THE COLTON PAPERS. H3 



missiles, but some discharges of fire-arms. Victory however was 

 not for a moment doubtful : the odds were too overpowering, and, 

 after rallying several times with almost super-human bravery, the 

 people were finally dispersed, and reiterated volleys were with 

 wanton cruelty fired upon the flying masses. 



I have stated above that two women were killed by random shots, 

 one within the shelter of her own roof, and the other in the open 

 street. The corpse of the latter, mutilated and trampled on, was after- 

 wards taken up by one of the populace, who had the appearance of a 

 baker's workman. This man, whose athletic form, cast in nature's 

 manliest mould, gave effect to every word and gesture, carried the 

 body to the foot of the statue of Louis XIV., in the Place des Victoires, 

 where he addressed the surrounding crowds in a strain of rude, but 

 overpowering eloquence, which was responded to by every heart, and 

 '* Vengeance, Vengeance !" burst in thunders from every tongue. The 

 same man then bore the corpse to the military post at the Bank, and 

 laying it down at the feet of the soldiers, he exclaimed, " Look ! See 

 how your comrades treat our wives and sisters ! Will you act in the 

 same manner ?" " No," replied a soldier, taking his hand, " but 

 come with arms." This advice was promptly followed. The scene 

 had an evident effect upon all present ; among the military it spread 

 still wider the spirit of dissatisfaction at the revolting task before 

 them, while it impressed the people with additional hatred to the 

 government, under whose sanction such deeds were perpetrated. 

 The body of another victim was borne from Rue des Pyramides to 

 the Place de la Bourse, accompanied by thousands of the populace, 

 also calling for vengeance on the assassins, and exciting the metro- 

 polis to arms. Several of the police and military posts in various 

 parts of the city were afterwards attacked and taken possession of by 

 the populace, who carried off whatever arms they contained. That 

 at the Place de la Bourse was burnt to the ground. It was at the 

 close of this melancholy day that a powerful body of young men 

 and apprentices were seen rushing up the rues St. Honore and Mont- 

 martre, and a general breaking and smashing in of all the public 

 lamps and reverberators which enlightened Paris immediately took 

 place. The work of demolition proceeded rapidly, and a few hours 

 sufficed to put the whole of the squares, streets, and boulevards of 

 the metropolis in a state of darkness. Thus passed the night of the 

 27th, a night of such activity and preparation, that it left but little 

 time for reflection, as to the probable consequences of that dreadful 

 conflict, which it was now apparent to all that nothing could any 

 longer prevent, and by which it was to be proved whether the 

 most righteous cause, backed by the most dauntless enthusiasm, 

 could successfully resist disciplined battalions, supported by cannon 

 and cavalry, and led on by chiefs of the most approved courage and 

 experience. 



Scarcely had the morning of Wednesday dawned, when all was 

 life, motion, and activity. Numerous bands of young men and boys 

 were seen traversing the principal streets and public places, tearing- 

 down and dragging in the gutter the royal arms which graced the 

 sign-boards, and defacing- the word " royal" wherever found written 



MM. No. 8. P 



