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EDINBURGH JOURNAL

CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE,' 'CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE,' &c.

No. 262. NEw Series.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1849.

PRICE 14d.

taining any employment in Paris, and was seriously

AN ENGLISH WORKMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS meditating my return to England, we fortunately en

OF PARIS IN 1848.

Ar the close of the year 1847, want of employment, coupled with the information that the particular branch of my trade in which I was mostly employed was unknown in Paris, induced me to leave my wife and four little ones in our native village near the western suburbs of London, and set out for the French metropolis. My voyage, which was a stormy one, was marked by nothing of importance besides my forming an acquaintance with a young sailor named George Bargues, who, being of French extraction on the father's side, had friends in Paris whom he was now to visit after a separation of eighteen years. My conversation with this young man in the vessel and in our Boulogne hotel led me to feel a deep interest in him; and finding that his finances were low, I offered him the loan of a sovereign, which with some difficulty he accepted. We arrived in Paris together at six o'clock on New-Year's morning, and drove to the residence of my companion's brother, in an upper floor of a large house in the Rue de la Harpe. I was kindly received by the family, consisting of James Bargues, a young ouvrier, of handsome figure, but a strong dash of melancholy in his countenance; and his wife, a delicate-looking person, who, like himself, spoke good English. It being a fête day, James dressed himself in his best clothes, and conducted us to some of the gayest scenes in Paris, as the garden of the Luxembourg, and the Champs Elysées, with all of which I was of course much pleased.

We returned in the evening to dinner, when I found a party assembled for the purpose of merrymaking. My host introduced me to M. Vachette, his brother-inlaw, whose wife, I gladly found, could likewise converse in the English tongue. It was afterwards explained to me that the two sisters were the daughters of a deceased gentleman; and that, after vainly endeavouring to support themselves by tuition, they had been fain to avail themselves of offers of marriage from a couple of honest workmen. These men, however, found that elegant accomplishments, such as music, painting, and language, but badly compensate for the more homely ones of cooking and cleaning.

The evening passed very cheerfully away, and the kind-hearted James insisted upon my spending a few days with him, while a lodging was prepared for me at his brother-in-law's, M. Vachette, who resided in the Battignolles. In the course of a few days I removed to my lodgings, and then set out, in company with George, in quest of what had brought me to Paris -employment. The first few days we met with no success, it being difficult to convince the French dyers that the English way of finishing was superior to their own. At length, when I had almost despaired of ob

tered the shop of Messrs Jolly and Blanc, in the Rue St Martin.

Finding one of the partners within, I exhibited my book of patterns, which seemed to take his eye very much. He asked me a few questions, and then gave me something to do, by way of obtaining a specimen of my work. I returned with it the next day, and was at once engaged at 30 francs [about 24s.] per week, with promises of an advance being made as work became more plentiful. The next day I entered into my new occupation, and found myself an object of no small curiosity to my fellow-workmen, and no small diversion to a bevy of young girls and workwomen at work in an adjoining room; but all were courteous and obliging, and I never was subjected to those cruel mockeries and insults to which we too frequently subject the unfortunate foreigner whom chance may throw among us. In the establishment of Messrs Jolly and Blanc there were employed nearly sixty individuals, the greater number being females, as, from the low wages given in Paris, it would be impossible to maintain a family without the joint labour of both man and wife, who therefore know but few of the comforts of domestic life as compared with us in England. The meal times in this establishment strangely varied with those in England. We commenced work at six in the morning, and went to breakfast at eleven. At the expiration of one hour, labour was resumed until seven in the evening, at which hour work for the day was done, and we all went to dinner, and for my own part with a very good appetite. I am not disposed to set this system up as an example, as I am convinced, from experience, that nature requires recruiting more than twice a day, when a person's occupation is at all laborious. I am disposed to come to the conclusion, that the employer loses in the end when wages are not sufficient to procure the necessary food to keep up a man's stamina. I am sure, from actual observation, that ten Englishmen would perform the work of fifteen Frenchmen in the same space of time. Doubtless the reader may think me rather prejudiced; but I am ready to admit, at the same time, that my countrymen, with the same quantity and description of food, would perform even less work than the Frenchmen.

It was my custom to take my déjeûner, or eleven o'clock breakfast, at a cuisine bourgeois in the Rue Royal, close by the Rue St Martin, where I had ample opportunity of making observations on the mode of living usually adopted by the Parisian workpeople, as the house was much frequented by that class, being the cheapest in the quarter. The déjeûner usually consisted of a basin of very poor soup, with a spoonful of any vegetable that you might choose to have put into it,

doubtless to impart a richness to the appearance, if it did not add much to the flavour. For this dish the charge is two sous: after which it is usual to have some very doubtful beef, with a few more vegetables, the charge being four sous; and then, indeed, if money is plentiful, you may indulge in a glass of wine, or some dried fruit, cooked or not, according to taste, for two sous more. It is worth remarking that all the wine and spirituous liquors are very cheap in Paris; the chief drink of the poorer classes is water to both breakfast and dinner, some few mixing with it a little wine. The dinner consists of nearly the same, with little variety, unless you choose roast meat instead of boiled. At both meals it is customary to eat a large quantity of bread. The Parisian workmen take much more pride in their appearance than the English. It has been the subject of notice with many that few untidy or ragged persons are to be met with in the streets; and I observed that most of my fellow-workmen kept a working suit at the factory, which they changed night and morning.

I soon became accustomed to manners and habits which had been at first rather strange to me. I found my master very kind and affable with all his workpeople, treating them more as his equals than his dependents; and I think in return he enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who had the happiness to serve under him. The whole of the people in his establishment seemed to live on the best of terms with each other, and all were kind and obliging to me. The laughter of light hearts, and the merry song, sounded loud and often through the factory.

The first few weeks passed pleasantly enough. Monsieur and Madame Vachette did all that lay in their power to render my situation at their home comfortable; and from the kindness of Madame Vachette, who had once been a teacher of the English language, I soon made considerable progress in my French studies. My evenings were chiefly spent in company with my friend George, at the lodgings of his brother, who always received me with the greatest of hospitality-sometimes, I was even fearful, with more than their limited means justified. The frost at this time was very intense, the Seine being in some places completely blocked up with ice. Towards the middle of February the weather became mild and genial. Trade, which had received some check from the frost, began to revive. I found full employment for both time and money, as it was necessary that part of my wages should go towards the support of my little ones at home.

It was about this time that I first heard of the proposed banquet, the forbidding of which ultimately cost Louis Philippe his throne, and led to much bloodshed and disorder. On the ever-memorable morning of Tuesday the 224 of February, I was proceeding as usual to my employment, when on reaching the Boulevards, I found groups of workmen and others reading the official proclamation prohibiting the meeting. The crowds seemed very much excited, and gave vent to their feelings in loud and angry exclamations. At the guard-house, instead of the one solitary sentinel, the whole front was occupied by the military, all armed and ready to act at a moment's warning. On reaching my place of work, I found those who had arrived before me clustered in groups, discussing the probable events of the day.

Nothing of any note attracted my attention during the morning, beyond vague and contradictory reports of conflicts between the troops and the people. At cleven, I went as usual to breakfast, when I was somewhat startled by observing a large tumultuous assemblage enter Rue St Martin from the Boulevards. The foremost, who was an ouvrier en blouse, bore a piece of red cloth on a staff, as a substitute for the terrible drapeau rouge, and for the first time I heard the French vive-Vive la Réforme!' The progress of this mob, although unmarked by any species of wanton outrage that I could observe, spread consternation and alarm through all the neighbourhood. I was somewhat amused

by observing a perfumer who lived nearly opposite removing, with all possible despatch, the royal arms from the front of his shop.

On returning to my work, I found the shop closed, and all the workpeople departed, as now indeed were all the shops in the street. On reaching the Boulevards, I found everywhere immense assemblages of people, and great excitement. The shops were closed the whole length of the Boulevards, from the Porte St Martin to the Madeleine, and thousands of heads protruded from the windows, all very evidently expecting a something to confirm or ease their apprehension. I proceeded down Rue Royal to the Place de Concorde. Here I found a strong military force of horse and foot. I next visited the Rue St Honoré. Here things wore a more serious aspect. Some omnibuses and cabriolets had been overturned in several places, the stones had been removed, and an attempt made to form a barricade. A troop of dragoons were employed to keep the mob from assembling together. They used the flat of their swords, with no very great delicacy of touch, on all who chose to disobey their commands. Much illfeeling here exhibited itself between the soldiery and the people. The noise of drums now struck my ear: it was the rappel beating for the Garde Nationale, strongly guarded both in front and rear. A number of young men and boys followed, singing the Marseillaise' and Mourir pour la Patrie.' Finding the angry feeling far from subsiding, I deemed it most prudent to return homewards; so made the best of my way to the Battignolles.

The next morning I found but few shops open. The guardhouses along the line of the Boulevards, and especially by Portes St Martin and St Denis, were occupied by strong detachments of troops. On reaching my workshop, I found but few of the hands assembled for work. The shop, however, was opened, and I began my daily occupation. It was between nine and ten in the morning that my attention was attracted by a strange hubbub and confusion in the courtyard, immediately under my window. Several persons rushed in from the street, evidently in a state of great terror and alarm. The porter of the house immediately closed the outer gates of the courtyard. Doors were opened and slammed with great violence; the sound of many footsteps hurrying to and fro, the quick shutting of windows, and the hum and confusion of many voices, produced a strange din.

Presently a young girl, who was usually occupied in the front shop, entered my room, and with hurried accents begged that I would assist in shutting up the shop, as most of the men were absent. On descending into the street for that purpose, I found the people running in all directions, pursued by a troop of mounted municipal guards, who laid about them with their swords without mercy. I had scarcely closed the last shutter when the municipals reached the spot opposite our shop, and I was glad to make a hasty retreat. When the shop was secure, I went to work again, the noise still increasing drums beating, men shouting, women screaming, with crashing of timber, and breaking of glass. But presently I heard the sharp crack of carbines, with louder cries and screams, mingled with yells of defiance and savage imprecations. Gradually the noise became fainter, and soon all was pretty quiet.

Finding all my fellow-workmen were gone, I was reluctant to continue alone; and my curiosity being somewhat excited by the occurrences of the morning, I struck work, and descended into the street, which I found now completely deserted, except by the military; strong detachments of which held it at both ends. They allowed me to pass through them into Rue Royal, where I found the mob had constructed a barricade, which the soldiers were now busily employed in destroying. A vast crowd occupied this street, and all the streets adjoining. Many of them were armed with such weapons as most readily came to hand-as thick bludgeons, pitchforks, hatchets, and sledge-hammers.

Bars of iron wrenched from railings were general; but I observed several with muskets and pistols.

A few paces farther on I saw a crowd surrounding some object on the ground, and singing the eternal Mourir pour la Patrie.' On looking through the throng, a melancholy spectacle presented itself: extended on its back lay the corpse of a young man covered with mud and gore.

The people seemed very much excited, and I momentarily expected to see a renewal of hostilities. The turmoil, however, had not taken away my appetite; and I knew, from certain inward signs, that the breakfast-hour was either at hand or past. So, after some hard knocking, I induced Monsieur Macqurle, mine host, to open his door, and prevailed on him to allow me to breakfast. On attempting to return up the Rue St Martin, I was repulsed by point of bayonet, so I passed through a short passage which connects it with the Rue St Denis. This I found also occupied by troops. I gained the Boulevards by another route. On arriving at the guardhouse of the Boulevard des Bonnes Nouvelles, I saw a mob advancing with drums beating in front and flags flying.

There was a strong body of the municipal guards at this spot, with a regiment of the line. The soldiers formed right across the Boulevard, and seemed determined to resist the approaching multitude, who, by their glittering bayonets, appeared well armed. The head of the column halted; a short consultation was held, and then the column wheeled off, crying Vive la Réforme,' and singing the never-dying Mourir pour la Patrie.'

I had promised on the Sunday evening previous to visit my friend George at the apartments of his brother, M. Bargues, in the Rue de la Harpe; and as I had a wish to know how matters stood in that quarter, I determined to keep my appointment. Accordingly I proceeded thither by the way of the Rue Poissonniere, crossing the Seine at the Pont Neuf. I observed a sharp fusillade going on at Pont au Change, the next bridge, while troops were crowding to that point from every direction. The firing soon ceased, and the people gave way. At this moment a fresh body of military, who, by their appearance, had just entered Paris from some distance, passed along the quais. They consisted of lancers, dragoons, and horse artillery, with riflemen, and several regiments of the line. Both men and horses seemed dreadfully fatigued, being covered with mud, looking wet and miserable.

All the bridges and quais were swarming with troops -light horse, dragoons, and cuirassiers-who were incessantly employed in dispersing the numerous groups, who took every opportunity of assembling together, and venting their displeasure in loud outcries against the ministry, mingled with 'Vive la Ligne!'- Vive la Réforme!''A bas Guizot!'

On reaching the apartments of M. Bargues, in the Rue de la Harpe, I found my landlady, Madame Vachette, there, in great anxiety respecting her husband, from whose well-known republican principles she dreaded some harm would befall him.

James, who was a thorough Communist, spoke in raptures of the approaching struggle, but lamented the blood that must necessarily be spilt before France could break the chains that bound her liberties. Like the best part of those misguided men, he thought the wild theories of Socialism and Communism capable of affording lasting happiness and prosperity to all the human family, and worthy of any sacrifice for their promotion; although I am sure no one possessed a better heart, nor more of the milk of human kindness, than James Bargues; showing how fearfully a false philosophy may distort the best of natures.

His brother George not being within, I offered my protection to Madame Vachette in our way to the Battignolles, as we should have to pass through the thickest of the tumult; the Battignolles being about four miles distant from the Rue de la Harpe. On reach

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On reaching my home in Rue de l'Ecluse in the Battignolles, everybody seemed anxious for information respecting things in Paris; and all now fondly hoped, as the Guizot ministry were fallen, that the disorders would quiet down.

After dinner, it being rather late, for we had waited the coming of M. Vachette, I was engaged in writing a letter to my friends, when George entered and informed us that the people were storming and destroying the Barrier Clichy, an office in the wall of Paris, where the octroi, or duties on provisions, are collected on their passing into Paris. I ran down into the street, when I heard tremendous firing in the direction of the Boulevard des Capucines. Three distinct volleys followed each other in rapid succession. The people in the streets stood still amazed. All inquired, but none could tell the cause that led to the firing. I ran through Barrier Clichy, which I found in the possession of the people, and then down Rue d'Amsterdam towards the Madeleine, and on reaching the Boulevard des Capucines, I found all in uproar and confusion; people were hurrying to and fro uttering cries of vengeance. The soldiers had fired on the mob before the Hotel of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and great numbers were killed and wounded. Two men were carrying the body of a female in their arms; her long hair bung down wet with blood; some others placed the dead in a cart, following it with torches and iron bars, which they had torn up in their fury. They formed a sort of procession, their numbers augmenting every moment. A wild frenzy seemed to animate them. As they proceeded onward, numbers sung, in a low mournful strain, Mourir pour la Patrie;' but soon the song of death was chanted to a wild cry for vengeance, 'Mort à Guizot!' Vive la République !'

Leaving this column to pursue their mournful march, I returned to the Barrier Clichy by the Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, and in the Rue Clichy every lamp was broken and extinguished; all the shops closed; and it presented a singular contrast, by its loneliness, to the scene that was now going on in the Boulevard. I had just reached the Barrier. A mob, composed chiefly of young men and boys, armed with clubs and axes, came through: they halted opposite a gunsmith's named Rozvy, in the Rue Clichy: in a few minutes the door and shutters were dashed in, and all the arms plundered. They were engaged in distributing the guns, swords, &c. among themselves, when the sound of horses' feet at a sharp trot came from outside the Barrier, and I could distinguish through the gloom the form of an officer, followed by two dragoons, gallopping down the street. Crack-bang-bang went several guns at their heads; with what effect I did not observe, as the night was very dark. The sound of a bullet whistling through the air at no great distance from my head made me think it most prudent to beat a retreat; so I returned to my lodgings, where I found my landlord had arrived before me, and thus allaying his wife's fears for his safety.

I retired to bed, and, strange to say, slept soundly. I awoke about my usual time, dressed, and descended into the streets, more with the intention of gratifying my curiosity than the idea of being able to get to my work.

At the Barrier I found a regiment of the line on guard: I passed through them to the Rue Boulogne, when I beheld two men beating the rappel on their drums, followed by about twenty others en blouse, with guns. As I proceeded farther into Paris, I heard drums beating in all directions, bells tolling, and the sound of the pickaxe and crowbar. At the church of our Lady

de Lorrette, the people were dragging down the iron railing in front, and removing the stones in the street. Proceeding onwards, I saw barricades forming about every hundred yards right and left of me. A captain of the National Guards endeavoured to persuade them to desist; but they refused. The rappel was beating in all quarters: everywhere National Guards, singly or in parties, were hastening to their places of rendezvous, clambering on the best way they could, for march they could not, the road was now so dreadfully cut up. I would beg my reader to imagine Cheapside in London strewn with broken glass, bottles, pots, and iron railings, diligences, omnibuses, carts, wagons, wheelbarrows, and watering-carts, planks and scaffoldpoles, with ladders, barrels, buckets, and articles of household furniture, in fact everything a mob can lay their hands on; and they then may form some notion of the scene which all the principal thoroughfares in Paris presented on that day.

On reaching the bottom of the Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, I was stopped by the people, who were constructing a very strong barricade, and desired to assist. This I had no particular wish to do, as I knew not how long before it might be the scene of a sanguinary struggle. The method pursued in constructing these street defences was nearly in all cases the same. Where any street vehicles could readily be obtained, they were used in preference to other materials; but as these things were now nearly used up, the mob had no resource but that of paving-stones.

A band of labourers formed line across the street, with crowbars, pickaxes, or bars of iron, with which they loosened the stones. These were rapidly taken up by another line, who passed them on to a third, and so on to the barricade. By these means a barricade was formed in an incredibly short space of time. My station being nearest to the barricade-for they had selected me, on account of my being taller than most of them, to place the stones on the top-I took the opportunity of passing over to the other side, and finally gave them the slip.

On reaching the Boulevards, I found all the fine trees cut down, and placed across the road. Everywhere were traces of the destructive activity of the preceding night. Advancing towards Porte St Denis, I passed a very large body of troops. Dragoons dismounted, standing by their horses; troops of the line, with their scarlet trousers covered with mud; riflemen in their dark-green uniforms; and artillery standing by their guns. With the exception of the military, I was alone on the Boulevard, and the sound of my own footsteps sounded painfully on my ear; for the silence of death reigned amidst thousands, all standing still and motionless as statues. A long line of watch-fires were smouldering, round which they had evidently bivouacked; and the men looked pale and spiritless with excessive fatigue. At the farther extremity of this body of soldiery were placed several pieces of cannon, pointed towards Porte St Denis. My heart sunk within me, and tears started in my eyes, as I thought how soon they might be used in the destruction of my fellow-creatures. I never shall forget the sensations those murderous engines of war occasioned within me.

After passing these troops, and arriving at Porte St Denis, I found an enormous barricade. I climbed over, and was made prisoner in an instant. Again I was set to work, as they were forming four massive barricades at this point-one across Rue St Denis, one in the Faubourg, and the two others across the Boulevard. My condition at this moment was not to be envied: surrounded by savage-looking men, armed to the teeth, in the midst of four stone walls; while opposite the one on which I was employed several pieces of cannon were planted. Their murderous-looking muzzles, crammed with grape, ready in a moment to pour destruction on all opposed to them, made me feel anything but comfortable.

At this work I was kept, as nigh as I can guess, about four hours, lifting great stones above my head. At length I sank down upon a heap of stones, perfectly overpowered by fatigue, although my fellow-labourers worked on with undiminished zeal. Perhaps I did not enter into the spirit of the thing so much as they did, for I never shall forget the activity displayed by all classes. The man of evident wealth, in morning-gown and slippers, worked side by side with the labourer in blouse and sabots. All seemed actuated by the same indomitable zeal, and perfect order and good-will seemed to exist among them.

A respectably-attired individual came up to me and inquired in a compassionate tone if I was not fatigued. I showed him my hands, torn and bleeding, my heated brow dripping with perspiration, and my soiled and muddy dress. He entered a wine-shop, and gave me a bottle of wine and a small loaf, which I very thankfully received, and quickly devoured.

Presently I heard a great beating of drums, and on looking over the barricade, saw a body of military approaching from the Faubourg, their glittering bayonets extending as far up the Faubourg as I could well see. The barricades were manned in a moment, and my heart beat furiously within my bosom. I thought of England, of home, my pretty cottage, my wife and four little ones. I cast a despairing look around, but no chance of escape this time. Still the drums advanced, beating thunders, and then the troops halted; the noise of the drums ceased, and then came a moment of intense excitement. A parley took place between the troops and the people. One orator spoke at great length, and evidently very much to the purpose, although I could not understand half of what he said; but it ended by the soldiers giving up their arms to the people. This was scarcely finished, when another body of National Guards came up. A National Guard, who was with the people, stood on a broken pillar, and waved his hat on the point of his bayonet. The men came rushing over the barricade, and boldly fraternised with the people.

The mob, now mingled with the National Guards, formed line on the Boulevard between Porte St Denis and Porte St Martin. Nearly all now had muskets, although many were armed with every species of weapon. Some had evidently furnished themselves from the theatres and old curiosity shops; some were armed cap-a-pie, like the knights of old; some with Indian war clubs and tomahawks. Among other things, I recognised a very large sword which I remembered seeing exposed for sale as the sword of the executioner of Paris.

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A cry now burst from many lips of Aux Tuileries! Aux Tuileries!' They formed column, with drums at their head, and began a scrambling march over the numerous barricades down Rue St Denis.

I had read, when a boy, of the awful and sanguinary struggle attending the taking of that abode of royalty; and so, suffering my curiosity to get the better of prudent fears, I followed the throng, who advanced beating their drums, and roaring in chorus the Marseillaise,' particularly the words, Aux armes, citoyens !' varying it, however, with the eternal Mourir pour la Patrie.' They took the direction of the Tuileries, by the way of Rue Thevenot, crossing Rue Petite Carreau, to the Place des Victoires. At this place they halted, in order to induce a body of National Guards assembled there to join them.

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There was here a general inspection of the revolutionary irregulars. Those who had no ammunition were supplied by those who had a captain of the National Guard took the command; the revolutionary forces formed line, and marched and countermarched round the place. They were now a formidable-looking body-truly picturesque in their blouses and capstheir beards and savage-looking moustaches adding much to the effect, with their now half-military costume, for several wore dragoons' helmets, or the steel cap of days long past. The masquerade rooms had

evidently supplied much to the adornment of many of this motley assembly.

Now again thundered the drums, and again a thousand voices roared the Marseillaise,' commencing with 'Allons enfans de la patrie;' but many preferred beginning with the finish, and shouting at the top of their voices Aux armes, citoyens!' and by way of variety, gave a few lines of the 'Chor des Girondistes'Mourir pour la patrie,

C'est le sort le plus beau, le plus digne d'envie !'

for they seldom got over those lines.

'Aux armes! Aux armes! Aux Tuileries!' shouted a thousand voices; and so to the Tuileries they went, and I followed.

fixed in his under lip, and his eyes distorted by a fearful squint. In a moment the blood came bubbling through a small purple spot in his forehead, and his features were soon covered with the sanguine dye. His white shirt was also soaked with blood, which ran in a puddle among the broken stones. He was soon picked up and carried away, and I could not refrain my tears at the sight.

On reaching the back of the Palais Royal, a short street separated me from the main body of the insur-I gents, when suddenly I heard the discharge of a single gun, and then another, and another. This was succeeded by a dead silence; and the few persons who were in the street stopped short, and turned pale, as I daresay I did myself. This lull of a few short moments was succeeded by a deafening roar, produced by the discharge of some hundreds of muskets, with a proximity so close, that the smoke whirled in white wreaths over my head. At this moment a youth, who could not screw his courage to the shooting point, proffered me his gun. I politely declined the offer. Then succeeded an irregular firing, which gradually increased in strength every moment. Then another, and another heavy discharge, fully convinced me that the people were engaged in regular battle with the military.

In a few moments another, fell, shot through the shoulder. His gun fell from his hands: and then what possessed me I do not know, for my excitement was more than can be well imagined, but I had taken the gun of the wounded man before I had given myself a moment's time to consider, and immediately bang went my piece over the barricade! A Garde Nationale supplied me with some cartridges, and from that moment took my place among the defenders of the barricade. Although I could never boast of a great share of courage, yet at this moment all thoughts of danger, of home, wife, children, were all forgotten in the fierce delight of battle. It was like skating on very doubtful ice: we all know it is dangerous, but yet all think they will escape the drowning.

The battle began about twelve o'clock, and it was now nearly one. The people had now possession of the Palais Royal, and the houses on the other corner of the street, from which they fired on the troops below.

Some fought very bravely, standing on the top of the barricade, loading now, firing then. Others, almost on their hands and knees when under the barricade, would rise up and fire, retiring to load. Some indeed stood at the corner of a street some distance up, and fired off their pieces there, which greatly added to the danger of those who held the barricade.

Every time the soldiers fired very heavily, a panic would seize some of the combatants, and these would make off, to take up a safer position high up the street. A little man, who was armed only with a sword, behaved very bravely. He rallied the faint-hearted, stamped and swore, and, followed by a few as desperate as himself, leaped over the barricade. They were received with a deadly discharge, and many a poor fellow rolled over in the mud: The few who were left standing came rushing over the barricade. A panic seized the rest, and some ran out of the street altogether.

Gradually the excitement overcame my fears, and my pulse, though quick, beat more regularly. Wishing to obtain a view of the action, I passed into the Rue de Valois, formed on one side by the Palais Royal. At the end of this street the people were firing over a barricade, at what or whom, the volumes of smoke prevented me seeing. One party, with sledge hammers and crowbars, were busily engaged in forcing the iron gates of the Palais Royal, while others amused themselves by breaking the plate-glass windows with stones and oyster-shells. The lower windows, which were defended by strong iron bars, were battered in, bars, stonework, and all, and the mob entered. This part of the building, I imagined, must have been used as a store, from the immense quantity of wearing apparel that was thrown out and burned in the street. From one window was thrown an immense quantity of bedding, which was likewise heaped on the flames, until the heat became insupportable, and the smoke all but blinding. Some, indeed, set fire to the building itself, which others extinguished, much, how-up a deafening roar, and their red flashes streamed inever, to their own personal risk.

As the fighting continued, I lost all sense of danger, and soon found myself close to the barricade which ran across the Rue de Valois, from the Palais Royal to a wine-shop opposite.

On looking across the square in which stands the façade of the Palais Royal, I found that the firing on the part of the military proceeded from a guardhouse called the Château d'Eau. On a terrace that ran across the front of this building were stationed three ranks of municipal guards, while immediately below them stood a body of the troops of the line, the whole joining in keeping up a constant fire.

The scene at this moment was one of great excitement. The flash! flash! of the musketry through the white smoke from the terrace and every window of the guardhouse, the beating of drums, waving of flags, and brandishing of swords and pikes, all conspired to deaden the sense of danger, although the sound of the balls striking the barricade, or whistling over my head, bade me remember that I was witnessing a real battle.

As yet I had seen no one hit on our side of the barricade; but suddenly a young man who stood rather above me on the barricade fell backwards among the stones and rubbish at my feet. His teeth were firmly

But although foiled in their first attempt, again they rushed over the barricade, again to meet with the same repulse, and many with their deaths. It was now indeed a hideous scene. The dying and the dead lay heaped together in pools of blood. Their shrieks and groans rose into the air, mixed with the frantic yells and horrid imprecations of the mob; the muskets kept

cessantly through the stifling sulphurous smoke. The faces of the combatants were distorted with rage, and many fought on, mangled and bleeding, till they could no longer stand to load and fire.

About this time an officer, whom I afterwards learned to be General Lamoriciere, rode into the square both horse and rider rolled instantly into the mud. The general rose wounded, I believe, and made his escape.

A captain of the Garde Nationale, the same I think who first led the insurgents, now stood on the barricade waving his sword, and inciting the mob to charge. He was shot through the body, and fell on the other side. But the mob rushed from three barricades at the same time, two being across Rue St Honoré, and engaged in deadly combat, hand in hand, with the soldiers. A deadly discharge came from every window of the post, while louder yells, and cries of agony and rage, mixed in wild and savage din with the unceasing roar of the guns.

As I did not choose to pass over the barricade myself, I could not well distinguish what was doing at this moment, from the mingled forms of the combatants, and the blinding smoke from a quantity of straw, which, plundered from the royal stable, was on fire in front of the guardhouse. Several men passed me with trusses

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