naturae.
Subordinate rural Tribunals send messengers of congratulation, of
adherence. Their Fountain of Justice is becoming a Fountain of Revolt.
The Provincial Parlements look on, with intent eye, with breathless
wishes, while their elder sister of Paris does battle: the whole Twelve
are of one blood and temper; the victory of one is that of all.

Ever worse it grows: on the 10th of August, there is 'Plainte' emitted
touching the 'prodigalities of Calonne,' and permission to 'proceed'
against him. No registering, but instead of it, denouncing:
of dilapidation, peculation; and ever the burden of the song,
States-General! Have the royal armories no thunderbolt, that thou
couldst, O Lomenie, with red right-hand, launch it among these
Demosthenic theatrical thunder-barrels, mere resin and noise for most
part;--and shatter, and smite them silent? On the night of the 14th of
August, Lomenie launches his thunderbolt, or handful of them. Letters
named of the Seal (de Cachet), as many as needful, some sixscore and
odd, are delivered overnight. And so, next day betimes, the whole
Parlement, once more set on wheels, is rolling incessantly towards
Troyes in Champagne; 'escorted,' says History, 'with the blessings of
all people;' the very innkeepers and postillions looking gratuitously
reverent. (A. Lameth, Histoire de l'Assemblee Constituante (Int. 73).)
This is the 15th of August 1787.

What will not people bless; in their extreme need? Seldom had the
Parlement of Paris deserved much blessing, or received much. An isolated
Body-corporate, which, out of old confusions (while the Sceptre of the
Sword was confusedly struggling to become a Sceptre of the Pen), had got
itself together, better and worse, as Bodies-corporate do, to satisfy
some dim desire of the world, and many clear desires of individuals; and
so had grown, in the course of centuries, on concession, on acquirement
and usurpation, to be what we see it: a prosperous social Anomaly,
deciding Lawsuits, sanctioning or rejecting Laws; and withal disposing
of its places and offices by sale for ready money,--which method
sleek President Henault, after meditation, will demonstrate to be the
indifferent-best. (Abrege Chronologique, p. 975.)

In such a Body, existing by purchase for ready-money, there could not
be excess of public spirit; there might well be excess of eagerness to
divide the public spoil. Men in helmets have divided that, with swords;
men in wigs, with quill a