France in the Nineteenth Century | Page 7

By
nightfall the agitation had spread in Paris to all classes. King Charles X.
was at Saint-Cloud, apparently apprehending no popular outbreak. No
military preparations in case of disturbances had been made, though on
the morning of the 26th the Duc d'Angoulême sent word to Marshal
Marmont to take command of the troops in Paris, "as there might be
some windows broken during the day."
The next morning trouble was begun by the journeymen printers, who,
as the newspapers on which they worked had been prohibited, were
sent home from their printing-offices. Before long they were joined by
others, notably by the cadets from the Polytechnic School. Casimir
Perrier and Laffitte were considered chiefs of the revolution. The cry
was everywhere "Vive la Charte,"--a compendium that had been drawn
up of the franchises and privileges of Frenchmen. M. Thiers, then
young, counselled moderation in the emergency.
On July 28 the tricolored flag was again unfurled in Paris,--those colors
dear to Frenchmen, who had long hated the white flag, which
represented in their eyes despotism and the rule of the Bourbons! The
National Guard (or militia) was called out, and the populace began
erecting barricades.
It is surprising how rapidly in an emergency a barricade can be formed.
A carriage or two is overturned, furniture is brought out from
neighboring houses, a large tree, if available, is cut down, and the

whole is strengthened with paving-stones. By night all Paris had
become a field of battle.
In vain Marshal Marmont had sent courier after courier to Saint-Cloud,
imploring the king and his ministers to do something that might allay
the fury of the people. No answer was returned. The marshal went
himself at last, and the king, after listening to his representation of the
state of Paris, said calmly: "Then it is really a revolt?" "No, sire,"
replied Marmont; "it is not a revolt, but a revolution."
As soon as the idea of ruin broke upon the royal household, everything
at Saint-Cloud became confusion and despair. The Duchesse de Berri
wanted to take her son, the Duc de Bordeaux, into Paris, hoping that the
people would rally round a woman and the young heir to the throne.
Some implored the king to treat with the insurgents; some to put
himself at the head of his troops; some to sacrifice the ordonnances and
the most obnoxious of his ministers.
The Parisian mob by this time had its blood up. It fought with any
weapons that came to hand. Muskets were loaded with type seized in
the printing-offices. At the Hôtel-de-Ville, Laffitte, Lafayette, and other
leading men opposed to the policy of Charles X. were assembled in
council.
The troops at first fought in their king's cause bravely, but without
enthusiasm. Subsequently the Duke of Wellington was asked if he
could not have suppressed the revolution with the garrison of Paris,
which was twenty thousand men. He answered, "Easily; but then they
must have been fighting for a cause they had at heart."
The fight continued all the night of the 28th, bloody and furious. By
morning the soldiers were short of ammunition. As usual, the Swiss
Guard was stanch, but the French soldiers faltered. About midday of
the 29th two regiments went over to the insurgents.
Two peers were at this juncture sent to negotiate with the royal family.
The ministers, with Polignac at their head, went out also to Saint-Cloud.
"Sire," said one of the negotiators, "if in an hour the ordonnances are

not rescinded, there will be neither king nor kingdom." "Could you not
offer me two hours?" said the king, sarcastically, as he turned to leave
the chamber. The envoy, an old man, fell on his knees and seized the
skirt of the king's coat. "Think of the dauphine!" he cried, imploringly.
The king seemed moved, but made no answer.
In Paris, Marmont, whose heart was with the insurgents, endeavored
nevertheless to do his duty; but his troops deserted him. On learning
this, Talleyrand walked up to his clock, saying solemnly: "Take notice
that on July 29, 1830, at five minutes past twelve o'clock, the elder
branch of the Bourbons ceased to reign."
The Louvre was taken, and the Tuileries. There was no general pillage,
the insurgents contenting themselves with breaking the statues of kings
and other signs of royalty.
One of the most obnoxious persons in Paris was the archbishop. The
mob fought to the music of "Ça ira." with new words:--
"C'est l'Archevêque de Paris Qui est Jésuite comme Charles Dix.
Dansons la Carmagnole; dansons la Carmagnole, Et ça ira!"
There were deeds of heroism, deeds of self-sacrifice. deeds of loyalty,
deeds of cruelty, and deeds of mercy, as there always are in Paris in
times of revolution. By nightfall on the 29th the fighting was over. It
only