第 86 节
作者:
青涩春天 更新:2024-04-09 19:51 字数:9322
Prince of Waterloo (he had defeated the English in the very field
where they had obtained formerly a success; though the victory was
as usual claimed by the Irish Brigade); but age had ruined the
health and diminished the immense strength of that gigantic leader;
and it is said his only reason for remaining in Paris was because a
fit of the gout kept him in bed。
The capital was entirely tranquil。 The theatres and cafes were
open as usual; and the masked balls attended with great enthusiasm:
confiding in their hundred and twenty…four forts; the light…minded
people had nothing to fear。
Except in the way of money; the King left nothing undone to
conciliate his people。 He even went among them with his umbrella;
but they were little touched with that mark of confidence。 He
shook hands with everybody; he distributed crosses of the Legion of
Honor in such multitudes; that red ribbon rose two hundred per cent
in the market (by which his Majesty; who speculated in the article;
cleared a tolerable sum of money)。 But these blandishments and
honors had little effect upon an apathetic people; and the enemy
of the Orleans dynasty; the fashionable young nobles of the
Henriquinquiste party; wore gloves perpetually; for fear (they
said) that they should be obliged to shake hands with the best of
kings; while the republicans adopted coats without button…holes;
lest they should be forced to hang red ribbons in them。 The funds
did not fluctuate in the least。
The proclamations of the several pretenders had had their effect。
The young men of the schools and the estaminets (celebrated places
of public education) allured by the noble words of Prince Napoleon;
〃Liberty; equality; war all over the world!〃 flocked to his
standard in considerable numbers: while the noblesse naturally
hastened to offer their allegiance to the legitimate descendant of
Saint Louis。
And truly; never was there seen a more brilliant chivalry than that
collected round the gallant Prince Henry! There was not a man in
his army but had lacquered boots and fresh white kid…gloves at
morning and evening parade。 The fantastic and effeminate but brave
and faithful troops were numbered off into different legions: there
was the Fleur…d'Orange regiment; the Eau…de…Rose battalion; the
Violet…Pomatum volunteers; the Eau…de…Cologne cavalryaccording to
the different scents which they affected。 Most of the warriors
wore lace ruffles; all powder and pigtails; as in the real days of
chivalry。 A band of heavy dragoons under the command of Count
Alfred de Horsay made themselves conspicuous for their discipline;
cruelty; and the admirable cut of their coats; and with these
celebrated horsemen came from England the illustrious Duke of
Jenkins with his superb footmen。 They were all six feet high。
They all wore bouquets of the richest flowers: they wore bags;
their hair slightly powdered; brilliant shoulder…knots; and cocked…
hats laced with gold。 They wore the tight knee…pantaloon of
velveteen peculiar to this portion of the British infantry: and
their legs were so superb; that the Duke of Bordeaux; embracing
with tears their admirable leader on parade; said; 〃Jenkins; France
never saw such calves until now。〃 The weapon of this tremendous
militia was an immense club or cane; reaching from the sole of the
foot to the nose; and heavily mounted with gold。 Nothing could
stand before this terrific weapon; and the breast…plates and plumed
morions of the French cuirassiers would have been undoubtedly
crushed beneath them; had they ever met in mortal combat。 Between
this part of the Prince's forces and the Irish auxiliaries there
was a deadly animosity。 Alas; there always is such in camps! The
sons of Albion had not forgotten the day when the children of Erin
had been subject to their devastating sway。
The uniform of the latter was variousthe rich stuff called corps…
du…roy (worn by Coeur de Lion at Agincourt) formed their lower
habiliments for the most part: the national frieze* yielded them
tail…coats。 The latter was generally torn in a fantastic manner at
the elbows; skirts; and collars; and fastened with every variety of
button; tape; and string。 Their weapons were the caubeen; the
alpeen; and the doodeen of the countrythe latter a short but
dreadful weapon of offence。 At the demise of the venerable
Theobald Mathew; the nation had laid aside its habit of temperance;
and universal intoxication betokened their grief; it became
afterwards their constant habit。 Thus do men ever return to the
haunts of their childhood: such a power has fond memory over us!
The leaders of this host seem to have been; however; an effeminate
race; they are represented by contemporary historians as being
passionately fond of FLYING KITES。 Others say they went into
battle armed with 〃bills;〃 no doubt rude weapons; for it is stated
that foreigners could never be got to accept them in lieu of their
own arms。 The Princes of Mayo; Donegal; and Connemara; marched by
the side of their young and royal chieftain; the Prince of
Ballybunion; fourth son of Daniel the First; King of the Emerald
Isle。
* Were these in any way related to the chevaux…de…frise on which
the French cavalry were mounted?
Two hosts then; one under the Eagles; and surrounded by the
republican imperialists; the other under the antique French Lilies;
were marching on the French capital。 The Duke of Brittany; too;
confined in the lunatic asylum of Charenton; found means to issue a
protest against his captivity; which caused only derision in the
capital。 Such was the state of the empire; and such the clouds
that were gathering round the Sun of Orleans!
CHAPTER IV。
THE BATTLE OF RHEIMS。
It was not the first time that the King had had to undergo
misfortunes; and now; as then; he met them like a man。 The Prince
of Joinville was not successful in his campaign against the
Imperial Pretender: and that bravery which had put the British
fleet to flight; was found; as might be expected; insufficient
against the irresistible courage of native Frenchmen。 The Horse
Marines; not being on their own element; could not act with their
usual effect。 Accustomed to the tumult of the swelling seas; they
were easily unsaddled on terra firma and in the Champagne country。
It was literally in the Champagne country that the meeting between
the troops under Joinville and Prince Napoleon took place! for
both armies had reached Rheims; and a terrific battle was fought
underneath the walls。 For some time nothing could dislodge the
army of Joinville; entrenched in the champagne cellars of Messrs。
Ruinart; Moet; and others; but making too free with the fascinating
liquor; the army at length became entirely drunk: on which the
Imperialists; rushing into the cellars; had an easy victory over
them; and; this done; proceeded to intoxicate themselves likewise。
The Prince of Joinville; seeing the deroute of his troops; was
compelled with a few faithful followers to fly towards Paris; and
Prince Napoleon remained master of the field of battle。 It is
needless to recapitulate the bulletin which he published the day
after the occasion; so soon as he and his secretaries were in a
condition to write: eagles; pyramids; rainbows; the sun of
Austerlitz; &c。; figured in the proclamation; in close imitation of
his illustrious uncle。 But the great benefit of the action was
this: on arousing from their intoxication; the late soldiers of
Joinville kissed and embraced their comrades of the Imperial army;
and made common cause with them。
〃Soldiers!〃 said the Prince; on reviewing them the second day after
the action; 〃the Cock is a gallant bird; but he makes way for the
Eagle! Your colors are not changed。 Ours floated on the walls of
Moscowyours on the ramparts of Constantine; both are glorious。
Soldiers of Joinville! we give you welcome; as we would welcome
your illustrious leader; who destroyed the fleets of Albion。 Let
him join us! We will march together against that perfidious enemy。
〃But; Soldiers! intoxication dimmed the laurels of yesterday's
glorious day! Let us drink no more of the fascinating liquors of
our native Champagne。 Let us remember Hannibal and Capua; and;
before we plunge into dissipation; that we have Rome still to
conquer!
〃Soldiers! Seltzer…water is good after too much drink。 Wait
awhile; and your Emperor will lead you into a Seltzer…water
country。 Frenchmen! it lies BEYOND THE RHINE!〃
Deafening shouts of 〃Vive l'Empereur!〃 saluted this allusion of the
Prince; and the army knew that their natural boundary should be
restored to them。 The compliments to the gallantry of the Prince
of Joinville likewise won all hearts; and immensely advanced the
Prince's cause。 The Journal des Debats did not know which way to
turn。 In one paragraph it called the Emperor 〃a sanguinary tyrant;
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