confirm our shame. It behoves you Parisians to set the example in everything; let a temperate but vigorous petition show to the Assembly that you know your rights, that you are determined to preserve them, that you are ready to defend them, and that you insist on their being acknowledged. It is not at the Palais Royal that this should be done; the united districts ought to act; but if they are not so inclined, it should be done by any set of men, provided they be in sufficient number to command respect and to lead on others by their example. I preach to as many people as I can. A surgeon and a village curate have subscribed for Brissot's journal, which we have taught them to relish; but our little country towns are too corrupt, and our peasantry too ignorant. Villefranche overflows with aristocrats, people risen from the dust, which they think they shake off by affecting the prejudice of another class. . . ."
The question which was then agitating the whole country was that of the Royal veto. By giving back into the hands of the King the power of negativing the decisions of the Assembly, the nation seemed to abdicate the power of self-government which it had only just conquered. Fierce and prolonged were the debates in the House; intense the excitement without. The districts began to assemble, as Madame Roland had advised, and to present petitions to the Commune.
But while in the Assembly members were volubly discussing the new Constitution; while the Queen at the famous banquet to the Swiss and other regiments attempted her one supreme effort at fascination; other forces were at work—forces soon to become more potent than either Throne or Assembly.
After the 14th of July, when the National Guard
