M. Arago's Historical Eloge of Joseph Fourier. 235 



a few steps in advance of his little band ; he goes to the very 

 gates and knocks, (do not be alarmed, gentlemen, it is not a 

 battle which I am going to describe), he knoclcs with his snuff- 

 hoxl "Who is tliere ?" cries the officer on guard. " It is the 

 Emperor, open !" " Sire, my duty forbids." " Open, I tell you ; 

 I have no time to lose."" " But, Sire, even although I should 

 wish to open for you, I could not : the keys are with General 

 Marchand.'' " Go then and seek them." " I am certain he 

 will refuse me them." *' If the General refuses them, tell him 

 that J dismiss him'''' ! 



These last words electrified the soldiers. For two days 

 hundreds of proclamations had described Bonaparte as a wild 

 animal which must be caught at all hazards. They com- 

 manded every body to fall upon him ; and yet this man 

 threatened the General with dismission ! The single word dis- 

 miss destroyed the feeble line of demarcation, which for an 

 instant separated the old soldiers from the young recruits; 

 one word gained over the whole garrison to the Emperor's 

 interest. 



The circumstances connected with the capture of Grenoble 

 were not yet known, when Fourier arrived at Lyons. He 

 brought with him the news of Napoleon's rapid march, and of 

 the defection of two companies of sappers, a battalion of infan- 

 try, and of the regiment commanded by Labedoyere. Besides, 

 he hadj, on his road, witnessed the warm sympathy of the 

 peasantry for the proscribed of the Island of Elba. 



The Count d'' Artois received the P'refect and his communi- 

 cations very ill. He declared that Napoleon's arrival at Gre- 

 noble was not possible, and that no rehance ought to be placed 

 on the disposition of the peasantry. As for what might have 

 taken place, said he, in your presence, at the very gates of the 

 town ; as to the tricoloured cockades substituted for the cockade 

 of Henry IV ; as to the eagles which are supposed to have re- 

 placed the white flag, I do not doubt your word, but you 

 must have been bewildered by anxiety. Return, Sir, without 

 delay to Grenoble; you answer to me for the town with your 

 head. 



You see, gentlemen, after having so long proclaimed the ne- 

 cessity of speaking the truth to princes, moralists will act 

 wisely if they will endeavour to persuade pr^ices to listen to it. 



