Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 02.djvu/323

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OCT. 6, 1789]
FROM VERSAILLES
289

ence a slight emotion' on entering this Townhall, can answer only that he 'comes with pleasure, with confidence among his people.' Mayor Bailly, in reporting it, forgets 'confidence': and the poor Queen says eagerly: 'Add, with confidence.'—'Messieurs,' rejoins Mayor Bailly, 'you are happier than if I had not forgotten.'

Finally, the King is shown on an upper balcony, by torchlight, with a huge tricolor in his hat: 'and all the people,' says Weber, 'grasped one another's hand';—thinking now surely the New Era was born. Hardly till eleven at night can Royalty get to its vacant, long-deserted Palace of the Tuileries; to lodge there, somewhat in strolling-player fashion. It is Tuesday the 6th of October 1789.

Poor Louis has Two other Paris Processions to make: one ludicrous-ignominious like this; the other not ludicrous nor ignominious, but serious, nay sublime.

END OF VOL. I.


Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty,
at the Edinburgh University Press.