en têtes de chat : ' With round cobble-stones
22.2. en cheveux : i.e. worked in the hair (eut before interment) of some deceased relative.
22.3. des bouquets . . . verre : Brides' bouquets kept under a glass bell, as we may still occasionally see such bouquets or clusters of artificial fruit exhibited as an ornament in similar houses in Britain.
22.4. naturellement : The suggestion is that this inn-sign is so popular in small country towns that one hardly expects to see any other.
22.5. le receveur: The 'collector' or officiai whose business it is to receive from the public dues payable to the State.
22.6. l'enregistrement: The registration of deeds and offiicial documents relating to property, transfers, etc., and the sale of stamps and stamped paper on which offtcial transactions, certificat es, etc., are recorded. The ' enregistrement ' brings in to the State a sum of 800 million francs a year.
22.7. décroché les enseignes : ' Pulled down the shop-signs.'
22.8. maçonné . . . sonnettes : ' Plastered up the bell handles.'
22.9. on . . . échafaud : ' Said he would end on the scaffold.'
22.10. ce n'était . . . capitaine: Notice the use of ' que' before the real subject in this emphatic invert ed type of statement : he was not a saint, the captain, i.e. 'the captain was no saint.'
22.1 1. feuille de punitions : ' Crimes-sheet,' conduct-sheet.
22.12. salle de police: ' Cells,' ' guard-room ' (in the sensé of ' military lock-up ').
22.13. première épaulette : The 'sous-lieutenant' (second lieutenant) wears only one epaulet.
23.1 . le képi is the regular headgear of French infantry, and indeed of ail but certain spécial corps, such as those cavalry régiments that are supplied with helmets (le casque), the * chasseurs alpins ' who wear ' le béret,' and the ' Zouaves.' The stifE ' képi droit ' was worn in 1830.
23.2. la grosse giberne: The cartridge-pouch of 1830 was very bulky.
23.3. Lamoricière : A politician and soldier (1806-65), who commanded the French armies in Algeria during the conquest, in the reign of Louis-Philippe.
23.4. le duc de Nemours (1814-96) : Second son of Louis-Philippe, a very unpopular man in his time. He distinguished himself in Algeria, especially at the siège of Constantine (1837).
23.5. Bugeaud, marshal of France, received the title of duc d'Isly as a récognition of his victory over the Moroccans in 1844. He was a successful soldier, popular with the troops (hence ' le père Bugeaud '), and an able colonial governor. Died in
23.6. Abd-el-Kader : The Arab leader who resisted the French in Algeria for some fifteen years. In 1847 he was captured by Lamoricière, and for six years he was interned at varions places in France. Released on parole, he became reconciled to his conquerors, and remained friendly till his death at Damascus in 1883.
23.7. yatagan : A heavy, curved knife or sword used by the Arabs.
23.8. l'absinthe : ' Absinth ' (a wormwood bitter), very popular as an 'apéritif (appetiser). When indulged in to excess it is ruinons to the constitution, and dulling and besotting to the mind.
