inced them to the contrary by taking my aim so exactly with a
twelve-pounder, that I brought her down in an instant.

I considered, that if I should break the balloon with a cannon-ball
while she remained with the vessel over the land, the fall would
inevitable occasion the destruction of the hull, and which, in its fall,
might crush some of the multitude; therefore I thought it safer to
take my aim when the balloon was over the sea, and pointing my
twelve-pounder, drove the ball right through the balloon, on which the
inflammable air rushed out with great force, and the "Royal George"
descended like a falling star into the very spot from whence she had
been taken. There she still remains, and I have convinced all Europe of
the possibility of taking her up.

CHAPTER XXXIV

_The Baron makes a speech to the National Assembly, and drives out all
the members--Routs the fishwomen and the National Guards--Pursues the
whole rout into a Church, where he defeats the National Assembly, &c.,
with Rousseau, Voltaire, and Beelzebub at their head, and liberates
Marie Antoinette and the Royal Family._

Passing through Switzerland on my return from India, I was informed
that several of the German nobility had been deprived of the honours
and immunities of their French estates. I heard of the sufferings of
the amiable Marie Antoinette, and swore to avenge every look that had
threatened her with insult. I went to the cavern of these Anthropophagi,
assembled to debate, and gracefully putting the hilt of my sword to my
lips--"I swear," cried I, "by the sacred cross of my sword, that if you
do not instantly reinstate your king and his nobility, and your injured
queen, I will cut the one half of you to pieces."

On which the President, taking up a leaden inkstand, flung it at my
head. I stooped to avoid the blow, and rushing to the tribunal seized
the Speaker, who was fulminating against the Aristocrats, and taking the
creature by one leg, flung him at the President. I laid about me most
nobly, drove them all out of the house, and locking the doors put the
key in my pocket.

I then went to the poor king, and making my obeisance to him--"Sire,"
said I, "your enemies have all fled. I alone am the National Assembly at
present, and I shall register your edicts to recall the princes and
the nobility; and in future, if your majesty pleases, I will be
your Parliament and Council." He thanked me, and the amiable Marie
Antoinette, smiling,