the epidemic soon claimed two well-known victims. prime minister casimir perier fell sick and died on 16 may, and the hero of the napoleonic wars and reformer jean maximilien lamarque died on 1 june. the conservative perier was given a grand state funeral. the funeral of the popular lamarque—described by hugo as "loved by the people because he accepted the chances the future offered, loved by the mob because he served the emperor well"—was an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the opposition.