hapter 1.3.III.

The Notables.

Here, then is verily a sign and wonder; visible to the whole world;
bodeful of much. The Oeil-de-Boeuf dolorously grumbles; were we not
well as we stood,--quenching conflagrations by oil? Constitutional
Philosophedom starts with joyful surprise; stares eagerly what the
result will be. The public creditor, the public debtor, the whole
thinking and thoughtless public have their several surprises, joyful
and sorrowful. Count Mirabeau, who has got his matrimonial and other
Lawsuits huddled up, better or worse; and works now in the dimmest
element at Berlin; compiling Prussian Monarchies, Pamphlets On
Cagliostro; writing, with pay, but not with honourable recognition,
innumerable Despatches for his Government,--scents or descries richer
quarry from afar. He, like an eagle or vulture, or mixture of both,
preens his wings for flight homewards. (Fils Adoptif, Memoires de
Mirabeau, t. iv. livv. 4 et 5.)

M. de Calonne has stretched out an Aaron's Rod over France; miraculous;
and is summoning quite unexpected things. Audacity and hope alternate in
him with misgivings; though the sanguine-valiant side carries it. Anon
he writes to an intimate friend, "Here me fais pitie a moi-meme (I am
an object of pity to myself);" anon, invites some dedicating Poet or
Poetaster to sing 'this Assembly of the Notables and the Revolution
that is preparing.' (Biographie Universelle, para Calonne (by Guizot).)
Preparing indeed; and a matter to be sung,--only not till we have seen
it, and what the issue of it is. In deep obscure unrest, all things
have so long gone rocking and swaying: will M. de Calonne, with this
his alchemy of the Notables, fasten all together again, and get new
revenues? Or wrench all asunder; so that it go no longer rocking and
swaying, but clashing and colliding?

Be this as it may, in the bleak short days, we behold men of weight and
influence threading the great vortex of French Locomotion, each on
his several line, from all sides of France towards the Chateau of
Versailles: summoned thither de par le roi. There, on the 22d day of
February 1787, they have met, and got installed: Notables to the
number of a Hundred and Thirty-seven, as we count them name by name:
(Lacretelle, iii. 286. Montgaillard, i. 347.) add Seven Princes of the
Blood, it makes the round Gross of Notables. Men of the sword, men of
the robe; Peers, dignified Clergy, Parlementary Presidents: divided into
Seven Boards (Bur