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LABOULÁAYE 5 PFÁALRY BOOK with tapestry, surmounted by Justice, with her eyes bandaged and her scales in her hand. On the pedestal of the statue was written, TO THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE, THE BEST AND WISEST OF PRINCES A host of priests, statesmen, and magistrates, in robes of all colors, represented Religion, Wisdom, and Virtue; at least so said these venerable and discreet personages, who are never 1n error. Last came an Immense arch, a true military trophy, bearing as its motto, TO THE BOLDEST AND MOST VALIANT OF KINGS Here the army awaited its general, and the queen was saluted by the majestic voice of a hundred cannon and two hundred drums—a voice before which all human eloquence falters, and which always has the last word. I spare you a description of the dinner, which was interminable, and of sixty more speeches from the court gazette, where they had already done service two or three times, and wherein they were again deposited for the use of future generations. There is nothing so monotonous as happiness, and we must be indulgent to those who sing its praises officially. In such cases, the ablest is he who says the least. 196
