in the line of preposterous questioning; for instance: Why does the
candidate prefer the wine of Champagne to the wine of Bordeaux? At
Bordeaux, where wine is a religion, this preference implies an idea of
non-patriotism and may seriously affect the election. Many voters go
to these meetings solely to enjoy the embarrassment of the candidates.
Holding them as it were in the pillory, they play with them like a child
with a beetle, an old judge with the criminal he examines, or a young
surgeon at an autopsy.

Others have not such elevated tastes; they come merely to enjoy the
racket, the confusion of tongues which is certain to take place on such
occasions. Some see their opportunity to exhibit a choice talent; for
(as they say in the reports of the Chamber) when "the tumult is at its
height," a cock is heard to crow or a dog to howl as if his paw were
trodden upon,--noises that are imitated with marvellous accuracy. But
truly, are not fools and stupid beings a majority in the world, and
ought they not to have their representative?

The meeting took place in a large dance-hall, the loft for the orchestra
forming a sort of private box to which non-voters were admitted, I
among the number. Some ladies had already taken the front seats; Madame
Marion, aunt of Simon Giguet, the Left centre candidate; Madame and
Mademoiselle Mollot, wife and daughter of the clerk of the court,
and some others whose names and position I did not catch. Madame and
Mademoiselle Beauvisage shone conspicuously, like Brutus and Cassius, by
their absence.

Before the candidacy of Monsieur Beauvisage was brought forward on the
ministerial side after the death of Charles Keller, that of Monsieur
Simon Giguet was thought to be certain of success. Now, in consequence
of that of our friend Sallenauve, who has in turn distanced Beauvisage,
Giguet has fallen a step lower still. His father, a former colonel
of the Empire, is greatly respected throughout this region. As an
expression of regret for not electing his son (according to all
probabilities), the electors made him, by acclamation, chairman of the
meeting.

The first candidate who was called upon to speak was Simon Giguet; he
made a long-winded address, full of commonplaces. Few questions were
asked him which deserve a place in the present report. The audience felt
that the tug of war was elsewhere.

Monsieur Beauvisage was then summoned; whereupon Maitre Achille Pigoult
the notary rose, and aske