scellany, now all grown eleutheromaniac, of Loungers, Prowlers, social
Nondescripts (and the distilled Rascality of our Planet), as whirls
forever in the Palais Royal;--or what low infinite groan, first
changing into a growl, comes from Saint-Antoine, and the Twenty-five
Millions in danger of starvation!

There is the indisputablest scarcity of corn;--be it Aristocrat-plot,
D'Orleans-plot, of this year; or drought and hail of last year: in city
and province, the poor man looks desolately towards a nameless lot. And
this States-General, that could make us an age of gold, is forced
to stand motionless; cannot get its powers verified! All industry
necessarily languishes, if it be not that of making motions.

In the Palais Royal there has been erected, apparently by subscription,
a kind of Wooden Tent (en planches de bois); (Histoire Parlementaire,
i. 429.)--most convenient; where select Patriotism can now redact
resolutions, deliver harangues, with comfort, let the weather but as it
will. Lively is that Satan-at-Home! On his table, on his chair, in
every cafe, stands a patriotic orator; a crowd round him within; a crowd
listening from without, open-mouthed, through open door and window;
with 'thunders of applause for every sentiment of more than common
hardiness.' In Monsieur Dessein's Pamphlet-shop, close by, you cannot
without strong elbowing get to the counter: every hour produces its
pamphlet, or litter of pamphlets; 'there were thirteen to-day, sixteen
yesterday, nine-two last week.' (Arthur Young, Travels, i. 104.) Think
of Tyranny and Scarcity; Fervid-eloquence, Rumour, Pamphleteering;
Societe Publicole, Breton Club, Enraged Club;--and whether every
tap-room, coffee-room, social reunion, accidental street-group, over
wide France, was not an Enraged Club!

To all which the Commons Deputies can only listen with a sublime inertia
of sorrow; reduced to busy themselves 'with their internal police.'
Surer position no Deputies ever occupied; if they keep it with skill.
Let not the temperature rise too high; break not the Eros-egg till it be
hatched, till it break itself! An eager public crowds all Galleries and
vacancies! 'cannot be restrained from applauding.' The two Privileged
Orders, the Noblesse all verified and constituted, may look on with what
face they will; not without a secret tremor of heart. The Clergy, always
acting the part of conciliators, make a clutch at the Galleries, and the
popularity there; and miss