mean the public. Those that have principles that they cannot justify and will not stand discussion, will certainly be able to do more by being shut up and by exercising their veto. I have just been reading M. Necker's memoir about the corn, and cannot express to you how much concern it gave me to see the old leaven in it. I thought he had dropped it. Excuse my petulance in saying so much about what does not concern me, and of which I cannot be a judge.
"All that you say about our government in your letter is exact truth, to which may be added, that ours is like an old house in the country, perfectly habitable, with good apartments in good repair, though not so good as a new house; yet it would be madness in us to put ourselves to the inconvenience of pulling it down to build another, and therefore it cannot be expected that things can bear a constant comparison. As to your house I look upon it as nearly covered in. The Assembly and the public seem perfectly aware of the importance of keeping the great powers of government distinct, and if they should happen in any particular instance to confound the legislative with the executive, the public opinion will quickly set it to right. Men are deceived by forms, but I do not believe they are ever really governed by them, except in young and barbarous countries. France must shortly become so enlightened, that the public opinion must become in future equally capable and powerful. As to your two pamphlets about the Church funds, it strikes me, as it does everyone, that there is a great deal of reason and good sense in them, as well as in all the Abbé Siéyès says about them. I own I cannot comprehend the debates upon them. What is there so simple as to give a power to the proprietors to buy at a fixed price (suppose 25 or 30 years' purchase; ours would sell here in an instant at 40), whenever they can afford it. It would incite great economy among the proprietors, and effectually prevent all hardship. This appears to me so simple and so just, that I must deceive myself about it, else it could not fail to strike the wisdom of the Assembly. As to your
