Reign of Louis XVI.—Enormous number of Lettres de Cachet issued in two reigns—William Debure the elder—Blaizot imprisoned for obeying the King—Pelisseri—Prisoners from St. Domingo—Linguet—Duvernet—The Count de Paradès—Marquis de Sade—Brissot—The Countess de la Motte—Cardinal de Rohan—Cagliostro—The affair of the Diamond Necklace—Reveillon takes shelter in the Bastile—Attack and capture of the Bastile by the Parisians—Conclusion. 436 [Illustration: PLAN OF THE BASTILE. A. Avenue from St. Anthony’s Street—B. Entrance, and first drawbridge—C. The Governor’s house—D. First court—E. Avenue leading to the gate of the fortress—F. Drawbridge and gates of the fortress—G. Guard-houses—H. The great court within the towers—I. Staircase leading to the Council Chamber—K. Council Chamber—L. Court du Puits, or Well Court—M. Way to the garden—N. Steps leading into the garden—O. Garden—P. The moat of the fortress—Q. Passage to the Arsenal garden—R. A wooden road round the walls for the night patrole—1. Tower du Puits—2. Tower de la Liberté—3. Tower de la Bertaudière—4. Tower de la Bazinière—5. Tower de la Comté—6. Tower du Trésor—7. Tower de la Chapelle—8. Tower du Coin.] THE HISTORY OF THE BASTILE. CHAPTER I. Original meaning of the word Bastile—Various Bastiles—Description of “The Bastile”—Officers of the fortress—Interior of it—The Garden—The Court where the prisoners took exercise—The Towers, Dungeons, Apartments, Furniture, Food, of the prisoners—The Library—The Chapel—Lettres de Cachet described—Advocate of them—Change in the treatment of prisoners—Narrative of a prisoner—Strict search of prisoners—Harshness to them—Artifices employed against them—Silence enjoined to the Guards, &c. of the prison—Mode of receiving visitors—Suppression of letters—Secrecy and mystery—Medical attendance—Wills—Insanity—Clandestine burial of the dead.