Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-04

dress drew mdltiudes Of Friends around her,
and hrf society was ever couued. As time
ncllenod ihe poignancy Of her past SORROWS, she
2 msnnled more and more Ia the circles Of ihsf
metropolis over devoted 10 gaicty. The terrible
commissions Of the time had thrown the whole
fabric Of society into confusion, Great efforts
were now msdc to revive the festivities Of for
neT days. Two centres Of society were natur-
ally fofmcd. Tho first included thar in which
Josephine moved. It was composed Of those re-
mains of the an5seal nobility who had returned
70 Paris with the remains Of their families and
their shattered fortunes. Rigid economy was
rtuessary 70 keep mp any appearance 81 cle-
fauess But that polish OK manners which al
most invariably desesnas from an iIlustrious an
ctslry, marked all their intercourse. The
humifiaticns through which the mobiles had PASS
cd, had not diminished the exclusisenes Of
sheir taste. Tho other circle was composed OF
merchants and bankers, who had acquired ops,-
Hence IN The midst Of the confessions and storms
Of revolution The passion for display was
prominent in al their assemblies, as is necess-
erly NE case with these sshcse passport to dis
AT the theatres and all PLACES az pshl;c fes-
sisity tasre were presented studied memorials
q the scenes Of horror through which all had
retently passed. One Of them, the most fash
ionable assemblies then known in. Paris, was
called :. The Ball cfMs VTcfims.n No one was
admitted to this assembly, who had not lost some
near relative by The guillotine. The most
fashionable mode Of dressing the hair was call
ed "a Ia guillotine.r The hair was arranged
inthc manner in which it had been adjusted by
the executioner, for the unimpeded operations
of the axe.
Josephine, young widow with beauty,
grace, intelligence and property, was sure to at
ID
would seek her hand.
new insurrection by the populace OF Paris
was at this time planned against the Conven-
ton. The exnsperated people were again TO
march upon the Tnilleries. The members were
In extreme Consideration. The mob could bring
tens Of thousands against them, well armed
with muskets and heavy artillery. There were
but five hundred regular troops, with which to
resist the onset. Menou, the officer in COM
mand, acknowledged his inability to meet the
crisis, and surrendered his power to Barras. He
immediately, as by sudden thought, exclaimed.
'lknow the man who can defend US. 1t is a
little COEslcan who dares do anything, and is
perfectly reckless Of consequences"
The little Corscan Napoean Boraparte, the
day-star Of whose fame was Just beginning TO rise
ever the smouldering ruins of Toloun, was pre-
scented to the Convention. His fragile form
was almost feminine in its proportions but an
eagle eye calmly reposed in his pallid and ema-
cIated countenance. He had been severely sick.
and the Convention looked with amazement up-
on this feeble youth, as the one presented to res
cue them from their peril.
The President looked upon him douhtipeiy
ana said, .Arc you willing to undertake our de-
fencelp
"YesI1 was the calm, laconic reply.
But are You aware of the magnitude Of the
arrlfIAw lraia a. afwIIT
II am in the habit Of accomplishing every
thing undertake." was the imperturbable re-
sponse.
From that moment his authority was estab-
hshed. Every member of the Convention felt
the mysterious fascination Of his master mind,
Barras surrendered the whole command into his
hands. He instantly called in all the national
forces which were around Paris, and disposed
City pieces Of artillery under the command of
Murat, 50 as to rake all the avenues to the Com
vention. His calm and almost superhuman en-.
ergy sought no rcpose that night. The delay of
few moments would have placed this very
park of artillery which secured his victory, in
highlands Of the insurgents. When the morn
ing dawned, the Tuilleries, as il. by magic, had
assumed the aspect of a fortified camp. The
little Corsican was calmly awaiting the onset,
as secure OF triumph as ii the victory was al
ready achieved.
But in every quarter Of Paris, during the
night, the insurgents had been mastering their
forces, and the mutterings of the approaching
storm were dismally echoed through the streets
Of the metropolis. Above thirty thous and men.
AL armed with muskets and artillery, in regular
military array, and under experienced generals
came pouring down upon the feeble band which
surrounded the Convention.
Will the little Corsican dare to fire Upon the
people? Will this pale and slender youth, who
had hardly yet entered upon the period of man
hood, dare to deluge the pavements Of Paris
with the blood of her own citizens? Will he
venture upon conflict so unequal, when fail
nre is certain death?
Napoleon, with his colorless cheek his fash
ing eye, and his air Of mysterious melancholy,
stood IN silence, as the gathering thousands
crowded down upon him. He offered no par
ley, he uttered not word of warning, he con-
descended to no threats. The insurgents, be-
lieying that he would not dare to fire upon them,
advanced within fifty yards Of his masked bat
terry, when he opened his columns, and his voice
was heard in the streets of Paris. The thunder
OF his tones was succeeded by the lightning
bolt. A general Discharge of grape shot, from
guns loaded 10 their hhuzzles, covered the
ground with the dead and dying. No mortal
could Withstand such conflict The adyanc-
ing Zoe wayered Tor an instant, and then with
the utmost CONSERVATION took to fight. Napo-
leon commanded Immediately the most rapid dis
charge OF blank cartridges. Peal upon peal
their loud reverberations deafened the city, and
added wings to the flight Of the terror stricken
crowd. Buta few moments elapsed, ere NOT
even a solitary straggler could be seen in The
solitary streets. The little Corsican, pale and
calm, stood with folded arms, as unperturbed as