returned from that English 'mission' of his: surely no pleasant mission:
for the English would not speak to him; and Saint Hannah More of
England, so unlike Saint Sillery-Genlis of France, saw him shunned,
in Vauxhall Gardens, like one pest-struck, (Hannah More's Life and
Correspondence, ii. c. 5.) and his red-blue impassive visage waxing
hardly a shade bluer.

Chapter 2.1.IV.

Journalism.

As for Constitutionalism, with its National Guards, it is doing what
it can; and has enough to do: it must, as ever, with one hand wave
persuasively, repressing Patriotism; and keep the other clenched to
menace Royalty plotters. A most delicate task; requiring tact.

Thus, if People's-friend Marat has to-day his writ of 'prise de corps,
or seizure of body,' served on him, and dives out of sight, tomorrow
he is left at large; or is even encouraged, as a sort of bandog whose
baying may be useful. President Danton, in open Hall, with reverberating
voice, declares that, in a case like Marat's, "force may be resisted by
force." Whereupon the Chatelet serves Danton also with a writ;--which,
however, as the whole Cordeliers District responds to it, what Constable
will be prompt to execute? Twice more, on new occasions, does the
Chatelet launch its writ; and twice more in vain: the body of Danton
cannot be seized by Chatelet; he unseized, should he even fly for a
season, shall behold the Chatelet itself flung into limbo.

Municipality and Brissot, meanwhile, are far on with their Municipal
Constitution. The Sixty Districts shall become Forty-eight Sections;
much shall be adjusted, and Paris have its Constitution. A Constitution
wholly Elective; as indeed all French Government shall and must be. And
yet, one fatal element has been introduced: that of citoyen actif. No
man who does not pay the marc d'argent, or yearly tax equal to three
days' labour, shall be other than a passive citizen: not the slightest
vote for him; were he acting, all the year round, with sledge hammer,
with forest-levelling axe! Unheard of! cry Patriot Journals. Yes truly,
my Patriot Friends, if Liberty, the passion and prayer of all men's
souls, means Liberty to send your fifty-thousandth part of a new
Tongue-fencer into National Debating-club, then, be the gods witness, ye
are hardly entreated. Oh, if in National Palaver (as the Africans name
it), such blessedness is verily found, what tyrant would deny it to Son
of Adam! Nay, might there not be a Female Parl