HOLF Players' Guild Forum

MARAT MURDERED! SWISS LEADER IMPLICATED!!

Death of Marat by Jacque-Louis David

It is with sorrow and anger that we report the death of Jean-Paul Marat, murdered most foully last night in Switzerland. Marat had traveled to his native Geneva at the request of his brother, who had been imprisoned on the direct orders of the infamous Swiss leader, Albrecht Widmar. Marat met with Widmar at a place of Widmar’s choice, Madame Teresa’s Fine Establishment for Gentlemen & Officers. Widmar demanded 1,000 crs paid directly to him for the release of Marat’s brother. Incensed, Marat struck Widmar, who ran like a coward. Marat gave chase but was restrained by two of Madame Teresa’s hostesses, Simonne Evrard and Charlotte Corday. Although it was common knowledge in Geneva, Marat was unaware that Corday was a paid agent of Albrecht Widmar. The two women convinced Marat to accompany them upstairs, where Marat feeling unclean from his encounter with the foul Widmar, requested a bath. Marat had just begun writing an account of his meeting with Widmar when Corday rose from her chair, drawing out an eight-inch kitchen knife concealed in her corset, and brought it down hard into Marat’s chest, where it pierced his ribs, perforating the right lung and severing the aorta close to the heart. The massive bleeding was fatal within seconds. Slumping backwards, Marat cried out his last words to Simonne Evrard, "À moi, ma chère amie!" ("Help me, my dear friend!") and died.

Jean-Paul Marat was a Swiss-born physician, political theorist and scientist best known as the publisher of the now-closed L’Ami du Peuple. His journalism was renowned for its fiery character and uncompromising stance towards enemies of the revolution. His consistent voice and uncanny prophetic powers brought him the trust of the people and made him their unofficial link to the government of Maximilien Robespierre.

Le Moniteur Universel will try to fill the void left by the death of the great patriot Marat. We call on the government to avenge Marat. The people of France call on their government – Avenge Marat! Make Albrecht Widmar pay for the murder of France’s greatest patriot. Off with his head!

Marat is dead! Long live the Revolution!!

Charles-Joseph Panckoucke
Publisher