the East, given up to discussion and sophistry, centred its interest in the schools, the Turk came, overthrew it, and cast it into the Bosphorus. When the Reign of Terror throned itself on the high altar of the cathedral of Paris, Notre-Dame, and in its impiety denounced Robespierre as "too devout," then the blood of citizens was shed in torrents by fellow-citizens. To-day the French Government believe in nothing, the administrators of the Government believe in nothing, the Parliament with their electors, most State-paid Professors and Schoolmasters with their pupils, believe in nothing. What do and will all those become? Sycophants, servants, slaves! Florian's Fable "Le Danseur de Corde et le Balancier" will remind these of an old, but better time that can be for France again, if they like.
To be fair, we gladly acknowledge that ignorance and prejudice have to a large extent abated in the Lower Middle classes of French society; also that the social forces, which were at work underground, unobserved and unchecked before the days of "woe and sorrow" of 1870–71, fortunately, are no longer hidden. They can be confronted in the open, and must doubtless be mastered and mercilessly strangled on the advent to power of a large growing generation of better, more energetic and practical young men, whose ideas about patriotism and duty towards one's native land should be taught them as a religion, but not as a lifeless and impotent simulacrum of a cosmopolitan patriotism of the vaguest character. Meanwhile, no one denies that great France, distrusted as she is (seemingly the most restless branch of the European family, and able to endure anything rather than a quiet life), an essentially Conservative and religious country, has lost, politically speaking, something of her old energy, dignity, and popularity. It is, we believe, easy to see that much of this springs from Republican administrations. Much springs from the immoderate talks and writings, the painfully intolerant and narrow policy, and often no less ridiculous blunders of advanced Liberals. This is so, but much more is really due to the weakness of Republican executives. These administrations, indeed, are responsible for the calamitous success of national evils. But this anywhere, is the unavoidable outcome of the rule of politically inexperienced adventurers. These have no right
