debate,' and so
much else: may it at length prove lucky! Rousseau's statue is decreed:
virtuous Jean-Jacques, Evangelist of the Contrat Social. Not Drouet of
Varennes; nor worthy Lataille, master of the old world-famous Tennis
Court in Versailles, is forgotten; but each has his honourable mention,
and due reward in money. (Moniteur in Hist. Parl. xi. 473.) Whereupon,
things being all so neatly winded up, and the Deputations, and Messages,
and royal and other Ceremonials having rustled by; and the King having
now affectionately perorated about peace and tranquilisation,
and members having answered "Oui! oui!" with effusion, even with
tears,--President Thouret, he of the Law Reforms, rises, and, with
a strong voice, utters these memorable last-words: "The National
Constituent Assembly declares that it has finished its mission; and that
its sittings are all ended." Incorruptible Robespierre, virtuous Petion
are borne home on the shoulders of the people; with vivats heaven-high.
The rest glide quietly to their respective places of abode. It is
the last afternoon of September, 1791; on the morrow morning the new
Legislative will begin.

So, amid glitter of illuminated streets and Champs Elysees, and crackle
of fireworks and glad deray, has the first National Assembly vanished;
dissolving, as they well say, into blank Time; and is no more. National
Assembly is gone, its work remaining; as all Bodies of men go, and as
man himself goes: it had its beginning, and must likewise have its end.
A Phantasm-Reality born of Time, as the rest of us are; flitting ever
backwards now on the tide of Time: to be long remembered of men. Very
strange Assemblages, Sanhedrims, Amphictyonics, Trades Unions, Ecumenic
Councils, Parliaments and Congresses, have met together on this
Planet, and dispersed again; but a stranger Assemblage than this august
Constituent, or with a stranger mission, perhaps never met there. Seen
from the distance, this also will be a miracle. Twelve Hundred human
individuals, with the Gospel of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in their pocket,
congregating in the name of Twenty-five Millions, with full assurance of
faith, to 'make the Constitution:' such sight, the acme and main product
of the Eighteenth Century, our World can witness once only. For Time is
rich in wonders, in monstrosities most rich; and is observed never to
repeat himself, or any of his Gospels:--surely least of all, this Gospel
according to Jean-Jacques. Once it w