Modest Error in Lewis's
'The Ten Commandments'
Miguel Camarenas
From: "Michael G. Kramer"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: WebMaster:_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Thursday, June 08, 2000 3:30 PM
Re: Reference to Mingrat [in Joseph Lewis's "The Ten Commandments"].
He was not transferred to St Quentin where he continued his work with no punishment whatsoever.
He was tried for his crime and executed there. A modest oversight.
Miguel Camarenas.
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Michael G. Kramer"
Subject: Re: WebMaster:_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Thursday, June 08, 2000 7:21 PM
I would like a source for this information. If I can get a source, I will place an Editor's Footnote within the text (not linked as an endnote) making the correction. As it stands, Lewis quotes Lea, and I don't have access to Lea's book (they want over $100 for a copy at the bookstore down the street).
I will post your correction in the Letters section, and if I can get a source, will insert the information as a note within the text of the book.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
From: "Michael G. Kramer"
To: Positive Atheism <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: WebMaster:_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Fri, 09 Jun 2000 13:57:19 -0700
Somewhere around the house here I have an engraving with the Caption "Mingrat, Priest of St. Quentin, Tried and executed 1823 at The criminal court of (city? I forgot the city)" in French.
Lea just didnt have the whole story.
The Mingrat Episode is well known French Criminal History. He paid dearly for his crime.
Became infatuated with a confessional patron and went bonkers. The Encyclopedie Francais has the details.
If I find the engraving I'll attach it and e-mail it to you.
Moises Atrache
PS: or perhaps Lewis missed the cogent resolution to the story.
From: "Michael G. Kramer"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: WebMaster:_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 11:21 PM
Mingrat did not get off scot-free. He was a priest, committed a horrible crime, and was condemned to death by a court in Grenoble France. He was a priest at St Quentin France, in 1822.
This information is in the Encyclopaedie Francais and elsewhere.
Mike Kramer
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