Volume 2

The memoirs of Dr. Thomas W. Evans : recollections of the second French empire / edited by Edward A. Crane, M. D.

  • Evans, Thomas W. (Thomas Wiltberger), 1823-1897.
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: The memoirs of Dr. Thomas W. Evans : recollections of the second French empire / edited by Edward A. Crane, M. D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which General Mellinet was standing, thinking that they could now push their way through. As the leaders very soon assumed a threatening attitude, General Mellinet—who had been joined by M. Ferdinand de Lesseps, at the suggestion of M. de Lesseps or of M. Sardou that the invaders should be held back, if possible, a little while longer—stepped up on a chair and harangued the tumultuous throng that had gathered in front of him, with great spirit and most happy effect. The old General was very popular in Paris. He was one of the heroes of the Crimea, and his face, slashed by a deep sabre cut, was well known to all the people, and they cheered him when they saw him. To their cries of “A? bas 1'Empire he replied by pointing to the flag-staff. “You see,” he said, “ there is no flag there. The Empress has gone.” And the crowd replied with a long “ Ah ! ah ! ah ! ” and “ Vive la Rdpublique ! ” “ You are Frenchmen,” continued the General, “ and you would not dishonour yourselves by en- deavouring to insult a woman. But the palace and these grounds are the property of the nation, and it is your duty, and it is my duty, to protect them. The Imperial troops will be withdrawn. But commit no disorder. If you make an attempt to do so, I shall do my duty. Go back! ” While the General was holding the crowd in check, National Guards were introduced into the court of the Tuileries from the post near by in the Rue de l’Echelle, and were massed in ranks in