fifty-three (of the Right, the Centre, and Round the Corner,) similarly
quitted the capital to pay their homage to the Duke of Bordeaux. They
were followed, according to their several political predilections, by
the various Ministers and dignitaries of the State. The only Minister
who remained in Paris was Marshal Thiers, Prince of Waterloo (he had
defeated the English in the very field where they had obtained formerly
a success, though the victory was as usual claimed by the Irish
Brigade); but age had ruined the health and diminished the immense
strength of that gigantic leader, and it is said his only reason for
remaining in Paris was because a fit of the gout kept him in bed.

The capital was entirely tranquil. The theatres and cafes were open as
usual, and the masked balls attended with great enthusiasm: confiding in
their hundred and twenty-four forts, the light-minded people had nothing
to fear.

Except in the way of money, the King left nothing undone to conciliate
his people. He even went among them with his umbrella; but they were
little touched with that mark of confidence. He shook hands with
everybody; he distributed crosses of the Legion of Honor in such
multitudes, that red ribbon rose two hundred per cent in the market (by
which his Majesty, who speculated in the article, cleared a tolerable
sum of money). But these blandishments and honors had little effect
upon an apathetic people; and the enemy of the Orleans dynasty, the
fashionable young nobles of the Henriquinquiste party, wore gloves
perpetually, for fear (they said) that they should be obliged to shake
hands with the best of kings; while the republicans adopted coats
without button-holes, lest they should be forced to hang red ribbons in
them. The funds did not fluctuate in the least.

The proclamations of the several pretenders had had their effect. The
young men of the schools and the estaminets (celebrated places of public
education) allured by the noble words of Prince Napoleon, "Liberty,
equality, war all over the world!" flocked to his standard in
considerable numbers: while the noblesse naturally hastened to offer
their allegiance to the legitimate descendant of Saint Louis.

And truly, never was there seen a more brilliant chivalry than that
collected round the gallant Prince Henry! There was not a man in his
army but had lacquered boots and fresh white kid-gloves at morning and
evening parade. The fantastic and effeminate but brave a