128 Travels in France 



dressing important ones in such a garb as to make them trifles ? 

 The only society that could be really useful would be that which 

 in the culture of a large farm should exhibit a perfect example of 

 good husbandry for the use of such as would resort to it; con- 

 sequently one that should consist solely of practical men; and 

 then query whether many good cooks would not spoil a good 

 dish. The ideas of the public on the great business going on at 

 Versailles change daily and even hourly. It now seems the 

 opinion that the commons, in their late violent vote, have gone 

 too far ; and that the union of the nobility, clergy, army, parlia- 

 ment, and king will be by far too many for them ; such a union 

 is said to be in agitation; and that the Count d'Artois, the queen, 

 and the party usually known by her name, are taking steps to 

 •effect it, against the moment when the proceedings of the 

 commons shall make it necessary to act with unity and vigour. 

 The abolition of the parliaments is common conversation among 

 the popular leaders, as a step essentially necessary; because, 

 while they exist, they are tribunals to which the court can have 

 resort should they be inclined to take any step against the exist- 

 ence of the states : those bodies are alarmed, and see with deep 

 regret, that their refusal to register the royal edicts has created 

 a power in the nation not only hostile but dangerous to their own 

 -existence. It is now very well known and understood on all 

 hands that, should the king get rid of the states and govern on 

 any tolerable principles, all his edicts would be enregistered by 

 all the parliaments. In the dilemma and apprehension of the 

 moment the people look very much to the Due d'Orleans as to a 

 head; but with palpable and general ideas of distrust and want 

 of confidence; they regret his character, and lament that they 

 cannot depend on him in any severe and difficult trial: they 

 conceive him to be without steadiness, and that his greatest 

 apprehension is to be exiled from the pleasures of Paris, and tell 

 of many littlenesses he practised before to be recalled from 

 banishment. They are, however, so totally without a head that 

 they are contented to look to him as one ; and are highly pleased 

 with what is every moment reported, that he is determined to go 

 at the head of a party of the nobility and verify their powers in 

 <;ommon with the commons. All agree that had he firmness in 

 addition to his vast revenue of seven millions (£306,250) and 

 four more (£175,000) in reversion, after the death of his father- 

 in-law, the Due de Penthievre, he might at the head of the 

 popular cause do anything. 



i^th. In the morning to the king's library which I had not 



