, 1880-11-19
How Louis Blanc Got out Of
France, f.i

The Temps gives some interesting par
ticulars about M. Louis Blancs journey
from France to England via Belgium in
August, lS4S, after the events of May
in that year. Having arrived at Client,
the author of the "History of Ten Years"
found himself suddenly taken into Gus
tody by an oficious policeman who had
heard some people address him by name.
The following is a description of the
scene, as given in the journal we have
quoted 7 81 beg your pardon, sir, but
is it true that you are M. Louis Blancp
"Certainly." 'In that case l must ask
you to have the goodness to accompany
me to the Commissaire" "By all
MEANS" replied Louis Blanc. Off the
two accordingly went to, the Commits
saire, who, on finding that Louis Blanc
had been arrested, overwhelmed the cap.
tive with excuses; ''such blundering
was unparalleled" "these agents were
really too Jealous" etc, IN. Louis
Blanc must pardon them" "With the
greatest pleasure" responded the latter /;
"but 1 will now be going" "tmpossi-
bic; letting you 50 is no doubt a mere
formality, but 1 should not care to take
it upon myself. If you will follow me
to the Bursomaster, however, matters
can be easily arranged, and you will be
free at once. His house is only a couple
of minutes walk from here" "With
great pleasure" answered Louis Blanc.
To the Burgomaster the Commissaire
and his captive duly proceeded. The
great man was most affable, and ex-
pressed extreme dlspleasure at the Off
ciousness of his subordinate who had
"dared to arrest Louis Blanc" "Oh
i. does not matter one whit" good.h hum.
oredly remarked the other, "but l think
i will take my leave of you at once, to
catch the Ostend train" "Hem
don't altogether fancy, M. Blanc, that
you will be able to catch the train to-
day, = y" said the Burgcmaster.
"Why not9" "Well, you see, the Gov
ernor is staying out of town." "But
what on earth has the Governor got to
do with me ~ rather snappisbly asked
N. Blanc. "The fact is, my dear sir"
politely responded the other, 81 cannot,
unfortunately, take on myself to set you
at liberty until l have consulted the
Governor, and I must, therefore, though
with the utmost regret, entreat you to
kindly submit to being imprisoned"
NJ. Louis Blanc, Of course, protested
very energetically against being forced
to take any such course but, en- re-
ceiving the assurance that a drawing.
room would constitute his place of de-
tention, and good dinner his prison
fare, he made virtue of necessity, and
agreed to consider himself captive.
The repast proved capital, and was
washed down by an excellent bottle of
wine. After he had finished his dinner,
M. Blanc asked for some books. He
received "MSnte Christie" work which
he had never read before, and passed
several hours in perusing the startling
events recorded in its pages, among
others the adventures of the Able Faria
and the escape from prison of Edmond
Dantes.
The ensuing morning, Louis Blanc re-
ceived visit from the Governor of the
Province, who most courteously deplored
the undue zeal of his three subordinates
$50 I may at length regard myself at
liberty to start for Ostendr said VI.
Blanc hopefully. "Oh, yes you will
get away now without much more de-
lay" replied the Governor. Without
much more delay p "That is, when we
have received the decision of the Gov
eminent. We are going to telegraph to
the Minister of the Interior about you."
"You are very good" said NJ. Blanc,
resignedly; "but, of course, he will re-
fer the matter to the Minister of For
eign Affairs, who will refer it to the
French Government, and l shall not GET
to England at ALL" His apprehensions,
however, were not justified, for in the
course Of the day an order arrived for
his liberation, and the illustrious histo-
rian forthwith proceeded on his journey,
only too glad to escape from the over
attention of the people Of Ghent.
Tho nolOripC, Yyipcin1a De 81, :, 4; .