rs of Alca. And could we even count on them to the end?
They are dissatisfied, but at the bottom of their hearts they are
Republicans. They are more anxious to sell their cursed wares than to
see Crucho again. If we act openly we shall only cause alarm.

"To make people sympathise with us and follow us we must make them
believe that we want, not to overthrow the Republic, but, on the
contrary, to restore it, to cleanse, to purify, to embellish, to adorn,
to beautify, and to ornament it, to render it, in a word, glorious and
attractive. Therefore, we ought not to act openly ourselves. It is known
that we are not favourable to the present order. We must have recourse
to a friend of the Republic, and, if we are to do what is best, to a
defender of this government. We have plenty to choose from. It would
be well to prefer the most popular and, if I dare say so, the most
republican of them. We shall win him over to us by flattery, by
presents, and above all by promises. Promises cost less than presents,
and are worth more. No one gives as much as he who gives hopes. It is
not necessary for the man we choose to be of brilliant intellect. I
would even prefer him to be of no great ability. Stupid people show an
inimitable grace in roguery. Be guided by me, gentlemen, and overthrow
the Republic by the agency of a Republican. Let us be prudent. But
prudence does not exclude energy. If you need me you will find me at
your disposal."

This speech made a great impression upon those who heard it. The mind
of the pious Agaric was particularly impressed. But each of them was
anxious to appoint himself to a position of honour and profit. A secret
government was organised of which all those present were elected active
members. The Duke of Ampoule, who was the great financier of the
party, was chosen treasurer and charged with organising funds for the
propaganda.

The meeting was on the point of coming to an end when a rough voice was
heard singing an old air:

Boscenos est un gros cochon;
On en va faire des andouilles
Des saucisses et du jambon
Pour le reveillon des pauv' bougres.

It had, for two hundred years, been a well-known song in the slums of
Alca. Prince Boscenos did not like to hear it. He went down into the
street, and, perceiving that the singer was a workman who was placing
some slates on the roof of a church, he politely asked him to sing
something else.

"I will sing what I like," answered the