POUR LE RUBAN.
[60]. Pour le ruban: the ribbon worn in the buttonhole, which shows its wearer to be a member of the Legion of Honor.
[60] 8. émarger: to receive money from the government.
[60] 16. instrus: (intrus) an intruder.
[62] 23. moellon: a rough stone.
[62] 29. d'antan: (d'autre fois) in former times.
[63] 4. périgourdin: of Périgord, the old name of a locality in France, near Bordeaux.
[63] 14-15. Ponson du Terrail: a cheap author of penny dreadfuls and serial stories, many of which deal with antiquity and use the antiquated language of the following lines.
[64] 5. hobereaux: country squires.
[64] 6. valetaille: the serving people.
[64] 10. Bayard: the chevalier sans peur et sans reproche, as he is universally known in history. One of the most sympathetic figures of French history, the type of the nobleman and hero, who was equally adroit at keeping an entire hostile army at bay, alone, stationed at the entrance of the bridge, and at honoring beauty and wit. He died in 1524.
[64] 23. rallié: this word is perhaps equivalent to the term "Mug-wump."
[64] 25-26. qui ne semblait pas disposer de la Grande-Chancellerie: who did not claim to boss the whole chancery.
[65] 2. de relevée: afternoon.