As as it is, it is said that history happens twice: 

[center]First as tragedy.[/center]

[right]And second as farce.[/right]

	The small of candle smoke and fine dinner weighted heavily on the air. In the Palais des Tuileries sat the cast of government. The ministers of state, headed by the Comte de Polignac, Jules Auguste Armand Marie de Polignac on the right of the king. And to the left the array of ministers of the Chamber of Deputies who held notability in that vast council. The king, Charles X, the elder soldier statesmen of the Bourbon Family say hunched in his chair, face pallid and gray; face shrunken, and mouth stooped as he presided over a delicate meal like a ghost. His rapidly thinning hair a dusty crown atop a liver spotted hair and a dying spirit in his eyes. The ministers and statesmen around him spoke eloquently and rapidly as they gestured over plates of duck and ham and thirty kinds of wines and freshly baked breads and fruits and vegetables. The smell of spices of herbs were heavy in the room's bouquet. But glancing to the king those who were astute would think he hardly took in any of the effect in the room.

	And it was in his capacity, the Comte de Polignac's duty to keep those among the ranks of deputies distracted to the king. Quietly under the table he would dash signs to servants and royal attendants to keep the king looking lively, to come over and gently touch Charles X by the shoulder which prompted him to spring alive suddenly and eat. Taking in mouth fulls of food and chewing them like a youth; messy and with gravy dripping from his lips. A servant would come and wipe it away with a deft hand as to prevent the indignity hidden. There were after all more than state dignitaries here. Forever flirting for favor on the continent were the representatives of continental powers; Prussia restored to its throne and the Austrians as were the Papal authorities who were here to remain in communique with issues of the church. And the British, who held the kingdom by its purse strings for the years of torment wrought by Napoleon.

	“I think you fail to realize the disposition of the peasants,” pleaded a deputy to Comte Polignac, “For the past several years the harvest in the countryside has been poor, and if there is no relief from the burden of taxation they will turn to riot. I can not in good faith abide a levying of additional taxes upon them: the country can not give more than it has.”

	“Carrying it they will have to, it matters not to me. They subsist on stolen land. If they can not abide additional burden they should simply surrender their lands to their superiors. They are not of the class of peers that can appreciate the patriotism and sacrifice as the old land owner.” argued the Comte, “France has a great mountain of debt to clear.”

	“We understand, but if the occupation of Algeria will put an end to the piracy as this court claimed; then by now we would expect the revenues to flow again through our ports. Choking back the country to pinch a few pennies will carve the wounds deeper. My king,” the deputy turned to address the king personally, “You have to intervene. Put Jules Marie in his place!”

	Charles X starred up at him. His slowing head turning at the request. But now included in this conversation he felt an answer come to mind. But just before he could raise his voice to give a substantial response, the Comte de Polignac burst out: “You will answer me with respect!” he roared, offended at being called by his name. His composed pale boyish face glowing red. A Scottish rage blooming in his eyes. “I speak for this government.”

	“And the king is the state!” answered the deputy.

	“Leave the peasants as they lay. We can extract the revenues from elsewhere.” Charles said with a low weak voice, barely captured by the ears of the assembly. The count sought to pretend he had not heard him and tried to press on, but was relieved of his argument by Joseph de Villèle who, having retired from the ferocity of the Chamber allowed himself to appear as an aide to the court and its ministry.

	The arguments in the chamber went on like this for some time. In time ending and moving to some other subject. But Charles X felt himself go tired, and let his mind drift. He came to on a thought, and his eyes lit up and he rose in his seat and said softly, in a long groaning voice, “We should cut the bonds.” he announced, having just remembered a cabinet meeting from several months ago. The men at the table, who were in the midst of a discussion of the Americas stopped.

	“Pardon?”

	“Cut the bonds. The interest payments are really too much.”

	“Your majesty I am sorry, we can not cut payment on the interest of the rentier. It is simply too much to pay.” an embarrassed cabinet member said. Realizing his error, the king returned to rest and the chamber moved on.