The indulgent Charles II. had granted the declaration of Breda.  He had conceded to England oblivion of the period in which the son of the Huntingdon brewer placed his foot on the neck of Louis XIV.  England said its mea culpa, and breathed again.  The cup of joy was, as we have just said, full; gibbets for the regicides adding to the universal delight.  A restoration is a smile; but a few gibbets are not out of place, and satisfaction is due to the conscience of the public.  To be good subjects was thenceforth the people’s sole ambition.  The spirit of lawlessness had been expelled.  Royalty was reconstituted.  Men had recovered from the follies of politics.  They mocked at revolution, they jeered at the republic, and as to those times when such strange words as Right, Liberty, Progress, had been in the mouth—­why, they laughed at such bombast!  Admirable was the return to common sense.  England had been in a dream.  What joy to be quit of such errors!  Was ever anything so mad?  Where should we be if every one had his rights?  Fancy every one’s having a hand in the government?  Can you imagine a city ruled by its citizens?  Why, the citizens are the team, and the team cannot be driver.  To put to the vote is to throw to the winds.  Would you have states driven like clouds?  Disorder cannot build up order.  With chaos for an architect, the edifice would be a Babel.  And, besides, what tyranny is this pretended liberty!  As for me, I wish to enjoy myself; not to govern.  It is a bore to have to vote; I want to dance.  A prince is a providence, and takes care of us all.  Truly the king is generous to take so much trouble for our sakes.  Besides, he is to the manner born.  He knows what it is.  It’s his business.  Peace, War, Legislation, Finance—­what have the people to do with such things?  Of course the people have to pay; of course the people have to serve; but that should suffice them.  They have a place in policy; from them come two essential things, the army and the budget.  To be liable to contribute, and to be liable to serve; is not that enough?  What more should they want?  They are the military and the financial arm.  A magnificent role.  The king reigns for them, and they must reward him accordingly.  Taxation and the civil list are the salaries paid by the peoples and earned by the prince.  The people give their blood and their money, in return for which they are led.  To wish to lead themselves! what an absurd idea!  They require a guide; being ignorant, they are blind.  Has not the blind man his dog?  Only the people have a lion, the king, who consents to act the dog.  How kind of him!  But why are the people ignorant? because it is good for them.  Ignorance is the guardian of Virtue.  Where there is no perspective there is no ambition.  The ignorant man is in useful darkness, which, suppressing sight, suppresses covetousness:  whence innocence.  He who reads, thinks; who thinks, reasons.  But not to reason is duty; and happiness as well.  These truths are incontestable; society is based on them.