Черный тюльпан
Haarlem
Darkcrimsonvelvet,darkpurplesilk,andjet-blackcloth,withlinenofdazzlingwhiteness,composedthefestivedressofthePresident,whomarchedattheheadofhisCommitteecarryinganenormousnosegay,likethatwhichahundredandtwenty-oneyearslater,MonsieurdeRobespierredisplayedatthefestivalof“TheSupremeBeing.”
Therewas,however,alittledifferencebetweenthetwo;verydifferentfromtheFrenchtribune,whoseheartwassofullofhatredandambitiousvindictiveness,wasthehonestPresident,whocarriedinhisbosomaheartasinnocentastheflowerswhichheheldinhishand.
BehindtheCommittee,whowereasgayasameadow,andasfragrantasagardeninspring,marchedthelearnedsocietiesofthetown,themagistrates,themilitary,thenoblesandtheboors.
Thepeople,evenamongtherespectedrepublicansoftheSevenProvinces,hadnoplaceassignedtothemintheprocession;theymerelylinedthestreets.
Thisistheplaceforthemultitude,whichwithtruephilosophicspirit,waitsuntilthetriumphalpageantshavepassed,toknowwhattosayofthem,andsometimesalsotoknowwhattodo.
Thistime,however,therewasnoquestioneitherofthetriumphofPompeyorofCæsar;neitherofthedefeatofMithridates,noroftheconquestofGaul.Theprocessionwasasplacidasthepassingofaflockoflambs,andasinoffensiveasaflightofbirdssweepingthroughtheair.
Haarlemhadnoothertriumphers,exceptitsgardeners.Worshippingflowers,Haarlemidolisedtheflorist.
