only by the
parties to a suit, the appeal of one citizen is sufficient for me and
I leave the bench." The other judges, who are likewise insulted and
menaced, yield also, and, through a sophism which admirably illustrates
the times, they discover in the oppression to which the plaintiff is
subject a legal device by which they can give a fair color to their
denial of justice. M. Etienne having signified to them that neither
he nor his counsel could attend in court, because their lives were in
danger, the court decides that M. Etienne, "failing to appear in person,
or by counsel, is non-suited."--Victorious shouts at once proceed from
the two journalists, while their articles on the case disseminated
throughout France set a precedence contained in the ruling. Any Jacobin
may after this with impunity denounce, insult, and calumniate whomsoever
he pleases, sheltered as he is from the action of courts, and held
superior to the law.

Let us see, on the other hand, what liberty they allow their
adversaries. A fortnight before this, Mallet du Pan, a writer of great
ability, who, in the best periodical of the day, discusses questions
week after week free of all personalities, the most independent,
straight-forward, and honorable of men, the most eloquent and judicious
advocate of public order and true liberty, is waited upon by a
deputation from the Palais-Royal,[1226] consisting of about a dozen
well-dressed individuals, civil enough and not too ill-disposed, but
quite satisfied that they have a right to interfere. The conversation
which ensues shows to what extent the current political creed had turned
peoples' heads.

"One of the party, addressing me, informed me that he and his associates
were deputies of the Palais-Royal clubs, and that they had called
to notify me that I would do well to change my principles and stop
attacking the constitution, otherwise extreme violence would be brought
to bear on me. I replied that I recognized no authority but the law and
that of the courts; the law is your master and mine, and no respect is
shown to the constitution by assailing the freedom of the press."

"The constitution is the common will, resumed the spokesman. The law, is
the authority of the strongest. You are subject to the strongest and you
ought to submit. We notify you of the will of the nation and that is the
law.'"

Mallet du Pan stated to them that he was not in favor of the ancient
regime, but that he did approve o