hands, he selected from the set the required number, arranged them, and played a game with his instructor. This was done deliberately, but without any faltering or inaccuracy; and during the progress of the game he showed signs of satisfaction or discomfiture, according to his success or otherwise. The efforts to overcome the congenital imperfections in this poor fellow were strikingly successful; and it is not improbable that, had they been undertaken at an earlier period of his life, a capacity of standing in the erect position and of walking might possibly have been obtained. In addition to other educational exercises, patient and continued efforts had been made to create in him a power over the various muscles constituting the organ of voice. Although only capable of slow, imperfect, and irregular utterance, he named the various letters of a word placed before him, first dividing them into syllables, and then pronouncing the word. I subsequently saw him, at a later part of the day, seated in the workroom amongst his fellows, usefully employed in making very excellent

list slippers. As I approached his bench, he evidently showed signs of recognition, and seemed pleased at the notice taken of his work. He handed me several pairs of slippers which he had finished, then showed the one he was engaged with, entered on his work again, and looking up from time to time as he proceeded with it, evinced the pleasure he felt in his employment, and the gratification he experienced in finding that it interested and met the approval of others.

The attention of the pupils assembled round a table was now directed to a large sheet of paper, on which was painted every variety of colour. These tints were disposed in a confused manner, so as to prevent the liability which otherwise might arise of mere rote work, or the utterance, from habit, of consecutive words without comprehending their meaning. In this, as in all the other educational arrangements, the attention of the pupil was first directed to the simple and the more striking parts. On this occasion, consequently, the primitive colours were first named, and last the more compound, between which the shades of distinction are less marked. The perfection to which the sense of sight, the power of discriminating nice differences of colour, and of remembering and uttering their respective names was brought, in some of the pupils, was truly surprising.

Several examinations in the names of objects were now undertaken, such as the various articles of dress and pieces of furniture. Following these, the number of days in the week and months in the year were given; then the names of each day and month, as well as the seasons of the year. The replies to these questions relating to names of objects and periods of time were quickly and readily given; and had I not already witnessed so many evidences of the excellent system of training of which these poor fellows have had the advantage, I should have been inclined to doubt whether a proper comprehension of their meanings was attached to the several words they uttered. I had, however, sufficient reason to believe that, to a limited extent at least, they understood what was meant when they gave answers to the questions proposed.

Instructions as to the relation of objects to each other were now entered on. A small box being placed on the table, one of the youths, at the request of the master, first named the different parts of it-top, side, bottom, &c.; and subsequently the relation of objects as respects position in regard to it. For instance, when anything was placed upon it, the word 'sur' was given, and so also sans,'' dedans,' &c. according as the little object was put in these various situations in relation to the box. Here was an evident advance on the other exercises, showing an increased capacity of comprehension. The simple, natural, and easy way in which such knowledge was communicated, was at once strikingly applicable, and was also admirably calculated to excite the mental faculties, by extending the very limited range of comprehension bestowed on these unfortunates.

A model clock was now brought out. It was constructed so, that the relative position of the fingers could be altered at pleasure. Under the direction of the tutor, the different hours of the day were indicated, as well as the fractional parts of an hour. The face of the clock, thus varied, was presented to several pupils, when the time was correctly and exactly stated by each. During the progress of these examinations, several of the boys advanced from the main body who had remained seated around the room. The few who thus left their fellows gathered round the table, and seemed to take interest as well as pleasure in the proficiency manifested by their brethren. Every now and then they approached the place where I was seated, and looked up inquiringly, as if desirous to know what I thought of their proceedings. That they were capable of entertaining such feelings, was made evident by several simple occurrences excited by passing events during my stay among them. Some amount of interest in each other was also shown, and the extent to which care was exercised by the improved

over the more ignorant and wayward was undoubted. I was particularly struck on one occasion by the manner in which an elder boy led back to the seat his younger and more restless companion, in whom the system of education had not yet produced that power of self-control which most of the boys had attained. The youth who rendered this service to his neighbour had attracted my notice when I first entered the room. He presented every appearance of an idiot of the most hopeless class to such a degree, that I singled him out as one worthy of particular observation, with a view of ascertaining how far the functions of an intelligent being could be imparted to one apparently so forlorn. I may here mention, that at a subsequent stage of the proceedings this same boy advanced to the table, and appeared to take an interest in what was going forward. Observing a small note-book I held in my hand, he took it up, opened it, and after turning over a few leaves, returned it to me, as if his curiosity was satisfied.

The mode of communicating ideas of numbers, and of their corresponding signs (figures), was as simple and successful as the methods adopted of imparting a knowledge of the properties and positions of objects. The result of their tasks in this department showed how applicable such a system was to their feeble understandings. Several circular pieces of ivory were first placed on the table, and then divided into two unequal portions, so as to communicate the idea of quantity by requiring the pupils to say which was the larger and which the smaller portion. A certain number were then placed together, say three or four, and the question was asked-How many are there? The answer being given, the attention of the pupil was directed immediately to a board on which were painted the figures, and opposite to each figure a corresponding number of circular spots of the same size as the pieces of ivory. He here saw the figure placed opposite the number of pieces before him, and the idea of number was produced: thus several sums in addition and subtraction were now undertaken, and in the execution of these, the board was sometimes used as a means of fixing attention and assisting the memory. The more proficient, however, readily replied to the various questions put to them without calling into operation the aid of the sense of sight. They answered correctly, and without hesitation, such questions as-How many do 6 and 8 make? Take 3 from 9, and how many remain ?

I was particularly struck with the burst of feeling produced in one of the junior pupils when foiled in the performance of his task. He was seated at the table on which were laid the pieces of ivory. These were first divided into two unequal portions, and he was requested to point out the greater and the smaller set. Three of the circles were then given to him, and he was desired to take from the others an equal number. Having performed these tasks, an even number were placed before him, with the request that he would divide them into two equal portions: this he proceeded to do by taking out very slowly and carefully the half of the number. An uneven number, consisting of nine pieces, were now given to him with a like request: this he tried to comply with as before, by separating four on each side; he then hesitated, re-examined his numbers, seemed perplexed, and at length finding, after a little pause, that he could not perform what was required of him, he burst into tears, and showed, by the difficulty which was experienced in assuaging his grief, how deeply he was capable of feeling both disappointment and vexation at his supposed inefficiency. This little incident told plainly of an important influence brought into operation. It explained how much could be done by acting on the amour propre. The grief at discomfiture, as well as the pleasure excited by success, showed that this power was used as a key to unlock dormant faculties, and to open the portals of intelligence.

My attention was now directed to a youth in whom the greatest difficulty had been, and was still expe

own; it was all used up by their European ancestors. Take, for instance, a specimen quoted in the little book: -A man in Kentucky imitated the crowing of a cock so perfectly, and sometimes indulged in the freak so early in the morning, that upon one occasion the sun in mistake rose two hours before its proper time.' This is only an imitation of a mistake that was made long ago by the identical sun-not to talk of any higher antiquity-and is much better related:

Take, oh take those lips away,
That so sweetly were forsworn;
And those eyes-the break of day-
Lights that do mislead the morn!
But my kisses bring again-

Seals of love, but sealed in vain!

The little book I have alluded to is called 'Irish Diamonds,' by John Smith, late lecturer on education and geographical science. In this, of itself, there is a rich antithesis between the mock and the true, the grave and the jocular; and the promise of fun thus conveyed in the title-page is fulfilled in the book. But the title is better (by way of a joke) than antithetical; for it is morally impossible to think of Mr John Smith as a lecturer, or anything else in particular. There is a puzzling uncertainty, a poetical indistinctness, a shadowy mystery about the name, which beats Jonathan hollow. The nearest approach we can make to the identity of Mr John Smith, is to picture him as one of the forty gentlemen who, in the pit of Drury Lane theatre, were seen clapping on their hats, and making for the doors from all quarters, when a voice was heard calling out at one of the entrances, Mr Smith is wanted!'

The book is a cluster of brilliants, chiefly Irish, of old material, but shaped and polished by Mr Smith, and set in metal of his own, sometimes genuine, and rarely with much alloy. I do not see, however, that his theory of Irish wit and blunders throws any new light upon the subject, or that the theory is at all assisted by the diagrams intended for its illustration. In these diagrams the English arrow (of thought) is seen flying horizontally to the mark at the other side of the room; the Scottish arrow turning cautiously round in the middle, as if to ascertain that it is in the right path, and then arriving at the same object; and the Irish arrow darting away diagonally, either to the upper or lower corner, and striking out a flash of wit in one, or an amusing blunder in another. This proceeding of the Irish arrow, we are told, is not caused solely by hurry or precipitation, but likewise by an antipodean habit of the people-a love of opposite extremes and contrasts, a delight in applying the contrary end of the telescope of thought. But this habit, in its application to blunders, is not national, but universal, and is always the consequence of precipitation, or the acting or speaking without thought. Speaking for myself, if I have two things in my hand, and am called on suddenly to drop one of them, I invariably feel an inclination to drop the wrong one, and this is only corrected by the counter habit of thinking what I am about. The predisposition to error here is caused by the thought instinctively flying to the more valuable or needful object at the same moment when the necessity presents itself for dropping something. A gentleman stands by the fire, with an egg in one hand and his watch in the other, observing a saucepan. Suddenly the saucepan begins to boil, and, obeying the instinct of his anti-mathematical nature, he pops his watch into it instead of the egg. There is nothing out of the way in this, supposing him to be a person who does not attach reason to the boiling of eggs any more than to other things; but when he stands with the egg in his hand, watching how his watch boils, the incident is taken out of the category of practical bulls, and becomes a specimen of absence of mind. All, however, is set right again by the conclusion. He holds the egg in his hand for three minutes. This is the

* Irish Diamonds; or a Theory of Irish Wit and Blunders: combined with other kindred subjects. By John Smith, one of the editors of the 'Liverpool Mercury,' &c. Chapman and Hall.

point of the jest, and we may laugh with a good conscience. We all blunder occasionally from want of thought, and the Irishman more frequently than any of us, owing merely to the quickness of his temperament and his aversion to mental discipline. The same quickness may lead him more frequently than other people to a witticism as well as to a bull; and in my opinion, his reaching the one rather than the other is, in nine cases out of ten, the result of mere accident.

The following specimen of the antithesis in which the Irish are supposed to delight is not new, but it is well worth repeating :

An Englishman is never happy but when he is miserable; A Scotchman is never at home but when he is abroad; An Irishman is never at peace but when he is fighting. I shall now quote, in the words of Mr Smith, an instance of precipitation of thought, which is the ne plus ultra of an Irish bull. A jovial, good-humoured, and industrious commercial traveller, a native of the Green Isle, though he felt much fatigued by a hard day's duty in a country town, resolved, whilst enjoying his evening glass at the fireside of the inn, that, deep winter as it was, he would make an early stage in the morning by a coach passing through the place, and which would reach his next scene of business by breakfasttime. He named this project in presence of several of his brethren of the road, and gave orders to " boots" to call him just in time for the coach, and no sooner, as he would make his toilet in the next town, where he should arrive by daylight. Having paid his bill, and feeling that all was comfortably settled, he sat till rather a late hour in the warm room, where the fumes of a cigar or two from his neighbours probably contributed to his dropping fast asleep. Some of the party, taking advantage of his condition, carefully blacked his face. By and by he became wakeful enough, though still very drowsy, to find his way to bed. In the morning "boots" awoke him exactly in time; and hastily huddling on his clothes, he was soon in the coach, where, darkness being still around, he was soon again asleep. In a couple of hours the coach pulled up at the inn, and he was shown, in the gray light, and with candles still visible here and there, into the gloomy breakfast-room, when, after gaping and stretching, he took up a candle, that he might look at himself in the glass, and turn up the hair from his forehead, when, utterly astounded at the black and unknown visage he there beheld, he shouted out lustily, and in a tone of sudden alarm, "Why, by the powers, if boots hasn't wakened the wrong man!""

Comment upon this would only spoil it. The absurdity is carried to a pitch of the sublime which it is perhaps impossible to surpass. Horace Walpole's favourite bull, in which a man is represented as bearing ill-will against his nurse for having changed him when a child, may be said to confound personal identity in the same way. But it wants the suddenness which is the charm and the naturalness of the other. We think of the Orford blunder, losing ourselves in its unfathomable depths; but the other gives us no time to think, but startles us at once into a shout of laughter. It is the suddenness, too, which makes it Irish; for in point of fact a similar idea occurs in Don Quixote. An Irishman would be the last person in the world to talk nonsense, if he gave himself time to think: his blunders are always, and his 'diamonds' sometimes, the result of mere haste.

The English have usually been represented as bad makers of bulls, but no one can now say they don't execute a vast variety of very funny sayings. Their fun, in fact, has become a staple article of literature; and on the whole-and here is the good feature in its character-it is not a wicked, or a personal, or a badminded fun: it has its faults, but, generally speaking, it is enlisted in the cause of what is estimable. With this tribute to its merits, however, I would take leave to hint that things are getting on at too great a rate. The fun is getting so fast and furious,' that, like a steam