at guides; and if need be, compels. Visible in France there
is not such a thing. Invisible, inorganic, on the other hand, there is:
in Philosophe saloons, in Oeil-de-Boeuf galleries; in the tongue of the
babbler, in the pen of the pamphleteer. Her Majesty appearing at the
Opera is applauded; she returns all radiant with joy. Anon the applauses
wax fainter, or threaten to cease; she is heavy of heart, the light of
her face has fled. Is Sovereignty some poor Montgolfier; which, blown
into by the popular wind, grows great and mounts; or sinks flaccid,
if the wind be withdrawn? France was long a 'Despotism tempered by
Epigrams;' and now, it would seem, the Epigrams have get the upper hand.

Happy were a young 'Louis the Desired' to make France happy; if it
did not prove too troublesome, and he only knew the way. But there
is endless discrepancy round him; so many claims and clamours; a
mere confusion of tongues. Not reconcilable by man; not manageable,
suppressible, save by some strongest and wisest men;--which only a
lightly-jesting lightly-gyrating M. de Maurepas can so much as subsist
amidst. Philosophism claims her new Era, meaning thereby innumerable
things. And claims it in no faint voice; for France at large, hitherto
mute, is now beginning to speak also; and speaks in that same sense.
A huge, many-toned sound; distant, yet not unimpressive. On the other
hand, the Oeil-de-Boeuf, which, as nearest, one can hear best, claims
with shrill vehemence that the Monarchy be as heretofore a Horn of
Plenty; wherefrom loyal courtiers may draw,--to the just support of
the throne. Let Liberalism and a New Era, if such is the wish, be
introduced; only no curtailment of the royal moneys? Which latter
condition, alas, is precisely the impossible one.

Philosophism, as we saw, has got her Turgot made Controller-General; and
there shall be endless reformation. Unhappily this Turgot could continue
only twenty months. With a miraculous Fortunatus' Purse in his Treasury,
it might have lasted longer; with such Purse indeed, every French
Controller-General, that would prosper in these days, ought first to
provide himself. But here again may we not remark the bounty of Nature
in regard to Hope? Man after man advances confident to the Augean
Stable, as if he could clean it; expends his little fraction of an
ability on it, with such cheerfulness; does, in so far as he was honest,
accomplish something. Turgot has faculties; honesty, insight,
h