d to buy them on purpose
to surrender them up, and soldiers were quartered on them at six francs
per day till they produced the articles in demand. The protestant church
which had been closed, was converted into barracks for the Austrians.
After divine service had been suspended for six months at Nismes, the
church, by the protestants called the Temple, was re-opened, and public
worship performed on the morning of the 24th of December. On examining
the belfry, it was discovered that some persons had carried off the
clapper of the bell. As the hour of service approached, a number of men,
women, and children, collected at the house of M. Ribot, the pastor, and
threatened to prevent the worship. At the appointed time, when he
proceeded towards the church, he was surrounded; the most savage shouts
were raised against him; some of the women seized him by the collar; but
nothing could disturb his firmness, or excite his impatience: he entered
the house of prayer, and ascended the pulpit; stones were thrown in and
fell among the worshippers; still the congregation remained calm and
attentive, and the service was concluded amidst noise, threats, and
outrage. On retiring many would have been killed but for the chasseurs
of the garrison, who honourably and zealously protected them. From the
captain of these chasseurs, M. Ribot soon after received the following
letter.

"_January 2, 1816._

"I deeply lament the prejudices of the catholics
against the _protestants_, who they pretend do not
love the king. Continue to act as you have hitherto
done, and time and your conduct will convince the
catholics to the contrary: should any tumult occur
similar to that of Saturday last inform me. I
preserve my reports of these acts, and if the
agitators prove incorrigible, and forget what they
owe to the best of kings and the _charter_, I will
do my duty and inform the government of their
proceedings. Adieu, my dear sir; assure the
consistory of my esteem, and of the sense I
entertain of the moderation with which they have
met the provocations of the evil-disposed at
Sommieres. I have the honor to salute you with
respect.

SUVAL DE LAINE."

Another letter to this worthy pastor from the Marquis de Montlord, was
received on the 6th of January, to encourage him to unite with all good
men who believe in God to obtain the punishment of the