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Story
August 21, 1784
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A young French clergyman, L'Abbé Rousseau, aged 22, commits suicide in a Paris restaurant after falling in love with a 13-year-old daughter of his employer, a wealthy citizen. He leaves a note expressing his despair and innocence.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Extract of Letter from Paris;
You will hardly refuse a tear to the following narrative; and although the virtue of suicide is an offence against the laws of nature and religion, yet I doubt not but the circumstances that have occasioned the one I am about to relate, will inspire you with more pity than indignation at the rashness of the deed.
A young clergyman, of the rank of those called simple tenure that is, not yet in orders, who taught mathematics and geography in the house of a wealthy citizen, fell desperately in love with one of his daughters, then in her 13th year. On Wednesday the 18th inst. the unfortunate Abbé went to a restaurant in the Palais Royal, called for a dinner, eat heartily, and, after discharging the reckoning, and calling for pen, ink, and paper, he bolted the door, and a few minutes after shot himself through the head! On breaking open the apartment, a written paper was found on the table: you may depend on the following being a genuine copy, as I drew it myself from the original.
"There lives not a being more wretched than I am--I have just completed my 22d year. Though born in the inferior class of citizens--my sentiments are noble--my susceptible heart could not resist the powerful charm of a young lady, whose rank in life, but much more her fortitude, had set her at too great a distance for me to hope for her hand. To live without her I cannot--crime could alone secure her possession--the very thought I abhor--my love is wrought to excess;--and who else knows how far it might lead me. I prefer death, which at another time I could not perhaps meet unappalled--at least I shall have lived innocent, nay, I am bold to say it--virtuous--let cold worldly wisdom blame the deed--religion too must condemn me for it. But the tender mind, nay those who are not totally bereft of sensibility will pity my fate!
I Life I do not regret, if the adorable object who is the involuntary occasion of my untimely end can give one single tear to my death--my--Adieu!
(Signed) L'Abbé Rousseau.
P. S. One moment's pain and then! O! thou whom I held so dear--all is over!"
You will hardly refuse a tear to the following narrative; and although the virtue of suicide is an offence against the laws of nature and religion, yet I doubt not but the circumstances that have occasioned the one I am about to relate, will inspire you with more pity than indignation at the rashness of the deed.
A young clergyman, of the rank of those called simple tenure that is, not yet in orders, who taught mathematics and geography in the house of a wealthy citizen, fell desperately in love with one of his daughters, then in her 13th year. On Wednesday the 18th inst. the unfortunate Abbé went to a restaurant in the Palais Royal, called for a dinner, eat heartily, and, after discharging the reckoning, and calling for pen, ink, and paper, he bolted the door, and a few minutes after shot himself through the head! On breaking open the apartment, a written paper was found on the table: you may depend on the following being a genuine copy, as I drew it myself from the original.
"There lives not a being more wretched than I am--I have just completed my 22d year. Though born in the inferior class of citizens--my sentiments are noble--my susceptible heart could not resist the powerful charm of a young lady, whose rank in life, but much more her fortitude, had set her at too great a distance for me to hope for her hand. To live without her I cannot--crime could alone secure her possession--the very thought I abhor--my love is wrought to excess;--and who else knows how far it might lead me. I prefer death, which at another time I could not perhaps meet unappalled--at least I shall have lived innocent, nay, I am bold to say it--virtuous--let cold worldly wisdom blame the deed--religion too must condemn me for it. But the tender mind, nay those who are not totally bereft of sensibility will pity my fate!
I Life I do not regret, if the adorable object who is the involuntary occasion of my untimely end can give one single tear to my death--my--Adieu!
(Signed) L'Abbé Rousseau.
P. S. One moment's pain and then! O! thou whom I held so dear--all is over!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Romance
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Love
Tragedy
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Suicide
Unrequited Love
Clergyman
Paris
Palais Royal
Tragic Romance
What entities or persons were involved?
L'abbé Rousseau
Where did it happen?
Paris, Palais Royal
Story Details
Key Persons
L'abbé Rousseau
Location
Paris, Palais Royal
Event Date
Wednesday The 18th Inst.
Story Details
A 22-year-old clergyman tutor falls in love with his 13-year-old student and, unable to have her, shoots himself in a restaurant, leaving a note of despair and plea for pity.