tripudiation, sound, fury and distraction, within doors and
without,--testify what tempest-tost state of vacuity they are in?
Till champagne and tripudiation do their work; and all lie silent,
horizontal; passively slumbering, with meed-of-battle dreams!--

A natural Repast, in ordinary times, a harmless one: now fatal, as that
of Thyestes; as that of Job's Sons, when a strong wind smote the four
corners of their banquet-house! Poor ill-advised Marie-Antoinette;
with a woman's vehemence, not with a sovereign's foresight! It was so
natural, yet so unwise. Next day, in public speech of ceremony, her
Majesty declares herself 'delighted with the Thursday.'

The heart of the Oeil-de-Boeuf glows into hope; into daring, which
is premature. Rallied Maids of Honour, waited on by Abbes, sew 'white
cockades;' distribute them, with words, with glances, to epauletted
youths; who in return, may kiss, not without fervour, the fair sewing
fingers. Captains of horse and foot go swashing with 'enormous white
cockades;' nay one Versailles National Captain had mounted the like, so
witching were the words and glances; and laid aside his tricolor! Well
may Major Lecointre shake his head with a look of severity; and speak
audible resentful words. But now a swashbuckler, with enormous white
cockade, overhearing the Major, invites him insolently, once and then
again elsewhere, to recant; and failing that, to duel. Which latter feat
Major Lecointre declares that he will not perform, not at least by any
known laws of fence; that he nevertheless will, according to mere law of
Nature, by dirk and blade, 'exterminate' any 'vile gladiator,' who may
insult him or the Nation;--whereupon (for the Major is actually drawing
his implement) 'they are parted,' and no weasands slit. (Moniteur (in
Histoire Parlementaire, iii. 59); Deux Amis (iii. 128-141); Campan (ii.
70-85), &c. &c.)