Protestantism in France From Death of Henry IV to the Revolution - James Aitken Wylie
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dungeon, have disclosed <strong>the</strong> terrible suffer<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
borne by those who were shut up <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se places.<br />
"For several weeks," says he, "no one has been<br />
allowed <strong>to</strong> enter my dungeon; and if one spot could<br />
be found where <strong>the</strong> air was more <strong>in</strong>fected than<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r, I was placed <strong>the</strong>re. Yet <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> truth<br />
prevails <strong>in</strong> my soul; for God who knows my heart,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> purity <strong>of</strong> my motives, supports me by his<br />
grace." He shows us his dungeon. "It is a vault <strong>of</strong><br />
irregular form, and was formerly a stable, but be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
very damp, it was <strong>in</strong>jurious <strong>to</strong> horses. The rack and<br />
manger are here still. There is no way <strong>of</strong> admitt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
light but by an open<strong>in</strong>g with a double grat<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> upper part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> door. Opposite <strong>the</strong> open<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong>re are iron bars, fastened at <strong>the</strong>ir upper ends <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> wall. The place is very dark and damp. The air<br />
is noisome and has a bad smell. Everyth<strong>in</strong>g rots<br />
and becomes moldy. The wells and cisterns are<br />
above me. I have never seen a fire here, except <strong>the</strong><br />
flame <strong>of</strong> a candle. You will feel for me <strong>in</strong> this<br />
misery, but th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eternal weight <strong>of</strong> glory that<br />
will follow."<br />
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