But when I took one circumstance into my consideration, I was
obliged to confess that much allowance ought to be made for the
Society, and that the temptation was too strong for common discretion-
I mean, the circumstance of the Io Paean of the triumph, the animating
cry which called "for all the BISHOPS to be hanged on the lampposts",*
might well have brought forth a burst of enthusiasm on the foreseen
consequences of this happy day. I allow to so much enthusiasm some
little deviation from prudence. I allow this prophet to break forth
into hymns of joy and thanksgiving on an event which appears like
the precursor of the Millennium and the projected fifth monarchy in
the destruction of all church establishments.
* "Tous les Eveques a la lanterne".
There was, however, (as in all human affairs there is) in the
midst of this joy something to exercise the patience of these worthy
gentlemen and to try the long-suffering of their faith. The actual
murder of the king and queen, and their child, was wanting to the
other auspicious circumstances of this "beautiful day". The actual
murder of the bishops, though called for by so many holy ejaculations,
was also wanting. A group of regicide and sacrilegious slaughter was
indeed boldly sketched, but it was only sketched. It unhappily was
left unfinished in this great history-piece of the massacre of
innocents.
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