imulation and casuistry, they can: of which a
poor Legislative knows not what to make. One thing only is clear, That
Cimmerian Europe is girdling us in; that France (not actually dead,
surely?) cannot march. Have a care, ye Ministers! Sharp Guadet
transfixes you with cross-questions, with sudden Advocate-conclusions;
the sleeping tempest that is in Vergniaud can be awakened. Restless
Brissot brings up Reports, Accusations, endless thin Logic; it is
the man's highday even now. Condorcet redacts, with his firm pen,
our 'Address of the Legislative Assembly to the French Nation.' (16th
February 1792 (Choix des Rapports, viii. 375-92).) Fiery Max Isnard,
who, for the rest, will "carry not Fire and Sword" on those Cimmerian
Enemies "but Liberty,"--is for declaring "that we hold Ministers
responsible; and that by responsibility we mean death, nous entendons la
mort."

For verily it grows serious: the time presses, and traitors there are.
Bertrand-Moleville has a smooth tongue, the known Aristocrat; gall
in his heart. How his answers and explanations flow ready; jesuitic,
plausible to the ear! But perhaps the notablest is this, which befel
once when Bertrand had done answering and was withdrawn. Scarcely had
the august Assembly begun considering what was to be done with him, when
the Hall fills with smoke. Thick sour smoke: no oratory, only wheezing
and barking;--irremediable; so that the august Assembly has to adjourn!
(Courrier de Paris, 14 Janvier, 1792 (Gorsas's Newspaper), in Hist.
Parl. xiii. 83.) A miracle? Typical miracle? One knows not: only this
one seems to know, that 'the Keeper of the Stoves was appointed by
Bertrand' or by some underling of his!--O fuliginous confused Kingdom
of Dis, with thy Tantalus-Ixion toils, with thy angry Fire-floods, and
Streams named of Lamentation, why hast thou not thy Lethe too, that so
one might finish?

Chapter 2.5.VIII.

The Jacobins.

Nevertheless let not Patriotism despair. Have we not, in Paris at least,
a virtuous Petion, a wholly Patriotic Municipality? Virtuous Petion,
ever since November, is Mayor of Paris: in our Municipality, the Public,
for the Public is now admitted too, may behold an energetic Danton;
further, an epigrammatic slow-sure Manuel; a resolute unrepentant
Billaud-Varennes, of Jesuit breeding; Tallien able-editor; and nothing
but Patriots, better or worse. So ran the November Elections: to the
joy of most citizens; nay the very Court supported Petion r