Never has so many men been seen together, fancying that they were all legislators, and that they were there to correct all the errors of the past, to remedy all mistakes of the human mind, and ensure the happiness of all ages to come.

Doubt had no place in their minds, and infallibility always presided over their contradictory decrees."-- This is because they have a theory and because, according to their notion, this theory renders special knowledge unnecessary.

Herein they are thoroughly sincere, and it is of set purpose that they reverse all ordinary modes of procedure.

Up to this time a constitution used to be organized or repaired like a ship.

Experiments were made from time to time, or a model was taken from vessels in the neighborhood; the first aim was to make the ship sail; its construction was subordinated to its work; it was fashioned in this or that way according to the materials on hand; a beginning was made by examining these materials, and trying to estimate their rigidity, weight, and strength .-- All this is reactionary; the age of Reason has come and the Assembly is too enlightened to drag on in a rut.