said, "I would place them in view some place, so that every
one could see them without going out of his way; on the Triumphal Arch
at the Place de l'Etoile, for instance; and I would have the whole
population pass before them. That would be very imposing."

Once more the tough turned round and said:

"You'd have to take telescopes to see their faces."

The gentleman did not answer; he continued:

"It's just like the presentation of the flags! There ought, to be some
pretext, a mimic war ought to be organized, and the banners would be
awarded to the troops as a reward. I had an idea about which I wrote to
the minister; but he has not deigned to answer me. As the taking of the
Bastille has been chosen for the date of the national celebration, a
reproduction of this event might be made; there would be a pasteboard
Bastille, fixed up by a scene-painter and concealing within its walls
the whole Column of July. Then, monsieur, the troop would attack. That
would be a magnificent spectacle as well as a lesson, to see the army
itself overthrow the ramparts of tyranny. Then this Bastille would be
set fire to and from the midst of the flames would appear the Column
with the genius of Liberty, symbol of a new order and of the freedom of
the people."

This time every one was listening to him and finding his idea excellent.
An old gentleman exclaimed:

"That is a great idea, monsieur, which does you honor. It is to be
regretted that the government did not adopt it."

A young man declared that actors ought to recite the "Iambes" of
Barbier through the streets in order to teach the people art and liberty
simultaneously.

These propositions excited general enthusiasm. Each one wished to have
his word; all were wrought up. From a passing hand-organ a few strains
of the Marseillaise were heard; the laborer started the song, and
everybody joined in, roaring the chorus. The exalted nature of the song
and its wild rhythm fired the driver, who lashed his horses to a
gallop. Monsieur Patissot was bawling at the top of his lungs, and the
passengers inside, frightened, were wondering what hurricane had struck
them.

At last they stopped, and Monsieur Patissot, judging his neighbor to
be a man of initiative, consulted him about the preparations which he
expected to make:

"Lanterns and flags are all right,"' said Patissot; "but I prefer
something better."

The other thought for a long time, but found nothing. Then, in despair,
the