me smart lessons since I gave up mathematics; and I
have acquired a smattering of his own policy, which is to look after
the substance, and leave the shadow--or the _drapeau_, if you like it
better--to whoever pleases."

"I confess, however," said I, "I don't well understand your enthusiasm
about war and your indifference about its trophies. To me the
associations they suggest are pleasurable beyond anything."

"I think I remember something of that kind in myself formerly," said he,
musing. "There was a time when the blast of a trumpet, or even the clank
of a sabre, used to set my heart thumping. Happily, however, the organ
has grown steeled against even more stirring sounds; and I listened to
the salute to-day, fired as it was by that imposing body, the artillery
of the 'Garde Nationale,' with an equanimity truly wonderful. Apropos,
my dear Burke; talk of heroism and self-devotion as you will, but show
me anything to compare with the gallantry of those fellows we saw to-day
on the Quai Voltaire,--a set of grocers, periwig-makers, umbrella and
sausage men, with portly paunches and spectacles,--ramming down charges,
sponging, loading, and firing real cannon. On my word of honor, it was
fearful."

"They say his Majesty is very proud indeed of the National Guard of
Paris."

"Of course he is. Look at them, and just think what must be the
enthusiasm of men who will adopt a career so repugnant, not only to
their fancy, but their very formation. Remember that he who runs
yonder with a twenty-four pounder never handled anything heavier than a
wig-block, and that the only charges of the little man beside him have
been made in his day-book. By Saint Denis! the dromedary guard we had
in Egypt were more at home in their saddles than the squadron who rode
beside the archbishop's carriage."

"It is scarcely fair, after all," said I, half laughing, "to
criticise them so severely; and the more, as I think you had some old
acquaintances among them."

"Ha! you saw that, did you?" said he, smiling. "No, by Jove! I never met
them before. But that _confrerie_ of soldiers--you understand--soon made
us acquainted; and I saw one old fellow speaking to a very pretty girl I
guessed to be his daughter, and soon cemented a small friendship with
him: here's his card."

"His card! Why, are you to visit him?"

"Better again; I shall dine there on Monday next. Let us see how he
calls himself: 'Hippolyte Pierrot, stay and corset-maker to her