Page 205 - madame-bovary

the remnants of our phalanxes, still felt their hearts beat at
the manly sound of the drums.’ He cited himself among the
first of the members of the jury, and he even called attention
in a note to the fact that Monsieur Homais, chemist, had
sent a memoir on cider to the agricultural society.
When he came to the distribution of the prizes, he paint-
ed the joy of the prize-winners in dithyrambic strophes.
‘The father embraced the son, the brother the brother, the
husband his consort. More than one showed his humble
medal with pride; and no doubt when he got home to his
good housewife, he hung it up weeping on the modest walls
of his cot.
‘About six o’clock a banquet prepared in the meadow
of Monsieur Leigeard brought together the principal per-
sonages of the fete. The greatest cordiality reigned here.
Divers toasts were proposed: Monsieur Lieuvain, the King;
Monsieur Tuvache, the Prefect; Monsieur Derozerays, Ag-
riculture; Monsieur Homais, Industry and the Fine Arts,
those twin sisters; Monsieur Leplichey, Progress. In the
evening some brilliant fireworks on a sudden illumined the
air. One would have called it a veritable kaleidoscope, a real
operatic scene; and for a moment our little locality might
have thought itself transported into the midst of a dream
of the ‘Thousand and One Nights.’ ‘Let us state that no un-
toward event disturbed this family meeting.’ And he added
‘Only the absence of the clergy was remarked. No doubt the
priests understand progress in another fashion. Just as you
please, messieurs the followers of Loyola!’

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