But our attention was withdrawn from the view, and our party in the
cabin this day increased, by a circumstance, that occurred to our
emigrant friend. Having found a large sabre, which he thought was of
French manufacture, he was enquiring for the owner, when it was claimed
by a gentleman, whom he recognised to be an old friend, but with whose
escape from France he was unacquainted; so that he had supposed, from
his rank, he must have fallen there. The meeting, on both sides, was
very affecting, and they shed some tears, and embraced again and again,
with all the ardour of Frenchmen, before the stranger was introduced to
us, after which we had the pleasure of his company as far as Cologne.
This gentleman, a Lieutenant-Colonel before the Revolution, had made
his escape from France so lately as May last, and his conversation
of course turned upon his late condition. There were in most towns
many persons who, like himself, were obnoxious for their principles,
yet, being unsuspected of active designs, and unreached by the private
malice of Roberspierre's agents, were suffered to exist out of prison.
They generally endeavoured to lodge in the houses of persons favourable
to the Revolution; went to no public places; never visited each other;
and, when they met in the street, passed with an hasty or concealed
salutation. Their apartments were frequently searched; and those,
who had houses, took care to have their cellars frequently dug for
saltpetre.
With respect to the prospect of any political change, they had little
hopes, and still less of being able, by remaining in France, to give
assistance to the Combined Powers. They expected nothing but some
chance of escape, which in general they would not attempt, without
many probabilities in their favour, knowing the sure consequences of
being discovered. It was impossible for them to pass by the common
roads, being exposed to examination at every town, and by every patrol;
but, in the day-time, they might venture upon tracts through forests,
and, at night, upon cultivated ground; a sort of journey, to which
they were tempted by the successes of others in it, but which could
not be performed, without experienced guides. It will be heard with
astonishment, that, notwithstanding the many difficulties and dangers
of such an employment, there were persons, who obtained a living
by conducting others to the frontiers, without passing any town,
village, or military post; who, having delivered one person, returned,
with his recommendation, to another, and an offer to escort him for
a certain sum. Our companion had waited several months for a guide,
the person, whom he chose to trust, being under prior engagements,
in all of which he was successful. They set out, each laden with his
share of provisions, in the dress of peasants; and, without any other
accident than that of being once so near the patrols as to hear their
conversation, arrived in the Electorate of Treves, from whence this
gentleman had been to Rastadt, for the purpose of presenting himself to
M. de Condé.
It was remarkable, that some of these guides did not share the
principles of those, whom they conducted; yet they were faithful to
their engagements, and seemed to gratify their humanity, as much as
they served their interests. Considering the many contrivances, which
are behind almost every political transaction, it seems not improbable,
that these men were secretly encouraged by some of the rulers, who
wished to be disencumbered from their enemies, without the guilt of a
massacre, or the unpopularity of appearing to assist them.
The attachment to the new principles seemed to be increased, when any
circumstances either of signal disadvantage, or success, occurred
in the course of a campaign. The disasters of an army, it was said,
attracted sympathy; their victories aroused pride. Such a change of
manners and of the course of education had taken place, that the
rising generation were all _enragées_ in favour of the Revolution;
of which the following was a remarkable instance: Two young ladies,
the daughters of a baron, who had remained passively in the country,
without promoting, or resisting the Revolution, were then engaged in
a law-suit with their father, by which they demanded a maintenance,
separate from him, "he being either an Aristocrat, or a Neutralist,
with whom they did not choose to reside." They did not pretend to any
other complaint, and, it was positively believed, had no other motive.
Yet these ladies had been previously educated with the nicest care,
by the most accomplished instructors, and, in fact, with more expence
than was suitable to their father's income, having been intended for
places at the Court. The children of the poorer classes were equally
changed by education, and those of both sexes were proficients in all
the Revolutionary songs and catechisms.
This conversation passed while we were floating through the vale of
Ehrenbreitstein, where the river, bending round the plains of Coblentz,
flows through open and richly cultivated banks, till it enters the
valley of Andernach, where it is again enclosed among romantic rocks.
The places, washed by it in its passage thither, are the villages of
Neuralf, Warschheim, Nerenberg, Malter, the old castle of Malterberg,
the village of Engus, the fine electoral palace of Schonbornust, the
neat town and palace of Neuwied, and the chateau of Friedrichstein,
called by the country people the Devil's Castle, from that love of the
wonderful, which has taught them to people it with apparitions.