Those that took the Bastille are honoured with a particular mark in their apparel, to distinguish them from other people.
_The_ Doctor _goes to the_ Champ de Mars--_an Air Balloon descends on his Head.--He dines at a Grand Hotel, where commences_ un tête à tête _with a fine Lady.--He goes to the Italian Opera._
This morning, being Sunday, I sent my servant for a coach to carry me to the _Champ de Mars_; but he returned without any, with this intelligence from the coachman, _viz._ that they were all forbid to move a coach that day, by reason of the great multitude of people that was to convene; as it was supposed, that many would be crushed to death if they were allowed to ride in coaches. The nobility, gentry, and commonalty, were therefore all obliged to walk to the _Champ de Mars_; at which place I took a seat, a little to the left of the National Assembly, where I had a fine prospect. There was the greatest multitude of people collected that I ever saw at one time, and they behaved with decency and good order. The Marquis de la Fayette rode at the head of the army, and was frequently honoured with huzzas, loud acclamations, and other demonstrations of joy. Among the bands of music was a very large drum, that seemed to make the earth tremble when it was beat.
I took a seat about ten, and tarried about five hours. About half past one, an air balloon, of a large magnitude, ascended to the southward of the _Champ de Mars_. It was conducted by a great number of men, who held its lines, over the place where I was sitting. It descended on our heads, and the French cried, _En bas, en bas, Monsieur_: Down, down, Sir. I bowed myself almost to the ground, to prevent being hurt; but arose, and pushed the balloon upwards with my hand: It ascended, and went to the northward; but descended again several times, and afterwards passed to the southward by the National Assembly, almost in a horizontal direction. When it had got at a little distance from the _Champ de Mars_, the inflammable air took fire, and the balloon split, with a report something like that of a cannon. It was said that several persons were considerably burnt when the balloon burst. I understood the next day, that some of the French supposed, that a great blessing will follow those upon whom the balloon descended.