of the
lamp post, in case of fresh offense; a soldier who is trying to
refasten his, changes his mind on seeing a hundred sticks raised against
him."[1429] These are the premonitory symptoms of a crisis; a huge ulcer
has formed in this feverish, suffering body, and it is about to break.

But, as is usually the case, it is a purulent concentration of the most
poisonous passions and the foulest motives. The vilest of men and
women were engaged in it. Money was freely distributed. Was it done by
intriguing subalterns who, playing upon the aspirations of the Duke of
Orleans, extracted millions from him under the pretext of making him
lieutenant-general of the kingdom? Or is it due to the fanatics who,
from the end of April, clubbed together to debauch the soldiery, and
stir up a body of ruffians for the purpose of leveling and destroying
everything around them?[1430] There are always Machiavellis of the
highways and of houses of ill-fame ready to excite the foul and the
vile of both sexes. On the first day that the Flemish regiment goes into
garrison at Versailles an attempt is made to corrupt it with money and
women. Sixty abandoned women are sent from Paris for this purpose, while
the French Guards come and treat their new comrades. The latter have
been treated at the Palais-Royal, while three of them, at Versailles,
exclaim, showing some crown pieces of six livres, "What a pleasure it
is to go to Paris! one always comes back with money!" In this way,
resistance is overcome beforehand. As to the attack, women are to be the
advanced guard, because the soldiers will scruple to fire at them;
their ranks, however, will be reinforced by a number of men disguised
as women. On looking closely at them they are easily recognized,
notwithstanding their rouge, by their badly-shaven beards, and by their
voices and gait.[1431] No difficulty has been found in obtaining men
and women among the prostitutes of the Palais-Royal and the military
deserters who serve them as bullies. It is probable that the former lent
their lovers the cast-off dresses they had to spare. At night all will
meet again at the common rendezvous, on the benches of the National
Assembly, where they are quite as much at home as in their own
houses.[1432]--In any event, the first band which marches out is of this
stamp, displaying the finery and the gaiety of the profession; "most of
them young, dressed in white, with powdered hair and a sprightly air;"
many of them