An almost unnatural vigilance is really required of the citizen because of the horrible rapidity with which human institutions grow old.

It is the custom in passing romance and journalism to talk of men suffering under old tyrannies.

But, as a fact, men have almost always suffered under new tyrannies; under tyrannies that had been public liberties hardly twenty years before.

Thus England went mad with joy over the patriotic monarchy of Elizabeth; and then (almost immediately afterwards) went mad with rage in the trap of the tyranny of Charles the First.

So, again, in France the monarchy became intolerable, not just after it had been tolerated, but just after it had been adored.