The procession had reached Louvre Square when thousands had already gathered, singing "The Lantern Happiness Song" at the top of their lungs.
Joseph made his way through a side entrance to the second floor of the Louvre and saw a circle left open in the crowd that surrounded the square's center, with hundreds of straw effigies piled haphazardly within.
The features of the effigies were indistinct, but names like "Ford," "Borelay," and "De Contre" could be heard shouted out among the crowd, identifying the Tax Farmers.
Then, an old woman stepped forward and lit the effigies on fire. A thunderous cheer erupted from the square, "Let these bastards burn!"
"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the King!"
"Thanks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, thanks to the Internal Revenue Service, for sending the devils to hell!"
"Burn the Tax Farmers, burn them!"
Flames roared into life, and people once again gathered around the blaze to sing, while others began to cry tears of sorrow.