-a mere mansion; doubtless we should be received in summer fashion--in

the

garden; we would stand in a row, all the gentlemen in swallow-tail coats,

white kids, and white neck-ties, and the ladies in light-colored silks,

or something of that kind; at the proper moment--12 meridian--the

Emperor, attended by his suite arrayed in splendid uniforms, would appear

and walk slowly along the line, bowing to some, and saying two or three

words to others. At the moment his Majesty appeared, a universal,

delighted, enthusiastic smile ought to break out like a rash among the

passengers--a smile of love, of gratification, of admiration--and with

one accord, the party must begin to bow--not obsequiously, but

respectfully, and with dignity; at the end of fifteen minutes the Emperor

would go in the house, and we could run along home again. We felt

immensely relieved. It seemed, in a manner, easy. There was not a man

in the party but believed that with a little practice he could stand in a

row, especially if there were others along; there was not a man but

believed he could bow without tripping on his coat tail and breaking his

neck; in a word, we came to believe we were equal to any item in the

performance except that complicated smile. The Consul also said we ought

to draft a little address to the Emperor, and present it to one of his

aides-de-camp, who would forward it to him at the proper time.

Therefore, five gentlemen were appointed to prepare the document, and the

fifty others went sadly smiling about the ship--practicing. During the

next twelve hours we had the general appearance, somehow, of being at a

funeral, where every body was sorry the death had occurred, but glad it

was over--where every body was smiling, and yet broken-hearted.

444

The Innocents Abroad