THE REVOLUTION OF 1848 xxxv 



by a troop of men crying " Our brave captain we have him yet 

 he's not dead ! Vive la Eeforme ! " This cry was responded to 

 by all, and every one saluted him as he passed. I do not know 

 if he was mortally wounded. That Third Legion has behaved 

 splendidly. 



' I then returned, and shortly afterwards went out again to 

 the garden of the Tuileries. They were given up to the people 

 and the palace was being sacked. The people were firing blank 

 cartridge to testify their joy and they had a cannon on the top 

 of the palace. It was a sight to see a palace sacked and armed 

 vagabonds firing out of the windows, and throwing shirts, papers, 

 and dresses of all kinds out of the windows. They are not 

 rogues, these French ; they are not stealing, burning, or doing 

 much harm. In the Tuileries they have dressed up some 

 of the statues, broken some, and stolen nothing but queer 

 dresses. I say, Frank, you must not hate the French ; hate 

 the Germans if you like. The French laugh at us a little and 

 call out Goddam in the streets ; but to-day, in civil war, when 

 they might have put a bullet through our heads, I never was 

 insulted once. 



c At present we have a provisional Government, consisting 

 of Odion [sic] Barrot, Lamartine, Marast, and some others; 

 among them a common workman, but very intelligent. This is 

 a triumph of liberty rather ! 



4 Now then, Frank, what do you think of it ? I in a revolu- 

 tion, and out all day. Just think, what fun ! So it was at first, 

 till I was fired at yesterday ; but to-day I was not frightened, but 

 it turned me sick at heart, I don't know why. There has been 

 no great bloodshed, [though] I certainly have seen men's blood 

 several times. But there's something shocking to see a whole 

 armed populace, though not furious, for not one single shop has 

 been broken open, except the gunsmiths' shops, and most of the 

 arms will probably be taken back again. For the French have 

 no cupidity in their nature ; they don't like to steal it is not in 

 their nature. I shall send this letter in a day or two, when 

 I am sure the post will go again. I know I have been a long 

 time writing, but I hope you will find the matter of this letter 



