332 ORIGIN OF THE WAR OF 1853 CHAT. — all these are yet alive, and in their possession XIV ' the public treasures of France may still be abund- antly found * XX. It is known that the most practised gamesters grow weary sometimes of their long efforts to pry into the future which chance is preparing for them, and that in the midst of their anxiety and doubt they are now and then glad to accept guid- ance from the blind, confident guess of some one who is younger and less jaded than themselves ; and when a hot-headed lad insists that he can govern fortune, when he 'calls the main,' as though it were a word of command, and shakes the dice-box with a lusty arm, the pale doubting ciders will sometimes follow the lead of youth's high animal spirits ; and if they do this and win, their hearts arc warm to the lad whose fire and wilfulness compelled them to run the venture. Gratitude Whether it be true, as is said, that in the hour Fhuvy. of trial any of the brethren of the Elysee were urged forward by Colonel Fleury's threats, or whether, abstaining from actual violence, he was able to drive them on by the sheer ascendancy of a more ardent and resolute nature, it is certain that he well earned their gratitude, if by any means, gentle or rough, he forced them to keep their stake on the table. For they won. They won France. They used her hard ; they took her
- I may be allowed to remind the reader that the above was
published in 1863.— Note to 6 th Edition.
