The Corps Legislatif, on the contrary, walks on tiptoe, fumbles with its hat, puts its finger to its lips, smiles humbly, sits on the corner of its chair, and speaks only when questioned.

Its words being naturally obscene, the public journals are forbidden to make the slightest allusion to them.

The Corps Legislatif passes laws and votes taxes by Article 39; and when, fancying it has occasion for some instruction, some detail, some figures, or some explanation, it presents itself, hat in hand, at the door of the departments to consult the ministers, the usher receives it in the antechamber, and with a roar of laughter, gives it a fillip on the nose.

Such are the duties of the Corps Legislatif.
Let us state, however, that this melancholy position began, in June, 1852, to extort some sighs from the sorrowful personages who form a portion of the concern.

The report of the commission on the budget will remain in the memory of men, as one of the most heart-rending masterpieces of the plaintive style.