The French Revolution : a history . irelocks, sledge-hammers ; and helped ourselves ! — Speedier is noremedy; nor so certain. On the 28th day of February,Saint-Antoine turns out, as it has now often done; and,apparently with little superfluous tumult, moves eastwardto that eye-sorrow of Vincennes. With grave voice ofauthority, no need of bullying and shouting, Saint-Antoine signifies to parties concerned there^ that itspurpose is. To have this suspicious Stronghold razedlevel with the general soil of the country. Remonstrancemay be proffered, with zeal; but it avails not. Theouter gate goes up
The French Revolution : a history . irelocks, sledge-hammers ; and helped ourselves ! — Speedier is noremedy; nor so certain. On the 28th day of February,Saint-Antoine turns out, as it has now often done; and,apparently with little superfluous tumult, moves eastwardto that eye-sorrow of Vincennes. With grave voice ofauthority, no need of bullying and shouting, Saint-Antoine signifies to parties concerned there^ that itspurpose is. To have this suspicious Stronghold razedlevel with the general soil of the country. Remonstrancemay be proffered, with zeal; but it avails not. Theouter gate goes up, drawbridges tumble ; iron window-stanchions, smitten out with sledge-hammers, becomeiron-crowbars : it rains a rain of furniture, stone-masses,slates: with chaotic clatter and rattle. Demolitionclatters down. And now hasty expresses rush throughthe agitated streets, to warn Lafayette, and the Municipaland Departmental Authorities; Rumour warns a NationalAssembly, a Royal Tuileries, and all men who care to Montgaillard, ii. FEB. 28, 1791] THE DAY OF PONIARDS 155 hear it: That Saint-Antoine is up ; that Vincennes, andprobably the last remaining Institution of the Country,is coming down. Quick, then! Let Lafayette roll his drums and flyeastward ; for to all Constitutional Patriots this is againbad news. And you, ye Friends of Royalty, snatchyour poniards of improved structure, made to order;your sword-canes, secret arms, and tickets of entry;quick, by backstairs passages, rally round the Son ofSixty Kings. An effervescence probably got up byDOrldans and Company, for the overthrow of Throneand Altar: it is said her Majesty shall be put in prison,put out of the way; what then will his Majesty be ?Clay for the Sansculottic Potter! Or were it impossibleto fly this day ; a brave Noblesse suddenly all rallying ?Peril threatens, hope invites: Dukes de Villequier, deDuras, Gentlemen of the Chamber give Tickets andadmittance; a brave Noblesse is suddenly all were the
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