Comments on: Charlotte Corday and the Bathtub Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 13:09:07 +0000

Bonjour Diane,
If interested in possible consciousness or neurological reactions after beheading, you should ask a neurologist or a neurosurgeon.
Here’s my take on the myth of the “blushing” and the “blinking”: Try to imagine the turmoil of a scene in which a beheaded head falls into a basket. Lots of blood. Then someone picks up the head and slaps it. A slap could bring blood closer to that cheek and/or the slapper could have had blood on his hand from picking up the head. In any case, “blush” doesn’t seem to be the right term for whatever someone may have seen. As to the 14 blinks, you don’t truly believe that someone about to be beheaded had a “colleague” nearby to count blinks, do you? In any case, “blink” would be the wrong term if indeed his eyes fluttered. The neurologist or neurosurgeon can better explain the possibility of a reddened cheek and fluttering eyes.
Let me know what you find out from the physicians.
Gary

By: Diana Nevala

Diana Nevala — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 21:49:54 +0000

Is there any truth to the story that the executioner slapped Charlotte’s (beheaded) face, that she then blushed. A scientist of the nobility headed himself to the same fate, noticed the blush. So he instructed a colleague to watch his execution and that he would blink for as long as he remained conscious. He blinked 14 times.

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 02:02:27 +0000

So well-written. Fascinating to read.

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:43:38 +0000

We now have three our three winners: Vince, Catt and Lesley.

The winning answers are:
12 people could be carted to guillotine at a time in a tumbrel
The desks of philosophers Voltaire and Rousseau are found at the historical restaurant Le Procope.

Thanks to all those who participated. Stay tuned for other France Revisited contests.

Gary

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:22:36 +0000

In reply to Catt White.

Catt,
Thanks for reading France Revisited and for the kind words.
You’re close with the answers: two right but one needs some philosophical reconsideration. Try again.
Gary

By: Catt White

Catt White — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:01:59 +0000

Bonjour!
Love, love, love your website for its great travel resources and these fascinating tales from French history. OK, here goes: 12 condemned souls squeeze into a tumbrel. And Robespierre’s and Voltaire’s desks are at Procope. Oui?
Merci, Catt

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:21:22 +0000

I’ve never been to Procope so don’t know the answer but I enjoyed the article and learned a lot. Merci.

By: Troy

Troy — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 02:33:22 +0000

Yes – please a hint. T.

By: Sarah Towle

Sarah Towle — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:10:22 +0000

Go for it, Mary Jo!

Gary, should we give them a hint?

Best,
Sarah

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:05:33 +0000

In reply to Mary Jo. MJ. Thanks for playing. Take a guess on the second one and send it in. GLK