The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08

..s,, or-" The Chronicles Of tie Bastile,"
. 'r.,I,,sg.'' " TIE YaEs Log Philip Of
1--e S. ,
CHAPTER VI.
~. g.firsn of the Red Republic.
Mini whether the historian, writing
}, Us Inc enlightenment of posterity, as
c'a'-t g. he OBLIGATION of his own genera
gel - ',,rdasre;.ds to take account of the
IN. 81 al one minor incidents that SO
'-'l'-.- r,,isr.e to bring about the greater
az ~ :. rseg,ding. He sees only the latter,
e'sa.' ~ IN .bs gross and it is sufficient for
sn1 -, -, d! they present themselves to his
D. - Vide. He does not stay to inquire
D. ~ % =" -. .sssrumeutai;ties which haVs-de-
- - certain results, deeming it beneath
4. i'-T.rg # h.syory 70 deal with what may
(, :. ~. ,,as : IS the by-play of the supernume
.r.o figure in the great draola of ma
~, a. 4 few leading events and promi-
... ra,sona.es are made TO stand boldly out
~ : +. .s1yal5 Ike the chief figures grouped
:, q. f-er-5uni Of picture; but the deter
80, causes { those events, and the combi-
IN -: d; happy and unhappy circumstances
80 ae-r,.bIted 20 their contamination, are
NEATLY shown satisfactorily to those who
~ !, wali rs read, and who may also desire
-I,-r sonething Of the latent sources of ma
ID soo,ugtions to become acquainted with
=. ,.,.ael Influences which have turned the
,.rt,ll scale u favor Of particular individ-
n Or d.rar.ed the current Of events in the
f...t;,a sf q particular catastrophe.
}e. hos useful she lessons that are to be
..,isrei from an attentive examination OF the
s,.-v.isy records the vulgar Incidents, of any
,.-.i 4 coR:emporaneOus periods of history
lbs instructive 70 the philosopher, to trace to
+. remote source the mighty circumstance on
v..b the iate Of a nation has trembled, or
Which has suddenly decided it To such an
;,.r;gs- after truth, the tOothache which has
I'D politician, and disabled him at a mo-
n.r,.ns ers;s. has al interest in the conse-
.r.1sss 20 which it he's led greater, and is to
hin an incident Ct more itnporsance-though
d..ea-io3 possibly, by the historian-than
IA. Js:..e that has TO be fought and won, or
hla tie public struggle of parties in their
trse conflict for ascendency.
!. comes perhaps. more within the province
q Sr..er Of ictiOn tc deal with these minor
cs5A .or he addresses different class of
raiders The reader of graver history, like
iae C. binary spectator at theatre, cares only
u witness the changing Of the scene and the
eJnsammatoa Of the play; ne does not wish to
zee tbe humble carpenters assistants, on whom
toe shifting devolyes and takes small or no
accom-. Of them as parties Indispensable to the
protection OF e scenic effect on scale how
ever grand Bat The reader of fiction expects
10 zee the whole machinery in motion-to be
made acquainted with the secret Of the tricks
be knows IS to be played upon his credulity
asi 81, tie transformations which arc to dalude
biz cye-ssht 10 be introduced personally to
the actors and actresses who arc to enact partS
iT bis amusement 10 see them in their paint,
sag1, and tnsel; 50 that when he meets them
sme Gay. in their gray and sober garb of
uery-iay lie, nc may claim with them moro
iasl d rsssing acquaintanceshp
>or = 1t expected that the writer of fiction
'Aail present the event, OF his narrative with
tie reFeress regard TO historical accuracy. He
T. TOR the inns being, poet. and, as such, has
the tae!t consent OF ms readers to make, for
thsIr eilncltiOn ani amusement, the most Of
ih2 license which is his especial and peculiar
-H0.cge. The highes. effort of his art is to
d5.ne The creations of his fancy in the garb
nearest 70 TerisimilitCde, and to cast around
lamty Incidents just such tingo of romance
Is shall invest them with increased interest
Ia re portrayal of the events of his own
.li1 and in his use of those personsges who
aIy have played in them the most prominent
! nj r whom: 1t maJ serve the purpose of his
be-! N 70 pace IN the first rank, ne he's to con-
.taT less What they positively have done, than
via, under particular circumstances they
A.h. have done. If he have for the ground
3 Tx q Ais narrative a solid basis of facts. and
IL the public records Of his own time, and the
'lmors and gossip Of political and private cir
..e- warranty for attributing particular oc-
d9tAce' 20 the effect Of certain notorious in
iihces, he satisfies ID the utmost all reasona-
'' x Eel-ies OF correct taste and so that his
Z t"ad to thC advancement OF morality. TO
Tue te7eiopmont Of great political or economic
.'4,i- or 10 tie general edlfiostion Of HIS fell
''@-m-n, he establishes a legitimate claim
,;'a ,he public gratitude, as a teacher and G
-'.f'sI conveying instruction in form as un-
"a i'iehab-e, Tor Its purpose, as that which
!''I'fy PERTAINS to the historian. Thus much
!. sa' necessary to the right understanding Of
49, '''''.' events it is orr purpoee to portray.
~, ,>''ue ie" days subsequent TO the interview
- T. 'as Napoleon with the artist Roussillon, the
~ I,.lsF' oil 'he Rel Republican faction Assem-
-, % .Ge re1dence Of enc of their number,
''' G-'d d seat in the National Assembly,
81 WON We shall call Fourier He was
'-.'' uade, i'rty years of sge and stood above
:, III height having C frame that Indicated
~. session OF prodigious muscular power
-, -''''- naturally small and round and set
.'A q 'aof. boil neck and an enormous
-. ,.'1-N d! shoulder, looked siOgularly dimnu-
'1o'D TIE circumstance Of his wearing his
-, 'U' close. His small, clear blue eyes,
...,'. '"iaA.ed with extraordinary brilliancy,
:. constant motion, but their benevolent
St.l.a was beiied by the scowl that only
az ny darkened his countenance. He
80 'L'eA mustaches and a long imperial,
, -,o,illHce with the prevalent fashion; but
- h5t serve TO conceal his firm, square
u TIE determined set Of his mouth. He
-, - WIN surprising volatility and emphasis,
rs colleagues. y
10 the right CT Fourier sat with folded arms.
N-l-khown author and poet, who had by
aus sung the past glories of the Empire. the
. ,'''t' oi the Eighteenth Louis, Of the Tantb
:.%'lsa, Ct The Csizsn King, and Of the Repub.
r = .0 who, amidst all the political changes
a:.' 'Ie last thirty five years had remained
LAY only to his vocation of poet The last
,',oiG'ion had suddenly inspired him with
: "a amolton 20 become legislator; and. ia
;isl rs bis great popularity, be became can
NAG and awOke one morning a duly.elected
I tentative Of the people. Fourier address
=. : Iie; by the familiar name of Victor. BY
.-'.,H nc appeared to be likewise recognised
= their friends. -''~''
10, 20 curriers' left was seated one of the most
- I1' AaGie Journalists of the day-a small,
a - Saiiow-complexioned man, with keen,
80 eyes, and who wore his thin, black hair,
- visible sfectation of the style of the
! I ts Napoleon, a stray lock being allowed
80. 1-ls Gown, SO as to cover portion of his
, =, He, too, had become a representa-
,,.. oi the people, and, though without any
y 80 prediction for the principles of the
1 : party on whose side of the Chamber
h eu taken his scat, was now advocating
:: nefcest ropublicanism, in the hope of ere.
- 90 political capital enough to enable him
- u4y TO become the chief of the Republi