centre of endless howlings.
Also Necker's Portrait snatched, or purchased, from some Printshop, is
borne processionally, aloft on a perch, with huzzas;--an example to be
remembered.

But chiefly on the Pont Neuf, where the Great Henri, in bronze, rides
sublime; there do the crowds gather. All passengers must stop, till they
have bowed to the People's King, and said audibly: Vive Henri Quatre;
au diable Lamoignon! No carriage but must stop; not even that of his
Highness d'Orleans. Your coach-doors are opened: Monsieur will please
to put forth his head and bow; or even, if refractory, to alight
altogether, and kneel: from Madame a wave of her plumes, a smile of her
fair face, there where she sits, shall suffice;--and surely a coin
or two (to buy fusees) were not unreasonable from the Upper Classes,
friends of Liberty? In this manner it proceeds for days; in such rude
horse-play,--not without kicks. The City-watch can do nothing; hardly
save its own skin: for the last twelve-month, as we have sometimes seen,
it has been a kind of pastime to hunt the Watch. Besenval indeed is at
hand with soldiers; but they have orders to avoid firing, and are not
prompt to stir.

On Monday morning the explosion of petards began: and now it is
near midnight of Wednesday; and the 'wicker Mannequin' is to be
buried,--apparently in the Antique fashion. Long rows of torches,
following it, move towards the Hotel Lamoignon; but 'a servant of mine'
(Besenval's) has run to give warning, and there are soldiers come.
Gloomy Lamoignon is not to die by conflagration, or this night; not yet
for a year, and then by gunshot (suicidal or accidental is unknown).
(Histoire de la Revolution, par Deux Amis de la Liberte, i. 50.) Foiled
Rascality burns its 'Mannikin of osier,' under his windows; 'tears up
the sentry-box,' and rolls off: to try Brienne; to try Dubois Captain
of the Watch. Now, however, all is bestirring itself; Gardes Francaises,
Invalides, Horse-patrol: the Torch Procession is met with sharp shot,
with the thrusting of bayonets, the slashing of sabres. Even Dubois
makes a charge, with that Cavalry of his, and the cruelest charge of
all: 'there are a great many killed and wounded.' Not without clangour,
complaint; subsequent criminal trials, and official persons dying of
heartbreak! (Histoire de la Revolution, par Deux Amis de la Liberte, i.
58.) So, however, with steel-besom, Rascality is brushed back into its
dim depths, and the streets are