te, lying
abandoned in the street; they hold it provisionally only, for they knew
beforehand, or soon discover, that they are not qualified for the
post, it being one of those which, to be properly filled, needs some
preparation and fitness for it. A man does not become legislator or
administrator in one day, any more than he suddenly becomes a physician
or surgeon. If an accident obliges me to act in the latter capacity, I
yield, but against my will, and I do no more than is necessary to save
my patients from hurting themselves, My fear of their dying under the
operation is very great, and, as soon as some other person can be found
to take my place, I go home.[1206]--I should be glad, like everybody
else, to have my vote in the selection of this person, and, among the
candidates. I should designate, to the best of my ability, one who
seemed to me the ablest and most conscientious. Once selected, however,
and installed, I should not attempt to dictate to him; his cabinet is
private, and I have no right to run there constantly and cross-question
him, as if he were a child or under suspicion. It does not become me to
tell him what to do; he probably knows more about the case than I do;
in any event, to keep a steady hand, he must not be threatened, and, to
keep a clear head, he must not be disturbed. Nor must I be disturbed;
my office and books, my shop, my customers must be attended to as well.
Everybody has to mind his own business, and whoever would attend to his
own and another's too, spoils both.--This way of thinking prevails with
most healthy minds towards the beginning of the year 1790, all whose
heads are not turned by insane ambition and the mania for theorizing,
especially after six months of practical experience and knowing the
dangers, miscalculation, and vexations to which one is exposed in trying
to lead an eager, over-excited population.--Just at this time, December
1789, municipal law becomes established throughout the country; all the
mayors and municipal officers are elected almost immediately, and in the
following months, all administrators of districts and departments. The
interregnum has a length come to an end. Legal authorities now exist,
with legitimate and clearly-determined functions. Reasonable, honest
people gladly turn power over to those to whom it belongs, and certainly
do not dream of resuming it. All associations for temporary purposes are
at once disbanded for lack of an object, and if oth