isk young Marquis Chauvelin acting
as Ambassador's-Cloak. In London too, one finds Petion the virtuous;
harangued and haranguing, pledging the wine-cup with Constitutional
Reform Clubs, in solemn tavern-dinner. Incorruptible Robespierre retires
for a little to native Arras: seven short weeks of quiet; the last
appointed him in this world. Public Accuser in the Paris Department,
acknowledged highpriest of the Jacobins; the glass of incorruptible thin
Patriotism, for his narrow emphasis is loved of all the narrow,--this
man seems to be rising, somewhither? He sells his small heritage at
Arras; accompanied by a Brother and a Sister, he returns, scheming out
with resolute timidity a small sure destiny for himself and them, to
his old lodging, at the Cabinet-maker's, in the Rue St. Honore:--O
resolute-tremulous incorruptible seagreen man, towards what a destiny!

Lafayette, for his part, will lay down the command. He retires
Cincinnatus-like to his hearth and farm; but soon leaves them again. Our
National Guard, however, shall henceforth have no one Commandant; but
all Colonels shall command in succession, month about. Other Deputies we
have met, or Dame de Stael has met, 'sauntering in a thoughtful manner;'
perhaps uncertain what to do. Some, as Barnave, the Lameths, and
their Duport, will continue here in Paris: watching the new biennial
Legislative, Parliament the First; teaching it to walk, if so might be;
and the Court to lead it.

Thus these: sauntering in a thoughtful manner; travelling by post
or diligence,--whither Fate beckons. Giant Mirabeau slumbers in the
Pantheon of Great Men: and France? and Europe?--The brass-lunged Hawkers
sing "Grand Acceptation, Monarchic Constitution" through these gay
crowds: the Morrow, grandson of Yesterday, must be what it can, as
To-day its father is. Our new biennial Legislative begins to constitute
itself on the first of October, 1791.

Chapter 2.5.II.

The Book of the Law.

If the august Constituent Assembly itself, fixing the regards of
the Universe, could, at the present distance of time and place, gain
comparatively small attention from us, how much less can this poor
Legislative! It has its Right Side and its Left; the less Patriotic and
the more, for Aristocrats exist not here or now: it spouts and speaks:
listens to Reports, reads Bills and Laws; works in its vocation, for a
season: but the history of France, one finds, is seldom or never there.
Unhappy Legislative