f Montmartre, is simply black with people. "The
great statesman," the "hero who is to rouse the provinces to unheard-of
efforts for the deliverance of the sacred soil of France from the
polluting presence of the Teutonic barbarian," has not arrived yet when
I edge my way through the crowd, accompanied by an officer on General
Vinoy's staff, who is a near relative of mine. With the recollection of
my adventure in the Avenue de Clichy fresh upon me, I would not have
ventured to come by myself. There is a military post on the Place St.
Pierre, and I am wondering whether it will turn out to pay honours to
"the great statesman;" and whether Nadar, the famous Nadar, whom I can
see towering above the crowd, and giving instructions, will treat
Gambetta with the same scant courtesy he once treated Louis-Napoleon,
when the latter went to see the ascent of his balloon, "Le Geant," from
the Champ-de-Mars. Nadar's behaviour on that occasion reminds one of
Elizabeth's with the wife of Bishop Parker. "'Madam,'" said the queen,
"I may not call you, and 'mistress' I am loth to call you." Nadar was
too fervent a republican to call Louis-Napoleon "Majesty;" he was too
well-bred to insult his guest by addressing him as "Monsieur:" so, when
he saw the sovereign advancing, he backed towards his car, and, before
he could come up with him, gave orders to "let go."

I do not know whether Gambetta came in a carriage. It did not make its
appearance on the Place St. Pierre; he probably left it, like meaner
mortals, at the foot of the very steep hill. The cheering was immense,
and he took it as if to the manner born. He was accompanied by M.
Spuller, who was to take the journey with him, and who, even at that
time, bore a curious likeness to Mr. Spurgeon. M. Spuller did not appear
to claim any of the cheers for himself, for he kept perfectly stolid.
Gambetta, on the other hand, bowed repeatedly, at which Nadar grinned.
Nadar was always honest, if outspoken. He did not seem particularly
pleased with the business in hand, and was evidently determined to get
it over as soon as possible. Gambetta was still standing up, bowing and
waving his hands, when Nadar gave the order to "let go" the ropes, and
the dictator fell back into the lap of his companion. The balloon rose
rather quickly, and about nine that same night we had the news that the
balloon had safely landed in the Department of the Oise, about twelve
miles from Clermont.

From that moment, the