Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 256: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Alfred de Rosann. 223 the journal he held in his hand, and still the official column com- menced with the same words—the Gazette declared the privilege of recording public opinions to be suddenly withdrawn. Hence those diversified feelings expressed upon different countenances ; hence those anxious glances, those furtive looks, those timid whis- perings. But the popular fury soon broke forth: astonishment yielded to indignation, indignation to cries of ‘* Liberty,” and the crown trembled upon the head of the imprudent Charles. Like the fluid communicated by the chains of a galvanic battery, flew the spirit of rebellion ; an oppressed people arose to combat for its rights and for its privileges; the tri-coloured flag was hoisted from many a window; the tri-coloured cockade was attached to many a cap; De Rosann now guessed the meaning of the watch-word he had whispered in the ear of Plombier; all mystery was dispelled; he was one of the chosen partizans of the original agitators ; and, according to his promise to Leblond, he seized a musket and a sword, and enrolled himself amongst the ranks of those who fought for their rights against the evil devices of tyranny and oppression ! For three days the combat raged with sanguinary violence. The trees of the Boulevards were cut down to form barricades against the approach of the cavalry regiments which still supported the Bourbon cause; and when the citizens lacked arms and ammuni- tion, they tore up the pavement to hurl at their opponents. From every window was pointed a deadly weapon of some kind: old men, young maidens, infants, and feeble women lent their aid to repel the royalists. Many a widow avenged her slaughtered husband’s massacre—many a veteran, with hoary locks and wrinkled brow, laid aside the staff that for years had supported his tottering limbs, and brandished the glittering sword. The tri-coloured ban- ner waved in all directions—cries of ‘‘ Freedom!” echoed on every side; and the rash monarch repented his audacity when too late. De Rosann became the leader of a gallant band of young heroes, chiefly students and gentlemen of fortune, who were rejoiced at this opportunity of displaying their patriotism, and of combatting in the cause of their country’s liberties. They formed a squadron of daring warriors, and rushed upon the mounted foemen with the courage of lions joining in deadly strife. Where the extremities of the Rue de la Paix and the Rue Neuve Saint Augustin join the Boulevards, did they combat ong and manfully against the detach- ment of cavalry that opposed them. MBarricades were formed to repulse the royalists, and De Rosann’s band every moment gained ground as their foemen retreated. The skirmishing fight lasted till the little squad of heroes drove the lancers as far as the gates of the noble dwelling occupied by Prince Polignac himself, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Thither did the defeated cavalry retreat; and De Rosann and his band dared follow them no longer; for their eyes caught sight of the massive ordnance which was drawn up in terrible array opposite the house of the prime minister, and on the side of the Madeleine that faces the extremity of the Boulevard. Between those two points, there was not a soul, save the artillery- (GO) — EOMMICOOOKS