In such a France as this, Hunger, as we have remarked, can hardly fail.  The Provinces, the Southern Cities feel it in their turn; and what it brings:  Exasperation, preternatural Suspicion.  In Paris some halcyon days of abundance followed the Menadic Insurrection, with its Versailles grain-carts, and recovered Restorer of Liberty; but they could not continue.  The month is still October when famishing Saint-Antoine, in a moment of passion, seizes a poor Baker, innocent ’Francois the Baker;’ (21st October, 1789 (Moniteur, No. 76).) and hangs him, in Constantinople wise;—­but even this, singular as it my seem, does not cheapen bread!  Too clear it is, no Royal bounty, no Municipal dexterity can adequately feed a Bastille-destroying Paris.  Wherefore, on view of the hanged Baker, Constitutionalism in sorrow and anger demands ’Loi Martiale,’ a kind of Riot Act;—­and indeed gets it, most readily, almost before the sun goes down.

This is that famed Martial law, with its Red Flag, its ‘Drapeau Rouge:’  in virtue of which Mayor Bailly, or any Mayor, has but henceforth to hang out that new Oriflamme of his; then to read or mumble something about the King’s peace; and, after certain pauses, serve any undispersing Assemblage with musket-shot, or whatever shot will disperse it.  A decisive Law; and most just on one proviso:  that all Patrollotism be of God, and all mob-assembling be of the Devil;—­otherwise not so just.  Mayor Bailly be unwilling to use it!  Hang not out that new Oriflamme, flame not of gold but of the want of gold!  The thrice-blessed Revolution is done, thou thinkest?  If so it will be well with thee.

But now let no mortal say henceforth that an august National Assembly wants riot:  all it ever wanted was riot enough to balance Court-plotting; all it now wants, of Heaven or of Earth, is to get its theory of defective verbs perfected.

Chapter 2.1.III.

The Muster.

With famine and a Constitutional theory of defective verbs going on, all other excitement is conceivable.  A universal shaking and sifting of French Existence this is:  in the course of which, for one thing, what a multitude of low-lying figures are sifted to the top, and set busily to work there!

Dogleech Marat, now for-seen as Simon Stylites, we already know; him and others, raised aloft.  The mere sample, these, of what is coming, of what continues coming, upwards from the realm of Night!—­Chaumette, by and by Anaxagoras Chaumette, one already descries:  mellifluous in street-groups; not now a sea-boy on the high and giddy mast:  a mellifluous tribune of the common people, with long curling locks, on bourne-stone of the thoroughfares; able sub-editor too; who shall rise—­to the very gallows.  Clerk Tallien, he also is become sub-editor; shall become able editor; and more.  Bibliopolic Momoro, Typographic Pruhomme see new trades opening.  Collot d’Herbois, tearing a passion to rags, pauses on the Thespian boards; listens, with that black bushy head, to the sound of the world’s drama:  shall the Mimetic become Real?  Did ye hiss him, O men of Lyons? (Buzot, Memoires (Paris, 1823), p. 90.) Better had ye clapped!