I have been here but a few days, and intend returning to-morrow.   I left
Mrs. D____ very little better, and the disaffection of Dumouriez, which I
just now learn, may oblige us to remove to some place not on the route to
Paris.—­Every one looks alert and important, and a physiognomist may
perceive that regret is not the prevailing sentiment—­

               “We now begin to speak in tropes,
               “And, by our fears, express our hopes.”

The Jacobins are said to be apprehensive, which augurs well; for, certainly, next to the happiness of good people, one desires the punishment of the bad.

Amiens, April 7, 1793.

If the sentiments of the people towards their present government had been problematical before, the visible effect of Dumouriez’ conduct would afford an ample solution of the problem.  That indifference about public affairs which the prospect of an established despotism had begun to create has vanished—­all is hope and expectation—­the doors of those who retail the newspapers are assailed by people too impatient to read them—­ each with his gazette in his hand listens eagerly to the verbal circulation, and then holds a secret conference with his neighbour, and calculates how long it may be before Dumouriez can reach Paris.  A fortnight ago the name of Dumouriez was not uttered but in a tone of harshness and contempt, and, if ever it excited any thing like complacency, it was when he announced defeats and losses.  Now he is spoken of with a significant modulation of voice, it is discovered that he has great talents, and his popularity with the army is descanted upon with a mysterious air of suppressed satisfaction.—­Those who were extremely apprehensive lest part of the General’s troops should be driven this way by the successes of the enemy, seem to talk with perfect composure of their taking the same route to attack the capital; while others, who would have been unwilling to receive either Dumouriez or his army as peaceful fugitives, will be “nothing loath” to admit them as conquerors.  From all I can learn, these dispositions are very general, and, indeed, the actual tyranny is so great, and the perspective so alarming, that any means of deliverance must be acceptable.  But whatever may be the event, though I cannot be personally interested, if I thought Dumouriez really proposed to establish a good government, humanity would render one anxious for his success; for it is not to be disguised, that France is at this moment (as the General himself expressed it) under the joint dominion of "imbecilles" and "brigands." [Ideots and robbers.]

It is possible, that at this moment the whole army is disaffected, and that the fortified towns are prepared to surrender.  It is also certain, that Brittany is in revolt, and that many other departments are little short of it; yet you will not very easily conceive what may have occupied the Convention during part of this important crisis—­nothing less than inventing a dress for their Commissioners!  But, as Sterne says, “it is the spirit of the nation;” and I recollect no circumstance during the whole progress of the revolution (however serious) that has not been mixed with frivolities of this kind.