The act of drinking at a spring upon the common land of the town could not be considered as in itself an offence against the law. The first thing to be done by the opponents of superstition was therefore to find a pretext for so regarding it. Arbitrary proceedings have not in France the official right which they enjoy in Russia or Turkey, but need a cover of law.
The able prefect had an idea on this subject as ingenious as it was simple. The site of the Massabielle Cliffs belonging to the town of Lourdes, the mayor, as its administrator, could prohibit any one from visiting them, for or even without any reason whatever, in the same way as any private owner of land forbids at his pleasure the trespass of others upon it. Such a prohibition, publicly announced, would turn each visit to the grotto into a formal crime.
The plan of the baron hinged upon this idea; and, having hit upon it, he decided to act it out and play the despot.
Accordingly, on the following day, the mayor of Lourdes was instructed to issue the following order:
"The mayor of the town of Lourdes, acting under the instructions addressed to him by the superior authorities, and under the laws of the 14th and 22d of December, 1789, of the 16th and 24th of August, 1790, of the 19th and 22d of July, 1791, and of the 18th of July, 1837, on Municipal Administration;
"And considering that it is very desirable, in the interest of religion, to put an end to the deplorable scenes now presented at the Grotto of Massabielle, at Lourdes, on the left bank of the Gave;
"Also, that the care of the local public health devolves upon the mayor, and that a great number, both of citizens and strangers, come to draw water from a spring in the aforesaid grotto, the water of which is suspected on good grounds to contain mineral ingredients, making it prudent, before permitting its use, to wait for a scientific analysis to determine the application which may be made of it in medicine; and,
"Also, that the laws subject the working of mineral springs to a preliminary authorization by government:
"Issues the following
DECREE.
"1. It is forbidden to draw water at the aforesaid spring.
"2. It is also forbidden to pass through the common land known as the bank of Massabielle.
"3. A barrier will be put up at the entrance to the grotto to prevent access; and
"Posts will be set bearing these words: 'It is forbidden to enter this property.'
"4. All transgressions of this decree will be prosecuted according to law.
"5. The Commissary of Police,
"The Gendarmerie,
"The Gardes Champêtres,
"And the authorities of the commune,
"Are entrusted with the execution of this decree.
"Signed in the mayor's office at Lourdes, on the 8th of June, 1858.
"The Mayor, A. Lacadé.
"Approved:
"The Prefect, O. Massy"