the left, and also much cattle. Shall the very milk-cows, hard-living
cadgers'-asses, and poor little canary-birds die?

Nor is Royal and Imperial Prussian-Austrian Declaration wanting: setting
forth, in the amplest manner, their Sanssouci-Schonbrunn version of this
whole French Revolution, since the first beginning of it; and with
what grief these high heads have seen such things done under the Sun:
however, 'as some small consolation to mankind,' (Annual Register
(1792), p. 236.) they do now despatch Brunswick; regardless of expense,
as one might say, of sacrifices on their own part; for is it not the
first duty to console men?

Serene Highnesses, who sit there protocolling and manifestoing, and
consoling mankind! how were it if, for once in the thousand years, your
parchments, formularies, and reasons of state were blown to the four
winds; and Reality Sans-indispensables stared you, even you, in the
face; and Mankind said for itself what the thing was that would console
it?--

Chapter 2.6.IV.

Subterranean.

But judge if there was comfort in this to the Sections all sitting
permanent; deliberating how a National Executive could be put in action!

High rises the response, not of cackling terror, but of crowing
counter-defiance, and Vive la Nation; young Valour streaming towards the
Frontiers; Patrie en Danger mutely beckoning on the Pont Neuf. Sections
are busy, in their permanent Deep; and down, lower still, works
unlimited Patriotism, seeking salvation in plot. Insurrection, you would
say, becomes once more the sacredest of duties? Committee, self-chosen,
is sitting at the Sign of the Golden Sun: Journalist Carra, Camille
Desmoulins, Alsatian Westermann friend of Danton, American Fournier
of Martinique;--a Committee not unknown to Mayor Petion, who, as an
official person, must sleep with one eye open. Not unknown to Procureur
Manuel; least of all to Procureur-Substitute Danton! He, wrapped in
darkness, being also official, bears it on his giant shoulder; cloudy
invisible Atlas of the whole.

Much is invisible; the very Jacobins have their reticences. Insurrection
is to be: but when? This only we can discern, that such Federes as are
not yet gone to Soissons, as indeed are not inclined to go yet, "for
reasons," says the Jacobin President, "which it may be interesting not
to state," have got a Central Committee sitting close by, under the roof
of the Mother Society herself. Also, what in such ferment and d