people, in a time of Revolution.  These Brigands (as Turgot’s also were, fourteen years ago) have all been set on; enlisted, though without tuck of drum,—­by Aristocrats, by Democrats, by D’Orleans, D’Artois, and enemies of the public weal.  Nay Historians, to this day, will prove it by one argument:  these Brigands pretending to have no victual, nevertheless contrive to drink, nay, have been seen drunk. (Lacretelle, 18me Siecle, ii. 155.) An unexampled fact!  But on the whole, may we not predict that a people, with such a width of Credulity and of Incredulity (the proper union of which makes Suspicion, and indeed unreason generally), will see Shapes enough of Immortals fighting in its battle-ranks, and never want for Epical Machinery?

Be this as it may, the Brigands are clearly got to Paris, in considerable multitudes:  (Besenval, iii. 385, &c.) with sallow faces, lank hair (the true enthusiast complexion), with sooty rags; and also with large clubs, which they smite angrily against the pavement!  These mingle in the Election tumult; would fain sign Guillotin’s Cahier, or any Cahier or Petition whatsoever, could they but write.  Their enthusiast complexion, the smiting of their sticks bodes little good to any one; least of all to rich master-manufacturers of the Suburb Saint-Antoine, with whose workmen they consort.

Chapter 1.4.III.

Grown Electric.

But now also National Deputies from all ends of France are in Paris, with their commissions, what they call pouvoirs, or powers, in their pockets; inquiring, consulting; looking out for lodgings at Versailles.  The States-General shall open there, if not on the First, then surely on the Fourth of May, in grand procession and gala.  The Salle des Menus is all new-carpentered, bedizened for them; their very costume has been fixed; a grand controversy which there was, as to ’slouch-hats or slouched-hats,’ for the Commons Deputies, has got as good as adjusted.  Ever new strangers arrive; loungers, miscellaneous persons, officers on furlough,—­as the worthy Captain Dampmartin, whom we hope to be acquainted with:  these also, from all regions, have repaired hither, to see what is toward.  Our Paris Committees, of the Sixty Districts, are busier than ever; it is now too clear, the Paris Elections will be late.

On Monday, the 27th of April, Astronomer Bailly notices that the Sieur Reveillon is not at his post.  The Sieur Reveillon, ’extensive Paper Manufacturer of the Rue St. Antoine;’ he, commonly so punctual, is absent from the Electoral Committee;—­and even will never reappear there.  In those ‘immense Magazines of velvet paper’ has aught befallen?  Alas, yes!  Alas, it is no Montgolfier rising there to-day; but Drudgery, Rascality and the Suburb that is rising!  Was the Sieur Reveillon, himself once a journeyman, heard to say that ’a journeyman might live handsomely on fifteen sous a-day?’ Some sevenpence halfpenny:  ’tis a slender sum!  Or was he only thought, and believed, to be heard saying it?  By this long chafing and friction it would appear the National temper has got electric.