But could not, in the least, save it; the reverse rather.

August 4th, he got to Metz, Belleisle's strong town, about 100 miles from the actual scene; his detached reinforcements, say 50,000 men or so, hanging out ahead like flame-clouds, but uncertain how to act;--Noailles being always cunctatious in time of crisis, and poor Louis himself nothing of a Cloud-Compeller;--and then, "METZ, AUGUST 8th, The Most Christian King fell ill; dangerously, dreadfully, just like to die.

Which entirely paralyzed Noailles and Company, or reduced them to mere hysterics, and excitement of the unluminous kind.

And filled France in general, Paris in particular, with terror, lamentation, prayers of forty hours; and such a paroxysm of hero-worship as was never seen for such an object before." [Espagnac, ii.

12; Adelung, iv.