The Corps Legislatif empties its urn among the reeds, and the water flows around the foot of the sentry-box with a gentle murmur.
Now it is all over.

The great work is accomplished.

And the results of the work! Do you know that Messieurs So-and-So won town houses and country houses in the Circuit Railway alone?
Get all you can, gorge yourselves, grow a fat paunch; it is no longer a question of being a great people, of being a powerful people, of being a free nation, of casting a bright light; France no longer sees its way to that.

And this is success! France votes for Louis-Napoleon, carries Louis-Napoleon, fattens Louis-Napoleon, contemplates Louis-Napoleon, admires Louis-Napoleon, and is stupefied.

The end of civilization is attained! Now there is no more noise, no more confusion, no more talking, no more parliament, or parliamentarism.