The Idler in France

by Countess of Marguerite Blessington

CHAPTER XXII.

Effects of Indisposition—Instability of Earthly Blessings—Captain
William Anson (Brother of Lord Anson)—His varied Acquirements—The
pretty Madame de la H—— —Prince Paul Lieven—Captain Cadogan (now
Earl Cadogan)—Life at Sea—Visit to the Duchesse de Guiche—Her
Warmth and Gentleness of Manner—Political Crisis—The Conquest of
Algiers—General Excelmans—Rash Measure—Charles the Tenth—His
Ministry unpopular—Prosperity of France—Extorted Concessions—
Dissolution of the Chambers—The Public Press—Controversy—Commotion
before the Hôtel of the Ministre des Finances—The Ministers
insulted—Counsel of the Duc de Guiche—Serious Aspect of
Affairs—Crowds in the Streets—Household of Charles the
Tenth—Noblesse of his Court—Confusion and Alarm—Riotous
Conduct—Firing on the People—Formation of Barricades—Absence of the
Civil Authorities—Nocturnal Impressions—Comtes d'Orsay and
Valeski—Scene in the Place de la Bourse—The Corps-de-Garde set on
Fire—Darkness in the Rue Richelleu.—Further disturbances—Continued
Depredations—Breach between the People and the Sovereign—Anecdote of
Monsieur Salvandy, 225.

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Dead paraded through the Streets to inflame the Populace—The Shops closed—The Duc de Raguse censured—His Supineness—Devotion of the Duc de Guiche to his Sovereign—The Military Dispositions defective—Flag of the Bourbons—Troops in Want of Refreshment— Destruction of the Royal Emblems—Disgusting Exhibition—Rumours of Fresh Disasters—Opinion of Sir Roger de Coverley—Revolutions the Carnivals of History—Observation of Voltaire—Doctors Pasquier and de Guise—Report of Fire arms—Paucity of Provisions—Female Courage—Domestic Entrenchment—Further Hostilities—Conflicting Rumours—The Sublime and the Ridiculous—Juvenal Intrepidity—Fatality—The Soldiers and the populace—Visit to Madame Craufurd—Barricade in the Rue Verte—Approaching Mob—Safe Arrival in the Rue d'Anjou—Terror of Madame Craufurd—Her Anxiety for her Relatives—Composure of the Marquis d'Aligre—Riotous Assembly in the Rue Verte—Their Conduct towards the Author—Dangerous Symbol of Aristocracy—Arrival at Home, 282.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Familiarity of French Servants—Power of the People—Misguided
Men—Further Rumours—Who are the People?—An Intruder—A Revolutionary
Hero—The Tuileries and the Louvre taken—Sir Thomas Lawrence's
Portrait of the Dauphin—The Terrible and the Comic—Trophies of
Victory—The Palace of the Archbishop of Paris sacked—Concessions of
Charles the Tenth—The Duchesse de Berri—Lord Stuart de
Rothesay—Noble Conduct—The Duchesse de Guiche—Her trying
Situation—The Provisional Government—The Tri-coloured Flag—Meeting
of the Deputies—Bitter Feeling towards the Royal Family Bravery of the
Populace—Lafayette and his followers—Scene in the Street—"The Good
Cause"—The wealthy M. Laffitte—Valuable Collections at
Paris—Courageous Conduct of the Duchesse de Guiche—Her
Champions—Attack on the Hôtel of the Duc de Guiche—Comte Alfred
d'Orsay—Painful Position, 272.

CHAPTER XXV.

Sanctuary of Home—Madame C—— —Intoxicated Revolutionist—His Good-Nature—the Proprietor of a Wine-Shop—Politeness of all Classes in France—Barracks in the Rue Verte—Difficulty of obtaining Admission—Agitation of Madame C—— —Comte Valeski—The Barracks attacked and taken—Dangerous Route—Impassable Gulf between the Sovereign and the People—The Royal Cause hopeless—A Fine Youth killed—Reflections on his Death—Number of Persons killed during the last Three Days—Details of a Battle—Rumour respecting the Dauphin—Interment of the Page—Fatality attending the Bourbons—Absence of the Dauphine—Revolt of the Troops—The Duchesse de Guiche at St.-Germain—Her noble Bearing—The Duc de Gramont—The Château du Val, the Residence of the Princesse de Poix—The Fugitive Duchess—Popularity of Lafayette—The duc d'Orléans named Lieut.-General of France—Order restored—Abdication of Charles the Tenth—Renewed Excitement—Clamour against the King—A Fickle People—Wicked Rumours—The King quits Rambouillet—School of Adversity—Desertion by Friends—Route to Cherbourg, 294.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Rumour relative to the Son of Napoleon—Unsettled State of Affairs—Conflicting Rumours—The Duke of Orleans—Charms of a Crown—Aspect of the Champs-Elysées—Unsought popularity—Comte d'Orsay—Scene of Destruction—Shattered Trees—Pride of the People—Re-action after Excitement—Anecdote—The Jeweller's Wife—Passion of the French—Playing at Soldiers—Enthusiasm of the Garde Nationale—Return to Paris of the Duchesse de Guiche—Confidence of the Duc—Courage of the Duchesse—General Gèrard—The Duke of Orleans accepts the Crown—Popularity, an unstable Possession—Abilities of Louis-Philippe—Expectations formed of him—Person of Lafayette—Appearance in Public of the new Sovereign—The Queen—Her painful Position—The King of the French in the Place Vendôme—Monsieur Mignet—His varied Acquirements—The celebrated General Peppé—Strange Infatuation—Charles the Tenth embarks at Cherbourg—Devotion to the exiled Bourbons—The English Popular at Paris—Mr. Hamilton, Secretary of the Embassy—Brilliant conversation of M. Thiers—The Prince and Princesse Soutzo—Mr. Poulter—Lesson of Resignation—Departure for England—Leave-taking—Adieu to Paris, 294.