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the complete writings-2-第5章

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ance at these satraps of the desert。  The single jet fountain in the basin was springing its highest;a quivering pillar of water to match the stone shaft of Egypt which stands close by。  The sun illuminated it; and threw a rainbow from it a hundred feet long; upon the white and green dome of chestnut…trees near。  When I was farther down the avenue; I had the dancing column of water; the obelisk; and the Arch of Triumph all in line; and the rosy sunset beyond。




AN IMPERIAL REVIEW

The Prince and Princess of Wales came up to Paris in the beginning of May; from Italy; Egypt; and alongshore; stayed at a hotel on the Place Vendome; where they can get beef that is not horse; and is rare; and beer brewed in the royal dominions; and have been entertained with cordiality by the Emperor。  Among the spectacles which he has shown them is one calculated to give them an idea of his peaceful intentions;…a grand review of cavalry and artillery at the Bois de Boulogne。  It always seems to me a curious comment upon the state of our modern civilization;

when one prince visits another here in Europe; the first thing that the visited does; by way of hospitality is to get out his troops; and show his rival how easily he could 〃lick〃 him; if it came to that。 It is a little puerile。  At any rate; it is an advance upon the old fashion of getting up a joust at arms; and inviting the guest to come out and have his head cracked in a friendly way。

The review; which had been a good deal talked about; came off in the afternoon; and all the world went to it。  The avenues of the Bois were crowded with carriages; and the walks with footpads。  Such a constellation of royal personages met on one field must be seen; for; besides the imperial family and Albert Edward and his Danish beauty; there was to be the Archduke of Austria) and no end of titled personages besides。  At three o'clock the royal company; in the Emperor's carriages; drove upon the training…ground of the Bois; where the troops awaited them。  All the party; except the Princess of Wales; then mounted horses; and rode along the lines; and afterwards retired to a wood…covered knoll at one end to witness the evolutions。 The training…ground is a noble; slightly undulating piece of greensward; perhaps three quarters of a mile long and half that in breadth; hedged about with graceful trees; and bounded on one side by the Seine。  Its borders were rimmed that day with thousands of people on foot and in carriages;a gay sight; in itself; of color and fashion。  A more brilliant spectacle than the field presented cannot well be imagined。  Attention was divided between the gentle eminence where the imperial party stood;a throng of noble persons backed by the gay and glittering Guard of the Emperor; as brave a show as chivalry ever made;and the field of green; with its long lines in martial array; every variety of splendid uniforms; the colors and combinations that most dazzle and attract; with shining brass and gleaming steel; and magnificent horses of war; regiments of black; gray; and bay。

The evolutions were such as to stir the blood of the most sluggish。 A regiment; full front; would charge down upon a dead run from the far field; men shouting; sabers flashing; horses thundering along; so that the ground shook; towards the imperial party; and; when near; stop suddenly; wheel to right and left; and gallop back。  Others would succeed them rapidly; coming up the center while their predecessors filed down the sides; so that the whole field was a moving mass of splendid color and glancing steel。  Now and then a rider was unhorsed in the furious rush; and went scrambling out of harm; while the steed galloped off with free rein。  This display was followed by that of the flying artillery; battalion after battalion; which came clattering and roaring along; in double lines stretching half across the field; stopped and rapidly discharged its pieces; waking up all the region with echoes; filling the plain with the smoke of gunpowder; and starting into rearing activity all the carriage…horses in the Bois。  How long this continued I do not know; nor how many men participated in the review; but they seemed to pour up from the far end in unending columns。  I think the regiments must have charged over and over again。  It gave some people the impression that there were a hundred thousand troops on the ground。  I set it at fifteen to twenty thousand。  Gallignani next morning said there were only six thousand!  After the charging was over; the reviewing party rode to the center of the field; and the troops galloped round them; and the Emperor distributed decorations。  We could recognize the Emperor and Empress; Prince Albert in huzzar uniform; with a green plume in his cap; and the Prince Imperial; in cap and the uniform of a lieutenant; on horseback in front; while the Princess occupied a carriage behind them。

There was a crush of people at the entrance to see the royals make their exit。  Gendarmes were busy; and mounted guards went smashing through the crowd to clear a space。  Everybody was on the tiptoe of expectation。  There is a portion of the Emperor's guard; there is an officer of the household; there is an emblazoned carriage; and; quick; there!  with a rush they come; driving as if there was no crowd; with imperial haste; postilions and outriders and the imperial carriage。  There is a sensation; a cordial and not loud greeting; but no Yankee…like cheers。  That heavy gentleman in citizen's dress; who looks neither to right nor left; is Napoleon III。; that handsome woman; grown full in the face of late; but yet with the bloom of beauty and the sweet grace of command; in hat and dark riding…habit; bowing constantly to right and left; and smiling; is the Empress Eugenie。  And they are gone。  As we look for something more; there is a rout in the side avenue; something is coming; unexpected; from another quarter: dragoons dash through the dense mass; shouting and gesticulating; and a dozen horses go by; turning the corner like a small whirlwind; urged on by whip and spur; a handsome boy riding in the midst;a boy in cap and simple uniform; riding gracefully and easily and jauntily; and out of sight in a minute。  It is the boy Prince Imperial and his guard。  It was like him to dash in unexpectedly; as he has broken into the line of European princes。  He rides gallantly; and Fortune smiles on him to…day; but he rides into a troubled future。  There was one more show;a carriage of the Emperor; with officers; in English colors and side…whiskers; riding in advance and behind: in it the future King of England; the heavy; selfish…faced young man; and beside him his princess; popular wherever she shows her winning face;a fair; sweet woman; in light and flowing silken stuffs of spring; a vision of lovely youth and rank; also gone in a minute。

These English visitors are enjoying the pleasures of the French capital。  On Sunday; as I passed the Hotel Bristol; a crowd; principally English; was waiting in front of it to see the Prince and Princess come out; and enter one of the Emperor's carriages in waiting。  I heard an Englishwoman; who was looking on with admiration 〃sticking out〃 all over; remark to a friend in a ve
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