Aswecameout，theairandthebuildingsroundaboutweretingedwithpurple，andtheclearsharphalf—moonbefore—mentionedwasstillinthesky，whereitseemedtobelingeringasifitwouldcatchapeepofthecommencementofthefamousprocession。TheArcdeTriomphewasshininginakeenfrostysunshine，andlookingascleanandrosyasifithadjustmadeitstoilette。ThecanvasorpasteboardimageofNapoleon，ofwhichonlythegildedlegshadbeenerectedthenightprevious，wasnowvisible，body，head，crown，sceptreandall，andmadeanimposingshow。Longgiltbannerswereflauntingabout，withtheimperialcipherandeagle，andthenamesofthebattlesandvictoriesglitteringingold。ThelongavenuesoftheChampsElyseeshadbeencoveredwithsandfortheconvenienceofthegreatprocessionthatwastotrampacrossitthatday。
Hundredsofpeopleweremarchingtoandfro，laughing，chattering，singing，gesticulatingashappyFrenchmendo。ThereisnopleasantersightthanaFrenchcrowdonthealertforafestival，andnothingmorecatchingthantheirgood—humor。Asforthenotionwhichhasbeenputforwardbysomeoftheoppositionnewspapersthatthepopulacewereonthisoccasionunusuallysolemnorsentimental，itwouldbepayingabadcomplimenttothenaturalgayetyofthenation，tosaythatitwas，onthemorningatleastofthe15thofDecember，affectedinanysuchabsurdway。Itinerantmerchantswereshoutingoutlustilytheircommoditiesofsegarsandbrandy，andtheweatherwassobittercold，thattheycouldnotfailtofindplentyofcustomers。Carpentersandworkmenwerestillmakingahugebangingandclatteringamongtheshedswhichwerebuiltfortheaccommodationofthevisitors。Someoftheseshedswerehungwithblack，suchasoneseesbeforechurchesinfunerals;somewererobedinviolet，incomplimenttotheEmperorwhosemourningtheyputon。
MostofthemhadfinetricolorhangingswithappropriateinscriptionstothegloryoftheFrencharms。
AllalongtheChampsElyseeswereurnsofplaster—of—Parisdestinedtocontainfuneralincenseandflames;columnsdecoratedwithhugeflagsofblue，red，andwhite，embroideredwithshiningcrowns，eagles，andN\'singiltpaper，andstatuesofplasterrepresentingNymphs，Triumphs，Victories，orotherfemalepersonages，paintedinoilsoastorepresentmarble。Realmarblecouldhavehadnobettereffect，andtheappearanceofthewholewaslivelyandpicturesqueintheextreme。Oneachpillarwasabuckler，ofthecolorofbronze，bearingthenameanddateofabattleingiltletters:youhadtowalkthroughamile—longavenueofthesegloriousreminiscences，tellingofspotswhere，inthegreatimperialdays，throatshadbeenvictoriouslycut。
Aswepasseddowntheavenue，severaltroopsofsoldiersmetus:thegarde—muncipaleacheval，inbrasshelmetsandshiningjack—boots，noble—lookingmen，large，onlargehorses，thepickoftheoldarmy，asIhaveheard，andarmedforthespecialoccupationofpeace—