rrow, in a Convention of
rallied Girondins, is reinstated. Dim Chaos, or the sea of troubles, is
struggling through all its elements; writhing and chafing towards some
creation.

Chapter 3.3.IX.

Extinct.

Accordingly, on Friday, the Thirty-first of May 1793, there comes forth
into the summer sunlight one of the strangest scenes. Mayor Pache with
Municipality arrives at the Tuileries Hall of Convention; sent for,
Paris being in visible ferment; and gives the strangest news.

How, in the grey of this morning, while we sat Permanent in Townhall,
watchful for the commonweal, there entered, precisely as on a Tenth of
August, some Ninety-six extraneous persons; who declared themselves to
be in a state of Insurrection; to be plenipotentiary Commissioners from
the Forty-eight Sections, sections or members of the Sovereign People,
all in a state of Insurrection; and further that we, in the name of said
Sovereign in Insurrection, were dismissed from office. How we thereupon
laid off our sashes, and withdrew into the adjacent Saloon of Liberty.
How in a moment or two, we were called back; and reinstated; the
Sovereign pleasing to think us still worthy of confidence. Whereby,
having taken new oath of office, we on a sudden find ourselves
Insurrectionary Magistrates, with extraneous Committee of Ninety-six
sitting by us; and a Citoyen Henriot, one whom some accuse of
Septemberism, is made Generalissimo of the National Guard; and, since
six o'clock, the tocsins ring and the drums beat:--Under which peculiar
circumstances, what would an august National Convention please to direct
us to do? (Compare Debats de la Convention (Paris, 1828), iv. 187-223;
Moniteur, Nos. 152, 3, 4, An 1er.)

Yes, there is the question! "Break the Insurrectionary Authorities,"
answers some with vehemence. Vergniaud at least will have "the National
Representatives all die at their post;" this is sworn to, with ready
loud acclaim. But as to breaking the Insurrectionary Authorities,--alas,
while we yet debate, what sound is that? Sound of the Alarm-Cannon on
the Pont Neuf; which it is death by the Law to fire without order from
us!

It does boom off there, nevertheless; sending a sound through all
hearts. And the tocsins discourse stern music; and Henriot with his
Armed Force has enveloped us! And Section succeeds Section, the livelong
day; demanding with Cambyses'-oratory, with the rattle of muskets, That
traitors, Twenty-two or more, be punished