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Authors: Louis Bayard
Tags: Fiction, Historical
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personally commissioned them, the day’s events etch themselves across the canvas. I see the baby on the chafing dish. The widow Maltaise in her blue kerchief, and Poulain, flopped in the sawdust, his boot still tied to his chair. And Mozart and greenbottle flies and the veined blue marble of Chrétien Leblanc. One by one, they file past. Like things that happened to a living man.
16 T HERMIDOR Y EAR II
Have met consid difficulty in getting Prisoner’s cell cleaned. Tower guards say lingering too long in pestilential air wd be fatal. Refuse to go inside, assist in any way. (One confided in me that they are afraid of being branded royalist sympathizers.)
Have relayed my concerns to Barras. This A.M ., spoke with officials of the Commune. Informed them that Prisoner’s health— survival —depends on hygienic surroundings. No amt of physic can overcome contagion. V. insistent on this point. Was told to await Commune’s decision.
17 T HERMIDOR
Word has come. Commune has authorized 2 men to undertake cleaning of Prisoner’s room. Men are to be duly appointed reps of French people, discreet, politically pure, etc.
22 T HERMIDOR
8 A.M. : appointed cleaners arrived w. buckets, mops, lge quantities of soap. Soon realized they wd need more.
Dust, dirt, excrement everywhere. Mattresses damp all the way thru; atmosphere fetid— poisonous . Work lasted 1 full day—extremely arduous—required freq rest intervals, occasional vomiting. Both men at var times bitten by rats, fleas, spiders. Everything is alive in this room, said one. Companion was heard to say he’d seen cleaner sewers.
Prisoner remained in cell thruout. No movement observed until section of shutter removed fm window—first time in 6 mos—upon which he turned twd light. Stood for some moments w. sun on face, eyes half closed. When asked if light was painful, Prisoner answered in affirmative. But declined to remove himself.
23 T HERMIDOR
Commissaries have at last agreed to bath for Prisoner. I sent cook’s assistant, young Caron, for tepid water, bathed him myself. Sent for Mother Mathieu (mngr of Père Lefèvre’s tavern) to cut & comb hair. Hair full of scurf, reached to shoulders, had not been washed in many mos. Exceptionally tender—combing v. painful for him. Mother Mathieu able to clip Prisoner’s toenails & fingernails, which were length of claws, consistency of horn.
Garments (entirely infested) removed & burned, replaced w. entirely new linen suit, including pantaloons, waistcoat, jacket.
At end of day, undertook 1st complete examination of Prisoner. Genrl condition v. shocking. Head droops. Lips discolored, cheeks hollow, v. pale w. greenish tinge. Limbs extremely wasted, disproportionately long in comparison to torso. Stomach enlarged. Suffers fm acute diarrhea. Extremely sensitive to noise. Averse to speaking.
Body rife w. ulcers, yellow & blue, most pronounced on neck, wrists, knees. Have attempted to lance & dress but this occasioned grt pain in him. Will endeavor to do more in days to follow.
Most pressing concern: knee. Swollen to twice normal size. Color unhealthy. Prisoner unable to walk w/o extreme pain.
Prognosis: v. poor. Am preparing full medical report for Barras. Hopeful that, w. aggressive course of intervention, Prisoner’s condition can be arrested. New environment wd be v. helpful. Have taken liberty of removing surplus bed fm room of Prisoner’s sister so he may sleep in greater comfort.
Was forced to reprimand 1 of Temple guards, who, upon entering Prisoner’s room, shouted, Back in your corner, Capet. Explained that, from now on, Prisoner was to be called Monsieur. Guard remonstrated, said there are no more “monsieurs,” we are all “citizens” now, etc. I was insistent on point, citing authority invested in me by Barras.
Upon hearing my request, Prisoner observed that “Monsieur” was too distressing to him, begged not to be called by that
16 T HERMIDOR Y EAR II
Have met consid difficulty in getting Prisoner’s cell cleaned. Tower guards say lingering too long in pestilential air wd be fatal. Refuse to go inside, assist in any way. (One confided in me that they are afraid of being branded royalist sympathizers.)
Have relayed my concerns to Barras. This A.M ., spoke with officials of the Commune. Informed them that Prisoner’s health— survival —depends on hygienic surroundings. No amt of physic can overcome contagion. V. insistent on this point. Was told to await Commune’s decision.
17 T HERMIDOR
Word has come. Commune has authorized 2 men to undertake cleaning of Prisoner’s room. Men are to be duly appointed reps of French people, discreet, politically pure, etc.
22 T HERMIDOR
8 A.M. : appointed cleaners arrived w. buckets, mops, lge quantities of soap. Soon realized they wd need more.
Dust, dirt, excrement everywhere. Mattresses damp all the way thru; atmosphere fetid— poisonous . Work lasted 1 full day—extremely arduous—required freq rest intervals, occasional vomiting. Both men at var times bitten by rats, fleas, spiders. Everything is alive in this room, said one. Companion was heard to say he’d seen cleaner sewers.
Prisoner remained in cell thruout. No movement observed until section of shutter removed fm window—first time in 6 mos—upon which he turned twd light. Stood for some moments w. sun on face, eyes half closed. When asked if light was painful, Prisoner answered in affirmative. But declined to remove himself.
23 T HERMIDOR
Commissaries have at last agreed to bath for Prisoner. I sent cook’s assistant, young Caron, for tepid water, bathed him myself. Sent for Mother Mathieu (mngr of Père Lefèvre’s tavern) to cut & comb hair. Hair full of scurf, reached to shoulders, had not been washed in many mos. Exceptionally tender—combing v. painful for him. Mother Mathieu able to clip Prisoner’s toenails & fingernails, which were length of claws, consistency of horn.
Garments (entirely infested) removed & burned, replaced w. entirely new linen suit, including pantaloons, waistcoat, jacket.
At end of day, undertook 1st complete examination of Prisoner. Genrl condition v. shocking. Head droops. Lips discolored, cheeks hollow, v. pale w. greenish tinge. Limbs extremely wasted, disproportionately long in comparison to torso. Stomach enlarged. Suffers fm acute diarrhea. Extremely sensitive to noise. Averse to speaking.
Body rife w. ulcers, yellow & blue, most pronounced on neck, wrists, knees. Have attempted to lance & dress but this occasioned grt pain in him. Will endeavor to do more in days to follow.
Most pressing concern: knee. Swollen to twice normal size. Color unhealthy. Prisoner unable to walk w/o extreme pain.
Prognosis: v. poor. Am preparing full medical report for Barras. Hopeful that, w. aggressive course of intervention, Prisoner’s condition can be arrested. New environment wd be v. helpful. Have taken liberty of removing surplus bed fm room of Prisoner’s sister so he may sleep in greater comfort.
Was forced to reprimand 1 of Temple guards, who, upon entering Prisoner’s room, shouted, Back in your corner, Capet. Explained that, from now on, Prisoner was to be called Monsieur. Guard remonstrated, said there are no more “monsieurs,” we are all “citizens” now, etc. I was insistent on point, citing authority invested in me by Barras.
Upon hearing my request, Prisoner observed that “Monsieur” was too distressing to him, begged not to be called by that
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