le diable, c'est que : the deuce ofit was that

48. le décret de Bordeaux : Bordeaux, the most important city of Southwestem France, was the seat of the provisional French government from December 9, 1870 to March 10, 187 1.

49. triumvirs. See triumvir in Eng. Dict. The référence hère is to Léon Gambetta, Jules Favre, and Jules Simon, the three principal members of the French ministry at that time.

50. de marche, — sédentaires : for active service^ — Jor reserves,

51. lapins de garenne et lapins de choux. See Tartarin sur les Alpes ^ chap. i, note 27.

52. gros lézard empaillé. The people of Tarascon kept a huge stuffed figure of the dragon-like Tarasque from which their city was supposed to hâve derived its name. It was carried about the streets annually in procession. For the subséquent history of the Tarasque, see Daudet's Port-Tarascon^ Book I, chap. 4, and Book III, chap. i.

53. fauconneaux: falconets; small cannon used in the sixteenth century.

54. bon roi René. No prince was ever more kindly remembered by his people than René, Count of Provence, Duke of Anjou, and King of Naples. He died in 1480. His castle at Tarascon is the most conspicious édifice in the town.

55. à ces malheureux lapins. A is not translated, it merely introduces the phrase ces malheureux lapins explanatory of leur. Compare the expression mon ami à moif my friend.