Around The Base Of This Beautiful Column Many Of Those Who Served
Under Bonaparte, Or Who Remember Him With Affection, Hang Wreaths
And Garlands As Expressions Of Their Tender Remembrance.
This is
still done; these memorials are ever there.
At one time this was
forbidden by the government, but to no purpose. At last, an officer
was stationed at the foot of the column with a water engine, and
with orders to play it upon any one who should bring any votive
offerings to the fallen hero. A lady, whose love and admiration
could not be so intimidated, came the next day in her carriage,
which she filled with wreaths of flowers, and stood up in it, and
threw wreath after wreath at the foot of the column, crying out, as
each one fell, "Will you play your engine upon me?" But not a drop
of water was sent at her, and she deposited all her offerings, and
went away unharmed. I suppose a Frenchman would sooner have been
shot than have done any thing to quench the enthusiasm of this
heroic woman.
One thing struck me much in Paris, and most agreeably, and that is
the good appearance of the children. This is not confined to the
rich; you will see a very poor woman leading her child, really well
dressed. You never see boys idling in the streets; you never hear
them swearing and quarrelling. If you ask a boy to show you the way,
his manner of doing it would grace a drawing room.
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