Note 493 — BOOK II[407] (continued 2)
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation
M. de Falloux, who had made his way into court in a barrister's robes, describes the scene in his Memoirs. When the presiding judge had announced the acquittal of all the defendants, the crowd pressed around Berryer and Chateaubriand. The latter was obliged to cling to M. de Falloux' arm so as not to be thrown down.
"I don't like fuss!" he kept saying. "I don't like fuss! Take me quickly to my carriage!"
But on the steps the cheers were redoubled:
"Long live Chateaubriand! The liberty of the press for ever!"
They wanted to unharness the horses and yoke themselves to the carriage:
"Don't!" he entreated. "It's very far, it's very far, you can't do it!"
At last the driver succeeded in clearing a way, and set out at a gallop. (Cf. Falloux, Mémoires d'un royaliste, vol. I. p. 60.)—B.