mainly: whereby the Noblesse
and Clergy had but to avoid quarrel between themselves, and decide
unobstructed what they thought best. Such was the clearly declared
opinion of the Paris Parlement. But, being met by a storm of mere
hooting and howling from all men, such opinion was blown straightway to
the winds; and the popularity of the Parlement along with it,--never
to return. The Parlements part, we said above, was as good as played.
Concerning which, however, there is this further to be noted: the
proximity of dates. It was on the 22nd of September that the Parlement
returned from 'vacation' or 'exile in its estates;' to be reinstalled
amid boundless jubilee from all Paris. Precisely next day it was, that
this same Parlement came to its 'clearly declared opinion:' and then on
the morrow after that, you behold it covered with outrages;' its outer
court, one vast sibilation, and the glory departed from it for evermore.
(Weber, i. 347.) A popularity of twenty-four hours was, in those times,
no uncommon allowance.

On the other hand, how superfluous was that invitation of Lomenie's:
the invitation to thinkers! Thinkers and unthinkers, by the million,
are spontaneously at their post, doing what is in them. Clubs labour:
Societe Publicole; Breton Club; Enraged Club, Club des Enrages. Likewise
Dinner-parties in the Palais Royal; your Mirabeaus, Talleyrands dining
there, in company with Chamforts, Morellets, with Duponts and
hot Parlementeers, not without object! For a certain Neckerean
Lion's-provider, whom one could name, assembles them there; (Ibid. i.
360.)--or even their own private determination to have dinner does it.
And then as to Pamphlets--in figurative language; 'it is a sheer snowing
of pamphlets; like to snow up the Government thoroughfares!' Now is the
time for Friends of Freedom; sane, and even insane.

Count, or self-styled Count, d'Aintrigues, 'the young Languedocian
gentleman,' with perhaps Chamfort the Cynic to help him, rises into
furor almost Pythic; highest, where many are high. (Memoire sur les
Etats-Generaux. See Montgaillard, i. 457-9.) Foolish young Languedocian
gentleman; who himself so soon, 'emigrating among the foremost,'
must fly indignant over the marches, with the Contrat Social in his
pocket,--towards outer darkness, thankless intriguings, ignis-fatuus
hoverings, and death by the stiletto! Abbe Sieyes has left Chartres
Cathedral, and canonry and book-shelves there; has let his tonsure gro