is taken from his strong box. Moreover, if consuls and law officers
are wrongdoers, the title deeds, rent-rolls, and other documents by
which they do their business are still worse. To the fire with all
old writings -- not only office registers, but also, at Hyères, all
the papers in the town hall and those of the principal notary. --
In the matter of papers none are good but new ones -- those which
convey some discharge, quittance, or obligation to the advantage of
the people. At Brignolles the owners of the gristmills are
constrained to execute a contract of sale by which they convey their
mills to the commune in consideration of 5,000 francs per annum,
payable in ten years without interest -- an arrangement which ruins
them. On seeing the contract signed the peasants shout and cheer,
and so great is their faith in this piece of stamped paper that they
at once cause a mass of thanksgiving to be celebrated in the
Cordeliers. Formidable omens these! Which mark the inward purpose,
the determined will, and the coming deeds of this rising power. If
it prevails, its first work will be to destroy all ancient
documents, all title deeds, rent-rolls, contracts, and claims to
which force compels it to submit. By force likewise it will draw up
others to its own advantage, and the scribes who do it will be its
own deputies and administrators whom it holds in its rude grasp.

Those who are in high places are not alarmed; they even find that
there is some good in the revolt, inasmuch as it compels the towns
to suppress unjust taxation.[32] The new Marseilles guard, formed
of young men, is allowed to march to Aubagne, "to insist that M. le
lieutenant criminel and M. l'avocat du Roi release the prisoners."
The disobedience of Marseilles, which refuses to receive the
magistrates sent under letters patent to take testimony, is
tolerated. And better still, in spite of the remonstrances of the