The Argosy — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

Two Days in the Life of the late Emperor. 113 eagle for its summit, was erected at the commencement of the street leading to the park: it looked like a shifting scene in a playhouse. From the top of the high tower, opposite the Grande Eglise, streamed out several long lines of little flags; they were carried out to a con- siderable distance, almost at a right angle, and there fastened to the " ground. It had a wonderfully pretty effect, looking not unlike wings. At the end of the Rue de l’Eglise, the fishermen erected a triumphal arch, the component parts of the structure being barrels and fishing- nets. On the port was another archway, raised by the harbour work- men ; and this was constructed of wheelbarrows, shovels, and chain pumps. Sunday, the 25th, was a most bustling day, as it always is in France, and the workmen were busy with their preparations in all parts of the town. But a gloom hung around, for the day was cold, windy, and pouring wet. In spite of the pretty streets and the green shrubs, the draperies and the clusters of coloured lamps, the fine arches and the chandeliers, the flags and the streamers, everybody looked glum ; for, with such weather, what pleasure would there be on the morrow ? The Emperor and Empress had arrived that morning at St. Omer, their object being to visit the Helfaut camp. People flocked into St. Omer to see them. The royal couple went to the camp ina close carriage. The Emperor mounted a superb charger, to review the troops; the Empress, with two of her ladies, remained in the carriage. Crowds upon crowds rushed to the camp, and enjoyed themselves there on foot, ladies as well as gentlemen, the rain coming down in torrents, and the slop knee-deep. A worse day could not be imagined. Shoes were lost in the mud, and abandoned ; boots had to be cut off the feet piecemeal; dresses and bonnets were spoiled for good. ‘“ Never mind ourselves,” cried the excited and loyal spectators ; “if we are wet, the Emperor’s dripping—look at him!” The camp was situated on the plateau of a high and lofty hill, the ascent to which is somewhat formidable ; and French hired horses, and French hired vehicles, and French hired coachmen, not being cast in the adventurous mould, they flatly refused to go up it. So they remained comfortably at the bottom, and the company they had conveyed thither toiled to the top on foot, and walked about the field till the rain streamed off them in bucketfuls—lke so many geese. The wind, which had been desperately high all day at Dunkerque, increased violently towards the evening ; increased with every hour and every minute. The town went to bed at its usual time, but not to sleep: there were few eyes closed in Dunkerque that night, for it was one of terror. Scarcely has a storm of wind been heard more violent. Little children flew shivering into their parents’ rooms for protection, as windows were blown in. Heads of families rose,:and: walked their houses, expecting to see the panes of glass in shatters on the floors. VOL .XV COMIC Hooks.COm