Monthly Chronicle.

wins have shed tears over my fetters ; and of hosv many generous actions could I ' not render you accounts . 1 could procure immortality to some individuals of that nation which is called our enemy . . ,, •> ,, in-I was dragged along . They thresv me upon straw , almost naked , with handcuffs -ind fetters , ° in a dungeon of the fortress of . I remained ihere ' several months : I remained there until the triumphing Republic had made the Imperialists feel the strength of their bayonets ; then " they began to have some regard forme . took out of and put me into an habitable room . But it would

They me my grave , be wrong to remain in laziness , while our brave defenders were fighting day and night . I then dreamt of nothing but the means of making my escape . My prison svas the fortress of Spielberg , ' in Moravia . It is situate upon the river Schwartz , which evacuates itself into thc Danube . From my windows I perceived a small boat , which I wished to get into my power . If I had abandoned mvself to the current , 1 could have run down the Danube , and from that river into the Black Seafrom whence I hoped that it would not be difficult to arrive at

Con-, stantinop le . But in order to get to the boat , it was necessary to break the iron bars at my windows ; to throw myself upon a terrace , from whence , in order to arrive on the plain , it was necessary ' to precipitate myself into an abyss ; for , from the terrace of that fortress , situated upon thc point of the rock , there were 200 feet depth . I began to tear a lath , which supported my curtains , and aftersvards two strong iron ikesof a foot and a half in lengthwhich had been but lately placedin

sp , , , order to secure my iron bars . I assure you , that with these instruments , if they had but let me work at pleasure , I should in a very little time Jiave demolished the whole fortress . I succeeded soon to undo and conceal my window-bars , ss-hich I replaced in a manner that my labours could not be perceived . At last I svas perfectly insured of the means hosv to escape from my room ; but was not sure how I svas to get out of the fortress , or to arrive at the bottom of this precipice

of 200 feet deep , where , besides , sentries were placed at 200 . paces from each other . I had no means to procure me ropes . I determined to undertake making a parachute , in the form of an umbrella , to prevent my foiling with violence from such a height ; imagining that the soldiers , when seeing such a mass tumblingfrom heaven , would run away frightened , when I should launch into my boat . I immediately went to work . I tore cotton night-caps and stockings , of which I made thread ; a small fish-bone served as a needle ; with pieces of cloth scwit together , and supported by pieces of wood broken from my prison , I succeeded io

make a sort of an umbrella . The roof of my chamber was very high : the chapiter of one of the pillars was eight feet high . Several times I thresv myself from thence with my machine , without feeling any shock . I thought that abroad the column of air must be much stronger , and support me better , without calculating the effect which must be produced from the weight of my body , propovtionably multiplied by the acceleration of my fall . Every thing was at last ready ; the time was not far from the 21 st of June 1794 the anniversary of a famous period in the annals of the Republicand in the

, , history of my life . * I pointed out this day for my delivery ; but thinking , on the means how to exist in my boat , I made a parcel of my clothes , and put some pieces of bread into it , the whole weighing nearly 3 olb . Anjndisposition prevented my expedition on the 21 st of June . It was on the night of the 6 th of July , when I undertook to execute my experiment . I hastily collected all my effects : I constructed my machine , and tore off the grate from the window . I threw myself into tha -Terrace , and disposed to precipitate myself down the fortress . Twice had I attempted to launch myself into the airand

, , tsvice an invisible power seemed to retain me ; and nature , on the approach of my destruction , svas repugnant to follow the movement of my heart . At last I walked a few steps backwards , aftersvards advancing with activity , the eyes closed ; I precipitated myself in that profound abyss . . The rapidity of my fall was such , that I cried out , I am dead ! But I was mis-