In 1816, Joseph obtained his mother’s permission to convert the garret which adjoined his attic¹ room into an atelier, and Madame Descoings gave him a little money for the indispensable requirements of the painter’s trade; — in the minds of the two widows, the art of painting was nothing but a trade. With the feeling and ardor² of his vocation³, the lad himself arranged his humble⁴ atelier. Madame Descoings persuaded the owner of the house to put a skylight in the roof. The garret was turned into a vast hall painted in chocolate-color by Joseph himself. On the walls he hung a few sketches⁶. Agathe contributed, not without reluctance⁷, an iron stove; so that her son might be able to work at home, without, however, abandoning the studio of Gros, nor that of Schinner.

The constitutional party, supported chiefly by officers on half-pay and the Bonapartists, were at this time inciting⁸ “emeutes” around the Chamber⁹ of Deputies, on behalf of the Charter, though no one actually wanted it. Several conspiracies¹⁰ were brewing¹¹. Philippe, who dabbled¹² in them, was arrested, and then released for want of proof; but the minister of war cut short his half-pay by putting him on the active list — a step which might be called a form of discipline. France was no longer safe; Philippe was liable to fall into some trap laid for him by spies —

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