leader; the others will follow him like
a flock of sheep, the electors not being compelled even to know how to
read. This was the reason, in Bouvard's opinion, that there were so many
frauds at presidential elections.

"None," replied Bouvard; "I believe rather in the gullibility of the
people. Think of all who buy the patent health-restorer, the Dupuytren
pomatum, the Chatelaine's water, etc. Those boobies constitute the
majority of the electorate, and we submit to their will. Why cannot an
income of three thousand francs be made out of rabbits? Because the
overcrowding of them is a cause of death. In the same way, through the
mere fact of its being a multitude, the germs of stupidity contained in
it are developed, and thence result consequences that are incalculable."

"Your scepticism frightens me," said Pecuchet.

At a later period, in the spring, they met M. de Faverges, who apprised
them of the expedition to Rome. We should not attack the Italians, but
we should require guaranties. Otherwise our influence would be
destroyed. Nothing would be more legitimate than this intervention.

Bouvard opened his eyes wide. "On the subject of Poland, you expressed a
contrary opinion."

"It is no longer the same thing." It was now a question of the Pope.

And M. de Faverges, when he said, "We wish," "We shall do," "We
calculate clearly," represented a group.

Bouvard and Pecuchet were disgusted with the minority quite as much as
with the majority. The common people, in short, were just the same as
the aristocracy.

The right of intervention appeared dubious to them. They sought for its
principles in Calvo, Martens, Vattel; and Bouvard's conclusion was this:

"There may be intervention to restore a prince to the throne, to
emancipate a people, or, for the sake of precaution, in view of a public
danger. In other cases it is an outrage on the rights of others, an
abuse of force, a piece of hypocritical violence."

"And yet," said Pecuchet, "peoples have a solidarity as well as men."

"Perhaps so." And Bouvard sank into a reverie.

The expedition to Rome soon began.

At home, through hatred of revolutionary ideas, the leaders of the
Parisian middle class got two printing-offices sacked. The great party
of order was formed.

It had for its chiefs in the arrondissement the count, Foureau,
Marescot, and the cure. Every day, about four o'clock, they walked from
one end of the green to the other, and talked over the eve