Then it would be wise, I think, in considering this question, and in taking for granted that the 'literature and talent' of the country are against the Government, to analyse the antecedents and character of the persons who _do_ stand out, persons implicated in former Governments, or favored by former Governments, and whose vanity and prejudices are necessarily contrary to a new order.
These persons, either in themselves or their friends, have all been tried in action and found wanting.

They have all lost the confidence of the French people, either by their misconduct or their ill-fortune.
They are all cast aside as broken instruments.

Under these circumstances they think it desirable to break themselves into the lock, to prevent the turning of another key; they consider it noble and patriotic to stand aside and revile and throw mud, in order to hinder the action of those who _are_ acting for the country.

In my mind, it is quite otherwise; in my mind and in many other minds--Robert's, for instance! and he began with a most intense hatred of this Government, as you well know.

But he does not shut his eyes to all that is noble and admirable going on, on all sides.