112 THE COLTON PAPERS. 



actually killed two poor women, who were peaceably engaged in 

 their domestic affairs, one of whom resided on a first floor. This 

 event, which may he called accidental, it will be hereafter seen, had 

 a powerful influence upon the subsequent contest. 



Notwithstanding this violence, perpetrated upon a multitude com. 

 pletely unarmed, the populace, dismayed for a moment, speedily 

 returned, and, notwithstanding the vigilant activity of their antago- 

 nists, contrived to erect barricades at the end of Rue de Chantre, 

 Rue St. Louis, and near Rue Traversiere St. Honore. These defences, 

 formed by an omnibus and hackney coaches, which were acciden- 

 tally passing, and strengthened by loads of paving stones, that were 

 seized in a similar manner, proved an efficient obstacle to the passage 

 of cavalry in these streets, but their principal utility was as an 

 example, which was afterwards followed with powerful effect. 

 Towards seven o'clock several companies of the 5th regiment of the 

 line were marched into Rue St. Honore, towards the Place du Palais 

 Royal, for the avowed purpose of opposing the people. They were 

 received with cries of vivat, and every demonstration of kindness 

 and friendship. The officers perceiving the effect of this reception 

 upon the soldiers, and perhaps touched themselves with the conduct 

 of the canaille they had been ordered to destroy, resolved to com- 

 municate with the General-in-Chief on the subject before proceeding 

 to extremities. General de Walsh, who was at this time in com- 

 mand, being at the Place du Palais Royal, close at hand, on hearing 

 the circumstances, directed the commanding officer to draw off his 

 men, and leave the field clear for the Garde Royale. The troops 

 of the line accordingly retired, and a strong detachment of the Royal 

 Guard shortly advanced along Rue St. Honore, from the side of Rue 

 St. Denis, followed by a body of lancers, their drums beating, and 

 trumpets sounding a charge. Before they reached the Palais Royal, 

 the fatal word was given, and the infantry poured in their fire in 

 platoons, while the lancers charged the populace, who were falling 

 in all directions. After discharging a shower of stones, the only 

 weapons they had yet made use of, the people dispersed, or rather 

 fled, in great confusion, while their adversaries pursued their bloody 

 route in triumph along the Rue St. Honore. On their way the lan- 

 cers, with wanton ferocity, cut down indiscriminately all who fell in 

 their way ; while the gendarmes and the Royal Guard were scarcely 

 behind them in cold-blooded atrocity. It was at this period that a 

 young Englishman, named Foulkes, was shot by one of the former, 

 in the balcony of Lawson's hotel, Rue St. Honore, where he was an 

 inoffensive spectator of the extraordinary scene acting beneath. 

 Some stones, flung from an adjacent house upon the military, were 

 supposed to have been thrown by this unfortunate gentleman or his 

 companions. 



On the return of the Royal Guard to the Place of the Palais 

 Royal, in half an hour after their late triumph, they were surprised 

 to find the people had, on they same spot, resumed their attitude of 

 defence. This short period had enabled a few of the populace to 

 provide arms, and the first volley fired by the troops was now 

 answered, not only by a destructive shower of stones, tiles, and other 



