blouses, remained standing, forming in front of Baudin and myself a sort

of square, backed by the two walls of the room opposite to us. This

crowd extended as far as the staircase. A lighted candle was placed on

the chimney-piece.

A common spirit animated this meeting. The faces were pale, but in every

eye could be seen the same firm resolution. In all these shadows

glistened the same flame. Several simultaneously asked permission to

speak. I requested them to give their names to Baudin, who wrote them

down, and then passed me the list.

The

first speaker was a workman. He began by apologizing for mingling with

the Representatives, he a stranger to the Assembly. The Representatives

interrupted him. "No, no," they said, "the People and Representatives

are all one! Speak--!" He declared that if he spoke it was in order to

clear from all suspicion the honor of his brethren, the workmen of

Paris; that he had heard some Representatives express doubt about them.

He asserted that this was unjust, that the workmen realized the whole

crime of M. Bonaparte and the whole duty of the People, that they would

not be deaf to the appeal of the Republican Representatives, and that

this would be clearly shown. He said all this, simply, with a sort of

proud shyness and of honest bluntness. He kept his word. I found him the

next day fighting on the Rambuteau barricade.

Mathieu (de la Drôme) came in as the workman concluded. "I bring news,"

he exclaimed. A profound silence ensued.

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The History of a Crime