ll be
stamped with the Head of hanged Favras. List, Dom Gerle, with that poor
addled poll of thine; list, O list;--and hear nothing. (Deux Amis, v. c.
7.)

Notable however was that 'magnetic vellum, velin magnetique,' of the
Sieurs d'Hozier and Petit-Jean, Parlementeers of Rouen. Sweet
young d'Hozier, 'bred in the faith of his Missal, and of parchment
genealogies,' and of parchment generally: adust, melancholic,
middle-aged Petit-Jean: why came these two to Saint-Cloud, where his
Majesty was hunting, on the festival of St. Peter and St. Paul; and
waited there, in antechambers, a wonder to whispering Swiss, the
livelong day; and even waited without the Grates, when turned out; and
had dismissed their valets to Paris, as with purpose of endless waiting?
They have a magnetic vellum, these two; whereon the Virgin, wonderfully
clothing herself in Mesmerean Cagliostric Occult-Philosophy,
has inspired them to jot down instructions and predictions for a
much-straitened King. To whom, by Higher Order, they will this day
present it; and save the Monarchy and World. Unaccountable pair of
visual-objects! Ye should be men, and of the Eighteenth Century; but
your magnetic vellum forbids us so to interpret. Say, are ye aught?
Thus ask the Guardhouse Captains, the Mayor of St. Cloud; nay, at great
length, thus asks the Committee of Researches, and not the Municipal,
but the National Assembly one. No distinct answer, for weeks. At last it
becomes plain that the right answer is negative. Go, ye Chimeras, with
your magnetic vellum; sweet young Chimera, adust middle-aged one! The
Prison-doors are open. Hardly again shall ye preside the Rouen Chamber
of Accounts; but vanish obscurely into Limbo. (See Deux Amis, v. 199.)

Chapter 2.1.VIII.

Solemn League and Covenant.

Such dim masses, and specks of even deepest black, work in that
white-hot glow of the French mind, now wholly in fusion, and confusion.
Old women here swearing their ten children on the new Evangel of Jean
Jacques; old women there looking up for Favras' Heads in the celestial
Luminary: these are preternatural signs, prefiguring somewhat.

In fact, to the Patriot children of Hope themselves, it is undeniable
that difficulties exist: emigrating Seigneurs; Parlements in sneaking
but most malicious mutiny (though the rope is round their neck); above
all, the most decided 'deficiency of grains.' Sorrowful: but, to a
Nation that hopes, not irremediable. To a Nation which i