THEHISTORYOFACRIME

THETESTIMONYOFANEYEWITNESS

By
VictorHugo
TranslatedbyT.H.JOYCEandARTHURLOCKER.

CONTENTS:
THEFIRSTDAYTHEAMBUSH. ...............................................................................5
CHAPTERI."SECURITY" ........................................................................................5
CHAPTERII.PARISSLEEPSTHEBELLRINGS ..................................................8
CHAPTERIII.WHATHADHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHT ..........................10
CHAPTERIV.OTHERDOINGSOFTHENIGHT..................................................22
CHAPTERV.THEDARKNESSOFTHECRIME ..................................................24
CHAPTERVI."PLACARDS" ..................................................................................27
CHAPTERVII.NO.70,RUEBLANCHE ................................................................31
CHAPTERVIII."VIOLATIONOFTHECHAMBER" ............................................38
CHAPTERIX.ANENDWORSETHANDEATH...................................................47
CHAPTERX.THEBLACKDOOR .........................................................................48
CHAPTERXI.THEHIGHCOURTOFJUSTICE....................................................51
CHAPTERXII.THEMAIRIEOFTHETENTHARRONDISSEMENT ..................61
CHAPTERXIII.LOUISBONAPARTE'SSIDEFACE ............................................77
CHAPTERXIV.THED'ORSAYBARRACKS ........................................................79
CHAPTERXV.MAZAS ..........................................................................................87
CHAPTERXVI.THEEPISODEOFTHEBOULEVARDST.MARTIN.................92
CHAPTERXVII.THEREBOUNDOFTHE24THJUNE,1848,ONTHE2D
DECEMBER,1851 ................................................................................................. 101
CHAPTERXVIII.THEREPRESENTATIVESHUNTEDDOWN......................... 107
CHAPTERXIX.ONEFOOTINTHETOMB ........................................................ 113
CHAPTERXX.THEBURIALOFAGREATANNIVERSARY ........................... 120
THESECONDDAYTHESTRUGGLE.................................................................... 121
CHAPTERI.THEYCOMETOARRESTME ....................................................... 121
CHAPTERII.FROMTHEBASTILLETOTHERUEDECOTTE........................ 127
CHAPTERIII.THEST.ANTOINEBARRICADE ................................................ 132
CHAPTERIV.THEWORKMEN'SSOCIETIESASKUSFORTHEORDERTO
FIGHT..................................................................................................................... 146
CHAPTERV.BAUDINS'SCORPSE ..................................................................... 150
CHAPTERVI.THEDECREESOFTHEREPRESENTATIVESWHOREMAINED
FREE ...................................................................................................................... 154
CHAPTERVII.THEARCHBISHOP ..................................................................... 168
CHAPTERVIII.MOUNTVALERIEN................................................................... 174
CHAPTERIX.THELIGHTNINGBEGINSTOFLASHAMONGSTTHEPEOPLE
................................................................................................................................ 178
CHAPTERX.WHATFLEURYWENTTODOATMAZAS ................................ 183
CHAPTERXI.THEENDOFTHESECONDDAY ............................................... 188
THETHIRDDAYTHEMASSACRE....................................................................... 191
CHAPTERI.THOSEWHOSLEEPANDHEWHODOESNOTSLEEP.............. 191
CHAPTERII.THEPROCEEDINGSOFTHECOMMITTEE................................ 193
CHAPTERIII.INSIDETHEELYSEE ................................................................... 200
CHAPTERIV.BONAPARTE'SFAMILIARSPIRITS ........................................... 204
CHAPTERV.AWAVERINGALLY..................................................................... 209
CHAPTERVI.DENISDUSSOUBS ....................................................................... 211

CHAPTERVII.ITEMSANDINTERVIEWS......................................................... 213
CHAPTERVIII.THESITUATION........................................................................ 217
CHAPTERIX.THEPORTESAINTMARTIN ...................................................... 222
CHAPTERX.MYVISITTOTHEBARRICADE .................................................. 224
CHAPTERXI.THEBARRICADEOFTHERUEMESLAY ................................. 228
CHAPTERXII.THEBARRICADEOFTHEMAIRIEOFTHEFIFTH
ARRONDISSEMENT............................................................................................. 232
CHAPTERXIII.THEBARRICADEOFTHERUETHEVENOT.......................... 234
CHAPTERXIV.OSSIANANDSCIPIO ................................................................ 237
CHAPTERXV.THEQUESTIONPRESENTSITSELF......................................... 244
CHAPTERXVI.THEMASSACRE ....................................................................... 248
CHAPTERXVII.THEAPPOINTMENTMADEWITHTHEWORKMEN'S
SOCIETIES............................................................................................................. 255
CHAPTERXVIII.THEVERIFICATIONOFMORALLAWS .............................. 259
THEFOURTHDAYTHEVICTORY....................................................................... 262
CHAPTERI.WHATHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHTTHERUE
TIQUETONNE ....................................................................................................... 262
CHAPTERII.WHATHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHTTHEMARKET
QUARTER.............................................................................................................. 266
CHAPTERIII.WHATHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHT.THEPETIT
CARREAU............................................................................................................. 278
CHAPTERIV.WHATWASDONEDURINGTHENIGHTTHEPASSAGEDU
SAUMON ............................................................................................................... 289
CHAPTERV.OTHERDEEDSOFDARKNESS ................................................... 295
CHAPTERVI.THECONSULTATIVECOMMITTEE.......................................... 301
CHAPTERVII.THEOTHERLIST........................................................................ 308
CHAPTERVIII.DAVIDD'ANGERS..................................................................... 310
CHAPTERIX.OURLASTMEETING .................................................................. 312
CHAPTERX.DUTYCANHAVETWOASPECTS .............................................. 316
CHAPTERXI.THECOMBATFINISHED,THEORDEALBEGINS ................... 326
CHAPTERXII.THEEXILED................................................................................ 328
CHAPTERXIII.THEMILITARYCOMMISSIONSANDTHEMIXED
COMMISSIONS ..................................................................................................... 341
CHAPTERXIV.ARELIGIOUSINCIDENT ......................................................... 345
CHAPTERXV.HOWTHEYCAMEOUTOFHAM............................................. 346
CHAPTERXVI.ARETROSPECT......................................................................... 356
CHAPTERXVII.CONDUCTOFTHELEFT ........................................................ 357
CHAPTERXVIII.PAGEWRITTENATBRUSSELS............................................ 364
CHAPTERXIX.THEINFALLIBLEBENEDICTION ........................................... 367
CONCLUSIONTHEFALL. ..................................................................................... 368
CHAPTERI. ........................................................................................................... 368
CHAPTERII........................................................................................................... 370
CHAPTERIII.......................................................................................................... 372
CHAPTERIV. ........................................................................................................ 374
CHAPTERV........................................................................................................... 375
CHAPTERVI. ........................................................................................................ 377

CHAPTERVII. ....................................................................................................... 379

CHAPTERVIII....................................................................................................... 381
CHAPTERIX. ........................................................................................................ 383
CHAPTERX........................................................................................................... 384

THEFIRSTDAYTHEAMBUSH.
CHAPTERI."SECURITY"
OnDecember1,1851,Charras[1]shruggedhisshoulderandunloadedhispistols.In
truth,thebeliefinthepossibilityofa_coupd'tat_hadbecomehumiliating.The
suppositionofsuchillegalviolenceonthepartofM.LouisBonapartevanishedupon
seriousconsideration.ThegreatquestionofthedaywasmanifestlytheDevincqelection
itwasclearthattheGovernmentwasonlythinkingofthatmatter.Astoaconspiracy
againsttheRepublicandagainstthePeople,howcouldanyonepremeditatesuchaplot?
Wherewasthemancapableofentertainingsuchadream?Foratragedy theremustbean
actor,andhereassuredlytheactorwaswanting.TooutrageRight,tosuppressthe
Assembly,toabolishtheConstitution,tostrangletheRepublic,tooverthrowtheNation,
tosullytheFlag,todishonortheArmy,tosuborntheClergyandtheMagistracy,to
succeed,totriumph,togovern,toadminister,toexile,tobanish,totransport,toruin,to
assassinate,toreign,withsuchcomplicitiesthatthelawatlastresemblesafoulbedof
corruption.What!Alltheseenormitiesweretobecommitted!Andbywhom?Bya
Colossus?No,byadwarf.Peoplelaughedatthenotion.Theynolongersaid"Whata
crime!"but"Whatafarce!"Forafteralltheyreflectedheinouscrimesrequirestature.
Certaincrimesaretooloftyforcertainhands.Aman whowouldachievean18th
BrumairemusthaveArcolainhispastandAusterlitzinhisfuture.Theartofbecominga
greatscoundrelisnotaccordedtothefirstcomer.Peoplesaidtothemselves,Whoisthis
sonofHortense?HehasStrasbourgbehindhiminsteadofArcola,andBoulogneinplace
ofAusterlitz.HeisaFrenchman,bornaDutchman,andnaturalizedaSwissheisa
BonapartecrossedwithaVerhuellheisonlycelebratedfortheludicrousnessofhis
imperialattitude,andhewhowouldpluckafeatherfromhiseaglewouldriskfindinga
goose'squillinhishand.ThisBonapartedoesnotpasscurrencyinthearray,heisa
counterfeitimagelessofgoldthanoflead,andassuredlyFrenchsoldierswillnotgiveus
thechangeforthisfalseNapoleonin rebellion,inatrocities,inmassacres,inoutrages,in
treason.Ifheshouldattemptrogueryitwouldmiscarry.Notaregimentwouldstir.
Besides,whyshouldhemakesuchanattempt?Doubtlesshehashissuspiciousside,but
whysupposehimanabsolutevillain?Suchextremeoutragesarebeyondhimheis
incapableofthemphysically,whyjudgehimcapableofthemmorally?Hashenot
pledgedhonor?Hashenotsaid,"NooneinEuropedoubtsmyword?"Letusfear
nothing.Tothiscouldbeanswered,Crimesarecommittedeitheronagrandoronamean
scale.InthefirstcategorythereisCaesarinthesecondthereisMandrin.Caesarpasses
theRubicon,Mandrinbestridesthegutter.Butwisemeninterposed,"Arewenot
prejudicedbyoffensiveconjectures?Thismanhasbeenexiledandunfortunate.Exile
enlightens,misfortunecorrects."
ForhispartLouisBonaparteprotestedenergetically.Factsaboundedinhisfavor.Why
shouldhenotactingoodfaith?Hehadmaderemarkablepromises.Towardstheendof
October,1848,thenacandidateforthePresidency,hewascallingatNo.37,Ruedela
Tourd'Auvergne,onacertainpersonage,towhomheremarked,"Iwishtohavean

explanationwithyou.Theyslanderme.DoIgiveyoutheimpressionofamadman?They
thinkthatIwishtorevivifyNapoleon.Therearetwomenwhomagreatambitioncan
takeforitsmodels,NapoleonandWashington.TheoneisamanofGenius,theotherisa
manofVirtue.Itisridiculoustosay,'IwillbeamanofGenius'itishonesttosay,'Iwill
beamanofVirtue.'Whichofthesedependsuponourselves?Whichcanweaccomplish
byourwill?TobeGenius?No.TobeProbity?Yes.TheattainmentofGeniusisnot
possibletheattainmentofProbityisapossibility.AndwhatcouldIreviveofNapoleon?
Onesolethingacrime.Trulyaworthyambition!WhyshouldIbeconsideredman?The
Republicbeingestablished,Iamnotagreatman,IshallnotcopyNapoleonbutIaman
honestman.IshallimitateWashington.Myname,thenameofBonaparte,willbe
inscribedontwopagesofthehistoryofFrance:onthefirsttherewillbecrimeandglory,
onthesecondprobityandhonor.Andthesecondwillperhapsbeworththefirst.Why?
BecauseifNapoleonisthegreater,Washingtonisthebetterman.Betweentheguilty
heroandthegoodcitizenIchoosethegoodcitizen.Suchismyambition."
From1848to1851threeyearselapsed.PeoplehadlongsuspectedLouisBonapartebut
longcontinuedsuspicionbluntstheintellectandwearsitselfoutbyfruitlessalarms.
LouisBonapartehadhaddissimulatingministerssuchasMagneandRouherbuthehad
alsohadstraightforwardministerssuchasLonFaucherandOdilonBarrotandthese
lasthadaffirmedthathewasuprightandsincere.Hehadbeenseentobeathisbreast
beforethedoorsofHamhisfostersister,MadameHortenseCornu,wroteto
Mieroslawsky,"IamagoodRepublican,andIcananswerforhim."HisfriendofHam,
Peauger,aloyalman,declared,"LouisBonaparteisincapableoftreason."HadnotLouis
Bonapartewrittentheworkentitled"Pauperism"?IntheintimatecirclesoftheElyse
CountPotockiwasaRepublicanandCountd'OrsaywasaLiberalLouisBonapartesaid
toPotocki,"IamamanoftheDemocracy,"andtoD'Orsay,"IamamanofLiberty."The
MarquisduHallaysopposedthe_coupd'tat_,whiletheMarquiseduHallayswasinits
favor.LouisBonapartesaidtotheMarquis,"Fearnothing"(itistruethathewhisperedto
theMarquise,"Makeyourmindeasy").TheAssembly,afterhavingshownhereandthere
somesymptomsofuneasiness,hadgrowncalm.TherewasGeneralNeumayer,"whowas
tobedependedupon,"andwhofromhispositionatLyonswouldatneedmarchupon
Paris.Changarnierexclaimed,"Representativesofthepeople,deliberateinpeace."Even
LouisBonapartehimselfhadpronouncedthesefamouswords,"Ishouldseeanenemyof
mycountryinanyonewhowouldchangebyforcethatwhichhasbeenestablishedby
law,"and,moreover,theArmywas"force,"andtheArmypossessedleaders,leaderswho
werebelovedandvictorious.Lamoricire,Changarnier,Cavaignac,Lefl,Bedeau,
CharrashowcouldanyoneimaginetheArmyofAfricaarrestingtheGeneralsofAfrica?
OnFriday,November28,1851,LouisBonapartesaidtoMicheldeBourges,"IfIwanted
todowrong,Icouldnot.Yesterday,Thursday,IinvitedtomytablefiveColonelsofthe
garrisonofParis,andthewhimseizedmetoquestioneachonebyhimself.Allfive
declaredtomethattheArmywouldneverlenditselftoa_coupdeforce_,norattackthe
inviolabilityoftheAssembly.Youcantellyourfriendsthis.""Hesmiled,"saidMichel
deBourges,reassured,"andIalsosmiled."Afterthis,MicheldeBourgesdeclaredinthe
Tribune,"thisisthemanforme."InthatsamemonthofNovemberasatiricaljournal,
chargedwithcalumniatingthePresidentoftheRepublic,wassentencedtofineand
imprisonmentforacaricaturedepictingashootinggalleryandLouisBonaparteusingthe

Constitutionasatarget.Morigny,MinisteroftheInterior,declaredintheCouncilbefore
thePresident"thataGuardianofPublicPoweroughtnevertoviolatethelawas
otherwisehewouldbe""adishonestman,"interposedthePresident.Allthesewords
andallthesefactswerenotorious.Thematerialandmoralimpossibilityofthe_coup
d'tat_wasmanifesttoall.TooutragetheNationalAssembly!Toarrestthe
Representatives!Whatmadness!Aswehaveseen,Charras,whohadlongremainedon
hisguard,unloadedhispistols.Thefeelingofsecurity wascompleteandunanimous.
NeverthelessthereweresomeofusintheAssemblywhostillretainedafewdoubts,and
whooccasionallyshookourheads,butwewerelookeduponasfools.
[1]ColonelCharraswasUnderSecretaryofStatein1848,andActingSecretaryofWar
undertheProvisionalGovernment.

CHAPTERII.PARISSLEEPSTHEBELLRINGS
Onthe2dDecember,1851,RepresentativeVersigny,oftheHauteSane,whoresidedat
Paris,atNo.4,RueLonie,wasasleep.Hesleptsoundlyhehadbeenworkingtilllateat
night.Versignywasayoungmanofthirtytwo,softfeaturedandfaircomplexioned,ofa
courageousspirit,andamindtendingtowardssocialandeconomicalstudies.Hehad
passedthefirsthoursofthenightintheperusalofabookbyBastiat,inwhichhewas
makingmarginalnotes,and,leavingthebookopenonthetable,hehadfallenasleep.
Suddenlyheawokewithastartatthesoundofasharpringatthebell.Hesprangupin
surprise.Itwasdawn.Itwasaboutseveno'clockinthemorning.
Neverdreamingwhatcouldbethemotiveforsoearlyavisit,andthinkingthatsomeone
hadmistakenthedoor,heagainlaydown,andwasabouttoresumehisslumber,whena
secondringatthebell,stilllouderthanthefirst,completelyarousedhim.Hegotupinhis
nightshirtandopenedthedoor.
MicheldeBourgesandThodoreBacentered.MicheldeBourgeswastheneighborof
VersignyhelivedatNo.16,RuedeMilan.
ThodoreBacandMichelwerepale,andappearedgreatlyagitated.
"Versigny,"saidMichel,"dressyourselfatonceBaunehasjustbeenarrested."
"Bah!"exclaimedVersigny."IstheMauguinbusinessbeginningagain?"
"Itismorethanthat,"repliedMichel."Baune'swifeanddaughtercametomehalfan
hourago.Theyawokeme.Baunewasarrestedinbedatsixo'clockthismorning."
"Whatdoesthatmean?"askedVersigny.
Thebellrangagain.
"Thiswillprobablytellus,"answeredMicheldeBourges.
Versignyopenedthedoor.ItwastheRepresentativePierreLefranc.Hebrought,intruth,
thesolutionoftheenigma.
"Doyouknowwhatishappening?"saidhe.
"Yes,"answeredMichel."Bauneisinprison."
"ItistheRepublicwhoisaprisoner,"saidPierreLefranc."Haveyoureadtheplacards?"
"No."

PierreLefrancexplainedtothemthatthewallsatthatmomentwerecoveredwith
placardswhichthecuriouscrowdwerethrongingtoread,thathehadglancedoveroneof
thematthecornerofhisstreet,andthattheblowhadfallen.
"Theblow!"exclaimedMichel."Sayratherthecrime."
PierreLefrancaddedthattherewerethreeplacardsonedecreeandtwoproclamations
allthreeonwhitepaper,andpastedclosetogether.
Thedecreewasprintedinlargeletters.
TheexConstituentLaissac,wholodged,likeMicheldeBourges,intheneighborhood
(No.4,CitGaillard),thencamein.Hebroughtthesamenews,andannouncedfurther
arrestswhichhadbeenmadeduringthenight.
Therewasnotaminutetolose.
TheywenttoimpartthenewstoYvan,theSecretaryoftheAssembly,whohadbeen
appointedbytheLeft,andwholivedintheRuedeBoursault.
Animmediatemeetingwasnecessary.ThoseRepublicanRepresentativeswhowerestill
atlibertymustbewarnedandbroughttogetherwithoutdelay.
Versignysaid,"IwillgoandfindVictorHugo."
Itwaseighto'clockinthemorning.Iwasawakeandwasworkinginbed.Myservant
enteredandsaid,withanairofalarm,
"ARepresentativeofthepeopleisoutsidewhowishestospeaktoyou,sir."
"Whoisit?"
"MonsieurVersigny:"
"Showhimin."
Versignyentered,andtoldmethestateofaffairs.Isprangoutofbed.
Hetoldmeofthe"rendezvous"attheroomsoftheexConstituentLaissac.
"GoatonceandinformtheotherRepresentatives,"saidI.
Heleftme.

CHAPTERIII.WHATHADHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHT
PrevioustothefataldaysofJune,1848,theesplanadeoftheInvalideswasdividedinto
eighthugegrassplots,surroundedbywoodenrailingsandenclosedbetweentwogroves
oftrees,separatedbyastreetrunningperpendicularlytothefrontoftheInvalides.This
streetwastraversedbythreestreetsrunningparalleltotheSeine.Therewerelargelawns
uponwhichchildrenwerewonttoplay.Thecentreoftheeightgrassplotswasmarredby
apedestalwhichundertheEmpirehadbornethebronzelionofSt.Mark,whichhadbeen
broughtfromVeniceundertheRestorationawhitemarblestatueofLouisXVIII.and
underLouisPhilippeaplasterbustofLafayette.OwingtothePalaceoftheConstituent
Assemblyhavingbeennearlyseizedbyacrowdofinsurgentsonthe22dofJune,1848,
andtherebeingnobarracksintheneighborhood,GeneralCavaignachadconstructedat
threehundredpacesfromtheLegislativePalace,onthegrassplotsoftheInvalides,
severalrowsoflonghuts,underwhichthegrasswashidden.Thesehuts,wherethreeor
fourthousandmencouldbeaccommodated,lodgedthetroopsspeciallyappointedto
keepwatchovertheNationalAssembly.
Onthe1stDecember,1851,thetworegimentshuttedontheEsplanadewerethe6thand
the42dRegimentsoftheLine,the6thcommandedbyColonelGarderensdeBoisse,who
wasfamousbeforetheSecondofDecember,the42dbyColonelEspinasse,whobecame
famoussincethatdate.
TheordinarynightguardofthePalaceoftheAssemblywascomposedofabattalionof
Infantryandofthirtyartillerymen,withacaptain.TheMinisterofWar,inaddition,sent
severaltroopersfororderlyservice.Twomortarsandsixpiecesofcannon,withtheir
ammunitionwagons,wererangedinalittlesquarecourtyardsituatedontherightofthe
Courd'Honneur,andwhichwascalledtheCourdesCanons.TheMajor,themilitary
commandantofthePalace,wasplacedundertheimmediatecontroloftheQuestors.[2]
Atnightfallthegratingsandthedoorsweresecured,sentinelswereposted,instructions
wereissuedtothesentries,andthePalacewasclosedlikeafortress.Thepasswordwas
thesameasinthePlacedeParis.
ThespecialinstructionsdrawnupbytheQuestorsprohibitedtheentranceof anyarmed
forceotherthantheregimentonduty.
Onthenightofthe1stand2dofDecembertheLegislativePalacewasguardedbya
battalionofthe42d.
Thesittingofthe1stofDecember,whichwasexceedinglypeaceable,andhadbeen
devotedtoadiscussiononthemunicipallaw,hadfinishedlate,andwasterminatedbya
Tribunalvote.AtthemomentwhenM.Baze,oneoftheQuestors,ascendedtheTribune
todeposithisvote,aRepresentative,belongingtowhatwascalled"LesBancsElysens"
approachedhim,andsaidinalowtone,"Tonightyouwillbecarriedoff."Such
warningsasthesewerereceivedeveryday,and,aswehavealreadyexplained,people
hadendedbypayingnoheedtothem.Nevertheless,immediatelyafterthesittingthe

QuestorssentfortheSpecialCommissaryofPoliceoftheAssembly,PresidentDupin
beingpresent.Wheninterrogated,theCommissarydeclaredthatthereportsofhisagents
indicated"deadcalm"suchwashisexpressionandthatassuredlytherewasnodanger
tobeapprehendedforthatnight.WhentheQuestorspressedhimfurther,President
Dupin,exclaiming"Bah!"lefttheroom.
Onthatsameday,the1stDecember,aboutthreeo'clockintheafternoon,asGeneral
Lefl'sfatherinlawcrossedtheboulevardinfrontofTortoni's,someonerapidlypassed
byhimandwhisperedinhisearthesesignificantwords,"Eleveno'clockmidnight."This
incidentexcitedbutlittleattentionattheQuesture,andseveralevenlaughedatit.Ithad
becomecustomarywiththem.NeverthelessGeneralLeflwouldnotgotobeduntilthe
hourmentionedhadpassedby,andremainedintheOfficesoftheQuestureuntilnearly
oneo'clockinthemorning.
TheshorthanddepartmentoftheAssemblywasdoneoutofdoorsbyfourmessengers
attachedto the_Moniteur_,whowereemployedtocarrythecopyoftheshorthand
writerstotheprintingoffice,andtobringbacktheproofsheetstothePalaceofthe
Assembly,whereM.HippolytePrvostcorrectedthem.M.HippolytePrvostwaschief
ofthestenographicstaff,andinthatcapacityhadapartmentsintheLegislativePalace.
Hewasatthesametimeeditorofthemusical_feuilleton_ofthe_Moniteur_.Onthe1st
DecemberhehadgonetotheOpraComiqueforthefirstrepresentationofanewpiece,
anddidnotreturntillaftermidnight.Thefourthmessengerfromthe_Moniteur_was
waitingforhimwithaproofofthelastslipofthesittingM.Prvostcorrectedtheproof,
andthemessengerwassentoff.Itwasthenalittleafteroneo'clock,profoundquiet
reignedaround,and,withtheexceptionoftheguard,allinthePalaceslept.Towardsthis
hourofthenight,asingularincidentoccurred.TheCaptainAdjutantMajoroftheGuard
oftheAssemblycametotheMajorandsaid,"TheColonelhassentforme,"andhe
addedaccordingtomilitaryetiquette,"Willyoupermitmetogo?"TheCommandantwas
astonished."Go,"hesaidwithsomesharpness,"buttheColoneliswrongtodisturban
officeronduty."Oneofthesoldiersonguard,withoutunderstandingthemeaningofthe
words,heardtheCommandantpacingupanddown,andmutteringseveraltimes,"What
thedeucecanhewant?"
HalfanhourafterwardstheAdjutantMajorreturned."Well,"askedtheCommandant,
"whatdidtheColonelwantwithyou?""Nothing,"answeredtheAdjutant,"hewishedto
givemetheordersfortomorrow'sduties."Thenightbecamefurtheradvanced.Towards
fouro'clocktheAdjutantMajorcameagaintotheMajor."Major,"hesaid,"theColonel
hasaskedforme.""Again!"exclaimedtheCommandant."Thisisbecomingstrange
nevertheless,go."
TheAdjutantMajorhadamongstotherdutiesthatofgivingouttheinstructionstothe
sentries,andconsequentlyhadthepowerofrescindingthem.
AssoonastheAdjutantMajorhadgoneout,theMajor,becominguneasy,thoughtthatit
washisdutytocommunicatewiththeMilitaryCommandantofthePalace.Hewent
upstairstotheapartmentoftheCommandantLieutenantColonelNiols.ColonelNiols

hadgonetobedandtheattendantshadretiredtotheirroomsintheattics.TheMajor,
newtothePalace,gropedaboutthecorridors,and,knowinglittleaboutthevarious
rooms,rangatadoorwhichseemedtohimthatoftheMilitaryCommandant.Nobody
answered,thedoorwasnotopened,andtheMajorreturneddownstairs,withouthaving
beenabletospeaktoanybody.
OnhisparttheAdjutantMajorreenteredthePalace,buttheMajordidnotseehim
again.TheAdjutantremainednearthegrateddoorofthePlaceBourgogne,shroudedin
hiscloak,andwalkingupanddownthecourtyardasthoughexpectingsomeone.
Attheinstantthatfiveo'clocksoundedfromthegreatclockofthedome,thesoldiers
whosleptinthehutcampbeforetheInvalidesweresuddenlyawakened.Orderswere
giveninalowvoiceinthehutstotakeuparms,insilence.Shortlyafterwardstwo
regiments,knapsackonbackweremarchinguponthePalaceoftheAssemblytheywere
the6thandthe42d.
Atthissamestrokeoffive,simultaneouslyinallthequartersofParis,infantrysoldiers
filedoutnoiselesslyfromeverybarrack,withtheircolonelsattheirhead.The_aidesde
camp_andorderlyofficersofLouisBonaparte,whohadbeendistributedinallthe
barracks,superintendedthistakingupofarms.Thecavalrywerenotsetinmotionuntil
threequartersofanhouraftertheinfantry,forfearthattheringofthehorses'hoofson
thestonesshouldwakeslumberingParistoosoon.
M.dePersigny,whohadbroughtfromtheElysetothecampoftheInvalidestheorder
totakeuparms,marchedattheheadofthe42d,bythesideofColonelEspinasse.Astory
iscurrentinthearmy,foratthepresentday,weariedaspeoplearewithdishonorable
incidents,theseoccurrencesareyettoldwithaspeciesofgloomyindifferencethestory
iscurrentthatatthemomentofsettingoutwithhisregimentoneofthecolonelswho
couldbenamedhesitated,andthattheemissaryfromtheElyse,takingasealedpacket
fromhispocket,saidtohim,"Colonel,Iadmitthatwearerunningagreatrisk.Herein
thisenvelope,whichIhavebeenchargedtohandtoyou,areahundredthousandfrancs
inbanknotes_forcontingencies_."Theenvelopewasaccepted,andtheregimentsetout.
Ontheeveningofthe2dofDecemberthecolonelsaidtoalady,"ThismorningIearned
ahundredthousandfrancsandmyGeneral'sepaulets."Theladyshowedhimthedoor.
XavierDurrieu,whotellsusthisstory,hadthecuriositylaterontoseethislady.She
confirmedthestory.Yes,certainly!shehadshutthedoorinthefaceofthiswretcha
soldier,atraitortohisflagwhodaredvisither!Shereceivesuchaman?No!shecould
notdothat,"and,"statesXavierDurrieu,sheadded,"AndyetIhavenocharacterto
lose."
AnothermysterywasinprogressatthePrefecture ofPolice.
ThosebelatedinhabitantsoftheCitwhomayhavereturnedhomeatalatehourofthe
nightmighthavenoticedalargenumberofstreetcabsloiteringinscatteredgroupsat
differentpointsroundabouttheRuedeJerusalem.

Fromeleveno'clockintheevening,underpretextofthearrivalsofrefugeesatParisfrom
GenoaandLondon,theBrigadeofSuretyandtheeighthundred_sergentsdeville_had
beenretainedinthePrefecture.Atthreeo'clockinthemorningasummonshadbeensent
tothefortyeightCommissariesofParisandofthesuburbs,andalsotothepeace
officers.Anhourafterwardsallofthemarrived.Theywereusheredintoaseparate
chamber,andisolatedfromeachotherasmuchaspossible.Atfiveo'clockabellwas
soundedinthePrefect'scabinet.ThePrefectMaupascalledtheCommissariesofPolice
oneafteranotherintohiscabinet,revealedtheplottothem,andallottedtoeachhis
portionofthecrime.Nonerefusedmanythankedhim.
ItwasaquestionofarrestingattheirownhomesseventyeightDemocratswhowere
influentialintheirdistricts,anddreadedbytheElyseaspossiblechieftainsof
barricades.Itwasnecessary,astillmoredaringoutrage,toarrestattheirhousessixteen
RepresentativesofthePeople.ForthislasttaskwerechosenamongtheCommissariesof
Policesuchofthosemagistrateswhoseemedthemostlikelytobecomeruffians.
AmongsttheseweredividedtheRepresentatives.Eachhadhisman.SieurCourtillehad
Charras,SieurDesgrangeshadNadaud,SieurHubauttheelderhadM.Thiers,andSieur
HubauttheyoungerGeneralBedeau,GeneralChangarnierwasallottedtoLerat,and
GeneralCavaignactoColin.SieurDourlenstookRepresentativeValentin,SieurBenoist
RepresentativeMiot,SieurAllardRepresentativeCholat,SieurBarlettookRoger(Du
Nord),GeneralLamoricirefelltoCommissaryBlanchet,CommissaryGronfierhad
RepresentativeGreppo,andCommissaryBoudrotRepresentativeLagrange.The
Questorsweresimilarlyallotted,MonsieurBazeto theSieurPrimorin,andGeneralLefl
toSieurBertoglio.
WarrantswiththenameoftheRepresentativeshadbeendrawnupinthePrefect'sprivate
Cabinet.BlankshadbeenonlyleftforthenamesoftheCommissaries.Thesewerefilled
inatthemomentof leaving.
Inadditiontothearmedforcewhichwasappointedtoassistthem,ithadbeendecided
thateachCommissaryshouldbeaccompaniedbytwoescorts,onecomposedof_sergents
deville_,theotherofpoliceagentsinplainclothes.AsPrefectMaupashadtoldM.
Bonaparte,theCaptainoftheRepublicanGuard,Baudinet,wasassociatedwith
CommissaryLeratinthearrestofGeneralChangarnier.
Towardshalfpastfivethe_fiacres_whichwereinwaitingwerecalledup,andall
started,eachwithhisinstructions.
Duringthistime,inanothercornerofParistheoldRueduTempleinthatancient
SoubiseMansionwhichhadbeentransformedintoaRoyalPrintingOffice,andistoday
aNationalPrintingOffice,anothersectionoftheCrimewasbeingorganized.
TowardsoneinthemorningapasserbywhohadreachedtheoldRueduTemplebythe
RuedeVieillesHaudriettes,noticedatthejunctionofthesetwostreetsseverallongand
highwindowsbrilliantlylightedup,Thesewerethewindowsoftheworkroomsofthe

NationalPrintingOffice.HeturnedtotherightandenteredtheoldRueduTemple,anda
momentafterwardspausedbeforethecrescentshapedentranceofthefrontofthe
printingoffice.Theprincipaldoorwasshut,twosentinelsguardedthesidedoor.
Throughthislittledoor,whichwasajar,heglancedintothecourtyardoftheprinting
office,andsawitfilledwithsoldiers.Thesoldiersweresilent,nosoundcouldbeheard,
buttheglisteningoftheirbayonetscouldbeseen.Thepasserbysurprised,drewnearer.
Oneofthesentinelsthrusthimrudelyback,cryingout,"Beoff."
Likethe_sergentsdeville_atthePrefectureofPolice,theworkmenhadbeenretainedat
theNationalPrintingOfficeunderpleaofnightwork.AtthesametimethatM.
HippolytePrvostreturnedtotheLegislativePalace,themanageroftheNational
PrintingOfficereenteredhisoffice,alsoreturningfromtheOpraComique,wherehe
hadbeentoseethenewpiece,whichwasbyhisbrother,M.deSt.Georges.Immediately
onhisreturnthemanager,towhomhadcomeanorderfromtheElyseduringtheday,
tookupapairofpocketpistols,andwentdownintothevestibule,whichcommunicates
bymeansofafewstepswiththecourtyard.Shortlyafterwardsthedoorleadingtothe
streetopened,a_fiacre_entered,amanwhocarriedalargeportfolioalighted.The
managerwentuptotheman,andsaidtohim,"Isthatyou,MonsieurdeBville?"
"Yes,"answeredtheman.
The_fiacre_wasputup,thehorsesplacedinastable,andthecoachmanshutupina
parlor,wheretheygavehimdrink,andplacedapurseinhishand.Bottlesofwineand
louisd'orformthegroundworkofthishindofpolitics.Thecoachmandrankandthen
wenttosleep.Thedooroftheparlorwasbolted.
Thelargedoorofthecourtyardoftheprintingofficewashardlyshutthanitreopened,
gavepassagetoarmedmen,whoenteredinsilence,andthenreclosed.Thearrivalswere
acompanyoftheGendarmerieMobile,thefourthofthefirstbattalion,commandedbya
captainnamedLaRoched'Oisy.Asmayberemarkedbytheresult,foralldelicate
expeditionsthemenofthe_coupd'tat_tookcaretoemploytheGendarmerieMobile
andtheRepublicanGuard,thatitistosaythetwocorpsalmostentirelycomposedof
formerMunicipalGuards,bearingatheartarevengefulremembranceoftheeventsof
February.
CaptainLaRoched'OisybroughtaletterfromtheMinisterofWar,whichplacedhimself
andhissoldiersatthedispositionofthemanageroftheNationalPrintingOffice.The
musketswereloadedwithoutawordbeingspoken.Sentinelswereplacedinthe
workrooms,inthecorridors,atthedoors,atthewindows,infact,everywhere,twobeing
stationedatthedoorleadingintothestreet.Thecaptainaskedwhatinstructionsheshould
givetothesentries."Nothingmoresimple,"saidthemanwhohadcomeinthe_fiacre_.
"Whoeverattemptstoleaveortoopenawindow,shoothim."
Thisman,who,infact,wasDeBville,orderlyofficertoM.Bonaparte,withdrewwith
themanagerintothelargecabinetonthefirststory,asolitaryroomwhichlookedouton
thegarden.Therehecommunicatedtothemanagerwhathehadbroughtwithhim,the

decreeofthedissolutionoftheAssembly,theappealtotheArmy,theappeal tothe
People,thedecreeconvokingtheelectors,andinaddition,theproclamationofthePrefect
MaupasandhislettertotheCommissariesofPolice.Thefourfirstdocumentswere
entirelyinthehandwritingofthePresident,andhereandtheresomeerasuresmightbe
noticed.
Thecompositorswereinwaiting.Eachmanwasplacedbetweentwogendarmes,andwas
forbiddentoutterasingleword,andthenthedocumentswhichhadtobeprintedwere
distributedthroughouttheroom,beingcutupinverysmallpieces,sothatanentire
sentencecouldnotbereadbyoneworkman.Themanagerannouncedthathewouldgive
themanhourtocomposethewhole.Thedifferentfragmentswerefinallybroughtto
ColonelBville,whoputthemtogetherandcorrectedtheproofsheets.Themachining
wasconductedwiththesameprecautions,eachpressbeingbetweentwosoldiers.
Notwithstandingallpossiblediligencetheworklastedtwohours.Thegendarmes
watchedovertheworkmen.BvillewatchedoverSt.Georges.
Whentheworkwasfinishedasuspiciousincidentoccurred,whichgreatlyresembleda
treasonwithinatreason.Toatraitoragreatertraitor.Thisspeciesofcrimeissubjectto
suchaccidents.BvilleandSt.Georges,thetwotrustyconfidantsinwhosehandslaythe
secretofthe_coupd'tat_,thatistosaytheheadofthePresidentthatsecret,which
oughtatnopricetobeallowedtotranspirebeforetheappointedhour,underriskof
causingeverythingtomiscarry,tookitintotheirheadstoconfideitatonceto two
hundredmen,inorder"totesttheeffect,"astheexColonelBvillesaidlateron,rather
navely.Theyreadthemysteriousdocumentwhichhadjustbeenprintedtothe
GendarmesMobiles,whoweredrawnupinthecourtyard.Theseexmunicipalguards
applauded.Iftheyhadhooted,itmightbeaskedwhatthetwoexperimentalistsinthe
_coupd'tat_wouldhavedone.PerhapsM.Bonapartewouldhavewakedupfromhis
dreamatVincennes.
Thecoachmanwasthenliberated,the_fiacre_washorsed,andatfouro'clockinthe
morningtheorderlyofficerandthemanageroftheNationalPrintingOffice,
henceforwardtwocriminals,arrivedatthePrefectureofPolicewiththeparcelsofthe
decrees.Thenbeganforthemthebrandofshame.PrefectMaupastookthem bythehand.
Bandsofbillstickers,bribedfortheoccasion,startedineverydirection,carryingwith
themthedecreesandproclamations.
ThiswaspreciselythehouratwhichthePalaceoftheNationalAssemblywasinvested.
IntheRuedel'UniversitthereisadoorofthePalacewhichistheoldentrancetothe
PalaisBourbon,andwhichopenedintotheavenuewhichleadstothehouseofthe
PresidentoftheAssembly.Thisdoor,termedthePresidencydoor,wasaccordingto
customguardedbyasentry.ForsometimepasttheAdjutantMajor,whohadbeentwice
sentforduringthenightbyColonelEspinasse,hadremainedmotionlessandsilent,close
bythesentinel.Fiveminutesafter,havingleftthehutsoftheInvalides,the42dRegiment
oftheline,followedatsomedistancebythe6thRegiment,whichhadmarchedbythe
RuedeBourgogne,emergedfromtheRuedel'Universit."Theregiment,"saysaneye

witness,"marchedasonestepsinasickroom."Itarrivedwithastealthystepbeforethe
Presidencydoor.Thisambuscadecametosurprisethelaw.
Thesentry,seeingthesesoldiersarrive,halted,butatthemomentwhenhewasgoingto
challengethemwitha_quivive_,theAdjutantMajorseizedhisarm,and,inhiscapacity
astheofficerempoweredtocountermandallinstructions,orderedhimtogivefree
passagetothe42d,andatthesametimecommandedtheamazedportertoopenthedoor.
Thedoorturneduponitshinges,thesoldiersspreadthemselvesthroughtheavenue.
Persignyenteredandsaid,"Itisdone."
TheNationalAssemblywasinvaded.
AtthenoiseofthefootstepstheCommandantMennierranup."Commandant,"Colonel
Espinassecriedouttohim,"Icometorelieveyourbattalion."TheCommandantturned
paleforamoment,andhiseyesremainedfixedontheground.Thensuddenlyheputhis
handstohisshoulders,andtoreoffhisepaulets,hedrewhissword,brokeitacrosshis
knee,threwthetwofragmentsonthepavement,and,tremblingwithrage,exclaimedwith
asolemnvoice,"Colonel,youdisgracethenumberofyourregiment."
"Allright,allright,"saidEspinasse.
ThePresidencydoorwasleftopen,butalltheotherentrancesremainedclosed.Allthe
guardswererelieved,allthesentinelschanged,andthebattalionofthenightguardwas
sentbacktothecampoftheInvalides,thesoldierspiledtheirarmsintheavenue,andin
theCourd'Honneur.The42d,inprofoundsilence,occupiedthedoorsoutsideandinside,
thecourtyard,thereceptionrooms,thegalleries,thecorridors,thepassages,whileevery
onesleptinthePalace.
Shortlyafterwardsarrivedtwoofthoselittlechariotswhicharecalled"fortysons,"and
two_fiacres_,escortedbytwodetachmentsoftheRepublicanGuardandofthe
ChasseursdeVincennes,andbyseveralsquadsofpolice.TheCommissariesBertoglio
andPrimorinalightedfromthetwochariots.
Asthesecarriagesdroveupapersonage,bald,butstillyoung,wasseentoappearatthe
grateddoorofthePlacedeBourgogne.Thispersonagehadalltheairofamanabout
town,whohadjustcomefromtheopera,and,infact,hehadcomefromthence,after
havingpassedthroughaden.HecamefromtheElyse.ItwasDeMorny.Foraninstant
hewatchedthesoldierspilingtheirarms,andthenwentontothePresidencydoor.There
heexchangedafewwordswithM.dePersigny.Aquarterofanhourafterwards,
accompaniedby250ChasseursdeVincennes,hetookpossessionoftheministryofthe
Interior,startledM.deThorignyinhisbed,andhandedhimbrusquelyaletterof thanks
fromMonsieurBonaparte.SomedayspreviouslyhonestM.DeThorigny,whose
ingenuousremarkswehavealreadycited,saidtoagroupofmennearwhomM.de
Mornywaspassing,"HowthesemenoftheMountaincalumniatethePresident!Theman
whowouldbreakhisoath,whowouldachievea_coupd'tat_mustnecessarilybea
worthlesswretch."Awakenedrudelyinthemiddleofthenight,andrelievedofhispost

asMinisterlikethesentinelsoftheAssembly,theworthyman,astounded,andrubbing
hiseyes,muttered,"Eh!thenthePresident_is_a."
"Yes,"saidMorny,withaburstoflaughter.
HewhowritestheselinesknewMorny.MornyandWalewskyheldinthequasireigning
familythepositions,oneofRoyalbastard,theotherofImperialbastard. Whowas
Morny?Wewillsay,"Anotedwit,anintriguer,butinnowayaustere,afriendof
Romieu,andasupporterofGuizotpossessingthemannersoftheworld,andthehabitsof
theroulettetable,selfsatisfied,clever,combiningacertainliberalityofideaswitha
readinesstoacceptusefulcrimes,findingmeanstowearagracioussmilewithbadteeth,
leadingalifeofpleasure,dissipatedbutreserved,ugly,goodtempered,fierce,well
dressed,intrepid,willinglyleavingabrotherprisonerunderboltsandbars,andreadyto
riskhisheadforabrotherEmperor,havingthesamemotherasLouisBonaparte,andlike
LouisBonaparte,havingsomefatherorother,beingabletocallhimselfBeauharnais,
beingabletocallhimselfFlahaut,andyetcallinghimselfMorny,pursuingliteratureas
faraslightcomedy,andpolitics,asfarastragedy,adeadlyfreeliver,possessingallthe
frivolityconsistentwithassassination,capableofbeingsketchedbyMarivauxandtreated
ofbyTacitus,withoutconscience,irreproachablyelegant,infamous,andamiable,atneed
aperfectduke.Suchwasthismalefactor."
Itwasnotyetsixo'clockinthemorning.TroopsbegantomassthemselvesonthePlace
delaConcorde,whereLeroySaintArnaudonhorsebackheldareview.
TheCommissariesofPolice,BertoglioandPrimorinrangedtwocompaniesinorder
underthevaultofthegreatstaircaseoftheQuesture,butdidnotascendthatway.They
wereaccompaniedbyagentsofpolice,whoknewthemostsecretrecessesofthePalais
Bourbon,andwhoconductedthemthroughvariouspassages.
GeneralLeflwaslodgedinthePavilioninhabitedinthetimeoftheDucdeBourbonby
MonsieurFeuchres.ThatnightGeneralLeflhadstayingwithhimhissisterandher
husband,whowerevisitingParis,andwhosleptinaroom,thedoorofwhichledintoone
ofthecorridorsofthePalace.CommissaryBertoglioknockedatthedoor,openedit,and
togetherwithhisagentsabruptlyburstintotheroom,whereawomanwasinbed.The
general'sbrotherinoutsprangoutofbed,andcriedouttotheQuestor,whosleptinan
adjoiningroom,"Adolphe,thedoorsarebeingforced,thePalaceisfullofsoldiers.Get
up!"
TheGeneralopenedhiseyes,hesawCommissaryBertogliostandingbesidehisbed.
Hesprangup.
"General,"saidtheCommissary,"Ihavecometofulfiladuty."
"Iunderstand,"saidGeneralLefl,"youareatraitor."

TheCommissarystammeringoutthewords,"PlotagainstthesafetyoftheState,"
displayedawarrant.TheGeneral,withoutpronouncingaword,struckthisinfamous
paperwiththebackofhishand.
Thendressinghimself,heputonhisfulluniformofConstantineandofMdah,thinking
inhisimaginative,soldierlikeloyaltythattherewerestillgeneralsofAfricaforthe
soldierswhomhewouldfindonhisway.Allthegeneralsnowremainingwerebrigands.
Hiswifeembracedhimhisson,achildofsevenyears,inhisnightshirt,andintears,said
totheCommissaryofPolice,"Mercy,MonsieurBonaparte."
TheGeneral,whileclaspinghiswifeinhisarms,whisperedinherear,"Thereisartillery
inthecourtyard,tryandfireacannon."
TheCommissaryandhismenledhimaway.Heregardedthesepolicemenwithcontempt,
anddidnotspeaktothem,butwhenherecognizedColonelEspinasse,hismilitaryand
Bretonheartswelledwithindignation.
"ColonelEspinasse,"saidhe,"youareavillain,andIhopetolivelongenoughtotearthe
buttonsfromyouruniform."
ColonelEspinassehunghishead,andstammered,"Idonotknowyou."
Amajorwavedhissword,andcried,"Wehavehadenoughoflawyergenerals."Some
soldierscrossedtheirbayonetsbeforetheunarmedprisoner,three_sergentsdeville_
pushedhimintoa_fiacre_,andasublieutenantapproachingthecarriage,andlookingin
thefaceofthemanwho,ifhewereacitizen,washisRepresentative,andifhewerea
soldierwashisgeneral,flungthisabominablewordathim,"Canaille!"
MeanwhileCommissaryPrimorinhadgonebyamoreroundaboutwayinorderthemore
surelytosurprisetheotherQuestor,M.Baze.
OutofM.Baze'sapartmentadoorledtothelobbycommunicatingwiththechamberof
theAssembly.SieurPrimorinknockedatthedoor."Whoisthere?"askedaservant,who
wasdressing."TheCommissaryofPolice,"repliedPrimorin.Theservant,thinkingthat
hewastheCommissaryofPoliceoftheAssembly,openedthedoor.
AtthismomentM.Baze,whohadheardthenoise,andhadjustawakened,putona
dressinggown,andcried,"Donotopenthedoor."
Hehadscarcelyspokenthesewordswhenamaninplainclothesandthree_sergentsde
ville_inuniformrushedintohischamber.Theman,openinghiscoat,displayedhisscarf
ofoffice,askingM.Baze,"Doyourecognizethis?"
"Youareaworthlesswretch,"answeredtheQuestor.

ThepoliceagentslaidtheirhandsonM.Baze."Youwillnottakemeaway,"hesaid.
"You,aCommissaryofPolice,you,whoareamagistrate,andknowwhatyouaredoing,
yououtragetheNationalAssembly,youviolatethelaw,youareacriminal!"Ahandto
handstruggleensuedfouragainstone.MadameBazeandhertwolittlegirlsgivingvent
toscreams,theservantbeingthrustbackwithblowsbythe_sergentsdeville_."Youare
ruffians,"criedoutMonsieurBaze.Theycarriedhimawaybymainforceintheirarms,
stillstruggling,naked,hisdressinggownbeingtorntoshreds,hisbodybeingcovered
withblows,hiswristtornandbleeding.
Thestairs,thelanding,thecourtyard,werefullofsoldierswithfixedbayonetsand
groundedarms.TheQuestorspoketothem."YourRepresentativesarebeingarrested,
youhavenotreceivedyourarmstobreakthelaws!"Asergeantwaswearingabrandnew
cross."Haveyoubeengiventhecrossforthis?"Thesergeantanswered,"Weonlyknow
onemaster.""Inoteyournumber,"continuedM.Baze."Youareadishonoredregiment."
Thesoldierslistenedwithastolidair,andseemedstillasleep.CommissaryPrimorinsaid
tothem,"Donotanswer,thishasnothingtodowithyou."TheyledtheQuestoracross
thecourtyardtotheguardhouseatthePorteNoire.
Thiswasthenamewhichwasgiventoalittledoorcontrivedunderthevaultoppositethe
treasuryoftheAssembly,andwhichopenedupontheRuedeBourgogne,facingtheRue
deLille.
Severalsentrieswereplacedatthedooroftheguardhouse,andatthetopoftheflightof
stepswhichledthither,M.Bazebeingleftthereinchargeofthree_sergentsdeville_.
Severalsoldiers,withouttheirweapons,andintheirshirtsleeves,cameinandout.The
Questorappealedtotheminthenameofmilitaryhonor."Donotanswer,"saidthe
_sergentdeville_tothesoldiers.
M.Baze'stwolittlegirlshadfollowedhimwithterrifiedeyes,andwhentheylostsightof
himtheyoungestburstintotears."Sister,"saidtheelder,whowassevenyearsold,"letus
sayourprayers,"andthetwochildren,claspingtheirhands,kneltdown.
CommissaryPrimorin,withhisswarmofagents,burstintotheQuestor'sstudy,andlaid
handsoneverything.Thefirstpaperswhichheperceivedonthemiddleofthetable,and
whichheseized,werethefamousdecreeswhichhadbeenpreparedintheeventofthe
AssemblyhavingvotedtheproposaloftheQuestors.Allthedrawerswereopenedand
searched.ThisoverhaulingofM.Baze'spapers,whichtheCommissaryofPolicetermed
adomiciliaryvisit,lastedmorethananhour.
M.Baze'sclotheshadbeentakentohim,andhehaddressed.Whenthe"domiciliary
visit"wasover,hewastakenoutoftheguardhouse.Therewasa_fiacre_in the
courtyard,intowhichheentered,togetherwiththethree_sergentsdeville_.Thevehicle,
inordertoreachthePresidencydoor,passedbytheCourd'Honneurandthenbythe
CourdeCanonis.Daywasbreaking.M.Bazelookedintothecourtyardtoseeifthe
cannonwerestillthere.Hesawtheammunitionwagonsrangedinorderwiththeirshafts
raised,buttheplacesofthesixcannonandthetwomortarswerevacant.

IntheavenueofthePresidencythe_fiacre_stoppedforamoment.Twolinesofsoldiers,
standingatease,linedthefootpathsoftheavenue.Atthefootofatreeweregrouped
threemen:ColonelEspinasse,whomM.Bazeknewandrecognized,aspeciesof
LieutenantColonel,whoworeablackandorangeribbonroundhisneck,andaMajorof
Lancers,allthreeswordinhand,consultingtogether.Thewindowsofthe_fiacre_were
closedM.Bazewishedtolowerthemtoappealtothesementhe_sergentsdeville_
seizedhisarms.TheCommissaryPrimorinthencameup,andwasabouttoreenterthe
littlechariotfortwopersonswhichhadbroughthim.
"MonsieurBaze,"saidhe,withthatvillainouskindofcourtesywhichtheagentsofthe
_coupd'tat_willinglyblendedwiththeircrime,"youmustbeuncomfortablewiththose
threemeninthe_fiacre_.Youarecrampedcomeinwithme."
"Letmealone,"saidtheprisoner."WiththesethreemenIamcrampedwithyouIshould
becontaminated."
Anescortofinfantrywasrangedonbothsidesofthe_fiacre_.ColonelEspinassecalled
tothecoachman,"DriveslowlybytheQuaid'Orsayuntilyoumeetacavalryescort.
Whenthecavalryshallhaveassumedthecharge,theinfantrycancomeback."Theyset
out.
Asthe_fiacre_turnedintotheQuaid'Orsayapicketofthe7thLancersarrivedatfull
speed.Itwastheescort:thetrooperssurroundedthe_fiacre_,andthewholegallopedoff.
Noincidentoccurredduringthejourney.Hereandthere,atthenoiseofthehorses'hoofs,
windowswereopenedandheadsputforthandtheprisoner,whohadatlengthsucceeded
inloweringawindowheardstartledvoicessaying,"Whatisthematter?"
The_fiacre_stopped."Wherearewe?"askedM.Baze.
"AtMazas,"saida_sergentdeville_.
TheQuestorwastakentotheofficeoftheprison.JustasheenteredhesawBauneand
Nadaudbeingbroughtout.Therewasatableinthecentre,atwhichCommissary
Primorin,whohadfollowedthe_fiacre_inhischariot,hadjustseatedhimself.Whilethe
Commissarywaswriting,M.Bazenoticedonthetableapaperwhichwasevidentlyajail
register,onwhichwerethesenames,writteninthefollowingorder:Lamoricire,
Charras,Cavaignac,Changarnier,Lefl,Thiers,Bedeau,Roger(duNord),Chambolle.
ThiswasprobablytheorderinwhichtheRepresentativeshadarrivedattheprison.
WhenSieurPrimorinhadfinishedwriting,M.Bazesaid,"Now,youwillbegoodenough
toreceivemyprotest,andaddittoyourofficialreport.""Itisnotanofficialreport,"
objectedtheCommissary,"itissimplyanorderforcommittal.""Iintendtowritemy
protestatonce,"repliedM.Baze."Youwillhaveplentyoftimeinyourcell,"remarkeda
manwhostoodbythetable.M.Bazeturnedround."Whoareyou?""Iamthegovernor

oftheprison,"saidtheman."Inthatcase,"repliedM.Baze,"Ipityyou,foryouare
awareofthecrimeyouarecommitting."Themanturnedpale,andstammeredafew
unintelligiblewords.
TheCommissaryrosefromhisseatM.Bazebrisklytookpossessionofhischair,seated
himselfatthetable,andsaidtoSieurPrimorin,"YouareapublicofficerIrequestyouto
addmyprotesttoyourofficialreport.""Verywell,"saidtheCommissary,"letitbeso."
Bazewrotetheprotestasfollows:
"I,theundersigned,JeanDidierBaze,RepresentativeofthePeople,andQuestorofthe
NationalAssembly,carriedoffbyviolencefrommyresidenceinthePalaceofthe
NationalAssembly,andconductedtothisprisonbyanarmedforcewhichitwas
impossibleformetoresist,protestinthenameoftheNationalAssemblyandinmyown
nameagainsttheoutrageonnationalrepresentationcommitteduponmycolleaguesand
uponmyself.
"GivenatMazasonthe2dDecember1851,ateighto'clockinthemorning.
"BAZE."
WhilethiswastakingplaceatMazas,thesoldierswerelaughinganddrinkinginthe
courtyardoftheAssembly.Theymadetheircoffeeinthesaucepans.Theyhadlighted
enormousfiresinthecourtyardtheflames,fannedbythewind,attimesreachedthe
wallsoftheChamber.AsuperiorofficialoftheQuesture,anofficeroftheNational
Guard,RamonddelaCroisette,venturedtosaytothem,"YouwillsetthePalaceon
fire"whereuponasoldierstruckhimablowwithhisfist.
FourofthepiecestakenfromtheCourdeCanonswererangedinbatteryorderagainst
theAssemblytwoonthePlacedeBourgognewerepointedtowardsthegrating,andtwo
onthePontdelaConcordewerepointedtowardsthegrandstaircase.
Assidenotetothisinstructivetaleletusmentionacuriousfact.The42dRegimentofthe
linewasthesamewhichhadarrestedLouisBonaparteatBoulogne.In1840thisregiment
lentitsaidtothelawagainsttheconspirator.In1851itlentitsaidtotheconspirator
againstthelaw:suchisthebeautyofpassiveobedience.
[2]TheQuestorswereofficerselectedbytheAssembly,whosespecialdutieswereto
keepandaudittheaccounts,andwhocontrolledallmattersaffectingthesocialeconomy
oftheHouse.

CHAPTERIV.OTHERDOINGSOFTHENIGHT
DuringthesamenightinallpartsofParisactsofbrigandagetookplace.Unknownmen
leadingarmedtroops,andthemselvesarmedwithhatchets,mallets,pincers,crowbars,
lifepreservers,swordshiddenundertheircoats,pistols,ofwhichthebuttscouldbe
distinguishedunderthefoldsoftheircloaks,arrivedinsilencebeforeahouse,occupied
thestreet,encircledtheapproaches,pickedthelockofthedoor,tieduptheporter,
invadedthestairs,andburstthroughthedoorsuponasleepingman,andwhenthatman,
awakeningwithastart,askedofthesebandits,"Whoareyou?"theirleaderanswered,"A
CommissaryofPolice."SoithappenedtoLamoricirewhowasseizedbyBlanchet,who
threatenedhimwiththegagtoGreppo,whowasbrutallytreatedandthrowndownby
Gronfier,assistedbysixmencarryingadarklanternandapoleaxetoCavaignac,who
wassecuredbyColin,asmoothtonguedvillain,whoaffectedtobeshockedonhearing
himcurseandsweartoM.Thiers,whowasarrestedbyHubaut(theelder)who
professedthathehadseenhim"trembleandweep,"thusaddingfalsehoodtocrimeto
Valentin,whowasassailedinhisbedbyDourlens,takenbythefeetandshoulders,and
thrustintoapadlockedpolicevantoMiot,destinedtothetorturesofAfricancasemates
toRoger(duNord),whowithcourageousandwittyironyofferedsherrytothebandits.
CharrasandChangarnierweretakenunawares.
TheylivedintheRueSt.Honor,nearlyoppositetoeachother,ChangarnieratNo.3,
CharrasatNo.14.Eversincethe9thofSeptemberChangarnierhaddismissedthefifteen
menarmedtotheteethbywhomhehadhithertobeenguardedduringthenight,andon
the1stDecember,aswehavesaid,Charrashadunloadedhispistols.Theseemptypistols
werelyingonthetablewhentheycametoarresthim.TheCommissaryofPolicethrew
himselfuponthem."Idiot,"saidCharrastohim,"iftheyhadbeenloaded,youwould
havebeenadeadman."Thesepistols,wemaynote,hadbeengiventoCharrasuponthe
takingofMascarabyGeneralRenaud,whoatthemomentofCharras'arrestwason
horsebackinthestreethelpingtocarryoutthe_coupd'tat_.Ifthesepistolshad
remainedloaded,andifGeneralRenaudhadhadthetaskofarrestingCharras,itwould
havebeencuriousifRenaud'spistolshadkilledRenaud.Charrasassuredlywouldnot
havehesitated.Wehavealreadymentionedthenamesofthesepolicerascals.Itisuseless
torepeatthem.ItwasCourtillewhoarrestedCharras,LeratwhoarrestedChangarnier,
DesgrangeswhoarrestedNadaud.Thementhusseizedintheirownhouseswere
Representativesofthepeopletheywereinviolable,sothattothecrimeoftheviolation
oftheirpersonswasaddedthishightreason,theviolationoftheConstitution.
Therewasnolackofimpudenceintheperpetration oftheseoutrages.Thepoliceagents
mademerry.Someofthesedrollfellowsjested.AtMazastheunderjailorsjeeredat
Thiers,Nadaudreprimandedthemseverely.TheSieurHubaut(theyounger)awoke
GeneralBedeau."General,youareaprisoner.""Mypersonisinviolable.""Unlessyou
arecaughtredhanded,intheveryact.""Well,"saidBedeau,"Iamcaughtintheact,the
heinousactofbeingasleep."Theytookhimbythecollaranddraggedhimtoa_fiacre_.

OnmeetingtogetheratMazas,NadaudgraspedthehandofGreppo,andLagrange
graspedthehandofLamoricire.Thismadethepolicegentrylaugh.Acolonel,named
Thirion,wearingacommander'scrossroundhisneck,helpedtoputtheGeneralsandthe
Representativesintojail."Lookmeintheface,"saidCharrastohim.Thirionmoved
away.
Thus,withoutcountingotherarrestswhichtookplacelateron,therewereimprisoned
duringthenightofthe2dofDecember,sixteenRepresentativesandseventyeight
citizens.ThetwoagentsofthecrimefurnishedareportofittoLouisBonaparte.Morny
wrote"Boxedup"Maupaswrote"Quadded."Theoneindrawingroomslang,theother
intheslangofthegalleys.Subtlegradationsoflanguage.

CHAPTERV.THEDARKNESSOFTHECRIME
Versignyhadjustleftme.
WhileIdressedhastilytherecameinamaninwhomIhadeveryconfidence.Hewasa
poorcabinetmakeroutofwork,namedGirard,towhomIhadgivenshelterinaroomof
myhouse,acarverofwood,andnotilliterate.Hecameinfromthestreethewas
trembling.
"Well,"Iasked,"whatdothepeoplesay?"
Girardansweredme,
"Peoplearedazed.Theblowhasbeenstruckinsuchamannerthatitisnotrealized.
Workmenreadtheplacards,saynothing,andgototheirwork.Onlyoneinahundred
speaks.Itistosay,'Good!'Thisishowitappearstothem.Thelawofthe31stMayis
abrogated'Welldone!'Universalsuffrageisreestablished'Alsowelldone!'The
reactionarymajorityhasbeendrivenaway'Admirable!'Thiersisarrested'Capital!'
Changarnierisseized'Bravo!'Roundeachplacardthereare_claqueurs_.Ratapoil
explainshis_coupd'tat_toJacquesBonhomme,JacquesBonhommetakesitallin.
Briefly,itismyimpressionthatthepeoplegivetheirconsent."
"Letitbeso,"saidI.
"But,"askedGirardofme,"whatwillyoudo,MonsieurVictorHugo?"
Itookmyscarfofofficefromacupboard,andshowedittohim.
Heunderstood.
Weshookhands.
AshewentoutCarinientered.
ColonelCariniisanintrepidman.HehadcommandedthecavalryunderMieroslawskyin
theSicilianinsurrection.Hehas,inafewmovingandenthusiasticpages,toldthestoryof
thatnoblerevolt.CariniisoneofthoseItalianswholoveFranceasweFrenchmenlove
Italy.EverywarmheartedmaninthiscenturyhastwofatherlandstheRomeof
yesterdayandtheParisoftoday.
"ThankGod,"saidCarinitome,"youarestillfree,"andheadded,"Theblowhasbeen
struckinaformidablemanner.TheAssemblyisinvested.Ihavecomefromthence.The
PlacedelaRvolution,theQuays,theTuileries,theboulevards,arecrowdedwithtroops.
Thesoldiershavetheirknapsacks.Thebatteriesareharnessed.Iffightingtakesplaceit
willbedesperatework."

Iansweredhim,"Therewillbefighting."
AndIadded,laughing,"Youhaveprovedthatthecolonelswritelikepoetsnowitisthe
turnofthepoetstofightlikecolonels."
Ienteredmywife'sroomsheknewnothing,andwasquietlyreadingherpaperinbed.
Ihadtakenaboutmefivehundredfrancsingold.Iputonmywife'sbedaboxcontaining
ninehundredfrancs,allthemoneywhichremainedtome,andItoldherwhathad
happened.
Sheturnedpale,andsaidtome,"Whatareyougoingtodo?"
"Myduty."
Sheembracedme,andonlysaidtwowords:
"Doit."
Mybreakfastwasready.Iateacutletintwomouthfuls.AsIfinished,mydaughtercame
in.ShewasstartledbythemannerinwhichIkissedher,andaskedme,"Whatisthe
matter?"
"Yourmotherwillexplaintoyou."
AndIleftthem.
TheRuedelaTourd'Auvergnewasasquietanddesertedasusual.Fourworkmenwere,
however,chattingnearmydoortheywishedme"Goodmorning."
Icriedouttothem,"Youknowwhatisgoingon?"
"Yes,"saidthey.
"Well.Itistreason!LouisBonaparteisstranglingtheRepublic.Thepeopleareattacked.
Thepeoplemustdefendthemselves."
"Theywilldefendthemselves."
"Youpromisemethat?"
"Yes,"theyanswered.
Oneofthemadded,"Weswearit."

Theykepttheirword.Barricadeswereconstructedinmystreet(RuedelaTour
d'Auvergne),intheRuedesMartyrs,intheCitRodier,intheRueCoquenard,andat
NotreDamedeLorette.

CHAPTERVI."PLACARDS"
OnleavingthesebravemenIcouldreadatthecorneroftheRuedelaTourd'Auvergne
andtheRuedesMartyrs,thethreeinfamousplacardswhichhadbeenpostedonthewalls
ofParisduringthenight.
Heretheyare.
"PROCLAMATIONOFTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEREPUBLIC.
"_AppealtothePeople_.
"FRENCHMEN!Thepresentsituationcanlastnolonger.Everyday whichpasses
enhancesthedangersofthecountry.TheAssembly,whichoughttobethefirmest
supportoforder,hasbecomeafocusofconspiracies.Thepatriotismofthreehundredof
itsmembershasbeenunabletocheckitsfataltendencies.Insteadofmakinglawsinthe
publicinterestitforgesarmsforcivilwaritattacksthepowerwhichIholddirectly
fromthePeople,itencouragesallbadpassions,itcompromisesthetranquillityof
FranceIhavedissolvedit,andIconstitutethewholePeopleajudgebetweenitandme.
"TheConstitution,asyouknow,wasconstructedwiththeobjectofweakening
beforehandthepowerwhichyouwereabouttoconfidetome.Sixmillionsofvotes
formedanemphaticprotestagainstit,andyetI havefaithfullyrespectedit.
Provocations,calumnies,outrages,havefoundmeunmoved.Now,however,thatthe
fundamentalcompactisnolongerrespectedbythoseverymenwhoincessantlyinvoke
it,andthatthemenwhohaveruinedtwomonarchieswishtotiemyhandsinorderto
overthrowtheRepublic,mydutyistofrustratetheirtreacherousschemes,tomaintain
theRepublic,andtosavetheCountrybyappealingtothesolemnjudgmentoftheonly
SovereignwhomIrecognizeinFrancethePeople.
"Ithereforemakealoyalappealtothewholenation,andIsaytoyou:Ifyouwishto
continuethisconditionofuneasinesswhichdegradesusandcompromisesourfuture,
chooseanotherinmyplace,forIwillnolongerretainapowerwhichisimpotenttodo
good,whichrendersmeresponsibleforactionswhichIcannotprevent,andwhich
bindsmetothehelmwhenIseethevesseldrivingtowardstheabyss.
"Ifontheotherhandyoustillplaceconfidenceinme,givemethemeansof
accomplishingthegreatmissionwhichIholdfromyou.
"Thismissionconsistsinclosingtheeraofrevolutions,bysatisfyingthelegitimate
needsofthePeople,andbyprotectingthemfromsubversivepassions.Itconsists,above
all,increatinginstitutionswhichsurvivemen,andwhichshallinfactformthe
foundationsonwhichsomethingdurablemaybeestablished.

"Persuadedthattheinstabilityofpower,thatthepreponderanceofasingleAssembly,
arethepermanentcausesoftroubleanddiscord,Isubmittoyoursuffragethefollowing
fundamentalbasesofaConstitutionwhichwillbedevelopedbytheAssemblieslater
on:
"1.AresponsibleChiefappointedfortenyears.
"2.MinistersdependentupontheExecutivePoweralone.
"3.ACouncilofStatecomposedofthemostdistinguishedmen,whoshallprepare
lawsandshallsupportthemindebatebeforetheLegislativeBody.
"4.ALegislativeBodywhichshalldiscussandvotethelaws,andwhichshallbe
electedbyuniversalsuffrage,without_scrutindeliste_,whichfalsifiestheelections.
"5.ASecondAssemblycomposedofthemostillustriousmenofthecountry,apower
ofequipoisetheguardianofthefundamentalcompact,andofthepublicliberties.
"Thissystem,createdbythefirstConsulatthebeginningofthecentury,hasalready
givenreposeandprosperitytoFranceitwouldstillinsurethemtoher.
"Suchismyfirmconviction.Ifyoushareit,declareitbyyourvotes.If,onthe
contrary,youpreferagovernmentwithoutstrength,MonarchicalorRepublican,
borrowedIknownotfromwhatpast,orfromwhatchimericalfuture,answerinthe
negative.
"Thusforthefirsttimesince1804,youwillvotewithafullknowledgeofthe
circumstances,knowingexactlyforwhomandforwhat.
"IfIdonotobtainthemajorityofyoursuffragesIshallcalltogetheraNewAssembly
andshallplaceinitshandsthecommissionwhichIhavereceivedfromyou.
"Butifyoubelievethatthecauseofwhichmynameisthesymbol,thatistosay,
FranceregeneratedbytheRevolutionof'89,andorganizedbytheEmperor,istobestill
yourown,proclaimitbysanctioningthepowerswhichIaskfromyou.
"ThenFranceandEuropewillbepreservedfromanarchy,obstacleswillberemoved,
rivalrieswillhavedisappeared,forallwillrespect,inthedecisionofthePeople,the
decreeofProvidence.
"GivenatthePalaceoftheElyse,2dDecember,1851.
"LOUISNAPOLEONBONAPARTE."
PROCLAMATIONOFTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEREPUBLICTOTHEARMY.

"Soldiers!Beproudofyourmission,youwillsavethecountry,forIcountuponyou
nottoviolatethelaws,buttoenforcerespectforthefirstlawofthecountry,thenational
Sovereignty,ofwhichIamtheLegitimateRepresentative.
"Foralongtimepast,likemyself,youhavesufferedfromobstacleswhichhave
opposedthemselvesbothtothegoodthatIwishedtodoandtothedemonstrationsof
yoursympathiesinmyfavor.Theseobstacleshavebeenbrokendown.
"TheAssemblyhastriedtoattacktheauthoritywhichholdfromthewholeNation.It
hasceasedtoexist.
"ImakealoyalappealtothePeopleandtotheArmy,andIsaytothem:Eithergive
methemeansof insuringyourprosperity,orchooseanotherinmyplace.
"In1830,asin1848,youweretreatedasvanquishedmen.Afterhavingbrandedyour
heroicdisinterestedness,theydisdainedtoconsultyoursympathiesandyourwishes,
andyetyouarethefloweroftheNation.Today,atthissolemnmoment,Iamresolved
thatthevoiceoftheArmyshallbeheard.
"Vote,therefore,freelyascitizensbut,assoldiersdonotforgetthatpassiveobedience
totheordersoftheChiefoftheStateisthe rigorousdutyoftheArmy,fromthegeneral
totheprivatesoldier.
"Itisforme,responsibleformyactionsbothtothePeopleandtoposterity,totake
thosemeasureswhichmayseemtomeindispensableforthepublicwelfare.
"Asforyou,remainimmovablewithintherulesofdisciplineandofhonor.Byyour
imposingattitudehelpthecountrytomanifestitswillwithcalmnessandreflection.
"Bereadytorepresseveryattackuponthefreeexerciseofthesovereigntyofthe
People.
"Soldiers,Idonotspeaktoyouofthememorieswhichmynamerecalls.Theyare
engraveninyourhearts.Weareunitedbyindissolubleties.Yourhistoryismine.There
isbetweenus,inthepast,acommunityofgloryandofmisfortune.
"Therewillbeinthefuturecommunityofsentimentandofresolutionsfortherepose
andthegreatnessofFrance.
"GivenatthePalaceoftheElyse,December2d,1851.
"(Signed)L.N.BONAPARTE."
"INTHENAMEOFTHEFRENCHPEOPLE.
"ThePresidentof theRepublicdecrees:

"ARTICLEI.TheNationalAssemblyisdissolved.
"ARTICLEII.Universalsuffrageisreestablished.ThelawofMay31isabrogated.
"ARTICLEIII.TheFrenchPeopleareconvokedintheirelectoraldistrictsfromthe
14th Decembertothe21stDecemberfollowing.
"ARTICLEIV.TheStateofSiegeisdecreedinthedistrictofthefirstMilitary
Division.
"ARTICLEV.TheCouncilofStateisdissolved.
"ARTICLEVI.TheMinisteroftheInteriorischargedwiththeexecutionofthis
decree.
"GivenatthePalaceoftheElyse,2dDecember,1851.
"LOUISNAPOLEONBONAPARTE.
"DEMORNY,MinisteroftheInterior."

CHAPTERVII.NO.70,RUEBLANCHE
TheCitGaillardissomewhatdifficulttofind.Itisadesertedalleyinthatnewquarter
whichseparatestheRuedesMartyrsfromtheRueBlanche.Ifoundit,however.AsI
reachedNo.4,Yvancameoutofthegatewayandsaid,"Iamheretowarnyou.The
policehaveaneyeuponthishouse,MicheliswaitingforyouatNo.70,RueBlanche,a
fewstepsfromhere."
IknewNo.70,RueBlanche.Manin,thecelebratedPresidentoftheVenetianRepublic,
livedthere.Itwasnotinhisrooms,however,thatthemeetingwastotakeplace.
TheporterofNo.70toldmetogouptothefirstfloor.Thedoorwasopened,anda
handsome,grayhairedwomanofsomefortysummers,theBaronessCoppens,whomI
recognizedashavingseeninsocietyandatmyownhouse,usheredmeintoadrawing
room.
MicheldeBourgesandAlexanderReywerethere,thelatteranexConstituent,an
eloquentwriter,abraveman.AtthattimeAlexanderReyeditedthe_National_.
Weshookhands.
Michelsaidtome,
"Hugo,whatwillyoudo?"
Iansweredhim,
"Everything."
"Thatalsoismyopinion,"saidhe.
Numerousrepresentativesarrived,andamongstothersPierreLefranc,Labrousse,
ThodoreBac,NolParfait,Arnauld(del'Arige),DemosthenesOllivier,anex
Constituent,andCharamaule.Therewasdeepandunutterableindignation,butnouseless
wordswerespoken.
Allwereimbuedwiththatmanlyangerwhenceissuegreatresolutions.
Theytalked.Theysetforththesituation.Eachbroughtforwardthenewswhichhehad
learnt.
ThodoreBaccamefromLonFaucher,wholivedintheRueBlanche.Itwashewho
hadawakenedLonFaucher,andhadannouncedthenewstohim.Thefirstwordsof
LonFaucherwere,"Itisaninfamousdeed."

FromthefirstmomentCharamauledisplayedacouragewhich,duringthefourdaysof
thestruggle,neverflaggedforasingleinstant.Charamauleisaverytallman,possessed
ofvigorousfeaturesandconvincingeloquencehevotedwiththeLeft,butsatwiththe
Right.IntheAssemblyhewastheneighborofMontalembertandofRiancey.He
sometimeshadwarmdisputeswiththem,whichwewatchedfromafaroff,andwhich
amusedus.
CharamaulehadcometothemeetingatNo.70dressedinasortofblueclothmilitary
cloak,andarmed,aswefoundoutlateron.
ThesituationwasgravesixteenRepresentativesarrested,allthegeneralsofthe
Assembly,andhewhowasmorethanageneral,Charras.Allthejournalssuppressed,all
theprintingofficesoccupiedbysoldiers.OnthesideofBonaparteanarmyof80,000
menwhichcouldbedoubledinafewhoursonoursidenothing.Thepeopledeceived,
andmoreoverdisarmed.Thetelegraphattheircommand.Allthewallscoveredwiththeir
placards,andatourdisposalnotasingleprintingcase,notonesheetofpaper.Nomeans
ofraisingtheprotest,nomeansofbeginningthecombat.The_coupd'tat_wascladwith
mail,theRepublicwasnakedthe_coupd'tat_hadaspeakingtrumpet,theRepublic
woreagag.
Whatwastobedone?
TheraidagainsttheRepublic,againsttheAssembly,againstRight,againstLaw,against
Progress,againstCivilization,wascommandedbyAfricangenerals.Theseheroeshad
justprovedthattheywerecowards.Theyhadtakentheirprecautionswell.Fearalonecan
engendersomuchskill.TheyhadarrestedallthemenofwaroftheAssembly,andallthe
menofactionoftheLeft,Baune,CharlesLagrange,Miot,Valentin,Nadaud,Cholat.Add
tothisthatallthepossiblechiefsofthebarricadeswereinprison.Theorganizersofthe
ambuscadehadcarefullyleftatlibertyJulesFavre,MicheldeBourges,andmyself,
judgingustobelessmenofactionthanoftheTribunewishingtoleavetheLeftmen
capableofresistance,butincapableofvictory,hopingtodishonorusifwedidnotfight,
andtoshootusifwedidfight.
Nevertheless,noonehesitated.Thedeliberationbegan.Otherrepresentativesarrived
everyminute,EdgarQuinet,Doutre,Pelletier,Cassal,Bruckner,Baudin,Chauffour.The
roomwasfull,somewereseated,mostwerestanding,inconfusion,butwithouttumult.
Iwasthefirsttospeak.
Isaidthatthestruggleoughttobebegunatonce.Blowforblow.
ThatitwasmyopinionthatthehundredandfiftyRepresentativesoftheLeftshouldput
ontheirscarvesofoffice,shouldmarchinprocessionthroughthestreetsandthe
boulevardsasfarastheMadeleine,andcrying"VivelaRpublique!Vivela
Constitution!"shouldappearbeforethetroops,andalone,calmandunarmed,should
summonMighttoobeyRight.Ifthesoldiersyielded,theyshouldgototheAssemblyand

makeanendofLouisBonaparte.If thesoldiersfiredupontheirlegislators,theyshould
dispersethroughoutParis,cry"ToArms,"andresorttobarricades.Resistanceshouldbe
begunconstitutionally,andifthatfailed,shouldbecontinuedrevolutionarily.Therewas
notimetobelost.
"Hightreason,"saidI,"shouldbeseizedredhanded,isagreatmistaketosuffersuchan
outragetobeacceptedbythehoursastheyelapse.Eachminutewhichpassesisan
accomplice,andendorsesthecrime.Bewareofthatcalamitycalledan'Accomplished
fact.'Toarms!"
Manywarmlysupportedthisadvice,amongothersEdgarQuinet,Pelletier,andDoutre.
MicheldeBourgesseriouslyobjected.Myinstinctwastobeginatonce,hisadvicewasto
waitandsee.Accordingtohimtherewasdangerinhasteningthecatastrophe.The_coup
d'tat_wasorganized,andthePeoplewerenot.Theyhadbeentakenunawares.Wemust
notindulgeinillusion.Themassescouldnotstiryet.Perfectcalmreignedinthe
faubourgsSurpriseexisted,yesAnger,no.Thepeopleof Paris,althoughsointelligent,
didnotunderstand.
Micheladded,"Wearenotin1830.CharlesX.,inturningoutthe221,exposedhimself
tothisblow,thereelectionofthe221.Wearenotinthesamesituation.The221were
popular.ThepresentAssemblyisnot:aChamberwhichhasbeeninsultinglydissolvedis
alwayssuretoconquer,ifthePeoplesupportit.ThusthePeoplerosein1830.Today
theywait.Theyaredupesuntiltheyshallbevictims."MicheldeBourgesconcluded,
"ThePeoplemustbegiventimetounderstand,togrowangry,torise.Asforus,
Representative,weshouldberashtoprecipitatethesituation.Ifweweretomarch
immediatelystraightuponthetroops,weshouldonlybeshottonopurpose,andthe
gloriousinsurrectionforRightwouldthusbebeforehanddeprivedofitsnaturalleaders
theRepresentativesofthePeople.Weshoulddecapitatethepopulararmy.Temporary
delay,onthecontrary,wouldbebeneficial.Toomuchzealmustbeguardedagainst,self
restraintisnecessary,togivewaywouldbetolosethebattlebeforehavingbegunit.
Thus,forexample,wemustnotattendthemeetingannouncedbytheRightfornoon,all
thosewhowenttherewouldbearrested.Wemustremainfree,wemustremainin
readiness,wemustremaincalm,andmustactwaitingtheadventofthePeople.Fourdays
ofthisagitationwithoutfightingwouldwearythearmy."Michel,however,adviseda
beginning,butsimplybyplacardingArticle68oftheConstitution.Butwhereshoulda
printerbefound?
MicheldeBourgesspokewithanexperienceofrevolutionaryprocedurewhichwas
wantinginme.Formanyyearspasthehadacquiredacertainpracticalknowledgeofthe
masses.Hiscouncilwaswise.Itmustbeaddedthatalltheinformationwhichcametous
secondedhim,andappearedconclusiveagainstme.Pariswasdejected.
Thearmyofthe_coupd'tat_invadedherpeaceably.Eventheplacardswerenottorn
down.NearlyalltheRepresentativespresent,eventhemostdaring,agreedwithMichel's
counsel,towaitandseewhatwouldhappen."Atnight,"saidthey,"theagitationwill

begin,"andtheyconcluded,likeMicheldeBourges,thatthepeoplemustbegiventime
tounderstand.Therewouldbeariskofbeingaloneintoohastyabeginning.Weshould
notcarrythepeoplewithusinthefirstmoment.Letusleavetheindignationtoincrease
littlebylittleintheirhearts.Ifitwerebegunprematurelyourmanifestationwould
miscarry.Thesewerethesentimentsofall.Formyself,whilelisteningtothem,Ifelt
shaken.Perhapstheywereright.Itwouldbeamistaketogivethesignalforthecombat
invain.Whatgoodisthelightningwhichisnotfollowedbythethunderbolt?
Toraiseavoice,togiveventtoacry,tofindaprinter,therewasthefirstquestion.But
wastherestillafreePress?
Thebraveoldexchiefofthe6thLegion,ColonelForestier,camein.HetookMichelde
Bourgesandmyselfaside.
"Listen,"saidhetous."Icometoyou.Ihavebeendismissed.Inolongercommandmy
legion,butappointmeinthenameoftheLeft,Colonelofthe6th.SignmeanorderandI
willgoatonceandcallthemtoarms.Inanhourtheregimentwillbeonfoot."
"Colonel,"answeredI,"Iwilldomorethansignanorder,Iwillaccompanyyou."
AndIturnedtowardsCharamaule,whohadacarriageinwaiting.
"Comewithus,"saidI.
Forestierwassureoftwomajorsofthe6th.Wedecidedtodrivetothematonce,while
MichelandtheotherRepresentativesshouldawaitusatBonvalet's,intheBoulevarddu
Temple,neartheCafTurc.Theretheycouldconsulttogether.
Westarted.
WetraversedParis,wherepeoplewerealreadybeginningtoswarminathreatening
manner.Theboulevardswerethrongedwithanuneasycrowd.Peoplewalkedtoandfro,
passersbyaccostedeachotherwithoutanypreviousacquaintance,anoteworthysignof
publicanxietyandgroupstalkedinloudvoicesatthecornersofthestreets.Theshops
werebeingshut.
"Come,thislooksbetter,"criedCharamaule.
Hehadbeenwanderingabout thetownsincethemorning,andhehadnoticedwith
sadnesstheapathyofthemasses.
WefoundthetwomajorsathomeuponwhomColonelForestiercounted.Theyweretwo
richlinendrapers,whoreceiveduswithsomeembarrassment.Theshopmenhadgathered
togetheratthewindows,andwatcheduspassby.Itwasmerecuriosity.

Inthemeanwhileoneofthetwomajorscountermandedajourneywhichhewasgoingto
undertakeonthatday,andpromisedushiscooperation.
"But,"addedhe,"donotdeceiveyourselves,onecanforeseethatweshallbecutto
pieces.Fewmenwillmarchout."
ColonelForestiersaidtous,"Watrin,thepresentcolonelofthe6th,doesnotcarefor
fightingperhapshewillresignmethecommandamicably.Iwillgoandfindhimalone,
soastostartlehimtheless,andwilljoinyouatBonvalet's."
NearthePorteSt.Martinweleftourcarriage,andCharamauleandmyselfproceeded
alongtheboulevardonfoot,inordertoobservethegroupsmoreclosely,andmoreeasily
tojudgetheaspectofthecrowd.
TherecentlevellingoftheroadhadconvertedtheboulevardofthePorteSt.Martinintoa
deepcutting,commandedbytwoembankments.Onthesummitsoftheseembankments
werethefootways,furnishedwithrailings.Thecarriagesdrovealongthecutting,thefoot
passengerswalkedalongthefootways.
Justaswereachedtheboulevard,alongcolumnofinfantryfiledintothisravinewith
drummersattheirhead.ThethickwavesofbayonetsfilledthesquareofSt.Martin,and
lostthemselvesinthedepthsoftheBoulevardBonneNouvelle.
AnenormousandcompactcrowdcoveredthetwopavementsoftheBoulevardSt.
Martin.Largenumbersofworkmen,intheirblouses,werethere,leaninguponthe
railings.
AtthemomentwhentheheadofthecolumnenteredthedefilebeforetheTheatreofthe
PorteSt.Martinatremendousshoutof"VivelaRpublique!"cameforthfromevery
mouthasthoughshoutedbyoneman.Thesoldierscontinuedtoadvanceinsilence,butit
mighthavebeensaidthattheirpaceslackened,andmanyofthemregardedthecrowd
withanairofindecision.Whatdidthiscryof"VivelaRpublique!"mean?Wasita
tokenofapplause?Wasitashoutofdefiance?
ItseemedtomeatthatmomentthattheRepublicraiseditsbrow,andthatthe_coup
d'tat_hungitshead.
MeanwhileCharamaulesaidtome,"Youarerecognized."
Infact,neartheChteaud'Eauthecrowdsurroundedme.Someyoungmencriedout,
"ViveVictorHugo!"Oneofthemaskedme,"CitizenVictorHugo,whatoughtweto
do?"
Ianswered,"Teardowntheseditiousplacardsofthe_coupd'tat_,andcry'Vivela
Constitution!'"

"Andsupposetheyfireonus?"saidayoungworkman.
"Youwillhastentoarms."
"Bravo!"shoutedthecrowd.
Iadded,"LouisBonaparteisarebel,hehassteepedhimselftodayineverycrime.We,
RepresentativesofthePeople,declarehimanoutlaw,butthereisnoneedforour
declaration,sinceheisanoutlawbythemerefactofhistreason.Citizens,youhavetwo
handstakeinoneyourRight,andintheotheryourgunandfalluponBonaparte."
"Bravo!Bravo!"againshoutedthepeople.
Atradesmanwhowasshuttinguphisshopsaidtome,"Don'tspeaksoloud,iftheyheard
youtalkinglikethat,theywouldshootyou."
"Well,then,"Ireplied,"youwouldparademybody,andmydeathwouldbeaboonifthe
justiceofGodcouldresultfromit."
Allshouted"LongliveVictorHugo!"
"Shout'LonglivetheConstitution,'"saidI.
Agreatcryof"VivelaConstitution!VivelaRpublique"cameforthfromeverybreast.
Enthusiasm,indignation,angerflashedinthefacesofall.Ithoughtthen,andIstillthink,
thatthis,perhaps,wasthesuprememoment.Iwastemptedtocarryoffallthatcrowd,
andtobeginthebattle.
Charamaulerestrainedme.Hewhisperedtome,
"Youwillbringaboutauselessfusillade.Everyoneisunarmed.Theinfantryisonlytwo
pacesfromus,andsee,herecomestheartillery."
IlookedroundintruthseveralpiecesofcannonemergedataquicktrotfromtheRuede
Bondy,behindtheChteaud'Eau.
Theadvicetoabstain,givenbyCharamaule,madeadeepimpressiononme.Coming
fromsuchaman,andonesodauntless,itwascertainlynottobedistrusted.Besides,Ifelt
myselfboundbythedeliberationwhichhadjusttakenplaceatthemeetingintheRue
Blanche.
IshrankbeforetheresponsibilitywhichIshouldhaveincurred.Tohavetakenadvantage
ofsuchamomentmighthavebeenvictory,itmightalsohavebeenamassacre.WasI
right?WasIwrong?

Thecrowdthickenedaroundus,anditbecamedifficulttogoforward.Wewereanxious,
however,toreachthe_rendezvous_atBonvalet's.
Suddenlysomeonetouchedmeonthearm.ItwasLopoldDuras,ofthe_National_.
"Gonofurther,"hewhispered,"theRestaurantBonvaletissurrounded.Michelde
BourgeshasattemptedtoharanguethePeople,butthesoldierscameup.Hebarely
succeededinmakinghisescape.NumerousRepresentativeswhocametothemeeting
havebeenarrested.Retraceyoursteps.Wearereturningtotheold_rendezvous_inthe
RueBlanche.Ihavebeenlookingforyoutotellyouthis."
AcabwaspassingCharamaulehailedthedriver.Wejumpedin,followedbythecrowd,
shouting,"VivelaRpublique!ViveVictorHugo!"
Itappearsthatjustatthatmomentasquadronof_sergentsdeville_arrivedonthe
Boulevardtoarrestme.Thecoachmandroveoffatfullspeed.Aquarterofanhour
afterwardswereachedtheRueBlanche.

CHAPTERVIII."VIOLATIONOFTHECHAMBER"
Atseveno'clockinthemorningthePontdelaConcordewasstillfree.Thelargegrated
gateofthePalaceoftheAssemblywasclosedthroughthebarsmightbeseentheflight
ofsteps,thatflightofstepswhencetheRepublichadbeenproclaimedonthe4thMay,
1848,coveredwithsoldiersandtheirpiledarmsmightbedistinguisheduponthe
platformbehindthosehighcolumns,which,duringthetimeoftheConstituentAssembly,
afterthe15thofMayandthe23dJune,maskedsmallmountainmortars,loadedand
pointed.
Aporterwitharedcollar,wearingtheliveryoftheAssembly,stoodbythelittledoorof
thegratedgate.FromtimetotimeRepresentativesarrived.Theportersaid,"Gentlemen,
areyouRepresentatives?"andopenedthedoor.Sometimesheaskedtheirnames.
M.Dupin'squarterscouldbeenteredwithouthindrance.Inthegreatgallery,inthe
diningroom,inthe_salond'honneur_ofthePresidency,liveriedattendantssilently
openedthedoorsasusual.
Beforedaylight,immediatelyafterthearrestoftheQuestorsMM.BazeandLefl,M.de
Panat,theonlyQuestorwhoremainedfree,havingbeensparedordisdainedasa
Legitimist,awokeM.Dupinandbeggedhimtosummonimmediatelythe
Representativesfromtheirownhomes.M.Dupinreturnedthisunprecedentedanswer,"I
donotseeanyurgency."
AlmostatthesametimeasM.Panat,theRepresentativeJermeBonapartehadhastened
thither.HehadsummonedM.DupintoplacehimselfattheheadoftheAssembly.M.
Dupinhadanswered,"Icannot,Iamguarded."JermeBonaparteburstoutlaughing.In
fact,noonehaddeignedtoplaceasentinelatM.Dupin'sdoortheyknewthatitwas
guardedbyhismeanness.
Itwasonlylateron,towardsnoon,thattheytookpityonhim.Theyfeltthatthecontempt
wastoogreat,andallottedhimtwosentinels.
Athalfpastseven,fifteenortwentyRepresentatives,amongwhomwereMM.Eugne
Sue,Joret,deRessguier,anddeTalhouet,mettogetherinM.Dupin'sroom.Theyalso
hadvainlyarguedwithM.Dupin.Intherecessofawindowaclevermemberofthe
Majority,M.DesmousseauxdeGivr,whowasalittledeafandexceedinglyexasperated,
almostquarrelledwithaRepresentativeoftheRightlikehimselfwhomhewrongly
supposedtobefavorabletothe_coupd'tat_.
M.Dupin,apartfromthegroupofRepresentatives,alonedressedinblack,hishands
behindhisback,hisheadsunkonhisbreast,walkedupanddownbeforethefireplace,
wherealargefirewasburning.Inhisownroom,andinhisverypresence,theywere
talkingloudlyabouthimself,yetheseemednottohear.

TwomembersoftheLeftcamein,Benot(duRhne),andCrestin.Crestinenteredthe
room,wentstraightuptoM.Dupin,andsaidtohim,"President,youknowwhatisgoing
on?HowisitthattheAssemblyhasnotyetbeenconvened?"
M.Dupinhalted,andanswered,withashrugwhichwashabitualwithhim,
"Thereisnothingtobedone."
Andheresumedhiswalk.
"Itisenough,"saidM.deRessguier.
"Itistoomuch,"saidEugneSue.
AlltheRepresentativeslefttheroom.
InthemeantimethePontdelaConcordebecamecoveredwithtroops.Amongthem
GeneralVastVimeux,lean,old,andlittlehislankwhitehairplasteredoverhistemples,
infulluniform,withhislacedhatonhishead.Hewasladenwithtwohugeepaulets,and
displayedhisscarf,notthatofaRepresentative,butofageneral,whichscarf,beingtoo
long,trailedontheground.Hecrossedthebridgeonfoot,shoutingtothesoldiers
inarticulatecriesofenthusiasmfortheEmpireandthe_coupd'tat_.Suchfiguresas
thesewereseenin1814.Onlyinsteadofwearingalargetricolored,cockade,theywore
alargewhitecockade.Inthemainthesamephenomenonoldmencrying,"Longlivethe
Past!"AlmostatthesamemomentM.deLarochejaqueleincrossedthePlacedela
Concorde,surroundedbyahundredmeninblouses,whofollowedhiminsilence,and
withanairofcuriosity.Numerousregimentsofcavalryweredrawnupinthegrand
avenueoftheChampsElyses.
Ateighto'clockaformidableforceinvestedtheLegislativePalace.Alltheapproaches
wereguarded,allthedoorswereshut.SomeRepresentativesneverthelesssucceededin
penetratingintotheinteriorofthePalace,not,ashasbeenwronglystated,bythepassage
ofthePresident'shouseonthesideoftheEsplanadeoftheInvalides,butbythelittle
dooroftheRuedeBourgogne,calledtheBlackDoor.Thisdoor,bywhatomissionor
whatconnivanceIdonotknow,remainedopentillnoononthe2dDecember.TheRue
deBourgognewasneverthelessfulloftroops.Squadsofsoldiersscatteredhereandthere
intheRuedel'Universitallowedpassersby,whowerefewandfarbetween,touseitas
athoroughfare.
TheRepresentativeswhoenteredbythedoorinRuedeBourgogne,penetratedasfaras
theSalledesConfrences,wheretheymettheircolleaguescomingoutfromM.Dupin.
Anumerousgroupofmen,representingeveryshadeofopinionintheAssembly,was
speedilyassembledinthishall,amongstwhomwereMM.EugneSue,Richardet,
Fayolle,Joret,MarcDufraisse,Benot(duRhne),Canet,Gambon,d'Adelsward,Crqu,

Rpellin,TeillardLatrisse,Rantion,GeneralLeydet,PaulinDurrieu,Chanay,Brilliez,
Collas(delaGironde),Monet,Gaston,Favreau,andAlbertdeRessguier.
EachnewcomeraccostedM.dePanat.
"WherearethevicePresidents?"
"Inprison."
"AndthetwootherQuestors?"
"Alsoinprison.AndIbegyoutobelieve,gentlemen,"addedM.dePanat,"thatIhave
hadnothingtodowiththeinsultwhichhasbeenofferedme,innotarrestingme."
Indignationwasatitsheighteverypoliticalshadewasblendedinthesamesentimentof
contemptandanger,andM.deRessguierwasnolessenergeticthanEugneSue.For
thefirsttimetheAssemblyseemedonlytohaveoneheartandonevoice.Eachatlength
saidwhathethoughtofthemanoftheElyse,anditwasthenseenthatforalongtime
pastLouisBonapartehadimperceptiblycreatedaprofoundunanimityintheAssembly
theunanimityofcontempt.
M.Collas(oftheGironde)gesticulatedandtoldhisstory.HecamefromtheMinistryof
theInterior.HehadseenM.deMorny,hehadspokentohimandhe,M.Collas,was
incensedbeyondmeasureatM.Bonaparte'scrime.Sincethen,thatCrimehasmadehim
CouncillorofState.
M.dePanatwenthitherandthitheramongthegroups,announcingtotheRepresentatives
thathehadconvenedtheAssemblyforoneo'clock.Butitwasimpossibletowaituntil
thathour.Timepressed.AtthePalaisBourbon,asintheRueBlanche,itwasthe
universalfeelingthateachhourwhichpassedbyhelpedtoaccomplishthe_coupd'tat_.
Everyonefeltasareproachtheweightofhissilenceorofhisinactionthecircleofiron
wasclosingin,thetideofsoldiersroseunceasingly,andsilentlyinvadedthePalaceat
eachinstantasentinelthemorewasfoundatadoor,whichamomentbeforehadbeen
free.Still,thegroupofRepresentativesassembledtogetherintheSalledesConfrences
wasasyetrespected.Itwasnecessarytoact,tospeak,todeliberate,tostruggle,andnot
toloseaminute.
Gambonsaid,"LetustryDupinoncemoreheisourofficialman,wehaveneedofhim."
Theywenttolookforhim.Theycouldnotfindhim.Hewasnolongerthere,hehad
disappeared,hewasaway,hidden,crouching,cowering,concealed,hehadvanished,he
wasburied.Where?Nooneknew.Cowardicehasunknownholes.
Suddenlyamanenteredthehall.AmanwhowasastrangertotheAssembly,inuniform,
wearingtheepauletofasuperiorofficerandaswordbyhisside.Hewasamajorofthe
42d,whocametosummontheRepresentativestoquittheirownHouse.All,Royalists
andRepublicansalike,rusheduponhim.Suchwastheexpressionofanindignanteye

witness.GeneralLeydetaddressedhiminlanguagesuchasleavesanimpressiononthe
cheekratherthanontheear.
"Idomyduty,Ifulfilmyinstructions,"stammeredtheofficer.
"Youareanidiot,ifyouthinkyouaredoingyourduty,"criedLeydettohim,"andyou
areascoundrelifyouknowthatyouarecommittingacrime.Yourname?Whatdoyou
callyourself?Givemeyourname."
Theofficerrefusedtogivehisname,andreplied,"So,gentlemen,youwillnot
withdraw?"
"No."
"Ishallgoandobtainforce."
"Doso."
Helefttheroom,andinactualfactwenttoobtainordersfromtheMinistryofthe
Interior.
TheRepresentativeswaitedinthatkindofindescribableagitationwhichmightbecalled
theStranglingofRightbyViolence.
Inashorttimeoneofthemwhohadgoneoutcamebackhastily,andwarnedthemthat
twocompaniesofthe_GendarmerieMobile_werecomingwiththeirgunsintheirhands.
MarcDufraissecriedout,"Lettheoutragebethorough.Letthe_coupd'tat_finduson
ourseats.LetusgototheSalledesSances,"headded."Sincethingshavecometosuch
apass,letusaffordthegenuineandlivingspectacleofan18thBrumaire."

TheyallrepairedtotheHallofAssembly.Thepassagewasfree.TheSalleCasimir
Prierwasnotyetoccupiedbythesoldiers.
Theynumberedaboutsixty.Several weregirdedwiththeirscarvesofoffice.They
enteredtheHallmeditatively.
There,M.deRessguier,undoubtedlywithagoodpurpose,andinordertoformamore
compactgroup,urgedthattheyshouldallinstallthemselvesontheRightside.
"No,"saidMarcDufraisse,"everyonetohisbench."Theyscatteredthemselvesaboutthe
Hall,eachinhisusualplace.
M.Monet,whosatononeofthelowerbenchesoftheLeftCentre,heldinhishanda
copyoftheConstitution.

Severalminuteselapsed.Noonespoke.Itwasthesilenceofexpectationwhichprecedes
decisivedeedsandfinalcrises,andduringwhicheveryoneseemsrespectfullytolistento
thelastinstructionsofhisconscience.
Suddenlythesoldiersofthe_GendarmerieMobile_,headedbyacaptainwithhissword
drawn,appearedonthethreshold.TheHallofAssemblywasviolated.The
Representativesrosefromtheirseatssimultaneously,shouting"VivelaRpublique!"
TheRepresentativeMonetaloneremainedstanding,andinaloudandindignantvoice,
whichresoundedthroughtheemptyhalllikeatrumpet,orderedthesoldierstohalt.
Thesoldiershalted,lookingattheRepresentativeswithabewilderedair.
ThesoldiersasyetonlyblockedupthelobbyoftheLeft,andhadnotpassedbeyondthe
Tribune.
ThentheRepresentativeMonetreadtheArticles36,37,and68oftheConstitution.
Articles36and37establishedtheinviolabilityoftheRepresentatives.Article68deposed
thePresidentintheeventoftreason.
Thatmomentwasasolemnone.Thesoldierslistenedinsilence.
TheArticleshavingbeenread,Representatived'Adelsward,whosatonthefirstlower
benchoftheLeft,andwhowasnearesttothesoldiers,turnedtowardsthemandsaid,
"Soldiers,youseethatthePresidentoftheRepublicisatraitor,andwouldmaketraitors
ofyou.YouviolatethesacredprecinctofrationalRepresentation.Inthenameofthe
Constitution,inthenameoftheLaw,weorderyoutowithdraw."
WhileAdelswardwasspeaking,themajorcommandingthe_GendarmerieMobile_had
entered.
"Gentlemen,"saidhe,"Ihaveorderstorequestyoutoretire,and,ifyoudonotwithdraw
ofyourownaccord,toexpelyou."
"Orderstoexpelus!"exclaimedAdelswardandalltheRepresentativesadded,"Whose
orders Letusseetheorders.Whosignedtheorders?"
Themajordrewforthapaperandunfoldedit.Scarcelyhadheunfoldeditthanhe
attemptedtoreplaceitinhispocket,butGeneralLeydetthrewhimselfuponhimand
seizedhisarm.SeveralRepresentativesleantforward,andreadtheorderforthe
expulsionoftheAssembly,signed"Fortoul,MinisteroftheMarine."
MarcDufraisseturnedtowardsthe_GendarmesMobiles_,andcriedouttothem,

"Soldiers,yourverypresencehereisanactoftreason.LeavetheHall!"
Thesoldiersseemedundecided.Suddenlyasecondcolumnemergedfromthedooronthe
right,andatasignalfromthecommander,thecaptainshouted,
"Forward!Turnthemallout!"
Thenbegananindescribablehandtohandfightbetweenthegendarmesandthe
legislators.Thesoldiers,withtheirgunsintheirhands,invadedthebenchesofthe
Senate.Repellin,Chanay,Rantion,wereforciblytornfromtheirseats.Twogendarmes
rusheduponMarcDufraisse,twouponGambon.Alongstruggletookplaceonthefirst
benchoftheRight,thesameplacewhereMM.OdilonBarrotandAbbatucciwereinthe
habitofsitting.PaulinDurrieuresistedviolencebyforce,itneededthreementodraghim
fromhisbench.MonetwasthrowndownuponthebenchesoftheCommissaries.They
seizedAdelswardbythethroat,andthrusthimoutsidetheHall.Richardet,afeebleman,
wasthrowndownandbrutallytreated.Somewereprickedwiththepointsofthe
bayonetsnearlyallhadtheirclothestorn.
Thecommandershouted tothesoldiers,"Rakethemout."
ItwasthusthatsixtyRepresentativesofthePeopleweretakenbythecollarbythe_coup
d'tat_,anddrivenfromtheirseats.Themannerinwhichthedeedwasexecuted
completedthetreason.Thephysicalperformancewasworthyofthemoralperformance.

ThethreelasttocomeoutwereFayolle,TeillardLatrisse,andPaulinDurrieu.
TheywereallowedtopassbythegreatdoorofthePalace,andtheyfoundthemselvesin
thePlaceBourgogne.
ThePlaceBourgognewasoccupiedbythe42dRegimentoftheLine,undertheordersof
ColonelGarderens.
BetweenthePalaceandthestatueoftheRepublic,whichoccupiedthecentreofthe
square,apieceofartillerywaspointedattheAssemblyoppositethegreatdoor.
BythesideofthecannonsomeChasseursdeVincenneswereloadingtheirgunsand
bitingtheircartridges.
ColonelGarderenswasonhorsebacknearagroupofsoldiers,whichattractedthe
attentionoftheRepresentativesTeillardLatrisse,Fayolle,andPaulinDurrieu.
Inthemiddleofthisgroupthreemen,whohadbeenarrested,werestrugglingcrying,
"LonglivetheConstitution!VivelaRpublique!"

Fayolle,PaulinDurrieu,andTeillardLatrisseapproached,andrecognizedinthethree
prisonersthreemembersofthemajority,RepresentativesToupetdesVignesRadoubt,
Lafosse,andArbey.
RepresentativeArbeywaswarmlyprotesting.Asheraisedhisvoice,ColonelGarderens
cuthimshortwiththesewords,whichareworthyofpreservation,
"Holdyourtongue!Onewordmore,andIwillhaveyouthrashedwiththebuttendofa
musket."
ThethreeRepresentativesoftheLeftindignantlycalledontheColoneltoreleasetheir
colleagues.
"Colonel,"saidFayolle,"Youbreakthelawthreefold."
"Iwillbreakitsixfold,"answeredtheColonel,andhearrestedFayolle,Durrieu,and
TeillardLatrisse.
ThesoldierywereorderedtoconductthemtotheguardhouseofthePalacethenbeing
builtfortheMinisterofForeignAffairs.
Onthewaythesixprisoners,marchingbetweenadoublefileofbayonets,metthreeof
theircolleaguesRepresentativesEugneSue,Chanay,andBenoist(duRhne).
EugneSueplacedhimselfbeforetheofficerwhocommandedthedetachment,andsaid
tohim,
"Wesummonyoutosetourcolleaguesatliberty."
"Icannotdoso,"answeredtheofficer.
"Inthatcasecompleteyourcrimes,"saidEugneSue,"Wesummonyoutoarrestus
also."
Theofficerarrestedthem.
TheyweretakentotheguardhouseoftheMinistryforForeignAffairs,and,lateron,to
thebarracksoftheQuaid'Orsay.Itwasnottillnightthattwocompaniesofthelinecame
totransferthemtothisultimaterestingplace.
Whileplacingthembetweenhissoldiersthecommandingofficerboweddowntothe
ground,politelyremarking,"Gentlemen,mymen'sgunsareloaded."
Theclearanceofthehallwascarriedout,aswehavesaid,inadisorderlyfashion,the
soldierspushingtheRepresentativesbeforethemthroughalltheoutlets.

Some,andamongstthenumberthoseofwhomwehavejustspoken,wensoutbytheRue
deBourgogne,othersweredraggedthroughtheSalledesPasPerdustowardsthegrated
dooroppositethePontdelaConcorde.[3]
TheSalledesPasPerdushasanantechamber,asortofcrosswayroom,uponwhich
openedthestaircaseoftheHighTribune,andseveraldoors,amongstothersthegreat
glassdoorofthegallerywhichleadstotheapartmentsofthePresidentoftheAssembly.
Assoonastheyhadreachedthiscrosswayroomwhichadjoinsthelittlerotunda,where
thesidedoorofexittothePalaceissituated,thesoldierssettheRepresentativesfree.
There,inafewmoments,agroupwasformed,inwhichtheRepresentativesCanetand
Favreaubegantospeak.Oneuniversalcrywasraised,"LetussearchforDupin,letus
draghimhereifitisnecessary."
Theyopenedtheglassdoorandrushedintothegallery.ThistimeM.Dupinwasathome.
M.Dupin,havinglearntthatthegendarmeshadclearedouttheHall,hadcomeoutofhis
hidingplace.TheAssemblybeingthrownprostrate,Dupinstooderect.Thelawbeing
madeprisoner,thismanfelthimselfsetfree.
ThegroupofRepresentatives,ledbyMM.CanetandFavreau,foundhiminhisstudy.
Thereadialogueensued.TheRepresentativessummonedthePresidenttoputhimselfat
theirhead,andtoreentertheHall,he,themanoftheAssembly,withthem,themenof
theNation.
M.Dupinrefusedpointblank,maintainedhisground,wasveryfirm,andclungbravely
tohisnonentity.
"Whatdoyouwantmetodo?"saidhe,minglingwithhisalarmedprotestsmanylaw
maximsandLatinquotations,aninstinctofchatteringjays,whopourforthalltheir
vocabularywhentheyarefrightened."Whatdoyouwantmetodo?WhoamI?Whatcan
Ido?Iamnothing.Nooneisanylongeranything._Ubinihil,nihil_.Mightisthere.
WherethereisMightthepeoplelosetheirRights._Novusnasciturordo_.Shapeyour
courseaccordingly.Iamobligedtosubmit._Duralex,sedlex_.Alawofnecessitywe
admit,butnotalawofright.Butwhatistobedone?Iasktobeletalone.Icando
nothing.IdowhatIcan.Iamnotwantingingoodwill.IfIhadacorporalandfourmen,
Iwouldhavethemkilled."
"Thismanonlyrecognizesforce,"saidtheRepresentatives."Verywell,letusemploy
force."
Theyusedviolencetowardshim,theygirdedhimwithascarflikeacordroundhisneck,
and,astheyhadsaid,theydraggedhimtowardstheHall,beggingforhis"liberty,"
moaning,kickingIwouldsaywrestling,ifthewordwerenottooexalted.

Someminutesaftertheclearance,thisSalledesPasPerdus,whichhadjustwitnessed
Representativespassbyintheclutchofgendarmes,sawM.Dupinintheclutchofthe
Representatives.
Theydidnotgetfar.Soldiersbarredthegreatgreenfoldingdoors.ColonelEspinasse
hurriedthither,thecommanderofthegendarmeriecameup.Thebuttendsofapairof
pistolswereseenpeepingoutofthecommander'spocket.
Thecolonelwaspale,thecommanderwaspale,M.Dupinwaslivid.Bothsideswere
afraid.M.DupinwasafraidofthecolonelthecolonelassuredlywasnotafraidofM.
Dupin,butbehindthislaughableandmiserablefigurehesawaterriblephantomriseup
hiscrime,andhetrembled.InHomerthereisascenewhereNemesisappearsbehind
Thersites.
M.Dupinremainedforsomemomentsstupefied,bewilderedandspeechless.
TheRepresentativeGambonexclaimedtohim,
"Nowthen,speak,M.Dupin,theLeftdoesnotinterruptyou."
Then,withthewordsoftheRepresentativesathisback,andthebayonetsofthesoldiers
athisbreast,theunhappymanspoke.Whathismouthutteredatthismoment,whatthe
PresidentoftheSovereignAssemblyofFrancestammeredtothegendarmesatthis
intenselycriticalmoment,noonecouldgather.
Thosewhoheardthelastgaspsofthismoribundcowardice,hastenedtopurifytheirears.
Itappears,however,thathestutteredforthsomethinglikethis:
"YouareMight,youhavebayonetsIinvokeRightandIleaveyou.Ihavethehonorto
wishyougoodday."
Hewentaway.
Theylethimgo.Atthemomentofleavingheturnedroundandletfallafewmorewords.
Wewillnotgatherthemup.Historyhasnoragpicker'sbasket.
[3]ThisgrateddoorwasclosedonDecember2,andwasnotreopeneduntilthe12th
March,whenM.LouisBonapartecametoinspecttheworksoftheHalloftheCorps
Legislatif.

CHAPTERIX.ANENDWORSETHANDEATH
Weshouldhavebeengladtohaveputaside,nevertohavespokenofhimagain,thisman
whohadborneforthreeyearsthismosthonorabletitle,PresidentoftheNational
AssemblyofFrance,andwhohadonlyknownhowtobelacqueytothemajority.He
contrivedinhislasthourtosinkevenlowerthancouldhavebeenbelievedpossibleeven
forhim.HiscareerintheAssemblyhadbeenthatofavalet,hisendwasthatofa
scullion.
TheunprecedentedattitudethatM.Dupinassumedbeforethegendarmeswhenuttering
withagrimacehismockeryofaprotest,evenengenderedsuspicion.Gambionexclaimed,
"Heresistslikeanaccomplice.Heknewall."
Webelievethesesuspicionstobeunjust.M.Dupinknewnothing.Whoindeedamongst
theorganizersofthe_coupd'tat_wouldhavetakenthetroubletomakesureofhis
joiningthem?CorruptM.Dupin?wasitpossible?and,further,towhatpurpose?Topay
him?Why?Itwouldbemoneywastedwhenfearalonewasenough.Someconnivances
aresecuredbeforetheyaresoughtfor.Cowardiceistheoldfawneruponfelony.The
bloodofthelawisquicklywipedup.Behindtheassassinwhoholdstheponiardcomes
thetremblingwretchwhoholdsthesponge.
Dupintookrefugeinhisstudy.Theyfollowedhim."MyGod!"hecried,"can'tthey
understandthatIwanttobeleftinpeace."
Intruththeyhadtorturedhimeversincethemorning,inordertoextractfromhiman
impossiblescrapofcourage.
"Youilltreatmeworsethanthegendarmes,"saidhe.
TheRepresentativesinstalledthemselvesinhisstudy,seatedthemselvesathistable,and,
whilehegroanedandscoldedinanarmchair,theydrewupaformalreportofwhathad
justtakenplace,astheywishedtoleaveanofficialrecordoftheoutrageinthearchives.
WhentheofficialreportwasendedRepresentativeCanetreadittothePresident,and
offeredhimapen.
"Whatdoyouwantmetodowiththis?"heasked.
"YouarethePresident,"answeredCanet."Thisisourlastsitting.Itisyourdutytosign
theofficialreport."
Thismanrefused.

CHAPTERX.THEBLACKDOOR
M.Dupinisamatchlessdisgrace.
Lateronhehadhisreward.ItappearsthathebecamesomesortofanAttorneyGeneral
attheCourtofAppeal.
M.DupinrenderstoLouisBonapartetheserviceofbeinginhisplacethemeanestof
men.
Tocontinuethisdismalhistory.
TheRepresentativesoftheRight,intheirfirstbewildermentcausedbythe_coupd'tat_,
hastenedinlargenumberstoM.Daru,whowasVicePresidentoftheAssembly,andat
thesametimeoneofthePresidentsofthePyramidClub.ThisAssociationhadalways
supportedthepolicyoftheElyse,butwithoutbelievingthata_coupd'tat_was
premeditated.M.DarulivedatNo.75,RuedeLille.
Towardsteno'clockinthemorningaboutahundredoftheseRepresentativeshad
assembledatM.Daru'shome.TheyresolvedtoattempttopenetrateintotheHallwhere
theAssembly helditssittings.TheRuedeLilleopensoutintotheRuedeBourgogne,
almostoppositethelittledoorbywhichthePalaceisentered,andwhichiscalledthe
BlackDoor.
Theyturnedtheirstepstowardsthisdoor,withM.Daruattheirhead.Theymarchedarm
inarmandthreeabreast.Someofthemhadputontheirscarvesofoffice.Theytookthem
offlateron.
TheBlackDoor,halfopenasusual,wasonlyguardedbytwosentries.
Someofthemostindignant,andamongstthemM.deKerdrel,rushedtowards thisdoor
andtriedtopass.Thedoor,however,wasviolentlyshut,andthereensuedbetweenthe
Representativesandthe_sergentsdeville_whohastenedup,aspeciesofstruggle,in
whichaRepresentativehadhiswristsprained.
AtthesametimeabattalionwhichwasdrawnuponthePlacedeBourgognemovedon,
andcameatthedoubletowardsthegroupofRepresentatives.M.Daru,statelyandfirm,
signedtothecommandertostopthebattalionhalted,andM.Daru,inthenameofthe
Constitution,andinhiscapacityasVicePresidentoftheAssembly,summonedthe
soldierstolaydowntheirarms,andtogivefreepassagetotheRepresentativesofthe
SovereignPeople.
Thecommanderofthebattalionrepliedbyanordertoclearthestreetimmediately,
declaringthattherewasnolongeranAssemblythatasforhimself,hedidnotknowwhat

theRepresentativesofthePeoplewere,andthatifthosepersonsbeforehimdidnotretire
oftheirownaccord,hewoulddrivethembackbyforce.
"Wewillonlyyieldtoviolence,"saidM.Daru.
"Youcommithightreason,"addedM.deKerdrel.
Theofficergavetheordertocharge.
Thesoldiersadvancedincloseorder.
Therewasamomentofconfusionalmostacollision.TheRepresentatives,forcibly
drivenback,ebbedintotheRuedeLille.Someofthemfelldown.Severalmembersof
theRightwererolledinthemudbythesoldiers.Oneofthem,M.Etienne,receiveda
blowontheshoulderfromthebuttendofamusket.Wemayhereaddthataweek
afterwardsM.EtiennewasamemberofthatconcernwhichtheystyledtheConsultative
Committee.Hefoundthe_coupd'tat_tohistaste,theblowwiththebuttendofa
musketincluded.
TheywentbacktoM.Daru'shouse,andonthewaythescatteredgroupreunited,andwas
evenstrengthenedbysomenewcomers.
"Gentlemen,"saidM.Daru,"thePresidenthasfailedus,theHallisclosedagainstus.I
amtheVicePresidentmyhouseisthePalaceoftheAssembly."
Heopenedalargeroom,andtheretheRepresentativesoftheRightinstalledthemselves.
Atfirstthediscussionsweresomewhatnoisy.M.Daru,however,observedthatthe
momentswereprecious,andsilencewasrestored.
ThefirstmeasuretobetakenwasevidentlythedepositionofthePresidentofthe
RepublicbyvirtueofArticle68oftheConstitution.SomeRepresentativesoftheparty
whichwascalled_Burgraves_satroundatableandpreparedthedeedofdeposition.
AstheywereabouttoreaditaloudaRepresentativewhocameinfromoutofdoors
appearedatthedooroftheroom,andannouncedtotheAssemblythattheRuedeLille
wasbecomingfilledwithtroops,andthatthehousewasbeingsurrounded.
Therewasnotamomenttolose.
M.Benoistd'Azysaid,"Gentlemen,letusgototheMairieofthetentharrondissement
thereweshallbeabletodeliberateundertheprotectionofthetenthlegion,ofwhichour
colleague,GeneralLauriston,isthecolonel."
M.Daru'shousehadabackentrancebyalittledoorwhichwasatthebottomofthe
garden.MostoftheRepresentativeswentoutthatway.

M.Daruwasabouttofollowthem.Onlyhimself,M.OdilonBarrot,andtwoorthree
othersremainedintheroom,whenthedooropened.Acaptainentered,andsaidtoM.
Daru,
"Sir,youaremyprisoner."
"WhereamItofollowyou?"askedM.Daru.
"Ihaveorderstowatchoveryouinyourownhouse."
Thehouse,intruth,wasmilitarilyoccupied,anditwasthusthatM.Daruwasprevented
fromtakingpartinthesittingattheMairieofthetentharrondissement.
TheofficerallowedM.OdilonBarrottogoout.

CHAPTERXI.THEHIGHCOURTOFJUSTICE
Whileallthiswastakingplaceontheleftbankoftheriver,towardsnoonamanwas
noticedwalkingupanddownthegreatSallesdesPasPerdusofthePalaceofJustice.
Thisman,carefullybuttonedupinanovercoat,appearedtobeattendedatadistanceby
severalpossiblesupportersforcertainpoliceenterprisesemployassistantswhose
dubiousappearancerendersthepassersbyuneasy,somuchsothattheywonderwhether
theyaremagistratesorthieves.Themaninthebuttonedupovercoatloiteredfromdoor
todoor,fromlobbytolobby,exchangingsignsofintelligencewiththemyrmidonswho
followedhimthencamebacktothegreatHall,stoppingonthewaythebarristers,
solicitors,ushers,clerks,andattendants,andrepeatingtoallinalowvoice,soasnotto
beheardbythepassersby,thesamequestion.Tothisquestionsomeanswered"Yes,"
othersreplied"No."Andthemansettoworkagain,prowlingaboutthePalaceofJustice
withtheappearanceofabloodhoundseekingthetrail.
HewasaCommissaryoftheArsenalPolice.
Whatwashelookingfor?
TheHighCourtofJustice.
WhatwastheHighCourtofJusticedoing?
Itwashiding.
Why?TositinJudgment?
Yesandno.
TheCommissaryoftheArsenalPolicehadthatmorningreceivedfromthePrefect
MaupastheordertosearcheverywherefortheplacewheretheHighCourtofJustice
mightbesitting,ifperchanceitthoughtititsdutytomeet.ConfusingtheHighCourtwith
theCouncilofState,theCommissaryofPolicehadfirstgonetotheQuaid'Orsay.
Havingfoundnothing,noteventheCouncilofState,hehadcomeawayemptyhanded,
atalleventshadturnedhisstepstowardsthePalaceofJustice,thinkingthatashehadto
searchforjusticehewouldperhapsfinditthere.
Notfindingit,hewentaway.
TheHighCourt,however,hadneverthelessmettogether.
Where,andhow?Weshallsee.
Attheperiodwhoseannalswearenowchronicling,beforethepresentreconstructionof
theoldbuildingsofParis,whenthePalaceofJusticewasreachedbytheCourdeHarlay,

astaircasethereverseofmajesticledthitherbyturningoutintoalongcorridorcalledthe
GallerieMercire.Towardsthemiddleofthiscorridor thereweretwodoorsoneonthe
right,whichledtotheCourtofAppeal,theotherontheleft,whichledtotheCourtof
Cassation.ThefoldingdoorstotheleftopeneduponanoldgallerycalledSt.Louis,
recentlyrestored,andwhichservesatthepresenttimeforaSalledesPasPerdustothe
barristersoftheCourtofCassation.AwoodenstatueofSt.Louisstoodoppositethe
entrancedoor.Anentrancecontrivedinanichetotherightofthisstatueledintoa
windinglobbyendinginasortofblindpassage,whichapparentlywasclosedbytwo
doubledoors.Onthedoortotherightmightberead"FirstPresident'sRoom"onthe
doortotheleft,"CouncilChamber."Betweenthesetwodoors,fortheconvenienceofthe
barristersgoingfromtheHalltotheCivilChamber,whichformerlywastheGreat
ChamberofParliament,hadbeenformedanarrowanddarkpassage,inwhich,asoneof
themremarked,"everycrimecouldbecommittedwithimpunity."
LeavingononesidetheFirstPresident'sRoomandopeningthedoorwhichborethe
inscription"CouncilChamber,"alargeroomwascrossed,furnishedwithahugehorse
shoetable,surroundedbygreenchairs.Attheendofthisroom,whichin1793hadserved
asadeliberatinghallforthejuriesoftheRevolutionary Tribunal,therewasadoorplaced
inthewainscoting,whichledintoalittlelobbywhereweretwodoors,ontherightthe
dooroftheroomappertainingtothePresidentoftheCriminalChamber,ontheleftthe
dooroftheRefreshmentRoom."Sentencedtodeath!Nowletusgoanddine!"These
twoideas,DeathandDinner,havejostledagainsteachotherforcenturies.Athirddoor
closedtheextremityofthislobby.Thisdoorwas,sotospeak,thelastofthePalaceof
Justice,thefarthestoff,theleastknown,themosthiddenitopenedintowhatwascalled
theLibraryoftheCourtofCassation,alargesquareroomlightedbytwowindows
overlookingthegreatinneryardoftheConcirgerie,furnishedwithafewleatherchairs,
alargetablecoveredwithgreencloth,andwithlawbooksliningthewallsfromthefloor
totheceiling.
Thisroom,asmaybeseen,isthemostsecludedandthebesthiddenofanyinthePalace.
Itwashere,inthisroom,thattherearrivedsuccessivelyonthe2dDecember,towards
eleveno'clockinthemorning,numerousmendressedinblack,withoutrobes,without
badgesofoffice,affrighted,bewildered,shakingtheirheads,andwhisperingtogether.
ThesetremblingmenweretheHighCourtofJustice.
TheHighCourtofJustice,accordingtothetermsoftheConstitution,wascomposedof
sevenmagistratesaPresident,fourJudges,andtwoAssistants,chosenbytheCourtof
Cassationfromamongitsownmembersandrenewedeveryyear.
InDecember,1851,thesesevenjudgeswerenamedHardouin,Pataille,Moreau,
Delapalme,Cauchy,Grandet,andQuesnault,thetwolastnamedbeingAssistants.
Thesemen,almostunknown,hadneverthelesssomeantecedents.M.Cauchy,afewyears
previouslyPresidentoftheChamberoftheRoyalCourtofParis,anamiablemanand
easilyfrightened,wasthebrotherofthemathematician,memberoftheInstitute,towhom

weowethecomputationofwavesofsound,andoftheexRegistrarArchivistofthe
ChamberofPeers.M.DelapalmehadbeenAdvocateGeneral,andhadtakenaprominent
partinthePresstrialsundertheRestorationM.PataillehadbeenDeputyoftheCentre
undertheMonarchyofJulyM.Moreau(delaSeine)wasnoteworthy,inasmuchhehad
beennicknamed"delaSeine"todistinguishhimfromM.Moreau(delaMeurthe),who
onhissidewasnoteworthy,inasmuchashehadbeennicknamed"delaMeurthe"to
distinguishhimfromM.Moreau(delaSeine).ThefirstAssistant,M.Grandet,hadbeen
PresidentoftheChamberatParis.Ihavereadthispanegyricofhim:"Heisknownto
possessnoindividualityoropinionofhisownwhatsoever."ThesecondAssistant,M.
Quesnault,aLiberal,aDeputy,aPublicFunctionary,AdvocateGeneral,aConservative,
learned,obedient,hadattainedbymakingasteppingstoneofeachoftheseattributes,to
theCriminalChamberoftheCourtofCassation,wherehewasknownasoneofthemost
severemembers.1848hadshockedhisnotionofRight,hehadresignedafterthe24thof
Februaryhedidnotresignafterthe2dDecember.
M.Hardouin,whopresidedovertheHighCourt,wasanexPresidentofAssizes,a
religiousman,arigidJansenist,notedamongsthiscolleaguesasa"scrupulous
magistrate,"livinginPortRoyal,adiligentreaderofNicolle,belongingtotheraceofthe
oldParliamentariansoftheMarais,whousedtogotothePalaisdeJusticemountedona
mulethemulehadnowgoneoutoffashion,andwhoevervisitedPresidentHardouin
wouldhavefoundnomoreobstinacyinhisstablethaninhisconscience.
Onthemorningofthe2dDecember,atnineo'clock,twomenmountedthestairsofM.
Hardouin'shouse,No.10,RuedeCond,andmettogetherathisdoor.OnewasM.
Patailletheother,oneofthemostprominentmembersofthebaroftheCourtof
Cassation,wastheexConstituentMartin(ofStrasbourg).M.Pataillehadjustplaced
himselfatM.Hardouin'sdisposal.
Martin'sfirstthought,whilereadingtheplacardsofthe_coupd'tat_,hadbeenforthe
HighCourt.M.HardouinusheredM.Patailleintoaroomadjoininghisstudy,and
receivedMartin(ofStrasbourg)asamantowhomhedidnotwishtospeakbefore
witnesses.BeingformallyrequestedbyMartin(ofStrasbourg)toconvenetheHigh
Court,hebeggedthathewouldleavehimalone,declaredthattheHigh Courtwould"do
itsduty,"butthatfirsthemust"conferwithhiscolleagues,"concludingwiththis
expression,"Itshallbedonetodayortomorrow.""Todayortomorrow!"exclaimed
Martin(ofStrasbourg)"Mr.President,thesafetyoftheRepublic,thesafetyofthe
country,perhaps,dependsonwhattheHighCourtwillorwillnotdo.Yourresponsibility
isgreatbearthatinmind.TheHighCourtofJusticedoesnotdoitsdutytodayorto
morrowitdoesitatonce,atthemoment,withoutlosingaminute,withoutaninstant's
hesitation."
Martin(ofStrasbourg)wasright,JusticealwaysbelongstoToday.
Martin(ofStrasbourg)added,"Ifyouwantamanforactivework,Iamatyourservice."
M.Hardouindeclinedtheofferdeclaredthathewouldnotloseamoment,andbegged
Martin(ofStrasbourg)toleavehimto"confer"withhiscolleague,M.Pataille.

Infact,hecalledtogethertheHighCourtforeleveno'clock,anditwassettledthatthe
meetingshouldtakeplaceintheHalloftheLibrary.
TheJudgeswerepunctual.Ataquarterpasteleventheywereallassembled.M.Pataille
arrivedthelast.
Theysatattheendofthegreatgreentable.TheywerealoneintheLibrary.
Therewasnoceremonial.PresidentHardouinthusopenedthedebate:"Gentlemen,there
isnoneedtoexplainthesituation,weallknowwhatitis."
Article68oftheConstitutionwasimperative.ItwasnecessarythattheHighCourt
shouldmeet_underpenaltyofhightreason_.Theygainedtime,theysworethemselves
in,theyappointedasRecorderoftheHighCourtM.Bernard,RecorderoftheCourtof
Cassation,andtheysenttofetchhim,andwhilewaitingrequestedthelibrarian,M.
Denevers,toholdhispeninreadiness.Theysettledthetimeandplaceforanevening
meeting.TheytalkedoftheconductoftheConstituentMartin(ofStrasbourg),with
whichtheywereoffended,regardingitalmostasanudgeoftheelbowgivenbyPolitics
toJustice.TheyspokealittleofSocialism,oftheMountain,andoftheRedRepublic,
andalittlealsoofthejudgmentwhichtheyhadtopronounce.Theychatted,theytold
stories,theyfoundfault,theyspeculated,theyspunoutthetime.
Whatweretheywaitingfor?
WehaverelatedwhattheCommissaryofpolicewasdoingforhispartinhisdepartment.
And,inreferencetothisdesign,whentheaccomplicesofthe_coupd'tat_considered
thatthepeopleinordertosummontheHighCourttodoitsduty,couldinvadethePalace
ofJustice,andthattheywouldneverlookforitwhereitwasassembled,theyfeltthatthis
roomhadbeenexcellentlychosen.When,however,theyconsideredthatthepolicewould
alsodoubtlesscometoexpeltheHighCourt,andthatperhapstheywouldnotsucceedin
findingit,eachoneregrettedtohimselfthechoiceoftheroom.Theywishedtohidethe
HighCourt,theyhadsucceededtoowell.Itwasgrievoustothinkthatperhapswhenthe
policeandthearmedforceshouldarrive,matterswouldhavegonetoofar,andtheHigh
Courtwouldbetoodeeplycompromised.
TheyhadappointedaRecorder,nowtheymustorganizeaCourt.Asecondstep,more
seriousthanthefirst.
Thejudgesdelayed,hopingthatfortunewouldendbydecidingononesideortheother,
eitherfortheAssemblyorforthePresident,eitheragainstthe_coupd'tat_orforit,and
thattheremightthusbeavanquishedparty,sothattheHighCourtcouldthenwithall
safetylayitshandsuponsomebody.

Theylengthilyarguedthequestion,whethertheyshouldimmediatelydecreethe
accusationofthePresident,orwhethertheyshoulddrawupasimpleorderofinquiry.
Thelattercoursewasadopted.
Theydrewupajudgment,notthehonestandoutspokenjudgmentwhichwasplacarded
bytheeffortsoftheRepresentativesoftheLeftandpublished,inwhicharefoundthese
wordsofbadtaste,_Crime_and_HighTreason_thisjudgment,aweaponofwar,has
neverexistedotherwisethanasaprojectile.Wisdominajudgesometimesconsistsin
drawingupajudgmentwhichisnotone,oneofthosejudgmentswhichhasnobinding
force,inwhicheverythingisconditionalinwhichnooneisincriminated,andnothing,is
calledbyitsrightname.Therearespeciesofintermediatecourseswhichallowofwaiting
andseeingindelicatecrisesmenwhoareinearnestmustnotinconsideratelymingle
withpossibleeventsthatbluntnesswhichiscalledJustice.TheHighCourttook
advantageofthis,itdrewupaprudentjudgmentthisjudgmentisnotknownitis
publishedhereforthefirsttime.Hereitis.Itisamasterpieceofequivocalstyle:
EXTRACTFROMTHEREGISTRYOFTHEHIGHCOURTOFJUSTICE.
"TheHighCourtofJustice.
"AccordingtoArticle68oftheConstitution,consideringthatprintedplacards
beginningwiththesewords,'ThePresidentoftheRepublic'andendingwiththe
signatures,'LouisNapolonBonaparte'and'DeMorny,MinisteroftheInterior,'thesaid
placardsordainingamongstothermeasuresthedissolutionoftheNationalAssembly,
havebeenpostedtodayonthewallsofParis,thatthisfactofthedissolutionofthe
NationalAssemblybythePresidentoftheRepublicwouldbeofthenaturetoconstitute
thecaseprovidedforbyArticle68oftheConstitution,andrenders,inthetermsofthe
aforesaidarticle,themeetingoftheHighCourtindispensable.
"ItisdeclaredthattheHighCourtofJusticeisorganized,thatitappoints[4]...tofulfil
withitthefunctionsofthePublicMinistrythatM.Bernard,theRecorderoftheCourt
ofCassation,shouldfulfil thedutiesofRecorder,andinordertoproceedfurther,
accordingtothetermsoftheaforesaidArticle68oftheConstitution,theCourtwill
adjournuntiltomorrow,the3dofDecember,atnoon.
"DrawnupanddiscussedintheCouncilChamber,whereweresittingMM.Hardouin,
president,Pataille,Moreau,Delapalme,andCauchy,judges,December2,1851."
ThetwoAssistants,MM.GrandetandQuesnault,offeredtosignthedecree,butthe
Presidentruledthatitwouldbemorecorrectonlytoacceptthesignaturesofthetitular
judges,theAssistantsnotbeingqualifiedwhentheCourtwascomplete.
Inthemeantimeitwasoneo'clock,thenewsbegantospreadthroughthepalacethata
decreeofdepositionagainstLouisBonapartehadbeendrawnupbyapartofthe
Assemblyoneofthejudgeswhohadgoneoutduringthedebate,broughtbackthis

rumortohiscolleagues.Thiscoincidedwithanoutburstofenergy.ThePresident
observedthatitwouldbetothepurposetoappointaProcureurGeneral.
Therewasadifficulty.Whomshouldtheyappoint?Inallprecedingtrialstheyhad
alwayschosenforaProcureurGeneralattheHighCourttheProcureurGeneralatthe
CourtofAppealofParis.Whyshouldtheyintroduceaninnovation?Theydetermined
upon thisProcureurGeneraloftheCourtofAppeal.ThisProcureurGeneralwasatthe
timeM.deRoyer,whohadbeenkeeperoftheSealsforM.Bonaparte.Thenceanew
difficultyandalongdebate.
WouldM.deRoyerconsent?M.Hardouinundertooktogoandmaketheoffertohim.
HehadonlytocrosstheMercireGallery.
M.deRoyerwasinhisstudy.Theproposalgreatlyembarrassedhim.Heremained
speechlessfromtheshock.Toacceptwasserious,torefusewasstillmoreserious.
Therewasriskoftreason.Onthe2dDecember,anhourafternoon,the_coupd'tat_was
stillacrime.M.deRoyer,notknowingwhetherthehightreasonwouldsucceed,
venturedtostigmatizethedeedassuchinprivate,andcastdownhiseyeswithanoble
shamebeforethisviolationofthelawswhich,threemonthslater,numerouspurplerobes,
includinghisown,endorsedwiththeiroaths.Buthisindignationdidnotgototheextent
ofsupportingtheindictment.Anindictmentspeaksaloud.M.deRoyerasyetonly
murmured.Hewasperplexed.
M.Hardouinunderstoodthisstateofconscience.Persistencewouldhavebeen
unreasonable.Hewithdrew.
Hereturnedtotheroomwherehiscolleagueswereawaitinghim.
InthemeantimetheCommissaryoftheArsenalPolicehadcomeback.
Hehadendedbysucceedingin"unearthing"suchwashisexpressiontheHighCourt.
HepenetratedasfarastheCouncilChamberoftheCivilChamberatthatmomenthe
hadstillnootherescortthanthefewpoliceagentsofthemorning.Aboywaspassingby.
TheCommissaryaskedhimthewhereaboutsoftheHighCourt."TheHighCourt?"
answeredtheboy"whatisthat?"NeverthelesstheboytoldtheLibrarian,whocameup.
AfewwordswereexchangedbetweenM.DeneversandtheCommissary.
"Whatareyouaskingfor?"
"TheHighCourt."
"Whoareyou?"
"IwantthehighCourt."

"Itisinsession."
"Whereisitsitting?"
"Here."
AndtheLibrarianpointedtothedoor.
"Verywell,"saidtheCommissary.
Hedidnotaddanotherword,andreturnedintotheMercireGallery.
Wehavejustsaidthathewasonlyaccompaniedatthattimebyafewpoliceagents.
TheHighCourtwas,intruth,insession.ThePresidentwasrelatingtothejudgeshisvisit
totheProcureurGeneral.Suddenlyatumultuoussoundoffootstepsisheardinthelobby
whichleadsfromtheCouncilChambertotheroomwheretheyweredeliberating.The
dooropensabruptly.Bayonetsappear,andinthemidstofthebayonetsamanina
buttonedupovercoat,withatricoloredsashuponhiscoat.
Themagistratesstare,stupefied.
"Gentlemen,"saidtheman,"dissolveyourmeetingimmediately."
PresidentHardouinrises.
"Whatdoesthismean?Whoareyou?Areyouawaretowhomyouarespeaking?"
"Iamaware.YouaretheHighCourt,andIamtheCommissaryof thePolice."
"Well,then?"
"Beoff."
Thereweretherethirtyfivemunicipalguards,commandedbyalieutenant,andwitha
drumattheirhead.
"But"saidthePresident.
TheCommissaryinterruptedhimwiththesewords,whichareliterallygiven,
"Mr.President,Iamnotgoingtoenteruponanoratoricalcombatwithyou.Ihavemy
orders,andItransmitthemtoyou.Obey."
"Whom?"

"ThePrefectofPolice."
ThePresidentaskedthisstrangequestion,whichimpliedtheacceptanceofanorder,
"Haveyouawarrant?"
TheCommissaryanswered,
"Yes."
AndhehandedapapertothePresident.
Thejudgesturnedpale.
ThePresidentunfoldedthepaperM.CauchyputhisheadoverM.Hardouin'sshoulder.
ThePresidentreadbut,
"YouareorderedtodissolvetheHighCourt,and,incaseofrefusal,toarrestMM.
Branger,Rocher,DeBoissieux,Pataille,andHello."
And,turningtowardsthejudges,thePresidentadded,
"Signed,Maupas."
Then,addressinghimselftotheCommissary,heresumed,
"Thereissomemistake,thesearenotournames.MM.Branger,Rocher,andDe
BoissieuxhaveservedtheirtimeandarenolongerjudgesoftheHighCourtasforM.
Hello,heisdead."
TheHighCourt,inreality,wastemporaryandrenewablethe_coupd'tat_overthrewthe
Constitution,butdidnotunderstandit.Thewarrantsigned"Maupas"wasapplicableto
theprecedingHighCourt.The_coupd'tat_hadbeenmisledbyanoldlist.Suchisthe
heedlessnessofassassins.
"Mr.CommissaryofPolice,"continuedthePresident,"youseethatthesenamesarenot
ours."
"Thatdoesnotmattertome,"repliedtheCommissary."Whetherthiswarrantdoesor
doesnotapplytoyou,disperse,orIshallarrestallofyou."
Andheadded,
"Atonce."

Thejudgesweresilencedoneofthempickedupfromthetablealoosesheetofpaper,
whichwasthejudgmenttheyhaddrawnup,andputthepaperinhispocket.
Thentheywentaway.
TheCommissarypointedtothedoorwherethebayonetswere,andsaid,
"Thatway."
They wentoutbythelobbybetweentworanksofsoldiers.Thedetachmentof
RepublicanGuardsescortedthemasfarastheSt.LouisGallery.
Theretheysetthemfreetheirheadsboweddown.
Itwasaboutthreeo'clock.
Whiletheseeventsweretakingplacein theLibrary,closeby,intheformergreat
ChamberoftheParliament,theCourtofCassationwassittinginjudgmentasusual,
withoutnoticingwhatwashappeningsonearathand.Itwouldappear,then,thatthe
policeexhalednoodor.
LetusatoncehavedonewiththisHighCourt.
Intheeveningathalfpastseventhesevenjudgesmettogetheratthehouseofoneof
theirnumber,hewhohadtakenawaythedecreetheyframedanofficialreport,drewup
aprotest,andrecognizingthenecessityoffillinginthelineleftblankintheirdecree,on
thepropositionofM.Quesnault,appointedasProcureurGeneralM.Renouard,their
colleagueattheCourtofCessation.M.Renouard,whowasimmediatelyinformed,
consented.
Theymettogetherforthelasttimeonthenextday,the3d,ateleveno'clockinthe
morning,anhourbeforethetimementionedinthejudgmentwhichwehavereadabove,
againintheLibraryoftheCourtofCassation.M.Renouardwaspresent.Anofficial
minutewasgiventohim,recordinghisappointment,aswellascertaindetailswithwhich
heaskedtobesupplied.ThejudgmentwhichhadbeendrawnupwastakenbyM.
QuesnaulttotheRecorder'sOffice,andimmediatelyenteredupontheRegisterofthe
SecretDeliberationsoftheCourtofCassation,theHighCourtnothavingaSpecial
Register,andhavingdecided,fromitscreation,tousetheRegisteroftheCourtof
Cassation.Afterthedecreetheyalsotranscribedthetwodocumentsdescribedasfollows
ontheRegister:
I.Anofficialreportrecordingtheinterferenceofthepoliceduringthediscussionupon
theprecedingdecree.
II.AminuteoftheappointmentofM.RenouardtotheofficeofProcureurGeneral.

Inadditionsevencopiesofthesedifferentdocumentsdrawnupbythehandsofthe
judgesthemselves,andsignedbythemall,wereputinaplaceofsafety,asalso,itissaid,
anotebook,inwhichwerewrittenfiveothersecretdecisionsrelatingtothe_coup
d'tat_.
DoesthispageoftheRegisteroftheCourtofCassationexistatthepresenttime?Isit
true,ashasbeenstated,thattheprefectMaupassentfortheRegisterandtoreouttheleaf
containingthedecree?Wehavenotbeenabletoclearupthispoint.TheRegisternowis
showntonoone,andthoseemployedattheRecorder'sOfficearedumb.
Sucharethefacts,letussummarizethem.IfthisCourtsocalled"High,"hadbeenofa
charactertoconceivesuchanideaasthatofdoingitsdutywhenithadoncemet
togetherthemereorganizationofitselfwasamatter ofafewminutesitwouldhave
proceededresolutelyandrapidly,itwouldhaveappointedasProcureurGeneralsome
energeticmanbelongingtotheCourtofCassation,eitherfromthebodyofmagistrates,
suchasFreslon,orfromthebar,likeMartin(ofStrasbourg).ByvirtueofArticle68,and
withoutwaitingtheinitiativeoftheAssembly,itwouldhavedrawnupajudgment
stigmatizingthecrime,itwouldhavelaunchedanorderofarrestagainstthePresident
andhisaccomplicesandhaveorderedtheremovalofthepersonofLouisBonaparteto
jail.AsfortheProcureurGeneralhewouldhaveissuedawarrantofarrest.Allthiscould
havebeendonebyhalfpasteleven,andatthattimenoattempthadbeenmadeto
dissolvetheHighCourt.Thesepreliminaryproceedingsconcluded,theHighCourt,by
goingoutthroughanailedupdoorleadingintotheSalledesPasPerdus,couldhave
descendedintothestreet,andtherehaveproclaimeditsjudgmenttothepeople.Atthis
timeitwouldhavemetwithnohindrance.Finally,andthisinanycase,itshouldhavesat
robedontheJudges'Bench,withallmagisterialstate,andwhenthepoliceagentandhis
soldiersappearedshouldhaveorderedthesoldiers,whoperhapswouldhaveobeyed
them,toarresttheagent,andif thesoldiershaddisobeyed,shouldhaveallowed
themselvestobeformallydraggedtoprison,sothatthepeoplecouldsee,undertheirown
eyes,outintheopenstreet,thefilthyhoofofthe_coupd'tat_tramplingupontherobeof
Justice.
Insteadofthis,whatstepsdidtheHighCourttake?Wehavejustseen.
"Beoffwithyou!"
"Wearegoing."
Wecanimagine,afteraverydifferentfashion,thedialoguebetweenMathieuMoland
Vidocq.
[4]Thislinewasleftblank.ItwasfilledinlateronwiththenameofM.Renouard,
CouncilloroftheCourtofCassation.

CHAPTERXII.THEMAIRIEOFTHETENTHARRONDISSEMENT
TheRepresentatives,havingcomeoutfromM.Daru,rejoinedeachotherandassembled
inthestreet.Theretheyconsultedbriefly,fromgroup togroup.Therewerealarge
numberofthem.Inlessthananhour,bysendingnoticestothehousesontheleftbankof
theSeinealone,onaccountoftheextremeurgency,morethanthreehundredmembers
couldbecalledtogether.Butwhereshouldtheymeet?AtLemardelay's?TheRue
Richelieuwasguarded.AttheSalleMartel?Itwasalongwayoff.Theyrelieduponthe
TenthLegion,ofwhichGeneralLauristonwascolonel.Theyshowedapreferenceforthe
MairieoftheTenthArrondissement.Besides,thedistancewasshort,andtherewasno
needtocrossanybridges.
Theyformedthemselvesintocolumn,andsetforth.
M.Daru,aswehavesaid,livedintheRuedeLille,closebytheAssembly.Thesection
oftheRuedeLillelyingbetweenhishouseandthePalaisBourbonwasoccupiedby
infantry.Thelastdetachmentbarredhisdoor,butitonlybarreditontheright,notonthe
left.TheRepresentatives,onquittingM.Daru,benttheirstepsonthesideoftheRuedes
SaintsPres,andleftthesoldiersbehindthem.Atthatmomentthesoldiershadonlybeen
instructedtopreventtheirmeetinginthePalaceoftheAssemblytheycouldquietlyform
themselvesintoacolumninthestreet,andsetforth.Iftheyhadturnedtotherightinstead
oftotheleft,they wouldhavebeenopposed.Buttherewerenoordersfortheother
alternativetheypassedthroughagapintheinstructions.
AnhourafterwardsthisthrewSt.Arnaudintoafitoffury.
OntheirwayfreshRepresentativescameupandswelledthecolumn.Asthemembersof
theRightlivedforthemostpartintheFaubourgSt.Germain,thecolumnwascomposed
almostentirelyofmenbelongingtothemajority.
AtthecorneroftheQuaid'OrsaytheymetagroupofmembersoftheLeft,whohad
reunitedaftertheirexitfromthePalaceoftheAssembly,andwhowereconsulting
together.ThereweretheRepresentativesEsquiros,MarcDufraisse,VictorHennequin,
Colfavru,andChamiot.
Thosewhoweremarchingattheheadofthecolumnlefttheirplaces,wentuptothe
group,andsaid,"Comewithus."
"Whereareyougoing?"askedMarcDufraisse.
TotheMairieoftheTenthArrondissement."
"Whatdoyouintendtodothere?"
"TodecreethedepositionofLouisBonaparte."

"Andafterwards?"
"AfterwardsweshallgoinabodytothePalaceoftheAssemblywewillforceourway
inspiteofallresistance,andfromthetopofthestepswewillreadoutthedecreeof
depositiontothesoldiers."
"Verygood,wewilljoinyou,"saidMareDufraisse.
ThefivemembersoftheLeftmarchedatsomedistancefromthecolumn.Severaloftheir
friendswhoweremingledwiththemembersoftheRightrejoinedthemandwemay
herementionafactwithoutgivingitmoreimportancethanitpossesses,namely,thatthe
twofractionsoftheAssemblyrepresentedinthisunpremeditatedgatheringmarched
towardstheMairiewithoutbeingmingledtogetheroneoneachsideofthestreet.It
chancedthatthemenofthemajoritykeptontherightsideofthestreet,andthemenof
theminorityontheleft.
Noonehadascarfofoffice.Nooutwardtokencausedthemtoberecognized.The
passersbystaredatthemwithsurprise,anddidnotunderstandwhatwasthemeaningof
thisprocessionofsilentmenthroughthesolitarystreetsoftheFaubourgSt. Germain.
OnedistrictofPariswasasyetunawareofthe_coupd'tat_.
Strategicallyspeaking,fromadefensivepointofview,theMairieofthetenth
Arrondissementwasbadlychosen.Situatedinanarrowstreetinthatshortsectionofthe
RuedeGrenelleSt.GermainwhichliesbetweentheRuedesSaintsPresandtheRue
duSpulcre,closebythecrossroadsoftheCroixRouge,wherethetroopscouldarrive
fromsomanydifferentpoints,theMairieoftheTenthArrondissement,confined,
commanded,andblockadedoneveryside,wasapitifulcitadelfortheassailedNational
Representation.Itistruethattheynolongerhadthechoiceofacitadel,anymorethan
laterontheyhadthechoiceofageneral.
TheirarrivalattheMairiemighthaveseemedagoodomen.Thegreatgatewhichleads
intoasquarecourtyardwasshutitopened.ThepostoftheNationalGuards,composed
ofsometwentymen,tookuptheirarmsandrenderedmilitaryhonorstotheAssembly.
TheRepresentativesentered,aDeputyMayorreceivedthemwithrespectonthe
thresholdoftheMairie."ThePalaceoftheAssemblyisclosedbythetroops,"saidthe
Representatives,"wehavecometodeliberatehere."TheDeputyMayorledthemtothe
firststory,andadmittedthemtotheGreatMunicipal Hall.TheNationalGuardcried,
"LonglivetheNationalAssembly!"
TheRepresentativeshavingentered,thedoorwasshut.Acrowdbegantogatherinthe
streetandshouted"LonglivetheAssembly!"Acertainnumberofstrangerstothe
AssemblyenteredtheMairieatthesametimeastheRepresentatives.Overcrowdingwas
feared,andtwosentrieswereplacedatalittlesidedoor,whichwasleftopen,withorders
onlytoallowmembersoftheAssemblywhomightcomeafterwardstoenter.M.Howyn
Tranchrestationedhimselfatthisdoor,andundertooktoidentifythem.

OntheirarrivalattheMairie,theRepresentativesnumberedsomewhatunderthree
hundred.Theyexceededthisnumberlateron.Itwasabouteleveno'clockinthemorning.
Alldidnotgoupatonceintothehallwherethemeetingwastotakeplace.Several,those
oftheLeftinparticular,remainedinthecourtyard,minglingwiththeNationalGuards
andcitizens.
Theytalkedofwhattheyweregoingtodo.
Thiswasthefirstdifficulty.
TheFatherofthemeetingwasM.deKratry.
Washegoingtopreside?
TheRepresentativeswhowereassembledintheGreatHallwereinhisfavor.
TheRepresentativesremaininginthecourtyardhesitated.
MarcDufraissewentuptoMM.JulesdeLasteyrieandLondeMaleville,whohad
stayedbehindwiththeRepresentativesoftheLeft,andsaidtothem,"Whatarethey
thinkingofupstairs?TomakeKratryPresident?ThenameofKratrywouldfrightenthe
peopleasthoroughlyasminewouldfrightenthemiddleclasses."
AmemberoftheRight,M.deKeranflech,cameup,andintendingtosupportthe
objection,added,"Andthen,thinkofKratry'sage.Itismadnesstopitamanofeighty
againstthishourofdanger."
ButEsquirosexclaimed,
"Thatisabadreason! Eightyyears!Theyconstituteaforce."
"Yeswheretheyarewellborne,"saidColfavru."Kratrybearsthembadly."
"Nothingisgreater,"resumedEsquiros,"thangreatoctogenarians."
"Itisglorious,"addedChamiot,"tobepresidedoverbyNestor."
"No,byGerontes,"[5]saidVictorHennequin.
Thesewordsputanendtothedebate.Kratrywasthrownout.MM.LondeMaleville
andJulesdeLasteyrie,twomenrespectedbyallparties,undertooktomakethemembers
oftheRightlistentoreason.Itwasdecidedthatthe"bureau"[6]shouldpreside.Five
membersofthe"bureau"werepresenttwoVicePresidents,MM.Benoistd'Azyand
Vitet,andthreeSecretaries,MM.Griumult,Chapot,andMoulin.OfthetwootherVice
Presidents,one,GeneralBedrau,wasatMazastheother,M.Daru,wasunderguardin

hisownhouse.OfthethreeotherSecretaries,two,MM.PeapinandLacaze,menofthe
Elyse,wereabsenteestheother,M.Yvan,amemberoftheLeft,wasatthemeetingof
theLeft,intheRueBlanche,which wastakingplacealmostatthesamemoment.
InthemeantimeanusherappearedonthestepsoftheMairie,andcriedout,asonthe
mostpeacefuldaysoftheAssembly,"Representatives,tothesitting!"
Thisusher,whobelongedtotheAssembly,andwhohadfollowedit,shareditsfortunes
throughoutthisday,thesequestrationontheQuaid'Orsayincluded.
AtthesummonsoftheusheralltheRepresentativesinthecourtyard,andamongstwhom
wasoneoftheVicePresidents,M.Vitei,wentupstairstotheHall,andthesittingwas
opened.
ThissittingwasthelastwhichtheAssemblyheldunderregularconditions.TheLeft,
which,aswehaveseen,hadonitssideboldlyrecapturedtheLegislativepower,andhad
addedtoitthatwhichcircumstancesrequiredaswasthedutyofRevolutioniststheLeft,
withouta"bureau,"withoutanusher,andwithoutsecretaries,heldsittingsinwhichthe
accurateandpassionlessrecordofshorthandwaswanting,butwhichliveinour
memoriesandwhichHistorywillgatherup.
TwoshorthandwritersoftheAssembly,MM.GrosseletandLagache,werepresentatthe
sittingattheMairieoftheTenthArrondissement.Theyhavebeenabletorecordit.The
censorshipofthevictorious_coupd'tat_hasmutilatedtheirreportandhaspublished
throughitshistoriansthismangledversionasthetrueversion.Oneliemore.Thatdoes
notmatter.Thisshorthandrecitalbelongstothebriefofthe2dDecember,itisoneofthe
leadingdocumentsinthetrialwhichthefuturewillinstitute. Inthenotesofthisbookwill
befoundthisdocumentcomplete.Thepassagesininvertedcommasarethosewhichthe
censorshipofM.Bonapartehassuppressed.Thissuppressionisaproofoftheir
significanceandimportance.
Shorthandreproduceseverythingexceptlife.Stenographyisanear.Ithearsandseesnot.
Itisthereforenecessarytofillinheretheinevitableblanksoftheshorthandaccount.
InordertoobtainacompleteideaofthissittingoftheTenthArrondissement,wemust
picturethegreatHalloftheMairie,asortofparallelogram,lightedontherightbyfouror
fivewindowsoverlookingthecourtyardontheleft,alongthewall,furnishedwith
severalrowsofbencheswhichhadbeenhastilybroughtthither,onwhichwerepiledup
thethreehundredRepresentatives,assembledtogetherbychance.Noonewassitting
down,thoseinfrontwerestanding,thosebehindweremountedonthebenches.Hereand
therewereafewsmalltables.Inthecentrepeoplewalkedtoandfro.Atthebottom,at
theendoppositethedoor,wasalongtablefurnishedwithbenches,whichoccupiedthe
wholewidthofthewall,behindwhichsatthe"bureau.""Sitting"ismerelythe
conventionalterm.The"bureau"didnot"sit"liketherestoftheAssemblyitwasonits
feet.Thesecretaries,M.M.Chapot,Moulin,andGrimaultwrotestanding.Atcertain
momentsthetwoVicePresidentsmountedonthebenchessoastobebetterseenfromall

pointsoftheroom.Thetablewascoveredbyanoldgreentablecloth,stainedwithink,
threeorfourinkstandshadbeenbroughtin,andaquireofpaperwasscatteredabout.
Therethedecreeswerewrittenassoonastheyweredrawnup.Theymultipliedthe
copies,someRepresentativesbecamesecretariesonthespurofthemoment,andhelped
theofficialsecretaries.
Thisgreathallwasonalevelwiththelanding.Itwassituated,aswehavesaid,onthe
firstflooritwasreachedbyaverynarrowstaircase.
Wemustrecollectthatnearlythewholeofthememberspresentweremembersof the
Right.
Thefirstmomentwasaseriousone.Berryercameouttoadvantage.Berryer,likeall
thoseextemporizerswithoutstyle,willonlyberememberedasaname,andamuch
disputedname,Berryerhavingbeenratheraspecialpleaderthananoratorwhobelieved
whathesaid.OnthatdayBerryerwastothepoint,logicalandearnest.Theybeganby
thiscry,"Whatshallwedo?""Drawupadeclaration,"saidM.deFalloux."Aprotest,"
saidM.deFlavigny."Adecree,"saidBerryer.
Intruthadeclaration wasemptyair,aprotestwasnoise,adecreewasaction.Theycried
out,"Whatdecree?""Deposition,"saidBerryer.Depositionwastheextremelimitofthe
energyoftheRight.Beyonddeposition,therewasoutlawrydepositionwaspracticable
fortheRight,outlawrywasonlypossiblefortheLeft.InfactitwastheLeftwho
outlawedLouisBonaparte.TheydiditattheirfirstmeetingintheRueBlanche.Weshall
seethislateron.Atdeposition,Legalitycametoanendatoutlawry,theRevolution
began.TherecurrenceofRevolutionsarethelogicalconsequencesof_coupsd'tat_.The
depositionhavingbeenvoted,amanwholateronturnedtraitor,QuentinBauchart,
exclaimed,"Letusallsignit."Allsignedit.OdilonBarrotcameinandsignedit.Antony
Thouretcameinandsignedit.SuddenlyM.PiscatoryannouncedthattheMayorwas
refusingtoallowRepresentativeswhohadarrivedtoentertheHall."Orderhimtodoso
bydecree,"saidBerryer.Andthedecreewasvoted.Thankstothisdecree,MM.Favreau
andMonetenteredtheycamefromtheLegislativePalacetheyrelatedthecowardiceof
Dupin.M.Dahirel,oneoftheleadersoftheRight,wasexasperated,andsaid,"Wehave
receivedbayonetthrusts."Voiceswereraised,"LetussummontheTenthLegion.Letthe
calltoarmsbebeaten.Lauristonhesitates.LetusorderhimtoprotecttheAssembly."
"Letusorderhimbydecree,"saidBerryer.Thisdecreewasdrawnup,which,however,
didnotpreventLauristonfromrefusing.Anotherdecree,againproposedbyBerryer,
pronouncedanyonewhohadoutragedtheParliamentaryinviolabilitytobeatraitor,and
orderedtheimmediatereleaseofthoseRepresentativeswhohadbeenwrongfullymade
prisoners.Allthiswasvotedatoncewithoutdebate,inasortofgreatunanimous
confusion,andinthemidstofastormoffierceconversations.FromtimetotimeBerryer
imposedsilence.Thentheangryoutcriesbrokeforthagain."The_coupd'tat_willnot
daretocomehere.""Wearemastershere.""Weareathome.""Itwouldbeimpossibleto
attackushere.""Thesewretcheswillnotdaretodoso."Iftheuproarhadbeenless
violent,theRepresentativesmighthaveheardthroughtheopenwindowscloseathand,
thesoundofsoldiersloadingtheirguns.

AregimentofChasseursofVincenneshadjustenteredsilentlyintothegardenofthe
Mairie,and,whilewaitingfororders,wereloadingtheirguns.
Littlebylittlethesitting,atfirstdisorderlyandtumultuous,hadassumedanordinary
aspect.Theuproarhadrelapsedintoamurmur.Thevoiceoftheusher,crying"Silence,
gentlemen,"hadsucceededinovercomingthehubbub.Everymomentfresh
Representativescamein,andhastenedtosignthedecreeofdepositionatthe"bureau."
Astherewasagreatcrowdroundthe"bureau"waitingtosign,adozenloosesheetsof
papertowhichtheRepresentativesaffixedtheirsignatureswerecirculatedinthegreat
Hallandthetwoadjoiningrooms.
ThefirsttosignthedecreeofdepositionwasM.Dufaure,thelastwasM.Bettingde
Lancastel.OfthetwoPresidents,one,M.Benoistd'Azy,wasaddressingtheAssembly
theother,M.Vitet,pale,butcalmandresolute,distributedinstructionsandorders.M.
Benoistd'Azymaintainedadecorouscountenance,butacertainhesitationinhisspeech
revealedaninneragitation.Divisions,evenintheRight,hadnotdisappearedatthis
criticalmoment.ALegitimistmemberwasoverheardsayinginalowvoice,while
speakingofoneoftheVicePresidents,"ThisgreatVitetlookslikeawhitedsepulchre."
VitetwasanOrleanist.
Giventhisadventurerwithwhomtheyhadtodeal,thisLouisBonaparte,capableof
everything,thehourandthemanbeingwraptinmystery,someLegitimistpersonagesof
acandidmindwereseriouslybutcomicallyfrightened.TheMarquisof ,whoacted
theflyonthecoachwheeltotheRight,wenthitherandthither,harangued,shouted,
declaimed,remonstrated,proclaimed,andtrembled.Another,M.A N,perspiring,
redfaced,outofbreath,rushedaboutdistractedly."Whereistheguard?Howmanymen
arethere?Whocommandsthem?Theofficer!sendmetheofficer!Longlivethe
Republic!NationalGuard,standfirm!LonglivetheRepublic!"AlltheRightshouted
thiscry."Youwishthentokillit,"saidEsquiros.Someofthemweredejected
Bourboussonmaintainedthesilenceofavanquishedplaceman.Another,theViscountof
,arelativeoftheDukeofEscars,wassoalarmedthateverymoment
headjournedtoacornerofthecourtyard.Inthecrowdwhichfilledthecourtyardthere
wasa_gamin_ofParis,achildofAthens,whohassincebecomeamelegantand
charmingpoet,AlbertGlatigny.AlbertGlatignycriedouttothisfrightenedViscount,
"Hulloathere!Doyouthinkthat_coupsd'tat_areextinguishedinthewayGulliverput
outthefire?"
Oh,Laughter,howgloomyyouarewhenattendedwithTragedy!
TheOrleanistswerequieter,andmaintainedamorebecomingattitude.Thisarosefrom
thefactthattheyrangreaterdanger.
PascalDupratreplacedatthetopofthedecreesthewords,"RpubliqueFranaise,"
whichhadbeenforgotten.

Fromtimetotimemenwhowerenotspeakingonthesubjectofthemomentmentioned
thisstrangeword,"Dupin,"openwhichthereensuedshoutsofderisionandburstsof
laughter."Utterthenameofthatcowardnomore,"criedAntonyThouret.
Thereweremotionsandcountermotionsitwasacontinualuproarinterruptedbydeep
andsolemnsilences.Alarmistphrasescirculatedfromgrouptogroup."Weareinablind
alley.""Wearecaughthereasinarattrap"andthenoneachmotionvoiceswereraised:
"Thatisit!""Itisright!""Itissettled!"Theyagreedinalowvoiceuponarendezvousat
No.19,RuedelaChaussed'Antin,incasetheyshouldbeexpelledfromtheMairie.M.
Bixiocarriedoffthedecreeofdepositiontogetitprinted.Esquiros,MarcDufraisse,
PascalDuprat,Rigal,Lherbette,Chamiot,Latrade,Colfavru,AntonyThouret,threwin
hereandthereenergeticwordsofadvice.M.Dufaure,resoluteandindignant,protested
withauthority.M.OdilonBarrot,motionlessinacorner,maintainedthesilenceof
stupefiedsilliness.
MM.PassyanddeTocqueville,inthemidstofthegroups,describedthatwhentheywere
Ministerstheyhadalwaysentertainedanuneasysuspicion ofa_coupd'tat_,andthat
theyclearlyperceivedthisfixedideainthebrainofLouisBonaparte.M.deTocqueville
added,"Isaidtomyselfeverynight,'IliedowntosleepaMinisterwhatifIshould
awakeaprisoner?'"Someofthosemenwhoweretermed"menoforder,"mutteredwhile
signingthedegreeofdeposition,"BewareoftheRedRepublic!"andseemedtoentertain
anequalfearoffailureandofsuccess.M.deVatimesnilpressedthehandsofthemenof
theLeft,andthankedthemfortheirpresence."Youmakeuspopular,"saidhe.And
AntonyThouretansweredhim,"IknowneitherRightnorLefttodayIonlyseethe
Assembly."
Theyoungerofthetwoshorthandwritershandedtheirwrittensheetstothe
Representativeswhohadspoken,and,askedthemtorevisethematonce,saying,"We
shallnothavethetimetoreadthemover."SomeRepresentativeswentdownintothe
street,andshowedthepeoplecopiesofthedecreeofdeposition,signedbythemembers
ofthe"bureau."Oneofthepopulacetookoneofthesecopies,andcriedout,"Citizens!
theinkisstillquitewet!LonglivetheRepublic!"
TheDeputyMayorstoodatthedooroftheHallthestaircasewascrowdedwithNational
Guardsandspectators.IntheAssemblyseveralhadpenetratedintotheHall,andamongst
themtheexConstituentBeslay,amanofuncommoncourage.Itwasatfirstwishedto
turnthemout,buttheyresisted,crying,"Thisisourbusiness.YouaretheAssembly,but
wearethePeople.""Theyareright,"saidM.Berryer.
M.deFalloux,accompaniedbyM.deKranflech,cameuptheConstituentBeslay,and
leanedbyhissideonthestove,sayingtohim,"Goodday,colleague"andremindedhim
thattheybothhadformedpartoftheCommitteeoftheNationalWorkshops,andthat
they hadtogethervisitedtheWorkmenattheParcMonceaux.TheRightfeltthemselves
fallingtheybecameaffectionatetowardsRepublicans.TheRepubliciscalledTo
morrow.

Eachspokefromhisplacethismemberuponabench,thatmemberonachair,afewon
thetables.Allcontradictoryopinionsburstforthatonce.Inacornersomeexleadersof
"order"werescaredatthepossibletriumphofthe"Reds."InanotherthemenoftheRight
surroundedthemenoftheLeft,andaskedthem:"Arenotthefaubourgsgoingtorise?"
Thenarratorhasbutoneduty,totellhisstoryherelateseverything,thebadaswellas
thegood.Whatevermayhavetakenplace,however,andnotwithstandingallthesedetails
ofwhichitwasourdutytospeak,apartfromtheexceptionswhichwehadmentioned,the
attitudeofthemenoftheRightwhocomposedthelargemajorityofthismeetingwasin
manyrespectshonorableandworthy.Someofthem,aswehavejustmentioned,even
pridedthemselvesupontheirresolutionandtheirenergy,almostasthoughtheyhad
wishedtorivalthemembersoftheLeft.
Wemayhereremarkforinthecourseofthisnarrativeweshallmorethanonceseethe
gazeofsomemembersoftheRightturnedtowardsthepeople,andinthisnomistake
shouldbemadethatthesemonarchicalmenwhotalkedofpopularinsurrectionandwho
invokedthefaubourgswereaminorityinthemajority,animperceptibleminority.
AntonyThouretproposedtothosewhowereleaderstheretogoinabodythroughthe
workingclassneighborhoodswiththedecreeofdepositionintheirhands.Broughtto
bay,theyrefused.Theydeclaredthattheywouldonlyprotectthemselvesbyorganized
powers,notbythepeople.Itisastrangethingtosay,butitmustbenoted,thatwiththeir
habitsofpoliticalshortsightedness,thepopulararmedresistance,eveninthenameofthe
Law,seemedseditiontothem.Theutmostappearanceofrevolutionwhichtheycould
endurewasaregimentoftheNationalGuard,withtheirdrumsattheirheadtheyshrank
fromthebarricadeRightinablousewasnolongerRight,Trutharmedwithapikewas
nolongerTruth,LawunpavingastreetgavethemtheimpressionofaFury.Inthemain,
however,andtakingthemforwhattheywere,andconsideringtheirpositionas
politicians,thesemembersoftheRightwerewelladvised.Whatwouldtheyhavedone
withthepeople?Andwhatwouldthepeoplehavedonewiththem?Howwouldthey
haveproceededtosetfiretothemasses?ImagineFallouxasatribune,fanningthe
FaubourgSt.Antoineintoaflame!
Alas!inthemidstofthisdensegloom,inthesefatalcomplicationsofcircumstancesby
whichthe_coupd'tat_profitedsoodiouslyandsoperfidiously,inthatmighty
misunderstandingwhichcomprisedthewholesituation,forkindlingtherevolutionary
sparkintheheartofthepeople,Dantonhimselfwouldnothavesufficed.
The_coupd'tat_enteredintothismeetingimpudently,withitsconvict'scaponitshead.
Itpossessedaninfamousassurancethere,aswellaseverywhereelse.Therewereinthis
majoritythreehundredRepresentativesofthePeople.LouisNapoleonsentasergeantto
drivethemaway.TheAssembly,havingresistedthesergeant,hesentanofficer,the
temporarycommanderofthesixthbattalionoftheChasseursdeVincennes.Thisofficer,
young,fairhaired,ascoffer,halflaughing,halfthreatening,pointedwithhisfingertothe
stairsfilledwithbayonets,anddefiedtheAssembly."Whoisthisyoungspark?"askeda
memberoftheRight.ANationalGuardwhowastheresaid,"Throwhimoutofthe
window!""Kickhimdownstairs!"criedoneofthepeople.

ThisAssembly,grievousaswereitsoffencesagainsttheprinciplesoftheRevolution
andwiththesewrongsDemocracyalonehadtherighttoreproachitthisAssembly,I
repeat,wastheNationalAssembly,thatistosay,theRepublicincarnate,theliving
UniversalSuffrage,theMajestyoftheNation,uprightandvisible.LouisBonaparte
assassinatedthisAssembly,andmoreoverinsultedit.Aslaponthefaceisworsethana
poniardthrust.
Thegardensoftheneighborhoodoccupiedbythetroopswerefullofbrokenbottles.
Theyhadpliedthesoldierswithdrink.Theyobeyedthe"epaulettes"unconditionally,and
accordingtotheexpressionofeyewitnesses,appeared"dazeddrunk."The
Representativesappealedtothem,andsaidtothem,"Itisacrime!"Theyanswered,"We
arenotawareofit."
Onesoldierwasheardtosaytoanother,"Whathaveyoudonewithyourtenfrancsof
thismorning?"
Thesergeantshustledtheofficers.Withtheexceptionofthecommander,whoprobably
earnedhiscrossofhonor,theofficerswererespectful,thesergeantsbrutal.
Alieutenantshowingsignsofflinching,asergeantcriedouttohim,"Youarenotthe
onlyonewhocommandshere!Come,therefore,march!"
M.deVatimesnilaskedasoldier,"Willyoudaretoarrestusus,theRepresentativesof
thePeople?"
"Assuredly!"saidthesoldier.
SeveralsoldiershearingsomeRepresentativessaythattheyhadeatennothingsincethe
morning,offeredthemtheirrationbread.SomeRepresentativesaccepted.M.de
Tocqueville,whowasunwell,andwhowasnoticedtobepaleandleaningonthesillofa
window,receivedfromasoldierapieceofthisbread,whichhesharedwithM.
Chambolle.
TwoCommissariesofPoliceappearedin"fulldress,"inblackcoatsgirdedwiththeir
sashgirdlesandtheirblackcordedhats.Onewasanoldman,theotherayoungman.The
firstwasnamedLemoineTacherat,andnotBacherel,ashasbeenwronglyprinted:the
secondwasnamedBarlet.Thesenamesshouldbenoted.Theunprecedentedassuranceof
thisBarletwasremarked.Nothingwaswantinginhim,cynicalspeech,provoking
gesture,sardonicintonation.ItwaswithaninexpressibleairofinsolencethatBarlet,
whensummoningthemeetingtodissolveitself,added,"RightlyorWrongly."They
murmuredonthebenchesoftheAssembly,"Whoisthisscoundrel?"Theother,
comparedtohim,seemedmoderateandinoffensive.EmilePanexclaimed,"Theold
manissimply workinginhisprofession,buttheyoungmanisworkingouthis
promotion."

BeforethisTacheratandthisBarletentered,beforethebuttsofthemusketshadbeen
heardringingonthestonesofthestaircase,thisAssemblyhadtalkedofresistance.Of
whatkindofresistance?Wehavejuststated.Themajoritycouldonlylistentoaregular
organizedresistance,amilitaryresistanceinuniformandinepaulets.Sucharesistance
waseasytodecree,butitwasdifficulttoorganize.TheGeneralsonwhomtheAssembly
wereaccustomedtorelyhavingbeenarrested,thereonlyremainedtwopossible
Generals,OudinotandLauriston.GeneralMarquisdeLauriston,expeerofFrance,and
atthesametimeColoneloftheTenthLegionandRepresentativeofthePeople,drewa
distinctionbetweenhisdutyasRepresentativeandhisdutyasColonel.Summonedby
someofhisfriendsoftheRighttobeattoarmsandcalltogethertheTenthLegion,he
answered,"AsRepresentativeofthePeopleIoughttoindicttheExecutivePower,butas
ColonelIoughttoobeyit."Itappearsthatheobstinatelyshuthimselfupinthissingular
reasoning,andthatitwasimpossibletodrawhimoutofit.
"Howstupidheis!"saidPiscatory.
"Howsharpheis!"saidFalloux.
Thefirstofficerof theNationalGuardwhoappearedinuniform,seemedtobe
recognizedbytwomembersoftheRight,whosaid,"ItisM.dePerigord!"Theymadea
mistake,itwasM.Guilbot,majorofthethirdbattalionoftheTenthLegion.Hedeclared
thathewasreadytomarchonthefirstorderfromhisColonel,GeneralLauriston.
GeneralLauristonwentdownintothecourtyard,andcameupamomentafterwards,
saying,"Theydonotrecognizemyauthority.Ihavejustresigned,"Moreover,thename
ofLauristonwasnotfamiliartothesoldiers.Oudinotwasbetterknowninthearmy.But
how?
AtthemomentwhenthenameofOudinotwaspronounced,ashudderranthroughthis
meeting,almostexclusivelycomposedofmembersoftheRight.Infactatthiscritical
time,atthisfatal nameofOudinot,reflectionscrowdeduponeachotherineverymind.
Whatwasthe_coupd'tat_?
Itwasthe"Romanexpeditionathome."Whichwasundertakenagainstwhom?Against
thosewhohadundertakenthe"Romanexpeditionabroad."TheNationalAssemblyof
France,dissolvedbyviolence,couldfindonlyonesingleGeneraltodefenditinitsdying
hour.Andwhom?Preciselyhe,whointhenameoftheNationalAssemblyofFrancehad
dissolvedbyviolencetheNationalAssemblyofRome.WhatpowercouldOudinot,the
stranglerofaRepublic,possesstosaveaRepublic?Wasitnotevidentthathisown
soldierswouldanswerhim,"Whatdoyouwantwithus?Thatwhichwehavedoneat
RomewenowdoatParis."Whatastoryisthisstoryoftreason!TheFrenchLegislature
hadwrittenthefirstchapterwiththebloodoftheRomanConstituentAssembly:
ProvidencewrotethesecondchapterwiththebloodoftheFrenchLegislature,Louis
Bonaparteholdingthepen.

In1849,LouisBonapartehadassassinatedthesovereigntyofthePeopleinthepersonof
itsRomanRepresentativesin1851heassassinateditinthepersonofitsFrench
Representatives.Itwaslogical,andalthoughitwasinfamous,itwasjust.TheLegislative
Assemblyboreatthesametimetheweightoftwo crimesitwastheaccompliceofthe
first,thevictimofthesecond.Allthesemenofthemajorityfeltthis,andwerehumbled.
Orratheritwasthesamecrime,thecrimeoftheSecondofJuly,1849,evererect,ever
alive,whichhadonlychangeditsname,whichnowcalleditselftheSecondofDecember,
andwhich,theoffspringofthisAssembly,stabbedittotheheart.Nearlyallcrimesare
parricidal.Onacertaindaytheyrecoiluponthosewhohavecommittedthem,andslay
them.
Atthismoment,sofull ofanxiety,M.deFallouxmusthaveglancedroundforM.de
Montalembert.M.deMontalembertwasattheElyse.
WhenTamisierroseandpronouncedthisterrifyingword,"TheRomanQuestion?"
distractedM.deDampierreshoutedtohim,"Silence!Youkillus!"
ItwasnotTamisierwhowaskillingthemitwasOudinot.
M.deDampierredidnotperceivethathecried"Silence!"tohistory.
Andthenwithoutevenreckoningthefatalremembrancewhichatsuchamomentwould
havecrushedamanendowedinthehighestdegreewithgreatmilitaryqualities,General
Oudinot,inotherrespectsanexcellentofficer,andaworthysonofhisbravefather,
possessednoneofthosestrikingqualitieswhichinthecriticalhourofrevolutionstirthe
soldierandcarrywiththem thepeople.Atthatinstanttowinbackanarmyofahundred
thousandmen,towithdrawtheballsfromthecannons'mouths,tofindbeneaththewine
pouredouttothePraetoriansthetruesouloftheFrenchsoldierhalfdrownedandnearly
dead,toteartheflagfromthe_coupd'tat_andrestoreittotheLaw,tosurroundthe
Assemblywiththundersandlightnings,itwouldhaveneededoneofthosemenwhoexist
nolongeritwouldhaveneededthefirmhand,thecalmoratory,thecoldandsearching
glanceof Desaix,thatFrenchPhocionitwouldhaveneededthehugeshoulders,the
commandingstature,thethunderingvoice,theabusive,insolent,cynical,gay,and
sublimeeloquenceofKlber,thatmilitaryMirabeau.Desaix,thecountenanceofajust
man,orKlber,thefaceofthelion!GeneralOudinot,little,awkward,embarrassed,with
anindecisiveanddullgaze,redcheeks,lowforehead,withgrizzledandlankhair,polite
toneofvoice,ahumblesmile,withoutoratory,withoutgesture,withoutpower,brave
beforetheenemy,timidbeforethefirstcomer,havingassuredlythebearingofasoldier,
buthavingalsothebearingofapriesthecausedthemindtohesitatebetweenthesword
andthetaperhehadinhiseyesasortof"Amen!"
Hehadthebestintentionsintheworld,butwhatcouldhedo?Alone,withoutprestige,
withouttrueglory,withoutpersonalauthority,anddraggingRomeafterhim!Hefeltall
thishimself,andhewasasitwereparalyzedbyit.Assoonastheyhadappointedhimhe
gotuponachairandthankedtheAssembly,doubtlesswithafirmheart,butwith
hesitatingspeech.Whenthelittlefairhairedofficerdaredtolookhiminthefaceand

insulthim,he,holdingtheswordofthepeople,he,GeneralofthesovereignAssembly,
heonlyknewhowtostammeroutsuchwretchedphrasesasthese,"Ihavejustdeclaredto
youthatweareunable,'unlesscompelledandconstrained,'toobeytheorderwhich
prohibitsusfromremainingassembledtogether."Hespokeofobeying,hewhooughtto
command.Theyhadgirdedhimwithhisscarf,anditseemedtomakehim
uncomfortable.Heinclinedhisheadalternatelyfirsttooneshoulderandthentothe
otherheheldhishatandcaneinhishand,hehadabenevolentaspect.ALegitimist
membermutteredin alowvoicetohisneighbor,"Onemightimaginehewasabailiff
speechifyingatawedding."Andhisneighbor,aLegitimistalso,replied,"Heremindsme
oftheDucd'Angoulme."
WhatacontrasttoTamisier!Tamisier,frank,earnestconfident,althoughamereCaptain
ofArtillery,hadthebearingofaGeneral.HadTamisier,withhisgraveandgentle
countenance,highintelligence,anddauntlessheart,aspeciesofsoldierphilosopher,been
betterknown,hecouldhaverendereddecisiveservices.Noonecan tellwhatwouldhave
happenedifProvidencehadgiventhesoulofTamisiertoOudinot,ortheepauletsof
OudinottoTamisier.
InthisbloodyenterpriseofDecemberwefailedtofindaGeneral'suniformbecomingly
worn.Abookmightbewrittenonthepartwhichgoldlaceplaysinthedestinyofnations.
Tamisier,appointedChiefoftheStaffsomeinstantsbeforetheinvasionofthehall,
placedhimselfatthedisposaloftheAssembly.Hewasstandingonatable.Hespoke
witharesonantandheartyvoice.Themostdowncastbecamereassuredbythismodest,
honest,devotedattitude.Suddenlyhedrewhimselfup,andlookingallthatRoyalist
majorityintheface,exclaimed,"Yes,Iacceptthechargeyouofferme.Iacceptthe
chargeofdefendingtheRepublic! NothingbuttheRepublic!Doyouperfectly
understand?"
Aunanimousshoutansweredhim."LonglivetheRepublic!"
"Ah!"saidBeslay,"thevoicecomesbacktoyouasontheFourthofMay."
"LonglivetheRepublic!NothingbuttheRepublic!"repeatedthemenoftheRight,
Oudinotlouderthantheothers.AllarmswerestretchedtowardsTamisier,everyhand
pressedhis.OhDanger!irresistibleconverter!InhislasthourtheAtheistinvokesGod,
andtheRoyalisttheRepublic.Theyclingtothatwhichtheyhaverepudiated.
Theofficialhistoriansofthe_coupd'tat_havestatedthatatthebeginningofthesitting
twoRepresentativeshadbeensentbytheAssemblytotheMinistryoftheInteriorto
"negotiate."WhatiscertainisthatthesetwoRepresentativeshadnoauthority.They
presentedthemselves,notonbehalfoftheAssembly,butintheirownname.They
offeredthemselvesasintermediariestoprocureapeaceableterminationofthe
catastrophewhichhadbegun.Withanhonestywhichborderedonsimplicitythey
summonedMornytoyieldhimselfaprisoner,andtoreturnwithinthelaw,declaringthat
incaseofrefusaltheAssemblywoulddoitsduty,andcallthepeopletothedefenceof

theConstitutionandoftheRepublic.Marnyansweredthemwithasmile,accompanied
bytheseplainwords,"Ifyouappealtoarms,andifIfindanyRepresentativesonthe
barricades,Iwillhavethemallshottothelastman."
ThemeetingintheTenthArrondissementyieldedtoforce.PresidentVitetinsistedthat
theyshouldforciblyarresthim.Apoliceagentwhoseizedhimturnedpaleandtrembled.
Incertaincircumstances,tolayviolenthandsuponamanistolaythemuponRight,and
thosewhodaretodosoaremadetotremblebyoutragedLaw.Theexodusfromthe
Mairiewaslongandbesetwithobstructions.Halfanhourelapsedwhilethesoldiers
wereformingaline,andwhiletheCommissariesofPolice,allthetimeappearingsolely
occupiedwiththecareofdrivingbackthecrowdinthestreet,sentfororderstothe
MinistryoftheInterior.DuringthattimesomeoftheRepresentatives,seatedrounda
tableinthegreatHall,wrotetotheirfamilies,totheirwives,totheirfriends.They
snatchedupthelastleavesofpaperthepensfailedM.deLuyneswrotetohiswifea
letterinpencil.Therewerenowaferstheywereforcedtosendthelettersunsealedsome
soldiersofferedtopostthem.M.Chambolle'sson,whohadaccompaniedhisfatherthus
far,undertooktotakethelettersaddressedtoMesdamesdeLuynes,deLasteyrie,and
DuvergierdeHauranne.GeneralForeythesamewhohadrefusedabattaliontothe
PresidentoftheConstituentAssembly,Marrast,whohadpromotedhimfromacolonelto
ageneralGeneralForey,inthecentreofthecourtyardoftheMairie,hisfaceinflamed,
halfdrunk,comingout,theysaid,frombreakfastattheElyse,superintendedthe
outrage.Amember,whosenameweregretwedonotknow,dippedhisbootintothe
gutterandwipeditalongthegoldstripeoftheregimentaltrousersofGeneralForey.
RepresentativeLherbettecameuptoGeneralForey,andsaidtohim,"General,youarea
coward."Thenturningtohiscolleagues,heexclaimed,"Doyouhear?Itellthisgeneral
thatheisacoward."GeneralForeydidnotstir.Hekeptthemudonhisuniformandthe
epithetonhischeek.
Themeetingdidnotcallthepeopletoarms.Wehavejustexplainedthatitwasnotstrong
enoughtodosonevertheless,atthelastmoment,amemberoftheLeft,Latrade,madea
fresheffort.HetookM.Berryeraside,andsaidtohim,"Ourofficialmeasuresof
resistancehavecometoanendletusnotallowourselvesnowtobearrested.Letus
dispersethroughoutthestreetscrying,'Toarms!'"M.Berryerconsultedafewsecondson
thematterwiththeVicePresident,M.Benoistd'Azy,whorefused.
TheDeputyMayor,hatinhand,reconductedthemembersoftheAssemblyasfarasthe
gateoftheMairie.Assoonastheyappearedinthecourtyardreadytogooutbetweentwo
linesofsoldiers,thepostofNational Guardspresentedarms,acidshouted,"Longlivethe
Assembly!LonglivetheRepresentativesofthePeople!"TheNationalGuardswereat
oncedisarmed,almostforcibly,bytheChasseursdeVincennes.
TherewasawineshopoppositetheMairie.Assoonasthegreatfoldinggatesofthe
Mairieopened,andtheAssemblyappearedinthestreet,ledbyGeneralForeyon
horseback,andhavingatitsheadtheVicePresidentVitet,graspedbythenecktiebya
policeagent,afewmeninwhiteblouses,gatheredatthewindowsofthiswineshop,
clappedtheirhandsandshouted,"Welldone!downwiththe'twentyfivefrancs!'"[7]

Theysetforth.
TheChasseursdeVincennes,whomarchedinadoublelineoneachsideoftheprisoners,
castatthemlooksofhatred.General Oudinotsaidinawhisper,"Theselittleinfantry
soldiersareterriblefellows.AtthesiegeofRometheyflungthemselvesattheassault
likemadmen.Theseladsareverydevils."Theofficersavoidedthegazeofthe
Representatives.OnleavingtheMairie,M.deCoislinpassedbyanofficerand
exclaimed,"Whatadisgracefortheuniform!"theofficerretaliatedwithangrywords,
andincensedM.deCoislin.Shortlyafterwards,duringthemarch,hecameuptoM.de
Coislinandsaidtohim,"Sir,IhavereflecteditisIwhoamwrong."
Theyproceededonthewayslowly.AtafewstepsfromtheMairietheprecessionmetM.
Chegaray.TheRepresentativescalledouttohim,"Come!"Heanswered,whilemaking
anexpressivegesturewithhishandsandhisshoulders,"Oh!Idaresay!Astheyhavenot
arrestedme...."andhefeignedasthoughhewouldpasson.Hewasashamed,however,
andwentwiththem.Hisnameisfoundinthelistoftherollcallatthebarracks.
AlittlefurtheronM.deLesprutpassedthem.Theycriedouttohim."Lesprut!
Lesprut!""Iamwithyou,"answeredhe.Thesoldierspushedhimback.Heseizedthe
buttendsofthemuskets,andforcedhiswayintothecolumn.
Inoneofthestreetsthroughwhichtheywentawindowwasopened.Suddenlyawoman
appearedwithachildthechild,recognizingitsfatheramongsttheprisoners,heldoutits
armsandcalledtohim,themotherweptinthebackground.
ItwasatfirstintendedtotaketheAssemblyinabodystraighttoMazas,butthiswas
counterorderedbytheMinistryoftheInterior.Itwasfearedthatthislongwalk,inbroad
daylight,throughpopulousandeasilyarousedstreets,mightprovedangerousthe
D'Orsaybarrackswerecloseathand.Theyselectedtheseasatemporaryprison.
Oneofthecommandersinsolentlypointedoutwithhisswordthearrested
Representativestothepassersby,andsaidinafondvoice,"ThesearetheWhites,we
haveorderstosparethem.NowitistheturnoftheRedRepresentatives,letthemlook
outforthemselves!"
Wherevertheprocessionpassed,thepopulaceshoutedfromthepavements,atthedoors,
atthewindows,"LonglivetheNationalAssembly!"Whentheyperceivedafew
RepresentativesoftheLeftsprinkledinthecolumntheycried,"VivelaRpublique!"
"VivelaConstitution!"and"VivelaLoi!"Theshopswerenotshut,andpassersbywent
toandfro.Somepeoplesaid,"Waituntiltheeveningthisisnottheendofit."
Astaffofficeronhorseback,infulluniform,mettheprocession,recognizedM.de
Vatimesnil,andcameuptogreethim.IntheRuedeBeaune,astheypassedthehouseof
the_DmocraticPacifique_agroupshouted,"DownwiththeTraitoroftheElyse!"

OntheQuaid'Orsay,theshoutingwasredoubled.Therewasagreatcrowdthere.On
eithersideofthequayafileofsoldiersoftheLine,elbowtoelbow,keptbackthe
spectators.Inthemiddleofthespaceleftvacant,themembersoftheAssemblyslowly
advancedbetweenadoublefileofsoldiers,theonestationary,whichthreatenedthe
people,theotheronthemarch,whichthreatenedtireRepresentatives.
Seriousreflectionsariseinthepresenceofallthedetailsofthegreatcrimewhichthis
bookisdesignedtorelate.Everyhonestmanwhosetshimselffacetofacewiththe_coup
d'tat_ofLouisBonapartehearsnothingbutatumultofindignantthoughtsinhis
conscience.Whoeverreadsourworktotheendwillassuredlynotcredituswiththe
intentionofextenuatingthismonstrousdeed.Nevertheless,asthedeeplogicofactions
oughtalwaystobeitalicizedbythehistorian,itisnecessaryheretocalltomindandto
repeat,eventosatiety,thatapartfromthemembersoftheLeft,ofwhomaverysmall
numberwerepresent,andwhomwehavementionedbyname,thethreehundred
Representativeswhothusdefiledbeforetheeyesofthecrowd,constitutedtheold
RoyalistsandreactionarymajorityoftheAssembly.Ifitwerepossibletoforget,that
whateverweretheirerrors,whateverweretheirfaults,and,weventuretoadd,whatever
weretheirillusionsthesepersonsthustreatedweretheRepresentativesoftheleading
civilizednation,weresovereignLegislators,senatorsofthepeople,inviolableDeputies,
andsacredbythegreatlawofDemocracy,andthatinthesamemanneraseachman
bearsinhimselfsomethingofthemindofGod,soeachofthesenomineesofuniversal
suffrageboresomethingofthesoulofFranceifitwerepossibletoforgetthisfora
moment,itassuredlywouldbeaspectacleperhapsmorelaughablethansad,andcertainly
morephilosophicalthanlamentabletosee,onthisDecembermorning,aftersomany
lawsofrepression,aftersomanyexceptionalmeasures,aftersomanyvotesofcensure
andofthestateofsiege,aftersomanyrefusalsofamnesty,aftersomanyaffrontsto
equity,tojustice,tothehumanconscience,tothepublicgoodfaith,toright,afterso
manyfavorstothepolice,aftersomanysmilesbestowedonabsolution,theentireParty
ofOrderarrestedinabodyandtakentoprisonbythe_sergentsdeville_!
Oneday,orrather,onenight,themomenthavingcometosavesociety,the_coupd'tat_
abruptlyseizestheDemagogues,andfindsthatitholdsbythecollar,Whom?the
Royalists.
Theyarrivedatthebarracks,formerlythebarracksoftheRoyalGuard,andonthe
pedimentofwhichisacarvedescutcheon,whereonarestillvisiblethetracesofthethree
_fleursdelis_effacedin1830.Theyhalted.Thedoorwasopened."Why!"saidM.de
Broglie,"hereweare."
Atthatmomentagreatplacardpostedonthebarrackwallbythesideofthedoorborein
bigletters
"REVISIONOFTHECONSTITUTION."

Itwastheadvertisementofapamphlet,publishedtwoorthreedaysprevioustothe_coup
d'tat_,withoutanyauthor'sname,demandingtheEmpire,andwasattributedtothe
PresidentoftheRepublic.
TheRepresentativesenteredandthedoorswerecloseduponthem.Theshoutsceasedthe
crowd,whichoccasionallyhasitsmeditativemoments,remainedforsometimeonthe
quay,dumb,motionless,gazingalternatelyattheclosedgateoftheBarracks,andatthe
silentfrontofthePalaceoftheAssembly,dimlyvisibleinthemistyDecembertwilight,
twohundredpacesdistant.
ThetwoCommissariesofPolicewenttoreporttheir"success"toM.deMorny.M.de
Mornysaid,"Nowthestrugglehasbegun.Excellent!ThesearethelastRepresentatives
whowillbemadeprisoners."
[5]TheGerontes,orGerontia,weretheEldersofSparta,whoconstitutedtheSenate.
[6]The"bureau"oftheAssemblyconsistsofthePresident,forthetimebeingofthe
Assembly,assistedbysixsecretaries,whosedutiesmainlylieindecidinginwhatsense
theDeputieshavevoted.The"bureau"oftheAssemblyshouldnotbeconfoundedwith
thefifteen"bureaux"oftheDeputies,whichanswertoourSelectCommitteesofthe
HouseofCommons,andarepresidedoverbyselfchosenPresidents.
[7]Anallusiontothetwentyfivefrancsadayofficiallypayabletothemembersofthe
Assembly.

CHAPTERXIII.LOUISBONAPARTE'SSIDEFACE
Themindsofallthesemen,werepeat,wereverydifferentlyaffected.
TheextremeLegitimistparty,whichrepresentstheWhiteoftheflag,wasnot,itmustbe
said,highlyexasperatedatthe_coupd'tat_.Uponmanyfacesmightbereadthesaying
ofM.deFalloux:"IamsosatisfiedthatIhaveconsiderabledifficultyinaffectingtobe
onlyresigned."Theingenuousspiritscastdowntheireyesthatisbecomingtopurity
moredaringspiritsraisedtheirheads.Theyfeltanimpartialindignationwhichpermitted
alittleadmiration.Howcleverlythesegeneralshavebeenensnared!TheCountry
assassinated,itisahorriblecrimebuttheywereenrapturedatthejuggleryblendedwith
theparricide.Oneoftheleaderssaid,withasighofenvyandregret,"Wedonotpossess
amanofsuchtalent."Anothermuttered,"ItisOrder."Andheadded,"Alas!"Another
exclaimed,"Itisafrightfulcrime,butwellcarriedout."Somewavered,attractedonone
sidebythelawfulpowerwhichrestedintheAssembly,andon theotherbythe
abominationwhichwasinBonapartehonestsoulspoisedbetweendutyandinfamy.
TherewasaM.ThominesDesmazureswhowentasfarasthedooroftheGreatHallof
theMairie,halted,lookedinside,lookedoutside,anddidnotenter.Itwouldbeunjustnot
torecordthatothersamongstthepureRoyalists,andaboveallM.deVatimesnil,hadthe
sincereintonationandtheuprightwrathofjustice.
Beitasitmay,theLegitimistparty,takenasawhole,entertainednohorrorofthe_coup
d'tat_.Itfearednothing.Intruth,shouldtheRoyalistsfearLouisBonaparte?Why?
Indifferencedoesnotinspirefear.LouisBonapartewasindifferent.Heonlyrecognized
onething,hisobject.Tobreakthroughtheroadinordertoreachit,thatwasquiteplain
therestmightbeleftalone.Therelaythewholeofhispolicy,tocrushtheRepublicans,
todisdaintheRoyalists.
LouisBonapartehadnopassion.Hewhowritestheselines,talkingonedayaboutLouis
BonapartewiththeexkingofWestphalia,remarked,"InhimtheDutchmantonesdown
theCorsican.""IftherebeanyCorsican,"answeredJrome.
LouisBonapartehasneverbeenotherthanamanwhohaslainwaitforfortune,aspy
tryingtodupeGod.Hehadthatlividdreaminessofthegamblerwhocheats.Cheating
admitsaudacity,butexcludesanger.InhisprisonatHamheonlyreadonebook,"The
Prince."Hebelongedtonofamily,ashecouldhesitatebetweenBonaparteandVerhuell
hehadnocountry,ashecouldhesitatebetweenFranceandHolland.
ThisNapoleonhadtakenSt.Helenaingoodpart.HeadmiredEngland.Resentment!To
whatpurpose?Forhimonearththereonlyexistedhisinterests.Hepardoned,becausehe
speculatedheforgoteverything,becausehecalculateduponeverything.Whatdidhis
unclemattertohim?Hedidnotservehimhemadeuseofhim.Herestedhisshabby
enterpriseuponAusterlitz.Hestuffedtheeagle.

Maliceisanunproductiveoutlay.LouisBonaparteonlypossessedasmuchmemoryasis
useful.HudsonLowedidnotpreventhimfromsmilinguponEnglishmentheMarquisof
MontchenudidnotpreventhimfromsmilingupontheRoyalists.
Hewasamanofearnestpolitics,ofgoodcompany,wrappedinhisownscheming,not
impulsive,doingnothingbeyondthatwhichheintended,withoutabruptness,without
hardwords,discreet,accurate,learned,talkingsmoothlyofanecessarymassacre,a
slaughterer,becauseitservedhispurpose.
Allthis,werepeat,withoutpassion,andwithoutanger.LouisBonapartewasoneofthose
menwhohadbeeninfluencedbytheprofoundicinessofMachiavelli.
Itwasthroughbeingamanofthatnaturethathesucceededinsubmergingthenameof
NapoleonbysuperaddingDecemberuponBrumaire.

CHAPTERXIV.THED'ORSAYBARRACKS
Itwashalfpastthree.
ThearrestedRepresentativesenteredintothecourtyardofthebarracks,ahuge
parallelogramclosedinandcommandedbyhighwalls.Thesewallsarepiercedbythree
tiersofwindows,andpossesthatdismalappearancewhichdistinguishesbarracks,
schools,andprisons.
Thiscourtyardisenteredbyanarchedportalwhichextendsthroughallthebreadthofthe
frontofthemainbuilding.Thisarchway,underwhichtheguardhousehasbeenmade,is
closeonthesideofthequaybylargesolidfoldingdoors,andononesideofthe
courtyardbyanirongratedgateway.Theyclosedthedoorandthegratedgatewayupon
theRepresentatives.They"setthematliberty"intheboltedandguardedcourtyard.
"Letthemstrollabout,"saidanofficer.
Theairwascold,theskywasgray.Somesoldiers,intheirshirtsleevesandwearing
foragingcaps,busywithfatigueduty,wenthitherandthitheramongsttheprisoners.
FirstM.GrimaultandthenM.AntonyThouretinstitutedarollcall.TheRepresentatives
madearingaroundthem.Lherbettesaidlaughingly,"Thisjustsuitsthebarracks.We
looklikesergeantmajorswhohavecometoreport."Theycalledoverthesevenhundred
andfiftynamesoftheRepresentatives.Toeachnametheyanswered"Absent"or
"Present,"andthesecretaryjotteddownwithapencilthosewhowerepresent.Whenthe
nameofMornywasreached,someonecriedout,"AtClichy!"AtthenameofPersigny,
thesamevoiceexclaimed,"AtPoissy!"Theinventorofthesetwojokes,whichbythe
wayareverypoor,hassincealliedhimselftotheSecondofDecember,toMornyand
Persignyhehascoveredhiscowardicewiththeembroideryofasenator.
TherollcallverifiedthepresenceoftwohundredandtwentyRepresentatives,whose
nameswereasfollows:
LeDucdeLuynes,d'AndigndelaChasse,AntonyThouret,Arne,AudrendeKerdrel
(IlleetVilaine),AudrendeKerdrel(Morbihan),deBalzac,BarchoudePenhoen,
Barillon,O.Barrot,BarthlemySaintHilaire,QuentinBauchard,G.deBeaumont,
Bchard,Behaghel,deBelvze,Benoistd'Azy,deBenardy,Berryer,deBerset,Basse,
BettingdeLancastel,Blavoyer,Bocher,Boissi,deBotmillan,Bouvatier,leDucde
Broglie,delaBroise,deBryas,Buffet,CailletduTertre,Callet,Camusdela
Guibourgre,Canet,deCastillon,deCazalis,AdmiralCcile,Chambolle,Chamiot,
Champannet,Chaper,Chapot,deCharencey,Chasseigne,Chauvin,Chazant,de
Chazelles,Chegaray,ComtedeCoislin,Colfavru,ColasdelaMotte,Coquerel,de
Corcelles,Cordier,Corne,Creton,Daguilhon,Pujol,Dahirel,VicomteDambray,
MarquisdeDampierre,deBrotonne,deFontaine,deFontenay,VicomtedeSze,
Desmars,delaDevansaye,Didier,Dieuleveult,DruetDesvaux,A.Dubois,Dufaure,

Dufougerais,Dufour,Dufournel,MarcDufraisse,P.Duprat,DuvergierdeHauranne,
tienne,VicomtedeFalloux,deFaultrier,Faure(Rhne),Favreau,Ferre,desFerrs,
VicomtedeFlavigny,deFoblant,Frichon,Gain,Gasselin,Germonire,deGicquiau,de
Goulard,deGouyon,deGrandville,deGrasset,GrelierDufougerais,Grvy,Grillon,
Grimault,Gros,GuislierdelaTousche,HarscoutdeSaintGeorges,Marquis
d'Havrincourt,Hennequin,d'Hespel,Houel,HovynTranchre,Huot,Joret,Jouannet,de
Kranflech,deKratry,deKridec,deKermazec,deKersauronPenendreff,Lode
Laborde,Laboulie,Lacave,OscarLafayette,Lafosse,Lagarde,LagreneLaim,Lain,
ComteLanjuinais,Larabit,deLarcy,J.deLasteyrie,Latrade,Laureau,Laurenceau,
GeneralMarquisdeLauriston,deLaussat,LefebvredeGrosriez,Legrand,Legros
Desvaux,Lemaire,EmileLeroux,Lesprut,del'Espinoy,Lherbette,deLinsaval,de
Lupp,Marchal,MartindeVillers,MazeSaunay,Mze,ArnaulddeMelun,Anatolede
Melun,Merenti,Michaud,Mispoulet,Monet,DucdeMontebello,deMontigny,Moulin,
MuratSistrire,AlfredNettement,d'Olivier,GeneralOudinot,DucdeReggio,Paillat,
Duparc,Passy,EmilePan,Pcoul,CasimirPerier,Pidoux,Pigeon,dePiog,Piscatory,
Proa,Prudhomme,Querhoent,Randoing,Raudot,Raulin,deRavinel,deRmusat,
Renaud,Rezal,ComtedeRessguier,HenrideRiancey,Rigal,delaRochette,Rodat,de
RoquefeuilledesRotoursdeChaulieu,RougetLafosse,Rouill,RouxCarbonel,Saint
Beuve,deSaintGermain,GeneralComtedeSaintPriest,Salmon(Meuse),Marquis
SauvaireBarthlemy,deSerr,ComtedeSesmaisons,Simonot,deStaplande,de
Surville,MarquisdeTalhouet,Talon,Tamisier,ThuriotdelaRosire,deTinguy,Comte
deTocqueville,delaTourette,ComtedeTrveneue,MortimerTernaux,deVatimesnil,
BarondeVandoeuvre,Vernhette(Hrault),Vernhette(Aveyron),Vzin,Vitet,Comtede
Vogu.
Afterthislistofnamesmaybereadasfollowsintheshorthandreport:
"Therollcallhavingbeencompleted,GeneralOudinotaskedtheRepresentativeswho
werescatteredaboutinthecourtyardtocomeroundhim,andmadethefollowing
announcementtothem,
"'TheCaptainAdjutantMajor,whohasremainedheretocommandthebarracks,hasjust
receivedanordertohaveroomspreparedforus,wherewearetowithdraw,asweare
consideredtobeincustody.(Hear!hear!)DoyouwishmetobringtheAdjutantMajor
here!(No,noitisuseless.)Iwilltellhimthathehadbetterexecutehisorders.'(Yes,
yes,thatisright.)"
TheRepresentativesremained"penned"and"strolling"aboutinthisyardfortwolong
hours.Theywalkedaboutarminarm.Theywalkedquickly,soastowarmthemselves.
ThemenoftheRightsaidtothemenoftheLeft,"Ah!ifyouhadonlyvotedthe
proposalsoftheQuestors!"Theyalsoexclaimed:"Well,howaboutthe_invisible
sentry_!"[8]Andtheylaughed.ThenMarcDufraisseanswered,"DeputiesofthePeople!
deliberateinpeace!"ItwasthentheturnoftheLefttolaugh.Nevertheless,therewasno
bitterness.Thecordialityofacommonmisfortunereignedamongstthem.

TheyquestionedhisexministersaboutLouisBonaparte.TheyaskedAdmiralCcile,
"Now,really,whatdoesthismean?"TheAdmiralansweredbythisdefinition:"Itisa
smallmatter."M.Vzinadded,"HewishesHistorytocallhim'Sire.'""PoorSire,then,"
saidM.deCamasdelaGuibourgre.M.OdilonBarrotexclaimed,"Whatafatality,that
weshouldhavebeencondemnedtoemploythisman!"
Thissaid,theseheightsattained,politicalphilosophywasexhausted,andtheyceased
talking.
Ontheright,bythesideofthedoor,therewasacanteenelevatedafewstepsabovethe
courtyard."Letuspromotethiscanteentothedignityofarefreshmentroom,"saidthe
exambassadortoChina,M.deLagrene.Theyentered,somewentuptothestove,
othersaskedforabasinofsoup.MM.Favreau,Piscatory,Larabit,andVatimesniltook
refugeinacorner.Intheoppositecornerdrunkensoldierschattedwiththemaidsofthe
barracks.M.deKratry,bentwithhiseightyyears,wasseatednearthestoveonanold
wormeatenchairthechairtotteredtheoldmanshivered.
Towardsfouro'clockaregimentofChasseursdeVincennesarrivedinthecourtyardwith
theirplatters,andbegantoeat,singing,withloudburstsofmerriment.M.de Broglie
lookedatthemandsaidtoM.Piscatory,"Itisastrangespectacletoseetheporringersof
theJanissariesvanishedfromConstantinoplereappearingatParis!"
AlmostatthesamemomentastaffofficerinformedtheRepresentativesonbehalfof
GeneralForeythattheapartmentsassignedtothemwereready,andrequestedthemto
followhim.Theyweretakenintotheeasternbuilding,whichisthewingofthebarracks
farthestfromthePalaceoftheCouncilofStatetheywereconductedtothethirdfloor.
Theyexpectedchambersandbeds.Theyfoundlongrooms,vastgarretswithfilthywalls
andlowceilings,furnishedwithwoodentablesandbenches.Thesewerethe
"apartments."Thesegarrets,whichadjoineachother,allopenonthesamecorridor,a
narrowpassage,whichrunsthelengthofthemainbuilding.Inoneoftheseroomsthey
saw,thrownintoacorner,sidedrums,abigdrum,andvariousinstrumentsofmilitary
music.TheRepresentativesscatteredthemselvesaboutintheserooms.M.de
Tocqueville,whowasill,threwhisovercoatonthefloorintherecessofawindow,and
laydown.Heremainedthusstretcheduponthegroundforseveralhours.
Theseroomswerewarmedverybadlybycastironstoves,shapedlikehives.A
Representativewishingtopokethefire,upsetone,andnearlysetfiretothewooden
flooring.
Thelastoftheseroomslookedoutonthequay.AntonyThouretopenedawindowand
leanedout.SeveralRepresentativesjoinedhim.Thesoldierswhowerebivouacking
belowonthepavement,caughtsightofthemandbegantoshout,"Ah!theretheyare,
thoserascalsat'twentyfivefrancsaday,'whowishtocutdownourpay!"Infact,onthe
precedingevening,thepolicehadspreadthiscalumnythroughthebarracksthata
propositionhadbeenplacedontheTribunetolessenthepayofthetroops.Theyhadeven
gonesofarastonametheauthorofthisproposition.AntonyThouretattemptedto

undeceivethesoldiers.Anofficercriedouttohim,"Itisoneofyourpartywhomadethe
proposal.ItisLamennais!"
InaboutanhourandahalftherewereusheredintotheseroomsMM.Vallette,Bixio,and
VictorLefranc,whohadcometojointheircolleaguesandconstitutethemselves
prisoners.
Nightcame.Theywerehungry.Severalhadnoteatensincethemorning.M.Howynde
Tranchre,amanofconsiderablekindnessanddevotion,whohadactedasporteratthe
Mairie,actedasforageratthebarracks.Hecollectedfivefrancsfromeach
Representative,andtheysentandorderedadinnerfortwohundredandtwentyfromthe
Cafd'Orsay,atthecorneroftheQuay,andtheRueduBac.Theydinedbadly,but
merrily.Cookshopmutton,badwine,andcheese.Therewasnobread.Theyateasthey
bestcould,onestanding,anotheronachair,oneatatable,anotherastrideonhisbench,
withhisplatebeforehim,"asataballroomsupper,"adandyoftheRightsaid
laughingly,ThuriotdelaRosire,sonoftheregicideThuriot.M.deRmusatburiedhis
headinhishands.EmilePansaidtohim,"Weshallgetoverit."AndGustavede
Beaumontcriedout,addressinghimselftotheRepublicans,"Andyourfriendsofthe
Left!Willtheypreservetheirhonor?Willtherebeaninsurrectionatleast?"Theypassed
eachotherthedishesandplates,theRightshowingmarkedattentiontotheLeft."Hereis
theopportunitytobringaboutafusion,"saidayoungLegitimist.Troopersandcanteen
menwaiteduponthem.Twoorthreetallowcandlesburntandsmokedoneachtable.
Therewerefewglasses.RightandLeftdrankfromthesame."Equality,fraternity,"
exclaimedtheMarquisSauvaireBarthlemy,oftheRight.AndVictorHannequin
answeredhim,"ButnotLiberty."
ColonelFeray,thesoninlawofMarshalBugeaud,wasincommandatthebarrackshe
offeredtheuseofhisdrawingroomtoM.deBroglieandto
M.OdilonBarrot,whoacceptedit.ThebarrackdoorswereopenedtoM.de
Kratry,onaccountofhisgreatage,toM.Dufaure,ashiswifehadjust
beenconfined,andtoM.Etienne,onaccountofthewoundwhichhehadreceivedthat
morningintheRuedeBourgogne.Atthesametimetherewereaddedtothetwohundred
andtwentyMM.EugneSue,Benoist(duRhne),Fayolle,Chanay,ToupetdesVignes,
RadoubtLafosse,Arbey,andTeillardLatrisse,whouptothattimehadbeen detainedin
thenewPalaceofForeignAffairs.
Towardseighto'clockintheevening,whendinnerwasover,therestrictionswerealittle
relaxed,andtheintermediatespacebetweenthedoorandthebarredgateofthebarracks
begantobelitteredwithcarpetbagsandarticlesoftoiletsentbythefamiliesofthe
imprisonedRepresentatives.
TheRepresentativesweresummonedbytheirnames.Eachwentdowninturn,and
brisklyremountedwithhiscloak,hiscoverlet,orhisfootwarmer.Afewladies
succeededinmakingtheirwaytotheirhusbands.M.M.Chambollewasabletopresshis
son'shandthroughthebars.

Suddenlyavoicecalledout,"Oho!Wearegoingtospendthenighthere."Mattresses
werebroughtin,whichwerethrownonthetables,onthefloor,anywhere.
FiftyorsixtyRepresentativesfoundrestingplacesonthem.Thegreaternumber
remainedontheirbenches.MarcDufraissesettledhimselftopassthenightona
footstool,leaningonatable.Happywasthemanwhohadachair.
Nevertheless,cordialityandgaietydidnotceasetoprevail."Makeroomforthe
'Burgraves!'"saidsmilinglyavenerableveteranoftheRight.AyoungRepublican
Representativerose,andofferedhimhismattress.Theypressedoneachoffersof
overcoats,cloaks,andcoverlets.
"Reconciliation,"saidChamiot,whileofferingthehalfofhismattresstotheDucde
Luynes.TheDucdeLuynes,whohad80,000francsayear,smiled,andrepliedto
Chamiot,"YouareSt.Martin,andIamthebeggar."
M.Paillet,thewellknown barrister,whobelongedtothe"ThirdEstate,"usedtosay,"I
passedthenightonaBonapartiststrawmattress,wrappedinaburnouseoftheMountain,
myfeetinaDemocraticandSocialistsheepskin,andmyheadinaLegitimistcotton
nightcap."TheRepresentatives,althoughprisonersinthebarracks,couldstrollabout
freely.Theywereallowedtogodownintothecourtyard.M.Cordier(ofCalvados)came
upstairsagain,saying,"Ihavejustspokentothesoldiers.Theydidnotknowthattheir
generalshadbeenarrested.Theyappearedsurprisedanddiscontented."Thisincident
raisedtheprisoners'hopes.
RepresentativeMichelRenaudoftheBassesPyrnees,foundseveralofhiscompatriots
oftheBasquecountryamongsttheChasseursdeVincenneswhooccupiedthecourtyard.
Somehadvotedforhim,andremindedhimofthefact.Theyadded,"Ah!Wewould
againvoteforthe'Red'list."Oneofthem,quiteayoungman,tookhimaside,andsaidto
him."Doyouwantanymoney,sir?Ihaveafortysouspieceinmy pocket."
Towardsteno'clockintheeveningagreathubbubaroseinthecourtyard.Thedoorsand
thebarredgateturnednoisilyupontheirhinges.Somethingenteredwhichrumbledlike
thunder.Theyleanedoutofwindow,andsawatthefootofthestepsasortofbig,oblong
chest,paintedblack,yellow,red,andgreen,onfourwheels,drawnbyposthorses,and
surroundedbymeninlongovercoats,andwithfiercelookingfaces,holdingtorches.In
thegloom,andwiththehelpofimagination,thisvehicleappearedcompletelyblack.A
doorcouldbeseen,butnootheropening.Itresembledagreatcoffinonwheels."Whatis
that?Isitahearse?""No,itisapolicevan.""Andthosepeople,aretheyundertakers?"
"No,theyarejailers.""Andforwhomhasthiscome?"
"Foryou,gentlemen!"criedoutavoice.
Itwasthevoiceofanofficerandthevehiclewhichhadjustenteredwasintrutha
policevan.

Atthesametimeawordofcommandwasheard:"Firstsquadrontohorse."Andfive
minutesafterwardstheLancerswhoweretoescortthevehicleformedinlineinthe
courtyard.
Thenaroseinthebarracksthebuzzofahiveofangrybees.TheRepresentativesranup
anddownthestairs,andwenttolookatthepolicevancloseathand.Someofthem
touchedit,andcouldnotbelievetheireyes.M.PiscatorymetM.Chambolle,andcried
outtohim,"Iamleavinginit!"M.BerryermetEugneSue,andtheyexchangedthese
words:"Whereareyougoing?""ToMountValrien.Andyou?""Idonotknow."
Athalfpasttentherollcallofthosewhoweretoleavebegan.Policeagentsstationed
themselvesatatablebetweentwocandlesinaparloratthefootofthestairs,andthe
Representativesweresummonedtwobytwo.TheRepresentativesagreednottoanswer
totheirnames,andtoreplytoeachnamewhichshouldbecalledout,"Heisnothere."
Butthose"Burgraves"whohadacceptedthehospitalityofColonelFerayconsidered
suchpettyresistanceunworthyofthem,andansweredtothecallingoutoftheirnames.
Thisdrewtheothersafterthem.Everybodyanswered.AmongsttheLegitimistssome
seriocomicsceneswereenacted.Theywhoalonewerenotthreatenedinsistedon
believingthattheywereindanger.Theywouldnotletoneoftheiroratorsgo.They
embracedhim,andheldhimback,almostwithtears,cryingout,"Donotgoaway!Do
youknowwheretheyaretakingyou?ThinkofthetrenchesofVincennes!"
TheRepresentatives,havingbeensummonedtwobytwo,aswehavejustsaid,filedin
theparlorbeforethepoliceagents,andthentheywereorderedtogetintothe"robbers'
box."Thestowagewasapparentlymadeathaphazardandpromiscuouslynevertheless,
later,bythedifferenceofthetreatmentaccordedtotheRepresentativesinthevarious
prisons,itwasapparentthatthispromiscuousloadinghadperhapsbeensomewhat
prearranged.Whenthefirstvehiclewasfull,asecond,ofasimilarconstructiondrewup.
Thepoliceagents,pencilandpocketbookinhand,noteddownthecontentsofeach
vehicle.ThesemenknewtheRepresentatives.WhenMarcDufraisse,calledinhisturn,
enteredtheparlor,hewasaccompaniedbyBenoist(duRhne)."Ah!hereisMarc
Dufraisse,"saidtheattendantwhoheldthepencil.Whenaskedforhisname,Benoist
replied"Benoist.""DuRhne,"addedthepoliceagentandhecontinued,"forthereare
alsoBenoistd'AzyandBenoistChampy."
Theloadingofeachvehicleoccupiednearlyhalfanhour.Thesuccessivearrivalshad
raisedthenumberofimprisonedRepresentativestotwohundredandthirtytwoTheir
embarkation,or,tousetheexpressionofM.deVatimesnil,their"barrellingup,"which
beganalittleaftertenintheevening,wasnotfinisheduntilnearlyseveno'clockinthe
morning.Whentherewerenomorepolicevansavailableomnibuseswerebroughtin.
Thesevariousvehicleswereportionedoffintothreedetachments,eachescortedby
Lancers.Thefirstdetachmentlefttowardsoneo'clockinthemorning,andwasdrivento
MontValrienthesecondtowardsfiveo'clock,andwasdriventoMazasthethird
towardshalfpastsix,toVincennes.

Asthisbusinessoccupiedalongtime,thosewhohadnotyetbeencalledbenefitedbythe
mattressesandtriedtosleep.Thus,fromtimetotime,silencereignedintheupperrooms.
InthemidstofoneofthesepausesM.Bixiosatupright,andraisinghisvoice,criedout,
"Gentlemen,whatdoyouthinkof'passiveobedience'?"Anunanimousburstoflaughter
wasthereply.Again,duringoneofthesepausesanothervoiceexclaimed,
"Romieuwillbeasenator."
EmilePanasked,
"WhatwillbecomeoftheRedSpectre?"
"Hewillenterthepriesthood,"answeredAntonyThouret,"andwillturnintotheBlack
Spectre."
OtherexclamationswhichthehistoriansoftheSecondofDecemberhavespreadabroad
werenotuttered.Thus,MarcDufraissenevermadetheremarkwithwhichthemenof
LouisBonapartehavewishedtoexcusetheircrimes:"IfthePresidentdoesnotshootall
thoseamonguswhoresist,hedoesnotunderstandhisbusiness."
Forthe_coupd'tat_sucharemarkmightbeconvenientbutforHistoryitisfalse.
TheinteriorofthepolicevanswaslightedwhiletheRepresentativeswereentering.The
airholesofeachcompartmentwerenotclosed.InthismannerMarcDufraissethrough
theaperturecouldseeM.duRmusatintheoppositecelltohisown.M.duRmusathad
enteredthevancoupledwithM.DuvergierdeHauranne.
"Uponmyword,MonsieurMarcDufraisse,"exclaimedDuvergierdeHaurannewhen
theyjostledeachotherinthegangwayofthevehicle,"uponmyword,ifanyonehadsaid
tome,'YouwillgotoMarzasinapolicevan,'Ishouldhavesaid,'Itisimprobable'butif
theyhadadded,'YouwillgowithMarcDufraisse,'Ishouldhavesaid,'Itisimpossible!'"
Assoonasthevehiclewasfull,fiveorsixpolicemenenteredandstoodinthegangway.
Thedoorwasshut,thestepswerethrownup,andtheydroveoff.
Whenallthepolicevanshadbeenfilled,therewerestillsomeRepresentativesleft.As
wehavesaid,omnibuseswerebroughtintorequisition.IntotheseRepresentativeswere
thrust,oneupontheother,rudely,withoutdeferenceforeitherageorname.Colonel
Feray,onhorseback,superintendedanddirectedoperations.Ashemountedthestepsof
thelastvehiclebutone,theDucdeMontebellocriedouttohim,"Todayisthe
anniversaryofthebattleofAusterlitz,andthesoninlawofMarshalBugeaudcompels
thesonofMarshalLannestoenteraconvict'svan."
Whenthelastomnibuswasreached,therewereonlyseventeenplacesforeighteen
Representatives.Themostactivemountedfirst.AntonyThouret,whohimselfalone
equalledthewholeoftheRight,forhehadasmuchmindasThiersandasmuchstomach

asMuratAntonyThouret,corpulentandlethargic,wasthelast.Whenheappearedon
thethresholdoftheomnibusinallhishugeness,acryofalarmaroseWherewashe
goingtosit?
AntonyThouret,noticingBerryeratthebottomoftheomnibus,wentstraightuptohim,
satdownonhisknees,andquietlysaidtohim,"Youwanted'compression,'Monsieur
Berryer.Nowyouhaveit."
[8]MicheldeBourgeshadthuscharacterizedLouisBonaparteastheguardianofthe
RepublicagainsttheMonarchicalparties.

CHAPTERXV.MAZAS
Thepolicevans,escortedasfarasMazasbyLancers,foundanothersquadronofLancers
readytoreceivethematMazas.TheRepresentativesdescendedfromthevehicleoneby
one.TheofficercommandingtheLancersstoodbythedoor,andwatchedthempasswith
adullcuriosity.
Mazas,whichhadtakentheplaceoftheprisonofLaForce,nowpulleddown,isalofty
reddishbuilding,closetotheterminusoftheLyonsRailway,andstandsonthewaste
landoftheFaubourgSt.Antoine.Fromadistancethebuildingappearsasthoughbuiltof
bricks,butoncloserexaminationitisseentobeconstructedofflintssetincement.Six
largedetachedbuildings,threestorieshigh,allradiatingfromarotundawhichservesas
thecommoncentre,andtouchingeachotheratthestartingpoint,separatedbycourtyards
whichgrowbroaderinproportionasthebuildingsspreadout,piercedwithathousand
littledormerwindowswhichgivelighttothecells,surroundedbyahighwall,and
presentingfromabird'seyepointofviewthedrapeofafansuchisMazas.Fromthe
rotundawhichformsthecentre,springsasortofminaret,whichisthealarmtower.The
groundfloorisaroundroom,whichservesastheregistrar'soffice.Onthefirststoryisa
chapelwhereasinglepriestsaysmassforallandtheobservatory,whereasingle
attendantkeepswatchoverallthedoorsofallthegalleriesatthesametime.Each
buildingistermeda"division."Thecourtyardsareintersectedbyhighwallsintoa
multitudeoflittleoblongwalks.
AseachRepresentativedescendedfromthevehiclehewasconductedintotherotunda
wheretheregistryofficewassituated.Therehisnamewastakendown,andinexchange
forhisnamehewasassignedanumber.Whethertheprisonerbeathieforalegislator,
suchisalwaystheruleinthisprisonthe_coupd'tat_reducedalltoafootingof
equality.AssoonasaRepresentativewasregisteredandnumbered,hewasorderedto
"fileoff."Theysaidtohim,"Goupstairs,"or"Goon"andtheyannouncedhimatthe
endofthecorridortowhichhewasallottedbycallingout,"ReceivenumberSoandSo."
Thejailerinthatparticularcorridoranswered,"Sendhimon."Theprisonermounted
alone,wentstraighton,andonhisarrivalfoundthejailerstandingnearanopendoor.
Thejailersaid,"Hereitis,sir."Theprisonerentered,thejailershutthedoor,andthey
passedontoanother.
The_coupd'tat_actedinaverydifferentmannertowardsthevariousRepresentatives.
Thosewhomitdesiredtoconciliate,themenoftheBight,wereplacedinVincennes
thosewhomitdetested,themenoftheLeft,wereplacedinMazas.ThoseatVincennes
hadthequartersofM.Montpensier,whichwereexpresslyreopenedfortheman
excellentdinner,eatenincompanywaxcandles,fire,andthesmilesandbowsofthe
governor,GeneralCourtigis.
ThisishowittreatedthoseatMazas.

Apolicevandepositedthemattheprison.Theyweretransferredfromoneboxto
another.AtMazasaclerkregisteredthem,weighedthem,measuredthem,andentered
themintothejailbookasconvicts.Havingpassedthroughtheoffice,eachofthemwas
conductedalongagalleryshroudedindarkness,throughalongdampvaulttoanarrow
doorwhichwassuddenlyopened.Thisreached,ajailerpushedtheRepresentativeinby
theshoulders,andthedoorwasshut.
TheRepresentative,thusimmured,foundhimselfinalittle,long,narrow,darkroom.Itis
thiswhichtheprudentlanguageofmodernlegislationtermsa"cell."Herethefull
daylightofaDecembernoononlyproducedaduskytwilight.Atoneendtherewasa
door,withalittlegratingattheother,closetotheceiling,ataheightoftenortwelve
feet,therewasaloopholewithaflutedglasswindow.Thiswindowdimmedtheeye,and
preventeditfromseeingtheblueorgrayofthesky,orfromdistinguishingthecloud
fromthesun'sray,andinvestedthewandaylightofwinterwithanindescribable
uncertainty.Itwasevenlessthanadimlight,itwasaturbidlight.Theinventorsofthis
flutedwindowsucceededinmakingtheheavenssquint.
Afterafewmomentstheprisonerbegantodistinguishobjectsconfusedly,andthisis
whathefound:Whitewashedwallshereandthereturnedgreenbyvariousexhalations
inonecorneraroundholeguardedbyironbars,andexhalingadisgustingsmellin
anothercorneraslabturninguponahingelikethebracketseatofa_fiacre_,andthus
capableofbeingusedasatablenobedastrawbottomedchairunderfootabrickfloor.
Gloomwasthefirstimpressioncoldwasthesecond.There,then,theprisonerfound
himself,alone,chilled,inthissemidarkness,beingabletowalkupanddownthespace
ofeightsquarefeetlikeacagedwolf,ortoremainseatedonhischairlikeanidiotat
Bictre.
InthissituationanexRepublicanoftheEve,whohadbecomeamemberofthemajority,
andonoccasionssidedsomewhatwiththeBonapartists,M.EmileLeroux,whohad,
moreover,beenthrownintoMazasbymistake,havingdoubtlessbeentakenforsome
otherLeroux,begantoweepwithrage.Three,four,fivehoursthuspassedaway.Inthe
meanwhiletheyhadnoteatensincethemorningsomeofthem,intheexcitementcaused
bythe_coupd'tat_hadnotevenbreakfasted.Hungercameuponthem.Weretheytobe
forgottenthere?Noabellrangintheprison,thegratingofthedooropened,andanarm
heldouttotheprisonerapewterporringerandapieceofbread.
Theprisonergreedilyseizedthebreadandtheporringer.Thebreadwasblackandsticky
theporringercontainedasortofthickwater,warmandreddish.Nothingcanbe
comparedtothesmellofthis"soup."Asforthebread,itonlysmeltofmouldiness.
Howevergreattheirhunger,mostoftheprisonersduringthefirstmomentthrewdown
theirbreadonthefloor,andemptiedtheporringerdowntheholewiththeironbars.
Neverthelessthestomachcraved,thehourspassedby,theypickedupthebread,and
endedbyeatingit.Oneprisonerwentsofarastopickuptheporringerandtoattemptto
wipeoutthebottomwithhisbread,whichheafterwardsdevoured.Subsequently,this

prisoner,aRepresentativesetatlibertyinexile,describedtomethisdietary,andsaidto
me,"Ahungrystomachhasnonose."
Meanwhiletherewasabsolutesolitudeandprofoundsilence.However,inthecourseofa
fewhours,M.EmileLerouxhehimselfhastoldthefacttoM.Versignyheardonthe
othersideofthewallonhisrightasortofcuriousknocking,spacedoutandintermittent
atirregularintervals.Helistened,andalmostatthesamemomentontheothersideof the
walltohisleftasimilarrappingresponded.M.EmileLeroux,enrapturedwhata
pleasureitwastohearanoiseofsomekind!thoughtofhiscolleagues,prisonerslike
himself,andcriedoutinatremendousvoice,"Oh,oh!youaretherealso,youfellows!"
Hehadscarcelyutteredthissentencewhenthedoorofhiscellwasopenedwitha
creakingofhingesandboltsamanthejailerappearedinagreatrage,andsaidtohim,

"Holdyourtongue!"
TheRepresentativeofthePeople,somewhatbewildered,askedforanexplanation.
"Holdyourtongue,"repliedthejailer,"orIwillpitchyouintoadungeon."
Thisjailerspoketotheprisonerasthe_coupd'tat_spoketothenation.
M.EmileLeroux,withhispersistentparliamentaryhabits,neverthelessattemptedto
insist.
"What!"saidhe,"canInotanswerthesignalswhichtwoofmycolleaguesaremakingto
me?"
"Twoofyourcolleagues,indeed,"answeredthejailer,"theyaretwothieves."Andhe
shutthedoor,shoutingwithlaughter.
Theywere,infact,twothieves,betweenwhomM.EmileLerouxwas,notcrucified,but
lockedup.
TheMazasprisonissoingeniouslybuiltthattheleastwordcanbeheardfromonecellto
another.Consequentlythereisnoisolation,notwithstandingthecellularsystem.Thence
thisrigoroussilenceimposedbytheperfectandcruellogicoftherules.Whatdothe
thievesdo?Theyhaveinventedatelegraphicsystemofraps,andtherulesgainnothing
bytheirstringency.M.EmileLerouxhadsimplyinterruptedaconversationwhichhad
beenbegun.
"Don'tinterferewithourfriendlypatter,"criedouthisthiefneighbor,whoforthis
exclamationwasthrownintothedungeon.

SuchwasthelifeoftheRepresentativesatMazas.Moreover,astheywereinsecret
confinement,notabook,notasheetofpaper,notapen,notevenanhour'sexercisein
thecourtyardwasallowedtothem.
ThethievesalsogotoMazas,aswehaveseen.
Butthosewhoknowatradearepermittedtoworkthosewhoknowhowtoreadare
suppliedwithbooksthosewhoknowhowtowritearegrantedadeskandpaperallare
permittedthehour'sexerciserequiredbythelawsofhealthandauthorizedbytherules.
TheRepresentativeswereallowednothingwhatever.Isolation,closeconfinement,
silence,darkness,cold,"theamountof_ennui_whichengendersmadness,"asLinguet
hassaidwhenspeakingoftheBastille.
Toremainseatedonachairalldaylong,witharmsandlegscrossed:suchwasthe
situation.Butthebed!Couldtheyliedown?
No.
Therewasnobed.
Ateighto'clockintheeveningthejailercameintothecell,andreacheddown,and
removedsomethingwhichwasrolleduponaplankneartheceiling.This"something"
wasahammock.
Thehammockhavingbeenfixed,hookedup,andspreadout,thejailerwishedhis
prisoner"Goodnight."
Therewasablanketonthehammock,sometimesamattresssometwoinchesthick.The
prisoner,wraptinthiscovering,triedtosleep,andonlysucceededinshivering.
Butonthemorrowhecouldatleastremainlyingdownalldayinhishammock?
Notatall.
Atseveno'clockinthemorningthejailercamein,wishedtheRepresentative"Good
morning,"madehimgetup,androlledupthehammockonitsshelfneartheceiling.
Butinthiscasecouldnottheprisonertakedowntheauthorizedhammock,unrollit,hook
itup,andliedownagain?
Yes,hecould.Butthentherewasthedungeon.
Thiswastheroutine.Thehammockforthenight,thechairfortheday.

Letusbejust,however.Someobtainedbeds,amongstothersMM.ThiersandRoger(du
Nord).M.Grvydidnothaveone.
MazasisamodelprisonofprogressitiscertainthatMazasispreferabletothe_piombi_
ofVenice,andtotheunderwaterdungeonoftheChtelet.Theoreticalphilanthropyhas
builtMazas.Nevertheless,ashasbeenseen,Mazasleavesplentytobedesired.Letus
acknowledgethatfromacertainpointofviewthetemporarysolitaryconfinementofthe
lawmakersatMazasdoesnotdispleaseus.TherewasperhapssomethingofProvidence
inthe_coupd'tat_.Providence,inplacingtheLegislatorsatMazas,hasperformedan
actofgoodeducation.Eatofyourowncookingitisnotabadthingthatthosewhoown
prisonsshouldtrythem.

CHAPTERXVI.THEEPISODEOFTHEBOULEVARDST.MARTIN
WhenCharamauleandIreachedNo.70,RueBlanche,asteeplonelystreet,amanina
sortofnavalsubofficer'suniform,waswalkingupanddownbeforethedoor.The
portress,whorecognizedus,calledourattentiontohim."Nonsense,"saidCharamaule,"a
manwalkingaboutinthatmanner,anddressedafterthatfashion,isassuredlynota
policespy."
"Mydearcolleague,"saidI,"Bedeauhasprovedthatthepoliceareblockheads."
Wewentupstairs.Thedrawingroomandalittleantechamberwhichledtoitwerefull
ofRepresentatives,withwhomweremingledagoodmanypersonswhodidnotbelongto
theAssembly.SomeexmembersoftheConstituentAssemblywerethere,amongst
others,BastideandseveralDemocraticjournalists.The_Nationale_wasrepresentedby
AlexanderReyandLopoldDuras,the_Rvolution_byXavierDurrieu,Vasbenter,and
Watripon,the_AvnementduPeuple_byH.Coste,nearlyalltheothereditorsofthe
_Avnement_beinginprison.AboutsixtymembersoftheLeftwerethere,andamong
othersEdgarQuinet,Schoelcher,MadierdeMontjau,Carnot,NolParfait,Pierre
Lefranc,Bancel,deFlotte,Bruckner,Chaix,Cassal,Esquiros,DurandSavoyat,Yvan,
CarlosForel,Etchegoyen,Labrousse,Barthlemy(EureetLoire),Huguenin,Aubrey(du
Nord), Malardier,VictorChauffour,Belin,Renaud,Bac,Versigny,Sain,Joigneaux,
Brives,Guilgot,Pelletier,Doutre,Gindrier,Arnauld(del'Arige),Raymond(del'Isre),
Brillier,Maigne,Sartin,Raynaud,LonVidal,Lafon,Lamargue,Bourzat,andGeneral
Rey.
Allwerestanding.Theyweretalkingwithoutorder.LopoldDurashadjustdescribedthe
investmentoftheCafBonvalet.JulesFavreandBaudin,seatedatalittletablebetween
thetwowindows,werewriting.BaudinhadacopyoftheConstitutionopenbeforehim,
andwascopyingArticle68.
Whenweenteredtherewassilence,andtheyaskedus,"Well,whatnews?"
CharamauletoldthemwhathadjusttakenplaceontheBoulevardduTemple,andthe
advicewhichhehadthoughtrighttogiveme.Theyapprovedhisaction.
"Whatistobedone?"wasaskedoneveryside.Ibegantospeak.
"Letusgostraighttothefactandtothepoint,"saidI."LouisBonaparteisgaining
ground,andwearelosingground,orrather,weshouldsay,hehasasyeteverything,and
wehaveasyetnothing.CharamauleandIhavebeenobligedtoseparateourselvesfrom
ColonelForestier.Idoubtifhewillsucceed.LouisBonaparteisdoingallhecanto
suppressus,wemustnolongerkeepinthebackground.Wemustmakeourpresencefelt.
Wemustfanthisbeginningoftheflameofwhichwehaveseenthesparkonthe
BoulevardduTemple.Aproclamationmustbemade,nomatterbywhomitisprinted,or
howitisplacarded,butitisabsolutelynecessary,andthatimmediately.Somethingbrief,

rapid,andenergetic.Nosetphrases.Tenlinesanappealtoarms!WearetheLaw,and
thereareoccasionswhentheLawshouldutterawarcry.TheLaw,outlawingthetraitor,
isagreatandterriblething.Letusdoit."
Theyinterruptedmewith"Yes,thatisright,aproclamation!"
"Dictate!dictate!"
"Dictate,"saidBaudintome,"Iwillwrite."
Idictated:
"TOTHEPEOPLE.
"LouisNapolonBonaparteisatraitor.
"HehasviolatedtheConstitution.
"Heisforsworn.
"Heisanoutlaw"
Theycriedouttomeoneveryside,
"Thatisright!Outlawhim."
"Goon."
Iresumedthedictation.Baudinwrote,
"TheRepublicanRepresentativesreferthePeopleandtheArmytoArticle
68"
Theyinterruptedme:"Quoteitinfull."
"No,"saidI,"itwouldbetoolong.Somethingisneededwhichcanbeplacardedona
card,stuckwithawafer,andwhichcanbereadinaminute.IwillquoteArticle110.Itis
shortandcontainstheappealtoarms."
Iresumed,
"TheRepublicanRepresentativesreferthePeopleandtheArmytoArticle68andto
Article110,whichrunsthus'TheConstituentAssemblyconfidestheexisting
ConstitutionandtheLawswhichitconsecratestothekeepingandthepatriotismofall
Frenchmen.'

"ThePeoplehenceforwardandforeverinpossessionofuniversalsuffragesandwho
neednoPrinceforitsrestitution,willknowhowtochastisetherebel.
"LetthePeopledoitsduty.TheRepublicanRepresentativesaremarchingatitshead.
"VivelaRpublique!ToArms!"
Theyapplauded.
"Letusallsign,"saidPelletier.
"Letustrytofindaprintingofficewithoutdelay,"saidSchoelcher,"andletthe
proclamationbepostedupimmediately."
"Beforenightfallthedaysareshort,"addedJoigneaux.
"Immediately,immediately,severalcopies!"calledouttheRepresentatives.
Baudin,silentandrapid,hadalreadymadeasecondcopyoftheproclamation.
Ayoungman,editoroftheprovincialRepublicanjournal,cameoutofthecrowd,and
declaredthat,iftheywouldgivehimacopyatonce,beforetwohoursshouldelapsethe
ProclamationshouldbepostedatallthestreetcornersinParis.
Iaskedhim,
"Whatisyourname?"
Heansweredme,
"Millire."
Millire.Itisinthismannerthatthisnamemadeitsfirstappearanceinthegloomydays
ofourHistory.Icanstillseethatpaleyoungman,thateyeatthesametimepiercingand
halfclosed,thatgentleandforbiddingprofile.AssassinationandthePantheonawaited
him.HewastooobscuretoenterintotheTemple,hewassufficientlydeservingtodieon
itsthreshold.Baudinshowedhimthecopywhichhehadjustmade.
Millirewentuptohim.
"Youdonotknowme,"saidhe"mynameisMillirebutIknowyou,youareBaudin."
Baudinheldouthishandtohim.
Iwaspresentatthehandshakingbetweenthesetwospectres.

XavierDurrieu,whowaseditorofthe_Rvolution_madethesameofferasMillire.
AdozenRepresentativestooktheirpensandsatdown,somearoundatable,otherswitha
sheetofpaperontheirknees,andcalledouttome,
"DictatetheProclamationtous."
IhaddictatedtoBaudin,"LouisNapolonBonaparteisatraitor."JulesFavrerequested
theerasureofthewordNapolon,thatnameofgloryfatallypowerfulwiththePeople
andwiththeArmy,andthatthereshouldbewritten,"LouisBonaparteisatraitor."
"Youareright,"saidItohim.
Adiscussionfollowed.Somewishedtostrikeouttheword"Prince."ButtheAssembly
wasimpatient."Quick!quick!"theycriedout."WeareinDecember,thedaysareshort,"
repeatedJoigneaux.
Twelvecopiesweremadeatthesametimeinafewminutes.Schoelcher,Rey,Xavier
Durrieu,andMillireeachtookone,andsetoutinsearchofaprintingoffice.
AstheywentoutamanwhomIdidnotknow,butwhowasgreetedbyseveral
Representatives,enteredandsaid,"Citizens,thishouseismarked.Troopsareontheway
tosurroundyou.Youhavenotasecondtolose."
Numerousvoiceswereraised,
"Verywell!Letthemarrestus!"
"Whatdoesitmattertous?"
"Letthemcompletetheircrime."
"Colleagues,"saidI,"letusnotallowourselvestobearrested.Afterthestruggle,asGod
pleasesbutbeforethecombat,No!Itisfromusthatthepeopleareawaitingthe
initiative.If wearetaken,allisatanend.Ourdutyistobringonthebattle,ourrightisto
crossswordswiththe_coupd'tat_.Itmustnotbeallowedtocaptureus,itmustseekus
andnotfindus.Wemustdeceivethearmwhichitstretchesoutagainstus,wemust
remainconcealedfromBonaparte,wemustharasshim,wearyhim,astonishhim,exhaust
him,disappearandreappearunceasingly,changeourhidingplace,andalwaysfighthim,
bealwaysbeforehim,andneverbeneathhishand.Letusnotleavethefield.Wehavenot
numbers,letushavedaring."
Theyapprovedofthis."Itisright,"saidthey,"butwhereshallwego?"
Labroussesaid,

"OurformercolleagueoftheConstituentAssembly,Beslay,offersushishouse."
"Wheredoeshelive?"
"No.33,RuedelaCrisaie,intheMarais."
"Verywell,"answeredI,"letusseparate.WewillmeetagainintwohoursatBeslay's,
No.33,RuedelaCrisaie."
Allleftoneafteranother,andindifferentdirections.IbeggedCharamauletogotomy
houseandwaitformethere,andIwalkedoutwithNolParfaitandLafon.
Wereachedthethenstilluninhabiteddistrictwhichskirtstheramparts.Aswecameto
thecorneroftheRuePigalle,wesawatahundredpacesfromus,inthedesertedstreets
whichcrossit,soldiersglidingallalongthehouses,bendingtheirstepstowardstheRue
Blanche.
Atthreeo'clockthemembersoftheLeftrejoinedeachotherintheRuedelaCrisaie.
Butthealarmhadbeengiven,andtheinhabitantsoftheselonelystreetsstationed
themselvesatthewindowstoseetheRepresentativespass.Theplaceofmeeting,situated
andhemmedinatthebottomofabackyard,wasbadlychosenintheeventofbeing
surrounded:allthesedisadvantageswereatonceperceived,andthemeetingonlylasteda
fewseconds.ItwaspresidedoverbyJolyXavierDurrieuandJulesGouache,whowere
editorsofthe_Rvolution_,alsotookpart,aswellasseveralItalianexiles,amongst
othersColonelCariniandMontanelli,exMinisteroftheGrandDukeofTuscany.Iliked
Montanelli,agentleanddauntlessspirit.
MadierdeMontjaubroughtnewsfromtheoutskirts.ColonelForestier,withoutlosing
andwithouttakingawayhope,toldthemoftheobstacleswhichhehadencounteredinhis
attemptstocalltogetherthe6thLegion.Hepressedmetosignhisappointmentas
Colonel,aswellasMicheldeBourgesbutMicheldeBourgeswasabsent,andbesides,
neitherMicheldeBourgesnorIhadyetatdrattimetheauthorityfromtheLeft.
Nevertheless,underthisreservationIsignedhisappointment.Theperplexitieswere
becomingmoreandmorenumerous.TheProclamationwasnotyetprinted,andthe
eveningwasclosingin.Schoelcherexplainedthedifficulties:alltheprintingoffices
closedandguardedanorderplacardedthatwhoevershouldprintanappealtoarms
worldbeimmediatelyshottheworkmenterrifiednomoney.Ahatwassentround,and
eachthrewintoitwhatmoneyhehadabouthim.Theycollectedinthismannerafew
hundredfrancs.
XavierDurrieu,whosefierycourageneverflaggedforasinglemoment,reiteratedthathe
wouldundertaketheprinting,andpromisedthatbyeighto'clockthateveningthere
shouldbe40,000copiesoftheProclamation.Timepressed.Theyseparated,afterfixing
asarendezvousthepremisesoftheSocietyofCabinetmakersintheRuedeCharonne,at
eighto'clockintheevening,soastoallowtimeforthesituationtorevealitself.Aswe

wentoutandcrossedtheRueBeautreillisIsawPierreLerouxcominguptome.Hehad
taken nopartinourmeetings.Hesaidtome,
"Ibelievethisstruggletobeuseless.Althoughmypointofviewisdifferentfromyours,I
amyourfriend.Beware.Thereisyettimetostop.Youareenteringintothecatacombs.
ThecatacombsareDeath."
"TheyarealsoLife,"answeredI.
Allthesame,Ithoughtwithjoythatmytwosonswereinprison,andthatthisgloomy
dutyofstreetfightingwasimposeduponmealone.
Thereyetremainedfivehoursuntilthetimefixedfortherendezvous.Iwishedtogo
home,andoncemoreembracemywifeanddaughterbeforeprecipitatingmyselfintothat
abyssofthe"unknown"whichwasthere,yawningandgloomy,andwhichseveralofus
wereabouttoenter,nevertoreturn.
Arnauld(del'Arige)gavemehisarm.ThetwoItalianexiles,CariniarilMontanelli,
accompaniedme.
Montanellitookmyhandsandsaidtome,"Rightwillconquer.Youwillconquer.Oh!
thatthistimeFrancemaynotbeselfishasin1848,andthatshemaydeliverItaly."I
answeredhim,"ShewilldeliverEurope."
Thosewereourillusionsatthatmoment,butthis,however,doesnotpreventthemfrom
beingourhopestoday.Faithisthusconstitutedshadowsdemonstratetoitthelight.
ThereisacabstandbeforethefrontgateofSt.Paul.Wewentthere.TheRueSt.Antoine
wasalivewiththatindescribableuneasyswarmingwhichprecedesthosestrangebattles
ofideasagainstdeedswhicharecalledRevolutions.Iseemedtocatch,inthisgreat
workingclassdistrict,aglimpseofagleamoflightwhich,alas,diedoutspeedily.The
cabstandbeforeSt.Paulwasdeserted.Thedrivershadforeseenthepossibilityof
barricades,andhadfled.
ThreemilesseparatedArnauldandmyselffromourhouses.Itwasimpossibletowalk
therethroughthemiddleofParis,withoutbeingrecognizedateachstep.Twopassersby
extricatedusfromourdifficulty.Oneofthemsaidtotheother,"Theomnibusesarestill
runningontheBoulevards."
Weprofitedbythisinformation,andwenttolookforaBastilleomnibus.Allfourofus
gotin.
Ientertainedatheart,Irepeat,wronglyorrightly,abitterreproachfortheopportunity
lostduringthemorning.Isaidtomyselfthatoncriticaldayssuchmomentscome,butdo
notreturn.TherearetwotheoriesofRevolution:toarousethepeople,ortoletthemcome
ofthemselves.Thefirsttheorywasmine,but,throughforceofdiscipline,Ihadobeyed

thesecond.Ireproachedmyselfwiththis.Isaidtomyself,"ThePeopleoffered
themselves,andwedidnotacceptthem.Itisforusnownottoofferourselves,buttodo
more,togiveourselves."
Meanwhiletheomnibushadstarted.Itwasfull.Ihadtakenmyplaceatthebottomonthe
leftArnauld(del'Arige)satnexttome,Cariniopposite,MontanellinexttoArnauld.
WedidnotspeakArnauldandmyselfsilentlyexchangedthatpressureofhandswhichis
ameansofexchangingthoughts.
AstheomnibusproceededtowardsthecentreofParisthecrowdbecamedenseronthe
Boulevard.AstheomnibusenteredintothecuttingofthePorteSt.Martinaregimentof
heavycavalryarrivedintheoppositedirection.Inafewsecondsthisregimentpassedby
thesideofus.Theywerecuirassiers.Theyfiledbyatasharptrotandwithdrawnswords.
Thepeopleleanedoverfromtheheightof thepavementstoseethempass.Notasingle
cry.Ontheonesidethepeopledejected,ontheotherthesoldierstriumphant.Allthis
stirredme.
Suddenlytheregimenthalted.Idonotknowwhatobstructionmomentarilyimpededits
advanceinthisnarrow cuttingoftheBoulevardinwhichwewerehemmedin.Byitshalt
itstoppedtheomnibus.Therewerethesoldiers.Wehadthemunderoureyes,beforeus,
attwopacesdistance,theirhorsestouchingthehorsesofourvehicle,theseFrenchmen
whohadbecomeMamelukes,thesecitizensoldiersoftheGreatRepublictransformed
intosupportersofthedegradedEmpire.FromtheplacewhereIsatIalmosttouched
themIcouldnolongerrestrainmyself.
Iloweredthewindowoftheomnibus.Iputoutmyhead,and,lookingfixedlyatthe
denselineofsoldierswhichfacedme,Icalledout,"DownwithLouisBonaparte.Those
whoservetraitorsaretraitors!"
Thosenearesttometurnedtheirheadstowardsmeandlookedatmewithatipsyairthe
othersdidnotstir,andremainedat"shoulderarms,"thepeaksoftheirhelmetsovertheir
eyes,theireyesfixedupontheearsoftheirhorses.
Ingreataffairsthereistheimmobilityofstatuesinpettymeanaffairsthereisthe
immobilityofpuppets.
AttheshoutwhichIraisedArnauldturnedsharplyround.Healsohadloweredhis
window,andhewasleaninghalfoutoftheomnibus,withhisarmsextendedtowardsthe
soldiers,andheshouted,"Downwiththetraitors!"
Toseehimthuswithhisdauntlessgesture,hishandsomehead,paleandcalm,hisfervent
expression,hisbeardandhislongchestnuthair,oneseemedtobeholdtheradiantand
fulminatingfaceofanangryChrist.
Theexamplewascontagiousandelectrical.

"Downwiththetraitors!"shoutedCariniandMontanelli.
"DownwiththeDictator!Downwiththetraitors!"repeatedagallantyoungmanwith
whomwewerenotacquainted,andwhowassittingnexttoCarini.
Withtheexceptionofthisyoungman,thewholeomnibusseemedseizedwithterror!
"Holdyourtongues!"exclaimedthesepoorfrightenedpeople"youwillcauseusalltobe
massacred."One,stillmoreterrified,loweredthewindow,andbegantoshouttothe
soldiers,"LonglivePrinceNapolon!LonglivetheEmperor!"
Therewerefiveofus,andweoverpoweredthiscrybyourpersistentprotest,"Downwith
LouisBonaparte!Downwiththetraitors!"
Thesoldierslistenedingloomysilence.Acorporalturnedwithathreateningairtowards
us,andshookhissword.Thecrowdlookedoninbewilderment.
Whatpassedwithinmeatthatmoment?Icannottell!Iwasinawhirlwind.Ihadatthe
sametimeyieldedtoacalculation,findingtheopportunitygood,andtoaburstofrage,
findingtheencounterinsolent.
Awomancriedouttousfromthepavement,"Youwillgetyourselvescuttopieces."I
vaguelyimaginedthatsomecollisionwasabouttoensue,andthat,eitherfromthecrowd
orfromtheArmy,thesparkwouldflyout.Ihopedforaswordcutfromthesoldiersora
shoutofangerfromthepeople.InshortIhadobeyedratheraninstinctthananidea.
Butnothingcameofit,neithertheswordcutnortheshoutofanger.Thesoldiersdidnot
bestirthemselvesandthepeoplemaintainedsilence.Wasittoolate?Wasittoosoon?
ThemysteriousmanoftheElysehadnotforeseentheeventofaninsulttohisname
beingthrownintheveryfaceofthesoldiers.Thesoldiershadnoorders.Theyreceived
themthatevening.Thiswasseenonthemorrow.
Inanothermomenttheregimentbrokeintoagallop,andtheomnibusresumedits
journey.AsthecuirassiersfiledpastusArnauld(del'Arige),stillleaningoutofthe
vehicle,continuedtoshoutintheirears,forasIhavejustsaid,theirhorsestouchedus,
"DownwiththeDictator!Downwiththetraitors!"
WealightedintheRueLafitte.Carini,Montanelli,andArnauldleftme,andIwenton
alonetowardstheRuedelaTourd'Auvergne.Nightwascomingon.AsIturnedthe
cornerofthestreetamanpassedclosebyme.BythelightofastreetlampIrecognizeda
workmanataneighboringtannery,andhesaidtomeinalowtone,andquickly,"Donot
returnhome.Thepolicesurroundyourhouse."
IwentbackagaintowardstheBoulevard,throughthestreetslaidout,butnotthenbuilt,
whichmakeaYundermywindowsbehindmyhouse.Notbeingabletoembracemy

wifeanddaughter,IthoughtoverwhatIcoulddoduringthemomentswhichremainedto
me.Aremembrancecameintomymind.

CHAPTERXVII.THEREBOUNDOFTHE24THJUNE,1848,ON
THE2DDECEMBER,1851
OnSunday,26thJune,1848,thatfourdays'combat,thatgiganticcombatsoformidable
andsoheroiconbothsides,stillcontinued,buttheinsurrectionhadbeenovercome
nearlyeverywhere,andwasrestrictedtotheFaubourgSt.Antoine.Fourmenwhohad
been amongstthemostdauntlessdefendersofthebarricadesoftheRuePontauxChoux,
oftheRueSt.Claude,andoftheRueSt.LouisintheMarais,escapedafterthebarricades
hadbeentaken,andfoundsaferefugeinahouse,No.12,RueSt.Anastase.Theywere
concealedinanattic.TheNationalGuardsandtheMobileGuardswerehuntingforthem,
inordertoshootthem.Iwastoldofthis.IwasoneofthesixtyRepresentativessentby
theConstituentAssemblyintothemiddleoftheconflict,chargedwiththetaskof
everywhereprecedingtheattackingcolumn,ofcarrying,evenattheperiloftheirlives,
wordsofpeacetothebarricades,topreventthesheddingofblood,andtostopthecivil
war.IwentintotheRueSt.Anastase,andIsavedthelivesofthosefourmen.
AmongstthosementherewasapoorworkmanoftheRuedeCharonne,whosewifewas
beingconfinedatthatverymoment,andwhowasweeping.Onecouldunderstand,when
hearinghissobsandseeinghisrags,howhehadclearedwithasingleboundthesethree
stepspoverty,despair,rebellion.Theirchiefwasayoungman,paleandfair,withhigh
cheekbones,intelligentbrow,andanearnestandresolutecountenance.AssoonasIset
himfree,andtoldhimmyname,healsowept.Hesaidtome,"WhenIthinkthatanhour
agoIknewthatyouwerefacingus,andthatIwishedthatthebarrelofmygunhadeyes
toseeandkillyou!"Headded,"Inthetimesinwhichwelivewedonotknowwhatmay
happen.Ifeveryouneedme,forwhateverpurpose,come."HisnamewasAuguste,and
hewasawinesellerintheRuedelaRoquette.
SincethattimeIhadonlyseenhimonce,onthe26thAugust,1819,onthedaywhenI
heldthecornerofBalzac'spall.ThefuneralpossessionwasgoingtoPrelaChaise.
Auguste'sshopwasontheway.Allthestreetsthroughwhichtheprocessionpassedwere
crowded.Augustewasathisdoorwithhisyoungwifeandtwoorthreeworkmen.AsI
passedhegreetedme.
ItwasthisremembrancewhichcamebacktomymindasIdescendedthelonelystreets
behindmyhouseinthepresenceofthe2dofDecemberIthoughtofhim.Ithoughtthat
hemightgivemeinformationabouttheFaubourgSt.Antoine,andhelpusinrousingthe
people.Thisyoungmanhadatoncegivenmetheimpressionof asoldierandaleader.I
rememberedthewordswhichhehadspokentome,andIconsidereditmightbeusefulto
seehim.IbeganbygoingtofindintheRueSt.Anastasethecourageouswomanwhohad
hiddenAugusteandhisthreecompanions,towhomshehadseveraltimessincerendered
assistance.Ibeggedhertoaccompanyme.Sheconsented.
OnthewayIdineduponacakeofchocolatewhichCharamaulehadgivenme.

Theaspectsoftheboulevards,incomingdowntheItalienstowardstheMarais,had
impressedrue.Theshopswereopeneverywhereasusual.Therewaslittlemilitary
display.Inthewealthyquarterstherewasmuchagitationandconcentrationoftroopsbut
onadvancingtowardstheworkingclassneighborhoodssolitudereignedparamount.
BeforetheCafTurcaregimentwasdrawnup.Abandofyoungmeninblousespassed
beforetheregimentsingingthe"Marseillaise."Iansweredthembycryingout"To
Arms!"Theregimentdidnotstir.Thelightshoneupontheplaybillsonanadjacentwall
thetheatreswereopen.IlookedatthetreesasIpassed.Theywereplaying_Hernani_at
theTheatredesItaliens,withanewtenornamedGuasco.
ThePlacedelaBastillewasfrequented,asusual,bygoersandcomers,themost
peaceablefolkintheworld.AfewworkmengroupedroundtheJulyColumn,and,
chattinginalowvoice,werescarcelynoticeable.Throughthewindowsofawineshop
couldbeseentwomenwhoweredisputingforandagainstthe_coupd'tat_.Hewho
favoreditworeablouse,hewhoattackeditworeaclothcoat.Afewstepsfurtherona
jugglerhadplacedbetweenfourcandleshisXshapedtable,andwasdisplayinghis
conjuringtricksinthemidstofacrowd,whowereevidentlythinkingonlyofthejuggler.
OnlookingtowardsthegloomylonelinessoftheQuaiMazasseveralharnessedartillery
batteriesweredimlyvisibleinthedarkness.Somelightedtorcheshereandthereshowed
uptheblackoutlineofthecannons.
IhadsometroubleinfindingAuguste'sdoorintheRuedelaRoquette.Nearlyallthe
shopswereshut,thusmakingthestreetverydark.Atlength,throughaglassshopfrontI
noticedalightwhichgleamedonapewtercounter.Beyondthecounter,througha
partitionalsoofglassandornamentedwithwhitecurtains,anotherlight,andtheshadows
oftwoorthreemenattablecouldbevaguelydistinguished.Thiswastheplace.
Ientered.Thedooronopeningrangabell.Atthesound,thedooroftheglazedpartition
whichseparatedtheshopfromtheparloropened,andAugusteappeared.
Heknewmeatonce,andcameuptome.
"Ah,Sir,"saidhe,"itisyou!"
"Doyouknowwhatisgoingon?"Iaskedhim.
"Yes,sir."
This"Yes,sir,"utteredwithcalmness,andevenwithacertainembarrassment,toldme
all.WhereIexpectedanindignantoutcryIfoundthispeaceableanswer.Itseemedtome
thatIwasspeakingtotheFaubourgSt.Antoineitself.Iunderstoodthatallwasatanend
inthisdistrict,andthatwehadnothingtoexpectfromit.Thepeople,thiswonderful
people,hadresignedthemselves.Nevertheless,Imadeaneffort.
"LouisBonapartebetraystheRepublic,"saidI,withoutnoticingthatIraisedmyvoice.

Hetouchedmyarm,andpointingwithhisfingertotheshadowswhichwerepicturedon
theglazedpartitionoftheparlor, "Takecare,sirdonottalksoloudly."
"What!"Iexclaimed,"youhavecometothisyoudarenotspeak,youdarenotutterthe
nameof'Bonaparte'aloudyoubarelymumbleafewwordsinawhisperhere,inthis
street,intheFaubourgSt.Antoine,where,fromallthedoors,fromallthewindows,from
allthepavements,fromalltheverystones,oughttobeheardthecry,'Toarms.'"
AugustedemonstratedtomewhatIalreadysawtooclearly,andwhatGirardhad
shadowedforthinthemorningthemoralsituationoftheFaubourgthatthepeoplewere
"dazed"thatitseemedtoallofthemthatuniversalsuffragewasrestoredthatthe
downfallofthelawofthe31stofMaywasagoodthing.
HereIinterruptedhim.
"Butthislawofthe31stofMay,itwasLouisBonapartewhoinstigatedit,itwasRouher
whomadeit,itwasBarochewhoproposedit,andtheBonapartistswhovotedit.Youare
dazzledbyathiefwhohastakenyourpurse,andwhorestoresittoyou!"
"NotI,"saidAuguste,"buttheothers."
Andhecontinued,"Totellthewholetruth,peopledidnotcaremuchfortheConstitution,
theylikedtheRepublic,buttheRepublicwasmaintainedtoomuchbyforcefortheir
taste.Inallthistheycouldonlyseeonethingclearly,thecannonsreadytoslaughter
themtheyrememberedJune,1848thereweresomepoorpeoplewhohadsuffered
greatlyCavaignachaddonemuchevilwomenclungtothemen'sblousestoprevent
themfromgoingtothebarricadesnevertheless,withallthis,whenseeingmenlike
ourselvesattheirhead,theywouldperhapsfight,butthishinderedthem,theydidnot
knowforwhat."Heconcludedbysaying,"TheupperpartoftheFaubourgisdoing
nothing,thelowerendwilldobetter.Roundaboutheretheywillfight.TheRuedela
Roquetteisgood,theRuedeCharonneisgoodbutonthesideofPrelaChaisethey
ask,'Whatgoodwillthatdous?'Theyonlyrecognizethefortysousoftheirday'swork.
Theywillnotbestirthemselvesdonotreckonuponthemasons."Headded,withasmile,
"Herewedonotsay'coldasastone,'but'coldasamason'"andheresumed,"Asforme,
ifIamalive,itistoyouthatIowemylife.Disposeofme.Iwilllaydownmylife,and
willdowhatyouwish."
WhilehewasspeakingIsawthewhitecurtainoftheglazedpartitionbehindhimmovea
little.Hisyoungwife,uneasy,waspeepingthroughatus.
"Ah!myGod,"saidItohim,"whatwewantisnotthelifeofonemanbuttheeffortsof
all."
Hewassilent.Icontinued,

"Listentome,Auguste,youwhoaregoodandintelligent.So,then,theFaubourgsof
PariswhichareheroesevenwhentheyerrtheFaubourgsofParis,fora
misunderstanding,foraquestionofsalarywronglyconstrued,forabaddefinitionof
socialism,roseinJune,1848,againsttheAssemblyelectedbythemselves,against
universalsuffrage,againsttheirownvoteandyettheywillnotriseinDecember,1851,
forRight,fortheLaw,forthePeople,forLiberty,fortheRepublic.Yousaythatthereis
perplexity,andthatyoudonotunderstandbut,onthecontrary,itwasinJunethatall
wasobscure,anditistodaythateverythingisclear!"
WhileIwassayingtheselastwordsthedooroftheparlorwassoftlyopened,andsome
onecamein.Itwasayoungman,fairasAuguste,inanovercoat,andwearinga
workman'scap.Istarted.Augusteturnedroundandsaidtome,"Youcantrusthim."
Theyoungmantookoffhiscap,camecloseuptome,carefullyturninghisbackonthe
glazedpartition,andsaidtomeinalowvoice,"Iknowyouwell.IwasontheBoulevard
duTempletoday.Weaskedyouwhatweweretodoyousaid,'Wemusttakeuparms.'
Well,heretheyare!"
Hethrusthishandsintothepocketsofhisovercoatanddrewouttwopistols.
Almostatthesamemomentthebellofthestreetdoorsounded.Hehurriedlyputhis
pistolsbackintohispockets.Amaninablousecamein,aworkmanofsomefiftyyears.
Thisman,withoutlookingatanyone,withoutsayinganything,threwdownapieceof
moneyonthecounter.Augustetookasmallglassandfilleditwithbrandy,theman
drankitoff,putdowntheglassuponthecounterandwentaway.
Whenthedoorwasshut:"Yousee,"saidAugustetome,"theydrink,theyeat,theysleep,
theythinkofnothing.Sucharetheyall!"
Theotherinterruptedhimimpetuously:"OnemanisnotthePeople!"
Andturningtowardsme,
"CitizenVictorHugo,theywillmarchforward.Ifalldonotmarch,somewillmarch.To
tellthetruth,itisperhapsnotherethatabeginningshouldbemade,itisontheotherside
ofthewater."
Andsuddenlycheckinghimself,"Afterall,youprobablydonotknowmyname."
Hetookalittlepocketbookfromhispocket,toreoutapieceofpaper,wroteonithis
name,andgaveittome.Iregrethavingforgottenthatname.Hewasaworkingengineer.
Inordernottocompromisehim,IburntthispaperwithmanyothersontheSaturday
morning,whenIwasonthepointofbeingarrested.
"Itistrue,sir,"saidAuguste,"youmustnotjudgebadlyoftheFaubourg.Asmyfriend
hassaid,itwillperhapsnotbethefirsttobeginbutifthereisarisingitwillrise."

Iexclaimed,"AndwhowouldyouhaveerectiftheFaubourgSt.Antoinebeprostrate!
Whowillbealiveifthepeoplebedead!"
Theengineerwenttothestreetdoor,madecertainthatitwaswellshut,thencameback,
andsaid,
"Therearemanymenreadyandwilling.Itistheleaderswhoarewanting.Listen,Citizen
VictorHugo,Icansaythistoyou,and,"headded,loweringhisvoice,"Ihopefora
movementtonight."
"Where?"
"OntheFaubourgSt.Marceau."
"Atwhattime?"
"Atoneo'clock."
"Howdoyouknowit?"
"BecauseIshallbethere."
Hecontinued:"Now,CitizenVictorHugo,ifamovementtakesplacetonightinthe
FaubourgSt.Marceau,willyouheadit?Doyouconsent?"
"Yes."
"Haveyouyourscarfofoffice?"
Ihalfdrewitoutofmypocket.Hiseyesglistenedwithjoy.
"Excellent,"saidhe."TheCitizenhashispistols,theRepresentativehisscarf.Allare
armed."
Iquestionedhim."Areyousureofyourmovementfortonight?"
Heansweredme,"Wehavepreparedit,andwereckontobethere."
"Inthatcase,"saidI,"assoonasthefirstbarricadeisconstructedIwillbebehindit.
Comeandfetchme."
"Where?"
"WhereverImaybe."

Heassuredmethatifthemovementshouldtakeplaceduringthenighthewouldknowit
athalfpasttenthateveningatthelatest,andthatIshouldbeinformedofitbeforeeleven
o'clock.WesettledthatinwhateverplaceImightbeatthathourIwouldsendwordto
Auguste,whoundertooktolethimknow.
Theyoungwomancontinuedtopeepoutatus.Theconversationwasgrowingprolonged,
andmightseemsingulartothepeopleintheparlor."Iamgoing,"saidItoAuguste.
Ihadopenedthedoor,hetookmyhand,presseditasawomanmighthavedone,andsaid
tomeinadeeplymovedtone,"Youaregoing:willyoucomeback?"
"Idonotknow."
"Itistrue,"saidhe."Nooneknowswhatisgoingtohappen.Well,youareperhapsgoing
tobehuntedandsoughtforasIhavebeen.Itwillperhapsbeyourturntobeshot,and
minetosaveyou.Youknowthemousemaysometimesproveusefultothelion.
MonsieurVictorHugo,ifyouneedarefuge,thishouseisyours.Comehere.Youwill
findabedwhereyoucansleep,andamanwhowilllaydownhislifeforyou."
Ithankedhimbyaheartyshakeofthehand,andIleft.Eighto'clockstruck.Ihastened
towardstheRuedeCharonne.

CHAPTERXVIII.THEREPRESENTATIVESHUNTEDDOWN
AtthecorneroftheRuedeFaubourgSt.AntoinebeforetheshopofthegrocerPepin,on
thesamespotwheretheimmensebarricadeofJune,1848,waserectedashighasthe
secondstory,thedecreesofthemorninghadbeenplacarded.Somemenwereinspecting
them,althoughitwaspitchdark,andtheycouldnotreadthem,andanoldwomansaid,
"The'Twentyfivefrancs'arecrushedsomuchthebetter!"
AfewstepsfurtherIheardmynamepronounced.Iturnedround.ItwasJulesFavre,
Bourzat,Lafon,MadierdeMontjau,andMicheldeBourges,whowerepassingby.Itook
leaveofthebraveanddevotedwomanwhohadinsisteduponaccompanyingme.A
_fiacre_waspassing.Iputherinit,andthenrejoinedthefiveRepresentatives.Theyhad
comefromtheRuedeCharonne.TheyhadfoundthepremisesoftheSocietyofCabinet
Makersclosed."Therewasnoonethere,"saidMadierdeMontjau."Theseworthypeople
arebeginningtogettogetheralittlecapital,theydonotwishtocompromiseit,theyare
afraidofus.Theysay,'_coupsd'tat_arenothingtous,weshallleavethemalone!'"
"Thatdoesnotsurpriseme,"answeredI,"asocietyisshopkeeper."
"Wherearewegoing?"askedJulesFavre.
Lafonlivedtwostepsfromthere,atNo.2,QuaiJemmapes.Heofferedustheuseofhis
rooms.Weaccepted,andtookthenecessarymeasurestoinformthemembersoftheLeft
thatwehadgonethere.
AfewminutesafterwardswewereinstalledinLafon'srooms,onthefourthfloorofan
oldandloftyhouse.ThishousehadseenthetakingoftheBastille.
ThishousewasenteredbyasidedooropeningfromtheQuaiJemmapesuponanarrow
courtyardafewstepslowerthantheQuaiitself.Bourzatremainedatthisdoortowarnus
incaseofanyaccident,andtopointoutthehousetothoseRepresentativeswhomight
comeup.
Inafewmomentsalargenumberofushadassembled,andweagainmetallthoseofthe
morning,withafewadded.Lafongaveuphisdrawingroomtous,thewindowsofwhich
overlookedthebackyard.Weorganizedasortof"bureau,"andwetookourplaces,Jules
Favre,Carnot,Michel,andmyself,atalargetable,lightedbytwocandles,andplaced
beforethefire.TheRepresentativesandtheotherpeoplepresentsataroundonchairsand
sofas.Agroupstoodbeforethedoor.
MicheldeBourges,onentering,exclaimed,"Wehavecometoseekoutthepeopleofthe
FaubourgSt.Antoine.Hereweare.Herewemustremain."
Thesewordswereapplauded.

TheysetforththesituationthetorporoftheFaubourgs,nooneattheSocietyofCabinet
Makers,thedoorsclosednearlyeverywhere.ItoldthemwhatIhadseenandheardinthe
RuedelaRoquette,theremarksofthewineseller,Auguste,ontheindifferenceofthe
people,thehopesoftheengineer,andthepossibilityofamovementduringthenightin
theFaubourgSt.Marceau.ItwassettledthatonthefirstnoticethatmightbegivenI
shouldgothere.
Neverthelessnothingwasyetknownofwhathadtakenplaceduringtheday.Itwas
announcedthatM.Havin,LieutenantColonelofthe5thLegionoftheNationalGuard,
hadorderedtheofficersofhisLegiontoattendameeting.
SomeDemocraticwriterscamein,amongstwhomwereAlexanderReyandXavier
Durrieu,withKesler,Villiers,andAmableLematreofthe_Rvolution_oneofthese
writerswasMillire.
Millirehadalargebleedingwoundabovehiseyebrowthatsamemorningonleaving
us,ashewascarryingawayoneofthecopiesoftheProclamationwhichIhaddictated,a
manhadthrownhimselfuponhimtosnatchitfromhim.Thepolicehadevidently
alreadybeeninformedoftheProclamation,andlayinwaitforitMillirehadahandto
handstrugglewiththepoliceagent,andhadoverthrownhim,notwithoutbearingaway
thisgash.However,theProclamationwasnotyetprinted.Itwasnearlynineo'clockin
theeveningandnothinghadcome.XavierDurrieuassertedthatbeforeanotherhour
elapsedtheyshouldhavethepromisedfortythousandcopies.Itwashopedtocoverthe
wallsofPariswiththemduringthenight.Eachofthosepresentwastoserveasabill
poster.
Therewereamongstusaninevitablecircumstanceinthestormyconfusionofthefirst
momentsagoodmanymenwhomwedidnotknow.Oneofthesemenbroughtintenor
twelvecopiesoftheappealtoarms.Heaskedmetosignthemwithmyownhand,in
order,hesaid,thathemightbeabletoshowmysignaturetothepeople"Ortothe
police,"whisperedBaudintomesmiling.Wewerenotinapositiontotakesuch
precautionsasthese.Igavethismanallthesignaturesthathewanted.
MadierdeMontjaubegantospeak.Itwasofconsequencetoorganizetheactionofthe
Left,toimpresstheunityofimpulseuponthemovementwhichwasbeingpreparedto
createacentreforit,togiveapivottotheinsurrection,totheLeftadirection,andtothe
Peopleasupport.Heproposedtheimmediateformationofacommitteerepresentingthe
entireLeftinallitsshades,andchargedwithorganizinganddirectingtheinsurrection.
AlltheRepresentativescheeredthiseloquentandcourageousman.Sevenmemberswere
proposed.TheynamedatonceCarnot,DeFlotte,JulesFavre,MadierdeMontjau,
MicheldeBourges,andmyselfandthuswasunanimouslyformedthisCommitteeof
Insurrection,whichatmyrequestwascalledaCommitteeof ResistanceforitwasLouis
Bonapartewhowastireinsurgent.Forourselves,theweretheRepublic.Itwasdesired
thatoneworkmanRepresentativeshouldbeadmittedintothecommittee.Faure(du

Rhne)wasnominated.ButFaure,welearnedlateron,hadbeenarrestedthatmorning.
Thecommitteethenwas,itfact,composedofsixmembers.
Thecommitteeorganizeditselfduringthesitting.ACommitteeofPermanencywas
formedfromamongstit,andinvestedwiththeauthorityofdecreeing"urgency"inthe
nameofalltheLeft,ofconcentratingallnews,information,directions,instructions,
resources,orders.ThisCommitteeofPermanencywascomposedoffourmembers,who
wereCarnot,MicheldeBourges,JulesFavre,andmyself.DeFlotteandMadierde
Montjauwerespeciallydelegated,DeFlottefortheleftbankoftheriverandthedistrict
oftheschools,MadierfortheBoulevardsandtheoutskirts.
Thesepreliminaryoperationsbeingterminated,LafontookasideMicheldeBourgesand
myself,andtoldusthat theexConstituentProudhonhadinquiredforoneofustwo,that
hehadremaineddownstairsnearlyaquarterofanhour,andthathehadgoneaway,
sayingthathewouldwaitforusinthePlacedelaBastille.
Proudhon,whowasatthattimeundergoingatermofthreeyears'imprisonmentatSt.
PlagieforanoffenceagainstLouisBonaparte,wasgrantedleaveofabsencefromtineto
time.Chancewilleditthatoneoftheselibertydayshadfallenonthe2dofDecember.
Thisisanincidentwhichonecannothelpnoting.Onthe2dofDecemberProudhonwasa
prisonerbyvirtueofalawfulsentence,andatthesamemomentatwhichtheyillegally
imprisonedtheinviolableRepresentatives,Proudhon,whomtheycouldhavelegitimately
detained,wasallowedtogoout.Proudhonhadprofitedbyhislibertytocomeandfind
us.
IknewProudhonfromhavingseenhimattheConcirgerie,wheremytwosonswere
shutup,andmytwoillustriousfriends,AugusteVacqurieandPaulMeurice,andthose
gallantwriters,LouisJourdan,Erdan,andSuchet.Icouldnothelpthinkingthatonthat
daytheywouldassuredlynothavegivenleaveofabsencetothesemen.
MeanwhileXavierDurrieuwhisperedtome,"IhavejustleftProudhon.Hewishestosee
you.Heiswaitingforyoudownbelow,closeby,attheentrancetothePlace.Youwill
findhimleaningontheparapetofthecanal."
"Iamgoing,"saidI.
Iwentdownstairs.
Ifoundintruth,atthespotmentioned,Proudhon,thoughtful,leaningwithhistwoelbows
ontheparapet.HeworethatbroadbrimmedhatinwhichIhadoftenseenhimstriding
aloneupanddownthecourtyardoftheConcirgerie.
Iwentuptohim.
"Youwishtospeaktome."

"Yes,"andheshookmebythehand.
Thecornerwherewewerestandingwaslonely.OnthelefttherewasthePlacedela
Bastille,darkandgloomyonecouldseenothingthere,butonecouldfeelacrowd
regimentswerethereinbattlearraytheydidnotbivouac,theywerereadytomarchthe
muffledsoundofbreathingcouldbeheardthesquarewasfullofthatglisteningshower
ofpalesparkswhichbayonetsgiveforthatnighttime.Abovethisabyssofshadowsrose
upblackandstarktheColumnofJuly.
Proudhonresumed,
"Listen.Icometogiveyouafriendlywarning.Youareentertainingillusions.ThePeople
areensnaredinthisaffair.Theywillnotstir.Bonapartewillcarrythemwithhim.This
rubbish,therestitutionofuniversalsuffrage,entrapsthesimpletons.Bonapartepassesfor
aSocialist.Hehassaid,'IwillbetheEmperor oftheRabble.'Itisapieceofinsolence.
Butinsolencehasachanceofsuccesswhenithasthisatitsservice."
AndProudhonpointedwithhisfingertothesinistergleamofthebayonets.He
continued,
"Bonapartehasanobjectinview.TheRepublichasmadethePeople.Hewishesto
restorethePopulace.Hewillsucceedandyouwillfail.Hehasonhissideforce,cannons,
themistakeofthepeople,andthefollyoftheAssembly.ThefewoftheLefttowhich
youbelongwillnotsucceedinoverthrowingthe_coupd'tat_.Youarehonest,andhe
hasthisadvantageoveryouthatheisarogue.Youhavescruples,andhehasthis
advantageoveryouthathehasnone.Believeme.Resistnolonger.Thesituationis
withoutresources.Wemustwaitbutatthismomentfightingwouldbemadness.What
doyouhopefor?"
"Nothing,"saidI.
"Andwhatareyougoingtodo?"
"Everything."
Bythetoneofmyvoiceheunderstoodthatfurtherpersistencewasuseless.
"Goodbye,"hesaid.
Weparted.Hedisappearedin thedarkness.Ihaveneverseenhimsince.
IwentupagaintoLafon'srooms.
Inthemeantimethecopiesoftheappealtoarmsdidnotcometohand.The
Representatives,becominguneasy,wentupanddownstairs.Someofthemwentouton

theQuaiJemmapes,towaitthereandgaininformationaboutthem.Intheroomtherewas
asoundofconfusedtalkingthemembersoftheCommittee,MadierdeMontjau,Jules
Favre,andCarnot,withdrew,andsentwordtomebyCharamaulethattheyweregoingto
No.10,RuedesMoulins,tothehouseoftheexConstituentLandrin,inthedivisionof
the5thLegion,todeliberatemoreattheirease,andtheybeggedmetojointhem.ButI
thoughtIshoulddobettertoremain.Ihadplacedmyselfatthedisposaloftheprobable
movementoftheFaubourgSt.Marceau.IawaitedthenoticeofitthroughAuguste.It
wasmostimportantthatIshouldnotgotoofarawaybesides,itwaspossiblethatifI
wentaway,theRepresentativesoftheLeft,nolongingseeingamemberofthecommittee
amongstthem,woulddispersewithouttakinganyresolution,andIsawinthismorethan
onedisadvantage.
Timepassed,noProclamations.Welearnedthenextdaythatthepackageshadbeen
seizedbythepolice.Cournet,anexRepublicannavalofficerwhowaspresent,beganto
speak.WeshallseepresentlywhatsortofamanCournetwas,andofwhatanenergetic
anddeterminednaturehewascomposed.Herepresentedtousthataswehadbeenthere
nearlytwohoursthepolicewouldcertainlyendbybeinginformedofourwhereabouts,
thatthemembersoftheLefthadanimperativedutytokeepthemselvesatallcostsatthe
headofthePeople,thatthenecessityitselfoftheirsituationimposeduponthemthe
precautionoffrequentlychangingtheirplaceofretreat,andheendedbyofferingus,for
ourdeliberation,hishouseandhisworkshops,No.82,RuePopincourt,atthebottomofa
blindalley,andalsointheneighborhoodoftheFaubourgSt.Antoine.
Thisofferwasaccepted.IsenttoinformAugusteofourchangeofabode,andof
Cournet'saddress.LafonremainedontheQuaiJemmapesinordertoforwardonthe
Proclamationsassoonastheyarrived,andwesetoutatonce.
CharamauleundertooktosendtotheRuedesMoulinstotelltheothermembersofthe
committeethatwewouldwaitforthematNo.82,RuePopincourt.
Wewalked,asinthemorning,inlittleseparategroups.TheQuaiJemmapesskirtstheleft
bankoftheSt.MartinCanalwewentupit.Weonlymetafewsolitaryworkmen,who
lookedbackwhenwehadpassed,andstoppedbehinduswithanairofastonishment.The
nightwasdark.Afewdropsofrainwerefalling.
AlittlebeyondtheRuedeCheminVertweturnedtotherightandreachedtheRue
Popincourt.Thereallwasdeserted,extinguished,closed,andsilent,asintheFaubourg
St.Antoine.Thisstreetisofgreatlength.Wewalkedforalongtimewepassedbythe
barracks.Cournetwasnolongerwithushehadremainedbehindtoinformsomeofhis
friends,andweweretoldtotakedefensivemeasuresincasehishousewasattacked.We
lookedforNo.82.Thedarknesswassuchthatwecouldnotdistinguishthenumberson
thehouses.Atlength,attheendofthestreet,ontheright,wesawalightitwasa
grocer'sshop,theonlyoneopenthroughoutthestreet.Oneofusentered,andaskedthe
grocer,whowassittingbehindhiscounter,toshowusM.Cournet'shouse."Opposite,"
saidthegrocer,pointingtoanoldandlowcarriageentrancewhichcouldbeseenonthe
othersideofthestreet, almostfacinghisshop.

Weknockedatthisdoor.Itwasopened.Baudinenteredfirst,tappedatthewindowofthe
porter'slodge,andasked"MonsieurCournet?"Anoldwoman'svoiceanswered,"Here."
Theportresswasinbedallinthehousesleeping.Wewentin.
Havingentered,andthegatebeingshutbehindus,wefoundourselvesinalittlesquare
courtyardwhichformedthecentreofasortofatwostoriedruinthesilenceofaconvent
prevailed,notalightwastobeseenatthewindowsnearashedwasseenalowentrance
toanarrow,dark,andwindingstaircase."Wehavemadesomemistake,"said
Charamaule"itisimpossiblethatitcanbehere."
Meanwhiletheportress,hearingallthesetramplingstepsbeneathherdoorway,had
becomewideawake,hadlightedherlamp,andwecouldseeherinherlodge,herface
pressedagainstthewindow,gazingwithalarmatsixtydarkphantoms,motionless,and
standinginhercourtyard.
Esquirosaddressedher:"IsthisreallyM.Cournet'shouse?"saidhe.
"M.Cornet,withoutdoubt,"answeredthegoodwoman.
Allwasexplained.WehadaskedforCournet,thegrocerhadunderstoodCornet,the
portresshadunderstoodCornet.ItchancedthatM.Cornetlivedthere.
Weshallseebyandbywhatanextraordinaryservicechancehadrenderedus.
Wewentout,tothegreatreliefofthepoorportress,andweresumedoursearch.Xavier
Durrieusucceededinascertainingourwhereabouts,andextricatedusfromourdifficulty.
Afewmomentsafterwardsweturnedtotheleft,andweenteredintoablindalleyof
considerablelengthanddimlylightedbyanoldoillamponeofthosewithwhichParis
wasformerlylightedthenagaintotheleft,andweenteredthroughanarrowpassage
intoalargecourtyardencumberedwithshedsandbuildingmaterials.Thistimewehad
reachedCournet's.

CHAPTERXIX.ONEFOOTINTHETOMB
Cournetwaswaitingforus.Hereceivedusonthegroundfloor,inaparlorwherethere
wasafire,atable,andsomechairsbuttheroomwassosmallthataquarterofusfilledit
tooverflowing,andtheothersremainedinthecourtyard."Itisimpossibletodeliberate
here,"saidBancel."Ihavealargerroomonthefirstfloor,"answeredCournet,"butitisa
buildingincourseofconstruction,whichisnotyetfurnished,andwherethereisno
fire.""Whatdoesitmatter?"theyansweredhim."Letusgouptothefirstfloor."
Wewentuptothefirstfloorbyasteepandnarrowwoodenstaircase,andwetook
possessionoftworoomswithverylowceilings,but ofwhichonewassufficientlylarge.
Thewallswerewhitewashed,andafewstrawcoveredstoolsformedthewholeofits
furniture.
Theycalledouttome,"Preside."
Isatdownononeofthestoolsinthecornerofthefirstroom,withthefireplaceonmy
rightandonmyleftthedooropeninguponthestaircase.Baudinsaidtome,"Ihavea
pencilandpaper.Iwillactassecretarytoyou."Hesatdownonastoolnexttome.
TheRepresentativesandthosepresent,amongstwhomwereseveralmeninblouses,
remainedstanding,forminginfrontofBaudinandmyselfasortofsquare,backedbythe
twowallsoftheroomoppositetous.Thiscrowdextendedasfarasthestaircase.A
lightedcandlewasplacedonthechimneypiece.
Acommonspiritanimatedthismeeting.Thefaceswerepale,butineveryeyecouldbe
seenthesamefirmresolution.Inalltheseshadowsglistenedthesameflame.Several
simultaneouslyaskedpermissiontospeak.Irequestedthemtogivetheirnamesto
Baudin,whowrotethemdown,andthenpassedmethelist.
Thefirstspeakerwasaworkman.Hebeganbyapologizingforminglingwiththe
Representatives,heastrangertotheAssembly.TheRepresentativesinterruptedhim.
"No,no,"theysaid,"thePeopleandRepresentativesareallone! Speak!"Hedeclared
thatifhespokeitwasinordertoclearfromallsuspicionthehonorofhisbrethren,the
workmenofParisthathehadheardsomeRepresentativesexpressdoubtaboutthem.He
assertedthatthiswasunjust,thattheworkmenrealizedthewholecrimeofM.Bonaparte
andthewholedutyofthePeople,thattheywouldnotbedeaftotheappealofthe
RepublicanRepresentatives,andthatthiswouldbeclearlyshown.Hesaidallthis,
simply,withasortofproudshynessandofhonestbluntness.Hekepthisword.Ifound
himthenextdayfightingontheRambuteaubarricade.
Mathieu(delaDrme)cameinastheworkmanconcluded."Ibringnews,"heexclaimed.
Aprofoundsilenceensued.

AsIhavealreadysaid,wevaguelyknewsincethemorningthattheRightweretohave
assembled,andthatacertainnumberofourfriendshadprobablytakenpartinthe
meeting,andthatwasall.Mathieu(delaDrme)broughtustheeventsoftheday,the
detailsofthearrestsattheirownhousescarriedoutwithoutanyobstacle,ofthemeeting
whichhadtakenplaceatM.Daru'shouseanditsroughtreatmentintheRuede
Bourgogne,oftheRepresentativesexpelledfromtheHalloftheAssembly,ofthe
meannessofPresidentDupin,ofthemeltingawayoftheHighCourt,ofthetotalinaction
oftheCouncilofState,ofthesadsittingheldattheMairieoftheTenthArrondissement,
oftheOudinot,_fiasco_,ofthedecreeofthedepositionofthePresident,andofthetwo
hundredandtwentyforciblyarrestedandtakentotheQuaid'Orsay.Heconcludedina
manlystyle:"ThedutyoftheLeftwasincreasinghourly.Themorrowwouldprobably
provedecisive."Heimploredthemeetingtotakethisintoconsideration.
Aworkmanaddedafact.HehadhappenedinthemorningtobeintheRuedeGrenelle
duringthepassageofthearrestedmembersoftheAssemblyhewasthereatthemoment
whenoneofthecommandersoftheChasseursdeVincenneshadutteredthesewords,
"NowitistheturnofthosegentlementheRedRepresentatives.Letthemlookoutfor
themselves!"
Oneoftheeditorsofthe_Rvolution_,HennettdeKesler,whoafterwardsbecamean
intrepidexile,completedtheinformationofMathieu(delaDrme).Herecountedthe
actiontakenbytwomembersoftheAssemblywithregardtothesocalledMinisterofthe
Interior,Morny,andtheanswerofthesaidMorny:"IfIfindanyoftheRepresentatives
behindthebarricades,Iwillhavethemshottothelastman,"andthatothersayingofthe
samewittyvagabondrespectingthememberstakentotheQuaid'Orsay,"Thesearethe
lastRepresentativeswhowillbemadeprisoners."Hetoldusthataplacardwasatthat
verymomentbeingprintedwhichdeclaredthat"Anyonewhoshouldbefoundatasecret
meetingwouldbeimmediatelyshot."Theplacard,intruth,appearedthenextmorning.
Baudinroseup."The_coupd'tat_redoublesitsrage,"exclaimedhe."Citizens,letus
redoubleourenergy!"
Suddenlyamaninablouseentered.Hewasoutofbreath.Hehadrunhard.Hetoldus
thathehadjustseen,andherepeated,hadseenwith"hisowneyes,"intheRue
Popincourt,aregimentmarchinginsilence,andwendingitswaytowardstheblindalley
ofNo.82,thatweweresurrounded,andthatwewereabouttobeattacked.Hebeggedus
todisperseimmediately.
"CitizenRepresentatives,"calledoutCournet,"Ihaveplacedscoutsintheblindalley
whowillfallbackandwarnusiftheregimentpenetratesthither.Thedoorisnarrowand
willbebarricadedinthetwinklingofaneye.Wearehere,withyou,fiftyarmedand
resolutemen,andatthefirstshotweshallbetwohundred.Weareprovidedwith
ammunition.Youcandeliberatecalmly."

Andasheconcludedheraisedhisrightarm,andfromhissleevefellalargeponiard,
whichhehadconcealed,andwiththeotherhandherattledinhispocketthebuttsofa
pairofpistols.
"Verywell,"saidI,"letuscontinue."
ThreeoftheyoungestandmosteloquentoratorsoftheLeft,Bancel,Arnauld(de
l'Arige)andVictorChauffourdeliveredtheiropinionsinsuccession.Allthreewere
imbuedwiththisnotion,thatourappealtoarmsnothavingyetbeenplacarded,the
differentincidentsoftheBoulevardeduTempleandoftheCafBonvalethavingbrought
aboutnoresults,noneofourdecrees,owingtotherepressivemeasuresofBonaparte,
havingyetsucceededinappearing,whiletheeventsattheMairieoftheTenth
ArrondissementbegantobespreadabroadthroughParis,itseemedasthoughtheRight
hadcommencedactiveresistancebeforetheLeft.Agenerousrivalryforthepublicsafety
spurredthemon.Itwasdelightfultothemtoknowthataregimentreadytoattackwas
closeby,withinafewsteps,andthatperhapsinafewmomentstheirbloodwouldflow.
Moreover,adviceabounded,andwithadvice,uncertainty.Someillusionswerestill
entertained.Aworkman,leaningclosetomeagainstthefireplace,saidinalowvoiceto
oneofhiscomradesthatthePeoplemustnotbereckonedupon,andthatifwefought
"Weshouldperpetrateamadness."
Theincidentsandeventsofthedayhadinsomedegreemodifiedmyopinionastothe
coursetobefollowedinthisgravecrisis.Thesilenceofthecrowdatthemomentwhen
Arnauld(del'Arige)andIhadapostrophizedthetroops,haddestroyedtheimpression
whichafewhoursbeforetheenthusiasmofthepeopleontheBoulevardduTemplehad
leftwithme.ThehesitationofAugustehadimpressedme,theSocietyofCabinetMakers
appearedtoshunus,thetorporoftheFaubourgSt.Antoinewasmanifest,theinertnessof
theFaubourgSt.Marceauwasnotlessso.Ioughttohavereceivednoticefromthe
engineerbeforeeleveno'clock,andeleveno'clockwaspast.Ourhopesdiedawayone
afteranother.Nevertheless,allthemorereason,inmyopinion,toastonishandawaken
Parisbyanextraordinaryspectacle,byadaringactoflifeandcollectivepoweronthe
partoftheRepresentativesoftheLeft,bythedaringofanimmensedevotion.
Itwillbeseenlateronwhatacombinationofaccidentalcircumstancespreventedthis
ideafrombeingrealizedasIthenpurposed.TheRepresentativeshavedonetheirwhole
duty.Providenceperhapshasnotdoneallonitsside.Beitasitmay,supposingthatwe
werenotatoncecarriedoffbysomenocturnalandimmediatecombat,andthatatthe
houratwhichIwasspeakingwehadstilla"tomorrow,"Ifeltthenecessityoffixing
everyeyeuponthecoursewhichshouldbeadoptedonthedaywhichwasaboutto
follow.Ispoke.
Ibeganbycompletelyunveilingthesituation.Ipaintedthepictureinfourwords:the
ConstitutionthrownintotheguttertheAssemblydriventoprisonwiththebuttendofa
musket,theCouncilofStatedispersedtheHighCourtexpelledbyagalleysergeant,a
manifestbeginningofvictoryforLouisBonaparte,Parisensnaredinthearmyasthough

inanetbewildermenteverywhere,allauthorityoverthrownallcompactsannulledtwo
thingsonlyremainedstanding,the_coupd'tat_andourselves.
"Ourselves!andwhoarewe?"
"Weare,"saidI,"weareTruthandJustice!Wearethesupremeandsovereignpower,the
PeopleincarnateRight!"
Icontinued,
"LouisBonaparteateveryminutewhichelapsesadvancesastepfurtherinhiscrime.For
himnothingisinviolable,nothingissacredthismorningheviolatedthePalaceofthe
RepresentativesoftheNation,afewhourslaterhelaidviolenthandsontheirpersonsto
morrow,perhapsinafewmoments,hewillshedtheirblood.Wellthen!hemarchesupon
us,letusmarchuponhim.Thedangergrowsgreater,letusgrowgreaterwiththe
danger."
AmovementofassentpassedthroughtheAssembly.Icontinued,
"Irepeatandinsist.LetusshownomercytothiswretchedBonaparteforanyofthe
enormitieswhichhisoutragecontains.AshehasdrawnthewineIshouldsaytheblood
hemustdrinkitup.Wearenotindividuals,wearetheNation.Eachofuswalksforth
clothedwiththeSovereigntyofthepeople.Hecannotstrikeourpersonswithoutrending
that.Letuscompelhisvolleystopierceoursashesaswellasourbreasts.Thismanison
aroadwherelogicgraspshimandleadshimtoparricide.Whatheiskillinginthis
momentisthecountry!Well,then!whentheballofExecutivePowerpiercesthesashof
LegislativePower,itisvisibleparricide!Itisthisthatmustbeunderstood!"
"Wearequiteready!"theycriedout."Whatmeasureswouldyouadviseustoadopt?"
"Nohalfmeasures,"answeredI"adeedofgrandeur!Tomorrowifweleaveherethis
nightletusallmeetintheFaubourg St.Antoine."
Theyinterposed,"WhytheFaubourgSt.Antoine?"
"Yes,"resumedI,"theFaubourgSt.Antoine!IcannotbelievethattheheartofthePeople
hasceasedtobeatthere.LetusallmeettomorrowintheFaubourgSt.Antoine.Opposite
theLenoirMarketthereisahallwhichwasusedbyaclubin1848."
Theycriedouttome,"TheSalleRoysin."
"Thatisit,"saidI,"TheSalleRoysin.Wewhoremainfreenumberahundredandtwenty
RepublicanRepresentatives.Letusinstallourselvesinthishall.Letusinstallourselves
inthefulnessandmajestyoftheLegislativePower.HenceforwardwearetheAssembly,
thewholeoftheAssembly!Letussitthere,deliberatethere,inourofficialsashes,inthe
midstofthePeople.LetussummontheFaubourg St.Antoinetoitsduty,letusshelter

theretheNationalRepresentation,letussheltertherethepopularsovereignty.Letus
intrustthePeopletothekeepingofthePeople.Letusadjurethemtoprotectthemselves.
Ifnecessary,letusorderthem!"
Avoiceinterruptedme:"YoucannotgiveorderstothePeople!"
"Yes!"Icried,"Whenitisaquestionofpublicsafety,oftheuniversalsafety,whenitisa
questionofthefutureofeveryEuropeannationality,whenitisaquestionofdefending
theRepublic,Liberty,Civilization,theRevolution,wehavetherightwe,the
Representativesoftheentirenationtogive,inthenameoftheFrenchpeople,ordersto
thepeopleofParis!Letus,therefore,meettomorrowatthisSalleRoysinbutatwhat
time?Nottooearlyinthemorning.Inbroadday.Itisnecessarythattheshopsshouldbe
open,thatpeopleshouldbecomingandgoing,thatthepopulationshouldbemoving
about,thatthereshouldbeplentyofpeopleinthestreets,thattheyshouldseeus,that
theyshouldrecognizeus,thatthegrandeurofourexampleshouldstrikeeveryeyeand
stireveryheart.Letusallbetherebetweennineandteno'clockinthemorning.Ifwe
cannotobtaintheSalleRoysinwewilltakethefirstchurchathand,astable,ashed,some
enclosurewherewecandeliberateatneed,asMicheldeBourgeshassaid,wewillhold
oursittingsinasquareboundedbyfourbarricades.ButprovisionallyIsuggesttheSalle
Roysin.Donotforgetthatinsuchacrisistheremustbenovacuumbeforethenation.
Thatalarmsit.Theremustbeagovernmentsomewhere,anditmustbeknown.The
rebellionattheElyse,theGovernmentattheFaubourgSt.AntoinetheLeftthe
Government,theFaubourgSt.Antoinethecitadelsucharetheideaswhichfromto
morrowwemustimpressuponthemindofParis.TotheSalleRoysin,then!Thencein
themidstofthedauntlessthrongofworkmenofthatgreatdistrictofParis,enclosedin
theFaubourgasinafortress,beingbothLegislatorsandGenerals,multiplyingand
inventingmeansofdefenceandofattack,launchingProclamationsandunearthingthe
pavements,employingthewomeninwritingoutplacardswhilethemenarefighting,we
willissueawarrantagainstLouisBonaparte,wewillissuewarrantsagainsthis
accomplices,wewilldeclarethemilitarychiefstraitors,wewilloutlawinabodyallthe
crimeandallthecriminals,wewillsummonthecitizenstoarms,wewillrecallthearmy
toduty,wewillriseupbeforeLouisBonaparte,terribleasthelivingRepublic,wewill
fightontheonehandwiththepoweroftheLaw,andontheotherwiththepowerofthe
People,wewilloverwhelmthismiserablerebel,andwillriseupabovehisheadbothasa
greatLawfulPowerandagreatRevolutionaryPower!"
WhilespeakingIbecameintoxicatedwithmyownideas.Myenthusiasmcommunicated
itselftothemeeting.Theycheeredme.IsawthatIwasbecomingsomewhattoohopeful,
thatIallowedmyselftobecarriedaway,andthatIcarriedthemaway,thatI presentedto
themsuccessaspossible,aseveneasy,atamomentwhenitwasimportantthatnoone
shouldentertainanillusion.Thetruthwasgloomy,anditwasmydutytotellit.Ilet
silencebereestablished,andIsignedwithmyhandthatIhadalastwordtosay.Ithen
resumed,loweringmyvoice,
"Listen,calculatecarefullywhatyouaredoing.Ononesideahundredthousandmen,
seventeenharnessedbatteries,sixthousandcannonmouthsintheforts,magazines,

arsenals,ammunitionsufficienttocarryoutaRussiancampaignontheotherahundred
andtwentyRepresentatives,athousandortwelvehundredpatriots,sixhundredmuskets,
twocartridgesperman,notadrumtobeattoarms,notabelltosoundthetocsin,nota
printingofficetoprintaProclamationbarelyhereandtherealithographicpress,anda
cellarwhereahandbillcanbehurriedlyandfurtivelyprintedwiththebrushthepenalty
ofdeathagainstanyonewhounearthsapavingstone,penaltyofdeathagainstanyone
whowouldenlistinourranks,penaltyofdeathagainstanyonewhoisfoundinasecret
meeting,penaltyofdeathagainstanyonewhoshallpostupanappealtoarmsifyouare
takenduringthecombat,deathifyouaretakenafterthecombat,transportationorexile
ontheonesideanarmyandaCrimeontheotherahandfulofmenandRight.Suchis
thisstruggle.Doyouacceptit?"
Aunanimousshoutansweredme,"Yes!yes!"
Thisshoutdidnotcomefromthemouths,itcamefromthesouls.Baudin,stillseated
nexttome,pressedmyhandinsilence.
Itwassettledthereforeatoncethattheyshouldmeetagainonthenextday,Wednesday,
betweennineandteninthemorning,attheSalleRoysin,thattheyshouldarrivesinglyor
bylittleseparategroups,andthattheyshouldletthosewhowereabsentknowofthis
rendezvous.Thisdone,thereremainednothingmorebuttoseparate.Itwasabout
midnight.
OneofCournet'sscoutsentered."CitizenRepresentatives,"hesaid,"theregimentisno
longerthere.Thestreetisfree."
Theregiment,whichhadprobablycomefromthePopincourtbarrackscloseathand,had
occupiedthestreetoppositetheblindalleyformorethanhalfanhour,andthenhad
returnedtothebarracks.Hadtheyjudgedtheattackinopportuneordangerousatnightin
thatnarrowblindalley,andinthecentreofthisformidablePopincourtdistrict,wherethe
insurrectionhadsolonghelditsowninJune,1848?Itappearedcertainthatthesoldiers
hadsearchedseveralhousesintheneighborhood.Accordingtodetailswhichwelearned
subsequently,wewerefollowedafterleavingNo.2,QuaiJemmapes,byanagentof
police,whosawusenterthehousewhereaM.Cornetwaslodging,andwhoatonce
proceededtothePrefecturetodenounceourplaceofrefugetohischiefs.Theregiment
senttoarrestussurroundedthehouse,ransackeditfromattictocellar,foundnothing,
andwentaway.
ThisquasisynonymofCornetandCournetleadmisledthebloodhoundsofthe_coup
d'tat_.Chance,wesee,hadinterposedusefullyinouraffairs.
IwastalkingatthedoorwithBaudin,andweweremakingsomelastarrangements,when
ayoungmanwithachestnutbeard,dressedlikeamanoffashion,andpossessingallthe
mannersofone,andwhomIhadnoticedwhilespeaking,cameuptome.
"MonsieurVictorHugo,"saidhe,"whereareyougoingtosleep?"

UptothatmomentIhadnotthoughtofthis.
Itwasfarfromprudenttogohome.
"Intruth,"Ianswered,"Ihavenottheleastidea."
"Willyoucometomyhouse?"
"Ishallbeveryhappy."
Hetoldmehismane.ItwasM.delaR.HeknewmybrotherAbel'swifeandfamily,
theMontferriers,relationsoftheChambacres,andhelivedintheRueCaumartin.He
hadbeenaPrefectundertheProvisionalGovernment.Therewasacarriageinwaiting.
Wegotin,andasBaudintoldmethathewouldpassthenightatCournet's,Igavehim
theaddressofM.dolaR,sothathecouldsendformeifanynoticeofthemovement
camefromtheFaubourgSt.Marceauorelsewhere.ButIhopedfornothingmorethat
night,andIwasright.
AboutaquarterofanhouraftertheseparationoftheRepresentatives,andafterwehad
lefttheRuePopincourt,JulesFavre,MadierdeMontajau,deFlotte,andCarnot,towhom
wehadsentwordtotheRuedesMoulins,arrivedatCournet's,accompaniedby
Schoelcher,byCharamaule,byAubry(duNord),andbyBastide.SomeRepresentatives
werestillremainingatCournet's.Several,likeBaudin,weregoingtopassthenightthere.
Theytoldourcolleagueswhathadbeensettledrespectingmyproposition,andofthe
rendezvousattheSalleRoysinonlyitappearsthattherewassomedoubtregardingthe
houragreedupon,andthatBaudininparticulardidnotexactlyrememberit,andthatour
colleaguesbelievedthattherendezvous,whichhadbeenfixedfornineo'clockinthe
morning,wasfixedforeight.
Thisalterationinthehour,duetothetreacheryofmemoryforwhichnoonecanbe
blamed,preventedtherealizationoftheplanwhichIhadconceivedofanAssembly
holdingitssittingsintheFaubourg,andgivingbattletoLouisBonaparte,butgaveusasa
compensationtheheroicexploitsoftheSte.Margueritebarricade.

CHAPTERXX.THEBURIALOFAGREATANNIVERSARY
Suchwasthefirstday.Letuslookatitsteadfastly.Itdeservesit.Itistheanniversaryof
AusterlitztheNephewcommemoratestheUncle.Austerlitzisthemostbrilliantbattleof
historytheNephewsethimselfthisproblemhowtocommitabasenessequaltothis
magnificence.Hesucceeded.
Thisfirstday,whichwillbefollowedbyothers,isalreadycomplete.Everythingisthere.
Itisthemostterribleattemptatathrustbackwardsthathaseverbeenessayed.Neverhas
suchacrumblingofcivilizationbeenseen.Allthatformedtheedificeisnowinruinthe
soilisstrewnwiththefragments.InonenighttheinviolabilityoftheLaw,theRightof
theCitizen,theDignityoftheJudge,andtheHonoroftheSoldierhavedisappeared.
Terriblesubstitutionshavetakenplacetherewastheoath,thereispergurytherewasthe
flag,thereisaragtherewastheArmy,thereisabandofbrigandstherewasJustice,
thereistreasontherewasacodeoflaws,thereisthesabretherewasaGovernment,
thereisacrewofswindlerstherewasFrance,thereisadenofthieves.Thiscalleditself
SocietySaved.
Itistherescueofthetravellerbythehighwayman.
Francewaspassingby,Bonapartecried,"Standanddeliver!"
ThehypocrisywhichhasprecededtheCrime,equalsindeformitytheimpudencewhich
hasfollowedit.Thenationwastrustfulandcalm.Therewasasuddenandcynicalshock.
HistoryhasrecordednothingequaltotheSecondofDecember.Heretherewasnoglory,
nothingbutmeanness.Nodeceptivepicture.HecouldhavedeclaredhimselfhonestHe
declareshimselfinfamousnothingmoresimple.Thisday,almostunintelligibleinits
success,hasprovedthatPoliticspossesstheirobsceneside.LouisBonapartehasshown
himselfunmasked.
YesterdayPresidentoftheRepublic,todayascavenger.Hehassworn,hestillswears:
butthetonehaschanged.Theoathhasbecomeanimprecation.Yesterdayhecalled
himselfamaiden,todayhebecomesabrazenwoman,andlaughsathisdupes.Pictureto
yourselfJoanofArcconfessingherselftobeMessalina.SuchistheSecondofDecember.
Womenaremixedupinthistreason.Itisanoutragewhichsavorsbothoftheboudoir
andofthegalleys.Therewaftsacrossthefetidnessofbloodanundefinedscentof
patchouli.TheaccomplicesofthisactofbrigandagearemostagreeablemenRomieu,
Morny.Gettingintodebtleadsonetocommitcrimes.
Europewasastounded.Itwasathunderboltfromathief.Itmustbeacknowledgedthat
thundercanfallintobadhands,Palmerston,thattraitor,approvedofit.OldMetternich,a
dreamerinhisvillaatRennweg,shookhishead.AstoSoult,themanofAusterlitzafter
Napoleon,hedidwhatheoughttodo,ontheverydayoftheCrimehedied,Alas!and
Austerlitzalso.

THESECONDDAYTHESTRUGGLE.
CHAPTERI.THEYCOMETOARRESTME
InordertoreachtheRueCaumartinfromtheRuePopincourt,allParishastobecrossed.
Wefoundagreatapparentcalmeverywhere.Itwasoneo'clockinthemorningwhenwe
reachedM.delaR'shouse.The_fiacre_stoppednearagrateddoor,whichM.dela
R openedwithalatchkeyontheright,underthearchway,astaircaseascendedtothe
firstfloorofasolitarydetachedbuildingwhichM.delaRinhabited,andintowhich
heledme.
Weenteredalittledrawingroomveryrichlyfurnished,lightedwithanightlamp,and
separatedfromthebedroombyatapestrycurtaintwothirdsdrown.M.delaRwent
intothebedroom,andafewminutesafterwardscamebackagain,accompaniedbya
charmingwoman,paleandfair,inadressinggown,herhairdown,handsome,fresh,
bewildered,gentlenevertheless,andlookingatmewiththatalarmwhichinayoungface
confersanadditionalgrace.MadamedelaRhadjustbeenawakenedbyherhusband.
Sheremainedamomentonthethresholdofherchamber,smiling,halfasleep,greatly
astonished,somewhatfrightened,lookingbyturnsatherhusbandandatme,never
havingdreamedperhapswhatcivilwarreallymeant,andseeingitenterabruptlyintoher
roomsinthemiddleofthenightunderthisdisquietingformofanunknownpersonwho
asksforarefuge.
ImadeMadamedelaRathousandapologies,whichshereceivedwithperfect
kindness,andthecharmingwomanprofitedbytheincidenttogoandcaressaprettylittle
girloftwoyearsoldwhowassleepingattheendoftheroominhercot,andthechild
whomshekissedcausedhertoforgivetherefugeewhohadawakenedher.
WhilechattingM.delaRlightedacapitalfireinthegrate,andhiswife,withapillow
andcushions,ahoodedcloakbelongingtohim,andapelissebelongingtoherself,
improvisedoppositethefireabedonasofa,somewhatshort,andwhichwelengthened
bymeansofanarmchair.
DuringthedeliberationintheRuePopincourt,atwhich Ihadjustpresided,Baudinhad
lentmehispenciltojotdownsomenames.Istillhadthispencilwithme.Imadeuseofit
towritealettertomywife,whichMadamedelaR undertooktoconveyherselfto
MadameVictorHugothenextday.WhileemptyingmypocketsIfoundaboxforthe
"Italiens,"whichIofferedtoMadamedelaR.Onthatevening(Tuesday,December
2d)theyweretoplay_Hernani_.
Ilookedatthatcot,thesetwohandsome,happyyoungpeople,andatmyself,my
disorderedhairandclothes,mybootscoveredwithmud,gloomythoughtsinmymind,
andIfeltlikeanowlinanestofnightingales.

AfewmomentsafterwardsM.andMadamedelaR haddisappearedintotheir
bedroom,andthehalfopenedcurtainwasclosed.Istretchedmyself,fullydressedasI
was,uponthesofa,andthisgentlenestdisturbedbymesubsidedintoitsgracefulsilence.
Onecansleepontheeveofabattlebetweentwoarmies,butontheeveofabattle
betweencitizenstherecanbenosleep.Icountedeachhourasitsoundedfroma
neighboringchurchthroughoutthenighttherepasseddownthestreet,whichwas
beneaththewindowsoftheroomwhereIwaslying,carriageswhichwerefleeingfrom
Paris.Theysucceededeachotherrapidlyandhurriedly,onemighthaveimagineditwas
theexitfromaball.Notbeingabletosleep,Igotup.Ihadslightlypartedthemuslin
curtainsofawindow,andItriedtolookoutsidethedarknesswascomplete.Nostars,
cloudswereflyingbywiththeturbulentviolenceof awinternight.Amelancholywind
howled.Thiswindofcloudsresembledthewindofevents.
Iwatchedthesleepingbaby.Iwaitedfordawn.Itcame.M.delaRhadexplainedat
myrequestinwhatmannerIcouldgooutwithoutdisturbinganyone.Ikissedthechild's
forehead,andlefttheroom.Iwentdownstairs,closingthedoorsbehindmeasgentlyasI
could,sonottowakeMadamedelaR.Iopenedtheirondoorandwentoutintothe
street.Itwasdeserted,theshopswerestillshut,andamilkwoman,withherdonkeyby
herside,wasquietlyarranginghercansonthepavement.
IhavenotseenM.delaRagain.Ilearnedsincethathewrotetomeinmyexile,and
thathisletterwasintercepted.Hehas,Ibelieve,quittedFrance.Maythistouchingpage
conveytohimmykindremembrances.
TheRueCaumartinleadsintotheRueSt.Lazare.Iwenttowardsit.Itwasbroad
daylight.AteverymomentIwasovertakenandpassedby_fiacres_ladenwithtrunks
andpackages,whichwerehasteningtowardstheHavrerailwaystation.Passersbybegan
toappear.SomebaggagetrainsweremountingtheRueSt.Lazareatthesametimeas
myself.OppositeNo.42,formerlyinhabitedbyMdlle.Mars,Isawanewbillpostedon
thewall.Iwentuptoit,IrecognizedthetypeoftheNationalPrintingOffice,andIread,
"COMPOSITIONOFTHENEWMINISTRY.
"_Interior_
M.deMorny.
"_War_
TheGeneralofDivisionSt.Arnaud.
"_ForeignAffairs_ M.deTurgot.
"_Justice_
M.Rouher.
"_Finance_
M.Fould.
"_Marine_
M.Ducos.
"_PublicWorks_
M.Magne.
"_PublicInstruction_M.H.Fortuol.
"_Commerce_
M.LefebreDurufl."
Itoredownthebill,andthrewitintothegutter!Thesoldiersofthepartywhowere
leadingthewagonswatchedmedoit,andwenttheirway.

IntheRueSt.Georges,nearasidedoor,therewasanotherbill.Itwasthe"Appealtothe
People."Somepersonswerereadingit.Itoreitdown,notwithstandingtheresistanceof
theporter,whoappearedtometobeentrustedwiththedutyofprotectingit.
AsIpassedbythePlaceBrdasome_fiacres_hadalreadyarrivedthere.Itookone.I
wasnearhome,thetemptationwastoogreat,Iwentthere.Onseeingmecrossthe
courtyardtheporterlookedatmewithastupefiedair.Irangthebell.Myservant,Isidore,
openedthedoor,andexclaimedwithagreatcry,"Ah!itisyou,sir!Theycameduring
thenighttoarrestyou."Iwentintomywife'sroom.Shewasinbed,butnotasleep,and
shetoldmewhathadhappened.
Shehadgonetobedateleveno'clock.Towardshalfpasttwelve,duringthatspeciesof
drowsinesswhichresemblessleeplessness,sheheardmen'svoices.Itseemedtoherthat
Isidorewasspeakingtosomeoneintheantechamber.Atfirstshedidnottakeanynotice,
andtriedtogotosleepagain,butthenoiseofvoicescontinued.Shesatup,andrangthe
bell.
Isidorecamein.Sheaskedhim,
"Isanyonethere?"
"Yes,madame."
"Whoisit?"
"Amanwhowishestospeaktomaster."
"Yourmasterisout."
"ThatiswhatIhavetoldhim,madame."
"Well,isnotthegentlemangoing?"
"No,madame,hesaysthatheurgentlyneedstospeaktoMonsieurVictorHugo,andthat
hewillwaitforhim."
Isidorehadstoppedonthethresholdofthebedroom.Whilehespokeafat,freshlooking
maninanovercoat,underwhichcouldbeseenablackcoat,appearedatthedoorbehind
him.
MadameVictorHugonoticedthisman,whowassilentlylistening.
"Isityou,sir,whowishtospeaktoMonsieurVictorHugo?"
"Yes,madame."

"Butwhatisitabout?Isitregardingpolitics?"
Themandidnotanswer.
"Astopolitics,"continuedmywife,"whatishappening?"
"Ibelieve,madame,thatallisatanend."
"Inwhatsense?"
"InthesenseofthePresident."
Mywifelookedfixedlyattheman,andsaidtohim,
"Youhavecometoarrestmyhusband,sir."
"Itistrue,madame,"answeredtheman,openinghisovercoat,whichrevealedthesashof
aCommissaryofPolice.
Headdedafterapause,"IamaCommissaryofPolice,andIamthebearerofawarrantto
arrestM.VictorHugo.Imustinstituteasearchandlookthroughthehouse."
"Whatisyourname,sir?"askedMadameVictorHugo.
"MynameisHivert."
"YouknowthetermsoftheConstitution?"
"Yes,madam."
"YouknowthattheRepresentativesofthePeopleareinviolable!"
"Yes,madame."
"Verywell,sir,"shesaidcoldly,"youknowthatyouarecommittingacrime.Dayslike
thishaveatomorrowproceed."
TheSieurHivertattemptedafewwordsofexplanation,orweshouldrathersay
justificationhemutteredtheword"conscience,"hestammeredtheword"honor."
MadameVictorHugo,whohadbeencalmuntilthen,couldnothelpinterruptinghim
withsomeabruptness.
"Doyourbusiness,sir,anddonotargueyouknowthateveryofficialwholaysahandon
aRepresentativeofthePeoplecommitsanactoftreason.Youknowthatinpresenceof
theRepresentativesthePresidentisonlyanofficialliketheothers,thechiefchargedwith

carryingouttheirorders.YoudaretocometoarrestaRepresentativeinhisownhome
likeacriminal!Thereisintruthacriminalherewhooughttobearrestedyourself!"
TheSieurHivertlookedsheepishandlefttheroom,andthroughthehalfopendoormy
wifecouldsee,behindthewellfed,wellclothed,andbaldCommissary,sevenoreight
poorrawboneddevils,wearingdirtycoatswhichreachedtotheirfeet,andshockingold
hatsjammeddownovertheireyeswolvesledbyadog. Theyexaminedtheroom,
openedhereandthereafewcupboards,andwentawaywithasorrowfulairasIsidore
saidtome.
TheCommissaryHivert,aboveall,hunghisheadheraisedit,however,foronemoment.
Isidore,indignantatseeingthesementhushuntforhismasterineverycorner,ventured
todefythem.Heopenedadrawerandsaid,"Lookandseeifheisnotinhere!"The
CommissaryofPolicedartedafuriousglanceathim:"Lackey,takecare!"Thelackey
washimself.
Thesemenhavinggone,itwasnoticedthatseveralofmypapersweremissing.
Fragmentsofmanuscriptshadbeenstolen,amongstothersonedatedJuly,1848,and
directedagainstthemilitarydictatorshipofCavaignac,andinwhichtherewereverses
writtenrespectingtheCensorship, thecouncilsofwar,andthesuppressionofthe
newspapers,andinparticularrespectingtheimprisonmentofagreatjournalistEmilede
Girardin:
"...Ohonte,unlansquenet
Gauche,etparodiantCsardontilhrite,
Gouvernelesespritsdufonddesagurite!"
Thesemanuscriptsarelost.
Thepolicemightcomebackatanymoment,infacttheydidcomebackafewminutes
afterIhadleft.IkissedmywifeIwouldnotwakemydaughter,whohadjustfallen
asleep,andIwentdownstairsagain.Someaffrightedneighborswerewaitingformein
thecourtyard.Icriedouttothemlaughingly,"Notcaughtyet!"
AquarterofanhourafterwardsIreachedNo.10,RuedesMoulins.Itwasnottheneight
o'clockinthemorning,andthinkingthatmycolleaguesoftheCommitteeofInsurrection
hadpassedthenightthere,Ithoughtitmightbeusefultogoandfetchthem,sothatwe
mightproceedalltogethertotheSalleRoysin.
IfoundonlyMadameLandrinintheRuedesMoulins.Itwasthoughtthatthehousewas
denouncedandwatched,andmycolleagueshadchangedtheirquarterstoNo.7,Rue
Villedo,thehouseoftheexConstituentLeblond,legaladvisertotheWorkmen's
Association.JulesFavrehadpassedthenightthere.MadameLandrinwasbreakfasting.
Sheofferedmeaplacebyherside,buttimepressed.Icarriedoffamorselofbread,and
left.

AtNo.7,RueVilledo,themaidservantwhoopenedthedoortomeusheredmeintoa
roomwherewereCarnot,MicheldeBourges,JulesFavre,andthemaster ofthehouse,
ourformercolleague,ConstituentLeblond.
"Ihaveacarriagedownstairs,"Isaidtothem"therendezvousisattheSalleRoysinin
theFaubourgSt.Antoineletusgo."
This,however,wasnottheiropinion.Accordingtothemtheattemptsmadeonthe
previouseveningintheFaubourgSt.Antoinehadrevealedthisportionofthesituation
theysufficeditwasuselesstopersistitwasobviousthattheworkingclassdistricts
wouldnotrisewemustturntothesideofthetradesmen'sdistricts,renounceourattempt
torousetheextremitiesofthecity,andagitatethecentre.WeweretheCommitteeof
Resistance,thesouloftheinsurrectionifweweretogototheFaubourgSt.Antoine,
whichwasoccupiedbyaconsiderableforce,weshouldgiveourselvesuptoLouis
Bonaparte.TheyremindedmeofwhatImyselfhadsaidonthesubjecttheprevious
eveningintheRueBlanche.Wemustimmediatelyorganizetheinsurrectionagainstthe
_coupd'tat_andorganizeitinpracticabledistricts,thatistosay,intheoldlabyrinthsof
thestreetsSt.DenisandSt.Martinwemustdrawupproclamations,preparedecrees,
createsomemethodofpublicitytheywerewaitingforimportantcommunicationsfrom
Workmen'sAssociationsandSecretSocieties.ThegreatblowwhichIwishedtostrikeby
oursolemnmeetingattheSalleRoysinwouldproveafailuretheythoughtittheirduty
toremainwheretheywereandtheCommitteebeingfewinnumber,andtheworktobe
donebeingenormous,theybeggedmenottoleavethem.
Theyweremenofgreatheartsandgreatcouragewhospoketometheywereevidently
rightbutformyselfIcouldnotfailtogototherendezvouswhichImyselfhadfixed.All
thereasonswhichtheyhadgivenmeweregood,neverthelessIcouldhaveopposedsome
doubts,butthediscussionwouldhavetakentoomuchtime,andthehourdrewnigh.Idid
notmakeanyobjections,andIwentoutoftheroom,makingsomeexcuse.Myhatwasin
theantechamber,my_fiacre_waswaitingforme,andIdroveofftotheFaubourgSt.
Antoine.
ThecentreofParisseemedtohaveretaineditseverydayappearance.Peoplecameand
went,boughtandsold,chattedandlaughedasusual.IntheRueMontorgueilIhearda
streetorgan.OnlyonnearingtheFaubourgSt.AntoinethephenomenonwhichIhad
alreadynoticedonthepreviouseveningbecamemoreandmoreapparentsolitude
reigned,andacertaindrearypeacefulness.
WereachedthePlacedelaBastille.
Mydriverstopped.
"Goon,"Isaidtohim.

CHAPTERII.FROMTHEBASTILLETOTHERUEDECOTTE
ThePlacedelaBastillewasatthesametimeemptyandfilled.Threeregimentsinbattle
arrayweretherenotonepasserby.
Fourharnessedbatteriesweredrawnupatthefootofthecolumn.Hereandthereknotsof
officerstalkedtogetherinalowvoice,sinistermen.
Oneofthesegroups,theprincipal,attractedmyattention.Thatonewassilent,therewas
notalking.Therewereseveralmenonhorsebackoneinfrontoftheothers,inageneral's
uniform,withahatsurmountedwithblackfeathers,behindthismanweretwocolonels,
andbehindthecolonelsapartyof_aidesdecamp_andstaffofficers.Thislacetrimmed
companyremainedimmovable,andasthoughpointinglikeadogbetweenthecolumn
andtheentrancetotheFaubourg.Atashortdistancefromthisgroup,spreadout,and
occupyingthewholeofthesquare,weretheregimentsdrawnupandthecannonintheir
batteries.
"Mydriveragainstopped.
"Goon,"Isaid"driveintotheFaubourg."
"Buttheywill preventus,sir."
"Weshallsee."
Thetruthwasthattheydidnotpreventus.
Thedrivercontinuedonhisway,buthesitatingly,andatawalkingpace.Theappearance
ofa_fiacre_inthesquarehadcausedsomesurprise,andtheinhabitantsbegantocome
outoftheirhouses.Severalcameuptomycarriage.
Wepassedbyagroupofmenwithhugeepaulets.Thesemen,whosetacticswe
understoodlateron,didnotevenappeartoseeus.
TheemotionwhichIhadfeltonthepreviousdaybeforearegimentof cuirassiersagain
seizedme.Toseebeforemetheassassinsofthecountry,atafewsteps,standingupright,
intheinsolenceofapeacefultriumph,wasbeyondmystrength:Icouldnotcontain
myself.Idrewoutmysash.Ihelditinmyhand,andputtingmyarmandheadoutofthe
windowofthe_fiacre_,andshakingthesash,Ishouted,
"Soldiers!Lookatthissash.ItisthesymbolofLaw,itistheNationalAssemblyvisible.
WheretherethissashisthereisRight.Well,then,thisiswhatRightcommandsyou.You
arebeingdeceived.Gobacktoyourduty.ItisaRepresentativeofthePeoplewhois
speakingtoyou,andhewhorepresentsthePeoplerepresentsthearmy.Soldiers,before
becomingsoldiersyouhavebeenpeasants,youhavebeenworkmen,youhavebeenand

youarestillcitizens.Citizens,listentomewhenIspeaktoyou.TheLawalonehasthe
righttocommandyou.Well,todaythelawisviolated.Bywhom?Byyou.Louis
Bonapartedrawsyouintoacrime.Soldiers,youwhoareHonor,listentome,forIam
Duty.Soldiers,LouisBonaparteassassinatestheRepublic.Defendit.LouisBonaparteis
abanditallhisaccompliceswillfollowhimtothegalleys.Theyaretherealready.He
whoisworthyofthegalleysisinthegalleys.Tomeritfettersistowearthem.Lookat
thatmanwhoisatyourhead,andwhodarestocommandyou.Youtakehimfora
general,heisaconvict."
Thesoldiersseemedpetrified.
Someonewhowasthere(Ithankhisgenerous,devotedspirit)touchedmyarm,and
whisperedinmyear,"Youwillgetyourselfshot."
ButIdidnotheed,andIlistenedtonothing.Icontinued,stillwavingmysash,"You,
whoarethere,dresseduplikeageneral,itisyoutowhomIspeak,sir.YouknowwhoI
am,IamaRepresentativeofthePeople,andIknowwhoyouare.Ihavetoldyouyouare
acriminal.Now,doyouwishtoknowmyname?Thisisit."
AndIcalledoutmynametohim.
AndIadded,
"Nowtellmeyours."
Hedidnotanswer.
Icontinued,
"Verywell,Idonotwanttoknowyournameasageneral,Ishallknowyournumberasa
galleyslave."
Themaninthegeneral'suniformhunghishead,theothersweresilent.Icouldreadall
theirlooks,however,althoughtheydidnotraisetheireyes.Isawthemcastdown,andI
feltthattheywerefurious.Ihadanoverwhelmingcontemptforthem,andIpassedon.
Whatwasthenameofthisgeneral?Ididnotknowthen,andIdonotknownow.
Oneoftheapologiesforthe_coupd'tat_inrelatingthisincident,andcharacterizingit
as"aninsensateandculpableprovocation,"statesthat"themoderationshownbythe
militaryleadersonthisoccasiondidhonortoGeneral :"Weleavetotheauthorofthis
panegyrictheresponsibilityofthatnameandofthiseulogium.
IenteredtheRuedeFaubourgSt.Antoine.

Mydriver,whonowknewmyname,hesitatednolonger,andwhippeduphishorse.
ThesePariscoachmenareabraveandintelligentrace.
AsIpassedthefirstshopsofthemainstreetnineo'clocksoundedfromtheChurchSt.
Paul.
"Good,"Isaidtomyself,"Iamintime."
TheFaubourgpresentedanextraordinaryaspect.Theentrancewasguarded,butnot
closed,bytwocompaniesofinfantry.Twoothercompaniesweredrawnupinechelons
fartheron,atshortdistances,occupyingthestreet,butleavingafreepassage.Theshops,
whichwereopenattheendoftheFaubourg,werehalfclosedahundredyardsfartherup.
Theinhabitants,amongstwhomInoticednumerousworkmeninblouses,weretalking
togetherattheirdoors,andwatchingtheproceedings.Inoticedateachsteptheplacards
ofthe_coupd'tat_untouched.
BeyondthefountainwhichstandsatthecorneroftheRuedeCharonnetheshopswere
closed.TwolinesofsoldiersextendedoneithersideofthestreetoftheFaubourg onthe
kerbofthepavementthesoldierswerestationedateveryfivepaces,withthebuttsof
theirmusketsrestingontheirhips,theirchestsdrawnin,theirrighthandonthetrigger,
readytobringtothepresent,keepingsilenceintheattitudeofexpectation.Fromthat
pointapieceofcannonwasstationedatthemouthofeachofthesidestreetswhichopen
outofthemainroadoftheFaubourg.Occasionallytherewasamortar.Toobtainaclear
ideaofthismilitaryarrangementonemustimaginetworosaries,extendingalongthetwo
sidesoftheFaubourgSt.Antoine,ofwhichthesoldiersshouldformthelinksandthe
cannonthebeads.
Meanwhilemydriverbecameuneasy.Heturnedroundtomeandsaid,"Itlooksas
thoughweshouldfindbarricadesout there,sirshallweturnback?"
"Keepon,"Ireplied.
Hecontinuedtodrivestraighton.
Suddenlyitbecameimpossibletodoso.Acompanyofinfantryrangedthreedeep
occupiedthewholeofthestreetfromonepavementtotheother.Ontherighttherewasa
smallstreet.Isaidtothedriver,
"Takethatturning."
Heturnedtotherightandthentotheleft.Weturnedintoalabyrinthofstreets.
SuddenlyIheardashot.
Thedriveraskedme,

"Whichwayarewetogo,sir?"
"Inthedirectionin whichyouheartheshots."
WewereinanarrowstreetonmyleftIsawtheinscriptionaboveadoor,"Grand
Lavoir,"andonmyrightasquarewithacentralbuilding,whichlookedlikeamarket.
Thesquareandthestreetweredeserted.Iaskedthedriver,
"Whatstreetarewein?"
"IntheRuedeCotte."
"WhereistheCafRoysin?"
"Straightbeforeus."
"Drivethere."
Hedroveon,butslowly.Therewasanotherexplosion,thistimeclosebyus,theendof
thestreetbecamefilledwithsmokeatthemomentwewerepassingNo.22,whichhasa
sidedoorabovewhichIread,"PetitLavoir."
Suddenlyavoicecalledouttothedriver,"Stop!"
Thedriverpulledup,andthewindowofthe_fiacre_beingdown,ahandwasstretched
towardsmine.IrecognizedAlexanderRey.
Thisdaringmanwaspale.
"Gonofurther,"saidhe"allisatanend."
"Whatdoyoumean,allatanend?"
"Yes,theymusthaveanticipatedthetimeappointedthebarricadeistaken:Ihavejust
comefromit.Itisafewstepsfromherestraightbeforeus."
Andheadded,
"Baudiniskilled."
Thesmokerolledawayfromtheendofthestreet.
"Look,"saidAlexanderReytome.

Isaw,ahundredstepsbeforeus,atthejunctionoftheRuedeCotteandtheRueSte.
Marguerite,alowbarricadewhichthesoldierswerepullingdown.Acorpsewasbeing
borneaway.
ItwasBaudin.

CHAPTERIII.THEST.ANTOINEBARRICADE
Thisiswhathadhappened.
Duringthatsamenight,andasearlyasfouro'clockinthemorning,DeFlottewasinthe
FaubourgSt.Antoine.Hewasanxious,incaseanymovementtookplacebeforedaylight,
thataRepresentativeofthePeopleshouldbepresent,andhewasoneofthosewho,when
thegloriousinsurrectionofRightshouldburstforth,wishedtounearththepavingstones
forthefirstbarricade.
Butnothingwasstirring.DeFlotte,aloneinthemidstofthisdesertedandsleeping
Faubourg,wanderedfromstreettostreetthroughoutthenight.
DaybreakslateinDecember.BeforethefirststreaksofdawnDeFlottewasatthe
rendezvousoppositetheLenoirMarket.
Thisspotwasonlyweaklyguarded.Theonlytroopsintheneighborhoodwerethepost
itselfoftheLenoirMarket,andanotherpostatashortdistancewhichoccupiedthe
guardhouseatthecorneroftheFaubourgandtheRuedeMontreuil,closetotheoldTree
ofLibertyplantedin1793bySanterre.Neitherofthesepostswerecommandedby
officers.
DeFlottereconnoitredtheposition.Hewalkedsometimeupanddownthepavement,
andthenseeingnoonecomingasyet,andfearingtoexciteattention,hewentaway,and
returnedtothesidestreetsoftheFaubourg.
ForhispartAubry(duNord)gotupatfiveo'clock.Havinggonehomeinthemiddleof
thenight,onhisreturnfromtheRuePopincourt,hehadonly takenthreehours'rest.His
portertoldhimthatsomesuspiciouspersonshadinquiredforhimduringtheeveningof
the2d,andthattheyhadbeentothehouseopposite,No.12ofthesamestreet,Rue
Racine,toarrestHuguenin.ThisdeterminedAubrytoleavehishousebeforedaylight.
HewalkedtotheFaubourgSt.Antoine.Ashereachedtheplaceofrendezvoushemet
CournetandtheothersfromtheRuePopincourt.Theywerealmostimmediatelyjoined
byMalardier.
Itwasdawn.TheFaubourgwassolitary.Theywalkedalongwraptinthoughtand
speakinginalowvoice.Suddenlyanimpetuousandsingularprocessionpassedthem.
Theylookedround.ItwasadetachmentofLancerswhichsurroundedsomethingwhich
inthedimlighttheyrecognizedtobeapolicevan.Thevehiclerollednoiselesslyalong
themacadamizedroad.

Theyweredebatingwhatthiscouldmean,whenasecondandsimilargroupappeared,
thenathird,andthenafourth.Tenpolicevanspassedinthismanner,followingeach
otherveryclosely,andalmosttouching.
"Thoseareourcolleagues!"exclaimedAubry(duNord).
IntruththelastbatchoftheRepresentatives,prisonersoftheQuaid'Orsay,thebatch
destinedforVincennes,waspassingthroughtheFaubourg.Itwasaboutseveno'clockin
themorning.Someshopswerebeingopenedandwerelightedinside,andafewpassers
bycameoutofthehouses.
Threecarriagesdefiledoneaftertheother,closed,guarded,dreary,dumbnovoicecame
out,nocry,nowhisper.Theywerecarryingoffinthemidstofswords,ofsabres,andof
lances,withtherapidityandfuryofthewhirlwind,somethingwhichkeptsilenceand
thatsomethingwhichtheywerecarryingoff,andwhichmaintainedthissinistersilence,
wasthebrokenTribune,theSovereigntyoftheAssemblies,thesupremeinitiative
whenceallcivilizationisderiveditwasthewordwhichcontainsthefutureoftheworld,
itwasthespeechofFrance!
Alastcarriagearrived,whichbysomechancehadbeendelayed.Itwasabouttwoor
threehundredyardsbehindtheprincipalconvoy,andwasonlyescortedbythreeLancers.
Itwasnotapolicevan,itwasanomnibus,theonlyoneintheconvoy.Behindthe
conductor,whowasapoliceagent,therecoulddistinctlybeseentheRepresentatives
heapedupin theinterior.Itseemedeasytorescuethem.
Cournetappealedtothepassersby"Citizens,"hecried,"theseareyourRepresentatives,
whoarebeingcarriedoff!Youhavejustseenthempassinthevansofconvicts!
Bonapartearreststhemcontrarytoeverylaw.Letusrescuethem!Toarms!"
Aknotformedofmeninblousesandofworkmengoingtowork.Ashoutcamefromthe
knot,"LonglivetheRepublic!"andsomemenrushedtowardsthevehicle.Thecarriage
andtheLancersbrokeintoagallop.
"Toarms!"repeatedCournet.
"Toarms!"repeatedthemenofthepeople.
Therewasamomentofimpulse.Whoknowswhatmighthavehappened?Itwouldhave
beenasingularaccidentifthefirstbarricadeagainstthe_coupd'tat_hadbeenmade
withthisomnibus,which,afterhavingaidedinthecrime,wouldthishaveaidedinthe
punishment.Butatthemomentwhenthepeoplethrewthemselvesonthevehiclethey
sawseveraloftheRepresentativeprisonerswhichitcontainedsigntothemwithboth
handstorefrain."Eh!"saidaworkman,"theydonotwishit!"
Asecondrepeated,"Theydonotwishforliberty!"

Anotheradded,"Theydidnotwishustohaveit,theydonotwishitforthemselves."
Allwassaid,andtheomnibuswasallowedtopasson.Amomentafterwardstherear
guardoftheescortcameupandpassedbyatasharptrotsandthegroupwhich
surroundedAubry(duNord),Malardier,andCournetdispersed.
TheCafRoysinhadjustopened.Itmayberememberedthatthelargehallofthis_caf_
hadservedfor themeetingofafamousclubin1848.Itwasthere,itmayalsobe
remembered,thattherendezvoushadbeensettled.
TheCafRoysinisenteredbyapassageopeningoutuponthestreet,alobbyofsome
yardsinlengthisnextcrossed,andthencomesalargehall,withhighwindows,and
lookingglassesonthewalls,containinginthecentreseveralbilliardtables,somesmall
marbletoppedtables,chairs,andvelvetcoveredbenches.Itwasthishall,badlyarranged,
however,forameetingwherewecouldhavedeliberated,whichhadbeenthehallofthe
RoysinClub.Cournet,Aubry,andMalardierinstalledthemselvesthere.Onenteringthey
didnotdisguisewhotheyweretheywerewelcomed,andshownanexitthroughthe
gardenincaseofnecessity.
DeFlottehadjustjoinedthem.
Eighto'clockwasstrikingwhentheRepresentativesbegantoarrive.Bruckner,Maigne,
andBrillierfirst,andthensuccessivelyCharamaule,Cassal,Dulac,Bourzat,Madierde
Montjau,andBaudin.Bourzat,onaccountofthemud,aswashiscustom,worewooden
shoes.WhoeverthoughtBourzatapeasantwouldbemistaken.Heratherresembleda
Benedictinemonk.Bourzat,withhissouthernimagination,hisquickintelligence,keen,
lettered,refined,possessesanencyclopediainhishead,andwoodenshoesonhisfeet.
Whynot?HeisMindandPeople.TheexConstituentBastidecameinwithMadierde
Montjau.Baudinshookthehandsofallwithwarmth,buthedidnotspeak.Hewas
pensive."Whatisthematterwithyou,Baudin?"askedAubry(duNord)."Areyou
mournful?""I?"saidBaudin,raisinghishead,"Ihaveneverbeenmorehappy."
Didhefeelhimselfalreadychosen?Whenwearesoneardeath,allradiantwithglory,
whichsmilesuponusthroughthegloom,perhapsweareconsciousofit.
A certainnumberofmen,strangerstotheAssembly,allasdeterminedasthe
Representativesthemselves,accompaniedthemandsurroundedthem.
Cournetwastheleader.Amongstthemtherewereworkmen,butnoblouses.Inordernot
toalarmthemiddleclassestheworkmenhadbeenrequested,notablythoseemployedby
DerosneandCail,tocomeincoats.
BaudinhadwithhimacopyoftheProclamationwhichIhaddictatedtohimonthe
previousday.Cournetunfoldeditandreadit."LetusatoncepostitupintheFaubourg,"
saidhe."ThePeoplemustknowthatLouisBonaparteisoutlawed."Alithographic
workmanwhowasthereofferedtoprintitwithoutdelay.AlltheRepresentativespresent

signedit,andtheyaddedmynametotheirsignatures.Aubry(duNord)headeditwith
thesewords,"NationalAssembly."TheworkmancarriedofftheProclamation,andkept
hisword.SomehoursafterwardsAubry(duNord),andlateronafriendofCournet's
namedGay,methimintheFaubourgduTemplepastepotinhand,postingthe
Proclamationateverystreetcorner,evennexttotheMaupasplacard,whichthreatened
thepenaltyofdeathtoanyonewhoshouldbefoundpostinganappealtoarms.Groups
readthetwobillsatthesametime.Wemaymentionanincidentwhichoughttobenoted,
asergeantoftheline,inuniform,inredtrousers,accompaniedhimandprotectedhim.
Hewasdoubtlessasoldierwhohadlatelylefttheservice.
Thetimefixedontheprecedingeveningforthegeneralrendezvouswasfromninetoten
inthemorning.Thishourhadbeenchosensothatthereshouldbetimetogivenoticeto
allthemembersoftheLeftitwasexpedienttowaituntiltheRepresentativesshould
arrive,sothatthegroupshouldthemoreresembleanAssembly,andthatits
manifestation shouldhavemoreauthorityontheFaubourg.
SeveraloftheRepresentativeswhohadalreadyarrivedhadnosashofoffice.Somewere
madehastilyinaneighboringhousewithstripsofred,white,andbluecalico,andwere
broughttothem.BaudinandDeFlottewereamongstthosewhogirdedonthese
improvisedsashes.
Meanwhileitwasnotyetnineo'clock,whenimpatiencealreadybegantobemanifested
aroundthem.[9]
Manysharedthisgloriousimpatience.
Baudinwishedtowait.
"Donotanticipatethehour,"saidhe"letusallowourcolleaguestimetoarrive."
ButtheymurmuredroundBaudin,"No,begin,givethesignal,gooutside.TheFaubourg
onlywaitstoseeyoursashestorise.Youarefewinnumber,buttheyknowthatyour
friendswillrejoinyou.Thatissufficient.Begin."
Theresultprovedthatthisunduehastecouldonlyproduceafailure.Meanwhilethey
consideredthatthefirstexamplewhichtheRepresentativesofthePeopleoughttoset
waspersonalcourage.Thesparkmustnotbeallowedtodieout.Tomarchthefirst,to
marchatthehead,suchwastheirduty.Thesemblanceofanyhesitationwouldhavebeen
intruthmoredisastrousthananydegreeofrashness.
Schoelcherisofanheroicnature,hehasthegrandimpatienceofdanger.
"Letusgo,"hecried"ourfriendswilljoinus,letusgooutside."
Theyhadnoarms.

"Letusdisarmthepostwhichisoverthere,"saidSchoelcher.
TheylefttheSalleRoysininorder,twobytwo,arminarm.Fifteenortwentymenofthe
peopleescortedthem.Theywentbeforethem,crying,"LonglivetheRepublic!To
arms!"
Somechildrenprecededandfollowedthem,shouting,"LonglivetheMountain!"
Theentrancesoftheclosedshopswerehalfopened.Afewmenappearedatthedoors,a
fewwomenshowedthemselvesatthewindows.Knotsofworkmengoingtotheirwork
watchedthempass.Theycried,"LongliveourRepresentatives!LonglivetheRepublic!"

Sympathywaseverywhere,butinsurrectionnowhere.Theprocessiongatheredfew
adherentsontheway.
Amanwhowasleadingasaddledhorsejoinedthem.Theydidnotknowthisman,nor
whencethishorsecame.Itseemedasifthemanofferedhisservicestoanyonewho
wishedtofly.RepresentativeDulacorderedthismantobeoff.
InthismannertheyreachedtheguardhouseoftheRuedeMontrenil.Attheirapproach
thesentrygavethealarm,andthesoldierscameoutoftheguardhouseindisorder.
Schoelcher,calm,impassive,inrufflesandawhitetie,clothed,asusual,inblack,
buttonedtotheneckinhistightfrockcoat,withtheintrepidandbrotherlyairofa
Quaker,walkedstraightuptothem.
"Comrades,"hesaidtothem,"wearetheRepresentativesofthePeople,andcomeinthe
nameofthepeopletodemandyourarmsforthedefenceoftheConstitutionandofthe
Laws!"
Thepostalloweditselftobedisarmed.Thesergeantalonemadeanyshowofresistance,
buttheysaidtohim,"Youarealone,"andheyielded.TheRepresentativesdistributedthe
gunsandthecartridgestotheresolutebandwhichsurroundedthem.
Somesoldiersexclaimed,"Whydoyoutakeawayourmuskets!Wewouldfightforyou
andwithyou!"
TheRepresentativesconsultedwhethertheyshouldacceptthisoffer.Schoelcherwas
inclinedtodoso.ButoneofthemremarkedthatsomeMobileGuardshadmadethesame
overturestotheinsurgentsofJune,andhadturnedagainsttheInsurrectionthearms
whichtheInsurrectionhadleftthem.
Themusketsthereforewerenotrestored.

Thedisarminghavingbeenaccomplished,themusketswerecountedtherewerefifteen
ofthem.
"Weareahundredandfifty,"saidCournet,"wehavenotenoughmuskets."
"Well,then,"saidSchoelcher,"whereisthereapost?"
"AttheLenoirMarket."
"Letusdisarmit."
WithSchoelcherattheirheadandescortedbyfifteenarmedmentheRepresentatives
proceededtotheLenoirMarket.ThepostoftheLenoirMarketallowedthemselvestobe
disarmedevenmorewillinglythanthepostintheRuedeMontreuil.Thesoldiersturned
themselvesroundsothatthecartridgesmightbetakenfromtheirpouches.
Themusketswereimmediatelyloaded.
"Now,"exclaimedDeFlotte,"wehavethirtyguns,letuslookforastreetcorner,and
raiseabarricade."
Therewereatthattimeabouttwohundredcombatants.
TheywentuptheRuedeMontreuil.
AftersomefiftystepsSchoelchersaid,"Wherearewegoing?Weareturningourbacks
ontheBastille.Weareturningourbacksupontheconflict."
TheyreturnedtowardstheFaubourg.
Theyshouted,"Toarms!"TheyWhereansweredby"LongliveourRepresentatives!"But
onlyafewyoungmenjoinedthem.Itwasevidentthatthebreezeofinsurrectionwasnot
blowing.
"Nevermind,"saidDeFlotte,"letusbeginthebattle.Letusachievethegloryofbeing
thefirstkilled."
AstheyreachedthepointwheretheStreetsSte.MargueriteanddeCotteopenoutand
dividetheFaubourg,apeasant'scartladenwithdungenteredtheRueSte.Marguerite.
"Here,"exclaimedDeFlotte.
Theystoppedthedungcart,andoverturneditinthemiddleof theFaubourgSt.Antoine.
Amilkwomancameup.

Theyoverturnedthemilkcart.
Abakerwaspassinginhisbreadcart.Hesawwhatwasbeingdone,attemptedtoescape,
andurgedhishorsetoagallop.TwoorthreestreetArabsthosechildrenofParisbrave
aslionsandagileascatsspedafterthebaker,ranpasthishorse,whichwasstill
galloping,stoppedit,andbroughtbackthecarttothebarricadewhichhadbeenbegun.
Theyoverturnedthebreadcart.
AnomnibuscameupontheroadfromtheBastille.
"Verywell!"saidtheconductor,"Iseewhatisgoingon."
Hedescendedwithagoodgrace,andtoldhispassengerstogetdown,whilethe
coachmanunharnessedhishorsesandwentawayshakinghiscloak.
Theyoverturnedtheomnibus.
ThefourvehiclesplacedendtoendbarelybarredthestreetoftheFaubourg,whichin
thispartisverywide.Whileputtingtheminlinethemenofthebarricadesaid,
"Letusnotinjurethecartsmorethanwecanhelp."
Thisformedanindifferentbarricade,verylow,tooshort,andwhichleftthepavements
freeoneitherside.
Atthismomentastaffofficerpassedbyfollowedbyanorderly,sawthebarricade,and
fledatagallop.
Schoelchercalmlyinspectedtheoverturnedvehicles.Whenhereachedthepeasant'scart,
whichmadeahigherheapthantheothers,hesaid,"thatistheonlygoodone."
Thebarricadegrewlarger.Theythrewafewemptybasketsuponit,whichmadeit
thickerandlargerwithoutstrengtheningit.
Theywerestillworkingwhenachildcameuptothemshouting,"Thesoldiers!"
IntruthtwocompaniesarrivedfromtheBastille,atthedouble,throughtheFaubourg,
toldoffinsquadsatshortdistancesapart,andbarringthewholeofthestreet.
Thedoorsandthewindowswerehastilyclosed.
Duringthistime,atacornerofthebarricade,Bastide,impassive,wasgravelytellinga
storytoMadierdeMontjau."Madier,"saidhe,"nearlytwohundredyearsagothePrince
deCond,readytogivebattleinthisveryFaubourgSt.Antoine,wherewenoware,
askedanofficerwhowasaccompanyinghim,'Haveyoueverseenabattlelost?''No,

sire.''Well,then,youwillseeonenow.'Madier,Itellyoutoday,youwillspeedilysee
abarricadetaken."
Inthemeanwhilethosewhowerearmedhadassumedtheirplacesfortheconflictbehind
thebarricade.
Thecriticalmomentdrewnigh.
"Citizens,"criedSchoelcher,"donotfireashot.WhentheArmyandtheFaubourgsfight,
thebloodofthePeopleisshedonbothsides.Letusspeaktothesoldiersfirst."
Hemountedononeofthebasketswhichheightenedthebarricade.Theother
Representativesarrangedthemselvesnearhimontheomnibus.MalardierandDulacwere
onhisright.Dulacsaidtohim,"Youscarcelyknowme,CitizenSchoelcher,butIlove
you.Letmehavethechargeofremainingbyyourside.Ionlybelongtothesecondrank
intheAssembly,butIwanttobeinthefirstrankofthebattle."
Atthismomentsomemeninblouses,thosewhomtheSecondofDecemberhadenlisted,
appearedatthecorneroftheRueSte.Marguerite,closetothebarricade,andshouted,
"Downwiththe'Twentyfivefrancs!'"
Baudinwhohadalreadyselectedhispostforthecombat,andwhowasstandingonthe
barricade,lookedfixedlyatthesemen,andsaidtothem,
"Youshallseehowonecandiefor'twentyfivefrancs!'"
Therewasanoiseinthestreet.Somefewdoorswhichhadremainedhalfopenedwere
closed.Thetwoattackingcolumnshadarrivedinsightofthebarricade.Furtheroncould
beseenconfusedlyotherlinesofbayonets.Theywerethosewhichhadbarredmy
passage.
Schoelcher,raisinghisarmwithauthority,signedtothecaptain,whocommandedthe
firstsquad,tohalt.
Thecaptainmadeanegativesignwithhissword.ThewholeoftheSecondofDecember
wasinthesetwogestures.TheLawsaid,"Halt!"TheSabreanswered,"No!"
Thetwocompaniescontinuedtoadvance,butslowly,andkeepingatthesamedistance
fromeachother.
Schoelchercamedownfromthebarricadeintothestreet.DeFlotte,Dulac,Malardier,
Brillier,Maigne,andBrucknerfollowedhim.
Thenwasseenagrandspectacle.

SevenRepresentativesofthePeople,armedonlywiththeirsashes,thatistosay,
majesticallyclothedwithLawandRight,advancedinthestreetbeyondthebarricade,
andmarchedstraighttothesoldiers,whoawaitedthemwiththeirgunspointedatthem.
TheotherRepresentativeswhohadremainedatthebarricademadetheirlastpreparations
forresistance.Thecombatantsmaintainedanintrepidbearing.TheNavalLieutenant
Cournettoweredabovethemallwithhistallstature.Baudin,stillstandingonthe
overturnedomnibus,leanedhalfoverthebarricade.
OnseeingtheRepresentativesapproach,thesoldiersandtheirofficerswereforthe
momentbewildered.MeanwhilethecaptainsignedtotheRepresentativestostop.
Theystopped,andSchoelchersaidinanimpressivevoice,
"Soldiers!wearetheRepresentativesoftheSovereignPeople,weareyour
Representatives,wearetheElectofUniversalSuffrage.InthenameoftheConstitution,
inthenameofUniversalSuffrage,inthenameoftheRepublic,we,whoaretheNational
Assembly,we,whoaretheLaw,orderyoutojoinus,wesummonyoutoobey.We
ourselvesareyourleaders.TheArmybelongstothePeople,andtheRepresentativesof
thePeoplearetheChiefsoftheArmy.Soldiers!LouisBonaparteviolatesthe
Constitution,wehaveoutlawedhim.Obeyus."
Theofficerwhowasincommand,acaptainnamedPetit,didnotallowhimtofinish.
"Gentlemen,"hesaid,"Ihavemyorders.IbelongtothePeople.IamaRepublicanas
youare,butIamonlyaninstrument."
"YouknowtheConstitution?"saidSchoelcher.
"Ionlyknowmyinstructions."
"Thereisaninstructionaboveallotherinstructions,"continuedSchoelcher,"obligatory
upontheSoldierasupontheCitizentheLaw."
Heturnedagaintowardsthesoldierstoharanguethem,butthecaptaincriedouttohim,
"Notanotherword!Youshallnotgoon!Ifyouaddoneword,Ishallgivetheorderto
fire."
"Whatdoesthatmattertous?"saidSchoelcher.
Atthismomentanofficerarrivedonhorseback.Itwasthemajoroftheregiment.He
whisperedforamomenttothecaptain.
"Gentlemen!Representatives!"continuedthecaptain,wavinghissword,"withdraw,or I
shallfire."

"Fire!"shoutedDeFlotte.
TheRepresentativesstrangeandheroiccopyofFontenoytookofftheirhats,andfaced
themuskets.
Schoelcheralonekepthishatonhishead,andwaitedwithhisarmscrossed.
"Fixbayonets,"saidthecaptain.Andturningtowardsthesquads,"Charge!"
"VivelaRpublique!"criedouttheRepresentatives.
Thebayonetswerelowered,thecompaniesmovedforward,thesoldierscameonatthe
doubleuponthemotionlessRepresentatives.
Itwasaterribleandsuperbmoment.
ThesevenRepresentativessawthebayonetsattheirbreastswithoutaword,withouta
gesture,withoutonestepbackwards.Butthehesitationwhichwasnotintheirsoulwasin
theheartofthesoldiers.
Thesoldiersfeltdistinctlythatthiswasadoublestainupontheiruniformtheoutrage
upontheRepresentativesofthePeoplewhichwastreason,andtheslaughterofunarmed
men,whichwascowardice.Nowtreasonandcowardicearetwoepauletstowhicha
generalsometimesbecomesreconciled,thesoldiernever.
WhenthebayonetsweresoclosetotheRepresentativesthattheytouchedtheirbreasts,
theyturnedasideoftheirownaccord,andthesoldier'sbyanunanimousmovement
passedbetweentheRepresentativeswithoutdoingthemanyharm.Schoelcheralonehad
hiscoatpiercedintwoplaces,andinhisopinionthiswasawkwardnessinsteadof
intention.Oneofthesoldierswhofacedhimwishedtopushhimawayfromthecaptain,
andtouchedhimwithhisbayonet.Thepointencounteredthebook oftheaddressesofthe
Representatives,whichSchoelcherhadinhispocket,andonlypiercedhisclothing.
AsoldiersaidtoDeFlotte,"Citizen,wedonotwishtohurtyou."
NeverthelessasoldiercameuptoBrucknerandpointedhisgunathim.
"Well,"saidBruckner,"fire."
Thesoldier,touched,loweredhisarm,andshookBruckner'shand.
Itwassingularthat,notwithstandingtheordergivenbytheofficers,thetwocompanies
successivelycameuptotheRepresentatives,chargedwiththebayonet,and turnedaside.
Instructionsmayorder,butinstinctprevailsinstructionsmaybecrime,butinstinctis

honor.MajorPsaidafterwards,"Theyhadtoldusthatweshouldhavetodealwith
brigands,wehadtodealwithheroes."
Meanwhilethoseonthebarricadeweregrowinguneasy,andseeingtheircolleagues
surrounded,andwishingtosuccorthem,theyfiredamusketshot.Thisunfortunateshot
killedasoldierbetweenDeFlotteandSchoelcher.
TheofficerwhocommandedthesecondattackingsquadpassedclosetoSchoelcheras
thepoorsoldierfell.Schoelcherpointedoutthefallenmantotheofficer,andsaidtohim,
"Lieutenant,look!"
Theofficeransweredbyagestureofdespair,
"Whatwouldyouhaveusdo?"
Thetwocompaniesrepliedtotheshotbyageneralvolley,andrushedtotheassaultof
thebarricade,leavingbehindthemthesevenRepresentativesastoundedatbeingstill
alive.
Thebarricaderepliedbyavolley,butitcouldnotholdout.Itwascarried.
Baudinwaskilled.
Hehadremainedstandinginhispositionontheomnibus.Threeballsreachedhim.One
struckhimintherighteyeandpenetratedintothebrain.Hefell.Heneverregained
consciousness.Halfanhourafterwardshewasdead.HisbodywastakentotheSte.
MargueriteHospital.
Bourzat,whowasclosetoBaudin,withAubry(duNord),hadhiscoatpiercedbyaball.
Wemustagainremarkacuriousincident,thesoldiersmadenoprisoneronthis
barricade.ThosewhodefendeditdispersedthroughthestreetsoftheFaubourg, ortook
refugeintheneighboringhouses.RepresentativeMaigne,pushedbysomeaffrighted
womenbehindadoor,wasshutinwithoneofthesoldierswhohadjusttakenthe
barricade.AmomentafterwardsthesoldierandtheRepresentativewentouttogether.
TheRepresentativescouldfreelyleavethisfirstfieldofbattle.
AtthissolemnmomentofthestrugglealastglimmerofJusticeandofRightstill
flickered,andmilitaryhonestyrecoiledwithasortofdreadanxietybeforetheoutrage
uponwhichtheywereentering.Thereistheintoxicationofgood,andthereisan
intoxicationofevil:thisintoxicationlaterondrownedtheconscienceoftheArmy.
TheFrenchArmyisnotmadetocommitcrimes.Whenthestrugglebecameprolonged,
andferociousorders ofthedayhadtobeexecuted,thesoldiersmusthavebeen
maddened.Theyobeyednotcoldly,whichwouldhavebeenmonstrous,butwithanger,

andthisHistorywillinvokeastheirexcuseandwithmany,perhaps,despairwasatthe
rootoftheiranger.
Thefallensoldierhadremainedontheground.ItwasSchoelcherwhoraisedhim.Afew
women,weeping,butbrave,cameoutofahouse.Somesoldierscameup.Theycarried
him,Schoelcherholdinghishead,firsttoafruiterer'sshop,thentotheSte.Marguerite
Hospital,wheretheyhadalreadytakenBaudin.
Hewasaconscript.Theballhadenteredhisside.Throughhisgrayovercoatbuttonedto
thecollar,couldbeseenaholestainedwithblood.Hisheadhadsunkonhisshoulder,his
palecountenance,encircledbythechinstrapofhisshako,hadnolongeranyexpression,
thebloodoozedoutofhismouth.Heseemedbarelyeighteenyearsold.Alreadyasoldier
andstillaboy.Hewasdead.
Thispoorsoldierwasthefirstvictimofthe_coupd'tat_.Baudinwasthesecond.
BeforebeingaRepublicanBaudinhadbeenatutor.Hecamefromthatintelligentand
braveraceofschoolmasterseverpersecuted,whohavefallenfromtheGuizotLawinto
theFallouxLaw,andfromtheFallouxLawintotheDupanloupLaw.Thecrimeofthe
schoolmasteristoholdabookopenthatsuffices,theChurchcondemnshim.Thereis
now,inFrance,ineachvillage,alightedtorchtheschoolmasterandamouthwhich
blowsuponitthecur.TheschoolmastersofFrance,whoknewhowtodieofhungerfor
TruthandforScience,wereworthythatoneoftheirraceshouldbekilledforLiberty.
ThefirsttimethatIsawBaudinwasattheAssemblyonJanuary13,1850.Iwishedto
speakagainsttheLawofInstruction.IhadnotputmynamedownBaudin'snamestood
second.Heofferedmehisturn.Iaccepted,andIwasabletospeaktwodaysafterwards,
onthe15th.
BaudinwasoneofthetargetsofSieurDupin,forcallstoorderandofficialannoyances.
HesharedthishonorwiththeRepresentativesMiotandValentin.
BaudinascendedtheTribuneseveraltimes.Hismodeofspeaking,outwardlyhesitating,
wasenergeticinthemain.HesatonthecrestoftheMountain.Hehadafirmspiritand
timidmanners.Thencetherewasinhisconstitutionanindescribableembarrassment,
mingledwithdecision.Hewasamanofmiddleheight.Hisfaceruddyandfull,hisbroad
chest,hiswideshouldersannouncedtherobustman,thelaborerschoolmaster,the
peasantthinker.InthisheresembledBourzat.Baudinleanedhisheadonhisshoulder,
listenedwithintelligence,andspokewithagentleandgravevoice.Hehadthe
melancholyairandthebittersmileofthedoomed.
OntheeveningoftheSecondofDecemberIhadaskedhim,"Howoldareyou?"Hehad
answeredme,"Notquitethirtythreeyears."
"Andyou?"saidhe.

"Fortynine."
Andhereplied,
"Todayweareofthesameage."
Hethoughtintruthofthattomorrowwhichawaitedus,andinwhichwashiddenthat
"perhaps"whichisthegreatleveller.
Thefirstshotshadbeenfired,aRepresentativehadfallen,andthepeopledidnotrise!
Whatbandagehadtheyontheireyes,whatweighthadtheyontheirhearts?Alas!the
gloomwhichLouisBonapartehadknownhowtocastoverhiscrime,farfromlifting,
grewdenser.Forthefirsttimeinthesixtyyears,thattheProvidentialeraofRevolutions
hadbeenopen,Paris,thecityofintelligence,seemednottounderstand!
OnleavingthebarricadeoftheRueSte.Marguerite,DeFlottewenttotheFaubourgSt.
Marceau,MadierdeMontjauwenttoBelleville,CharamauleandMaigneproceededto
theBoulevards.Schoelcher,Dulac,Malardier,andBrillieragainwentuptheFaubourg
St.Antoinebythesidestreetswhichthesoldiershadnotyetoccupied.Theyshouted,
"VivelaRpublique!"Theyharanguedthepeopleonthedoorsteps:"IsittheEmpirethat
youwant?"exclaimedSchoelcher.Theyevenwentasfarastosingthe"Marseillaise."
Peopletookofftheirhatsastheypassedandshouted"LonglivetheRepresentatives!"
Butthatwasall.
Theywerethirstyandweary.IntheRuedeReuillyamancameoutofadoorwitha
bottleinhishand,andofferedthemdrink.
Sartinjoinedthemontheway.IntheRuedeCharonnetheyenteredthemeetingplaceof
theAssociationof CabinetMakers,hopingtofindtherethecommitteeoftheassociation
insession.Therewasnoonethere.Butnothingdiscouragedthem.
AstheyreachedthePlacedelaBastille,DulacsaidtoSchoelcher,"Iwillaskpermission
toleaveyouforanhouror two,forthisreason:IamaloneinPariswithmylittle
daughter,whoissevenyearsold.Forthepastweekshehashadscarletfever.Yesterday,
whenthe_coupd'tat_burstforth,shewasatdeath'sdoor.Ihavenoonebutthischildin
theworld.Ileftherthismorningtocomewithyou,andshesaidtome,'Papa,whereare
yougoing?'AsIamnotkilled,Iwillgoandseeifsheisnotdead."
Twohoursafterwardsthechildwasstillliving,andwewereholdingapermanentsitting
atNo.15,RueRichelieu,JulesFavre,Carnot,MicheldeBourges,andmyself,when
Dulacentered,andsaidtous,"Ihavecometoplacemyselfatyourdisposal."
[9]"Therewasalsoamisunderstandingrespectingtheappointedtime.Somemadea
mistake,andthoughtitwasnineo'clock.Thefirstarrivalsimpatientlyawaitedtheir
colleagues.Theywere,aswehavesaid,sometwelveorfifteeninnumberathalfpast
eight.'Timeisbeinglost,'exclaimedoneofthemwhohadhardlyentered'letusgirdon

oursashesletusshowtheRepresentativestothePeople,letusjoinitinraising
barricades.'Weshallperhapssavethecountry,atalleventsweshallsavethehonorof
ourparty.'Come,letustothebarricades!'Thisadvicewasimmediatelyandunanimously
acclaimed:onealone,CitizenBaudin,interposedtheforcibleobjection,'wearenot
sufficientlynumeroustoadoptsucharesolution.'Buthespiritedlyjoinedinthegeneral
enthusiasm,andwithacalmconscience,afterhavingreservedtheprinciple,hewasnot
thelasttogirdonhissash."SCHOELCHER,_HistoiredesCrimesdu2dDecembre_,
pp.130131.

CHAPTERIV.THEWORKMEN'SSOCIETIESASKUSFORTHE
ORDERTOFIGHT
InpresenceofthefactofthebarricadeoftheFaubourgSt.Antoinesoheroically
constructedbytheRepresentatives,sosadlyneglectedbythepopulace,thelastillusions,
evenmine,shouldhavebeendispersed.Baudinkilled,theFaubourgcold.Suchthings
spokealoud.Itwasasupreme,manifest,absolutedemonstrationofthatfact,theinaction
ofthepeople,towhichIcouldnotresignmyselfadeplorableinaction,ifthey
understood,aselftreason,iftheydidnotunderstand,afatalneutralityineverycase,a
calamityofwhichalltheresponsibility,werepeat,recoilednotuponthepeoplebutupon
thosewhoinJune,1848,afterhavingpromisedthemamnesty,hadrefusedit,andwho
hadunhingedthegreatsoulofthepeopleofParisbybreakingfaithwiththem.Whatthe
ConstituentAssemblyhadsowntheLegislativeAssemblyharvested.We,innocentofthe
fault,hadtosubmittotheconsequence.
ThesparkwhichwehadseenflashforaninstantthroughthecrowdMicheldeBourges
fromtheheightofBonvalet'sbalcony,myselffromtheBoulevardduTemplethisspark
seemedextinguished.Maignefirstly,thenBrillier,thenBruckner,lateronCharmaule,
MadierdeMontjau,Bastide,andDulaccametoreporttouswhathadpassedatthe
barricadeofSt.Antoine,themotiveswhichhaddecidedtheRepresentativespresentnot
toawaitthehourappointedfor therendezvous,andBaudin'sdeath.ThereportwhichI
mademyselfofwhatIhadseen,andwhichCassalandAlexanderReycompletedby
addingnewcircumstances,enabledustoascertainthesituation.TheCommitteecouldno
longerhesitate:ImyselfrenouncedthehopeswhichIhadbaseduponagrand
manifestation,uponapowerfulreplytothe_coupd'tat_,uponasortofpitchedbattle
wagedbytheguardiansoftheRepublicagainstthebandittioftheElyse.TheFaubourgs
faileduswepossessedtheleverRight,butthemasstoberaised,thePeople,wedidnot
possess.Therewasnothingmoretohopefor,asthosetwogreatorators,Michelde
BourgesandJulesFavre,withtheirkeenpoliticalperception,haddeclaredfromthefirst,
saveaslowlongstruggle,avoidingdecisiveengagements,changingquarters,keeping
Parisonthealert,sayingtoeach,Itisnotatanendleavingtimeforthedepartmentsto
preparetheirresistance,wearyingthetroopsout,andinwhichstruggletheParisian
people,whodonotlongsmellpowderwithimpunity,wouldperhapsultimatelytakefire.
Barricadesraisedeverywhere,barelydefended,remadeimmediately,disappearingand
multiplyingthemselvesatthesametime,suchwasthestrategyindicatedbythesituation.
TheCommitteeadoptedit,andsentordersineverydirectiontothiseffect.Atthat
momentweweresittingatNo.15,RueRichelieu,atthehouseofourcolleagueGrvy,
whohadbeenarrestedintheTenthArrondissementontheprecedingday,whowasat
Mazas.Hisbrotherhadofferedushishouseforourdeliberations.TheRepresentatives,
ournaturalemissaries,flockedaroundus,andscatteredthemselvesthroughoutParis,
withourinstructionstoorganizeresistanceateverypoint.Theywerethearmsandthe
Committeewasthesoul.AcertainnumberofexConstituents,intrepidmen,Garnier
Pags,Marie,Martin(deStrasbourg),Senart,formerlyPresidentoftheConstituent
Assembly,Bastide,Laissac,Landrin,hadjoinedtheRepresentativesonthepreceding
day.Theyestablished,therefore,inallthedistrictswhereitwaspossibleCommitteesof

Permanenceinconnectionwithus,theCentralCommittee,andcomposedeitherof
Representativesoroffaithfulcitizens.Forourwatchwordwechose"Baudin."
Towardsnoon thecentreofParisbegantogrowagitated.
OurappealtoarmswasfirstseenplacardedonthePlacedelaBourseandtheRue
Montmartre.Groupspressedroundtoreadit,andbattledwiththepolice,who
endeavoredtoteardownthebills.Otherlithographicplacardscontainedintwoparallel
columnsthedecreeofdepositiondrawnupbytheRightattheMairieoftheTenth
Arrondissement,andthedecreeofoutlawryvotedbytheLeft.Thereweredistributed,
printedongraypaperinlargetype,thejudgmentoftheHighCourtofJustice,declaring
LouisBonaparteattaintedwiththeCrimeofHighTreason,andsigned"Hardouin"
(President),"Delapalme,""Moreau"(oftheSeine),"Cauchy,""Bataille"(Judges).This
lastnamewasthusmisspeltbymistake,itshouldread"Pataille."
Atthatmomentpeoplegenerallybelieved,andweourselvesbelieved,inthisjudgment,
which,aswehaveseen,wasnotthegenuinejudgment.
Atthesametimetheypostedinthepopulousquarters,atthecornerofeverystreet,two
Proclamations.Thefirstranthus:
"TOTHEPEOPLE.
"ARTICLEIII.[10]
"TheConstitutionisconfidedtothekeepingandtothepatriotismofFrenchcitizens.
LouisNAPOLEONisoutlawed.
"TheStateofSiegeisabolished.
"Universalsuffrageisreestablished.
"LONGLIVETHEREPUBLIC.
"ToARMS!
"FortheUnitedMountain.
"TheDelegate,VICTORHUGO."
Thesecondranthus:
"INHABITANTSOFPARIS.
"TheNationalGuardsandthePeopleoftheDepartmentsaremarchingonParistoaid
youinseizingtheTRAITOR,LouisNapolonBONAPARTE.

"FortheRepresentativesofthePeople,
"VICTORHUGO,President.
"SCHOELCHER,Secretary."
Thislastplacard,printedonlittlesquaresofpaper,wasdistributedabroad,saysan
historianofthe_coupd'tat_,bythousandsofcopies.
FortheirpartthecriminalsinstalledintheGovernmentofficesrepliedbythreats:the
greatwhiteplacards,thatistosay,theofficialbills,werelargelymultiplied.Onone
couldberead:
"WE,PREFECTOFTHEPOLICE,
"Decreeasfollows:
"ARTICLEI.Allmeetingsarerigorouslyprohibited.Theywillbeimmediately
dispersedbyforce.
"ARTICLEII.Allseditiousshouts,allreadinginpublic,allpostingofpolitical
documentsnotemanatingfromaregularlyconstitutedauthority,areequallyprohibited.
"ARTICLEIII.TheagentsofthePublicPolicewillenforcetheexecutionofthe
presentdecree.
"GivenatthePrefectureofPolice,December3,1851.
"DEMAUPAS,PrefectofPolice.
"Seenandapproved,
"DEMORNY,MinisteroftheInterior."
Onanothercouldberead,
"THEMINISTEROFWAR,
"ByvirtueoftheLawontheStateofSiege,
"Decrees:
"Everypersontakenconstructingordefendingabarricade,orcarrying arms,WILLBE
SHOT.

"GeneralofDivision,
"Ministerofwar,
"DESAINTARNAUD."
WereproducethisProclamationexactly,eventothepunctuation.Thewords"Willbe
shot"wereincapitallettersintheplacardssigned"DeSaintArnaud."
TheBoulevardswerethrongedwithanexcitedcrowd.Theagitationincreasinginthe
centrereachedthreeArrondissements,the6th,7th,andthe12th.Thedistrictofthe
schoolsbegantodisorderly.TheStudentsofLawandofMedicinecheeredDeFlotteon
thePlacedePanthon.MadierdeMontjau,ardentandeloquent,wentthroughand
arousedBelleville.Thetroops,growingmorenumerouseverymoment,tookpossession
ofallthestrategicalpointsofParis.
Atoneo'clock,ayoungmanwasbroughttousbythelegaladviseroftheWorkmen's
Societies,theexConstituentLeblond,atwhosehousetheCommitteehaddeliberatedthat
morning.Weweresittinginpermanence,Carnot,JulesFavre,MicheldeBourges,and
myself.Thisyoungman,whohadanearnestmodeofspeakingandanintelligent
countenance,wasnamedKing.HehadbeensenttousbytheCommitteeofthe
Workmen'sSociety,fromwhomhewasdelegated."TheWorkmen'sSocieties,"hesaidto
us,"placethemselvesatthedisposaloftheCommitteeofLegalInsurrection appointedby
theLeft.Theycanthrowintothestrugglefiveorsixthousandresolutemen.Theywill
manufacturepowderasforguns,theywillbefound."TheWorkmen'sSocietyrequested
fromusanordertofightsignedbyus.JulesFavretookapenandwrote,"The
undersignedRepresentativesauthorizeCitizenKingandhisfriendstodefendwiththem,
andwitharmsintheirhands,UniversalSuffrage,theRepublic,theLaws."Hedatedit,
andweallfoursignedit."Thatisenough,"saidthedelegatetous,"youwillhearofus."
Twohoursafterwardsitwasreportedtousthattheconflicthadbegun.Theywere
fightingintheRueAumaire.
[10]Atypographicalerroritshouldread"ArticleLXVIII."Onthesubjectofthis
placardtheauthorofthisbookreceivedthefollowingletter.Itdoeshonortothosewho
wroteit:
"CITIZENVICTORHUGO,Weknowthatyouhavemadeanappealtoarms.We
havenotbeenabletoobtainit.Wereplaceitbythesebillswhichwesignwithyour
name.Youwillnotdisownus.WhenFranceisindangeryournamebelongstoallyour
nameisaPublicPower.
"FELIXBONY.
"DABAT."

CHAPTERV.BAUDINS'SCORPSE
WithregardtotheFaubourgSt.Antoine,wehad,asIsaid,lostnearlyallhope,butthe
menofthe_coupd'tat_hadnotlostalluneasiness.Sincetheattemptsatrisingandthe
barricadesofthemorningarigoroussupervisionhadbeenorganized.Anyonewho
enteredtheFaubourgrantheriskofbeingexamined,followed,andupontheslightest
suspicion,arrested.Thesupervisionwasneverthelesssometimesatfault.Abouttwo
o'clockashortman,withanearnestandattentiveair,crossedtheFaubourg.A_sergent
deville_andapoliceagentinplainclothesbarredhispassage."Whoareyou?""You
seemapassenger.""Whereareyougoing?""Overthere,closeby,toBartholom's,the
overseerofthesugarmanufactory."Theysearchhim.Hehimselfopenedhispocket
bookthepoliceagentsturnedoutthepocketsofhiswaistcoatandunbuttonedhisshirt
overhisbreastfinallythe_sergentdeville_saidgruffly,"YetIseemtohaveseenyou
herebeforethismorning.Beoff!"ItwastheRepresentativeGindrier.Iftheyhadnot
stoppedatthepocketsofhiswaistcoatandiftheyhadsearchedhisgreatcoat,they
wouldhavefoundhissashthereGindrierwouldhavebeenshot.
Nottoallowthemselvestobearrested,tokeeptheirfreedomforthecombatsuchwas
thewatchwordofthemembersoftheLeft.Thatiswhywehadoursashesuponus,but
notoutwardlyvisible.
Gindrierhadhadnofoodthatdayhethoughthewouldgohome,andreturnedtothenew
districtoftheHavreRailwayStation,whereheresided.IntheRuedeCalais,whichisa
lonelystreetrunningfromRueBlanchetotheRuedeClichy,a_fiacre_passedhim.
Gindrierheardhisnamecalledout.Heturnedroundandsawtwopersonsina_fiacre_,
relationsofBaudin,andamanwhomhedidnotknow.OneoftherelationsofBaudin,
MadameL,saidtohim,"Baudiniswounded!"Sheadded,"Theyhavetaken himto
theSt.AntoineHospital.Wearegoingtofetchhim.Comewithus."Gindriergotintothe
_fiacre_.Thestranger,however,wasanemissaryoftheCommissaryofPoliceoftheRue
Ste.MargueriteSt.Antoine.Hehadbeenchargedbythecommissaryof Policetogoto
Baudin'shouse,No,88,RuedeClichy,toinformthefamily.Havingonlyfoundthe
womenathomehehadconfinedhimselftotellingthemthatRepresentativeBaudinwas
wounded.Heofferedtoaccompanythem,andwentwiththeminthe_fiacre_.Theyhad
utteredthenameofGindrierbeforehim.Thismighthavebeenimprudent.Theyspoketo
himhedeclaredthathewouldnotbetraytheRepresentative,anditwassettledthat
beforetheCommissaryofPoliceGindriershouldassumetobearelation,andbecalled
Baudin.
Thepoorwomenstillhoped.Perhapsthewoundwasserious,butBaudinwasyoung,and
hadagoodconstitution."Theywillsavehim,"saidthey.Gindrierwassilent.Atthe
officeoftheCommissaryofPolicethetruthwasrevealed."Howishe?"askedMadame
L onentering."Why?"saidtheCommissary,"heisdead.""Whatdoyoumean?
Dead!""Yeskilledonthespot."

Thiswasapainfulmoment.Thedespairofthesetwowomenwhohadbeensoabruptly
strucktotheheartburstforth insobs."Ah,infamousBonaparte!"criedMadameL.
"HehaskilledBaudin.Well,then,Iwillkillhim.IwillbetheCharlotteCordayofthis
Marat."
GindrierclaimedthebodyofBaudin.TheCommissaryofPoliceonlyconsentedto
restoreittothefamilyonexactingapromisethattheywouldburyitatonce,andwithout
anyostentation,andthattheywouldnotexhibitittothepeople."Youunderstand,"he
said,"thatthesightofaRepresentativekilledandbleedingmightraiseParis."The_coup
d'tat_madecorpses,butdidnotwishthattheyshouldbeutilized.
OntheseconditionstheCommissaryofPolicegaveGindriertwomenandasafeconduct
tofetchthebodyofBaudinfromthehospitalwherehehadbeencarried.
MeanwhileBaudin'sbrother,ayoungmanoffourandtwenty,amedicalstudent,came
up.Thisyoungmanhassincebeenarrestedandimprisoned.Hiscrimeishisbrother.Let
uscontinue.Theyproceededtothehospital.Atthesightofthesafeconductthedirector
usheredGindrierandyoungBaudinintotheparlor.Therewerethreepalletsthere
coveredwithwhitesheets,underwhichcouldbetracedthemotionlessformsofthree
humanbodies.TheonewhichoccupiedthecentrebedwasBaudin.Onhisrightlaythe
youngsoldierkilledaminutebeforehimbythesideofSchoelcher,andontheleftanold
womanwhohadbeenstruckdownbyaspentballintheRuedeCotte,andwhomthe
executionersofthe_coupd'tat_hadgathereduplateroninthefirstmomentonecannot
findoutallone'sriches.
Thethreecorpseswerenakedundertheirwindingsheets.
TheyhadlefttoBaudinalonehisshirtandhisflannelvest.Theyhadfoundonhimseven
francs,hisgoldwatchandchain,hisRepresentative'smedal,andagoldpencilcase
whichhehadusedintheRuedePopincourt,afterhavingpassedmetheotherpencil,
whichIstillpreserve.GindrierandyoungBaudin,bareheaded,approachedthecentre
bed.Theyraisedtheshroud,andBaudin'sdeadfacebecamevisible.Hewascalm,and
seemedasleep.Nofeatureappearedcontracted.Alividtintbegantomottlehisface.
Theydrewupanofficialreport.Itiscustomary.Itisnotsufficienttokillpeople.An
officialreportmustalsobedrawnup.YoungBaudinhadtosignit,uponwhich,onthe
demandoftheCommissaryofPolice,they"madeover"tohimthebodyofhisbrother.
Duringthesesignatures,Gindrierinthecourtyardofthehospital,attemptedifnotto
console,atleasttocalmthetwodespairingwomen.
Suddenlyamanwhohadenteredthecourtyard,andwhohadattentivelywatchedhimfor
somemoments,cameabruptlyuptohim,
"Whatareyoudoingthere?"
"Whatisthattoyou?"saidGindrier.

"YouhavecometofetchBaudin'sbody?"
"Yes."
"Isthisyourcarriage?"
"Yes."
"Getinatonce,andpulldowntheblinds."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"YouaretheRepresentativeGindrier.Iknowyou.Youwerethismorningonthe
barricade.Ifanyotherthanmyselfshouldseeyou,youarelost."
Gindrierfollowedhisadviceandgotintothe_fiacre_.Whilegettinginheaskedtheman:
"DoyoubelongtothePolice?"
Themandidnotanswer.Amomentafterhecameandsaidinalowvoice,nearthedoor
ofthe_fiacre_inwhichGindrierwasenclosed,
"Yes,Ieatthebread,butIdonotdothework."
ThetwomensentbytheCommissaryofPolicetookBaudinonhiswoodenbedand
carriedhimtothe_fiacre_.Theyplacedhimatthebottomofthe_fiacre_withhisface
covered,andenvelopedfromheadtofootinashroud.Aworkmanwhowastherelenthis
cloak,whichwasthrownoverthecorpseinordernottoattractthenoticeofpassersby.
MadameLtookherplacebythesideofthebody,Gindrieropposite,youngBaudin
nexttoGindrier.A_fiacre_followed,inwhichweretheotherrelativeofBaudinanda
medicalstudentnamedDutche.Theysetoff.Duringthejourneytheheadofthecorpse,
shakenbythecarriage,rolledfromshouldertoshoulderthebloodbegantoflowfrom
thewoundandappearedinlargeredpatchesthroughthewhitesheet.Gindrierwithhis
armsstretchedoutandhishandplacedonitsbreast,preventeditfromfallingforwards
MadameLhelditupbytheside.
Theyhadtoldthecoachmantodriveslowlythejourneylastedmorethananhour.
WhentheyreachedNo.88,RuedeClichy,thebringingoutofthebodyattracteda
curiouscrowdbeforethedoor.Theneighborsflockedthither.Baudin'sbrother,assisted
byGindrierandDutche,carriedupthecorpsetothefourthfloor,whereBaudinresided.
Itwasanewhouse,andhehadonlylivedthereafewmonths.
Theycarriedhimintohisroom,whichwasinorder,andjustashehadleftitonthe
morningofthe2d.Thebed,onwhichhehadnotslepttheprecedingnight,hadnotbeen

disturbed.Abookwhichhehadbeenreadinghadremainedonthetable,openatthepage
wherehehadleftoff.Theyunrolledtheshroud,andGindriercutoffhisshirtandhis
flannelvestwithapairofscissors.Theywashedthebody.Theballhadenteredthrough
thecornerofthearchoftherighteye,andhadgoneoutatthebackofthehead.The
woundoftheeyehadnotbled.Asortofswellinghadformedtherethebloodhadflowed
copiouslythroughtheholeatthebackofthehead.Theyputcleanlinenonhim,and
cleansheetsonthebed,andlaidhimdownwithhisheadonthepillow,andhisface
uncovered.Thewomenwereweepinginthenextroom.
GindrierhadalreadyrenderedthesameservicetotheexConstituentJamesDemontry.In
1850JamesDemontrydiedinexileatCologne.GindrierstartedforCologne,wenttothe
cemetery,andhadJamesDemontryexhumed.Hehadtheheartextracted,embalmedit,
andencloseditinasilvervase,whichhetooktoParis.ThepartyoftheMountain
delegatedhim,withCholletandJoigneux,toconveythishearttoDijon,Demontry's
nativeplace,andtogivehimasolemnfuneral.Thisfuneralwasprohibitedbyanorderof
LouisBonaparte,thenPresidentoftheRepublic.Theburialofbraveandfaithfulmen
wasunpleasingtoLouisBonapartenotsotheirdeath.
When Baudinhadbeenlaidoutonthebed,thewomencamein,andallthisfamily,
seatedroundthecorpse,wept.Gindrier,whomotherdutiescalledelsewhere,went
downstairswithDutche.Acrowdhadformedbeforethedoor.
Amaninablouse,withhishaton hishead,mountedonakerbstone,wasspeechifying
andglorifyingthe_coupd'tat_.UniversalSuffragereestablished,theLawofthe31st
Mayabolished,the"Twentyfivefrancs"suppressedLouisBonapartehasdonewell,
etc.Gindrier,standingonthethresholdofthedoor,raisedhisvoice:"Citizens!above
liesBaudin,aRepresentativeofthePeople,killedwhiledefendingthePeopleBaudin
theRepresentativeofyouall,markthatwell!Youarebeforehishouseheisthere
bleedingonhisbed,andhereisamanwhodaresinthisplacetoapplaudhisassassin!
Citizens!shallItellyouthenameofthisman?HeiscalledthePolice!Shameandinfamy
totraitorsandtocowards!Respecttothecorpseofhimwhohasdiedforyou!"
Andpushingasidethecrowd,Gindriertookthemanwhohadbeenspeakingbythe
collar,andknockinghishatontothegroundwiththebackofhishand,hecried,"Hats
off!"

CHAPTERVI.THEDECREESOFTHEREPRESENTATIVESWHO
REMAINEDFREE
ThetextofthejudgmentwhichwasbelievedtohavebeendawnupbytheHighCourtof
JusticehadbeenbroughttousbytheexConstituentMartin(ofStrasbourg),alawyerat
theCourtofCassation.AtthesametimewelearnedwhatwashappeningintheRue
Aumaire.Thebattlewasbeginning,itwasimportanttosustainit,andtofeedititwas
importantevertoplacethelegalresistancebythesideofthearmedresistance.The
memberswhohadmettogetherontheprecedingdayattheMairieoftheTenth
ArrondissementhaddecreedthedepositionofLouisBonapartebutthisdecree,drawnup
byameetingalmostexclusivelycomposedoftheunpopularmembersofthemajority,
mighthavenoeffectonthemassesitwasnecessarythattheLeftshouldtakeitup,
shouldadoptit,shouldimprintupon itamoreenergeticandmorerevolutionaryaccent,
andalsotakepossessionofthejudgmentoftheHighCourt,whichwasbelievedtobe
genuine,tolendassistancetothisjudgment,andputitintoexecution.
InourappealtoarmswehadoutlawedLouisBonaparte.Thedecreeofdepositiontaken
upandcountersignedbyusaddedweighttothisoutlawry,andcompletedthe
revolutionaryactbythelegalact.
TheCommitteeofResistancecalledtogethertheRepublicanRepresentatives.
TheapartmentsofM.Grvy,wherewehadbeensitting,beingtoosmall,weappointed
forourmeetingplaceNo.10.RuedesMoulins,althoughwarnedthatthepolicehad
alreadymadearaiduponthishouse.ButwehadnochoiceintimeofRevolution
prudenceisimpossible,anditisspeedilyseenthatitisuseless.Confidence,always
confidencesuchisthelawofthosegrandactionswhichattimesdeterminegreatevents.
Theperpetualimprovisationofmeans,ofpolicy,ofexpedients,ofresources,nothingstep
bystep,everythingontheimpulseofthemoment,thegroundneversounded,allrisks
takenasawhole,thegoodwiththebad,everythingchancedonallsidesatthesametime,
thehour,theplace,theopportunity,friends,family,liberty,fortune,life,suchisthe
revolutionaryconflict.
Towardsthreeo'clockaboutsixtyRepresentativesweremeetingatNo.10,Ruedes
Moulins,inthelargedrawingroom,outofwhichopenedalittleroomwherethe
CommitteeofResistancewasinsession.
ItwasagloomyDecemberday,anddarknessseemedalreadytohavealmostsetin.The
publisherHetzel,whomightalsobecalledthepoetHetzel,isofanoblemindandof
greatcourage.Hehas,asisknown,shownunusualpoliticalqualitiesasSecretary
GeneraloftheMinistryofForeignAffairsunderBastidehecametoofferhimselftous,
asthebraveandpatrioticHingrayhadalreadydoneinthemorning.Hetzelknewthatwe
neededaprintingofficeaboveeverythingwehadnotthefacultyofspeech,andLouis
Bonapartespokealone.Hetzelhadfoundaprinterwhohadsaidtohim,"_Forceme,put
apistoltomythroat,andIwillprintwhateveryouwish_."Itwasonlyaquestion,

therefore,ofgettingafewfriendstogether,ofseizingthisprintingofficebymainforce,
ofbarricadingit,and,ifnecessary,ofsustainingasiege,whileourProclamationsandour
decreeswerebeingprinted.Hetzelofferedthistous.Oneincidentofhisarrivalatour
meetingplacedeservestobenoted.Ashedrewnearthedoorwayhesawinthetwilight
ofthisdrearyDecemberdayamanstandingmotionlessatashortdistance,andwho
seemedtobelyinginwait.Hewentuptothisman,andrecognizedM.Yon,theformer
CommissaryofPoliceoftheAssembly.
"Whatareyoudoingthere?"saidHetzelabruptly."Areyoutheretoarrestus?Inthat
case,hereiswhatIhavegotforyou,"andhetookouttwopistolsfromhispocket.
M.Yonansweredsmiling,
"Iamintruthwatching,notagainstyou,butforyouIamguardingyou."
M.Yon,awareofourmeetingatLandrin'shouseandfearingthatweshouldbearrested,
was,ofhisownaccord,actingaspoliceforus.
HetzelhadalreadyrevealedhisschemetoRepresentativeLabrousse,whowasto
accompanyhimandgivehimthemoralsupportoftheAssemblyinhisperilous
expedition.AfirstrendezvouswhichhadbeenagreeduponbetweenthemattheCaf
Cardinalhavingfailed,Labroussehadleftwiththeownerofthe_caf_forHetzelanote
couchedintheseterms:
"MadameElizabethawaitsM.HetzelatNo.10,RuedesMoulins."
InaccordancewiththisnoteHetzelhadcome.
WeacceptedHetzel'soffer,anditwasagreedthatatnightfallRepresentativeVersigny,
whoperformedthedutiesofSecretarytotheCommittee,shouldtakehimourdecrees,
ourProclamation,suchitemsofnewsasmayhavereachedus,andallthatweshould
judgepropertopublish.ItwassettledthatHetzelshouldawaitVersignyonthepavement
attheendoftheRuedeRichelieuwhichrunsalongsidetheCafCardinal.
MeanwhileJulesFavre,MicheldeBourgesandmyselfhaddrawnupafinaldecree,
whichwastocombinethedepositionvotedbytheRightwiththeoutlawryvotedbyus.
WecamebackintothelargeroomtoreadittotheassembledRepresentatives,andfor
themtosignit.
Atthismomentthedooropened,andEmiledeGirardinappeared.Wehadnotseenhim
sincethepreviousevening.
EmiledeGirardinafterdispersingfromaroundhimthatmistwhichenvelopesevery
combatantinpartywarfare,andwhichatadistancechangesorobscurestheappearance
ofamanEmiledeGirardinisanextraordinarythinker,anaccuratewriter,energetic,
logical,skilful,heartyajournalistinwhom,asinallgreatjournalists,canbeseenthe

statesman.WeowetoEmiledeGirardinthisgreatworkof progress,thecheapPress.
EmiledeGirardinhasthisgreatgift,aclearheadedstubbornness.EmiledeGirardinisa
publicwatchmanhisjournalishissentryboxhewaits,hewatches,hespiesout,he
enlightens,heliesinwait,hecries"Whogoesthere?"attheslightestalarm,hefires
volleyswithhispen.Heisreadyforeveryformofcombat,asentineltoday,aGeneral
tomorrow.Likeallearnestmindsheunderstands,hesees,herecognizes,hehandles,so
tospeak,thegreatandmagnificentidentityembracedunderthesethreewords,
"Revolution,Progress,Liberty"hewishesfortheRevolution,butaboveallthrough
Progresshewishesforprogress,butsolelythroughLiberty.Onecan,andaccordingto
ouropinionsometimesrightly,differfromhimastotheroadtobetaken,astothe
attitudetobeassumed,andthepositiontobemaintained,butnoonecandenyhis
courage,whichhehasprovedineveryform,norrejecthisobject,whichisthemoraland
physicalameliorationofthelotofall.EmiledeGirardinismoreDemocraticthan
Republican,moreSocialistthanDemocraticonthedaywhenthesethreeideas,
Democracy,Republicanism,Socialism,thatistosay,theprinciple,theform,andthe
application,arebalancedinhismindtheoscillationswhichstillexistinhimwillcease.
HehasalreadyPower,hewillhaveStability.
Inthecourseofthissitting,asweshallsee,IdidnotalwaysagreewithEmilede
Girardin.AllthemorereasonthatIshouldrecordherehowgreatlyIappreciatethemind
formedoflightandofcourage.EmiledeGirardin,whateverhisfailingsmaybe,isoneof
thosemenwhodohonortothePressoftodayheunitesinthehighestdegreethe
dexterityofthecombatantwiththeserenityofthethinker.
Iwentuptohim,andIaskedhim,
"Haveyouanyworkmenofthe_Presse_stillremaining?"
Heansweredme,
"Ourpressesareunderseal,andguardedbythe_GendarmerieMobile_,butIhavefive
orsixwillingworkmen,theycanproduceafewplacardswiththebrush."
"Wellthen,"saidI,"printourdecreesandourProclamation.""Iwillprintanything,"
answeredhe,"aslongasitisnotanappealtoarms."
Headded,addressinghimselftome,"IknowyourProclamation.Itisawarcry,Icannot
printthat."
They remonstratedatthis.HethendeclaredthatheforhispartmadeProclamations,but
inadifferentsensefromours.ThataccordingtohimLouisBonaparteshouldnotbe
combatedbyforceofarms,butbycreatingavacuum.Byanarmedconflicthewouldbe
theconqueror,byavacuumhewouldbeconquered.Heurgedustoaidhiminisolating
the"deposedoftheSecondDecember.""Letusbringaboutavacuumaroundhim!"cried
EmiledeGirardin,"letusproclaimanuniversalstrike.Letthemerchantceasetosell,let
theconsumerceasefrombuying,lettheworkmanceasefromworking,letthebutcher

ceasefromkilling,letthebakerceasefrombaking,leteverythingkeepholiday,evento
theNationalPrintingOffice,sothatLouisBonapartemaynotfindacompositorto
composethe_Moniteur_,notapressmantomachineit,notabillstickertoplacardit!
Isolation,solitude,avoidspaceroundthisman!Letthenationwithdrawfromhim.Every
powerfromwhichthenationwithdrawsfallslikeatreefromwhichtherootsaredivided.
LouisBonaparteabandonedbyallinhiscrimewillvanishaway.Bysimplyfoldingour
armsaswestandaroundhimhewillfall.Ontheotherhand,fireonhimandyouwill
consolidatehim.Thearmyisintoxicated,thepeoplearedazedanddonotinterfere,the
middleclassesareafraidofthePresident,ofthepeople,ofyou,ofeveryone!Novictory
ispossible.Youwillgostraightbeforeyou,likebravemen,youriskyourheads,very
goodyouwillcarrywithyoutwoorthreethousanddaringmen,whosebloodmingled
withyours,alreadyflows.Itisheroic,Igrantyou.Itisnotpolitic.Asforme,Iwillnot
printanappealtoarms,andIrejectthecombat.Letusorganizeanuniversalstrike."
Thispointofviewwashaughtyandsuperb,butunfortunatelyIfeltittobeunattainable.
TwoaspectsofthetruthseizedGirardin,thelogicalsideandthepracticalside.Here,in
myopinion,thepracticalsidewaswanting.
MicheldeBourgesansweredhim.MicheldeBourgeswithhissoundlogicandquick
reasoningputhisfingeronwhatwasforustheimmediatequestionthecrimeofLouis
Bonaparte,thenecessitytoriseuperectbeforethiscrime.Itwasratheraconversation
thanadebate,butMicheldeBourgesandJulesFavre,whospokenext,raisedittothe
highesteloquence.JulesFavre,worthytounderstandthepowerfulmindofGirardin
wouldwillinglyhaveadoptedthisidea,ifithadseemedpracticable,oftheuniversal
strike,ofthevoidaroundthemanhefounditgreat,butimpossible.Anationdoesnot
pullupshort.Evenwhenstrucktotheheart,itstillmoveson.Socialmovement,whichis
theanimallifeofsociety,survivesallpoliticalmovement.WhateverEmiledeGirardin
mighthope,therewouldalwaysbeabutcherwhowouldkill,abakerwhowouldbake,
menmusteat!"Tomakeuniversallaborfolditsarmsisachimera!"saidJulesFavre,"a
dream!ThePeoplefightforthreedays,forfourdays,foraweeksocietywillnotwait
indefinitely."Astothesituation,itwasdoubtlessterrible,itwasdoubtlesstragical,and
bloodflowed,butwhohadbroughtaboutthissituation?LouisBonaparte.Forourselves
wewouldacceptit,suchasitwas,andnothingmore.

EmiledeGirardin,steadfast,logical,absoluteinhisidea,persisted.Somemightbe
shaken.Arguments,whichweresoabundantinthisvigorousandinexhaustiblemind,
crowdeduponhim.Asforme,IsawDutybeforemelikeatorch.
Iinterruptedhim.Icriedout,"Itistoolatetodeliberatewhatwearetodo.Wehavenot
gottodoit.Itisdone.Thegauntletofthe_coupd'tat_isthrowndown,theLefttakesit
up.Thematterisassimpleasthis.TheoutrageoftheSecondDecemberisaninfamous,
insolent,unprecedenteddefiancetoDemocracy,toCivilization,toLiberty,tothePeople,
toFrance.Irepeatthatwehavetakenupthisgauntlet,wearetheLaw,butthelivingLaw
whichatneedcanarmitselfandfight.Aguninourhandsisaprotest.Idonotknow
whetherweshallconquer,butitisourdutytoprotest.ToprotestfirstinParliament

whenParliamentisclosed,toprotestinthestreetwhenthestreetisclosed,toprotestin
exilewhenexileisfulfilled,toprotestinthetomb.Suchisourpart,ouroffice,our
mission.TheauthorityoftheRepresentativesiselasticthePeoplebestowit,events
extendit."
Whileweweredeliberating,ourcolleague,NapoleonBonaparte,sonoftheexKingof
Westphalia,camein.Helistened.Hespoke.Heenergeticallyblamed,inatoneofsincere
andgenerousindignation,hiscousin'scrime,buthedeclaredthatinhisopinionawritten
protestwouldsuffice.AprotestoftheRepresentatives,aprotestoftheCouncilofState,a
protestoftheMagistracy,aprotestofthePress,thatthisprotestwouldbeunanimousand
wouldenlightenFrance,butthatnootherformofresistancewouldobtainunanimity.
Thatasforhimself,havingalwaysconsideredtheConstitutionworthless,having
contendedagainstitfromthefirstintheConstituentAssembly,hewouldnotdefenditat
thelast,thatheassuredlywouldnotgiveonedropofbloodforit.ThattheConstitution
wasdead,butthattheRepublicwasliving,andthatwemustsave,nottheConstitution,a
corpse,buttheRepublic,theprinciple!
Remonstrancesburstforth.Bancel,young,glowing,eloquent,impetuous,overflowing
withselfconfidence,criedoutthatweoughtnottolookattheshortcomingsofthe
Constitution,butattheenormityofthecrimewhichhadbeencommitted,theflagrant
treason,theviolatedoath hedeclaredthatwemighthavevotedagainsttheConstitution
intheConstituentAssembly,andyetdefendittodayinthepresenceofanusurperthat
thiswaslogical,andthatmanyamongstuswereinthisposition.Hecitedmeasan
example.VictorHugo,saidhe,isaproofofthis.Heconcludedthus:"Youhavebeen
presentattheconstructionofavessel,youhaveconsidereditbadlybuilt,youhavegiven
advicewhichhasnotbeenlistenedto.Nevertheless,youhavebeenobligedtoembarkon
boardthisvessel,yourchildrenandyourbrothersaretherewithyou,yourmotherison
board.Apiraterangesup,axeinonehand,toscuttlethevessel,atorchintheothertofire
it.Thecrewareresolvedtodefendthemselvesandruntoarms.Wouldyousaytothis
crew,'FormypartIconsiderthisvesselbadlybuilt,andIwillletitbedestroyed'?"
"Insuchacase,"addedEdgarQuinet,"whoeverisnotonthesideofthevesselisonthe
sideofthepirates."
Theyshoutedonallsides,"Thedecree!Readthedecree!"
Iwasstandingleaningagainstthefireplace.NapoleonBonapartecameuptome,and
whisperedinmyear,
"Youareundertaking,"saidhe,"abattlewhichislostbeforehand."
Iansweredhim,"Idonotlookatsuccess,Ilookatduty."
Hereplied,"Youareapolitician,consequentlyyououghttolookforwardtosuccess.I
repeat,beforeyougoanyfurther,thatthebattleislostbeforehand."

Iresumed,"Ifweenterupontheconflictthebattleislost.Yousayso,Ibelieveitbutif
wedonotenteruponit,honorislost.Iwouldratherlosethebattlethanhonor."
Heremainedsilentforamoment,thenhetookmyhand.
"Beitso,"continuedhe,"butlistentome.Yourun,youyourselfpersonally,great
dancer.OfallthemenintheAssemblyyouaretheonewhomthePresidenthatesthe
most.YouhavefromtheheightoftheTribunenicknamedhim,'NapoleontheLittle.'You
understandthatwillneverbeforgotten.Besides,itwasyouwhodictatedtheappealto
arms,andthatisknown.Ifyouaretaken,youarelost.Youwillbeshotonthespot,orat
leasttransported.Haveyouasafeplacewhereyoucansleeptonight?"
Ihadnotasyetthoughtofthis."Intruth,no,"answeredI.
Hecontinued,"Well,then,cometomyhouse.ThereisperhapsonlyonehouseinParis
whereyouwouldbeinsafety.Thatismine.Theywillnotcometolookforyouthere.
Come,dayornight,atwhathouryouplease,Iwillawaityou,andIwillopenthedoorto
youmyself.IliveatNo.5,Rued'Alger."
Ithankedhim.Itwasanobleandcordialoffer.Iwastouchedbyit.Ididnotmakeuseof
it,butIhavenotforgottenit.
Theycriedoutanew,"Readthedecree!Sitdown!sitdown!"
Therewasaroundtablebeforethefireplacealamp,pens,blottingbooks, andpaper
werebroughttherethemembersoftheCommitteesatdownatthistable,the
Representativestooktheirplacesaroundthemonsofas,onarmchairs,andonallthe
chairswhichcouldbefoundintheadjoiningrooms.SomelookedaboutforNapoleon
Bonaparte.Hehadwithdrawn.
Amemberrequestedthatinthefirstplacethemeetingshoulddeclareitselftobethe
NationalAssembly,andconstituteitselfbyimmediatelyappointingaPresidentand
Secretaries.IremarkedthattherewasnoneedtodeclareourselvestheAssembly,thatwe
weretheAssemblybyrightaswellasinfact,andthewholeAssembly,ourabsent
colleaguesbeingdetainedbyforcethattheNationalAssembly,althoughmutilatedby
the_coupd'tat_,oughttopreserveitsentityandremainconstitutedafterwardsinthe
samemannerasbeforethattoappointanotherPresidentandanotherstaffofSecretaries
wouldbetogiveLouisBonaparteanadvantageoverus,andtoacknowledgeinsome
mannertheDissolutionthatweoughttodonothingofthesortthatourdecreesshould
bepublished,notwiththesignatureofaPresident,whoeverhemightbe,butwiththe
signatureofallthemembersoftheLeftwhohadnotbeenarrested,thattheywouldthus
carrywiththemfullauthorityoverthePeople,andfulleffect.Theyrelinquishedtheidea
ofappointingaPresident.NolParfaitproposedthatourdecreesandourresolutions
shouldbedrawnup,notwiththeformula:"TheNationalAssemblydecrees,"etc.but
withtheformula:"TheRepresentativesofthePeopleremainingatlibertydecree,"etc.In
thismannerweshouldpreservealltheauthorityattachedtotheofficeofthe

RepresentativesofthePeoplewithoutassociatingthearrestedRepresentativeswiththe
responsibilityofouractions.Thisformulahadtheadditionaladvantageofseparatingus
fromtheRight.ThepeopleknewthattheonlyRepresentativesremainingfreewerethe
membersoftheLeft.TheyadoptedNolParfait'sadvice.
Ireadaloudthedecreeofdeposition.Itwascouchedinthesewords:
"DECLARATION.
"TheRepresentativesofthepeopleremainingatliberty,byvirtueofArticle68ofthe
Constitution,whichrunsasfollows:
"'Article68.EverymeasurebywhichthePresidentoftheRepublic
dissolvestheAssembly,proroguesit,orobstructstheexerciseof
itsauthority,isacrimeofHighTreason.
"'BythisactionalonethePresidentisdeposedfromhisofficethe
citizensareboundtorefusehimobediencetheexecutivepower
passesbyrighttotheNationalAssemblythejudgesoftheHigh
CourtofJusticeshouldmeettogetherimmediatelyunderpenaltyof
treason,andconvokethejuriesinaplacewhichtheyshallappoint
toproceedtothejudgmentofthePresidentandhisaccomplices.'
"Decree:
"ARTICLEI.LouisBonaparteisdeposedfromhisofficeofPresidentofthe
Republic.
"ARTICLEII.Allcitizensandpublicofficialsareboundtorefusehimobedience
underpenaltyofcomplicity.
"ARTICLEIII.ThejudgmentdrawnuponDecember2dbytheHighCourtof
Justice,andwhichdeclaresLouisBonaparteattaintedwiththeCrimeofHighTreason,
shallbepublishedandexecuted.Consequentlythecivilandmilitaryauthoritiesare
summonedunderpenalty ofTreasontolendtheiractiveassistancetotheexecutionof
thesaidjudgment.
"GivenatParis,inpermanentsession,December3d,1851."
Thedecreehavingbeenread,andvotedunanimously,wesignedit,andthe
Representativescrowdedroundthetabletoaddtheirsignaturestoours.Sainremarked
thatthissigningtooktime,thatinadditionwenumberedbarelymorethansixty,alarge
numberofthemembersoftheLeftbeingatworkinthestreetsininsurrection.Heasked
iftheCommittee,whohadfullpowersfromthewholeoftheLeft,hadanyobjectionto
attachtothedecreethenamesofalltheRepublicanRepresentativesremainingatliberty,
theabsentaswellasthosepresent.Weansweredthatthedecreesignedbyallwould

assuredlybetteransweritspurpose.Besides,itwasthecounselwhichIhadalready
given.Bancelhadinhispocketonoldnumberofthe_Moniteur_containingtheresultof
adivision.
TheycutoutalistofthenamesofthemembersoftheLeft,thenamesofthosewhowere
arrestedwereerased,andthelistwasaddedtothedecree.[11]
ThenameofEmiledeGirardinuponthislistcaughtmyeye.Hewasstillpresent.
"Doyousignthisdecree?"Iaskedhim.
"Unhesitatingly."
"Inthatcasewillyouconsenttoprintit?"
"Immediately."
Hecontinued,
"Havingnolongeranypresses,asIhavetoldyou,Icanonlyprintitasahandbill,and
withthebrush.Ittakesalongtime,butbyeighto'clockthiseveningyoushallhavefive
hundredcopies."
"And,"continuedI,"youpersistinrefusingtoprinttheappealtoarms?"
"Idopersist."
Asecondcopywasmadeofthedecree,whichEmiledeGirardintookawaywithhim.
Thedeliberationwasresumed.AteachmomentRepresentativescameinandbrought
itemsofnews:AmiensininsurrectionRheimsandRoueninmotion,andmarchingon
ParisGeneralCanrobertresistingthe_coupd'tat_GeneralCastellanehesitatingthe
MinisteroftheUnitedStatesdemandinghispassports.Weplacedlittlefaithinthese
rumors,andfactsprovedthatwewereright.
MeanwhileJulesFavrehaddrawnupthefollowingdecree,whichheproposed,and
whichwasimmediatelyadopted:
"DECREE.
"FRENCHREPUBLIC.
"Liberty,Equality,Fraternity.
"TheundersignedRepresentativesremainingatliberty,assembledinPermanent
Session,

"Consideringthearrestofthemajorityofourcolleagues,andtheurgencyofthe
moment:
"ConsideringthatfortheaccomplishmentofhiscrimeLouisBonapartehasnot
contentedhimselfwithmultiplyingthemostformidablemeansofdestructionagainst
thelivesandpropertyofthecitizensofParis,thathehastrampledunderfooteverylaw,
thathehasannihilatedalltheguaranteesofcivilizednations:
"Consideringthatthesecriminalmadnessesonlyservetoaugmenttheviolent
denunciationofeveryconscienceandtohastenthehourofnationalvengeance,butthat
itisimportanttoproclaimtheRight:
"Decree:
"ARTICLEI.TheStateofSiegeisraisedinallDepartmentswhereithasbeen
established,theordinarylawsresumetheirauthority.
"ARTICLEII.ItisenjoineduponallmilitaryleadersunderpenaltyofTreason
immediatelytolaydowntheextraordinarypowerswhichhavebeenconferredupon
them.
"ARTICLEIII.Officialsandagentsofthepublicforcearechargedunderpenaltyof
treasontoputthispresentdecreeintoexecution.
"GiveninPermanentSession,3dDecember,1851."
MadierdeMontjauandDeFlotteentered.Theycamefromoutside.Theyhadbeeninall
thedistrictswheretheconflictwasproceeding,theyhadseenwiththeirowneyesthe
hesitationofapartofthepopulationinthepresenceofthesewords,"TheLawofthe31st
Mayisabolished,UniversalSuffrageisreestablished."TheplacardsofLouisBonaparte
weremanifestlyworkingmischief.Itwasnecessarytoopposeefforttoeffort,andto
neglectnothingwhichcouldopentheeyesofthepeople.Idictatedthefollowing
Proclamation:
"PROCLAMATION.
"People!youarebeingdeceived.
"LouisBonapartesaysthathehasreestablishedyouinyourrights,andthatherestores
toyouUniversalSuffrage.
"LouisBonapartehaslied.
"Readhisplacards.Hegrantsyouwhatinfamousmockery!therightofconferring
onhim,onhim_alone_,theConstituentpowerthatistosay,theSupremepower,
whichbelongstoyou.HegrantsyoutherighttoappointhimDictator_fortenyears_.In

otherwords,hegrantsyoutherightofabdicatingandofcrowninghim.Arightwhich
evenyoudonotpossess,OPeople!foronegenerationcannotdisposeofthesovereignty
ofthegenerationwhichshallfollowit.
"Yes,hegrantstoyou,Sovereign,therightofgivingyourselfamaster,andthatmaster
himself.
"Hypocrisyandtreason!
"People!weunmaskthehypocrite.Itisforyoutopunishthetraitor!
"TheCommitteeofResistance:
"JulesFavre,DeFlotte,Carnot,MadierdeMontjau,Mathieu(delaDrme),Michelde
Bourges,VictorHugo."
Baudinhadfallenheroically.ItwasnecessarytoletthePeopleknowofhisdeath,andto
honorhismemory.ThedecreebelowwasvotedonthepropositionofMichelde
Bourges:
"DECREE.
"TheRepresentativesofthePeopleremainingatlibertyconsideringthatthe
RepresentativeBaudinhasdiedonthebarricadeoftheFaubourgSt.Antoineforthe
Republicandforthelaws,andthathehasdeservedwellofhiscountry,decree:
"ThatthehonorsofthePanthonareadjudgedtoRepresentativeBaudin.
"GiveninPermanentSession,3dDecember,1851."
Afterhonortothedeadandtheneedsoftheconflictitwasnecessaryinmyopinionto
enunciateimmediatelyanddictatoriallysomegreatpopularbenefit.Iproposedthe
abolitionofthe_octroi_dutiesandofthedutyonliquors.Thisobjectionwasraised,"No
caressestothepeople!Aftervictory,wewillsee.Inthemeantimeletthemfight!Ifthey
donotfight,iftheydonotrise,iftheydonotunderstandthatitisforthem,fortheir
rightsthatwetheRepresentatives,thatweriskourheadsatthismomentiftheyleaveus
aloneatthebreach,inthepresenceofthe_coupd'tat_itisbecausetheyarenotworthy
ofLiberty!"
Bancelremarkedthattheabolitionofthe_octroi_dutiesandthedutyonliquorswerenot
caressestothePeople,butsuccortothepoor,agreateconomicalandreparatorymeasure,
asatisfactiontothepublicdemandasatisfactionwhichtheRighthadalwaysobstinately
refused,andthattheLeft,masterofthesituation,oughthastentoaccord.Theyvoted,
withthereservationthatitshouldnotbepublisheduntilaftervictory,thetwodecreesin
oneinthisform:

"DECREE.
"TheRepresentativesremainingatlibertydecree:
"The_Octroi_Dutiesareabolishedthroughouttheextentofthe territoryofthe
Republic.
"GiveninpermanentSession,3dDecember,1851."
Versigny,withacopyoftheProclamationsandoftheDecree,leftinsearchofHetzel.
Labroussealsoleftwiththesameobject.Theysettledtomeetateighto'clockinthe
eveningatthehouseoftheformermemberoftheProvisionalGovernmentMarie,Rue
NeuvedesPetitsChamps.
AsthemembersoftheCommitteeandtheRepresentativeswithdrewIwastoldthatsome
onehadaskedtospeaktome.Iwentintoasortoflittleroomattachedtothelarge
meetingroom,andIfoundthereamaninablouse,withanintelligentandsympathetic
air.Thismanhadarollofpaperinhishand.
"CitizenVictorHugo,"saidhetome,"youhavenoprintingoffice.Herearethemeans
whichwillenableyoutodispensewithone."
Heunfoldedonthemantelpiecetherollwhichhehadinhishand.Itwasaspeciesof
blottingbookmadeofverythinbluepaper,andwhichseemedtobeslightlyoiled.
Betweeneachleafofbluepapertherewasasheetofwhitepaper.Hetookoutofhis
pocketasortofbluntbodkin,saying,"Thefirstthingtohandwillserveyourpurpose,a
nailoramatch,"andhetracedwithhisbodkinonthefirstleafofthebooktheword
"Republic."Thenturningovertheleaves,hesaid,"Lookatthis."
Theword"Republic"wasreproduceduponthefifteenortwentywhiteleaveswhichthe
bookcontained.
Headded,"Thispaperisusuallyusedtotracethedesignsofmanufacturedfabrics.I
thoughtthatitmightbeusefulatamomentlikethis.Ihaveathomeahundredbookslike
thisonwhichIcanmakeahundredcopiesofwhatyouwantaProclamation,for
instanceinthesamespaceoftimethatittakestowritefourorfive.Writesomething,
whateveryoumaythinkusefulatthepresentmoment,andtomorrowmorningfive
hundredcopiesshallbepostedthroughoutParis."
Ihadnoneofthedocumentswithmewhichwehadjustdrawnup.Versignyhadgone
awaywiththecopies.Itookasheetofpaper,and,leaningonthecornerofthechimney
piece,IwrotethefollowingProclamation:
"TOTHEARMY.
"Soldiers!

"AmanhasjustbrokentheConstitution.Hetearsuptheoathwhichhehasswornto
thepeoplehesuppressesthelaw,stiflesRight,stainsPariswithblood,chokesFrance,
betraystheRepublic!
"Soldiers,thismaninvolvesyouinhiscrime.
"Therearetwothingsholytheflagwhichrepresentsmilitaryhonorandthelawwhich
representstheNationalRight.Soldiers,thegreatestofoutragesistheflagraisedagainst
theLaw!Follownolongerthewretchedmanwhomisleadsyou.OfsuchacrimeFrench
soldiersshouldbetheavengers,nottheaccomplices.
"ThismansaysheisnamedBonaparte.Helies,forBonaparteisawordwhichmeans
glory.ThismansaysthatheisnamedNapolon.Helies,forNapolonisawordwhich
meansgenius.Asforhim,heisobscureandinsignificant.Givethiswretchuptothe
law.Soldiers,heisafalseNapolon.AtrueNapolonwouldoncemoregiveyoua
MarengohewilloncemoregiveyouaTransnonain.
"LooktowardsthetruefunctionoftheFrencharmytoprotectthecountry,to
propagatetheRevolution,tofreethepeople,tosustainthenationalities,toemancipate
theContinent,tobreakchainseverywhere,toprotectRighteverywhere,thisisyourpart
amongstthearmiesofEurope.Youareworthyofgreatbattlefields.
"Soldiers,theFrenchArmyistheadvancedguardofhumanity.
"Becomeyourselvesagain,reflectacknowledgeyourfaults riseup!Thinkofyour
Generalsarrested,takenbythecollarbygalleysergeantsandthrownhandcuffedinto
robbers'cells!Themalefactor,whoisattheElyse,thinksthattheArmyofFranceisa
bandofmercenariesthatiftheyarepaidandintoxicatedtheywillobey.Hesetsyou
aninfamoustask,hecausesyoutostrangle,inthisnineteenthcentury,andinParis
itself,Liberty,Progress,andCivilization.Hemakesyouyou,thechildrenofFrance
destroyallthatFrancehassogloriouslyandlaboriouslybuiltupduringthethree
centuriesoflightandinsixtyyearsofRevolution!Soldiers!youarethe'GrandArmy!'
respectthe'GrandNation!'
"We,citizenswe,RepresentativesofthePeopleandofyourselveswe,yourfriends,
yourbrotherswe,whoareLawandRightwe,whoriseupbeforeyou,holdingoutour
armstoyou,andwhomyoustrikeblindlywithyourswordsdoyouknowwhatdrives
ustodespair?Itisnottoseeourbloodwhichflowsitistoseeyourhonorwhich
vanishes.
"Soldiers!onestepmoreintheoutrage,onedaymorewithLouisBonaparte,andyou
arelostbeforeuniversalconscience.Themenwhocommandyouareoutlaws.Theyare
notgeneralstheyarecriminals.Thegarbofthegalleyslaveawaitsthemseeitalready
ontheirshoulders.Soldiers!thereisyettimeStop!Comebacktothecountry!Come
backtotheRepublic!Ifyoucontinue,doyouknowwhatHistorywillsayofyou?Itwill

say,Theyhavetrampledunderthefeetof theirhorsesandcrushedbeneaththewheels
oftheircannonallthelawsoftheircountrythey,Frenchsoldiers,theyhave
dishonoredtheanniversaryofAusterlitz,andbytheirfault,bytheircrime,thenameof
NapolonsprinklesasmuchshametodayuponFranceasinothertimesithasshowered
glory!
"Frenchsoldiers!ceasetorenderassistancetocrime!"
MycolleaguesoftheCommitteehavingleft,IcouldnotconsultthemtimepressedI
signed:
"FortheRepresentativesofthePeopleremainingatliberty,theRepresentativemember
oftheCommitteeofResistance,
"VICTORHUGO."
ThemanintheblousetookawaytheProclamationsaying,"Youwillseeitagainto
morrowmorning."Hekepthisword.Ifounditthenestdayplacardedin theRue
Rambuteau,atthecorneroftheRuedel'HommeArmandtheChapelleSaintDenis.To
thosewhowerenotinthesecretoftheprocessitseemedtobewrittenbyhandinblue
ink.
Ithoughtofgoinghome.WhenIreachedtheRuedelaTourd'Auvergne,oppositemy
door,ithappenedcuriouslyandbysomechancetobehalfopen.Ipushedit,andentered.
Icrossedthecourtyard,andwentupstairswithoutmeetinganyone.
MywifeandmydaughterwereinthedrawingroomroundthefirewithMadamePaul
Meurice.Ienterednoiselesslytheywereconversinginalowtone.Theyweretalkingof
PierreDupont,thepopularsongwriter,whohadcometometoaskforarms.Isidore,
whohadbeenasoldier,hadsomepistolsbyhim,andhadlentthreetoPierreDupontfor
theconflict.
Suddenlytheseladiesturnedtheirheadsandsawmeclosetothem.Mydaughter
screamed."Oh,goaway,"criedmywife,throwingherarmsroundmyneck,"youarelost
ifyouremainhereamoment.Youwillbearrestedhere!"MadamePaulMeuriceadded,
"Theyarelookingforyou.Thepolicewerehereaquarterofanhourago."Icouldnot
succeedinreassuringthem.Theygavemeapacketoflettersofferingmeplacesofrefuge
forthenight,someofthemsignedwithnamesunknowntome.Aftersomemoments,
seeingthemmoreandmorefrightened,Iwentaway.Mywifesaidtome,"Whatyouare
doing,youaredoingforjustice.Go,continue!"Iembracedmywifeandmydaughter
fivemonthshaveelapsedatthetimewhenIamwritingtheselines.WhenIwentinto
exiletheyremainednearmysonVictorinprisonIhavenotseenthemsincethatday.
IleftasIhadentered.Intheporter'slodgetherewereonlytwoorthreelittlechildren
seatedroundalamp,laughingandlookingatpicturesinabook.

[11]Thislist,whichbelongstoHistory,havingservedasthebaseoftheproscriptionlist,
willbefoundcompleteinthesequeltothisbooktobepublishedhereafter.

CHAPTERVII.THEARCHBISHOP
Onthisgloomyandtragicaldayanideastruckoneofthepeople.
HewasaworkmanbelongingtothehonestbutalmostimperceptibleminorityofCatholic
Democrats.Thedoubleexaltationofhismind,revolutionaryononeside,mysticalonthe
other,causedhimtobesomewhatdistrustedbythepeople,evenbyhiscomradesandhis
friends.SufficientlydevouttobecalledaJesuitbytheSocialists,sufficientlyRepublican
tobecalledaRedbytheReactionists,heformedanexceptionintheworkshopsofthe
Faubourg.Now,whatisneededinthesesupremecrisestoseizeandgovernthemasses
aremenofexceptionalgenius,notmenofexceptionalopinion.Thereisnorevolutionary
originality.Inordertobesomething,inthetimeofregenerationandinthedaysofsocial
combat,onemustbathefullyinthosepowerfulhomogeneousmediumswhicharecalled
parties.Greatcurrentsofmenfollowgreatcurrentsofideas,andthetruerevolutionary
leaderishewhoknowshowbesttodrivetheformerinaccordancewiththelatter.
NowtheGospelisinaccordancewith theRevolution,butCatholicismisnot.Thisisdue
tothefactthatinthemainthePapacyisnotinaccordancewiththeGospel.Onecan
easilyunderstandaChristianRepublican,onecannotunderstandaCatholicDemocrat.It
isacombinationoftwoopposites.Itisamindinwhichthenegativebarsthewaytothe
affirmative.Itisaneuter.
Nowintimerevolution,whoeverisneuterofisimpotent.Nevertheless,duringthefirst
hoursofresistanceagainstthe_coupd'tat_thedemocraticCatholicworkman,whose
nobleeffortwearehererelating,threwhimselfsoresolutelyintothecauseofJusticeand
ofTruth,thatinafewmomentshetransformeddistrustintoconfidence,andwashailed
bythepeople.HeshowedsuchgallantryattherisingofthebarricadeoftheRueAumaire
thatwithanunanimousvoicetheyappointedhimtheirleader.Atthemomentofthe
attackhedefendeditashehadbuiltit,withardor.Thatwasasadbutgloriousbattle
fieldmostofhiscompanionswerekilled,andheescapedonlybyamiracle.
However,hesucceededinreturninghome,sayingtohimselfbitterly,"Allislost."
Itseemedevidenttohimthatthegreatmassesofthepeoplewouldnotrise.
Thenceforwarditappearedimpossibletoconquerthe_coupd'tat_byarevolutionit
couldbeonlycombatedbylegality.Whathadbeentheriskatthebeginningbecamethe
hopeattheend,forhebelievedtheendtobefatal,andathand.Inhisopinionitwas
necessary,asthepeopleweredefaulters,totrynowtoarousethemiddleclasses.Letone
legionofNationalGuardsgooutinarms,andtheElysewaslost.Forthisadecisive
blowmustbestrucktheheartofthemiddleclassesmustbereachedthe"bourgeois"
mustbeinspiredbyagrandspectaclewhichshouldnotbeaterrifyingspectacle.
Itwasthenthatthisthoughtcametothisworkman,"WritetotheArchbishopofParis."

Theworkmantookapen,andfromhishumblegarrethewrotetotheArchbishopofParis
anenthusiasticandearnestletterinwhichhe,amanofthepeopleandabeliever,saidthis
tohisBishopwegivethesubstanceofhisletter:
"Thisisasolemnhour,CivilWarsetsbytheearstheArmyandPeople,bloodisbeing
shed.WhenbloodflowstheBishopgoesforth.M.SibourshouldfollowinthepathofM.
Affre.Theexampleisgreat,theopportunityisstillgreater.
"LettheArchbishopofParis,followedbyallhisclergy,thePontificalcrossbeforehim,
hismitreonhishead,goforthinprocessionthroughthestreets.Lethimsummontohim
theNationalAssemblyandtheHighCourt,theLegislatorsintheirsashes,theJudgesin
theirscarletrobeslethimsummontohimthecitizens,lethimsummontohimthe
soldiers,lethimgostraighttotheElyse.LethimraisehishandinthenameofJustice
againstthemanwhoisviolatingthelaws,andinthenameofJesusagainstthemanwho
issheddingblood.Simplywithhisraisedhandhewillcrushthe_coupd'tat_.
"AndhewillplacehisstatuebythesideofM.Affre,anditwillbesaidthattwicetwo
ArchbishopsofParishavetrampledCivilWarbeneaththeirfeet."
"TheChurchisholy,buttheCountryissacred.TherearetimeswhentheChurchshould
succortheCountry."
Theletterbeingfinished,hesigneditwithhisworkman'ssignature.
Butnowadifficultyarosehowshoulditbeconveyedtoitsdestination?
Takeithimself!
Butwouldhe,amereworkmaninablouse,beallowedtopenetratetotheArchbishop!
Andthen,inordertoreachtheArchiepiscopalPalace,hewouldhavetocrossthosevery
quartersininsurrection,andwhere,perhaps,theresistancewasstillactive.Hewould
havetopassthroughstreetsobstructedbytroops,hewouldbearrestedandsearchedhis
handssmeltofpowder,hewouldbeshotandtheletterwouldnotreachitsdestination.
Whatwastobedone?
Atthemomentwhenhehadalmostdespairedofasolution,thenameofArnauldde
l'Arigecametohismind.
Arnaulddel'ArigewasaRepresentativeafterhisownheart.Arnaulddel'Arigewasa
noblecharacter.HewasaCatholicDemocratliketheworkman.AttheAssemblyhe
raisedaloft,butheborenearlyalone,thatbannersolittlefollowedwhichaspirestoally
theDemocracywiththeChurch.Arnaulddel'Arige,young,handsome,eloquent,
enthusiastic,gentle,andfirm,combinedtheattributesoftheTribunewiththefaithofthe
knight.Hisopennature,withoutwishingtodetachitselffromRome,worshippedLiberty.

Hehadtwoprinciples,buthehadnottwofaces.Onthewholethedemocraticspirit
preponderatedinhim.Hesaidtomeoneday,"IgivemyhandtoVictorHugo.Idonot
giveittoMontalembert."
Theworkmanknewhim.Hehadoftenwrittentohim,andhadsometimesseenhim.
Arnaulddel'Arigelivedinadistrictwhichhadremainedalmostfree.
Theworkmanwenttherewithoutdelay.
Liketherestofus,ashasbeenseen,Arnaulddel'Arigehadtakenpartintheconflict.
LikemostoftheRepresentativesoftheLeft,hehadnotreturnedhomesincethemorning
ofthe2d.Nevertheless,onthesecondday,hethoughtofhisyoungwifewhomhehad
leftwithoutknowingifheshouldseeheragain,ofhisbabyofsixmonthsoldwhichshe
wassuckling,andwhichhehadnotkissedforsomanyhours,ofthatbelovedhearth,of
whichatcertainmomentsonefeelsanabsoluteneedtoobtainafleetingglimpse,he
couldnolongerresistarrest,Mazas,thecell,thehulks,thefiringparty,allvanished,the
ideaofdangerwasobliterated,hewenthome.
Itwaspreciselyatthatmomentthattheworkmanarrivedthere.
Arnaulddel'Arigereceivedhim,readhisletter,andapprovedofit.
Arnaulddel'ArigeknewtheArchbishopofParispersonally.
M.Sibour,aRepublicanpriestappointedArchbishopofParisbyGeneralCavaignac,was
thetruechiefoftheChurchdreamedofbytheliberalCatholicismofArnaulddel'Arige.
OnbehalfoftheArchbishop,Arnaulddel'ArigerepresentedintheAssemblythat
CatholicismwhichM.deMontalembertperverted.ThedemocraticRepresentativeand
theRepublicArchbishophadattimesfrequentconferences,inwhichactedas
intermediatorytheAbbMaret,anintelligentpriest,afriendofthepeopleandof
progress,VicarGeneralofParis,whohassincebeenBishop_inpartibus_ofSurat.Some
dayspreviouslyArnauldhadseentheArchbishop,andhadreceivedhiscomplaintsofthe
encroachmentoftheClericalpartyupontheepiscopalauthority,andheevenproposed
shortlytointerpellatetheMinistryonthissubjectandtotakethequestionintothe
Tribune.
Arnauldaddedtotheworkman'sletteraletterofintroduction,signedbyhimself,and
enclosedthetwolettersinthesameenvelope.
Butherethesamequestionarose.
Howwasthelettertobedelivered?
Arnauld,forstillweightierreasonsthanthoseoftheworkman,couldnottakeithimself.

Andtimepressed!
Hiswifesawhisdifficultyandquietlysaid,
"Iwilltakechargeofit."
MadameArnaulddel'Arige,handsomeandquiteyoung,marriedscarcelytwoyears,
wasthedaughteroftheRepublicanexConstituentGuichard,worthydaughterofsucha
father,andworthywifeofsuchahusband.
TheywerefightinginParisitwasnecessarytofacethedangersofthestreets,topass
amongmusketballs,toriskherlife.
Arnaulddel'Arigehesitated.
"Whatdoyouwanttodo?"heasked.
"Iwilltakethisletter."
"Youyourself?"
"Imyself."
"Butthereisdanger."
Sheraisedhereyes,andanswered,
"DidImakethatobjectiontoyouwhenyouleftmethedaybeforeyesterday?"
Hekissedherwithtearsinhiseyes,andanswered,"Go."
Butthepoliceofthe_coupd'tat_weresuspicious,manywomenweresearchedwhile
goingthroughthestreetsthislettermightbefoundonMadameArnauld.Wherecould
thisletterbehidden?
"Iwilltakemybabywithme,"saidMadameArnauld.
Sheundidthelinenofherlittlegirl,hidtheletterthere,andrefastenedtheswaddling
band.
Whenthiswasfinishedthefatherkissedhischildontheforehead,andthemother
exclaimedlaughingly,
"Oh,thelittleRed!Sheisonlysixmonths'old,andsheisalreadyaconspirator!"

MadameArnauldreachedtheArchbishop'sPalacewithsomedifficulty.Hercarriagewas
obligedtotakealonground.Neverthelessshearrivedthere.Sheaskedforthe
Archbishop.Awomanwithachildinherarmscouldnotbeaveryterriblevisitor,and
shewasallowedtoenter.
Butshelostherselfincourtyardsandstaircases.Shewasseekingherwaysomewhat
discouraged,whenshemettheAbbMaret.Sheknewhim.Sheaddressedhim.Shetold
himtheobjectof herexpedition.TheAbbMaretreadtheworkman'sletter,andwas
seizedwithenthusiasm:"Thismaysaveall,"saidhe.
Headded,"Followme,madam,Iwillintroduceyou."
TheArchbishopofPariswasintheroomwhichadjoinshisstudy.TheAbbMaret
usheredMadameArnauldintothestudy,informedtheArchbishop,andamomentlater
theArchbishopentered.BesidestheAbbMaret,theAbbDeguerry,theCurofthe
Madeleine,waswithhim.
MadameArnauldhandedtoM.Sibourthetwolettersofherhusbandandtheworkman.
TheArchbishopreadthem,andremainedthoughtful.
"WhatansweramItotakebacktomyhusband?"askedMadameArnauld.
"Madame,"repliedtheArchbishop,"itistoolate.Thisshouldhavebeendonebeforethe
strugglebegan.Now,itwouldbeonlytoriskthesheddingofmorebloodthanperhaps
hasyetbeenspilled."
TheAbbDeguerrywassilent.TheAbbMarettriedrespectfullytoturnthemindofhis
Bishoptowardsthegrandeffortunsoiledbytheworkman.Hespokeeloquently.Helaid
greatstressopenthisargument,thattheappearanceoftheArchbishopwouldbringabout
amanifestationoftheNationalGuard,andthatamanifestationoftheNationalGuard
wouldcompeltheElysetodrawback.
"No,"saidtheArchbishop,"youhopefor theimpossible.TheElysewillnotdrawback
now.YoubelievethatIshouldstopthebloodshednotatallIshouldcauseittoflow,
andthatintorrents.TheNationalGuardhasnolongeranyinfluence.Ifthelegions
appeared,theElysecouldcrushthelegionsbytheregiments.Andthen,whatisan
ArchbishopinthepresenceoftheManofthe_coupd'tat_?Whereistheoath?Whereis
theswornfaith?WhereistheRespectforRight?Amandoesnotturnbackwhenhehas
madethreestepsinsuchacrime.No!No!Donothope.Thismanwilldoall.Hehas
strucktheLawinthehandoftheRepresentatives.HewillstrikeGodinmine."
AndhedismissedMadameArnauldwiththelookofamanoverwhelmedwithsorrow.
LetusdothedutyoftheHistorian.Sixweeksafterwards,intheChurchofNotreDame,
someonewassingingthe_TeDeum_inhonorofthetreasonofDecemberthusmaking
Godapartnerinacrime.

ThismanwastheArchbishopSibour.

CHAPTERVIII.MOUNTVALERIEN
OfthetwohundredandthirtyRepresentativesprisonersatthebarracksoftheQuai
d'OrsayfiftythreehadbeensenttoMountValrien.Theyloadedtheminfourpolice
vans.Somefewremainedwhowerepackedinanomnibus.MM.Benoistd'Azy,Falloux,
Piscatory,Vatimesail,werelockedinthewheeledcells,asalsoEugneSueandEsquiros.
TheworthyM.GustavedeBeaumont,agreatupholderofthecellularsystem,rodeina
cellvehicle.Itisnotanundesirablething,aswehavesaid,thatthelegislatorshouldtaste
ofthelaw.
TheCommandantofMountValrienappearedunderthearchwayoftheforttoreceive
theRepresentativeprisoners.
Heatfirstmadesomeshowofregisteringtheminthejailer'sbook.GeneralOudinot,
underwhomhehadserved,rebukedhimseverely,
"Doyouknowme?"
"Yes,General."
"Wellthen,letthatsuffice.Asknomore."
"Yes,"saidTamisier."Askmoreandsalute.WearemorethantheArmyweareFrance."
Thecommandantunderstood.Fromthatmomenthewashatinhandbeforethegenerals,
andbowedlowbeforetheRepresentatives.
Theyledthemtothebarracksofthefortandshutthemuppromiscuouslyinadormitory,
towhichtheyaddedfreshbeds,andwhichthesoldiershadjustquitted.Theyspenttheir
firstnightthere.Thebedstouchedeachother.Thesheetsweredirty.
Nextmorning,owingtoafewwordswhichhadbeenheardoutside,therumorspread
amongstthemthatthefiftythreeweretobesorted,andthattheRepublicansweretobe
placedbythemselves.Shortlyafterwardstherumorwasconfirmed.MadamedeLuynes
gainedadmissiontoherhusband,andbroughtsomeitemsofnews.Itwasasserted,
amongstotherthings,thattheKeeperoftheSealsofthe_coupd'tat_,themanwho
signedhimselfEugneRouher,"MinisterofJustice,"hadsaid,"Letthemsetthemenof
theRightatliberty,andsendthemenoftheLefttothedungeon.Ifthepopulacestirs
theywillanswerforeverything.AsaguaranteeforthesubmissionoftheFaubourgswe
shallhavetheheadoftheReds."
WedonotbelievethatM.Rouherutteredthesewords,inwhichthereissomuch
audacity.AtthatmomentM.Rouherdidnotpossessany.AppointedMinisteronthe2d
December,hetemporized,heexhibitedavagueprudery,hedidnotventuretoinstall
himselfinthePlaceVendme.Wasallthatwasbeingdonequitecorrect?Incertain

mindsthedoubtofsuccesschangesintoscruplesofconscience.Toviolateeverylaw,to
perjureoneself,tostrangleRight,toassassinatethecountry,arealltheseproceedings
whollyhonest?Whilethedeedisnotaccomplishedtheyhesitate.Whenthedeedhas
succeededtheythrowthemselvesuponit.Wherethereisvictorythereisnolonger
treasonnothingserveslikesuccesstocleanseandrenderacceptablethatunknownthing
whichiscalledcrime.DuringthefirstmomentsM.Rocherreservedhimself.Lateronhe
hasbeenoneofthemostviolentadvisersofLouisBonaparte.Itisallverysimple.His
fearbeforehandexplainshissubsequentzeal.
Thetruthis,thatthesethreateningwordshadbeenspokennotbyRouher,butby
Persigny.
M.deLuynesimpartedtohiscolleagueswhatwasinpreparation,andwarnedthemthat
theywouldbeaskedfortheirnamesinorderthatthewhitesheepmightbeseparated
fromthescarletgoats.Amurmurwhichseemedtobeunanimousarose.Thesegenerous
manifestationsdidhonortotheRepresentativesoftheRight.
"No!no!Letusnamenoone,letusnotallowourselvestobesorted,"exclaimedM.
GustavedeBeaumont.
M.deVatimesniladded,"Wehavecomeinherealltogether,weoughttogooutall
together."
NeverthelessafewmomentsafterwardsAntonyThouretwasinformedthatalistof
nameswasbeingsecretlyprepared,andthattheRoyalistRepresentativeswereinvitedto
signit.Theyattributed,doubtlesswrongly,thisunworthyresolutiontothehonorableM.
deFalloux.
AntonyThouretspokesomewhatwarmlyinthecentreofthegroup,whichwere
mutteringtogetherinthedormitory.
"Gentlemen,"saidhe,"alistofnamesisbeingprepared.Thiswouldbeanunworthy
action.YesterdayattheMairieoftheTenthArrondissementyousaidtous,'Thereisno
longerLeftorRightwearetheAssembly.'YoubelievedinthevictoryofthePeople,
andyoushelteredyourselfbehindusRepublicans.Todayyoubelieveinthevictoryofthe
_coupd'tat_,andyouwouldagainbecomeRoyalists,todeliverusup,usDemocrats!
Trulyexcellent.Verywell!Praydoso."
Auniversalshoutarose.
"No!No!NomoreRightorLeft!AllaretheAssembly.Thesamelotforall!"
Thelistwhichhadbeenbegunwasseizedandburnt.
"BydecisionoftheChamber,"saidM.deVatimesnil,smiling.ALegitimist
Representativeadded,

"OftheChamber?No,letussayoftheChambered."
AfewmomentsafterwardstheCommissaryofthefortappeared,andinpolitephrases,
which,however,savoredsomewhatofauthority,invitedeachoftheRepresentativesof
thePeopletodeclarehisnameinorderthateachmightbeallottedtohisultimate
destination.
Ashoutofindignationansweredhim.
"Noone!Noonewillgivehisname,"saidGeneralOudinot.
GustavedeBeaumontadded,
"Weallbearthesamename:RepresentativesofthePeople."
TheCommissarysalutedthemandwentaway.
Aftertwohourshecameback.HewasaccompaniedthistimebytheChiefof theUshers
oftheAssembly,amannamedDuponceau,aspeciesofarrogantfellowwitharedface
andwhitehair,whoongranddaysstruttedatthefootoftheTribunewithasilvered
collar,achainoverhisstomach,andaswordbetweenhislegs.
TheCommissarysaidtoDuponceau,"Doyourduty."
WhattheCommissarymeant,andwhatDuponceauunderstoodbythisword_duty_,was
thattheUshershoulddenouncetheLegislators.Likethelackeywhobetrayshismasters.
Itwasdoneinthismanner.
ThisDuponceaudaredtolookinthefacesoftheRepresentativesbyturn,andhenamed
themoneaftertheothertoapoliceman,whotooknotesofthem.
TheSieurDuponceauwassharplycastigatedwhileholdingthisreview.
"M.Duponceau,"saidM.Vatimesniltohim,"Ialwaysthoughtyouanidiot,butI
believedyoutobeanhonestman."
TheseverestrebukewasadministeredbyAntonyThouret.HelookedSieurDuponceauin
theface,andsaidtohim,"YoudeservetobenamedDupin."
TheUsherintruthwasworthyofbeingthePresident,andthePresidentwasworthyof
beingtheUsher.
Theflockhavingbeencounted,theclassificationhavingbeenmade,therewerefoundto
bethirteengoats:tenRepresentativesoftheLeftEugneSue,Esquires,AntonyThouret,

PascalDuprat,Chanay,Fayolle,PaulinDurrien,Benoit,Tamisier,TailardLatrisse,and
threemembersoftheRight,whosincetheprecedingdayhadsuddenlybecomeRedin
theeyesofthe_coupsd'tat_Oudinot,Piscatory,andThuriotdelaRosire.
Theyconfinedtheseseparately,andtheysetatlibertyonebyonethefortywho
remained.

CHAPTERIX.THELIGHTNINGBEGINSTOFLASHAMONGST
THEPEOPLE
Theeveningworeathreateningaspect.
GroupswereformedontheBoulevards.Asnightadvancedtheygrewlargerandbecame
mobs,whichspeedilymingledtogether,andonlyformedonecrowd.Anenormous
crowd,reinforcedandagitatedbytributarycurrentsfromthesidestreets,jostlingone
againstanother,surging,stormy,andwhenceascendedanominoushum.Thishubbub
resolveditselfintooneword,intoonenamewhichissuedsimultaneouslyfromevery
mouth,andwhichexpressedthewholeofthesituation:"Soulouque!"[12]Throughout
thatlonglinefromtheMadeleinetotheBastille,theroadwaynearlyeverywhere,except
(wasthisonpurpose?)atthePorteSt.DenisandthePorteSt.Martin,wasoccupiedby
thesoldiersinfantryandcavalry,rangedinbattleorder,theartillerybatteriesbeing
harnessedonthepavementsoneachsideofthismotionlessandgloomymass,bristling
withcannon,swords,andbayonets,flowedatorrentofangrypeople.Onallsidespublic
indignationprevailed.SuchwastheaspectoftheBoulevards.AttheBastilletherewasa
deadcalm.
AtthePorteSt.Martinthecrowd,hemmedtogetheranduneasy,spokeinlowtones.
Groupsofworkmentalkedinwhispers.TheSocietyofthe10thDecembermadesome
effortsthere.Meninwhiteblouses,asortofuniformwhichthepoliceassumedduring
thosedays,said,"Letusleavethemaloneletthe'Twentyfivefrancs'settleitamongst
themselves!TheydesertedusinJune,1848todayletthemgetoutofthedifficulty
alone!Itdoesnotconcernus!"Otherblouses,blueblouses,answeredthem,"Weknow
whatwehavetodo.Thisisonlythebeginning,waitandsee."
OtherstoldhowthebarricadesoftheRueAumairewerebeingrebuilt,howalarge
numberofpersonshadalreadybeenkilledthere,howtheyfiredwithoutanysummons,
howthesoldiersweredrunk,howatvariouspointsinthedistricttherewereambulances
alreadycrowdedwithkilledandwounded.Allthiswassaidseriously,withoutloud
speaking,withoutgesture,inaconfidentialtone.Fromtimetotimethecrowdweresilent
andlistened,anddistantfiringwasheard.
Thegroupssaid,"Nowthey arebeginningtoteardownthecurtain."
WewereholdingPermanentSessionatMarie'shouseintheRueCroixdesPetits
Champs.Promisesofcooperationpouredinuponusfromeveryside.Severalofour
colleagues,whohadnotbeenabletofindusonthepreviousday,hadjoinedus,amongst
othersEmmanuelArago,gallantsonofanillustriousfatherFarconnetandRoussel(de
l'Yonne),andsomeParisiancelebrities,amongstwhomwastheyoungandalreadywell
knowndefenderofthe_AvnementduPeuple_,M.Desmarets.
Twoeloquentmen,JulesFavreandAlexanderRey,seatedatalargetablenearthe
windowofthesmallroom,weredrawingupaProclamationtotheNationalGuard.Inthe

largeroomSain,seatedinanarmchair,hisfeetonthedogirons,dryinghiswetboots
beforeahugefire,said,withthatcalmandcourageoussmilewhichheworeinthe
Tribune,"Thingsarelookingbadlyforus,butwellfortheRepublic.Martiallawis
proclaimeditwillbecarriedoutwithferocity,aboveallagainstus.Wearelaidinwait
for,followed,tracked,thereislittleprobabilitythatweshallescape.Today,tomorrow,
perhapsintenminutes,therewillbea'miniaturemassacre'ofRepresentatives.Weshall
betakenhereorelsewhere,shotdownonthespotor killedwithbayonetthrusts.They
willparadeourcorpses,andwemusthopethatthatwillatlengthraisethepeopleand
overthrowBonaparte.Wearedead,butBonaparteislost."
Ateighto'clock,asEmiledeGirardinhadpromised,wereceivedfromtheprintingoffice
ofthe_Presse_fivehundredcopiesofthedecreeofdepositionandofoutlawryendorsing
thejudgmentoftheHighCourt,andwithalloursignaturesattached.Itwasaplacard
twiceaslargeasone'shand,andprintedonpaperusedforproofs.NolParfaitbroughtus
thefivehundredcopies,stilldamp,betweenhiswaistcoatandhisshirt.Thirty
Representativesdividedthebillsamongstthem,andwesentthemontheBoulevardsto
distributetheDecreetothePeople.
TheeffectofthisDecreefallinginthemidstofthecrowdwasmarvellous.Some_cafs_
hadremainedopen,peopleeagerlysnatchedthebills,theypressedroundthelightedshop
windows,theycrowdedunderthestreetlamps.Somemountedonkerbstonesoron
tables,andreadaloudtheDecree."Thatisit!Bravo!"criedthepeople."The
signatures!""Thesignatures!"theyshouted.Thesignatureswerereadout,andateach
popularnamethecrowdapplauded.Charamaule,merryandindignant,wanderedthrough
thegroups,distributingcopiesoftheDecreehisgreatstature,hisloudandboldwords,
thepacketofhandbillswhichheraised,andwavedabovehishead,causedallhandstobe
stretchedouttowardshim."Shout'DownwithSoulouque!'"saidhe,"andyoushallhave
some."Allthisinthepresenceofthesoldiers.Evenasergeantoftheline,noticing
Charamaule,stretchedouthishandforoneofthebillswhichCharamaulewas
distributing."Sergeant,"saidCharamauletohim,"cry,'DownwithSoulouque!'"The
sergeanthesitatedforamoment,andanswered"No.""Well,then,"repliedCharamaule,
"Shout,'LongliveSoulouque.'"Thistimethesergeantdidnothesitate,heraisedhis
sword,and,amidburstsoflaughterandofapplause,heresolutelyshouted,"Longlive
Soulouque!"
ThereadingoftheDecreeaddedagloomywarmthtothepopularanger.Theysettowork
onallsidestoteardowntheplacardsofthe_coupd'tat_.AtthedooroftheCafdes
Varitsayoungmancriedouttotheofficers,"Youaredrunk!"Someworkmenonthe
BoulevardBonneNouvelleshooktheirfistsatthesoldiersandsaid,"Fire,then,you
cowards,onunarmedmen!Ifwehadgunsyouwouldthrowthebuttsofyourmusketsin
theair."ChargesofcavalrybegantobemadeinfrontoftheCafCardinal.
AstherewerenotroopsontheBoulevardSt.MartinandtheBoulevardduTemple,the
crowdwasmorecompactpacttherethanelsewhere.Alltheshopswereshuttherethe
streetlampsalonegaveanylight.Againsttheglossoftheunlightedwindowsheads
mightbedimlyseenpeeringout.Darknessproducedsilencethismultitude,aswehave

alreadysaid,washushed.Therewasonlyheardaconfusedwhispering.Suddenlyalight,
anoise,anuproarburstforthfromtheentranceoftheRueSt.Martin.Everyeyewas
turnedinthatdirectionaprofoundupheavingagitatedthecrowdtheyrushedforward,
theypressedagainsttherailingsofthehighpavementswhichborderthecuttingbetween
thetheatresofthePorteSt.MartinandtheAmbigu.Amovingmasswasseen,andan
approachinglight.Voicesweresinging.Thisformidablechoruswasrecognized,
"Auxarmes,Citoyensformezvosbataillons!"
Lightedtorcheswerecoming,itwasthe"Marseillaise,"thatothertorchofRevolution
andofwarfarewhichwasblazing.
Thecrowdmadewayforthemobwhichcarriedthetorches,andwhichweresinging.The
mobreachedtheSt.Martincutting,andenteredit.Itwasthenseenwhatthismournful
processionmeant.Themobwascomposedoftwodistinctgroups.Thefirstcarriedonits
shouldersaplank,onwhichcouldbeseenstretchedanoldmanwithawhitebeard,stark,
themouthopen,theeyesfixed,andwithaholeinhisforehead.Theswingingmovement
ofthebearersshookthecorpse,andthedeadheadroseandfellinathreateningand
patheticmanner.Oneofthemenwhocarriedhim,pale,andwoundedinthebreast,
placedhishandtohiswound,leantagainstthefeetoftheoldman,andattimeshimself
appearedreadytofall.Theothergroupboreasecondlitter,onwhichayoungmanwas
stretched,hiscountenancepaleandhiseyesclosed,hisshirtstained,openoverhisbreast,
displayinghiswounds.Whilebearingthetwolittersthegroupssang.Theysangthe
"Marseillaise,"andateachchorustheystoppedandraisedtheirtorches,crying,"To
arms!"Someyoungmenwaveddrawnswords.Thetorchesshedaluridlightonthe
pallidforeheadsofthecorpsesandonthelividfacesofthecrowd.Ashudderranthrough
thepeople.ItappearedasthoughtheyagainsawtheterriblevisionofFebruary,1848.
ThisgloomyprocessioncamefromtheRueAumaire.Abouteighto'clocksomethirty
workmengatheredtogetherfromtheneighborhoodofthemarkets,thesamewhoonthe
nextdayraisedthebarricadeoftheGurinBoisseau,reachedtheRueAumairebythe
RuedePetitLion,theRueNeuveBourgl'Abb,andtheCarrSt.Martin.Theycameto
fight,butherethecombatwasatanend.Theinfantryhadwithdrawnafterhavingpulled
downthebarricades.Twocorpses,anoldmanofseventyandayoungmanoffiveand
twenty,layatthecornerofthestreetontheground,withuncoveredfaces,theirbodiesin
apoolofblood,theirheadsonthepavementwheretheyhadfallen.Bothweredressedin
overcoats,andseemedtobelongtothemiddleclass.Theoldmanhadhishatbyhisside
hewasavenerablefigurewithawhitebeard,whitehair,andacalmexpression.Aball
hadpiercedhisskull.
Theyoungman'sbreastwaspiercedwithbuckshot.Onewasthefather,theotherthe
son.Theson,seeinghisfatherfall,hadsaid,"Ialsowilldie."Bothwerelyingsideby
side.
OppositethegatewayoftheConservatoiredesArtsetMetierstherewasahousein
courseofbuilding.Theyfetchedtwoplanksfromit,theylaidthecorpsesontheplanks,

thecrowdraisedthemupontheirshoulders,theybroughttorches,andtheybegantheir
march.IntheRueSt.Denisamaninawhiteblousebarredtheway."Whereareyou
going?"saidhetothem."Youwillbringaboutdisasters!Youarehelpingthe'Twenty
fivefrancs!'""Downwiththepolice!Downwiththewhiteblouse!"shoutedthecrowd.
Themanslunkaway.
Themobswelledonitsroadthecrowdopenedoutandrepeatedthe"Marseillaise"in
chorus,butwiththeexceptionofafewswordsnoonewasarmed.On theboulevardthe
emotionwasintense.Womenclaspedtheirhandsinpity.Workmenwereheardto
exclaim,"Andtothinkthatwehavenoarms!"
Theprocession,afterhavingforsometimefollowedtheBoulevards,reenteredthe
streets,followedbyadeeplyaffectedandangrymultitude.Inthismanneritreachedthe
RuedeGravilliers.Thenasquadoftwenty_sergentsdeville_suddenlyemergingfroma
narrowstreetrushedwithdrawnswordsuponthemenwhowerecarryingthelitters,and
overturnedthecorpsesintothemud.AregimentofChasseurscameupatthedouble,and
putanendtotheconflictwithbayonetthrusts.Ahundredandtwocitizenprisonerswere
conductedtothePrefecture.Thetwocorpsesreceivedseveralswordcutsinthe
confusion,andwerekilledasecondtime.ThebrigadierRevial,whocommandedthe
squadofthe_sergentsdeville_,receivedtheCrossofHonorforthisdeedofarms.
AtMarie'swewereonthepointofbeingsurrounded.WedecidedtoleavetheRueCroix
desPetitsChamps.
AttheElysetheycommencedtotremble.TheexCommandantFleury,oneoftheaides
decampofthePresidency,wassummonedintothelittleroomwhereM.Bonapartehad
remainedthroughouttheday.M.BonaparteconferredafewmomentsalonewithM.
Fleury,thentheaidedecampcameoutoftheroom,mountedhishorse,andgallopedoff
inthedirectionofMazas.
Afterthisthemenofthe_coupd'tat_mettogetherinM.Bonaparte'sroom,andheld
council.Matterswerevisiblygoingbadlyitwasprobablethatthebattlewouldendby
assumingformidableproportions.Uptothattimetheyhaddesiredthis,nowtheydidnot
feelsurethattheydidnotfearit.Theypushedforwardtowardsit,buttheymistrustedit.
Therewerealarmingsymptomsinthesteadfastnessoftheresistance,andothersnotless
seriousinthecowardiceofadherents.NotoneofthenewMinistersappointedduringthe
morninghadtakenpossessionofhisMinistryasignificanttimidityonthepartofpeople
ordinarilysoprompttothrowthemselvesuponsuchthings.M.Roulier,inparticular,had
disappeared,nooneknewwhereasignoftempest.PuttingLouisBonaparteononeside,
the_coupd'tat_continuedtorestsolelyuponthreenames,Morny,St.Arnaud,and
Maupas.St.ArnaudansweredforMagnan.Mornylaughedandsaidinawhisper,"But
doesMagnananswerforSt.Arnaud?"Thesemenadoptedenergeticmeasures,theysent
fornewregimentsanordertothegarrisonstomarchuponPariswasdespatchedinthe
onedirectionasfarasCherbourg,andontheotherasfarasMaubeuge.Thesecriminals,
inthemaindeeplyuneasy,soughttodeceiveeachother.Theyassumedacheerful
countenanceallspokeofvictoryeachinthebackgroundarrangedforflightinsecret,

andsayingnothing,inordernottogivethealarmtohiscompromisedcolleagues,soas,
incaseoffailure,toleavethepeoplesomementodevour.Forthislittleschoolof
Machiavellianapesthehopesofasuccessfulescapelieintheabandonmentoftheir
friends.Duringtheirflighttheythrowtheiraccomplicesbehindthem.
[12]ApopularnicknameforLouisBonaparte.FaustinSoulouquewasthenegroEmperor
ofHayti,who,whenPresidentoftheRepublic,hadcarriedoutasomewhatsimilar_coup
d'tat_in1848,beingsubsequently electedEmperor.HetreatedtheRepublicanswith
greatcruelty,puttingmostofthemtodeath.

CHAPTERX.WHATFLEURYWENTTODOATMAZAS
Duringthesamenighttowardsfouro'clocktheapproachesoftheNorthernRailway
Stationweresilentlyinvestedby tworegimentsoneofChasseursdeVincennes,the
otherof_GendarmerieMobile_.Numeroussquadsof_sergentsdeville_installed
themselvesintheterminus.Thestationmasterwasorderedtoprepareaspecialtrainand
tohaveanengineready.Acertainnumberofstokersandengineersfornightservicewere
retained.Noexplanationhoweverwasvouchsafedtoanyone,andabsolutesecrecywas
maintained.Alittlebeforesixo'clockamovementwasapparentinthetroops.Some
_sergentsdeville_camerunningup,andafewminutesafterwardsasquadronofLancers
emergedatasharptrotfromtheRueduNord.Inthecentreofthesquadronandbetween
thetwolinesofhorsesoldierscouldbeseentwopolicevansdrawnbyposthorses,
behindeachvehiclecamealittleopenbarouche,inwhichtheresatoneman.Atthehead
oftheLancersgallopedtheaidedecampFleury.
Theprocessionenteredthecourtyard,thentherailwaystation,andthegatesanddoors
werereclosed.
ThetwomeninthebarouchesmadethemselvesknowntotheSpecialCommissaryofthe
station,towhomtheaidedecampFleuryspokeprivately.Thismysteriousconvoy
excitedthecuriosityoftherailwayofficialstheyquestionedthepolicemen,butthese
knewnothing.Allthattheycouldtellwasthatthesepolicevanscontainedeightplaces,
thatineachvantherewerefourprisoners,eachoccupyingacell,and
thatthefourothercellswerefilledbyfour_sergentsdeville_placedbetweenthe
prisonerssoastopreventanycommunicationbetween thecells.
AftervariousconsultationsbetweentheaidedecampoftheElyseandthemenofthe
PrefectMaupas,thetwopolicevanswereplacedonrailwaytrucks,eachhavingbehindit
theopenbarouchelikeawheeledsentrybox,whereapoliceagentactedassentinel.The
enginewasready,thetruckswereattachedtothetender,andthetrainstarted.Itwasstill
pitchdark.
Foralongtimethetrainspedoninthemostprofoundsilence.Meanwhileitwas
freezing,inthesecondofthetwopolicevans,the_sergentsdeville_,crampedand
chilled,openedtheircells,andinordertowarmandstretchthemselveswalkedupand
downthenarrowgangwaywhichrunsfromendtoendofthepolicevans.Dayhad
broken,thefour_sergentsdeville_inhaledtheoutsideairandgazedatthepassing
countrythroughaspeciesofportholewhichborderseachsideoftheceilingofthe
passage.Suddenlyaloudvoiceissuedfromoneofthecellswhichhadremainedclosed,
andcriedout,"Hey!there!itisverycold,cannotIrelightmycigarhere?"
Anothervoiceimmediatelyissuedfromasecondcell,andsaid,"What!itisyou?Good
morning,Lamoricire!"
"Goodmorning,Cavaignac!"repliedthefirstvoice.

GeneralCavaignacandGeneralLamoricirehadjustrecognizedeachother.
Athirdvoicewasraisedfromathirdcell."Ah!youarethere,gentlemen.Goodmorning
andapleasantjourney."
HewhospokethenwasGeneralChangarnier.
"Generals?"criedoutafourthvoice."Iamoneofyou!"
ThethreegeneralsrecognizedM.Baze.Aburstoflaughtercamefromthefourcells
simultaneously.
Thispolicevanintruthcontained,andwascarryingawayfromParis,theQuestorBaze,
andtheGeneralsLamoricire,Cavaignac,andChangarnier.Intheothervehicle,which
wasplacedforemostonthetrucks,therewereColonelCharras,GeneralsBedeauandLe
Fl,andCountRoger(duNord).
AtmidnighttheseeightRepresentativeprisonersweresleepingintheircellsatMazas,
whentheyheardasuddenknockingattheirdoors,andavoicecriedouttothem,"Dress,
theyarecomingtofetchyou.""Isittoshootus?"criedCharrasfromtheothersideofthe
door.Theydidnotanswerhim.Itisworthremarkingthatthisideacamesimultaneously
toall.Andintruth,ifwecanbelievewhathassincetranspiredthroughthequarrelsof
accomplices,itappearsthatintheeventofasuddenattackbeingmadebyusuponMazas
todeliverthem,afusilladehadbeenresolvedupon,andthatSt.Arnaudhadinhispocket
thewrittenorder,signed"LouisBonaparte."
Theprisonersgotup.Alreadyontheprecedingnightasimilarnoticehadbeengivento
them.Theyhadpassedthenightontheirfeet,andatsixo'clockinthemorningthejailer
saidtothem,"Youcangotobed."Thehourspassedbytheyendedbythinkingitwould
bethesameastheprecedingnight,andmanyofthem,hearingfiveo'clockstrikefrom
theclocktowerinsidetheprison,weregoingtogetbackintobed,whenthedoorsoftheir
cellswereopened.Alltheeightweretakendownstairsonebyoneintotheclerk'soffice
intheRotunda,andwerethenusheredintothepolicevanwithouthavingmetorseen
eachotherduringthepassage.Amandressedinblack,withanimpertinentbearing,
seatedatatablewithpeninhand,stoppedthem ontheirway,andaskedtheirnames."I
amnomoredisposedtotellyoumynamethanIamcurioustolearnyours,"answered
GeneralLamoricire,andhepassedoutside.
TheaidedecampFleury,concealinghisuniformunderhishoodedcloak,stationed
himselfintheclerk'soffice.Hewascharged,tousehisownwords,to"embark"them,
andtogoandreporttheir"embarkation"attheElyse.TheaidedecampFleuryhad
passednearlythewholeofhismilitarycareerinAfricainGeneralLamoricire'sdivision
anditwasGeneralLamoricirewhoin1848,thenbeingMinisterofWar,hadpromoted
himtotherankofmajor.Whilepassingthroughtheclerk'soffice,GeneralLamoricire
lookedfixedlyathim.

Whentheyenteredthepolicevansthegeneralsweresmokingcigars.Theytookthem
fromthem.GeneralLamoricirehadkepthis.Avoicefromoutsidecriedthreeseparate
times,"Stophissmoking!"A_sergentdeville_whowasstandingbythedoorofthecell
hesitatedforsometime,buthoweverendedbysayingtothegeneral,"Throwawayyour
cigar."
ThencelateronensuedtheexclamationwhichcausedGeneralCavaignactorecognize
GeneralLamoricire.Thevehicleshavingbeenloadedtheysetoff.
Theydidnotknoweitherwithwhomtheywereorwheretheyweregoing.Eachobserved
forhimselfinhisboxtheturningsofthestreets,andtriedtospeculate.Somebelieved
thattheywerebeingtakentotheNorthernRailwayStationothersthoughttotheHavre
RailwayStation.Theyheardthetrotoftheescortonthepavingstones.
Ontherailwaythediscomfortofthecellsgreatlyincreased.GeneralLamoricire,
encumberedwithaparcelandacloak,wasstillmorejammedinthantheothers.Hecould
notmove,thecoldseizedhim,andheendedbytheexclamationwhichputallfourof
themincommunicationwitheachother.
Onhearingthenamesoftheprisonerstheirkeepers,whouptothattimehadbeenrough,
becamerespectful."Isaythere,"saidGeneralChangarnier,"openourcells,andletus
walkupanddownthepassagelikeyourselves.""General,"saida_sergentdeville_,"we
areforbiddentodoso.TheCommissaryofPoliceisbehindthecarriageinabarouche,
whenceheseeseverythingthatistakingplacehere."Nevertheless,afewmoments
afterwards,thekeepers,underpretextofcold,pulledupthegroundglasswindowwhich
closedthevehicleonthesideoftheCommissary,andhavingthus"blockedthepolice,"
asoneofthemremarked,theyopenedthecellsoftheprisoners.
ItwaswithgreatdelightthatthefourRepresentativesmetagainandshookhands.Each
ofthesethreegeneralsatthisdemonstrativemomentmaintainedthecharacterofhis
temperament.Lamoricire,impetuousandwitty,throwinghimselfwithallhismilitary
energyupon"theBonaparte"Cavaignac,calmandcoldChangarnier,silentandlooking
outthroughtheportholeatthelandscape.The_sergentsdeville_venturedtoputina
wordhereandthere.OneofthemrelatedtotheprisonersthattheexPrefectCarlierhad
spentthenightof theFirstandSecondatthePrefectureofPolice."Asforme,"saidhe,"I
leftthePrefectureatmidnight,butIsawhimuptothathour,andIcanaffirmthatat
midnighthewastherestill."
TheyreachedCreil,andthenNoyon.AtNoyontheygavethemsomebreakfast,without
lettingthemgetout,ahurriedmorselandaglassofwine.TheCommissariesofPolice
didnotopentheirlipstothem.Thenthecarriageswerereclosed,andtheyfelttheywere
beingtakenoffthetrucksandbeingreplacedonthewheels.Posthorsesarrived,andthe
vehiclessetout,butslowlytheywerenowescortedbyacompanyofinfantry
_GendarmerieMobile_.

WhentheyleftNoyontheyhadbeentenhoursinthepolicevan.Meanwhiletheinfantry
halted.Theyaskedpermissiontogetoutforamoment"Weconsent,"saidoneofthe
CommissariesofthePolice,"butonlyforaminute,andonconditionthatyouwillgive
yourwordofhonornottoescape.""Wewillgiveourwordofhonor,"repliedthe
prisoners."Gentlemen,"continuedtheCommissary,"giveittomeonlyforoneminute,
thetimetodrinkaglassofwater.""No,"saidGeneralLamoricire,"butthetimetodo
thecontrary,"andheadded,"ToLouisBonaparte'shealth."Theyallowedthemtoget
out,onebyone,andtheywere,abletoinhaleforamomentthefreshairintheopen
countrybythesideoftheroad.
Thentheconvoyresumeditsmarch.
Asthedaywanedtheysawthroughtheirportholeamassofhighwalls,somewhat
overtoppedbyagreatroundtower.Amomentafterwardsthecarriagesenteredbeneatha
lowarchway,andthenstoppedinthecentreofalongcourtyard,steeplyembanked,
surroundedbyhighwalls,andcommandedbytwobuildings,ofwhichonehadthe
appearanceofabarrack,andtheother,withbarsatallthewindows,hadtheappearance
ofaprison.Thedoorsofthecarriageswereopened.Anofficerwhoworeacaptain's
epauletswasstandingbythesteps.GeneralChangarniercamedownfirst."Whereare
we?"saidhe.Theofficeranswered,"YouareatHam."
ThisofficerwastheCommandantoftheFort.Hehadbeenappointedtothispostby
GeneralCavaignac.
ThejourneyfromNoyontoHamhadlastedthreehoursandahalf.Theyhadspent
thirteenhoursinthepolicevan,ofwhichtenwereontherailway.
They ledthemseparatelyintotheprison,eachtotheroomthatwasallottedtohim.
However,GeneralLamoricirehavingbeentakenbymistakeintoCavaignac'sroom,the
twogeneralscouldagainexchangeashakeofthehand.GeneralLamoricirewishedto
write tohiswifetheonlyletterwhichtheCommissariesofPoliceconsentedtotake
chargeofwasanotecontainingthisline:"Iamwell."
TheprincipalbuildingoftheprisonofHamiscomposedofastoryabovetheground
floor.Thegroundflooristraversedbyadarkandlowarchway,whichleadsfromthe
principalcourtyardintoabackyard,andcontainsthreeroomsseparatedbyapassagethe
firstfloorcontainsfiverooms.Oneofthethreeroomsonthegroundfloorisonlyalittle
anteroom,almostuninhabitabletheretheylodgedM.Baze.Intheremaininglower
chamberstheyinstalledGeneralLamoricireandGeneralChangarnier.Thefiveother
prisonersweredistributedinthefiveroomsofthefirstfloor.
TheroomallottedtoGeneralLamoricirehadbeenoccupiedinthetimeofthecaptivity
oftheMinistersofCharlesX.bytheexMinisterofMarine,M.d'Haussez.Itwasalow,
damproom,longuninhabited,andwhichhadservedasachapel,adjoiningthedreary
archwaywhichledfromonecourtyardtotheother,flooredwithgreatplanksslimyand
mouldy,towhichthefootadhered,paperedwithagraypaperwhichhadturnedgreen,

andwhichhunginrags,exudingsaltpetrefromthefloortotheceiling,lightedbytwo
barredwindowslookingontothecourtyard,whichhadalwaystobeleftopenonaccount
ofthesmokychimney.Atthebottomoftheroomwasthebed,andbetweenthewindows
atableandtwostrawbottomedchairs.Thedamprandownthewalls.WhenGeneral
LamoricireleftthisroomhecarriedawayrheumatismwithhimM.deHaussezwent
outcrippled.
Whentheeightprisonershadenteredtheirrooms,thedoorswereshutuponthemthey
heardtheboltsshotfromoutside,andtheyweretold:"Youareincloseconfinement."
GeneralCavaignacoccupiedonthefirstfloortheformerroomofM.LouisBonaparte,
thebestintheprison.ThefirstthingwhichstrucktheeyeoftheGeneralwasan
inscriptiontracedonthewell,andstatingthedaywhenLouisBonapartehadenteredthis
fortress,andthedaywhenhehadleftit,asiswellknown,disguisedasamason,andwith
aplankonhisshoulder.Moreover,thechoiceofthisbuildingwasanattentiononthepart
ofM.LouisBonaparte,whohavingin1848takentheplaceofGeneralCavaignacin
powerwishedthatin1851GeneralCavaignacshouldtakehisplaceinprison.
"Turnandturnabout!"Mornyhadsaid,smiling.
Theprisonerswereguardedbythe48thoftheLine,whoformedthegarrisonatHam.
TheoldBastillesarequiteimpartial.Theyobeythosewhomake_coupsd'tat_untilthe
daywhentheyclutchthem.Whatdothesewordsmattertothem,Equity,Truth,
Conscience,whichmoreoverincertaincirclesdonotmovemenanymorethanstones?
Theyarethecoldandgloomyservantsofthejustandoftheunjust.Theytakewhateveris
giventhem.Allisgoodtothem.Aretheyguilty?Good!Aretheyinnocent?Excellent!
Thismanistheorganizerofanambush.Toprison!Thismanisthevictimofanambush!
Enterhimintheprisonregister!Inthesameroom.Tothedungeonwithallthe
vanquished!
ThesehideousBastillesresemblethatoldhumanjusticewhichpossessedpreciselyas
muchconscienceastheyhave,whichcondemnedSocratesandJesus,andwhichalso
takesandleaves,seizesandreleases,absolvesandcondemns,liberatesandincarcerates,
opensandshuts,atthewillofwhateverhandmanipulatestheboltfromoutside.

CHAPTERXI.THEENDOFTHESECONDDAY
WeleftMarie'shousejustintime.Theregimentchargedtotrackusandtoarrestuswas
approaching.Weheardthemeasuredstepsofsoldiersinthegloom.Thestreetswere
dark.Wedispersed.Iwillnotspeakofarefugewhichwasrefusedtous.
LessthantenminutesafterourdepartureM.Marie'shousewasinvested.Aswarmof
gunsandswordspouredin,andoverranitfromcellartoattic."Everywhere!
everywhere!"criedthechiefs.Thesoldierssoughtuswithconsiderableenergy.Without
takingthetroubletoleandownandlook,theyransackedunderthebedswithbayonet
thrusts.Sometimestheyhaddifficultyinwithdrawingthebayonetswhichtheyhad
drivenintothewall.Unfortunatelyforthiszeal,wewerenotthere.
Thiszealcamefrownhighersources.Thepoorsoldiersobeyed."Killthe
Representatives,"suchweretheirinstructions.ItwasatthatmomentwhenMornysent
thisdespatchtoMaupas:"IfyoutakeVictorHugo,dowhatyoulikewithhim."These
weretheirpolitestphrases.Lateronthe_coupd'tat_initsdecreeofbanishment,called
us"thoseindividuals,"whichcausedSchoelchertosaythesehaughtywords:"These
peopledonotevenknowhowtoexilepolitely."
Dr.Vronwhopublishesinhis"Mmoires"theMornyMaupasdespatch,adds:"M.du
MaupassenttolookforVictorHugoatthehouseofhisbrotherinlaw,M.Victor
Foucher,CouncillortotheCourtofCassation.Hedidnotfindhim."
Anoldfriend,amanofheartandoftalent,M.Henryd'E,hadofferedmearefugein
roomswhichheoccupiedintheRueRichelieutheseroomsadjoiningtheThtre
Franais,wereonthefirstfloorofahousewhich,likeM.Grvy'sresidence,hadanexit
intotheRueFontaineMolire.
Iwentthere.M.Henryd'E beingfromhome,hisporterwasawaitingme,andhanded
methekey.
AcandlelightedtheroomwhichIentered.Therewasatablenearthefire,ablotting
book,andsomepaper.Itwaspastmidnight,andIwassomewhattiredbutbeforegoing
tobed,foreseeingthatifIshouldsurvivethisadventureIshouldwriteitshistory,I
resolvedimmediatelytonotedownsomedetailsofthestateofaffairsinParisattheend
ofthisday,thesecondofthe_coupd'tat_.Iwrotethispage,whichIreproducehere,
becauseitisalifelikeportrayalasortofdirectphotograph:
"LouisBonapartehasinventedsomethingwhichhecallsa'ConsultativeCommittee,'and
whichhecommissionstodrawupthepostscriptofhiscrimes.
"LonFoucherrefusestobeinitMontalemberhesitatesBarocheaccepts.
"FallouxdespisesDupin.

"ThefirstshotswerefiredattheRecordOffice.IntheMarketsintheRueRambuteau,in
theRueBeaubourgIheardfiring.
"Fleury,theaidedecamp,venturedtopassdowntheRueMontmartre.Amusketball
piercedhiskpi.Hegallopedquicklyoff.Atoneo'clocktheregimentsweresummoned
tovoteonthe_coupd'tat_.Allgavetheiradhesion.Thestudentsoflawandmedicine
assembledtogetherattheEcoledeDroittoprotest.TheMunicipalGuardsdispersed
them.Therewereagreatmanyarrests.Thisevening,patrolsareeverywhere.Sometimes
anentireregimentformsapatrol.
"RepresentativeHespel,whoissixfeethigh,wasnotabletofindacelllongenoughfor
himatMazas,andhehasbeenobligedtoremainintheporter'slodge,whereheis
carefullywatched.
"MesdamesOdilonBarrotanddeTocquevilledonotknowwheretheirhusbandsare.
TheygofromMazastoMontValrien.Thejailersaredumb.Itisthe19thLightInfantry
whichattackedthebarricadewhenBaudinwaskilled.Fiftymenofthe_Gendarmerie
Mobile_havecarriedatthedoublethebarricadeoftheOratoireintheRueSt.Honor.
Moreover,theconflictrevealsitself.TheysoundthetocsinattheChapelleBra.One
barricadeoverturnedsetstwentybarricadesontheirfeet.Thereisthebarricadeofthe
SchoolsintheRueSt.AndrdesArts,thebarricadeoftheRueduTemple,thebarricade
oftheCarrefourPhlippeauxdefendedbytwentyyoungmenwhohaveallbeenkilled
theyarereconstructingitthebarricadeoftheRuedeBretagne,whichatthismoment
Courtigisisbombarding.ThereisthebarricadeoftheInvalides,thebarricadeofthe
BarriredesMartyres,thebarricadeoftheChapelleSt.Denis.Thecouncilsofwarare
sittinginpermanence,andorderallprisonerstobeshot.The30thoftheLinehaveshota
woman.Oiluponfire.
"Thecolonelofthe49thoftheLinehasresigned.LouisBonapartehasappointedinhis
placeLieutenantColonelNgrier.M.Brun,OfficerofthePoliceoftheAssembly,was
arrestedatthesametimeastheQuestors.
"ItissaidthatfiftymembersofthemajorityhavesignedaprotestatM.OdilonBarrot's
house.
"ThiseveningthereisanincreasinguneasinessattheElyse.Incendiarismisfeared.Two
battalionsofengineersappershavereinforcedtheFireBrigade.Maupashasplaced
guardsoverthegasometers.
"HerearethemilitarytalonsbywhichParishasbeengrasped:Bivouacsatallthe
strategicalpoints.AtthePontNeufandtheQuaiauxFleurs,theMunicipalGuardsatthe
PlacedelaBastilletwelvepiecesofcannon,threemortars,lightedmatchesatthecorner
oftheFaubourgthesixstoriedhousesareoccupiedbysoldiersfromtoptobottomthe
MarulazbrigadeattheHteldeVilletheSauboulbrigadeatthePanthontheCourtigis
brigadeattheFaubourgSt.AntoinetheRenauddivisionattheFaubourgSt.Marceau.At

theLegislativePalacetheChasseursdeVincennes,andabattalionofthe15thLight
InfantryintheChampsElysesinfantryandcavalryintheAvenueMarignyartillery.
Insidethecircusisanentireregimentithasbivouackedthereallnight.Asquadronof
theMunicipalGuardisbivouackinginthePlaceDauphine.AbivouacintheCouncilof
State.AbivouacinthecourtyardoftheTuileries.Inaddition,thegarrisonsofSt.
GermainandofCourbevoie.Twocolonelskilled,Loubeau,ofthe75th,andQuilio.On
allsideshospitalattendantsarepassing,bearinglitters.Ambulancesareeverywherein
theBazardel'Industry(BoulevardPoissionire)intheSalleSt.JeanattheHtelde
VilleintheRueduPetitCarreau.Inthisgloomybattleninebrigadesareengaged.All
haveabatteryofartilleryasquadronofcavalrymaintainsthecommunicationsbetween
thebrigadesfortythousandmenaretakingpartinthestrugglewithareserveofsixty
thousandmenahundredthousandsoldiersuponParis.SuchistheArmyoftheCrime.
TheReibellbrigade,thefirstandsecondLancers,protecttheElyse.TheMinistersare
allsleepingattheMinistryoftheInterior,closebyMorny.Mornywatches,Magnan
commands.Tomorrowwillbeaterribleday."
Thispagewritten,Iwenttobed,andfellasleep.

THETHIRDDAYTHEMASSACRE.
CHAPTERI.THOSEWHOSLEEPANDHEWHODOESNOT
SLEEP
Duringthisnightofthe3dand4thofDecember,whilewewhowereovercomewith
fatigueandbetrothedtocalamitysleptanhonestslumber,notaneyewasclosedatthe
Elyse.Aninfamoussleeplessnessreignedthere.Towardstwoo'clockinthemorningthe
ComteRoguet,afterMornythemostintimateoftheconfidantsoftheElyse,anexpeer
ofFranceandalieutenantgeneral,cameoutofLouisBonaparte'sprivateroomRoguet
wasaccompaniedbySaintArnaud.SaintArnaud,itmayberemembered,wasatthat
timeMinisterofWar.
Twocolonelswerewaitinginthelittleanteroom.
SaintArnaudwasageneralwhohadbeenasupernumeraryattheAmbiguTheatre.He
hadmadehisfirstappearanceasacomedianinthesuburbs.Atragedianlateron.Hemay
bedescribedasfollows:tall,bony,thin,angular,withgraymoustaches,lankair,amean
countenance.Hewasacutthroat,andbadlyeducated.Mornylaughedathimforhis
pronunciationofthe"SovereignPeople.""Hepronouncesthewordnobetterthanhe
understandsthething,"saidhe.TheElyse,whichpridesitselfuponitsrefinement,only
halfacceptedSaintArnaud.Hisbloodysidehadcausedhisvulgarsidetobecondoned.
SaintArnaudwasbrave,violent,andyettimidhehadtheaudacityofagoldlaced
veteranandtheawkwardnessofamanwhohadformerlybeen"downuponhisluck."We
sawhimonedayinthetribune,pale,stammering,butdaring.Hehadalongbonyface,
andadistrustinspiringjaw.HistheatricalnamewasFlorivan.Hewasastrollingplayer
transformedintoatrooper.HediedMarshalofFrance.Anillomenedfigure.
ThetwocolonelswhoawaitedSaintArnaudintheanteroomweretwobusinesslike
men,bothleadersofthosedecisiveregimentswhichatcriticaltimescarrytheother
regimentswiththem,accordingtotheirinstructions,intoglory,asatAusterlitz,orinto
crime,asontheEighteenthBrumaire.ThesetwoofficersbelongedtowhatMornycalled
"thecreamofindebtedandfreelivingcolonels."Wewillnotmentiontheirnameshere
oneisdead,theotherisstilllivinghewillrecognizehimself.Besides,wehavecaughta
glimpseoftheminthefirstpagesofthisbook.
One,amanofthirtyeight,wascunning,dauntless,ungrateful,threequalificationsfor
success.TheDucd'AumalehadsavedhislifeintheAurs.Hewasthenayoungcaptain.
AballhadpiercedhisbodyhefellintoathickettheKabylesrusheduptocutoffand
carryawayhishead,whentheDucd'Aumalearrivingwithtwoofficers,asoldier,anda
bugler,chargedtheKabylesandsavedthiscaptain.Havingsavedhim,helovedhim.One
wasgrateful,theotherwasnot.Theonewhowasgratefulwasthedeliverer.TheDuc
d'Aumalewaspleasedwiththisyoungcaptainforhavinggivenhimanopportunityfora
deedofgallantry.Hemadehimamajorin1849thismajorbecamelieutenantcolonel,

andcommandedastormingcolumnatthesiegeofRomehethencamebacktoAfrica,
whereFleuryboughthimoveratthesametimeasSaintArnaud.LouisBonapartemade
himcolonelinJuly,1851,andreckoneduponhim.InNovemberthiscolonelofLouis
BonapartewrotetotheDucd'Aumale,"Nothingneedbeapprehendedfromthis
miserableadventurer."InDecemberhecommandedoneofthemassacringregiments.
Lateron,intheDobrudscha,anillusedhorseturneduponhimandbitoffhischeek,so
thattherewasonlyroomonhisfaceforoneslap.
Theothermanwasgrowinggray,andwasaboutfortyeight.Healsowasamanof
pleasureandofmurder.Despicableasacitizenbraveasasoldier.Hewasoneofthefirst
whohadsprungintothebreachatConstantine.Plentyofbraveryandplentyofbaseness.
Nochivalrybutthatofthegreencloth.LouisBonapartehadmadehimcolonelin1851.
HisdebtshadbeentwicepaidbytwoPrincesthefirsttimebytheDucd'Orlans,the
secondtimebytheDucdeNmours.
Suchwerethesecolonels.
SaintArnaudspoketothemforsometimeinalowtone.

CHAPTERII.THEPROCEEDINGSOFTHECOMMITTEE
Assoonasitwasdaylightwehadassembledinthehouseofourimprisonedcolleague,
M.Grvy.Wehadbeeninstalledinhisprivateroom.MicheldeBourgesandmyself
wereseatednearthefireplaceJulesFavreandCarnotwerewriting,theoneatatable
nearthewindow,theotheratahighdesk.TheLefthadinvesteduswithdiscretionary
powers.Itbecamemoreandmoreimpossibleateverymomenttomeettogetheragainin
session.WedrewupinitsnameandremittedtoHingray,sothathemightprintit
immediately,thefollowingdecree,compiledonthespurofthemomentbyJulesFavre:
"FRENCHREPUBLIC.
"_Liberty,Equality,Fraternity_.
"TheundersignedRepresentativesofthePeoplewhostillremainatliberty,havingmet
togetherinanExtraordinaryPermanentSession,consideringthearrestofthemajority
oftheircolleagues,consideringtheurgencyofthemoment
"SeeingthatthecrimeofLouisNapoleonBonaparteinviolentlyabolishingthe
operationsofthePublicPowershasreinstatedtheNationinthedirectexerciseofits
sovereignty,andthatallwhichfettersthatsovereigntyatthepresenttimeshouldhe
annulled
"Seeingthatalltheprosecutionscommenced,allthesentencespronounced,bywhat
rightsoever,onaccountofpoliticalcrimesoroffencesarequashedbythe
imprescriptiblerightofthePeople
"DECREE:
"ARTICLEI.Allprosecutionswhichhavebegun,andallsentenceswhichhavebeen
pronounced,forpoliticalcrimesoroffencesareannulledasregardsalltheircivilor
criminaleffects.
"ARTICLEII.Consequently,alldirectorsofjailsorofhousesofdetentionare
enjoinedimmediatelytosetatlibertyallpersonsdetainedinprisonforthereasons
aboveindicated.
"ARTICLEIII.Allmagistrates'officersandofficersofthejudiciarypoliceare
similarlyenjoined,underpenaltyoftreason,toannulalltheprosecutionswhichhave
beenbegunforthesamecauses.
"ARTICLEIV.Thepolicefunctionariesandagentsarechargedwiththeexecutionof
thepresentdecree.
"GivenatParis,inPermanentSession,onthe4thDecember,1851."

JulesFavre,ashepassedmethedecreeformysignature,saidtome,smiling,"Letusset
yoursonsandyourfriendsatliberty.""Yes,"saidI,"fourcombatantsthemoreonthe
barricades."TheRepresentativeDuputz,afewhourslater,receivedfromourhandsa
duplicateofthedecree,with thechargetotakeithimselftotheConcirgerieassoonas
thesurprisewhichwepremeditateduponthePrefectureofPoliceandtheHteldeVille
shouldhavesucceeded.Unhappilythissurprisefailed.
Landrincamein.HisdutiesinParisin1848hadenabledhimtoknowthewholebodyof
thepoliticalandmunicipalpolice.Hewarnedusthathehadseensuspiciousfigures
rovingabouttheneighborhood.WewereintheRueRichelieu,almostoppositethe
ThtreFranais,oneofthepointswherepassersbyaremostnumerous,andin
consequenceoneofthepointsmostcarefullywatched.Thegoingsandcomingsofthe
RepresentativeswhowerecommunicatingwiththeCommittee,andwhocameinandout
unceasingly,wouldbeinevitablynoticed,andwouldbringaboutavisitfromthePolice.
Theportersandtheneighborsalreadymanifestedanevilbodingsurprise.Weran,so
Landrindeclaredandassuredus,thegreatestdanger."Youwillbetakenandshot,"said
hetous.
Heentreatedustogoelsewhere.M.Grvy'sbrother,consultedbyus,statedthathecould
notanswerforthepeopleofhishouse.
Butwhatwastobedone?Huntednowfortwodays,wehadexhaustedthegoodwillof
nearlyeverybody,onerefugehadbeenrefusedontheprecedingevening,andatthis
momentnohousewasofferedtous.Sincethenightofthe2dwehadchangedourrefuge
seventeentimes,attimesgoingfromoneextremityofParistotheother.Webeganto
experiencesomeweariness.Besides,asIhavealreadysaid,thehousewherewewerehad
thissignaladvantageabackoutletupontheRueFontaineMolire.Wedecidedto
remain.Onlywethoughtweoughttotakeprecautionarymeasures.
EveryspeciesofdevotionburstforthfromtheranksoftheLeftaroundus.Anoteworthy
memberoftheAssemblyamanofraremindandofrarecourageDurandSavoyatwho
fromtheprecedingeveninguntilthelastdayconstitutedhimselfourdoorkeeper,and
evenmorethanthis,ourusherandourattendant,himselfhadplacedabellonourtable,
andhadsaidtous,"Whenyouwantme,ring,andIwillcomein."Whereverwewent,
therewashe.Heremainedintheantechamber,calm,impassive,silent,withhisgrave
andnoblecountenance,hisbuttonedfrockcoat,andhisbroadbrimmedhat,whichgave
himtheappearanceofanAnglicanclergyman.Hehimselfopenedtheentrancedoor,
scannedthefacesofthosewhocame,andkeptawaytheimportunateandtheuseless.
Besides,hewasalwayscheerful,andreadytosayunceasingly,"Thingsarelooking
well."Wewerelost,yethesmiled.OptimisminDespair.
Wecalledhimin.Landrinsetforthtohimhismisgivings.WebeggedDurandSavoyatin
futuretoallownoonetoremainintheapartments,noteventheRepresentativesofthe
People,totakenoteofallnewsandinformation,andtoallownoonetopenetratetous
butmenwhowereindispensable,inshort,asfaraspossible,tosendawayeveryonein

orderthatthegoingsandcomingsmightcease.DurandSavoyatnoddedhishead,and
wentbackintotheantechamber,saying,"Itshallbedone."Heconfinedhimselfofhis
ownaccordtothesetwoformulasforus,"Thingsarelookingwell,"forhimself,"Itshall
bedone.""Itshallbedone,"anoblemannerinwhichtospeakofduty.
LandrinandDurandSavoyathavingleft,MicheldeBourgesbegantospeak.
"TheartificeofLouisBonaparte,imitatorofhisuncleinthisasineverything,"said
MicheldeBourges,"hadbeentothrowoutinadvanceanappealtothePeople,avoteto
betaken,aplebiscitum,inshort,tocreateaGovernmentinappearanceatthevery
momentwhenheoverturnedone.Ingreatcrises,whereeverythingtottersandseems
readytofall,aPeoplehasneedtolayholdofsomething.Failinganyothersupport,itwill
takethesovereigntyofLouisBonaparte.Well,itwasnecessarythatasupportshouldbe
offeredtothepeople,byus,intheformofitsownsovereignty.TheAssembly,"
continuedMicheldeBourges,"was,asafact,dead.TheLeft,thepopularstumpofthis
hatedAssembly,mightsufficeforthesituationforafewdays.Nomore.Itwasnecessary
thatitshouldbereinvigoratedbythenationalsovereignty.Itwasthereforeimportantthat
wealsoshouldappealtouniversalsuffrage,shouldopposevotetovote,shouldraiseerect
theSovereignPeoplebeforetheusurpingPrince,andshouldimmediatelyconvokeanew
Assembly."MicheldeBourgesproposedadecree.
MicheldeBourgeswasright.BehindthevictoryofLouisBonapartecouldbeseen
somethinghateful,butsomethingwhichwasfamiliartheEmpirebehindthevictoryof
theLefttherewasobscurity.Wemustbringindaylightbehindus.Thatwhichcausesthe
greatestuneasinesstopeople'simaginationisthedictatorshipoftheUnknown.To
convokeanewAssemblyassoonaspossible,torestoreFranceatonceintothehandsof
France,thiswastoreassurepeople'smindsduringthecombat,andtorallythem
afterwardsthiswasthetruepolicy.
Forsometime,whilelisteningtoMicheldeBourgesandJulesFavre,whosupported
him,wefanciedweheard,inthenextroom,amurmurwhichresembledthesoundof
voices.JulesFavrehadseveraltimesexclaimed,"Isanyonethere?"
"Itisnotpossible,"wastheanswer."WehaveinstructedDurandSavoyattoallownoone
toremainthere."Andthediscussion continued.Neverthelessthesoundofvoices
insensiblyincreased,andultimatelygrewsodistinctthatitbecamenecessarytoseewhat
itmeant.Carnothalfopenedthedoor.Theroomandtheantechamberadjoiningthe
roomwhereweweredeliberatingwerefilledwithRepresentatives,whowerepeaceably
conversing.
Surprised,wecalledinDurandSavoyat.
"Didyounotunderstandus?"askedMicheldeBourges.
"Yes,certainly,"answeredDurandSavoyat.

"Thishouseisperhapsmarked,"resumedCarnot"weareindangerofbeingtaken."
"Andkilleduponthespot,"addedJulesFavre,smilingwithhiscalmsmile.
"Exactlyso,"answeredDurandSavoyat,withalookstillquieterthanJulesFavre'ssmile.
"Thedoorofthisinnerroomisshroudedinthedarkness,andislittlenoticeable.Ihave
detainedalltheRepresentativeswhohavecomein,andhaveplacedtheminthelarger
roomandintheantechamber,whichevertheyhavewished.Aspeciesofcrowdhasthus
beenformed.Ifthepoliceandthetroopsarrive,Ishallsaytothem,'Hereweare.'They
willtakeus.Theywillnotperceivethedooroftheinnerroom,andtheywillnotreach
you.Weshallpayforyou.Ifthereisanyonetobekilled,theywillcontentthemselves
withus."
Andwithoutimaginingthathehadjustutteredthewordsofahero,DurandSavoyatwent
backtotheantechamber.
Weresumedourdeliberationonthesubjectofadecree.Wewereunanimouslyagreed
upontheadvantageofanimmediateconvocationofaNewAssembly.Butforwhatdate?
LouisBonapartehadappointedthe20thofDecemberforhisPlebiscitumwechosethe
21st.Then,whatshouldwecallthisAssembly?MicheldeBourgesstronglyadvocated
thetitleof"NationalConvention,"JulesFavrethatitsnameshouldbe"Constituent
Assembly,"Carnotproposedthetitleof"SovereignAssembly,"which,awakeningno
remembrances,wouldleavethefieldfreetoallhopes.Thenameof"Sovereign
Assembly"wasadopted.
Thedecree,thepreambleofwhichCarnotinsisteduponwritingfrommydictation,was
drawnupintheseterms.Itisoneofthosewhichhasbeenprintedandplacarded.
"DECREE.
"ThecrimeofLouisBonaparteimposesgreatdutiesupontheRepresentativesofthe
Peopleremainingatliberty.
"Bruteforceseekstorenderthefulfilmentofthesedutiesimpossible.
"Hunted,wanderingfromrefugetorefuge,assassinatedinthestreets,theRepublican
Representativesdeliberateandact,notwithstandingtheinfamouspoliceofthe_coup
d'tat_.
"TheoutrageofLouisNapoleon,inoverturningallthePublicPowers,hasonlyleft
oneauthoritystanding,thesupremeauthority,theauthorityofthepeople:Universal
Suffrage.
"ItisthedutyoftheSovereignPeopletorecaptureandreconstituteallthesocialforces
whichtodayaredispersed.

"Consequently,theRepresentativesofthePeopledecree:
"ARTICLEI.ThePeopleareconvokedonthe21stDecember,1851,fortheelection
ofaSovereignAssembly.
"ARTICLEII.TheelectionwilltakeplacebyUniversalSuffrage,accordingtothe
formalitiesdeterminedbythedecreeoftheProvisionalGovernmentofMarch5,1848.
"GivenatParis,inPermanentSession,December4,1851."
AsIfinishedsigningthisdecree,DurandSavoyatenteredandwhisperedtomethata
womanhadaskedforme,andwaswaitingintheantechamber.Iwentouttoher.Itwas
MadameCharassin.Herhusbandhaddisappeared.TheRepresentativeCharassin,a
politicaleconomist,anagriculturist,amanofscience,wasatthesametimeamanof
greatcourage.Wehadseenhimontheprecedingeveningatthemostperilouspoints.
Hadhebeenarrested?MadameCharassincametoaskmeifweknewwherehewas.I
wasignorant.ShewenttoMazastomakeinquiriesforhimthere.Acolonelwho
simultaneouslycommandedinthearmyandinthepolice,receivedher,andsaid,"Ican
onlypermityoutoseeyourhusbandononecondition.""Whatisthat?""Youwilltalkto
himaboutnothing.""WhatdoyoumeanNothing?""Nonews,nopolitics.""Verywell."
"Givemeyourwordofhonor."Andshehadansweredhim,"Howisitthatyouwishme
togiveyoumywordofhonor,sinceIshoulddeclinetoreceiveyours?"
IhavesinceseenCharassininexile.
MadameCharassinhadjustleftmewhenThodoreBacarrived.Hebroughtusthe
protestoftheCouncilofState.
Hereitis:
"PROTESTOFTHECOUNCILOFSTATE.
"TheundersignedmembersoftheCouncilofState,electedbytheConstituentand
LegislativeAssemblies,havingassembledtogether,notwithstandingthedecreeofthe
2dofDecember,attheirusualplace,andhavingfounditsurroundedbyanarmedforce,
whichprohibitedtheiraccessthereto,protestagainstthedecreewhichhaspronounced
thedissolutionoftheCouncilofState,anddeclarethattheyonlyceasedtheirfunctions
whenhinderedbyforce.
"Paris,this3dDecember,1851.
"Signed:BETHMONT,VIVIEN,BUREAUDEPUZY,ED.CHARTON,CUVIER,DE
RENNEVILLE,HORACESAY,BOULATIGNIER,GAUTIERDERUMILLY,DE
JOUVENCEL,DUNOYER, CARTERET,DEFRESNE,BOUCHENAYLEFER,
RIVET,BOUDET,CORMENIN,PONSDEL'HERAULT."

LetusrelatetheadventureoftheCouncilofState.
LouisBonapartehaddrivenawaytheAssemblybytheArmy,andtheHighCourtof
JusticebythePoliceheexpelledtheCouncilofStatebytheporter.
Onthemorningofthe2dofDecember,attheveryhouratwhichtheRepresentativesof
theRighthadgonefromM.Daru'stotheMairieoftheTenthArrondissement,the
CouncillorsofStatebetookthemselvestotheHotel ontheQuaid'Orsay.Theywentin
onebyone.
Thequaywasthrongedwithsoldiers.Aregimentwasbivouackingtherewiththeirarms
piled.
TheCouncillorsofStatesoonnumberedaboutthirty.Theysettoworktodeliberate.A
draftprotestwasdrawnup.Atthemomentwhenitwasabouttobesignedtheporter
camein,paleandstammering.Hedeclaredthathewasexecutinghisorders,andhe
enjoinedthemtowithdraw.
UponthisseveralCouncillorsofStatedeclaredthat,indignantastheywere,theycould
notplacetheirsignaturesbesidetheRepublicansignatures.
Ameansofobeyingtheporter.
M.Bethmont,oneofthePresidentsoftheCouncilofState,offeredtheuseofhishouse.
HelivedintheRueSaintRomain.TheRepublicanmembersrepairedthere,andwithout
discussionsignedtheprotocolwhichhasbeengivenabove.
Somememberswholivedinthemoredistantquartershadnotbeenabletocometothe
meeting.TheyoungestCouncillorofState,amanoffirmheartandofnoblemind,M.
EdouardCharton,undertooktotaketheprotesttohisabsentcolleagues.
Hedidthis,notwithoutseriousrisk,onfoot,nothavingbeenabletoobtainacarriage,
andhewasarrestedbythesoldieryandthreatenedwithbeingsearched,whichwould
havebeenhighlydangerous.Neverthelesshesucceededinreachingsomeofthe
CouncillorsofState.Manysigned,Ponsdel'Hraultresolutely,Cormeninwithasortof
fever,Boudetaftersomehesitation.M.Boudettrembled,hisfamilywerealarmed,they
heardthroughtheopenwindowthedischargeofartillery.Charton,braveandcalm,said
tohim,"Yourfriends,Vivien,Rivet,andStourmhavesigned."Boulletsigned.
Manyrefused,onealleginghisgreatage,anotherthe_resangustadomi_,athird"the
fearofdoingthework oftheReds.""Say'fear,'inshort,"repliedCharton.
Onthefollowingday,December3d,MM.VivienandBethmonttooktheprotestto
BoulaydelaMeurthe,VicePresidentoftheRepublic,andPresidentoftheCouncilof
State,whoreceivedtheminhisdressinggown,andexclaimedtothem,"Beoff!Ruin
yourselves,ifyoulike,butwithoutme."

Onthemorningofthe4th,M.deCormeninerasedhissignature,givingthis
unprecedentedbutauthenticexcuse:"Theword_ex_CouncillorofStatedoesnotlook
wellinabookIamafraidofinjuringmypublisher."
Yetanothercharacteristicdetail.M.Bhic,onthemorningofthe2d,hadarrivedwhile
theyweredrawinguptheprotest.Hehadhalfopenedthedoor.Nearthedoorwas
standingM.GautierdeRumilly,oneofthemostjustlyrespectedmembersoftheCouncil
ofState.M.BhichadaskedM.GautierdeRumilly,"Whataretheydoing?Itisacrime.
Whatarewedoing?"M.GautierdeRumillyhadanswered,"Aprotest."Upon,thisword
M.Bhichadreclosedthedoor,andhaddisappeared.Hereappearedlateronunderthe
EmpireaMinister.

CHAPTERIII.INSIDETHEELYSEE
DuringthemorningDr.YvanmetDr.Conneau.Theywereacquainted.Theytalked
together.YvanbelongedtotheLeft.ConneaubelongedtotheElyse.Yvanknew
throughConneauthedetailsofwhathadtakenplaceduringthenightattheElyse,which
hetransmittedtous.
Oneofthesedetailswasthefollowing:
Aninexorabledecreehadbeencompiled,andwasabouttobeplacarded.Thisdecree
enjoineduponallsubmissiontothe_coupd'tat_.SaintArnaud,who,asMinisterof
War,shouldsignthedecree,haddrawnitup.Hehadreachedthelastparagraph,which
ranthus:"Whoevershallbedetectedconstructingabarricade,postingaplacardoftheex
Representatives,orreadingit,shallbe...."hereSaintArnaudhadpausedMornyhad
shruggedhisshoulders,hadsnatchedthepenfromhishand,andwritten"_shot_!"
Othermattershadbeendecided,butthesewerenotrecorded.
Variouspiecesofinformationcameininadditiontothese.
ANationalGuard,namedBoillaydeDole,hadformedoneoftheGuardattheElyse,on
thenightofthe3dand4th.ThewindowsofLouisBonaparte'sprivateroom,whichwas
onthegroundfloor,werelightedupthroughoutthenight.Intheadjoiningroomthere
wasaCouncilofWar.FromthesentryboxwherehewasstationedBoillaysawdefined
onthewindowsblackprofilesandgesticulatingshadows,whichwereMagnan,Saint
Arnaud,Persigny,Fleury,thespectresof thecrime.
Korte,theGeneraloftheCuirassiers,hadbeensummoned,asalsoCarrelet,who
commandedthedivisionwhichdidthehardestworkonthefollowingday,the4th.From
midnighttothreeo'clockinthemorningGeneralsandColonels"didnothingbutcome
andgo."Evenmerecaptainshadcomethere.Towardsfouro'clocksomecarriages
arrived"withwomen."Treasonanddebaucherywenthandinhand.Theboudoirinthe
palaceansweredtothebrothelinthebarracks.
Thecourtyardwasfilledwithlancers,whoheldthehorsesofthegeneralswhowere
deliberating.
TwoofthewomenwhocamethatnightbelonginacertainmeasuretoHistory.Thereare
alwaysfeminineshadowsofthissortinthebackground.Thesewomeninfluencedthe
unhappygenerals.Bothbelongedtothebestcircles.TheonewastheMarquiseof ,
shewhobecameenamoredofherhusbandafterhavingdeceivedhim.Shediscoveredthat
herloverwasnotworthherhusband.Suchathingdoeshappen.Shewasthedaughterof
themostwhimsicalMarshalofFrance,andofthatprettyCountessof towhomM.de
Chateaubriand,afteranightoflove,composedthisquatrain,whichmaynowbe
publishedallthepersonagesbeingdead.

TheDawnpeepsinatthewindow,shepaintstheskywithred
Andoverourlovingembracesherrosyraysareshed:
Shelooksontheslumberingworld,love,witheyesthatseemdivine.
Butcansheshowonherlips,love,asmileassweetasthine?[13]
Thesmileofthedaughterwasassweetasthatofthemother,andmorefatal.Theother
wasMadameK,aRussian,fair,tall,blonde,lighthearted,involvedinthehiddenpaths
ofdiplomacy,possessinganddisplayingacasketfulloflovelettersfromCountMol
somewhatofaspy,absolutelycharmingandterrifying.
Theprecautionswhichhadbeentakenincaseofaccidentwerevisibleevenfromoutside.
Sincetheprecedingeveningtherehadbeenseenfromthewindowsoftheneighboring
housestwopostchaisesinthecourtyardoftheElyse,horsed,readytostart,the
postilionsintheirsaddles.
InthestablesoftheElyseintheRueMontaignetherewereothercarriageshorsed,and
horsessaddledandbridled.
LouisBonapartehadnotslept.Duringthenighthehadgivenmysteriousordersthence
whenmorningcametherewasonthispalefaceasortofappallingserenity.
TheCrimegrowncalmwasadisquietingsymptom.
Duringthemorninghehadalmostlaughed.Mornyhadcomeintohisprivateroom.Louis
Bonaparte,havingbeenfeverish,hadcalledinConneau,whojoinedintheconversation.
Peoplearebelievedtobetrustworthy,neverthelesstheylisten.
Mornybroughtthepolicereports.TwelveworkmenoftheNationalPrintingOfficehad,
duringthenightoftheSecond,refusedtoprintthedecreesandtheproclamations.They
hadbeenimmediatelyarrested.ColonelForestierwasarrested.Theyhadtransferredhim
totheFortofBictre,togetherwithCrocSpinelli,Genillier,HippolyteMagen,a
talentedandcourageouswriter,Goudounche,aschoolmaster,andPolino.Thislastname
hadstruckLouisBonaparte."WhoisthisPolino?"Mornyhadanswered,"Anexofficer
oftheShahofPersia'sservice."Andhehadadded,"AmixtureofDonQuixoteand
SanchoPanza."TheseprisonershadbeenplacedinNumberSixCasemate.Further
questionsonthepartofLouisBonaparte,"Whatarethesecasemates?"AndMornyhad
answered,"Cellarswithoutairordaylight,twentyfourmtreslong,eightwide,fivehigh,
drippingwalls,damppavements."LouisBonapartehadasked,"Dotheygivethematruss
ofstraw?"AndMornyhadsaid,"Notyet,weshallseebyandby."Hehadadded,"Those
whoaretobetransportedareatBictre,thosewhoaretobeshotareatIvry."
LouisBonapartehadinquired,"Whatprecautionshadbeentaken?"Mornygavehimfull
particularsthatguardshadbeenplacedinallthesteeplesthatallprintingpresseshad
beenplacedundersealthatallthedrumsoftheNationalGuardhadbeenlockedupthat

therewasthereforenofeareitherofaproclamationemanatingfromaprintingoffice,or
ofacalltoarmsissuingfromaMairie,orofthetocsinringingfromasteeple.
LouisBonapartehadaskedwhetherallthebatteriescontainedtheirfullcomplements,as
eachbatteryshouldbecomposedoffourpiecesandtwomortars.Hehadexpressly
orderedthatonlypiecesofeight,andmortarsofsixteencentimtresindiametershould
beemployed.
"Intruth,"Morny,whowasinthesecret,hadsaid,"allthisapparatuswillhaveworkto
do."
ThenMornyhadspokenof Mazas,thattherewere600menoftheRepublicanGuardsin
thecourtyard,allpickedmen,andwhowhenattackedwoulddefendthemselvestothe
bitterendthatthesoldiersreceivedthearrestedRepresentativeswithshoutsoflaughter,
andthattheyhadgonesofarastostareThiersinthefacethattheofficerskeptthe
soldiersatadistance,butwithdiscretionandwitha"speciesofrespect"thatthree
prisonerswerekeptinsolitaryconfinement,Greppo,Nadaud,andamemberofthe
SocialistCommittee,ArsneMeunier.ThislastnamedoccupiedNo.32oftheSixth
Division.Adjoining,inNo.30,therewasaRepresentativeoftheRight,whosobbedand
criedunceasingly.ThismadeArsneMeunierlaugh,andthismadeLouisBonaparte
laugh.
Anotherdetail.Whenthe_fiacre_bringingM.BazewasenteringthecourtyardofMazas,
ithadstruckagainstthegate,andthelampofthe_fiacre_hadfallentothegroundand
beenbrokentopieces.Thecoachman,dismayedatthedamage,bewailedit."Whowill
payfor this?"exclaimedhe.Oneofthepoliceagents,whowasinthecarriagewiththe
arrestedQuestor,hadsaidtothedriver,"Don'tbeuneasy,speaktotheBrigadier.In
matterssuchasthis,_wherethereisabreakage_,itistheGovernmentwhichpays."
AndBonapartehadsmiled,andmutteredunderhismoustache,"Thatisonlyfair."
AnotheranecdotefromMornyalsoamusedhim.ThiswasCavaignac'sangeronentering
hiscellatMazas.Thereisanapertureatthedoorofeachcell,calledthe"spyhole,"
throughwhichtheprisonersareplayedthespyuponunknowntothemselves.Thejailers
hadwatchedCavaignac.Hehadbegunbypacingupanddownwithfoldedarms,and
thenthespacebeingtooconfined,hehadseatedhimselfonthestoolinhiscell.These
stoolsarenarrowpiecesofplankuponthreeconverginglegs,whichpiercetheseatinthe
centre,andprojectbeyondtheplank,sothatoneisuncomfortablyseated.Cavaignachad
stoodup,andwithaviolentkickhadsentthestooltotheotherendofthecell.Then,
furiousandswearing,hehadbrokenwithablowofhisfistthelittletableoffiveinches
bytwelve,which,withthestool,formedthesolefurnitureofthedungeon.
ThiskickandfisticuffamusedLouisBonaparte.
"AndMaupasisasfrightenedasever,"saidMorny.ThismadeBonapartelaughstill
further.

Mornyhavinggiveninhisreport,wentaway.LouisBonaparteenteredanadjoining
roomawomanawaitedhimthere.Itappearsthatshecametoentreatmercyforsome
one.Dr.Conneauheardtheseexpressivewords:"Madam,Iwinkatyourlovesdoyou
winkatmyhatreds."
[13]Theaboveisafreerenderingoftheoriginal,whichisasfollows:
Desrayonsdumatinl'horizonsecolore,
Lejourvientclairernotretendreentretien,
Maisestilunsourireauxlvresdel'aurore.
Aussidouxqueletien?

CHAPTERIV.BONAPARTE'SFAMILIARSPIRITS
M.Mrimewasvilebynature,hemustnotbeblamedforit.
WithregardtoM.deMornyitisotherwise,hewasmoreworthytherewassomethingof
thebrigandinhim.
M.deMornywascourageous.Brigandagehasitssentimentsofhonor.
M.Mrimehaswronglygivenhimselfoutasoneoftheconfederatesofthe_coup
d'tat_.Hehad,however,nothingtoboastofinthis.
ThetruthisthatM.Mrimewasinnowayaconfidant.LouisBonapartemadeno
uselessconfidences.
Letusaddthatitislittleprobable,notwithstandingsomeslightevidencetothecontrary,
thatM.Mrime,atthedateofthe2dDecember,hadanydirectrelationswithLouis
Bonaparte.Thisensuedlateron.AtfirstMrimeonlyknewMorny.
MornyandMrimewerebothintimateattheElyse,butonadifferentfooting.Morny
canbebelieved,butnotMrime.Mornywasinthegreatsecrets,Mrimein thesmall
ones.Commissionsofgallantryformedhisvocation.
ThefamiliarsoftheElysewereoftwokinds,thetrustworthyconfederatesandthe
courtiers.
ThefirstofthetrustworthyconfederateswasMornythefirstorthelastofthecourtiers
wasMrime.
ThisiswhatmadethefortuneofM.Mrime.
Crimesareonlygloriousduringthefirstmomenttheyfadequickly.Thiskindofsuccess
lackspermanencyitisnecessarypromptlytosupplementitwithsomethingelse.
AttheElysealiteraryornamentwaswanted.AlittlesavoroftheAcademyisnotoutof
placeinabrigand'scavern.M.Mrimewasavailable.Itwashisdestinytosignhimself
"theEmpress'sJester."MadamedeMontijopresentedhimtoLouisBonaparte,who
acceptedhim,andwhocompletedhisCourtwiththisinsipidbutplausiblewriter.
ThisCourtwasaheterogeneouscollectionadinnerwagonofbasenesses,amenagerieof
reptiles,aherbalofpoisons.
Besidesthetrustworthyconfederateswhowereforuse,andthecourtierswhowerefor
ornament,thereweretheauxiliaries.

Certaincircumstancescalledforreinforcementssometimesthesewerewomen,_the
FlyingSquadron_.
Sometimesmen:SaintArnaud,Espinasse,SaintGeorge,Maupas.
Sometimesneithermennorwomen:theMarquisdeC.
Thewholetroopwasnoteworthy.
Letussayafewwordsofit.
TherewasVieillardthepreceptor,anatheistwithatingeofCatholicism,agoodbilliard
player.
Vieillardwasananecdotist.Herecountedsmilinglythefollowing:Towardsthecloseof
1807QueenHortense,whoofherownaccordlivedinParis,wrotetotheKingLouisthat
shecouldnotexistanylongerwithoutseeinghim,thatshecouldnotdowithouthim,and
thatshewasabouttocometotheHague.TheKingsaid,"Sheiswithchild."Hesentfor
hisministerVanMaanen,showedhimtheQueen'sletter,andadded,"Sheiscoming.
Verygood.OurtwochamberscommunicatebyadoortheQueenwillfinditwalledup."
Louistookhisroyalmantleinearnest,forheexclaimed,"AKing'smantleshallnever
serveascoverlettoaharlot."TheministerVanMaanen,terrified,sentwordofthistothe
Emperor.TheEmperorfellintoarage,notagainstHortense,butagainstLouis.
NeverthelessLouisheldfirmthedoorwasnotwalledup,buthisMajestywasandwhen
theQueencameheturnedhisbackuponher.ThisdidnotpreventNapoleonIII.from
beingborn.
Asuitablenumberofsalvoesofcannonsalutedthisbirth.
Suchwasthestorywhich,inthesummerof1840,inthehousecalledLaTerrasse,before
witnesses,amongwhomwasFerdinandB,Marquisdela
L,acompanionduringboyhoodoftheauthorofthisbook,wastoldby
M.Vieillard,anironicalBonapartist,anarrantsceptic.
BesidesVieillardtherewasVaudrey,whomLouisBonapartemadeaGeneralatthesame
timeasEspinasse.IncaseofneedaColonelofConspiraciescanbecomeaGeneralof
Ambuscades.
TherewasFialin,[14]thecorporalwhobecameaDuke.
TherewasFleury,whowasdestinedtothegloryoftravellingbythesideoftheCzaron
hisbuttocks.
TherewasLacrosse,aLiberalturnedClerical,oneofthoseConservativeswhopush
orderasfarastheembalming,andpreservationasfarasthemummy:lateronasenator.

TherewasLarabit,afriendofLacrosse,asmuchadomesticandnotlessasenator.
TherewasCanonCoquereau,the"AbbofLaBellePoule."Theanswerisknownwhich
hemadetoaprincesswhoaskedhim,"WhatistheElyse?"Itappearsthatonecansayto
aprincesswhatonecannotsaytoawoman.
TherewasHippolyteFortoul,oftheclimbinggenus,oftheworthofaGustavePlancheor
ofsomePhilarteChasles,anilltemperedwriterwhohadbecomeMinisterofthe
Marine,whichcausedBrangertosay,"ThisFortoulknowsallthespars,includingthe
'greasedpole.'"
ThereweresomeAuvergantsthere.Two.Theyhatedeachother.Onehadnicknamedthe
other"themelancholytinker."
TherewasSainteBeuve,adistinguishedbutinferiorman,havingapardonablefondness
forugliness.AgreatcriticlikeCousinisagreatphilosopher.
TherewasTroplong,whohadhadDupinforProcurator,andwhomDupinhadhadfor
President.Dupin,Troplongthetwosidefacesofthemaskplaceduponthebrowofthe
law.
TherewasAbbatucciaconsciencewhichleteverythingpassby.Todayastreet.
TherewastheAbbM,lateronBishopofNancy,whoemphasizedwithasmilethe
oathsofLouisBonaparte.
TherewerethefrequentersofafamousboxattheOpera,MontgandSept,placing
attheserviceofanunscrupulousprincethedeepsideoffrivolousmen.
TherewasRomieutheoutlineofadrunkardbehindaRedspectre.
TherewasMalitournenotabadfriend,coarseandsincere.
TherewasCuch,whosenamecausedhesitationamongsttheushersatthesaloon
doors.
TherewasSuinamanabletofurnishexcellentcounselforbailactions.
TherewasDr.VeronwhohadonhischeekwhattheothermenoftheElysehadintheir
hearts.
TherewasMocquartonceahandsomememberoftheDutchCourt.Mocquartpossessed
romanticrecollections.Hemightbyage,andperhapsotherwise,havebeenthefatherof
LouisBonaparte.Hewasalawyer.Hehadshownhimselfquickwittedabout1829,atthe
sametimeasRomieu.Lateronhehadpublishedsomething,Inolongerrememberwhat,
whichwaspompousandinquartosize,andwhichhesenttome.ItwashewhoinMay,

1847,hadcomewithPrincedelaMoskowatobringmeKingJrome'spetitiontothe
ChamberofPeers.ThispetitionrequestedthereadmittanceofthebanishedBonaparte
familyintoFrance.Isupporteditagoodaction,andafaultwhichIwouldagaincommit.
TherewasBillault,asemblanceofanorator,ramblingwithfacility,andmakingmistakes
withauthority,areputedstatesman.Whatconstitutesthestatesmanisacertainsuperior
mediocrity.
TherewasLavalette,completingMornyandWalewski.
TherewasBacciochi.
Andyetothers.
ItwasattheinspirationoftheseintimateassociatesthatduringhisPresidencyLouis
Bonaparte,aspeciesofDutchMachiavelli,wenthitherandthither,totheChamberand
elsewhere,toTours,toHam,toDijon,snuffling,withasleepyair,speechesfullof
treason.
TheElyse,wretchedasitwas,holdsaplaceintheage.TheElyse,hasengendered
catastrophesandridicule.
Onecannotpassitoverinsilence.
TheElysewasthedisquietinganddarkcornerofParis.Inthisbadspot,thedenizens
werelittleandformidable.Theyformedafamilycircleofdwarfs.Theyhadtheir
maxim:toenjoythemselves.Theylivedonpublicdeath.Theretheyinhaledshame,and
theythroveonthatwhichkillsothers.Itwastherethatwasrearedupwithart,purpose,
industry,andgoodwill,thedecadenceofFrance.Thereworkedthebought,fed,and
obligingpublicmenreadprostituted.Evenliteraturewascompoundedthereaswehave
shownVieillardwasaclassicof1830,MornycreatedChoufleury,LouisBonapartewas
acandidatefortheAcademy.Strangeplace.Rambouillet'shotelmingleditselfwiththe
houseofBancal.TheElysehasbeenthelaboratory,thecountinghouse,the
confessional,thealcove,thedenofthereign.TheElyseassumedtogoverneverything,
eventhemoralsaboveallthemorals.Itspreadthepaintonthebosomofwomenatthe
sametimeasthecoloronthefacesofthemen.Itsetthefashionfortoiletteandfor
music.Itinventedthecrinolineandtheoperetta.AttheElyseacertainuglinesswas
consideredaselegancethatwhichmakesthecountenancenoblewastherescoffedat,as
wasthatwhichmakesthesoulgreatthephrase,"humanfacedivine"wasridiculedatthe
Elyse,anditwastherethatfortwentyyearseverybasenesswasbroughtintofashion
effronteryincluded.
History,whatevermaybeitspride,iscondemnedtoknowthattheElyseexisted.The
grotesquesidedoesnotpreventthetragicside.ThereisattheElysearoomwhichhas
seenthesecondabdication,theabdicationafterWaterloo.ItisattheElysethat
NapoleontheFirstendedandthatNapoleontheThirdbegan.ItisattheElysethat

DupinappearedtothetwoNapoleonsin1815todeposetheGreat,in1851toworship
theLittle.Atthislastepochthisplacewasperfectlyvillainous.Therenolongerremained
onevirtuethere.AttheCourtofTiberiustherewasstillThraseas,butroundLouis
Bonapartetherewasnobody.IfonesoughtConscience,onefoundBarocheifonesought
Religion,onefoundMontalembert.
[14]BetterknownafterwardsasPersigny.

CHAPTERV.AWAVERINGALLY
Duringthisterriblyhistoricalmorningofthe4thofDecember,adaythemasterwas
closelyobservedbyhissatellites,LouisBonapartehadshuthimselfup,butindoingso
hebetrayedhimself.Amanwhoshutshimselfupmeditates,andforsuchmento
meditateistopremeditate.WhatcouldbethepremeditationofLouisBonaparte?What
wasworkinginhismind.Questionswhichallaskedthemselves,twopersonsexcepted,
Morny,themanofthoughtSaintArnaud,themanofaction.
LouisBonaparteclaimed,justly,aknowledgeofmen.Hepridedhimselfuponit,and
fromacertainpointofviewhewasright.Othershavethepowerofdivinationhehadthe
facultyofscent.Itisbrutelike,buttrustworthy.
HehadassuredlynotbeenmistakeninMaupas.TopickthelockoftheLawheneededa
skeletonkey.HetookMaupas.Norcouldanyburglar'simplementhaveansweredbetter
inthelockoftheConstitutionthanMaupas.NeitherwashemistakeninQ.B.Hesawat
oncethatthisseriousmanhadinhimthenecessarycompositequalitiesofarascal.And
infact,Q.B.,afterhavingvotedandsignedtheDepositionattheMairieoftheTenth
Arrondissement,becameoneofthethreereportersoftheJointCommissionsandhis
shareintheabominabletotalrecordedbyhistoryamountsto_sixteenhundredandthirty
fourvictims_.
LouisBonaparte,however,attimesjudgedamiss,especiallyrespectingPeauger.
Peauger,thoughchosenbyhim,remainedanhonestman.LouisBonaparte,mistrusting
theworkmenoftheNationalPrintingOffice,andnotwithoutreason,fortwelve,ashas
beenseen,wererefractory,hadimprovisedabranchestablishmentincaseofemergency,
asortofStateSubPrintingOffice,asitwere,situatedintheRuedeLuxembourg,with
steamandhandpresses,andeightworkmen.Hehadgiventhemanagementofitto
Peauger.WhenthehouroftheCrimearrived,andwithitthenecessityofprintingthe
nefariousplacards,hesoundedPeauger,andfoundhimrebellious.Hethenturnedto
SaintGeorges,amoresubservientlackey.
Hewaslessmistaken,butstillhewasmistaken,inhisappreciationofX.
Onthe2dofDecember,X.,anallythoughtnecessarybyMorny,becameasourceof
anxietytoLouisBonaparte.
X.wasfortyfouryearsofage,lovedwomen,cravedpromotion,and,therefore,wasnot
overscrupulous.HebeganhiscareerinAfricaunderColonelCombesintheforty
seventhoftheline.HeshowedgreatbraveryatConstantineatZaatchaheextricated
Herbillon,andthesiege,badlybegunbyHerbillon,hadbeenbroughttoasuccessful
terminationbyhim.X.,whowasalittleshortman,hisheadsunkinhisshoulders,was
intrepid,andadmirablyunderstoodthehandlingofabrigade.Bugeaud,Lamoricire,
Cavaignac,andChangarnierwerehisfoursteppingstonestoadvancement.AtParis,in
1851,hemetLamoricire,whoreceivedhimcoldly,andChangarnier,whotreatedhim

better.HeleftSatoryindignant,exclaiming,"_WemustfinishwiththisLouisBonaparte.
Heiscorruptingthearmy.Thesedrunkensoldiersmakeonesickatheart.Ishallreturnto
Africa_."InOctoberChangarnier'sinfluencedecreased,andX.'senthusiasmabated.X.
thenfrequentedtheElyse,butwithoutgivinghisadherence.Hepromisedhissupportto
GeneralBedeau,whocounteduponhim.Atdaybreakonthe2dofDecembersomeone
cametowakenX.ItwasEdgarNey.X.wasapropforthe_coupd'tat_,butwouldhe
consent?EdgarNeyexplainedtheaffairtohim,andlefthimonlyafterseeinghimleave
thebarracksoftheRueVerteattheheadofthefirstregiment.X.tookuphispositionat
thePlacedelaMadeleine.AshearrivedthereLaRochejaquelein,thrustbackfromthe
Chamberbyitsinvaders,crossedthePlace.LaRochejaquelein,notyetaBonapartist,
wasfurious.HeperceivedX.,hisoldschoolfellowattheEcoleMilitairein1830,with
whomhewasonintimateterms.Hewentuptohim,exclaiming,"Thisisaninfamous
act.Whatareyoudoing?""_Iamwaiting_,"answeredX.LaRochejaqueleinlefthimX.
dismounted,andwenttoseearelation,aCouncillorofState,M.R.,wholivedintheRue
deSuresne.Heaskedhisadvice.M.R.,anhonestman,didnothesitate.Heanswered,"I
amgoingtotheCouncilofStatetodomyduty.ItisaCrime."X.shookhishead,and
said,"_Wemustwaitandsee_."
This_Iamwaiting_,and_Wemustsee_,preoccupiedLouisBonaparte.Mornysaid,
"_Letusmakeuseoftheflyingsquadron_."

CHAPTERVI.DENISDUSSOUBS
GastonDussoubswasoneofthebravestmembersoftheLeft.HewasaRepresentativeof
theHauteVienne.AtthetimeofhisfirstappearanceintheAssemblyhewore,as
formerlydidThophileGautier,aredwaistcoat,andtheshudderwhichGautier's
waistcoatcausedamongthemenoflettersin1830,GastonDussoubs'waistcoatcaused
amongtheRoyalistsof1851.M.Parisis,BishopofLangres,whowouldhavehadno
objectiontoaredhat,wasterrifiedbyGastonDussoubs'redwaistcoat.Anothersourceof
horrortotheRightwasthatDussoubshad,itwassaid,passedthreeyearsatBelleIsleas
apoliticalprisoner,apenaltyincurredbythe"LimogesAffair."UniversalSuffragehad,
itwouldseem,takenhimthencetoplacehimintheAssembly.Togofromtheprisonto
theSenateiscertainlynotverysurprisinginourchangefultimes,althoughitis
sometimesfollowedbyareturnfromtheSenatetotheprison.ButtheRightwas
mistaken,theculpritofLimogeswas,notGastonDussoubs,buthisbrotherDenis.
Infine,GastonDussoubsinspiredfear.Hewaswitty,courageous,andgentle.
Inthesummerof1851IwenttodineeverydayattheConcirgeriewithmytwosonsand
mytwoimprisonedfriends.Thesegreatheartsandgreatminds,Vacquerie,Meurice,
Charles,andFranoisVictor,attractedmenoflikequality.Thelividhalflightthatcrept
inthroughlatticedandbarredwindowsdisclosedafamilycircleatwhichthereoften
assembledeloquentorators,amongothersCrmieux,andpowerfulandcharmingwriters,
includingPeyrat.
OnedayMicheldeBourgesbroughttousGastonDussoubs.
GastonDussoubslivedintheFaubourgSt.Germain,neartheAssembly.
Onthe2dofDecemberwedidnotseehimatourmeetings.Hewasill,"naileddown"as
hewroteme,byrheumatismofthejoints,andcompelledtokeephisbed.
Hehadabrotheryoungerthanhimself,whomwehavejustmentioned,DenisDussoubs.
Onthemorningofthe4thhisbrotherwenttoseehim.
GastonDussoubsknewofthe_coupd'tat_,andwasexasperatedatbeingobligedto
remaininbed.Heexclaimed,"Iamdishonored.Therewillbebarricades,andmysash
willnotbethere!"
"Yes,"saidhisbrother."Itwillbethere!"
"How?"
"Lendittome."
"Takeit."

DenistookGaston'ssash,andwentaway.
WeshallseeDenisDussoubslateron.

CHAPTERVII.ITEMSANDINTERVIEWS
LamoricireonthesamemorningfoundmeanstoconveytomebyMadamede
Courbonne[15]thefollowinginformation.
" FortressofHam.TheCommandant'snameisBaudot.Hisappointment,madeby
Cavaignacin1848,wascountersignedbyCharras.Botharetodayhisprisoners.The
CommissaryofPolice,sentbyMornytothevillageofHamtowatchthemovementsof
thejailerandtheprisoners,isDufauredePouillac."[16]
IthoughtwhenIreceivedthiscommunicationthattheCommandantBaudot,"thejailer,"
hadconnivedatitsrapidtransmission.
Asignoftheinstabilityofthecentralpower.
Lamoricire,bythesamemeans,putmeinpossessionofsomedetailsconcerninghis
arrestandthatofhisfellowgenerals.
ThesedetailscompletethosewhichIhavealreadygiven.
ThearrestsoftheGeneralswereaffectedatthesametimeattheirrespectivehomesunder
nearlysimilarcircumstances.Everywherehousessurrounded,doorsopenedbyartificeor
burstopenbyforce,portersdeceived,sometimesgarotted,menindisguise,menprovided
withropes,menarmedwithaxes,surprisesinbed,nocturnalviolence.Aplanofaction
whichresembled,asIhavesaid,aninvasionofbrigands.
GeneralLamoricire,accordingtohisownexpression,wasasoundsleeper.
Notwithstandingthenoiseathisdoor,hedidnotawake.Hisservant,adevotedold
soldier,spokeinaloudvoice,andcalledouttoarousetheGeneral.Heevenoffered
resistancetothepolice.Apoliceagentwoundedhiminthekneewithaswordthrust.[17]
TheGeneralwasawakened,seized,andcarriedaway.
WhilepassinginacarriagealongtheQuaiMalaquais,Lamoricirenoticedtroops
marchingbywiththeirknapsacksontheirbacks.Heleanedquicklyforwardoutofthe
window.TheCommissaryofPolicethoughthewasabouttoaddressthesoldiers.He
seizedtheGeneralbythearm,andsaidtohim,"General,ifyousayawordIshallput
thisonyou."Andwiththeotherhandheshowedhiminthedimlightsomethingwhich
provedtobeagag.
AlltheGeneralsarrestedweretakentoMazas.Theretheywerelockedupandforgotten.
AteightintheeveningGeneralChangarnierhadeatennothing.
ThesearrestswerenotpleasanttasksfortheCommissariesofPolice.Theyweremadeto
drinkdowntheirshameinlargedraughts.Cavaignac,Lefl,Changarnier,Bedeau,and
LamoriciredidnotsparethemanymorethanCharrasdid.Ashewasleaving,General

Cavaignactooksomemoneywithhim.Beforeputtingitinhispocket,heturnedtowards
Colin,theCommissaryofPolicewhohadarrestedhim,andsaid,"Willthismoneybe
safeonme?"
TheCommissaryexclaimed,"Oh,General,whatareyouthinkingof?"
"WhatassurancehaveIthatyouarenotthieves?"answeredCavaignac.Atthesametime,
nearlythesamemoment,CharrassaidtoCourteille,theCommissaryofPolice,"Whocan
tellmethatyouarenotpickpockets?"
AfewdaysafterwardsthesepitifulwretchesallreceivedtheCrossoftheLegionof
Honor.
ThiscrossgivenbythelastBonapartetopolicemenafterthe2dofDecemberisthesame
asthataffixedbythefirstNapoleontotheeaglesoftheGrandArmyafterAusterlitz.
IcommunicatedthesedetailstotheCommittee.Otherreportscamein.Afewconcerned
thePress.Sincethemorningofthe4ththePresswastreatedwithsoldierlikebrutality.
Serrire,thecourageousprinter,cametotelluswhathadhappenedatthe_Presse_.
Serrirepublishedthe_Presse_andthe_AvnementduPeuple_,thelatteranewname
forthe_Evnement_,whichhadbeenjudiciallysuppressed.Onthe2d,atseveno'clock
inthemorning,theprintingofficehadbeenoccupiedbytwentyeightsoldiersofthe
RepublicanGuard,commandedbyaLieutenantnamedPape(sincedecoratedforthis
achievement).ThismanhadgivenSerrireanorderprohibitingtheprintingofanyarticle
signed"Nusse."ACommissaryofPoliceaccompaniedLieutenantPape.This
CommissaryhadnotifiedSerrireofa"decreeofthePresidentoftheRepublic,"
suppressingthe_AvnementduPeuple_,andhadplacedsentinelsoverthepresses.The
workmenhadresisted,andoneofthemsaidtothesoldiers,"_Weshallprintitinspiteof
you_."ThenfortyadditionalMunicipalGuardsarrived,withtwoquartermasters,four
corporals,andadetachmentoftheline,withdrumsattheirhead,commandedbya
captain.Girardincameupindignant,andprotestedwithsomuchenergythataquarter
mastersaidtohim,"_IshouldlikeaColonelofyourstamp_."Girardin'scourage
communicateditselftotheworkmen,andbydintofskillanddaring,undertheveryeyes
ofthegendarmes,theysucceededinprintingGirardin'sproclamationswiththehand
press,andourswiththebrush.Theycarriedthemawaywet,insmallpackages,under
theirwaistcoats.
Luckilythesoldiersweredrunk.Thegendarmesmadethemdrink,andtheworkmen,
profitingbytheirrevels,printed.TheMunicipalGuardslaughed,sworeandjested,drank
champagneandcoffee,andsaid,"_WefilltheplacesoftheRepresentatives,wehave
twentyfivefrancsaday_."AlltheprintinghousesinPariswereoccupiedinthesame
mannerbythesoldiery.The_coupd'tat_reignedeverywhere.TheCrimeevenill
treatedthePresswhichsupportedit.Attheofficeofthe_MoniteurParisien_,thepolice
agentsthreatenedtofireonanyonewhoshouldopenadoor.M.Delamare,directorof
the_Patrie_,hadfortyMunicipalGuardsonhishands,andtrembledlesttheyshould

breakhispresses.Hesaidtooneofthem,"_Why,Iamonyourside_."Thegendarme
replied,"_Whatisthattome?_"
Atthreeo'clockonthemorningofthe4thalltheprintingofficeswereevacuatedbythe
soldiers.TheCaptainsaidtoSerrire,"Wehaveorderstoconcentrateinourown
quarters."AndSerrire,inannouncingthisfact,added,"Somethingisinpreparation."
IhadhadsincethepreviousnightseveralconversationswithGeorgesBiscarrat,an
honestandbraveman,ofwhomIshallhaveoccasiontospeakhereafter.Ihadgivenhim
rendezvousatNo.19,RueRichelieu.Manypersonscameandwentduringthismorning
ofthe4thfromNo.15,wherewedeliberated,toNo.19,whereIslept.
AsIleftthishonestandcourageousmaninthestreetIsawM.Mrime,hisexact
opposite,comingtowardsme.
"Oh!"saidM.Mrime,"Iwaslookingforyou."
Iansweredhim,
"Ihopeyouwillnotfindme."
Heheldouthishandtome,andIturnedmybackonhim.
Ihavenotseenhimsince.Ibelieveheisdead.
Inspeakingonedayin1847withMrimeaboutMorny,wehadthefollowing
conversation:Mrimesaid,"M.deMornyhasagreatfuturebeforehim."Andheasked
me,"Doyouknowhim?"
Ianswered,
"Ah!hehasafinefuturebeforehim!Yes,IknowM.deMorny.Heisacleverman.He
goesagreatdealintosociety,andconductscommercialoperations.HestartedtheVieille
Montagneaffair,thezincmines,andthecoalminesofLige.Ihavethehonorofhis
acquaintance.Heisasharper."
TherewasthisdifferencebetweenMrimeandmyself:IdespisedMorny,andhe
esteemedhim.
Mornyreciprocatedhisfeeling.Itwasnatural.
IwaiteduntilMrimehadpassedthecornerofthestreet.AssoonashedisappearedI
wentintoNo.15.
There,theyhadreceivednewsofCanrobert.Onthe2dhewenttoseeMadameLefl,
thatnoblewoman,whowasmostindignantatwhathadhappened.Therewastobeaball

nextdaygivenbySaintArnaudattheMinistryof War.GeneralandMadameLeflwere
invited,andhadmadeanappointmenttherewithGeneralCanrobert.Buttheballdidnot
formapartofMadameLefl'sconversationwithhim."General,"saidshe,"allyour
comradesarearrestedisitpossiblethatyougiveyoursupporttosuchanact?""WhatI
intendgiving,"repliedCanrobert,"ismyresignationand,"headded,"youmaytell
GeneralLeflso."Hewaspale,andwalkedupanddown,apparentlymuchagitated.
"Yourresignation,General?""Yes,Madame.""Isitpositive?""Yes,Madame,ifthereis
noriot.""GeneralCanrobert,"exclaimedMadameLefl,"that_if_tellsmeyour
intentions."
Canrobert,however,hadnotyettakenhisdecision.Indeed,indecisionwasoneofhis
chiefcharacteristics.Pelissier,whowascrossgrainedandgruff,usedtosay,"Judgemen
bytheirnames,indeed!Iamchristened_Amable_,Randon_Csar_,andCanrobert
_Certain_."
[15]No.16,Rued'Anjou,SaintHonor.
[16]TheauthorstillhasinhispossessionthenotewrittenbyLamoricire.
[17]Lateron,thewoundhavinggotworse,hewasobligedtohavehislegtakenoff.

CHAPTERVIII.THESITUATION
AlthoughthefightingtacticsoftheCommitteewere,forthereasonswhichIhavealready
given,nottoconcentratealltheirmeansofresistanceintoonehour,orinoneparticular
place,buttospreadthemoverasmanypointsandasmanydaysaspossible,eachofus
knewinstinctively,asalsothecriminalsoftheElyseontheirside,thatthedaywouldbe
decisive.
Themomentdrewnearwhenthe_coupd'tat_wouldstormusfromeveryside,and
whenweshouldhavetosustaintheonslaughtofanentirearmy.Wouldthepeople,that
greatrevolutionarypopulaceofthefaubourgsofParis,abandontheirRepresentatives?
Wouldtheyabandonthemselves?Or,awakenedandenlightened,wouldtheyatlength
arise?Aquestionmoreandmorevital,andwhichwerepeatedtoourselveswithanxiety.
TheNationalGuardhadshownnosignofearnestness.Theeloquentproclamation,
writtenatMarie'sbyJulesFavreandAlexanderRey,andaddressedinournametothe
NationalLegions,hadnotbeenprinted.Hetzel'sschemehadfailed.Versignyand
Lebroussehadnotbeenabletorejoinhimtheplaceappointedfortheirmeeting,the
corneroftheboulevardandtheRuedeRichelieu,havingbeencontinuallyscouredby
chargesofcavalry.ThecourageouseffortofColonelGrassiertowinovertheSixth
Legion,themoretimidattemptofLieutenantColonelHowyneupontheFifth,hadfailed.
NeverthelessindignationbegantomanifestitselfinParis.Theprecedingeveninghad
beensignificant.
Hingraycametousduringthemorning,bringingunderhiscloakabundleofcopiesof
theDecreeofDeposition,whichhadbeenreprinted.Inordertobringthemtoushehad
twiceruntheriskofbeingarrestedandshot.Weimmediatelycausedthesecopiestobe
distributedandplacarded.Thisplacardingwasresolutelycarriedoutatseveralpoints
ourplacardswerepostedbythesideoftheplacardsofthe_coupd'tat_,which
pronouncedthepenaltyofdeathagainstanyonewhoshouldplacardthedecrees
emanatingfromtheRepresentatives.Hingraytoldusthatourproclamationsandour
decreeshadbeenlithographedanddistributedbyhandinthousands.ItWasurgently
necessarythatweshouldcontinueourpublications.Aprinter,whohadformerlybeena
publisherofseveraldemocraticjournals,M.Boul,hadofferedmehisservicesonthe
precedingevening.InJune,1848,Ihadprotectedhisprintingoffice,thenbeing
devastatedbytheNationalGuards.Iwrotetohim:Ienclosedourjudgmentsandour
decreesintheletter,andtheRepresentativeMontaiguundertooktotakethemtohim.M.
Boulexcusedhimselfhisprintingpresseshadbeenseizedbythepoliceatmidnight.
Throughtheprecautionswhichwehadtaken,andthankstothepatrioticassistanceof
severalyoungmedicalandchemicalstudents,powderhadbeenmanufacturedinseveral
quarters.Atonepointalone,theRueJacob,ahundredkilogrammeshadbeenturnedout
duringthenight.As,however,thismanufacturewasprincipallycarriedoutontheleft
bankoftheriver,andasthefightingtookplaceontherightbank,itwasnecessaryto
transportthispowderacrossthebridges.TheymanagedthisInthebestmannerthey

could.Towardsnineo'clockwewerewarnedthatthepolice,havingbeeninformedof
this,hadorganizedasystemofinspection,andthatallpersonscrossingtheriverwere
searched,particularlyonthePontNeuf.
Acertainstrategicalplanbecamemanifest.Thetencentralbridgesmeremilitarily
guarded.
Peoplewerearrestedinthestreetonaccountoftheirpersonalappearance.Asergentde
ville,atthecornerofhePontauChange,exclaimed,loudenoughforthepassersbyto
hear,"Weshalllayholdofallthosewhohavenottheirbeardsproperlytrimmed,orwho
donotappeartohaveslept."
NotwithstandingallthiswehadalittlepowderthedisarmingoftheNationalGuardat
variouspointshadproducedabouteighthundredmuskets,ourproclamationsandour
decreeswerebeingplacarded,ourvoicewasreachingthepeople,acertainconfidence
wasspringingup.
"Thewaveisrising!thewaveisrising!"exclaimedEdgarQuinet,whohadcometoshake
myhand.
Wewereinformedthattheschoolswererisingininsurrectionduringtheday,andthat
theyofferedusarefugeinthemidstofthem.
JulesFavreexclaimedjoyfully,
"TomorrowweshalldateourdecreesfromthePantheon."
Signsofgoodomengrewmorenumerous.Anoldhotbedofinsurrection,theRueSaint
AndrdesArts,wasbecomingagitated.TheassociationcalledLaPresseduTravailgave
signsoflife.Somebraveworkmen,atthehouseofoneoftheircolleagues,NtrNo.13,
RueduJardinet,hadorganizedalittleprintingpressinagarret,afewstepsfromthe
barracksoftheGendarmerieMobile.Theyhadspentthenightfirstincompiling,and
theninprinting"AManifestotoWorkingMen,"whichcalledthepeopletoarms.They
werefiveskilfulanddeterminedmentheyhadprocuredpaper,theyhadperfectlynew
typesomeofthemmoistenedthepaper,whiletheotherscomposedtowardstwoo'clock
inthemorningtheybegantoprint.Itwasessentialthattheyshouldnotbeheardbythe
neighborstheyhadsucceededinmufflingthehollowblowsoftheinkrollers,alternating
withtherapidsoundoftheprintingblankets.Inafewhoursfifteenhundredcopieswere
pulled,andatdaybreaktheywereplacardedatthecornersofthestreets.Theleaderof
theseintrepidworkmen,A.Desmoulins,whobelongedtothatsturdyraceofmenwho
arebothculturedandwhocanfight,hadbeengreatlydisheartenedontheprecedingday
henowhadbecomehopeful.
Ontheprecedingdayhewrote:"WherearetheRepresentatives?Thecommunications
arecut. Thequaysandtheboulevardscannolongerbecrossed.Ithasbecomeimpossible
toreunitethepopularAssembly.Thepeopleneeddirection.DeFlotteinonedistrict,

VictorHugoinanother,Schoelcherinathird,areactivelyurgingonthecombat,and
exposetheirlivesascoreoftimes,butnonefeelthemselvessupportedbyanyorganized
body:andmoreovertheattemptoftheRoyalistsintheTenthArrondissementhasroused
apprehension.Peopledreadlesttheyshouldseethemreappearwhenallis
accomplished."
Now,thismansointelligentandsocourageousrecoveredconfidence,andhewrote,
"Decidedly,LouisNapoleonisafraid.Thepolicereportsarealarmingforhim.The
resistanceoftheRepublicanRepresentativesisbearingfruit.Parisisarming.Certain
regimentsappearreadytoturnback.TheGendarmerieitselfisnottobedependedupon,
andthismorninganentireregimentrefusedtomarch.Disorderisbeginningtoshow
itselfintheservices.Twobatteriesfireduponeachotherforalongtimewithout
recognition.Onewouldsaythatthe_coupd'tat_isabouttofail."
Thesymptoms,asmaybeseen,weregrowingmorereassuring.
HadMaupasbecomeunequaltothetask?Hadtheyresortedtoamoreskilfulman?An
incidentseemedtopointtothis.Ontheprecedingeveningatallmanhadbeenseen,
betweenfiveandseveno'clock,walkingupanddownbeforethecafofthePlaceSaint
MichelhehadbeenjoinedbytwooftheCommissariesofthePolicewhohadeffected
thearrestsofthe2dofDecember,andhadtalkedtothemforalongtime.Thismanwas
Carlier.WasheabouttosupplantMaupas?
TheRepresentativeLabrousse,seatedatatableofthecaf,hadwitnessedthis
conspirators'parley.
EachofthetwoCommissarieswasfollowedbythatspeciesofpoliceagentwhichis
called"theCommissary'sdog."
AtthesametimestrangewarningsreachedtheCommitteethefollowingletter[18]was
broughttoourknowledge.
"3dDecember.
"MYDEARBOCAGE,
"Todayatsixo'clock,25,000francshasbeenofferedtoanyonewhoarrestsorkills
Hugo.
"Youknowwhereheis.Hemustnotgooutunderanypretextwhatever.
"Yoursever,
"AL.DUMAS."

Atthebackwaswritten,"Bocage,18,RueCassette."Itwasnecessarythattheminutest
detailsshouldbeconsidered.Inthedifferentplacesofcombatadiversityofpasswords
prevailed,whichmightcausedanger.Forthepasswordonthedaybeforewehadgiven
thenameof"Baudin."InimitationofthisthenamesofotherRepresentativeshadbeen
adoptedaspasswordsonbarricades.IntheRueRambuteauthepasswordwas"Eugne
SueandMicheldeBourges"intheRueBeaubourg,"VictorHugo"attheSaintDenis
chapel,"EsquirosandDeFlotte."Wethoughtitnecessarytoputastoptothisconfusion,
andtosuppressthepropernames,whicharealwayseasytoguess.Thepasswordsettled
uponwas,"WhatisJosephdoing?"
Ateverymomentitemsofnewsandinformationcametousfromallsides,that
barricadeswereeverywherebeingraised,andthatfiringwasbeginninginthecentral
streets.MicheldeBourgesexclaimed,"Constructasquareoffourbarricades,andwewill
goanddeliberateinthecentre."
WereceivednewsfromMontValrien.Twoprisonersthemore.RigalandBellehadjust
beencommitted.Both oftheLeft.Dr.RigalwastheRepresentativeofGaillac,andBelle
ofLavaur.Rigalwasilltheyhadarrestedhiminbed.Inprisonhelayuponapallet,and
couldnotdresshimself.HiscolleagueBelleactedashis_valetdechambre_.
Towardsnineo'clockanexCaptainofthe8thLegionoftheNationalGuardof1848,
namedJourdan,cametoplacehimselfatourservice.Hewasaboldman,oneofthose
whohadcarriedout,onthemorningofthe24thFebruary,therashsurpriseoftheHtel
deVille.Wechargedhimtorepeatthissurprise,andtoextendittothePrefectureof
Police.Heknewhowtosetaboutthework.Hetoldusthathehadonlyafewmen,but
thatduringthedayhewouldcausecertainhousesofstrategicalimportanceontheQuai
desCvres,ontheQuaiLepelletier,andintheRuedelaCit,tobesilentlyoccupied,and
thatifitshouldchancethattheleadersofthe_coupd'tat_,owingtothecombatinthe
centreofParisgrowingmoreserious,shouldbeforcedtowithdrawthetroopsfromthe
HteldeVilleandthePrefecture,anattackwouldbeimmediatelycommencedonthese
twopoints.CaptainJourdan,wemayatoncemention,didwhathehadpromisedus
unfortunately,aswelearntthatevening,hebeganperhapsalittletoosoon.Ashehad
foreseen,amomentarrivedwhenthesquareoftheHteldeVillewasalmostdevoidof
troops,GeneralHerbillonhavingbeenforcedtoleaveitwithhiscavalrytotakethe
barricadesofthecentreintherear.TheattackoftheRepublicansburstforthinstantly.
MusketshotswerefiredfromthewindowsontheQuaiLepelletierbuttheleftofthe
columnwasstillonthePontd'Arcole,alineofriflemenhadbeenplacedbyamajor
namedLarochettebeforetheHteldeVille,the44thretraceditssteps,andtheattempt
failed.
Bastidearrived,withChauffourandLaissac.
"Goodnews,"saidhetous,"allisgoingonwell."Hisgrave,honest,anddispassionate
countenanceshonewithasortofpatrioticserenity.Hecamefromthebarricades,andwas
abouttoreturnthither.Hehadreceivedtwoballsinhiscloak.Itookhimaside,andsaid
tohim,"Areyougoingback?""Yes.""Takemewithyou.""No,"answeredhe,"youare

necessaryhere.Todayyouarethegeneral,Iamthesoldier."Iinsistedinvain.He
persistedinrefusing,repeatingcontinually."TheCommitteeisourcentre,itshouldnot
disperseitself.Itisyourdutytoremainhere.Besides,"addedhe,"Makeyourmindeasy.
Yourunheremoreriskthanwedo.Ifyouaretakenyouwillbeshot.""Well,then,"said
I,"themomentmaycomewhenourdutywillbetojoininthecombat.""Withoutdoubt."
Iresumed,"Youwhoareonthebarricadeswillbebetterjudgesthanweshallofthat
moment.Givemeyourwordofhonorthatyouwilltreatmeasyouwouldwishmeto
treatyou,andthatyouwillcomeandfetchus.""Igiveityou,"heanswered,andhe
pressedmytwohandsinhisown.
Lateron,however,afewmomentsafterBastidehadleft,greataswasmyconfidencein
theloyalwordofthiscourageousandgenerousman,Icouldnolongerrestrainmyself,
andIprofitedbyanintervaloftwohoursofwhichIcoulddispose,togoandseewithmy
owneyeswhatwastakingplace,andinwhatmannertheresistancewasbehaving.
ItookacarriageinthesquareofthePalaisRoyal.IexplainedtothedriverwhoIwas,
andthatIwasabouttovisitandencouragethebarricadesthatIshouldgosometimeson
foot,sometimesinthecarriage,andthatItrustedmyselftohim.Itoldhimmyname.
Thefirstcomerisalmostalwaysanhonestman.Thistrueheartedcoachmananswered
me,"Iknowwherethebarricadesare.Iwilldriveyouwhereveritisnecessary.Iwill
waitforyouwhereveritisnecessary.Iwilldriveyouthereandbringyoubackandif
youhavenomoney,donotpayme,Iamproudofsuchanaction."
Andwestarted.
[18]Theoriginalofthisnoteisinthehandsoftheauthorofthisbook.Itwashandedto
usbyM.AvenelonthepartofM.Bocage.

CHAPTERIX.THEPORTESAINTMARTIN
Importantdeedshadbeenalreadyachievedduringthemorning.
"Itistakingroot,"Bastidehadsaid.
Thedifficultyisnottospreadtheflamesbuttolightthefire.
ItwasevidentthatParisbegantogrowilltempered.Parisdoesnotgetangryatwill.She
mustbeinthehumorforit.Avolcanopossessesnerves.Theangerwascomingslowly,
butitwascoming.Onthehorizonmightbeseenthefirstglimmeringoftheeruption.
FortheElyse,asforus,thecriticalmomentwasdrawingnigh.Fromthepreceding
eveningtheywerenursingtheirresources.The_coupd'tat_andtheRepublicwereat
lengthabouttoclosewitheachother.TheCommitteehadinvainattemptedtodragthe
wheelsomeirresistibleimpulsecarriedawaythelastdefendersoflibertyandhurried
themontoaction.Thedecisivebattlewasabouttobefought.
InParis,whencertainhourshavesounded,whenthereappearsanimmediatenecessity
foraprogressivemovementtobecarriedout,orarighttobevindicated,theinsurrections
rapidlyspreadthroughoutthewholecity.Buttheyalwaysbeginatsomeparticularpoint.
Paris,initsvasthistoricaltask,comprisestworevolutionaryclasses,the"middleclass"
andthe"people."Andtothesetwocombatantscorrespondtwoplacesofcombatthe
PorteSaintMartinwhenthemiddleclassarerevolting,theBastillewhenthepeopleare
revolting.Theeyeofthepoliticianshouldalwaysbefixedonthesetwopoints.There,
famousincontemporaryhistory,aretwospotswhereasmallportionofthehotcindersof
Revolutionseemevertosmoulder.
Whenawindblowsfromabove,theseburningcindersaredispersed,andfillthecitywith
sparks.
Thistime,aswehavealreadyexplained,theformidableFaubourgAntoineslumbered,
and,ashasbeenseen,nothinghadbeenabletoawakenit.Anentireparkofartillerywas
encampedwithlightedmatchesaroundtheJulyColumn,thatenormousdeafanddumb
mementooftheBastille.Thisloftyrevolutionarypillar,thissilentwitnessofthegreat
deedsofthepast,seemedtohaveforgottenall.Sadtosay,thepavingstoneswhichhad
seenthe14thofJulydidnotriseunderthecannonwheelsofthe2dofDecember.Itwas
thereforenottheBastillewhichbegan,itwasthePorteSaintMartin.
Fromeighto'clockinthemorningtheRueSaintDenisandtheRueSaintMartinwerein
anuproarthroughouttheirlengththrongsofindignantpassersbywentupanddown
thosethoroughfares.Theytoredowntheplacardsofthe_coupd'tat_theypostedupour
Proclamationsgroupsatthecornersofalltheadjacentstreetscommenteduponthe
decreeofoutlawrydrawnupbythemembersoftheLeftremainingatlibertythey
snatchedthecopiesfromeachother.Menmountedonthekerbstonesreadaloudthe

namesofthe120signatories,and,stillmorethanonthedaybefore,eachsignificantor
celebratednamewashailedwithapplause.Thecrowdincreasedeverymomentandthe
anger.TheentireRueSaintDenispresentedthestrangeaspectofastreetwithallthe
doorsandwindowsclosed,andalltheinhabitantsintheopenair.Lookatthehouses,
thereisdeathlookatthestreet,itisthetempest.
Somefiftydeterminedmensuddenlyemergedfromasidealley,andbegantorun
throughthestreets,saying,"Toarms!LonglivetheRepresentativesoftheLeft!Long
livetheConstitution!"ThedisarmingoftheNationalGuardsbegan.Itwascarriedout
moreeasilythanontheprecedingevening.Inlessthananhourmorethan150muskets
hadbeenobtained.
Inthemeanwhilethestreetbecamecoveredwithbarricades.

CHAPTERX.MYVISITTOTHEBARRICADE
MycoachmandepositedmeatthecornerofSaintEustache,andsaidtome,"Hereyou
areinthehornets'nest."
Headded,"IwillwaitforyouintheRuedelaVrillire,nearthePlacedesVictoires.
Takeyourtime."
Ibeganwalkingfrombarricadetobarricade.
InthefirstImetDeFlotte,whoofferedtoservemeasaguide.Thereisnotamore
determinedmanthanDeFlotte.Iacceptedhisofferhetookmeeverywherewheremy
presencecouldbeofuse.
Onthewayhegavemeanaccountofthestepstakenbyhimtoprintourproclamations
Boul'sprintingofficehavingfailedhim,hehadappliedtoalithographicpress,atNo.
30,RueBergre,andattheperiloftheirlivestwobravemenhadprinted500copiesof
ourdecrees.Thesetwotrueheartedworkmenwerenamed,theoneRubens,theother
AchillePoincellot.
WhilewalkingImadejottingsinpencil(withBaudin'spencil,whichIhadwithme)I
registeredfactsatrandomIreproducethispagehere.Theselivingfactsareusefulfor
Historythe_coupd'tat_isthere,asthoughfreshlybleeding.
"Morningofthe4th.Itlooksasifthecombatwassuspended.Willitburstforthagain?
Barricadesvisitedbyme:oneatthecornerofSaintEustache.OneattheOysterMarket.
OneintheRueMauconseil.OneintheRueTiquetonne.OneintheRueMandar(Rocher
deCancale).OnebarringtheRueduCadranandtheRueMontorgueil.Fourclosingthe
PetitCarreau.ThebeginningofonebetweentheRuedesDeuxPortesandtheRueSaint
Sauveur,barringtheRueSaintDenis.One,thelargest,barringtheRueSaintDenis,atthe
topoftheRueGurinBoisseau.OnebarringtheRueGrenetat.OnefartheronintheRue
Grenetat,barringtheRueBourgLabb(inthecentreanoverturnedflourwagonagood
barricade).IntheRueSaintDenisonebarringtheRuedePetitLionSaintSauveur.One
barringtheRueduGrandHurleur,withitsfourcornersbarricaded.Thisbarricadehas
alreadybeenattackedthismorning.A combatant,Massonnet,acombmakerof154,Rue
SaintDenis,receivedaballinhisovercoatDupapet,called'themanwiththelongbeard,'
wasthelasttostayonthesummitofthebarricade.Hewasheardtocryouttotheofficers
commandingtheattack, 'Youaretraitors!'Heisbelievedtohavebeenshot.Thetroops
retiredstrangetosaywithoutdemolishingthebarricade.Abarricadeisbeing
constructedintheRueduRenard.SomeNationalGuardsinuniformwatchits
construction,butdonotworkonit.Oneofthemsaidtome,'Wearenotagainstyou,you
areonthesideofRight.'TheyaddthattherearetwelveorfifteenbarricadesintheRue
Rambuteau.Thismorningatdaybreakthecannonhadfired'steadily,'asoneofthem
remarks,intheRueBourbonVilleneuve.Ivisitapowdermanufactoryimprovisedby
Leguevelatachemist'soppositetheRueGurinBoisseau.

"Theyareconstructingthebarricadesamicably,withoutangeringanyone.Theydowhat
theycannottoannoytheneighborhood.ThecombatantsoftheBourgLabbbarricades
areankledeepinmudonaccountoftherain.Itisaperfectsewer.Theyhesitatetoask
foratrussofstraw.Theyliedowninthewateroronthepavement.
"Isawthereayoungmanwhowasill,andwhohadjustgotupfromhisbedwiththe
feverstillonhim.Hesaidtome,'Iamgoingtomydeath'(hedidso).
"IntheRueBourbonVilleneuvetheyhadnotevenaskedamattressofthe'shopkeepers,'
although,thebarricadebeingbombarded,theyneededthemtodeadentheeffectofthe
balls.
"Thesoldiersmakebadbarricades,becausetheymakethemtoowell.Abarricadeshould
betotteringwhenwellbuiltitisworthnothingthepavingstonesshouldwant
equilibrium,'sothattheymayrolldownonthetroopers,'saidastreetboytome,'and
breaktheirpaws.'Sprainsformapartofbarricadewarfare.
"JeantySarreisthechiefofacompletegroupofbarricades.Hepresentedhisfirst
lieutenanttome,Charpentier,amanofthirtysix,letteredandscientific.Charpentier
busieshimselfwithexperimentswiththeobjectofsubstitutinggasforcoalandwoodin
thefiringofchina,andheaskspermissiontoreadatragedytome'oneofthesedays.'I
saidtohim,'Weshallmakeone.'
"JeantySarreisgrumblingatCharpentiertheammunitionisfailing.JeantySarre,having
athishouseintheRueSaintHonorapoundoffowlingpowderandtwentyarmy
cartridges,sentCharpentiertogetthem.Charpentierwentthere,andbroughtbackthe
fowlingpowderandthecartridges,butdistributedthemtothecombatantsonthe
barricadeswhomhemetontheway.'Theywereasthoughfamished,'saidhe.
Charpentierhadneverinhislifetouchedafirearm.JeantySarreshowedhimhowto
loadagun.
"Theytaketheirmealsatawineseller'satthecorner,andtheywarmthemselvesthere.It
isverycold.Thewinesellersays,'Thosewhoarehungry,goandeat.'Acombatantasked
him,'Whopays?''Death,'wastheanswer.Andintruthsomehoursafterwardshehad
receivedseventeenbayonetthrusts.
"Theyhavenotbrokenthegaspipesalwaysforthesakeofnotdoingunnecessary
damage.Theyconfinethemselvestorequisitioningthegasmen'skeys,andthe
lamplighters'winchesinordertoopenthepipes.Inthismannertheycontrolthelighting
orextinguishing.
"Thisgroupofbarricadesisstrong,andwillplayanimportantpart.Ihadhopedatone
momentthattheywouldattackitwhileIwasthere.Thebuglehadapproached,andthen
hadgoneawayagain.JeantySarretellsme'itwillbeforthisevening.'

"HisintentionistoextinguishthegasintheRueduPetitCarreauandalltheadjoining
streets,andtoleaveonlyonejetlightedintheRueduCadran.Hehasplacedsentinelsas
farasthecorneroftheRueSaintDenisatthatpointthereisanopenside,without
barricades,butlittleaccessibletothetroops,onaccountofthenarrownessofthestreets,
whichtheycanonlyenteronebyone.Thencelittledangerexists,anadvantageofnarrow
streetsthetroopsareworthnothingunlessmassedtogether.Thesoldierdoesnotlike
isolatedactioninwarthefeelingofelbowtoelbowconstituteshalfthebravery.Jeanty
Sarrehasareactionaryunclewithwhomheisnotongoodterms,andwholivescloseby
atNo.1,RueduPetitCarreau.'Whatafrightweshallgivehimpresently!'saidJeanty
Sarretome,laughing.ThismorningJeantySarrehasinspectedtheMontorgueil
barricade.Therewasonlyonemanonit,whowasdrunk,andwhoputthebarrelofhis
gunagainsthisbreast,saying,'Nothoroughfare.'JeantySarredisarmedhim.
"IgototheRuePagevin.ThereatthecornerofthePlacedesVictoiresthereisawell
constructedbarricade.IntheadjoiningbarricadeintheRueJeanJacquesRousseau,the
troopsthismorningmadenoprisoners.Thesoldiershadkilledeveryone.Thereare
corpsesasfarasthePlacedesVictoires.ThePagevinbarricadehelditsown.Thereare
fiftymenthere,wellarmed.Ienter.'Isallgoingonwell?''Yes.''Courage.'Ipressall
thesebravehandstheymakeareporttome.TheyhadseenaMunicipalGuardsmashin
theheadofadyingmanwiththebuttendofhismusket.Aprettyyounggirl,wishingto
gohome,tookrefugeinthebarricade.There,terrified,sheremainedforanhour.When
alldangerwasover,thechefofthebarricadecausedhertobereconductedhomebythe
eldestofhismen.
"AsIwasabouttoleavethebarricadePagevin,theybroughtmeaprisoner,apolicespy,
theysaid.
"Heexpectedtobeshot.Ihadhimsetatliberty."
BancelwasinthisbarricadeoftheRuePagevin.Weshookhands.
Heaskedme,
"Shallweconquer?"
"Yes,"Ianswered.
Wethencouldhardlyentertainadoubt.
DeFlotteandBancelwishedtoaccompanyme,fearingthatIshouldbearrestedbythe
regimentguardingtheBank.
Theweatherwasmistyandcold,almostdark.Thisobscurityconcealedandhelpedus.
Thefogwasonourside.
AswereachedthecorneroftheRuedelaVrillire,agrouponhorsebackpassedby.

Itconsistedofafewothers,precededbyaman whoseemedasoldier,butwhowasnotin
uniform.Heworeacloakwithahood.
DeFlottenudgedmewithhiselbow,andwhispered,
"DoyouknowFialin?"
Ianswered,
"No."
"Haveyouseenhim?
"No."
"Doyouwishtoseehim?"
"No."
"Lookathim."
Ilookedathim.
Thismanintruthwaspassingbeforeus.Itwashewhoprecededthegroupofofficers.He
cameoutoftheBank.Hadhebeentheretoeffectanewforcedloan?Thepeoplewho
wereatthedoorslookedathimwithcuriosity,andwithoutanger.Hisentirebearingwas
insolent.Heturnedfromtimetotimetosayawordtooneofhisfollowers.Thislittle
cavalcade"pawedtheground"inthemistandinthemud.Fialinhadthearrogantairofa
manwhocaracolesbeforeacrime.Hegazedatthepassersbywithahaughtylook.His
horsewasveryhandsome,and,poorbeast,seemedveryproud.Fialinwassmiling.He
hadinhishandthewhipthathisfacedeserved.
Hepassedby.Ineversawthemanexceptonthisoccasion.
DeFlotteandBanceldidnotleavemeuntiltheyhadseenmegetintomyvehicle.My
trueheartedcoachmanwaswaitingformeintheRuedelaVrillire.Hebroughtmeback
toNo15,RueRichelieu.

CHAPTERXI.THEBARRICADEOFTHERUEMESLAY
ThefirstbarricadeoftheRueSaintMartinwaserectedatthejunctionoftheRueMeslay.
Alargecartwasoverturned,placedacrossthestreet,andtheroadwaywasunpaved
someflagstonesofthefootwaywerealsotornup.Thisbarricade,theadvancedworkof
defenceofthewholerevoltedstreet,couldonlyformatemporaryobstacle.Noportionof
thepiledupstoneswashigherthanaman.Inagoodthirdofthebarricadethestonesdid
notreachabovetheknee."Itwillatalleventsbegoodenoughtogetkilledin,"saida
littlestreetArabwhowasrollingnumerousflagstonestothebarricade.Ahundred
combatantstookuptheirpositionbehindit.Towardsnineo'clockthemovementsofthe
troopsgavewarningoftheattack.TheheadofthecolumnoftheMarulazBrigade
occupiedthecornerofthestreetonthesideoftheboulevard.Apieceofartillery,raking
thewholeofthestreet,wasplacedinpositionbeforethePorteSaintMartin.Forsome
timebothsidesgazedoneachotherinthatmoodysilencewhichprecedesanencounter
thetroopsregardingthebarricadebristlingwithguns,thebarricaderegardingthegaping
cannon.Afterawhiletheorderforageneralattackwasgiven.Thefiringcommenced.
Thefirstshotpassedabovethebarricade,andstruckawomanwhowaspassingsome
twentypacesintherear,fullinthebreast.Shefell,rippedopen.Thefirebecamebrisk
withoutdoingmuchinjurytothebarricade.Thecannonwastoonearthebulletsflewtoo
high.
Thecombatants,whohadnotyetlostaman,receivedeachbulletwith acryof"Longlive
theRepublic!"butwithoutfiring.Theypossessedfewcartridges,andtheyhusbanded
them.Suddenlythe49thregimentadvancedinclosecolumnorder.
Thebarricadefired.
Thesmokefilledthestreetwhenitclearedaway,therecouldbeseenadozenmenonthe
ground,andthesoldiersfallingbackindisorderbythesideofthehouses.Theleaderof
thebarricadeshouted,"Theyarefallingback.Ceasefiring!Letusnotwasteaball."
Thestreetremainedforsometimedeserted.Thecannonrecommencedfining.Ashot
cameineverytwominutes,butalwaysbadlyaimed.Amanwithafowlingpiececame
uptotheleaderofthebarricade,andsaidtohim,"Letusdismountthatcannon.Letus
killthegunners."
"Why!"saidthechief,smiling,"theyaredoingusnoharm,letusdononetothem."
Neverthelessthesoundofthebuglecouldbedistinctlyheardontheothersideofthe
blockofhouseswhichconcealedthetroopsechellonedontheSquareofSaintMartin,
anditwasmanifestthatasecondattackwasbeingprepared.
Thisattackwouldnaturallybefurious,desperate,andstubborn.

Itwasalsoevidentthat,ifthisbarricadewerecarried,theentirestreetwouldbescoured.
Theotherbarricadeswerestillweakerthanthefirst,andmorefeeblydefended.The
"middleclass"hadgiventheirguns,andhadreenteredtheirhouses.Theylenttheir
street,thatwasall.
Itwasthereforenecessarytoholdtheadvancedbarricadeaslongaspossible.Butwhat
wastobedone,andhowwastheresistancetobemaintained?Theyhadscarcelytwo
shotspermanleft.
Anunexpectedsourceofsupplyarrived.
Ayoungman,Icannamehim,forheisdeadPierreTissi,[19]whowasaworkman,
andwhoalsowasapoet,hadworkedduringaportionofthemorningatthebarricades,
andatthemomentwhenthefiringbeganhewentaway,statingashisreasonthatthey
wouldnotgivehimagun.Inthebarricadetheyhadsaid,"Thereisonewhoisafraid."
PierreTissiwasnotafraid,asweshallseelateron.
Heleftthebarricade.
PierreTissihadonlyhisknifewithhim,aCatalanknifeheopeneditatallhazards,he
helditinhishand,andwentonstraightbeforehim.
AshecameoutoftheRueSaintSauveur,hesawatthecornerofalittlelonelystreet,in
whichallthewindowswereclosed,asoldierofthelinestandingsentry,postedthere
doubtlesslybythemainguardatalittledistance.
Thissoldierwasatthehaltwithhisguntohisshoulderreadytofire.
HeheardthestepofPierreTissi,andcriedout,
"Whogoesthere?"
"Death!"answeredPierreTissi.
Thesoldierfired,andmissedPierreTissi,whosprangonhim,andstruckhimdown
withablowofhisknife.
Thesoldierfell,andbloodspurtedoutofhismouth.
"IdidnotknowIshouldspeaksotruly,"mutteredPierreTissi.
Andheadded,"Nowfortheambulance!"
Hetookthesoldieronhisback,pickedupthegunwhichhadfallentotheground,and
camebacktothebarricade."Ibringyouawoundedman,"saidhe.

"Adeadman,"theyexclaimed.
Intruththesoldierhadjustexpired.
"InfamousBonaparte!"saidTissi."Poorredbreeches!Allthesame,Ihavegotagun."
Theyemptiedthesoldier'spouchandknapsack.Theydividedthecartridges.Therewere
150ofthem.Therewerealsotwogoldpiecesoftenfrancs,twodays'paysincethe2dof
December.Thesewerethrownontheground,noonewouldtakethem.
Theydistributedthecartridgeswithshoutsof"LonglivetheRepublic!"
Meanwhiletheattackingpartyhadplacedamortar inpositionbythesideofthecannon.
Thedistributionofthecartridgeswashardlyendedwhentheinfantryappeared,and
chargeduponthebarricadewiththebayonet.Thissecondassault,ashadbeenforeseen,
wasviolentanddesperate.Itwasrepulsed.Twicethesoldiersreturnedtothecharge,and
twicetheyfellback,leavingthestreetstrewnwithdead.Intheintervalbetweenthe
assaults,ashellhadpiercedanddismantledthebarricade,andthecannonbegantofire
grapeshot.
Thesituationwashopelessthecartridgeswereexhausted.Somebegantothrowdown
theirgunsandgoaway.TheonlymeansofescapewasbytheRueSaintSauveur,andto
reachthecorneroftheRueSaintSauveuritwasnecessarytogetoverthelowerpartof
thebarricade,whichleftnearlythewholeofthefugitivesunprotected.Therewasa
perfectrainofmusketryandgrapeshot.Threeorfourwerekilledthere,one,likeBaudin,
byaballinhiseye.Theleaderofthebarricadesuddenlynoticedthathewasalonewith
PierreTissi,andaboyoffourteenyearsold,thesamewhohadrolledsomanystones
forthebarricade.Athirdattackwaspending,andthesoldiersbegantoadvancebythe
sideofthehouses.
"Letusgo,"saidtheleaderofthebarricade.
"Ishallremain,"saidPierreTissi.
"AndIalso,"saidtheboy.
Andtheboyadded,
"Ihaveneitherfathernormother.Aswellthisasanythingelse."
Theleaderfiredhislastshot,andretiredliketheothersoverthelowerpartofthe
barricade.Avolleyknockedoffhishat.Hestoopeddownandpickeditupagain.The
soldierswerenotmorethantwentyfivepacesdistant.

Heshoutedtothetwowhoremained,
"Comealong!"
"No,"saidPierreTissi.
"No,"saidtheboy.
Afewmomentsafterwardsthesoldiersscaledthebarricadealreadyhalfinruins.
PierreTissiandtheboywerekilledwithbayonetthrusts.
Sometwentymusketswereabandonedinthisbarricade.
[19]Itmustnotbeforgottenthatthishasbeenwritteninexile,andthattonameahero
wastocondemnhimtoexile.

CHAPTERXII.THEBARRICADEOFTHEMAIRIEOFTHEFIFTH
ARRONDISSEMENT
NationalGuardsinuniformfilledthecourtyardoftheMairieoftheFifth
Arrondissement.Otherscameineverymoment.AnexdrummeroftheGardeMobilehad
takenadrumfromalowerroomatthesideoftheguardroom,andhadbeatenthecallto
armsinthesurroundingstreets.Towardsnineo'clockagroupoffourteenorfifteen
youngmen,mostofwhomwereinwhiteblouses,enteredtheMairie,shouting,"Long
livetheRepublic!"Theywerearmedwithguns.TheNationalGuardreceivedthemwith
shoutsof"DownwithLouisBonaparte!"Theyfraternizedinthecourtyard.Suddenly
therewasamovement.ItwascausedbythearrivaloftheRepresentativesDoutreand
Pelletier.
"Whatistobedone?"shoutedthecrowd.
"Barricades,"saidPelletier.
Theyunharnessedthehorses,whichthecarterledaway,andtheyturnedthecartround
withoutupsettingitacrossthewideroadwayofthefaubourg.Thebarricadewas
completedinamoment.Atruckcameup.Theytookitandstooditagainstthewheelsof
thecart,justasascreenisplacedbeforeafireplace.
Theremainderwasmadeupofcasksandpavingstones.Thankstotheflourcartthe
barricadewaslofty,andreachedtothefirststoryofthehouses.Itintersectedthe
faubourgatthecornerofthelittleRueSaintJean.Anarrowentrancehadbeencontrived
atthebarricadeatthecornerofthestreet.
"Onebarricadeisnotsufficient,"saidDoutre,"wemustplacetheMairiebetweentwo
barriers,soastobeabletodefendbothsidesatthesametime."
Theyconstructedasecondbarricade,facingthesummitofthefaubourg.Thisonewas
lowandweaklybuilt,beingcomposedonlyofplanksandofpavingstones.Therewas
aboutahundredpacesdistancebetweenthetwobarricades.
Therewerethreehundredmeninthisspace.Onlyonehundredhadguns.Themajority
hadonlyonecartridge.
Thefiringbeganaboutteno'clock.Twocompaniesofthelineappearedandfiredseveral
volleys.Theattackwasonlyafeint.Thebarricadereplied,andmadethemistakeof
foolishlyexhaustingitsammunition.Thetroopsretired.Thentheattackbeganinearnest.
SomeChasseursdeVincennesemergedfromthecorneroftheboulevard.
FollowingouttheAfricanmodeofwarfare,theyglidedalongthesideofthewalls,and
then,witharun,theythrewthemselvesuponthebarricade.

Nomoreammunitioninthebarricade.Noquartertobeexpected.
Thosewhohadnomorepowderorballsthrewdowntheirguns.Somewishedto
reoccupytheirpositionintheMairie,butitwasimpossibleforthemtomaintainany
defencethere,theMairiebeingopenandcommandedfromeverysidetheyscaledthe
wallsandscatteredthemselvesaboutintheneighboringhousesothersescapedbythe
narrowpassageoftheboulevardwhichledintotheRueSaintJeanmostofthe
combatantsreachedtheoppositesideoftheboulevard,whilethosewhohadacartridge
leftfiredalastvolleyuponthetroopsfromtheheightofthepavingstones.Thenthey
awaitedtheirdeath.Allwerekilled.
OneofthosewhosucceededinslippingintotheRueSaintJean,wheremoreovertheyran
thegauntletofavolleyfromtheirassailants,wasM.H.Coste,Editorofthe_Evnement_
andofthe_AvnementduPeuple_.
M.CostehadbeenacaptainintheGardeMobile.Atabendinthestreet,whichplaced
himoutofreachoftheballs,M.ContenoticedinfrontofhimthedrummeroftheGarde
Mobile,who,likehim,hadescapedbytheRueSaintJean,andwhowasprofitingbythe
lonelinessofthestreettogetridofhisdrum.
"Keepyourdrum,"criedhetohim.
"Forwhatpurpose?"
"Tobeatthecalltoarms."
"Where?"
"AtBatignolles."
"Iwillkeepit,"saidthedrummer.
Thesetwomencameoutfrom thejawsofdeath,andatonceconsentedtoreenterthem.
ButhowshouldtheycrossallPariswiththisdrum?Thefirstpatrolwhichmetthem
wouldshootthem.Aporterofanadjoininghouse,whonoticedtheirpredicament,gave
themapackingcloth.They envelopedthedruminit,andreachedBatignollesbythe
lonelystreetswhichskirtthewalls.

CHAPTERXIII.THEBARRICADEOFTHERUETHEVENOT
GeorgesBiscarratwasthemanwhohadgiventhesignalforthelootingintheRuede
l'Echelle.
Ihadknown GeorgesBiscarrateversinceJune,1848.Hehadtakenpartinthatdisastrous
insurrection.Ihadhadanopportunityofbeingusefultohim.Hehadbeencaptured,and
waskneelingbeforethefiringpartyIinterfered,andIsavedhislife,togetherwiththat
ofsomeothers,M.,D.,D.,B.,andthatbraveheartedarchitectRolland,whowhenan
exile,lateron,soablyrestoredtheBrusselsPalaceofJustice.
Thistookplaceonthe24thJune,1848,intheundergroundfloorofNo.93,Boulevard
Beaumarchais,ahousethenincourseofconstruction.
GeorgesBiscarratbecameattachedtome.Itappearedthathewasthenephewofoneof
theoldestandbestfriendsofmychildhood,FlixBiscarrat,whodiedin1828.Georges
Biscarratcametoseemefromtimetotime,andonoccasionsheaskedmyadviceorgave
meinformation.
Wishingtopreservehimfromevilinfluences,Ihadgivenhim,andhehadaccepted,this
guidingmaxim,"NoinsurrectionexceptforDutyandforRight."
WhatwasthishootingintheRuedel'Echelle?Letusrelatetheincident.
Onthe2dofDecember,Bonapartehadmadeanattempttogoout.Hehadventuredtogo
andlookatParis.Parisdoesnotlikebeinglookedatbycertaineyesitconsidersitan
insult,anditresentsaninsultmorethanawound.Itsubmitstoassassination,butnotto
theleeringgazeoftheassassin.IttookoffenceatLouisBonaparte.
Atnineo'clockinthemorning,atthemomentwhentheCourbevoiegarrisonwas
descendinguponParis,theplacardsofthe_coupd'tat_beingstillfreshuponthewalls,
LouisBonapartehadlefttheElyse,hadcrossedthePlacedelaConcorde,theGardenof
theTuileries,andtherailedcourtyardoftheCarrousel,andhadbeenseentogoout,by
thegateoftheRuedel'Echelle.Acrowdassembledatonce.LouisBonapartewasina
general'suniformhisuncle,theexKingJrme,accompaniedhim,togetherwith
Flahaut,whokeptinthenear.JrmeworethefulluniformofaMarshalofFrance,with
ahatwithawhitefeatherLouisBonaparte'shorsewasaheadbeforeJrme'shorse.
LouisBonapartewasgloomy,Jrmeattentive,Flahautbeaming.Flahauthadhishaton
oneside.TherewasastrongescortofLancers.EdgarNeyfollowed.Bonaparteintended
togoasfarastheHteldeVille.GeorgesBiscarratwasthere.Thestreetwasunpaved,
theroadwasbeingmacadamizedhemountedonaheapofstones,andshouted,"Down
withtheDictator!DownwiththePraetorians!"Thesoldierslookedathimwith
bewilderment,andthecrowdwithastonishment.GeorgesBiscarrat(hetoldmeso
himself)feltthatthiscrywastooerudite,andthatitwouldnotbeunderstood,sohe
shouted,"DownwithBonaparte!DownwiththeLancers!"

Theeffectofthisshoutwaselectrical."DownwithBonaparte!DownwiththeLancers!"
criedthepeople,andthewholestreetbecamestormyandturbulent."Downwith
Bonaparte!"TheoutcryresembledthebeginningofanexecutionBonapartemadea
suddenmovementtotheright,turnedback,andreenteredthecourtyardoftheLouvre.
GeorgesBiscarratfeltitnecessarytocompletehisshoutbyabarricade.
Hesaidtothebookseller,BenoistMouilhe,whohadjustopenedhisshop,"Shoutingis
good,actionisbetter."HereturnedtohishouseintheRueduVertBois,putonablouse
andaworkman'scap,andwentdownintothedarkstreets.Beforetheendofthedayhe
hadmadearrangementswithfourassociationsthegasfitters,thelastmakers,theshawl
makers,andthehatters.
Inthismannerhespentthedayofthe2dofDecember.
Thedayofthe3dwasoccupiedingoingsandcomings"almostuseless."SoBiscarrat
toldVersigny,andheadded,"HoweverIhavesucceededinthismuch,thattheplacards
ofthe_coupd'tat_havebeeneverywheretorndown,somuchsothatinordertorender
thetearingdownmoredifficultthepolicehaveultimatelypostedtheminthepublic
conveniencestheirproperplace."
OnThursday,the4th,earlyinthemorning,GeorgesBiscarratwenttoLedouble's
restaurant,wherefourRepresentativesofthePeopleusuallytooktheirmeals,Brives,
Bertlhelon,AntoineBard,andViguier,nicknamed"FatherViguier."Allfourwerethere.
Viguierrelatedwhatwehaddoneontheprecedingevening,andsharedmyopinionthat
theclosingcatastropheshouldbehurriedon,thattheCrimeshouldbeprecipitatedinto
theabysswhichbefittedit.Biscarratcamein.TheRepresentativesdidnotknowhire,and
staredathim."Whoareyou?"askedoneofthem.Beforehecouldanswer,Dr.Petit
entered,unfoldedapaper,andsaid,
"DoesanyoneknowVictorHugo'shandwriting?"
"Ido,"saidBiscarrat.Helookedatthepaper.Itwasmyproclamationtothearmy."This
mustbeprinted,"saidPetit."Iwillundertakeit,"saidBiscarrat.AntoineBardaskedhim,
"DoyouknowVictor Hugo?""Hesavedmylife,"answeredBiscarrat.The
Representativesshookhandswithhim.
Guilgotarrived.ThenVersigny.VersignyknewBiscarrat.Hehadseenhimatmyhouse.
Versignysaid,"Takecarewhatyoudo.Thereisamanoutsidethedoor.""Itisashawl
maker,"saidBiscarrat."Hehascomewithme.Heisfollowingme.""But,"resumed
Versigny,"heiswearingablouse,beneathwhichhehasahandkerchief.Heseemstobe
hidingthis,andhehassomethinginthehandkerchief."
"Sugarplums,"saidBiscarrat.

Theywerecartridges.
VersignyandBiscarratwenttotheofficeofthe_Sicle_atthe_Sicle_thirtyworkmen,
attheriskofbeingshot,offeredtoprintmyProclamation.Biscarratleftitwiththem,and
saidtoVersigny,"NowIwantmybarricade."
Theshawlmakerwalkedbehindthem.VersignyandBiscarratturnedtheirstepstowards
thetopoftheSaintDenisquarter.WhentheydrewneartoshePorteSaintDenisthey
heardthehumofmanyvoices.BiscarratlaughedandsaidtoVersigny,"SaintDenisis
growingangry,mattersareimproving."Biscarratrecruitedfortycombatantsontheway,
amongstwhomwasMoulin,headoftheassociationofleatherdressers.Chapuis,
sergeantmajoroftheNationalGuard,broughtthemfourmusketsandtenswords."Do
youknowwherethereareanymore?"askedBiscarrat."Yes,attheSaintSauveurBaths."
Theywentthere,andfoundfortymuskets.Theygavethemswordsandcartridge
pouches.Gentlemenwelldressed,broughttinboxescontainingpowderandballs.
Women,braveandlighthearted,manufacturedcartridges.Atthefirstdooradjoiningthe
RueduHasardSaintSauveurtheyrequisitionedironbarsandhammersfromalarge
courtyardbelongingtoalocksmith.Havingthearms,theyhadthemen.Theyspeedily
numberedahundred.Theybegantotearupthepavements.Itwashalfpastten."Quick!
quick!"criedGeorgesBiscarrat,"thebarricadeofmydreams!"ItwasintheRue
Thvenot.Thebarrierwasconstructedhighandformidable.Toabridge.Ateleven
o'clockGeorgesBiscarrathadcompletedhisbarricade.Atnoonhewaskilledthere.

CHAPTERXIV.OSSIANANDSCIPIO
Arrestsgrewmorenumerous.
TowardsnoonaCommissaryofPolice,namedBoudrot,appearedatthedivanoftheRue
Lepelletier.Hewasaccompaniedby thepoliceagentDelahodde.Delahoddewasthat
traitoroussocialistwriter,who,uponbeingunmasked,hadpassedfromtheSecretPolice
tothePublicPoliceService.Iknewhim,andIrecordthisincident.In1832hewasa
masterintheschoolatwhichweremytwosons,thenboys,andhehadaddressedpoetry
tome.Atthesametimehewasactingthespyuponme.TheLepelletierdivanwasthe
placeofmeetingofalargenumberofRepublicanjournalists.Delahoddeknewthemall.
AdetachmentoftheRepublican Guardoccupiedtheentrancestothecaf.Thenensued
aninspectionofalltheordinarycustomers,Delahoddewalkingfirst,withthe
Commissarybehindhim.TwoMunicipalGuardsfollowedthem.Fromtimetotime
Delahoddelookedroundandsaid,"Layholdof thisman."Inthismannersomescoreof
writerswerearrested,amongwhomwereHennettdeKesler.[20]Onthepreceding
eveningKeslerhadbeenontheSaintAntoinebarricade.KeslersaidtoDelahodde,"You
areamiserablewretch.""Andyouareanungratefulfellow,"repliedDelahodde"_Iam
savingyourlife_."CuriouswordsforitisdifficulttobelievethatDelahoddewasinthe
secretofwhatwastohappenonthefataldayoftheFourth.
AttheheadquartersoftheCommitteeencouraginginformationwasforwardedtous
fromeveryside.Testelin,theRepresentativeofLille,isnotonlyalearnedman,buta
braveman.Onthemorningofthe3dhehadreached,shortlyafterme,theSaintAntoine
barricade,whereBaudinhadjustbeenkilled.Allwasatanendinthatdirection.Testelin
wasaccompaniedbyCharlesGambon,anotherdauntlessman.[21]Thetwo
Representativeswanderedthroughtheagitatedanddarkstreets,littlefollowed,innoway
understood,seekingafermentofinsurgents,andonlyfindingaswarmingofthecurious.
Testelin,nevertheless,havingcometotheCommittee,informedusofthefollowing:At
thecornerofastreetoftheFaubourgSaintAntoineGambonandhimselfhadnoticeda
crowd.Theyhadgoneuptoit.Thiscrowdwasreadingabillplacardedonawall.Itwas
theAppealtoArmssigned"VictorHugo."TestelinaskedGambon,"Haveyouapencil?"
"Yes,"answeredGambon.Testelintookthepencil,wentuptotheplacard,andwrotehis
namebeneathmine,thenhegavethepenciltoGambon,whointurnwrotehisname
beneaththatofTestelin.Uponthisthecrowdshouted,"Bravo!thesearetruehearted
men!""Shout'LonglivetheRepublic!'"criedTestelin.Allshouted"Longlivethe
Republic!""Andfromabove,fromtheopenwindows,"addedGambon,"womenclapped
theirhands."
"Thelittlehandsofwomenapplaudingareagoodsign,"saidMicheldeBourges.
Ashasbeenseen,andwecannotlaytoomuchstressuponthefact,whattheCommittee
ofResistancewishedwastopreventthesheddingofbloodasmuchaspossible.To
constructbarricades,toletthembedestroyed,andtoreconstructthematotherpoints,to
avoidthearmy,andtowearitout,towageinParisthewarofthedesert,always

retreating,neveryielding,totaketimeforanally,toadddaystodaysontheonehandto
givethepeopletimetounderstandandtorise,ontheother,toconquerthe_coupd'tat_
bythewearinessofthearmysuchwastheplandiscussedandadopted.
Theorderwasaccordinglygiventhatthebarricadesshouldbebutslightlydefended.
Werepeatedineverypossibleformtothecombatants,
"Shedaslittlebloodaspossible!Sparethebloodofthesoldiersandhusbandyourown."
Nevertheless,thestruggleoncebegun,itbecameimpossibleinmanyinstances,during
certainexcitedhoursoffighting,tomoderatetheirardor.Severalbarricadeswere
obstinatelydefended,particularlythoseintheRueRambuteau,intheRueMontorgueil,
andintheRueNeuveSaintEustache.
Thesebarricadeswerecommandedbydaringleaders.
Here,forthesakeofhistory,wewillrecordafewofthesebravemenfightingoutlines
whoappearedanddisappearedinthesmokeofthecombat.Radoux,anarchitect,Deluc,
Mallarmet,FlixBony,Luneau,anexCaptainoftheRepublicanGuard,CamilleBerru,
editorofthe_Avnement_,gay,warmhearted,anddauntless,andthatyoungEugne
Millelot,whowasdestinedtobecondemnedatCayennetoreceive200lashes,andto
expireatthetwentythirdstroke,beforetheveryeyesofhisfatherandbrother,
proscribedandconvictslikehimself.
ThebarricadeoftheRueAumairewasamongstthosewhichwerenotcarriedwithout
resistance.Althoughraisedinhaste,itwasfairlyconstructed.Fifteenorsixteenresolute
mendefendedittwowerekilled.
Thebarricadewascarriedwiththebayonetbyabattalionofthe16thoftheline.This
battalion,hurledonthebarricadeatthedouble,wasreceivedbyabriskfusilladeseveral
soldierswerewounded.
Thefirstwhofellinthesoldiers'rankswasanofficer.Hewasayoungmanoftwenty
five,lieutenantofthefirstcompany,namedOssianDumastwoballsbrokebothofhis
legsasthoughbyasingleblow.
AtthattimetherewereinthearmytwobrothersofthenameofDumas,Ossianand
Scipio.Scipiowastheelder.TheywerenearrelativesoftheRepresentative,Madierde
Montjau.
Thesetwobrothersbelongedtoapoorbuthonoredfamily.Theelderhadbeeneducated
atthePolytechnicSchool,theotherattheSchoolofSaintCyr.
Scipiowasfouryearsolderthanhisbrother.Accordingtothatsplendidandmysterious
lawofascent,whichtheFrenchRevolutionhascreated,andwhich,sotospeak,has

placedaladderinthecentreofasocietyhithertocasteboundandinaccessible,Scipio
Dumas'familyhadimposeduponthemselvesthemostsevereprivationsinorderto
develophisintellectandsecurehisfuture.Hisrelations,withthetouchingheroismofthe
poorofthepresentera,deniedthemselvesbreadtoaffordhimknowledge.Inthismanner
heattainedtothePolytechnicSchool,wherehequicklybecameoneofthebestpupils.
Havingconcludedhisstudies,hewasappointedanofficerintheartillery,andsentto
Metz.Itthenbecamehisturntohelptheboywhohadtomountafterhim.Heheldouthis
handtohisyoungerbrother.Heeconomizedthemodestpayofanartillerylieutenant,
and,thankstohim,OssianbecameanofficerlikeScipio.WhileScipio,detainedby
dutiesbelongingtohisposition,remainedatMetz,Ossianwasincorporated inan
infantryregiment,andwenttoAfrica.Therehesawhisfirstservice.
ScipioandOssianwereRepublicans.InOctober,1851,the16thoftheline,inwhich
Ossianwasserving,wassummonedtoParis.Itwasoneoftheregimentschosenbythe
illomenedhandofLouisBonaparte,andonwhichthe_coupd'tat_counted.
The2dofDecemberarrived.
LieutenantOssianDumasobeyed,likenearlyallhiscomrades,theordertotakeuparms
buteveryoneroundhimcouldnoticehisgloomyattitude.
Thedayof the3dwasspentinmarchesandcountermarches.Onthe4ththecombat
began.The16th,whichformedpartoftheHerbillonBrigade,wastoldofftocapturethe
barricadesoftheRuesBeaubourg,Trausnonain,andAumaire.Thisbattlefieldwas
formidableaperfectsquareofbarricadeshadbeenraisedthere.
ItwasbytheRueAumaire,andwiththeregimentofwhichOssianformedpart,thatthe
militaryleadersresolvedtobeginaction.
Atthemomentwhentheregiment,witharmsloaded,wasabouttomarchupontheRue
Aumaire,OssianDumaswentuptohiscaptain,abraveandveteranofficer,withwhom
hewasafavorite,anddeclaredthathewouldnotmarchastepfarther,thatthedeedofthe
2dofDecemberwasacrime,thatLouisBonapartewasatraitor,thatitwasforthem,
soldiers,tomaintaintheoathwhichBonaparteviolatedandthat,asforhimself,he
wouldnotlendhisswordtothebutcheryoftheRepublic.
Ahaltwasmade.Thesignalofattackwasawaitedthetwoofficers,theoldcaptainand
theyounglieutenant,conversedinalowtone.
"Andwhatdoyouwanttodo?"askedthecaptain.
"Breakmysword."
"YouwillbetakentoVincennes."

"Thatisallthesametome."
"Mostcertainlydismissed."
"Possibly."
"Perhapsshot."
"Iexpectit."
"Butthereisnolongeranytimeyoushouldhaveresignedyesterday."
"Thereisalwaystimetoavoidcommittingacrime."
Thecaptain,asmaybeseen,wassimplyoneofthoseprofessionalheroes,grownoldin
theleatherstock,whoknowofnocountrybuttheflag,andnootherlawbutmilitary
discipline.Ironarmsandwoodenheads.Theyareneithercitizensnormen.Theyonly
recognizehonorintheformofageneral'sepaulets.Itisofnousetalkingtothemof
politicalduties,ofobediencetothelaws,oftheConstitution.Whatdotheyknowabout
allthis?WhatisaConstitutionwhatarethemostholylaws,againstthreewordswhicha
corporalmaymurmurintotheearofasentinel?Takeapairofscales,putinonesidethe
Gospels,intheothertheofficialinstructionsnowweighthem.Thecorporalturnsthe
balancetheDeitykicksthebeam.
GodformsaportionoftheorderofthedayofSaintBartholomew."Killall.Hewill
recognizedhisown."
Thisiswhatthepriestsaccept,andattimesglorify.
SaintBartholomewhasbeenblessedbythePopeanddecoratedwiththeCatholic
medal.[22]
MeanwhileOssianDumasappeareddetermined.Thecaptainmadealasteffort.
"Youwillruinyourself,"saidhe.
"Ishallsavemyhonor."
"Itispreciselyyourhonorthatyouaresacrificing."
"BecauseIamgoingaway?"
"Togoawayistodesert."
ThisseemedtoimpressOssianDumas.Thecaptaincontinued,

"Theyareabouttofight.Inafewminutesthebarricadewillbeattacked.Yourcomrades
willfall,deadorwounded.Youareayoungofficeryouhavenotyetbeenmuchunder
fire."
"Atallevents,"warmlyinterruptedOssianDumas,"Ishallnothavefoughtagainstthe
RepublictheywillnotsayIamatraitor."
"No,buttheywillsaythatyouareacoward."
Ossianmadenoreply.
Amomentafterwardsthecommandwasgiventoattack.
Theregimentstartedatthedouble.Thebarricadefired.
OssianDumaswasthefirstwhofell.
Hehadnotbeenabletobearthatword"coward,"andhehadremainedinhisplaceinthe
firstrank.
Theytookhimtotheambulance,andfromthencetothehospital.
Letusatoncestatetheconclusionofthistouchingincident.
Bothofhislegswerebroken.Thedoctorsthoughtthatitwouldbenecessarytoamputate
themboth.
GeneralSaintArnaudsenthimtheCrossofHonor.
Asisknown,LouisBonapartehastenedtodischargehisdebttohispraetorian
accomplices.Afterhavingmassacred,theswordvoted.
Thecombatwasstillsmokingwhenthearmywasbroughttotheballotbox.
ThegarrisonofParisvoted"Yes."Itabsolveditself.
Withtherestofthearmyitwasotherwise.Militaryhonorwasindignant,androusedthe
civicvirtue.Notwithstandingthepressurewhichwasexercised,althoughtheregiments
depositedtheirvotesintheshakosoftheircolonels,thearmyvoted"No"inmany
districtsofFranceandAlgeria.
ThePolytechnicSchoolvoted"No"inabody.Nearlyeverywheretheartillery,ofwhich
thePolytechnicSchoolisthecradle,votedtothesameeffectastheschool.
ScipioDumas,itmayberemembered,wasatMetz.

Bysomecuriouschanceithappenedthatthefeelingoftheartillery,whicheverywhere
elsehadpronouncedagainstthe_coupd'tat_,hesitatedatMetz,andseemedtolean
towardsBonaparte.
ScipioDumas,inpresenceofthisindecisionsetanexample.Hevotedinaloudvoice,
andwithanopenvotingpaper,"No."
Thenhesentinhisresignation.AtthesametimethattheMinisteratParisreceivedthe
resignationofScipioDumas,ScipioDumasatMetz,receivedhisdismissal,signedbythe
Minister.
AfterScipioDumas'vote,thesamethoughthadcomeatthesametimetoboththe
Governmentandtotheofficer,totheGovernmentthattheofficerwasadangerousman,
andthattheycouldnolongeremploy him,totheofficerthattheGovernmentwasan
infamousone,andthatheoughtnolongertoserveit.
Theresignationandthedismissalcrossedontheway.Bythisword"dismissal"mustbe
understoodthewithdrawalofemployment.
Accordingtoourexistingmilitarylawsitisinthismannerthattheynow"break"an
officer.Withdrawalofemployment,thatistosay,nomoreservice,nomorepaypoverty.
Simultaneouslywithhisdismissal,ScipioDumaslearntthenewsoftheattackonthe
barricadeoftheRueAumaire,andthathisbrotherhadbothhislegsbroken.Inthefever
ofeventshehadbeenaweekwithoutnewsofOssian.Scipiohadconfinedhimselfto
writingtohisbrothertoinformhimofhisvoteandofhisdismissal,andtoinducehimto
dolikewise.
Hisbrotherwounded!HisbrotherattheValde.Grce!HeleftimmediatelyforParis.
Hehastenedtothehospital.TheytookhimtoOssian'sbedside.Thepooryoungfellow
hadhadbothhislegsamputatedontheprecedingday.
AtthemomentwhenScipio,stunned,appearedathisbedside,Ossianheldinhishandthe
crosswhichGeneralSaintArnaudhadjustsenthim.
Thewoundedmanturnedtowardstheaidedecampwhohadbroughtit,andsaidtohim,

"Iwillnothavethiscross.Onmybreastitwouldbestainedwiththebloodofthe
Republic."
Andperceivinghisbrother,whohadjustentered,heheldoutthecrosstohim,
exclaiming,

"Youtakeit.Youhavevoted"No,"andyouhavebrokenyoursword!Itisyouwhohave
deservedit!"
[20]Diedin exileinGuernsey.Seethe"Pendantl'Exil,"undertheheading_Acteset
Paroles_,vol.ii.
[21]DiedinexileatTermonde.
[22]ProHugonotorumstrage.MedalstruckatRomein1572.

CHAPTERXV.THEQUESTIONPRESENTSITSELF
Itwasoneo'clockintheafternoon.
Bonapartehadagainbecomegloomy.
Thegleamsofsunshineonsuchcountenancesastheselastveryshorttime.
Hehadgonebacktohisprivateroom,hadseatedhimselfbeforethefire,withhisfeeton
thehobs,motionless,andnooneanylongerapproachedhimexceptRoquet.
Whatwashethinkingof?
Thetwistingsofthevipercannotbeforeseen.
WhatthismanachievedonthisinfamousdayIhavetoldatlengthinanotherbook.See
"NapoleontheLittle."
FromtimetotimeRoquetenteredandinformedhimofwhatwasgoingon.Bonaparte
listenedinsilence,deepinthought,marbleinwhichatorrentoflavaboiled.
HereceivedattheElysethesamenewsthatwereceivedintheRueRichelieubadfor
him,goodforus.Inoneoftheregimentswhichhadjustvoted,therewere170"Noes:"
Thisregimenthassincebeendissolved,andscatteredabroadintheAfricanarmy.

Theyhadcountedonthe14thofthelinewhichhadfiredonthepeopleinFebruary.The
Colonelofthe14thofthelinehadrefusedtorecommencehehadjustbrokenhissword.
Ourappealhadendedbybeingheard.Decidedly,aswehaveseen,Pariswasrising.The
fallofBonaparteseemedtobeforeshadowed.TwoRepresentatives,FabvierandCrestin,
metintheRueRoyale,andCrestin,pointingtothePalaceoftheAssembly,saidto
Fabvier,"Weshallbetheretomorrow."
Onenoteworthyincident.Mazesbecameeccentric,theprisonunbentitselftheinterior
experiencedanundefinablereverberationfromtheoutside.Thewarders,whothe
precedingeveninghadbeeninsolenttotheRepresentativeswhengoingfortheirexercise
inthecourtyard,nowsalutedthemtotheground.ThatverymorningofThursday,the
4th,thegovernoroftheprisonhadpaidavisittotheprisoners,andhadsaidtothem,"It
isnotmyfault."Hebroughtthembooksandwritingpaper,athingwhichuptothattime
hehadrefused.TheRepresentativeValentinwasinsolitaryconfinementonthemorning
ofthe4thhiswardersuddenlybecameamiable,andofferedtoobtainforhimnewsfrom
outside,throughhiswife,who,hesaid,hadbeenaservantinGeneralLefl'shousehold.
Theseweresignificantsigns.Whenthejailersmilesitmeansthatthejailishalfopening.

Wemayadd,whatisnotacontradiction,thatatthesametimethegarrisonatMazaswas
beingincreased.1200moremenweremarchedin,indetachmentsof100meneach,
spacingouttheirarrivalsin"littledoses"asaneyewitnessremarkedtous.Lateron400
men.100litresofbrandyweredistributed tothem.Onelitreforeverysixteenmen.The
prisonerscouldhearthemovementofartilleryroundtheprison.
Theagitationspreadtothemostpeaceablequarters.ButthecentreofPariswasaboveall
threatening.ThecentreofParisisalabyrinthofstreetswhichappearstobemadeforthe
labyrinthofriots.TheLigue,theFronde,theRevolutionwemustunceasinglyrecall
theseusefulfactsthe14thofJuly,the10thofAugust,1792,1830,1848,havecomeout
fromthence.Thesebraveoldstreetswereawakened.Ateleveno'clockinthemorning
fromNotreDametothePorteSaintMartintherewereseventysevenbarricades.Threeof
them,oneintheRueMaubue,anotherintheRueBertinPoire,anotherintheRue
GurinBoisseau,attainedtheheightofthesecondstoriesthebarricadeofthePorteSaint
DeniswasalmostasbristlingandasformidableasthebarrieroftheFaubourgSaint
AntoineinJune,1848.ThehandfuloftheRepresentativesofthePeoplehadswooped
downlikeashowerofsparksonthesefamousandinflammablecrossroads.The
beginningofthefire.Thefirehadcaught.Theoldcentralmarketquarter,thatcitywhich
iscontainedinthecity,shouted,"DownwithBonaparte!"Theyhootedthepolice,they
hissedthetroops.Someregimentsseemedstupefied.Theycried,"Throwupyourbutt
endsintheair!"Fromthewindowsabove,womenencouragedtheconstructionofthe
barricades.Therewaspowderthere,thereweremuskets.Now,wewerenolongeralone.
Wesawrisingupinthegloombehindustheenormousheadofthepeople.Hopeatthe
presenttimewasonourside.Theoscillationofuncertaintyhadatlengthbecomesteady,
andwewere,Irepeat,almostperfectlyconfident.
Therehadbeenamomentwhen,owingtothegoodnewspouringinuponus,this
confidencehadbecomesogreatthatwewhohadstakedourlivesonthisgreatcontest,
seizedwithanirresistiblejoyinthepresenceofasuccessbecominghourlymorecertain,
hadrisenfromourseats,andhadembracedeachother.MicheldeBourgeswas
particularlyangeredagainstBonaparte,forhehadbelievedhisword,andhadevengone
sofarastosay,"Heismyman."Ofthefourofus,hewasthemostindignant.Agloomy
flashofvictoryshoneinhim.Hestruckthetablewithhisfist,andexclaimed,"Oh!the
miserablewretch!Tomorrow"andhestruckthetableasecondtime,"tomorrowhis
headshallfallinthePlacedeGrvebeforetheHteldeVille."
Ilookedathim.
"No,"saidI,"thisman'sheadshallnotfall."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Idonotwishit."
"Why?"

"Because,"saidI,"ifaftersuchacrimeweallowLouisBonapartetoliveweshallabolish
thepenaltyofdeath."
ThisgenerousMicheldeBourgesremainedthoughtfulforamoment,thenhepressedmy
hand.
Crimeisanopportunity,andalwaysgivesusachoice,anditisbettertoextractfromit
progressthanpunishment.MicheldeBourgesrealizedthis.
Moreoverthisincidentshowstowhatapitchourhopeshadbeenraised.
Appearanceswereonourside,actualfactsnotso.SaintArnaudhadhisorders.Weshall
seethem.
Strangeincidentstookplace.
Towardsnoonageneral,deepinthought,wasonhorsebackinthePlacedelaMadeleine,
attheheadofhiswaveringtroops.Hehesitated.
Acarriagestopped,awomansteppedoutandconversedinalowtonewiththegeneral.
Thecrowdcouldseeher.TheRepresentativeRaymond,wholivedatNo4,Placedela
Madeleine,sawherfromhiswindow.ThiswomanwasMadameK.Thegeneralstooping
downonhishorse,listened,andfinallymadethedejectedgestureofavanquishedman.
MadameK.gotbackintohercarriage.Thisman,theysaid,lovedthatwoman.Shecould,
accordingtothesideofherbeautywhichfascinatedhervictim,inspireeitherheroismor
crime.Thisstrangebeautywascompoundedofthewhitenessofanangel,combinedwith
thelookofaspectre.
Itwasthelookwhichconquered.
Thismannolongerhesitated.Heenteredgloomilyintotheenterprise.
Fromtwelvetotwoo'clocktherewasinthisenormouscitygiven overtotheunknownan
indescribableandfierceexpectation.Allwascalmandawestriking.Theregimentsand
thelimberedbatteriesquittedthefaubourgandstationedthemselvesnoiselesslyaround
theboulevards.Notacryintheranksofthesoldiery.An eyewitnesssaid,"Thesoldiers
marchwithquiteajauntyair."OntheQuaidelaFerronnerie,heapedupwithregiments
eversincethemorningofthe2dofDecember,therenowonlyremainedapostof
MunicipalGuards.Everythingebbedbacktothecentre, thepeopleaswellasthearmy
thesilenceofthearmyhadultimatelyspreadtothepeople.Theywatchedeachother.
Eachsoldierhadthreedays'provisionsandsixpacketsofcartridges.
Ithassincetranspiredthatatthismoment10,000francsweredailyspentinbrandyfor
eachbrigade.

Towardsoneo'clock,MagnanwenttotheHteldeVille,hadthereservelimberedunder
hisowneyes,anddidnotleaveuntilallthebatterieswerereadytomarch.
Certainsuspiciouspreparationsgrewmorenumerous.TowardsnoontheStateworkmen
andthehospitalcorpshadestablishedaspeciesofhugeambulanceatNo.2,Faubourg
Montmartre.Agreatheapoflitterswaspiledupthere."Whatisallthisfor?"askedthe
crowd.
Dr.Deville,whohadattendedEspinassewhenhehadbeenwounded,noticedhimonthe
boulevard,andaskedhim,"Uptowhatpointareyougoing?"
Espinasse'sanswerishistorical.
Hereplied,"Totheend."
Attwoo'clockfivebrigades,thoseofCotte,Bourgon,Canrobert,Dulac,andReybell,
fivebatteriesofartillery,16,400men,[23]infantryandcavalry,lancers,cuirassiers,
grenadiers,gunners,wereechellonedwithoutanyostensiblereasonbetweentheRuede
laPaixandtheFaubourgPoissonnire.Piecesofcannonwerepointedattheentranceof
everystreettherewereeleveninpositionontheBoulevardPoissonnirealone.Thefoot
soldiershadtheirgunstotheirshoulders,theofficerstheirswordsdrawn.Whatdidall
thismean?Itwasacurioussight,wellworththetroubleofseeing,andonbothsidesof
thepavements,onallthethresholdsoftheshops,fromallthestoriesofthehouses,an
astonished,ironical,andconfidingcrowdlookedon.
Littlebylittle,nevertheless,thisconfidencediminished,andironygaveplaceto
astonishmentastonishmentchangedtostupor.Thosewhohavepassedthroughthat
extraordinaryminutewillnotforgetit.Itwasevidentthattherewassomething
underlyingallthis.Butwhat?Profoundobscurity.CanoneimagineParisinacellar?
Peoplefeltasthoughtheywerebeneathalowceiling.Theyseemedtobewalledupin
theunexpectedandtheunknown.Theyseemedtoperceivesomemysteriouswillinthe
background.ButafteralltheywerestrongtheyweretheRepublic,theywerePariswhat
wastheretofear!Nothing.Andtheycried,"DownwithBonaparte!"Thetroops
continuedtokeepsilence,buttheswordsremainedoutsidetheirscabbards,andthe
lightedmatchesofthecannonsmolderedatthecornersofthestreets.Thecloudgrew
blackereveryminute,heavierandmoresilent.Thisthickeningofthedarknesswas
tragical.Onefeltthecomingcrashofacatastrophe,andthepresenceofavillainsnake
liketreasonwrithedduringthisnight,andnonecanforeseewherethedownwardslideof
aterribledesignwillstopwheneventsareonasteepincline.
Whatwascomingoutofthisthickdarkness?
[23]16,410men,thefigurestakenfromtheMinistryofWar.

CHAPTERXVI.THEMASSACRE
Suddenlyawindowwasopened.
UponHell.
Dante,hadheleanedoverthesummitoftheshadow,wouldhavebeenabletoseethe
eighthcircleofhispoemthefunerealBoulevardMontmartre.
Paris,apreytoBonaparteamonstrousspectacle.Thegloomyarmedmenmassed
togetheronthisboulevardfeltanappallingspiritenterintothemtheyceasedtobe
themselves,andbecamedemons.
TherewasnolongerasingleFrenchsoldier,butahostofindefinablephantoms,carrying
outahorribletask,asthoughintheglimmeringlightofavision.
Therewasnolongeraflag,therewasnolongerlaw,therewasnolongerhumanity,there
wasnolongeracountry,therewasnolongerFrancetheybegantoassassinate.
TheSchinderhannesdivision,thebrigadesofMandrin,Cartouche,Poulailler,Trestaillon,
andTropmannappearedinthegloom,shootingdownandmassacring.
NowedonotattributetotheFrencharmywhattookplaceduringthismournfuleclipse
ofhonor.
Therehavebeenmassacresinhistory,abominableonesassuredly,buttheyhave
possessedsomeshowofreasonSaintBartholomewandtheDragonnadesareexplained
byreligion,theSicilianVespersandthebutcheriesofSeptemberareexplainedby
patriotismtheycrushtheenemyorannihilatetheforeignerthesearecrimesforagood
causebutthecarnageoftheBoulevardMontmartreisacrimewithoutanostensible
reason.
Thereasonexists,however.Itishideous.
Letusgiveit.
TwothingsstanderectinaState,theLawandthePeople.
AmanmurderstheLaw.Hefeelsthepunishmentapproaching,thereonlyremainsone
thingforhimtodo,tomurderthePeople.HemurdersthePeople.
TheSecondofDecemberwastheRisk,theFourthwastheCertainty.
AgainsttheindignationwhicharosetheyopposedtheTerror.

TheFury,Justice,haltedpetrifiedbeforetheFury,Extermination.AgainstErinnyesthey
setupMedusa.
ToputNemesistoflight,whataterrifyingtriumph!
ToLouisNapoleonpertainsthisglory,whichisthesummitofhisshame.
Letusnarrateit.
LetusnarratewhatHistoryhadneverseenbefore.
Theassassinationofapeoplebyaman.
Suddenly,atagivensignal,amusketshotbeingfired,nomatterwhere,nomatterby
whom,theshowerofbulletspoureduponthecrowd.Ashowerofbulletsisalsoacrowd
itisdeathscatteredbroadcast.Itdoesnotknowwhitheritgoes,norwhatitdoesitkills
andpasseson.
Butatthesametimeithasaspeciesofsoulitispremeditated,itexecutesawill.This
wasanunprecedentedmoment.Itseemedasthoughahandfuloflightningswasfalling
uponthepeople.Nothingsimpler.Itformedaclearsolutiontothedifficultytherainof
leadoverwhelmedthemultitude.Whatareyoudoingthere?Die!Itisacrimetobe
passingby.Whyareyouinthestreet?WhydoyoucrossthepathoftheGovernment?
TheGovernmentisacutthroat.Theyhaveannouncedathing,theymustcertainlycarry
itoutwhatisbegunmustassuredlybeachievedasSocietyisbeingsaved,thePeople
mustassuredlybeexterminated.
Aretherenotsocialnecessities?IsitnotessentialthatBvilleshouldhave87,000francs
ayearandFleury95,000francs?IsitnotessentialthattheHighChaplain,Menjaud,
BishopofNancy,shouldhave342francsaday,andthatBassanoandCambacrsshould
eachhave383francsaday,andVaillant468francs,andSaintArnaud822francs?Isit
notnecessarythatLouisBonaparteshouldhave76,712francsaday?Couldonebe
Emperorforless?
Inthetwinklingofaneyetherewasabutcheryontheboulevardaquarterofaleague
long.ElevenpiecesofcannonwreckedtheSallandrouzecarpetwarehouse.Theshottore
completelythroughtwentyeighthouses.ThebathsofJouvencewereriddled.Therewas
amassacreatTortoni's.AwholequarterofPariswasfilledwithanimmenseflyingmass,
andwithaterriblecry.Everywheresuddendeath.Amanisexpectingnothing.Hefalls.
Fromwhencedoesthiscome?Fromabove,saytheBishops'_TeDeum_frombelow,
saysTruth.
Fromalowerplacethanthegalleys,fromalowerplacethanHell.
ItistheconceptionofaCaligula,carriedoutbyaPapavoine.

XavierDurrieucomesupontheboulevard.Hestates,
"Ihavetakensixtysteps,Ihaveseensixtycorpses."
Andhedrawsback.TobeinthestreetisaCrime,tobeathomeisaCrime.Thebutchers
enterthehousesandslaughter.Inslaughterhouseslangthesoldierscry,"Letuspoleaxe
thelotofthem."
Adde,abookseller,of17,BoulevardPoissonnire,isstandingbeforehisdoortheykill
him.Atthesamemoment,forthefieldofmurderisvast,ataconsiderabledistancefrom
there,at5,RuedeLancry,M.ThiriondeMontauban,ownerofthehouse,isathisdoor
theykillhim.IntheRueTiquetonneachildofsevenyears,namedBoursier,ispassing
bytheykillhim.Mdlle.Soulac,196,RueduTemple,opensherwindow theykillher.
AtNo.97,inthesamestreet,twowomen,MesdamesVidalandRaboisson,sempstresses,
areintheirroomtheykillthem.Belval,acabinetmaker,10,RuedelaLune,isathome
theykillhim.Debacque,amerchant,45,RueduSentier,isinhisownhouse
Couvercelle,florist,257,RueSaintDenis,isinhisownhouseLabitte,ajeweller,55,
BoulevardSaintMartin,isinhisownhouseMonpelas,perfumer,181,RueSaintMartin,
isinhisownhousetheykillMonpelas,Labitte,Couvercelle,andDebacque.Theysabre
atherownhome,240,RueSaintMartin,apoorembroideress,Mdlle.Seguin,whonot
havingsufficientmoneytopayforadoctor,diedattheBeaujonhospital,onthe1stof
January,1852,onthesamedaythattheSibour_TeDeum_waschantedatNotreDame.
Another,awaistcoatmaker,FranoiseNol,wasshotdownat20,RueduFaubourg
Montmartre,anddiedintheCharit.Another,MadameLedaust,aworkinghousekeeper,
livingat76,PassageduCaire,wasshotdownbeforetheArchbishop'spalace,anddiedat
theMorgue.Passersby,Mdlle.Gressier,livingat209,FaubourgSaintMartinMadame
Guilard,livingat77,BoulevardSaintDenisMadameGamier,livingat6,Boulevard
BonneNouvelle,whohadfallen,thefirstnamedbeneaththevolleysontheBoulevard
Montmartre,thetwoothersontheBoulevardSaintDenis,andwhowerestillalive,
attemptedtorise,andbecametargetsforthesoldiers,burstingwithlaughter,andthis
timefellbackagaindead.Deedsofgallantrywareperformed.ColonelRochefort,who
wasprobablycreatedGeneralforthis,chargedintheRuedolaPaixattheheadofhis
Lancersaflockofnurses,whowereputtoflight.
Suchwasthisindescribableenterprise.Allthemenwhotookpartinitwereinstigatedby
hiddeninfluencesallhadsomethingwhichurgedthemforwardHerbillonhadZaatcha
behindhimSaintArnaudhadKabyliaRenaulthadtheaffairoftheSaintAndrand
SaintHippolytevillagesEspinasse,Romeandthestormingofthe30thofJuneMagnan,
hisdebts.
Mustwecontinue?Wehesitate.Dr.Piquet,amanofseventy,waskilledinhisdrawing
roombyaballinhisstomachthepainterJollivart,byaballintheforehead,beforehis
easel,hisbrainsbespatteredhispainting.TheEnglishcaptain,WilliamJesse,narrowly
escapedaballwhichpiercedtheceilingabovehisheadinthelibraryadjoiningthe
MagasinsduProphte,afather,mother,andtwodaughtersweresabred.Lefilleul,
anotherbookseller,wasshotinhisshopontheBoulevardPoissonnireintheRue

Lepelletier,Boyer,achemist,seatedathiscounter,was"spitted"bytheLancers.A
captain,killingallbeforehim,tookbystormthehouseoftheGrandBalcon.Aservant
waskilledintheshopofBrandus.ReybellthroughthevolleyssaidtoSax,"AndIalso
amdiscoursingsweetmusic."TheCafLeblondwasgivenovertopillage.Billecoq's
establishmentwasbombardedtosuchadegreethatithadtobepulleddownthenextday.
BeforeJouvain'shouselayaheapofcorpses,amongstthemanoldmanwithhis
umbrella,andayoungmanwithhiseyeglass.TheHteldeCastille,theMaisonDore,
thePetiteJeannette,theCafdeParis,theCafAnglaisbecameforthreehoursthe
targetsofthecannonade.Raquenault'shousecrumbledbeneaththeshellsthebullets
demolishedtheMontmartreBazaar.
Noneescaped.Thegunsandpistolswerefiredatclosequarters.
NewYear'sdaywasnotfaroff,someshopswerefullofNewYear'sgifts.Inthepassage
duSaumon,achildofthirteen,flyingbeforetheplatoonfiring,hidhimselfinoneof
theseshops,beneathaheapoftoys.Hewascapturedandkilled.Thosewhokilledhim
laughinglywidenedhiswoundswiththeirswords.Awomantoldme,"Thecriesofthe
poorlittlefellowcouldbeheardall throughthepassage."Fourmenwereshotbeforethe
sameshop.Theofficersaidtothem,"Thiswillteachyoutoloafabout."Afifthnamed
Mailleret,whowasleftfordead,wascarriedthenextdaywithelevenwoundstothe
Charit.Therehedied.
They firedintothecellarsbytheairholes.
Aworkman,acurrier,namedMoulins,whohadtakenrefugeinoneoftheseshotriddled
cellars,sawthroughthecellarairholeapasserby,whohadbeenwoundedinthethigh
byabullet,sitdownonthepavementwiththedeathrattleinhisthroat,andleanagainsta
shop.Somesoldierswhoheardthisrattleranupandfinishedoffthewoundedmanwith
bayonetthrusts.
OnebrigadekilledthepasserbyfromtheMadeleinetotheOpera,anotherfromthe
OperatotheGymmaseanotherfromtheBoulevardBonneNouvelletothePorteSaint
Denisthe75thofthelinehavingcarriedthebarricadeofthePorteSaintDenis,itwasno
longerafight,itwasaslaughter.Themassacreradiatedawordhorriblytruefromthe
boulevardintoallthestreets.Itwasadevilfishstretchingoutitsfeelers.Flight?Why?
Concealment?Towhatpurpose?Deathranafteryouquickerthanyoucouldfly.Inthe
RuePagevinasoldiersaidtoapasserby,"Whatareyoudoinghere?""Iamgoing
home."Thesoldierkillsthepasserby.IntheRuedesMaraistheykillfouryoungmenin
theirowncourtyard.ColonelEspinasseexclaimed,"Afterthebayonet,cannon!"Colonel
Rochefortexclaimed,"Thrust,bleed,slash!"andheadded,"Itisaneconomyofpowder
andnoise."BeforeBarbedienne'sestablishmentanofficerwasshowinghisgun,anarm
ofconsiderableprecision,admiringlytohiscomrades,andhesaid,"WiththisgunIcan
scoremagnificentshotsbetweentheeyes."havingsaidthis,heaimedatrandomatsome
one,andsucceeded.Thecarnagewasfrenzied.Whilethebutcheringundertheordersof
Carreletfilledtheboulevard,theBourgonbrigadedevastatedtheTemple,theMarulaz
brigadedevastatedtheRueRambuteautheRenaultdivisiondistinguisheditselfonthe

"othersideofthewater."Renaultwasthatgeneral,who,atMascara,hadgivenhispistols
toCharras.In1848hehadsaidtoCharras,"Europemustberevolutionized."And
Charrashadsaid,"Notquitesofast!"LouisBonapartehadmadehimaGeneralof
DivisioninJuly,1851.TheRueauxOurswasespeciallydevastated.Mornythatevening
saidtoLouisBonaparte,"The15thLightInfantryhavescoredasuccess.Theyhave
cleanedouttheRueauxOurs."
AtthecorneroftheRueduSentieranofficerofSpahis,withhisswordraised,criedout,
"Thisisnotthesortofthing!Youdonotunderstandatall.Fireonthewomen."A
womanwasflying,shewaswithchild,shefalls,theydeliverherbythemeansofthe
buttendsoftheirmuskets.Another,perfectlydistracted,wasturningthecornerofa
street.Shewascarryingachild.Twosoldiersaimedather.Onesaid,"Atthewoman!"
Andhebroughtdownthewoman.Thechildrolledonthepavement.Theothersoldier
said,"Atthechild!"Andhekilledthechild.
Amanofhighscientificrepute,Dr.GermainSe,declaresthatinonehousealone,the
establishmentoftheJouvenceBaths,therewereatsixo'clock,beneathashedinthe
courtyard,abouteightywounded,nearlyallofwhom(seventy,atleast)wereoldmen,
women,andchildren.Dr.Sewasthefirsttoattendtothem.
IntheRueMandar,therewas,statedaneyewitness,"arosaryofcorpses,"reachingas
farastheRueNeuveSaintEustache.BeforethehouseofOdiertwentysixcorpses.
ThirtybeforethehotelMontmorency.FiftytwobeforetheVarits,ofwhomeleven
werewomen.IntheRueGrangeBateliretherewerethreenakedcorpses.No.19,
FaubourgMontmartre,wasfullofdeadandwounded.
Awoman,flyingandmaddened,withdishevelledhairandherarmsraisedaloft,ran
alongtheRuePoissonnire,crying,"Theykill!theykill!theykill!theykill!theykill!"
Thesoldierswagered."BetyouIbringdownthatfellowthere."InthismannerCount
Poninskywaskilledwhilstgoingintohisownhouse,52,RuedelaPaix.
IwasanxioustoknowwhatIoughttodo.Certaintreasons,inordertobeproved,needto
beinvestigated.Iwenttothefieldofmurder.
Insuchmentalagonyasthis,fromveryexcessoffeelingonenolongerthinks,orifone
thinks,itisdistractedly.Oneonlylongsforsomeendorother.Thedeathofothersinstills
inyousomuchhorrorthatyourowndeathbecomesanobjectofdesirethatistosay,if
bydying,youwouldbeinsomedegreeuseful!Onecallstominddeathswhichhaveput
anendtoangersandtorevolts.Oneonlyretainsthisambition,tobeausefulcorpse.
Iwalkedalongterriblythoughtful.
IwenttowardstheboulevardsIsawthereafurnaceIheardthereathunderstorm.

IsawJulesSimoncominguptome,whoduringthesedisastrousdaysbravelyriskeda
preciouslife.Hestoppedme."Whereareyougoing?"heaskedme."Youwillbekilled.
Whatdoyouwant?""Thatverything,"saidI.
Weshookhands.
Icontinuedtogoon.
Ireachedtheboulevardthescenewasindescribable.Iwitnessedthiscrime,this
butchery,thistragedy.Isawthatreignofblinddeath,Isawthedistractedvictimsfall
aroundmeincrowds.ItisforthisthatIhavesignedmyselfinthisbookANEYE
WITNESS.
Destinyentertainsapurpose.Itwatchesmysteriouslyoverthefuturehistorian.Itallows
himtominglewithexterminationsandcarnages,butitdoesnotpermithimtodie,
becauseitwisheshimtorelatethem.
InthemidstofthisinexpressiblePandemonium,XavierDurrieumetmeasIwascrossing
thebulletsweptboulevard.Hesaidtome,"Ah,hereyouare.IhavejustmetMadameD.
Sheislookingforyou."MadameD.[24]andMadamedelaR.,[25]twonobleandbrave
women,hadpromisedMadameVictorHugo,whowasillinbed,toascertainwhereI
was,andtogivehersomenewsofme.MadameD.hadheroicallyventuredintothis
carnage.Thefollowingincidenthappenedtoher.Shestoppedbeforeaheapofbodies,
andhadhadthecouragetomanifestherindignationatthecryofhorrortowhichshe
gavevent,acavalrysoldierhadrunupbehindherwithapistolinhishand,andhaditnot
beenforaquicklyopeneddoorthroughwhichshethrewherself,andwhichsavedher,
shewouldhavebeenkilled.
Itiswell knownthatthetotalslaughterinthisbutcheryisunrecorded.Bonapartehaskept
thesefigureshiddenindarkness.Suchisthehabitofthosewhocommitmassacres.They
arescarcelylikelytoallowhistorytocertifythenumberofthevictims.Thesestatistics
areanobscuremultitudewhichquicklylosethemselvesinthegloom.Oneofthetwo
colonelsofwhomwehavehadaglimpseinpages223225ofthiswork,hasstatedthat
hisregimentalonehadkilled"atleast2,500persons."Thiswouldbemorethan one
personpersoldier.Webelievethatthiszealouscolonelexaggerates.Crimesometimes
boastsofitsblackness.
Lireux,awriter,arrestedinordertobeshot,andwhoescapedbyamiracle,declaresthat
hesaw"morethan800corpses."
Towardsfouro'clockthepostchaiseswhichwereinthecourtyardoftheElysewere
unhorsedandputup.
Thisextermination,whichanEnglishwitness,CaptainWilliamJesse,calls"awanton
fusillade,"lastedfromtwotillfiveo'clock.Duringthesethreeterriblehours,Louis
Bonapartecarriedoutwhathehadbeenpremeditating,andcompletedhiswork.Upto

thattimethepoorlittle"middleclass"consciencewasalmostindulgent.Well,whatofit?
ItwasagameatPrince,aspeciesofstateswindling,aconjuringfeatonalargescalethe
scepticsandtheknowingmensaid,"Itisagoodjokeplayeduponthoseidiots."Suddenly
LouisBonapartegrewuneasyandrevealedallhispolicy."TellSaintArnaudtoexecute
myorders."SaintArnaudobeyed,the_coupd'tat_acted accordingtoitsowncodeof
laws,andfromthatappallingmomentanimmensetorrentofbloodbegantoflowacross
thiscrime.
Theyleftthecorpseslyingonthepavements,wildlooking,livid,stupefied,withtheir
pocketsturnedinsideout.Themilitarymurdereristhuscondemnedtomountthe
villainousscaleofguilt.Inthemorninganassassin,intheeveningathief.
WhennightcameenthusiasmandjoyreignedattheElyse.Thesementriumphed.
Conneauhasingeniouslyrelatedthescene.Thefamiliarspiritsweredeliriouswithjoy.
FialinaddressedBonaparteinhailfellowwellmetstyle."Youhadbetterbreakyourself
ofthat,"whisperedVieillard.IntruththiscarnagemadeBonaparteEmperor.Hewasnow
"HisMajesty."Theydrank,theysmokedlikethesoldiersontheboulevardsforhaving
slaughteredthroughouttheday,theydrankthroughoutthenightwinefloweduponthe
blood.AttheElysetheywereamazedattheresult.Theywereenrapturedtheyloudly
expressedtheiradmiration."WhatacapitalideathePrincehadhad!Howwellthething
hadbeenmanaged!Thiswasmuchbetterthanflyingthecountry,byDieppe,like
D'HaussezorbyMembrolle,likeGuernonRanvilleorbeingcaptured,disguisedasa
footboy,andblackingthebootsofMadamedeSaintFargeau,likepoorPolignac!"
"GuizotwasnoclevererthanPolignac,"exclaimedPersigny.FleuryturnedtoMorny:
"Yourtheoristswouldnothavesucceededina_coupd'tat_.""Thatistrue,theywerenot
particularlyvigorous,"answeredMorny.Headded,"Andyettheywereclevermen,
LouisPhilippe,Guizot,Thiers"LouisBonaparte,takinghiscigarettefromhislips,
interrupted,"Ifsuchareclevermen,Iwouldratherbeanass"
"Ahyenainanass'sskin,"saysHistory.
[24]No.20,CitRodier.
[25]RueCaumartin.Seepages142,145148.

CHAPTERXVII.THEAPPOINTMENTMADEWITHTHE
WORKMEN'SSOCIETIES
WhathadbecomeofourCommitteeduringthesetragicevents,andwhatwasitdoing?It
isnecessarytorelatewhattookplace.
Letusgobackafewhours.
Atthemomentwhenthisstrangebutcherybegan,theseatoftheCommitteewasstillin
theRueRichelieu.IhadgonebacktoitaftertheexplorationwhichIhadthoughtit
propertomakeatseveralofthequartersininsurrection,andIgaveanaccountofwhatI
hadseentomycolleagues.MadierdeMontjau,whoalsoarrivedfromthebarricades,
addedtomyreportdetailsofwhathehadseen.Forsometimeweheardterrible
explosions,whichappearedtobecloseby,andwhichmingledthemselveswithour
conversation.SuddenlyVersignycamein.Hetoldusthathorribleeventsweretaking
placeontheBoulevardsthatthemeaningoftheconflictcouldnotyetbeascertained,but
thattheywerecannonading,andfiringvolleysofmusketballs,andthatthecorpses
bestrewedthepavementthat,accordingtoallappearances,itwasamassacre,asortof
SaintBartholomewimprovisedbythecoupd'tatthattheywereransackingthehousesat
afewstepsfromus,andthattheywerekillingeveryone.Themurderersweregoingfrom
doortodoor,andweredrawingnear.HeurgedustoleaveGrvy'shousewithoutdelay.
ItwasmanifestthattheInsurrectionaryCommitteewouldbea"find"forthebayonets.
Wedecidedtoleave,whereuponM.DupontWhite,amandistinguishedforhisnoble
characterandhistalent,offeredusarefugeathishouse,11,RueMonthabor.Wewent
outbythebackdoorofGrvy'shouse,whichledinto1,RueFontaineMolire,but
leisurely,andtwobytwo,MadierdeMontjauwithVersigny,MicheldeBourgeswith
Carnot,myselfarminarmwithJulesFavre.JulesFavre,dauntlessandsmilingasever,
wrappedacomforteroverhismouth,andsaid,"Idonotmuchmindbeingshot,butIdo
mindcatchingcold."
JulesFavreandIreachedtherearofSaintRoch,bytheRuedesMoulins.TheRueVeuve
SaintRochwasthrongedwithamassofaffrightedpassersby,whocamefromthe
Boulevardsflyingratherthanwalking.Themenweretalkinginaloudvoice,thewomen
screaming.Wecouldhearthecannonandtheearpiercingrattleofthemusketry.Allthe
shopswerebeingshut.M.deFalloux,arminarmwithM.AlbertdeRessguier,was
stridingdowntheRuedeSaintRochandhurryingtotheRueSaintHonor.TheRue
SaintHonorpresentedasceneofclamorousagitation.Peoplewerecomingandgoing,
stopping,questioningoneanother,running.Theshopkeepers,atthethresholdoftheir
halfopeneddoors,askedthepassersbywhatwastakingplace,andwereonlyanswered
bythiscry,"Oh,myGod!"Peoplecameoutoftheirhousesbareheadedandmingledwith
thecrowd.Afinerainwasfalling.Notacarriageinthestreet.AtthecorneroftheRue
SaintRochandRueSaintHonorweheardvoicesbehindussaying,"VictorHugois
killed."
"Notyet,"saidJulesFavre,continuingtosmile,andpressingmyarm.

TheyhadsaidthesamethingontheprecedingdaytoEsquirosandtoMadierde
Montjau.Andthisrumor,soagreeabletotheReactionaries,hadevenreachedmytwo
sons,prisonersintheConcirgerie.
ThestreamofpeopledrivenbackfromtheBoulevardsandfromtheRueRichelieu
flowedtowardstheRuedelaPaix.WerecognizedtheresomeoftheRepresentativesof
theRightwhohadbeenarrestedonthe2d,andwhowerealreadyreleased.M.Buffet,an
exministerofM.Bonaparte,accompaniedbynumerousothermembersoftheAssembly,
wasgoingtowardsthePalaisRoyal.Ashepassedclosebyushepronouncedthenameof
LouisBonaparteinatoneofexecration.
M.Buffetisamanofsomeimportanceheisoneofthethreepoliticaladvisersofthe
RightthetwoothersareM.FouldandM.Mol.
IntheRueMonthabor,twostepsfromtheRueSaintHonor,therewassilenceandpeace.
Notonepasserby,notadooropen,notaheadoutofwindow.
Intheapartmentintowhichwewereconducted,onthethirdstory,thecalmwasnotless
perfect.Thewindowslookeduponaninnercourtyard.Fiveorsixredarmchairswere
drawnupbeforethefireonthetablecouldbeseenafewbookswhichseemedtome
worksonpoliticaleconomyandexecutivelaw.TheRepresentatives,whoalmost
immediatelyjoinedusandwhoarrivedindisorder,threwdownatrandomtheirumbrellas
andtheircoatsstreamingwithwaterinthecornerofthispeacefulroom.Nooneknew
exactlywhatwashappeningeveryonebroughtforwardhisconjectures.
TheCommitteewashardlyseatedinanadjoininglittleroomwhenourexcolleague,
Leblond,wasannounced.HebroughtwithhimKingthedelegateoftheworkingmen's
societies.Thedelegatetoldusthatthecommitteeofthesocietiesweresittingin
permanentsession,andhadsenthimtous.Accordingtotheinstructionsofthe
InsurrectionaryCommittee,theyhaddonewhattheycouldtolengthenthestruggleby
evadingtoodecisiveencounters.Thegreaterpartoftheassociationshadnotyetgiven
battleneverthelesstheplotwasthickening.Thecombathadbeensevereduringthe
morning.TheAssociationoftheRightsofManwasinthestreetstheexconstituent
Beslayhadassembled,inthePassageduCaire,sixorsevenhundredworkmenfromthe
Marais,andhadpostedtheminthestreetssurroundingtheBank.Newbarricadeswould
probablybeconstructedduringtheevening,theforwardmovementoftheresistancewas
beingprecipitated,thehandtohandstrugglewhichtheCommitteehadwishedtodelay
seemedimminent,allwasrushingforwardwithasortofirresistibleimpulse.Shouldwe
followit,orshouldwestop?Shouldweruntheriskofbringingmatterstoanendwith
oneblow,whichshouldbethelast,andwhichwouldmanifestlyleaveoneadversaryon
thegroundeithertheEmpireortheRepublic?Theworkmen'ssocietiesaskedforour
instructionstheystillheldinreservetheirthreeorfourthousandcombatantsandthey
could,accordingtotheorderwhichtheCommitteeshouldgivethem,eithercontinueto
restrainthemorsendthemunderfirewithoutdelay.Theybelievedthemselvescurtainof
theiradherentstheywoulddowhateverweshoulddecideupon,whilenothidingfromus

thattheworkmen wishedforanimmediateconflict,andthatitwouldbesomewhat
hazardoustoleavethemtimetobecomecalm.
ThemajorityofthemembersoftheCommitteewerestillinfavorofacertainslackening
ofactionwhichshouldtendtoprolongthestruggleanditwasdifficulttosaythatthey
wereinthewrong.Itwascertainthatiftheycouldprotractthesituationinwhichthe
_coupd'tat_hadthrownParisuntilthenextweek,LouisBonapartewaslost.Parisdoes
notallowherselftobetrampleduponbyan armyforawholeweek.Nevertheless,Iwas
formyownpartimpressedwiththefollowing:Theworkmen'ssocietiesofferedusthree
orfourthousandcombatants,apowerfulassistancetheworkmandoesnotunderstand
strategy,helivesonenthusiasm,abatementsofardordiscouragehimhiszealisnot
extinguished,butitcools:threethousandtodaywouldbefivehundredtomorrow.And
thensomeseriousincidenthadjusttakenplaceontheBoulevards.Wewerestillignorant
ofwhatitactuallywas:wecouldnotforeseewhatconsequencesitmightbringaboutbut
seemedtomeimpossiblethatthestillunknown,butyetviolentevent,whichhadjust
takenplacewouldnotmodifythesituation,andconsequentlychangeourplanofbattle.I
begantospeaktothiseffect.Istatedthatweoughttoaccepttheofferoftheassociations,
andtothrowthematonceintothestruggleIaddedthatrevolutionarywarfareoften
necessitatessuddenchangesoftactics,thatageneralintheopencountryandbeforethe
enemy operatesashewishesitisallcleararoundhimheknowstheeffectivestrengthof
hissoldiers,thenumberofhisregimentssomanymen,somanyhorses,somany
cannons,heknowshisstrength,andthestrengthofhisenemy,hechooseshishourand
hisground,hehasamapunderhiseyes,heseeswhatheisdoing.Heissureofhis
reserves,hepossessesthem,hekeepsthemback,heutilizesthemwhenhewishes,he
alwayshasthembyhim."Butforourselves,"criedI,"weareinanundefinedand
inconceivableposition.Wearesteppingataventureuponunknownrisks.Whoisagainst
us?Wehardlyknow.Whoiswithus?Weareignorant.Howmanysoldiers?Howmany
guns?Howmanycartridges?Nothing!butthedarkness.Perhapstheentirepeople,
perhapsnoone.Keepareserve!Butwhowouldanswerforthisreserve?Itisanarmyto
day,itwillbeahandfulofdusttomorrow.Weonlycanplainlydistinguishourduty,as
regardsalltherestitisblackdarkness.Weareguessingateverything.Weareignorantof
everything.Wearefightingablindbattle!Letusstrikealltheblowsthatcanbestruck,
letusadvancestraightbeforeusatrandom,letusrushuponthedanger!Andletushave
faith,forasweareJusticeandtheLaw,Godmustbewithusinthisobscurity.Letus
acceptthisgloriousandgloomyenterpriseofRightdisarmedyetstillfighting."
TheexconstituentLeblondandthedelegateKingbeingconsultedbytheCommittee,
secondedmyadvice.TheCommitteedecidedthatthesocietiesshouldberequestedinour
nametocomedownintothestreetsimmediately,andtocallouttheirforces."Butweare
keepingnothingfortomorrow,"objectedamemberoftheCommittee,"whatallyshall
wehavetomorrow?""Victory,"saidJulesFavre.CarnotandMichel deBourges
remarkedthatitwouldbeadvisableforthosemembersoftheassociationwhobelonged
totheNationalGuardtoweartheiruniforms.Thiswasaccordinglysettled.

ThedelegateKingrose,"CitizenRepresentatives,"saidhe,"theseorderswillbe
immediatelytransmitted,ourfriendsareready,inafewhourstheywillassemble.To
nightbarricadesandthecombat!"
Iaskedhim,"WoulditbeusefultoyouifaRepresentative,amemberoftheCommittee,
werewithyoutonightwithhissashgirded?"
"Doubtless,"heanswered.
"Well,then,"resumedI,"hereIam!Takeme."
"Wewillallgo,"exclaimedJulesFavre.
Thedelegateobservedthatitwouldsufficeforoneofustobethereatthemomentwhen
thesocietiesshouldmaketheirappearance,andthathecouldthennotifytheother
membersoftheCommitteetocomeandjoinhim.Itwassettledthatassoonastheplaces
ofmeetingandtherallyingpointsshouldbeagreedupon,hewouldsendsomeonetolet
meknow,andtotakemewhereverthesocietiesmightbe."Beforeanhour'stimeyou
shallhearfromme,"saidheonleavingus.
AsthedelegatesweregoingawayMathieudelaDrmearrived.Oncominginhehalted
onthethresholdofthedoor,hewaspale,hecriedouttous,"YouarenolongerinParis,
youarenolongerundertheRepublicyouareinNaplesandunderKingBomba."

Hehadcomefromtheboulevards.
LateronIagainsawMathieudelaDrme.Isaidtohim,"WorsethanBomba,Satan."

CHAPTERXVIII.THEVERIFICATIONOFMORALLAWS
ThecarnageoftheBoulevardMontmartreconstitutestheoriginalityofthe_coupd'tat_.
Withoutthisbutcherythe2dofDecemberwouldonlybean18thBrumaire.Owingtothe
massacreLouisBonaparteescapesthechargeofplagiarism.
Uptothattimehehadonlybeenanimitator.ThelittlehatatBoulogne,thegray
overcoat,thetameeagleappearedgrotesque.Whatdidthisparodymean?peopleasked.
Hemadethemlaughsuddenlyhemadethemtremble.
Hewhobecomesdetestableceasestoberidiculous.
LouisBonapartewasmorethandetestable,hewasexecrable.
Heenviedthehugenessofgreatcrimeshewishedtoequaltheworst.Thisstrivingafter
thehorriblehasgivenhimaspecialplacetohimselfinthemenagerieoftyrants.Petty
rascalitytryingtoemulatedeepvillainy,alittleNeroswellinghimselftoahuge
Lacnairesuchisthisphenomenon.Artforart,assassinationforassassination.
LouisBonapartehascreatedaspecialgenus.
ItwasinthismannerthatLouisBonapartemadehisentryinto theUnexpected.This
revealedhim.
Certainbrainsareabysses.ManifestlyforalongtimepastBonapartehadharboredthe
designofassassinatinginordertoreign.Premeditationhauntscriminals,anditisinthis
mannerthattreasonbegins.Thecrimeisalongtimepresentinthem,butshapelessand
shadowy,theyarescarcelyconsciousofitsoulsonlyblackengradually.Such
abominabledeedsarenotinventedinamomenttheydonotattainperfectionatonceand
atasingleboundtheyincreaseandripen,shapelessandindecisive,andthecentreofthe
ideasinwhichtheyexistkeepsthemliving,readyfortheappointedday,andvaguely
terrible.Thisdesign,themassacreforathrone,wefeelsure,existedforalongtimein
LouisBonaparte'smind.Itwasclassedamongthepossibleeventsofthissoul.Itdarted
hitherandthitherlikea_larva_inanaquarium,mingledwithshadows,withdoubts,with
desires,withexpedients,withdreamsofoneknowsnotwhatCaesariansocialism,likea
Hydradimlyvisibleinatransparencyofchaos.Hardlywasheawarethathewas
fosteringthishideousidea.Whenheneededit,hefoundit,armedandreadytoservehim.
Hisunfathomablebrainhaddarklynourishedit.Abyssesarethenurseriesofmonsters.
Uptothisformidabledayofthe4thDecember,LouisBonapartedidnotperhapsquite
knowhimself.ThosewhostudiedthiscuriousImperialanimaldidnotbelievehim
capableofsuchpureandsimpleferocity.Theysawinhimanindescribablemongrel,
applyingthetalentsofaswindlertothedreamsofanEmpire,who,evenwhencrowned,
wouldbeathief,whowouldsayofaparricide,Whatroguery!Incapableofgaininga
footingonanyheight,evenofinfamy,alwaysremaininghalfwayuphill,alittleabove

pettyrascals,alittlebelowgreatmalefactors.Theybelievedhimcleverateffectingall
thatisdoneingamblinghellsandinrobbers'caves,butwiththistransposition,thathe
wouldcheatinthecaves,andthathewouldassassinateinthegamblinghells.
ThemassacreoftheBoulevardssuddenlyunveiledthisspirit.Theysawitsuchasit
reallywas:theridiculousnicknames"Bigbeak,""Badinguet,"vanishedtheysawthe
bandit,theysawthetrue_contraffatto_hiddenunderthefalseBonaparte.
Therewasashudder!Itwasthisthenwhichthismanheldinreserve!
Apologieshavebeenattempted,theycouldbutfail.ItiseasytopraiseBonaparte,for
peoplehavepraisedDupinbutitisanexceedinglycomplicatedoperationtocleansehim.
Whatistobedonewiththe4thofDecember?Howwillthatdifficultybesurmounted?It
isfarmoretroublesometojustifythantoglorifythespongeworkswithgreaterdifficulty
thanthecenserthepanegyristsofthe_coupd'tat_havelosttheirlabor.MadameSand
herself,althoughawomanofloftyintellect,hasfailedmiserablyinherattemptto
rehabilitateBonaparte,forthesimplereasonthatwhateveronemaydo,thedeathroll
reappearsthroughthiswhitewashing.
No!no!noextenuationwhateverispossible.UnfortunateBonaparte.Thebloodisdrawn.
Itmustbedrunk.
Thedeedofthe4thofDecemberisthemostcolossaldaggerthrustthatabrigandlet
looseuponcivilizationhasevereffected,wewillnotsayuponapeople,butuponthe
entirehumanrace.Thestrokewasmostmonstrous,andstruckParistotheground.Paris
onthegroundisConscience,isReason,isallhumanlibertyonthegrounditisthe
progressofcenturieslyingonthepavementitisthetorchofJustice,ofTruth,andof
Lifereversedandextinguished.ThisiswhatLouisBonaparteeffectedthedaywhenhe
effectedthis.
Thesuccessofthewretchwascomplete.The2dofDecemberwaslostthe4thof
Decembersavedthe2dofDecember.ItwassomethinglikeErostratussavingJudas.
Parisunderstoodthatallhadnotyetbeentoldasregardsdeedsofhorror,andthat
beneaththeoppressortherewasthegarbagepicker.Itwasthecaseofaswindlerstealing
Csar'smantle.Thismanwaslittle,itistrue,butterrifying.Parisconsentedtothisterror,
renouncedtherighttohavethelastword,wenttobedandsimulateddeath.Suffocation
haditsshareinthematter.Thiscrimeresembled,too,nopreviousachievements.Even
aftercenturieshavepassed,andthoughheshouldbeanAeschylusoraTacitus,anyone
raisingthecoverwouldsmellthestench.Parisresignedherself,Parisabdicated,Paris
surrenderedthenoveltyofthetreasonproveditschiefstrengthParisalmostceasedtobe
ParisonthenextdaythechatteringofthisterrifiedTitan'steethcouldbeheardinthe
shadows.
Letuslayastressuponthis,forwemustverifythelawsofmorality.LouisBonaparte
remained,evenafterthe4thofDecember,NapoleontheLittle.Thisenormitystillleft

himadwarf.Thesizeofthecrimedoesnotchangethestatureofthecriminal,andthe
pettinessoftheassassinwithstandstheimmensityoftheassassination.
Bethatasitmay,thePigmyhadthebetteroftheColossus.Thisavowal,humiliatingasit
is,cannotbeevaded.
SucharetheblushestowhichHistory,thatgreatlydishonoredone,iscondemned.

THEFOURTHDAYTHEVICTORY.
CHAPTERI.WHATHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHTTHERUE
TIQUETONNE
JustasMathieudelaDrmehadsaid,"YouareunderKingBomba,"CharlesGambon
entered.Hesankdownuponachairandmuttered,"Itishorrible."Bancelfollowedhim.
"Wehavecomefromit,"saidBancel.Gambonhadbeenabletoshelterhimselfinthe
recessofadoorway.InfrontofBarbedienne'salonehehadcountedthirtysevencorpses.
Whatwasthemeaningofitall?Towhatpurposewasthismonstrouspromiscuous
murder?Noonecouldunderstandit.TheMassacrewasariddle.
WewereintheSphinx'sGrotto.
Labroussecamein.ItwasurgentlynecessarythatweshouldleaveDupontWhite'shouse.
Itwason thepointofbeingsurrounded.ForsomemomentstheRueMonthabor,
ordinarilysodeserted,wasbecomingthrongedwithsuspiciousfigures.Menseemedtobe
attentivelywatchingnumberEleven.Someofthesemen,whoappearedtobeactingin
concert,belongedtotheex"ClubofClubs,"which,owingtothemanoeuvresofthe
Reactionists,exhaledavagueodorofthepolice.Itwasnecessarythatweshould
disperse.Labroussesaidtous,"IhavejustseenLongepiedrovingabout."
Weseparated.Wewentawayonebyone,andeachinhisowndirection.Wedidnot
knowwhereweshouldmeetagain,orwhetherweshouldmeetagain.Whatwasgoingto
happenandwhatwasabouttobecomeofusall?Nooneknew.Wewerefilledwitha
terribledread.
IturneduptowardstheBoulevards,anxioustoseewhatwastakingplace.
WhatwastakingplaceIhavejustrelated.
BancelandVersignyhadrejoinedme.
AsIlefttheBoulevards,mingledwiththewhirloftheterrifiedcrowd,notknowing
whereIwasgoing,returningtowards thecentreofParis,avoicesuddenlywhisperedin
myear,"Thereissomethingovertherewhichyououghttosee."Irecognizedthevoice.It
wasthevoiceofE.P.
E.P.isadramaticauthor,amanoftalent,forwhomunderLouisPhilippeIhadprocured
exemptionfrommilitaryservice.Ihadnotseenhimforfourorfiveyears.Imethim
againinthistumult.Hespoketomeasthoughwehadseeneachotheryesterday.Such
arethesetimesofbewilderment.Thereisnotimetogreeteachother"accordingtothe
rulesofsociety."Onespeaksasthoughallwereinfullflight.

"Ah!itisyou!"Iexclaimed."Whatdoyouwantwithme?"
Heansweredme,"Iliveinahouseoverthere."
Andheadded,
"Come."
Hedrewmeintoadarkstreet.Wecouldhearexplosions.Atthebottomofthestreet
couldbeseentheruinsofabarricade.VersignyandBancel,asIhavejustsaid,werewith
me.E.P.turnedtothem.
"Thesegentlemencancome,"saidhe.
Iaskedhim,
"Whatstreetisthis?"
"TheRueTiquetonne."
Wefollowedhim.
Ihaveelsewheretoldthistragicalevent.[26]
E.P.stoppedbeforeatallandgloomyhouse.Hepushedopenastreetdoorwhichwasnot
shut,thenanotherdoorandweenteredintoaparlorperfectlyquietandlightedbyalamp.
Thisroomappearedtoadjoinashop.Attheendcouldbedistinguishedtwobedssideby
side,onelargeandonesmall.Abovethelittlebedhungawoman'sportrait,andabovethe
portraitabranchofholyboxtree.
Thelampwasplacedoverthefireplace,wherealittlefirewasburning.
Nearthelampuponachairtherewasanoldwomanleaningforward,stoopingdown,
foldedintwoasthoughbroken,oversomethingwhichwasintheshadow,andwhichshe
heldinherarms.Idrewnear.Thatwhichsheheldinherarmswasadeadchild.
Thepoorwomanwassilentlysobbing.
E.P.,whobelongedtothehouse,touchedherontheshoulder,andsaid,
"Letusseeit."
Theoldwomanraisedherhead,andIsawonherkneesalittleboy,pale,halfundressed,
pretty,withtworedholesinhisforehead.

Theoldwomanstaredatme,butsheevidentlydidnotseeme,shemuttered,speakingto
herself,
"Andtothinkthathecalledme'Granny'thismorning!"
E.P.tookthechild'shand,thehandfellbackagain.
"Sevenyearsold,"hesaidtome.
Abasinwasontheground.Theyhadwashedthechild'sfacetwotinystreamsofblood
trickledfromthetwoholes.
Attheendoftheroom,nearahalfopenedclothespress,inwhichcouldbeseensome
linen,stoodawomanofsomefortyyears,grave,poor,clean,fairlygoodlooking.
"Aneighbor,"E.P.saidtome.
Heexplainedtomethatadoctorlivedinthehouse,thatthedoctorhadcomedownand
hadsaid,"Thereisnothingtobedone."Thechildhadbeenhitbytwoballsinthehead
whilecrossingthestreetto"getoutoftheway."Theyhadbroughthimbacktohis
grandmother,who"hadnooneleftbuthim."
Theportraitofthedeadmotherhungabovethelittlebed.
Thechildhadhiseyeshalfopen,andthatinexpressiblegazeofthedead,wherethe
perceptionoftherealisreplacedbythevisionoftheinfinite.Thegrandmotherspoke
throughhersobsbysnatches:"God!isitpossible?Whowouldhavethoughtit?What
brigands!"
Shecriedout,
"IsthisthentheGovernment?"
"Yes,"Isaidtoher.
Wefinishedundressingthechild.Hehadatopinhispocket.Hisheadrolledfromone
shouldertotheotherIheldhimandIkissedhimonthebrowVersignyandBanceltook
offhisstockings.Thegrandmothersuddenlystartedup.
"Donothurthim!"shecried.
Shetookthetwolittlewhiteandfrozenfeetinheroldhands,tryingtowarmthem.
Whenthepoorlittlebodywasnaked,theybegantolayitout.Theytookasheetfromthe
clothespress.

Thenthegrandmotherburstintobitter lamentation.
Shecriedout,
"Theyshallgivehimbacktome!"
Shedrewherselfupandgazedatus,andbegantopourforthincoherentutterances,in
whichweremingledBonaparte,andGod,andherlittleone,andtheschooltowhichhe
went,andherdaughterwhomshehadlost,andevenreproachestous.Shewaslivid,
haggard,asthoughseeingavisionbeforeher,andwasmoreofaphantomthanthedead
child.
Thensheagainburiedherfaceinherhands,placedherfoldedarmsonherchild,and
oncemorebegantosob.
Thewomanwhowastherecameuptome,andwithoutsayingaword,wipedmymouth
withahandkerchief.Ihadblooduponmylips.
Whatcouldbedone?Alas!Wewentoutoverwhelmed.
Itwasquitedark.BancelandVersignyleftme.
[26]"LesChtiments."

CHAPTERII.WHATHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHTTHE
MARKETQUARTER
Icamebacktomylodging,19,RueRichelieu.
Themassacreseemedtobeatanendthefusilladeswereheardnolonger.AsIwasabout
toknockatthedoorIhesitatedforamomentamanwastherewhoseemedtobewaiting.
Iwentstraightuptothisman,andIsaidtohim,
"Youseemtobewaitingforsomebody?"
Heanswered,
"Yes."
"Forwhom?"
"Foryou."
Andheadded,loweringhisvoice,"Ihavecometospeaktoyou."
Ilookedatthisman.Astreetlampshoneonhim.Hedidnotavoidthelight.
Hewasayoungmanwithafairbeard,wearingablueblouse,andwhohadthegentle
bearingofathinkerandtherobusthandsofaworkman.
"Whoareyou?"Iaskedhim.
Heanswered,"IbelongtotheSocietyoftheLastmakers.Iknowyouverywell,Citizen
VictorHugo."
"Fromwhomdoyoucome?"Iresumed.
Heansweredstillinawhisper,
"FromCitizenKing."
"Verygood,"saidI.
Hethentoldmehisname.Ashehassurvivedtheeventsofthenightofthe4th,andashe
sinceescapedthedenunciations,itcanbeunderstoodthatwewillnotmentionhisname
here,andthatweshallconfineourselvestoterminghimthroughoutthecourseofthis
storybyhistrade,callinghimthe"lastmaker."[27]
"Whatdoyouwanttosaytome?"Iaskedhim.

Heexplainedthatmatterswerenothopeless,thatheandhisfriendsmeanttocontinuethe
resistance,thatthemeetingplacesoftheSocietieshadnotyetbeensettled,butthatthey
wouldbeduringtheevening,thatmypresencewasdesired,andthatifIwouldbeunder
theColbertArcadeatnineo'clock,eitherhimselforanotheroftheirmenwouldbethere,
andwouldservemeasguide.Wedecidedthatinordertomakehimselfknown,the
messenger,whenaccostingme,shouldgivethepassword,"WhatisJosephdoing?"
Idonotknowwhetherhethoughthenoticedanydoubtormistrustonmypart.He
suddenlyinterruptedhimself,andsaid,
"Afterall,youarenotboundtobelieveme.Onedoesnotthinkofeverything:Ioughtto
haveaskedthemtogivemeawordinwriting.Atatimelikethisonedistrusts
everybody."
"Onthecontrary,"Isaidtohim,"onetrustseverybody.IwillbeintheColbertArcadeat
nineo'clock."
AndIlefthim.
Ireenteredmyasylum.Iwastired,Iwashungry,IhadrecoursetoCharamaule's
chocolateandtoasmallpieceofbreadwhichIhadstillleft.Isankdownintoanarm
chair,IateandIslept.Someslumbersaregloomy.Ihadoneofthoseslumbers,fullof
spectresIagainsawthedeadchildandthetworedholesinhisforehead,theseformed
twomouths:onesaid"Morny,"andtheother"SaintArnaud."Historyisnotmade,
however,torecountdreams.Iwillabridge.SuddenlyIawoke.Istarted:"Ifonlyitisnot
pastnineo'clock!"Ihadforgottentowindupmywatch.Ithadstopped.Iwentout
hastily.Thestreetwaslonely,theshopswereshut.InthePlaceLouvosIheardthehour
striking(probablyfromSaintRoch)Ilistened.Icountedninestrokes.Inafewmoments
IwasundertheColbertArcade.Ipeeredintothedarkness.NoonewasundertheArcade.
Ifeltthatitwasimpossibletoremainthere,andhavetheappearanceofwaitingabout
neartheColbertArcadethereisapolicestation,andthepatrolswerepassingevery
moment.Iplungedintothestreet.Ifoundnoonethere.IwentasfarastheRueVivienne.
AtthecorneroftheRueVivienneamanwasstoppingbeforeaplacardandwastryingto
defaceitortotearitdown.Idrewnearthisman,whoprobablytookmeforapolice
agent,andwhofledatthetopofhisspeed.Iretracedmysteps.NeartheColbertArcade,
andjustasIreachedthepointinthestreetwheretheypostthetheatricalbills,aworkman
passedme,andsaidquickly,"WhatisJosephdoing?"
Irecognizedthelastmaker.
"Come,"hesaidtome.
Wesetoutwithoutspeakingandwithoutappearingtoknoweachother,hewalkingsome
stepsbeforeme.

Wefirstwenttotwoaddresses,whichIcannotmentionherewithoutpointingoutvictims
fortheproscription.Inthesetwohouseswegotnonewsnoonehadcomethereonthe
partofthesocieties.
"Letusgotothethirdplace,"saidthelastmaker,andheexplainedtomethattheyhad
settledamongthemthreesuccessivemeetingplaces,incaseofneed,soastobealways
sureoffindingeachotherif,perchance,thepolicediscoveredthefirstoreventhesecond
meetingplace,aprecautionwhichforourpartweadoptedasmuchaspossiblewith
regardtoourmeetingsoftheLeftendoftheCommittee.
Wehadreachedthemarketquarter.Fightinghadbeengoingontherethroughouttheday.
Therewerenolongeranygaslampsinthestreets.Westoppedfromtimetotime,and
listenedsoasnottorunheadlongintothearmsofapatrol.Wegotoverapalingof
planksalmostcompletelydestroyed,andofwhichbarricadeshadprobablybeenmade,
andwecrossedtheextensiveareaofhalfdemolishedhouseswhichatthatepoch
encumberedthelowerportionsoftheRueMontmartreandRueMontorgueil.Onthe
peaksofthehighdismantledgablescouldbeseenaflickeringredglow,doubtlessthe
reflectionofthebivouacfiresofthesoldiersencampedinthemarketsandinthe
neighborhoodofSaintEustache.Thisreflectionlightedourway.Thelastmaker,
however,narrowlyescapedfallingintoadeephole,whichwasnolessthanthecellarofa
demolishedhouse.Oncomingoutofthisregion,coveredwithruins,amongstwhichhere
andthereafewtreesmightbeperceived,theremainsofgardenswhichhadnow
disappeared,weenteredintonarrow,winding,andcompletelydarkstreets,whereitwas
impossibletorecognizeone'swhereabouts.Neverthelessthelastmakerwalkedonas
muchathiseaseasinbroaddaylight,andlikeamanwhoisgoingstraighttohis
destination.Onceheturnedroundtome,andsaidtome,
"Thewholeofthisquarterisbarricadedandif,asIhope,ourfriendscomedown,Iwill
answerthattheywillholditforalongtime."
Suddenlyhestopped."Hereisone,"saidhe.Intruth,sevenoreightpacesbeforeuswas
abarricadeentirelyconstructedofpavingstones,notexceedingaman'sheight,and
whichinthedarknessappearedlikearuinedwall.Anarrowpassagehadbeenformedat
oneend.Wepassedthroughit.Therewasnoonebehindthebarricade.
"Therehasalreadybeenfightinghereashorttimeago,"saidthelastmakerinalow
voiceandheadded,afterapause,"Wearegettingnear."
Theunpavinghadleftholes,ofwhichwehadtobecareful.Westrode,andsometimes
jumped,frompavingstonetopavingstone.Notwithstandingtheintensedarkness,there
yethoveredaboutanindefinableglimmeronourwaywenoticedbeforeusonthe
ground,closetothefootpavement,somethingwhichlookedlikeastretchedoutform.
"Thedevil!"mutteredmyguide,"wewerejustgoingtowalkuponit."Hetookalittle
waxmatchfromhispocketandstruckitonhissleevetheflameflashedout.Thelight
felluponapallidface,whichlookedatuswithfixedeyes.Itwasacorpselyingthereit

wasanoldman.Thelastmakerrapidlywavedthematchfromhisheadtohisfeet.The
deadmanwasalmostintheattitudeofacrucifiedmanhistwoarmswerestretchedout
hiswhitehair,redattheends,wassoakinginthemudapool ofbloodwasbeneathhim
alargeblackishpatchonhiswaistcoatmarkedtheplacewheretheballhadpiercedhis
breastoneofhisbraceswasundonehehadthicklacedbootsonhisfeet.Thelastmaker
lifteduponeofhisarms,andsaid,"Hiscollarboneisbroken."Themovementshookthe
head,andtheopenmouthturnedtowardsusasthoughabouttospeaktous.Igazedat
thisvisionIalmostlistened.Suddenlyitdisappeared.
Thisfacereenteredthegloomthematchhadjustgoneout.
Wewentawayinsilence.Afterwalkingabouttwentypaces,thelastmaker,asthough
talkingtohimself,saidinawhisper,"Don'tknowhim."
Westillpushedforward.Fromthecellarstotheroofs,fromthegroundfloorstothe
garrets,therewasnotalightinthehouse.Weappearedtobegropinginanimmense
tomb.
Aman'svoice,firmandsonorous,suddenlyissuedoutofthedarkness,andshoutedtous,
"Whogoesthere?"
"Ah,theretheyare!"saidthelastmaker,andheutteredapeculiarwhistle.
"Comeon,"resumedthevoice.
Itwasanotherbarricade.Thisone,alittlehigherthanthefirst,andseparatedfromitbya
distanceofaboutahundredpaces,was,asfarascouldbeseen,constructedofbarrels
filledwithpavingstones.Onthetopcouldbeseenthewheelsofatruckentangled
betweenthebarrelsplanksandbeamswereintermingled.Apassagehadbeencontrived
stillnarrowerthanthegangwayoftheotherbarricade.
"Citizens,"saidthelastmaker,ashewentintothebarricade,"howmanyofyouarethere
here?"
Thevoicewhichhadshouted,"Whogoesthere?"answered,
"Therearetwoofus."
"Isthatall?"
"Thatisall."
Theywereintruthtwo,twomenwhoaloneduringthatnight,inthatsolitarystreet,
behindthatheapofpavingstones,awaitedtheonslaughtofaregiment.

Bothworeblousestheyweretwoworkmenwithafewcartridgesintheirpockets,anda
musketuponeachoftheirshoulders.
"Sothen,"resumedthelastmaker,inanimpatienttone,"ourfriendshavenotyetcome!"
"Well,then,"Isaidtohim,"letuswaitforthem."
Thelastmakerspokeforashorttimeinalowtone,andprobablytoldmynametooneof
thetwodefendersofthebarricade,whocameuptomeandsalutedme."Citizen
Representative,"saidhe,"itwillbeverywarmhereshortly."
"Inthemeantime,"answeredIlaughingly,"itiscold."
Itwasverycold,intruth.Thestreetwhichwascompletelyunpavedbehindthebarricade,
wasnothingbetterthanasewer,ankledeepinwater.
"Isaythatitwillbewarm,"resumedtheworkman,"andthatyouwoulddowelltogo
fartheroff."
Thelastmakerputhishandonhisshoulder:"Comrade,itisnecessarythatweshould
remainhere.Themeetingplaceiscloseby,intheambulance."
"Allthesame,"resumedtheotherworkman,whowasveryshort,andwhostoodupona
pavingstone"theCitizenRepresentativewoulddowelltogofartheroff."
"Icanverywellbewhereyouare,"saidItohim.
Thestreetwasquitedark,nothingcouldbeseenofthesky.Insidethebarricadeonthe
left,onthesidewherethepassagewas,couldbeseenahighpalingofbadlyjoined
planks,throughwhichshoneinplacesafeeblelight.Abovethepalingroseout,lostin
thedarkness,ahouseofsixorsevenstorysthegroundfloor,which wasbeingrepaired,
andwhichwasunderpinned,beingclosedinbytheseplanks.Arayoflightissuingfrom
betweentheplanksfellontheoppositewall,andlightedupanoldtornplacard,onwhich
couldberead,"Asnires.Watertournaments.Grandball."
"Haveyouanothergun?"askedthelastmakerofthetallerofthetwoworkmen.
"Ifwehadthreegunsweshouldbethreemen,"answeredtheworkman.
Thelittleoneadded,"Doyouthinkthatthegoodwilliswanting?Thereareplentyof
musicians,buttherearenoclarionets."
Bythesideofthewoodenpalingcouldbeseenalittle,narrowandlowdoor,which
lookedmorelikethedoorofastallthanthedoorofashop.Theshoptowhichthisdoor
belongedwashermeticallysealed.Thedoorseemedtobeequallyclosed.Thelastmaker
wentuptoitandpusheditgently.Itwasopen.

"Letusgoin,"hesaid.
Iwentinfirst,hefollowedme,andshutthedoorbehindme.Wewereinaroomonthe
groundfloor.Attheend,ontheleft,ahalfopeneddooremittedthereflectionofalight.
Theroomwasonlylightedbythisreflection.Acounterandaspeciesofstove,paintedin
blackandwhite,couldbedimlydistinguished.
Ashort,halfsuffocated,intermittentgurglingcouldbeheard,whichseemedtocome
fromanadjoiningroomonthesamesideasthelight.Thelastmakerwalkedquicklyto
thehalfopeneddoor.Icrossedtheroomafterhim,andwefoundourselvesinasortof
vastshed,lightedbyonecandle.Wewereontheothersideoftheplankpaling.There
wasonlytheplankpalingbetweenourselvesandthebarricade.
Thisspeciesofshedwasthegroundfloorincourseofdemolition.Ironcolumns,painted
red,andfixedintostonesocketsatshortdistancesapart,supportedthejoistsofthe
ceilingfacingthestreet,ahugeframeworkstandingerect,anddenotingthecentreofthe
surroundingpaling,supportedthegreatcrossbeamofthefirststory,thatistosay,
supportedthewholehouse.Inacornerwerelyingsomemasons'tools,aheapofrubbish,
andalargedoubleladder.Afewstrawbottomedchairswerescatteredhereandthere.
Thedampgroundservedfortheflooring.Bythesideofatable,onwhichstoodacandle
inthemidstofmedicinebottles,anoldwomanandayounggirlofabouteightyearsold
thewomanseated,thechildsquattingbeforeagreatbasketfulofoldlinenweremaking
lint.Theendoftheroom,whichwaslostinthedarkness,wascarpetedwithalitterof
straw,onwhichthreemattresseshadbeenthrown.Thegurglingnoisecamefromthere.
"Itistheambulance,"saidthelastmaker.
Theoldwomanturnedherhead,andseeingus,shudderedconvulsively,andthen,
reassuredprobablybytheblouseofthelastmaker,shegotupandcametowardsus.
Thelastmakerwhisperedafewwordsinherear.Sheanswered,"Ihaveseennobody."
Thensheadded,"Butwhatmakesmeuneasyisthatmyhusbandhasnotyetcomeback.
Theyhavedonenothingbutfiremusketsthewholeevening."
Twomenwerelyingontwoofthemattressesattheendoftheroom.Athirdmattress
wasunoccupiedandwaswaiting.
Thewoundedmannearesttomehadreceivedamusketballinhisstomach.Heitwas
whowasgurgling.Theoldwomancametowardsthemattresswithacandle,and
whisperedtous,showingusherfist,"Ifyoucouldonlyseetheholethatthathasmade!
Wehavestuffedlintaslargeasthisintohisstomach."
Sheresumed,"Heisnotabovetwentyfiveyearsold.Hewillbedeadtomorrow
morning."

Theotherwasstillyounger.Hewashardlyeighteen."Hehasahandsomeblack
overcoat,"saidthewoman."Heismostlikelyastudent."Theyoungmanhadthewhole
ofthelowerpartofhisfaceswathedinbloodstainedlinen.Sheexplainedtousthathe
hadreceivedaballinthemouth,whichhadbrokenhisjaw.Hewasinahighfever,and
gazedatuswithlustrouseyes.Fromtimetotimehestretchedhisrightarmtowardsa
basinfullofwaterinwhichaspongewassoakinghetookthesponge,carriedittohis
face,andhimselfmoistenedhisbandages.
Itseemedtomethathisgazefasteneduponmeinasingularmanner.Iwentuptohim,I
stoopeddown,andIgavehimmyhand,whichhetookinhisown."Doyouknowme?"I
askedhim.Heanswered"Yes,"byapressureofthehandwhichwenttomyheart.
Thelastmakersaidtome,"Waitaminuteformehere,IshallbebackdirectlyIwantto
seeinthisneighborhood,ifthereisanymeansofgettingagun."
Headded,
"Wouldyoulikeoneforyourself?"
"No,"answeredI."Ishallremainherewithoutagun.Ionlytakeahalfshareinthecivil
warIamwillingtodie,Iamnotwillingtokill."
Iaskedhimifhethoughthisfriendsweregoingtocome.Hedeclaredthathecouldnot
understandit,thatthemenfromthesocietiesoughttohavearrivedalready,thatinstead
oftwomeninthebarricadethereshouldbetwenty,thatinsteadoftwobarricadesinthe
streetthereshouldhavebeenten,andthatsomethingmusthavehappenedheadded,
"However,Iwillgoandseepromisetowaitformehere."
"Ipromiseyou,"Ianswered,"Iwillwaitallnightifnecessary."
Heleftme.
Theoldwomanhadreseatedherselfnearthelittlegirl,whodidnotseemtounderstand
muchofwhatwaspassingroundher,andwhofromtimetotimeraisedgreatcalmeyes
towardsme.Bothwerepoorlyclad,anditseemedtomethatthechildhadstockingless
feet."Mymanhasnotyetcomeback,"saidtheoldwoman,"mypoormanhasnotyet
comeback.Ihopenothinghashappenedtohim!"Withmanyheartrending"MyGod's,"
andallthewhilequicklypickingherlint,shewept.Icouldnothelpthinkingwith
anguishoftheoldmanwehadseenstretchedonthepavementatafewpacesdistant.
Anewspaperwaslyingonthetable.Itookitup,andIunfoldedit.Itwasthe_P_,the
restofthetitlehadbeentornoff.Abloodstainedhandwasplainlyimprintedonit.A
woundedmanonenteringhadprobablyplacedhishandonthetableonthespotwhere
thenewspaperlay.Myeyesfellupontheselines:

"M.VictorHugohasjustpublishedanappealtopillageandassassination."
InthesetermsthejournaloftheElysedescribedtheproclamationwhichIhaddictated
toBaudin,andwhichmaybereadinpage103ofthisHistory.
AsIthrewbackthepaperonthetableoneofthetwodefendersofthebarricadeentered.
Itwastheshortman.
"Aglassofwater,"saidhe.Bythesideofthemedicinebottlestherewasadecanteranda
glass.Hedrank,greedily.Heheldinhishandamorselofbreadandasausage,whichhe
wasbiting.
Suddenlyweheardseveralsuccessiveexplosions,followingoneafteranother,andwhich
seemedbutashortdistanceoff.Inthesilenceofthisdarknightitresembledthesoundof
aloadofwoodbeingshotontothepavement.
Thecalmandseriousvoiceoftheothercombatantshoutedfromoutside,"Itis
beginning."
"HaveItimetofinishmybread?"askedthelittleone.
"Yes,"saidtheother.
Thelittleonethenturnedtome.
"CitizenRepresentative,"saidhetome,"thosearevolleys.Theyareattackingthe
barricadesoverthere.Reallyyoumustgoaway."
Iansweredhim,"Butyouyourselvesaregoingtostayhere."
"Asforus,wearearmed,"resumedhe"asforyou,youarenot.Youwillonlyget
yourselfkilledwithoutbenefitinganyone.Ifyouhadagun,Ishouldsaynothing.But
youhavenot.Youmustgoaway."
"Icannot,"Iansweredhim."Iamwaitingforsomeone."
Hewishedtocontinueandtourgeme.Ipressedhishand.
"LetmedoasIlike,"saidI.
Heunderstoodthatmydutywastoremain,andnolongerpersisted.
Therewasapause.Heagainbegantobitehisbread.Thegurglingofthedyingmanalone
wasaudible.Atthatmomentasortofdeepandhollowboomingreachedus.Theold
womanstartedfromherchair,muttering,"Itisthecannon!"

"No,"saidthelittleman,"itistheslammingofastreetdoor."Thenheresumed,"There
now!Ihavefinishedmybread,"andhedustedonehandagainsttheother,andwentout.
Inthemeantimetheexplosionscontinued,andseemedtocomenearer.A noisesounded
intheshop.Itwasthelastmakerwhowascomingback.Heappearedonthethresholdof
theambulance.Hewaspale.
"HereIam,"saidhe,"Ihavecometofetchyou.Wemustgohome.Letusbeoffat
once."
IarosefromthechairwhereIhadseatedmyself."Whatdoesthismean?Willtheynot
come?"
"No,"heanswered,"noonewillcome.Allisatanend."
Thenhehastilyexplainedthathehadgonethroughthewholeofthequarterinorderto
findagun,thatitwaslaborlost,thathehadspokento"twoorthree,"thatwemust
abandonallhopeofthesocieties,_thattheywouldnotcomedown_,thatwhathadbeen
doneduringthedayhadappalledeveryone,thatthebestmenwereterrified,thatthe
boulevardswere"fullofcorpses,"thatthesoldiershadcommitted"horrors,"thatthe
barricadewasabouttobeattacked,thatonhisarrivalhehadheardthenoiseoffootsteps
inthedirectionofthecrossway,thatitwasthesoldierswhowereadvancing,thatwe
coulddonothingfurtherthere,thatwemustbeoff,thatthishousewas"stupidlychosen,"
thattherewasnooutletintherear,thatperhapsweshouldalreadyfinditdifficulttoget
outofthestreet,andthatwehadonlyjusttime.
Hetoldthisallpanting,briefly,jerkily,andinterruptedateverymomentwiththis
ejaculation,"Andtothinkthattheyhavenoarms,andtothinkthatIhavenogun!"
Ashefinishedweheardfromthebarricadeashoutof"Attention!"andalmost
immediatelyashotwasfired.
Aviolentdischargerepliedtothisshot.
Severalballsstruckthepalingoftheambulance,buttheyweretooobliquelyaimed,and
nonepiercedit.Weheardtheglassofseveralbrokenwindowsfallingnoisilyintothe
street.
"Thereisnolongertime,"saidthelastmakercalmly"thebarricadeisattacked."
Hetookachairandsatdown.Thetwoworkmenwereevidentlyexcellentmarksmen.
Twovolleysassailedthebarricade,oneaftertheother.Thebarricadeansweredwith
animation.Thenthefireceased.Therewasapause.

"Nowtheyarecomingatuswiththebayonet!Theyarecomingatthedouble!"saida
voiceinthebarricade.
Theothervoicesaid,"Letusbeoff."Alastmusketshotwasfired.Thenaviolentblow
whichweinterpretedasawarningshookourwoodenwall.Itwasinrealityoneofthe
workmenwhohadthrowndownhisgunwhengoingawaytheguninfallinghadstruck
thepalingoftheambulance.Weheardtherapidstepsofthetwocombatants,astheyran
off.
Almostatthesamemomentatumultofvoices,andofbuttendsofmusketsstrikingthe
pavingstones,filledthebarricade.
"Itistaken,"saidthelastmaker,andheblewoutthecandle.
Tothesilencewhichenvelopedthisstreetamomentbeforesucceededasortofill
omenedtumult.Thesoldiersknockedatthedoorsofthehouseswiththebuttendsof
theirmuskets.Itwasbyamiraclethattheshopdoorescapedthem.Iftheyhadmerely
pushedagainstit,theywouldhaveseenthatitwasnotshut,andwouldhaveentered.
Avoice,probablythevoiceofanofficer,criedout,"Lightupthewindows!"Thesoldiers
swore.Weheardthemsay,"WherearethoseblackguardReds?Letussearchthehouses."
Theambulancewasplungedindarkness.Notawordwasspoken,notabreathcouldbe
heardeventhedyingman,asthoughhedivinedthedanger,hadceasedtogurgle.Ifelt
thelittlegirlpressingherselfagainstmylegs.
Asoldierstruckthebarrels,andsaidlaughingly,
"Hereissomethingtomakeafirewithtonight."
Anotherresumed,
"Whichwayhavetheygone?Theywereatleastthirty.Letussearchthehouses."
Weheardoneraisingobjectionstothis,
"Nonsense!Whatdoyouwanttodoonanightlikethis?Enterthehousesofthe'middle
classes'indeed!Thereissomewastegroundoveryonder.Theyhavetakenrefugethere."
"Allthesame,"repeatedtheothers,"letussearchthehouses."
Atthismomentamusketshotwasfiredfromtheendofthestreet.
Thisshotsavedus.
Infact,itwasprobablyoneofthetwoworkmenwhohadfiredinordertodrawofftheir
attentionfromus.

"Thatcomesfromoverthere,"criedthesoldiers,"Theyareoverthere!"andallstarting
offatonceinthedirectionfromwhichtheshothadbeenfired,theyleftthebarricadeand
randownthestreetatthetopoftheirspeed.
Thelastmakerandmyselfgotup.
"Theyarenolongerthere,"whisperedhe."Quick!letusbeoff."
"Butthispoorwoman,"saidI."Arewegoingtoleaveherhere?"
"Oh,"shesaid,"donotbeafraid,Ihavenothingtofearasforme,Iamanambulance.I
amtakingcareofthewounded.Ishallevenrelightmycandlewhenyouaregone.What
troublesmeisthatmypoorhusbandhasnotyetcomeback!"
Wecrossedtheshopontiptoe.Thelastmakergentlyopenedthedoorandglancedout
intothestreet.Someinhabitantshadobeyedtheordertolightuptheirwindows,andfour
orfivelightedcandleshereandthereflickeredinthewinduponthesillsofthewindows.
Thestreetwasnolongercompletelydark.
"Thereisnooneaboutnow,"saidthelastmaker"butletusmakehaste,fortheywill
probablycomeback."
Wewentout:theoldwomanclosedthedoorbehindus,andwefoundourselvesinthe
street.Wegotoverthebarricadeandhurriedawayasquicklyaspossible.Wepassedby
thedeadoldman.Hewasstillthere,lyingonthepavementindistinctlyrevealedbythe
flickeringglimmerfromthewindowshelookedasthoughhewassleeping.Aswe
reachedthesecondbarricadeweheardbehindusthesoldiers,whowerereturning.
Wesucceededinregainingthestreetsincourseofdemolition.Therewewereinsafety.
Thesoundofmusketrystillreachedus.Thelastmakersaid,"Theyarefightinginthe
directionoftheRuedeClry."Leavingthestreetsincourseofdemolition,wewent
roundthemarkets,notwithoutriskoffallingintothehandsofthepatrols,byanumberof
zigzags,andfromonelittlestreettoanotherlittlestreet.WereachedtheRueSaint
Honor.
AtthecorneroftheRuedel'ArbreSecthelastmakerandIseparated,"Forintruth,"said
hetome,"tworunmoredangerthanone."AndIregainedNo.19,RueRichelieu.
WhilecrossingtheruedesBourdonnaiswehadnoticedthebivouacofthePlaceSaint
Eustache.Thetroopswhohadbeendispatchedfortheattackhadnotyetcomeback.
Onlyafewcompanieswereguardingit.Wecouldhearshoutsoflaughter.Thesoldiers
werewarmingthemselvesatlargefireslightedhereandthere.Inthefirewhichwas
nearesttouswecoulddistinguishinthemiddleofthebrazierthewheelsofthevehicles
whichhadservedforthebarricades.Ofsomethereonlyremainedagreathoopofredhot
iron.

[27]Wemaynow,aftertwentysixyears,givethenameofthisloyalandcourageous
man.HisnamewasGaloy(andnotGalloix,ascertainhistoriansofthe_coupd'tat_
haveprinteditwhilerecounting,aftertheirfashion,theincidentswhichweareaboutto
read).

CHAPTERIII.WHATHAPPENEDDURINGTHENIGHT.THE
PETITCARREAU
Onthesamenight,almostatthesamemoment,atafewpacesdistant,avillainousdeed
wasbeingperpetrated.
Afterthetakingofthebarricade,wherePierreTissiwaskilled,seventyoreighty
combatantshadretiredingoodorderbytheRueSaintSauveur.Theyhadreachedthe
RueMontorgueil,andhadrejoinedeachotheratthejunctionoftheRueduPetitCarreau
andtheRueduCadran.Atthispointthestreetrises.AtthecorneroftheRueduPetit
CarreauandtheRuedeClrytherewasadesertedbarricade,fairlyhighandwellbuilt.
Therehadbeenfightingthereduringthemorning.Thesoldiershadtakenit,buthadnot
demolishedit.Why?Aswehavesaid,therewereseveralriddlesofthisnatureduringthis
day.
ThearmedbandwhichcamefromtheRueSaintDenishadhaltedthereandhadwaited.
Thesemenwereastonishedatnotbeingpursued.Hadthesoldiersfearedtofollowthem
intothelittlenarrowstreets,whereeachcornerofthehousesmightconcealan
ambuscade?Hadacounterorderbeengiven?Theyhazardedvariousconjectures.
Moreovertheyheardcloseby,evidentlyontheboulevard,aterrificnoiseofmusketry,
andacannonadewhichresembledcontinuousthunder.Havingnomoreammunition,they
werereducedtolisten.Iftheyhadknownwhatwastakingplacethere,theywouldhave
understoodwhytheywerenotpursued.Thebutcheryoftheboulevardwasbeginning.
Thegeneralsemployedinthemassacrehadsuspendedfightingforawhile.
Thefugitivesoftheboulevardstreamedintheirdirection,butwhentheyperceivedthe
barricadetheyturnedback.Some,however,joinedthemindignant,andcryingoutfor
vengeance.Onewholivedintheneighborhoodranhomeandbroughtbackalittletin
barrelfullofcartridges.
Theseweresufficientforanhour'sfighting.Theybegantoconstructabarricadeatthe
corneroftheRueduCadran.InthismannertheRueduPetitCarreau,closedbytwo
barricades,onetowardstheRuedeClry,theotheratthecorneroftheRueduCadran,
commandedthewholeoftheRueMontorgueil.Thespacebetweenthesetwobarricades
formedaperfectcitadel.Thesecondbarricadewasstrongerthanthefirst.
Thesemennearlyallworecoats.Someofthemrolledthepavingstoneswithgloveson.
Fewworkmenwereamongstthem,butthosewhoweretherewereintelligentand
energetic.Theseworkmenwerewhatmightbetermedthe"pickofthecrowd."
JeantySarrehadrejoinedthemheatoncebecametheirleader.
Charpentieraccompaniedhim,toobravetoabandontheenterprise,buttoomucha
dreamertobecomeacommander.

Twobarricades,enclosingin thesamemannersomefortyyardsoftheRueMontorgueil,
hadjustbeenconstructedatthetopoftheRueMauconseil.
Threeotherbarricades,extremelyfeeblyconstructed,againintersectedtheRue
MontorgueilinthespacewhichseparatestheRueMauconseilfromSaintEustache.
Eveningwasclosingin.Thefusilladewasceasingupontheboulevard.Asurprisewas
possible.TheyestablishedasentrypostatthecorneroftheRueduCadran,andsenta
mainguardinthedirectionoftheRueMontmartre.Theirscoutscameintoreportsome
itemsofinformation.AregimentseemedtobepreparingtobivouacinthePlacedes
Victoires.
Theirposition,toallappearancestrong,wasnotsoinreality.Thereweretoofewin
numbertodefendatthesametimethetwobarricadesontheRuedeClryandtheRue
Montorgueil,andthesoldiersarrivingintherearhiddenbythesecondbarricadewould
havebeenuponthemwithoutbeingevennoticed.Thisdeterminedthemtoestablisha
postintheRuedeClry.Theyputthemselvesincommunicationwiththebarricadesof
theRueduCadranandwiththetwoMauconseilbarricades.Thesetwolastbarricades
wereonlyseparatedfromthembyaspaceofabout150paces.Theywereaboutsixfeet
high,fairlysolid,butonlyguardedbysixworkmenwhohadbuiltthem.
Towardshalfpastfour,inthetwilightthetwilightbeginsearlyinDecemberJeanty
Sarretookfourmenwithhimandwentouttoreconnoitre.Hethoughtalsoofraisingan
advancedbarricadeinoneofthelittleneighboringstreets.Onthewaytheyfoundone
whichhadbeenabandoned,andwhichhadbeenbuiltwithbarrels.Thebarrels,however,
wereempty,onlyonecontainedanypavingstones,andthebarricadecouldnothavebeen
heldfortwominutes.Astheyleftthisbarricadetheywereassailedbyasharpdischarge
ofmusketry.Acompanyofinfantry,hardlyvisibleinthedusk,wascloseuponthem.
Theyfellbackhastilybutoneofthem,whowasashoemakeroftheFaubourgdu
Temple,washit,andhadremainedonthepavement.Theywentbackandbroughthim
away.Hehadthethumboftherighthandsmashed."ThankGod!"saidJeantySarre,
"theyhavenotkilledhim.""No,"saidthepoorman,"itismybreadwhichtheyhave
killed."
Andheadded,"Icannolongerworkwhowillmaintainmychildren?"
Theywentback,carryingthewoundedman.Oneofthem,amedicalstudent,boundup
hiswound.
Thesentries,whomitwasnecessarytopostineverydirection,andwhowerechosen
fromthemosttrustworthymen,thinnedandexhaustedthelittlecentralland.Therewere
scarcelythirtyinthebarricadeitself.

There,asintheQuarteroftheTemple,allthestreetlampswereextinguishedthegas
pipescutthewindowsclosedandunlightednomoon,notevenstars.Thenightwas
profoundlydark.
Theycouldheardistantfusillades.ThesoldierswerefiringfromaroundSaintEustache,
andeverythreeminutessentaballintheirdirection,asmuchastosay,"Wearehere."
Neverthelesstheydidnotexpectanattackbeforethemorning.
Dialogueslikethefollowingtookplaceamongstthem:
"IwishIhadatrussofstraw,"saidCharpentier"Ihaveanotionthatweshallsleephere
tonight."
"Willyoubeabletogettosleep?"askedJeantySarre.
"I?CertainlyIshallgotosleep."
Hedidgotosleep,infact,afewmomentslater.
Inthisgloomynetworkofnarrowstreets,intersectedwithbarricades,andblockadedby
soldiers,twowineshopshadremainedopen.Theymademorelintthere,however,than
theydrankwinetheordersof thechiefswereonlytodrinkreddenedwater.
Thedoorwayofoneofthesewineshopsopenedexactlybetweenthetwobarricadesof
thePetitCancan.Initwasaclockbywhichtheyregulatedthesentries'relief.Inaback
roomtheyhadlockeduptwosuspiciouslookingpersonswhohadintermingledwiththe
combatants.Oneofthesemenatthemomentwhenhewasarrestedsaid,"Ihavecometo
fightforHenriV."Theykeptthemunderlockandkey,andplacedasentryatthedoor.
Anambulancehadbeenestablishedinanadjoiningroom.Therethewoundedshoemaker
waslyinguponamattressthrownupontheground.
Theyhadestablished,incaseofneed,anotherambulanceintheRueduCadran.An
openinghadbeeneffectedatthecornerofthebarricadeonthisside,sothatthewounded
couldbeeasilycarriedaway.
Towardshalfpastnineintheeveningamancameuptothebarricade.
JeantySarrerecognizedhim.
"Goodday,Denis,"saidhe.
"Callme,Gaston,"saidtheman.
"Why?"

"Because"
"Areyouyourbrother?"
"Yes,Iammybrother.Fortoday."
"Verywell.Goodday,Gaston."
Theyheartilyshookhands.
ItwasDenisDussoubs.
Hewaspale,calm,andbleedinghehadalreadybeenfightingduringthemorning.Atthe
barricadeoftheFaubourgSaintMartinaballhadgrazedhisbreast,buthadbeenturned
offbysomemoneyinhispocket,andhadonlybrokentheskin.Hehadhadtheraregood
fortuneofbeingscratchedbyaball.Itwaslikethefirsttouchfromtheclawsofdeath.He
woreacap,hishathavingbeenleftbehindinthebarricadewherehehadfought:andhe
hadreplacedhisbulletpiercedovercoat,whichwasmadeofBelleislecloth,byapea
jacketboughtataslopshop.
HowhadhereachedthebarricadeofthePetitCarreau?Hecouldnotsay.Hehadwalked
straightbeforehim.Hehadglidedfromstreettostreet.Chancetakesthepredestinedby
thehand,andleadsthemstraighttotheirgoalthroughthethickdarkness.
Atthemomentwhenheenteredthebarricadetheycriedouttohim,"Whogoesthere?"
Heanswered,"TheRepublic!"
TheysawJeantySarreshakehimbythehand.TheyaskedJeantySarre,
"Whoishe?"
JeantySarreanswered,
"Itissomeone."
Andheadded,
"Wewereonlysixtyashorttimesince.Weareahundrednow."
Allpressedroundthenewcomer.JeantySarreofferedhimthecommand.
"No,"saidhe,"Idonotunderstandthetacticsofbarricadefighting.Ishouldbeabad
chief,butIamagoodsoldier.Givemeagun."

Theyseatedthemselvesonthepavingstones.Theyexchangedtheirexperiencesofwhat
hadbeendone.DenisdescribedtothemthefightingontheFaubourgSaintMartin.Jeanty
SarretoldDenisofthefightingintheRueSaintDenis.
Duringallthistimethegeneralswerepreparingafinalassault,whattheMarquisof
ClermontTonnerre,in1822,calledthe"CoupdeCollier,"andwhat,in1789,thePrince
ofLambesehadcalledthe"CoupdeBas."ThroughoutallParistherewasnowonlythis
pointwhichofferedanyresistance.Thisknotofbarricade,thislabyrinthofstreets,
embattledlikearedoubt,wasthelastcitadelofthePeopleandofRight.Thegenerals
investeditleisurely,stepbystep,andonallsides.Theyconcentratedtheirforces.They,
thecombatantsofthisfatefulhour,knewnothingofwhatwasbeingdone.Onlyfrom
timetotimetheyinterruptedtheirrecitalofeventsandtheylistened.Fromtherightand
fromtheleft,fromthefront,fromtherear,fromeveryside,atthesametime,an
unmistakablemurmur,growingeverymomentlouder,andmoredistinct,hoarse,
piercing,fearinspiring,reachedthemthroughthedarkness.Itwasthesoundofthe
battalionsmarchingandchargingatthetrumpetcommandinalltheadjoiningstreets.
Theyresumedtheirgallantconversation,andtheninanothermomenttheystoppedagain
andlistenedtothatspeciesofillomenedchant,chantedbyDeath,whichwas
approaching.
Neverthelesssomestillthoughtthattheywouldnotbeattackedtillthenextmorning.
Nightcombatsarerareinstreetwarfare.Theyaremore"risky"thanalltheother
conflicts.Fewgeneralsventureuponthem.Butamongsttheoldhandsofthebarricade,
fromcertainneverfailingsigns,theybelievedthatanassaultwasimminent.
Infact,athalfpasttenatnight,andnotateighto'clockasGeneralMagnanhassaidin
thedespicabledocumentwhichhecallshisreportaspecialmovementwasheardinthe
directionofthemarkets.Thiswasthemarchingofthetroops.ColoneldeLourmelhad
determinedtomaketheattack.The51stoftheLine,postedatSaintEustache,enteredthe
RueMontorgueil.The2dbattalionformedtheadvancedguard.TheGrenadiersandthe
LightInfantry,hurledforwardatthedouble,quicklycarriedthethreelittlebarricades
whichwereontheothersideofthevacantspaceoftheRueMauconseil,andthefeebly
defendedbarricadesoftheadjoiningstreets.Itwasatthatverymomentthatthebarricade
nearwhichIwashappenedtobecarried.
FromthebarricadeofthePetitCarreautheyheardthenightstrifedrawnearthroughthe
darkness,withafitfulnoise,strangeandappalling.Firstagreattumult,thenvolleys,then
silence,andthenallbeganagain.Theflashingofthefusilladessuddenlydelineatedinthe
darknesstheoutlinesofthehouses,whichappearedasthoughtheythemselveswere
affrighted.
Thedecisivemomentdrewnear.
Theoutposthadfallenbackuponthebarricades.TheadvancedpostsoftheRuedeClry
andtheRueduCadranhadcomeback.Theycalledovertheroll.Notoneofthoseofthe
morningwasmissing.

Theywere,aswehavesaid,aboutsixtycombatants,andnotahundred,astheMagnan
reporthasstated.
Fromtheupperextremityofthestreetwheretheywerestationeditwasdifficultto
ascertainwhatwashappening.Theydidnotexactlyknowhowmanybarricadesthey
wereintheRueMontorgueilbetweenthemandSaintEustache,whencethetroopswere
coming.TheyonlyknewthattheirnearestpointofresistancewasthedoubleMauconseil
barricade,andthat,whenallwasatanendthere,itwouldbetheirturn.
Denishadpostedhimselfontheinnersideofthebarricadeinsuchamannerthathalfhis
bodywasabovethetop,andfromtherehewatched.Theglimmerwhichcamefromthe
doorwayofthewineshoprenderedhisgesturesvisible.
Suddenlyhemadeasign.TheattackontheMauconseilredoubtwasbeginning.
Thesoldiers,infact,afterhavingsometimehesitatedbeforethisdoublewallofpaving
stones,lofty,wellbuilt,andwhichtheysupposedwaswelldefended,hadendedby
rushinguponit,andattackingitwithblowsoftheirguns.
Theywerenotmistaken.Itwaswelldefended.Wehavealreadysaidthattherewereonly
sixmeninthisbarricade,thesixworkmenwhohadbuiltit.Ofthesixoneonlyhadthree
cartridges,theothershadonlytwoshotstofire.Thesesixmenheardtheregiment
advancingandtherollofthebatterywhichwasfollowedonit,anddidnotstir.Each
remainedsilentathispostofbattle,thebarrelofhisgunbetweentwopavingstones.
Whenthesoldierswerewithinrangetheyfired,andthebattalionreplied.
"Thatisright.Rageaway,RedBreeches,"said,laughingly,themanwhohadthreeshots
tofire.
Behindthem,themenofthePetitCarreauwerecrowdedroundDenisandJeantySarre,
andleaningon thecrestoftheirbarricade,stretchingtheirneckstowardstheMauconseil
redoubt,theywatchedthemlikethegladiatorsofthenextcombat.
ThesixmenofthisMauconseilredoubtresistedtheonslaughtofthebattalionfornearly
aquarterofanhour. Theydidnotfiretogether,"inorder,"oneofthemsaid,"tomakethe
pleasurelastthelonger."Thepleasureofbeingkilledfordutyanoblesentenceinthis
workman'smouth.Theydidnotfallbackintotheadjoiningstreetsuntilafterhaving
exhaustedtheirammunition.Thelast,hewhohadthreecartridges,didnotleaveuntilthe
soldierswereactuallyscalingthesummitofthebarricade.
InthebarricadeofthePetitCarreaunotawordwasspokentheyfollowedallthephases
ofthisstruggle,andtheypressedeachother'shands.
Suddenlythenoiseceased,thelastmusketshotwasfired.Amomentafterwardstheysaw
thelightedcandlesbeingplacedinallthewindowswhichlookedonontheMauconseil

redoubt.Thebayonetsandthebrassornamentsontheshakossparkledthere.The
barricadewastaken.
Thecommanderofthebattalion,asisalwaysthecustominsimilarcircumstances,had
sentordersintotheadjoininghousestolightupallthewindows.
ThiswasdoneattheMauconseilredoubt.
Seeingthattheirhourhadcome,thesixtycombatantsofthebarricadeofthePetit
Carreaumountedtheirheapofpavingstones,andshoutedwithonevoice,inthemidstof
thedarkness,thispiercingcry,"LonglivetheRepublic!"
Nooneansweredthem.
They couldonlyhearthebattalionloadingtheirguns.
Thisacteduponthemasaspeciesofsignalforaction.Theywereallwornoutwith
fatigue,havingbeenontheirfeetsincetheprecedingday,carryingpavingstonesor
fighting,thegreaterparthadneithereatennorslept.
CharpentiersaidtoJeantySarre,
"Weshallallbekilled."
"Shallwereally!"saidJeantySarre.
JeantySarreorderedthedoorofthewineshoptobeclosed,sothattheirbarricade,
completelyshroudedindarkness,wouldgivethemsomeadvantageoverthebarricade
whichwasoccupiedbythesoldiersandlightedup.
Inthemeantimethe51stsearchedthestreets,carriedthewoundedintotheambulances,
andtookuptheirpositioninthedoublebarricadeoftheRueMauconseil.Half anhour
thuselapsed.
Now,inordertoclearlyunderstandwhatisabouttofollow,thereadermustpictureto
himselfinthissilentstreet,inthisdarknessofthenight,atfromsixtytoeightyyards
apart,withinspeakingdistance,thesetworedoubts facingeachother,andableasinan
Iliadtoaddresseachother.
OnonesidetheArmy,ontheothersidethePeople,thedarknessoverall.
Thespeciesoftrucewhichalwaysprecedesdecisiveencountersdrewtoaclose.The
preparationswerecompletedonbothsides.Thesoldierscouldbeheardforminginto
orderofbattle,andthecaptainsgivingouttheircommands.Itwasevidentthatthe
strugglewasathand.

"Letusbegin,"saidCharpentierandheraisedhisgun.
Denisheldhisarmback."Wait,"hesaid.
Thenanepicincidentwasseen.
Denisslowlymountedthepavingstonesofthebarricade,ascendedtothetop,andstood
thereerect,unarmedandbareheaded.
Thenceheraisedhisvoice,and,facingthesoldiers,heshoutedtothem,"Citizens!"
Atthiswordasortofelectricshudderensuedwhichwasfeltfromonebarricadetothe
other.Everysoundwashushed,everyvoicewassilent,onbothsidesreignedadeep
religiousandsolemnsilence.Bythedistantglimmerofafewlightedwindowsthe
soldierscouldvaguelydistinguishamanstandingaboveamassofshadows,likea
phantomwhowasspeakingtotheminthenight.
Deniscontinued,
"CitizensoftheArmy!Listentome!"
Thesilencegrewstillmoreprofound.
Heresumed,
"Whathaveyoucometodohere?Youandourselves,allofuswhoareinthisstreet,at
thishour,withtheswordorguninhand,whatareweabouttodo?Tokilleachother!To
killeachother,citizens!Why?Becausetheyhaveraisedamisunderstandingbetweenus!
BecauseweobeyyouyourdisciplineweourRight!Youbelievethatyouarecarrying
outyourinstructionsasforus,weknowthatwearedoingourduty.Yes!itisUniversal
Suffrage,itistheRightoftheRepublic,itisourRightthatwearedefending,andour
Right,soldiers,isyourRight.TheArmyisthePeople,asthePeopleistheArmy.Weare
thesamenation,thesomecountry,thesamemen.MyGod!See,isthereanyRussian
bloodinmyveins,inmewhoamspeakingtoyou?IsthereanyPrussianbloodinyour
veins,inyouwhoarelisteningtome?No!Whythenshouldwefight?Itisalwaysan
unfortunatethingforamantofireuponaman.Nevertheless,agunshotbetweena
FrenchmanandanEnglishmancanbeunderstoodbutbetweenaFrenchmananda
Frenchman,ah!thatwoundsReason,thatwoundsFrance,thatwoundsourmother!"
Allanxiouslylistenedtohim.Atthismomentfromtheoppositebarricadeavoice
shoutedtohim,
"Gohome,then!"
AtthiscoarseinterruptionanangrymurmurranthroughDenis'scompanions,andseveral
gunscouldbeheardbeingloaded.Denisrestrainedthembyasign.

Thissignpossessedastrangeauthority.
"Whoisthisman?"thecombatantsbehindthebarricadeaskedeachother.Suddenlythey
criedout,
"HeisaRepresentativeofthePeople!"
Denishad,infact,suddenlyassumedhisbrotherGaston'ssash.
Whathehadpremeditatedwasabouttobeaccomplishedthehouroftheheroic
falsehoodhadarrived.Hecriedout,
"Soldiers,doyouknowwhatthemaniswhoisspeakingtoyouatthismoment?Heisnot
onlyacitizen,heisaLegislator!HeisaRepresentativechosenbyUniversalSuffrage!
MynameisDussoubs,andIamaRepresentativeofthePeople.Itisinthenameofthe
NationalAssembly,itisinthenameoftheSovereignAssembly,itisinthenameofthe
People,andinthenameoftheLaw,thatIsummonyoutohearme.Soldiers,youarethe
armedforce.Well,then,whentheLawspeaks,thearmedforcelistens."
Thistimethesilencewasnotbroken.
Wereproducethesewordsalmostliterallysuchastheyare,andsuchastheyhave
remainedgravenonthememoryofthosewhoheardthembutwhatwecannotreproduce,
andwhatshouldbeaddedtothesewords,inordertorealizetheeffect,istheattitude,the
accent,thethrillofemotion,thevibrationofthewordsissuingfromthisnoblebreast,the
intenseimpressionproducedbytheterriblehourandplace.
DenisDussoubscontinued:"Hespokeforsometwentyminutes,"aneyewitnesshastold
me.Anotherhassaid,"Hespokewithaloudvoicethewholestreetheardhim."Hewas
vehement,eloquent,earnestajudgeforBonaparte,afriendforthesoldiers.Hesoughtto
rousethembyeverythingwhichcouldstillvibrateinthemherecalledtothemtheirtrue
wars,theirtruevictories,thenationalglory,theancientmilitaryhonor,theflag.Hetold
themthatallthiswasabouttobeslainbythebulletsfromtheirguns.Headjuredthem,he
orderedthemtojointhemselvestothePeopleandtotheLawandthensuddenlycoming
backtothefirstwordswhichhehadpronounced,carriedawaybythatfraternitywith
whichhissouloverflowed,heinterruptedhimselfinthemiddleofahalfcompleted
sentence,andcriedout:
"Buttowhatpurposeareallthesewords?Itisnotallthisthatiswanted,itisashakeof
thehandbetweenbrothers!Soldiers,youarethereoppositeus,atahundredpacesfrom
us,inabarricade,withthesworddrawn,withgunspointedyouareaimingdirectlyat
mewellthen,allofuswhoarehereloveyou!Thereisnotoneofuswhowouldnotgive
hislifeforoneofyou.YouarethepeasantsofthefieldsofFrancewearetheworkmen
ofParis.What,then,isinquestion?Simplytoseeeachother,tospeaktoeachother,and
nottocuteachother'sthroats.Shallwetrythis?Say!Ah!asformyselfinthisfrightful

battlefieldofcivilwar,Iwouldratherdiethankill.Looknow,Iamgoingtogetoffthis
barricadeandcometoyou.IamunarmedIonlyknowthatyouaremybrothers.Iam
confident,Iamcalmandifoneofyoupresentshisbayonetatme,Iwillofferhimmy
hand."
Hefinishedspeaking.
Avoicecriedoutfromtheoppositebarricade,"Advanceinorder!"
Thentheysawhimslowlydescendthedimlylightedcrestofthebarricade,pavingstone
bypavingstone,andplungewithheaderectintothedarkstreet.
Fromthebarricadealleyesfollowedhimwithaninexpressibleanxiety.Heartsceased
beating,mouthsnolongerbreathed.
NooneattemptedtorestrainDenisDussoubs.Eachfeltthathewasgoingwhereheought
togo.Charpentierwishedtoaccompanyhim."Wouldyoulikemetogowithyou?"he
criedouttohim.Dussoubsrefused,withashakeofthehead.
Dussoubs,aloneandgrave,advancedtowardstheMauconseilBarricade.Thenightwas
sodarkthattheylostsightofhimimmediately.Theycoulddistinguishonlyforafew
secondshispeaceableandintrepidbearing.Thenhedisappeared.Theycouldnolonger
seeanything.Itwasaninauspiciousmoment.Thenightwasdarkanddumb.Therecould
onlybeheardinthisthickdarknessthesoundofameasuredandfirmstepdyingawayin
thedistance.
Aftersometime,howlongnoonecouldreckon,socompletelydidemotioneclipse
thoughtamongstthewitnessesofthismarvellousscene,aglimmeroflightappearedin
thebarricadeofthesoldiersitwasprobablyalanternwhichwasbeingbroughtortaken
away.BytheflashtheyagainsawDussoubs,hewasclosetothebarricade,hehadalmost
reachedit,hewaswalkingtowardsitwithhisarmsstretchedoutlikeChrist.
Suddenlythewordofcommand,"Fire!"washeard.
Afusilladeburstforth.
TheyhadfireduponDussoubswhenhewasatthemuzzlesoftheirguns.
Dussoubsfell.
Thenheraisedhimselfandcried,"LonglivetheRepublic!"
Anotherbulletstruckhim,hefellagain.Thentheysawhimraisehimselfoncemore,and
heardhimshoutinaloudvoice,"IdiewiththeRepublic."
Thesewerehislastwords.

InthismannerdiedDenisDussoubs.
Itwasnotvainlythathehadsaidtohisbrother,"Yoursashwillbethere."
Hewasanxiousthatthissashshoulddoitsduty.Hedeterminedinthedepthsofhisgreat
soulthatthissashshouldtriumpheitherthroughthelaworthroughdeath.
Thatistosay,inthefirstcaseitwouldsaveRight,inthesecondsaveHonor.
Dying,hecouldsay,"Ihavesucceeded."
Ofthetwopossibletriumphsofwhichhehaddreamed,thegloomytriumphwasnotthe
lesssplendid.
TheinsurgentoftheElysethoughtthathehadkilledaRepresentativeof thePeople,and
boastedofit.Thesolejournalpublishedbythe_coupd'tat_underthesedifferenttitles
_Patrie_,_Univers_,_Moniteur_,_Parisien_,etc.,announcedonthenextday,Friday,the
5th,"thattheexRepresentativeDussoubs(Gaston)hadbeenkilledatthebarricadeofthe
RueNeuveSaintEustache,andthathebore'aredflaginhishand.'"

CHAPTERIV.WHATWASDONEDURINGTHENIGHTTHE
PASSAGEDUSAUMON
WhenthoseonthebarricadeofthePetitCarreausawDussoubsfall,sogloriouslyforhis
friends,soshamefullyforhismurderers,amomentofstuporensued.Wasitpossible?
Didtheyreallyseethisbeforethem?Suchacrimecommittedbyoursoldiers?Horror
filledeverysoul.
Thismomentofsurprisedidnotlastlong."LonglivetheRepublic!"shoutedthe
barricadewithonevoice,anditrepliedtotheambuscadebyaformidablefire.
Theconflictbegan.Amadconflictonthepartofthe_coupd'tat_,astruggleofdespair
onthesideoftheRepublic.Onthesideofthesoldiersanappallingandcoldblooded
resolution,apassiveandferociousobedience,numbers,goodarms,absolutechiefs,
pouchesfilledwithcartridges.OnthesideofthePeoplenoammunition,disorder,
weariness,exhaustion,nodiscipline,indignationservingforaleader.
ItappearsthatwhileDussoubswasspeaking,fifteengrenadiers,commandedbya
sergeantnamedPitrois,hadsucceededinglidinginthedarknessalongthehouses,and,
unperceivedandunheard,hadtakenuptheirpositionclosetothebarricade.Thesefifteen
mensuddenlyformedthemselvestogetherwithloweredbayonetsattwentypacesfrom
thebarricadereadytoscaleit.Avolleyreceivedthem.Theyfellback,leavingseveral
corpsesinthegutter.MajorJeannincriedout,"Finishthemoff."Theentirebattalion
whichoccupiedtheMauconseilbarricade,thenappearedwithraisedbayonetsuponthe
unevencrestofthisbarricade,andfromtherewithoutbreakingtheirline,withasudden,
butregulatedandinexorablemovement,sprangintothestreet.Thefourcompanies,in
closeorder,andasthoughmingledandhardlyvisible,seemedlikeawaveprecipitating
itselfwithagreatnoisefromtheheightofthebarricade.
AtthebarricadeofthePetitCarreautheynotedthemanoeuvre,andhadpausedintheir
fire."Present,"criedJeantySarre,"butdonotfirewaitfortheorder."
Eachputhisguntohisshoulder,thenplacedthebarrelsbetweenthepavingstones,ready
tofire,andwaited.
AssoonasithadquittedtheMauconseilredoubt,thebattalion rapidlyformeditselfinto
anattackingcolumn,andamomentafterwardstheyheardtheintermittentsoundofan
advanceatthedouble.Itwasthebattalionwhichwascominguponthem.
"Charpentier,"saidJeantySarre,"youhavegoodeyes.Aretheymidway?"
"Yes,"saidCharpentier.
"Fire,"saidJeantySarre.

Thebarricadefired.Thewholestreetwasfilledwithsmoke.Severalsoldiersfell.They
couldhearthecriesofthewounded.Thebattalion,riddledwithballs,haltedandreplied
byplatoonfiring.
Sevenoreightcombatantswhosebodiesreachedabovethebarricade,whichhadbeen
madehastilyandwastoolowwerehit.Threewerekilledonthespot.Onefellwounded
byaballinhisstomach,betweenJeantySarreandCharpentier.Heshriekedoutwith
pain.
"Quick,totheambulance:"saidJeantySarre.
"Where?"
"IntheRueduCadran."
JeantySarreandCharpentierpickedupthewoundedman,theonebythefeet,theother
bythehead,andcarriedhimtotheduCadranthroughthepassageinthebarricade.
Duringallthistimetherewascontinuedfilefiring.Therenolongerseemedanythingin
thestreetbutsmoke,theballswhistlingandcrossingeachother,thebriefandrepeated
commands,someplaintivecries,andtheflashofthegunslightingupthedarkness.
Suddenlyaloudvoiddiedout,"Forwards!"Thebattalionresumeditsdoublequick
marchandthrewitselfuponthebarricade.
Thenensuedahorriblescene.Theyfoughthandtohand,fourhundredontheoneside,
fiftyontheother.Theyseizedeachotherbythecollar,bythethroat,bythemouth,bythe
hair.Therewasnolongeracartridgeinthebarricade,butthereremaineddespair.A
workman,piercedthroughandthrough,snatchedthebayonetfromhisbelly,andstabbed
asoldierwithit.Theydidnotseeeachother,buttheydevouredeachother.Itwasa
desperatescuffleinthedark.
Thebarricadedidnotholdoutfortwominutes.Inseveralplaces,itmayberemembered,
itwaslow.Itwasratherstriddenoverthanscaled.Thatwasallthemoreheroic.Oneof
thesurvivors[28]toldthewriteroftheselines,"Thebarricadedefendeditselfverybadly,
butthemendiedverywell."
AllthistookplacewhileJeantySarreandCharpentierwerecarryingthewoundedmanto
theambulanceintheRueduCadran.Hiswoundshavingbeenattendedto,theycame
backtothebarricade.Theyhadjustreacheditwhentheyheardthemselvescalledby
name.Afeeblevoiceclosebysaidtothem,"JeantySarre!Charpentier!"Theyturned
roundandsawoneoftheirmenwhowasdyingleaningagainstawall,andhisknees
givingwaybeneathhim.Hewasacombatantwhohadleftthebarricade.Hehadonly
beenabletotakeafewstepsdownthestreet.Heheldhishandoverhisbreast,wherehe
hadreceivedaballfiredatclosequarters.Hesaidtotheminascarcelyaudiblevoice,
"Thebarricadeistaken,saveyourselves."

"No,"saidJeantySarre,"Imustunloadmygun."JeantySarrereenteredthebarricade,
firedalastshotandwentaway.
Nothingcouldbemorefrightfulthantheinteriorofthecapturedbarricade.
TheRepublicans,overpoweredbynumbers,nolongerofferedanyresistance.The
officerscriedout,"Noprisoners!"Thesoldiersbilledthosewhowerestanding,and
despatchedthosewhohadfallen.Manyawaitedtheirdeathwiththeirheadserect.The
dyingraisedthemselvesup,andshouted,"LonglivetheRepublic!"Somesoldiersground
theirheelsuponthefacesofthedead,sothattheyshouldnotberecognized.There,
stretchedoutamongstthecorpses,inthemiddleofthebarricade,withhishairinthe
gutter,wasseentheallbutnamesakeofCharpentier,Carpentier,thedelegateofthe
committeeoftheTenthArrondissement,whohadbeenkilled,andhadfallenbackwards,
withtwoballsinhisbreast.Alightedcandlewhichthesoldiershadtakenfromthewine
shopwasplacedonapavingstone.
Thesoldierswereinfuriated.Onewouldsaythattheywererevengingthemselves.On
whom?Aworkman,namedPaturel,receivedthreeballsandsixbayonetthrusts, fourof
whichwereinthehead.Theythoughtthathewasdead,andtheydidnotrenewthe
attack.Hefeltthemsearchhim.Theytooktenfrancswhichhehadabouthim.Hedidnot
dietillsixdayslater,andhewasabletorelatethedetailswhicharegivenhere.Wemay
note,bytheway,thatthenameofPatureldoesnotfigureuponanyofthelistsofthe
corpsespublishedbyM.Bonaparte.
SixtyRepublicanswereshutupinthisredoubtofthePetitCarreau.Fortysixwerekilled
there.Thesemenhadcometherethatmorningfree,proudtofight,andjoyoustodie.At
midnightallwasatanend.Thenightwagonscarriedawayonthenextdayninecorpses
tothehospitalcemetery,andthirtyseventoMontmartre.
JeantySarreescapedbyamiracle,aswellasCharpentier,andathirdwhosenamewe
havenotbeenabletoascertain.TheyglidedalongthehousesandreachedthePassagedu
Saumon.ThegrateddoorswhichclosedthePassageduringthenightonlyreachedtothe
centreofthearchway.Theyclimbeditandgotoverthespikes,attheriskoftearing
themselves.JeantySarrewasthefirsttoclimbithavingreachedthesummit,oneofthe
spikespiercedhistrousers,hookedthem,andJeantySarrefellheadforemostuponthe
pavement.Hegotupagain,hewasonlystunned.Theothertwofollowedhim,and
glidingalongthebars,allthreefoundthemselvesinthePassage.Itwasdimlylightedby
alampwhichshoneatoneend.Inthemeanwhile,theyheardthesoldiers,whowere
pursuingthem,comingup.InordertoescapebytheRueMontmartre,theywouldhaveto
climbthegratedgatewayattheotherendofthePassagetheirhandsweregrazed,their
kneeswerebleedingtheyweredyingofwearinesstheywereinnoconditionto
recommenceasimilarascent.
Jeanty SarreknewwherethekeeperofthePassagelived.Heknockedathiswindow,and
beggedhimtoopen.Thekeeperrefused.

Atthismomentthedetachmentwhichhadbeensentinpursuitofthemreachedthegrated
gatewaywhichtheyhadjustclimbed.Thesoldiers,hearinganoiseinthePassage,passed
thebarrelsoftheirgunsthroughthebars.JeantySarresqueezedhimselfagainstthewall
behindoneofthoseprojectingcolumnswhichdecoratethePassagebutthecolumnwas
verythin,andonlyhalfcoveredhim.Thesoldiersfired,andsmokefilledthePassage.
Whenitclearedaway,JeantySarresawCharpentierstretchedonthestones,withhisface
totheground.Hehadbeenshotthroughtheheart.Theirothercompanionlayafewpaces
fromhim,mortallywounded.
Thesoldiersdidnotscalethegratedgateway,buttheypostedasentinelbeforeit.Jeanty
SarreheardthemgoingawaybytheRueMontmartre.Theywoulddoubtlesscomeback.
Nomeansofflight.Hefeltallthedoorsroundhisprisonsuccessively.Oneofthemat
lengthopened.Thisappearedtohimlikeamiracle.Whoevercouldhaveforgottentoshut
thedoor?Providence,doubtless.Hehidhimselfbehindit,andremainedthereformore
thananhour,standingmotionless,scarcelybreathing.Henolongerheardanysoundhe
venturedout.Thesentinelwasnolongerthere.Thedetachmenthadrejoinedthe
battalion.
Oneofhisoldfriends,amantowhomhehadrenderedservicessuchasarenotforgotten,
livedinthisveryPassageduSaumon.JeantySarrelookedforthenumber,wokethe
porter,toldhimthenameofhisfriend,wasadmitted,wentupthestairs,andknockedat
thedoor.Thedoorwasopened,hisfriendappearedinhisnightshirt,withacandleinhis
hand.
HerecognizedJeantySarre,andcriedout,"Youhere!Whatastateyouarein!Where
hoveyoucomefrom?Fromwhatriot?fromwhatmadness?Andthenyoucometo
compromiseusallhere?Tohaveusmurdered?Tohaveusshot?Nowthen,whatdoyou
wantwithme?"
"Iwantyoutogivemeabrushdown,"saidJeantySarre.
Hisfriendtookabrushandbrushedhim,andJeantySarrewentaway.Whilegoingdown
thestairs,JeantySarrecriedouttohisfriend,"Thanks!"
SuchisthekindofhospitalitywhichwehavesincereceivedinBelgium,inSwitzerland,
andeveninEngland.
Thenextday,whentheytookupthebodiestheyfoundonCharpentieranotebookanda
pencil,anduponDenisDussoubsaletter.Alettertoawoman.Eventhesestoicsouls
love.
Onthe1stofDecember,DenisDussoubsbeganthisletter.Hedidnotfinishit.Hereitis:

"MYDEARMARIE,
"Haveyouexperiencedthatsweetpainoffeelingregretforhimwhoregretsyou?For
myselfsinceIleftyouIhaveknownnootherafflictionthanthatofthinkingofyou.
Eveninmyafflictionitselftherewassomethingsweetandtender,andalthoughIwas
troubled,IwasneverthelesshappytofeelinthedepthsofmyhearthowgreatlyIloved
youbytheregretwhichyoucostme.Whyareweseparated?WhyhaveIbeenforcedto
flyfromyou?Forweweresohappy!WhenIthinkofourlittleeveningssofreefrom
constraint,ofourgaycountrychatswithyoursisters,Ifeelmyselfseizedwithabitter
regret.Didwenotloveeachotherclearly,mydarling?Wehadnosecretfromeach
otherbecausewehadnoneedtohaveone,andourlipsutteredthethoughtsofour
heartswithoutourthinkingtokeepanythingback.
"Godhassnatchedawayfromusalltheseblessings,andnothingwillconsolemefor
havinglostthemdoyounotlamentwithmetheevilsofabsence?
"Howseldomweseethosewhomwelove!Circumstancestakeusfarfromthem,and
oursoultormentedandattractedoutofourselveslivesinaperpetualanguish.Ifeelthis
sicknessofabsence.Iimaginemyselfwhereveryouare.Ifollowyourworkwithmy
eyes,orIlistentoyourwords,seatedbesideyouandseekingtodivinethewordwhich
youareabouttoutteryoursisterssewbyourside.Emptydreamsillusionsofa
momentmyhandseeksyourswhereareyou,mybelovedone?
"Mylifeisanexile.FarfromthosewhomIloveandbywhomIamloved,myheart
callsthemandconsumesawayinitsgrief.No,Idonotlovethegreatcitiesandtheir
noise,townspeopledwithstrangerswherenooneknowsyouandwhereyouknowno
one,whereeachonejostlesandelbowstheotherwithouteverexchangingasmile.But
Iloveourquietfields,thepeaceofhome,andthevoiceoffriendswhogreetyou.Upto
thepresentIhavealwayslivedincontradictionwithmynaturemyfieryblood,my
naturesohostiletoinjustice,thespectacleofunmeritedmiserieshavethrownmeintoa
struggleofwhichIdonotforeseetheissue,astruggleinwhichwillremaintotheend
withoutfearandwithoutreproach,thatwhichdailybreaksmedownandconsumesmy
life.
"Itellyou,mymuchloveddarling,thesecretmiseriesofmyheartno,Idonotblush
forwhatmyhandhasjustwritten,butmyheartissickandsuffering,andItellittoyou.
Isuffer...Iwishtoblotouttheselines,butwhy?Couldtheyoffendyou?Whatdothey
containthatcouldwoundmydarling?DoInotknowyouraffection,anddoInotknow
thatyouloveme?Yes,youhavenotdeceivedme,Ididnotkissalyingmouthwhen
seatedonmykneesyoululledmewiththecharmofyourwords,Ibelievedyou.I
wishedtobindmyselftoaburningironbarwearinesspreysuponmeanddevoursme.I
feelamaddeningdesiretorecoverlife.IsitParisthatproducesthiseffectuponme?I
alwaysyearntobeinplaceswhereIamnot.Iliveheretoacompletesolitude.Ibelieve
you,Marie...."

Charpentier'snotebookonlycontainedthisline,whichhehadwritteninthedarknessat
thefootofthebarricadewhileDenisDussoubswasspeaking:
Admonetetmagnatestaturvoceperumbras.
[28]February18.Louvain.

CHAPTERV.OTHERDEEDSOFDARKNESS
YvanhadagainseenConneau.Hecorroboratedtheinformationgivenintheletterof
AlexandreDumastoBocage withthefactwehadthenames.Onthe3dofDecemberat
M.Abbatucci'shouse,31,RueCaumartin,inthepresenceofDr.ConneauandofPitri,a
Corsican,bornatVezzani,namedJacquesFranoisCriscelli,[29]amanattachedtothe
secretandpersonalserviceofLouisBonaparte,hadreceivedfromPitri'sownmouththe
offerof25,000francs"totakeorkillVictorHugo."Hehadaccepted,andsaid,"Thatis
allverywellifIamalone.Butsupposetherearetwoofus?"
Pitrihadanswered,
"Thentherewillbe50,000francs."
Thiscommunication,accompaniedbyurgentprayers,hadbeenmadetomebyYvanin
theRuedeMonthabor,whilewewerestillatDupontWhite's.
Thissaid,Icontinuemystory.
Themassacreofthe4thdidnotproducethewholeof itseffectuntilthenextday,the5th.
Theimpulsegivenbyustotheresistancestilllastedforsomehours,andatnightfall,in
thelabyrinthofhousesrangingfromtheRueduPetitCarreautotheRueduTemple,
therewasfighting.ThePagevin,NeuveSaintEustache,Montorgueil,Rambuteau,
Beaubourg,andTransnonainbarricadesweregallantlydefended.There,therewasan
impenetrablenetworkofstreetsandcrosswaysbarricadedbythePeople,surroundedby
theArmy.
Theassaultwasmercilessandfurious.
ThebarricadeoftheRueMontorgueilwasoneofthosewhichheldoutthelongest.A
battalionandartillerywasneededtocarryit.Atthelastmomentitwasonlydefendedby
threemen,twoshopclerksandalemonadesellerofanadjoiningstreet.When theassault
beganthenightwasdenselydark,andthethreecombatantsescaped.Buttheywere
surrounded.Nooutlets.Notonedoorwasopen.Theyclimbedthegratedgatewayofthe
PassageVerdeauasJeantySarreandCharpentierhadscaledthePassageduSaumon,had
jumpedover,andhadfleddownthePassage.Buttheothergratedgatewaywasclosed,
andlikeJeantySarreandCharpentiertheyhadnotimetoclimbit.Besides,theyheard
thesoldierscorningonbothsides.InacornerattheentranceofthePassagetherewerea
fewplankswhichhadservedtocloseastall,andwhichthestallkeeperwasinthehabit
ofputtingthere.Theyhidthemselvesbeneaththeseplanks.
Thesoldierswhohadtakenthebarricade,afterhavingsearchedthestreets,bethought
themselvesofsearchingthePassage.Theyalsoclimbedoverthegratedgateway,looked
abouteverywherewithlanterns,andfoundnothingTheyweregoingaway,whenoneof

themperceivedthefootofoneofthesethreeunfortunatemenwhichwasprojectingfrom
beneaththeplanks.
Theykilledallthreeofthemonthespotwithbayonetthrusts.Theycriedout,"Killusat
once!Shootus!Donotprolongourmisery."
Theneighboringshopkeepersheardthesecries,butdarednotopentheirdoorsortheir
windows,forfear,asoneofthemsaidthenextday,"thattheyshoulddothesameto
them."
Theexecutionatanend,theexecutionersleftthethreevictimslyinginapoolofbloodon
thepavementofthePassage.Oneofthoseunfortunatemendidnotdieuntil eighto'clock
nextmorning.
Noonehaddaredtoaskformercynoonehaddaredtobringanyhelp.Theyleftthemto
diethere.
OneofthecombatantsoftheRueBeaubourgwasmorefortunate.Theywerepursuing
him.Herushedupastaircase,reachedaroof,andfromthereapassage,whichprovedto
bethetopcorridorofanhotel.Akeywasinthedoor.Heopeneditboldly,andfound
himselffacetofacewithamanwhowasgoingtobed.Itwasatiredouttravellerwho
hadarrivedatthehotelthatveryevening.Thefugitivesaidtothetraveller,"Iamlost,
saveme!"andexplainedhimthesituationinthreewords.
Thetravellersaidtohim,"Undressyourself,andgetintomybed."Andthenhelita
cigar,andbeganquietlytosmoke.Justasthemanofthebarricadehadgotintobeda
knockcameatthedoor.Itwasthesolderswhoweresearchingthehouse.Tothe
questionswhichtheyaskedhimthetravelleranswered,pointingtothebed,"Weareonly
twohere.Wehavejustarrivedhere.Iamsmokingmycigar,andmybrotherisasleep."
Thewaiterwasquestioned,andconfirmedthetraveller'sstatement.Thesoldierswent
away,andnoonewasshot.
Wewillsaythis,thatthevictorioussoldierskilledlessthanontheprecedingday.They
didnotmassacrein allthecapturedbarricades.Theorderhadbeengivenonthatdayto
makeprisoners.Itmightalsobebelievedthatacertainhumanityexisted.Whatwasthis
humanity?Weshallsee.
Ateleveno'clockatnightallwasatanend.
Theyarrestedallthosewhomtheyfoundinthestreetswhichhadbeensurrounded,
whethercombatantsornot,theyhadallthewineshopsandthe_cafs_opened,they
closelysearchedthehouses,theyseizedallthemenwhomtheycouldfind,onlyleaving
thewomenandthechildren.Tworegimentsformedinasquarecarriedawayallthese
prisonershuddledtogether.TheytookthemtotheTuileries,andshutthemupinthevast
cellarsituatedbeneaththeterraceatthewaterside.

Onenteringthiscellartheprisonersfeltreassured.TheycalledtomindthatinJune,
1848,agreatnumberofinsurgentshadbeenshutupthere,andlateronhadbeen
transported.Theysaidtothemselvesthatdoubtlesstheyalsowouldbetransported,or
broughtbeforetheCouncilsofWar,andthattheyhadplentyoftimebeforethem.
Theywerethirsty.Manyofthemhadbeenfightingsincethatmorning,andnothing
parchestiremouthsomuchasbitingcartridges.Theyaskedfordrink.Threepitchersof
waterwerebroughttothem.
Asortofsecuritysuddenlyfelluponthem.Amongstthemwereseveralwhohadbeen
transportedinJune,1848,andwhohadalreadybeeninthatcellar,andwhosaid,"InJune
theywerenotsohumane.Theyleftusforthreedayswithoutfoodordrink."Someof
themwrappedthemselvesupintheirovercoatsorcloaks,laydown,andslept.Atone
o'clockinthemorningagreatnoisewasheardoutside.Soldiers,carryingtorches,
appearedinthecellars,theprisonerswhoweresleepingwokewithastart,anofficer
orderedthemtogetup.
Theymadethemgooutanyhowastheyhadcomein.Astheywentouttheycoupled
themtwobytwoatrandom,andasergeantcountedtheminaloudvoice.Theyasked
neithertheirnames,northeirprofessions,northeirfamilies,norwhotheywere,nor
whencetheycametheycontentedthemselveswiththenumbers.Thenumberssufficed
forwhattheywereabouttodo.
Inthismannertheycounted337.Thecountinghavingcometoanend,theyrangedthem
inclosecolumns,stilltwobytwoandarminarm.Theywerenottiedtogether,buton
eachsideofthecolumn,ontherightandontheleft,therewerethreefilesofsoldiers
keepingthemwithintheirranks,withgunsloadedabattalionwasattheirhead,a
battalionintheirrear.Theybegantomarch,pressed togetherandenclosedinthismoving
frameofbayonets.
Atthemomentwhenthecolumnsetforward,ayounglawstudent,afairpaleAlsatian,of
sometwentyyears,whowasintheirranks,askedacaptain,whowasmarchingbyhim
withhissworddrawn,
"Wherearewegoing?"
Theofficermadenoreply.
HavinglefttheTuileries,theyturnedtotheright,andfollowedthequayasfarasthePont
delaConcorde.TheycrossedthePontdelaConcorde,andagainturnedtotheright.In
thismannertheypassedbeforetheesplanadeoftheInvalides,andreachedthelonely
quayofGrosCaillou.
Aswehavejustsaid,theynumbered337,andastheywalkedtwobytwo,therewasone,
thelast,whowalkedalone.HewasoneofthemostdaringcombatantsoftheRue
Pagevin,afriendofLecomtetheyounger.Bychancethesergeant,whowaspostedinthe

innerfilebyhisside,wasanativeofthesameprovince.Onpassingunderastreetlamp
theyrecognizedeachother.Theyexchangedquicklyafewwordsinawhisper.
"Wherearewegoing?"askedtheprisoner.
"Tothemilitaryschool,"answeredthesergeant.Andheadded,"Ah!mypoorlad!"
Andthenhekeptatadistancefromtheprisoner.
Asthiswastheendofthecolumn,therewasacertainspacebetweenthelastrankofthe
soldierswhoformedtheline,andthefirstrankofthecompanywhichclosedthe
procession.
AstheyreachedthelonelyboulevardofGrosCaillon,ofwhichwehavejustspoken,the
sergeantdrewneartotheprisoner,andsaidtohiminarapidandlowtone,
"Onecanhardlyseehere.Itisadarkspot.Onthelefttherearetrees.Beoff!"
"But,"saidtheprisoner,"theywillfireatme."
"Theywillmissyou."
"Butsupposetheykillme?"
"Itwillbenoworsethanwhatawaitsyou."
Theprisonerunderstood,shookthesergeant'shand,andtakingadvantageofthespace
betweenthelineofsoldiersandrearground,rushedwithasingleboundoutsidethe
column,anddisappearedinthedarknessbeneaththetrees.
"Amanisescaping!"criedouttheofficerwhocommandedthelastcompany."Halt!
Fire!"
Thecolumnhalted.Therearguardcompanyfiredatrandominthedirectiontakenbythe
fugitive,and,asthesergeanthadforeseen,missedhim.Inafewmomentsthefugitive
hadreachedthestreetsadjoiningthetobaccomanufactory,andhadplungedintothem.
Theydidnotpursuehim.Theyhadmorepressingworkonhand.
Besides,confusionmighthavearisenintheirranks,andtorecaptureonetheyrisked
lettingthe336escape.
Thecolumncontinueditsmarch.HavingreachedthePontd'Ina,theyturnedtotheleft,
andenteredintotheChampdeMars.
Theretheyshotthemall.

These336corpseswereamongstthosewhichwerecarriedtoMontmartreCemetery,and
whichwereburiedtherewiththeirheadsexposed.
Inthismannertheirfamilieswereenabledtorecognizethem.TheGovernmentlearned
whotheywereafterkillingthem.
Amongstthese336victimswerealargenumberofthecombatantsoftheRuePagevin
andtheRueRambuteau,oftheRueNeuveSaintEustacheandthePorteSaintDenis.
Therewerealso100passersby,whomtheyhadarrestedbecausetheyhappenedtobe
there,andwithoutanyparticularreason.
Besides,wewillatoncementionthatthewholesaleexecutionsfromthe3dinst.were
renewednearlyeverynight.SometimesattheChampdeMars,sometimesatthe
PrefectureofPolice,sometimesatbothplacesatonce.
Whentheprisonswerefull,M.deMaupassaid"Shoot!"ThefusilladesatthePrefecture
tookplacesometimesinthecourtyard,sometimesintheRuedeJrusalem.The
unfortunatepeoplewhomtheyshotwereplacedagainstthewallwhichbearsthe
theatricalnotices.Theyhadchosenthisspotbecauseitisclosebythesewergratingof
thegutter,sothatthebloodwouldrundownatonce,andwouldleavefewertraces.On
Friday,the5th,theyshotnearthisgutteroftheRuedeJrusalem150prisoners.Some
one[30]saidtome,"OnthenextdayIpassedbythere,theyshowedthespotIdug
betweenthepavingstoneswiththetoeofmyboot,andIstirredupthemud.Ifound
blood."
Thisexpressionformsthewholehistoryofthe_coupd'tat_,andwillformthewhole
historyofLouisBonaparte.Stirupthismud,youwillfindblood.
LetthisthenbeknowntoHistory:
Themassacreof theboulevardhadthisinfamouscontinuation,thesecretexecutions.The
_coupd'tat_afterhavingbeenferociousbecamemysterious.Itpassedfromimpudent
murderinbroaddaytohiddenmurderatnight.
Evidenceabounds.
Esquiros,hiddenintheGrosCaillou,heardthefusilladesontheChampdeMarsevery
night.
AtMazas,Chambolle,onthesecondnightofhisincarceration,heardfrommidnighttill
fiveo'clockinthemorning,suchvolleysthathethoughttheprisonwasattacked.
LikeMontferrier,Desmoulinsboreevidencetobloodbetweenthepavingstonesofthe
RuedeJrusalem.

LieutenantColonelCailland,oftheexRepublicanGuard,iscrossingthePontNeufhe
seessome_sergentsdeville_withmusketstotheirshoulders,aimingatthepassersby
hesaystothem,"Youdishonortheuniform."Theyarresthim.Theysearchhim.A
_sergentdeville_saystohim,"Ifwefindacartridgeuponyou,weshallshootyou."
Theyfindnothing.TheytakehimtothePrefectureofPolice,theyshuthimupinthe
stationhouse.Thedirectorofthestationhousecomesandsaystohim,"Colonel,Iknow
youwell.Donotcomplainofbeinghere.Youareconfidedtomycare.Congratulate
yourselfonit.Lookhere,Iamoneofthefamily,IgoandIcome,Isee,IlistenIknow
whatisgoingonIknowwhatissaidIdivinewhatisnotsaid.Ihearcertainnoises
duringthenightIseecontaintracesinthemorning.AsformyselfIamnotabadfellow.
Iamtakingcareofyou.Iamkeepingyououtoftheway.Atthepresentmomentbe
contentedtoremainwithme.Ifyouwerenothereyouwouldbeunderground."
Anexmagistrate,GeneralLefl'sbrotherinlaw,isconversingonthePontdela
ConcordewithsomeofficersbeforethestepsoftheChambersomepolicemencomeup
tohim:"Youaretamperingwiththearmy."Heprotests,theythrowhimintoavehicle,
andtheytakehimtothePrefectureofPolice.Ashearrivesthereheseesayoungman,in
ablouseandacap,passingonthequay,whoisbeingshovedalongbythreemunicipal
guardswiththebuttendsoftheirmuskets.Atanopeningoftheparapet,aguardshouts
tohim,"Gointhere."Themangoesin.Twoguardsshoothimintheback.Hefalls.The
thirdguarddespatcheshimwithashotinhisear.
Onthe13ththemassacreswerenotyetatanend.Onthemorningofthatday,inthedim
lightofthedawn,asolitarypasserby,goingalongtheRueSaintHonor,saw,between
twolinesofhorsesoldiers,threewagonswendingtheirway,heavilyloaded.These
wagonscouldbetracedbythestainsofbloodwhichdrippedfromthem.Theycamefrom
theChampdeMars,andweregoingtotheMontmartreCemetery.Theywerefullof
corpses.
[29]ItwasthissameCriscelli,wholateronatVaugirardintheRueduTrancy,killedby
specialorderofthePrefectofPoliceamannamedKech,"suspectedofplottingthe
assassinationoftheEmperor."
[30]TheMarquisSarrazindeMontferrier,arelativeofmyeldestbrother.Icannow
mentionhisname.

CHAPTERVI.THECONSULTATIVECOMMITTEE
Aldangerbeingover,allscruplesvanished.Prudentandwisepeoplecouldnowgive
theiradherencetothe_coupd'tat_,theyallowedtheirnamestobepostedup.
Hereistheplacard:
"FRENCHREPUBLIC.
"_InthenameoftheFrenchPeople_.
"ThePresidentoftheRepublic,
"Wishing,untilthereorganizationoftheLegislativeBodyandthe
CouncilofState,tobesurroundedbymenwhojustlypossesstheesteem
andtheconfidenceofthecountry,
"HascreatedaConsultativecommittee,whichiscomposedofMM.
"Abbatucci,exCouncilloroftheCourtofCassation(oftheLoiret).
GeneralAchard(oftheMoselle).
Andr,Ernest(oftheSeine).
Andr(oftheCharente).
D'Argout,GovernoroftheBank,exMinister.
GeneralArrighi ofPadua(ofCorsica).
GeneraldeBar(oftheSeine).
GeneralBaraguayd'Hilliers(ofDoubs).
Barbaroux,exProcureurGeneral(oftheRunion).
Baroche,exMinisteroftheInteriorandofForeignAffairs,
VicePresidentoftheCommittee(oftheCharenteInfrieure).
Barret(Ferdinand),exMinister(oftheSeine).
Barthe,exMinister,firstPresident(oftheCourdeComptes).
Bataille(oftheHauteVienne).
Bavoux(Evariste)(oftheSeineetMarne).
DeBeaumont(oftheSomme).
Brard(oftheLotetGaronne).
Berger,PrefectoftheSeine(ofPuydeDme).
Bertrand(oftheYonne).
Bidault(oftheCher).
Bigrel(oftheCtesduNord).
Billault,barrister.
Bineau,exMinister(oftheMaineetLoire).
Boinvilliers,exPresidentofthebodyofbarristers(oftheSeine).
Bonjean,AttorneyGeneraloftheCourtofCassation(oftheDrome).
Boulatignier.

Bourbousson(ofVaucluse).
Brhier(oftheManche).
DeCambacrs(Hubert).
DeCambacrs(oftheAisne).
Carlier,exPrefectofPolice.
DeCasabianca,exMinister(ofCorsica).
GeneraldeCastellane,CommanderinChiefatLyons.
DeCaulaincourt(ofCalvados).
ViceAdmiralCcile(oftheSeineInfrieure).
Chadenet(oftheMeuse).
Charlemagne(oftheIndre).
ChassaigneGoyon(ofPuydeDme).
GeneraldeChasseloupLaubat(oftheSeineInfrieure).
ProsperdeChasseloupLaubat(CharenteInfrieure).
Chaixd'EstAnge,BarristerofParis(oftheMarne).
DeChazelles,MayorofClermontFerrand(ofPuydeDme).
Collas(oftheGironde).
DeCrouseilhes,exCouncilloroftheCourtofCassation,exMinister
(oftheBassesPyrnes).
Curial(oftheOrne).
DeCuverville(oftheCtesduNord).
Dabeaux(oftheHauteGaronne).
Dariste(oftheBassesPyrnes).
Daviel,exMinister.
Delacoste,exCommissaryGeneral(oftheRhne).
Delajus(oftheCharenteInfrieure).
Delavau(oftheIndre).
Deltheil(oftheLot).
Denjoy(oftheGironde).
Desjobert(oftheSeineInfrieure).
Desmaroux(oftheAllier).
DrouyndeLhuys,exMinister(oftheSeineetMarne).
ThodoreDucos,MinisteroftheMarineandoftheColonies(ofthe
Seine).
Dumas(oftheInstitut)exMinister(oftheNord).
CharlesDupin,oftheInstitut(oftheSeineInfrieure).
GeneralDurrieu(oftheLandes).
MauriceDuval,exPrefect.
Eschassriaux(oftheCharenteInfrieure).
MarshalExcelmans,GrandChancelloroftheLegionofHonor.
FerdinandFavre(oftheLoireInfrieure)GeneraldeFlahaut,
exAmbassador.
Fortoul,MinisterofPublicInstruction(oftheBassesAlpes).
AchilleFould,MinisterofFinance(oftheSeine).
DeFourment(oftheSomme).
Fouquierd'Hroul(oftheAisne).

Fremy(oftheYonne).
Furtado(oftheSeine).
Gasc(oftheHauteGaronne).
Gaslonde(oftheManche).
DeGasparin(exMinister).
ErnestdeGirardin(oftheCharente).
AugustinGiraud(ofMaineetLoire).
CharlesGiraud,oftheInstitut,memberoftheCourtofPublic
Instruction,exMinister.
Godelle(oftheAisne).
GoulhotdeSaintGermain(oftheManche).
GeneraldeGrammont(oftheLoire).
DeGrammont(oftheHauteSane).
DeGreslan(oftheRunion).
GeneraldeGrouchy(oftheGironde).
KallezClaparde(oftheBasRhin).
Generald'Hautpoul,exMinister(oftheAude).
Hbert(oftheAisne).
DeHeeckeren(oftheHautRhin).
D'Hrembault(ofthePasdeCalais).
Hermann.
Heurtier(oftheLoire).
GeneralHusson(oftheAube).
Janvier(oftheTarnetGaronne).
Lacaze(oftheHautesPyrnes).
Lacrosse,exMinister(ofFinistre).
Ladoucette(oftheMoselle).
FrdricdeLagrange(oftheGers).
DeLagrange(oftheGironde).
GeneraldeLaHitte,exMinister.
Delangle,exAttorneyGeneral.
Lanquetin,PresidentoftheMunicipalCommission.
DelaRiboissire(ofIlleetVilaine).
GeneralLawoestine.
Lebeuf(oftheSeineetMarne).
GenralLebreton(oftheEureetLoir).
LeComte(oftheYonne).
LeConte(oftheCtesduNord).
LefebvreDurufl,MinisterofCommerce(oftheEure).
Llut(oftheHauteSane).
Lemarois(oftheManche).
Lemercier(oftheCharente).Lequien(ofthePasdeCalais).
Lestiboudois(oftheNord).
Levavasseur(oftheSeineInfrieure).
LeVerrier(oftheManche).
LezaydeMarnsia(ofLoiretCher).

GeneralMagnan,CommanderinchiefoftheArmyofParis.
Magne,MinisterofPublicWorks(oftheDordogne).
EdmondMaigne(oftheDordogne).
Marchant(oftheNord).
MathieuBodet,BarristerattheCourtofCassation.
DeMaupas,PrefectofPolice.
DeMrode(oftheNord).
Mesnard,PresidentoftheChamberoftheCourtofCassation.
Meynadier,exPrefect(oftheLozre).
DeMontalembert(oftheDoubs).
DeMorny(ofthePuydeDme).
DeMortemart(oftheSeineInfrieure).
DeMouchy(oftheOise).
DeMoustiers(oftheDoubs).
LucienMurat(oftheLot).
Generald'Ornano(oftheIndreetLoire).
PepinLehalleur(oftheSeineetMarne).
JosephPrier,GovernoroftheBank.
DePersigny(oftheNord).
Pichon,MayorofArras(ofthePasdeCalais).
Portalis,FirstPresidentoftheCourtofCassation.
Pongerard,MayorofPennes(oftheIlleetVilaine).
GeneraldePrval.
DeRanc(ofAlgeria).
GeneralRandon,exMinister,GovernorGeneralofAlgeria.
GeneralRegnaulddeSaintJeand'Angly,exMinister(ofthe
CharenteInfrieure).
RenouarddeBussire(oftheBasRhin).
Renouard(oftheLozre).
GeneralRog.
Rouher,KeeperoftheSeals,MinisterofJustice(ofthePuydeDme).
DeRoyer,exMinister,AttorneyGeneralattheCourtofAppealof
Paris.
GeneraldeSaintArnaud,MinisterofWar.
DeSaintArnaud,BarristerattheCourtofAppealofParis.
DeSalis(oftheMoselle).
Sapey(oftheIsre).
Schneider,exMinister.
DeSgurd'Aguesseau(oftheHautesPyrnes).
Seydoux(oftheNord).
AmdeThayer.
Thieullen(oftheCtesduNord).
DeThorigny,exMinister.
ToupotdeBveaux(oftheHauteMarne).
Tourangin,exPrefect. Troplong,FirstPresidentoftheCourtof
Appeal.

DeTurgot,MinisterforForeignAffairs.
Vaillant,MarshalofFrance.
Vaisse,exMinister(oftheNord).
DeVandeul(oftheHauteMarne).
GeneralVastVimeux(oftheCharenteInfrieure).
Vauchelle,MayorofVersailles.
Viard(oftheMeurthe).
Vieillard(oftheManche).
Vuillefroy.
Vuitry,UnderSecretaryofStateattheMinistryofFinanceDeWagram.
"ThePresidentoftheRepublic,
"LOUISNAPOLEONBONAPARTE.
"Ministerof theInterior,DEMORNY."
ThenameofBourboussonisfoundonthislist.
Itwouldbeapityifthisnamewerelost.
AtthesametimeasthisplacardappearedtheprotestofM.Daru,asfollows:
"IapproveoftheproceedingsoftheNationalAssembly attheMairieoftheTenth
Arrondissementonthe2dofDecember,1851,inwhichIwashinderedfrom
participatingbyforce.
"DARU."
SomeofthesemembersoftheConsultativeCommitteecamefromMazasorfromMount
Valerien.Theyhadbeendetainedinacellforfourandtwentyhours,andthenreleased.
Itmaybeseenthattheselegislatorsborelittlemalicetothemanwhohadmadethem
undergothisdisagreeabletasteofthelaw.
Manyofthepersonagescomprisedinthismenageriepossessednootherrenownbutthe
outcrycausedbytheirdebts,clamoringaroundthem.Suchaonehadbeentwicedeclared
bankrupt,butthisextenuatingcircumstancewasadded,"notunderhisownname:"
Anotherwhobelongedtoaliteraryorscientificcirclewasreputedtohavesoldhisvote.
Athird,whowashandsome,elegant,fashionable,dandified,polished,gilded,
embroidered,owedhisprosperitytoaconnectionwhichindicatedafilthinessofsoul.
Suchpeopleasthesegavetheiradherencewithlittlehesitationtothedeedwhich"saved
society."
Someothers,amongstthosewhocomposedthismosaic,possessednopolitical
enthusiasm,andmerelyconsentedtofigureinthislistinordertokeeptheirsituationsand

theirsalariestheywereundertheEmpirewhattheyhadbeenbeforetheEmpire,neuters,
andduringthenineteenyearsofthereign,theycontinuedtoexercisetheirmilitary,
judicial,oradministrativefunctionsunobtrusively,surroundedwiththerightandproper
respectduetoinoffensiveidiots.
Othersweregenuinepoliticians,belongingtothatlearnedschoolwhichbeginswith
Guizot,anddoesnotfinishwithParieu,gravephysiciansofsocialorder,whoreassure
thefrightenedmiddleclasses,andwhopreservedeadthings.
"ShallIlosemyeye?"askedMesserPancrace."Notatall,myfriend,Iholditinmy
hand."
InthisquasiCouncilofStatetherewereagoodlynumberofmenofthePolice,araceof
beingsthenheldinesteem,Carlier,Pitri,Maupas,etc.
Shortlyafterthe2dofDecemberunderthetitleofMixedCommissions,thepolice
substituteditselfforjustice,drewupjudgments,pronouncedsentences,violatedevery
lawjudiciallywithouttheregularmagistracyinterposingtheslightestobstacletothis
irregularmagistracy:Justiceallowedthepolicetodowhatitlikedwiththesatisfiedlook
ofateamofhorseswhichhadjustbeenrelieved.
Someofthemeninscribedonthelistofthiscommissionrefused:LonFaucherGoulard,
Mortemart,FrdricGranier,Marchand,MaillardParavay,Beugnot.Thenewspapers
receivedordersnottopublishtheserefusals.
M.Beugnotinscribedonhiscard:"CountBeugnot,whodoesnotbelongtothe
ConsultativeCommittee."
M.JosephPrierwentfromcornertocornerofthestreets,pencilinhand,scratchingout
hisnamefromalltheplacards,saying,"IshalltakebackmynamewhereverIfindit."
GeneralBaraguayd'Hilliersdidnotrefuse.Abravesoldierneverthelesshehadlostan
armintheRussianwar.Lateron,hehasbeenMarshallofFrancehedeservedbetterthan
tohavebeencreatedaMarshalbyLouisBonaparte.Itdidnotappearlikelythathewould
havecometothis.DuringthelastdaysofNovemberGeneralBaraguayd'Hilliers,seated
inalargearmchairbeforethehighfireplaceoftheConferenceHalloftheNational
Assembly,waswarminghimselfsomeone,oneofhiscolleagues,hewhoiswriting
theselines,satdownnearhimontheothersideofthefireplace.Theydidnotspeakto
eachother,onebelongingtotheRight,theothertotheLeftbutM.Piscatorycamein,
whobelongedalittletotheRightandalittletotheLeft.Headdressedhimselfto
Baraguayd'Hilliers:"Well,general,doyouknowwhattheyaresaying?"
"What?"
"ThatoneofthesedaysthePresidentwillshutthedoorin ourfaces."

GeneralBaraguayd'Hilliersanswered,andIheardtheanswer,"IfM.Bonaparteshould
closethedooroftheAssemblyagainstus,Francewillflingitwideopenagain."
LouisBonaparteatonemomentthoughtofentitlingthiscommitteethe"Executive
Commission.""No,"saidMornytohim,"thatwouldbetocreditthemwithcourage.
Theywillwillinglybesupporterstheywillnotbeproscribers."
GeneralRulhirewasdismissedforhavingblamedthepassiveobedienceofthearmy.
Letusherementionanincident.Somedaysafterthe4thofDecember,EmmanuelArago
metM.Dupin,whowasgoinguptheFaubourgSaintHonor.
"What!"saidArago,"areyougoingtotheElyse?"
M.Dupinanswered,"Inevergotodisreputablehouses."
Yethewentthere.
M.Dupin,itmayberemembered,wasappointedAttorneyGeneralattheCourtof
Cessation.

CHAPTERVII.THEOTHERLIST
Oppositetothelistofadherentsshouldbeplacedthelistoftheproscribed.Inthismanner
thetwosidesofthe_coupd'tat_canbeseenataglance.
"DECREE.
"ARTICLEI.TheexRepresentativesoftheAssembly,whosenamesare
foundbeneath,areexpelledfromFrenchterritory,fromAlgeria,and
fromtheColonies,forthesakeofpublicsafety:
"EdmondValentine.
Charrassin.
PaulRacouchot.Bandsept.
AgricolPerdiguier.Savoye.
EugneCholat.Joly.
LouisLatrade.Combier.
MichelRenaud.Boysset.
JosephBenoist(duRhne).Duch.
Joseph Burgard.Ennery.
JeanColfavru.Guilgot.
JosephFaure(duRhone).Hochstuhl.
PierreCharlesGambon.MichotBoutet.
CharlesLagrange.Baune.
MartinNadaud.Bertholon.
BarthlemyTerrier.
Schoelcher.
VictorHugo.DeFlotte.
Cassal.Joigneaux.
Signard.Laboulaye.
Viguier.Bruys.
Esquiros.GastonDussoubs.
MadierdeMontjau.
Guiter.
NolParfait.Lafon.
EmilePan.Lamarque.
Pelletier.PierreLafranc.
Raspail.JulesLeroux.
ThodoreBac.FrancisqueMaigne.
Bancel.Malardier.
Belin(Drme).Mathieu(delaDrme).
Bosse.Millotte.
Bourzat.RoselliMollet.
Brive.Charras.
Chavoix.SaintFerreol.
ClmentDulac.
Sommier.
Dupout(deBussac).Testelin(Nord).

"ARTICLEII.Intheevent,contrarytothepresentdecree,ofoneof
thepersonsnamedinArticleI.reenteringtheprohibitedlimits,he
maybetransportedforthesakeofpublicsafety.
"GivenatthePalaceoftheTuileries,attheCabinetCouncilassembled,
January9th,1852.
"LOUISBONAPARTE.
"DEMORNY,MinisteroftheInterior."
Therewasbesidesalistofthe"provisionallyexiled,"onwhichfiguredEdwardQuinet,
VictorChauffour,GeneralLaidet,PascalDuprat,Versigny,AntonyThouret,Thiers,
Girardin,andRmusat.FourRepresentatives,Math,Greppo,MarcDufraisse,and
Richardet,wereaddedtothelistofthe"expelled."RepresentativeMiotwasreservedfor
thetorturesofthecasematesofAfrica.Thusinadditiontothemassacres,thevictoryof
the_coupd'tat_waspaidforbythesefigures:eightyeightRepresentativesproscribed,
onekilled.
IusuallydinedatBrusselsinacaf,calledtheCafdesMilleColonnes,whichwas
frequentedbytheexiles.Onthe10thofJanuaryIhadinvitedMicheldeBourgesto
lunch,andweweresittingatthesametable.Thewaiterbroughtmethe_Moniteur
Franais_Iglancedoverit.
"Ah,"saidI,"hereisthelistoftheproscribed."Iranmyeyeoverit,andIsaidtoMichel
deBourges,"Ihaveapieceofbadnewstotellyou."MicheldeBourgesturnedpale.I
added,"Youarenotonthelist."Hisfacebrightened.
MicheldeBourges,sodauntlessinthefaceofdeath,wasfaintheartedinthefaceof
exile.

CHAPTERVIII.DAVIDD'ANGERS
Brutalitiesandferocitiesweremingledtogether.Thegreatsculptor,Davidd'Angers,was
arrestedinhisownhouse,16,Rued'AssastheCommissaryofPoliceonentering,saidto
him,
"Haveyouanyarmsinyourhouse?"
"Yes,"SaidDavid,"formydefence."
Andheadded,
"IfIhadtodealwithcivilizedpeople."
"Wherearethesearms?"rejoinedtheCommissary."Letusseethem."
Davidshowedhimhisstudiofullofmasterpieces.
Theyplacedhimina_fiacre_,anddrovehimtothestationhouseofthePrefectureof
Police.
Althoughtherewasonlyspacefor120prisoners,therewere700there.Davidwasthe
twelfthinadungeonintendedfortwo.Nolightnorair.Anarrowventilationholeabove
theirheads.Adreadfultubinacorner,commontoall,coveredbutnotclosedbya
woodenlid.Atnoontheybroughtthemsoup,asortofwarmandstinkingwater,David
toldme.Theystoodleaningagainstthewall,andtrampleduponthemattresseswhichhad
beenthrownonthefloor,nothavingroomtoliedownonthem.Atlength,however,they
pressedsocloselytoeachother,thattheysucceededinlyingdownatfulllength.Their
jailershadthrownthemsomeblankets.Someofthemslept.Atdaybreakthebolts
creaked,thedoorwashalfopenedandthejailerscriedouttothem,"Getup!"Theywent
intotheadjoiningcorridor,thejailertookupthemattresses,threwafewbucketsofwater
onthefloor,wipeditupanyhow,replacedthemattresseson thedampstones,andsaidto
them,"Gobackagain."Theylockedthemupuntilthenextmorning.Fromtimetotime
theybroughtin100newprisoners,andtheyfetchedaway100oldones(thosewhohad
beentherefortwoorthreedays).Whatbecameofthem?Atnighttheprisonerscould
hearfromtheirdungeonthesoundofexplosions,andinthemorningpassersbycould
see,aswehavestated,poolsofbloodinthecourtyardofthePrefecture.
Thecallingoverofthosewhowentoutwasconductedinalphabeticalorder.
OnedaytheycalledDavidd'Angers.Davidtookuphispacket,andwasgettingreadyto
leave,whenthegovernorofthejail,whoseemedtobekeepingwatchoverhim,suddenly
cameupandsaidquickly,"Stay,M.David,stay."

OnemorninghesawBuchez,theexPresidentoftheConstituentAssembly,cominginto
hiscell"Ah!"saidDavid,"good!youhavecometovisittheprisoners?""Iama
prisoner,"saidBuchez.
TheywishedtoinsistonDavidleavingforAmerica.Herefused.Theycontented
themselveswithBelgium.Onthe19thDecemberhereachedBrussels.Hecametosee
me,andsaidtome,"IamlodgingattheGrandMonarque,89,RuedesFripiers."[31]
Andheaddedlaughing,"TheGreatMonarchtheKing.Theoldclothesmenthe
Royalists,'89.TheRevolution."Chanceoccasionallyfurnishessomewit.
[31]_Anglice_,"oldclothesmen."

CHAPTERIX.OURLASTMEETING
Onthe3dofDecembereverythingwascomingininourfavor.Onthe5theverything
wasrecedingfromus.Itwaslikeamightyseawhichwasgoingout.Thetidehadcome
ingloriously,itwentoutdisastrously.Gloomyebbandflowofthepeople.
Andwhowasthepowerwhosaidtothisocean,"Thoushaltgonofarther?"Alas!a
pigmy.
Thesehidingplacesoftheabyssarefathomless.
Theabyssisafraid.Ofwhat?
Ofsomethingdeeperthanitself.OftheCrime.
Thepeopledrewback.Theydrewbackonthe5thonthe6ththeydisappeared.
Onthehorizontherecouldbeseennothingbutthebeginningofaspeciesofvastnight.
ThisnighthasbeentheEmpire.
Wefoundourselvesonthe5thwhatwewereonthe2d.Alone.
Butwepersevered.Ourmentalconditionwasthisdesperate,yesdiscouraged,no.
Itemsofbadnewscametousasgoodnewshadcometousontheeveningofthe3d,one
afteranother.AubryduNordwasattheConcirgerie.OurdearandeloquentCrmieux
wasatMazas.LouisBlanc,who,althoughbanished,wascomingtotheassistanceof
France,andwasbringingtousthegreatpowerofhisnameandofhismind,hadbeen
compelled,likeLedruRollin,tohaltbeforethecatastropheofthe4th.Hehadnotbeen
abletogetbeyondTournay.
AsforGeneralNeumayer,hehadnot"marcheduponParis,"buthehadcomethere.For
whatpurpose?Togiveinhissubmission.
Wenolongerpossessedarefuge.No.15,RueRichelieu,waswatched,No.11,Rue
Monthabor,hadbeendenounced.WewanderedaboutParis,meetingeachotherhereand
there,andexchangingafewwordsinawhisper,notknowingwhereweshouldsleep,or
whetherweshouldgetamealandamongstthoseheadswhichdidnotknowwhatpillow
theyshouldhaveatnighttherewasatleastoneuponwhichapricewasset.
Theyaccostedeachother,andthisisthesortofconversationtheyheld:
"WhathasbecameofSoandSo?"

"Heisarrested."
"AndSoandSo?"
"Dead."
"AndSoandSo?"
"Disappeared."
Weheld,however,oneothermeeting.Thiswasonthe6th,atthehouseofthe
RepresentativeRaymond,inthePlacedelaMadeleine.Nearlyallofusmetthere.Iwas
enabledtoshakethehandsofEdgarQuinet,ofChauffour,ofClmentDulac,ofBancel,
ofVersigny,ofEmilePan,andIagainmetourenergeticandhonesthostoftheRue
Blanche,Coppens,andourcourageouscolleague,PonsStande,whomwehadlostsight
ofinthesmokeofthebattle.Fromthewindowsoftheroomwhereweweredeliberating
wecouldseethePlacedelaMadeleineandtheBoulevardsmilitarilyoccupied,and
coveredwithafierceanddeepmassofsoldiersdrawnupinbattleorder,andwhichstill
seemedtofaceapossiblecombat.Charamaulecamein.
Hedrewtwopistolsfromhisgreatcloak,placedthemonthetable,andsaid,"Allisatan
end.Nothingfeasibleandsensibleremains,exceptadeedofrashness.Iproposeit.Are
youofmyopinion,VictorHugo?"
"Yes,"Ianswered.
Ididnotknowwhathewasgoingtosay,butIknewthathewouldonlysaythatwhich
wasnoble.
Thiswashisproposition.
"Wenumber,"resumedhe,"aboutfiftyRepresentativesofthePeople,stillstandingand
assembledtogether.WeareallthatremainsoftheNationalAssembly,ofUniversal
Suffrage,oftheLaw,ofRight.Tomorrow,whereshallwebe?Wedonotknow.
Scatteredordead.Thehouroftodayisoursthishourgoneandpast,wehavenothing
leftbuttheshadow.Theopportunityisunique.Letusprofitbyit."
Hestopped,lookedatusfixedlywithhissteadfastgaze,andresumed,
"Letustaketheadvantageofthischanceofbeingaliveandthegoodfortuneofbeing
together.ThegroupwhichishereisthewholeoftheRepublic.Well,thenletusofferin
ourpersonsalltheRepublictothearmy,andletusmakethearmyfallbackbeforethe
Republic,andMightfallbackbeforeRight.Inthatsuprememomentoneofthetwomust
tremble,MightorRight,andifRightdoesnottrembleMightwilltremble.Ifwedonot
tremblethesoldierswilltremble.LetusmarchupontheCrime.IftheLawadvances,the

Crimewilldrawback.Ineithercaseweshallhavedoneourduty.Living,weshallbe
preservers,dead,weshallbeheroes.ThisiswhatIpropose."
Aprofoundsilenceensued.
"Letusputonoursashes,andletusallgodowninaprocession,twobytwo,intothe
PlacedelaMadeleine.YoucanseethatColonelbeforethatlargeflightofsteps,withhis
regimentinbattlearraywewillgotohim,andthere,beforehissoldiers,Iwillsummon
himtocomeovertothesideofduty,andtorestorehisregimenttotheRepublic.Ifhe
refuses..."
Charamauletookhistwopistolsinhishands.
"...Iwillblowouthisbrains."
"Charamaule,"saidI,"Iwillbebyyourside."
"Iknewthatwell,"Charamaulesaidtome.
Headded,
"Thisexplosionwillawakenthepeople."
"But,"severalcriedout,"supposeitdoesnotawakenthem?"
"Weshalldie."
"Iamonyourside,"saidItohim.
Weeachpressedtheother'shand.Butobjectionsburstforth.
Noonetrembled,butallcriticisedtheproposal.Woulditnotbemadness?Anduseless
madness?WoulditnotbetoplaythelastcardoftheRepublicwithoutanypossible
chanceofsuccess?WhatgoodfortuneforBonaparte!Tocrushwithoneblowallthat
remainedofthosewhowereresistingandofthosewhowerecombating!Tofinishwith
themonceforall!Wewerebeaten,granted,butwasitnecessarytoaddannihilationto
defeat?Nopossiblechanceofsuccess.Thebrainsofanarmycannotbeblownout.Todo
whatCharamauleadvisedwouldbetoopenthetomb,nothingmore.Itwouldbea
magnificentsuicide,butitwouldbeasuicide.Undercertaincircumstancesitisselfishto
bemerelyahero.Amanaccomplishesitatonce,hebecomesillustrious,heentersinto
history,allthatisveryeasy.Heleavestoothersbehindhimthelaboriousworkofalong
protest,theimmovableresistanceoftheexile,thebitter,hardlifeoftheconqueredwho
continuestocombatthevictory.Somedegreeofpatienceformsapartofpolitics.To
knowhowtoawaitrevengeissometimesmoredifficultthantohurryonitscatastrophe.
Therearetwokindsofcouragebraveryandperseverancethefirstbelongstothe
soldier,thesecondbelongstothecitizen.Ahaphazardend,howeverdauntless,doesnot

suffice.Toextricateoneselffromthedifficultybydeath,itisonlytooeasilydone:what
isrequired,whatisthereverseofeasy,istoextricate one'scountryfromthedifficulty.
No,saidthosehighmindedmen,whoopposedCharamauleandmyself,thistoday
whichyouproposetousisthesuppressionoftomorrowtakecare,thereisacertain
amountofdesertioninsuicide....
Theword"desertion"grievouslywoundedCharamaule."Verywell,"saidhe,"Iabandon
theidea."
Thisscenewasexceedinglygrand,andQuinetlateron,wheninexile,spoketomeofit
withdeepemotion.
Weseparated.Wedidnotmeetagain.
Iwanderedaboutthestreets.WhereshouldIsleep?Thatwasthequestion.Ithoughtthat
No.19,RueRichelieuwouldprobablybeasmuchwatchedasNo.15.Butthenightwas
cold,andIdecidedatallhazardstoreenterthisrefuge,althoughperhapsahazardous
one.Iwasrighttotrustmyselftoit.Isuppedonamorselofbread,andIpassedavery
goodnight.ThenextmorningatdaybreakonwakingIthoughtofthedutieswhich
awaitedme.IthoughtthatIwasabuttogoout,andthatIshouldprobablynotcomeback
totheroomItookalittlebreadwhichremained,andIcrumbleditonthewindowsillfor
thebirds.

CHAPTERX.DUTYCANHAVETWOASPECTS
HaditbeeninthepoweroftheLeftatanymomenttopreventthe_coupd'tat_?
Wedonotthinkso.
Neverthelesshereisafactwhichwebelieveweoughtnottopassbyinsilence.Onthe
16thNovember,1851,Iwasinmystudyathomeat37,RuedelaTourd'Auvergneit
wasaboutmidnight.Iwasworking.Myservantopenedthedoor.
"WillyouseeM.,sir?"
Andhementionedaname.
"Yes,"Isaid.
Someonecamein.
Ishallonlyspeakreservedlyofthiseminentanddistinguishedman.Letitsufficetostate
thathehadtherighttosaywhenmentioningtheBonapartes"myfamily."
ItisknownthattheBonapartefamilyisdividedintotwobranches,theImperialfamily
andtheprivatefamily.TheImperialfamilyhadthetraditionofNapoleon,theprivate
familyhadthetraditionofLucien:ashadeofdifferencewhich,however,hadnoreality
aboutit.
Mymidnightvisitortooktheothercornerofthefireplace.
Hebeganbyspeakingtomeofthememoirsofaveryhighmindedandvirtuouswoman,
thePrincess,hismother,themanuscriptofwhichhehadconfidedtome,askingmy
adviceastotheutilityorthesuitabilityoftheirpublicationthismanuscript,besides
beingfullofinterest,possessedformeaspecialcharm,becausethehandwritingofthe
Princessresembledmymother'shandwriting.Myvisitor,towhomIgaveitback,turned
overtheleavesforafewmoments,andthensuddenlyinterruptinghimself,heturnedto
meandsaid,
"TheRepublicislost."
Ianswered,
"Almost."
Heresumed,
"Unlessyousaveit."

"I?"
"You."
"Howso?"
"Listentome."
Thenhesetforthwiththatclearness,complicatedattimeswithparadoxes,whichisone
oftheresourcesofhisremarkablemind,thesituation,atthesametimedesperateand
strong,inwhichwewereplaced.
Thissituation,whichmoreoverIrealizedaswellashehimself,wasthis:
TheRightoftheAssemblywascomposedofabout400members,andtheLeftofabout
180.Thefourhundredofthemajoritybelongedbythirdstothreeparties,theLegitimist
party,theOrleanistparty,theBonapartistparty,andinabodytotheClericalparty.The
180oftheminority belongedtotheRepublic.TheRightmistrustedtheLeft,andhad
takenaprecautionagainsttheminority.
AVigilanceCommittee,composedofsixteenmembersoftheRight,chargedwith
impressingunityuponthistrinityofparties,andchargedwiththetaskofcarefully
watchingtheLeft,suchwasthisprecaution.TheLeftatfirsthadconfineditselftoirony,
andborrowingfrommeawordtowhichpeoplethenattached,thoughwrongly,theidea
ofdecrepitude,hadcalledthesixteenCommissionersthe"Burgraves."Theirony
subsequentlyturningintosuspicion,theLefthadonitssideendedbycreatinga
committeeofsixteenmemberstodirecttheLeft,andobservetheRightthesetheRight
hadhastenedtonamethe"RedBurgraves."Aharmlessrejoinder.Theresultwasthatthe
RightwatchedtheLeft,andthattheLeftwatchedtheRight,butthatnoonewatched
Bonaparte.Theyweretwoflocksofsheepsodistrustfulofoneanotherthattheyforgot
thewolf.Duringthattime,inhisdenattheElyse,Bonaparte wasworking.Hewas
busilyemployingthetimewhichtheAssembly,themajorityandtheminority,waslosing
inmistrustingitself.Aspeoplefeelthelooseningoftheavalanche,sotheyfeltthe
catastrophetotteringinthegloom.Theykeptwatchupontheenemy,buttheydidnotturn
theirattentioninthetruedirection.Toknowwheretofixone'smistrustisthesecretofa
greatpolitician.TheAssemblyof1851didnotpossessthisshrewdcertaintyofeyesight,
theirperspectivewasbad,eachsawthefutureafterhisownfashion,andasortof
politicalshortsightednessblindedtheLeftaswellastheRighttheywereafraid,butnot
wherefearwasadvisabletheywereinthepresenceofamystery,theyhadanambuscade
beforethem,buttheysoughtitwhereitdidnotexist,andtheydidnotperceivewhereit
reallylay.Thusitwasthatthesetwoflocksofsheep,themajority,andtheminorityfaced
eachotheraffrightedly,andwhiletheleadersononesideandtheguidesontheother,
graveandattentive,askedthemselvesanxiouslywhatcouldbethemewingofthe
grumbling,oftheLeftontheoneside,ofthebleatingsoftheRightontheother,theyran

theriskofsuddenlyfeelingthefourclawsofthe_coupd'tat_fastenedintheir
shoulders.
Myvisitorsaidtome,
"YouareoneoftheSixteen!"
"Yes,"answeredI,smiling"a'RedBurgrave.'"
"Likeme,a'RedPrince.'"
Andhissmilerespondedtomine.
Heresumed,
"Youhavefullpowers?"
"Yes.Liketheothers."
AndIadded,
"Notmorethan theothers.TheLefthasnoleaders."
Hecontinued,
"Yon,theCommissaryofPolice,isaRepublican?'
"Yes."
"Hewouldobeyanordersignedbyyou?"
"Possibly."
"_I_say,withoutdoubt."
Helookedatmefixedly.
"Well,then,havethePresidentarrestedthisnight."
Itwasnowmyturntolookathim.
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"WhatIsay."

Ioughttostatethathislanguagewasfrank,resolute,andselfconvinced,andthatduring
thewholeofthisconversation,andnow,andalways,ithasgivenmetheimpressionof
honesty.
"ArrestthePresident!"Icried.
ThenhesetforththatthisextraordinaryenterprisewasaneasymatterthattheArmywas
undecidedthatintheArmytheAfricanGeneralscounterpoisedthePresidentthatthe
NationalGuardfavoredtheAssembly,andintheAssemblytheLeftthatColonel
Forestieransweredforthe8thLegionColonelGressierforthe6th,andColonelHowyne
forthe5ththatattheorderoftheSixteenoftheLefttherewouldbeanimmediatetaking
upofarms thatmysignaturewouldsufficethat,nevertheless,ifIpreferredtocall
togethertheCommittee,inSecretSession,wecouldwaittillthenextdaythatonthe
orderfromtheSixteen,abattalionwouldmarchupontheElysethattheElyse
apprehendednothing,thoughtonlyofoffensive,andnotofdefensivemeasures,and
accordinglywouldbetakenbysurprisethatthesoldierswouldnotresisttheNational
GuardthatthethingwouldbedonewithoutstrikingablowthatVincenneswouldopen
andclosewhileParissleptthatthePresidentwouldfinishhisnightthere,andthat
France,onawakening,wouldlearnthetwofoldgoodtidings:thatBonapartewasoutof
thefight,andFranceoutofdanger.
Headded,
"YoucancountontwoGenerals:NeumayeratLyons,andLawostyneatParis."
HegotupandleanedagainstthechimneypieceIcanstillseehimthere,standing
thoughtfullyandhecontinued:
"Idonotfeelmyselfstrongenoughtobeginexilealloveragain,butIfeelthewishto
savemyfamilyandmycountry."
Heprobablythoughthenoticedamovementofsurpriseinme,forheaccentuatedand
italicizedthesewords.
"Iwillexplainmyself.YesIwishtosavemyfamilyandmycountry.Ibearthenameof
Napoleonbutasyouknowwithoutfanaticism.IamaBonaparte,butnotaBonapartist.I
respectthename,butIjudgeit.Italreadyhasonestain.TheEighteenthBrumaire.Isit
abouttohaveanother?TheoldstaindisappearedbeneaththegloryAusterlitzcovered
Brumaire.Napoleonwasabsolvedbyhisgenius.Thepeopleadmiredhimsogreatlythat
itforgavehim.Napoleonisuponthecolumn,thereisanendofit,letthemleavehim
thereinpeace.Letthemnotresuscitatehimthroughhisbadqualities.Letthemnot
compelFrancetoremembertoomuch.ThisgloryofNapoleonisvulnerable.Ithasa
woundclosed,Iadmit.Donotletthemreopenit.Whateverapologistsmaysayanddo,it
isnonethelesstruethatbytheEighteenthofBrumaireNapoleonstruckhimselfafirst
blow."

"Intruth,"saidI,"itiseveragainstourselvesthatwecommitacrime."
"Well,then,"hecontinued,"hisgloryhassurvivedafirstblow,asecondwillkillit.Ido
notwishit.IhatethefirstEighteenthBrumaireIfearthesecond.Iwishtopreventit."
Hepausedagain,andcontinued,
"ThatiswhyIhavecometoyoutonight.Iwishtosuccorthisgreatwoundedglory.By
theadvicewhichIamgivingyou,ifyoucancarryitout,iftheLeftcarriesitout,Isave
thefirstNapoleonforifasecondcrimeissuperposeduponhisglory,thisglorywould
disappear.Yes,thisnamewouldfounder,andhistorywouldnolongerownit.Iwillgo
fartherandcompletemyidea.IalsosavethepresentNapoleon,forhewhoasyethasno
glorywillonlyhavecome.Isavehismemoryfromaneternalpillory.Therefore,arrest
him."
Hewastrulyanddeeplymoved.Heresumed,
"AstotheRepublic,thearrestofLouisBonaparteisdeliveranceforher.Iamright,
therefore,insayingthatbywhatIamproposingtoyouIam savingmyfamilyandmy
country."
"But,"Isaidtohim,"whatyouproposetomeisa_coupd'tat_."
"Doyouthinkso?"
"Withoutdoubt.Wearetheminority,andweshouldcommitanactwhichbelongstothe
majority.WeareapartoftheAssembly.Weshouldbeactingasthoughwewerethe
entireAssembly.Wewhocondemnallusurpationshouldourselvesbecomeusurpers.We
shouldputourhandsuponafunctionarywhomtheAssemblyalonehastherightof
arresting.We,thedefendersoftheConstitution,weshouldbreaktheConstitution.We,
themenoftheLaw,weshouldviolatetheLaw.Itisa_coupd'tat_."
"Yes,buta_coupd'tat_foragoodpurpose."
"Evilcommittedforagoodpurposeremainsevil."
"Evenwhenitsucceeds?"
"Aboveallwhenitsucceeds."
"Why?"
"Becauseitthenbecomesanexample."
"YoudonotthenapproveoftheEighteenthFructidor?"

"No."
"ButEighteenthFructidorspreventEighteenthBrumaires."
"No.Theypreparethewayforthem."
"ButreasonsofStateexist?"
"No.WhatexistsistheLaw."
"TheEighteenthFructidorhasbeenacceptedbyexceedinglyhonestminds."
"Iknowthat."
"Blanquiisinitsfavor,withMichelet."
"Iamagainstit,withBarbs."
FromthemoralaspectIpassedtothepracticalaspect.
"Thissaid,"resumedI,"letusexamineyourplan."
Thisplanbristledwithdifficulties.Ipointedthemouttohim.
"CountontheNationalGuard!Why,GeneralLawostynehadnotyetgotcommandofit.
CountontheArmy?Why,GeneralNeumayerwasatLyons,andnotatParis.Wouldhe
marchtotheassistanceoftheAssembly?Whatdidweknowaboutthis?Asfor
Lawostyne,washenotdoublefaced?Weretheysureofhim?Calltoarmsthe8th
Legion?ForestierwasnolongerColonel.The5thand6th?ButGressierandHowyne
wereonlylieutenantcolonels,wouldtheselegionsfollowthem?OrdertheCommissary
Yon?ButwouldheobeytheLeftalone?HewastheagentoftheAssembly,and
consequentlyofthemajority,butnotoftheminority.Theseweresomanyquestions.But
thesequestions,supposingthemanswered,andansweredinthesenseofsuccess,was
successitselfthequestion?ThequestionisneverSuccess,itisalwaysRight.Buthere,
evenifwehadobtainedsuccess,weshouldnothaveRight.Inordertoarrestthe
PresidentanorderoftheAssemblywasnecessaryweshouldreplacetheorderofthe
AssemblybyanactofviolenceoftheLeft.Ascalingandaburglaryanassaultby
scalingladdersontheconstitutedauthority,aburglaryontheLaw.Nowletussuppose
resistanceweshouldshedblood.TheLawviolatedleadstothesheddingofblood.What
isallthis?Itisacrime."
"No,indeed,"heexclaimed,"itisthe_saluspopuli_."
Andheadded,
"_SupremaLex_."

"Notforme,"Isaid.
Icontinued,
"Iwouldnotkillachildtosaveapeople."
"Catodidso."
"Jesusdidnotdoso."
AndIadded,
"Youhaveonyoursideallancienthistory,youareactingaccordingtotheuprightnessof
theGreeks,andaccordingtotheuprightnessoftheRomansforme,Iam acting
accordingtotheuprightnessofHumanity.Thenewhorizonisofwiderrangethanthe
old."
Therewasapause.Hebrokeit.
"Thenhewillbetheonetoattack!"
"Letitbeso."
"Youareabouttoengageinabattlewhichisalmostlostbeforehand."
"Ifearso."
"Andthisunequalcombatcanonlyendforyou,VictorHugo,indeathorexile."
"Ibelieveit."
"Deathistheaffairofamoment,butexileislong."
"Itisahabittobelearned."
Hecontinued,
"Youwillnotonlybeproscribed.You willbecalumniated."
"Itisahabitalreadylearned."
Hecontinued,
"Doyouknowwhattheyaresayingalready?"

"What?"
"Theysaythatyouareirritatedagainsthimbecausehehasrefusedtomakeyoua
Minister."
"Whyyouknowyourselfthat"
"Iknowthatitisjustthereverse.Itishewhohasaskedyou,anditisyouwhohave
refused."
"Well,then"
"Theylie."
"Whatdoesitmatter?"
Heexclaimed,
"Thus,youwillhavecausedtheBonapartestoreenterFrance,andyouwillbebanished
fromFrancebyaBonaparte!"[32]
"Whoknows,"saidI,"ifIhavenotcommittedafault?Thisinjusticeisperhapsajustice."
Wewerebothsilent.Heresumed,
"Couldyoubearexile?"
"Iwilltry."
"CouldyoulivewithoutParis?"
"Ishouldhavetheocean."
"Youwouldthengototheseaside?"
"Ithinkso."
"Itissad."
"Itisgrand."
Therewasanotherpause.Hebrokeit.
"Youdonotknowwhatexileis.Idoknowit.Itisterrible.Assuredly,Iwouldnotbegin
itagain.Deathisabournewhencenoonecomesback,exileisaplacewhithernoone
returns."

"Ifnecessary,"Isaidtohim,"Iwillgo,andIwillreturntoit."
"Betterdie.Toquitlifeisnothing,buttoquitone'scountry"
"Alas!"saidI,"thatiseverything."
"Well,then,why acceptexilewhenitisinyourpowertoavoidit?Whatdoyouplace
aboveyourcountry?"
"Conscience."
Thisanswermadehimthoughtful.However,heresumed.
"Butonreflectionyourconsciencewillapproveofwhatyouwillhavedone."
"No."
"Why?"
"Ihavetoldyou.Becausemyconscienceissoconstitutedthatitputsnothingabove
itself.Ifeelituponmeastheheadlandcanfeelthelighthousewhichisuponit.Alllifeis
anabyss,andconscienceilluminatesitaroundme."
"AndIalso,"heexclaimedandIaffirmthatnothingcouldbemoresincereormoreloyal
thanhistone"andIalsofeelandseemyconscience.ItapprovesofwhatIamdoing.I
appeartobebetrayingLouisbutIamreallydoinghimaservice.Tosavehimfroma
crimeistosavehim.Ihavetriedeverymeans.Thereonlyremainsthisone,toarresthim.
Incomingtoyou,inactingasIdo,Iconspireatthesametimeagainsthimandforhim,
againsthispower,andforhishonor.WhatIamdoingisright."

"Itistrue,"Isaidtohim."Youhaveagenerousandaloftyaim."
AndIresumed,
"Butourtwodutiesaredifferent.IcouldnothinderLouisBonapartefromcommittinga
crimeunlessIcommittedonemyself.IwishneitherforanEighteenthBrumaireforhim,
norforanEighteenthFructidorformyself.Iwouldratherbeproscribedthanbea
proscriber.Ihavethechoicebetweentwocrimes,mycrimeandthecrimeofLouis
Bonaparte.Iwillnotchoosemycrime."
"Butthenyouwillhavetoendurehis."
"Iwouldratherendureacrimethancommitone."

Heremainedthoughtful,andsaidtome,
"Letitbeso."
Andheadded,
"Perhapswearebothintheright."
"Ithinkso,"Isaid.
AndIpressedhishand.
Hetookhismother'smanuscriptandwentaway.Itwasthreeo'clockinthemorning.The
conversationhadlastedmorethantwohours.IdidnotgotobeduntilIhadwrittenitout.
[32]14thofJune,1847.ChamberofPeers.Seethework"Avantl'Exile."

CHAPTERXI.THECOMBATFINISHED,THEORDEALBEGINS
Ididnotknow wheretogo.
Ontheafternoonofthe7thIdeterminedtogobackoncemoreto19,RueRichelieu.
Underthegatewaysomeoneseizedmyarm.ItwasMadameD.Shewaswaitingforme.
"Donotgoin,"shesaidtome.
"AmIdiscovered?"
"Yes."
"Andtaken."
"No."
Sheadded,
"Come."
Wecrossedthecourtyard,andwewentoutbyabackdoorintotheRueFontaineMolire
wereachedthesquareofthePalaisRoyal.The_fiacres_werestandingthereasusual.
Wegotintothefirstwecameto.
"Wherearewetogo?"askedthedriver.
Shelookedatme.
Ianswered,
"Idonotknow."
"Iknow,"shesaid.
WomenalwaysknowwhereProvidencelies.
AnhourlaterIwasinsafety.
Fromthe4th,everydaywhichpassedbyconsolidatedthe_coupd'tat_.Ourdefeatwas
complete,andwefeltourselvesabandoned.PariswaslikeaforestinwhichLouis
Bonapartewasmakinga_battue_oftheRepresentativesthewildbeastwashunting
downthesportsmen.WeheardtheindistinctbayingofMaupasbehindus.Wewere
compelledtodisperse.Thepursuitwasenergetic.Weenteredintothesecondphaseof
dutythecatastropheacceptedandsubmittedto.Thevanquishedbecametheproscribed.

Eachoneofushadhisownconcludingadventures.Minewaswhatitshouldhavebeen
exiledeathhavingmissedme.Iamnotgoingtorelateithere,thisbookisnotmy
biography,andIoughtnottodiverttomyselfanyoftheattentionwhichitmayexcite.
Besides,whatconcernsmepersonallyistoldinanarrativewhichisoneofthetestaments
ofexile.[33]
Notwithstandingtherelentlesspursuitwhichwasdirectedagainstus,Ididnotthinkitmy
dutytoleaveParisaslongasaglimmerofhoperemained,andaslongasanawakening
ofthepeopleseemedpossible.Malarmetsentmewordinmy refugethatamovement
wouldtakeplaceatBellevilleonTuesdaythe9th.Iwaiteduntilthe12th.Nothingstirred.
Thepeoplewereindeeddead.Happilysuchdeathsasthese,likethedeathsofthegods,
areonlyforatime.
IhadalastinterviewwithJulesFavreandMicheldeBourgesatMadameDidier'sinthe
RuedelaVilleLvque.Itwasatnight.Bastidecamethere.Thisbravemansaidtome,

"YouareabouttoleaveParisformyself,Iremainhere.Takemeasyourlieutenant.
Directmefromthedepthsofyourexile.Makeuseofmeasanarmwhichyouhavein
France."
"Iwillmakeuseofyouasofaheart,"Isaidtohim.
Onthe14th,amidsttheadventureswhichmysonCharlesrelatesinhisbook,Isucceeded
inreachingBrussels.
Thevanquishedarelikecinders,Destinyblowsuponthemanddispersesthem.Therewas
agloomyvanishingofallthecombatantsforRightandforLaw.Atragical
disappearance.
[33]"LesHommesdel'Exile,"byCharlesHugo.

CHAPTERXII.THEEXILED
TheCrimehavingsucceeded,allhastenedtojoinit.Topersistwaspossible,toresistwas
notpossible.Thesituationbecamemoreandmoredesperate.Onewouldhavesaidthat
anenormouswallwasrisinguponthehorizonreadytoclosein.Theoutlet:Exile.
Thegreatsouls,thegloriesofthepeople,emigrated.Thustherewasseenthisdismal
sightFrancedrivenoutfromFrance.
ButwhatthePresentappearstolose,theFuturegains,thehandwhichscattersisalsothe
handwhichsows.
TheRepresentativesoftheLeft,surrounded,tracked,pursued,hunteddown,wandered
forseveraldaysfromrefugetorefuge.Thosewhoescapedfoundgreatdifficultyin
leavingParisandFrance.MadierdeMontjanhadveryblackandthickeyebrows,he
shavedoffhalfofthem,cuthishair,andlethisbeardgrow.Yvan,Pelletier,Gindrier,and
Doutreshavedofftheirmoustachesandbeards.VersignyreachedBrusselsonthe14th
withapassportinthenameofMorin.Schoelcherdressedhimselfupasapriest.This
costumebecamehimadmirably,andsuitedhisausterecountenanceandgravevoice.A
worthypriesthelpedhimtodisguisehimself,andlenthimhiscassockandhisband,
madehimshaveoffhiswhiskersafewdayspreviously,sothatheshouldnotbebetrayed
bythewhitetraceofhisfreshlycutbeard,gavehimhisownpassport,andonlylefthim
attherailwaystation.[34]
DeFlottedisguisedhimselfasaservant,andinthismannersucceededincrossingthe
frontieratMouscron.FromtherehereachedGhent,andthenceBrussels.
On thenightofDecember26th,Ihadreturnedtothelittleroom,withoutafire,whichI
occupied(No.9)onthesecondstoryoftheHteldelaPorteVerteitwasmidnightI
hadjustgonetobedandwasfallingasleep,whenaknocksoundedatmydoor.Iawoke.I
alwaysleftthekeyoutside."Comein,"Isaid.Achambermaidenteredwithalight,and
broughttwomenwhomIdidnotknow.Onewasalawyer,ofGhent,M. theother
wasDeFlotte.Hetookmytwohandsandpressedthemtenderly."What,"Isaidtohim,
"isityou?"
AttheAssemblyDeFlotte,withhisprominentandthoughtfulbrow,hisdeepseteyes,
hiscloseshornhead,andhislongbeard,slightlyturnedback,lookedlikeacreationof
SebastiandelPiombowanderingoutofhispictureofthe"RaisingofLazarus"andIhad
beforemyeyesashortyoungman,thinandpallid,withspectacles.Butwhathehadnot
beenabletochange,andwhatIrecognizedimmediately,wasthegreatheart,thelofty
mind,theenergeticcharacter,thedauntlesscourageandifIdidnotrecognizehimbyhis
features,Irecognizedhimbythegraspofhishand.
EdgarQuinetwasbroughtawayonthe10thbyanobleheartedWallachianwoman,
PrincessCantacuzne,whoundertooktoconducthimtothefrontier,andwhokepther

word.Itwasatroublesometask.QuinethadaforeignpassportinthenameofGrubesko,
hewastopersonateaWallachian,anditwasarrangedthatheshouldnotknowhowto
speakFrench,hewhowritesitasamaster.Thejourneywasperilous.Theyaskfor
passportsalongalltheline,beginningattheterminus.AtAmienstheywereparticularly
suspicious.ButatLillethedangerwasgreat.Thegendarmeswentfromcarriageto
carriageenteredthemlanterninhand,andcomparedthewrittendescriptionsofthe
travellerswiththeirpersonalappearance.Severalwhoappearedtobesuspicious
characterswerearrested,andwereimmediatelythrownintoprison.EdgarQuinet,seated
bythesideofMadameCantacuzneawaitedtheturnofhiscarriage.Atlengthitcame.
MadameCantacuzneleanedquicklyforwardtowardsthegendarmes,andhastenedto
presentherpassport,butthecorporalwavedbackMadameCantacuzne'spassport
saying,"Itisuseless,Madame.Wehavenothingtodowithwomen'spassports,"andhe
askedQuinetabruptly,"Yourpapers?"Quinetheldouthispassportunfolded.The
gendarmessaidtohim,"Comeoutofthecarriage,sothatwecancompareyour
description."Ithappened,however,thattheWallachianpassportcontainedno
description.Thecorporalfrowned,andsaidtohissubordinates,"Anirregularpassport!
GoandfetchtheCommissary."
Allseemedlost,butMadameCantacuznebegantospeaktoQuinetinthemost
Wallachianwordsintheworld,withincredibleassuranceandvolubility,somuchsothat
thegendarme,convincedthathehadtodealwithallWallachiainperson,andseeingthe
trainreadytostart,returnedthepassporttoQuinet,sayingtohim,"There!beoffwith
you!"afewhoursafterwardsEdgarQuinetwasinBelgium.
Arnaulddel'Arigealsohadhisadventures.Hewasamarkedman,hehadtohide
himself.ArnauldbeingaCatholic,MadameArnauldwenttothepriesttheAbb
Deguerryslippedoutoftheway,theAbbMaretconsentedtoconcealhimtheAbb
Maretwashonestandgood.Arnauldd'Arigeremainedhiddenforafortnightatthe
houseofthisworthypriest.HewrotefromtheAbbMaret'salettertotheArchbishopof
Paris,urginghimtorefusethePantheon,whichadecreeofLouisBonapartetookaway
fromFranceandgavetoRome.ThisletterangeredtheArchbishop.Arnauld,proscribed,
reachedBrussels,andthere,attheageofeighteenmonths,diedthe"littleRed,"whoon
the3dofDecemberhadcarriedtheworkman'slettertotheArchbishopanangelsentby
Godtothepriestwhohadnotunderstoodtheangel,andwhonolongerknewGod.
Inthismedleyofincidentsandadventureseachonehadhisdrama.Cournet'sdramawas
strangeandterrible.
Cournet,itmayberemembered,hadbeenanavalofficer.Hewasoneofthosemenofa
prompt,decisivecharacter,whomagnetizedothermen,andwhooncertainextraordinary
occasionssendanelectricshockthroughamultitude.Hepossessedanimposingair,
broadshoulders,brawnyarms,powerfulfists,atallstature,allofwhichgiveconfidence
tothemasses,andtheintelligentexpressionwhichgivesconfidencetothethinkers.You
sawhimpass,andyourecognizedstrengthyouheardhimspeak,andyoufeltthewill,
whichismorethanstrength.Whenquiteayouthhehadservedinthenavy.Hecombined
inhimselfinacertaindegreeanditisthiswhichmadethisenergeticman,whenwell

directedandwellemployed,ameansofenthusiasmandasupporthecombinedthe
popularfireandthemilitarycoolness.Hewasoneofthosenaturescreatedforthe
hurricaneandforthecrowd,whohavebeguntheirstudyofthepeoplebytheirstudyof
theocean,andwhoareattheireaseinrevolutionsasintempests.Aswehavenarrated,he
tookanimportantpartinthecombat.Hehadbeendauntlessandindefatigable,hewas
oneofthosewhocouldyetrouseittolife.FromWednesdayafternoonseveralpolice
agentswerechargedtoseekhimeverywhere,toarresthimwherevertheymightfindhim,
andtotakehimtothePrefectureofthePolice,whereordershadbeengiventoshoothim
immediately.
Cournet,however,withhishabitualdaring,cameandwentfreelyinordertocarryonthe
lawfulresistance,eveninthequartersoccupiedbythetroops,shavingoffhismoustaches
ashissoleprecaution.
OntheThursdayafternoonhewasontheboulevardsatafewpacesfromaregimentof
cavalrydrawnupinorder.Hewasquietlyconversingwithtwoofhiscomradesofthe
fight,HuyandLorrain.Suddenly,heperceiveshimselfandhiscompanionssurrounded
byacompanyof_sergentsdeville_amantoucheshisarmandsaystohim,"Youare
CournetIarrestyou."
"Bah!"answersCournet"MynameisLpine."
Themanresumes,
"YouareCournet.Donotyourecognizeme?Well,then,IrecognizeyouIhavebeen,
likeyou,amemberoftheSocialistElectoralCommittee."
Cournetlookshimintheface,andfindsthiscountenanceinhismemory.Themanwas
right.Hehad,infact,formedpartofthegatheringintheRueSaintSpire.Thepolicespy
resumed,laughing,
"InominatedEugneSuewithyou."
Itwasuselesstodenyit,andthemomentwasnotfavorableforresistance.Therewereon
thespot,aswehavesaid,twenty_sergentsdeville_andaregimentofDragoons.
"Iwillfollowyou,"saidCournet.
A_fiacre_wascalledup.
"WhileIamaboutit,"saidthepolicespy,"comeinallthreeofyou."
HemadeHuyandLorraingetinwithCournet,placedthemonthefrontseat,andseated
himselfonthebackseatbyCournet,andthenshoutedtothedriver,
"TothePrefecture!"

The_sergentsdeville_surroundedthe_fiacre_.Butwhetherbychanceorthrough
confidence,orinthehastetoobtainthepaymentforhiscapture,themanwhohad
arrestedCournetshoutedtothecoachman,"Looksharp,looksharp!"andthe_fiacre_
wentoffatagallop.
InthemeantimeCournetwaswellawarethatonarrivinghewouldbeshotinthevery
courtyardofthePrefecture.Hehadresolvednottogothere.
AtaturningintheRueStAntoineheglancedbehind,andnoticedthatthe_sergentsde
ville_onlyfollowedthe_fiacre_ataconsiderabledistance.
Notoneofthefourmenwhichthe_fiacre_wasbearingawayhadasyetopenedtheir
lips.
Cournetthrewameaninglookathistwocompanionsseatedinfrontofhim,asmuchas
tosay,"Wearethreeletustakeadvantageofthistoescape."Bothansweredbyan
imperceptiblemovementoftheeyes,whichpointedoutthestreetfullofpassersby,and
whichsaid,"No."
Afewmomentsafterwardsthe_fiacre_emergedfromtheRueSt.Antoine,andentered
theRuedeFourcy.TheRuedeFourcyisusuallydeserted,noonewaspassingdownitat
thatmoment.
Cournetturnedsuddenlytothepolicespy,andaskedhim,
"Haveyouawarrantformyarrest?"
"NobutIhavemycard."
Andhedrewhispoliceagent'scardoutofhispocket,andshowedittoCournet.Thenthe
followingdialogueensuedbetweenthesetwomen,
"Thisisnotregular."
"Whatdoesthatmattertome?"
"Youhavenorighttoarrestme."
"Allthesame,Iarrestyou."
"Lookhereisitmoneythatyouwant?Doyouwishforany?Ihavesomewithmelet
meescape."
"Agoldnuggetasbigasyourheadwouldnottemptme.Youaremyfinestcapture,
CitizenCournet."

"Whereareyoutakingmeto?"
"TothePrefecture."
"Theywillshootmethere?"
"Possibly."
"Andmytwocomrades?"
"Idonotsay'No.'"
"Iwillnotgo."
"Youwillgo,nevertheless."
"ItellyouIwillnotgo,"exclaimedCournet.
Andwithamovement,unexpectedasaflashoflightning,heseizedthepolicespybythe
throat.
Thepoliceagentcouldnotutteracry,hestruggled:ahandofbronzeclutchedhim.
Histongueprotrudedfromhismouth,hiseyesbecamehideous,andstartedfromtheir
sockets.Suddenlyhisheadsankdown,andreddishfrothrosefromhisthroattohislips.
Hewasdead.
HuyandLorrain,motionless,andasthoughthemselvesthunderstruck,gazedatthis
gloomydeed.
Theydidnotutteraword.Theydidnotmovealimb.The_fiacre_wasstilldrivingon.
"Openthedoor!"Cournetcriedtothem.
Theydidnotstir,theyseemedtohavebecomestone.
Cournet,whosethumbwascloselypressedintheneckofthewretchedpolicespy,tried
toopenthedoorwithhislefthand,buthedidnotsucceed,hefeltthathecouldonlydoit
withhisrighthand,andhewasobligedtoloosehisholdoftheman.Themanfellface
forwards,andsankdownonhisknees.
Cournetopenedthedoor.
"Offwithyou!"hesaidtothem.

HuyandLorrainjumpedintothestreetandfledatthetopoftheirspeed.
Thecoachmanhadnoticednothing.
Cournetletthemgetaway,andthen,pullingthecheckstring,stoppedthe_fiacre_,got
downleisurely,reclosedthedoor,quietlytookfortysousfromhispurse,gavethemtothe
coachman,whohadnotlefthisseat,andsaidtohim,"Driveon."
HeplungedintoParis.InthePlacedesVictoireshemettheexConstituentIsidore
Buvignier,hisfriend,whoaboutsixweekspreviouslyhadcomeoutofthe
Madelonnettes,wherehehadbeenconfinedforthematterofthe_Solidarit
Rpublicaine_.Buvignierwasoneofthenoteworthyfiguresonthehighbenchesofthe
Leftfair,closeshaven,withasternglance,hemadeonethinkoftheEnglish
Roundheads,andhehadthebearingratherofaCromwellianPuritanthanofaDantonist
ManoftheMountain.Cournettoldhisadventure,theextremityhadbeenterrible.
Buvigniershookhishead.
"Youhavekilledaman,"hesaid.
In"MarieTudor,"IhavemadeFabianianswerundersimilarcircumstances,
"No,aJew."
Cournet,whoprobablyhadnotread"MarieTudor,"answered,
"No,apolicespy."
Thenheresumed,
"Ihavekilledapolicespytosavethreemen,oneofwhomwasmyself."
Cournetwasright.Theywereinthemidstofthecombat,theyweretakinghimtobe
shotthespywhohadarrestedhimwas,properlyspeaking,anassassin,andassuredlyit
wasacaseoflegitimatedefence.Iaddthatthiswretch,ademocratforthepeople,aspy
forthepolice,wasatwofoldtraitor.Moreover,thepolicespywasthejackalofthe_coup
d'tat_,whileCournetwasthecombatantfortheLaw.
"Youmustconcealyourself,"saidBuvignier"cometoJuvisy."
BuvignierhadalittlerefugeatJuvisy,whichisontheroadtoCorbeil.Hewasknown
andlovedthereCournetandhereachedtherethatevening.
ButtheyhadhardlyarrivedwhensomepeasantssaidtoBuvignier,"Thepolicehave
alreadybeenheretoarrestyou,andarecomingagaintonight."

Itwasnecessarytogoback.
Cournet,moreindangerthanever,hunted,wandering,pursued,hidhimselfinPariswith
considerabledifficulty.Heremainedtheretillthe16th.Hehadnomeansofprocuring
himselfapassport.Atlength,onthe16th,somefriendsofhisontheNorthernRailway
obtainedforhimaspecialpassport,wordedasfollows:
"AllowM.,anInspectorontheserviceoftheCompany,topass."
Hedecidedtoleavethenextday,andtakethedaytrain,thinking,perhapsrightly,thatthe
nighttrainwouldbemorecloselywatched.
Onthe17th,atdaybreak,favoredbythedimdawn,heglidedfromstreettostreet,tothe
NorthernRailwayStation.Histallstaturewasaspecialsourceofdanger.He,however,
reachedthestationinsafety.Thestokersplacedhimwiththemonthetenderofthe
engineofthetrain,whichwasabouttostart.Heonlyhadtheclotheswhichhehadworn
sincethe2dnocleanlinen,notrunk,alittlemoney.
InDecember,thedaybreakslateandthenightclosesinearly,whichisfavorableto
proscribedpersons.
Hereachedthefrontieratnightwithouthindrance.AtNeuvglisehewasinBelgiumhe
believedhimselfinsafety.Whenaskedforhispapershecausedhimselftobetaken
beforetheBurgomaster,andsaidtohim,"Iamapoliticalrefugee."
TheBurgomaster,aBelgianbutaBonapartistthisbreedistobefoundhadhimatonce
reconductedtothefrontierbythegendarmes,whowereorderedtohandhimovertothe
Frenchauthorities.
Cournetgavehimselfupforlost.
TheBelgiangendarmestookhimtoArmentires.IftheyhadaskedfortheMayorit
wouldhavebeenallatanendwithCournet,buttheyaskedfortheInspectorofCustoms.
AglimmerofhopedawneduponCournet.
HeaccostedtheInspectorofCustomswithhisheaderect,andshookhandswithhim.
TheBelgiangendarmeshadnotyetreleasedhim.
"Now,sir,"saidCournettotheCustomHouseofficer,"youareanInspectorofCustoms,
IamanInspectorofRailways.Inspectorsdonoteatinspectors.Thedeucetakeit!Some
worthyBelgianshavetakenfrightandsentmetoyoubetweenfourgendarmes.Why,I
knownot.IamsentbytheNorthernCompanytorelaytheballastofabridgesomewhere
aboutherewhichisnotfirm.Icometoaskyoutoallowmetocontinuemyroad.Hereis
mypass."

HepresentedthepasstotheCustomHouseofficer,theCustomHouseofficerreadit,
founditaccordingtodueform,andsaidtoCournet,
"Mr.Inspector,youarefree."
Cournet,deliveredfromtheBelgiangendarmesbyFrenchauthority,hastenedtothe
railwaystation.Hehadfriendsthere.
"Quick,"hesaid,"itisdark,butitdoesnotmatter,itisevenallthebetter.Findmesome
onewhohasbeenasmuggler,andwhowillhelpmetopassthefrontier."
Theybroughthimasmallladofeighteenfairhaired,ruddy,hardy,aWalloon[35]and
whospokeFrench.
"Whatisyourname?"saidCournet.
"Henry."
"Youlooklikeagirl."
"NeverthelessIamaman."
"Isityouwhoundertaketoguideme?"
"Yes."
"Youhavebeenasmuggler?"
"Iamonestill."
"Doyouknowtheroads?"
"No.Ihavenothingtodowiththeroads."
"Whatdoyouknowthen?"
"Iknowthepasses."
"TherearetwoCustomHouselines."
"Iknowthatwell."
"Willyoupassmeacrossthem?"
"Withoutdoubt."

"ThenyouarenotafraidoftheCustomHouseofficers?"
"I'mafraidofthedogs."
"Inthatcase,"saidCournet,"wewilltakesticks."
Theyaccordinglyarmedthemselveswithbigsticks.CournetgavefiftyfrancstoHenry,
andpromisedhimfiftymorewhentheyshouldhavecrossedthesecondCustomHouse
line.
"Thatistosay,atfouro'clockinthemorning,"saidHenry.
Itwasmidnight.
Theysetoutontheirway.
WhatHenrycalledthe"passes"anotherwouldhavecalledthe"hindrances."Theywerea
successionofpitfallsandquagmires.Ithadbeenraining,andalltheholeswerepoolsof
water.
Anindescribablefootpathwoundthroughaninextricablelabyrinth,sometimesasthorny
asaheath,sometimesasmiryasamarsh.
Thenightwasverydark.
Fromtimetotime,farawayinthedarkness,theycouldhearadogbark.Thesmuggler
thenmadebendsorzigzags,turnedsharplytotherightortotheleft,andsometimes
retracedhissteps.
Cournet,jumpinghedges,stridingoverditches,stumblingateverymoment,slippinginto
sloughs,layingholdofbriers,withhisclothesinrags,hishandsbleeding,dyingwith
hunger,batteredabout,wearied,wornout,almostexhausted,followedhisguidegaily.
Ateveryminutehemadeafalsestephefellintoeverybog,andgotupcoveredwith
mud.Atlengthhefellintoapond.Itwasseveralfeetdeep.Thiswashedhim.
"Bravo!"hesaid."Iamveryclean,butIamverycold."
Atfouro'clockinthemorning,asHenryhadpromisedhim,theyreachedMessine,a
Belgianvillage.ThetwoCustomHouselineshadbeencleared.Cournethadnothing
moretofear,eitherfromtheCustomHousenorfromthe_coupd'tat_,neitherfrommen
norfromdogs.
HegaveHenrythesecondfiftyfrancs,andcontinuedhisjourneyonfoot,trusting
somewhattochance.

Itwasnotuntiltowardseveningthathereachedarailwaystation.Hegotintoatrain,and
atnightfallhearrivedattheSouthernRailwayStationatBrussels.
HehadleftParisontheprecedingmorning,hadnotsleptanhour,hadbeenwalkingall
night,andhadeatennothing.Onsearchinginhispockethemissedhispocketbook,but
foundacrustofbread.Hewasmoredelightedatthediscoveryofthecrustthangrieved
atthelossofhispocketbook.Hecarriedhismoneyinawaistbandthepocketbook,
whichhadprobablydisappearedinthepond,containedhisletters,andamongstothersan
exceedinglyusefulletterofintroductionfromhisfriendM.ErnestKoechlin,tothe
RepresentativesGuilgotandCarlosForel,whoatthatmomentwererefugeesatBrussels,
andlodgedattheHteldeBrabant.
Onleavingtherailwaystationhethrewhimselfintoacab,andsaidtothecoachman,
"HteldeBrabant."
Heheardavoicerepeat,"HteldeBrabant."Heputouthisheadandsawamanwriting
somethinginanotebookwithapencilbythelightofastreetlamp.
Itwasprobablysomepoliceagent.
Withoutapassport,withoutletters,withoutpapers,hewasafraidofbeingarrestedinthe
night,andhewaslongingforagoodsleep.Agoodbedtonight,hethought,andto
morrowtheDeluge!AttheHteldeBrabanthepaidthecoachman,butdidnotgointo
thehotel.Moreover,hewouldhaveaskedinvainfortheRepresentativesForeland
Guilgotbothwerethereunderfalsenames.
Hetooktowanderingaboutthestreets.Itwaseleveno'clockatnight,andforalongtime
hehadbeguntofeelutterlywornout.
Atlengthhesawalightedlampwiththeinscription"HteldelaMonnaie."
Hewalkedin.
Thelandlordcameup,andlookedathimsomewhataskance.
Hethenthoughtoflookingathimself.
Hisunshaven beard,hisdisorderedhair,hiscapsoiledwithmud,hisbloodstained
hands,hisclothesinrags,helookedhorrible.
Hetookadoublelouisoutofhiswaistband,andputitonthetableoftheparlor,whichhe
hadenteredandsaidtothelandlord,

"Intruth,sir,Iamnotathief,Iamaproscriptmoneyisnowmyonlypassport.Ihave
justcomefromParis,Iwishtoeatfirstandsleepafterwards."
Thelandlordwastouched,tookthedoublelouis,andgavehimbedandsupper.
Nextday,whilehewasstillsleeping,thelandlordcameintohisroom,wokehimgently,
andsaidtohim,
"Now,sir,ifIwereyou,IshouldgoandseeBaronHody."
"WhoandwhatisBaronHody?"askedCournet,halfasleep.
ThelandlordexplainedtohimwhoBaronHodywas.WhenIhadoccasiontoaskthe
samequestionasCournet,IreceivedfromthreeinhabitantsofBrusselsthethreeanswers
asfollows:
"Heisadog."
"Heisapolecat."
"Heisahyena."
Thereisprobablysomeexaggerationinthesethreeanswers.
AfourthBelgianwhomIneednotspecifyconfinedhimselftosayingtome,
"Heisabeast."
Astohispublicfunctions,BaronHodywaswhattheycallatBrussels"The
AdministratorofPublicSafety"thatistosay,acounterfeitofthePrefectofPolice,half
Carlier,halfMaupas.
ThankstoBaronHody,whohassincelefttheplace,andwho,moreover,likeM.de
Montalembert,wasa"mereJesuit,"theBelgianpoliceatthatmomentwasacompound
oftheRussianandAustrianpolice.IhavereadstrangeconfidentiallettersofthisBaron
Hody.Inactionandinstylethereisnothingmorecynicalandmorerepulsivethanthe
Jesuitpolice,whentheyunveiltheirsecrettreasures.Thesearethecontentsofthe
unbuttonedcassock.
Atthetimeofwhichwearespeaking(December,1851),theClericalpartyhadjoined
itselftoalltheformsofMonarchyandthisBaronHodyconfusedOrleanismwith
Legitimateright.Isimplytellthetale.Nothingmore.
"BaronHody.Verywell,Iwillgotohim,"saidCournet.

Hegotup,dressedhimself,brushedhisclothesaswellashecould,andaskedthe
landlord,"WhereisthePoliceoffice?"
"AttheMinistryofJustice."
InfactthisisthecaseinBrusselsthepoliceadministrationformspartoftheMinistryof
Justice,anarrangementwhichdoesnotgreatlyraisethepoliceandsomewhatlowers
justice.
Cournetwentthere,andwasshownintothepresenceofthispersonage.
BaronHodydidhimthehonortoaskhimsharply,
"Whoareyou?"
"Arefugee,"answeredCournet"Iamoneofthosewhomthe_coupd'tat_hasdriven
fromParis.
"Yourprofession?"
"Exnavalofficer."
"Exnavalofficer!"exclaimedBaronHodyinamuchgentlertone,"didyouknowHis
RoyalHighnessthePrincedeJoinville?"
"Ihaveservedunderhim."
Itwasthetruth.CournethadservedunderM.deJoinville,andpridedhimselfonit.
AtthisstatementtheadministratorofBelgiansafetycompletelyunbent,andsaidto
Cournet,withthemostgracioussmilethatthepolicecanfind,"That'sallright,sir stay
hereaslongasyoupleasewecloseBelgiumtotheMenoftheMountain,butwethrowit
widelyopentomenlikeyou."
WhenCournettoldmethisanswerofHody's,IthoughtthatmyfourthBelgianwasright.
Acertaincomicgloomwasmingledattimeswiththesetragedies.BarthelmyTerrier
wasaRepresentativeofthepeople,andaproscript.Theygavehimaspecialpassportfor
acompulsoryrouteasfarasBelgiumforhimselfandhiswife.Furnishedwiththis
passportheleftwithawoman.Thiswomanwasaman.Prveraud,alandedproprietorat
Donjon,oneofthemostprominentmenintheDepartmentofAllier,wasTerrier's
brotherinlaw.Whenthe_coupd'tat_brokeoutatDonjon,Prveraudhadtakenup
armsandfulfilledhisduty,hadcombatedtheoutrageanddefendedthelaw.Forthishe
hadbeencondemnedtodeath.Thejusticeofthattime,asweknow.Justiceexecuted
justice.ForthiscrimeofbeinganhonestmantheyhadguillotinedCharlet,guillotined
Cuisinier,guillotinedCirasse.Theguillotinewasaninstrumentofthereign.

Assassinationbytheguillotinewasoneofthemeansoforderofthattime.Itwas
necessarytosavePrveraud.Hewaslittleandslim:theydressedhimasawoman.He
wasnotsufficientlyprettyforthemnottocoverhisfacewithathickveil.Theyputthe
braveandsturdyhandsofthecombatantinamuff.Thusveiledandalittlefilledoutwith
padding,Prveraudmadeacharmingwoman.HebecameMadameTerrier,andhis
brotherinlawtookhimaway.TheycrossedParispeaceably,andwithoutanyother
adventurethananimprudencecommittedbyPrveraud,who,seeingthattheshafthorse
ofawagonhadfallendown,threwasidehismuff,liftedhisveilandhispetticoat,andif
Terrier,indirealarm,hadnotstoppedhim,hewouldhavehelpedthecartertoraisehis
horse.Hada_sergentdeville_beenthere,Prveraudwouldhavebeencaptured.Terrier
hastenedtothrustPrveraudintoacarriage,andatnightfalltheyleftforBrussels.They
werealoneinthecarriage,eachinacornerandfacetoface.Allwentwellasfaras
Amiens.AtAmiensstationthedoorwasopened,andagendarmeenteredandseated
himselfbythesideofPrveraud.Thegendarmeaskedforhispassport,Terriershowedit
himthelittlewomaninhercorner,veiledandsilent,didnotstir,andthegendarme
foundallindueform.Hecontentedhimselfwithsaying,"Weshalltraveltogether,Iam
ondutyasfarasthefrontier."
Thetrain,aftertheordinarydelayofafewminutes,againstarted.Thenightwasdark.
Terrierhadfallenasleep.SuddenlyPrveraudfeltakneepressagainsthis,itwasthe
kneeofthepoliceman.Abootplaceditselfsoftlyonhisfoot,itwasahorsesoldier's
boot.Anidyllhadjustgerminatedinthegendarme'ssoul.Hefirsttenderlypressed
Prveraud'sknee,andthenemboldenedbythedarknessofthehourandbythe
slumberinghusband,heventuredhishandasfarasherdress,acircumstanceforeseenby
Molire,butthefairveiledonewasvirtuous.Prveraud,fullofsurpriseandrage,gently
pushedbackthegendarme'shand.Thedangerwasextreme.Toomuchloveonthepartof
thegendarme,oneaudaciousstepfurther,wouldbringabouttheunexpected,would
abruptlychangetheeclogueintoanofficialindictment,wouldreconverttheamorous
satyrintoastonyheartedpoliceman,wouldtransformTircisintoVidocqandthenthis
strangethingwouldbeseen,apassengerguillotinedbecauseagendarmehadcommitted
anoutrage.Thedangerincreasedeverymoment.Terrierwassleeping.Suddenlythetrain
stopped.Avoicecried,"Quivrain!"andthedoorwasopened.TheywereinBelgium.
Thegendarme,obligedtostophere,andtoreenterFrance,rosetogetout,andatthe
momentwhenhesteppedontothegroundheheardbehindhimtheseexpressivewords
comingfrombeneaththelaceveil,"Beoff,orI'llbreakyourjaw!"
[34]See"LesHommesdel'Exile."
[35]ThenamegiventoapopulationbelongingtotheRomanicfamily,andmore
particularlytothoseofFrenchdescent,whooccupytheregionalongthefrontiersofthe
GermanspeakingterritoryintheSouthNetherlandsfromDunkirktoMalmedyin
RhenishPrussia.

CHAPTERXIII.THEMILITARYCOMMISSIONSANDTHEMIXED
COMMISSIONS
Justicesometimemeetswithstrangeadventures.
Thisoldphraseassumedanewsense.
Thecodeceasedtobeasafeguard.Thelawbecamesomethingwhichhadswornfealtyto
acrime.LouisBonaparteappointedjudgesbywhomonefeltoneselfstoppedasinthe
cornerofawood.Inthesamemannerastheforestisanaccomplicethroughitsdensity,
sothelegislationwasanaccomplicebyitsobscurity.Whatitlackedatcertainpointsin
ordertomakeitperfectlydarktheyadded.How?Byforce.Purelyandsimply.Bydecree.
_Sicjubeo_.Thedecreeofthe17th ofFebruarywasamasterpiece.Thisdecree
completedtheproscriptionoftheperson,bytheproscriptionofthename.Domitiancould
nothavedonebetter.HumanconsciencewasbewilderedRight,Equity,Reasonfeltthat
themasterhadoverthemtheauthoritythatathiefhasoverapurse.Noreply.Obey.
Nothingresemblesthoseinfamoustimes.
Everyiniquitywaspossible.Legislativebodiessupervenedandinstilledsomuchgloom
intolegislationthatitwaseasytoachieveabasenessinthisdarkness.
A successful_coupd'tat_doesnotstanduponceremony.Thiskindofsuccesspermits
itselfeverything.
Factsabound.Butwemustabridge,wewillonlypresentthembriefly.
ThereweretwospeciesofJusticetheMilitaryCommissionsandtheMixed
Commissions.
TheMilitaryCommissionssatinjudgmentwithcloseddoors.Acolonelpresided.
InParisalonetherewerethreeMilitaryCommissions:eachreceivedathousandbillsof
indictment.TheJudgeofInstructionsenttheseaccusationstotheProcureurof the
Republic,Lascoux,whotransmittedthemtotheColonelPresident.TheCommission
summonedtheaccusedtoappear.Theaccusedhimselfwashisownbillofindictment.
Theysearchedhim,thatistosay,they"thumbed"him.Theaccusingdocumentwas
short.Twoorthreelines.Suchasthis,forexample,
Name.Christianname.Profession.Asharpfellow.GoestotheCaf.Readsthepapers.
Speaks.Dangerous.
Theaccusationwaslaconic.Thejudgmentwasstilllessprolix.Itwasasimplesign.
Thebillof indictmenthavingbeenexamined,thejudgeshavingbeenconsulted,the
coloneltookapen,andputattheendoftheaccusinglineoneofthreesigns:

+o

signifiedconsignmenttoLambessa.
+signifiedtransportationtoCayenne.(Thedryguillotine.Death.)
osignifiedacquittal.
Whilethisjusticewasatwork,themanonwhosecasetheywereworkingwassometimes
stillatliberty,hewasgoingandcomingathiseasesuddenlytheyarrestedhim,and
withoutknowingwhattheywantedwithhim,heleftforLambessaorforCayenne.
Hisfamilywasoftenignorantofwhathadbecomeofhim.
Peopleaskedofawife,ofasister,ofadaughter,ofamother,
"Whereisyourhusband?"
"Whereisyourbrother?"
"Whereisyourfather?"
"Whereisyourson?"
Thewife,thesister,thedaughter,themotheranswered,"Idonotknow."
IntheAllierelevenmembersofonefamilyalone,thePrveraudfamilyofDonjon,were
struckdown,onebythepenaltyofdeath,theothersbybanishmentandtransportation.
AwineselleroftheBatignolles,namedBrisadoux,wastransportedtoCayenneforthis
lineinhisdeedofaccusation:_hisshopisfrequentedbySocialists_.
Hereisadialogue,wordforword,andtakenfromlife,betweenacolonelandhis
convictedprisoner:
"Youarecondemned."
"Indeed!Why?"
"IntruthIdonotexactlyknowmyself.Examineyourconscience.Thinkwhatyouhave
done."
"I?"
"Yes,you."

"HowI?"
"Youmusthavedonesomething."
"No.Ihavedonenothing.Ihavenotevendonemyduty.Ioughttohavetakenmygun,
gonedownintothestreet,haranguedthepeople,raisedbarricadesIremainedathome
stupidlylikeasluggard"(theaccusedlaughs)"thatistheoffenceofwhichIaccuse
myself."
"Youhavenotbeencondemnedforthatoffence.Thinkcarefully."
"Icanthinkofnothing."
"What!Youhavenotbeentothe_caf_?"
"Yes,Ihavebreakfastedthere."
"Haveyounotchattedthere?"
"Yes,perhaps."
"Haveyounotlaughed?"
"PerhapsIhavelaughed."
"Atwhom?Atwhat?"
"Atwhatisgoingon.ItistrueIwaswrongtolaugh."
"Atthesametimeyoutalked?"
"Yes."
"Ofwhom?"
"OfthePresident."
"Whatdidyousay?"
"Indeed,whatmaybesaidwithjustice,thathehadbrokenhisoath."
"Andthen?"
"ThathehadnottherighttoarresttheRepresentatives."

"Yousaidthat?"
"Yes.AndIaddedthathehadnottherighttokillpeopleontheboulevard...."
Herethecondemnedmaninterruptedhimselfandexclaimed,
"AndthereupontheysendmetoCayenne!"
Thejudgelooksfixedlyattheprisoner,andanswers,"Well,then?"
Anotherformofjustice:
Threemiscellaneouspersonages,threeremovablefunctionaries,aPrefect,asoldier,a
publicprosecutor,whoseonlyconscienceisthesoundofLouisBonaparte'sbell,seated
themselvesatatableandjudged.Whom?You,me,us,everybody.Forwhatcrimes?
Theyinventedcrimes.Inthenameofwhatlaws?Theyinventedlaws.Whatpenaltiesdid
theyinflict?Theyinventedpenalties.Didtheyknowtheaccused?No.Didtheylistento
him?No.Whatadvocatesdidtheylistento?None.Whatwitnessesdidtheyquestion?
None.Whatdeliberationdidtheyenterupon?None.Whatpublicdidtheycallin?None.
Thus,nopublic,nodeliberation,nocounsellors,nowitnesses,judgeswhoarenot
magistrates,ajurywherenoneareswornin,atribunalwhichisnotatribunal,imaginary
offences,inventedpenalties,theaccusedabsent,thelawabsentfromallthesethings
whichresembledadreamtherecameforthareality:thecondemnationoftheinnocent.
Exile,banishment,transportation,ruin,homesickness,death,anddespairfor40,000
families.
ThatiswhatHistorycallstheMixedCommissions.
OrdinarilythegreatcrimesofStatestrikethegreatheads,andcontentthemselveswith
thisdestructiontheyrolllikeblocksofstone,allinonepiece,andbreakthegreat
resistancesillustriousvictimssufficeforthem.ButtheSecondofDecemberhadits
refinementsofcrueltyitrequiredinadditionpettyvictims.Itsappetiteforextermination
extendedtothepoorandtotheobscure,itsangerandanimositypenetratedasfarasthe
lowestclassitcreatedfissuresinthesocialsubsoilinordertodiffusetheproscription
therethelocaltriumvirates,nicknamed"mixedmixtures,"serveditforthat.Notone
headescaped,howeverhumbleandpuny.Theyfoundmeanstoimpoverishtheindigent,
toruinthosedyingofhunger,tospoilthedisinheritedthe_coupd'tat_achievedthis
wonderfulfeatofaddingmisfortunetomisery.Bonaparte,itseems,tookthetroubleto
hateamerepeasantthevinedresserwastornfromhisvine,thelaborerfromhisfurrow,
themasonfromhisscaffold,theweaverfromhisloom.Menacceptedthismissionof
causingtheimmensepubliccalamitytofall,morselbymorsel,uponthehumblestwalks
oflife.Detestabletask!Tocrumbleacatastropheuponthelittleandontheweak.

CHAPTERXIV.ARELIGIOUSINCIDENT
Alittlereligioncanbemingledwiththisjustice.Hereisanexample.
FrederickMorin,likeArnaulddel'Arige,wasaCatholicRepublican.Hethoughtthat
thesoulsofthevictimsofthe4thofDecember,suddenlycastbythevolleysofthe_coup
d'tat_intotheinfiniteandtheunknown,mightneedsomeassistance,andheundertook
thelaborioustaskofhavingamasssaidforthereposeofthesesouls.Butthepriests
wishedtokeepthemassesfortheirfriends.ThegroupofCatholicRepublicanswhich
FrederickMorinheadedappliedsuccessivelytoallthepriestsofParisbutmetwitha
refusal.TheyappliedtotheArchbishop:againarefusal.Asmanymassesfortheassassin
astheyliked,butfartheassassinatednotone.Toprayfordeadmenofthissortwouldbe
ascandal.Therefusalwasdetermined.Howshoulditbeovercome?Todowithouta
masswouldhaveappearedeasytoothers,butnottothesestaunchbelievers.Theworthy
CatholicDemocratswithgreatdifficultyatlengthunearthedinatinysuburbanparisha
pooroldvicar,whoconsentedtomumbleinawhisperthismassin theearofthe
Almighty,whilebeggingHimtosaynothingaboutit.

CHAPTERXV.HOWTHEYCAMEOUTOFHAM
Onthenightofthe7thand8thofJanuary,Charraswassleeping.Thenoiseofhisbolts
beingdrawnawokehim.
"Sothen!"saidhe,"theyaregoingtoputusincloseconfinement."Andhewenttosleep
again.
Anhourafterwardsthedoorwasopened.Thecommandantofthefortenteredinfull
uniform,accompaniedbyapoliceagentcarryingatorch.
Itwasaboutfouro'clockinthemorning.
"Colonel,"saidtheCommandant,"dressyourselfatonce."
"Whatfor?"
"Youareabouttoleave."
"Somemorerascality,Isuppose!"
TheCommandantwassilent.Charrasdressedhimself.
Ashefinisheddressing,ashortyoungman,dressedinblack,camein.Thisyoungman
spoketoCharras.
"Colonel,youareabouttoleavethefortress,youareabouttoquitFrance.Iaminstructed
tohaveyouconductedtothefrontier."
Charrasexclaimed,
"IfIamtoquitFranceIwillnotleavethefortress.Thisisyetanotheroutrage.Theyhave
nomoretherighttoexilemethantheyhadtherighttoimprisonme.Ihaveonmyside
theLaw,Right,myoldservices,mycommission.Iprotest.Whoareyou,sir?"
"IamthePrivateSecretaryoftheMinisteroftheInterior."
"Ah!itisyouwhoarenamedLopoldLehon."
Theyoungmancastdownhiseyes.
Charrascontinued,
"Youcomeonthepartofsomeonewhomtheycall'MinisteroftheInterior,'M.de
Morny,Ibelieve.IknowM.deMorny.Abaldyoungmanhehasplayedthegame

wherepeoplelosetheirhairandnowheisplayingthegamewherepeoplerisktheir
heads."
Theconversationwaspainful.Theyoungmanwasdeeplyinterestedinthetoeofhis
boot.
Afterapause,however,heventuredtospeak,
"M.Charras,Iam instructedtosaythatifyouwantmoney"
Charrasinterruptedhimimpetuously.
"Holdyourtongue,sir!notanotherword.Ihaveservedmycountryfiveandtwenty
yearsasanofficer,underfire,attheperilofmylife,alwaysforhonor,neverforgain.
Keepyourmoneyforyourownset!"
"But,sir"
"Silence!Moneywhichpassesthroughyourhandswouldsoilmine."
Anotherpauseensued,whichtheprivatesecretaryagainbroke,
"Colonel,youwillbeaccompaniedbytwopoliceagentswhohavespecialinstructions,
andIshouldinformyouthatyouareorderedtotravelwithafalsepassport,andunderthe
nameofVincent."
"Goodheavens!"saidCharras"thisisreallytoomuch.Whoisitimaginesthattheywill
makemetravelbyorderwithafalsepassport,andunderafalsename?"Andlooking
steadilyatM.LopoldLehon,"Know,sir,thatmynameisCharrasandnotVincent,and
thatIbelongtoafamilywhosemembershavealwaysbornethenameoftheirfather."
Theysetout.
TheyjourneyedbycarriageasfarasCreil,whichisontherailway.
AtCreilstationthefirstpersonwhomCharrassawwasGeneralChangarnier.
"Ah!itisyou,General."
Thetwoproscriptsembracedeachother.Suchisexile.
"Whatthedeucearetheydoingwithyou?"askedtheGeneral.
"Whattheyareprobablydoingwithyou.Thesevagabondsaremakingmetravelunder
thenameofVincent."

"Andme,"saidChangarnier,"underthenameofLeblanc."
"InthatcasetheyoughtatleasttohavecalledmeLerouge,"saidCharras,withaburstof
laughter.
Inthemeantimeagroup,keptatadistancebythepoliceagents,hadformedroundthem.
Peoplehadrecognizedthemandsalutedthem.Alittlechild,whosemothercouldnot
holdhimback,ranquicklytoCharrasandtookhishand.
Theygotintothetrainapparentlyasfreeasothertravellers.Onlytheyisolatedthemin
emptycompartments,andeachwasaccompaniedbytwomen,whosatoneattheside
andtheotherfacinghim,andwhonevertooktheireyesoffhim.ThekeepersofGeneral
Changarnierwereofordinarystrengthandstature.ThoseofCharraswerealmostgiants.
Charrasisexceedinglytalltheytoppedhimbyanentirehead.Thesemenwhowere
galleysergeants,hadbeencarabineersthesespieshadbeenheroes.
Charrasquestionedthem.Theyhadservedwhenquiteyoung,from1813.Thustheyhad
sharedthebivouacofNapoleonnowtheyatethesamebreadasVidocq.Thesoldier
broughttosuchasorrypassasthisisasadsight.
Thepocketofoneofthemwasbulgedoutwithsomethingwhichhewashidingthere.
WhenthismancrossedthestationincompanywithCharras,aladytravellersaid,
"HashegotM.Thiersinhispocket?"
Whatthepoliceagentwashidingwasapairofpistols.Undertheirlong,buttonedupand
doubledbreastedfrockcoatsthesemenwerearmed.Theywereorderedtotreat"those
gentlemen"withthemostprofoundrespect,butincertaincircumstancestoblowouttheir
brains.
Theprisonershadeachbeeninformedthatintheeyesofthedifferentauthoritieswhom
theywouldmeetontheroadtheywouldpassforforeigners,SwissorBelgians,expelled
onaccountoftheirpoliticalopinions,andthatthepoliceagentswouldkeeptheirtitleof
policeagents,andwouldrepresentthemselvesaschargedwithreconductingthese
foreignerstothefrontier.
Twothirdsofthejourneywereaccomplishedwithoutanyhindrance.AtValenciennesan
incidentoccurred.
The_coupd'tat_havingsucceeded,zealreignedparamount.Notaskwasanylonger
considereddespicable.Todenouncewastopleasezealisoneoftheformsofservitude
towardswhichpeopleleanthemostwillingly.Thegeneralbecameacommonsoldier,the
prefectbecameacommissaryofpolice,thecommissaryofpolicebecameapolicespy.

ThecommissaryofpoliceatValencienneshimselfsuperintendedtheinspectionof
passports.Fornothingintheworldwouldhehavedeputedthisimportantofficetoa
subordinateinspector.WhentheypresentedhimthepassportofthesocalledLeblanc,he
lookedthesocalledLeblancfullintheface,started,andexclaimed,
"YouareGeneralChangarnier!"
"Thatisnoaffairofmine,"saidtheGeneral.
UponthisthetwokeepersoftheGeneralprotestedandexhibitedtheirpapers,perfectly
drawnupindueform.
"Mr.Commissary,weareGovernmentagents.Hereareourproperpassports."
"Improperones,"saidtheGeneral.
TheCommissaryshookhishead.HehadbeenemployedinParis,andhadbeen
frequentlysenttotheheadquartersofthestaffattheTuileries,toGeneralChangarnier.
Heknewhimverywell.
"Thisistoomuch!"exclaimedthepoliceagents.Theyblustered,declaredthattheywere
policefunctionariesonaspecialservice,thattheyhadinstructionstoconducttothe
frontierthisLeblanc,expelledforpoliticalreasons,sworebyallthegods,andgavetheir
wordofhonorthatthesocalledLeblancwasreallynamedLeblanc.
"Idonotmuchbelieveinwordsofhonor,"saidtheCommissary.
"HonestCommissary,"mutteredChangarnier,"youareright.Sincethe2dofDecember
wordsofhonorandoathsarenomorethanworthlesspapermoney."
Andthenhebegantosmile.
TheCommissarybecamemoreandmoreperplexed.Thepoliceagentsendedbyinvoking
thetestimonyoftheprisonerhimself.
"Now,sir,tellhimyournameyourself."
"Getoutofthedifficultyyourselves,"answeredChangarnier.
Allthisappearedmostirregulartothemindofaprovincialalguazil.
ItseemedevidenttotheCommissaryofValenciennesthatGeneralChangarnierwas
escapingfromHamunderafalsenamewithafalsepassport,andwithfalseagentsof
police,inordertomisleadtheauthorities,andthatitwasaplottoescapewhichwason
thepointofsucceeding.

"Comedown,allthreeofyou!"exclaimedtheCommissary.
TheGeneralgetsdown,andonputtingfoottothegroundnoticesCharrasinthedepthsof
hiscompartmentbetweenhistwobullies.
"Oho!Charras,youarethere!"hecries.
"Charras!"exclaimedtheCommissary."Charrasthere!Quick!thepassportsofthese
gentlemen!"AndlookingCharrasintheface,
"AreyouColonelCharras?"
"Egad!"saidCharras.
Yetanothercomplication.ItwasnowtheturnofCharras'sbulliestobluster.They
declaredthatCharraswasthemancalledVincent,displayedpassportsandpapers,swore
andprotested.TheCommissary'ssuspicionswerefullyconfirmed.
"Verywell,"saidhe,"Iarresteverybody."
AndhehandedoverChangarnier,Charras,andthefourpoliceagentstothegendarmes.
TheCommissarysawtheCrossofHonorshininginthedistance.Hewasradiant.
Thepolicearrestedthepolice.Ithappenssometimesthatthewolfthinkshehasseizeda
victimandbiteshisowntail.
Thesixprisonersfornowthereweresixprisonersweretakenintoaparloratthe
railwaystation.TheCommissaryinformedthetownauthorities.Thetownauthorities
hastenedhither,headedbythesubprefect.
Thesubprefect,whowasnamedCensier,comesin,anddoesnotknowwhetherheought
tosaluteortoquestion,togrovelinthedustortokeephishatonhishead.Thesepoor
devilsofmagistratesandlocalofficialswereverymuchexercisedintheirminds.General
ChangarnierhadbeentooneartheDictatorshipnottomakethemthoughtful.Whocan
foreseethecourseofevents?Everythingispossible.YesterdaycalleditselfCavaignac,
todaycallsitselfBonaparte,tomorrowmaycallitselfChangarnier.Providenceisreally
cruelnottoletsubprefectshaveapeepatthefuture.
Itissadforarespectablefunctionary,whowouldaskfornothingbetterthan tobeservile
orarrogantaccordingtocircumstances,tobeindangeroflavishinghisplatitudesona
personwhoisperhapsgoingtorotforeverinexile,andwhoisnothingmorethana
rascal,ortoriskbeinginsolenttoavagabondofapostscriptwhoiscapableofcoming
backaconquerorinsixmonths'time,andofbecomingtheGovernmentinhisturn.What
wastobedone?Andthentheywerespiedupon.Thistakesplacebetweenofficials.The
slightestwordwouldbemaliciouslyinterpreted,theslightestgesturewouldbelaidto
theirdiscredit.HowshouldhekeepongoodtermsatthesametimethisCabbage,which

iscalledToday,andthatGoat,whichiscalledTomorrow?Toasktoomanyquestions
wouldoffendtheGeneral,torendertomanysalutationswouldannoythePresident.How
couldhebeatthesametimeverymuchasubprefect,andinsomedegreealacquey?
Howcouldhecombinetheappearanceofobsequiousness,whichwouldplease
Changarnier,withtheappearanceofauthority,whichwouldpleaseBonaparte?
Thesubprefectthoughttogetoutofthedifficultybysaying,"General,youaremy
prisoner,"andbyadding,withasmile,"Domethehonorofbreakfastingwithme?"He
addressedthesamewordstoCharras.
TheGeneralrefusedcurtly.
Charraslookedathimfixedly,anddidnotanswerhim.
Doubtsregardingtheidentityoftheprisonerscametothemindofthesubprefect.He
whisperedtotheCommissary"Areyouquitesure?""Certainly,"saidtheCommissary.
ThesubprefectdecidedtoaddresshimselftoCharras,anddissatisfiedwiththemanner
inwhichhisadvanceshadbeenreceived,askedhimsomewhatsharply,"But,inshort,
whoareyou?"
Charrasanswered,"Wearepackages."
Andturningtohiskeeperswhowerenowintheirturninkeeping:
"Applytoourexporters.AskourCustomHouseofficers.Itisamerematterofgoods
traffic."
Theysettheelectrictelegraphtowork.Valenciennes,alarmed,questionedParis.The
subprefectinformedtheMinisteroftheInteriorthat,thankstoastrictsupervision,which
hehadtrustedtonoonebuthimself,hehadjusteffectedanimportantcapture,thathe
hadjustdiscoveredaplot,hadsavedthePresident,hadsavedsociety,hadsavedreligion,
etc.,thatinonewordhehadjustarrestedGeneral ChangarnierandColonelCharras,who
hadescapedthatmorningfromthefortofHamwithfalsepassports,doubtlessforthe
purposeofheadingarising,etc.,andthat,inshort,heaskedtheGovernmentwhatwasto
bedonewiththetwoprisoners.
Attheendofanhourtheanswerarrived:"Letthemgoontheirway."
Thepoliceperceivedthatinaburstofzealtheyhadpushedprofunditytothepointof
stupidity.Thatsometimeshappens.
Thenexttraincarriedawaytheprisoners,restored,nottoliberty,buttotheirkeepers.
TheypassedQuivrain.

Theygotdownfromthecarriage,andgotinagain.
WhenthetrainagainstartedCharrasheavedthedeep,joyoussighofafreedman,and
said,"Atlast!"
Heraisedhiseyes,andperceivedhistwojailersbyhisside.
Theyhadgotupbehindhimintothecarriage.
"Ah,indeed!"hesaidtothem"youthere!"
Ofthesetwomentherewasonlyonewhospoke,thatoneanswered,
"Yes,Colonel."
"Whatareyoudoinghere?"
"Wearekeepingwatchoveryou."
"ButweareinBelgium."
"Possibly."
"BelgiumisnotFrance."
"Ah,thatmaybe."
"ButsupposeIputmyheadoutofthecarriage?SupposeIcallout?SupposeIhadyou
arrested?SupposeIreclaimedmyliberty?"
"Youwillnotdoallthat,Colonel."
"Howwillyoupreventme?"
Thepoliceagentshowedthebuttendofhispistolandsaid"Thus."
Charrasburstoutlaughing,andaskedthem,"Wherethenareyougoingtoleaveme?"
"AtBrussels."
"Thatistosay,thatatBrusselsyouwillsalutemewithyourcapbutthatatMonsyou
willsalutemewithyourpistol."
"Asyousay,Colonel."

"Intruth,"saidCharras,"itdoesnotmattertome.ItisKingLeopold'sbusiness.The
BonapartetreatscountriesashehastreatedtheRepresentatives.Hehasviolatedthe
Assembly,heviolatesBelgium.Butallthesame,youareamedleyofstrangerascals.He
whoisatthetopisamadman,thosewhoarebeneathareblockheads.Verywell,my
friends,letmegotosleep."
Andhewenttosleep.
AlmostthesameincidenthappenednearlyatthesamemomenttoGeneralsChangarnier
andLamoricireandtoM.Baze.
ThepoliceagentsdidnotleaveGeneralChangarnieruntiltheyhadreachedMons.There
theymadehimgetdownfromthetrain,andsaidtohim,"General,thisisyourplaceof
residence.Weleaveyoufree."
"Ah!"saidhe,"thisismyplaceofresidence,andIamfree?Well,then,goodnight."
Andhespranglightlybackintothecarriagejustasthetrainwasstarting,leavingbehind
himtwogalleysergeantsdumfounded.
ThepolicereleasedCharrasatBrussels,butdidnotreleaseGeneralLamoricire.Thetwo
policeagentswishedtocompelhimtoleaveimmediatelyforCologne.TheGeneral,who
wassufferingfromrheumatismwhichhehadcaughtatHam,declaredthathewould
sleepatBrussels.
"Beitso,"saidthepoliceagents.
TheyfollowedhimtotheHteldeBellevue.Theyspentthenighttherewithhim.Hehad
considerabledifficultytopreventthemfromsleepinginhisroom.Nextdaytheycarried
himoff,andtookhim toCologneviolatingPrussianterritoryafterhavingviolated
Belgianterritory.
The_coupd'tat_wasstillmoreimpudentwithM.Baze.
TheymadeM.BazejourneywithhiswifeandhischildrenunderthenameofLassalle.
Hepassedfortheservantofthepoliceagentwhoaccompaniedhim.
TheytookhimthustoAixlaChapelle.
There,inthemiddleofthenight,inthemiddleofthestreet,thepoliceagentsdeposited
himandthewholeofhisfamily,withoutapassport,withoutpapers,withoutmoney.M.
Baze,indignant,wasobligedtohaverecoursetothreatstoinducethemtotakehimand
identifyhimbeforeamagistrate.Itwas,perhaps,partofthepettyjoysofBonaparteto
causeaQuestoroftheAssemblytobetreatedasavagrant.

Onthenightofthe7thofJanuary,GeneralBedeau,althoughhewasnottoleavetillthe
nextday,wasawakenedliketheothersbythenoiseofbolts.Hedidnotunderstandthat
theywereshuttinghimin,butonthecontrary,believedthattheywerereleasingM.Baze,
hisneighborintheadjoiningcell.Hecriedthroughthedoor,"Bravo,Baze!"
Infact,everydaytheGeneralssaidtotheQuestor,"Youhavenobusinesshere,thisisa
militaryfortress.OneofthesefinemorningsyouwillbethrustoutsidelikeRogerdu
Nord."
NeverthelessGeneralBedeauheardanunusualnoiseinthefortress.Hegotupand
"knocked"forGeneralLefl,hisneighborinthecellontheotherside,withwhomhe
exchangedfrequentmilitarydialogues,littleflatteringtothe_coupd'tat_.GeneralLefl
answeredtheknocking,buthedidnotknowanymorethanGeneralBedeau.
GeneralBedeau'swindowlookedoutontheinnercourtyardoftheprison.Hewenttothis
windowandsawlanternsflashinghitherandthither,speciesofcoveredcarts,horsed,and
acompanyofthe48thunderarms.AmomentafterwardshesawGeneralChangarnier
comeintothecourtyard,getintoacarriage,anddriveoff.Somemomentselapsed,then
hesawCharraspass.Charrasnoticedhimatthewindow,andcriedouttohim,"Mons!"
InfacthebelievedhewasgoingtoMons,andthismadeGeneralBedeau,onthenext
day,chooseMonsashisresidence,expectingtomeetCharrasthere.
Charrashavingleft,M.LopoldLehoncameinaccompaniedbytheCommandantofthe
fort.HesalutedBedeau,explainedhisbusiness,andgavehisname.GeneralBedeau
confinedhimselftosaying,"Theybanishusitisanillegality,andonemoreindignity
addedtotheothers.However,withthepeoplewhosendyouoneisnolongersurprisedat
anything."
Theydidnotsendhimawaytillthenextday.LouisBonapartehadsaid,"Wemust'space
out'theGenerals."
ThepoliceagentchargedwithescortingGeneralBedeautoBelgiumwasoneofthose
who,onthe2dofDecember,hadarrestedGeneralCavaignac.HetoldGeneralBedeau
thattheyhadhadamomentofuneasinesswhenarrestingGeneralCavaignae:thepicket
offiftymen,whichhadbeentoldofftoassistthepolicehavingfailedthem.
InthecompartmentoftherailwaycarriagewhichwastakingGeneralBedeauinto
Belgiumtherewasalady,manifestlybelongingtogoodsociety,ofverydistinguished
appearance,andwhowasaccompaniedbythreelittlechildren.Aservantinlivery,who
appearedtobeaGerman,hadtwoofthechildrenonhisknees,andlavishedathousand
littleattentionsonthem.However,theGeneral,hiddenbythedarkness,andmuffledup,
likethepoliceagents,inthecollarofhismantle,paidlittleattentiontothisgroup.When
theyreachedQuivrain,theladyturnedtohimandsaid,"General,Icongratulateyou,
youarenowinsafety."

TheGeneralthankedher,andaskedhername.
"BaronessCoppens,"sheanswered.
ItmayberememberedthatitwasatM.Coppens'shouse,70,RueBlanche,thatthefirst
meetingoftheLefthadtakenplaceonDecember2d.
"Youhavecharmingchildrenthere,madam,"saidtheGeneral,"and,"headded,"an
exceedinglygoodservant."
"Itismyhusband,"saidMadameCoppens.
M.Coppens,infact,hadremainedfiveweeksburiedinahidingplacecontrivedinhis
ownhouse.HehadescapedfromFrancethatverynightunderthecoverofhisown
livery.Theyhadcarefullytaughttheirchildrentheirlesson.Chancehadmadethemget
intothesamecarriageasGeneralBedeauandthetwobullieswhowerekeepingguard
overhim,andthroughoutthenightMadameCoppenshadbeeninterrorlest,inthe
presenceofthepoliceman,oneofthelittleonesawakening,shouldthrowitsarmsaround
theneckoftheservantandcry"Papa!"

CHAPTERXVI.ARETROSPECT
LouisBonapartehadtestedthemajorityasengineerstestabridgehehadloadeditwith
iniquities,encroachments,enormities,slaughtersonthePlaceduHavre,criesof"Long
livetheEmperor,"distributionsofmoneytothetroops,salesofBonapartistjournalsin
thestreets,prohibitionofRepublicanandparliamentaryjournals,reviewsatSatory,
speechesatDijonthemajorityboreeverything.
"Good,"saidhe,"Itwillcarrytheweightofthe_coupd'tat_."
Letusrecallthefacts.Beforethe2dofDecemberthe_coupd'tat_wasbeing
constructedindetail,hereandthere,alittleeverywhere,withexceedingimpudence,and
yetthemajoritysmiled.TheRepresentativePascalDuprathadbeenviolentlytreatedby
policeagents."Thatisveryfunny,"saidtheRight.TheRepresentativeDainwasseized.
"Charming."TheRepresentativeSartinwasarrested."Bravo."Onefinemorningwhenall
thehingeshadbeenwelltestedandoiled,andwhenallthewireswerewellfixed,the
_coupd'tat_wascarriedoutallatonce,abruptly.Themajorityceasedtolaugh,butthe
trick,wasdone.Ithadnotperceivedthatforalongtimepast,whileitwaslaughingatthe
stranglingofothers,thecordwasrounditsownneck.
Letusmaintainthis,nottopunishthepast,buttoilluminatethefuture.Manymonths
beforebeingcarriedout,the_coupd'tat_hadbeenaccomplished.Thedayhavingcome,
thehourhavingstruck,themechanismbeingcompletelywoundup,ithadonlytobeset
going.Itwasboundnottofail,andnothingdidfail.Whatwouldhavebeenanabyssif
themajorityhaddoneitsduty,andhadunderstooditsjointresponsibilitywiththeLeft,
wasnotevenaditch.Theinviolabilityhadbeendemolishedbythosewhowere
inviolable.Thehandofgendarmeshadbecomeasaccustomedtothecollarofthe
Representativesastothecollarofthieves:thewhitetieofthestatesmanwasnoteven
rumpledinthegraspofthegalleysergeants,andonecanadmiretheVicomtedeFalloux
oh,candor!forbeingdumfoundedatbeingtreatedlikeCitizenSartin.
Themajority,goingbackwards,andeverapplaudingBonaparte,fellintotheholewhich
Bonapartehaddugforit.

CHAPTERXVII.CONDUCTOFTHELEFT
TheconductoftheRepublicanLeftinthisgravecrisisofthe2dofDecemberwas
memorable.
TheflagoftheLawwasontheground,inthemireofuniversaltreason,underthefeetof
LouisBonapartetheLeftraisedthisflag,washedawaythemirewithitsblood,unfurled
it,waveditbeforetheeyesofthepeople,andfromthe2dtothe5thofDecemberheld
Bonaparteatbay.
Afewmen,amerehandful,120Representativesofthepeopleescapedbychancefrom
arrest,plungedindarknessandinsilence,withoutevenpossessingthatcryofthefree
presswhichsoundsthetocsintohumanintellects,andwhichencouragesthecombatants,
withoutgeneralsundertheirorders,withoutsoldiers,withoutammunition,wentdown
intothestreets,resolutelybarredthewayagainstthe_coupd'tat_,andgavebattletothis
monstrouscrime,whichhadtakenallitsprecautions,whichwasmailcladineverypart,
armedtotheteeth,crowdingrounditforestsofbayonets,andmakingapackofmortars
andcannonsgivetongueinitsfavor.
Theyhadthatpresenceofmind,whichisthemostpracticalkindofcouragetheyhad,
whilelackingeverythingelse,theformidableimprovisationofduty,whichneverloses
heart.Theyhadnoprintingoffices,theyobtainedthemtheyhadnoguns,theyfound
themtheyhadnoballs,theycastthemtheyhadnopowder,theymanufactureditthey
hadnothingbutpavingstones,andfromthencetheyevolvedcombatants.
ItistruethatthesepavingstoneswerethepavingstonesofParis,stoneswhichchange
themselvesintomen.
SuchisthepowerofRight,that,duringfourdaysthesehundredandtwentymen,who
hadnothingintheirfavorbutthegoodnessoftheircause,counterbalancedanarmyof
100,000soldiers.Atonemomentthescaleturnedontheirside.Thankstothem,thanksto
theirresistance,secondedbytheindignationofhonesthearts,therecameanhourwhen
thevictoryofthelawseemedpossible,andevencertain.OnThursday,the4th,the_coup
d'tat_tottered,andwasobligedtosupportitselfbyassassination.Weseenthatwithout
thebutcheryoftheboulevards,ifhehadnotsavedhisperjurybyamassacre,ifhehad
notshelteredhiscrimebyanothercrime,LouisBonapartewaslost.
Duringthelonghoursofthisstruggle,astrugglewithoutatruce,astruggleagainstthe
armyduringthedayandagainstthepoliceduringthenight,anunequalstruggle,where
allthestrengthandalltheragewasononeside,and,aswehavejustsaid,nothingbut
Rightontheother,notoneofthesehundredandtwentyRepresentatives,notasingleone
failedatthecallof duty,notoneshunnedthedanger,notonedrewback,notone
wearied,alltheseheadsplacedthemselvesresolutelyundertheaxe,andforfourdays
waitedforittofall.

Todaycaptivity,transportation,expatriation,exile,theaxehasfallenonnearlyallthese
heads.
Iamoneofthosewhohavehadnoothermeritinthisstrugglethantorallyintoone
uniquethoughtthecourageofallbutletmehereheartilyrenderjusticetothosemen
amongstwhomIpridemyselfwithhavingforthreeyearsservedtheholycauseofhuman
progress,tothisLeft,insulted,calumniated,unappreciated,anddauntless,whichwas
alwaysinthebreach,andwhichdidnotreposeforasingleday,whichrecoilednonethe
morebeforethemilitaryconspiracythanbeforetheparliamentaryconspiracy,andwhich,
entrustedbythepeoplewiththetaskofdefendingthem,defendedthemevenwhen
abandonedbythemselvesdefendedtheminthetribunewithspeech,andinthestreet
withthesword.
WhentheCommitteeofResistanceinthesittingatwhichthedecreeofdepositionandof
outlawrywasdrawnupandvoted,makinguseofthediscretionarypowerwhichtheLeft
hadconfidedtoit,decidedthatallthesignaturesoftheRepublicanRepresentatives
remainingatlibertyshouldbeplacedatthefootofthedecree,itwasaboldstrokethe
Committeedidnotconcealfromitselfthatitwasalistofproscriptionofferedtothe
victorious_coupd'tat_readydrawnup,andperhapsinitsinnerconscienceitfearedthat
somewoulddisavowit,andprotestagainstit.Asamatteroffact,thenextdaywe
receivedtwoletters,twocomplaints.TheywerefromtwoRepresentativeswhohadbeen
omittedfromthelist,andwhoclaimedthehonorofbeingreinstatedthere.Ireinstate
thesetwoRepresentativeshere,intheirrightofbeingproscripts.Herearetheirnames
AngladeandPradi.
FromTuesday,the2d,toFriday,the5thofDecember,theRepresentativesoftheLeft
andtheCommittee,dogged,worried,hunteddown,alwaysonthepointofbeing
discoveredandtaken,thatistosaymassacredrepairedforthepurposeofdeliberating,
totwentysevendifferenthouses,shiftedtwentyseventimestheirplaceofmeeting,from
theirfirstgatheringintheRueBlanchetotheirlastconferenceatRaymond's.They
refusedtheshelterswhichwereofferedthemontheleftbankoftheriver,wishingalways
toremaininthecentreofthecombat.Duringthesechangestheymorethanonce
traversedtherightbankofParisfromoneendtotheother,mostofthetimeonfoot,and
makinglongcircuitsinordernottobefollowed.Everythingthreatenedthemwith
dangertheirnumber,theirwellknownfaces,eventheirprecautions.Inthepopulous
streetstherewasdanger,thepolicewerepermanentlypostedtherein thelonelystreets
therewasdanger,becausethegoingsandcomingsweremorenoticedthere.

Theydidnotsleep,theydidnoteat,theytookwhattheycouldfind,aglassofwaterfrom
timetotime,amorselofbreadhereandthere.MadameLandringaveusabasinofsoup,
MadameGrvytheremainderofacoldpie.Wedinedoneeveningonalittlechocolate
whichachemisthaddistributedinabarricade.AtJeunesse's,intheRuedeGrammont,
duringthenightofthe3rd,MicheldeBourgestookachair,andsaid,"Thisismybed."
Weretheytired?Theydidnotfeelit.Theoldmen,likeRonjat,thesick,likeBoysset,all
wentforward.Thepublicperil,likeafever,sustainedthem.

Ourvenerablecolleague,Lamennais,didnotcome,butheremainedthreedayswithout
goingtobed,buttonedupinhisoldfrockcoat,histhickbootsonhisfeet,readytomarch.
Hewrotetotheauthorthesethreelines,whichitisimpossiblenottoquote:"Youare
heroeswithoutme.Thispainsmegreatly.Iawaityourorders. Try,then,tofindme
somethingtodo,beitbuttodie."
Inthesemeetingseachmanpreservedhisusualdemeanor.Attimesonemighthave
thoughtitanordinarysittinginoneofthebureauxoftheAssembly.Therewasthecalm
ofeveryday,mingledwith thefirmnessofdecisivecrises.EdgarQuinetretainedallhis
loftyjudgment,NolParfaitallhismentalvivacity,Yvanallhisvigorousandintelligent
penetration,Labrousseallhisanimation.InacornerPierreLefranc,pamphleteerand
balladwriter,butapamphleteerlikeCourier,andaballadwriterlikeBrangersmiledat
thegraveandsternwordsofDupontdeBussac.Allthatbrilliantgroupofyoungorators
oftheLeft,Baneelwithhispowerfulardor,VersignyandVictorChauffourwiththeir
youthfuldaring.Sainwithhiscoolheadednesswhichrevealsstrength,Farconnetwithhis
gentlevoiceandhisenergeticinspiration,lavishinghiseffortsinresistingthe_coup
d'tat_,sometimestakingpartinthedeliberations,atothersamongstthepeople,proving
thattobeanoratoronemustpossessallthequalificationsofacombatant.DeFlotte,
indefatigable,waseverreadytotraverseallParis.XavierDurrieuwascourageous,Dulac
dauntless,Charamaulefoolhardy.CitizensandPaladins.Courage!whowouldhave
daredtoexhibitnoneamongstallthesemen,ofwhomnotonetrembled?Untrimmed
beards,torncoats,disorderedhair,palefaces,prideglisteningineveryeye.Inthehouses
wheretheywerereceivedtheyinstalledthemselvesasbesttheycould.Iftherewereno
sofasorchairs,some,exhaustedinstrength,butnotinheart,seatedthemselvesonthe
floor.Allbecamecopyistsofthedecreesandproclamationsonedictated,tenwrote.
Theywroteontables,onthecornersoffurniture,ontheirknees.Frequentlypaperwas
lacking,penswerewanting.Thesewretchedtriflescreatedobstaclesatthemostcritical
times.Atcertainmomentsinthehistoryofpeoplesaninkstandwheretheinkisdriedup
mayproveapubliccalamity.Moreover,cordialityprevailedamongall,allshadesof
differencewereeffaced.InthesecretsittingsoftheCommitteeMadierdeMontjau,that
firmandgenerousheart,DeFlotte,braveandthoughtful,afightingphilosopherofthe
Devolution,Carnot,accurate,cold,tranquil,immovable,JulesFavre,eloquent,
courageous,admirablethroughhissimplicityandhisstrength,inexhaustibleinresources
asinsarcasms,doubled,bycombiningthem,thediversepowersoftheirminds.
MicheldeBourges,seatedinacornerofthefireplace,orleaningonatableenvelopedin
hisgreatcoat,hisblacksilkcaponhishead,hadananswerforeverysuggestion,gave
backtooccurrencesblowforblow,wasonhisguardfordanger,difficulty,opportunity,
necessity,forhisisoneofthosewealthynatureswhichhavealwayssomethingready
eitherintheirintellectorintheirimagination.Wordsofadvicecrossedwithoutjostling
eachother.Thesemenentertainednoillusion.Theyknewthattheyhadenteredintoa
lifeanddeathstruggle.Theyhadnoquartertoexpect.TheyhadtodowiththeManwho
hadsaid,"Crusheverything."TheyknewthebloodywordsoftheselfstyledMinister,
Merny.ThesewordstheplacardsofSaintArnaudinterpretedbydecrees,thePraetorians
letlooseinthestreetinterpretedthembymurder.ThemembersoftheInsurrectionary

CommitteeandtheRepresentativesassistingatthemeetingswerenotignorantthat
wherevertheymightbetakentheywouldbekilledonthespotbybayonetthrusts.Itwas
thefortuneofthiswar.Yettheprevailingexpressiononeveryfacewasserenitythat
profoundserenitywhichcomesfromahappyconscience.Attimesthisserenityroseto
gaiety.Theylaughedwillinglyandateverything.Atthetorntrousersofone,atthehat
whichanotherhadbroughtbackfromthebarricadeinsteadofhisown,atthecomforter
ofathird."Hideyourbigbody,"theysaidtohim.Theywerechildren,andeverything
amusedthem.Onthemorningofthe4thMathiendelaDrmecamein.Hehadorganized
forhispartacommitteewhichcommunicatedwiththeCentralCommittee,hecameto
tellusofit.Hehadshavedoffhisfringeofbeardsoasnottoberecognizedinthestreets.
"YoulooklikeanArchbishop,"saidMicheldeBourgestohim,andtherewasageneral
laugh.Andallthis,withthisthoughtwhicheverymomentbroughtbackthenoisewhich
isheardatthedoor,thekeywhichturnsinthelockisperhapsDeathcomingin.
TheRepresentativesandtheCommitteewereatthemercyofchance.Morethanonce
they couldhavebeencaptured,andtheywerenoteitherowingtothescruplesofcertain
policeagents(wherethedeucewillscruplesnexttakeuptheirabode?)orthatthese
agentsdoubtedthefinalresult,andfearedtolaytheirhandheedlesslyuponpossible
victors.IfVassal,theCommissaryofPolice,whometusonthemorningofthe4th,on
thepavementoftheRuedesMoulins,hadwished,wemighthavebeentakenthatday.
Hedidnotbetrayus.Butthesewereexceptions.Thepursuitofthepolicewasnonethe
lessardentandimplacable.AtMarie's,itmayberememberedthatthe_sergentsdeville_
andthegendarmesarrivedtenminutesafterwehadleftthehouse,andthattheyeven
ransackedunderthebedswiththeirbayonets.
AmongsttheRepresentativestherewereseveralConstituents,andattheirheadBastide.
Bastide,in1848,hadbeenMinisterforForeignAffairs.Duringthesecondnight,meeting
intheRuePopincourt,theyreproachedhimwithseveralofhisactions."Letmefirstget
myselfkilled,"heanswered,"andthenyoucanreproachmewithwhatyoulike."Andhe
added,"Howcanyoudistrustme,whoamaRepublicanuptothehilt?"Bastidewould
notconsenttocallourresistancethe"insurrection,"hecalleditthe"counter
insurrection."hesaid,"VictorHugoisright.TheinsurgentisattheElyse."Itwasmy
opinion,aswehaveseen,thatweoughttobringthebattleatoncetoanissue,todefer
nothing,toreservenothingIsaid,"Wemuststrikethe_coupd'tat_whileitishot."
Bastidesupportedme.Inthecombathewasimpassive,cold,gaybeneathhiscoldness.
AttheSaintAntoinebarricade,atthemomentwhenthegunsofthe_coupd'tat_were
leveledattheRepresentativesofthepeople,hesaidsmilinglytoMadierdeMontjau,
"AskSchoelcherwhathethinksoftheabolitionofthepenaltyofdeath."(Schoelcher,
likemyself,atthissuprememoment,wouldhaveanswered,"thatitoughttobe
abolished")InanotherbarricadeBastide,compelledtoabsenthimselfforamoment,
placedhispipeonapavingstone.TheyfoundBastide'spipe,andtheythoughthimdead.
Hecameback,anditwashailingmusketballshesaid,"Mypipe?"herelighteditand
resumedthefight.Twoballspiercedhiscoat.
Whenthebarricadeswereconstructed,theRepublicanRepresentativesspreadthemselves
abroadanddistributedthemselvesamongstthem.NearlyalltheRepresentativesofthe

Leftrepairedtothebarricades,assistingeithertobuildthemortodefendthem.Besides
thegreatexploitatSaintAntoinebarricade,whereSchoelcherwassoadmirable,
EsquiroswenttothebarricadeoftheRuedeCharonne,DeFlottetothoseofthe
PantheonandoftheChapelleSaintDenis,MadierdeMontjautothoseofBellevilleand
theRueAumaire,DoutreandPelletiertothatoftheMairieoftheFifthArrondissement,
BrivestothatofRueBeaubourg,Arnaulddel'ArigetothatofRuedePetitRepsoir,
ViguiertothatoftheRuePagevin,VersignytothatoftheRueJoigneauxDupontde
BussactothatoftheCarrSaintMartinCarlosForelandBoyssettothatoftheRue
Rambuteau.Doutrereceivedaswordcutonhishead,whichclefthishatBourzathad
fourballsinhisovercoatBaudinwaskilledGastonDussoubswasillandcouldnot
comehisbrother,DenisDussoubs,replacedhim.Where?Inthetomb.
Baudinfellonthefirstbarricade,DenisDussoubsonthelast.
IwaslessfavoredthanBourzatIonlyhadthreeballsinmyovercoat,anditis
impossibleformetosaywhencetheycame.Probablyfromtheboulevard.
Afterthebattlewaslosttherewasnogeneralhelterskelter,norout,noflight.All
remainedhiddeninParisreadytoreappear,MichelintheRued'Alger,myselfintheRue
deNavarin.TheCommitteeheldyetanothersittingonSaturday,the6th,ateleven
o'clockatnight.JulesFavre,MicheldeBourges,andmyself,wecameduringthenightto
thehouseofagenerousandbravewoman,MadameDidier.Bastidecamethereandsaid
tome,"Ifyouarenotkilledhere,youaregoingtoenteruponexile.Formyself,Iam
goingtoremaininParis.Takemeforyourlieutenant."Ihaverelatedthisincident.
Theyhopedforthe9th(Tuesday)aresumptionofarms,whichdidnottakeplace.
MalarmethadannouncedittoDupontdeBussac,buttheblowofthe4thhadprostrated
Paris.Thepopulacenolongerstirred.TheRepresentativesdidnotresolvetothinkof
theirsafety,andtoquitFrancethroughathousandadditionaldangersuntilseveraldays
afterwards,whenthelastsparkofresistancewasextinguishedintheheartofthepeople,
andthelastglimmerofhopeinheaven.
SeveralRepublicanRepresentativeswereworkmentheyhaveagainbecomeworkmenin
exile.Nadaudhasresumedhistrowel,andisamasoninLondon.Faure(duRhne),a
cutler,andBansept,ashoemaker,feltthattheirtradehadbecometheirduty,andpractise
itinEngland.Fauremakesknives,Banseptmakesboots.Greppoisaweaver,itwashe
whowhenaproscriptmadethecoronationrobeofQueenVictoria.Gloomysmileof
Destiny.NolParfaitisaproofreaderatBrusselsAgricolPerdiguier,called
AvignonnaislaVertu,hasgirdedonhisleathernapron,andisacabinetmakerat
Antwerp.YesterdaythesemensatintheSovereignAssembly.Suchthingsastheseare
seeninPlutarch.
Theeloquentandcourageousproscript,EmileDeschanel,hascreatedatBrussels,witha
raretalentofspeech,anewformofpublicinstruction,theConferences.Tohimisduethe
honorofthisfoundation,sofruitfulandsouseful.

LetussayinconclusionthattheNationalLegislativeAssemblylivedbadlybutdiedwell.
Atthismomentofthefall,irreparableforthecowards,theRightwasworthy,theLeft
wasgreat.
NeverbeforehasHistoryseenaParliamentfallinthismanner.
FebruaryhadblownupontheDeputiesof thelegalcountry,andtheDeputieshad
vanished.M.Sauzethadsunkdownbehindthetribune,andhadgoneawaywithouteven
takinghishat.
Bonaparte,theother,thefirst,thetrueBonaparte,hadmadethe"FiveHundred"stepout
ofthewindowsoftheOrangeryofSaintCloud,somewhatembarrassedwiththeirlarge
mantles.
Cromwell,theoldestoftheBonapartes,whenheachievedhisEighteenthBrumaire,
encounteredscarcelyanyotherresistancethanafewimprecationsfromMiltonandfrom
Ludlaw,andwasabletosayinhisboorishlygiganticlanguage,"IhaveputtheKingin
myknapsackandtheParliamentinmypocket."
WemustgobacktotheRomanSenateinordertofindtrueCurulechairs.
TheLegislativeAssembly,letusrepeat,toitshonor,didnotlosecountenancewhen
facingtheabyss.Historywillkeepanaccountofit.Afterhavingbetrayedsomany
things,itmighthavebeenfearedthatthisAssemblywouldendbybetrayingitself.Itdid
nothingofthekind.TheLegislature,oneisobligedtoremember,hadcommittedfaults
uponfaultstheRoyalistmajorityhad,inthemostodiousmanner,persecutedthe
Republicanminority,whichwasbravelydoingitsdutyindenouncingittothepeople
thisAssemblyhadhadaverylongcohabitationandamostfatalcomplicitywiththeMan
ofCrime,whohadendedbystranglingitasarobberstrangleshisconcubineinhisbed
butwhatevermaybesaidofthisfatefulAssembly,itdidnotexhibitthatwretched
vanishingawaywhichLouisBonapartehopedforitwasnotacoward.
Thisisduetoitshavingoriginatedfromuniversalsuffrage.Letusmentionthis,foritis
aninstructivelesson.Thevirtueofthisuniversalsuffrage,whichhadbegottenthe
AssemblyandwhichtheAssemblyhadwishedtoslay,itfeltinitselftoitslasthour.
ThesapofawholepeopledoesnotspreadinvainthroughoutanAssembly,even
throughoutthemostdecrepit.Onthedecisivedaythissapassertsitself.
TheLegislativeAssembly,ladenasitmaybewithformidableresponsibilities,will,
perhaps,belessoverwhelmedthanitdeservesbythereprobationofposterity.
Thankstouniversalsuffrage,whichithaddeceived,andwhichconstituteditsfaithand
itsstrengthatthelastmoment,thankstotheLeft,whichithadoppressed,scoffedat,

calumniated,anddecimated,andwhichcastonitthegloriousreflectionofitsheroism,
thispitifulAssemblydiedagranddeath.

CHAPTERXVIII.PAGEWRITTENATBRUSSELS
Wellthen,yes,IwillkickopenthedoorofthisPalace,andIwill enterwithyou,History!
Iwillseizebythecollaralltheperpetrators,continuallycaughtredhandedinthe
commissionofalltheseoutrages!Iwillsuddenlyilluminatethiscavernofnightwiththe
broaddaylightoftruth!
Yes,Iwillbringinthedaylight!Iwillteardownthecurtain,Iwillopenthewindow,I
willshowtoeveryeyesuchasitreallyis,infamous,horrible,wealthy,triumphant,
joyous,gilded,besmirchedthisElyse!thisCourt!thisgroup!thisheap!callitwhatyou
will!thisgalleycrew!wherewritheandcrawl,andpairandbreedeverybaseness,every
indignity,everyabomination:filibusters,buccaneers,swearersofoaths,Signersofthe
Cross,spies,swindlers,butchers,executioners,fromthebrigandwhovendshissword,to
theJesuitwhosellshisGodsecondhand!ThissinkwhereBarocheelbowsTeste!where
eachbringshisownnastiness!MagnanhisepauletsMontalemberthisreligion,Dupin
hisperson!
Andabovealltheinnermostcircle,theHolyofHolies,theprivateCouncil,thesmugden
wheretheydrinkwheretheyeatwheretheylaughwheretheysleepwheretheyplay
wheretheycheatwheretheycallHighnesses"Thou,"wheretheywallow!Oh!what
ignominies!Itisthem!Itisthere!Dishonor,baseness,shame,andopprobriumarethere!
OhHistory!Ahotironforallthesefaces.
Itistherethattheyamusethemselves,andthattheyjest,andthattheybanter,andthat
theymakesportofFrance!Itistherethattheypockethaphazard,amidgreatshoutsof
laughter,themillionsoflouisandthemillionsofvotes!Seethem,lookatthem!They
havetreatedtheLawlikeagirl,theyarecontent!Rightisslaughtered,Libertyisgagged,
theflagisdishonored,thepeopleareundertheirfeet.Theyarehappy!Andwhoarethey?
Whatarethesemen?Europeknowsnot.Onefinemorningitsawthemcomeoutofa
crime.Nothingmore.Aparcelofrascalswhovainlytriedtobecomecelebrated,andwho
haveremainedanonymous.Look!theyareallthere!Seethem,Itellyou!Lookatthem,I
tellyou!Recognizethemifyoucan.Ofwhatsexarethey?Towhatspeciesdothey
belong?Whoisthisone?Isheawriter?Noheisadog.Hegobbleshumanflesh.And
thatone?Isheadog?No,heisacourtierhehasbloodonhispaw.
Newmen,thatiswhattheytermthem.New,intruth!Unlookedfor,strange,
unprecedented,monstrous!Perjury,iniquity,robbery,assassination,erectedinto
ministerialdepartments,swindlingappliedtouniversalsuffrage,governmentunderfalse
pretences,dutycalledcrime,crimecalledduty,cynicismlaughinginthemidstof
atrocity,itisofallthisthattheirnewnessiscompounded.
Now,alliswell,theyhavesucceeded,theyhaveafairwind,theyenjoythemselvestothe
full.TheyhavecheatedFrance,they aredividingthespoil.Franceisabag,andtheyput
theirhandinit.Rummage,forHeaven'ssake!Take,whileyouaretherehelpyourselves,
drawout,plunder,steal!Onewantsmoney,anotherwantssituations,anotherwantsa

decorativecollarroundhisneck,anotheraplumeinhishat,anotherembroideryonhis
sleeve,anotherwomen,anotherpoweranothernewsfortheBourse,anotherarailway,
anotherwine.Ishouldthink,indeed,thattheyarewellsatisfied.Picturetoyourselfa
poordevilwho,threeyearsago,borrowedtensousofhisporter,andwhotoday,leaning
voluptuouslyonthe_Moniteur_,hasonlytosignadecreetotakeamillion.Tomake
themselvesperfectlyhappy,tobeabletodevourthefinancesoftheState,toliveatthe
expenseoftheTreasurylikeasonofthefamily,thisiswhatiscalledtheirpolicy.Their
ambitionhasatruename,itisgluttony.
Theyambitious?Nonsense!Theyaregluttons.Togovernistogamble.Thisdoesnot
preventbetrayal.Onthecontrary,theyspyuponeachother,theybetrayeachother.The
littletraitorsbetraythegreattraitors.PietrilooksaskanceatMaupas,andMaupasat
Carlier.Theyalllieinthesamereekingsewer!Theyhaveachievedthe_coupd'tat_in
common.Thatisall.Moreoverthey feelsureofnothing,neitherofglances,norof
smiles,norofhiddenthoughts,norofmen,norofwomen,norofthelacquey,norofthe
prince,norofwordsofhonor,norofbirthcertificates.Eachfeelshimselffraudulent,and
knowshimselfsuspected. Eachhashissecretaims.Eachaloneknowswhyhehasdone
this.Notoneuttersawordabouthiscrime,andnoonebearsthenameofhisfather.Ah!
mayGodgrantmelife,andmayJesuspardonme,Iwillraiseagibbetahundredyards
high,Iwilltakehammerandnails,andIwillcrucifythisBeauharnaiscalledBonaparte,
betweenthisLeroycalledSaintArnoud,andthisFialincalledPersigny!
AndIwoulddragyoutherealso,allofyouaccomplices!ThisMorny,thisRomieu,this
Fould,theJewsenator,thisDelangle,whobearsonhisbackthisplacard:JUSTICE!and
thisTroplong,thisjudicialglorifieroftheviolationofthelaws,thislawyerapologistof
the_coupd'tat_,thismagistrateflattererofperjury,thisjudgepanegyristofmurder,
whowillgodowntoposteritywithaspongefilledwithmudandwithbloodinhishand.
Ibeginthebattletherefore.Withwhom?WiththepresentrulerofEurope.Itisrightthat
thisspectacleshouldbegiventotheworld.LouisBonaparteisthesuccess,isthe
intoxicatedtriumph,isthegayandferociousdespotism,openingoutunderthevictory,he
isthemadfulnessofpower,seekinglimitsandfindingnone,neitherinthingsnorinmen
LouisBonaparteholdsFrance,_UrbemRomanhabit_andwhoeverholdsFranceholds
theworldheismasterofthevotes,masteroftheconsciences,masterofthepeoplehe
nominateshissuccessor,reignsforeveroverfutureelectoralscrutinies,disposesof
eternity,andplacesfuturityinanenvelopehisSenate,hisLegislativeBody,hisCouncil
ofState,withheadsloweredandmingledconfusedlybehindhim,lickhisfeethedrags
alonginaleashthebishopsandcardinalshetramplesonthejusticewhichcurseshim,
andonthejudgeswhoadorehim,thirtycorrespondentsinformtheContinentthathehas
frowned,andeveryelectrictelegraphvibratesifheraiseshislittlefingeraroundhimis
heardtherustlingofsabres,andthedrumsbeatthesalutehesitsundertheshadowofthe
eagleinthemidstofbayonetsandofcitadels,thefreenationstrembleandhidetheir
libertiesforfearthatheshouldstealthem,thegreatAmericanRepublicherselffaltersin
hispresence,anddaresnotwithdrawherAmbassadorfromhimthekings,surroundedby
theirarmies,lookathimsmilingly,withtheirheartsfulloffear.Wherewillhebegin?

WithBelgium?WithSwitzerland?WithPiedmont?Europeexpectstobeoverrun.Heis
capableofall,andhedreamsofall.
Well,then!Beforethismaster,thistriumpher,thisconqueror,thisdictator,thisEmperor,
thisallpowerful,thererisesasolitaryman,awanderer,despoiled,ruined,prostrate,
proscribed,andattackshim.LouisNapoleonhastenthousandcannons,andfivehundred
thousandsoldiersthewriterhashispenandhisinkstand.Thewriterisnothing,heisa
grainofdust,heisashadow,heisanexilewithoutarefuge,heisavagrantwithouta
passport,buthehasbyhissideandfightingwithhimtwopowers,Right,whichis
invincible,andTruth,whichisimmortal.
Assuredly,forthisstruggletothedeath,forthisformidableduel,Providencecouldhave
chosenamoreillustriouschampion,agranderathlete.Butwhatmattermen,there,where
itistheideawithcombats!Suchasitis,itisgood,letusrepeat,thatthisspectacleshould
begiventotheworld.Whatisthisintruth?Itisintellect,anatomwhichresistsstrength
acolossus.
Ihaveonlyonestoneinmysling,butthatstoneisagoodonethatstoneisjustice.
IattackLouisBonaparteatthishour,whenheiserectatthishour,whenheismaster.He
isinhiszenith.Somuchthebetteritisthatwhichsuitsme.
Yes,IattackLouisBonaparte.IattackhimbeforetheworldIattackhiminthepresence
ofGodandmenIattackhimresolutely,desperatelyfortheloveofthepeopleandof
France.HeisabouttobeEmperor,letitbeso.Lettherebeatleastonebrowwhich
resists.LetLouisBonaparteknowthatanEmpiremaybetaken,butthataConscience
cannotbetaken.

CHAPTERXIX.THEINFALLIBLEBENEDICTION
ThePopeapproved.
WhenthemailsbroughttoRomeintelligenceoftheeventofthe2dofDecember,the
PopewenttoareviewheldbyGeneralGmeau,andbeggedhimtocongratulatePrince
LouisNapolonforhim.
Therewasaprecedentforthis.
Onthe12thDecember,1572,SaintGoard,AmbassadorofCharlestheNinth,Kingof
France,toPhiliptheSecond,KingofSpain,wrotefromMadridtohismaster,Charlesthe
Ninth,"ThenewsoftheeventsofthedayofSaintBartholomewhavereachedthe
CatholicKing.Contrarytohiswontandcustom,hehasshownsomuchjoy,thathehas
manifesteditmoreopenlythanhehaseverdoneforallthehappyeventsandgood
fortunewhichhavepreviouslybefallenhim.SothatIwenttohimonSundaymorningat
SaintHieronimus,andhavingapproachedhim,heburstoutlaughing,andwithevery
demonstrationofextremepleasureandcontentment,begantopraiseyourMajesty."[36]
ThehandofPiusIX.remainedextendedoverFrance,whenithadbecometheEmpire.
Then,undertheshadowofthisbenediction,begananeraofprosperity.
[36]"ArchivesofthehouseofOrange,"page125,Supplement.

CONCLUSIONTHEFALL.
CHAPTERI.
IwascomingbackfrommyfourthexileanexileinBelgium,asmallmatter.Itwasone
ofthelastdaysofSeptember,1871.IwasreenteringFrancebytheLuxembourg
frontier.Ihadfallenasleepinthecarriage.Suddenlythejoltofthetraincomingtoa
standstillawokeme.Iopenedmyeyes.
Thetrainhadstoppedinthemiddleofacharminglandscape.
Iwasinthehalfconsciousnessofaninterruptedsleepandideas,asyethalfdreams,
hazyanddiffuse,hoveredbetweenmyselfandreality.Iexperiencedtheundefinableand
confusedsensationofawakening.
Ariverflowedbythesideoftherailway,clear,aroundabrightandverdantisland.This
vegetationwassothickthatthemoorhens,onreachingit,plungedbeneathitand
disappeared.Theriverwoundthroughavalley,whichappearedlikeahugegarden.
Appletreeswerethere,whichremindedoneofEve,andwillows,whichmadeonethink
ofGalatea.Itwas,asIhavesaid,inoneofthoseequinoctialmonthswhenmaybefeltthe
peculiarcharmofaseasondrawingtoaclose.Ifitbewinterwhichispassingaway,you
hearthesongofapproachingspringifitbesummerwhichisvanishing,yousee
glimmeringonthehorizontheundefinablesmileofautumn.Thewindlulledand
harmonizedallthosepleasantsoundswhichcomposethemurmurofthefieldsthe
tinklingofthesheepbellsseemedtosoothethehummingofthebeesthelastbutterflies
mettogetherwiththefirstgrapesthishouroftheyearminglesthejoyofbeingstillalive
withtheunconsciousmelancholyoffastapproachingdeaththesweetnessofthesunwas
indescribable.Fertilefieldsstreakedwithfurrows,honestpeasants'cottagesunderthe
treesaturfcoveredwithshade,thelowingofcattleasinVirgil,andthesmokeofhamlets
penetratedbyraysofsunshinesuchwasthecompletepicture.Theclangingofanvils
ranginthedistance,therhythmofworkamidsttheharmonyofnature.Ilistened,Imused
vaguely.Thevalleywasbeautifulandquiet,theblueheavensseemedasthoughresting
uponalovelycircleofhillsinthedistancewerethevoicesofbirds,andclosetomethe
voicesofchildren,liketwosongsofangelsmingledtogethertheuniversalpurity
enshroudedme:allthisgraceandallthisgrandeurshedagoldendawnintomysoul....
Suddenlyafellowtravellerasked,
"Whatplaceisthis?"
Anotheranswered,
"Sedan."

Ishuddered.
Thisparadisewasatomb.
Ilookedaround.Thevalleywascircularandhollow,likethebottomofacraterthe
windingriverresembledaserpentthehighhills,rangedonebehindtheother,
surroundedthismysteriousspotlikeatriplelineofinexorablewallsoncethere,thereis
nomeansofexit.Itremindedmeoftheamphitheatres.Anindescribabledisquieting
vegetationwhichseemedtobeanextensionoftheBlackForest,overranalltheheights,
andlostitselfin thehorizonlikeahugeimpenetrablesnarethesunshone,thebirdssang,
carterspassedbywhistlingsheep,lambs,andpigeonswerescatteredabout,leaves
quiveredandrustledthegrass,adenselythickgrass,wasfullofflowers.Itwas
appalling.
Iseemedtoseewavingoverthisvalleytheflashingoftheavengingangel'ssword.
Thisword"Sedan"hadbeenlikeaveilabruptlytornaside.Thelandscapehadbecome
suddenlyfilledwithtragedy.Thoseshapelesseyeswhichthebarkoftreesdelineateson
thetrunksweregazingatwhat?Atsomethingterribleandlosttoview.
Intruth,thatwastheplace!AndatthemomentwhenIwaspassingbythirteenmonthsall
butafewdayshadelapsed.Thatwastheplacewherethemonstrousenterpriseofthe2d
of Decemberhadburstasunder.Afearfulshipwreck.
ThegloomypathwaysofFatecannotbestudiedwithoutprofoundanguishoftheheart.

CHAPTERII.
Onthe31stofAugust,1870,anarmywasreassembled,andwas,asitwere,massed
togetherunderthewallsofSedan,inaplacecalledtheGivonneValley.Thisarmywasa
Frencharmytwentyninebrigades,fifteendivisions,fourarmycorps90,000men.This
armywasinthisplacewithoutanyonebeingabletodivinethereasonwithoutorder,
withoutanobject,scatteredaboutaspeciesofheapofmenthrowndownthereasthough
withtheviewofbeingseizedbysomehugehand.
Thisarmyeitherdidnotentertain,orappearednottoentertain,forthemomentany
immediateuneasiness.Theyknew,oratleasttheythoughttheyknew,thattheenemywas
alongwayoff.Oncalculatingthestagesatfourleaguesdaily,itwasthreedays'march
distant.Nevertheless,towardseveningtheleaderstooksomewisestrategicprecautions
theyprotectedthearmy,whichrestedintherearonSedanandtheMeuse,bytwobattle
fronts,onecomposedofthe7thCorps,andextendingfromFloingtoGivonne,theother
composedofthe12thCorps,extendingfromGivonnetoBazeillesatriangleofwhich
theMeuseformedthehypothenuse.The12thCorps,formedofthethreedivisionsof
Lacretelle,Lartigue,andWolf,rangedontheright,withtheartillery,betweenthe
brigadesformedaveritablebarrier,havingBazeillesandGivonneateachend,and
DaignyinitscentrethetwodivisionsofPetitandLhritiermassedintherearupontwo
linessupportedthisbarrier.GeneralLebruncommandedthe12thCorps.The7thCorps,
commandedbyGeneralDouay,onlypossessedtwodivisionsDumont'sdivisionand
Gilbert'sdivisionandformedtheotherbattlefront,coveringthearmyofGivonneto
FloingonthesideofIllythisbattlefrontwascomparativelyweak,tooopenontheside
ofGivonne,andonlyprotectedonthesideoftheMeusebythetwocavalrydivisionsof
MargueritteandBonnemains,andbyGuyomar'sbrigade,restinginsquaresuponFloing.
Withinthistrianglewereencampedthe5thCorps,commandedbyGeneralWimpfen,and
the1stCorps,commandedbyGeneralDucrot.Michel'scavalrydivisioncoveredthe1st
CorpsonthesideofDaignythe5thsupporteditselfuponSedan.Fourdivisions,each
disposedupontwolinesthedivisionsofLhritier,Grandchamp,Goze,andConseil
Dumnilformedasortofhorseshoe,turnedtowardsSedan,andunitingthefirstbattle
frontwiththesecond.ThecavalrydivisionofAmeilandthebrigadeofFontangesserved
asareserveforthesefourdivisions.Thewholeoftheartillerywasuponthetwobattle
fronts.Twoportionsofthearmywereinconfusion,onetotherightofSedanbeyond
Balan,theother totheleftofSedan,onthissideofIges.BeyondBalanwerethedivisions
ofVassoigneandthebrigadeofReboul,onthissideofIgeswerethetwocavalry
divisionsofMargueritteandBonnemains.
Thesearrangementsindicatedaprofoundfeelingofsecurity.Inthefirstplacethe
EmperorNapoleonIII.wouldnothavecomethereifhehadnotbeenperfectlytranquil.
ThisGivonneValleyiswhatNapoleonI.calleda"washhandbasin."Therecouldnotbea
morecompleteenclosure.Anarmyissomuchathometherethatitistoomuchsoitruns
theriskofnolongerbeingabletogetout.Thisdisquietedsomebraveandprudent
leaderssuchasWimpfen,buttheywerenotlistenedto.Ifabsolutelynecessary,saidthe
peopleoftheImperialcircle,theycouldalwaysbesureofbeingabletoreachMzires,

andattheworsttheBelgianfrontier.Wasit,however,needfultoprovideforsuch
extremeeventualities?Incertaincasesforesightisalmostanoffence.Theywereallof
onemind,therefore,tobeattheirease.
IftheyhadbeenuneasytheywouldhavecutthebridgesoftheMeusebuttheydidnot
eventhinkofit.Towhatpurpose?Theenemywasalongwayoff.TheEmperor,who
evidentlywaswellinformed,affirmedit.
Thearmybivouackedsomewhatinconfusion,aswehavesaid,andsleptpeaceably
throughoutthisnightofAugust31,having,whatevermighthappen,orbelievingthatthey
had,theretreatuponMziresopenbehindit.Theydisdainedtotakethemostordinary
precautions,theymadenocavalryreconnaissances,theydidnotevenplaceoutposts.A
Germanmilitarywriterhasstatedthis.[37]Fourteenleaguesatleastseparatedthemfrom
theGermanarmy,threedays'marchtheydidnotexactlyknowwhereitwasthey
believeditscattered,possessinglittleunity,badlyinformed,ledsomewhatatrandom
uponseveralpointsatonce,incapableofamovementconvergingupononesinglepoint,
likeSedantheybelievedthattheCrownPrinceofSaxonywasmarchingonChalons,and
thattheCrownPrinceofPrussiawasmarchingonMetztheywereignorantofeverything
appertainingtothisarmy,itsleaders,itsplan,itsarmament,itseffectiveforce.Wasitstill
followingthestrategyofGustavusAdolphus?Wasitstillfollowingthetacticsof
FrederickII.?Nooneknew.TheyfeltsureofbeingatBerlininafewweeks.What
nonsense!ThePrussianarmy!Theytalkedofthiswarasofadream,andofthisarmyas
ofaphantom.
Duringthisverynight,whiletheFrencharmywassleeping,thisiswhatwastakingplace.
[37]M.Harwik.

CHAPTERIII.
Ataquartertotwointhemorning,athisheadquartersatMouzon,Albert,CrownPrince
ofSaxony,settheArmyoftheMeuseinmotiontheRoyalGuardwerebeattoarms,and
twodivisionsmarched,oneuponVillersCernay,byEscambreandFouruauxBois,the
otheruponFranchevalbySuchyandFouruSaintRemy.TheArtilleryoftheGuard
followed.
Atthesamemomentthe12thSaxonCorpswasbeatentoarms,andbythehighroadto
thesouthofDouzyreachedLamcourt,andmarcheduponLaMoncellethe1stBavarian
CorpsmarcheduponBazeilles,supportedatReuillysurMeusebyanArtilleryDivision
ofthe4thCorps.Theotherdivisionofthe4thCorpscrossedtheMeuseatMouzon,and
masseditselfinreserveatMairy,upontherightbank.Thesethreecolumnsmaintained
closecommunicationwitheachother.Theorderwasgiventotheadvancedguardsto
beginnooffensivemovementbeforefiveo'clock,andsilentlytooccupyFouruauxBois,
FouruSaintRemy,andDouay.Theyhadlefttheirknapsacksbehindthem.Thebaggage
wagonsdidnotstir.TheCrownPrinceofSaxonywasonhorsebackontheheightsof
Amblimont.
Atthesametime,athisheadquartersatChmery,Blumenthalwashavingabridgebuilt
overtheMeusebytheWurtemburgdivision.The11thCorps,astirbeforedaylight,
crossedtheMeuseatDomleMesnilandatDonchery,andreachedVrignesurBois.The
artilleryfollowed,andheldtheroadfromVrignetoSedan.TheWurtemburgdivision
keptthebridgewhichithadbuilt,andheldtheroadfromSedantoMzires.Atfive
o'clock,the2dBavarianCorps,withtheartilleryatitshead,detachedoneofitsdivisions,
andsentitbyBulsonuponFrnoistheotherdivisionpassedbyNoyers,anddrewup
beforeSedan,between FrnoisandWadelincourt.TheartilleryoftheReservewasdrawn
upontheheightsoftheleftbank,oppositeDonchery.
Atthesametimethe6thCavalryDivisionwassentfromMazeray,andpassingby
BoutancourtandBolzicourt,reachedtheMeuseatFlizethe2dCavalryDivisionquitted
itsencampment,andtookupitspositiontothesouthofBoutancourtthe4thCavalry
DivisiontookupitspositiontothesouthofFrnoisthe1stBavarianCorpsinstalled
itselfatRemillythe5thCavalryDivisionandthe6thCorpswerepostedtoobserve,and
allinline,andorder,massedupontheheightswaitedforthedawntoappear.TheCrown
PrinceofPrussiawasonhorsebackonthehillofFrnois.
Atthesamemoment,uponeverypointofthehorizon,otherandsimilarmovementswere
takingplacefromeveryside.Thehighhillsweresuddenlyoverrunbyanimmenseblack
army.Notoneshoutofcommand.Twohundredandfiftythousandmencamesilentlyto
encircletheGivonneValley.
Thisiswhatthecircleconsistedof,

TheBavarians,therightwing,atBazeillesontheMeusenexttotheBavariansthe
Saxons,atLaMoncelleandDaignyoppositeGivonne,theRoyalGuardthe5thCorpsat
SaintMengesthe2datFlaigneuxtheWurtemburgersatthebendoftheMeuse,between
SaintMengesandDoncheryCountStolbergandhiscavalryatDoncheryinfront,
towardsSedan,the2dBavarianArmy.
Allthiswascarriedoutinaghostlymanner,inorder,withoutawhisper,withoutasound,
throughforests,ravines,andvalleys.Atortuousandillomenedmarch.Astealthygliding
onwardsofreptiles.
Scarcelycouldamurmurbeheardbeneaththethickfoliage.Thesilentbattleswarmedin
thedarknessawaitingtheday.
TheFrencharmywassleeping.
Suddenlyitawoke.
Itwasaprisoner.
Thesunrose,brilliantonthesideofGodterribleonthesideofman.

CHAPTERIV.
Letusreviewthesituation.
TheGermanshavenumbersontheirsidetheyarethreeagainstone,perhapsfourthey
ownto250,000men,anditiscertain thattheirattackingfrontextendedfor30
kilomtrestheyhaveontheirsidethepositions,theycrowntheheights,theyfillthe
forests,theyarecoveredbyalltheseescarpments,theyaremaskedbyallthisshadethey
possessanincomparableartillery.TheFrencharmyisinavalley,almostwithoutartillery
andwithoutsupplies,utterlynakedbeneaththeirhailoflead.TheGermanshaveontheir
sidetheambuscade,andtheFrenchhaveonlyontheirsideheroism.Deathisglorious,
butsurpriseisprofitable.
Asurprise,thatisthetruedescriptionofthisbrilliantexploit.
Isitfairwarfare?Yes.Butifthisisfair,whatisunfairwarfare?Itisthesamething.
Thissaid,thestoryoftheBattleofSedanhasbeentold.
Ishouldhavewishedtostopthere.ButIcannot.Whateverhorrorthehistorianmayfeel,
Historyisaduty,andthisdutymustbefulfilled.Thereisnoinclinemoreinexorablethan
this:totellthetruthhewhoventuresonitrollstotheverybottom.Itmustbeso.The
guardianofJusticeisdoomedtojustice.
TheBattleofSedanismorethanabattlewhichhasbeenfoughtitisasyllogismwhich
iscompletedaformidablepremeditationofdestiny.Destinyneverhurries,butitalways
comes.Atitshour,thereitis.Itallowsyearstopassby,andatthemomentwhenmenare
leastthinkingofit,itappears.Ofthischaracteristhefatal,theunexpectedcatastrophe
namedSedan.FromtimetotimeinHistory,Divinelogicmakesanonslaught.Sedanis
oneofthoseonslaughts.
Thusonthe1stofSeptember,atfiveo'clockinthemorningtheworldawokeunderthe
sun,andtheFrencharmyunderthethunderbolt.

CHAPTERV.
Bazeillestakesfire,Givonnetakesfire,Floingtakesfirethebattlebeginswithafurnace.
Thewholehorizonisaflame.TheFrenchcampisinthiscrater,stupefied,affrighted,
startingupfromsleeping,afunerealswarming.Acircleofthundersurroundsthearmy.
Theyareencircledbyannihilation.Thismightyslaughteriscarriedononallsides
simultaneously.TheFrenchresist,andtheyareterrible,havingnothingleftbutdespair.
Ourcannon,almostalloldfashionedandofshortrange,areatoncedismountedbythe
fearfulandexactaimofthePrussians.Thedensityoftherainofshellsuponthevalleyis
sogreat,that"theearthiscompletelyfurrowed,"saysaneyewitness,"asthoughbya
rake."Howmanycannon?Elevenhundredatleast.TwelveGermanbatteriesuponLa
Moncellealonethe3dand4th_Abtheilung_,anawestrikingartillery,uponthecrestsof
Givonne,withthe2dhorsebatteryinreserveoppositeDoignytenSaxonandtwo
WurtemburgbatteriesthecurtainoftreesofthewoodtothenorthofVillersCernay
masksthemounted_Abtheilung_,whichistherewiththe3dHeavyArtilleryinreserve,
andfromthisgloomycopseissuesaformidablefirethetwentyfourpiecesofthe1st
HeavyArtilleryarerangedinthegladeskirtingtheroadfromLaMoncelletoLa
ChapellethebatteryoftheRoyalGuardsetsfiretotheGarenneWoodtheshellsandthe
ballsriddleSuchy,Francheval,FouruSaintRemy,andthevalleybetweenHeibesand
Givonneandthethirdandfourthrankofcannonextendwithoutbreakofcontinuityas
farastheCalvaryofIlly,theextremepointofthehorizon.TheGermansoldiers,seated
orlyingbeforethebatteries,watchtheartilleryatwork.TheFrenchsoldiersfallanddie.
Amongstthebodieswhichcovertheplainthereisone,thebodyofanofficersonwhich
theywillfind,afterthebattle,asealednote,containingthisorder,signedNAPOLEON:
"Today,September1st,restforthewholearmy."
Thegallant35thoftheLinealmostcompletelydisappearsundertheoverwhelming
showerofshellsthebraveMarineInfantryholdsatbayforamomenttheSaxons,joined
bytheBavarians,butoutflankedoneveryside,drawsbackalltheadmirablecavalryof
theTargueritteDivisionhurledagainsttheGermaninfantry,haltsandsinksdown
midway,"annihilated,"saysthePrussianReport,"bywellaimedandcoolfiring."[38]
Thisfieldofcarnagehasthreeoutletsallthreebarred:theBouillonroadbythePrussian
Guard,theCarignanroadbytheBavarians,theMziresroadbytheWurtemburgers.
TheFrenchhavenotthoughtofbarricadingtherailwayviaductthreeGermanbattalions
haveoccupieditduringthenight.TwoisolatedhousesontheBalanroadcouldbemade
thepivotofalongresistancebuttheGermansarethere.ThewoodfromMonvilliersto
Bazeilles,bushyanddense,mightpreventthejunctionoftheSaxons,mastersofLa
Moncelle,andtheBavarians,mastersofBazeillesbuttheFrenchhavebeenforestalled:
theyfindtheBavarianscuttingtheunderwoodwiththeirbillhooks.TheGermanarmy
movesinonepiece,inoneabsoluteunitytheCrownPrinceofSaxonyisontheheightof
Mairy,whencehesurveysthewholeactionthecommandoscillatesintheFrencharmy
atthebeginningofthebattle,ataquartertosix,MacMahoniswoundedbythebursting
ofashellatseveno'clockDucrotreplaceshimatteno'clockWimpfenreplacesDucrot.
Everyinstantthewalloffireisdrawingcloserin,therollofthethunderiscontinuous,a
dismalpulverizationof90,000men!Neverbeforehasanythingequaltothisbeenseen

neverbeforehasanarmybeenoverwhelmedbeneathsuchadownpourofleadandiron!
Atoneo'clockallislost.TheregimentsflyhelterskelterintoSedan.ButSedanbeginsto
burnDijonvalburns,theambulancesburn,thereisnothingnowpossiblebuttocuttheir
wayout.Wimpfen,braveandresolute,proposesthistotheEmperor.The3dZouaves,
desperate,havesettheexample.Cutofffromtherestofthearmy,theyhaveforceda
passage,andhavereachedBelgium.Aflightoflions!
Suddenly,abovethedisaster,abovethehugepileofdeadanddying,aboveallthis
unfortunateheroism,appearsdisgrace.Thewhiteflagishoisted.
TurenneandVaubanwerebothpresent,oneinhisstatue,theotherinhiscitadel.
Thestatueandthecitadelwitnessedtheawestrikingcapitulation.Thesetwovirgins,one
ofbronze,theotherofgranite,feltthemselvesprostituted.Onoblefaceofourcountry!
Oh,eternalblushes!
[38]TheFrancoGermanWarof187071.ReportofthePrussianStaff,page1087.

CHAPTERVI.
ThisdisasterofSedanwaseasyofavoidancebyanyotherman,butimpossibleof
avoidanceforLouisBonaparte.Heavoideditsolittlethathesoughtit._Lexfati_.
Ourarmyseemedexpresslyarrangedforthecatastrophe.Thesoldierwasuneasy,
ignorantofhiswhereabouts,famished.Onthe31stofAugust,inthestreetsofSedan,
soldierswereseekingtheirregiments,andgoingfromdoortodooraskingforbread.We
haveseentheEmperor'sorderannouncingthenextday,September1st,asadayofrest.
Intruththearmywaswornoutwithfatigue.Andyetithadonlymarchedbyshortstages.
Thesoldierwasalmostlosingthehabitofmarching.Onecorps,the1st,forexample,
onlyaccomplishedtwoleaguesperday(onthe29thofAugustfromStonnetoRaucourt).
DuringthattimetheGermanarmy,inexorablycommandedanddrivenatthestick'send
likethearmyoftheXerxes,achievedmarchesoffourteenleaguesinfifteenhours,which
enabledittoarriveunexpectedly,andtosurroundtheFrencharmywhileasleep.Itwas
customarytoallowoneselftobesurprised.GeneralFaillyallowedhimselftobesurprised
atBeaumontduringthedaythesoldierstooktheirgunstopiecestocleanthem,atnight
theyslept,withoutevencuttingthebridgeswhichdeliveredthemtotheenemythusthey
neglectedtoblowupthebridgesofMouzonandBazeilles.OnSeptember1st,daylight
hadnotyetappeared,whenanadvanceguardofsevenbattalions,commandedby
GeneralSchultz,capturedLaRulle,andinsuredthejunctionofthearmyoftheMeuse
withtheRoyalGuard.Almostatthesameminute,withGermanprecision,the
WurtemburgersseizedthebridgeofLaPlatinerie,andhiddenbytheChevalierWood,the
Saxonbattalions,spreadoutintocompanycolumns,occupiedthewholeoftheroadfrom
LaMoncelletoVillersCernay.
Thus,aswehaveseen,theawakeningoftheFrenchArmywashorrible.AtBazeillesa
fogwasaddedtothesmoke.Oursoldiers,attackedinthisgloom,knewnotwhatdeath
requiredofthemtheyfoughtfromroomtoroomandfromhousetohouse.[39]
ItwasinvainthattheReboulbrigadecametosupporttheMartindesPalliresbrigade
theywereobligedtoyield.AtthesametimeDucrotwascompelledtoconcentratehis
forcesintheGarenneWood,beforetheCalvaryofIllyDouay,shattered,fellback
LebrunalonestoodfirmontheplateauofStenay.Ourtroopsoccupiedalineoffive
kilomtresthefrontoftheFrencharmyfacedtheeast,theleftfacedthenorth,the
extremeleft(theGuyomarbrigade)facedthewestbuttheydidnotknowwhetherthey
facedtheenemy,theydidnotseehimannihilationstruckwithoutshowingitselfthey
hadtodealwithamaskedMedusa.Ourcavalrywasexcellent,butuseless.Thefieldof
battle,obstructedbyalargewood,cutupbyclumpsoftrees,byhousesandbyfarmsand
byenclosurewalls,wasexcellentforartilleryandinfantry,butbadforcavalry.The
rivuletofGivonne,whichflowsatthebottomofthevalleyandcrossesit,forthreedays
ranwithmorebloodthanwater.Amongotherplacesofcarnage,SaintMengeswas
appalling.ForamomentitappearedpossibletocutawayoutbyCarignantowards
Montmdy,andthenthisoutletreclosed.Thisrefugeonlyremained,SedanSedan

encumberedwithcarts,withwagons,withcarriages,withhospitalhutsaheapof
combustiblematter.Thisdyingagonyofheroeslastedtenhours.Theyrefusedto
surrender,theygrewindignant,theywishedtocompletetheirdeath,sobravelybegun.
Theyweredelivereduptoit.
Aswehavesaid,threemen,threedauntlesssoldiers,hadsucceededeachotherinthe
command,MacMahon,Ducrot,WimpfenMacMahonhadonlytimetobewounded,
Ducrothadonlytimetocommitablunder,Wimpfenhadonlytimetoconceiveanheroic
idea,andheconceiveditbutMacMahonisnotresponsibleforhiswound,Ducrotisnot
responsibleforhisblunder,andWimpfenisnotresponsiblefortheimpossibilityofhis
suggestiontocuttheirwayout.TheshellwhichstruckMacMahonwithdrewhimfrom
thecatastropheDucrot'sblunder,theinopportuneordertoretreatgiventoGeneral
Lebrun,isexplainedbytheconfusedhorrorofthesituation,andisratheranerrorthana
fault.Wimpfen,desperate,needed20,000soldierstocuthiswayout,andcouldonlyget
together2000.HistoryexculpatesthesethreemeninthisdisasterofSedantherewasbut
onesoleandfatalgeneral,theEmperor.Thatwhichwasknittedtogetheronthe2d
December,1851,cameapartonthe2dSeptember,1870thecarnageontheBoulevard
Montmartre,andthecapitulationofSedanare,wemaintain,thetwopartsofasyllogism
logicandjusticehavethesamebalanceitwasLouisBonaparte'sdismaldestinytobegin
withtheblackflagofmassacresandtoendwiththewhiteflagofdisgrace.
[39]"TheFrenchwereliterallyawakenedfrom sleepbyourattack."Helvic.

CHAPTERVII.
Therewasnoalternativebetweendeathandopprobriumeithersoulorswordmustbe
surrendered.LouisBonapartesurrenderedhissword.
HewrotetoWilliam:
"SIRE,MYBROTHER,
"Nothavingbeenabletodieinthemidstofmytroops,itonlyremainsformetoplace
myswordinyourMajesty'shands.
"Iam,yourMajesty,
"YourgoodBrother,
"NAPOLEON.
"Sedan,1stSeptember,1870."
Williamanswered,"Sire,myBrother,Iacceptyoursword."
Andonthe2dofSeptember,atsixo'clockinthemorning,thisplain,streamingwith
blood,andcoveredwithdead,sawpassbyagildedopencarriageandfour,thehorses
harnessedafterDaumontfashion,andinthiscarriageaman,cigaretteinmouth.Itwas
theEmperoroftheFrenchgoingtosurrenderhisswordtotheKingofPrussia.
TheKingkepttheEmperorwaiting.Itwastooearly.HesentM.deBismarcktoLouis
Bonapartetosaythathe"wouldnot"receivehimyetawhile.LouisBonaparteentered
intoahovelbythesideoftheroad.Atableandtwochairswerethere.Bismarckandhe
leanttheirarmsonthetableandconversed.Amournfulconversation.Atthehourwhich
suitedtheKing,towardsnoon,theEmperorgotbackintohiscarriage,andwentto the
castleofBellevue,halfwaytothecastleofVandresse.TherehewaiteduntiltheKing
came.Atoneo'clockWilliamarrivedfromVandresse,andconsentedtoreceive
Bonaparte.Hereceivedhimbadly.Attilahasnotalighthand.TheKing,ablunt,
straightforwardman,showedtheEmperorapityinvoluntarilycruel.Therearepities
whichoverwhelm.Theconquerorupbraidedtheconqueredwiththevictory.Bluntness
handlesanopenwoundbadly."Whateverwasyourreasonfordeclaringthiswar?"The
conqueredexcusedhimself,accusingFrance.Thedistanthurrahsofthevictorious
Germanarmycutshortthisdialogue.
TheKingcausedtheEmperortobereconductedbyadetachmentoftheRoyalGuard.
Thisexcessofignominyiscalled"anescortofhonor."
AftertheswordtheArmy.

Onthe3dofSeptember,LouisBonapartehandedovertoGermany88,000French
soldiers.
"Inaddition"(saysthePrussianreport):
"Oneeagleandtwoflags.
"419fieldgunsandmitrailleuses.
"139heavypieces.
"1079vehiclesof allkinds.
"60,000muskets.
"6000horses,stillgoodforservice."
TheseGermanfiguresarenotwhollytobedependedupon.Accordingtowhatseems
usefulatthemoment,theAulicchancellorsswellorreducethedisaster.Therewere
about13,000woundedamongsttheprisoners.Thenumbersvaryintheofficial
documents.APrussianreport,reckoninguptheFrenchsoldierskilledandwoundedin
thebattleofSedan,publishesthistotal:_Sixteenthousandfourhundred_men.This
numbercausesashudder.Foritisthatverynumber,_Sixteenthousandfourhundred_
men,whichSaintArnaudhadsettoworkontheBoulevardMontmartreuponthe4thof
December,1851.
HalfaleaguetothenorthwestofSedan,nearIges,thebendoftheMeusealmostforms
anisland.Acanalcrossestheisthmus,sothatthepeninsulabecomesanisland.Itwas
therethattherewerepenned,underthestickofthePrussiancorporals,83,000French
soldiers.Afewsentinelswatchedoverthisarmy.
Theyplacedbutfew,insolently.Theseconqueredmenremainedtheretendays,the
woundedalmostwithoutcare,theablebodiedalmostwithoutnourishment.TheGerman
armysneeredaroundthem.Theheavenstookpartagainstthem.Theweatherwasfearful.
Neitherhutsnortents.Notafire,notatrussofstraw.Fortendaysandtennightsthese
83,000prisonersbivouackedwiththeirheadsbeneaththerain,theirfeetinthemud.
Manydiedoffever,regrettingthehailofbullets.
Atlengthoxwagonscameandtookthemaway.
TheKingplacedtheEmperorinsomeplaceorother.Wilhelmshhe.
Whatathingofragsandtatters,anEmperor"drawn"likeafowl!

CHAPTERVIII.
Iwasthere,thoughtful.Ilookedonthesefields,theseravines,thesehills,shuddering.I
wouldwillinglyhaveinsultedthisterribleplace.
Butsacredhorrorheldmeback.
ThestationmasterofSedancametomycarriage,andexplainedtomewhatIhadbefore
myeyes.Iseemedtosee,throughhiswords,thepalelightningsofthebattle.Allthese
distantcottages,scatteredaboutandcharminginthesun,hadbeenburnttheywere
rebuiltNature,soquicklydiverted,hadrepairedeverything,hadcleanedeverything,had
swepteverything,hadreplacedeverything.Theferociousconvulsionofmenhad
vanished,eternalorderhadresumeditssway.But,asIhavesaid,thesunwastherein
vain,allthisvalleywassmokeanddarkness.Inthedistance,uponaneminencetomy
left,IsawahugecastleitwasVandresse.TherelodgedtheKingofPrussia.Halfwayup
thisheight,alongtheroad,Idistinguishedabovethetreesthreepointedgablesitwas
anothercastle,BellevuethereLouisBonapartesurrenderedtoWilliamtherehehad
givenanddeliveredupourarmyitwastherethat,notbeingimmediatelyadmitted,and
requestedtoexercisealittlepatience,hehadremainedfornearlyanhoursilentandwan
beforethedoor,bringinghisdisgrace,andwaitinguntilitshouldpleaseWilliamtoopen
thedoortohimitwastherethatbeforereceivingittheKingofPrussiahadmadethe
swordofFrancedangleaboutinanantechamber.Lowerdown,nearer,inthevalley,at
thebeginningofaroadleadingtoVandresse,theypointedouttomeaspeciesofhovel.
Theretheytoldme,whilewaitingfortheKingofPrussia,theEmperorNapoleonIII.had
gotdown,lividhehadgoneintoalittlecourtyard,whichtheypointedouttome,and
whereadoggrowledonthechainhehadseatedhimselfonastoneclosebyadunghill,
andhehadsaid,"Iamthirsty."APrussiansoldierhadbroughthimaglassofwater.
Terribleendofthe_coupd'tat_!Bloodwhenitisdrunkdoesnotquenchthethirst.An
hourwastocomewhentheunhappyoneshouldutterthecryoffeverandofagony.
Disgracereservedforhimthisthirst,andPrussiathisglassofwater.
FearfuldregsofDestiny.
Beyondtheroad,atafewstepsfromme,fivetremblingandpalepoplarsshelteredthe
frontofthehouse,thesinglestoryofwhichwassurmountedbyasign.Onthissignwas
writteningreatlettersthisname:DROUET.Ibecamehaggard._Drouet_Iread
_Varennes_.TragicalChance,whichmingledVarenneswithSedan,seemedtowishto
bringthetwocatastrophesfacetoface,andtocoupleinamannerwiththesamechainthe
Emperoraprisoneroftheforeigner,totheKingaprisonerofhispeople.
Themistofreverieveiledthisplainfromme.TheMeuseappearedtometoweararuddy
reflection,theneighboringisle,whoseverdureIhadadmired,hadforitssubsoilatomb:
Fifteenhundredhorses,andasmanymen,wereburiedthere:thencethethickgrass.Here
andthere,asfarascouldbeseen,mounds,coveredwithillfavoredvegetation,dottedthe

valleyeachofthesepatchesofvegetationmarkedtheplaceofaburiedregiment.There
Guyomar'sBrigadehadbeenannihilatedthere,theLhritierDivisionhadbeen
exterminatedherethe7thCorpshadperishedthere,withouthavingevenreachedthe
enemy'sinfantry,hadfallen"beneaththecoolandwellaimedfiring,"asthePrussian
reportstates,thewholeofGeneralMargueritte'scavalry.Fromthesetwoheights,the
mostelevatedofthiscircleofhills,Daigny,oppositeGivonne,whichis266mtreshigh,
Fleigneux,oppositeIlly,296mtreshigh,thebatteriesofthePrussianRoyalGuardhad
crushedtheFrenchArmy.Itwasdonefromabove,withtheterribleauthorityofDestiny.
Itseemedasthoughtheyhadcometherepurposely,thesetokill,theotherstodie.A
valleyforamortar,theGermanArmyforapestle,suchisthebattleofSedan.Igazed,
powerlesstoavertmyeyes,atthisfieldofdisaster,atthisundulatingcountrywhichhad
provednoprotectiontoourregiments,atthisravinewhereallourcavalrywere
demolished,atallthisamphitheatrewherethecatastrophewasspreadout,atthegloomy
escarpmentsofLaMarphe,atthesethickets,atthesedeclivities,attheseprecipices,at
theseforestsfilledwithambushes,andinthisterribleshadow,OThoutheInvisible!I
sawThee.

CHAPTERIX.
Neverwasthereamoredismalfall.
Noexpiationcanbecomparedwith this.Theunprecedenteddramawasinfiveacts,so
fiercethatAeschylushimselfwouldnothavedaredtodreamofthem."TheAmbush!"
"TheStruggle!""TheMassacre!""TheVictory!""TheFall!"Whatatangleandwhatan
unwinding!Apoetwhowouldhavepredicteditwouldhaveseemedatraitor.Godalone
couldpermitHimselfSedan.
Everythinginproportion,suchisHislaw.FarworsethanBrumaire,itneededamore
crushingretributionthanWaterloo.
ThefirstNapoleon,aswehavesaidelsewhere,[40]hadfacedhisdestinyhehadnotbeen
dishonoredbyhispunishment,hefellwhilesteadfastlyregardingGod.Hecamebackto
Paris,appraisingthedesertsofthosemenwhooverthrewhim,proudlydistinguishing
amongstthem,esteemingLafayetteanddespisingDupin.Hehadatthelastmoment
wishedtoseeclearlyintohisdestiny,hehadnotallowedhiseyestobebandagedhehad
acceptedthecatastrophewhilemakinghisconditionswithit.Herethereisnothingofthe
kind.Onemightalmostsaythatthetraitor isstrucktreacherously.Inthiscasethereisa
badmanwhofeelshimselfinthegraspofDestiny,andwhodoesnotknowwhatitis
doingtohim.Hewasatthesummitofhispower,theblindmasterofanidiotworld.He
hadwishedfora_plebiscitum_,hehadhadone.HehadathisfeetthisveryWilliam.It
wasatthismomentthathiscrimesuddenlyseizedhim.Hedidnotstruggleagainstithe
wasthecondemnedmanwhoobeyshissentence.Hesubmittedtoeverythingwhich
terribleFateexactedfromhim.Neverwasthereamoredocilepatient.Hehadnoarmy,
hemadewarhehadonlyRouher,heprovokedBismarckhehadonlyLeboeuf,he
attackedMoltke.HeconfidedStrasburgtoUhrichhegaveMetztoBazainetoguard.He
had120,000menatChlonshehaditinhispowertocoverParis.Hefeltthathiscrime
roseupthere,threateninganderecthefled,notdaringtofaceParis.Hehimselfled
purposely,andyetdespitehimselfwillingandyetunwilling,knowinglyandyet
unknowingly,amiserablemind,apreytotheabyssheledhisarmyintoaplaceof
annihilationhemadethatterriblechoice,abattlefieldwithoutanoutlethewasno
longerconsciousofanything,nomoreofhisblunderoftodaythanofhiscrimeof
formerdayshemustfinish,buthecouldonlyfinishasafugitivethiscondemnedone
wasnotworthytolookhisendinthefaceheloweredhishead,heturnedhisback.God
executedhimindegradinghim.NapoleonIII.asanEmperorhadarighttothunder,but
forthismanthethunderwasignominioushewasthunderstruckintheback.
[40]"L'AnneTerrible."

CHAPTERX.
Letusforgetthisman,andletuslookatHumanity.
TheinvasionofFrancebyGermany,in1870,wasanighteffect.Theworldwas
astonishedthatsomuchgloomcouldcomeforthfromapeople.Fiveblackmonthssuch
wasthesiegeofParis.TocreatenightmayprovePower,butGloryconsistsinthe
creationofdaylight.Francecreatesdaylight.Thenceherimmensehumanpopularity.To
herCivilizationowesthedawn.Thehumanmindinordertoseeclearlyturnsinthe
directionofFrance.Fivemonthsofdarkness,thatiswhat,in1870,Germanysucceeded
ingivingtotheNationsFrancehasgiventothemfourcenturiesoflight.
TodaythecivilizedworldmorethaneverfeelstheneedwhichithasofFrance.France
hasprovedthisbyherdanger.TheungratefulapathyofGovernmentsonlyincreasedthe
anxietyofnations.AtthesightofParisthreatened,therearoseamongthepeoplesdread
thattheirownheadswereindanger.WouldtheyallowGermanytogoon?ButFrance
savedherselfquitealone.Shehadonlytorise._Patuitdea_.
Todaysheisgreaterthanever.Whatwouldhavekilledanothernationhashardly
woundedher.Thedarkeningofherhorizonhasrenderedherlightmorevisible.Whatshe
haslostinterritoryshehasgainedinradiancy.Moreover,sheisfraternalwithoutan
effort.Abovehermisfortunethereishersmile.ItisnotonherthattheGothicEmpire
weighs.Sheisanationofcitizensandnotaflockofsubjects.Frontiers?Willtherebe
anyfrontiersintwentyyears?Victories?Francecountsinherpastvictoriesofwar,andin
herfuturevictoriesofpeace.ThefuturebelongstoVoltaire,andnottoKruppthefuture
belongstothebook,andnottothesword.Thefuturebelongstolife,andnottodeath.
ThereisinthepolicyopposedtoFranceacertainamountofthetombtoseeklifeinthe
oldinstitutionsisavaintask,andtofeeduponthepastistobitethedust.Francehasthe
facultyof givinglightnocatastrophe,politicalormilitary,willdepriveherofthis
mysterioussupremacy.Thecloudpassesaway,thestarisseenoncemore.
Thestarpossessesnoangerthedawnbearsnomalice.Lightissatisfiedinbeinglight.
Lightiseverythingthehumanracehasnootherlove.Franceknowsherselfbeloved
becausesheisgood,andthegreatestofallpowersistobeloved.TheFrenchrevolution
isforalltheworld.ItisabattleperpetuallywagedforRight,andperpetuallygainedfor
Truth.RightistheinnermostpartofmanTruthistheinnermostpartofGod.Whatcan
bedoneagainstarevolutionwhichhassomuchrightonitsside?Nothing.Toloveit.
Thatiswhatthenationsdo.Franceoffersherself,theworldacceptsher.Thewhole
phenomenonliesinthesefewwords.Aninvasionofarmiescanberesistedaninvasion
ofideascannotberesisted.Thegloryofbarbariansistobeconqueredbyhumanitythe
gloryofsavagesistobeconqueredbycivilizationthegloryofdarknessistobe
conqueredbythetorch.ThisiswhyFranceisdesiredandassentedtobyall.Thisiswhy,
havingnohatred,shehasnofearthisiswhysheisfraternalandmaternalthisiswhyit
isimpossibletolessenher,impossibletohumiliateher,impossibletoirritateherthisis
why,aftersomanyordeals,aftersomanycatastrophes,aftersomanydisasters,afterso

manycalamities,aftersomanyfalls,incorruptibleandinvulnerablesheholdsouther
handtoallthepeoplesfromabove.
Whenourglancerestsonthisoldcontinent,stirredtodaybyanewbreath,certain
phenomenaappear,andweseemtogainaglimpseofthataugustandmysterious
problem,theformationofthefuture.Itmaybesaid,thatinthesamemanneraslightis
compoundedofsevencolors,civilizationiscompoundedofsevenpeoples.Ofthese
peoples,three,Greece,Italy,andSpain,representtheSouththree,England,Germany,
andRussia,representthenorththeseventh,orthefirst,France,isatthesametimeNorth
andSouth,CelticandLatin,GothicandGreek.Thiscountryowestoitsheaventhis
sublimegoodfortune,thecrossingoftworaysoflightthecrossingoftworaysoflightis
asthoughweweretosaythejoiningoftwohands,thatistosayPeace.Suchisthe
privilegeofthisFrance,sheisatthesametimesolarandstarry.Inherheavenshe
possessesasmuchdawnastheEast,andasmanystarsastheNorth.Sometimesher
glimmerrisesinthetwilight,butitisintheblacknightofrevolutionsandofwarsthat
herresplendenceblazesforth,andherauroreandawnbecomestheAuroraBorealis.
Oneday,beforelong,thesevennations,whichcombineinthemselvesthewholeof
humanity,willjointogetherandamalgamatelikethesevencolorsoftheprism,ina
radiantcelestialarchthemarvelofPeacewillappeareternalandvisibleabove
civilization,andtheworld,dazzled,willcontemplatetheimmenserainbowoftheUnited
PeoplesofEurope.

THEEND