Section 107. THE DRAMA OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1848. VII.
Reading edition
There[1] is sentiment in all things. The apartments of the poor daughter-in-law are reached (S. 4, N. 4, man), but, strange[2] to say, are respected[3] in the midst of the work[4] of general destruction. Her children’s toys are[5] not even touched; the hat and (S. 10, N. 9) whip of her dead[6] husband are[7] still sacred; the books (S. 16, N. 10) she had been reading lie still open[8]. It[9] is an incident that cannot fail to[10] elicit rounds of applause. And whilst[11] anarchy and destruction prevail here, there[12] is equal confusion and danger in the Chamber of Deputies. We have seen the[13] mob forcing their way into (zu) that deliberative assembly. Everybody[14] is now rushing to the tribune. Three[15] speakers become marked from the rest; their[16] names are Lamartine[23], Crémieux[23], and Ledru Rollin[23]; they[17] gain the popular ear, and undertake (S. 51, N. 13) to establish[18] order—a superhuman responsibility! A Provisional Government is announced, named[19], and approved on the spot. “To (S. 72, N. 4) the Hôtel de Ville!” exclaims one[20]. “To the Hôtel de Ville!” respond a hundred; and amidst[21] yells and hootings, cries[22] of “Vive la République!” “Vive Lamartine!” “A bas tout le monde!” Monsieur Lamartine[23] sets out for that celebrated building, followed by a train made[24] up of the dregs of a seething metropolis. In the middle[25] of the shouting the curtain falls, and[26] the first act terminates. Search[27] the dramatic annals of the world for such another.—Essays from “The Times”.