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the Protestants were at no loss how to proceed。 On the 21st December
1561 the churches of Ste。 Eugenie； St。 Augustin； and the Cordeliers
were taken by assault； and cleared of their images in a hand's turn；
and this time Captain Bouillargues was not satisfied with looking on；
but directed the operations。
The cathedral was still safe； and in it were entrenched the remnant
of the Catholic clergy； but it was apparent that at the earliest
opportunity it too would be turned into a meeting…house； and this
opportunity was not long in coming。
One Sunday； when Bishop Bernard d'Elbene had celebrated mass； just as
the regular preacher was about to begin his sermon； some children who
were playing in the close began to hoot the 'beguinier' ＇a name of
contempt for friars＇。 Some of the faithful being disturbed in their
meditations； came out of the church and chastised the little
Huguenots； whose parents considered themselves in consequence to have
been insulted in the persons of their children。 A great commotion
ensued； crowds began to form； and cries of 〃To the church！ to the
church！〃 were heard。 Captain Bouillargues happened to be in the
neighbourhood； and being very methodical set about organising the
insurrection； then putting himself at its head； he charged the
cathedral； carrying everything before him； in spite of the barricades
which had been hastily erected by the Papists。 The assault was over
in a few moments； the priests and their flock fled by one door； while
the Reformers entered by another。 The building was in the twinkling
of an eye adapted to the new form of worship： the great crucifix from
above the altar was dragged about the streets at the end of a rope
and scourged at every cross…roads。 In the evening a large fire was
lighted in the place before the cathedral； and the archives of the
ecclesiastical and religious houses； the sacred images； the relics of
the saints； the decorations of the altar； the sacerdotal vestments；
even the Host itself； were thrown on it without any remonstrance from
the consuls； the very wind which blew upon Nimes breathed heresy。
For the moment Nimes was in full revolt； and the spirit of
organisation spread： Moget assumed the titles of pastor and minister
of the Christian Church。 Captain Bouillargues melted down the sacred
vessels of the Catholic churches； and paid in this manner the
volunteers of Nimes and the German mercenaries； the stones of the
demolished religious houses were used in the construction of
fortifications； and before anyone thought of attacking it the city
was ready for a siege。 It was at this moment that Guillaume
Calviere； who was at the head of the Presidial Court； Moget being
president of the Consistory； and Captain Bouillargues
commander…in…chief of the armed forces； suddenly resolved to create a
new authority； which； while sharing the powers hitherto vested solely
in the consuls； should be； even more than they； devoted to Calvin：
thus the office of les Messieurs came into being。 This was neither
more nor less than a committee of public safety； and having been
formed in the stress of revolution it acted in a revolutionary
spirit； absorbing the powers of the consuls； and restricting the
authority of the Consistory to things spiritual。 In the meantime the
Edict of Amboise； was promulgated； and it was announced that the
king； Charles IX； accompanied by Catherine de Medicis； was going to
visit his loyal provinces in the South。
Determined as was Captain Bouillargues； for once he had to give way；
so strong was the party against him； therefore； despite the murmurs
of the fanatics； the city of Nimes resolved； not only to open its
gates to its sovereign； but to give him such a reception as would
efface the bad impression which Charles might have received from the
history of recent events。 The royal procession was met at the Pont
du Gare； where young girls attired as nymphs emerged from a grotto
bearing a collation； which they presented to their Majesties； who
graciously and heartily partook of it。 The repast at an end； the
illustrious travellers resumed their progress； but the imagination of
the Nimes authorities was not to be restrained within such narrow
bounds： at the entrance to the city the king found the Porte de la
Couronne transformed into a mountain…side； covered with vines and
olive trees； under which a shepherd was tending his flock。 As the
king approached the mountain parted as if yielding to the magic of
his power； the most beautiful maidens and the most noble came out to
meet their sovereign； presenting him the keys of the city wreathed
with flowers； and singing to the accompaniment of the shepherd's
pipe。 Passing through the mountain； Charles saw chained to a palm
tree in the depths of a grotto a monster crocodile from whose jaws
issued flames： this was a representation of the old coat of arms
granted to the city by Octavius Caesar Augustus after the battle of
Actium； and which Francis I had restored to it in exchange for a
model in silver of the amphitheatre presented to him by the city。
Lastly； the king found in the Place de la Salamandre numerous
bonfires； so that without waiting to ask if these fires were made
from the remains of the faggots used at the martyrdom of Maurice
Secenat； he went to bed very much pleased with the reception accorded
him by his good city of Nimes； and sure that all the unfavourable
reports he had heard were calumnies。
Nevertheless； in order that such rumours； however slight their
foundation； should not again be heard； the king appointed Damville
governor of Languedoc； installing him himself in the chief city of
his government； he then removed every consul from his post without
exception； and appointed in their place Guy…Rochette； doctor and
lawyer； Jean Beaudan； burgess； Francois Aubert； mason； and Cristol
Ligier； farm labourerall Catholics。 He then left for Paris； where
a short time after he concluded a treaty with the Calvinists； which
the people with its gift of prophecy called 〃The halting peace of
unsure seat；〃 and which in the end led to the massacre of St。
Bartholomew。
Gracious as had been the measures taken by the king to secure the
peace of his good city of Nimes； they had nevertheless been
reactionary； consequently the Catholics； feeling the authorities were
now on their side； returned in crowds： the householders reclaimed
their houses； the priests their ；churches； while； rendered ravenous
by the bitter bread of exile； both the clergy and the laity pillaged
the treasury。 Their return was not； however； stained by bloodshed；
although the Calvinists were reviled in the open street。 A few stabs
from a dagger or shots from an arquebus might； however； have been
better； such wounds heal while mocking words rankle in the memory。
On the morrow of Michaelmas Daythat is； on the 31st September
1567a number of conspirators might have been seen issuing from a
house and spreading themselves through the streets； crying 〃To arms！
Down with the Papists！〃 Captain Bouillargues was taking his revenge。
As the Catholics were attacked unawares； they did not make even a
show of resistance： a number of Protestantsthose who possessed the
best armsrushed to the house of Guy…Rochette； the first consul； and
seized the keys of the city。 Guy Rochette； startled by the cries of
the crowds； had looked out of the window； and seeing a furious mob
approaching his house； and feeling that their rage was directed
against himself； had taken refuge with his brother Gregoire。 There；
recovering his courage and presence of mind； he recalled the
important responsibilities attached to his office； and resolving to
fulfil them whatever might happen； hastened to consult with the other
magistrates； but as they all gave him very excellent reasons for not
meddling； he soon felt there was no dependence to be placed on such
cowards and traitors。 He next repaired to the episcopal palace；
where he found the bishop surrounded by the principal Catholics of
the town； all on their knees offering up earnest prayers to Heaven；
and awaiting martyrdom。 Guy…Rochette joined them； and the prayers
were continued。
A few instants later fresh noises w