We shall close this article, by extracting an account of an attempt to escape, made by a number of prisoners. We offer no apology for its length; since we have never seen, even in the marvellous adventures of Trenk, a more lively representation of a similar incident.

"On the 9th of December, seventy-two prisoners were condemned, and transferred into the bad vault. The next day, being the decade, there was no execution; and Porral, one of the prisoners, determined to profit by this circumstance, and attempt an escape. His sisters, having by a bribe, of three thousand livres, obtained access to him, burst into tears. "This," said Porral, " is no time to weep-we must arm ourselves with activity, and try to escape. Bring me some files, a crow-bar, and other instruments, plenty of wine, and even daggers, for we must defend ourselves before we perish. Through that high narrow window, you can pass down every thing, and I will stay under it to receive them." The sisters left him, and in the course of the day, brought the files and crow-bar, scissars, large butcher knives, twelve chickens, and more than sixty bottles of wine. Porral then joined four others of the most strong and adroit prisoners in the scheme. As soon as night came, they propased a general supper; the last they should ever make. It was accepted, and during it, the prisoners exhort each other to brave tyranny, and die without weakness. The wine passed plentifully, till at length the greater part of the prisoners were overpowered by it, and went to sleep. At eleven o'clock, the conspirators began their work. One of them was placed as a sentinel with a dagger, to strike down the jailer, if in going his round at two o'clock he should appear to suspect any plot. The other four put off their clothes, and began to seek for a passage. At the extremity of the second vault, there was a dark part, at the end of which they found a strong double door of oak. This they attacked. By degrees the hinges gave way, and the lead which sodered Still the door them was filed off. They then raised it with the crow-bar. would not open; again and again they tried, and could not conceive what held it. At last they widened, by means of the scissars, the hole till they saw that it was tied to a distant beam by a large rope fixed to a ring on the outside of the door, and neither the scissars, the crow-bar, nor the file could reach it. This was a moment of despair, but a ray of hope succeeded. One of the workmen returned to the vault, and asked for a wax candle. The notary, Fromental, half asleep, recollected that he had a piece, got up and found it. With this the conspirator returned, and after unrolling it, and tying it to a thin piece of wood to make it reach as far as possible, lighted one end, and passing it through the hole, the rope took fire, and they soon opened the door. They closed it gently behind them, and now found that they were in a second vault, in the middle of which was a piece of free-stone, on the ground. They struck

it lightly, and it returned a hollow sound. "Might not this be the entrance of a canal which led towards the Rhone, and if the workmen, who made it, could pass in this direction, why cannot we?" This conjecture appeared certain. They cleared the earth from round the stone, and raising it with the crow-bar, saw, with transports of joy, a subterranean passage, which must have some outlet. In order to descend it, all their handkerchiefs were tied to gether, and Joseph la Batre holding by them, and supporting himself against the wall, reached the bottom. They passed down the light-he looked and sounded every where-another moment of distress and anguish--he found no door, no air hole, no means of going farther. The place seemed to be some neglected well, or rather some dungeon, which had, perhaps, formerly received its wretched victim. La Batre came up, and they now sought some other resource. At the end of the vault there was still a door, which offered the only means of escape. They again set to work, but after breaking all that seemed to detain it, the door still resisted. As before, they made a hole, and on looking through, observed two large stones, one on top of the other, which propped it. They were forced to make another opening, through which they passed the crow-bar, and at the same moment raised the door with a stick of wood, which they fortunately found at hand. At last, the first stone gave way, fell on the ground, and with it the door swung open. Every thing was then surmounted. The conspirators were now in a large deep vault, which was used as a national depôt, for sequestered goods-a trunk full of shirts was open, and each of them took one in exchange for their own, covered with dirt and vermin. This hasty toilet seemed a good omen. There were now two doors before them. After hesitating which to attack, they approached one, but scarcely had the file made a slight noise, when on the other side of the door, a dog growled, and began to bark-an instant terror seized them all every arm was suspended-each workman was motionless with astonishment and terror. This door was near the jailer's lodge. They now recollected that this was the time at which he was to take his round, and that it would soon strike two o'clock. One of the conspirators went back to the first vault, to see if all was safe. In the mean time, the rest suspended their labours, and their strength being almost exhausted, they breakfasted. "I am not fond of wine," said one of them to me, "but never did I drink any with more plexsure, than under this gloomy vault. At every glass I felt my courage revive, and my arm strengthen. On this occasion, wine did seem to be the true support of misfortune." The man who had been sent to examine, now returned. On entering the first vault, he shuddered at seeing the jailer already there to take his round. This had, however, prevented his hearing the noise of his dog. The man placed as sentinel, requested him not to refuse him a last favour, which was, to empty a bottle of hermitage. They then sat down together, and when the jailer left them, he had drank so much wine, as to need sleep during the rest of the night. They now resumed the work with vigour. They

leaving the fatal door where they had heard the dog, found that the other was a folding door closed by an iron bar, fixed to a chain of iron. At the first attempt the ring broke-the bar was raised, and the door opened. This was not, however, the end of their labours, which seemed to multiply, as they advanced. The door opened into a long entry. On one side they perceived a door, but as it opened towards the court-yard, they passed on to the end of the entry, where there was a second. Behind this they heard a noise-they listened, and through the cracks observed some men stretched on straw, before the embers of a fire. "Can these be prisoners? Let us join them, and escape together." At that moment one of the men rose. He spoke Patois-he wore uniform, and mentioned the number of counter revolutionary brigands whom they intend soon to shoot. These brigands now discover that this is the guard. They have then come thus far to see all their hopes vanish. To what have all their fruitless labours and anxieties brought them? To a guard, who at the slightest noise, would alarm the whole soldiery. Despondency of mind, united with personal weariness. Still, however, there was one hope left-the door which they had passed. They withdrew gently the bolt-the door opened-what sudden joy-they find the stair case which leads into the court-yard. Four o'clock and a half just then struck. The night was dark and cold-it rained and snowed at the same time. The associates embraced each other and prepared to escape, when one of them cried, "Wretches, what are you about to do—if we attempt to escape now, we are ruined—the eastern railing is now shut, and if we pass at this unusual hour, before the guard, the alarm will be given. At eight o'clock every one has the liberty of going into the courtyard-the executioners will not come for us till after ten, and between eight and ten, we may all escape, for by suffering only three at a time to go every four minutes, they may mingle unperceived in the crowd. During the three hours before us, let each of us reveal the secret to two other prisoners-we shall then be fifteen, and the last of that number will apprize fifteen others, till in this vay we may all escape. After having had the courage to come thus far, let us have that also of not going farther." They had the firmness to yield; and returning to the vault, each began to choose those whom he would first save. Among the first, was Montellier, a man of mild and amiable character. "I thank you, my friend, said he, but I do not wish to aggravate my case-I will tell you in confidence, that I have been mistaken for my brother-the judges are now convinced of it, and this very morning I am to obtain my liberty." It is thus that hope trifles with man, even to his grave. At noon, Montellier was not in existence. They spoke also to the Baron de Chaffoy, a fine young man in the flower of his age. "Life," said he, "no longer offers me any charms. All the ties which bound me to it are broken. I had thirty thousand livres a year; they have taken it from me. They have just guillotined my father. His virtues did not merit such a lot-nor do I think that I deserve it, but I will submit." His courage was without ostentation-bis resolution unshaken. In spite of in

treaties, he remained, and wished to die. Fifteen were at length procured, and went to the head of the stairs. The first who ventured down was Porral. As he passed the sentinel, he said to him-" Comrade, it snows-this is very bad weather-were I in your place, I would not wet myself, but go into the guard house." The sentinel thanked him, and followed his advice; after which the flight of the rest became much easier. The imprudence of the fifteenth de stroyed the effects of the plan. According to the agreement, he was to have given notice to only fifteen others-but, in his haste to escape, he cried out"Let every one take care of himself-the passage is open." The prisoners started up, and at first thought him out of his head. A few began to look for the outlet, when hearing the noise, the sentinels rushed in, secured the doors, and sounded the alarm. At ten o'clock, a domiciliary visit was made through. out the city, but of the fifteen who left the prison, only four were retaken."

In a work like the present, the style is a subject of altogether subordinate consideration. But the narration is sprightly; and, although not as methodical in some instances as might have been wished, yet, still presents a clear and spirited picture of the objects described.

Σ

FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

Sketch of the origin and progress of the Medical Schools of Newyork and Phile delphia. Being an extract from the introductory Lecture, delivered in the University of Newyork, on the 8th day of November 1811, by David Hosack, M. D. Professor of the theory and practice of Physic and Clinical Medicine.

INSTRUCTION by lecture has ever been considered one of the best means of imparting knowledge; and if we inquire into the literary history of different nations we shall find, that according as they have been more or less enlightened, institutions for this purpose have been established and supported.

In corroboration of this fact it may be remarked, that the city of Athens, in its most flourishing period, was proudly preemi nent in this respect, and justly boasted of her numerous schools, as well as of her philosophers who presided over them.

Those who are conversant in classical literature, need not here be reminded of the Academy of Plato, the Lyceum of

Aristotle,' the Porch of Zeno,' the Cynosargum of Antisthenes, or of the School of the garden' in which Epicurus delineated the origin and nature of things,' and delivered his first lessons of tranquillity' and temperance' to a crowded and delighted audience.

In like manner medical schools have ever been considered among the most efficient means of educating youth designed for the practice of physic. Their institution is almost coeval with the first dawnings of medical science, and their utility has been sanctioned by the experience of all ages.

The medical schools of Cnidos, Rhodes, Cos, and Epidaurus, existed among the Greeks even anterior to the days of Hippoorates and were founded by the same family, the Asclepiades, from whom he descended; and since his day such is the connexion between philosophy and medicine, that every nation distinguished for the cultivation of letters has also been celebrated for its medical institutions. From the declension of the school of Cos that of Alexandria became the most distinguished seat of learning, and continued to be so until the middle of the eighth century. But it was no less celebrated for its medical school, at which not only Etius and Paulus, but all the Greek physicians after the time of Celsus received their education. Even during that dark period which intervened between the subversion of the Roman empire and the revival of learning in the commencement of the sixteenth century, several medical institutions were founded by the Arabians, and to which we are in a great degree indebted for the preservation of that knowledge which had been derived from the Greeks. Since that period medical schools have been established in almost every city of the civilized world. I need not here recount to you the numerous institutions of this sort which have been successively established in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, and in the last century in the prin cipal cities of Great Britain. They are too familiarly known to require such recital. But the utility of medical schools is not confined to the youth who frequent them, nor even to the benefits which the profession may afterwards derive from the talents and learning of the pupil; but such are the labour and inquiry, so extensive and varied the researches which the office of teach