id for by a sale of the iron-railings of the park, or the lead
on the roof.--Here are found chances for a good many bargains, and
especially with objects of art. "The titles alone of the articles
carried off, destroyed or injured, would fill volumes."[33133] On the
one hand, the commissioners on inventories and adjudications, "having
to turn a penny on the proceeds of sales," throw on the market all
they can, "avoiding reserving" objects of public utility and sending
collections and libraries to auction with a view to get their
percentages. On the other hand, nearly all these commissioners are
brokers or second-hand dealers who alone know the value of rarities,
and openly depreciate them in order to buy them in themselves, "and thus
ensure for themselves exorbitant profits." In certain cases the official
guardians and purchasers who are on the look-out take the precaution
to disfigure "precious articles" so as to have them bought by their
substitutes and accomplices: "for instance, they convert sets of books
into odd volumes, and take machines to pieces; the tube and object-glass
of a telescope are separated, which pieces the rogues who have bought
them cheap know how to put together again." Often, in spite of the
seals, they take in advance antiques, pieces of jewelry, medals,
enamels and engraved stones;" nothing is easier, for "even in Paris in
Thermidor, year II., agents of the municipality use anything with which
to make a stamp, buttons, and even large pennies, so that whoever has
a sou can remove and re-stamp the seals as he pleases;" having been
successful, "they screen their thefts by substituting cut pebbles
and counterfeit stones for real ones." Finally, at the auction sales,
"fearing the honesty or competition of intelligent judges, they offer
money (to these) to stay away from the sales; one case is cited where
they have knocked a prospective bidder down." In the meantime, at the
club, they shout with all their might; this, with the protection of a
member of the municipality or of the Revolutionary Committee, shelters
them from all suspicion. As for the protector, he gets his share without
coming out into the light. Accuse, if you dare, a republican functionary
who secretly, or even openly, profits by these larcenies; he will show
clean hands.--Such is the incorruptible patriot, the only one of his
species, whom the representatives discover at Strasbourg, and whom they
appoint mayor at once. On the 10th of Ve