File:Vanished halls and cathedrals of France (1917) (14594581470).jpg

Identifier: hallscathedral00edwa (find matches)
Title: Vanished halls and cathedrals of France
Year: 1917 (1910s)
Authors: Edwards, George Wharton, 1859-1950
Subjects: Cities and towns Cathedrals
Publisher: Philadelphia, The Penn publishing company
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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ral and the most necessary rights of every hu-man creature and community. From this brief account some idea may be had of theancient conditions. Let us now turn to the terrible state of affairs underwhich the unfortunate inhabitants of these quaint townsof Northern France are suffering. In the book of OctaveBeauchamp, Le Tour de France aux Cites Meurtries,is the following letter (which I translate roughly) ofLeonie Godfroy, a nurse, known as Schwester God-f roy: During the night of the 28th to the 29th of August,the Mayor of Noyon advised the people, that as the situ-ation had become critical because of the approach of theGerman army, all those who could do so should leave thetown to escape the terrors of the invasion. In one of my school books, I remember a picturewhich, when I first saw it, filled me with horror. It rep-resented the Exodus of the Gauls at the approach of theHuns, and was drawn, I think, by Gustav Dore,— thewomen half naked, dragged away by the savage soldiers; 152
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^^<: NOYON the terrified and crying children; the old men and womenhurrying away, some empty-handed, others laden with allmanner of objects which at any other time, or underdifferent conditions would have seemed ridiculous, butwhich coupled with their terror, became pathetic. Thispicture now was enacted by my unfortunate fellowtov/nspeople in their attempt to escape from the dangersof the bombardment and acts of the invaders. Crowdswere running towards the railway depot, not realizingthat the cars were already crowded to suffocation withhalf fainting women and terrified children. Others satbeside the ways, wailing and wringing their hands; hereand there sat groups silent, staring as if they had losttheir senses! The forests outside the town were filled with hiding,terrified women, and here the Uhlans gathered on themorning of the 30th, after the invasion and occupationof Noyon. During this flight from town many womenbecame mothers by the roadside, and lay there helplessuntil attend

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