The hypocrisy which has preceded the Crime, equals in deformity the

impudence which has followed it. The nation was trustful and calm. There

was a sudden and cynical shock. History has recorded nothing equal to the

Second of December. Here there was no glory, nothing but meanness. No

deceptive picture. He could have declared himself honest; He declares

himself infamous; nothing more simple. This day, almost unintelligible in

its success, has proved that Politics possess their obscene side. Louis

Bonaparte has shown himself unmasked.

Yesterday President of the Republic, to-day a scavenger. He has sworn,

he still swears: but the tone has changed. The oath has become an

imprecation. Yesterday he called himself a maiden, to-day he becomes a

brazen woman, and laughs at his dupes. Picture to yourself Joan of Arc

confessing herself to be Messalina. Such is the Second of December.

Women are mixed up in this treason. It is an outrage which savors both

of the boudoir and of the galleys. There wafts across the fetidness of

blood an undefined scent of patchouli. The accomplices of this act of

brigandage are most agreeable men--Romieu, Morny. Getting into debt

leads one to commit crimes.

Europe was astounded. It was a thunder bolt from a thief. It must be

acknowledged that thunder can fall into bad hands, Palmerston, that

traitor, approved of it. Old Metternich, a dreamer in his villa at

Rennweg, shook his head. As to Soult, the man of Austerlitz after

Napoleon, he did what he ought to do, on the very day of the Crime he

died, Alas! and Austerlitz also.

216

The History of a Crime