IN the midst of all these strangely varied events, the question regarding the stables of the Prefecture was discussed with ever-increasing warmth, and had worked up the Prefect to the highest pitch of exasperation. The month of June had arrived. The bathing-season was commencing, and would bring to the Pyrenees invalids and tourists from every part of Europe, who would be witnesses of the scandal which the Supernatural was creating in the Department administered by Baron Massy. The instructions of M. Rouland were of the most urgent nature, and pressed the interference of the authorities. On the sixth of June, M. Fould, Minister of Finance, stopped at Tarbes on his way to his country residence, and had a long conference with M. Massy. A report circulated that the events at the Grotto formed the subject of their discussion.
The fact of going to drink at a spring, the road to which passed through the common lands belonging to the town, did not, however, constitute a criminal act in the eyes of the law. It was, therefore, of the highest importance, that the genius of the enemies of Superstition should discover some pretext for interference. Arbitrary power has not in France, as in Russia or in Turkey, the rights of citizenship, and it requires the mask of legality.
The subtle Prefect had, on this subject, an inspiration as ingenious as it was simple. As the Rocks of Massabielle formed part of the lands belonging to the commune of Lourdes, the Mayor, as guardian of the interests of the town, had the power of prohibiting any one from approaching them whether he might have reasons for so doing or not, in the same manner as a proprietor prohibits when he likes and whom he likes to enter his house or trespass on his estate.
A prohibition of this kind, publicly proclaimed, exposed every visitor to the charge of a specified misdemeanor―that of the violation of property.
By so crafty a proceeding, an act, absolutely innocent in itself, was transformed into one of a criminal nature, liable to the penalties attached to it by law.
The whole scheme of M. Massy gravitated round this idea, and this plan having once been hit upon, he resolved to act and to act despotically.
The next day, the Mayor of Lourdes received instruction to issue the following order:
THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOURDES,
Considering the instructions addressed to him by the superior authorities,
The laws of the 14th and 22nd of December, 1789, of the 16th and 24th of August, 1790, of 19th and 22nd of July, 1791, and that of the 18th of July, 1837, on the Municipal Administration:
Considering, that it is important, with a view to the interests of Religion, to bring to a close the scenes so much to be regretted which are taking place at the Grotto of Massabielle, situated at Lourdes, on the left bank of the Gave;
Considering, on the other hand, that it is the duty of the Mayor to watch over the public health in his locality;
Considering, that a great number of those in his jurisdiction, as also of persons strangers to the commune, come to draw water at a certain Spring in the said Grotto;
Considering that there are serious reasons for thinking that this water contains mineral ingredients, and that it is prudent before permitting its use to wait until a scientific analysis should make known the applications which medical science may make of it; that, in addition to this, the Law subjects the working of Springs of mineral water to the preliminary authorization of the Government;
ORDERS:
First Article.―It is forbidden to take any water from the said Spring.
Second Article.―It is equally forbidden to pass over the communal lands going by the name of the “Rive de Massabielle.”
Third Article.―To prevent access to the Grotto, a barrier will be placed at its entrance.
Notices will also be posted, as follows, “Persons are forbidden to trespass on this property.”
Fourth Aritcle.―All infraction of the present Order will be prosecuted according to Law.
Fifth Article.―The Commissary of Police, the Gendarmerie, the Gardes Champệtres, and the Authorities of the commune are charged with the execution of the present Order.
Done at Lourdes, at the Mayorality, 8th of June, 1858.
LACADÉ, Mayor,
Seen and approved,
C. MASSY, Prefect
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