On the summits of these embankments were the footways, furnished with railings.

The carriages drove along the cutting, the foot passengers walked along the footways.
Just as we reached the boulevard, a long column of infantry filed into this ravine with drummers at their head.

The thick waves of bayonets filled the square of St.Martin, and lost themselves in the depths of the Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle.
An enormous and compact crowd covered the two pavements of the Boulevard St.Martin.Large numbers of workmen, in their blouses, were there, leaning upon the railings.
At the moment when the head of the column entered the defile before the Theatre of the Porte St.Martin a tremendous shout of "Vive la Republique!" came forth from every mouth as though shouted by one man.
The soldiers continued to advance in silence, but it might have been said that their pace slackened, and many of them regarded the crowd with an air of indecision.

What did this cry of "Vive la Republique!" mean?
Was it a token of applause?
Was it a shout of defiance?
It seemed to me at that moment that the Republic raised its brow, and that the _coup d'etat_ hung its head.
Meanwhile Charamaule said to me, "You are recognized." In fact, near the Chateau d'Eau the crowd surrounded me.

Some young men cried out, "Vive Victor Hugo!" One of them asked me, "Citizen Victor Hugo, what ought we to do ?" I answered, "Tear down the seditious placards of the _coup d'etat_, and cry 'Vive la Constitution!'" "And suppose they fire on us ?" said a young workman.
"You will hasten to arms." "Bravo!" shouted the crowd.
I added, "Louis Bonaparte is a rebel, he has steeped himself to-day in every crime.