Dantès, Edmond (Fictitious character) -- Fiction; France -- History -- February Revolution, 1848
"A copy of the names of the members of the Provisional Government!" was
the incessant demand of these armed men, a demand which the dozen
writers at the table were unable even by most indefatigable industry to
supply as fast as made. And as fast as the demand was satisfied, the
armed men would hurry away, only to leave room for the crowds constantly
entering.
"A copy for the Hotel de Ville!" cried one.
"A copy for the Place Vendome!" shouted another.
"A copy for the Palais Bourbon!" screamed a third.
"Are there no printed copies left?" asked many.
"They were gone long ago--twenty thousand copies," was the reply. "You
will see one at every corner. The demand was not expected. The printers
have just gone to sleep. They had not rested for fifty-two hours."
"Will 'La Reforme' appear in the morning?" asked another.
"Perhaps so," was the answer. "But all the people are worn out--writers
and compositors. Here is your copy of the names."
"Many thanks. Vive la Republique!"
With this shout, in concert with the same which constantly issued from a
hundred lips, the citizen folded up his precious document, and carefully
depositing it in his cap hurried off to communicate its contents to his
comrades of the neighboring barricade.
In another apartment of that same edifice were a large number of the
Republican party connected with "La Reforme."
"The Provisional Government is now in session," said one. "They will,
doubtless, make immediate provision for departments of State so
important as the post-office and the prefecture of police. Early
to-morrow a proclamation----"
"To-morrow may be too late," interrupted a large and muscular man. "The
post-office is more active than ever to-night. Every moment couriers are
arriving and departing. That powerful instrument remains in the hands of
the foes of our cause! Who may estimate the injury, the irreparable
injury which they may this night accomplish by its means!"
This man was Etienne Arago, brother of the great astronomer, and, for
sixteen years, celebrated as one of the boldest members of the
Republican party, as well as one of the bravest men in Paris.
"And the prefecture of police," observed another--"the present utter
derangement of all its functions may lead to most serious results.
Already those foes of freedom, Guizot and his colleagues, have been
suffered to secure their escape from the just indignation of an outraged
people. Delessert, the Prefect, has also fled!"
The man who said this was Marc Caussidiere, a well-known Republican.
"Citizens!" cried M. Gouache, "this state of things must continue no
longer. In the name of the people, I demand that Etienne Arago
immediately assume the charge of the post-office, as its director, and
that Marc Caussidiere fill the position of Prefect."
This demand was confirmed by acclamation, and committees for the
installation of the nominees into office at once accompanied them to
their respective departments.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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