then--ride on, about their further business, be what it might! Whereupon
the whole population of such Town, defensively flies to arms. Petition
is soon thereafter forwarded to National Assembly; in such peril and
terror of peril, leave to organise yourself cannot be withheld: the
armed population becomes everywhere an enrolled National Guard. Thus
rides Rumour, careering along all radii, from Paris outwards, to such
purpose: in few days, some say in not many hours, all France to
the utmost borders bristles with bayonets. Singular, but
undeniable,--miraculous or not!--But thus may any chemical liquid;
though cooled to the freezing-point, or far lower, still continue
liquid; and then, on the slightest stroke or shake, it at once rushes
wholly into ice. Thus has France, for long months and even years, been
chemically dealt with; brought below zero; and now, shaken by the Fall
of a Bastille, it instantaneously congeals: into one crystallised mass,
of sharp-cutting steel! Guai a chi la tocca; 'Ware who touches it!

In Paris, an Electoral Committee, with a new Mayor and General, is
urgent with belligerent workmen to resume their handicrafts. Strong
Dames of the Market (Dames de la Halle) deliver congratulatory
harangues; present 'bouquets to the Shrine of Sainte Genevieve.'
Unenrolled men deposit their arms,--not so readily as could be wished;
and receive 'nine francs.' With Te Deums, Royal Visits, and sanctioned
Revolution, there is halcyon weather; weather even of preternatural
brightness; the hurricane being overblown.

Nevertheless, as is natural, the waves still run high, hollow rocks
retaining their murmur. We are but at the 22nd of the month, hardly
above a week since the Bastille fell, when it suddenly appears that old
Foulon is alive; nay, that he is here, in early morning, in the streets
of Paris; the extortioner, the plotter, who would make the people eat