Non-Fiction > Books > London, 1878 - Inland voyage

Origny Sainte-Benoite. 133
not do. On the most trifling matter, his eyes
kindled, his fist visited the table, and his voice
rolled abroad in changeful thunder. I never
saw such a petard of a man ; I think the devil
was in him, He had two favourite expres-
sions : *' it is logical," or illogical as the case
might be : and this other, thrown out with a
certain bravado, as a man might unfurl a
banner, at the beginning of many a long and
sonorous story : *' I am a proletarian, you see."
Indeed, we saw it very well. God forbid, that
ever I should find him handling a gun in Paris
streets. That will not be a good moment for
the general public.
I thought his two phrases very much repre-
sented the good and evil of his class, and to
some extent of his country. It is a strong thing
to say what one is, and not be ashamed of it ;
even although it be in doubtful taste to repeat
the statement too often in one evening. I should