scence, have, as we have seen, real Faith, of a sort; they are
hard bestead, though in the middle of Hope: a National Solemn League
and Covenant there may be in France too; under how different conditions;
with how different developement and issue!

Note, accordingly, the small commencement; first spark of a mighty
firework: for if the particular hat cannot be fixed upon, the particular
District can. On the 29th day of last November, were National Guards by
the thousand seen filing, from far and near, with military music,
with Municipal officers in tricolor sashes, towards and along the
Rhone-stream, to the little town of Etoile. There with ceremonial
evolution and manoeuvre, with fanfaronading, musketry-salvoes, and what
else the Patriot genius could devise, they made oath and obtestation to
stand faithfully by one another, under Law and King; in particular, to
have all manner of grains, while grains there were, freely circulated,
in spite both of robber and regrater. This was the meeting of Etoile, in
the mild end of November 1789.

But now, if a mere empty Review, followed by Review-dinner, ball, and
such gesticulation and flirtation as there may be, interests the happy
County-town, and makes it the envy of surrounding County-towns, how much
more might this! In a fortnight, larger Montelimart, half ashamed of
itself, will do as good, and better. On the Plain of Montelimart,
or what is equally sonorous, 'under the Walls of Montelimart,' the
thirteenth of December sees new gathering and obtestation; six thousand
strong; and now indeed, with these three remarkable improvements, as
unanimously resolved on there. First that the men of Montelimart
do federate with the already federated men of Etoile. Second, that,
implying not expressing the circulation of grain, they 'swear in
the face of God and their Country' with much more emphasis and
comprehensiveness, 'to obey all decrees of the National Assembly,
and see them obeyed, till death, jusqu'a la mort.' Third, and most
important, that official record of all this be solemnly delivered in
to the National Assembly, to M. de Lafayette, and 'to the Restorer of
French Liberty;' who shall all take what comfort from it they can. Thus
does larger Montelimart vindicate its Patriot importance, and maintain
its rank in the municipal scale. (Hist. Parl. vii. 4.)

And so, with the New-year, the signal is hoisted; for is not a National
Assembly, and solemn deliverance there, at lowest