HIS WIFE. 257 



come to one of the sittings bringing in his portfolio the 

 results of some fine scientific research? Such noble 

 actions are certainly worth good " Papers." 



Affairs proceeded thus up to the revolution of the 18th 

 Brumaire. On the 21st, the public criers were announc- 

 ing everywhere, even in the street de la Sourdiere, that 

 General Bonaparte was Consul, and M. de Laplace Min- 

 ister of the Interior. This name, so well known by the 

 respectable widow, reached even the room that she in- 

 habited, and caused her some emotion. That same even- 

 ing, the new minister (this was a noble beginning, Gen- 

 tlemen) asked for a pension of 2000 francs for Madame 

 Bailly. The Consul granted the demand, adding to it 

 this express condition, that the first half year should be 

 paid in advance, and immediately. Early on the 22d, 

 a carriage stopped in the street de la Sourdiere ; Madame 

 de Laplace descends from it, carrying in her hand a 

 purse filled with gold. She rushed to the staircase, runs 

 to the humble abode, that had now for several vears wit- 



/ 



nessed irremediable sorrow and severe misery ; Madame 



/ 



Bailly was at the window : " My dear friend, what are 

 you doing there so early?" exclaimed the wife of the 

 minister. " Madam," replied the widow, " I heard the 

 public crier yesterday, and I was expecting you ! " 



If after having, from a sense of duty, expatiated upon 

 anarchical, odious, and sanguinary scenes, the historian 

 of our civil discords has the good fortune to meet on his 

 progress with an incident that gratifies the mind, raises 

 the soul, and fills the heart with pleasing emotions, he 

 stops there, Gentlemen, as the African traveller halts in 

 an oasis ! 



