MR. WINDHAM ON THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
I ran off to another scene, and inquired how he had been amused abroad, and, in particular, at the National Assembly?
“Indeed,” he answered, “it was extremely curious for a short time; but there is little variety in it, and therefore it will not do long.”
I was in a humour to be just as sincere here, as about the trial; so you democrats must expect no better.
“I understand,” quoth I, “there is a great dearth of abilities in this new Assembly; how then should there be any variety?”
“No, I cannot say that: they do not want abilities; but they have no opportunity to make their way.”
“O!” quoth I, shaking my wise head, “abilities, real abilities, make their own way.”
“Why, that’s true; but, in that Assembly, the noise, the tumult—”
“Abilities,” again quoth I, “have power to quell noise and tumult.”
“Certainly, in general; but not in France. These new legislative members are so solicitous to speak, so anxious to be heard, that they prefer uttering any tautology to listening to others; and when once they have begun, they go on with what speed they may, and without selection, rather than stop. They see so many ready to seize their first pause, they know they have so little chance of a second hearing, that I never entered the Assembly without being reminded of the famous old story of the man who patiently bore hearing a tedious harangue, by saying the whole time to himself, ‘Well, well, ’tis his turn now; but let him beware how he sneezes.”’