WhatIhavewrittenhere，dearsirandfriend，othersthink。I
haveseenmanyofmyclassmatesoroldergraduatescaughtlikemeinthetoilsofsomespecialty，——geographicalengineers，captain—
professors，captainsofengineers，whowillremaincaptainsalltheirlives，andnowbitterlyregrettheydidnotenteractiveservicewiththearmy。Reflectingonthesemiserableresults，I
askmyselfthefollowingquestions，andIwouldlikeyouropiniononthem，assuringyouthattheyarethefruitoflongmeditation，clarifiedinthefiresofsuffering:——
WhatistherealobjectoftheState？Doesittrulyseektoobtainfinecapacities？Thesystemnowpursueddirectlydefeatsthatend;
ithascratedthemostthoroughmediocritiesthatanygovernmenthostiletosuperioritycoulddesire。Doesitwishtogiveacareertoitschoiceminds？Asamatteroffact，itaffordsthemthemeanestopportunities;thereisnotamanwhohasissuedfromtheEcoleswhodoesnotbitterlyregret，whenhegetstobefiftyorsixtyyearsofage，thatheeverfellintothetrapsetforhimbythepromisesoftheState。Doesitseektoobtainmenofgenius？
Whatmanofgenius，whatgreattalenthavetheschoolsproducedsince1790？IfithadnotbeenforNapoleonwouldCachin，themanofgeniustowhomFranceowesCherbourg，haveexisted？Imperialdespotismbroughthimforward;theconstitutionalregimewouldhavesmotheredhim。HowmanymenfromtheEcolesaretobefoundintheAcademyofSciences？Possiblytwoorthree。Themanofgeniusdevelopsalwaysoutsideofthetechnicalschools。Inthescienceswhichthoseschoolsteachgeniusobeysonlyitsownlaws;
itwillnotdevelopexceptunderconditionswhichmancannotcontrol;neithertheStatenorthescienceofmankind，anthropology，understandsthem。Riquet，Perronet，LeonardodaVinci，Cachin，Palladio，Brunelleschi，Michel—Angelo，Bramante，Vauban，Vicat，derivetheirgeniusfromcausesunobservedandpreparatory，whichwecallchance，——thepetwordoffools。Never，withorwithoutschools，aremightyworkmensuchasthesewantingtotheirepoch。
Nowcomesthequestion，DoestheStategainthroughtheseinstitutionsthebetterdoingofitsworksofpublicutility，orthecheaperdoingofthem？Asforthat，Ianswerthatprivateenterprisesofalikekindgetonverywellwithoutthehelpofourengineers;andnext，thegovernmentworksarethemostextravagantintheworld，andtheadditionalcostofthevastadministrativestaffofthe/PontsetChaussees/isimmense。Inallothercountries，inGermany，England，Italy，whereinstitutionslikeoursdonotexist，worksofthischaracterarebetterdoneandfarlesscostlythaninFrance。Thosethreenationsareremarkablefornewandusefulinventionsinthisline。
Iknowitisthefashiontosay，inspeakingofourEcoles，thatallEuropeenviesthem;butforthelastfifteenyearsEurope，whichcloselyobservesus，hasnotestablishedotherslikethem。
England，thatclevercalculator，hasbetterschoolsamongherworkingpopulation，fromwhichcomepracticalmenwhoshowtheirgeniusthemomenttheyrisefrompracticetotheory。StephensonandMacAdamdidnotcomefromschoolslikeours。
Butwhatisthegoodoftalking？Whenafewyoungandableengineers，fullofardor，solve，attheoutsetoftheircareer，theproblemofmaintainingtheroadsofFrance，whichneedsomehundredmillionsspentuponthemeveryquarterofacentury（andwhicharenowinapitiablestate），theygainnothingbymakingknowninreportsandmemorandatheirintelligentknowledge;itisimmediatelyengulfedinthearchivesofthegeneralDirection，——
thatParisiancentrewhereeverythingentersandnothingissues;
whereoldmenarejealousofyoungones，andallthepostsofmanagementareusedtoshelveoldofficersormenwhohaveblundered。
Thisiswhy，withabodyofscientificmenspreadalloverthefaceofFranceandconstitutingapartoftheadministration，——abodywhichoughttoenlighteneveryregiononthesubjectofitsresources，——thisiswhywearestilldiscussingthepracticabilityofrailroadswhileothercountriesaremakingtheirs。IfeverFrancewastoshowtheexcellenceofherinstitutionoftechnicalschools，itshouldhavebeeninthismagnificentphaseofpublicworks，whichisdestinedtochangethefaceofStatesandnations，todoublehumanlife，andmodifythelawsofspaceandtime。
Belgium，theUnitedStatesofAmerica，England，noneofwhomhaveanEcolePolytechnique，willbehoneycombedwithrailroadswhenFrenchengineersarestillsurveyingours，andselfishinterests，hiddenbehindallprojects，arehinderingtheirexecution。
ThusIsaythatasfortheState，itderivesnobenefitfromitstechnicalschools;asfortheindividualpupilofthoseschools，hisearningsarepoor，hisambitioncrushed，andhislifeacrueldeception。Mostassuredlythepowershehasdisplayedbetweensixteenandtwenty—sixyearsofagewould，ifhehadbeencastuponhisownresources，havebroughthimmorefameandmorewealththanthegovernmentinwhomhetrustedwillevergivehim。Asacommercialman，alearnedman，amilitaryman，thischoiceintellectwouldhaveworkedinavastcentrewherehispreciousfacultiesandhisardentambitionwouldnotbeidioticallyandprematurelyrepressed。
Where，then，isprogress？ManandStatearebothkeptbackwardbythissystem。Doesnottheexperienceofawholegenerationdemandareforminthepracticalworkingoftheseinstitutions？ThedutyofcullingfromallFranceduringeachgenerationthechoicemindsdestinedtobecomethelearnedandthescientificofthenationisasacredoffice，thepriestsofwhich，thearbitersofsomanyfates，shouldbetrainedbyspecialstudy。Mathematicalknowledgeisperhapslessnecessarytothemthanphysiologicalknowledge。
Anddoyounotthinkthattheyneedalittleofthatsecond—sightwhichisthewitchcraftofgreatmen？Asitis，theexaminersareformerprofessors，honorablemengrownoldinharness，wholimittheirworktoselectingthebestthemes。Theyareunabletodowhatisreallydemandedofthem;andyettheirfunctionsarethenoblestintheStateanddemandextraordinarymen。
Donotthink，dearsirandfriend，thatIblameonlytheEcoleitself;no，Iblamethesystembywhichitisrecruited。Thissystemisthe/concours/，competition，——amoderninvention，essentiallybad;badnotonlyinscience，butwhereveritisemployed，inarts，inallselectionsofmen，ofprojects，ofthings。IfitisareproachtoourgreatEcolesthattheyhavenotproducedmensuperiortoothereducationalestablishments，itisstillmoreshamefulthatthe/grandprix/oftheInstitutehasnotasyetfurnishedasinglegreatpainter，greatmusician，greatarchitect，greatsculptor;justasthesuffrageforthelasttwentyyearshasnotelectedoutofitstideofmediocritiesasinglegreatstatesman。Myobservationmakesmedetect，asI
think，anerrorwhichvitiatesinFrancebotheducationandpolitics。Itisacruelerror，anditrestsonthefollowingprinciple，whichorganizershavemisconceived:——
/Nothing，eitherinexperienceorinthenatureofthings，cangiveacertaintythattheintellectualqualitiesoftheadultyouthwillbethoseofthematureman。/
AtthismomentIamintimatewithanumberofdistinguishedmenwhoconcernthemselveswithallthemoralmaladieswhicharenowafflictingFrance。Theysee，asIdo，thatourhighesteducationismanufacturingtemporarycapacities，——temporarybecausetheyarewithoutexerciseandwithoutfuture;thatsucheducationiswithoutprofittotheStatebecauseitisdevoidofthevigorofbeliefandfeeling。Ourwholesystemofpubliceducationneedsoverhauling，andtheworkshouldbepresidedoverbysomemanofgreatknowledge，powerfulwill，andgiftedwiththatlegislativegeniuswhichhasneverbeenmetwithamongmoderns，exceptperhapsinJean—JacquesRousseau。
Possiblyoursuperfluousnumbersmightbeemployedingivingelementaryinstructionsomuchneededbythepeople。Thedeplorableamountofcrimeandmisdemeanorsshowsasocialdiseasedirectlyarisingfromthehalf—educationgiventhemasses，whichtendstothedestructionofsocialtiesbymakingthepeoplereflectjustenoughtodesertthereligiousbeliefswhicharefavorabletosocialorder，andnotenoughtoliftthemtothetheoryofobedienceandduty，whichisthehighestreachofthenewtranscendentalphilosophy。ButasitisimpossibletomakeawholenationstudyKant，thereforeIsayfixedbeliefsandhabitsaresaferforthemassesthanshallowstudiesandreasoning。
IfIhadmylifetobeginoveragain，perhapsIwouldenteraseminaryandbecomeasimplevillagepriest，ortheteacherofacountrydistrict。ButIamtoofaradvancedinmyprofessionnowtobeamereprimaryinstructor;Ican，ifIleavemypresentpost，actinawiderrangethanthatofaschooloracountryparish。TheSaint—Simonians，towhomIhavebeentemptedtoallymyself，wantnowtotakeacourseinwhichIcannotfollowthem。
Nevertheless，inspiteoftheirmistakes，theyhavetouchedonmanyofthesorespotswhicharethefruitsofourpresentlegislation，andwhichtheStatewillonlydoctorbyinsufficientpalliatives，——merelydelayinginFrancethemoralandpoliticalcrisisthatmustcome。
Adieu，dearMonsieurGrossetete;accepttheassuranceofmyrespectfulattachment，which，notwithstandingalltheseobservations，canonlyincrease。
GregoireGerard。
Accordingtohisoldhabitasabanker，Grossetetehadjotteddownhisreplyonthebackoftheletteritself，headingitwiththesacramentalword，/Answered/。
Itisuseless，mydearGerard，todiscusstheobservationsmadeinyourletter，becausebyatrickofchance（Iusethetermwhichis，asyousay，thepetwordoffools）Ihaveaproposaltomaketoyouwhichmayresultinwithdrawingyoufromthesituationyoufindsobad。MadameGraslin，theowneroftheforestsofMontegnacandofabarrenplateauextendingfromthebaseofachainofmountainsonwhicharetheforests，wishestoimprovethisvastdomain，toclearhertimberproperly，andcultivatethestonyplain。
Toputthisprojectintoexecutionsheneedsamanofyourscientificknowledgeandardor，andonewhohasalsoyourdisinteresteddevotionandyourideasofpracticalutility。Itwillbelittlemoneyandmuchwork！agreatresultfromsmallmeans！awholeregiontobechangedfundamentally！barrenplacestobemadetogushwithplenty！Isn’tthatpreciselywhatyouwant，——youwhoaredreamingofconstructingapoem？Fromthetoneofsinceritywhichpervadesyourletter，IdonothesitatetobidyoucomeandseemeatLimoges。But，mygoodfriend，don’tsendinyourresignationyet;getleaveofabsenceonly，andtellyouradministrationthatyouaregoingtostudyquestionsconnectedwithyourprofessionoutsideofthegovernmentworks。Inthisway，youwillnotloseyourrights，andyouwillhavetimetojudgeforyourselfwhethertheprojectconceivedbytherectorofMontegnacandapprovedbyMadameGraslinisfeasible。
Iwillexplaintoyoubywordofmouththeadvantagesyouwillfindincasethisgreatschemecanbecarriedout。RelyonthefriendshipofYours，etc，T。Grossetete。
MadameGraslinrepliedtoGrosseteteinfewwords:"Thankyou，myfriend;Ishallexpectyour/protege/。"Sheshowedthelettertotherector，saying，——
"Onemorewoundedmanforthehospital。"
Therectorreadtheletter，rereadit，madetwoorthreeturnsontheterracesilently;thenhegaveitbacktoMadameGraslin，saying，——
"Afinesoul，andasuperiorman。HesaystheschoolsinventedbythegeniusoftheRevolutionmanufactureincapacities。Formypart，Isaytheymanufactureunbelievers;forifMonsieurGerardisnotanatheist，heisaprotestant。"
"Wewillaskhim，"shesaid，struckbyananswer。
XVII
THEREVOLUTIONOFJULYJUDGEDATMONTEGNAC
Afortnightlater，inDecember，andinspiteofthecold，MonsieurGrossetetecametothechateaudeMontegnac，to"presenthisprotege，"
whomVeroniqueandMonsieurBonnetwereimpatientlyawaiting。
"Imustloveyouverymuch，mydearchild，"saidtheoldman，takingVeronique’stwohandsinhis，andkissingthemwiththatgallantryofoldmenwhichneverdispleaseswomen，"yes，Imustloveyouwell，tocomefromLimogesinsuchweather。ButIwantedtopresenttoyoumyselfthegiftofMonsieurGregoireGerardherepresent。You’llfindhimamanafteryourownheart，MonsieurBonnet，"addedthebanker，bowingaffectionatelytotherector。
Gerard’sexternalappearancewasnotprepossessing。Hewasofmiddleheight，stockyinshape，thenecksunkintheshoulders，astheysayvulgarly;hehadyellowhair，andthepinkeyesofanalbino，withlashesandeyebrowsalmostwhite。Thoughhisskin，likethatofallpersonsofthatdescription，wasamazinglywhite，marksofthesmall—
boxandotherveryvisiblescarshaddestroyeditsoriginalbrilliancy。Studyhadprobablyinjuredhissight，forheworeglasses。
Whenheremovedthegreatcloakofagendarmeinwhichhewaswrapped，itwasseenthathisclothingdidnotimprovehisgeneralappearance。
Themannerinwhichhisgarmentswereputonandbuttoned，hisuntidycravat，hisrumpledshirt，weresignsofthewantofpersonalcarewithwhichmenofscience，allmoreorlessabsent—minded，arecharged。Asinthecaseofmostthinkers，hiscountenanceandhisattitude，thedevelopmentofhisbustandthethinnessofhislegs，betrayedasortofbodilydebilityproducedbyhabitsofmeditation。
Nevertheless，theardorofhisheartandthevigorofhismind，proofsofwhichweregiveninthisletter，gleamedfromhisforehead，whichwaswhiteasCarraramarble。Natureseemedtohavereservedtoherselfthatspotinordertoplacetherevisiblesignsofthegrandeur，constancy，andgoodnessoftheman。Thenose，likethatofmostmenofthetrueGallicrace，wasflattened。Hismouth，firmandstraight，showedabsolutediscretionandtheinstinctofeconomy。Butthewholemask，wornbystudy，lookedprematurelyold。
"Wemustbeginbythankingyou，monsieur，"saidMadameGraslin，addressingtheengineer，"forbeingwillingtodirectanenterpriseinapartofthecountrywhichcanofferyounootherpleasurethanthesatisfactionofknowingthatyouaredoingarealgood。"
"Madame，"hereplied，"MonsieurGrossetetehastoldmeenoughaboutyourenterpriseaswecamealongtomakemealreadygladthatIcaninanywaybeusefultoyou;theprospectoflivingincloserelationswithyouandMonsieurBonnetseemstomecharming。UnlessIamdismissedfromthisregion，Iexpecttoendmydayshere。"
"Wewilltrynottoletyouchangeyourmind，"repliedMadameGraslin，smiling。
"Here，"saidGrossetete，addressingVeronique，whomhetookaside，"arethepaperswhichthe/procureur—general/gavetome。HewasquitesurprisedthatyoudidnotaddressyourinquiryaboutCatherineCurieuxtohim。Allthatyouwishedhasbeendoneimmediately，withtheutmostpromptitudeanddevotion。ThreemonthshenceCatherineCurieuxwillbesenttoyou。"
"Whereisshe？"askedVeronique。
"SheisnowinthehospitalSaint—Louis，"repliedtheoldman;"theyareawaitingherrecoverybeforesendingherfromParis。"
"Ah！isthepoorgirlill？"
"Youwillfindallnecessaryinformationinthesepapers，"saidGrossetete，givingVeroniqueapacket。
MadameGraslinreturnedtohergueststoconductthemintothemagnificentdining—roomontheground—floor。Shesatattable，butdidnotherselftakepartinthedinner;sinceherarrivalatMontegnacshehadmadeitaruletotakehermealsalone，andAline，whoknewthereasonofthiswithdrawal，faithfullykeptthesecretofittillhermistresswasindangerofdeath。
Themayor，the/jugedepaix/，andthedoctorofMontegnachadbeeninvited。
Thedoctor，ayoungmantwenty—sevenyearsofage，namedRoubaud，wasextremelydesirousofknowingawomansocelebratedinLimoges。TherectorwasallthemorepleasedtopresenthimatthechateaubecausehewantedtogatheralittlesocietyaroundVeroniquetodistracthermindandgiveitfood。Roubaudwasoneofthosethoroughlywell—
trainedyoungphysicianswhomtheEcoledeMedecineinParissendsforthtotheprofession。Hewouldundoubtedlyhaveshoneonthevaststageofthecapital;butfrightenedbytheclashofambitionsinParis，andknowinghimselfmorecapablethanpushing，morelearnedthanintriguing，hisgentledispositionledhimtochoosethenarrowcareeroftheprovinces，wherehehopedtobesoonerappreciatedthaninParis。
AtLimoges，Roubaudcameincontactwiththesettledpracticeoftheregularphysiciansandthehabitsofthepeople;hethereforelethimselfbepersuadedbyMonsieurBonnet，who，judgingbythegentleandwinningexpressionofhisface，thoughthimwell—suitedtoco—operateinhisownworkatMontegnac。Roubaudwassmallandfair;
hisgeneralappearancewasratherinsipid，buthisgrayeyesbetrayedthedepthsofthephysiologistandthepatienttenacityofastudiousman。TherewasnophysicianinMontegnacexceptanoldarmy—surgeon，moredevotedtohiscellarthantohispatients，andtoooldtocontinuewithanyvigorthehardlifeofacountrydoctor。Atthepresenttimehewasdying。
RoubaudhadbeeninMontegnacabouteighteenmonths，andwasmuchlikedthere。ButthisyoungpupilofDespleinandthesuccessorsofCabanisdidnotbelieveinCatholicism。Helivedinastateofprofoundindifferenceastoreligion，anddidnotdesiretocomeoutofit。Therectorwasindespair。NotthatRoubauddidanywrong;heneverspokeagainstreligion，andhisdutieswereexcuseenoughforhisabsencefromchurch;besides，hewasincapableoftryingtounderminethefaithofothers，andindeedbehavedoutwardlyasthebestofCatholics;hesimplyprohibitedhimselffromthinkingofaproblemwhichheconsideredabovetherangeofhumanthought。WhentherectorheardhimsaythatpantheismhadbeenthereligionofallgreatmindshesethimdownasincliningtothedoctrineofPythagorasonreincarnation。
Roubaud，whosawMadameGraslinforthefirsttime，experiencedaviolentsensationwhenhemether。Sciencerevealedtohiminherexpression，herattitude，intheravagesofherface，untoldsufferingsbothmoralandphysical，anatureofalmostsuperhumanforce，greatfacultieswhichwouldsupportherunderthemostconflictingtrials;hedetectedall，——eventhedarkestcornersofthatnaturesocarefullyhidden。Hefeltthatsomeevil，somemalady，wasdevouringtheheartofthatfinecreature;forjustasthecolorofafruitshowsthepresenceofawormwithinit，socertaintintsinthehumanfaceenablephysicianstodetectapoisoningthought。
FromthismomentMonsieurRoubaudattachedhimselfsodeeplytoMadameGraslinthathebecameafraidoflovingherbeyondthepermittedlineofsimplefriendship。Thebrow，thebearing，aboveall，theglanceofVeronique’seyehadasortofeloquencethatmeninvariablyunderstand;itsaidasplainlythatshewasdeadtoloveasotherwomensaythecontrarybyareversalofthesameeloquence。Thedoctorsuddenlyvowedtoher，inhisheart，achivalrousworship。
Heexchangedarapidglancewiththerector，whothoughttohimself，"Here’sthethunderboltwhichwillconvertmypoorunbeliever;MadameGraslinwillhavemoreeloquencethanI。"
Themayor，anoldcountryman，amazedattheluxuryofthisdining—roomandsurprisedtofindhimselfdiningwithoneoftherichestmeninthedepartment，hadputonhisbestclothes，whichratherhamperedhim，andthisincreasedhismentalawkwardness。Moreover，MadameGraslininhermourninggarmentsseemedtohimveryimposing;hewasthereforemute。AfterlivingallhislifeasafarmeratSaint—
Leonard，hehadboughttheonlyhabitablehouseinMontegnacandcultivatedwithhisownhandsthelandbelongingtoit。Thoughheknewhowtoreadandwrite，hewouldhavebeenincapableoffulfillinghisfunctionswereitnotforthehelpofhisclerkandthe/jugedepaix/，whopreparedhisworkforhim。HewasveryanxioustohaveanotaryestablishedinMontegnac，inorderthathemightshifttheburdenofhisresponsibilityontothatofficer’sshoulders。Butthepovertyofthevillageanditsoutlyingdistrictsmadesuchafunctionaryalmostuseless，andtheinhabitantshadrecoursewhennecessarytothenotariesofthechieftownofthearrondissement。
The/jugedepaix/，namedClousier，wasformerlyalawyerinLimoges，wherecaseshaddesertedhimbecauseheinsistedonputtingintopracticethatfineaxiomthatthelawyeristhebestjudgeoftheclientandthecase。In1809heobtainedhispresentpost，themeagresalaryofwhichjustenabledhimtolive。Hehadnowreachedastageofhonorablebutabsolutepoverty。Afteraresidenceoftwenty—oneyearsinthispoorvillagetheworthyman，thoroughlycountrified，looked，top—coatandall，exactlylikethefarmersabouthim。
UnderthiscoarseexteriorClousierhidaclear—sightedmind，giventoloftymeditationonpublicpolicy，thoughhehimselfhadfallenintoastateofcompleteindifference，derivedfromhisintimateknowledgeofmenandtheirinterests。Thisman，whobaffledforalongtimetherector’sperspicacityandwhomightinahigherspherehaveprovedanotherl’Hopital，incapableofintriguelikeallreallyprofoundpersons，wasbythistimelivinginthecontemplativestateofanancienthermit。Independentthroughprivation，nopersonalconsiderationactedonhismind;heknewthelawsandjudgedimpartially。Hislife，reducedtothemerestnecessaries，waspureandregular。ThepeasantslovedMonsieurClousierandrespectedhimforthedisinterestedfatherlycarewithwhichhesettledtheirdifferencesandgavethemadviceintheirdailyaffairs。The"goodmanClousier"asallMontegnaccalledhim，hadanephewwithhimasclerk，anintelligentyoungman，whoafterwardscontributedmuchtotheprosperityofthedistrict。
OldClousier’spersonalappearancewasremarkableforabroad，highforeheadandtwobushesofwhitehairwhichstoodoutfromhisheadoneithersideofit。Hishighlycoloredcomplexionandwell—developedcorpulencemighthavemadepersonsthink，inspiteofhisactualsobriety，thathecultivatedBacchusaswellasTroplongandToullier。
Hishalf—extinctvoicewasthesignofanoppressiveasthma。PerhapsthedryairofMontegnachadcontributedtofixhimthere。Helivedinahousearrangedforhimbyawell—to—docobblertowhomitbelonged。
ClousierhadalreadyseenVeroniqueatchurch，andhehadformedhisopinionofherwithoutcommunicatingittoanyone，noteventoMonsieurBonnet，withwhomhewasbeginningtobeintimate。Forthefirsttimeinhislifethe/jugedepaix/wastobethrowninwithpersonsabletoappreciatehim。
Whenthecompanywereseatedroundatablehandsomelyappointed（forVeroniquehadsentallherhouseholdbelongingsfromLimogestoMontegnac）thesixguestsfeltamomentaryembarrassment。Thedoctor，themayorandthe/jugedepaix/knewnothingofGrosseteteandGerard。Butduringthefirstcourse，oldGrossetete’sheartygood—
humorbroketheiceofafirstmeeting。Inadditiontothis，MadameGraslin’scordialityledonGerard，andencouragedRoubaud。Underhertouchthesesoulsfulloffinequalitiesrecognizedtheirrelation，andfelttheyhadenteredasympatheticcircle。So，bythetimethedessertappearedonthetable，whentheglassandchinawithgildededgessparkled，andthechoicerwineswereservedbyAlineandChampionandGrossetete’svalet，theconversationbecamesufficientlyconfidentialtoallowthesefourchoiceminds，thusmeetingbychance，toexpresstheirrealthoughtsonmattersofimportance，suchasmenliketodiscusswhentheycandosoandbesureofthediscretionoftheircompanions。
"YourfurloughcamejustintimetoletyouwitnesstherevolutionofJuly，"saidGrossetetetoGerard，withanairasifheaskedanopinionofhim。
"Yes，"repliedtheengineer。"IwasinParisduringthethreefamousdays。Isawall;andIcametosadconclusions。"
"Whatwerethey？"saidtherector，eagerly。
"Thereisnolongeranypatriotismexceptunderdirtyshirts，"repliedGerard。"InthatliestheruinofFrance！Julywasthevoluntarydefeatofallsuperiorities，——name，fortune，talent。Theardent，devotedmassescarriedthedayagainsttherichandtheintelligent，towhomardoranddevotionarerepugnant。"
"Tojudgebywhathashappenedduringthepastyear，"saidMonsieurClousier，"thischangeofgovernmentissimplyapremiumgiventoanevilthatissappingus，——individualism。Fifteenyearshenceallquestionsofagenerousnaturewillbemetby，/Whatisthattome？/——
thegreatcryofFreedomofWilldescendingfromthereligiousheightswhereLuther，Calvin，Zwinglius，andKnoxintroducedit，intoevenpoliticaleconomy。/Everyoneforhimself/;/everymanhisownmaster/，——thosetwoterribleaxiomsform，withthe/Whatisthattome？/atrinityofwisdomtotheburgherandthesmallland—owner。Thisegotismresultsfromthevicesofourpresentcivillegislation（toohastilymade），towhichtherevolutionofJulyhasjustgivenaterribleconfirmation。"
The/jugedepaix/fellbackintohisusualsilenceafterthusexpressinghimself;butthetopicshesuggestedmusthaveoccupiedthemindsofthosepresent。EmboldenedbyClousier’swords，andmovedbythelookwhichGerardexchangedwithGrossetete，MonsieurBonnetventuredtogofurther。
"ThegoodKingCharlesX。，"hesaid，"hasjustfailedinthemostfar—
sightedandsalutaryenterpriseamonarcheverplannedforthewelfareofthepeopleconfidedtohim;andtheChurchoughttofeelproudofthepartshetookinhiscouncils。Buttheupperclassesdesertedhiminheartandmind，justastheyhadalreadydesertedhimonthegreatquestionofthelawofprimogeniture，——thelastinghonoroftheonlyboldstatesmantheRestorationhasproduced，namely，theComtedePeyronnet。Toreconstitutethenationthroughthefamily;totakefromthepressitsvenomousactionandconfineittoitsrealusefulness;
torecalltheelectiveChambertoitstruefunctions;andtorestoretoreligionitspoweroverthepeople，——suchwerethefourcardinalpointsoftheinternalpolicyofthehouseofBourbon。Well，twentyyearsfromnowallFrancewillhaverecognizedthenecessityofthatgrandandsoundpolicy。CharlesX。wasingreaterperilinthesituationhechosetoleavethaninthatinwhichhispaternalpowerhasbeendefeated。Thefutureofournoblecountry——whereallthingswillhenceforthbebroughtperiodicallyintoquestion，whereourrulerswilldiscussincessantlyinsteadofacting，wherethepress，becomeasovereignpower，willbetheinstrumentofbaseambitions——
thisfuturewillonlyprovethewisdomofthekingwhohasjustcarriedawaywithhimthetrueprinciplesofgovernment;andhistorywillbearinmindthecouragewithwhichheresistedhisbestfriendsafterhavingprobedthewoundandseenthenecessityofcurativemeasures，whichwerenotsustainedbythoseforwhosesakeheputhimselfintothebreach。"
"Ah！monsieur，"criedGerard，"youarefrank;yougostraighttoyourthoughtwithoutdisguise，andIwon’tcontradictyou。NapoleoninhisRussiancampaignwasfortyyearsinadvanceofthespiritofhisage;
hewasneverunderstood。TheRussiaandEnglandof1830explainsthecampaignof1812。CharlesX。hasbeenmisunderstoodinthesameway。
Itisquitepossiblethatintwenty—fiveyearsfromnowhisordinancesmaybecomethelawsoftheland。"
"France，tooeloquentnottogabble，toofullofvanitytobowdownbeforerealtalent，is，inspiteofthesublimegoodsenseofitslanguageandthemassofitspeople，theverylastnationinwhichtwodeliberativechambersshouldhavebeenattempted，"saidthe/jugedepaix/。"Or，atanyrate，theweaknessesofournationalcharactershouldhavebeenguardedagainstbytheadmirablerestrictionswhichNapoleon’sexperiencelaiduponthem。Ourpresentsystemmaysucceedinacountrywhoseactioniscircumscribedbythenatureofitssoil，likeEngland;butthelawofprimogenitureappliedtothetransmissionoflandisabsolutelynecessary;whenthatlawissuppressedthesystemoflegislativerepresentationbecomesabsurd。Englandowesherexistencetothequasi—feudallawwhichentailslandedpropertyandfamilymansionsontheeldestson。Russiaisbasedonthefeudalrightofautocracy。Consequentlythosetwonationsareto—dayonthehigh—
roadofstartlingprogress。AustriacouldonlyresistourinvasionsandrenewthewayagainstNapoleonbyvirtueofthatlawofprimogeniturewhichpreservesinthefamilytheactiveforcesofanation，andsuppliesthegreatproductionsnecessarytotheState。ThehouseofBourbon，feelingthatitwasslippingtothethirdrankinEurope，byreasonofliberalism，wantedtoregainitsrightfulplaceandtheremaintainitself，andthenationhasthrownitoverattheverytimeitwasabouttosavethenation。IamsureIdon’tknowhowlowdownthepresentsystemwilldropus。"