ight, the chair for the day.

Let us be just, however. Some obtained beds, amongst others MM. Thiers
and Roger (du Nord). M. Grevy did not have one.

Mazas is a model prison of progress; it is certain that Mazas is
preferable to the _piombi_ of Venice, and to the under-water dungeon of
the Chatelet. Theoretical philanthropy has built Mazas. Nevertheless, as
has been seen, Mazas leaves plenty to be desired. Let us acknowledge that
from a certain point of view the temporary solitary confinement of the
law-makers at Mazas does not displease us. There was perhaps something of
Providence in the _coup d'etat_. Providence, in placing the Legislators
at Mazas, has performed an act of good education. Eat of your own
cooking; it is not a bad thing that those who own prisons should try them.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE EPISODE OF THE BOULEVARD ST. MARTIN

When Charamaule and I reached No. 70, Rue Blanche, a steep lonely street,
a man in a sort of naval sub-officer's uniform, was walking up and down
before the door. The portress, who recognized us, called our attention to
him. "Nonsense," said Charamaule, "a man walking about in that manner,
and dressed after that fashion, is assuredly not a police spy."

"My dear colleague," said I, "Bedeau has proved that the police are
blockheads."

We went upstairs. The drawing-room and a little ante-chamber which led to
it were full of Representatives, with whom were mingled a good many
persons who did not belong to the Assembly. Some ex-members of the
Constituent Assembly were there, amongst others, Bastide and several
Democratic journalists. The _Nationale_ was represented by Alexander Rey
and Leopold Duras, the _Revolution_ by Xavier Durrieu, Vasbenter, and
Watripon, the _Avenement du Peuple_ by H. Coste, nearly all the other
editors of the _Avenement_ being in prison. About sixty members of the
Left were there, and among others Edgar Quinet, Schoelcher, Madier de
Montjau, Carnot, Noel Parfait, Pierre Lefranc, Bancel, de Flotte,
Bruckner, Chaix, Cassal, Esquiros, Durand-Savoyat, Yvan, Carlos Forel,
Etchegoyen, Labrousse, Barthelemy (Eure-et-Loire), Huguenin, Aubrey (du
Nord), Malardier, Victor Chauffour, Belin, Renaud, Bac, Versigny, Sain,
Joigneaux, Brives, Guilgot, Pelletier, Doutre, Gindrier, Arnauld (de
l'Ariege), Raymond (de l'Isere), Brillier, Maigne, Sartin, Raynaud, Leon
Vidal, Lafon, Lamargue, Bourzat, and General Rey.

All were standing. They were talking without order. Leo