CHAPTERXXII
FOOTTOFOOT
Whentherewerenolongeranyoftheleadersleftalive，exceptEnjolrasandMariusatthetwoextremitiesofthebarricade，thecentre，whichhadsolongsustainedCourfeyrac，Joly，Bossuet，FeuillyandCombeferre，gaveway。Thecannon，thoughithadnoteffectedapracticablebreach，hadmadearatherlargehollowinthemiddleoftheredoubt；there，thesummitofthewallhaddisappearedbeforetheballs，andhadcrumbledaway；andtherubbishwhichhadfallen，nowinside，nowoutside，had，asitaccumulated，formedtwopilesinthenatureofslopesonthetwosidesofthebarrier，oneontheinside，theotherontheoutside。
Theexteriorslopepresentedaninclinedplanetotheattack。
Afinalassaultwasthereattempted，andthisassaultsucceeded。
Themassbristlingwithbayonetsandhurledforwardatarun，cameupwithirresistibleforce，andtheserriedfrontofbattleoftheattackingcolumnmadeitsappearancethroughthesmokeonthecrestofthebattlements。Thistime，itwasdecisive。
Thegroupofinsurgentswhoweredefendingthecentreretreatedinconfusion。
Thenthegloomyloveoflifeawokeoncemoreinsomeofthem。
Many，findingthemselvesunderthemuzzlesofthisforestofguns，didnotwishtodie。Thisisamomentwhentheinstinctofself—preservationemitshowls，whenthebeastre—appearsinmen。
Theywerehemmedinbythelofty，six—storyhousewhichformedthebackgroundoftheirredoubt。Thishousemightprovetheirsalvation。
Thebuildingwasbarricaded，andwalled，asitwere，fromtoptobottom。
Beforethetroopsofthelinehadreachedtheinterioroftheredoubt，therewastimeforadoortoopenandshut，thespaceofaflashoflightningwassufficientforthat，andthedoorofthathouse，suddenlyopenedacrackandclosedagaininstantly，waslifeforthesedespairingmen。Behindthishouse，therewerestreets，possibleflight，space。Theysettoknockingatthatdoorwiththebuttsoftheirguns，andwithkicks，shouting，calling，entreating，wringingtheirhands。Nooneopened。Fromthelittlewindowonthethirdfloor，theheadofthedeadmangazeddownuponthem。
ButEnjolrasandMarius，andthesevenoreightralliedaboutthem，sprangforwardandprotectedthem。Enjolrashadshoutedtothesoldiers:"Don’tadvance！"andasanofficerhadnotobeyed，Enjolrashadkilledtheofficer。Hewasnowinthelittleinnercourtoftheredoubt，withhisbackplantedagainsttheCorinthebuilding，aswordinonehand，arifleintheother，holdingopenthedoorofthewine—shopwhichhebarredagainstassailants。Heshoutedtothedesperatemen:——"Thereisbutonedooropen；thisone。"——
Andshieldingthemwithhisbody，andfacinganentirebattalionalone，hemadethempassinbehindhim。Allprecipitatedthemselvesthither。
Enjolras，executingwithhisrifle，whichhenowusedlikeacane，whatsingle—stickplayerscalla"coveredrose"roundhishead，levelledthebayonetsaroundandinfrontofhim，andwasthelasttoenter；andthenensuedahorriblemoment，whenthesoldierstriedtomaketheirwayin，andtheinsurgentsstrovetobarthemout。
Thedoorwasslammedwithsuchviolence，that，asitfellbackintoitsframe，itshowedthefivefingersofasoldierwhohadbeenclingingtoit，cutoffandgluedtothepost。
Mariusremainedoutside。Ashothadjustbrokenhiscollarbone，hefeltthathewasfaintingandfalling。Atthatmoment，witheyesalreadyshut，hefelttheshockofavigoroushandseizinghim，andtheswooninwhichhissensesvanished，hardlyallowedhimtimeforthethought，mingledwithalastmemoryofCosette:——"Iamtakenprisoner。Ishallbeshot。"
Enjolras，notseeingMariusamongthosewhohadtakenrefugeinthewine—shop，hadthesameidea。Buttheyhadreachedamomentwheneachmanhasnotthetimetomeditateonhisowndeath。
Enjolrasfixedthebaracrossthedoor，andboltedit，anddouble—lockeditwithkeyandchain，whilethoseoutsidewerebatteringfuriouslyatit，thesoldierswiththebuttsoftheirmuskets，thesapperswiththeiraxes。Theassailantsweregroupedaboutthatdoor。
Thesiegeofthewine—shopwasnowbeginning。
Thesoldiers，wewillobserve，werefullofwrath。
Thedeathoftheartillery—sergeanthadenragedthem，andthen，astillmoremelancholycircumstance。duringthefewhourswhichhadprecededtheattack，ithadbeenreportedamongthemthattheinsurgentsweremutilatingtheirprisoners，andthattherewastheheadlessbodyofasoldierinthewine—shop。Thissortoffatalrumoristheusualaccompanimentofcivilwars，anditwasafalsereportofthiskindwhich，lateron，producedthecatastropheoftheRueTransnonain。
Whenthedoorwasbarricaded，Enjolrassaidtotheothers:
"Letussellourlivesdearly。"
ThenheapproachedthetableonwhichlayMabeufandGavroche。
Beneaththeblackclothtwostraightandrigidformswerevisible，onelarge，theothersmall，andthetwofaceswerevaguelyoutlinedbeneaththecoldfoldsoftheshroud。Ahandprojectedfrombeneaththewindingsheetandhungnearthefloor。Itwasthatoftheoldman。
Enjolrasbentdownandkissedthatvenerablehand，justashehadkissedhisbrowontheprecedingevening。
Theseweretheonlytwokisseswhichhehadbestowedinthecourseofhislife。
Letusabridgethetale。ThebarricadehadfoughtlikeagateofThebes；thewine—shopfoughtlikeahouseofSaragossa。
Theseresistancesaredogged。Noquarter。Noflagoftrucepossible。
Menarewillingtodie，providedtheiropponentwillkillthem。
WhenSuchetsays:——"Capitulate，"——Palafoxreplies:"Afterthewarwithcannon，thewarwithknives。"NothingwaslackinginthecapturebyassaultoftheHucheloupwine—shop；neitherpaving—stonesrainingfromthewindowsandtheroofonthebesiegersandexasperatingthesoldiersbycrushingthemhorribly，norshotsfiredfromtheattic—windowsandthecellar，northefuryofattack，nor，finally，whenthedooryielded，thefrenziedmadnessofextermination。
Theassailants，rushingintothewine—shop，theirfeetentangledinthepanelsofthedoorwhichhadbeenbeateninandflungontheground，foundnotasinglecombatantthere。Thespiralstaircase，hewnasunderwiththeaxe，layinthemiddleofthetap—room，afewwoundedmenwerejustbreathingtheirlast，everyonewhowasnotkilledwasonthefirstfloor，andfromthere，throughtheholeintheceiling，whichhadformedtheentranceofthestairs，aterrificfireburstforth。Itwasthelastoftheircartridges。
Whentheywereexhausted，whentheseformidablemenonthepointofdeathhadnolongereitherpowderorball，eachgraspedinhishandstwoofthebottleswhichEnjolrashadreserved，andofwhichwehavespoken，andheldthescalingpartyincheckwiththesefrightfullyfragileclubs。Theywerebottlesofaquafortis。
Werelatethesegloomyincidentsofcarnageastheyoccurred。
Thebesiegedman，alas！convertseverythingintoaweapon。GreekfiredidnotdisgraceArchimedes，boilingpitchdidnotdisgraceBayard。
Allwarisathingofterror，andthereisnochoiceinit。
Themusketryofthebesiegers，thoughconfinedandembarrassedbybeingdirectedfrombelowupwards，wasdeadly。Therimoftheholeintheceilingwasspeedilysurroundedbyheadsoftheslain，whencedrippedlong，redandsmokingstreams，theuproarwasindescribable；
acloseandburningsmokealmostproducednightoverthiscombat。
Wordsarelackingtoexpresshorrorwhenithasreachedthispitch。
Therewerenolongermeninthisconflict，whichwasnowinfernal。
Theywerenolongergiantsmatchedwithcolossi。ItresembledMiltonandDanteratherthanHomer。Demonsattacked，spectresresisted。
Itwasheroismbecomemonstrous。
CHAPTERXXIII
ORESTESFASTINGANDPYLADESDRUNK
Atlength，bydintofmountingoneachother’sbacks，aidingthemselveswiththeskeletonofthestaircase，climbingupthewalls，clingingtotheceiling，slashingawayattheverybrinkofthetrap—door，thelastonewhoofferedresistance，ascoreofassailants，soldiers，NationalGuardsmen，municipalguardsmen，inutterconfusion，themajoritydisfiguredbywoundsinthefaceduringthatredoubtableascent，blindedbyblood，furious，renderedsavage，madeanirruptionintotheapartmentonthefirstfloor。Theretheyfoundonlyonemanstillonhisfeet，Enjolras。Withoutcartridges，withoutsword，hehadnothinginhishandnowbutthebarrelofhisgunwhosestockhehadbrokenovertheheadofthosewhowereentering。
Hehadplacedthebilliardtablebetweenhisassailantsandhimself；
hehadretreatedintothecorneroftheroom，andthere，withhaughtyeye，andheadbornehigh，withthisstumpofaweaponinhishand，hewasstillsoalarmingastospeedilycreateanemptyspacearoundhim。Acryarose:
"Heistheleader！Itwashewhoslewtheartillery—man。Itiswellthathehasplacedhimselfthere。Lethimremainthere。
Letusshoothimdownonthespot。"
"Shootme，"saidEnjolras。
Andflingingawayhisbitofgun—barrel，andfoldinghisarms，heofferedhisbreast。
Theaudacityofafinedeathalwaysaffectsmen。AssoonasEnjolrasfoldedhisarmsandacceptedhisend，thedinofstrifeceasedintheroom，andthischaossuddenlystilledintoasortofsepulchralsolemnity。ThemenacingmajestyofEnjolrasdisarmedandmotionless，appearedtooppressthistumult，andthisyoungman，haughty，bloody，andcharming，whoalonehadnotawound，whowasasindifferentasaninvulnerablebeing，seemed，bytheauthorityofhistranquilglance，toconstrainthissinisterrabbletokillhimrespectfully。Hisbeauty，atthatmomentaugmentedbyhispride，wasresplendent，andhewasfreshandrosyafterthefearfulfourandtwentyhourswhichhadjustelapsed，asthoughhecouldnomorebefatiguedthanwounded。Itwasofhim，possibly，thatawitnessspokeafterwards，beforethecouncilofwar:"TherewasaninsurgentwhomIheardcalledApollo。"
ANationalGuardsmanwhohadtakenaimatEnjolras，loweredhisgun，saying:"ItseemstomethatIamabouttoshootaflower。"
TwelvemenformedintoasquadinthecorneroppositeEnjolras，andsilentlymadereadytheirguns。
Thenasergeantshouted:
"Takeaim！"
Anofficerintervened。
"Wait。"
AndaddressingEnjolras:
"Doyouwishtohaveyoureyesbandaged？"
"No。"
"Wasityouwhokilledtheartillerysergeant？"
"Yes。"
Grantairehadwakedupafewmomentsbefore。
Grantaire，itwillberemembered，hadbeenasleepeversincetheprecedingeveningintheupperroomofthewine—shop，seatedonachairandleaningonthetable。
Herealizedinitsfullestsensetheoldmetaphorof"deaddrunk。"
Thehideouspotionofabsinthe—porterandalcoholhadthrownhimintoalethargy。Histablebeingsmall，andnotsuitableforthebarricade，hehadbeenleftinpossessionofit。
Hewasstillinthesameposture，withhisbreastbentoverthetable，hisheadlyingflatonhisarms，surroundedbyglasses，beer—jugsandbottles。Hiswastheoverwhelmingslumberofthetorpidbearandthesatiatedleech。Nothinghadhadanyeffectuponit，neitherthefusillade，northecannon—balls，northegrape—shotwhichhadmadeitswaythroughthewindowintotheroomwherehewas。
Northetremendousuproaroftheassault。Hemerelyrepliedtothecannonade，nowandthen，byasnore。Heseemedtobewaitingthereforabulletwhichshouldsparehimthetroubleofwaking。
Manycorpseswerestrewnaroundhim；and，atthefirstglance，therewasnothingtodistinguishhimfromthoseprofoundsleepersofdeath。
Noisedoesnotrouseadrunkenman；silenceawakenshim。ThefallofeverythingaroundhimonlyaugmentedGrantaire’sprostration；
thecrumblingofallthingswashislullaby。ThesortofhaltwhichthetumultunderwentinthepresenceofEnjolraswasashocktothisheavyslumber。Ithadtheeffectofacarriagegoingatfullspeed，whichsuddenlycomestoadeadstop。Thepersonsdozingwithinitwakeup。Grantairerosetohisfeetwithastart，stretchedouthisarms，rubbedhiseyes，stared，yawned，andunderstood。
Afitofdrunkennessreachingitsendresemblesacurtainwhichistornaway。Onebeholds，atasingleglanceandasawhole，allthatithasconcealed。Allsuddenlypresentsitselftothememory；
andthedrunkardwhohasknownnothingofwhathasbeentakingplaceduringthelasttwenty—fourhours，hasnosooneropenedhiseyesthanheisperfectlyinformed。Ideasrecurtohimwithabruptlucidity；
theobliterationofintoxication，asortofsteamwhichhasobscuredthebrain，isdissipated，andmakeswayfortheclearandsharplyoutlinedimportunityofrealities。
Relegated，ashewas，toonecorner，andshelteredbehindthebilliard—table，thesoldierswhoseeyeswerefixedonEnjolras，hadnotevennoticedGrantaire，andthesergeantwaspreparingtorepeathisorder:"Takeaim！"whenallatonce，theyheardastrongvoiceshoutbesidethem:
"LonglivetheRepublic！I’moneofthem。"
Grantairehadrisen。Theimmensegleamofthewholecombatwhichhehadmissed，andinwhichhehadhadnopart，appearedinthebrilliantglanceofthetransfigureddrunkenman。
Herepeated:"LonglivetheRepublic！"crossedtheroomwithafirmstrideandplacedhimselfinfrontofthegunsbesideEnjolras。
"Finishbothofusatoneblow，"saidhe。
AndturninggentlytoEnjolras，hesaidtohim:
"Doyoupermitit？"
Enjolraspressedhishandwithasmile。
Thissmilewasnotendedwhenthereportresounded。
Enjolras，piercedbyeightbullets，remainedleaningagainstthewall，asthoughtheballshadnailedhimthere。Only，hisheadwasbowed。
Grantairefellathisfeet，asthoughstruckbyathunderbolt。
Afewmomentslater，thesoldiersdislodgedthelastremaininginsurgents，whohadtakenrefugeatthetopofthehouse。Theyfiredintotheatticthroughawoodenlattice。Theyfoughtundertheveryroof。
Theyflungbodies，someofthemstillalive，outthroughthewindows。
Twolight—infantrymen，whotriedtolifttheshatteredomnibus，wereslainbytwoshotsfiredfromtheattic。Amaninablousewasflungdownfromit，withabayonetwoundintheabdomen，andbreathedhislastontheground。Asoldierandaninsurgentslippedtogetherontheslopingslatesoftheroof，and，astheywouldnotreleaseeachother，theyfell，claspedinaferociousembrace。Asimilarconflictwentoninthecellar。Shouts，shots，afiercetrampling。
Thensilence。Thebarricadewascaptured。
Thesoldiersbegantosearchthehousesroundabout，andtopursuethefugitives。
CHAPTERXXIV
PRISONER
Mariuswas，infact，aprisoner。
ThehandwhichhadseizedhimfrombehindandwhosegrasphehadfeltatthemomentofhisfallandhislossofconsciousnesswasthatofJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanhadtakennootherpartinthecombatthantoexposehimselfinit。Haditnotbeenforhim，noone，inthatsupremephaseofagony，wouldhavethoughtofthewounded。Thankstohim，everywherepresentinthecarnage，likeaprovidence，thosewhofellwerepickedup，transportedtothetap—room，andcaredfor。
Intheintervals，hereappearedonthebarricade。Butnothingwhichcouldresembleablow，anattackorevenpersonaldefenceproceededfromhishands。Heheldhispeaceandlentsuccor。
Moreoverhehadreceivedonlyafewscratches。Thebulletswouldhavenoneofhim。Ifsuicideformedpartofwhathehadmeditatedoncomingtothissepulchre，tothatspot，hehadnotsucceeded。
Butwedoubtwhetherhehadthoughtofsuicide，anirreligiousact。
JeanValjean，inthethickcloudofthecombat，didnotappeartoseeMarius；thetruthis，thathenevertookhiseyesfromthelatter。
WhenashotlaidMariuslow，JeanValjeanleapedforwardwiththeagilityofatiger，felluponhimasonhisprey，andborehimoff。
Thewhirlwindoftheattackwas，atthatmoment，soviolentlyconcentrateduponEnjolrasanduponthedoorofthewine—shop，thatnoonesawJeanValjeansustainingthefaintingMariusinhisarms，traversetheunpavedfieldofthebarricadeanddisappearbehindtheangleoftheCorinthebuilding。
Thereaderwillrecallthisanglewhichformedasortofcapeonthestreet；itaffordedshelterfromthebullets，thegrape—shot，andalleyes，andafewsquarefeetofspace。Thereissometimesachamberwhichdoesnotburninthemidstofaconflagration，andinthemidstofragingseas，beyondapromontoryorattheextremityofablindalleyofshoals，atranquilnook。Itwasinthissortoffoldintheinteriortrapeziumofthebarricade，thatEponinehadbreathedherlast。
ThereJeanValjeanhalted，letMariusslidetotheground，placedhisbackagainstthewall，andcasthiseyesabouthim。
Thesituationwasalarming。
Foraninstant，fortwoorthreeperhaps，thisbitofwallwasashelter，buthowwashetoescapefromthismassacre？HerecalledtheanguishwhichhehadsufferedintheRuePolonceaueightyearsbefore，andinwhatmannerhehadcontrivedtomakehisescape；
itwasdifficultthen，to—dayitwasimpossible。Hehadbeforehimthatdeafandimplacablehouse，sixstoriesinheight，whichappearedtobeinhabitedonlybyadeadmanleaningoutofhiswindow；
hehadonhisrighttheratherlowbarricade，whichshutofftheRuedelaPetiteTruanderie；topassthisobstacleseemedeasy，butbeyondthecrestofthebarrieralineofbayonetswasvisible。
Thetroopsofthelinewerepostedonthewatchbehindthatbarricade。
Itwasevident，thattopassthebarricadewastogoinquestofthefireoftheplatoon，andthatanyheadwhichshouldruntheriskofliftingitselfabovethetopofthatwallofstoneswouldserveasatargetforsixtyshots。Onhislefthehadthefieldofbattle。
Deathlurkedroundthecornerofthatwall。
Whatwastobedone？
Onlyabirdcouldhaveextricateditselffromthispredicament。
Anditwasnecessarytodecideontheinstant，todevisesomeexpedient，tocometosomedecision。Fightingwasgoingonafewpacesaway；fortunately，allwereragingaroundasinglepoint，thedoorofthewine—shop；butifitshouldoccurtoonesoldier，toonesinglesoldier，toturnthecornerofthehouse，ortoattackhimontheflank，allwasover。
JeanValjeangazedatthehousefacinghim，hegazedatthebarricadeatonesideofhim，thenhelookedattheground，withtheviolenceofthelastextremity，bewildered，andasthoughhewouldhavelikedtopierceaholetherewithhiseyes。
Bydintofstaring，somethingvaguelystrikinginsuchanagonybegantoassumeformandoutlineathisfeet，asthoughithadbeenapowerofglancewhichmadethethingdesiredunfold。
Afewpacesdistantheperceived，atthebaseofthesmallbarriersopitilesslyguardedandwatchedontheexterior，beneathadisorderedmassofpaving—stoneswhichpartlyconcealedit，anirongrating，placedflatandonalevelwiththesoil。Thisgrating，madeofstout，transversebars，wasabouttwofeetsquare。
Theframeofpaving—stoneswhichsupportedithadbeentornup，anditwas，asitwere，unfastened。
Throughthebarsaviewcouldbehadofadarkaperture，somethingliketheflueofachimney，orthepipeofacistern。
JeanValjeandartedforward。Hisoldartofescaperosetohisbrainlikeanillumination。Tothrustasidethestones，toraisethegrating，toliftMarius，whowasasinertasadeadbody，uponhisshoulders，todescend，withthisburdenonhisloins，andwiththeaidofhiselbowsandkneesintothatsortofwell，fortunatelynotverydeep，tolettheheavytrap，uponwhichtheloosenedstonesrolleddownafresh，fallintoitsplacebehindhim，togainhisfootingonaflaggedsurfacethreemetresbelowthesurface，——allthiswasexecutedlikethatwhichonedoesindreams，withthestrengthofagiantandtherapidityofaneagle；
thistookonlyafewminutes。
JeanValjeanfoundhimselfwithMarius，whowasstillunconscious，inasortoflong，subterraneancorridor。
Therereignedprofoundpeace，absolutesilence，night。
Theimpressionwhichhehadformerlyexperiencedwhenfallingfromthewallintotheconventrecurredtohim。Only，whathewascarryingto—daywasnotCosette；itwasMarius。Hecouldbarelyheartheformidabletumultinthewine—shop，takenbyassault，likeavaguemurmuroverhead。
BOOKSECOND。——THEINTESTINEOFTHELEVIATHAN
CHAPTERI
THELANDIMPOVERISHEDBYTHESEA
Pariscaststwenty—fivemillionsyearlyintothewater。Andthiswithoutmetaphor。How，andinwhatmanner？Dayandnight。
Withwhatobject？Withnoobject。Withwhatintention？
Withnointention。Why？Fornoreason。Bymeansofwhatorgan？
Bymeansofitsintestine。Whatisitsintestine？Thesewer。
Twenty—fivemillionsisthemostmoderateapproximativefigurewhichthevaluationsofspecialsciencehavesetuponit。
Science，afterhavinglonggropedabout，nowknowsthatthemostfecundatingandthemostefficaciousoffertilizersishumanmanure。
TheChinese，letusconfessittoourshame，knewitbeforeus。
NotaChinesepeasant——itisEckbergwhosaysthis，——goestotownwithoutbringingbackwithhim，atthetwoextremitiesofhisbamboopole，twofullbucketsofwhatwedesignateasfilth。Thankstohumandung，theearthinChinaisstillasyoungasinthedaysofAbraham。
Chinesewheatyieldsahundredfoldoftheseed。Thereisnoguanocomparableinfertilitywiththedetritusofacapital。
Agreatcityisthemostmightyofdung—makers。Certainsuccesswouldattendtheexperimentofemployingthecitytomanuretheplain。Ifourgoldismanure，ourmanure，ontheotherhand，isgold。
Whatisdonewiththisgoldenmanure？Itissweptintotheabyss。
Fleetsofvesselsaredespatched，atgreatexpense，tocollectthedungofpetrelsandpenguinsattheSouthPole，andtheincalculableelementofopulencewhichwehaveonhand，wesendtothesea。
Allthehumanandanimalmanurewhichtheworldwastes，restoredtothelandinsteadofbeingcastintothewater，wouldsufficetonourishtheworld。
Thoseheapsoffilthatthegate—posts，thosetumbrilsofmudwhichjoltthroughthestreetbynight，thoseterriblecasksofthestreetdepartment，thosefetiddrippingsofsubterraneanmire，whichthepavementshidefromyou，——doyouknowwhattheyare？
Theyarethemeadowinflower，thegreengrass，wildthyme，thymeandsage，theyaregame，theyarecattle，theyarethesatisfiedbellowsofgreatoxenintheevening，theyareperfumedhay，theyaregoldenwheat，theyarethebreadonyourtable，theyarethewarmbloodinyourveins，theyarehealth，theyarejoy，theyarelife。
Thisisthewillofthatmysteriouscreationwhichistransformationonearthandtransfigurationinheaven。
Restorethistothegreatcrucible；yourabundancewillflowforthfromit。Thenutritionoftheplainsfurnishesthenourishmentofmen。
Youhaveitinyourpowertolosethiswealth，andtoconsidermeridiculoustoboot。Thiswillformthemaster—pieceofyourignorance。
StatisticianshavecalculatedthatFrancealonemakesadepositofhalfamilliardeveryyear，intheAtlantic，throughthemouthsofherrivers。Notethis:withfivehundredmillionswecouldpayonequarteroftheexpensesofourbudget。Theclevernessofmanissuchthathepreferstogetridofthesefivehundredmillionsinthegutter。Itistheverysubstanceofthepeoplethatiscarriedoff，heredropbydrop，therewaveafterwave，thewretchedoutpourofoursewersintotherivers，andthegiganticcollectionofourriversintotheocean。Everyhiccoughofoursewerscostsusathousandfrancs。Fromthisspringtworesults，thelandimpoverished，andthewatertainted。Hungerarisingfromthefurrow，anddiseasefromthestream。
Itisnotorious，forexample，thatatthepresenthour，theThamesispoisoningLondon。
SofarasParisisconcerned，ithasbecomeindispensableoflate，totransportthemouthsofthesewersdownstream，belowthelastbridge。
Adoubletubularapparatus，providedwithvalvesandsluices，suckingupanddrivingback，asystemofelementarydrainage，simpleasthelungsofaman，andwhichisalreadyinfullworkingorderinmanycommunitiesinEngland，wouldsufficetoconductthepurewaterofthefieldsintoourcities，andtosendbacktothefieldstherichwaterofthecities，andthiseasyexchange，thesimplestintheworld，wouldretainamongusthefivehundredmillionsnowthrownaway。Peoplearethinkingofotherthings。
Theprocessactuallyinusedoesevil，withtheintentionofdoinggood。
Theintentionisgood，theresultismelancholy。Thinkingtopurgethecity，thepopulationisblanchedlikeplantsraisedincellars。
Asewerisamistake。Whendrainage，everywhere，withitsdoublefunction，restoringwhatittakes，shallhavereplacedthesewer，whichisasimpleimpoverishingwashing，then，thisbeingcombinedwiththedataofanowsocialeconomy，theproductoftheearthwillbeincreasedtenfold，andtheproblemofmiserywillbesingularlylightened。Addthesuppressionofparasitism，anditwillbesolved。
Inthemeanwhile，thepublicwealthflowsawaytotheriver，andleakagetakesplace。Leakageistheword。Europeisbeingruinedinthismannerbyexhaustion。
AsforFrance，wehavejustciteditsfigures。Now，Pariscontainsonetwenty—fifthofthetotalpopulationofFrance，andParisianguanobeingtherichestofall，weunderstatethetruthwhenwevaluethelossonthepartofParisattwenty—fivemillionsinthehalfmilliardwhichFranceannuallyrejects。Thesetwenty—fivemillions，employedinassistanceandenjoyment，woulddoublethesplendorofParis。Thecityspendstheminsewers。SothatwemaysaythatParis’sgreatprodigality，itswonderfulfestival，itsBeaujonfolly，itsorgy，itsstreamofgoldfromfullhands，itspomp，itsluxury，itsmagnificence，isitssewersystem。
Itisinthismannerthat，intheblindnessofapoorpoliticaleconomy，wedrownandallowtofloatdownstreamandtobelostinthegulfsthewell—beingofall。ThereshouldbenetsatSaint—Cloudforthepublicfortune。
Economicallyconsidered，themattercanbesummedupthus:
Parisisaspendthrift。Paris，thatmodelcity，thatpatronofwell—arrangedcapitals，ofwhicheverynationstrivestopossessacopy，thatmetropolisoftheideal，thataugustcountryoftheinitiative，ofimpulseandofeffort，thatcentreandthatdwellingofminds，thatnation—city，thathiveofthefuture，thatmarvellouscombinationofBabylonandCorinth，wouldmakeapeasantoftheFo—Kianshrughisshoulders，fromthepointofviewwhichwehavejustindicated。
ImitateParisandyouwillruinyourselves。
Moreover，andparticularlyinthisimmemorialandsenselesswaste，Parisisitselfanimitator。
Thesesurprisingexhibitionsofstupidityarenotnovel；
thisisnoyoungfolly。Theancientsdidlikethemoderns。
"ThesewersofRome，"saysLiebig，"haveabsorbedallthewell—beingoftheRomanpeasant。"WhentheCampagnaofRomewasruinedbytheRomansewer，RomeexhaustedItaly，andwhenshehadputItalyinhersewer，shepouredinSicily，thenSardinia，thenAfrica。
ThesewerofRomehasengulfedtheworld。Thiscess—pooloffereditsengulfmenttothecityandtheuniverse。Urbietorbi。
Eternalcity，unfathomablesewer。
Romesetstheexampleforthesethingsaswellasforothers。
Parisfollowsthisexamplewithallthestupiditypeculiartointelligenttowns。
Fortherequirementsoftheoperationuponthesubjectofwhichwehavejustexplainedourviews，ParishasbeneathitanotherParis；
aParisofsewers；whichhasitsstreets，itscross—roads，itssquares，itsblind—alleys，itsarteries，anditscirculation，whichisofmireandminusthehumanform。
Fornothingmustbeflattered，notevenagreatpeople；wherethereiseverythingthereisalsoignominybythesideofsublimity；
and，ifPariscontainsAthens，thecityoflight，Tyre，thecityofmight，Sparta，thecityofvirtue，Nineveh，thecityofmarvels，italsocontainsLutetia，thecityofmud。
However，thestampofitspoweristherealso，andtheTitanicsinkofParisrealizes，amongmonuments，thatstrangeidealrealizedinhumanitybysomemenlikeMacchiavelli，BaconandMirabeau，grandiosevileness。
Thesub—soilofParis，iftheeyecouldpenetrateitssurface，wouldpresenttheaspectofacolossalmadrepore。Aspongehasnomorepartitionsandductsthanthemoundofearthforacircuitofsixleaguesroundabout，onwhichreststhegreatandancientcity。
Nottomentionitscatacombs，whichareaseparatecellar，nottomentiontheinextricabletrellis—workofgaspipes，withoutreckoningthevasttubularsystemforthedistributionoffreshwaterwhichendsinthepillarfountains，thesewersaloneformatremendous，shadowynet—workunderthetwobanks；
alabyrinthwhichhasitsslopeforitsguidingthread。
Thereappears，inthehumidmist，theratwhichseemstheproducttowhichParishasgivenbirth。
CHAPTERII
ANCIENTHISTORYOFTHESEWER
LetthereaderimagineParisliftedofflikeacover，thesubterraneannet—workofsewers，fromabird’seyeview，willoutlineonthebanksaspeciesoflargebranchgraftedontheriver。Ontherightbank，thebeltsewerwillformthetrunkofthisbranch，thesecondaryductswillformthebranches，andthosewithoutexitthetwigs。
Thisfigureisbutasummaryoneandhalfexact，therightangle，whichisthecustomaryangleofthisspeciesofsubterraneanramifications，beingveryrareinvegetation。
Amoreaccurateimageofthisstrangegeometricalplancanbeformedbysupposingthatoneisviewingsomeeccentricorientalalphabet，asintricateasathicket，againstabackgroundofshadows，andthemisshapenlettersshouldbeweldedonetoanotherinapparentconfusion，andasathaphazard，nowbytheirangles，againbytheirextremities。
SinksandsewersplayedagreatpartintheMiddleAges，intheLowerEmpireandintheOrientofold。Themassesregardedthesebedsofdecomposition，thesemonstrouscradlesofdeath，withafearthatwasalmostreligious。TheverminditchofBenaresisnolessconducivetogiddinessthanthelions’ditchofBabylon。
Teglath—Phalasar，accordingtotherabbinicalbooks，sworebythesinkofNineveh。ItwasfromthesewerofMunsterthatJohnofLeydenproducedhisfalsemoon，anditwasfromthecess—poolofKekschebthatorientalmenalchme，Mokanna，theveiledprophetofKhorassan，causedhisfalsesuntoemerge。
Thehistoryofmenisreflectedinthehistoryofsewers。
TheGermoniae[58]narratedRome。ThesewerofParishasbeenanancientandformidablething。Ithasbeenasepulchre，ithasservedasanasylum。Crime，intelligence，socialprotest，libertyofconscience，thought，theft，allthathumanlawspersecuteorhavepersecuted，ishiddeninthathole；themaillotinsinthefourteenthcentury，thetire—laineofthefifteenth，theHuguenotsinthesixteenth，Morin’silluminatedintheseventeenth，thechauffeurs[brigands]intheeighteenth。Ahundredyearsago，thenocturnalblowofthedaggeremergedthence，thepickpocketindangerslippedthither；theforesthaditscave，Parishaditssewer。
Vagrancy，thatGallicpicareria，acceptedthesewerastheadjunctoftheCourdesMiracles，andatevening，itreturnedthither，fierceandsly，throughtheMaubueeoutlet，asintoabed—chamber。
[58]StepsontheAventineHill，leadingtotheTiber，towhichthebodiesofexecutedcriminalsweredraggedbyhookstobethrownintotheTiber。
Itwasquitenatural，thatthosewhohadtheblind—alleyVide—Gousset，[Empty—Pocket]ortheRueCoupe—Gorge[Cut—Throat]，forthesceneoftheirdailylabor，shouldhavefortheirdomicilebynighttheculvertoftheChemin—Vert，orthecatchbasinofHurepoix。
Henceathrongofsouvenirs。Allsortsofphantomshaunttheselong，solitarycorridors；everywhereisputrescenceandmiasma；
hereandtherearebreathing—holes，whereVillonwithinconverseswithRabelaiswithout。
ThesewerinancientParisistherendezvousofallexhaustionsandofallattempts。Politicaleconomythereinspiesadetritus，socialphilosophytherebeholdsaresiduum。
Theseweristheconscienceofthecity。Everythingthereconvergesandconfrontseverythingelse。Inthatlividspotthereareshades，buttherearenolongeranysecrets。
Eachthingbearsitstrueform，oratleast，itsdefinitiveform。
Themassoffilthhasthisinitsfavor，thatitisnotaliar。
Ingenuousnesshastakenrefugethere。ThemaskofBasilistobefoundthere，butonebeholdsitscardboardanditsstringsandtheinsideaswellastheoutside，anditisaccentuatedbyhonestmud。
Scapin’sfalsenoseisitsnext—doorneighbor。Alltheuncleannessesofcivilization，oncepasttheiruse，fallintothistrenchoftruth，wheretheimmensesocialslidingends。Theyarethereengulfed，buttheydisplaythemselvesthere。Thismixtureisaconfession。
There，nomorefalseappearances，noplasteringoverispossible，filthremovesitsshirt，absolutedenudationputstotheroutallillusionsandmirages，thereisnothingmoreexceptwhatreallyexists，presentingthesinisterformofthatwhichiscomingtoanend。
There，thebottomofabottleindicatesdrunkenness，abasket—handletellsataleofdomesticity；therethecoreofanapplewhichhasentertainedliteraryopinionsbecomesanapple—coreoncemore；
theeffigyonthebigsoubecomesfranklycoveredwithverdigris，Caiphas’spittlemeetsFalstaff’spuking，thelouis—d’orwhichcomesfromthegaming—housejostlesthenailwhencehangstherope’sendofthesuicide。alividfoetusrollsalong，envelopedinthespangleswhichdancedattheOperalastShrove—Tuesday，acapwhichhaspronouncedjudgmentonmenwallowsbesideamassofrottennesswhichwasformerlyMargoton’spetticoat；itismorethanfraternization，itisequivalenttoaddressingeachotherasthou。Allwhichwasformerlyrouged，iswashedfree。Thelastveilistornaway。
Asewerisacynic。Ittellseverything。
Thesincerityoffoulnesspleasesus，andreststhesoul。Whenonehaspassedone’stimeinenduringuponearththespectacleofthegreatairswhichreasonsofstate，theoath，politicalsagacity，humanjustice，professionalprobity，theausteritiesofsituation，incorruptiblerobesallassume，itsolacesonetoenterasewerandtobeholdthemirewhichbefitsit。
Thisisinstructiveatthesametime。Wehavejustsaidthathistorypassesthroughthesewer。TheSaint—Barthelemysfilterthroughthere，dropbydrop，betweenthepaving—stones。Greatpublicassassinations，politicalandreligiousbutcheries，traversethisundergroundpassageofcivilization，andthrusttheircorpsesthere。Fortheeyeofthethinker，allhistoricmurderersaretobefoundthere，inthathideouspenumbra，ontheirknees，withascrapoftheirwinding—sheetforanapron，dismallyspongingouttheirwork。
LouisXI。istherewithTristan，FrancoisI。withDuprat，CharlesIX。
istherewithhismother，RichelieuistherewithLouisXIII。，Louvoisisthere，Letellieristhere，HebertandMaillardarethere，scratchingthestones，andtryingtomakethetracesoftheiractionsdisappear。Beneaththesevaultsonehearsthebroomsofspectres。
Onetherebreathestheenormousfetidnessofsocialcatastrophes。
Onebeholdsreddishreflectionsinthecorners。Thereflowsaterriblestream，inwhichbloodyhandshavebeenwashed。
Thesocialobservershouldentertheseshadows。Theyformapartofhislaboratory。Philosophyisthemicroscopeofthethought。
Everythingdesirestofleefromit，butnothingescapesit。
Tergiversationisuseless。Whatsideofoneselfdoesonedisplayinevasions？theshamefulside。Philosophypursueswithitsglance，probestheevil，anddoesnotpermitittoescapeintonothingness。
Intheobliterationofthingswhichdisappear，inthewatchingofthingswhichvanish，itrecognizesall。Itreconstructsthepurplefromtherag，andthewomanfromthescrapofherdress。
Fromthecess—pool，itre—constitutesthecity；frommud，itreconstructsmanners；fromthepotsherditinferstheamphoraorthejug。Bytheimprintofafinger—nailonapieceofparchment，itrecognizesthedifferencewhichseparatestheJewryoftheJudengassefromtheJewryoftheGhetto。Itre—discoversinwhatremainsthatwhichhasbeen，good，evil，thetrue，theblood—stainofthepalace，theink—blotofthecavern，thedropofsweatfromthebrothel，trialsundergone，temptationswelcomed，orgiescastforth，theturnwhichcharactershavetakenastheybecameabased，thetraceofprostitutioninsoulsofwhichtheirgrossnessrenderedthemcapable，andonthevestureoftheportersofRomethemarkofMessalina’selbowing。
CHAPTERIII
BRUNESEAU
ThesewerofParisintheMiddleAgeswaslegendary。Inthesixteenthcentury，HenriII。attemptedabore，whichfailed。
Notahundredyearsago，thecess—pool，Mercieratteststhefact，wasabandonedtoitself，andfaredasbestitmight。
SuchwasthisancientParis，deliveredovertoquarrels，toindecision，andtogropings。Itwastolerablystupidforalongtime。
Lateron，’89showedhowunderstandingcomestocities。Butinthegood，oldtimes，thecapitalhadnotmuchhead。Itdidnotknowhowtomanageitsownaffairseithermorallyormaterially，andcouldnotsweepoutfilthanybetterthanitcouldabuses。
Everythingpresentedanobstacle，everythingraisedaquestion。
Thesewer，forexample，wasrefractorytoeveryitinerary。
Onecouldnomorefindone’sbearingsinthesewerthanonecouldunderstandone’spositioninthecity；abovetheunintelligible，belowtheinextricable；beneaththeconfusionoftonguestherereignedtheconfusionofcaverns；DaedalusbackedupBabel。
SometimestheParissewertookanotiontooverflow，asthoughthismisunderstoodNileweresuddenlyseizedwithafitofrage。
Thereoccurred，infamoustorelate，inundationsofthesewer。
Attimes，thatstomachofcivilizationdigestedbadly，thecess—poolflowedbackintothethroatofthecity，andParisgotanafter—tasteofherownfilth。Theseresemblancesofthesewertoremorsehadtheirgoodpoints；theywerewarnings；verybadlyaccepted，however；
thecitywaxedindignantattheaudacityofitsmire，anddidnotadmitthatthefilthshouldreturn。Driveitoutbetter。
Theinundationof1802isoneoftheactualmemoriesofParisiansoftheageofeighty。Themudspreadincross—formoverthePlacedesVictoires，wherestandsthestatueofLouisXIV。；itenteredtheRueSaint—HonorebythetwomouthstothesewerintheChamps—Elysees，theRueSaint—FlorentinthroughtheSaint—Florentinsewer，theRuePierre—a—PoissonthroughthesewerdelaSonnerie，theRuePopincourt，throughtheseweroftheChemin—Vert，theRuedelaRoquette，throughtheseweroftheRuedeLappe；
itcoveredthedrainoftheRuedesChamps—Elyseestotheheightofthirty—fivecentimetres；and，totheSouth，throughtheventoftheSeine，performingitsfunctionsininversesense，itpenetratedtheRueMazarine，theRuedel’Echaude，andtheRuedesMarais，whereitstoppedatadistanceofonehundredandninemetres，afewpacesdistantfromthehouseinwhichRacinehadlived，respecting，intheseventeenthcentury，thepoetmorethantheKing。
ItattaineditsmaximumdepthintheRueSaint—Pierre，whereitrosetotheheightofthreefeetabovetheflag—stonesofthewater—spout，anditsmaximumlengthintheRueSaint—Sabin，whereitspreadoutoverastretchtwohundredandthirty—eightmetresinlength。
Atthebeginningofthiscentury，thesewerofPariswasstillamysteriousplace。Mudcanneverenjoyagoodfame；butinthiscaseitsevilrenownreachedthevergeoftheterrible。Parisknew，inaconfusedway，thatshehadunderheraterriblecavern。
PeopletalkedofitasofthatmonstrousbedofThebesinwhichswarmedcentipedesfifteenlongfeetinlength，andwhichmighthaveservedBehemothforabathtub。Thegreatbootsofthesewermenneverventuredfurtherthancertainwell—knownpoints。Wewerethenveryneartheepochwhenthescavenger’scarts，fromthesummitofwhichSainte—FoixfraternizedwiththeMarquisdeCrequi，dischargedtheirloadsdirectlyintothesewer。Asforcleaningout，——
thatfunctionwasentrustedtothepouringrainswhichencumberedratherthansweptaway。Romeleftsomepoetrytohersewer，andcalledittheGemoniae；Parisinsultedhers，andentitleditthePolypus—Hole。Scienceandsuperstitionwereinaccord，inhorror。
ThePolypusholewasnolessrepugnanttohygienethantolegend。
ThegoblinwasdevelopedunderthefetidcoveringoftheMouffetardsewer；
thecorpsesoftheMarmousetshadbeencastintothesewerdelaBarillerie；Fagonattributedtheredoubtablemalignantfeverof1685
tothegreathiatusoftheseweroftheMarais，whichremainedyawninguntil1833intheRueSaint—Louis，almostoppositethesignoftheGallantMessenger。ThemouthoftheseweroftheRuedelaMortelleriewascelebratedforthepestilenceswhichhadtheirsourcethere；
withitsgratingofiron，withpointssimulatingarowofteeth，itwaslikeadragon’smawinthatfatalstreet，breathingforthhelluponmen。ThepopularimaginationseasonedthesombreParisiansinkwithsomeindescribablyhideousintermixtureoftheinfinite。
Thesewerhadnobottom。Thesewerwasthelowerworld。Theideaofexploringtheseleprousregionsdidnotevenoccurtothepolice。
Totrythatunknownthing，tocasttheplummetintothatshadow，tosetoutonavoyageofdiscoveryinthatabyss——whowouldhavedared？
Itwasalarming。Nevertheless，someonedidpresenthimself。
Thecess—poolhaditsChristopherColumbus。
Oneday，in1805，duringoneoftherareapparitionswhichtheEmperormadeinParis，theMinisteroftheInterior，someDecresorCretetorother，cametothemaster’sintimatelevee。
IntheCarrouseltherewasaudibletheclankingofswordsofallthoseextraordinarysoldiersofthegreatRepublic，andofthegreatEmpire；thenNapoleon’sdoorwasblockedwithheroes；
menfromtheRhine，fromtheEscaut，fromtheAdige，andfromtheNile；companionsofJoubert，ofDesaix，ofMarceau，ofHoche，ofKleber；theaerostiersofFleurus，thegrenadiersofMayence，thepontoon—buildersofGenoa，hussarswhomthePyramidshadlookeddownupon，artilleristswhomJunot’scannon—ballhadspatteredwithmud，cuirassierswhohadtakenbyassaultthefleetlyingatanchorintheZuyderzee；somehadfollowedBonaparteuponthebridgeofLodi，othershadaccompaniedMuratinthetrenchesofMantua，othershadprecededLannesinthehollowroadofMontebello。
Thewholearmyofthatdaywaspresentthere，inthecourt—yardoftheTuileries，representedbyasquadronoraplatoon，andguardingNapoleoninrepose；andthatwasthesplendidepochwhenthegrandarmyhadMarengobehinditandAusterlitzbeforeit。——"Sire，"
saidtheMinisteroftheInteriortoNapoleon，"yesterdayIsawthemostintrepidmaninyourEmpire。"——"Whatmanisthat？"
saidtheEmperorbrusquely，"andwhathashedone？"——"Hewantstodosomething，Sire。"——"Whatisit？"——"TovisitthesewersofParis。"
ThismanexistedandhisnamewasBruneseau。
CHAPTERIV
Thevisittookplace。Itwasaformidablecampaign；anocturnalbattleagainstpestilenceandsuffocation。Itwas，atthesametime，avoyageofdiscovery。Oneofthesurvivorsofthisexpedition，anintelligentworkingman，whowasveryyoungatthetime，relatedcuriousdetailswithregardtoit，severalyearsago，whichBruneseauthoughthimselfobligedtoomitinhisreporttotheprefectofpolice，asunworthyofofficialstyle。Theprocessesofdisinfectionwere，atthatepoch，extremelyrudimentary。HardlyhadBruneseaucrossedthefirstarticulationsofthatsubterraneannetwork，wheneightlaborersoutofthetwentyrefusedtogoanyfurther。Theoperationwascomplicated；thevisitentailedthenecessityofcleaning；
henceitwasnecessarytocleanseandatthesametime，toproceed；
tonotetheentrancesofwater，tocountthegratingsandthevents，tolayoutindetailthebranches，toindicatethecurrentsatthepointwheretheyparted，todefinetherespectiveboundsofthediversbasins，tosoundthesmallsewersgraftedontheprincipalsewer，tomeasuretheheightunderthekey—stoneofeachdrain，andthewidth，atthespringofthevaultsaswellasatthebottom，inordertodeterminethearrangementswithregardtothelevelofeachwater—entrance，eitherofthebottomofthearch，oronthesoilofthestreet。Theyadvancedwithtoil。Thelanternspinedawayinthefoulatmosphere。Fromtimetotime，afaintingsewermanwascarriedout。Atcertainpoints，therewereprecipices。
Thesoilhadgivenaway，thepavementhadcrumbled，thesewerhadchangedintoabottomlesswell；theyfoundnothingsolid；
amandisappearedsuddenly；theyhadgreatdifficultyingettinghimoutagain。OntheadviceofFourcroy，theylightedlargecagesfilledwithtowsteepedinresin，fromtimetotime，inspotswhichhadbeensufficientlydisinfected。Insomeplaces，thewallwascoveredwithmisshapenfungi，——onewouldhavesaidtumors；
theverystoneseemeddiseasedwithinthisunbreathableatmosphere。
Bruneseau，inhisexploration，proceededdownhill。Atthepointofseparationofthetwowater—conduitsoftheGrand—Hurleur，hedeciphereduponaprojectingstonethedateof1550；thisstoneindicatedthelimitswherePhilibertDelorme，chargedbyHenriII。
withvisitingthesubterraneandrainsofParis，hadhalted。
Thisstonewasthemarkofthesixteenthcenturyonthesewer；
BruneseaufoundthehandiworkoftheseventeenthcenturyoncemoreinthePonceaudrainoftheoldRueVielle—du—Temple，vaultedbetween1600and1650；andthehandiworkoftheeighteenthinthewesternsectionofthecollectingcanal，walledandvaultedin1740。
Thesetwovaults，especiallythelessancient，thatof1740，weremorecrackedanddecrepitthanthemasonryofthebeltsewer，whichdatedfrom1412，anepochwhenthebrookoffreshwaterofMenilmontantwaselevatedtothedignityoftheGrandSewerofParis，anadvancementanalogoustothatofapeasantwhoshouldbecomefirstvaletdechambretotheKing；somethinglikeGros—JeantransformedintoLebel。
Hereandthere，particularlybeneaththeCourt—House，theythoughttheyrecognizedthehollowsofancientdungeons，excavatedintheveryseweritself。Hideousin—pace。Anironneck—collarwashanginginoneofthesecells。Theywalledthemallup。Someoftheirfindsweresingular；amongothers，theskeletonofanourang—outan，whohaddisappearedfromtheJardindesPlantesin1800，adisappearanceprobablyconnectedwiththefamousandindisputableapparitionofthedevilintheRuedesBernardins，inthelastyearoftheeighteenthcentury。Thepoordevilhadendedbydrowninghimselfinthesewer。
Beneaththislong，archeddrainwhichterminatedattheArche—Marion，aperfectlypreservedrag—picker’sbasketexcitedtheadmirationofallconnoisseurs。Everywhere，themire，whichthesewermencametohandlewithintrepidity，aboundedinpreciousobjects，jewelsofgoldandsilver，preciousstones，coins。Ifagianthadfilteredthiscesspool，hewouldhavehadtherichesofcenturiesinhislair。
AtthepointwherethetwobranchesoftheRueduTempleandoftheRueSainte—Avoyeseparate，theypickedupasingularHuguenotmedalincopper，bearingononesidethepighoodedwithacardinal’shat，andontheother，awolfwithatiaraonhishead。
ThemostsurprisingrencounterwasattheentrancetotheGrandSewer。
Thisentrancehadformerlybeenclosedbyagratingofwhichnothingbutthehingesremained。Fromoneofthesehingeshungadirtyandshapelessragwhich，arrestedthereinitspassage，nodoubt，hadfloatedthereinthedarknessandfinisheditsprocessofbeingtornapart。Bruneseauheldhislanternclosetothisragandexaminedit。Itwasofveryfinebatiste，andinoneofthecorners，lessfrayedthantherest，theymadeoutaheraldiccoronetandembroideredabovethesesevenletters:LAVBESP。ThecrownwasthecoronetofaMarquis，andthesevenletterssignifiedLaubespine。
Theyrecognizedthefact，thatwhattheyhadbeforetheireyeswasamorseloftheshroudofMarat。Maratinhisyouthhadhadamorousintrigues。ThiswaswhenhewasamemberofthehouseholdoftheComted’Artois，inthecapacityofphysiciantotheStables。
Fromtheseloveaffairs，historicallyproved，withagreatlady，hehadretainedthissheet。Asawaiforasouvenir。Athisdeath，asthiswastheonlylinenofanyfinenesswhichhehadinhishouse，theyburiedhiminit。Someoldwomenhadshroudedhimforthetombinthatswaddling—bandinwhichthetragicFriendofthepeoplehadenjoyedvoluptuousness。Bruneseaupassedon。Theyleftthatragwhereithung；theydidnotputthefinishingtouchtoit。
Didthisarisefromscornorfromrespect？Maratdeservedboth。
Andthen，destinywastheresufficientlystampedtomakethemhesitatetotouchit。Besides，thethingsofthesepulchremustbeleftinthespotwhichtheyselect。Inshort，therelicwasastrangeone。AMarquisehadsleptinit；Marathadrottedinit；
ithadtraversedthePantheontoendwiththeratsofthesewer。
Thischamberrag，ofwhichWatteauwouldformerlyhavejoyfullysketchedeveryfold，hadendedinbecomingworthyofthefixedgazeofDante。
ThewholevisittothesubterraneanstreamoffilthofParislastedsevenyears，from1805to1812。Asheproceeded，Bruneseaudrew，directed，andcompletedconsiderableworks；
in1808heloweredthearchofthePonceau，and，everywherecreatingnewlines，hepushedthesewer，in1809，undertheRueSaint—DenisasfarasthefountainoftheInnocents；in1810，undertheRueFroidmanteauandundertheSalpetriere；in1811undertheRueNeuve—des—Petits—Peres，undertheRueduMail，undertheRuedel’Echarpe，underthePlaceRoyale；in1812，undertheRuedelaPaix，andundertheChausseed’Antin。Atthesametime，hehadthewholenet—workdisinfectedandrenderedhealthful。Inthesecondyearofhiswork，Bruneseauengagedtheassistanceofhisson—in—lawNargaud。
Itwasthusthat，atthebeginningofthecentury，ancientsocietycleanseditsdoublebottom，andperformedthetoiletofitssewer。
Therewasthatmuchclean，atallevents。
Tortuous，cracked，unpaved，fulloffissures，intersectedbygullies，joltedbyeccentricelbows，mountinganddescendingillogically，fetid，wild，fierce，submergedinobscurity，withcicatricesonitspavementsandscarsonitswalls，terrible，——suchwas，retrospectivelyviewed，theantiquesewerofParis。Ramificationsineverydirection，crossings，oftrenches，branches，goose—feet，stars，asinmilitarymines，coecum，blindalleys，vaultslinedwithsaltpetre，pestiferouspools，scabbysweats，onthewalls，dropsdrippingfromtheceilings，darkness；nothingcouldequalthehorrorofthisold，wastecrypt，thedigestiveapparatusofBabylon，acavern，ditch，gulfpiercedwithstreets，atitanicmole—burrow，wherethemindseemstobeholdthatenormousblindmole，thepast，prowlingthroughtheshadows，inthefilthwhichhasbeensplendor。
This，werepeat，wasthesewerofthepast。
CHAPTERV
PRESENTPROGRESS
To—daythesewerisclean，cold，straight，correct。ItalmostrealizestheidealofwhatisunderstoodinEnglandbytheword"respectable。"Itisproperandgrayish；laidoutbyruleandline；onemightalmostsayasthoughitcameoutofabandbox。
Itresemblesatradesmanwhohasbecomeacouncillorofstate。
Onecanalmostseedistinctlythere。Themiretherecomportsitselfwithdecency。Atfirst，onemightreadilymistakeitforoneofthosesubterraneancorridors，whichweresocommoninformerdays，andsousefulinflightsofmonarchsandprinces，inthosegoodoldtimes，"whenthepeoplelovedtheirkings。"
Thepresentsewerisabeautifulsewer；thepurestylereignsthere；
theclassicalrectilinearalexandrinewhich，drivenoutofpoetry，appearstohavetakenrefugeinarchitecture，seemsmingledwithallthestonesofthatlong，darkandwhitishvault；
eachoutletisanarcade；theRuedeRivoliservesaspatterneveninthesewer。However，ifthegeometricallineisinplaceanywhere，itiscertainlyinthedrainagetrenchofagreatcity。
There，everythingshouldbesubordinatedtotheshortestroad。
Thesewerhas，nowadays，assumedacertainofficialaspect。
Theverypolicereports，ofwhichitsometimesformsthesubject，nolongerarewantinginrespecttowardsit。Thewordswhichcharacterizeitinadministrativelanguagearesonorousanddignified。
Whatusedtobecalledagutisnowcalledagallery；whatusedtobecalledaholeisnowcalledasurveyingorifice。Villonwouldnolongermeetwithhisancienttemporaryprovisionallodging。
Thisnet—workofcellarshasitsimmemorialpopulationofprowlers，rodents，swarmingingreaternumbersthanever；fromtimetotime，anagedandveteranratriskshisheadatthewindowofthesewerandsurveystheParisians；buteventhesevermingrowtame，sosatisfiedaretheywiththeirsubterraneanpalace。Thecesspoolnolongerretainsanythingofitsprimitiveferocity。Therain，whichinformerdayssoiledthesewer，nowwashesit。Nevertheless，donottrustyourselftoomuchtoit。Miasmasstillinhabitit。
Itismorehypocriticalthanirreproachable。Theprefectureofpoliceandthecommissionofhealthhavedonetheirbest。
But，inspiteofalltheprocessesofdisinfection，itexhales，avague，suspiciousodorlikeTartuffeafterconfession。
Letusconfess，that，takingitallinall，thissweepingisahomagewhichthesewerpaystocivilization，andas，fromthispointofview，Tartuffe’sconscienceisaprogressovertheAugeanstables，itiscertainthatthesewersofParishavebeenimproved。
Itismorethanprogress；itistransmutation。Betweentheancientandthepresentsewerthereisarevolution。Whathaseffectedthisrevolution？
Themanwhomalltheworldforgets，andwhomwehavementioned，Bruneseau。
CHAPTERVI
FUTUREPROGRESS
TheexcavationofthesewerofParishasbeennoslighttask。
Thelasttencenturieshavetoiledatitwithoutbeingabletobringittoatermination，anymorethantheyhavebeenabletofinishParis。Thesewer，infact，receivesallthecounter—shocksofthegrowthofParis。Withinthebosomoftheearth，itisasortofmysteriouspolypwithathousandantennae，whichexpandsbelowasthecityexpandsabove。Everytimethatthecitycutsastreet，thesewerstretchesoutanarm。Theoldmonarchyhadconstructedonlytwenty—threethousandthreehundredmetresofsewers；thatwaswhereParisstoodinthisrespectonthefirstofJanuary，1806。
Beginningwiththisepoch，ofwhichweshallshortlyspeak，theworkwasusefullyandenergeticallyresumedandprosecuted；
Napoleonbuilt——thefiguresarecurious——fourthousandeighthundredandfourmetres；LouisXVIII。，fivethousandsevenhundredandnine；CharlesX。，tenthousandeighthundredandthirty—six；
Louis—Philippe，eighty—ninethousandandtwenty；theRepublicof1848，twenty—threethousandthreehundredandeighty—one；
thepresentgovernment，seventythousandfivehundred；inall，atthepresenttime，twohundredandtwenty—sixthousandsixhundredandtenmetres；sixtyleaguesofsewers；theenormousentrailsofParis。Anobscureramificationeveratwork；aconstructionwhichisimmenseandignored。
Asthereadersees，thesubterraneanlabyrinthofParisisto—daymorethantentimeswhatitwasatthebeginningofthecentury。
Itisdifficulttoformanyideaofalltheperseveranceandtheeffortswhichhavebeenrequiredtobringthiscess—pooltothepointofrelativeperfectioninwhichitnowis。Itwaswithgreatdifficultythattheancientmonarchicalprovostshipand，duringthelasttenyearsoftheeighteenthcentury，therevolutionarymayoralty，hadsucceededinperforatingthefiveleaguesofsewerwhichexistedpreviousto1806。Allsortsofobstacleshinderedthisoperation，somepeculiartothesoil，othersinherentintheveryprejudicesofthelaboriouspopulationofParis。Parisisbuiltuponasoilwhichissingularlyrebellioustothepick，thehoe，thebore，andtohumanmanipulation。ThereisnothingmoredifficulttopierceandtopenetratethanthegeologicalformationuponwhichissuperposedthemarvelloushistoricalformationcalledParis；
assoonasworkinanyformwhatsoeverisbegunandadventuresuponthisstretchofalluvium，subterraneanresistancesabound。
Thereareliquidclays，springs，hardrocks，andthosesoftanddeepquagmireswhichspecialsciencecallsmoutardes。[59]
Thepickadvanceslaboriouslythroughthecalcareouslayersalternatingwithveryslenderthreadsofclay，andschistosebedsinplatesincrustedwithoyster—shells，thecontemporariesofthepre—Adamiteoceans。Sometimesarivuletsuddenlyburststhroughavaultthathasbeenbegun，andinundatesthelaborers；oralayerofmarlislaidbare，androllsdownwiththefuryofacataract，breakingthestoutestsupportingbeamslikeglass。Quiterecently，atVillette，whenitbecamenecessarytopassthecollectingsewerundertheSaint—Martincanalwithoutinterruptingnavigationoremptyingthecanal，afissureappearedinthebasinofthecanal，watersuddenlybecameabundantinthesubterraneantunnel，whichwasbeyondthepowerofthepumpingengines；itwasnecessarytosendadivertoexplorethefissurewhichhadbeenmadeinthenarrowentranceofthegrandbasin，anditwasnotwithoutgreatdifficultythatitwasstoppedup。ElsewhereneartheSeine，andevenataconsiderabledistancefromtheriver，asforinstance，atBelleville，Grand—RueandLumierePassage，quicksandsareencounteredinwhichonesticksfast，andinwhichamansinksvisibly。Addsuffocationbymiasmas，burialbyslides，andsuddencrumblingoftheearth。
Addthetyphus，withwhichtheworkmenbecomeslowlyimpregnated。
Inourownday，afterhavingexcavatedthegalleryofClichy，withabanquettetoreceivetheprincipalwater—conduitofOurcq，apieceofworkwhichwasexecutedinatrenchtenmetresdeep；
afterhaving，inthemidstofland—slides，andwiththeaidofexcavationsoftenputrid，andofshoringup，vaultedtheBievrefromtheBoulevarddel’Hopital，asfarastheSeine；afterhaving，inordertodeliverParisfromthefloodsofMontmartreandinordertoprovideanoutletforthatriver—likepoolninehectaresinextent，whichcrouchedneartheBarrieredesMartyrs，afterhaving，letusstate，constructedthelineofsewersfromtheBarriereBlanchetotheroadofAubervilliers，infourmonths，workingdayandnight，atadepthofelevenmetres；afterhaving——athingheretoforeunseen——
madeasubterraneansewerintheRueBarre—du—Bec，withoutatrench，sixmetresbelowthesurface，thesuperintendent，Monnot，died。
Afterhavingvaultedthreethousandmetresofsewerinallquartersofthecity，fromtheRueTraversiere—Saint—AntoinetotheRuedel’Ourcine，afterhavingfreedtheCarrefourCensier—MouffetardfrominundationsofrainbymeansofthebranchoftheArbalete，afterhavingbuilttheSaint—Georgessewer，onrockandconcreteinthefluidsands，afterhavingdirectedtheformidableloweringoftheflooringofthevaulttimberintheNotre—Dame—de—Nazarethbranch，Duleautheengineerdied。Therearenobulletinsforsuchactsofbraveryasthese，whicharemoreuseful，nevertheless，thanthebrutalslaughterofthefieldofbattle。
[59]Mustards。
ThesewersofParisin1832werefarfrombeingwhattheyareto—day。Bruneseauhadgiventheimpulse，butthecholerawasrequiredtobringaboutthevastreconstructionwhichtookplacelateron。Itissurprisingtosay，forexample，thatin1821，apartofthebeltsewer，calledtheGrandCanal，asinVenice，stillstoodstagnatinguncoveredtothesky，intheRuedesGourdes。
Itwasonlyin1821thatthecityofParisfoundinitspocketthetwohundredandsixty—thousandeightyfrancsandsixcentimesrequiredforcoveringthismassoffilth。Thethreeabsorbingwells，oftheCombat，theCunette，andSaint—Mande，withtheirdischargingmouths，theirapparatus，theircesspools，andtheirdepuratorybranches，onlydatefrom1836。TheintestinalsewerofParishasbeenmadeoveranew，and，aswehavesaid，ithasbeenextendedmorethantenfoldwithinthelastquarterofacentury。
Thirtyyearsago，attheepochoftheinsurrectionofthe5thand6thofJune，itwasstill，inmanylocalities，nearlythesameancientsewer。
Averygreatnumberofstreetswhicharenowconvexwerethensunkencauseways。Attheendofaslope，wherethetributariesofastreetorcross—roadsended，therewereoftentobeseenlarge，squaregratingswithheavybars，whoseiron，polishedbythefootstepsofthethrong，gleameddangerousandslipperyforvehicles，andcausedhorsestofall。TheofficiallanguageoftheRoadsandBridgesgavetothesegratingstheexpressivenameofCassis。[60]
[60]Fromcasser，tobreak:break—necks。
In1832，inanumberofstreets，intheRuedel’Etoile，theRueSaint—Louis，theRueduTemple，theRueVielle—duTemple，theRueNotre—DamedeNazareth，theRueFolie—Mericourt，theQuaiauxFleurs，theRueduPetit—Muse，theRueduNormandie，theRuePont—Aux—Biches，theRuedesMarais，theFaubourgSaint—Martin，theRueNotreDamedes—Victoires，theFaubourgMontmartre，theRueGrange—Bateliere，intheChamps—Elysees，theRueJacob，theRuedeTournon，theancientgothicsewerstillcynicallydisplayeditsmaw。
Itconsistedofenormousvoidsofstonecatch—basinssometimessurroundedbystoneposts，withmonumentaleffrontery。
Parisin1806stillhadnearlythesamesewersnumericallyasstatedin1663；fivethousandthreehundredfathoms。AfterBruneseau，onthe1stofJanuary，1832，ithadfortythousandthreehundredmetres。
Between1806and1831，therehadbeenbuilt，onanaverage，sevenhundredandfiftymetresannually，afterwardseightandevententhousandmetresofgallerieswereconstructedeveryyear，inmasonry，ofsmallstones，withhydraulicmortarwhichhardensunderwater，onacementfoundation。Attwohundredfrancsthemetre，thesixtyleaguesofParis’sewersofthepresentdayrepresentforty—eightmillions。
Inadditiontotheeconomicprogresswhichwehaveindicatedatthebeginning，graveproblemsofpublichygieneareconnectedwiththatimmensequestion:thesewersofParis。
Parisisthecentreoftwosheets，asheetofwaterandasheetofair。
Thesheetofwater，lyingatatolerablygreatdepthunderground，butalreadysoundedbytwobores，isfurnishedbythelayerofgreenclaysituatedbetweenthechalkandtheJurassiclime—stone；thislayermayberepresentedbyadiskfiveandtwentyleaguesincircumference；
amultitudeofriversandbrooksoozethere；onedrinkstheSeine，theMarne，theYonne，theOise，theAisne，theCher，theVienneandtheLoireinaglassofwaterfromthewellofGrenelle。
Thesheetofwaterishealthy，itcomesfromheaveninthefirstplaceandnextfromtheearth；thesheetofairisunhealthy，itcomesfromthesewer。Allthemiasmsofthecess—poolaremingledwiththebreathofthecity；hencethisbadbreath。Theairtakenfromaboveadung—heap，ashasbeenscientificallyproved，ispurerthantheairtakenfromaboveParis。Inagiventime，withtheaidofprogress，mechanismsbecomeperfected，andaslightincreases，thesheetofwaterwillbeemployedtopurifythesheetofair；
thatistosay，towashthesewer。Thereaderknows，thatby"washingthesewer"wemean:therestitutionofthefilthtotheearth；
thereturntothesoilofdungandofmanuretothefields。
Throughthissimpleact，theentiresocialcommunitywillexperienceadiminutionofmiseryandanaugmentationofhealth。
Atthepresenthour，theradiationofdiseasesfromParisextendstofiftyleaguesaroundtheLouvre，takenasthehubofthispestilentialwheel。
Wemightsaythat，fortencenturies，thecess—poolhasbeenthediseaseofParis。TheseweristheblemishwhichParishasinherblood。
Thepopularinstincthasneverbeendeceivedinit。Theoccupationofsewermenwasformerlyalmostasperilous，andalmostasrepugnanttothepeople，astheoccupationofknacker，whichwassolongheldinhorrorandhandedovertotheexecutioner。Highwageswerenecessarytoinduceamasontodisappearinthatfetidmine；
theladderofthecess—poolcleanerhesitatedtoplungeintoit；
itwassaid，inproverbialform:"todescendintotheseweristoenterthegrave；"andallsortsofhideouslegends，aswehavesaid，coveredthiscolossalsinkwithterror；adreadsink—holewhichbearsthetracesoftherevolutionsoftheglobeasoftherevolutionsofman，andwherearetobefoundvestigesofallcataclysmsfromtheshellsoftheDelugetotheragofMarat。