e shall be
bygone; the New Era shall begin! To and fro, amid those lamp-galaxies
of the Elysian Fields, the Royal Carriage slowly wends and rolls; every
where with vivats, from a multitude striving to be glad. Louis
looks out, mainly on the variegated lamps and gay human groups, with
satisfaction enough for the hour. In her Majesty's face, 'under
that kind graceful smile a deep sadness is legible.' (De Stael,
Considerations, i. c. 23.) Brilliancies, of valour and of wit, stroll
here observant: a Dame de Stael, leaning most probably on the arm of
her Narbonne. She meets Deputies; who have built this Constitution; who
saunter here with vague communings,--not without thoughts whether it
will stand. But as yet melodious fiddlestrings twang and warble every
where, with the rhythm of light fantastic feet; long lamp-galaxies
fling their coloured radiance; and brass-lunged Hawkers elbow and bawl,
"Grande Acceptation, Constitution Monarchique:" it behoves the Son of
Adam to hope. Have not Lafayette, Barnave, and all Constitutionalists
set their shoulders handsomely to the inverted pyramid of a throne?
Feuillans, including almost the whole Constitutional Respectability
of France, perorate nightly from their tribune; correspond through all
Post-offices; denouncing unquiet Jacobinism; trusting well that its time
is nigh done. Much is uncertain, questionable: but if the Hereditary
Representative be wise and lucky, may one not, with a sanguine Gaelic
temper, hope that he will get in motion better or worse; that what is
wanting to him will gradually be gained and added?

For the rest, as we must repeat, in this building of the Constitutional
Fabric, especially in this Revision of it, nothing that one could
think of to give it new strength, especially to steady it, to give it
permanence, and even eternity, has been forgotten. Biennial Parliament,
to be called Legislative, Assemblee Legislative; with Seven Hundred
and Forty-five Members, chosen in a judicious manner by the 'active
citizens' alone, and even by electing of electors still more active:
this, with privileges of Parliament shall meet, self-authorized if need
be, and self-dissolved; shall grant money-supplies and talk; watch over
the administration and authorities; discharge for ever the functions
of a Constitutional Great Council, Collective Wisdom, and National
Palaver,--as the Heavens will enable. Our First biennial Parliament,
which indeed has been a-choosing since early i