5: Trois francs la ligne: the price Daniel had to pay to get this puff into the paper.
6: la corde: see acte II, scène X, note 11.
7: révolutionnaire: during the reign of Napoleon III the daily press was largely opposed to the Emperor, and sought to overthrow him by a revolution. Perrichon disclaims any revolutionary tendencies, but must proclaim his approval of the press in the present circumstances.—la presse a du bon: ther's much to be said for the papers! du bon, lit.,«some good qualities.»
8: papier timbré: official paper. Government stamped paper has to be used for all legal documents, summons, warrants, etc.
9: agent de la force publique: public servant.
10: vu… dressé au: on complaint lodged with.—le sieur: technical in France, and not to be translated; lit., «the man,» «one.» Note Majorin's mean behavior throughout this scene: first, he walks away instead of standing by his friend; next, he makes things out as black as he can, emphasizing his pronouncement of the gravity of the case by taking up a position behind the table like a judge on the bench.
11: j'ai été trop vif: I lost my temper.
12: Injures qualifiées: specific abuse; lit., abuse legally qualified to be used as ground for prosecution.
13: le banc de l'infamie: a stock phrase in French for the «prisoners' dock.»
14: C'est bien fait: Serves him right! In the next sentence English idiom would omit the negation.