ees the Municipal affairs of
Lyons, affairs all sunk in debt;--communing, the while, as was most
natural, with the best Patriots to be found here, with our Brissots,
Petions, Buzots, Robespierres; who were wont to come to us, says the
fair Hostess, four evenings in the week. They, running about, busier
than ever this day, would fain have comforted the seagreen man: spake of
Achille du Chatelet's Placard; of a Journal to be called The Republican;
of preparing men's minds for a Republic. "A Republic?" said the
Seagreen, with one of his dry husky unsportful laughs, "What is that?"
(Madame Roland, ii. 70.) O seagreen Incorruptible, thou shalt see!

Chapter 2.4.V.

The New Berline.

But scouts all this while and aide-de-camps, have flown forth faster
than the leathern Diligences. Young Romoeuf, as we said, was off early
towards Valenciennes: distracted Villagers seize him, as a traitor with
a finger of his own in the plot; drag him back to the Townhall; to the
National Assembly, which speedily grants a new passport. Nay now, that
same scarecrow of an Herb-merchant with his ass has bethought him of the
grand new Berline seen in the Wood of Bondy; and delivered evidence of
it: (Moniteur, &c. in Hist. Parl. x. 244-313.) Romoeuf, furnished with
new passport, is sent forth with double speed on a hopefuller track; by
Bondy, Claye, and Chalons, towards Metz, to track the new Berline; and
gallops a franc etrier.

Miserable new Berline! Why could not Royalty go in some old Berline
similar to that of other men? Flying for life, one does not stickle
about his vehicle. Monsieur, in a commonplace travelling-carriage is off
Northwards; Madame, his Princess, in another, with variation of
route: they cross one another while changing horses, without look of
recognition; and reach Flanders, no man questioning them. Precisely in
the same manner, beautiful Princess de Lamballe set off, about the same
hour; and will reach England safe:--would she had continued there! The
beautiful, the good, but the unfortunate; reserved for a frightful end!

All runs along, unmolested, speedy, except only the new Berline. Huge
leathern vehicle;--huge Argosy, let us say, or Acapulco-ship; with its
heavy stern-boat of Chaise-and-pair; with its three yellow Pilot-boats
of mounted Bodyguard Couriers, rocking aimless round it and ahead of it,
to bewilder, not to guide! It lumbers along, lurchingly with stress, at
a snail's pace; noted of all the world. The