The clubs were the exterior strength, where the factious of the assembly gave the support of their names in order to intimidate the national representation.

The national representation had only the laws; the club had the people, sedition, and even the army.
XX.
This expression of public opinion, thus organised into a permanent association at every point in the empire, gave an electric shock which nothing could resist.

A motion made in Paris was echoed from club to club to the extremest provinces.

The same spark lighted at once the same passion in millions of souls.

All the societies corresponded with one another and with the mother society.